JP2002002951A - Parts carrying method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a parts carrying method and device offering simple and easy-to-adjust construction allowing the change of a plurality of chuck units 26a-26e at equal intervals. SOLUTION: The plurality of chuck units 26a-26e are slidably arranged in lines. A rotational link 31 having a rotation supporting point 32 and operating points 33a, 33b, 33d, 33e at equal intervals from the rotation supporting point 32 is provided. The operating point 33a, 33b, 33d, 33e corresponding to a distance from the rotation supporting point 32 of the rotational link 31 is connected to the chuck units 26a, 26b, 26d, 26e via connection links 35a, 35b, 35d, 35e, respectively. With the rotational link 31 rotationally moved around the rotation supporting point 32, the plurality of chuck points 26a, 26b, 26d, 26e are slid via the connection links 35a, 35b, 35d, 35e. Simple and easy-to-adjust construction allows the change of the plurality of chuck units 26a-26e at equal intervals.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for transporting a component, wherein the interval between a plurality of components is variable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a component conveying apparatus in which a plurality of linearly arranged components are arranged at different positions by changing the interval between the components.
No. 282 is known.

In this component conveying apparatus, a plurality of chuck units for detachably holding components are disposed so as to be linearly slidable along a substantially horizontal direction, and can be swung via a swing support point at an upper end. A lower end of each of the plurality of swing links is connected to each of the chuck units, and an intermediate portion of each of the plurality of swing links is engaged with a plurality of arc-shaped guides provided on the vertically moving guide links.

[0004] By moving the guide link up and down, each swing link is swung by each arc-shaped guide,
Each chuck unit is slid with reference to the chuck unit on one end side, and the intervals between the plurality of chuck units are enlarged and reduced at equal intervals.

[0005]

However, in the conventional component conveying apparatus, the distance between the chuck units is changed at equal intervals in order to determine the sliding amount of each chuck unit in accordance with the swing angle of each swing link. However, there is a problem that a complicated adjustment operation is required for setting the swing angle of each swing link and the arc-shaped guides of the guide links for swinging each swing link.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has a simple structure, can be easily adjusted, and can change a plurality of chuck units at equal intervals. The purpose is to provide.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a method of transporting parts by rotating a pivot point and a pivot link having an action point at equal intervals from the pivot point about the pivot point. A plurality of chuck units arranged so as to be slidable in a straight line and detachably holding respective components, respectively connecting each operation point corresponding to the distance from the rotation fulcrum of the rotation link to each chuck unit. By sliding through a plurality of connecting links, the configuration is simple and easy to adjust, and the intervals of the plurality of chuck units can be changed at equal intervals.

A rotation link having a rotation fulcrum at the center and having a plurality of action points at equal intervals in both end directions about the rotation fulcrum is adjusted so that the rotation fulcrum coincides with the central axis of one chuck unit. By rotating the chuck unit, the intervals between the chuck units on both sides of one chuck unit can be adjusted at equal intervals.

By rotating the rotation link by slidingly driving the chuck unit located on the outer end side, the position of the chuck unit which slides the largest can be accurately positioned, and accordingly, the position of the other chuck unit can be accurately determined. The position can be accurately determined.

The turning link is turned by an air cylinder, and the turning speed of the turning link is varied by controlling the flow rate of air to the air cylinder.
It is also possible to reduce the impact applied when the rotation of the rotation link starts or stops.

By switching a plurality of stoppers that determine the stop position of the chuck unit according to the type of component according to the type of component, it is possible to easily respond to switching of the type of component to be handled.

Further, the component conveying device of the present invention is arranged so that a plurality of chuck units are arranged so as to be slidable in a straight line, respectively hold components in a detachable manner, and a plurality of rotating fulcrums and a plurality of equidistantly spaced from the fulcrum. A rotation link having an operation point, driving means for rotating the rotation link about the rotation fulcrum, and each operation point and each chuck unit corresponding to a distance from the rotation fulcrum of the rotation link. By providing a plurality of connecting links to be connected to each other, the configuration is simple and easy to adjust, and the intervals between the plurality of chuck units can be changed at equal intervals.

The rotation link has a rotation fulcrum at the center, and has a plurality of action points at equal intervals in both end directions about the rotation fulcrum, and the rotation fulcrum is located on the center axis of one chuck unit. With the agreement, the intervals between the chuck units on both sides of one chuck unit can be adjusted at equal intervals based on one chuck unit.

