JP4862305B2 - Component supply apparatus, component supply system, and component supply method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a component supply device, a component supply system, and a component supply method in an assembly line.

  Conventionally, when parts are sequentially supplied to an assembly line such as an automobile, the parts are supplied along with a carrier that holds the parts along a supply-side guide rail that is inclined downward from the parts supply side toward the parts receiving side. There has been proposed a component supply apparatus that recovers an empty transport body along a collection-side guide rail that is inclined downward from the receiving side toward the component supply side (see Patent Document 1).

This is because the forward rail portion inclined so that the component supply side is higher than the component receiving side, the backward rail portion inclined so that the component supply side is lower than the component receiving side, and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion connecting them. In the forward rail section, the transport body supplies parts by its own weight to the parts receiving side, and the transport body with the parts removed is lifted by the operator along the second connecting section. Then, it is moved to the return rail portion and is collected along the return rail portion to the component supply side.
JP 2003-20105 A

  However, in the above conventional example, the carrier after removing the component on the component receiving side is lifted along the second connecting portion and poured into the return rail portion, so that the component to be conveyed is large and heavy. In the case of parts, the conveyance body is inevitably heavy with a high strength, and a problem that the work load on the operator increases is expected.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a component supply device, a component supply system, and a component supply method that are suitable for automatically transferring a conveyance body to a collection rail.

The present invention is a component supply device in which a component supply side and a component reception side are connected by a guide rail, and a conveyance body provided with a component holding mechanism is provided on the guide rail so as to be able to travel. A supply rail that forms an outward path that is inclined so that the side is higher than the parts receiving side, and a recovery rail that forms a return path that is inclined so that the parts supplying side is lower than the parts receiving side, and the supply rail on the parts receiving side and said collecting rail end near the end vicinity and a part of the circulation path, e Bei the carrier transfer means for transferring the recovered rail from the supply rail carrier having been circulated drive the component holding mechanism, wherein The transfer body transfer means passes the transfer body and the supply components sequentially transferred from the supply rail end on the component receiving side through the component receiving position set at a position lower than the supply rail end, and then Only the body is transported to the vicinity of the collection rail end on the part receiving side and transferred to the collection rail, and moved to the part receiving position by the weight of the transport body and the supply part transferred from the supply rail end. Circulated sequentially in one direction .

  In addition, the component loading side is inclined so as to be higher than the component receiving side, the supply rail capable of running the conveyance body having the component holding mechanism, and the component loading side is inclined so as to be lower than the component receiving side, and the component holding mechanism is provided. A recovery rail on which the transport body can travel, and the supply rail can accommodate components supplied in an aligned state by the transport body, and the recovery rail can accommodate the transport body with the supply components removed A component supply device arranged at a component supply station of the assembly line, a supply rail that is inclined so that the component input side is higher than the component supply side, and a carrier having a component holding mechanism can travel, and component input A recovery rail that is inclined so that the side is lower than the component supply side, and a transport body having a component holding mechanism can travel, and the supply rail is aligned with the transport body, A parts supply carriage capable of accommodating parts to be supplied to a part supply station of an assembly line at a product loading station, and a carrier from which the supply parts are removed from the parts supply station of the assembly line to the recovery rail; The component supply system comprising: a component supply side of the component supply side, and the vicinity of the supply rail end and the vicinity of the recovery rail end are part of a circulation path, and are circulated and transported with the component holding mechanism A transfer body transfer means for transferring the body from the supply rail to the recovery rail is provided, and the part supply side of the part supply carriage and the part supply side of the part supply carriage are connected, and the part supply equipment is connected from the supply rail of the part supply carriage The parts to be accommodated in a state of being held and aligned with the supply rail are supplied together with the conveyance body and collected by the conveyance body transfer means, The carrier contained in the yield rails were from the collection rail component supply device so as to recover the recovery rail component supply cart.

Therefore, in the present invention, the supply rail end vicinity and the recovery rail end vicinity on the part receiving side are part of the circulation path, and the transport body that is driven to circulate and includes the part holding mechanism is changed from the supply rail to the recovery rail. e Bei the carrier transfer means for transferring, the carrier transfer means is set parts receiving the carrier and feed components that are transferred from the supply rail end of a position lower than the end the supply rail After passing through the parts receiving position, the transport body alone is transported to the vicinity of the collection rail end on the part receiving side and transferred to the collection rail, and the transport body transferred from the supply rail end and Since it sequentially circulates in one direction by moving to the parts receiving position due to the weight of the supplied parts, the work of lifting the transport body to the collection rail by the worker as in the conventional example is abolished and the work load on the worker is reduced. thing It can be.

  In addition, the vicinity of the supply rail end and the vicinity of the collection rail end on the component receiving side of the component supply apparatus are part of the circulation path, and the transport body that is driven to circulate and includes the component holding mechanism is changed from the supply rail to the collection rail. A transfer body transferring means is provided for transferring, connecting the component input side of the component supply device and the component supply side of the component supply cart, and conveying the carrier from the supply rail of the component supply cart to the supply rail of the component supply device. The parts accommodated in the state of being held and aligned by the carrier are supplied together with the transport body, and the transport body recovered by the transport body transfer means and accommodated in the recovery rail of the parts supply apparatus is supplied from the recovery rail of the parts supply apparatus. Since it is collected on the collection rail of the carriage, the flow of the supply parts to the parts supply device via the parts supply carriage can be efficiently performed by docking the supply rails, and the parts are retained. The carrier is continuously collected from the supply rail of the component supply device to the recovery rail by the transfer device, and can be efficiently performed from the component supply device to the component supply cart via each recovery rail. it can.

