JP4595841B2 - Work transfer device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a workpiece transfer device that transfers a workpiece by air.

Conventionally, as this type of work transfer device, air is blown upward from a work transfer path through which a work is transferred, and the work is floated, and air is blown stronger than the center on both sides of the work transfer path. In this state, air is blown out from a jet port provided in the workpiece conveyance path in the conveyance direction to impart a propulsive force to the workpiece and convey it (patent) Reference 1). Thereby, the workpiece conveyance apparatus can convey a workpiece without detaching from the workpiece conveyance path.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-157851

  However, in the above configuration, in order to transport the workpiece without deviating from the workpiece conveyance path, air must be blown stronger than the center on both sides of the workpiece conveyance path, and air turbulence due to collision between the air may occur. It is necessary to consider. For this reason, there are problems that the air control becomes complicated and the amount of air consumed increases, such as the amount of air blown out, the direction of blowout, and the number and arrangement of the jet outlets.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a workpiece transfer device that can transfer a workpiece in an appropriate and efficient manner with a simple configuration and a relatively small amount of air.

The workpiece conveyance device of the present invention is composed of a pair of divided conveyance paths on which a workpiece is placed so as to straddle the workpiece, the workpiece conveyance path for guiding the conveyance of the workpiece, and the both sides of the workpiece conveyance path. Spacing distance adjustment that adjusts the separation distance between the pair of divided transport paths by moving at least one of the pair of divided transport paths in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction by blowing air from the side to the workpiece on the road. The air blow means blows air from the oblique conveyance direction to the side surface of the workpiece and applies a propulsive force for conveying the workpiece, and air from the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction on the side surface of the workpiece. by blowing and a plurality of control nozzles for controlling the attitude of the workpiece, and the plurality of propulsion nozzles and a plurality of control nozzles are aligned in the transport direction in a mixed state The pair of divided conveyance paths extend non-parallel so as to narrow in a “C” shape toward the front in the conveyance direction, and the separation distance adjusting means moves the pair of divided conveyance paths into a non-parallel state. The separation distance is adjusted while maintaining .

According to this structure, since air is blown so that a propulsive force is equally applied to both side surfaces of the work, the work can be transported while bringing the work to the center of the work transport path. Therefore, the workpiece can be conveyed while maintaining the posture of the workpiece without the workpiece being detached from the workpiece conveyance path.
The control nozzle can position the workpiece in the center of the workpiece conveyance path in a posture substantially parallel to the conveyance direction, and the workpiece can be conveyed in this state by the propulsion nozzle.
Furthermore, according to the size of the workpiece to be conveyed, the width can be adjusted so that the separation distance between the pair of divided conveyance paths is an appropriate distance. Thereby, since a workpiece of a desired size can be conveyed, it is possible to perform an appropriate conveyance according to the size of the workpiece without being limited by the size of the workpiece.
In addition, the workpieces placed on the pair of divided conveyance paths can be conveyed while being moved toward the center of the pair of divided conveyance paths as they are conveyed further in the conveyance direction. That is, since the pair of divided conveyance paths are in a “C” shape, the air blow acts strongly as the conveyance proceeds, and the workpiece is automatically positioned at the center of the center as the conveyance proceeds.

  In this case, it is preferable that each propulsion nozzle and each control nozzle are disposed to face each other between the pair of air blowing means.

  According to this configuration, since the air is always blown from the propulsion nozzle to the work, the conveyance speed can be stabilized.

  In this case, it is preferable that the interval between the plurality of propulsion nozzles and the plurality of control nozzles of each air blowing means is 1/2 or less of the length of the side surface of the workpiece.

  According to this configuration, since air can be blown to the side surface of the workpiece by the control nozzle, even if the workpiece is misaligned with respect to the conveyance direction, this is corrected in the center of the workpiece conveyance path while correcting the posture of the workpiece. Can be positioned. Moreover, since air can be blown on the side surface of the workpiece by the propulsion nozzle, a propulsive force can be applied in the transport direction while properly bringing the workpiece to the center.

  In this case, the work conveyance path is composed of a plurality of working air plates composed of a perforated plate and an air chamber communicating with the perforated plate in the conveyance direction so that the work is floated through the perforated plate. It is preferable that air supply means for supplying air to the air chamber is further provided.

