JP3816364B2 - Conveying apparatus and conveying method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a transport apparatus and a transport method for transporting an article to a predetermined position, and in particular, to transport a plurality of workpieces (intermediate products) being manufactured to a next process or a delivery place to the next process. The present invention relates to a suitable transport apparatus and transport method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, a DC motor has a core around which a winding is wound, a brush connected to an external power supply, a commutator in which the winding is electrically connected and the brush is in sliding contact, and the core and the commutator are coaxially and integrally. A shaft (rotating shaft) to be attached and a plurality of members such as a yoke that accommodates these members and has a permanent magnet attached to the inside thereof.
[0003]
The plurality of members are basically assembled in the assembly process after being manufactured in each manufacturing process.
[0004]
Among these members, for example, the shaft is formed by cutting a long member having a circular cross section at a predetermined length. In order to move to the assembly process with other members, the shaft formed in this way is moved, for example, on a belt conveyor, collected at a predetermined stacking position, and the stacking arranged at this stacking position. After a predetermined number of pieces are accumulated in the box, they are transported to the work place of the assembly process.
[0005]
Incidentally, in recent years, motors are required to rotate at a higher speed than ever before. In such a motor capable of high-speed rotation, scratches or the like on the outer periphery of the shaft are considered to be a cause of abnormal noise when the motor is operated (during high-speed rotation). There is a demand for a transport method (transport method) that does not damage the outer periphery of the shaft even during transport.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As a method for transporting shafts satisfying such conditions, for example, there is a method in which the shafts moved on the belt conveyor as described above are transported in a state where they are sandwiched one by one by a robot hand and then arranged side by side in a collection box. .
[0007]
However, since such a robot hand is configured to reciprocate between the receiving position on the belt conveyor and the collection box, when the robot hand is away from the receiving position, the subsequent shaft is moved to the receiving position. Therefore, the shaft cannot be conveyed on the belt conveyor in this state. As a result, in the method of transporting to the collection box by the robot hand, the transport speed on the belt conveyor must be slowed down in accordance with the transport speed of the robot hand, and as a result, the transport amount of the shaft per unit time is small. turn into.
[0008]
Furthermore, even if the production speed of the shaft is improved, the produced shaft cannot be transported to the assembling process due to the small amount of the shaft transported, and thus the productivity of the motor cannot be improved.
[0009]
In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to provide a transport apparatus and a transport method that can improve the transport speed of an article such as a shaft and can prevent or reduce damage to the appearance and the like.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The transport device according to claim 1 is provided corresponding to a predetermined position on a transport path along which a product is transported continuously or intermittently along a predetermined transport direction, and when the product reaches the predetermined position. A transfer means for moving the article in a transfer direction substantially perpendicular to the transfer direction and detaching the article from the transfer path, and a plurality of the articles transferred continuously or intermittently by the transfer means. Has a staying part that stays in a state of being arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the transporting direction, and a placement part on which a plurality of the articles can be placed, in the transporting direction with respect to the staying part and in the opposite direction. A conveying means capable of reciprocating between a receiving position in any one direction and a delivery position different from the receiving position, and provided on the opposite side of the receiving position via the staying section; Can move in either direction, front The ends opposite to the receiving position of the plurality of articles staying in the staying section are pressed to any one direction at a time, and the plurality of articles on the staying section are moved onto the placement section. And a pressing means for making it.
[0011]
According to the transport apparatus having the above configuration, when an article transported on the transport path along a predetermined transport direction reaches a predetermined position on the transport path, first, the transfer means moves the transport direction in the transport path on the transport path. On the other hand, the article is moved in the transfer direction substantially orthogonal to the article, whereby the article is detached from the conveyance path.
[0012]
The article moved in the transfer direction by the transfer means is retained in the retention part. Subsequent articles are also retained on the retaining part. Here, since the transfer direction of the article by the transfer means described above is a direction substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the article on the conveyance path, the article is orthogonal to the conveyance direction on the staying portion, That is, it is made to stay in the state arranged along the transfer direction, or it is made to stay in the state arranged along the direction substantially orthogonal to both the conveyance direction and the transfer direction.
[0013]
Either the transport direction side or the opposite direction to the transport direction with respect to the staying portion is set as a receiving position, and the placing portion of the transporting unit is located, and further, on the side opposite to the receiving position via the staying portion. Is provided with a pressing means, and when the pressing means is operated in a state where a plurality of articles stays on the staying portion, the pressing means presses the plurality of articles on the staying portion at a time toward the receiving position. As a result, the article moves onto the placing portion of the conveying means on the receiving position in a state where the ends of the article on the pressing means side along the conveying direction side are all aligned.
[0014]
When the transport unit is operated with a plurality of articles placed on the placement unit, the transport unit moves the placement unit from the receiving position to the delivery position, whereby the plurality of articles on the placement unit are moved. It is transported to the delivery position.
[0015]
Here, in the present conveying apparatus, since a plurality of articles are once retained in the retaining section as described above and then collectively moved to the placement section of the conveying means, the conveying speed of the articles on the conveying path is Even if the conveying speed of the conveying means is slow, the overall and final conveying speed does not decrease, and the conveying speed of the article on the conveying path does not correspond to the conveying speed of the relatively slow conveying means. Also good.
[0016]
For this reason, the control of the transport unit is facilitated, and the transport speed of the transport unit can be reduced, so that the transport unit can be reliably controlled.
[0017]
Moreover, when the article moves from the staying part to the placement part by the pressing means, the end parts of the plurality of articles are aligned, so that the delivery of the article at the delivery position is facilitated, or the end parts are A plurality of articles can be placed at the delivery position in an aligned state. Further, since the ends of the plurality of articles can be aligned in this way, the corners near the ends of the other articles do not come into contact with the side surfaces of the articles, and the articles can be prevented from being damaged.
[0018]
In the present invention, the method for transporting articles on the transport path is not limited at all, and for example, a belt conveyor or the like may be used.
[0019]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the present invention according to the first aspect, the stay portion is provided below a predetermined position of the transport path, an upper end is connected to the predetermined position, and a lower end is connected to the stay portion. A guide is connected to connect the predetermined position conveyance path and the staying part, and guide the article transferred by the transfer means to the staying part.
[0020]
In the transport apparatus having the above configuration, the staying portion is provided below the transport path, and the stay portion and the transport path are connected by a guide. Downhill or roll to reach the staying part.
[0021]
In this way, the article slides down or rolls on the guide, i.e., the article moves by its own weight and moves toward the staying portion. Therefore, the transfer means only moves the article until the article reaches the guide. Well, there is no need to move the article to the stay. For this reason, the structure of the transfer means can be simplified.
[0022]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the transfer apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the conveyance device includes an interference unit that is provided in the guide, interferes with the article that moves while being guided by the guide, and reduces a moving speed of the article. It is characterized by that.
