JP2000159329A - Workpiece carrying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a workpiece carrying device for smoothly and surely carrying and stopping a workpiece, and also having simple structure and inexpensive constitution. SOLUTION: A workpiece carrying device 1 is equipped with: a conveyer 2 for transferring a workpiece W, a stopper screw 4 arranged along the conveyer 2 and engaging with the workpiece W, a delivery screw 15 connected to the screw 4 on the downstream side in the transferring direction of the workpiece W, rotatable to the screw 4, and engaging with the workpiece W, a guide member extending along the screws 4 and 15, a drive part 20 for rotatably driving the screws 4 and 15 respectively, an air clutch 29 for cutting off driving force to be transmitted to the screw 4 from the drive part 20, and an air brake 33 for decelerating and stopping the screw 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a work transfer apparatus for transferring works while adjusting the distance between adjacent works, and more particularly to a work suitable for a bottling line for transferring bottle-shaped containers or the like at a high speed. It relates to a transport device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, beverages have been worked (containers) such as bottles.
2. Description of the Related Art In a bottling line or the like for filling a workpiece, a workpiece transport apparatus that transports a plurality of workpieces and adjusts an interval between adjacent workpieces is used. Such a transfer device is generally operated continuously during operation of a bottling line or the like.However, when changing the type of beverage to be filled in a container as a work, or when the work being transferred is damaged. In the case where a problem occurs in each process such as container washing, beverage filling, tapping, labeling, and the like when the container is overturned, it is necessary to stop the transfer of the work.

As a work transfer device capable of stopping the transfer of a work, there is known a work transfer device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-75319. The conventional work transfer device (transfer and alignment device) described in this publication includes a conveyor for transferring a work such as a container, and a screw provided along the conveyor. In this case, each workpiece is transported by the conveyor and engages with a screw groove formed in the screw. Thereby, each work is conveyed to the subsequent processing step in a state where the interval between the adjacent works is set to be equal to the pitch of the screw groove formed on the outer peripheral surface of the screw. Also, a stopper is provided at the junction of the conveyor and the screw, and when stopping the transfer of the work, the stopper is inserted between the transferred works to restrict the work from entering the screw.

Further, as a technique in such a field, a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-243729 is also known. In the conventional work transfer device (container supply stopping device) described in this publication, a stopper mechanism and a work pressing mechanism are disposed upstream of a junction of the conveyor and the infeed screw. When stopping the transfer of the work, the stopper member included in the stopper mechanism is inserted between the containers, and the container is gradually stopped while moving the upstream container rearward (upstream side) via the stopper member. . At this time, the support member included in the work pressing mechanism is inserted between the containers in synchronization with the stopper member, and the container downstream of the support member is moved forward (downstream side).
And merges with the infeed screw.

[0005]

However, the conventional work transfer device has the following problems since it is configured as described above. That is, when a means for inserting a stopper between the works is used to stop the transfer of the work, the respective works collide one after another behind (upstream) the work whose movement to the downstream side is restricted by the stopper. Will do. Therefore, when the transfer of the work is stopped, noise is generated, or the work falls down.
There was a problem of being damaged.

A work transfer mechanism provided with a stopper mechanism and a work pressing mechanism reduces the work from tipping over or being damaged on the upstream side in the work transfer direction. The work pressed to the downstream side) and the screw groove of the infield screw do not smoothly engage, and the work is bitten by the infield screw and is damaged, or the work is pushed back backward (upstream side) and falls down. was there. Further, there is a problem that the structure of the work transfer device becomes complicated and the work transfer device becomes expensive.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a work transfer device which can smoothly and reliably transfer and stop a work, has a simple structure, and can be configured at low cost.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a work transfer device for transferring a work while adjusting a distance between adjacent works. A first timing screw arranged along the conveyor and engageable with the work, and connected to the first timing screw on the downstream side in the transfer direction of the work and rotatable with respect to the first timing screw. , A second timing screw engageable with a workpiece, a guide member extending along the first timing screw and the second timing screw, and a driving unit that rotationally drives the first timing screw and the second timing screw, respectively. And a driving force transmitted from the driving means to the first timing screw. Characterized in that it comprises a pitch means and brake means for slowing and stopping a first timing screw.

