JP3366957B2 - Work transfer method and 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 method and a device for transferring a work, which can efficiently transfer a work along a transfer line from a standby position to a processing position.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a work in which a plurality of workpieces are sequentially conveyed and predetermined machining is repeated is performed in various manufacturing processes. Taking the manufacturing process of an electrical connector as an example, a large number of molded insulating housings (workpieces) are sequentially conveyed to the processing position along the transfer line, and the insulating housings are index-transferred at this processing position. The pin-shaped members forming the terminals are press-fitted into the terminal mounting holes of the insulating housing one by one. In the manufacture of electric connectors, even if the shape and size of the insulating housing are different or the number of terminals is changed, the same equipment is used for manufacturing.

FIG. 27 shows one of typical transfer devices used in the manufacturing process of electric connectors. The feed claw 52 is configured to be able to reciprocate along the transport line 51 via the linear movement arm 53. The linear movement arm 53 is connected to a linear movement mechanism (not shown) including a servomotor and a mechanism that uses a ball screw to convert rotational movement into linear movement. The insulating housing 54 engaged with the feed pawl 52 is
In addition to being able to convey on the conveyance line 51 from the standby position 55 to the processing position 56, the insulating housing 5
4 is indexed according to the pitch of the terminal mounting holes 57 (from A to B in the figure), and each terminal mounting hole 5
7 can be sequentially aligned with the processing position 56. When the press-fitting of the terminal 58 into the preceding insulating housing 54 is completed (B in the drawing), a return operation (C in the drawing) for taking the following insulating housing 54 is performed, and the following insulating housing 54 is moved to the preceding insulating housing 54. In the same manner as the above, the sheet is conveyed to the processing position 56, and index conveyance is performed at this position to repeat the processing (D to E in the figure).

FIG. 28 shows another typical transport device. A plurality of feed pawls 62 are provided on an endless timing belt 63 at equal intervals, and a drive shaft of a servo motor (not shown) is connected to a timing pulley 64 engaged with the timing belt 63. Through the control of the servo motor, the insulating housing 65 is moved to the standby position 66.
From the processing position 67 to the processing position 67
Is configured so that the insulating housing 65 can be index-transported. When the press fit of the terminal 68 to the preceding insulating housing 65 is completed (B in the figure),
The subsequent insulating housing 65 is skipped to the processing position 67 so that the waiting time of the processing device (the terminal press-fitting device) can be shortened as much as possible.

[0005]

In the conventional method and apparatus for transferring a workpiece as described above, the linear moving arm 5 is used after the preceding workpiece is transferred and the machining is completed.
No. 3 return operation or timing belt 63 skip operation is required. During this return operation or skip operation, the workpiece (insulating housing 54, 65)
Since the processing equipment had to stop the operation, the manufacturing efficiency was poor and the speed of the processing equipment was also improved.
Since acceleration and deceleration are repeated frequently, there was a problem that it was restricted.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is possible to efficiently convey a workpiece from a standby position to a machining position along a conveyor line, and also to improve the speed of a machining apparatus for the workpiece. It is an object of the present invention to provide a work transfer method and a work transfer apparatus which are made possible.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the method and apparatus for transferring a workpiece according to the present invention, which has been made based on the above object, a plurality of feed pawls moving along a transfer line are installed in a plurality of lines, and the feed pawls are provided. Are operated alternately by independent moving mechanisms.

Namely method for transporting workpieces of this invention, the machining position a number of workpieces from the standby position, along the conveying line, in a method of sequentially conveyed one by one through the feed pawl, the transport line along a feed pawl which each moves independently of the movement mechanism to plurality of series installation, in the preceding workpiece machining position, the machining site being indexed conveyed by feed pawl
While being machined, one succeeding workpiece is conveyed toward the preceding workpiece via another series of feed claws.
However, the last machined part of the preceding workpiece is inserted in the machining position.
When the dex is made, the work that follows the work that precedes it
It is transported to the position adjacent to and adjacent to the
Workpiece that precedes after the last machining is completed
While moving the feed claw that is transporting the
Skip the feed claw that is transporting the workpiece that follows
Indenyl Tsu first machined portion of the subsequent workpiece processing position
A method of transporting workpieces, characterized in that box. The feed claw can be moved with an endless timing belt,
Move with a linear movement mechanism.

