JP3977243B2 - Transport system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a transport system that transports a transport vehicle in both directions of a forward direction and a reverse direction, and particularly relates to a transport system in which bidirectional transport paths are integrated into one system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, when there are a plurality of processes for processing a workpiece in a factory, the processing equipment corresponding to each process is often arranged linearly. In order to exchange workpieces between these processing facilities, a transport system having a linear transport path along a plurality of processing facilities is used.
[0003]
As a conveyance system which conveys a workpiece | work linearly, a conveyor system can be mentioned, for example.
[0004]
In addition, a technique has been proposed in which linear motors are continuously arranged in the conveyance path, a magnet is provided in the conveyance vehicle, and the conveyance vehicle is conveyed using the electromagnetic attraction force of the linear motor and the magnet (for example, Patent Document 1). reference).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 2536799
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In a factory, a transport vehicle that has finished transporting a workpiece generally returns to the reverse direction and then continues to transport the next workpiece. Two transport means are required.
[0007]
Usually, since these two conveying means are set as independent individual conveying means, a wide space for installing the two conveying means is required. Further, in order to perform forward and backward bidirectional transport with one transport means, a complicated gear configuration and a plurality of motors are required, and no simple bidirectional drive means has been proposed yet.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and a transport system that enables a transport vehicle to be transported in both forward and reverse directions by a single drive source and a simple power transmission mechanism. The purpose is to provide.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The transport system according to the present invention is:A transport system having a transport unit and a transport vehicle transported by the transport unit, wherein the transport unit meshes with a drive gear that rotates under the action of a rotational drive source, the drive gear, A first driven gear that rotates by transmission of rotation, a second driven gear that meshes with the drive gear, transmits rotation of the drive gear, and rotates in reverse with respect to the first driven gear; A first drive sprocket connected to the rotation shaft of the driven gear, a second drive sprocket connected to the rotation shaft of the second driven gear, and extending in a predetermined direction and meshing with the first drive sprocket A first annular chain that circulates, and a second annular chain that extends in the same direction as the first annular chain, meshes with the second drive sprocket, and circulates and reverses the first annular chain; And carrying the Cars is conveyed by the first annular chain or the second annular chain, said first annular chain and the second annular chains to place the workpiece on the opposite sides of the opposite facesIt is characterized by that.
[0010]
Thus, since the first driven gear and the second driven gear can be rotated in the opposite directions by the drive gear, the first circulation drive unit and the second driven by the first driven gear and the second driven gear, respectively. The circulation drive unit is circulated in the opposite directions to each other, whereby the conveyance vehicle can be conveyed in both directions of the forward direction and the reverse direction. In addition, since there is only one drive source and only three drive gears, the first driven gear and the second driven gear are sufficient, a simple configuration can be achieved.
[0011]
  In this case, the drive gear, the first driven gear, and the second driven gear are bevel gears, respectively,Drive sprocketAnd the secondDrive sprocketThese shaft centers are preferably set on the same axis and orthogonal to the shaft of the drive gear.
[0012]
By using the bevel gear, a large driving force can be reliably transmitted, and the first circulation driving unit can be obtained by setting the axis of the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft on the same axis. And the second circulation drive unit can be arranged symmetrically.
[0013]
  In addition, the first driven gear and the second driven gear may include the first driven gear between the first driven gear and the second driven gear.Drive sprocketA first inner bearing for rotatably supporting one end of the second, and the secondDrive sprocketA second inner bearing that supports one end of the first driven gear, and the first driven gear and the second driven gear are arranged on opposite sides of a surface on which the first driven gear and the second driven gear are opposed to each other.Drive sprocketA first outer bearing that rotatably supports one end of the second, and the secondDrive sprocketIt is good to have the 2nd outer side bearing which supports one end of.
[0014]
By providing the first inner bearing and the second inner bearing, the space between the first driven gear and the second driven gear can be used effectively. Further, since both ends of the first rotating shaft and the second rotating shaft are supported by bearings, they can rotate stably and smoothly and can withstand a large load.
[0015]
  Furthermore, the first circulation drive unit is driven by a first drive sprocket provided on the first sprocket, and the second circulation drive unit is driven by a second drive sprocket provided on the second sprocket. The first circulation drive unit and the second circulation drive unit are each an annular chain, and when the circulation drive is performed via a rotatable driven sprocket, the conveyance system can be configured by inexpensive and general-purpose parts. it can. The drive gear, the first driven gear, the second driven gear, the first drive sprocket, and the second drive sprocket are surrounded by a frame, and the first annular chain and the second annular chain The plate body in the extending direction may have a cross shape convex in all directions..
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS A conveyance system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to preferred embodiments and with reference to FIGS.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 1, the transport system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a coupled transport vehicle 12 that can transport a workpiece, and a transport unit 14 that transports the coupled transport vehicle 12 and forms a transport path. Have.
[0018]
Among these, the conveyance part 14 is demonstrated first.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 2, the transport unit 14 has a function of transporting the coupled transport vehicle 12 to the right in the upper part of FIG. 2 and transporting the coupled transport vehicle 12 to the left in the lower part of FIG. 2. Moreover, the conveyance part 14 has a function which reverses the transfer direction of the connection conveyance vehicle 12 in the edge part on either side. A plurality of coupled transport vehicles 12 can be transported simultaneously.
[0020]
In the following description, the vertical direction in FIG. Furthermore, the side near the center line C of the transport system 10 is defined as the inside, and the direction away from the center line C is defined as the outside.
[0021]
Returning to FIG. 1, the transport unit 14 includes a plurality of horizontal transport units 16 that transport the coupled transport vehicle 12 in a substantially horizontal left-right direction, a gradient transport unit 18 that couples the horizontal transport unit 16, and the coupled transport vehicle 12. Direction reversing unit 20 for reversing the transport direction (hereinafter simply referred to as transport direction), horizontal transport unit 16, gradient transport unit 18, a plurality of support columns 22 supporting direction reversal unit 20, horizontal transport unit 16, and gradient transport Part 18 and cover 24 that covers substantially the entire surface of direction reversing part 20. The horizontal conveyance unit 16 and the gradient conveyance unit 18 are connected by a connecting plate 120 (see FIG. 3).
[0022]
Further, the transport unit 14 has a transport vehicle stop mechanism (not shown) for stopping the coupled transport vehicle 12, and a station for transferring workpieces to the coupled transport vehicle 12 in the vicinity of the transport vehicle stop mechanism. 26 is provided. The cover 24 has an opening in the front portion of the station 26, and workpieces are transferred between the connected transport vehicle 12 and the station 26 through the opening. The station 26 is linked to a processing machine (not shown) for processing the workpiece, delivers the unprocessed workpiece to the processing machine, and attaches the processed workpiece to the coupled transport vehicle 12.