  According to this configuration, since the workpiece can be lifted, the frictional force generated between the workpiece and the workpiece conveyance path can be extremely reduced, and the posture of the workpiece can be easily controlled by air and the workpiece can be conveyed. It can be.

  In this case, it is preferable to further include a vacuum suction means for sucking air from the air chamber to suck the work through the perforated plate, and a switching control means for switching between the air supply means and the vacuum suction means. .

  According to this structure, a workpiece | work can be vacuum-sucked and it can fix on a workpiece conveyance path. For this reason, for example, when a workpiece is picked up at the conveyance end position, it can be sucked and fixed in a pre-aligned state, and can be picked up without causing a positional shift in the workpiece at the time of picking up.

  In this case, it is preferable that the perforated plate is composed of a porous plate.

  According to this configuration, air can be uniformly blown from the entire surface of the porous plate with a relatively small amount of air.

  In this case, it is preferable that the width of the work conveyance path is narrower than the width of the work.

  According to this structure, a workpiece conveyance apparatus can be made compact. At this time, it is more preferable that the width of the work conveyance path is set to ½ or more of the width of the work so that the work does not fall.

  In this case, it is preferable that the plurality of control nozzles be arranged so that the arrangement becomes denser from the transfer start position on the workpiece transfer path toward the transfer end position.
  In this case, it is preferable that the plurality of propulsion nozzles and the plurality of control nozzles are arranged at positions facing the side of the workpiece.

  Hereinafter, a workpiece transfer apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. By the way, in order to mount components such as a flexible substrate (FOG) and driver chip (COG) on a glass substrate or the like, each component and the glass substrate are pre-aligned (accuracy of ± 0.1 mm) as a previous step, and then in the next step. Using an image recognition device and a precision stage, etc., each component and each alignment mark formed on the glass substrate are image-recognized. Based on the image recognition result, high-precision alignment (± 0.002 mm Accuracy). Thereafter, each component is bonded to the glass substrate, and each component is mounted on the glass substrate. At this time, the pre-alignment performed as a previous step is an operation for projecting the alignment mark on the image recognition apparatus. Here, this workpiece conveyance device performs workpiece pre-alignment while conveying a workpiece such as a glass substrate used for a liquid crystal panel placed on the workpiece conveyance path by air along the workpiece conveyance path.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a workpiece transfer device 1 includes a workpiece transfer path 2 and a pair of air blow units 3 erected along both sides thereof. The pair of air blow units 3 extends somewhat shorter than the length of the workpiece conveyance path 2 from the conveyance start position Ps to the conveyance end position Pe of the workpiece conveyance path 2, and the workpiece W conveyed by the workpiece conveyance path 2. Blow air toward

  The work conveyance path 2 forms a conveyance path by connecting a plurality of working air plates 5, and each working air plate 5 is fitted to a rectangular frame frame 7 as a base and an upper portion of the frame frame 7. And an air chamber 6 is formed below the porous plate 8. Each air chamber 6 has an air connection port 9 opened on the lower side thereof, and the air connection port 9 can be switched to a compressed air supply facility and an air suction facility in a factory via a switching valve (not shown). It is connected. When air is supplied from the compressed air supply facility, air is blown evenly upward from the entire surface of the porous plate 8 to float the workpiece W, and when the switching valve is switched and connected to the air suction facility, The workpiece W is vacuum-adsorbed on the porous plate 8. Thereby, in the conveyance from the conveyance end position Pe to the conveyance start position Ps of the plurality of workpieces W, the work W of the processing apparatus disposed at the conveyance end position Pe or at the intermediate position of the conveyance of the workpiece W at the conveyance end position Pe. When the conveyance is stopped due to access or the like, vacuum suction is performed to suck and fix the workpiece, and when the conveyance is performed again, air is blown out to float the workpiece W. Note that the air blowing amount may be such that the work W is slightly lifted.

  The pair of air blow units 3 are disposed along both sides of the work transfer path 2 and are formed as a pair of rectangular air boxes 10 extending from the transfer start position Ps to the transfer end position Pe, and the air boxes 10. A plurality of control nozzles 12 which are provided so as to face each other across the workpiece conveyance path 2 and which blows air in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and a plurality of air which blows air in an inclined direction between the conveyance direction and the orthogonal direction Propulsion nozzle 13.

