JP4371614B2

JP4371614B2 - Buffer device

Info

Publication number: JP4371614B2
Application number: JP2001236420A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 克紀坂本
Original assignee: ワイエス株式会社
Priority date: 2001-08-03
Filing date: 2001-08-03
Publication date: 2009-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 2021-08-03
Also published as: JP2003048619A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、回路基板等の搬送物を一時的にストックするために用いられるバッファ装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
例えば、搬送物としての回路基板を一時的にストックするためのバッファ装置は、図６に示す通りの構成を有している。図６を参照して、この公知のバッファ装置は、所定の搬送経路を規定する装置本体２を備え、この装置本体２は、矢印４で示す搬送方向において上流側部に配設された第１本体部６と、その下流側部に配設された第２本体部８から構成されている。第１本体部６には、回路基板１０を搬送するための搬送機構１２が搬送経路の両側部に設けられ（図６においてそれらの一方のみを示す）、各搬送機構１２は、一対のローラ１４，１６と、これらローラ１４，１６に巻き掛けられた搬送ベルト１８から構成されている。一対の搬送機構１２の間には押込み機構２０が配設され、この押込み機構２０が第１本体部６に上昇位置２０Ａと下降位置２０Ｂとの間を移動自在に装着されている。押込み機構２０はエアシリンダ機構２２を備え、エアシリンダ機構２２の出力ロッド２４に押込み部材２６が装着されている。出力ロッド２４は収縮状態から中間伸長状態を経て最大伸長状態まで伸長することができる。
【０００３】
第２本体部８には、収容ラック２８が受入・送出域を通して上下方向に移動自在に支持され、上昇位置２８Ａと下降位置２８Ｂとの間を移動することができる。この収容ラック２８には、上下方向に間隔をおいて複数個の収容空間３０が設けられ、各収容空間３０は収容ラック２８の両側部に設けられた一対の支持案内プレート３２（それらの一方のみを示す）によって規定され、回路基板１０は一対の支持案内プレート３２上に支持される（必要に応じて、各支持案内プレート３２の上側に上案内プレートが設けられる）。受入・送出域に位置する収容空間３０は、回路基板１０を搬送する搬送経路に接続されてその一部を構成し、回路基板１０の受け入れ、また回路基板１０の送出が可能となる。
【０００４】
このようなバッファ装置２においては、上流側からの回路基板１０は第１本体部６の一対の搬送機構１２によって下流側に搬送され、更に、押込み機構２０が下降位置から上昇位置に移動した後エアシリンダ機構２２が中間伸長位置まで伸長される。かくすると、出力ロッド２４に装着された押込み部材２６が、回路基板１０を受入・送出域に位置する収容空間３０内に押し込み、かくして、矢印１０で示す方向に搬送された回路基板１０は収容空間３０内に一時的にストックされる。その後、エアシリンダ機構２２が収縮し、押込み機構２０が上昇位置から下降位置に移動して元の状態に戻る。かく受け入れられた回路基板１０を送出するときには、押込み機構２０が下降位置から上昇位置に移動した後エアシリンダ機構２２が最大伸長状態まで伸長される。かくすると、押込み部材２６が、受入・送出域に位置する収容空間３０に収容された回路基板１０を下流側に押し出し、かくして、収容空間３０に収容された回路基板１０が下流側に送出される。その後、エアシリンダ機構２２が収縮し、押込み機構２０が上昇位置から下降位置に移動して元の状態になる。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
従来のバッファ装置は、上述した通りの構成であることに関連して、次の通りの解決すべき問題が存在する。第１に、装置本体２が、収容ラック２８を支持する第２本体部８と、押込み機構２０が装着される第１本体部６から構成されるので、装置本体２の装置長（矢印４で示す回路基板１０の搬送方向の長さ）が長くなり、例えば基板実装ラインに組み込んだ場合、この基板実装ラインの長さが長くなる。
【０００６】
第２に、収容ラック２８の所定収容空間３０に収容するとき、押込み部材２６が回路基板１０を上記収容空間３０に押し込むように作用し、また所定収容空間３０に収容された回路基板１０を送出するとき、この押込み部材２６が回路基板１０を収容空間３０から押し出すように作用する。このように回路基板１０を押すようになるので、押込み部材２６によって回路基板１０に比較的大きな力が作用するおそれがあり、このような力が作用すると、回路基板１０が破損するおそれがある。
【０００７】
第３に、回路基板１０を所定収容空間に受け入れる、或いは受け入れられた回路基板１０を送出するとき、押込み機構２０が下降位置から上昇位置に位置付けられた後に押込み機構２０のエアシリンダ機構２２が伸長され、その後、エアシリンダ機構２２が収縮された後に押込み機構２０が上昇位置から下降位置に移動される。このように、回路基板１０の受入、また回路基板１０の送出のための動作が複雑で、その動作時間が比較的長く、例えば基板実装ラインに組み込んだ場合、基板実装ラインの実装速度が速いと、他の実装装置との関連で、回路基板１０の受入動作、また回路基板１０の送出動作によるタクトの遅れが生じる。
【０００８】
本発明の目的は、搬送物の破損を防止することができるとともに、搬送物の受入動作、また搬送物の送出動作を短くすることができ、更には、装置本体の装置長をも短くすることができるバッファ装置を提供することである。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、搬送物を搬送するための所定搬送経路を規定する装置本体と、前記所定搬送経路の受入・送出域を通して上下方向に移動自在に装着された収容ラックと、前記収容ラックを上下方向に移動させるための移動機構と、を備えたバッファ装置において、
前記収容ラックには、搬送物を一時的にストックするための複数個の収容空間が上下方向に間隔をおいて設けられ、前記複数個の収容空間には、それぞれ、搬送物を搬送するための搬送機構が設けられ、
前記複数個の収容空間のうち特定収容空間を前記受入・送出域に位置付けると、前記特定収容空間が前記所定搬送経路に接続されてその一部を構成し、
前記装置本体には、前記受入・送出域の下流側に、搬送物を下流側に向けて搬送するための搬送送出機構が設けられ、前記特定収容空間を前記受入・送出域に位置付けると、前記特定収容空間の前記搬送機構が前記搬送送出機構に駆動連結可能になり、また、前記搬送送出機構は、駆動力を伝達する駆動連結位置と、駆動力の伝達を解除する駆動解除位置との間を移動自在であり、前記搬送送出機構を前記駆動連結位置に位置付けると、前記搬送送出機構は、前記受入・送出域に位置する前記特定収容空間の前記搬送機構に駆動連結され、
前記特定収容空間に搬送物を搬送するときには、前記搬送送出機構を前記駆動解除位置に保持した状態で、前記収容ラックを上下方向に移動させることにより前記特定収容空間が前記受入・送出域に位置付けられ、その後に、前記搬送送出機構が前記駆動連結位置に位置付けられると、搬送物は、前記特定収容空間に設けられた前記搬送機構によって前記特定収容空間に搬送され、
また、前記特定収容空間から搬送物を送出するときには、前記搬送送出機構を前記駆動解除位置に保持した状態で、前記収容ラックを上下方向に移動させることにより前記特定収容空間が前記受入・送出域に位置付けられ、その後に、前記搬送送出機構が前記駆動連結位置に位置付けられると、前記特定収容空間にストックされた搬送物は、前記特定収容空間に設けられた前記搬送機構によって前記特定収容空間から送出され、前記搬送送出機構によって更に下流側に向けて搬送されることを特徴とする。
【００１０】
本発明に従えば、搬送物を一時的にストックするための収容ラックには、複数個の収容空間が上下方向に間隔をおいて設けられ、搬送物はこれら収容空間に収容される。各収容空間には搬送機構が設けられ、搬送物は搬送機構によって収容空間に受け入れられ、また収容空間から送出される。このような搬送機構は、例えば、各収容空間の両側部に配設され、搬送方向に間隔をおいて配設された一対のローラと、これらローラに巻かれた搬送ベルトとから構成される。搬送物を搬送する所定搬送経路には受入・送出域が設けられ、収容ラックはこの受入・送出域を通して上下方向に移動され、受入・送出域に位置する収容空間はこの所定搬送経路に接続されてその一部を構成する。
【００１１】
