JP2013159407A - Carrying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable prevention of damage of a workpiece by a collision, in switching in the carrying direction of the workpiece and carrying-in to a storage device of the workpiece.SOLUTION: A carrying device 100 includes a plurality of end part rotary bodies 110a and 110b arranged on the upstream and downstream sides in the carrying direction of the workpiece W having flexibility, intermediate rotary bodies 112 differently arranged in a position in the carrying direction from the end part rotary bodies, a plurality of carrying parts 114 tensioned in an endless shape by the end part rotary bodies and the intermediate rotary bodies and oppositely arranged in parallel in the carrying direction, first moving mechanisms 118 for moving a position of one of the end part rotary bodies in the carrying direction with every carrying part, and second moving mechanisms 120 for maintaining tension of the carrying part by moving a position of the intermediate rotary body at least in the vertical direction to the carrying direction by interlocking with the movement of the end part rotary bodies, with every carrying part.

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport device that transports a relatively thin plate glass or the like.

  Conventionally, for example, a conveyor has been used to convey a thin plate-like workpiece such as a plate glass. In such a conveyor, when the workpiece conveyance direction is switched, a plurality of conveyors may be arranged in series so that the conveyance directions intersect at right angles.

  In the case of using a roller conveyor, a configuration in which a dedicated conversion device is provided in order to switch the conveyance direction to a right angle has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). This conversion device has a square top view, and a plurality of roller conveyors are arranged along each of the four sides. The workpiece is loaded onto the conversion device by roller conveyors arranged on two opposite sides, and is unloaded by the roller conveyor arranged on the remaining two sides in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction at the time of loading.

  Moreover, when using a belt conveyor, the structure which provides a robot arm in order to switch a conveyance direction is proposed (for example, patent document 2). One end of this robot arm has a head that can hold the workpiece by suction, and the robot arm branches the workpiece on the main conveyor while the head sucks the side of the workpiece, and the branch direction is different from the main conveyor. Move to conveyor.

JP 2008-66661 A JP 2009-23797 A

  By the way, compared with the roller conveyor, the vibration generated in the workpiece during conveyance is smaller when the belt conveyor is used. However, in the case of using a belt conveyor, a configuration in which the head is sucked and held as in the transfer device described in Patent Document 2 described above must be used, resulting in a problem that work efficiency is reduced and cost is increased. was there.

  Therefore, for example, it is conceivable to use a roller conveyor conversion device such as that described in Patent Document 1 as a belt conveyor. However, by simply adopting such a conversion device, the work carried into the conversion device comes into contact with the belt conveyor for carrying out in a direction perpendicular to the carrying direction at the time of carrying in, and the surface of the work is damaged. There is a risk that the workpiece is unnecessarily vibrated.

  Moreover, when the belt conveyor of a conversion apparatus and the belt conveyor of a conveyance apparatus are arranged in series, one belt conveyor of a conversion apparatus will interpose between these belt conveyors of a conversion apparatus, and a clearance gap will arise. Therefore, when the workpiece crosses this gap during conveyance, the tip portion of the workpiece may hang down and collide with the side surface of the belt conveyor.

  Furthermore, not only switching of the transport direction, for example, even when the work is carried from the transport device to the storage device that stores the work, the work loading surface of the storage device is formed from the belt conveyor of the transport device. For example, when the distance to the roller is too far, the tip of the workpiece collides with the roller, and the workpiece may be damaged by the impact.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a transport apparatus that can avoid damage to a work due to a collision when switching the transport direction of the work or carrying the work into a storage device.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a conveying device according to the present invention includes a plurality of end rotating bodies arranged on the upstream and downstream sides of a flexible workpiece conveying direction, a plurality of end rotating bodies, and positions in the conveying direction. An intermediate rotating body arranged differently, a plurality of conveying sections that are endlessly stretched by the end rotating body and the intermediate rotating body, and arranged opposite to each other in parallel to the conveying direction, and an end portion for each conveying section. The first moving mechanism that moves the position of one of the rotating bodies in the transport direction and the position of the intermediate rotating body in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction are moved in conjunction with the movement of the end rotating body for each transport section. And a second moving mechanism for maintaining the tension of the transport unit.

