JP4966771B2 - Work transfer system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a work transfer system that can take out a work by its own weight drop by feeding the work into a pipe and directing the outlet of the pipe downward at a desired location.

In such a workpiece transfer system, a workpiece supply mechanism is arranged directly under the inlet of the pipe for the purpose of simplifying the system for transferring workpieces and shortening the workpiece supply time. Are sequentially fed into the pipe using compressed air, and the outlet of the pipe is directed downward at a desired location to take out the workpiece by its own weight fall (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-11-255333

  However, in the conventional system, since the workpiece passes through the pipe and is taken out from its outlet by its own weight drop, the workpiece may be damaged due to the impact of the dropping.

In the conventional system, since the workpiece falls by its own weight from the outlet of the pipe, an operator can handle the workpiece manually by receiving the workpiece with a container such as a bat directly under the outlet of the pipe and from there. The work must be picked up. As described above, it is complicated for the worker to pick up the work taken out from the corner or the pipe as a work for handling the work.

  Even if the worker can directly take the workpiece directly under the pipe outlet, in the conventional system, the workpiece sent from the pipe inlet does not change its direction, and the weight of the workpiece is directly reduced from the pipe outlet. Since it falls, it must be received with a reverse hand or held after gripping the work, and the work for handling the work is complicated.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is that when the work is taken out from the pipe, the work is damaged, and the work of picking up the work becomes complicated.
An object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use workpiece transfer system that can easily handle a workpiece without damaging the workpiece.

The workpiece transfer system according to the present invention includes a pipe through which a workpiece can be circulated, a workpiece supply unit having an internal space leading to the inlet of the pipe, and the workpiece arranged therein, and the internal configuration of the workpiece supply unit. And a workpiece injection system that feeds the workpiece into the pipe through the inlet of the pipe, and directs the outlet of the pipe downward to take out the workpiece by its own weight drop, immediately below the outlet of the pipe An air cushion device for injecting air into the outlet to reduce the falling speed of the workpiece is provided , the pipe is divided into an inlet side and an outlet side, and two rails are spanned between them, One of the rails extends to the exit side from the other rail, and curves to the upper side in the vertical direction as it reaches the end of the extended rail The provided, the workpiece to roll the rail is characterized in that comprising pivoted to upright.

According to the present invention, the outlet of the pipe and the air cushion device are arranged at an interval, and the air existing around the outlet of the pipe is taken in between the two by the air injected by the air cushion device. An open space for introduction into the pipe is preferred.

  In addition, according to the present invention, it is preferable that the workpiece injection unit is an air injection unit that injects air to the workpiece to give buoyancy to the workpiece.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, the workpiece is preferably a workpiece in which a flange is provided on a cylindrical main body.

  According to the present invention, when the workpiece is taken out by its own weight drop by directing the outlet of the pipe downward, the air cushion device directly under the outlet of the pipe injects air into the outlet to drop the workpiece. Since the speed is reduced, the workpiece will not be damaged due to the impact of dropping. That is, the work conveyed through the pipe can be taken out without deteriorating its quality.

  In particular, in this case, if the outlet of the pipe and the air cushion device are arranged with a space between each other, an open space for introducing the air existing around the outlet of the pipe into the pipe from the outlet is provided. The air jetted from the air cushion device is introduced into the pipe from the outlet of the pipe while taking in the surrounding air.

  In other words, by providing an open space between the pipe outlet and the air cushion device, the buoyancy generated on the workpiece is greater than the amount of air injected from the air cushion device, so the workpiece can be decelerated more reliably. It can be carried out. The interval between the outlet of the pipe and the air cushion device is appropriately changed to a suitable value according to the air injection amount from the air cushion device, the size of the work (pipe inner diameter), and the like.

Further, according to the present invention, the pipe is divided into the inlet side and the outlet side, and two rails are spanned between them, and one of the rails extends to the outlet side than the other rail. If the end of the extended rail has a curved portion that curves upward in the vertical direction as it reaches the end, and if the workpiece rolling on the rail is swung so as to stand upright, the workpiece can be railed through the pipe on the inlet side. By simply placing it on top and rolling it along the rail, one of the rails can upright the workpiece.

  That is, when the work is passed through the pipe on the outlet side, the direction of the work taken out from the outlet of the pipe by its own weight fall can be changed to a desired direction by appropriately selecting the arrangement of one rail.

