JP5476670B2 - Work transfer method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a word over click transfer method, particularly to a suitable word over click transfer method to the turning of the conveyance carriage.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a workpiece transfer method in which a component or a component box containing components (hereinafter referred to as a “work”) is loaded on a transfer carriage and transferred to a target supply location on an assembly line such as a vehicle. (See Patent Document 1).

This is because, when changing the direction of the unmanned transport cart that transports the workpiece, the operation of turning one of the four corners of the transport cart around the first center and the other corner as the second center By performing a combination of the turning operation, the direction of the transport carriage is changed without using the “U-turn method” or the “switchback method” that requires a conventional dead space.
JP 2003-84832 A

  However, in the above-described conventional example, each time the conveyance carriage is turned, the axis that becomes the turning axis is lowered and the drive wheel is driven to turn the conveyance carriage, and the turning axis is raised after the turning. In the case of turning, a time loss occurs in a series of direction changes. In addition, the transport cart requires a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the swivel shaft, and requires a plurality of drive wheels that move forward while changing the advancing direction so as to swivel the transport cart. There was a problem that the cart was expensive.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a suitable word over click transfer method in the turning-turning without time loss.

The present invention draws a conveyance carriage loaded with a work supplied from a workpiece loading apparatus by an automatic guided vehicle and conveys it to a workpiece receiving apparatus in an assembly line, and connects the conveyance carriage to a workpiece receiving apparatus in an assembly line. was loaded workpiece is supplied to the workpiece receiving devices are driven the conveyance carriage after completion of the feeds the workpiece by AGV workpiece transfer how to convey the work loading device.
In the present invention, the unmanned transport vehicle is connected to the transport cart via a connecting means that can be turned and separated from the transport cart, and the transport cart is pulled by the unmanned transport vehicle on the assembly line. A U-turn guide in which the advancing direction front end of the conveyance carriage is connected to the workpiece acceptance apparatus of the assembly line, and the automatic guided vehicle after the connection with the conveyance carriage is released is provided on the floor. After reversing its direction by running along the road, it is connected to the transport carriage, and the transport carriage after completion of the work supply is pushed back by the unmanned transport truck to move the front end of the transport carriage to the work receiving device. By moving forward along a curvilinear guide path toward the workpiece loading device of the automatic guided vehicle, the conveyance cart is rotated while the workpiece supply is completed. It was to be towed to the direction.

Therefore, in the present invention, the transport carriage is advanced toward the workpiece receiving device of the assembly line by towing by the automatic guided vehicle, and the forward direction of the transport cart is connected to the workpiece receiving device of the assembly line. after connecting the release after the automatic guided vehicle, obtained by inverting its direction by traveling along the U-turn guide path provided on the floor of the, connected to the transport carriage, the conveyance carriage after completion of the feeds the workpiece Is fed back by pushing it back by an automated guided vehicle to disengage the front part of the transport cart from the workpiece receiving device and moving forward along a curved guide path toward the workpiece loading device of the automated guided vehicle. Since the transport cart after completion is swung in the traveling direction, the transport cart does not stop to change the traveling direction, and there is no time loss. Conversion can be performed, it can shorten the cycle time of the workpiece transfer. In addition, a special automatic guided vehicle (AGV) is not required, and it can be used together (reused) with a general-purpose automatic guided vehicle that only travels forward.
In addition, an automated guided vehicle can be used to transport workpieces by docking the transport cart to the workpiece receiving device and supplying workpieces. The structure of the transport cart and workpiece receiving device can be simplified, and investment can be minimized and used. Space to be minimized.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a word over click conveyance method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Through FIG. Based on FIG. 1, the outline | summary of the workpiece conveyance method of this embodiment is demonstrated first. FIG. 1 shows an assembly stage ST intended for the vehicle assembly line and a picking field PK, and the carriage 1 is pulled by the automatic guided vehicle 2 to reciprocate between the two to accommodate the workpiece W. The plurality of parts boxes P (hereinafter referred to as “actual boxes P1”) or pallets are transported from the picking field PK to the assembly stage ST, and a plurality of parts boxes P (hereinafter referred to as “empty boxes”) that are emptied after the workpiece W is taken out. Box P2 ”) or a state in which the pallet is collected and transported from the assembly stage ST to the picking site PK.

