JPS59167379A - Signal transmission mechanism in conveying equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify maintenance without need for providing any electric contact point on a truck and a machining station to send and receive electric signals by providing a reading means and an air pressure source near a conveying truck. CONSTITUTION:Compressed air which is fed to a compressed air intake 17a through a quick joint 34a flows through a piping 20 from the first port 11a of each limit valve 11 to its second port 11b, and then, flows through pipings 23, (25) into the head-side cylinder chambers of corresponding small cylinders 13b, 13d, causing the piston rods 14b, 14d of the small cylinders 13b, 13b, 13d to be projected. Each projection is read by the corresponding photo-tube type sensors 32b, (32d) respectively. And, when secure operation of the whole clamp unit 8 is ensured, the quick joints 34a, 34b are disconnected from the compressed air intakes 17a, 17b, and a truck 1 is transported to a welding line to machine a workpiece.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a signal transmission mechanism between a carrier and the outside of the carrier in a type of transfer device in which a workpiece is placed on a carrier and transported to each processing station for processing.

One of the transport devices is a workpiece (
For example, there is a type of conveyance device in which a workpiece (vehicle body) is placed and fixed, the workpiece is processed while being conveyed, and then the workpiece is unfixed. In such a conveyance device, conventionally, there is a communication between a control device installed outside the conveyance truck and a drive cylinder operation confirmation sensor and a workpiece type detection sensor of the clamp device attached to each jig of the truck. Electrical signals and fluid pressure signals were exchanged via electrical contacts or pressure fluid quick joints.

However, in devices that send and receive electrical signals between the trolley and the outside via electrical contacts, the contacts on the trolley and the external contacts may wear out or be damaged due to sliding friction, resulting in poor contact and errors. There is a risk that the workpiece may fly out from the cart due to a clamp failure caused by signals, etc., or assembly failure may occur due to a decrease in the accuracy of the workpiece fixing position. In devices that transmit and receive signals, a quick joint must be provided for each signal flow path, which poses a problem in that the equipment becomes large.

This invention was made by focusing on such conventional problems, and after a workpiece is placed and fixed on a jig with a workpiece fixing device provided on a transport vehicle and processed while being transported, A conveyance device for releasing fixation of a workpiece includes a detection means for detecting the operating state of the workpiece fixing device and the presence or absence of a workpiece on the conveyance cart, a display means for displaying a result detected by the detection means, and a display means for displaying a result detected by the detection means; A compressed air intake port is provided for introducing compressed air for driving into the device and the detection means, and a reader is provided near the conveyance vehicle to read the operating state of the workpiece fixing device and the presence or absence of a workpiece displayed by the display means. and a pneumatic source for supplying compressed air to the compressed air intake,
The purpose is to solve the above problems.

The present invention will be explained below based on the drawings.

Figures 1 to 3 are diagrams showing one embodiment of the present invention. First, the configuration of these figures will be explained. In Figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 indicates a plurality of workpieces connected and running on a rail 2 for transporting workpieces. It's a trolley. Each cart 1 is accurately positioned and stopped at a processing station (not shown) where processing is performed by a robot or the like. Further, on each cart 1, a plurality of posts 4 are erected to support workpieces. As shown in detail in FIG.
A clamp claw 6 connected to the tip of the post 4 rotates around a pin 7, and the receiver is provided with a known clamp device 8 for fixing and releasing the workpiece to the gauge surface 4a of the post 4. It is being When the piston rod 5a of the cylinder 5 advances or retreats, each clamp device W8 is provided with a
A glue mint valve 10.11fJ<
It is provided. Further, the trolley 1 includes a limit valve 21-, which serves as a detection means for detecting whether or not a workpiece is placed and the type of workpiece by coming into contact with the workpiece.
・---1 (see Figure 1.3) is provided. Second
In the figure, 12 is a bracket fixed at a predetermined position on the trolley 1, and on this bracket 12 there are a plurality of small air cylinders 13 a , 13 b , 13 c , which are spaced apart from each other and serve as display means. 13 d
, 13 e -----1 are provided. These cylinders 13a, 13b, 13C, 13d, 1
3 e ---- is the piston rod 14a, 1
4 b, 14 c, 14 d, 14 e-
The cylinders 13a,
13b, 13c, 13d, 13e
A coil spring 15 (see FIG. 3) for returning the piston rod is housed in the rod-side cylinder chamber. Numeral 16 is a bracket fixed at a predetermined position on the trolley 1 like the bracket 12, and this bracket 16 has a bracket that is connected to the cylinder 5 of each clamp device 8 and each limit valve 10, 11 and 21. Multiple compressed air intakes 17a, 17b for sending compressed air for driving
, 17c are provided at a predetermined distance from each other.

