JP7170174B2 - TRANSPORT SYSTEM, COMPONENT MOUNTING LINE AND TRANSPORT RAIL CONNECTION METHOD - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a transport system, a component mounting line, and a method of connecting transport rails, in which a plurality of transport mechanisms for transporting objects to be transported by means of a pair of transport rails arranged in parallel are arranged in series in the substrate transport direction.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a transport mechanism having a pair of transport rails arranged in parallel is known, and is used as a substrate transport device for a component mounting apparatus that mounts components on a substrate. A transport mechanism provided in a component mounting apparatus can transport a plurality of types of substrates having different width dimensions by changing the distance between transport rails (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). In addition to the component mounting device, by arranging a printing device and an inspection device in series in the board transport direction to configure the component mounting device, solder printing on the board, component mounting on the board, and component mounting can be performed. There is known a component mounting line that can sequentially perform processes such as inspection of printed circuit boards (see, for example, Patent Document 2 below).

A portion of such a component mounting line in which a plurality of transport mechanisms are arranged in series constitutes a substrate transport system in the component mounting line. This transport system sequentially transfers substrates as objects to be transported between two transport mechanisms adjacent in the substrate transport direction. For this reason, between two adjacent transport mechanisms, the transport rails of the respective transport mechanisms are separated from each other so that the substrate sent from the transport rail of one transport mechanism can smoothly transfer to the transport rail of the next transport mechanism. spacing is adjusted.

JP 2017-216313 A JP 2015-225905 A

However, each device vibrates during the board production work on the component mounting line, and the positions of the end portions of the transport rails that constitute the transport mechanisms of the transport system constantly fluctuate. Therefore, even if the width of the transport rail is adjusted in advance in each transport mechanism, the position of the edge of the transport rail does not necessarily match between the transport mechanisms adjacent in the substrate transport direction. There is a risk that the substrate will not be transferred smoothly to the next transport mechanism, causing problems such as the flow of the substrate stopping in the middle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a transport system, a component mounting line, and a method of connecting transport rails that can reduce the occurrence of board transfer defects caused by vibration of the transport rails.

The conveying system of the present invention conveys an object to be conveyed in a first direction by a pair of conveying rails arranged in parallel, and the first conveying rail, which is one side of the pair of conveying rails, is the first conveying rail. a first transport mechanism movable in a second direction that intersects the direction of the a second transport mechanism for exchanging the object to be transported with the first transport mechanism; rail moving means for moving the first transport rail in the second direction; and the first transport mechanism. and a second transport rail, which is one side of the pair of transport rails of the second transport mechanism, at ends facing each other in the first direction. and the connecting means moves the first transport rail in the second direction by the rail moving means so that the end portion of the first transport rail and the end portion of the second transport rail are separated from each other. When the distance in the second direction between the and the distance in the second direction between the end portion of the first transport rail and the end portion of the second transport rail is a predetermined distance or more, whereby the first transport rail and the second transport rail are separated from each other. Release the connection with the transport rail .
In the transport system of the present invention, a transport object is transported in a first direction by a pair of transport rails arranged in parallel, and the first transport rail, which is one side of the pair of transport rails, is the first transport rail. A first transport mechanism movable in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a pair of transports arranged in series with the first transport mechanism in the first direction and arranged in parallel. a second transport mechanism for exchanging the object to be transported with the first transport mechanism by a rail; rail moving means for moving the first transport rail in the second direction; The first transport rail included in the transport mechanism and the second transport rail, which is one side of the pair of transport rails included in the second transport mechanism, are connected at their ends facing each other in the first direction. connecting means, wherein the first transport rail is moved in a direction away from the second transport rail so that the end portion of the first transport rail and the end portion of the second transport rail are connected. When the distance in the second direction between them becomes a predetermined distance or more, the connection between the first transportation rail and the second transportation rail is released.

A component mounting line according to the present invention includes the transport system according to the present invention and a mounting operation section for mounting components on a board.

