JP2011173687A - Conveying device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact conveying device having high versatility by a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: In the conveying device 1, an endless drive chain 33 is made to travel along a circulating passage of trays 11 on a position below the trays 11 supported by a support means 21 to be guided from a starting position to an ending position of linear movement by a chain guide unit 32B, and the travel direction of the drive chain 33 is changed from the row direction to the lateral direction at the ending position of the linear movement. The drive chain is then guided from a starting position to an ending position of a lateral movement, and the travel direction of the drive chain is changed from the lateral direction to the row direction at the ending position of the lateral movement. A plurality of roller attachments 34 are arranged at predetermined pitches on the drive chain 33 so that pressing to the tray blocks is alternately performed between the linear movement from the starting position to the ending position, and the lateral movement from the staring position to the ending position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport apparatus, for example, in a vehicle assembly line of an automobile production factory, in order to provide a worker with parts according to vehicle specifications, a parts box transport that transports a parts box containing such parts. The present invention relates to a transfer device used as a device.

  A vehicle assembly line of an automobile production factory is provided with a platform for workers who perform assembly work such as attaching parts to a vehicle transported by a transport conveyor. The platform is provided with a component box transporting device that transports and supplies a component box containing such components in order to provide the worker with components according to the specifications of the vehicle among a plurality of types of components. It has been.

  The component box transport apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 14 has a front part on the platform side where a part is taken out from the part box by an operator, and a rear part where the part box is refilled and the empty box is taken out is outside the platform. It arrange | positions so that it may be located in the carrying-in path side.

  The component box transport apparatus 100 includes six trays 101 on which component boxes can be placed, a support unit 111 that supports each tray 101 so that it can circulate on the same plane, and a tray 101 that is supported by the support unit 111. A drive unit 121 that pushes and moves and a control controller that controls the movement of the drive unit 121 are provided.

  The support means 111 has a length corresponding to four trays and a width corresponding to two trays. Then, a forward passage 112 that supports a tray row in which three trays 101 are arranged in a row so as to be able to advance straight forward by one tray, and a tray in which three trays 101 are arranged in a row like the forward passage 112. A reverse passage 113 that supports the row so that it can move straight back by one tray, and a front side that supports one tray 101 positioned at the end of the forward passage 112 so as to be able to move laterally to the start end of the reverse passage 113. There is an advancing passage 114 and a rear transverse passage 115 that supports one tray 101 positioned at the end point of the backward passage 113 so as to be able to laterally move to the starting end point of the forward passage 112.

  The driving means 121 is constituted by an electric actuator that reciprocates the slider on the rail by converting the rotation of the motor into a linear motion. The forward actuator 122, the backward actuator 123, the front lateral actuator 124, and the rear lateral actuator 125 are included. These four actuators are provided.

  The advance actuator 122 is disposed at the start end of the advance passage 112, and pushes and moves the tray 101 disposed at the start end of the advance passage 112 to move the entire tray row of the advance passage 112 forward by one tray. It is configured to go straight.

  The reverse actuator 123 is disposed at the start end of the reverse passage 113 and pushes and moves the tray 101 disposed at the start end of the reverse passage 113 so that the entire tray row of the reverse passage 113 is moved backward by one tray. It is configured to go straight.

  The front lateral actuator 124 is disposed at the end portion of the forward passage 112, and pushes and moves the tray 101 disposed at the end portion of the forward passage 112 toward the start end portion of the backward passage 113. The leading tray 101 in the tray row is configured to move sideways.

  The rear lateral movement actuator 125 is disposed at the end portion of the backward passage 113, and pushes and moves the tray 101 disposed at the end portion of the backward passage 113 toward the start end portion of the forward passage 112. The first tray 101 in the row is configured to move sideways.

  The control controller is constituted by a sequence program computer, a relay circuit, and the like, and is provided in a control panel 131 attached in the vicinity of the support means. The controller controls each actuator 122 to 125 to move the tray row of the forward passage 112 and the tray row of the backward passage 113 in opposite directions along the row direction, and the leading tray of each tray row. Control to circulate each tray 101 is performed by alternately and repeatedly executing a lateral movement operation of moving 101 in a direction orthogonal to the row direction. In order to prevent the trays 101 from interfering with each other and causing the deadlock state, the controller separates the operations of the actuators 122 to 125 by an electric interlock circuit, and the space on the front side in the moving direction is always free. I am trying to move from.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus for moving a carriage placed on a circumferentially formed conveyance path using a chain. The carriage is supported so as to be movable along a preset circumferential conveyance path, and has a structure that is moved integrally with the chain as the chain travels.

JP 2001-191223 A

  However, in order to repeatedly and alternately execute the above-described linear movement operation and lateral movement operation in the component box conveying device, a total of four electric actuators 122 to 125 are required as the driving means 121. Therefore, the cost of parts of the device 100 increases, and the device 100 cannot be provided at a low cost. Moreover, since the number of parts is large, the structure is complicated, and maintenance is troublesome, the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost of the apparatus 100 cannot be reduced.