  You may further provide the auxiliary | assistant rotary body which is distribute | arranged to the outer side of a conveyance part and changes the moving direction of a conveyance part from the conveyance direction to the movement direction of an intermediate | middle rotary body.

  You may further provide the tension maintenance part which absorbs the change of the tension | tensile_strength of a conveyance part by the movement of an intermediate | middle rotary body.

  The tension maintaining unit may bias either one of the end rotating bodies to the outside of the transport unit.

  The tension maintaining unit may bias the auxiliary rotating body in a direction opposite to a resultant force of tension acting on the auxiliary rotating body from the transport unit.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, another transfer device of the present invention includes a first transfer unit that transfers a flexible workpiece in the first transfer direction, and a second transfer direction that is perpendicular to the first transfer direction. A second transport unit that transports the workpiece; a plurality of end rotating bodies that are connected to the first transport unit and arranged upstream and downstream in the first transport direction; and a plurality of end rotating bodies and the first transport direction An intermediate rotator arranged at different positions, and a plurality of conveying units that are stretched endlessly by the end rotator and the intermediate rotator and convey the workpiece, and are arranged to face each other in parallel with the first conveying direction; A first moving mechanism that moves the position of one of the end rotating bodies in the first conveying direction for each conveying section, and a position of the intermediate rotating body in a direction perpendicular to at least the first conveying direction for each conveying section. A second moving mechanism that moves and maintains the tension of the transport section. A switching unit that includes a switching unit, a second switching unit that is connected to the second transport unit and transports the workpiece in the second transport direction, and a standby position that is determined in advance at the first time point. The first switching unit is positioned in the first transport direction so that the transport surface of the first transport unit and the transport surface of the first switching unit are flush with each other, and the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism are Drive the transport unit of the first switching unit closer to the first transport unit, drive the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism at the second time point after the first time point, and move the transport unit of the first switching unit to the first time point. The second switching unit is positioned in the second transport direction so that the transport surface of the second transport unit and the transport surface of the second switching unit are flush with each other, and the first switching unit is predetermined. And a control unit positioned at the standby position.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, another transfer device of the present invention includes a first transfer unit that transfers a flexible workpiece in the first transfer direction, and a second transfer direction that is perpendicular to the first transfer direction. A second transport unit that transports the workpiece; a plurality of end rotating bodies that are connected to the second transport unit and arranged upstream and downstream in the first transport direction; and a plurality of end rotors and the second transport direction An intermediate rotator arranged at different positions, and a plurality of conveying units that are stretched endlessly by the end rotator and the intermediate rotator and convey a workpiece, and are arranged to face each other in parallel with the second conveying direction; A first moving mechanism that moves the position of one of the end rotators in the second conveying direction for each conveyance unit, and at least the first rotator in conjunction with the movement of the intermediate rotator for each conveyance unit. And a second moving mechanism that moves a position in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. A switching unit having a first switching unit and a second switching unit that is connected to the first transport unit and transports the workpiece in the first transport direction; and the first switching unit is predetermined at a first time point. The second switching unit is positioned in the first transport direction so that the transport surface of the first transport unit and the transport surface of the second switching unit are flush with each other at the standby position. At two time points, the first switching unit is positioned in the second conveyance direction so that the conveyance surface of the second conveyance unit and the conveyance surface of the first switching unit are flush with each other, and the second switching unit is set in a predetermined standby state. And a controller that drives the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism to bring the transport section of the first switching section closer to the second transport unit.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the damage of the workpiece | work by a collision can be avoided in the change of the conveyance direction of a workpiece | work, or carrying in of the workpiece | work storage apparatus.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure of the conveying apparatus in 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the 4th modification from a 1st modification. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the conveying apparatus in 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the control processing of a control part.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated. To do.