[0023]
In the transport apparatus having the above-described configuration, the guide is provided with the interference means, and the movement speed of the article is reduced by the interference means interfering with the article sliding down or rotating on the guide. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the impact when the subsequent article comes into contact with the preceding article located on the staying portion, and it is possible to more reliably maintain the appearance quality and the like of the article.
[0024]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the transport device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the plurality of the transport devices are provided on both sides of the receiving position along the transport direction of the transport path. A plurality of pressing means provided corresponding to each of the plurality of staying portions, and opposite to the receiving position via the corresponding staying portion, and the plurality of staying portions. And a plurality of the transfer means provided in the transport path corresponding to each of the above.
[0025]
According to the transport apparatus having the above configuration, the staying portions are respectively provided on both sides of the receiving position along the transport direction, and the pressing means is provided on the opposite side of the receiving position of these staying portions. Furthermore, a transfer means is provided in the transport path corresponding to each staying part.
[0026]
As described above, in this transport apparatus, since two sets of the staying portion, the pressing means, and the staying portion are provided along the transport direction, one set of pressing means can be used to move the transport means from one set of the staying portions. Even in a state where a plurality of articles are moved onto the placement section, the articles can be retained in the other retention section using the other set of transfer means.
[0027]
The present invention according to claim 5 is a transport method for transporting an article, which is transported continuously or intermittently along a transport direction along a transport path, to a predetermined delivery position. A transfer step of moving the article in a transfer direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction at a predetermined position to remove the article from the transport path, and retaining the article detached from the transport path on a retention portion A staying step, and a plurality of articles staying on the staying part, and the plurality of articles are pressed from either side of the transport direction and the opposite direction to the staying part. A plurality of articles are moved to the receiving position and placed on the placing portion of the transporting means disposed at the receiving position, and the placing means is moved to the receiving position by operating the transporting means. Move to another delivery position It is characterized by being configured to include a feed step.
[0028]
According to the transport method configured as described above, an article transported on a transport path along a predetermined transport direction is first approximately in a transfer position at a predetermined position on the transport path with respect to the transport direction on the transport path. It is moved in the orthogonal transfer direction, whereby the article is detached from the transport path.
[0029]
Next, the article that has left the transport path in the transfer process is retained on the retention part in the retention process.
[0030]
When a plurality of articles stay on the staying section, the plurality of articles on the staying section are pressed at a time from the side of the transporting direction of the article on the transport path and the direction opposite to the transporting direction in the pressing process. . The plurality of pressed articles move to the receiving position on the pressing direction side with respect to the staying portion, and are placed on the placing portion of the conveying means disposed at the receiving position.
[0031]
Next, in the transporting process, the transporting unit operates to move the placement unit from the receiving position to the delivery position, whereby a plurality of articles placed on the placement unit are transported to the delivery position.
[0032]
Here, in the present transport method, since a plurality of articles are once retained in the retention section as described above and then moved together onto the placement section of the transport means, the speed of transport of the articles on the transport path is increased. On the other hand, even if the conveying speed of the conveying means is low, the overall and final conveying speed does not decrease (that is, it is not necessary to match the conveying speed of the article on the conveying path with the conveying speed of the conveying means). .
[0033]
For this reason, the control of the transport unit is facilitated, and the transport speed of the transport unit can be reduced, so that the transport unit can be reliably controlled.
[0034]
Moreover, when the article moves from the staying part to the placement part in the pressing step, the end parts of the plurality of articles are aligned, so that the delivery of the article at the delivery position is facilitated, or the end part A plurality of articles can be placed at the delivery position in a state where they are aligned. Further, since the ends of the plurality of articles can be aligned in this way, the corners near the ends of the other articles do not come into contact with the side surfaces of the articles, and the articles can be prevented from being damaged.
[0035]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the transport method according to the fifth aspect, the predetermined position on the transport path and the staying portion provided below the predetermined position are communicated with a guide, The transfer step is characterized in that the article separated from the conveyance path is caused to slide down or rotate on the guide by its own weight and reach the staying portion.
[0036]
In the transport method configured as described above, the transport path and the staying portion provided below the predetermined position of the transport path are connected by a guide, and the article is separated from the transport path and inserted into the guide in the transfer process. By hanging, the article slides down on the guide by its own weight, or rotates to the staying part.
[0037]
In this way, the article moves on the guide toward the staying part by its own weight, and therefore, at a predetermined position on the conveyance path, the article only needs to be moved to the extent that the article reaches the guide, and the article is removed from the conveyance path. Can be simplified.
[0038]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the transport method according to the sixth aspect, an interference means is caused to interfere with the article moving on the guide to reduce the moving speed of the article.
[0039]
In the transport method configured as described above, the interference means interferes with the article moving on the guide, and thereby the movement speed of the article decreases, so that the subsequent article comes into contact with the preceding article located on the staying portion. The impact at the time can be reduced, and the appearance quality of the article can be more reliably maintained.
[0040]
The present invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that, in the transport method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, the article is a rod-shaped member that is formed in a longitudinal direction along the transport direction. Yes.
[0041]
In the transport method having the above-described configuration, the bar-shaped member that is in the longitudinal direction along the transport direction of the transport path is transported as an article.
[0042]
Therefore, in the pressing step, one end in the longitudinal direction of the plurality of rod-shaped members is pressed and moved onto the mounting portion, and the plurality of rod-shaped members are all moved on the mounting portion. One end in the longitudinal direction is aligned. A process for aligning the rod-shaped members at the delivery position is not necessary.
[0043]
A ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the conveying method according to the eighth aspect, the rod-shaped member is formed in a substantially columnar shape or a substantially cylindrical shape which is an axial direction along the conveying direction.
[0044]
In the transport method having the above-described configuration, a substantially columnar or substantially cylindrical rod-like member that is axial along the transport direction of the transport path is transported as an article.
[0045]
By the way, as described above, in the transfer process, the article is moved in a direction substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction in the conveyance path, and in the retention process, a plurality of articles are moved in the conveyance direction in the conveyance path. On the other hand, the article is retained in a state in which the articles are arranged in a direction orthogonal to each other.
[0046]
Here, in this transport method, as described above, the article is a substantially cylindrical or substantially cylindrical rod-shaped member that is axially along the transport direction of the transport path. The members are retained so that the outer peripheral surfaces face each other. For this reason, it can prevent or reduce that the corner | angular part of the rod-shaped member between an axial direction edge part and an outer peripheral part contacts the outer peripheral surface of a rod-shaped member, thereby preventing the damage | wound etc. in the outer peripheral part of a rod-shaped member, or Can be reduced.
[0047]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
<Configuration of the present embodiment>
FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of the transport apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front view schematically showing the configuration of the transport apparatus 10.