  In the state where the pallet or the actual box P1 in which the work W to be assembled to the vehicle passing through the target assembly stage ST of the vehicle assembly line is sequentially aligned in the actual assembly line production order, It is loaded on a supply rail 4 which will be described later, and is pulled by the automatic guided vehicle 2 and transported to a target supply place (line side workpiece receiving device 3) of an assembly line such as a vehicle. At the supply side on the line side, the work receiving device is pulled by the automated guided vehicle 2 so that the work alignment (supply rail 4) direction of the transport carriage 1 and the supply rail 6 of the work receiving device 3 are in a straight line. The transport carriage 1 is connected (docked) to 3 (work removal mechanism). And it supplies to the workpiece | work receiving apparatus 3 sequentially, without breaking the order which aligned the some workpiece | work W mounted in the conveyance trolley | bogie 1. FIG. At the same time, the pallet or empty box P <b> 2 emptied on the assembly line is collected from the collection rail 7 of the workpiece receiving device 3 onto the collection rail 5 of the transport carriage 1. Thereafter, the connection with the workpiece receiving device 3 is released, and the workpiece carriage method in which the carriage 1 loaded with the empty pallet or empty box P2 is pulled to the picking place PK by the centerless conveyance vehicle.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transport carriage 1 is supported by a frame 10 in which pipe materials or the like are combined in a frame shape, and a supply rail 4 disposed above and a collection rail 5 disposed below below. And a cart provided with. The supply rail 4 is constituted by a roller conveyor having a large number of rotatable rollers, and is arranged on the frame 10 in an inclined state in which the front of the carriage indicated by an arrow is downward. The collection rail 5 is composed of a roller conveyor having a number of rotatable rollers, and is disposed on the frame 10 in an inclined state where the front of the carriage indicated by the arrow is upward.

  Driven wheels 11 that support the carriage so as to be able to travel are disposed at the lower left and right positions slightly behind the central portion in the front-rear direction of the frame 10 of the transport carriage 1, and on the front end side below the frame 10, An automatic guided vehicle 2 that supports the front end is disposed. As for the weight of the carriage including the loaded work W, most of the load is supported by the driven wheel 11 and the remaining load is supported by the upper surface of the automatic guided vehicle 2.

  The automatic guided vehicle 2 is provided with a traction pin on its upper surface so that the traction pin can be projected and retracted. The automatic guided vehicle 2 is connected to the conveyance carriage 1 by projecting the traction pin 12 and engaging with a connection hole 13 provided in the conveyance carriage 1. The conveyance carriage 1 can be pulled through, and the conveyance carriage 1 can be pushed and pulled in an arbitrary direction via the pulling pin 12 to move or turn. Further, by retracting the pulling pin 12 from the upper surface and storing it inside, it can be detached from the transport carriage 1. The automatic guided vehicle 2 is an AGV (automated guided vehicle), and is generally capable of traveling along a guide path U formed of a magnetic tape or a reflective tape laid on a floor surface.

  On the supply rail 4, a plurality of pallets or actual boxes P <b> 1 in which workpieces W to be assembled to a vehicle are accommodated can be mounted in a state of being sequentially arranged in the order of production on an actual assembly line. On both sides of the supply rail 4, guides 14 formed by a frame 10 for guiding the pallet or the actual box P1 mounted on the supply rail 4 are arranged. A stopper 16 is provided at the front end of the supply rail 4 (the front end of the transport carriage 1) to prevent the mounted pallet or actual box P1 from dropping off from the front end.

  On the collection rail 5, a plurality of pallets or empty boxes P2 that are empty after the work W is attached to the vehicle at the assembly stage ST can be mounted. On both sides of the recovery rail 5, guides 15 formed by a frame 10 for guiding an empty pallet or an empty box P2 mounted on the recovery rail 5 are arranged. A stopper 17 is provided at the rear end of the collection rail 5 (the rear end of the transport carriage 1) to prevent the mounted empty pallet or empty box P2 from dropping off from the rear end.

