JPH06219543A - Work conveyor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify a clamp adjusting mechanism of a work clamper as well as to improve the extent of operation efficiency by making any of master blocks contact with the lower part of a clamp piece of a work clamping means for engagement on the basis of sorting information of a work, and installing a master block unit for setting a clamp position of the clamp piece. CONSTITUTION:A work mounting pallet 1 is set of its position in contact to each top of four master blocks 15a to 15d where a clamp piece 2a is lowered and afterward the rear end side stopper piece 16 is previously inserted, and the clamp height H is adjusted to the optimum height conformed to the height of an arm part 3a of a work 3 on the pallet 1 at a clamp adjusting station position. Since a clamp adjusting value in time of clamping at a type of each work can be very simply set up with only fitting of these master blocks 15a to 15d and lifting contact of the clamp piece 2a conformed to these blocks, a clamp adjusting mechanism is simplified and, what is more, operation efficiency is well improved.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a work transfer device which allows a plurality of kinds of works having different sizes or shapes to be clamped on a pallet on the same transfer line and to be commonly transferred. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, various product assembly lines have often adopted an assembly system for assembling a plurality of different types of products using the same work transfer line for the same parts and the like. In this method, the number of lines can be greatly reduced as compared with the case where a dedicated line is provided for each type of product, and the space can be reduced and the work efficiency can be improved.
In such an assembly line, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-61
No. 27828, a work such as a part or a semi-finished product for each product type is stored and installed in a container or pallet, and an identification display means for displaying the type of the stored and installed work is provided in the container or pallet. By providing them, they can be identified, and the processing or assembling work corresponding to the type of the work is performed by reading and displaying the display contents of the identification display means at the conveyed processing or assembling station.

[0003]

However, the clamps are not only of different types, but also of different sizes, such as when the above-mentioned work is, for example, an automobile axle or suspension arm, and are fixed to the work transfer pallet. Clamp adjustment amount of arm (clamp piece)
When (especially, the height on the pallet corresponding to the work size) is different, the clamp adjusting mechanism for adjusting the height of the clamp arm becomes complicated, and at the same time, the adjusting work takes a long time, resulting in poor work efficiency.

[0004]

Claims 1 and 2 of the present application
Each of the inventions described in 1) is made for the purpose of solving the above problems, and is configured as follows.

(1) Structure of the Invention According to Claim 1 The work transfer device of the present invention is a work transfer device for commonly transferring a plurality of different types of works on the same transfer line, and A plurality of pallets for placing a work that can be transferred to a plurality of pallets, and a pallet provided on each of the plurality of pallets and capable of setting a clamp position according to the type of the work by moving up and down. A plurality of workpiece clamping means for clamping a workpiece and a plurality of dimensions corresponding to the clamp positions of the clamp pieces of the workpiece clamping means according to the type of the workpiece are provided corresponding to the workpiece setting station on the transfer line. Master block of any one of the plurality of master blocks, and the work type is placed under the clamp piece of the work clamp means. And a master block device for setting the clamp position of the clamp piece by abutting and locking based on information.

(2) Structure of the Invention According to Claim 2 The work transfer device of the present invention is a work transfer device for transferring a plurality of works of different types in common on the same transfer line, and on the transfer line. A plurality of pallets for placing a work that can be transferred to a plurality of pallets, and a pallet provided on each of the plurality of pallets and capable of setting a clamp position according to the type of the work by moving up and down. Work clamp means for clamping the work, clamp piece driving means for arbitrarily moving the clamp piece of the work clamp means provided corresponding to the work set station on the transfer line, and work on the transfer line as well. It is provided for each station and clamps the clamp piece of the work clamp means according to the type of the work. A plurality of master blocks having dimensions corresponding to the positions are provided, and any one of the plurality of master blocks is lowered by the clamp piece driving means to abut and lock the clamp piece of the work clamp means based on the work type information. The master block device that sets the clamp position of the clamp piece according to the type of work by doing so, and the operation of the clamp piece drive means by detecting that the clamp piece has come into contact with the master block of the master block device. And a clamp piece drive stop control means for stopping.

[0007]

The work conveying device according to the inventions described in claims 1 and 2 of the present application operates as follows corresponding to each of the above configurations.

