JP7386631B2 - Conveyance device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a conveying device for conveying objects, particularly combustible materials such as paint cartridges.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been provided a conveyance device that conveys an object by pushing a drive wheel using air pressure to drive a cart on a conveyance path. For example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses a paint cartridge transporting device that transports a paint cartridge, which is an object to be transported, by driving a truck by operating drive wheels using air pressure.

Painting of automobile bodies and parts (bumpers, etc.) is performed by sequentially spraying multiple types of paint onto the workpiece. Therefore, in conventional painting equipment, paint piping is installed from the paint tank that stores the various paints to the painting zone where the workpiece is painted, thereby supplying the various paints to the painting robot installed in the painting zone. . However, in this case, it is necessary to provide paint piping for each type of paint, which increases equipment costs. Furthermore, since it is necessary to keep circulating the paint in the paint piping, there is a problem that the paint tends to deteriorate. Furthermore, when changing the type (color) of paint supplied to a paint pipe (color change), it is necessary to clean the inside of the paint pipe, but cleaning the paint pipe is a time-consuming and wasteful process. There are problems such as the generation of a large amount of paint and the use of chemicals such as thinner, which places a burden on the environment.

In the paint cartridge transport device of Patent Document 1, by filling the cartridge with paint and transporting the paint cartridge, problems of increased costs due to the arrangement of paint piping, which were problems in conventional painting equipment, and paint This solves problems such as deterioration and the need to clean paint piping for color changes.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-103101

Here, when transporting flammable materials such as paint, it is necessary to eliminate the risk of ignition as much as possible (it is necessary to have an explosion-proof structure). For this reason, it is desirable to release static electricity or static electricity generated due to friction or the like.

However, aluminum is generally used for the rail-forming members (conveyance path forming frame) of the paint cartridge conveyance device in Patent Document 1 from the viewpoint of weight reduction and wear resistance. is anodized to prevent corrosion. In addition, the running wheels of the trolley (running rollers that come into contact with the rail part) used in the paint cartridge conveying device of Patent Document 1 are made of resin (for example, electrically impermeable urethane) is used. Therefore, the paint cartridge conveying device of Patent Document 1 has a structure that makes it difficult to release static electricity, and requires a periodic process to release static electricity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a conveying device that can easily dissipate static electricity caused by friction while moving a truck using air pressure.

A conveyance device of the present invention provided to solve the above-mentioned problems includes a drive unit driven by air pressure, a cart for loading an object to be conveyed, and an air tube for driving the drive unit by air pressure, A transport section that forms a transport path for the cart and has a grounding means; and an air supply device that supplies air to the air tube; The device is characterized in that a conductive portion having a conductive property is formed.

According to the conveyance device of the present invention, static electricity generated when the cart runs on the conveyance section can be released and grounded. To explain more specifically, the conveyance section (the rail section of the conveyance section, etc.) is generally supported by being suspended from a pole set on the ground or a stay from the ceiling of a building. ) is grounded through pillars, stays, etc. Further, in the conveyance device of the present invention, static electricity can be released from the cart side to the grounded conveyance section. As a result, the conveyance device of the present invention can easily dissipate static electricity even when the load loaded on the trolley is flammable (for example, a combustible material such as paint). As a result, the transport device of the present invention can safely transport the object without providing a separate static electricity removal means, even when the object is combustible.

Further, in the conveyance device of the present invention, it is preferable that the conveyance section includes a rail section, and the conductive section is formed on the rail section.

According to the above-described configuration, the conductive portion can be formed in the portion where the trolley and the transport section are in reliable contact. As a result, the conveying device of the present invention can be grounded more reliably.

In the conveyance device of the present invention, the conveyance section is formed of a conveyance section forming frame made of a conductive material and whose surface is surface-treated with a non-conductive material, The conductive portion may be formed by removing a portion of the surface-treated portion of the transport portion forming frame.

According to the above configuration, it is not necessary to separately provide parts for dissipating static electricity (there is no need to provide an additional configuration to conventional products), and static electricity can be dissipated when the trolley runs on the rail section. be able to. As a result, the transport device of the present invention can appropriately release static electricity and safely transport objects while suppressing an increase in cost.

In the conveying device of the present invention, it is further preferable that conductive urethane rubber is used for at least the contact portion of the traveling roller with the rail portion.

