JP2855790B2 - Transfer device - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transport device that distributes a transport body to rails according to a distribution instruction and transports the transport body.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a transfer device for transferring a transfer body holding a work-in-process material such as a sewn product in a sewing factory or the like, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-193129 by the present applicant. In addition, the order of the work stations to be dropped in according to the work content is stored in advance as a destination instruction for each carrier. And a sorting mechanism connected to a bridge rail for transporting the transporter and a station rail for transporting the transporter via a work station, and number reading means for reading the number of the transporter, and a destination based on the read number. According to the distribution command set from the instruction, the distribution mechanism is controlled by the distribution control means,
There has been proposed a device in which a carrier is distributed to a bridge rail or a station rail and transported.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In such a conventional transport device, work at a certain work station does not proceed, and the transport bodies overflow one after another on the station rails.
In some cases, it is not possible to carry the transporter having the work station as a destination any further on the station rail. In such a case, in order to prevent traffic jams in the transporting body, the transporting body is first carried out to the bridge rail, and when returning to the sorting mechanism again, if the station rail does not overflow, it is carried out to the station rail at that time. It is preferred that

On the other hand, due to different colors and design of the work cloth etc.,
Some of the work to be performed on the work cloth or the like is different. As a recent trend, these types are increasing and the tendency of multi-product small-quantity production is becoming stronger. A plurality of transfer bodies holding work cloths and the like on which the same work is performed are collectively made into one lot, and a plurality of lots are simultaneously put into the transfer device so that it can cope with multi-product small-quantity production. It can be considered.

However, when the carry-out to the station rail is restarted when the overflow of the station rail disappears, the carry-out order of the carrier to the work station may be reversed, and may not be as instructed. For example, it is not possible to carry out to the station rail due to overflow, and for the time before the transported body carried out to the bridge rail returns to its sorting mechanism again,
There is a case where the overflow disappears and another transport body is first carried out to the station rail.

Then, for example, when sewing, a white thread must be used for a certain lot, and a red thread must be used for the next lot. Change the sewing device such as sewing machine to red. And, while the work using the red thread is proceeding, when the transporter holding the sewing product using the white thread, which was once carried out to the bridge rail due to overflow, returns, the sewing product is In order to perform the sewing operation, the thread must be replaced with a white thread again, so that there is a problem that the working efficiency is reduced. In addition, there is a problem that a sewing operation is performed on a sewn product that should use a white thread with the red thread unaware of the operator, and a trouble such as a defective product occurs.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and in the case of multi-product, small-volume production, a carrier of a different lot is not transported to a work station in a wrong order, thereby improving work efficiency. It is an object of the present invention to provide a transfer device that can improve the sewing and does not cause trouble in sewing.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the object, the present invention has the following configuration as means for solving the problems. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of sorting mechanisms M1 are connected to each other by a bridge rail capable of transporting a carrier, and at least one sorting mechanism M1 has a predetermined operation with respect to the carrier. A station rail for unloading and loading the transfer body to a work station for performing the connection is connected, and each of the sorting mechanisms M1 transfers the loaded transfer body to the bridge rail or the station rail when connected. Number reading means M2 for reading the number of the carrier, and controlling the sorting mechanism M1 so that the bridge corresponds to the destination based on the number. Distribution control means for distribution to rails or station rails
M3, and a transport device for transporting the transport body, wherein the sorting mechanism M1 connected to the station rail
Regarding, when the destination corresponding to the number of the transported body read by the number reading means M2 is a work station that can be carried out by a connected station rail, the read number of the transported body, in the work station of the destination Transport order determining means M4 for determining whether or not the order of unloading the transport bodies is determined in advance on a lot basis based on work contents; and the sorting mechanism M1 also connected to the station rails. If it is determined by M4 that the order is in accordance with the unloading order, the sorting control means M3 causes the transported body to be sorted to the station rail corresponding to the destination based on the number, while the unloading order determining means M4 If it is determined that they do not follow the unloading order, And unloading setting means M5 for distributing the transported body to the bridge rail by the stage M1.