When the work is transferred by the work transfer device, the conveyor is operated and the first timing screw and the second timing screw are rotationally driven by the driving means. That is, when the work is carried, the driving force is transmitted from the driving means to the first timing screw via the clutch means. Each work is transferred by a conveyor, engaged with a first timing screw, and guided by a guide member. And
The interval between the works adjacent to each other is adjusted by the rotating first timing screw.

Further, the work which has reached the connection between the first timing screw and the second timing screw is engaged with the second timing screw, and the interval between the adjacent works is adjusted by the rotating second timing screw. You. As described above, in the work transfer device, the work is transferred while the interval between the adjacent works is adjusted by the first timing screw and the second timing screw.

On the other hand, when the conveyance of the work is stopped for some reason, the conveyor is stopped and the driving force transmitted from the driving means to the first timing screw by the clutch means is cut off. And
The first timing screw is decelerated by the brake means, and eventually stops in a state of being engaged with the work. On the other hand, the driving force of the driving means is continuously transmitted to the second timing screw as needed. Thereby, the work engaged with the second timing screw at the stage when the clutch means is disconnected is transferred to the next processing step. Then, when the conveyance of the work can be resumed, the clutch means is connected, and the first timing screw and the second timing screw are again rotationally driven by the driving means.

Further, the first timing screw has a first screw groove for engaging with the work, and the second timing screw is formed so as to be continuous with the first screw groove, and the second timing screw is engaged with the work. It is preferable that the clutch means be a one-position clutch provided with a double screw groove and provided so as to transmit a driving force to the first timing screw in a state where the first screw groove and the second screw groove are continuous.

With this configuration, the first screw groove and the second screw groove are continuous when the operation of the work transfer device is started or resumed, that is, when the clutch means is connected. The first timing screw and the second timing screw have substantially the same function as one timing screw. Therefore, the work transferred in a state of being engaged with the first screw groove of the first timing screw can be smoothly engaged with the second screw groove of the second timing screw.

Further, the control unit includes a control unit for controlling the clutch unit and the brake unit. The control unit controls the brake unit so that the first timing screw stops at a predetermined rotational direction position when the clutch unit is disengaged. preferable.

With this configuration, when the connected clutch means is disconnected and the first timing screw is stopped, of the workpieces engaged with the first timing screw, the most downstream side of the workpieces engaged with the first timing screw. Can always be separated from the upstream end of the second timing screw by a predetermined distance. Thus, even when the second timing screw is rotating, the transfer of the work from the first timing screw to the second timing screw is completely stopped. Also,
The connection between the stopped first timing screw and the rotating second timing screw can prevent the work from being damaged or damaged.

Further, the first timing screw and the second timing screw are preferably formed by dividing one timing screw. With such a configuration, the first timing screw and the second timing screw can be formed easily and easily.

It is preferable that the first timing screw and the second timing screw can be arranged in a plurality of stages. In this case, the work is engaged with the first timing screw and the second timing screw of any or all of the first timing screw and the second timing screw disposed over a plurality of stages according to the size. It is transported in a state where it does.

Further, the work is preferably a bottle-shaped container having a neck, and the conveyor is preferably an air conditioner that moves the work via gas while holding the neck. If such a configuration is adopted, the transfer and stop of the work can be performed smoothly and reliably.

It is preferable that a table for supporting the first timing screw and the second timing screw be provided, and that the driving means, the clutch means and the braking means be arranged below the table. With such a configuration, it is possible to arrange the driving means, the clutch means, and the brake means without interfering with the production line.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a work transfer device according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an elevation view showing a work transfer device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the work transfer device according to the present invention. The work transfer device 1 shown in these drawings can be incorporated in a bottling line or the like for filling a drink (work) such as a bottle into a work (container). The work transfer device 1 is disposed, for example, between a container cleaning / sterilizing device (not shown) and a filling device as a main device, and adjusts the interval between the adjacent works W to perform the cleaning / sterilizing work W. To a filling device or the like. Figures 1 and 2
As shown in FIG. 1, the work transfer device 1 includes a linear conveyor 2, and the work W is transferred from an upstream device (not shown) by the conveyor 2. In the work transfer device 1, as the conveyor 2, for example, an air flow conveyor capable of transferring a work W by compressed air is used.