[0023]
Next, the horizontal conveyance unit 16 will be described.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 3, the horizontal transport unit 16 supports the coupled transport vehicle 12 and guides the coupled transport vehicle 12 in the direction in which it is transported (right direction), and transports the coupled transport vehicle 12 in the right direction. It has a horizontal transfer annular chain (first circulation drive unit) 30 and a motor 32 as a drive source of the horizontal transfer annular chain 30. The motor 32 also serves as a drive source for the horizontal conveyance annular chain (second circulation drive unit) 33 that conveys the coupled conveyance vehicle 12 in the left direction. The motor 32 and motors 164 and 165 described later have a built-in speed reducer and generate sufficient torque.
[0025]
In addition, illustration of the cover 24 is abbreviate | omitted in FIG. Further, FIG. 3 illustrates a side surface viewed from the position of the center line C (see FIG. 2) for convenience of explanation. The same applies to FIG. 10, FIG. 13, FIG. 16, and FIG.
[0026]
The rail 28 has a long plate shape having a width d (see FIG. 12) and a height h (see FIG. 13), and extends over the entire length of the horizontal conveyance unit 16. The upper and lower surfaces of the rail 28 are set horizontally.
[0027]
The horizontal transport unit 16 circulates and drives a driving bevel gear (drive gear) 94 (see FIG. 6) connected to the motor 32 and the horizontal transport annular chains 30 and 33 under the action of the drive bevel gear 94. The first drive sprocket 36, the second drive sprocket 37, and a driven sprocket 38 that is driven to rotate in response to the circulation drive of the horizontal conveying annular chains 30 and 33 are provided.
[0028]
The horizontal carrying annular chain 30 is disposed slightly inside the rail 28, and the horizontal carrying annular chain 30 and the rail 28 are parallel in the width direction (see FIG. 11).
[0029]
The rotation axis of the motor 32 is set to be vertical, and the rotation of the rotation axis of the motor 32 is rotated on the vertical plane by converting the rotation axis by 90 °. Accordingly, the first drive sprocket 36, the second drive sprocket 37, and the driven sprocket 38 rotate on the vertical plane. The first drive sprocket 36, the second drive sprocket 37, and the driven sprocket 38 are set to the same height.
[0030]
Further, the horizontal transport unit 16 is an upper part of the horizontal transport annular chain 30 that supports the chain roller 30a (see FIG. 11) of the horizontal transport annular chain 30 from below at an upper portion that applies driving force to the coupled transport vehicle 12. It has a guide 40 and a horizontal portion lower guide 42 that supports the chain roller 30a of the annular chain 30 for horizontal conveyance from below at the lower portion. The horizontal part upper guide 40, the horizontal part lower guide 42, and the rail 28 are connected by a support member 44 (see FIG. 12).
[0031]
The horizontal portion upper guide 40 supports the horizontal conveying annular chain 30 over almost the entire length between the first drive sprocket 36 and the driven sprocket 38, and the upper portion of the horizontal conveying annular chain 30 is kept horizontal.
[0032]
The horizontal lower guide 42 supports the horizontal conveying annular chain 30 between the first drive sprocket 36 and the driven sprocket 38 over substantially the entire length excluding a predetermined section close to the first drive sprocket 36. A tension mechanism including three small sprockets 46, 48, 50, a link 52 and a screw mechanism 54 is provided between the first drive sprocket 36 and the horizontal lower guide 42. This tension mechanism can adjust the slackness or tension of the horizontal conveying annular chain 30 by adjusting the screw mechanism 54.
[0033]
The horizontal transporting annular chain 33 used for transporting in the left direction has the same structure as the horizontal transporting annular chain 30, and is supported by the horizontal part upper guide 40 and the horizontal part lower guide 42, A tension mechanism for adjusting the tension is provided.
[0034]
The plurality of horizontal transfer units 16 basically have the same structure, but a cam plate 56 is provided at a portion connected to the gradient transfer unit 18 on the slightly opposite side in the transfer direction with the end as a reference. . The cam plate 56 extends along the transport direction. The lower surface of the cam plate 56 includes an inclined surface 56a extending so as to be displaced obliquely downward in the transport direction, and a parallel surface 56b that is continuous from the inclined surface 56a and parallel to the rail 28.
[0035]
Next, the structure of the both ends of the horizontal conveyance part 16 is demonstrated in detail, referring FIGS. 4-9.
[0036]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, one end of the horizontal transport unit 16 on the side where the first and second drive sprockets 36 and 37 are provided has two intermediate plates 60 and 62 with rails 28 on both sides. Connected by. The intermediate plate 60 has a cross shape that is convex in the vertical direction and the width direction, and both side surfaces are fastened by rails 28 and bolts 61. The intermediate plate 62 has a flat plate shape and is provided closer to the end than the intermediate plate 60. Both side surfaces of the intermediate plate 62 are fastened to the rail 28 by bolts 61, respectively. The lower surfaces of the intermediate plates 60 and 62 are connected by a transition plate 64. A bearing box 66 having a bearing (first inner bearing) 67 a and a bearing (second inner bearing) 67 b is welded to the upper surface of the transition plate 64. The bearing 67a rotatably supports one end of the first rotating shaft 68, and the bearing 67b rotatably supports one end of the second rotating shaft 70. The first rotating shaft 68 and the second rotating shaft 70 are set on the same axis, and extend from the bearing box 66 to the left and right.
[0037]
The first rotating shaft 68 and the second rotating shaft 70 are provided with a first driven bevel gear (first driven gear) 72 and a second driven bevel gear (second driven gear) 74 that are opposed to each other with the bearing box 66 interposed therebetween. ing. The first driven bevel gear 72 and the second driven bevel gear 74 have the same shape, and the side having the teeth is set inward. The first rotary shaft 68 and the second rotary shaft 70 are provided with first and second drive sprockets 36 and 37 on the outer sides of the first driven bevel gear 72 and the second driven bevel gear 74, respectively. The first drive sprocket 36 and the first driven bevel gear 72 are fixed to the first rotating shaft 68 by a key 75a. Similarly, the second drive sprocket 37 and the second driven bevel gear 74 are fixed to the second rotating shaft 70 by a key 75b.
[0038]
A grease nipple (not shown) that leads into the bearing box 66 is provided on the lower surface of the transition plate 64.
[0039]
Each of the left and right rails 28 is provided with a hole 76, and a bearing 78 (first outer bearing) and a bearing (second outer bearing) 79 inserted into the holes 76 allow the first rotating shaft 68 and the second rotating shaft 70 to be connected. The end is pivotally supported. The outer sides of the bearings 78 and 79 are fixed to the rail 28 by a fixing member 80. The fixing member 80 is provided with a groove 80a through which a stopper 238 described later passes.
[0040]
A motor unit 82 (see FIG. 6) is disposed on the upper surfaces of the intermediate plates 60 and 62. In FIG. 4 and FIG. 8 to be described later, illustration of the horizontal conveying annular chains 30, 33, the horizontal upper guide 40, the horizontal lower guide 42, and the like is omitted.
[0041]
Further, the end portion of the direction reversing portion 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) has the same structure as that shown in FIG.
[0042]
As shown in FIG. 6, the motor unit 82 includes the motor 32 and is a unit for transmitting the rotational driving force of the motor 32 to the first driven bevel gear 72 and the second driven bevel gear 74.
[0043]
In the motor unit 82, the lower connection plate 84 is connected to the upper surfaces of the intermediate plates 60 and 62 (see FIG. 4). A cylindrical cover 86 extending upward is provided at the center of the connection plate 84, and bearings 88 and 90 are provided at both upper and lower ends of the cylindrical cover 86.
[0044]
An extension shaft 92 is pivotally supported by the two bearings 88 and 90, and a driving bevel gear 94 is provided below the connection plate 84 at the lower end of the extension shaft 92. The drive bevel gear 94 is set so that the side having the teeth faces downward.
[0045]
The upper end of the extension shaft 92 is connected to the rotation shaft of the motor 32 through a coupling 96. The coupling 96 is covered with a box-shaped cover 98, and the box-shaped cover 98 supports the motor 32. Two reinforcing plates 100 are welded and reinforced to the upper surface of the connecting plate 84, the side surface of the cylindrical cover 86, and the lower surface of the box-shaped cover 98.
[0046]
By connecting the motor 32 and the driving bevel gear 94 with the extension shaft 92, the box-shaped cover 98 and the motor 32 are positioned slightly above the height of the upper surface of the rail 28, and the coupled transport vehicle 12 passes through. It will not be an obstacle.
[0047]
As shown in FIG. 7, when the connecting plate 84 is fastened by bolts 61 over the upper surfaces of the intermediate plates 60 and 62, the left and right side portions of the drive bevel gear 94 are respectively connected to the upper portion of the first driven bevel gear 72 and the second It meshes with the upper part of the driven bevel gear 74.
[0048]
Under the action of the motor 32, the extension shaft 92 rotates clockwise as viewed from above, whereby the first driven bevel gear 72 rotates clockwise in FIG. The second driven bevel gear 74 rotates counterclockwise in FIG.
[0049]
Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the rail 28 on both sides is connected by two intermediate plates 102 and 104 at one end on the side where the driven sprocket 38 is provided in the horizontal transport unit 16. The intermediate plate 102 has a plate shape whose height in the vertical direction is smaller than the diameter of the driven sprocket 38. The intermediate plate 104 has a substantially flat plate shape with notches on the left and right ends of the lower surface, and is provided closer to the end than the intermediate plate 102.
[0050]
In each rail 28, a hole 106 is provided substantially in the middle of the location where the intermediate plates 102 and 104 are connected. Both ends of the support shaft 108 are inserted into the respective holes 106. Both end portions of the support shaft 108 have step portions 110 having a slightly narrow diameter, and bearings 112 are fitted into the step portions 110, respectively. A driven sprocket 38 is locked to the outer periphery of the bearing 112 by a retaining ring 114. In the stepped portion 110, a cylindrical spacer 116 is provided between the bearing 112 and the rail 28, and the position of the bearing 112 is set.
[0051]
With such a configuration, each of the two driven sprockets 38 is rotatable, and can guide the horizontal conveying annular chains 30 and 33. Further, since the height of the intermediate plate 102 is smaller than the diameter of the driven sprocket 38, the horizontal transfer annular chains 30, 33 and the intermediate plate 102 do not interfere with each other.
[0052]
As shown in FIG. 9, the two horizontal conveyance units 16 (hereinafter, the left side is distinguished as the horizontal conveyance unit 16 a and the right side as the horizontal conveyance unit 16 b) are coupled by the two coupling plates 120 and the column 22. That is, a support plate 22a protruding left and right is provided on the uppermost portion of the support column 22, and one end of the support plate 22a and the lower surface of the intermediate plate 62 of the horizontal transport unit 16a are fastened by the bolt 61. Further, the other end of the support plate 22 a and the lower surface of the intermediate plate 104 of the horizontal transport unit 16 b are fastened by a bolt 61.
[0053]
Further, the rails 28 of the horizontal transport unit 16a and the rails 28 of the horizontal transport unit 16b are arranged in such a manner that the connecting plate 120 is applied to the inner side surface with the end surfaces in contact with each other, and screw holes provided in the connecting plate 120 are provided. Used and fastened with bolts 61. Furthermore, if it connects using the positioning pin in part instead of the volt | bolt 61, the positioning of the connection board 120 and the rail 28 can be performed more correctly, and the rails 28 can be joined correctly. As a result, in the connection portion of the rail 28, the upper surface becomes a continuous surface without a step or a gap, and the coupled transport vehicle 12 can pass smoothly.
[0054]
In this way, the two horizontal transfer units 16 a and 16 b are connected by the two connecting plates 120 and the support columns 22. The work at this time is basically only fastening of the bolt 61 and insertion of the positioning pin, and can be easily connected. Further, it is not necessary to separate the motor 32, the horizontal conveyance annular chains 30, 33, the motor unit 82, and the like, and the horizontal conveyance unit 16 can be handled as one unit.
[0055]
Next, the gradient transport unit 18 will be described.
[0056]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 10, the gradient transport unit 18 has a symmetrically convex mountain shape except for a part thereof, and a person or a forklift or the like is located below the center of the gradient transport unit 18. The height that can be passed is secured.
[0057]
The gradient transport unit 18 supports the coupled transport vehicle 12 and guides a direction in which the coupled transport vehicle 12 is transported, a gradient transport annular chain 162 that transports the coupled transport vehicle 12, and a gradient transport annular chain 162. And a motor 164 as a driving source of the motor. The motor 164 is a dedicated drive source for the gradient conveyance annular chain 162 for right conveyance, and another motor 165 is used as a drive source for the gradient conveyance annular chain 163 (see FIG. 11) in the left direction. The That is, the connection location between the motor 164 and the gradient transporting annular chain 162 and the connection location between the motor 165 and the gradient transporting annular chain 163 are similar to the structure shown in FIG. Alternatively, one of the bevel gears corresponding to the second driven bevel gear 74 is omitted.
[0058]
The rail 160 is set to have the same width d (see FIG. 12) and height h (see FIG. 13) as the rail 28 in the horizontal transport unit 16. The rail 28 and the rail 160 are connected by a connecting plate 120. The connecting plate 120 is the same member as the connecting plate 120 (see FIG. 9) that connects the horizontal conveyance portions 16 to each other.
[0059]
As shown in FIG. 11, the horizontal conveyance annular chain 30 and the gradient conveyance annular chain 162 are arranged in different positions in the width direction, and the gradient conveyance annular chain 162 is set to the inner side of the width w than the horizontal conveyance annular chain 30. ing.
[0060]
Returning to FIG. 10, of the rail 160, the uphill inclination introduction portion 160 a has an arc shape with a relatively small upward inclination toward the center, and is connected so as to be continuous with the end portion of the rail 28 of the horizontal conveyance portion 16. Has been. The central portion 160b of the rail 160 has a relatively large arc shape that is convex upward. The inclination introduction part 160a and the central part 160b are connected by a constant inclination part 160c having a constant inclination value and an upward inclination. The rail 160 has a symmetrical shape, and the central portion 160b is connected to a constant slope portion 160d having a constant slope value and a downward slope. The constant inclined portion 160d is connected to a relatively small arc-shaped inclined introducing portion 160e. The inclined introducing portions 160a and 160e have the same shape, and the constant inclined portions 160c and 160d have the same shape.
[0061]
The gradient transport unit 18 includes a drive bevel gear (not shown) connected to the motor 164, a drive sprocket 170 that circulates and drives the gradient transport annular chain 162 under the action of the drive bevel gear, and a gradient transport annular chain 162. And a driven sprocket 172 that rotates in response to the circulation drive. When viewed from the position of the center line C (see FIG. 2), the drive sprocket 170 rotates the gradient transporting annular chain 162 in the clockwise direction and transports the coupled transport vehicle 12 in the right direction. The drive sprocket 170 is provided in the vicinity of the connecting portion between the inclined introduction portion 160e and the constant inclined portion 160d. The driven sprocket 172 is provided in the vicinity of the connecting portion between the inclined introducing portion 160a and the constant inclined portion 160c.
[0062]
The rotation axis of the motor 164 is set to be perpendicular to the transport direction, and the rotation of the rotation axis of the motor 164 is 90 ° converted to rotate on the vertical plane. Accordingly, the drive sprocket 170 and the driven sprocket 172 rotate on the vertical plane.
[0063]
Further, the gradient transport unit 18 includes a gradient portion upper guide 174 that supports the chain roller 162a (see FIG. 11) on the upper portion of the gradient transport annular chain 162 from below, and a chain roller on the lower portion of the gradient transport annular chain 162. And a slope portion lower guide 176 that supports 162a from below.
[0064]
The gradient portion upper guide 174 and the gradient portion lower guide 176 have shapes substantially along the upper surface and the lower surface of the rail 160, respectively, and the gradient conveyance annular chain 162 is guided by the gradient portion upper guide 174 and the gradient portion lower guide 176 to reach the mountain. It will be cyclic to the mold.
[0065]
The sending portion 172a for sending the gradient transporting annular chain 162 in the driven sprocket 172 is located slightly on the lower surface side from the height of the upper surface of the rail 160, and a side-tooth sprocket 246 (described later) entering substantially along the upper surface of the rail 160. ) Is introduced smoothly.
[0066]
The position of the axis of the driven sprocket 172 can be adjusted by a tension mechanism 178, and the slack or tension of the gradient conveying annular chain 162 can be adjusted.
[0067]
A cam plate 180 is provided on the downward slope portion of the gradient transport portion 18. The cam plate 180 extends along the transport direction. The lower surface of the cam plate 180 includes an inclined surface 180a extending so as to be displaced obliquely downward in the transport direction, and a parallel surface 180b continuous from the inclined surface 180a and parallel to the rail 160. The cam plate 181 shown in FIGS. 1 and 10 has the same shape as the cam plate 180, and is used when the coupled transport vehicle 12 is transported in the left direction.
[0068]
Further, the connection between the horizontal transfer unit 16 and the gradient transfer unit 18 is performed in the same manner as the connection between the horizontal transfer units 16 (see FIG. 9). That is, the rail 28 of the horizontal conveyance unit 16 and the rail 160 of the gradient conveyance unit 18 may be connected by the connecting plate 120 (see FIG. 3), and further fixed and supported from below by the support column 22.
[0069]
Further, the connection between the horizontal conveyance unit 16 and the direction reversing unit 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) and the connection between the direction reversing unit 20 and the gradient conveyance unit 18 can be similarly performed.
[0070]
Next, the connection conveyance vehicle 12 is demonstrated.
[0071]
As shown in FIG. 1, the coupled transport vehicle 12 includes four transport vehicles in order from the transport direction, that is, a first transport vehicle 200, a second transport vehicle 202, a third transport vehicle 204, a fourth transport vehicle 206, and a first transport vehicle. It consists of three connecting rods 208 that connect each of the first to fourth transport vehicles 200, 202, 204, 206. In this way, by configuring the coupled transport vehicle 12 with a plurality of transport vehicles, the number of workpieces loaded can be increased according to the number of transport vehicles. The number of transport vehicles may be appropriately increased or decreased according to the number of workpieces loaded.
[0072]
As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, the first transport vehicle 200 includes a base plate 210 that is a basic portion, an attachment / detachment mechanism portion 214 that is provided outside the base plate 210 and attaches / detaches a work such as a connecting rod 212, rails, and the like. Two upper rollers 216 that can roll in the conveying direction while abutting on the upper surface of 28 (or rail 160), and provided vertically below each of the two upper rollers 216, and in the conveying direction while abutting on the lower surface of rail 160 It has two lower rollers 218 that can roll.
[0073]
The two upper rollers 216 are respectively supported by a front shaft 220 and a rear shaft 222 (see FIG. 15) extending inward from a relatively upper portion of the base plate 210. The two lower rollers 218 are respectively supported by two lower shafts 224 extending inward from a relatively lower portion of the base plate 210.
[0074]
The first transport vehicle 200 includes a driving force transmission unit 226 that receives a driving force from the horizontal transporting annular chain 30 and the gradient transporting annular chain 162, a collision cushioning material 228 provided at the foremost part, and a rear end part. And a joint 230 connected to the connecting rod 208.
[0075]
The driving force transmission unit 226 is supported by the front shaft 220 and the rear shaft 222 together with the upper roller 216. The joint 230 is a ball joint (or a universal joint or the like) that can swing the connecting rod 208 in any direction left and right and up and down. For example, the joint 230 may be an elastic body that can be elastically deformed in the vertical and horizontal directions. With this joint 230, the first to fourth transport vehicles 200, 202, 204, and 206 can tilt in the vertical direction in the gradient transport unit 18, and can also rotate in the horizontal plane of the direction reversing unit 20. .
[0076]
Further, the first transport vehicle 200 is provided with two upper rollers 232 that are used in a brake operation in the station 26 and a direction reversal operation in the direction reversing unit 20. Two lower rollers 234 are provided vertically below the upper roller 232, and the lower rollers 234 are used in the direction reversing operation in the direction reversing unit 20. A stopper 238 used for a stop operation at the station 26 is provided on the inner surface of the base plate 210.
[0077]
As shown in FIG. 15, the driving force transmission unit 226 is fitted from below into the gap between the frame 240 in which two parallel long plates 240a and 240b are connected by the top plate 240c and the long plates 240a and 240b. A chain pressing plate 242 to be pressed, two springs 244 for pressing the chain pressing plate 242 downward with respect to the frame 240, and a lateral sprocket 246 provided in contact with the inner side (front side in FIG. 15) of the frame 240. Have.