  Moreover, the parts box conveying apparatus 100 needs to drive the two electric actuators 122 and 123 when traveling straight, and to drive the other two electric actuators 124 and 125 when traveling horizontally. Therefore, it is necessary to attach a control controller and a position detection device for controlling the driving of these electric actuators 122 to 124, the control is complicated, and a large control panel 131 is required.

  Moreover, in the parts box conveying apparatus 100, although the electric actuators 122-125 are used, the electric actuators 122-125 must ensure a larger attachment space in the lower part of the support means 111, and the whole apparatus 100 is provided. There is a possibility that the height is increased and the apparatus 100 is increased in size. Accordingly, it is difficult to place the vehicle assembly line on the parts shelf where the installation space is limited.

  As mentioned above, although the subject of the conventional parts box conveyance device was described, the above-mentioned subject is the same as the general conveyance device which conveys the object placed on the tray by repeatedly performing the linear movement operation and the horizontal movement operation alternately. Exists.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a compact and highly versatile transport apparatus with a simple structure.

  The transport apparatus of the present invention that solves the above-described problems is a method of moving a pair of tray rows in which a plurality of trays are arranged in two rows on a plane in opposite directions along the row direction, and leading the tray rows in the row direction. Alternates between a straight movement that causes the tray to protrude beyond the other tray row, and a lateral motion that moves the first tray in the row direction of each tray row in the lateral direction perpendicular to the row direction and moves it to the other tray row. A plurality of trays that are repeatedly circulated, wherein the trays are movably supported in a row direction and a lateral direction, and the trays are positioned below the trays supported by the support means. An endless drive chain that is driven so as to travel along the circulation path, a tray block that protrudes downward from the tray, and a preset position from the start position to the end position of the straight movement along the column direction. The drive chain is guided to change the travel direction of the drive chain from the row direction to the lateral direction at the end position of the straight movement, and end from the preset start position of the lateral movement along the lateral direction. Chain guide means for guiding the drive chain to a position and changing the travel direction of the drive chain from the lateral direction to the row direction at the end position of the lateral movement, projecting upward from the drive chain, and It is pressed against the tray block between the start position and the end position of the straight movement and between the start position and the end position of the lateral movement, and the pressing to the tray block ends from the start position of the straight movement A plurality of rollers provided at a predetermined pitch on the drive chain so as to be alternately performed between the position and the start position to the end position of the lateral movement It is characterized by having a touch.

  The transport device of the present invention drives an endless drive chain so as to travel along the circulation path of the tray at a position below the tray supported by the support means, and ends from the start position of the straight movement operation by the chain guide means. The travel direction of the drive chain is changed from the row direction to the lateral direction at the end position of the linear motion, and the guide is guided from the start position to the end position of the lateral movement, and the drive chain is Change the running direction from the horizontal direction to the row direction.

  Then, the roller attachment is pressed against the tray block between the start position and the end position of the straight movement and between the start position and the end position of the horizontal movement, and the pressing of the roller attachment to the tray block is a straight movement. A plurality of roller attachments are provided on the drive chain at a predetermined pitch so as to be alternately performed from the start position to the end position of the horizontal movement and from the start position to the end position of the lateral movement.

  Therefore, using the endless drive chain, it is possible to circulate a pair of tray rows on a plane by alternately and repeatedly executing a straight movement operation and a lateral movement operation. Therefore, for example, when the vehicle assembly line is set, by placing the component box B on the tray from the component carry-in path side, the component box can be transported to the platform side via the advance passage, and the component is taken out. The empty box can be transported from the platform side to the component carrying-in path side via the retreat path.

  In addition, compared with a conventional apparatus using a plurality of electric actuators, the structure can be made extremely simple, the parts cost can be reduced, and the apparatus can be provided at low cost. Since the number of parts is small and the structure is simple, maintenance is easy, and the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost of the apparatus can be kept low. Further, there is no need to provide an expensive control controller, position detection device, etc., and the control panel can be omitted. Therefore, compared with the conventional device, the vertical width of the device can be reduced. For example, it can be easily attached to a parts shelf of a vehicle assembly line where installation space is limited, and has high versatility. Have.

  In the transport apparatus of the present invention, preferably, the support means is provided along a side of the advance passage and a forward passage that supports one tray row so as to be movable forward along the row direction. A retreating passage that supports the other tray row so as to be movable rearward along the row direction, and a tray in the row direction of the advancement passage located at the end portion of the advancement passage in the lateral direction toward the start end portion of the retreating passage. A front lateral passage that is movably supported on the rear side, and a rear lateral passage that is movably supported in the lateral direction toward the start end of the forward passage in the row direction leading tray of the backward passage located at the end of the backward passage. The chain guide means has the drive chain end at the position where the drive chain is deviated forward by one tray from the start position of the straight movement set at the start end of the forward passage. Guide to position and end of forward path Guides from the start position of the lateral movement set to the end position of the lateral movement set to the start end of the reverse passage, and one tray from the start position of the straight movement set to the start end of the reverse passage Only to the end position of the rectilinear movement set at the position deviated backward, and from the start position of the lateral movement set at the end portion of the reverse passage to the start end portion of the forward passage. It is characterized by guiding to the end position.