  The conveyance device of the following embodiment conveys a thin plate-like workpiece, and here, a conveyance device that conveys a flexible glass plate as a workpiece will be described.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the structure of the transport apparatus according to the first embodiment. In particular, FIG. 1A shows a top view of the transport apparatus 100, FIG. 1B shows a front view of the transport apparatus 100, and FIG. 1C shows a side view of the transport apparatus 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the conveying device 100 includes end rotating bodies 110 a and 110 b, an intermediate rotating body 112, a conveying section 114, a floating part 116, and a first moving mechanism 118. The second moving mechanism 120, the control unit 122, and the auxiliary rotating body 124 are included.

  The end rotating bodies 110a and 110b are pulleys (rotating bodies) arranged upstream and downstream in the transport direction. The intermediate rotator 112 is a pulley disposed at a position downstream of the end rotator 110a and upstream of the end rotator 110b with a different position in the transport direction from the end rotators 110a and 110b.

  Further, a plurality (two in this embodiment) of the end rotators 110a and 110b and the intermediate rotator 112 are arranged facing each other in the horizontal direction and perpendicular to the transport direction. End rotating bodies 110a and 110b and intermediate rotating body 112 rotate integrally with shafts 128a, 128b and 128c, respectively. Accordingly, the rotation shafts of the end rotators 110a and 110b and the intermediate rotator 112 are horizontal and perpendicular to the transport direction.

  In the present embodiment, one of the end rotators 110a and 110b, in the present embodiment, the end rotator 110a on the upstream side in the transport direction transmits the driving force of the driving device 130 such as a motor from the shaft 128a.

  Specifically, one end of the shaft of the driving device 130 is connected to one end of the shaft 134 via the shaft coupling 132. The shaft 134 is rotatably supported via a bearing provided on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the first support leg 136. The two first support legs 136 are opposed to each other in parallel with the facing direction of the end rotating body 110a, and are fixed upright on the base 138, respectively. The base 138 is a base of the transport device 100.

  Two pulleys 140 are attached to the inside of the two first support legs 136 facing each other in the shaft 134. The pulley 140 rotates integrally with the shaft 134. A pulley 142 is installed vertically above each pulley 140. The pulley 142 is fixed to one end of the shaft 128a and rotates together with the shaft 128a. The shaft 128 a is rotatably supported via a bearing provided on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the first support leg 136.

  A belt 144 is stretched between the pulley 140 and the pulley 142 in an endless manner. The belt 144 transmits the rotational force of the pulley 140 to the pulley 142. An end rotating body 110a is fixed to the other end of the shaft 128a, and the end rotating body 110a rotates integrally with the shaft 128a.

  The end rotating body 110a is rotated by the rotational force of the driving device 130 transmitted by such a mechanism. Here, the configuration in which one driving device 130 rotates the end rotator 110a has been described as an example. However, for example, the plurality of driving devices 130 may rotate the plurality of end rotators 110a in synchronization. In addition, here, the pulleys 140 and 142 are described as an example in which the pulleys 140 and 142 are arranged inside the facing direction of the end rotating body 110a, but may be arranged outside the facing direction of the end rotating body 110a.

  The transport unit 114 is configured by a belt, for example, and is stretched endlessly by the end rotating bodies 110a and 110b and the intermediate rotating body 112. As shown in FIG. 1 (a), a plurality (two in this embodiment) of the conveying units 114 are arranged to face each other in parallel with the conveying direction.

  And the conveyance surface of the conveyance part 114 moves to the direction of the arrow Y shown in FIG.1 (c) with rotation of the edge part rotary body 110a, and conveys a workpiece | work in the direction of the arrow X. FIG.

  The floating part 116 is composed of, for example, an ejection device that ejects compressed air, and is placed on a base 138 between a plurality of conveyance units 114 arranged in parallel with the conveyance direction. The floating portion 116 causes a gas flow upward in the vertical direction, and part of the work is levitated.

  Specifically, when the conveyance unit 114 contacts and supports the workpiece, and the floating portion 116 ejects gas (compressed air) to generate a gas flow vertically upward, the air flow between the floating portion 116 and the workpiece is reduced. Pressure increases. During the conveyance, the workpiece is supported by a vertically upward force due to the pressure of the air and a reaction force from the conveyance unit 114 against the weight of the workpiece.