As is clear from FIG. 3, the compressed air intake 17b connects to the head side cylinder chamber of the cylinder 5 of each clamping device 8 via piping 18, and the compressed air intake 17C connects to the rod of each cylinder 5 via piping 19. It is connected to the side cylinder chamber, and the compressed air intake port 17a is connected to each first port 1 of each limit valve 10.11 and 21 through piping 20.
0a, lla, 21a------.

Second boat 10b, llb and 21 b of each limit valve 10.11 and 21-----
are connected to the small cylinders 13a, 13b, 1 via piping 22.23.24.25.26, respectively.
3c, 13a, ise---- are connected to the head side cylinder chambers.

On the other hand, a bracket 31 is provided in the vicinity of the conveyance truck, for example, in a loading station 3 where a work to be processed is placed, at a position that is close to and opposite to the bracket 12 provided on the truck 1 when the truck 1 is stopped. There is. This bracket 31 includes each small cylinder 13 a , 13 b , 13 c , 1 disposed on the bracket 12 .
3 d, 13 e ----- piston rod 1
4a, 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e -----
Align coaxially with the small cylinder +3a, 13b
.

13c, 13d, 13e ------- and the same number of known phototube sensors 32a, 32b as reading means.
, 32c.

32 d, 32 e-m;- are arranged. Each sensor 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d,
32 e ------- is connected to a control panel not shown, and the sensors 32a, 32b, 32C132d, 32
The corresponding small cylinders 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d,
]3e -------(D piston rod 14a,
14b, 14c, 14d, 14e
---- Piston rods 14a, 14b, 14C11 depending on the amount of light that hits the tip surface and is reflected.
4d, 14e I'm reading the progress and retreat of --------. Note that these photocell sensors 32a, 32
b, 32C132d, 32e ------- Providing a proximity switch instead of the piston rod 14a,
14b, 14C114d, 14e-, etc. may be read. The mounting station 3 is also provided with a bracket 33 at a position close to and facing the bracket 16 provided on the truck 1, similar to the bracket 31. This bracket 33 has the compressed air intake port 17 disposed on the bracket 16 of the truck 1.
Known air quick joints 34a, 34b are provided which are located coaxially with a, 17b, and 17c and can be connected to and disconnected from the corresponding compressed air intake ports, respectively. These quick joints 34a, 34
b are connected to air pressure sources such as compressors (not shown) via air pipes 35 and 36, respectively. Although not shown, the release station for releasing the fixation of the workpiece has a
A bracket similar to the bracket 33 is provided,
Air quick joints are provided at positions corresponding to the compressed air intakes 17a and 17c.

Next, the action will be explained.

When the trolley 1 stops at a predetermined position in the mounting station 3 with the workpiece supported by the post 4, the quick shield 34a is first opened at the corresponding compressed air intake port 17 of the trolley 1.
connected to a. At this time, each limit pulp 21'' for detecting whether or not a workpiece is placed on the post 4 and the type of workpiece is pressed by the workpiece and cut into the first device C. The mint valves 10 and 11 that detect the operation of each clamp device 8 are all the second device B. As a result, the compressed air supplied to the compressed air intake port 17a via the quick joint 34a is , flows into the head side cylinder chamber of the small cylinder 13e from the pipe 20 through the first port 21a, the second port 21b and the pipe 26 of the limit pulp 21---, and causes the piston rod 14e to protrude. The protrusion of 14e is read by the corresponding phototube sensor 32e, confirming that the workpiece is placed on the post 4. Similarly, the type of workpiece is also confirmed.

At this time, each clamp device 8 is in a state in which the piston rod 5a of the cylinder 5 is completely retracted into the cylinder 5, as shown in FIG. 3, that is, in a non-operating state. Next, the quick joint 34b connects to the compressed air intake 17b.
, and compressed air is sent into the head-side cylinder chamber of the cylinder 5 of each clamp device 8 through the piping 18 . As a result, the piston rod 5a of each cylinder 5 fully protrudes, and the clamp claw 6 of the clamp device 8 rotates to press and fix the workpiece to the gauge surface 4a of the receiver post 4. In the process until the piston rod 5a of the cylinder 5 completely protrudes, immediately after the piston rod 5a starts protruding from the cylinder 5, the dog 9 at the tip of the piston rod 5a first pushes the limit valve]0, and these limit pulps 10 is switched from the second device B to the first device A. As a result, the compressed air supplied to the compressed air intake port 17a through the quick joint 34a flows from the first port 10a of each limit valve 10 to the second port Ob through the piping 20, and the compressed air flows through the piping 22, 24, respectively. Flows into the head side cylinder chamber of the corresponding small cylinder 13a, 13c through the piston rod 14 of the small cylinder 13a, 13c.
a, 14c is made to protrude. Each piston rod 14a
, 14C are the corresponding phototube sensors 3.
2a, 32c. Each clamp device 8
Immediately before the piston rod 5a of the cylinder 5 further protrudes and completely protrudes, the dog 9 closes the limit valve I.
Press I to set these limit valves 11 to 2nd position - WB
to the first device A. As a result, the compressed air supplied to the compressed air intake 17a via the quick joint 34a flows from the first port 11a of each limit valve 11 through the piping 20 to the second port 11b, and through the piping 23, 25, respectively. Corresponding small cylinder 13b
, 13d, and causes the piston rods 14b, 14d of the small cylinders 13b, 13d to protrude. The protrusion of each piston rod 14b, 14d is read by a corresponding phototube sensor 32b, 32d, respectively. If it is determined that any or all of the clamp devices 8 are not operating, an alarm is activated by a signal from the control panel to notify the operator.

On the other hand, when it is confirmed that all the clamp devices 8 are working reliably, the quick joints 34a and 34b are separated from the compressed air intake ports 17a and 17b, and the trolley 1 is constructed of an industrial robot or the like (not shown). For example, the workpiece is transported to a welding line and processed. Then, when the machining is completed, the cart 1 is transported to the work fixation release station, and the quick joint (not shown) is connected to the compressed air intake ports 17a and 17.
connected to c. As a result, compressed air flows into the rod side cylinder chamber of the cylinder 5 of each clamp device 8, and the compressed air in the head side cylinder chamber is passed through the pipe 18 to the compressed air intake port 17b.
The piston rod 5a is retreated into the cylinder while being discharged from the cylinder. As a result, the fixation of the work by each clamp device 8 is released. In the process of retracting the piston rod 5a, the dog 9 pushes the limit valves 11 and 10 in sequence, switching these limit valves 11, 0 from the first device A to the second device B. As a result, the compressed air in the head-side cylinder chambers of each of the small cylinders 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d is transferred to the pipes n', 23, 24, and 25, respectively.
Through the third port 10 of each limit valve 10.11
The piston rods 14a, 14b of each small cylinder 13a, 13b, 13G, 13d, which had previously protruded to be discharged from c, llc.

14C114d is pushed back by the restoring force of the coil spring 15, which had been compressed, and retreats into the cylinder. These piston rods 14a114b, 14c,
The recesses of 14d are the corresponding photocell sensors 32a.
, 32b, 32c, and 32d, and it is confirmed that the fixation of the workpiece by each clamping device 8 has been released. Thereupon, both the quick-silver inlets (not shown) are separated from the compressed air intake ports 17a and 17c and the workpiece is transported to the next station.

As explained above, according to the present invention, the workpiece is placed on a jig with a workpiece fixing device provided on the conveyance vehicle, fixed, and processed while being transported, and then the workpiece is unfixed and transported. The signal transmission mechanism of the apparatus includes a detection means for detecting the operating state of the workpiece fixing device and the presence or absence of a workpiece on the conveyance vehicle, a display means for displaying the results detected by the detection means, the workpiece fixation device and the A compressed air intake port is provided for supplying driving compressed air to the detection means, and a reading means is provided near the transport vehicle for reading the operating state of the workpiece fixing device and the presence or absence of a workpiece displayed by the display means. , a pneumatic exhaust for supplying compressed air to the compressed air intake port,
Unlike conventional methods, there is no need to provide electrical contacts between the cart and the processing station to send and receive electrical signals. It is possible to avoid situations that may cause this. Further, since it is not necessary to provide a quick joint for each signal flow path to transmit and receive fluid pressure signals as in the conventional case, it is possible to downsize the equipment.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a cart of a conveying device equipped with a signal transmission mechanism according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of the cart and loading station of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a conveying device according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a partial circuit diagram of one embodiment of the signal transmission mechanism of the device. 1-----i forwarding cart, 3----- Loading station, 4-----The workpiece holder is a post as a jig, 8-
--1--Work clamp device, 10.11.21--Glue mint valve as detection means, 13a, +3 b, 13 c, 13 d,
13 e --- Small air cylinder as display means, 17 a , 17 b , 17 c --- One pressure air intake, 32 a , 32 b , 32 c , 32 d , 32
e - - Phototube sensor as reading means, 34a, 34 b - Air joint connected to a pneumatic source. Patent Applicant Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Representative Patent Attorney Arigagun Part 6

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a transfer device that releases a fixation of a workpiece after processing the workpiece by placing and fixing the workpiece on a jig with a workpiece fixing device provided on a transfer truck, the workpiece fixing device is activated on the transfer truck. A detection means for detecting the state and presence or absence of a workpiece, a display means for displaying the results detected by the detection means, and a compressed air intake for supplying compressed air for driving to the workpiece fixing device and the detection means. , and a reading means for reading the operating state of the workpiece fixing device and the presence or absence of a workpiece displayed by the display means, and a pneumatic source for supplying compressed air to the compressed air intake port, near the transport vehicle. A signal transmission mechanism for a conveyance device, characterized in that: