JP4441511B2 - Work transfer device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a work transfer device used when, for example, a work such as a work such as an engine (cylinder block) is transferred between processing stations such as various machine tools scattered in a factory.

  For example, in order to transport a workpiece such as an engine between various processing devices that are scattered in a factory, various workpiece transfer devices have been used. An example is shown in FIG.

  In the work conveying apparatus shown in this figure, first, the work carried into the carrying-in device (for example, the conveyor) 51 is clamped (gripped) by the hand 52a of the first loader unit 52. Then, the 1st loader part 52 is moved along the guide member 53, and is stopped by the processing machines M1-M3 sequentially. Here, on the hand 52a of the first loader unit 52 stopped by each processing machine M, the work is replaced, that is, the workpiece being clamped is transferred to the processing machine M and processed by the processing machine M. The work rate of the line is improved by clamping another workpiece that has been completed. In FIG. 13, 53 a is a rack, and a pinion gear (not shown) corresponding to the rack 53 a is provided in the first loader portion 52.

  Further, the workpiece processed by the processing machines M1 to M3 is transferred to the transfer device (for example, a conveyor) 54 by the first loader unit 52, and the workpiece transferred by the transfer device 54 is transferred to the hand 55a of the second loader unit 55. To clamp. Thereafter, the second loader portion 55 is moved along the guide member 56, and the processing machines M4 to M6 are sequentially stopped. Here, similarly to the hand 52a of the first loader unit 52, the work is transferred to the hand 55a of the second loader unit 55 stopped by each processing machine M. The second loader portion 55 is provided with a pinion gear (not shown), and a rack 56 a that meshes with the pinion gear is provided in the guide member 56.

  Finally, the workpiece processed by each processing machine M as described above is transferred to the unloading device (for example, conveyor) 57 by the second loader unit 55, and unloaded to the next process.

  In the workpiece conveyance device having the above-described configuration, workpiece conveyance and workpiece machining by each processing machine M can be automatically performed.

  However, in the conventional workpiece transfer device, since the first loader portion 52 is linearly moved along the guide member 53, after traveling on the forward path for transferring the workpiece from the loading device 51 to the transfer device 54, It is necessary to cause the first loader unit 52 to travel on the return path to return from the transfer device 54 to the carry-in device 51, and it takes extra time. This also applies to the second loader unit 55.

  Further, if the workpiece transport distance (the distance traveled by the loader units 52 and 55) is increased, the travel time of the loader units 52 and 55 on the return path is increased accordingly, and accordingly, the processing of each processing machine M is performed. It is conceivable that a wasteful time is generated between the completion of the loader units 52 and 55 and the arrival of the loader units 52 and 55 at the processing machine M.

  Furthermore, in addition to the need for two loader units 52 and 55 for transferring workpieces between the processing machines M1 to M3 and the processing machines M4 to M6 arranged in a line as shown in FIG. Therefore, the transfer device 54 is also required, and there is a problem that the cost of the device (initial cost) becomes high.

  Here, if the guide member 53 is looped and the loader portions 52 and 55 are run in a loop, the above problem can be solved. Therefore, the guide member 53 has a curved shape in addition to a linear shape. It is also possible to do. However, since such a curved guide member 53 is not a general-purpose product but a custom-made product, and it takes a long time to obtain a high cost, a workpiece transfer device that uses the curved guide member 53 is expensive and difficult to manufacture. In addition to requiring a long time, the shape of the curved portion cannot be easily changed, and it is not versatile.