(1) Operation of the invention according to claim 1 In the construction of the work transfer apparatus of the invention, as described above,
A work transfer device for transferring a plurality of different types of works in common on the same transfer line, and a plurality of work placement pallets that can be transferred on the transfer line,
Work clamp means for clamping a work placed by a clamp piece provided on each of the plurality of pallets and capable of setting a clamp position according to the type of the work by moving up and down, and a work setting station on the transfer line. And a plurality of master blocks each having a size corresponding to the clamp position of the clamp piece of the work clamping means according to the type of the work, and one of the master blocks is the work. A master block device for setting the clamp position of the clamp piece by abuttingly locking the lower part of the clamp piece of the clamp means based on the type information of the work, and any one of the master blocks of the master block device. Is selected based on the type information of the work such as vehicle type information of the vehicle, Adjustment setting of clamping positions corresponding to each work only in a very simple clamp piece to correspond to the lower of Ranpa side clamp piece is possible.

(2) Operation of the invention according to claim 2 In the structure of the work transfer device according to the invention described in claim 2, a plurality of works of different types are commonly transferred on the same transfer line as described above. And a plurality of pallets for placing a work, which are movably installed on a transfer line, and setting of a clamp position according to the type of the work by being lifted up and down on each of the plurality of pallets. Work clamp means for clamping a work placed by a clamp piece capable of moving, and a clamp piece drive for arbitrarily raising and lowering the clamp piece of the work clamp means provided corresponding to the work set station on the transfer line. And a work station corresponding to the work station on the transfer line and corresponding to the type of the work. A plurality of master blocks having dimensions corresponding to the clamp positions of the clamp pieces of the ramp means are provided, and any one of the plurality of master blocks is lowered by the clamp piece drive means. A master block device that sets the clamp position of the clamp piece according to the type of work by abutting and locking it based on, and detects that the clamp piece has come into contact with the master block of the master block device. It is provided with a clamp piece drive stop control means for stopping the operation of the clamp piece drive means, and selects one of the master blocks of the master block device based on the type information of the work such as vehicle type information of the vehicle, Corresponding to the lifting and lowering operation of the clamp piece drive means, the master block is Very easily adjusted set of clamping positions corresponding to the clamp pieces work only to correspond to the lower portion of Ranpa side clamp piece is possible.

Moreover, the clamp piece drive means is automatically stopped by the clamp piece drive stop control means in response to the contact of the lower part of the clamp piece with the master block, so that the adjusting work is automatically realized.

[0011]

Therefore, according to the work transfer apparatus of the present invention, the clamp adjustment amount at the time of different work clamping corresponding to each work type can be set very simply by the selective insertion work of a plurality of master blocks. Therefore, the clamp adjusting mechanism of the work clamper is simplified and the work efficiency is improved.

[0012]

1 to 6 show the construction of a work transfer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, FIG. 6 shows the construction of the work transfer line WL in this embodiment. The transfer line WL
Is the car model setting and clamp adjustment station S
Ta ₁ , work set station STa ₂ to 1st to nth
Work transfer stations STb _{1 to} STb _{4 for} each final vehicle type (4 types) through a plurality of work stations ST _{1 to} STn
The first transport line WL ₁ centered on the work assembly work up to and the end portion of the _first transport line WL ₁ are sequentially emptied through the _first turntable RT ₁ and the second turntable RT _2. The returned pallet is returned to the third turntable RT ₃ and the fourth turntable RT ₄
The second transport line WL ₂ for returning to the vehicle setting and clamp adjusting station STa ₁ and the work set station STa ₂ again via the above.

In the present embodiment, the works 3, 3, ..., which are carried on the pallet 1 on the carrying line WL, are composed of, for example, a rear axle device of an automobile as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The workpieces 3, 3 ... Are formed in four different heights H of the arm portions 3a corresponding to four vehicle types, for example, in the pallet mounting state of FIG. On the other hand, the pallet 1 has a planar rectangular shape, and all the workpieces 3, 3, ... Are commonly placed and clamped so that the workpieces can be reliably transported and the clamp height corresponding to the height H of the arm portion 3a. clamp height of the clamping piece 2a of the clamper 2 (adjustment amount) will be described later in the model setting and clamping adjustment station STa ₁ with comprises a clamper 2 which can accurately adjust the clamping height of the clamping piece 2a to be Master block (1
5a to 15d) is used to provide a clamp adjusting mechanism 4 which is appropriately set for each work 3, 3. The clamp adjusting mechanism 4 includes a master block device 20 and a clamp height adjusting device 30, as described later.

