JP3370137B2 - Magazine storage device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention mainly relates to a magazine housing device for temporarily housing a magazine containing a predetermined number of electronic parts such as lead frames, and is used for a series of line-arranged assembly devices. It

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method of supplying a lead frame to a group of devices arranged in-line, as shown in FIG. 8, magazine storage devices 34 and 4 are provided at the entrance and the exit of the device group, respectively.
0, and the magazine storage device 34 at the entrance is the magazine 3
Only the lead frame 33 stored in 1a is supplied, and the magazine storage device 40 at the outlet is the in-line device group 41.
The magazine 31a itself is not conveyed to the apparatus group, such as receiving the lead frame 33 processed by the processing unit 38 in each device and storing it in the magazine 31b. However, in this method, in order to supply and store the lead frames 33 one by one to each device of the in-line device group 41, 41, the carrying time is, for example, when the number of lead frames to be housed is N, the magazine is carried to each device. However, the productivity was reduced by about N times. Further, since the lead frame 33 processed by each device of the in-line device group 41 ... 41 is stored in the magazine 31b of the outlet magazine storage device 40 different from the magazine 31a of the inlet magazine storage device 34,
Due to inconveniences such as changing lot numbers and varieties set for each magazine, multi-product mixed production was difficult.

Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, the applicant applied for a magazine transport method (Japanese Patent Application No. 3-284591) as shown in FIG. In this technique, magazine storage devices 34 and 40 are installed at the entrance and the exit of the in-line device group, respectively, and each magazine 41 is supplied to each device 41, thereby shortening the transportation time in the whole production. In addition, since the processed lead frame (not shown) is re-stored in the same magazine 31 at the same time, multi-product mixed production can be easily realized for each magazine.

[0004]

If each device of the in-line device group performs the same processing, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, as shown in FIG.
The magazine that came out is a device group consisting of the same process 50 ... 53
Is supplied to one device 51 of the above, and after being processed by the device 51, no processing is performed by the other device and it is simply conveyed to the magazine storage device 40 at the outlet, but no particular problem occurs. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, when the devices that perform different processings are arranged inline, usually, the device groups 54 and 55 of the process A and the device groups 56 and 57 of the process B are processed.
Although the in-line configuration is made so that the production capacities are substantially equal to each other, the device groups 56 and 57 of the process B of the process B may be different due to a device trouble, a slight difference in processing time in the same product type, and a slight difference in processing time depending on the product product. When the production capacity decreases, the destination of the magazine that has finished the process of the device group 54, 55 of the process A disappears, which hinders the line operation. Therefore, the production capacity of the device group 54, 55 of the process A is correspondingly reduced. The line balance must be lowered (sometimes by stopping the drive of the device) to maintain the line balance. As the number of different process devices increases, the in-line array device group has a problem of lowering productivity.

Furthermore, the magazine transport line of each device of the in-line device group must have a constant height, but when connecting different process devices that cannot be designed to that height, these devices are newly added to the magazine lifting device. Had to be added, and there was also a problem that it became complicated and the cost increased.

The present invention has been made in order to solve these problems, and it is possible to realize magazine transfer between apparatuses having different magazine transfer line heights, and to ensure mixed production of multiple models. An object of the present invention is to provide a magazine storage device that can be easily performed, can suppress a decrease in productivity, and can realize a flexible inline device group.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a magazine storage device of the present invention is a device used between a plurality of assembly devices arranged along a line and at an inlet and an outlet. , A conveyor that connects adjacent assembly devices to each other and that can carry in and out a magazine containing a workpiece to and from each assembly device, and a conveyor that moves up and down. With the elevator for, in the vicinity of the conveyor in the device, a plurality of stockers for temporarily storing the magazine, and from the conveyor to the stocker, or from the stocker to the conveyor to transfer the magazine A transfer means to be placed and a bar for identifying a plurality of magazines by obtaining information such as the types of products added to each magazine. A reader is provided, and the conveyor is moved up and down according to the magazine transfer height of the conveyor of the assembly apparatus so that the conveyor and the conveyor of the assembly apparatus to be connected have the same magazine transfer height. Attached. Further, the transfer means may temporarily store the magazine in the stocker for each information such as its type. Further, the barcode reader may be provided at a substantially central position in the carrying direction of the conveyor in the magazine storage device.