In the conveying rail connection method of the present invention, an object to be conveyed is conveyed in a first direction by a pair of conveying rails arranged in parallel, and the first conveying rail, which is one side of the pair of conveying rails, is connected to the first conveying rail. A first transport mechanism movable in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and a pair of transports arranged in series with the first transport mechanism in the first direction and arranged in parallel. a second transport mechanism for exchanging the object to be transported with the first transport mechanism by a rail; rail moving means for moving the first transport rail in the second direction; The first transport rail included in the transport mechanism and the second transport rail, which is one side of the pair of transport rails included in the second transport mechanism, are connected at their ends facing each other in the first direction. a rail moving step of moving the first transport rail in the second direction by the rail moving means; When the rail is moved in the second direction and the distance in the second direction between the end of the first transport rail and the end of the second transport rail approaches less than a certain distance, a connecting step of connecting the first conveying rail and the second conveying rail by the connecting means ; a step of releasing the connection between the first conveying rail and the second conveying rail when the distance in the second direction between the portion and the end portion of the second conveying rail becomes a predetermined distance or more; including.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of board transfer problems caused by the vibration of the transport rail.

1 is a plan view of a component mounting line according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of part of a component mounting line according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a component mounting apparatus that constitutes a component mounting line according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transport mechanism included in a component mounting apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. (a) and (b) are perspective views of part of the downstream side of the transport mechanism provided in the component mounting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the downstream side. (a) and (b) are cross-sectional views of the downstream end of the transport rail that constitutes the transport mechanism provided in the component mounting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. (a) and (b) are perspective views of a portion of the upstream side of the transport mechanism provided in the component mounting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the upstream side. 1 is a perspective view of part of a transport system that constitutes a component mounting line according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. (a) and (b) are enlarged perspective views of a part of the transport system according to one embodiment of the present invention. (a) to (d) are diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation of connecting means that constitute the transport system in one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of part of a transport system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. (a) to (d) are diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation of modifications of the connecting means that constitute the transport system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a component mounting line 1 in one embodiment of the present invention. The component mounting line 1 includes a printing device 2, a plurality of component mounting devices 3, and an inspection device 4 arranged in order from the upstream side (left side in FIG. 1) of the board KB in the conveying direction. A mounting board JK is manufactured by mounting. In this embodiment, for each device (printing device 2, a plurality of component mounting devices 3, and an inspection device 4) constituting the component mounting line 1, the horizontal direction parallel to the transport direction of the board KB is the X-axis direction, and the X-axis direction is the horizontal direction. The direction perpendicular to the axial direction in the horizontal plane is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the vertical direction is defined as the Z-axis direction. In addition, the side on which the operator OP normally acts (lower side in FIG. 1) is defined as the front side (front side), and the opposite side is defined as the rear side (rear side).

In FIG. 1, the printing device 2 includes a mask 2M, a squeegee 2S and a transport mechanism 11. As shown in FIG. The printing device 2 brings the mask 2M into contact with the substrate KB carried in from the upstream side by the transport mechanism 11, and slides the squeegee 2S on the mask 2M. The squeegee 2S slides over the mask 2M to scrape the paste (not shown), and prints the paste on the electrodes Dk of the substrate KB. After printing the paste on the board KB, the printing apparatus 2 transports the board KB to the component mounting apparatus 3 on the downstream side by the transport mechanism 11 .

1 and 2, each component mounting apparatus 3 constitutes a mounting operation section for mounting components BH on a board KB in the component mounting line 1, and includes a transport mechanism 11, a component supply section 12, and a component mounting section. 13. As shown in FIG. 3, the component supply section 12 has a feeder carriage 15 connected to the base 14 of the component mounting apparatus 3 and a plurality of parts feeders 16 detachably attached to the feeder carriage 15 . The parts feeder 16 supplies the parts BH to the parts supply port 16K while the feeder carriage 15 is connected to the base 14 .

In FIG. 3 , the component mounting section 13 includes a head moving mechanism 17 provided on the base 14 and a mounting head 18 moved by the head moving mechanism 17 . The head moving mechanism 17 has a fixed beam 17a, a moving beam 17b and a head holding plate 17c. The fixed beam 17 a has a shape extending in the Y-axis direction and is installed on the base 14 . The moving beam 17b has a shape extending in the X-axis direction, and one end side can move along the fixed beam 17a (that is, move in the Y-axis direction). The head holding plate 17c is attached to the moving beam 17b and is movable in the X-axis direction along the moving beam 17b.

