JP2017222490A - Pallet carrying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pallet carrying device that even if a pallet rail is made to incline with respect to a horizontal surface, allows a pallet to be easily moved from an end part of the rail and the pallet to be easily moved to the inclined pallet rail.SOLUTION: A pallet carrying device 10 comprises: a plurality of pallet rails 21, 31 and 36 on which is movably mounted a pallet 11; pallet feeding means 41, 51 and 56 which carry the pallet along the pallet rails; short rails 62, one ends of which oscillate as rotation shafts O; and oscillation members 63, provided in the other ends of the oscillation members, which move in a semi circle shape or a circular arch shape accompanying oscillation of the oscillation members. The pallet moving means 61 comprises the oscillation members 62, one ends of which oscillate as rotation shafts and the short rails 63 provided in a tangential direction in the other ends of the oscillation members 62 which move in the semi-circle shape or the circular arch-shape. The short rails 63 incline along orthogonal surfaces in a radius of the oscillation of the oscillation members 62.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a pallet conveying device that movably mounts a plurality of pallets on a pallet rail and conveys workpieces and the like mounted on the pallet along the pallet rail.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a transport device that transports a workpiece in a production line and that performs a predetermined process on the workpiece at a transport destination. The applicant has proposed a pallet transport device that transports a plurality of pallets on which workpieces are placed on a machine tool so as to circulate on a track-shaped track composed of two straight portions and two curves connecting them. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In this transport device, the first and second pallet rails extending in parallel with each other, and the first and second pallets for transporting the pallets mounted on the first and second pallet rails along the first and second pallet rails. A plurality of pallets are moved from the edge of the first or second pallet rail to the second or first by moving in a semicircular manner between the feeding means and the two positions facing the both ends of the first and second pallet rails. Pallet moving means for moving to the pallet rail.

  In such a conventional circulation type pallet conveying device, the pallet mounted and conveyed on the first or second pallet rail by the first or second pallet feeding means is made semicircular from the edge by the pallet moving means. A plurality of pallets are moved by connecting to the edge of the second or first pallet rail, moving the pallet to the second or first pallet rail by the second or first pallet feeding means, and mounting again. It is designed to circulate in a track-type orbit.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2011-93032 (FIG. 11)

  As described above, the conventional circulating pallet transport device includes the first and second pallet rails extending in parallel to each other. However, in recent years, it has been required to provide a plurality of pallet rails so that their extension lines intersect rather than in parallel. In addition, there is a demand that the pallet rail is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane and the pallet is conveyed obliquely downward or obliquely upward.

  For this reason, using the pallet moving means in the conventional pallet conveying device, the pallet reaching the end of one pallet rail is provided so as to intersect with the pallet rail or inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. It is conceivable to move to the end of the other pallet rail.

  However, the pallet feeding means in the conventional pallet conveying device conveys the pallet along the pallet rail, and the pallet feeding means is related to the pallet when it reaches the end of the pallet rail and is moved by the pallet moving means. It is not allowed to combine, and it is necessary that the pallet can be reliably moved semicircularly by the pallet moving means from the end.

  In other words, the pallet feeding means in the conventional pallet conveying device conveys the pallet mounted on the pallet rail along the pallet rail. However, when the pallet reaches the end, the pallet feeding means is engaged with the pallet. It is necessary to cancel the match. Therefore, the pallet feeding means cannot move the pallet at the end of the pallet rail.

  However, in the pallet feeding means incapable of moving the pallet reaching the end of the pallet rail, the pallet moved from the end and connected to the edge of the other pallet rail is moved again to the pallet rail. This also makes it difficult to quickly move the pallet from one pallet rail to the other pallet rail.

  Moreover, even if the horizontal pallet transported by the horizontal pallet rail is moved to the end of the inclined pallet rail, it is not allowed to be mounted on the inclined pallet rail in the horizontal state, and the pallet rail is inclined. In some cases, it is difficult to move the pallet to the inclined pallet rail or to move the pallet from the inclined pallet rail.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a pallet transport device capable of moving a pallet from the end of the inclined pallet rail and moving the pallet to the inclined pallet rail even when the pallet rail is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. It is to provide.

  Another object of the present invention is to ensure that the pallet is moved from the end of one pallet rail and moved again to the other pallet rail after moving to the end of the other pallet rail. It is to provide a pallet transport device to obtain.

  The present invention includes a plurality of pallet rails on which pallets are movably mounted, a pallet feeding means for transporting the pallets along the pallet rails, and one of the plurality of pallet rails provided at the end of the plurality of pallet rails. This is an improvement of the pallet transport device provided with pallet moving means for moving a pallet mounted on the pallet rail to the other pallet rail.

  In the characteristic configuration, the pallet moving means includes a swing member that swings around one end as a rotation shaft, and a short rail that is provided tangentially to the other end of the swing member that moves in a semicircle or arc shape. The short rail is inclined along the plane orthogonal to the rocking radius of the rocking member.

  In this case, it is preferable that the plurality of pallet rails include one or more inclined pallet rails inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, and the pallet feeding means is preferably provided along the horizontal or inclined direction of the pallet rails. More preferably, they are provided at regular intervals, at right intervals, or at a right angle or at a predetermined angle.

  The pallet moving means further includes a pallet feed assisting means for moving the pallet from the pallet rail to the short rail or a pallet mounted on the short rail to the pallet rail, and an elevating means for lowering and raising the pallet feed assisting means. It is preferable that the swing of the swing member is allowed by lowering the pallet feed assisting means.

  On the other hand, the pallet feed assisting means includes an auxiliary circulation belt which is provided with concavo-convex portions extending in the width direction alternately and continuously formed in the longitudinal direction, and is provided endlessly along the end of the pallet rail and the short rail continuous thereto. When the pallet feed assisting means is raised, the unevenness of the pallet is engaged with the unevenness of the pallet and the pallet is moved by circulation of the auxiliary circulation belt. It can also be configured such that when the pallet feed assisting means is lowered, the unevenness is separated from the unevenness.

  In this case, an auxiliary rail provided on the same straight line of the pallet rail and along the pallet feed assisting means so as to be continuous with the end of the pallet rail, and a first position where the auxiliary rail is continuous with the end of the pallet rail, It is preferable to further include auxiliary rail elevating means for elevating between a second position below the first position, and the auxiliary rail has a fulcrum at an end near the pallet rail, and the other end of the fulcrum serves as a rotation axis. It can also be moved up and down.

  In the pallet carrying device of the present invention, the short rail is inclined along the plane orthogonal to the rocking radius of the rocking member, so that the horizontal pallet conveyed to the short rail by the horizontal pallet rail is If the pallet is tilted together with the short rail after being moved to the end of the tilted pallet rail, the pallet can be moved and mounted on the tilted pallet rail. For this reason, in the present invention, even if the pallet rail is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, the pallet can be moved from the end of the inclined pallet rail and the pallet can be moved to the inclined pallet rail. It becomes.