このバッファ装置では、上流側からの搬送物は、受入・送出域にある特定収容空間の搬送機構によって搬送され、この搬送機構によって特定収容空間に受け入れられ、搬送機構の作動が停止することによって、この特定収容空間に一時的にストックされる。そして、特定収容空間にストックされた搬送物は、搬送機構の作動によって下流側に搬送され、この特定収容空間から送出される。このように収容ラックの収容空間に設けられた搬送機構の作動、作動停止によって搬送物を搬送、保持するので、従来のような押込み機構を設ける必要はなく、これによって、装置本体の装置長を短することができ、組み込むラインのライン長を短くすることが可能となる。また、搬送物は搬送機構によって搬送されるので、従来の押込み機構のように搬送物に大きな力が作用することはなく、搬送による搬送物の破損を防止することができる。更に、搬送物の搬送、搬送停止は、搬送機構の作動、作動停止によって行われるので、動作時間を短くすることができ、搬送物の受入、送出のタクトの高速化を図ることができる。このようなバッファ装置は、搬送物としての例えば回路基板を一時的にストックするために好都合に用いられ、基板実装ラインに組み込んで作業タクトを調整する際に使用される。
また、受入・送出域の下流側に搬送送出機構が設けられ、特定収容空間から送出された搬送物は、この搬送送出機構によって更に下流側に送られ、例えば収容空間の両側部に搬送機構が設けられる場合、所定搬送経路の両側部にそれぞれ搬送送出機構が設けられる。収容ラックの特定収容空間を受入・送出域に位置付けると、特定収容空間の搬送機構が搬送送出機構に駆動連結可能となる。また、この搬送送出機構は駆動連結位置と駆動解除位置との間を移動自在であり、駆動連結位置にあるときには、搬送送出機構と受入・送出域にある収容空間の搬送機構とが駆動連結され、かくして搬送送出機構の駆動力を利用して搬送機構を作動させることができる。搬送機構と搬送送出機構とを駆動連結することによって、搬送機構を作動させて搬送物を特定収容空間に受け入れ、また受け入れた搬送物をここから送出することができる。このように構成することによって、各収容空間に対応して搬送機構を駆動するための駆動機構を設ける必要はなく、バッファ装置の構成の簡略化、製作コストの低減を図ることができる。また、搬送送出機構が駆動解除位置にあるときには、搬送送出機構と受入・送出域にある収容空間の搬送機構との駆動連結が解除され、これによって、収容ラックの上下方向の移動が許容される。
【００１６】
また、本発明では、前記搬送送出機構は、搬送物の搬送方向に間隔をおいて配設された第１及び第２プーリと、前記第１及び第２プーリに巻掛けられた搬送ベルトとを備え、また前記受入・送出域に位置する前記特定収容空間の前記搬送機構に駆動力を伝達するための駆動連結部材が設けられ、更に前記第２プーリと前記駆動連結部材の間には、駆動力を伝達するための駆動力伝達機構が設けられ、前記搬送送出機構を前記駆動連結位置に位置付けると、前記搬送送出機構の前記駆動連結部材が、前記受入・送出域に位置する前記特定収容空間の前記搬送機構に駆動連結されることを特徴とする。
【００１７】
本発明に従えば、搬送送出機構は、第１及び第２プーリと、これらに巻掛けられた搬送ベルトを備えるので、搬送ベルトによって搬送物を下流側に搬送送出することができる。また、駆動力伝達機構に駆動連結された駆動連結部材が設けられ、搬送送出機構を駆動連結位置に位置付けると、駆動連結部材が受入・送出域に位置する搬送機構に駆動連結されるので、搬送送出機構の第２プーリの駆動力を利用して受入・送出域に位置する収容空間の搬送機構を作動することができる。
【００１８】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、添付図面を参照して、本発明に従うバッファ装置の一実施形態について説明する。図１は、本発明に従うバッファ装置の一実施形態を示す簡略側断面図であり、図２は、図１のＩＩ−ＩＩ線方向から見た簡略正面図であり、図３は、図１のＩＩＩ−ＩＩＩ線方向から見た簡略背面図であり、図４は、図１のバッファ装置の収容ラックの一部を示す部分拡大図であり、図５は、図１のバッファ装置の搬送送出機構及びその付近を拡大して示す部分拡大図である。
【００１９】
図１〜図３を参照して、図示のバッファ装置は、工場等の床面５２に設置される装置本体５４を備えている。この装置本体５４は略矩形状のベース本体５６を有し、このベース本体５６の４角部に、高さ調整自在な脚体５８が装着されている。この装置本体５４は４本の支持柱６０，６２，６４，６６を備え、これら支持柱６０，６２，６４，６６がベース本体５６の４角部から実質上垂直上方に延びている。
【００２０】
搬送物である回路基板６８を一時的にストックするための収容ラック７０は、この装置本体５４内に上下方向に移動自在に支持されている。この装置本体５４の前面側（図１において右面側）の所定部位には受入口７２が設けられ、また装置本体５４の背面側（図１において左面側）の所定部位には送出口７４が設けられ、受入口７２から送出口７４まで直線状に延びる搬送経路７６が装置本体５４内に設けられ、回路基板６８は、この搬送経路７６を通して矢印７８（図１参照）で示す方向に搬送される。
【００２１】
収容ラック７０は、この搬送経路７６と交差して上下方向に移動自在に支持されている。図示の収容ラック７０はラックベース８０を備え、このラックベース８０の４角部に細長い支持フレーム８２，８４，８６，８８が設けられ、これら支持フレーム８２，８４，８６，８８はラックベース８０から実質上垂直上方に延びている。この実施形態では、搬送方向右側の支持フレーム８４，８６はラックベース８０に固定され、搬送方向左側の支持フレーム８２，８８は一体的に図２及び図３に実線で示す位置と二点鎖線で示す位置との間を移動可能に構成され、幅の異なる搬送物でも搬送できるように対応している。この支持フレーム８２，８８のスライドは、手動ハンドルを回動することによって、或いは電動モータを設けてその回動によって自動的に行うようにすることができる。
【００２２】
主として図３を参照して、この収容ラック７０は移動機構８７によって上下方向に移動される。装置本体５４の突出部９０には上フレーム９２が設けられ、この上フレーム９２と装置本体５４のベース本体５６との間に、ねじ軸９４が回転自在に支持されている。ねじ軸９４の上端部は上フレーム９２から上方に突出し、この突出端部に歯車９６が装着されている。また、突出部９０内には駆動源としての電動モータ９８が装備され、この電動モータ９８の出力軸に歯車１００が装着され、歯車９６，１００が相互に噛合されている。歯車９６，１００に代えて、一対のプーリとベルト（歯付ベルト）の組合せを用いるようにしてもよい。また、上フレーム９２とベース本体５６との間には一対のガイド柱１０２（図３において一方のみ示す）が設けられている。更に、収容ラック７０のラックベース８０には、雌ねじが設けられたブロック状体１０４が設けられ、このブロック状体１０４がねじ軸９４に螺合され、またラックベース８０には、各ガイド柱１０２に対応して一対のスライド体１０６（図３において一方のみ示す）が設けられ、かかるスライド体１０６がガイド柱１０２にスライド自在に装着されている。
【００２３】
かく構成されているので、電動モータ９８、歯車９６，１００、ねじ軸９４及びブロック状体１０４が移動機構８７を構成し、電動モータ９８が所定方向（又は所定方向とは反対方向）に回動すると、一対の歯車９６，１００を介してねじ軸９４が所定方向と反対方向（又は所定方向）に回動し、かくして、スライド体１０６がガイド柱１０２に沿って移動することによって、収容ラック７０は矢印１０８（又は１１０）で示す上方（又は下方）に移動する。
【００２４】
この形態では、移動機構８７を、雄ねじを有するねじ軸９４と雌ねじ有するブロック体１０４との組合せを用いているが、このような構成に限定されず、他の公知の移動機構を利用するようにしてもよい。
【００２５】
主として図１を参照して、所定搬送経路７６と収容ラック７０との交差域には受入・送出域１１２が設けられ、収容ラック７０はこの受入・送出域１１２を通して上下方向に移動され、上昇位置（図２に実線で示すとともに、図１及び図３に二点鎖線で示す位置）と下降位置（図１及び図３に実線で示すとともに、図２に二点鎖線で示す位置）との間を移動する。
【００２６】
図１〜図３において、この形態では、収容ラック７０には、上下方向に間隔をおいて複数個（この実施形態では１０個）の収容空間１１４が設けられ、回路基板６８を一時的にストックするときには、この回路基板６８はこれら収容空間１１４のいずれかに収容される。尚、回路基板６８の一時的なストック個数を多く（又は少なく）するときには、収容ラック７０の収容空間１１４の数を多く（又は少なく）すればよい。
【００２７】
この収容ラック７０の上下方向の位置を検知するための位置検知機構１１６が設けられている（図３参照）。図示の位置検知機構１１６は、各収容空間１１４に対応してスリット１１８が形成された検知プレート１２０と、これらスリット１１８を検出する光学的センサ１２２を備え、検知プレート１２０はベース本体５６に固定され、光学的センサ１２２は収容ラック７０のラックベース８０に取り付けられている。この光学的センサ１２２は、光を発光する発光センサと、発光センサからスリット１１８を通過する光を受光する受光センサから構成されている。この形態では、光学的センサ１２２が検知プレート１２０の最上位（又は上から第２番目、第３番目・・・最下位）のスリット１１８を検知すると、収容ラック７０の最上位（又は上から第２番目、第３番目・・・最下位）の収容空間１１４が受入・送出域１１２に位置するように構成される。受入・送出域１１２に位置する収容空間１１４は、回路基板６８を搬送する搬送経路７６に接続され、この搬送経路７６の一部を構成する。従って、後に説明するように、受入口７２を通して搬送される回路基板６８は、受入・送出域１１２に位置する収容空間１１４に受け入れられ、また受入・送出域１１２に位置する収容空間１１４に収容された回路基板６８は、この収容空間１１４から送出され、送出口７４を通して下流側に搬送される。
