JP4026073B2 - Transport system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a conveyance system that dispenses articles between a pair of conveyors.

When transporting articles in a clean room, etc., articles can be delivered between the main conveyor that is responsible for long-distance and large-volume transport such as inter-process transport and the sub-conveyor that is responsible for short-range and small-volume transport such as intra-process transport. Has been done. Patent Document 1 discloses that a sub-conveyor is provided so as to enter the main conveyor at a branching portion between the main conveyor and the sub-conveyor, and a swingable lifting platform is used for the dispensing device. In this case, the main conveyor is stopped, the elevator platform of the dispensing device is raised to transfer the article, the elevator is lowered, the article is transferred to the stopped secondary conveyor, and then the secondary conveyor is started. Then, the article is carried out from the branch part. Since the sub-conveyor and the main conveyor have the same conveying surface in principle, the main conveyor must be stopped until the articles are unloaded from the branch by the sub-conveyor. Then, the standby time from the stop of the main conveyor to the restart is four steps of ascending / descending the elevator, turning the elevator, lowering the elevator, and carrying out by the auxiliary conveyor, and the main conveyor stops longer during this time. In addition, articles that are transported in a clean room etc. are often easily damaged, and simply press the article in a direction different from the transport direction when the article is placed on the conveyor with a pusher or the like in order to shorten the transfer time. There was a risk of damage due to large vibrations.
Special table 2003-506289

The subject of this invention is shortening the stop time of a conveyor, suppressing the vibration to an article | item, when paying out articles | goods between a pair of conveyors.
An additional object of the present invention is to enable the delivery of articles without stopping the delivery-source conveyor.

Transport system of the present invention is to provide a transport system adapted paid out articles between a pair of conveyors, the carriage having a vertically movable platform for supporting the bottom of the article, Ru is run between said pair of conveyor In addition, a traveling path of the carriage is provided with a section parallel to at least one conveyor and a section that is bent from the section and moves to the other conveyor, and an article to be transferred by the carriage is conveyed by the conveyor. When approaching the carriage, the carriage starts to move within the one conveyor, and at the timing when the carriage traveling speed and the conveying speed of the one conveyor are substantially the same, the article is transferred. Synchronizing means for controlling the ascent is provided, the carriage is moved to the other conveyor after the article is transferred, and the article is placed on the other conveyor by lowering the stage. Characterized by being adapted to the mounting. For example, one pair of conveyors is a main conveyor having a large conveyance amount such as one for inter-process conveyance, and the other is a sub-conveyor having a small conveyance amount such as an intra-process conveyance.

  Preferably, turning means for turning the table is provided in the cart so that the table is turned in parallel with the traveling of the cart.

  In the present invention, when a pair of conveyors pays out an article, for example, when the transfer of the article from the payout source conveyor to the base is started, the payout source conveyor is stopped and the base supporting the article is provided. When the carriage moves up to a position where it does not interfere with the conveyor and the article supported by the carriage moves to a position where it does not interfere with the article conveyed by this conveyor, the dispensing conveyor can be restarted, and the dispensing conveyor Stop time can be shortened. When the table crosses the conveyor, the table is raised to a height position that does not interfere with the conveyor, so that the article is pushed in a direction different from the conveying direction of the conveyor while the article is placed on the conveyor by a pusher or the like. Compared to the case, vibration transmitted to the article can be suppressed. Further, since the bottom of the article is supported by the table, a gripping operation is not required as compared with the case where the article is lifted and lowered by the gripping means, so that the transfer cycle time can be shortened.

  Further, when the article is conveyed by one conveyor and approaches the carriage by the synchronizing means, the carriage starts to run, and the article is moved at a timing at which the running speed of the carriage and the conveying speed of the one conveyor are substantially the same. If the raising / lowering of the table is controlled so as to transfer, the article can be transferred without stopping the one conveyor.

  Here, if the carriage is run while turning the table, the article can be paid out in a shorter time than when the table is turned and run separately.

  Furthermore, when one of the pair of conveyors is a main conveyor and the other is a sub-conveyor, and it is necessary to shorten the restraint time of the main conveyor, the carriage is moved along an L-shaped path, and the main conveyor, the carriage, When the article is transferred between the main conveyor and the base in a state where the speed is substantially constant, the article can be dispensed without stopping the main conveyor.

  In the following, an optimum embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be shown.