According to the above-mentioned configuration, while maintaining quietness during running of the truck, aggressiveness to the rail portion is reduced. Thereby, the conveyance device can reduce the concern that the rail portion will wear out.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a conveying device that can easily dissipate static electricity caused by friction or the like while driving a truck using air pressure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conveying device and a painting facility equipped with the conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view showing a cart of the conveyance device in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the arrangement of running rollers and drive rollers of the cart in FIG. 2; 4 is a sectional view taken along the line J-J' in FIG. 3. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the drive device of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 6 is a view showing the end of the air tube of the drive device of FIG. 5; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a direction in which air is pumped when the drive device shown in FIG. 5 moves the cart sequentially; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of drive rollers and air tubes of the conveyance device of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a positioning device of the transport device of FIG. 1; 2 is a timing chart showing deceleration control of the conveyance device in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a case where deceleration control of the conveyance device of FIG. 1 is performed. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a section detection sensor of the conveyance device in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the direction of air pumping in reverse injection control of the conveying device in FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a case where reverse injection control of the conveyance device of FIG. 1 is performed.

Hereinafter, a conveying device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The transport device 10 is used to transport the object 6 to be transported. The conveyance device 10 can be used, for example, to convey a paint cartridge 6a as the object to be conveyed 6 (see FIG. 2).

The conveyance device 10 can be provided, for example, in a painting facility 1 that paints the body and parts (bumpers, etc.) of an automobile, as shown in FIG. 1 as an example. As shown in FIG. 1, the coating equipment 1 is provided with a transport device 10, a paint filling area 2 for filling a paint cartridge 6a with various types of paint, and a painting area 3 for painting a workpiece 7.

The coating equipment 1 is provided with a coating area 3, and a coating process of coating a workpiece 7 with various paints is performed in the coating area 3 (one coating area 3 is shown in FIG. 1). Each painting area 3 is provided with a painting robot 4 as a painting device, and a transfer device 5 that transfers the object 6 (paint cartridge 6a) from the transportation device 10 to the painting robot 4. Although one painting area 3 is shown as an example in FIG. 1, the painting equipment 1 in which the conveyance device 10 of the present invention is used may be provided with a plurality of painting areas 3.

The transfer device 5 can receive the paint cartridge 6a from the truck 20 by moving the paint cartridge 6a transported by the truck 20 back and forth in the horizontal direction. The transfer device 5 receives the paint cartridge 6a from the cart 20 and delivers the paint cartridge 6a to the painting robot 4.

As shown in FIG. 1, the transport device 10 includes a trolley 20, a transport section 40, a drive device 50, and a control device 80. The transport device 10 is also provided with a detection device 70 (see FIG. 12) and a positioning mechanism 60 (see FIG. 9).

In addition, in the following description of the conveyance device 10, when the conveyance target object 6 is conveyed sequentially, the upstream side may be simply referred to as "upstream" and the downstream side may be simply referred to as "downstream."

Further, in the conveyance path 41, the direction in which the trolley 20 travels and the direction in which the conveyance target object 6 is conveyed may be simply described as "conveyance direction X" for explanation. In addition, in the conveyance direction ” may be used to explain the situation.

Furthermore, the direction (the width direction of the trolley 20) that intersects the conveyance direction X (the direction in which the conveyance path 41 extends) may be simply referred to as the "width direction W" for explanation.

The trolley 20 is provided to load and transport the objects 6 to be transported. As shown in FIG. 3, the truck 20 includes a plurality of running rollers 26 and a plurality of drive rollers 28 (drive portions). Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the trolley 20 includes a loading section 30 for loading the objects 6 to be transported, and a roller attachment section 22 to which the traveling rollers 26 and the driving rollers 28 are attached. As shown in FIG. 2, the trolley 20 is attached to the transport section 40 in a suspended state.

As shown in FIG. 2, the truck 20 of this embodiment is provided with a pair of roller attachment parts 22. The pair of roller attachment parts 22 are provided so as to be spaced apart in the transport direction X. One drive roller 28 is attached to each roller attachment part 22. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, three running rollers 26 are attached to each roller attachment portion 22 on both sides in the width direction W.

The running rollers 26 serve as wheels for running on the rail section 46. As shown in FIG. 3, in the truck 20 of this embodiment, six running rollers 26 are provided for one roller mounting portion 22. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the running roller 26 is provided so as to be sandwiched between the three running rollers 26 with respect to the rail portion 46. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the running rollers 26 are arranged so that the rail part 46 is sandwiched between two running rollers 26a on the upper side of the rail part 46 and one running roller 26b on the lower side. has been done.

In the running roller 26 of this embodiment, the contact portion with the rail portion 46 is made of resin and made of a conductive material. More specifically, the running roller 26 is made of conductive urethane rubber (carbon urethane rubber). Thereby, in the conveying device 10, static electricity is released from the cart 20 to the conveying section 40 and grounded while reducing the aggressiveness of the traveling rollers 26 to the rail section 46.