  At this time, the floating portion 116 is not the dynamic pressure in the jet direction of the compressed air as the pressure of the air that supports the work, but is generated as a result of the movement of the air that tends to be dispersed in all directions in a narrow space below the work. Since static pressure is used, the work can be supported with less power.

  The first moving mechanism 118 includes a guide hole 150, an electric cylinder 154, and a rod 154a. The first moving mechanism 118 is provided for each of the plurality of transporting portions 114 facing each other, in the present embodiment, one of the end rotators 110a and 110b, in the transport direction of the end rotator 110b on the downstream side in the transport direction. Move position.

  Specifically, the second support leg 148 is fixed upright on the base 138 on the downstream side in the transport direction of each of the first support legs 136. In the upper part of the second support leg 148, a guide hole 150 that is a hole penetrating in the direction opposite to the transport unit 114 and extending in the transport direction is provided.

  One end of the shaft 128b is fixed to the end rotating body 110b and rotates together with the shaft 128b. The other end of the shaft 128b is inserted into the guide hole 150 so as to be movable in the transport direction. The electric cylinder 154 is arranged with the expansion / contraction direction parallel to the conveyance direction, and the tip of the rod 154a is fixed to a rotating ring (not shown). The rotating ring is fixed to the shaft 128b so as to be rotatable relative to the shaft 128b. The electric cylinder 154 moves the shaft 128b in the transport direction via the rotating ring in accordance with control of the control unit 122 described later.

  As long as the 1st moving mechanism 118 is the structure which can move the edge part rotary body 110b to a conveyance direction, it can adopt various existing techniques, and it cannot be overemphasized that it is not restricted to the structure mentioned above.

  The second moving mechanism 120 includes a guide hole 158, an electric cylinder 160, and a rod 160a. The second moving mechanism 120 moves the position of the intermediate rotating body 112 at least in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction in conjunction with the movement of the end rotation bodies 110a and 110b for each of the plurality of transport sections 114 facing each other. Maintain tension.

  Specifically, the third support leg 156 is fixed upright on the base 138 between the first support leg 136 and the second support leg 148. In the upper part of the third support leg 156, a guide hole 158 which is a hole penetrating in the direction opposite to the transport unit 114 and extending in the vertical direction is provided.

  One end of a shaft 128c is fixed to the intermediate rotating body 112, and rotates integrally with the shaft 128c. The other end of the shaft 128c is inserted into the guide hole 158 so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The electric cylinder 160 has a telescopic direction along the vertical direction, and the tip of the rod 160a is fixed to a rotating ring (not shown). The rotating ring is fixed to the shaft 128c so as to be rotatable relative to the shaft 128c. The electric cylinder 160 moves the shaft 128c in the vertical direction via the rotating ring in accordance with the control of the control unit 122.

  As long as the 2nd moving mechanism 120 is the structure which can move the intermediate | middle rotary body 112 to a perpendicular direction, various existing techniques can be employ | adopted and it cannot be overemphasized that it is not restricted to the structure mentioned above.

  When the control unit 122 extends the conveyance unit 114 to the downstream side in the conveyance direction and carries the workpiece to the downstream device, the control unit 122 moves the end rotating body 110b to the downstream side in the conveyance direction by the first moving mechanism 118. Meanwhile, the intermediate rotating body 112 is moved upward in the vertical direction by the second moving mechanism 120 in conjunction with the movement of the end rotating body 110b.

  The control unit 122 transports the end rotating body 110b by the first moving mechanism 118 when the work unit 114 is unloaded to the downstream side device in the transport direction and then the transport unit 114 is shortened upstream and returned to the original position. The intermediate rotating body 112 is moved downward in the vertical direction by the second moving mechanism 120 in conjunction with the movement of the end rotating body 110b while being moved upstream in the direction.

  In the transport apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, the second moving mechanism 120 maintains the tension of the transport unit 114, and the first moving mechanism 118 can change the length of the transport unit 114 in the transport direction (the length of the transport surface). To do. For this reason, when transferring workpieces, the transfer unit 114 of the transfer device 100 can be brought close to the transfer unit of another transfer device connected to the transfer device 100, and the transfer unit of the other transfer device and the transfer of the workpiece. The impact caused by the collision with the tip of the direction can be suppressed as much as possible, and damage to the workpiece can be avoided.

