JPS61140420A - Parts supplying method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve an operating ratio by forming a shifting stage with a lifter, a roller conveyor, and a mount section, shifting parts boxed to a stock section and a row disposal section in stacks, and carrying out vacant boxes when supplying parts to an assembly process in pats boxes. CONSTITUTION:Stacked boxes are shifted by a robot or the like to the mount section 24 of a lifter 19 stopped at a shifting stage, then conveyor rollers 21 are driven by a control signal to convey them to a fixed position of the mount section 24. Next, the mount section 24 is lowered to the lower end of a shift section 11 and is shifted to a stock section 12 by the rollers 21, and the boxes are delivered to the mount section 33 of the stock section 12. When pats boxes on the lifter 13 of a row disposal section 13 are discharged, a mount section 41 is lowered tot he same height as that of the mount section 33 of the stock section 12, parts are taken out in sequence starting from the top-row parts box, vacant boxes are stacked on the mount section 41, and stacked vacant boxes are carried out by rollers of the disposal section 13. According to this constitution, an operating ratio can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to a parts supply method for supplying parts to an assembly line or the like.

[Technical Background of the Invention] There is a device called a depalletizer that supplies parts to an assembly line or the like. This parts supply device is generally installed on the side of an assembly line, etc., and sequentially takes out and supplies parts from multiple parts boxes that are stacked so that they can be separated, and then re-assembles the empty boxes from which the parts were taken. It is designed to be discharged outside the device.

Figure 6 shows an example of a horizontal circulation system in which each component of this device is arranged in a two-dimensional manner, and Figures 7 to 0 show several examples of a vertical circulation system in which each component is arranged three-dimensionally. . In each of these devices, (1) is a transport device such as an automatic guided vehicle or a trolley, and (2) is a parts box (
(b) is a stock part that temporarily stores parts boxes (b); (3) is a tiering part that separates stacked parts boxes (b) one by one; (4) is a special mechanism for separated parts boxes (b). Section, (5)
t: is the positioning part that positions the separated parts box (b), (6) is the stacking part that stacks the empty box (q) from which the parts have been taken out, and (7) is the stacked empty box ( The empty box stock section (8) for storing q is the pace machine of the assembly device.A plurality of parts boxes (B) containing parts are stacked and transported by the transport device (1), and then transferred to the parts supply device. After being transferred, it is circulated in the direction shown by the solid line arrow, and after being positioned in the positioning section (4), it is moved by a transfer robot or the like installed along the pace machine (8) as shown by the broken line arrow. The parts are taken out. Then, the empty box ((-') #: tb from which the parts were taken out is transferred from the empty box stocking section (7) to the transport device (1) and carried out from the parts supply device. It looks like this.

[Problems of the Background Art] Among the above-mentioned component supply devices, those in which the configuration of the device is arranged in a two-dimensional manner allow for quick replacement of component boxes (b), but the installation area is large and space efficiency is extremely poor. In addition, when changing the product type, it is not possible to stack and discharge the parts boxes (B) left on the parts supply device, so it takes time to change one product type, which reduces the operation rate of not only the one component feeder but also the subsequent pace machine. There are drawbacks that reduce it.

In addition, examples of equipment in which the configuration is arranged three-dimensionally include Fi, picking elevator (
9) takes out the parts box (b) from the tiered part (3),
Furthermore, since the empty box (C) from which the parts have been taken out is carried out, the speed at which the parts box (B) can be exchanged is limited by the picking elevator (9). Also, in the device shown in the figure (B), the first step is from the positioning section (3) to the positioning section (5)! There are disadvantages in that the transportation distance of the parts box (b) is long, and it takes time to carry out the empty box (c) from the positioning section (5), resulting in a slow replacement speed for one parts box (b).

[Purpose of the Invention] This invention provides a parts supply method for supplying parts boxes by sequentially taking out or inserting parts from parts boxes that are stacked in a separable manner. It is an object of the present invention to provide a parts supply method that smoothly improves the operating rate of an apparatus.

