JP2008104955A - Transfer apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transfer apparatus capable of conveying a tubular body having a conductive part disposed at a given position, and a non-conductive part, to a given conveying position without deviating therefrom. <P>SOLUTION: The transfer apparatus 11 supplies CCFL37 from a CCFL supply part 14 and conveys the CCFL37 to a conveying position D from the CCFL supply part 14. The transfer apparatus 11 holds the CCFL37 in the diametral direction with holding parts 30, 31 being a holding means, and inspects whether the CCFL37 is electrically conductive or not via the CCFL37 while holding the CCFL37, by the holding parts 30, 31 being an inspection means. The holding position is adjusted by a holding position adjusting means, and the tubular body is conveyed from the CCFL supply part 14 to the conveying position D by a transfer part 12. The transfer apparatus 11 controls the holding position adjusting means by a control part 15, based on the inspection result of the inspection means, to adjust the holding position to be the holding position of the conductive part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a transfer device for transferring a tubular body having a conductive portion and a non-conductive portion, for example, a fluorescent tube having electrode portions at both ends.

  In a liquid crystal display device such as a thin television receiver, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) is used as an illumination light source (light source for backlight) of a liquid crystal panel.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the CCFL 81. 8A is a perspective view showing the CCFL 81, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view showing the CCFL 81. As shown in FIG. The CCFL 81 is a rod-like fluorescent tube having an electrode portion 82 and a tube portion 83. The CCFL 81 has electrodes 84 at both ends. The CCFL 81 has an electrode terminal 85 extending from the electrode 84 in the longitudinal direction of the CCFL 81. The electrode terminal 85 is drawn out to the outside of the tube portion 83 and soldered to the base 86. Therefore, the base 86 is electrically connected to the electrode 84. The portion with the base 86 corresponds to the electrode portion 82, and the electrode portion 82 is formed to have substantially the same diameter as the tube portion 83.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the backlight device 91. The backlight device 91 includes an electrode coupling portion 93, an intermediate clipper 94, and a leaf spring 95, and supports the electrode portion 82 of the CCFL 81 with the electrode coupling portion 93, and the tube portion 83 of the CCFL 81 with the intermediate clipper 94. Support with. The electrode coupling portion 93 is connected to a power supply source via an inverter device 96 fixed to the back surface of the housing 92. When a high voltage is applied to the electrode coupling portion 93 from the power supply source, the CCFL 81 discharges in the CCFL 81 and emits ultraviolet rays, thereby exciting the phosphor and emitting visible light.

  Further, the backlight device 91 sandwiches both end surfaces of the CCFL 81 in the longitudinal direction with leaf springs 95 so that the CCFL 81 supported by the electrode coupling portion 93 and the intermediate clipper 94 does not move in the longitudinal direction within the housing 92.

  Conventionally, the CCFL 81 has been manually fitted into the housing 92. However, this work required a lot of personnel, and this labor cost led to an increase in the cost of the product. For this reason, automation of the transfer process which conveys CCFL81 and mounts to the housing 92 of the backlight apparatus 91 was calculated | required.

  A typical conventional technique for conveying a fluorescent tube is described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes a waste fluorescent lamp tube storage / supply device including a hopper for storing a waste fluorescent lamp tube and a transport device that supplies the waste fluorescent lamp tube discharged from the hopper to a recycling apparatus. Has been. This storage / supply device breaks down the bridge when a waste fluorescent tube bridge is formed at the position facing the discharge portion of the waste fluorescent lamp tube to the hopper transport device and discharge to the transport device is delayed. A bridge breaker that enables smooth discharge is provided.

  Another conventional technique is described in Patent Document 2. Patent Document 2 describes a terminal for connecting a rod-like electrode (electrode terminal) extending in the axial direction of the CCFL to an electric wire extending in a direction perpendicular to the axial line of the CCFL. This terminal is in contact with the rod-shaped electrode when it is displaced in the axial direction of the CCFL, and a contact portion for electrical connection with the electric wire, and the CCFL glass tube portion before the contact portion contacts the rod-shaped electrode. It has a flexible and cylindrical outer casing for outer casing.

JP 2005-132551 A JP 2004-259645 A

  According to Patent Document 1, a large amount of waste fluorescent lamps can be stored in the hopper, and when the waste fluorescent tube bridge is formed and the discharge from the hopper to the conveying device is delayed, this bridge is broken by the bridge breaking means. Therefore, the waste fluorescent lamp can be continuously supplied to the recycling apparatus.

  However, when the CCFL 81 is transferred, it is necessary to insert the CCFL 81 between the leaf springs 95 that restrict the CCFL 81 from moving in the longitudinal direction within the housing 92. Therefore, even if it is going to automate the transfer process which conveys CCFL81 and mounts to the housing 92 of the backlight device 91, since the CCFL81 is thin and long, for example, 4 mm in diameter and 1 m in length, the pressing force is applied to both end surfaces in the longitudinal direction. The position cannot be adjusted in the longitudinal direction. Further, the electrode portion 82 and the tube portion 83 of the CCFL 81 have a dimensional tolerance in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, in the storage / supply apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the longitudinal restriction is performed at the supply position before the transfer of the CCFL 81 to the extent that it is guided by a guide plate having a constant gap on both sides of the CCFL 81. Therefore, the positional variation of the CCFL 81 in the longitudinal direction becomes large, and the positional variation necessary for securely fitting the electrode portion 82 of the CCFL 81 into the electrode coupling portion 93 is not within 1 mm.

  According to Patent Document 2, when connecting a CCFL rod-shaped electrode to an electric wire, before contacting the CCFL rod-shaped electrode with the contact portion, the flexible tube is guided and the glass tube is sheathed. Even without soldering the electric wire, the operation of connecting the electric wire to the rod-like electrode can be performed quickly and reliably and with extremely high efficiency using an automatic machine. Therefore, after the CCFL is transported to a predetermined position, the CCFL is inserted into the terminal, so that the operation of connecting the CCFL rod-shaped electrode and the electric wire can be performed using an automatic machine. However, the CCFL cannot be transported without shifting to a predetermined position, and the CCFL transfer process cannot be automated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a transfer device that has a conductive part and a non-conductive part, and can transport a tubular body in which the conductive part is disposed at a predetermined position without shifting to a predetermined transport position. That is.

The present invention includes a tubular body supply unit that has a conductive part and a non-conductive part, and supplies a tubular body in which the conductive part is disposed at a predetermined position.
Gripping means for gripping the tubular body in a diametrical direction;
Inspecting means for inspecting whether or not electrical conduction is made through the tubular body in a state where the tubular body is gripped by the gripping means;
A gripping position adjusting means for adjusting a gripping position gripped by the gripping means;
Transport means for transporting the tubular body from the tubular body supply section to a predetermined transport position;
A transfer apparatus comprising: control means for controlling the gripping position adjusting means so that the gripping position becomes a position for gripping the conductive portion based on an inspection result of the inspection means.

  In the invention, it is preferable that the tubular body is a rod-like fluorescent tube having electrode portions at both ends.

In the present invention, the gripping means grips the tubular body so as to sandwich the electrode portions at both ends in the diametrical direction,
Voltage applying means for applying a voltage between the electrode portions is provided.

The present invention also includes a light emission detecting means for detecting light emission of the fluorescent tube,
When the light emitting tube emits light based on the detection result of the light emission detecting means, the control means transports the tubular body from the tubular body supply unit to a predetermined transport position, and the arc tube When not emitting light, the transporting unit is controlled to transport the tubular body from the tubular body supply unit to a predetermined disposal position.

  According to the present invention, a tubular body having a conductive portion and a non-conductive portion, the conductive portion being disposed at a predetermined position is supplied from the tubular body supply portion, and the tubular body is transported from the tubular body supply portion to a predetermined level It is a transfer device which conveys to a position. In this transfer device, the gripping means grips the tubular body in the diametrical direction, and the inspection means grips the tubular body with the gripping means to determine whether or not electrical conduction is made through the tubular body. inspect. Then, the gripping position gripped by the gripping means is adjusted by the gripping position adjusting means, and the tubular body is transported from the tubular body supply unit to a predetermined transporting position by the transporting means.

  In this transfer device, the control unit controls the gripping position adjusting unit based on the inspection result of the inspection unit, and is adjusted so that the gripping position becomes a position for gripping the conductive portion.