  According to such a configuration, the direction of the workpiece falling by its own weight from the outlet of the pipe can be changed as appropriate simply by combining the two rails, so that the work for handling the workpiece can be simplified. .

  In addition, in the present invention, if the work injection unit is an air injection unit that injects air to the work to give buoyancy to the work, the work is not damaged even when the work is injected into the pipe. It can be taken out while maintaining its good quality.

  Furthermore, if the present invention is employed as a workpiece conveyance system in which a flange is provided on a cylindrical main body, an air cushion function can be effectively obtained, so that conveyance of workpieces with good quality can be realized.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a cap conveyance system which is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part showing a part of the supply path of the system.

  Reference numeral 1 denotes a synthetic resin transmission case protective cap in which a flange 1b is provided on a cylindrical main body 1a. The cap 1 is attached to each transmission case by an operator's manual work.

  Reference numeral 2 denotes a pipe capable of circulating the cap 1. The pipe 2 is divided into an inlet side pipe 2a and an outlet side pipe 2b.

  In the pipe 2a, one opening that becomes the inlet 2A of the pipe 2 is directed downward, and the other opening is directed in a substantially horizontal direction through an angle portion. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a storage box B for the cap 1 is provided at the other opening of the pipe 2a. At the lower end of the storage box B, a drop opening 2B of the cap 1 is formed together with the guide plate 2p. Reference numeral 2d denotes a cover.

  Reference numerals 3a and 3b respectively denote a long rail and a short rail that span each other between the pipe 2a and the pipe 2b. As shown in the top view of FIG. 1, both rails 3 a and 3 b support the cap 1 in a lying state so that it can roll, and roll down along the guide plate 2 p from the drop port 2 </ b> B of the cap 1. The cap 1 is curved so as to turn about 90 degrees.

  In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), one rail 3a is extended so as to be longer than the other rail 3b and the cap 1 is curved so as to stand upright. One opening 2C of the pipe 2b is directed upward just below the curved portion 3e of the rail 3a, and the other opening is directed downward as the outlet 2D of the pipe 2 as shown in FIG.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes a cap supply unit having an internal space R leading to the inlet 2A of the pipe 2a and having the cap 1 disposed therein. As shown in FIG. 3A, the cap supply unit 4 is formed with an opening A that leads to the internal space R in the side wall 4w. Further, on the side wall 4w, as shown in FIG. 3 (b), a cover 4a that rotates around the shaft 4s along the circumferential direction thereof so that the opening A (see FIG. 3 (a)) can be opened and closed. Is provided.

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a cap injection unit that feeds the cap 1 disposed in the internal space R of the cap supply unit 4 into the pipe 2a through the inlet 2A of the pipe 2a. The cap injection unit 5 is an air injection unit that injects air into the internal space R of the cap supply unit 4 and sends the cap 1 into the pipe 2a through the inlet of the pipe 2a. The cap injection part 5 is connected to an air compressor via a tube (not shown).

  The cap injection part 5 can be linked to the opening and closing of the cover 4a. For example, an ON / OFF switch for detecting that the cover 4a is closed is provided in the cap supply unit 4 and only when the cover 4a is detected to be closed as shown in FIG. The air can be injected from the cap injection unit 5.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes an air cushion device that injects air into the outlet 2D immediately below the outlet 2D of the pipe 2b to reduce the falling speed of the cap 1. The air cushion device 6 is also connected to the air compressor via a tube (not shown).

  Further, in this embodiment, the outlet 2D of the pipe 2b and the air cushion device 6 are arranged with a gap ΔL, and the air existing around the outlet 2B of the pipe 2b is passed from the outlet 2B into the pipe 2b. It is an open space S for introduction.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), a part of the peripheral wall 2w of the pipe 2b is cut out to reach the edge e of the peripheral wall 2w that forms the outlet 2D of the pipe 2b, thereby forming an extraction portion E. To do.

  Here, reference numeral 7 denotes a contact member provided at the lower portion of the take-out portion E. This contact member 7 has a contact surface 7f with which the flange 1b of the cap 1 contacts, and is made of a relatively flexible material such as a synthetic resin so that the cap 1 is not damaged. 7 f of contact surfaces incline toward the taking-out part E, and the notch part C which the main body 1a of the cap 1 penetrates and extends toward the taking-out part E is formed in the inside. Thereby, the dropped cap 1 can move toward the take-out portion E with the notch C as a guide.

