JP2008068957A - Parts feeding device and parts feeding method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a parts feeding device being suitable for adjusting positions of rails at a parts loading station and a parts receiving station. <P>SOLUTION: This parts feeding device is constituted in such a way that the parts aligned along a guide rail 32 of a loading stocker 4 at the parts loading station ST1 are received and stored in a condition in which they are aligned on a guide rail 21 of a parts feeding carrier 1 by connecting the guide rail 21 of the parts feeding carrier 1 with the guide rail 32 of the loading stocker 4, the aligned parts are conveyed to the parts receiving station ST2 on an assembly line, and the guide rail 21 of the parts feeding carrier 1 is connected with a guide rail 36 of a receiving stocker 5 at the parts receiving station ST2 to feed parts onto the guide rail 36 of the receiving stocker 5 while they are aligned. At least end parts on one side of end parts of each guide rail 32, 33, 36, 37 are supported on a rail supporting device 6 to move in the vertical direction and/or right and left directions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a component supply apparatus and a component supply method in an assembly line.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a component supply system has been proposed in which components to be assembled are arranged and supplied in accordance with an actual production sequence when components are supplied to an assembly line that produces a mixture of a plurality of vehicle types and vehicle types (Patent Document 1). reference).

  This is because the parts are taken out from the parts cart (parts container) at the parts pick-up section of the parts receiving station on the line side, and the empty parts cart is sent to the collecting section of the station and waits at the loading section of the station. The parts cart is sent to the parts take-out part. If the parts cart in a state where the parts are accommodated is carried into a predetermined carry-in position (carry-in part), the parts cart in an empty state automatically moves to a predetermined collection position (collection part). This eliminates the need for manual movement of the parts cart in the station, and the assembly work in the assembly line is not interrupted due to the movement of the parts cart.

  However, in this parts supply system, the parts cart that contains the parts is placed in the carry-in part, the parts take-out part, and the collection part of the part receiving station and automatically moves between them. It requires a lot of space and becomes expensive equipment. It was also necessary to collect parts carts from the station.

In order to solve the above problems, a receiving stocker is installed in the parts receiving station on the line side in order of supply from the inlet to the parts in order of supply and picks up the parts in the order of supply from the outlet, while a picking stage (parts loading station). A loading stocker that arranges and accommodates parts in accordance with the assembly order of the vehicle and the vehicle body from the loading port to the feeding port is arranged, and only the components that are aligned from the loading stocker feeding port to the loading port of the parts cart are supplied. There is a parts supply method in which only parts in a state of being conveyed from the supply port of the parts cart to the input port of the receiving stocker are conveyed by the parts cart to the parts receiving station on the line side. The loading stocker, the parts cart, and the receiving stocker are each provided with a rail that aligns the parts from the supply port toward the take-out port. In this component supply method, only the components are loaded on the component cart and supplied to the receiving stocker of the component receiving station on the line side, so that it is not necessary to collect the cart.
JP 2003-246436 A

  By the way, in the latter part supply method, parts are delivered from the loading stocker to the parts cart and from the parts truck to the receiving stocker by docking the rails together and hanging the parts or parts from the rails to the rails. It is necessary to move the hook. Further, both the loading stocker supply port and the receiving stocker loading port are opened on the side of the passage on which the transport carriage travels. For this reason, the conveyance carriage may be provided with a rail in a direction intersecting the passage, and an inlet and a supply port may be provided at each end of the rail. However, when aligning parts in a direction that intersects the conveying direction of the parts cart, the number of parts to be loaded is limited by the passage width, so the rail rotates in the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction only when the parts are loaded and supplied. In general, the parts are input from the loading stocker and are supplied from the supply port to the receiving stocker. At the time of conveyance, the rail is generally rotated and arranged so as to follow the traveling direction.

  However, when using such a rotating parts cart, it is necessary to stop the parts cart at the parts loading station and the parts receiving station, rotate the cart, align the rails and dock them. The position adjustment between the two rails was complicated.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a component supply apparatus and a component supply method suitable for adjusting the positions of rails at a component loading station and a component receiving station.

  The present invention is a state in which the parts aligned along the guide rails of the loading stocker of the parts loading station are aligned with the guide rails of the parts supply carriage by connecting the guide rails of the parts supply carriage to the guide rails of the loading stocker. And receiving the parts in the assembly line and receiving the aligned parts at the parts receiving station of the assembly line, and connecting the guide rail of the parts supply carriage to the guide rail of the receiving stocker of the parts receiving station to the guide rail of the receiving stocker. In the component supply device and the component supply method for supplying components in an aligned state, at least one of the end portions of each guide rail is supported by a rail support device so as to be movable in the vertical direction and / or the horizontal direction. And

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the guide rails of the loading stocker of the component loading station, the component supply carriage, and the receiving stocker of the component receiving station are supported by the rail support device so that at least one of the end portions can move in the vertical direction and / or the horizontal direction. As a result, the rail end supported by the rail support device is moved in the vertical direction and / or the horizontal direction, aligned and connected to the other rail end to be connected, and the parts from the loading stocker. Aligned parts can be transferred to the supply trolley and from the parts supply trolley to the parts receiving stocker, reducing gaps and steps at the rail connecting part and improving the flow failure of parts. .

  Hereinafter, a component supply device and a component supply method of the present invention will be described based on an embodiment. 1 to 10 show a first embodiment of a component supply apparatus and a component supply method to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 1 is a side view of a component supply carriage in the component supply apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of a carriage unit. 3 is a side view showing the relationship between the carriage unit and the component storage unit, FIG. 4 is a plan view of the component storage unit, FIG. 5 is a side view showing the component storage state of the component storage unit, and FIGS. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a delivery state, FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a rail support structure at the component loading station and the component receiving station, and FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an adjustable range of the rail.

  1 to 5, a component supply carriage 1 in a component supply apparatus to which the present invention is applied includes a carriage unit 2 formed of a frame body 11 having a plurality of wheels 10 (for example, four wheels) that can travel along a passage. It is comprised from the component accommodating part 3 which is supported on the trolley | bogie part 2 so that a movement in a horizontal direction is possible, and can accommodate by aligning several components.

