JPH0523764A - Coupling device for plate - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a suitable device for coupling automatically a main body case I in which a plate is bent roughly in a U-shape, and reinforcing plates J1, J2 for connecting opening parts of this main body case I. CONSTITUTION:The device consists of a main body case carrying means A for placing the lower face on a pallet L and carrying it into a coupling station M, means B, C for positioning and clamping the upper part of the main body case I carried into the coupling station M, and also, allowing it to ascend and descend, reinforcing plate supply means F1, F2 for taking it out of magazines D1, D2. and positioning and supplying it to the coupling station M, and coupling heads G1-G4 for coupling the reinforcing plates J1, J2 supplied to the coupling station M and the main body case I.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a metal plate material joining apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a metal plate material is formed into a predetermined shape,
There are many products formed by combining them, and, for example, in the case of an electric washing machine, a vibration-damping steel plate has come to be used in order to allow quiet use. This damping steel plate is
Since a vibration absorbing material layer such as foamable plastic is interleaved between two thin steel sheets, it is difficult to apply spot welding to bond the plate materials. The use of rivets or screws for these connections has been a problem in terms of increasing the product cost. Problems like this
There are also non-ferrous metal plates such as color aluminum plates and copper plates and various coated metal plates. The applicant of the present invention has provided an apparatus for caulking and joining metal plate materials with a degree of convenience similar to that of spot welding (see JP-A-62-148033-40, etc.).

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-mentioned apparatus is one in which the overlapping portion of the plate material is locally upset and deformed by the punch and the die to perform the caulking connection, but when the plate material is connected using this device, It is required to appropriately design the work supply means, the positioning jig, the shape of the coupling head, the operation method, etc., which are suitable for the target product shape.

The present invention was developed to meet such requirements, and in particular, a body material of a washing machine and a reinforcing plate in which a plate material is bent into a substantially U-shape, and this substantially U-shape. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device suitable for coupling with a reinforcing plate that connects between the openings of the.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a main body case in which a plate material is bent into a substantially U-shape, and a reinforcing plate for connecting between the substantially U-shaped openings of the main body case. A device for connecting the main body case transporting means with the opening facing upward, the opening ends on both sides orthogonal to the feed direction, and the lower surface is placed on the pallet and carried into the combining station. Installed in the station, installed in the station, means for positioning and clamping the upper part of the main body case carried in to the station, and raising and lowering, reinforcing plate feeding means for picking up one sheet from the magazine and supplying it to the station for positioning. The die with which the reinforcing plate supplied to the joining station can be positioned and placed and which can be inserted into the main body case is provided on the lower side. A coupling head with a drive of the opposing punch and punch at the top, it is obtained by and a insertion and removal means for inserting and removing the coupling head in a main body case that is positioned clamped to the coupling station.

As a first method, the reinforcing plate supply means, the coupling head, and the inserting / removing means are arranged on both sides of the main body case transport line, and the openings of the main body case are connected by two reinforcing plates. As a second method, there is a case where the main body case is arranged on one side of the transfer line and the openings of the main body case are connected by a single reinforcing plate.

Further, the reinforcing plate supply means circulates and supplies a pallet in which a plurality of reinforcing plates can be stacked and placed to the reinforcing plate taking-out position, and a reinforcing plate on the pallet at the reinforcing plate taking-out position of the magazine. Is provided on the positioning jig from the uppermost part, and means for supplying the reinforcing plate on the positioning jig to the die of the coupling head.

Further, the means for positioning and clamping the upper part of the main body case carried into the connecting station and for moving up and down are a lifter for lifting the main body case integrally with the pallet above the connecting position, and an opening of the lifted main case. And a movable guide for positioning and clamping the portion from inside and outside.

[0009]

The main body case is carried into the joining station by the main body case conveying means. And, by the lifting means,
It is lifted above the coupling position, and the opening is positionally clamped from the surroundings by the positioning clamp means.

On the other hand, the reinforcing plate is provided by the reinforcing plate supply means.
It is taken out of the magazine and positioned and fed to the die of the bonding head. The coupling head is normally made to stand by in a position retracted from the main body case that is positionally clamped at the coupling station, so that the main body case is carried into the coupling station and lifted to the coupling position to be positionally clamped. The operation is not disturbed, and the reinforcing plate can be positioned and placed on the die. Thereby, the supply of the reinforcing plate onto the die is performed without being hindered by the main body case.