  Hereinafter, a component supply device and a component supply method of the present invention will be described based on each embodiment.

(First embodiment)
1 to 10 show a first embodiment of a component supply apparatus to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 1 is a side view of the component supply apparatus, FIG. 2 is a front view showing a supply rail and a carrier, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view of the recovery rail and the transport body, FIG. 5 is a side view of the transport body transfer means, and FIG. 6 is a side view of the operation state of the transport body transfer means. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the transfer operation of the transfer body transfer means, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are explanatory views for explaining the transfer state of the transfer body from the supply rail to the transfer means and from the transfer means to the recovery rail. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another form of the supply rail or the recovery rail and the carrier.

  In FIG. 1, the component supply apparatus 1 connects the four corners of a rectangular upper frame body 2A and a lower frame body 2B with columns 2C, and fixes the lower frame body 2B to the work floor via an adjuster 2D. The support frame 2 having one side (left side in the figure) facing the work stage of the assembly line as the component receiving side and the other side (right side in the figure) as the component supply side, and the left and right columns 2C of the support frame 2 A pair of supply rails 3 that are mounted and inclined downward from the component supply side to the component reception side, and are attached to the upper part of the upper frame 2A of the support frame 2, and from the component reception side to the component supply side And a pair of collection rails 4 arranged to be inclined downward, and a transfer body transfer means 5 arranged between the supply rail 3 and the parts receiving side ends of the collection rail 4.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the pair of supply rails 3 is formed of a C-type channel member having a continuous opening formed by a slit 3 </ b> A below, and the cross section is made of, for example, a metal having a square shape. . In the supply rail 3, a main body 7 </ b> A of the slider 7 that is inserted into the supply rail 3 through the slit 3 </ b> A is disposed. The slider 7 is provided with a plurality of (two in the figure) shafts 7B penetrating the main body 7A on both sides of the main body 7A, and a roller 7C is rotatably supported on the protruding portion of each shaft 7B. Each roller 7 </ b> C can roll with respect to one of the upper and lower inner surfaces of the supply rail 3.

  Therefore, the slider 7 can run and move by its own weight in the supply rail 3 from the component supply side toward the component receiving side below the inclination direction by the roller 7C. The main body 7A of the slider 7 is disposed on the pair of left and right supply rails 3, and the portions protruding from the slit 3A of the supply rail 3 are connected by the rod-like member 8A of the hanger 8, and the left and right slider main bodies 7A are the pair. Are integrated. The rod-shaped member 8A of the hanger 8 and the slider main body 7A are connected to each other so that the rod-shaped member 8A of the hanger 8 passes through a hole provided in the main body 7A and is relatively rotatable. The hanger 8 is provided with a plurality of hooks 8B that can hold components and are swingably mounted. The pair of sliders 7 and hangers 8 constitute a transport body 6.

  Between the end portions of the pair of supply rails 3 on the component receiving side, it engages with the rod-like member 8A of the transport body 6 to prevent the transport body 6 from coming out of the supply rail 3, and according to the operator's operation. A single-feed device 9 for sending the transport body 6 located at the head from the supply rail 3 is arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the single-feed device 9 includes a lever 9B that is disposed between the supply rails 3 and is swingable with respect to a left-right shaft 9A provided on the support frame 2. First and second claws 9C and 9D extending downward are respectively disposed at both ends of 9B, and these first and second claws 9C and 9D are engaged with the rod-like member 8A of the hanger 8 of the carrier 6. I try to let them. The first claw 9C on the component receiving side is formed slightly longer than the other second claw 9D and is provided with a weight 9E, and the entire lever 9B including the second claw 9D is inclined toward the component receiving side. It is configured to have a tendency.

  For this reason, in the vicinity of the end of the supply rail 3, the first pawl 9C on the component receiving side is moved forward along the supply rail 3 to the component receiving side 6 as shown in FIG. The rod-shaped member 8A is engaged, and its progress is prevented and stopped. The succeeding transport body 6 is stopped by bringing its own slider 7 into contact with the slider 7 of the preceding transport body 6.

  When the operator operates a pedal (not shown) to receive the parts, as shown in FIG. 3B, the lever 9B is swung as shown by an arrow, and the first member 8A of the leading transport body 6 and the first member 8A. The engagement with the claw 9C is released and the advance of the leading transport body 6 is allowed, while the second claw 9D is engaged with the rod-like member 8A of the succeeding transport body 6 to stop its progress.

  Thereafter, when the pedal is released, as shown in FIG. 3 (A), the second claw 9D rises again to release the engagement with the rod-shaped member 8A and to the leading position of the succeeding transport body 6. The first claw 9C is lowered and engaged with the rod-like member 8A of the succeeding transport body 6 that has reached the leading position to stop the progress.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the pair of recovery rails 4 is formed of a C-type channel member having a continuous opening by a slit 4 </ b> A at the upper side, and the cross section is made of, for example, a metal having a square shape. . In the collection rail 4, the slider 7 connected by the hanger 8 of the carrier 6 introduces the roller 7 </ b> C and the main body 7 </ b> A at the time of collection, and in the collection rail 4 as in the case of the supply rail 3. The vehicle can travel by its own weight from the receiving side toward the component supply side below the tilt direction.