[Summary of the Invention A drive device (a transfer stage is provided on a lifter having a mounting section equipped with a conveyor driven by two sides, and the above-mentioned mounting section is stopped on this transfer stage so that it can be separated into this transfer stage. The plurality of parts boxes are carried in a stacked manner, and while they are still stacked, they are conveyed toward the tiering section by the lowering of the above-mentioned 7 and conveyance of the above-mentioned conveyor. After the parts boxes are separated and the parts are taken out or inserted, the stacked parts boxes are stacked together and placed on top of each other through the loading section that is stopped on the transfer stage. Embodiments of the Invention The present invention will be described below based on embodiments with reference to the drawings.

The parts supply device is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The parts box (B) that stores the parts has a flange at the upper end and is formed in a shape that allows it to be separated and stacked in multiple pieces. The parts supply device is partially formed into a two-story three-dimensional Sakaki structure, and is used for carrying in parts boxes (b) transported by an automatic guided vehicle (a) and for parts being taken out. There is a transfer section (13) for transporting this empty box (q) to the automatic guided vehicle α1, and a stock section (l) provided on the pace machine (8) side adjacent to this transfer section aυ. (12, adjacent to the pace machine (8) and a control section (I-tan) that controls the operation of each of these sections.

The upper end of the transfer section Ql) serves as a transfer stage αη for carrying in one component box 0) or carrying out an empty box ((゛)), and the inside of the frame (18a) surrounding this transfer section Ql). has a first slope α9.

This first lifter (19) is as shown in FIG. 3(5).

A plurality of rollers (21) are rotatably attached to the support frame (to), and a sprocket attached to the rotating shaft of each roller Qυ and the output shaft of the motor 24 with a reducer and brake fixed to the support frame. It consists of a mounting section (C) 4 consisting of a conveyor on which a chain (C) is mounted and can be rotated in both forward and reverse directions by the rotational drive of this motor (24), and a lifting mechanism (C) that raises and lowers this mounting section (C). .This lifting mechanism (
c) has a pair of upper and lower rotating shaft ends that are rotatably supported at both ends of a pair of columns (to) erected along the inside side of the frame (18a), each rotating shaft end; Of the four sprockets (c) attached to both ends of
A chain is attached to each pair of sprockets that face each other vertically, and a sprocket attached to the output shaft of a seven-way gear with a reducer and brake fixed to one column (E) is attached to one of the chains. It is a combination of Loading part C! lj, fixed to the attachment mat attached to the pair of chains, and driven by the rotation of the motor 4, the transfer stage at the upper end and the lower end are fixed to the column (c) and run along the pair of linear guides 6υ. Go up and down between the sections.

The stock part α has a mounting part (c) fixed on the inside of the frame (18b) surrounding this stock part a) so as to form a straight line on the same plane as the mounting part Q4I stopped at the lower end. This mounting part C331 has the same structure as the above-mentioned mounting part 04), except that the motor (c) that rotates the plurality of rows 9 C14) rotates in one direction, so a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted. .

The step break-up portion (13H) and the second lifter Gη provided inside the frame (18C) surrounding the step break-up portion (13).

A positioning device (to) provided on the second lifter (9) and a pair of upper and lower parts rotatably supported inside the frame (4sc) adjacent to the stock part Q3 and the stacked part I to be described later. It consists of rollers (39a) and (39b).