When the reinforcing plate is thus supplied to the die,
The coupling head is inserted into the main body case by the inserting / removing means. At this time, the die of the joining head also serves as means for positioning and supplying the reinforcing plate to the joining position in the main body case. Then, when the coupling head is inserted into the body case, the reinforcing plate is being supplied to the coupling position, and in this state, the body case is slightly lowered by the elevating means.
It is set at the connecting position with the reinforcing plate. That is, the main body case is initially raised to a position slightly higher than the normal coupling position, which secures a gap when the reinforcing plate is inserted into the main body case, and After the insertion, the main body case is lowered to bring the opening edge of the main body case and the connecting portion of the reinforcing plate into a superposition contact.

In this way, the punch of the joining head is pressed downward toward the die to locally upset and deform the overlapping contact portion between the opening edge of the main body case and the joining portion of the reinforcing plate. Perform caulking. After joining, the punch rises, the body case is raised slightly, then the joining head is ejected from the body case to the retracted position, the positioning clamp means is unclamped, and the body case is lowered to the carry-out position. It is carried out to the next process. The carry-out position is the same as the carry-in position.
Then, the next main body case is carried in, and the above-described operation is repeated.

There are two cases where the reinforcing plate is connected to the main body case and one case where the reinforcing plate is connected. These are properly used depending on the application.

The reinforcing plate supplying means is provided with a die for the coupling head,
Since it is used as the final supplying means into the main body case, a simple mechanism can be adopted. Then, once the reinforcing plate is taken out from the magazine onto the positioning jig and then supplied to the die of the coupling head,
The reinforcing plates can be roughly positioned and stacked on the pallet of the magazine, and the means for transferring the reinforcing plates from the positioning jig onto the die of the coupling head can be simplified.

[0015]

1 and 2 are schematic views of an entire first embodiment of the device of the present invention, in which (A) is a main body case conveying means, (B) is a main body case positioning clamp means,
(C) is a means for raising and lowering the main body case, (D ₁ ) and (D ₂ ) are magazines for reinforcing plates, (E ₁ ) and (E ₂ ) are positioning jigs for reinforcing plates, and (F ₁ ) and (F ₂ ) are reinforcing. Plate supply means, (G ₁ ) ~
(G ₄ ) is a coupling head, and (H ₁ ) and (H ₂ ) are means for inserting and removing the coupling head. In the apparatus of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, two reinforcing plates (J ₁ ) are provided between the openings of the main body case (I) formed by bending a metal plate into a substantially U-shape.
It is applied when connecting with (J ₂ ) (for example, fully automatic washing machine).

A press device (K) for bending the metal plate into a substantially U-shape to form the main body case (I) is installed on one side of the main body case conveying means (A). The main body case (I) is automatically or manually supplied from the device (K) to the main body case transfer means (A). Since the press device (K) is not the object of the present invention, its explanation is omitted.

The body case transporting means (A) carries the body case (I) on the pallet (L) into the joining station (M) and carries out the joined body case (I). It is composed of two chain conveyors (1) and (1). The chain conveyors (1) and (1) may be intermittently driven in synchronization with the coupling operation at the coupling station (M), but in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. Further, a stopper (not shown) that is continuously driven and restricts the traveling of the pallet (L) is installed at a predetermined position, and by controlling the protrusion / retraction of this stopper, the traveling stop of the pallet (L) is controlled. When the pallet (L) is stopped by projecting the stopper, the pallet (L) is placed on the chain conveyor (1) (1) with respect to the traveling chain conveyor (1) (1). It is stopped in the state of being slipped. That is, the pallet (L) is only placed on the chain conveyor (1) (1),
It is possible to lift from below with a lifter.

The main body case (I) has its opening facing upward, its both open ends are orthogonal to the feeding direction, and its lower surface is placed on the pallet (L) and is attached by a chain conveyor (1) (1). It is carried into the combining station (M).

In the lower part of the joining station (M), FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the lifting means (C) of the main body case (I) is installed, and the positioning clamp means (B) and the coupling heads (G ₁ ) to (G ₄ ) of the main body case (I) are installed on the upper part. ing.

The elevating means (C) of the main body case (I) is installed at the position of the coupling station (M) and between the two chain conveyors (1) (1).
As shown in Fig. 3, the lifting guide (3) is attached to the fixed frame (2).
And a ball screw (5) rotatably supported by a fixed frame (2) along an elevating operation range of the elevating table (4), and the ball screw (4). 5) A ball nut part (6) fixed to a part of the lifting table (4) and a servo for lifting, which is mounted on a fixed frame (2) and drives the ball screw (5) to rotate forward and backward. A motor (7) is a main component, and a plurality of positioning pins (9) inserted into a plurality of positioning holes (8) of the pallet (L) are installed on the lift table (4). Reference numeral (10) is a counterbalance cylinder installed between the fixed frame (2) and the lifting table (4), which allows the lifting servo to move up and down the lifting table (4). The load fluctuation of the motor (7) is prevented. The reason for using the servo motor (7) is that the main body case (I) placed on the pallet (L) is used.
This is because it is shared by a plurality of objects having different height-direction dimensions.