  Accordingly, the gripping position adjusting means can grip the conductive portion arranged at a predetermined position with the gripping means, and the tubular body with the conductive portion gripped can be transported with the transporting means. Therefore, the tubular body can be transported without shifting to a predetermined transport position without applying pressure in the longitudinal direction of the tubular body and adjusting the longitudinal position of the tubular body.

  According to the invention, the tubular body is a rod-like fluorescent tube having electrode portions at both ends, and the fluorescent tube can be transported without being shifted to a predetermined transport position. Accordingly, the tubular body can be transported without the electrode portions at both ends being shifted to a position such as an electrode joint portion where a voltage can be applied to the electrode portion.

  According to the invention, the gripping means includes voltage applying means for gripping the tubular body so as to sandwich the electrode portions at both ends in the diameter direction and applying a voltage between the electrode portions. By doing so, the fluorescent tube can be made to emit light before being gripped by the gripping means and transported to a predetermined transport position. Therefore, when the fluorescent tube emits light, the fluorescent tube is normal, and when the fluorescent tube does not emit light, the operator can determine beforehand by visual observation that the fluorescent tube is abnormal.

  Further, according to the present invention, it is provided with a light emission detecting means for detecting whether or not the fluorescent tube emits light, and when the light emitting tube emits light, the control means moves the tubular body from the tubular body supply part to a predetermined transport position. When the arc tube does not emit light, the transport means is controlled so that the tubular body is transported from the tubular body supply unit to a predetermined disposal position.

  By doing so, it is possible to detect whether or not the fluorescent tube emits light by the light emission detection means. When the fluorescent tube emits light, it is transported to a predetermined transport position, and when the fluorescent tube does not emit light, predetermined disposal Transport to position. Therefore, only a fluorescent tube having no abnormality can be transported to a predetermined transport position.

  The present invention is a transfer device that transports a tubular body having a conductive portion and a non-conductive portion, and the conductive portion is disposed at a predetermined position, and is suitable for transporting a fluorescent tube such as a CCFL, for example. is there.

  FIG. 1 is a front view of a transfer apparatus 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the transfer device 11. The transfer device 11 includes a transfer unit 12, a housing holding unit 13, a CCFL supply unit 14, and a control unit 15.

  The transfer unit 12 includes a column 16, a top plate 17, an X stage 18, a Z stage 19, Y stages 20 and 21, sliders 22, 23, 24 and 25, slider mounting plates 26, 27, 28 and 29, and a gripping unit 30. , 31.

  The transfer unit 12 moves the gripping units 30 and 31 in the first direction x, the second direction y, and the third direction z. The X stage 18 is a member for moving the grip portions 30 and 31 in the first direction x, and is fixed to the top plate 17 so as to extend in the first direction x. The slider 22 moves along the X stage 18 extending in the first direction x. The slider attachment plate 26 is attached to the slider 22.

  The Z stage 19 is a member for moving the grip portions 30 and 31 in the first direction x, and is fixed to the slider mounting plate 26 so as to extend in the third direction z. The slider 23 moves along the Z stage 19 extending in the third direction z. The slider attachment plate 27 is attached to the slider 23.

  The pair of Y stages 20 and 21 are members for independently moving the grip portions 30 and 31 in the second direction y, and are fixed to the slider mounting plates 28 and 29 so as to extend in the second direction y, respectively. The The sliders 24 and 25 move along the Y stages 20 and 21 extending in the second direction y, respectively. The slider attachment plates 28 and 29 are attached to the sliders 24 and 25, respectively, and the grip portions 30 and 31 are fixed, respectively.

  The gripping portions 30 and 31 include a hand portion 32, a connecting portion 33, a chuck portion 34, and air pipes 35 and 36. The hand part 32 opens when compressed air is supplied from one air pipe 35 to the gripping parts 30, 31, and closes when compressed air is supplied from the other air pipe 36 to the gripping parts 30, 31. The connecting portion 33 connects the hand portion 32 and the chuck portion 34, and the chuck portion 34 has a V-shaped groove formed on the opposing surface, and opens and closes as the hand portion 32 opens and closes. Each of the air pipes 35 and 36 is connected to a compressed air source and can supply compressed air. Therefore, the gripping portions 30 and 31 can grip the CCFL 37 by sandwiching the CCFL 37 between the V-shaped grooves of the chuck portion 34 in the diameter direction. The grip portions 30 and 31 correspond to grip means.