[Operation] In the transport device of the present invention having the above-described configuration, the sorting mechanism M1 can sort out the transported body that has been loaded into the bridge rail and carry out the same. Further, in the sorting mechanism M1 to which the station rail is connected, the transported body that has been loaded can be sorted to the station rail and carried out. In the case of the sorting mechanism M1 to which a station rail is connected, a transport body may be carried in from another sorting mechanism via a bridge rail, or the transported body that has been worked in the work station may be transferred to the station. May be entered via rails.

Then, the distribution control means M3 controls the distribution mechanism to distribute the carrier to a bridge rail or a station rail corresponding to the destination based on the number read by the number reading means M2. As described above, it is basically to carry out to the rail corresponding to the destination based on the number, but with respect to the sorting mechanism connected to the station rail, the following carry-out order determination and carry-out setting are performed.

In other words, the unloading order determining means M4 determines whether or not the unloading order of the carrier is determined in advance on a lot basis based on the work at the destination work station corresponding to the read number. Then, based on the determination result by the unloading order determining means, the unloading setting means M5, when the unloading order is followed, causes the sorting control means to sort the transport body to a bridge rail or station rail corresponding to the destination based on the number. On the other hand, if it is determined that the carrying order is not in accordance with the carrying-out order, the carrier is distributed to the bridge rail by the distribution control means.

Thereby, the following transport is realized. For example,
In a certain work station SA, while all the transport members belonging to the lot LA are not worked, it may be possible to improve the work efficiency by not working on other lots. Specifically, the colors of the threads used when performing the sewing work are different. In this case, in lot units
The order of LA delivery is set to the highest priority, and it is determined whether or not the order is followed. Then, when the order of carrying out is in accordance with the carrying out order, the carrier is carried out to the work station LA and the work is performed. On the other hand, if the transport order is not followed, the transport body is once transported to the bridge rail. Note that the transported body carried out to another sorting mechanism M1 via the bridge rail is returned to the original sorting mechanism M1 again via the bridge rail since the destination is the work station SA. At that time, the carry-out order is determined again, and if the carry-out order is followed, the work is to be performed at the work station SA, so that the work is distributed to the station rail.

[Example] Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration mainly of rails and the like of a transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a side view of the same. Since the plurality of sorting mechanisms 1a, 1b,... Are installed at intervals in a sewing factory or the like and have the same structure, the following description focuses on the sorting mechanism 1a. The sorting mechanism 1a is provided with a column 3 that stands on the floor 2. The support shaft 4 is erected at the upper end of the support column 3 via a mount 5, and a support plate 6 is fixed to the upper end. The station rail support frame 7a in the form of a rectangular frame is supported and fixed on the upper surface of the support plate 6 at an intermediate portion thereof. A pair of parallel bridge rail support frames 7b are supported and fixed between the support plates 6 of the adjacent distribution mechanisms 1a and 1b.

Bridge rails 8 and 10 for transporting a transport body 36 described later
Are suspended and supported on the bridge rail support frame 7b by a plurality of suspension fittings 9, and connected to the distribution mechanism 1a. In the present embodiment, the sorting mechanisms 1a and 1b are connected to each other by a pair of parallel bridge rails 8 and 10.

Further, a horseshoe-shaped station rail 11 is provided so as to transport the transport body 36 via work stations ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4,... Arranged around the distribution mechanisms 1a, 1b,. I have. Around the distributing mechanisms 1a, 1b,..., A work station ST for performing a sewing operation on a sewn product or the like held on the carrier 36 is provided, and a sewing device such as a sewing machine is provided. I have.

