JPH07118847B2 - Carrier - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transfer device that suspends a transfer table that supports or mounts an object to be transferred, and transfers the object while floating it with a magnetic fluid.

2. Description of the Related Art As a suspending type conveying device of this type, for example, there is a suspending type trolley conveyor, but fine dust is generated from a rotating part and a sliding part during operation. Therefore, there is a problem that it cannot be used in a clean room or the like in an environment where dust is tolerated. Further, front cross-sectional views of FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C that move by supporting a support such as an electric wire for supplying power and an electric signal to a moving body, a pressure oil pipe, or an air pipe. There is a hanger mechanism as shown in.

In FIG. 3 (A), 11 is a messenger wire that is horizontally stretched, 12 is a traveling wheel that moves on the messenger wire, 13 is a frame that supports the traveling wheel 12 on a shaft 15, and 14 is a frame 13. A hanger for supporting a suspended electric wire, a pressure oil pipe, an air pipe or the like. Since the hanger 14 suspended from the frame 13 moves as the traveling wheel 12 moves on the messenger wire 12, it is possible to move a support such as an electric wire, a pressure oil pipe or an air pipe.

In FIG. 3 (B), 21 is a horizontally arranged guide rail, 22 is a traveling wheel that moves on two lower upper surfaces of the guide rail 21, 23 is a frame that supports the traveling wheel 22 with a shaft 25, A hanger 24 is suspended from the frame 23 and supports a support such as an electric wire, a pressure oil pipe or an air pipe.
Since the hanger 24 suspended from the frame 23 moves as the traveling wheel 22 moves on the lower upper surface of the guide rail 21, it is possible to move a support such as an electric wire, a pressure oil pipe, or an air pipe.

In FIG. 3 (C), 31 is an open groove-shaped horizontally arranged guide rail, 32 is a traveling wheel that moves between two upper surfaces below the guide rail, and 33 is a shaft 35 that supports the traveling wheel 32. A frame, 34 is a hanger that is suspended from the frame 33 and supports a support such as an electric wire, a pressure oil pipe or an air pipe. Since the hanger 34 suspended from the frame 33 moves as the traveling wheel 32 moves on the upper surface of the lower part of the guide rail, it is possible to move a support such as an electric wire, a pressure oil pipe or an air pipe.

However, in either case, the traveling wheel moves due to rolling friction with the messenger wire or the guide rail, etc., so noise is generated, and fine dust is generated on the friction surface. was there.

Therefore, there is a problem that this type of transfer device cannot be used in a clean room or the like, particularly in an environment where dust is tolerated.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention According to the present invention, a carrier for supporting or mounting a carrier is of a suspension type, and is floated by using a magnetic fluid, so that the running resistance is very small, no dust is generated, and noise is generated. It is an object of the present invention to provide a transport device that does not allow the transfer.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention is a transport device that travels while suspending and supporting a transport table on a transport path, wherein the transport path is formed of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material, and one or more of which has an open top surface. A plurality of grooves,
The groove is provided with an appropriate amount of magnetic fluid and a linear motor stator disposed at an appropriate distance, and the carrier is provided with legs having permanent magnets laid on the lower end and the linear motor fixed. And a reaction plate provided so as to face the child, and the carrier is floated by a magnetic force acting between the magnetic fluid and the permanent magnet, with legs of the carrier being embedded in the magnetic fluid. The carrier device is characterized in that the carrier device is suspended while being suspended, and is cleanly carried in a non-contact state with the carrier path during both floating and traveling.

Embodiments Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing a first embodiment of a carrying device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a transport path supported by a support frame 4 which will be described later and formed of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material, and has one or a plurality of groove portions having an open upper surface. Transport path 1
In the embodiment, two sets of right and left are provided in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a transport frame, which is a transport base 6 suspended from a lower portion of the transport frame 5 on which an object to be transported (not shown) is supported or placed, and a permanent member disposed at a tip end position corresponding to the groove portions of the left and right transport paths 1. It is composed of a magnet 3 and a leg portion 8 that holds the permanent magnet 3 on the lower end surface. The carrier table 6 is arranged below the carrier frame 5. The case where the object to be conveyed is supported in the space inside the conveyance table 6 is shown.

Reference numeral 2 denotes a magnetic fluid, which is arranged in the groove of the transport path 1 so that the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 3 acts, and the permanent magnet 3 at the lower end of the leg 8 is configured to fit into the magnetic fluid 3. There is.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a support frame that supports the transport path 1,
Also doubles as a cover.

