JP2590384Y2 - Work transfer device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a work transfer device for sequentially transferring and positioning a work to each work station provided along a transfer line of the work.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a work transfer device, a self-propelled train-type conveyor for driving a work hanger or a work carriage by operating an electric motor by a power supply rail (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 62-582).
No. 57), and a chain conveyor in which a large number of work pallets are connected to an endless chain and these pallets are moved are generally known.

In the case of the above-mentioned self-propelled train type conveyor, each hanger can be moved separately by an operation of an electric motor and stopped at an appropriate position on a work transfer line. The interval (work transfer distance) can be set arbitrarily. On the other hand, in the case of the above chain conveyor, since each pallet is connected to the chain, the pallet interval is constant,
Therefore, the intervals between adjacent work stations are all the same because the work is to be pitch-fed.

[0004]

As described above, in the case of a self-propelled train type conveyor, although the interval between adjacent work stations can be set arbitrarily, a power supply rail and an electric motor are required, and the entire work transfer device is required. This increases the cost and increases the maintenance cost. On the other hand, in the case of the chain conveyor, although there is no problem as in the self-propelled train type conveyor, since the intervals between the respective work stations are all constant, the degree of freedom in line design is reduced, and the work transfer line becomes longer, Transport tact also becomes longer.

That is, in the latter case, in order to simultaneously work in each work station by, for example, each robot, in all the work stations, the robots of the adjacent work stations should not interfere with each other during the work. Need to be Therefore, even if there is a set of adjacent work stations where there is no robot-to-robot interference even if the work station intervals are narrowed, it is necessary to set the work station interval to be the widest to avoid the interference. Needs to be adjusted to the spacing of one set of work stations. For this reason, the work transfer line becomes longer as a whole, and the transfer tact becomes longer.

Therefore, the present invention does not use a self-propelled train,
That is, it is an object of the present invention to provide a work transfer device that can arrange the work stations at different intervals along the transfer line without increasing the size and cost of the device.

[0007]

In order to solve such a problem, the present invention solves the above problem by connecting the pallets supporting the work at variable intervals, thereby basically feeding the pallets at a pitch while transferring the pallets to the transfer destination. Even if the work station spacing changes sequentially, each pallet can be positioned at each work station by adjusting the pallet spacing.

[0008] That is, a means for solving the above-mentioned problem is a work transfer device for sequentially transferring and positioning a work to each work station at different intervals along a transfer line of the work. a pallet coupling means for relatively movably connected to the front and rear of two or more pallets for supporting the workpiece conveying direction, a pallet feed means for moving the two or more pallets which are the connection to the workpiece conveying direction, which is the connection 2 have a pallet interval changing means for changing the Aitonaru pallet interval to be positioned each work station are aligned phases each of the above pallet, the pallet spacing changing means, each path
Locating holes in the pallet and each work station
Locating pins, and the locating holes and positions
Pallet spacing formed on at least one of the pin
Insert the above positioning pins into the positioning holes so that
A tapered guide surface inclined in the work transfer direction for guiding
For fitting the positioning pin into the positioning hole
It is characterized by comprising positioning pin driving means .

[0009]

In the above solution , since the pallet connecting means connects two or more pallets, the pallet feeding means only needs to apply a driving force to one of the two or more pallets connected. Since the two or more pallets are connected so that the interval between the adjacent pallets can be changed, the pallet interval can be changed by the pallet interval changing means at the destination of the pallets, so that each pallet can be changed. Can be located at a work station.

[0010] Positioning pins of each work station protrude
And simply fit it into the pallet's positioning hole.
Pallet spacing can be changed by the action of the guide surface
As well as position the pallet.
You.

As described above, even if the intervals between the work stations at the work transfer destination are different, the respective pallets can be positioned at the respective work stations. There can be no necessary minimum spacing. In addition, since the pallet interval changing means can individually enlarge or reduce the pallet feed amount, the pallet feed amount itself by the pallet feed means can be reduced.

[0012]

Therefore, according to the present invention , pallet connecting means for connecting two or more pallets so as to be relatively movable back and forth in the work transfer direction is provided, and each of the two or more pallets is aligned. the pallet interval changing means for changing the Aitonaru pallet interval to be positioned station provided the pallet interval changing means, each Palais
The positioning holes provided in the
The positioning pins provided, and the positioning holes and positioning
Pin formed on at least one of the female pins
Insert the positioning pin into the positioning hole
A tapered guide surface inclined in the conveyance direction of the workpiece to be guided
Position for inserting the positioning pin into the positioning hole
Since it is composed of the positioning pin driving means,
Just pull out the positioning pin
Change the slot spacing and position the pallet.
It is possible to feed the work at a substantially variable pitch without having to make each pallet self-propelled, so that each work station can be moved along the transfer line without increasing the size and cost of the work transfer device. By arranging at different intervals, the transfer line and the transfer tact can be shortened.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show the entirety of a work transfer line (a rear axle assembly line of an automobile). This line includes a rear spindle 1 and a brake part 1a shown in FIG.
b is a line in which a lock nut 2 is tightened to a pre-assembled part 1 pre-assembled, and a hub cap 3 is further press-fitted to obtain a right rear wheel axle member and a left rear wheel axle member. And for assembling the rear axle,
Along the line, the first to seventh work stations 4A to 4A
4G are provided in order from the line base end to the tip end, and the work stations 4A to 4G
G is provided with a work transfer device 5 that supports a work (the prognostic assembled part 1 and the like) on a pallet and sequentially transfers the work.