  On the other hand, the pallet moving means includes a pallet feeding auxiliary means for moving the pallet from the pallet rail to the short rail or moving the pallet mounted on the short rail to the pallet rail, and an elevating means for lowering and raising the pallet feeding auxiliary means. If swinging of the swinging member is allowed by lowering the pallet feed assisting means, even if the pallet feed assisting means engages with the pallet mounted on the short rail, the pallet feed assisting means The engagement between the pallet and the pallet feed assisting means can be canceled by lowering the assisting means and allowing the swinging member to swing. By swinging the swinging member, the pallet mounted on the short rail at the other end of the swinging member can be moved in a semicircular or arcuate manner to the other pallet rail.

  When the pallet feed assisting means is raised, the pallet feed assisting means is re-engaged with the pallet mounted on the short rail. From the short rail connected to the pallet, the pallet can be moved again to the other pallet rail. This makes it possible to reliably move the pallet from the end of one pallet rail and move the pallet again to the other pallet rail after moving to the end of the other pallet rail. .

  In the present invention, since the pallet feed assisting means is raised and lowered, the pallet and the pallet feed assisting means can be engaged and released with less power, and the structure is relatively simple compared to when raising and lowering the workpiece. It can be made. As a result, it is possible to avoid an increase in the unit price of the pallet transport device according to the present invention.

It is a top view of the pallet conveying apparatus of this invention embodiment. It is the front view which looked at the pallet conveying apparatus from the A direction of FIG. It is the reverse view which looked at the pallet conveying apparatus from the B direction of FIG. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. It is the top view which looked at the pallet used for the conveyance apparatus from the C direction of FIG. It is the BB sectional drawing of FIG. 1 which shows the pallet moving means. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 6 which shows the state which lowered | hung the pallet feed auxiliary | assistance means by the raising / lowering means. It is the DD sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 11 which shows the pallet moving means. It is the EE sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 12 which shows the state which inclined the short rail. It is a top view which shows the state which conveys the pallet and reaches even the edge part of a 1st pallet rail. It is a top view corresponding to FIG. 10 which shows the state which mounted the pallet in the short rail from the edge part of the 1st pallet rail. It is a figure corresponding to Drawing 10 which shows the state where the rocking member was rocked with the pallet carried in the short rail. It is a top view corresponding to FIG. 10 which shows the state which moved the pallet mounted in the short rail continuous with a 2nd pallet rail to the 3rd pallet rail. It is a top view of another pallet conveying apparatus in which three pallet rails are provided at right angles and an auxiliary rail is provided between an intermediate pallet rail and a short rail continuous therewith. It is the FF sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 14 which shows the state which the auxiliary rail went up and continued to the pallet rail. FIG. 16 is a view corresponding to FIG. 15 illustrating a state in which the auxiliary rail is lowered and the swing member is allowed to swing. It is sectional drawing corresponding to FIG. 15 which shows the state which followed the pallet rail via the auxiliary rail which the short rail inclined and raised.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a pallet conveying apparatus 10 according to the present invention. In each figure, three axes X, Y, and Z orthogonal to each other are set, the X axis extends in a substantially horizontal lateral direction, the Y axis extends in a substantially horizontal front-rear direction, and the Z axis extends in a vertical direction. The configuration will be described.

  The pallet transporting device 10 movably mounts a pallet 11 on which a work (not shown, the same applies hereinafter) is mounted on a plurality of pallet rails 21, 31, 36, and the pallet 11 is mounted on the pallet rails 21, 31, 36. 36 is a pallet conveying apparatus 10 that conveys along the 36.

  The pallet transport device 10 according to the present embodiment is a plurality of pallet rails on which the pallet 11 is movably mounted, and extends in the horizontal horizontal direction (X-axis direction) with a predetermined interval in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). (FIG. 2) The first pallet rail 21 and the second pallet rail 31 provided in parallel with each other, and provided in parallel with a predetermined gap in the horizontal front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) in the top view. A case will be described in which a third pallet rail 36 is provided which is inclined with respect to the first pallet rail 21 with one end facing the one end of the first pallet rail 21 and the other end facing the other end of the second pallet rail 31 (FIG. 3).

  Since the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, and 36 have the same structure, the first pallet rail 21 that extends in the horizontal direction will be described as a representative example. As shown in detail in FIGS. 4 and 5, a support plate 22 that is directly fixed on the gantry 9 and a commercially available product fixed to the upper edge of the support plate 22 by screws. A linear motion guide rail 23 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a horizontal substrate 8 is provided above the first pallet rail 21, and a support plate 22 in the second pallet rail 31 is provided on the substrate 8. Thereby, the 1st pallet rail 21 and the 2nd pallet rail 31 shall be provided in parallel mutually with a predetermined space | interval in the perpendicular direction. The substrate 8 is attached to the gantry 9 via a column 8a.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the gantry 9 that is spaced from the gantry 9 in the horizontal front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) in a top view is inclined with respect to the horizontal upper surface of the gantry 9. 7 and the support plate 22 in the third pallet rail 36 is provided on the inclined plate 7. Thereby, the third pallet rail 36 that is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, has one end opposed to one end of the first pallet rail 21 and the other end opposed to the other end of the second pallet rail 31, via the inclined plate 7. It is attached to the gantry 9.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pallet 11 mounted on the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, 36 straddles the linear motion guide rail 23 and the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, 36. The linear motion block 12 is configured to be movable on the top, a base 13 screwed to the linear motion block 12, and a locking member 14 provided on the base 13.

  The linear motion block 12 is a commercially available product sold as a pair with the linear motion guide rail 23, and preferably includes a roller retainer (not shown). By using the linear motion block 12 provided with this roller retainer, the pallet 11 is prevented from moving in the width direction and tilting in the width direction with respect to the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, and 36. The resistance to move on the pallet rails 21, 31, and 36 can be remarkably reduced.

  On one side of the pedestal 13, a mounting tool (not shown; the same applies hereinafter) for mounting a workpiece is provided on the upper surface. The linear motion block 12 is fixed to the other side of the pedestal 13, and the locking member 14 is provided on the pedestal 13 between the linear motion block 12 and the mounting tool.

  In this manner, the linear motion block 12 fixed to the other side of the base 13 is supported so as to be movable across the linear motion guide rails 23 in the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, and 36. Thus, the pallet 11 is mounted movably on the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31 in a horizontal state, and is movably mounted on the third pallet rail 36 at an inclination equal to the inclination angle with respect to the horizontal plane. become.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the pallet transport device 10 of the present invention includes pallet feeding means 41, 51, and 56 that transport the pallet 11 along the pallet rails 21, 31, and 36.

  In this embodiment, the first pallet feeding means 41 for conveying the pallet 11 mounted on the first pallet rail 21 along the first pallet rail 21 and the pallet 11 mounted on the second pallet rail 21 are The second pallet feeding means 51 for conveying along the second pallet rail 31 and the third pallet feeding means 56 for conveying the pallet 11 mounted on the third pallet rail 36 along the third pallet rail 36 (FIG. 1). ) Is shown.