[0078]
The lower surface of the chain pressing plate 242 has an arc shape on both the front and rear sides, and is a smooth surface continuous with the front surface and the rear surface. Two U-shaped grooves 242a that cross in the width direction are formed on the upper surface of the chain pressing plate 242, and the front shaft 220 and the rear shaft 222 of the base plate 210 are fitted into the two U-shaped grooves 242a. Two bottomed holes 242b are provided between the two U-shaped grooves 242a. The diameter of each of the two holes 242b is slightly larger than the diameter of the spring 244. The depth of the two holes 242b is shallower than the natural length of the spring 244 (referred to as the length in the absence of external force). A slightly elongated slot 242c that is transverse in the width direction is provided at substantially the center of the side surface of the chain pressing plate 242. The width of the chain pressing plate 242 is set to be slightly narrower than the width d (see FIG. 12) of the chain roller 30a of the horizontal conveying annular chain 30.
[0079]
The two horizontally long plates 240a and 240b of the frame 240 are provided with a hole 240d into which the front shaft 220 is fitted and a hole 240e into which the rear shaft 222 is fitted. Further, a small hole 240f to which the retaining pin 248 is fixed is provided at substantially the center of the two horizontally long plates 240a and 240b. The retaining pin 248 fits into the two small holes 240f and the long hole 242c of the chain pressing plate 242 disposed therebetween, and the chain pressing plate 242 has the long hole 242c and the retaining pin 248, respectively. Vertical movement is possible according to the dimensional difference in the vertical direction.
[0080]
Of the two horizontally long plates 240a and 240b, a small hole 240g into which the fixing pin 250 is fitted is provided between the small hole 240f and the hole 240d on the side surface of the horizontally long plate 240a on the inner side (front side in FIG. 15). ing.
[0081]
A hole 246a into which the front shaft 220 is fitted is provided in a slightly forward portion on the side surface of the lateral tooth sprocket 246, and a small hole 246b into which the fixing pin 250 is fitted is provided in a slightly rear portion.
[0082]
When assembling the driving force transmission unit 226, first, the springs 244 are inserted into the two holes 242b of the chain pressing plate 242, respectively. Next, the chain pressing plate 242 is fitted to the frame 240 so that the small holes 240f and the long holes 242c are aligned. At this time, since the upper surface of the spring 244 contacts the lower surface of the upper surface plate of the frame body 240, the chain pressing plate 242 is fitted to the frame body 240 while compressing the spring 244. After the chain pressing plate 242 is fitted to the frame 240, the retaining pin 248 is passed through the small hole 240f and the long hole 242c while the spring 244 is compressed. The retaining pin 248 and the small hole 240f are fixed by press-fitting. When the force for fitting the chain pressing plate 242 and the frame body 240 is released, the chain pressing plate 242 is pushed downward with respect to the frame body 240 by the elastic force of the spring 244, and the long hole 242 c and the retaining pin 248. Displaces downward according to the vertical dimension difference. At this time, the positions of the holes 240d and 240e and the position of the U-shaped groove 242a are aligned.
[0083]
Next, after the upper roller 216 and the spacer 252 are fitted to the front shaft 220 and the rear shaft 222, the holes 240d and 240e of the frame 240 and the U-shaped groove 242a of the chain pressing plate 242 are fitted. The front shaft 220 is further fitted with a hole 246 a of a lateral sprocket 246. Further, the fixing pin 250 is press-fitted into a hole formed by combining the small hole 246b of the lateral tooth sprocket 246 and the small hole 240f of the laterally long plate 240a.
[0084]
Next, the two bolts 254 are screwed into and fixed to the screw holes 220a and 222a provided at the front ends of the front shaft 220 and the rear shaft 222, respectively.
[0085]
In this way, the driving force transmission unit 226 is assembled and fixed to the front shaft 220 and the rear shaft 222 extending from the base plate 210. Note that the width between the lateral sprocket 246 and the chain pressing plate 242 in the driving force transmission unit 226 is set to the width w. This width w is the same as the width w (see FIGS. 11 and 14) of the arrangement difference in the width direction between the horizontal conveying annular chain 30 and the gradient conveying annular chain 162.
[0086]
When the coupled transport vehicle 12 is attached to the horizontal transport unit 16, the lower surface of the chain pressing plate 242 in the driving force transmission unit 226 comes into contact with the chain roller 30 a of the horizontal transport annular chain 30. The spring 244 is slightly compressed, and the chain roller 30a of the horizontal conveying annular chain 30 is sandwiched between the chain pressing plate 242 and the horizontal upper guide 40. When the circular chain 30 for horizontal conveyance is driven to circulate, the chain roller 30a rolls on the upper surface of the horizontal portion upper guide 40. The chain pressing plate 242 receives a force from the upper surface of the chain roller 30a, and moves on the so-called roller principle. In this way, the coupled transport vehicle 12 is transported. At this time, with reference to the upper surface of the horizontal portion upper guide 40, the speed of the horizontal conveying annular chain 30 corresponds to the radius of the chain roller 30a, and the speed of the chain pressing plate 242 corresponds to the diameter of the chain roller 30a. Therefore, from the ratio of the radius to the diameter, the speed of the chain pressing plate 242, that is, the speed of the coupled transport vehicle 12 is twice the speed of the horizontal transport annular chain 30.
[0087]
Further, in the gradient transport unit 18, the coupled transport vehicle 12 is transported by the gradient transporting annular chain 162 by the lateral tooth sprocket 246 and the gradient transporting annular chain 162 meshing with each other.
[0088]
Furthermore, since the rail 28 (or the rail 160) is sandwiched between the upper roller 216 and the lower roller 218 in both the horizontal conveyance unit 16 and the gradient conveyance unit 18, the coupled conveyance vehicle 12 is connected to the rail 28 (or the rail 160). Holds securely.
[0089]
As shown in FIG. 16, the second transport vehicle 202 and the third transport vehicle 204 have substantially the same structure as that of the first transport vehicle 200, and compared with the first transport vehicle 200, the collision buffer 228 and the lateral teeth. The difference is that there is no sprocket 246 and no stopper 238. A joint 230 is provided at the leading portion of the second transport vehicle 202 and the third transport vehicle 204 instead of the collision buffer material 228. This joint 230 is the same as that provided at the rear end, and is connected to the connecting rod 208. Parts having the same structure as the first transport vehicle 200 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0090]
As shown in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the fourth transport vehicle 206 has substantially the same structure as the first transport vehicle 200, and a collision cushioning material 228 is provided on the rear side compared to the first transport vehicle 200. The difference is that the joint 230 is provided forward, the driving force transmission unit 256 is provided instead of the driving force transmission unit 226, and the stopper 238 is not provided. Parts having the same structure as the first transport vehicle 200 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0091]
The drive force transmission part 256 provided in the 4th conveyance vehicle 206 is demonstrated.
[0092]
As shown in FIG. 19, the driving force transmission portion 256 is provided with a slightly thick horizontal oblong plate 258 on the front side and an inner side (front side in FIG. 19) of the oblong oblong plate 258 and is supported by the front shaft 220. The moving plate 260, the spring 262 that presses the swing plate 260 upward against the horizontally long plate 258, the shaft 264 that fits into the hole 260 a provided at the rear of the swing plate 260, and swinging by the shaft 264 Pressed downward by a small frame 266 that is pivotally supported with the plate 260, two springs 268 that press the small frame 266 downward against the swinging plate 260, and the cam plate 56 or 180 (see FIG. 1). And a roller 270 to be operated.
