JP3687834B2

JP3687834B2 - Working cart type transport device

Info

Publication number: JP3687834B2
Application number: JP21022399A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 賢一郎川戸
Original assignee: Daifuku Co Ltd
Current assignee: Daifuku Co Ltd
Priority date: 1999-07-26
Filing date: 1999-07-26
Publication date: 2005-08-24
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-26
Also published as: JP2001031378A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、エンジン組み立て作業ラインなどに使用できる作業用台車式搬送装置、特に、昇降駆動手段により昇降駆動されるワーク支持台を備えた作業用台車を使用する作業用台車式搬送装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
エンジン組み立て作業ラインなどに使用されるワーク支持台を備えた作業用台車では、作業者の作業性を改善するためにワーク支持台の高さ、即ち支持するエンジンの高さを、作業者の体格や作業部位に応じて変更できるように、ワーク支持台の昇降駆動手段が併設される。また、作業用台車を走行駆動する台車走行用駆動手段として当該作業用台車の車輪を駆動するモーターを搭載していた。従って、この昇降駆動手段や走行駆動用モーターに対して給電しなければならないが、従来は、作業用台車の走行経路に沿って給電線を敷設するとともに、作業用台車側に前記給電線に摺接する集電ユニットを配設して、前記給電線から昇降駆動手段に給電するように構成していた。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記のような従来の構成では、大電力を接触式給電手段で給電することになるため、大型の集電ユニットを作業用台車に配設しなければならないばかりでなく、走行経路に沿って大電力を供給する給電線が露出するため作業者の感電事故の恐れもあり、集電ユニットの集電子が磨耗するためメンテナンスも不可欠であり、摺接音や磨耗粉塵の発生など、作業環境を低下させることにもなっていた。
【０００４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は上記のような従来の問題点を解消し得る作業用台車式搬送装置を提供することを目的とするものであって、その手段を後述する実施形態の参照符号を付して示すと、ガイドレール１２ａ，１２ｂに車輪５ａ〜６ｂを介して移動可能に支持されるとともに、昇降駆動手段３により昇降駆動されるワーク支持台４を備えた作業用台車１と、台車走行用駆動手段１４と、前記昇降駆動手段３に給電する給電手段７とを使用する搬送装置であって、前記台車走行用駆動手段１４が、前記作業用台車１の側面に接触して回転する摩擦駆動用ローラー１５を備え、前記給電手段７が、台車走行経路に沿って付設された一次電線１３と、前記作業用台車１に設けられた二次コイルユニット８とから成る無接触給電手段であり、前記作業用台車の車輪が鍔付き車輪から成り、当該鍔付き車輪の前記ガイドレール上を転動する車輪本体周面に、外径がこの鍔付き車輪の鍔の外径より小さいゴムまたは合成樹脂層が装着された構成となっている。
【０００５】
なお、上記構成の本発明を実施するに際し、前記昇降駆動手段３を、上端でワーク支持台４を支持するとともに作業用台車１を垂直に貫通昇降するラックギヤ２２ａ，２２ｂと、このラックギヤ２２ａ，２２ｂに咬合するピニオンギヤ２３ａ，２３ｂと、このピニオンギヤ２３ａ，２３ｂを正逆回転駆動するモーター２４とから構成することができる。
【０００６】
また、前記ガイドレール１２ａ，１２ｂを左右両側から挟む振れ止め用垂直軸ローラー４１ａ，４１ｂを設け、当該振れ止め用垂直軸ローラー４１ａ，４１ｂにより、前記車輪５ａ〜６ｂの鍔３８の側面がガイドレール１２ａ，１２ｂの側面から離れる位置に作業用台車１を位置決めするように構成することができる。
【０００７】
さらに、前記作業用台車１の前後両側面に同一方向に傾斜する傾斜面２ａ，２ｄを設けておき、当該作業用台車１が前後に突き合って走行するとき、前後の台車１の前後両傾斜面２ａ，２ｄが互いに重なるように構成することができる。また、前記作業用台車１の左右両側面に内側または外側に傾斜する傾斜面２ｂ，２ｃを設けておくことができる。
【０００８】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下に本発明の好適実施形態を添付図に基づいて説明すると、図１〜図３において、１は作業用台車であって、台盤２の上側には、昇降駆動手段３により昇降駆動されるワーク支持台４が設けられ、台盤２の下側には、４つの車輪５ａ〜６ｂ、無接触給電手段７の二次コイルユニット８、及び制御盤９が設けられている。４つの車輪５ａ〜６ｄは、台盤２の下側の前後両端近傍に付設された脚枠１０ａ，１０ｂの下側に軸受板１１を介して軸支されており、台車走行経路に沿って敷設された左右一対のガイドレール１２ａ，１２ｂ上を転動する。無接触給電手段７の二次コイルユニット８は、両ガイドレール１２ａ，１２ｂ間の中央位置に敷設された並列する一対の一次電線１３に対応するものである。
【０００９】
前記作業用台車１は、図１及び図３Ａに示す走行用駆動手段１４により駆動される。この走行用駆動手段１４は、走行経路中の適所に配設されるもので、作業用台車１の側面、詳しくは台盤２の左右両側面２ａ，２ｂの一方に接触して回転する摩擦駆動用ローラー１５と、当該ローラー１５に対向する位置で台盤２の左右両側面２ａ，２ｂの一方に接触して回転する受けローラー１６とを備えている。さらに詳述すると、前記摩擦駆動用ローラー１５は、垂直支軸１７の周りに揺動自在なアーム１８の一端部に軸支されるとともに、当該ローラー１５を回転駆動するモーター１９が前記アーム１８に支持され、このアーム１８を介して前記摩擦駆動用ローラー１５を受けローラー１６の方へ付勢するスプリング２０と、アーム１８を介して前記摩擦駆動用ローラー１５を受けローラー１６から離間させるソレノイド２１が併設されている。
【００１０】
前記作業用台車１の周側面（台盤２の周側面）の内、前後両側面の一方（後方側面）を除く三側面（前方側面及び左右両側面）には、その上側角部が斜めにカットされた形状の内向き傾斜面２ａ〜２ｃが設けられ、残る一側面（後方側面）には、その上側角部から外側（後方）に張り出す張出部の下側に形成された外向き傾斜面２ｄが設けられ、当該作業用台車１が前後に突き合って走行するとき、後方台車１における前方側面の内向き傾斜面２ａの上に前方台車１における後方側面の外向き傾斜面２ｄが重なるように構成している。なお、内向き傾斜面２ａ〜２ｃや外向き傾斜面２ｄは、台盤２の周側面の全体を傾斜させて構成しても良い。
【００１１】
昇降駆動手段３の詳細を図４〜図６に基づいて説明すると、この昇降駆動手段３は、上端でワーク支持台４を支持する左右一対のラックギヤ２２ａ，２２ｂと、これら各ラックギヤ２２ａ，２２ｂに咬合するピニオンギヤ２３ａ，２３ｂと、当該両ピニオンギヤ２３ａ，２３ｂを同一方向に連動駆動するブレーキ付きモーター２４とを備えている。前記２本のラックギヤ２２ａ，２２ｂは、台盤２上に据え付けられた昇降用ガイド２５ａ，２５ｂに台盤２を上下に貫通する状態で昇降可能に支承され、ピニオンギヤ２３ａ，２３ｂ及びブレーキ付きモーター２４は台盤２の上側に配設されている。そして台盤２上には、前記ピニオンギヤ２３ａ，２３ｂ、ブレーキ付きモーター２４、及び昇降用ガイド２５ａ，２５ｂを取り囲むように囲い枠２６が付設され、この囲い枠２６とワーク支持台４の周囲との間に防塵用蛇腹２７が介装されている。