Loading portions 8a and 11a are formed at one end of the bridge rail 8 and one end of the station rail 11, and unloading portions 10b and 11b are formed at one end of the bridge rail 10 and the other end of the station rail 11, respectively. 8a, 11a, 10b,
11b are arranged at predetermined heights (45 degrees in the embodiment) at the same height around the distribution mechanism 1a. In this embodiment, since there are four unloading sections 10b and 11b,
As shown in FIG. 2, in order to distinguish the bridge rail 10 or the station rail 11 for carrying out
Are predetermined. An unloading portion 8b is formed at the other end of the bridge rail 8, and a loading portion 10a is formed at the other end of the bridge rail 10, and are connected to the adjacent sorting mechanism 1b.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the rotating shaft 12 is rotatably penetrated and supported by the support plate 6 of the distribution mechanism 1a via a fixed bracket 13, and a driving sprocket 14 is fixed to a lower end thereof. The driven sprocket 15 is rotatably and position-adjustable via a movable bracket 16 on the lower surface on the other side of the support plate 6 so as to be located on the opposite side of the driving sprocket 14 via the support shaft 4. A pair of interlocking shafts 17 are rotatably and position-adjustable through the movable plate 18 through the support plate 6 so as to be located between the two sprockets 14 and 15, and the lower ends thereof are interlocking sprockets.
19 is fixed.

The endless first chain 20 is mounted so as to straddle the driving sprocket 14 and the driven sprocket 15 of the adjacent distribution mechanism 1b, and includes a plurality of guide sprockets 21 provided on the lower surface of the support plate 6 and the respective suspensions. A plurality of chain guides 22 provided on the metal fitting 9 are stretched along the bridge rails 8 and 10. The endless second chain 23 is mounted on each of the interlocking sprockets 19, and a plurality of guide sprockets 24 provided on the lower surface of the support plate 6 and a plurality of chain guides (not shown in the drawings) provided on each hanging bracket 9. ), It is stretched along the station rail 11.

A motor 26 for driving the chain is mounted on the support plate 6 of the distribution mechanism 1a via support legs 27, and its motor shaft 26
A drive pulley 28 is fixed to a. The driven pulley 29 is fixed to the upper end of the rotating shaft 12, and a timing belt 30 is mounted between the driven pulley 29 and the driving pulley. The three interlocking pulleys 31 are an intermediate portion of the rotating shaft 12 and an interlocking shaft.
Timing belts 32 are mounted on these interlocking pulleys 31, each being fixed to the upper end of 17. A pair of tension pulleys 33 that apply tension to the timing belt 32 are provided on the support plate 6.

As shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, the carrier 36 is movably connected to the bridge rails 8, 10 or the station rails 11 via a pair of rolling rollers 37, and the sewn product or the like is provided. Is hanger-shaped so that the article can be hung. A pair of engagement rings 3 having a plurality of engagement protrusions 38a on the outer periphery
8 is rotatably supported by a carrier 36, and normally,
The rotation of 8 is regulated by friction means (not shown). Then, with the engagement protrusion 38a of the engagement wheel 38 engaged with the first or second chain 20, 23, the transport body 36 moves along the bridge rail 8, 10 or the station rail 11 by the movement of the chain 20, 23. Transported.

Bridge rail 8 and station rail 11 for loading
As shown in FIG. 2, a number reading device 39 is attached to the carrying-in portions 8a and 11a with hanging brackets 9, and the carrier 36 is moved along the bridge rail 8 or the station rail 11 to the number reading device 39. When transported to a position corresponding to the above, the transport of the transport body 36 is temporarily stopped by contact with a stopper (not shown), and the transporter (not shown) attached to the transport body 36 by the number reading device 39. The number is read by the code mark for identification. Note that the movement of the chains 20 and 23 is continued even when the carrier 36 is stopped. In this case, the engagement wheel 38 is configured to idle with the movement of the chain against the action of the friction means.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, and 6, a rotating body 41 is rotatably supported on a support shaft 4 of the distribution mechanism 1a via a radial bearing 42, and a lower end edge thereof. A thrust bearing 43 is interposed between and the mounting base 5. A plurality (eight in this embodiment) of distribution is arranged on the outer peripheral edge of the rotating body 41 so as to be able to face the loading sections 8a, 11a or the loading sections 10b, 11b of the bridge rails 8, 10 and the station rail 11. The arm 44 is at a predetermined angle (in this embodiment,
At every 45 degrees, they are radially projected and fixed, and extend to a position corresponding to the movement area of the first chain 20 or the second chain 23.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, on the lower surface of the rotating body 41, the detection target 54 is attached at a position corresponding to each distribution arm 44, respectively. A detector 57 is mounted on the support plate 52 in correspondence with the object 54 to be detected.
The position of the rotating body 41 supporting the plurality of distribution arms 44 is detected by the 57 detecting the end of the detected object 54.

A holding rail 45 for holding the carrier 36 is swingably attached to a tip of each of the sorting arms 44 by a shaft 46, and an engagement protrusion 45a is formed at an inner end thereof. Normally, as shown in FIG. 5, the holding rail 45 is held in an inclined state in which the engagement protrusion 45a is lowered by its own weight, and the transport body 36 is bridged by the first or second chain 20, 23. When the transfer body 36 is carried onto the distribution arm 44 from the carry-in portions 8a, 11a of the station rail 8 or the station rail 11, the carrier 36 is lowered along the holding rail 45 to a position where the carrier 36 engages with the engagement protrusion 45a, and the engagement is performed. The shaft 38 is configured to be released from engagement with the first or second chain 20, 23.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, an arm rotation servomotor 47 that can rotate forward and backward is mounted on the support plate 6, and a drive pulley 48 is fixed to the motor shaft 47a. A driven pulley 49 is fixed to the upper surface of the rotating body 41 in a state of being inserted into the support shaft 4, and a timing belt 50 is mounted between the driven pulley 49 and the driving pulley 48. Then, by rotating the servomotor 47 in the forward or reverse direction, the rotating body 41 rotates 45 degrees in the forward or reverse direction through the driving pulley 48, the timing belt 50 and the driven pulley 49 by a predetermined angle of 45 degrees or an integral multiple thereof. In addition, the distribution arm 44 holding the transfer body 36 can be pivotally disposed at a position facing a predetermined bridge rail 8, 10 or station rail 11.

The servomotor 47 is feedback-controlled based on the detection signal of the detection target 54 from the detector 57 described above. Further, an encoder 72 is mounted inside the servomotor 47, , That is, the rotation angle of the distribution arm 44 is detected.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a push-up cylinder 51 is mounted on the mounting base 5 by a support plate 52 below each of the distributing arms 44, and an upper end of the piston rod 51a is provided at the upper end of the piston rod 51a. A push-up body 53 that can be engaged with the rotation arm 45 of the distribution arm 44 is provided. Then, the piston rod 51a, which is normally immersed, is protruded and moved as shown in FIG. 5, and when the push-up body 53 is raised, the rotating arm 45 supporting the carrier 36 is horizontally moved from the downward inclined state. Is rotated so that the engagement wheel 38 on the carrier 36 is moved to the first or second chain 2.
0 and 23 are configured to be engaged.

Next, the electric system of this embodiment will be described with reference to a block diagram shown in FIG. Each of the devices is driven and controlled by the electronic control circuit 60 to carry the carrier 36. The electronic control circuit 60 is configured with a well-known CPU 62, ROM 64, and RAM 66 as the center of a logical operation circuit, and is configured by mutually connecting an input / output circuit 68 for performing input / output with an external device via a common bus 70. ing.