It will be. These mounting part 0υ and the lifting mechanism (b) are formed to have almost the same structure as the mounting part (goods) and the lifting mechanism (c) of the first lifter (II, and the mounting part u1 is lowered by the lifting mechanism (roller)). is stopped together with the roller (39m) so as to be on the same plane and in a straight line with the mounting part (to) of the stock part a3. Note that the mounting part 0 of this second lifter On
Regarding the structure of each part of υ and the elevating mechanism, please refer to Part 1.
The 0 positioning device (to), in which the same parts as the mounting part Q4 and the lifting mechanism (c) of the 1J lid α9 are given the same numbers and detailed explanation thereof is omitted, is shown in Fig. 4 (5) to Fig. 9. Mounted on the side of the frame (18C) as shown
It consists of a first positioning jig (Fund) for L7, and a second positioning jig (451) that is mounted on the other side of the frame (19C) opposite to this first positioning jig (44). o
However, the second-stage motion cylinder fixed to the side of the first positioning jig (44) f1%7 frame (19C) via a support body is the operating axis of this second-stage motion cylinder (4b). Bush plate member attached to? ). This bushing plate (47) is connected to a linear seven-way track (4I19) and a bushing plate (47) fixed on the side surface of the frame (19C) in parallel with the cylinder (t).
Using the linear motion rail Ω fixed to 471 as a guide, it advances and retreats in two steps toward the negative side of the parts box Φ) transported by the rise of the second lifter C37). In the first stage of advancement, the front end surface of the bushing plate (4?) stops at a position approximately one angle away from the negative side of the one-parts box (b), and in the second stage of advancement, the front end of the bushing plate (4?) ) comes into contact with the − side of the The second positioning jig is a traverse rail f5ω that is attached to the operating shaft of a cylinder (not shown), is fixed on the other side of the frame (18C), and extends above the frame (lsd) of the stacked section α. It has a jig support stand 61) that moves forward and backward along. This jig support stand 61) has
A first positioning jig (44 bushing plates (44
A pawl support (to) is attached which extends parallel to and. At one end of this claw support body, there is a reference mold e54) having two mutually orthogonal reference surfaces that engage with the side corners of the parts box (b), and at the other end, there is a reference mold e54) for the parts box (b). A bushing claw (to) that comes into contact with the other side of the box (to) is attached. These reference mold 6 and bush pawl 69 are operated by the cylinder 53 mentioned above.

Together with the claw support, there is a linear motion track iron fixed to the jig support 6D and a linear motion rail f1 fixed to the claw support. ), and the first
Move forward and backward in the same direction as the bushing plate (47) of the positioning jig (■). In addition, on the other end side of the claw support (G), a jig support 6υζ is attached to the operating shaft of a fixed cylinder (to), and moves back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the claw support, so that the tip end A side bushing plate 61 is provided that comes into contact with the side surface of the component cylinder.

This positioning device (to) is placed in two stages for the parts box (b) transported between the first and second positioning jigs (44) and (45) by the 21st No.7 ((?) first motion
The bushing plate uη of the positioning jig (b) is advanced to the first stage and inserted into the lower part of the flange formed at the upper end of the parts box (b), and at the same time the claw of the second positioning jig (c) is inserted. These first and @2 positions are achieved by advancing the support (G) and inserting the reference system (T) and the bushing claw (T) into the lower part of the flange so that they come into contact with the other side of the parts box. The grip jig (44, (eJ) supports the above parts box (B). From this state, the second slide G7) is lowered by a distance equivalent to at least one parts box (B), and the above part box (B) is lowered. 1. When the parts box (B) supported by the second positioning jig Q4) and (c) is separated from the succeeding parts box (b), first the side of the second positioning jig (c) Bush plate 15I moves forward,
The above-mentioned parts box (B) is held between this side/dopsier plate 69 and the reference system (goods), and this parts box (B) is moved forward and backward by the first and second positioning jigs (4→, (451). Then, the second stage of advancement of the bushing plate 44) of the W11 positioning jig n4) is performed, and this bushing plate 44η and the second positioning jig n4) are moved forward. ) and the bushing claws (to) to hold the parts box (c) and position the supported parts box (b) from directions orthogonal to each other.
In this case, the thrust of the cylinder 64 of the second positioning jig (C) is greater than the thrust of the cylinder (41) of the first positioning jig (C), and the second positioning jig (4) is moved forward by the second stage of advancement. Even if the bushing plate η later comes into contact with the negative side of the parts box @).