[0008]

The conveyor for carrying magazines can be carried in both directions, can be installed without being limited to the entrance and exit of the in-line device group, and can be moved up and down, so that it has different magazine carrying heights. Even between devices, by adjusting the conveyor height, magazines can be transported,
Continuous and automatic processing is possible.

Since a plurality of stockers are provided,
A plurality of magazines can be temporarily stored, and even in an in-line system in which assembly devices having different process times are mixed, the processing steps in each device can be performed independently. Further, in the case where the bar code reader is provided at a substantially central position in the conveyor direction in the magazine storage device,
The magazine can be transported in both directions, and it is possible not only to have flexibility in the direction of in-line arrangement, but also to simplify the program by sharing the program data such as the moving amount and moving speed of the conveyor. .

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a front portion thereof, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a right side portion.

The conveyor 2 that conveys the magazine 20 includes:
Two timing belts 11a and 11b are provided in parallel and can be conveyed bidirectionally. Since the timing belts 11a and 11b are made of a material having a high friction coefficient on the back surface, it is possible to prevent the magazines from slipping during the transportation of the magazines and to obtain desired stopping accuracy.

The carrying / stopping operation of the conveyor 2 is performed by driving the pulse motor 3, and its control is performed by signals from an operating section (not shown) and outputs of sensors 4 and 5 described later.

Elevator guides 12a and 12b are provided on the timing belt 11b side, and the elevator 2 is moved up and down by an elevator drive mechanism (not shown).

A lifter 7 interlocking with a lift cylinder 8 is provided between the timing belts 11a and 11b, and a mechanism, which will be described later, including the lifter 7 and the transfer 24 makes it possible to transfer the magazines 20 to each other. There is. This transfer 24 is carried from the conveyor 2 to the magazine stocker 26 or to the magazine stocker 26.
The magazine is transferred from the conveyor to the conveyor 2. Further, on the transfer 24, in order to mount the magazine 20 in a stable state, a support portion 24a for supporting the magazine end portion,
24b are formed so as to face each other, and the magazine 20 is fitted therein. Further, a magazine stocker 26 for temporarily storing the magazine 20 has a magazine transfer mechanism (transfer 24 and transfer forward / reverse cylinder 25, shift arm 21, shift arm forward / reverse cylinder 22 and shift arm lift cylinder 23) described later. The supporter 2 is formed on the transfer 24 at the upper part of the stocker 26.
A plurality of bearings 26a, 26b identical to 4a, 24b are formed, and a predetermined magazine type can be assigned to each bearing of the magazine stocker 26. Further, since the magazine stocker 26 and the transfer 24 are integrally unitized, the addition can be easily performed.

Next, the magazine transfer mechanism will be described. First, the transfer 24 is the transfer forward reverse cylinder 2
5 are connected to each other and linearly reciprocate between the conveyor 2 side and the stocker 26 side. On the other hand, the lifter 7 moves up and down. For example, the lifter 7 moves up to lift the magazine on the conveyor, the transfer 24 is set between the lifted magazine bottom and the conveyor 2, and then the lifter 7 moves down to place the magazine on the transfer 24. It will be in the state of being placed, and by the backward movement of the transfer 24,
The magazine moves to the stocker 26 side. A shift arm forward / reverse cylinder 22 for moving the shift arm 21 forward and backward, and a shift arm elevating cylinder 23 for raising / lowering the shift arm 21 are provided on the stocker side. By driving these, the magazine on the transfer 24 is moved to the magazine stocker 26. Reprint. That is, the shift arm 21
Is moved forward, and the support portion 2 formed on the shift arm 21
1a and 21b (same as the bearings 24a and 24b) are positioned directly below the magazine on the transfer 24, and then the shift arm 21 is lifted to place the magazine on the bearings 21a and 21b of the shift arm 21. After moving backward to the predetermined support portions 26a and 26b of the magazine stocker 26, the shift arm 21 is further lowered to support the support portion 26
a, 26b.

