JP7200987B2 - Line transfer system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a line transport system that supplies a required number of trays at a required timing according to movement of workpieces.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the manufacturing process of various products such as machine products, there has been known a line transport system that supplies parts to be assembled to a work to the required location at the required timing in accordance with the movement of the work.

In these line transport systems, a plurality of work spots for assembling parts to the work are arranged along the movement line of the work, which is the main flow. This flow of workpiece movement is hereinafter referred to as a main line. As the work passes through the work spots along the main line, parts are assembled to the work at each work spot to complete the product.

At each work spot, trays on which parts necessary for assembly are placed are supplied at the necessary timing according to the movement of the work. At this time, since a group of parts corresponding to one work is collectively placed on one tray, management of parts and quality control of products in the manufacturing process is facilitated. This flow of tray movement is hereinafter referred to as a sub-line.

A line transport system including a main line and a sub-line is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. In Patent Literature 1, a plurality of sub-lines for supplying parts to work spots are arranged on a main line along which works are moved.

Further, as a line transport system similarly provided with a main line and a sub-line, for example, there is a system described in Patent Document 2. In Patent Document 2, the direction of the main line is changed by 90 degrees in the middle, and processing devices for assembling parts to workpieces are arranged on both the upstream and downstream lines with the direction change part interposed therebetween. are doing. Necessary parts are supplied to the processing equipment on the upstream line and the processing equipment on the downstream line at the necessary timing.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-267162 (see page 8, Fig. 1, Fig. 2, etc.) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-56213 (see page 5, FIG. 1, etc.)

As described above, in a line transfer system having a main line and a sub-line, it is common to supply one tray for one work for assembling parts to the work. .

However, when arranging the sub-line with respect to the main line, it may not always be possible to extend the sub-line linearly due to layout restrictions in the factory. In such cases, there is a need to turn the sub-line somewhere. In order to change the direction of the subline midway, a space for installing facilities for the direction change is required. The space required to install equipment should be as small as possible.

Also, at each work spot, there is a demand to stock a large number of trays on the sub-line so as not to delay the flow of works on the main line. However, lining up a large number of trays requires a large space. For this reason, it is desirable to arrange the trays in parallel in a plurality of rows, such as two rows or three rows. If the trays are arranged in multiple rows, it will be necessary to convert the multiple rows of trays into one row at some point on the sub-line. Arranging such a number of rows of converters would require a larger space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to minimize the space required for arranging a sub-line for moving trays arranged on a main line for moving workpieces.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a main line along which a work moves, a sub-line along which a tray moves toward a work spot arranged on the main line, and a sub-line according to the passage of the work on the main line. a main operating means for rotating or advancing and retreating the operating member, wherein the sub-line includes a single-row sub-line portion in which the trays are aligned in a row; A double-row sub-line portion provided so that the direction intersects the moving direction of the single-row sub-line portion and the trays are arranged in two or more predetermined number of rows; and the double-row sub-line portion and the single-row sub-line portion. and a diverting portion disposed therebetween, wherein said double row sub-line portion actuates one of said trays from each aligned row of said double row sub-line portion with said predetermined number of movements of said actuating member. A double-row feeding section is provided for delivering to the diverting section at one time, the diverting section receives all the trays fed from the double-row feeding section, and transfers all the trays to the predetermined portion of the actuating member. and an intermediate supply section for feeding the single-row sub-line section in one row with a single operation of the actuating member. A line conveying system with a single-row feed section was adopted to feed the s to the downstream side one by one.

Further, a final single-row sub-line portion leading to the work spot is provided on the downstream side of the single-row sub-line portion, and the starting end of the final single-row sub-line portion is located above the single-row supply portion. and the final single-row sub-line portion, the trays sent out from the single-row supply portion are raised one by one to the starting end of the final single-row sub-line portion by one operation of the operating member. It is possible to employ a configuration that includes an elevating unit that feeds out by pressing.

Further, the final single-row sub-line section adopts a configuration including a final single-row supply section that feeds the trays one by one from the final single-row sub-line section to the work spot with one operation of the operating member. can do.

Here, a first transmission member connected to the operating member for transmitting the operation of the operating member to the double-row supply section and the intermediate supply section; A configuration can be adopted in which a transmission member separate from the first transmission means for transmitting to the supply section is provided.

a first transmission member connected to the operating member for transmitting the operation of the operating member to the double-row supply section and the intermediate supply section; It is possible to employ a configuration comprising a transmission member separate from the first transmission means for transmission.

Further, a first transmission member connected to the operating member for transmitting the operation of the operating member to the double-row supply section and the intermediate supply section; A configuration can be adopted in which a transmission member separate from the first transmission means for transmitting to the supply section is provided.

In each of these aspects, a rotating member that rotates about an axis by a predetermined angle with one operation of the operating member, and one rotation each time the rotating member is rotated by the predetermined angle the same number of times as the predetermined number of times. and an interlocking member that rotates or advances and retreats, and the operation of the interlocking member is transmitted to the double-row supply section and the intermediate supply section.

Here, further transmission members are provided that are connected to the double-row supply section and transmit the operation of the double-row supply section to the intermediate supply section, and the double-row supply section feeds the tray to the direction changing section. is interlocked with the operation of the intermediate supply unit to restrict the feeding of the tray to the single-row sub-line portion, and the operation of the intermediate supply unit to feed the tray to the single-row sub-line portion is linked to the direction change of the tray. It is possible to employ a configuration in which the feeding to the section is interlocked with the operation of the double-row supply section that restricts the delivery to the section.

Further, the operating member is an arm member that rotates in response to a signal for detecting movement of the work, and the first transmission means and the separate transmission member are connected to the arm member. can do.

