JP2653286B2 - Switching device for work transfer equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a switching device for work transfer equipment used in factories handling a plurality of types of works.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in an assembly plant of an automobile, various kinds of transfer equipment are used to transport body parts of the automobile. As an example of the transfer equipment, a reciprocating transfer equipment called a running fork for feeding a work in a horizontal direction may be used.

As shown conceptually in FIG. 17, a running fork 1 comprises a base frame 2, a plurality of stages of running frames 3 and 4 provided on the base frame 2, and a vertically moving frame 2-4. And a horizontal drive mechanism (not shown) for moving the traveling frames 3 and 4 in the horizontal direction. The uppermost traveling frame 3 may be provided with a support 6 for supporting the workpiece W in a predetermined posture.

In the running fork 1, as shown in FIG. 18, the traveling frames 3, 4 are retracted in the direction of the arrow A or advanced in the direction of the arrow B, and the height of the traveling frame 3 is increased by the lifting drive mechanism 5. The workpiece W is transported to a predetermined position by changing it. The lifting drive mechanism 5 may be of a type using a cylinder mechanism as shown in FIG. 19, in addition to a pantograph mechanism using a combination of links.

[0005]

The running fork 1 has a support 6 for holding the work in a predetermined posture. The support 6 is provided at a position suitable for a specific work. Therefore, when the type of work changes,
In some cases, the same support portion 6 cannot support the work in a predetermined posture. Therefore, a switching mechanism that can move the supporting portion 6 according to the type of the work is required.

However, since the traveling frame 3 travels a considerably long stroke in the horizontal direction, if a cylinder mechanism for switching the support portion 6 is installed on the traveling frame 3, cables and hoses for sending a working fluid to the cylinder mechanism are required. Various problems arise, such as not only difficulty in wiring, but also difficulty in securing an installation space for the cylinder mechanism in the traveling frame 3. On the other hand, in a structure in which the support portion 6 is manually switched, the switching operation is troublesome and dangerous, and the work efficiency is reduced. What
It is described in JP-A-62-261852.
Like a transfer device, multiple types prepared according to the type of work
Shuttle several types of fingers according to the type of work
Some have been proposed to be attached to and detached from the finger dog of the bar
However, this type has multiple types of workpieces depending on the type of workpiece.
Need finger hangers, which makes managing fingers difficult
Not only does it require storage, it also requires storage space.
A separate device for replacing the finger is required, and
There is a problem that it is difficult to perform the replacement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a transfer equipment switching apparatus which can quickly switch the position of a support portion according to a work and can cope with a plurality of types of works.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The device of the present invention, which has been developed to achieve the above object, is capable of moving forward and backward , and has a
Workpiece transfer position, workpiece delivery position and workpiece
A traveling frame for transferring the work provided at three positions of the tool switching positions so as to be stoppable, and a supporting portion provided on the traveling frame and supporting the workpiece in a predetermined posture; and reciprocally movable workpiece receptacle for a second position from the first position in the width direction of the first positioning means to stop and the work receptacle provided on the traveling frame in the first position described above, the Second positioning means provided on the traveling frame and stopping the work receiver at the second position; and a traveling frame so as to face the workpiece receiver when the traveling frame is stopped at the workpiece receiving switching position.
And an operating portion disposed on one side of the traveling frame independently of the arm and capable of pressing the work receiver from the first position to the second position.
Interference between the switching position of the height at which the tool can be pressed and the workpiece
A first operating mechanism movable over a retreat position to be avoided, and a first operating mechanism that is opposed to the work receiver when the traveling frame is stopped at the work receiver switching position.
Separately and independently installed on the other side of the traveling frame
Said with to and having a depressible operating unit the workpiece receptacle toward the first position from said second position
The switching position of the height at which the work holder can be pressed and the work
And a second operation mechanism movable over the retreat position to avoid the interference of the second operation.

[0009]

[Action] In the present invention apparatus, the traveling frame is the word
While waiting at the work receiving device switching position , the position of the work receiving device is switched by the first or second operation mechanism according to the type of the work. When the work receiver is moved to the first position, the movement of the work receiver is stopped by the first positioning means. Workpiece holder is second
Is moved to the position, the movement of the work receiving member is stopped by the second positioning means.

[0010] For example, when the traveling frame receives the work
When in the position , the work is placed on the traveling frame.
This work is maintained in a predetermined posture by the support of the work receiver. As the traveling frame moves forward, the work is transferred to the work delivery position . For example, when the traveling frame reaches the work delivery position , the work is transferred to another transfer device or the like, and the empty traveling frame returns to the work transfer position to receive a new work.
It is returned to the place. In this way, when transferring the workpiece,
And the second operating mechanism moves to the retracted position, and
Try to avoid interference. When the type of workpiece changes, the traveling frame is returned to the workpiece receiver switching position.
And the first operating mechanism or the second operating mechanism is in the switching position.
And the first operation mechanism or the second operation mechanism is selectively operated according to the shape of the work, so that the work receiver is moved to the first position or the second position as necessary. Is switched.

Since the actuators of the operating mechanism may be provided at locations other than the traveling frame, there is no need to secure an installation space for the actuators on the traveling frame, and cables and hoses connected to the actuators also travel. It can be disposed separately from the frame.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. The work transfer equipment 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a running fork 11 for transferring an automobile body part as an example of the work W. The running fork 11 includes a support structure 12
It is provided on.

The running fork 11 includes a base frame 15 which can be vertically reciprocated by a lifting drive mechanism 13 and traveling frames 16 and 17 provided on the base frame 15. . The traveling frames 16, 17 are moved by a horizontal driving mechanism (not shown) to a neutral standby position (workpiece) shown in FIG.
From the receiver switching position) to the retracted position shown in FIG.
It is configured to be able to reciprocate horizontally in a range between a (work transfer position) and a forward position (work feed position) shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, the bogie 20 can be advanced to a work delivery stage located near the rear side of the running fork 11. The work W is carried to the work transfer stage in a state where the work W is placed on a predetermined position of the carriage 20.

As shown in FIG. 14, a work delivery stage located in front of the running fork 11
A work handling device 25 such as a drop lifter is provided. The work handling device 25 includes a base frame 26 driven vertically by a drive system (not shown), an arm 27 provided on the base frame 26 so as to be openable and closable, and the arm 27 holds and releases the work W. Can be performed.

A switching unit 30 is provided on the uppermost traveling frame 16 of the running fork 11. The switching unit 30 includes a base 31 fixed to the traveling frame 16 and a work holder 32 movable with respect to the base 31 in the width direction of the traveling frame 16.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG.
The guide rail 35 provided on the guide rail 1 extends in the width direction of the traveling frame 16. By fitting the groove 36 of the work receiver 32 into the guide rail 35, the work receiver 32 moves in the above direction. It is.

The work receiver 32 is provided with a first work piece shown in FIG.
From the position shown in FIG. 4 to the second position shown in FIG.
0 is provided. A first stopper wall 41 is provided on one end side of the receiving body 40. A second stopper wall 42 is provided on the other end side of the receiving body 40.

The first stopper wall 41 is provided on the workpiece holder 3.
When the second member 2 moves to the first position, it has a function of stopping the work receiver 32 at the first position by hitting the first support portion 45 provided on the base 31. The second stopper wall 42 has a function of stopping the work receiver 32 at the second position by hitting the second support portion 46 when the work receiver 32 moves to the second position.

A movement stopping mechanism 50 for holding the work receiver 32 at the first position or the second position.
Is provided. The motion stopping mechanism 50 includes a Jespa 52 having a retractable projection 51 provided on the base 31 side.
And a member 55 having concave portions 53 and 54 that can be fitted to the protrusion 51. The member 55 is fixed to the receiving body 40. The projection 51 is urged toward the member 55 by a spring (not shown).

The first concave portion 53 is provided at a position where the work receiving member 32 is fitted with the projection 51 when the work receiving member 32 moves to the first position. The second concave portion 54 is provided with the workpiece receiver 3.
2 is provided at a position where it is fitted to the projection 51 when it moves to the second position. In a state where the protrusion 51 is fitted into the concave portion 53 (or 54), even if a slight force is applied to the work receiving member 32, the work receiving member 32 is held so as not to move. Is added, the fitting between the projection 51 and the concave portion 53 (or 54) is released, so that the work receiver 32 can be moved.

The above-described first stopper wall 41 and support portion 4
5 and a projection 51 and a first concave portion 53 are provided with first positioning means 6 for stopping the work receiver 32 at the first position.
0. The second stopper wall 42 and the support portion 46, and the projection 51 and the second concave portion 54 constitute second positioning means 61 for stopping the work receiver 32 at the second position.