Further, a bar code reader 6 for reading the identification bar code of the magazine attached to the magazine is attached at approximately the center of the conveyor 2 in the transport direction, and the end of the magazine is detected. , Conveyor 2
Sensors 4 and 5 for stopping the bar code reader 6
It is provided in a symmetrical position with respect to. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the conveyance direction of this magazine and the sensor. When the magazine is conveyed from left to right in this figure as shown in FIG. 7A, when the sensor 20 detects the magazine 20, the conveyor 2 is decelerated and the sensor 5 moves the magazine 20 to the desired stop position. To stop. On the other hand, when the magazine is conveyed from right to left as shown in FIG. 6B, when the sensor 20 detects the magazine 20, the conveyor 2 is decelerated and the sensor 4 stops the magazine 20 at the intended stop position. Let In this way, regardless of the magazine transport direction, the conveyor 2
The magazine can be stopped at the center position of the table, the program data such as the moving amount and moving speed of the conveyor can be shared, and the program can be simplified. further,
With these sensors 4 and 5, the magazine 20 can be accurately set at the reading position of the barcode reader 6, and the barcode reader 6 can obtain information such as the type of the magazine. Magazine management such as determining whether or not it can be performed at the same time.

The operation of the magazine storing device having the above structure
This will be described below with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 4 to 6 and the drawings of the embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS.

First, the magazine storing operation in the main storing device shown in FIG. 4 will be described. First, when magazines are not stocked in the transfer, as shown in (a), the magazine transport conveyor 2 in this device is moved up and down to the height of the conveyor 15 in the previous device, and then the magazines are loaded in the conveyor 2 in this device. Bring in. Thereafter, the conveyor 2 is stopped so that the magazine stops at the position of the magazine forward end sensor 5, and then the magazine bar code attached to the magazine is read by the bar code reader 6. After that, the conveyor 2 is moved up and down to the height of the magazine storage stocker 10 (the above steps are referred to as step (A-1) below).

Next, the lifter 7 rises to lift the magazine, and the transfer 24 is advanced to the magazine side up to the bottom position of the magazine. After that, the lifter 7 descends to transfer the magazine to the transfer 24, and then the transfer 24 retracts, and at the same time, the conveyor 2 moves up and down (the above steps are referred to as the step (A-2) below), and the storage device The operation flow for storing the magazine is completed.

Next, when magazines are stocked in the transfer, as shown in FIG.
Between the step (A-1) and the step (A-2), the step (A-
3) is the flowchart for joining. This step (A-3)
Is stocked magazines magazine stocker 2
6, the transfer 24 is emptied so that the magazine transferred to the conveyor can be stored in the transfer 24. In this operation, after the shift arm 21 moves up to lift the magazine placed on the transfer 24, the shift arm 21 moves backward to move the magazine backward, and then the shift arm 21 moves downward to move the magazine downward. After being stored in the magazine stocker 26, the shift arm 21 advances and returns to the initial position.

Now, the operation of supplying the stored magazines from the main storage device shown in FIG. 5 to the rear device will be described. First, when magazines are stocked in the transfer, as shown in (a), the magazine conveyer 2 in the apparatus is moved up and down to the height of the magazine supply stocker 10 (this step is referred to as the step (B-1) below). That).

Next, the transfer 2 is performed up to the position of the lifter 7.
After 4 moves forward, the lifter 7 moves up to lift the magazine and the transfer 24 moves backward. After that, the lifter 7 descends, the magazine is transferred to the conveyor 2, and then the conveyor 2 is moved up and down to the height of the conveyor 16 of the rear device, and at the same time, the magazine barcode is read by the barcode reader 6. Then, the conveyor 2 is driven to drive the conveyor 1 of the post device.
Supply magazine to 6 (The above process is the following process (B-2)
That).

