JP4063453B2

JP4063453B2 - Transport equipment

Info

Publication number: JP4063453B2
Application number: JP21296999A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 圭介金子; 智幸佐々木; 昌二多田; 浩司西川; 義人海田
Original assignee: Daifuku Co Ltd; Kanto Auto Works Ltd
Current assignee: Daifuku Co Ltd; Toyota Motor East Japan Inc
Priority date: 1999-07-28
Filing date: 1999-07-28
Publication date: 2008-03-19
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-28
Also published as: JP2001039296A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、被搬送物を支持して搬送するキャリアを備えた搬送設備に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、この種の搬送設備としては例えば実開昭５６−１２４６１３号公報に挙げられるものがある。すなわち、搬送経路上を走行自在なトロリ装置にキャリアフレームが吊り下げられ、このキャリアフレームに、被搬送物を支持するハンガーが設けられている。このハンガーは、ハンガー上部フレームと、このハンガー上部フレームの前後端部に設けられた前部アームおよび後部アームと、これら前部アームおよび後部アームの各下端部間に連結される連結部材とで構成されている。上記後部アームは前部アームに対して前後方向へ移動自在に構成されている。また、後部アームの位置はボルトによって固定される。
【０００３】
これによると、後部アームを前後方向へ移動させることにより、後部アームと前部アームとの前後間隔を拡大または縮小して調節することができる。したがって、被搬送物の大きさに応じて上記後部アームと前部アームとの前後間隔を調節することで、複数種の被搬送物の搬送に容易に対応することが可能である。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら上記の従来形式では、後部アームと前部アームとの前後間隔を調節する場合、作業者がその都度上記ボルトを緩めて後部アームを前後方向へ最適位置まで移動させ、その後、ボルトを締め付けて後部アームを固定しなければならず、非常に手間がかかった。
【０００５】
本発明は、一対の支持部材（アーム）間の間隔の調節が容易に行える搬送設備を提供することを目的とする。
【０００６】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために本第１発明は、被搬送物を支持して搬送経路に沿って走行するキャリアを備えた搬送設備であって、
上記キャリアは被搬送物を支持する複数の支持部材を有し、
対向する一対の支持部材のうち少なくとも一方の支持部材が他方の支持部材に対してキャリアの走行方向に沿った前後方向に接近離間自在に構成され、
上記搬送経路に沿った積み込み場所に、上記一方の支持部材を他方の支持部材へ接近させて両支持部材間の上記前後方向の間隔を狭める閉じ装置が設置され、
上記搬送経路に沿った積み下ろし場所に、上記一方の支持部材を他方の支持部材から離間させて両支持部材間の上記前後方向の間隔を広げる開き装置が設置され、
上記閉じ装置で両支持部材間の上記前後方向の間隔を狭めることにより、被搬送物を上記前後方向から両支持部材で挟んで支持し、
上記開き装置で両支持部材間の上記前後方向の間隔を広げることにより、被搬送物を両支持部材間から下ろすものである。
【０００７】
これによると、閉じ装置が一方の支持部材を他方の支持部材へ接近させて両支持部材間の間隔を狭め、また、開き装置が一方の支持部材を他方の支持部材から離間させて両支持部材間の間隔を広げることで、人手を使わずに、容易に一対の支持部材間の間隔を調節することができる。
本第２発明は、キャリアに、接近離間自在な支持部材の位置を固定する固定装置が設けられ、
閉じ装置と開き装置とにそれぞれ、上記固定装置による支持部材の位置の固定を解除する固定解除装置が設けられているものである。
【０００８】
これによると、支持部材の位置を固定装置で固定することによって、キャリアの走行中等において、被搬送物を支持している支持部材が不用意に移動して一対の支持部材間の間隔が勝手に広がってしまうといったことはなく、これにより、上記被搬送物がキャリアから脱落するのを防止することができる。
また、固定装置による支持部材の固定を固定解除装置によって解除することで、一方の支持部材が他方の支持部材に対して接近離間自在となり、閉じ装置によって一対の支持部材間の間隔を狭めたり、開き装置によって一対の支持部材間の間隔を広げることができる。
【０００９】
本第３発明は、支持部材に被係合部材が設けられ、
閉じ装置は、上記被係合部材に係脱自在な係合部材と、この係合部材を一対の支持部材間の間隔が狭くなる方向へ移動させる移動装置とで構成されており、
係合部材は、回動自在なアームに設けられ、且つ、アームの回動によって、上記被係合部材に係合可能な係合位置と、上記被係合部材から離間する離間位置との間を出退自在であり、
閉じ装置に、上記アームを回動させて係合部材を出退させる出退部材が設けられ、
係合部材が離間位置へ退避した際、被係合部材が係合部材の下方を前後方向へ通過可能となるものである。
【００１０】
これによると、閉じ装置の係合部材を支持部材の被係合部材に係合させ、この係合部材を移動装置で移動させることによって、支持部材が移動し、一対の支持部材間の間隔が狭められる。
【００１１】
本第４発明は、支持部材に被係合部材が設けられ、
開き装置は、上記被係合部材に係脱自在な係合部材と、この係合部材を一対の支持部材間の間隔が広がる方向へ移動させる移動装置とで構成されており、
係合部材は、回動自在なアームに設けられ、且つ、アームの回動によって、上記被係合部材に係合可能な係合位置と、上記被係合部材から離間する離間位置との間を出退自在であり、
開き装置に、上記アームを回動させて係合部材を出退させる出退部材が設けられ、
係合部材が離間位置へ退避した際、被係合部材が係合部材の下方を前後方向へ通過可能となるものである。
【００１２】
これによると、開き装置の係合部材を支持部材の被係合部材に係合させ、この係合部材を移動装置で移動させることによって、支持部材が移動し、一対の支持部材間の間隔が広げられる。
本第５発明は、各支持部材には、被搬送物を保持する保持体が設けられ、
上記保持体は弾性体で形成され、
閉じ装置で両支持部材間の前後方向の間隔を狭めることにより、被搬送物を上記前後方向から両支持部材で挟んで支持した際、被搬送物が保持体に食い込んで保持されるものである。
これによると、被搬送物が落下することなく、確実に保持される。
本第６発明は、閉じ装置で両支持部材間の前後方向の間隔を狭めることにより、被搬送物を上記前後方向から両支持部材で挟んで支持した際、被搬送物に対する支持部材の押圧力を調整する押圧力調整機構が閉じ装置に設けられているものである。
これによると、被搬送物に対する支持部材の押圧が一定値を越えてしまうのを防止することができ、過大な力で被搬送物が損傷するのを防止することができる。
本第７発明は、両支持部材によって挟まれて支持された被搬送物の左右方向へのずれを防止するずれ止め装置がキャリアに設けられているものである。
本第８発明は、被搬送物を支持して搬送経路に沿って走行するキャリアを備えた搬送設備であって、
キャリアは、レールに支持案内されて走行自在な走行体と、この走行体に設けられたガイド部材と、このガイド部材に支持案内されて移動自在な複数の移動体と、移動体に取付けられて被搬送物を支持する複数の支持部材とで構成され、
上記移動体の移動によって対向する一対の支持部材のうち少なくとも一方の支持部材が他方の支持部材に対してキャリアの走行方向に沿った前後方向に接近離間自在に構成され、
上記搬送経路に沿った積み込み場所に、上記一方の支持部材を他方の支持部材へ接近させて両支持部材間の上記前後方向の間隔を狭める閉じ装置が設置され、
上記搬送経路に沿った積み下ろし場所に、上記一方の支持部材を他方の支持部材から離間させて両支持部材間の上記前後方向の間隔を広げる開き装置が設置され、
上記キャリアに、接近離間自在な支持部材の位置を固定する固定装置が設けられ、
上記固定装置は、ガイド部材側に設けられた第１歯部と、移動体に揺動自在に設けられた揺動部材と、この揺動部材に設けられかつ揺動部材の揺動により上記第１歯部に対して歯合離脱自在な第２歯部と、この第２歯部が第１歯部に歯合する固定方向へ揺動部材を付勢する付勢手段とで構成され、
閉じ装置と開き装置とにそれぞれ、上記固定装置による支持部材の位置の固定を解除する固定解除装置が設けられ、
上記固定解除装置は、上記揺動部材に係脱自在でかつ付勢手段の付勢力に抗して第２歯部が第１歯部から離脱する固定解除方向へ上記揺動部材を揺動させる固定解除部材と、この固定解除部材を作動させる作動装置とで構成されているものである。
【００１３】
これによると、揺動部材は付勢手段によって固定方向へ付勢されているため、第２歯部が第１歯部に歯合し、以って、移動体がガイド部材側に固定され、一対の支持部材間の間隔が勝手に拡縮することは防止される。
また、作動装置が固定解除部材を作動させることにより、固定解除部材が付勢手段の付勢力に抗して揺動部材を固定解除方向へ揺動し、第２歯部が第１歯部から離脱し、以って、移動体の固定が解除されて、移動体はガイド部材に支持案内されて移動自在となる。これにより、一対の支持部材間の間隔が拡縮可能となる。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の第１の実施の形態を図１〜図２０に基づいて説明する。
図１９に示すように、１は車体の一部（例えばサイドボディー等）の被搬送物２を搬送経路３に沿って搬送する搬送設備である。この搬送設備１には、被搬送物２を支持して搬送経路３に沿って走行する複数のキャリア４が設けられ、上記搬送経路３の所定箇所には、キャリア４に被搬送物２を積み込む積み込み場所５と、被搬送物２をキャリア４から下ろす積み下ろし場所６とが形成されている。
【００１５】
上記キャリア４の構成を以下に説明する。
すなわち、図１〜図３に示すように、キャリア４は搬送経路３に沿って設けられた天井レール１０に支持案内されて走行自在な走行体１１を有している。この走行体１１には、天井レール１０上を転動自在な複数の走行車輪１２と複数のガイドローラ１３とが設けられており、いずれかの走行車輪１２が電動機１４によって回転駆動されるように構成されている。
【００１６】
上記走行体１１の下部には上部フレーム体１６が設けられている。この上部フレーム体１６は、左右一対のガイド部材１７と、両ガイド部材１７の前後端間に連結される端部連結部材１８と、両ガイド部材１７の前後中央部間に連結される中央部連結部材１９とで構成されている。
上記上部フレーム体１６にはそれぞれ、移動体２１を介して、前後一対のハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ（支持部材の一例）が左右両側に設けられている。図５に示すように、上記各移動体２１はそれぞれ、複数の車輪２３を介してガイド部材１７に支持案内され、前後方向Ａへ移動自在に構成されている。上記各ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの上端部は各移動体２１に取付けられている。上記各移動体２１の移動とともに、各ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂが前後移動し、これにより、図１に示すように、前後一対のハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間の前後間隔Ｗが拡縮される。
【００１７】
尚、両ガイド部材１７の前後両端には、各移動体２１のガイド部材１７からの脱落を防止するストッパ２６が設けられている。また、各ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの下部には、被搬送物２を一定の押圧力で保持する保持体２４と、落下防止部材２５とが設けられている。上記保持体２４はゴムやスポンジ等の弾性体で形成されており、上記被搬送物２をハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂで支持した際、各保持体２４の前後で相対向する保持面５０に被搬送物２の端部が食い込んで保持される。また、上記落下防止部材２５は水平に取付けられた棒状部材であり、被搬送物２の端部が落下防止部材２５の先端部に上方から引っ掛かることによって、被搬送物２の落下が防止される。
【００１８】