In addition, in the conveyance device 10 of the present embodiment, by making the traveling rollers 26 of a resin material (conductive urethane rubber), the conveyance portion formed of an aluminum material can be maintained while maintaining quietness during traveling of the trolley 20. This reduces the attack on the rail portion 46, which is a part of the forming frame 42. Thereby, in the conveying device 10, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the rail portion 46 will be worn out due to the conductive portion 44, which is a portion from which the alumite treatment described below has been removed, repeatedly coming into contact with the traveling roller 26.

Note that the paint cartridge 6a is provided with an earth pin (not shown), and the earth pin is in contact with the cart 20. Therefore, when the paint cartridge 6a is charged, it is grounded from the grounding pin via the loading section 30, the connecting section 24, the roller mounting section 22, and the running roller 26.

In the conveying device 10 of the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the running roller 26 is made of conductive urethane rubber, but the conveying device of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. That is, the running roller may be formed of any material as long as it is electrically conductive, and may be formed using other electrically conductive materials. Further, all of the running rollers 26 may be made of a conductive material, or some of the running rollers 26 may be made of a conductive material.

The drive roller 28 (drive section) is provided as a drive wheel that causes the trolley 20 to travel. As shown in FIG. 4, the drive roller 28 is arranged in the conveyance section 40 so as to crush the air tube 52. As shown in FIG. 7, when high-pressure air is supplied to the inside of an air tube 52, which will be described later, the drive roller 28 is rotated by the air pressure and is driven by receiving a propulsive force. As a result, the conveying device 10 rotates the drive roller 28 and allows the trolley 20 to travel without relying on electric power from a motor or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 2, the truck 20 is provided with a pair of drive rollers 28. One pair of drive rollers 28 is provided for each pair of roller mounting portions 22 . Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8, the pair of drive rollers 28 are provided so as to be offset in a direction (width direction W) that intersects the conveyance direction X. That is, the pair of drive rollers 28 are arranged so as to be spaced apart in the transport direction X, offset in the width direction W, and alternate. The pair of drive rollers 28 are provided corresponding to the pair of air tubes 52 provided in the drive device 50, respectively.

The loading section 30 is provided for loading the object 6 to be transported. As shown in FIG. 2, the loading section 30 is attached below the pair of roller attachment sections 22 so as to be suspended via the connecting section 24. The object to be transported 6 (paint cartridge 6a) is mounted on the loading section 30 in a state where it is exposed to the outside. The loading section 30 is configured such that the paint cartridge 6a can be taken out along the width direction W.

The transport unit 40 forms a transport path 41 for transporting the object 6 to be transported. As shown in FIG. 4, the conveyance section 40 is formed by a conveyance section forming frame 42. As shown in FIG. Further, the transport section 40 includes a rail section 46.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the conveying device 10 of this embodiment, the conveying section 40 is provided in a loop shape so that the cart 20 is sent out from the paint filling area 2 and returns to the paint filling area 2 again.

The transport section forming frame 42 is a frame member that forms the transport path 41. The transport section forming frame 42 is made of an aluminum material, and is subjected to an alumite treatment as a surface treatment using a non-conductive material, and a coating section 43 is formed on the surface. As shown in FIG. 4, the transport section forming frame 42 is provided with a rail section 46. Note that the transport unit forming frame 42 is supported by pillars (not shown) that stand up from the floor. Therefore, the conveyance section 40 (rail section 46) is connected to the floor (ground) via the support and is grounded (grounding means). Note that the conveying unit 40 may be supported by a support (hanging type), or may be installed on the floor without using a support (rail-driven type). There may be.

In addition, in this embodiment, an example was shown in which the conveying part forming frame 42 is formed of an aluminum material and subjected to alumite treatment as surface treatment, but the conveying device of the present invention is not limited to this. The transport section forming frame of the transport device of the present invention may be made of a metal material other than aluminum, or may be surface treated with something other than alumite treatment.

The rail portion 46 forms a running path for the running roller 26 to run. As shown in FIG. 4, a conductive portion 44 having electrical conductivity is formed in the rail portion 46 at a portion that contacts the running roller 26. As shown in FIG. In the transport device 10 of this embodiment, the conductive portion 44 is formed by removing the alumite treated portion (coating portion 43) of the transport portion forming frame 42. In other words, the conductive portion 44 is formed as a portion where the aluminum base of the transport portion forming frame 42 is exposed.

