JPH04213512A - Conveyor system and its using method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a conveyor system and a method of use thereof capable of facilitating a performance test in a condition in which the assembly of a product is completed after parts of the product are assembled while transferring them sequentially along a fixed transfer line. CONSTITUTION: Transfer lines by means of a conveyor are provided at upper and lower steps, respectively, and the assembly work is done at two upper lines and a performance test for a product of which assembly is completed is easily done at two lower lines. Moreover, a pallet on which products are piled up at the performance test lines is easily transported to an adjacent line, and power supply to be applied on the product when the product is transported is continuously supplied to simplify the assembly line without increasing an installation area of a workshop and greatly improve the productivity.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a conveyor system and a method of using the same, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a conveyor system and a method of using the same. The present invention relates to a conveyor system that facilitates performance testing in a controlled state, and a method of using the same.

0002

[Prior Art] A typical conveyor system has a chain or belt equipped with a large number of rollers on a circular or linear conveyor transfer line, and the rollers transfer various parts. A large number of pallets are attached to the conveyor belt, and the chain or belt is rotated by a motor, so that the large number of pallets are sequentially transferred.

[0003] In such conventional conveyor systems, a worker is located on one side of the conveyor line, at a corresponding position on the outside, and assembles each part transferred on a pallet in order. Complete the product. Furthermore, the pallet emptied by assembling the parts is transferred in the opposite direction through the transfer line on the other side, and then the corresponding parts are placed on it again and transferred in the direction where the worker is. . By repeating and continuing the above-mentioned operations, products are manufactured.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional conveyor system as described above, products similar to audio products in which a large number of compact discs are installed are subjected to performance tests for a certain period of time in the assembled state. The testing process to determine whether there are any abnormalities in the product must also be completed.

However, in the conventional conveyor system as described above, only a parts supply conveyor transfer line and a conveyor transfer line for resupplying empty pallets after assembly are provided on the same plane. In order to test the performance of a product, it is necessary to carry out the performance test after transporting the product on a separate conveyor line, which poses the problem of taking up a large amount of space in the workplace. There was a problem that the production process became troublesome and productivity was greatly reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to easily transfer parts through the transfer lines on both sides of the upper stage without increasing the installation area of the work place. so that it can be assembled,
An object of the present invention is to provide a conveyor system and a method of using the same that can greatly improve productivity.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a conveyor system and method of using the same that allows performance testing to be performed immediately after product assembly is completed.

Still another object of the present invention is to be able to easily transport pallets loaded with products on a performance test line to an adjacent line, and to continuously supply power to the products during transport. An object of the present invention is to provide a conveyor system and a method for using the same.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems] To achieve the above object, the conveyor system of the present invention as set forth in claim 1 provides a conveyor system for assembling respective parts sequentially transferred by directly arranged pallets. The system includes first and second upper transfer lines for transferring the pallet in a predetermined direction and assembling parts;
and a third and fourth transfer line located below the second transfer line for product performance testing, and a transfer line formed by two stages, and pallets provided at regular intervals on the transfer line and transferred. an operating means for intermittently stopping or transferring the pallets; a transfer means for raising the pallets at a predetermined position on the transfer line and moving them laterally; and a transfer means for moving the pallets along the upper and lower transfer lines. It is characterized by comprising an elevating and lowering transfer means for moving up and down to selectively supply to each transfer line.

[0010] The conveyor system of the present invention as set forth in claim 2 is characterized in that the transfer speed of the pallets transferred along the third and fourth transfer lines of the lower stage can be adjusted depending on the product capacity. Features.

[0011] The conveyor system according to claim 3 is a conveyor system for assembling parts sequentially transferred by pallets arranged in a straight line. first and second transfer lines in the upper stage; third and fourth transfer lines located below the first and second transfer lines for product performance testing; and adjacent sides of the transfer lines. A conveying means provided at the end of the line for conveying pallets loaded with products to an adjacent line, and a means for continuously supplying power for product testing to pallets for all of the third and fourth transfer lines. It is characterized in that it is formed by providing a power supply means.

[0012] In the conveyor system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the conveying means includes an elevating member operated by a cylinder to receive the pallets transferred along the transfer line, and a mechanism for stacking the pallets by the elevating member. It is characterized by being formed by a moving member that senses and operates.

