JP3222181B2 - Work supply device with buffer mechanism - 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 supply apparatus for supplying a work to a production facility, and more particularly, to adjusting a storage quantity of a supplied work when a work processing quantity varies due to a trouble in the production facility. The present invention relates to a work supply device with a buffer mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for various kinds of production equipment, such as improvement in tact time and thorough quality control. There are various demands such as flexibility.

Next, a conventional example of a work supply device will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0004] In FIGS. 7 and 8, a conventional work supply device includes a single discharger 1 that discharges works W one by one at intervals, and a conveyor that conveys the work W discharged from the single discharger 1. 40, a single-row discharger 3 that receives a predetermined number of works W for one cycle from the works W conveyed by the conveyor 40, and repeats the operation of discharging these works W in a single row; It is arranged at the entrance and while the single-row discharger 3 is discharging the work W for one cycle,
The work W conveyed by the conveyor 40 is closed, stopped at the entrance of the single-row discharger 3 and stored therein, and opened while the single-row discharger 3 is receiving one cycle of the work W, and is opened. And an opening / closing shutter 4 for receiving the work W stored at the entrance of the single-row discharger 3.

[0005]

However, in the configuration of the above-described conventional work supply apparatus, the work W is spaced apart from the conveyor 40 in order to adjust the processing amount of the production equipment and the supply amount of the work W. The workpiece W is discharged upward, and the work W is stored by a shutter 4 arranged at the entrance of the single-row discharger 3.

Accordingly, since the single discharger 1 discharges the works W one by one at intervals, in the case of the work W whose center of gravity is unstable, there is a gap between the works W conveyed adjacently. In addition, there is a problem that it is not stable, and falls or breaks during transportation.

Further, if the operation time of one cycle of the single-row discharger 3 becomes longer due to the processing speed of the production equipment, etc.,
There is a problem that the amount of work stored on the conveyor 40 becomes excessive and storage becomes impossible.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and can stably supply a work having an unstable center of gravity. The amount of work that can be stored on a conveyor is determined according to the amount of work that needs to be stored on a conveyor. It is an object to provide a work supply device with a buffer mechanism that can be increased or decreased.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a work supply apparatus with a buffer mechanism for solving the above-mentioned problems, comprising a first conveyor for conveying a work, and a predetermined distance from the first conveyor. A second conveyor that is arranged in parallel with the first conveyor and conveys the work in a direction opposite to the first conveyor, and is arranged between the first conveyor and the second conveyor and receives a work conveyed by the first conveyor and receives a half of the work. Inverting transfer means for inverting a work while transferring it on a second conveyor while guiding the work on an outer surface along a circular orbit, and moving means for moving the inverting transfer means in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the first conveyor. And a biasing means for biasing the reverse transfer means in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first conveyor conveys the workpiece, wherein the moving means comprises: No. 1 The work continuously conveyed on the first conveyor is driven by a force for pushing the work stored on the reversing transfer means by a discharge force for continuously discharging the work to the bear, and the reversing transfer means is attached to the work. A first moving means for moving the first conveyor in a direction in which the work is conveyed against the urging force of the urging means;
A semi-circular work guide having a bottom surface and an outer surface for receiving the work carried by the first conveyor and transferring the work to the second conveyor is provided. The work supply device with a buffer mechanism according to the second invention of the present application includes a first conveyor that conveys a work, and a work that is arranged in parallel with the first conveyor at a predetermined interval and is opposite to the first conveyor. A second conveyor to be conveyed, and a work arranged between the first conveyor and the second conveyor, receiving the work conveyed by the first conveyor, inverting the work while guiding the work on an outer surface along a semicircular track, and A work supply device with a buffer mechanism, comprising: a reversing transfer means for transferring the data on a conveyor; and a moving means for moving the reversal transfer means in a direction parallel to a conveying direction of the first conveyor. An urging means for urging the transfer loading means in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first conveyor conveys the work, wherein the moving means comprises a first conveyer for discharging the work to the first conveyor by a discharge force for continuously discharging the work to the first conveyor. (A) The work conveyed continuously on the first conveyor is driven by a force for pushing the work stored on the reversing transfer means, and the first conveyor moves the reversal transfer means against the urging force of the urging means. A first moving unit for moving the workpiece in a direction in which the workpiece is conveyed, and a second moving unit for moving the reversing transfer unit in a direction parallel to the conveying direction of the first conveyor by a driving device;
When the movement by the first moving means reaches a predetermined amount, the movement is switched to the movement by the second moving means and the reversing transfer means is continuously moved in the conveying direction of the first conveyor. (1) The apparatus is characterized in that a state in which the reverse transfer means is urged by the urging means of one moving means is maintained.