[0048]
(Configuration of belt conveyors 12 and 20)
As shown in these drawings, the transport apparatus 10 includes a belt conveyor 12 that constitutes a transport path according to the present invention. The belt conveyor 12 includes a frame 14 that is longitudinal in a predetermined direction, and an endless belt 16 that is elongated along the longitudinal direction of the frame 14.
[0049]
The endless belt 16 is wound around a plurality of rollers provided on the frame 14 in a state where the width direction thereof is along the width direction of the frame 14, and a motor or the like connected to any of the plurality of rollers described above. The endless belt 16 is rotated by operating the driving means (not shown) to rotate the corresponding roller.
[0050]
Further, one end side of the belt conveyor 12 is located on a shaft manufacturing process side for manufacturing a shaft 18 (see FIG. 1) of a motor as an article or a rod-like member, and the shaft 18 manufactured in the shaft manufacturing process is It is placed on the endless belt 16 on one end side of the belt conveyor 12. The belt conveyor 12 conveys the shaft 18 from one end side to the other end side when the endless belt 16 rotates in a predetermined direction.
[0051]
Further, on the other end side of the belt conveyor 12, a belt conveyor 20 that constitutes a conveyance path according to the present invention is provided together with the belt conveyor 12. One end of the belt conveyor 20 in the longitudinal direction is adjacent to a position very close to the other end of the belt conveyor 12 in the longitudinal direction, or one end of the belt conveyor 20 in the longitudinal direction and the length of the belt conveyor 12 along the height direction. It arrange | positions so that a longitudinal direction other end part may overlap.
[0052]
Similarly to the belt conveyor 12, the belt conveyor 20 also includes a frame 14 and an endless belt 16. That is, the belt conveyor 20 and the belt conveyor 12 are basically the same in configuration, and the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20 and the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 12 are substantially the same direction. The direction etc. are set.
[0053]
However, in the present embodiment, the output of the driving means (not shown) is set so that the rotational speed of the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 20 is faster than the rotational speed of the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 12.
[0054]
Furthermore, a transfer section 24 as a transfer means is provided on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20.
[0055]
(Configuration of transfer unit 24)
As shown in FIG. 4, the transfer unit 24 includes a base plate 26. The base plate 26 is a plate having a substantially L shape (strictly, an inverted L shape opposite to the left and right) in a side view, and a lower end portion thereof is fixed to a floor or the like. On the other hand, a substantially box-shaped or plate-shaped frame 14 is fixed to the upper end portion of the base plate 26.
[0056]
A cylinder 28 is provided on the frame 14. The cylinder 28 is formed in a substantially box shape and is integrally fixed to the frame 14 on the side in the width direction of the belt conveyor 20.
[0057]
A piston (not shown) is accommodated in the cylinder 28 so as to be slidable in a direction substantially horizontal and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20. A base end portion of a shaft 30 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) that is elongated along the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20 described above is fixed to the piston.
[0058]
In addition, guide rods 31 are provided on both sides of the shaft 30 along the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20, and the shaft 30 is displaced toward the belt conveyor 20 as the internal pressure in the cylinder 28 rises. As the internal pressure decreases, the belt is displaced to the opposite side of the belt conveyor 20.
[0059]
A pressing piece 32 is integrally fixed to the tip of the shaft 30. The pressing piece 32 is displaced so as to cross the belt conveyor 20 while being guided by the guide rod 31 due to the displacement of the shaft 30 accompanying the increase in the internal pressure of the cylinder 28.
[0060]
(Configuration of blocking portion 34)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a damming portion 34 is provided on the side of the transfer portion 24 having the above configuration (on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the shaft 18 by the belt conveyor 20). The dam member 34 basically has the same configuration as the transfer unit 24 described above, and includes a cylinder 28 and a shaft 30. However, not the pressing piece 32 but a block-like stopper 36 is fixed to the tip of the shaft 30.
[0061]
The stopper 36 is located on the side of the belt conveyor 20 in the width direction when the internal pressure of the cylinder 28 is not increased. The stopper 36 is displaced by the displacement of the shaft 30 accompanying the increase of the internal pressure of the cylinder 28. Is positioned on the belt conveyor 20 to dam the shaft 18 conveyed by the belt conveyor 20 and restrict the movement of the shaft 18.
[0062]
Further, a sensor 22 is provided on the side of the dam member 34 (upstream of the belt conveyor 20). The sensor 22 is, for example, an optical sensor composed of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects the shaft 18 conveyed to the vicinity of the damming portion 34 by the belt conveyor 20.
[0063]
(Configuration of intermediate bucket 40 and guide plate 42)
On the other hand, support legs 38 are provided on the side opposite to the transfer unit 24 via the belt conveyor 20. On the support leg 38, an intermediate bucket 40 as a staying portion is attached.
[0064]
The intermediate bucket 40 has a length along the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20 longer than that of the shaft 18, and at least an upper surface is curved with a predetermined curvature around a virtual curvature center line with the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20 as an axial direction. It is a concave surface. Further, a guide plate 42 as a guide is continuously formed from the end of the intermediate bucket 40 on the belt conveyor 20 side.
[0065]
The guide plate 42 is provided so as to be inclined such that the other end in the width direction is located above the one end in the width direction connected to the end of the intermediate bucket 40 on the belt conveyor 20 side.
[0066]
Further, the other end portion in the width direction of the guide plate 42 is located in the vicinity of the end portion on the intermediate bucket 40 side of the belt conveyor 20, and is pressed by the pressing piece 32 of the transfer portion 24 described above, so that the belt conveyor 20. The shaft 18 detached from the top is transferred onto the guide plate 42, and further, the shaft 18 transferred to the guide plate 42 rolls to one end in the width direction of the guide plate 42 by its own weight.
[0067]
Further, the intermediate portion in the width direction of the guide plate 42 is curved so that the upper surface protrudes upward toward the intermediate bucket 40, whereby the rolling of the shaft 18 on the guide plate 42 at the beginning of rolling starts. You can slow down.
[0068]
(Configuration of interference unit 44)
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, an interference portion 44 as an interference means is provided below the cylinder 28. The interference unit 44 includes a base plate 46. The base plate 46 is a substantially L-shaped plate in a side view, and its lower end is fixed to a floor or the like. The base end side of the cylinder 48 is supported on the upper end portion of the base plate 46 so as to be rotatable around this axis with the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20 as the axial direction.
[0069]
The cylinder 48 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape in which one end in the axial direction (the side opposite to the intermediate bucket 40) is closed, and a piston (not shown) is accommodated inside the cylinder 48. A base end of a rod 50 which is a longitudinal direction along the axial direction of the cylinder 48 described above is fixed to the piston.