The ascending / descending means (C) transfers the body case (I) carried into the joining station (M) to the pallet (L).
Chain conveyor (1) (1) with 2 rows still mounted on
Between the reinforcing plates (J ₁ ) and (J ₂ ), and the reinforcing plates (J ₁ ) (J ₂ ) and the connecting heads (G ₁ ) to (G ₄ ) are attached to the main body case (I). ), It descends to the above-mentioned coupling position, and after coupling, it rises slightly, and after the coupling heads (G ₁ ) to (G ₄ ) escape from the inside of the main body case (I), the loading position, that is, the chain. Conveyor (1)
It is for operating so as to descend to the position of (1).

As shown in FIG. 4, the positioning clamp means (B) of the main body case (I) is placed on the pallet (L) and is lifted up by the elevating means (C) to raise the main body case (I). ) For positioning the upper part including the opening from the inside and outside to position the opening at the proper connecting position. The outside guides in the front-rear direction (11a) to (11d) and the inner guides in the front-rear direction (12a) to (12d) and width direction guides (13a) to (13d).

[0023] The width direction guide (13a) ~ (13d) has a substantially L-shaped, coupling head _{(G 1) ~ (G 4} ) of the installed cylinder below the fixed frame (not shown) (14a) ~
By (14d), the main body case (I) is movably installed in the width direction, and the main body case (I) is positioned in the width direction.

Front and rear outer guides (11a) to (11d)
Has a roller shape, and a ball screw (1) as shown in FIG. 3 is provided on the lifting plate (15) above the coupling station (M).
6) and the ball nut (17) through the body case (I)
The servo motor (1
The ball screw (16) is rotated in the normal and reverse directions by 8), and the drive is controlled through the ball nut (17) meshing with the ball screw. The ball screw (16) is attached to the lift plate (1
5) rotatably supported by the ball nut (1
7) is connected to the outer guides 11a to 11d in the front-rear direction.

Further, the front and rear inner guides (12a) to (12
d) has a substantially L shape as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
This is for positioning the opposite edges of the upper opening of the body case (I) in the front-rear direction from the inside in the front-rear direction, and like the front-rear outer guides (11a) to (11d), the joining station (M ) Is installed above the elevator plate (15) via a ball screw (19) and a ball nut (20) so as to be movable in the front-back direction of the main body case (I). The ball screw (19) is rotatably supported by the elevating plate (15), is normally and reversely driven by the servo motor (21), and the ball nut (20) is meshed with the ball screw (19), so that the ball screw (19) is inward and rearward inward. It is connected to the guides (12a) to (12d).

As shown in FIG. 3, the lifting plate (15) has a fixed frame (2) above the coupling station (M).
It is installed in 2) via a lifting cylinder (23) so that it can be lifted and lowered. The lifting plate (15) is guided by the plurality of guide rods (24) with respect to the fixed frame (22) so as to move in parallel in the vertical direction.

The elevating plate (15) is normally placed in a standby state above, and when the main body case (I) rises,
It is lowered to position the main body case (I) in the front-rear direction. Since the main body case (I) is used in common with different heights, the stopper (2) for regulating the descending end is used.
5) is slidably installed on the fixed frame (22) corresponding to the upper end of the guide rod (24), the stopper (25) is stepwise in the height direction, and the stopper (25) is provided by the multistage cylinder (26). By changing the position of (25), the lower end position of the lift plate (15) can be changed.

Reinforcing plate (J ₁ ) (J ₂ ) magazine (D ₁ )
(D ₂ ) has the same structure. To explain one of them, as shown in FIG. 5, the feed conveyor (27) and the return conveyor (28) are arranged parallel to each other in the same plane, and these feed conveyors ( 27) and the return conveyor (28)
Comprised of two rows of free roller conveyors,
9) are sequentially pushed and pushed. The feed claw (30) is provided at the beginning of the feed conveyor (27).
A feed cylinder (31) for feeding the pallet (29) by 1 pitch all at once toward the end is installed via
Further, the return claw (3
A return cylinder (33) for returning the pallet (29) to the end all at once by one pitch via 2) is installed. Then, at the end of the feed conveyor (27), a horizontal feed cylinder (3) for horizontally feeding the pallet (29) through the feed claw (34) toward the start end of the return conveyor (28).
5) is installed, and at the end of the return conveyor (28), the feed claw (3) is directed toward the start end of the feed conveyor (27).
A traverse cylinder (37) for traversing the pallet (29) via 6) is installed.