  The rod-like member 8A of the hanger 8 of the transport body 6 in the collection rail 4 is above the collection rail 4, and the hook 8B of the hanger 8 swingably disposed on the rod-like member 8A is suspended downward from the rod-like member 8A. It becomes a state. A stopper (not shown) is arranged on the component supply side of the recovery rail 4 so that the transport body 6 guided and returned by the recovery rail 4 is stopped at the end of the recovery rail 4.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the carrier transfer means 5 includes a pair of left and right ring-shaped chains 10 provided with a plurality of connecting rods 12 provided with hooks 11 at equal intervals, and each chain engaged with the chain 10. And a plurality of sprockets 13A to 13C for determining ten routes. In the side view shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of sprockets 13 </ b> A to 13 </ b> C face the component receiving side end of the recovery rail 4 and are positioned above the component receiving side end, and the component receiving side end of the supply rail 3. A lower sprocket 13A that faces the portion and is positioned below the receiving portion, and a receiving position sprocket 13B that is closer to the operator than the lower sprocket 13A and is located below the lower sprocket 13A.

  A set of these sprockets 13, that is, an upper sprocket 13 C, a lower sprocket 13 A, and a receiving position sprocket 13 B are arranged on the outer peripheral side of the left and right support columns 2 C of the support frame 2, respectively, and are freely rotatable on the support frame 2. It is supported by. Each pair of sprockets 13A to 13C is wound with the pair of ring-shaped chains 10, and a plurality of connecting rods 12 for connecting the chains 10 to each other are provided on the supply rail 3 end and the collection rail 4 end on the component receiving side. Circulate up and down by the circulation of the chain 10.

  That is, the connecting rod 12 is lowered from the position facing the end of the recovery rail 4 and moved to the position facing the end of the supply rail 3, and then moved to the receiving position, and from there rises to the upper sprocket 13C. A circulation operation is performed so as to return to the position facing the end of the recovery rail 4. Although not shown in the drawings, at least one of the sprockets 13A to 13C is provided with a reverse rotation prevention means that allows rotation in the circulation direction but prevents rotation in the direction opposite to the circulation direction.

  A component supply method using the component supply apparatus having the above configuration will be described below.

  First, a component supply carriage in which a plurality of conveyance bodies loaded on a supply rail (not shown) hold and align the components W is conveyed to the component supply side of the component supply apparatus 1, and the supply rail supply port of the component supply carriage is supplied. Is docked on the component supply side of the supply rail 3 of the component supply apparatus 1. Also, the component supply side of the recovery rail 4 of the component supply device 1 and the recovery rail of the component supply cart are docked.

  Next, when the stopper for the conveyance body provided at the supply port of the supply rail of the component supply cart is released, the conveyance body 6 holding the components sequentially transfers from the supply rail of the component supply vehicle to the supply rail 3 of the component supply device 1, The rod-like member 8A of the carrier 6 engages with the first claw 9C of the single-feed device 9 that moves by its own weight to the component receiving side that is the outlet side and is arranged near the end of the supply rail 3, and the leading carrier 6 is stopped, the subsequent transport bodies 6 are sequentially aligned and stopped on the rear side, and the loading of the component W into the component supply apparatus 1 is executed.

  Next, a stopper (not shown) disposed on the component supply side of the recovery rail 4 of the component supply device 1 is released, and the carrier 6 accumulated on the recovery rail 4 is recovered on the recovery rail of the component supply carriage. The parts supply cart that has recovered the carrier 6 releases the docking with the supply rail 3 and the recovery rail 4, returns to the parts loading station, and starts loading the next supplied parts.

  In the component supply apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 5, the supplied component W is held in a state in which it is suspended and aligned with the transport body 6 along the supply rail 3. Further, the hooks 11 positioned on the receiving position sprocket 13B of the transfer body transfer means 5 and the hooks 11 preceding thereto are suspended and held by the transfer bodies 6 for holding the components supplied in advance.

  On the component receiving side, when an operator of the assembly line operates the single feeding device 9 with a pedal, the first claw 9C to the rod-shaped member 8A of the leading transport body 6 on the supply rail 3 is released, and the leading The transport body 6 is allowed to advance, and the subsequent transport body 6 is prevented from advancing by engaging the second claw 9D with the rod-shaped member 8A.

  The leading transport body 6 reaches the end of the supply rail 3 in a state where the component W is suspended. As shown in FIG. 8, the rod-shaped member 8A is engaged with the hook 11 of the transporting body transfer means 5 that is waiting. Then, transfer from the supply rail 3 to the transfer body transfer means 5. The hook 11 of the transport body transfer means 5 that holds the transport body 6 from which the component W is suspended via its rod-shaped member 8A moves downward while circulating the chain 10 by the weight of the transport body 6 and the component W. The hook 11 is moved to the component receiving position 13B which is the lowest end position guided by the chain 10. The chain 10 of the transporter transfer means 5 causes the entire chain 10, that is, each hook 11 to advance cyclically by one stroke by the movement of the hook 11 (see FIG. 6).

  As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 9, the hook 11 moves forward only by one stroke by moving the hook 11 located in the vicinity of the upper sprocket 13 </ b> C above the recovery rail 4 and suspending the hook 11. The slider 7 of the body 6 is inserted into the collection rail 4 from the end of the collection rail 4, and only the hook 11 is lowered together with the chain 10. The conveyance body 6 in which the slider 7 is inserted into the collection rail 4 is moved to the component supply side by its own weight due to the inclination of the collection rail 4 and stopped by a stopper (not shown) on the supply side. Note that the end of the collection rail 4 on the component receiving side is formed so that the upper portion of the rail 4 is cut obliquely as illustrated in order to make it easier to insert the carrier 6.

