JPS6337011A - Work storage system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a workpiece storage system between sections of a multi-part workpiece handling line, and furthermore relates to a workpiece storage system between sections of a multi-part workpiece handling line, and to a system for transferring workpieces between parallel conveyor lines. Concerning the use of °C as a means for separating and merging workpieces on conveyor lines.

Transfer 7 machines are generally used in workpiece processing fields such as automatic machining and assembly, and while multiple positions of this transformer 7 machine act sequentially on the workpiece,
An automatic transfer mechanism sequentially feeds a row of workpieces along the above-mentioned positions.

For example, in industry, there is a conveyor line called a headliner for machining cylinder heads for opening internal combustion engines, and the total number of different processing positions in this kind of headliner can exceed 100. . In this case, at each position, each cylinder head (processed product) is subjected to a predetermined operation,
At the end of a given cycle, the cylinder head is moved 11,110,000 times to the next position. All work will be completed before the cylinder head is discharged from the line.

Two important problems arise when attempting to configure such a line as a single transfer machine. The first is the practical problem of 41 configurations of conveying systems that can reliably transfer large numbers of heavy workpieces along one transfer machine, and the second is that downtime is common. This is a series of problems. In other words, if a certain position of the transfer machine stops for some reason, such as tool damage or wear, or an air, hydraulic, or mechanical malfunction, the entire line of which that position is a part will stop. . This situation has been recognized in industry for some time, and an entire processing line containing a large number of positions, e.g.
Further division into two or more sections is common practice. In this case, each section operates as a single machine with its own independent transport mechanism to transport workpieces between its multiple processing positions. And between those machine sections there is a general K, roller conveyor, accumulating -y
power and fr
ee) :+ A conveyor, a monorail conveyor, and an independent manual workpiece conveyance system are installed to transport workpieces from the final machining position in the upstream section to the first machining position in the downstream section. .

In most cases this will result in some degree of automatic or manual workpiece storage between machine sections.

If a certain amount of workpieces are stored between machine sections, when one machining position on one line stops, the entire line will stop, but the other machine sections will stop immediately downstream of the stopped section. Operation can continue as long as workpieces are stored in the intersection transport system on the side and as long as there is space in the intersection transport system immediately upstream of the stopped section.

Generally speaking, the greater the storage capacity of an intersection conveying system, the longer one section can be stopped without stopping the other sections, and the more sections a line can be divided into. The more there are, the less likely it is that a certain part will be inoperative at a given time.

The goal of the present invention is that it is more flexible than what is currently used.
To provide a workpiece storage system between machine sections that is further improved in terms of economy in terms of cost per storage workpiece and waste of floor space.

In large J1 production, it is not uncommon for multiple parallel lines to operate adjacently within the plant. Suppose there are three parallel lines A, B, and C, and each line is divided into 6 sections 1, 2, 3°4. Assume that section 3 of line C often stops. In the case of industrial production, if mutual transfer is performed between each line, the theoretical total productivity of the three lines can be maintained at 273 even if each line is stopped as a continuous system.

In this way, the technique of mutually feeding K between corresponding sections of multiple parallel lines allows production to continue partially even when sections of multiple lines that are not compatible are stopped at the same time has also been known for a long time. It has also been put into practical use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a storage system that essentially functions as a means for transporting workpieces between corresponding points in a plurality of parallel processing lines.

Furthermore, for processing a wide variety of workpieces, it is often the case that certain sections of the conveying line operate at much slower speeds than other sections of the same conveying line.

In this case, it is common practice to use two identical sections in parallel, each processing about half as many workpieces as the other sections.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a means for dividing the flow of workpieces from a single section of a conveying line into a plurality of generally concave parallel sections of the conveying line, and vice versa. The object of the present invention is to provide a means for merging the outflows from a plurality of generally concave sections of the invention into a single inflow of the following section.

The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. One of the basic elements of the present invention is a workpiece holder that supports workpieces during storage, mutual conveyance, separation, or merging. A given workpiece holder is not powered and is moved by wheels along a downwardly sloping track.

At this time, at least one of the wheels (1) is decelerated by a control device controlled to maintain a predetermined speed.

10 and 2 show a first embodiment of the workpiece holding table and a part of the track. Reference numeral 2 is the main body of the workpiece holding stand, which holds the workpiece 4.
It is shaped into a fruit shape and is positioned as a part of the nest by a member 6, which supports it in a state in which it is disposed in the left and right direction. Reference numeral 8 denotes two suspension members, each of which supports the main body 2 at its lower end, and whose upper end is formed into an inverted U-shape and is provided with an IT shaft 10. 12 is each I
There are 11 wheels attached to the 11 shaft 10, each of which has two different rolling diameters, each terminating in a pair of 7 guide flanges. That is, FIG. 2 shows a state in which the wheel 12 rolls on a track 14 made of a tube with a rectangular cross section and whose main axis is vertical. In this state, the wheels 12 roll on the direct smoke 16 and at the same time are guided by the flanges 18 with respect to the track 14. The track 14, on the other hand, is supported by a plurality of spaced apart hangers 20, only one of which is shown, depending from the structure as appropriate. The configuration from the holding table 2 to the track 14K is as follows.

15) The presence of the track 14 prevents the workpiece 4 from separating from the holding table 2 in the vertical direction so that the crop 4 is held in the holding table 2 in the vertical direction by the bottom surface of the track 14. ing.

At least one shaft 10 of the 11L wheels 12 is connected to a case 22 attached to the suspension part 8 and the case 22VC.
a seal 24 that is supported and pivotally supports the axle 10;
The rotational speed is controlled by a reduction gear rrIK, which is composed of a disk 26 fixed to the end of the axle 10 and a sealing cover 28 bolted to the case 22. Between the disk 26 and the case 22, and the disk 2
A controlled small gap is defined between the sealing cover 28 and the sealing cover 28, and the gap is filled with a viscous fluid exhibiting substantially Newtonian characteristics, such as replacement air oil.

In this kind of fluid, fluid slippage (5hear)
Since the sliding force required to produce the same fluid is directly proportional to the rate of slippage acting on the same fluid, the deceleration torque exerted on the axle 10 by the deceleration disk 26 is directly proportional to the angular velocity of the center shaft 10. The proportionality coefficient is determined by the viscosity Ft of the fluid 1', the diameter of the deceleration disk 26, and the thickness of the fluid space on both sides of the disk 26.

The Kekusoushosha shown in Figures 2, 5, and 4theta all use a viscous fluid that acts between the rotor and housing to produce a deceleration torque that is essentially proportional to the angular velocity of the rotor. Alternatively, a known deceleration method using magnets and eddy currents may be used.

For example, regarding FIG. 2, one or more permanent magnets are attached to one or both of the sealing cover 28 and the case 22, and a disk 2 made of a suitable conductor such as aluminum is attached.
If a magnetic field is generated perpendicular to the plane 6, a Ta flow proportional to the angular velocity will be guided into the disk 26 by the rotation of the disk 26, and as a result, a proportional deceleration torque will be generated. Further, as shown in the configuration of FIG. 46, a cylindrical sleeve can be used as the rotor instead of the disk. However, in either case, since the deceleration l·lux due to eddy current is relatively small compared to viscosity, it is desirable to adopt a speed increasing gear ratio from the axle to the deceleration shaft.

FIG. 3 shows a track configuration for guiding and supporting the holding table 2 when it travels in an empty state with no workpiece mounted thereon. In this case, the tubular track 14a is arranged so that its main axis is horizontal, and the wheels 12 are guided by the flange 25 while rolling on the track 12a on the large diameter 23 side. In this way, if the IL 1 wheel 12 is made selectively rollable based on different diameters, for example, the holding table on which the workpiece is mounted and the holding table on which the workpiece is not mounted can be moved at approximately the same speed along a downwardly inclined track. The speed of both holding tables can be controlled independently. Other uses of this feature will be discussed below.

Next, the effect on the downhill speed of the rolling diameter will be explained with reference to FIG. That is, the fourth factor is a schematic diagram of the velocity and force vector of the small wheel, and in the diagram, the weight fa supported by wI, D+
is the diameter, α is the inclination angle of the orbit with respect to the horizontal plane, ω is the angular velocity, and ■ is the linear velocity.

The force that moves the IIL wheel forward parallel to the orbit is F, = W, S
The torque generated by this force is expressed as inα.

When the IIL wheel traveling downhill on a fixed-angle trajectory reaches an equilibrium state in which it is neither accelerated nor decelerated, forward torque T and deceleration torque Tn become equal (and in opposite directions). The deceleration torque T, is represented by ω, where TR==.

If V is the equilibrium speed, ヱ ω=D weight Because it is 2, V ”u=□ D.

tona(), again T,==TR From the relationship of 2　　　　　　D.

It is.

Solving ■, the following equation holds true.

4K.

From Jin's equation, the forward rolling speed in equilibrium is ii f
It can be seen that it is proportional to a and the square of the rolling diameter. In particular, if you want to match the rolling speed of a holding table with no workpiece mounted to the rolling speed of an empty holding table, set the non-mounted TL1■t to WE and the mounted i
fI Ja is W, %The rolling speed on the non-equipped side is DI, and that on the loaded side is R, then "g"E" = Wp D
F”, and this state can be expressed as a matata.

Technology based on such wheels with multiple diameters can also be effectively used in other fields described below.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, there are also two rollers (30) attached to the bottom of the holding table 2, each rotatable on a carriage 32. These rollers 30 act in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis and perform various functions as described below.

Further, 34 is a bar fixed to each suspension member 8, and is a bar fixed to each suspension member 8.
t as a safety device to prevent it from rising from the orbit 14.
1 function. That is, the weight of the holding base 2 is 1 + 1, usually the flange 1
8 or 25 is maintained and guided on the track 14, but if the 7 langes 18.25 try to climb onto the upper surface of the track 14 due to an unforeseen situation, the bar 34 engages with the lower surface of the track 14. As a result, the holding table 2 is reliably held on the track 14.

Bumpers 36 are attached to both ends of the holding table to absorb shocks when a subsequent holding table collides with the holding table while it is moving or when a moving table collides with a stopped holding table.

Other embodiments of wheel/track configurations are shown in FIGS. 5 to 8. In this embodiment, one slope of each suspension member 8a is made into an open hook portion 50, and the hook portion 50 is engaged with an annular groove 52 provided in a cartridge-type wheel, axle, or reduction gear. Further, the hook portion 50Fi is closed by a bolt 53 and a nut 54 to hold the cartridge.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 55 denotes the main body of the cartridge, which supports an axle 56 via a bearing 58.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a middle wheel attached to one end of the axle 56, which is also supported on the outer circumferential surface of the main body 55 via a bearing 62 serving as a main load receiver. Two annular grooves of different diameters each having a pair of seven flanges are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the eleven wheels 60. That is, in FIG. 5, the large diameter side 66 of the +1 wheel 60 is the raceway 6.
Is it in a state where it is engaged with 4? ), FIG. 6 shows the state in which the small diameter side 68 is engaged.

The track 64 is comprised of a thin bendable strip of suitable material with holes punched therein for attachment. A plurality of suspension members 10 are provided, including a spacer 72 or 74, a port 16 or 18 . and is fixed to a suitable support by a nut 80. A particularly suitable material for the raceway 64 is a high carbon hardened steel known as "blue steel" which has been rendered corrosion resistant by chemical or heat treatment.

In FIG. 5, the speed reducer is fixed to the other end of the axle 56 and integrated into K1f, similar to that described above with respect to FIG.
A disk 82 rotating f1, a case 84 coaxially attached to the cartridge body 55 or formed integrally therewith, a seal 86 housed in the case 84, and a seal 86 fixedly attached to the case 84. It consists of a ceiling cover 88.