The mounting head 18 is attached to the head holding plate 17c. The mounting head 18 moves above the base 14 in the horizontal plane by moving the movable beam 17b relative to the fixed beam 17a in the Y-axis direction and moving the head holding plate 17c relative to the movable beam 17b in the X-axis direction. do. The mounting head 18 has a plurality of downwardly extending nozzles 19 and can generate a suction force at the lower end of each nozzle 19 . The mounting head 18 causes the nozzle 19 to absorb and pick up the component BH supplied from the parts feeder 16 to the component supply port 16K.

When each component mounting apparatus 3 mounts the component BH on the board KB, first, the board KB sent from the upstream side is carried in by the transport mechanism 11 and positioned at a predetermined working position. After positioning the board KB, the head moving mechanism 17 reciprocates the mounting head 18 between the component supply unit 12 and the board KB. The mounting head 18 repeats the operation of picking up the component BH supplied by the parts feeder 16 and mounting it on the electrode Dk of the board KB. When all the components BH to be mounted on the board KB are mounted, the board KB is carried out downstream by the transport mechanism 11 .

In FIG. 1, the inspection device 4 includes a transport mechanism 11, an inspection camera 4C, and a display section 4D. The inspection camera 4C has an imaging field of view directed downward. The inspection camera 4C is moved within a horizontal plane by a camera moving mechanism 4K. The inspection apparatus 4 carries in the board KB sent from the upstream side by the transport mechanism 11, positions it at a predetermined working position, moves the inspection camera 4C by the camera moving mechanism 4K, and moves each part on the board KB upward. Take an image from Then, the board KB is inspected based on the imaging result, and the result is displayed on the display unit 4D. After the inspection of the board KB is finished, the board KB is carried out to the downstream side by the transport mechanism 11 .

In the component mounting line 1 configured as described above, a plurality of transport mechanisms 11 provided for each device (the printing device 2, the plurality of component mounting devices 3, and the inspection device 4) are arranged in series in the transport direction of the board KB. It's becoming These multiple transport mechanisms 11 constitute a board KB transport system 1H that transports the board KB in the X-axis direction through the entire component mounting line 1 (FIG. 1). The component mounting line 1 according to the present embodiment is characterized by the configuration of the transport system 1H, which will be described below.

3 and 4, the transport mechanism 11 has two transport rails 21 arranged in parallel on the front and rear sides of the base 14. As shown in FIG. One side (front side) of the two transport rails 21 included in the transport mechanism 11 is a fixed rail 21P fixed to the base 14, and the other side (rear side) is movable relative to the base 14. It is a movable rail 21Q.

4, each of the fixed rail 21P and the movable rail 21Q includes a base portion 22 extending in the X-axis direction, two pulleys 23 provided at both ends of the base portion 22 in the X-axis direction, A conveyor belt 24 stretched over 23 is provided. A belt running motor 26 is provided on the base portion 22 of each transport rail 21 , and the belt running motor 26 drives the transport belt 24 on the transport rail 21 to run. The two transport belts 24 are driven by two belt running motors 26 so as to run in the same direction at the same speed.

In FIG. 4 , two slide guides 27 extending in the Y-axis direction are arranged in parallel at positions spaced apart in the X-axis direction on the base 14 . Two sliders 28 are provided at positions separated in the X-axis direction on the lower surface of the movable rail 21Q. These two sliders 28 are slidable in the Y-axis direction on two slide guides 27 .

In FIG. 4, a rail moving means 30 is provided on the base 14. As shown in FIG. The rail moving means 30 moves the movable rail 21Q in the Y-axis direction (second direction) that intersects with the X-axis direction (first direction), which is the transport direction of the substrate KB as the object to be transported. The distance between the transport rails 21 in the Y-axis direction is changed. The rail moving means 30 is composed of a rail moving motor 31 and a rail moving mechanism 32 . When the rail moving motor 31 rotates the drive shaft, the rail moving mechanism 32 is activated and the movable rail 21Q moves in the Y-axis direction (arrow M shown in FIG. 4). The movement direction of the movable rail 21Q can be switched by changing the rotation direction of the drive shaft of the rail movement motor 31. FIG.