As shown in FIG. 4 , in the conveying device 10 , the rail portion 46 and the running roller 26 made of conductive urethane rubber come into contact with each other in the conductive portion 44 . In other words, in the transport device 10, the trolley 20 and the rail section 46 are electrically connected. Therefore, even if static electricity is generated due to friction between the drive roller 28 and the air tube 52, friction between the traveling roller 26 and the rail section 46, etc., the conveyance device 10 releases the static electricity through the conductive section 44 to ground it. be able to. Thereby, when the object 6 to be transported is paint or the like, the transport device 10 can safely transport the combustible object 6 without providing a separate static electricity removal means.

The drive device 50 is provided to rotate the drive roller 28 and cause the truck 20 to travel. As shown in FIG. 5, the drive device 50 includes an air tube 52 for driving the drive roller 28 using air pressure, and an air supply device 56 that supplies air to the air tube 52.

The air tube 52 is made of a flexible material (for example, rubber). As shown in FIG. 1, the air tube 52 is provided so as to cover the entire area of the conveyance path 41, and is divided into a plurality of parts in the conveyance path 41.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5, etc., the air tubes 52 are provided in pairs along the conveyance direction X in the conveyance path 41. As shown in FIG. 8(a), one of the pair of air tubes 52, 52a, is provided to drive the downstream drive roller 28a (the front drive roller 28a in the progressive direction x1). ing. Further, the other air tube 52b of the pair of air tubes 52 is provided to drive the upstream drive roller 28b (the rear drive roller 28b in the forward feeding direction x1). Note that in the conveying device 10 according to the embodiment, an example was shown in which a pair (two) of air tubes 52 were provided and a drive roller 28 was provided corresponding to the pair (two) air tubes 52; The transport device is not limited to this. For example, when transporting a heavy object, three or more air tubes and drive rollers may be provided. Furthermore, the conveyance device of the present invention may be provided with one drive roller, and may also be provided with an air tube corresponding to one drive roller.

In this way, the conveyance device 10 is provided with a pair of drive mechanisms including the drive roller 28 and the air tube 52. Thereby, the transport device 10 can sufficiently secure the power for driving the trolley 20 and run the trolley 20 at a predetermined speed (for example, 2 m/sec).

In the following description, the upstream end of the air tube 52 may be simply referred to as a "starting end S," and the downstream end may be simply referred to as a "terminating end E."

As shown in FIG. 5, the air tube 52 has a predetermined length, and is provided with air ports 54, which serve as air inflow and outflow ports, at each of the starting end S side and the terminal end E side. To explain in more detail, one air tube 52 is provided with a starting end side air port 54b provided on the starting end S side and a terminal end side air port 54a provided on the terminal end E side. Each air port 54 is connected to an air supply device 56 via a connecting tube 55 (see FIG. 6). Therefore, air can be supplied to the air tube 52 from both the starting end side air port 54b and the terminal end side air port 54a. Note that, as shown in FIG. 6, the openings on both sides of the air tube 52 are closed by closing members 53.

Note that, as shown in FIG. 7, when air is supplied from the starting end side air port 54b (air is supplied from the upstream side), the drive roller 28 is pressed in the forward feeding direction x1 by air pressure and rotates. Thereby, the conveyance device 10 can cause the cart 20 to travel in the progressive direction x1. Although not shown, when air is supplied from the terminal side air port 54a (when air is supplied from the downstream side), the drive roller 28 is pressed in the reverse running direction x2 by air pressure and rotates, and the drive roller 28 is rotated. 20 can be run in the reverse running direction x2.

The air supply device 56 is for supplying high pressure air to the air tube 52 via the air port 54. As shown in FIG. 5, the air supply device 56 is capable of supplying air to the air ports 54 on the starting end side and the ending end side, respectively. Furthermore, the air supply device 56 is capable of individually supplying air and stopping the air supply to each air port 54 under the control of the control device 80 .

As described above, air is supplied to the air tube 52 from both the starting end S side and the ending end E side. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, one region from the starting end S to the terminal end E of the air tube 52 forms a "section 48" which is one driving region when one bogie 20 travels. Furthermore, a plurality of pairs of air tubes 52 are arranged in the conveyance section 40 along the conveyance direction X. In other words, a plurality of sections 48 are formed in the conveyance path 41, with one section 48 extending from the starting end S to the terminal end E of the air tube 52.

