JP2013047138A - Conveyance system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a conveyance system that does not need a power cable involving disorders, and can match a height by which a conveyance material is loaded on a carriage to a height by which the conveyance material is unloaded from the carriage without the other device, for example, a lifter while reducing an initial cost.SOLUTION: The conveyance system includes: a plurality of stations 2, 3 having driving conveyors 1; the carriage 4 that stops in front of each of the stations; and a rail 5 connecting the stations. An output part 6 is provided in each station for externally outputting the rotational kinetic energy of the driving conveyor. In the carriage, there are an input part 7 detachably connected to the output part, and an energy storage mechanism that converts the rotational kinetic energy received by a receiving part into potential energy, stores it, and outputs the positional energy as the rotational kinetic energy for a rotary body which is engaged with the rail.

Description

  The present invention relates to a transfer system used for transferring a transfer object such as a workpiece.

  In various assembly factories and the like that sequentially flow a workpiece to a conveyance line constituted by a conveyor and sequentially process the workpiece, etc., in order for an operator to move from one of the two paths sandwiching the conveyance line to the other, You have to go around to the end of the transfer line and you can't cross the transfer line. However, for example, when the transport line extends long and it is necessary to frequently move around the transport line, the length of the flow line is overlooked for improving workability and the like. It becomes a problem that can not be.

  Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, an upstream station 52 and a downstream station 53 each having a conveyor 51 are provided in the middle of the transport line, and both the stations 52 and 53 are separated so that the operator's It is conceivable to provide an unmanned vehicle (AGV) 54 that secures a traffic space and reciprocates between the stations 52 and 53 to transfer the workpiece W.

Japanese Patent No. 4419659

  However, in this method, if the unmanned vehicle 54 adopts an internal power supply method (self-propelled) equipped with a battery (not shown) for a drive motor, it corresponds to the weight increase due to the mounting of the battery. Therefore, a high output drive motor (not shown) is required. In addition, the emergency fence of the unmanned vehicle 54 can be detected by detecting the safety fence 55 that restricts the entry area and the entry so that the worker does not stop in the space in front of the stations 52 and 53 and collide with the weighted unmanned vehicle 54. It is also necessary to install a detection sensor (photoelectric tube or the like) 56 connected to the stop for each of the stations 52 and 53. Further, when a control device (not shown) provided in the unmanned vehicle controls the reciprocating movement of the unmanned vehicle including an emergency stop, the control contents are very complicated. These points all lead to an increase in initial cost.

  Therefore, it is conceivable to transfer the work W between the stations 52 and 53 to an external power supply type track (with track) carriage (not shown) instead of the internal power supply type unmanned vehicle 54. It is done. According to this method, when the carriage moves back and forth between the stations 52 and 53, electric power is supplied from the outside to the drive motor of the carriage via the power cable connected to the carriage. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the weight by omitting the mounting of the battery on the carriage, and further, by using a low-thrust motor as the drive motor, it is not necessary to install the safety fence 55 and the detection sensor 56. The control contents can be simplified. However, the power cable connected to the carriage may limit the movement range and movement route of the carriage, and may interfere with an operator who crosses the conveyance line.

  Here, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for reciprocating the carriage unit by using a load of a workpiece placed on the carriage unit without using a drive motor for the track carriage. For example, not only an internal power source dedicated to driving the carriage unit but also a power cable for supplying power from the external power source is not necessary.

  However, when this technique is used, the workpiece placed on the carriage part descends as it travels along the carriage with the carriage part, so the height of the workpiece at the movement end position is higher than the height of the workpiece at the movement start position. When the transport distance is increased, the descending width becomes noticeable. In order to match the work carry-in height to the carriage unit and the work carry-out height from the carriage unit, the work piece must be Installation of the lifter device that is raised at the time becomes essential, and this installation raises the initial cost. In addition, since the moving distance of the carriage unit changes depending on the weight of the workpiece, it is difficult to apply this technique using the workpiece load to the mixing line through which various types of workpieces flow.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned matters, and the purpose thereof is to reduce the initial cost and to eliminate the need for connection of a power cable accompanied by the occurrence of a harmful effect. An object of the present invention is to provide a transport system that can match the carry-in height of a conveyed product to a cart and the carry-out height from the cart without using an apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, a transport system according to the present invention includes a plurality of stations having a drive conveyor for transporting a transported object, a carriage that stops in front of each station in order to transfer the transported object, And a rail extending so as to connect the stations, wherein the station is provided with an output unit for outputting rotational kinetic energy of the drive conveyor to the outside, and the output is provided to the carriage. An input unit detachably connected to the unit, and an energy storage mechanism for storing the rotational energy input from the input unit after converting the rotational kinetic energy into potential energy and then outputting the potential energy as rotational kinetic energy of the rotating body And the rotational kinetic energy of the rotating body is used to move the carriage between the stations. As will be converted into energy, the rotating body is engaged with the rail (Claim 1).