また、図３，図４に示すように、上記中央部連結部材１９には、一対のハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間に支持された被搬送物２の左右方向Ｂへのずれを防止するずれ止め装置２７が設けられている。このずれ止め装置２７は、昇降自在なフレーム２８と、このフレーム２８に左右方向へ並ベられかつフレーム２８に対して上下動自在に設けられた複数本の縦ピン２９とで櫛歯状に構成されている。そして、被搬送物２の上方から上記フレーム２８を下降することにより、図３に示すように、被搬送物２の形状に応じて一部Ｃの縦ピン２９がフレーム２８に対し上方へ持ち上がり、これによって、被搬送物２がずれ止めされる。尚、上記フレーム２８は支持ブラケット４８に昇降自在に設けられた複数のシャフト４９の下端に取付けられ、上記支持ブラケット４８が上記中央部連結部材１９から垂下されている。
【００１９】
また、図１，図５，図６に示すように、上記キャリア４には、各移動体２１の位置を固定する固定装置７４が複数設けられている。これら固定装置７４は次のように構成されている。すなわち、左右両ガイド部材１７の前後端部にはそれぞれブラケット７５を介して第１のこ歯７６（第１歯部の一例）が前後方向に一定の範囲で形成されている。また、移動体２１には前後軸７７を中心として左右方向へ揺動する揺動レバー７８（揺動部材の一例）が設けられ、揺動レバー７８の下端部には、揺動レバー７８の揺動によって上記第１のこ歯７６に対して歯合離脱自在な第２のこ歯７９（第２歯部の一例）が形成されている。さらに、各揺動レバー７８は、スプリング８０（付勢手段の一例）によって、第２のこ歯７９が第１のこ歯７６に歯合する固定方向Ｒへ付勢されている。そして、第２のこ歯７９が第１のこ歯７６に歯合することによって、各移動体２１の位置が固定される。
【００２０】
図１９に示すように、上記積み込み場所５には、前後一対のハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂを互いに接近させてこれらハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間の前後間隔Ｗを狭める閉じ装置３２が設けられている。この閉じ装置３２の構成を以下に説明する。
すなわち、図７〜図１０に示すように、上記閉じ装置３２には左右一対のガイドレール３３が設けられ、両ガイドレール３３にはそれぞれ、ガイドレール３３に支持案内されて前後方向へ移動自在なスライド部材３４が前後一対ずつ設けられている。上記各ガイドレール３３は左右一対のレール部材３５から成り、上記スライド部材３４は、両レール部材３５間に挿入されており、これらレール部材３５上を転動自在な複数の走行ローラ３６とガイドローラ３７とを備えている。
【００２１】
上記各スライド部材３４には、各ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの上部に設けられた棒状の被係合部材３８を押圧する押圧部材３９（係合部材の一例）が設けられ、これら押圧部材３９はそれぞれ上記被係合部材３８に対して係脱自在に構成されている。すなわち、各スライド部材３４には左右一対の取付板４０が垂設され、両取付板４０の下部間に、左右方向の横軸４１を介して、上下回動自在なアーム４２が設けられ、このアーム４２の一方の遊端部に上記押圧部材３９が取付けられている。また、各アーム４２の他方の遊端部には左右方向のピン４３を介してローラ４４が設けられている。上記アーム４２は、自重によって、図９に示すように、押圧部材３９が下位かつローラ４４が上位になる傾斜姿勢に付勢されている。この傾斜姿勢において、上記押圧部材３９は、上記被係合部材３８に係合可能な係合位置Ｅまで、下方へ突出している。
【００２２】
また、上記閉じ装置３２には、各スライド部材３４を前後方向へ移動させるシリンダ装置４５（移動装置の一例）が複数設けられている。各シリンダ装置４５のピストンロッド４６の先端は各スライド部材３４に連結されている。このうち、前後いずれかのスライド部材３４と上記ピストンロッド４６との接続部には、被搬送物２に対するハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの押圧力を一定に調整する押圧力調整機構４７が設けられている。
【００２３】
上記押圧力調整機構４７は以下のような構成を有している。すなわち、図１１，図１２に示すように、スライド部材３４には、上方へ突出した板材６７が設けられ、ピストンロッド４６の先端には、上記板材６７に貫通して板材６７に対し前後移動可能なシャフト６８が左右一対設けられている。両シャフト６８の先端部にはナット７２によって座金６９が取付けられ、座金６９と板材６７との間には圧縮コイルスプリング７０が挟まれており、圧縮コイルスプリング７０は上記シャフト６８に外嵌されている。また、スライド部材３４にはリミットスイッチ７１が設けられており、図１１の仮想線で示すように、上記ピストンロッド４６が退入して、圧縮コイルスプリング７０の伸長力に抗して、シャフト６８が板材６７に対してピストンロッド４６の退入方向Ｄへ変移した場合、図１２の仮想線で示すように、このシャフト６８の変移を上記リミットスイッチ７１が検出するように構成されている。
【００２４】
また、図１３，図１４に示すように、上記閉じ装置３２には、上記各アーム４２を回動させて押圧部材３９を上下方向へ出退させる出退部材１００が複数設けられている。すなわち、各出退部材１００は、両ガイドレール３３の前後両端部に設定された待機位置Ｇ（図７参照）に設けられており、水平な上位板部１０１と、水平な下位板部１０２と、これら両板部１０１，１０２間に連設された傾斜板部１０３とで構成されている。このうち、上位板部１０１と傾斜板部１０３との各下面にはそれぞれ、上記ローラ４４が転動可能な転動面１０４，１０５が形成されている。
【００２５】
図１３に示すように、上記ローラ４４が上位転動面１０４に下方から当接している場合、アーム４２が傾斜姿勢となり、押圧部材３９は上記係合位置Ｅに維持される。また、図１４に示すように、ローラ４４が傾斜転動面１０５に下方から当接している場合、アーム４２が水平姿勢となり、押圧部材３９は、上記被係合部材３８から離間する離間位置Ｆまで、上方へ退避する。
【００２６】
また、図６，図８に示すように、上記閉じ装置３２には、上記キャリア４の各固定装置７４による各移動体２１の固定を解除する固定解除装置８５が左右一対設けられている。各固定解除装置８５は、各ガイドレール３３の内側方に設けられかつ前後軸心８６を中心として左右方向へ揺動自在な固定解除部材８７と、両固定解除部材８７を揺動させる解除用シリンダ装置８８（作動装置の一例）とで構成されている。尚、上記固定解除部材８７は、ガイドレール３３の全長にわたって設けられ、かつ、固定装置７４の揺動レバー７８の外側に係脱自在に構成され、スプリング８０の付勢力に抗して第２のこ歯７９が第１のこ歯７６から離脱する固定解除方向Ｕ（図６の仮想線参照）へ上記揺動レバー７８を揺動させるものである。また、上記固定解除部材８７の内側には、揺動レバー７８を前後方向Ａに案内する棒状の内ガイド部材８９ａ，８９ｂが設けられている。
【００２７】
また、図１９に示すように、上記積み下ろし場所６には、前後一対のハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂを互いに離間させてこれらハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間の前後間隔Ｗを広げる開き装置５１が設けられている。図１７，図１８に示すように、この開き装置５１は、上記閉じ装置３２と同様に、ガイドレール５２と、スライド部材５３と、レール部材５４と、走行ローラ５５と、ガイドローラ６４と、押圧部材５６（係合部材の一例）と、取付板５７と、横軸５８と、アーム５９と、ピン６０と、ローラ６１と、ピストンロッド６２を有するシリンダ装置６３（移動装置の一例）とで構成されている。
【００２８】
また、図１３，図１４に示すように、上記開き装置５１のガイドレール５２には、閉じ装置３２と同様に、上記各アーム５９を回動させて押圧部材５６を上下方向へ出退させて係合位置Ｅと離間位置Ｆとに切り換える出退部材１０８が複数設けられている。
さらに、上記開き装置５１にも、閉じ装置３２と同様に、固定解除装置９１が左右一対設けられている。開き装置５１の固定解除装置９１は、閉じ装置３２の固定解除装置８５と同様に、固定解除部材９２と解除用シリンダ装置９３（作動装置の一例）と内ガイド部材９４ａ，９４ｂとで構成されている。
【００２９】
以下、上記構成における作用を説明する。
上記被搬送物２は以下の▲１▼〜▲４▼の手順で搬送される。
▲１▼図１９に示すように、積み込み場所５において、被搬送物２をキャリア４に積み込む。
▲２▼キャリア４を走行させて被搬送物２を積み込み場所５から積み下ろし場所６へ搬送する。
▲３▼積み下ろし場所６において、被搬送物２をキャリア４から下ろす。
▲４▼空のキャリア４をリターン経路１１０に沿って走行させて積み込み場所５へ戻し、以降、上記▲１▼〜▲４▼を繰り返す。
【００３０】
先ず、上記▲１▼の被搬送物２のキャリア４への積み込みを説明する。
すなわち、図１の実線で示すように、キャリア４は、前後一対のハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間の前後間隔Ｗを最大に広げ、さらに、ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの位置を固定装置７４で固定した状態で、積み込み場所５に一時停止する。そして、ランニングフォーク（図示せず）等を用いて、被搬送物２を前後一対のハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間へ持ち上げる。その後、閉じ装置３２の作動によって、前後一対のハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間の前後間隔Ｗが縮小され、図１の仮想線で示すように、被搬送物２が各ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂで支持される。この際、被搬送物２の前後端部が各ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの保持体２４の保持面５０に食い込むことにより、被搬送物２が落下することなく、確実に保持される。
【００３１】
尚、この時の上記閉じ装置３２の作動は以下の通りである。すなわち、積み込み場所５においては、図１５に示すように、キャリア４の各固定装置７４の揺動レバー７８の外側に閉じ装置３２の両固定解除装置８５の固定解除部材８７が隣接する。そして、図１６に示すように、各固定解除装置８５の解除用シリンダ装置８８のピストンロッド８８ａが短縮して、固定解除部材８７が前後軸心８６を中心に一方へ揺動することによって、各固定装置７４の揺動レバー７８が固定解除部材８７に押されて固定解除方向Ｕへ揺動し、以って、第２のこ歯７９が第１のこ歯７６から離脱し、各固定装置７４による移動体２１の固定が解除される。
【００３２】
この状態で、図７に示すように、各シリンダ装置４５のピストンロッド４６が短縮することによって、各スライド部材３４が待機位置Ｇからレール部材３５に支持案内されて前後移動して互いに接近するため、各アーム４２が水平姿勢から傾斜姿勢となって、各押圧部材３９が離間位置Ｆから係合位置Ｅまで下動する。これにより、各押圧部材３９がキャリア４の各被係合部材３８に係合してこれら被係合部材３８を押し、図７の仮想線で示すように、各ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂが互いに閉じ方向Ｓへ前後移動して接近するとともに、上記各移動体２１がガイド部材１７に支持案内されて前後移動するため、両ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間の前後間隔Ｗが縮小され、被搬送物２が前後方向Ａから各保持体２４で挟まれて保持される。
【００３３】
尚、移動体２１の移動にともなって、図１６に示すように、各固定装置７４の揺動レバー７８は固定解除方向Ｕへ揺動した状態で固定解除部材８７の内ガイド部材８９ａ，８９ｂに当接して前後方向Ａへ案内されながら摺動する。
また、上記のように両ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間の前後間隔Ｗが次第に縮小され、被搬送物２に対するハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの押圧力が次第に増加していくと、図１１の仮想線で示すように、押圧力調整機構４７の座金６９がコイルスプリング７０の伸長力に抗して板材６７側へ引張られ、コイルスプリング７０が圧縮されて座金６９と板材６７との間隔が縮小され、シャフト６８の変移によって図１２の仮想線で示すようにリミットスイッチ７１がオンに切り替わり、以って、各シリンダ装置４５の作動が停止する。これにより、被搬送物２に対するハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの押圧力が一定値を越えてしまうのを防止することができ、過大な押圧力で被搬送物２が損傷するといった不具合を防止することができる。
【００３４】
その後、図１５に示すように、各固定解除装置８５の解除用シリンダ装置８８のピストンロッド８８ａが伸長して、固定解除部材８７が前後軸心８６を中心に他方へ揺動することによって、各固定装置７４の揺動レバー７８がスプリング８０の付勢力により固定方向Ｒへ揺動し、以って、第２のこ歯７９が第１のこ歯７６に歯合し、各移動体２１が固定される。これにより、ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂは被搬送物２を支持する位置で固定される。