In this invention, the direction changing part on the subline is used to convert multiple rows of trays into a single row. can reduce the space required for

1 is an overall plan view of a line transport system showing one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view showing an installed state of a main line and main operating means; It is a front view which shows an operation|movement frequency adjustment means. It is a top view which shows an operation|movement frequency adjustment means. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the number-of-operations adjusting means; FIG. 3B is a front view showing a state in which one operation from the operating member is input to the operation frequency adjusting means of FIG. 3A; FIG. 3C is a plan view showing a state in which one operation from the operating member is input to the operation frequency adjusting means of FIG. 3B; FIG. 5B is a front view showing a state in which one operation from the operating member is input to the operation frequency adjusting means of FIG. 5A; FIG. 5C is a plan view showing a state in which one operation is input from the operating member to the operation frequency adjusting means of FIG. 5B; FIG. 10 is a front view showing the number-of-operations adjusting means, the double-row supply section of the double-row sub-line section, and the intermediate supply section of the direction-changing section; FIG. 8 is a front view showing a state in which one motion from the operating member is input to the motion frequency adjusting means of FIG. 7 ; FIG. 4 is a right side view showing an intermediate supply section and a single-row sub-line section of the direction changing section; FIG. 3 is a left side view showing a single-row supply section and an elevating section of a single-row sub-line section; FIG. 10B is a left side view showing a state in which one operation from the operating member is input to the single-row supply unit and the lifting unit shown in FIG. 10A; FIG. 10 is a front view showing the lifting section and the final single-row supply section of the final single-row sub-line section; FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a main part of the lifting section;

An embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In this embodiment, in the manufacturing process of an automobile engine, in accordance with the movement of the engine, which is the work e, on the main line 2, the parts to be assembled to the work e are supplied to the corresponding work spots 8 at the necessary timing. A line transport system 100 with a subline 3 .

A plurality of work spots 8 are arranged along the main line 2 . As the work e placed on the pallet p passes through the work spots 8 along the main line 2, parts are assembled to the work e at each work spot 8, and the finished product, the engine, is completed. go.

FIG. 1 illustrates one working spot 8 . A work e placed on a pallet p0 is positioned at this work spot 8, and the work e of the pallet p1, the work e of the pallet p2, and the work e of the pallet p3 are located on the right side of the drawing. Waiting for the order, waiting in sequence. The work e may be placed directly on the main line 2 without using the pallet p. Hereinafter, the work including the pallet p will be referred to as the work e.

At the work spot 8, the tray t on which the parts necessary for assembly are placed is supplied at the necessary timing according to the movement of the workpiece e. The trays t are fed by a sub-line 3 arranged towards the work spot 8 . All the trays t are of the same standard. One tray t carries one or a plurality of parts corresponding to the assembly work to one workpiece e at the work spot 8 . The trays t are supplied to the work spot 8 in the order of tray t1, tray t2, tray t3, . . . in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the main line 2 is provided with a main operating means 1 that rotates or advances and retracts an operating member 5 only once in response to passage of one workpiece e on the main line 2. . FIG. 2 shows the main operating means 1 thereof. The main line 2 is composed of a roller conveyor having a large number of conveying rollers 9 on its upper surface.

The passage of the work e is detected by the detection means 6 provided on the main line 2 and a signal of the detection is sent to the control means 7 . Here, as the detection means 6, a limit switch provided with a detection lever 6a is employed. A trigger v provided on the work e (including the pallet p) presses the detection lever 6a in the moving direction of the work e, thereby detecting the entry of the work e into the work spot 8 . As the detecting means 6, for example, various sensors of contact type and non-contact type can be adopted.

The control means 7 receives the signal from the detection means 6 and operates the actuator 4 . The actuator 4 has a function of advancing and retracting the rod 4a by the action of electric power and fluid pressure. Each time a signal is input from the detection means 6, the rod 4a is extended and then immediately retracted to make a reciprocating motion once. A roller is attached to the tip of the rod 4 a , and the roller presses the operating member 5 while rolling on the surface of the operating member 5 .

In this embodiment, the actuating member 5 is an arm member (hereinafter referred to as arm member 5) that is rotatably supported on a fixed frame F about an axis 5a. When the rod 4a extends, the arm member 5 rotates counterclockwise in the figure about the shaft 5a. to rotate. All the operations of various devices in the subline 3, which will be described later, are interlocked with the rotation of the arm member 5. As shown in FIG.

The subline 3 is composed of a double row subline portion 10, a direction changing portion 30, and a single row subline portion in order from the upstream side where trays t containing necessary parts are replenished as needed to the downstream side where the work spot 8 exists. 50, an elevating section 70, and a final single-row sub-line section 80. The double-row sub-line portion 10, the single-row sub-line portion 50, and the final single-row sub-line portion 80 are conveyors 11, 51, and 81 capable of conveying trays t, respectively.

The double-row sub-line portion 10 is a first sub-line portion (hereinafter referred to as the first sub-line portion 10) in which the trays t are arranged in a predetermined number of rows of two or more. In this embodiment, the predetermined number is 2, and the first sub-line section 10 aligns the trays t in two rows and makes them wait. The moving direction of the trays t on the first subline section 10 is opposite to and parallel to the moving direction of the workpieces e on the main line 2 .

The single-row sub-line portion 50 is a second sub-line portion (hereinafter referred to as the second sub-line portion 50) in which the trays t are aligned in one row. The first sub-line portion 10 is positioned upstream of the second sub-line portion 50, and the moving direction of the tray t of the first sub-line portion 10 and the moving direction of the tray t of the second sub-line portion 50 intersect each other. is provided as follows. In this embodiment, the intersection angle is approximately 90 degrees. A direction changing portion 30 is arranged between the first sub-line portion 10 and the second sub-line portion 50 .

The final single-row sub-line portion 80 is a third sub-line portion (hereinafter referred to as the third sub-line portion 80 ) that is arranged downstream of the second sub-line portion 50 and communicates with the work spot 8 . The moving direction of the tray t of the second sub-line portion 50 and the moving direction of the tray t of the third sub-line portion 80 are provided so as to cross each other. In this embodiment, the crossing angle is also approximately 90 degrees. The direction of movement of the trays t on the third sub-line portion 80 is the same as the direction of movement of the workpieces e on the main line 2 and is substantially parallel. The starting end of the third sub-line portion 80 is above the terminal end of the second sub-line portion 50 . An elevating section 70 is arranged between the second sub-line section 50 and the third sub-line section 80 .