  In the transport system, the energy storage mechanism includes a ball screw shaft extending in a vertical direction and a threaded engagement with the ball screw shaft, and the ball screw shaft rotates about an axis in one direction and a reverse direction. A lifting member guided so as to move up and down along a ball screw shaft; and the rotating body rotating in conjunction with the ball screw shaft; and the rotational kinetic energy input from the input unit is It is converted into rotational kinetic energy that rotates the shaft around one axis, and is further stored as the potential energy of the elevating member that rises as the ball screw shaft rotates about one direction. The potential energy is converted into rotational kinetic energy that rotates the ball screw shaft around the axis in the reverse direction as the elevating member descends due to its own weight. May be converted to a rotational kinetic energy of the configured the rotating body to work with the ball screw shaft (Claim 2).

  In the transport system, the carriage is configured to reciprocate between the two stations, and the rail connecting the two stations includes a pair of opposing engagement rails. Switching for switching the rotating body engaged with one of the pair of engagement rails to a state engaged with the other of the pair of engagement rails when the carriage stops before the two stations. A mechanism may be provided (claim 3).

  In the transport system, a driven conveyor that is driven by the rotational kinetic energy input from the input unit may be provided on the carriage.

  In the present invention, the initial cost can be reduced and the connection of the power cable accompanied by the occurrence of harmful effects can be eliminated, and the carry-in height of the transported object to the cart and the cart without using another device such as a lifter device. A transport system that can match the carry-out height from the vehicle is obtained.

  That is, the conveyance system of the invention according to each claim of the present application can replenish energy to the carriage from the drive conveyor of each station via the output unit, and does not require the installation of an internal power supply to the carriage, and the initial cost. In addition, since it is not necessary to supply power to the carriage from the outside, it is not necessary to connect the power cable with the occurrence of harmful effects to the carriage. Furthermore, since the holding height of the conveyed product can be kept constant before and after the movement of the carriage, in order to make the carry-in height of the conveyed article coincide with the carry-out height from the carriage, other lifter devices and the like are used. There is no need to use a device.

  In the track cart described in Patent Document 1, since the load of the transported object is converted into energy consumed for transporting the transported object, the transport distance is not increased depending on the load of the transported object, and the transport is in progress. However, in the transport system of the present invention, a sufficient amount of energy can always be supplied to the carriage in front of each station, so that the transported object can be reliably transported. Further, if the amount of energy stored in the carriage in front of each station is increased or decreased, the transport distance can be freely changed.

  In the transport system according to the second and third aspects of the invention, it is possible to simplify the configuration for moving the carriage and contribute to further reduction of the initial cost.

  In the conveyance system of the invention which concerns on Claim 4, the conveyance of a conveyed product between each station and a trolley | bogie can be smoothly performed by providing a follower conveyor with a trolley | bogie.