Reference examples are shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6, and examples are shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8 . In these figures, reference numeral 2 denotes a main conveyor, which is responsible for large-scale transfer and long-distance transfer between processes, and a plurality of sub-conveyors 6 are connected, and a semiconductor cassette 8 or the like is transferred from the main conveyor 2 to the sub-conveyor 6. The article is dispensed, and conversely, the cassette 8 is dispensed from the sub-conveyor 6 and conveyed to the next process or the like. In the embodiment, the cassette 8 is shown as an article to be transported, but in addition to this, a liquid crystal substrate, its tray, an article such as a cardboard, a parcel, a baggage temporarily stored at an airfield, etc. may be used. It is suitable for easily damaged items such as The main conveyor 2 is composed of, for example, a pair of roller conveyors 3 and 4, and the roller conveyor 4 near the sub conveyor 6 is provided with a gap 5 at a branching portion 9. The sub-conveyor 6 is constituted by a pair of roller conveyors 7 and 7, for example. One of the pair of roller conveyors 3 and 4 and the roller conveyors 7 and 7 may be a drive roller conveyor and the other may be a free roller conveyor.

  The cassette 8 is directional, for example, so that the lid 10 is always in front of the direction of travel on the conveyors 2 and 6. The sub conveyor 6 is not disposed in the branching portion 9 between the main conveyor 2 and the sub conveyor 6 so that the main conveyor 2 and the sub conveyor 6 do not interfere with each other. Reference numeral 20 denotes a payout device, and reference numeral 22 denotes a conveying table, as shown in FIG. Further, since the engagement recess on the bottom surface of the cassette is a recess with a hemispherical wide opening, the engagement recess and the engagement protrusions 23 to 25 naturally fit in the process of engagement if the displacement is within the allowable range. In FIG. 3, the dispensing device 20 is shown with the cover 30 removed.

  The transport table 22 can be moved up and down by a lift drive unit 26 formed of a cylinder or the like, and can be swung between predetermined angles such as 0 ° / 90 ° by a turntable 27. The lifting / lowering drive unit 26 only needs to be able to raise and lower the conveyance table 22, and the conveyance table 22 may be turned by means other than the turntable 27. The raising / lowering of the raising / lowering drive unit 26 is preferably controlled at a speed that does not vibrate as much as possible at least when the carriage 22 contacts the cassette 8 and when the cassette 8 is placed on the conveyor. Reference numeral 28 denotes a traveling carriage that travels along the guide rail 29 of the dispensing device 20, and 30 is a cover of the dispensing device 20, and an opening 32 is provided so that the transport table 22 can protrude and move from the cover 30. The control means 34 exchanges signals with the main conveyor 2, the sub-conveyor 6, and the dispensing device 20, and controls the dispensing device 20 according to the main conveyor 2 and the sub-conveyor 6.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the transport table 22 has two positions, high and low. When the cassette 8 is supported and dispensed between the main conveyor 2 and the sub-conveyor 6, the transport table 22 occupies a high position. The bottom of 22 can pass through without interfering with the roller conveyor 4. Thus, by raising the bottom of the carriage 22 to a height that does not interfere with the conveyor 4, the cassette 8 is placed on the conveyor 4 and pushed out in a direction different from the conveyance direction of the conveyor 4 by a pusher or the like. In addition, vibration transmitted to the cassette 8 can be suppressed. The wheels of the traveling carriage 28 are preferably made of polyurethane resin or the like having an appropriate hardness so that some vibrations can be absorbed. Further, since the bottom portion of the cassette 8 is supported by being lifted by the transport table 22, it is possible to perform both the ascending operation and the supporting operation, and no gripping operation is required as compared with the case where the cassette 8 is gripped and lifted by the gripping means. Therefore, the transfer cycle time can be shortened. When the transport table 22 moves between the main conveyor 2 and the sub-conveyor 6 without supporting the cassette 8, for example, after the articles are delivered from the main conveyor 2 to the sub-conveyor 6, the standby position in the branching section 9 is reached. When returning, the conveyance stand 22 occupies a low position and dives back at the bottom of the roller conveyor 4.