As shown in FIG. 5, the workpiece holder 32
Is provided with a support portion 65 for supporting the first work W1. When the work receiver 32 is at the first position, the support portion 65 supports a part 66 of the first work W1 to maintain the work W1 in a predetermined posture. When the second work W2 is placed, the support portion 65 is in the way, so that the work receiver 32 is moved to the second position shown by the two-dot chain line.

Receiving seats 70, 7 are provided at both ends of the work receiving member 32.
1 is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, a slip stopper 72 is provided near one receiving seat 71. The stopper 72 engages with the projection 73 when the workpiece holder 32 moves to the first position.

The work receiver 32 can be selectively switched to one of the first position and the second position by operating mechanisms 81 and 82 of a switching operation means 80 described below. It has become.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the switching operation means 80 includes a first operating mechanism 81 for moving the work receiver 32 to the first position, and a second operating mechanism 81 for moving the work receiver 32 to the second position. Is provided with a second operation mechanism 82 for moving to the second position.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first operating mechanism 8
1 is a first horizontal actuator 87 such as an air cylinder provided with a first operating portion 86 at the tip of a rod 85;
A first lifting actuator 88 such as an air cylinder for reciprocating the actuator 87 in the vertical direction is provided.

As shown in FIG. 9, the second operating mechanism 8
2 is a second horizontal actuator 92 such as an air cylinder provided with a second operating portion 91 at the tip of a rod 90;
A second lifting actuator 93 such as an air cylinder for reciprocating the actuator 92 in the vertical direction is provided.

When the traveling frame 16 of the running fork 11 is in the above-described neutral standby position (the state shown in FIG. 11), the operating portions 86 and 91 respectively receive the receiving seat 7
0,71. First operation unit 86
When the rod 85 moves to the extension side, the work 85 moves with a stroke capable of pushing the work receiver 32 to the first position. When the rod 90 moves to the extension side, the second operation unit 91 moves with a stroke capable of pushing the work receiver 32 to the second position. Therefore, the actuator 87,
By selectively operating the rods 85 and 90 of the 92 to the extension side, the work receiver 32 is moved to the first position or the second position.
Can be switched to the position.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first horizontal actuator 87 is mounted on the lifting frame 95. The elevating frame 95 is moved from the ascending position shown by a solid line in FIG. 7 by a first elevating actuator 88 along a guide rail 96 along the vertical direction.
It is possible to reciprocate over a descending position indicated by a two-dot chain line. The guide rail 96 is provided on the fixed frame 98.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the second
The horizontal actuator 92 of the lifting frame 110
Mounted on The lifting frame 110 is reciprocated along the guide rail 111 along the vertical direction from the rising position shown by the solid line in FIG. 9 to the lowering position shown by the two-dot chain line by the second lifting actuator 93. Is available. The guide rail 111 is provided on the fixed frame 113.

The switching unit 30 and the operating mechanism 8 described above
The switching device according to the present invention is constituted by 1, 82. It should be noted that transport means other than the carriage 20 and the work handling device 25 may be used for the work delivery stage and the work delivery stage.

Next, the operation of the work transfer equipment 10 having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 11 shows a standby state in which the running fork 11 is at the neutral position and is lowered. The work W is placed on the carriage 20 that has traveled to the work delivery stage behind the running fork 11.

As shown in FIG. 12, the traveling frame 16 of the running fork 11 retreats toward the carriage 20 so that the traveling frame 16 enters the lower surface of the work W. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13, the traveling frame 16 is raised by the lifting drive mechanism 13, so that the work W is transferred to the traveling frame 16.

Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the traveling frame 16 advances toward the work handling device 25 such as a drop lifter, so that the work W is stopped in a state where the work W is located directly below the work handling device 25. When the traveling frame 16 moves forward together with the work W in this way, in order to prevent the work W from interfering with the operation mechanisms 81 and 82 (see FIG. 1), the lifting actuators 88 and 93 are moved to the contraction side. The operating mechanisms 81 and 82 are on the lower limit side.
To the evacuation position.

As shown in FIG. 15, the work handling device 25 is lowered and the arm 27 is closed. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 16, the traveling frame 16 is lowered, whereby the workpiece W is held by the workpiece handling device 25. Then, the work W is transferred to the next process by moving the work handling device 25 in a predetermined direction. The empty running fork 11 returns to the neutral position shown in FIG. 11 again, and one cycle is completed.

When the type of the work W changes, when the running fork 11 returns to the neutral position shown in FIG. 11 and stops, the work receiver 32 is driven by the first or second operating mechanism 81, 82. Accordingly, the support portion 65 is moved to a position corresponding to the type of the work W.