(A) And (B) is the top view and explanatory drawing which show schematically the structure of the conveyance system which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematically the structure of the trolley | bogie of the said conveyance system. (A) is a top view which shows the structure of the said trolley schematically, (B) is a front view which shows the structure of the upper part of the said trolley schematically. (A) And (B) is the top view and explanatory drawing which show schematically the structure of the switching mechanism of the said trolley | bogie. It is a front view which shows the structure of the said switching mechanism roughly. It is a top view of the said conveyance system. It is a front view which shows roughly the action | operation of the said trolley | bogie. (A) is a side view of the cart at the time of carry-in, and (B) is a side view of the cart at the time of carry-out. It is a cross-sectional view of the output part of an upstream station, and the input part of the said trolley | bogie. (A) And (B) is the cross-sectional view and side view of the output part of the said upstream station in the state where the said input part was connected. It is a cross-sectional view of the output part of a downstream station, and the input part of the said trolley | bogie. (A) And (B) is the cross-sectional view and side view of the output part of the said downstream station in the state to which the said input part was connected. (A) And (B) is the perspective top view and front view of the energy storage mechanism of the said trolley | bogie. (A) And (B) is the XX sectional view taken on the line in FIG. 13 (A), and the YY sectional view. (A) is a top view of the lower part of the said trolley | bogie, (B) is the XX sectional view taken on the line in (A). (A) is a perspective plan view of the lower part of the carriage, and (B) is a sectional view taken along line XX in (A). It is a cross-sectional view of the principal part of the ball screw of the cart. It is a front view of the switching mechanism. (A) And (B) is the perspective top view and front view of the driven conveyor of the said trolley | bogie. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the said driven conveyor. (A) And (B) is the top view and front view which show the structure of the conventional conveyance system roughly.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 (A), 1 (B), and 6, the transport system according to the present embodiment has upstream stations 2 each having a drive conveyor 1 for transporting a workpiece W (an example of a transported object). And a downstream station 3, a carriage 4 that stops in front of each station 2, 3 in order to transfer the workpiece W, and a rail 5 that extends so as to connect the two stations 2, 3 and guides the carriage 4. Yes. In FIG. 6, the cart 4 in a state of stopping in front of the upstream station 2 and the cart 4 in a state of stopping in front of the downstream station 3 are both drawn with solid lines for the sake of clarity. Only one truck 4 is used in the embodiment.

  The stations 2 and 3 are each composed of a conveyor device that is provided in the middle of the conveyance line so as to secure a space for passage of workers, and the drive conveyor 1 provided therein is driven by a drive motor 1a.

  The carriage 4 reciprocates between the stations 2 and 3 along the rail 5, and repeats the operation of loading the workpiece W from the upstream station 2 and unloading the workpiece W to the downstream station 3. In FIG. 1 (A), FIG. 2 etc., 44 is a wheel provided on the carriage 4.

  The carriage 4 stores the rotational kinetic energy of the drive conveyor 1 of each station 2 and 3 when the work W is transferred between the stations 2 and 3 and the carriage 4, and the stored energy is transferred. After loading is completed, it is configured to be used as drive energy for the carriage 4 that moves between the stations 2 and 3. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 2, 6, and 9 to 12, each station 2 and 3 is provided with an output unit 6 for outputting the rotational kinetic energy of the drive conveyor 1 to the outside. The carriage 4 is provided with input portions 7 on both sides, which are detachably connected to the output portions 6 of the stations 2 and 3.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the output unit 6 is connected via a pair of pulleys 9 on which a belt 8 is hung, and rotates in conjunction with driving of the drive conveyor 1 by the drive motor 1a. Two couplings 10 and a joint receiving part 11 connected to one of the two couplings 10. On the other hand, the input part 7 is configured as a joint insertion part that rotates in conjunction with the joint receiving part 11 when inserted into the joint receiving part 11.

  The cart 4 is provided with an energy storage mechanism that converts rotational kinetic energy input from each input unit 7 into potential energy and stores it, and then outputs the potential energy as rotational kinetic energy of the rotating body 12. Yes. That is, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 (A) and (B), FIGS. 13 to 15, and FIG. 16 (B), this energy storage mechanism has an input unit 7 on one end side together with the input unit 7. Two input shaft portions 13 that rotate, a relay shaft portion 16 configured to rotate together with each input shaft portion 13 via a pair of toothed pulleys 15 around which a toothed belt 14 is hung, and the relay shaft portion 16, a drive bevel gear 17 provided at 16, a driven bevel gear 18 that meshes with the drive bevel gear 17, a ball screw shaft 19 that extends vertically below the relay shaft portion 16, and a screw on the ball screw shaft 19. In association with the ball screw shaft 19, the elevating member 20 guided so as to move up and down along the ball screw shaft 19 as the ball screw shaft 19 rotates about the axis in one direction and the opposite direction. And a rotating body 12 that rotates.

  In such an energy storage mechanism, the rotational kinetic energy input from any one of the input units 7 is input to the input shaft unit 13, the toothed belt 14 and the pair of toothed pulleys 15, the relay shaft unit 16, and the bevel gears 17 and 18. Is converted into rotational kinetic energy that causes the ball screw shaft 19 to rotate about an axis in one direction, and the potential energy of the elevating member 20 that rises as the ball screw shaft 19 rotates about the axis in one direction. (See FIGS. 2, 8A and 8B, FIG. 15B, and FIG. 16B).