4, 5A, and 5B, which is an enlarged view of the region R1 shown in FIG. ) is provided with a projecting member 41 . FIG. 5(b) shows the projecting member 41 on the movable rail 21Q side, but the same applies to the projecting member 41 on the fixed rail 21P side.

6A and 6B, the distal end portion 41S on the downstream side of the projecting member 41 has a shape having inclined surfaces inclined in the Y-axis direction on both sides in the Y-axis direction (a shape having a trapezoidal or triangular cross section). , conical shape, or truncated conical shape, etc.). A flange portion 41T is formed on the side surface of the protruding member 41 and spreads outward in the radial direction.

In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the projecting member 41 is inserted into a recess 11D provided at the downstream end 21TK of each transport rail 21. As shown in FIG. An end plate 43 having an opening 43K is attached to the downstream end 21TK of the transport rail 21 . A flange portion 41T of the projection member 41 is positioned within the recess portion 11D. A tip portion 41S of the projection member 41 protrudes outward from an opening 43K of the end plate 43 (FIG. 6(a)). The protruding member 41 is urged in a direction to be pushed outward (downstream side in this case) of the downstream end 21TK of the conveying rail 21 by an urging spring 44 as a urging means contracted in the recess 11D. . The end plate 43 abuts against the flange 41T of the projecting member 41 biased by the biasing spring 44, thereby preventing the projecting member 41 from coming out of the recess 11D.

When the tip portion 41S of the protruding member 41 is pressed in the direction facing the inside of the recess 11D (the direction facing the upstream side) from the position where the flange portion 41T contacts the end plate 43 (referred to as the “initial position”) (FIG. 6). (b) arrow P), the projecting member 41 compresses the urging spring 44 and enters the recess 11D. Therefore, the amount of protrusion of the projection member 41 from the opening 43K of the end plate 43 (that is, from the downstream end 21TK of the transport rail 21) is reduced (Fig. 6(a) → Fig. 6(b)). When the pressing force pressing the projecting member 41 is removed, the projecting member 41 returns to the initial position (FIG. 6(b)→FIG. 6(a)).

4, 7A, and 7B, which is an enlarged view of the region R2 shown in FIG. is provided with a concave portion 42 . FIG. 7B shows the concave portion 42 on the side of the movable rail 21Q, but the same applies to the concave portion 42 on the side of the fixed rail 21P. The concave portion 42 has a position and a size that can receive the protruding member 41 protruding downstream.

FIG. 8 is a part of the transport system 1H formed in the component mounting line 1, and shows two transport mechanisms 11 arranged in series in the transport direction (X-axis direction) of the board KB. . In this embodiment, these two transport mechanisms 11 are the transport mechanism 11 of the printing apparatus 2, the transport mechanism 11 of the component mounting apparatus 3 located downstream thereof, the transport mechanism 11 of the adjacent two component mounting apparatuses 3, or It corresponds to either the transport mechanism 11 of the component mounting device 3 or the transport mechanism 11 of the inspection device 4 located downstream thereof.

Of the two transport mechanisms 11 shown in FIG. 8, the transport mechanism 11 located on the downstream side in the transport direction (X-axis direction) of the substrate KB is called a first transport mechanism 11K, and the transport mechanism 11 located on the upstream side is called a first transport mechanism 11K. It is called a second transport mechanism 11J. The first transport mechanism 11K functions as a transport mechanism 11 that transports the substrate KB, which is the object to be transported, in the X-axis direction by means of a pair of transport rails 21 arranged in parallel. The second transport mechanism 11J is arranged in series with the first transport mechanism 11K in the X-axis direction (in this case, on the upstream side). (here, the substrate KB is delivered to the first transport mechanism 11K).

In FIG. 8, one side (movable rail 21Q) of the pair of transport rails 21 provided in the first transport mechanism 11K is referred to as "first transport rail 21A", and the pair of transport rails provided in the second transport mechanism 11J is referred to as "first transport rail 21A". One side (movable rail 21Q) of 21 is called "second transport rail 21B". Further, in FIG. 8, the other side (fixed rail 21P) of the pair of transport rails 21 provided in the first transport mechanism 11K is referred to as a "third transport rail 21C", and the pair of transport rails provided in the second transport mechanism 11J. The other side (fixed rail 21P) of the rails 21 is called a "fourth transport rail 21D".

