JPH03106719A - Article conveying device for article production line - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To effectively circulate a carrier means in a short time by providing a carrier return means in parallel with a carrier guide means, and by connecting the upstream and downstream sides of both carrier guide and return means with each other through the intermediary of carrier feed-out means, respectively, so as to form a circulating path for the carrier means. CONSTITUTION:Carrier means 3 on which workpiece are set are transferred on a carrier guide means 4 which is laid along working zones A through G (zones C through G are not shown) which are connected in series. Further, emptied carriers 3 are returned in the direction of the void arrow on a carrier return means 5 which is laid in parallel with the carrier guide means 4. An endless belt type setting and shifting means 97 which is provided at the downstream end of the return means 5 shifts the carrier means 3 to the introduction zone G of the carrier guide means 4 so as to deliver the carrier means 3 onto the carrier guide means 4. A similar shifting means is provided between the downstream end of the guide means and the upstream end of the returning means 5.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an article conveying device for an article manufacturing line. (Prior Art) It is known that in automobile manufacturing factories, articles such as vehicle bodies are usually assembled using a production line having multiple work steps. In this production line, a plurality of work sections are arranged in series, and the vehicle body is conveyed along each of the work sections by being placed on or suspended from a conveying device such as a conveyor.

In such a production line, for example, in the process of preparing the interior of a car body, the work is carried out by placing the car body on a carrier and moving the carrier along the work section. In the process of assembling the suspension part, the vehicle body is transferred from the carrier to a hanger conveyor and suspended, and the work proceeds while the hanger and the like are moved along the work section. Therefore, vehicle bodies are transferred between multiple work zones using different transportation methods. In each of these conveyance devices, the carrier means such as a conveyance cart or a hanger rotates endlessly in order to return the vehicle body to the loading position after transferring the vehicle body to the conveyance device in another work section. ing.

In a conveying device that transports the vehicle body by placing the vehicle body on the carrier means, for example, the carrier guide means for guiding the carrier means is provided in a substantially elliptical shape, and one straight track is set on the outward path. The work is carried out by transporting the car body along this path, and the car body is delivered to another transport device at the downstream end of the outgoing path, and then, with nothing placed on the carrier means, it is transferred to the circular arc track and another return path. The linear start is moved and returned to the vehicle body loading position on the outward trip. However, in order to rotate a large carrier means for transporting a large article such as an automobile body in an elliptical shape and return it, it is necessary to make the diameter of the arcuate track of the carrier guide means relatively large. There is. As a result, the diameter of the arcuate trajectory of the carrier guide means becomes larger, resulting in a longer distance for the carrier means to be returned, resulting in the inconvenience that a large installation space is required for the carrier guide means. Furthermore,
By increasing the return distance of the carrier means, the return time of the carrier means also becomes longer, resulting in a disadvantage that work efficiency decreases. Furthermore, in order to eliminate the decrease in work efficiency due to the long return time of the carrier means, there is a disadvantage that it is necessary to increase the number of carrier means that circulate through the carrier guide means. (Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The present invention solves these inconveniences, allows the carrier means to be returned smoothly, shortens the return distance, and efficiently returns the carrier means in a short time without increasing the number of carrier means. It is an object of the present invention to provide an article conveying device for an article assembly line that can circulate articles and improve work efficiency.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a method for transferring articles conveyed from other lines along an article manufacturing line that consists of a plurality of work zones for manufacturing articles. In an article conveyance device comprising a carrier means that moves along the carrier means, and a carrier guide means that guides the carrier means along a work section of the article manufacturing line, the carrier guide means moves the carrier means along the carrier guide means. A carrier return means is provided for guiding the carrier means in a direction opposite to the direction in which the carrier is guided, and the returned carrier means is transferred to the downstream end of the carrier return means to transfer the returned articles to the upstream side of the carrier guide means. A first transfer means that moves to a transfer position and transfers the carrier means is provided, and when an article is transferred to the carrier means transferred by the first transfer means, the carrier means is moved upstream of the carrier guide means. A first sending means is provided to transfer the guided carrier means to an article delivery position downstream of the carrier guide means, and transfer the carrier means from which the article has been removed to the upstream side of the carrier return means. The present invention is characterized in that a second transfer means is provided for transferring the carrier means to a position connected to the second transfer means, and a second sending means is provided for sending the carrier means transferred by the second transfer means upstream of the carrier return means.