  The cart unit 2 includes a frame 11 in which side frames 11A made of a square pipe material or the like are connected by a plurality (four in the figure) of cross members 11B, and these cross members 11B are connected by a plurality of reinforcing frames 11C. Is provided. Between the pair of reinforcing frames 11C facing the center portion of the frame 11, a pair of restricting frames 11D for connecting the reinforcing frames 11C is arranged, and a portion surrounded by the pair of reinforcing frames 11C and 11D is a part. A regulation region 12 is formed through which a projection 20 projecting downward from the center of the bottom of the housing 3 is penetrated. A trapezoidal member 13 having a lower side on the regulation frame 11D and an upper side facing the center of the regulation region 12 is fixed to the regulation frame 11D constituting the front and rear direction of the cart 2 in the regulation region 12. The distance between the upper sides of the protrusions 20 is such that the protrusions 20 can be sandwiched in the front-rear direction by bringing the surfaces of the upper edges into contact with the outer periphery of the protrusions 20. Further, the left and right inclined surfaces of the trapezoidal member 13 are formed so as to have an equal angle to the left and right. The restriction region 12 is formed by the trapezoidal member 13 so as to be constricted at the center and expanded in the left-right direction.

  The carriage portion 2 is fixed to the side member 11A and the reinforcing member 11C below the front and rear portions, and a cross member 14 is arranged on the cross member 14, and a pair of wheels 10 are arranged on the cross member 14, respectively. Towable. As the wheel 10, caster wheels that are less resistant to turning during towing by a towing vehicle are arranged on either the front or rear side. In addition, a plurality of ball casters 15 are disposed on the upper part of the cross member 11B and the reinforcing member 11C of the carriage unit 2 so that the upper surface of the spherical surface comes into contact with the lower part of the component storage unit 3 as shown in FIG. Although not shown, each ball caster 15 has a rotational resistance reduced by a ball bearing from the lower surface, and its spherical upper surface is exposed. A plurality of caster wheels may be used instead of the ball caster 15. Further, the plane in which the ball caster 15 and the caster are in contact with each other may be one in which a plane is formed in the cart unit 2 and a hole caster is disposed in the component housing unit 3 so as to contact them.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the component accommodating portion 3 moves in a state in which a plurality of hooks F are aligned, and a supply rail 21 that supports the plurality of components W via the hooks F so as to be movable. A recovery rail 22 that supports the rail and a frame 23 that supports the rails 21 and 22 are provided. In the illustrated example, the rear gate of the vehicle body is shown as the part W, and the supply rail 21 is suspended and supported by a hook F that can be moved by a roller. The supply rail 21 is disposed to be inclined downward from the input port 24 of the component W toward the supply port 25, and along the supply rail 21 when the hook F that suspends the component W is input from the input port 24. The hook F is moved to the supply port 25 and stopped by a stopper (not shown) disposed in the supply port 25, and the hook F that suspends the component W to be loaded next comes into contact with the hook F of the component W that has been loaded in advance. Are stopped and aligned.

  The recovery rail 22 is arranged to be inclined downward from the supply port 25 toward the input port 24, opposite to the supply rail 21. When the hook F is input from the supply port 25, the recovery rail 22 is input along the recovery rail 22. The hook F is moved to the opening 24 and stopped by a stopper (not shown) disposed in the insertion opening 24, and the hook F to be inserted next comes into contact with the hook F that has been previously introduced and stopped to be aligned.

  The frame 23 that supports the rails 21 and 22 does not interfere with the parts W and the collection hooks F that are transported in an aligned manner. For example, a frame-like structure is usually used to reduce weight by combining columnar members in a box shape. Formed. A flat plate 26 is fixed to the entire surface of the lower surface of the frame 23 constituting the floor of the component housing unit 3, and the lower surface of the flat plate 26 is supported by the cart unit 2 by contacting the ball caster 15 of the cart unit 2. And when external force acts on the component accommodating part 3 from the horizontal direction, it is supported by the ball caster 15 and the component accommodating part 3 is movable to the horizontal direction of right and left. A projecting portion 20 is fixed to the flat plate 26 so as to project downward from the flat plate 26 located at the center of the component housing portion 3, and the projecting portion 20 is inserted into the restricting region 12. Therefore, the range in which the component housing part 3 moves in the lateral direction of the left, right, front and rear is the range set in the restriction region 12 and can be rotated around the protrusion 20 within this range.

  At the four corners of the floor of the component housing portion 3, stoppers 27 that can penetrate the flat plate 26 and protrude downward are arranged. The stopper 27 is disposed in the left and right direction on the floor before and after the component housing portion 3 and is rotatable, and a through hole through which the flat plate 26 is vertically penetrated in the vicinity of both ends of the stopper shaft 27A so that the stopper is projected and retracted. 27B, a stopper plate 27C fixed to the stopper shaft 27A facing the through hole 27B, inserted while being rotated into the through hole 27B by rotation of the stopper shaft 27A, and capable of protruding downward from the through hole 27B, and a stopper shaft 27A And a lever 27D fixed to the head. The stopper shaft 27A or the stopper plate 27C can be stopped at a stopper position where the stopper plate 27C is protruded from the through hole 27B by a stop mechanism (not shown) and a release position where the stopper plate 27C is removed from the through hole 27B.

  When the stopper 27 is rotated to the transport position in which the projection 20 of the component storage unit 3 is positioned at the center of the regulation region 12 of the cart unit 2 and the component storage unit 3 is aligned with the cart unit 2. Each stopper plate 27C is projected from the through hole 27B to a stopper position, and each stopper plate 27C is engaged with the inside of the left and right side members 11A of the carriage part 2 so that the left and right sides of the carriage part 2 and the component housing part 3 It is configured to restrict movement in the direction. In this case, the positioning in the front-rear direction of the carriage unit 2 and the component storage unit 3 is executed by the engagement between the projection 20 of the component storage unit 3 and the trapezoidal member 13 protruding into the restriction range 12.

