JPH0295525A - Assembly line - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make dust or the like hard to enter drive lines and at the same time, make construction easy, by providing drive lines which move trucks, and electricity feed lines which supply electricity to trucks, along a movement route on a floor surface. CONSTITUTION:Drive lines are provided directly on the floor surface of a factory, and electricity feed lines 20 and 22 are provided at a space between one side travel portion and the other side travel portion of drive chains 7 and fitted to a support frame 26. The support frame 26 extends in a perpendicular direction against a paper surface, and the electricity feed line 20 is provided on one side of the bottom portion of this support frame 26, and the other electricity feed line 22 is provided on the other side of its bottom portion. A fitting arm 28 is fitted at the upper end of the support frame 26 at an interval in the perpendicular direction against the paper surface. And both side portions of the fitting arm 28 extend to the upper parts of the travel portions of drive chains 6, and electric lights 30, 30 which lighten the upper parts over trucks 24 moving along an movement route, are fitted at the approximate center portion of each one end portion longitudinally.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Field The present invention relates to an assembly line for assembling copying machines and the like.

<Prior art and its disadvantages> For example, in an assembly line for a copying machine, a plurality of work carts are moved along an endless movement path from an assembly start area to a product delivery area through a plurality of assembly areas and adjustment areas. Ru.

In the assembly start area, the frame of the copying machine (the frame on which various parts are not attached) is placed on a trolley. While the truck is moved through each assembly area, various parts are attached to the frame body, and while the truck is moved through each adjustment area, various parts attached to the frame body are attached. Various adjustments are performed. When the cart is moved to the product delivery area in this manner, substantially all the components are assembled to the frame body on the cart, and adjustments to the various assembled parts are also completed.

In the product unloading area, the assembled copying machine as a product is unloaded from the trolley and packed in a packaging box as required.

In such an assembly line, a drive line extends through an assembly start area, an assembly area, an adjustment area, and a product discharge area in order to move the carriages as required, and each carriage is moved along such drive line. will be moved.

However, in conventional assembly lines, the drive line is installed in the shape of a groove within the factory floor, and therefore, there are problems that need to be resolved, such as dirt and the like easily entering the drive line and construction for the line not being easy. exists.

Furthermore, in the assembly line described above, a power supply line for supplying electricity to the carts moved along the drive line is also provided along the drive line.

However, conventionally, the power supply line has been installed on the ceiling of the factory, and therefore, the electric wire that electrically connects the power supply line on the ceiling and the trolley hangs downward, and this wire becomes an obstacle, making work difficult. There are problems that need to be solved, such as the difficulty of line-out.

<Object of the Invention> The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and its main purpose is to provide an excellent assembly line that eliminates the various problems mentioned above.

<Summary of the Invention> According to the present invention, in an assembly line in which an assembly truck is moved along a predetermined movement route and products are assembled while the truck is moving, a drive line for moving the truck and the truck are provided. An assembly line is provided, characterized in that a power supply line for supplying electricity to the assembly line is provided on the floor along the moving path.

<Specific examples of the invention> The present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Overview of the entire assembly line First, an overview of the entire assembly line will be described with reference to FIG.

The illustrated assembly line includes a pair of large pulleys 2 and 4 arranged at intervals in the left-right direction in FIG. 1, and an endless drive chain 6 wound around the pair of large pulleys 2 and 4. The drive chain 6 constituting the drive line has an assembly start area indicated by number 8, an assembly area indicated by number 10 (there are multiple assembly work positions along the drive chain 6 where assembly work is performed), and number 12. It extends back to the assembly start area 8 through an adjustment area (there are a plurality of adjustment work positions along the drive chain 6 for performing adjustment work) and a product unloading area 14 as shown in FIG. A drive mechanism 16 for moving the drive chain 6 is disposed near one of the large pulleys 2. Drive mechanism 16 is drivingly coupled to drive chain 6 and causes drive chain 6 to move in the direction indicated by arrow 18.

One running part of the drive chain 6 (the running part on the upper side in FIG. 1 and extending along the assembly start area 8 and the assembly area 10) and the other running part (the lower side in FIG. 1 and extending along the assembly start area 8 and the assembly area 10) Line power supply lines 20 and 22 are provided between the running portions extending along the area 12. The power supply line 20 on one side is for supplying electricity to the cart 24 (FIG. 2) moved by the one-side running section of the drive chain 6, and is provided along the inside of the one-side running section. The other side power supply line 22 is for supplying electricity to the cart 24 moved by the other side running section of the drive chain 6, and is provided along the inside of the other side running section.

Referring also to FIG. 2, in the specific example, the drive line is installed directly on the factory floor. Further, the power supply lines 20 and 22 are provided between the one-side running section and the other-side running section of the drive chino 6 and are attached to the support frame frame 26. The support frame 26 extends in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG.
A power supply line 20 is provided on the left side in the figure, and the other power supply line 22 is provided on the other surface at the bottom.

Attachment arms 28 (only one is shown in FIG. 2) are attached to the upper end of the support frame frame 26 at intervals in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. Mounting arm 2
One side of the drive chain 60 has a second
An electric light 30 that extends to the left in the figure and illuminates the upper part of the trolley 24 moving along the moving route is attached at approximately the center in the longitudinal direction of one end. Further, the other end of the mounting arm 28 extends to the right in FIG. 2 above the other running portion of the drive chain 6, and an electric light 30 is also attached to the substantially central portion of the other end in the longitudinal direction. There is.

In a specific example, the vehicle is provided with line-out power supply lines 32 and 3 on the outside of one side running portion and the other side running portion of the drive chain 6.
4 are arranged. The line-out power supply lines 32 and 34 are for supplying electricity to the carts 24 removed from the assembly line, and are installed on the ceiling of the factory in a specific example, and are spaced at a predetermined interval from the line-out power supply lines 20 and 22. and extend substantially parallel to each other.

An assembly line with such an arrangement has the following characteristics.

First, since the drive line is provided on the floor, installation of the drive line is easy and construction costs are low, and there is less dirt entering the interior than in the past. Second, since the power supply lines 20 and 22 are also disposed close to and above the floor surface, the electric wires do not hang down as in the conventional case, and work efficiency is improved. Thirdly, since the power supply lines 20 and 22 are arranged inside the long and thin loop-shaped drive line, the space occupied by the assembly line is relatively small and the floor space of the factory can be used effectively. .

Furthermore, as can be understood from FIG. 2, the drive line and the power supply lines 20 and 22 are arranged inside the movement path of the trolley 24, and the work area for the worker exists outside the movement path, so that work efficiency is improved. Not only does this provide good performance, but it also ensures sufficient safety during work.

Drive Mechanism Next, the drive mechanism 16 will be explained with reference to FIG. 3 as well as FIG. Mainly referring to FIG. 3, small pulleys 42 and 44 are rotatably mounted on a frame 36 fixed to the floor of a factory via shafts 38 and 40. Further, an electric motor 48 functioning as a driving means is attached to a rectangular plate 46 attached to the frame body 36, and an output pulley 50 is attached to the output shaft of this electric motor 48. A pair of support brackets 52 (only one is shown in FIG. 3) is fixed to the plate 46, and a rotating shaft 58 to which a driven pulley 54 and a driving pulley 56 are fixed is rotatably attached to the support brackets 52. ing. Output pulley 50 and driven pulley 54
are drivingly connected via an endless V-belt 60.

Further, a pair of frame portions 62 and 64 of the frame body 36
A support block 66 is mounted in between so as to be movable in the left-right direction in FIG. 3, and a tension adjustment pulley 70 is rotatably mounted on this support block 66 via a shaft 68.

An adjustment screw 74 is provided on the connecting frame portion 72 of the frame body 36.
The head of the adjusting screw 74 is stopped, and the male threaded portion of the adjusting screw 74 is screwed into the support block 66 through the hole in the connecting frame portion 72. The drive chain 6 is wound as follows. That is, the other running portion extending from the large pulley 4 to the right in FIGS. 1 and 3 is wound around the small pulley 42 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3, and then extends toward the drive pulley 56. is wound clockwise in Figure 3,
Thereafter, a third
It is wound clockwise in the figure, further extends toward the small pulley 44, is wound around it counterclockwise in FIG. 3, and then wrapped around the large pulley 2. With this configuration, when the electric motor 48 is energized, the output pulley 50 is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow 76 (FIG. 3), and the driven pulley 54 and the drive pulley 56 are also rotated via the V-belt 60. It is rotated in the direction shown by arrow 76 and thus the chain 6 is moved in the direction shown by arrow 18. Further, when the adjusting screw 74 is rotated in a predetermined direction (opposite to the predetermined direction), the support block 66 is moved as shown by the arrow 78 (or 80 in FIG. 3).
The chain 6 is moved in the direction shown by , thus making it possible to strengthen (or weaken) the tension of the chain 6.

Note that safety plates 82 and 84 are provided on the outside of the large pulleys 2 and 4 for safety with respect to the cart 24 that moves along the periphery of the large pulleys 2 and 4.

The assembly trolley 24, which is moved by the drive chain 6, will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, mainly FIGS. Equipped with The truck body 86 includes a lower frame 90 comprised of four relatively low side walls 88 (three side walls are shown in FIG. 6). A projecting wall 92 that projects forward (lower right in FIG. 6) is provided at the front end of the lower frame 90. Incidentally, in FIG. 6, the bumper member and its related elements, which will be described later, are omitted. In the specific example, caster mounting portions 94 (only one side is shown in FIG. 6) projecting on both sides are further provided on both sides of the lower frame 90, and each caster mounting portion 94 is provided with caster mounting portions 94 spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. Two casters 96 are mounted and attached. The four casters 96 disposed at the four corners of the trolley body 86 are swivel casters that are rotatable around an axis extending in the vertical direction and have rotatable rollers 96.

A rectangular lifting platform 102 is attached to the trolley body 86 via a lift mechanism 100 so as to be movable in the vertical direction.

The illustrated lift mechanism 100 includes a pair of outer arms 104 and an inner side of the outer arm 104, which are spaced apart in the lateral direction (perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 5, from the lower left to the upper right in FIG. 6). A pair of inner arms 10 arranged
6 (only one is shown in both FIGS. 5 and 6). The axial center portions of the pair of outer arms 104 and the pair of inner arms 106 are rotatably connected via a shaft member 108 . Such a pair of outer arms 1
The lower end portions of 04 are connected to the truck body 8 via pins 110, respectively.
6 (i.e., the front end of the side wall 88), and their upper ends are connected to each other by an upper connecting shaft (not shown), which is connected to the rear of the lifting platform 102. It is mounted so that it can turn freely and move freely in the front and rear directions. Further, the upper ends of the pair of inner arms 106 are each rotatably connected to the front end of the platform 102 via pins 112, and the lower ends thereof are connected to the rear of the trolley body 86 (i.e., the rear inner surface of the side wall 88). ) is attached so that it can rotate freely and move freely in the front and rear directions. In a specific example, a lifting platform 1 is provided between a pair of outer arms 104 and a pair of inner arms 106.
A hydraulic cylinder mechanism 114 is interposed to move the 02 up and down. A lower connecting plate 116 is fixed between the lower ends of the pair of outer arms 104, and a cylinder body 120 of the hydraulic cylinder mechanism 114 is rotatably connected to a bracket 118 provided on the lower connecting plate 111 via a pin. .

In addition, the intermediate portion of the pair of inner arms 106 (shaft member 108
An intermediate connecting plate 122 is fixed to a portion (slightly above the device portion of
Fourteen output lots 124 are rotatably connected.

The above-described lift mechanism 100 may be a hydraulic table lift mechanism that is well known per se (for example, one commercially available from Nagoya Kiko Co., Ltd. under the trade name Scissor Lift Mechanism). With this configuration, the hydraulic cylinder mechanism 10
0 is extended, the distance between the upper ends of the pair of outer arms 104 and the upper ends of the pair of inner arms 106 increases (
As a result, the upper ends of the pair of outer arms 104 and the lower ends of the pair of inner arms 106 are moved inward),
In this way, the lifting platform 102 is raised relative to the truck body 86.

On the other hand, when the hydraulic cylinder mechanism 114 is contracted, the distance between the lower ends of the pair of outer arms 104 and the upper ends of the pair of inner arms 106 becomes smaller (thereby, the upper ends of the pair of outer arms 104 and the pair of inner arms 106 are reduced). (the lower end of the inner arm 106 of is moved outward), and the lifting platform 102 is thus lowered relative to the truck body 86. Such a lifting platform 102 is
As shown in FIG. 5, it is movable up and down between the lowest position shown by the solid line and the highest position shown by the two-dot chain line, and can be positioned at any position between these two positions.

In the specific example, the elevating table 102 is further configured as follows. That is, the lift mechanism 100
6, and both caster mounting portions 94
placed in between. Further, the lifting platform 102 is also arranged between both caster mounting portions 94. Therefore, even if the hydraulic cylinder mechanism 114 is contracted and the lifting platform 102 is lowered, the lifting platform 102 will not be installed on the caster attachment part 94, and the lowest position of the lifting platform 102 will be lowered, that is, the lowermost position of the lifting platform 102 will be lowered. (close to the surface).

A work table 126 is provided on the upper surface of the lifting platform 102. The work table 126 has a rectangular shape, and the lifting platform 1
It is somewhat larger than 02, and is arranged eccentrically on the lower side in FIG. This work table 126 is attached to the lifting platform 102 as shown in FIGS. 7 to 9. That is, a rectangular upper plate 128 is provided on the upper surface of the lifting platform 102.
is fixed, and a support shaft 130 is fixed to the center of the upper plate 128 by means such as welding. The support shaft 130 extends substantially vertically upward from the upper plate 128, and its tip has a somewhat smaller diameter than the rest of the shaft. On the other hand, a rectangular lower plate 132 is fixed to the lower surface of the work table 126, and a cylindrical member 138 and a support plate 140 are attached to this lower plate 132 by bolts 134 and 136. A cylindrical member 138 is rotatably supported by the small diameter portion of the support shaft 130 via a bearing member 142. In the specific example, support rollers 144 are interposed between the work table 126 and the lifting platform 102 so that the work table 126 can smoothly rotate. Six L-shaped brackets 146 are mounted on the upper plate 128 of the lifting platform 102 at substantially 60 degree intervals.
are fixed, and support rollers 144 are rotatably mounted on the upright portions of these brackets 146, respectively. These support rollers 144 act on the lower surface of the lower plate 132 of the work table 126 and support the work table 126 as required. Further, in the specific example, a positioning mechanism is provided for positioning the work table 126 at a position rotated by 90 degrees. The illustrated positioning mechanism includes a roller 148 and a positioning member 150 that defines a recess that releasably receives the roller 148. A bracket 152 is attached to a predetermined portion of the upper plate 1280 of the lifting table 102, an arm 154 is rotatably attached to the bracket 152, and a roller 148 is rotatably attached to the tip of the arm 154.