[0070]
The distal end side of the rod 50 protrudes from the cylinder 48 toward the intermediate bucket 40 side. Further, an interference claw 54 having a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) claw portions 52 is supported at the tip end portion of the rod 50 so as to be rotatable around this axis with the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20 as an axial direction. ing.
[0071]
The interference claw 54 is supported on the back side of the above-described guide plate 42 so as to be rotatable about the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20 as an axial direction. Accordingly, when the internal pressure in the cylinder 48 changes and the piston in the cylinder 48 slides, the interference claw 54 rotates around the connection portion with the guide plate 42. A plurality of through holes 56 are formed in the guide plate 42 corresponding to the rotation trajectory of the claw portion 52 (interference claw 54) at this time, and the interference claw 54 is rotated in a direction approaching the guide plate 42. At this time, the claw portion 52 penetrates the through hole 56 and the tip end side of the claw portion 52 protrudes to the surface side of the guide plate 42.
[0072]
(Configuration of the pressing portion 58)
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a pressing portion 58 as a pressing means is provided on the side of one side of the intermediate bucket 40 along the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20. The pressing part 58 includes a base plate 60. The base plate 60 is formed in a plate shape having a substantially L shape (strictly, an inverted L shape opposite to the left and right) in a front view, and a lower end portion thereof is fixed to a floor or the like.
[0073]
On the other hand, a cylinder 62 is attached to the upper end portion of the base plate 60. A piston (not shown) is accommodated in the cylinder 62 so as to be slidable along the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20, and slides due to a change in internal pressure in the cylinder 62.
[0074]
The shaft 64 is fixed to the piston in the cylinder 62 in the axial direction of the cylinder 62, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20. Further, a pressing plate 66 is integrally fixed to the tip portion.
[0075]
The pressing plate 66 is a plate material having a thickness direction along the longitudinal direction of the shaft 64. When the shaft 64 slides toward the intermediate bucket 40 due to a change in internal pressure in the cylinder 62, the pressing plate 66 is moved to the intermediate bucket 40. Located on the surface. Further, the outer peripheral shape of the pressing plate 66 corresponds to the shape of the surface (concave surface) of the intermediate bucket 40, and when the pressing plate 66 is positioned on the surface of the intermediate bucket 40 as described above, The outer peripheral shape of the pressing plate 66 is set so that the gap between the outer peripheral portion and the surface of the intermediate bucket 40 is less than the outer diameter of the shaft 18.
[0076]
Further, the tip of the guide rod 68 is fixed to the pressing plate 66 below the shaft 64 described above. The guide rod 68 is a rod-like member parallel to the shaft 64, and its base end side penetrates through the support hole in a state of being supported by the inner peripheral portion of the support hole (not shown) formed in the base plate 60 described above. .
[0077]
(Configuration of the conveyance unit 70)
On the other hand, the transport apparatus 10 includes a transport unit 70 as a transport unit. The conveyance unit 70 includes a conveyance robot 72 that is located at a receiving position opposite to the cylinder 62 via the intermediate bucket 40 in an initial state.
[0078]
The transfer robot 72 is supported by a robot arm (not shown), and can move within a predetermined range by operating the robot arm. However, the robot arm itself is configured by a computer, a sequence control device, and the like, and is controlled by a control unit 108 (see FIG. 6) as control means. Basically, the receiving position is different from the receiving position. The transfer robot 72 is moved to and from the delivery position.
[0079]
Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the transfer robot 72 includes a pair of sliders 74. These sliders 74 are attached to the lower end of the transport robot 72 so as to be substantially horizontal and close to and away from each other in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20, and are contacted by the driving force of a driving means such as a motor. Move away.
[0080]
A conveyance claw 76 as a placement portion is fixed to each lower end portion of the slider 74. The conveyance claws 76 are curved toward the direction in which the lower end sides approach each other with respect to the intermediate portion in the vertical direction, and the lower ends of the respective conveyance claws 76 abut against each other when the sliders 74 approach each other. Further, the curved portion of each transport claw 76 is set so as to be positioned approximately on the extension of the surface of the intermediate bucket 40 along the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20 in a state where the transport robot 72 is positioned at the receiving position.
[0081]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, an intermediate bucket 78 as a staying means or a staying part is provided on the side opposite to the intermediate bucket 40 through a receiving position where the transfer robot 72 is located in the initial state, and a pressing means. A pressing portion 80, an interference portion 82 as an interference means, and a guide plate 84 as a guide are provided. The intermediate bucket 78, the pressing portion 80, the interference portion 82, and the guide plate 84 have basically the same configuration as the corresponding intermediate bucket 40, the pressing portion 58, the interference portion 44, and the guide plate 42. Description is omitted.
[0082]
Further, a transfer portion 86 as a transfer means is provided on the opposite side of the belt conveyor 20 via the guide plate 84. The transfer unit 86 basically has the same configuration as the transfer unit 24, and the shaft 18 conveyed by the belt conveyor 20 to the opposite side of the transfer unit 24 via the stopper 36 is moved to the guide plate 84 side by the pressing piece 32. Press to move.
[0083]
Furthermore, the shaft 18 conveyed by the belt conveyor 20 is dammed by a vertical wall, a block, or the like on the side of the pressing piece 32 constituting the transfer unit 86 (downstream of the belt conveyor 20).
[0084]
A sensor 22 is provided on the side of the vertical wall or block (upstream of the belt conveyor 20). The sensor 22 is an optical sensor composed of, for example, a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects the shaft 18 conveyed to the vicinity of the pressing piece 32 constituting the transfer portion 86 by the belt conveyor 20.
[0085]
(Configuration of stoppers 88 and 100)
On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the interval between the intermediate bucket 40 and the receiving position is set wider than the interval between the intermediate bucket 78 and the receiving position. A stopper 88 is provided between the positions.
[0086]
The stopper 88 includes a plate-like stopper body 90 which is formed in a thickness direction along the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20. Basically, the stopper body 90 blocks between the receiving position and the intermediate bucket 40. Yes. However, a through hole 92 corresponding to the side shape of the intermediate bucket 40 (the shape when viewed along the axial direction of the belt conveyor 20) is formed on the lower end side of the stopper main body 90. An article (that is, the shaft 18 or the like) on the intermediate bucket 40 can move from the intermediate bucket 40 to the receiving position only when it is located between the bucket 40 and the receiving position.
[0087]
A receiving plate 94 is attached to the surface of the stopper main body 90 on the receiving position side. When the through hole 92 is located between the intermediate bucket 40 and the receiving position, the receiving plate 94 is connected to the stopper main body 90 and the receiving position. Between the stopper main body 90 and the receiving position.
[0088]
Further, the lower end portion of the stopper main body 90 is fixed to the tip end portion of the shaft 96 which is formed in the longitudinal direction along the vertical direction. The shaft 96 is fixed to a piston (not shown) housed in a cylinder 98 whose base end is embedded in the floor or the like, and the shaft 96 and consequently the stopper main body 90 move up and down by changes in the internal pressure of the cylinder 98. .