In order to supply air to the airport 54, one air supply device 56 is provided near the transfer section 47, which will be described later, and air is supplied from the one air supply device 56 to both the upstream and downstream air ports 54. Alternatively, air supply devices 56 corresponding to the upstream and downstream air ports 54 may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the conveyance device 10 of this embodiment, a plurality of pairs of air tubes 52 (eight sets in the example shown in FIG. 1) are provided, and eight sections 48 are formed. As shown in FIG. 5, a transfer portion 47 is formed between the sections 48 as a part where the air tube 52 is interrupted (as a joint between the sections 48). The transfer portion 47 is a portion where the air tube 52 is interrupted, and the drive roller 28 cannot be rotated by air pressure in the transfer portion 47.

Here, as described above, the conveyance device 10 is provided with a pair of air tubes 52 and a pair of drive rollers 28, and a pair of drive rollers 28 are provided so as to be spaced apart in the conveyance direction X. There is.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the trolley 20 reaches the vicinity of the transfer section 47, the pair of drive rollers 28 are in a state where they straddle the section 48. In this case, one of the pair of drive rollers 28 is pressed by the air tube 52a provided in the section 48 on the downstream side, and the other drive roller 28b is provided in the section 48 on the upstream side. It is pressed by the air tube 52. In other words, when the trolley 20 passes through the transfer section 47, at least one of the pair of drive rollers 28 is driven by the air tube 52 provided in the upstream or downstream section 48. Thereby, the transport device 10 can smoothly run the trolley 20 at the interrupted portion of the air tube 52 (transfer section 47) without stopping it.

As shown in FIG. 9, the positioning mechanism 60 includes a stopper 62 that stops the truck 20, and a clamping part 64 that clamps the clamped part 32 provided on the truck 20. The positioning mechanism 60 is provided near the transfer device 5 on the transport path 41 formed by the transport section 40 .

As shown in FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b), the stopper 62 is capable of entering and retracting onto the travel path of the truck 20. The stopper 62 is provided on the conveyance path 41 and is capable of entering (projecting) onto the travel path of the truck 20 and coming into contact with the truck 20 . The stopper 62 comes into contact with the truck 20 to prevent and stop the truck 20 from moving in the progressive direction x1 (downstream).

As shown in FIG. 9, the clamping part 64 includes a pair of clamping pieces 65 that clamp the clamped part 32 of the cart 20 from both sides in the transport direction X. As shown in FIG. 9(b), the clamped portion 32 of the carriage 20 is held between the clamping pieces 65, so that the carriage 20 is accurately positioned at the stop position P1 in the transport direction X.

The detection device 70 is provided in the transport section 40 to detect the trolley 20. In the transport device 10 of this embodiment, a plurality of photoelectric sensors are provided as the detection device 70.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the conveyance device 10 of this embodiment includes a section detection sensor 74 (sensor) that detects the entry and exit (retreat) of the cart 20 into the section 48, and as shown in FIG. , a deceleration start position detection sensor 72 (bogie detection sensor) for detecting the bogie 20 at the deceleration start position P2.

As shown in FIG. 11, the deceleration start position detection sensor 72 (truck detection sensor) is provided at a predetermined position of the transport section 40 to detect the position of the trolley 20. As shown in FIG. 11, the deceleration start position detection sensor 72 is provided at a position (deceleration start position P2) spaced upstream from the stop position P1 where the stopper 62 is provided. The deceleration start position detection sensor 72 is provided to detect the truck 20 when starting deceleration control, which will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 12, the section detection sensors 74 are provided near the start end S of the section 48 and near the end E of the section 48, respectively. More specifically, the conveyance device 10 is provided with, as the section detection sensors 74, a starting end sensor 74b provided near the starting end S of the section 48 and an end sensor 74a provided near the section 48. .

The section detection sensor 74 (sensor) detects passage of the cart 20 and detects whether the cart 20 stays within the section 48. More specifically, the section detection sensor 74 detects that the cart 20 has entered the section 48 (that the cart 20 is staying within the section 48) by detecting the cart 20 with the starting end sensor 74b. do. Furthermore, the section detection sensor 74 detects that the cart 20 has left the section 48 when the end sensor 74a detects the cart 20. The conveying device 10 also includes an air tube through which air is force-fed when the trolley 20 transfers between sections 48 (when moving from the upstream section 48 to the downstream section 48), as detected by the section detection sensor 74. 52 switching is performed.

Further, the conveyance device 10 executes reverse injection control, which will be described later, based on the detection of the cart 20 by the end sensor 74a under predetermined conditions (see FIG. 13). In other words, in the conveyance device 10 of the present embodiment, among the sensors (section detection sensors 74) for detecting that the cart 20 stays within the section 48, the terminal sensor 74a is connected to a plurality of sensors in one section 48. It is also used to perform reverse injection control to prevent the truck 20 from entering.