  In the transport apparatus according to the present invention, preferably, the chain guide means changes a traveling direction of the drive chain from a front direction to a lateral direction at a terminal portion of the forward passage, and a start end portion of the backward passage. A second sprocket that changes the travel direction of the drive chain from the lateral direction to the rear direction, and the travel direction of the drive chain from the rear direction at a position that is displaced backward by one tray from the second sprocket. A third sprocket to be changed in the direction, a fourth sprocket to change the travel direction of the drive chain from a lateral direction to a forward direction at a side position of the third sprocket, and the drive chain at the end of the reverse passage A fifth sprocket that changes the travel direction of the drive chain from the rear direction to the lateral direction, and the travel direction of the drive chain forward at the start end of the advance passage A sixth sprocket to be changed, a seventh sprocket for changing the traveling direction of the drive chain from the front direction to the side direction at a position displaced forward by one tray from the sixth sprocket, and the side of the seventh sprocket It has an eighth sprocket that changes the traveling direction of the drive chain from the lateral direction toward the forward direction at the forward position.

  The conveying device of the present invention is preferably characterized in that the support means has an anti-back for preventing the reverse feeding of the tray in the forward passage, the backward passage, the front lateral passage, and the rear lateral passage.

  According to the present invention, the motion of circulating a plurality of trays by repeatedly executing a straight motion and a lateral motion alternately can be performed by a single endless drive chain. The size can be made compact. Therefore, it can be attached to the parts shelf of the vehicle production line where space is limited, and an appropriate parts box can be provided to the worker.

The figure explaining the structure of a parts box conveying apparatus. The figure explaining the structure of a support means. The figure explaining the structure of a tray. The X direction arrow line view of FIG. The figure explaining operation | movement of a components conveying apparatus. The figure explaining the positional relationship of the tray block and roller attachment in a forward path. The figure which shows the state which operated the tray of the advance path | route forward. The figure explaining the positional relationship of the tray block and roller attachment in a forward path. The figure which shows the state which carried out the rectilinear movement operation | movement of the tray of a reverse passage. The figure explaining the positional relationship of the tray block and roller attachment in the termination | terminus part of a forward path. The figure which shows the state which carried out the transverse movement of the tray from the termination | terminus part of a forward path to the start end part of a backward path. The figure explaining the positional relationship of the tray block and roller attachment in the terminal part of a retreat path. The figure which shows the state which moved the tray laterally from the termination | terminus part of the backward path | route to the start end part of the forward path | route. The figure explaining a prior art.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the component box conveying device, FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the support means of the component box conveying device, and FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the tray.

  The parts box conveying apparatus 1 shows an example to which the conveying apparatus of the present invention is applied, and is provided in a vehicle assembly line of an automobile production factory. The vehicle assembly line is provided with a platform as described in the background art above, and the parts box transporting device 1 has a front portion where the parts are taken out from the parts box on the platform side. It arrange | positions so that the rear part in which discharge | emission of an empty box is performed may be located in the component carrying-in path side. In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the platform side of the component box transport apparatus 1 is referred to as the front, the component loading path side as the rear, the lateral right side toward the front as the right side, and the lateral left side toward the front as the left side.

  The parts box conveying device 1 uses a single endless main chain 33 to which roller attachments 34 are attached at a constant pitch, and uses a pair of tray rows in which a plurality of trays 11 are arranged in two rows on a plane. A straight movement operation in which the tray 11 at the top in the row direction of each tray row protrudes from the other tray row by moving in opposite directions along the row direction, and the tray 11 at the top of the row direction in each tray row is orthogonal to the row direction. It is configured to circulate a plurality of trays 11 on a plane by alternately repeating the lateral movement of moving to the other tray row.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the parts box conveying device 1 includes a plurality of trays 11 and support means 21 that supports the trays 11 in a state where two trays are arranged in the same plane in the same plane to form a pair of tray rows. Drive means 31 for causing the tray 11 supported by the support means 21 to move straightly and laterally.

  The tray 11 has such a size that the component box B can be placed thereon, and is substantially rectangular in plan view as shown in the plan view of FIG. 3A and as shown in the front view of FIG. Has a flat plate portion 12 having a predetermined plate thickness. The flat plate portion 12 has a front end portion 12a and a rear end portion 12b shown on the left and right in FIG. 3A, and a left end portion 12c and a right end portion 12d shown on the upper and lower sides in FIG. 3A.

  A component box guide 13 for positioning and holding the component box B is attached to the upper surface of the flat plate portion 12. Further, tray blocks 14 to 17 for moving the tray 11 by the main chain 33 of the driving means 31 are attached to the bottom surface of the flat plate portion 12. The tray blocks 14 to 17 are provided at positions set in advance for forward movement, backward movement, front lateral movement, and rear lateral movement, respectively.

  The forward tray block 14 is disposed at a position deviated to the front left side with respect to the center of the lower surface of the flat plate portion 12, and has a rear side surface 14a extending left and right at a certain height and facing rearward. Have. The reverse tray block 15 is disposed at a position deviated to the rear right side with respect to the center of the lower surface of the flat plate portion 12, and extends frontward and leftward at a certain height and faces forward. 15a.