[0089]
On the other hand, a stopper 100 is provided between the intermediate bucket 78 and the receiving position. The stopper 100 includes a plate-like stopper main body 102 which is formed in a thickness direction along the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20. Basically, the stopper main body 102 blocks between the receiving position and the intermediate bucket 78. ing.
[0090]
Further, unlike the stopper main body 90 of the stopper 88 described above, the stopper main body 102 is not formed with a through hole 92. Therefore. In the stopper 100, the upper end portion of the stopper main body 102 is lowered to the same position as the receiving position or below it, so that the blocking between the receiving position by the stopper main body 102 and the intermediate bucket 78 can be released. The article (that is, the shaft 18 or the like) can move from the intermediate bucket 78 to the receiving position.
[0091]
Furthermore, unlike the stopper 88, the receiving body 94 is not formed on the stopper body 102 of the stopper 100. This is because the distance between the stopper body 102 and the receiving position is narrower than the distance between the stopper body 90 and the receiving position, and the stopper claw 76 of the transfer robot 72 is positioned at the receiving position. This is because the gap between the conveyance claws 76 is sufficiently small.
[0092]
More specifically, if the gap between the stopper main body 102 and the conveyance claw 76 is large in a state where the conveyance claw 76 of the conveyance robot 72 is located at the receiving position, a receiving plate 94 is provided on the stopper main body 102. On the contrary, if the gap between the stopper main body 90 and the conveyance claw 76 is sufficiently small in a state where the conveyance claw 76 of the conveyance robot 72 is located at the receiving position, the receiving plate 94 is not provided on the stopper main body 90. Also good.
[0093]
Further, the lower end portion of the stopper main body 102 is fixed to the distal end portion of the shaft 104 which is formed in the longitudinal direction along the vertical direction. The shaft 104 is fixed to a piston (not shown) housed in a cylinder 106 whose base end is embedded in a floor or the like, and the shaft 104 and eventually the stopper main body 102 move up and down by a change in the internal pressure of the cylinder 106. It is supposed to be.
[0094]
(Outline of the system of the transport device 10)
Further, as shown in the schematic block diagram of FIG. 6, the transport apparatus 10 includes a control unit 108 as a control unit. The control unit 108 is connected to the sensor 22 described above, and receives a detection signal sent from the sensor 22 when the sensor 22 detects the shaft 18 conveyed to the belt conveyor 20.
[0095]
The control unit 108 is connected to each of the transfer units 24 and 86, the damming unit 34, the interference units 44 and 82, the pressing units 58 and 80, the stoppers 88 and 100, and the conveyance unit 70 described above. The transfer units 24 and 86, the blocking unit 34, the interference units 44 and 82, the pressing units 58 and 80, the cylinders 28, 48, 62, 98 and 106 of the stoppers 88 and 100, the motor of the transport unit 70, and the like are controlled. ing.
[0096]
<Operation and effect of the present embodiment>
Next, the operation and effect of the present embodiment will be described through the description of the conveying method of the shaft 18 by the conveying device 10 (that is, the conveying method according to the embodiment of the present invention).
[0097]
The shaft 18 manufactured in the shaft manufacturing process is placed on the endless belt 16 with the longitudinal direction (axial direction) along the axial direction of the belt conveyor 12 on one end side of the belt conveyor 12. The shaft 18 placed on the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 12 is conveyed to the other end side of the belt conveyor 12 by the rotation of the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 12.
[0098]
The shaft 18 conveyed to the vicinity of the other end of the belt conveyor 12 by the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 12 is transferred to the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 20 on one end side of the belt conveyor 20. The shaft 18 placed on the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 20 is conveyed to the other end side of the belt conveyor 20 by the rotation of the endless belt 16.
[0099]
As described above, the shaft 18 is transferred from the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 12 to the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 20. However, the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20 and the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 12 are the same as each other. Even if the shaft 18 is transferred to the endless belt 16 of the conveyor 20, the longitudinal direction of the shaft 18 is along the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20.
[0100]
In the transport device 10, the longitudinal direction of the shaft 18 may be along the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20 in a state where the shaft 18 is transferred to the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 20.
[0101]
Therefore, for example, if the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 12 and the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20 are not the same direction, when the shaft 18 is placed on the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 12, the longitudinal direction of the shaft 18 is the belt conveyor 12. The belt is placed on the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 12 while being inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 12.
[0102]
By the way, in the shaft manufacturing process, the shaft 18 is manufactured at approximately constant time, and the shaft 18 is intermittently placed on the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 12. Therefore, when the production speed of the shaft 18 is high, the interval between the shafts 18 on the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 12 is shortened.
[0103]
Here, in the present conveying apparatus 10, the rotation speed of the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 20 is faster than the rotation speed of the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 12, so that the shaft 18 is transferred to the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 20. On the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 20, the interval between the shafts 18 increases.
[0104]
Further, the shaft 18 conveyed by the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 20 passes the side of the sensor 22 in the vicinity of the blocking portion 34 during the conveyance. When the shaft 18 passes the side of the sensor 22, the sensor 22 detects the shaft 18 and transmits a detection signal at this time to the control unit 108. The control unit 108 that has received the detection signal from the sensor 22 transmits an operation signal to the transfer unit 24 to operate the transfer unit 24.
[0105]
(Transfer process)
The transfer unit 24 that has received the operation signal from the control unit 108 increases the internal pressure of the cylinder 28 and slides the piston in the cylinder 28 toward the belt conveyor 20. As a result, the shaft 30 slides and reciprocates so that the pressing piece 32 crosses the belt conveyor 20, whereby the shaft 18 is pressed against the pressing piece 32 in the moving direction of the pressing piece 32.
[0106]
Further, the control unit 108 counts the number of operations of the transfer unit 24, that is, the number of reciprocating movements of the piston in the cylinder 28, and thereby counts the number of shafts 18 pressed by the pressing piece 32.
[0107]
Here, since the longitudinal direction of the shaft 18 is along the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20, the pressing piece 32 presses the outer peripheral portion of the shaft 18 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axial direction (longitudinal direction) of the shaft 18. . Therefore, the shaft 18 that receives the pressing force from the pressing piece 32 rolls smoothly on the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 20.
[0108]
Thus, the shaft 18 that is pressed by the pressing piece 32 and rolls on the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 20 separates from the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 20 and transfers to the guide plate 42, and follows the inclination of the guide plate 42. To roll on the guide plate 42.
