CN113910523A - Automatic transfer device and lens molding system provided with same - Google Patents

Abstract

The automatic transfer device of the present invention includes: a first transfer unit that transfers the mold to a primary lens molding machine; and a second transfer unit that transfers the mold removed from the primary lens molding machine to a secondary lens molding machine, the first transfer unit and the second transfer unit including: a conveyor configured to linearly transfer the mold; a stopper provided at a position opposite to the mold transferred by the conveyor to stop the mold transferred by the conveyor; a mold arrival detection sensor for detecting arrival of the mold at the stopper; and a pushing unit which pressurizes the mold in a direction crossing a transfer direction of the conveyor to switch the transfer direction of the mold when the arrival of the mold is detected by the mold arrival detection sensor.

Description

Automatic transfer device and lens molding system provided with same

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an automatic transfer device connected to a lens molding machine that obtains supply of a raw material to be charged into a mold and performs molding, thereby transferring the mold into which the raw material is charged, and a lens molding system including the same.

Background

The lens is glass having a curved surface portion, and is mainly applied to recent portable terminals such as smart phones and smart watches.

The lens can be produced by a grinding method or a press molding method, but the grinding method has a problem that it is not suitable for mass production and has a lower quality than the press molding method. Therefore, recently, a press molding method has been widely used in which a flat plate-shaped (two-dimensional) semi-finished product is loaded into a mold, and the mold is subjected to a high-temperature heating step, a molding step, and a cooling step in this order to mold a three-dimensional glass product.

For example, in a previously registered patent No. 10-1775333 (2017.08.31. registration) of the present applicant, there is disclosed a glass molding machine that takes out a supply of sheet glass after obtaining it and molding it into a three-dimensional shape.

In order to automatically perform the process of feeding the raw material or the semi-finished product into the molding machine and taking out the molded three-dimensional glass product, the molding machine is connected with a system for transferring glass and molds.

For example, in the applicant's prior registered patent No. 10-1914436 (2018.10.29. registration), a system for transferring a mold by connecting to a molding machine is disclosed. The forming machine and the transfer device connected thereto constitute a glass forming system for producing glass in a three-dimensional shape.

In particular, when a finished product cannot be produced by one molding machine, the finished product may be produced by continuously performing molding operations in two or more molding machines. Therefore, in order to manufacture a finished product by two or more molding machines, it is necessary to automate a continuous molding operation and smoothly transfer a mold between the two or more molding machines.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved

The invention aims to provide an automatic transfer device for automatically transferring a mold between more than two lens forming machines and a lens forming system with the same.

The invention aims to provide an automatic transfer device capable of smoothly realizing transfer direction conversion of a mold and a lens molding system with the same.

The invention aims to provide an automatic transfer device which can transfer a plurality of molds simultaneously so as to smoothly complete continuous molding operation of a lens molding system.

The present invention is directed to an automatic transfer device and a lens molding system including the same, which are capable of adjusting transfer timing so that two or more molds are sequentially loaded one by one into a lens molding machine when the molds are transferred together.

The invention aims to provide an automatic transfer device which has a structure that interference does not occur during the transfer of a plurality of molds and a lens molding system with the automatic transfer device.

Means for solving the problems

The automatic transfer device of the present invention includes: a first transfer unit that transfers the mold to a primary lens molding machine; and a second transfer unit that transfers the mold removed from the primary lens molding machine to a secondary lens molding machine, the first transfer unit and the second transfer unit including: a conveyor configured to linearly transfer the mold; a stopper provided at a position opposite to the mold transferred by the conveyor to stop the mold transferred by the conveyor; a mold arrival detection sensor for detecting arrival of the mold at the stopper; and a pushing unit for pressurizing the mold in a direction crossing the transfer direction of the conveyor to switch the transfer direction of the mold when the mold arrival detection sensor detects the arrival of the mold.

The above-mentioned conveyer includes: a conveyor belt; and a transfer guide disposed at both sides of the conveyor to prevent separation of the mold transferred by the conveyor and extending along a transfer direction of the mold, the transfer guide being spaced apart from the stopper in the transfer direction of the conveyor, the pushing unit including: a guide rail provided to face the intersecting direction; and a mold pressing part connected to the guide rail, linearly moving along the crossing direction, and pushing out the mold contacting the stopper by moving in and out between the stopper and the transfer guide.

The first transfer unit includes: a vertical transfer portion which is provided at an opposite side of a side where the stopper is provided with reference to the conveyor and moves in a vertical direction to transfer the mold to a height corresponding to a conveyor belt of the conveyor; and a horizontal transfer unit for transferring the mold to the conveyor by pressurizing the mold in a horizontal direction when the mold is transferred to a height corresponding to the conveyor by the vertical transfer unit.

The vertical transfer part and the horizontal transfer part operate with a time interval difference, the horizontal transfer part is operated after the vertical transfer part operates for the same mold, and the vertical transfer part is returned to the pre-operation position after the horizontal transfer part returns to the pre-operation position after the mold is transferred to the conveyor of the first transfer part.

The vertical transfer unit includes: a driving unit provided on the conveyor of the first transfer unit so as to face a vertical direction; and a mold mounting portion connected to the driving portion and moving in a vertical direction, the mold mounting portion including a protrusion protruding in a horizontal direction, the protrusion being disposed above a conveyor belt of the conveyor when the mold is transferred to a height corresponding to an upper surface of the conveyor belt.

The horizontal transfer unit includes: a driving unit provided on the conveyor of the first transfer unit so as to face a horizontal direction; an extension portion connected to the driving portion, moving in a horizontal direction, and extending to a position opposite to an upper side of the conveyor along a track not overlapping with the vertical transfer portion in the horizontal direction; and a mold pressing portion connected to the extension portion and protruding to a position where a side surface of the mold can be pressed when the mold is transferred to a height corresponding to an upper surface of a conveyor belt of the conveyor by the vertical transfer portion.

The conveyor and the pushing unit each correspond to the first conveyor and the first pushing unit of the second transfer unit; the second transfer unit includes: a second conveyor for increasing and transferring the mold transferred by the pushing unit along the crossing direction; a station that is disposed at an end of the second conveyor and supports the mold transferred by the second conveyor in a stopped state; and a second pushing unit for pressurizing the mold along the transfer direction of the second conveyor when the mold is detected to reach the station.

The second pushing unit includes: a horizontal direction driving unit provided on one side of the second conveyor and arranged to face a direction parallel to a transfer direction of the second conveyor; an intermediate member connected to the horizontal direction driving unit and moving in a horizontal direction; a vertical direction driving unit provided on the intermediate member on the opposite side of the horizontal direction driving unit with respect to the intermediate member; and a die pressing portion provided at a lower end of the vertical driving portion.

After the mold passes through the vertical driving unit along the transfer direction of the second conveyor, the mold pressing unit is moved in a direction approaching the second conveyor by the operation of the vertical driving unit, and the mold is pushed out of the station by the operation of the horizontal driving unit after the operation of the vertical driving unit.

After the operation of the horizontal driving unit, the mold pressing unit is moved in a direction away from the second conveyor by the returning operation of the vertical driving unit, and then returned to the original position by the operation of the horizontal driving unit again.

The conveyor includes a first conveyor provided in the first transfer portion and a second conveyor provided in the second transfer portion, and a mold transfer control unit is provided on one side of the first transfer portion or one side of the second transfer portion.

The mold transfer control unit may move forward or backward in a direction intersecting a transfer direction of the first conveyor or a transfer direction of the second conveyor to stop or resume transfer of the mold by the first conveyor or the second conveyor, and may include a plurality of the mold transfer control units at positions spaced apart from each other in the transfer direction of the first conveyor or the transfer direction of the second conveyor.

The mold transfer control unit includes: a first mold transfer control unit; and a second mold transfer control unit disposed at a position spaced apart from the first mold transfer control unit in a transfer direction of the first conveyor or a transfer direction of the second conveyor.

The first mold transfer control unit and the second mold transfer control unit include: a driving unit that supplies a driving force for performing linear movement in a direction intersecting a transfer direction of the first conveyor or a direction intersecting a transfer direction of the second conveyor; and a blocking member connected to the driving unit so as to advance or retreat in a direction crossing a transfer direction of the first conveyor or a transfer direction of the second conveyor, thereby blocking or resuming the transfer of the mold by the first conveyor or the second conveyor.

The blocking member of the second mold transfer control unit is disposed at a position advanced between the two molds, based on a case where the transfer of the two molds is blocked by the blocking member of the first mold transfer control unit.