  A component supply method by the component supply cart 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an on-site environment in which the parts supply cart 1 is used. A part loading station ST1 is shown on the right side of the figure, and a line side parts receiving station ST2 is shown on the left side of the figure. , Respectively.

  The component loading station ST1 is provided with a loading stocker 4, and the loading stocker 4 is formed at the supply port 31 to the component supply carriage 1 on the passage side and at the component insertion port 30 on the opposite side to the passage. Then, as schematically shown in FIG. 7, a supply rail 32 inclined from the supply port 30 toward the supply port 31 is disposed, while a collection rail 33 inclined from the supply port 31 toward the supply port 30 is disposed. ing. The supply rail 32 and the recovery rail 33 are attached to the frame of each stocker 4 via a rail support device 6 described later. The line-side component receiving station ST2 is provided with a receiving stocker 5. The receiving stocker 5 has a passage side formed in the inlet 34 from the component supply carriage 1, and a side opposite to the passage formed in the component take-out port 35. . As shown schematically in FIG. 8, a supply rail 36 that is inclined from the inlet 34 toward the outlet 35 is disposed, while a collection rail 37 that is inclined from the outlet 35 toward the inlet 34 is disposed. ing. The supply rail 36 and the recovery rail 37 are attached to the frame of each stocker 5 via a rail support device 6 described later.

  In the component loading station ST1, an operator suspends the components W from the loading port 30 of the loading stocker 4 to the hooks F of the supply rail 32 according to the production order and sequentially loads them. The supplied component W is stopped along with the supply rail 32 by stopping the leading component W by a stopper (not shown) provided at the supply port 31 and sequentially stopping the component W that has been charged later behind the leading component W. Arranged in order.

  When the component supply carriage 1 with empty components arrives at the component loading station ST1 by being pulled by the towing vehicle T, the empty component accommodating portion 3 is positioned in front of the supply port 31 of the loading stocker 4. Stopped. The recovered hooks F are aligned on the recovery rail 22 of the component storage unit 3.

  The stopper 27 of the component supply cart 1 is released, and the component storage portion 3 is rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the cart portion 2 around the projection portion 20 while being supported by the caster ball 15, so that the inlet 24 of the component storage portion 3 can It faces the supply port 31 of the loading stocker 4. Since the component housing part 3 is only rotated, the projection part 20 is positioned on the carriage part 2 in a state of being sandwiched by the trapezoidal member 13 that is most constricted in the restriction region 12. Subsequently, the component accommodating portion 3 is pushed out to the loading stocker 4 side so that the insertion port 24 of the component accommodating portion 3 and the supply port 31 of the loading stocker 4 coincide with each other. The protruding portion 20 reaches the portion of the restriction region 12 that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction from the portion that is narrowed by the trapezoidal member 13 of the restriction region 12 of the carriage 2, and can freely move to the front, rear, left, and right of the carriage 2. The position of the component storage unit 3 is adjusted so that the input port 24 matches the supply port 31 of the loading stocker 4, and the supply rail 32 of the loading stocker 4 and the supply rail 21 of the component storage unit 3 are docked. At the same time, the recovery rail 22 of the component storage unit 3 and the recovery rail 33 of the loading stocker 4 are docked.

  Next, the hook F on the recovery rail 22 of the component storage unit 3 is recovered on the recovery rail 33 of the loading stocker 4 by releasing the stopper at the top. The hook F collected by the loading stocker 4 is removed from the collection rail 33 and engaged with the supply rail 32 when the parts are put in next time, and is used to suspend the supply parts W.

  When the recovery of the hook F is completed, the stopper of the supply port 31 of the loading stocker 4 is released. The parts W aligned with the supply rails 32 of the loading stocker 4 are sequentially transferred to the supply rails 21 of the part storage unit 3, and the leading part W is stopped by a stopper (not shown) provided at the supply port 25 on the outlet side, followed. The components W are sequentially aligned and stopped, and the loading of the components W into the component storage unit 3 is executed.

  When the loading of the component W into the component housing unit 3 is completed, the docking state between the supply rails 32 and 21 and the recovery rails 33 and 22 between the loading port 24 of the component housing unit 3 and the supply port 31 of the loading stocker 4 is released. Subsequently, the parts accommodating portion 3 is rotated on the cart portion 2 while being pushed back to the center side of the cart portion 2. At this time, the projecting portion 20 on the component housing portion 3 side is guided to the inclined left and right sides of the trapezoidal member 13 in the regulation region 12 on the cart portion 2 side, and is guided to the central portion of the regulation region 12. Positioning in the front-rear direction (towing direction) is performed between the upper sides. Further, when the frame 23 of the component storage unit 3 and the frame 11 of the vehicle unit 2 coincide with each other due to the rotation of the component storage unit 3 with respect to the carriage 2, the protrusion 20 is positioned at the center of the restriction region 12, and the respective stoppers. When the stopper plate 27C of 27 is rotated and protruded from the through hole 27B, it is engaged with the inner surface of the side member 11A of the carriage part 2 to position the carriage part 2 in the left-right direction (docking direction). it can.

  When the component supply carriage 1 loaded with the components W at the component loading station ST1 is pulled by the towing vehicle T and arrives at the line-side component receiving station ST2, the component accommodating portion 3 is positioned in front of the inlet 34 of the receiving stocker 5. To be stopped. The parts W and hooks F are empty on the supply rail 36 of the receiving stocker 5, and the recovered hooks F are aligned on the recovery rail 37 side.