Further, the first transfer means is capable of reciprocating between a position connected to the downstream side of the carrier return means and a position connected to the upstream side of the carrier guide means, and the second transfer means
It is characterized in that it is capable of reciprocating between a position connected to the downstream side of the carrier guiding means and a position connected to the upstream side of the carrier return means.

Further, the apparatus is characterized in that the first sending means is provided on the first transferring means, and the second sending means is provided on the second transferring means.

Further, the first transport means and the second transport means are characterized in that they move the carrier means in forward and reverse directions.

(Operation) With this means, first, an article is transferred to the carrier means by the first transfer means at an article transfer position which is a position continuous to the upstream end of the carrier guide means.

When the article is transferred to the carrier means, the first delivery means sends out the carrier means in a direction toward the carrier guide means.

Thereafter, the first transfer means moves toward the carrier return means and becomes connected to its downstream end.

On the other hand, the carrier means sent out toward the carrier guide means conveys the article along the carrier guide means,
The article undergoes manufacturing operations in each work section of the line.

Subsequently, at the downstream end of the carrier guide means that has finished working on the article, the second transfer means, which stands by in series with the downstream end, receives the carrier means on which the article is placed. When the article is removed from the carrier means, the second transfer means moves toward the carrier return means and becomes connected to its upstream end. Then, the second sending means sends out the carrier means toward the carrier return means and inputs the carrier means into the carrier return means. Thereafter, the second transfer means moves toward the carrier guide means and becomes connected to its downstream end.

and,. The carrier means is returned to its downstream end by the carrier return means, and delivered to the first transfer means connected to the downstream end.

As described above, the carrier means is transferred from the first transfer means to the carrier guide means, from the carrier guide means to the second transfer means, from the second transfer means to the carrier return means, and from the carrier return means. It is sequentially delivered to the first transfer means and circulated.

Further, since the first transfer means is reciprocable,
Receive the carrier means at a position connected to the downstream side of the carrier return means, move forward to a position connected to the upstream side of the carrier guide means to quickly transfer the carrier means, and throw the carrier means into the carrier guide means. After that, it quickly returns to a position downstream of the carrier return means and receives the carrier means at that position. Similarly, the second transfer means is reciprocating, so that it receives the carrier means at a position downstream of the carrier guide means, moves forward to a position connected upstream of the carrier return means, and receives the carrier means at a position adjacent to the downstream side of the carrier return means. After quickly transporting the carrier means and throwing the carrier means into the carrier return means, the carrier means is quickly returned to a position connected to the downstream side of the carrier guide means and receives the carrier means at that position.

Further, each transfer means is provided with the above-mentioned sending means, so that the carrier means can be easily sent out by each transfer means.

Further, since the first sending means of the first transferring means and the second sending means of the second transferring means can move the carrier means in forward and reverse directions, the first sending means of the carrier means and the second sending means of the second transferring means can Facilitates receiving and sending to the second transport means.

(Example) An embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an assembly line including the conveyance device of this embodiment, Figs. 2 and 3 are explanatory diagrams showing a partial arrangement of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a diagram of Figs. 2 and 3. A perspective view showing a part of the fifth
6 and 6 are explanatory diagrams of a part of the present embodiment apparatus, FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the present embodiment apparatus, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory sectional view of FIG. 7.

As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG.
While transporting the car body 2 along the assembly line
This is a transport device for the vehicle body 2 that performs work F. The conveyance device
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the system is composed of a carrier means 3 on which the vehicle body 2 is placed and a carrier guide means 4 that guides the carrier means 3 in the transport direction of the vehicle body 2. After transporting the vehicle body 2 to the downstream end position of the assembly line
Carrier return means 5 for returning the carrier means 3 to the upstream end position of the assembly line X is provided.

First, the configuration of each part will be explained in detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the carrier guide means 4 includes first guide means 4 extending parallel to each other toward the transport direction of the vehicle body 2.
Three carrier guide rails 6, 7.8 consisting of a carrier guide rail 6, a second carrier guide rail 7 and a central carrier guide rail 8 extending parallel to and centrally to both carrier guide rails 6.7. It is equipped with The three carrier guide rails 6, 7.8 are seamlessly provided from the upstream end of the assembly line X to the downstream end.