The magnetic fluid 2 is a known colloidal solution in which the surface of magnetic fine particles such as ferrite is coated with a long-chain unsaturated fatty acid and dispersed in a solution using a surfactant.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the magnetic fluid 2 causes an increase in the apparent specific gravity of the magnetic fluid due to the influence of the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets 3 arranged on the carrier frame 5, and the permanent magnets 3 and the legs 8 are formed.
Then, a levitation force is generated on the transport frame 5, the transport frame 5 floats above the transport path 1, and the transport platform 6 disposed on the transport frame 5 floats above the transport path 1.

By setting the magnetic field strength of the permanent magnet 3 to a predetermined value, it is possible to obtain a predetermined buoyancy corresponding to the transport frame 5. In this case, the bottom surface of the permanent magnet 3 and the top surface of the transport path 1 are not in contact with each other except the magnetic fluid 2. Even when the carrier 6 travels, the magnetic fluid 3 does not flow away or decrease, and an appropriate amount is always present in the carrier path 1, so that the required levitation force can be obtained.

Further, since the transport path 1 is made of non-magnetic and non-conductive material, it operates as follows. First, before explaining the operation, a case where the transport path 1 is made of a magnetic material will be described. In this case, the permanent magnet 3 provided in the transport path 1 is attracted to the transport path 1 which is a magnetic body by its magnetic force, and the levitation force generated by the magnetic fluid 3 does not pose a problem, and as a result, the friction force is reduced. It has the opposite effect and does not reduce the running resistance.

Further, a case where the transport path 1 is made of a conductive material will be described. In this case, the carrier table 6 is levitated by the levitation force of the magnetic fluid 3 in a stationary state, but when traveling, the permanent magnet 3 moves near the carrier route 1 which is a conductor, and the magnetic flux intersects to convey the carrier route 1. An eddy current flows inside and exhibits a braking action. Therefore, in this case as well, the running resistance is not reduced.

However, since the transport path 1 is formed of the above-mentioned material, the above-mentioned problems do not occur, traveling loss is significantly reduced, and efficient and clean transport can be obtained. Therefore, if the transport frame 5 is supported by a mobile body (not shown), the transport frame 5 can be transported in the arrow direction shown in FIG. 2 with low loss following the movement of the mobile body (not shown). Therefore, the carrier 6 suspended from the carrier frame 5 is transferred.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to realize a carrier device which has a very low running resistance, is dust-free, and does not generate noise while hardly increasing the load of the driving force for transfer to the moving body. In addition, since there are two sets of transport paths, the transported object can be stably transported.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the shape of the carrier table 6 in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and other than this, it is the same as the case shown in FIG. An object to be conveyed (not shown) is supported or placed on the supporting portion 8 below the carrier table 6.

FIG. 5 is a sectional front view showing a second embodiment of the carrying device according to the present invention.

Reference numeral 1 is a conveyance path formed of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material supported by a frame (not shown). Reference numeral 5 denotes a transfer frame, a transfer table 6 suspended below the transfer frame 5 on which an object (not shown) is supported or placed, a permanent magnet 3 disposed at a position corresponding to the transfer path 1, and a permanent magnet. It is composed of a leg portion 8 that holds the magnet 3 on the lower end surface. The present embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the conveyance path 1 in the first embodiment is provided with two sets on the left and right in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction, whereas in this embodiment, one set is provided. And the case
Further, in this embodiment, the transport frame 5 is arranged so as to straddle the transport path 1.

The configuration other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment. In FIG. 5, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

The operation in this embodiment is similar to that in the first embodiment, and the carrier 6 can be transferred.

In this embodiment, the transport path 1 is set as one set and has a simple structure, and has the same effect as the previous embodiment.

Further, FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the shape of the carrier 6 in the case of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8 shows the case where it is supported or placed.

In addition, although the conveyance path and the permanent magnet are described as one set or two sets in the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that three sets or more can be similarly provided.

FIG. 7 is a front sectional view showing a third embodiment of the conveying device according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

The present embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that, in the first and second embodiments, the carrier of the present invention does not have a drive source and the carrier frame 5 is not shown in the figure. On the other hand, the carrier frame 5 is transferred following the movement of a moving body (not shown), whereas in the present embodiment, the carrier device itself has a drive source.