  Since the transport body 6 and the part W are transported by the transport body transfer means 5 to the component receiving position 13B, when the pedal of the single feed device 9 is released, the single feed device 9 returns to the initial position, and the first claw 9C. Is lowered and the second claw 9D is raised, the forward movement of the succeeding transport body 6 that has been prevented from proceeding by the second claw 9D is permitted, and is advanced until it engages with the first claw 9C. The transport body 6 becomes.

  In this state, the part W is removed from the hanger 8B of the transport body 6 of the transport body transfer means 5 and assembled to the vehicle body or the like of the assembly line. When the assembly of the parts W is completed and the next vehicle body arrives at the assembly stage, the operator steps on the pedal of the single-feed device 9 as in the previous time, and the single-feed device 9 advances the leading transport body 6. Is allowed to be transferred to the hook 11 of the transfer body transfer means 5 and moved to the component receiving position 13B. The carrier transfer means 5 accommodates the carrier 6 suspended on the hook 11 near the upper sprocket 13 </ b> C in the collection rail 4.

  The above operation is repeated so that the components on the supply rail 3 are sequentially conveyed to the component receiving side 13B, and the conveyance body 6 holding the components W is sequentially collected on the collection rail 4. When the transport body 6 and the parts W held on the supply rail 4 decrease, the transport body 6 on the recovery rail 4 increases, and the parts are supplied by the next part supply cart, and also on the recovery rail 4. The conveyance body 6 is collected by the parts supply cart.

  In the above-described embodiment, the supply rail 3 and the recovery rail 4 have been described as being configured by C-type channel members having slits 3A and 4A. However, as shown in FIG. A so-called roller contact type guide rail provided with the roller R may be used, and in this case, as the slider 7 of the transport body 6, a slider provided with a plate material that moves while rolling on the rotating roller R is used. .

  In the present embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

  (A) The component supply device 1 is configured such that the component supply side and the component reception side are connected by a guide rail, and the conveyance body 6 including the component holding mechanism 8 is provided on the guide rail so as to be able to travel. A supply rail 3 that forms an outward path that is inclined so that the component supply side is higher than the component reception side, and a recovery rail 4 that forms a return path that is inclined so that the component supply side is lower than the component reception side. The vicinity of the end of the supply rail 3 and the vicinity of the end of the recovery rail 4 are part of the circulation path, and the carrier 6 that is driven to circulate and includes the component holding mechanism 8 is transferred from the supply rail 3 to the recovery rail 4. The transport body transfer means 5 and the leading transport body 6 and the subsequent transport body 6 which are arranged on the component receiving side of the supply rail 3 are stopped, and the top transport body 6 is transferred to the transport body transfer means 5. Every time it is posted And the stop means 9 for stopping the continuous transport body 6 as the top transport body 6. Therefore, the lifting operation of the transport body 6 to the collection rail 4 by the operator as in the conventional example is abolished. The work load on the person can be reduced.

  (A) The transfer body transfer means 5 has a parts receiving position 13B in which the transfer body 6 and the supply parts W transferred from the end of the supply rail 3 on the part receiving side are set at a position lower than the end of the supply rail 3. Then, only the transport body 6 is transported to the vicinity of the end of the recovery rail 4 on the part receiving side and transferred to the recovery rail 4, that is, the vicinity of the end of the supply rail 3 on the part receiving side and the recovery rail. The winding transmission means 10 circulates through the vicinity of the four ends and the component receiving position 13B, and is moved to the component receiving position 13B by the weight of the transfer body 6 and the supply component W transferred from the end of the supply rail 3. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a drive device for automatically returning the transport body 6 to the collection rail 4 and returning the transport body 6, thereby simplifying the equipment.

  (C) Since the collection rail 4 is disposed above the supply rail 3, it does not require an extra space for moving the conveyance body 6 along the collection rail 4 and the collection rail 4, and is a highly space-efficient component. The supply device 1 can be obtained.

  (D) Since the recovery rail 4 is provided with recovery side stopping means for stopping the transport body 6 that travels on the rail 4 and reaches the end of the rail and the subsequent transport body 6 on the component supply side of the recovery rail 4, the recovered transport body 6 can be temporarily stored in the recovery rail 4 and recovered at the same time when components are supplied by the component supply cart.

(Second Embodiment)
FIGS. 11 to 14 show a second embodiment of a component supply apparatus to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating an environment in which the component supply apparatus is used, and FIG. 12 is a loading station. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the moving state of the parts and the carrier at the parts supply station, and FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the moving state of the parts and the carrier. It is. In the present embodiment, a component supply system from a component loading station to a component supply station of an assembly line is provided in an assembly factory. The same devices as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted or simplified.