  The front transverse tray block 16 is disposed at a position deviated to the front right side with respect to the center of the lower surface of the flat plate portion 12, and extends right and left at a certain height and faces the right side. 16a. The rear transverse tray block 17 is disposed at a position deviated to the rear left side with respect to the center of the lower surface of the flat plate portion 12, extends forward and backward at a certain height and faces the left side. It has a left side surface 17a.

  As shown in the plan view of FIG. 2 (a), the support means 21 advances in a frame that is substantially rectangular in plan view surrounded by the guide rails 25A to 25D so that one tray row is movably supported forward. A passage 21A, a backward passage 21B provided along the side of the forward passage 21A and supporting the other tray row so as to be movable rearward, and a row direction of the tray row located at the end portion 21Ab of the forward passage 21A A front lateral passage 21C that supports the leading tray so as to move laterally toward the start end portion 21Ba of the backward passage 21B, and a forward tray in the row direction of the tray row located at the end portion 21Bb of the backward passage 21B. A rear lateral passage 21D is formed to support the first end portion 21Aa of 21A so as to be movable in the lateral direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the support means 21 horizontally places the tray 11 on a base plate 22 having a flat plate shape and a transport surface S set at a preset height position along the upper surface of the base plate 22. A ball caster 23 and a roller conveyor 24 which are supported so as to be movable in the direction are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the base plate 22 has a length corresponding to four trays and a width corresponding to two trays, and has a total size corresponding to eight trays. . A plurality of ball casters 23 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the start end portion 21Aa and the end portion 21Ab of the forward passage 21A and the start end portion 21Ba and the end portion 21Bb of the backward passage 21B. The ball caster 23 has a leg portion fixed to the base plate 22, and a ball portion is supported at the tip end portion of the leg portion so as to be freely rotatable in an arbitrary direction of 360 degrees. Can be moved.

  The roller conveyors 24 are arranged in a pair on the left and right, between the start end 21Aa and the end portion 21Ab of the forward passage 21A and between the start end 21Ba and the end portion 21Bb of the reverse passage 21B. . In the roller conveyor 24, support frames are respectively arranged between the start end portion 21Aa and the end portion 21Ab of the forward passage 21A and between the start end portion 21Ba and the end portion 21Bb of the reverse passage 21B. A plurality of rollers are rotatably supported at predetermined intervals in the direction, and the tray 11 can be moved straight on the transport surface S.

  The base plate 22 is provided with guide rails 25A to 25E for forming a rectangular frame and guiding the tray 11 therein, and anti-backs 26A to 26D for preventing the tray 11 from being reversely fed.

  Each of the guide rails 25A to 25E extends horizontally along the upper surface of the base plate 22 at the same height as the conveying surface S, and comes into contact with the end portions 12a to 12d of the tray 11 to move the tray 11 straight and laterally. Guide you as possible.

  The guide rail 25A extends along the right end portion of the base plate 22 and is disposed so as to face and abut on the right end portion 12d of the tray 11 of the advance passage 21A. The guide rail 25B extends along the left end portion of the base plate 22 and is disposed so as to face and abut on the left end portion 12c of the tray 11 in the backward passage 21B.

  The guide rail 25C extends along the front end portion of the base plate 22 and is disposed so as to face and abut on the front end portion 12a of the tray 11 of the front lateral passage 21C. The guide rail 25D extends along the rear end portion of the base plate 22 and is disposed so as to face and abut the rear end portion 12b of the tray 11 of the rear lateral passage 21D.

  The guide rail 25E extends in the front-rear direction at the center position in the left-right direction of the base plate 22, contacts the left end 12c of the tray 11 in the forward passage 21A, and faces the right end 12d of the tray 11 in the backward passage 21B. Are arranged so as to contact each other. Further, the guide rail 25E comes into contact with the rear end portion 12b of the tray 11 that traverses the front lateral passage 21C so as to face the rear end portion 12b of the tray 11 that traverses the front lateral passage 21C, and the rear end of the guide rail 25E It has the structure which an edge part opposes and contacts.

  Accordingly, a forward passage 21A is formed between the guide rail 25A and the guide rail 25E, and a backward passage 21B is formed between the guide rail 25B and the guide rail 25E. A front lateral passage 21C is formed between the guide rail 25C and the front end portion of the guide rail 25E, and a rear lateral passage 21D is formed between the guide rail 25D and the rear end portion of the guide rail 25E.

  The anti-back 26A is for preventing the reverse feed of the tray 11 in the advance passage 21A, and is provided at the start end 21Aa of the advance passage 21A. The anti-back 26A allows the tray 11 to move forward from the start end 21Aa of the advance passage 21A in the advance passage 21A, and after the tray 11 moved forward by one tray from the start end 21Aa of the advance passage 21A. Opposite the end 12b, the tray 11 is prohibited from moving backward.

  The anti-back 26B is for preventing the reverse feed of the tray 11 in the backward passage 21B, and is provided at the start end portion 21Ba of the backward passage 21B. The anti-back 26B allows the tray 11 to move rearward from the start end 21Ba of the reverse passage 21B in the reverse passage 21B, and the rear of the tray 11 moved backward by one tray from the start end 21Ba of the reverse passage 21B. Opposite the end 12b, the tray 11 is prohibited from moving forward.