  In addition, when a work is carried into a storage device connected to the transport device 100, the transport unit 114 of the transport device 100 can be brought close to the work placement surface of the storage device, and the work surface and the work can be transported. The impact caused by the collision with the tip of the direction can be suppressed as much as possible, and damage to the workpiece can be avoided.

  The auxiliary rotating bodies 124 are fixed to one ends of the shafts 128d and 128e, respectively, and rotate integrally with the shafts 128d and 128e. The shafts 128d and 128e are rotatably supported through bearings provided on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole of the fourth support leg 162. The fourth support legs 162 are fixed upright on the base 138 on the upstream side and the downstream side in the transport direction of the third support legs 156.

  The auxiliary rotator 124 is arranged outside the transport unit 114, and functions as a tension roller that changes the moving direction of the transport unit 114 from the transport direction to the moving direction of the intermediate rotator 112, in this embodiment, the vertical direction. To do.

  With the configuration including the auxiliary rotating body 124, the control unit 122 can equalize the moving amount of the end rotating body 110 a and the moving amount of the intermediate rotating body 112, and easily perform control to maintain the tension of the transport unit 114. It is possible to carry out with simple linear control.

(First modification)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the first to fourth modifications, and is a side view corresponding to FIG. 2 (a) shows a first modification, FIG. 2 (b) shows a second modification, FIG. 2 (c) shows a third modification, and FIG. 2 (d) The 4th modification is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, in the first modification, the transport apparatus 100 further includes a tension maintaining unit 222. The tension maintaining unit 222 is an elastic member such as a spring, for example, and one end is fixed to a rotating ring (not shown). The rotating ring is fixed to the shaft 128a so as to be rotatable relative to the shaft 128a. The other end of the tension maintaining unit 222 is fixed to the first support leg 236 and is arranged so that the expansion and contraction direction is parallel to the transport direction. ) Is urged to the outside of the conveyance unit 114.

  As with the second support leg 148, the first support leg 236 is provided with a guide hole 236a, which is a hole penetrating in the direction facing the transport unit 114 and extending in the transport direction, and the shaft 128a is a guide. The hole 236a is inserted so as to be movable in the transport direction.

  Then, the tension maintaining unit 222 biases the end rotating body 110a to the upstream side in the transport direction via the shaft 128a. The tension maintaining unit 222 absorbs a change in the tension of the transport unit 114 due to the movement of the intermediate rotating body 112. For example, when an error occurs in the movement timing or movement amount of the end rotator 110b and the intermediate rotator 112 and the transport unit 114 is slack, the end rotator 110a is urged by the tension maintaining unit 222. The tension of the part 114 is maintained by the urging force of the tension maintaining part 222.

  Thus, with the configuration including the tension maintaining unit 222, the transport device 100 can stably maintain the tension of the transport unit 114. Further, the transport device 100 can stabilize the tension of the transport unit 114 with a simple configuration such as a spring, and can be manufactured at low cost.

(Second modification)
As shown in FIG. 2B, in the second modification, the tension maintaining unit 322 is attached to the auxiliary rotating body 124 in a direction opposite to the resultant tension force acting on the auxiliary rotating body 124 from the transport unit 114. Rush.

  The tension maintaining unit 322 is an elastic member such as a spring, for example, and one end thereof is fixed to a rotating ring (not shown). The rotating ring is fixed to the shafts 128d and 128e so as to be rotatable relative to the shafts 128d and 128e. The other end of the tension maintaining unit 322 is fixed to the fourth support leg 366.

  As with the second support leg 148, the fourth support leg 366 is provided with a guide hole (not shown) that penetrates in the opposite direction of the transport unit 114 and extends in the resultant force direction on the upper part, and the shaft 128d, 128e is inserted so that the guide hole can move in the resultant force direction.

  Then, the tension maintaining unit 322 biases the auxiliary rotating body 124 in a direction opposite to the resultant tension force acting on the auxiliary rotating body 124 from the transport unit 114.