The work transfer device 1 is provided with a first timing screw 4 (hereinafter, referred to as a "stopper screw 4") extending along the conveyor 2. The outer peripheral surface of the stopper screw 4 has a substantially semicircular cross section, and is a helical screw groove 4a that can be engaged with the workpiece W.
(First screw groove) is formed. The pitch on the most upstream side of the screw groove 4a is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the work W to be conveyed, whereby the screw groove 4a and the work W can be smoothly engaged.

The stopper screw 4 has a second timing screw 15 (hereinafter referred to as a "dispensing screw 1").
5 ") is rotatably connected. A screw groove 15a (second screw groove) having the same cross-sectional shape as the screw groove 4a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the dispensing screw 15.
Is formed so as to be continuous with the screw groove 4 a of the stopper screw 4. This screw groove 15a can also engage with the work W similarly to the screw groove 4a. The pitch at the most downstream side of the screw groove 15a is:
The pitch is wider than the pitch at the most upstream side of the screw groove 4a, and is substantially the same as the pitch (pocket pitch) of the delivery target of the work W (for example, the star wheel S as shown in FIG. 2).

Here, the stopper screw 4 and the dispensing screw 15 may be formed by dividing one timing screw into two. This makes it possible to easily and easily form the stopper screw 4 and the dispensing screw 15 where the screw groove 4a and the screw groove 15a can be continuous. If the screw groove 4a and the screw groove 15a can be connected to each other, the stopper screw 4 and the dispensing screw 1 may be formed separately.

Further, guide members 3 and 3a are arranged on both sides of the conveyor 2, as shown in FIG. Of the guide members 3 and 3a, the guide member 3 arranged above in FIG. 2 extends along the stopper screw 4 and the dispensing screw 15, and the dispensing screw 1
5, reaching the vicinity of the downstream end.
Is guided by the guide member 3, that is,
Since the work W is engaged with the stopper screw 4 and the dispensing screw 15 while being supported by the guide member 3, the engagement state between the work W and the screw grooves 4a and 15a can be favorably maintained. On the other hand, the guide member 3 a is provided up to the vicinity of the junction of the conveyor 2 and the stopper screw 4 and faces the guide member 3. As a result, the transferred workpiece W is guided by the guide member 3 and the guide member 3.
a.

The upstream end of the stopper screw 4 is supported by an upstream bearing 5 as shown in FIG. The upstream bearing 5 is supported by a bracket 7 fixed to a base frame table 8. The bracket 7 is composed of four blocks, and the height direction (Z direction in FIG. 3), the axial direction of the stopper screw 4 (X direction in FIG. 3), and the Position adjustment is possible in a horizontal direction (see FIG. 4, Y direction in FIG. 4) orthogonal to the axial direction.

The upstream bearing 5 has three bearing cylinders 5a aligned in the vertical direction at predetermined intervals. Each bearing cylinder 5a
Can rotatably hold one horizontal shaft 6 each. A spline hub 6 a is fixed to a downstream end of the horizontal shaft 6. The upstream end of the center shaft 4b provided at the center of the stopper screw 4 is formed as a spline shaft, and the upstream end of the center shaft 4b is detachably connected to the spline hub 6a. . in this way,
The stopper screw 4 can be rotatably supported at three positions in the vertical direction with respect to the upstream bearing 5 of the work transfer device 1.

The downstream end of each stopper screw 4 is
It is supported by an intermediate bearing 10. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the intermediate bearing 10 is supported by a bracket 11 fixed to a base frame table 8. Like the bracket 7 supporting the upstream bearing 5, the bracket 11 also has a height direction, an axial direction of the stopper screw 4, and a horizontal direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the stopper screw 4 with respect to the base frame table 8. (Y direction in FIG. 4) position adjustment is possible.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, with respect to the intermediate bearing 10, the stopper screw 4 is rotatably supported at three positions in the vertical direction, and the discharging screw 15
Can be rotatably supported at three points in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the intermediate bearing 10 has three bearing cylinders 12 arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction, and each bearing cylinder 12 is supported by a thin vertical plate 10 a. I have. As shown in FIG. 5, the bearing cylinder 12 rotatably holds two left and right bearing inner cylinders 14 via bearings 13. Each bearing inner cylinder 14 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and extends coaxially in the bearing cylinder 12 with the respective bottoms facing each other.