The CPU 62 includes a number reading device 39, a detector 57, and an encoder 7.
2.Input / output circuit 68
And input each. On the other hand, these signals and ROM6
4.Based on the data in the RAM 66, the CPU 62
And outputs a drive signal for driving the servo motor 47 via
Similarly, a drive signal of the lifting cylinder 51 is output to a control valve (not shown) through the input / output circuit 68 to
Is controlling the operation of

In addition, the electronic control circuit 60 controls the distribution mechanisms 1a, 1b,.
One electronic control circuit is provided for each electronic control circuit.
60 is connected to a host computer 75, and the host computer 75 controls the entire system. The host computer 75 uses the keyboard 74 to determine the order in which the transporters 36 are transported to the respective work stations ST1,... In accordance with the work process of the sewing product or the like. Entered every time. Further, based on the work content to be performed on the work cloth held by the carrier 36, a plurality of the same carriers 36 are divided into lots in which the same work is performed. Numbers 36-1 to 36-10 are lot number 1, carrier number 36-11 to
36-20 is lot number 2, and similarly, carrier numbers are lot numbers 3, 4,. In this embodiment, the number is all in increments of 10, but may be different for each lot number. In this manner, a plurality of lots are simultaneously transferred in the transfer device, and in which order the lots are distributed from the sorting mechanisms 1a, 1b,... To the respective work stations ST1,. The unloading order is preset for the work station ST1, for example, as shown in the unloading order table 75 in FIG.
When assigning the lot numbers, the numbers may be assigned in accordance with the unloading order. Then, the host computer 75 outputs to each electronic control circuit 60 a destination instruction indicating which work station ST1,... The transport body 36 should go to next for each transport body 36. Each electronic control circuit 60 stores the destination instruction from the host computer 75 and the contents of the destination instruction table 76 shown in FIG. Note that the transfer order may be input in each electronic control circuit 60, and the destination instruction for each transfer body 36 may be stored in the electronic control circuit 60. When the carrier 36 arrives at the designated work station ST1,... And receives an end signal indicating that a predetermined work has been performed,
The work station ST1 to which the carrier 36 should go next, ...
Is output to each electronic control circuit 60, and the destination instruction table 76 is rewritten.

Next, the operation of the transport device of the present embodiment and the processing performed in the electronic control unit 60 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, when the chain drive motor 26 provided in the distribution mechanism 1a is rotated, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first chain 20 is driven via the drive pulley 28, the timing belt 30, and the like. As shown in FIG. 4, the second chain 23 is rotated around the bridge rails 8 and 10 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. Is moved around in the same direction.

Thereby, the carrier 36 on the bridge rails 8, 10 or the station rails 11 is moved to the bridge rails 8, 10 or the station rails 11 with the engagement wheels 38 engaged with the first or second chains 20, 23. Along the direction of the arrow in FIG.

Then, the movement of the carrier 36, which has been carried to the position corresponding to the number reading device 39 along the bridge rail 8, is temporarily stopped by a stopper (not shown). At this time, it is determined whether or not there is a transport body 36 to be loaded into the sorting mechanism 1a, based on whether or not the number for transporter identification attached to the transport body 36 is read by the number reading device 39, and it is determined that there is. Then, the following distribution control processing is executed (Step 100, hereinafter simply referred to as S100, the same applies hereinafter). Next, for each distribution arm 44, the presence or absence of the carrier 36 to be carried into the distribution arm 44 is stored (S11).
0). In the present embodiment, the sorting arms 44 are distinguished by attaching arm numbers 1 to 8, respectively, and the number of the transporting body 36 is loaded into the loading sections 8a and 11a at positions opposed to the sorting arm 44 of a certain arm number. Is read by the number reading device 39, and "1" and "0" are stored as shown in the carrier sorting table 78 shown in FIG. In this embodiment, since there are four carry-in portions 8a and 11a, up to four carriers 36 may be carried in at the same time.