The driving means slides the chuck unit located on the outer end side to rotate the rotating link, thereby enabling the position of the chuck unit which slides the largest to be accurately positioned, and accordingly, the other Of the chuck unit can be accurately positioned.

The driving means is an air cylinder. The rotational speed of the rotary link is varied by controlling the flow rate of air to the air cylinder, thereby reducing the impact applied when the rotary link starts or stops rotating. It is also possible to do.

By providing a plurality of stoppers for determining the stop position of the chuck unit in accordance with the type of component and a stopper means having a switching mechanism for switching these stoppers in accordance with the type of component, the type of the type of component to be handled is provided. Make it easy to respond to switching.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Parts 12a to 12e handled by the part transfer device 11
Is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped such as a battery can and has a height h of 50 m.
m, width w is about 30 mm, and thickness d is about 5 mm.

The component conveying device 11 converts a plurality of components 12a to 12e, which are conveyed in a line by a supply conveyor 13 and are arranged in contact with each other, into a pallet 14 by expanding the interval between the components 12a to 12e. Transfer to

The supply conveyor 13 is a belt conveyor on which the components 12a to 12e are placed and conveyed in a line in the width direction of the components 12a to 12e. On the supply conveyor 13, guide rails 15 on both sides which are opposed to each other at a slightly wider interval than the thickness of the parts 12 a to 12 e and guide the conveyance of the parts 12 a to 12 e in the width direction are arranged, and the parts 12 a A stopper 16 is provided for stopping .about.12e at a fixed position.

A plurality of receiving holes 17 for receiving the components 12a to 12e are arranged on the pallet 14 at intervals in the width direction of the components 12a to 12e, and are arranged in a plurality of rows in the thickness direction of the components 12a to 12e. Are arranged. The pallet 14 is fed by a pitch of the receiving hole 17 in a row feeding direction corresponding to the thickness direction of the parts 12a to 12e by a pallet feeding device (not shown),
The receiving holes 17 for receiving the components 12a to 12e are sequentially sent to the receiving positions corresponding to the conveying direction of the supply conveyor 13 in correspondence.

The component transfer device 11 includes a component holding mechanism 2
1, this part holding mechanism 21 on the supply conveyor 13 and the pallet 1
4 has a moving mechanism 22 for reciprocating in the transport direction between the upper side and the upper side.

The component holding mechanism 21 has a main body (not shown) supported by the moving mechanism 22 and driven up and down. The main body has a plurality of guide shafts 25 as guide means in the transport direction. The plurality of chuck units 26a to 26e are arranged so as to be slidable linearly in the transport direction by the guide shafts 25.

Each of the chuck units 26a to 26e has a guide shaft
Slide parts 27a to 27 slidably attached to 25
e, chuck bodies 28a to 28e disposed below the slide portions 27a to 27e, a pair of chuck pieces 29a to 29e projecting from the lower surface of the chuck bodies 28a to 28e, and these chuck pieces 29a to 29e. Parts arranged on opposite inner surfaces of
It has holding parts 30a to 30e for holding 12a to 12e. The chuck bodies 28a to 28e are air chucks, and are operated by air to open and close the pair of chuck pieces 29a to 29e.

A pivot link 31 is rotatably supported at the upper end of one central chuck unit 26c. The pivot link 31 has a pivot fulcrum 32 at the center, which coincides with the central axis of one central chuck unit 26c, and a plurality of action points 33a, 3a from both ends of the pivot fulcrum 32.
3b, 33d and 33e are provided at equal intervals.

The chuck units 26a, 26b,
Arms 34a, 34b, 34d, 34e protruding in a direction intersecting the transport direction are fixed to the upper ends of 26d, 26e, respectively. The protruding length of each of the arms 34a, 34b, 34d, 34e is at the center side. The end units for the chuck units 26a and 26e are longer than the chuck units 26b and 26d.

The operating points 33a, 33b, 33d, 33e corresponding to the distance of the rotating link 31 from the rotating fulcrum 32 and the tips of the arms 34a, 34b, 34d, 34e of the chuck units 26a, 26b, 26d, 26e. Are connected by connecting links 35a, 35b, 35d, and 35e, respectively. That is, the action points 33b, 33d adjacent to the rotation fulcrum 32 of the rotation link 31 and the arms 34b, 34d of the chuck units 26b, 26d adjacent to the center chuck unit 26c.
Are connected by connecting links 35b and 35d, and the action points 33a and 33e at both ends separated from the rotation fulcrum 32 of the rotation link 31 and the arms 34a and 34e of the chuck units 26a and 26e at both ends. Are connected by connecting links 35a and 35e.