As shown in FIG. 5, the bearing cylinder 12 is loosely fitted into a hole 4c formed at the downstream end of the stopper screw 4. The downstream end of the center shaft 4 b provided at the center of the stopper screw 4 is detachably fitted into the bearing inner cylinder 14. Thus, the stopper screw 4 is integrally and rotatably supported by the intermediate bearing 10 with the center shaft 4b. Similarly, the bushing 12 is loosely fitted into a hole 15 c formed at the upstream end of the delivery screw 15. The upstream end of a central shaft 15 b provided at the center of the dispensing screw 15 is detachably fitted into the bearing inner cylinder 14.

Thus, the dispensing screw 15 is also supported by the intermediate bearing 10 integrally and rotatably with the center shaft 15b. As a result, the payout screw 15 is connected to the stopper screw 4 via the vertical plate 10a on the downstream side in the transfer direction of the work W, and is rotatable with respect to the stopper screw 4. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the gap C between the stopper screw 4 and the dispensing screw 15 is extremely small (for example, about 7 mm). Therefore,
If the stopper screw 4 and the dispensing screw 15 face each other at a predetermined circumferential position, the screw groove 4a and the screw groove 15a are substantially continuous.

The downstream end of each payout screw 15 is supported by a downstream gear box 16 as shown in FIGS. The downstream gear box 16 is supported by a bracket 17 fixed to the base frame table 8, and the position of the bracket 17 is adjusted with respect to the base frame table 8 in the height direction and the axial direction of the stopper screw 4. Is possible. From the downstream gear box 16,
Three horizontal shafts 18 that are aligned in the horizontal direction (vertical direction) at predetermined intervals protrude. A spline hub is fixed to the upstream end of each horizontal shaft 18. The downstream end of the central shaft 15b provided at the center of the dispensing screw 15 is formed as a spline shaft. The downstream end of the central shaft 15b is detachably attached to the spline hub of the horizontal shaft 18. Be linked.

As described above, each stopper screw 4 and each dispensing screw 15 are connected to the upstream bearing 5 and the intermediate bearing 1.
0 and coaxially supported by the downstream gearbox 16. Here, the bracket 7 supporting the upstream bearing 5
The position of the bracket 11 that supports the intermediate bearing 10 can be adjusted in three directions, and the position of the bracket 17 that supports the downstream gear box 16 can also be adjusted in two directions. Therefore, the arrangement positions of the stopper screw 4 and the dispensing screw 15 can be easily adjusted.

On the other hand, below the base frame table 8, a base 19 is provided as shown in FIG. A predetermined space is formed between the base frame table 8 and the base 19, and a stopper screw is provided at a predetermined position on the downstream side of the base 19 (for example, near the downstream end of the dispensing screw 15). A drive section (drive means) 20 for rotating and driving the screw 4 and the dispensing screw 15 respectively is arranged. This makes it possible to arrange the driving means 20 and the later-described braking unit (clutch means and braking means) without interfering with the production line (the conveyor 2, the stopper screw 4, the dispensing screw 15, and the like). Space efficiency can be improved.

The drive section 20 includes a transmission shaft 21 and a drive bevel gear box 22. The transmission shaft 21 is connected to a drive source of a main device (filling device), not shown, and rotates in synchronization with the main device. Drive bevel gear box 2
From 2, a rotating shaft that rotates in the same direction extends toward the upstream side and the downstream side in the transfer direction of the work W, and the transmission shaft 21 is meshed with each rotating shaft. Thus, the rotational force transmitted from the main device is transmitted to the stopper screw 4 and the dispensing screw 15 via each rotation shaft. Instead of connecting the transmission shaft 21 to the drive source of the main device, a separate motor or the like may be provided for rotation.

The rotating shaft extending horizontally from the drive bevel gear box 22 to the downstream side is connected to the downstream bevel gear box 24. Drive bevel gear box 2
2 is transmitted in the vertical direction by the downstream bevel gear box 24 and is transmitted to the downstream gear box 16 via a connection shaft 25 having universal joints at both ends. This rotational force is converted in the downstream gear box 16 in the horizontal direction by a miter gear, and then, by a gear train composed of a plurality of spur gears, each horizontal shaft 18.
Is transmitted to Thus, when the drive unit 20 is operated, the payout screw 15 connected to the horizontal shaft 18 rotates.