  The stopper 27 of the component supply cart 1 is released, and the component storage unit 3 is rotated by 90 degrees with respect to the cart unit 2 around the projection 20 while being supported by the caster ball 15, thereby supplying the supply port 25 of the component storage unit 3 to the supply port 25. It is directly opposed to the insertion port 34 of the receiving stocker 5. Since the component housing part 3 is only rotated, the protruding part 20 is positioned on the carriage part 2 in a state of being sandwiched by the trapezoidal member 13 that is most tightly constricted in the restriction region 12. Subsequently, the component accommodating portion 3 is pushed out to the receiving stocker 5 side so that the supply port 25 of the component accommodating portion 3 and the insertion port 34 of the receiving stocker 5 coincide with each other. The protruding portion 20 reaches the portion of the restriction region 12 that extends in the vehicle front-rear direction from the portion that is narrowed by the trapezoidal member 13 of the restriction region 12 of the carriage 2, and can freely move to the front, rear, left, and right of the carriage 2. The position of the component storage unit 3 is adjusted so that the supply port 25 matches the input port 34 of the receiving stocker 5, and the supply rail 36 of the receiving stocker 5 and the supply rail 21 of the component storage unit 3 are docked. At the same time, the recovery rail 22 of the component storage unit 3 and the recovery rail 37 of the receiving stocker 5 are docked.

  Next, the hook F on the collection rail 37 of the receiving stocker 5 is collected on the collection rail 22 of the component storage unit 3 by releasing the stopper at the top.

  When the collection of the hook F is completed, the stopper of the supply port 25 of the component housing part 3 is released. The components W aligned with the supply rail 21 of the component storage unit 3 are sequentially transferred to the supply rail 36 of the receiving stocker 5, and the leading component W is stopped by a stopper (not shown) provided at the take-out port 35 on the outlet side. The parts W are sequentially aligned and stopped, and the parts W are loaded into the receiving stocker 5.

  When the loading of the component W into the receiving stocker 5 is completed, the docking state between the supply rails 21 and 36 and the recovery rails 22 and 37 between the supply port 25 of the component storage unit 3 and the loading port 34 of the receiving stocker 5 is released. Subsequently, the parts accommodating portion 3 is rotated on the cart portion 2 while being pushed back to the center side of the cart portion 2. At this time, the projecting portion 20 on the component housing portion 3 side is guided to the inclined left and right sides of the trapezoidal member 13 in the regulation region 12 on the cart portion 2 side, and is guided to the central portion of the regulation region 12. Positioning in the front-rear direction (towing direction) is performed between the upper sides. Further, when the frame 23 of the component storage unit 3 and the frame 11 of the vehicle unit 2 coincide with each other due to the rotation of the component storage unit 3 with respect to the carriage 2, the protrusion 20 is positioned at the center of the restriction region 12, and the respective stoppers. When the stopper plate 27C of 27 is rotated and protruded from the through hole 27B, it is engaged with the inner surface of the side member 11A of the carriage part 2 to position the carriage part 2 in the left-right direction (docking direction). it can.

  When the component supply carriage 1 that has collected the hook F at the component receiving station ST2 is pulled by the towing vehicle T and arrives at the component loading station ST1, the next component supply can be started. By repeatedly executing the above supply cycle, the parts can be smoothly supplied to the workers on the assembly line.

  FIG. 6 shows the component loading station ST1 and the component receiving station ST2 on both sides of the passage. These component loading station ST1 and the component receiving station ST2 may be arranged on either side of the passage. Acceptance and supply of the component W can be executed only by changing the rotation direction of the component accommodating portion 3 of the component supply cart 1.

  The supply rails 32 and 36 and the recovery rails 33 and 37 arranged in the loading stocker 4 and the receiving stocker 5 are moved in the vertical direction (Z direction) of the rails 32, 33, 36, and 37 by the rail support device 6. Position adjustment is possible in the left-right direction (X direction) of 33, 36, 37 and the front-rear direction (Y direction) of rails 32, 33, 36, 37, and around the Z axis, X axis, and Y axis. Are supported so as to be swingable.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the first embodiment of the rail support device 6 includes an eyebolt 40 that is locked against rotation using a lock nut 39 on a bracket 38 of the rails 32, 33, 36, and 37. Is fixed to the frames 4A and 5A of the stockers 4 and 5 via a U-shaped front and rear swing metal fitting 41, a left and right slide metal fitting 42 and a mounting bolt 43.

  The mounting bolt 43 is disposed in a hole (not shown) provided in the frames 4A and 5A through a shaft portion 43A provided with a screw, and a pair of nuts 44 are engaged with the screw of the shaft portion 43A. It is fixed by sandwiching the frames 4A and 5A. The mounting bolt 43 can be adjusted in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) by adjusting the tightening position of the pair of nuts 44.

  The shaft 43A on the head 43B side of the mounting bolt 43 passes through the elongated hole 42A of the left and right slide fitting 42 and is prevented from coming off by engaging with the head 43B. The engagement position can be adjusted in the left-right direction (X-axis direction). A shaft portion 42B extending in the left-right direction (X-axis direction) is disposed on the left and right slide fitting 42, and a U-shaped front and rear swing fitting 41 is swingably attached to the shaft portion 42B. A ring-shaped portion 40A of the eyebolt 40 is fitted to a U-shaped portion of the U-shaped front / rear swing metal fitting 41, and the rails 32, 33, 36, and 37 are suspended.

  Therefore, by adjusting the mounting position of the mounting bolt 43 with respect to the frames 4A and 5A, the vertical position (Z-axis position) and the vertical angle (angle position about the X-axis) of the rails 32, 33, 36, and 37 are adjusted. By adjusting the engagement position in the elongated hole 42A of the left / right slide fitting 42 with respect to the mounting bolt 43, the left / right direction position (X-axis direction position) and the left / right direction of the rails 32, 33, 36, 37 are adjusted. The angle (angle position around the Z axis) can be adjusted. The front-rear direction position (Y-axis direction position) of the rails 32, 33, 36, and 37 is adjusted by changing the swing position of the U-shaped front-rear swing metal fitting 41 with respect to the shaft portion 42B of the left-right slide metal fitting 42. It is possible. Further, the adjustment of the twist angle (angle position around the Y axis) with respect to the longitudinal direction of the rails 32, 33, 36, 37 is performed by adjusting the engagement position of the eyebolt 40 with respect to the U-shaped member of the front / rear swing metal fitting 41. It is adjustable. FIG. 10 shows the adjustable range of the point P at the front ends of the rails 32, 33, 36, and 37. The position can be adjusted in any of the X axis direction, the Y axis direction, and the Z axis direction. The angular positions around the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis can also be adjusted. The rails 32, 33, 36, and 37 are attached to the frames 4A and 5A of the respective stockers 4 and 5 via the rail support device 6 described above at both ends, so that the positions in the XYZ directions and the XYZ axes at both ends. The angular position around is adjustable.