[0009] transportation device of the workpiece of the present invention, the machining position a number of workpieces from the standby position, along the conveying line, in an apparatus for sequentially conveyed one by one through the feed pawl, along the conveying line There are multiple sets of feed claws that move independently, and an independent moving mechanism is connected to each series of feed claws.
Is, by the moving mechanism, the preceding workpiece machining position
With the feed claw, it is index-conveyed and processed on the processed part.
While receiving, follow through another series of feed pawls
Carry one workpiece toward the preceding workpiece,
The last machined part of the work piece to be indexed to the machining position
When the following is done, the succeeding work piece is next to the preceding work piece.
It is conveyed to the position where
After the machining of the work site is completed, the preceding workpiece is transported.
Moving the feeding claw that is currently being used to high-speed conveyance and continuing
Skip the feed claw that is transporting the workpiece and continue
Index the first machined part of the workpiece into the machined position
So as to move the feed claws of the plurality of series
It is a conveyance device for a workpiece, which is characterized in that

Further, to the working position a large number of workpieces from the standby position, along the conveying line, in an apparatus for sequentially <br/> next conveyed one by one through the feed pawl, along the conveying line, endless Two timing belts are installed, each of the timing belts is provided with a feed claw that runs to face the transport line, and the timing pulleys that are respectively engaged with the two rows of timing belts have individual servos. motor drive shaft Yes coupled to a servo motor of each series
Then, the preceding workpiece is at the processing position and the feed claw
While the machine is being processed and the machined part is being processed,
One workpiece that follows through the feed claw of
To the workpiece to be processed, and to add the last workpiece to the preceding workpiece.
Subsequent when the part is indexed to the machining position
Carry a workpiece to a position where it is adjacent to and touches the preceding workpiece.
And the machining of the last machining part of the preceding workpiece is completed.
After that, the feed claw 9 carrying the preceding workpiece is moved at high speed.
While transferring to the transfer, the subsequent work is being transferred.
The first machining of the following workpiece by skipping the feed claw
In order to index the part to the processing position,
It is an apparatus for transporting a workpiece, which is configured to move a feed claw . One or a plurality of feed claws can be attached to each timing belt.

Furthermore, in a device for sequentially transporting a large number of workpieces from a standby position to a machining position along a transport line one by one via feed claws, along the transport line,
Two rows of linear movement arms are installed, and each linear movement arm is provided with a feed claw that travels facing the transfer line, and the two rows of linear movement arms are respectively provided with a servo motor and a rotary motion. the consists conversion mechanism for converting the linear movement the linear movement mechanism Yes linked, each system
The linear movement mechanism of the row moves the preceding workpiece at the processing position.
It is processed by the processing part while being indexed by the nail.
While it is in the middle of
The work is conveyed to the preceding work and the preceding work is performed.
The last processed part of the crop was indexed to the processing position
Occasionally, the succeeding work piece touches the preceding work piece next to it.
The last processing area of the preceding work
The preceding workpiece is being transported after the machining of
While moving the feed claw to high-speed conveyance, the work piece that follows
Work piece that skips the feed claw that is transporting
To index the first machined part of
And is configured to move the two rows of feed pawls.
A conveying device of the workpiece, characterized in that that.

[0012]

According to the present invention, while machining a preceding workpiece, the succeeding workpiece is conveyed by another series of feed claws, so that the waiting time of the machining apparatus can be almost eliminated. Therefore, the deceleration and acceleration operations of the processing device can be eliminated, so that the original capability of the processing device can be brought out and the processing speed can be improved.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 to 5, the insulating housing 1 constituting the electric connector is sequentially transported from the standby position 3 to the processing position 4 along the transportation line 2, and at the processing position 4, the terminal 5 is transported.
Is used in the processing step of press-fitting into the terminal mounting hole 6 which is the processing part of the insulating housing 1, and the transfer device 7 of the embodiment.
Is represented. Two rows of endless timing belts 8 are installed along the transport line 2. One feed claw 9 is attached to each timing belt 8 outwardly,
The feed claw 9 can run while facing the transport line 2. Each timing belt 8 engages with an individual timing pulley 10 and a driven pulley 11 so as to be circulated, so that a servo motor (not shown) is provided for each timing pulley 10. Drive shaft 1
2 are connected and the moving mechanism of the feed claw 9 is installed in two series. The insulating housing 1 can be transported from the standby position 3 to the processing position 4 through the control of the servo motor, and at the processing position 4, index transportation can be performed corresponding to the pitch of the terminal mounting holes 6. . Further, a terminal press-fitting device (not shown) is installed on the side of the processing position 4 so that the terminal 5 can be press-fitted into the insulating housing 1.