On the other hand, four brackets 156 are attached to the lower plate 132 of the work table 126 at substantially equal intervals of 90 degrees, and a member 150 is fixed to each of these brackets 156 at a respective position.

Therefore, the four rollers 148 are positioned by being received in one of the recesses of the member 150, so that the work table 126 is positioned at rotated positions at 90 degree intervals (for example, the position shown in FIG. 7 as one position). It will be done. It is preferable to dispose a biasing spring 158 between the arm 154 and the bracket 152 to bias the roller 148 toward the positioning member 150. Work table 1 thus installed
As shown in FIG. 8, a frame body 160 of a copying machine, for example, is placed on the upper surface of the frame 26 as required.

In the above-mentioned truck 2, an operation unit indicated by the number 162 is attached to the front end of the lifting platform 102, and an operation panel 164 is disposed on the upper surface of the operation unit 162.

The operation panel 164 is provided with a rise switch 166, a stop switch 168, a fall switch 170, a main switch 172 that also serves as a frequency changeover, a voltage changeover switch 174, and an electrical outlet 176. rise switch 1
66 is for raising the lifting table 102, a stop switch 168 is for stopping the lifting table 102, and a lowering switch 170 is for lifting the lifting table 102.
This is for lowering the 02.

The main switch 172 is an electrical outlet provided on the work table 126) 178 (In the specific example, two electrical outlets 178 are provided, one is supplied with a 200V current, and the other is supplied with a 100V current. This function is used to supply and stop the current supply to the outlets 178 (supplied) and to switch the frequency of the current supplied to these outlets 178.

This main switch 172 stops supplying current when it is in the neutral position, and stops supplying current at 60Hz when it is in the first working position.
, and when in the second working position it supplies a current of 50 Hz. The voltage changeover switch 174 is for switching the voltage supplied to the electrical outlet 178, and in a specific example, it is 100V, 110V, 120V, and 200V.
You can select one from six types: V, 220V, and 240V (100V, 110V, and 12V).
A current of 0V is supplied to one of the outlets 178,
200V, 220V and 240V (7) iE current upstream is supplied to the other outlet 178). Further, the electrical outlet 176 is a power outlet for jigs and tools used during assembly work or adjustment work, and for example, 1
A current of 00V is supplied.

Note that the outlet 178 is preferably provided on the side surface of the work table 126, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. With this configuration, the outlet 178 does not protrude beyond the top surface of the work table 126. This can improve workability. The outlet 178 is connected to the work table 126 during adjustment work, etc.
Electrical cord (not shown) of the upper frame body 160 (similar to a completed copying machine with various parts assembled)
are electrically connected.

In the specific example, the front side of the work table 126 (sixth
A pair of terminal screws 180 are provided on the lower right surface in the figure. For example, one end of the electrical cord of the copying machine on the work table 126 (the cord is not provided with an electrical connection terminal and the electric wire is exposed at one end) is connected to the terminal screw 180 electrically. Connected. terminal screw 180
As shown in FIG. 6, it is preferable to dispose it in a recess formed in a part of the work table 126 so that its tip does not protrude from the front side surface.

The truck body 86 is further provided with a current collecting means 182 (FIG. 4) that is electrically connected to the power supply lines 20 and 22. The electrical connection between the power supply lines 20 and 22 and the current collecting means 182 will be described later. Referring to FIG. 4, current collecting means 182 is fed to connection terminal 184 via an electrical cord (partially shown in FIG. 4). Connection terminal 18
The other connection terminal 186 releasably connected to the surface connection terminal 184 and 18 is for supplying current to the operation unit 162 etc. provided on the lifting platform 102.
6 is electrically connected as shown, the power supply line 20
(or 22) is sent to the operating unit 162, etc. In the illustrated example, connecting terminals 184 and 186 are interposed between the current collecting means 182 and the operating unit 162, etc., but this is because when the trolley 24 is removed from the drive line, the connecting terminal 186 is connected to the connecting terminal 184. This is to remove it and electrically connect it to the line-out power supply line 32 (or 34) (Fig. 1). When the connecting terminal 186 is electrically connected to the power supply line 32 (or 34), the connecting terminal 184 is not electrically connected, and therefore, the current from the truck body 86 side does not flow to the current collecting means 182. This ensures safety on the work surface.

A power supply means 188 shown in FIG. 9 is disposed between the lifting platform 102 and the work table 126.

That is, a terminal attachment member 190 is mounted on the upper plate 128 of the lifting table 102, and three power supply terminals 192 are attached to this terminal attachment member 190 at intervals in the vertical direction. .

In addition, the support plate attached to the work table 126) 1
An annular insulating member 196 is attached to the peripheral edge of the insulating member 196 by mounting screws 194, and three annular current collecting rails 198 are arranged on the circumferential surface of the insulating member 196 at intervals in the vertical direction. Each power supply terminal 192 is electrically connected to a corresponding current collection rail 198. In a specific example, for example, 200V system (200, 220 and 240V) (
7) Current is supplied using the highest and middle power supply terminals 192, and 100V (100, 110 and !20V) current is supplied using the middle and lowest power supply terminals 192. There is. The current supplied from the power supply terminal 192 is applied to the voltage selector switch 1 provided on the operation panel 164.
74 (FIG. 6), and the current flowing through the power supply terminal 192 and the current collection rail 198 is connected to the electric outlet (1) provided on the work table 126.
78 and terminal screw 180.

In the work cart 24 having such a configuration, the work table 1
26 can be raised by pressing the raising switch 166. As a result, the hydraulic motor (not shown) is energized and the switching valve (not shown) is switched from the neutral position to the first working position, and the pressure oil from the hydraulic motor is transferred to the cylinder side of the hydraulic cylinder mechanism 114. (extension side), and the pressure oil on the rod side (contraction side) is returned to the oil reservoir (not shown), thus extending the hydraulic cylinder mechanism 114. When thus extended, the pair of inner arms 106
The work table 126 is pivoted counterclockwise in the figure (thereby causing the pair of outer arms 104 to pivot clockwise in FIG.
0, it is raised as required together with the lifting platform 102.

To stop the work table 126 from rising, the stop switch 168 may be pressed. As a result, the hydraulic motor (not shown) is deenergized, the supply of pressure oil is stopped, and the switching valve (not shown) is placed in the neutral position, so that the cylinder side and rod side of the hydraulic cylinder mechanism 114 are connected to the hydraulic pressure. Communication with the motor and oil sump is cut off, thus holding the hydraulic cylinder mechanism 114 in an extended position and allowing the work table 126
is held in a raised position.

On the other hand, in order to lower the work table 126, the lowering switch 170 may be pressed. From the viewpoint of work safety, it is desirable that the work table 126 is lowered only when the lower switch 170 is pressed, unlike when it is raised.

When the lowering switch 170 is thus pressed, the switching valve (not shown) is placed in the second operating position and the hydraulic cylinder mechanism 114 is
The cylinder side of the hydraulic cylinder mechanism 114 is connected to an oil reservoir (not shown), and thus the hydraulic cylinder mechanism 114 is contracted by the weight of the lifting platform 102, the work table 126, etc. This retraction causes the pair of inner arms 106 to pivot clockwise in FIG. 5 (thereby causing the pair of outer arms 104 to pivot counterclockwise in FIG. is lowered together with the lifting platform 102 as required. Note that in order to stop the descending of the work table 126, press the descending switch 1.
It is only necessary to release the pressure on 70, and when the pressure is released, the switching valve (not shown) is positioned at the neutral position.

The truck 24 described above has the following features.

That is, various operation switches 166, 168, 170°1
72 and 174 (in addition to these, electrical outlets) 17
6) is installed on the lifting platform 10.
Therefore, when the work table 126 is moved up and down, the operating unit 162 is also moved up and down together with it. Therefore, when the work table 126 is raised to facilitate the work, the operation unit 162 is also raised.
Thus, during work, various switches 1 of the operation unit 162
66 etc. can be easily operated. Further, since the operation unit 162 is provided on the lifting platform 102, the work table 126 can be moved along the arrows 200 or 202 during assembly work, etc.
Even if the work table 126 is rotated in the direction shown by 02,
is only rotated relative to the lifting platform 102 and the operating unit 162, and thus the various sketches 166
etc., the operability will not deteriorate.

In the specific example, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.
02), it is arranged downward in FIGS. 4 and 7, that is, somewhat eccentrically toward the outside of the assembly line. As can be understood from FIG.
The work such as assembly and adjustment is performed on the frame body 160 (FIG. 8) which is located on the lower side in the figure and placed on the trolley 24. Therefore, by arranging the work table 126 in this way, , workability can be further improved.

Drive chain and truck connection mode The drive chain 6 and truck 24 are releasably connected as follows.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the drive chain 6 is connected to the guide means 20.
4. Figures 12, 14 and 15
Referring also to the figure, the illustrated guide means 204 includes a base plate 206 and a base plate 206 fixed to the factory floor.
It has a pair of guide members 208 and 210 fixed to the upper surface of.

The guide members 208 and 210 include chain guide portions 212 and 214 extending substantially vertically upward from the upper surface of the base plate 206, and roller guide portions 216 and 218 provided at the upper ends of the chain guide portions 212 and 214. A guide groove with an open top is defined.

The drive chain 6 is located between and moved along the pair of guide members 208 and 210.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 together with FIG. 14, the illustrated drive chain 6 is constructed by alternately connecting a pair of inner link plates 220 and a pair of outer link plates 222. A pair of inner link plates 220 and a pair of outer link plates 222 that are adjacent to each other are rotatably connected via a bin 224, and a bin 224 is fitted between the pair of inner link plates 220, and a roller 226 is rotatably mounted.

Further, a plurality of specific pairs of outer link plates 222
Engagement pawls 228 and support rollers 230 are provided on the outer link plates (for example, every five outer link plates). That is,
An engaging pawl 228 projecting upward is fixed to one of the upper sides of the pair of outer link plates 222 by means such as welding.

The drive chain 6 is moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 18 (FIG. 1, FIG. 1O), and the engaging pawl 22
An arcuate recess 232 is formed on the front surface of the holder 8 in the moving direction (FIG. 11). The recess 232 corresponds to the peripheral surface shape of a connecting bottle, which will be described later, and acts to engage the connecting bottle and push it in the direction indicated by the arrow 18. Furthermore, a mounting block piece 234 that protrudes downward is fixed to the other of the pair of outer link plates 222 located on the lower side by means such as welding.
A support roller 230 is rotatably mounted via 6. In such a drive chain 6, when the drive chain 6 moves between the guide members 208 and 210 as shown in FIG. 2
30 moves in contact with the upper surface of the base plate 206.

The truck 24 and the drive chain 6 are drivingly connected as follows. Referring to FIGS. 12 to 14, in the specific example, a revolving body designated by the number 238 is provided at the front end of the truck 240 and the truck body 86. The revolving body 238 includes a pair of main body plates 240 and 24 arranged at intervals in the vertical direction.
2, and an arm 244 disposed between a pair of main body plates 240 and 242. A pair of main body plates 2
Between one end of 40 and 242 is a block piece (not shown).
is fixed. On the other hand, a mounting bracket 246 is fixed to the left front end (the upper right end in FIGS. 4 and 12) of the main body 86, and the mounting bracket 246 is fixed to the front left end (the upper right end in FIGS. A pair of bracket pieces 248 are provided at intervals in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in the figure, and in the left-right direction in FIG. A block piece (not shown) is rotatably mounted thereon.

The arm 244 also has a pair of main body plates 240 and 2.
42 via a vertically extending bin 252, it is rotatably connected to the longitudinally intermediate portion of 42.

As clearly shown in FIG. 14, the arm 244 includes a horizontal base 254 extending generally horizontally from the body plates 240 and 242, a vertical intermediate portion 256 extending generally vertically upward from one end of the horizontal base 254, and a vertical intermediate portion 8256 extending from the upper end of the vertical intermediate portion 8256. It has a horizontal tip 258 that extends substantially horizontally, and a guided roller 264 and a connecting pin 266 are attached to the horizontal tip 258 by bolts 260 and nuts 262.

The guided roller 264 is rotatably mounted on the lower surface of the horizontal tip 258 via a spacer 268, and is attached to the connecting pin 26.
6 is disposed below the guided roller 264 and protrudes downward. The guided rollers 264 are disposed corresponding to the roller guide portions 216 and 218 in the guide means 204, and are guided by the inner surfaces of the roller guides a'ls 216 and 218 to move. Further, the connecting pin 266 can engage with a plurality of engaging claws 228 provided on the drive chain 6, and can be driven by the drive chain 6 by releasably engaging with any of these engaging claws 228. Concatenated.

Buffer means 270 and 2 are provided on the front and rear sides of the arm 244.
72 are arranged. In the specific example, a rectangular protruding piece 274 is integrally provided in the middle part of the arm 244, one buffer means 270 is disposed on the front side of this protruding piece 274, and the other buffer means 272 is disposed on the rear side. is installed. The buffering means 270 is composed of a well-known cylinder-type shock absorber, and includes a pair of main body plates 2.
Mounting plate 2 installed between the other ends of 40 and 242
It is attached to 76. This buffering means 270 is designed to protect the protruding piece 244 from impact when an impact in the direction shown by an arrow 278 (FIG. 12) is applied to the arm 244, such as when starting the truck 24.
74 to buffer the impact. The other buffer means 272 is made of a rubber member that can be made of synthetic rubber, for example, and is attached to a mounting member 280 attached to the upper surface of one end of the main body plate 242. This buffering means 272 prevents the protruding piece 27 from acting on the arm 244 when an impact in the direction indicated by the arrow 282 (FIG. 12) acts on the arm 244.
4 to buffer the impact. A hanging piece 284 that hangs down is fixed to the vertical middle n256 of the arm 244, and a roller 288 is rotatably attached to the lower end of the hanging piece 284 via a short shaft 286.