  In the component loading station ST1 (or the component receiving station ST2), as shown in FIG. 11, the component supply carriage 1 is placed between the supply rails 32, 21 and the end surfaces of the recovery rails 32, 22 with respect to the loading stocker 4. 12, when the docking is performed by positioning the two rails 32 and 21 so as to coincide with each other, as shown in FIG. 12, the rails 32 on the loading stocker 4 side and the parts supply cart 1 side are aligned. The hook F flows smoothly to the rail 21, and the component supply from the loading stocker 4 side of the component W to the component supply cart 1 can be performed smoothly.

  However, when there is an error in the production / assembly accuracy of the parts supply cart 1, the aging of the parts supply cart 1 body such as wear and deformation, the floor condition such as the inclination and unevenness of the conveyance road surface, and the parts supply cart 1 Depending on the stop position accuracy, such as the stop position and stop angle, as shown in FIG. 13, there may be a step or a gap between the rail ends. That is, when there is a deviation in the X-axis direction, as shown in FIG. 13A, and when there is a deviation in the Y-axis direction, as shown in FIG. 13B, there is a further deviation in the Z-axis direction. In some cases, as shown in FIG. 13C, steps and gaps are generated. Further, as shown in FIG. 13 (D) when there is a deviation in the angular position around the X axis, and as shown in FIG. 13 (E) when there is a deviation in the angular position around the Y axis, When there is a deviation in the angular position around the Z axis, gaps and steps are generated as shown in FIG. When the degree of the gap / step is large, the hook F that rolls in the rail 32 stops at the rail connecting portion, and a flow failure occurs. In addition, the degree of the gap / step has changed after adjustment when the loading stocker 4 and the receiving stocker 5 are newly installed. Each time a flow failure occurs due to a condition change such as refurbishing a part other than the rail or relocation, It is necessary to carefully check the state of the butt and perform frequent readjustment work.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, when a step or a gap occurs in the X, Y, and Z axis directions (FIGS. 13A to 13C), the loading stocker 4 (or the receiving stocker 5). By adjusting the position of the rail support device 6 in the X, Y, and Z axis directions on at least the supply port 31 (input port 34) side of the supply rails 32, 36, the input port 30 (extraction port 35) is further adjusted as necessary. ) Side rail support device 6 by adjusting the position in the X, Y, and Z axis directions, the supply rails 32 and 36 of the loading stocker 4 (receiving stocker 5) and the supply rail 21 of the component supply cart 1 You can match your hearts with each other. Further, as described above, when a step or a gap is generated in the angular position direction around the X, Y, and Z axes (FIGS. 13D to 13F), the loading stocker 4 (receiving stocker 5) is supplied. The position of the rail support device 6 on the supply port 31 (input port 34) side and the input port 30 (outlet port 35) side of the rails 32 and 36 in the X, Y, and Z axis directions and the angular positions around the X, Y, and Z axes. By adjusting, the axes of the supply rails 32 and 36 of the loading stocker 4 (receiving stocker 5) and the supply rail 21 of the component supply cart 1 can be made to coincide with each other. Therefore, by using the rail support device 6 of this structure, the gap / step difference of the rail abutting portion is adjusted within the range of the assumed error / change, and the flow failure of the parts W and hooks F is improved. Rail adjustment work can be simplified.

  FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 show a second embodiment of the rail support device 6, and the structure is further simplified with respect to the rail support device 6 of the first embodiment. In this rail support device 6, by using the ball joint 45, the adjustment of the angular positions of the rails 32, 33, 36 and 37 around the X, Y and Z axes can be freely selected. Further, in order to adjust the position of the rails 32, 33, 36, and 37 in the X, Y, and Z axis directions, a large-diameter hole 46 is formed in the frames 4A and 5A, while the slide plate 47 is covered by covering the hole 46. The mounting bolt 48 is arranged so that the lower end is connected to the ball joint 45 with respect to the slide plate 47, and the slide plate 47 is tightened from above and below by a pair of nuts 49 engaged with the mounting bolt 48. And the slide plate 47 are integrated. Therefore, adjustment of the X / Y-axis direction positions of the rails 32, 33, 36, and 37 is achieved by moving the slide plate 47 in the horizontal direction so that the mounting bolts 48 are moved horizontally in the large-diameter holes 46 of the frames 4A and 5A. It can be adjusted by moving to. The rails 32, 33, 36, and 37 are adjusted in the Z-axis direction by adjusting the tightening positions of the pair of nuts 49 to adjust the vertical positions of the mounting bolts 48. 37 can be adjusted in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

  Also in this configuration, the rails 32, 33, 36, and 37 are attached to the frames 4A and 5A of the respective stockers 4 and 5 with the rail support devices 6 interposed at both ends, so The angular position around the XYZ axes can be adjusted. For this reason, when a step or a gap occurs in the X, Y, and Z axis directions (FIGS. 13A to 13C), at least the supply rails 32 and 36 of the loading stocker 4 (or the receiving stocker 5). By adjusting the position in the X, Y, and Z axis directions of the rail support device 6 on the supply port 31 (input port 34) side, the rail support device 6 on the input port 30 (extraction port 35) side is further adjusted as necessary. By adjusting the positions in the X, Y, and Z axis directions, the axes of the supply rails 32 and 36 of the loading stocker 4 (receiving stocker 5) and the supply rail 21 of the component supply carriage 1 can be made to coincide with each other. . Further, as described above, when a step or a gap is generated in the angular position direction around the X, Y, and Z axes (FIGS. 13D to 13F), the loading stocker 4 (receiving stocker 5) is supplied. The position of the rail support device 6 on the supply port 31 (input port 34) side and the input port 30 (outlet port 35) side of the rails 32 and 36 in the X, Y, and Z axis directions and the angular positions around the X, Y, and Z axes. By adjusting, the axes of the supply rails 32 and 36 of the loading stocker 4 (receiving stocker 5) and the supply rail 21 of the component supply cart 1 can be made to coincide with each other. Therefore, by using the rail support device 6 of this structure, the gap / step difference of the rail abutting portion is adjusted within the range of the assumed error / change, and the flow failure of the parts W and hooks F is improved. Rail adjustment work can be simplified.