In FIG. 8, when the rail moving means 30 provided in the first transfer mechanism 11K is operated, the first transfer rail 21A moves in the Y-axis direction, thereby causing the pair of transfer rails 21 (the first rails) provided in the first transfer mechanism 11K. The interval in the Y-axis direction between the first transport rail 21A and the third transport rail 21C) is changed. Further, when the rail moving means 30 provided in the second transport mechanism 11J is operated, the second transport rail 21B moves in the Y-axis direction. The space in the Y-axis direction between the rail 21B and the fourth transport rail 21D) is changed. In the present embodiment, the third transport rail 21C and the fourth transport rail 21D are pre-assembled in the transport system 1H so that their axes are aligned with each other. Therefore, when the rail interval of the first transport mechanism 11K (the interval in the Y-axis direction of the pair of transport rails 21) is made to match the rail interval of the second transport mechanism 11J, the axis of the first transport rail 21A is The first transport rail 21A is moved in the Y-axis direction so as to match the axis of the second transport rail 21B.

When the model of the mounting board JK produced by the component mounting line 1 is changed and the width dimension of the board KB to be worked on is changed, each device (printing device 2, a plurality of components The rail interval between the transport mechanism 11 of the mounting device 3 and the inspection device 4) is changed. In this case, the rail interval of each device is changed so as to have the same dimension corresponding to the width dimension of the board KB after the model change.

When changing the rail spacing of each transport mechanism 11 according to the width direction dimension of the board KB, the rail spacing is narrowed or widened in order from the upstream device. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 8, first, the rail spacing of the second transport mechanism 11J positioned upstream is set, and then the rail spacing of the first transport mechanism 11K positioned downstream is changed. At this time, the first transport rail 21A is moved in the Y-axis direction to approach the second transport rail 21B so that the rail spacing of the first transport mechanism 11K matches the rail spacing of the second transport mechanism 11J. (FIG. 9(a)→FIG. 9(b)).

When the first transport rail 21A is moved in the Y-axis direction to bring the first transport rail 21A closer to the second transport rail 21B (FIG. 10(a)→FIG. 10(b)), the upstream of the first transport rail 21A The distance in the Y-axis direction between the side end 21TJ and the downstream end 21TK of the second transport rail 21B gradually decreases. Then, when the distance is reduced to a certain extent, the side surface of the projecting member 41 projecting from the downstream end 21TK of the second transport rail 21B (located at the initial position) is attached to the first transport rail 21A. The upstream end 21TJ of the contact from the side (FIG. 10(b)). When the first transport rail 21A in contact with the protruding member 41 is further moved in the Y-axis direction, the protruding member 41 moves into the recess 11D side (upstream side) by the upstream end 21TJ of the first transport rail 21A. It is pushed and enters into the concave portion 11D while compressing the urging spring 44 (FIG. 10(c)).

After the projecting member 41 enters the recess 11D as described above, when the first transport rail 21A is further moved in the Y-axis direction, the upstream end 21TJ of the first transport rail 21A and the downstream of the second transport rail 21B are moved. The distance from the side end 21TK becomes less than a certain distance. When the distance between the upstream end portion 21TJ of the first transport rail 21A and the downstream end portion 21TK of the second transport rail 21B becomes less than a certain distance, the biasing spring 44 of the projecting member 41 that has entered the recess 11D is removed. is returned to the initial position by the urging force of , and is fitted into the concave portion 42 (FIG. 10(d)), thereby connecting the first conveying rail 21A and the second conveying rail 21B. At this time, the projecting member 41 provided on the second transport rail 21B and the concave portion 42 provided on the first transport rail 21A move the first transport rail 21A and the second transport rail 21B in the transport direction (X-axis direction) of the board KB. 9(a), (b) and FIG. 11).

Here, the "fixed distance" is a value determined by parameters such as the size and shape of each of the projecting member 41 and the recess 11D. Therefore, by changing these parameters, the timing (the first conveying rail relative to the second conveying rail 21B) when the protruding member 41 that has entered the concave portion 11D starts to be inserted into the concave portion 42 by the biasing force of the biasing spring 44. 21A) can be determined.