The magazine (D ₁ ) has a pallet (29).
Are arranged on the feed conveyor (27) and the return conveyor (28) by pressing and excluding one empty space. Then, the first empty space is set at the start end of the return conveyor (28). In this state, when the reinforcing plate (J ₁ ) is removed from the pallet (29) on the end of the feed conveyor (27), the pallet (29) is moved by the horizontal feed cylinder (35) via the feed claw (34). It sends it to the starting end of the return conveyor (28), and returns the transverse feed cylinder (35). Then, each pallet (29) on the feed conveyor (27) is sent all at once by one pitch toward the end by the feed conveyor (31) at the start end of the feed conveyor (27) via the feed claws (30). Return the cylinder (31). Next, the pallet (29) on the end of the return conveyor (28) is transferred to the start end of the feed conveyor (27) by the traverse cylinder (37) at the end of the return conveyor (28) via the feed claw (36). Traverse and return the traverse cylinder (37). And finally, the return cylinder (3
3) return conveyor (2) via return claw (32)
8) Return the above pallets (29) all at once toward the start end by one pitch, and return the return cylinder (33). These four operating procedures are performed once, and the pallet (29) is fed by one pitch in sequence and circulated every time the reinforcing plate (J ₁ ) of the pallet (29) at the end of the feed conveyor (27) disappears. The empty pallet (29) is supplemented with the reinforcing plate (J ₁ ) at an appropriate position on the way.

The pallet (29) is, as shown in FIG.
Guide plates (29b) (29c) are symmetrically installed on both sides of the base plate (29a), and a tilt fulcrum pin (29e) is supported in the center through a bracket (29d). 29
A plurality of reinforcing plates (J ₁ ) are stacked and positioned and supported in c). The reinforcing plate (J ₁ ) has a bent flange along the long side, and one of the bent flanges is engaged to perform positioning in the short side direction. Therefore, the other long side The bent flange of ( ₁ ) rides on the lower reinforcing plate (J ₁ ) and is inclined as a whole. The rate of this slope changes sequentially. Therefore, the initial inclination of the guide plates (29b) and (29c) of the pallet (29) is set so that the uppermost _{one of} the reinforcing plates (J ₁ ) stacked for a predetermined number of sheets becomes substantially horizontal. On the other hand, in the lower part of the end position of the feed conveyor (27) of the magazine (D ₁ ), as shown in FIG. 7, every time the uppermost reinforcing plate (J ₁ ) is sequentially taken out, the next uppermost reinforcing plate is reinforced. A push-up cylinder (38) for controlling the attitude of the pallet (29) so that the plate (J ₁ ) is substantially horizontal;
A support bar (39) for supporting the tilting fulcrum pin (29e) is installed so as to be able to move up and down via a lifting cylinder (39a).
The push-up cylinder (38) is equipped with a brake device, and is pushed through the brake device by a level detection switch (not shown) such as a photoelectric tube so that the uppermost reinforcing plate (J ₁ ) becomes substantially horizontal. The lifting cylinder (38) controls the lifting operation.

Magazine (D ₁ ) feed conveyor (27)
Is the take-out position of the reinforcing plate (J ₁ ),
Reinforcing plates in proximity to this position (J ₁₎ of the positioning jig (E ₁₎ is are installed.

The positioning jig (E ₁ ) is for temporarily positioning the reinforcing plate (J ₁ ) taken out from the end of the feed conveyor (27), and as shown in FIG. A plurality of receiving parts (41) and positioning claws (42)
(43), (44) and (45) are installed. The plurality of receiving portions (41) support the reinforcing plate (J ₁ ) substantially horizontally at a plurality of points, and the positioning claws (42)-
Reference numeral (45) is for positioning the reinforcing plate (J ₁ ) from four directions, and is movable by cylinders (46) to (49) provided on the lifting table (40), respectively. The cylinders (46) to (49) may be multi-stage cylinders or may be servomotors in order to cope with reinforcing plates (J ₁ ) having different sizes. As shown in FIG. 8, the lifting table (40) is provided with a lower fixed frame (5
It can be moved up and down by an elevating cylinder (51) installed in (0), and is guided up and down substantially horizontally by the guide rod (52) and the guide cylinder (53) without rotating.