The molds are formed to have outer circumferential surfaces corresponding to side surfaces of the cylinders, and the blocking member has a shape in which a width thereof gradually decreases in a direction toward the conveyor of the first conveyor or the conveyor of the second conveyor so as to be inserted between the outer circumferential surfaces of the two molds.

The automatic transfer device may further include a sensor that detects arrival of the mold, the sensor being provided between a first mold transfer control unit and a second mold transfer control unit in a transfer direction of the first conveyor or a transfer direction of the second conveyor, and at least one of an operation of the first mold transfer control unit and an operation of the second mold transfer control unit may be controlled based on a detection result obtained by the sensor.

The first conveyor or the second conveyor includes: a conveyor belt; a transfer guide disposed on both sides of the conveyor belt to prevent separation of the mold transferred by the conveyor belt and extending in a transfer direction of the mold; and a plurality of support members formed to support the transfer guide.

The plurality of support members extend in the transfer direction of the first conveyor or the transfer direction of the second conveyor, and form an entrance of the blocking member by being spaced apart from each other at a position corresponding to the blocking member, and the blocking member is disposed to advance or retreat in the vertical direction through the entrance formed between the conveyor belt and the transfer guide.

The plate is disposed at a position spaced apart from the first conveyor or the second conveyor so as to face a side wall of the first conveyor or the second conveyor, and the side wall and a lower portion of the plate are connected to each other by a connecting member.

The first mold transfer control unit and the second mold transfer control unit include: an air cylinder provided on the plate on the opposite side of the connecting member and constituting the driving portion; a bar (bar) connected to a piston rod of the air cylinder so as to linearly move in a direction crossing a transfer direction of the conveyor, and extending to a position corresponding to the conveyor belt of the first conveyor or the conveyor belt of the second conveyor; a lever housing provided so as to penetrate through an upper portion of the plate; and a connecting rod that is provided so as to penetrate through the rod housing and supported by the rod housing, and that transmits the driving force of the air cylinder transmitted through the piston rod and the rod to the blocking member by being connected to the rod and the blocking member.

Before the mold reaches a position detected by a sensor provided between the first mold transfer control unit and the second mold transfer control unit, the blocking member of the first mold transfer control unit is exposed to a transfer path of the mold implemented by the first conveyor or the second conveyor, and the blocking member of the second mold transfer control unit is separated from the transfer path.

When the mold is transferred to a position where the transfer of the mold is blocked by the first mold transfer control unit, the blocking member of the first mold transfer control unit is separated from the transfer path, and the transfer of the mold is restarted.

When two or more molds are simultaneously transferred to a position blocked by a blocking member of the first mold transfer control unit by the first conveyor or the second conveyor, the blocking member of the second mold transfer control unit is advanced between the two molds to block the transfer of a rear mold, after the transfer of the rear mold is blocked, the blocking member of the first mold transfer control unit is retreated to restart the transfer of a front mold, after the transfer of the front mold is restarted, the blocking member of the first mold transfer control unit is advanced and the blocking member of the second mold transfer control unit is retreated to transfer the rear mold to the position blocked by the first mold transfer control unit, and after the transfer of the front mold to the end of the first conveyor or the second conveyor is completed, the transfer of the rear mold is resumed by retracting the blocking member of the first mold transfer control unit.

In the mold pressing portion, a portion in contact with the mold is recessed so as to correspond to an outer peripheral surface of the mold.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, the mold transfer from the unloading device to the primary lens molding machine is realized by an automatic transfer device. In particular, the automatic transfer device of the present invention can simultaneously transfer a plurality of molds, and thus can smoothly realize a continuous molding operation of the lens molding system.

According to the invention, the linear transfer by the conveyor and the reversing transfer by the pushing unit are automated on the basis of sensors.

According to the present invention, when two or more molds are continuously transferred, the transfer timing between the two molds can be separated in time from each other. When two or more molds are continuously supplied, there is a possibility that an error occurs in the continuous molding operation performed by the primary lens molding machine and the secondary lens molding machine. However, if the transfer timings between the two molds are temporally spaced from each other according to the present invention, the above-described error can be prevented from occurring.

According to the present invention, the second pushing unit that performs the pushing operation in the same direction as the conveyor can move not only in the horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction, and therefore, interference with the transfer of the mold by the conveyor does not occur.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a lens molding system including the automatic transfer device of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the lens molding system illustrated in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the automatic transfer device according to the present invention, viewed from different directions.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a first transfer unit of the automatic transfer device.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the first transfer unit of the automatic transfer device from another direction.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a first conveyor of the second transfer unit of the automatic transfer device and its periphery.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing a second conveyor of the second transfer unit of the automatic transfer device and the periphery thereof.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram for sequentially explaining the operation of the mold transfer control unit.

Detailed Description

The automatic transfer device and the lens molding system including the same according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are only for convenience of understanding the embodiments disclosed in the present specification and are not intended to limit the technical ideas disclosed in the present specification by the drawings, and should be understood to include all the modifications, equivalents and substitutes falling within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

When a certain component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component in this specification, it is to be understood that the component may be directly connected or connected to the other component, but the other component may be interposed therebetween. In contrast, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it is to be understood that no other component exists therebetween.

The terms "comprises" or "comprising" should be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, acts, elements, components, or groups thereof, as referred to in the specification, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, acts, elements, components, or groups thereof.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a lens molding system 1000 including a transfer robot 400 according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the lens molding system 1000 illustrated in fig. 1.

The lens molding system 1000 includes two or more lens molding machines 100 and 200, an unloading device 300, and a transfer robot 400.

The lens molding machines 100 and 200 are apparatuses for obtaining a mold M and supplying, molding, and discharging a raw material or a semi-finished product charged into the mold M. A glass material as a molding object is put into the lens molding machines 100 and 200 in a state of being accommodated in the mold M, and is discharged from the lens molding machines 100 and 200 after passing through a molding process.

The lens molding system 1000 includes two or more lens molding machines 100 and 200. As shown in fig. 1, the same lens molding machines 100 and 200 are arranged side by side. The mold M into which the raw material is put is first put into one of the two lens molding machines 100 and 200 to complete primary molding, and then is put into the other to complete secondary molding.

The mold M supplied to the primary lens molding machine 100 is charged with a raw material, and the mold supplied to the secondary lens molding machine 200 is charged with a semi-finished product molded in the primary lens molding machine 100.

The lens molding machines 100 and 200 are provided with shipping units 110 and 210. The shipping units 110 and 210 are portions protruding outward from the table 430 to supply the molds M into which the raw material or the semi-finished product is introduced.

The shipping unit 110, 210 has a slidably movable mounting unit. When the mold M is transferred to the mounting portion by the automatic transfer device 400 to be described later, the mounting portions of the shipping units 110 and 210 are slid and transferred, and the mold is transferred to the inside of the lens molding machines 100 and 200. The raw material or the semi-finished product is transferred to the inside of the lens molding machine 100, 200 together with the mold M, thereby being molded.

The unloading device 300 is formed by inserting a raw material into the mold M and opening the mold M to take out a finished product.

The unloading device 300 is provided with a robot 310 that automatically performs the loading and unloading operations. The unloading device 300 further includes a loading unit 320 for receiving the supply of the mold M discharged from the secondary lens molding machine 200. The robot arm 310 may be configured to load a material into an empty mold M loaded on the unloading device 300, and supply the mold loaded with the material to the automatic transfer device 400 to be described later. The robot arm 310 also takes out a finished product from the mold M discharged from the secondary lens molding machine 200 to the loading unit 320, and further, inputs a raw material into the mold to supply the mold to the automatic transfer device 400.

The automatic transfer device 400 receives a supply of the mold into which the raw material is introduced from the robot arm 310 of the unloading device 300. The automatic transfer device 400 transfers the mold M received and supplied to the loading and conveying unit 110 of the primary lens molding machine 100. Then, when the semi-finished product and the mold M are discharged after the molding is completed in the primary lens molding machine 100, the automatic transfer device 400 transfers the mold M into which the semi-finished product is put to the shipping unit 210 of the secondary lens molding machine 200 again. The automatic transfer operation of the automatic transfer device 400 sequentially and continuously performs lens molding in the two lens molding machines 100 and 200.