  In a state where the front end of the transport carriage 1 is docked with respect to the workpiece receiving device 3 arranged on the assembly stage ST, the supply rail 4 is connected to the supply rail 6 of the workpiece receiving device 3 and the stopper 16 is released. The workpiece W accommodated in the loaded pallet or the actual box P <b> 1 can be supplied onto the supply rail 6 of the workpiece receiving device 3. At that time, the front end side of the collection rail 5 is connected to the collection rail 7 of the workpiece receiving device 3, and a plurality of empty pallets or empty pallets on which the workpiece W is taken out on the collection rail 7 of the workpiece receiving device 3. The empty box P2 can be received on the collection rail 5.

  In the state where the rear end of the transport cart 1 is docked at the rear end with respect to the work stacking device arranged in the picking field PK, the rear end of the supply rail 4 is connected to the supply rail of the work stacking device. The workpiece W accommodated in the pallet or the actual box P1 loaded on the supply rail can be received on the supply rail 4. At this time, the rear end side of the collection rail 5 is connected to the collection rail of the work loading device and the stopper 17 is released, and the loaded empty pallet or empty box P2 is supplied onto the collection rail of the work loading device. Is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the workpiece receiving device 3 arranged on the assembly stage ST is supported by a frame 20 in which pipe materials and the like are combined in a frame shape, and the supply rail 6 arranged on the upper side and also on the lower side. A collection rail 7 disposed, a lifting rail 8 disposed at the end of the supply rail 6 and moving up and down, and a take-out port 9 disposed on the opposite side of the supply rail 6 with the lifting rail 8 interposed therebetween. Is done. The lower part of the collection rail 7 supported by the frame 20 made of pipe material or the like is arranged at a predetermined interval from the floor surface, and the automatic guided vehicle 2 runs on the floor surface below the collection rail 7. It is possible.

  The supply rail 6 is composed of a roller conveyor having a large number of rotatable rollers, and is arranged on the frame 20 in an inclined state slightly downward toward the lifting rail 8 side. On the supply rail 6, a plurality of pallets or actual boxes P <b> 1 that are supplied from the supply rail 4 of the transport carriage 1 and contain workpieces W to be assembled to the vehicle are sequentially arranged in the order of production on the actual assembly line. It can be installed in the state. On both sides of the supply rail 6, guides 21 formed by a frame 20 for guiding a pallet or actual box P1 mounted on the supply rail 6 are arranged. A stopper 23 for stopping the mounted pallet or the actual box P1 is provided at the terminal end (the lifting rail side) which is the lower end of the inclined supply rail 6. Although the supply rail 6 has been described as being inclined toward the end, the supply rail 6 is disposed in a horizontal state and transports the pallet or the actual box P1 from the side connected to the transport carriage 1 toward the end. You may provide a conveying apparatus.

  The collection rail 7 is also composed of a roller conveyor having a large number of rotatable rollers, and is disposed on the frame 20 in an inclined state with the lifting rail 8 side facing upward. On the collection rail 7, a plurality of pallets or empty boxes P2 that are empty after the work W is attached to the vehicle at the assembly stage ST can be mounted. On both sides of the recovery rail 7, guides 22 formed by a frame 20 for guiding an empty pallet or an empty box P2 mounted on the recovery rail 7 are arranged. A stopper 24 that prevents the mounted empty pallet or empty box P2 from dropping off from the end is provided at the end where the transport carriage 1 which is the lower end of the inclined collection rail 7 is connected.

  The elevating rail 8 can be moved up and down by an actuator 26 between a raised position connected to the supply rail 6 and a lowered position connected to the recovery rail 7. The workpiece W can be taken out from the pallet or the actual box P <b> 1 supplied from the supply rail 6 to the take-out port 9 at the raised position connected to the supply rail 6. The empty pallet or empty box P2 from which the workpiece W has been taken out is pushed onto the collection rail 7 by an unillustrated pushing device at a lowered position where the lifting rail 8 is lowered and connected to the collection rail 7. The empty pallet or empty box P <b> 2 extruded on the recovery rail 7 is sent downward along the inclination of the recovery rail 7. In the state where the elevating rail 8 is lowered from the raised position, the pallet or the actual box P1 containing the workpiece W on the supply rail 6 is prevented from moving forward by the stopper 24 disposed at the end of the supply rail 6. The

  In addition, a docking device 25 (clamp device) for connecting to the frame 10 of the transport carriage 1 is disposed on the end frame 20 connected to the front end of the transport cart 1 of the workpiece receiving device 3. When the docking device 25 is connected to the frame 10 of the transport cart 1, the front end of the transport cart 1 is supported by the workpiece receiving device 3. Further, in conjunction with the docking device 25, the stopper 16 disposed at the front end of the supply rail 4 of the transport carriage 1 and the stopper 24 disposed at the lower end of the recovery rail 7 of the workpiece receiving device 3 are opened. doing.