On the other hand, a rotating shaft extending horizontally from the drive bevel gear box 22 toward the upstream side is connected to a braking portion 27 disposed on the base portion 19 by a connecting shaft 26 having universal joints at both ends. This braking unit 27
Is controlled by the control unit 23. The braking unit 27 includes a hollow shaft type rotary encoder 28 and an air clutch 29, and the connection shaft 26 is connected to a drive shaft inserted through the rotary encoder 28. Rotary encoder 2
8 measures the rotational displacement of the connecting shaft 26 and gives a signal indicating this rotational displacement to the control unit 23. Further, an air clutch 29 as a clutch means is connected to an upstream end of the drive shaft inserted through the rotary encoder 28.

The air clutch 29 is a so-called one-position type engagement clutch in which the drive shaft side and the driven shaft side engage at only one position in the circumferential direction.
When the air 9 is driven (disconnected), the connection between the driving side and the driven side is released. The air clutch 29 is also connected to the control unit 23, and the control unit 23 performs on / off control of the air clutch 29. The control unit 23 controls the air clutch 29 based on a stop command of the stopper screw 4 sent from the main device, that is, a command to disconnect the air clutch 29, and a signal from the rotary encoder 28. A connection shaft 31 is connected via a bearing 30 to a driven shaft extending upstream from the air clutch 29. Therefore, when the air clutch 29 is engaged,
The connection shaft 31 is connected to the drive unit 20. The connection shaft 31 connects the braking section 27 and the upstream bevel gear box 32 arranged on the base section 19.

The braking unit 27 includes an air brake 33 (brake means) for reducing the rotation of the connecting shaft 31 and stopping the rotation. The air brake 33 has a bearing 3
0 and the upstream bevel gear box 32. The air brake 33 is also controlled by the control unit 23. When the air clutch 29 is disconnected and the connection between the connecting shaft 31 and the drive unit 20 is released, the control unit 23
The air brake 33 is operated.

The upstream bevel gear box 32 has the same configuration as the above-described downstream bevel gear box 24, and converts the rotational force transmitted by the connecting shaft 31 into a vertical direction. The upstream bevel gear box 32 is connected to an upstream gear box 35 located above it by a connection shaft 34 having universal joints at both ends. The upstream gear box 35 is supported by a bracket 36 fixed to the base frame table 8.

From the upstream gear box 35, as shown in FIG. 3, three horizontal shafts 37 that are aligned in the vertical direction (up and down direction) at predetermined intervals protrude. The rotational force transmitted from below vertically to the upstream gear box 35 by the connecting shaft 34 is converted into a horizontal direction by a miter gear in the upstream gear box 35, and then is changed by a gear train including a plurality of spur gears. It is transmitted to the horizontal shaft 37. The downstream end of the horizontal shaft 37 and each bearing cylinder 5a of the upstream bearing 5
The upstream ends of the horizontal shafts 6 supported by the shafts can be connected to each other via a connection shaft 38.

The connecting shaft 38 is formed as a spline joint and has universal joints at both ends.
As a result, in the work transfer device 1, as shown in FIG.
The workpiece W transferred by the conveyor 2 and the upstream gear box 35 can be arranged in a state where the workpiece W is moved away from (or deviated from) the axis of the dispensing screw 15.
Can be avoided. As shown in FIG. 2, if a star wheel S for receiving a molded product is provided near the downstream end of the dispensing screw 15, the downstream gear box 16 is arranged on an extension of the axis of the dispensing screw 15. be able to.

In the work transfer device 1 configured as described above, the downstream gear box 16, the downstream bevel gear box 24, the upstream bevel gear box 32, and
The gear ratio in the upstream gear box 35 is
When the drive unit 20 is operated while the air clutch 29 is engaged, each stopper screw 4 and each dispensing screw 1
5 are set to rotate in the same direction and at the same speed. Further, the drive unit 2 with the air clutch 29 disengaged.
When 0 is operated, the driving force transmitted from the driving unit 20 to each stopper screw 4 is cut off, so that each stopper screw 4 does not rotate, and only each payout screw 15 rotates. Further, the stopper screw 4 and the dispensing screw 15 and the air clutch 29 are engaged with the screw groove 4a of the stopper screw 4 when the drive shaft side and the driven shaft side of the air clutch 29 are meshed at one place in the circumferential direction. The dispensing screw 15 is attached so as to be continuous with the screw groove 15a.