  In the third embodiment of the rail support device 6 shown in FIG. 16, the rails 32 and 33 of the loading stocker 4 and the receiving stocker 5 that abut against the supply rail 21 and / or the recovery rail 22 of the component supply carriage 1 to form a rail connecting portion. , 36 and 37 are provided with guide plates 50 at their ends. The guide plate 50 is fixed to the respective outer peripheral surfaces of the ends of the rails 32, 33, 36, and 37, and the portions protruding from the rails 32, 33, 36, and 37 of the plate are inclined outward. The guide part is formed by bending to perform.

  When the guide plate 50 is connected to the rails 32, 33, 36, and 37 of the component supply carriage 1, the end portions of the rails 32, 33, 36, and 37 of the loading stocker 4 and the receiving stocker 5 are connected to the parts supply carriage 1. The rail end portion is moved in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction by the guide portion 50, and the relative positions of the rails are automatically adjusted to form a connecting portion having no step. In this case, the movement in the X-axis direction can be absorbed by the lateral movement of the slide plate 47, and the movement in the Z-axis direction is caused by the rail end portions of the loading stocker 4 and the receiving stocker 5 being the rail end on the component supply carriage 1 side. In the case where it is located below the part, it can be absorbed by raising the slide plate 47. In addition, when the rail end portions of the loading stocker 4 and the receiving stocker 5 are located above the rail end portion on the component supply carriage 1 side, the slide plate 47 itself is elastically deformed by a predetermined amount in the vertical direction. Thus, it is desirable to absorb the movement of the rail end portion in the Z-axis direction by changing the position of the mounting bolt 48 in the Z-axis direction.

  Although the guide plate 50 has been described with respect to the rail support device 6 of the second embodiment, the guide plate 50 can also be applied to the rail support device 6 of the first embodiment. That is, the rail end portions of the loading stocker 4 and the receiving stocker 5 are made to be the parts supply cart 1 by configuring the left and right slide fittings 42 and / or the front and rear swing fittings 41 to be elastically deformed by a predetermined amount with respect to the load in the Z-axis direction. When it is located below the rail end on the side, it can be absorbed by the rise of the left and right slide fittings 42, so that the rail ends of the loading stocker 4 and the receiving stocker 5 are located above the rail end on the component supply carriage 1 side. When positioned, it can be absorbed by elastic deformation of the left / right slide fitting 42 and / or the front / rear swing fitting 41. Further, the movement of the rail end in the X-axis direction can be absorbed by the lateral movement of the left and right slide fittings 42.

  As described above, the supply rails 32 and 36 and / or the recovery rails 33 and 37 of the loading stocker 4 and the receiving stocker 5 are supported by the rail support device 6, while the supply rail 21 and the recovery rail 22 of the component supply cart 1 are Since the rail support device 6 is fixed to the frame 23 of the component storage unit 3, the rail support device 6 may be installed only in the loading stocker 4 of the component loading station ST1 and the receiving stocker 5 of the component receiving station ST2. Since it is not necessary to apply to the parts supply cart 1 to be used, a more economical configuration can be achieved.

  In the above embodiment, the rail support device 6 has been described as being disposed at both ends of the supply rails 32 and 36 and the collection rails 33 and 37 of the loading stocker 4 and the receiving stocker 5, but as shown in FIG. The rail support device 6 described above is disposed only on the end side that forms the connecting portion with the rails 21 and 22 of the component supply carriage 1, and the supply rails 32 and 36 of the loading stocker 4 and the receiving stocker 5 and the recovery rails 33 and 37 are arranged. The support on the rear end side may be a pivot support or an elastic support 7 that allows only the vertical and horizontal swings of the rails 32, 33, 36, and 37. In this case, the rail end supported by the rail support device 6 includes the vertical direction (Z-axis direction position and angle position around the X axis), the left-right direction (X axis direction and angle position around the Z axis), and the rail twisting direction. Movement in the direction of rotation around the Y axis is allowed.

  The rail support structure having such a configuration is particularly effective when the gap / step difference of the rail connecting portion is expected to be relatively small. Thus, only one of the rail support structures is supported by the rail support device 6 as described above. The support structure of the rail can be further simplified.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although what was arrange | positioned as the rail support apparatus 6 at the both ends of the supply rails 32 and 36 of the loading stocker 4 and the receiving stocker 5, and the collection | recovery rails 33 and 37 was demonstrated, as shown in FIG. The rail support device 6 is arranged at the end of the rail on the downstream side of the rail connecting portion for receiving the parts W or the hooks F of the loading stocker 4, the parts supply cart 1, and the receiving stocker 5, and the rear end side of the rail is the top, bottom, left, right of the rail It is also possible to use a pivot support or an elastic support 7 that allows only the swinging of. In this case, the rail end supported by the rail support device 6 includes the vertical direction (Z-axis direction position and angle position around the X axis), the left-right direction (X axis direction and angle position around the Z axis), and the rail twisting direction. Movement in the direction of rotation around the Y axis is allowed.