【００１２】
なお、２８ａ，２８ｂは、一方のラックギヤ２２ａの下端に付設された被検出板２９を介してワーク支持台４の下降限と上昇限とを検出する近接スイッチであって、台盤２の下側にラックギヤ２２ｂと平行に取り付けられた支持柱３０に上下位置調整自在に取り付けられている。また、３１はワーク支持台４の現在高さを検出するパルスエンコーダーであって、台盤２の下側に取り付けられ、前記ピニオンギヤ２３ａ，２３ｂの駆動軸に一対の歯車３２，３３を介して連動連結されている。
【００１３】
ワーク支持台４上には、図４及び図６に仮想線で示すように、作業対象のワーク（例えばエンジン）を支持するワーク支持用治具３４が取り付けられる。この図示のワーク支持用治具３４は、垂直軸心の周りに回転可能なターンテーブル３５と、このターンテーブル３５上に立設された一対の支持アーム３６ａ，３６ｂ間に水平軸心の周りに角度変更可能に支承されたワーク支持部材３７とから成るものであるが、取り扱うワークや作業の内容に応じて適当なワーク支持用治具３４をワーク支持台４上に取り付けて使用すれば良い。
【００１４】
作業用台車１の４つの車輪５ａ〜６ｄは、図７に示すように内側に鍔３８を備えた鍔付き車輪であって、前記ガイドレール１２ａ，１２ｂ上を転動する車輪本体３９の周面に、外径が前記鍔３８の外径より小さいゴムまたはウレタン樹脂などの合成樹脂層４０が装着されたものである。左右対をなす車輪５ａ，５ｂ及び６ａ，６ｂの鍔３８の外側面間距離は、これら車輪５ａ〜６ｂの鍔３８の外側面をガイドレール１２ａ，１２ｂの内側面から適当に離せる程度に、ガイドレール１２ａ，１２ｂの内側面間距離よりも小さい。そして、片側のガイドレール１２ａ上を転動する車輪５ａ，６ａを軸支する軸受板１１には、当該車輪５ａ，６ａの前後片側でガイドレール１２ａを左右両側から挟む振れ止め用垂直軸ローラー４１ａ，４１ｂを軸支した軸受板４２が取り付けられ、当該振れ止め用垂直軸ローラー４１ａ，４１ｂにより、各車輪５ａ〜６ｂの鍔３８の外側面がガイドレール１２ａ，１２ｂの内側面から略等距離だけ離れる位置に作業用台車１が位置決めされるように構成している。なお、各車輪５ａ〜６ｂの軸受板１１の外側には、これら各車輪５ａ〜６ｂと同心状にシャトルコンベヤ用の被係合ローラー４３が軸支されている。
【００１５】
図８は、上記の作業用台車１を利用した搬送装置全体のレイアウトの一例を示しており、５０は組み立て作業ライン、５１は組み立て作業ライン５０と平行に床下に設けられた台車高速戻しライン、５２ａ〜５２ｄは各ライン５０，５１の両端に隣接して配設されたターンテーブル、５３は組み立て作業ライン５０から台車高速戻しライン５１への台車搬送用シャトルコンベヤライン、５４は台車高速戻しライン５１から組み立て作業ライン５０への台車搬送用シャトルコンベヤライン、５５ａ，５５ｂは台車高速戻しライン５１の両端とターンテーブル５２ｂ，５２ｃとの間に配設された台車昇降搬送手段である。
【００１６】
図１及び図３Ａに示す走行用駆動手段１４は、各ライン５０，５１の始端近傍位置に配設されるが、各ライン５０，５１の終端近傍位置には、前記走行用駆動手段１４と実質的に同一構造で作業用台車１を定速で送り出すための定速送り出し用駆動手段５６が配設され、さらに、組み立て作業ライン５０とターンテーブル５２ａ，５２ｄとの間、台車高速戻しライン５１と台車昇降搬送手段５５ａ，５５ｂとの間、及び台車昇降搬送手段５５ａ，５５ｂとターンテーブル５２ｂ，５２ｃとの間には、前記走行用駆動手段１４を走行経路方向に一定範囲内で往復移動させることができるように構成した台車移載用駆動手段５７が配設されている。
【００１７】
図８に示す搬送装置での作業用台車１の動きを説明すると、作業用台車１は、組み立て作業ライン５０中では前後の作業用台車１どうしが互いに突き合って数珠繋ぎに連続する状態で定速で走行する。即ち、組み立て作業ライン５０に送り込まれた作業用台車１は、図１及び図３Ａに示す走行用駆動手段１４の摩擦駆動用ローラー１５と受けローラー１６とで挟まれた状態で当該摩擦駆動用ローラー１５の周速度で送られ、この走行用駆動手段１４から外れた先行の作業用台車１は、走行用駆動手段１４で推進される後続の作業用台車１により後押しされながら送られる。そして、組み立て作業ライン５０から送り出されようとする先頭の作業用台車１は、定速送り出し用駆動手段５６により、前記走行用駆動手段１４の送り込み速度と同一かまたは若干遅い定速で送り出されるので、組み立て作業ライン５０中では、前記のように前後の作業用台車１どうしが互いに突き合って数珠繋ぎに連続する状態で定速で走行することになる。勿論、組み立て作業ライン５０中に適当間隔おきに走行用駆動手段１４を配設して、各作業用台車１を各別に摩擦駆動して推進させることもできる。
【００１８】
この組み立て作業用ライン５０には、図３Ｂ及び図８に示すように、作業用台車１の台盤２の移動経路を挟むように、当該台盤２の上面と同一レベルに作業床６０，６１が架設されており、作業者は、この作業床６０，６１上から、または当該作業床６０，６１上から作業用台車１の台盤２上に乗り移った状態で、ワーク支持台４上にワーク支持用治具３４を介して支持されたワーク（エンジンなど）に対する部品の組み付け作業などを行うのであるが、図３Ｂに示すように、前記作業床６０，６１の側縁を、作業用台車１における台盤２の左右両側面の内向き傾斜面２ｂ，２ｃの上に若干の隙間を隔てて重なる外向き傾斜面６０ａ，６１ａとしておくことにより、作業床６０，６１と作業用台車１の台盤２との間に真下に貫通した隙間が生じないにもかかわらず、作業用台車１の走行経路の左右横方向の多少の位置ずれを吸収できる。
【００１９】
また、組み立て作業ライン５０中では、前記のように前後の作業用台車１どうしが互いに突き合って数珠繋ぎに連続する状態で定速で走行するのであるが、このとき、図２に示す直後の作業用台車１における台盤２の前方側面の内向き傾斜面２ａの上に、直前の作業用台車１における台盤２の後方側面の外向き傾斜面２ｄが重なることになり、前後に突き合う作業用台車１の姿勢（左右横方向の向き）に多少のばらつきがあっても、前後に突き合う作業用台車１間に隙間が生じることがない。
【００２０】
組み立て作業ライン５０中に適当間隔おきに設定された作業ステーションにおいて、次々と到着する各作業用台車１上のワークに対して部品組み付け作業などが行われる際、各作業ステーションの作業者は自分の体格や作業部位に応じてワークが最も作業し易い高さに位置するように、昇降駆動手段３の操作盤３ａ（図１及び図２参照）を操作し、無接触給電手段７の一次電線１３から二次コイルユニット８を経由して地上側から無接触で供給される電力により昇降駆動手段３のブレーキ付きモーター２４を稼働させてピニオンギヤ２３ａ，２３ｂを正逆回転駆動し、ラックギヤ２２ａ，２２ｂを介してワーク支持台４を昇降させ、上昇限と下降限との間の任意の高さでワーク支持台４を停止させることができる。
【００２１】
この１つの作業ステーションにおけるワーク支持台４の調整後の高さ情報は、後続の作業用台車１の昇降駆動手段３に伝送され、後続の作業用台車１が当該作業ステーションに進入するとき、与えられた高さ情報に基づき自動的に昇降駆動手段３が作動して、当該作業ステーションを担当する作業者が前以って設定した高さにワーク支持台４が高さ調整された状態で当該作業ステーションに進入することになるので、以後は、さらにワーク支持台４の高さ調整が必要でない限り、進入してくる作業用台車１に対するワーク支持台４の高さ調整は不要になる。なお、１つの作業ステーションにおけるワーク支持台４の調整後の高さ情報を後続の作業用台車１の昇降駆動手段３に伝送する方法としては、本出願人が先に出願した特願平１０−３２４０２０号に係る発明などが利用できる。
【００２２】