The space defined between both sides of the disc 2820, the main body 84, and the sealing cover 88 is filled with deceleration fluid, and a deceleration torque approximately proportional to the angular velocity of the axle 560 acts on the axle 56.

FIGS. 1 and 8 are side views of the configurations shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the nrI book.

The main means for supporting and guiding the holding table 2 during movement are the 111 wheels 12.60, and these tit wheels 12.60
2 and 5 are usually provided, although this is not essential. On the other hand, for reasons explained below, it may be advantageous and necessary for some periods to move the holding platform 2 by other means.

An example of such means will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. Reference numeral 100 denotes two rails appropriately supported by pillars 102 erected at appropriate intervals, and two rows of rollers 10.
4 is rotatably attached via a spacer such as 106. The upper surface of the roller 104 forms a nominal surface slightly above the upper surface of the rail 100, while a groove is formed between the inner surfaces of the rail 100 to guide the roller 30 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The holding platform 1-t is therefore free to roll on and guided by the track system as described above.

9 and 10 show the roller 104 and roller 30 from the track system using the track 64 and small wheels 60.
This shows the state in which the holding base 2 is transferred to a support and guidance system using a roller ped track (hereinafter referred to as a roller ped track). Orbit 64
In order to ensure that the roller bed trajectory matches the
A matching frame 108 is connected between the two.

Although FIG. 9 shows the transition from the fixed track 64 to the roller bed track 10G, it is clear that the reverse transition can also be easily made. Roller bed track is the rail 10
0 can be bent by appropriately curving the roller 104, but in that case, the upper surface of the roller 104 forms a twisted surface instead of a flat surface.

Next, FIG. 11 shows an example of a workpiece storage system between two sections of the conveyance line. /l of upstream conveyance line
During normal operation, when the rear part 150 feeds the workpiece 152 and the front end 154 of the downstream conveyance line receives the workpiece 152, the workpiece 152 is transferred to the walking piece A (
(walking beam) conveyor, power-driven rollers such as power free conveyors: +/Flow from one side to the other by a conveyor 156. When the workpiece 154 reaches the downstream layer 09 section 154, it is measured by an escape reed arrangement consisting of cylinders 158, 16.0 which actuate gates 162, 164, respectively. And the same ff1f
an appropriate time K in the automatic cycle of the if unit 154;
An automatic loader consisting of a cylinder 166 and a bushing 168 slides the workpiece 152 into the first position of the machine section 154. From this first position to
Transport 2. This section, shown in Figure ptC11, is typical and common technology currently used in industry.

In FIG. 11, for convenience, all the holding tables carrying the workpiece 152 are indicated by @170 and are referred to as loaded holding tables, and all the empty holding tables are indicated by o112 and referred to as non-mounted holding tables.

In this storage method, the above-mentioned holding table 170 or #i1 r
2 (Fig. 1, 2 in Fig. 9) ftt interest m15h le,
1 F 4 , I II a is a column downfall that combines the a capabilities of 2 Ill and cooperates with a topological closed loose track system. That is, one row of descending trusses 114 is connected to the upper rail 111.
At 176, the unloaded holding platform 112 is received from the escape 178 and sent to the lower orbit 111 (l), and at the same time, the loaded holding platform 110 is received from the lower orbit 182 and sent to the upper orbit 184. 152 workpieces from conveyor 156
It is transferred to the holding stand on 1O-182, and the non-mounted holding stand 112
is the mounting holding table 170. The other lifting ar8g is the loading holding platform 1 from the escape 192 via the upper orbit tsotζ.
70°C and sends it to the lower orbit 194, and simultaneously receives the unloaded holding platform 112 from the kT position orbit 196 and sends it to the upper orbit 198. The workpiece on the holding stand on the lower track 194-116 is transferred to the roller conveyor 156 by the unloader a mechanism 200, and
It becomes a non-aEa holding table 1 r 2. The roller conveyor 15 is controlled by a gate l7fil structure provided on the roller conveyor 156 and equipped with a limit switch 202.
A signal indicating that there is space on 6 is sent to unloader 200. 206 is a gate operated by the 7 cylinder 204, and when the unloader 200 is operated, +1c
lfi, stop the workpiece 152 on the Q-Laco7 conveyor 156. Further, 20g is another gate operated by the cylinder/veyor 21 OK to control the flow of the workpiece 152 to a further downstream position on the roller rough/veyor 15G. Incidentally, such a game)/sensor reconstruction can also be adopted for the 0-da 1m16.

1110-1112, and the niI lower orbit established for Q-/"1116 descends at a substantially constant angle from the beginning 9m 18 G to the end M1112K,
Therefore, the non-mounted holding table 112 from the descending side of the elevator a114
The exit part of the upper row cap 01 of the same row A114 is suitably higher than the entrance part of the ms holding stand IFO. Similar K
l! The lower @ path of 14-196 has the exit and entrance parts for Noboru*all18 set at different stone heights,
This creates a predetermined downward flow.

The lower orbits 1110-1112, 194-196 are close to the floor, and the KO-der 186 and unloader 2
00 at a specific height depending on the characteristics of the upper orbit 184-190. 198-176 kills is not limited to this, and in order to secure floor space, it is installed at a higher place than the normal traffic area for workers, lift trucks, etc. The route in Figure 11 is just an example, and v
% or #5Llfk can be electrically installed on one or both of the 715G and 154 at any convenient or economical location.

As for the structural support, it can be supported from the above-mentioned Ix machine section 150, 154, from the ceiling structure, or a combination thereof.

11fl &E tower mounting jet stand 1γ0 is rising F'[11
410 upper evening? After exiting the IN, the residue enters the loading holding platform storage orbit from 184 to 190 at a constant descending angle and forms a line.
It is released by escape 192 if necessary. Then, when the first loading holding table 170 is sent into the elevator 1218B, the remaining loading holding tables 1700 rows are moved to the upper track 18.
Due to the slope of 4-190, OiT is advanced by +71 the length of the holding table. When this upper track 184-190 is filled with the onboard holding platform ITO over its entire length, the high level switch 21
2 detects this condition.

Similarly, after leaving the ascending side of the row descent 118B, the non-mounted holding platforms 172 enter the non-mounted holding platform storage track that descends at a substantially constant angle from 19B to 116, form a row here, and escape if necessary. 118. The first one in the row of non-mounted holding tables is the lowering fil of the elevator 174.
When the lK is fed, the remaining holding tables 112 are moved by the length of one holding table l1f due to the inclination of the track 19B-176.
F-adic. When this track 198-176 is filled with non-mounted holding platform 172 along its entire length, high level switch 2
14 detects the state of Jin.

12 to 1T schematically show the functions of an elevator such as 174 in FIG. 11. 1st
2 to 17, 230 is the lower coupling member 23
2 and a pair of frames erected apart from each other by an upper coupling member 234; 236 is an upper sprocket shaft 240 pivotally supported by a bellow block 238 fixed to the frame 230;
shows a lower sprocket shaft supported by a billow block 242 fixed to the frame 230. Upper tin 0K t・
Two sprockets 244 are attached to the shaft 236,
Similarly, two sprockets 246 (FIG. 13) are mounted on the lower sprocket shaft 240. 248 is a motor, 250 is a reduction gear device, 252 is a sprocket, 254 is a chain, and 256 is a sprocket provided on the lower sprocket shaft 240, and the lower sprocket shaft 240 is driven by these. However, the drive of the lower sprocket shaft 240 is described in US Pat. No. 3,78 by the present inventor.
No. 9,676 or my U.S. Pat. No. 3,859
．． Intermittent drive n + M disclosed in II No. 62
The reduction gear device 250 may be used instead of Ic.

Furthermore, 258 is the upper and lower nrI sprockets 244°24
A pair of endless chains acting between 6, 260 is the bin 26
2 (FIG. 15) is a packet for lowering a row of holding stands suspended intermittently from each chain 258. Above bottle 2
62 is stably maintained by a guide member 264+)1 via an auxiliary roller 2fi6 provided with a chain 25B+C. 26
B is provided at the lower end of both sides of the packet 2600.
The guide member 264VC is guided by rollers 268 which prevent the packet 260 from swinging about the bin connection to the chain 258. Both upper and lower ends of the guide member 264 have a bell shape 271 to facilitate the entry of the rollers 266 and 268.

Each packet 260 has a mounted holding stand 170 and a non-mounted holding stand 1.
72 simultaneously and separately.

That is, the loaded holding stand 170 is stored on one side of the packet 260, and the unloaded holding stand 172 is stored on the other side of the same bucket 260.

In addition, the entry of the holding platform into the Heki-eki is controlled by a fixed gate or a movable gate, regardless of whether it is mounted or not. Similarly! Discharge from the first exit is also controlled by fixed or movable gates.

As mentioned above with reference to Figs. 1 to 3, the holding stand can be mounted, unmounted, [il! Although the conveying system can be moved mainly by inclined fixed tracks and wheels, it can also run on roller pedestal tracks as described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. 11 regardless of whether a holding stand is installed or not.
The latter roller ped track is used to enter and exit a row tramp such as No. 4.

In FIGS. 14 and 15, the packet 260 is in the lowered state and the bucket 27G is in the upper n-shape 8. In connection with FIG.
It becomes 2. This fixed roller ped track 212 abuts the movable portion of such track. A groove 214 supports two sets of rollers 276. The groove portion 274
The upper open side is for controlling the row 230 of the nrt holding table. 278 is a shaft that supports the groove portion 214;
It is pivotally supported by a bellow block 280 fixed to the frame 230.

As shown in FIG. 11, the shaft 218 extends to the outside of the frame 230 and is connected to a U-shaped arm (clθ my arm ) 28.
It has a temperature of 2°C. The outer end of this arm 282 is connected to the frame 230
It is pivotally connected to an actuator 284 that is operated by a 7-cylinder cylinder 286 fixed to the cylinder. Therefore, when the cylinder 286 is extended to the state shown in FIG.
The movable portion 214 of the roller bed on the roller bed 8 substantially continues with the roller bed track 272 with a generally concave -#i slope. Therefore, the movable part 214 enters into the opening of the bucket 270.

Then, for example, one non-mounted holding base 112 released by the escape 178 rolls downward on the roller ped track 212 and the groove 2γ4. As a result, the holding table 112
is mounted on the surface 290 of the bucket 27G as the bucket 270 rises.

On the other hand, when the cylinder 286 moves backward [K], the arm 282
rotates approximately 95° counterclockwise in one direction, and the power is turned 292Vc.
engage. When the shaft 218 is in this position, the groove member 27
The movable portion of the roller bed above 4 is in the state shown at 296 in FIG. Therefore, it is not possible to load the holding stand into bucket) 27-0, but the packet with the holding stand supported on the skin can rise through the gate space without interference.

These states will be described later.

Similarly, when the packet 260 is lowered, the non-mounted holding base 172 is removed from the bucket 26G by a movable gate 298 provided in the sleeve 300 and operated by a groove and a substantially concave mechanism (n in FIG. 17). Can be done. That is, when the gate is in the position shown at 298 in FIG.
It rolls on the lower track 180 in FIG. Further, when the gate is at position 302, the unloaded holding base 112 in the bucket 26G passes through the exit site and goes around one more time.

In addition, there may be only one entrance point and one exit point,
In that case, each gate can be fixed without being movable. However, in this case, all retainers are removed when the packet passes through the fixed exit gate site. Therefore, all the buckets that reached the entrance gate were not equipped with a holding stand,
The entrance gate can be fixed without risk of interference.

