JPH04159915A - Conveyance attitude correcting device for pallet - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To align pallets into the forward attitude by detecting and judging whether the conveyed pallets are faced forward or backward, storing the front- faced pallets as they are, and turning the back-faced pallets by 180 deg. to store them. CONSTITUTION:The attitude (front-faced or back-faced) of conveyed pallets 10 is judged by a light projector 21 and a light receiver 22 arranged along the side edge of a pallet conveying roller conveyor 20. The pallets 10 are sent to a roller conveyor 60 from the roller conveyor 20 via a roller conveyor 40. The front-faced pallets 10 are fed to a roller conveyor 80 in the present attitude by a chain conveyor 70 as shown by solid arrows. The back-faced pallets 10 are sent to a turn table 100 and turned by 180 deg. into the front-faced attitude and fed to the roller conveyor 80. All the pallets 10 are set to the front-faced attitude and stored in an automatic warehouse by a vertical conveyor 90.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a device for correcting the conveyance posture of a pallet on a pallet conveyance path.

[Conventional technology]

On the automobile assembly line, parts used for assembly (
Hereinafter referred to as work. ) is transported on a pallet. After the used empty pallets are transported to an automated warehouse, they are stored at a predetermined location in the warehouse.

Note that the pallets stored in the warehouse are transported to the requested assembly process in a timely manner.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

The pallet is equipped with a holder that holds the workpiece. Since this holder has directionality, if the pallet is stored in the automated warehouse with the front and back reversed, the following problems will occur.

That is, a pallet stored in a warehouse with its front and back reversed is taken out of the warehouse in that position and transported to a workpiece mounting location.

In this case, the direction of the holder for the pallet located at the workpiece loading area is reversed, and therefore the holder interferes with the palletizing robot installed at the workpiece loading area, causing the holder, the arm of the palletizing robot, etc. This will cause damage to the product.

In view of this situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a conveyance posture correcting device that allows the pallets to be carried into an automated warehouse in the correct posture.

[Failure to solve the problem]

In the present invention, there is provided a direction determining means for determining whether the carried pallet is facing forward or backward, and when the direction determining means determines that the pallet is facing forward, the pallet is carried out in the same orientation; and means for rotating the pallet by 180 degrees and carrying it out when the detection means determines that the pallet is facing backward.

[Effect]

If the pallet is carried in facing forward, the pallet is carried out in that same posture, and if it is carried in facing backward, the pallet is rotated 180 degrees and carried out.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 conceptually shows an embodiment of the present invention provided on a pallet conveyance path.

In the figure, an empty pallet 10 unloaded from an assembly line for automobiles or the like is placed onto a roller conveyor 20. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2(a), the pallet 10 includes a plate-shaped base 11, a fork insertion hole 12 for inserting a fork of a forklift, and two upright holes on the base 11. Post 13a.

13a, and a plurality of workpiece mounting rods 13b extending horizontally from these supports toward the front of the pallet.

The columns 13a, 13a and the workpiece mounting rod 13b constitute a workpiece holder, and in use, a workpiece (not shown) is horizontally suspended on the corresponding rod 13b of each column 13g.

Note that the above-mentioned workpiece is, for example, a bumper, an instrumental panel, or the like.

Multiple types of pallets 10 are available, as shown in FIG.
(d) illustrates another type of pallet.

The pallet 1o shown in FIG.
The pallet 10 shown in FIG.
A workpiece mounting rod 13b is provided along the width direction of the pallet.

At the right end of the base 11 in each pallet 10, a light shielding plate 14 for direction determination is provided along the side edge of the base 11.
Light-shielding plate 1 for identifying the type of pallet a and work or multiple pallets
4b is erected.

The light shielding plates 14a for direction determination of each pallet 10 are provided at the same position on the base 11.

That is, regardless of the type of pallet, it is provided at a position just in front of the lateral central axis g of the base body 11 shown in FIG.

On the other hand, a light shielding plate 14 for identifying the pallet type of each pallet) 10
b is that the manner of arrangement is different for each individual pallet.

On one side of the roller conveyor 20, as shown in FIG. 3, floodlights 21-1 to 21-7 are arranged in an array. As shown in FIG. 4, these floodlights 21-1 to 21
The arrangement height Hl of -7 is set to the center height of the light shielding plates 14a and 14b of the pallet 10 placed on the conveyor 20, and the arrangement height H2 of the projector 21-1. The height is set at the center of the side surface of the base 11 of the pallet 10.

On the other hand, on the other side of the conveyor 20, the above-mentioned floodlights 21 are respectively provided.
-1 to 21-7, light receivers 22-1 to 22-7 are arranged in array.

The output signals of the light receivers 22-2 to 22-6 are applied to a signal processing section 30 shown in FIG.
The output signal 2-7 is applied to the detection timing setting section 31.