組み立て作業ライン５０の終端に達した作業用台車１は、定速送り出し用駆動手段５６により送り出されるとともに、台車移載用駆動手段５７によりターンテーブル５２ａ上に移載され、９０度方向転換された状態でシャトルコンベヤライン５３のシャトルコンベヤによりターンテーブル５２ａからシャトルコンベヤライン５３を経由して次のターンテーブル５２ｂ上へ送られる。そして、このターンテーブル５２ｂ上から台車移載用駆動手段５７により、上昇限高さで待機している台車昇降搬送手段５５ａ上に移載された後、当該台車昇降搬送手段５５ａにより台車高速戻しライン５１のレベル（床下レベル）まで降ろされる。次に、台車昇降搬送手段５５ａ上の作業用台車１は、台車移載用駆動手段５７により台車高速戻しライン５１の始端部に移載された後、走行用駆動手段１４により高速で台車高速戻しライン５１上に送り出される。
【００２３】
台車高速戻しライン５１の中間にも、必要に応じて走行用駆動手段１４を配設して、速度が低下した作業用台車１を加速させることができる。しかして、台車高速戻しライン５１上を高速で慣性走行する作業用台車１が当該台車高速戻しライン５１の終端に達すると、定速送り出し用駆動手段５６により制動され、次の台車移載用駆動手段５７により、下降限高さで待機している台車昇降搬送手段５５ｂ上に移載された後、当該台車昇降搬送手段５５ｂによりターンテーブル５２ｃのレベル（床上レベル）まで上げられる。この後、作業用台車１は、ターンテーブル５２ｃにより９０度方向転換された状態で、シャトルコンベヤライン５４のシャトルコンベヤにより、当該シャトルコンベヤライン５４を経由してターンテーブル５２ｄ上まで搬送される。そして、当該ターンテーブル５２ｄにより９０度方向転換された状態で、台車移載用駆動手段５７により組み立て作業ライン５０の始端部へと送り込まれる。
【００２４】
以上のように使用される作業用台車１であるが、ガイドレール１２ａ，１２ｂ上を走行しているとき、４つの車輪５ａ〜６ｂは、図７に示すようにそのゴムまたは合成樹脂層４０においてガイドレール１２ａ，１２ｂ上を転動し、しかも、振れ止め用垂直軸ローラー４１ａ，４１ｂにより、各車輪５ａ〜６ｂの鍔３８の外側面がガイドレール１２ａ，１２ｂの内側面から略等距離だけ離れる位置に作業用台車１が位置決めされていて、各車輪５ａ〜６ｂの鍔３８がガイドレール１２ａ，１２ｂの側面に摺接することはないので、騒音や磨耗による金属粉の発生もない。そして、メンテナンスなどのために作業用台車１をガイドレール１２ａ，１２ｂ上から走行経路外に外してコンクリート床面上などを手押し走行させるような場合には、各車輪５ａ〜６ｂの鍔３８がコンクリート床面上などを転動することになり、ゴムまたは合成樹脂層４０が直接コンクリート床面上などを転動することがないので、当該ゴムまたは合成樹脂層４０の損傷を防止することができる。
【００２５】
【発明の効果】
以上のように実施し得る本発明の作業用台車式搬送装置によれば、作業用台車の走行駆動には当該作業用台車の側面に接触して回転する摩擦駆動用ローラーを使用するので、地上から作業用台車への給電は、当該作業用台車が備えるワーク支持台の昇降駆動手段のみを駆動し得る電力であれば良く、しかもその給電手段は、台車走行経路に沿って付設された一次電線と、前記作業用台車に設けられた二次コイルユニットとから成る無接触給電手段であるから、走行用駆動手段と昇降駆動手段の両方に接触式給電手段を介して地上側から給電する場合のように、大型の集電ユニットを作業用台車に配設しなければならないようなことがなくなるばかりでなく、走行経路側の一次電線は絶縁皮膜を備えたものを利用できるので作業者の感電事故の恐れもなくなり、さらに、給電手段の磨耗に伴うメンテナンスも不要であり、摺接音や磨耗粉塵の発生など、作業環境を低下させる恐れも解消する。
【００２６】
また、請求項１や請求項５に記載の本発明の構成によれば、作業用台車がガイドレール上を走行しているときは、車輪を、その合成樹脂層においてガイドレール上を転動させることができるので、騒音を発生させることなく円滑に作業用台車を走行させることができるものでありながら、メンテナンスなどのために作業用台車をガイドレール上から外してコンクリート床面上などで手押し走行させるような場合に、前記車輪の合成樹脂層が損傷するのを車輪の鍔で防止することができる。この場合に、請求項２や請求項６に記載の構成によれば、振れ止め用垂直軸ローラーにより、前記車輪の鍔の側面がガイドレールの側面に摺接する状態で作業用台車が走行するのを防止できるので、鍔付き車輪を使用しながら、鍔とガイドレールとの摺接に伴う騒音の発生を防止することができる。
【００２７】
なお、実施形態において説明したように、前記昇降駆動手段を、上端でワーク支持台を支持すると共に作業用台車を垂直に貫通昇降するラックギヤと、このラックギヤに咬合するピニオンギヤと、このピニオンギヤを正逆回転駆動するモーターとから構成するときは、作業用台車上にガイド付きシリンダーユニットによりワーク支持台を昇降可能に支持させる場合と比較して、作業用台車に対するワーク支持台の下降限高さを低くすることができ、実施形態において示したような大型のワーク支持用治具を利用することも容易になるばかりでなく、ワーク支持台をその昇降範囲内の任意の高さで停止させて使用することができ、作業性も改善される。
【００２８】
さらに、請求項３に記載の構成によれば、作業用台車が前後に突き合って走行するとき、前後の台車の前後両傾斜面が互いに重なって、前後に突き合う作業用台車１の姿勢（左右横方向の向き）に多少のばらつきがあっても、前後に突き合う作業用台車１間に、工具やねじ類などの異物が落下する恐れのある隙間が生じるのを防止し、安全性を高めることができる。
【００２９】
また、請求項４に記載の構成によれば、作業用台車の走行経路両側に作業床を作業用台車と同一レベルで架設する場合、当該作業床の側縁を、作業用台車における左右両側面の傾斜面に対し若干の隙間を隔てて重なる傾斜面としておくことにより、作業床と作業用台車との間に真下に貫通した隙間が生じないにもかかわらず、作業用台車の走行経路の左右横方向の多少の位置ずれを吸収できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】走行経路上の作業用台車と当該台車の走行用駆動手段とを示す平面図である。
【図２】走行経路上の作業用台車を示す側面図である。
【図３】Ａ図は走行経路上の作業用台車と当該台車の走行用駆動手段とを示す一部縦断背面図であり、Ｂ図は走行経路上の作業用台車と走行経路脇の作業床とを示す一部縦断背面図である。
【図４】ワーク支持台の昇降駆動手段を示す縦断側面図である。
【図５】ワーク支持台の昇降駆動手段を示す平面図である。
【図６】ワーク支持台の昇降駆動手段を示す縦断正面図である。
【図７】片側の車輪とガイドレールとを示す一部縦断背面図である。
【図８】搬送装置全体のレイアウトを示す概略平面図である。
【符号の説明】
１作業用台車
２作業用台車の台盤
２ａ〜２ｃ内向き傾斜面
２ｄ外向き傾斜面
３ワーク支持台の昇降駆動手段
４ワーク支持台
５ａ〜６ｂ車輪
７無接触給電手段
８無接触給電手段の二次コイルユニット
１２ａ，１２ｂガイドレール
１３無接触給電手段の一次電線
１４走行用駆動手段
１５摩擦駆動用ローラー
２２ａ，２２ｂラックギヤ
２３ａ，２３ｂピニオンギヤ
２４ブレーキ付きモーター
３４ワーク支持用治具
３８車輪の鍔
３９車輪本体
４０ゴムまたは合成樹脂層
４１ａ，４１ｂ振れ止め用垂直軸ローラー
５０組み立て作業ライン
５１台車高速戻しライン
５２ａ〜５２ｄターンテーブル
５３，５４台車搬送用シャトルコンベヤライン
５５ａ，５５ｂ台車昇降搬送手段