  These pallet feeding means 41, 51, 56 are provided along the horizontal or inclined direction of the pallet rails 21, 31, 36, and the first to third pallet feeding means 41, 51, 51 in this embodiment. Reference numeral 56 denotes the same structure, and the first pallet feeding means 41 will be described below as a representative.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first pallet feeding means 41 is configured to be able to engage with the pallet 11 and is provided endlessly along the first pallet rail 21 and circulates, and the circulation belt 42. And a circulation mechanism 43 (FIG. 2) for circulating the belt.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the support plate 22 of the first pallet rail 21 is provided with driven pulleys 44 at its four corners, and the circulation belt 42 is wound around the four driven pulleys 44.

  The support plate 22 is provided with a servo motor 43 as a circulation mechanism for circulating the circulation belt 42, and a drive pulley 45 is attached to the rotation shaft 43a. The drive pulley 45 is provided on the same plane as the four driven pulleys 44, and in the vicinity of the drive pulley 45, a pair of turning pulleys that turn the circulation belt 42 around the drive pulley 45 so that the circulation belt 42 is wound around the drive pulley 45. 46 is pivotally supported on the support plate 22.

  When the servo motor 43 is driven by a command from a controller (not shown), the rotary shaft 43a rotates with the drive pulley 45, and the circulating belt 42 wound around the drive pulley 45 circulates in a state of surrounding the four driven pulleys 44. Configured as follows.

  The circulation belt 42 is a so-called toothed belt. As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 2, the circulation belt 42 is a belt in which unevenness 42a and 42b extending in the width direction are alternately continued in the longitudinal direction, and the unevenness 14a that can be engaged with the unevenness 42a and 42b. , 14 b are formed on the pallet 11. The irregularities 14 a and 14 b are formed on the locking member 14 constituting the pallet 11.

  The locking member 14 provided on the same lower side as the linear motion block 12 is configured to overlap and engage with the circulation belt 42. That is, when the circulation belt 42 is superposed on the locking member 14, the irregularities 42 a and 42 b formed on the circulation belt 42 are engaged with the irregularities 14 a and 14 b formed on the engagement member 14, so that When the locking member 14 is lifted and separated, the engagement between the irregularities 42a and 42b of the circulation belt 42 and the irregularities 14a and 14b of the locking member 14 is released.

  When the irregularities 14a and 14b on the pallet 11 are engaged with the irregularities 42a and 42b of the circulation belt 42, movement of the pallet 11 independent of the circulation belt 42 in the X-axis direction is prohibited. Accordingly, when the servo motor 43 is driven to circulate the circulation belt 42 with which the pallet 11 is engaged, the pallet 11 moves together with the circulation belt 42, and the first to third pallet rails 21 along which the circulation belt 42 follows. , 31 and 36, the pallet 11 is conveyed.

  Here, reference numeral 47 in FIG. 2 is a support member 47 that prevents the circulation belt 42 between the driven pulleys 44 from loosening and prevents the circulation belt 42 from being separated from the locking member 14. An attachment 48 for attaching the support member 47 to the support plate 22 is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 1, pallet moving means 61 is provided between one end of the first and third pallet rails 21 and 36 and between the other end of the second and third pallet rails 31 and 36, respectively. The pallet moving means 61 moves the pallet 11 between the one ends of the first and third pallet rails 21 and 36 and moves the pallet 11 between the other ends of the second and third pallet rails 31 and 36. It is to be moved.

  These pallet moving means 61 have the same structure. The pallet moving means 61 includes a swinging member 62 that swings around one end as a rotating shaft, and a semicircular or arcuate movement of the swinging member 62. Short rails 63 provided in the tangential direction at the ends are provided respectively. The oscillating member 62 in these pallet moving means 61 is located on an intermediate line m between the first and third pallet rails 21 and 36 provided at a predetermined interval in a top view as shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. Can be swung with the vertical axis as a rotation axis at one end.

  On the other hand, the platform 9 and the substrate 8 are provided with an actuator 64 for swinging the swing member 62. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the actuator 64 in this embodiment has a rotating rod 64b that protrudes upward from a substantially central portion of the upper surface of a main body 64a having a rectangular box shape with a vertical line as a rotation axis O. The rotating shaft 64 of the rotating rod 64b is positioned on the vertical axis on the intermediate line m of the first and third pallet rails 21 and 36, and the main body 64a is attached to the gantry 9 and the substrate 8 (FIG. 2). Show the case.

  The swinging member 62 is fixed to the upper end of the rotating rod 64b in the horizontal state with one end screwed, and the actuator 64 can rotate the rotating rod 64b forward and backward within 180 degrees by the fluid pressure supplied to and discharged from the main body 64a. As shown by the solid arrow in FIG. 12, the swing member 62 is configured to swing about one end as the rotation axis O.

  On the other hand, the short rail 63 is provided to extend in the tangential direction to the other end of the swinging member 62 constituting the pallet moving means 61 that moves in a semicircle or arc shape.

  In this embodiment, the case where the short rail 63 is provided at the other end of the swing member 62 via the motor 65 which is a short rail tilting means is illustrated. Specifically, the main body 65 b of the motor 65 is attached to the other end of the swing member 62 in a state where the rotation shaft 65 a of the motor 65 is aligned with the outer side of the swing member 62 in the swing radius direction.

  The short rail 63 is the same as the linear motion guide rail 23 in the first to third pallet rails 21, 31 and 36. The length W (FIG. 1) of the short rail 63 is formed to be the same as or longer than the length L (FIG. 1) in the conveying direction of the pallet 11, and the short rail 63 is connected to the motor via the mounting plate 66. It is attached to 65 rotating shafts 65a. Specifically, the short rail 63 is connected to the rotating shaft 65a of the motor 65 so that the length of the swinging member 62 from the rotating shaft O is half the distance between the first and third pallet rails 21 and 36. Mounted orthogonally.

  Thereby, in the pallet moving means 61 provided on one end side of the third pallet rail 36, when the swinging member 62 is swung by 180 degrees about the rotation axis O, it is provided at the other end of the swinging member 62. The short rail 63 reciprocates in a semicircular shape between one end of the linear motion guide rail 23 in the first pallet rail 21 and one end of the linear motion guide rail 23 in the third pallet rail 36. In the pallet moving means 61 provided on the other end side of the pallet rail 36, between the other end of the linear motion guide rail 23 in the second pallet rail 31 and the other end of the linear motion guide rail 23 in the third pallet rail 36. Is reciprocated in a semicircular shape.

  And if the short rail 63 is horizontal, when it arrives at one end of the 1st pallet rail 21 extended in a horizontal direction or the other end of the 2nd pallet rail 31, it arrange | positions so that the short rail 63 may continue to them Is done.

  And when the horizontal short rail 63 continues to the linear motion guide rail 23 of the horizontal 1st and 2nd pallet rails 21 and 31, the short rail 63 is the straight line in the 1st and 2nd pallet rails 21 and 31. The pallet 11 moved from the motion guide rail 23 is mounted, or the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63 is configured to be movable to the linear motion guide rail 23.