【００２８】
次に、図１〜図３とともに、図４及び図５を参照して、収容ラック７０及びこれに関する構成を更に詳述する。まず、図１〜図４を参照して収納ラック７０の収容空間１１４について説明すると、この形態では、各収容空間１１４は実質上同一の構成であり、以下それらの一つについて説明する。各収容空間１１４には回路基板６８を搬送するための搬送機構１２６が設けられ、この形態では、搬送機構１２６（矢印７８で示す搬送方向左側のものを番号１２６ａで示し、搬送方向右側のものを番号１２６ｂで示す）が収容空間１１４の両側部にそれぞれ設けられ、これら搬送機構１２６が回路基板６８の両側部に作用して搬送する。
【００２９】
図示の搬送機構１２６ａ（１２６ｂ）は、収容ラック７０の上流側部に配設された上流側プーリ１２８と、その下流側部に配設された下流側プーリ１３０と、これらプーリ１２８，１３０に巻かれた無端状搬送ベルト１３２から構成されている。図４（ａ）は、上流側プーリ１２８及びその近傍を示しており、この形態では、支持フレーム８２（８４）に短軸１３４が固定され、この短軸１３４に上流側プーリ１２８が回転自在に装着されている。上流側プーリ１２８には略Ｖ字状の周溝１３６が設けられたプーリ部１３８を有し、このプーリ部１３８の周溝１３６に搬送ベルト１３２が掛けられている。
【００３０】
また、図４（ｂ）は、下流側プーリ１３０及びその近傍を示しており、この形態では、支持フレーム８８（８６）に短軸１４０が回転自在に支持され、この短軸１４０の内側端部（支持フレーム８８（８６）から内側に突出する部分）に下流側プーリ１３０が装着され、その外側端部（支持フレーム８８（８６）から外側に突出する部分）に駆動連結用ローラ１４２が装着され、駆動力は後述するように、この駆動連結用ローラ１４２を介して伝達される。下流側プーリ１３０は、上流側プーリ１２８と同様の構成であり、そのプーリ部１４４の周溝１４６に搬送ベルト１３２が掛けられている。
【００３１】
このように構成されているので、搬送機構１２６ａ，１２６ｂの上側に、即ち一対の搬送ベルト１３２の上側走行部の上側に、回路基板６８を一時的に保持する収容空間１１４が規定され、かかる収容空間１１４は、上下方向に隣接する搬送機構１２６ａ，１２６ｂ間に、上下方向に間隔をおいて配置される。搬送機構１２６ａ，１２６ｂの駆動連結用ローラ１４２に後述する如くして回転駆動力が伝達されると、駆動連結用ローラ１４２及び下流側プーリ１３０が所定方向に回動され、また搬送ベルト１３２を介して上流側プーリ１２８が従動される。回路基板６８は、図４に示すように、その両側部が搬送機構１２６ａ，１２６ｂの搬送ベルト１３２上に載置され、その上側走行部の移動によって矢印７８（図１参照）で示す方向に搬送される。
【００３２】
このバッファ装置においては、収容ラック７０の下流側に搬送送出機構１５２が設けられ、この実施形態では、この搬送送出機構１５２の駆動力が収容ラック７０の搬送機構１２６に伝達されるように構成されている。主として図１及び図５を参照して、この搬送送出機構１５２は、収容ラック７０の搬送方向左側に設けられた搬送機構１２６ａ及び搬送方向右側に設けられた搬送機構１２６ｂにそれぞれ対応して設けられ、それらの構成は実質上同一であり、以下一方の搬送機構１２６ｂに対応して設けられたものについて説明する。図示の搬送送出機構１５２はユニット本体１５４を備え、このユニット本体１５４に、矢印７８で示す搬送方向に間隔をおいて第１及び第２軸１５６，１５８が配設され、第１軸１５６がユニット本体１５４に固定され、第２軸１５８はユニット本体１５４に回転自在に支持されている。第１軸１５６の先端部には第１プーリ１６０が回転自在に装着され、また第２軸１５８の一端部（ユニット本体１５４から内側に突出する端部）には第２プーリ１６２が固定され、駆動源を構成する電動モータ１７０の出力プーリ（図示せず）とこれらプーリ１６０，１６２に無端状搬送ベルト１６４が巻掛けられている。従って、搬送される回路基板６８は、図５に二点鎖線で示すように、搬送ベルト１６４によって矢印７８で示す方向に搬送される。駆動力の伝達を確実にするために、第１及び第２プーリ１６０，１６２、出力プーリ並びに搬送ベルトを歯付きのものにするのが望ましい。
【００３３】
この搬送送出機構１５２の、第１プーリ１６０と反対側には軸１６５が固定され、この軸１６５の先端部に、例えばローラから構成される駆動連結部材１６６が装着され、この駆動連結部材１６６は、受入・送出域１１２に位置する収容空間１１４の搬送機構１２６の駆動連結用ローラ１４２に対応して配設される。この形態では、搬送方向下流側に位置する第２プーリ１６２と駆動連結部材１６６との間に駆動力伝達機構１６８が設けられ、電動モータ１７０から搬送ベルト１６４を介して第２プーリ１６２に伝達された駆動力が、駆動力伝達機構１６８を介して駆動連結部材１６６に伝達されるように構成されている。駆動力伝達機構１６８はユニット本体１５４の外側に配設され、第２軸１５８（ユニット本体１５４から外側に突出する端部）に固定された第１歯車１７２と、ユニット本体１５４に固定された短軸１７４，１７６に回転自在に装着された第２及び第３歯車１７８，１８０と、駆動連結部材１６６に一体的に設けられた第４歯車１８２から構成され、第１〜第４歯車１７２，１７８，１８０，１８２が所要の通り噛合されている。このように構成されているので、電動モータ１７０からの駆動力が搬送ベルト１６４を介して第２プーリ１６２に伝達されると、この駆動力は、第２軸１５８、第１〜第４歯車１７２，１７８，１８０，１８２を介して駆動伝達部材１６６に伝達される。このように第２プーリ１６２からの駆動力を駆動連結部材１６６に伝達することによって、回路基板６８を下流側に所要の通り確実に搬送することができる。
【００３４】
この形態では、搬送送出機構１５２の一部（具体的には、電動モータ１７０、搬送ベルト１６４、第２プーリ１６２、第２軸１５８、駆動力伝達機構１６８及び駆動伝達部材１６６）が、収容ラック７０の収容空間１１４に設けられた搬送機構１２６を駆動するための駆動機構を構成している。そして、このことに関連して、ユニット本体１５４が、図５において左右方向、即ち収容ラック７０に近接及び離隔する方向に移動自在に装置本体５４に支持され、このユニット本体１５４と装置本体５４との間に、作動源を構成するエアシリンダ機構（図示せず）が介在されている。
【００３５】
このように構成されているので、エアシリンダ機構が伸長すると、ユニット本体１５４及びこれに装着された部材が、図５において左方に収容ラック７０から離隔する方向に移動して図５に実線で示す駆動解除位置に保持される。この駆動解除位置においては、ユニット本体１５４の駆動連結部材１６６が、受入・送出域１１２にある収容空間１１４に設けられた搬送機構１２６の駆動連結用ローラ１４２から離隔し、駆動連結部材１６６と駆動連結用ローラ１４２との駆動連結が解除され、駆動連結部材１６６からの駆動力が駆動連結用ローラ１４２に伝達されず、搬送機構１２６は非作動状態になる。この連結解除状態においては、駆動連結部材１６６が駆動連結用ローラ１４２から離れている故に、収容ラック７０の上下方向に移動が許容され、この状態において、収容ラック７０の特定収容空間１１４（複数個の収容空間１１４のうち選択された収容空間）が受入・送出域１１２に位置付けられる。
【００３６】
一方、エアシリンダ機構（図示せず）が収縮すると、ユニット本体１５４及びこれに装着された部材が、図５において右方に収容ラック７０に近接する方向に移動して図５に二点鎖線で示す駆動連結位置に保持される。この駆動連結位置においては、ユニット本体１５４の駆動連結部材１６６が、受入・送出域１１２にある収容空間１１４に設けられた搬送機構１２６の駆動連結用ローラ１４２に圧接し、駆動連結部材１６６と駆動連結用ローラ１４２とが駆動連結され、駆動連結部材１６６からの駆動力が駆動連結用ローラ１４２に伝達され、搬送機構１２６は作動状態になる。このように、搬送送出機構１５２の駆動力を利用して搬送機構１２６を作動するので、搬送機構１２６を駆動するための専用の駆動源を必要とせず、バッファ装置全体の構成を簡略化してその製作コストを低減することができる。
【００３７】
上述したバッファ装置では、収容ラック７０の所定収容空間１１４に回路基板６８を収容するときには、ユニット本体１５４（及びそれに装着された部材）を駆動解除位置に保持した状態において、収容ラック７０を上下方向に移動させて所定収容空間１１４を受入・送出域１１２に位置付ける。かくすると、所定収容空間１１４が搬送経路７６に接続されてその一部を構成し、回路基板６８の受け入れが可能となる。
【００３８】
回路基板６８を受け入れる際には、ユニット本体１５４が駆動連結位置に位置付けられ、搬送送出機構１５２からの駆動力が受入・送出域１１２に位置する所定収容空間１１４の搬送機構１２６に伝達され、搬送機構１２６が作動状態になる。かくすると、上流側から搬送されてきた回路基板６８は、搬送機構１２６によって矢印７８で示す方向に搬送され、所定収容空間１１４に受け入れられ、この所定収容空間１１４に一時的に保持される。尚、回路基板６８が受け入れられると、ユニット本体１５４が駆動解除位置に位置付けられ、搬送送出機構１５２の駆動連結部材１６６と搬送機構１２６の駆動連結用ローラ１４２との駆動連結が解除され、搬送機構１２６による回路基板６８の搬送が終了し、その後、搬送送出機構１５２の電動モータ１７０の作動が停止する。
【００３９】
受け入れた回路基板６８を送出するときには、ユニット本体１５４（及びそれに装着された部材）を駆動解除位置に保持した状態において、収容ラック７０を上下方向に移動させて所定収容空間１１４（送出すべき回路基板６８が収容された収容空間）を受入・送出域１１２に位置付ける。かくすると、この所定収容空間１１４が搬送経路７６に接続され、回路基板６８の送出が可能となる。
【００４０】
回路基板６８を送出する際には、ユニット本体１５４が再び駆動連結位置に位置付けられ、搬送送出機構１５２からの駆動力が受入・送出域１１２に位置する所定収容空間１１４の搬送機構１２６に伝達され、搬送機構１２６が作動状態になる。かくすると、収容空間１１４に収容された回路基板６８は、搬送機構１２６によって矢印７８で示す方向に搬送され、搬送送出機構１５２の搬送ベルト１６４によって更に下流側に搬送され、このようにして回路基板６８は収容ラック７０から送出されて下流側に搬送される。尚、回路基板６８が送出されると、ユニット本体１５４が駆動解除位置に位置付けられ、搬送送出機構１５２の駆動連結部材１６６と搬送機構１２６の駆動連結用ローラ１４２との駆動連結が解除され、搬送機構１２６による回路基板６８の送出が終了し、その後、搬送送出機構６８の電動モータ１７０の作動が停止する。
【００４１】
このバッファ装置では、上述したように、各収容空間１１４に搬送機構１２６が配設されているので、回路基板６８の受入、送出を短時間に行い、その作業タクトを短くすることができ、例えば回路基板の実装ラインに組み込んだ場合、実装ラインの作業速度が低下するのを抑えることができる。
【００４２】
以上、本発明に従うバッファ装置の一実施形態について説明したが、本発明はかかる実施形態に限定されるものではなく、本発明の範囲を逸脱することなく種々の変形乃至修正が可能である。
【００４３】
例えば、図示の実施形態では、収容ラック７０の下流側に搬送送出機構１５２を設け、この搬送送出機構１５２の駆動力を利用して収容ラック７０の搬送機構１２６を駆動しているが、このような構成に代えて、例えば収容ラックの搬送機構１２６を駆動するための専用の駆動機構を設け、この専用駆動機構からの駆動力を搬送機構１２６に伝達するようにしてもよい。また、このような構成に代えて、各搬送機構１２６に駆動源を設け、かかる駆動源からの駆動力を利用して対応する搬送機構１２６を駆動するようにしてもよく、このように構成した場合、上述した構成に比して、駆動源の個数を多く必要とするようになる。
【００４４】
また、例えば、図示の実施形態では特に設けていないが、収容ラック７０の各搬送機構１２６の上流側プーリ１２８と下流側プーリ１３０との間に、搬送ベルト１３２を支持するための中間プーリを１個又は２個以上設けるようにしてもよく、或いは各搬送機構１２６の搬送ベルト１３２の上側走行部の上方に、搬送される回路基板６８を案内する上案内ガイドを設けるようにしてもよい。
【００４５】
【発明の効果】
本発明の請求項１のバッファ装置によれば、搬送物を一時的にストックするための収容ラックには、複数個の収容空間が上下方向に間隔をおいて設けら、各収容空間には搬送機構が設けられているので、上流側からの搬送物は、受入・送出域にある収容空間の搬送機構によって搬送され、この搬送機構によって特定収容空間に受け入れられ、また収容空間に収容された搬送物は、搬送機構の作動によって収容空間から送出される。このように収容ラックの収容空間に設けられた搬送機構の作動、作動停止によって搬送物を搬送、保持するので、従来のような押込み機構を設ける必要はなく、これによって、装置本体の装置長を短することができ、組み込むラインのライン長を短くすることが可能となり、また動作時間を短くすることができ、搬送物の受入、送出のタクトの高速化を図ることができ、更に従来の押込み機構のように搬送物に大きな力が作用することはなく、搬送による搬送物の破損を防止することができる。また、収容ラックの所定収容空間を受入・送出域に位置付けると、所定収容空間の搬送機構が搬送送出機構に駆動連結可能となるので、各収容空間に対応して搬送機構を駆動するための駆動機構を設ける必要はなく、バッファ装置の構成の簡略化、製作コストの低減を図ることができる。また、搬送送出機構は駆動連結位置と駆動解除位置との間を移動自在であり、駆動連結位置にあるときには、搬送送出機構と受入・送出域にある収容空間の搬送機構が駆動連結されるので、搬送送出機構の駆動力を利用して搬送機構を作動させることができる。また、駆動解除位置にあるときには、搬送送出機構と受入・送出域にある収容空間の搬送機構との駆動連結が解除されるので、収容ラックの上下方向の移動が許容され、所定収容空間を受入・送出域に位置付けることができる。
【００４８】
また、本発明の請求項２のバッファ装置によれば、搬送送出機構は、第１及び第２プーリと、これらに巻掛けられた搬送ベルトを備えるので、搬送ベルトによって搬送物を下流側に搬送送出することができる。また、第２搬送プーリと駆動連結部材とが駆動力伝達機構を介して駆動連結され、搬送送出機構を駆動連結位置に位置付けると、駆動連結部材が受入・送出域に位置する搬送機構に駆動連結されるので、搬送送出機構の第２プーリの駆動力を利用して受入・送出域に位置する収容空間の搬送機構を作動することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に従うバッファ装置の一実施形態を示す簡略側断面図である。
【図２】図１のＩＩ−ＩＩ線方向から見た簡略正面図である。
【図３】図１のＩＩＩ−ＩＩＩ線方向から見た簡略背面図である。
【図４】図４（ａ）は、図１のバッファ装置の収容ラックの上流側部を示す部分拡大図であり、図４（ｂ）は、この収容ラックの下流側部を示す部分拡大図である。
【図５】図１のバッファ装置の搬送送出機構及びその付近を拡大して示す部分拡大図である。
【図６】従来のバッファ装置の一例を示す簡略側断面図である。
【符号の説明】
５４装置本体
６８回路基板
７０収容ラック
７６搬送経路
８７移動機構
１１２受入・送出域
１１４収容空間
１１６位置検知機構
１２６，１２６ａ，１２６ｂ搬送機構
１４２駆動連結用ローラ
１５２搬送送出機構
１５４ユニット本体
１６０第１プーリ
１６２第２プーリ
１６４搬送ベルト
１６６駆動連結部材
１６８駆動力伝達機構[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a buffer device used for temporarily stocking a transported object such as a circuit board.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  For example, a buffer device for temporarily stocking a circuit board as a conveyed product has a configuration as shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 6, this known buffer device includes a device main body 2 that defines a predetermined transport path, and this device main body 2 is disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction indicated by an arrow 4. It comprises a main body 6 and a second main body 8 disposed on the downstream side thereof. The first body 6 includes a circuit board10A transport mechanism 12 is provided on both sides of the transport path (only one of them is shown in FIG. 6). Each transport mechanism 12 is wound around a pair of rollers 14 and 16 and these rollers 14 and 16. The conveyor belt 18 is hung. A pushing mechanism 20 is disposed between the pair of transport mechanisms 12, and the pushing mechanism 20 is mounted on the first main body 6 so as to be movable between a raised position 20 </ b> A and a lowered position 20 </ b> B. The pushing mechanism 20 includes an air cylinder mechanism 22, and a pushing member 26 is attached to the output rod 24 of the air cylinder mechanism 22. The output rod 24 can be extended from the contracted state to the maximum extended state through the intermediate extended state.