５７台車移載用駆動手段[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a work cart type transport device that can be used for an engine assembly work line, and more particularly to a work cart type transport device that uses a work cart provided with a work support table that is driven up and down by a lift drive means. is there.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a work cart equipped with a work support used for an engine assembly work line or the like, the height of the work support, i.e., the height of the engine to be supported, is set so as to improve the workability of the worker. Further, a lifting / lowering drive means for the work support is provided so that it can be changed according to the work site. In addition, a motor for driving the wheels of the work cart is mounted as a drive device for driving the cart to drive the work cart. Accordingly, power must be supplied to the lifting drive means and the travel drive motor. Conventionally, however, a power supply line is laid along the travel path of the work carriage and the power supply line is slid on the work carriage side. A current collecting unit that is in contact with the power supply unit is arranged so that power is supplied from the power supply line to the lift drive means.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional configuration as described above, a large amount of power is supplied by the contact-type power supply means. Therefore, not only a large current collecting unit has to be disposed on the work carriage but also a large amount along the traveling route. Since the power supply line that exposes the electric power is exposed, there is a risk of an electric shock from the operator, and the current collection of the current collecting unit wears out, so maintenance is also indispensable, and the work environment is reduced, such as sliding noise and generation of wear dust It was also supposed to let you.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An object of the present invention is to provide a working carriage type transport device that can solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and means thereof is shown with reference numerals of embodiments described later. The work carriage 1 is provided with a work support base 4 that is supported by the guide rails 12a and 12b through wheels 5a to 6b so as to be movable, and is driven up and down by the up-and-down drive means 3, and the dolly travel drive means 14 And a power feeding means 7 for feeding power to the elevating driving means 3, wherein the cart driving drive means 14 rotates in contact with the side surface of the working cart 1. wherein the power supply means 7, a carriage travel path primary wire 13 is attached along a contactless power supply means consisting of the secondary coil unit 8 which is provided on the working carriage 1, for the work Trolley wheels Consists flanged wheels, the wheel body peripheral surface rolling on the guide rails of the flanged wheels, configuration and the outer diameter is small rubber or synthetic resin layer than the outer diameter of the flange of the flanged wheel is mounted It has become.
[0005]
In carrying out the present invention having the above-described configuration, the lifting / lowering driving means 3 supports the work support base 4 at the upper end and rack gears 22a and 22b vertically passing up and down the work carriage 1, and the rack gears 22a and 22b. The pinion gears 23a and 23b meshing with each other and a motor 24 that drives the pinion gears 23a and 23b to rotate forward and backward.
[0006]
Further, anti-sway vertical shaft rollers 41a and 41b sandwiching the guide rails 12a and 12b from both left and right sides are provided, and the side surfaces of the flanges 38 of the wheels 5a to 6b are guided by the anti-sway vertical shaft rollers 41a and 41b. The work cart 1 can be configured to be positioned at a position away from the side surfaces of 12a and 12b.