  On the other hand, since the third pallet rail 36 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, if the short rail 63 is horizontal, the short rail 63 reaching one end or the other end of the inclined third pallet rail 36 is 36 cannot continue to the linear motion guide rail 23.

  However, as shown in FIG. 9, since the short rail 63 is configured to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, the motor 65 is driven to rotate the rotating shaft 65a, and the short rail 63 provided orthogonal thereto. The short rail 63 that has reached one end or the other end of the third pallet rail 36 by matching the angle with respect to the horizontal plane with the inclination angle of the third pallet rail 36 is different from the linear motion guide rail 23 of the third pallet rail 36. Configured to be continuous.

  And when the short rail 63 inclined to the linear motion guide rail 23 of the 3rd pallet rail 36 inclined with respect to a horizontal surface continues, the short rail 63 is from the linear motion guide rail 23 in the 3rd pallet rail 36. The moved pallet 11 is mounted, or the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63 is configured to be movable to the linear motion guide rail 23 in the third pallet rail 36.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the mounting plate 66 to which the short rail 63 is attached has a pallet locking mechanism 71 that prevents the pallet 11 from moving in a state where the pallet 11 is mounted on the short rail 63. Provided.

  In this embodiment, the pallet locking mechanism 71 includes a lifting rod 72 that is provided on the mounting plate 66 and is formed so that its upper end can come into contact with the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63, and its upper end contacts the pallet 11. An elastic body 73 that urges the elevating rod 72 in the direction to be moved, and a stopper 74 that prohibits the elevating rod 72 from rising by a predetermined amount or more.

  A through hole 66a through which the lifting rod 72 passes is formed in the mounting plate 66. The lifting rod 72 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction through the through hole 66a, and a flange 72a is provided in the vicinity of the upper end thereof.

  The coil spring 73, which is an elastic body, is interposed between the flange 72a and the mounting plate 66 in a compressed state, and urges the lifting rod 72 upward by the urging force of the coil spring 73 to extend. To do.

  The stopper 74 is provided on the lifting rod 72 below the mounting plate 66 and is configured to prevent the lifting rod 72 from rising above a predetermined amount by contacting the hole edge of the through hole 66a in the mounting plate 66 from below. Is done.

  An upper end 72b of the elevating rod 72 protruding from the flange 72a is formed in a conical or hemispherical shape, and the short rail is extended from the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, 36 in a state where the stopper 74 is in contact with the hole edge of the through hole 66a. When the pallet 11 moves to 63, the pedestal 13 of the pallet 11 comes into contact with the inclined portion or hemispherical portion of the cone at the upper end 72b of the lifting rod 72, and when the pallet 11 further moves, it is guided by the inclined portion or hemispherical portion at the upper end 72b. Thus, the lifting rod 72 is configured to move downward against the urging force of the coil spring 73 that is an elastic body.

  When the pallet 11 is mounted on the short rail 63, the upper end 72 b of the lifting rod 72 is pressed against the pedestal 13 in the pallet 11 by the urging force of the coil spring 73, and the contact resistance with the lifting rod 72 causes the short rail 63 to contact the short rail 63. It is configured to prevent free movement of the mounted pallet 11. Therefore, even if the swinging member 62 is swung together with the pallet 11 in this state and the short rail 63 on which the pallet 11 is mounted is moved in a semicircular shape, the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63 during the movement. It is prevented that the position with respect to the short rail 63 shifts.

  On the other hand, when the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63 is moved against the contact resistance generated when the coil spring 73 presses the lifting rod 72 against the pedestal 13 of the pallet 11, the pallet 11 is moved from the short rail 63. It is possible to move to the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, 36 that are continuous with the short rail 63.

  As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the pallet transport device 10 is configured to transfer the pallet 11 transported along the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, 36 to the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, 36. From the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, 36 to the short rail 63, or the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63 is connected to the short rail 63. , 31, 36 is provided with pallet feed assisting means 81.

  The pallet feed assisting means 81 is provided at each end of the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, and 36, and these have the same structure.

  The pallet feed assisting means 81 in this embodiment is continuous with the circulation belt 42 so as to circulate along the end portions of the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, and 36 and the short rail 63 continuous with the end portions. And an auxiliary circulation belt 83 that circulates these auxiliary circulation belts 82 (FIGS. 2 and 3).

  The auxiliary circulation belt 82 is a so-called toothed belt similar to the circulation belt 62, and the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is also formed with irregularities 82a and 82b extending in the width direction alternately and continuously in the longitudinal direction (FIG. 3). Enlarged view). And the unevenness | corrugation 14a, 14b formed in the latching member 14 of the pallet 11 is comprised so that engagement with this unevenness | corrugation 82a, 82b is also possible.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the auxiliary plate 91 is attached to the gantry 9, the substrate 8, and the inclined plate 7 via the fluid pressure cylinder 95. The auxiliary plate 91 is attached so as to be continuous with the respective support plates 22 in the first to third pallet rails 21, 31 and 36.

  At the upper end of the auxiliary plate 91, a guide material 92 is provided along the end portions of the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, 36 and the short rail 63 continuous to the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, 36. Provided.

  That is, in the pallet feed assisting means 81 at the ends of the first and second pallet rails 21, 31, the guide material 92 extends horizontally in the X-axis direction, and the pallet feed assist at the end of the third pallet rail 36. In the means 81, the guide material 92 is provided at an inclination equal to the inclination of the third pallet rail 36.

  The guide member 92 has an auxiliary circulation belt 82 along the short rail 63 that is continuous with the end portions of the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, 36 and the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, 36 from below. It is what is supported.

  An auxiliary pulley 93 that turns the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is pivotally supported on the auxiliary plates 91 on both sides of the guide member 92.

  The auxiliary plate 91 is provided with a servo motor 83 which is an auxiliary circulation mechanism for circulating the auxiliary circulation belt 82, and an auxiliary drive pulley 84 is attached to the rotation shaft 83a.

  The auxiliary drive pulley 84 is provided on the same plane as the two auxiliary pulleys 93, and the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is wound around the auxiliary drive pulley 84 and the auxiliary pulley 93 (FIGS. 2 and 3).

  When the servo motor 83 is driven by a command from a controller (not shown), the auxiliary circulation belt 82 wound around the auxiliary drive pulley 84 circulates, and the auxiliary circulation belt 82 between the two auxiliary pulleys 93 is connected to the upper surface of the guide member 92. And the end of the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, and 36 and the short rail 63 continuous to the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, and 36 are configured.

  Since the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is also formed with unevenness 82a, 82b extending in the width direction which is the same shape as the circulation belt 42 alternately in the longitudinal direction, when the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is superposed on the locking member 14, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 The projections and depressions 82a and 82b formed on the pin 82 are engaged with the projections and depressions 14a and 14b on the locking member 14.

  Accordingly, if the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is circulated in the same direction at the same speed as the circulation belt 42 in a state where the irregularities 82a and 82b of the auxiliary circulation belt 82 are continuous with the irregularities 42a and 42b of the circulation belt 42, the circulation The pallet 11 that moves on the first pallet rail 21 by engaging with the belt 42 is engaged with the auxiliary circulation belt 82 from the circulation belt 42 at the end of the first pallet rail 21 as shown by the solid line arrow in FIG. Move.