FIG. 14 is a diagram of the descending portion of the elevator that handles a non-mounted holding platform, with each packet supporting a non-mounted holding platform at a surface 290 (FIG. 15).

Each packet is equipped with a holding stand simultaneously and individually on its surface 3
04 (FIG. 15). That is, the 13th
The figure shows such configurations and functions as track 182 in FIG.
．． 184 is a schematic cross-sectional view with respect to 184; In FIG. 13, the mounted holding platform 170 enters the lower orbit 182 through a gate similar to the gate of the non-mounted holding platform 112n, and then passes through the sprocket 244 to the non-mounted holding platform 1il! The upper track 11141C is discharged by the same gate mechanism as the side.

In effect, by using a packet with a t1 capability of 2 fffl, a single loop as described above can be used as an upstream device for onboard holders and as a lowering device for non-onboard holders. It can also be used as an elevator as shown in Figure 11.

In addition, in FIG. 11, the row of descending trusses 188 is
The mounted holding platform 17G is received at the lower track 194, and at the same time, the unloaded holding platform 112 is received at the lower track 196 and ejected to the upper track 198. This is the inverse of the functionality described above with respect to FIGS. 12-11, but for example the surface 290 shown in FIG.
, 304 can be achieved by simply changing the function of the bucket 27G in order to place the loaded holding stand 110 and the unloaded holding stand 172 respectively.

Although it is generally convenient and economical to use a single structure to perform both the raising and lowering functions, there are times when only a single unit is used. The FcK can load either one mounted or non-mounted holding stand into each packet.

Furthermore, in FIG. 11, a loader 186 and an un0
- 200 is shown, and these functions are shown in FIG.
This can be achieved by the mechanism shown in FIG.

That is, in FIGS. 18 and 190, the roller conveyor 15
6 (FIGS. 11 and 18) ii. A shaft 312 supported by a billow axle 314 and driven by a sprocket 316 by a conventional motor and reduction gear device, and a shaft 312 that is attached to these shafts 312 and spaced apart from each other. and a roller 310. The workpiece 152 is transported by this roller conveyor 156.
Machine section 150 to machine section 1 in FIG.
54.

The loader mechanism has a base 311 (FIG. 18) and a bracket 313 that includes two pivot points on which the link mechanism operates. A box link 315 has one end connected to the bracket 313 via +d+317 and a beam link 318 pivotally supported at the other end via a shaft 320. At the other end of the beam link 318, there is a horizontal beam 321, arms 322 and 324 (FIG. 19) fixed to the horizontal beam, and the arm 322 connected to the horizontal beam via spacers 330 and 332.
Nest-like split nest 326°328 supported at 324°
A nest device consisting of is installed.

A driving link 334 controls and drives the beam link 318 through a pivot connection using a car 336 and a bearing 338. The other end of the drive link 334 is pivotally connected to a control link 340 through a shaft 342, and the other end of the control link 340 is pivotally connected to the bracket 313 through a shaft 343.

The drive link 334 is connected to the path of the output shaft in its central general portion and at specific points determined by the geometric layout, as shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,479, for example. The output shaft 346 of the mechanism has a substantially square shape.
via a bearing 344. The base 311
This a JM mounted on the BO
+ Bl lB2 rB, , B, along the path. Due to the operation of this link a4X1, point C on the divided nests 326, 32a, indicated by C8 in the figure, becomes G. *
c, + 02 rMove C3, C4. On the other hand, a slot is provided between the +itl roller conveyors 1560a-2310 to allow the division nest 326° 328 to move during movement along the path 'l)+CI+C,,C,,a4.

331 is a part of the roller ped track corresponding to a part of the lower track 180 in FIG.
It is located between 26 and 328.

348 is a stop pawl pivotally connected to this 0-poor ped track 331 and driven by a cylinder 350 on the base 311;
The unloaded holding platform descending on the a-2 bed orbit is stopped.

If an excess number of workpieces, as determined by the limit switch, accumulates on the roller conveyor 156, the loader mechanism operates through a partial cycle from the starting position, moving the point C of the split ness) 326.328 from C1 to C1. G+, J
, , C1+ 0< , Go, Ol. 326° 328 near the C1 position passes upwardly through the n11 roller 310, a portion of which is cantilevered at the end of the sprocket, to lift the workpiece 152 from the roller conveyor 156. Then, the workpiece 152 is transported in a substantially horizontal direction to the outside of the roller conveyor 156 by moving the split nest to the C4 position, and then transported downward to the waiting unloaded holding table 112 by the subsequent movement to the C8 position. As a result, the holding stand 112 is attached to the mounting holding stand 11 as shown in FIG.
It becomes 0. Then the slotting mechanism and splitting nest 326.3
28 continues to move until the 0 point reaches the C1 position, and the 0-da mechanism is completely removed from the mounting holding table 170! ICl111 escapes. The linkage then waits for the next cycle. Subsequently, the cylinder 350 retracts the stop pawl 348 and causes the loading and holding base 110 to roll along the roller bed track 331 to the ascending side of the row ram. In some cases, the above-mentioned roller nest type track may be changed to a fixed rail type track after nQ of the planting point, but since the fixed track interferes with the workpiece loading path, the roller nest type track may be changed in that case as well. Some need to be used.

As described above, the loaded holding table 170 rolls from the loading position, but immediately after that, the stop claw 348 is returned to the illustrated position and waits for the next non-loaded holding table 112 to arrive.

In Figure 11, the entrance on the ascending side of row a 174 [118]
The mounting and holding table 110 that has reached 2 is located slightly above the bucket l-270, and the rising side moves up by a pitch corresponding to one packet and lifts the mounting and holding table 110 by one pitch. At the same time, one unloaded holding platform is lowered to the ejection point at the track end 180.

However, for long cycling operations of about 15 seconds or more, it is sufficient to use only one holder at a time in track sections 180-182.

Also, if you want to increase the cycle rate,
80-182 can be configured so that two, three or more holding stands are present at the same time. However, in that case, other control points, such as an upstream stop for the non-mounted holding platform, such as stopper 352 (Fig. An entrance escape to the side is required.

The mechanism shown in Figs. 18 and 19 has been described above for the case where a workpiece is transferred from the O-Ra conveyor to a waiting non-loading holding table. It can also be used to lift workpieces from the mounting holder to the roller conveyor.

That is, when functioning as an unloader, the loading and holding base is stopped by the stop claw 348 that has been rolling on the 0-lane nest orbit. The sliding mechanism is KIJ in the opposite direction to the NFF description.
h, and when a square occurs, point B of the structure is B.

BO+ B4 + B3 + B2 * Bl
At the same time, the 0 point of split nest 326.32B is CI.

CD+'4+'! +C2+J
Move in this order.

Therefore, the above-mentioned split nests 326 and 328 engage with the workpiece 152 on the holding table at the C6 position, lift the workpiece 152 and release it from the holding table while moving to the C2 position, and when moving to the C8 position the rollers It is moved horizontally on the conveyor 156. Immediately after passing the Cs position, the B1 division nest 32
6,328 places the workpiece 152 on the roller conveyor 156. Next, leave 326 and 328 empty (C)
2 positions and then returns to the C1 position, where it prepares for the next unloading cycle. The empty holding table may be released at any time after the 0 point reaches C1 and the workpiece is released from the holding table 0.

The mechanism described above with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19 is merely an example, and other mechanisms using cylinders may be used, or the link mechanism W1 may be replaced with a sliding side.

FIGS. 20 and 21 show another device configuration for loading and unloading workpieces from a roller conveyor to a holding table, in which part of the roller bed track 331 is also used for loading (or unloading). The holding stands 170, 172 stopped at the position are supported and guided.

Figure 20, Figure 21 Smell machine, 360 is Butsushaba,
Reference numeral 362 denotes a pneumatic cylinder or hydraulic cylinder that supports the bushing bar 360 in the piston mid, and this cylinder is attached to the roller conveyor 156K via an upright column 364. 366 is the above roller conveyor 15
A pair of sliding rails arranged horizontally in parallel with the rollers 310 on the top of the holding table 170.17 during a stopped state.
2 and extends beyond the roller conveyor 156.

Reference numeral 310a denotes a base, which is deformed compared to the base 311 shown in FIG. 18 above. That is, two guide blocks 368 are fixed to the base 310aK, and these guide blocks 36
A guide rod 310 is slidably supported within each of the guide rods 8 . 372 is a lift board supported and guided by these guide rods 310, and 374 is a lift rail supported by the lift 14 plate 372. The lift board 312 is connected to a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 316 fixed to the base 310a, and is driven by a nozzle 375.

The piston rod of the cylinder 376) '375 is the 20th
21, the upper end of the lift rail 314 is attached to the workpiece 15 mounted on the holding base 172.
It is located below the bottom surface of 2. On the other hand, at the advanced position of the piston Q-piece 315, the lift board 372 and the lift rail 37
4 are both guided by the guide rod 310 and rise, and this 1
At the end of the sealing stroke, the top surface of the lift rail 374 becomes a contact surface with the top surface of the slide rail 366. Note that during this upward movement, the lift rail 314 straddles the thermal roller conveyor 331.

When loading from the roller conveyor 156 onto the loading holding table 170, first stop the non-loading holding table 172 at the position shown in FIG. to force the workpiece 152 onto the upper surface of the lift rail 374 by sliding it through the rollers 310 and the slide rail 366. The position of this workpiece is indicated by 152a in the figure. Next, the above-mentioned seven trails 314 are lowered to lower the workpiece 152L to the holding table 112. Therefore, the workpiece is placed on the holding table 170 just before the lift rail 314 reaches the complete Kl & retraction wLK. This loaded holder 17G is then released and when the next unloaded holder 172 arrives, a new workpiece 152 can be fed onto the roller conveyor 156 and the loading cycle can be repeated.

Workpiece 1 is transferred from the holding table to the roller conveyor 156 on the side of the machine.
If used for lowering 52, some modifications will need to be made. That is, the bushing bar 360 and the cylinder 362
and are opposite to each other with respect to the intermediate workpiece position 152a, and are pushed in the opposite direction, that is, from right to left. When unloading, the lift rail 374 is raised to lift the workpiece 152.
is lifted from the holding table 112, and when the upper row is completed, the workpiece 152 is slid onto the roller conveyor 156 by the button shover 360 in the changed position. Then, the bushing bar 360 and the lift rail 314 return to their initial positions.
The empty holding table 172 is released and replaced with the mounting holding table 17G.

The mechanisms shown in Figures 20 and 21 are only examples;
A belt conveyor or a power-free conveyor may be used instead of the power-driven roller conveyor. Other methods for lowering the workpiece will be described later.

When this system is used for simple workpiece storage between two sections of a machine as shown in Figure 11, loading,
There is no need to switch any of the holding stands that are not installed. Switching here refers to a means of selectively directing a holding table moving on a certain track to one or more other tracks, or a means of selectively directing a holding table moving on one track or a plurality of holding stands moving on two or more individual tracks. It means a means of moving towards the same trajectory.

On the other hand, this system allows mutual transfer of workpieces between parallel storage and processing lines K fil! used to divide the workpiece flow from a fixed number of sections of a line into a larger number of subsequent sections of the same line, or to divide the workpiece flow in multiple parallel sections of the line. When used in combination to connect fewer sections, some switching is required for both non-mounted and mounted holding platforms.