In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the start end sensor 74b and the end sensor 74a are provided in all sections 48, but the conveyance device of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and section detection is provided in some sections 48. A sensor 74 may also be provided. Further, in consideration of the configuration of the conveyance path of the conveyance device, etc., only the end sensor 74a or only the start sensor 74b may be provided as the section detection sensor 74.

A control device 80 is provided to control the operation of the air supply device 56. More specifically, the control device 80 is capable of performing deceleration control that decelerates the truck 20 by intermittently supplying air to the air tube 52, and reverse injection control that supplies air to the terminal end side air port 54a. ing.

As shown in FIG. 10, the control device 80 executes deceleration control based on the detection of the truck 20 by the deceleration start position detection sensor 72. The control device 80 of the conveyance device 10 of the present embodiment performs deceleration control to alternately (alternately) supply air to the pair of air tubes 52 to cause the trolley 20 to perform deceleration operation (deceleration traveling). The transport device 10 can decelerate the truck 20 while making it run smoothly by alternately and intermittently supplying air to the pair of air tubes 52 to decelerate the truck 20.

The control device 80 executes reverse injection control to suddenly stop the truck 20 near the end E of the section 48 based on predetermined conditions. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, when one section 48 among the plurality of sections 48 is set as section 48A and the section 48 adjacent to the downstream side of section 48A is set as section 48B, the control device 80 Based on detecting the stay of the truck 20 in the section 48B, reverse injection control can be executed to supply air to the terminal end side air port 54a of the section 48A. More specifically, the control device 80 executes reverse injection control based on detecting that the truck 20 stays in the section 48B and detecting the truck 20 by the end sensor 74a of the section 48A.

<About the operations performed by the transport device>
Next, an explanation will be given of the operation when the conveying device 10 conveys the object 6 (in this embodiment, the paint cartridge 6a).

First, in the paint filling area 2, the paint cartridge 6a is filled with a predetermined paint. The paint to be filled into the paint cartridge 6a can be determined based on the progress of the work of the painting robot 4 in the painting area 3, etc. A paint cartridge 6a filled with a predetermined paint is mounted on a cart 20. Further, the conveying device 10 supplies high-pressure air from the air supply device 56 to the air tube 52 to cause the cart 20 on which the paint cartridge 6 a is mounted to travel along the conveying path 41 .

<About the charge suppression function>
When the trolley 20 travels on the conveyance path 41, static electricity may be generated due to friction between the traveling roller 26 and the rail portion 46 or friction between the drive roller 28 and the air tube 52. Here, as described above, the conveyance device 10 is provided with the conductive portion 44, and the running roller 26 is made of conductive urethane rubber. In other words, in the transport device 10, the portion where the trolley 20 and the transport path 41 come into contact is grounded.

As a result, even if static electricity is generated due to friction or the like while the cart 20 is running, the transport device 10 can release the static electricity through the conductive part 44 (see FIG. 4) without providing a separate static electricity removal means (see FIG. 4), and ground the static electricity. can do. As a result, the transport device 10 can suitably transport the combustible transport object 6.

<About bogie positioning operation and deceleration operation>
The trolley 20 first moves from the paint filling area 2 toward the transfer device 5. The cart 20 stops at a position where the transfer device 5 is provided, and the paint cartridge 6a is transferred from the cart 20 to the transfer device 5. At the position where the transfer device 5 is provided, the stopper 62 is provided which comes into contact with the cart 20 and prevents the cart 20 from moving in the forward direction x1, as described above.

Here, as described above, in the transport device 10, the drive mechanism configured by the pair of air tubes 52 and the pair of drive rollers 28 allows the trolley 20 to travel at a sufficient speed (for example, 2 m/sec). can. On the other hand, if the cart 20 comes into contact with the stopper 62 while the speed is still high, the stopper 62 may be damaged.

In the conveyance device 10, deceleration control can be executed in order to suppress damage to the stopper 62. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, when the truck 20 reaches the deceleration start position P2 and the deceleration start position detection sensor 72 detects the truck 20, the control device 80 executes deceleration control.

To explain in more detail, as shown in FIG. 10, the control device 80 turns on the air supply operation of the air supply device 56 to the air tube 52 based on the deceleration start position detection sensor 72 detecting the truck 20. Intermittent supply is performed by repeatedly switching off and off at predetermined intervals. Further, the control device 80 is configured such that when the air supply to one air tube 52 is on, the other air tube 52 is turned off, and when the air supply to one air tube 52 is off, the other air tube 52 is turned on. Then, control is performed so that air is alternately supplied to the pair of air tubes 52.