[0109]
In this state, since the stopper 36 of the dam member 34 is positioned on the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 20, for example, the operation of the cylinder 28 is delayed so that the shaft 18 passes the side of the pressing piece 32. Even so, the stopper 36 interferes with the axial end portion of the shaft 18 and prevents the movement of the shaft 18 accompanying the rotation of the endless belt 16. Thereby, even if the operation of the cylinder 28 is delayed, the shaft 18 can be reliably pressed by the pressing piece 32, and the shaft 18 can be transferred (transferred) to the guide plate 42.
[0110]
On the other hand, the control unit 108 operates the interference unit 44 by transmitting an operation signal to the interference unit 44 in conjunction with the operation of the pressing piece 32.
[0111]
The interference unit 44 that has received the operation signal from the control unit 108 increases the internal pressure of the cylinder 48 and slides the piston in the cylinder 48 toward the intermediate bucket 40 side. Thereby, the rod 50 moves to the intermediate bucket 40 side. Since the rod 50 moves to the intermediate bucket 40 side and the length from the distal end portion of the rod 50 to the proximal end portion of the cylinder 48 is increased, the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20 is centered on the proximal end portion of the cylinder 48. , And the interference claw 54 rotates about the connecting portion with the guide plate 42 with the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20 as the axial direction.
[0112]
As a result, each claw portion 52 of the interference claw 54 penetrates the through hole 56, and the front end side of the claw portion 52 protrudes to the surface side of the guide plate 42. Each claw portion 52 protruding to the surface side of the guide plate 42 interferes with the outer peripheral portion of the shaft 18 rolling on the guide plate 42, and the shaft 18 is temporarily stopped.
[0113]
From this state, the interference portion 44 lowers the internal pressure of the cylinder 48 and displaces the interference claw 54 to the back side of the guide plate 42, thereby releasing the interference with the shaft 18 by each claw portion 52. Roll on the guide plate 42.
[0114]
However, since the shaft 18 is stopped by the interference claw 54 before the interference is released, when the roller 18 rolls again, the rolling speed of the shaft 18 at a position where each claw portion 52 interferes with the shaft 18 becomes substantially zero. Become. Thereby, compared with the case where there is no interference by each claw part 52, the rolling speed of the shaft 18 after passing on the penetration hole 56 becomes slow.
[0115]
(Residence process)
The shaft 18 that has rolled on the guide plate 42 in this way reaches the intermediate bucket 40. Since the surface of the intermediate bucket 40 is a curved surface having a concave shape facing substantially upward, the shaft 18 reciprocates in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the belt conveyor 20 according to the curvature of the surface of the intermediate bucket 40. Finally, it stops on the intermediate bucket 40.
[0116]
Here, as described above, since the shaft 18 is intermittently conveyed by the belt conveyor 20, the subsequent shaft 18 is similarly sent to the intermediate bucket 40, but based on the detection signal from the sensor 22, the control unit 108. Until the number of the fixed shafts 18 is counted, the shaft 18 is not moved from above the intermediate bucket 40, and the shaft 18 that has previously reached the intermediate bucket 40 is retained on the intermediate bucket 40. .
[0117]
In addition, the shaft 18 is retained on the intermediate bucket 40 in this way, but the subsequent shaft 18 is also pressed by the pressing piece 32 on the outer peripheral portion and transferred to the guide plate 42, and rolls on the guide plate 42 to move to the intermediate bucket. In order to reach 40, the shafts 18 staying on the intermediate bucket 40 all face the same direction and are aligned in a direction orthogonal to the respective longitudinal directions.
[0118]
Further, the subsequent shaft 18 rolls on the guide plate 42 and reaches the intermediate bucket 40, so that the outer peripheral portion collides with the outer peripheral portion of the shaft 18 that has reached the intermediate bucket 40 first.
[0119]
However, as described above, the shaft 18 is interfered by the claw portions 52 of the interference portion 44 and temporarily stopped to roll, so that the rolling speed after passing over the through hole 56 is relatively slow. Thereby, since the impact when the shafts 18 collide with each other on the intermediate bucket 40 is relatively small, it is possible to prevent or reduce the outer peripheral portion of the shaft 18 from being damaged.
[0120]
On the other hand, when a predetermined time elapses after the control unit 108 counts a certain number of shafts 18 based on a detection signal from the sensor 22, more specifically, a certain number of shafts 18 move to the side of the sensor 22. When the time corresponding to the time until the shaft 18 that has finally passed through the side of the sensor 22 reaches the upper side of the intermediate bucket 40 from the fixed number of shafts 18 has passed, An operation signal is transmitted to the unit 58 to operate the pressing unit 58.
[0121]
(Pressing process)
The pressing unit 58 that has received the operation signal from the control unit 108 increases the internal pressure of the cylinder 62 and slides the piston in the cylinder 62 toward the intermediate bucket 40 side. Thereby, the shaft 64 moves to the intermediate bucket 40 side.
[0122]
The shaft 64 moves to the intermediate bucket 40 side, the pressing plate 66 fixed to the tip of the shaft 64 moves to the intermediate bucket 40 side, and the end of the shaft 18 arranged on the intermediate bucket 40 on the longitudinal cylinder 62 side. Press the part toward the receiving position. As a result, the plurality of shafts 18 on the intermediate bucket 40 are moved to the receiving position side at a time.
[0123]
At this time, the cylinders 98 and 106 of the stoppers 88 and 100 have an increased internal pressure, so that the stopper body 90 has the through hole 92 located between the intermediate bucket 40 and the receiving position. The stopper main body 102 blocks between the intermediate bucket 78 and the receiving position. At this time, the transfer robot 72 of the transfer unit 70 is positioned at the receiving position with the leading end portions (lower end portions) of the transfer claws 76 in contact with each other. Accordingly, the plurality of shafts 18 pressed by the pressing plate 66 passes through the through hole 92 and transfers onto the conveyance claw 76.
[0124]
(Conveying process)
When the pressing of the shaft 18 by the pressing plate 66 is completed, the control unit 108 transmits an operation signal to the transport unit 70 to operate the transport unit 70. The transport unit 70 that has received the operation signal from the control unit 108 drives each motor constituting the robot hand in a preset order to move the transport robot 72 from the receiving position to the delivery position.
[0125]
A storage box 110 (see FIG. 2) such as a passing box is disposed in advance at the delivery position. When the transfer robot 72 reaches the delivery position, that is, the storage box 110, a motor or the like is used to separate the sliders 74 from each other. Drive. As a result, the front end portions (lower end portions) of the transport claws 76 that have been in contact with each other are separated from each other, and the shaft 18 placed on the curved portion of the transport claws 76 is transferred into the storage box 110. .
[0126]
When the shaft 18 is transferred from the transport claw 76 to the storage box 110, the transport unit 70 drives the motor or the like constituting the robot hand again to move the transport robot 72 to the receiving position and moves the slider 74 closer to each other. Then, the front end portions (lower end portions) of the transport claws 76 are brought into contact with each other.
