JP2009107811A - Pallet transfer equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure a working space for works and an installation space for equipment required for working by saving space for pallet transfer equipment. <P>SOLUTION: The pallet transfer equipment 1 is provided with two delivery lines 4 for delivering a pallet 3 whereupon a vehicle body 2 as a work is mounted; and a returning line 5 for returning the empty pallet 3 from the end to the start of the delivery lines 4. On the respective delivery lines 4 arranged in parallel, right and left separated pallets 9, 10 are arranged. The returning line 5 is arranged between a pair of delivery lines 4, 4. The pair of separated pallets 9, 10 are delivered over the corresponding delivery lines 4, 4, and the respective separated pallets 9, 10 are returned over the returning line 5 in an integrated state. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a pallet transfer facility.

  Various types of pallet transfer equipment for work transfer have been proposed and implemented. For example, transfer equipment for transfer pallets such as car bodies or vehicle body parts is as follows from the viewpoint of transfer efficiency and space saving. Has been proposed.

  For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-44810 (Patent Document 1) discloses a method of transporting a pallet for placing and transporting a glass for an automobile as a work in a horizontal state in order to save space on a return line. A pallet transfer line is disclosed that includes a line and a return line that supports and returns the pallet in a vertically placed state from the end to the start of the transfer line.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 9-142463 (Patent Document 2) discloses a divided pallet on which left and right wheels are respectively placed in a storage facility of a vehicle that temporarily stores a plurality of vehicles between different types of transport lines. The transport space or storage space was made smaller by transporting the vehicle using the car and by keeping the pallets close to each other when the vehicle is not placed, that is, when transporting and storing empty pallets. Are disclosed.
JP 2006-44810 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-142463

  In this way, when the work transport pallet transfer equipment is incorporated into the work production line (including assembly, storage, and inspection lines), some equipment (processing equipment, etc.) is provided on both the left and right sides of the work transport line. It is usually done. Therefore, it is necessary to leave as much space and work space for installing these facilities as possible on both sides or around the transfer line.

  However, in the case of the transfer lines disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the transfer line circulates between the return line and the transfer line, the installation space for the processing equipment or the like is consequently reduced. Limited to. This limits the installation space and consequently limits the processing equipment that can be used. Further, the means disclosed in any of the above patent documents is the same in that an extra space is required for the return line, and therefore cannot be a drastic measure for saving space.

  In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to secure a work space for a work and an installation space necessary for the work by reducing the space of the pallet transfer equipment.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a pallet transfer facility including a transfer line for transferring a pallet on which a workpiece is placed, and a return line for returning an empty pallet from the end to the start of the transfer line. Two conveyance lines are arranged in parallel, a pallet divided into left and right is arranged on each conveyance line, and a return line is arranged between a pair of conveyance lines, Provided is a pallet transfer facility in which both divided pallets are respectively conveyed on a pair of conveyance lines, and each divided pallet is returned on a return line. Note that the left and right herein refer to directions perpendicular to the transport / return direction when the transport or return direction is the front / rear direction.

  According to this configuration, each divided pallet is returned through the center side of the transfer facility rather than at the time of transportation, so that the space for the return line can be stored in the space for the transportation line. As a result, the pallet transfer line can be significantly reduced with the increase space corresponding to the return line being substantially zero. In addition, since a sufficient space is secured on the side of the transfer line, an appropriate work work facility can be arranged along the transfer line of the work without being limited in space.

  Here, the following transfer modes can be adopted for the divided pallets. That is, one split pallet is driven, and the other split pallet is integrated with the drive-side split pallet via the workpiece, and when returning, both split pallets are returned together on the return line in a state of being integrated with each other. Can be configured.

  According to this configuration, the driven-side divided pallet is integrally conveyed with the driving-side divided pallet when the work is placed during conveyance, and at the time of return, only the driving-side divided pallet is driven to drive the driven-side divided pallet. The split palette is returned. As a result, further space saving can be achieved, and even when the pallet is divided, the power required for transferring the pallet can be minimized and the installation space for the drive mechanism can be reduced.