As shown in FIG. 4, a chain 9 moving at a low speed is provided between the first carrier guide rail 6 and the central carrier guide rail 8 and is a carrier pulling means for pulling the carrier means 3 at a low speed. A high-speed chain 0 moving at high speed is provided between the second carrier guide rail 7 and the central carrier guide rail 8, and is a carrier pulling means for pulling the carrier means 3 at high speed. ing. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, both the low-speed chain 9 and the high-speed chain 10 are provided over almost the entire area of the assembly line It is being rotated.

Furthermore, both chains 9 and 10 are rotated with their forward-rotating sides exposed along the transport direction of the vehicle body 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the carrier means 3 includes a base carrier 11 on which the vehicle body 2 is placed, and the base carrier 11 includes vehicle body fixing pins for fixing the vehicle body 2 when it is placed thereon. 12 are provided. Furthermore, the fourth
As shown in the figure, first guide rollers guided by the first carrier guide rail 6 are provided at the front and rear ends of the sides of the base carrier l1 directly opposite to the first carrier guide rail 6. A device 13 is provided at the front and rear ends of the sides of the base carrier 11 directly above the second carrier guide rail 7, and a second guide roller device guided by the second carrier guide rail 7. 14 are provided.

Each guide roller device 13. 14, the base carrier 11 is restricted from vertical movement and horizontal movement perpendicular to the first carrier guide rail 6 and the second carrier guide rail 7, so that the base carrier 11 moves only in the transport direction. 6 and the second carrier guide rail 7.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the center carrier guide rail 8 is located at the center of the front end and the center of the rear end of the base carrier 11, which faces directly above the center carrier guide rail 8.
A pair of central guide roller devices 19 are provided. Each central guide roller device 19 not only allows the base carrier 11 to move accurately in the transport direction, but also prevents distortion of the base carrier 11 when the vehicle body 2 is placed on the base carrier 1l, thereby increasing the height of the base carrier 1l. It is said that it is possible to transport with precision. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the central guide roller device 19 at the center of the front end of the base carrier l1 has a spacing member 22 extending forward in the direction of movement of the carrier means 3.
is connected to the tip of the spacing member 22, and the low speed. Latching means 23 are provided for engaging the high speed chains 9, 10 with the base carrier 11.

As shown in FIG.
A pair of movable latching members 27. It is equipped with 28.

Each latching member 27. 28 are located directly above the chains 9 and 10, respectively, with a first latching member 27 serving as a first latching means on the low-speed chain 9 side, and a second latching member 27 serving as a second latching means on the high-speed chain 10 side. A latching member 28 is provided. As shown in FIG. 4, both chains 9 and 10 have both hooking members 27. Akuchmen l-29.
A large number of hooking members 27.30 are provided at predetermined intervals. 28 is a hook portion 31. which can be freely engaged with the attachments 29, 30. It has 32. Furthermore, both latching members 27. 28 respectively include cam rollers 33. 34 are provided. As a result, each cam roller 33.
34 is guided and cammed up and down as will be described later, thereby connecting each chain 9.10 and the locking member 27.34. 2
8 can be engaged and canceled.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the central guide roller device 19 at the center of the rear end of the base carrier 11 has a spacing member 37 extending rearward in the direction of movement of the carrier means 3.
is provided at the rear end of the spacing member 37, and an engagement release means 3 for releasing the engagement between the chains 9 and 10 and the engagement means 23 provided on the subsequent other carrier means 3''.
8 is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the carrier means 3 is moved to a predetermined position on a part of the boundary of each working section A, B and E, F, as will be described later. A stopping means for stopping the carrier means 3 at a position, a locking means for locking the base carrier 1l when the carrier means 3 is stopped, and an engagement for engaging the locking means 23 of the carrier means 3 in a stopped state with the carrier pulling means 9 or 10. means, carrier means 3
A plurality of change stoppers 54 are provided, which constitute a speed switching means for switching the engagement between the locking means 23 and the carrier pulling means 9 or 10, and a part of the positioning means for positioning the base carrier. Furthermore, a positioning feeder 55, which will be described later, is arranged on the upstream side corresponding to each change stopper 54, and the positioning feeder 55 forms a pair with the change stopper 54 corresponding to the upstream side, and serves as a positioning means. He is in charge.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the change stopper 54, a change cam 58, which is a roller guide member, is provided on a support 57 provided on a base 56 so as to be swingable in the vertical direction. Below the change cam 5
A change cam drive cylinder 59 is provided as a swinging means for swinging the change cam 8. The change cam drive cylinder 59 is provided with a cam roller 61 at its tip via an extendable iron 60, and the change cam drive cylinder 59
A cam roller guide rail 62 is provided on the lower side of the cam roller 61 to which the cam roller 61 comes into contact.