  In FIG. 11, a component loading station ST1 is shown on the right side of the drawing, and a component supply station ST2 on the assembly line side is shown on the left side of the drawing. The component loading station ST1 is provided with a loading stocker 15, and the loading stocker 15 has a passage S side formed in a supply port 22 to the component supply carriage 16 and a side opposite to the passage S formed in a component loading port 21. Yes. As shown in FIG. 12, a supply rail 23 that is inclined from the input port 21 toward the supply port 22 is disposed, while a collection rail 24 that is inclined from the supply port 22 side toward the input port 21 is upward. Is arranged.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the parts supply carriage 16 is provided with a supply rail 33 inclined toward the supply port 32 from the input port 31, while the recovery is inclined toward the input port 31 from the supply port 32 side. A rail 34 is disposed above. The parts supply cart 16 includes caster wheels 35, and a plurality of units are connected and pulled by the towing vehicle T, and travels back and forth between the component loading station ST1 and the target component supply station ST2. The

  In addition, the line-side component supply station ST2 is provided with the same component supply apparatus 1 as in the first embodiment. The component supply apparatus 1 is formed on the passage S side at the inlet 41 from the component supply carriage 16, and The opposite side is formed on the component receiving side, and the transfer body transfer device 5 is arranged. As shown schematically in FIG. 13, the supply rail 3 that is inclined from the input port 41 toward the component receiving side is disposed, while the collection rail 4 that is inclined from the component receiving side toward the input port 41 is upward. Is arranged.

  In the component loading station ST1, the operator suspends the components W from the loading port 21 of the loading stocker 15 and sequentially loads the components W on the hanger 8 of the carrier 6 of the supply rail 23 according to the production order. The supplied component W is stopped by a stopper (not shown) provided in the supply port 22, and the component W input later is sequentially stopped behind the leading component W and produced along the supply rail 23. Arranged in order.

  When the parts supply carriage 16 with the loaded parts emptied arrives at the parts loading station ST1 by being pulled by the towing vehicle T, the emptied parts supply carriage 16 is correctly placed in front of the supply port 22 of the loading stocker 15. It is stopped so that it may be located. The hangers 8 of the recovered transport body 6 are arranged on the recovery rail 34 of the component supply carriage 16.

  Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 12, the supply rail 33 of the component supply carriage 16 and the supply of the loading stocker 15 stopped so that the input port 31 of the component supply carriage 16 and the supply port 22 of the loading stocker 15 coincide with each other. The rail 23 is docked. At the same time, the recovery rail 34 of the parts supply cart 16 and the recovery rail 24 of the loading stocker 15 are docked.

  Next, the transport body 6 on the recovery rail 34 of the component supply carriage 16 is recovered on the recovery rail 24 of the loading stocker 15 by releasing the stopper at the top. The transporting body 6 collected in the loading stocker 15 is engaged with the supply rail 23 and used for suspending the supply part W when the next part is loaded from the collection rail 24.

  When the collection of the carrier 6 is completed, the stopper of the supply port 22 of the loading stocker 15 is released. The parts W aligned with the supply rails 23 of the loading stocker 15 are sequentially transferred to the supply rails 33 of the parts supply carriage 16, and the leading part W is stopped by a stopper (not shown) provided at the supply port 32 on the outlet side. The parts W to be arranged are sequentially aligned and stopped, and the parts W are loaded into the parts supply carriage 16.

  When the introduction of the parts W to the parts supply cart 16 is completed, the supply rails 23 and 33 and the recovery rails 24 and 34 are docked between the input port 31 of the parts supply cart 16 and the supply port 22 of the loading stocker 15. To release.

  Subsequently, when the component supply carriage 16 loaded with the components W at the component loading station ST1 is pulled by the towing vehicle T and arrives at the component supply station ST2 on the line side, the components are placed in front of the input port 41 of the component supply apparatus 1. The supply carriage 16 is positioned, and the supply port 32 of the component supply carriage 16 is opposed to the input port 41 of the component supply apparatus 1 and stopped. The supply rail 3 of the component supply apparatus 1 is in a state where the component W and the transport body 6 are empty, and the recovered transport body 6 is aligned on the recovery rail 4 side.

  Subsequently, the supply rail 3 of the component supply device 1 and the supply rail 33 of the component supply cart 16 are docked. At the same time, the recovery rail 34 of the component supply carriage 16 and the recovery rail 4 of the component supply device 1 are docked. Subsequently, the conveyance body 6 on the collection rail 4 of the component supply apparatus 1 is collected on the collection rail 34 of the component supply carriage 16 by releasing the stopper at the head portion thereof.

  When the collection of the conveyance body 6 is completed, the stopper of the supply port 32 of the component supply carriage 16 is released. The parts W aligned with the supply rails 33 of the parts supply carriage 16 sequentially transfer to the supply rails 3 of the parts supply apparatus 1 and are transported 6 of the leading part W by the single feed device 9 provided on the part receiving side which is the exit side. Are stopped, the subsequent components W are sequentially aligned and stopped, and the loading of the components W into the component supply apparatus 1 is executed.

  When the introduction of the component W into the component supply device 1 is completed, the supply rails 33 and 3 and the recovery rails 34 and 4 are docked between the supply port 32 of the component supply carriage 16 and the input port 41 of the component supply device 1. To release.

  The parts supply carriage 16 that has collected the carrier 6 at the parts supply station ST2 is pulled by the towing vehicle T to arrive at the parts loading station ST1, and the inlet 31 of the parts supply carriage 16 is inserted into the supply port 22 of the loading stocker 15. When the two supply rails 23 and 33 and the recovery rails 24 and 34 are docked, the next component supply can be started. By repeatedly executing the above supply cycle, the component W can be smoothly supplied to the worker on the assembly line.

  In the component supply method of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the flow of the supply component W from the loading stocker 15 of the component loading station ST1 to the component supply device 1 via the component supply carriage 16 is supplied. This can be done efficiently by docking the rails 23, 33 and 3. Further, the transport body 6 holding the parts W is continuously collected from the supply rail 3 to the recovery rail 4 of the parts supply device 1 by the transport body transfer device 5, and passes from the component supply device 1 via the component supply cart 16. Thus, it can be efficiently performed via the respective collection rails 4, 34, 24 to the loading stocker 15 of the component loading station ST1.

