JP6621205B2 - Pallet transport device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a pallet transport device in which a plurality of pallet rails on which pallets are movably mounted are provided in the same horizontal plane.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a transport device that transports a workpiece in a production line and that performs a predetermined process on the workpiece at a transport destination. The applicant has proposed a pallet transport device that transports a plurality of pallets on which workpieces are placed on a machine tool so as to circulate on a track-shaped track composed of two straight portions and two curves connecting them. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In this transport device, the first and second pallet rails extending in parallel with each other, and the first and second pallets for transporting the pallets mounted on the first and second pallet rails along the first and second pallet rails. A plurality of pallets are moved from the edge of the first or second pallet rail to the second or first by moving in a semicircular manner between the feeding means and the two positions facing the both ends of the first and second pallet rails. Pallet moving means for moving to the pallet rail.

  In such a conventional pallet conveying device, the pallet mounted and conveyed on the first or second pallet rail by the first or second pallet feeding means is moved in a semicircular shape from the end edge by the pallet moving means. By connecting to the edge of the second or first pallet rail and moving the pallet to the second or first pallet rail by the second or first pallet feeding means and mounting it again, a plurality of pallets are track-shaped. It is designed to circulate in orbit.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2011-93032 (FIG. 11)

  As described above, the conventional pallet transport device includes the first and second pallet rails extending in parallel to each other. However, in recent years, it has been required to provide a plurality of pallet rails so that their extension lines intersect rather than in parallel. For this reason, using the pallet moving means in the conventional pallet transport device, the pallet reaching the end of one pallet rail is moved to the end of the other pallet rail provided to intersect the pallet rail. Can be considered.

  However, the pallet feeding means in the conventional pallet conveying device conveys the pallet along the pallet rail, and the pallet feeding means is related to the pallet when it reaches the end of the pallet rail and is moved by the pallet moving means. It is not allowed to combine, and it is necessary that the pallet can be reliably moved semicircularly by the pallet moving means from the end.

  That is, the pallet feeding means in the conventional pallet conveying apparatus conveys the pallet mounted on the pallet rail along the pallet rail, but the pallet reaches the end and is moved by the pallet moving means. When the pallet is moved, the engagement with the pallet needs to be released. Therefore, the pallet feeding means cannot move the pallet at the end of the pallet rail.

  However, in the pallet feeding means incapable of moving the pallet reaching the end of the pallet rail, the pallet moved from the end and connected to the edge of the other pallet rail is moved again to the pallet rail. This also makes it difficult to quickly move the pallet from one pallet rail to the other pallet rail.

  The object of the present invention is to move the pallet from the end of one pallet rail provided so that the extension lines intersect, and to the other pallet rail of the pallet after moving to the end of the other pallet rail. An object of the present invention is to provide a pallet transport device that can reliably perform the re-movement of the pallet.

The pallet conveying device of the present invention is provided at a plurality of pallet rails on which a pallet is movably mounted in the same horizontal plane, a pallet feeding means for conveying the pallet along the pallet rail, and an end of the pallet rail; A pallet moving means for moving a pallet mounted on any one of the pallet rails to another pallet rail, and a rotating plate that constitutes the pallet moving means and is rotatable about a vertical rotation axis One or more short rails provided around the rotating plate, a pallet feed assisting means for moving the pallet from the pallet rail to the short rail or moving the pallet mounted on the short rail to the pallet rail, and pallet feed Elevating means for elevating and lowering the auxiliary means, and the plurality of pallet rails have extensions extending from each other at a predetermined angle. In provided so as to intersect on the rotation axis of the rotating plate, an auxiliary rail provided on the same straight line of the pallet rail to be continuous to the end of the pallet rail to the rotation plates and pallet rail, auxiliary rail pallet rail It further comprises an auxiliary rail elevating means for elevating between a first position continuous to the end of the first position and a second position below the first position .

In this case, it is preferable that the auxiliary rail is provided with a fulcrum at an end near the pallet rail, and the other end is moved up and down with the fulcrum as a rotation axis. The short rails are preferably provided at even intervals on the rotation circumference of the rotating plate. The pallet feed assisting means is provided with a fulcrum at the end close to the pallet feeding means, and the other end is provided with the fulcrum as the rotation axis. You can also go up and down.

  Further, the pallet feed assisting means is provided with an auxiliary circulation belt which is circulated by being provided endlessly along the end of the pallet rail and the short rail continuing to the pallet rail, in which irregularities extending in the width direction are alternately and continuously formed in the longitudinal direction. An uneven surface that can be engaged with the unevenness is formed on the lower surface of the pallet, and when the pallet feed assisting means is raised, the unevenness of the pallet is engaged with the unevenness of the auxiliary circulation belt and the pallet is moved by circulation of the auxiliary circulation belt The concavo-convex portion can be separated from the uneven portion when the pallet feed assisting unit is lowered.

Furthermore, it is preferable that a plurality of short rails are provided at each angle at which the extended lines of the plurality of pallet rails cross each other on the rotation axis of the rotating plate, or on the rotation circumference of the rotating plate based on the angle .

  In the pallet conveying device of the present invention, the pallet feed auxiliary means for moving the pallet from the pallet rail to the short rail or moving the pallet mounted on the short rail to the pallet rail, and the lifting means for raising and lowering the pallet feed auxiliary means Therefore, even if the pallet feed assisting means engages with the pallet mounted on the short rail, the pallet and pallet feed are allowed by lowering the pallet feed assisting means and allowing the rotation plate to rotate. The engagement of the auxiliary means can be canceled.

  For this reason, the pallet mounted on the short rail can be moved to the other pallet rail by rotating the rotating plate together with the short rail. If a pallet locking mechanism is provided during this movement, the movement of the pallet mounted on the short rail can be prohibited.

  Then, when the pallet feed assisting means is raised, the pallet feed assisting means is re-engaged with the pallet mounted on the short rail, so that the pallet feed assisting means is moved together with the pallet and connected to the edge of the other pallet rail, The pallet can be moved again to the other pallet rail. Thereby, even if a plurality of pallet rails are provided so that the extension lines intersect, the pallet can be reliably moved.