  The workpiece supply operation to the workpiece receiving device 3 arranged on the assembly stage ST by the transport carriage 1 having the above configuration will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5 to 16.

  FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an on-site environment in which the transport carriage 1 is used. The assembly stage ST is shown on the left side of the drawing, and the assembly stage ST has a workpiece receiving device with its end directed toward the passage. 3 is arranged. In addition, a guide path U made of a magnetic tape or a reflective tape is disposed in the passage toward the end of the work receiving device 3, and this guide path U is disposed so as to extend straight below the work receiving device 3. A guide path U for reversing the automatic guided vehicle 2 is formed in an 8-character shape from the middle. Then, the inverted guide path U passes through the end portion of the workpiece receiving device 3 and advances through the path by a predetermined distance, and then branches off from the guide path U for entering and forms a gentle curve along the path. It is connected to U and is arranged toward the picking field PK.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure executed for transferring the workpiece from the picking field PK to the assembly stage ST, which is executed by the transfer controller that controls the automatic guided vehicle 2 and the workpiece receiving device 3. Below, based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the workpiece conveyance procedure from the picking place PK to the assembly stage ST is demonstrated.

  First, in the picking field PK, in a state where the rear end is docked with respect to the workpiece loading device, the rear end side of the collection rail 5 is connected to the collection rail of the workpiece loading device and the stopper 17 is released to load the workpiece loading device. The empty pallet or empty box P2 is supplied and returned onto the collection rail of the workpiece loading device, while the rear end side of the supply rail 4 is connected to the supply rail of the workpiece loading device and is loaded on the supply rail of the workpiece loading device. The work W accommodated in the pallet or the actual box P <b> 1 is received and loaded on the supply rail 4. Then, the automatic guided vehicle 2 is made to enter the lower front portion of the transport cart 1, and the traction pin 12 of the automatic guided vehicle 2 is lifted to be put on standby in a state of being engaged with the connecting hole 13 of the transport cart 1 (step S10).

  When a workpiece transfer request is made from the workpiece receiving device 3 at the assembly stage ST (step S1), the signal is output to the automatic guided vehicle 2 via a higher transfer controller (not shown). Is started (step S11). Then, the automatic guided vehicle 2 travels along the guide path U while pulling the transport carriage 1 and travels toward the workpiece receiving device 3 of the assembly stage ST (step S12).

  If the traveling along the guide path U is continued, the automatic guided vehicle 2 advances straight toward the workpiece receiving port of the workpiece receiving device 3 of the assembly stage ST, and as shown in FIGS. The front end of 1 and the workpiece receiving port of the workpiece receiving device 3 face each other. The side view shown in FIG. 7 is shown with the scale slightly enlarged with respect to the plan view shown in FIG.

  When the conveyance carriage 1 further advances due to the advance of the automatic guided vehicle 2, the front end of the conveyance carriage 1 and the workpiece reception port of the workpiece reception device 3 come closest to each other as shown in FIG. The docking device 25 (clamp device) arranged in the position is operated to position and connect the frame 10 of the transport carriage 1 and the frame 20 of the workpiece receiving device 3 (step S2). At the same time, the automatic guided vehicle 2 is stopped (step S13).

  In this state, the supply rail 4 of the transport carriage 1 is connected to the supply rail 6 of the work receiving device 3, and the front end side of the recovery rail 5 of the transport cart 1 is connected to the recovery rail 7 of the work receiving device 3.