[0013] The conveyor system according to claim 5 is characterized in that the moving member is formed so that it can be operated in stages by two cylinders.

[0014] In the conveyor system according to claim 6, the power supply means is formed such that power for product testing is continuously supplied to the pallet by rollers of the power supply member provided on both sides inside the elevating member. It is characterized by being

The method of using the conveyor system according to claim 7 includes the steps of assembling the parts by sequentially transporting the pallets supplied with parts along a first transfer line provided above the conveyor system, and assembling the parts. A step of transferring the pallet loaded with products from the completed state to the lifting transfer means by a transfer means provided at a predetermined position on the second transfer line, and transferring the pallet loaded with products by the lifting transfer means to the second transfer line. A step of sequentially transferring the pallets to a third transfer line provided on the lower side, and transferring the pallets transferred to the third transfer line to both ends of the third transfer line and a fourth transfer line provided on one side of the third transfer line. A step of testing the performance of the product placed on the pallet by circulating it through the third and fourth transfer lines by means of a provided conveyance means, and testing the performance of the product placed on the pallet through the fourth transfer line and then transferring the pallet back to the third transfer line. A step of transferring the pallet to the elevating transfer means, a step of transferring the pallet for which the product performance test has been completed by the elevating transfer means to the second transfer line, and a step of circulating and recovering empty pallets transferred through the second transfer line. 1 transfer line.

[0016]

By operating the conveyor system of the present invention as set forth in claims 1 to 6 according to the method of the present invention as set forth in claim 7, desired work can be carried out satisfactorily.

That is, conveyor transfer lines are provided on the upper and lower levels, and assembly work can be carried out on the two upper lines.
It is possible to easily perform performance tests on products that have been assembled on the two lower lines, and it is also possible to easily transport pallets loaded with products on the performance test line to the adjacent line. It is possible to continuously supply power to the product during transportation, simplifying the assembly line without increasing the installation area of the workplace, and greatly improving productivity.

[0018]

Embodiments Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the entire conveyor system of the present invention with the central part omitted, and each frame 1 at the upper end has first and second transfer lines 2 for transferring parts. , 3 are provided. At the lower ends of the first and second transfer lines 2, 3, third and fourth transfer lines 4, 5 are provided, respectively, for product performance testing. , 5 are supported by a large number of support stands 6, and are formed into two stages, upper and lower. In addition, each of the transfer lines 2, 3, 4
, 5 are installed so that a large number of pallets 7 can be transferred, and actuators provided on both sides of the frame 1 are installed at certain portions of the first and second transfer lines 2 and 3 in the upper stage. A large number of actuating rods 9 are provided at regular intervals and are actuated by a switch 8 to move each pallet 7 intermittently. Therefore, in the process of assembling the transported parts, the operator can freely transport the pallet 7 from a stopped state as necessary.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the transfer chain 10 attached to the top surface of each frame 1 includes:
A large number of rollers 11 are arranged at regular intervals on both sides, and each chain 10 is arranged to rotate and move endlessly along the upper and lower frames respectively by a motor (not shown). There is. Thereby, the pallet 7 raised to the upper surface of the roller 11 can be sequentially transferred.

On the other hand, the first and second transfer lines 2,
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, on the right side of the center of the pallet 3, there is a lifter device 1 that can receive and raise and lower the pallet 7.
2, and transfer rollers 13 for moving the pallet 7 to different lines in the lateral direction are provided at both ends of each of the upper transfer lines 2 and 3. Another transfer roller 13 is provided at a position facing the elevating lifter device 12 of the second transfer line 3, and moves the pallet 7 loaded with assembled products to the elevating lifter device 1.
2 can be guided and transferred. To explain further, components are assembled while the pallet 7 is moved along the first transfer line 2 in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 2, and when the pallet 7 reaches the upper part of the transfer roller 13 on the left side of the figure. , by a sensor (not shown) in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
4 is operated to move up and down around the shaft 15,
By rotating the transfer roller 13 at this time, the pallet 7 can be moved toward the second transfer line 3. In addition, the lifter device 12 of the second transfer line 3
The transfer rollers 13 provided oppositely operate in the same manner as described above in FIG. move it. Further, the transfer roller 13 disposed at the terminal end of the second transfer line 3 (the right end of A in FIG. 2) moves the empty pallet 7 toward the first transfer line 2 when the switch 8 is actuated. move it.