Then, the rotating link 31 and the arms 34a, 34b,
The relationship between 34d, 34e and connecting links 35a, 35b, 35d, 35e is
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the components to be chucked by the chuck units 26 a to 26 e by the rotation of the rotation link 31.
The intervals 12a to 12e are set so as to vary at equal intervals.

An air cylinder as a driving means is provided in the main body.
36 cylinder body 37 is attached, this cylinder body
The tip of a rod 38 projecting from 37 is connected to the arm 34e of the chuck unit 26e located at the end. By the operation of the air cylinder 36, the chuck unit 26e located on the outer end side is slid, whereby the rotation link 31 is rotated, and the other chuck units 26a, 26
Slide b and 26d. The cylinder body 37 is provided with a flow control valve 39 that controls the flow rate of air to vary the advance / retreat speed of the rod 38, that is, the rotation speed of the rotation link 31. That is, when the rotation of the rotation link 31 is started or stopped, the rotation speed is controlled to be reduced in order to reduce the impact and vibration.

The main body has an outer end side chuck unit 26.
The stopper means 40 is attached to regulate the rotation range of the rotation link 31, that is, the opening and closing range of the interval between the plurality of chuck units 26a to 26e, by the contact of the arm 34e with the arm 34e. The stopper means 40 includes chuck units 26a to 26e.
A stopper unit 41 for the closing direction that regulates the rotation of the rotating link 31 in the direction to close the gap between the chuck unit 26 and the chuck unit 26.
and a stopper unit 42 for the opening direction that regulates the rotation of the rotation link 31 in the direction to open the interval a to 26e.

The stopper unit 41 for the closing direction includes a base
The arm 34e of the chuck unit 26e on the outer end abuts on each rising portion 44 raised from both ends of the base 43, and the stop positions of the chuck units 26a, 26b, 26d, 26e are set to the parts 12a to 12e. A plurality of stopper bolts 45 and 46 determined according to the type of 12e are screwed and fixed.
The chuck unit 26 depends on the amount of projection of the base 46 from the base 43.
The rotation restricting position of the rotation link 31 in the direction to close the interval a to 26e is adjusted. At the center of the base 43, a fixing bolt 47 for fixing the base 43 to the main body is inserted. At a symmetrical position about the fixing bolt 47, a positioning hole for engaging with the positioning pins 48a, 48b protruding from the main body. 49a and 49b are formed. Positioning pins 48a, 4 centering on fixing bolt 47
By changing the direction of the base 43 that engages the positioning holes 49a, 49b with the 8b, that is, the directions of the bolts 45, 46 by 180 °,
The rotation restricting position of the rotation link 31 can be switched according to the type of the parts 12a to 12e. Therefore, the base 43, the fixing bolt 47, the positioning pins 48a and 48b, and the positioning holes 49a and 49b constitute a switching mechanism 50 that switches the bolts 45 and 46 according to the type of the parts 12a to 12e.

As described above, the effect of changing the directions of the bolts 45 and 46 by 180 ° at the time of changing the type can be changed without any trouble by setting the position of one of the bolts 46 in advance. That is. Note that the type can be changed even if the position of the bolt 45 is adjusted.

The stopper unit 42 for the opening direction includes a base
A bolt 53 as a stopper is screwed and fixed to a rising portion 52 raised from one end of the base 51, and the distance between the chuck units 26a to 26e is opened by the amount of protrusion of the bolt 53 from the base 51. The rotation restriction position of the rotation link 31 in the direction is adjusted. A plurality of fixing bolts 54 for fixing the base 51 to the main body are inserted through the base 51.

The moving mechanism 22 has a plurality of guide shafts 61 arranged along the transport direction, and the component holding mechanism 21 is supported by a moving portion 62 that moves along the guide shafts 61. The movement of the components on the supply conveyor 13 and the pallet 14 is controlled based on the center line of the chuck unit 26c at the center of the component holding mechanism 21.

Next, the components 12a to 12e by the component transport device 11
Will be described.

Parts 12a conveyed by the supply conveyor 13
12e are sequentially stopped by the stopper 16 from the leading component 12e in the transport direction, and are arranged in a state of being in line with each other.