  In addition, since the transfer body transfer device 5 of the component supply device 1 is transferred to the recovery rail 4 by its own weight, including the component W holding the transfer body 6 of the supply rail 4, the recovery rail 4 Can be recovered without requiring the operator's work load. Further, since the recovery rail 4 is disposed above the supply rail 3, the space for moving the transport body 6 along the recovery rails 4, 34, 24 and the recovery rails 4, 34, 24 is loaded into the parts. It is not necessary for any of the station ST1, the component supply station ST2 and the component supply cart 16, and a component supply system with high space efficiency can be obtained.

  Further, since the recovery rails 4, 34, 24 are arranged above the supply rails 3, 33, 23 in any of the component supply device 1, the component supply cart 16, and the loading stocker 15, At the time of loading the parts, the transported body 6 can be used again for parts supply by simply guiding the transported body 6 from the recovery rail 24 to the supply rail 23 by some guide means and dropping it, thereby improving work efficiency. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the effects (a) to (d) in the first embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

  (E) The supply rail 3 on which the component loading side is inclined to be higher than the component receiving side and the carrier 6 having the component holding mechanism 8 can travel, and the component loading side is inclined to be lower than the component receiving side to hold the component A recovery rail 4 on which the transport body including the mechanism 8 can travel, and the supply rail 3 can accommodate components W supplied in an aligned state by the transport body 6. Can accommodate the carrier 6 from which the supply parts W have been removed, and is tilted so that the parts supply device 1 disposed at the parts supply station ST2 of the assembly line is higher than the parts supply side, and the parts holding mechanism 8 A supply rail 33 on which the transport body 6 provided with a vehicle can travel, and a collection rail 34 that is inclined so that the component loading side is lower than the component supply side and on which the transport body 6 including the component holding mechanism 8 can travel. in front The supply rail 33 can accommodate the components W supplied to the component supply station ST2 of the assembly line in the component loading station ST1 in a state where they are aligned by the transport body 6, and the recovery rail 34 supplies the components of the assembly line. This is a component supply system including a component supply carriage 16 that can accommodate the carrier 6 from which the supply component W is removed from the station ST2.

  A conveying body 6 that is driven to circulate and includes the component holding mechanism 8 is formed with the vicinity of the end of the supply rail 3 and the vicinity of the end of the recovery rail 4 on the component receiving side of the component supply apparatus 1 as a part of the circulation path. A transfer body transfer means 5 for transferring from the supply rail 3 to the recovery rail 4 is provided, and the component input side 41 of the component supply device 1 and the component supply side 32 of the component supply cart 16 are connected to each other. The parts W to be accommodated in the state of being held and aligned by the transport body 6 from the supply rail 33 with respect to the supply rail 3 of the parts supply apparatus 1 are supplied together with the transport body 6 and collected by the transport body transfer means 5. The conveyance body 6 accommodated in the recovery rail 4 of the supply device 1 is recovered from the recovery rail 4 of the component supply device 1 to the recovery rail 34 of the component supply cart 16.

  For this reason, the flow of the supply component W to the component supply device 1 through the component supply cart 16 can be efficiently performed by docking the supply rails 3 and 33, and the carrier 6 that holds the component W is The conveyor transfer device 5 continuously recovers from the supply rail 3 of the component supply device 1 to the recovery rail 4 and efficiently passes from the component supply device 1 to the component supply carriage 16 via the recovery rails 4 and 34. Can be done automatically.

  (F) In the component loading station ST1, a supply rail 23 that is inclined so that the component input side 21 is higher than the component supply side 22 and on which the conveyance body 6 including the component holding mechanism 8 can travel, and the component input side 21 Is provided so as to be lower than the component supply side 22, and the transporting body 6 including the component holding mechanism 8 can travel, and the supply rail 23 is aligned with the transporting body 6, The parts W to be supplied to the parts supply cart 16 can be accommodated, and the collection rail 24 includes a parts loading stacker 15 that can accommodate the carrier 6 from which the parts to be supplied W are removed from the parts supply cart 16.

  Then, the component input side 31 of the component supply cart 16 and the component supply side 22 of the component loading stacker 15 are connected to each other and conveyed from the supply rail 23 of the component loading stacker 15 to the supply rail 33 of the component supply cart 16. The parts W held by the body 6 and accommodated in the aligned state are supplied together with the transport body 6, and the transported body 6 collected and accommodated in the recovery rail 34 of the parts supply carriage 16 is recovered. To the collection rail 24 of the component loading stacker 15.

  For this reason, the flow of the supply component W from the loading stocker 15 of the component loading station ST1 to the component supply device 1 via the component supply carriage 16 is efficiently performed by docking the supply rails 23, 33 and 3 together. be able to. Further, the transport body 6 holding the parts W is continuously collected from the supply rail 3 to the recovery rail 4 of the parts supply device 1 by the transport body transfer device 5, and passes from the component supply device 1 via the component supply cart 16. Thus, it can be efficiently performed via the respective collection rails 4, 34, 24 to the loading stocker 15 of the component loading station ST1.