Further, the change cam 58 has a guide portion 63 on its upper side, which the cam roller 33 or 34 of the locking member 27 or 28 comes into contact with, and a raised portion 64 on the downstream side of the guide portion 63. It is well-formed. This raised part 64
act as a stop means for the carrier means 3. In other words,
After the cam roller 33 of the locking member 27 is guided from the upstream side of the guide portion 63 as shown by the solid line in FIG. 5, the raised portion 64 of the guide portion 63
When guided along the chain 9 or 1, the cam roller 33 connects the latching portion 3 or 32 of the latching member 27 to the chain 9 or 1.
The carrier means 3 is moved away from the attachment 29 or 30 of 0 and released from its engagement, thereby stopping the carrier means 3.

Further, as shown in FIG.
A roller stopper 65 is provided as a locking means for locking the cam roller 33 or 34. The roller stop collar 65 is connected to the cam roller 3 of the locking member 27 or 28.
It is slidable in the lateral direction to open 3 or 34.

Further, the roller stopper 65 also functions as a lock release means for releasing the lock of the cam roller 33 or 34 from the locking member 27 or 28. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the change cam 58 is configured such that by retracting the rod 60 of the change cam drive cylinder 59, the cam roller 6l at the tip of the change cam 58 is moved along the cam roller guide rail 62 of the change cam 58. It moves to the position shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 5, and moves downward using the support shaft 68 as a fulcrum. As a result, the hooking member 27 or 2
The cam roller 33 or 34 of No. 8 is guided downward. At this time, the change cam 58 is used as a hooking means to engage the hooking portion 31 of the cam roller 33 or 34 of the hooking member 27 or 28.
or 32 as the attachment 2 of the chain 9 or 10
Multiply by 9 or 30. As shown in FIG. 5, the change stopper 54 having the above structure has a base 56 that is slidable on the base rail 70.
A locking member 71 provided at the upstream end of the shock absorber 7 restricts movement toward the upstream side, and the shock absorber 7 is provided on the downstream side.
2 restricts movement to the downstream side. The carrier means 3 moves and suddenly the change stopper 54
Even if it comes into contact with the shock absorber 72, the shock absorber 72 absorbs the impact. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a positioning feeder 55 is provided on the upstream side corresponding to the change stopper 54.
is provided. As shown in FIG. 6, the positioning feeder 55 has a frame 75 slidably provided on a rail 74 provided on a base 73, and an anti-back member 76 is pivotally attached to the frame 75 by a pivot 77. ing. The anti-back member 76 has a shape in which its lower edge 78 is locked to the frame bottom Fi 79, and its upper edge 80 engages with the central guide roller at the center of the rear end provided on the base carrier I1. It is shaped to be locked to the rear edge of the device 19, and the upper end is lighter than the lower end. The frame 75 also has a wall plate 81 on its upstream side.
It is connected to a rod 83 of a feeder cylinder 82 provided on the base 73. This results in
The frame 75 moves in the front-rear direction as the rod 83 expands and contracts. In the positioning feeder 55, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 6, when the center guide roller device 19 passes directly above the anti-back member 76, the anti-back member 76 freely moves and the center guide roller device 19 moves directly above the anti-back member 76. l9 passes. As shown by the imaginary line in FIG. 6, immediately after the central guide roller device 19 passes the position directly above the anti-back member 76, the anti-back member 76 is moved by its lower edge 78 due to its weight to frame the anti-back member 76. The anti-back member 76 is locked to the bottom plate 79, and at the same time, the upper edge 80 of the anti-back member 76 comes into contact with the rear edge of the central guide roller device 19. Then, the rod 83 of the feeder cylinder 82 presses the frame 75. As a result, the frame 75 slides on the base 73 in the conveying direction, and the anti-back member 76 and the central guide roller device l
9, the carrier means 3 is pushed out in the conveying direction. At this time, the cam roller 33 or 34 of the above-mentioned latching member 27 or 28 shown in FIG. It is supported and locked. In this state, the carrier means 3 is connected to each of the guide roller devices ifl3, 14.
．． 19 in the vertical and horizontal directions, the locking member 71. The anti-back member 76 locks the front and back directions and allows accurate positioning.