This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that linear motor stators 40 are arranged on the left and right sides of the lower surface of the support frame 4 at appropriate positions in the traveling direction, and the leg portions 5a of the transport frame 5 are arranged.
That is, the reaction plate 41 is arranged at a portion facing the linear motor stator 40 of FIG. The reaction plate 41 is made of a conductive material, such as an aluminum or copper plate, so as to generate thrust with the linear motor stator 40 as a linear motor.

The configuration other than the above is the same as that of the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. As in the case of the first embodiment, the transport frame 5 floats and the running resistance becomes extremely small. Where the linear motor stator 40
Is excited, the reaction plate 41 obtains thrust.
Therefore, the transport frame 5 is transported in the direction shown by the arrow in FIG. Therefore, the carrier table 6 suspended from the carrier frame 5 is transferred.

For this reason, since the running resistance is very small, the required capacity of the linear motor can be reduced, and a dust-free transfer device can be realized.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the shape of the carrier table 6 in the case of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8. Other than this, it is the same as the case shown in FIG. The case where it is supported or placed on the lower portion of the carrier table 6 by the support portion 8 is shown.

FIG. 10 is a front sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the carrying device according to the present invention. This embodiment is different from the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 in that the linear motor stator 40 is arranged on the side surface of the conveyance path 1 at a predetermined position in the traveling direction, and the linear side surface of the conveyance frame 5 is arranged. That is, the reaction plate 41 is arranged in a portion facing the motor stator 40.

The configuration other than the above is the same as that of the second embodiment.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. As in the case of the second embodiment, the transport frame 5 floats and the running resistance becomes extremely small. Where the linear motor stator
When 40 is excited, the reaction plate 41 gains thrust. Therefore, the transport frame 5 is transferred in the traveling direction,
The carrier 6 suspended from the carrier frame 5 is transferred.

In the present embodiment, the conveying path 1 can be set as one set and the linear motor stator 40 can also be set as one set, so that the device can be made to have a simple configuration and the same effect as the third embodiment can be obtained.

Further, FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the shape of the carrier table 6 in the case of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. Shows the case where it is supported or placed.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention uses a magnetic fluid to support and mount a suspended carrier on which a suspended transportation platform is in a non-contact state with a transportation path during floating and traveling, and has a very low traveling resistance. It has an effect that it can be easily transported, does not generate dust, and does not generate noise.

For this reason, it is a very effective transport device, especially in a clean room where dust is avoided.

Further, since the magnetic fluid is used, there is no need for any levitation means such as an air bearing for levitation of the carrier and a control means for controlling this levitation means, which is advantageous in that the facility cost can be reduced. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing a first embodiment of a carrying device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a front sectional view showing a conventional technique. FIG. 4 is a front sectional view showing another embodiment of the carrier table in the case of the first embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a front sectional view showing a second embodiment of the carrier device according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a front sectional view showing another embodiment of the transfer table in the case of the second embodiment, FIG. 7 is a front sectional view showing a third embodiment of the transfer apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 7, FIG. 9 is a front sectional view showing another embodiment of the carrier table in the case of the third embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a fourth embodiment of the carrier device according to the present invention. FIG. 11 is a front sectional view showing an embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a front sectional view showing another embodiment of the carrier table in the case of the fourth embodiment. 1 ... Transport path, 2 ... Magnetic fluid, 3 ... Permanent magnet, 4 ...
... Support frame, 5 ... Transport frame, 6 ... Transport platform,
11 …… Messenger wire, 12, 22, 32 …… Running wheel, 13, 23, 33 …… Frame, 14, 24, 34 …… Hanger, 15, 25, 35 …… Axis, 21, 31 …… Guide rail , 40 ...
… Linear motor stator, 41… Reaction plate.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A transporting device for suspending and supporting a transport table on a transport path, wherein the transport path is made of a non-magnetic and non-conductive material and has one or a plurality of groove portions having an open top surface. The groove is provided with an appropriate amount of magnetic fluid and a linear motor stator disposed at an appropriate distance, and the carrier is provided with legs having permanent magnets laid on the lower end and the linear motor fixed. And a reaction plate provided so as to face the child, and the carrier is floated by a magnetic force acting between the magnetic fluid and the permanent magnet, with legs of the carrier being embedded in the magnetic fluid. A transport device that is suspended while being kept clean, and is cleanly transported in a non-contact state with the transport path during both floating and traveling.