Magazine (D₁) Feed conveyor (27)
End and positioning jig (E₁) Above, between the reinforcement
Board (J₁) Is transferred (N₁) Is installed. In addition,
Gajin (D₂) Also has similar means (N₂) Is installed. This
Transfer means (N₁), As shown in FIG.
4) to the vacuum pad via the rods (55) (55).
Suspending and supporting the cables (56) (56) so that they can be raised and lowered freely,
It is pressed downward by the springs (57) (57),
Ascending by means (54a) for raising and lowering the support arm (54).
It is possible to descend, and further support including this lifting means (54a).
A means (54b) for horizontally moving the holding arm (54) is provided.
The horizontal movement means (54b) of the magazine (D ₁) And position
Jig (E₁) Horizontally to and from each position
Vacuum pad (56) by the lifting means (54a)
(56) is moved up and down to reinforce the reinforcing plate (J₁) Magazine (D₁)
From the positioning jig (E₁).

Next, a supply means (F ₁ ) for transferring and supplying the reinforcing plate (J ₁ ) positioned on the positioning jig (E ₁ ) onto the die of the coupling heads (G ₁ ) (G ₂ ). )about,
This will be described with reference to FIG. The supply means (F ₁ ) includes a horizontal sliding frame (61) supported by a horizontally moving cylinder (60) so as to be horizontally slidable with respect to a guide rail (59) of a fixed frame (58), and a horizontal sliding frame (61). A supporting arm (63) which is supported on the upper end of the sliding frame (61) so as to be able to move up and down through a lifting cylinder (62), and this supporting arm (6
3) attached to the chuck substrate (64). As shown in FIG. 11, the chuck substrate (64) has two (two or more) positioning pins (65) and a plurality of magnet chucks (66). The positioning pin (65) is formed at a position corresponding to the positioning holes of the reinforcing plate (J ₁₎ (not shown), when receiving a reinforcing plate (J ₁₎ from the positioning jig (E _1), a reinforcing plate (J
Hold the positioning state of ₁ ). The magnet chuck (66) includes a permanent magnet (67) and a separating member (68).
And a releasing cylinder (69) for relatively moving both of them, and the tip end surface of the permanent magnet (67) usually projects from the tip end of the detaching member (68).
The tip end surface of the permanent magnet (67) receives the reinforcing plate (J ₁ ) from the positioning jig (E ₁ ) and holds it by suction. On the die of the coupling heads (G ₁ ) (G ₂ ), the permanent cylinder (67) is retracted by the disengagement cylinder (69) or the disengagement member (68) is projected to reinforce. The plate (J ₁ ) is detached from the permanent magnet (67),
The reinforcing plate (J ₁ ) is transferred and supplied onto the die of the coupling heads (G ₁ ) (G ₂ ). A vacuum chuck may be used instead of the magnet chuck (66).

Next, the coupling heads (G ₁ ) to (G ₄ ) will be described. Since all the coupling heads (G ₁ ) to (G ₄ ) have the same structure, only one of them will be described. The coupling head (G ₁ ) includes a plurality of punches (70) and a die (71) as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, and a holder (72).
The upper and lower parts are arranged to face each other through (73), and the punch (7
The holder (72) of 0) is connected to the ram (75) of the power press (74) which is a driving source, and the die (71)
The holder (73) is fixed to the die base (76).

The punch holder (72) and the die holder (7
3) means each punch (70) and die (71) by means of two guide posts (77) and guide rods (78) provided at the end opposite to the insertion side into the main body case (I). )
Are guided so as to move up and down on the same axis, and these are connected as a die set to the die base (76) of the coupling heads (G ₁ ) to (G ₄ ) and the connecting member (79) to the lower end of the ram. ) And is interchangeably connected to. A quick change mechanism is used to speed up this replacement work. First, this mechanism is installed on the die base (76).
A T-bolt (80) is vertically inserted so that the T-groove (81) that engages with the T-bolt (80) forms a die holder (7).
It is formed on the lower surface of 3), and when the die set is carried onto the die base (76), the T groove (81) of the die holder (73) is engaged with the T bolt (80) to position it at a predetermined position. The lower end of the T-bolt (80) is fixed to the washer (8) by the wedge-shaped member (83) that slides on the clamp cylinder (82).
4) and pulls it downwards, thereby clamping the die holder (73) on the die base (76). On the other hand, the punch holder (72) has a flat upper surface, and has an engaging projection (85) substantially at the center of the upper surface. Corresponding to this, the punch holder (72) extends toward the lower end of the ram (75). The lower surface of the connecting member (79) is also a flat surface, and a recess (86) is formed in the center thereof, and a wedge-shaped member (88) that slides with the clamp cylinder (87) is provided on the side of this recess (86). The punch holder (7) is provided, and the wedge-shaped member (88) is engaged with the engagement hole (89) formed in the engagement protrusion (85) on the upper surface of the punch holder (72).
2) is closely attached to the connecting member (79) and clamped. The lower surface of the connecting member (79) and the upper surface of the punch holder (72) are provided with one to a plurality of pilot pins (90) and pin holes (91). 72) is positioned.