  The stored potential energy of the elevating member 20 is converted into rotational kinetic energy that rotates the ball screw shaft 19 about the axis in the reverse direction as the elevating member 20 descends by its own weight, and the ball screw shaft 19 is converted into rotational kinetic energy of the rotating body 12 configured to be interlocked with 19.

  Further, the rotating body 12 engages with the rail 5 so that the rotational kinetic energy of the rotating body 12 is converted into kinetic energy for the carriage 4 to move between the stations 2 and 3. That is, the rail 5 is composed of a pair of engaging rails (rack in this example) 5a that are opposed to each other (see FIG. 1B), and the rotating body 12 is composed of a gear that can mesh with each engaging rail 5a (see FIG. 1). 2).

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 15 (B) and 16 (B), the ball screw shaft 19 is screwed into ball screw nuts 21 (see also FIG. 17) provided at the upper and lower portions of the carriage 4. . Further, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B and FIG. 15B, the elevating member 20 moves up and down while being guided by a guide bar 22 extending in parallel to the ball screw shaft 19, and the elevating member 20 and the carriage The lower part of 4 is connected by an air cylinder 23. The carriage 4 smoothly stops in front of the stations 2 and 3 by the air force of the air cylinder 23.

  In this embodiment, when the carriage 4 stops in front of the stations 2 and 3 so that the carriage 4 can reciprocate between the stations 2 and 3 using the rotating body 12 that rotates only in one direction. In addition, the carriage 4 is provided with a switching mechanism for switching the rotating body 12 engaged with one of the pair of engaging rails 5a to a state engaged with the other of the pair of engaging rails 5a and reversing the traveling direction. It is.

  This switching mechanism is connected to the lower end of the ball screw shaft 19 as shown in FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B), FIG. 5, FIG. 16 (A) and (B), and FIG. The power transmission gear 24 located in the rail 5a, the turning arm 25 turning around the axis of the ball screw shaft 19, and the turning arm 25 are rotatably held and located in the pair of engaging rails 5a. In addition, the rotating body 12 that meshes with the power transmission gear 24, the guide holding portion 26 fixed to the lower portion of the carriage 4, and the sliding body 27 held by the guide holding portion 26 so as to be slidable in the traveling direction of the carriage 4. The slide body 27 is connected to one end side and the other end side of the rotary arm 25 as the slide body 27 slides in one direction and the other direction, thereby causing the rotary arm 25 to move forward and backward. And the rotating body 12 is a pair of engaging rails 5a. And a switching arm 28 for holding the meshing state one or the other.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 4 (A), 7 and 16 (A), both the stations 2 and 3 are in contact with a stopper 29 for stopping the carriage 4 and a slide body 27 when the carriage 4 is stopped. A switching rod 30 for sliding the slide body 27 is provided.

  Therefore, when the carriage 4 is moving forward from the upstream station 2 toward the downstream station 3, the rotating body 12 is engaged with one of the pair of engagement rails 5a. When the carriage 4 stops in front of the downstream station 3, the slide body 27 is pushed and slid by the switching rod 30 provided in the downstream station 3, and the switching arm 28 provided continuously with the slide body 27. Rotates the rotating arm 25, and the rotating body 12 held by the rotating arm 25 switches to a state where the rotating body 12 is engaged with the other of the pair of engaging rails 5a, and the traveling direction of the carriage 4 is reversed and rotated. As the body 12 rotates, the carriage 4 moves backward toward the upstream station 2. When the carriage 4 stops before the upstream station 2, the slide body 27 is pushed and slid by the switching rod 30 provided in the upstream station 2, and the switching arm 28 connected to the slide body 27 is connected. The rotating arm 25 is rotated, and the rotating body 12 held by the rotating arm 25 is switched to a state in which the rotating body 12 is engaged with one of the pair of engagement rails 5a, and the traveling direction of the carriage 4 is reversed. As the vehicle 12 rotates, the carriage 4 moves forward toward the downstream station 3.

  Here, the rotating body 12 does not mesh with both the pair of engagement rails 5a at the same time, and always meshes with only one of the pair of engagement rails 5a. If the rotor 12 is shaken and the rotor 12 is disengaged from the engagement rail 5a and the meshing of both the members 12 and 5a is released, the carriage 4 cannot travel. In order to prevent such a situation from occurring, cam followers 31 are provided before and after the carriage 4 and guide rails 32 for guiding the cam followers 31 are provided below the pair of engagement rails 5a. It is configured to prevent shaking (see FIGS. 4A, 5, 16 A and B).