  Of course, the transfer form of a division | segmentation pallet is not restricted to the said form. For example, it is possible to adopt a form in which a pair of divided pallets conveyed to the end of a parallel conveying line are alternately transferred and returned on one return line. Alternatively, it is possible to adopt a form in which there are two return lines and each divided pallet is returned on two return lines arranged between the pair of transport lines. In the case where the workpiece is a vehicle body, the interval between the conveyance lines (distance between the divided pallets) is approximately the size of the vehicle body width, so a space for two return lines can be secured.

  Moreover, you may comprise so that the division | segmentation pallet conveyed on a conveyance line and the division | segmentation pallet returned on a return line may exist on the same plane.

  Regardless of whether it is transported or returned, if the divided pallet is always on the same plane, the pallet can be transferred from the transport line to the return line only by transferring in the pallet horizontal direction (vehicle width direction). The transfer equipment is simple. Moreover, since it is only necessary to move the minimum distance, it is preferable also in terms of conveyance efficiency. Further, since the vertical position of the pallet is always constant when the pallet is transferred, the vertical positioning of the workpiece placed on the pallet is also easy and accurate.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the space for the pallet transfer equipment can be saved, so that the work space for the work and the installation space for the equipment necessary for the work can be secured.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pallet transfer facility according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of a part of a pallet transfer facility according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the transfer equipment 1 is used by being incorporated in a line for transporting a vehicle body 2 as a workpiece, and includes a transport line 4 for transporting a pallet 3 on which the vehicle body 2 is placed. And a return line 5 for returning the empty pallet 3 from the end of the transport line 4.

  Here, the conveyance lines 4 are arranged in two rows in parallel to each other. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, each conveyance line 4 is constituted by a conveyance rail 7 disposed on a frame 6 as a basis. Further, the return line 5 is disposed between the two transport lines 4 that run in parallel, and similarly to the transport line 4, the return line 5 is configured by a return rail 8 that is disposed on the base frame 6. Yes.

  The pallet 3 is divided and arranged on two conveyance lines 4 arranged in parallel. Thereby, both the division | segmentation pallets 9 and 10 mount and support the vehicle body 2 used as a workpiece | work partially in the both sides (refer FIG. 1). In this embodiment, one of the divided pallets is the drive-side pallet 9 and the other is the driven-side pallet 10.

  The drive-side pallet 9 is mainly fixed to the pallet main body 11, the pallet main body 11, a power transmission unit 12 for receiving a moving force in the conveying direction or the return direction, and one of the pallet main body 11 serving as a workpiece. It has the attachment part 13 for attaching a side part. Here, the pallet main body 11 has a so-called L-shaped cross section, and includes a plate-like base portion 14 on which the vehicle body 2 is placed, and a side wall portion 15 extending downward from a side edge of the base portion 14. In this embodiment, the driving pallet 9 is placed on the transport rail 7 or the return rail 8 so that the side wall 15 is positioned between the transport rail 7 and the return rail 8.

  In addition, mounting portions 13 having protruding pins 16 are provided at a plurality of locations on the upper end surface of the base portion 14, and plate-like power is provided on the outer surface of the side wall portion 15 (the surface facing the conveying rail 7). The transmission part 12 is fixed. The power transmission unit 12 has a longer shape in the transfer direction (conveyance and return direction) than the pallet main body 11 in consideration of a contact mode with a driving roller 24 described later (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 2). .

  The driven side pallet 10 mainly has a pallet main body 17 and an attachment portion 18 for attaching the other side portion of the vehicle body 2 to the pallet main body 17. Here, the pallet main body 17 has an L-shaped cross section like the pallet main body 11 of the drive side pallet 9, and has a plate-like base portion 19 on which the vehicle body 2 is placed and a side wall portion 20 extending downward from the side edge of the base portion 19. It consists of. In this embodiment, the driven pallet 10 is placed on the transport rail 7 or the return rail 8 so that the side wall portion 20 is positioned between the transport rail 7 and the return rail 8.

  In addition, on the upper end surface of the base portion 19, attachment portions 18 having protruding pins 21 are provided at a plurality of locations. Accordingly, the protruding pin 16 is engaged below the one side of the vehicle body 2 to attach the vehicle body 2 to the mounting portion 13 of the drive side pallet 9 and the protruding pin 21 is engaged to the lower side of the other side of the vehicle body 2. 2 is attached to the mounting portion 18 of the driven pallet 10 so that the driven pallet 10 is transferred in synchronism with the driving pallet 9 through the vehicle body 2 when the vehicle body 2 is transported (FIG. 1 or FIG. 1). 6).

