JP4161273B2 - Transport device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides a blower-type support means for supplying clean air toward the lower surface of a conveyed product to support the conveyed product in a horizontal posture or a substantially horizontal posture in a non-contact state, and a conveyed product supported by the blower-type support device. It is related with the conveying apparatus provided with the conveyance part provided with the propulsive force provision means which contacts the lower surface of this and provides the propulsive force of a conveyance direction to a conveyed product.

Such a conveying device is configured to support the conveyed object in a non-contact state by the blower-type support means and apply a propulsive force in the conveying direction to the conveyed object in a contact state by the propelling force applying means. Yes, for example, in the case of transporting a glass substrate for liquid crystal as a transported object, the portion to be commercialized in the glass substrate is supported in a non-contact state by the blower-type support means, and cut when being commercialized on the glass substrate. The propelling force is applied in the contact state by the propelling force applying means, and the propelling force is applied in the contact state while supporting the portion where the contact support in the transported object is not preferable. Suitable for doing.
And a main transport unit that transports the transported object in the main transport direction and a sub transport unit that transports the transported object in the sub transport direction that intersects the main transport direction. In the case of transporting by switching to the transport direction, it is necessary to perform branch transport for transporting the transported material from the main transport unit to the sub transport unit.
Therefore, a branch transport unit for branch transport that is located at a connection point between the main transport unit and the sub transport unit, carries a transported product from the main transport unit, and carries out the transported product to the sub transport unit. The transport unit for branch transport supports the lower surface of the transported object, and transports the transported object carried by the transfer means capable of moving the transported object up and down and toward the sub-transporting part. Therefore, there is one configured to perform branch conveyance (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2000-62951 A

  In the conventional transfer unit for branch conveyance, the lower surface of the conveyed product carried in from the main conveyance unit is supported by the blower-type support means, and the blown-type support unit is moved so that the conveyed item is carried out to the sub-transport unit. In order to support the transported article carried into the branch transport section by the blower-type support means, a predetermined amount is required to support the transported article and the lower surface of the transported article. In order to avoid contact with the blower-type support means trying to move to the position, it is necessary to first move the blower-type support means to a predetermined position and then bring the conveyed product into the branch conveyance unit. In addition, since the next transported object cannot be previously loaded into the transport unit for branch transport before the branch transport of the previous transported object is completed, there is a disadvantage that the branch transport cannot be performed efficiently.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a transport apparatus capable of performing branch transport with high performance.

The transport device of the present invention is supported by a blower-type support unit that supplies clean air toward the lower surface of the transported object and supports the transported object in a horizontal posture or a substantially horizontal posture in a non-contact state and the blower-type support unit. A conveying device provided with a conveying unit provided with a propelling force applying means for contacting the lower surface of the conveyed item and applying a propulsive force in the conveying direction to the conveyed item,
A 1st characteristic structure is as follows. The main conveyance part which conveys a conveyed product in the main conveyance direction as a said conveyance part, the sub conveyance part which conveys a conveyed product in the sub conveyance direction which cross | intersects the said main conveyance direction, and the said main conveyance part And a relay transport unit for branching and transporting the transported material from the main transport unit and unloading the transported material to the sub transport unit. The transport unit is a transfer unit that carries the transported material from the main transport unit by the propelling force imparting means provided therein, and sucks and holds the upper surface of the transported material to move the transported material up and down and in the sub-transport direction. In this case, the branched transport is performed by transporting the transported article carried into the sub-transport section.

That is, the propelling force applying means provided in the relay transport section carries the material from the main transport section to the relay transport section, the upper surface of the transported article is sucked and held by the transport means, and the transported object is transported by the transport means. Branch conveyance is performed by moving the conveyed product up and down and in the sub-conveying direction and carrying the conveyed product to the sub-conveying unit.
That is, it is possible to carry the next transported object into the relay transport part in a state in which the upper transported object that has been carried into the relay transport part to be branched and transported is sucked and held, In addition, even if the subsequent transported object is previously loaded into the relay transport unit before the branch transport of the previous transported object is completed in this way, the transporting means keeps the upper surface of the transported object by sucking and holding it. Since it is configured to move the object up and down and in the sub-transport direction, it is possible to suck and hold the upper surface of the transport object that has been previously carried into the relay transport unit, and to transport the transported object to the sub-transport unit. .
Therefore, since the next transported object can be loaded in advance into the transporting part for branch transport before the branch transport of the previous transported object is completed, the branch transport can be performed efficiently, and therefore the branch transport is performed. It has become possible to provide a transport device that can perform the above in a high capacity.