The first sub-line portion 10 waits at the most downstream side from each row of trays t aligned in the first sub-line portion 10 by performing a predetermined number of operations (two operations in this embodiment) of the arm member 5. A double-row supply section 20 (hereinafter referred to as a first supply section operation means 21 and a first supply section 20) having a double-row supply section operation means 21 for sending out the trays t one by one to the direction change section 30 at a time. It has Here, in FIG. 2, one reciprocating motion of the rod 4a, that is, the arm member 5 rotates counterclockwise and then rotates clockwise to return to its original position. It is working.

The direction changing section 30 receives all the trays t (two trays t in this embodiment) sent out from the first supply section 20, and moves all the trays t through a predetermined number of movements of the arm member 5. , an intermediate supply section 40 having an intermediate supply section operation means 41 for sending out to the second sub-line section 50 in one row. Here, it is set so that the feeding of the tray t by the first feeding section 20 and the feeding of the tray t by the intermediate feeding section 40 are not performed at the same time. In this embodiment, since the predetermined number is 2, the feeding of the tray t by the first feeding section 20 and the feeding of the tray t by the intermediate feeding section 40 are alternately performed for each operation of the arm member 5. will be

With one operation of the arm member 5, the second sub-line portion 50 moves the trays t waiting on the most downstream side one by one downstream from the second sub-line portion 50 where the trays t are aligned in a line. A single-row supply section 60 (hereinafter referred to as a second supply section operation means 61 or a second supply section 60) having a single-row supply section operating means 61 for sending out to the side is provided.

In addition, the elevating unit 70 lifts the trays t delivered from the second supply unit 60 one by one to the starting end of the third sub line unit 80 with one operation of the arm member 5 and delivers them. An operating means 71 is provided.

The first sub-line portion 10 and the second sub-line portion 50 have a downward slope along the moving direction of the tray t, and the tray t descends the downward slope by its own weight. Therefore, the terminal end of the second sub-line portion 50 is located at a fairly low position. Therefore, by positioning the starting end of the third sub-line portion 80 above the second supply portion 60 of the second sub-line portion 50, the work from the starting end of the third sub-line portion 80 to the terminal end of the third sub-line portion 80 can be performed. The height difference up to spot 8 is secured. Therefore, the tray t is lifted from the second sub-line portion 50 to the third sub-line portion 80 by the elevating portion 70 .

The third sub-line section 80 has a final single-row feeding section operating means 91 for feeding the trays t one by one from the third sub-line section 80 to the work spot 8 by one operation of the arm member 5. A supply unit 90 (hereinafter referred to as third supply unit operation means 91 and third supply unit 90) is provided.

A first transmission member w1 connected to the arm member 5 transmits the operation to the first supply section operation means 21 of the first supply section 20 and the intermediate supply section operation means 41 of the intermediate supply section 40 .

A second transmission member w<b>2 connected to the arm member 5 transmits the operation to the second supply section operation means 61 of the second supply section 60 and the elevation section operation means 71 of the elevation section 70 . The operation of the arm member 5 is transmitted to the second supply section operating means 61 and the lifting section operating means 71 by a second transmission member w2, which is a transmission member different from the first transmission member w1. Therefore, it is possible to set a unique operation amount (stroke) different from that of the first transmission member w1.

In particular, in this embodiment, the second supply section operating means 61 and the raising/lowering section operating means 71 are interlocked with each other so that both operate by one common transmission member (second transmission member w2). It is designed to However, as a modification of this, a mode in which the motion of the arm member 5 is transmitted to the second supply section operating means 61 and the raising/lowering section operating means 71 by separate transmission means is also conceivable.

The operation is transmitted to the third supply section operation means 91 of the third supply section 90 by the third transmission member w3 connected to the arm member 5 . The operation of the arm member 5 is transmitted to the third supply unit operation means 91 by the third transmission member w3, which is a transmission member different from the first transmission member w1 and the second transmission member w2. Therefore, it is possible to set a unique movement amount (stroke) different from that of the first transmission member w1 and the second transmission member w2.

The first transmission member w1, the second transmission member w2, and the third transmission member w3 each employ a cord made of flexible resin, metal, fiber, or the like. This also applies to other auxiliary transmission members, which will be described later. Since the string can be freely bent and curved, it can be routed along a relatively free route by passing it through a rotatable pulley provided in the middle. However, as long as they can be arranged in a determined space, it is possible to adopt, for example, a known link mechanism or gear mechanism other than the string as each of these transmission members.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second transmission member w2 is connected to one end side (upper end side) of the shaft 5a that supports the arm member 5. As shown in FIG. The second transmission member w2 is connected to a position relatively far from the shaft 5a. In this embodiment, one rotation of the arm member 5 corresponding to one extension (200 mm) of the rod 4a causes The stroke is set such that the transmission member w2 is pulled by 500 mm. This 500 mm stroke corresponds to the lift amount of the tray t in the lift section 70 .

The first transmission member w1 and the third transmission member w3 are connected to the shaft 5a supporting the arm member 5 on the other end side (lower end side). The first transmission member w1 and the third transmission member w3 are connected relatively close to the shaft 5a. , the stroke is set such that the first transmission member w1 is pulled by 60 mm and the third transmission member w3 is pulled by 50 mm.

In this manner, by adjusting the connecting positions of the transmission members w1, w2, and w3 to the arm member 5 and the distance from the axis of the shaft 5a, which is the rotation center of the arm member 5, the stroke can be freely set. is possible.

The first transmission member w<b>1 is connected to operation frequency adjusting means 31 provided directly below the direction changing portion 30 . As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the operating frequency adjusting means 31 includes a rotating member 32 (hereinafter referred to as a turntable 32) consisting of a turntable rotatable around a shaft 37 arranged in the vertical direction, and a turntable. and a drive member 33 arranged above 32 .