[0007]
Further, inclined surfaces 2a and 2d that are inclined in the same direction are provided on both front and rear side surfaces of the working carriage 1, and when the working carriage 1 runs against the front and rear, both front and rear inclinations of the front and rear carriages 1 are provided. The surfaces 2a and 2d can be configured to overlap each other. In addition, inclined surfaces 2b and 2c which are inclined inward or outward can be provided on both left and right side surfaces of the working carriage 1.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a work carriage, and the upper side of the base plate 2 is driven up and down by the up-and-down driving means 3. A work support base 4 is provided, and under the base board 2, four wheels 5 a to 6 b, a secondary coil unit 8 of the non-contact power feeding means 7, and a control board 9 are provided. The four wheels 5a to 6d are pivotally supported via bearing plates 11 below the leg frames 10a and 10b provided near the front and rear ends of the lower side of the base plate 2, and are laid along the bogie travel path. Rolls on the pair of left and right guide rails 12a and 12b. The secondary coil unit 8 of the non-contact power feeding means 7 corresponds to a pair of primary electric wires 13 arranged in parallel and laid at a central position between the guide rails 12a and 12b.
[0009]
The working carriage 1 is driven by the driving means 14 for traveling shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A. The driving means for traveling 14 is disposed at an appropriate position in the traveling route, and is a friction drive that rotates in contact with the side surface of the working carriage 1, specifically, one of the left and right side surfaces 2 a and 2 b of the base plate 2. And a receiving roller 16 that rotates in contact with one of the left and right side surfaces 2 a and 2 b of the base plate 2 at a position facing the roller 15. More specifically, the friction drive roller 15 is pivotally supported on one end of an arm 18 that can swing around a vertical support shaft 17, and a motor 19 that rotationally drives the roller 15 is attached to the arm 18. A spring 20 that is supported and urges the friction drive roller 15 toward the roller 16 via the arm 18, and a solenoid 21 that receives the friction drive roller 15 and separates from the roller 16 via the arm 18. It is attached.
[0010]
Of the peripheral side surface of the working carriage 1 (the peripheral side surface of the base plate 2), the upper side corners of the three side surfaces (the front side surface and the left and right side surfaces) other than one of the front and rear side surfaces (the rear side surface) are slanted. Inwardly inclined surfaces 2a to 2c having a cut shape are provided, and the remaining one side surface (rear side surface) is outwardly formed on the lower side of the overhanging portion projecting outward from the upper corner portion (rear side). When the inclined surface 2d is provided and the working carriage 1 travels in the front-rear direction, the outwardly inclined surface 2d on the rear side surface of the front carriage 1 is on the inwardly inclined surface 2a on the front side surface of the rear carriage 1. It is configured to overlap. The inwardly inclined surfaces 2 a to 2 c and the outwardly inclined surface 2 d may be configured by inclining the entire peripheral side surface of the base plate 2.