  As shown in the enlarged view on the left of FIG. 3, when the irregularities 14 a and 14 b on the pallet 11 engage with the irregularities 82 a and 82 b of the auxiliary circulation belt 82, the movement of the pallet 11 in the X-axis direction independent of the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is performed. Is forbidden. Therefore, when the auxiliary circulation belt 82 engaged with the pallet 11 is circulated, the pallet 11 moves together with the auxiliary circulation belt 82, and the short rail 63 or the first to third pallet rails 21, 31 along which the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is along. , 36, the pallet 11 is conveyed.

  Accordingly, when the auxiliary circulation belt 82 engaged with the locking member 14 is further circulated, the pallet 11 is moved from the end portions of the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, and 36 to them as shown in FIG. It moves to the short rail 63 which continues. When the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is circulated in the reverse direction, the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63 is moved to the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, and 36.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pallet transport device 10 includes an elevating unit 95 that elevates and lowers the pallet feed auxiliary unit 81. The elevating means in this embodiment is a pair of fluid pressure cylinders 95 in which the main body 95b is fixed to the gantry 9, the substrate 8 and the inclined plate 7 with the in / out rod 95a facing upward, and the upper ends of these in / out rods 95a Both ends of the auxiliary plate 91 are attached.

  The fluid pressure cylinder 95 is configured such that the auxiliary circulation belt 82 in the auxiliary plate 91 overlaps with the locking member 14 of the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63 in a state where the protruding and retracting rod 95a protrudes upward.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, since the locking member 14 is provided on the lower surface of the pedestal 13 in the pallet, when the retracting rod 95a of the fluid pressure cylinder 95 is inserted into the main body 95b below the locking member 14, the locking member 14 is The pallet feed assisting means 81 including the attached auxiliary plate 91 is lowered, and the auxiliary circulation belt 82 in the auxiliary plate 91 is also lowered.

  Concavities and convexities 14 a and 14 b on the retaining member 14 of the pallet 11 are formed on the auxiliary circulation belt 82 in a state where the pallet retaining mechanism 71 prohibits the free movement of the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63. When engaged with 82a and 82b, free swinging of the swinging member 62 provided with the short rail 63 is prohibited.

  However, as shown in the enlarged view on the right side of FIG. 3 and FIG. 7, when the auxiliary plate 91 is lowered and the pallet feed auxiliary means 81 is lowered, the short circulation rail 82 is superposed on the engaging member 14 in a state where the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is overlapped. The irregularities 82a and 82b formed on the auxiliary circulation belt 82 are separated from the irregularities 14a and 14b on the locking member 14 of the pallet 11 moved to 63.

  As a result, the engagement between the irregularities 82a and 82b of the auxiliary circulation belt 82 and the irregularities 14a and 14b of the locking member 14 is released, and the pallet moving means 61 having the short rail 63 on which the pallet 11 is mounted is constituted. The moving member 62 is configured to allow swinging in the horizontal plane.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the retracting rod 95 of the fluid pressure cylinder 95 in a state where the short rail 63 provided around the swinging member 62 continues to the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, 36. When the auxiliary plate 91 that has been lowered is raised, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is superposed on the locking member 14 of the pallet 11, and the irregularities 82a and 82b formed on the auxiliary circulation belt 82 are engaged. It is comprised so that it may engage with the to-be-projected parts 14a and 14b in the stop member 14 again.

  Next, a pallet conveying method using the pallet conveying device will be described.

  The pallet conveying method in this embodiment using the pallet conveying device 10 includes a first pallet conveying step of conveying the pallet 11 mounted on the first pallet rail 21 along the first pallet rail 21, and the first pallet. A first pallet moving step for moving the pallet 11 reaching one end of the rail 21 to the third pallet rail 31 and a second pallet for conveying the pallet 11 mounted on the third pallet rail 36 along the third pallet rail 36. A second pallet moving step for moving the pallet 11 reaching the other end of the third pallet rail 36 to the second pallet rail 31; and a pallet 11 mounted on the second pallet rail 31. And a third pallet carrying step for carrying along.

  Each step will be described below.

<First pallet transport process>
In this step, the pallet 11 mounted on the first pallet rail 21 is transported.

  The pallet 11 is mounted on the first pallet rail 21 by mounting the linear motion block 12 of the pallet 11 from the end of the linear motion guide rail 23 in the first pallet rail 21.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, when the pallet 11 is mounted on the first pallet rail 21, the unevenness 14 a and 14 b provided on the pallet 11 is uneven on the circulation belt 42 provided along the first pallet rail 21. 42a and 42b are engaged. Therefore, the pallet 11 can be conveyed along the first pallet rail 21 by driving the servo motor 43 as a drive mechanism and circulating the circulation belt 42 thereafter.

  This conveyance is performed until the pallet 11 faces a machine tool (not shown). In this state, the servo motor 43a is stopped, and the workpiece mounted on the pallet 11 can be processed by each of these machine tools. At this time, it is possible to simultaneously perform machining by a plurality of machine tools by conveying the plurality of pallets 11 at the same pitch as that of each machine tool.

<First pallet moving process>
In this step, the pallet 11 that has reached the end of the first pallet rail 21 is moved to the third pallet rail 36. This movement is performed by a pallet moving means 61 provided at one end of the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, and 36.

  In this embodiment in which the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is provided continuously to the circulation belt 42, in the above-described first pallet conveying step, the retracting rod 95a of the fluid pressure cylinder 95 in the elevating means is protruded upward to assist the pallet feed. If the means 81 is raised, the pallet 11 that moves along the first pallet rail 21 immediately before reaching the end of the first pallet rail 21, as shown by the solid line arrow in FIG. Then, it engages with the auxiliary circulation belt 82 that is continuous therewith.

  For this reason, by circulating the auxiliary circulation belt 82 in the same direction at the same speed as the circulation belt 42 in a state where the irregularities 82a, 82b of the auxiliary circulation belt 82 are continuous with the irregularities 42a, 42b of the circulation belt 42, The pallet 11 reaches the end of the first pallet rail 21.

  Here, in this embodiment, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 that circulates along the end portion of the first pallet rail 21 and the short rail 63 continuous to the end portion is provided continuously to the circulation belt 42. Therefore, if the circulation of the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is stopped and the pallet 11 engaged with the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is retained at the end of the first pallet rail 21 and the circulation belt 42 is circulated separately, the first pallet The pallet 11 on the rail 21 can be moved along the first pallet rail 21. That is, by providing the auxiliary circulation belt 82 continuously to the circulation belt 42, the pallet 11 can be moved on the first pallet rail 21 separately from the first pallet moving step.