For example, in the case of the first work W1, the first work W1
The work receiver 32 is moved to the first position by the actuator 87 of the operation mechanism 81 of FIG. When this switching operation is performed, the lifting frame 95 is moved to the raised position ( the switching position of the height indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2) by the lifting actuator 88. In the case of the second work W2, the work receiver 32 is moved to the second position by the actuator 92 of the second operation mechanism 82.
At this time, the elevating frame 110 is also moved by the elevating actuator 93 to the ascending position (at the height indicated by the solid line in FIG.
Change position).

The form of the supporting portion 65 for supporting the work is not limited to the illustrated example. In short, a shape corresponding to the work may be provided at an appropriate position, and a plurality of supporting portions 65 may be provided. Further, when the work receiver 32 is stopped at a predetermined position, an intermediate stop mechanism that can also be stopped at an intermediate position (third position) between the first position and the second position described above is provided. May be added.

[0040]

According to the present invention, the traveling frame can be switched.
When installing an actuator or using a cable
There is no need to route cables and hoses.
The traveling frame that moves with
Work receiver having a support part whose position can be switched
Tools can be provided. And according to the type of work
Since the position of the support portion can be quickly switched by the first or second operation mechanism, it does not take much time for work setup when changing the type of work, and it is possible to efficiently handle a plurality of types of works.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a work transfer facility provided with a switching device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the work transfer equipment shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a switching unit used in the work transfer equipment shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which a work receiver of the switching unit shown in FIG. 3 has moved to a second position.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the switching unit shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a first example of the work transfer equipment shown in FIG. 1;
FIG.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the operation mechanism shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 illustrates a second example of the work transfer equipment shown in FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the operation mechanism shown in FIG. 9;

11 is a side view conceptually showing a state in which a running fork of the work transfer equipment shown in FIG. 1 is at a neutral position.

FIG. 12 is a side view showing a state in which a running fork of the work transfer equipment shown in FIG. 11 is retracted.

FIG. 13 is a side view showing a state in which a running fork of the work transfer equipment shown in FIG. 11 is retracted and lifted.

FIG. 14 is a side view showing a state in which a running fork of the work transfer equipment shown in FIG. 11 has moved forward.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing a state in which the arm of the work handling device in the work transfer facility shown in FIG. 11 is closed.

FIG. 16 is a side view showing a state where the work handling device in the work transfer facility shown in FIG. 11 holds the work.

FIG. 17 is a side view conceptually showing a conventional work transfer facility provided with a running fork.

FIG. 18 is a side view showing the operation of a conventional running fork.

FIG. 19 is a side view conceptually showing another example of the conventional running fork.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: Work transfer equipment, 11: Running fork, 1
6 traveling frame, 30 switching unit, 32 workpiece holder, 41, 42 stopper wall, 50 detent mechanism, 60 first positioning means, 61 second positioning means, 65 support 81: first operation mechanism, 82: second operation mechanism.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yuji Watanabe 1 Nakashinkiri, Hashime-cho, Okazaki-shi, Aichi Prefecture, Mitsubishi Okazaki Works (56) References ) JP-A-2-262920 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] Claims: 1. A workpiece can be moved forward and backward and a workpiece can be delivered.
Position, workpiece feed-out position and workpiece holder switching position
A traveling frame for transferring the work, which is provided at three positions to be able to stop , and a supporting portion provided on the traveling frame for supporting the workpiece in a predetermined posture, and in a width direction of the traveling frame according to the type of the workpiece. in a first reciprocally movable workpiece receptacle for a second position from the position, a first positioning means to stop and the work receptacle provided on the traveling frame in the first position above the said travel frame Second positioning means provided for stopping the work receiver at the second position, and running so as to face the work receiver when the traveling frame is stopped at the work receiver switching position.
The word which has a depressible operation unit frame and the separation independently are deployed on one side of the running frame <br/> and the work receptacle a toward the second position from the first position
Switching position of the height that can press the
A first operating mechanism movable over a retreat position for avoiding interference , and traveling so as to face the work receiver when the traveling frame is stopped at the workpiece receiver switching position.
The word which has a depressible operation unit frame and separated independently is deployed on the other side of the running frame <br/> and the work receptacle toward the first position from said second position
Switching position of the height that can press the
A second operating mechanism movable over a retreat position to avoid interference, and a switching device for work transfer equipment.