  Each air box 10 is divided into a plurality of parts in the longitudinal direction, and each of the divided boxes 11 is provided with three (plural) control nozzles 12 or propulsion nozzles 13. That is, the plurality of division boxes 11 are composed of two types of control division boxes 11a provided with control nozzles 12 and propulsion division boxes 11b provided with propulsion nozzles 13. The respective propulsion division boxes 11b are arranged to face each other with the workpiece conveyance path 2 interposed therebetween. The plurality of divided boxes 11 are connected with compressed air supply facilities (not shown) in the factory via flow control valves, etc., and the air supplied from the compressed air supply facilities is supplied to each divided box. The air is adjusted and blown from each control nozzle 12 and each propelling nozzle 13 through 11 so that the air is blown evenly to both side surfaces of the workpiece W. In addition, it is more preferable to provide a flow rate adjusting valve or the like for each control nozzle 12 and propulsion nozzle 13.

  The plurality of control nozzles 12 and the propulsion nozzles 13 of each air box 10 are arranged in a row from the transfer start position Ps to the transfer end position Pe at the top of each air box 10 so that the arrangement pitch is equal. The control nozzle 12 has an air blowing angle adjusted so as to be orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the workpiece conveyance path 2, and the propulsion nozzle 13 is in an inclined direction between the conveyance direction and the orthogonal direction. The spray angle is adjusted. The arrangement pitch of the plurality of nozzles 12 and 13 is arranged at a pitch of ½ or less of the length of the side surface of the workpiece W, and air is blown onto the workpiece W by at least two sets of nozzles 12 and 13. It has become. Note that the three control nozzles 12 and the propulsion nozzles 13 of each divided box 11 may be integrally formed in a slit shape.

  When the workpiece W is placed at the conveyance start position Ps on the workpiece conveyance path 7, air is blown upward from the porous plate 8 onto the lower surface of the workpiece W, so that the workpiece W rises. At the same time, a plurality of sets of propulsion nozzles 13 and a plurality of sets of control nozzles 12 facing both sides of the work W allow air to be blown evenly on both sides of the work, and the plurality of sets of propulsion nozzles 13 center the work W. The plurality of sets of control nozzles 12 controls the posture of the workpiece W in a posture that follows the conveyance direction. That is, the air blown from the propulsion nozzle 13 functions as a vector in the conveyance direction as the propulsive force of the workpiece W, and a vector orthogonal to the conveyance direction functions as the center of the workpiece W. The workpiece W is conveyed while being gradually pre-aligned, and finally reaches the conveyance end position Pe in a pre-aligned state. Thereafter, the workpiece W is transferred to an apparatus or the like for the next process by a pickup apparatus or the like that picks up by vacuum suction.

  According to the above configuration, air can be blown so that a propulsive force is evenly applied to both sides of the workpiece W with a simple configuration, so that the workpiece W can be transported while being pre-aligned. There will be no detachment from the work transfer path 2. The plurality of control nozzles 12 and the plurality of propulsion nozzles 13 may be arranged so that the arrangement pitch becomes closer as the transport end position Pe is approached, or the plurality of control nozzles 12 are not changed without changing the arrangement pitch. Alternatively, a flow rate adjustment valve or the like may be provided for each of the plurality of propulsion nozzles 13 so that the air amount increases as the transport end position Pe is approached. As a result, the workpiece W can be pre-aligned more accurately in the center of the workpiece conveyance path 2 as the workpiece W approaches the conveyance end position Pe. The air may be blown when the work W is being conveyed, may be blown when the work W is stopped, or may be blown constantly. Furthermore, in this embodiment, each control division box 11a and each propulsion division box 11b are provided so as to face each other, but they may be provided in a staggered manner (see FIG. 2). Thereby, since the propulsion nozzle 13 always faces the workpiece W, a propulsive force is always applied to the workpiece W, and the speed at which the workpiece W is conveyed can be made constant. Moreover, it is good also considering a pair of air blow unit 3 as a structure only of the propulsion nozzle 13 (propulsion division box 11b). Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the width of the work conveyance path 2 may be formed narrower than the width of the work W. Thereby, since the workpiece conveyance path 2 can be made slim, the workpiece conveyance device 1 can be made compact. At this time, it is more preferable that the width of the workpiece conveyance path 2 is formed wider than ½ of the width of the workpiece W so that the workpiece W does not fall.