That is, first, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the clamper 2 is provided with a plate portion 5 which is positioned at one corner of four corner portions of the rectangular pallet 1 and fixed in a standing state in a diagonal direction. The hinge bracket 6 has, and a front Y-shaped clamp piece support rotatably supported on the plate portion 5 of the hinge bracket 6 through a support shaft 7 so as to be rotatable in the arrow (a) or (b) direction of FIG. The member 8, a clamp piece 2a horizontally extending in the front-rear direction, which is vertically movably interposed between the upper and left support pieces 8a, 8b of the clamp piece support member 8, and the front and rear of the clamp piece 2a. A screw bolt 10 which is inserted through a threaded hole 9 formed in the central portion of the direction in a threaded state and vertically moves the clamp piece 2a up and down by its rotation, and one side support of the clamp piece support member 8 On the lower side of the piece 8a Ri issued, the work set stations STa ₂ and work transfer station ST
rearward by b ₁ ~STb unclamping device pressing rotating arm 12, not shown in each of the ₄ engaged from the relatively rotatable upper unclamped state shown in FIG. 3 the clamping piece support member 8 It is composed of an engaging shaft 11 that is pressed and rotated by the.

The clamp piece 2a has a predetermined length in the front-rear direction as shown in the drawing, and the work clamp part 13 on the front end side thereof is formed in a plane U shape, and the arm part 3 on the work side.
a The pin 14 at the tip is adapted to be properly fitted, while the master block device 2 for setting the clamp height of the clamp adjusting mechanism 4 to be described later is provided on the other end side.
0, the upper surface of any of the corresponding master blocks 15a, 15b, 15c, 15d inserted downward as shown in FIG.
It is formed on the stopper 16 that abuts the (clamp height regulating surface) and defines the work-corresponding height H of the clamp piece 2a.

Further, the screw bolt 10 is fitted such that its upper end side is fitted in the screw bolt turning socket 33 on the side of the clamp height adjusting device 30 of the clamp adjusting mechanism 4, which will be described later, and locked in the turning direction. Combined plug 10
The lower end 10b side is formed in a and is rotatably supported by a bearing 17.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the master block device 20 constituting the clamp adjusting mechanism 4 is installed in the clamp adjusting station STa ₂ in a state as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. 21 is provided with a guide mechanism (horizontal slide mechanism) 23, and the guide mechanism 23 holds a long master block support rod 24 slidably in the arrow (c) or (d) direction and Support rod 24 to cylinder 2
2, the stepping drive is arbitrarily performed at a one-block pitch in the same arrow (c) or (d) direction. Then, in the upper portion of the tip end portion 24a of the master block support rod 24, for example, four sets of first, second, third, and fourth masters whose heights increase in order from the tip end side to the rear end side. The blocks 15a, 15b, 15c and 15d are replaceably mounted.

The master block device 20 has its master block support rod 24 opposed to the pallet 1 and its clamper 2 in the direction shown in FIG. 1 and at the height shown in FIG. According to the type (height H) of the work 3 corresponding to any of the tip side master blocks 15a to 15d by the stepping drive of the cylinder 22, the above-mentioned stopper of the clamp piece 2a is arranged. 16 Insert in the lower part. The first to fourth master blocks 15a to 15d
Has a height H different from that of the arm 3a 4
The height (H ₁ ,
_{H 2, H 3, H 4} ) is set by changing the height in response to each corresponding master block 15a~ corresponding to each of the differing work 3,3 ... type on the pallet 1 15d is inserted. The master blocks 15a to 15d are selected by determining the vehicle type according to the order of the pallets 1 (or the vehicle type display on the pallet) based on the vehicle type setting data performed prior to the clamp adjusting work. Be done.

The insert of the master blocks 15a to 15d into the lower portion of the stopper 16 of the clamp piece 2a is, more specifically, in the vehicle type setting and clamp adjusting station STa ₁ shown in FIG.
The pallet 1 to be preliminarily started is specified by the (line control unit), and the pallets 1 are sequentially numbered from No1 to Non so that the vehicle type can be specified by the order. Then, the master blocks 15a to 15d are accurately selected according to the vehicle type judged from the order, and first, the clamp piece 2a is rotated to the uppermost position (maximum position) by inserting the screw bolt 10 before inserting the master blocks 15a to 15d. Position) before performing.

On the other hand, a clamp height adjusting device 30 for raising and lowering the clamp piece 2a by rotating the screw bolt 10 to change its height is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle type setting and the clamp adjusting station STa _{1 of} the first work transfer line WL ₁ are performed.
The column plate 36 which is erected so as to be located on the slant side of the clamper 2 in position, and the cylinder rod 3 of the lifting cylinder 34 which is fixed to the column plate 36.
Motor head supported by 5 so as to be able to move up and down
(Socket driving motor head) 31 and a socket portion 33 connected to the lower portion of the motor head 31 via a chuck 32.

Therefore, in the above-mentioned state in which the pallet 1 for placing the work is at the clamp adjusting station STa ₁ as described above, the elevating cylinder 34 is driven to lower the motor head 31 and the socket portion 33. When the socket motor of the motor head 31 is rotated by fitting the above with the fitting plug 10a at the upper end of the screw bolt 10, the clamp piece 2a is lowered, and the rear end side stopper piece 16 is inserted first. The master blocks 15a to 15d are abutted and set on the master blocks 15a to 15d and the clamp height H thereof is set to the pallet 1 concerned.
The work piece 3 is adjusted to an optimum height corresponding to the height of the arm portion 3a of the work piece 3. At the time of the adjustment, the guide member 38 provided under the motor head 31 is provided.
The photoelectric switch 38 provided at the tip of the position approaches the spot surface SP on the upper surface of the plate 18 on the side of the clamp piece supporting member 8, and the driving of the socket motor of the motor head 31 is stopped by its ON signal.

Therefore, after that, the operation proceeds to the subsequent work setting station STa ₂ and the unclamping device is used to drive the unclamping pressing arm 12 to unclamp the clamper 2 so that the corresponding work from the work supply section WF. After supplying 3 and setting work 3,
If the work is clamped again, the work 3 is appropriately clamped.

As described above, according to the work transfer apparatus of the present invention, the amount of clamp adjustment at the time of clamping for each type of work is inserted into the master blocks 15a to 15d and the corresponding clamp piece 2a is moved up and down. Since the setting can be made very simply by contacting, the clamp adjusting mechanism is simplified and the working efficiency is greatly improved.

When the setting and clamping of the works 3, 3, ... Corresponding to each vehicle type are completed as described above, various assembly works are sequentially carried out at the _first to nth work stations ST _{1 to} STn, and thereafter, It is sent to the work transfer stations STb _{1 to} STb ₂ on the _first transfer line WL ₁ . Each of the work transfer stations STb _{1 to} STb ₄ is provided with an unclamping pressing rotary arm 12, 12 ... And its driving device, which are similar to those of the work set station STa _2. The clamped state of the clamper 2 is released by the action of the pressing and rotating arms 12, 12, ..., And the workpieces 3, 3, ... Can be transferred to the corresponding line.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a work transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view of the same device in the direction of arrow (A) in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view of the same device when the clamper is opened, as shown in FIG.
It is a side view of the arrow A direction.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a master block insertion device portion of the same device.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a clamp height adjusting device portion of the device.

FIG. 6 is an overall plan view of a work transfer line in which the work transfer device is installed.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a pallet, 2 is a clamper, 2a is a clamp piece, 3 is a work, 3a is a work arm part, 4 is a clamp adjusting mechanism, 6 is a hinge bracket part, 10 is a screw bolt, 15a to 15d are master blocks, 16 is a A stopper, 20 is a master block device, and 30 is a clamp height adjusting device.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A work transfer device for transferring a plurality of different types of works in common on the same transfer line, and a plurality of work placement pallets installed on the transfer line so as to be transferable. A work clamp means that clamps a work placed by a clamp piece that is provided on each of a plurality of pallets and that can set the clamp position according to the type of work by moving up and down, and a work set station on the transfer line. A plurality of master blocks that are provided correspondingly and have dimensions that correspond to the clamp positions of the clamp pieces of the work clamp means according to the type of the work are provided, and one of the plurality of master blocks is used as the work clamp. The lower part of the clamp piece of the means is brought into contact with and locked to the lower part of the clamp piece based on the type information of the work, and the clamp piece of the clamp piece is A work transfer device comprising a master block device for setting a pump position. 2. A work transfer device for transferring a plurality of different kinds of works in common on the same transfer line, and a plurality of work placement pallets installed so as to be transferable on the transfer line. A work clamp means that clamps a work placed by a clamp piece that is provided on each of a plurality of pallets and that can set the clamp position according to the type of work by moving up and down, and a work set station on the transfer line. Clamp piece driving means provided correspondingly for raising and lowering the clamp piece of the work clamp means, and also provided corresponding to the work station on the transfer line, according to the kind of the work. A plurality of master blocks each having a size corresponding to the clamp position of the clamp piece of the work clamp means are provided. Any of the master blocks is lowered by the clamp piece driving means, and the clamp pieces of the work clamp means are brought into contact and locked on the basis of the work type information, so that the clamp position of the clamp piece can be changed according to the kind of the work. A master block device for setting
And a clamp piece drive stop control means for stopping the operation of the clamp piece drive means upon detecting that the clamp piece has come into contact with the master block of the master block device. .