In FIG. 1, the preceding insulating housing 1 is added by a feed pawl 9 attached to one timing belt 8.
Subsequent insulating housing 1 is indexed to the 4th pole of terminal mounting hole 6 which is a work site , terminal 5 is being press-fitted, and feed claw 9 of the other timing belt 8 is fed to standby position 3. It is about to be engaged with and start transportation.

The state of operation after the state shown in FIG. 1 is shown in FIGS. 6 to 10. During the transition from the state shown in FIG. 6 to the state shown in FIG. 7, the preceding insulating housing 1 is index-transported by the feed claw 9 of the one timing belt 8 to index the terminal mounting hole 6 of the fifth pole to the processing position 4, The terminal 5 is press-fitted by the press-fitting device. In the meantime, the feed claw 9 of the other timing belt 8 conveys the following insulating housing 1 toward the processing position 4 at high speed. As shown in FIG. 8, when the terminal mounting hole 6 of the sixth pole, which is the last processed portion of the preceding insulating housing 1 , is index-transported to the processing position 4 and the terminal 5 is press-fitted, the following insulating housing 1 is inserted. 1 is a position adjacent to the preceding insulating housing 1
It is conveyed to (positions adjacent to each other) .

As shown in FIG. 8, the preceding insulating housing 1
When the press-fitting of the terminals 5 into all of the terminal mounting holes 6 is completed, the feed claws 9 engaged with the preceding insulating housing 1 shift to high-speed conveyance while being engaged with the succeeding insulating housing 1. The feed claw 9 skips the distance S shown in FIG.
The first pole terminal mounting hole 6 which is the first processing position is indexed to the processing position 4. Next, as shown in FIG. 9, while the preceding insulating housing 1 is discharged to the outside, the following insulating housing 1 is index-conveyed and the terminals 5 are press-fitted into the respective terminal mounting holes 6.
The feed claw 9 from which the preceding insulating housing 1 is discharged is shown in FIG.
As shown in 0, it moves at a high speed thereafter, and when the terminal mounting hole 6 of the fifth pole of the succeeding insulating housing 1 is indexed to the processing position 4, engages with the further succeeding insulating housing 1 in the standby position 3. (FIG. 6), and by continuing the same operation thereafter, the terminal 5 is press-fitted into the insulating housing 1 continuously.

The transition time between the preceding insulating housing 1 and the following insulating housing 1 is the time for which the feed pawl 9 moves the skip distance S. This skip distance S is determined by the shape of the workpiece, and in the case of the insulating housing 1, it can be set to a very small distance determined by the thickness of the side wall. Therefore, the waiting time of the terminal press-fitting device, which is a processing device, can be almost eliminated, and the working, that is, the press-fitting working of the terminal 5 can be efficiently performed. Further, since the terminal press-fitting device has almost no waiting time, it is not necessary to repeat the operations of deceleration and acceleration in synchronization with the transportation of the insulating housing 1, and it is possible to always operate at a constant speed. The processing speed can be increased to the maximum speed possessed by the device.

Compared with the conventional device, the waiting time during the transition from the preceding insulating housing 1 to the succeeding insulating housing 1 is eliminated, so that the manufacturing speed is improved and the processing device is The processing speed can be increased, and the manufacturing speed is also improved in this respect. That is, the production speed is doubled and the production capacity can be remarkably increased.

Needless to say, the carrier device 7 of the above embodiment can be used even if the size of the insulating housing 1 and the number of poles of the terminal mounting holes 6 are changed. This can be dealt with by changing the control of the configured servo motor.

The timing belt 8, feed pawl 9, timing pulley 10 and driven pulley 11 are constructed as follows.
As shown in FIG. 11 to FIG.
Support the timing belt 8 in a row and set the other feed claw 9 to 1
It may be configured to be supported by a row of timing belts 8 or as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.
Alternatively, the timing belts 8 may be supported in rows.

Further, in the case where the insulating housing 1, that is, the work, where a portion where the feed claw 9 can be engaged can be widely secured, the layout should be constructed as shown in FIG. 16, FIG. 17 and FIG. You can also

When a wide area where the feed claw 9 can be engaged with the workpiece can be secured, as shown in FIGS. 19 to 24, instead of the timing belt system, the linear moving arm 13 is used.
The feed claw 9 may be moved by. In this configuration, the linear moving arms 13 are arranged in two rows in parallel along the transport line 2, and each linear moving arm 13 is installed.
A feed claw 9 is attached to the tip of the so as to face the conveyance line 2. Each linear movement arm 13 is connected to a servo motor and a linear movement mechanism (not shown) configured by a conversion mechanism for converting rotational movement into linear movement. 3 is the standby position of the insulating housing 1,
4 is a processing position.