  With this configuration, even when there is no space for placing the tension maintaining unit 222 inside the transport unit 114, the tension maintaining unit 322 can apply a biasing force to the auxiliary rotating body 124 from the outside of the transport unit 114. The tension maintaining unit 322 absorbs changes in the tension of the transport unit 114 due to the movement of the intermediate rotating body 112.

(Third Modification and Fourth Modification)
As shown in FIG. 2C, in the third modification, the electric cylinder 154 of the first movement mechanism 118 and the electric cylinder 160 of the second movement mechanism 120 are integrally formed with respect to the first modification. The difference is that an electric cylinder 400 is provided.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2D, in the fourth modification, the electric cylinder 154 of the first movement mechanism 118 and the electric cylinder 160 of the second movement mechanism 120 are formed integrally with the second modification. The difference is that an electric cylinder 400 is provided.

  The electric cylinder 400 includes a rod 400a that expands and contracts in the transport direction and a rod 400b that expands and contracts in the vertical direction, and moves the shaft 128a in the transport direction and moves the shaft 128c in the vertical direction. Further, the rod 400a and the rod 400b have a structure in which the expansion / contraction timing and the expansion / contraction amount are synchronized.

  In this way, the configuration using the electric cylinder 400 in which the electric cylinder 154 and the electric cylinder 160 are integrally formed and the rods 400a and 400b extend and contract in synchronization with each other causes the transfer device 100 to be caused by the synchronization deviation of the expansion and contraction of the rods 400a and 400b. It is possible to suppress unintended fluctuations in the tension of the transport unit 114 that performs the above operation.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a transport apparatus 500 according to the second embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the transport apparatus 500 includes a first transport unit 510, a second transport unit 512, a switching unit 514, and a control unit 516.

  The first transport unit 510 transports the workpiece in the first transport direction (indicated by an arrow X1 in FIG. 3). The second transport unit 512 transports the workpiece in a second transport direction (indicated by an arrow X2 in FIG. 3) that is perpendicular to the first transport direction.

  In the second embodiment, a switching unit 514 including the same components as those of the transport apparatus 100 described in the first embodiment is used. That is, the switching unit 514 includes the end rotating bodies 110a and 110b, the intermediate rotating body 112, the floating part 116, the first moving mechanism 118, the second moving mechanism 120, the control unit 122, and the auxiliary rotating body 124. It is comprised including.

  However, the transport unit 114 of the transport apparatus 100 is replaced with the first switching unit 520, and the first switching unit 520 can be extended upstream in the first transport direction by the first moving mechanism 118 and the second moving mechanism 120. It becomes.

  Since the function of each part in this configuration is substantially the same as the function of each part already described as a component in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given here and redundant description is omitted. In order to facilitate understanding, the detailed configuration of the switching unit 514 is not shown in the drawings after FIG.

  The switching unit 514 further includes the first switching unit 520 and the second switching unit 522 described above. The first switching unit 520 is connected to the first transport unit 510 and transports the workpiece in a first transport direction that is the same transport direction as the first transport unit 510. The second switching unit 522 is connected to the second transport unit 512 and transports the workpiece in the second transport direction that is the same transport direction as the second transport unit 512.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the control process of the control unit 516. FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (4) are views of the switching unit 514 in FIG. Shown in time series until e).

  The control unit 516 positions the second switching unit 522 at a predetermined standby position (position of the second switching unit 522 shown in FIG. 4A) at the first time point. Further, the control unit 516 positions the first switching unit 520 in the first conveyance direction of the first conveyance unit 510 so that the conveyance surface of the first conveyance unit 510 and the conveyance surface of the first switching unit 520 are flush with each other. Let

  Then, the control unit 516 drives the second moving mechanism 120 and the first moving mechanism 118 to bring the transport unit 114 of the first switching unit 520 closer to the first transport unit 510 as shown in FIG. In this state, the workpiece W is transferred from the first transfer unit 510 to the first switching unit 520.