When the deceleration control is executed, the bogie 20 that was traveling at a high speed (for example, 2 m/sec) when air was continuously supplied to both of the pair of air tubes 52 will no longer be supplied with air to the pair of air tubes 52. This results in intermittent supply, and the driving force of the drive roller 28 decreases. As a result, the truck 20 travels at a reduced speed. That is, as shown in FIG. 11(b), the trolley 20 is decelerated in the deceleration region R1 from the position where the deceleration start position detection sensor 72 is provided (deceleration start position P2) to the stop position P1 where the stopper 62 is provided. and drive.

As shown in FIG. 11(b), the truck 20 travels in a decelerated state and reaches the stop position P1. When the trolley 20 reaches the vicinity of the transfer device 5 in the painting area 3, a stopper is provided near the transfer device 5 and protrudes from the transport path 41 to prevent the trolley 20 from moving in the forward direction x1. The cart 20 comes into contact with 62 and stops. At this time, since the cart 20 contacts the stopper 62 in a sufficiently decelerated state, the impact on the stopper 62 can be reduced. As a result, the conveyance device 10 can suppress damage to the stopper 62.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, when performing deceleration control, the control device 80 performs intermittent supply while maintaining the air supply amount (maintaining the air supply amount). That is, the control for decelerating the truck 20 is performed by switching the supply of air on and off. Therefore, the conveying device 10 does not require a separate configuration for controlling the amount of air (such as a regulator for adjusting air pressure), and therefore, an increase in cost can be suppressed. Further, the control device 80 performs deceleration control so that air is alternately supplied from the pair of air tubes 52. Therefore, the trolley 20 can be decelerated while running smoothly. Further, in the conveyance device 10, by adjusting the ratio between the on time and the off time of air supply, control can be achieved so that the desired deceleration is achieved. That is, in the conveyance device 10, the pulse width and cycle of the on-time of air supply can be adjusted (duty ratio adjustment) to control the speed to a target speed.

When the trolley 20 stops at the stop position P1, the clamping portion 64 clamps the clamped portion 32 of the trolley 20 from both sides in the transport direction X, thereby making it possible to accurately position the trolley 20 at the stop position P1. After the trolley 20 stops at the stop position P1, the paint cartridge 6a is delivered to the transfer device 5. After the paint cartridge 6a is delivered, the stopper 62 is retracted from the travel path of the truck 20, and the empty truck 20 is driven to the paint filling area 2.

In this way, the transport device 10 can run the trolley 20 by using the air pressure of the air tube 52, without using a motor.

Note that the transport device 10 can run a plurality of carts 20 at the same time (see FIG. 1). Further, in this case, as described above, control is executed to prevent a plurality of carts 20 from entering one section 48 so that only one cart 20 is arranged in each section 48. .

<About the bogie stopping operation at the end of the section>
Next, the reverse injection control executed by the control device 80 will be explained.

As described above, the transport device 10 of this embodiment is provided with a plurality of sections 48. As shown in FIG. 12, a transfer section 47 is formed between sections 48.

As described above, in the conveyance device 10, air is supplied to the air tube 52, and the drive roller 28 is rotated by air pressure, thereby causing the cart 20 to travel. Since one air tube 52 (the area from the starting end S to the ending end E) forms one air flow path, one air tube 52 can only drive one drive roller 28 . In other words, only one truck 20 can run in one section 48, and it is necessary to prevent a plurality of trucks 20 from entering one section 48.

Here, as a measure to prevent a plurality of bogies 20 from entering one section 48, when the bogie 20 stays in a certain section 48 (section 48B), the previous section 48 (section 48A, rear section , upstream section), it is conceivable to stop the cart 20 near the starting end S, and after the cart 20 exits the section 48B, the cart 20 stopped in the section 48A is run and entered into the section 48B.

However, the distance traveled from the position where the cart 20 is stopped in the section 48A (near the starting point S of the section 48A) until it reaches the section 48B (the moving distance of the cart 20) is large, and it takes time to supply cartridges. . Therefore, in the transport device 10, the trolley 20 can be stopped near the terminal end E. Hereinafter, a description will be given of an operation of stopping the cart 20 near the end E of the section 48, which is performed to prevent a plurality of carts 20 from entering the section 48.

As shown in FIG. 14, when the bogie 20 is staying in a certain section 48 (section 48B), the control device 80 executes reverse injection control to prevent the bogie 20 from further entering the section 48B. . More specifically, the control device 80 operates based on the fact that the cart 20 is staying in the section 48B and that the end sensor 74a of the section 48A adjacent to the upstream side of the section 48B has detected the cart 20. executed.