The first to seventh working stations 4A to 4A
The contents of work in 4G and the work machines provided are as follows.

-First and second work stations 4A, 4B-Work; installation of work (pre-assembly parts 1, hub cap 3) on the pallet-Third work station 4C-Work; Nut 2 tightening work machine; nut runner 8 receiving supply of lock nut 2 from nut feeder 7-fourth work station 4D-work; crimping work of lock nut 2 above; crimping robot 9-fifth work station 4E -Work; press-fitting of the hub cap 3; work machine; cap press-fitting robot 10-sixth work station 4F-work; work-out of right rear wheel axle member work-out work machine; carry-out robot 11-seventh work station 4G-work Unloading robot for unloading left rear wheel axle member; unloading robot 12 work in the first and second work stations 4A and 4B. Installation work of is carried out by hand. In the sixth and seventh work stations 4F and 4G, stock conveyors 13 and 14 for storing left and right axle members are connected to the work transfer device 5.

Then, as specifically shown in FIG.
The interval between adjacent work stations of the first to seventh work stations 4A to 4G is the first work station 4A.
The distance S between the second work station 4B, the distance between the third work station 4C and the fourth work station 4D, and the distance between the fifth work station 4E and the sixth work station 4F are set to short S, and the intervals between the other work stations are long L. Is set to

Next, the work transfer device 5 will be described.
The work transfer device 5 includes the above-described pallet, pallet connecting means, pallet feeding means, and pallet interval changing means.

As shown in FIG. 5, the pallet 21 is a right pallet 21 for a right rear wheel axle member.
And a left pallet 22 for an axle member for the left rear wheel.
And the left pallet 22 are arranged alternately. These pallets 21 and 22 are provided with spare assembly jigs 21 a and 22 a for supporting the spare assembly 1 and cap jigs 21 b and 22 b for supporting the hub cap 3.

The pallet connecting means comprises a pair of right and left pallets 21 and 2 arranged in front and rear in the work transfer direction.
The pallet 2 is connected at a variable pallet interval, and as shown in FIG. 5, is composed of a pair of rod-shaped pallet connectors 23, 23 for connecting the side surfaces of the pallets 21, 22 to each other.

That is, the pallet connector 23 has one end pivotally connected to the side surface of the right pallet 21 by the pin 24, and the other end has a long hole extending in the pallet transport direction as shown in FIG. 25 are formed, and the long holes 2 are formed.
5 and a pin (cam roller bearing) 26 protruding from the side surface of the left pallet 22.
1 and 22 are variably connected to each other. In this case, the longest movement distance of the pin 26 in the long hole 25 is equal to the difference between the work station intervals L and S. Further, on the side surfaces of the pallets 21 and 22, in order to prevent the pallet connector 23 from coming off, an L-shaped outer receiver 27 is provided which comes into contact with the outer end of the pallet connector 23.

The pallet feeding means is constituted by a chain conveyor 31 shown in FIG. That is,
The chain conveyor 31 includes an endless chain 35 wound around both drive and driven sprockets 33 and 34 at both ends of a base 32 which is long in the work transfer direction, and an electric motor 36 which drives the drive sprocket 33 intermittently. . Each of the connected pallets is connected to a respective one of the right pallets 21 by an arm 37 as shown in FIG. A member 38 is slidably fitted on a guide rail 39 fixed on the base 32. In this case, the chain conveyor 31
The above-mentioned right pallet 21 is used for each work station 4A ~
The pallet is transferred while alternately repeating the feeding at the short interval S and the feeding at the long interval L shown in FIG.

The first to seventh work stations 4A to 4G are provided with positioning pins 41 as shown in FIG. 7, and the right and left pallets 21,
Reference numeral 22 denotes the positioning pin 4 as shown in FIGS.
1 is provided with a positioning hole 42 into which is fitted. The positioning pin 41 is provided on a cylinder device 43 fixed to the base 32.
And is provided so as to be able to protrude upward, and the tip is tapered. On the other hand, the positioning hole 42 is opened downward, and the lower portion is formed to diverge downward.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, a cross section of the positioning pin 41 and the positioning hole 42 cut in the work transfer direction is provided. A surface 41a is formed, and a tapered guide surface 42a which is also inclined forward and backward in the work transfer direction is formed below the positioning hole 42.