The above-described revolving body 238 is shown in FIG. 4 centered around a shaft member 250 that extends in the width direction (that is, a direction substantially perpendicular to the guide groove of the guide means 204).

It is pivotable between the connected position shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 (also the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 13) and the released position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. At the above connection position,
Connecting pin 26 provided on arm 244 of rotating body 238
6 is located in the guide groove of the guide means 204 and protrudes into the moving path of the engaging pawl 228 of the drive chain 6.
By this movement, the engaging claw 228 and the connecting pin 266 are releasably engaged. Further, in this connected position, the guided roller 264 is connected to the roller guide portion 21 of the guide means 204.
6 and 218.

On the other hand, when the revolving body 238 is brought to the release position, the guided roller 264 and the connecting pin 266 move upward, and the connecting pin 266 retreats from the movement path of the engaging pawl 228 of the drive chain 6 and engages with the connecting pin 266. The engagement of the matching claws 228 is released. Note that at this time, the guided roller 264 is connected to the guiding means 20.
The roller guide part 216 does not completely come off from the guide groove 4.
and 218, and the carriage 24 will not move off the drive line. In an embodiment, the rotating body 238 can be further pivoted beyond the release position to a disengagement position (not shown) in the top half indicated by arrow 290 (FIG. 13). In this detached position, both the guided roller 264 and the connecting bin 266 provided on the revolving body 238 detach from the guide groove of the guide means 204.

In the specific example, a connection position holding means 292 for holding the rotating body 238 in the connection position is also provided.

Referring mainly to FIG. 13, the illustrated connection position holding means 292 includes a first holding means 294 disposed on the outside and a second holding means 296 disposed on the inside. A support plate 298 is attached to the front end of the truck body 86, and a mounting block piece 300 is attached to the support plate 298.
is fixed, and the first holding means 294 and the second holding means 296 are attached to the mounting block piece 300. The first holding means 294 has a screw shaft 302 screwed onto the mounting block piece 300 so that the height can be adjusted freely, and a locking nut 304 is screwed onto the screw shaft 302.
A coil spring 306 is interposed between the locking nut 304 and the main body plate 240 of the rotating body 238 by fitting the tip end thereof. Therefore, by changing the position of the locking nut 304, the biasing force of the coil spring 306 acting on the rotating body 238 can be adjusted. Note that the nut 308 is for fixing. Further, the second holding means 296 includes a screw shaft 31 screwed onto the mounting block piece 300 so as to be height adjustable.
0, and a rubber member 312 that can be made of synthetic rubber, for example, is provided at the tip of this screw shaft 310.

Note that the nut 314 is also for fixing. The first holding means 294 (particularly the coil spring 306) and the second holding means 296 (particularly the rubber member 312) are connected to the rotating body 23.
8, and as understood from FIG. 13, the first
The holding means 294 mainly functions as a buffer, and the second holding means 296 mainly functions as a positioning means for holding the rotating body 238 in the connected position. Further, as can be easily understood, when the rotating body 238 swings downward toward the connected position and contacts the first holding means 294 and the second holding means 296, the impact caused by this contact is caused by the coil spring. 306 and the rubber member 312.

In the specific example, a guided means 316 is also provided at the rear end of the cart body 8G so that the cart 24 is reliably moved along the guide groove of the guide means 204.

With reference to FIG. 15 together with FIG. 4, the illustrated guided means 3
1G is the first member 3 attached to the rear end of the truck body 86
18 and a second member 322 attached to the distal end of the first member 318 so as to be pivotable about an axis extending in the front-rear direction via a bottle 320. A plate piece 324 is fixed to the lower surface of the distal end of the first member 318, and this plate piece 324 extends to the base of the second member 322.

Further, a substantially triangular contact piece 326 is fixed to the upper surface of the base of the second member 322. Furthermore, the second member 322
A guided roller 334 is rotatably attached to the tip of the roller 334 via a spacer 332 by a bolt 328 and a nut 330. With this structure, when the second member 322 is pivoted clockwise as indicated by the arrow 336 to the operating position indicated by the solid line in FIG. Member 322
is held in the working position. In this operating position, the second member 322 extends substantially horizontally following the first member 318, and has a guided roller 33 provided at its tip.
4 is located between the roller guide portions 216 and 218 of the guide means 204 (at this time, the guided roller 334 is located above the engaging claw 228 provided on the drive chain 6 and is not engaged with the engaging claw 228). ). On the other hand, when the second member 322 is rotated counterclockwise as indicated by the arrow 338 to the release position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG.
abuts the upper surface of the first member 318, and thus the second member 322 is held in the detached position. In such a disengaged position, the second member 322 extends slanted inwardly;
The guided roller 334 provided at the tip of the guide means 20
It is separated from the guide groove No. 4. Note that since the guided means 316 is disposed at the rear end of the trolley body 86 (particularly at the rear end at the side opposite to the lower side in FIG. 4 where the operator is located), It is not easy for a person to directly rotate the second member 322 and position it at the working position or the disengaging position.Therefore, it is difficult for a person to directly rotate the second member 322 and position it at the above-mentioned operating position or the above-mentioned disengagement position. second
Preferably, the member 322 is in the operative position or the disengaged position.

Power supply style of power supply line and trolley The power supply style of power supply line 20 (or 22) and trolley 24 will be explained.

Referring to FIG. 16rlA and FIG. 17 together with FIG. 4, the power supply line 20 (or 22) extends along the drive line in the left-right direction in FIG. The power supply rail 340 extends in a direction (direction). The power supply rail 340 includes an elongated support rail 342, and a recess 344 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed on the right side of the support rail 342 in FIG. 17.

An insulating member 346, which can be made of synthetic resin, for example, is arranged in the recess 344 of the support rail 342. The right side of the insulating member 346 in FIG. 17 has four grooves 348a, 348b, spaced apart in the vertical direction.
348c and 348d are formed, and these grooves 348
a, 348b.

Terminal rail 35 at the bottom of each of 348C and 348d
oa, 350b, 350c and 350d are arranged. These terminal rails 350a.

350b, 350c, and 350d are exposed on the right side of the power supply rail 340 in FIG. 17, and extend linearly in the longitudinal direction thereof. This power supply rail 340 is connected to the guide means 204
For example, it can be installed at a height of about 20 to 50 cm from the floor.

The power supply rail 340 is covered by a cover member 352. The illustrated cover member 352 has a U-shaped cross section and includes a cover body 354, an upper cover 356, and a lower cover 358. The cover body 354 is the power supply rail 3
The support rail 3 is disposed on the left side in FIG.
42 is attached to the inner surface of the cover body 354 with bolts and nuts. The upper cover 356 is disposed somewhat above the power supply rail 340 and extends substantially horizontally from the upper end of the cover body 354 to the right in FIG. 17. Further, the lower cover 358 is disposed below the power supply rail 340, and extends substantially horizontally from the lower end of the cover body 354 to the right in FIG. 17. This lower cover 358 also acts as a support member, as will be explained later. This cover member 352 is attached to the power supply rail 3 as shown in FIG.
40, and covers the upper, left and lower parts of the terminal rail 350a.
, 350b, 350c and 350d are cover members 352
It is exposed to the outside through the open right side. still,
In the specific example, the terminal rails 350a and 350b disposed in the grooves 348a and 348b are for a frequency of 60 Hz, and a current with a voltage of 200V is supplied from the terminal rails 350a and 350b, and the terminal rails 350a and 350b disposed in the grooves 348c and 348d are installed terminal rails 350c and 350
d is for a frequency of 50 Hz, and a current with a voltage of 200 V is supplied from these terminal rails 350c and 350d.

The current collecting means 182 provided on the trolley 24 is connected to the main arm 360
It is equipped with The main arm 360 includes a first arm 362 connected to the upper side of the truck body 86 in FIG. 4 (specifically, the portion between the arm 244 and the guided means 318);
An arrow 366 is connected to the tip of the first arm 362 via a pin 364 (constituting a pivot axis extending in the vertical direction).
and 368, which are connected to each other so as to be pivotable in the front-rear direction.
(Fig. 16).

In the specific example, the lower surface of the tip of the first arm 362 has a second
A support plate piece 372 that protrudes toward the base of the arm 370 is fixed to the support plate piece 372.
Through holes 374 are formed. 1 of the through holes 374
One is for connection, the other one is for sakuwa q lock, and the other one is for locking the storage position. Connection pieces 376 protruding from both sides are also fixed to both sides of the tip end of the first arm 362, and the 16th
In the figure, a hole is formed at the left end. Furthermore, the second
Connecting pieces 378 projecting on both sides are fixed to both sides of the base of the arm 370, and a hole is also formed at the right end of the connecting piece 378 in FIG. Pin 364 is the first
It is attached through a hole in one connecting piece 376 of the second arm 362, a hole in one connecting piece 378 of the second arm 370, and a connecting through hole 374 in the support plate piece 372.

With this configuration, the second arm 370 is
When the first arm 362 is pivoted forward to the operating position shown by the solid line in FIG.
The hole 78 and the working position locking through hole 374 of the support plate piece 372 are vertically aligned, and by removably mounting the locking pin 380 through these holes, the second arm 370 is released to the working position. locked at will. In such an operative position, second arm 370 extends substantially horizontally toward feed rail 340 . On the other hand, when the second arm 370 is moved backward as indicated by the arrow 366 to the storage position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Position lock through hole 37
4 are vertically aligned, and the second arm 370 can be releasably moved to the storage position by releasably mounting the locking pin 380 (using a locking pin that locks in the working position) through these holes. locked. In this storage position, the second arm 370 extends rearwardly along one side of the truck body 86.

A plurality of sets (four sets are provided in the specific example, and only one set is shown in FIG. 16) of current collecting arms 382 and 384 are arranged at the distal end of the main arm 360, that is, the distal end of the second arm 370. It is set up. The plurality of sets of current collecting arms 382 and 384 are connected to each terminal rail 35 in the power supply rail 340.
0a, 350b, 350c, and 350d, each set of current collecting arms 382 is arranged at intervals in the vertical direction.
and 384 are attached via pins to an arm attachment member 386 fixed to the upper surface of the distal end of the second arm 370 so as to be able to pivot in directions toward and away from the power supply rail 340. A current collecting terminal 388 is rotatably attached to the other ends of the current collecting arms 382 and 384 via a pin. The current collecting terminal 388 includes a terminal support portion 390 formed of an insulating material and a terminal portion 39 attached to the terminal support portion 390.
2, and this terminal support portion 390 is connected to current collecting arms 382 and 384. In the specific example, the 16th
As shown, the current collecting arms 382 and 384 and the terminal support 390 form a parallel linkage such that the terminal portion 392 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the feed rail 340 and oriented toward and away from the feed rail 340. will be moved to In the specific example, a coil spring 394 (a first
Figure 6) is interposed. Coil spring 394 biases current collecting arms 382 and 384 clockwise in FIG.
50a (350b, 350c, or 350d) substantially perpendicularly and elastically pressed.

A roller 396 is further provided at the tip of the second arm 370 (FIG. 17). In a specific example, a hanging piece 398 is provided at the tip of the second arm 370, and a roller 396 is rotatably attached to the hanging piece 398 via a short shaft 400. As shown in FIG. 17, this roller 396 moves while being supported by the upper surface, that is, the supporting surface, of the lower cover 358, which also functions as a supporting member, when the second arm 370 is in the operating position. As shown in FIG. 17, the right side of the lower cover 358 in FIG. 17 is provided with a sloped portion 358a that slopes downward to the right. The inclined portion 358a functions to guide the roller 396 to the horizontal upper surface (i.e., the supporting surface) of the lower cover 358.

Mainly referring to FIG. 17, in order to connect the trolley 24 removed outside the assembly line to the line and electrically connect the current collecting means 182 and the power supply rail 340, the following operations may be performed. .

First, the trolley 24 is moved in a direction approaching the power supply rail 340, that is, upward in FIG. 4, and positioned in a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the guide means 204. In order to facilitate this positioning, a positioning piece (
(not shown) is preferably provided on the truck body 86.

Next, the second arm 370 is pivoted forward as indicated by the arrow 368 and positioned in the operating position indicated by the solid line in FIG. drive connection to the drive chain 6 (such drive connection includes the connection pin 266 guide means 204
(This is achieved by positioning the guided pin 334 in the guide groove and drivingly connecting it to the drive chain 6 and positioning the guided pin 334 in the guide groove). When the second arm 370 is positioned at the operating position, the hole in the other connecting piece 376 of the first arm 362 and the other connecting piece 37 of the second arm 370
8 and the support plate piece 3720 and the operating position locking through hole 374 are aligned as required, and the locking pin 380 is installed through these holes to lock the second arm 3.
70 is locked in the working position. second arm 37
When 0 is placed in this working position, as shown in Fig. 17,
The terminal portion 392 of the highest current collector terminal 388 is connected to the power supply rail 3
electrically connected to the terminal rail 350a at 40;
The terminal portion 392 of the second current collection terminal 388 from the top is electrically connected to the terminal rail 350b in the power supply rail 340, and the third (or lowest) current collection terminal 38 from the top
The terminal portion 392 of No. 8 is electrically connected to the terminal rail 350c (or 350d) of the power supply rail 340.

In such a connected state, each of the coil springs 394 biases the corresponding current collecting terminal 388 in a direction approaching the terminal rails 350a to 350d, so that the terminal portion 392 of each current collecting terminal 388 approaches the corresponding terminal rail 350a.
to 350d, and are electrically connected reliably. In addition, in this connected state, the roller 396 attached to the second arm 370 is positioned on the upper surface of the horizontal part of the lower cover 358, that is, on the support surface, and is supported by the support surface. This ensures that the tip of the tube is prevented from bending downward.

In the specific example, in order to prevent erroneous connection between the current collecting means 182 and the power supply rail 340, the configuration is as follows. That is, as understood from FIG. 17, the gap between the upper cover 356 and the upper end of the insulating member 346 is set small, and the uppermost current collecting terminal 388 does not enter the gap between the upper cover 356 and the insulating member 346. In the specific example, when the uppermost current collecting terminal 388 tries to enter the gap, the terminal portion 392 of the current collecting terminal 388 comes into contact with the upper cover 356,
This reliably prevents the above-mentioned erroneous connection.