  Reference numeral 8 denotes a U-shaped support bar provided on the peripheral wall 2w of the pipe 2b. The support bar 8 holds the flange 1b of the cap 1 guided to the take-out portion E by the contact surface 7f of the contact member 7 so as not to drop. Thereby, the dropped cap 1 stops at the position where it jumps out from the take-out portion E, and the operator can take it out as it is.

  In particular, in this embodiment, the outlet 2D of the pipe 2b and the air cushion device 6 are arranged with an interval ΔL, and the air existing around the outlet 2D of the pipe 2b is passed from the outlet 2D to the contact member 7 between them. An open space S is provided for introduction into the pipe 2b through the notch C.

  Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the operator opens the cover 4a of the cap supply unit 4 and places the cap 1 in the internal space R through the opening A. As shown in FIG. 3 (b), The cover 4a of the cap supply unit 4 is closed. Thereby, the preparation for feeding the cap 1 into the pipe 2a is completed.

  Next, when an operator operates a push button switch or a foot switch (not shown) that is linked to the air injection device 5, the cap injection unit 5 injects air into the internal space R and enters the pipe 2a through the inlet 2A. The air cushion device 6 injects air into the pipe 2b through the outlet 2D of the pipe 2b.

  The cap 1 fed into the pipe 2a rolls down so as to lie down between the rails 3a and 3b via a guide plate 2p provided on the pipe 2a. As shown in FIG. 1, the rails 3 a and 3 b are arranged in an inclined state so that the pipe 2 b is lowered, so that the cap 1 rolls down toward the pipe 2 b along the rails 3 a and 3 b.

  Since the rail 3a is longer than the rail 3b and is curved so as to make the cap 1 stand upright immediately above the pipe 2b, the cap 1 stands inside the pipe 2b while standing up right above the pipe 2b. Fall by its own weight.

  At this time, since air is sent into the pipe 2b from the outlet 2D side by the air cushion device 6, the cap 1 in the pipe 2b falls by its own weight while decelerating, and the contact of the contact member 7 After coming into contact with the surface 7f, the surface is guided to the takeout portion E along the contact surface 7f, and stops at the position where the support bar 8 protrudes from the takeout portion E. Thereby, the operator can take out the cap 1 hold | maintained at the support bar 8 as it is.

  According to the present embodiment, the outlet 2D of the pipe 2b is directed downward so that when the cap 1 is taken out due to its own weight drop, the air cushion device 6 immediately below the outlet 2D of the pipe 2b is in the outlet 2D. Since the drop speed of the cap 1 is decelerated by spraying the cap 1, the cap 1 is not damaged due to the impact of the drop.

  In particular, in this case, the outlet 2D of the pipe 2b and the air cushion device 6 are arranged with an interval ΔL, and the air existing around the outlet 2D of the pipe 2b passes through the notch C from the outlet 2D. By using the open space S for introduction into the pipe 2b, the air injected from the air cushion device 6 is introduced into the pipe 2b from the outlet 2D of the pipe 2b while taking in the surrounding air.

  That is, since the space 2 between the outlet 2D of the pipe 2b and the air cushion device 6 is an open space S, the buoyancy generated in the cap 1 becomes larger than the air injection amount from the air cushion device 6, so that the cap 1 can be more reliably reduced.

  Moreover, according to the present embodiment, a part of the peripheral wall 2w of the pipe 2b is cut out to reach the edge e of the peripheral wall 2w that forms the outlet 2D of the pipe 2b to form the extraction part E. A contact member 7 having a contact surface 7f with which the cap 1 contacts is provided at a lower portion, and the contact surface 7f is inclined toward the take-out portion E. Further, the contact surface 7f of the contact member 7 is provided on the peripheral wall 2w of the pipe 2b. By providing the support bar 8 that holds the flange 1b of the cap 1 guided to the take-out part E so as not to drop, it is not necessary to receive the cap 1 taken out from the pipe 2b with a container such as a bat. In this case, since it is not necessary for the operator to pick up the cap 1 taken out from the corner or the pipe 2b, the work for handling the cap 1 can be simplified.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the pipe 2 is divided into an inlet side and an outlet side, and two rails 3a and 3b are spanned between them, and one of the rails 3a extends from the other rail 3b. If the cap 1 is curved so as to stand upright, the cap 1 is placed on the rails 3a and 3b through the pipe 2a, and is simply rolled along the rails 3a and 3b. Can be upright.