[0003]
An accommodation rack 28 is supported on the second main body portion 8 so as to be movable in the vertical direction through the receiving / sending area, and can move between the raised position 28A and the lowered position 28B. The accommodation rack 28 is provided with a plurality of accommodation spaces 30 at intervals in the vertical direction, and each accommodation space 30 has a pair of support guide plates 32 (only one of them) provided on both sides of the accommodation rack 28. The circuit board 10 is supported on a pair of support guide plates 32 (an upper guide plate is provided above each support guide plate 32 as necessary). The accommodation space 30 located in the receiving / sending area is connected to the transport path for transporting the circuit board 10 and constitutes a part thereof, so that the circuit board 10 can be received and the circuit board 10 can be sent out.
[0004]
In such a buffer device 2, the circuit board 10 from the upstream side is transported to the downstream side by the pair of transport mechanisms 12 of the first main body 6, and further, after the push-in mechanism 20 has moved from the lowered position to the raised position. The air cylinder mechanism 22 is extended to the intermediate extension position. Thus, the pushing member 26 attached to the output rod 24 pushes the circuit board 10 into the accommodation space 30 located in the receiving / sending area, and thus the circuit board 10 conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow 10 is accommodated in the accommodation space. 30 is temporarily stocked. Thereafter, the air cylinder mechanism 22 contracts, and the pushing mechanism 20 moves from the raised position to the lowered position to return to the original state. When the circuit board 10 thus received is delivered, the air cylinder mechanism 22 is extended to the maximum extended state after the push-in mechanism 20 has moved from the lowered position to the raised position. Thus, the pushing member 26 pushes the circuit board 10 accommodated in the accommodating space 30 located in the receiving / sending area downstream, and thus the circuit board 10 accommodated in the accommodating space 30 is sent downstream. . Thereafter, the air cylinder mechanism 22 contracts, and the push-in mechanism 20 moves from the raised position to the lowered position to return to the original state.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conventional buffer device has the following problems to be solved in connection with the configuration as described above. First, since the device main body 2 includes the second main body portion 8 that supports the storage rack 28 and the first main body portion 6 to which the push-in mechanism 20 is mounted, the device length of the device main body 2 (indicated by an arrow 4). For example, when the circuit board 10 is incorporated into a board mounting line, the length of the board mounting line is increased.
[0006]
Second, when the housing member 28 is housed in the predetermined housing space 30, the pushing member 26 acts to push the circuit board 10 into the housing space 30, and the circuit board 10 housed in the predetermined housing space 30 is sent out. When this is done, the pushing member 26 acts to push the circuit board 10 out of the housing space 30. Since the circuit board 10 is pushed in this way, there is a possibility that a relatively large force acts on the circuit board 10 by the pushing member 26. When such a force acts, the circuit board 10 may be damaged.
[0007]
Third, when the circuit board 10 is received in the predetermined accommodation space or when the received circuit board 10 is sent out, the air cylinder mechanism 22 of the pushing mechanism 20 extends after the pushing mechanism 20 is positioned from the lowered position to the raised position. Then, after the air cylinder mechanism 22 is contracted, the pushing mechanism 20 is moved from the raised position to the lowered position. In this way, the operation for receiving the circuit board 10 and sending the circuit board 10 is complicated, and the operation time is relatively long. For example, when the circuit board 10 is incorporated in the board mounting line, the mounting speed of the board mounting line is high. In connection with other mounting apparatuses, a tact delay occurs due to the receiving operation of the circuit board 10 and the sending operation of the circuit board 10.
[0008]
An object of the present invention is to prevent damage to a conveyed product, to shorten the operation for receiving a conveyed product and the operation for sending a conveyed product, and also to shorten the apparatus length of the apparatus main body. It is an object of the present invention to provide a buffer device capable of
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The present invention relates to an apparatus main body that defines a predetermined transport path for transporting a transported object, a storage rack that is movably mounted in a vertical direction through a receiving / sending area of the predetermined transport path, and the storage rack in the vertical direction. In a buffer device comprising a moving mechanism for moving to
  The storage rack is provided with a plurality of storage spaces for temporarily stocking the transported objects at intervals in the vertical direction, and each of the plurality of storage spaces is used for transporting a transported object. A transport mechanism is provided,
  When the specific storage space is positioned in the receiving / sending area among the plurality of storage spaces, the specific storage space is connected to the predetermined transport path to constitute a part thereof,
  The apparatus main body is provided with a transport / sending mechanism for transporting a transported object toward the downstream side downstream of the receiving / sending area, and when the specific accommodation space is positioned in the receiving / sending area, The transport mechanism in the specific accommodation space can be connected to the transport / feed mechanism, and the transport / feed mechanism is between a drive connection position for transmitting a driving force and a drive release position for canceling the transmission of the driving force. When the transport and delivery mechanism is positioned at the drive connection position, the transport and delivery mechanism is drivingly connected to the transport mechanism in the specific accommodation space located in the receiving / sending area,
  When transporting a transported object to the specific storage space, the specific storage space is positioned in the receiving / sending area by moving the storage rack in the vertical direction with the transport and delivery mechanism held at the drive release position. After that, when the transport delivery mechanism is positioned at the drive coupling position, the transported object is transported to the specific storage space by the transport mechanism provided in the specific storage space,
In addition, when a transported object is sent out from the specific storage space, the specific storage space is moved into the receiving / sending area by moving the storage rack in the vertical direction while holding the transport / sending mechanism at the drive release position. And then the transport and delivery mechanism is positioned at the drive connection position, the transported material stocked in the specific storage space is removed from the specific storage space by the transport mechanism provided in the specific storage space. Sent out and transported further downstream by the transport and delivery mechanism.It is characterized by that.
[0010]
According to the present invention, a plurality of storage spaces are provided at intervals in the vertical direction in the storage rack for temporarily stocking the transported items, and the transported items are stored in these storage spaces. Each accommodation space is provided with a conveyance mechanism, and the conveyed product is received by the conveyance mechanism in the accommodation space and is sent out from the accommodation space. Such a transport mechanism includes, for example, a pair of rollers disposed on both sides of each accommodation space and spaced in the transport direction, and a transport belt wound around these rollers. A receiving / sending area is provided in a predetermined transporting path for transporting a transported object, the receiving rack is moved in the vertical direction through the receiving / sending area, and a receiving space located in the receiving / sending area is connected to the predetermined transporting path. Part of it.
[0011]
  In this buffer device, the transported material from the upstream side is transported by the transport mechanism of the specific storage space in the receiving / sending area, is received by the specific storage space by this transport mechanism, and the operation of the transport mechanism stops, It is stocked temporarily in this specific accommodation space. And the conveyed product stocked in the specific accommodation space is conveyed downstream by the action | operation of a conveyance mechanism, and is sent out from this specific accommodation space. In this way, since the transported object is transported and held by the operation and deactivation of the transport mechanism provided in the storage space of the storage rack, it is not necessary to provide a pushing mechanism as in the prior art, thereby increasing the device length of the device main body. It can be shortened, and the line length of the line to be incorporated can be shortened. Further, since the transported object is transported by the transport mechanism, a large force does not act on the transported object unlike the conventional push-in mechanism, and damage of the transported object due to transport can be prevented. Furthermore, since the conveyance and conveyance stop of the conveyed product are performed by the operation and deactivation of the conveyance mechanism, the operation time can be shortened, and the tact time for receiving and delivering the conveyed product can be increased. Such a buffer device is advantageously used for temporarily stocking, for example, a circuit board as a transported object, and is used for adjusting a working tact by being incorporated in a board mounting line.
  In addition, a transport / sending mechanism is provided on the downstream side of the receiving / sending area, and a transported object sent from the specific storage space is further sent to the downstream side by the transport / sending mechanism. For example, transport mechanisms are provided on both sides of the storage space. When provided, a conveyance delivery mechanism is provided on each side of the predetermined conveyance path. When the specific storage space of the storage rack is positioned in the receiving / sending area, the transport mechanism of the specific storage space can be drivingly connected to the transport / delivery mechanism. In addition, the transport and delivery mechanism is movable between a drive connection position and a drive release position, and when in the drive connection position, the transport and delivery mechanism and the transport mechanism in the receiving space in the receiving / sending area are drive-connected. Thus, the transport mechanism can be operated using the driving force of the transport and delivery mechanism. By drivingly connecting the transport mechanism and the transport delivery mechanism, the transport mechanism can be operated to receive the transported object in the specific accommodation space, and the received transported object can be sent out from here. With this configuration, there is no need to provide a driving mechanism for driving the transport mechanism corresponding to each accommodation space, and the configuration of the buffer device can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, when the transport / delivery mechanism is in the drive release position, the drive connection between the transport / delivery mechanism and the transport mechanism in the receiving space in the receiving / sending area is released, thereby allowing the vertical movement of the receiving rack. .
[0016]
In the present invention, the transport and delivery mechanism includes a first pulley and a second pulley disposed at intervals in a transport direction of a transported object, and a transport belt wound around the first and second pulleys. A drive connecting member for transmitting a driving force to the transport mechanism of the specific accommodation space located in the receiving / sending area, and a drive connecting member between the second pulley and the driving connecting member. When the transport force transmission mechanism for transmitting force is provided, and the transport and delivery mechanism is positioned at the drive connection position, the specific connection space in which the drive connection member of the transport and delivery mechanism is positioned in the receiving / sending area It is drive-coupled to the said transport mechanism.
[0017]
According to the present invention, the transport and delivery mechanism includes the first and second pulleys and the transport belt wound around them, so that the transported material can be transported and sent downstream by the transport belt. In addition, a drive connecting member that is drivingly connected to the driving force transmission mechanism is provided, and when the transport and delivery mechanism is positioned at the drive connecting position, the drive connecting member is driven and connected to the transport mechanism that is positioned in the receiving / sending area. Using the driving force of the second pulley of the delivery mechanism, the transport mechanism in the accommodation space located in the receiving / sending area can be operated.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a buffer device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 is a simplified side sectional view showing an embodiment of a buffer device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a simplified front view seen from the direction of line II-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a simplified rear view seen from the direction of the III-III line, FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing a part of the accommodation rack of the buffer device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a transport and delivery mechanism of the buffer device of FIG. It is the elements on larger scale which expand and show the vicinity.
[0019]
  1 to 3, the illustrated buffer device includes a device main body 54 installed on a floor surface 52 of a factory or the like. The apparatus main body 54 has a substantially rectangular base main body 56, and legs 58 whose heights can be adjusted are attached to the four corners of the base main body 56. The apparatus main body 54 includes four support columns 60, 62, 64, 66, and these support columns 60, 62, 64, 66 are base bodies.56Substantially vertically upward from the four corners.
[0020]
  An accommodation rack 70 for temporarily stocking the circuit board 68 as a conveyed product is supported in the apparatus main body 54 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. A receiving port 72 is provided at a predetermined part on the front side (right side in FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body 54, and a delivery port 74 is provided at a predetermined part on the rear side (left side in FIG. 1) of the apparatus main body 54. A transfer path 76 that extends linearly from the receiving port 72 to the delivery port 74 is provided in the apparatus main body 54, and the circuit board 68 is connected to the transfer path 72.76And is conveyed in the direction indicated by an arrow 78 (see FIG. 1).
[0021]
The accommodation rack 70 is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction across the conveyance path 76. The illustrated accommodation rack 70 includes a rack base 80, and elongated support frames 82, 84, 86, 88 are provided at four corners of the rack base 80, and these support frames 82, 84, 86, 88 are separated from the rack base 80. It extends substantially vertically upward. In this embodiment, the support frames 84 and 86 on the right side in the transport direction are fixed to the rack base 80, and the support frames 82 and 88 on the left side in the transport direction are integrated with the positions indicated by the solid lines in FIGS. It is configured so as to be movable between the positions shown, and is adapted to be able to carry even conveyed objects having different widths. The slide of the support frames 82 and 88 can be automatically performed by rotating a manual handle or by providing an electric motor and rotating the handle.
[0022]
Referring mainly to FIG. 3, the accommodation rack 70 is moved in the vertical direction by the moving mechanism 87. An upper frame 92 is provided on the protrusion 90 of the apparatus main body 54, and a screw shaft 94 is rotatably supported between the upper frame 92 and the base main body 56 of the apparatus main body 54. An upper end portion of the screw shaft 94 protrudes upward from the upper frame 92, and a gear 96 is attached to the protruding end portion. Further, an electric motor 98 as a drive source is provided in the projecting portion 90, and a gear 100 is mounted on the output shaft of the electric motor 98, and the gears 96, 100 are engaged with each other. Instead of the gears 96 and 100, a combination of a pair of pulleys and a belt (toothed belt) may be used. A pair of guide columns 102 (only one is shown in FIG. 3) is provided between the upper frame 92 and the base body 56. Further, the rack base 80 of the accommodation rack 70 is provided with a block-like body 104 provided with a female screw. The block-like body 104 is screwed to the screw shaft 94, and each guide pillar 102 is fitted to the rack base 80. A pair of slide bodies 106 (only one of them is shown in FIG. 3) is provided correspondingly, and the slide bodies 106 are slidably mounted on the guide pillars 102.
[0023]
Thus, the electric motor 98, the gears 96 and 100, the screw shaft 94, and the block-like body 104 constitute a moving mechanism 87, and the electric motor 98 rotates in a predetermined direction (or a direction opposite to the predetermined direction). Then, the screw shaft 94 is rotated in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction (or a predetermined direction) via the pair of gears 96 and 100, and thus the slide body 106 moves along the guide pillar 102, whereby the accommodation rack 70. Moves upward (or downward) as indicated by arrow 108 (or 110).
[0024]
In this embodiment, the moving mechanism 87 uses a combination of a screw shaft 94 having a male screw and a block body 104 having a female screw. However, the moving mechanism 87 is not limited to such a configuration, and other known moving mechanisms may be used. May be.
[0025]
Referring mainly to FIG. 1, a receiving / sending area 112 is provided in an intersecting area between the predetermined conveyance path 76 and the receiving rack 70, and the receiving rack 70 is moved up and down through the receiving / sending area 112, and is moved to a raised position. (Indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2 and a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 1 and 3) and a lowered position (a position indicated by a solid line in FIGS. 1 and 3 and a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) To move.
[0026]
1 to 3, in this form, the accommodation rack 70 is provided with a plurality of (10 in this embodiment) accommodation spaces 114 spaced in the vertical direction, and the circuit board 68 is temporarily stocked. When this is done, the circuit board 68 is accommodated in one of the accommodation spaces 114. Note that when the temporary stock number of the circuit boards 68 is increased (or decreased), the number of the accommodation spaces 114 of the accommodation rack 70 may be increased (or decreased).
[0027]
A position detection mechanism 116 for detecting the vertical position of the storage rack 70 is provided (see FIG. 3). The illustrated position detection mechanism 116 includes a detection plate 120 in which slits 118 are formed corresponding to the respective accommodation spaces 114, and an optical sensor 122 that detects the slits 118. The detection plate 120 is fixed to the base body 56. The optical sensor 122 is attached to the rack base 80 of the receiving rack 70. The optical sensor 122 includes a light emitting sensor that emits light and a light receiving sensor that receives light passing through the slit 118 from the light emitting sensor. In this embodiment, when the optical sensor 122 detects the uppermost (or second, third,... Lowermost) slit 118 of the detection plate 120, the uppermost (or uppermost) of the receiving rack 70 is detected. The second, third,... Lowest) accommodation space 114 is configured to be located in the receiving / sending area 112. The accommodation space 114 located in the receiving / sending area 112 is connected to a conveyance path 76 that conveys the circuit board 68 and constitutes a part of the conveyance path 76. Therefore, as will be described later, the circuit board 68 transported through the receiving port 72 is received in the receiving space 114 located in the receiving / sending area 112 and also received in the receiving space 114 located in the receiving / sending area 112. The circuit board 68 is delivered from the accommodation space 114 and conveyed downstream through the delivery port 74.
[0028]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 together with FIGS. 1 to 3, the accommodation rack 70 and the configuration related thereto will be described in more detail. First, the storage space 114 of the storage rack 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. In this embodiment, each storage space 114 has substantially the same configuration, and one of them will be described below. Each accommodation space 114 is provided with a transport mechanism 126 for transporting the circuit board 68. In this embodiment, the transport mechanism 126 (the one on the left side in the transport direction indicated by the arrow 78 is indicated by the number 126a and the one on the right side in the transport direction is provided. (Shown by reference numeral 126 b) are provided on both side portions of the accommodation space 114, and these transport mechanisms 126 act on both side portions of the circuit board 68 and transport them.