  The anti-back 26 </ b> C is for preventing the tray 11 passing backward through the front lateral passage 21 </ b> C and is provided in the front lateral passage 21 </ b> C. The anti-back 26C allows the tray 11 to move from the end portion 21Ab of the forward passage 21A to the start end portion 21Ba of the reverse passage 21B through the front lateral passage 21C and moves to the start end portion 21Ba of the reverse passage 21B. Opposite to the right end 12d of the tray 11, the tray 11 is prohibited from moving toward the forward passage 21A.

  The anti-back 26D is for preventing the tray 11 from being reversely fed through the rear lateral passage 21D, and is provided in the rear lateral passage 21D. The anti-back 26D allows the tray 11 to move from the end portion 21Bb of the reverse passage 21B to the start end portion 21Aa of the forward passage 21A through the rear lateral passage 21D, and has moved to the start end portion 21Aa of the forward passage 21A. Opposite to the left end portion 12c of the tray 11, the tray 11 is prohibited from moving toward the backward passage 21B.

  The driving unit 31 has a configuration in which the roller attachment 34 provided in the main chain 33 is pressed against the tray blocks 14 to 17 of the tray 11 to push and move the tray 11. The movement of the tray 11 is started by causing the main chain 33 to travel along the moving direction of the tray 11 and pressing the roller attachment 34 against the tray blocks 14 to 17. The traveling direction of the main chain 33 is changed to the moving direction of the tray 11. Is completed by changing the direction perpendicular to the direction of the tray block and releasing the pressing to the tray blocks 14-17.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the drive means 31 includes a plurality of chain sprockets 32 </ b> A to 32 </ b> H, a single main chain 33 spanned between the plurality of chain sprockets 32 </ b> A to 32 </ b> H, and the main chain 33 in one direction. A drive motor 35 for running is provided.

  The plurality of chain sprockets 32A to 32H constitute chain guide means, and are arranged at all eight positions of the base plate 22 to move the tray 11 along a preset circulation path, and are rotatably supported. Has been.

  The first sprocket 32A is provided at the end portion 21Ab of the forward passage 21A, and changes the traveling direction of the main chain 33 traveling in the forward direction Ff along the forward passage 21A from the forward direction Ff to the leftward direction Fl. Let

  The second sprocket 32B is provided at the start end 12Ba of the backward passage 12B, and the traveling direction of the main chain 33 traveling in the backward direction Fb along the backward passage 21B is changed from the leftward direction Fl to the backward direction Fb. Let

  The third sprocket 32C and the fourth sprocket 32D are located at an intermediate position between the start end portion 21Ba and the end end portion 21Bb of the reverse passage 21B and a position displaced backward by one tray from the start end portion 21Ba of the reverse passage 21B. Is provided.

  The third sprocket 32C changes the traveling direction of the main chain 33 traveling in the backward direction Fb along the backward passage 21B from the backward direction Fb to the leftward direction Fl. The fourth sprocket 32D is provided on the left side of the third sprocket 32C, and changes the traveling direction of the main chain 33 traveling in the left direction Fl from the left direction Fl to the rear direction Fb.

  The fifth sprocket 32E is provided at the end portion 21Bb of the reverse passage 21B, and changes the traveling direction of the main chain 33 traveling in the backward direction Fb along the backward passage 21B from the backward direction Fb to the rightward direction Fr. Let

  The sixth sprocket 32F is provided at the start end portion 21Aa of the forward passage 21A, and the traveling direction of the main chain 33 traveling in the rightward direction Fr along the front lateral passage 21D is forward from the rightward direction Fr. Change to Ff.

  The seventh sprocket 32G and the eighth sprocket 32H are provided at an intermediate position between the start end 21Aa and the end end 21Ab of the advance passage 21A and a position deviated forward by one tray from the start end 21Aa of the advance passage 21A. ing.

  The seventh sprocket 32G changes the traveling direction of the main chain 33 that has traveled in the forward direction Ff along the forward passage 21A from the forward direction Ff to the rightward direction Fr. The eighth sprocket 32H is provided on the right side of the seventh sprocket 32G, and changes the traveling direction of the main chain 33 traveling in the right direction Fr from the right direction Fr to the forward direction Ff.

  The main chain 33 is an endless roller chain having a general configuration in which outer links and inner links are alternately combined and pin-coupled to each other. The chain 33 extends horizontally between the base plate 22 and the conveying surface S, and is connected to each sprocket. It is supported so that it can drive | work along the driving | running route formed by 32A-32H. The drive motor 35 is connected to the first sprocket 32A, and causes the first sprocket 32A to travel in one direction by supplying power, thereby causing the main chain 33 to travel counterclockwise.

  A total of four roller attachments 34 are attached to the main chain 33 with a predetermined pitch. The roller attach 34 is configured to protrude upward from the main chain 33 and be pressed against the tray blocks 14 to 17 to push and move the tray 11. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 which is an arrow view in the X direction of FIG. 1, the roller attach 34 has a shaft portion 34a protruding upward from the main chain 33 and is rotatable relative to the shaft portion 34a. Is supported.