Next, the conveyor 2 included in the work transfer device 1 will be described.
A work W, which is a bottle-shaped container having a bubble, is transferred through a gas, and as shown in FIG.
a. The compressed air duct 2a is provided with a rail portion 2b which is engaged with a lower portion of the neck portion Wn and suspends the work W. The compressed air duct 2a has a nozzle 2c.
Are provided, and a work W is provided from each nozzle 2c.
Compressed air is blown obliquely rearward. Note that the conveyor 2 is not limited to an air flow type conveyor, and a general slat conveyor 2A can be used as shown by a three-dot chain line in FIG.

Next, the operation procedure of the above-described work transfer device 1 will be described.

When the work W is transferred by the work transfer device 1, first, the conveyor 2 is operated. A predetermined number of workpieces W are located upstream of the stopper screw 4.
Are connected, the control unit 23 connects the air clutch 29. As a result, the screw groove 4a and the screw groove 15a are continuous with each other via the vertical plate 10a of the intermediate bearing 10, and the driving force is transmitted to both the stopper screw 4 and the discharge screw 15, so that the stopper screw 4 and the dispensing screw 15 rotate integrally and synchronously in the same direction. At this time, the transmission shaft 21 of the drive unit 20 is set to correspond to the operation speed of the main device, for example,
It rotates at a high speed of 1000 BPM (a speed that can transport 1000 works per minute). Thus, the work transfer device 1 can be operated at a high speed.

The workpiece W is transferred from the container washing / sterilizing device located on the upstream side by the conveyor 2 to the stopper screw 4 which rotates integrally with the discharging screw 15. The work W is transported by the conveyor 2 in a state of being suspended on the rail portion 2b (see FIG. 6), and while being guided by the guide member 3, comes into contact with the screw groove 4a formed on the outer peripheral surface of the stopper screw 4 and smoothly. Engage.

Here, as shown in FIG. 6, when the total height of the work W held by the conveyor 2 is low,
The stopper screw 4 and the payout screw 15 are provided over two or more stages, and are engaged with the work W. On the other hand, when the overall height of the work W is high, for example, as shown in FIG.
And a dispensing screw 15 for engaging the workpiece W. That is, in the work transfer device 1, the stopper screw 4 and the payout screw 15 are provided in a plurality of stages (in this case, 3
Since the stopper screw 4 and the dispensing screw 15 are arranged in appropriate stages according to the size of the work W, the stopper screw 4 and the dispensing screw of any or all of the stages can be arranged. 15 can be conveyed.

As described above, the work transfer device 1 can handle works W of various sizes, and has extremely high versatility. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the compressed air duct 2a and the stopper screw 4 are operated by operating the brackets 7, 11 and 17 according to the size of the work W.
It is advisable to adjust the positional relationship with the dispensing screw 15.

Screw groove 4a of stopper screw 4
Is transferred by the conveyor 2. Further, the interval between the works W adjacent to each other is adjusted by the rotating stopper screw 4. Then, the work W that has reached the intermediate bearing 10 which is a connection portion between the stopper screw 4 and the dispensing screw 15 engages with the dispensing screw 15 and rotates the rotating dispensing screw 15.
The distance between the works W adjacent to each other is adjusted. In this way, the work transfer device 1 transfers the work W while gradually widening the interval between the adjacent works W by the stopper screw 4 and the payout screw 15.

Here, in the intermediate bearing 10, the gap C generated between the stopper screw 4 and the discharging screw 15 is extremely small (about 7 mm) and the screw groove 4a is formed.
And the screw groove 15a are substantially continuous. For this reason, the stopper screw 4 and the dispensing screw 15
It has a function substantially equivalent to one timing screw. Thereby, the work W smoothly engages with the screw groove 15a of the payout screw 15.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the work W from being damaged by being bitten by the payout screw 15 or being pushed back backward (upstream side) and falling down, so that the transfer efficiency of the work transfer device 1 is improved.