Then, at the same time as the front end of the carrier means 3 is released, the frame 75 of the positioning feeder 55 is returned to its home position by the feeder cylinder 82. Further, the positioning feeder 55 utilizes the action of pushing out the carrier means 3 to prevent the carrier means 3 from being in a stopped state as described later.
By pushing out in the conveyance direction, the change stopper 54 and the guide rail 84. A starting force can be applied to the stopped carrier means 3 by means such as 85.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the assembly line
, the hooking member 27. 28 cam rollers 33.
34 along the guide rail 84. 85 are provided. The guide rail 84. 85 is normally used when the cam roller 33 or 3 is in a state where the locking member 27 or 28 and the chain 9 or 10 are not engaged or separated.
Guide 4.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a carrier return means 5 is provided for returning the carrier means 3 on which the vehicle body 2 is not placed from the downstream end position to the upstream end position of the assembly line X. It is being As shown in FIG. 7, the carrier return means 5 includes a guide roller device 19 located at each central portion of the carrier means 3. 26. An endless rotatable belt 96 is placed over the entire length of the belt 96 in contact with the carrier means 41, and is driven in a direction opposite to the transport direction of the vehicle body 2 to return the carrier means 3 by a so-called belt conveyor system.

As shown in FIG. 2, the carry-in section G is provided with a first transfer means 97 that reciprocates between the downstream end of the carrier return stage 5 and the upstream end of the assembly line X. The first transfer means 97, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8,
and a guide rail 98. which is connectable to the second carrier guide rail 6.7, respectively. 99, and both rails 98. 9
A transfer table 102 provided with an endless bell (first delivery means) driven by a drive device 100 that rotates forward and backward in parallel to the center of the carrier return means 5; It consists of a transfer device 103 that reciprocates between the end and the upstream end of the assembly line X. The transfer device 103, as shown in FIG.
A pinion gear 105 connected to a drive device 104 fixed to the drive unit 104 is engaged with a rack 106 provided along the movement direction, and the transfer table 102 is moved along a pair of guide rails 107 by rotation of the pinion gear 105. do.

The transfer table 102 is connected to the downstream end of the carrier return means 5 and receives the carrier means 3 returned by the carrier return stage 5.

At this time, the drive device 100 rotates and the endless belt 1
01 is driven to send the carrier means 3 to the transfer table 102, and then the drive device 100 is stopped to make the carrier means 3 stand still.

Then, while the carrier means 3 remains stationary, the transfer table 102 moves to a position connected to the upstream end of the carrier guide stage 4 to transfer the carrier means 3. Subsequently, when the vehicle body is placed on the carrier means 3, the drive device 1
00 drives the endless belt 101 by rotating in the opposite direction to when the carrier means 3 is fed into the transfer table 102,
The carrier means 3 is delivered to the carrier guide means 4. Next, the transfer table 102 moves to a position connected to the downstream end of the carrier return means 5 and receives the circulated carrier stages 3.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a second transfer means 112 is also provided in the carry-out section H for reciprocating between the downstream end of the assembly line X and the upstream end of the carrier return means 5. The second transfer means 112 has the same structure as the first transfer means 97, so a description thereof will be omitted.

The configuration of each part of this implementation device 1 is as described above. As shown in Fig. 1, the assembly line ing. In detail, A is a loading section for transporting the vehicle body 2 to the assembly line, B is a manual assembly work section, C is an automatic assembly work section using an automatic assembly machine, and D is the same as the work section A. E is an automatic assembly work section by an automatic assembly machine similar to the work section C, F is an unloading section where the vehicle body 2 is carried out from the assembly line, and G is a section where the vehicle body is placed on the carrier means 3. H is a vehicle body transfer section where the vehicle body 2 is transferred, and H is a vehicle body unloading section where the vehicle body 2 placed on the carrier means 3 is released.

The above work sections A, B, C, D, E, F,
The assembly line X of this embodiment, which is composed of G and H, is one of a plurality of production lines (not shown) in automobile manufacturing, and only one assembly line is excerpted for convenience of explanation. Immediately before the vehicle body 2 to be assembled by the assembly line X of this embodiment is delivered to the assembly line , assembly work is performed on a door assembly line Y in parallel with the main assembly line X.