  Further, in this embodiment, a pair for closely fitting the side wall portions 15 and 20 to the surfaces of the side wall portion 15 of the driving pallet 9 and the side wall portion 20 of the driven pallet 10 facing each other in the vehicle width direction. The fitting portions 22 and 22 are respectively provided. In FIG. 2, one convex fitting portion 22 provided on the opposite surface of the side wall portion 15 of the drive side pallet 9 is shown. Moreover, the corresponding concave fitting part 22 (part shown with the broken line in the figure) provided in the opposite surface of the side wall part 20 of the driven pallet 10 is shown by the same figure.

  A driving roller 24 connected to a driving source 23 is disposed between the conveying line 4 on the side where the driving pallet 9 is conveyed and the return line 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the drive roller 24 has a rotary shaft in the vertical direction and is disposed at a position where it abuts on the inner surface of the power transmission portion 12 of the drive side pallet 9 placed on the transport rail 7. It is installed. When the driving roller 24 starts to rotate in response to the driving force from the driving source 23, the power transmission unit 12 that comes into contact with one side surface of the driving roller 24 generates a frictional resistance with the driving roller 24 in the conveying direction. And the moving force is transmitted to the pallet body 11 to be fixed. As a result, the drive-side pallet 9 slides on the transport rail 7 in the transport direction while sequentially changing the drive roller 24 that receives power. The driven pallet 10 integrated with the driving pallet 9 via the vehicle body 2 also slides on the transport rail 7 in the transport direction.

  Further, the drive roller 24 is disposed at a position where it abuts on the outer surface of the power transmission portion 12 of the drive side pallet 9 placed on the return rail 8 of the return line 5. When the driving roller 24 starts to rotate in the same direction as the conveyance, the power transmission unit 12 in contact with the other side surface of the driving roller 24 converts the frictional resistance with the driving roller 24 into a moving force in the conveyance direction, The moving force is transmitted to the pallet body 11 to be fixed. As a result, the drive-side pallet 9 slides on the return rail 8 in the return direction while sequentially changing the drive roller 24 that receives power. In this embodiment, the driven pallet 10 slides on the return rail 8 in the return direction in an integrated state with the drive pallet 9.

  In addition, one or a plurality of guide rollers 25 are disposed at a position facing the driving roller 24 on the outer side in the vehicle width direction, for example, as shown in FIG. The guide roller 25 is in contact with the power transmission unit 12 of the drive-side pallet 9 placed on the conveyance rail 7 so as to be sandwiched between the drive rollers 24, and is attached to the power transmission unit 12 as the drive roller 24 rotates. When the moving force in the conveying direction is transmitted, it plays a role of guiding the moving direction of the power transmission unit 12 and consequently the conveying direction of the drive side pallet 9.

  Similarly, one or a plurality of guide rollers 26 are disposed at a position facing the driving roller 24 in the vehicle width direction inner side (center side), for example, as shown in FIG. The guide roller 26 is in contact with the power transmission unit 12 of the drive-side pallet 9 placed on the return rail 8 so as to be sandwiched between the drive rollers 24, and is attached to the power transmission unit 12 as the drive roller 24 rotates. When the moving force in the conveying direction is transmitted, it plays a role of guiding the moving direction of the power transmission unit 12 and thus the returning direction of the driving pallet 9. The guide rollers 25 and 26 are not necessarily opposed to the drive roller 24 in the vehicle width direction, and the arrangement positions thereof are arbitrary as long as the guide rollers 25 and 26 can contact the power transmission unit 12 of the drive side pallet 9. . Further, the arrangement interval and the number thereof are arbitrary as long as the transfer guide of the drive side pallet 9 is possible.

  In this embodiment, since the above drive mode is adopted, the arrangement interval of the plurality of drive rollers 24 arranged along the transport line 4 and the return line 5 is the power transmission provided in the drive side pallet 9. It is determined based on the long side dimension of the portion 12. That is, the maximum arrangement interval of the driving rollers 24 is determined so that the power transmission unit 12 always contacts the driving rollers 24.