From the time when the third transport rail 21C and the fourth transport rail 21D are assembled into the transport system 1H, the protruding member 41 provided at the end of the fourth transport rail 21D and the end of the third transport rail 21C are connected by a concave portion 42 provided in the . Thus, the projecting member 41 provided on the fourth transport rail 21D and the concave portion 42 provided on the third transport rail 21C serve as connecting means 50 that connect the end of the third transport rail 21C and the end of the fourth transport rail 21D. (Fig. 11).

In the present embodiment, the first transport rail 21A and the second transport rail 21B can be connected by executing an operation (conveyor rail connection method) including a rail movement process and a connection process. Here, the “rail moving step” is a step of moving the first transport rail 21A in the Y-axis direction by the rail moving means 30 . Further, the "connecting step" means that the first transport rail 21A is moved in the Y-axis direction by the rail moving process, and the Y-axis direction between the end of the first transport rail 21A and the end of the second transport rail 21B is moved. becomes less than a predetermined distance, the connecting means 50 connects the first conveying rail 21A and the second conveying rail 21B.

After the projecting member 41 of the second conveying rail 21B is fitted into the concave portion 42 of the first conveying rail 21A as described above, when the axis of the first conveying rail 21A coincides with the axis of the second conveying rail 21B, the 1 Stop the movement of the transport rail 21A. When the movement of the first transport rail 21A is stopped, the rail interval of the first transport mechanism 11K and the rail interval of the second transport mechanism 11J match.

After the movement of the first transport rail 21A is stopped, the projecting member 41 remains fitted in the concave portion 42, so that the first transport rail 21A and the second transport rail 21B are separated by the projecting member 41 and the concave portion 42. The connected state is maintained. In this case, the force by which the first conveying rail 21A and the second conveying rail 21B are connected by the projecting member 41 fitting into the concave portion 42 is mainly the biasing force of the biasing spring 44 against the projecting member 41. Dependent.

When the third transport rail 21C and the fourth transport rail 21D are connected by the connecting means 50, and the first transport rail 21A and the second transport rail 21B are also connected by the connecting means 50, the transport system 1H vibrates and each transport Even if the positions of the ends of the rail 21 fluctuate, the ends connected by the connecting means 50 are displaced in the same manner, and are not misaligned with each other. Therefore, when the substrates KB are exchanged between the two transport mechanisms 11, the transfer of the substrates KB is less likely to occur.

Further, in the present embodiment, the connecting means 50 includes the projecting member 41 provided at the end (downstream end 21TK) of the second transport rail 21B and the end (upstream end) of the first transport rail 21A. 21TJ) to receive the projecting member 41. Only by moving the first transport rail 21A relative to the second transport rail 21B by the rail moving means 30, the first transport rail 21A can be moved. The rail 21A and the second transport rail 21B are connected. Therefore, the operator OP does not need any special work to connect the first transport rail 21A and the second transport rail 21B.

Further, in the present embodiment, the rail moving means 30 moves the first transport rail 21A away from the second transport rail 21B so that the end portion of the first transport rail 21A and the end portion of the second transport rail 21B are separated from each other. When the distance in the Y-axis direction between them becomes a certain distance or more (separated by a certain distance or more), the connection between the first conveying rail 21A and the second conveying rail 21B by the connecting means 50 is released. Therefore, the operator OP does not need any special operation to disconnect the first transport rail 21A and the second transport rail 21B.