The memory 32 shown in FIG. 2 stores the following data for identifying the pallet 10 illustrated in FIGS. 2(a) to 2(d).

Palette (a) (forward facing) Receiver 22-2 Off receiver 22-3 On receiver 22-5 On receiver 22-6 On (rearward facing) Receiver 22-2 On receiver 22-3 On receiver 22 -5 Off receiver 22-6 On (b) pallet (forward facing) Receiver 22-2 On receiver 22-3 Off receiver 22-5 On receiver 22-6 On (rearward facing) Receiver 22-2: On receiver 22-3 On receiver 22-5 On receiver 22-6 On (c) pallet (forward) Receiver 22-2 Off receiver 22-3 On receiver 22-5 Off receiver 22-6 On (rearward facing) Receiver 22-2 Off receiver 22-3 On receiver 22-5 Off receiver 22-6 On (d) pallet (forward facing) Receiver 22-2 On receiver 22-3 On receiver 22-5 OFF receiver 22-6 ON (rearward facing) receiver 22-2 OFF receiver 22-3 ON receiver 22-5 ON receiver 22-6 ON The pallet 10 placed on the roller conveyor 20 is It is transported by the conveyor 20 in the direction of the arrow. When the pallet 10 is transferred to the position shown by the solid line in the same figure, the light beam projected from the light projector 21-7 is blocked by the side surface of the tip of the base 11 of the pallet 10, and the light beam is turned off from the light receiver 22-7. A signal is output.

On the other hand, at this time, since the light beam projected from the light projector 21-1 is blocked by the rear end side surface of the base 11, the light receivers 22-1 also output an off signal.

The detection timing setting section 31 shown in FIG.
2-1.22-7 both output off signals,
That is, when the pallet 10 is located at the center of the roller conveyor 20, the detection timing signal is given to the signal processing section 30.

Then, at this time, the signal processing section 30 takes in the output signal of 22-6 into the light receivers 22-2 to 22-6.

Here, if the pallet 10 shown in FIG. 2(a) is positioned forward facing in the center on the roller conveyor 20, as shown in FIG.
is located between the light receivers 22-3 and 22-4, and the pallet type discrimination light shielding plate 14b is located in front of the light receiver 22-2.

Therefore, in this case, the optical receiver 22-4 is in the on state, and the optical receivers 22-2, 22-3, 22-5 and 2
2-6 are off and on, respectively.

On and on state.

Therefore, the signal processing unit 30 determines that the pallet 10 faces forward based on the ON signal of the light receiver 22-4, and outputs a signal indicating the determination result.

In addition, receivers 22-2.22-3.22-5 and 22
-6 output signal, the information indicating that it is facing forward, and the stored contents of the memory 32, and determine that the pallet 10 is of the type shown in FIG. 2(a),
A signal indicating the determination result is output.

On the other hand, when the pallet 10 shown in FIG. 2(a) is positioned rearward at the center of the port-to-sea conveyor 20, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. The light shielding plate 14a is located in front of the light projector 21-4, and the pallet type discrimination light shielding plate 14b is located in front of the light projector 21-5.

Therefore, in this case, the optical receiver 22-4 is in the off state, and the optical receivers 22-2, 22-3, 22-5 and 2
2-6 are on and on, respectively.

Turns off and on.

Therefore, the signal processing unit 30 determines that the pallet 10 is facing backward based on the ON signal of the light receiver 22-4, and outputs a signal indicating the determination result.

In addition, receivers 22-2.22-3.22-5 and 22
-6 output signal, the information indicating that it is facing backward, and the stored contents of the memory 32, it is determined that the pallet 10 is the one shown in FIG. 2(a), and the determination is made. Outputs a signal indicating the result.

When another type of pallet 10 is placed on the roller conveyor 20, the same process is executed to determine the carry-in attitude and type of this pallet 10.

The pallet 10 on the roller conveyor 20 is transferred onto the roller conveyor 40 shown in FIG. When this transfer is confirmed by a limit switch (not shown), the chain converter 50 is lifted, the pallet 10 is moved to the left in the figure, and is transferred onto the roller conveyor 60.

Note that when the transfer of the pallet 10 onto the conveyor 60 is confirmed by a limit switch (not shown), the chain changer 50 is lowered.

When the pallet 10 is moved to the left end of the roller conveyor 60, this movement is confirmed by a limit switch (not shown), and at this time, the result of determining whether the pallet is facing forward or backward by the signal processing unit 30 is utilized.

In other words, if the determination result is "forward", the chain converter 70 lifts and the pallet 10 is moved upward in the figure as indicated by the solid arrow, and is eventually positioned on the roller conveyor 80. be done.

Note that when movement of the pallet 10 onto the conveyor 80 is confirmed by a limit switch (not shown), the chain changer 70 is lowered and the pallet 10 is transferred onto the conveyor 80.