An example of switching is the use of elevators that are already in use. That is, in FIG. 13, 390 may be added as a second exit for the mounting and holding table 110, or 392 may be added as a second population for the mounting and holding table 110. Similarly, in FIG.
394 and 396 may be added as a second exit and a second population, respectively. However, Fig. 13, 1st
These additions for Figure 4 are merely exemplary; the addition points and their heights are determined depending on the application.

If a given elevator is provided with multiple inlets or outlets, the elevator itself can function as a switching device. J! By combining flows from several inlets or by selecting gate operations, it becomes possible to selectively control the flows to a plurality of outlets.

Switching can also occur while the holding platform is rolling on a fixed track on its own wheels, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. In FIGS. 22 and 23, reference numeral 400 denotes a portion of the track appropriately supported by the suspension member 402 in the manner described above, and its overhang 404 is supported by stiffness K in the vertical direction. 406 is a cylinder appropriately supported by the track support structure, and its operating a-rad end is connected to the overhang 4 of the track 400.
It is pivotally supported by a U-link 408 with a hemlock at 04.

410.412 are other fixed parts of the track suitably supported on the support structure, forming the ends of the individual track loops. Reference numerals 414 and 416 are stoppers provided on these tracks 410 and 412, respectively, which limit the movement of the track portion 404.

As shown in FIG. 22, when the cylinder 406 is extended, the overhang 404 of the track 400 abuts the stopper 414, so that the tracks 400 and 410 coincide. On the other hand, when the cylinder 406 retreats, the protrusion 404 curves and
As shown by 04a, the stopper 418 is contacted, thereby causing the trajectory 400 to match the trajectory 412I/C. Sho orbit 40
0 has relatively low stiffness and is elastic enough to deflect in the horizontal plane within the elastic limits of the material.

The above-mentioned simple flexible track type switching device can be used for the purpose of dividing the flow of the holding table or combining them depending on the direction of the downward flow. Alternatively, a switching device using a pin joint can also be adopted.

It is also possible to use a similar switching device for the roller nest type track, but the complexity of the construction makes it less preferred than the flexible switching device for fixed tracks.

Next, referring to FIG. 24, a track layout will be described in which a flow of workpieces is transported from a single section of the machine 420 to the same downstream parallel machine sections 422, 424 in a divided manner and in a pooled manner. do. 186 is a loader,
The workpiece 152 is removed from its final position in the machine section 420 and placed in the lower track 426.4281 with a waiting empty holding platform Ill. The final position of the intra-machine conveying system is now adapted to this task and no power roller conveyor is used. The above lower orbit is 42
It descends from 6 to 428K, and the loading position of the holder is a roller nest type.

430 company upper row elevator, said elevator 42 from track 428
43 (The different loading and holding platform 110 is on the upper track 432,
434 and upwardly. This selection is made by the two evacuation guides 1a and 430, and is controlled by high level switches 436 and 438. In other words, these switches 436, 438 operate to cut off flow to the corresponding track when it is sufficiently filled with workpieces. Unless a signal is output from the switches 436, 438, the mounting holding platform 17G alternately moves to the upper track 4.
32.434 or according to any other suitable schedule.

The loading holding platform 110 that has entered the upper orbit 434 is on the same orbit 4.
34 and escapes 440 at the end of the column.
sends the mounting holding stands 110 one by one to the lowering side of the elevator a442. Subsequently, the loading holding stand 110 moves to the lower orbit 44
4 and rolls to the stop position 446 due to its own weight,
The workpiece 152 is lowered by the unloader 200. The unloader 200 feeds the unloaded workpiece 152 directly to the loading position of the machine section 424, from where the intra-machine transport system feeds it directly into the machine.

The holding table 112 equipped with a one-way valve enters the ascending side of the elevator 442 at the end of the lower track 448, and enters the upper track 445.
After being ejected to 0, it rolls under its own weight to the rear end of the row controlled by escape 452 at the elevating/lowering position a430.

Similarly, the loading/holding platform 110 on the upper track 432 includes an escape 454, an elevator 456, and a lower track 45B.

460 and returns to the upper trajectory 462, while the workpiece 152
is sent to machine Cefsilon 422.

Here, each row of non-mounted holding platforms 112 controlled by escape 452.464 is sent to the elevator 430 at the upper orbit level, but this flow is controlled by gates such as 274.396 shown in FIG. Control with. Unless one of the high-level switches 466, 468 for the non-mounted holding platform 172 indicates that the row is too long, selection is made alternately from each upper track 450° 462, which is supported when said switch 466, 468 is activated. Only the unloaded holding platforms 172 from the rows that do so enter the lowering side of the lift 42430.

The unloaded holding tables 172 from the two rows are then discharged to the lower track 426, loaded with workpieces again, and then sent again to one of the transport loops.

On average, the operating rate of the lifts ja456 and 442 is half that of the lift a43G. The system can also be reversed to transport workpieces from two machine sections to a single machine section. That is, referring to FIG. 24, it is assumed that the roles of the non-mounted holding table 172 and the mounted holding table 17G are reversed, that the mechanical sections 422 and 424 flow to the mechanical section 420, and that the mechanism 200 is replaced by a loader,
Mechanism 186 may be considered an unloader.

FIG. 25 shows a track layout in which there are two parallel lines, storage is carried out in each predetermined line, and tracks for mutual conveyance between both lines are added as far as five conditions permit.

In FIG. 25, the broken line indicates the upper storage trajectory on the normal line, and when applied to one of two parallel lines, it corresponds to the trajectory with the same reference numeral in FIG. 154 and a roller conveyor 156.

The other line is machine section 150a, 154
a and :l/veyor 156a, and employs an upper storage orbit indicated by the symbol ``a'' appended to the symbol of one of the lines.

Further, the lower orbit in 251fflK is the same as that in FIG. 11, and 150 and 154 are given the same reference numerals as in FIG. 11, and 150a is denoted by IL''.

154a.

When both lines operate without mutual feed, the storage function and description of each line storage system is the same as in FIG. 11.

For mutual feeding, four upper tracks are added as shown in the figure, but lower tracks 18G-182,
194-196 do not require any changes. Lines 150a, 154a Kara line 150,1
In order to send the loading holding platform 170 to 54, lift t2174
Upper orbits 480-482 from a to lift a188 are added, and conversely from line 150, j54 to lie y 15G
a a 154a In order to send the TC mounting holding platform 170, K is the upper track 4 from the elevator 114 to the elevator a188a
84-486 has been additionally installed. On the other hand, line 150
a, 154a to return line 150.1541c non-mounted holding platform 112 -: Flv#a 188a
Raising and descending from Kara 11174 K Solstice upper orbit 488.490
is added, and on the other hand, from 150.154 to 154
tsoa p 154a K is elevator 18 to return
B, 174a 1filK upper orbit 492°494
has been installed.

If we were to add four mutual feed tracks to 5 in this way, we would have to add each lift 111 [174, 188, 174a, taaaic upper inlet and upper outlet, and therefore the required storage capacity on a single line. Instead of one gate, two gates must be provided at each of the above locations. These gates are controlled by appropriate limit switches which determine the length of the column as described above.

Furthermore, there may be cases where a slightly different configuration is desired, and this is
As shown in the figure. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 26, the lowering part for each n unloading is deleted and replaced with a track part spiraling downward from the upper track to a part suitable for loading (or unloading) onto the holding table.

That is, FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram of a storage system based on a single line, in which a conveyor 5 such as a power roller conveyor is used to convey a workpiece 152 between two points on the conveyor line as described above.
00 is used. Workpiece 152 due to line request
When storing row 5, the loader 502 loads the conveyor 5.
00, the workpieces 152 are removed and loaded one by one onto the non-mounted holding table 112 to form the loaded holding table 110. During this time, the unloaded holding tables 112 waiting to be loaded form a line on the spiral track 504 extending from the upper track level to the holding table IR loading level. The mounting holding table 170 rolls on the short track portion 506 and rides on the packet of the train 508, and then moves to the upper track 51.
Ejected to 0. Loading holding platform 1 from the upper orbit 510
10 advances to the 1ρ portion of the helical track 512 for loading and lowering the mounting holding platform 170.

Next, the workpiece 15 is transferred to the conveyor 500 according to the line requirements.
2, the unloader 514 lowers the mounting holding bases 110 one by one from the spiral track 512, and the workpiece 152 t
, tcompet\-500, and the empty holding platform 172 is discharged onto a short track section 516. From here, the unloaded holding platform 112 is ejected to the upper orbit 520 by the packet of the ascending lil tsuki 518, and then the spiral orbit 5
The conveyance loop is completed upon reaching the top of 04.

Although the arrangement described above with respect to FIG. 26 is used to feed and unload workpieces to a single line, interfeeding traps between parallel lines can also be used. i.e. alternating inlets 522
If it is provided on the upper row side of the KJA dismounter 508 for the loading and holding table 110, it becomes possible to receive the loading and holding table from an adjacent line or to combine workpieces from two machine sections. However, in that case, it is necessary to alternately distribute the unloaded holding tables 112 from the descending side of the -fi disembarkation 518 to 5 as shown by 524.

Similarly, by providing alternating outlets 526 on the lowering side of the K11 downfall 508, the loading and holding platform 110 can be sent to other lines. However, for reciprocal feed or to divide the flow into a larger number of downstream machine sections, it is necessary to receive unloaded holding platforms 172 at alternating inlets 528 on the upper row of elevators 508.

+liTAs mentioned, these alternating inlets and outlets are
The control system is controlled by a control system located at each point in the system where a holding stand is waiting, and which acts according to the length of the line.

The above system uses two separate rows of unloading machines, but if both rows of unloading machines are combined, it is possible to simultaneously support loaded and unloaded holding tables as shown in Figures 13 and 15. It is clear that a single mechanical unit can be constructed with packets that In that case, it is necessary to guide the lower orbits 5oft and 51G approximately in parallel to the single 'Fl descending unit.

Each of the embodiments described above uses a lower track system and a separate rope making system that loads and unloads the holding platform with a T-position bell, and also indirectly operates the row unloading and lowering device through the holding platform. It is structured in 5 ways to act on things. Figures 21 and 28
The figure shows another embodiment in which the workpiece is lowered directly onto the conveyor, and this same action accomplishes the lowering of the workpiece onto the 1N platform.

21 and 28, reference numeral 540 indicates opposing side plates of the elevator; 542 indicates two sprocket shafts pivotally supported by these side plates 540; one of the sprocket shafts 542 is, for example, No. 3,789.676, No. 3,859.862.

No. 4,075,911 and is driven by an intermittent drive mechanism such as that described in U.S. Patent No. 4,075,911.

Reference numeral 544 denotes a pair of sprockets fixedly spaced apart from each other on each of the sprocket shafts 542, and 546 and 548 denote chains driven by the sprockets 544, respectively. run. Each of these chains 546, 548 has a transfer platform 550 nominally equally spaced pin-coupled thereto for transporting the workpiece, pivoting relative to each chain 546, 548 to maintain a constant hanging position. 552 iL Two cantilevered arms on each transfer table 550 are configured to support the workpiece 152 and maintain its position.

554 is a cross member that connects both arms 552. 55S#i chain 546.5411 and transfer table 5
50 and a guide roller provided on each connected bin between O
It is guided within a groove member 558 fixed to the side plate 540. Reference numeral 560 denotes an auxiliary guide roller that is attached to the transfer table 550K and guided within the groove member 558 like the guide roller 55G, and prevents the transfer table 550 from freely swinging while moving in the vertical direction. However, the same transfer table 5
When the sprocket 544 moves on the circular arc defined by the sprocket 544, the roller 556 swings zero.
560 is guided into the groove by a bell-shaped portion (not shown) K formed at the lower end of the groove member 55B.