[0093]
The horizontally long plate 258 is provided with a hole 258a into which the front shaft 220 is fitted and a hole 258b into which the rear shaft 223 of the base plate 210 is fitted. The rear shaft 223 is provided at a position corresponding to the rear shaft 222 (see FIG. 15) in the first transport vehicle 200 and is shorter than the rear shaft 222. The hole 258b is composed of an inner part having a slightly larger diameter and a part having a slightly smaller diameter on the outer side, and has a radial step. In addition, a bottomed hole 258c is provided at substantially the center of the upper surface of the horizontally long plate 258. The diameter of the hole 258 c is slightly larger than the diameter of the spring 262, and the depth of the hole 258 c is shallower than the natural length of the spring 262.
[0094]
The swing plate 260 is provided with a hole 260b into which the front shaft 220 is fitted relatively forward and a hole 260a with which the shaft 264 is fitted relatively rearward. A recess 260c having a shape transverse to the width direction is provided on the lower surface slightly forward of the hole 260a, and two holes 260d having a ceiling surface are provided on the lower surface of the recess 260c. A spring 268 is inserted into each of the two holes 260d. The diameter of each of the two holes 260d is slightly larger than the diameter of the spring 268, and the depth of each of the two holes 260d is shallower than the natural length of the spring 268. A small plate 274 that extends in the direction of the horizontally long plate 258 is attached to the upper surface of the swing plate 260 approximately at the center by two screws 275.
[0095]
The small frame body 266 includes two side plates 266a that are slightly longer in the upward direction than the center of the entire length, a bottom plate 266b that connects approximately half of the front of the lower side of the two side plates 266a, and an inner bottom surface of the bottom plate 266b (see FIG. 19 is a lateral tooth sprocket 266c provided on the front side of the bottom plate 266b, and a lateral tooth sprocket 266d provided outside the bottom surface of the bottom plate 266b. The two side plates 266a are set parallel to each other. The lateral tooth sprockets 266c and 266d are set in parallel to each other, and the width between the lateral tooth sprocket 266c and the lateral tooth sprocket 266d is set to a width w. This width w is the same as the width w (see FIG. 11) of the arrangement difference in the width direction between the horizontal conveying annular chain 30 and the gradient conveying annular chain 162. The lateral tooth sprocket 266d has a shape that meshes with the horizontal conveying annular chain 30, and the lateral tooth sprocket 266c has a shape that meshes with the gradient conveying annular chain 162.
[0096]
Two small holes 266e into which the two fixing pins 276 are press-fitted are provided at positions slightly longer upward than the center of the two side plates 266a. The fixing pin 276 is press-fitted in a state where the rocking plate 260 and the small frame body 266 are combined, and is set so as to pass through the upper surface of the rocking plate 260 and connect the two side plates 266a.
[0097]
When assembling the driving force transmission unit 256, first, the upper roller 216 and the spacer 277 are fitted to the front shaft 220 and the rear shaft 223, respectively, and then the holes 258a and 258b of the horizontally long plate 258 are fitted. The bolt 278 is screwed into a screw hole 223a provided at the tip of the rear shaft 223 and fixed. Since the head of the bolt 278 fits in a relatively large diameter portion of the hole 258b, the head of the bolt 278 does not protrude from the side surface of the horizontally long plate 258. As this bolt 278, a hexagon socket head cap screw or the like may be used.
[0098]
Next, after inserting the springs 268 into the two holes 260d of the swing plate 260, the bottom plate 266b of the small frame body 266 is fitted into the recess 260c. At this time, since the lower surface of the spring 268 contacts the upper surface of the bottom plate 266b of the small frame body 266, the small frame body 266 is fitted into the swing plate 260 while the spring 268 is compressed. After fitting the small frame body 266 to the swinging plate 260, the fixing pin 276 is press-fitted through the small hole 266e while the spring 268 is compressed. The fixing pin 276 passes through the upper surface of the swing plate 260 and is set so as to connect the two side plates 266a.
[0099]
Next, with the spring 268 compressed, the hole 260a of the swinging plate 260 and the hole 266f of the small frame body 266 are aligned, and the shaft 264 is fitted into the hole formed continuously with the hole 260a and the hole 266f. . At this time, a roller 270 is fitted in advance to the shaft 264 so that the roller 270 is disposed inside the small frame body 266.
[0100]
When the force for fitting the small frame body 266 and the rocking plate 260 is released, the small frame body 266 is pushed downward with respect to the rocking plate 260 by the elastic force of the spring 268, and the fixing pin 276 is moved to the rocking plate. It swings about the shaft 264 until it contacts the upper surface of 260.
[0101]
Further, the small plate 274 is attached to the upper surface of the swing plate 260 with screws 275 and the spring 262 is inserted into the hole 258 c of the horizontally long plate 258, and then the front shaft 220 is inserted into the hole 260 b of the swing plate 260. Since the lower surface of the small plate 274 is elastically supported by the spring 262, the horizontally long plate 258 and the swing plate 260 are non-parallel, and the swing plate 260 is set to have a slightly upward slope toward the rear.
[0102]
Next, the bolt 280 is screwed into a screw hole 220a provided at the tip of the front shaft 220 and fixed.
[0103]
In this way, the driving force transmission unit 256 is assembled and fixed to the front shaft 220 and the rear shaft 223 extending from the base plate 210.
[0104]
When the coupled transport vehicle 12 is attached to the transport unit 14, the driving force transmission unit 256 does not come into contact with the horizontal transport annular chain 30 during horizontal transport, and therefore receives no driving force. That is, as will be described later, when the roller 270 is not pressed by the cam plate 56 or 180, the fourth transport vehicle 206 having the driving force transmission unit 256 does not travel on its own but is connected by the third transport vehicle 204. Will be towed through.
[0105]
Next, in the transport system 10 configured as described above, an operation in which the horizontal transport annular chains 30 and 33 circulate and rotate under the drive operation of the motor 32 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7.
[0106]
The motor 32 of the horizontal transport unit 16 rotates at a predetermined speed, and this driving force is transmitted to the driving bevel gear 94 via the coupling 96 and the extension shaft 92 (see FIG. 6). The driving bevel gear 94 rotates clockwise as viewed from above. The first driven bevel gear 72 and the second driven bevel gear 74 are meshed with the drive bevel gear 94, respectively, and the rotation of the drive bevel gear 94 is transmitted to rotate. The upper portion of the first driven bevel gear 72 is pushed rightward in FIG. 5, and the upper portion of the second driven bevel gear 74 is pushed leftward in FIG. As a result, the first driven bevel gear 72 rotates clockwise in FIG. 7, and the second driven bevel gear 74 rotates counterclockwise in FIG.
[0107]
The first driven bevel gear 72 rotates about the first rotation shaft 68, and the first drive sprocket 36 fixed to the first rotation shaft 68 also rotates integrally. As a result, the horizontal conveying annular chain 30 is pulled in from above and sent out from below. Accordingly, the circular chain 30 for horizontal conveyance moves on the horizontal upper guide 40 from the left to the right in FIG.