Next, with reference to the destination instruction table 76 in FIG. 11, it is determined whether or not the rails 10, 11 at the destination corresponding to the destination instruction of the carrier 36 based on the read number are the station rails 11 (S120). . In this embodiment, the destination instruction is given by a station number (ST1, ST2,...). If the destination rails 10 and 11 are the station rails 11, the lot number of the carrier 36 is confirmed, and it is determined whether or not the lot number follows the unloading order shown in the unloading table 75 (S130).

For example, in the case of the work station ST1, the work stations ST1
Each carrier 36 is carried out. That is, after the ten transport bodies 36 having the transport number 36-1 to 36-10 belonging to the lot number 1 have been first carried out to the work station ST1, the transport number 36-61 belonging to the next lot number 7 has been completed. Up to 36-70 carriers
The number of the transport bodies 36 of the lot number 1 to be carried out to the work station ST1 is counted so that the 36 is carried out. After the counted number has reached 10, the carry-out order is determined so that 10 carry-out bodies 36 of the next lot number 7 are carried out. In this case, if the carrier 36 belongs to the same lot number 1, which carrier 36 is first carried out to the work station ST1, for example, the carrier 36-9 is transferred to the work station ST1.
You may carry out to work station ST1 before two.

Then, if the delivery order is followed, and if the destination rails 10 and 11 are not the station rails 11 in S120, that is, if the bridge rails 10, the transport body 36 is distributed to the rails 10 and 11 according to the destination instruction. Next, the rotation angle of the number of the distributing arm 44 to be rotated is calculated. Then, as shown in the carrier sorting table 78 in FIG. 12, the sorting command is set by storing the rotation angle and the destination rail number for each sorting arm 44 (S140).

If there are a plurality of distribution arms 44 in which the transport body 36 is stored in S110, the process from S120 onward is repeated, and for all the transport bodies 36 simultaneously loaded into the distribution arm 44, Then, the rotation angle and the destination rail number are stored, and a distribution command is set (S150).

After the necessary sorting command is stored in the carrier sorting table 78 in this manner, the stop of the carrier 36 is released by comparing the stoppers, and as shown in FIG. It is carried onto the distribution arm 44 from 8a and 11a (S160). Then, the rotating arm 45 in the downward inclined state
The engagement wheel 38 is lowered by its own weight to a position where it engages with the engagement protrusion 45 a, the engagement wheel 38 is released from engagement with the first or second chain 20, 23, and the carrier 36 is placed on the rotating arm 45. It is kept stationary.

In this state, the arm rotating servomotor 47 is rotated by a predetermined angle based on the contents of the carrier sorting table 78, and the rotating body 41 is rotated in the forward or reverse direction via the drive pulley 48 or the like, and the Distributing arm 44 holding body 36
Is pivotally disposed at a position facing the unloading sections 10b and 11b (S1
70).

After the completion of the rotation, the lifting arm is moved by a lifting cylinder 51 corresponding to the sorting arm 44 holding the transfer body 36.
The transport arm 36 is raised by rotating the rotating arm 45 from the downward inclined state to the horizontal state by raising the 53 and the engaging wheel 38 is engaged with the first or second chain 20, 23. Then, with the movement of the first or second chain 20, 23, the transport body 36 is unloaded from the sorting arm 44 to the unloading sections 10b, 11b (S180).

The processes in S170 and S180 are performed by using the carrier sorting table 78.
In the case shown in (4), the process is repeated four times for each distribution arm 44, and all the transport bodies 36 are unloaded (S190).
After unloading 36, the process returns to S100 to repeatedly execute the following processing.

When the carrier 36 reaches a position on the station rail 11 corresponding to the work stations ST1,.
The movement of the carrier 36 is stopped by the stopper projecting above the station rail 11. In this state, an operator such as a sewing manufacturer removes an article such as a sewn product from the carrier 36, performs an operation such as sewing on the article, and returns the article to the carrier 36. Evacuated, carrier 36
Is restarted.