  When the sliders 24 and 25 move in the second direction y on the Y stages 20 and 21, respectively, for example, when the CCFL 37 having a different length of the tube portion is transported as a transported body, the distance between the gripping portions 30 and 31 Can be changed. In addition, the sliders 24 and 25 move on the Y stages 20 and 21 in the second direction y as described later, so that the gripping position for gripping the CCFL 37 by the grippers 30 and 31 can be adjusted. The Y stages 20 and 21 and the sliders 24 and 25 correspond to gripping position adjusting means. Also, the CCFL 37 gripped by the gripping portions 30 and 31 by the slider 22 moving in the first direction x on the X stage 18 or the slider 23 moving in the third direction z on the Z stage 19. Can be transported. The X stage 18, the Z stage 19, and the sliders 22 and 23 correspond to a conveying unit.

  The housing holding unit 13 includes a mounting table 41 and a positioning member 42. The mounting table 41 can mount the casing 43 of the backlight device, and the positioning member 42 determines the position at which the casing 43 of the backlight device is held on the mounting table 41.

  The CCFL supply unit 14 includes a support base 51, a support base X stage 52, a slider 53, a storage base 54, a cassette 55, and a belt conveyor 56. The support base X stage 52 is a member for moving the cassette 55 in the first direction x to adjust the drop position of the CCFL 37 to the belt conveyor 56, and is attached to the support base 51 so as to extend in the first direction x. Fixed. The slider 53 moves along the support base X stage 52 extending in the first direction x. The storage base 54 includes a slider connection portion 54 a attached to the slider 53 and a cassette support portion 54 b that supports the lower portion of the cassette 55. The cassette 55 is attached to the slider connection portion 54a, and the cassette support portion 54b is fixed. In the cassette 55, several rows of CCFLs 37 are stacked in the height direction. For example, the CCFLs 37 are dropped one by one from the opening between the slider connecting part 54a and the cassette support part 54b in response to a signal from the control part 15. It has become. When the CCFL 37 for one row in the height direction disappears, the slider 53 moves on the support base X stage 52 by one row in the direction of the arrow 57, and the CCFL 37 in the adjacent row moves between the slider connection portion 54a and the cassette support portion 54b. To fall from the opening between. The belt conveyor 56 conveys the CCFL 37 dropped from the cassette 55 to the supply position A. In the belt conveyor 56, the belt 59 hung on the pair of rolls 58 rotates in the direction of the arrow 60 based on a signal transmitted from the control unit 15, for example. The belt 59 is moved by the stopper 61 so that the CCFLs 37 are present at the supply position A one by one. The front contact plate 62 positions the front surface of the CCFL 37 at the supply position A. The feed plate 63 sends the CCFL 37 to the supply position A. The CCFL supply unit 14 corresponds to a tubular body supply unit.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a gripping state of the CCFL 37 by the chuck portion 34 at the supply position A. FIG. The CCFL supply unit 14 includes a feed plate 63 and a guide plate 73. Although not shown, the feed plate 63 is configured to reciprocate in a part of the notch of the guide plate 73 and sends the CCFL 37 to the supply position A. The guide plate 73 guides the position of the CCFL 37 in the longitudinal direction when the belt conveyor 56 transports the CCFL 37 to the supply position A. The CCFL 37 is a tubular body having a conductive portion 71 exhibiting conductivity and a tube portion 72 which is a non-conductive portion, and the conductive portion 71 is disposed at both ends. The chuck portion 34 holds the CCFL 37 so as to straddle the electrode portion 71 of the CCFL 37 and the tube portion 72 inside thereof. For example, when the electrode part 71 is a CCFL 37 having a length of 10 mm and a total length of 1 m, the electrode part 71 is adjusted to hold the electrode part 71 by 1 mm. When the gripping position deviates from the predetermined gripping position, even if the CCFL 37 cannot be fitted into the casing 43 of the backlight device or the CCFL 37 can be fitted, the electrode part 71 of the CCFL 37 is connected to the electrode coupling part 68. The CCFL 37 does not light up without fitting. Therefore, the transfer device needs to detect and adjust the grip position.