It was also mentioned in 1111 that the workpiece 152 advances to the power roller conveyor 156 (FIG. 11) when moving from the machine to the next machine 7. Ω-2 of conveyor 156
A cross) 562 (FIG. 28) is formed between the slots 56 and 562 when the arm 552 of the transfer table 550 loads and unloads the workpiece 152 onto the roller conveyor 156.
2 can be freely passed through.

Upper track that transports the loading and holding platform 17G (see Figure 29)
ends at the short roller nest type track 564 of the elevator hand nη, and the loading holding platform '110 that has reached the point of +ifl
The position 170a (FIG. 27) K is maintained by the appropriate escape described above. Reference numeral 566 denotes a gate consisting of a short roller nest track, which is attached to a shaft 568 driven by a steel wire as shown in FIG. 11, and is connected to a fixed part of the curved roller nest type track 5TO. Furthermore, this goo)
566 is provided with a suitable stopper for stopping the holding base at the 110b position.

On the other hand, the second upper track that transports the non-mounted holding platform 112 also
The roller nest type track 512 is the terminal end, and the otherwise unmounted holding table 172 is held at the position 172a by an appropriate escape. Then, at short intervals, the roller nest type track ST4 curves and 1
Extending from the inside of the 1st elevator to the outside of the elevator (21st
Figures 28 and 29]. A second stopper is also provided to stop the holding base at position 112b.

As shown, the track 564 and the gate 566 in the lower position
and 1c between the orbits 512 and 574, each having an interval of 576.578. These intervals 576.5
78 is small enough that the holding table can easily straddle it while rolling, but large enough that the cross section row 554 can pass through in the vertical direction. Furthermore, since the interval between both arms 5520 is set to be larger than the width of the non-mounted holding table 172, the non-mounted transfer table ss o cutr2b, +r
ob < qruv interferes with the non-mounted holding table 170 5
You can move up and down without any trouble.

It is convenient, although not necessary, to drive the chain elevator intermittently, and most preferably,
The stop position of the transfer table 550 is the position shown in FIG. 5 to be located at the midpoint. According to this configuration, the action of the gate is on the workpiece 1 on the transfer stand (bakeno) 550 or on the workpiece 1 in close proximity.
52, and at the same time the roller conveyor 15
The movement of the workpiece 152 on 6 is not interfered with by the nearby transfer table 550.

As described above, when the loading and unloading point of the workpiece 152 is set in the middle of the transfer platform or the stopping point of the packet, the intermittent movement distance or stroke caused by the intermittent drive in relation to the circumference of the drive sprocket is expressed as follows. is extremely advantageous. 5, any transfer table can be used as roller conveyor 156.
Alternatively, when loading and unloading workpieces onto and from the holding table, the speed of the transfer table becomes zero or close to zero. In other words, the acceleration-deceleration cycle is repeated twice until the chain and transfer platform move a distance equal to one transfer platform pitch on the chain.

Similarly, and with the aim of reducing the number of carriages in the entire length of the chain, the distance of the carriage pitch on the chain can be increased by three times the distance traversed by said chain during one acceleration/deceleration cycle caused by said intermittent drive. It may be set to 2 times or an integral multiple of more than that. However, this is workpiece 15
This can be adopted if the two loading and unloading points coincide with the position of the transfer platform at one of the intermediate stop points separating the plurality of acceleration/deceleration cycles.

Now, the operation of lowering the workpiece 152 from the mounting holding table ITO on the track 564 to the roller conveyor 156 will be described below. In this case, the gate 566 is in the lower position,
The loading and holding base released by the escape action rolls from the 110& position to the 170b position and is stopped again. Subsequently, the sprocket 544 is driven in the counterclockwise R1 direction by one transfer table pitch to lower the left transfer table 550 and simultaneously move the right transfer table 55G upward. Therefore, after the workpiece 152 is placed on the row 2 conveyor 1561C@ when the lowest transfer table 550 above the roller conveyor 156 starts moving,
It becomes a non-loading state and advances to the next position below the same roller conveyor 156. At the same time, the non-loaded transfer table 550 immediately below the loaded holding table [170b] is placed on the loaded holding table 170b.
lift the workpiece 152 from the
Proceed to just above gate 566. Then, the holder 112 on the empty gate 566 is released from the stopper and rolls on the track 57G until it reaches the end of the non-mounted holder row.

The workpiece 152 on the roller conveyor 156 is also conveyed by its power rollers, and the entire system waits for the next feed command. In the above cycle, the workpiece placement position on the roller conveyor 156 is empty, and ■ the mounting holding table 11 is placed on the track 564.
This can be repeated as long as 0 exists. The last mounting holding stand is t
After being emptied at the rob position, the transfer table 550 supporting the workpiece 152 transfers the workpiece 152 to the roller conveyor 15.
If the workpiece 152 can be transported to the transfer table 550 at a position above the roller conveyor 156 and at the unloading position of the holding table, Further circulation is required to refill the gaps created.

The workpiece 152 is mounted on the holding table 17 at the above position 1i1170b.
Although it is unloaded from 0, it is stacked at position 112b for non-mounted holding tables 172&C. To transfer the workpiece 152 from the roller conveyor 156 to the non-mounted holding table 172, the gate 566 is opened and the mounted holding table row on the track 564 is stopped by escape.

On the other hand, the escape of the roller conveyor 156 is caused by the workpiece 152
152a rank 1! ! and the sprocket 544 is
The transfer table is driven in one direction by a distance equal to the pinch. Therefore, the left transfer table 550 moves up, and the right transfer table 5
50 goes down. At that time, the transfer table 550 directly below the roller conveyor 156 passes through the four-roller conveyor 156 (+
between the slots 562) to lift the workpiece 152. Depending on the initial value r111C of the intermediate transfer table 550, at this time or during the next unloading cycle, the 1fl soil transfer table 550 of the unloaded holding table at position 112b is lowered and if it is not supporting the workpiece 152. If so, it is loaded onto the waiting unloaded holding body at position 172b. Immediately thereafter, the mounted holding table is released from the stopper and rolls on the track 514. And the leading unloaded holding platform 1 on orbit 512
72 is released by escape and stops again at position 172b. Furthermore, since the unloaded holding table at the 172b position does not interfere with the raised unloaded transfer table 550, the unloaded holding table at the 172b position does not interfere with the unloaded transfer table 550, so when unloading at the 170b K, the unloaded holding table at the 172b position is
There is no problem in keeping the holding stand without bK.

The operation of the above system can be summarized as follows.

1. K, which transfers the workpiece 152 to the roller conveyor 156, drives the sprocket 544 by one transfer stage pitch in the counterclockwise direction.

2 K unloading the workpiece 152 from the roller conveyor 156
drives the sprocket 544 clockwise by one transfer table pitch.

3. Prior to the feed cycle, move the loading platform (if present) to position 170b with gate 566 in the down position and lower workpiece 152 as part of the feed cycle.

4. After the feeding cycle, the empty holding platform is released from position 170b and rolled onto track 570.

5. After the removal cycle K, if the holding table at position 112b carries the workpiece 152, move the holding table to the track 514.
Immediately move the unloaded holding base to 1 from position 112a.
Send to position 12b.

It should be noted that there is no non-mounted holding platform at position 112b, and the track 514
If the transfer table 550 directly above the workpiece 152 is loaded with the workpiece 152, the storage system will receive all the required workpieces.
! This means that the number of workpieces 1520 or more has reached 1, and the discharge of the workpieces 1520 or more from the roller conveyor 156 is stopped. Similarly 1
If there is no loading holding table at the 70a position and the transfer table between the Jl 1170b position and the roller conveyor 156 is empty, then the entire amount of workpieces 152 has been supplied from the storage system, and no further workpieces 152 are available. Supply is cut off.

At this point, the loading holding platform 1 rolled on the track 574 and exited the elevator.
10 is again changed to a higher trajectory 564 than the trajectory 574 described above. 574 is the starting point and 564 is I! Di! This orbit loop has an elevating mechanism 58 for the loading holding platform 110.
By providing 0, it is necessary to compensate for the height difference between the two ends of the same orbital loop plus the height loss due to the downward inclination. This n called push-up type (booster)
The unloading 580 has the following features, except that each packet only needs to carry a loading platform and the width of the elevator itself is correspondingly narrow.
The elevator design described with respect to FIGS. 12-15 above may be employed. In the simple non-switching application shown in factor 29, there is no need to provide gates, and there is only one lower inlet for the onboard holding platform arriving at track 574 and one for the onboard holding station exiting onto track 564. Only upper exits are required.

On the other hand, since the non-mounted holding platform is discharged to the track 570 above the track 572, the necessity of raising and lowering the non-mounted holding platform as shown by the broken line in FIG. and the length between the tracks 570 and 572 determined by the desired unloaded holding capacity. If the above-mentioned lift a582 is required, the lift as
a.

It has the same configuration as . Furthermore, if the physical orbital arrangement allows,
These elevators 580, 582 may be combined into a single row elevator as in FIG. 15 above.

A possible and possibly desirable variation to the overgrowth of FIG. 27 is to combine the unloading and unloading positions of the holding platform into a single position on the same occasion. That is, for this purpose, the tracks 564, 570 and the gate 566 are removed and, for example, FIG.
A track switching device as shown in FIG. 23 is provided in front of the track 512 to select the unloaded and loaded holding stands from each row. Other track switching devices are added to track 574 to send unloaded and loaded holding platforms to respective predetermined tracks.

According to the above configuration, the non-mounted or mounted holding stand 112b
Place [i! This single location can be used for both loading and unloading as required by the main line.

The elevator-like loader/unloader described above is intended for use with a conventional power roller conveyor interposed between machine sections, but with some modifications it can be used directly between machine sections without a power roller conveyor.

FIG. 30 shows the track and system layout for direct transport and storage of workpieces from the rear end of one machine section 150 to the front end of another machine section 154.

In-machine transport device! The workpiece sent from tK to the machine section 15G is dropped from its rear end.
K is transferred and raised without a holding platform. Appropriate slots are provided at the rear end of the mechanical part 150,
A transfer platform of a column drop 584 for lifting the workpiece from this position passes through the slot. The configuration of this elevator 584 is almost the same as that shown in FIGS.
6. The difference is that the non-mounted holding table exit track 514 is removed and the intermittent drive direction is always clockwise to load the workpiece from the rear end of the machine section 150 into the non-mounted holding table located at about 112b 1r1. There is.

The loading holding table 170 exits the lifting a584 and goes to the holding table lifting rock (
Proceed to the push-up elevator) 580, then the Jr crusher 86
Get at the end of Ifk in the line to enter. The crusher 586 now unloads the workpiece from the holding table and feeds it into a first position in the machine section 154.

This lifting/lowering a586 is also approximately the same as that in FIGS. 21 and 28, but the track 512 for the entrance of the non-mounted holding table and the track 574 for the exit of the mounted holding table are deleted, and the intermittent drive direction is always counterclockwise. The difference is that the workpiece is removed from the mounting holder 170b and delivered to the front end of machine section 1540. Further, it is no longer necessary to lower the transfer table 550fk:170b, so the gate 566 is deleted and this part of the roller nest track is moved to the exit side track 51.
Can be integrated with 0. After the unloaded holding platform 172 is ejected onto the track 510, it rolls under its own weight to the rear end of the line waiting to enter the elevator 584.
Whether it passes or not depends on the head and the exit side track 51O of the n crusher 586.
as well as! It is determined by the distance of the entry zero side track 572 of the crusher 84. In addition, unlike the case of a single elevator configuration, the entrance side track and exit side track of each of these elevators a584.586 are not related to each other.
80 may be deleted and each height may be set so that only the lift a582 for the non-mounted holding table can be used. A slot is provided at the front end of the other machine section 1540 to allow the transfer table 550 to be lowered when a workpiece is loaded into this section, and from this position the workpiece is directly transported into the machine by a linear conveyor. be included.