12(a) to (d) show modifications of the connecting means 50 described above. This modification is the same as the above-described example except that the projection member 41 is spherical. In this modification, the upstream end 21TJ of the movable rail 21Q on the first transport mechanism 11K side approaches the downstream end 21TK of the movable rail 21Q on the second transport mechanism 11J side (Fig. 12(a) )→FIG. 12B), the upstream end 21TJ of the movable rail 21Q of the first transport mechanism 11K is attached to the projecting member 41 projecting from the downstream end 21TK of the movable rail 21Q of the second transport mechanism 11J. 12(b)), the projecting member 41 is pushed toward the recess 11D by the upstream end 21TJ of the movable rail 21Q of the first transport mechanism 11K. It enters into the recess 11D while compressing the force spring 44 (FIG. 12(c)). Further, when the movable rail 21Q on the side of the first transport mechanism 11K moves in the Y-axis direction, the upstream end 21TJ of the movable rail 21Q on the side of the first transport mechanism 11K and the movable rail on the side of the second transport mechanism 11J are separated. When the distance between the downstream end 21TK of 21Q becomes less than a certain distance, the projecting member 41 is fitted into the concave portion 42 by the biasing force of the biasing spring 44 (FIG. 12(d)). The transport rail 21A and the second transport rail 21B are connected. Therefore, even if the protruding member 41 is spherical, the same effect as in the above-described case where the protruding member 41 has the shape of a truncated cone can be obtained.

As described above, in the transport system 1H according to the present embodiment, the two transport mechanisms 11 (the first transport mechanism 11K and the second transport mechanism 11K) arranged in series in the transport direction (X-axis direction) of the substrate KB. Since the opposite ends of the transport rails 21 arranged in the X-axis direction between the transport mechanisms 11J) are connected to each other by the connecting means 50, the component mounting line 1 performs the board production operation to constitute the transport system 1H. Even if vibrations occur in the transport rails 21, the ends of the transport rails 21 facing each other in the X-axis direction are not displaced from each other, so that the transfer of the board KB is less likely to occur. Therefore, according to the transport system 1H of the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of troubles caused by the transfer of the board KB caused by the vibration of the transport rails 21 .

Further, in the transport system 1H according to the present embodiment, the first transport rail 21A on one side of the first transport mechanism 11K approaches the second transport rail 21B, which is the transport rail 21 on one side of the second transport mechanism 11J. direction, and the distance in the Y-axis direction between the end of the first transport rail 21A and the end of the second transport rail 21B approaches less than a certain distance, so that the first transport rail 21A and the second transport rail 21B 21B are connected by connecting means 50. FIG. Therefore, the operator OP does not need any special work to connect the first conveying rail 21A and the second conveying rail 21B, and the workability is good. In addition, when releasing the connection between the first transport rail 21A and the second transport rail 21B, the operator OP does not need to perform any special work because it is sufficient to move the first transport rail 21A away from the second transport rail 21B. There is good workability in this respect as well.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention is not limited to those described above, and various modifications and the like are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, only one of the pair of transport rails 21 included in the transport mechanism 11 is the movable rail 21Q, but both of the pair of transport rails 21 may be the movable rails 21Q. In this case, the rail moving means 30 moves both movable rails 21Q in the Y-axis direction.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the projecting member 41 is provided at the downstream end 21TK of the transport rail 21, and the concave portion 42 is provided at the upstream end 21TJ of the transport rail 21. Conversely, the projection member 41 may be provided at the upstream end 21TJ of the transport rail 21 and the concave portion 42 may be provided at the downstream end 21TK of the transport rail 21 . That is, the projecting member 41 is provided on one side of the end portion of the first transport rail 21A and the end portion of the second transport rail 21B, and the end portion of the first transport rail 21A and the end portion of the second transport rail 21B are aligned. It is sufficient that the concave portion 42 is provided on the other side.

Alternatively, the connecting means 50 may be composed of an electromagnet and a magnetic body. Even with such a configuration, the first transport rail 21A is moved toward the second transport rail 21B, and the distance between the end of the first transport rail 21A and the end of the second transport rail 21B becomes The first transport rail 21A and the second transport rail 21B can be connected when they approach (by approaching) less than a certain distance. Also, when the first transport rail 21A is moved away from the second transport rail 21B, and the distance between the end of the first transport rail 21A and the end of the second transport rail 21B becomes greater than or equal to a certain distance. Immediately (by separating), the connection between the first transport rail 21A and the second transport rail 21B can be released.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the transport system 1H is described as an example of the component mounting line 1 that mounts the component BH on the substrate KB as a transport object, but the transport system 1H of the present invention is limited to the component mounting line 1. The present invention can also be applied to other work devices that carry objects to carry out work.