In the quick change mechanism, the punch holder (72) and the die holder (73) are detached and replaced by operating the clamp cylinders (82) (87).
3) Clamping / unclamping is possible only by operating (88).

Power press (74) and die base (7
6) is installed above and below the coupling head (G ₁ ). The power press (74) has a ram (75) connected via a toggle link to a fluid pressure operated piston. However, the driving unit of the punch (70) may have another configuration. For the die (71) to position placing the reinforcement plate (J _1), has a locating pin (92), receiving the reinforcing plate (J ₁₎ from the supply means of the reinforcing plate (J ₁₎ (F ₁₎ It is a thing. The coupling heads (G ₁ ) to (G ₄ ) connect the openings of the main body case (I) with two reinforcing plates (J ₁ ) and (J ₂ ). (I)
Are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the transport line. Then, it can be inserted into and removed from the main body case (I) by the insertion / removal means (H ₁ ) (H ₂ ). The insertion / removal means (H ₁ ) (H ₂ ) have the same structure. One of them will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, a slide base (9) is mounted on a fixed frame (93).
4) is slidably supported, and the servo motor (9
5) allows the slide base (94) to reciprocate through the ball screw (96) and the ball nut (97) meshing with the ball screw (96), and two sets of coupling heads (on the upper surface of the slide base (94) ( G ₁ ) and (G ₂ ) are respectively cylinders (98) (9
The space is adjustable according to 9).

By the inserting / removing means (H ₁ ) (H ₂ ), the coupling heads (G ₁ ) to (G ₄ ) are separated into two reinforcing plates (J ₁ ).
With (J ₂ ) positioned and mounted on the die (71),
It is inserted into the main body case (I) from both sides. Then, the main body case (I) is slightly lowered, and the opening of the main body case (I) is brought into close contact with the reinforcing plates (J ₁ ) (J ₂ ) on the die (71). The punches (70) of ( ₁ ) to (G ₄ ) are driven toward the die (71), and the vicinity of the opening edge of the main body case (I) and the overlapping portion of the reinforcing plates (J ₁ ) (J ₂ ) are locally formed. It is swaged and deformed by caulking. After the joining, the punch (70) returns to the ascending position, the joining portion between the body case (I) and the reinforcing plates (J ₁ ) (J ₂ ) is separated from the die (71), and the body case (I) rises slightly. , The coupling heads (G ₁ ) to (G ₄ ) are removed from the main body case (I), the main body case (I) is lowered to the carry-out position, and is carried out.

The above is the configuration of the embodiment of the device for connecting the opening of the main body case (I) with the two reinforcing plates (J ₁ ) and (J ₂ ). Next, referring to FIG. Briefly explained. The pallet (L) is conveyed to the right end in FIG. 1, and the main body case (I) molded by the molding device (K) is placed on the pallet (L). Then, it is carried into the combining station (M). Corresponding to this, reinforcing plate (J ₁ )
(J ₂ ) is connected from the magazines (D ₁ ) (D ₂ ) to the positioning jigs (E ₁ ) (E ₂ ) and the supplying means (F ₁ ) (F ₂ ) and the coupling heads (G ₁ ) to (G ₄ ). Is supplied to.

The main body case (I) carried into the joining station (M) is lifted to slightly above the joining position by the elevating means (C), and the positioning clamp means (B) performs the positioning clamp of the opening. . This positioning clamp operation is performed by first referring to the front and rear outer guide (11
a) to (11d) first move to position the opening of the body case (I) from the outer side in the front-rear direction to the regular position, and then the width direction guides (13a) (13d) move to move the body case (I). I)
In the width direction, and finally the front-rear direction inner guides (12a) to (12d) operate to position the opening portion from the front-rear direction to the regular position. Each of these guides is installed in such a positional relationship that it does not hinder the operation of the coupling heads (G ₁ ) to (G ₄ ).