  (G) The transfer body transfer means 5 has a parts receiving position 13B in which the transfer body 6 and the supply parts W transferred from the end of the supply rail 3 on the part receiving side are set at a position lower than the end of the supply rail 3. Then, only the transport body 6 is transported to the vicinity of the end of the recovery rail 4 on the part receiving side and transferred to the recovery rail 4, and the transport body 6 transferred from the end of the supply rail 3 is transferred. Further, since the circulation is sequentially performed by the movement to the component receiving position 13B due to the weight of the supply component W, even if the recovery rail 4 is arranged above the supply rail 3, the recovery is performed without requiring the operator's work load. be able to. Further, since the recovery rail 4 (34, 24) is disposed above the supply rail 3 (33, 23), the recovery rail 4 (34, 24) and the recovery rail 4 (34, 24) are provided. A space for moving the carrier 6 is not required for any of the component loading station ST1, the component supply station ST2, and the component supply cart 16, and a space-efficient component supply system can be obtained.

  (H) Each supply side, each supply side of the supply rails 3, 33, 23 and / or the recovery rails 4, 34, 24 of the component supply device 1, the component supply cart 16, and the component loading stacker 15 are connected to each other. Since each of the collection rails 4, 34, 24 is arranged above each of the supply rails 3, 33, 23 so as to be continuous with each other, When the parts are loaded in the stocker 15, the transported body 6 can be used again to supply the parts again only by guiding the transported body 6 from the recovery rail 24 to the supply rail 23 by some guide means. Efficiency can be improved.

The side view of the components supply apparatus which shows one Embodiment of this invention. The front view which similarly shows a supply rail and a conveyance body. The side view which shows the structure (A) and operation state (B) of a single feeder. The front view of a collection | recovery rail and a conveyance body. The side view of a conveyance body transfer means. The side view which shows the operation state of a conveyance body transfer means. Explanatory drawing which shows the transfer operation | movement of a conveyance body transfer means. Explanatory drawing explaining the transfer condition from the supply rail of a conveyance body to a transfer means. Explanatory drawing explaining the transfer condition from the transfer means of a conveyance body to a collection rail. Explanatory drawing explaining another form of a supply rail or a collection | recovery rail, and a conveyance body. Explanatory drawing of the components supply system which shows 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Explanatory drawing explaining the movement state of the components and conveyance body in a loading station. Explanatory drawing explaining the movement state of the components and conveyance body in a components supply station. Explanatory drawing explaining the movement state of components and a conveyance body.

Explanation of symbols

ST1 Parts loading station ST2 Parts supply station 1 Parts supply device 2 Support frame 3, 23, 33 Supply rails 4, 24, 34 Recovery rail 5 Transport body transfer means, transport body transfer device 6 Transport body 7 Slider 8 Hanger 9 Single feed device 10 Chain 11 Hook 13 Sprocket

Claims (12)