Further, the relative downward movement of the current collecting means 182 with respect to the power supply rail 340 is reliably prevented by the rollers 396 coming into contact with the upper surface of the lower cover 358, whereby the lowest current collecting terminal 388 is moved toward the power supply rail 340. The terminal rail 350d is not connected to the lowest terminal rail 350d, thus reliably preventing the power supply rail 340 from being connected to the current collecting means 182. Regarding the connection between the power supply rail 340 and the current collecting means 182, the following points should be noted. That is,
When the second arm 370 moves forward toward the operating position as indicated by the arrow 368, the tip of the second arm 370 is slightly displaced downward due to the weight of the arm mounting member 386, current collecting terminal 388, etc. Due to the second arm 37
The rollers 396 provided at the lower cover 358
58a, is guided by the upper surface of this inclined portion 358a, and is positioned to support and support the lower cover 358, after which the power feeding rail 340 and the current collecting means 182 are electrically connected. Therefore, because the rollers 396 are positioned on the support surface of the lower cover 358 before the current collecting means 182 is connected to the power feeding rail 340, the current collecting means 182 and the power feeding rail 340 are in a predetermined positional relationship. , thereby connecting the current collecting means 182 and the power supply rail 34
0 can be reliably connected as required. When electrically connected in this way, current from the power supply rail 340 is sent to the truck body 86 via the current collecting means 182.

After being connected in this manner, when the drive chain 6 moving in the direction shown by the arrow 18 acts on the connecting pin 266 provided on the truck 24, the truck 24 is moved with the power supply rail 340 and the current collecting means 182 electrically connected. It is moved in the direction shown by arrow 18. When moving in this manner, the roller 396 is supported by the support surface of the lower cover 358 and moves while rotating, so that the second arm 370 does not bend downward even while the trolley 24 is moving. Note that even if vibration occurs in the truck 24 during such movement, the action of the rollers 396 reliably prevents the second arm 370 from deflecting downward.

To release the electrical connection between the power supply rail 340 and the current collector 182, remove the locking pin 380 and remove the second arm 37.
0 in the direction shown by the arrow 366 and positioned at the storage position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. When positioned in the storage position, one connecting piece 37 of the second arm 370
8 and the storage position locking through hole 374 of the support plate piece 372 are aligned as required, and by inserting the locking pin 380 through these holes, the second arm 37
0 can be locked in the storage position.

In the illustrated example, the second arm 370 is mounted so as to be pivotable in the front and rear directions about an axis extending in the vertical direction. It is attached to the first arm 362 so as to be slidable in the axial direction and can be stored in the first arm 362, and is configured to be movable between a storage position stored in the first arm 362 and an operating position pulled out from the first arm 362. You can also. Alternatively, instead of this configuration, the second arm 370 can be freely pivoted in the vertical direction about an axis extending in the front-rear direction.
It can also be configured to be connected to the arm 362 and to be movable between an operating position extending substantially horizontally and a storage position inclined toward the trolley 24 side. In these cases as well, it is desirable to provide an appropriate locking means for releasably locking the second arm 370 in the operating position and the storage position, as in the above specific example.

In a specific example of drive release means and elements related thereto, drive release means 402 for temporarily stopping the cart 24 is arranged at each assembly position in the assembly area 10 and at some adjustment positions in the adjustment area 12. has been done. In addition, main drive release means and auxiliary drive release means, which will be described later, are provided at the other adjustment positions in order to prevent the following cart 24 from colliding with the cart 24 stopped at the adjustment position. .

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, the illustrated drive release means 402 is connected to the carriage 24 indicated by arrow 18 (FIGS. 4 and 18).
The release plate 404 extends in the moving direction of (
(See also Figure 12).

The release plate 404 is disposed adjacent to the guide member 210 and includes an inclined guide portion 406a extending upwardly in the direction indicated by arrow 18, and a horizontal action extending substantially horizontally following the inclined guide portion 406a. portion 406b, and a blocking portion 406C extending substantially vertically upward at one end of the horizontal action portion 406b, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. moves the inclined guide part 406a and the horizontal action part 406b.One end of this release plate 404 (the left end in FIGS. 18 and 19) is rotatably connected to the base 410 via a link member 408, and the other Ends (Figures 18 and 19)
right end in the figure) is connected to the base 41 via the link member 412.
0 is rotatably connected. That is, the link member 40
One ends of 8 and 412 are rotatably connected via pins to brackets 414 and 416 attached to the lower surface of release plate 404, and the other ends thereof are connected to brackets 418 and 420 attached to the upper surface of base plate 410. They are rotatably connected via a pin. This release plate 4
A cylinder mechanism 422 such as a pneumatic cylinder mechanism is further connected to one end of the cylinder 04. In a specific example, the cylinder body 424 of the cylinder mechanism 422 is rotatably connected to a support member 426 fixed to the base 410 via a pin,
Further, the output rod 428 is rotatably connected to a bracket 430 attached to the lower surface of the release plate 404 via a pin. With this structure, when the cylinder mechanism 422 is in the contracted state, the release plate 404 is positioned at the raised position shown by the solid line in FIG. 18 (the position also shown in FIG. 19). In this raised position, the upper part of the inclined guide part 406a, the horizontal action part 406b and the blocking part 406C of the release plate 404 are connected to the carriage 2.
The roller 288 protrudes into the movement path of the roller 288 of No. 4. On the other hand, when the cylinder mechanism 422 is expanded, the link members 408 and 412
is rotated clockwise in FIG. 18, and the release plate 404 is positioned in the lowered position shown in FIG. 18 by a two-dot chain line. In such a lowered position, the release plate 404
, i.e., the inclined guide part 406a, the horizontal action part 406
b and the blocking portion 406C retreat downward from the moving path of the roller 288, and thus the release plate 404 moves away from the roller 28.
8 has no effect. In the specific example, as shown in FIG. 18, the link member 408 is connected to the other link member 412.
Therefore, in the raised position, the horizontally acting portion 406b of the release plate 404 extends substantially horizontally, whereas in the lowered position, the horizontally acting portion 406b of the release plate 404 extends substantially horizontally. The blocking portion 40 extends downwardly from one end toward the other end.
6C is moved sufficiently downward, and the blocking portion 406C is reliably prevented from acting on the roller 288.

In the specific example, downward movement blocking means is provided to prevent the release plate 404 from moving downward beyond the above-mentioned lowered position. The illustrated downward movement blocking means is comprised of a bolt 432 screwed onto the base 410, and the release plate 4
04 to prevent the release plate 404 from descending. Note that by changing the height of the bolt 432, the lowering position of the release plate 404 can be adjusted.

Below this release plate 404 is a cylinder mechanism 42.
A switch means 434 is provided for extending 2. The illustrated switch means 434 is the cylinder mechanism 42
The cylinder mechanism 422 is composed of a valve member that switches a switching valve for supplying pressure fluid such as compressed air to the cylinder mechanism 422. When the operating portion 436 is pressed, the switching valve is switched and the cylinder mechanism 422 is expanded. This switch means 434 is mounted on the base 410. Further, in relation to this switch means 434, an operating member 438 is arranged. base 410
A pair of support members 440 and 442 are attached to both ends of. On the other hand, mounting blocks 444 and 446 are fixed to the upper ends of both ends of the working member 438, and these mounting blocks 444 and 446 are rotatably attached to the supporting members 440 and 442 via short shafts. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, the actuating member 438 is in a non-acting position shown by a solid line about the short axis (in such a non-acting position, the actuating member 438 is located at the actuating portion 4 of the switch means 434).
In this operating position, the operating member 438 seizes the operating portion 436 of the switch means 434 and brings it into the operating state). . In addition, in the specific example, corresponding to the horizontal action portion 406b of the release plate 404 extending over a predetermined range, the action member 438 also extends from approximately one end of the release plate 404 to approximately the other end. The roller 288 acts on the horizontal action portion 406b of the release plate 404.
A transmission lever, which will be described later, acts on the action member 438 no matter where it is located.

As shown in FIG. 20, the trolley 24 includes an operating member 44 for turning the operating member 438 toward the operating position.
8 and transmission means 450 are provided. A front auxiliary frame 45 protrudes forward at the front end of the truck body 86.
2 is provided.

The front auxiliary frame 452 has walls 454 and 456 arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction, and these walls 454 and 4
56 are connected by a wall 458 (connecting one end of walls 454 and 456) and connecting members 460 and 462, with one wall 456 being secured to the front surface of truck body 86. The operating member 448 is disposed at the other end of the walls 454 and 456, and the operating member 448 is attached to the mounting portions 466 provided at both ends of the operating portion 464.
is pivotally connected to walls 454 and 456 via shaft member 468. This operating member 448 is arranged at the bottom of the right front end of the truck body 86, so that the operator steps on the operating member 464 with his/her foot. Incidentally, it is also possible to arrange the operating member in the operating unit 162 (FIG. 6), for example, so that the operator manually operates the operating member.

Further, the transmission means 450 includes a transmission wire 470 and a transmission lever 472. A protruding piece 474 is fixed to the outer surface of the wall 458 of the front auxiliary frame 452, and a transmission lever 472 is rotatably attached to the protruding piece 474 via a pin 476. One end of the transmission lever 472 is connected to the wall 4
It protrudes outward through an opening formed in 58, and one end thereof acts on the operating member 438.

A coil spring 480 is installed between one end of the transmission lever 472 and a screw shaft 478 screwed onto the connecting member 460. A coil spring 480 is attached.

The coil spring 480 biases the transmission lever 472 counterclockwise in FIG. 20, and its other end abuts against the inner surface of the wall 458, thereby holding the transmission lever 472 in the position shown in FIG. The transmission wire 470 is made of a metal wire covered with a protective tube, and one end of the metal wire is connected to the operating member 448 (specifically, one of the mounting portions 46
6 and the other end thereof is connected to the other end of the transmission lever 472 located within the front auxiliary frame 452. With this configuration, when the operation 464 of the operation member 448 is stepped on with the foot, the transmission lever 472 is activated by the coil spring 4 via the transmission wire 470.
80 and is pivoted outwardly as indicated by arrow 484 to act on the actuating member 438 in said inactive position.

In addition, in the specific example, the transmission wire 470 is appropriately fixed to the connecting members 460 and 462 by an attachment band (not shown).

When the trolley 24 is moved to a predetermined stop position, in other words, to a working position where the release plate 404 is disposed,
A roller 288 provided on the revolving body 238 of the truck 24 comes into contact with the upper surface of the release plate 404 in the raised position, and is moved upward along the tendency guide portion 406a. As a result, the rotating body 238 is rotated upward in the direction shown by the arrow 290 (FIG. 13) about the shaft member 250, and when the roller 288 moves to the horizontal action portion 406b of the release plate 404, this The revolving body 238 is held in the released position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. When positioned at the release position, the connecting pin 266 (FIG. 14) provided on the revolving body 238 engages the engagement pawl 2 of the drive chain 6.
28, thus connecting pin 26
6 and the drive chain 6 is released, and movement of the truck 24 is stopped. In addition, the engaging claw 228 and the connecting pin 266
Even if continuous driving is canceled, the trolley 24 does not suddenly stop, but moves a little due to its inertia and then stops. Therefore, the rollers 288 move from approximately the center in the longitudinal direction to the tip of the horizontal acting portion 406b. The trolley 24 comes to stop at a point located at the end. Roller 288 is horizontal action part 406b
When it moves to the tip of the roller 288, it comes into contact with the blocking part 406c, and therefore the movement of the roller 288 beyond the blocking part 406c is prevented.
Thus, the truck 24 does not move beyond the stop position without temporarily stopping. As described above, when the trolley 24 moves to a working position such as an assembly position, the driving connection between the connecting pin 266 and the engagement pawl 228 of the drive chain 6 is released by the action of the release plate 4040 of the drive release means 402. Then, the trolley 24 is stopped at the working position as required.

To remove the truck 24 from the assembly line, the swivel 238 is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow 290 (FIG. 13) to the above-mentioned detached position and the second
The member 322 is also rotated in the direction shown by the arrow 338 (FIG. 15) to the detached position (shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 15).
Just let it be. In the specific example, detachment position locking means 488 is provided for releasably locking the rotating body 238 in the detachment position.

Referring to FIG. 21, the illustrated release position locking means 488
has a pedestal 490 fixed on a support plate 298, and a lock plate 492 is provided between the upper end of this pedestal 490 and the top surface of the support plate 298. The lock plate 492 has an upwardly inclined inclined portion 494 and an inclined portion 4
The lock horizontal portion 496 is provided at the upper end of the lock portion 94 and extends substantially horizontally, and one end of the lock horizontal portion 496 is provided with an abutment portion 498 that projects upward. In addition, a bracket piece 5 is attached to the main body plate 240 on the lower side of the revolving body 238.
00 is provided, and this bracket piece 500 has an arm 5.
02 are rotatably connected. A roller 506 is rotatably attached to the tip of the arm 502 via a pin 504, and the roller 506 moves on the lock plate 492 from the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 21 to the lock position shown by the solid line. It is composed of In addition, arm 502
is provided with a spring member (not shown) that biases the arm 502 counterclockwise in FIG. Arm 502 in this release position locking means 488
An operating piece 508 (FIG. 20) is provided at the other end of the transmission lever 472 so as to act on the transmission lever 472. When the transmission lever 472 is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow 484, the action piece 508 acts on the arm 502 in the locking position, and moves in the direction shown by the arrow 510 (FIG. 21), that is, in the second direction.
Turn it clockwise in Figure 1.

Therefore, when the rotating body 238 is rotated to the detached position, the rollers 506 move along the sloped portion 494 of the lock plate 492 to the lock horizontal portion 492, as shown in FIG.
(Movement beyond the lock horizontal portion 496 is reliably prevented by the roller 506 coming into contact with the abutting portion 496), and the release position locking means 488 is thus in the locked state. In this locked state, the roller 506 is held in the lock horizontal portion 496 by the action of the spring member (not shown), and the rotating body 238 is pivoted toward the connected position (i.e., in the opposite direction to the direction indicated by the arrow 290). rotational movement) is prevented. When brought to such a detached position, the guided roller 264 and the connecting pin 266 mounted on the revolving body 238 are detached from the guide groove of the guide means 2040.

Furthermore, when the second member 322 of the guided means 316 is brought to the detached position, the guided roller 334 attached to the second member 322 is also detached from the guide groove of the guide means 204 (FIG. 15). Thus, the trolley 24 can be removed from the assembly line and moved freely. Incidentally, in order to move the cart 24 that has been removed from the assembly line along the line again as described above, the second member 322 is rotated from the detached position to the operating position, and the operating portion 464 of the operating member 448 is pressed with the foot. Operate it by stepping on it (Figure 20).