It is a top view of the pallet conveying apparatus of this invention embodiment. It is a top view corresponding to FIG. 1 which shows the state which conveys the pallet and reaches the edge part of a pallet rail. It is a top view corresponding to Drawing 1 showing the state where the pallet was mounted in the short rail from the end of the pallet rail. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. 1 which shows the front of one pallet rail of the pallet conveying apparatus. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 2 showing a state in which the pallet of one pallet rail is engaged with the pallet feed assisting means. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 3 showing a state in which the pallet of one of the pallet rails is moved to the short rail by the pallet feed assisting means. It is the DD sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the top view which looked at the pallet used for the conveyance apparatus from the G direction of FIG. It is the EE sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 3 which shows the pallet moving means. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 9 showing a state in which movement of the pallet mounted on the short rail is prohibited by the pallet locking mechanism. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 3 which shows the state which rotated the rotating plate with the pallet mounted in the short rail. It is the FF sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 11 which shows the state which cancelled | released the pallet latching mechanism and the movement of the pallet mounted in the short rail was accept | permitted. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 12 which shows the state which lowered | hung the pallet feed auxiliary | assistance means by the raising / lowering means. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 10 which shows the state which lowered | hung the pallet feed auxiliary | assistance means by the raising / lowering means. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 12 which shows the state which lowered the auxiliary rail with the pallet feed auxiliary means by the auxiliary rail raising / lowering means. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 10 which shows the state which lowered the auxiliary rail with the pallet feed auxiliary means by the auxiliary rail raising / lowering means. It is a top view corresponding to FIG. 1 including the enlarged view which curved the surface which mutually faces the edge part of a pallet rail and the edge part of the short rail which continues to it.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a pallet conveying apparatus 10 according to the present invention. In each figure, three axes X, Y, and Z orthogonal to each other are set, the X axis extends in a substantially horizontal lateral direction, the Y axis extends in a substantially horizontal front-rear direction, and the Z axis extends in a vertical direction. The configuration will be described.

  The pallet carrying device 10 of the present invention includes a plurality of pallet rails 21 and 31 on which a pallet 11 is movably mounted in the same horizontal plane. In the present embodiment, as a plurality of pallet rails, a first pallet rail 21 extending in the horizontal front-rear direction (Y-axis direction) and a second pallet extending in the substantially horizontal lateral direction (X-axis direction) are provided. The case where the rail 31 is provided will be described.

  The first and second pallet rails 21 and 31 are for mounting the pallet 11 so as to be movable. Each of the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31 is provided on the mount 9 (FIGS. 4 to 6), and the pallet 11 is moved and conveyed. It is.

  Since both have the same structure, the first pallet rail 21 will be described as a representative. The first pallet rail 21 is used for mounting the pallet 11 in a horizontal state. As shown in detail in FIG. 9 is provided with a support plate 22 which is directly fixed on 9 and a commercially available linear motion guide rail 23 which is fixed to the upper edge of the support plate 22 by screwing.

  On the other hand, the pallet 11 mounted on the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31 straddles the linear motion guide rail 23 and is configured to be movable on the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31. And a base 13 screwed to the linear motion block 12 and a locking member 14 provided on the base 13.

  The linear motion block 12 is a commercially available product sold as a pair with the linear motion guide rail 23, and preferably includes a roller retainer (not shown). By using the linear motion block 12 having this roller retainer, the pallet 11 is placed on the first and second pallet rails 21, 31 while prohibiting movement in the width direction and tilting with respect to the first and second pallet rails 21, 31. It is possible to remarkably reduce the resistance to move.

  On one side of the pedestal 13, a mounting tool 16 for mounting the work 6 is provided on the upper surface thereof. The mounting tool 16 is for mounting the work 6 fixed to the base 13, and the structure of the mounting tool 16 is appropriately changed and used depending on the type of the work 6 to be mounted on the pallet 11 and processed. It is. The linear motion block 12 is fixed to the other side of the base 13, and the locking member 14 is provided on the base 13 between the linear motion block 12 and the mounting tool 16.

  In this way, by supporting the linear motion block 12 fixed to the other side portion of the pedestal 13 so as to be movable across the linear motion guide rails 23 in the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31, The pallet 11 is movably mounted on the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31 in a horizontal state.

  Here, the machine tool for processing the workpiece 6 is provided along the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31 although not shown. However, when a plurality of machine tools are provided along the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31, the longitudinal length L of the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31 of the base 13 in the pallet 11 (FIG. 1). ) Is preferably formed equal to or shorter than the pitch at which the machine tools provided along the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31 are installed.

  In this way, when the plurality of pallets 11 move on the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31 with a predetermined pitch while the workpiece 6 is mounted, one side of the pedestal 13 in the horizontal state is worked. The plurality of pallets 11 project to the machine side and face each machine tool, and the workpiece 6 mounted on the side portion via the mounting tool 16 can be processed by the machine tool.

  In addition, the pedestal 13 is formed with a locking hole 13a into which the elevating rod 72 (FIGS. 9 and 10) in the pallet locking mechanism 71 described later enters, on the other side. The locking hole 13a is formed with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the upper end so that the upper end of the lifting rod 72 can enter. Details of the locking member 14 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the pallet transport device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a first pallet feeding means 41 that transports the pallet 11 mounted on the first pallet rail 21 along the first pallet rail 21, and Second pallet feeding means 51 is provided for transporting the pallet 11 mounted on the two pallet rails 31 along the second pallet rail 31.

  Since the first pallet feeding means 41 and the second pallet feeding means 51 have the same structure, the first pallet feeding means 41 will be described below as a representative.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the first pallet feeding means 41 is configured to be able to engage with the pallet 11 and is provided endlessly along the first pallet rail 21 and circulates, and the circulation belt 42. And a circulation mechanism 43 (FIG. 4) for circulating the belt.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the support plate 22 in the first pallet rail 21 is provided with driven pulleys 44 at its four corners, and the circulation belt 42 is wound around the four driven pulleys 44.

  The support plate 22 is provided with a servo motor 43 as a circulation mechanism for circulating the circulation belt 42, and a drive pulley 45 is attached to the rotation shaft 43a. The drive pulley 45 is provided on the same plane as the four driven pulleys 44, and in the vicinity of the drive pulley 45, a pair of turning pulleys that turn the circulation belt 42 around the drive pulley 45 so that the circulation belt 42 is wound around the drive pulley 45. 46 is pivotally supported on the support plate 22.

  When the servo motor 43 is driven by a command from a controller (not shown), the rotary shaft 43a rotates with the drive pulley 45, and the circulating belt 42 wound around the drive pulley 45 circulates in a state of surrounding the four driven pulleys 44. Configured as follows.

  The circulation belt 42 is a so-called toothed belt. As shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 4, the circulation belt 42 is a belt in which unevenness 42a and 42b extending in the width direction are alternately continued in the longitudinal direction, and the unevenness 14a that can be engaged with the unevenness 42a and 42b. , 14 b are formed on the pallet 11. The irregularities 14 a and 14 b are formed on the locking member 14 constituting the pallet 11.