The reverse injection control is performed by supplying air to the terminal end side air port 54a of the section 48A using the air supply device 56. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when the cart 20A (cart 20A) is traveling in the progressive direction x1 by supplying air from the starting end side air port 54b in order to move the cart 20 (cart 20A) forward. At this point, air is supplied from the terminal air port 54a while maintaining air supply from the starting air port 54b. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the drive roller 28 receives air pressure from both the downstream and upstream sides and stops rotating. Thereby, the transport device 10 can suddenly stop the cart 20A near the terminal end E (see FIG. 14).

Thereafter, the end sensor 74a of the section 48B and the start sensor 74b of the section 48 (section 48C shown in FIG. 12) adjacent to the downstream side of the section 48B detect the cart 20B, and the cart 20B leaves (evacuates) the section 48B. When this is detected, the air supply from the end E side of the section 48A is stopped (the stoppage of the bogie 20A is released), and the bogie 20A, which had been stopped near the end E, is made to run again (from the start end S of the section 48A). air is supplied from the side).

In this way, when the cart 20B stays in the section 48B, when another cart 20 (cart 20A) reaches near the end E of the section 48A, the conveyance device 10 moves the other cart 20A to the end E of the section 48A. Stop nearby. As a result, when the trolley 20A travels toward the next process (for example, painting area 3), the travel distance to the target position can be shortened. As a result, the conveying device 10 prevents a plurality of carts 20 from entering one section 48, and reduces the time for conveying the object 6 (in this embodiment, the paint cartridge 6a), thereby increasing efficiency. The object to be transported 6 can be transported.

Although the transport device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the transport device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

For example, although the conveyance device 10 according to the above-described embodiment shows an example in which a plurality of sections 48 are formed, the conveyance device of the present invention is not limited to this, and may include a single section. good.

Further, in the transport device 10 according to the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the paint cartridge 6a is the object to be transported 6, but the object to be transported by the transport device of the present invention is not limited to this. In addition to containers filled with combustible materials such as paint, the transport device of the present invention may transport other combustible materials. Furthermore, the object to be transported by the transport device of the present invention is not limited to combustible materials, and may be other objects. Note that, as described above, the conveying device of the present invention can run the cart without using a motor or the like, and therefore can be suitably used particularly when conveying objects that are likely to catch fire.

Furthermore, in the conveyance device 10 according to the above-described embodiment, the conveyance section 40 is formed in a loop shape, and the cart 20 is made to circulate in one direction. It may also be formed into an end-like shape so as to form two linear paths. Further, in the conveyance device of the present invention, the cart may be made to travel in one direction (for example, forward direction) or may be made to travel in a reciprocating manner.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention can be used suitably as a conveyance apparatus for conveying the conveyance target object.

6 Object to be transported 6a Paint cartridge 10 Transport device 20 Cart 26 Traveling roller 26a Traveling roller 26b Traveling roller 28 Drive roller (drive unit)
28a Drive roller (drive part)
28b Drive roller (drive part)
40 Conveyance section 41 Conveyance path 42 Conveyance section forming frame 44 Conductive section 46 Rail section 48 Section 48A Section 48B Section 50 Drive device 52 Air tube 52a Air tube 52b Air tube 54 Air port 54a Terminal side air port 54b Start side air port 56 Air supply device 62 Stopper 70 Detection device 72 Deceleration start position detection sensor 74 Section detection sensor 74a End sensor 74b Start end sensor 80 Control device E End P1 Stop position P2 Deceleration start position S Start end X Conveying direction

Claims (1)

A cart equipped with a drive unit driven by air pressure and loaded with objects to be transported;
a conveyance section comprising an air tube for driving the drive section with air pressure, forming a conveyance path for the trolley and having grounding means;
and an air supply device that supplies air to the air tube,
The trolley further includes an upper running roller and a lower running roller that are electrically conductive and are arranged opposite to each other in a vertical direction so as to sandwich the conveying section at a predetermined contact angle, and The upper side running roller and the lower side running roller are provided as a pair so as to face each other in a width direction intersecting the conveyance direction,
The upper traveling roller and the lower traveling roller provided in a pair in the vertical direction are arranged so as to form the contact angle larger than 0 degrees when viewed from the front from the conveying direction,
A conductive portion having electrical conductivity is continuously formed in a portion of the conveyance unit that contacts the traveling roller of the trolley,
A conveying device characterized in that the object to be conveyed and the traveling roller can be electrically connected and grounded.

Images