  In this first pallet moving step, the swing member 62 is swung by the actuator 64 in the pallet moving means 61 (FIG. 8), and the short rail 63 is continued to the first pallet rail 21. In this state, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is moved. , And the pallet 11 reaching the end of the first pallet rail 21 is moved from the first pallet rail 21 to the short rail 63 and mounted on the short rail 63 as shown in FIG.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, when the pallet 11 moves from the first pallet rail 21 to the short rail 63, the pallet is placed on the conical inclined portion or hemispherical portion at the upper end 72 b of the lifting rod 72 provided on the swing member 62. 11, the pedestal 13 contacts and is guided by the inclined portion or hemispherical portion, and the lifting rod 72 moves downward against the urging force of the coil spring 73 which is an elastic body.

  When the pallet 11 is mounted on the short rail 63, the upper end of the lifting rod 72 is pressed against the pedestal 13 of the pallet 11 by the urging force of the coil spring 73, and is mounted on the short rail 63 by the contact resistance with the lifting rod 72. Thus, the free movement of the pallet 11 is prevented. Thereby, the movement with respect to the short rail 63 of the pallet 11 mounted in the short rail 63 can be stopped in the middle of moving the pallet 11 to a semicircle after that.

  Then, as shown in the enlarged view on the right side of FIG. 3, in this state, the retracting rod 95a of the fluid pressure cylinder 95 in the elevating means is immersed in the main body 95b below and attached to the upper end thereof as shown in FIG. The pallet feed assisting means 81 is lowered and the engagement between the pallet 11 and the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is released.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12, the actuator 64 swings the swinging member 62 to move the short rail 63 on which the pallet 11 is mounted away from the first position continuous with the first pallet rail 21. The pallet rail 36 is moved in a semicircular shape to the second position. At this time, the pallet feed assisting means 81 provided continuously to the third pallet rail 36 is lowered.

  Here, since the third pallet rail 36 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, the short rail 63 which is mounted on the short rail 63 from the horizontal first pallet rail 21 and moved in the horizontal state becomes the third pallet rail 36. After reaching the continuous second position or before that, as shown in FIG. 9, the motor 65 is driven to incline the short rail 63. Then, the inclination angle of the short rail 63 is matched with the inclination angle of the third pallet rail 36, and the short rail 63 on which the pallet 11 is mounted is made continuous with the linear motion guide rail 23 of the third pallet rail 36.

  Thus, after the short rail 63 on which the pallet 11 is mounted continues to the linear motion guide rail 23 of the third pallet rail 36, the retracting rod of the fluid pressure cylinder 95 provided continuously to the third pallet rail 36. 95 is protruded upward, and the pallet feed assisting means 81 that has been lowered is raised and continued to the third pallet rail 36. As a result, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 continuous with the third pallet rail 36 is superimposed on the locking member 14 in the pallet 11, and the irregularities 82 a and 82 b formed on the auxiliary circulation belt 82 become irregularities 14 a and 14 b in the locking member 14. Engage with.

  When the pallet feed assisting means 81 is raised, it is set in advance so that the unevenness 14a, 14b of the locking member 14 of the pallet 11 and the unevenness 82a, 82b of the auxiliary circulation belt 82 can be reliably engaged. The rotation angle of the servo motor 83 is controlled by the program.

  9 and FIG. 12, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 at the end of the third pallet rail 36 with which the pallet 11 is engaged is circulated to resist the contact resistance with which the elevating rod 72 contacts. The pallet 11 is moved together with the auxiliary circulation belt 82 to move the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63 to the third pallet rail 36.

  In this way, the pallet 11 is moved from the end of the first pallet rail 21 to the third pallet rail 36.

<Second pallet transport process>
In this step, the pallet 11 mounted on the third pallet rail 36 is transported. In the previous first pallet moving step, as shown in FIG. 12, the pallet 11 moved from the short rail 63 to the third pallet rail 36 is provided at the end of the third pallet rail 36 along the auxiliary circulation belt. It moves in the state engaged with 82.

  In the second pallet transporting process, the pallet 11 mounted on the third pallet rail 36 is transported, so that the circulation belt 42 provided along the third pallet rail 36 is continuous with the auxiliary circulation belt 82. In addition, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is circulated in the same direction at the same speed as the circulation belt 42 in a state where the irregularities 82 a and 82 b of the auxiliary circulation belt 82 are continuous with the irregularities 42 a and 42 b of the circulation belt 42.

  As a result, the pallet 11 starts to move in the opposite direction from the end of the third pallet rail 36, and as shown in FIG. 13, when the pallet 11 moves away from the end, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 newly engages with the circulation belt 42. Then, by circulating the circulation belt 42, the pallet 11 can be conveyed along the third pallet rail 36 inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

<Second pallet moving process>
In this step, the pallet 11 that has reached the end of the third pallet rail 36 is moved to the second pallet rail 31. This movement is performed by a pallet moving means 61 provided at the other end of the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, and 36.

  Here, since the third pallet rail 36 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, the pallet 11 mounted on the inclined short rail 63 from the inclined third pallet rail 36 is moved in a semicircular shape together with the short rail 36. And move it to the end of the second pallet rail 31, and thereafter or before that, the short rail 36 is returned to the horizontal to be continued to the second pallet rail 31 and moved to the second pallet rail 31 in that state. .

  The other specific movement procedures are the same as those in the first pallet movement process, and thus repeated description is omitted.

<Third pallet transport process>
In this step, the pallet 11 mounted on the second pallet rail 31 is transported along the second pallet rail 31 using the pallet feeding means 51. Since the specific conveyance procedure is the same as the first and second pallet conveyance steps, repeated description is omitted.

  Thus, the pallet 11 can be sequentially conveyed to the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, and 36 by sequentially repeating the above-described steps.

  Here, in this embodiment, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 that circulates along the end portions of the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, 36 and the short rail 63 continuing to the end portions is connected to the circulation belt 42. Provided. Therefore, the circulation of the circulation belt 42 and the circulation of the auxiliary circulation belt 82 are performed separately, and the pallet 11 is moved from the short rail 63 to the first to third pallet rails 21, 21 by circulation of the auxiliary circulation belt 82, as shown in FIG. The pallet 11 can be maintained at the end portions of the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, and 36 by stopping the circulation after moving to the end portions of the first and third pallet rails.

  Further, when the circulation belt 42 is circulated separately from the circulation of the auxiliary circulation belt 82, the pallet 11 engaged with the circulation belt 42 is conveyed through the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, and 36. The circulating belt 42 is engaged and the first to third pallet rails 21 are moved without moving the pallet 11 which is mounted on the end portions of the first to third pallet rails 21, 31 and 36 and engages the auxiliary circulation belt 82. , 31, 36 can be moved.

  Then, when a predetermined pitch is reached with the pallet 11 with which the circulation belt 42 is engaged, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is circulated, and the pallet 11 with which it is engaged is moved to engage with the circulation belt 42. The plurality of pallets 11 can be conveyed on the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, and 36 at a predetermined pitch.

  Further, in the pallet conveying apparatus 10 of the present invention, the short rail 63 is inclined along the plane orthogonal to the oscillating radius of the oscillating member 62, so that the pallet conveying apparatus 10 is conveyed by the horizontal first and second pallet rails 21 and 31. The horizontal pallet 11 that has reached the short rail 63 is moved to the end of the inclined third pallet rail 36, or is tilted together with the short rail 63 before or after the third pallet is tilted. The pallet 11 can be moved and mounted on the rail 36.