The turntable 32 is provided with engaging portions 32a at regular intervals around the shaft 37 at predetermined orientations. The locking portion 32a is a hole penetrating the turntable 32 in the front and back direction. In this embodiment, locking portions 32a are provided at equal intervals at every 45-degree azimuth around the axis 37. As shown in FIG. Further, on the outer peripheral portion of the turntable 32, interlocking operation portions 32b protruding in the outer diameter direction are provided at regular intervals around the shaft 37 at predetermined orientations. The interlocking operation portion 32b is configured by extending the plate material of the turntable 32 in the outer diameter direction. Therefore, in a plan view of the turntable 32, a portion without the interlocking operation portion 32b is a recessed portion that is recessed in the inner diameter direction. In this embodiment, the interlocking operation parts 32b are provided at regular intervals around the axis 37 at every 90-degree azimuth.

As shown in FIG. 4, the shaft 37 is rotatably supported by the frame F, and the shaft 37 and the turntable 32 are integrally rotated about the shaft 37 in one direction. A one-way clutch 38 is arranged between the shaft 37 and the frame F, and the shaft 37 and the turntable 32 are allowed to rotate only in one direction (clockwise) indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3B.

The driving member 33 is supported to be relatively rotatable about the shaft 37 with respect to the shaft 37 . Further, the driving member 33 has a driving arm 33a extending in the horizontal direction and a locking claw 35 that abuts on the plate surface of the turntable 32. As shown in FIG. The tip of the locking claw 35 is pressed toward the upper surface of the turntable 32 by the biasing force of the elastic member 35a. A first transmission member w1 is connected to the tip of the drive arm 33a. The drive arm 33a is connected to the other end of an elastic member 34 made of a coil spring having one end connected to the frame F. As shown in FIG.

When the first transmission member w1 is pulled once in response to one operation of the arm member 5, the driving member 33 rotates clockwise by 45 degrees against the biasing force of the elastic member . This 45 degree rotation corresponds to a stroke of 60 mm of the aforementioned first transmission member w1. At this time, the locking claw 35 is engaged with the locking portion 32a, and the turntable 32 rotates in the same direction together with the driving member 33 by 45 degrees. The movement from the drive member 33 at position A shown in FIG. 3B to the drive member 33 at position B shown in FIG. 5B corresponds to this 45 degree rotation. Further, when the tension of the first transmission member w1 is released, the biasing force of the elastic member 34 causes the driving member 33 to return to the original A position. At this time, due to the action of the one-way clutch 38, the turntable 32 does not return to its original orientation and remains stationary at that position.

An interlocking member 36 is provided directly below the turntable 32 . As shown in FIG. 3A, the interlocking member 36 is an arm-shaped dog member that is rotatably supported on the frame F about a shaft 36a. A roller 36 b is provided at one end (upper end) of the interlocking member 36 , and the roller 36 b is set at a position on the lower surface of the turntable 32 where it can contact the interlocking operation portion 32 b.

A fourth transmission member w4 for auxiliary use is connected to the other end (lower end) of the interlocking member 36 . This fourth transmission member w4 communicates with the first supply portion 20 of the first subline portion 10, as shown in FIG.

When the driving member 33 rotates 45 degrees from position A (see FIG. 3B) to position B (see FIG. 5B) in response to one motion of the arm member 5, the turntable 32 also rotates 45 degrees, and the roller 36b , the state of not contacting the interlocking operating portion 32b (see FIGS. 3A and 3B) to the state of contacting the interlocking operating portion 32b (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). As a result, the interlocking member 36 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3A, and the fourth transmission member w4 is pulled by a predetermined stroke. After that, the first transmission member w1 is loosened, and the drive member 33 returns to the original position A while the turntable 32 remains stationary.

When the driving member 33 rotates again from position A to position B by 45 degrees in response to the next single operation of the arm member 5, the roller 36b contacts the interlocking operation portion 32b (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). ) to a state in which it is not in contact with the interlocking operation portion 32b (see FIGS. 6A and 6B), and the interlocking member 36 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 6A. As a result, tension on the fourth transmission member w4 is released and the fourth transmission member w4 is in a relaxed state.

In this way, the interlocking member 36 responds to the predetermined number of operations (twice) of the arm member 5, that is, each time the turntable 32 rotates 45 degrees the predetermined number of times (twice). As a result, the fourth transmission member w4 leading to the first sub-line portion 10 is pulled and released once.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first subline section 10 is composed of a roller conveyor 11 having a large number of conveying rollers 12 on its upper surface. The first supply section 20 is arranged at the terminal end of the first sub-line section 10 .

The first supply section 20 includes a swinging member 22 directly below the roller conveyor 11 as a first supply section operating means 21 . The rocking member 22 is supported by the frame F so as to be rockable about the shaft 23a. The rocking member 22 has, at its front end, a rising portion 23b that enters between the conveying rollers 12 from below to above. At the rear end 23c of the swinging member 22, the other end of an elastic member 25 made of a coil spring whose one end is supported by the frame F is supported. A fourth transmission member w4 is connected to the front end 23e of the swing member 22. As shown in FIG.

When the tension of the fourth transmission member w4 is released, the R rear end 23c is pulled down by the biasing force of the elastic member 25, and the front end 23e of the swing member 22 is positioned upward. Therefore, the rising portion 23b enters between the conveying rollers 12, 12 and protrudes upward, restricting the movement of the tray t in the downstream direction. When the fourth transmission member w4 is pulled, the front end 23e of the rocking member 22 is pulled downward against the biasing force of the elastic member 25. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the rising portion 23b is retracted below the upper surface of the conveying roller 12, and the downstream movement of the tray t is permitted.

The swing member 22 is provided for each row in which the trays t are aligned in the first sub-line portion 10 . In this embodiment, the swinging member 22 is provided in each row of the trays t arranged in two rows.