Further, for example, the work at the work station ST1,... Does not proceed, and the transport bodies 36 are arranged side by side on the station rail 11 one after another and overflow.
In some cases, it may not be possible to carry the transport body 36 destined to 1, ... to the station rail 11 any more. In such a case, in order to prevent congestion in the flow of the carrier 36, the carrier 36 is first carried out to the bridge rail 10, and when returning to the sorting mechanism 1a again, if the station rail 11 has not overflown, Is carried out to the station rail 11. Then, before the transport body 36 unloaded to the bridge rail 10 returns to the sorting mechanism 1a again, the overflow disappears, and the transport body 36 in the unloading order is transported to the sorting mechanism 1a. May come.

For example, in the case of the contents of the destination instruction table 76 shown in FIG. 11, although the transporter 36-4 belonging to the lot number 1 has not yet been transported to the work station ST1, the lot number 7 in the next transport order has not yet been transported. Are transported to the sorting mechanism 1a. And
The next destination of both carrier numbers is the work station ST1. Among them, the transporter number 36-4 is determined to be in the unloading order because the 10 transporters 36 belonging to the lot number 1 have not yet been transported to the work station ST1 (S130). S140
By the above processing, the distribution command is set as the destination rail number so as to be carried out to the work station ST1.

In the case of the carrier number 36-62, all of the 10 carriers 36 belonging to the lot number 1 are still in the work station ST.
Since they have not been unloaded, it is determined that they do not follow the unloading order (S130). When a transport body 36 that does not follow this unloading order is loaded, it is determined whether or not the transport body 36 has been loaded from the station rail 11 (S200). In the case of the transport body 36 loaded from the station rail 11, for example, the work station ST1
Is completed, the work may be carried into the distribution mechanism 1a from the station rail 11, and then the destination may be the work station ST2 arranged along the station rail 11 connected to the same distribution mechanism 1a. In that case,
In order to distribute to the specific bridge rail 10 determined for each of the station rails 11, calculate the rotation angle of how many times the distribution arm 44 should be rotated, and for each distribution arm 44, calculate the rotation angle and the rotation angle. The distribution command is set by storing the destination rail number (S210). On the other hand, when it is determined in S200 that the transporting body 36 has not been transported by the station rail 11, for example, when the transporting body 36 has been transported from the adjacent distribution mechanism 1b via the bridge rail 8, the adjacent Calculate the rotation angle of how many times the distribution arm 44 should be rotated so as to distribute it to the bridge rail 10 connected to the distribution mechanism 1b, and for each distribution arm 44, the rotation angle and the destination rail A number is stored and a distribution command is set (S220).
After that, the processes in S160 to S190 are performed as described above, and the transport body 36 is transported.

The above-mentioned transporter number 36-62 is carried out to the bridge rail 10 of the destination rail number, and is returned to the adjacent distribution mechanism 1b again. Then, in the adjacent sorting mechanism 1b,
The destination of the carrier number 36-62 is the work station ST
Since it is 1, it is carried out to the bridge rail 8 so as to be carried to the sorting mechanism 1a. Thereby, the carrier number 36−
62 is circulated between the two sorting mechanisms 1a and 1b until all ten transporters 36 belonging to the lot number 1 are unloaded to the work station ST1.

Note that the number reading device 39 functions as the number reading means M2, and S1
The processing from 60 to S190 functions as the distribution control means M3. The execution of the processing in S130 functions as the unloading order determining means M4, and the execution of the processing in S200 to S220 functions as the unloading setting means M5.

As described above, the transfer device of the present invention determines whether the transfer body 36 follows the unloading order set in advance for each lot (S130). Then, if the delivery order is followed, the transport body 36 is moved to the rail 10 according to the destination instruction,
A distribution command for distribution to 11 is set (S140).