When the positioning of the body case (I) is completed, the coupling heads (G ₁ ) to (G ₄ ) are inserted into the body case (I). At this time, the reinforcing plates (J ₁ ) (J ₂ ) are inserted into the connecting position with the main body case (I) while being positioned on the die (71), and in this state, the main body case (I) is It is slightly lowered by the lifting means (C), and the reinforcing plate (J ₁ ) on the regular bonding position, that is, the die (71) is joined.
The opening edge of the body case (I) is brought into contact with (J ₂ ). At this time, the positioning pin (92) of the die (71)
Is also inserted into a positioning hole (not shown) of the main body case (I). Then, the power press (74) of the coupling heads (G ₁ ) to (G ₄ ) is operated to lower the punch (70) toward the die (71), and the punch (70) is moved.
And case (I) and reinforcing plate (J ₁ )
The overlapped portion with (J ₂ ) is locally upset and deformed to be caulked. Then, the punch (70) is returned to the ascending position, and the main body case (I) is slightly elevated by the elevating means (C).
The positioning pin (92) of the die (71) is pulled out from the main body case (I) and the reinforcing plates (J ₁ ) (J ₂ ).

In this state, the coupling heads (G ₁ ) to (G ₄ ) are pulled out from the main body case (I), and then the vertical movement means (C) lowers the main body case (I) to the lowermost end.
It is carried out by the carrier means (A). The carried-out main body case (I) is subjected to overstrike joining at the overstrike station (100), and is conveyed to the next step by the conveyor (101). The empty pallet (L) is conveyed from the left end to the right end by the return conveyor (102) arranged at the bottom, and the pallet lifter (103) at the right end of the chain conveyors (1) (1) of the conveying means (A). It is returned to the beginning. The next body case (I) is sequentially supplied to the coupling station (M), and the above operation is repeated. Next, an embodiment (two-tub type washing machine, etc.) in which the opening of the main body case (I) is connected by _one reinforcing plate (J ₁ ) will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16.

Compared to the first embodiment, the reinforcing plate (J₁)of
Magazine (D₁), Positioning jig (E ₁), Supply means (F
₁) And a coupling head (G₁) (G₂) Is the body case
The point installed on only one side of the transfer line of (I)
The only difference is the shape of the let (L), etc.
The same is true. And at the joining station (M)
The coupling head (G₁) (G₂) On the other side of the
The positioning head (105) having the female pin (104)
Inserting / removing means (H₂) Can be inserted and removed
Is provided in the main body case (I).
The positioning of the parts is ensured. Incidentally, FIG. 15 and FIG.
In (106), the main body case (I) after coupling is
Transfer means for transferring to a conveyor (not shown) in the process
(107) is an empty space installed at the end of the transportation means (A).
Lower the pallet (L) to the lower return conveyor (10
It is a pallet lifter for sending to 2).

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the magazines (D ₁ ) (D ₂ ) of the reinforcing plates (J ₁ ) (J ₂ ) may have a chain magazine structure as shown in FIG. In this case, the pallet (108) is fixed to the chain (109) at equal intervals, and the reinforcing plate (J ₁ ) is attached to the pallet (108).
(J ₂ ) are supplied in layers and at the take-out position,
A push-up cylinder (110) with a brake is installed for making the uppermost reinforcing plates (J ₁ ) (J ₂ ) substantially horizontal, and the same operation as that described above is performed.

[0046]

According to the first aspect of the invention, the work of connecting the reinforcing plate to the opening of the main body case can be automatically and efficiently performed.

In particular, since the reinforcing plate is positioned on the die and the connecting head is inserted into the main body case, the reinforcing plate is connected to the opening of the main body case. Can be simplified.

That is, since the shape of the main body case is unstable, it is necessary to position the main body case from many directions. Therefore, the main body case is only moved up and down at the joining station, and the joining head is placed on the main body case. The structure of the positioning means of the main body case is simplified by inserting the positioning means in the main body case. Further, since the reinforcing plate is positioned and placed on the die of the coupling head and inserted into the main body case, the reinforcing plate can be accurately inserted into the coupling position with the main body case, and furthermore, the reinforcing plate positioning and inserting means. There is no need to install a separate, and the device can be simplified. Further, since the main body case is moved up and down at the connecting position, it is not necessary to move up and down the connecting head side, which is a heavy object, and the elevating device can be made simple and inexpensive.

According to the invention of claim 2, the work of connecting the two reinforcing plates to the opening of the main body case can be automatically and efficiently carried out, and the same effect as in claim 1 can be obtained. .

According to the invention of claim 3, the work of connecting one reinforcing plate to the opening of the main body case can be automatically and efficiently carried out, and the same effect as in claim 1 can be obtained. .