  That is, in the present invention, since the short rail 63 is provided so as to be inclined on the swing member 62, the pallet 11 can be moved from the end of the inclined pallet rail 36 even if the pallet rail 36 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. , And the movement of the pallet 11 to the inclined pallet rail 36 can be performed.

  Further, in the pallet conveying device 10 of the present invention, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is engaged with the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63, and is provided with an elevating means 95 for elevating and lowering the pallet feeding auxiliary means 81. For this reason, by lowering the pallet feed assisting means 81, the engagement between the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63 and the pallet feed assisting means 81 can be eliminated. Therefore, by swinging and rotating the swing member 62 together with the short rail 63, the pallet 11 is reliably moved in a semicircular shape from the end of one pallet rail 21 to the end of the other pallet rail 31. be able to.

  Thereafter, when the pallet feed assisting means 81 is raised, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is again engaged with the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63, so that it moves in a semicircular shape together with the pallet 11 and moves to the other pallet rail 31. The pallet 11 can be reliably moved from the short rail 63 connected to the end edge to the other pallet rail 31.

  Here, in the engagement and cancellation of the pallet 11 and the pallet feed assisting means 81, it is conceivable to raise and lower the pallet 11, but the weight of the pallet 11 on which the workpiece is mounted becomes relatively large, and the pallet 11 is raised and lowered This causes consumption of power and also raises and lowers the workpiece, so that it is necessary to be able to withstand the raising and lowering. Therefore, the structure of the mounting tool on which the workpiece is mounted may be complicated.

  On the other hand, in the present invention, since the pallet feed assisting means 81 is raised and lowered, the pallet 11 and the pallet feed assisting means 81 can be engaged and released with a small amount of power, and the structure of the mounting tool on which the work is mounted. Even in this case, it is not necessary to consider raising and lowering of the workpiece, and the structure can be relatively simplified.

  In the present invention, the swinging member 62 is swung, and the short rail 63 provided at the other end is moved in an arc shape or a semicircular shape. Therefore, the short rail 63 is moved to the first to third pallet rails 21. , 31, 36 can be continued relatively easily, and the structure can be further simplified.

  Further, if the actuator 64 that swings the swing member 62 is configured to be able to rotate the rotating rod 64b forward and backward by fluid pressure, the structure is further simplified. As a result, the pallet transport device 10 according to the present invention is simplified. Can be avoided.

  Moreover, in this pallet conveying apparatus 10, since the pallet 11 is engaged with the circulating belt 42 that is provided endlessly and circulates, the pallet 11 is conveyed along the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, and 36. By changing the position of the pallet 11 that engages with the circulation belt 42, the distance from the previous pallet 11 that is engaged and conveyed by the circulation belt 42, that is, the conveyance pitch with the previous pallet 11 is easily changed. can do.

  In the embodiment described above, the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, and 36 are provided in parallel with each other when viewed from above, and the pallet moving means 61 is provided at both ends thereof. However, as shown in FIG. 14, the plurality of pallet rails 21, 31, and 36 may be provided around the single pallet moving means 61 at a right angle or a predetermined angle when viewed from above.

  The pallet transport device 10 shown in FIG. 14 is a first pallet provided as a plurality of pallet rails on which the pallet 11 is movably mounted with a predetermined interval in the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) parallel to each other in a top view. When the rail 21 and the second pallet rail 31 are provided with a third pallet rail 36 that intersects at right angles, ie, 90 degrees, when viewed from above with a single pallet moving means 61 provided at the end of the rail 21 and the second pallet rail 31 Indicates.

  The first to third pallet rails 21, 31, and 36 are arranged so as to be continuous with the short rail 63 at any position of the short rail 63 that reciprocally moves in an arc shape by the swing of the swing member 62. Although the first pallet rail 21 extends in the horizontal direction, the second and third pallet rails 31 and 36 are inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

  Here, if three or more continuous pallet rails 21, 31, and 36 are provided at any position of the short rail 63 that reciprocates in a semicircular shape or an arc shape, both sides of the range in which the short rail 63 reciprocates are provided. In the pallet rail except (the third pallet rail 36 in FIG. 14), it is necessary to pass the short rail 63 at the end portion and to transfer the pallet 11 to the short rail 63.

  For this reason, in the pallet rail 36 that passes the short rail 63 at the end, in order to ensure the movement of the short rail 63, if the interval between the pallet rail 36 and the short rail 63 is increased, the short rail 63 Since the movement of the pallet 11 between the pallet rails 36 becomes difficult, it is preferable to provide an auxiliary rail 96 between them as shown in FIG.

  The auxiliary rail 96 shown in the figure is provided on the same straight line of the third pallet rail 36 and along the pallet feed auxiliary means 81 so as to be continuous with the end portion of the third pallet rail 36. The same one as the linear motion guide rail 23 and the short rail 63 in the third pallet rail 36 is used. If the auxiliary rail 96 is not provided, the length of the auxiliary rail 96 is a length that allows the semi-circular or arcuate movement of the short rail 63 between the first to third pallet rails 21, 31, and 36. Set to

  And with this auxiliary rail 96, the auxiliary rail raising / lowering means which raises / lowers this auxiliary rail 96 between the 1st position which continues to the edge part of the 3rd pallet rails 21 and 31, and the 2nd position below the 1st position. 97 is further provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the auxiliary rail 96 in this embodiment is provided with a fulcrum 96 a at the end near the third pallet rail 36, and the other end facing the short rail 63 with the fulcrum 96 a as a rotation axis. Is configured to move up and down.

  Specifically, a pivot post 90 is erected on the gantry 9 in the vicinity of the end of the third pallet rail 36, and at the upper end of the pivot post 90, at the end of the auxiliary rail 96 near the third pallet rail 36. The fulcrum 96a is pivotally supported. The auxiliary rail lifting / lowering means 97 is a fluid pressure cylinder 97 in which a main body 97b is fixed to the gantry 9 with the in / out rod 97a facing upward, and the other end of the auxiliary rail 96 is pivotally supported on the upper end of the in / out rod 97a. .

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, in the fluid pressure cylinder 97, the auxiliary rail 96 in the state where the protruding and retracting rod 97a protrudes upward and the linear motion guide rail 23 in the third pallet rail 36 and the short rail 63 continuous thereto are provided. It is configured to close the gap between them and make them continuous.

  On the other hand, the other end of the auxiliary rail 96 is attached with a locking plate 96c having a long hole 96b extending in the longitudinal direction on the lower surface thereof. The upper end of the rod 97a is pivotally supported via a pin 96d. Then, when the retracting rod 97a is immersed in the lower body 97b, the other end of the auxiliary rail 96 is moved while the pin 96d provided at the upper end moves inside the elongated hole 96b as shown in FIG. Configured to lower.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the short rail 63 is inclined in the same manner as the third pallet rail 36, and the auxiliary rail 96 closes the gap between the linear motion guide rail 23 and the continuous short rail 63 in the third pallet rail 36. Then, the presence of the auxiliary rail 96 makes it easy to move the pallet 11 from the third pallet rail 36 to the short rail 63 continuous thereto or from the short rail 63 to the third pallet rail 36. .