[0010]

The work supply device with a buffer mechanism according to the first invention of the present application has a structure in which the work is continuously formed by the above-described structure.
Due to the transfer force of the work when it is sent out to the feeding device,
The transfer loading means moves in the direction to increase the amount of stored work
Therefore, always keep a constant pressure between the workpieces being transported.
Yes, even if the work alone is unstable,
It can be transported stably without being caught. Therefore, complicated control
With a simple configuration that does not cause
Production line stopped due to damage or blockage of runway
Of a stable work that does not cause troubles such as
Need to store on conveyor while transporting and storing
The ability to easily increase or decrease the amount of work stored in response to fluctuations in the work volume
The effect obtained can be obtained .

Further, the work supply device with a buffer mechanism according to the second invention of the present application has the above structure,
Of the first moving hand against the urging force of the urging means.
Movement where the step can move while keeping the pressure between the workpieces constant
The second moving hand that moves by driving even if the amount is exceeded
Switching to step-by-step movement, during which the first moving
The step allows movement while maintaining the pressure between the workpieces constant
Therefore, without setting an upper limit on the amount of stored work,
To stably store the work while maintaining the pressure of the work
Can be .

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of a work supply device with a buffer mechanism according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 1, this embodiment has a single discharger 1 for continuously discharging a workpiece W without any interval, and a receiving port 3 'oriented in the same direction as the discharge port 1' of the single discharger 1. The single-row discharger 3, the first conveyor 2 for transporting the work W discharged from the single discharger 1, and the single-row discharger 3 receiving the work W, and the first conveyor 2 are arranged in parallel at an interval. The second conveyor 2 ′ receiving the work W which the first conveyor 2 carries over the second conveyor 2 ′ and the second conveyor 2 ′ over the first conveyor 2 and the second conveyor 2 ′.
Semicircular guide 24 'having a bottom surface and an outer surface to be transferred onto the work, and a rotary plate 2 which rotates along the inside of the semicircular guide 24' for work and assists the transfer operation.
1, the work semicircular guide 24 'and the rotary plate 21 are integrated, and the first conveyor 2 and the second conveyor 2' are moved in both directions along these conveyors to move the first conveyor 2 and the second conveyor 2 '. A main body 6 having a moving means (not shown in FIG. 1, not shown in FIG. 2) for changing the effective operating length of the conveyor 2 'and a receiving port 3' of the single-row discharger 3 are provided. During the discharging operation of the work W for the cycle, the work W conveyed by the conveyors 2 and 2 'is closed and stopped at the receiving port 3' of the single-row discharger 3 to be stored. While receiving the work W for the cycle, open the
The opening / closing shutter 4 for receiving the work W stored at the receiving port 3 'of the single-row discharger 3 and a count sensor 25 arranged near the receiving port 3' of the single-row discharger 3 Control means (not shown in FIG. 1; see FIG. 2) for controlling the operation; a first conveyor 2 and a second conveyor 2 '
Work outer guide 24 fixedly arranged along the outside of the work
Along the inside of the first conveyor 2 and the second conveyor 2 ', from the work semicircular guide 24'
And a work inner guide 24 ″ that expands and contracts with the movement of the work semi-circular guide 24 ′ to guide the work W up to the discharge port 1 ′ of the single row discharge machine 3 or the receiving inlet 3 ′ of the single row discharge machine 3.

Next, the moving means and control means of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, the uniaxial driving device 5 integrates the work semicircular guide 24 'and the rotary plate 21 into one piece.
A housing 11 containing moving means (described later) for moving between the first conveyor 2 and the second conveyor 2 'in both directions along these conveyors to change the effective operating length of the first conveyor 2 and the second conveyor 2'; Guide 1 for this housing 11
The first conveyor 2 supports the main body 6 supported by the urethane rubber stopper 7, the spring 8, and the absorber 9 while supporting the main body 6 through the first conveyor 2 and the guide rail 10 ′.
And the second conveyor 2 'are moved in both directions along these conveyors.

In the housing 11, a slide shaft 12 is provided in parallel with the first conveyor 2 and the second conveyor 2 ', and the slide shaft 12 is provided with a motor 16 via a slide bush 13 and a bracket 15. Is attached. A rotating plate 21 is attached to the bracket 15 via a coupling 20.

The rotary plate 21 is a semicircular guide 2 for a workpiece.
Semicircular guide for work 24 'which rotates along the inside of 4'
And moves in both directions between the first conveyor 2 and the second conveyor 2. 1st conveyor 2 and 2nd conveyor 2
A work outer guide 24 is fixed along the outside of the work.