  And in the automatic guided vehicle 2, the pulling pin 12 is lowered | hung and connection with the conveying cart 1 is cancelled | released (step S14). Then, in step S16, the automatic guided vehicle 2 is advanced along the guide path U, and comes out of the lower space of the transport carriage 1 (step S15). The automatic guided vehicle 2 moves forward to the lower space of the workpiece receiving device 3 and then is extracted from the lower space of the workpiece receiving device 3 as shown in FIG.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the automatic guided vehicle 2 again passes through the 8-shaped U-turn path formed by the guide path U in the space where the assembly stage ST is opened, and again the lower space of the workpiece receiving device 3. Enter. Next, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the vehicle enters the lower space of the front portion of the transport carriage 1 from the front side of the transport carriage 1 and stops. Then, the pulling pin 12 is raised and engaged with the connecting hole 13 of the transport carriage 1 (step S16). The automatic guided vehicle 2 and the transport cart 1 are in a state of facing each other. The U-turn of the automatic guided vehicle 2 has been described as being executed by the eight-shaped guide path U that can be turned with a minimum turning radius and requires a small space, but may be a simple loop. .

  On the other hand, the workpiece W is delivered between the workpiece receiving device 3 and the transport carriage 1 in parallel with the U-turn of the automatic guided vehicle 2. That is, the work receiving device 3 releases the stopper 16 disposed at the front end of the supply rail 4 of the transport carriage 1 in conjunction with the operation of the docking device 25 and is disposed at the lower end of the recovery rail 7 of the work receiving device 3. The stopper 24 thus released is released (step S3). By releasing the stoppers 16 and 24, the workpiece W accommodated in the pallet or the actual box P <b> 1 loaded on the supply rail 4 of the transport carriage 1 is supplied onto the supply rail 6 of the workpiece receiving device 3. Further, the plurality of empty pallets or empty boxes P2 that are empty after the workpiece W is taken out on the recovery rail 7 of the workpiece receiving device 3 are recovered on the recovery rail 5 of the transport carriage 1 (step S4).

  In step S5, it is determined whether the work W has been paid out and the empty box P2 has been collected. If not, the process proceeds to step S6, in which it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed. If not, the process proceeds to step S4, where the work W is paid out and the empty box P2 is continuously collected. If it is determined in step S5 that the work W has been paid out and the empty box P2 has been collected, the process proceeds to step S7. If the completion determination of the payout of the work W and the recovery of the empty box P2 in step S5 is not made after a predetermined time has passed, the process proceeds to step S8, and the operation of paying out the work W and recovering the empty box P2 is performed. An alarm is output when there is an abnormality.

  In step S <b> 7, the docking device 25 of the workpiece receiving device 3 is released and the transport cart 1 is separated. When the docking device 25 is released, the stopper 24 at the lower end of the recovery rail 7 of the workpiece receiving device 3 and the stopper 16 of the supply rail 4 of the transport carriage 1 are returned to the operating state. A release signal of the docking device is output to the automatic guided vehicle 2.

  The automatic guided vehicle 2 executes step S <b> 17 and pushes the transport carriage 1 backward via the pulling pin 12 to be detached from the workpiece receiving device 3 as shown in FIG. 14. The guide distance U for guiding the automatic guided vehicle 2 is set so that the separation distance is continued to a position where the conveyance cart 1 does not interfere with the workpiece receiving device 3 when the transport cart 1 changes direction.

  When the transport carriage 1 is turned back to a position where it does not interfere with the workpiece receiving apparatus 3 side, the automatic guided vehicle 2 selects a branch path having a branched gentle curve, and is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. In this manner, the transport carriage 1 moves forward while turning (curving) in the traveling direction while turning. At this time, with the driven wheel 11 that is the rear wheel of the transport carriage 1 as a turning axis, the connecting portion between the traction pin 12 of the automatic guided vehicle 2 (AGV) and the connection hole 13 of the transport carriage 1 is swung, so that the transport carriage 1 Change of direction.

  In this change of direction, the vehicle turns while proceeding with "automatic guided vehicle 2 (AGV) non-stop" and "travel only in the forward direction". In other words, the transport carriage 1 has no drive source, and only the driven wheel 11 (fixed wheel) that is the rear wheel of the transport carriage 1 and the connection portion by the “advanced operation of the automatic guided vehicle 2 (AGV)”. To turn (change direction). Then, after the automatic guided vehicle 2 (AGV) moves forward along the guide path U while drawing an arc, as shown in FIG. 16, the conveyance cart 1 changes its direction in the straight traveling direction and changes its direction. Complete. Subsequently, the conveyance carriage 1 is pulled and travels along the guide path U, thereby causing the conveyance carriage 1 to travel to the picking field PK.

  In the picking field PK, the rear end side of the recovery rail 5 is connected to the recovery rail of the work stacking device and the stopper 17 is released while the rear end is docked with respect to the work stacking device. The empty pallet or empty box P2 is supplied and returned onto the collection rail of the workpiece loading device, while the rear end side of the supply rail 4 is connected to the supply rail of the workpiece loading device and is loaded on the supply rail of the workpiece loading device. The work W accommodated in the pallet or the actual box P <b> 1 is received and loaded on the supply rail 4. Then, the automatic guided vehicle 2 enters the lower part of the front of the transport cart 1, the traction pin 12 of the automatic guided vehicle 2 is lifted and waits in a state of being engaged with the connection hole 13 of the transport cart 1, so that the next time Prepare for conveyance of workpiece W.

  In the above-described embodiment, at the stage where the conveyance carriage 1 is docked with respect to the workpiece receiving apparatus 3 and at the stage where the conveyance carriage 1 is reached below the U-turn traveling via the lower space of the workpiece receiving apparatus 3. Once the automatic guided vehicle 2 (AGV) is stopped and the tow pin 12 is lowered or raised, the carrier cart 1 is detached and connected. However, the automatic guided vehicle 2 and the transport cart 1 The pulling pin 12 is not put in and out and is not temporarily stopped when the connection structure is changed and when the direction change by the automatic guided vehicle 2 (AGV) is started and when the direction change is completed. In addition, it is possible to “disconnect” and “connect” the transport carriage 1 while moving forward.

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

  (A) The conveyance cart 1 loaded with the workpiece W supplied from the workpiece loading device is pulled by the automatic guided vehicle 2 and conveyed to the workpiece receiving device 3 on the assembly line, and the conveyance cart 1 is transferred to the workpiece receiving device 3 on the assembly line. A workpiece transfer device and a workpiece which are connected to each other and supply the workpiece W loaded on the transfer carriage 1 to the workpiece receiving apparatus 3 and pull the transfer carriage 1 after completion of the supply of the workpiece W by the unmanned transfer carriage 2 to the workpiece loading apparatus. It is a transfer method, and the automatic guided vehicle 2 is connected to the transfer carriage 1 via connecting means 12 and 13 that can be turned with respect to the transfer carriage 1 and can be separated from the transfer carriage 1. After the connection, the connection means 12 and 13 between the automatic guided vehicle 2 and the transport carriage 1 are disconnected, the direction of the automatic guided vehicle 2 is reversed, and the connection means 12 and 13 are connected by the connection means 12 and 13 so that the unmanned transport is performed. The curved forward travel of 2 to the work loading device, and so that pulling the traveling direction while turning the conveyance carriage 1 after completion of feeding the workpiece W. For this reason, the conveyance cart 1 does not stop for changing the traveling direction, can perform turning and direction change without time loss, and can shorten the cycle time of workpiece conveyance. In addition, the automatic guided vehicle 2 can be used for workpiece conveyance for docking the conveyance cart 1 to the workpiece receiving device 3 and supplying the workpiece W, and the structure of the conveyance cart 1 and the workpiece receiving device 3 can be simplified and investment can be minimized. The space used can be reduced to the minimum.

  (A) The automatic guided vehicle 2 is reversed by traveling along the U-turn guide path U provided on the floor surface after the coupling means 12 and 13 are separated from the conveyance carriage 1, and is coupled to the conveyance carriage 1. Since it connects via 12 and 13, the special automatic guided vehicle 2 (AGV) is not required, but it can be used together (reused) with the general purpose automatic guided vehicle 2 only for forward travel.

  (C) The transport carriage 1 includes left and right driven wheels 11 on the rear side below the frame 10 and supports the front side below the frame 10 on the unmanned transport vehicle 2 and unmanned transport via the connecting means 12 and 13. Since the vehicle 2 is connected so as to be able to turn, it is not particularly necessary to have a drive source or a special structure, and the transport cart 1 can be manufactured with low maintenance and excellent maintainability. For this reason, it can be manufactured with a lightweight pipe or the like, and the weight of the transport carriage 1 itself can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to secure a long traveling time in one charge of the automatic guided vehicle 2. Further, it is possible to increase the weight of the workpiece W to be conveyed.

  (D) The connecting means 12 and 13 for connecting the automatic guided vehicle 2 and the transport cart 1 are engaged with the connecting hole 13 provided in the transport cart 1 by engaging the pulling pin 12 that appears and disappears on the upper surface of the automatic guided vehicle 2. Since it connects with the conveyance trolley 1, the automatic guided vehicle 2 and the conveyance trolley 1 can be easily connected and detached.

  (E) Since the U-turn guideway U is formed in an 8-character shape, the automatic guided vehicle 2 can be reversed with a small space.

  The work transfer device and the work transfer method of the present invention can be used to dock the transfer carriage and the work receiving device, such as supplying the delivered parts to the parts shelf of the picking site PK and supplying the parts to the line side work receiving device 3 ( It can be widely applied to the automatic supply of parts by the connection method.

The schematic block diagram of the workpiece conveyance apparatus which shows one Embodiment of this invention. The side view of a conveyance trolley and an automatic guided vehicle. The perspective view of a conveyance trolley and an automatic guided vehicle. The side view of the workpiece | work receiving apparatus provided in the assembly stage in a line side. The flowchart which shows the procedure performed for the workpiece | work conveyance from the picking place performed to the assembly stage performed by the conveyance controller which controls an automatic guided vehicle and a workpiece | work receiving apparatus. The top view explaining a workpiece conveyance operation | movement by the relationship between a conveyance trolley | bogie and a workpiece acceptance apparatus. The side view explaining a workpiece conveyance operation | movement by the relationship between a conveyance trolley | bogie and a workpiece acceptance apparatus. The side view demonstrated by the relationship between the conveyance trolley which shows a docking state, and a workpiece | work acceptance apparatus. FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating an operation state following FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating an operation state following FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating an operation state following FIG. 10. The side view explaining the state of FIG. FIG. 13 is a plan view illustrating an operation state following FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating an operation state following FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a plan view illustrating an operation state following FIG. The top view explaining the operation | movement state following FIG.

Explanation of symbols

P, P1, P2 Parts box, actual box, empty box PK picking field ST assembly stage U guideway W work 1 transport cart 2 unmanned transport vehicle 3 work receiving device 4, 6 supply rail 5, 7 recovery rail 8 lifting rail 9 receiving Port 10, 20 Frame 11 Driven wheel 12 Traction pin 13 Connecting hole 16, 17, 12, 24 Stopper 25 Docking device

Claims (3)

A transport cart loaded with workpieces supplied from the workpiece loading device is pulled by an automated guided vehicle and transported to a workpiece receiving device on the assembly line. The transport cart is connected to the workpiece receiving device on the assembly line, and the workpiece is loaded on the transport cart. In a workpiece transfer method of supplying a workpiece receiving device to a workpiece loading device by pulling a transfer carriage after completion of workpiece supply by an automated guided vehicle,
The unmanned transport vehicle is connected to the transport cart via a connecting means that can be turned and separated from the transport cart,
The transport carriage is advanced toward the work receiving device on the assembly line by towing by the automatic guided vehicle, and the front end in the traveling direction of the transport cart is connected to the work receiving device on the assembly line.
After the connection between the transport cart and the workpiece receiving device, the connection between the transport cart and the automatic guided vehicle is released,
After reversing its direction by running the automatic guided vehicle after the release of the connection with the transport cart along the U-turn guideway provided on the floor surface, it is connected to the transport cart,
The conveyance carriage after the completion of the supply of the workpiece is pushed back by the automatic guided vehicle to release the front end of the conveyance carriage from the workpiece receiving device,
A work transfer method, wherein the automatic guided vehicle travels along a curvilinear guide path toward a work loading device, and pulls the transfer carriage after the completion of the supply of the work in the traveling direction while turning.   The transport cart loads and transports the workpiece supplied from the workpiece loading device on the supply rail, and supplies the workpiece loaded on the supply rail from the front end of the conveyance cart onto the supply rail of the workpiece receiving device on the assembly line. The work conveying method according to claim 1, wherein:   The workpiece transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the U-turn guide path is formed in an eight-character shape.

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