[0127]
By the way, after the pressing of the shaft 18 by the pressing piece 32 is started, the shaft 18 is transferred onto the conveying claw 76, and further, while the conveying robot 72 reciprocates between the receiving position and the delivery position, the belt conveyor. At 12 and 20, the subsequent shaft 18 is conveyed.
[0128]
Here, in the present conveying apparatus 10, a predetermined number of shafts 18 pass by the side of the sensor 22, and the predetermined number of final shafts 18 are separated from the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 20 by the pressing pieces 32. Later, the control unit 108 transmits an operation signal to the damming unit 34 to operate the damming unit 34.
[0129]
The dam member 34 that has received the operation signal from the control unit 108 reduces the internal pressure of the cylinder 28 of the dam member 34 and slides the piston to the side opposite to the belt conveyor 20. As a result, the shaft 30 of the damming portion 34 slides and the stopper 36 is detached from the belt conveyor 20. Therefore, the shaft 18 conveyed by the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 20 in this state passes through the side of the pressing piece 32 of the transfer unit 24 and moves to the side of the pressing piece 32 of the transfer unit 86.
[0130]
In this state, when the sensor 22 on the transfer unit 86 side detects the shaft 18, the control unit 108 transmits an operation signal to the transfer unit 86 to operate the transfer unit 86.
[0131]
The shaft 18 moved to the transfer portion 86 side is moved onto the guide plate 84 by the pressing piece 32 of the transfer portion 86. Further, after the rolling of the shaft 18 is once stopped by the interference claw 54 of the interference portion 82 on the guide plate 84, the guide plate 84 is rolled again and the shaft 18 is retained on the intermediate bucket 78.
[0132]
Accordingly, there is no need to place the plurality of shafts 18 staying on the intermediate bucket 40 on the intermediate bucket 78 after the transfer robot 72 moves to the receiving box 110 at the delivery position and returns to the receiving position again. One to a plurality of shafts 18 are retained.
[0133]
The control unit 108 activates the stoppers 88 and 100 by transmitting an operation signal to the stoppers 88 and 100 after the transport robot 72 returns to the receiving position or before returning. Receiving the operation signal from the control unit 108, the stoppers 88 and 100 reduce the internal pressure of the cylinders 98 and 106 and lower the stopper main bodies 90 and 102. Thereby, the gap between the receiving position and the intermediate bucket 40 is blocked by the stopper main body 90, but the gap between the receiving position and the intermediate bucket 78 that has been blocked by the stopper main body 102 until then is opened.
[0134]
In a state where the transport robot 72 returns to the receiving position and the stopper main bodies 90 and 102 are lowered, the control unit 108 sends an operation signal to the pressing unit 80 to operate the pressing unit 80. Upon receiving the operation signal from the control unit 108, the pressing unit 80 presses the shaft 18 on the intermediate bucket 78 by the pressing plate 66 and moves it onto the conveying claw 76. Further, after the shaft 18 on the intermediate bucket 78 is transferred to the conveyance claw 76, the control unit 108 sends an operation signal to the conveyance unit 70 again to operate the conveyance unit 70 and move the conveyance robot 72 to the delivery position. The shaft 18 is transferred to 110.
[0135]
On the other hand, after the predetermined number of shafts 18 have passed the sides of the sensor 22 and the predetermined number of the last shafts 18 have been separated from the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 20 by the pressing pieces 32 of the transfer unit 86, The control unit 108 transmits an operation signal to the damming unit 34 again to operate the damming unit 34.
[0136]
The dam member 34 that has received the operation signal from the controller 108 raises the internal pressure of the cylinder 28 of the dam member 34 and slides the piston toward the belt conveyor 20. Thereby, the shaft 30 of the blocking part 34 slides and the stopper 36 is positioned on the belt conveyor 20.
[0137]
Therefore, in this state, the shaft 18 conveyed by the endless belt 16 of the belt conveyor 20 does not pass through the side of the pressing piece 32 of the transfer unit 24 and is transferred to the transfer unit 86 side. In this state, when the time corresponding to the time from when the sensor 22 detects the shaft 18 until the shaft 18 reaches the side of the pressing piece 32 of the transfer unit 24 has elapsed, the control unit 108 moves to the transfer unit 24. An operation signal is transmitted and the transfer part 24 is operated.
[0138]
The shaft 18 is moved onto the guide plate 42 by the pressing piece 32 of the transfer unit 24, and further, the shaft 18 is temporarily stopped by the interference claw 54 of the interference unit 44, and then the shaft 18 stays on the intermediate bucket 40. Be made.
[0139]
In this way, the shaft 18 is moved onto the conveying claw 76 by the pressing plate 66 of either the pressing unit 58 or the pressing unit 80, and the conveying robot 72 moves the shaft 18 on the conveying claw 76 to the storage box 110 at the delivery position. Further, until the transport robot 72 returns to the receiving position, the subsequent shaft 18 is retained in the intermediate bucket 40 or the intermediate bucket 78 corresponding to the other one of the pressing portion 58 and the pressing portion 80. Therefore, when the transfer robot 72 returns to the receiving position, the shaft 18 can be immediately moved onto the transfer claw 76. Thereby, the conveyance speed of the whole shaft 18 can be improved.
[0140]
In addition, the shaft 18 is once retained in the intermediate bucket 40 or the intermediate bucket 78, and the plurality of shafts 18 are moved onto the conveyance claw 76 at a time. It is not necessary to correspond to the conveyance speed.
[0141]
Thereby, the control of the transfer robot 72 and the robot arm can be performed stably and reliably. Moreover, even if the moving speed of the transfer robot 72 is slower than the transfer speed of the shaft 18 by the belt conveyor 20, the transfer robot 72 transfers a plurality of shafts 18 at one time. The conveyance speed can be prevented or suppressed.
[0142]
Furthermore, since the plurality of shafts 18 are all aligned in the longitudinal direction when pressed by the pressing plate 66, the longitudinal directions of the plurality of shafts 18 are also aligned on the conveying claw 76. For this reason, the shaft 18 is accommodated in the storage box 110 in a state where all the longitudinal directions thereof are aligned. As a result, the shaft 18 can be stored without waste in the storage box 110, and the longitudinal end of the shaft 18 is the outer periphery of the other shaft 18 when the storage box 110 is transported to the next process (for example, a motor assembly process). There will be no scratches on the parts. Furthermore, since the shaft 18 is housed in the housing box 110 in a state where all the longitudinal directions are aligned in this way, the shaft 18 can be easily taken out from the housing box 110 in the next step, and work efficiency can be improved.
[0143]
Further, when the shaft 18 is transferred from the transfer claw 76 of the transfer robot 72 into the storage box 110, the shaft 18 is not only aligned along the longitudinal direction or the width direction of the storage box 110 but also in the depth direction of the storage box 110. Also, a large number of shafts 18 can be accommodated in the accommodation box 110 without particularly increasing the outer peripheral shape of the accommodation box 110.