In this way, the movement of the operating member 448 is controlled by the transmission wire 470.
is transmitted to the transmission lever 472 via the transmission lever 47
2 is rotated in the direction shown by arrow 484. Thus,
As the transmission lever 472 rotates, the operating piece 508 acts on the arm 502 in the locked state to rotate it clockwise in FIG.
96 to the inclined portion 494, and thus the locking state of the release position locking means 488 is released. When the locked state is released, the revolving body 238 swings downward by its own weight, passes from the disengaged position to the released position, and is positioned at the connected position, and the arm 502 and roller 506 are shown by two-dot chain lines in FIG. located in position.

In order to move the trolley 24 which has been stopped at the working position as described above, it is sufficient to step on the operating portion 464 of the operating member 448 (FIG. 20). In this way, as described above, the movement of the operating member 448 is transmitted to the transmission lever 472 via the transmission wire 470, and the transmission lever 47
2 is pivoted in the direction shown by arrow 484 (note that at this time, detachment position locking means 488 is not held in the locked state, and therefore, as the transmission lever 472 pivots, the operating piece 508 is moved to the arm 502. will not work)
. As a result, one end of the transmission lever 472 acts on the operating member 438 to move the operating member 438 to the non-operative position (the position shown in FIG. 18 and indicated by the solid line in FIG. 19).
The switch means 434 is then turned to the operating position (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 19).

This causes the switch means 434 to be activated. In this way, the extension side (cylinder side) of the cylinder mechanism 422
A pressurized fluid such as compressed air is supplied to the cylinder mechanism 422, thereby expanding the cylinder mechanism 422. Cylinder mechanism 42
2 is extended, link members 408 and 412
8, the release plate 404 is rotated clockwise.
is moved from the raised position (the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 18) to the lowered position (the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 18), and the release plate 404 is moved to the roller 288 of the rotating body
By separating from the rotating body 238, the rotating body 238 is moved from the released position to the connected position. Thus, the engagement pawl 228 of the drive chain 6 moving in the direction shown by the arrow 18 comes into contact with the connecting pin 266, thereby drivingly connecting the two, and the carriage 24 is moved together with the drive chain 6. still,
When the following truck 24 passes the predetermined position, the cylinder mechanism 422 is contracted. Link members 408 and 412 are then pivoted counterclockwise in FIG. 18, and release plate 404 is positioned in the raised position, so that subsequent truck 24 can move release plate 40 in the raised position.
4, it is stopped as described above.

The truck 24 is provided with a collision prevention device as shown in FIGS. 20, 22, and 23.

The illustrated collision prevention device includes a bumper member 512 provided at the front end of the truck body 86. The bumper member 512 is composed of a rod-shaped member, extends over substantially the entire width of the trolley body 86, and is preferably covered with an elastic member such as a rubber member to cushion the impact upon contact. . This bumper member 512 is arranged in the front-back direction (the 22nd direction) of the truck main body 86.
This bumper member 512 is mounted so as to be movable in the vertical direction in the figure and the horizontal direction in FIGS. 22 and 23.
The relative movement of is transmitted to the rotating body 238 via the transmission mechanism 514. That is, in the specific example, a pair of support brackets 516 and 518 are provided on the upper surfaces of the connection members 460 and 462 at intervals in the front-rear direction, and a support bracket 516 and 518 is provided between the front side support brackets 516 and 518 via a bearing member. One shaft 520 is rotatably supported, and a second shaft 522 is rotatably supported between rear support brackets 516 and 518 via a bearing member.

One end of the first shaft 520 and the second shaft 522 (the right end in FIG. 20) protrudes through the support bracket 518, and link members 524 and 52 are attached to these projecting ends.
One end of 6 is rotatably attached. Further, one end portions of link members 528 and 530 are also rotatably attached to the intermediate portion of the first shaft 520 and the second shaft 522 (the portion between the support brackets 516 and 518).

On the other hand, a pair of connecting rods 532 and 534 are fixed to the bumper member 512 at intervals in the longitudinal direction, and these connecting rods 532 and 534 extend rearward.

One connecting rod 532 connects link members 524 and 526.
These link members 524 and 52
It is rotatably connected to the other end of 6 via a bottle (
A recess is defined at these other ends, within which the connecting rod 532 is located). The other connecting rod 534 is disposed corresponding to the link members 528 and 530, and is rotatably connected to the other ends of these link members 528 and 530 via a pin. A recess is defined in the recess, and a connecting rod 53 is inserted into the recess.
4 is located).

Associated with connecting rods 532 and 534 are rod stop means 536. The rod stop means 536 is
It has block pieces 538 and 540 fixed to the inner surface of the wall 454 corresponding to the connecting rods 532 and 534, and a stop screw 542 is screwed into each block piece 538 and 540 (in FIG. 22, the block piece Only the stop screw 542 threaded onto 538 is shown). In the specific example, a pin member 544 is fixed to the other end of the link member 530, a screw shaft 548 is screwed to a block piece 546 fixed to the inner surface of the wall 454, and the pin member 544 and the screw shaft 548 are screwed together. A coil spring 550 is installed between them. Coil spring 550 biases link members 528 and 530 (and 524 and 526) clockwise in FIGS. 22 and 23, or in other words biases bumper member 512 forward. With this configuration, normally the pump member 512
is biased forward by the action of coil spring 550 and held in the extended position shown in FIG. 20 and shown in solid line in FIG. Once in position, it is permitted to move rearward as indicated by arrow 552 (FIG. 22). On the other hand, if an obstacle (for example, another truck 24, etc.) hits the bumper member 512, the bumper member 512
are moved rearward, link members 524, 526, 528
and 530 are rotated counterclockwise in FIG.
Connection rods 532 and 534 are prevented from moving beyond the position shown in FIG. 23 by abutting the head of stop screw 542, thereby causing wall 454 of bumper member 512 to
collision is prevented. While the bumper member 512 moves from the protruding position to the position shown in FIG. 23, the connecting rods 532 and 534 move somewhat upward and then downward, thus allowing the above-described movement. Note that the position of the bumper member 512 can be adjusted by rotating the stop screw 542.

In the specific example, one end of the first shaft 520 passes through the support bracket 516 and the actuating lever 55 is attached to such a protrusion.
4 is fixed. A roller 556 is rotatably attached to the tip of the operating lever 554 via a pin, and this roller 556 acts from below on a part of the revolving body 238, specifically, a portion 558 shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. I'm starting to get it.

When the bumper member 512 is in the protruding position, the rollers 556 are positioned below the revolving body 238 in the connecting position and do not act on it.
2 moves rearward as indicated by arrow 552, it acts on the above-mentioned portion 558 of the rotating body 238 as the operating lever 554, which is pivoted upward, moves, causing the rotating body 238 to pivot toward the above-mentioned release position.

The truck 24 is provided with brake means indicated by the number 560. The illustrated brake means 560 includes a leaf spring member 564 rotatably attached to a support member 562 fixed to the inner surface of the wall 454 via a pin, and the bottom surface of the tip of the leaf spring member 546 is made of, for example, urethane. A brake member 566 is provided which can be made of rubber. Further, a mounting plate 568 is fixed to the connecting member 462, and a leaf spring member 564 is fixed to the mounting plate 568.
An adjustment screw 570 that extends downward toward is screwed on. A biasing spring (not shown) is also provided for biasing leaf spring member 546 upwardly and clockwise in FIG. 22. Furthermore, a pressing member 572 that can act on the leaf spring member 564 is fixed to an intermediate portion of the second shaft 532 (specifically, a portion above the leaf spring member 564).
A roller 574 is rotatably attached to the tip of the roller 2 via a pin. With this structure, the bumper member 5
12 is in the protruding position, the rollers 574 of the pressing member 572 are located above the leaf spring member 564 and do not act on the leaf spring member 564. In this state, the leaf spring member 564 is biased upward by the action of a biasing spring (not shown), and a portion of the leaf spring member 564 comes into contact with the lower end of the adjustment screw 570, thereby being held in the non-braking state shown in FIG. Ru. In this non-braking state, the brake member 566 is located above the floor and does not substantially act, allowing the carriage 24 to move. On the other hand, bumper member 5
12 is moved backward as indicated by arrow 552, the rollers 574 of the pressing member 572 act on the upper surface of the leaf spring member 564, and the leaf spring member 564 is moved downward as the bumper member 512 moves. Then, when the bumper member 512 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 23, for example, the pressing member 572
By the action of the rollers 574, the leaf spring member 564 is held in the braking state shown in FIG. In such a braking state, the brake member 566 is in contact with the support plate 298.
The brake means 560 acts on the floor F through an opening (not shown) formed in the brake means 560 (FIGS. 2 and 3), thus reliably preventing the carriage 24 from moving.

Referring to FIG. 4, in relation to the bumper member 512,
It is preferable to provide a truck spacing setting member 576 at the rear end of the truck 24. The truck spacing setting member 576 can be made of a rod-shaped member, and is attached to the rear end of the truck main body 86 so as to be able to freely adjust the amount of protrusion.

The bogie spacing setting member 576 is provided to act on the bumper member 512 of the following bogie 24, and by adjusting the amount of protrusion thereof, the spacing between the bogies 24 can be maintained at a predetermined value.

When the cart 24 moving along the drive line hits an obstacle such as the cart spacing setting member 576 (FIG. 4) or the part 9 work on the preceding cart 24, the movement of the cart 24 is stopped as follows. Ru. That is, when the front end of the truck 24, and therefore the bumper member 512, hits an obstacle, the bumper member 512 moves backward as indicated by the arrow 552 (FIG. 22) relative to the truck body 86 as the truck 24 moves. be done. 22 and 23, the relative movement of bumper member 512 causes link members 524, 526, 528, and 530 to pivot counterclockwise in FIG. The first shaft 520 and the second shaft 522 are also link members 524, 526, 528
and 530 as required. first axis 5
20 is rotated as shown in FIG. 23, the roller 556 at the tip of the operating lever 554 provided at the other end acts on the rotating body 2380 portion 558 (FIG. 12), causing the arrow 290 (13th The rotating body 238 is brought to the above-mentioned release position by turning in the direction shown in FIG. Thus, as described above, the driving connection between the connecting pin 266 and the engaging pawl 228 of the drive chain 6 is released, and the above-described movement of the truck 24 is stopped. Furthermore, when the second shaft 522 is rotated as shown in FIG. 23, the roller 574 at the tip of the pressing member 272 provided at the intermediate portion acts on the leaf spring member, causing it to pivot downward. The leaf spring member 564 is maintained in the braking state shown in FIG. When maintained in the braking state, the brake member 566 acts on the floor through an opening (not shown) formed in the support plate 298, and the truck body 86 is suddenly stopped by the braking action of the brake member 5660.
It is held in the stopped position. As shown above, when the moving truck 24 hits an obstacle, the truck body 86
Then, the driving connection of the drive chain 6 is released and the movement of the truck 24 is stopped, thereby preventing the truck 24 from colliding with an obstacle and avoiding the adverse effects of impact and the like.

Bumper member 512 of the obstacle, such as by removing the obstacle.
When the action on the bumper member 512 is released, the bumper member 512 is positioned at the protruding position shown in solid line in FIG. 22 by the action of the coil spring 550. As a result, the rotation of the first shaft 520 causes the roller 556 at the tip of the operating lever 554 to move away below the rotating body 238, and the rotating body 238 is positioned at the above-mentioned connection position by its own weight, and the connecting bin 266 and drive chain 6 engaging pawls 228 are drivingly connected. Further, due to the rotation of the second shaft 522, the roller 574 at the tip of the pressing member 572 is separated above the leaf spring member 564, and the leaf spring member 564 is returned to the non-braking state by the action of a bias spring (not shown). , and the brake member 566 does not act on the floor.

Movement of the truck 24 is then resumed and the truck 24 is moved as desired along the drive line.

In the illustrated example, the movement of the bumper member 512 is transmitted to the shaft members 520 and 522 via a link mechanism, but the movement of the bumper member 512 is transmitted to the shaft members 520 and 522 via a link mechanism, but the above-mentioned movement is transmitted via another known mechanism, such as a mechanism consisting of a combination of a rack and pinion. It may also be transmitted to members 520 and 522.

Main drive release means, auxiliary drive release means, and related elements Next, the main drive release means 578 and the auxiliary drive release means 580, which are disposed at other adjustment positions in the adjustment area 12 (FIG. 1), will be explained. do.

Referring primarily to FIGS. 24-26, the illustrated main drive release means 578 includes a release plate 582 extending in the direction of movement of the truck 24. As shown in FIGS. The release plate 582 is
An inclined guide portion 584a extending vertically inclined in the direction indicated by arrow 18, a horizontal acting portion 584b extending substantially horizontally following the inclined guiding portion 584a, and a horizontal acting portion 584b.
It has a blocking part 584c extending substantially vertically upward at one end, and as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. move. This release plate 5
One end of 82 (left end in Figures 25 and 26)
is rotatably connected to the base 410 via a link member 586, and the other end (the right end in FIGS. 25 and 26) is rotatably connected to the base 410 via a link member 588. That is, one ends of link members 586 and 588 are rotatably connected to brackets 590 and 592 attached to the lower surface of release plate 582 via pins, and the other ends thereof are connected to brackets 590 and 592 attached to the upper surface of base plate 410. It is rotatably connected to 594 and 596 via a pin. A cylinder mechanism 598, such as a pneumatic cylinder mechanism, is further connected to one end of the release plate 582. In the specific example, the cylinder mechanism 5
The cylinder body 600 of 98 is rotatably connected to a support member 602 fixed to a base 410 via a pin, and the output rod 604 is rotatably connected to a bracket 606 attached to the lower surface of a release plate 582 via a pin. is connected to. With this structure, when the cylinder mechanism 598 is in the contracted state, the release plate 58
2 is positioned in the raised position shown by the solid line in FIG. 25 (the position also shown in FIG. 26). In the raised position of the release plate 582, the inclined guide portion 584. The upper part of a, the horizontal acting part 584b and the blocking part 584C protrude into the moving path of the rollers 288 of the truck 24. On the other hand, when the cylinder mechanism 598 is extended, the link members 586 and 588 are pivoted clockwise in FIG.
2 is positioned in the lowered position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. In this lowered position, the entire release plate 582, that is, the inclined guide portion 584a and the horizontal action portion 584b
Then, the blocking portion 584C retreats downward from the moving path of the roller 288, and the release plate 582 moves away from the roller 288.
It has no effect on In the specific example, like the drive release means 402, the link member 586 is longer than the other link member 588, and therefore, in the raised position, the horizontal acting portion 58 of the release plate 582
4b extends substantially horizontally, while in the lowered position, the horizontal acting portion 584b of the release plate 582 extends downwardly from one end to the other end, thereby moving the blocking portion 584C sufficiently downward. , this blocking part 584
C is reliably prevented from acting on the rollers 288.