  The plurality of drive side pallets 9 having the above structure are placed on one transport rail 7 (upper side in FIGS. 1 and 2). In addition, the same number of driven pallets 10 as the driving pallets 9 are placed on the other transport rail 7 (the lower side in each figure in FIGS. 1 and 2). The plurality of driving-side pallets 9 and driven-side pallets 10 are configured to be slidable on the respective conveying rails 7 in the conveying direction.

  The driving pallet 9 and the driven pallet 10 are both transferred onto the return rail 8 constituting the return line 5, and along the return rail 8 and in the return direction (the direction opposite to the conveying direction). It is comprised so that it can slide toward.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the return rail 8 is partially missing at the return direction start end of the return line 5. In addition, a part of the transport rails 7 and 7 is slid toward the center side of the pallet transfer facility 1 by an appropriate transfer mechanism at the end of the transport direction of each of the transport lines 4 and 4, and the return rail 8. It has come to be connected with. Therefore, the slide part 27 of the transport rail 7 of the drive-side pallet 9 is slid toward the center side of the pallet transfer equipment 1 and the slide part 27 is connected to the return rail 8 so as to be placed on the slide part 27. The drive side pallet 9 is transferred onto the return rail 8. Further, the slide portion 28 of the transport rail 7 of the driven pallet 10 is slid toward the center side of the pallet transfer equipment 1, and the slide portion 28 is connected to the return rail 8 to be placed on the slide portion 28. The driven pallet 10 is transferred onto the return rail 8. In this embodiment, the drive side pallet 9 and the driven side pallet 10 are always present on the same plane regardless of whether they are on the transport line 4 or the return line 5.

  Further, in this embodiment, since the pair of fitting portions 22 and 22 that are tightly fitted to each other are provided on the side wall portions 15 and 20 of the respective divided pallets 9 and 10, for example, they are placed on one slide portion 27. The drive-side pallet 9 is transferred onto the return rail 8 and the other slide part 28 on which the driven-side pallet 10 is placed is slid toward the center side of the pallet transfer equipment 1 so that the fitting part The drive-side pallet 9 and the driven-side pallet 10 are integrated via 22 and 22. Accordingly, in this state, the driving pallet 9 and the driven pallet 10 are integrated with each other by applying a moving force to the driving pallet 9 by an appropriate driving means (the driving roller 24 may be used). Returned on rail 8.

  Here, the contact surface of the base 19 of the driven side pallet 10 with the conveying rail 7 is smooth over the entire area, and can slide not only in the conveying direction but also in the vehicle width direction (direction perpendicular to the conveying direction). Therefore, the driven pallet 10 can be slid away from the slide portion 28 and smoothly integrated with the drive side pallet 9. In this illustrated example, the lower end surface of the base portion 14 of the drive side pallet 9 and the upper end surface of the transport rail 7 that contacts the entire lower end surface are flat. Moreover, both the lower end surface of the base 19 of the driven pallet 10 and the upper end surface of the transport rail 7 that contacts the entire lower end surface are flat. Of course, the upper end surface of the return rail 8 that comes into contact with the divided pallets 9 and 10 has a planar shape over the entire surface.

  Next, the transfer mode of the pair of divided pallets 9 and 10 in the pallet transfer facility 1 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a transfer form of the workpiece transfer pallet in the pallet transfer facility 1 incorporated in the vehicle body welding line. In the figure, first, the vehicle body 2 as a workpiece is temporarily placed on a workpiece conveying pallet (divided pallets 9 and 10) on the workpiece temporary placement station S1. Specifically, a floor panel integrated in advance by welding is placed on a pair of split pallets 9, 10 and assembled with the left and right side members temporarily fixed on the floor panel, and these The roof panel is placed over the side member.

  Next, the pair of divided pallets 9 and 10 are transferred in the conveying direction with the temporarily placed vehicle body 2 being placed, and are subjected to temporary welding at the temporary welding station S2 and further forward in the conveying direction. The additional shot is made at the additional welding station S3, and the assembly of the vehicle body 2 is completed. Here, after temporarily placing the side member and the roof panel at the temporary placement station S1, the floor panel and the side member, and the side member and the roof panel are both temporarily placed at the subsequent temporary placement welding station S2. However, it is a matter of course that other welding procedures can be employed, such as temporarily placing the side member on the floor panel and fixing it, and then temporarily placing the roof panel to temporarily place the roof panel.