In the above-described embodiment, both the first transport rail 21A and the second transport rail 21B are movable rails 21Q, and the third transport rail 21C and the fourth transport rail 21D are both fixed rails 21P. As described above, the second transport rail 21B may be the fixed rail 21P, and the fourth transport rail 21D may be the movable rail 21Q. Also, both the third transport rail 21C and the fourth transport rail 21D may be the movable rail 21Q.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the transport system 1H has a pair (two) of transport rails 21, but the number of transport rails 21 may be more than two.

Provided are a transport system, a component mounting line, and a method of connecting transport rails, which can reduce the occurrence of board transfer problems caused by vibration of transport rails.

1 component mounting line 1H transport system 3 component mounting device (mounting work section)
11K first transport mechanism 11J second transport mechanism 21 transport rail 21A first transport rail 21B second transport rail 21C third transport rail 21D fourth transport rail 30 rail moving means 41 protruding member 42 concave portion 50 connecting means KB substrate (Object to be transported)

Claims (5)

An object to be conveyed is conveyed in a first direction by a pair of conveying rails arranged in parallel. a first transport mechanism movable in a direction;
A second conveying mechanism arranged in series with the first conveying mechanism in the first direction and configured to exchange the object to be conveyed with the first conveying mechanism by a pair of conveying rails arranged in parallel. a transport mechanism of
rail moving means for moving the first transport rail in the second direction;
end portions of the first transport rail included in the first transport mechanism and the second transport rail, which is one side of the pair of transport rails included in the second transport mechanism, facing each other in the first direction; and connecting means for connecting with each other,
The connecting means moves the first conveying rail in the second direction by the rail moving means, and the connecting means moves the first conveying rail between the end of the first conveying rail and the end of the second conveying rail. connecting the first transport rail and the second transport rail when the distance in two directions approaches less than a certain distance ;
The first transport rail is moved away from the second transport rail, and the distance in the second direction between the end of the first transport rail and the end of the second transport rail is constant. A conveying system that releases the connection between the first conveying rail and the second conveying rail by moving away from each other by a distance or more . An object to be conveyed is conveyed in a first direction by a pair of conveying rails arranged in parallel. a first transport mechanism movable in a direction;
A second conveying mechanism arranged in series with the first conveying mechanism in the first direction and configured to exchange the object to be conveyed with the first conveying mechanism by a pair of conveying rails arranged in parallel. a transport mechanism of
rail moving means for moving the first transport rail in the second direction;
end portions of the first transport rail included in the first transport mechanism and the second transport rail, which is one side of the pair of transport rails included in the second transport mechanism, facing each other in the first direction; and connecting means for connecting with each other,
The connecting means moves the first conveying rail in a direction away from the second conveying rail to move the second conveying rail between the end of the first conveying rail and the end of the second conveying rail. A conveying system that releases the connection between the first conveying rail and the second conveying rail when the distance in the direction is a predetermined distance or more . The connecting means includes a projecting member provided on one side of the end of the first transport rail and the end of the second transport rail, and the end of the first transport rail and the second rail. 3. A conveying system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a concave portion provided on the other of said ends of said projection member for receiving said projecting member. a transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 3;
A component mounting line having a mounting work section for mounting components on a board. An object to be conveyed is conveyed in a first direction by a pair of conveying rails arranged in parallel. a first transport mechanism that is movable in a direction; a second transport mechanism for exchanging the object to be transported between; rail moving means for moving the first transport rail in the second direction; and the first transport rail included in the first transport mechanism and connecting means for connecting the second conveying rail, which is one side of the pair of conveying rails provided in the second conveying mechanism, at the ends facing in the first direction A conveying rail connection method,
a rail moving step of moving the first transport rail in the second direction by the rail moving means;
The first transport rail is moved in the second direction by the rail moving step, and the distance in the second direction between the end of the first transport rail and the end of the second transport rail a connecting step in which the first conveying rail and the second conveying rail are connected by the connecting means by approaching less than a predetermined distance ;
The first transport rail is moved away from the second transport rail, and the distance in the second direction between the end of the first transport rail and the end of the second transport rail is constant. A conveying rail connection method, including a step of releasing the connection between the first conveying rail and the second conveying rail when the first conveying rail and the second conveying rail are separated by a distance or more .

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