[0011]
The details of the elevating drive means 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. The elevating drive means 3 includes a pair of left and right rack gears 22a and 22b that support the work support 4 at the upper end, and the rack gears 22a and 22b. There are provided pinion gears 23a and 23b that engage with each other and a motor 24 with a brake that interlocks and drives both the pinion gears 23a and 23b in the same direction. The two rack gears 22a and 22b are supported by elevating guides 25a and 25b installed on the base plate 2 so as to be able to move up and down while penetrating the base plate 2 up and down. The pinion gears 23a and 23b and the motor 24 with brake are supported. Is disposed above the base plate 2. An enclosure frame 26 is provided on the base plate 2 so as to surround the pinion gears 23 a and 23 b, the motor 24 with brakes, and the lifting guides 25 a and 25 b, and the enclosure frame 26 and the periphery of the work support base 4 are provided. A dustproof bellows 27 is interposed therebetween.
[0012]
Reference numerals 28a and 28b are proximity switches for detecting the lowering limit and the rising limit of the work support base 4 via a detection plate 29 attached to the lower end of one rack gear 22a. Are attached to a support column 30 attached in parallel to the rack gear 22b so that the vertical position can be adjusted. Reference numeral 31 denotes a pulse encoder for detecting the current height of the work support 4, which is attached to the lower side of the base 2 and is linked to the drive shafts of the pinion gears 23 a and 23 b via a pair of gears 32 and 33. It is connected.
[0013]
On the work support 4, as shown by phantom lines in FIGS. 4 and 6, a work support jig 34 that supports a work to be worked (for example, an engine) is attached. The illustrated workpiece support jig 34 has a turntable 35 rotatable around a vertical axis and a horizontal axis between a pair of support arms 36a and 36b erected on the turntable 35. The workpiece support member 37 is supported so that the angle can be changed. However, an appropriate workpiece support jig 34 may be attached to the workpiece support base 4 according to the workpiece to be handled and the content of the operation.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 7, the four wheels 5a to 6d of the working carriage 1 are hooked wheels having a hook 38 on the inside, and the peripheral surface of the wheel body 39 that rolls on the guide rails 12a and 12b. Further, a synthetic resin layer 40 such as rubber or urethane resin whose outer diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the flange 38 is attached. The distance between the outer surfaces of the flanges 38 of the left and right wheels 5a, 5b and 6a, 6b is such that the outer surface of the flange 38 of these wheels 5a-6b can be appropriately separated from the inner surfaces of the guide rails 12a, 12b. It is smaller than the distance between the inner side surfaces of the guide rails 12a and 12b. The bearing plate 11 that supports the wheels 5a and 6a that roll on the guide rail 12a on one side is supported by the anti-sway vertical shaft roller 41a that sandwiches the guide rail 12a from the left and right sides on the front and rear sides of the wheels 5a and 6a. , 41b is supported by a bearing plate 42, and the vertical shaft rollers 41a, 41b for steadying prevent the outer surface of the flange 38 of each wheel 5a-6b from the inner surfaces of the guide rails 12a, 12b by a substantially equal distance. The work carriage 1 is configured to be positioned at a position away from it. In addition, on the outer side of the bearing plate 11 of each wheel 5a to 6b, an engaged roller 43 for a shuttle conveyor is pivotally supported concentrically with each of the wheels 5a to 6b.
[0015]
FIG. 8 shows an example of the layout of the entire conveying device using the work carriage 1, 50 is an assembly work line, 51 is a carriage high-speed return line provided under the floor in parallel with the assembly work line 50, 52a to 52d are turntables disposed adjacent to both ends of each line 50, 51, 53 is a shuttle conveyor line for transporting the carriage from the assembly work line 50 to the carriage high speed return line 51, and 54 is a carriage high speed return line 51. The carriage conveyor shuttle conveyor lines 55a and 55b from the assembly line 50 to the assembly work line 50 are carriage lifting and lowering means disposed between both ends of the carriage high speed return line 51 and the turntables 52b and 52c.
[0016]
1 and 3A is disposed in the vicinity of the starting end of each line 50, 51, but substantially in the vicinity of the end of each line 50, 51 is substantially the same as the driving means 14 for traveling. A constant speed delivery driving means 56 for delivering the work carriage 1 at a constant speed with the same structure is provided, and between the assembly work line 50 and the turntables 52a and 52d, a carriage high speed return line 51 and The traveling drive means 14 is reciprocated within a certain range in the traveling path direction between the carriage lifting and lowering conveying means 55a and 55b and between the carriage lifting and lowering conveying means 55a and 55b and the turntables 52b and 52c. A carriage transfer driving means 57 configured to be able to perform the above is provided.
[0017]
The movement of the work cart 1 in the transfer device shown in FIG. 8 will be described. The work cart 1 is fixed at a constant speed in a state where the front and rear work carts 1 face each other in the assembly work line 50 and are connected in a daisy chain. Drive on. That is, the work carriage 1 sent to the assembly work line 50 is in a state of being sandwiched between the friction drive roller 15 and the receiving roller 16 of the travel drive means 14 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3A. The preceding work cart 1 which is sent at a peripheral speed of 15 and is disengaged from the travel drive means 14 is sent while being boosted by the subsequent work cart 1 propelled by the travel drive means 14. The leading work carriage 1 that is about to be sent out from the assembly work line 50 is sent out at a constant speed that is the same as or slightly lower than the feed speed of the travel drive means 14 by the constant speed feed driving means 56. In the assembly work line 50, as described above, the front and rear work trolleys 1 face each other and run at a constant speed in a state of being connected in a daisy chain. Of course, it is also possible to dispose the driving means 14 for traveling at appropriate intervals in the assembly work line 50 and drive each work cart 1 by friction driving.