The swinging member 22 is provided with an interlocking arm 24 that swings together with the swinging member 22 . A fifth transmission member w5, which is also an auxiliary transmission member, is connected to the interlocking arm 24 via a sixth transmission member w6, which is an auxiliary transmission member. This fifth transmission member w5 communicates with the intermediate supply section 40 of the direction change section 30, as shown in FIGS. The fifth transmission member w5 is connected to the first supply section 20 and functions to transmit the operation of the first supply section 20 to the intermediate supply section 40 .

The sixth transmission member w6 connects the interlocking arm 24 and the lifting member 45 arranged on the frame F or the ground. The elevating member 45 has a rod 45a that can move back and forth in the vertical direction. A pulley 45b provided on the rod 45a and a locking portion 24a provided on the interlocking arm 24 constitute an annular sixth transmission member w6. It is connected. When the front end 23e of the swing member 22 swings downward, the interlocking arm 24 swings upward. At this time, the sixth transmission member w6 is pulled upward, and the rod 45a also rises.

As shown in FIG. 7, one end of the fifth transmission member w5 is connected to a locking portion 46 provided on a fixed frame F and inserted through a hole of a hook 45c provided on a rod 45a. to the intermediate supply section 40 of the turning section 30 via. FIG. 9 shows a connection point of the fifth transmission member w5 to the intermediate supply portion 40. As shown in FIG.

When the rod 45a rises as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 7, the tension on the fifth transmission member w5 is released and the fifth transmission member w5 is loosened. Further, when the rod 45a descends as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 8, the fifth transmission member w5 is pulled.

The intermediate supply section 40 includes, as an intermediate supply section operating means 41 , a table 42 adjacent to the first supply section 20 at the terminal end of the first sub-line section 10 and adjacent to the beginning end of the second sub-line section 50 . The table 42 has a rectangular shape in plan view, one side of which faces the terminal end of the first sub-line portion 10, and one side adjacent to which faces the starting end of the second sub-line portion 50. As shown in FIG. Hereinafter, one side of the table 42 on the side of the first sub-line portion 10 is referred to as a receiving side 46a, and one side of the table 42 on the side of the second sub-line portion 50 is referred to as a sending side 46b (see FIG. 1).

As shown in FIG. 9, the table 42 has a first rotating shaft 42a parallel to the moving direction of the second sub-line portion 50 and a second rotating shaft 42a parallel to the moving direction of the first sub-line portion 10 with respect to the fixed frame F. It is swingably supported in two directions by a rotating shaft 42d. The table 42 also has a large number of ball rollers 45 on its upper surface. Therefore, the tray t on the table 42 can be slid in any direction by the rotation of the ball roller 45, and depending on the position of the tray t on the table 42, the weight of the tray t and the parts in the tray t will cause the tray t to slide. , the tilt direction of the table 42 changes.

Further, the table 42 is urged in a direction in which the end of the delivery side 46b is pushed up by the first elastic member 43 arranged near the end of the delivery side 46b. The first elastic member 43 is arranged on one side of the delivery side 46b of the table 42 near the exit end 42g on the far side from one side of the reception side 46a. Further, the table 42 is biased in a direction in which the end of the receiving side 42a is pushed down by a second elastic member 44 arranged near the end of the receiving side 42a. The second elastic member 44 is arranged on one side of the receiving side 46a of the table 42 near the inlet end 42b on the far side from one side of the sending side 46b.

Therefore, in the unloaded state where the tray t is not placed on the table 42, the deep end 42c on the farthest side from both the side of the receiving side 46a and the side of the sending side 46b is positioned downward. incline. Note that the first elastic member 43 and the second elastic member 44 do not have to be arranged together. For example, if the second elastic member 44 is provided, the first elastic member 43 can be omitted. Therefore, the tray t received from the first supply section 20 is stably held on the table 42 on the side of the rear end portion 42c without flowing toward the second sub line section 50 side. In this embodiment, the table 42 is in an unloaded state and is tilted downstream along the direction of movement of the first sub-line portion 10 by two degrees, and is downwardly inclined along the direction of movement of the second sub-line portion 50 to the upstream side. It is set to incline 2 degrees in the slope. This angle can be freely set according to the shape and weight of the tray t. Stoppers 42h and 42i for preventing the tray t from falling off are provided on two sides of the table 42 sandwiching the rear end 42c, that is, two sides excluding one side on the receiving side 46a and one side on the sending side 46b. ing.

In the first supply section 20, the plurality of swinging members 22 arranged corresponding to the plurality of rows of trays t are, as shown in FIG. (hereinafter referred to as the first row), and the second row rocking members 22b of the farther row (hereinafter referred to as the second row) from one side of the delivery side 46b It is set at a position slightly retreated to the upstream side. As a result, the second row of trays t enters the table 42 slightly ahead of the first row of trays t, so that the second row of trays t on the far side from the second sub-line portion 50 meanders. This prevents the tray t in the first row from being pushed out toward the second sub-line portion 50 side.

In conjunction with the operation of stopping the supply of the tray t of the first supply unit 20, that is, the operation of raising the front end 23e so that the rocking member 22 restricts the entrance of the tray t onto the table 42, the fifth transmission member When w5 is pulled, one side of the delivery side 46b of the table 42 is pulled down against the biasing force of the first elastic member 43 and the second elastic member 44. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the table 42 is inclined downward toward one side of the delivery side 46b, and the two trays t on the table 42 are simultaneously aligned in a row toward the second subline portion 50. sent out.

Here, the pulling operation of the fifth transmission member w5 to pull down the table 42 is the operation of raising the front end 23e so that the swinging member 22 of the first supply unit 20 restricts the entry of the tray t onto the table 42. linked to. In addition, the pull-releasing operation in which the fifth transmission member w5 relaxes the pull-down force of the table 42 is such that the swinging member 22 of the first supply unit 20 releases the front end 23e of the tray t from entering the table 42. is linked to the descending motion. Therefore, the receipt of the tray t on the table 42 and the delivery of the tray t on the table 42 to the second subline section 50 do not occur at the same time. Each operation is performed with an appropriate time difference so that the trays t do not collide with each other.