The pallet 10 that has been transferred onto the conveyor 80 is transferred rightward by the conveyor 80, but the transfer posture of the pallet 10 at this time is the same as the posture when it is loaded onto the conveyor 20.

The pallet 10 is transferred via a conveyor 80 to a vertical conveyor (elevator) 90 of an automated warehouse. Then, the vertical conveyor 90 stores the pallet 10 at a predetermined storage position in the three-dimensional automated warehouse based on the pallet type determination result by the signal processing unit 30.

On the other hand, if the signal processing unit 30 determines that the pallet 10 is "facing backwards", the chain switching machine 7
0 is not lifted.

In this case, the pallet 10 that has been transferred to the left end of the roller conveyor 60 is moved to the turning table 100 side, and is transferred onto the table 100 by the roller conveyor (not shown) of the table 100.

When the transfer of the pallet 10 onto the table 100 is confirmed by a limit switch (not shown), this table 1
The roller conveyor 00 is stopped, and the table 100 is rotated 180 degrees as shown by the white arrow.
At the same time, it is moved upward in the figure while being guided by the rails 110.

When it is detected by a limit switch (not shown) that the table 100 has been moved to the side of the roller conveyor 80, the roller conveyor of the table 100 is driven and the pallet 10 is moved to the side of the roller conveyor 80.
Translated above.

When the movement of the pallet 10 onto the conveyor 80 is confirmed by a limit switch (not shown), the table 100 is returned to its original standby position while being rotated 180 degrees.

The front-rear direction of the pallet 10 transferred onto the roller conveyor 80 is opposite to that when it is loaded onto the conveyor 20.

In other words, pallet 1 is loaded onto the conveyor 20 facing backwards.
0 is transferred onto the conveyor 80 in a forward-corrected state.

Then, the pallet 1 on the conveyor 80 whose posture has been corrected
0 is stored at a predetermined storage position in the automated warehouse by the vertical conveyor 90, similar to the pallet that is input facing forward.

The pallets 10 stored by type in the automated warehouse are transported to the work loading position for the requested assembly process. The pallets 10 in the automated warehouse are unified in their front and back directions by the device of the above embodiment, and therefore a palletizing robot (not shown) is used at the work loading position.
When a workpiece is mounted, there is no risk that the palletizing robot will interfere with the supports 1B, a and the workpiece mounting rod 13b, which are workpiece holders, thereby preventing damage to the holder and the robot arm. can.

The chain conveyor 50, 70, the turning table 100, etc. are controlled by a control means (not shown) based on the output signal of the limit switch.

Although the above embodiment is provided in front of the automated warehouse, it may be provided at any intermediate position on the pallet conveyance path.

Furthermore, the above embodiments can be applied to production equipment other than automobile assembly lines as long as the assembly lines transport workpieces using directional pallets.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, when a pallet is carried in facing forward, the pallet is carried out in that same posture, and when carried in facing backward, the pallet is rotated 180 degrees and carried out, so that the orientation of the pallet can be changed. You can arrange them.

Therefore, if installed in front of an automated warehouse, pallets can be stored in the warehouse with a predetermined orientation, and as a result,
When a pallet is carried out from an automated warehouse to a work loading position where a palletizing robot is installed, interference between the work holder of the pallet and the palletizing robot can be prevented.

Further, when an empty pallet is put into the pallet conveyance path from the assembly line, there is no need to consider the orientation of the pallet, which improves work efficiency.

[Brief Description of the Drawings] Fig. 1 is a plan view conceptually showing an embodiment of the present invention, Figs. 2(a) to (d) are perspective views illustrating the configuration of a pallet, and Fig. 3 is a plan view conceptually showing an embodiment of the present invention. is a plan view showing the arrangement of the emitter and receiver, FIG. 4 is a side view showing the arrangement of the emitter and receiver, and FIG. 5 is a determination of the direction and type of the pallet based on the signal from the receiver. FIG. 2 is a block diagram conceptually showing means. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10... Pallet, 11... Base, 13a... Support, 13b... Workpiece mounting rod, 14a, 14b.
...Light shielding plate, 20,40,60.80...Roller conveyor, 21-1 to 21-7...Floodlight, 22-1 to
22-7... Light receiver, 30... Signal processing section, 31.
...Detection timing setting unit, 32...Memory, 50°70...Chain conveyor, 90...Vertical conveyor, 100...Turning table. Applicant Suzuki Motor Corporation 14b (C:) No. 21 3b 4b (b) (d) Figure

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A conveyance posture correcting device disposed on a pallet conveyance path, comprising: a direction determining means for determining whether the pallet that has been carried in is facing forward or backward; and the direction determining means. If the detection means determines that the pallet is facing forward, the pallet is carried out in the same posture, and if the detection means determines that the pallet is facing backward, the pallet is rotated 180 degrees and carried out. Features: Pallet transport posture correction device.