As shown in FIG. 7, the lifter device 12 has a cylinder 17 provided on one side of the frame 1 and a lifter 18 connected by a chain 19, and the lifter 18 is connected by the cylinder 17 via a gear 20. is formed to move up and down along a guide rod 21, and a roller 22 rotatably driven by a motor (not shown) is mounted on the upper surface of the lifter 18.

Therefore, when the pallet 7 transferred along each transfer line 2, 3, 4, 5 is guided by the transfer roller 13 to the lifter 18 in the lifter device 12, the pallet loaded with products 7 can be selectively transferred to the second and third transfer lines 3 and 4 in the upper and lower stages.

That is, the lifter device 12 provided on one side of the second transfer line 3 transfers the pallet 7 loaded with products transferred from the second transfer line 3 at the upper stage to the opposite direction to the lower stage. can be moved downward to the third transfer line 4, and the third and fourth transfer lines 4, 5
The pallet 7 transferred along the product performance test is moved up and down by a lifter device 12 provided on the other side, and the empty pallet 7 is passed through the upper second transfer line 3 to the first transfer line 2 side. can be resupplied.

On the other hand, FIGS. 8A and 8B show a vertical cross section and a schematic side view of a transfer line used for product performance testing in the present invention, and there is a copper plate on the lower surface of the pallet 7 on which the product 23 is mounted. 24 is attached, frame 1
A power supply member 25 to which power is applied by being disposed inside the
A grounding piece 26 is provided at the upper end of. Further, a 110/220V outlet 27 is installed on the upper surface of the pallet 7, and when the plug 28 of the product 23 is inserted into the outlet 27, the third and fourth transfer lines 4
, 5 during which the pallet 7 is successively moved through product performance tests.

[0026]The third and fourth transfer lines 4
, 5, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, pallet transport devices 29 are provided for transporting pallets 7 loaded with products 23 to adjacent lines in the axial direction. This conveying device 29 is equipped with an elevating member 33 on which a pallet 7 is mounted at the end of a shaft 32 operated by a cylinder 31 mounted on the front of the main body 30, and on both sides of the shaft 32. Guide rods 34 and 34a are provided in parallel to guide the vertical movement of the elevating member 33.

A power supply member 35a to which power is supplied from the main power supply 35 is provided on the upper surface of the elevating member 33.
is attached to the power supply member 35a, and the roller 3 is attached to this power supply member 35a.
As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a copper plate 24 formed at the lower end of the pallet 7 is provided on the roller 36.
By bringing the terminals into contact with each other, power is continuously supplied to the products 23 loaded on the pallet 7.

On the other hand, a moving member 38 operated by cylinders 37, 37a is provided on the rear surface of the main body 30 so that it can be moved along guide rods 39, 39a arranged in parallel to the upper and lower stages. The elevating member 33 can be moved to an adjacent line in the axial direction. Here, only one of the cylinders 37 and 37a attached to the rear surface of the moving member 38 may be used, but there is a risk that the cylinder rod may bend due to the weight of the transport device 29 or the operation may become unstable. As shown in FIG. 12, it is desirable to be able to move in stages using two cylinders 37, 37a.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
With workers positioned at the parts assembly positions on both sides of the upper first and second transfer lines 2 and 3, various parts are assembled by rotating the chain 10 attached to the top surface of the frame 1 using a motor. The pallet 7 that has been lifted up is transferred. The pallet 7 is moved along the first and second transfer lines 2 and 3 from the assembly start position A shown in FIG.
While moving sequentially in the direction of the arrow in the figure, the transfer line 2,
The corresponding pallet 7 is engaged with the operating rod 9 provided at a certain assembly position in step 3 and stopped, and during this stop, the worker assembles the corresponding parts. Further, in a state where the parts assembly is completed, as shown in FIG. can be transferred to the next assembly stage. By performing the above-mentioned operations in each stage in sequence, the product can be completed at the assembly completion position B. After that, when the worker also installs the compact disc into the audio set as a product, turns on the set manually or automatically, and then moves the set, as shown in A of FIG. It reaches the upper surface of the transfer roller 13 which is provided as follows. At this time, a switch (not shown) is activated, and as shown in FIG. As the roller 13 rotates, the pallet 7 loaded with products is moved to the lifter device 12 as shown by the arrow.
move it towards.

After that, the pallet 7 is moved as shown in FIG.
It is guided to the lifter 18, and then the cylinder 17 is activated and the lifter 18 is moved downward along the guide rod 21. At this time, the roller 22 provided on the upper surface of the lifter 18 rotates to move the pallet 7 loaded with products to the third transfer line 4.
move it towards. As shown in FIG. 8, the pallet 7 moved to the third transfer line 4 is supplied with power by applying power to the power supply member 25 provided inside the frame 1 at the lower end of the pallet 7. Power is supplied to the copper plate 24 at the bottom of the pallet 7 through a grounding piece 26 attached to the upper surface of the member 25.

[0032] As a result, 110/220V power is selectively supplied to the product 23 through the outlet 27 on the top surface of the pallet 7, and the product 23 is operated.
As shown in FIG. 2B, the product 23 is transferred along the second and fourth transfer lines (performance test lines) 4 and 5 in the direction of the arrow.

[0033] After that, the third and fourth transfer lines 4
, 5, the product can be transferred in the lateral direction by means of a conveying device 29 provided at both ends of the product 23, and the product can be transported in the lateral direction by means of a conveying device 29 provided at both ends of the product 23.
A performance test of about a minute will be conducted.

On the other hand, when the pallet 7 loaded with products 14 is moved from the third transfer line 4 to the fourth transfer line 5 or vice versa, as shown in FIG. The pallet 7 can be moved because the power applied to the product 23 is never cut off. That is, as shown in FIG. 12, when the pallet 7 loaded with the products 23 is transferred along the third transfer line 4 and reaches the elevating member 33 of the conveying device 29, the cylinder 31 is actuated by the switch and the pallet 7 is moved up and down. The member 33 moves upward along the shaft 32, and at this time, the moving member 38 on the rear surface of the main body 30
The entire conveying device 29 is moved laterally by operating the two cylinders 37, 37a mounted on the conveyor in a stepwise manner. Thereafter, upon sensing that the conveying device 29 has been moved, the elevating member 33 is moved down and the pallet 7 is transferred to the fourth transfer line 5. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 2B, the pallet 7 is moved along the fourth transfer line 5.
When the pallet 7 is transferred to the right end, the conveying device 29 provided at the end of the fourth transfer line 5 operates in the same manner as described above to move the pallet 7 towards the third transfer line 4.

As described above, when the performance test of the products 23 is completed and the pallet 7 loaded with the products 23 is positioned on the upper surface of the transfer roller 13 provided on the right side of the third transfer line 4, as described above, Then, the transfer roller 13 is operated to move the pallet 7 toward the lifter device 12, and the pallet 7 is again moved upward by the lifter device 12 to be discharged and transferred toward the second transfer line 3.

Therefore, the worker can judge whether or not there is an abnormality in the products 23 and sort them, and the selected products 23 can be packaged in the next packaging line, after which the empty pallet 7 can be used again for the first time. 1 transfer line 2.

[0037] Here, the aforementioned transfer roller 13 and lifter device 12 function as described above, and detailed explanation will be omitted.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be modified as necessary.

[0039]

[Effects of the Invention] Since the present invention is structured and operates in this manner, conveyor transfer lines are provided on the upper and lower levels, and assembly work can be carried out on the two upper lines, and assembly can be completed on the two lower lines. In addition, it is possible to easily carry out performance tests on products loaded with products on the performance test line, and it is also possible to easily transport pallets loaded with products on the performance test line to an adjacent line. Power can be continuously supplied, and the assembly line can be simplified and productivity can be greatly improved without increasing the installation area of the workplace.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an entire embodiment of a conveyor system of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic plan views showing each transfer line of the conveyor system of the present invention, respectively;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of essential parts for explaining the pallet transfer relationship of the conveyor system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the conveyor system of the present invention.