That is, the operation of the first supply section 20 to feed the tray t to the direction change section 30 is interlocked with the operation of the intermediate supply section 40 to restrict the feeding of the tray t to the single-row subline section 50 . Further, the operation of the intermediate supply section 40 to feed the tray t to the single-row subline section 50 is interlocked with the operation of the first supply section 20 to restrict the feeding of the tray t to the direction changing section 30 .

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the second subline section 50 is composed of a roller conveyor 51 having a large number of conveying rollers 52 on its upper surface. The second supply section 60 is arranged at the terminal end of the second sub-line section 50 .

The second supply section 60 includes, as the second supply section operating means 61, two rocking members 65 arranged in parallel along the moving direction of the tray t immediately below the roller conveyor 51. As shown in FIG. The swinging member 65 has a supporting member 63 at its lower portion, and the supporting member 63 is supported by the frame F around an axis 63a so as to swing freely. Also, the two parallel supporting members 63 are horizontally connected by a connecting member 62 via a shaft 62a. The support member 63 and the connecting member 62 are swingable around the shaft 62a. Therefore, the two swinging members 65 are linked and swing in the same direction at the same time. Further, the support member 63 of the rocking member 65 on the downstream side is provided with an operation portion 64 projecting toward the elevating portion 70 side adjacent to the downstream side. The distal end of the operating portion 64 is urged upward by an elastic member 66 with respect to the stationary frame F. As shown in FIG.

Each rocking member 65 has a front end rising portion 65a at its front end, which enters between the conveying rollers 52 from below to above. Further, each rear end of the swing member 65 is provided with a rear end rising portion 65b which likewise enters between the conveying rollers 52 from the bottom to the top.

When the tip of the operation part 64 is pushed down against the urging force of the elastic member 66 by the operation of the lifting part 70, which will be described later, the front end of each rocking member 65 moves from the state shown in FIG. 10A to the state shown in FIG. 10B. Since the front end rising portion 65a that has entered between the conveying rollers 52 and 52 retreats downward, the tray t is allowed to move downstream due to its own weight. When the depression of the operating portion 64 is released, the operating portion 64 is pushed up by the biasing force of the elastic member 66 . Therefore, the front end of each swing member 65 swings upward, and the front end rising portion 65 a protrudes upward from the upper surface of the conveying roller 52 . As a result, the downstream movement of the next tray t that has been moved is restricted by the front end rising portion 65a. At the same time, the rear end of the swinging member 65 swings downward, so that the rear end rising portion 65b retreats below the upper surface of the conveying roller 12. As shown in FIG. This allows the next tray t to move downstream.

Here, the second supply section 60 feeds one tray t to the downstream elevation section 70 each time the operation section 64 is pushed down by the operation of the elevation section 70 . This is because the tray t (see FIG. 10A) whose movement has been restricted by the front rising portion 65a of the rocking member 65 on the downstream side is sent out to the lifting portion 70 when the operating portion 64 is pushed down for the first time. At this time, at the same time, the tray t, which has been restricted by the front rising portion 65a of the rocking member 65 on the upstream side, moves to the downstream side to the position where it is restricted by the rear rising portion 65b of the rocking member 65 on the downstream side. (see FIG. 10B). After that, when the depression of the operation portion 64 is released by the operation of the elevating portion 70, the tray t moves from the rear end rising portion 65b to the front end rising portion 65a, and waits for the next depression of the operation portion 64. Become.

That is, as shown in FIG. 10B, the tray t is locked alternately with respect to the four rising portions 65a, 65b, 65a, 65b arranged in parallel in the moving direction of the tray t. This is because the rising portion is moved by one by pressing the operating portion 64 once, and by releasing the pressing of the operating portion 64, the rising portion is further moved by one.

The lifting portion 70 is provided between the terminal end of the second sub-line portion 50 and the starting end of the third sub-line portion 80 . Since the starting end of the third sub-line portion 80 is above the terminal end of the second sub-line portion 50 , the elevating section 70 moves the tray t upward toward the third sub-line portion 80 .

As shown in FIG. 12, the elevating unit 70 includes an elevating table 72 that is vertically movable. The elevating table 72 is supported on a pedestal 73 that can be raised and lowered with respect to the fixed frame F so as to be swingable around a rotating shaft 72a parallel to the moving direction of the second subline portion 50 . The lift table 72 also has a large number of ball rollers 75 on its upper surface. Therefore, the tray t on the lifting table 72 can be slid in any direction by the rotation of the ball rollers 75 . In addition, depending on the position of the tray t on the lifting table 72, the tilting direction of the lifting table 72 changes due to the weight of the tray t and the parts in the tray t.

The pedestal 73 has a base portion 73a at its rear end. The base portion 73a is guided up and down by a frame F disposed on the upstream side along the movement direction of the third subline portion 80. As shown in FIG. The front end of the base 73 faces the third subline portion 80 side.

The elevating table 72 has a rectangular shape in plan view, and is urged in a direction in which the rear end thereof is pulled down by an elastic member 77 disposed near the rear end on the base portion 73a side. The elastic member 77 is arranged near the center of one side of the lifting table 72 on the rear end side. For this reason, the lift table 72, in an unloaded state where the tray t is not placed, is inclined downward along the moving direction of the third subline portion 80 toward the upstream side, that is, toward the rear end side. inclined to In addition, the lifting table 72 is inclined downward along the movement direction of the second subline portion 50 toward the downstream side. Therefore, the tray t received from the second supply section 60 is stably held on the rear end side of the lifting table 72 without flowing toward the third subline section 80 side. In this embodiment, the elevating table 72 is in an unloaded state and is inclined downward by 2 degrees along the moving direction of the second sub-line portion 50, and is inclined upstream along the moving direction of the third sub-line portion 80. It is set to incline 2 degrees on the downward slope. This angle can be freely set according to the shape and weight of the tray t. Two sides 76d and 76c (see FIG. 1) excluding one side of the receiving side 76a and one side of the sending side 76b of the lift table 72 are provided with stoppers 76h for preventing the tray t from falling off.