The lens molding machines 100 and 200 provided in the lens molding system 1000 according to the present invention have the carrying units 110 and 210 arranged side by side in the same direction, and the unloading device 300 and the automatic transfer device 400 are arranged side by side in the direction in which the carrying units 110 and 210 face. Therefore, in the automatic transfer device 400, it is necessary to switch the transfer direction of the molds M to supply the molds M to the shipping sections 110, 210 of the primary lens molding machine 100, and to switch the transfer direction of the molds M discharged from the primary lens molding machine 100 to supply to the shipping sections 110, 210 of the secondary lens molding machine 200.

Next, the structure and operation of the automatic transfer device 400 that realizes the above-described operation will be described.

Fig. 3 and 4 are perspective views of the automatic transfer device 400 according to the present invention, viewed from different directions.

The automatic transfer device 400 includes a first transfer unit 410 and a second transfer unit 420 provided on a table 430.

The first transfer unit 410 is configured to transfer the mold M into which the raw material is introduced to the primary lens molding machine 100. The second transfer unit 420 is configured to transfer the mold M discharged from the primary lens molding machine 100 to the secondary lens molding machine 200.

Each of the first transfer section 410 and the second transfer section 420 includes a conveyor 411, 421, 422, a stopper 413, 423, a mold arrival detection sensor 414, 424, and a pushing unit 415, 425. In order to distinguish the configurations of the first transfer unit 410 and the second transfer unit 420 from each other, serial numbers may be assigned and named as necessary.

For example, since the second transfer unit 420 includes two conveyors 421 and 422, the conveyors may be named a first conveyor 421 and a second conveyor 422, or a 2-1 st conveyor 421 and a 2-2 nd conveyor 422, respectively. As another example, the conveyor 411 of the first transfer section 410 may be named a first conveyor 411, and the two conveyors 421 and 422 of the second transfer section 420 may be named a second conveyor 421 and a third conveyor 422. The above-mentioned serial numbers are given only for distinguishing one from another.

The conveyors 411, 421, 422 are formed to linearly transfer the molds M. The mold M is charged with raw materials or semi-finished products. The linear means that the transfer is performed in one direction without change of the transfer direction, and the transfer direction here may be a horizontal direction.

In general, the conveyors 411, 421, and 422 are configured by conveyor belts 411a, 421a, and 422a, pulleys (not shown) that pull the conveyor belts 411a, 421a, and 422a from both sides, frames 411b, 421b, and 422b that surround the conveyor belts 411a, 421a, and 422a, motors 411c, 421c, and 422c that transmit rotational driving forces to the pulleys, and the like. When the rotational driving force of the motors 411c, 421c, 422c is transmitted to the pulleys, the pulleys are rotated, and the molds M placed on the conveyor belts 411a, 421a, 422a are transferred in one direction while the conveyor belts 411a, 421a, 422a are rotated along with the pulleys.

The structure of the conveyors 411, 421, and 422 is not limited to this, and the conveyors 411, 421, and 422 may have a structure in which a plurality of rollers are rotatably connected to frames 411b, 421b, and 422 b.

The conveyors 411, 421, 422 are connected to the table 430 by height adjusting devices 411d, 421d, 422 d. The height adjusting means 411d, 421d, 422d may also be attached to the frames 411b, 421b, 422 b. The height adjusting devices 411d, 421d, and 422d are formed to be able to support the conveyors 411, 421, and 422 and to finely adjust the heights of the conveyors 411, 421, and 422 in the vertical direction. The heights of the conveyors 411, 421, 422 are determined according to the heights of the unloading device 300, the primary lens molding machine 100, and the secondary lens molding machine 200.

Stoppers 413 and 423 are provided at ends of the conveyors 411 and 421 to stop the molds M transferred by the conveyors 411 and 421. Here, the end of the conveyor 411 or 421 refers to the arrival point of the mold transferred by the conveyor 411 or 421, and refers to the position of the conveyor 411 or 421 adjacent to the pulley.

The stoppers 413 and 423 are provided at positions facing the molds M transferred by the conveyors 411 and 421. When the molds M are transferred to the end by the conveyors 411, 421, the molds M are stopped by the stoppers 413, 423 even if the conveyor belts 411a, 421a of the conveyors 411, 421 continue to move.

The mold- arrival detecting sensors 414, 424 are provided around the stoppers 413, 423. The periphery of the stoppers 413 and 423 indicates a position where the mold M stopped by the stoppers 413 and 423 can be detected. For example, the mold- arrival detecting sensors 414, 424 may be provided directly above or at both sides of the stoppers 413, 423.

The mold arrival detection sensors 414 and 424 are formed to detect the arrival of the mold M at the stoppers 413 and 423. The mold- arrival detecting sensors 414, 424 may use one of various means such as an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, and the like. When the conveyors 411 and 421 continue to operate, the molds M transferred by the conveyors 411, 421, and 422 are transferred to the positions where the stoppers 413 and 423 are located, and in a state where the molds M are stopped by the stoppers 413 and 423, the mold arrival detection sensors 414 and 424 detect that the transfer of the molds M is completed.

As described above, the automatic transfer device 400 does not transfer the molds M in one direction, but needs to switch the transfer direction of the molds M transferred by the conveyors 411 and 421 so as to supply the molds M to the shipping unit 110 of the primary lens molding machine 100 or the shipping unit 210 of the secondary lens molding machine 200. The pushing units 415 and 425 are formed to change the transfer direction of the mold M.

When the mold M reaches the stoppers 413 and 423 as detected by the mold arrival detection sensors 414 and 424, the pushing units 415 and 425 push the mold M in a direction crossing the transfer direction of the conveyors 411 and 421 to switch the transfer direction of the mold M. The direction intersecting the transfer direction of the conveyors 411 and 421 may be a direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction, but is not limited thereto.

When the linear transfer by the conveyors 411, 421, the stop of the mold M by the stoppers 413, 423, the detection of the mold M by the mold arrival detection sensors 414, 424, and the pressurization of the mold M by the pushing units 415, 425 are continuously performed, the transfer direction is switched while the mold M is transferred in one direction, and the mold M is continuously transferred in the switched direction.

If a plurality of molds M are to be transferred continuously by the automatic transfer device 400, the continuous operation as described above needs to be smoothly performed. If the transfer of the mold M is delayed or normal transfer is not achieved at a certain point, the transfer of another mold M and the molding of the lens are affected, and therefore it is necessary to detect such a phenomenon in advance and to perform appropriate measures.

In particular, when the transfer of the mold M that has been transferred previously is delayed or abnormal, it is necessary to take measures against the case where the next mold M is continuously input and transferred.

In order to perform a countermeasure against the above, in the present invention, the mold passage detecting sensors 416, 426a, 426b, 426c are provided for each of the conveyors 411, 421, 422, thereby detecting whether the mold M normally passes or not, and the transfer of the added mold M is controlled based on the detected result. It is to be noted that a cover may be provided on the mold- passage detecting sensors 416, 426a, 426b, 426c, which is also true for the other sensors of the present invention.

Specifically, the molds are set by the detection sensors 416, 426a, 426b, and 426c at positions where the molds M transferred by the conveyors 411, 421, and 422 can be detected. For example, the conveyors 411, 421, 422 include conveyor belts 411a, 421a, 422a and transfer guides 411e, 421e, 422e, and mold passage detection sensors 416, 426a, 426b, 426c are provided on the transfer guides 411e, 421e, 422e to detect passage of the mold M.

The mold passage detection sensors 416, 426a, 426b, and 426c may include a light emitting portion provided on one of the transfer guides 411e, 421e, and 422e, and a light receiving portion provided on the other of the transfer guides 411e, 421e, and 422e so as to face the light emitting portion.

The transfer guides 411e, 421e, and 422e are members disposed on both sides of the conveyor belts 411a, 421a, and 422a to prevent the molds M transferred by the conveyor belts 411a, 421a, and 422a from being separated. The transfer guides 411e, 421e, 422e extend along the transfer direction of the mold M. Accordingly, the mold M can be transferred along the conveyor belts 411a, 421a, 422a between the both-side transfer guides 411e, 421e, 422e while being prevented from being separated from the conveyor belts 411a, 421a, 422a by the both-side transfer guides 411e, 421e, 422e and being transferred in one direction.

The upper surfaces of the transfer guides 411e, 421e, 422e are located at a height higher than the conveyor belts 411a, 421a, 422a and lower than the upper ends of the molds M transferred by the conveyor belts 411a, 421a, 422 a. Therefore, when the molds are set on the upper surfaces of the transfer guides 411e, 421e, and 422e by the detection sensors 416, 426a, 426b, and 426c, the molds M transferred by the conveyors 411, 421, and 422 can be detected.