The length of the main chain 33 is defined by the following formula (1).
Length of main chain = roller attachment installation pitch x number of roller attachments attached (1)
(The number of roller attachments is 4)

When the main chain 33 is run, the attachment pitch of the roller attachment 34 is such that the straight movement in the forward passage 21A and the reverse passage 21b and the lateral movement in the front lateral passage 21C and the rear lateral passage 21D are alternately repeated. It is set to be done. The mounting pitch of the roller attachment 34 is calculated by the following equation (2).
Roller attachment mounting pitch = lateral movement length of the main chain + longitudinal movement length of the main chain + 1/2 of the chain sprocket circumference + α (2)
(Where α is the diameter of the roller)

Next, the operation of the component conveying apparatus 1 having the above configuration will be described.
5-13 is a figure for demonstrating in detail operation | movement of a components conveying apparatus. For example, in FIG. 5, three trays 11-1 to 11-3 are sequentially arranged in the advance passage 21 </ b> A, the tray 11-3 is positioned at the start end 21 </ b> Aa of the advance passage 21 </ b> A, and the three trays 11 are arranged. -4 to 11-6 are arranged in order in the backward passage 21B, and the arrangement state in which the tray 11-6 is located at the start end portion 21Ba of the backward passage 21B is shown.

  In this arrangement state, when power is supplied to the drive motor 35, the drive motor 35 is driven to rotate, and the main chain 33 runs counterclockwise. The roller attach 34 </ b> A is moved along the movement of the main chain 33. Then, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), it is moved from the sixth sprocket 32F toward the forward direction Ff, which is the moving direction of the tray 11-3, at the start end 21Aa of the forward passage 21A, as shown in FIG. 6 (b). In this way, the tray 11-3 is pressed against the tray block 14 of the tray 11-3 located at the start end 21Aa of the forward passage 21A at a preset start position a, and the tray 11-3 is moved together with the trays 11-1 and 11-2. A straight-ahead operation for moving forward along the column direction is started.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (c), the roller attach 34A has its traveling direction changed by the seventh sprocket 32G at the end position b where the tray 11-3 is moved from the start end 21Aa of the forward passage 21A by one tray. The front direction Ff is changed to the right direction Fr. As a result, the roller attach 34A moves away from the rear side surface 14a of the tray block 14 of the tray 11-3, and the linear movement operation is terminated.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the tray row (trays 11-1 to 11-3) moved forward along the row direction in the forward passage 21 </ b> A is prevented from being reversely fed by the anti-back 26 </ b> A by such a straight movement operation, The leading tray 11-1 in the moving direction is positioned at the end portion 21Ab of the advance passage, and a space for one tray is formed at the start end portion 21Aa of the advance passage 21A.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8A, the roller attachment 34C is moved from the second sprocket 32B toward the rear direction Fb, which is the moving direction of the tray 11-6, at the start end portion 21Ba of the backward passage 21B. At the same timing as 34A, as shown in FIG. 8B, the tray 11-6 is pressed against the tray block 15 of the tray 11-6 positioned at the start end portion 21Ba of the backward passage 21B at a preset start position e. A straight-ahead operation is started in which −6 is moved rearward along the row direction along with the trays 11-4 and 11-5.

  As shown in FIG. 8 (c), the roller attach 34C is moved in the traveling direction by the third sprocket 32C at the end position f where the tray 11-6 is moved backward from the start end 21Ba of the backward passage 21B by one tray. Is changed from the rearward direction Fb to the leftward direction Fl. As a result, the roller attach 34C moves away from the front side surface 15a of the tray block 15 of the tray 11-6, and the linear movement operation is completed.

  9, the tray row (trays 11-4 to 11-6) moved rearward along the row direction in the backward passage 21B is prevented from being reversely fed by the anti-back 26B, as shown in FIG. The leading tray 11-4 in the moving direction is positioned at the end portion 21Bb of the backward passage 12B, and a space corresponding to one tray is formed in the starting end portion 21Ba of the backward passage 21B.

  As described above, the three trays 11-1 to 11-3 in the forward passage 21A are moved forward by the roller attachments 34A and 34C, and at the same time, the three trays 11-4 to 11-6 in the backward passage 21B are moved. It can be moved backward.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the tray 11 (tray 11-3, tray 11) located in the row direction of the other tray row is more than the tray 11 (tray 11-1, 11-4) at the row direction leading end of one tray row. 11-6), the first tray 11 (tray 11-1, 11-4) in the row direction of one tray row is the other tray row as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. Can be arranged in the second arrangement state protruding from the rearmost tray 11 (tray 11-3, 11-6).