The first characterizing feature of the previous SL auxiliary carrier section, the relative vertical movement of a driving force applying means that gave provided thereto and the blowing-type supporting means, said the lower surface of the conveyed object to be supported by the air blowing type supporting means It is configured to be switchable between a conveying state in which the propulsive force applying means is brought into contact and a retracted state in which the propelling force applying means is brought into a non-contact state with respect to a conveyed product supported by the blower-type supporting means. And

  That is, the conveyed product is carried out to the sub-conveying unit switched to the retracted state by the transfer unit, and then the sub-conveying unit is switched to the conveying state, and the conveyed conveyed product is transferred to the propulsive force applying unit provided in the sub-conveying unit. By applying the propulsive force, the propelling force applying means that is brought into contact with the lower surface of the conveyed product can reliably convey the conveyed item in the sub conveying direction, while the conveyed item is transferred to the sub conveying unit. It is possible to prevent damage to the conveyed product due to the contact between the conveyed product and the propelling force applying means when unloading.

The second characteristic feature, in addition to the first feature structure, the relay conveying unit, in the propulsion force applying means carries the transport conveying prepared by the carry from the sub-carrier portion at said transfer means By carrying it out to the said main conveyance part, it is characterized by the point which is comprised so that a conveyance thing may be carried in from the said sub conveyance part, and the conveyance thing carried in may be carried out to the said main conveyance thing.

  That is, for example, a main transport unit is provided on both sides of the relay transport unit in the main transport direction, and the transport means is configured to be able to move the transported object in the forward / reverse direction of the sub transport direction. From the main transport unit to the relay transport unit, the transported material is transported from the relay transport unit to the sub transport unit by the transfer means, and branched and transported. It is possible to carry out both the branching operation and the merging and transporting, such as carrying in and carrying out the transported material from the relay transporting part to the main transporting part on the lower transport side by the propelling force applying means and performing the merging and transporting. It can be configured as a relay transfer unit.

In the third characteristic configuration, in addition to the first or second characteristic configuration described above, the relay conveyance unit is configured to use the blowing type support unit by moving the propulsion force applying unit and the blowing type support unit provided thereto relative to each other. Switching between a conveying state in which the propulsive force applying means is brought into contact with the lower surface of the supported article to be supported and a retracted state in which the propelling force applying means is in a non-contact state with respect to the conveyed object supported by the blower-type supporting means. It is characterized by being configured to be possible.

That is, for example, when carrying a branch conveyance in which the propelling force applying means carries in the intermediate conveyance section from the upper conveyance side to the relay conveyance section, and the conveyed article is carried out from the relay conveyance section to the sub conveyance section by the transfer means. In addition, when the transported object transported to the relay transport unit is attracted and held by the transfer means, the transfer means is pressed against the upper surface of the transported object to hold the transported object by switching the relay transport unit to the retracted state. Even so, the transported object is not sandwiched between the transfer means and the propulsion force applying means, and the transported object can be prevented from being damaged.
In addition, for example, when the transporting means carries in the transporting part from the sub-transporting part to the relaying transporting part, and the transported goods are transported from the relaying transporting part to the main transporting part on the lower transport side by the propelling force applying means. Then, the transported article is carried out to the relay transport section switched to the retracted state by the transfer means, and then the relay transport section is switched to the transport state, and the transported transported article is transferred to the propulsive force applying means provided in the relay transport section. By applying the propulsive force, the transported object can be reliably transported in the main transport direction, while the transported object is brought into contact with the propulsive force applying means when being transported to the relay transport unit. It is possible to prevent the transported goods from being damaged due to this.

In the fourth feature configuration, in addition to the first to third feature configurations described above, the blower-type support means supplies a dust filter that removes dust and clean air toward the lower surface of the conveyed product through the dust filter. It is characterized in that the blower unit integrally assembled with the means is arranged in the main transport direction and the sub transport direction.

  In other words, by simply providing a blower unit in which the air blowing means and the dust filter are assembled together in the main transport direction and the sub-transport direction, clean air is supplied toward the lower surface of the transported object to remove the transported object. Since the blower-type support means for supporting in a contact state can be installed, the blower-type support means can be easily installed, and thus a transport device that can facilitate manufacture can be provided.

  Hereinafter, the case where the transport device according to the present invention is configured to transport a rectangular glass substrate for liquid crystal as a transport object will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transport device H includes a main transport unit 5 a that transports the glass substrate 2 in the main transport direction, a sub transport unit 5 b that transports the glass substrate 2 in the sub transport direction that intersects the main transport direction, and Located at the connection point between the main transport section 5a and the sub transport section 5b, the relay transport section 5c that carries in the glass substrate 2 from the main transport section 5a and carries out the loaded glass substrate 2 to the sub transport section 5b is the transport section. It is provided as.

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 9, each transport unit supports and is supported by the glass substrate 2 by the blower-type support means 3 that is supported in a non-contact state and the propulsive force imparting means 4 that is supported in a contact state. The glass substrate 2 is configured to convey the glass substrate 2 in the conveying direction by applying the propelling force in the conveying direction by the propelling force applying means 4, and the blowing type supporting means 3 and the propelling force applying means 4 are arranged in the storage case 7. It is stored in.
And as shown in FIG. 12, each conveyance part is equipped based on the detection result of the presence sensor T with which the relay conveyance part 5c which detects whether the glass substrate 2 exists on a conveyance path | route exists. Further, there is provided a control device E for controlling the operation of the transfer means 6 and the like which are capable of adsorbing and holding the upper surface 2b of the glass substrate 2 and moving the glass substrate 2 up and down and in the sub-transport direction.
The main transport unit 5a is configured by arranging one or a plurality of main transport units, the sub transport unit 5b is configured by arranging one or a plurality of sub transport units, and the relay transport unit 5c includes: It is composed of one relay transport unit. That is, the transport apparatus H is configured by combining a main transport unit, a sub transport unit, and a relay transport unit.

The relay conveyance unit 5c will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the relay transport unit 5 c is provided in the blower-type support means 3 provided in the relay transport unit 5 c and the relay transport unit 5 c that imparts a propulsive force in the transport direction to the glass substrate 2. The propulsion force applying means 4, the detection sensor T, and the case body 7 provided in the relay conveying unit 5 c that houses the blower-type support means 3, the propulsion force applying means 4, and the detection sensor T are configured. ing.

The case body 7 provided in the relay conveyance section 5c is conveyed to both sides of the unit frame body 9 having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view for mounting and supporting the blow type support means 3 and both sides of the unit frame body 9 in the lateral width direction. The storage frame 8 is provided in a fixed state along the direction.
As shown in FIG. 4, each of the storage frames 8 is formed in a rectangular tube shape when viewed in the transport direction, and a storage cover 8c that can be opened and closed on the side opposite to the side of the inner wall 8a connected to the unit frame 9. The lower wall 8b of the storage frame 8 is provided with an external discharge port 21 for discharging the air in the storage frame to the outside. And the sub ventilation unit 23 which has a ventilation function and a dust removal function is provided so that the external discharge port 21 may be obstruct | occluded, The air in the storage frame 8 is cleaned in this sub ventilation unit 23, and it discharges | emits outside. It is configured to be.
The unit frame 9 is a substantially rectangular plate-like plate having a support frame portion 9a assembled with a frame member, and an air introduction port 11 which is positioned below the support frame portion 9a and introduces external air. It is comprised with the shape frame part 9b.

  The blower-type support means 3 provided in the relay conveyance unit 5c will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the blower-type support means 3 supplies clean air toward the lower surface 2a of the glass substrate 2. A plurality of fan filter units (an example of an air blowing unit) 14 and an air conditioning plate 15 that is mounted and supported on the fan filter unit 14 and performs air conditioning of clean air supplied to the lower surface 2a of the glass substrate 2 are configured. Has been. The fan filter unit 14 is connected and fixed to the support frame portion 9a, and a dust removal filter 12 that removes dust, and a blower fan 13 that supplies clean air to the lower surface 2a of the glass substrate 2 through the dust removal filter 12 ( And an example of the air blowing means. The air conditioning plate 15 has a vent hole 15a formed by punching.

Next, the propulsive force applying means 4 provided in the relay conveyance unit 5c will be described. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the propulsive force applying means 4 includes a pair of roller-type propulsive force applying portions 4 a that contact and support both end portions of the glass substrate 2 in the lateral width direction, and is configured as a double-side drive type. The pair of propulsive force imparting portions 4a are provided so as to be distributed to the pair of storage frames 8.
Each of the propulsive force imparting portions 4 a includes an electric motor 25, a transmission shaft 27 having a spur gear 28 that meshes with an output gear of the electric motor 25, and an input gear 30 that meshes with an output gear 29 provided on the transmission shaft 27. And a large number of output shafts 26 provided. The transmission motor 25 and the transmission shaft 27 are provided in the storage frame 8, and the output shaft 26 is rotatably supported on the inner wall 8 a in a state of protruding from the storage frame 8. The portion of the output shaft 26 that protrudes from the storage frame 8 is provided with the drive roller 24 that contacts and supports the lower surface 2a of the glass substrate 2 and applies a propulsive force. The drive roller 24 is shown in FIG. As described above, the large-diameter portion 24 a that contacts the side surfaces of both end portions of the glass substrate 2 in the lateral width direction and receives movement of the glass substrate 2 in the lateral width direction is provided.

Next, the main transport unit 5a will be described. In addition, about the thing comprised similarly to the relay conveyance part 5c, the code | symbol same as the relay conveyance part 5c is attached | subjected, and description is abbreviate | omitted.
As shown in FIG. 9, the main transport unit 5 a includes the blow type support means 3 provided in the main transport unit 5 a and the propulsive force provided in the main transport unit 5 a that imparts a propulsive force in the transport direction to the glass substrate 2. The applying means 4 and the case body 7 provided in the main transport part 5a for accommodating the blowing type supporting means 3 and the propelling force applying means 4 are configured. In addition to the unit frame body 9 and the pair of storage frames 8, the case body 7 includes a transport cover 20 provided over the upper ends of the pair of storage frames 7.

  Next, the sub-conveying unit 5b will be described. Since the main conveying unit 5a is configured in the same manner except for the width of the sub-conveying unit 5b except for the carrying-in sub-conveying unit 5ba, the sub-conveying unit Portions other than the carry-in sub-conveying unit 5ba in 5b are assigned the same reference numerals as those in the main conveying unit 5a, and description thereof is omitted. In addition, the carry-in sub-conveying unit 5ba is also given the same reference numeral for the same configuration as the other carrying units, and the description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sub transport unit 5 b is provided with a loading sub transport unit 5 ba for transporting the glass substrate 2 from the relay transport unit 5 c.
As shown in FIG. 10, the carry-in sub-transport unit 5 ba includes a blow-type support unit 3 provided in the carry-in sub-transfer unit 5 ba and a carry-in sub-transport unit that applies a propulsive force in the sub-transport direction to the glass substrate 2. 5 ba is provided with a propulsive force applying means 4 and a case body 7 provided in a carrying-in sub-conveying portion 5 ba that houses the blower-type support means 3 and the propelling force applying means 4.
Then, the carrying-in sub-conveying unit 5ba makes the propelling force applying means 4 contact the lower surface 2a of the glass substrate 2 supported by the blower-type supporting means 3 by raising and lowering the propelling force applying means 4 provided therein. It is configured to be switchable between a conveying state to be carried out and a retracted state in which the propelling force applying means 4 is in a non-contact state with respect to the glass substrate 2 supported by the blower-type support means 3.

  Explaining the raising / lowering operation of the propulsive force applying means 4 provided in the carrying-in sub-conveying section 5ba, each of the pair of storage frames 8 is supported by the unit frame body 9 so as to be movable up and down. That is, an electric frame motor 31 for raising and lowering the storage frame 8 is provided at each lower portion of the storage frame 8. The output gear 31 a of the frame motor 31 and the unit frame body are provided. 9 is engaged with a gear groove 9c formed on the side surface of the support frame portion 9a. Therefore, by driving and rotating the pair of frame motors 31 in the forward and reverse directions, each of the pair of storage frames 8 is moved up and down, and the propulsive force applying means 4 provided in the pair of storage frames 8 is moved up and down. Will be. FIG. 10 shows a state where the carry-in sub-transport portion 5ba is switched to the retracted state.

  Next, the transfer means 6 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 11, the transfer means 6 includes an adsorption pad 6 a that adsorbs and holds the upper surface 5 b of the glass substrate 2 on the lower surface of the support portion 6 b, and is adsorbed by a driving mechanism that is not shown. The pad 6a is configured to be movable up and down and on the main transport unit 5a and on the carry-in sub transport unit 5ba. Therefore, the glass substrate 2 can be moved up and down and transferred in the sub-transport direction by moving the suction pad 6a in the lift operation and the sub-transport direction while holding the upper surface 5b of the glass substrate 2 by suction.

Next, as shown by an arrow A in FIG. 1, the glass substrate 2 is carried from the main conveyance unit 5a on the upper conveyance side to the relay conveyance unit 5c, and the carried glass substrate 2 is conveyed on the lower conveyance side without changing the conveyance direction. Main transporting to the main transport unit 5a, and as shown by the arrow B, the glass substrate 2 is transported from the main transport unit 5a to the relay transport unit 5c, and the transport direction of the loaded glass substrate 2 is defined as the main transport direction. A case will be described in which branch conveyance is performed in which the glass substrate 2 is carried out to the sub conveyance unit 5b by switching from the direction to the sub conveyance direction.
In the case of performing the main conveyance as shown by the arrow A in FIG. 1, the propulsive force applying means 4 and the relay conveying part 5c provided in the main conveying part 5a to give the glass substrate 2 the propelling force in the main conveying direction. The glass substrate 2 is transferred from the main transfer unit 5a on the upper transfer side to the relay transfer unit 5c, and the transferred glass substrate 2 is transferred to the main transfer unit 5a on the lower transfer side. To be taken out.

  Further, in the case of performing the branch conveyance as shown by the arrow B in FIG. 1, first, the propulsive force applying means 4 provided in the main conveyance portion 5 a to apply the propulsive force in the main conveyance direction to the glass substrate 2 and The driving force applying means 4 provided in the relay transport unit 5c is actuated, and the glass substrate 2 is carried into the relay transport unit 5c from the main transport unit 5a on the upper side of the transport, and the carried glass substrate 2 is transported to the relay transport unit 5c. When the detection sensor T detects that the sheet has been transported to a predetermined position, the driving force applying means 4 provided in the main transfer unit 5a and the driving force applying means 4 provided in the relay transfer unit 5c are actuated. Stop. In this state, the lower surface 2a is supported by the blower-type support means 3 and the propulsion force applying means 4 as shown in FIG.

  And the glass substrate 2 carried in to the relay conveyance part 5c is carried out by the transfer means 6 to the carrying-in sub conveyance part 5ba in the sub conveyance part 5b. The operation of the transfer means 6 when the glass substrate 2 is carried out to the carry-in sub-conveying section 5ba will be described in detail. The suction means is put on the upper surface 2b of the glass substrate 2 which has been moved down and carried into the relay conveying section 5a. The upper surface 2b of the glass substrate 2 is sucked and held by the suction pad 6a, and the suction pad 6a is lifted to raise the glass substrate 2 as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the suction pad 6a is moved in the sub-conveying direction to transfer the glass substrate 2 onto the carrying-in sub-conveying portion 5ba, and the lower surface 2a of the glass substrate 2 adsorbed and held by the blower-type support means 3 is supported. 10. After the suction pad 6a is lowered to the state as shown in FIG. 11C, the suction holding on the glass substrate 2 is released.

  When the glass substrate 2 is carried out to the carry-in sub-conveying unit 5ba, the propulsive force applying means 4 provided in the carrying-in sub-carrying unit 5ba is lowered to switch the carrying-in sub-carrying unit 5ba to the retracted state. The glass substrate 2 sucked and held by the suction pad 6a and the propelling force applying means 4 provided in the loading sub-transporting part 5ba are configured not to contact each other. Then, after the glass substrate 2 is carried out to the carry-in sub-transport part 5ba and the suction pad 6a is retracted upward, the propelling force applying means 4 is lifted so that the carry-in sub-transport part 5ba is switched to the transport state. The substrate 2 is supplied with a propulsive force in the sub-transport direction by the propulsive force applying means 4 and is transported to the sub-transport section 5b on the lower transport side.

The thrust applying means 4 provided in the main transport section 5a whose operation is stopped and the thrust applying means 4 provided in the relay transport section 5c are shown in FIG. When it is raised, the operation resumes.
And if the next glass substrate 2 conveyed next to the glass substrate 2 which carries out branch conveyance as mentioned above is conveyed in the main conveyance direction, and this next glass substrate 2 performs main conveyance, detection sensor T The operation of the propelling force applying means 4 is continued even after being detected at, and is carried out to the main conveyance section 5a on the lower conveyance side, and if the next glass substrate 2 performs branch conveyance, the detection sensor T If detected, the operation of the propulsive force applying means is stopped, and the transfer means is made to stand by on the relay conveyance section 5c so as to be carried out to the sub-conveyance section.
That is, the next glass substrate 2 to be branched and transported can be loaded into the relay transport unit 5c in advance before the branch and transport of the previous glass substrate 2 is completed, and the branch and transport of the previous glass substrate 2 is completed. As shown in FIG. 11C, when the next glass substrate 2 has been previously loaded into the relay transfer section 5c, branch transfer can be continuously performed as shown in FIG. it can.

[Another embodiment]
(1) In the above embodiment, the main transfer and the branch transfer can be performed, but only the branch transfer may be performed as shown in FIG.

(2) In the above embodiment, the main transport and the branch transport are configured to be performed. However, in addition to the main transport and the branch transport, as shown in FIG. As shown by the arrow C, the glass substrate 2 is carried in from the sub-carrying part 5b on the upper conveyance side, and the carried glass substrate 2 is carried out to the main conveyance part 5a on the lower conveyance side. You may comprise so that merge conveyance can also be performed. In this case, the transfer means 6 carries the glass substrate 2 from the sub-conveying section 5b to the relay conveying section 5c, and the propelling force applying means 4 provided with the loaded glass substrate 2 in the relay conveying section 5c provides the main conveying section 5a. To be taken out. In addition, the glass substrate 2 of the upper transport side sub-transport part 5b can be transported by the transfer means 6 to the sub-transport part 5b on the lower transport side (carrying sub-transport part 5ba) beyond the relay transport part 5c. You may comprise as follows.

(3) In each of the above embodiments, the glass substrate 2 sucked and held when the transfer means 6 is unloaded from the relay transfer portion 5c to the sub-transfer portion 5b can be rotated by a predetermined angle (90 °) around the vertical axis. Configured so that the posture of the glass substrate 2 with respect to the main transport direction in the main transport unit 5a and the posture of the glass substrate 2 with respect to the sub transport direction in the sub transport unit 5b are the same, It may be configured so that it can also be used as a transport unit.

(4) In each of the above embodiments, the sub-conveying unit 5b is configured to be switched between the transporting state and the retracted state by operating the propelling force applying unit 4 in the sub-transporting unit 5b to move up and down. The sub-conveying unit 5b is conveyed by raising / lowering the air-blowing support means 3 or by raising / lowering both the air-blowing support unit 3 in the sub-conveying unit 5b and the driving force applying unit 4 in the sub-conveying unit 5b. You may comprise so that it may switch to a state and an evacuation state.
Further, not only the sub-transport part 5b but also one or both of the blower type support means 3 and the propulsion force applying means 4 in the relay transport part 5c can be moved up and down so that the relay transport part 5c is in a transport state and a retracted state. The relay conveyance unit 5c may be switched to the retracted state when the suction pad 6a is pressed against the upper surface 2a of the glass substrate 2.

(5) In each of the above embodiments, the propulsion imparting unit 4a is configured to include the plurality of driving rollers 24, but may be configured to include an endless belt such as a timing belt instead of the plurality of driving rollers 24. Good.

(6) In each of the above embodiments, the fan filter unit 14 in which the dust removal filter 12 and the blower fan 13 are integrally assembled has been illustrated. However, it is not always necessary to attach the dust removal filter 12 and the blower fan 13 integrally. Alternatively, it is possible to provide a guide path for guiding the air blown by the blower fan 13 to the dust filter 12 and the like, and the dust filter 12 and the blower fan 13 may be configured separately.

(7) In the above embodiment, the glass substrate 2 for liquid crystal is used as the conveyed product, but a semiconductor wafer or the like may be used, and the shape or size of the conveyed product is not limited to the embodiment.

Plan view of transfer device Perspective view of relay transfer section Front view of relay transfer section Partially enlarged front view of relay transfer section Side view of relay transfer section Side view of propulsion means Front view of propulsion means Partially enlarged side view of propulsive force imparting means Perspective view of main transfer section Partially enlarged front view of carry-in transport section Action diagram of branch transfer of transfer device Control block diagram of transfer device The top view of the conveying apparatus in another embodiment (1) The top view of the conveying apparatus in another embodiment (2)

Explanation of symbols

2 Glass substrate (conveyance)
2a Lower surface 2b Upper surface 3 Blower-type support means 4 Propulsion force imparting means 5a Main transport portion 5b Sub-transport portion 5c Relay transport portion 6 Transfer means 12 Dust removal filter 13 Blower fan (blower means)
14 Fan filter unit (Blower unit)

Claims (4)

Blow-type support means for supplying clean air toward the lower surface of the conveyed product and supporting the conveyed product in a non-contact state in a horizontal or substantially horizontal posture, and the lower surface of the conveyed product supported by the blow-type support means And a conveying device provided with a conveying unit provided with a propulsive force applying means for applying a propulsive force in the conveying direction to the conveyed object,
As said conveyance part, the main conveyance part which conveys a conveyed product in the main conveyance direction, the sub conveyance part which conveys a conveyed product in the sub conveyance direction which cross | intersects the said main conveyance direction, and the said main conveyance part and the said sub conveyance part, Is provided with a relay conveyance unit that performs a branch conveyance that carries a conveyed product from the main conveyance unit and unloads the conveyed material to the sub-conveying unit,
The relay transport unit transports the transported material from the main transport unit by the propelling force applying means provided therein, and can move the transported material up and down and in the sub-transport direction by sucking and holding the upper surface of the transported material. It is configured to carry out the branch conveyance by unloading the conveyed article carried in by means to the sub-conveying section ,
A conveyance state in which the sub-conveying unit is brought into contact with a lower surface of a conveyance object supported by the blowing-type support means by relative raising and lowering of the propulsion-force applying means and the blowing-type support means provided therein. And can be switched to a retracted state in which the propelling force applying means is in a non-contact state with respect to the conveyed product supported by the blow type support means,
When the control device detects by the detection sensor that the transported object carried into the relay transport unit has been transported to a predetermined position of the relay transport unit, the propulsive force applied to the relay transport unit is provided. After the driving of the means is stopped, the conveyed product carried into the relay conveyance unit is carried out to the sub-conveying unit with the propulsive force applying unit in the retracted state, so that the branch conveyance is performed. A conveying apparatus configured to control operation of the propulsion force applying means and the transfer means . The relay transport unit transports the transported material from the sub transport unit by the transfer unit, and transports the transported material to the main transport unit by the propulsion force applying unit, thereby transporting from the sub transport unit. The conveying apparatus of Claim 1 comprised so that the merging conveyance which carries in an article and unloads the conveyed article carried in to the said main conveyance thing may be performed . A transport state in which the relay transport unit is brought into contact with the lower surface of the transported object supported by the blower-type support unit by the relative elevation of the propulsion-force applying unit and the blower-type support unit provided in the relay transport unit. 3. The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the transport device is configured to be switchable to a retracted state in which the propelling force applying unit is in a non-contact state with respect to a transported object supported by the blower-type support unit . The blower-type support means includes a blower unit in which a dust removal filter for removing dust and a blower means for supplying clean air through the dust removal filter toward the lower surface of the transported object are integrated into the main transport direction and the auxiliary transport direction. The conveyance apparatus of any one of Claims 1-3 arranged side by side in a conveyance direction .

Images