When the transfer of the mold M is not detected at an appropriate timing or an abnormality in the transfer is detected in the mold passage detection sensors 416, 426a, 426b, 426c, it is determined that the transfer of the mold M is delayed, and the transfer of the next mold M is controlled. The appropriate timing is determined according to the time standard for smoothly transferring the plurality of molds M at the same time.

When the transfer path is divided into upstream and downstream with reference to one of the molds M transferred by the automatic transfer device 400, the upstream side transfer device needs to be controlled in order to control the transfer of the next mold M.

For example, when the transfer of the mold M is not detected at an appropriate timing or an abnormality in the transfer is detected in the mold passage detection sensor 416 of the first transfer portion 410, the operation of the robot arm 310 or the vertical transfer portion 417 or the horizontal transfer portion 418 to be described later is controlled. As another example, when the mold passage detection sensors 416, 426a, 426b, and 426c of the second transfer unit 420 do not detect the transfer of the mold M at an appropriate timing or detect an abnormality in the transfer, the operation of the first transfer unit 410 is controlled.

Specifically, when the transfer of the mold M is not detected at an appropriate timing by the mold passage detection sensor 416 provided on the conveyor 411 of the first transfer unit 410, the robot arm 310 waits without supplying the mold M to the first transfer unit 410. When the passage of the mold M is detected by the mold passage detection sensor 416 over time, the robot arm 310 can be controlled to again operate to supply the mold M to the first transfer unit 410.

By controlling as described above, it is possible to sequentially mold the raw material or the semi-finished product while simultaneously transferring a plurality of molds M in one lens molding system 1000.

Next, the first transfer unit 410 and the second transfer unit 420 will be described in order.

First, the first transfer unit 410 will be described with reference to fig. 3 to 6.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the first transfer unit 410 of the automatic transfer device 400.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the first transfer unit 410 of the automatic transfer device 400 from another direction.

When the place where the transfer of the mold M by the conveyor 411 of the first transfer portion 410 is started is referred to as an entrance side of the transfer guide 411e, the pitch between the transfer guides 411e on both sides of the entrance side may be formed to be inclined so as to be gradually narrowed along the transfer direction of the conveyor 411. Therefore, even if the mold M on the inlet side is not positioned at the center of the conveyor 411a, it is guided by the inclined structure of the transfer guide 411e, and transferred after being fed to the center of the conveyor 411 a.

The first transfer unit 410 includes a vertical transfer unit 417 and a horizontal transfer unit 418.

The vertical transfer portion 417 is formed to receive the supply of the mold M into which the raw material is introduced from the robot arm 310 of the unloading apparatus 300 and transfer the mold M in the vertical direction. The vertical transfer portion 417 is moved in the vertical direction to transfer the mold M supplied from the robot arm 310 to a height corresponding to the conveyor 411a of the conveyor 411.

The vertical transfer unit 417 is provided on the entrance side of the conveyor 411 to receive the supply of the mold M from the robot arm 310. The entrance side of the conveyor 411 corresponds to the side opposite to the side where the stopper 413 is provided with respect to the conveyor 411, and faces the unloading device 300.

A driving unit (not shown) of the vertical transfer unit 417 is provided at an inlet side of the conveyors 411, 421, 422 so as to be oriented in a vertical direction. The frame 411b may be formed to surround the front of the conveyor belt 411a, and the driving part may be provided on the frame 411b in front of the conveyor belt 411 a. The driving unit may be constituted by, for example, a pneumatic cylinder, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The mold seating portion 417a of the vertical transfer portion 417 is connected to a driving portion and moves in the vertical direction. When the driving part is formed of an air pressure cylinder, the seating part moves along a direction approaching or separating from the driving part along with a piston rod (not shown) connected to the air pressure cylinder. Since the driving portion is provided so as to be oriented in the vertical direction, the piston rod and the die seating portion 417a also move in the vertical direction.

The mold seating portion 417a provides a plane for seating the mold M fed from the robot arm 310. When the mold seating portion 417a is raised to the movable range of the robot arm 310 by operating the driving portion, the robot arm 310 moves the mold M to the mold seating portion 417a within the movable range. Thereafter, when the mold placing portion 417a is lowered to a direction approaching the driving portion by the operation of the driving portion, the mold M is transferred to a height corresponding to the conveyor 411 a.

In order to move the mold mounting portion 417a in the vertical direction without the driving portion interfering with the conveyor 411, the piston rod and the conveyor 411a need to be spaced apart from each other in the horizontal direction. Since the mold seating portion 417a is connected to the upper end of the piston rod, there is a possibility that the mold M may fall down while the mold M is horizontally transferred to the conveyor 411a due to the above-described spaced distance.

The mold placing portion 417a includes a protruding portion 417b protruding in the horizontal direction toward the conveyor 411a, thereby preventing the falling as described above.

The protrusion 417b may protrude to a position inserted between the both side transfer guides 411 e. When the mold M is moved to a height corresponding to the upper surface of the conveyor 411a by the operation of the driving unit, the protrusion 417b is disposed above the conveyor 411 a. All concepts of on and above are included on conveyor belt 411 a.

When the vertical transfer portion 417 is operated to transfer the mold M to a height corresponding to the conveyor 411a, the horizontal transfer portion 418 is operated to transfer the mold M to the conveyor 411.

The horizontal transfer unit 418 is configured to horizontally pressurize the mold M transferred in the vertical direction by the vertical transfer unit 417 and transfer the mold M to the conveyor 411. The horizontal transfer unit 418 and the vertical transfer unit 417 operate with a time difference. For example, the vertical transfer unit 417 is operated for the same mold M, and then the horizontal transfer unit 418 is operated. This is because the robot arm 310 supplies the mold M to the vertical transfer portion 417.

Further, since there is a possibility that the operation ranges of the vertical transfer portion 417 and the horizontal transfer portion 418 overlap, it is necessary to return to the position before the operation with a time difference therebetween in order to avoid mutual interference. After the mold M is transferred onto the conveyor 411 of the first transfer portion 410, the horizontal transfer portion 418 is first returned to the position before the operation. Thereafter, the vertical transfer portion 417 returns to the position before the operation so as to avoid interference with each other.

The horizontal transfer unit 418 also includes a driving unit 418a, as with the vertical transfer unit 417. For the sake of convenience of distinction, the two driving portions may be named as a horizontal transfer driving portion 418a or a horizontal driving portion 418a, and a vertical transfer driving portion or a vertical driving portion.

The driving unit 418a of the horizontal transfer unit 418 is also provided on the entrance side of the conveyor 411 so as to face the horizontal direction. The frame 411b may be formed to surround both sides of the conveyor belt 411a, and the driving portion 418a of the horizontal transfer portion 418 may be provided on the frame 411b in a side direction of the conveyor belt 411 a. The driving unit 418a of the horizontal transfer unit 418 may be formed of, for example, an air cylinder, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

When the driving portion 418a is formed of the air-compressing cylinder, the piston rod 418 a' of the air-compressing cylinder moves in the horizontal direction. The extension portion 418b of the horizontal transfer portion 418 is connected to the driving portion 418a through the piston rod 418a ', and moves in the horizontal direction along with the piston rod 418 a'.

The extension portion 418b is extended to a position facing the upper side of the conveyor 411 along a trajectory not overlapping the vertical transfer portion 417 in order to avoid interference with the seating portion of the vertical transfer portion 417 during driving of the horizontal transfer portion 418. For example, as shown in the drawing, the extension portion 418b extends upward from a portion connected to the piston rod, and then is extended along the side with a direction changed so as not to overlap the mold seating portion 417a in the feeding direction of the conveyor 411. According to the above configuration, even if the extension portion 418b moves in the horizontal direction, it does not interfere with the mold seating portion 417a that completes the vertical transfer of the mold M.

The extension 418b is connected to a die pressing portion 418 c. The mold pressing portion 418c is protruded to a position where the side surface of the mold M can be pressed when the mold M is transferred to a height corresponding to the upper surface of the conveyor 411a by the vertical transfer portion 417. For example, the mold pressing portion 418c may protrude downward to a position corresponding to the mold M placed on the placement portion, and then protrude in the horizontal direction toward the transfer direction of the conveyor 411.

The extension portion 418b and the die pressing portion 418c are moved in the horizontal direction by the driving portion 418 a. When the driving part 418a is formed of the air pressure cylinder, the extension part 418b and the die pressing part 418c are connected to the piston rod 418a 'of the air pressure cylinder, and thus move in a direction approaching the driving part 418a or in a direction separating from the driving part 418a as the piston rod 418 a' moves.