5A and B are schematic plan and cross-sectional views, respectively, also showing the transfer rollers for moving the pallets of the conveyor system of the invention; FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view for explaining the operational relationship of the transfer rollers of the conveyor system of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing a lifter device used in the conveyor system of the present invention.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are a schematic longitudinal section and a schematic side view, respectively, of a product performance test line of the conveyor system of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view schematically showing the pallet transporting device of the present invention.

[Fig. 10] Schematic side view of Fig. 9

[Fig. 11] Schematic front view of Fig. 9

[Fig. 12] Schematic plan view of Fig. 9

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Frame 2 First transfer line 3 Second transfer line 4 3rd transfer line 5 4th transfer line 6 Support stand 7 Palette 8 Operation switch 9 Operating rod 10 Transfer chain 11 Roller 12 Lifter device 13 Transfer roller 14 Operating member 15 axis 16 Switch 17 Cylinder 18 Lifter 19 Chain 20 Gear 21 Guide rod 22 Roller 23 Audio products 24 Copper plate 25 Power supply member 26 Grounding piece 27 Outlet 28 Plug 29 Pallet transport device 30 Main body 31 Cylinder 32 Axis rod 33 Lifting member 34, 34a Guide rod 35 Main power supply 35a Power supply member 36 Roller 37, 37a Cylinder 38 Moving member 39, 39a Guide rod

Claims (7)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A conveyor system for assembling parts sequentially transferred by directly arranged pallets; A transfer line formed by two stages: a transfer line, and third and fourth transfer lines located below the first and second transfer lines for product performance testing; an operating means for intermittently stopping or transferring the pallet being transferred; a transfer means for raising the pallet at a predetermined position on the transfer line and moving it laterally; 1. A conveyor system comprising an elevating and lowering transfer means for elevating and lowering a pallet to be transferred along the line and selectively supplying the pallets to each transfer line. 2. The conveyor system according to claim 1, wherein the transfer speed of the pallets transferred along the third and fourth transfer lines of the lower stage can be adjusted depending on the product capacity. . 3. In a conveyor system for assembling parts sequentially transferred by pallets arranged in a straight line, a first conveyor system and a first conveyor system for assembling parts by conveying the pallets in a predetermined direction are provided. 2
a transfer line; third and fourth transfer lines located below the first and second transfer lines for product performance testing; and adjacent ends of the transfer lines on both sides, on which products are loaded. A transportation means for transporting the pallet to an adjacent line, and a power supply means for continuously supplying power for product testing to the pallet for all of the third and fourth transfer lines. A conveyor system characterized by: 4. The conveyance means includes an elevating member that receives the pallets transferred along the transfer line and operates using a cylinder, and a moving member that operates when the elevating member senses that the pallets are loaded. The conveyor system according to claim 3, characterized in that it is formed by: 5. The conveyor system according to claim 4, wherein the moving member is configured to be actuated in stages by two cylinders. 6. The power supply means is characterized in that the power supply for product testing is continuously supplied to the pallet by the rollers of the power supply member provided on both sides inside the elevating member. A conveyor system according to claim 3. [Claim 7] (A) A step in which a pallet supplied with parts is sequentially transferred along a first transfer line provided above a conveyor system to assemble the parts, and (B) From a state where the parts assembly is completed. (C) transferring the pallet loaded with products to the elevating transfer means by a transfer means provided at a predetermined position on the second transfer line;
(D) transferring the pallets loaded with products to a third transfer line provided below the second transfer line in order by the lifting transfer means; (D) transferring the pallets transferred to the third transfer line to the third transfer line; and a fourth one provided on one side of the third transfer line.
(E) testing the performance of the product placed on the pallet by circulating it through the third and fourth transfer lines by conveying means provided at both ends of the transfer line; (F) a step of transferring the pallet transferred to the third transfer line to the elevating transfer means; (F) a step of transferring the pallet that has undergone the product performance test to the second transfer line by the elevating transfer means;
(G) A method of using a conveyor system, comprising the steps of: circulating and collecting empty pallets transferred through the second transfer line and resupplying and transferring them to the first transfer line.