FIG. 4 shows another reference example. In the main conveyor 2 ′, a gap 5 is also provided on the roller conveyor 3 ′ side, and auxiliary conveyors 6 and 6 ′ are provided on both the left and right sides in the transport direction of the main conveyor 2 ′. Since the conveyance directions at the sub conveyors 6 and 6 ′ are opposite, it is necessary to reverse the direction between when the cassette 8 is discharged to the sub conveyor 6 ′ and when the cassette 8 is discharged to the sub conveyor 6. For this reason, in the reference example of FIG. 4 , the transport table 22 is turnable by 90 ° in each of the left and right directions from the direction of the articles on the main conveyor 2 ′ in total 180 °. Further, in the dispensing device 20 ′, the stroke of the transport table 22 is lengthened so that any dispensing from the branching section 9 ′ to the sub-conveyor 6 ′ side or from the branching section 9 ′ to the sub-conveyor 6 side can be performed. The control means 35 exchanges signals with the main conveyor 2 ′, the sub conveyors 6, 6 ′, and the dispensing device 20 ′, and controls them. A signal S in FIG. 4 is a signal between the sub conveyor 6 ′ and the control unit 35.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment . Reference numeral 40 denotes a new payout device, which is the same as the payout device 20 shown in FIGS. In this case, the carriage 22 and the carriage hidden under its cover travel along the L-shaped opening 42, one side of the L-shaped opening 42 is in the main conveyor 2, and the other side is the sub-conveyor 6. Inside, the intersection of two sides is in the branch part 9 of the main conveyor 2. The synchronizing means 44 exchanges signals with the main conveyor 2, the sub-conveyor 6, and the dispensing device 40 so that the conveying table 22 moves in synchronization with the conveyance of the cassette 8 by the main conveyor 2. That is, when the cassette 8 moves from the left to the right in FIG. 5 and approaches the left side of the transport table 22 slightly before, the carriage starts to travel, and when the transport table 22 and the cassette 8 reach the same speed. Then, the transfer table 22 is raised, and the cassette 8 is transferred from the main conveyor 2 to the transfer table 22. Thereafter, while the carriage 22 continues to rise, the traveling speed is temporarily reduced to travel in an L-shape, descend at a position in the sub-conveyor 6, and the cassette 8 is transferred to the sub-conveyor 6. As a result, the main conveyor 2 can be dispensed without stopping, and the cassette 8 can be dispensed to the sub-conveyor 6 in a predetermined direction without turning the transport table 22.

Figure 6 shows an operation pattern in the reference example of FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, is the same reference example of FIG. The solid line indicates the pattern when paying out at the highest speed, and the alternate long and short dash line indicates the pattern in which each step is confirmed to be completed and then the next step is started. When the main conveyor stops and the cassette stops in place, the transfer platform is raised and the cassette is transferred from the main conveyor to the transfer platform. For example, even when the cassette is moved, it reaches a height that does not interfere with the main conveyor. At this point, the carrier starts to turn and moves horizontally to the sub-conveyor, and turns and moves horizontally at the same time. When the cassette moves to a predetermined position on the sub-conveyor, the transport table is lowered and transferred to the sub-conveyor. The sub-conveyor only needs to be stopped, for example, from the start to the stop of the transport platform until it stops, and the stop time is very short. When the cassette is transferred to the sub-conveyor, the carriage is returned to the main conveyor side in parallel with the turning, for example, while keeping the conveyance table at a low position. At this time, the carriage passes below the main conveyor.

  If it does in this way, after transferring goods to a conveyance stand from a main conveyor, operation | movement of a main conveyor can be restarted in a short time. For example, when the interval between the cassettes is large, it can be restarted after completion of transfer to the transfer table. Even when the interval with the subsequent cassette is extremely short, the operation of the main conveyor can be resumed when the dispensed cassette is separated from the main conveyor. For this reason, the time for which the main conveyor is stopped when the article is dispensed can be shortened.

  In the embodiment, the delivery of articles from the main conveyor to the sub-conveyor is shown, but the same applies to the delivery of articles from the sub-conveyor to the main conveyor. In this case as well, after the articles are transferred to the transport table in the sub-conveyor and the transport table is raised, the transport table is swung and moved into the main conveyor in parallel. Lower and transfer the article to the main conveyor. At this time, it is necessary to stop the main conveyor in the main conveyor in the plan view in the time until it stops after the start of the lowering of the transport table in the main conveyor (when the interval between the cassettes is large). From the position where it overlaps to the end of the lowering of the carriage. Further, the return of the transport table between the main conveyor and the sub-conveyor 6 does not interfere with the conveyance of articles on the main conveyor and the sub-conveyor when the transport table is made to dive under the main conveyor.