The component holding mechanism 21 of the component conveying device 11 is moved onto the supply conveyor 13 by the moving mechanism 22, and as shown in the solid line of FIG. 1 and FIG. 32, the chuck units 26a, 26b, 26d, and 26e move toward the center via the connecting links 35a, 35b, 35d, and 35e. Arm 3 of chuck unit 26e on the end side
4e is in contact with the stopper unit 41 for the closing direction, and the plurality of chuck units 26a to 26e are closed at equal intervals corresponding to the arrangement pitch of the components 12a to 12e on the supply conveyor 13.

The component holding mechanism 21 is lowered, and a pair of chuck pieces 29a in the open state of each of the chuck units 26a to 26e are provided.
29e enter both sides of each component 12a-12e, and the component holding mechanism 2
After the descent stop, the pair of chuck pieces 29a to 29e of each of the chuck units 26a to 26e are closed, and the components 12a to 12e are held and held via the holding portions 30a to 30e.

The component holding mechanism 21 moves up to supply the components 12a to 12e held by the chuck units 26a to 26e to the supply conveyor.
13 and the moving mechanism 22 moves the component holding mechanism 21
Moves onto the pallet 14.

As shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 1 and FIG.
The rotation link 31 is rotated clockwise in the figure by the air cylinder 36, and the chuck units 26a, 26b, 26d, 26e move outward through the connection links 35a, 35b, 35d, 35e, Then, the arm 3 of the chuck unit 26e on the outer end side
4e contacts the stopper unit 42 for the opening direction,
In accordance with the arrangement pitch of the 14 receiving holes 17, the intervals of the plurality of chuck units 26a to 26e, that is, the plurality of held parts 12a
Open at intervals of ~ 12e.

The component holding mechanism 21 is lowered, and the lower part of each of the components 12a to 12e held by each of the chuck units 26a to 26e is inserted into each of the receiving holes 17 of the pallet 14. The pair of chuck pieces 29a to 29e of the chuck units 26a to 26e are opened to release the holding.

The component holding mechanism 21 is raised, the component holding mechanism 21 is moved onto the supply conveyor 13 by the moving mechanism 22, and the operation proceeds to the holding operation of the next components 12a to 12e as described above.

Each time the parts 12a to 12e are inserted, the pallet 14 is moved by a pallet feeding device (not shown).
2e, the receiving holes 17 for receiving the parts 12a to 12e are sequentially sent to the receiving position corresponding to the conveying direction of the supply conveyor 13, and the next part is sent. Wait for the reception of 12a-12e.

As described above, the rotation fulcrum 32 and the rotation link 31 having the action points 33a, 33b, 33d, and 33e at equal intervals from the rotation fulcrum 32 are rotated about the rotation fulcrum 32. Thus, the plurality of chuck units 26a to 26e that are arranged to be slidable linearly and that detachably hold the components 12a to 12e, respectively,
Slides at equal intervals through a plurality of connecting links 35a, 35b, 35d, 35e that connect the respective action points 33a, 33b, 33d, 33e corresponding to the distances from the chuck units 26a, 26b, 26d, 26e, respectively. It is possible to adjust the distance between the plurality of chuck units 26a to 26e at equal intervals.

Further, a rotation fulcrum 32 is provided at the center, and a plurality of action points
Rotating link 31 having 33a, 33b, 33d, 33e at equal intervals
By rotating the rotation fulcrum 32 so as to coincide with the center axis of one chuck unit 26c, the chuck units 26 on both sides of the one chuck unit 26c are used as a reference.
The intervals of a, 26b, 26d, 26e can be adjusted at equal intervals.

Further, by rotating the rotating link 31 by slidingly driving the chuck unit 26e located on the outer end side, the position of the chuck unit 26e which slides the largest can be accurately positioned, and accordingly, The positions of the chuck units 26a, 26b, 26d can also be accurately positioned.

Similarly, by stopping the movement of the chuck unit 26e located on the outer end side by the stopper means 40 to stop the rotation of the rotating link 31, the position of the chuck unit 26e which slides the largest can be accurately determined. And the other chuck units 26a, 26b,
The position of 26d can also be positioned accurately.

The air cylinder 36 rotates the link.
The rotation speed of the rotation link 31 can be changed by controlling the flow rate of air to the air cylinder 36 while rotating the rotation of the rotation link 31. For example, when the rotation of the rotation link 31 is started or when the rotation of the rotation link 31 is stopped in contact with the stopper units 41 and 42, the rotation speed is controlled so as to reduce the impact and the vibration.