  The vehicle body 2 assembled in this way is detached from the pair of split pallets 9 and 10, and the pair of empty split pallets 9 and 10 are at the end of the transfer lines 4 and 4 (slide portions 27 and 28). Is transferred onto the return line 5 arranged on the center side of the pallet transfer equipment 1 by the transfer mechanism, for example. Then, the divided pallets 9 and 10 in an integrated state are returned on the return line 5.

  Then, when the integrated divided pallets 9 and 10 are transferred to the end of the return line 5, detailed description is omitted, but the divided pallets 9 and 10 on the return line 5 are respectively transferred to the left and right transport lines 4 and 4. The divided pallets 9 and 10 are transferred onto the transport lines 4 and 4 by a transfer mechanism for transferring to the transfer line 4. And the division | segmentation pallets 9 and 10 transferred on each conveyance line 4 and 4 are transferred toward temporary placement station S1 in the conveyance direction front. In this way, a transfer cycle for each of the divided pallets 9 and 10 is formed.

  Thus, in the case of the pallet transfer facility 1 according to the above-described configuration, the pair of divided pallets 9 and 10 are both returned through the center side of the pallet transfer facility 1 rather than being transported. Can be accommodated in the space between the conveying lines 4 and 4 arranged side by side. Thereby, the increase in the installation space of the return line 5 can be made substantially zero, and the transfer equipment 1 for the pallet 3 and thus the work transfer line in which it is incorporated can be greatly reduced. In addition, since a sufficient space is secured outside each of the transfer lines 4 and 4, an appropriate work work facility, in this case, a welding robot or the like, without being limited in space along the transfer line of the work. Can be arranged.

  One of the divided pallets 9 and 10 is a driving pallet 9 and the other is a driven pallet 10 that is integrated with the driving pallet 9 via the vehicle body 2 that is a workpiece. The pallets 9 and 10 are returned together on the return line 5 in an integrated state. According to this, the driven side pallet 10 is transported integrally with the drive side pallet 9 in the state where the vehicle body 2 is placed at the time of transport, and the moving force is applied only to the drive side pallet 9 by the drive roller 24 at the time of return. By giving, the driven pallet 10 is also returned. As a result, further space saving of the pallet transfer facility 1 can be achieved, and even when the pallet is divided, the power required for pallet transfer is minimized, and the drive mechanism (the drive roller 24 and its drive source 23) is reduced. Installation space can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, the drive side pallet 9 is provided with a power transmission unit 12 for receiving power in the conveying direction from a drive roller 24 provided separately from the pallet 9, and the vehicle body 2 as a workpiece is mounted. In the placed state, the driving side pallet 9 and the driven side pallet 10 are integrally conveyed via the vehicle body 2. Therefore, it is only necessary to dispose the driving roller 24 only on the side of the conveying rail 7 of the driving side pallet 9, and the installation space of the driving roller 24 and the driving source 23 for driving the driving roller 24 is greatly reduced. be able to. Further, since the space around the divided pallets 9 and 10 is vacant, the access to the vehicle body 2 placed on the divided pallets 9 and 10 is improved, and workability is improved.

  In particular, in this embodiment, since the mounting portions 13 and 18 for mounting the vehicle body 2 as a workpiece are provided on the divided pallets 9 and 10 on both the driving side and the driven side, the vehicle body is provided at each work station S1 to S3. 2 is maintained, the relative position of the vehicle body 2 with respect to the divided pallets 9 and 10 is maintained. Accordingly, it is possible to easily and accurately position the workpiece in each of the work stations S1 to S3.