In the specific example, downward movement blocking means is provided to prevent the release plate 582 from moving downward beyond the above-mentioned lowered position. The illustrated downward movement preventing means is composed of a plate 608 screwed onto a base plate 410, and a release plate 5
It acts on the lower surface of the other end of 82 to prevent the release plate 582 from descending. Note that by changing the height of the bolt 608, the lowering position of the release plate 582 can be adjusted.

Below this release plate 582, a cylinder mechanism 59 is provided.
Switch means 610 are provided for extending the 8. The illustrated switch means 610 consists of a switching valve 612 and is mounted on the base 410. In connection with this switch means 610, an actuating member 614 is arranged.

A pair of support members 616 and 61 are provided at both ends of the base 410.
8 is installed. On the other hand, mounting blocks 620 and 622 are fixed to the upper ends of both ends of the working member 614, and these mounting blocks 620 and 622 are rotatably attached to support members 616 and 618 via short shafts. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 26, the operating member 614 is in the non-acting position shown by the solid line around the short axis (in this non-acting position, the operating member 614 does not act on the switching rod 612a of the switching valve 612). ) and the action position shown by the two-dot chain line (in this action position, the action member 61
The switch 614 presses the rod portion 612 of the switch valve 612). In the specific example, corresponding to the horizontal action portion 584b of the release plate 582 extending over a predetermined range, the action member 614 also extends from approximately one end of the release plate 582 to approximately the other end. The roller 288 acts on the horizontal action portion 58 of the release plate 582.
4b, the transmission lever 472 (FIG. 20) of the truck body 86 acts on the action member 614.

Mainly referring to FIG. 27, the illustrated auxiliary drive release means 580 disposed upstream of the main drive release means 578 includes a release plate 624 and a cylinder mechanism such as a pneumatic cylinder mechanism for moving the release plate 624 up and down. 626, and its basic configuration is substantially the same as the above-mentioned main drive release means 578, except that an operating member and a switching valve are not provided. That is, the release plate 624 has an inclined guide portion 628a that extends upwardly in the moving direction indicated by the arrow 18.
, a horizontal acting portion 628b extending substantially horizontally following the inclined guide portion 628a, and a blocking portion 628C extending substantially vertically upward at one end of the horizontal acting portion 628b. One end II (left end in FIG. 27) of the release plate 624 is rotatably connected to the base 410 via a link member 630, and the other end (right end in FIG. 27) is connected to the base 410 via a link member 632. It is rotatably connected to. In addition, the cylinder body 6 of the cylinder mechanism 626
34 is pivotally connected to a support member 636 fixed to the base 410 via a pin, and its output rod 638 is connected to a bracket 6 attached to one end of the release plate 624.
40 via a pin so that it can rotate freely. Therefore,
When the cylinder mechanism 626 is in the retracted state, the release plate 624 is positioned in the raised position shown by the solid line in FIG. 27. In this raised position, the release plate 62
4, the upper part of the inclined guide part 628a, the horizontal action part 62
8b and the blocking portion 628C protrude into the moving path of the rollers 288 of the truck 24. On the other hand, when the cylinder mechanism 626 is extended, the link members 630 and 632 are pivoted clockwise in FIG. 27, and the release plate 624 is positioned in the lowered position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. In this lowered position, the entire release plate 624, that is, the inclined guide portion 628a, the horizontal action portion 628b, and the blocking portion 628C
is retreated downward from the movement path of the rising roller 288, and thus the release plate 624 does not act on the roller 288. In addition, in the specific example, similar to the main drive release means 578,
The link member 630 is longer in length than the other link member 632 so that in the raised position the horizontal acting portion 628b of the release play 624 extends substantially horizontally, whereas in the lowered position release play)
The horizontal acting portion 628b of the roller 624 extends downwardly from one end to the other end, thereby moving the blocking portion 628C sufficiently downward to reliably prevent the blocking portion 628C from acting on the roller 288. .

Also in the auxiliary drive release means 580, release play) 62
4 is provided with a downward movement blocking means for preventing downward movement beyond the above-mentioned lowered position. The illustrated downward movement blocking means is comprised of a bolt 642 screwed onto the base 410, and acts on the lower surface of the other end of the release plate 624 to prevent the release plate 624 from descending. In addition, bolt 6
By changing the height of the release plate 624
The lowering position can be adjusted.

The cylinder mechanism 598 in the main drive release means 578 and the cylinder mechanism 626 in the auxiliary drive release means 580 are as follows:
The operation is controlled by a fluid pressure control system as shown in FIG. The illustrated fluid pressure control system includes a main switching valve 644 that is selectively positioned in a first position and a second position.

This main switching valve 644 and a supply source 646 such as a compressor that supplies compressed air are connected via a supply flow path 648. In addition, the main switching valve 644 and the cylinder mechanism 5
The extension side (cylinder side) of 98 and 626 is the flow path 650a
and 650b, and further, the main switching valve 644 and the contraction side (rod side) of the cylinder mechanisms 598 and 626 are connected via flow paths 652a and 652b. When the main switching valve 644 is in the first position shown in FIG. 28, it communicates the supply passage 648 with the passages 652a and 652b, and also opens the passages 650a and 650b to the atmosphere, and when it is in the second position. In some cases, the supply channel 648 communicates with the channels 650a and 650b, and the channel 652a communicates with the channels 650a and 650b.
and 652b to the atmosphere. This main switching valve 644 is moved to the second position by pilot pressure from the switching valve 612. That is, the switching valve 612 and the supply source 646 are connected through a flow path 654 and a supply flow path 648, and the switching valve 612 and the main switching valve 644 are connected through a pilot flow path 656. This switching valve 644 is selectively positioned at a first position (the position shown in FIG. 28) and a second position, and when it is in the first position, it opens the pilot flow path 656 to the atmosphere, and when it is in the second position, it opens the pilot flow path 656 to the atmosphere. When the flow path 654 and the pilot flow path 656 are in communication with each other. Second
As shown in FIG. 4, a switching valve 658 is further provided between the auxiliary drive release means 580 and the main drive release means 578 for placing the main switching valve 644 in the first position (the position shown in FIG. 28). is installed. The switching rod portion of the switching valve 658 projects into the moving path of the truck 24, and a portion of the truck body 86 moving in the direction shown by arrow 18 (FIG. 24) acts on the rod portion of the switching valve. The switching valve 658 is connected to the flow path 660
and connected to a supply source 646 via a supply channel 648;
This switching valve 658 and the main switching valve 644 are connected to the pilot flow path 6
62. The switching valve 658 is selectively positioned in a first position (the position shown in FIG. 28) and a second position, and when in the first position, the pilot flow path 66
2 to the atmosphere and the flow path 66 when in the second position.
0 and the pilot flow path 662.

In the specific example, furthermore, after the release plate 582 of the main drive release means 578 is brought to the lowered position, the release plate 624 of the auxiliary drive release means 580 is brought to the lowered position. In the illustrated example, a variable throttle valve 664 is disposed in a flow path 650b connecting the main switching valve 644 and the extension side of the cylinder mechanism 626, and a check valve 666 is disposed to bypass the variable throttle valve 664. There is.

Further, a variable throttle valve 668 is also provided in the flow path 652b connecting the main switching valve 644 and the contraction side of the cylinder mechanism 626, and a check valve 670 is provided to bypass the variable throttle valve 668. Check valve 666 prevents fluid flow from main switching valve 644 to cylinder mechanism 626, and check valve 670 prevents fluid flow from cylinder mechanism 662 to main switching valve 644.

Variable throttle valves 664 and 668 also control the amount of fluid flowing through channels 650b and 652b.

The trolley 24 passes through the auxiliary drive release means 580 and the switching valve 6
58, the trolley main body 86 moving in the direction shown by the arrow 18 acts on the rod portion of the switching valve 658, and the switching valve 658 moves from the first position to the second position shown in FIG. can be switched to In this way, the flow path 660 and the pilot flow path 662 are communicated via the switching valve 658, and compressed fluid such as compressed air from the supply source 646 acts as pilot pressure on the main switching valve 644.
is switched from the second position to the first position shown in FIG. When the main switching valve 644 is switched in this way, the supply channel 646 and channels 652a and 652b are communicated via the main switching valve 644, and the channels 650a and 650b are opened to the atmosphere, and the pressure fluid from the supply source 646 is removed. through the main switching valve 644 to the contraction side of the cylinder mechanism 598 in the main drive release means 578 and the contraction side of the cylinder mechanism 626 in the auxiliary drive release means 580 (mainly the check valve 670
supplied through the cylinder mechanism 598
and 626 are contracted as required. Main drive release means 5
When the cylinder mechanism 598 at 78 is retracted, the second
As shown in FIG. 5, link members 586 and 588 are
The release plate 582 is pivoted counterclockwise in the figure.
is attached to the raised position shown by the solid line in FIG. Also,
When the cylinder mechanism 626 in the auxiliary drive release means 580 is contracted, the link member 630 is retracted, as shown in FIG.
and 632 are rotated counterclockwise in FIG.
Release plate 624 is positioned in the raised position shown in solid line in FIG. 27.

As described above, the trolley 24 is in the working position (in other words,
When the main drive release means 578 is moved to the position where the release plate 582 is disposed, the rollers 288 provided on the revolving body 238 of the trolley 24 contact the upper surface of the release plate 582 in the raised position, and the inclination Guide part 584a
is moved upward along. In this way, the revolving body 238
is pivoted upward in the direction shown by arrow 290 about shaft member 250 (FIG. 13), and thus roller 288
When the rotating body 238 moves to the horizontal acting portion 584b of the release plate 582, the rotating body 238 is held at the release position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. When you turn to such a release position,
The connecting pin 266 (FIG. 14) provided on the revolving body 238 is located above the movement path of the engaging pawl 228 of the drive chain 6, and thus the driving connection between the connecting pin 266 and the drive chain 6 is released, and the carriage 24 movement is stopped. still,
Even when the driving connection between the engaging claw 228 and the connecting pin 266 is released, the trolley 24 does not suddenly stop, but moves somewhat due to its inertia and then stops.
The cart 24 comes to stop at a point where the horizontal acting portion 584b is located approximately at the center or the tip of the horizontal acting portion 584b in the longitudinal force direction. When the roller 288 moves to the tip of the horizontal acting part 584b, it comes into contact with the blocking part 584C, and therefore the blocking part 58 of the roller 288
4c is prevented, thus preventing the carriage 24 from moving beyond the working position without making a temporary stop. As described above, when the trolley 24 moves to the working position, the driving connection between the connecting pin 266 and the engagement pawl 228 of the drive chain 6 is released by the action of the release plate 582 of the main drive release means 578, and the trolley 24 is moved to the working position. is stopped as required in the above-mentioned working position.

When the carriage 24 is stopped at the working position as described above and the following carriage 24 is moved to the front of the working position, this carriage 24 is moved to the auxiliary drive release means 5.
80, the collision between the truck 24 stopped at the working position and the following truck 24 is reliably prevented.

That is, when the following truck 24 is moved to the location where the auxiliary drive release means 580 is provided, the roller 288 provided on the revolving body 238 of the truck 24 moves to the release plate 624 in the raised position.
and is moved upward along its inclined guide portion 628a. In this way, the rotating body 238
When the roller 288 moves to the horizontal acting portion 628b of the release plate 624 in this way, the rotating body 238 is rotated upward in the direction shown by the arrow 290 (FIG. 13). It is held at the release position shown by the dotted chain line. When the rotating body 23 is rotated to such a release position,
The connecting pin 266 (FIG. 14) provided at 8 is located above the moving path of the engaging pawl 228 of the drive chain 6, and thus the driving connection between the connecting pin 266 and the drive chain 6 is released, and the carriage 24 is moved. will be stopped. In addition, the engaging claw 22
8 and the connecting pin 266 are released, the carriage 24
The carriage 24 does not suddenly stop, but moves a little due to its inertia and then stops, so that the carriage 24 will stop. When the roller 288 moves to the tip of the horizontal acting part 628b, the blocking part 628
c, thus preventing the roller 288 from moving beyond the blocking portion 628c, thus preventing the cart 24 from moving toward the working position without temporarily stopping in front. As shown above, when the cart 24 moves to the front of the working position, the release plate 62 of the auxiliary drive release means 580
4, the driving connection between the connecting pin 266 and the engaging pawl 228 of the drive chain 6 is released, and the truck 24 is stopped as required.

In order to resume movement of the cart 24 that has stopped at the above-mentioned working position, it is sufficient to step on the operating section 464 of the operating member 448 with your foot (
Figure 20). When sniffed, the movement of the operating member 448 is transmitted via the transmission wire 470 to the transmission lever 472, which is pivoted in the direction indicated by arrow 484. As a result, one end of the transmission lever 472 acts on the operating member 614 to move from the non-operating position (the position shown in FIG. 25 and the solid line in FIG. 26) to the operating position as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. When the operating member 614 presses the rod portion 612a of the switching valve 612, the switching valve 612 is switched from the first position to the second position shown in FIG. In this way, the flow path 654 and the pilot flow path 656 are communicated via the switching valve 612, and the pressure fluid from the supply source 646 acts as pilot pressure on the main switching valve 644.
is switched from the first position to the second position.

Thus, supply channel 648 and channels 650a and 650
b is communicated via the main switching valve 644 and the flow path 65
2a and 652b are opened to the atmosphere, and pressurized fluid from the supply source 646 passes through the main switching valve 644 to the main drive release means 5.
The extension side of cylinder mechanism 598 at 78 and the extension side of cylinder mechanism 626 at auxiliary drive release means 580 are supplied, and these cylinder mechanisms 598 and 626 are extended as required. When the cylinder mechanism 598 in the main drive release means 578 is extended, the 25th r! ! 25, the link members 586 and 588 are pivoted clockwise to the right in FIG. 25, and the release plate 582 is moved from the raised position (shown in solid line in FIG. 25) to the lowered position (
When the release play 582 is separated from the rollers 288 of the rotating body 238, the rotating body 238 is positioned from the released position to the connected position. Thus, the engaging pawl 228 of the drive chain 6 moving in the direction shown by the arrow 18 comes into contact with the connecting pin 266, thereby drivingly connecting the two, and the cart 24, which has been stopped at the working position, is moved together with the drive chain 6.

Further, the cylinder mechanism 6 in the auxiliary drive release means 580
26 is extended, the link members 630 and 632 are pivoted clockwise in FIG. 27, as shown in FIG. 27, and the release plate 624 is moved from the raised position (shown in solid line in FIG. 27) to the lowered position. When the release plate 624 is separated from the rollers 288 of the rotating body 238, the rotating body 238 is positioned from the released position to the connected position. In this way, the engaging claw 228 of the drive chain 6 moving in the direction shown by the arrow 18 comes into contact with the connecting bin 266, thereby drivingly connecting the two, and the cart 24, which had stopped in front of the working position, moves together with the drive chain 6 as described above. Moved towards work area.

When resuming movement of the trolley 24, the following points should be noted.

That is, the variable throttle valve 6 is connected to the flow paths 650b and 652b connected to the cylinder mechanism 626 of the auxiliary drive release means 580.
64 and 668 are arranged, therefore, the supply source 6
46 to the expansion side of the cylinder mechanism 626 is regulated by a variable throttle valve 664, and fluid discharged to the atmosphere from the contraction side of the cylinder mechanism 626 is regulated by a variable throttle valve 668. Therefore, as can be easily understood from FIG. 28, the main switching valve 644 is
, the pressure fluid from the supply source 646 is initially mainly directed to the cylinder mechanism 5 in the main drive release means 578.
98 and then to the cylinder mechanism 626 in the auxiliary drive release means 580. As described above, the cylinder mechanism 598 in the main drive release means 578 is first extended to position the release plate 582 at the lowered position, and then the cylinder mechanism 626 in the auxiliary drive release means 580 is extended to release the release plate 62.
4 was positioned in the downward direction, and as a result, the carriage 24, which had been stopped at the working position (the position where the release plate 582 is disposed in FIG. 24), resumed movement in the direction indicated by the arrow 18. After some delay, the carriage 24, which had stopped in front of the working position (the position where the release plate 624 is disposed in FIG. 24), resumes movement in the direction indicated by the arrow 18. Collision of the trolley 24 at the time of resuming movement is also reliably prevented. By adjusting the throttle amount of the variable throttle valves 664 and 668, the time when the release plate 624 of the auxiliary drive release means 580 is positioned at the lowered position, in other words, the time when the following truck 24 resumes movement can be adjusted. Can be done.

When the following truck 24 moves to the switching valve 658, the truck body 86 acts on the rod portion of the switching valve 6580, and the switching valve 65
8 is positioned in the second position. Thus, as described above, the main switching valve 644 is switched to the first position,
The release plate 582 of the main drive release means 578 and the release plate 624 of the auxiliary release means 580 are each positioned at the above-mentioned raised position, and the above-described operations are repeatedly performed.

In the specific example shown, the main switching valve 644 is switched by pilot pressure from the switching valves 612 and 658, but instead, the main switching valve 644 is placed in a neutral position and the supply source 646
and the cylinder mechanisms 598 and 626)
, first working position (source 646 and cylinder mechanism 598
and the contraction side of 626) and the second working position (
A switch means comprising an electromagnetic valve selectively positioned in the supply source 646 and the extension side of the cylinder mechanisms 598 and 626, and used in place of the changeover valve 612 and a switch used in place of the changeover valve 658. The solenoid valve may be switched based on a signal from the means.

Auxiliary Conveyance Mechanism and Related Requirements With reference to FIG. 29, in the specific example, the drive chain 6 is retracted inwardly between the guide member 208 and the auxiliary guide member 672 and between the auxiliary guide member 672 and the guide member. 674 and in connection therewith an auxiliary transport mechanism 676 is provided for moving the carriage 24 across the pulleys 42 and 44. The illustrated auxiliary conveyance mechanism 676 includes an introduction conveyance means 678 disposed on the upstream side in the moving direction of the trolley 24 (direction shown by arrow 18) and an ejection conveyance means 680 disposed on the downstream side of the introduction conveyance means 678. We are prepared. The introduction conveyance means 678 will be described with reference to FIGS. 29 to 32. The introduction conveyance means 678 of the specific example includes a moving member 682. The moving member 682 includes a first member 684 disposed outside the outer guide member 210, the guide member 210, and the inner guide member 2.
08, and the first member 684 and the second member 686 are connected via a connecting plate 688. Shaft members 690 and 692 are attached to both ends of the first member 684, respectively, and rollers 694 and 696 are attached to both ends of these shaft members 690 and 6920.
is rotatably mounted. In addition, the second member 686
Shaft members 698 and 700 are also attached to both ends of the shaft members 698 and 7000, respectively, and rollers 70 are attached to both ends of these shaft members 698 and 7000.
2 and 704 are rotatably mounted. A guide member 708 extending in the moving direction of the cart 24 is fixed to the base plate 206 fixed to the floor of the factory. The guide member 708 has a bottom wall 710, side walls 712 and 714 extending substantially vertically upward from both sides of the bottom wall 710, and top walls 716 and 718 projecting inwardly from the upper ends of the side walls 712 and 714. These wall portions 710.
A first member 684 is movably disposed within a space defined by 712°714, 716 and 718, and
The upper end of the member 684 protrudes somewhat upward through an opening defined between the earthen walls 716 and 718 (the third
Figure 2). The first member 684 is the pneumatic cylinder mechanism 720
is connected to. The cylinder body 722 of the pneumatic cylinder mechanism 720 has a pair of support brackets)? 24 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 31) to the base plate 206. Further, a block piece 726 is fixed to one end of the first member 684, and this block piece 726
A connecting rod 728 is screwed onto the connecting rod 728, and the connecting rod 728 and the output rod 730 of the pneumatic cylinder mechanism 720 are connected via a coupling means 732. Therefore, when the pneumatic cylinder mechanism 720 is extended (or retracted), the first member 684 is guided by the guide member 708 and the arrow 734 (
or 736) (FIGS. 29 and 31), and the second member 686 is similarly moved between the guide member 210 and the auxiliary guide member 672, and with this movement, the rollers 694 .696.702 and 704 are rotated as required.

At both ends of the first member 684 are actuating pieces 738 and 74.
0 is set. Mainly Figure 30-A, Figure 30-
Referring to FIG. B and FIG. 31, a pair of projecting pieces 742 (
(see FIG. 32), and an operating piece 738 is rotatably mounted between the pair of protruding pieces 742 via a shaft member 744. One end 746 of the action piece 738 (
The left end (in FIGS. 30-B and 31) extends substantially into a water pipe, and its lower surface 746a functions as a stop surface that comes into contact with the upper surface of the first member 684 and prevents its rotation. Further, the other end 748 of the action piece 738 extends upward in an arc shape, and its front surface 748a functions as an action surface.

The action piece 738 is biased counterclockwise in FIG.
30-A and 3 by contacting the upper surface of 84.
It is held in the operating position shown in Figure 0-B and shown in solid line in Figure 31. In such a working position, the working piece 738
The other end 748 protrudes into the moving path of a roller 288 (see also FIGS. 12 and 14) provided on the truck 24, and its action surface 748a can act on this roller 288. This action piece 738 is pivotable from the action position to the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. The roller 288 is pivoted clockwise to the position shown by the dashed line, and the roller 288 can thus pass above the working piece 738. Furthermore, a pair of protruding pieces 752 (only one is shown in FIG. 31) is provided at the other end of the first member 684 at intervals in the width direction, and between the pair of protruding pieces 752, the shaft member 754 An operating piece 740 is rotatably mounted via the . The working piece 740 is similar to the working piece 738 mentioned above.
The one end portion 75 has substantially the same configuration as the one end portion 75 that extends substantially horizontally.
6 is provided with a stop surface 756a, and the other end 758 extending upward in an arc shape is provided with an action surface 758a. The action piece 740 is also biased counterclockwise in FIG.
30-A and 30.
- It is held in the working position shown in Figure B and shown in practice in Figure 31. In this operating position, the other end 758 of the operating piece 740 projects into the moving path of the roller 288 of the truck 24, and its operating surface 758a can act on the roller 288. This operating piece 740 is also pivotable from the operating position to the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. The roller 288 is rotated to the position shown by the dotted chain line, and thus the roller 288 can pass above the working piece 740. Referring to FIGS. 30-A and 30-B together with FIG. 29, a force 762 also acts on the tip of the second member 686.
is installed. A pair of protruding blades 764 (see Figures 30-A and 30-B) are provided at the tip of the second member 686 at intervals in the width direction, and a shaft is provided between the pair of protruding pieces 764. An operating piece 762 is rotatably mounted via a member.

Working piece 762 has substantially the same construction as working pieces 738 and 740, with one end 766 provided with a stop surface and the other end 767 extending upwardly in an arcuate manner provided with a working surface. The action piece 762 is also biased counterclockwise in FIG.
It is held in the operating position shown in Figures -A and 30-B.

In the working position, the other end 767 of the working piece 762 projects into the moving path of the connecting pin 266 (see also FIG. 14), which moves while being held in the connecting position, and its working surface acts on the connecting pin 266. obtain. The operating piece 762 can pivot clockwise in FIG. 30-B from the operating position, and the connecting pin 2 moves in the direction shown by the arrow 18 (FIG. 4).
66 acts on the rear surface of the other end 767 of the action piece 762, thereby turning the connecting pin 2 in the clockwise direction.
66 can pass above this working piece 762 similarly to the roller 288 .

The discharge conveyance means 680 will be described with reference to FIGS. 33 and 34 as well as FIG. 29. The discharge conveyance means 680 of the specific example includes a moving member 768. Moving member 76
Reference numeral 8 is composed of an elongated rectangular member, and is disposed outside the outer guide member 21O (FIG. 3). Moving member 7
A shaft member 770 (only the shaft member 770 attached to one side is shown in FIG. 33) is attached to each side of the shaft member 68, and a roller 772 is rotatably attached to both ends of each shaft member 7700. (See Figure 34).

Further, a guide member 774 extending in the moving direction of the truck 24 is fixed to the upper surface of the base plate 206. The guide member 774 is the guide member 7 that guides the first member 684.
08, and has a bottom wall 776 and a side wall 77 extending substantially vertically upward from both sides of the bottom wall 776.
8 and 780 and upper walls 782 and 784 projecting inward from the upper ends of the side walls 778 and 780 (
Figure 34). Then, the moving member 768 moves to the wall portion 776°7.
78, 780, 782 and 784, and the upper end of the moving member 768 protrudes somewhat upward through the opening defined between the earthen walls 782 and 784. 33, 34). This moving member 768 is connected to a pneumatic cylinder mechanism 786. A cylinder body 788 of the pneumatic cylinder mechanism 786 is attached to the base plate 206 via a pair of support brackets 790 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 33). Also, a connecting member 79 is connected to one end of the moving member 768 (the right end in FIGS. 29 and 33) via a pin.
2 are pivotally connected to each other, and an output rod 794 of a pneumatic cylinder mechanism 786 is screwed to this connecting member 792. Therefore, when the pneumatic cylinder mechanism 786 is contracted (or expanded), the moving member 768 is guided by the guide member 774 and moved in the direction shown by the arrow 796 (or 798), and along with this movement, the rollers 772 are moved as required. It is rotated as follows.

An operating piece 800 and a stop piece 802 are provided on the upper surface of the moving member 768. Mainly Figures 33 and 34
Referring to the figure, a pair of protruding pieces 804 (only one is shown in Fig. 33) is provided on the upper surface of the moving member 768 at intervals in the width direction, and between the pair of protruding pieces 804 there is provided a shaft member. An operating piece 800 is rotatably attached via a link 806 .

The working piece 800 has substantially the same configuration as the working pieces 738 and 740, and is provided with a stopping surface 808a at one end 808 extending substantially horizontally, and a working surface 808a at the other end 810 extending upward in an arc shape. 810a is provided. Working piece 8
00 is also biased counterclockwise in FIG. 32 due to its own weight, and the normal stop surface 808a abuts against the upper surface of the moving member 768, thereby being held at the operating position shown by the solid line in FIG. 33. In this operating position, the other end 810 of the operating piece 800 projects into the moving path of the rollers 288 of the truck 24,
Its working surface 810a can act on the roller 288. The operating piece 800 is pivotable from the operating position to the position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. The roller 288 is pivoted clockwise to the position shown by the dashed line, so that the roller 288 can pass over the working piece 800. Furthermore, the protruding piece 804 in the moving member 768
In the area further to the right in Fig. 33 from the placement area,
A pair of protruding pieces 812 (only one is shown in FIG. 33) are provided at intervals in the width direction, and one end of the stopper piece 802 is inserted between the pair of protruding pieces 812 with a shaft member 814 interposed therebetween. It is mounted so that it can freely rotate between the working position shown in FIG. 35 and the non-working position shown in FIG. The stop piece 802 has an oval-shaped main body 816, and a stop surface 816a extending substantially vertically upward is defined on the rear surface of the other end of the main body 816. Approximately triangular support projections 818 projecting downward are integrally provided on both sides of the main body portion 8160. A short shaft 820 that projects outward is fixed to each of the support protrusions 818, and a roller 822 is rotatably mounted on the short shaft 820. A pair of action plates 824 are provided corresponding to each of the rollers 822. One end of the action plate 824 is connected to the upper wall 782 of the guide member 774.
and 784, and extend substantially horizontally, and their other ends extend linearly and downwardly toward the right in FIG. 33. With this structure, when the pneumatic cylinder mechanism 786 is extended, the roller 822 is located on the upper surface of one end of the action plate 824, as shown in FIG. 33, and the stop piece 802 is in the action position. Retained. In this operating position, the other end of the stop piece 802 projects into the movement path of the roller 288 of the truck 24, and the roller 288 moving in the direction shown by the arrow 18 (FIG. 4) comes into contact with the stop surface 816a. This will surely prevent its movement.

On the other hand, when the pneumatic cylinder mechanism 786 is retracted, the roller 288 passes from one end of the working plate 824 to the other end and disengages therefrom, as shown in FIG. 35, thereby causing the stop piece 802 to move clockwise in FIG. Thus, a portion of the support protrusion 818 of the stop piece 802 is rotated to the moving member 76.
8 is held in the non-operating position.

In the non-operating position, the other end of the stop piece 802 is connected to the roller 2.
88, the roller 288 can pass above the stop piece 802 as required.

The assembly line of the specific example is further configured as follows in relation to the auxiliary withdrawal mechanism 676.

Mainly referring to FIG. 3, an introduction side detection means 826 is disposed at the upstream end of the product discharge area 14, that is, near the location where the small pulley 42 is disposed. A detection means 828 for preventing a rear-end collision is provided. Further, the downstream end of the product discharge area 14, that is, the small pulley 44
A discharge side detection means 830 is disposed near the disposed portion. Further, a detection means 832 for confirming the presence of a cart is provided corresponding to the unloading position, and a detection means 834 is provided at the upstream end of the assembly start area 8. These detection means 826. ．． 828, 830, 832 and 834 are trolleys 2
4, and can be composed of, for example, a mechanical detection switch, a magnetic detection switch, an optical detection switch, or the like. Further, an operating device operated by the worker is provided near the product unloading area 14, and this operating device includes a discharge start switch (
(not shown) is provided.

Next, referring mainly to FIGS. 3, 31, and 33 as well as FIGS. 36-A to 36-G, the product unloading area I
4 and its vicinity will be explained.

The trolley 24 moves from the assembly start area 8 to the assembly area 10 and the preparation area 12.
(Once conveyed in this way, substantially all the components are assembled on the frame body 160 (FIG. 8) on the trolley 24, and the assembled components are When various adjustments are completed), the introduction side detection means 826 detects the trolley 24 after passing through the collision prevention detection means 828, and based on the detection signal from the detection means 826, the pneumatic cylinder of the introduction conveyance means 678 is activated. Mechanism 720
is automatically expanded or contracted three times in succession. On the other hand, when the trolley 24 is moved to this position, the roller 288 passes through the working piece 738 of the introduction conveyance means 678. When passing through this, the working piece 738 is located at a distance from the working position shown by the solid line in FIG. The action piece 738 is rotated to the position shown by the dotted chain line.
and the downstream action piece 740 to the position shown by the solid line.

Therefore, when the pneumatic cylinder mechanism 720 is expanded or contracted based on the signal from the introduction side detection means 826, the moving member 68 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow 734, as shown in FIG. 36-B.
The working surface 748a of the working piece 738 attached to the trolley 2
4, and this roller 288 is moved as shown by the arrow 734.
At this time, since the stop surface 746a of the action piece 738 comes into contact with the upper surface of the first member 684, the action piece 738 moves beyond the action position and moves counterclockwise in FIG. (does not rotate), moving member 6
Along with the movement of 82, the cart 24 is also moved in the direction shown by the arrow 734, and thus the rollers 288 of the cart 24 are positioned at the position shown in FIG. 36-B (the position shown by the two-dot chain line 288A in FIG. 36-A). It will be done. Next, this pneumatic cylinder mechanism 720 is contracted (when the pneumatic cylinder mechanism 720 is contracted, as shown in FIG. When passing the side, it is rotated from the operating position shown by the solid line in Fig. 31 to the position shown by the two-dot chain line), and when it is extended again, the third
As shown in FIG. 6-0, the working surface 758a of the working piece 740 that moves in the direction shown by the arrow 734 touches the roller 2 of the truck 24.
88 to seize this roller 288 in the direction shown by arrow 734. At this time, since the stop surface 756a of the action piece 740 comes into contact with the upper surface of the first member 684, the action piece 7
40 does not rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 31 beyond the above-mentioned operating position), as the moving member 682 moves, the carriage 24 is further moved in the direction shown by the arrow 734, and thus the rollers of the carriage 24 are 288 is located at the position shown in FIG. 36-0 (the position shown by the two-dot chain line 288B in FIG. 36-A). The pneumatic cylinder mechanism 720 then contracted once more (as shown in FIG. 35-A,
The action piece 762 connects the connecting pin 26 of the carriage 24 thus moved.
6 and is pivoted as required in the clockwise direction from the position shown in FIG. 30-B when passing under the connecting pin 266) and when extended, as shown in FIG. 36-D , the other end 767 of the action piece 762 moving in the direction shown by the arrow 734 acts on the connection pin 266 of the truck 24 and presses the connection pin 266. At this time, one end of the action piece 762 moves toward the second member. Since it comes into contact with the upper surface of 686, the action piece 7
62 does not rotate counterclockwise in the third O-Bi beyond the above-mentioned operating position), the carriage 24 is further moved in the direction shown by the arrow 734 as the moving member 682 moves, and thus the carriage 2-4 The connecting pin 266 is positioned in the position shown in FIG. 36-D.

Furthermore, when positioned in this manner, the rollers 288 of the truck 24 pass through the working piece 800 of the discharge conveying means 680. When passing through the working piece 800, the working piece 800 moves from the working position shown by the solid line in FIG. 33 to the position shown by the two-dot chain line. 36-D (the position shown by a two-dot chain line 288c in FIG. 36-A) between the operating piece 800 and the stop piece 802. Therefore, the pneumatic cylinder mechanism 720
36-E, the movement of the roller 288 in the direction indicated by the arrow 734 is reliably prevented by the stop surface 816a of the stop piece 802 in the operating position, and the movement of the roller 288 in the direction indicated by the arrow 734 is reliably prevented. The movement in the direction indicated by is reliably prevented by the working surface 810a of the bank 800 in the working position, and thus the trolley 24 is held at the product unloading position in the product unloading area 14.

When the product is held at the product unloading position, the operator uses a device such as a lift to lower the copying machine assembled on the trolley 24 from the trolley 24 and packs it in a packaging box or the like as required. To ensure sufficient time for packaging at the product unloading location,
It is preferable that the pneumatic cylinder mechanism 720 of the introduction conveyance means 678 is expanded and retracted quickly so that the moving speed of the carriage 24 by the introduction conveyance means 678 is sufficiently faster than the movement speed of the carriage 24 by the chain 6. When the trolley 24 is at the product unloading position, the detection means 832 for confirming the presence of the trolley
Detect. Even if the following cart 24 is moved to the introduction side detection means 826 in such a state, the pneumatic cylinder mechanism 720 of the introduction conveyance means 678 is not expanded or contracted in order to prevent a collision between the carts 24. The following truck 24 stops at a position where the drive connection with the drive chain 6 is released. In this state, when the next following truck 24 is further moved to the detection means 828 for preventing a rear-end collision, the electric motor 48 (FIG. 3) is deenergized by the detection signal from the detection means 828 for preventing a rear-end collision. , the entire assembly line stops.

After the copying machine is unloaded from the cart 24 and packed, an ejection start switch (not shown) is then pressed.

In this way, the pneumatic cylinder mechanism 7 of the discharge conveying means 680
86 is contracted and then expanded to its original state. When the pneumatic cylinder mechanism 786 is retracted, the moving member 76 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow 798, as shown in FIG. 36-F.
The working surface 810a of the working piece 800 of 8 is the roller 2 of the trolley 24.
88 to press this roller 288 in the direction shown by arrow 798. At this time, since the stop surface 808a of the working piece 800 comes into contact with the upper surface of the moving member 768, the working piece 80
0 does not rotate counterclockwise in FIG. 33 beyond the above-mentioned operating position), as the moving member 768 moves, the carriage 24 is also moved in the direction shown by the arrow 798, and thus the rollers 288 of the carriage 24 is the position shown in Figure 36-F (3rd
6-A) is located at a position indicated by a two-dot chain line 288D. When the rollers 288 are positioned in this way, the connecting pin 266 of the truck 24 is located in the moving path of the chain 6 that is wrapped around the small pulley 44 and pulled out to the outside.
Engagement pawl 22 of chain 6 moving in the direction shown by arrow 18
8 acts on the connecting bin 266, the carriage 24
is transported towards the assembly start area 8 and again as required through the assembly area 10 and adjustment area 12 as described above. When the retracted pneumatic cylinder mechanism 786 is then extended, the stop piece 802 passes under the opening 288 and returns to its original position, as shown in FIG. 36-G.

When the stop piece 802 passes below the roller 288,
This stopper piece 802 is positioned in the non-acting position shown in FIG. 35, so that the stopper piece 802 does not act on the roller 288.

The specific example is further configured as follows.

Referring mainly to FIGS. 3 and 29, when the cart 24 is introduced from the downstream end of the adjustment area 12 to the upstream end of the product discharge area 14 by the action of the drive chain 6, the introduction side detection means 826 is activated. The trolley 24 is detected. Further, when the pneumatic cylinder mechanism 786 of the discharge conveyance means 680 contracts and the trolley 24 is transported downstream from the product unloading area 14 toward the assembly start area 8, the discharge side detection means 830 detects the trolley 24. . The pneumatic cylinder mechanism 720 is not expanded or contracted until the discharge side detection means 830 detects the carriage 24 after the introduction side detection means 826 detects the carriage 24. Therefore, as is easily understood, when the trolley 24 is located in the product unloading area 14, the following trolley 24
is not introduced into the product discharge area 14, and thus collisions between the carts 24 in the product discharge area 14 are reliably prevented.

Further, when the trolley 24 is transported from the product unloading area 14 to the upstream end of the assembly start area 8, the detection means 834 detects the trolley 24. Until the detection means 834 detects the trolley 24, the pneumatic cylinder mechanism 786 is not contracted even if the discharge start switch (not shown) is pressed. Therefore, as is easily understood, when the cart 24 is located in the area between the product unloading area 14 and the assembly start area 80, even if the discharge start switch is pressed, the following cart 24 will not be introduced into the area. Thus, collisions between the carts 24 in the above region are reliably prevented.

In the above-described control, when the trolley 24 is present at the product unloading position (when the trolley presence confirmation detection means 832 detects the trolley 24), the pneumatic cylinder mechanism 722 of the introduction conveyance means 678 expands and contracts. However,
Instead, when the collision prevention detection means 828 detects the following cart 24 while the cart 24 is at the product unloading position, the electric motor 48 is deenergized and the entire assembly line is stopped. You can also do this. With this control, as will be readily understood, the spacing between the small pulleys 42 and 44 and the spacing between the detection means 826 and 828 can be shortened, and in this connection the overall length of the assembly line can be reduced as described above. On the other hand, it can be made somewhat shorter than if
When the following truck 24 is conveyed to the detection means 828 for preventing a rear-end collision, the entire assembly line immediately stops, which may increase the number of stops of the assembly line and somewhat reduce work efficiency.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing a specific example of an assembly line according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the view from line II-[[ in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the product unloading area and its vicinity in the assembly line of FIG. 1. 4 is a plan view showing a part of the assembly line of FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view showing an example of a truck used in the assembly line of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the truck shown in FIG. 5 with a portion cut away. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the main parts of the cart shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 8 is a side view showing a connecting portion between the lifting platform and the work table in the cart of FIG. 5; FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a connecting portion between the lifting platform and the work table. 10 is an enlarged front view of a portion of the drive chain on the assembly line of FIG. 4; FIG. FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the drive chain of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the connection between the drive chain and the truck in the assembly line of FIG. 4. Figure 13 shows the
Line 1:: Cross-sectional view. FIG. 14 is a side view of the connecting portion between the drive chain and the truck shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing guided means provided on the cart of FIG. 4 and the vicinity thereof. FIG. 16 is a partially cutaway plan view showing the electrical connection between the power supply line and the truck. FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing the electrical connection portion in FIG. 16. FIG. 18 is a front view showing the drive release means disposed at the working position. FIG. 19 is a plan view of the drive release means shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing the front end of the truck. FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing the detachment position locking means provided on the cart of FIG. 5 and the vicinity thereof. Figure 22 shows XLII-XXII in Figure 20.
1 Cross-sectional view. FIG. 23 is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 22, showing a state when an obstacle acts on the bumper member. FIG. 24 is a simplified diagram showing the main drive release means and the auxiliary drive release means arranged corresponding to the working positions of the assembly line. FIG. 25 is a front view showing the main drive release means of FIG. 24. FIG. 26 is a plan view of the main drive release means shown in FIG. 25. FIG. 27 is a front view showing the auxiliary drive release means of FIG. 24. FIG. 28 is a fluid pressure circuit diagram showing a fluid pressure control system that controls the operation of the cylinder mechanisms of the main drive release means and the auxiliary drive release means. FIG. 29 is a plan view schematically showing auxiliary conveyance means arranged in the product discharge area. 30-A and 30-B are a plan view and a side view, respectively, showing a part of the introduction conveyance means in the auxiliary conveyance means. FIG. 31 is an enlarged side view showing the working pieces of the introducing and conveying means and their vicinity; Figure 32 shows Kel XXX[l -XXXI in Figure 31.
A sectional view taken along the I line. FIG. 33 is an enlarged side view showing the main part of the discharge conveyance means in the auxiliary conveyance means in a state where the pneumatic cylinder mechanism is extended. Figure 34 is shown in Figure 33 +-j XXXIV -XX
Cross-sectional view taken along line XIV. FIG. 35 is an enlarged side view showing the main part of the discharge conveyance means in a state where the pneumatic cylinder mechanism is contracted. 36-A to 36-G are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the auxiliary conveyance means, respectively. 6... Drive chain 8... Assembly start area 10... Assembly area 12... Adjustment area 14... Product delivery areas 20 and 22... Power supply line 24... Cart 204... Guide means 402...Drive release means 578...Main drive release means 580...Auxiliary drive release means 680...Auxiliary conveyance mechanism Fig. 7% 13 Fig. Brown 15! Figure 21 Figure 22 Figure 23

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Moving an assembly trolley along a predetermined movement route,
In an assembly line where products are assembled while the cart is moving, a drive line for moving the cart and a power supply line for supplying electricity to the cart are provided on the floor along the moving path. An assembly line characterized by: 2. The drive line has an elongated loop shape, and between the one side running section and the other side running section of the drive line, there is a power supply line for the cart moved by the one side running section and the other side running section. 2. The assembly line according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply line for said cart moved by said carriage, and a working area exists outside said one side running section and said other side running section.