  That is, when passing the cap 1 through the pipe 2b, the orientation of the rails 3a and 3b is appropriately selected, so that the direction of the cap 1 taken out by its own weight drop from the outlet 2D of the pipe 2b can be changed to a desired direction. .

  According to such a configuration, the direction of the cap 1 that falls by its own weight from the outlet 2D of the pipe 2b can be changed as appropriate simply by combining the two rails 3a and 3b. Simplification can be achieved.

  In addition, since the work injection unit 5 is an air injection unit that injects air into the cap 1 and imparts buoyancy to the cap 1, when injecting the cap 1 into the pipe 2a, the workpiece is not damaged. It can be taken out while maintaining good quality.

  Furthermore, if the present invention is employed as a transport system for a cap 1 in which a flange 1b is provided on a cylindrical main body 1a as in the present embodiment, an air cushion function can be effectively obtained, so that the cap 1 having good quality can be obtained. Can be realized.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a cap conveyance system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

  In this embodiment, the supply of the cap 1 is automated. A plurality of lifting devices 11 having different heights are provided in a bucket 10 that fills the plurality of caps 1, and the lifting device 11 is sequentially operated to operate the cap 1. One by one.

  The cap 1 supplied from the bucket 10 is supplied to the inlet 2A of the pipe 2a along the rails 12a and 12b, and the subsequent operation is the same as in the previous embodiment.

  The above description exemplifies a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the claims. For example, the interval between the air injection device 5 and the air cushion device 6 is appropriately changed to a suitable value according to the amount of air injection from the air cushion device 6, the size of the work (inner diameter of the pipe), and the like.

  In the present invention, the “workpiece” is not limited to a finished product that does not require processing, but also includes semi-finished products that require further processing. For this reason, it can employ | adopt also in a processing line, not only in an assembly line.

It is a mimetic diagram showing a cap conveyance system which is one form of the present invention. (a), (b) is the principal part enlarged view which shows the pipe of the inlet side from the rail of the system, respectively, and the principal part enlarged view which shows the pipe of the outlet side from the rail. (a), (b) is the perspective view which shows the cap supply part of the system with the cover opened, and the perspective view which shows the cap supply part with the cover closed, respectively. (a), (b) is the side view which shows the periphery of the air cushion apparatus of the system and the exit of a pipe, respectively, and the expansion perspective view which shows the exit periphery of the pipe. It is a schematic diagram which shows the cap conveyance system which is the other form of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Protective cap (work)
1a Cap body
1b Cap flange 2 Pipe
2a Inlet pipe
2b Outlet pipe
2p information board
2A Pipe inlet (lower opening of the inlet pipe)
2B Cap outlet
2C Upper opening of outlet pipe
2D pipe outlet (lower opening of outlet pipe)
3a Long rail
3b short rail
3e Rail bending part 4 Cap supply part
4a Cap supply part cover 5 Air injection part 6 Air cushion device 7 Contact member
7f Contact surface 8 Support bar
10 bucket
11 Lifting device B Storage box C Notch E Ejection part R Internal space S Open space

Claims (4)

A pipe through which a workpiece can be circulated, a workpiece supply section having an internal space leading to the inlet of the pipe, and the workpiece disposed therein; and the workpiece arranged in the internal space of the workpiece supply section through the inlet of the pipe And a workpiece injection system that takes out the workpiece by its own weight drop by directing the outlet of the pipe downward,
An air cushion device is provided immediately below the outlet of the pipe to inject air into the outlet to reduce the falling speed of the workpiece ,
The pipe is divided into an inlet side and an outlet side, and two rails are spanned between them, and one end of the rail is extended to the outlet side from the other rail, and the end side of the rail is extended. A workpiece conveyance system , wherein a curved portion that curves upward in the vertical direction as the end portion is provided is pivoted so that the workpiece rolling on the rail stands upright . The pipe outlet and the air cushion device are arranged with a space therebetween, and the air existing around the pipe outlet is taken in between the two by the air jetted by the air cushion device and introduced into the pipe from the outlet. The workpiece transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece transfer system is an open space. The workpiece transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece injection unit is an air injection unit that injects air to the workpiece to give buoyancy to the workpiece. The workpiece transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the workpiece is a workpiece in which a flange is provided on a cylindrical main body.

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