Next, when magazines are not stocked in the transfer, as shown in (b), between steps (B-1) and (B-2) described above, the steps described below are performed. (B
-3) is the flowchart for joining. This step (B-3)
Indicates that the shift arm 21 is once retracted, then the shift arm 21 is raised, and the shift arm 21 is advanced while the magazine is being lifted to forward-shift the magazine,
Further, the shift arm 21 descends to transfer the magazine to the transfer 24.

Finally, the operation flow when the magazine passes through the main storage device shown in FIG. 6 will be described. in this case,
First, the magazine transport conveyor 2 in the apparatus is moved up and down to the height of the conveyor 15 of the preceding apparatus, and then the magazine is carried into the conveyor 2 in the apparatus. After that, the conveyor 2 is stopped so that the magazine stops at the position of the sensor 5 on the magazine advance end side, and then the magazine barcode is read by the barcode reader 6. Then conveyer 2 to conveyer 1 of the rear device
After moving up and down to the height of 6, the conveyor 2 is driven to supply the magazine to the conveyor 16 of the post apparatus.

[0025]

As described above, according to the magazine storage device of the present invention, a conveyor capable of connecting adjacent assembly devices to each other and carrying the magazines into and out of the assembly device in a bidirectional manner. And an elevator for raising and lowering the conveyor, and in the vicinity of the conveyor, a plurality of stockers for temporarily storing magazines, and transfer for transferring magazines from the conveyor to the stocker or from the stocker to the conveyor. Means, and a bar code reader for identifying each of the plurality of magazines by obtaining information such as the respective types added to each magazine,
Since the above-mentioned conveyor is configured to move up and down according to the magazine transfer height of the conveyor of the assembly device so that the magazine transfer height of the conveyor and the conveyor of the assembly device to be connected are the same, It is possible to realize magazine conveyance between devices having different line heights, and to reliably and easily carry out mixed production of multiple models, and to prevent productivity from decreasing. Further, it is possible to realize a flexible in-line device group in which the magazines can be conveyed in both directions and the number of magazines to be stored can be arbitrarily set.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the conveyance direction of the magazine and the sensor in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a conventional example.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a conventional example.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a conventional example.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 ... Conveyor 3 ... Pulse motor 7 ... Lifter 8 ··· Lifter cylinder 12a, 12b ... Elevator guide 20 ... Magazine 21 ... Shift arm 22 ··· Shift arm forward and reverse cylinders 23 ··· Shift arm lifting cylinder 24 ... Transfer 25 ··· Transfer forward / reverse cylinder 26 ... Magazine stocker

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ identification code FI H05K 13/02 H05K 13/02 A (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65G 1/00 B23Q 7 / 10 B65G 1/04 H01L 21/50 H01L 21/68 H05K 13/02

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A device for use between a plurality of assembly devices arranged along a line and for an inlet and an outlet, comprising:
Connecting the adjacent assembly devices to each other, and
A conveyor capable of bidirectionally carrying in and out each of the assembly devices of the magazine in which the workpieces are stored, and an elevator for raising or lowering the conveyor, and the conveyor in the device In the vicinity of, a plurality of stockers for temporarily storing the magazines, transfer means for transferring the magazines from the conveyor to the stocker, or from the stocker to the conveyor, and each of the magazines added to each magazine. Varieties of
Barco to identify information and identify multiple magazines
A dreader is provided to connect with the conveyor.
The magazine transfer height is the same as that of the assembly equipment conveyor.
The magazine of the conveyor of the above assembly device
A magazine storage device, characterized in that the conveyor is moved up and down according to the conveyance height . 2. The transfer means uses the magazine as its product type.
For each information such as
The magazine storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that 3. The bar code reader collects the magazine.
Nearly the center position of the conveyor in the delivery device in the transport direction
The magazine according to claim 1, wherein the magazine is provided in
Storage device.