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 3B and 8, the assembly work line 50 has work floors 60 and 61 at the same level as the upper surface of the base 2 so as to sandwich the movement path of the base 2 of the work carriage 1. The operator works on the work support base 4 in a state of being transferred from the work floors 60 and 61 or from the work floors 60 and 61 onto the platform 2 of the work carriage 1. As shown in FIG. 3B, assembling work of parts to the work (engine or the like) supported via the support jig 34 is performed. As shown in FIG. 3B, the side edges of the work floors 60 and 61 are connected to the work cart 1. In this way, the work floors 60 and 61 and the work carriage 1 are placed on the inwardly inclined surfaces 2b and 2c on both the left and right sides of the platform 2 with the outwardly inclined surfaces 60a and 61a overlapping with a slight gap. There is a gap between the board 2 and the bottom Despite the absence, it can absorb some misalignment of the left and right lateral traveling path of the working carriage 1.
[0019]
Further, in the assembly work line 50, as described above, the front and rear work trolleys 1 run against each other and run at a constant speed, and at this time, the work immediately after that shown in FIG. On the inwardly inclined surface 2a on the front side surface of the platform 2 in the trolley 1, the outwardly inclined surface 2d on the rear side surface of the pedestal 2 in the immediately preceding work cart 1 is overlapped, so that the work collides with the front and rear. Even if there is some variation in the posture of the work carriage 1 (the direction in the horizontal direction), no gap is generated between the work carriages 1 that face each other.
[0020]
When parts are assembled on the work on each work carriage 1 that arrives one after another at work stations set at appropriate intervals in the assembly work line 50, the worker of each work station must The primary electric wire 13 of the non-contact power supply means 7 is operated by operating the operation panel 3a (see FIGS. 1 and 2) of the elevating drive means 3 so that the workpiece is positioned at the height at which the work is most easily worked according to the physique and the work site. From the ground via the secondary coil unit 8 and the electric power supplied without contact from the ground side to operate the motor 24 with brake of the lift drive means 3 to drive the pinion gears 23a, 23b in forward and reverse directions, thereby rotating the rack gears 22a, 22b. The workpiece support 4 can be lifted up and down, and the workpiece support 4 can be stopped at an arbitrary height between the ascending limit and the descending limit.
[0021]
The height information after the adjustment of the work support 4 in this one work station is transmitted to the raising / lowering drive means 3 of the subsequent work carriage 1 and given when the subsequent work carriage 1 enters the work station. The lift driving means 3 is automatically activated based on the height information, and the work support 4 is adjusted to the height set in advance by the worker in charge of the work station. Since the work station is entered, thereafter, the height adjustment of the work support base 4 with respect to the work carriage 1 entering the work carriage 1 is unnecessary unless the height adjustment of the work support base 4 is further required. In addition, as a method of transmitting the height information after adjustment of the workpiece support table 4 in one work station to the lifting drive means 3 of the subsequent work carriage 1, Japanese Patent Application No. 10- The invention according to 324020 can be used.
[0022]
The work carriage 1 that has reached the end of the assembly work line 50 is sent out by the constant speed delivery drive means 56 and is also transferred onto the turntable 52a by the carriage transfer drive means 57 and turned 90 degrees. In this state, the sheet is sent from the turntable 52a to the next turntable 52b via the shuttle conveyor line 53 by the shuttle of the shuttle conveyor line 53. Then, after being transferred from the turntable 52b onto the dolly lifting / lowering conveying means 55a waiting at the upper limit height by the dolly transferring drive means 57, the dolly lifting / lowering conveying means 55a takes the dolly high-speed return line. It is lowered to the 51st level (underfloor level). Next, the work carriage 1 on the carriage lifting / lowering means 55a is transferred to the start end portion of the carriage high speed return line 51 by the carriage transfer driving means 57, and then the carriage driving means 14 returns the carriage high speed at a high speed. It is sent out on the line 51.
[0023]
The traveling drive means 14 can be arranged in the middle of the carriage high-speed return line 51 as necessary to accelerate the work carriage 1 having a reduced speed. Thus, when the work carriage 1 that inertially travels on the carriage high speed return line 51 reaches the end of the carriage high speed return line 51, the work carriage 1 is braked by the constant speed feed driving means 56, and the next carriage transfer drive is performed. After being transferred onto the cart lifting / lowering conveying means 55b waiting at the lower limit height by the means 57, it is raised to the level (floor level) of the turntable 52c by the cart lifting / lowering conveying means 55b. Thereafter, the work carriage 1 is conveyed by the shuttle conveyor of the shuttle conveyor line 54 onto the turntable 52d via the shuttle conveyor line 54 while being turned 90 degrees by the turntable 52c. Then, in a state where the direction is changed by 90 degrees by the turntable 52 d, the carriage transfer driving means 57 sends it to the start end of the assembly work line 50.
[0024]
Although it is the work trolley | bogie 1 used as mentioned above, when driving | running | working on the guide rails 12a and 12b, four wheels 5a-6b are in the rubber | gum or synthetic resin layer 40, as shown in FIG. Rolls on the guide rails 12a and 12b, and the outer surface of the flange 38 of each wheel 5a to 6b is separated from the inner surface of the guide rails 12a and 12b by a substantially equal distance by the vertical shaft rollers 41a and 41b for steadying. Since the working carriage 1 is positioned at the position and the rod 38 of each of the wheels 5a to 6b does not slide on the side surfaces of the guide rails 12a and 12b, no metal powder is generated due to noise or wear. When the working carriage 1 is removed from the guide rails 12a and 12b to the outside of the travel path for maintenance or the like and is manually pushed on the concrete floor surface, the eaves 38 of the wheels 5a to 6b are made of concrete. The rubber or the synthetic resin layer 40 does not roll directly on the concrete floor surface or the like because it rolls on the floor surface or the like, so that the rubber or the synthetic resin layer 40 can be prevented from being damaged.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
According to the work cart type transport device of the present invention that can be implemented as described above, the friction drive roller that rotates in contact with the side surface of the work cart is used for the driving of the work cart. The power supply from the work carriage to the work carriage may be any power that can drive only the lifting / lowering drive means of the work support provided in the work carriage, and the power supply means is a primary electric wire provided along the carriage travel path. And a secondary coil unit provided on the working carriage, so that both the travel drive means and the lift drive means are fed from the ground side via the contact-type power supply means. In this way, not only does a large current collection unit have to be installed on the work carriage, but the primary electric wire with an insulating film can be used on the traveling path side, so that an electric shock accident can be caused to the operator. of Also eliminated Re, further maintenance due to wear of the power supply means is also not necessary, such as the occurrence of sliding Se'on and wear dust, also eliminates risk of lowering the working environment.