  In this embodiment, the cart 4 is also provided with a driven conveyor 33 that is driven by the rotational kinetic energy input from the input unit 7. That is, the driven conveyor 33 includes a plurality of rollers 34 arranged in two rows for conveying the workpiece W, as shown in FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B), FIGS. 19 (A) and 19 (B), and FIG. In addition, a round belt pulley (an example of a pulley) 35 that is arranged outside the respective rollers 34 and is arranged in two rows, and a round belt (an example of a belt) 36 that is hung on the round belt pulley 35 in each row are provided. . 3A and 3B, the round belt pulley 35 located at the end of each row is connected to the input shaft portion 13 through the round belt 36 in a coaxial manner. The belt pulley 37 is configured to be interlocked.

  Next, a series of operations of the transport system according to this embodiment will be described.

  (1) First, when the carriage 4 is stopped in front of the upstream station 2 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B and FIG. 8A), the input is made to the output unit 6 of the upstream station 2. When the drive conveyor 1 of the upstream station 2 is driven to carry the workpiece W into the carriage 4, the rotational kinetic energy of the drive conveyor 1 is output. It is transmitted from the unit 6 to the input unit 7 of the cart 4.

  A part of the rotational kinetic energy input from the input unit 7 is consumed as driving energy of the driven conveyor 33 (see FIG. 3), and the workpiece W from the driving conveyor 1 of the upstream station 2 to the driven conveyor 33 of the carriage 4 is consumed. Can be carried in smoothly. At this time, the workpiece W is prevented from dropping beyond the driven conveyor 33 by the fall prevention stopper S (see FIG. 20) provided at the downstream portion of the driven conveyor 33.

  Further, during the loading of the workpiece W, the other part of the rotational kinetic energy input from the input unit 7 is converted into the potential energy of the lifting member 20 by the energy storage mechanism and stored, and the lifting member 20 is For example, it rises to the rising end (see FIGS. 2, 7, 8A, 15B, and 16B).

  (2) When the loading of the workpiece W is completed, the link mechanism 38 (see FIGS. 19A and 19B) provided on the upper side of the carriage 4 is operated by placing the workpiece W (an increase in weight). The engagement between the engaging portion 39 of the carriage 4 connected to the link mechanism 38 and the engaged portion 40 provided in the upstream station 2 is released (see FIG. 19A). That is, the engaging portion 39 and the engaged portion 40 are in an engaged state while the workpiece W is being carried in. Note that a known structure can be adopted for the link mechanism 38, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Further, when the loading of the workpiece W is completed, the connection of the input unit 7 to the output unit 6 and the engagement of the engaging unit 39 to the engaged unit 40 are allowed, but the rotating body 12 does not engage the rail 5. Thus, the holding of the carriage 4 by a stopper (not shown) that holds the carriage 4 in a slightly lifted state is also released. Accordingly, as the elevating member 20 starts to descend, the rotating body 12 meshing with one of the pair of engagement rails 5a starts to rotate, so that the carriage 4 travels toward the downstream station 3. (See FIG. 2). In addition, this stopper is controlled by the control part which controls the upstream station 2, for example, and holding | maintenance operation | movement of the trolley | bogie 4 and its cancellation | release operation are performed.

  (3) When the carriage 4 approaches the downstream station 3 and the elevating member 20 reaches the vicinity of the descending end, the speed of the carriage 4 decreases due to the action of the air cylinder 23 (see FIG. 15B), and the carriage eventually 4 stops smoothly at the downstream station 3.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 19A, the engaging portion 41 provided on the carriage 4 is engaged with the engaged portion 42 provided on the downstream station 3, and the carriage 4 cannot be moved. It becomes a state. Further, the input unit 7 of the carriage 4 is connected to the output unit 6 of the downstream station 3. Further, a stopper (not shown) allows the connection of the input unit 7 to the output unit 6 and the engagement of the engaging unit 41 to the engaged portion 42, but prevents the rotating body 12 from engaging the rail 5. The cart 4 is held in a slightly lifted state.

  At this time, the switching rod 30 of the downstream station 3 comes into contact with the slide body 27 of the switching mechanism of the carriage 4 so that the rotating body 12 is switched so as to be engaged with the other of the pair of engagement rails 5a. The traveling direction of the carriage 4 is reversed.