The bracket 15 moves along the slide shaft 12, but at an arbitrary position, the lock stopper 14 attached to the slide bush 13.
Is stopped by Also, on the inner surface of the housing 11 near the end of the slide shaft 12, the origin sensor 17 is disposed on the single ejector 1 and single-row ejector 3 side, and the row sensor 18 is disposed on the semicircular guide 24 'for work. Bracket 1
5 is pulled toward the origin sensor 17 along the slide shaft 12 by a spring 19 having a constant tension. In addition, the count sensor 25 arranged near the receiving port 3 ′ (not shown) of the single-row discharger 3 counts the number of works W that the single-row discharger 3 receives from the second conveyor 2.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 3 shows that the opening / closing shutter 4 is closed, the single-row discharger 3 is discharging a single cycle of work W to the production equipment in a single row, and the single discharger 1 continuously discharges the work W onto the first conveyor. Shows the status of FIG. 3 shows the discharge force by which the single discharger 1 continuously discharges the work W. The work W is conveyed on the first conveyor. With this transfer force, the work semicircular guide 24 'and the rotating plate are rotated. 21 is the row sensor 18
Side, and this state continues to FIG.
The work inner guide 24 ″ shown in FIG. 1 has an extendable double slide structure, one end of which is fixed to the single discharger 1 or the single-row discharger 3 side, and the other end is a semicircular guide 24 for work. ′ And the rotating plate 21, and the work inner guide 24 ″ always guides the work W from the single discharger 1 or the single-row discharger 3 to the work semicircular guide 24 ′ and the rotating plate 21. . In addition, the single discharging machine 1 has the work W
Is continuously discharged, and when the semicircular work guide 24 'and the rotary plate 21 are moving, the motor 16 rotates the rotary plate 21 and the rotation of the rotary plate 21 is controlled by the semicircular guide 24' for the work. The auxiliary guide guides the movement of the workpiece W above.

FIG. 4 shows that the single discharger 1 continuously discharges the work W, and the work W is conveyed on the first conveyor. With this conveying force, the work semicircular guide 24 'and the rotating plate are rotated. 21 moves to reach the row sensor 18, the row sensor 18 is turned on, and the ON signal from the row sensor 18 indicates the point in time when the single-axis driving device 5 is activated, and this state continues in FIG. 5. .

FIG. 5 shows that the single-axis driving device 5 operates, the main body 6 moves in the direction of the row sensor 18, the semicircular work guide 24 ′ for work and the rotary plate 21 reach the origin sensor 17, and the origin sensor 18 Is turned on, and the single-axis driving device 5 is stopped by the ON signal from the origin sensor 18. Even in this state, the discharge of the work W of the single discharger 1 continues, and the work W is transported on the first conveyor.
With this conveying force, the work semi-circular guide 24 ′ and the rotating plate 2
1 in the direction of the row sensor 18.

The in-line discharging operation of the work W for one cycle of the in-line discharging machine 3 shown in FIG. 3 to the production facility ends at any one of the above-mentioned FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, and FIG. As shown, the opening / closing shutter 4 is opened. At this point, the discharge of the work W of the single discharger 1 is stopped, and the lock stopper 14 is stopped.
Is activated, and the semicircular guide for work 24 'and the rotating plate 21
Stop at an arbitrary position on the slide shaft 12. In this state, the single-axis driving device 5 moves the main body 6 to the origin sensor 17 side, and supplies the work W to the single-row ejector 3. In this case, the moving distance of the main body 6 is a length corresponding to a predetermined number of the supplied works W, and when the supply of the predetermined number of works W is completed, the opening / closing shutter 4 is closed.

Following the closing operation of the opening / closing shutter 4,
3 to 6 are repeated.

In this embodiment, as described above, the continuous movement of the work semicircular guide 24 ', the rotary plate 21, and the main body 6 allows the work W to be stored within one cycle operation time of the single-row discharger 3. Since the volume (buffer function) can be increased, the processing speed of the production equipment decreases, and the
Even if the operation time of the cycle becomes longer and the required storage amount increases, the problem of the conventional example that storage becomes impossible can be solved.

Since the work semi-circular guide 24 'and the rotary plate 21 are moved by the transfer force of the work W which is continuously transferred, a constant pressure is always maintained between the works W during transfer. Since the workpiece W is always in a state of being in close contact with the conveyor and the guide, the workpiece W is always full, so that even the workpieces W which are unstable alone can support each other stably without falling down.

The work supply device with a buffer mechanism according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modes are possible. For example, the design of various conveyors, various guides, opening and closing shutters, moving means, control means, sensors, and the like can be freely designed according to the purpose.

[0028]

According to the present invention, the work transfer force when the work is continuously sent to the work supply device is determined by
Since the reversing transfer unit moves in the direction to increase the storage amount of the work, the work being transported is always in close contact with a constant pressure. Can be transported. Therefore, with a simple configuration that does not require complicated control, stable transfer of workpieces without causing troubles such as the workpiece falling over during transport and being damaged, or stopping the production line by blocking the transport path, etc. In addition, an excellent effect of easily increasing or decreasing the stored amount of the work due to the fluctuation of the work amount that needs to be stored on the conveyor while storing is obtained.