Also in the case of this embodiment, while the preceding insulating housing 1 is index-conveyed through the one feed claw 9, while the terminal 5 is press-fitted into the terminal mounting hole 6, the following insulating housing 1 is It can be conveyed to the position adjacent to the preceding insulating housing 1 via the other feed claw 9, and the waiting time of the processing device, that is, the terminal press-fitting device can be almost eliminated. Therefore,
The insulating housing 1 can be processed efficiently and the speed of the terminal press-fitting device can be improved.

In the above-described embodiment of the timing belt system, each timing belt 8 may be further provided with a plurality of feed claws 9. 25 and 26 show an embodiment in which three feed claws 9 are attached to each timing belt 8. In the case of the above-mentioned embodiment, the feed claw 9 from which the insulating housing 1 after processing is discharged is shown in FIG.
From the state shown in FIG. 6 to the state shown in FIG.
By providing three feed claws 9, the length of high speed movement can be shortened to about 1/3. Timing belt 8
The number of the feed claws 9 attached to can be two or four or more. The number of feed claws 9 can be set according to the scale of the transfer device 7 and the capability of the processing device side.

The embodiment in which the workpiece is the insulating housing 1 constituting the electric connector has been described above.
For example, when processing lead wires on an IC chip or when mounting parts for automobiles, it is possible to carry out from small work to large work in a similar manner. The faster the processing equipment for the workpiece,
In addition, the larger the size and shape of the workpiece, the more
Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented more effectively if there are restrictions on the portion that can be engaged with the feed claw 9.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, the work can be efficiently conveyed, and the speed of the processing apparatus for the work can be improved, so that the manufacturing capacity can be increased. is there.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment and is a diagram when the terminal mounting hole for the fourth pole of the preceding insulating housing is indexed to the processing position.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the same operation and is a view when the terminal mounting hole of the fifth pole of the preceding insulating housing is indexed to the processing position.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the same operation, and is a view when the 6th pole terminal mounting hole of the preceding insulating housing is indexed to the processing position.

FIG. 9 is also a view for explaining the operation, and is a view when the subsequent insulating housing is skipped.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining the same operation and is a view when the second pole terminal mounting hole of the subsequent insulating housing is indexed to the processing position.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of a portion of one of the feeding pawls of the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a portion of the other feed claw of the second embodiment as well.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a portion of one feed pawl according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a portion of the other feed claw of the third embodiment as well.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is likewise a side view of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the sixth embodiment of the present invention when the third pole terminal mounting hole of the preceding insulating housing is indexed to the processing position.

FIG. 20 is likewise a view when the terminal mounting hole of the fifth pole of the preceding insulating housing is indexed to the processing position.

FIG. 21 is also a diagram of the case where the subsequent insulating housing is skipped and conveyed.

FIG. 22 is likewise a view when the second pole terminal mounting hole of the subsequent insulating housing is indexed to the processing position.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the sixth embodiment.

24 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG.

FIG. 25 is a front view of the seventh embodiment of the present invention when the second pole terminal mounting hole of the preceding insulating housing is indexed to the processing position.

FIG. 26 is likewise a diagram when the terminal mounting hole of the sixth pole of the preceding insulating housing is indexed to the processing position.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a conventional transport device.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating another conventional transport device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Insulated housing 2 conveyor lines 3 Standby position 4 Processing position 5 terminals 6 terminal mounting holes 7 Conveyor 8 Timing belt 9 Feed claw 10 Timing pulley 11 Driven pulley 12 drive shaft 13 Linear movement arm

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B23P 19/00 302 B23Q 7/03 B65G 47/28 H01R 43/00