  Further, as a modification of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the workpiece conveyance path 2 may be a pair of divided conveyance paths 15 across the workpiece W. That is, the pair of divided conveyance paths 15 have a separation distance adjustment mechanism 16 provided at the front and rear in the conveyance direction, and the separation distance adjustment mechanism 16 maintains a parallel state while maintaining a parallel state. By adjusting the separation distance of the divided conveyance path 15, conveyance according to the size of the workpiece W can be performed. More specifically, when transporting a large work W, the separation distance between both divided transport paths 15 is adjusted to be wide, and when transporting a small work W, the separation between both split transport paths 15. Adjust the distance narrowly.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the pair of divided conveyance paths 15 are arranged non-parallel so as to narrow in a “C” shape toward the front in the conveyance direction, and are separated from the front and rear in the conveyance direction. A distance adjustment mechanism 16 may be provided. Thus, after the workpiece W is placed on the pair of divided conveyance paths 15 so as to straddle the workpiece W, the air blows strongly against both side surfaces of the workpiece W as the conveyance proceeds. . As a result, the workpiece W can be faced in a pre-aligned state with high accuracy at the transfer end position Pe.

It is explanatory drawing of the workpiece conveyance apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the workpiece conveyance apparatus which provided the propulsion nozzle and the control nozzle in zigzag form. It is explanatory drawing of the workpiece conveyance apparatus which concerns on the modification 1 of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the workpiece conveyance apparatus which concerns on the modification 2 of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the workpiece conveyance apparatus which made the width | variety of the workpiece conveyance path narrow.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Work conveyance apparatus 2 ... Work conveyance path 3 ... A pair of air blow unit 5 ... Actuation air plate 6 ... Air chamber 8 ... Porous plate 12 ... Control nozzle 13 ... Propulsion nozzle 15 ... Divided conveyance path 16 ... Separation distance adjustment mechanism Ps: Transfer start position Pe: Transfer end position W: Workpiece

Claims (9)

It is composed of a pair of divided conveyance paths that are loaded so as to straddle the workpiece, and a workpiece conveyance path that guides conveyance of the workpiece,
An air blowing means disposed on both sides across the workpiece conveyance path, and for blowing air from the side to the workpiece on the workpiece conveyance path ;
A separation distance adjusting unit that adjusts a separation distance between the pair of divided conveyance paths by moving at least one of the pair of division conveyance paths in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction ;
The air blowing means blows air from the oblique conveyance direction to the side surface of the work, and blows air from a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction to the side surface of the work, and a plurality of propulsion nozzles that impart propulsive force to convey the work. A plurality of control nozzles for controlling the posture of the workpiece,
The plurality of propulsion nozzles and the plurality of control nozzles are arranged in the conveyance direction in a mixed state ,
The pair of divided transport paths extend non-parallel so as to narrow in a “C” shape toward the front in the transport direction,
The separation distance adjusting means adjusts the separation distance of the pair of divided conveyance paths while maintaining the non-parallel state .   2. The workpiece transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the propulsion nozzles and the control nozzles are arranged to face each other between the air blowing units.   The distance between the plurality of propulsion nozzles and the plurality of control nozzles of the air blowing means is ½ or less of the length of the side surface of the workpiece. Work transfer device. The work transport path is configured by connecting a plurality of working air plates, each having a perforated plate and an air chamber communicating with the perforated plate, in the transport direction,
4. The work transfer apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising air supply means for supplying air to the air chamber in order to float the work through the perforated plate. Vacuum suction means for sucking air from the air chamber in order to suck the workpiece through the perforated plate;
The workpiece transfer apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a switching control unit that switches between the air supply unit and the vacuum suction unit.   The workpiece transfer device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the perforated plate is formed of a porous plate.   The workpiece transfer apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a width of the workpiece transfer path is narrower than a width of the workpiece. Wherein the plurality of control nozzles, according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that disposed to take in arrangement becomes dense approaches the conveying end position of the transport start position of the workpiece conveying path Work transfer device. Wherein the plurality of propulsion nozzles and the plurality of control nozzles, workpiece transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that arranged at a position such as to face the side of the workpiece.

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