  In this embodiment, the pair of divided pallets 9 and 10 includes a base portion 14 and 19 on which the vehicle body 2 is placed, and side wall portions 15 and 20 that extend downward from the side edges of the base portions 14 and 19. In addition, fitting portions 22 and 22 for closely fitting the side wall portions 15 and 20 to each other are provided on the surfaces where the both side wall portions 15 and 20 face each other. By setting it as such a structure, the division | segmentation pallets 9 and 10 are integrated by contact | abutting mutually, In this state, the return line 5 is returned. Therefore, even when the vehicle body 2 is not placed on the divided pallets 9 and 10, the driving side pallet 9 integrated with the driven side pallet 10 is driven to provide it on the driving side as in the case of conveyance. Both the divided pallets 9 and 10 can be returned with only the drive source 23 and the drive roller 24. In addition, since the slide parts 27 and 28 can be integrated only by horizontal movement, a transfer mechanism for the divided pallets 9 and 10 required for the integration can be simplified.

  As described above, when the driving side pallet 9 and the driven side pallet 10 are integrated and returned on the same plane, the mounting portions 13 and 18 projecting upward from the work placement surface (in this embodiment, projecting is provided). Interference between the pins 16 and 21) and the workpiece becomes a problem. Here, if the vehicle width position of the return line 5 is made to coincide with the position in the vehicle width direction of the tunnel portion 29 provided at the center of the floor panel of the vehicle body 2 as a workpiece, as shown in FIG. Interference between the parts 13 and 18 and the projecting pins 16 and 21 and the vehicle body 2 can be reliably avoided.

  Further, in both the driving pallet 9 and the driven pallet 10, the base portions 14 and 19 constituting the pallet main bodies 11 and 17 are sandwiched between the conveying rail 7 and the vehicle body 2, and the side wall portions 15 and 20 are respectively driven by driving rollers. 24 and the guide rollers 25 and 26 are transported by being sandwiched between them, so that they are transported while maintaining a stable posture even in the form of being transported while being repeatedly transferred and stopped as in the vehicle body production line. be able to.

  In this embodiment, the driving device for the driving side pallet 9 is constituted by the driving source 23 and the driving roller 24 connected to the driving source 23, and one side surface of the driving roller 24 is on the conveying rail 7. A plurality of driving rollers 24 are arranged at a position where the other side of the driving roller 24 comes into contact with the driving side pallet 9 on the return rail 8. In this way, by providing a rotational driving force of the drive roller 24 to different side surfaces of the power transmission unit 12 during conveyance and returning, the drive-side pallet 9 is conveyed and returned, so that it can be used for conveyance. With only the driving device, a driving force in the opposite direction (power in the returning direction) can be applied to the driving side pallet 9 even when returning. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a new drive device for return, and the equipment cost can be reduced and the space can be saved. Further, since the above-described action can be obtained by rotating the driving roller 24 in the same direction, the moving force is simultaneously applied to the driving side pallet 9 on the transport rail 7 and the driving side pallet 9 on the return rail 8. Can be granted. Therefore, many drive side pallets 9 can be conveyed and returned simultaneously irrespective of the timing of conveyance and return.

  Here, the driving roller 24 is disposed at a position where one side surface thereof contacts the driving side pallet 9 on the conveying rail 7 and the other side surface of the driving roller 24 contacts the driving side pallet 9 on the return rail 8. It only has to be done. Therefore, the timing at which the driving pallet 9 on the conveyance rail 7 passes through the side of the driving roller 24 is different from the timing at which the driving pallet 9 on the return rail 8 passes through the side of the same driving roller 24. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the driving roller 24 at the location is moved in the vehicle width direction. If the driving roller 24 can be moved in the vehicle width direction, the diameter of the driving roller 24 can be reduced. Here, since the interval between the transfer lines 4 and 4 is not changed because the workpiece is the vehicle body 2, the work space around the pallets 9 and 10 can be expanded, and access to the vehicle body 2 that becomes the workpiece during the work can be performed. Can be improved.

  Moreover, although the above description demonstrated the form which returns the drive side pallet 9 and the driven pallet 10 in the state integrated mutually, of course, the pallet transfer equipment 1 which concerns on this invention is not restricted to this form. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the driving pallet 9 and the driven pallet 10 respectively conveyed on the parallel conveying lines 4 and 4 are alternately transferred onto one return line 5 and returned. It can also take the form. At this time, the transfer of each of the divided pallets 9 and 10 from the end of the transport line 4 to the start of the return line 5 is performed in the order of the arrow indicated by the circled numeral 1 in FIG. Accordingly, the transfer of the divided pallets 9 and 10 from the end of the return line 5 to the transfer lines 4 and 4 is performed in the order of the arrow indicated by the circled numeral 1 from the arrow indicated by the circled numeral 1 in FIG. Done.