  As shown in FIG. 6C, the roller attach 34A passes through the end position b and ends the straight movement operation in the forward passage 21A, and between the tray blocks 14 and 17 of the tray 11-3, and It passes between the tray blocks 15 and 16 and is moved to a position in the rightward direction Fr with respect to the tray block 16, and its traveling direction is changed from the rightward direction Fr to the forward direction Ff by the eighth sprocket 32H. It is moved toward 32A.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8C, the roller attach 34C passes through the end position f and ends the linear motion in the backward passage 21B, and between the tray blocks 15 and 16 of the tray 11-6, and , Passes between the tray blocks 14 and 17 and is moved to a position in the leftward direction Fl from the tray block 16, and the traveling direction is changed from the leftward direction Fl to the rearward direction Fb by the fourth sprocket 32D. It moves toward the sprocket 32E.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the roller attachment 34B of the main chain 33 moves from the first sprocket 32A toward the left side direction Fl that is the moving direction of the tray 11-1 at the terminal end portion 21Ab of the forward passage 21A. Moved. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the tray 11-1 is pressed against the tray block 16 of the tray 11-1 positioned at the end portion 21Bb of the forward passage 21A at a preset start position c, and the tray 11-1 is moved in the leftward direction Fl. The lateral movement to move to is started.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the roller attach 34B is moved at the end position d where the tray 11-1 is moved from the end portion 21Ab of the forward passage 21A to the start end portion 21Ba of the backward passage 21B. The direction is changed from the left direction Fl to the rear direction Fb. As a result, the roller attach 34B moves away from the right side surface 16a of the tray block 16, and the lateral movement operation is completed.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the tray 11-1 that has passed through the front lateral passage 21 </ b> C by the lateral movement is prevented from being reversely fed by the anti-back 26 </ b> C and is positioned at the start end 21 </ b> Ba of the backward passage 21 </ b> B. The arrangement is such that a space for one tray is formed at the terminal end 21Ab of 21A.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 13, the roller attach 34 </ b> D is moved from the fifth sprocket 32 </ b> E toward the right side direction Fr that is the moving direction of the tray 11-4 at the end portion 21 </ b> Bb of the backward passage 21 </ b> B. Then, as shown in FIG. 12, the tray 11-4 is pressed against the tray block 17 of the tray 11-4 positioned at the end portion 21Bb of the backward passage 21B at a preset start position g, and the tray 11-4 is moved in the right direction. A lateral movement to laterally move to Fr is started.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the roller attach 34D has an end position h where the tray 11-4 is moved from the end point 21Bb of the backward passage 21B to the start end 21Aa of the forward passage 21A, and the traveling direction is changed by the sixth sprocket 32F. The direction is changed from the rightward direction Fr to the forward direction Ff. Thereby, the roller attach 34D is separated from the left side surface 17a of the tray block 17, and the lateral movement operation is finished.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the tray 11-4 that has passed the rear lateral passage 21D by this lateral movement is prevented from being reversely fed by the anti-back 26D, and is positioned at the start end 21Aa of the forward passage 21A. It is set as the arrangement | positioning state by which the space for one tray was formed in the terminal part 21Bb of 21B.

  In this manner, the tray 11-4 is moved from the end portion 21Ab of the forward passage 21A to the start end portion 21Ba of the backward passage 21B by the roller attachments 34B and 34D, and at the same time, the tray 11-4 is moved from the end portion 21Bb of the backward passage 21B. It can be moved to the start end 21Aa of the forward passage 21A.

  Accordingly, from the second arrangement state shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the tray 11 (tray 11-1, 11-4) located at the head in the row direction of each tray row is moved to the end in the movement direction of the other tray row. And can be arranged in the first arrangement state shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the roller attach 34B passes the end position d and finishes the lateral movement in the front lateral passage 21C, the second sprocket 32B travels at the start end 21Bb of the backward passage 21B. The direction is changed from the leftward direction Fl to the rearward direction Fb and pressed against the front side surface 15a of the tray block 15 of the tray 11-1. Therefore, following the lateral movement, the straight movement of the tray 11-1 to the rear by the roller attachment 34B can be performed.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 13, when the roller attach 34D passes through the end position h and finishes the lateral movement in the rear lateral passage 21D, the sixth sprocket 32F causes the roller attach 34D to start at the start end 21Aa of the forward passage 21A. The traveling direction is changed from the rightward direction Fr to the forward direction Ff and pressed against the rear side surface 14a of the tray block 14 of the tray 11-4. Therefore, following the lateral movement operation to the right side, the straight movement operation of the tray 11-4 forward by the roller attach 34D can be performed.

  Therefore, in the roller attach 34A to 34D, the pressing to the tray block from the start position to the end position of the straight movement and the pressing to the tray block from the start position to the end position of the lateral movement are alternately performed. To be done.

  According to the component box conveying apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration, a pair of tray rows can be circulated on a plane by repeatedly performing a rectilinear operation and a lateral movement operation alternately using the endless main chain 33. Therefore, by placing the parts box B on the tray 11 from the parts carrying-in path side, the parts box B can be transported to the platform side via the forward passage 21A, and the empty box from which the parts have been taken out is moved into the backward passage 21B. It can be conveyed from the platform side to the component carry-in path side via the.

  In addition, for example, compared with a conventional device using a plurality of electric actuators, the structure can be made extremely simple, and the cost of components can be reduced and the device can be provided at low cost.

  Moreover, since the number of parts is small and the structure is simple, maintenance is easy, and the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost of the apparatus can be kept low. Further, there is no need to provide an expensive control controller, position detection device, etc., and the control panel can be omitted.