  In order to solve the above problem, it is conceivable that the guide member 53 has a traveling rail structure so that the loader portions 52 and 55 travel on wheels. In this case, the workpiece is reliably delivered. Since it is necessary to stop the loader portions 52 and 55 at an accurate position in front of the processing machine M in order to perform the operation, it is necessary to provide a rack 53a on the linear portion of the guide member 53 at a position corresponding to the processing machine M. . Therefore, the loader portions 52 and 55 can be configured to move by rotating the pinion gear meshing with the rack 53a in the linear portion of the guide member 53, and to move by roller running in the curved portion. When moving from the curved portion to the straight portion, the pinion gear does not mesh with the teeth of the rack 53a and the loader portions 52 and 55 are stopped. In the worst case, the teeth of the rack 53a and the pinion gear are missing. There is a risk that the device will be destroyed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and the object thereof is to achieve improvement in line operating rate and cost reduction at the same time, and it can be easily manufactured and is excellent in versatility. Another object of the present invention is to provide a high-quality work transfer device.

  In order to achieve the above object, a workpiece transfer apparatus according to the present invention includes a loop-shaped guide portion having a straight portion and a curved portion, and a loader portion having a hand portion that moves along the guide portion and grips the workpiece. A rack in the straight part of the guide part and a chain in the curved part, respectively, while a pinion gear meshing with the rack and a sprocket meshing with the chain are coaxially provided in the loader part, Further, the position of the pin of the chain is aligned with the position of the tooth at the end of the rack, and either one of the tooth of the pinion gear or the tooth of the sprocket is part or all of the other tooth. And the phases are matched with each other (claim 1).

  In the workpiece transfer device, the number of teeth of the pinion gear may be twice the number of teeth of the sprocket.

  In the inventions according to claims 1 and 2, a work transfer device capable of simultaneously improving the line operating rate and reducing the cost is obtained. That is, according to the present invention, the loader portion is moved along the loop-shaped guide portion, so that the loader portion is wasted compared to the case where the loader portion reciprocates as in the conventional example shown in FIG. It is possible to minimize the time required to move to the line, thereby achieving an improvement in line availability. This is the same even if the moving distance of the loader unit is increased.

  Further, in the present invention, it is only necessary to provide a guide portion for moving the loader portion, and unlike the conventional example shown in FIG. 13, the transfer device 54 is not required in addition to the guide portion. Equipment costs can be reduced, and as a result, cost reduction can be achieved.

  Furthermore, the workpiece transfer device according to the present invention can be manufactured at a low cost and in a short period of time by using a general-purpose product as a chain provided in the curved portion of the guide portion, and the degree of freedom in designing and changing the shape of the curved portion. Ease of use can be secured and is excellent in versatility.

  Further, in this invention, the position of the pin of the chain is aligned with the position of the tooth at the end of the rack, and all of the teeth of either the pinion gear teeth or the sprocket teeth are the other teeth. The phase is matched with some or all. Therefore, when the loader part moves from the straight part of the guide part provided with the rack to the curved part of the guide part provided with the chain, or conversely, when the loader part moves from the curved part to the straight part, the rack and pinion gear and chain And the sprocket can be smoothly engaged with each other, and the loader can be moved smoothly, and damage to the rack or the like due to poor engagement can be surely prevented. As a result, a high-quality work transfer device can be obtained.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of a workpiece transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of the workpiece transfer device, and FIGS. The side view and partial enlarged side view schematically showing the configuration of the main part of the work transfer device, FIGS. 5 and 6 are the front view and partial enlarged front view schematically showing the configuration of the main part of the work transfer device. 7, FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are a side view and a front view schematically showing a configuration of a main part in a state where the hand part of the workpiece transfer device is raised.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, the workpiece transfer apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a loop-shaped guide portion 5 having two linear portions 1 and 2 and two curved portions 3 and 4, and the guide portion 5. And a loader unit 7 having a hand unit 6 for gripping the workpiece W (see FIG. 5).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a rack 8 is provided on the straight portions 1 and 2 of the guide portion 5, and a chain 9 is provided on the curved portions 3 and 4. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the loader unit 7 is provided with a pinion gear 10 that meshes with the rack 8 and a sprocket 11 that meshes with the chain 9. The motor 12 is configured to rotate together.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the guide portion 5 is supported at an appropriate height by the gantry portion 13, and the two hand portions 6 provided on the loader portion 7 are also lifted and lowered provided on the loader portion 7. The apparatus (lift) 14 is configured to move up and down. The lifting device 14 only needs to be configured to be able to move the hand unit 6 across a lower position P1 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 and an upper position P2 shown in FIGS. The various things of these can be employ | adopted. And the hand part 6 is comprised so that the workpiece | work W can be delivered between the holding parts 15 provided in the processing machine M side and holding the workpiece | work W in the state located in the downward position P1.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, the loader unit 7 has a plurality of rollers 16 that abut against the guide unit 5, so that the loader unit 7 moves along the guide unit 5 without rattling. can do.