  A configuration for detecting the gripping position of the CCFL 37 by the chuck portion 34 will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the gripping portions 30 and 31 that can inspect whether or not the chuck portion 34 is electrically connected while the CCFL 37 is gripped. The grip portions 30 and 31 include a conductive tester 66. The chuck portion 34 is made of a soft metal such as copper and aluminum, or a conductive material such as a conductive resin, and is connected to a conductive tester 66 via a wiring 65. When the chuck portion 34 grips the CCFL 37 and the conductive tester 66 confirms that both the grip portions 30 and 31 are conducting between the chuck portions 34, the chuck portion 34 has a predetermined grip position in the longitudinal direction of the CCFL 37. Shows that it is gripped with good positioning. Further, when it is confirmed by the conductive tester 66 that one or both of the gripping portions 30 and 31 are not conductive between the chuck portions 34, the chuck portion 34 grips at a predetermined gripping position in the longitudinal direction of the CCFL 37. Indicates not. This conduction check is performed, for example, when the CCFL 37 is at the supply position A. The gripping portions 30 and 31, the wiring 65, and the conductive tester 66 correspond to inspection means.

  The control unit 15 controls the transfer device 11, and based on the result of whether or not the conductive tester 66 is conducting, the Y stage is set such that the gripping positions by the gripping units 30 and 31 are both the conductive unit 71. The sliders 24 and 25 moving along the lines 20 and 21 are controlled. Then, continuity is confirmed again, and the gripping position is adjusted until continuity is confirmed. Further, the chuck portion 34 is made of a material that has a conductive member disposed so as to cover the V-shaped groove 67 that contacts the CCFL 37, the wiring 65 is connected to the conductive member, and otherwise does not exhibit conductivity. Also good. By doing so, it is possible to form a high-strength chuck portion by configuring a material other than the conductive member with a high-strength material or the like. Part can be formed.

  Next, the operation of inserting the CCFL 37 into the casing 43 of the backlight device in the transfer device 11 will be described. A case where the gripping positions by the gripping units 30 and 31 are not adjusted by the sliders 24 and 25 that move along the Y stages 20 and 21 will be described.

  First, the housing 43 of the backlight device is mounted on the mounting table 41 using a transport robot or the like, and is positioned by the positioning member 42. A cassette 55 containing CCFLs 37 is placed on the storage base 54, and the CCFLs 37 are supplied to the supply position A one by one. When it is detected by a sensor or the like that the CCFL 37 exists at the supply position A, the transfer unit 12 starts to operate, moves the gripping units 30 and 31 to the supply position A, and grips the CCFL 37. In this state, the gripping position of the CCFL 37 is good if both the gripping portions 30 and 31 are confirmed as being conductive between the chuck portions 43 by the continuity tester 66. An output signal from the conductive tester 66 is sent to the control unit 15, and the sliders 22 and 23 move on the X stage 18 and the Z stage 19. The gripping portions 30 and 31 are moved up to the position B from the supply position A in the third direction z. It moves horizontally from the position B in the first direction x and moves to a position C above the electrode coupling portion 68 of the housing 43. It is lowered from the position C in the third direction z and moved to the transport position D where the electrode coupling portion 68 is located. The conveyance position D is a position where the CCFL 37 is engaged with the electrode coupling portion 68 of the casing 43 of the backlight device that is positioned in advance. The transfer device 11 includes a slider 22 that moves along the X stage 18 and a slider 23 that moves along the Z stage 19 so that the CCFL 37 held by the holding portions 30 and 31 is engaged with the electrode coupling portion 68. Has been adjusted. At the stage where the CCFL 37 is fitted into the electrode coupling portion 68, the chuck member 34 is opened and raised to return to the supply position A of the CCFL 37. At the supply position A, the next CCFL 37 is held. The gripping portions 30 and 31 move so as to fit the CCFL 37 therein. In this way, it is inserted into the vacant electrode joint 68 sequentially. When the CCFL 37 is entirely fitted into the casing 43 of one backlight device, the casing 43 is moved to another place by a transport robot or the like, and the casing 43 not fitted with the CCFL 37 is newly transported to the mounting table 41.