  Or although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, between the two conveyance lines 4 and 4 which run in parallel, similarly the two return lines 5 and 5 are provided in parallel, and on these pair of conveyance lines 4 and 4 and a corresponding pair of It is also possible to adopt a form in which the divided pallets 9 and 10 are respectively transferred on the return lines 5 and 5.

  Of course, as long as the return lines 5 are arranged between the transport lines 4 and 4 arranged in parallel, regardless of the number of the return lines 5, the arrangement form or the return form is arbitrary. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which two return rails 8 and 8 that are close to each other are disposed between the transfer rails 7 and 7 that are arranged in parallel. . In this case, a part of the rails 7 and 7 for conveyance in the conveyance direction termination | terminus part of each conveyance line 4 and 4 can be slid toward the center side of the pallet transfer equipment 1 as the slide parts 30 and 31, respectively. The divided pallets 9 and 10 can be integrated and returned without sliding the divided pallets 9 and 10 in a direction orthogonal to the conveying rails 7 and 7.

  Specifically, two transfer rails 32, 32 are provided along a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the base 33 slides on the transfer rails 32, 32 on the transfer rails 32, 32. It is arranged to be movable. As shown in FIG. 10A, the slide portion 30 of the conveyance rail 7 on the drive side pallet 9 side is fixed to the base 33 together with the drive roller 24 and the drive source 23 that are in contact with the power transmission portion 12. ing. Therefore, by sliding the base 33 in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction by an appropriate driving means, as shown in FIG. 9B, the slide part 30 fixed on the base 33, and the slide part 30 The drive-side pallet 9 placed on top slides to the center side of the transfer facility 1. Similarly, for the driven pallet 10, although not shown, a base is disposed on the transfer rail, the slide portion 31 is fixed on the base, and the base is conveyed orthogonally by appropriate driving means. By sliding in the direction, the slide part 31 fixed on the base and the driven pallet placed on the slide part 31 slide to the center side of the transfer facility 1.

  By moving the slide portions 30 and 31 in this way, as shown in FIG. 10B, both the divided pallets 9 and 10 come into contact with each other and are integrated. The slide portions 30 and 31 are substantially connected to the corresponding return rails 8 and 8, respectively, and both divided pallets 9 and 10 are transferred onto the corresponding return rails 8 and 8, respectively. Therefore, in this state, the drive roller 24 is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction (the direction opposite to that during conveyance), so that the drive side pallet 9 receives the power in the return direction via the power transmission unit 12. The pallet 9 is returned together with the driven pallet 10.

  As described above, when the divided pallets 9 and 10 are transferred onto the return rails 8 and 8 without sliding in the conveyance orthogonal direction with respect to the conveyance rails 7 and 7, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. Can also be taken. That is, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, two guide rollers 34 and 34 may be attached to the lower part of the divided pallet (here, the driven pallet 10) and on both sides of the conveying rail 7. Is possible. In this case, the driven pallet 10 is transported on the transport rail 7 in such a manner that the transport rail 7 is sandwiched between the two guide rollers 34 and 34. Therefore, the vehicle body 2 can be transported in a state where the posture of the driven pallet 10 is properly maintained.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C, a sliding roller 35 can be provided at a position in contact with the upper surface of the conveying rail 7 inside the base portion 19 of the driven pallet 10. Of course, the sliding roller 35 rotates along the longitudinal direction of the transport rail 7 as the transport rail 7 moves. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the sliding resistance between the driven pallet 10 and the transport rail 7 and realize a smooth transport mode. Of course, the above-described configuration and operational effects can be similarly applied to the drive-side pallet 9. The same holds true on the return rail 8.

  Further, the divided pallets 9 and 10 do not necessarily have to be on the same plane during transport and return. Depending on the type of workpiece, the return line 5 is slightly lower than the transport line 4 (specifically, the pallet placement surface of the return rail 8 is arranged vertically below the pallet placement surface of the transport rail 7). Better. This is to avoid interference between the workpiece and each of the divided pallets 9 and 10 when returning. However, if the return line 5 is lowered too much, as a result, the pallet transfer facility 1 will become tall overall, so in consideration of space saving, especially the workability of the upper part of the vehicle body and the equipment required for the work It is better to keep it at an appropriate vertical position in consideration of the height.

  Moreover, although the case where the power transmission part 12 was attached to the side wall part 15 of the pallet main body 11 which comprises the drive side pallet 9 was illustrated in the above description, the contact state with the drive roller 24 covers the full length of the conveyance line 4. If it can be secured, a configuration in which the side wall 15 is integrated with the power transmission unit 12 is also possible. That is, by extending the vertical dimension of the side wall 15 of the drive side pallet 9 to the same plane position as the drive roller 24 and the guide roller 25, the side wall 15 can also function as the power transmission unit 12. At this time, if the size of the side wall portion 20 of the driven pallet 10 is left as illustrated in FIG.

  In the above description, the driving power and the returning power are applied to the driving-side pallet 9 with one driving roller 24. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this configuration. If the installation space is not a problem, separate drive rollers may be used for conveying and returning the drive side pallet 9, respectively. You may take the form which gives a driving force to both of a division | segmentation pallet, respectively. Alternatively, the driving force applying means may be provided on each of the divided pallets 9 and 10 so as to be a so-called self-propelled divided pallet.

  Further, regarding the transfer means from the transfer line 4 to the return line 5, instead of sliding a part of the transfer rail 7, only the divided pallets 9 and 10 positioned at the end of the transfer line 4 are slid by an appropriate means. Alternatively, a means for picking up and transferring to the adjacent return line 5 may be adopted.

  Of course, the pallet transfer facility according to the present invention is not limited to the above description, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

It is a partial top view of the pallet transfer equipment concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a principal part perspective view of a pallet transfer equipment. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the power transmission mode at the time of conveying the pallet for drive. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the power transmission mode at the time of returning a drive pallet. It is a top view explaining notionally an example of the transfer form of each division | segmentation pallet. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the vertical positional relationship of each division | segmentation pallet and a workpiece | work. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the other form of a pallet drive device. It is a top view explaining notionally other transfer forms of each division pallet. It is a principal part top view of the pallet transfer equipment which concerns on another form, Comprising: Fig.9 (a) is a principal part top view before the transfer to the return rail, FIG.9 (b) is a return rail. It is a principal part top view of the said equipment after transfer to the top. 10A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 9A, and FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 9B. It is a principal part enlarged view of the driven pallet which concerns on another form, FIG.11 (a) is the principal part top view, FIG.11 (b) is the front view, FIG.11 (c) is the sectional drawing.

Explanation of symbols

1 Pallet transfer equipment 2 Car body 3 Pallet 4 Transport line 5 Return line 6 Frame 7 Transport rail 8 Return rail 9 Drive side pallet (split pallet)
10 Driven side pallet (split pallet)
11, 17 Pallet body 12 Power transmission unit 13, 18 Mounting unit 14, 19 Base unit 15, 20 Side wall unit 16, 21 Projecting pin 22, 22 Fitting unit 23 Drive source 24 Drive roller 25, 26, 34 Guide roller 27, 28, 30, 31 Slide part 29 Tunnel part S1 Work temporary placement station S2 Temporary welding station S3 Additional welding station

Claims (3)

In a pallet transfer facility provided with a transport line for transporting a pallet with a workpiece placed thereon, and a return line for returning the empty pallet from the end to the start of the transport line,
Two of the transfer lines are arranged in parallel, the pallet divided into left and right is arranged on each of the transfer lines, and
The return line is disposed between the pair of transport lines, and both the divided pallets are respectively transported on the pair of transport lines, and each of the divided pallets is returned on the return line. A pallet transfer facility characterized by that.   The one split pallet is driven, and the other split pallet is integrated with the drive-side split pallet via the workpiece. At the time of return, the two split pallets are integrated with each other. The pallet transfer equipment according to claim 1 returned on the line.   The pallet transfer facility according to claim 1, wherein the divided pallet conveyed on the conveyance line and the divided pallet returned on the return line are on the same plane.

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