  Next, the operation of the workpiece transfer device will be described. First, the work W is carried in from the previous process by a carry-in device (for example, a conveyor) 17. In this embodiment, the work W is carried into a position corresponding to the linear portion 1 of the guide unit 5. Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the hand portion 6 of the loader portion 7 clamps the workpiece W, and the hand portion 6 at this time is in the lower position P1.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, after the hand unit 6 is moved to the upper position P <b> 2 by the lifting device 14, the loader unit 7 having the hand unit 6 is moved along the guide unit 5 in this state. It is made to move, and it stops sequentially in front of the processing machines M1-M3 arranged in the position corresponding to the linear part 1 of the guide part 5. FIG. Then, the loader unit 7 stopped before each processing machine M moves the hand unit 6 to the lower position P1, transfers the workpiece W to the processing machine M, and moves the workpiece W that has been processed by the processing machine M to the workpiece W. It clamps with the hand part 6, moves the hand part 6 to the upper position P2, and performs operation of starting a movement again.

  As described above, the loader unit 7 that passes through the straight line portion 1 of the guide unit 5 while stopping at the processing machines M1 to M3 sequentially reaches the straight line portion 2 via the curved portion 3, and the processing machines disposed on the straight line portion 2 Stop sequentially before M4 to M6. This is the same as when the loader unit 7 is sequentially stopped at the processing machines M1 to M3 of the linear portion 1, and the operation performed by the loader unit 7 stopped at each of the processing machines M4 to M6 is also performed by the processing machine M1. It is the same as the said operation performed when it stopped to -M3. Thereafter, the loader unit 7 transfers the workpiece W to an unloading device (for example, a conveyor) 18 disposed at a position corresponding to the linear portion 2, and the unloading device 18 unloads the workpiece W to the next process.

  Furthermore, the loader unit 7 that has transferred the workpiece W to the carry-out device 18 starts to move again, reaches the curved portion 4 from the straight portion 2 of the guide portion 5, and then is loaded by the carry-in device 17. To the position where it can be received, and then the above-described steps are repeated.

  9 and 10 are a plan view and a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the workpiece transfer device in a state immediately before the loader unit 7 reaches the curved portions 3 and 4 from the straight portions 1 and 2 of the guide portion 5, respectively. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are plan views schematically showing the configuration of the main part of the workpiece transfer device at the moment when the loader unit 7 reaches the curved portions 3 and 4 from the straight portions 1 and 2 of the guide portion 5. And FIG.