  A case where the gripping positions by the gripping units 30 and 31 are adjusted by the sliders 24 and 25 that move along the Y stages 20 and 21 will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the chuck portion 34 of the gripping portions 30 and 31 and the electrode portion 71 of the CCFL 37. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing the reference gripping state shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5B shows a CCFL 37 in which the total length L is 1 mm shorter and the length of the electrode portion 71 is 9.8 mm. FIG. 5C is a diagram showing a state in which the gripping position in FIG. 5B is adjusted by moving the gripping portions 30 and 31. FIG. 5D is a diagram showing a state in which the positions of the gripping portions 30 and 31 are returned to the original positions.

  In the standard gripping state, the guide plate 73 and the standard length CCFL 37 having a total length of 1 m are gripped by holding a gap of 1.5 mm from both ends in the y1 direction and the y2 direction. The chuck part 34 is in a state of gripping the electrode parts 71 at both ends from the tube part 72 side by 1 mm.

  When the CCFL 37 whose overall length L is 1 mm shorter and the length of the electrode portion 71 is 9.8 mm is in contact with one guide plate 73, as shown in FIG. 5B, the chuck portion 34a on the y1 direction side. However, there is no conduction between the chuck members 34b on the y2 direction side. When conduction is confirmed only between one of the chuck portions 34, the chuck portion 34 is opened, and the sliders 24 and 25 are moved by 1 mm in the y2 direction as shown in FIG. The sliders 24 and 25 move the Y stages 20 and 21 respectively so that the distance between the chuck portions 34a and 34b is the same, and then grip again. Thereafter, conduction is confirmed by the conductive tester 66. Then, the chuck members 34a and 34b are both conductive. However, if the sheet is transported in this state, it will not stop because it is displaced by about 1.5 mm with respect to the leaf spring for positioning the CCFL 37 provided in the casing 43 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5D, the sliders 24 and 25 are moved in the 1 mmy1 direction on the Y stages 20 and 21 while the gripping portions 30 and 31 hold the CCFL 37. By doing so, the gripping portions 30 and 31 are in a predetermined position, and the gripping position is also in a state of gripping the conductive portion.

  In the above example, continuity can be confirmed by adjusting the gripping position only once. However, for example, when the chuck portion 34 is opened and the CCFL 37 moves or does not conduct even after being gripped again, it may be moved again by 1 mm according to the above method.

  As described above, the transfer apparatus 11 can grip the conductive portion arranged at a predetermined position of the CCFL, for example, both ends, by the gripping means by the gripping position adjusting means, and the CCFL on which the conductive portion is gripped can be gripped. It can be transported by a transport means. Therefore, the CCFL can be transported without shifting to a predetermined transport position without applying pressure in the longitudinal direction of the CCFL and adjusting the longitudinal position of the CCFL.

  As another embodiment, in addition to the above-described configuration, the transfer device 11 having a configuration capable of inspecting the light emission of the CCFL 37 may be used. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the gripping units 30 and 31 capable of inspecting light emission. The gripping portions 30 and 31 apply a voltage between the chuck portions 34 a and b after adjusting the gripping position of the CCFL 37. The chuck portions 34 a and b are connected to the power supply unit via the electric wires 75 and 76 so as to apply a voltage to the CCFL 37. For example, one chuck portion 34 is connected to a grounding wire, and the other chuck portion 34 is connected to an electric wire that leads to a power supply portion. By doing so, a voltage can be applied to the CCFL 37 while the CCFL 37 is held, and light is emitted if the CCFL 37 is normal. If the CCFL 37 is abnormal, no light is emitted even when a voltage is applied. Therefore, an abnormality of the CCFL 37 can be determined by visual observation, for example, in the gripping state of the CCFL 37 before the CCFL 37 is fitted into the casing 43 of the backlight device. Therefore, even if the CCFL 37 is transported and supplied to the transfer device 11 and fails for some reason, it can be determined before being incorporated into the casing 43 of the backlight device.