Since the driving portion 418a is provided so as to be oriented in the horizontal direction, the extending portion 418b and the die pressing portion 418c also move in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, the mold pressing section 418c is moved above the conveyor belt 411a of the conveyor 411 by pushing the mold M placed on the seating section in the horizontal direction.

At the die pressing portion 418c, a portion that contacts the die M is concavely formed so as to correspond to the outer peripheral surface of the die M. For example, when the outer peripheral surface of the die M is a convex curved surface corresponding to the side surface of the cylinder, the die pressing portion 418c may be formed to have a concave curved surface. This applies not only to the die pressing portion 418c of the horizontal transfer portion 418 but also to the die pressing portions of the other pushing units 415, 425, 429.

When the mold M is moved onto the conveyor 411a of the first conveyor 411 by the sequential operations of the vertical transfer portion 417 and the horizontal transfer portion 418, the mold M is linearly transferred along the conveyor 411 a. When the mold passage detection sensor 416 disposed in the middle of the transfer path of the mold M does not detect the passage of the mold M at an appropriate timing, it is determined that the transfer of the mold M is delayed, and the operation of the robot arm 310, the vertical transfer portion 417, or the horizontal transfer portion 418 can be stopped in the standby state. This is explained in the foregoing.

At the arrival point of the mold M conveyed by the conveyor 411 of the first transfer portion 410, the both-side transfer guide 411e is spaced from the stopper 413. The direction in which the transfer guide 411e is spaced from the stopper 413 is the transfer direction of the conveyor 411. Therefore, the mold M reaching the above-described arrival point is in a state of being able to be transferred to the outside of the conveyor belt 411a through the area a between the transfer guide 411e and the stopper 413.

The pushing unit 415 of the first transfer part 410 is formed to push the mold M to the outside of the conveyor belt 411a through an area between the transfer guide 411e and the stopper 413.

The guide 415a of the pushing unit 415 is provided in a direction crossing the transfer direction of the conveyor 411. The guide 415a is disposed above the conveyor 411 or the stopper 413. As shown in the drawing, one column 415b is provided on each side of the conveyor 411, and the guide rails 415a are provided in such a manner as to be connected to the two columns 415b along the crossing direction.

The extension 415c of the pushing unit 415 is connected to the guide 415a and is formed to be linearly moved in the crossing direction. The extension 415c extends downward above the conveyor 411 and can extend to a region between the transfer guide and the stopper 413.

The die pressing portion 415d of the pushing unit 415 is connected to the guide rail 415a by an extension portion 415 c. Therefore, when the extension 415c linearly moves along the guide 415a, the die pressing portion 415d also linearly moves along the guide 415 a. By the linear movement, the mold pressing portion 415d pushes the mold M contacting the stopper 413 to the outside of the conveyor 411a while entering and exiting the area between the stopper 413 and the transfer guide 411 e.

The mold pressing section 415d pushes the mold M to the shipping sections 110, 210 of the primary lens molding machine 100. The mold pressing portion 415d after pushing the mold M is returned to the original position with the extension portion 415 c. The pushing unit 415 may be implemented by a pneumatic cylinder.

Next, the second transfer unit 420 will be described with reference to fig. 3 to 4 and 7 to 9.

The second transfer unit 420 includes two or more conveyors 421 and 422, two or more pusher units 425 and 429, two or more sensors 426a, 426b, 426c, 426d, 426e, and the like. In the following, for the sake of convenience of distinction, the nomenclature is given by assigning a serial number.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the first conveyor 421 of the second transfer unit 420 of the automatic transfer device 400 and the periphery thereof.

The first conveyor 421 of the second transfer unit 420 is formed to transfer the mold M discharged from the primary lens molding machine 100. The first conveyor 421 linearly transfers the mold M in a direction opposite to a direction in which the shipping unit 110 of the primary lens molding machine 100 transfers the mold M into the primary lens molding machine 100.

As described above, the transfer guides 421e are provided on both sides of the first conveyor 421, and the inlet-side pitch between the transfer guides 421e on both sides is gradually narrowed.

The transfer guide 421e is provided with a mold passage detection sensor 426 a. The mold passage detection sensor 426a may be provided at an inlet side of the transfer guide 421 e. If the passage of the mold M is not detected at an appropriate timing by the mold passage detection sensor 426a, it is determined that the molding is delayed in the primary lens molding machine 100, and the transfer of the mold M by the first transfer unit 410 is stopped in a standby state. As time passes, when the transfer of the mold M is normally detected, the first transfer portion 410 is controlled to resume the transfer of the mold M.

The length of the first conveyor 421 is shorter than the transfer distance implemented by the conveyor 411 of the first transfer portion 410 as described above. The transfer distance of the first conveyor 421 preferably corresponds to the transfer distance performed by the loading unit 210 of the secondary lens molding machine 200. This is because the second conveyor 422 to be described later can transfer the mold M to the shipping unit 210 of the secondary molding machine without changing the direction of the mold M.

The transfer guide 421e of the first conveyor 421 is also spaced from the stopper 423. The first pushing unit 425 of the second transfer part 420 is formed to push the mold M to the outside of the conveyor belt 421a through an area between the transfer guide 421e and the stopper 423.

The frame 421b of the first conveyor 421 is formed so as to surround the side of the conveyor 421a, and the support portion 425a of the first pusher unit 425 is provided on the frame 421 b. The support portion 425a protrudes laterally from the frame 421 b.

The driving portion 425b is provided on the supporting portion 425 a. The driving portion 425B is provided to face the area B between the stopper 423 and the transfer guide 421 e. The driving part 425B may be formed of a pneumatic cylinder, and a piston rod 425c of the pneumatic cylinder and a mold pressing part 425d connected to the piston rod 425c move in and out of an area B between the stopper 423 and the transfer guide 421e in a direction crossing the transfer direction of the first conveyor 421.

When the arrival of the mold M is detected by the mold arrival detection sensor 424 provided on the stopper 423, the drive section 425B is operated to project the piston rod 425c to the area B between the stopper 423 and the transfer guide 421e, and the mold pressing section 425d connected to the piston rod 425c pushes the mold M to the outside of the conveyor 421 a.

The die pressing section 425d pushes the die M out onto the second conveyor 422. The mold pressing portion 425d of the mold M is pushed to return to the original position with the piston rod 425 c.

As described above, the die pressing portion 425d may be formed to have a concave curved surface.

Next, the second conveyor 422 of the second transfer unit 420 will be described with reference to fig. 3 to 4 and 8.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the second conveyor 422 of the second transfer unit 420 of the automatic transfer device 400 and the periphery thereof.

The second conveyor 422 receives the supply of the molds M through the first conveyor 421 and the first pushing unit 425. The mold M is charged with a half-finished product molded by the primary lens molding machine 100. The second conveyor 422 is formed to linearly transfer the molds M transferred by the first pushing unit 425, and has the same transfer direction as the first pushing unit 425. Therefore, the transfer direction achieved by the first pushing unit 425 and the second conveyor 422 is a direction crossing the transfer direction achieved by the first conveyor 421.

A station (station)427 is disposed at the end of the second conveyor 422. The station 427 is provided at a height corresponding to the conveyor belt 422a of the second conveyor 422 as a place where the mold M transferred by the second conveyor 422 arrives. The transfer guides 422e of the second conveyor 422 are extended to both sides of the station 427 to continue the linear transfer of the mold M until the station 427. When the mold M reaches the station 427, the mold M is maintained in a stopped state until it is pressurized by a second pushing unit 429 to be described later.

The transfer guide 422e of the second conveyor 422 is provided with a plurality of mold passage detection sensors 426b and 426c or mold arrival detection sensors 426d and 426 e. The mold passage detection sensors 426b and 426c and the mold arrival detection sensors 426d and 426e may be configured by photosensors including a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion.

When describing the sensors arranged in sequence along the transfer path of the mold M transferred by the second conveyor 422, the mold disposed first is provided on the inlet side of the second conveyor 422 by the detection sensor 426 b. When the passage of the mold M is not detected at an appropriate timing by the mold passage detection sensor 426b, it is determined that the transfer of the mold M by the first pushing unit 425 is not smoothly achieved, and the operation of the first conveyor 421 or the first pushing unit 425 is stopped in the waiting state.

The detection sensor 426c detects that two or more molds M are transferred in close contact with each other or are transferred with an excessively short time difference. Here, the excessively short time is a time shorter than a time required for the second pushing unit 429 to return to the home position after one mold M is pushed out under pressure.

Although the conventional lens molding system 1000 transfers a plurality of molds M at the same time, there may be a special case where two or more molds M are continuously transferred. As an example thereof, an operator may stop the operation of a part of the apparatus or an abnormality may occur in the apparatus as needed, or there may be various cases.

The mold transfer control units 428 and 428' are configured to temporally separate the transfer timing of the front mold M and the transfer timing of the rear mold M from each other when two or more molds M are transferred while being in close contact with each other or when the molds are transferred with a time difference that is too short, so as to realize smooth transfer by the second pusher unit 429. The operation of the mold transfer control units 428 and 428' is controlled based on the detection result of the mold passage detection sensor 426 c.

The two transfer timings are separated by a time period longer than a time period sufficient for the second pushing unit 429 to return to the home position after being pushed out by pressure from the front mold M.

A mold-transfer control unit 428, 428' is provided at one side of the second conveyor 422. The mold transfer control units 428 and 428' are configured to control the transfer of the mold M so that the second pusher unit 429 to be described later operates smoothly.

The mold transfer control units 428 and 428' block or restore the transfer of the mold M by the second conveyor 422 while advancing or retreating in the direction intersecting the transfer direction of the second conveyor 422. The mold transfer control units 428, 428 'include a first mold transfer control unit 428 and a second mold transfer control unit 428' so as to be able to block the transfer of two or more molds M.

The first mold transfer control unit 428 and the second mold transfer control unit 428' are provided at positions spaced apart from each other in the transfer direction of the second conveyor 422. The first mold transfer control unit 428 is disposed relatively close to the second push unit 429 and the second mold transfer control unit 428' is disposed relatively far from the second push unit 429. The first push unit 425 is disposed at the downstream side of the second push unit 429 when taking the transfer progress of the mold M as a reference.

The first mold transfer control unit 428 and the second mold transfer control unit 428' may have the same configuration and control operations only in different manners from each other.

The frame 422b of the second conveyor 422 may be disposed on the side of the conveyor belt 422a, and the plate 428a may be disposed so as to face the frame 422b at a position spaced apart from the second conveyor 422. The frame 422b corresponds to a side wall of the conveyor 411.

The connecting part 428b is formed in such a manner as to connect the side wall of the second conveyor 422 and the lower portion of the plate 428 a. The connection member 428b protrudes from a sidewall of the second conveyor 422 and is connected to a lower portion of the plate 428 a.

The first mold transfer control unit 428 and the second mold transfer control unit 428' include a driving portion 428c ', levers (bar)428d, 428d ', lever housings 428e, 428e ', and connecting rods 428f, 428f ', respectively.

The driving portion 428c' is provided on the plate 428a at the opposite side of the connecting member 428 b. The driving portion 428c' is also provided at the lower portion of the plate 428a, like the connecting portion 428 b. The drive portion 428c ' of the first mold transfer control unit 428 and the drive portion 428c ' of the second mold transfer control unit 428' may be disposed on the plate 428a in a side-by-side relationship with each other.

The driving portion 428c' provides a driving force that moves linearly in a direction intersecting the transfer direction of the second conveyor 422. The driving portion 428c' may be constituted by a pneumatic cylinder. The piston rod of the air-compressing cylinder may be linearly moved in a direction crossing the transfer direction of the second conveyor 422.

The rods (bar)428d, 428d' are connected to the piston rods of the pneumatic cylinders. The rod moves linearly with the piston rod in a direction crossing the transfer direction of the second conveyor 422. The rods 428d, 428d' are extended to positions corresponding to the conveyor belts 422a of the second conveyor 422. Since the air-compressing cylinder is disposed at a level lower than the upper surface of the conveyor belt 422a, the rods 428c, 428c' extend upward to positions corresponding to the conveyor belt 422 a.

The lever housings 428e, 428e' are provided so as to penetrate the upper portion of the plate 428 a. The plate 428a is shared by the stem housing 428e of the first mold transfer control unit 428 and the stem housing 428e' of the second mold transfer control unit 428 e.

The rod housings 428e, 428e' are hollow cylindrical or polygonal prism-shaped, and can be bonded to the plate 428a by forming a flange on the outer circumferential surface. The lever housings 428e, 428e 'may be located directly above the drive portion 428 c'. The rod housings 428e, 428e ' of the first mold transfer control unit 428 and the rod housings 428e, 428e ' of the second mold transfer control unit 428' may be disposed on the plate 428a in a side-by-side relationship with each other.

The blocking members 428g and 428g 'move forward or backward in a direction intersecting the transfer direction of the second conveyor 422 according to the driving force supplied from the driving portion 428 c'. When the blocking members 428g, 428g 'advance, the transfer of the mold M by the second conveyor 422 is blocked, and when the blocking members 428g, 428g' retreat, the transfer of the mold M by the second conveyor 422 is resumed. However, the blocking members 428g and 428g' do not control the operation of the second conveyor 422, but block the mold M transferred on the conveyor belt 422a to stop the transfer while the second conveyor 422 continues to operate.

The blocking member 428g of the first mold transfer control unit 428 and the blocking member 428g 'of the second mold transfer control unit 428' are disposed at positions spaced apart from each other along the transfer direction of the second conveyor 422. The blocking member 428g 'of the second mold transfer control unit 428' is disposed at a position advanced toward between the two molds M, with reference to when the transfer of the two molds M is blocked by the blocking member 428g of the first mold transfer control unit 428. Therefore, the separation distance between the blocking part 428g of the first mold transfer control unit 428 and the blocking part 428g 'of the second mold transfer control unit 428' may actually correspond to the diameter of the mold M.

The molds M may be formed to have outer circumferential surfaces corresponding to the side surfaces of the cylinders, and the second blocking member 428g' may have a shape gradually narrowing in width in a direction approaching the conveyor belt 422a of the second conveyor 422 so as to be inserted between the outer circumferential surfaces of the two molds M. The first blocking member 428g may have the same shape as the second blocking member 428g', but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The blocking members 428g and 428g' advance or retreat in the up-down direction through an area between the conveyor belt 422a and the transfer guide 422 e. At least one supporting member 421f formed to support the transfer guide 422e is provided between the frame 422b of the second conveyor 422 and the transfer guide 422e to support the transfer guide 422 e.

The support member 421f vertically partitions the conveyor belt 422a and the transfer guide 422e from each other. Therefore, the blocking members 428g and 428g' can be moved forward or backward between the conveyor belt 422a and the transfer guide 422 e.

In particular, since the transfer guide 422e extends along the transfer direction of the second conveyor 422, the support member 421f also extends along the transfer direction of the second conveyor 422 to support the transfer guide 422 e. However, the plurality of support members 421f are spaced apart from each other at positions corresponding to the blocking members 428g, 428g ', thereby forming the entrances and exits of the blocking members 428g, 428 g'. Then, the blocking members 428g, 428g' advance or retreat through the gateway between the two support members 421f in the horizontal direction.

The coupling rods 428f, 428f ' are provided in such a manner as to penetrate the rod housings 428e, 428e ' to be supported by the rod housings 428e, 428e '. The connecting rods 428f, 428f ' are connected to the rods 421c, 421c ' and the blocking members 428g, 428g ' so that the driving force of the pneumatic cylinders, which is transmitted through the piston rods and the rods 421c, 421c ', is transmitted to the blocking members 428g, 428g '.

When the piston rod is linearly moved by the driving force of the pneumatic cylinder, the blocking members 428g, 428g 'are advanced or retracted by the driving force transmitted through the rod and the connecting rods 428f, 428 f'. The forward or backward direction of the blocking members 428g and 428g' is a direction intersecting the transfer direction of the mold M by the second conveyor 422.

The operation of the first mold transfer control unit 428 is controlled based on the detection result of the mold arrival detection sensor 426d provided between the first mold transfer control unit 428 and the second mold transfer control unit 428' in the transfer direction of the conveyor 411. The mold arrival detection sensor 426d corresponds to the third of the plurality of sensors provided on the transfer guide 422e of the second conveyor 422.

The mold M is linearly transferred by the second conveyor 422, and before reaching the position detected by the mold arrival detection sensor 426d, the blocking member 428g of the first mold transfer control unit 428 advances to be exposed to the transfer path of the mold M, and the blocking member 428g 'of the second mold transfer control unit 428' retreats to be separated from the transfer path of the mold M. The position detected by the mold arrival detection sensor 426d is a position between the blocking member 428g of the first mold transfer control unit 428 and the blocking member 428g 'of the second mold transfer control unit 428' in the transfer path implemented by the second conveyor 422.

The operation of the mold transfer control units 428 and 428' needs to be described in a case where only one mold M is detected and two or more molds M are detected in the mold passage inspection sensor 426c provided second. First, a case where only one mold M is detected will be described.

When the one mold M is continuously transferred to the position detected by the mold arrival detection sensor 426d, the mold M is blocked by the first blocking member 428g exposed to the transfer path of the mold M. However, the first mold transfer control unit 428 is controlled based on the detection result of the mold arrival detection sensor 426d, and the blocking member 428g of the first mold transfer control unit 428 is retracted to resume the transfer of the mold M. The mold M is moved on to the station 427 by the second conveyor 422.

On the other hand, although the description has been made with reference to the case where the mold transfer control units 428 and 428 'are provided on the second transfer unit 420, the mold transfer control units 428 and 428' may be provided on the first transfer unit 410 as needed. At this time, the first mold transfer control unit 428 and the second mold transfer control unit 428' may be disposed at positions spaced apart from each other with reference to the transfer direction of the mold by the first conveyor 421. The remaining structure and the above description are substantially the same as applicable, and the foregoing description is therefore substituted for the description thereof.

Next, a case where two or more molds M are successively detected by the mold passage detection sensor 426c provided second will be described with reference to fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram for sequentially explaining the operation of the mold transfer control units 428, 428'.

First, as shown in fig. (a), two or more molds M are detected by the mold passage detection sensor 426 c.

As shown in fig. b, the two or more molds M are continuously transferred, and the front mold M1 reaches the position detected by the mold arrival detection sensor 426 d. At this time, the front mold M1 is blocked by the first blocking member 428g exposed to the transfer path implemented by the second conveyor 422. Also, the rear mold M2 coming immediately after the front mold M1 is blocked by the front mold M1.

As shown in fig. (c), as a result of the operation of the second mold transfer control unit 428' being controlled by the mold passage detection sensor 426c, the blocking member 428g ' of the second mold transfer control unit 428' advances and is inserted between the front mold M1 and the rear mold M2.

Next, as shown in fig. (d), as a result of controlling the first mold transfer control unit 428 based on the detection result of the mold arrival detection sensor 426d, the blocking member 428g of the first mold transfer control unit 428 is retracted, and the transfer of the front mold M1 is resumed. The front mold M1 is moved on to the station 427 by the second conveyor 422. However, while the front mold M1 is being transferred, the rear mold M2 is blocked by the blocking member 428g 'of the second mold transfer control unit 428', and therefore does not follow the front mold M1.

Next, as shown in fig. (e), the blocking member 428g 'of the second mold transfer control unit 428' is retracted by advancing the blocking member 428g of the first mold transfer control unit 428, thereby transferring the rear mold M2 to a position blocked by the first mold transfer control unit 428. In this position, the rear mold M2 is detected by the mold arrival detection sensor 426 d.

As shown in fig. f, the blocking member 428g 'of the second mold transfer control unit 428' advances. The purpose is to prevent a third mold (not shown) from being transferred following the second mold M2 when three or more molds M2 are continuously transferred.

As shown in fig. g, the blocking member 428g of the first mold transfer control unit 428 is retracted to resume the transfer of the rear mold M2 as a result of controlling the first mold transfer control unit 428 based on the detection result of the mold arrival detection sensor 426 d. The transfer of the rear mold M2 is resumed after the front mold M1 is transferred to the station 427. When the transfer of the rear mold M2 is resumed, the rear mold M2 is transferred to the station 427.

Finally, as shown in fig. (h), after the transfer of the rear mold M2 is resumed, the blocking member 428g of the first mold transfer control unit 428 advances, and the blocking member 428g 'of the second mold transfer control unit 428' retreats, so as to be resumed to the state before the front mold M1 reached.

When the molds are continuously transferred by the two or more second conveyors 422, the transfer timings of the front mold M and the rear mold M are spaced apart from each other through the above-described process. Therefore, the transfer of the rear mold M can be resumed after the transfer operation of the front mold M by the second push unit 429 is completed, and the transfer operation by the second push unit 429 can be smoothly realized.

Referring again to fig. 8, the second push unit 429 will be described. Fourth mold-arrival detecting sensors 426e are provided on both sides of the station 427. When the mold M reaches the station 427 by the mold arrival detection sensor 426e, the second pushing unit 429 is operated.

The second pushing unit 429 is formed to press the mold M in the transfer direction of the second conveyor 422.

The second pushing unit 429 functions to accurately transfer the mold M from the station 427 to the shipping section 210 of the secondary lens molding machine 200. Since the second push unit 429 does not switch the transfer direction of the mold M, the pressing direction of the mold M by the second push unit 429 is the same as the transfer direction of the mold M by the second conveyor 422. Therefore, while the second pusher 429 pressurizes the mold M, there is a possibility that interference may occur with the next mold M transferred at the rear.

In order to prevent the occurrence of interference, the second push unit 429 is configured to be movable not only in the horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction. In this regard, it is different from the pushing unit 415 of the first transfer part 410 or the first pushing unit 425 of the second transfer part 420.

The horizontal direction driving portion 429a of the second push unit 429 is provided at one side of the second conveyor 422. The horizontal direction driving portion 429a is provided so that the second pusher unit 429 faces a direction parallel to the transfer direction of the second conveyor 422. The horizontal direction driving portion 429a may be constituted by a pneumatic cylinder, and a piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder is connected to the intermediate member 429 b. Thus, when the piston rod is linearly moved, the intermediate member 429b is linearly moved along the horizontal direction with the piston rod.

Intermediate member 429b may be formed from plate 428 a. One surface of the plate 428a is connected to the horizontal direction driving portion 429a, and the other surface is connected to the vertical direction driving portion 429 c. The intermediate member 429b may be connected to the horizontal driving portion 429a by a chain 429 a'.

The vertical direction driving portion 429c of the second pushing unit 429 is provided on the opposite side of the horizontal direction driving portion 429a with respect to the intermediate member 429 b. The vertical direction driving portion 429c is provided so as to face the vertical direction.

The horizontal direction driving portion 429a may be constituted by a pneumatic cylinder, and a die pressing portion 429d is provided at a lower end of a piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder. Thus, when the rod is linearly moved, the die pressing portion 429d is linearly moved in the vertical direction along with the rod.

The die pressing portion 429d may have a concave curved surface.

The die pressing portion 429d is vertically spaced from the conveyor 422a before the die M is transferred. After the mold M passes through the vertical direction driving portion 429c in the transfer direction of the second conveyor 422, if the arrival of the mold M is detected by the mold arrival detecting sensors 426e provided on both sides of the station 427, the mold pressing portion 429d is moved in a direction approaching the conveyor 422a of the second conveyor 422 by the operation of the vertical direction driving portion 429 c.

When the die pressing portion 429d is moved to a position corresponding to the die M in the horizontal direction by the operation of the vertical direction driving portion 429c, the die pressing portion 429d is moved in the horizontal direction by the operation of the horizontal direction driving portion 429 a.

The die pressing portion 429d is moved by the horizontal pressing portion, and pushes the die M out of the station 427. Since the shipping unit 210 of the secondary lens molding machine 200 is disposed outside the station 427, the mold M pushed out of the station 427 is completely transferred to the shipping unit 210 of the secondary lens molding machine 200.

After the operation of the horizontal direction driving portion 429a, the returning operation of the vertical direction driving portion 429c moves the die pressing portion 429d in the direction away from the second conveyor 422, and then the horizontal direction driving portion 429a is operated again to return the die pressing portion 429d to the original position. Since the horizontal direction driving portion 429a is driven first and then the vertical direction driving portion 429c is driven, interference with the next mold M does not occur even in the returning operation.

The automatic transfer device and the lens molding system including the same described above are not limited to the configurations and methods of the embodiments described above, and the embodiments may be configured so that all or a part of the embodiments are selectively combined to realize various modifications.

Claims (16)

1. An automatic transfer device, comprising:

a first transfer unit for transferring the mold to a primary lens molding machine; and

a second transfer part for transferring the mold detached from the primary lens molding machine to a secondary lens molding machine,

the first transfer unit and the second transfer unit include:

a conveyor configured to linearly transfer the mold;

a stopper provided at a position opposite to the mold transferred by the conveyor to stop the mold transferred by the conveyor;

a mold arrival detection sensor for detecting arrival of the mold at the stopper; and

and a pushing unit for pressurizing the mold in a direction crossing the transfer direction of the conveyor to switch the transfer direction of the mold when the mold arrival detection sensor detects the arrival of the mold.