When the positioning pins 41 are inserted into the positioning holes 42 of the left pallet 22, the tapered guide surfaces 41a, 42a are respectively connected to the opening edges of the positioning holes 42, which are the mating members, and the positioning pins 41 of the positioning pins 41. The left pallet 22 is moved so that the distance between the right pallet 21 and the left pallet 22 is changed by sliding the leading end.
Are moved in the work transfer direction and positioned at the corresponding work station, and constitute pallet interval changing means.

Next, the operation of the work transfer device 5 will be described. Now, the connected set of pallets 21 and 22 is the second work
It is assumed that they are positioned at the work station 4B and the first work station 4A . First, the pallets 21, 21 are operated by the operation of the chain conveyor (work feed means) 31.
2 are sent at a long interval L pitch.

Thus, the positioning hole 42 of the right pallet 21 is positioned immediately above the positioning pin 41 of the third work station 4C. On the other hand, the left pallet 22
Means that the pin 26 on the side of the
5 is relatively moved to its end, and the right pallet 21
The pallet for left and right is widened in the middle of pallet feeding, and as a result, the positioning holes 42 of the pallet 22 for left are also moved to the second work station 4B.
Is positioned directly above the positioning pin 41 of the first embodiment.

Accordingly, when the positioning pins 41 of the second and third work stations 4B and 4C are projected upward, the respective positioning pins 41 are moved without causing substantial movement of the pallets 21 and 22. 21 and 22 will be fitted into the positioning holes 42.

Next, after the work at the third work station 4C is completed, the pallets 21 and 22 are sent at short pitches S this time by the operation of the chain conveyor 31.
Thus, the right pallet 21 has its positioning hole 42 positioned directly above the positioning pin 42 of the fourth work station 4D, while the left pallet 22 has its positioning hole 42 positioned directly above the positioning pin 41 of the third work station 4C. Is also positioned toward the rear.

However, when the positioning pin 41 of the third work station 4C is protruded upward, the positioning pin 4
By the guide of the tapered guide surfaces 41a and 42a when 1 is fitted into the positioning hole 42 of the left pallet 22, the left pallet 22 moves forward to reduce the interval with the right pallet 21 and the third work station 4C It will be positioned at the regular pallet position. In the fourth work station 4D, since the positioning hole 42 of the right pallet 21 is located immediately above the positioning pin 41, the positioning pin 4
1 fits into the positioning hole 42 without causing the right pallet 21 to move substantially.

By the repetition of the above, the connected pallets 21 and 22 are sequentially positioned at each work station. Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, the work transfer line is shortened and the feed amount of the pallet can be shortened every other time because the site S having the short work station interval is provided every other region. Therefore, the transfer tact is shortened. The chain conveyor 31 is used as the pallet feeding means, and the pallet interval changing means is also provided with the positioning pins 41 of the work station.
And the positioning holes 42 of the pallet, the structure is simplified.

In the above embodiment, one of the connected pallets is connected to the conveyor chain 35.
The pallet connector 23 may be connected to the conveyor chain 35. In this way, the feed amount of the pallet by the chain conveyor 31 can be always constant (pitch feed), and the setting of the work station interval does not need to be alternately arranged between S and L described above. The degree of freedom in setting the work station interval is also increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a rear axle assembly line of an automobile.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an automobile rear axle assembly line.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a work.

FIG. 4 is a layout diagram of a work station.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a pallet and pallet connecting means.

FIG. 6 is a view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a positioning pin and a positioning hole.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 spare assembly part (work) 3 hub cap (work) 4A to 4G work station 5 work transfer device 21 and 22 pallet 23 pallet connecting tool (pallet connecting means) 31 chain conveyor (pallet feeding means) 41 positioning pin 42 positioning hole 41a, 42a Taper guide surface 43 Cylinder device (positioning pin driving means)

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] A work transfer device for sequentially transferring and positioning a work to work stations arranged at mutually different intervals along a transfer line of the work, the work transfer device being arranged in a work transfer direction and supporting each of the works. a pallet connecting means for connecting the relatively movable back and forth over the pallet the workpiece conveying direction, a pallet feed means for moving the two or more pallets which are the connection to the workpiece conveying direction, of the linked two or more pallets each have a pallet interval changing means for changing the Aitonaru pallet interval to be positioned on each work station arranged phase, the pallet interval changing means is provided on each pallet
Locating holes and positioning provided at each work station
Female pin and the positioning holes and pins
Is also formed on one side so that the pallet spacing changes
Work carrying to guide the positioning pin into the positioning hole
The taper guide surface inclined in the feed direction and the positioning pin
Locating pin driver for fitting into the locating hole
Workpiece transfer apparatus characterized by comprising a stage.