  The locking member 14 provided on the same lower side as the linear motion block 12 is configured to overlap and engage with the circulation belt 42. That is, when the circulation belt 42 is superposed on the locking member 14, the irregularities 42 a and 42 b formed on the circulation belt 42 are engaged with the irregularities 14 a and 14 b formed on the engagement member 14, so that When the locking member 14 is separated, the engagement between the irregularities 42a and 42b of the circulation belt 42 and the irregularities 14a and 14b of the locking member 14 is released.

  When the irregularities 14 a and 14 b on the pallet 11 engage with the irregularities 42 a and 42 b of the circulation belt 42, the pallet 11 cannot freely move along the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31. Accordingly, when the servo motor 43 is driven to circulate the circulation belt 42 with which the pallet 11 is engaged, the pallet 11 moves together with the circulation belt 42, and the first and second pallet rails 21 along which the circulation belt 42 follows. , 31, the pallet 11 is conveyed.

  Here, the locking members 14 are provided on both sides in the moving direction of the base 13. Reference numeral 47 in the drawing is a support member 47 that prevents the circulation belt 42 between the driven pulleys 44 from loosening and prevents the circulation belt 42 from being separated from the locking member 14. Reference numeral 48 denotes the support material 47. An attachment 48 for attaching the material 47 to the support plate 22 is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 1, pallet moving means 61 is provided at the ends of the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31.

  The pallet moving means 61 moves the pallet 11 mounted on either the first or second pallet rail 21 or 31 to the second or first pallet rail 31 or the other pallet rail. Is.

  In the present embodiment, the pallet 11 mounted on the first pallet rail 21 is moved to the second pallet rail 31 and the pallet 11 mounted on the second pallet rail 31 is moved to the first pallet rail 21. This is the case.

  The pallet moving means 61 includes a rotating plate 62 that can rotate around a vertical rotation axis, one or more short rails 63 provided around the rotating plate 62, and the rotating plate 62. An index unit 64 (FIGS. 9, 10, and 12) that rotates is provided.

  In the present embodiment, the short rail 63 will be described as a case in which an even number is provided at equal intervals on the rotation circumference of the rotating plate 62 constituting the pallet moving means 61.

  As shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 12, the index unit 64 has a rotating rod 64 b that protrudes upward from a substantially central portion of the upper surface of the main body 64 a provided on the gantry 9 with the vertical line as the rotation center O. 1 to 3, the rotational center O of the rotating rod 64b is positioned at a point where the extended lines of the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31 intersect, and the main body 64a is attached to the gantry 9. It is done.

  The rotating plate 62 in this embodiment is a disc, and the center is screwed to the upper end of the rotating rod 64b in a horizontal state. The index unit 64 is configured to be able to rotate the rotating rod 64b in response to a command from a controller (not shown), and is configured to rotate the rotating plate 62 by a predetermined angle as indicated by a solid arrow in FIG. .

  Returning to FIG. 1, one or more short rails 63 are provided around the rotating plate 62. A plurality of short rails 63 are provided at each angle at which the extended lines of the plurality of pallet rails 21 and 31 intersect each other on the rotation axis of the rotation plate 62 or on the rotation circumference of the rotation plate 62 based on the angle. The short rail 63 in this embodiment shows a case where the four short rails 63 are used radially at equal intervals on the rotation circumference of the rotating plate 62.

  Specifically, the rotating plate 62 in this embodiment in which four short rails 63 are used has a circular base plate 65 around which a base plate 65 extends in the radial direction at the same position from the rotation center O, and the outside thereof. The end is provided so as to coincide with the outer periphery of the rotating plate 62. In this embodiment in which the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31 intersect at 90 degrees, four base plates 65 are provided every 90 degrees in the rotation circumferential direction of the rotating plate 62.

  The four short rails 63 extend in the radial direction at the same position from the rotation center O around the rotating plate 62 via the base plate 65, and the outer ends thereof protrude from the outer periphery of the rotating plate 62. The case where four places are provided every 90 degrees in the rotational circumferential direction of 62 is shown.

  These short rails 63 are the same as the linear motion guide rails 23 in the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31, and the length W (FIG. 1) of the short rails 63 is the rail direction of the pallet 11. The length L is equal to or longer than the length L.

  Then, when the short rail 63 continuous with the linear motion guide rail 23 in the first pallet rail 21 is rotated 90 degrees around the rotation center O of the rotating plate 62, the short rail 63 becomes a straight line in the second pallet rail 31. It arrange | positions so that the exercise | movement guide rail 23 may be followed.

  Further, when the short rail 63 is continuous with the linear motion guide rail 23 of the first and second pallet rails 21, 31, the short rail 63 is the linear motion guide rail 23 in the first and second pallet rails 21, 31. The pallet 11 moved from the pallet 11 is mounted, or the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63 is configured to be movable to the linear motion guide rails 23.

  As shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 12, the rotation plate 62 is prohibited from moving when the pallet 11 is mounted on the short rails 63 provided radially around the rotation plate 62. A pallet locking mechanism 71 is provided for each short rail 63.

  In this embodiment, the pallet locking mechanism 71 includes an elevating rod 72 that is provided on the rotating plate 62 and is formed so that the upper end can enter the locking hole 13a of the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63, and the upper end thereof. An elastic body 73 that urges the elevating rod 72 in a direction to enter the locking hole 13a, and a cylinder that moves the elevating rod 72 in a direction in which the upper end departs from the locking hole 13a against the urging force of the elastic body 73. 74, 75.

  A through hole 13b through which the lifting rod 72 passes is formed in the rotary plate 62. The lifting rod 72 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction through the through hole 13b, and its upper end has entered the locking hole 13a. Thus, the lifting rod 72 is provided with a flange 72a that comes into contact with the lower surface of the base 13 around the locking hole 13a from below (FIG. 10).

  The coil spring 73, which is an elastic body, is interposed between the flange 72a and the rotating plate 62 in a compressed state, and biases the lifting rod 72 upward by the biasing force of the coil spring 73 to extend. To do.

  A support column 76 is provided on the lower surface of the rotating plate 62 so as to protrude downward, and the lower end of the support column 76 is pivotally supported at the approximate center of the swing piece 77. The swing piece 77 extends in the circumferential direction of the rotating plate 62 and is pivotally supported. One end of the swing piece 77 is pivotally supported by the lower end of the lifting rod 72.