On the other hand, when it is necessary to stop the transfer of the work W due to, for example, occurrence of a problem in the bottling line, the main control device of the bottling line (not shown) reduces the operation speed of the filling device and the like. For example, 1
The control unit 23 is instructed to stop the conveyance of the work W while decelerating to about 00 BPM. In addition, since the transmission shaft 21 of the drive unit 20 rotates so as to synchronize with the operation speed of the main device, the stopper screw 4 and the dispensing screw 15 also rotate while synchronizing with the operation speed of the main device.

When the control unit 23 receives an instruction to stop the transfer of the work W, based on the signal received from the rotary encoder 28, each work W held by the stopper screw 4 and the payout screw 15 is controlled.
And the shortest braking time required to stop the stopper screw 4 in a desired state by the air brake 33 is calculated. The control unit 23 operates (disengages) the air clutch 29 when the rotational speed of the connecting shafts 26 and 31 decreases to a predetermined speed (for example, about 80 BPM) at which the air clutch 29 can be disengaged. Then, the air brake 33 is operated. Thereby, the driving force transmitted from the driving unit 20 to the stopper screw 4 by the air clutch 29 is cut off.

The stopper screw 4 is connected to the air brake 33
While decelerating against the transfer force of the conveyor 2,
Stops while holding a plurality of works W. Further, when the air clutch 29 is disconnected, the control unit 23 controls the air brake 33 so that the stopper screw 4 stops at a predetermined rotation direction position. That is, the stop position in the rotation direction of the stopper screw 4 when the air clutch 29 is disconnected is always such that the work W located on the most downstream side among the held works W is dispensed as shown in FIG. It is set so as to be separated from the upstream end of the screw 15 by a predetermined distance d.

As a result, even if the payout screw 15 is rotating, the work W held by the stopped stopper screw 4 does not engage with the payout screw 15, and the work from the stopper screw 4 to the payout screw 15 is not moved. Delivery of W is stopped completely. Further, when the stopper screw 4 is stopped, the shortest braking time adapted to the workpiece W to be transported is employed, so that the speed of the entire bottling line can be increased.

As described above, in the work transfer device 1,
The work W is stopped while being held by the stopper screw 4. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the work W from falling over or being damaged due to the impact applied when stopping. Further, since there is no need to provide a special and complicated mechanism as means for stopping the transfer of the work W, the work transfer device 1 has a simple structure and can be configured at a low cost.

On the other hand, for example, if a problem occurs on the upstream side of the work transfer device 1 and the line continues to operate on the downstream side, the transmission shaft 2 of the drive unit 20
1 is continuously rotated. As a result, the driving force is continuously transmitted from the drive unit 20 to the payout screw 15, and the payout screw 15 is gradually accelerated and driven to rotate at a high speed. Therefore, the workpiece W held by the dispensing screw 15 at the stage when the air clutch 29 is disconnected can be transferred to the next processing step (for example, a filling device or the like) at a high speed. Can be achieved. When all the workpieces W held by the dispensing screw 15 are transferred to the next processing step, the transmission shaft 2 of the driving unit 20
1 is decelerated to a predetermined speed. Dispensing screw 1
5 rotates at a low speed until the transfer of the work W can be resumed.

At the stage where the trouble and the like have been resolved and a predetermined number of works W on the upstream side of the stopper screw 4 continue to be able to restart the conveyance of the work W, the stopper screw 4 is again rotated by the drive unit 20. Driven.
In this case, the control unit 23 releases the air brake 33 so that the air clutch 29 can be engaged. Then, at a predetermined stage, the air clutch 2 is controlled by the control unit 23.
When 9 is connected, the stopper screw 4 and the dispensing screw 15 rotate integrally in the same direction with the screw groove 4a and the screw groove 15a being continuous. The rotation speeds of the stopper screw 4 and the dispensing screw 15 are gradually increased, and the original high-speed operation is resumed.

The workpiece W held by the stopped stopper screw 4 is engaged with the payout screw 15 by the intermediate bearing 10 and is conveyed by the conveyor 2 while the interval is adjusted by the rotating payout screw 15.
At this time, the screw groove 4a of the stopper screw 4 and the screw groove 15a of the discharging screw 15 are aligned with the vertical plate 10a.
, The work W smoothly engages with the payout screw 15. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the work W from being damaged by being bitten by the payout screw 15 or being pushed back backward (upstream side) and falling.

As described above, in the work transfer device 1, the stopper screw 4 can be stopped and restarted extremely smoothly according to the operation speed of the bottling line and the type of the work W. Therefore, in the bottling line in which the work transfer device 1 is incorporated, the work W can be transferred and stopped smoothly and reliably, and high-speed operation can be performed.

[0061]

Since the work transfer device according to the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained. That is, according to the work transfer device of the first aspect, since the work stops in the state of being engaged with the first timing screw, it is possible to prevent the work from overturning or being damaged by the impact applied when stopping. Can be prevented. In addition, since there is no need to provide a special and complicated mechanism as means for stopping the transfer of the work, the work transfer device has a simple structure and can be configured at a low cost. Further, since the first timing screw can be smoothly stopped and restarted, the speed of the main device in which the work transfer device is incorporated can be increased.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the first timing screw and the second timing screw rotate synchronously and integrally with each other. Operating speed can be easily adapted.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the first timing screw is stopped and when the operation is resumed, the work is caught by the second timing screw and is damaged. Or falling down by being pushed back to the upstream side can be prevented. Therefore, the transfer efficiency of the work transfer device is improved.

Further, according to the work transfer device of the fourth aspect, the first timing screw and the second timing screw can be formed easily and easily.

Further, according to the work transfer device of the present invention, since a single work transfer device can handle works of various sizes, the work transfer device has extremely high versatility.

According to the work transfer device of the present invention, the work is smoothly and reliably transferred and stopped, so that a bottling line capable of high-speed operation can be realized.

Further, according to the work transfer device of the present invention, the drive means, the clutch means, the brake means and the like can be arranged without interfering with the production line, and the space efficiency is improved.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a work transfer device that can smoothly and reliably transfer and stop a work, has a simple structure, and can be configured at a low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an elevation view showing a work transfer device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the work transfer device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the work transfer device shown in FIG. 1;

4 is a partially enlarged view of the work transfer device shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of the work transfer device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a state of work transfer in the work transfer device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view illustrating a state of work transfer in the work transfer device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view showing a connection state between a stopper screw and a dispensing screw.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Work conveyance apparatus, 2 ... Conveyor, 3 ... Guide member,
4 Stopper screw (first timing screw), 4a Screw groove (first screw groove) 5 ... Upstream bearing, 7, 11, 17, 36 ... Bracket, 8 ... Base table, 10 ... Intermediate bearing, 15 ... Dispensing screw,
15a: screw groove (second screw groove), 16: downstream gear box, 19: base portion, 20: drive portion, 2
3 ... Control unit, 24 ... Downstream bevel gear box, 25,
26, 31, 34, 38 ... connecting shaft, 27 ... braking part, 28
... rotary encoder, 29 ... air clutch (clutch means), 32 ... upstream bevel gear box, 33 ... air brake (brake means), 35 ... upstream gear box, W ... work.

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A work transfer device for transferring works while adjusting an interval between works adjacent to each other, comprising: a conveyor for transferring the works; and a conveyor arranged along the conveyor, capable of engaging with the works. A first timing screw, a second timing screw connected to the first timing screw on the downstream side in the transfer direction of the work, rotatable with respect to the first timing screw, and engageable with the work. A guide member extending along the first timing screw and the second timing screw; a driving unit that rotationally drives the first timing screw and the second timing screw, respectively; A class that can shut off the driving force transmitted to the first timing screw And a brake means for decelerating and stopping the first timing screw. 2. The first timing screw has a first screw groove engaged with the work, and the second timing screw is formed so as to be continuous with the first screw groove. A second screw groove that engages with the first timing screw, and the clutch means is provided to transmit a driving force to the first timing screw in a state where the first screw groove and the second screw groove are continuous. The work transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the work transfer device is a one-position clutch. 3. A control unit for controlling the clutch unit and the brake unit, wherein the control unit stops the first timing screw at a predetermined rotational direction position when the clutch unit is disconnected. The work transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the brake device is controlled. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first timing screw and the second timing screw are formed by dividing one timing screw. Work transfer device. 5. The work transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the first timing screw and the second timing screw can be arranged in a plurality of stages. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the work is a bottle-shaped container having a neck, and the conveyor is an air conditioner that moves the work via a gas while holding the neck. The work transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. A device comprising a table on which the first timing screw and the second timing screw are supported, and wherein the driving means, the clutch means and the brake means are arranged below the table. The work transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: