JPH11246042A - Workpiece conveying delivery device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably deliver workpieces from a conveyor by reducing a clearance and step difference of a transfer part of a workpiece conveying path. SOLUTION: A first conveyor 1 conveys workpieces X by endlessly rotating a chain 6 formed of a plurality of workpiece placing plates 5 connected to one another. The respective workpiece placing plates 5 are connected in a state of being bendable while oscillating laterally to the travel direction of the chain 6. The conveyor 1 is provided with a linear part 11 where the chain 6 travels on a stragiht line, on the lower reaches side, and a curved part 12 where the chain 6 travels on an approximately circular arc, continuously with the lower reaches side end part of the linear part 11. A bridge plate 3 is formed almost flush with the workpiece placing plates 5, adjacently to the outer peripheral side edge of the curved part 12, and extended in the same direction as the linear part 11. The workpieces X are guided by a guide member 4 and delivered from the first conveyor 1 to the second conveyor 2 through the bridge plate 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for paying out a work conveyed by a conveyor to another conveying path.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 7, conventionally, when a work X being conveyed on a first conveyor a is transferred to a second conveyor b in a work conveyance path such as a can, for example, The downstream end c of one conveyor a and the upstream end d of the second conveyor b are arranged to face each other, and a transfer plate e (dead plate) is placed between the ends c and d of both conveyors a and b. In this case, the work X conveyed on the first conveyor a is delivered to the second conveyor b via the transfer plate e.

[0003]

However, at the ends c and d of the endlessly rotating conveyors a and b, pulleys f and g are provided.
Is circular, gaps h and i are generated at the connecting portion between the end portions c and d of the conveyors a and b and the transfer plate e. In order to prevent dents of the can body and scratches on the surface of the can body, the can body is transferred from the conveyor a to the
In order to stably transfer the transfer path, it is necessary to reduce the gaps h and i at the connecting portion of the transport path as described above.

[0004] In particular, in recent years, the can body has been reduced in weight due to the progress of downsizing to reduce the thickness of the can body and the grounding diameter of the can body has been reduced. Is more likely to fall. Furthermore, high-speed production of cans is also progressing. In such a situation, it is desirable that the gaps h and i at the connecting portion of the transport path are not present or are as small as possible.

[0005] The gaps h and i at the connecting portion of the above-mentioned transport path.
It is conceivable that the crossover plate e is formed so as to be gradually thinner and the crossover plate e is arranged as close as possible to the ends c and d of the conveyors a and b. However, since the ends c and d of the conveyors a and b rotate along the circular pulleys f and g, a certain gap is provided between the ends c and d of the conveyors a and b and the transfer plate e. Is required. Therefore, there is a limit in moving the transfer plate e closer to the ends c and d of the conveyors a and b, and as a result, a certain gap h, is provided between the ends c and d of the conveyors a and b and the transfer plate e. There is a disadvantage that i occurs. In addition, when the diameter of the pulley is small, the degree of curvature is large, so that the gap with the transfer plate becomes large. For this reason, there is also an inconvenience that the reduction of the pulley diameter at the ends c and d of the conveyors a and b is restricted due to the necessity of reducing the gap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, the present invention has been made to solve the problem of a work which can stably and smoothly pay out a work conveyed by a conveyor by reducing a gap or a step in a connecting portion of a work path such as a can body. An object of the present invention is to provide a transport and dispensing device.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a work transfer and delivery apparatus according to the present invention transfers a work by endlessly rotating a chain composed of a plurality of work mounting plates connected to each other. A straight section where the work mounting plates are connected to each other so as to be able to swing and bend to the left and right with respect to the traveling direction of the chain, and the chain travels in a straight line;
A conveyor provided with a curved portion that is continuous with the downstream end of the straight portion and in which the chain travels substantially on an arc; and adjacent to the outer peripheral edge of the curved portion of the conveyor, the workpiece mounting plate of the curved portion is substantially similar to the conveyor. It is characterized by comprising a transfer plate formed flush with and extending in the same direction as the linear portion of the conveyor, and a guide member for guiding and discharging the work from the conveyor via the transfer plate. .

In the present invention, the work mounting plates constituting the chain of the conveyor are connected to each other so as to swing left and right with respect to the traveling direction of the chain. For this reason, the conveyor can endlessly rotate a part of the chain running on a straight line while bending the chain in a substantially circular arc to the left or right. As a result, the conveyor has a straight portion in which the chain travels on a straight line and a curved portion which is continuous with the downstream end of the straight portion and travels on a substantially circular arc.

In the present invention, since the crossover plate is formed adjacent to the outer peripheral side edge of the curved portion of the conveyor, the gap between the crossover portions between the crossover plate and the conveyor is sufficiently reduced, and substantially. The crossing plates can be arranged close to each other so as to eliminate them. Further, since the transfer plate is formed substantially flush with the work placement plate in the curved portion of the conveyor, a step at the connecting portion between the transfer plate and the conveyor can be substantially eliminated. Therefore, according to the present invention, the work conveyed by the conveyor can be stably delivered by substantially eliminating gaps and steps at the connecting portion of the conveyance path.

[0010] Further, the transfer plate extends in the same direction as the straight portion of the conveyor, and the work conveyed by the straight portion of the conveyor is guided by the guide member, and the curved portion is substantially aligned with the straight portion. Since the workpiece moves from the outer peripheral edge via the transfer plate, the workpiece can be stably and smoothly discharged from the conveyor.

Further, since the work can be stably discharged from the conveyor, it is possible to provide a work transfer and discharge apparatus which can cope with downsizing of the can body and high-speed production. Further, the gap at the connecting portion of the work transport path can be reduced without limiting the pulley diameter at the end of the conveyor.

[0012]

Next, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a work transfer path using one embodiment of the work transfer and delivery apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a part of a conveyor constituting the transfer path in FIG. 1, and FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged plan view of FIG. 1, and FIG.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line V.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a first for conveying a work.
Conveyor 2 is a second conveyor for transporting the work delivered from first conveyor 1, and 3 is a second conveyor from first conveyor 1.
Transfer plate for paying out work to conveyor 2, 4 is first
It is a guide member provided along a conveyance path of a work continuing from the conveyor 1 to the second conveyor 2 via the transfer plate 3 and guiding the work along the conveyance path.

The first conveyor 1 has a plurality of work mounting plates 5
Are connected between a drive pulley 7a pivotally supported at the downstream end and a tail pulley 7b pivotally supported at the upstream end. By rotating the drive pulley 7a by the driving device 7c, the chain 6 rotates endlessly. Thereby, the work on the work mounting plate 5 is transported in the direction of arrow A.

The second conveyor 2 also includes a chain 6 formed by connecting a plurality of work mounting plates 5 having the same configuration as the first conveyor 1 to a drive pulley 8a pivotally supported at a downstream end and an upstream end. It is hung over the tail pulley 8b pivotally supported by the part. Then, by driving the drive pulley 8a by the driving device 8c,
The chain 6 rotates endlessly, whereby the work on the work mounting plate 5 is transported in the direction of arrow B.

The first conveyor 1 has, from the upstream to the downstream, a straight portion 9 in which the chain 6 runs straight, a curved portion 10, a straight portion 11, and a curved portion 12 in which the chain 6 runs substantially in an arc. It is formed by being continuous. In the second conveyor 2, a curved portion 13 and a straight portion 14 are formed continuously from the upstream side. Each conveyor 1, 2
The configuration of the curved portions 10, 12, and 13 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 using the curved portion 10 of the first conveyor 1 as an example.

As shown in FIG. 2, each work mounting plate 5 is
Two ventilation holes 15a pass through almost the center of the flat mounting portion 15. In the center of the upper end and lower end of the mounting portion 15,
A convex bearing 16 and a concave bearing 17 are formed respectively. The respective work mounting plates 5 are connected to each other in the convex bearing portions 1.
6 are inserted into the concave bearing 17, they are penetrated by one shaft 18, and are connected to each other by fixing both ends of the shaft 18 to the concave bearing 17. Here, the through hole 19 of the convex bearing portion 16 penetrated by the shaft 18 is
The aperture is formed so that the diameter increases from the center to the left and right ends. Thereby, the through hole 19 is provided with a play that allows the shaft 18 to swing right and left. Furthermore, the upper end of the mounting portion 15 is inclined toward the lower end from the center toward the left and right ends, so that the vertical width of the mounting portion 15 becomes narrower from the center toward the left and right ends.
Therefore, by swinging the shaft 18 left and right in the through hole 19, the work mounting plates 5 connected by the shaft 19 swing left and right with respect to each other and can be bent.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, on the left and right sides of the work mounting plate 5 constituting the chain 6, right and left chain guides 2 for regulating the play of the chain 6 and rotating endlessly.
0 and 21 are provided. The left and right chain guides 20 and 21 guide a groove 22 formed on the back surface of the mounting portion 15 of each work mounting plate 5 from right and left. Therefore,
As shown in FIG. 2, by forming the left and right chain guides 20 and 21 to be curved, the work mounting plate 5 connected in a chain shape is curved and rotates endlessly. Thereby, the curved portion 10 of the first conveyor 1 is formed. Similarly,
Other curved portions 12, 13 are also formed.

In FIG. 3, a work X, which is a can, is placed on a placing portion 15 of a work placing plate 5. On the left and right sides of the first conveyor 1, columns 23 are formed in a frame shape.
A top guide 24 at a position slightly above the work X is supported on the upper part of the support 23, and four lateral sides of the work X at a position slightly away from the work X are provided on left and right sides of the support 23. Guides 25, 26, 27, 28 are supported. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of frame-shaped columns 23 are provided at intervals along the left and right sides of the first conveyor 1. As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1, the top guide 24 and the side guides 25, 26, 27, 28 extend from the first conveyor 1 via the transfer plate 3 to the second conveyor 2. The work X is guided when the work X moves from the first conveyor 1 to the second conveyor 2 via the transfer plate 3. In FIG. 1, the top guide 24 is omitted for convenience. The support 23, the top guide 24, and the side guides 25, 26, 27, 28 constitute the guide member 4.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a configuration near the transfer plate 3 of the present embodiment will be described. In addition, for convenience of drawing,
In FIG. 4, the top guide 24 is omitted, and in FIG. 5, the guide member 4 is omitted, and only one work X is shown.

The two conveyors 1 and 2 are arranged such that a curved portion 12 near the downstream end of the first conveyor 1 and a curved portion 13 near the upstream end of the second conveyor 2 are close to each other. . Further, the traveling direction A of the chain of the linear portion 11 continuing on the upstream side of the curved portion 12 of the first conveyor 1 and the traveling direction B of the chain of the linear portion 14 continuing on the downstream side of the curved portion 13 of the second conveyor 2. Are arranged so as to be substantially on a straight line. The transfer plate 3 extends from the outer peripheral edge of the curved portion 12 of the first conveyor 1 to the outer peripheral edge of the curved portion 13 of the second conveyor 2 substantially in line with the running directions A and B of the chain. ing. The guide direction of the work by the guide member 4 is substantially on the same straight line as the transfer direction of the work continuing from the first conveyor 1 via the transfer plate 3 to the second conveyor 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, the direction of conveyance of the work continuing from the first conveyor 1 to the second conveyor 2 via the transfer plate 3 is substantially linear, and the guide direction of the work by the guide member 4 is also substantially the same. On a straight line. As a result, the work conveyed on the first conveyor 1 is dispensed on the second conveyor substantially in a straight line, so that the work can be dispensed stably and smoothly.

The transfer plate 3 is formed integrally with the chain guide 20 of the first conveyor 1 and the chain guide 29 of the second conveyor 2. The placement surface 30 of the transfer plate 3 has one end 30 a formed in a contour along the outer peripheral side edge of the curved portion 12 of the first conveyor 1, and the other end 30 b formed of the curved portion 13 of the second conveyor 2. It is formed in a contour along the outer peripheral side edge. In the present embodiment, gaps m and n between the mounting surface 30 of the transfer plate 3 and the work mounting plates 5 of the respective conveyors 1 and 2 are each formed to be 1 mm, and the gap is substantially eliminated.

The mounting surface 30 of the transfer plate 4 is formed in a flat shape, and is substantially in contact with the work mounting plate 5 of the curved portion 12 of the first conveyor 1 and the work mounting plate 5 of the curved portion 13 of the second conveyor 2. Formed in one. In the present embodiment, the mounting surface 30 of the handover plate 3
From the work mounting plate 5 of the first conveyor 1 by 0.5 to 1.0
mm, the friction when the work moves from the work placement plate 5 of the first conveyor 1 to the placement surface 30 of the transfer plate 3 is reduced, and the work is easily moved. Further, the work mounting plate 5 of the second conveyor 2 is moved from the mounting surface 30 of the transfer plate 3 by 0.5 to 1.0.
mm lower, and the work is placed on the second conveyor 2
Reduced friction when moving up, making it easier to move. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first conveyor 1, the transfer plate 3, and the second conveyor 2 may all be formed flush.

The work X conveyed on the first conveyor 1 is guided by the guide member 4 and moves from the outer peripheral edge of the curved portion 12 onto the transfer plate 3. At this time, the first conveyor 1
Since there is substantially no gap or step between the outer peripheral edge of the curved portion 12 and the mounting surface 30 of the transfer plate 3, the work X can stably move onto the transfer plate 3. Similarly, since there is substantially no gap or step between the mounting surface 30 of the transfer plate 3 and the outer peripheral edge of the curved portion 13 of the second conveyor 2, the workpiece X is transferred to the conveyor 2.
It is stably moved up and transported by the conveyor 2.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main part of another embodiment.

In this embodiment, the conveyor 1 of FIG.
1 is omitted, the conveyor 2 of FIG. 1 is eliminated, and instead the transfer plate 3 and the guide member 4 are extended to form a chute 41, and the up-down direction on the paper surface of FIG. The vacuum conveyor 40 and the chute 41 are arranged in the vertical direction, and the work X that is conveyed in an upright state with the bottom surface being sucked from the straight portion 9 on the upstream side in FIG. 1 is conveyed to the curved portion 10 and the straight portion 11. After that,
The guide plate 4 guides the crossing plate 3 at the curved portion 12.
And falls down from inside the chute 41 in the vertical direction from the passing plate 3.

Here, the same components as those in the embodiment of FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. The configuration near the downstream end of the vacuum conveyor 40, the chute 41 including the transfer plate 3 and the guide member 4, will be described. Only a description will be given with reference to FIG.

Referring to FIG. 6, a vacuum conveyor 40 is shown.
A duct 42 having a substantially rectangular cross section extends along the chain 6 between the chain 6 which is hung between a pulley at the upstream end of the conveyor (not shown) and a drive pulley 7a at the downstream end of the conveyor and rotates endlessly. Has been established. The duct 42 has an opening 43 extending along the chain 6 on a surface facing the chain 6 on the side where the work X is transported. Chain guides 20 and 21 extend along both longitudinal edges of the opening 43, and a groove 22 formed on the back surface of each work mounting plate 5 constituting the chain 6 is formed by the chain guides 20 and 21. Is guiding you from left and right.
On the other hand, chain guides 44 and 45 extend along the duct 42 on the surface opposite to the surface on which the opening 43 of the duct 42 extends. The groove portions 22 formed on the back surface are guided from left and right, respectively. Accordingly, when the drive pulley 7a is driven by a drive device (not shown), the chain 6 is guided by the chain guides 20, 21, 44, and 45 and rotates endlessly along the shape of the chain guide.

An intake port 46 is formed on a side surface of the duct 42. When the chain 6 rotates endlessly, air in the duct 42 is taken in from the intake port 46 by an intake device (not shown). At this time, since the air is sucked from the gap between the opening 43 of the duct 42 and the chain 6 and the ventilation hole 15a of each work mounting plate 15 of the chain 6, the work X on the work mounting plate 15 is placed on the bottom surface. It is adsorbed on the unit 15 and is conveyed in the upright state by the vacuum conveyor 40 in the direction of the arrow in the figure.

The transfer plate 3 is provided adjacent to the outer peripheral edge of the curved portion 12 at the downstream end of the vacuum conveyor 40, and extends in the vertical direction. As in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the transfer plate 3 and the chain 6 are formed substantially flush with each other, and are formed close to each other so that there is substantially no gap between the transfer plate 3 and the chain 6.

The guide member 4 includes a top guide 24 and four side guides 25, 26, 27, and 28.
Like the handover plate 3, it extends in the vertical direction. In each guide, the work X that has been suctioned on the bottom surface by the vacuum conveyor 40 and conveyed in an upright state is transferred from the outer peripheral edge of the curved portion 12 of the conveyor 40 to the transfer plate 3, and the work from which suction by the vacuum conveyor 40 has been eliminated. When X falls vertically from the handover plate 3, it is guided from above and to the left and right of the work X.

In this embodiment, when the work X conveyed in the horizontal direction on the upstream side of the conveyor 40 is conveyed in the vertical direction, the work X is conveyed to some extent in the vertical direction by the vacuum conveyor 40, and then passed through the transfer plate 3. Then, the inside of the chute 41 composed of the guide member 4 is dropped in the vertical direction. Therefore, by adjusting the length of the portion of the vacuum conveyor 40 that conveys the work X in the vertical direction, the amount of pressure when the next work drops and comes into contact with the work that has been paid out from the vacuum conveyor 40 and has fallen. And damage to the work can be reduced. Further, since the transfer plate 3 is formed substantially flush with the outer peripheral side edge of the curved portion 12 of the vacuum conveyor 40, the transfer of the work X from the vacuum conveyor 40 to the transfer plate 3 is performed smoothly and stably. It can be carried out. for that reason,
Work damage at the time of connection can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a work transfer path using an embodiment of a work transfer and payout apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a part of a conveyor constituting the conveyance path of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged plan view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line VV of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a main part of another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a conventional work transfer and delivery device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. First conveyor, 2. Second conveyor, 3.
Transfer plate, 4. Guide member, 5. Work mounting plate,
6 ・ ・ Chain 、 11 ・ ・ Line part 、 12 ・ ・ Curve part 、 X ・ ・ Work

Claims (1)

[Claims] A chain comprising a plurality of work mounting plates connected to each other is transported by rotating an endless chain. Each of the work mounting plates swings left and right with respect to the running direction of the chain. A conveyor having a straight portion in which the chain travels on a straight line and which is movable and bendable, and a curved portion which is continuous with the downstream end of the straight portion and in which the chain travels substantially on an arc; and a curve of the conveyor. Adjacent to the outer peripheral side edge of the section, a crossover plate formed substantially flush with the workpiece mounting plate of the curved portion, and extending in the same direction as the linear portion of the conveyor; And a guide member for guiding and paying out via a transfer plate.