In the component supply device in which the component supply side and the component reception side are connected by a guide rail, and the guide rail is provided with a conveyance body having a component holding mechanism so as to be able to travel,
The guide rail is composed of a supply rail that forms an outward path that is inclined so that the component supply side is higher than the component reception side, and a recovery rail that forms a return path that is inclined so that the component supply side is lower than the component reception side.
A transfer body transfer that moves the transfer body having the component holding mechanism from the supply rail to the recovery rail by using the vicinity of the end of the supply rail and the vicinity of the recovery rail end on the part receiving side as a part of the circulation path. Mounting means ,
The transfer body transfer means transfers the transfer body and the supply components sequentially transferred from the supply rail end on the component receiving side via a component receiving position set at a position lower than the supply rail end, Only the body is transported to the vicinity of the collection rail end on the part receiving side and transferred to the collection rail, and moved to the part receiving position by the weight of the transport body and the supply part transferred from the supply rail end. The component supply device is characterized in that it circulates sequentially in one direction . The transfer body transfer means includes winding transmission means that circulates in one direction via the vicinity of the supply rail end, the vicinity of the recovery rail end, and the part receiving position on the part receiving side. Item 2. The component supply apparatus according to Item 1. The component supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the recovery rail is disposed above the supply rail . On the component receiving side of the supply rail, the leading transport body and the subsequent transport body are stopped, and each time the leading transport body is transferred to the transport body transfer means, the subsequent transport body is moved to the leading transport body. The component supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a stopping unit that stops the operation of the component supply device.   5. The recovery side stopping means for stopping the transport body that has traveled on the recovery rail and reached the end of the rail and the subsequent transport body is provided on the component supply side of the recovery rail. The component supply apparatus according to any one of the above. A supply rail on which the component loading side is inclined so as to be higher than the component receiving side, and a conveyance body having a component holding mechanism can travel, and a conveyance body that is inclined so that the component loading side is lower than the component receiving side and has a component holding mechanism A recovery rail that can travel, wherein the supply rail can accommodate components supplied in an aligned state by a conveyor, and the recovery rail can accommodate a conveyor with the supply components removed. A component supply device arranged at a component supply station of the assembly line;
A supply rail on which the component input side is inclined so as to be higher than the component supply side, and a conveyance body having a component holding mechanism can travel, and a conveyance body that is inclined so that the component input side is lower than the component supply side and is equipped with a component holding mechanism A recovery rail capable of traveling, wherein the supply rail can accommodate components to be supplied to a component supply station of an assembly line at a component loading station in a state where the supply rail is aligned with a carrier. Is a component supply cart that can accommodate a carrier from which a supply component has been removed from a component supply station of an assembly line, and a component supply system comprising:
The vicinity of the supply rail end and the vicinity of the collection rail end on the component receiving side of the component supply apparatus are part of the circulation path, and the carrier that is driven in circulation and includes the component holding mechanism is transferred from the supply rail to the collection rail. A carrier transfer means to be mounted;
The component supply side of the component supply device and the component supply side of the component supply cart are connected to each other, and are accommodated while being held and aligned by the carrier from the supply rail of the component supply cart to the supply rail of the component supply device. The parts are supplied together with the transport body, and the transport body recovered by the transport body transfer means and accommodated in the recovery rail of the part supply device is recovered from the recovery rail of the component supply device to the recovery rail of the component supply carriage. Parts supply system. In the component loading station, the component loading side is inclined so as to be higher than the component supplying side, the supply rail on which the transport body including the component holding mechanism can travel, and the component loading side is inclined so as to be lower than the component supplying side, A recovery rail on which the transport body having the component holding mechanism can travel, and the supply rail can accommodate components to be supplied to the component supply carriage in a state of being aligned by the transport body. Is equipped with a parts loading stacker that can accommodate the carrier from which the supply parts are removed from the parts supply cart,
In the state where the parts loading side of the parts supply cart and the parts supply side of the parts loading stacker are connected and held by the carrier from the parts loading stacker supply rail to the parts supply carriage supply rail and aligned. The parts to be housed are supplied together with the transport body, and the transported bodies that are collected and housed in the recovery rail of the parts supply carriage are recovered from the recovery rail of the parts supply truck to the recovery rail of the parts loading stacker. 6. The component supply system according to 6. The transfer body transfer means passes the transfer body and supply parts transferred from the supply rail end on the part receiving side through a component receiving position set at a position lower than the supply rail end, and then the transfer body. Is transferred to the vicinity of the collection rail end on the part receiving side and transferred to the collection rail, and moved to the part receiving position by the weight of the transfer body and supply parts transferred from the supply rail end. The parts supply system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the parts supply system sequentially circulates in one direction . The supply rails and / or the recovery rails of the component supply device, the component supply cart, and the component loading stacker have different heights so as to be continuous with each other when the input side and the supply side are connected. Arranged,
The component supply system according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein each of the recovery rails is disposed above the supply rail. Supply the parts held by the carrier to the parts receiving side by running the carrier on the supply rail inclined so that the parts supply side of the parts supply device is higher than the parts receiving side,
Circulating and moving the transport body and the supply component transferred from the component receiving side of the supply rail to the transport body transfer means in one direction to a component receiving position set at a position lower than the end of the supply rail due to its weight ; After that, it is circulated and moved in one direction, and only the transport body is transported to the vicinity of the end of the recovery rail on the part receiving side and transferred to the recovery rail,
A component supply method, characterized in that a conveyance body is caused to travel on a collection rail inclined so that a component supply side is lower than a component reception side, and the conveyance body is collected on a component supply side. A supply rail on which the component loading side is inclined so as to be higher than the component receiving side, and a conveyance body having a component holding mechanism can travel, and a conveyance body that is inclined so that the component loading side is lower than the component receiving side and has a component holding mechanism A recovery rail that can travel, wherein the supply rail can accommodate components supplied in an aligned state by a conveyor, and the recovery rail can accommodate a conveyor with the supply components removed. A component supply device arranged at a component supply station of the assembly line;
A supply rail on which the component input side is inclined so as to be higher than the component supply side, and a conveyance body having a component holding mechanism can travel, and a conveyance body that is inclined so that the component input side is lower than the component supply side and is equipped with a component holding mechanism A recovery rail capable of traveling, wherein the supply rail can accommodate components to be supplied to a component supply station of an assembly line at a component loading station in a state where the supply rail is aligned with a carrier. A component supply method comprising: a component supply carriage capable of accommodating a carrier from which supply components have been removed from a component supply station of an assembly line,
The component supply side of the component supply device and the component supply side of the component supply cart are connected to each other, and are accommodated while being held and aligned by the carrier from the supply rail of the component supply cart to the supply rail of the component supply device. Supply parts with the carrier ,
Circulating and moving the transport body and the supply component transferred from the component receiving side of the supply rail to the transport body transfer means in one direction to a component receiving position set at a position lower than the end of the supply rail due to its weight ; After that, it is circulated and moved in one direction, and only the transport body is transported to the vicinity of the end of the recovery rail on the part receiving side and transferred to the recovery rail,
A component supply method, comprising: collecting a conveyance body collected by the conveyance body transfer means and housed in a collection rail of a component supply device from a collection rail of the component supply device to a collection rail of a component supply carriage. In the component loading station, the component loading side is inclined so as to be higher than the component supplying side, the supply rail on which the transport body including the component holding mechanism can travel, and the component loading side is inclined so as to be lower than the component supplying side, A recovery rail on which the transport body having the component holding mechanism can travel, and the supply rail can accommodate components to be supplied to the component supply carriage in a state of being aligned by the transport body. Is equipped with a parts loading stacker that can accommodate the carrier from which the supply parts are removed from the parts supply cart,
First, the component input side of the component supply cart and the component supply side of the component loading stacker are connected, and are held and aligned by the carrier from the supply rail of the component loading stacker to the supply rail of the component supply cart. Supply the parts to be accommodated in the state together with the carrier,
The transported body that is collected and stored in the recovery rail of the parts supply truck is recovered from the recovery rail of the parts supply truck to the recovery rail of the parts loading stacker,
Thereafter, the parts supply cart is connected to the parts supply device of the assembly line, and the parts are supplied from the component supply cart to the component supply device and the carrier is collected from the component supply device to the parts supply cart. Item 12. The method for supplying parts according to Item 11.

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