  Furthermore, the transfer device 11 may include a light receiving sensor. In the transfer device 11, a voltage is applied between the chuck portions 34 a and 34 b, and the output of the light receiving sensor after the voltage is applied to the CCFL 37 is detected by the control unit 15. For example, when the gripping units 30 and 31 are provided with light receiving sensors, it is possible to detect whether or not the CCFL 37 emits light while the CCFLs 37 are gripped by the gripping units 30 and 31. At that time, when the CCFL 37 emits light, the control unit 15 conveys the CCFL 37 from the tubular body supply unit to the predetermined conveyance position D. When the CCFL 37 does not emit light, the control unit 15 removes the CCFL 37 from the tubular body supply unit to the predetermined disposal position E. The transfer unit 12 is controlled so that the CCFL 37 is transported to the end. The discard position E may be a position where the CCFL 37 can be discarded, and examples thereof include a defective CCFL container 69 provided between the housing holding unit 13 and the CCFL supply unit 14. Therefore, the transfer device 11 can transport only the CCFL 37 having no abnormality to the predetermined transport position D, and can mate only the normal CCFL 37 to the electrode coupling portion 68 of the housing 43. The timing at which the light receiving sensor detects light emission may be any time as long as the CCFL 37 is gripped. However, when a defective CCFL container 69 is provided between the housing holding part 13 and the CCFL supply part 14, It is preferable that the distance after the adjustment is transferred to the position B because the moving distance of the CCFL 37 can be short.

  In the above-described embodiment, the transported object is not limited to the CCFL 37, and may be a tubular body that has a conductive part and a non-conductive part, and the conductive part is disposed at a predetermined position. Examples of the conveyed object include an external electrode fluorescent lamp (EEFL) and a hot cathode fluorescent lamp (HCFL) as shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the HCFL 77. The HCFL 77 has a filament 78 and a base 79, and emits light by heating the filament 78 to cause thermionic emission. In the HCFL 77, the filament 78 and the base 79 are not electrically connected, and a voltage is applied to the filament 78 to heat it. Even if the filament 78 and the base 79 are not electrically connected, as long as the base 79 as a conductive portion is positioned at a predetermined position, the filament 78 and the base 79 can be transported without shifting to a predetermined transport position. .

It is a front view of the transfer apparatus 11 which is embodiment of this invention. 3 is a side view of a transfer device 11. FIG. It is the schematic for demonstrating the holding | grip state of CCFL37 by the chuck | zipper part 34 in the supply position A. FIG. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the holding parts 30 and 31 which can test | inspect whether it will conduct between the chuck | zipper parts 34 in the state which hold | gripped CCFL37. 4 is a schematic view showing a positional relationship between a chuck portion 34 of gripping portions 30 and 31 and an electrode portion 71 of a CCFL 37. FIG. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the holding parts 30 and 31 which can test | inspect light emission. It is sectional drawing which shows HCFL77. It is the schematic which shows CCFL81. It is a perspective view which shows the backlight apparatus 91. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Transfer apparatus 12 Transfer part 13 Housing holding part 14 CCFL supply part 15 Control part 37 CCFL
43 body

Claims (4)

A tubular body supply unit that has a conductive part and a non-conductive part, and supplies a tubular body in which the conductive part is disposed at a predetermined position;
Gripping means for gripping the tubular body in a diametrical direction;
Inspecting means for inspecting whether or not electrical conduction is made through the tubular body in a state where the tubular body is gripped by the gripping means;
A gripping position adjusting means for adjusting a gripping position gripped by the gripping means;
Transport means for transporting the tubular body from the tubular body supply section to a predetermined transport position;
A transfer apparatus comprising: control means for controlling the gripping position adjusting means so that the gripping position becomes a position for gripping the conductive portion based on an inspection result of the inspection means.   2. The transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tubular body is a rod-like fluorescent tube having electrode portions at both ends. The gripping means grips the tubular body so as to sandwich the electrode portions at both ends in the diameter direction,
The transfer apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising voltage applying means for applying a voltage between the electrode portions. Emission detection means for detecting the emission of the fluorescent tube,
When the light emitting tube emits light based on the detection result of the light emission detecting means, the control means transports the tubular body from the tubular body supply unit to a predetermined transport position, and the arc tube 4. The transfer apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the light does not emit light, the transfer means is controlled to transfer the tubular body from the tubular body supply unit to a predetermined disposal position.

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