Further, according to the present invention, the amount of movement of the reversing transfer means exceeds the amount of movement that the first moving means can move while maintaining the pressure between the works constant against the urging force of the urging means. In this case, the movement is switched to the movement by the second moving means that moves by driving, and during that time, the movement can be performed while the pressure between the works is kept constant by the first moving means, so that the upper limit of the storage amount of the work is not provided. The work can be stably stored while keeping the pressure between the works constant.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an operation diagram of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an operation diagram of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an operation diagram of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an operation diagram of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a conventional example.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 W Work 1 Single discharger 1 'Discharge port 2 First conveyor 2' Second conveyor 3 Single discharger 3 'Receiving port 4 Opening / closing shutter 5 Uniaxial drive 6 Main body 7 Stopper 8 Spring 9 Absorber 10 Guide 10' Guide rail 11 Housing DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Slide shaft 13 Slide bush 14 Lock stopper 15 Bracket 16 Motor 17 Origin sensor 18 Row sensor 19 Constant tension spring 20 Coupling 21 Rotating plate 24 Work outer guide 24 'Work semicircular guide 24 "Work inner guide 25 Count sensor

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Wataniya 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Pref. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-2-270716 (JP, A) JP-A-4 -80118 (JP, A) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65G 47/52 B65G 47/30

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] A first conveyor for transporting a workpiece, a second conveyor arranged in parallel with the first conveyor at a predetermined distance and transporting the workpiece in a direction opposite to the first conveyor, and the first conveyor. Reversing transfer means for receiving the work conveyed by the first conveyor disposed between the first conveyor and the second conveyor, reversing the work while guiding the work on the outer surface along a semicircular track, and transferring the work to the second conveyor; A moving means for moving the reversing transfer means in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the first conveyor, the work supply apparatus with a buffer mechanism comprising: A biasing unit for biasing the workpiece in a direction opposite to a direction in which the workpiece is conveyed, wherein the moving means is configured such that the workpiece continuously transported on the first conveyor by a discharging force for continuously discharging the workpiece to the first conveyor is the Inversion A first moving unit that is driven by a force pressing the work stored on the mounting unit and moves the reverse transfer unit in a direction in which the first conveyor conveys the work against the urging force of the urging unit; , The reversal transfer means is provided with a work conveyed by the first conveyor.
The bottom and outer surfaces to be transferred to the second conveyor
A work supply device with a buffer mechanism, comprising a work semicircular guide . 2. The work supply device with a buffer mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the reverse transfer means includes a rotation means for transferring the work while rotating along the inside of the semicircular guide for the work. 3. A first conveyor for transporting a workpiece, a second conveyor arranged in parallel with the first conveyor at a predetermined interval and transporting the workpiece in a direction opposite to the first conveyor, and the first conveyor. Reversing transfer means for receiving the work conveyed by the first conveyor disposed between the first conveyor and the second conveyor, reversing the work while guiding the work on the outer surface along a semicircular track, and transferring the work to the second conveyor; A moving means for moving the reversing transfer means in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the first conveyor, the work supply apparatus with a buffer mechanism comprising: A biasing unit for biasing the workpiece in a direction opposite to a direction in which the workpiece is conveyed, wherein the moving means is configured such that the workpiece continuously transported on the first conveyor by a discharging force for continuously discharging the workpiece to the first conveyor is the Inversion A first moving unit that is driven by a force pressing a work stored on the mounting unit and moves the reverse transfer unit in a direction in which the first conveyor conveys the work against the urging force of the urging unit; A second moving means for moving the reversing and transferring means in a direction parallel to the conveying direction of the first conveyor by a driving device, and when the movement by the first moving means reaches a predetermined amount, the movement by the second moving means; And continuously moves the reversing / transferring means in the transport direction of the first conveyor, and maintains the state in which the reversing / transferring means is urged by the urging means of the first moving means during this movement. A work supply device with a buffer mechanism, characterized in that it is constituted. 4. The buffer according to claim 3, wherein the reverse transfer means includes a work semicircular guide having a bottom surface and an outer surface for receiving the work carried by the first conveyor and transferring the work to the second conveyor. Work supply device with mechanism. 5. When the opening / closing means provided at the outlet of the second conveyor is closed, the work is stored over the second conveyor, the reversing transfer means and the first conveyor, and when the opening / closing means is opened, the moving means is moved to the second position. The work supply device with a buffer mechanism according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the stored work is sequentially discharged from an outlet of the second conveyor by returning to a conveying direction of the two conveyors.