The reference system 541 that is in contact with the other surface (in the component cylinder first)
And the position of the bushing claw (G) does not change.The parts stored in the parts box (B) are placed in this positioning device (to).
A transfer device such as a robot takes out the parts from the parts box (b) positioned by the parts box (b). The nine boxes from which the parts were taken out (q is the first positioning jig (four bush sprays) (47) are moved back to the first stage and are released, and then the second positioning jig (47) is released. Jig support stand for tool (c) 61)
This is done by moving the empty box (C) along the rubber rail trowel in the direction of stacked part a4. The bushing plate of the first positioning jig (Foundation), which has been moved back to the first stage, is supported and guided by the four forces, and is conveyed in the same direction in the stacked area by passing over the rollers (39b). , the bushing plate (4η) of the first positioning jig (44) then performs a second stage of retreat and returns to its original position.The second positioning jig (451) (After retracting the 5th position to release the empty box (C) and further retracting the claw support 6J, the first positioning jig (returns to its original position facing the fence) by retracting the jig support 6υ do.

The stacked part (141 is a frame (141) surrounding this stacked part I)
The above-mentioned positioning device (
2) The third lifter 6υ consists of a support device 13 for stacking and supporting empty boxes (q) transported by the lifter 6, as shown in FIG. 3(G).

The loading section of the first lifter (to) of the transfer section I, the loading section having almost the same structure as the elevator M@, and the lifting mechanism (to)
and has. The loading section 14 is lowered by this elevating side 00.
) is the roller (39b) of the step separating section (13) and the first slide H which has risen and stopped on the transfer stage αη.
Mounting part c! It is designed to stop so that it is on the same plane and in a straight line as the ooze. Furthermore, the loading section of this third lifter
Regarding the structure of each part of the lifting mechanism, please refer to the 11th J Lid a! The same parts as the mounting part H and the elevating mechanism (c) of J will be given the same reference numeral, and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

Support device - D. A pair of slide shafts Ie that are erected along the sides of the frame (18d) and fixed at both ends, and a pair of upper and lower support parts made of FJ-M that are attached to the pair of slide shafts Ie. (67a).

(67b), and those having the same configuration are provided facing each other on both sides of the frame (19d), and one of them is a pair of columns C! of the third lifter @υ. It is located inside ω. Above support part (67m) or (67b) Fi
As shown in Figures 5 and 5, the one-leg block II is repositionably attached to a pair of slide shafts IQ by bolt connections, and this identification block (69
This support device 1nc, y frame consists of a mouth-shaped claw συ which is added to 1 and is attached to the operating shaft of the friend cylinder frame and moves forward and backward guided by grooves formed on both side end surfaces of the one-leg blocker. A pair of opposing support parts provided along (18d), for example, a lower support part (
67M) is advanced and inserted into the lower part of the flange of the empty box (C) to support it. The third lifter ena first rises until the upper end surface of the loaded empty box (q) touches the bottom of the supported empty box ((-'l), and then stops once. Empty box supported by (67m) (
')ri, by retracting the hook 11) of this support i (67m), it is released from the support part (67m) and stacked on the empty box (q) mounted on the third lifter 6υ.

! 31J lid 1D/ri, then the height corresponding to one empty box (C) rose, and the empty boxes were stacked on this third lifter U (q is the claw συ of the support part (67 m) that then moves forward. It is highly supported.

Next, a method for supplying parts to the pace machine (8) using this parts supplying device will be described.

First, when the unmanned guided vehicle elG transports multiple parts boxes (b) that are stacked so that they can be separated by one, a transfer device such as a robot moves the mounting part of the first lifter 0 ( 2) Transfer the items while still stacking them. Then, a control signal sent from the control section a field causes this mounting section c! Rotate the roller (21) of the conveyor,
When the stacked fc multiple component boxes (b) are transported to the fixed position on the second grade by this loading section (inside the mounted friend parts cylinder), the loading section Q41ri moves to the loading section Q41ri. It descends to the lower end of the section (11), rotates the roller Qυ of the conveyor again, and conveys the loaded parts box (b) toward the stock section a.

In the loading section 03 of the stock section @, the roller (b) rotates simultaneously with the rotation of the roller Qυ of the loading section @ which has descended to the lower end of the transfer section aυ, and the parts box is transported in the direction of the stock section. ω) to a fixed position on this mounting section (to). The loading section of the first lifter a9 then returns to the transfer stage αη.