  When the short rail 63 continues to the first pallet rail 21, the cylinder has a first cylinder 74 in which a main body 74 b is attached to the gantry 9 so that the upper end of the protruding and retracting rod 74 a faces the other end of the swing piece 77. A second cylinder 75 having a main body 75b attached to the gantry 9 such that when the short rail 63 is continuous with the second pallet rail 31, the other end of the swing piece 77 is opposed to the upper end of the retractable rod 75a. Is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 12, when the cylinders 74 and 75 with the rods 74a and 75b facing the other end of the swing piece 77 project the rods 74a and 75b, the swing piece 77 is thereby moved. The lifting / lowering rod 72 pivoted and pivoted at one end of the swinging piece 77 moves downward against the biasing force of the coil spring 73 that is an elastic body. Then, the upper end of the pallet 11 is configured to be detached from the locking hole 13a. And if the upper end of the raising / lowering rod 72 remove | deviates from the latching hole 13a, it will be comprised so that the free movement of the pallet 11 mounted in the short rail 63 will be attained.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when the cylinders 74 and 75 cause the rods 74a and 75b to be immersed in the main bodies 73b and 75b, the lifting rod 72 is moved upward by the biasing force of the coil spring 73, and the upper end thereof is the pallet. 11 enters the locking hole 13 a provided in the head 11. Accordingly, the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63 is configured to be prohibited from freely moving.

  Therefore, in this pallet locking mechanism 71, as shown in FIG. 9, the first cylinder 74 projects the protruding and retracting rod 74a, and the lifting rod 72 is moved downward against the urging force of the coil spring 73, In this state, the pallet 11 is moved and mounted from the first pallet rail 21 to the short rail 63 continuous thereto.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10, the first rod 74 is used to immerse the retracting rod 74 a, so that the lifting rod 72 is moved upward by the biasing force of the coil spring 73, and the upper end thereof is provided on the pallet 11. Enter the blind hole 13a. Thereby, the movement of the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63 is stopped.

  In this state, by rotating the rotating plate 62 together with the pallet 11, the short rail 63 on which the pallet 11 is mounted is moved away from the first position that continues to the first pallet rail 21, and the second rail that continues to the second pallet rail 31. It can be rotated to two positions.

  When the short rail 63 on which the pallet 11 is mounted is rotated to the second position, the short rail 63 is continuous with the second pallet rail 31 as shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12, the projecting rod 75 a is protruded by the second cylinder 75, and the lifting rod 72 is again moved downward against the urging force of the coil spring 73, and is mounted on the short rail 63. The pallet 11 is allowed to move. As a result, the pallet 11 can be moved to the second pallet rail 31.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the pallet transport device 10 moves the pallet 11 transported along the first or second pallet rails 21, 31 from the first or second pallet rails 21, 31 to the first or second. The pallet which moves to the short rail 63 which continues to the 2nd pallet rail 21 and 31, or moves the pallet 11 mounted in the short rail 63 to the 1st or 2nd pallet rail 21 and 31 which continues to the short rail 63 Feed assisting means 81 is provided.

  The pallet feed assisting means 81 is provided at each end on the side where the extended lines of the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31 intersect, and these have the same structure. Therefore, one of them will be described as a representative.

  The pallet feed assisting means 81 in this embodiment circulates along the end portions of the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31 and the short rail 63 protruding from the outer periphery of the rotating plate 62 continuously to the end portions. In addition, an auxiliary circulation belt 82 provided continuously to the circulation belt 42 and an auxiliary circulation mechanism 83 for circulating these auxiliary circulation belts 82 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is a so-called toothed belt similar to the circulation belt 42, and the auxiliary circulation belt 82 has irregularities 82 a and 82 b extending in the width direction alternately and continuously in the longitudinal direction. (Enlarged view of FIG. 5). And the unevenness | corrugation 14a, 14b formed in the latching member 14 of the pallet 11 is comprised so that engagement with this unevenness | corrugation 82a, 82b is also possible.

  The pallet feed assisting means 81 in this embodiment will be described assuming that a fulcrum is provided at the end near the first and second pallet feed means 41, 51 and that the other end moves up and down with the fulcrum as the rotation axis. The pallet feed assisting means 81 may be moved up and down horizontally.

  As shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 12, the first and second pallet rails 21, 31 are end portions on the rotating plate 62 side of the support plate 22, and upper portions close to the linear motion guide rail 23 at the end portions. Further, one end of the auxiliary plate 91 close to the first and second pallet feeding means 41 and 51 is pivotally supported.

  The linear motion guide rail 23 is provided so as to protrude from the end portion of the support plate 22 on the rotating plate 62 side, and the end edge thereof faces the outer end edge of the short rail 63 provided on the rotating plate 62 with a slight gap. Thus, the linear motion guide rail 23 is configured to be continuous with the short rail 63.

  At the upper end of the auxiliary plate 91, guide members 92 are provided along the first and second pallet rails 21, 31 along the short rails 63 that are continuous with the first and second pallet rails 21, 31. The two pallet rails 21 and 31 extend horizontally in the longitudinal direction.

  This guide material 92 supports the auxiliary circulation belt 82 along the short rails 63 continuous with the end portions of the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31 and the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31 from below. .

  The auxiliary plate 91 on both sides of the guide member 92 is pivoted by an auxiliary pulley 93 that turns the auxiliary circulation belt 82 that moves on the upper surface of the guide member 92 and moves in the longitudinal direction of the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31. Be supported.

  The auxiliary plate 91 is provided with a servo motor 83 which is an auxiliary circulation mechanism for circulating the auxiliary circulation belt 82, and an auxiliary drive pulley 84 is attached to the rotation shaft 83a.

  The auxiliary drive pulley 84 is provided on the same plane as the two auxiliary pulleys 93, and the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is wound around the auxiliary drive pulley 84 and the auxiliary pulley 93.

  When the servo motor 83 is driven by a command from a controller (not shown), the auxiliary circulation belt 82 wound around the auxiliary drive pulley 84 circulates, and the auxiliary circulation belt 82 between the two auxiliary pulleys 93 is a horizontal guide member 92. So that the end of the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31 and the short rail 63 projecting from the outer periphery of the rotating plate 62 are connected to the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31. Composed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is also formed with irregularities 82 a and 82 b which are the same shape as the circulation belt 42 and extend in the width direction alternately and continuously in the longitudinal direction. When superposed, the irregularities 82a and 82b formed on the auxiliary circulation belt 82 are engaged with the irregularities 14a and 14b on the locking member 14.

  Therefore, when the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is circulated at the same speed as the circulation belt 42 such that the irregularities 82a and 82b of the auxiliary circulation belt 82 are continuous with the irregularities 42a and 42b (FIG. 4) of the circulation belt 42, As shown in FIG. 4, the pallet 11 that is engaged with the circulation belt 42 and moves the first pallet rail 21 is auxiliary circulated from the circulation belt 42 at the end of the first pallet rail 21 as shown in FIG. 5. The engagement is transferred to the belt 82.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the irregularities 14 a, 14 b on the pallet 11 engage with the irregularities 82 a, 82 b of the auxiliary circulation belt 82, the pallet 11 can freely move in the longitudinal direction of the first and second pallet rails 21, 31. It cannot be moved. Therefore, when the auxiliary circulation belt 82 engaged with the pallet 11 is circulated, the pallet 11 moves together with the auxiliary circulation belt 82, and the short rail 63 or the first and second pallet rails 21, 31 along which the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is along. The pallet 11 is conveyed along

  Accordingly, when the auxiliary circulation belt 82 engaged with the locking member 14 is further circulated, the pallet 11 is continued from the end of the first pallet rail 21 to the first pallet rail 21 as shown in FIG. It moves to the short rail 63. When the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is circulated in the reverse direction, the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63 is moved to the first or second pallet rail 21 or 31.