  And compared with the conventional device, the height width in the vertical direction of the device can be reduced, for example, it can be easily attached to the parts shelf of the vehicle assembly line where the installation space is limited, and has high utility value. can get.

  In addition, an extremely simple structure with almost no operating mechanism eliminates the need for extra space, reduces the size of the apparatus, and allows it to be installed near production line workers.

  When used in the parts shelf on the line side, the frontage that is used frequently is made into a dedicated part, the frontage that is used less frequently is used as a general purpose frontage, and it is centrally stored and transported to the device 1, thereby greatly increasing the space for installing the parts shelf. Can be small.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case of the parts box transport device used in the vehicle assembly line of the automobile production factory has been described as an example. However, the object to be transported is not limited to the parts box, and other parts such as parts It may be an article.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Parts box conveying apparatus 11 Tray 14, 15, 16, 17 Tray block 21 Support means 21A Forward passage 21B Reverse passage 21C Front lateral passage 21D Rear lateral passage 26A-26D Anti-back 31 Drive means 32A 1st sprocket (chain guide) means)
32B 2nd sprocket (chain guide means)
32C 3rd sprocket (chain guide means)
32D 4th sprocket (chain guide means)
32E Fifth sprocket (chain guide means)
32F 6th sprocket (chain guide means)
32G 7th sprocket (chain guide means)
32H 8th sprocket (chain guide means)
33 Main chain (drive chain)
34 Roller Attach

Claims (4)

A straight line in which a plurality of trays are arranged in two rows on a plane and a pair of tray rows are moved in opposite directions along the row direction so that the leading tray in the row direction of each tray row protrudes from the other tray row. A transport device that circulates the plurality of trays by alternately repeating the operation and the lateral movement in which the tray in the row direction of each tray row is moved in the lateral direction perpendicular to the row direction and moved to the other tray row Because
Support means for supporting the plurality of trays so as to be movable in a row direction and a lateral direction;
An endless drive chain that is driven to travel along the circulation path of the tray at a position below the tray supported by the support means;
A tray block protruding downward from the tray;
The drive chain is guided from the start position to the end position of the straight movement set in advance along the row direction, and the travel direction of the drive chain is changed from the row direction to the lateral direction at the end position of the straight movement. The drive chain is guided from the start position to the end position of the lateral movement set in advance along the lateral direction, and the travel direction of the drive chain is changed from the lateral direction to the row direction at the end position of the lateral movement. Chain guiding means to perform,
It protrudes upward from the drive chain and is pressed against the tray block between the start position and the end position of the rectilinear movement operation and between the start position and the end position of the lateral movement operation. Are provided at a predetermined pitch on the drive chain so that the pressing is alternately performed from the start position to the end position of the linear movement operation and from the start position to the end position of the lateral movement operation. Attaching the roller,
A conveying apparatus comprising: The support means is provided along the side of the advance passage, and is provided rearwardly along the row direction, with the advance passage supporting one tray row so as to be movable forward along the row direction. A retreating path that is movably supported, and a front lateral movement path that supports the tray in the row direction of the advancement path located at the end portion of the advancement path so as to be movable laterally toward the start end of the retraction path, A rear lateral passage that supports the first tray in the row direction of the backward passage located at the end of the backward passage so as to be movable laterally toward the start end of the forward passage;
The chain guide means guides the drive chain from the start position of the rectilinear movement set at the start end of the forward passage to the end position of the rectilinear movement set at a position displaced forward by one tray. , Guiding from the start position of the lateral movement set at the end portion of the forward passage to the end position of the lateral movement set at the start end of the backward passage, and starting the straight movement set at the start end of the backward passage Guided to the end position of the rectilinear movement set to the position deviated backward by one tray from the position, set from the start position of the lateral movement set at the end of the reverse passage to the start end of the forward passage The conveyance device according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance device guides to an end position of the lateral movement performed. The chain guide means is
A first sprocket that changes the traveling direction of the drive chain from the forward direction to the lateral direction at the end of the forward passage, and a traveling direction of the drive chain from the lateral direction to the backward direction at the start end of the backward passage. A second sprocket to be moved, a third sprocket that changes the traveling direction of the drive chain from the rear side to the side direction at a position deviated backward by one tray from the second sprocket, and the side of the third sprocket A fourth sprocket that changes the traveling direction of the drive chain from a lateral direction to a forward direction at a forward position, and a fifth sprocket that changes the traveling direction of the drive chain from a rearward direction to a lateral direction at the end portion of the reverse passage. A sixth sprocket that changes the traveling direction of the drive chain forward at the start end of the forward passage, and a train that extends from the sixth sprocket. A seventh sprocket that changes the traveling direction of the drive chain from the forward direction to the lateral direction at a position displaced forward by one, and the traveling direction of the drive chain in the lateral direction at the lateral position of the seventh sprocket The conveying device according to claim 2, further comprising an eighth sprocket that is changed from the front to the front.   4. The transport device according to claim 2, wherein the support means includes an anti-back that prevents reverse feeding of the tray in a forward passage, a backward passage, a front lateral passage, and a rear lateral passage.

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