[0144]
Furthermore, since the transfer robot 72 performs the transfer of the shaft 18 to the storage box 110 as described above, it is possible to promote labor saving and labor saving in the transfer of the shaft 18, and as a result, other manufacturing processes, etc. Thus, it is possible to assign workers to each other, and the efficiency of the entire manufacturing process can be improved.
[0145]
In this embodiment, in addition to the transfer portion 24, the guide plate 42, the interference portion 44, the intermediate bucket 40, and the pressing portion 58, the transfer portion 86, the guide plate 84, the interference portion 82, the intermediate bucket 78, In addition, the configuration including the transfer unit 24, the guide plate 42, the interference unit 44, the intermediate bucket 40, and the press unit 58, or the transfer unit 86, the guide plate 84, and the interference unit 82. The intermediate bucket 78 and the pressing unit 80 may be included.
[0146]
Further, in the present embodiment, the transport robot 72 of the transport unit 70 is only moved by a robot arm (not shown) and itself only contacts and separates the slider 74. It is good also as a structure which can rotate the conveyance robot 72 around an axis | shaft as a direction.
[0147]
In such a configuration, when the shaft 18 is transferred into the storage box 110, the direction of the shaft 18 can be changed. Thereby, for example, even when the width dimension of the storage box 110 is longer than the longitudinal dimension of the shaft 18, the transport robot 72 is rotated so that the longitudinal direction of the shaft 18 and the longitudinal direction of the storage box 110 are aligned. 18 can be stored in the storage box 110.
[0148]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, for example, the configuration using the cylinder 28 that moves the piston by the increase and decrease of the internal pressure is used for the displacement of the shaft 18, but the configuration for displacing the shaft 18 is such a cylinder 28. It is not limited. For example, a solenoid that forms a magnetic field by energization and an urging means such as a compression coil spring or a tension coil spring that urges the shaft 18 to either side in the longitudinal direction thereof are applied by the magnetic force of the energized solenoid. The shaft 18 may be displaced against the urging force of the urging means, and the shaft 18 may be displaced in the opposite direction by the urging force of the urging means by releasing the energization to the solenoid. In this regard, the same applies to the cylinders 48, 62, 98, 106.
[0149]
In the present embodiment, the control unit 108 appropriately operates the damming unit 34, the transfer units 24 and 86, the pressing units 58 and 80, and the like based on the signal from the sensor 22 that detects the shaft 18. However, regardless of the quantity of the shaft 18, the control unit 108 simply sets the damming unit 34, based on the time (for example, the time required for the transfer robot 72 to reciprocate between the receiving position and the delivery position). It is good also as a structure which controls and moves the transfer parts 24 and 86, the press parts 58 and 80 grade | etc.,.
[0150]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the present conveyance device 10 is applied to the conveyance of the shaft 18 used for the motor, but it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied not only to the shaft 18 but also to conveyance of various articles.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a main part of a transport apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an overall configuration of a transport apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing an overall configuration of a transport apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a schematic side view showing the overall configuration of the transport device as viewed from a position along line 4-4 in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating a schematic configuration of a main part (a transfer robot) of a transfer unit.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline of a system of a transport apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Transport device
12 Belt conveyor (conveyance route)
18 Shaft (article, rod-shaped member)
20 Belt conveyor (conveyance route)
24 Transfer section (transfer means)
40 Intermediate bucket (staying part)
42 Guide plate (guide)
44 Interference part (interference means)
58 Pressing part (pressing means)
70 Conveying section (conveying means)
76 Transport claw (mounting part)
78 Intermediate bucket (retention part)
80 Pressing part (pressing means)
82 Interference part (interference means)
84 Guide plate (guide)
86 Transfer section (transfer means)

Claims (9)

Provided corresponding to a predetermined position on a conveyance path along which an article is conveyed continuously or intermittently along a predetermined conveyance direction, and substantially perpendicular to the conveyance direction when the article reaches the predetermined position Transfer means for moving the article in a transfer direction to move the article away from the transport path;
A staying part that stays in a state in which the plurality of articles transferred continuously or intermittently by the transfer means are arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to the transport direction;
Between the receiving position on one side of the conveying direction with respect to the staying section and the opposite direction, and a delivery position different from the receiving position. Transport means that can be reciprocated with
It is provided on the opposite side to the receiving position through the staying portion, and is movable to one of the one direction side, and is an end portion on the opposite side to the receiving position of the plurality of articles staying in the staying portion. Pressing means to any one direction at a time, and a plurality of the articles on the stay part to move onto the placing part,
A transport apparatus comprising: While providing the stay portion below a predetermined position of the transport path,
A guide having an upper end connected to the predetermined position and a lower end connected to the staying portion, connecting the predetermined position conveying path and the staying portion, and guiding the article transferred by the transfer means to the staying portion. The transport apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The conveying apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an interference unit that is provided in the guide and interferes with the article that moves while being guided by the guide to reduce a moving speed of the article. A plurality of staying portions respectively provided on both sides of the receiving position along the transport direction of the transport path;
A plurality of pressing means provided corresponding to each of the plurality of staying portions, and provided on the opposite side of the receiving position via the corresponding staying portions;
A plurality of transfer means provided in the transport path corresponding to each of the plurality of staying portions;
The conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: A transport method for transporting an article that is continuously or intermittently transported along a transport path on a transport path to a predetermined delivery position,
A transfer step of moving the article in a transfer direction substantially orthogonal to the transfer direction at a predetermined position on the transfer path and detaching the article from the transfer path;
A staying step for retaining the article that has left the transport path on a staying portion;
With the plurality of articles staying on the staying section, the plurality of articles are pressed from either the transport direction or the opposite direction, and a plurality of receiving positions on the pressing direction side with respect to the staying section. A pressing step of moving the article and placing the article on a placing portion of a conveying means disposed at the receiving position;
A transporting step of operating the transporting means to move the placement unit to the delivery position different from the receiving position;
Conveying method characterized by comprising. A guide communicates between the predetermined position on the conveyance path and the staying portion provided below the predetermined position, and the transfer step is configured to transfer the article released from the conveyance path by its own weight. The conveyance method according to claim 5, wherein the carrier is made to slide down or rotate on a guide to reach the staying portion. The conveyance method according to claim 6, wherein an interference unit interferes with the article moving on the guide to reduce a moving speed of the article. The conveying method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a bar-shaped member having a longitudinal direction along the conveying direction is used as the article. 9. The transport method according to claim 8, wherein the rod-shaped member is formed in a substantially columnar shape or a substantially cylindrical shape that is an axial direction along the transport direction.

Images