  In the rail support structure having such a configuration, the rail end on the side to which the component W or the hook F is supplied is always a pivot support or an elastic support 7 that allows only the vertical and horizontal swing of the rail. The upper, lower, left and right positions are fixed, and the position is reliably determined while supporting the component W and the hook F, and can be passed to the subsequent rail via the rail connecting portion. Then, the rail end of the rear stage that forms the rail connecting portion is moved by the rail support device 6 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction position and angular position about the X axis), left-right direction (X-axis direction and angular position about the Z-axis), and Movement in the rail torsion direction (rotation direction around the Y axis) is allowed, and since the parts and hooks are not supported on the own rail, the movement can be realized more lightly and smoothly. There is an effect that it is easy to form a rail connecting portion having no gap / step difference with respect to the rail end portion.

  In the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

  (A) By connecting the guide rails 21 of the component supply cart 1 to the guide rails 32 of the loading stocker 4, the components in a state of being aligned along the guide rails 32 of the loading stocker 4 of the component loading station ST <b> 1. Are received and accommodated in a state of being aligned with the guide rail 21, transported the components in the state of being aligned to the component receiving station ST 2 of the assembly line, and guided to the guide rail 36 of the receiving stocker 5 of the component receiving station ST 2. In the component supply apparatus and the component supply method for supplying components in a state of being aligned with the guide rails 36 of the receiving stocker 5 by connecting the rails 21, each of the guide rails 32, 33, 36, 37 is at least one of the end portions. Can be moved in the vertical direction and / or the horizontal direction to the rail support device 6 Characterized in that it is supported Ri. Accordingly, the end of the rail supported by the rail support device 6 is moved in the vertical direction and / or the left-right direction so as to be aligned and connected to the end of the other rail 21 to be connected, and the parts are supplied from the loading stocker 4. It is possible to transfer aligned parts from the parts supply truck 1 to the parts receiving stocker 5 to the carriage 1 and to reduce gaps / steps at the rail connecting portion, thereby improving parts flow defects. Can do.

  (A) The rail support device 6 is disposed at both ends of each of the guide rails 32, 33, 36, 37, and is movable in the vertical direction and / or the horizontal direction. By movably supporting in the direction, not only the step between the rails, but also the gaps and angular deviations between the rail ends can be reduced by adjusting the rail support devices 6 at both ends. It is possible to reduce gaps and steps at the rail connection part and improve the flow of parts.

  (C) The rail support device 6 supports the rail so as to be swingable in the vertical direction and / or the horizontal direction, that is, in the vertical direction and / or the horizontal direction with respect to the frames 4A and 5A of the loading stocker 4 and the receiving stocker 5. Positioning means 41 to 43 that can be adjusted in position in the direction, and swinging means 40 that is swingably connected to the positioning means and connected to rails 32, 33, 36, and 37. As a result, the adjustment of the angular deviation between the rail ends can be easily reduced, and the flow failure of components at the rail connecting portion can be further improved.

  (D) The rail support device 6 is provided on the guide rail 32 of the loading stocker 4 of the component loading station ST1 and the guide rail 36 of the receiving stocker 5 of the component receiving station ST2. Since only the loading stocker 4 of ST1 and the receiving stocker 5 of the component receiving station ST2 need be installed, and it is not necessary to apply to the component supply cart 1 that is used by circulating a plurality of units, a more economical configuration can be achieved.

  (E) The rail support device 6 is provided on the front end side of the guide rail on the component receiving side of the loading stocker 4, the component supply carriage 1, and the receiving stocker 5, and the rear end side of the guide rail on the component receiving side is the guide rail. Is supported in such a manner that it can swing back and forth and from side to side, and the rail end of the rear stage forming the rail connecting portion is moved up and down by the rail support device 6 (Z-axis position and angular position around the X-axis). , Movement in the left-right direction (angle position around the X-axis direction and Z-axis) and the rail twisting direction (rotation direction around the Y-axis) is allowed, and the rail W supports the parts W and hooks F. Since the movement can be realized more lightly and smoothly, it becomes easy to form a rail connecting portion having no gap / step with respect to the rail end portion on the front stage side.

  (F) The component supply cart stores components supplied from the component loading stocker in an aligned state with guide rails, and supplies the stored components in an aligned state with the guide rails to the component receiving stocker And a cart unit that loads and conveys the component storage unit, and the component storage unit is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear and left-right directions and the rotation direction in a horizontal plane with respect to the cart unit, and a preset relative movement position and The component storage unit can be fixed at a relative rotational position, and the component storage unit is fixed to the carriage unit during transfer operation and movement, and the loading stocker or component receiving unit receives the components at the loading station and the receiving station. To be able to rotate and move back and forth and left and right to align each other's rails with the stocker This makes it easier to align the end of the rail with the rail end of the loading stocker and the receiving stocker even if it is a rotary carriage provided with a component housing portion that is positioned by rotational movement and forward / backward / left / right movement from the transport state. be able to.

  (G) One end of the guide rails 32, 33, 36, 37 to which the guide rails 32, 33, 36, 37 are connected is aligned with the end of the connected guide rails 21, 22 guided by an inclined surface to the end of the guide rails 32, 33, 36, 37. By providing the guide plate 50, the abutting alignment between the rail ends can be facilitated.

  (G) Each guide rail 21, 22, 32, 33, 36, 37 is disposed so as to be inclined downward from the component loading port 30 of the loading stocker 4 toward the component ejection port 35 of the receiving stocker 5. Thus, the flow of components from the loading stocker 4 to the receiving stocker 5 via the component supply cart 1 becomes smooth in the direction of gravity.

  (G) The rail support device is attached to the frame so that the vertical position of the rail support device can be adjusted, the left and right slide fittings arranged to be movable in the left and right directions of the rail with respect to the mounting bolts, and the left and right slide fittings. A front-rear swing metal fitting that is pivotally supported by a common axis extending in the left-right direction at both ends of the U-shaped part and is swingable in the rail front-rear direction, and a ring-shaped part on the U-shaped part of the front-rear swing metal fitting By changing the swinging position of the U-shaped swinging bracket relative to the left and right sliding brackets, The direction position (rail longitudinal direction) can be adjusted, and by adjusting the engagement position of the eyebolt with the U-shaped part of the front / rear swing bracket, Runejiri angles can be adjusted, it is possible to simplify the effort of adjustment.