The assembly work of the vehicle body 2 on the main assembly line X will be explained step by step.

First, the vehicle body 2 transferred from another line by a transport device such as a hanging conveyor (not shown) is stopped on the transfer table 102 in the vehicle suspension and transfer section G, as shown in FIG. It is placed on the base carrier 11 of the carrier means 3 and fixed with the vehicle body fixing pin l2 shown in FIG. The carrier means 3 with the vehicle body 2 placed at 'R' is transferred to the carry-in section A shown in the first diagram by rotation of the endless belt 101 of the first transport means 97 shown in FIG. 7 in the transport direction. At the same time as the carrier means 3 moves to the carry-in section A, the transfer table 102 of the first transfer means 97 is moved by the moving device 103 shown in FIGS. Move to a position connected to means 5. In this state, the first transfer means 97 waits for the carrier means 3 to be sent to the carrier return means 5.

The carrier means 3 that has moved to the conveyance section A shown in the second diagram is attached to the attachment 3 of the high-speed chain lO by the second hooking member 28.
0 and the hooking part 32 are engaged and pulled, and the paper is moved at high speed in the transport direction. At this time, the first latching member 27 is moved with its cam roller 33 being guided along the guide rail 84 and its latching portion 31 being separated from the low-speed chain 9 .

In this way, the carrier means 3 is transported at high speed to the boundary between the carry-in section A and the manual assembly section B.

As shown in FIG. 2, the change stopper 54 is provided at the boundary between the carry-in section A and the manual assembly section B. The change stopper 54 is connected to the carrier means 3
is provided at a position where the cam roller 34 of the second latching member 28 passes, and guides the cam roller 34 in a direction in which the attachment 30 of the high-speed chain 10 and the latching portion 32 are separated to stop the carrier means 3. let The stopped carrier means 3 is in a standby state for movement to the manual assembly work section B. In this standby state, when the preceding vehicle body 2 is being assembled in the manual assembly work section B, the following vehicle body 2
This is to prevent the material from being transported and to align the transfer tie. The second locking member 28 of the carrier means 3 in the stopped state is locked to the roller stop collar 65 with the cam roller 34 separated from the high speed chain 10 at the raised portion 64 of the change stopper 54. When the carrier means 3 moves into the manual assembly work zone B, the roller stopper 65 is slid by the cylinder 66 in the direction away from the cam roller 34 and
Release the lock.

Then, the positioning feeder 55 provided upstream of the change stopper 54 presses the central guide roller device 19 on the rear side of the base carrier I1 to push the carrier means 3 into the manual assembly work section B.

In the manual assembly work sections B and D shown in FIG.
However, since the carrier means 3 on which the vehicle body 2 is placed is pulled by a low-speed chain 9, the assembly is performed manually by a person during transportation. Work is done.

In the automatic assembly work sections C and E, the carrier means 3 transports the vehicle body 2 at high speed by being pulled by the high-speed chain IO. The automatic assembly work sections C and E are sections in which the vehicle body 2 is assembled by an automatic assembly machine (not shown) such as a robot. At this time, as described above, the second hooking member 28
The cam roller 34 is brought into contact with the locking member 71, and the front of the carrier means 3 is locked by the locking member 71. An anti-back member 76 comes into contact with the rear of the carrier means 3, and at the same time, the anti-back member 76 is pressed and locked by the feeder cylinder 82 of the positioning feeder 55.

In this state, the carrier means 3 is connected to each of the indoor roller devices 13. 14. 19 in the vertical and horizontal directions, and the locking member 71 and the anti-back member 76 in the front and rear directions, thereby ensuring accurate positioning. By performing each work of each automatic assembly machine in this state, highly accurate assembly work can be performed. Therefore, in the automatic assembly work sections C and E, the vehicle body 2 can be transported at high speed to the work position of the automatic assembly machine, and the vehicle body 2 can be positioned with high precision at the work position.

After the assembly work of the above-mentioned work sections A, B, , C, D, and E to the vehicle body 2 is completed, the carrier means 3 for transporting the vehicle body 2 is completed.
is moved to the carry-out section F by the transfer means 86, as shown in FIG.

In the carry-out section F, the carrier means 3 is transferred in the same manner as in the carry-in section A. Furthermore, the change stopper 54 is provided at the downstream edge of the carry-out section F, as shown in FIG.