[0029]
The illustrated transport mechanism 126 a (126 b) is wound around an upstream pulley 128 disposed on the upstream side of the accommodation rack 70, a downstream pulley 130 disposed on the downstream side thereof, and these pulleys 128, 130. The endless conveying belt 132 is formed. FIG. 4A shows the upstream pulley 128 and the vicinity thereof. In this embodiment, the short shaft 134 is fixed to the support frame 82 (84), and the upstream pulley 128 is rotatable on the short shaft 134. It is installed. The upstream pulley 128 has a pulley portion 138 provided with a substantially V-shaped circumferential groove 136, and a conveyor belt 132 is hung on the circumferential groove 136 of the pulley portion 138.
[0030]
4B shows the downstream pulley 130 and the vicinity thereof. In this embodiment, the short shaft 140 is rotatably supported by the support frame 88 (86), and the inner end portion of the short shaft 140 is shown. The downstream pulley 130 is mounted on the portion projecting inward from the support frame 88 (86), and the drive coupling roller 142 is mounted on the outer end portion (portion projecting outward from the support frame 88 (86)). The driving force is transmitted through the drive connecting roller 142 as will be described later. The downstream pulley 130 has the same configuration as the upstream pulley 128, and the conveyor belt 132 is hung on the circumferential groove 146 of the pulley portion 144.
[0031]
Since it is configured in this manner, an accommodation space 114 for temporarily holding the circuit board 68 is defined above the conveyance mechanisms 126a and 126b, that is, above the upper running portion of the pair of conveyance belts 132. The space 114 is disposed with a space in the vertical direction between the transport mechanisms 126a and 126b adjacent in the vertical direction. When a rotational driving force is transmitted to the drive connecting roller 142 of the transport mechanisms 126a and 126b as will be described later, the drive connecting roller 142 and the downstream pulley 130 are rotated in a predetermined direction, and the transport belt 132 is interposed via the transport belt 132. Thus, the upstream pulley 128 is driven. As shown in FIG. 4, the circuit board 68 is mounted on the conveyance belt 132 of the conveyance mechanisms 126a and 126b, and is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow 78 (see FIG. 1) by the movement of the upper traveling unit. Is done.
[0032]
  In this buffer device, a transport / feed mechanism 152 is provided on the downstream side of the storage rack 70. In this embodiment, the driving force of the transport / feed mechanism 152 is transmitted to the transport mechanism 126 of the storage rack 70. ing. Referring mainly to FIGS. 1 and 5, this transport and delivery mechanism 152 is provided corresponding to a transport mechanism 126 a provided on the left side in the transport direction of the storage rack 70 and a transport mechanism 126 b provided on the right side in the transport direction. Those configurations are substantially the same, and what is provided corresponding to one transport mechanism 126b will be described below. The illustrated transporting and sending mechanism 152 includes a unit main body 154, and the first and second shafts 156 and 158 are disposed in the unit main body 154 at intervals in the transport direction indicated by the arrow 78.FirstThe shaft 156 is fixed to the unit body 154,SecondThe shaft 158 is rotatably supported by the unit main body 154. A first pulley 160 is rotatably attached to the tip of the first shaft 156, and a second pulley 162 is fixed to one end of the second shaft 158 (an end protruding inward from the unit body 154). An endless conveyance belt 164 is wound around an output pulley (not shown) of the electric motor 170 constituting the drive source and the pulleys 160 and 162. Therefore, the circuit board 68 to be transported is transported in the direction indicated by the arrow 78 by the transport belt 164 as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. In order to ensure transmission of the driving force, it is desirable that the first and second pulleys 160 and 162, the output pulley, and the conveyor belt are toothed.
[0033]
A shaft 165 is fixed to the transport and delivery mechanism 152 on the side opposite to the first pulley 160, and a drive connecting member 166 composed of, for example, a roller is attached to the tip of the shaft 165. The drive coupling roller 142 of the transport mechanism 126 of the storage space 114 located in the receiving / sending area 112 is disposed. In this embodiment, a driving force transmission mechanism 168 is provided between the second pulley 162 located on the downstream side in the conveyance direction and the drive connecting member 166, and is transmitted from the electric motor 170 to the second pulley 162 via the conveyance belt 164. The drive force is transmitted to the drive connecting member 166 via the drive force transmission mechanism 168. The driving force transmission mechanism 168 is disposed outside the unit main body 154 and has a first gear 172 fixed to the second shaft 158 (an end protruding outward from the unit main body 154) and a short gear fixed to the unit main body 154. The first and fourth gears 172 and 178 are constituted by second and third gears 178 and 180 rotatably mounted on the shafts 174 and 176 and a fourth gear 182 provided integrally with the drive connecting member 166. , 180, 182 are meshed as required. With this configuration, when the driving force from the electric motor 170 is transmitted to the second pulley 162 via the conveyor belt 164, the driving force is transmitted to the second shaft 158 and the first to fourth gears 172. , 178, 180, 182 to the drive transmission member 166. In this way, by transmitting the driving force from the second pulley 162 to the drive connecting member 166, the circuit board 68 can be reliably conveyed to the downstream side as required.
[0034]
  In this embodiment, the transport and delivery mechanism152(Specifically, the electric motor 170,The conveyance belt 164, the second pulley 162, the second shaft 158, the driving force transmission mechanism 168 and the drive transmission member 166) constitute a drive mechanism for driving the conveyance mechanism 126 provided in the accommodation space 114 of the accommodation rack 70. is doing. In relation to this, the unit main body 154 is supported by the apparatus main body 54 so as to be movable in the left-right direction in FIG. 5, that is, in the direction approaching and separating from the accommodation rack 70. In between, an air cylinder mechanism (not shown) constituting an operating source is interposed.
[0035]
With this configuration, when the air cylinder mechanism is extended, the unit main body 154 and the members attached thereto are moved to the left in the direction away from the receiving rack 70 in FIG. The drive release position shown is held. In this drive release position, the drive connecting member 166 of the unit main body 154 is separated from the drive connecting roller 142 of the transport mechanism 126 provided in the receiving space 114 in the receiving / sending area 112, and driven with the drive connecting member 166. The drive connection with the connection roller 142 is released, the drive force from the drive connection member 166 is not transmitted to the drive connection roller 142, and the transport mechanism 126 is inactivated. In this disengaged state, the drive connecting member 166 is separated from the drive connecting roller 142, so that the housing rack 70 is allowed to move in the vertical direction. The selected storage space among the storage spaces 114 is positioned in the receiving / sending area 112.
[0036]
On the other hand, when the air cylinder mechanism (not shown) contracts, the unit main body 154 and the members attached thereto move to the right in FIG. 5 in the direction approaching the receiving rack 70, and are indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Is held at the drive coupling position shown. In this drive connection position, the drive connection member 166 of the unit main body 154 comes into pressure contact with the drive connection roller 142 of the transport mechanism 126 provided in the receiving space 114 in the receiving / sending area 112 to drive the drive connection member 166. The connecting roller 142 is drivingly connected, the driving force from the driving connecting member 166 is transmitted to the driving connecting roller 142, and the transport mechanism 126 is in an operating state. As described above, since the transport mechanism 126 is operated by using the driving force of the transport / sending mechanism 152, a dedicated drive source for driving the transport mechanism 126 is not required, and the configuration of the entire buffer device can be simplified. Manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0037]
In the buffer device described above, when the circuit board 68 is accommodated in the predetermined accommodation space 114 of the accommodation rack 70, the accommodation rack 70 is moved in the vertical direction with the unit main body 154 (and a member attached thereto) held in the drive release position. To move the predetermined storage space 114 to the receiving / sending area 112. In this way, the predetermined accommodation space 114 is connected to the transport path 76 to form a part thereof, and the circuit board 68 can be received.
[0038]
When the circuit board 68 is received, the unit main body 154 is positioned at the drive coupling position, and the driving force from the transport / sending mechanism 152 is transmitted to the transport mechanism 126 in the predetermined accommodation space 114 located in the receiving / sending area 112 to be transported. The mechanism 126 is activated. Thus, the circuit board 68 transported from the upstream side is transported in the direction indicated by the arrow 78 by the transport mechanism 126, received in the predetermined storage space 114, and temporarily held in the predetermined storage space 114. When the circuit board 68 is received, the unit main body 154 is positioned at the drive release position, and the drive connection between the drive connection member 166 of the transfer delivery mechanism 152 and the drive connection roller 142 of the transfer mechanism 126 is released, and the transfer mechanism. The conveyance of the circuit board 68 by 126 is completed, and then the operation of the electric motor 170 of the conveyance and delivery mechanism 152 is stopped.