Further, when the transporting body 36 that does not follow the unloading order is loaded, in the case of the transporting body 36 that has been loaded from the station rail 11 (S200), it is sorted to a specific bridge rail 10 determined for each station rail 11. (S2
10) In the case where the vehicle is carried in from the bridge rail 8 (S200), a distribution command for distribution to the bridge rail 10 connected to the distribution mechanism 1b adjacent thereto is set (S22).
0). Then, the transporting body 36 is transported in accordance with those sorting instructions (S160 to S190).

Therefore, the transport bodies 36 having the same work content are continuously carried out to the respective work stations ST1,. For example, in the case described above, a sewing operation using a white thread is performed for a machine belonging to lot number 1 and a sewing operation is performed for a machine belonging to lot number 7 using a red thread. Make a replacement. In this case, if the lot number 1 and the carrier number 36-4 are carried out to the work station ST1 before the lot number 7 and the carrier number 36-62 are carried out to the work station ST1, You have to change from white thread to red thread. Then, after that, when the lot number 1 and the carrier number 36-4 are conveyed, it is necessary to return from the red thread to the white thread, and after that, another carrier number 36-67 of the lot number 7 is used. When the material is carried out, the white yarn must be replaced with the red yarn again. However, by carrying out according to the carrying out order, after carrying out all of the lot number 1 to the work station ST1, the next lot number 7 is carried out. Well, work efficiency is improved.

Also, a carrier belonging to lot number 1 for sewing with white thread
If the carrier 36 belonging to the lot number 7 to be sewn with a red thread is carried out while the 36 is being carried out, a problem that the worker sew it with a white thread without noticing it may occur. It is unlikely to occur.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments at all, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the above embodiment, the sorting arm 44
Are arranged radially every 45 degrees, but the number of distribution arms 44 may be increased, for example, to 10 every 36 degrees depending on the application.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, the transport apparatus of the present invention can perform each operation in accordance with the unloading order even when transport bodies of different lot types are transported in a mixed manner, such as in multi-product, small-volume production. Since it is carried out to the station, the number of setup changes due to differences in the work content of each lot can be minimized, work efficiency can be improved, and troubles due to misidentification of work content can be prevented. Play.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view mainly showing a schematic configuration of a rail of a transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the drive configuration of the distribution mechanism of this embodiment, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 5, FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line DD of FIG. 5, FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric system of this embodiment, and FIG. A flowchart showing a distribution control process performed in the control circuit, FIG.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing a destination instruction table of a carrier, and FIG.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing a carrier sorting table, and FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing an unloading order table. M1, 1a, 1b Distributing mechanism M2 Number reading means M3 Distributing control means M4 Discharge order determining means M5 Discharge setting means ST1 to ST6 Work stations 8, 10 Bridge rail 11 … Station rail 36… Carrier 39… Number reading device 60 …… Electronic control circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B65G 43/00 B65G 43/08 B65G 47/46 B65G 47/61

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A plurality of sorting mechanisms are connected to each other by a bridge rail capable of transporting a carrier, and at least one sorting mechanism includes a work station for performing a predetermined operation on the carrier. Station rails for unloading and loading the transport body are connected, and each sorting mechanism is configured to be able to sort out the loaded transport body to the bridge rail or the station rail if connected, and to transport the transport body. Further, number reading means for reading the number of the carrier, and distribution control means for controlling the sorting mechanism to sort the carrier to the bridge rail or station rail corresponding to the destination based on the number. A transport device for transporting the transport body, wherein the station If the destination corresponding to the transporter number read by the number reading means is a work station that can be carried out by the connected station rail, the read transporter number However, transport order determining means for determining whether or not to follow the unloading order of the transport body predetermined in lot units based on the work content at the destination work station, and a sorting mechanism similarly connected to the station rail, If it is determined by the unloading order judging means that the unloading order is followed, the sorting control means causes the transport body to be sorted to the station rail corresponding to the destination based on the number. If it is determined by the , By the distribution control means,
And a carrying-out setting means for distributing the carrier to the bridge rail.