[0026]
Moreover, according to the structure of this invention of Claim 1 or Claim 5, when the work trolley is drive | working on a guide rail, a wheel is rolled on a guide rail in the synthetic resin layer. Therefore, while the work cart can be smoothly run without generating noise, the work cart is removed from the guide rail for maintenance, etc., and pushed on the concrete floor. In such a case, it is possible to prevent the wheel synthetic resin layer from being damaged by the wheel hooks. In this case, according to the configuration described in claim 2 or claim 6, the working carriage travels in a state where the side surface of the flange of the wheel is in sliding contact with the side surface of the guide rail by the vertical shaft roller for steadying. Therefore, it is possible to prevent generation of noise due to sliding contact between the heel and the guide rail while using the heeled wheel.
[0027]
As described in the embodiment, the elevating drive means includes a rack gear that supports the work support at the upper end and vertically moves up and down the work carriage, a pinion gear that meshes with the rack gear, and a forward / reverse rotation of the pinion gear. When configured with a motor that rotates, the lower limit of the lowering of the work support relative to the work carriage is lower than when the work support is supported by the cylinder unit with guide on the work carriage so that it can be raised and lowered. It is possible not only to easily use a large workpiece support jig as shown in the embodiment, but also to use the workpiece support stand by stopping it at any height within its lifting range. Workability is also improved.
[0028]
Furthermore, according to the structure of Claim 3 , when a work trolley | truck travel | abuts back and forth, both the front and back inclined surfaces of a front and back trolley overlap each other, and the attitude | position of the work trolley 1 which faces front and back ( Even if there is some variation in the horizontal and horizontal directions, it is possible to prevent gaps that could cause foreign objects such as tools and screws to fall between the working carts 1 that face each other and to improve safety. Can be increased.
[0029]
According to the configuration of claim 4 , when the work floor is installed on both sides of the traveling path of the work carriage at the same level as the work carriage, the side edges of the work floor are arranged on the left and right side surfaces of the work carriage. Even if there is no gap that penetrates directly below the work floor and the work cart, the left and right sides of the travel path of the work cart are left and right. A slight amount of lateral displacement can be absorbed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a work carriage on a travel route and travel drive means for the carriage.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a work cart on a travel route.
FIG. 3A is a partially longitudinal rear view showing a work cart on a travel route and a drive means for travel of the cart, and FIG. B is a work cart on the travel route and a work floor beside the travel route. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional side view showing a lifting / lowering driving means of the work support base.
FIG. 5 is a plan view showing lifting drive means of the work support base.
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing a lifting / lowering driving means of the work support base.
FIG. 7 is a partially longitudinal rear view showing a wheel and a guide rail on one side.
FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a layout of the entire transport apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Working cart 2 Working cart bases 2a to 2c Inwardly inclined surface 2d Outwardly inclined surface 3 Work support base lifting drive means 4 Work support bases 5a to 6b Wheel 7 Contactless power supply means 8 Contactless power supply means Secondary coil units 12a, 12b Guide rail 13 Primary wire 14 for contactless power supply means Traveling drive means 15 Friction drive rollers 22a, 22b Rack gears 23a, 23b Pinion gear 24 Motor with brake 34 Work support jig 38 Wheel cage 39 Wheel body 40 Rubber or synthetic resin layer 41a, 41b Stabilizing vertical axis roller 50 Assembly work line 51 Dolly high speed return line 52a-52d Turntable 53, 54 Drawer transport shuttle conveyor lines 55a, 55b Loading drive means

Claims

A work carriage that is supported by the guide rail via a wheel and is movable up and down by a lift drive means, a work carriage that is driven up and down by a lift drive means, a carriage travel drive means, and a power supply means that feeds power to the lift drive means The carriage travel drive means includes a friction drive roller that rotates in contact with a side surface of the work carriage, and the power feeding means is provided along the carriage travel path. a primary electric wire, Ri non-contact power supply means der consisting of a secondary coil unit provided in the working carriage, the wheels of the work carriage consists flanged wheels, on the guide rail of the flanged wheels A working cart type transport device in which a rubber or a synthetic resin layer having an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the flange of the wheel with a flange is mounted on the peripheral surface of the wheel body that rolls .

A vertical shaft roller for steadying that sandwiches the guide rail from both left and right sides is provided, and the working carriage is positioned by the vertical shaft roller for steadying at a position where the side surface of the flanged wheel is separated from the side surface of the guide rail. The work cart type transport device according to claim 1, which is configured to be performed .

The front and rear side surfaces of the working carriage are provided with inclined faces that are inclined in the same direction, and when the working carriage runs against the front and rear, both front and rear inclined faces of the front and rear carriages overlap each other. The work trolley | bogie type conveying apparatus of Claim 1 or 2.

The work cart type transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein inclined surfaces that incline inward or outward are provided on both left and right side surfaces of the work cart.

A work carriage that is supported by the guide rail via a wheel and is movable up and down by a lift drive means, a work carriage that is driven up and down by a lift drive means, a carriage travel drive means, and a power supply means that feeds power to the lift drive means The wheel of the working carriage is made up of a hooked wheel, and the outer diameter of the hooked wheel is on the peripheral surface of the wheel body rolling on the guide rail of the hooked wheel. A work cart type transport device equipped with a rubber or synthetic resin layer smaller than the outer diameter of the bag.

A vertical shaft roller for steadying that sandwiches the guide rail from both left and right sides is provided, and the working carriage is positioned by the vertical shaft roller for steadying so that the side surface of the flange of the wheel with the flange is separated from the side surface of the guide rail. The work trolley type transfer device according to claim 6, which is configured to be performed.