  On the other hand, if the auxiliary rail 96 closes the gap between the linear motion guide rail 23 and the continuous short rail 63 in the third pallet rail 36, the movement of the short rail 63 toward the auxiliary rail 96 becomes impossible. Therefore, free swinging rotation of the swinging member 62 provided with the short rail 63 is prohibited.

  However, as shown in FIG. 16, when the other end of the auxiliary rail 96 facing the short rail 63 is lowered, the short rail 63 can be moved toward the auxiliary rail 96, so that the short rail on which the pallet 11 is mounted. The swinging rotation of the swinging member 62 having 63 is allowed.

  Therefore, if such an auxiliary rail 96 and auxiliary rail raising / lowering means 97 are provided, the movement of the pallet 11 from the third pallet rail 36 to the short rail 63 continuous thereto or the short pallet 63 to the third pallet rail 36 is achieved. This ensures the movement of the pallet 11 and allows the swinging member 62 to freely swing and rotate. As a result, regardless of whether the plurality of pallet rails 21, 31, and 36 are horizontal or inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, the pallet 11 can be moved and conveyed to any pallet rail 21, 31, or 36. The transport device 10 is obtained.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31 that are parallel to each other and the third pallet rail 36 that intersects them at right angles (90 degrees) are shown. If within the swing range of 62, for example, the first pallet rail 21 and the second pallet rail 31 intersect each other at an angle of 45 degrees, and the first pallet rail 21 and the third pallet rail 31 are 135 degrees with respect to each other. The structure which cross | intersects at the angle of may be sufficient.

  In the above-described embodiment, the pallet feeding means 41, 51, 56 includes the circulation belt 42 and the circulation mechanism 43 that circulates the circulation belt 42. , 56 are not limited to this, and may have other configurations as long as the pallet 11 can be conveyed along the pallet rails 21, 31, 36.

  In the embodiment described above, the case where the pallet feed assisting means 81 is moved up and down by the fluid pressure cylinder 95 has been described. However, the pallet feed assisting means 81 is rotated so that one side of the pallet feed assisting means 81 is lowered, and the pallet feeding assisting means 81 11 may be released.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the other end of the auxiliary rail 96 is raised and lowered has been described. However, the auxiliary rail raising and lowering means 97 is such that the auxiliary rail 96 is raised and lowered in an inclined state equal to that of the pallet rail. May be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the mounting tool for mounting the workpiece is provided on one side of the base 13 has been described. However, although not shown, a through hole may be formed in the pedestal 13, a mounting tool may be provided in the through hole, and the workpiece may be mounted through the pedestal 13 through the through hole.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the actuator that swings the swing member 62 is exemplified as one in which the rotating rod 64b can be rotated forward and backward within 180 degrees by the fluid pressure supplied to and discharged from the main body 64a. However, the actuator may be an electric motor configured to be able to rotate forward and reverse within 180 degrees of the rotation shaft.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the short rail 63 is inclined by the motor 65 has been described. However, the means for inclining the short rail 63 is not limited to the motor, but may be an actuator for inclining the short rail 63 by fluid pressure, or the short rail 63 may be inclined using a cam.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Pallet conveying apparatus 11 Pallet 14a, 14b Concavity and convexity 21 First pallet rail 31 Second pallet rail 36 Third pallet rail 41 First pallet feeding means 51 Second pallet feeding means 56 Third pallet feeding means 61 Pallet moving means 62 Shaking Moving member 63 Short rail 81 Pallet feed auxiliary means 82 Auxiliary circulation belt 82a, 82b Concavity and convexity 95 Lifting means 96 Auxiliary rail 96a Support point 97 Auxiliary rail lifting means

Claims (7)

A plurality of pallet rails (21, 31, 36) on which the pallet (11) is movably mounted;
Pallet feeding means (41, 51, 56) for conveying the pallet (11) along the pallet rails (21, 31, 36);
The pallet (11) mounted on one of the pallet rails (21, 31, 36) provided at the end of the pallet rails (21, 31, 36) is used as the other pallet rail. In the pallet carrying device provided with the pallet moving means (61) for moving,
The pallet moving means (61) is provided tangentially to a swinging member (62) swinging around one end as a rotation axis and the other end of the swinging member (62) moving in a semicircle or arcuate shape. With short rail (63),
The pallet transport device according to claim 1, wherein the short rail (63) is inclined along a plane perpendicular to the swing radius of the swing member (62). A plurality of pallet rails (21, 31, 36) including one or more inclined pallet rails (36) inclined relative to a horizontal plane;
The pallet transporting device according to claim 1, wherein the pallet feeding means (41, 51, 56) is provided along a horizontal or inclined direction of the pallet rail (21, 31, 36).   The pallet transport device according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of pallet rails (21, 31, 36) are provided at regular intervals, at equal intervals, at right angles, or at a predetermined angle. The pallet (11) is moved from the pallet rail (21, 31, 36) to the short rail (63) or the pallet (11) mounted on the short rail (63) is moved to the pallet rail (21, 31, 36). Pallet feed auxiliary means (81) to be moved,
Elevating means (95) for lowering and raising the pallet feed auxiliary means (81),
4. The pallet transport according to claim 1, wherein the swing movement of the swing member in the pallet moving means is allowed by lowering the pallet feed assisting means. apparatus. The pallet feed assisting means (81) has uneven portions (82a, 82b) extending in the width direction alternately and continuously formed in the longitudinal direction at the end of the pallet rail (21, 31) and the short rail (63) continuous therewith. Provided with an auxiliary circulation belt (82) that is provided endlessly and circulates,
Concavities and convexities (14a, 14b) engageable with the irregularities (82a, 82b) are formed on the lower surface of the pallet (11),
When the pallet feed assisting means (81) is raised, the unevenness (82a, 14b) of the pallet is engaged with the unevenness (82a, 82b) of the auxiliary circulation belt (82) to circulate the auxiliary circulation belt (82). The pallet (11) is moved by
The pallet conveying device according to claim 4, wherein the concavo-convex portion (82a, 82b) is separated from the concavo-convex portion (14a, 14b) when the pallet feed assisting means (81) is lowered.   An auxiliary rail (96) provided on the same straight line of the pallet rail (21, 31) and along the pallet feed auxiliary means (81) so as to be continuous with the end of the pallet rail (36), and the auxiliary rail ( The auxiliary rail raising / lowering means (97) which raises / lowers 96) between the 1st position which follows the edge part of the said pallet rail (36), and the 2nd position below the said 1st position is further provided. Or the pallet conveying apparatus of 5.   The auxiliary rail (96) is provided with a fulcrum (96a) at an end close to the pallet rail (36), and the other end moves up and down with the fulcrum (96a) as a rotation axis. Pallet transport device.

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