  Moreover, the pallet conveying apparatus 10 includes elevating means 95 for elevating and lowering the pallet feed assisting means 81 as shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 12. The lifting means in this embodiment is a fluid pressure cylinder 95 in which a main body 95b is fixed to the gantry 9 with the retracting rod 95a facing upward, and the other end of the auxiliary plate 91 is pivotally supported on the upper end of the retracting rod 95a. Is done.

  The fluid pressure cylinder 95 is formed on the engaging member 14 protruding from the outer periphery of the rotating plate 62 of the pallet 11 on which the auxiliary circulation belt 82 of the auxiliary plate 91 is mounted on the short rail 63 in a state where the protruding and retracting rod 95a protrudes upward. Configured to polymerize (FIG. 6).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, since the locking member 14 is provided on the lower surface of the base 13 in the pallet, when the retracting rod 95a of the fluid pressure cylinder 95 is immersed in the main body 95b below it, The pallet feed assisting means 81 including the auxiliary plate 91 whose other end is pivotally supported at the upper end thereof is lowered, and the auxiliary circulation belt 82 on the auxiliary plate 91 is also lowered.

  If the short rail 63 that rotates together with the rotating plate 62 comes into contact with the auxiliary circulation belt 82 and the free rotation of the rotating plate 62 becomes difficult, the pallet feed assisting means 81 is lowered. The

  That is, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when the other end of the auxiliary plate 91 is lowered to lower the pallet feed auxiliary means 81, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is superposed on the locking member 14 to form the short rail 63. The irregularities 82a and 82b (FIG. 5) formed on the auxiliary circulation belt 82 are separated from the irregularities 14a and 14b on the locking member 14 of the pallet 11 that has moved up to this point.

  As a result, the engagement between the projections and depressions 82a and 82b of the auxiliary circulation belt 82 and the projections and depressions 14a and 14b of the locking member 14 is released, and the horizontal rotation of the rotating plate 62 provided with the short rail 63 on which the pallet 11 is mounted. Is configured to be surely performed.

  Then, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, when the protruding and retracting rod 95 of the fluid pressure cylinder 95 protrudes upward again and the other end of the lowered auxiliary plate 91 is raised, the rod is mounted on the short rail 63. The auxiliary circulation belt 82 is superposed on the locking member 14 in the pallet 11, and the irregularities 82 a and 82 b formed on the auxiliary circulation belt 82 are engaged again with the irregularities 14 a and 14 b in the locking member 14.

  Next, a pallet conveying method using the pallet conveying device will be described.

  The pallet conveying method using the pallet conveying device 10 includes a first pallet conveying step for conveying the pallet 11 mounted on the first pallet rail 21 along the first pallet rail 21, and an end portion of the first pallet rail 21. A pallet moving step for moving the pallet 11 that has reached the second pallet rail 31, and a second pallet conveying step for conveying the pallet 11 mounted on the second pallet rail 31 along the second pallet rail 31. .

  Each step will be described below.

<First pallet transport process>
In this step, the pallet 11 mounted on the first pallet rail 21 is transported.

  The pallet 11 in this embodiment is for mounting the workpiece 6 on which predetermined processing is performed, and the workpiece 6 is mounted on the pallet 11 mounted on the first guide rail 21. Further, the pallet 11 is Since the mounting tool 16 for mounting the workpiece 6 is provided, the workpiece 6 is mounted on the pallet 11 via the mounting tool 16.

  The pallet 11 is mounted on the first guide rail 21 by mounting the linear motion block 12 of the pallet 11 from the end of the linear motion guide rail 23 in the first guide rail 21.

  When the pallet 11 is thus mounted on the first guide rail 21, the unevenness 14 a and 14 b provided on the pallet 11 is uneven on the circulation belt 42 provided along the first guide rail 21 as shown in FIG. 4. 42a and 42b are engaged. Therefore, the pallet 11 can be conveyed along the first guide rail 21 by driving the servo motor 43 as a drive mechanism and circulating the circulation belt 42 thereafter.

  This conveyance is performed until the pallet 11 faces each machine tool (not shown) provided along the first pallet rail 21, and the servo motor 43 a is stopped in a state where the pallet 11 faces each machine tool. The mounted workpiece 6 is processed by each of these machine tools. At this time, by carrying a plurality of pallets 11 at the same pitch as the pitch of each machine tool (not shown), it becomes possible to perform machining by a plurality of machine tools simultaneously.

<Pallet moving process>
In this step, the pallet 11 that has reached the end of the first pallet rail 21 is moved to the second pallet rail 31. This movement is performed by pallet moving means 61 provided at the ends of the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31.

  In this embodiment in which the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is provided continuously to the circulation belt 42, the pallet 11 is moved along the first pallet rail 21 in the above-described first pallet conveying step. At that time, if the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is circulated at the same speed as the circulation belt 42 by making the irregularities 82a, 82b of the auxiliary circulation belt 82 continuous with the irregularities 42a, 42b (FIG. 4) of the circulation belt 42, As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the pallet 11 conveyed along one pallet rail 21 immediately before reaching the end of the first pallet rail 21 is connected from the circulation belt 42 to the auxiliary circulation belt 82 continuous thereto. Will match.

  In other words, when the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is circulated at the same speed as the circulation belt 42 so that the irregularities 82a and 82b of the auxiliary circulation belt 82 are continuous with the irregularities 42a and 42b of the circulation belt 42, the pallet 11 is circulated. The belt 42 quickly moves and engages with the auxiliary circulation belt 82 continuous therewith, and then reaches the end of the first pallet rail 21.

  Here, in this embodiment, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 that circulates along the end portion of the first pallet rail 21 and the short rail 63 continuous to the end portion is provided continuously to the circulation belt 42. For this reason, after the pallet 11 is engaged with the auxiliary circulation belt 82, the circulation of the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is stopped, and the pallet 11 engaged with the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is retained at the end of the first pallet rail 21, and If the circulation belt 42 is circulated separately, the pallet 11 in the first pallet rail 21 can be moved along the first pallet rail 21. That is, by providing the auxiliary circulation belt 82 continuously to the circulation belt 42, the pallet 11 can be transported by the first pallet rail 21 separately from the pallet moving step.

  In this pallet moving process, the rotating plate 62 is rotated by the index unit 64 in the pallet moving means 61 so that the short rail 63 is continued to the first pallet rail 21, and the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is circulated in this state. The pallet 11 reaching the end of the pallet rail 21 is moved from the first pallet rail 21 to the short rail 63 and mounted on the short rail 63 as shown in FIGS.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the first and second rods 74 a are protruded by the first cylinder 74, and the lifting rod 72 facing the short rail 63 continuing to the first pallet rail 21 is resisted against the urging force of the coil spring 73. In this state, the pallet 11 is moved from the first pallet rail 21 to the short rail 63 continuous thereto and mounted.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 10, the first rod 74 is used to immerse the retracting rod 74 a, so that the lifting rod 72 is moved upward by the biasing force of the coil spring 73, and the upper end thereof is provided on the pallet 11. Enter the blind hole 13a. Thereby, the movement of the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63 can be stopped in the middle of moving the pallet 11 in an arc shape thereafter.

  After that, the index unit 64 rotates the rotating plate 62 to separate the short rail 63 on which the pallet 11 is mounted from the first position continuous with the first pallet rail 21 as indicated by the solid arrow in FIG. The second pallet rail 31 is rotated to a second position.

  Here, the concaves and convexes 82a and 82b (FIG. 5) with which the pallet 11 is engaged are formed to extend in the width direction of the auxiliary circulation belt 82. Therefore, when the rotating plate 62 is rotated, it is mounted on the short rail 63. The pallet 11 thus moved moves in the width direction of the auxiliary circulation belt 82. For this reason, the unevenness | corrugation 14a, 14b in the pallet 11 will shift | deviate to the width direction from the unevenness | corrugation 82a, 82b of the auxiliary | assistant circulation belt 82, and the engagement will be cancelled | released.

  However, in the case where the short rail 63 rotating with the rotating plate 62 interferes with the auxiliary circulation belt 82, such interference is avoided and the engagement between the pallet 11 and the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is reliably eliminated. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, it is preferable to immerse the retracting rod 95a of the fluid pressure cylinder 95 into the main body 95b located below. Then, the auxiliary plate 91 whose other end is pivotally supported at the upper end thereof moves down together with the auxiliary circulation belt 82, and the engagement between the pallet 11 and the auxiliary circulation belt 82 can be reliably canceled. Then, it is possible to avoid the short rail 63 rotating with the rotating plate 62 from interfering with the auxiliary circulation belt 82.

  In this embodiment in which the short rail 63 is provided on the rotating plate 62 every 90 degrees, as shown in FIG. 11, the engagement between the pallet 11 and the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is released and the rotating plate 62 is rotated by 90 degrees. The short rail 63 is continuous with the first pallet rail 21. Thus, when rotated 90 degrees, the short rail 63 continuing to the first pallet rail 21 moves away from the first position, and the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63 continues to the second pallet rail 31. It will move to the second position.

  Therefore, by providing the short rails 63 at even intervals on the rotation circumference of the rotation plate 62, the rotation angle of the rotation plate 62 required in this pallet movement process is reduced, and the pallet 11 can be moved quickly. .

  When the auxiliary plate 91 is not lowered, when the pallet 11 moves to the second position continuous with the second pallet rail 31, the unevenness 14 a and 14 b on the pallet 11 extends from the width direction to the unevenness 82 a and 82 b of the auxiliary circulation belt 82. Then, the projections and depressions 14a and 14b in the locking member 14 are engaged again with the projections and depressions 82a and 82b formed in the auxiliary circulation belt 82.

  When the auxiliary plate 91 is lowered, after the short rail 63 on which the pallet 11 is mounted continues to the linear motion guide rail 23 of the second pallet rail 31, the retracting rod 95 of the fluid pressure cylinder 95 protrudes upward, The other end of the auxiliary plate 91 that has been lowered is raised. As a result, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is superposed on the locking member 14 in the pallet 11, and the irregularities 82 a and 82 b formed on the auxiliary circulation belt 82 can be engaged with the irregularities 14 a and 14 b in the locking member 14 again. .

  When the rotating plate 62 is rotated or the other end of the auxiliary plate 91 is raised, the unevenness 14a, 14b of the locking member 14 of the pallet 11 and the unevenness 82a, 82b of the auxiliary circulation belt 82 can be reliably engaged. The rotation angle of the servo motor 83 is controlled by a program set in advance so that

  Thus, after the short rail 63 on which the pallet 11 is mounted rotates to the second position and the short rail 63 continues to the second pallet rail 31, as shown in FIG. The protruding rod 75a is protruded, the lifting rod 72 is moved downward against the urging force of the coil spring 73, the upper end thereof is released from the locking hole 13a, and the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63 is moved. Is acceptable.

  Thereafter, as indicated by the broken line arrow in FIG. 11, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 at the end of the second pallet rail 31 with which the pallet 11 is engaged is circulated, and the pallet 11 is moved together with the auxiliary circulation belt 82 to shorten the short. The pallet 11 mounted on the rail 63 is moved to the second pallet rail 31.

  In this way, the pallet 11 is moved from the end of the first pallet rail 21 to the second pallet rail 31.

<Second pallet transport process>
In this step, the pallet 11 mounted on the second pallet rail 31 is transported.

  In the pallet moving process, the pallet 11 finally moves from the short rail 63 to the second pallet rail 31 as indicated by the broken line arrow in FIG. The pallet 11 moves to the end of the second pallet rail 31 while being engaged with an auxiliary circulation belt 82 provided along the end.

  In this second pallet transporting step, the pallet 11 mounted on the second pallet rail 31 is transported, and therefore, the circulation belt 42 provided along the second pallet rail 31 continues to the auxiliary circulation belt 82. In addition, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 and the circulation belt 42 are circulated at the same speed so that the irregularities 82 a and 82 b of the auxiliary circulation belt 82 are continuous with the irregularities 42 a and 42 b of the circulation belt 42.

  As a result, the pallet 11 starts to move from the end of the second pallet rail 31 toward the center as shown by the one-dot chain line arrow in FIG. By newly engaging and circulating the circulation belt 42, the pallet 11 can be conveyed along the second pallet rail 31.

  The conveyance along the second pallet rail 31 is performed until the pallet 11 faces each machine tool (not shown) provided along the second pallet rail 31, and the servo is performed with the pallet 11 facing each machine tool. The motor 43 is stopped, and the workpiece 6 mounted on the pallet 11 is processed by each of these machine tools.

  Here, in this embodiment, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 that circulates along the end portion of the second pallet rail 31 and the short rail 63 continuous to the end portion is provided continuously to the circulation belt 42. Therefore, the circulation of the circulation belt 42 and the circulation of the auxiliary circulation belt 82 are performed separately, and the pallet 11 is moved from the short rail 63 to the end of the second pallet rail 31 by the circulation of the auxiliary circulation belt 82 as shown by the broken line in FIG. The pallet 11 can be maintained at the end of the second pallet rail 31 by stopping the circulation after moving to the part.

  When the circulation belt 42 is circulated separately from the circulation of the auxiliary circulation belt 82, the pallet 11 engaged with the circulation belt 42 is conveyed on the second pallet rail 31, and the end of the second pallet rail 31 is The pallet 11 mounted on the second pallet rail 31 can be moved by engaging the circulation belt 42 without moving the pallet 11 mounted on the auxiliary circulation belt 82.

  Then, when a predetermined pitch is reached with the pallet 11 with which the circulation belt 42 is engaged, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is circulated, and the pallet 11 with which it is engaged is moved to engage with the circulation belt 42. The plurality of pallets 11 can be transported on the second pallet rail 31 at a predetermined pitch.

  In this way, if a plurality of pallets 11 are transported at the same pitch as the pitch of each machine tool (not shown), it becomes possible to perform machining with a plurality of machine tools simultaneously.

  As described above, in the pallet transport device 10 of the present invention, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is engaged with the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63. Therefore, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 can reliably guide the pallet 11 to the short rail 63.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the pallet transport device 10 includes elevating means 95 that elevates and lowers the pallet feed assisting means 81. For this reason, by lowering the pallet feed assisting means 81, the engagement between the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63 and the pallet feed assisting means 81 can be eliminated. Further, when the rotating plate 62 rotates, if the short rail 63 that rotates with the rotating plate 62 interferes with the auxiliary circulation belt 82, such interference can be avoided. For this reason, by rotating the rotating plate 62 together with the short rail 63, the pallet 11 can be reliably moved from the end of one pallet rail 21 to the end of the other pallet rail 31.

  After that, when the pallet feed assisting means 81 is raised, the auxiliary circulation belt 82 is again engaged with the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63, so that it moves together with the pallet 11 and moves to the edge of the other pallet rail 31. The pallet 11 can be reliably moved from the connected short rail 63 to the other pallet rail 31.

  Thereby, in the pallet conveying apparatus 10 of this invention, it becomes possible to convey the pallet 11 reliably.

  Here, in the engagement and cancellation of the pallet 11 and the pallet feed assisting means 81, it is conceivable to raise and lower the pallet 11, but the weight of the pallet 11 on which the workpiece 6 is mounted becomes relatively large. It is conceivable that the structure of the mounting tool 16 on which the work 6 is mounted is complicated because the raising and lowering cause consumption of power and the work 6 also raises and lowers, and it is necessary to be able to withstand the raising and lowering.

  On the other hand, in the present invention, since the pallet feed assisting means 81 is raised and lowered, the pallet 11 and the pallet feed assisting means 81 can be engaged with each other and released with less power, and the mounting tool 16 on which the workpiece 6 is mounted. Even in this structure, it is not necessary to consider the lifting and lowering of the workpiece 6, and the structure can be relatively simplified.

  And since the workpiece | work 6 is mounted in the one side part of the base 13 on the pallet 11, and the linear motion block 12 is fixed to the other side part of the base 13, the linear motion block 12 is made into 1st and 2nd. By supporting the pallet rails 21 and 31, the pallet 11 can be conveyed with one side portion of the base 13 on which the workpiece 6 is mounted always facing outward.

  Moreover, in this pallet conveying apparatus 10, since the pallet 11 is engaged with a circulating belt 42 that is provided endlessly and circulates, the pallet 11 is conveyed along the first pallet rail 21 and the second pallet rail 31. By changing the position of the pallet 11 that engages with the circulation belt 42, the distance from the previous pallet 11 that is engaged with the circulation belt 42 and conveyed along the first pallet rail 21 or the second pallet rail 31. That is, the transport pitch with the previous pallet 11 can be easily changed.

  Therefore, even if the machine tools 1 and 2 are changed or the workpiece is changed and the pitch of the workpiece 6 is changed, the pitch can be quickly changed without changing the pallet 11 itself. It becomes possible to correspond to the change.

  In the embodiment described above, one end of the auxiliary plate 91 is pivotally supported on the upper portion of the end portion of the support plate 22 near the linear motion guide rail 23, and the linear motion guide rail 23 is projected from the end portion of the support plate 22. The case where the linear motion guide rail 23 is continued to the short rail 63 in the rotating plate 62 has been described.

  However, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the auxiliary rails are arranged on the same straight line of the pallet rails 21, 31 between the pallet rails 21, 31 and the rotating plate 62 so as to be continuous with the ends of the pallet rails 21, 31. 96 may be provided.

  In this case, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in the figure, the auxiliary rail 96 is connected to the end of the pallet rails 21 and 31, and as shown by the solid line in the figure, it is below the first position. It is necessary to provide auxiliary rail elevating means 97 that elevates between the second positions.

  In FIGS. 15 and 16, a pivot post 90 is erected on the mount 9 in the vicinity of the end of the support plate 22 on the rotary plate 62 side of the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31, and an auxiliary plate is placed on the upper end of the pivot post 90. A case is shown in which one end of 91 and one end of the auxiliary rail 96 are pivotally supported. The auxiliary rail lifting and lowering means 97 is a fluid pressure cylinder 97 in which a main body 97b is fixed to the gantry 9 with the protruding and retracting rod 97a facing upward, and the other end of the auxiliary rail 96 is pivotally supported on the upper end of the protruding and protruding rod 97a. .

  Accordingly, when the fluid pressure cylinder 97 causes the protrusion / retraction rod 97a to protrude / retract, the other end of the auxiliary rail 96 moves up and down. For this reason, the auxiliary rail 96 is provided with a fulcrum 96a at the end near the pallet rails 21 and 31, and the other end is lifted and lowered with the fulcrum 96a as a rotation axis. Thereby, the auxiliary rail raising / lowering means 97 is between the 1st position shown with the dashed-dotted line which continues the auxiliary rail 96 at the edge part of the pallet rails 21 and 31, and the 2nd position shown with the continuous line below the 1st position. It will be moved up and down.

  When such an auxiliary rail 96 that can be raised and lowered is provided between the pallet rails 21 and 31 and the rotating plate 62, when the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63 rotates together with the rotating plate 62, the pallet 11 is first. This is effective when it interferes with the auxiliary rail 96 at the position.

  That is, even if the pallet 11 mounted on the short rail 63 in the rotating plate 62 interferes with the auxiliary rail 96 in the first position, the auxiliary rail 96 is lowered when the rotating plate 62 is rotated. When positioned at the second position, it is possible to reliably rotate and move the pallet 11 together with the rotating plate 62 while avoiding interference between the pallet 11 and the auxiliary rail 96.

  Although the auxiliary rail 96 in FIGS. 15 and 16 has been described by using a fulcrum 96a provided at the end near the pallet rails 21 and 31, and the other end ascending and descending with the fulcrum 96a as a rotation axis, The auxiliary rail 96 may be moved up and down in a horizontal state.

  Further, when the linear motion guide rail 23 in the above-described embodiment is made continuous with the short rail 63 in the rotating plate 62 with a slight gap, the linear motion guide rail 23 and the short rail 63 are rotated when the rotating plate 62 rotates. Are interfering with each other and cannot be made continuous, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 17, curved surfaces are formed on the opposing surfaces of the end portion of the linear motion guide rail 23 and the end portion of the short rail 63 continuous thereto. It is also possible to do. The curvature R of the curved surface processing in this case is preferably finished to be equal to the curvature of the rotating circle of the rotating plate 62. This is particularly effective when the diameter of the rotating plate 62 is relatively small.

  Moreover, in embodiment mentioned above, when providing the 1st pallet rail 21 and the 2nd pallet rail 31 which cross | intersect at a 90-degree angle in a horizontal surface as a several pallet rail which mounts the pallet in a pallet conveying apparatus so that a movement is possible. Explained. However, as long as the pallet circulation method is not concerned, a plurality of pallet rails may be provided so as to intersect each other at a predetermined angle other than a right angle in the horizontal plane.

  In the above-described embodiment, the pallet feeding means 41, 51 includes the circulation belt 42 and the circulation mechanism 43 that circulates the circulation belt 42. However, the first and second pallet feeding means. 41 and 51 are not limited to this, and may have other configurations as long as the pallet 11 can be transported along the first and second pallet rails 21 and 31.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the four short rails 63 are provided every 90 degrees on the rotation circumference of the rotating plate 62 in the pallet moving means 61 has been described. As long as it is provided for each intersection angle of the pallet rail 21 and the second pallet rail 31, the number is not limited to four. If the intersection angle is 30 degrees, it is 12; In addition, a plurality other than four may be provided based on the intersection angle.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the pallet feed assisting means 81 is rotated so as to lower one side and lifted up and down has been described. However, it may be lifted and lowered in parallel without rotating.

  In the embodiment described above, the rotating plate 62 in the pallet moving means 61 has been described as having a disc shape when viewed from above, but the rotating plate 62 has a polygonal shape, a cross shape, or a rod shape when viewed from above. If the 1 or 2 or more short rail 63 is provided on the rotation circumference of the pallet moving means 61, it may not be related to the shape of the rotating plate 62.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the mounting tool 16 for mounting the workpiece 6 on one side of the pedestal 13 is provided on the upper surface thereof has been described. However, although not shown, a through hole may be formed in the pedestal 13, a mounting tool 16 may be provided in the through hole, and the workpiece 6 may be mounted through the pedestal 13 through the through hole.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Pallet conveying apparatus 11 Pallet 14a, 14b Concavity and convexity 21 First pallet rail 31 Second pallet rail 41 First pallet feeding means 51 Second pallet feeding means 61 Pallet moving means 62 Rotating plate 63 Short rail 71 Pallet locking mechanism 81 Pallet Feeding auxiliary means 82 Auxiliary circulation belts 82a, 82b Unevenness 95 Lifting means 96 Auxiliary rail 96a Support point 97 Auxiliary rail lifting means

Claims (6)

A plurality of pallet rails (21, 31) for movably mounting the pallet (11) in the same horizontal plane;
Pallet feeding means (41, 51) for conveying the pallet (11) along the pallet rail (21, 31);
The pallet (11) provided at the end of the pallet rail (21, 31) and mounted on any one of the pallet rails (21, 31) is connected to another pallet rail (31, 31). Pallet moving means (61) to be moved to 21),
A rotating plate (62) that constitutes the pallet moving means (61) and is rotatable around a vertical rotation axis;
One or more short rails (63) provided around the rotating plate (62);
The pallet (11) is moved from the pallet rail (21, 31) to the short rail (63) or the pallet (11) mounted on the short rail (63) is moved to the pallet rail (21, 31). Pallet feed assisting means (81)
Elevating means (95) for elevating and lowering the pallet feed auxiliary means (81),
The plurality of pallet rails (21, 31) are provided such that their extension lines intersect each other on a rotation axis of the rotating plate (62) at a predetermined angle ,
Provided on the same straight line of the pallet rail (21, 31) between the pallet rail (21, 31) and the rotating plate (62) so as to be continuous with the end of the pallet rail (21, 31). Auxiliary rail (96), and an auxiliary rail for raising and lowering the auxiliary rail (96) between a first position continuous to the end of the pallet rail (21, 31) and a second position below the first position A pallet carrying device , further comprising lifting means (97) . Auxiliary rail (96) is fulcrum (96a) provided at an end portion on the side closer to the pallet rail (21, 31), in claim 1, the other end said fulcrum (96a) as a rotation axis, characterized in that the lifting The pallet transfer device described. The pallet transport device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the short rails (63) are provided at even intervals on the rotation circumference of the rotating plate (62). 4. The pallet feed assisting means (81) is provided with a fulcrum at an end close to the pallet feed means (41, 51), and the other end moves up and down with the fulcrum as a rotation axis . The pallet conveying apparatus according to item 1 . The pallet feed assisting means (81) has unevenness (82a, 82b) extending in the width direction alternately and continuously formed in the longitudinal direction, and the end of the pallet rail (21, 31) and the pallet rail (21, 31). Provided with an auxiliary circulation belt (82) that is provided endlessly along the continuous short rail (63) and circulates;
Concavities and convexities (14a, 14b) engageable with the irregularities (82a, 82b) are formed on the lower surface of the pallet (11),
When the pallet feed assisting means (81) is raised, the unevenness (82a, 14b) of the pallet is engaged with the unevenness (82a, 82b) of the auxiliary circulation belt (82) to circulate the auxiliary circulation belt (82). The pallet (11) is moved by
The pallet conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the concavo-convex portion (82a, 82b) is separated from the concavo-convex portion (14a, 14b) when the pallet feed assisting means (81) is lowered. . The short rail (63) is a rotating circle of the rotating plate (62) at each angle at which the extended lines of the plurality of pallet rails (21, 31) intersect each other on the rotating shaft of the rotating plate (62) or based on the angle. claims 1, characterized in that it is more provided on the circumference pallet conveying apparatus according to 5 any one.

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