FIG. 7 shows a modification . A sub-conveyor 72 is provided in parallel with the main conveyor 2 in the same conveying direction. For example, the main conveyor 2 and the sub-conveyor 72 are changed in conveying speed, the main conveyor 2 is used for long-distance conveyance at high speed, and the sub-conveyor 72 is operated at low speed. Used for short-distance transport. Alternatively, the sub-conveyor 72 may be used for stocking articles or for overtaking the main conveyor 2. The dispenser 70 dispenses the cassette 8 between the conveyors 2 and 72 without changing the direction, and removes the turntable from the dispenser of FIGS. In the modified example of FIG. 7, it is possible to easily dispense articles between the two parallel conveyors 2, 72, and to restrain the conveyors 2, 72 at the time of dispensing, for example, the time to stop the conveyors 2, 72, Can be shortened. Here, similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 5, a section is provided in which the carriage 22 travels in parallel with the conveyors 2 and 72 at a constant speed, so that the restraining time of the conveyors 2 and 72 is further shortened . 73 and 74 are openings in a section where the carriage 22 travels in parallel with the conveyors 2 and 72 at a constant speed.

FIG. 8 shows a second modification . The sub-conveyor 82 conveys the cassette 8 in parallel and in the opposite direction to the main conveyor 2, and uses the sub-conveyor 82 for conveyance when reprocessing defective products in the process, for example, stock of the cassette 8, or the like. The dispenser 80 is a cassette 8 which is turned 180 degrees between the conveyors 2 and 82 and dispensed, and the turntable can be rotated 180 degrees with the dispenser shown in FIGS. Similar to the modified example of FIG. 7, the restraint time of the conveyors 2 and 82 at the time of dispensing is short, and a section in which the transport base 22 travels in parallel with the conveyors 2 and 82 at a constant speed is provided. Is even shorter . Reference numerals 83 and 84 denote openings in a section where the carriage 22 travels in parallel with the conveyors 2 and 82 at a constant speed.

The modified examples of FIGS. 7 and 8 are not limited to dispensing between the main conveyor and the sub-conveyor, but can be used for dispensing articles such as cassettes between two parallel roller conveyors. For example, the present invention can also be applied to providing a shortcut to a loop-shaped long-distance conveyor (corresponding to the main conveyor 2 in the embodiment), such that two long-distance conveyors perform payout between the conveyors in parallel sections. As described above, in this embodiment, in the transport system used for delivering the article between the pair of conveyors provided with a transport row at an interval, the carriage provided with a vertically movable base is arranged in a row of transport means such as rollers. When the platform is lowered, the platform is positioned below the conveyor so that it can move between conveyors without interfering with the conveyance of the articles on the conveyor where the cart is located. In this case, the conveyance of articles on the conveyor is not hindered. And, in a state where the table is raised, the bottom of the table supporting the article is configured to be positioned above the conveyor, and when the article is moved from the conveyor of the transfer source to the transfer destination conveyor together with the carriage, There is no obstacle in the conveyance of the article in the conveyance source conveyor, so that the conveyance source conveyor can be restarted. Further, as described above, when the carriage returns, it is not necessary to stop the conveyor, and the carriage can be returned to an arbitrary time. As a result, the cycle time can be shortened, and the transport system configured as described above is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

Plan view of relevant parts of the transport system of the reference example Ii-ii direction sectional view of the transfer system of FIG. Plan view of the main part of the transfer device used in the reference example Plan view of relevant parts of another reference system The principal part top view of the conveyance system of an Example This figure shows the operation timing of the transport system in the reference example . 1) Turns on / off the main conveyor, 2) Lifts the carriage, 3) Turns the carriage, 4) Turns the carriage Horizontal position, 5) indicates on / off of the secondary conveyor The principal part top view of the conveyance system of a modification The principal part top view of the conveyance system of a 2nd modification

Explanation of symbols

2 Main conveyors 3, 4 Roller conveyor 5 Gap 6 Sub conveyor 7 Roller conveyor 8 Cassette 9 Branching portion 10 Lid 20, 40 Dispensing device 22 Transport base 23 to 25 Engagement protrusion 26 Elevating drive part 27 Turntable 28 Carriage 29 Guide rail 32 , 42 Opening 30 Cover 34, 35 Control means 44 Synchronizing means 70, 80 Dispensing device 72, 82 Sub conveyor 73, 74, 83, 84 Opening

Claims (1)

In a transport system that delivers items between a pair of conveyors,
The carriage having a vertically movable platform for supporting the bottom of the article, Rutotomoni is run between said pair of conveyors,
A traveling path of the carriage is provided with a section parallel to at least one conveyor, and a section that is bent from the section and moves to the other conveyor,
When an article to be transferred by the carriage is conveyed by the one conveyor and approaches the carriage, the carriage starts to run in the one conveyor, and the running speed of the carriage and the conveying speed of the one conveyor are approximately Provide synchronization means for controlling the ascent of the table to transfer the article at the same timing,
A transport system , wherein the article is transferred to the other conveyor by moving the carriage to the other conveyor after the article is transferred and lowering the table .

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