The carrier means 3 is temporarily stopped by the change stopper 54 and is in a standby state for movement to the second transfer means 112. In this standby state, the second transfer means 112
This is for waiting for the carrier to move to a position adjacent to the carrier guide means 4, as indicated by the imaginary line h in FIG.

Then, the carrier means 3 by the change stopper 54
When the lock is released and the carrier means 3 moves to the vehicle body payout section H by the positioning feeder 55, the vehicle body 2 is removed from the carrier means 3 by a conveying device that conveys the vehicle body 2 to the next line (not shown). .

Then, the carrier means 3 is transferred to the carrier return means 5 by the second transfer means 112 having the same configuration as the first transfer means 97, and is moved to the vehicle body transfer section G of the assembly line by the belt 96. . In this way,
The carrier means 3 circulate through the assembly line.

As described above, the vehicle body 2 is transported to each work section A, BC, D, E, and F at the optimum transport speed by the present apparatus. Assembly work of F is performed. Further, in the first transfer means 97 and the second transfer means 112, the carrier stages 3 do not require an arcuate trajectory and are circulated in the shortest distance, so that the return time of one carrier means can be shortened.

(Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above, a first transfer means is provided that reciprocates between a position connected to the upstream end of the carrier guide means and a position connected to the downstream end of the carrier return means, and Since the second transfer means is provided to reciprocate between a position connected to the downstream end of the guide means and a position connected to the upstream end of the carrier return means, the shortest distance between the two is connected without going through an arcuate trajectory, and the direction of movement of the carrier means is determined. can be quickly converted.

Thereby, the carrier means can be circulated efficiently in a short time.

Since the first transfer means is provided with the first delivery means and the second transfer means is provided with the second delivery means, the carrier means can be smoothly moved and received by simply driving both delivery means in forward and reverse directions. Or you can send it out.

Thereby, it is possible to provide an article conveying device for an article assembly line that can quickly transfer the carrier means to the carrier guide means and the carrier return means and improve work efficiency.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an assembly line including the conveyance device of this embodiment, Figures 2 and 3 are explanatory diagrams showing a partial structure of Figure 1, and Figure 4 is a diagram of Figures 2 and 3. A perspective view showing a part of the fifth
6 and 6 are explanatory diagrams of a part of the present embodiment apparatus, FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of a part of the present embodiment apparatus, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory sectional view of FIG. 7. 1... Conveyance device 2... Vehicle body (article) 3... Carrier means 4... Carrier guide means 5... Carrier return means 97... First transfer means 112... Second transfer means 104... Drive device

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Carrier means for transferring and moving articles conveyed from other lines along an article manufacturing line consisting of a plurality of work zones for manufacturing articles; In an article conveying device comprising a carrier guiding means for guiding along a work section of a production line, the carrier guiding means guides the carrier means in a direction opposite to the direction in which the carrier guiding means guides the carrier means along the carrier guiding means. A carrier returning means is provided, and the returned carrier means is transferred to a downstream end of the carrier returning means, and the carrier means is moved to an article transfer position connected to the upstream side of the carrier guiding means, and the carrier means is transferred. A first transport means is provided, and when an article is transferred to the carrier means transferred by the first transport means, a first sending means is provided for sending the carrier means upstream of the carrier guide means, and the carrier guide means providing a second transfer means for transferring the carrier means guided to an article carry-out position continuous to the downstream side of the carrier means and transferring the carrier means from which the article has been removed to a position continuous to the upstream side of the carrier return means; An article conveyance device for an article manufacturing line, characterized in that a second sending means is provided for sending out the carrier means transferred by the second transfer means upstream of the carrier return means. 2. The first transfer means is capable of reciprocating between a position continuous to the downstream side of the carrier return means and a position continuous to the upstream side of the carrier guide means, and the second transfer means 2. The article conveying device for an article manufacturing line according to claim 1, wherein the device is capable of reciprocating between a downstream position and an upstream position of the carrier return means. 3. The first delivery means to the first transfer means, and the second
3. The article conveying apparatus for an article manufacturing line according to claim 2, wherein each of said second conveying means is provided with a sending means. 4. The article conveyance device for an article manufacturing line according to claim 3, wherein the first delivery means and the second delivery means move the carrier means in forward and reverse directions.