  Here, the movement of the loader portion 7 in the linear portions 1 and 2 is performed by rotational driving of the pinion gear 10 meshing with the rack 8 provided in the linear portions 1 and 2, and the movement in the curved portions 3 and 4 is curved. This is performed by rotationally driving a sprocket 11 that meshes with a chain 9 provided in the portions 3 and 4. Therefore, when the loader portion 7 is inserted between the straight portions 1 and 2 and the curved portions 3 and 4, the pinion gear 10 must be engaged with the rack 8 provided on the straight portions 1 and 2, and the sprocket. 11 must mesh with the chain 9 provided on the curved portions 3 and 4.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the pin of the chain 9 is positioned at the tooth position at the end of the rack 8 at the boundary between the straight portions 1 and 2 and the curved portions 3 and 4. (Here, the pin of the chain or the roller covering this pin is also aligned), and the teeth of either the pinion gear 10 or the sprocket 11 are all the other teeth. The phase in the axial direction coincides with part or all of the above. With such a configuration, both when the loader unit 7 reaches the straight line parts 1 and 2 from the straight line parts 1 and 2 and when the loader part 7 reaches the straight line parts 1 and 2 from the curved parts 3 and 4. There are no inconveniences such as that the rack 10 does not mesh with the rack 10 or the sprocket 11 does not mesh with the chain 9, and a work conveying apparatus with excellent quality can be obtained.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, all the teeth of the sprocket 11 are in phase with a part of the teeth of the pinion gear 10, specifically, the pinion gear. The number of teeth of 10 is twice the number of teeth of the sprocket 11 so that the phase of the teeth of the sprocket 11 matches every other tooth of the pinion gear 10. Thus, the number of teeth of either the teeth of the pinion gear 10 or the teeth of the sprocket 11 is preferably equal to or even multiple of the number of the other teeth. In this embodiment, the loader unit It is more preferable to increase the number of teeth of the pinion gear 10 that meshes with the racks 8 of the linear portions 1 and 2 that require higher precision in terms of positioning and the like. Of course, in any case, the intervals between the teeth of the pinion gear 10 are equal intervals, and it is needless to say that the intervals between the teeth of the sprocket 11 are also equal intervals.

  In addition, the workpiece conveyance apparatus of this invention is not restricted to said embodiment, It can implement in various deformation | transformation. For example, FIG. 1 shows a guide portion 5 having two straight portions 1, 2 and two curved portions 3, 4, but the guide portion 5 has three or more straight portions and three or more curved portions. You may have a part.

  Further, from the viewpoint of design and workability, it is desirable that the processing machine M, the carry-in device 17 and the carry-out device 18 are arranged on the straight portions 1 and 2 of the guide portion 5. 4 may be arranged.

It is explanatory drawing which shows roughly the structure of the workpiece conveyance apparatus which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the structure of the said workpiece conveyance apparatus roughly. It is a side view which shows roughly the structure of the principal part of the said workpiece conveyance apparatus. It is a partial expanded side view which shows roughly the structure of the principal part of the said workpiece conveyance apparatus. It is a front view which shows roughly the structure of the principal part of the said workpiece conveyance apparatus. It is a partial enlarged front view which shows roughly the structure of the principal part of the said workpiece conveyance apparatus. It is a side view which shows roughly the structure of the principal part of the state which raised the hand part of the said workpiece conveyance apparatus. It is a front view which shows roughly the structure of the principal part of the state which raised the hand part of the said workpiece conveyance apparatus. It is a top view which shows roughly the structure of the principal part of the workpiece conveyance apparatus in the state just before a loader part is approaching a curve part from the linear part of a guide part. It is a cross-sectional view which shows roughly the structure of the principal part of the workpiece conveyance apparatus in the state immediately before a loader part approaches a curve part from the linear part of a guide part. It is a top view which shows roughly the structure of the principal part of the workpiece conveyance apparatus in the moment when the loader part approached the curved part from the linear part of the guide part. It is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the main part of the work transfer device at the moment when the loader part reaches the curved part from the straight part of the guide part. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematically the structure of the workpiece conveyance apparatus which concerns on a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Straight line part 2 Straight line part 3 Curved part 4 Curved part 5 Guide part 6 Hand part 7 Loader part 8 Rack 9 Chain 10 Pinion gear 11 Sprocket W Workpiece

Claims (2)

  A loop-shaped guide portion having a straight portion and a curved portion; and a loader portion having a hand portion that moves along the guide portion and grips a workpiece. While each of the chains is provided, a pinion gear that meshes with the rack and a sprocket that meshes with the chain are provided coaxially in the loader portion, and the position of the pin of the chain at the tooth position at the end of the rack And a workpiece conveying device characterized in that all of one of the teeth of the pinion gear and the teeth of the sprocket are in phase with part or all of the other teeth. .   The work conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of teeth of the pinion gear is twice the number of teeth of the sprocket.

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