【００３５】
その後、図７に示すように、各シリンダ装置４５のピストンロッド４６が伸長することによって、各スライド部材３４が待機位置Ｇに戻ると、図１３に示すように各ローラ４４が上位転動面１０４を経て図１４に示すように傾斜転動面１０５に移行するため、アーム４２が傾斜姿勢から水平姿勢となって、押圧部材３９が係合位置Ｅから離間位置Ｆまで上動して被係合部材３８より上方へ退避する。
【００３６】
その後、キャリア４を積み込み場所５から積み下ろし場所６に向けて走行させる際、上記押圧部材３９が離間位置Ｆに退避しているため、キャリア４の走行と共に各被係合部材３８が各押圧部材３９の下方を通過する。
さらに、図３に示すように、ずれ止め装置２７のフレーム２８を被搬送物２の上方から下降することにより、被搬送物２の形状に応じて一部Ｃの縦ピン２９がフレーム２８に対し上方へ持ち上がり、これにより、各縦ピン２９の配列に上下方向の凹凸が発生し、被搬送部材２の左右方向Ｂへの位置ずれが防止される。
【００３７】
また、上記▲２▼のキャリア４の走行中においては、各固定装置７４の揺動レバー７８がスプリング８０によって常に固定方向Ｒへ付勢されているため、各移動体２１の位置は固定され、これにより、ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの前後間隔Ｗが不用意に広がってしまうといったことはなく、したがって、上記被搬送物２がキャリア４から脱落するのを防止することができる。
【００３８】
さらに、万一、各保持体２４で保持された被搬送物２が振動等によって下方へずり落ちそうになった場合でも、図１に示すように、被搬送物２の前後端部が落下防止部材２５の先端部に上方から引っ掛かるため、被搬送物２の保持体２４からの落下が防止される。
次に、上記▲３▼の被搬送物２のキャリア４からの積み下ろしを説明する。
すなわち、被搬送物２を支持したキャリア４は積み下ろし場所６に一時停止する。そして、ランニングフォーク（図示せず）等を用いて、被搬送物２を下方から支持する。
【００３９】
そして、ずれ止め装置２７のフレーム２８を上昇させて、各縦ピン２９を被搬送物２の上方へ退避させる。その後、開き装置５１の作動によって、図１の実線で示すように、前後一対のハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの前後間隔Ｗが最大に拡大され、被搬送物２が受け部材２４から上記ランニングフォークへ渡される。この時の上記開き装置５１の作動は以下の通りである。
【００４０】
すなわち、積み下ろし場所６においては、図１５に示すように、キャリア４の各固定装置７４の揺動レバー７８の外側に開き装置５１の両固定解除装置９１の固定解除部材９２が隣接する。そして、各解除用シリンダ装置９３のピストンロッド９３ａが短縮して、固定解除部材９２が一方へ揺動することによって、上記揺動レバー７８が固定解除部材９２に押されて固定解除方向Ｕへ揺動し、以って、第２のこ歯７９が第１のこ歯７６から離脱し、各固定装置７４による移動体２１の固定が解除される。
【００４１】
この状態で、図１７に示すように、各シリンダ装置６３のピストンロッド６２が短縮することによって、各スライド部材５３が待機位置Ｇからレール部材５４に支持案内されて前後移動して互いに離間するため、各アーム５９が水平姿勢から傾斜姿勢となって、各押圧部材５６が離間位置Ｆから係合位置Ｅまで下動する。これにより、各押圧部材５６がキャリア４の各被係合部材３８に係合してこれら被係合部材３８を押し、図１７の仮想線で示すように、上記各ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂが互いに開き方向Ｏへ前後移動して離間するとともに、上記各移動体２１がガイド部材１７に支持案内されて前後移動するため、両ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間の前後間隔Ｗが拡大され、被搬送物２がそれぞれ保持体２４から下ろされる。この際、移動体２１の移動にともなって、図１６に示すように、各固定装置７４の揺動レバー７８は固定解除方向Ｕへ揺動した状態で固定解除部材９２の内ガイド部材９４ａ，９４ｂに当接して前後方向Ａへ案内されながら摺動する。
【００４２】
その後、図１５に示すように、両固定解除装置９１の解除用シリンダ装置９３のピストンロッド９３ａが伸長して、固定解除部材９２が他方へ揺動することによって、各固定装置７４の揺動レバー７８がスプリング８０の付勢力により固定方向Ｒへ揺動し、以って、第２のこ歯７９が第１のこ歯７６に歯合し、各移動体２１が固定される。これにより、図１の実線で示すように、ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂは前後間隔Ｗが最大に拡大された位置で固定される。
【００４３】
その後、図１７に示すように、各シリンダ装置６３のピストンロッド６２が伸長することによって、各スライド部材５３が待機位置Ｇに戻ると、図１３に示すように各ローラ６１が上位転動面１０４を経て図１４に示すように傾斜転動面１０５に移行するため、アーム５９が傾斜姿勢から水平姿勢となって、押圧部材５６が係合位置Ｅから離間位置Ｆまで上動して被係合部材３８より上方へ退避する。
【００４４】
その後、キャリア４を積み下ろし場所６からリターン経路１１０に向けて走行させる際、上記押圧部材５６が離間位置Ｆに退避しているため、キャリア４の走行と共に各被係合部材３８が各押圧部材５６の下方を通過する。
上記のように、閉じ装置３２によって、ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの前後間隔Ｗを狭め、また、開き装置５１によって、ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの前後間隔Ｗを広げることで、人手を使わずに、容易かつ迅速にハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの前後間隔Ｗを調節することができる。また、ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの前後間隔Ｗを調節することによって、多様なサイズの被搬送物２を搬送することができる。
【００４５】
さらに、固定装置７４によって、各ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの位置を固定することができ、また、固定解除装置８５，９１によって、各ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの位置固定を解除することができるため、人手を使わずに、容易かつ迅速に固定および固定解除が行なえる。
上記実施の形態では、閉じ装置３２によってハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間の前後間隔Ｗを縮小して被搬送物２を支持する際、図１１，図１２に示すように、押圧力調整機構４７の働きによって、被搬送物２に対するハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの押圧力を一定に自動調整することができる。このため、積み込み場所５において前後一対のハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間にセットされた被搬送物２の位置や形状あるいはサイズが変更になった場合や保持体２４が摩耗した場合であっても、一定の押圧力で確実に被搬送物２を支持することができ、この際、ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの位置調整を不要にし得る。また、サイズの異なる複数種の被搬送物２を支持する場合でも、上記押圧力の検出は１個のリミットスイッチ７１で賄え、押圧力検出用の検出器を被搬送物２の種類毎に複数設ける必要はない。
【００４６】
上記実施の形態では、各ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの前後間隔Ｗを拡縮自在に構成しているが、左右間隔を拡縮自在に構成してもよい。
上記実施の形態では、被搬送物２の一例として車体のサイドボディーを挙げたが、車体に限定されるものではない。
上記実施の形態では、図６に示すように、付勢手段の一例であるスプリング８０を用いて揺動レバー７８を固定方向Ｒへ付勢しているが、他の付勢手段として、上記揺動レバー７８の自重で固定方向Ｒへ付勢してもよい。
【００４７】
上記実施の形態では、積み込み場所５において、ランニングフォーク（図示せず）等を用いて被搬送物２をキャリア４のハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの高さまで持ち上げているが、逆に、キャリア４を被搬送物２の高さまで下降させて、ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間に被搬送物２を位置させてもよい。
次に、本発明の第２の実施の形態を図２０〜図２６に基づいて説明する。
【００４８】
本第２の実施の形態では、上記閉じ装置３２に、一旦前後間隔Ｗが狭められたハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂを開いて、ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂの前後間隔Ｗを広げる補助開き機構１２０が設けられている。各補助開き機構１２０の構成は以下の通りである。
図２３，図２４に示すように、各スライド部材３４には、被係合部材３８を開き方向Ｏへ押圧する補助押圧部材１２１が設けられ、これら補助押圧部材１２１はそれぞれ被係合部材３８に対して係脱自在に構成されている。すなわち、各補助押圧部材１２１は、押圧部材３９から閉じ方向Ｓへ一定間隔離れて位置しており、左右方向の横軸１２２を介して、上下回動自在に補助アーム１２３の下端に取付けられている。上記補助押圧部材１２１は、上位遊端部に押圧面１２４を有しており、この押圧面１２４が被係合部材３８に当接する係合位置Ｈと、押圧面１２４が被係合部材３８の下方へ退避する離間位置Ｉとの範囲で回動し、かつ自重によって係合位置Ｈに付勢されている。
【００４９】
また、上記補助アーム１２３は、前後方向の横軸１２５を介して、左右揺動自在にアングル状の支持材１２６に設けられており、支持材１２６が各スライド部材３４に取付けられている。上記補助アーム１２３は、図２４に示すように被係合部材３８に対して補助押圧部材１２１が作用する作用位置Ｊと、被係合部材３８に対して補助押圧部材１２１が下方へ退避する退避位置Ｋとの範囲で揺動し、付勢手段１２７によって退避位置Ｋに付勢されている。尚、上記付勢手段１２７としては、一端部が補助アーム１２３に連結されるとともに他端部が支持材１２６に連結された引張りコイルスプリングが用いられている。
【００５０】
そして、図２６の仮想線で示すように、上記閉じ装置３２の固定解除部材８７が一方へ揺動して揺動レバー７８が固定解除方向Ｕへ揺動した場合、図２４に示すように、上記補助アーム１２３の上端部が上記固定解除部材８７に押されて、補助アーム１２３が作用位置Ｊまで揺動するように構成されている。また、図２６の実線で示すように、上記閉じ装置３２の固定解除部材８７が他方へ揺動して揺動レバー７８が固定方向Ｒへ揺動した場合、図２５に示すように、補助アーム１２３が付勢手段１２７の付勢力によって退避位置Ｋまで揺動するように構成されている。尚、図２１，図２６に示すように、上記各固定解除部材８７の外側には外ガイド部材１２８ａ，１２８ｂが設けられている。
【００５１】
以下、上記構成における作用を説明する。
閉じ装置３２の作動は以下の通りである。すなわち、
（ａ）積み込み場所５においては、図２６の実線で示すように、閉じ装置３２の両固定解除装置８５の固定解除部材８７が、キャリア４の各固定装置７４の揺動レバー７８の外側、かつ補助開き機構１２０の補助アーム１２３の内側に隣接する。そして、各固定解除装置８５の解除用シリンダ装置８８のピストンロッド８８ａが短縮して、図２６の仮想線で示すように、固定解除部材８７が前後軸心８６を中心に一方へ揺動することによって、各固定装置７４の揺動レバー７８が固定解除部材８７に押されて固定解除方向Ｕへ揺動し、以って、第２のこ歯７９が第１のこ歯７６から離脱し、各固定装置７４による移動体２１の固定が解除される。さらに、この際、図２４に示すように、上記補助アーム１２３の上端部が上記固定解除部材８７に押されて、補助アーム１２３が作用位置Ｊまで揺動する。
【００５２】