  (4) When the carriage 4 is stopped in front of the downstream station 3 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B and FIG. 8B), the input unit 7 is connected to the output unit 6 of the downstream station 3. Is connected (see FIG. 12A), and when the drive conveyor 1 of the downstream station 3 is driven to carry the workpiece W out of the carriage 4, the rotational kinetic energy of the drive conveyor 1 is output to the output unit 6. To the input unit 7 of the carriage 4.

  A part of the rotational kinetic energy input from the input unit 7 is consumed as driving energy of the driven conveyor 33 (see FIG. 3), and the work W from the driven conveyor 33 of the carriage 4 to the driving conveyor 1 of the downstream station 3 is consumed. Is carried out smoothly. Note that the fall prevention stopper S (see FIG. 20) provided at the downstream portion of the driven conveyor 33 is lifted by hitting an appropriate portion of the downstream station 3 when the carriage 4 stops before the downstream station 3. Is allowed to move downstream of the driven conveyor 33. And this fall prevention stopper S will return to the original state, if the trolley | bogie 4 leaves | separates from the downstream station 3. FIG.

  Further, during the unloading of the workpiece W, the elevating member 20 rises to the rising end, for example, and this point is the same as when the carriage 4 is stopped in front of the upstream station 2.

  (5) When the unloading of the workpiece W is completed, the link mechanism 43 (see FIG. 19A) provided at the upper part of the carriage 4 is activated by the removal of the workpiece W (weight reduction) and is connected to the link mechanism 43. The engagement between the engaged portion 41 of the carriage 4 and the engaged portion 41 of the downstream station 3 is released (see FIG. 19A). In addition, the structure of the link mechanism 43 can employ | adopt a well-known thing, and abbreviate | omits description for the detail.

  When the work W has been carried in, the holding of the carriage 4 by a stopper (not shown) that has been held in a state where the carriage 4 is slightly lifted so that the rotating body 12 does not engage the rail 5 is also released. . Accordingly, the carriage 4 moves toward the upstream station 2 as the elevating member 20 descends.

  (6) When the carriage 4 approaches the upstream station 2 and the elevating member 20 reaches the vicinity of the descending end, the speed of the carriage 4 decreases due to the action of the air cylinder 23 (see FIG. 15B). 4 stops at the upstream station 2 smoothly.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 19A, the engaging portion 39 provided on the carriage 4 is engaged with the engaged portion 40 of the upstream station 3, and the carriage 4 cannot move. . Further, the input unit 7 of the carriage 4 is connected to the output unit 6 of the upstream station 2. Further, a stopper (not shown) allows the connection of the input unit 7 to the output unit 6 and the engagement of the engaging unit 39 to the engaged unit 40, but prevents the rotating body 12 from engaging the rail 5. The cart 4 is held in a slightly lifted state.

  At this time, the switching rod 30 of the upstream station 2 comes into contact with the slide body 27 of the switching mechanism of the carriage 4, and the rotating body 12 is switched so as to be engaged with one of the pair of engagement rails 5a. The traveling direction of the carriage 4 is reversed. Thereby, the state (1) is obtained.

  The transport system of the present embodiment can replenish energy to the carriage 4 from the drive conveyor 1 of each station 2 and 3 via the output unit 6, and it is not necessary to install an internal power supply to the carriage 4. In addition, since it is not necessary to supply power to the carriage 4 from the outside, it is not necessary to connect the power cable to the carriage 4 with adverse effects. Furthermore, since the holding height of the workpiece W can be kept constant before and after the movement of the carriage 4, in order to make the carrying height of the workpiece W into the carriage 4 and the carrying height from the carriage 4 equal, There is no need to use other devices.

  In the track cart described in Patent Document 1, since the work load is converted into energy consumed for the work conveyance, the conveyance distance does not increase depending on the work load, and the conveyance is terminated halfway. However, in the transfer system of the present embodiment, a sufficient amount of energy can always be supplied to the carriage 4 in front of the stations 2 and 3, so that the workpiece W can be reliably transferred. it can. Further, if the amount of stored energy for the carriage 4 in front of the stations 2 and 3 is increased or decreased, the transport distance can be freely changed.

  In the transport system of the present embodiment, when the carriage 4 is moved, in addition to the meshing between the rotating body (gear) 12 and the rail (rack) 5, the guide of the cam follower 31 by the guide rail 32 is adopted. In addition to making it possible to perform stable traveling, it is possible to cause the carriage 4 to perform not only straight traveling but also curved traveling. That is, when it is desired to make the carriage 4 run in a curved line, the rail 5 and the guide rail 32 may be extended in a curved shape.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment at all, Of course, it can change and implement variously in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention. For example, the following modifications can be given.

  In the transfer system of the present embodiment, the two stations 2 and 3 are not only separated in the transfer direction of the workpiece W but also in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the transfer direction, but only in the transfer direction of the workpiece W. The carriage 4 can also be used to transfer the workpiece W between two stations that are far apart from each other. Further, the carriage 4 is not limited to reciprocating between the two stations. It may be configured to move in a loop over the station. In this way, when the carriage 4 travels in a loop and the reversal of the traveling direction is unnecessary, the switching mechanism can be omitted, and only one of the pair of engagement rails 5a is sufficient.

  In the transport system of the present embodiment, the rail 5 is a rack and the rotating body 12 is a gear meshing with the rack. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the rail 5 is a toothed belt and the rotating body 12 is meshed with the tooth. It is good also as a pulley with attached.

  In the transport system of the present embodiment, the rotating body 12 and the power transmission gear 24 are directly meshed with each other. However, for example, a gear group may be provided between the both 12 and 24 to change the gear ratio appropriately. Good.

  In the transport system of the present embodiment, the air cylinder 23 is provided in order to smoothly stop the carriage 4 in front of the stations 2 and 3. However, instead of the air cylinder 23, for example, an elastic member is provided to provide the same function. You may make it show.

  In the transport system of this embodiment, the stopper that holds the carriage 4 slightly lifted so that the rotating body 12 does not engage the rail 5 when the carriage 4 stops in front of the stations 2 and 3 is provided for each station 2 and 3. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the carriage 4 stops at each of the stations 2 and 3, one of the carriages 4 is controlled. The stopper is mechanically interlocked with the stop to hold the carriage 4 by contacting the stopper or the like, and then when the elevating member 20 rises and reaches a predetermined height, a part of the elevating member 20 is For example, the stopper may be configured to release the holding of the carriage 4 by mechanically interlocking with the arrival of the stopper 4 by coming into contact with the stopper.

  Needless to say, the above modifications may be combined as appropriate.

1 Drive conveyor 2 station (upstream station)
3 stations (downstream station)
4 Carriage 5 Rail 5a Engaging Rail 6 Output Unit 7 Input Unit 12 Rotating Body 19 Ball Screw Shaft 20 Elevating Member W Workpiece

Claims (4)

A transport system comprising a plurality of stations having a drive conveyor for transporting a transported object, a carriage that stops in front of each station to transfer the transported object, and a rail that extends to connect the plurality of stations. There,
The station is provided with an output unit for outputting the rotational kinetic energy of the drive conveyor to the outside,
An input unit detachably connected to the output unit on the carriage, and the rotational kinetic energy input from the input unit is converted into potential energy and stored, and then the rotational energy of the rotating body is stored. And an energy storage mechanism that outputs as
The transport system according to claim 1, wherein the rotary body is engaged with the rail so that the rotary kinetic energy of the rotary body is converted into kinetic energy for the carriage to move between the stations. The energy storage mechanism includes a ball screw shaft extending in the vertical direction and a threaded engagement with the ball screw shaft, and the ball screw shaft moves along the ball screw shaft as the ball screw shaft rotates about an axis in one direction and the opposite direction. Elevating member guided to move up and down, and the rotating body rotating in conjunction with the ball screw shaft,
The rotational kinetic energy input from the input unit is converted into rotational kinetic energy that rotates the ball screw shaft about one direction axis, and further, with the rotation of the ball screw shaft about one direction axis. Stored as potential energy of the ascending / descending member rising,
The stored potential energy is converted into rotational kinetic energy that rotates the ball screw shaft around an axis in the reverse direction as the elevating member descends due to its own weight, and is linked to the ball screw shaft. The transport system according to claim 1, wherein the transport system is converted into rotational kinetic energy of the rotating body configured as described above. The carriage is configured to reciprocate between the two stations, and the rail connecting the two stations comprises a pair of engaging rails arranged opposite to each other,
When the carriage is stopped before the two stations, the rotating body engaged with one of the pair of engagement rails is engaged with the other of the pair of engagement rails. The transport system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a switching mechanism for switching is provided.   The conveyance system as described in any one of Claims 1-3 with which the driven conveyor driven by the said rotational kinetic energy input from the said input part is provided in the said trolley | bogie.

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