2. The automatic transfer device of claim 1,

the above-mentioned conveyer includes:

a conveyor belt; and

a transfer guide disposed at both sides of the conveyor belt to prevent separation of the mold transferred by the conveyor belt and extending along a transfer direction of the mold,

the transfer guide is spaced apart from the stopper in a transfer direction of the conveyor,

the above-mentioned pushing unit includes:

a guide rail provided so as to face the intersecting direction; and

and a mold pressing part connected to the guide rail, linearly moving in the crossing direction, and pushing out the mold contacted with the stopper by moving in and out between the stopper and the transfer guide.

3. The automatic transfer device of claim 1,

the first transfer unit includes:

a vertical transfer portion which is provided at an opposite side of a side where the stopper is provided with reference to the conveyor and moves in a vertical direction to transfer the mold to a height corresponding to a conveyor belt of the conveyor; and

a horizontal transfer part for transferring the mold to the conveyor by pressurizing the mold in a horizontal direction when the mold is transferred to a height corresponding to the conveyor by the vertical transfer part,

the vertical transfer unit is operated with respect to the same mold, and then the horizontal transfer unit is operated.

4. The automatic transfer device of claim 3,

the vertical transfer unit includes:

a driving unit provided on the conveyor of the first transfer unit so as to be oriented in a vertical direction; and

a mold setting part which is connected to the driving part and moves along the vertical direction,

the mold mounting part is provided with a protruding part protruding along the horizontal direction,

when the mold is transferred to a height corresponding to an upper surface of a conveyor belt of the conveyor, the protrusion is disposed above the conveyor belt of the conveyor.

5. The automatic transfer device of claim 3,

the horizontal transfer unit includes:

a driving unit provided on the conveyor of the first transfer unit so as to be oriented in a horizontal direction;

an extension portion which is connected to the driving portion, moves in a horizontal direction, and extends to a position opposite to the upper side of the conveyor along a track which is not overlapped with the vertical conveying portion in the horizontal direction; and

and a mold pressing part connected to the extension part and protruding to a position where a side surface of the mold can be pressed when the mold is transferred to a height corresponding to an upper surface of a conveyor belt of the conveyor by the vertical transfer part.

6. The automatic transfer device of claim 1,

the conveyor and the pushing unit each correspond to the first conveyor and the first pushing unit of the second transfer unit;

the second transfer unit includes:

a second conveyor for increasing and transferring the mold transferred by the pushing unit along the crossing direction;

a station that is disposed at an end of the second conveyor and supports the mold transferred by the second conveyor in a stopped state; and

and a second pushing unit for pressurizing the mold along the transfer direction of the second conveyor when the mold is detected to reach the station.

7. The automatic transfer device of claim 6,

the second pushing unit includes:

a horizontal direction driving unit provided on one side of the second conveyor and arranged to face a direction parallel to a transfer direction of the second conveyor;

an intermediate member that moves in the horizontal direction by being connected to the horizontal direction driving unit;

a vertical direction driving unit provided on the intermediate member on the opposite side of the horizontal direction driving unit with respect to the intermediate member; and

a die pressing portion provided at a lower end of the vertical driving portion,

after the mold passes through the vertical driving part, the mold pressing part is moved in a direction approaching the second conveyor by the action of the vertical driving part,

after the vertical driving unit is operated, the mold is pushed out of the station by operating the horizontal driving unit.

8. The automatic transfer device of claim 1,

the conveyor includes a first conveyor provided in the first transfer unit and a second conveyor provided in the second transfer unit,

a mold transfer control unit is provided at one side of the first transfer portion or one side of the second transfer portion,

the mold transfer control unit moves forward or backward in a direction intersecting a transfer direction of the first conveyor or a transfer direction of the second conveyor to block or resume the transfer of the mold by the first conveyor or the second conveyor,

the mold transfer control unit includes a plurality of mold transfer control units at positions spaced apart from each other in a transfer direction of the first conveyor or a transfer direction of the second conveyor.

9. The automatic transfer device of claim 8,

the mold transfer control unit includes:

a first mold transfer control unit; and

a second mold transfer control unit disposed at a position spaced apart from the first mold transfer control unit in a transfer direction of the first conveyor or a transfer direction of the second conveyor,

the first mold transfer control unit and the second mold transfer control unit include:

a driving unit that supplies a driving force for performing linear movement in a direction intersecting a transfer direction of the first conveyor or a direction intersecting a transfer direction of the second conveyor; and

and a blocking member connected to the driving unit so as to move forward or backward in a direction intersecting a transfer direction of the first conveyor or a transfer direction of the second conveyor, thereby blocking or resuming the transfer of the mold by the first conveyor or the second conveyor.

10. The automatic transfer device of claim 9,

the blocking member of the second mold transfer control unit is disposed at a position advanced between the two molds, based on a case where the transfer of the two molds is blocked by the blocking member of the first mold transfer control unit.

11. The automatic transfer device of claim 10,

the mold is formed to have an outer peripheral surface corresponding to a side surface of the cylinder,

the blocking member has a shape whose width is gradually narrowed in a direction approaching the conveyor of the first conveyor or the conveyor of the second conveyor, and is inserted between the outer circumferential surfaces of the two molds.

12. The automatic transfer device of claim 9,

the automatic transfer device further includes a sensor for detecting the arrival of the mold,

the sensor is provided between a first mold transfer control unit and a second mold transfer control unit in a transfer direction of the first conveyor or a transfer direction of the second conveyor;

at least one of the operation of the first mold transfer control unit and the operation of the second mold transfer control unit is controlled based on a detection result obtained by the sensor.

13. The automatic transfer device of claim 9,

the first conveyor or the second conveyor includes:

a conveyor belt;

a transfer guide disposed on both sides of the conveyor belt to prevent separation of the mold transferred by the conveyor belt and extending in a transfer direction of the mold; and

a plurality of supporting members formed to support the transfer guide,

the plurality of support members extend in the transfer direction of the first conveyor or the transfer direction of the second conveyor, and are spaced apart from each other at positions corresponding to the blocking member to form an entrance of the blocking member,

the blocking member is configured to move forward or backward along a vertical direction through the entrance and exit formed between the conveyor belt and the transfer guide.

14. The automatic transfer device of claim 9,

a plate disposed at a position spaced apart from the first conveyor or the second conveyor so as to face a side wall of the first conveyor or the second conveyor,

the side wall and the lower portion of the plate are connected to each other by a connecting member,

the first mold transfer control unit and the second mold transfer control unit include:

an air cylinder provided on the plate on the opposite side of the connecting member and constituting the driving portion;

a rod linearly moving in a direction crossing a transfer direction of the conveyor by a piston rod connected to the air cylinder and extending to a position corresponding to the conveyor belt of the first conveyor or the conveyor belt of the second conveyor;

a lever housing provided so as to penetrate through an upper portion of the plate; and

and a connecting rod that is provided so as to penetrate through the rod housing and supported by the rod housing, and that transmits the driving force of the air cylinder transmitted through the piston rod and the rod to the blocking member by being connected to the rod and the blocking member.

15. The automatic transfer device of claim 9,

the blocking member of the first mold transfer control unit is exposed to a transfer path of the mold by the first conveyor or the second conveyor and the blocking member of the second mold transfer control unit is separated from the transfer path before the mold reaches a position detected by a sensor provided between the first mold transfer control unit and the second mold transfer control unit,

when the mold is transferred to a position where the transfer of the mold is blocked by the first mold transfer control unit, the blocking member of the first mold transfer control unit is separated from the transfer path, and the transfer of the mold is restarted.

16. The automatic transfer device of claim 15,

when two or more molds are simultaneously transferred to a position blocked by a blocking member of the first mold transfer control unit by the first conveyor or the second conveyor, the transfer of a rear mold is blocked by advancing the blocking member of the second mold transfer control unit between the two molds,

after the transfer of the rear mold is stopped, the transfer of the front mold is resumed by retracting the stopper of the first mold transfer control means,

after the transfer of the front mold is restarted, the blocking member of the first mold transfer control unit is moved forward and the blocking member of the second mold transfer control unit is moved backward, thereby transferring the rear mold to a position blocked by the first mold transfer control unit,

after the front mold is transferred to the end of the first conveyor or the second conveyor, the blocking member of the first mold transfer control unit is retracted, and the transfer of the rear mold is resumed.

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