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] The method according to claim 1 Numerous workpiece 1 from the standby position 3 to a processing position 4, along the conveying line 2, via a feed pawl 9 1
In the method of sequentially transporting one by one , a plurality of series of feed claws 9 each of which is moved by an independent moving mechanism are installed along the transport line 2, and the preceding workpiece 1 is at the processing position 4 and the index of the feed claws 9 is set .
While being processed and processed by the processing part 6 ,
1 work piece 1 following through another series of feed pawls 9
And then conveyed to the preceding workpiece 1, the preceding workpiece
1 last machining part 6 is indexed to machining position 4
When the following workpiece 1 is adjacent to the preceding workpiece 1,
It is conveyed to the position where it touches, and the machining of the last machining site 6 of the preceding workpiece 1 is completed.
After that, the feed claw 9 carrying the preceding workpiece 1 is moved at high speed.
Transfer to the transfer and transfer the following workpiece 1
Skipping the feed claw 9 that is present
A method of transporting a workpiece, characterized in that the machining site 6 of is indexed to the machining position 4 . 2. The method for conveying a workpiece according to claim 1, wherein the feed claw 9 is moved by an endless timing belt 8. 3. The method for conveying a work piece according to claim 1, wherein the feed claw 9 is moved by a linear movement mechanism. The 4. A large number of workpieces 1 to a processing position 4 from the standby position 3, along the conveying line 2, 1 through a feed pawl 9
In a device that sequentially conveys each piece , a plurality of feed claws 9 that move along the conveyance line 2 are installed in series, and an independent movement mechanism is connected to each feed claw 9 series, and each movement mechanism causes a preceding movement. The workpiece 1 to be processed is the processing position 4
Then, it is indexed by the feed claw 9
While being processed, it is possible to use the feed claw 9 of another series to
Carry one continuous workpiece 1 toward the preceding workpiece 1.
The last machining part 6 of the workpiece 1 that has been sent and precedes is the machining position.
When indexed to 4, precedes the following workpiece 1
It is transported to the position adjacent to and touching the workpiece 1
After the machining of the last machining part 6 of the workpiece 1 is completed
At high speed, the feed claw 9 that is conveying the preceding workpiece 1
The work 1 is being transferred and the following work 1 is being transferred.
The first feed claw 9 that skips the feed claw 9
Before processing part 6 is indexed to processing position 4,
It is configured to move the feed claws 9 of multiple series.
Conveying apparatus of the workpiece, characterized in that that. 5. The apparatus for transporting a work according to claim 4, wherein the moving mechanism of the feed claw 9 is composed of an endless timing belt 8 and a servo motor mechanism and has an index function. 6. The workpiece transfer device according to claim 4, wherein the moving mechanism of the feed pawl 9 is composed of a linear moving arm 13 and a servomotor mechanism and has an index function. From 7. A number of workpiece 1 standby position 3 to a processing position 4, along the conveying line 2, via a feed pawl 9 1
In an apparatus for sequentially transporting one by one , an endless timing belt 8 is provided along the transport line 2.
Are provided in two rows, each of the timing belts 8 is provided with a feed claw 9 that runs to face the conveyance line 2, and the timing pulleys 1 engaged with the two rows of the timing belts 8 respectively.
0 Yes coupled drive shaft 12 of the individual servo motors, with each series of servo motors, the preceding workpiece 1 is pressurized
Machining at index 4 with feed claw 9 at work position 4.
While the part 6 is being processed, another feed claw 9
One workpiece 1 that follows through to the preceding workpiece 1
When the last processing part 6 of the preceding workpiece 1 is conveyed to
Workpiece that follows when indexed to machining position 4
Transport 1 to a position adjacent to and in contact with the preceding workpiece 1.
Then, the machining of the last machining site 6 of the preceding workpiece 1 is completed.
After that, the feed claw 9 carrying the preceding workpiece 1 is moved.
While moving to high-speed transfer, transfer the subsequent work 1
Of the workpiece 1 following the skipping feed claw 9
So that the first processing part 6 is indexed to the processing position 4
And is configured to move the two rows of feed pawls 9
Conveying apparatus of the workpiece, characterized in that there. 8. A large number of workpieces 1 to a processing position 4 from the standby position 3, along the conveying line 2, 1 through a feed pawl 9
In a device for sequentially transporting one by one, two linear movement arms 13 are installed along the transportation line 2, and each linear movement arm 13 is provided with a feed claw 9 that travels facing the transportation line 2. with some, the two rows of linearly moving arm 13, respectively, a servo motor, linear movement mechanism configured by converting mechanism for converting a rotary motion into linear motion Yes linked, for each series linear movement mechanism However, the preceding workpiece 1 is the machining position
4, the processed portion 6 is index-conveyed by the feed claw 9.
While undergoing processing, through another series of feed claws 9
One succeeding workpiece 1 toward the preceding workpiece 1
The last machining part 6 of the workpiece 1 that is conveyed and precedes is the machining position.
When the workpiece 1 is indexed in the position 4, the succeeding workpiece 1 is first
Carry it to the position where it is adjacent to and touching the workpiece 1 to go, and
After the machining of the final machining area 6 of the workpiece 1 to be performed is completed
At high speed, the feed claw 9 that is conveying the preceding workpiece 1
The work 1 is being transferred and the following work 1 is being transferred.
The first feed claw 9 that skips the feed claw 9
Before processing part 6 is indexed to processing position 4,
A workpiece transfer device characterized in that it is configured to move the feed claws 9 in two rows .