Further, for example, when handling different kinds of parts having different width dimensions of the parts 12a to 12e, the stopper unit 41 for the closing direction can easily cope with it. That is, the parts
The stop positions of the chuck units 26a, 26b, 26d, 26e by the bolts 45, 46 are set in advance according to the type of 12a to 12e, and the positioning pins 48a, 48b are centered on the fixing bolt 47.
The bolts 45 and 46 used for positioning are switched by changing the direction of the base 43 that engages the positioning holes 49a and 49b, that is, the directions of the bolts 45 and 46 by 180 degrees. In this manner, in the stopper unit 41 for the closing direction, the plurality of bolts 45, 46 that determine the stop positions of the chuck units 26a, 26b, 26d, 26e according to the type of the parts 12a to 12e are used.
Parts handled by switching according to the type of
It can easily respond to the change of the type from a to 12e. The stopper unit 42 for the opening direction may be configured in the same manner as the stopper unit 41 for the closing direction, and the same operation and effect can be obtained.

It should be noted that the component transfer device 11 can also be used for transferring components 12a to 12e from the supply conveyor 13 to the pallet 14 as described above, but also for transferring the components 12a to 12e from the pallet 14 to another conveyor. A similar effect can be obtained.

[0051]

According to the present invention, the rotation fulcrum and the rotation link having the action points at equal intervals from the rotation fulcrum can be linearly slid by rotating about the rotation fulcrum. And a plurality of chuck units that are arranged in a removable manner and that hold components in a detachable manner, via a plurality of connection links that respectively connect each operation point corresponding to the distance from the rotation fulcrum of the rotation link to each chuck unit. The chuck unit can be slid at equal intervals, has a simple structure and can be easily adjusted, and the intervals between the plurality of chuck units can be changed at equal intervals.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a component conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view in a state where a space between the components is closed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view in a state where the same components are spaced apart.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Parts transfer device 12a to 12e Parts 26a to 26e Chuck unit 31 Rotating link 32 Rotating fulcrum 33a, 33b, 33d, 33e Working point 35a, 35b, 35d, 35e Connecting link 36 Air cylinder 40 as driving means 40 Stopper means 45 , 46, 53 Bolt as a stopper 50 Switching mechanism

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3F061 AA04 AA09 BD01 BF11 DB06 DD07 3F072 AA06 AA18 GC04 GD01 GE03 GE05 GE08 GF01 GG13 KA01 KD01 KD13 KD22 KD27 KE11

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A rotary fulcrum and a rotary link having an action point at equal intervals from the rotary fulcrum are rotated about the rotary fulcrum to be linearly slidable and arranged. A plurality of chuck units for detachably holding components are slid via a plurality of connection links respectively connecting each operation point corresponding to the distance from the rotation fulcrum of the rotation link to each chuck unit. Parts transfer method. 2. A rotation link having a rotation fulcrum at the center and having a plurality of action points at equal intervals in both end directions about the rotation fulcrum, the rotation fulcrum being the center axis of one chuck unit. 2. The component conveying method according to claim 1, wherein the components are rotated in a state of coincidence. 3. The component conveying method according to claim 1, wherein the rotary link is rotated by slidingly driving a chuck unit located on an outer end side. 4. The component according to claim 1, wherein the rotation link is rotated by an air cylinder, and the rotation speed of the rotation link is varied by controlling the flow rate of air to the air cylinder. Transport method. 5. The component conveying method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of stoppers for determining a stop position of the chuck unit according to the type of the component are switched according to the type of the component. 6. A plurality of chuck units arranged so as to be slidable in a straight line and holding components in a detachable manner, a rotation fulcrum and a rotation link having a plurality of action points at equal intervals from the rotation fulcrum. A driving means for rotating the rotation link about the rotation fulcrum; and a plurality of connection links for connecting each of the action points corresponding to the distance of the rotation link from the rotation fulcrum and each of the chuck units. A component conveying device comprising: 7. The rotation link has a rotation fulcrum at the center, and has a plurality of action points at equal intervals in both end directions around the rotation fulcrum, and the rotation fulcrum is the center of one chuck unit. The component conveying device according to claim 6, wherein the component is aligned with the axis. 8. The component conveying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the driving unit rotates the rotary link by slidingly driving a chuck unit located on the outer end side. 9. The component conveying device according to claim 6, wherein the driving means is an air cylinder, and the rotation speed of the rotation link is varied by controlling the flow rate of air to the air cylinder. . 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of stoppers for determining a stop position of the chuck unit in accordance with the type of the component, and stopper means having a switching mechanism for switching these stoppers in accordance with the type of the component. Item 6
10. The component conveying device according to any one of claims 9 to 9.