[0039]
When the received circuit board 68 is sent out, the holding rack 70 is moved in the vertical direction in a state where the unit main body 154 (and the member attached thereto) is held at the drive release position, and the predetermined holding space 114 (the circuit to be sent out). The housing space in which the substrate 68 is housed is positioned in the receiving / sending area 112. Thus, the predetermined accommodation space 114 is connected to the transport path 76, and the circuit board 68 can be sent out.
[0040]
When the circuit board 68 is sent out, the unit main body 154 is again positioned at the drive coupling position, and the driving force from the transport / sending mechanism 152 is transmitted to the transport mechanism 126 in the predetermined accommodation space 114 located in the receiving / sending area 112. Then, the transport mechanism 126 is activated. As a result, the circuit board 68 accommodated in the accommodation space 114 is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow 78 by the conveyance mechanism 126 and further conveyed downstream by the conveyance belt 164 of the conveyance delivery mechanism 152, and thus the circuit board. 68 is sent out from the storage rack 70 and conveyed downstream. When the circuit board 68 is delivered, the unit main body 154 is positioned at the drive release position, and the drive connection between the drive connection member 166 of the transport delivery mechanism 152 and the drive connection roller 142 of the transport mechanism 126 is released, and the transport is performed. The delivery of the circuit board 68 by the mechanism 126 is completed, and then the operation of the electric motor 170 of the transport delivery mechanism 68 is stopped.
[0041]
In this buffer device, as described above, since the transport mechanism 126 is disposed in each accommodation space 114, the circuit board 68 can be received and sent out in a short time, and the work tact can be shortened. When incorporated in a circuit board mounting line, it is possible to suppress a reduction in the working speed of the mounting line.
[0042]
Although one embodiment of the buffer device according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications and corrections can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0043]
For example, in the illustrated embodiment, a transport / feed mechanism 152 is provided on the downstream side of the storage rack 70, and the transport mechanism 126 of the storage rack 70 is driven using the driving force of the transport / feed mechanism 152. Instead of such a configuration, for example, a dedicated drive mechanism for driving the transport mechanism 126 of the storage rack may be provided, and the driving force from the dedicated drive mechanism may be transmitted to the transport mechanism 126. Further, instead of such a configuration, a drive source may be provided for each transport mechanism 126, and the corresponding transport mechanism 126 may be driven using the drive force from the drive source. In this case, a larger number of drive sources are required as compared with the configuration described above.
[0044]
Further, for example, although not particularly provided in the illustrated embodiment, one intermediate pulley for supporting the conveyor belt 132 is provided between the upstream pulley 128 and the downstream pulley 130 of each conveyor mechanism 126 of the accommodation rack 70. One or two or more may be provided, or an upper guide guide for guiding the conveyed circuit board 68 may be provided above the upper running portion of the conveying belt 132 of each conveying mechanism 126.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the buffer device of the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of storage spaces are provided at intervals in the vertical direction in the storage rack for temporarily stocking the transported items, and each storage space is transported. Since the mechanism is provided, the transported material from the upstream side is transported by the transport mechanism of the storage space in the receiving / sending area, and is received in the specific storage space by this transport mechanism and transported in the storage space The object is sent out from the accommodation space by the operation of the transport mechanism. In this way, since the transported object is transported and held by the operation and deactivation of the transport mechanism provided in the storage space of the storage rack, it is not necessary to provide a pushing mechanism as in the prior art, thereby increasing the device length of the device main body. It can be shortened, the line length of the line to be incorporated can be shortened, the operation time can be shortened, the tact time for receiving and sending out the conveyed product can be increased, and the conventional push-in can be achieved. Unlike the mechanism, a large force does not act on the conveyed product, and damage to the conveyed product due to the conveyance can be prevented.In addition, when the predetermined storage space of the storage rack is positioned in the receiving / sending area, the transport mechanism of the predetermined storage space can be connected to the transport and delivery mechanism, so that driving for driving the transport mechanism corresponding to each storage space is possible. There is no need to provide a mechanism, and the configuration of the buffer device can be simplified and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, the transport and delivery mechanism is movable between the drive connection position and the drive release position, and when in the drive connection position, the transport and delivery mechanism and the transport mechanism in the receiving space in the receiving / sending area are driven and connected. The transport mechanism can be operated using the driving force of the transport and delivery mechanism. In addition, when in the drive release position, the drive connection between the transport and delivery mechanism and the transport mechanism of the storage space in the receiving / sending area is released, so that the vertical movement of the storage rack is allowed and the predetermined storage space is received. -Can be positioned in the sending area.
[0048]
  Further, the claims of the present invention2According to this buffer device, since the conveyance and delivery mechanism includes the first and second pulleys and the conveyance belt wound around these, the conveyance object can be conveyed and sent downstream by the conveyance belt. Further, when the second transport pulley and the drive connecting member are drivingly connected via the driving force transmission mechanism and the transport sending mechanism is positioned at the drive connecting position, the drive connecting member is drive connected to the transport mechanism located in the receiving / sending area. Therefore, the transport mechanism of the accommodation space located in the receiving / sending area can be operated using the driving force of the second pulley of the transport / sending mechanism.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a simplified side cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of a buffer device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a simplified front view as seen from the direction of II-II line in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a simplified rear view as seen from the direction of line III-III in FIG. 1;
4 (a) is a partially enlarged view showing an upstream side portion of the accommodation rack of the buffer device of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 (b) is a partially enlarged view showing a downstream side portion of the accommodation rack. It is.
FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view showing the transport and delivery mechanism of the buffer device of FIG. 1 and the vicinity thereof in an enlarged manner.
FIG. 6 is a simplified side sectional view showing an example of a conventional buffer device.
[Explanation of symbols]
54 Device body
68 Circuit board
70 storage rack
76 Transport route
87 Movement mechanism
112 Acceptance and sending area
114 accommodation space
116 Position detection mechanism
126, 126a, 126b transport mechanism
142 Drive coupling roller
152 Conveying and sending mechanism
154 Unit body
160 First pulley
162 Second pulley
164 Conveyor belt
166 Drive connecting member
168 Drive force transmission mechanism

Claims

An apparatus main body that defines a predetermined transport path for transporting a transported object, a storage rack that is mounted so as to be movable in a vertical direction through a receiving / sending area of the predetermined transport path, and for moving the storage rack in the vertical direction A buffer device comprising:
The storage rack is provided with a plurality of storage spaces for temporarily stocking the transported objects at intervals in the vertical direction, and each of the plurality of storage spaces is used for transporting a transported object. A transport mechanism is provided,
When the specific storage space is positioned in the receiving / sending area among the plurality of storage spaces, the specific storage space is connected to the predetermined transport path to constitute a part thereof,
The apparatus main body is provided with a transport / sending mechanism for transporting a transported object toward the downstream side downstream of the receiving / sending area, and when the specific accommodation space is positioned in the receiving / sending area, The transport mechanism in the specific accommodation space can be connected to the transport / feed mechanism, and the transport / feed mechanism is between a drive connection position for transmitting a driving force and a drive release position for canceling the transmission of the driving force. When the transport and delivery mechanism is positioned at the drive connection position, the transport and delivery mechanism is drivingly connected to the transport mechanism in the specific accommodation space located in the receiving / sending area,
When transporting a transported object to the specific storage space, the specific storage space is positioned in the receiving / sending area by moving the storage rack in the vertical direction with the transport and delivery mechanism held at the drive release position. After that, when the transport delivery mechanism is positioned at the drive coupling position, the transported object is transported to the specific storage space by the transport mechanism provided in the specific storage space,
In addition, when a transported object is sent out from the specific storage space, the specific storage space is moved into the receiving / sending area by moving the storage rack in the vertical direction while holding the transport / sending mechanism at the drive release position. And then the transport and delivery mechanism is positioned at the drive connection position, the transported material stocked in the specific storage space is removed from the specific storage space by the transport mechanism provided in the specific storage space. A buffer device which is sent out and is transported further downstream by the transport and delivery mechanism .

The transport and delivery mechanism includes first and second pulleys arranged at intervals in the transport direction of the transported object, and a transport belt wound around the first and second pulleys, A drive connecting member for transmitting a driving force to the transport mechanism in the specific accommodation space located in the delivery area is provided, and further, a driving force is transmitted between the second pulley and the driving connecting member. Drive force transmission mechanism is provided, and when the transport and delivery mechanism is positioned at the drive connection position, the drive connection member of the transport and delivery mechanism is moved to the transport mechanism in the specific accommodation space located in the receiving / sending area. The buffer device according to claim 1, wherein the buffer device is drive-coupled.