[0108]
The second driven bevel gear 74 rotates about the second rotation shaft 70, and the second drive sprocket 37 fixed to the second rotation shaft 70 also rotates integrally. As a result, the horizontal conveying annular chain 33 is pulled in from below and sent out from above. Accordingly, the horizontal conveying annular chain 33 moves on the horizontal upper guide 40 from right to left in FIG.
[0109]
Since both ends of the first rotating shaft 68 are supported by the bearing 78 and the bearing 67a, the first rotating shaft 68 can rotate stably and smoothly and can withstand a large load. Similarly, since both ends of the second rotating shaft 70 are supported by the bearings 79 and 67b, the second rotating shaft 70 can rotate stably and smoothly and can withstand a large load.
[0110]
Further, the bearings 67a and 67b are easy to handle because they are incorporated in the bearing box 66, and the space between the first driven bevel gear 72 and the second driven bevel gear 74 can be used effectively. The bearings 78 and 79 can be easily attached from the outside of the rail 28 using the fixing member 80.
[0111]
Further, only the first driven bevel gear 72, the second driven bevel gear 74, the bearing box 66, and the drive bevel gear 94 exist between the first drive sprocket 36 and the second drive sprocket 37, The distance between the drive sprocket 36 and the second drive sprocket 37 can be set small. In other words, the distance between the horizontal conveyance annular chain 30 and the horizontal conveyance annular chain 33 is reduced, and the width of the horizontal conveyance portion 16 can be reduced.
[0112]
Furthermore, since the first rotating shaft 68 and the second rotating shaft 70 are set on the same axis, the first driving sprocket 36 and the second driving sprocket 37 are also set on the same axis. Will be. On the other hand, two corresponding driven sprockets 38 (see FIG. 7) are also supported by a common support shaft 108. Therefore, the horizontal conveyance annular chain 30 and the horizontal conveyance annular chain 33 have the same conveyance distance and are in a right-and-left contrast arrangement. With such an arrangement, the horizontal conveyance unit 16 can be easily configured as one unit, and the horizontal conveyance units 16 can be easily joined and separated.
[0113]
Since the driving bevel gear 94 and the motor 32 are arranged on a line orthogonal to the axis of the first rotating shaft 68 and the second rotating shaft 70, the dimensions of the first rotating shaft 68 and the second rotating shaft 70 can be freely set. It is possible to set. Further, with such an arrangement, the motor 32 does not protrude in the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 68 and the second rotating shaft 70, and the coupled transport vehicle 12 can pass through the side surface of the rail 28.
[0114]
Next, the operation of transporting the coupled transport vehicle 12 in the transport system 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 13, 16 and 17.
[0115]
When the coupled transport vehicle 12 is present in the horizontal transport unit 16, the lower surface of the chain pressing plate 242 of the first to third transport vehicles 200, 202, 204 of the coupled transport vehicle 12 is chained by the elastic force of the spring 244. The roller 30a is pressed (see FIGS. 12, 13, and 16). Since the chain roller 30a of the horizontal transporting annular chain 30 rolls on the upper surface of the horizontal upper guide 40, the chain pressing plate 242 is transported in the horizontal right direction by the roller principle. As a result, the first to third transport vehicles 200, 202, 204 are transported in the right direction, and the fourth transport vehicle 206 connected to the third transport vehicle 204 by the connecting rod 208 is pulled.
[0116]
Further, the coupled transport vehicle 12 can be transported in the horizontal left direction by the horizontal transport annular chain 33. When there are a plurality of the coupled transport vehicles 12, the coupled transport vehicles 12 can be simultaneously transported in the right direction and the left direction, and can pass each other without contact in the horizontal transport unit 16.
[0117]
When the coupled transport vehicle 12 passes between the two horizontal transport sections 16a and 16b (see FIG. 9), the first drive sprocket 36 (or the second drive sprocket 37) of the horizontal transport section 16a and the horizontal transport section 16b Since the distance from the driven sprocket 38 is short, at least one of the chain pressing plates 242 of each of the first to third transport vehicles 200, 202, 204 is connected to the horizontal transport annular chain 30 (or the horizontal transport annular chain 33). They are in contact with each other and continue to be transported as the coupled transport vehicle 12.
[0118]
When the coupled transport vehicle 12 moves from the horizontal transport unit 16 to the gradient transport unit 18, the lateral tooth sprocket 266 c and the lateral tooth sprocket of the fourth transport vehicle 206 are provided by the cam plate 56 provided near the end of the horizontal transport unit 16. 266d is pushed down. Of these, the outer lateral tooth sprocket 266d meshes with the horizontal conveying annular chain 30, so that it does not slip and pushes up the leading first transportation vehicle 200 against its own weight, and the lateral transportation sprocket of the first transportation vehicle 200. 246 can be engaged with the gradient conveying annular chain 162. Thereafter, the coupled transport vehicle 12 is transported on the gradient transport unit 18 by receiving a force from the lateral sprocket 246 of the first transport vehicle 200.
[0119]
When the coupled transport vehicle 12 enters the latter half of the gradient transport unit 18, that is, the downward slope portion, the lateral sprocket 266 c and the lateral teeth of the fourth transport vehicle 206 are provided by the cam plate 180 provided on the downward slope of the gradient transport unit 18. The sprocket 266d is pushed down. Of these, the inner lateral sprocket 266c meshes with the gradient conveyance annular chain 162, and the connected conveyance vehicle 12 can be prevented from sliding down.
[0120]
In addition, by providing a one-way clutch in the gear reduction portion (not shown) of the motor 164, the connected transport vehicle 12 can be prevented from sliding down even when the power is accidentally shut off.
[0121]
When the coupled transport vehicle 12 moves from the gradient transport unit 18 to the horizontal transport unit 16, the lateral tooth sprocket 246 is separated from the gradient transport annular chain 162, and then the chain pressing plate 242 of the first transport vehicle 200 is moved to the horizontal transport unit. It contacts and presses the 16 horizontal conveyance annular chains 30. Subsequently, the chain pressing plates 242 of the second transport vehicle 202 and the third transport vehicle 204 are also in contact with the horizontal transport annular chain 30, and the lateral tooth sprocket 266 c is separated from the gradient transport annular chain 162. In this way, the coupled transport vehicle 12 moves from the gradient transport unit 18 to the horizontal transport unit 16 and is transported by the horizontal transport ring chain 30 (or the horizontal transport ring chain 33) of the horizontal transport unit 16.
[0122]
Further, when the lateral tooth sprocket 266c or 266d is pushed down by the cam plate 56 or the cam plate 180, the phases of the lateral tooth sprockets 266c and 266d and the horizontal conveying annular chain 30 or the gradient conveying annular chain 162 are not matched. Then, since the spring 268 (see FIG. 17) is compressed, the teeth of the lateral sprockets 266c and 266d do not force the chain roller 162a and the lateral sprockets 266c and 266d, the chain roller 30a and the cam plate 56 are not forced. , 180 etc. will not be damaged.