The slider 78 fixed to the base portion 73a also moves up and down along the frame F as the lift table 72 moves up and down. As shown in FIG. 12, the slider 78 has an advancing/retreating shaft 78a with a roller 78b guided by a guide member 74 provided along the frame F in the upper limit direction. The roller 78b is urged to be pressed toward the guide member 74 by an elastic member 78c.

The roller 78b moves along the vertical portion 74a of the guide member 74 while being pressed against the vertical portion 74a when the lifting table 72 is relatively downward. Further, when the lifting table 72 is relatively upward, the roller 78b moves along the inclined portion 74b of the guide member 74 while being pressed against the inclined portion 74b. Since the inclined portion 74b approaches the front end side, ie, the third sub line portion 80 side, as it goes upward, the forward/backward movement shaft 78a is also pushed out toward the front end side. Therefore, when the lift table 72 reaches the upper end position, as shown in FIG. 12, the tray t on the lift table 72 is pushed out toward the third sub line portion 80 by the advancing/retreating shaft 78a. At this time, the elevating table 72 swings downward toward the third sub-line portion 80 against the pulling force of the elastic member 77 due to the weight of the tray t. As a result, the tray t is sent out to the third subline section 80 on the downstream side. When the tray t leaves the lifting table 72 , the tilting direction of the lifting table 72 returns to its original state due to the biasing force of the elastic member 77 .

The movement of the lifting table 72 is one lifting movement corresponding to one movement of the arm member 5 . That is, the second transmission member w2 is connected to the pedestal 73, and by pulling the second transmission member w2 and releasing the pulling once, the lift table 72 is raised and lowered once. .

Reference numeral 79 in FIGS. 11 and 12 denotes a wire balancer that reduces the weight of the lifting table 72 and the tray t when they are lifted. The wire balancer 79 is connected to the pedestal 73 of the lifting table 72 via an auxiliary transmission member w2'. The second transmission member w2 is connected to the pedestal 73 of the lifting table 72 via this wire balancer 79 and an auxiliary transmission member w2'.

As described above, when the elevating table 72 descends to the lowest position, the operating portion 64 of the second supply portion 60 is pressed once, and when the lifting table 72 is raised thereafter, the pressing of the operating portion 64 is released. Therefore, one tray t is supplied from the second supply section 60 to the elevation section 70 by one elevation operation of the elevation table 72 .

As shown in FIG. 11, the third subline section 80 is composed of a roller conveyor 81 having a large number of conveying rollers 82 on its upper surface. The third supply section 90 is arranged at the end and middle of the third sub-line section 80 .

The third supply section 90 includes a swinging member 92 directly below the roller conveyor 81 as a third supply section operating means 91 . The swinging member 92 is supported by the frame F so as to be swingable about an axis 93a. The rocking member 92 has, at its rear end, a rising portion 93b that enters between the conveying rollers 82 from below to above. A front end 93c of the rocking member 92 supports the other end of an elastic member 95 made of a coil spring whose one end is supported by the frame F. As shown in FIG. A front end 93e of the swing member 92 is connected to a third transmission member w3.

When the front end 93e of the swinging member 92 swings downward due to the tension of the third transmission member w3, the rising portion 93b at the rear end enters between the conveying rollers 82, 82 and protrudes upward. direction is blocked. When the tension of the third transmission member w3 is released, the front end 23c of the swinging member 92 is pushed upward by the biasing force of the elastic member 95. As shown in FIG. Therefore, the rising portion 93b is retracted below the upper surface of the conveying roller 82, and the downstream movement of the tray t is permitted. The 50 mm stroke of the aforementioned third transmission member w3 corresponds to the swing angle of this swing member 92. As shown in FIG.

An auxiliary transmission member w3' is connected to the rear end of the swing member 92. As shown in FIG. This auxiliary transmission member w3' communicates with a second swing member 94 provided upstream of the swing member 92, as shown in FIG.

The second swinging member 94 is supported swingably around a shaft 94a provided on a fixed frame F. As shown in FIG. A drive arm 94c is connected to the second swinging member 94 and swings integrally with the second swinging member 94 around a shaft 94a. An auxiliary transmission member w3' is connected to the tip of the drive arm 94c. An elastic member 96 made of a coil spring is connected to the driving arm 94c.

When the rear end of the swinging member 92 descends in response to one movement of the arm member 5, the tray t, whose movement has been restricted by the rising portion 93b, is fed downstream, and the end of the third subline portion 80 is sent out. is delivered toward a working position 8a corresponding to a working spot 8 located at .

When the auxiliary transmission member w3' is pulled in response to the downward movement of the rear end of the swinging member 92, the driving arm 94c moves upward as shown in FIG. swing clockwise to the side. As a result, the second swinging member 94 likewise swings clockwise, and the tray t whose movement has been restricted by the second swinging member 94 is released from the restriction and sent out downstream. Since the swinging member 92 immediately swings in the opposite direction due to the rotation of the arm member 5 in the opposite direction, the delivered tray t is stopped by the rising portion 93b of the swinging member 92, and the movement is stopped. Regulated. Further, since the second swinging member 94 also returns to its original position, it restricts the next movement of the tray t moving from the upstream side.

Here, the third supply section 90 delivers one tray t to the work spot 8 in correspondence with one operation of the arm member 5 . Therefore, one tray t is supplied to the work spot 8 for one work e.

As described above, in this embodiment, in the process of assembling parts to the work e on the main line 2, the main operating means 1, which is a driving device, operates once each time one work e is carried into the work spot 8. is provided. In the sub-line 3, when the direction of movement of the trays t is changed in the direction changer 30 on the way, processing for changing the trays t arranged in two rows to one row is simultaneously performed. In the direction changing section 30, the main operation means 1 performs a total of two operations by passing the work e and the succeeding work e, respectively, thereby sending out the two trays t to the downstream side. .