Step breaking part (l hot water fl, second step 7 of this step breaking part a3
When the parts box (b) runs out on the second slot c37), the companion sensor provided on this second slot c3η detects this, and the control unit a9 sends out a control based on the signal sent from this sensor. By the signal, the mounting part (4υ) is moved to the stock part (I
lower it to a position where it forms the same plane as the mounting section 03). Then, rotate the roller seat υ together with the roller (b) of the mounting part (to) of the stock part @, and
Place the parts box (B) on top of this second lifter (B) into the mounting area (
(to) the upper position. In addition, automatic guided vehicle (1 (
When transporting the parts box (B) transferred from I to the stock section Q3, if there is no parts box (B) on the second lifter (9) of this step-breaking section (13), the lower end will be placed between the loading sections. The parts Hakomachi were transferred from the automatic guided vehicle α0 and were not stored in the stock section α.

It passes through this stock section Q and is directly conveyed to the fixed position of the mounting section (2) of the unstaged fa (13).

When the component (parts middle) is mounted on this mounting section (G), the second
Lifter C37) is located at the top of the stack of parts on the mounting section (top)! (To) 1@1. Second
The positioning jig 144) is raised to a height where it is inserted between 4 and 11.

This first. When the parts box (B) is inserted between the second positioning jig (G14) and (C), the sensors installed in these positioning jigs (G14) and (C) detect it and Based on the signal sent from the Senna, the bushing plate of the first positioning jig of the two motions is advanced by the first step, and at the same time, the M2 positioning jig is moved forward by the control signal sent from the control unit a. The claw support of the tool (c) moves forward, and this bush spray (47) and the claw support □
Reference claw @ and button claw (T) attached to □□
is inserted into the lower part of the collar of the parts box (B).

Thereafter, the second lifter C37) at least parts box (B) 1
The parts box (b) on the uppermost level is lowered by a height corresponding to the number of parts. It is supported by the second positioning jig (b), - and separated from the parts box (b) located below it.

This first. The parts box (B) supported by the second positioning jig (44, (4!j) ), the side bushing plate 6I moves forward toward the
One-way positioning is performed, and the first positioning jig ■
(butsu spray) (1 due to the second stage advance of 471
Positioning is performed in a direction perpendicular to the above one direction.

When this positioning is completed, a transfer device such as a robot takes out the component from the component cylinder (V) and transfers it to the base machine (8).

Once the parts have been removed, the first positioning jig (
The bushing plate @η of (B) moves back by the first step, and then the jig support base 6D of the second positioning jig (C) moves along the traverse rail (5011:), and the second positioning jig (C) of The empty box (q) held between the reference claw (b) of the tool (451) and the side bushing plate is conveyed in the direction of stacking section 0 using the bushing plate 4η which has been retreated by the first step as a support guide. 2 positioning jig (the mouth is located at the predetermined position when the side bushing plate (to) retreats and the empty box (
q is released, and then the pawl support is retreated to return to its original position on the second lifter (b) directly facing the M1 positioning jig A. Meanwhile, during this time, the bushing plate (47) of the first positioning jig performs a second stage of retreat and waits for the support positioning of the next parts box (b).

When an empty box (C) is brought into the stacking section a4 from the positioning device (to), a sensor installed in the stacking section I detects this, and based on the signal 1 sent from this sensor, Control unit (3rd lifter 6υ by control signal sent from the government)
The rollers υ of the mounting section 64) are rotated to transport the empty box (C) released from the second positioning device & (4 powder) to the fixed position on this mounting section @a. The lifter 6υ is an empty box (q) on which the upper end surface of the empty box (c) is supported by the lower support part (67a) of the support device.
rises to a height where it touches the bottom of the Thereafter, the lower support part (67a) retreats the claw aD, and the lower support part (67a)
The empty box (C) supported by 67a) is released and stacked on the empty boxes (C:) loaded above the loading s1.

When the empty boxes (C) supported by the lower support part (67a) are stacked, the third lifter 6υ moves the loading part into the empty boxes (a tube corresponding to 91 boxes, i.e., the bottom tier). 0 empty boxes
is raised to a height where it is inserted between the pair of lower supports N5 (67a). After that, the lower support part (67m) is attached to the claw σ.
υ is advanced and inserted into the lower part of the collar of the lowermost empty box (q), and the stacked empty boxes (0 mounting part l5 that supports C'l)
4) descends to the lower end that is on the same plane as the rollers (39 m) of the subsequent disassembly section α, and waits for the next empty box (9) to be carried in.

Empty boxes (C) stacked on the lower support section (67m) are unloaded by first raising the loading section to a height where it touches the bottom of the empty boxes (Q) supported on the lower support section (67m). , the ho of this lower support part (671) is retreated, and the empty box υ that was being supported is transferred to the mounting part -.

Thereafter, this loading section (goods) is lowered to the lower end that is on the same plane as the loading section (to) of the first lifter (II) located on the transfer stage aη.
Laura C! υ is rotated in the same direction and transported to the fixed position of the Pr mounting part (c) while stacked on multiple sides. It was transferred to Moan and taken out.

In addition, when carrying out this empty box (q), the loading section - is located by the positioning device (
The empty box (q) conveyed from This can also be done by stacking the supported empty boxes (q) and then lowering them.Also, when unloading the parts boxes (b) remaining in this parts supply device due to product glaze change, etc., use the loading section (2). is supported by the lower support part (67a) and raised to a height where it touches the bottom of the empty box (C'), and after loading the empty box (C) supported by the lower support part (67a), the lowermost stage Empty box (9
The empty box (q) is supported by the upper support part (67b), and then lowered to the lower end and inserted into the positioning device (to). This is done by sequentially supporting the parts boxes (b) transported by the lower support part (67a).This lower support part (parts boxes 0 stacked on top of 67)
The carrying out is the same as the carrying out of the empty box (q), or the empty box (q) supported by the upper support part (67b) is stacked and carried out at the same time.

As mentioned above, the top of the lifter, which is equipped with a conveyor that is moved 1M by a drive device and has a next loading section, is used as a transfer stage, and the lifter is lowered while the multiple parts boxes carried onto this transfer stage are stacked. The above-mentioned loading section transports the empty box from there to the unpacking section, and the empty box from which the parts have been taken is transported to the above-mentioned loading section! If the stacked parts boxes are unloaded from this transfer stage through the stack, the parts boxes will be supplied to the tiering section where parts are taken out by cutting the stacked parts boxes sequentially from the upper stage, and once the parts have been taken out. This empty box can be transported to Nissin, and the exchange speed of one component box can be increased, thereby improving the operating rate of the device.

In the above example, when supplying parts by increasing the number of parts from the parts box, the congratulations will be explained in the case where empty parts boxes are stacked, the top layer is separated, and then parts are inserted into the empty parts box. May be applied.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figures 1 to 5 show a simple embodiment of the invention;
The figure is a perspective view showing the entire parts supply device, Figures 2) and 3 are a plan view and front view showing its configuration, respectively, and Figures 3 (6) and 3 (b) are respectively showing its configuration. A plan view showing detailed shaving and a comparative view of FIG. 4 (6) cut along the line m=n+, FIGS. Figure 5 (5
) and ( ) are the plan and front views of the support device, respectively, FIG. 6 is a plan view of a conventional parts supply device with a horizontal circulation system, and FIGS. FIG. 2 is a front view of a conventional component supply device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Parts supply in which a plurality of separably stacked parts boxes are transported to a tiered section and separated, and parts are inserted into the separated parts boxes or the removed parts boxes are stacked and carried out. In the method, a transfer stage is provided on a lifter having a loading section equipped with a conveyor driven by a drive device, the loading section is stopped on this transfer stage, and a plurality of parts boxes are carried onto this transfer stage. The stacked parts boxes are conveyed in the direction of the separating part by lowering the lifter and conveying by the conveyor while being separably stacked, and after the parts are taken out in the separating part, the stacked parts boxes are stacked. A component supply method characterized in that the parts are unloaded from the transfer stage by conveyance of a conveyor of the mounting section via the mounting section which is stopped on the transfer stage.