  Subsequently, the control unit 516 stops the movement of the first switching unit 520 at a second time point after the first time point (after the transfer of the workpiece W is completed). Then, the control unit 516 drives the second moving mechanism 120 and the first moving mechanism 118 to move the first switching unit 520 away from the first transport unit 510 as shown in FIG.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4 (d), the control unit 516 drives the electric cylinder 522 a to raise the second switching unit 522, thereby conveying the second conveying unit 512 and the second switching unit 522. The second switching unit 522 is positioned in the transport direction of the second transport unit 512 so that the two are in a flush state. At this time, the second switching unit 522 on the first transport unit 510 side is located between the first transport unit 510 and the first switching unit 520.

  Subsequently, the control unit 516 drives the electric cylinder 520a to lower the first switching unit 520 and move it to the standby position (the position of the first switching unit 520 shown in FIG. 4E), and the first switching unit 520. And work W are separated. The workpiece W is transported toward the second transport unit 512 by the second switching unit 522.

  As described above, in the transport apparatus 500 of this embodiment, the control unit 516 moves the heights of the first switching unit 520 and the second switching unit 522 in accordance with the transport surface of the transport unit that transports the workpiece W. Therefore, the transfer device 500 can switch the transfer direction of the workpiece W without changing the height of the workpiece W during transfer.

  Further, the first transport unit 510 of the transport device 500 is configured so that the second moving mechanism 120 maintains the tension of the transport unit 114 and the first moving mechanism 118 makes the length of the transport unit 114 in the transport direction variable. Only when the workpiece W is transferred, the transport unit 114 can be brought closer to the first switching unit 520, and the transport unit 114 can be retracted when the second switching unit 522 is raised. In this way, the transfer device 500 can suppress the impact caused by the collision between the switching unit 514 and the tip portion of the work W in the transfer direction as much as possible when switching the transfer direction of the work W, and can avoid damage to the work W.

  In the switching unit 514 of the second embodiment described above, the configuration in which the first switching unit 520 is positioned in the first transport direction of the first transport unit 510 and extends in the first transport direction is taken as an example. However, the switching unit 514 may be configured such that the first switching unit 520 is positioned in the second transport direction of the second transport unit 512 and extends in the second transport direction. At this time, the control unit 516 positions the first switching unit 520 at a predetermined standby position at the first time point so that the conveyance surface of the first conveyance unit 510 and the conveyance surface of the second switching unit 522 are flush with each other. The second switching unit 522 is positioned in the first transport direction so that the second transport unit 512 and the transport surface of the first switching unit 520 face each other at a second time point after the first time point. The first switching unit 520 is positioned in the second transport direction, the second switching unit 522 is positioned at a predetermined standby position, and the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism are driven to perform the first switching. The conveyance unit 114 of the unit 520 is brought close to the second conveyance unit 512.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Is done.

  For example, in the second embodiment, the switching unit 514 has exemplified a configuration in which both the first switching unit 520 and the second switching unit 522 can be moved up and down. However, even if the transport surface of the second transport unit 512 is set lower than the transport surface of the first transport unit 510 and the transport surface of the second switching unit 522 is fixed at the same height as the transport surface of the second transport unit 512. Good. Then, after the workpiece W is placed on the first switching unit 520 in which the conveyance surface is positioned at the same height as the conveyance surface of the first conveyance unit 510, the conveyance surface of the first switching unit 520 is the second switching unit 522. The workpiece W is transferred from the first switching unit 520 to the second switching unit 522, and is transferred from the second switching unit to the second transfer unit 512 in a state where the transfer surface is lowered. Become.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a transport device that transports a relatively thin plate glass or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100, 500 ... Conveying apparatus 110a, 110b ... End rotating body 112 ... Intermediate | middle rotating body 114 ... Conveying part 118 ... 1st moving mechanism 120 ... 2nd moving mechanism 124 ... Auxiliary rotating body 222, 322 ... Tension maintenance part 510 ... 1st 1 conveyance unit 512 ... 2nd conveyance unit 514 ... switching unit 516 ... control part 520 ... 1st switching part 522 ... 2nd switching part W ... work

Claims (7)

A plurality of end rotating bodies arranged upstream and downstream in the conveying direction of the workpiece having flexibility;
An intermediate rotator arranged at different positions in the transport direction from the plurality of end rotators, and
A plurality of transporting sections that are stretched endlessly by the end rotating body and the intermediate rotating body, and are arranged to face each other in parallel with the transporting direction;
A first moving mechanism for moving the position of one of the end rotating bodies in the transport direction for each transport unit;
A second moving mechanism that moves the position of the intermediate rotating body in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction in conjunction with the movement of the end rotating body for each conveying section, and maintains the tension of the conveying section;
A conveying device comprising:   The transport apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary rotator that is arranged outside the transport unit and changes a moving direction of the transport unit from a transport direction to a moving direction of the intermediate rotator.   The transport apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a tension maintaining unit that absorbs a change in tension of the transport unit due to the movement of the intermediate rotating body.   The transport apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the tension maintaining unit biases the other of the end rotating bodies to the outside of the transport unit.   The transport apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the tension maintaining unit urges the auxiliary rotating body in a direction opposite to a resultant force of tension acting on the auxiliary rotating body from the transport unit. A first transport unit for transporting a flexible workpiece in the first transport direction;
A second transport unit for transporting a workpiece in a second transport direction perpendicular to the first transport direction;
A plurality of end rotators that are connected to the first transport unit and are arranged upstream and downstream in the first transport direction, and are arranged at different positions in the first transport direction from the plurality of end rotators. The intermediate rotating body, the end rotating body and the intermediate rotating body that are stretched endlessly to transport the work, and a plurality of transporting sections that are opposed to each other in parallel with the first transporting direction, and the transporting A first moving mechanism that moves the position of one of the end rotating bodies in the first conveying direction for each section, and a direction perpendicular to at least the first conveying direction of the intermediate rotating body for each of the conveying sections. A second switching mechanism that has a second moving mechanism that maintains the tension of the transfer unit, and a second switching unit that is connected to the second transfer unit and transfers the workpiece in the second transfer direction. A switching unit having a switching unit,
At the first time point, the second switching unit is positioned at a predetermined standby position, and the first switching is performed so that the conveyance surface of the first conveyance unit and the conveyance surface of the first switching unit are flush with each other. The first movement mechanism and the second movement mechanism are driven to bring the conveyance section of the first switching unit closer to the first conveyance unit and after the first time point. At a second time point, the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism are driven to move the conveying unit of the first switching unit away from the first conveying unit, and the conveying surface of the second conveying unit and the second switching unit A control unit that positions the second switching unit in the second conveyance direction and positions the first switching unit at a predetermined standby position so that the conveyance surface is flush with the conveyance surface;
A conveying device comprising: A first transport unit for transporting a flexible workpiece in the first transport direction;
A second transport unit for transporting a workpiece in a second transport direction perpendicular to the first transport direction;
A plurality of end rotators that are connected to the second transport unit and are arranged upstream and downstream in the first transport direction, and are arranged at different positions in the second transport direction from the plurality of end rotators. The intermediate rotating body, the end rotating body and the intermediate rotating body that are stretched endlessly and transport a workpiece, and are arranged opposite to each other in parallel with the second transport direction, and the transport A first moving mechanism that moves the position of any one of the end rotating bodies in the second transport direction for each section, and the intermediate rotating body in conjunction with the movement of the intermediate rotating body for each transport section. A second switching mechanism that moves at least a position in a direction perpendicular to the second transport direction; and a first switching unit that is connected to the first transport unit and transports a workpiece in the first transport direction. A switching unit having two switching units;
At the first time point, the first switching unit is positioned at a predetermined standby position, and the second switching is performed so that the conveyance surface of the first conveyance unit and the conveyance surface of the second switching unit are flush with each other. The second transfer unit is positioned in the first transfer direction so that the transfer surface of the second transfer unit and the transfer surface of the first switching unit are flush with each other at a second time point after the first time point. The first switching unit is positioned in the second transport direction, the second switching unit is positioned at a predetermined standby position, and the first moving mechanism and the second moving mechanism are driven to drive the first switching unit. A control unit that brings the transport unit closer to the second transport unit;
A conveying device comprising:

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