That is, in the present invention, the direction changing portion 30 on the sub-line 3 is utilized to convert a plurality of rows of trays t into a single row. The space required for installing the subline 3 can be reduced.

In addition, since the trays t are aligned in a row on the downstream side of the direction changing section 30, one operation of the main operating means 1 caused by the passage of the work e causes the trays t to move one by one. It is configured to be sent out. As a result, the number of trays t to be moved in all the steps of the subline 3 is not excessive or deficient.

Furthermore, with regard to the subline 3, with one power source, the main operating means 1, there is a function to convert two rows of trays t into a single row, a function to change the direction of movement of the trays t, and other functions at the timing required by each part. Equipped with a function to receive and send out trays t, a function to lift them, etc. As a result, it is possible to supply one tray t to one work e on the main line 2 with a minimum power source. is.

In this embodiment, the operating member 5 of the main operating means 1 is an arm member, and the arm member is rotated. is not limited, and, for example, the operating member 5 may move back and forth as long as it has a function of operating the transmission member with a predetermined stroke.

Similarly, in this embodiment, the interlocking member 36 of the operation frequency adjusting means 31 is a rotatable arm-shaped dog member. The interlocking member 36 may move forward and backward as long as it performs one motion. However, you can advance or retreat.

In this embodiment, the predetermined number is 2, and the first sub-line section 10 arranges the trays t in two rows based on the predetermined number. Space saving may be attempted.

1 main operating means 2 main line 3 sub-line 5 arm member (operating member)
8 Work spot 10 First sub-line part (double-row sub-line part)
20 first supply unit (double row supply unit)
21 first supply section operating means (double row supply section operating means)
30 Direction changer 31 Operation frequency adjusting means 32 Turntable (rotating member)
37 shaft 40 intermediate supply section 41 intermediate supply section operating means 50 second sub-line section (single-row sub-line section)
60 Second supply unit (single row supply unit)
61 second supply section operating means (single row supply section operating means)
70 lifting section 71 lifting section operating means 80 third sub-line section (last single-row sub-line section)
90 Third supply unit (final single row supply unit)
91 third supply section operating means (final single row supply section operating means)
100 line transfer system e work t tray w1 first transmission member (first string)
w2 second transmission member (another transmission member/second string)
w3 third transmission member (another transmission member/third string)

Claims (9)

a main line along which a work moves; a sub-line along which a tray moves toward a work spot arranged on the main line; and
The sub-line includes a single-row sub-line portion in which the trays are aligned in one row, and an upstream side of the single-row sub-line portion so that the moving direction of the tray intersects with the moving direction of the single-row sub-line portion. a double-row sub-line portion in which trays are arranged in a predetermined number of rows of two or more; and a direction changing portion disposed between the double-row sub-line portion and the single-row sub-line portion
The double-row sub-line portion has a double-row feeding portion that feeds the trays one by one from each aligned row of the double-row sub-line portion to the direction changing portion by the predetermined number of operations of the operating member. prepared,
The diverting section receives all the trays delivered from the double-row supply section and aligns all the trays to the single-row sub-line section with the predetermined number of movements of the actuating member. Equipped with an intermediate supply unit that feeds out with
The single-row sub-line section includes a single-row feeding section that feeds the trays downstream one by one from the single-row sub-line section with one operation of the operating member. A final single-row sub-line portion leading to the work spot is provided on the downstream side of the single-row sub-line portion, and a starting end of the final single-row sub-line portion is located above the single-row supply portion,
Between the single-row sub-line portion and the final single-row sub-line portion, the tray fed from the single-row supply portion by one operation of the operating member is moved to the starting end of the final single-row sub-line portion. 2. The line transport system according to claim 1, further comprising an elevating unit that raises and feeds the wafers one by one. 3. The final single-row sub-line section according to claim 2, wherein the final single-row sub-line section comprises a final single-row supply section for feeding the trays one by one from the final single-row sub-line section to the work spot with one operation of the actuating member. line conveying system. a first transmission member that is connected to the operating member and that transmits the operation of the operating member to the double-row supply section and the intermediate supply section;
4. The line transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a transmission member separate from the first transmission member , which is connected to the operation member and transmits the operation of the operation member to the single-row supply section. . a first transmission member that is connected to the operating member and that transmits the operation of the operating member to the double-row supply section and the intermediate supply section;
4. The line transport system according to claim 2, further comprising a transmission member separate from the first transmission member connected to the operating member and transmitting the operation of the operating member to the lifting section. a first transmission member that is connected to the operating member and that transmits the operation of the operating member to the double-row supply section and the intermediate supply section;
4. A line conveying system according to claim 3, further comprising a transmission member separate from said first transmission member connected to said actuating member for transmitting the movement of said actuating member to said final single-line feeding section. A rotating member that rotates about an axis by a predetermined angle with one operation of the operating member, and one rotation or forward/backward movement each time the rotation of the rotating member at the predetermined angle is performed the same number of times as the predetermined number. and an interlocking member that performs
7. The line transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the operation of said interlocking member is transmitted to said double-row supply section and said intermediate supply section. further comprising a transmission member connected to the double-row supply section for transmitting the operation of the double-row supply section to the intermediate supply section;
The operation of the double-row supply section to feed the tray to the direction changing section is interlocked with the operation of the intermediate supply section to restrict the feeding of the tray to the single-row sub-line section,
8. The line according to claim 7, wherein the operation of the intermediate supply section to feed the trays to the single-row subline section is interlocked with the operation of the double-row supply section to restrict the feeding of the trays to the direction changing section. transport system. Claims 4 to 8, wherein said operating member is an arm member that rotates upon receiving a signal for detecting movement of said work, and said first transmission member and said another transmission member are connected to said arm member. The line transport system according to any one of 1.

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