[0123]
Furthermore, since the conveyance direction is reversed in the direction inversion part 20 (refer FIG.1 and FIG.2) and the conveyance location is switched between the two opposing rails 28 at the both ends of the conveyance system 10, the coupled conveyance vehicle 12 As a result, it is circulated and conveyed.
[0124]
As described above, according to the transport system 10 according to the present embodiment, the driving bevel gear 94 that rotates under the action of the motor 32, the first driven bevel gear 72 that rotates by transmitting the rotation of the driving bevel gear 94, and The second driven bevel gear 74 is provided, and the first driven bevel gear 72 and the second driven bevel gear 74 can be rotated in opposite directions. Accordingly, the horizontal transport annular chains 30 and 33 are placed on the horizontal portion by the first drive sprocket 36 that rotates integrally with the first driven bevel gear 72 and the second drive sprocket 37 that rotates integrally with the second driven bevel gear 74. Each of the guides 40 can be moved in the opposite direction. As a result, the coupled transport vehicle 12 can be transported in two directions, the forward direction and the reverse direction, by the horizontal transport annular chains 30 and 33.
[0125]
Moreover, in the conveyance system 10, since the connection conveyance vehicle 12 is conveyed by the outer side of a pair of rail 28 or 160, there is no obstruction in a perpendicular direction. Therefore, when a workpiece is conveyed, the workpiece can be conveyed in an upright state, and the workpiece does not protrude in the conveyance direction or the width direction. Thereby, a comparatively long workpiece | work can be conveyed.
[0126]
The bidirectional transport mechanism in the horizontal transport unit 16 can be constituted by inexpensive and general-purpose parts such as the motor 32, the first and second drive sprockets 36 and 37, the driven sprocket 38, and the horizontal transport annular chains 30 and 33. it can.
[0127]
Since the operating parts in the coupled transport vehicle 12 are only passive parts that receive force from other parts such as the upper roller 216, the lower roller 218, the roller 270, the spring 262, and the spring 268, actuators such as motors and cylinders and these No piping or wiring connected to the actuator is required.
[0128]
Further, the location of the drive bevel gear 94 is not limited to the upper part of the first driven bevel gear 72 and the second driven bevel gear 74, and may be set to the side or the lower side. The driving bevel gear 94, the first driven bevel gear 72, and the second driven bevel gear 74 may be any bevel gear such as a spiral bevel gear or a helical bevel gear. Since the first driven bevel gear 72 and the second driven bevel gear 74 may be configured to change the rotation direction of the drive bevel gear 94, for example, a face gear or a crown gear may be used.
[0129]
Each bearing is not limited to a rolling bearing but may be a sliding bearing.
[0130]
The transport system according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0131]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the transport system according to the present invention, the effect that the transport vehicle can be transported in both the forward direction and the reverse direction is achieved by a single drive source and a simple power transmission mechanism. it can.
[0132]
Further, since the two-way conveying means can be combined into one, it can be installed in a narrow space.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partially omitted side view of a transport system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a partially omitted plan view of the transport system according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a joint portion between a horizontal conveyance unit and a gradient conveyance unit as viewed from the center line of the conveyance system.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of one end of a horizontal transport unit.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan view of a bearing box, a driven bevel gear, a driven sprocket, and their surroundings.
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a motor unit.
FIG. 7 is a partially omitted cross-sectional perspective view of one end of a horizontal transport unit.
FIG. 8 is a partially exploded perspective view of the other end portion of the horizontal transport portion with respect to the portion shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is a partially omitted perspective view of the ends of two horizontal transport units, two connecting plates, and a column.
FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a part of a horizontal transport unit and a gradient transport unit.
FIG. 11 is a schematic plan sectional view of a joint portion between a horizontal transport unit and a gradient transport unit.
FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional front view of the rail, the horizontal portion upper guide, the horizontal portion lower guide, and the first transport vehicle.
FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the first transport vehicle as viewed from the position of the center line of the transport system.
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a first transport vehicle.
FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a driving force transmission unit of the first transport vehicle.
FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the second transport vehicle as viewed from the position of the center line of the transport system.
FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the fourth transport vehicle as viewed from the position of the center line of the transport system.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a fourth transport vehicle.
FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of a driving force transmission unit of the fourth transport vehicle.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... Conveyance system 12 ... Conveyed transport vehicle
14 ... Conveying section 16, 16a, 16b ... Horizontal conveying section
18 ... Gradient conveyance unit 20 ... Direction reversing unit
22 ... post 24 ... cover
28, 160 ... rails 38, 172 ... driven sprockets
32,164,165 ... motor 30,33 ... circular chain for horizontal conveyance
30a, 162a ... Chain roller 36, 37, 170 ... Drive sprocket
40 ... Horizontal upper guide 42 ... Horizontal lower guide
66 ... Bearing box
67a, 67b, 78, 79, 88, 90 ... bearings
68, 70 ... rotating shaft 72, 74 ... driven bevel gear
92 ... Extension shaft 94 ... Drive bevel gear
120 ... Connecting plate
200, 202, 204, 206 ... transport vehicle

Claims (4)

A transport system having a transport unit and a transport vehicle transported by the transport unit,
The transport unit is
A drive gear that rotates under the action of a rotary drive source;
A first driven gear that meshes with the drive gear and is rotated by rotation of the drive gear;
A second driven gear that meshes with the drive gear, receives rotation of the drive gear, and rotates in reverse with respect to the first driven gear;
A first drive sprocket connected to the rotating shaft of the first driven gear;
A second drive sprocket connected to the rotating shaft of the second driven gear;
Extends to a predetermined person direction, a first annular chain circulating driven in mesh with the first drive sprocket,
A second annular chain that extends in the same direction as the first annular chain, meshes with the second drive sprocket, and circulates in a direction opposite to the first annular chain;
Have
The transport vehicle is transported by the first annular chain or the second annular chain, and a work is placed on each opposite side of the surface where the first annular chain and the second annular chain face each other. Transport system. In claim 1 Symbol placement transport system,
The drive gear, the first driven gear, and the second driven gear are bevel gears, respectively.
The transport system according to claim 1, wherein the first drive sprocket and the second drive sprocket have an axis set on the same axis and orthogonal to the axis of the drive gear. In the conveyance system of Claim 1 or 2 ,
A first inner bearing that rotatably supports one end of the first drive sprocket, and a second inner bearing that supports one end of the second drive sprocket, between the first driven gear and the second driven gear;
Have
A first outer bearing that rotatably supports one end of the first drive sprocket, and one end of the second drive sprocket are respectively supported on opposite sides of the surface where the first driven gear and the second driven gear are opposed to each other. A second outer bearing,
A conveyance system comprising: In the conveyance system of any one of Claims 1-3 ,
The drive gear, the first driven gear, the second driven gear, the first drive sprocket, and the second drive sprocket are surrounded by a frame, and the first annular chain and the second annular chain are extended. The conveying system in which the plate in the existing direction has a cross shape convex in all directions.

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