（ｂ）この状態で、図２０に示すように、各シリンダ装置４５のピストンロッド４６が短縮することによって、各スライド部材３４が待機位置Ｇからレール部材３５に支持案内されて前後移動して互いに接近するため、各アーム４２が水平姿勢から傾斜姿勢となって、各押圧部材３９が離間位置Ｆから係合位置Ｅまで下動する。この時、キャリア４の各被係合部材３８が各補助押圧部材１２１よりも閉じ方向Ｓ側に位置していた場合には、各スライド部材３４の移動によって、図２３の仮想線で示すように、各補助押圧部材１２１の押圧面１２４とは反対側の背面１２９が被係合部材３８に当接して、補助押圧部材１２１が係合位置Ｈから離間位置Ｉへ回動する。これにより、補助押圧部材１２１が被係合部材３８の下方を閉じ方向Ｓへ通過し、通過直後、図２３の実線で示すように、補助押圧部材１２１が自重によって係合位置Ｈに復帰し、その後、各押圧部材３９がキャリア４の各被係合部材３８に係合してこれら被係合部材３８を押し、各ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂが互いに閉じ方向Ｓへ前後移動して接近するとともに、各移動体２１がガイド部材１７に支持案内されて前後移動するため、両ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間の前後間隔Ｗが縮小され、被搬送物２が前後方向Ａから各保持体２４で挟まれて保持される。
【００５３】
尚、移動体２１の移動にともなって、図２４に示すように、各固定装置７４の揺動レバー７８は固定解除方向Ｕへ揺動した状態で固定解除部材８７の内ガイド部材８９ａ，８９ｂに当接して前後方向Ａへ案内されながら摺動し、さらに、補助開き機構１２０の補助アーム１２３が作用位置Ｊまで揺動した状態で固定解除部材８７の外ガイド部材１２８ａ，１２８ｂに当接して前後方向Ａへ案内されながら摺動する。
【００５４】
（ｃ）その後、各固定解除装置８５の解除用シリンダ装置８８のピストンロッド８８ａが伸長して、図２６の実線で示すように、固定解除部材８７が前後軸心８６を中心に他方へ揺動することによって、各固定装置７４の揺動レバー７８がスプリング８０の付勢力により固定方向Ｒへ揺動し、以って、第２のこ歯７９が第１のこ歯７６に歯合し、各移動体２１が固定される。これにより、ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂは被搬送物２を支持する位置で固定される。この際、図２５に示すように、上記補助アーム１２３が付勢手段１２７の付勢力によって作用位置Ｊから退避位置Ｋへ揺動する。これにより、補助押圧部材１２１が被係合部材３８の下方へ退避する。
【００５５】
（ｄ）その後、図２０に示すように、各シリンダ装置４５のピストンロッド４６が伸長することによって、各スライド部材３４が待機位置Ｇに戻ると、各ローラ４４が上位転動面１０４を経て傾斜転動面１０５に移行するため、アーム４２が傾斜姿勢から水平姿勢となって、押圧部材３９が係合位置Ｅから離間位置Ｆまで上動して被係合部材３８より上方へ退避する。この際、図２５に示すように、上記補助アーム１２３が退避位置Ｋまで揺動して、補助押圧部材１２１が被係合部材３８の下方へ退避しているため、各スライド部材３４の待機位置Ｇへの戻り時において、補助押圧部材１２１は被係合部材３８の下方を通過して待機位置Ｇへ戻る。
【００５６】
上記（ａ）〜（ｄ）は、閉じ装置３２によって、両ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間の前後間隔Ｗが縮小され、正しく被搬送物２が各保持体２４で挟まれて保持された場合の一連の動作である。次に、被搬送物２を各保持体２４で保持する際に、万一、不具合が発生した場合の動作を説明する。
すなわち、上記（ａ）の動作の後、（ｂ）の動作において、両ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間の前後間隔Ｗが縮小され、被搬送物２が前後方向から各保持体２４で挟まれて保持された際、万一、例えば、被搬送物２が異常な姿勢で保持される等の不具合が発生した場合、姿勢検出装置（図示せず）等によって被搬送物２の姿勢異常が検出されると、図２６の仮想線で示すように固定解除部材８７によって揺動レバー７８が固定解除方向Ｕへ揺動するとともに図２４に示すように補助アーム１２３が作用位置Ｊまで揺動した状態のままで、図２２に示すように、各スライド部材３４が閉じ方向Ｓとは逆の開き方向Ｏへ移動して待機位置Ｇへ戻る。
【００５７】
この際、各スライド部材３４とともに各補助押圧部材１２１も開き方向Ｏへ移動し、この時、各補助押圧部材１２１は自重により係合位置Ｈに付勢されているため、押圧面１２４が被係合部材３８に当接して開き方向Ｏへ押圧する。これにより、一旦閉じ方向Ｓへ移動した各ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂは開き方向Ｏへ逆移動し、両ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間の前後間隔Ｗが拡大される。
【００５８】
その後、再度、上記（ａ），（ｂ）の動作が実行され、（ｂ）において、被搬送物２が各保持体２４で正しく保持されて、不具合の発生が検出されなければ、引き続いて、（ｃ），（ｄ）の動作を実行する。
上記のように、閉じ装置３２によって両ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間の前後間隔Ｗを縮小して被搬送物２を支持する際に不具合が発生した場合、一旦、補助開き機構１２０によって両ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間の前後間隔Ｗを拡大し、その後、改めて、両ハンガーアーム２２ａ，２２ｂ間の前後間隔Ｗを縮小して被搬送物２を支持することをやり直すことができるため、安全性が向上し、確実な搬送が実施できる。
【００５９】
上記第１および第２の実施の形態では、図１に示すように、天井レール１０に支持案内されて走行する吊り下げ形式のキャリア４を示したが、第３の実施の形態として、図２７に示すように、床面１５０を走行する台車形式のキャリア１５１であってもよい。このキャリア１５１は、床面レール１５２に案内されて走行自在な走行体１５３と、この走行体１５３の上方に取付けられた左右一対のガイド部材１５４と、両ガイド部材１５４に支持案内されて前後移動自在な移動体１５５と、移動体１５５に設けられた支持アーム１５６ａ，１５６ｂ（支持部材の一例）とで構成されている。また、最初に説明した第１の実施の形態における閉じ装置３２や開き装置５１、固定装置７４、固定解除装置８５，９１と同じ構造のものが第３の実施の形態にも設けられている。
【００６０】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、本第１発明によると、閉じ装置が一方の支持部材を他方の支持部材へ接近させて両支持部材間の間隔を狭め、また、開き装置が一方の支持部材を他方の支持部材から離間させて両支持部材間の間隔を広げることで、人手を使わずに、容易に一対の支持部材間の間隔を調節することができる。
【００６１】
また、本第２発明によると、支持部材の位置を固定装置で固定することによって、キャリアの走行中等において、被搬送物を支持している支持部材が不用意に移動して一対の支持部材間の間隔が勝手に広がってしまうといったことはなく、これにより、上記被搬送物がキャリアから脱落するのを防止することができる。また、固定装置による支持部材の固定を固定解除装置によって解除することで、一方の支持部材が他方の支持部材に対して接近離間自在となり、閉じ装置によって一対の支持部材間の間隔を狭めたり、開き装置によって一対の支持部材間の間隔を広げることができる。
【００６２】
また、本第３発明によると、閉じ装置の係合部材を支持部材の被係合部材に係合させ、この係合部材を移動装置で移動させることによって、支持部材が移動し、一対の支持部材間の間隔が狭められる。
また、本第４発明によると、開き装置の係合部材を支持部材の被係合部材に係合させ、この係合部材を移動装置で移動させることによって、支持部材が移動し、一対の支持部材間の間隔が広げられる。
【００６３】
また、本第５発明によると、被搬送物が落下することなく、確実に保持される。
また、本第６発明によると、被搬送物に対する支持部材の押圧が一定値を越えてしまうのを防止することができ、過大な力で被搬送物が損傷するのを防止することができる。
また、本第８発明によると、揺動部材は付勢手段によって固定方向へ付勢されているため、第２歯部が第１歯部に歯合し、以って、移動体がガイド部材側に固定され、一対の支持部材間の間隔が勝手に拡縮することは防止される。
【００６４】
また、作動装置が固定解除部材を作動させることにより、固定解除部材が付勢手段の付勢力に抗して揺動部材を固定解除方向へ揺動し、第２歯部が第１歯部から離脱し、以って、移動体の固定が解除されて、移動体はガイド部材に支持案内されて移動自在となる。これにより、一対の支持部材間の間隔が拡縮可能となる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１の実施の形態における搬送設備のキャリアの側面図である。
【図２】同、キャリアの上部フレーム体の平面図である。
【図３】図１におけるＸ−Ｘ矢視図である。
【図４】同、キャリアのずれ止め装置の正面図である。
【図５】同、キャリアの固定装置の側面図である。
【図６】同、キャリアの固定装置と、閉じ装置および開き装置の固定解除装置との正面図である。
【図７】同、搬送設備の閉じ装置の側面図である。
【図８】同、閉じ装置の平面図である。
【図９】同、閉じ装置のスライド部材の側面図である。
【図１０】図９におけるＸ−Ｘ矢視図である。
【図１１】同、閉じ装置のスライド部材の側面図であり、押圧力調整機構を備えたものである。
【図１２】図１１におけるＸ−Ｘ矢視図である。
【図１３】同、搬送設備の閉じ装置および開き装置に設けられた出退部材の作用を説明する図であり、押圧部材が係合位置に突出している状態を示す。
【図１４】同、出退部材の作用を説明する図であり、押圧部材が離間位置へ退避している状態を示す。
【図１５】同、搬送設備の固定装置で移動体を固定した状態を示す正面図である。
【図１６】同、固定解除装置で移動体の固定を解除した状態を示す正面図である。
【図１７】同、搬送設備の開き装置の側面図である。
【図１８】同、開き装置の平面図である。
【図１９】同、搬送設備の概略平面図である。
【図２０】本発明の第２の実施の形態における搬送設備の閉じ装置の側面図である。
【図２１】同、閉じ装置の平面図である。
【図２２】同、閉じ装置の補助開き機構を用いてハンガーアーム間の前後間隔を開いている図である。
【図２３】同、閉じ装置の補助開き機構の側面図である。
【図２４】図２３におけるＸ−Ｘ矢視図であり、補助アームが作用位置に切換えられた状態を示す。
【図２５】図２３におけるＸ−Ｘ矢視図であり、補助アームが退避位置に切換えられた状態を示す。
【図２６】同、閉じ装置の固定解除装置の固定解除部材と補助開き機構の補助アームとの動作関係を示す図である。
【図２７】本発明の第３の実施の形態における搬送設備のキャリアの側面図である。
【符号の説明】
１搬送設備
２被搬送物
３搬送経路
４キャリア
１０天井レール
１１走行体
１７ガイド部材
２１移動体
２２ａ，２２ｂハンガーアーム（支持部材）
３２閉じ装置
３９押圧部材（係合部材）
４５シリンダ装置（移動装置）
５１開き装置
５６押圧部材（係合部材）
６３シリンダ装置（移動装置）
７４固定装置
７６第１のこ歯（第１歯部）
７８揺動レバー（揺動部材）
７９第２のこ歯（第２歯部）
８０スプリング（付勢手段）
８５，９１固定解除装置
８７，９２固定解除部材
８８，９３解除用シリンダ装置（作動装置）
１５１キャリア
１５２床面レール
１５３走行体
１５４ガイド部材
１５５移動体
１５６ａ，１５６ｂ支持アーム（支持部材）
Ｒ固定方向
Ｕ固定解除方向
Ｗ前後間隔[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a transport facility provided with a carrier that supports and transports an object to be transported.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, this type of transport equipment is, for example, disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-124613. That is, the carrier frame is suspended from a trolley device that can travel on the conveyance path, and a hanger that supports the object to be conveyed is provided on the carrier frame. The hanger comprises a hanger upper frame, front and rear arms provided at the front and rear ends of the hanger upper frame, and connecting members connected between the lower ends of the front and rear arms. Has been. The rear arm is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the front arm. The position of the rear arm is fixed by a bolt.
[0003]
According to this, by moving the rear arm in the front-rear direction, the front-rear distance between the rear arm and the front arm can be adjusted to be enlarged or reduced. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with the conveyance of a plurality of types of objects to be conveyed by adjusting the front-rear distance between the rear arm and the front arm according to the size of the object to be conveyed.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above conventional type, when adjusting the front-rear distance between the rear arm and the front arm, the operator loosens the bolt each time and moves the rear arm to the optimum position in the front-rear direction, and then tightens the bolt. The rear arm had to be fixed, which was very time consuming.
[0005]
An object of this invention is to provide the conveyance equipment which can adjust the space | interval between a pair of support members (arm) easily.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, the first invention is a transport facility provided with a carrier that supports a transported object and travels along a transport path,
The carrier has a plurality of support members that support the object to be conveyed,
Of the pair of opposing support members, at least one support member is configured to be able to approach and separate in the front-rear direction along the traveling direction of the carrier with respect to the other support member,
Along the above transport routeLoading placeAnd closing the gap in the front-rear direction between the two support members by bringing the one support member closer to the other support member.Is installed,
At the place of loading and unloading along the above transport route,An opening device for separating the one support member from the other support member to increase the space in the front-rear direction between the two support members.Is installed,
By narrowing the space in the front-rear direction between the two support members with the closing device, the object to be conveyed is supported by being sandwiched between the support members from the front-rear direction,
By expanding the space in the front-rear direction between the two support members with the opening device, the object to be conveyed is lowered from between the two support members.
[0007]
According to this, the closing device brings one supporting member closer to the other supporting member to narrow the interval between the two supporting members, and the opening device separates one supporting member from the other supporting member to both the supporting members. By widening the interval, the interval between the pair of support members can be easily adjusted without using human hands.
In the second invention, the carrier is provided with a fixing device for fixing the position of the support member that can approach and separate.
Each of the closing device and the opening device is provided with a fixing release device for releasing the fixing of the position of the support member by the fixing device.
[0008]
According to this, by fixing the position of the support member with the fixing device, the support member supporting the object to be transported moves inadvertently while the carrier is traveling and the interval between the pair of support members is arbitrarily It does not spread out, thereby preventing the transported object from falling off the carrier.
In addition, by releasing the fixing of the supporting member by the fixing device by the fixing releasing device, one supporting member can be moved toward and away from the other supporting member, and the interval between the pair of supporting members is narrowed by the closing device, The distance between the pair of support members can be widened by the opening device.
[0009]
  This third inventionAn engaged member is provided on the support member,
The closing device includes an engaging member that is detachable from the engaged member, and a moving device that moves the engaging member in a direction in which the interval between the pair of supporting members is narrowed.
The engaging member is provided on a rotatable arm, and is between an engaging position at which the arm can be engaged with the engaged member and a separated position at which the engaging member is separated from the engaged member. Is free to leave and exit
The closing device is provided with a retracting member for rotating the arm to retract the engaging member,
When the engaging member is retracted to the separated position, the engaged member can pass under the engaging member in the front-rear direction.Is.
[0010]
  according to this,By engaging the engaging member of the closing device with the engaged member of the supporting member and moving the engaging member with the moving device, the supporting member moves, and the interval between the pair of supporting members is narrowed.
[0011]
  In the fourth invention, the support member is provided with a member to be engaged,
The opening device is composed of an engaging member that can be freely engaged with and disengaged from the engaged member, and a moving device that moves the engaging member in a direction in which the interval between the pair of supporting members is widened.
The engaging member is provided on a rotatable arm, and is between an engaging position at which the arm can be engaged with the engaged member and a separated position at which the engaging member is separated from the engaged member. Is free to leave and exit
The opening device is provided with a retracting member for rotating the arm to retract the engaging member,
When the engaging member is retracted to the separated position, the engaged member can pass under the engaging member in the front-rear direction.
[0012]
  According to this, the engaging member of the opening device is engaged with the engaged member of the supporting member, and the engaging member is moved by the moving device, whereby the supporting member moves, and the interval between the pair of supporting members is increased. Can be spread.
  In the fifth aspect of the present invention, each support member is provided with a holding body that holds the object to be conveyed.
The holding body is formed of an elastic body,
By narrowing the space in the front-rear direction between the two support members with the closing device, the object to be transported is held by being bitten into the holding body when the object to be transported is supported between the support members from the front-rear direction. .
  According to this, the conveyed object is securely held without falling.
  In the sixth aspect of the present invention, when the object to be conveyed is supported by being sandwiched between the two support members from the front and rear direction by narrowing the distance in the front-rear direction between the both support members with the closing device, The pressing force adjustment mechanism that adjustsClosing deviceIt is provided.
  According to this, it is possible to prevent the pressing of the support member against the conveyed object from exceeding a certain value, and it is possible to prevent the conveyed object from being damaged by an excessive force.
  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an anti-displacement device that prevents the transfer object supported by being sandwiched between the two support members from moving in the left-right direction.To careerIt is provided.
  The eighth aspect of the present invention is a transport facility comprising a carrier that supports a transported object and travels along a transport path,
The carrier is a traveling body supported and guided by the rail, and a traveling body, a guide member provided on the traveling body, a plurality of movable bodies supported and guided by the guide member, and a movable body attached to the moving body. It is composed of a plurality of support members that support the object to be transported,
At least one of the pair of support members opposed by the movement of the moving body is configured to be movable toward and away from the other support member in the front-rear direction along the traveling direction of the carrier,
Along the above transport routeLoading placeAnd closing the gap in the front-rear direction between the two support members by bringing the one support member closer to the other support member.Is installed,
At the place of loading and unloading along the above transport route,An opening device for separating the one support member from the other support member to increase the space in the front-rear direction between the two support members.Is installed,
The carrier is provided with a fixing device for fixing the position of a support member that can be moved toward and away from the carrier,
The fixing device includes a first tooth portion provided on the guide member side, a swinging member provided swingably on the movable body, and a swinging member provided on the swinging member and swinging the swinging member. A second tooth portion that is freely detachable from one tooth portion, and a biasing means that biases the swinging member in a fixing direction in which the second tooth portion meshes with the first tooth portion;
Each of the closing device and the opening device is provided with a fixing release device that releases the fixing of the position of the support member by the fixing device,
The unlocking device swings the swinging member in the unlocking direction in which the second tooth part is detached from the first tooth part against the biasing force of the biasing means and is detachable from the swinging member. The fixing release member and an actuating device that operates the fixing release member are included.
[0013]
According to this, since the oscillating member is urged in the fixing direction by the urging means, the second tooth portion meshes with the first tooth portion, so that the moving body is fixed to the guide member side, It is prevented that the space between the pair of support members is arbitrarily expanded or contracted.
Further, when the actuating device operates the fixing release member, the fixing release member swings the swinging member in the unlocking direction against the biasing force of the biasing means, and the second tooth portion is moved from the first tooth portion. As a result, the movable body is released from being fixed, and the movable body is supported and guided by the guide member to be movable. Thereby, the space | interval between a pair of support members can be expanded / contracted.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 19, reference numeral 1 denotes a transport facility that transports a transported object 2 of a part of a vehicle body (for example, a side body) along a transport path 3. The transport facility 1 is provided with a plurality of carriers 4 that support the transported object 2 and travel along the transport path 3, and the transported object 2 is loaded on the carrier 4 at a predetermined position of the transport path 3. A loading place 5 and a loading / unloading place 6 where the object 2 is unloaded from the carrier 4 are formed.
[0015]
The configuration of the carrier 4 will be described below.
That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the carrier 4 has a traveling body 11 that is supported and guided by a ceiling rail 10 provided along the transport path 3 and that can travel freely. The traveling body 11 is provided with a plurality of traveling wheels 12 and a plurality of guide rollers 13 that can roll on the ceiling rail 10, so that any one of the traveling wheels 12 is rotationally driven by the electric motor 14. It is configured.
[0016]
An upper frame body 16 is provided below the traveling body 11. The upper frame body 16 includes a pair of left and right guide members 17, an end connecting member 18 connected between the front and rear ends of both guide members 17, and a central connection connected between the front and rear center portions of both guide members 17. It is comprised with the member 19. FIG.
A pair of front and rear hanger arms 22a and 22b (an example of a support member) are provided on the left and right sides of the upper frame body 16 via the moving body 21, respectively. As shown in FIG. 5, each moving body 21 is supported and guided by the guide member 17 via a plurality of wheels 23, and is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction A. The upper ends of the hanger arms 22 a and 22 b are attached to the moving bodies 21. As the moving bodies 21 move, the hanger arms 22a and 22b move back and forth. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, the front-rear distance W between the pair of front and rear hanger arms 22a and 22b is expanded or reduced.
[0017]
Note that stoppers 26 are provided at both front and rear ends of both guide members 17 to prevent the moving bodies 21 from falling off the guide members 17. In addition, a holding body 24 that holds the object 2 to be conveyed with a constant pressing force and a fall prevention member 25 are provided below the respective hanger arms 22a and 22b. The holding body 24 is formed of an elastic body such as rubber or sponge. When the object 2 is supported by the hanger arms 22a and 22b, the holding body 24 is conveyed to the holding surfaces 50 facing each other before and after each holding body 24. The end of the object 2 is bitten and held. Further, the fall prevention member 25 is a horizontally attached rod-like member, and the end of the article to be transported 2 is caught on the tip of the fall prevention member 25 from above, so that the article to be transported 2 is prevented from falling. .
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the center connecting member 19 is provided with a detent device for preventing the conveyed object 2 supported between the pair of hanger arms 22 a and 22 b from shifting in the left-right direction B. 27 is provided. This slip prevention device 27 is configured in a comb-like shape by a frame 28 that can be moved up and down and a plurality of vertical pins 29 that are arranged side by side in the frame 28 and are movable up and down with respect to the frame 28. Has been. Then, by lowering the frame 28 from above the transported object 2, as shown in FIG. 3, depending on the shape of the transported object 2, some C vertical pins 29 are lifted upward with respect to the frame 28, As a result, the conveyed object 2 is prevented from slipping. The frame 28 is attached to the lower ends of a plurality of shafts 49 provided on the support bracket 48 so as to be movable up and down, and the support bracket 48 is suspended from the central connecting member 19.
[0019]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the carrier 4 is provided with a plurality of fixing devices 74 that fix the position of each moving body 21. These fixing devices 74 are configured as follows. That is, the first tooth 76 (an example of the first tooth portion) is formed in a certain range in the front-rear direction through the bracket 75 at the front and rear end portions of the left and right guide members 17. The moving body 21 is provided with a swing lever 78 (an example of a swing member) that swings in the left-right direction about the front-rear shaft 77. A second tooth 79 (an example of a second tooth portion) is formed which is freely disengaged from the first tooth 76 by movement. Further, each swing lever 78 is urged by a spring 80 (an example of an urging means) in a fixing direction R in which the second tooth 79 engages the first tooth 76. And the position of each moving body 21 is fixed when the 2nd tooth 79 engages with the 1st tooth 76.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 19, the loading place 5 is provided with a closing device 32 for bringing the pair of front and rear hanger arms 22a and 22b closer to each other and reducing the front and rear distance W between the hanger arms 22a and 22b. The configuration of the closing device 32 will be described below.
That is, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, the closing device 32 is provided with a pair of left and right guide rails 33, and both guide rails 33 are supported and guided by the guide rails 33 and are movable in the front-rear direction. A pair of slide members 34 are provided at the front and rear. Each of the guide rails 33 is composed of a pair of left and right rail members 35, and the slide member 34 is inserted between the rail members 35. A plurality of travel rollers 36 and guide rollers that can roll on the rail members 35 are provided. 37.
[0021]
Each slide member 34 is provided with a pressing member 39 (an example of an engaging member) that presses a bar-like engaged member 38 provided on the upper part of each hanger arm 22a, 22b. The engaging member 38 is configured to be freely disengaged. That is, each slide member 34 is provided with a pair of left and right mounting plates 40, and an arm 42 that can be turned up and down is provided between the lower portions of both mounting plates 40 via a horizontal axis 41 in the left-right direction. The pressing member 39 is attached to one free end of the arm 42. A roller 44 is provided on the other free end of each arm 42 via a pin 43 in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 9, the arm 42 is urged by its own weight into an inclined posture in which the pressing member 39 is in the lower position and the roller 44 is in the upper position. In this inclined posture, the pressing member 39 protrudes downward to an engagement position E that can be engaged with the engaged member 38.
[0022]
The closing device 32 is provided with a plurality of cylinder devices 45 (an example of a moving device) that move each slide member 34 in the front-rear direction. The tip of the piston rod 46 of each cylinder device 45 is connected to each slide member 34. Among these, a pressing force adjusting mechanism 47 that adjusts the pressing force of the hanger arms 22a and 22b against the object to be conveyed 2 is provided at the connecting portion between the slide member 34 on either side and the piston rod 46. .
[0023]
The pressing force adjusting mechanism 47 has the following configuration. That is, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the slide member 34 is provided with a plate material 67 protruding upward, and the piston rod 46 penetrates the plate material 67 at the front end and can move back and forth with respect to the plate material 67. A pair of right and left shafts 68 are provided. A washer 69 is attached to the front ends of both shafts 68 by nuts 72, and a compression coil spring 70 is sandwiched between the washer 69 and the plate material 67, and the compression coil spring 70 is externally fitted to the shaft 68. Yes. Further, the slide member 34 is provided with a limit switch 71. As shown by the phantom line in FIG. 11, the piston rod 46 is retracted, and the shaft 68 resists the extension force of the compression coil spring 70. Is moved in the retracting direction D of the piston rod 46 with respect to the plate material 67, the limit switch 71 detects the displacement of the shaft 68 as shown by the phantom line in FIG.
[0024]
As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the closing device 32 is provided with a plurality of retracting members 100 for rotating the arms 42 to retract the pressing member 39 in the vertical direction. That is, each extending / retracting member 100 is provided at a standby position G (see FIG. 7) set at both front and rear ends of both guide rails 33, and includes a horizontal upper plate portion 101, a horizontal lower plate portion 102, The inclined plate portion 103 is provided between the two plate portions 101 and 102. Among these, rolling surfaces 104 and 105 on which the roller 44 can roll are formed on the lower surfaces of the upper plate portion 101 and the inclined plate portion 103, respectively.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 13, when the roller 44 is in contact with the upper rolling surface 104 from below, the arm 42 is inclined and the pressing member 39 is maintained at the engagement position E. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, when the roller 44 is in contact with the inclined rolling surface 105 from below, the arm 42 is in a horizontal posture, and the pressing member 39 is separated from the engaged member 38. Evacuate upward.
[0026]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the closing device 32 is provided with a pair of right and left fixing release devices 85 for releasing the fixation of the moving bodies 21 by the fixing devices 74 of the carrier 4. Each unlocking device 85 is provided on the inner side of each guide rail 33 and is swingable in the left-right direction about the front and rear axis 86, and a release cylinder for swinging both the fixing release members 87. It is comprised with the apparatus 88 (an example of an actuator). The fixing release member 87 is provided over the entire length of the guide rail 33, and is configured to be freely disengaged from the swing lever 78 of the fixing device 74. The second member against the biasing force of the spring 80 is provided. The rocking lever 78 is swung in the unlocking direction U (see the phantom line in FIG. 6) in which the tooth 79 is detached from the first tooth 76. In addition, rod-shaped inner guide members 89 a and 89 b for guiding the swing lever 78 in the front-rear direction A are provided inside the fixing release member 87.
[0027]
Further, as shown in FIG. 19, the unloading place 6 is provided with an opening device 51 for separating the pair of front and rear hanger arms 22a and 22b from each other and widening the front and rear distance W between the hanger arms 22a and 22b. . As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the opening device 51 is similar to the closing device 32 in that the guide rail 52, the slide member 53, the rail member 54, the traveling roller 55, the guide roller 64, A member 56 (an example of an engaging member), a mounting plate 57, a horizontal shaft 58, an arm 59, a pin 60, a roller 61, and a cylinder device 63 (an example of a moving device) having a piston rod 62 are configured. Has been.
[0028]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the guide rail 52 of the opening device 51 is rotated on each of the arms 59 to move the pressing member 56 up and down in the vertical direction, like the closing device 32. A plurality of retractable members 108 that switch between the engagement position E and the separation position F are provided.
Further, similarly to the closing device 32, the opening device 51 is also provided with a pair of left and right fixing release devices 91. Similarly to the fixing release device 85 of the closing device 32, the fixing release device 91 of the opening device 51 includes a fixing release member 92, a release cylinder device 93 (an example of an operating device), and inner guide members 94a and 94b. Yes.
[0029]
Hereinafter, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
The transported object 2 is transported in the following procedures (1) to (4).
{Circle around (1)} As shown in FIG. 19, the object 2 is loaded onto the carrier 4 at the loading place 5.
{Circle around (2)} The carrier 4 is driven to transport the object 2 to be loaded and unloaded from the loading place 5 to the unloading place 6.
{Circle around (3)} At the unloading place 6, the object to be conveyed 2 is lowered from the carrier 4.
(4) The empty carrier 4 is caused to travel along the return path 110 and returned to the loading place 5, and thereafter the above (1) to (4) are repeated.
[0030]
First, the loading of the article 2 to be transferred 2 in the above (1) will be described.
That is, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, the carrier 4 extends the front-rear distance W between the pair of front and rear hanger arms 22 a and 22 b to the maximum, and the positions of the hanger arms 22 a and 22 b are fixed by the fixing device 74. Then, temporarily stop at the loading place 5. And using the running fork (not shown) etc., the to-be-conveyed object 2 is lifted between a pair of front and rear hanger arms 22a and 22b. Thereafter, by the operation of the closing device 32, the front-rear distance W between the pair of front and rear hanger arms 22a, 22b is reduced, and the conveyed object 2 is supported by the respective hanger arms 22a, 22b, as indicated by phantom lines in FIG. The At this time, since the front and rear end portions of the transported object 2 bite into the holding surface 50 of the holding body 24 of each hanger arm 22a, 22b, the transported object 2 is securely held without falling.
[0031]
The operation of the closing device 32 at this time is as follows. That is, at the loading place 5, as shown in FIG. 15, the fixing release members 87 of both the fixing release devices 85 of the closing device 32 are adjacent to the outside of the swing lever 78 of each fixing device 74 of the carrier 4. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the piston rod 88 a of the release cylinder device 88 of each fixation release device 85 is shortened, and the fixation release member 87 swings to one side around the front and rear axis 86. The swing lever 78 of the fixing device 74 is pushed by the fixing release member 87 and swings in the fixing release direction U, so that the second tooth 79 is detached from the first tooth 76, and each fixing device The fixing of the moving body 21 by 74 is released.
[0032]
In this state, as shown in FIG. 7, when the piston rod 46 of each cylinder device 45 is shortened, each slide member 34 is supported and guided from the standby position G to the rail member 35 and moves back and forth so as to approach each other. Each arm 42 changes from a horizontal posture to an inclined posture, and each pressing member 39 moves downward from the separation position F to the engagement position E. As a result, the pressing members 39 engage with the engaged members 38 of the carrier 4 to push the engaged members 38, and the hanger arms 22a and 22b are closed to each other as indicated by phantom lines in FIG. As the moving body 21 moves back and forth in the direction S and approaches and moves back and forth while being supported and guided by the guide member 17, the front-rear distance W between the hanger arms 22a and 22b is reduced, and the conveyed object 2 is moved. It is sandwiched and held between the holding bodies 24 from the front-rear direction A.
[0033]
As the movable body 21 moves, as shown in FIG. 16, the swing lever 78 of each fixing device 74 swings in the unlocking direction U to the inner guide members 89a and 89b of the fixing release member 87. It slides while being guided and guided in the front-rear direction A.
Further, as described above, when the front-rear distance W between the hanger arms 22a and 22b is gradually reduced and the pressing force of the hanger arms 22a and 22b against the conveyed object 2 is gradually increased, the phantom line in FIG. As described above, the washer 69 of the pressing force adjusting mechanism 47 is pulled toward the plate member 67 against the extension force of the coil spring 70, the coil spring 70 is compressed, the interval between the washer 69 and the plate member 67 is reduced, and the shaft 68. As a result of the change, the limit switch 71 is turned on as indicated by the phantom line in FIG. 12, and the operation of each cylinder device 45 is stopped. As a result, it is possible to prevent the pressing force of the hanger arms 22a and 22b against the transported object 2 from exceeding a certain value, and to prevent a problem that the transported object 2 is damaged by excessive pressing force. it can.
[0034]
After that, as shown in FIG. 15, the piston rod 88a of the releasing cylinder device 88 of each fixing release device 85 is extended, and the fixing release member 87 swings to the other about the longitudinal axis 86, so that each The swing lever 78 of the fixing device 74 swings in the fixing direction R by the urging force of the spring 80, so that the second tooth 79 meshes with the first tooth 76, and each moving body 21 is moved. Fixed. Thereby, the hanger arms 22a and 22b are fixed at a position where the transported object 2 is supported.
[0035]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7, when the slide rod 34 returns to the standby position G by the extension of the piston rod 46 of each cylinder device 45, each roller 44 moves to the upper rolling surface 104 as shown in FIG. 13. 14, the arm 42 moves from the inclined position to the horizontal position, and the pressing member 39 moves upward from the engagement position E to the separation position F so as to be engaged. Retreat upward from the member 38.
[0036]
Thereafter, when the carrier 4 travels from the loading place 5 to the unloading place 6, the pressing member 39 is retracted to the separation position F, so that each engaged member 38 is moved to the pressing member 39 as the carrier 4 travels. Pass below.
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, when the frame 28 of the slip prevention device 27 is lowered from above the transported object 2, a part of the vertical pins 29 with respect to the frame 28 depending on the shape of the transported object 2 As a result of the upward lifting, the vertical pin 29 is uneven in the arrangement of the vertical pins 29, thereby preventing displacement of the transported member 2 in the left-right direction B.
[0037]
Further, during the traveling of the carrier 4 of the above (2), since the swing lever 78 of each fixing device 74 is always urged in the fixing direction R by the spring 80, the position of each moving body 21 is fixed, Thereby, the front-rear distance W between the hanger arms 22a and 22b does not spread carelessly, and therefore, the transported object 2 can be prevented from falling off the carrier 4.
[0038]
Further, even if the object to be conveyed 2 held by each holding body 24 is likely to slide down due to vibration or the like, the front and rear end portions of the object to be conveyed 2 are prevented from falling as shown in FIG. Since the tip of the member 25 is hooked from above, the transported object 2 is prevented from dropping from the holding body 24.
Next, the loading and unloading of the article 2 to be transported 2 from the carrier 4 will be described.
That is, the carrier 4 that supports the object to be conveyed 2 temporarily stops at the unloading place 6. And the to-be-conveyed object 2 is supported from the downward direction using a running fork (not shown) etc.
[0039]
Then, the frame 28 of the slip prevention device 27 is raised, and each vertical pin 29 is retracted above the conveyed object 2. Thereafter, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, the opening / closing device 51 causes the front / rear distance W between the pair of front and rear hanger arms 22a and 22b to be maximized, and the conveyed object 2 is transferred from the receiving member 24 to the running fork. It is. The operation of the opening device 51 at this time is as follows.
[0040]
That is, at the unloading place 6, as shown in FIG. 15, the fixing release member 92 of both the fixing release devices 91 of the opening device 51 is adjacent to the swing lever 78 of each fixing device 74 of the carrier 4. Then, the piston rod 93a of each releasing cylinder device 93 is shortened and the fixing release member 92 swings in one direction, whereby the swing lever 78 is pushed by the fixing release member 92 and swings in the fixing release direction U. Accordingly, the second tooth 79 is detached from the first tooth 76, and the fixing of the moving body 21 by each fixing device 74 is released.
[0041]
In this state, as shown in FIG. 17, the piston rod 62 of each cylinder device 63 is shortened, so that each slide member 53 is supported and guided from the standby position G to the rail member 54 and moved back and forth to be separated from each other. Each arm 59 changes from the horizontal posture to the inclined posture, and each pressing member 56 moves downward from the separation position F to the engagement position E. Thereby, each pressing member 56 engages with each engaged member 38 of the carrier 4 and pushes these engaged members 38, and the hanger arms 22 a and 22 b are mutually connected as shown by phantom lines in FIG. 17. While moving forward and backward in the opening direction O and moving away from each other, the moving bodies 21 are supported and guided by the guide member 17 and moved back and forth, so the front-to-back distance W between the hanger arms 22a and 22b is increased, and the conveyed object 2 Are respectively lowered from the holding body 24. At this time, as the moving body 21 moves, the inner guide members 94a and 94b of the fixing release member 92 in a state where the swing lever 78 of each fixing device 74 swings in the fixing release direction U as shown in FIG. And slide while being guided in the front-rear direction A.
[0042]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 15, the piston rod 93a of the releasing cylinder device 93 of both the fixing release devices 91 extends, and the fixing release member 92 swings to the other, whereby the swing lever of each fixing device 74 is moved. 78 is swung in the fixing direction R by the urging force of the spring 80, so that the second tooth 79 meshes with the first tooth 76, and each moving body 21 is fixed. Thereby, as shown with the continuous line of FIG. 1, the hanger arms 22a and 22b are fixed in the position where the space | interval W was expanded to the maximum.
[0043]
Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 17, when the slide rod 53 returns to the standby position G by the extension of the piston rod 62 of each cylinder device 63, each roller 61 moves to the upper rolling surface 104 as shown in FIG. 13. 14, the arm 59 moves from the inclined position to the horizontal position as shown in FIG. 14, and the pressing member 56 moves upward from the engagement position E to the separation position F to be engaged. Retreat upward from the member 38.
[0044]
Thereafter, when the carrier 4 travels from the loading / unloading location 6 toward the return path 110, the pressing member 56 is retracted to the separation position F, so that each engaged member 38 is moved to the pressing member 56 as the carrier 4 travels. Pass below.
As described above, the front-rear distance W of the hanger arms 22a, 22b is narrowed by the closing device 32, and the front-rear distance W of the hanger arms 22a, 22b is increased by the opening device 51, so that it is easy without using human hands. And the front-rear space | interval W of the hanger arms 22a and 22b can be adjusted quickly. In addition, by adjusting the front-rear distance W between the hanger arms 22a and 22b, it is possible to transport the objects 2 having various sizes.
[0045]
Furthermore, the position of each hanger arm 22a, 22b can be fixed by the fixing device 74, and the position fixing of each hanger arm 22a, 22b can be released by the fixing release device 85, 91. Fixing and unfixing can be done easily and quickly without using the.
In the above-described embodiment, when the conveying device 2 is supported by reducing the front-rear distance W between the hanger arms 22a and 22b by the closing device 32, as shown in FIGS. Thus, the pressing force of the hanger arms 22a and 22b against the object to be conveyed 2 can be automatically adjusted to be constant. For this reason, even when the position, shape, or size of the conveyed object 2 set between the pair of front and rear hanger arms 22a, 22b at the loading place 5 is changed or when the holding body 24 is worn, it is constant. The object to be conveyed 2 can be reliably supported by the pressing force, and at this time, the position adjustment of the hanger arms 22a and 22b can be made unnecessary. Further, even when a plurality of types of objects to be conveyed 2 of different sizes are supported, the detection of the pressing force can be provided by a single limit switch 71, and a detector for detecting the pressing force is provided for each type of objects to be conveyed 2. There is no need to provide more than one.
[0046]
In the above-described embodiment, the front-rear interval W of each hanger arm 22a, 22b is configured to be expandable / contractable, but the horizontal interval may be configured to be expandable / contractible.
In the above embodiment, the side body of the vehicle body has been described as an example of the transported object 2, but is not limited to the vehicle body.
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the swing lever 78 is urged in the fixing direction R by using a spring 80 which is an example of the urging means. The moving lever 78 may be urged in the fixing direction R by its own weight.
[0047]
In the embodiment described above, the object to be conveyed 2 is lifted up to the height of the hanger arms 22a and 22b of the carrier 4 using a running fork (not shown) or the like at the loading place 5. You may lower | hang to the height of the conveyed product 2, and may position the conveyed product 2 between hanger arms 22a and 22b.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0048]
In the second embodiment, the closing device 32 is provided with an auxiliary opening mechanism 120 that opens the hanger arms 22a and 22b once the front-rear distance W is narrowed and widens the front-rear distance W of the hanger arms 22a, 22b. ing. The configuration of each auxiliary opening mechanism 120 is as follows.
As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, each slide member 34 is provided with an auxiliary pressing member 121 that presses the engaged member 38 in the opening direction O. These auxiliary pressing members 121 are respectively connected to the engaged member 38. On the other hand, it is configured to be detachable. That is, each auxiliary pressing member 121 is located at a certain distance from the pressing member 39 in the closing direction S, and is attached to the lower end of the auxiliary arm 123 through the horizontal axis 122 in the left-right direction so as to be rotatable up and down. Yes. The auxiliary pressing member 121 has a pressing surface 124 at the upper free end, the engaging position H where the pressing surface 124 contacts the engaged member 38, and the pressing surface 124 of the engaged member 38. It rotates within the range of the separation position I that retracts downward, and is biased to the engagement position H by its own weight.
[0049]
Further, the auxiliary arm 123 is provided on an angle-shaped support material 126 so as to be swingable left and right via a horizontal axis 125 in the front-rear direction, and the support material 126 is attached to each slide member 34. As shown in FIG. 24, the auxiliary arm 123 has a working position J where the auxiliary pressing member 121 acts on the engaged member 38 and a retreat where the auxiliary pressing member 121 retreats downward with respect to the engaged member 38. It swings within the range of the position K and is urged to the retracted position K by the urging means 127. The urging means 127 is a tension coil spring having one end connected to the auxiliary arm 123 and the other end connected to the support member 126.
[0050]
26, when the unlocking member 87 of the closing device 32 swings in one direction and the swing lever 78 swings in the unlocking direction U, as shown by the phantom line in FIG. The upper end of the auxiliary arm 123 is pushed by the fixing release member 87 so that the auxiliary arm 123 swings to the operating position J. 26, when the fixing release member 87 of the closing device 32 swings to the other side and the swing lever 78 swings in the fixing direction R, as shown in FIG. 123 is configured to swing to the retracted position K by the urging force of the urging means 127. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 26, outer guide members 128a and 128b are provided on the outer sides of the respective fixing release members 87.
[0051]
Hereinafter, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
The operation of the closing device 32 is as follows. That is,
(A) At the loading place 5, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 26, the fixing release members 87 of both the fixing release devices 85 of the closing device 32 are outside the swing lever 78 of each fixing device 74 of the carrier 4, and Adjacent to the inside of the auxiliary arm 123 of the auxiliary opening mechanism 120. Then, the piston rod 88a of the release cylinder device 88 of each release device 85 is shortened, and the release member 87 swings to one side around the longitudinal axis 86 as shown by the phantom line in FIG. Thus, the swing lever 78 of each fixing device 74 is pushed by the fixing release member 87 and swings in the unlocking direction U, so that the second tooth 79 is disengaged from the first tooth 76, The fixing of the moving body 21 by each fixing device 74 is released. Further, at this time, as shown in FIG. 24, the upper end portion of the auxiliary arm 123 is pushed by the fixing release member 87 and the auxiliary arm 123 swings to the operating position J.
[0052]
(B) In this state, as shown in FIG. 20, when the piston rod 46 of each cylinder device 45 is shortened, each slide member 34 is supported and guided from the standby position G to the rail member 35 and moves back and forth. In order to approach, each arm 42 changes from a horizontal posture to an inclined posture, and each pressing member 39 moves downward from the separation position F to the engagement position E. At this time, when each engaged member 38 of the carrier 4 is located on the closing direction S side with respect to each auxiliary pressing member 121, as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 23 by the movement of each slide member 34. The back surface 129 opposite to the pressing surface 124 of each auxiliary pressing member 121 contacts the engaged member 38, and the auxiliary pressing member 121 rotates from the engagement position H to the separation position I. As a result, the auxiliary pressing member 121 passes below the engaged member 38 in the closing direction S, and immediately after passing, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 23, the auxiliary pressing member 121 returns to the engagement position H by its own weight, Thereafter, each pressing member 39 engages with each engaged member 38 of the carrier 4 and pushes these engaged members 38, and the respective hanger arms 22a, 22b move back and forth in the closing direction S and approach each other. Since each moving body 21 is supported and guided by the guide member 17 and moves back and forth, the front-to-back distance W between the hanger arms 22a and 22b is reduced, and the conveyed object 2 is sandwiched between the holding bodies 24 from the front-rear direction A. Retained.
[0053]
As the moving body 21 moves, the swing lever 78 of each fixing device 74 swings in the unlocking direction U as shown in FIG. Abutting and sliding while being guided in the front-rear direction A, and further, the auxiliary arm 123 of the auxiliary opening mechanism 120 is in contact with the outer guide members 128a and 128b of the fixing release member 87 while swinging to the operating position J. Slide while being guided in direction A.
[0054]
(C) Thereafter, the piston rod 88a of the releasing cylinder device 88 of each fixing release device 85 is extended, and the fixing release member 87 is swung to the other about the longitudinal axis 86 as shown by the solid line in FIG. By doing so, the swing lever 78 of each fixing device 74 swings in the fixing direction R due to the biasing force of the spring 80, so that the second tooth 79 meshes with the first tooth 76, Each moving body 21 is fixed. Thereby, the hanger arms 22a and 22b are fixed at a position where the transported object 2 is supported. At this time, as shown in FIG. 25, the auxiliary arm 123 swings from the operating position J to the retracted position K by the urging force of the urging means 127. Thereby, the auxiliary pressing member 121 is retracted below the engaged member 38.
[0055]
(D) Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 20, when each slide member 34 returns to the standby position G due to the extension of the piston rod 46 of each cylinder device 45, each roller 44 is inclined via the upper rolling surface 104. Since the arm 42 moves from the inclined posture to the horizontal posture because the transition to the rolling surface 105 occurs, the pressing member 39 moves upward from the engagement position E to the separation position F and retracts upward from the engaged member 38. At this time, as shown in FIG. 25, the auxiliary arm 123 swings to the retracted position K, and the auxiliary pressing member 121 is retracted below the engaged member 38. At the time of returning to G, the auxiliary pressing member 121 passes below the engaged member 38 and returns to the standby position G.
[0056]
The above (a) to (d) are a series of cases where the front-rear distance W between the hanger arms 22a and 22b is reduced by the closing device 32 and the transported object 2 is correctly sandwiched and held between the holding bodies 24. Is the operation. Next, an operation in the case where a problem occurs when the transported object 2 is held by each holding body 24 will be described.
That is, after the operation (a), in the operation (b), the front-rear distance W between the hanger arms 22a, 22b is reduced, and the conveyed object 2 is held between the holding members 24 from the front-rear direction. In the event that, for example, a problem such as the object 2 being held in an abnormal posture occurs, an attitude abnormality of the object 2 is detected by an attitude detection device (not shown) or the like. 26, the swing lever 78 swings in the unlocking direction U by the fixing release member 87 as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 26, and the auxiliary arm 123 swings to the operating position J as shown in FIG. Thus, as shown in FIG. 22, each slide member 34 moves in the opening direction O opposite to the closing direction S and returns to the standby position G.
[0057]
At this time, each auxiliary pressing member 121 moves in the opening direction O together with each slide member 34. At this time, each auxiliary pressing member 121 is urged to the engagement position H by its own weight, so that the pressing surface 124 is engaged. Abutting on the joining member 38 and pressing in the opening direction O. Thereby, each hanger arm 22a, 22b once moved in the closing direction S moves backward in the opening direction O, and the front-rear interval W between the both hanger arms 22a, 22b is expanded.
[0058]
Thereafter, the above operations (a) and (b) are performed again. In (b), the object to be conveyed 2 is correctly held by each holding body 24, and if no occurrence of a failure is detected, then, The operations (c) and (d) are executed.
As described above, when a trouble occurs when the front and rear distance W between the two hanger arms 22a and 22b is reduced by the closing device 32 to support the transported object 2, both the hanger arms 22a are temporarily supported by the auxiliary opening mechanism 120. , 22b can be expanded, and then the front-to-back distance W between the two hanger arms 22a, 22b can be reduced again to support the object to be conveyed 2, so that safety is improved. , Reliable transport can be carried out.
[0059]
In the first and second embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1, the suspension type carrier 4 that is supported and guided by the ceiling rail 10 is shown, but as a third embodiment, FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, a cart 151 that travels on the floor 150 may be used. The carrier 151 is guided by the floor rail 152 and can travel freely, a pair of left and right guide members 154 mounted above the traveling body 153, and supported and guided by both guide members 154 to move back and forth. The movable body 155 includes a movable body 155 and support arms 156 a and 156 b (an example of a support member) provided on the movable body 155. Further, the third embodiment has the same structure as the closing device 32, the opening device 51, the fixing device 74, and the fixing releasing devices 85 and 91 in the first embodiment described first.
[0060]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the closing device causes one support member to approach the other support member to narrow the distance between the two support members, and the opening device supports one support member to the other. By separating the members from each other and widening the distance between the two support members, the distance between the pair of support members can be easily adjusted without using human hands.
[0061]
According to the second aspect of the invention, by fixing the position of the support member with the fixing device, the support member supporting the object to be transported is inadvertently moved while the carrier is running, etc. Thus, it is possible to prevent the object to be transported from dropping from the carrier. In addition, by releasing the fixing of the supporting member by the fixing device by the fixing releasing device, one supporting member can be moved toward and away from the other supporting member, and the interval between the pair of supporting members is narrowed by the closing device, The distance between the pair of support members can be widened by the opening device.
[0062]
  According to the third invention,By engaging the engaging member of the closing device with the engaged member of the supporting member and moving the engaging member with the moving device, the supporting member moves, and the interval between the pair of supporting members is narrowed.
  According to the fourth invention,By engaging the engaging member of the opening device with the engaged member of the supporting member and moving the engaging member with the moving device, the supporting member moves, and the interval between the pair of supporting members is widened.
[0063]
  According to the fifth invention,The conveyed object is securely held without falling.
  According to the sixth invention,It is possible to prevent the pressing of the support member against the conveyed object from exceeding a certain value, and it is possible to prevent the conveyed object from being damaged by an excessive force.
  According to the eighth invention,Since the oscillating member is urged in the fixing direction by the urging means, the second tooth portion meshes with the first tooth portion, so that the movable body is fixed to the guide member side, and a pair of support members It is prevented that the interval between them is arbitrarily expanded or reduced.
[0064]
Further, when the actuating device operates the fixing release member, the fixing release member swings the swinging member in the unlocking direction against the biasing force of the biasing means, and the second tooth portion is moved from the first tooth portion. As a result, the movable body is released from being fixed, and the movable body is supported and guided by the guide member to be movable. Thereby, the space | interval between a pair of support members can be expanded / contracted.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a carrier of a transport facility according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the upper frame body of the carrier.
3 is a view taken along arrow XX in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a front view of the carrier deviation preventing device.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the carrier fixing device.
FIG. 6 is a front view of the carrier fixing device and the closing device and the unlocking device of the opening device.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the closing device of the transfer facility.
FIG. 8 is a plan view of the closing device.
FIG. 9 is a side view of the slide member of the closing device.
10 is a view taken in the direction of arrows XX in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a side view of the slide member of the closing device, and includes a pressing force adjusting mechanism.
12 is a view taken along arrow XX in FIG. 11. FIG.
FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the action of the retracting member provided in the closing device and the opening device of the transport facility, showing a state in which the pressing member protrudes to the engagement position.
FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the action of the retracting member, showing a state in which the pressing member is retracted to the separation position.
FIG. 15 is a front view showing a state where the moving body is fixed by the fixing device of the transfer facility.
FIG. 16 is a front view showing a state where the fixing of the moving body is released by the fixing release device.
FIG. 17 is a side view of the opening device of the transfer facility.
FIG. 18 is a plan view of the opening device.
FIG. 19 is a schematic plan view of the transfer facility.
FIG. 20 is a side view of a transfer facility closing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a plan view of the closing device.
FIG. 22 is a view in which the front and rear intervals between the hanger arms are opened using the auxiliary opening mechanism of the closing device.
FIG. 23 is a side view of the auxiliary opening mechanism of the closing device.
24 is a view taken in the direction of arrows XX in FIG. 23 and shows a state where the auxiliary arm is switched to the operating position.
25 is a view taken along the line XX in FIG. 23 and shows a state where the auxiliary arm is switched to the retracted position.
FIG. 26 is a view showing an operational relationship between the fixing release member of the fixing release device of the closing device and the auxiliary arm of the auxiliary opening mechanism.
FIG. 27 is a side view of the carrier of the transport facility according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Transport equipment
2 Conveyed objects
3 Transport route
4 Career
10 Ceiling rail
11 Running body
17 Guide member
21 Mobile
22a, 22b Hanger arm (support member)
32 Closing device
39 Pressing member (engaging member)
45 Cylinder device (moving device)
51 Opening device
56 Pressing member (engaging member)
63 Cylinder device (moving device)
74 Fixing device
76 1st tooth (1st tooth part)
78 Swing lever (swing member)
79 Second tooth (second tooth)
80 Spring (biasing means)
85, 91 Unlocking device
87,92 Unlocking member
88,93 Release cylinder device (actuator)
151 Career
152 Floor rail
153 traveling body
154 Guide member
155 mobile
156a, 156b Support arm (support member)
R Fixed direction
U Unlocking direction
Width before and after W

Claims

A transport facility provided with a carrier that supports the object to be transported and travels along the transport path,
The carrier has a plurality of support members that support the object to be conveyed,
Of the pair of opposing support members, at least one support member is configured to be able to approach and separate in the front-rear direction along the traveling direction of the carrier with respect to the other support member,
At the loading place along the transport path, a closing device is installed to reduce the distance in the front-rear direction between the two support members by bringing the one support member closer to the other support member ,
An opening device is installed at the loading / unloading location along the transport path to separate the one support member from the other support member and widen the space in the front-rear direction between the two support members ,
By narrowing the space in the front-rear direction between the two support members with the closing device, the object to be conveyed is supported by being sandwiched between the support members from the front-rear direction,
A conveying facility characterized in that the object to be conveyed is lowered from between the two supporting members by widening the distance between the two supporting members in the front-rear direction with the opening device.

The carrier is provided with a fixing device for fixing the position of the support member which can be moved close to and away from,
2. The transfer equipment according to claim 1, wherein each of the closing device and the opening device is provided with a fixing releasing device for releasing the fixing of the position of the support member by the fixing device.

An engaged member is provided on the support member,
The closing device includes an engaging member that is detachable from the engaged member, and a moving device that moves the engaging member in a direction in which the interval between the pair of supporting members is narrowed.
The engaging member is provided on a rotatable arm, and is between an engaging position at which the arm can be engaged with the engaged member and a separated position at which the engaging member is separated from the engaged member. Is free to leave and exit
The closing device is provided with a retracting member for rotating the arm to retract the engaging member,
The conveying equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the engaging member is retracted to the separation position, the engaged member can pass under the engaging member in the front-rear direction.

An engaged member is provided on the support member,
The opening device is composed of an engaging member that can be freely engaged with and disengaged from the engaged member, and a moving device that moves the engaging member in a direction in which the interval between the pair of supporting members is widened.
The engaging member is provided on a rotatable arm, and is between an engaging position at which the arm can be engaged with the engaged member and a separated position at which the engaging member is separated from the engaged member. Is free to leave and exit
The opening device is provided with a retracting member for rotating the arm to retract the engaging member,
The conveying equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the engaging member is retracted to the separation position, the engaged member can pass under the engaging member in the front-rear direction.

Each support member is provided with a holding body for holding a conveyed object,
The holding body is formed of an elastic body,
By narrowing the space in the front-rear direction between the two support members with a closing device, the object to be transported is held by being bitten into the holding body when the object to be transported is supported between the support members from the front-rear direction. The transfer equipment according to claim 1 or 2.

A pressing force adjustment that adjusts the pressing force of the support member against the object to be conveyed when the object to be conveyed is sandwiched and supported by the both supporting members from the front and rear direction by narrowing the distance in the front-rear direction between the both support members by the closing device. 3. The transport facility according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism is provided in a closing device .

The conveyance equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an anti-displacement device is provided in the carrier for preventing the object to be conveyed sandwiched and supported by both support members from being displaced in the left-right direction.

A transport facility provided with a carrier that supports the object to be transported and travels along the transport path,
The carrier is a traveling body supported and guided by the rail, and a traveling body, a guide member provided on the traveling body, a plurality of movable bodies supported and guided by the guide member, and a movable body attached to the moving body. It is composed of a plurality of support members that support the object to be transported,
At least one of the pair of support members opposed by the movement of the moving body is configured to be movable toward and away from the other support member in the front-rear direction along the traveling direction of the carrier,
At the loading place along the transport path, a closing device is installed to reduce the distance in the front-rear direction between the two support members by bringing the one support member closer to the other support member ,
An opening device is installed at the loading / unloading location along the transport path to separate the one support member from the other support member and widen the space in the front-rear direction between the two support members ,
The carrier is provided with a fixing device for fixing the position of a support member that can be moved toward and away from the carrier,
The fixing device includes a first tooth portion provided on the guide member side, a swinging member provided swingably on the movable body, and a swinging member provided on the swinging member and swinging the swinging member. A second tooth portion that is freely detachable from one tooth portion, and a biasing means that biases the swinging member in a fixing direction in which the second tooth portion meshes with the first tooth portion;
Each of the closing device and the opening device is provided with a fixing release device that releases the fixing of the position of the support member by the fixing device,
The unlocking device swings the swinging member in the unlocking direction in which the second tooth part is detached from the first tooth part against the biasing force of the biasing means and is detachable from the swinging member. A transport facility comprising a fixing release member and an operating device for operating the fixing release member.