According to the invention of claim 4, if any shape of the reinforcing plate is placed on the pallet, it is once transferred from the uppermost part to the positioning jig. Can be accurately positioned and then fed to the die of the coupling head, and the supply of the reinforcing plates to the magazine is performed until all the reinforcing plates stacked on one pallet are exhausted. I have enough time,
Further, the reinforcing plates may be loaded on each pallet by supplying a predetermined number of sheets in a rough positioning state.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the main body case fed to the connecting station by the main body case conveying means is lifted above the connecting position by the lifter while the lower surface of the main case is positioned and held by the pallet. Since the unstable upper part is positioned and clamped by the movable guide from inside and outside of the opening, the opening can be accurately positioned at the joining position, and further, when the joining head is inserted after positioning. Interference is also avoided, and after inserting the joining head, the lifter lowers the body case to the joining position, so that the opening of the body case is superposed on the reinforcing plate and the joining head punches and dies are smoothly joined. The main body case that has been carried out and joined is lowered and placed on the main body case transporting means by the lifter, and is carried out.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a schematic plan view of an entire first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing an example of a combination of a main body case and a reinforcing plate.

2A is an overall schematic front view of the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2B is an enlarged side view of the main body case transporting means, and FIG. 2C is a view of the joining station position of the first embodiment of the present invention. The overall schematic side view (D) is an enlarged side view of the chain conveyor of the main body case transporting means.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the positioning clamp means and the elevating means of the main body case at the joining station position according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a schematic plan view of the main body case positioning clamp means, and FIG. 4B is a schematic perspective view of the main body case positioning clamp means.

FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a magazine of reinforcing plates.

FIG. 6A is a plan view of a pallet of reinforcing plates. (B) is the front view (C) Side view

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the posture correcting means for the reinforcing plate.

FIG. 8A is a plan view of a positioning jig for a reinforcing plate. (B) is the front view (C) Side view

FIG. 9 is a side view of the reinforcing plate transfer means.

FIG. 10A is a plan view of a reinforcing plate supply means. (B) is the front view (C) Side view

11A is an enlarged plan view of the chuck substrate of the reinforcing plate supply means, and FIG. 11B is a partially cutaway side view thereof.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the coupling head.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged vertical sectional side view of a main part of the coupling head.

FIG. 14 (A) is a bottom view of the punch side of the joining head. (B) is a plan view of the die side of the bonding head.

FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of the entire second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic front view of the entire second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a schematic side view showing another embodiment of the reinforcing plate magazine.

[Explanation of symbols]

A main body case conveying means B main body case positioning clamp means C main body case lifting means D ₁ and D ₂ reinforcing plate magazines E ₁ and E ₂ reinforcing plate positioning jigs F ₁ and F ₂ reinforcing plate supplying means G ₁ ~ G ₂ coupling heads H ₁ , H ₂ coupling head inserting / removing means I main body cases J ₁ , J ₂ reinforcing plate L main body pallet M coupling stations N ₁ , N ₂ reinforcing plate transfer means 70 punch 71 die

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A device for connecting a main body case in which a plate material is bent into a substantially U-shape and a reinforcing plate connecting between the substantially U-shaped openings of the main body case, the opening being directed upward. And a main body case transporting means having both open ends perpendicular to the feed direction and having the lower surface placed on a pallet and loaded into the joining station; and an upper part of the main body case installed in the binding station and loaded into the binding station. Positioning and clamping means for lifting and lowering, reinforcing plate feeding means for picking up one sheet from the magazine and supplying it to the joining station by positioning, reinforcing plate installed at the joining station and placed on the joining station can be positioned and placed. In addition, a die that can be inserted into the main body case is provided on the lower side, and a punch facing the die and a punch driving unit are provided on the upper side. A plate material joining apparatus comprising: a joining head; and an inserting / removing means for inserting / removing the joining head into / from a main body case which is positioned and clamped at a joining station. 2. The reinforcing plate supply means, the coupling head, and the inserting / removing means are arranged on both sides of the transfer line of the main body case, and the openings of the main body case are connected by two reinforcing plates. 1. The plate material joining apparatus according to item 1. 3. The reinforcing plate supplying means, the coupling head and the inserting / removing means are arranged on one side of the transfer line of the main body case, and the openings of the main body case are connected by one reinforcing plate. 1. The plate material joining apparatus according to item 1. 4. The reinforcing plate supply means circulates and supplies a pallet in which a plurality of reinforcing plates can be stacked and placed to a reinforcing plate take-out position, and a reinforcing plate on the pallet at the reinforcing plate take-out position of the magazine. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a means for temporarily transferring the sheet from the uppermost portion onto the positioning jig, and a means for supplying the reinforcing plate on the positioning jig to the die of the coupling head. 3. The plate material coupling device as described in any one of 3 above. 5. A lifter for positioning and clamping the upper part of the main body case carried into the combining station and for moving up and down, a lifter for integrally lifting the main body case above the pallet, and an opening of the lifted main case. The plate material coupling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a movable guide that positions and clamps the portion from inside and outside.