The side view of the component supply trolley | bogie in the component supply apparatus which shows one Embodiment of this invention. The top view of a trolley | bogie part similarly. The side view which shows the relationship between a trolley | bogie part and a components accommodating part. The top view of a components accommodating part. The side view which shows the components accommodation state of a components accommodating part. Explanatory drawing which demonstrates typically the field environment where the components supply trolley | bogie 1 is used. Explanatory drawing explaining the component delivery state of a loading stocker and a component supply trolley | bogie. Explanatory drawing explaining the components delivery state of a components supply trolley | bogie and an acceptance stocker. The perspective view of the rail support structure of 1st Example in a components loading station and a components receiving station. Explanatory drawing explaining the adjustable range of a rail. The perspective view explaining the components delivery state of a loading stocker and a components supply trolley | bogie. Explanatory drawing explaining the positional relationship of the guide rail in FIG. Explanatory drawing explaining position shift (A)-(C) of guide rails, and angle shift (D)-(F). The side view of the rail support structure of 2nd Example in a components loading station and a components receiving station. The enlarged side view of the rail support apparatus of 2nd Example. The enlarged side view of the rail support apparatus of 3rd Example. Explanatory drawing of the components supply apparatus which simplified arrangement | positioning of a rail support apparatus. Explanatory drawing of the components supply apparatus which changed arrangement | positioning of a rail support apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Parts supply trolley 2 Carriage part 3 Parts accommodating part 4 Loading stocker 5 Receipt stocker 6 Rail support device 7 Swing support 10 Wheel 11 Frame 12 Restriction area 13 Trapezoid member 15 Caster ball 20, 20A projection part 21 as support means , 32, 36 Supply rail 22, 33, 37 Recovery rail 23 Frame 24, 30, 34 Input port 25, 31 Supply port 26 Flat plate 27 Stopper 35 Extraction port

Claims (11)

The parts aligned along the guide rails of the loading stocker of the parts loading station are received and accommodated in alignment with the guide rails of the parts supply carriage by connecting the guide rails of the parts supply carriage to the guide rails of the loading stocker. In the state where the parts are aligned with the guide rail of the receiving stocker by transporting the parts in the aligned state to the parts receiving station of the assembly line and connecting the guide rail of the parts supply carriage to the guide rail of the receiving stocker of the parts receiving station. In a component supply device that supplies components,
Each of the guide rails is supported by a rail support device so that at least one of the end portions thereof is movable in the vertical direction and / or the horizontal direction.   The rail support device is disposed at both ends of each of the guide rails, and is movable in the vertical direction and / or the horizontal direction and supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction of the rail. The component supply apparatus according to 1.   The component supply device according to claim 1, wherein the rail support device supports the rail so as to be swingable in a vertical direction and / or a horizontal direction.   The rail support device is provided on a guide rail of a loading stocker of a component loading station and a guide rail of a receiving stocker of a component receiving station, according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Parts supply device.   The rail support device is provided on the front end side of the guide rail on the component receiving side of the loading stocker, the component supply cart, and the receiving stocker, and the rear end side of the guide rail on the component receiving side swings the guide rail back and forth and right and left. The component supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the component supply device is supported. The component supply cart accommodates components supplied from a component loading stocker in an aligned state with a guide rail, and supplies the accommodated components in an aligned state with the guide rail to the component receiving stocker, and a component It consists of a cart unit that loads and conveys the storage unit,
The parts accommodating portion is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear and left-right directions and the rotational direction in a horizontal plane with respect to the carriage portion, and can be fixed at a preset relative movement position and relative rotation position,
The parts accommodating portion is fixed with respect to the carriage portion during conveyance work and movement, and the rails are positioned relative to the loading stocker or the component receiving stocker at the loading station and the receiving station for delivering the components. The component supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the component supply device can be rotated and moved in the front-rear and left-right directions to match.   2. The guide plate according to claim 1, wherein one end of the guide rail connected to the guide rail is provided with a guide plate for aligning the end of the connected guide rail connected to the end of the guide rail by an inclined surface. The component supply device according to claim 6.   8. The guide rail according to claim 1, wherein each of the guide rails is disposed so as to be inclined downward from a component input port of the loading stocker toward a component take-out port of the receiving stocker. 9. The component supply apparatus described.   The rail support device is provided with positioning means that can be adjusted in the vertical and / or horizontal direction with respect to the frames of the loading stocker and the receiving stocker, and is swingably connected to the positioning means and connected to the rail. The component supply device according to claim 1, wherein the component supply device includes a swinging unit.   The rail support device includes a mounting bolt attached to a frame so that the vertical position of the rail supporting device can be adjusted, a left and right slide fitting disposed so as to be movable in a left and right direction of the rail with respect to the mounting bolt, and a U-shape with respect to the left and right slide fitting. The front and rear swing metal fittings that are pivotally supported by the common axis extending in the left and right direction and arranged to swing in the rail front and rear directions, and the ring-shaped part is engaged with the U-shaped part of the front and rear swing metal fittings. The component supply device according to claim 1, wherein the shaft portion is configured by an eyebolt having a shaft portion fixed to a bracket of the rail. The parts aligned along the guide rails of the loading stocker of the parts loading station are received and accommodated in alignment with the guide rails of the parts supply carriage by connecting the guide rails of the parts supply carriage to the guide rails of the loading stocker. In the state where the parts are aligned with the guide rail of the receiving stocker by transporting the parts in the aligned state to the parts receiving station of the assembly line and connecting the guide rail of the parts supply carriage to the guide rail of the receiving stocker of the parts receiving station. In a component supply method for supplying components,
Each of the guide rails is supported by a rail support device so that at least one of the end portions can move in the vertical direction and / or the horizontal direction
The rail end supported by the rail support device is moved in the vertical direction and / or the left-right direction so as to be aligned and connected to the other rail end to be connected, from the loading stocker to the parts supply cart, the parts A component supply method, comprising transferring parts in an aligned state from a supply cart to a component receiving stocker.