The layout of FIG. 29, No. 30 can only be applied to a single line, such as between machine sections 50, 154, but at the same time this loader or unloader can be
It can be applied as an exposed one-crop technique for interfeeding between multiple parallel lines as described above with respect to FIG.

In fact, greater flexibility with respect to system configuration 81 is obtained. In other words, switching between on-board and non-mounted holding tables can be achieved not only by the track switching device or the above-mentioned holding table (push-up type) K in the JA disembarking machine, but also by using the mechanism shown in Figures 2T and 28. This can also be achieved by adding an entrance side track, an exit side track, and a movable gate to an elevator whose main function is loading and unloading onto and from a holding platform, or to the n-lower 19584°586 in Fig. 30.

Next, FIG. 31, similar to FIG. 24, schematically shows the trajectory and system for dividing the flow of workpieces from a single VJ machine section 150 and conveying them downstream to a two machine section 154. In FIG. 31, 58B is a crusher that raises the workpiece while exposing it from the final position of the machine section 150, except that it is always driven intermittently in the R1 direction to lower the workpiece from the final position. Figure 27,
This is y1 disembarkation and consultation in Figure 2j. However, in this embodiment, the tracks 564, 570 and gate 566 are omitted and used as an alternative loading position for the non-mounted holding platform. In other words, the non-mounted holding tables form a row on the track 564 as well as the track 572, and the loading to these non-mounted holding tables takes place at 170b.
, 1721), and the loading and holding platform can be ejected to either of the tracks 570 and 574.

The above orbits 570, 574 are the holding table push-up m1 crusher 584
02 entrances, and from the row drop-off 584, two exit-side tracks 586, 588 transport the loading/holding platform 110 to the respective rows leading to the two row-drops 9586. Each n descending a58
6 unloads the workpiece from the mounting holding table 110 and sends it to the front end of the machine part 154 (lV!IK).Then, after the empty holding table 112 is discharged from each of the row crushers 586,
The two rows of unloaded holding tables leading to the elevator 588 are moved along the downwardly inclined tracks 587a and 5B7b.

Although not shown in FIG. 31, when a push-up row crusher is used for the non-mounted holding platform 172, by providing one outlet and two inlets on the -fl, 1liF, and reed, both unloaders can be It is possible to configure a configuration in which the multiple inflow function of the simultaneous KO-der 588 is deleted by merging the non-mounted holding tables 112 from the KO-der 586. Furthermore, a wide variety of other configurations are possible, selected depending on the particular parameters in any given situation.

The technique for dividing the flow of workpieces shown in Figure 31 is rll
With some modifications, it can also be used to merge flows of workpieces, and with other modifications, it can also be used for interconveying between multiple lines. The use of row-type unloaders does not substantially narrow the range of system options, but rather expands them.

In general, for workpieces such as cylinder heads and crankshafts that have a large length to width ratio, 1M at both ends! It is suitable for conveyance by a holding platform that runs on an overhead fixed track via wheels, and for other workpieces, it has a vertical structure with 7 decelerated rungs. A holding platform with support wheels running on a fixed track is suitable.

In either case, and depending on the size and shape of the workpieces, two or more workpieces may be mounted on one holding platform, and all elements of the system may be mounted on such five parts. It is advantageous to have a 5-5 arrangement.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 32 to 36, a bottom configuration of an example of a holding stand that straddles the fixed track instead of hanging from the fixed track will be described. Although not shown, the upper surface of the holding table is formed to mount one or more intended workpieces thereon. In FIGS. 32 to 36, 600 is the main body of the holding stand;
Reference numeral 602 indicates two cartridge-type reduction gears mounted on the lower surface of the main body; 604 indicates 2ffi7-lunge wheels having a plurality of rolling diameters and each supported by the reduction gear 602;
A fixed main track 6 is supported by a structural member 608 at intervals, and the wheels 604 roll on this main track. Note that the fixed main track 606 is slightly lowered in the direction of movement of the holding table.

Regardless of the presence or absence of the gravity center workpiece of the above-mentioned holding stand, the normal wheel 6
04 and the main track 606, the holding table is unstable and tends to tilt to either side about the contact point. Therefore, two auxiliary wheels 61 are provided on the main body 600.
0 and rolls on an auxiliary track 612 that is structurally connected to the structural member 608 as appropriate. However, since the contact surfaces of these auxiliary tracks 612 are horizontal, the horizontal alignment in the horizontal plane does not have to be exact, and the vertical alignment also requires that the auxiliary tracks 612 be aligned with the main track 6 as shown in FIG.
There is no problem as long as the height does not lift the holding base from 06.

Both auxiliary tracks 612 are connected to both auxiliary wheels 61 in a normal configuration.
It is installed an appropriate distance below the theoretical position where it contacts 0 at the same time. It is not a problem that the main body 600 tilts somewhat until one of the auxiliary wheels 610 contacts the corresponding auxiliary track 612 and returns to a stable position. Tilt is not a problem either.

As shown in FIG. 35, the auxiliary track 614 is connected to the auxiliary wheel 61
It may be located above 0, which is effective in reducing dust intrusion. However, in the configuration No. 351i117), both of the auxiliary tracks 614 are connected to the auxiliary wheels 610.
It must be placed either above or below.

It is desirable to use only one of the auxiliary wheels 610 for stabilization when passing a portion of the movement path of the holding table, particularly when passing through the switching portions shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. This type of configuration is shown in FIG. In this case, one auxiliary wheel 610 is captured between the upper and lower rolling surfaces formed by the groove member 616.

Also, the 33rd cause using the training wheel 610, Figure 35, 3
The stabilization method as shown in FIG. 6 may be modified on the desired orbital section to suit specific conditions.

The lower surface side of the main body 600 has a substantially flat surface and is long in the front-rear direction and is used to support the holding table in a portion where the holding table moves on a roller nest type track or to be supported in a packet type elevator. Configured to incorporate a strip. In other words, on the bottom surface of the main body 600 there is a central guide a-261.
8 are attached, and these central guide rollers act on the vertical axis to provide left-right guidance relative to the central groove of a typical roller nest type track.

Furthermore, 620 is an adapter attached to the four corners of the main body 600, which cooperates with a bin provided in a special elevator structure described later. These adapters 620 are substantially U-shaped and shaped to engage pins on an elevator chain.

It is a hot topic that the adapter 620 can also be installed on a holder with a small wheel and a suspension member overhead.

In each of the embodiments described above, a packet was used as the moon-viewing device for the holding table, which was pivotally suspended from two endless chains to lift the holding table from one part to another. Next, referring to FIGS. 37 and 38, an elevator for lifting a holding table without using a packet will be described. Third
1 and 38, side plates 634 and 636 are connected to each other by 630 spacers 632, and these side plates 63
0, a sprocket shaft 638 is appropriately supported, and 638 is a sprocket 64 attached to each of the lower shafts 634, 636.
0 is a sprocket, and 642 is a chain. The sprockets 634 and 636 are connected to each other by the sprocket 640 and the chain 642, and rotate in the same direction. 64
Reference numeral 4 denotes four Sgrokets, which are attached to a stub shaft 646 that is pivotally supported by the adjusting plate 63G.
The tin rockets 644 are attached to a single cantilevered short sprocket shaft 646 instead of being provided across the space between the tin rockets 644, and the gaps between the tin rockets 644 are allowed to pass freely through the gaps between the tin rockets 644. 648 is one lower sprocket shaft 634
's tin rocket 638 and these tin rockets 63! IK
2 spanned over the corresponding upper sprocket 644
An endless chain of books.

1isOti the tin rocket 638 of the other lower sprocket shaft 636 and the corresponding upper sprocket 6
44 and &c rivers are the other two endless chains crossed. These four chains 648#SSO lower sprocket) 1161@34. One of @3@ matches the above-mentioned 5 by intermittent drive, and the "C day shift" is performed.

Furthermore, 652 is a series of bins provided on each chain 64m1, 650, which may be constructed from the length of the hinge bins of a single Kn chain 648°650.

Alternatively, it may be a combination of separate short stubbins. 4
Book chain 76411,650 is in a fixed position LL1
When a certain bin of the book chain is at a constant value 11, the bin on the corresponding running side of the other three chains is substantially in a concave plane with the above bin. And spooky) ft38.
Even if the ft44 rotate in unison, each chain 641,
A total of four sets of pins 652, one per 650, continue to exist in a substantially horizontal plane that moves with the movement of the chain, and these 14 pins 652 are attached to the upper and lower sprockets (ft44).
It is maintained even when moving j4 rabbits of °ε36.

654 is a short 0-nest type track section provided between chains 648 and between the chain SSO and the sea bream.
This is the entry point for the holding platform to be raised.

Reference numeral 655 is a stopper attached to the end 11 of this track 654, which stops the holding table at the proper position of the pin 652. 65G is a short roller nest track portion that is attached to gI4 plate @3OKj& but does not completely penetrate the chain 650, and is used to eject the holding platform after being raised.

Hold T, place the ν units in the upper row, Fi, all sprockets 6
44.638 is rotated once in the hour hand direction ec in FIG. The holding table 658 is released by escape onto the track 654, rolls to the stopper @55, and stops. At this stop position, the adapter 1620 of the holding table 6511 is
fz-7G 4a, 4 bottles 6 on G SO
52 travel paths. Then, the upper n cycle is started by rotating the tin rockets 644 and 638 clockwise by 1 pin pitch, but due to the bending, the adapter 620Kfz-7 of the holding base 1i58 @ 4 a, 6 SO rise @, ') Mari The bin 652 on the left in FIG.

In FIG. 38, the holding table 658 is lifted from the track 654 by V1.
It is shown that it has reached the intermediate position. The leading holding table 65 always moved parallel to the sprocket 644.
Near the M end of the ati index, the right IIIK in the 38th
It moves downward on the descending side of a certain fz=ys4g, -5so. During the descent of the bottle, the track 656 causes the holding platform 658 to move from the bottle 652, so that the holding platform moves along the track 6.
56 rolling outward. In this case, since the pin 652 on the descending side of the chain 648 is away from the adapter 620 that protrudes from the outer shape of the main body 600, it will not interfere with the main body 600 that is being raised by the pin 652 of the rising fi19 of the chain. .

It is necessary to install an adapter exemplified by the adapter 620 in FIGS. 32 to 34 on the holding table used in the row crusher shown in FIGS. 31 and 38, but similar adapters are It can also be added to each embodiment of the stand.

In addition, although the adapter has an inverted υ shape that engages with a pin on the chain side, the same effect can be achieved even if the adapter is a pin provided on the holding stand side and a U-shaped member that engages with the chain INK pin is attached. Effects can be obtained. In addition to 7, the adapter on the holder side and the member on the chain side can be formed into any combination of male and female combinations as long as the chain and holder can be held together for a certain period of time.

Another embodiment of the n-time machine suitable for lifting the holding table is shown in the 39th section.
40. This example is similar to the previous example.
An endless chain of books is used, two of which rotate in one direction and the other two in the opposite direction.

In FIGS. 39 and 40, 660 is a spacer 662
664 and 666 are sprocket shafts 668 and 666 which are appropriately supported on both side plates 660 and 660, respectively.
are two sprockets attached to one sprocket shaft 664, 670 is the other sprocket shaft 666KI
There are two sprockets attached with Ik, which are appropriately coupled so as to rotate in opposite directions with respect to the sprocket shafts 664 and 666tt, and are driven by the above-mentioned intermittent drive device n. Furthermore, 612 is an upper sprocket shaft that is pivotally supported by the side plate 660, and each supports two tin rockets 6γ4. 676 is the lower sprocket 668 and the corresponding upper sprocket 614
Two endless chains 678 are connected to the lower sprocket 670 and the corresponding upper sprocket 6.
It is two endless chains marked with 70.

680 is a series of angled brackets that are suspended between the chains 616 in the left-right direction, and 682ti are a series of brackets that are suspended between the chains 678.

Further, 684 is a part of a roller nest type track that is appropriately attached to the side plate 660 and extends between chains 676 and 678, 686 is a stopper attached to the tip of the track 684,
Reference numeral 688 denotes a gate consisting of a roller-nest I-type track attached to a rotating shaft 690 in the manner shown in FIG. 11 above. When this gate 688 is in the position shown by the broken line in the middle part 390, the gate 688 is substantially coplanar with a portion 692 of the roller nest type track suitably fixed to the side plate 660, and in the position shown by the solid line in the upper part n middle part. does not interfere with the holding stand 694 of the

The holding table 694 that has entered the track 684 is stopped by the stopper 68.
4, the bracket 680 of the chain 676 and the bracket 680 of the chain 618
and a corresponding bracket 682. In order to lift the holding base 694 in this way, the sprocket 668 is rotated counterclockwise and the sprocket 670 is rotated counterclockwise.
rotates clockwise by the same angle as the sprocket 668. The holding platform 694 reaches the upper end position in the elevator at the end of a predetermined upward stroke of the chain 676, 678;
At the same time, the gate 688 is extended to an upper position to slightly lift the holding base 694. Therefore, the holding stand 69
The four digits roll onto the track 692 through the gate 688.

All of the above-mentioned ascent methods use an elevator that lifts the platform along a nearly vertical path of travel, while the drop provides gravity-based energy to the system to move the platform along a non-powered descending trajectory. is only needed to move the Said heads can also be created by escalators and elevators that are inclined rather than vertical.

FIG. 4'1 shows a schematic side view of such an escalator, in which 100 is a shaft 702 KJ that is appropriately pivoted on a frame of a conventional configuration, and a pulley opposite to the shaft 702, 104 is a shaft 706 that is similarly pivoted on the frame. One or both of the shafts 702, 706 are driven clockwise by an appropriate drive with a pulley mounted on the shaft.

Furthermore, in FIG. 42, 708 pulleys 700.7
04, the rising side is supported by a plate 110 fixed to the frame. Reference numeral 712 denotes two rails fixed to the plate 710, forming a groove for guiding the central guide row 2 of a typical holding table.

Reference numeral 714 denotes a part of the fixed track, a part of the roller nest type track 716, which is connected to the fixed track 114 and abuts on the belt 70B at an obtuse angle. 71 more
8 is a short section of another roller nest type track provided tangentially to the pulley 704 (earth bell) 708 at the other end of the escalator, and is connected to the starting end of the fixed track 120. The holding platform 722, which has been moving on the fixed track 714 with its own wheels equipped with a speed reduction device, moves on the 0-lanes)U track°
Moving to 116, the top end, that is, the bottom end is the belt 10 in the upper row.
Roll until it touches 8. When the bottom of the holding stand 722 and the belt 10B are engaged, the holding stand 122 is attached to the belt (belt) 7
It ascends along 0B and reaches the top of orbit 718, which then reaches orbit 118.
is rolled downward and returned to the orbit 720 which is higher than the orbit 714. While moving on these tracks 716, 718 and belt 708, the holding platform 722 is held and guided by its central guide roller in the groove 712.

The belt 108 can be formed with a suitable formable abrasive material to have a smooth or uneven surface, or it can be a metal chain or belt, with protrusions provided to increase friction if necessary. It's okay.

FIG. 43 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of an escalator,
724 is a pair of rollers provided on the surface of the plate 110 between the strips 711, which are essentially continuous portions of a roller nest type track, and 726 are two endless chains equipped with pins.

In the above-mentioned ascending roller nest type track, the holding table 12
2, a suitable protrusion similar to the adapter 620 engages with a pin of the chain 126 and is pushed up by the chain 726. Furthermore, 7'30 and 732 are respectively chain 7.
26 to the plate 710 and spacers.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 44 and 45, another embodiment of an escalator for moving a holding table upward on a fixed track will be described. This embodiment uses a conventional monorail 140 and a monorail chain 1 to raise a holding platform on a fixed track.
42 and a monorail hanger 744 with support rollers 745 A and t. Reference numeral 146 is a pressing pawl that is pivotally attached to the monorail hanger 744 and maintained in the drive position by a spring 148. At the starting point of the upward slope, the monorail track appropriately contacts the fixed track, and at this point the pressing claw 746ti randomly engages the suspension members 8 and 8a of the first opening, FIGS. 2, 5, and 6. By engaging, the holding base 2 is moved up the track 14. Once the desired height is reached, the fixed track supporting the holding platform 2 is bent downwards to become a normal non-powered ramp.

Note that this type of escalator device can also be employed when pushing the lower surface side of the holding table.

Another means for raising the holding platform along the slope may be to use a series of power-driven rollers spaced side by side, such as the power-driven roller conveyor 156 of FIGS. 20 and 28 described above. However, in this case, they are clearly wide enough to cover the width of the support surface of the holding table, and are arranged at small enough intervals to provide continuous and stable support to the support surface. It is necessary to use a fixed roller.

All of the escalator embodiments described above can be used for horizontal feeding of the holding platform and are suitable for manual operations on the workpieces, possibly including loading and unloading of the workpieces.

FIG. 46 shows another means for raising the holding platform together with a cylindrical reduction gear as opposed to a disc type.

That is, in FIG. 46, 150 is the goo 9 in FIG.
700.704-, a chain strand wrapped around two sprockets 152 arranged in the same manner as L.
- Like the belt 708 of cause 1, the tilting force is moved upward. In this case, a back support member such as the plate 110 may be provided to prevent the chain strands 150 from sagging.

154 is a tin rocket attached concentrically to the wheel 60; 756 is the shaft of a cylindrical cartridge type reduction gear that supports the +11 wheel 60; this reduction gear is attached to the housing 15;
B, bearings 760, 762, seals 164, and a rotor 766 attached to the shaft 756Kfi. The space between the housing 758 and the rotor 166 is filled with viscous fluid, and the space between the housing 758 and the rotor 166 is filled with viscous fluid.
66, a cylindrical sliding area 16B is formed between them. This reduction gear also produces a torque proportional to the angular velocity of shaft 156.

The housing 75B may be connected to the holding stand via the suspension member 8a and the hook portion 50 in FIGS. 5 to 8, or may be connected to the holding stand supported on the lower side as shown in FIG. A boss portion 770 with a KJm may be formed so that it can be used.

When going downhill, the holding stand moves with the rolling diameter of the wheel 600 as described above, and when going uphill, the holding stand is aligned with the chain strand 750 by the track, and the sprocket 754 is engaged with the chain strand 150. match. The chain strand 2 strand 750 is a 2ffi strand chain, and one strand engages with the sprocket 752 on the driving side, and the other strand engages with the sprocket 754 on the holding stand side, thereby preventing interference between the sprockets. I'm avoiding it.

The sprocket 154 is driven when the chain strand 750 is driven uphill, and at that time, the sprocket 154 may be rotated at the torque rotation ratio with respect to the housing 75 [IK]. Here, the reduction gear functions as a slipping clutch.

That is, when the sprocket 754 is pulled by the chain strand 750 and moves up, the holding stand rolls in the opposite direction to the rising chain strand 150 according to the characteristics of the reduction gear, and the true climbing speed of the holding stand is the same as the chain strand. 150 speed. If we make a suitable approximation,
K means that the holding table rolls backward at a speed relative to the chain strand 750 as if it were descending at the same angle of inclination. The speed needs to be the sum of the above relative speed and the climbing speed of the predetermined holding platform.

This technique is advantageous for a suitable upward inclination angle that is equal to or slightly greater than the downward inclination angle at which the holding platform rolls on the track and for which the reduction gear is configured. This is based on the fact that the torque angular velocity ratio of the reduction gear is equal in both rotational directions. The deceleration torque is generated by the rotation of the shaft 156 in one direction when the holding table is downhill, and the deceleration torque is generated by the rotation of the shaft 156 in one direction.
When pitching by No. 0, this occurs due to the rotation of the four axes 756 in the opposite direction.

FIG. 41K illustrates a means for constructing a speed reduction device that produces a constant torque angular velocity ratio when rotating the shaft in one direction and produces a larger torque angular velocity ratio when rotating in the opposite direction. Furthermore, the 41st
The figure is a sectional view of the main part of FIG. 46, and includes an appendix.

In FIG. 41, housing 158a and shaft 756a
is extended to connect 0-31766 on shaft 756a and bearing 76.
It forms a space close to 0.

172 is pushy! 774, the shaft 756a is supported by a sprag clutch.
clutch) or an overrunning clutch 775, such as an 0-luff latch, to the shaft 156a. A feature of the above type of clutch is that when the shaft 156a rotates in one direction, the shaft 156a rotates in one direction.
Rotate a freely, but when rotating in the opposite direction, a - 1
12 to the shaft 156a.

Therefore, when the shaft 156a rotates in one direction, the rotor 172 separates from the shaft 756a, and the rotor 766 and the housing 15
A deceleration torque is generated due to fluid slippage between the rotors 166 and 8a, and when rotating in the opposite direction, both rotors 166°772 and the housing 7
A deceleration torque is generated due to the fluid slippage between 58&.

In other words, the torque angular velocity ratio is greater when the shaft 156a rotates in one direction than when it rotates in the other direction.

The above configuration has these characteristics such that only the rotor 766 rotates to generate deceleration torque when the holder is going downhill, and when the holder is going uphill, it is zero.
- It can be conveniently used if it is set so that 766 and 772 rotate together. Furthermore, due to the large torque angular velocity ratio generated by the reduction gear during this climbing, the inclination angle can be set larger for a constant slip 9Ja. Incidentally, this type of 20-tar configuration can be similarly applied to the disk-type reduction gears shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, in which case a disk including a plurality of concentric disks is used, and one of these disks is is attached to the shaft via an overrunning clutch.

Another method of raising the holding platform using the shaft of the reduction gear is shown in FIG. 48. In FIG. 48, 180 is two pulleys arranged in the same manner as the pulleys 700 and 704- in FIG. 41 written by h+I, and 182 is a belt 70B in FIG. As shown in cross section in FIG.
also engages one of the rolling diameters of the wheels 60. Therefore, when the belt 780 runs uphill, the holding platform is pulled upward at a lower speed than the belt 180 due to the slippage of the reduction gear, similar to the chain sprocket system shown in FIG. 46.

In this way, #J'
The method of climbing at an i-angle is a simple and inexpensive method of raising the holding platform over an appropriate distance while maintaining the jam-free feature of a simple downward slope track. Furthermore, there is no negative effect if the holding platform forms part of a row on the chain.

As shown in Figure 46, using the chain sprocket system,
Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 48, the technique of moving the holding table via a speed reducer using a belt running on wheels can also be applied to moving the holding table horizontally, in which case the sprocket 752 or Pulley 780 is arranged horizontally. This is convenient when a worker performs the fall removal by hand or when performing some manual work on the workpiece.

Furthermore, with the above technique, when a downward slope angle exceeding the frictional capacity of the wheels on the track as shown in FIGS. 5 and 1 is required, a fixed chain with which the tin rocket 754 engages can be provided. . It will be appreciated that the fixed chain is mounted parallel to the raceway and in proper relation to the raceway such that sprocket 154 engages when wheel 60 is on or slightly above the raceway. It should be noted that friction between the wheels and the raceway is not important since the chain and sprocket are in reliable deceleration engagement.

Similarly, for steep descents of this type, suitably supported fixed belts can be used as tracks. in this case,
The friction between the wheels and the belt is greater than the friction between the wheels and the track shown in FIG.

Another convenient technique will be explained with reference to FIGS. 49 and 50. In FIGS. 49 and 50, 186 is a subwheel attached to the shaft 156 via a bearing 788, and 790 is a subtrack provided parallel to the deformed main track 64L on the deformed support 72a. , with which the secondary wheels 186 engage.

A secondary RP wheel 78 whose holding stand rolls on the secondary track 790
6, the secondary wheel 186 is supported by the bearing 18B.
Since it is rotatable at the top, the deceleration torque of the deceleration device 75B is effectively eliminated. This is a means of canceling the deceleration effect when the holding table rolls on a part of the inclined track, and is used when traveling from a stopped position, such as when driving around a sharp curve that naturally causes a deceleration effect, or during an escape where you want to minimize the starting time. And it can be adopted whenever a non-deceleration state is desired.

Furthermore, in FIG. 49, γ92 is a cap member provided on the main raceway 64&, which is connected to the cap member (Pol) K or simply press-fitted.

This cap member 792 functions as an extensible wear member that can be easily and inexpensively replaced, and also functions as a wear member that can be easily and inexpensively replaced.
By setting a contact line with a book angle, the small wheel 60 and the main raceway 6
4a.

Is the holding table a sub-orbit? Secondary 1 [wheel 18] that is not decelerated above 90
Main raceway 6 with cap member γ92 from rolling state at 6
At the time of transition to a state in which power is transmitted by the main wheels 60 that are decelerated on 4a, no moving member is required other than the holding table itself which moves downward.

As shown in FIG. 50, the secondary wheels 786 move to the lower right while rolling on the secondary track 790,
continues to move to the right as a pair, the main wheels 60 move to 19
It contacts and rolls on the tracks 64&, 792 at the 4 positions. At the same time, the secondary wheel 786 lifts off the secondary track 190, which tapers slightly and eventually ends completely.

Note that the cap member 792 merely provides a replaceable wear surface to the main raceway 64a and is unrelated to the above-mentioned orbit change, and the orbit can also be changed by a track without a cap as shown at 64 in FIG. 5. .

Furthermore, for the conversion from deceleration rolling of the wheels 60 on the track 64 to non-deceleration rolling of the wheels 186 on the track 790, another track 190 having a tapered entrance opposite to that shown in FIG. 50 is added. This can be achieved by

Several means of transporting workpieces from the line to the holding table and from the holding table to the line have been described above. On the other hand, another technique suitable for certain workpiece geometries is to move the holder directly through a position on the line, at which position an unloaded holder is placed in a row to load or lower the workpiece. There are some that allow you to lower the workpiece.

This technique is shown in FIGS. 51 and 52. Therefore, Figure 51,
Fig. 52 shows an example in which a holding table is moved vertically in a chain elevator like the elevators of Fig. 21 and Item 28 above, except that the holding table is carried by a packet instead of the exposed workpiece. It is.

In FIGS. 51 and 52, the workpiece 152 is at the exchange point (l, ), supported on discontinuous rails 8o, 8o2. These rails 800, 802 are part of a main line transport system, and the workpiece 152 is forced into the position shown by the machine's transport bar or auxiliary transport bar. Further, the spacing between the rails 800° and 802 is set small enough so that the workpiece 152 sliding in the direction of the arrow 804 can straddle the rails.

808d A packet of row reeds supporting a holding stand 806,
As described in detail with reference to FIG. 26 and FIG. 2T, it is guided into the groove 558 by rollers 556 and 560 and driven by chains 546 and 548. As shown in FIGS. 51 and 52, the holding table 806 has a rail 80.
The packet 80B is formed to pass vertically through the gap between 0 and 802, and the packet 80B is also configured to pass through the gap. In addition, the holding stand 806 can fully hold the packet 80B.
It extends from the packet 80B and is lifted from the packet 80B by a fixed track or swinging gate of the 0-runnest type, which does not have a central guide 14 (this 11 is not important for short distances).

As described above, when loading the workpiece 152 onto the holding table 806, the unloaded holding table is sent into the elevator via the track and the gate, and the loaded holding table is discharged from the elevator. The packet 808 carries the unloaded holding platform 806 upwardly between the rails 800 and 802, thereby lifting the workpiece 152.
is inserted υI into the holding table 806. The elevator stops when both the holding table 806 and the packet 808 leave the empty exchange point. Next, when another workpiece 152 is slid and sent from the main line conveyance system to the exchange point, nV#a is driven again to move the next non-mounted holding table 806 on the bucket:y) 808 to the exchange point. Then, the workpiece 152 is loaded from this point K.

Transfer of the workpiece 152 from the holding platform 806 to the main line transfer system is accomplished by the exact opposite action described above. That is, the loaded holding table 806 is sent into the elevator by the track and the gate, and the unloaded holding table 806 is sent out from the elevator.

The mounting holder 806 is lowered through the exchange point, while the workpiece 152 is placed on the rail II G 0 , 802. In this way, the workpiece 152 is 1lIl! Each time the workpiece 152 is placed, it is transported by a main line transport bar.

For loading and unloading the holding platform, separate elevators can be used, or one elevator R4M can be used by combining the tracks and gates to switch directions.

FIG. 53 shows a variation of the technique for moving the holding platform through the gap between the rails 800.802.

In this implementation [fl+], instead of a chain-type elevator, an actuator that reciprocates up and down is used. In FIG. 53, the non-mounted holding table rolls on a fixed track 812 and moves to a roller nest type track 814, and is moved to a roller nest type track 814 by a stopper 816.
It is stopped at position 06.

- the crab crop 152 is mounted on the rail 800° 80 in the manner described above;
2 will be sent to the exchange point above. 82G is the elevator transfer platform 8
18 is attached to the cylinder or the like to move the transfer platform 818 over a predetermined vertical stroke, and a suitable guide rod, sliding member, or the like (not shown). It consists of ha. The transfer platform 818 raised by the actuator 820 moves along the track 8
It passes between two sets of rollers No. 14, contacts the non-mounted holding table 806, and lifts it up. After the next short distance uphill, the holding platform 806 reaches position 806a, where the rails 800,
Lift the workpiece 152 from 802.

When the holding table 806 is brought to the uppermost position 806b by further raising of the transfer table 818, the roller nest type gate 822 is moved to the position shown at 822a in the figure by the torque tube 824 operated in the manner described above with respect to FIG. Pivoted. The gate 822 is divided so that the transfer table 818 can pass therethrough, and the 70 roller engages the lower surface of the loading and holding table at position 806b. Then actuator 820
, the transfer table 818 both return to the illustrated position, and the loading and holding table at position 806b rolls down the roller nest tracks 822a and 826 to the lower right in the figure to reach the fixed track 830, and is carried away to the track system by this fixed track 830. Let it go. Finally, the gate returns to the 822 position and the mechanism is ready for the next cycle. Note that the support structure for each of the above elements is a conventional and simple structure, although not shown.

The technique described above can also be used to unload a workpiece from a mounting holder. That is, in this case, the orbits 812°814, 8
The inclinations of 26, 830, 822a and the transfer table 818 are reversed and tilted downward to the left. Therefore, the mounting holding base is
It rolls from the tracks 830, 826 to the gate 822 at position 822a (tilting in the opposite direction @) and reaches position 806b (MR in the opposite direction). Next, the transfer table 818 is moved up to the lower surface of the holding table 806b by the 7-cut unit 820, and the gate is moved from the 822a position to the 822nd position 11
1, and when the holding table reaches the position 2 and 806 where the holding table is lowered by the transfer table 818, the workpiece 152
are placed on the rails 800 and 802, and the empty holding table and transfer table 8+8 are further lowered. Near the end of the descending stroke, the unloaded holding table moves from the transfer table 818 to the track 81.
4 and further roll outward on the fixed track 812. On the other hand, the gate is returned from the position 822 to the position 822a and waits for the arrival of the next loading and holding platform. The workpiece is also carried away by the rails 800, 802, and the mechanism is ready for the next cycle.

As is clear from the drawings and descriptions of each of the embodiments and combinations described above, the essential constituent elements of the present invention are as follows.

and substantially identical holding bases for group 0. Each of these holding tables (1) places and supports a workpiece to be stored or transported, and (2) at least one is speed-controlled and can be arbitrarily controlled to different speeds by selecting different rolling diameters. ,
A plurality of -1 wheels guided by a fixed track move down the track, and 3. A group of 0 groups arranged at small intervals capable of stably supporting the holding platform and whose upper surface forms a flat or spiral surface. It is also possible to move downhill on a track made up of rollers. In this case, it is necessary to provide a suitable surface on the lower surface of the holding table, and at the same time provide a suitable guide roller for guiding the holding table to the roller track.

4. In addition to conventional buckets) f:, which can be moved up by a Jl elevator, they can also be moved up a row by a non-packet lift aK if a special adapter is provided.

B. One or more powered lifting devices, including an escalator device using a fixed track or a roller nest type track, capable of vertically raising a mounted or unmounted holding platform or climbing an incline.

C1 A single topological composite closed loop with approximately half used for the tita holding platform and the other portion for the non-mounted holding platform. This closed loop consists of a fixed track in which the holding platform descends on its own self-guided and speed-controlled wheels, a roller bed track in which the holding platform rolls on rollers that engage its substantially oblique plane, and a closed loop. It consists of a climbing device or a climbing device that is appropriately arranged.

D. For holding tables, including loaders and unloaders, which lower the workpiece in a lifting rack, thereby eliminating the need for at least a part of the holding table lifting device that would be required in its absence. The workpieces are loaded and unloaded using an anoroder device.

E. Fixed trajectory, a- 2
A track switching device installed on a track or on multiple exit tracks and entrance tracks of an elevator.

It should be noted that the holding table conveying means, that is, the track means constitutes a topologically closed loop, and this term is also used in the claims to define the loop. The loop may include an upper IA portion and a lowering portion, such as a raising device and a lowering device, and the various upper rows, lowering mechanisms and portions of the loop may overlap. However, topologically, the loop or loops are closed and include a part for the mounted holder and a part for the non-mounted holder.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is an explanatory view of the main parts of the holding stand system showing the holding stand and track, Fig. 2 is an end view of the system, Fig. 3 is an explanatory view of the support roller with a different relationship to the track, and Fig. 4 is Speed force vector diagram, Figure 5 is a diagram showing other wheel/track configurations, Figure 6 is a diagram showing other wheel/track configurations.
The figure shows a wheel similar to that in Figure 5 on a different wheel diameter, Figure 1 is a side view of the configuration in Figure 5, Figure 8 shows the configuration with additional suspension members, and Figure 9. 10 is a side view of another C-ra type conveyor, FIG. 10 is an end view of the means of FIG. 9, and FIG.
FIG. 12 is an elevational view of the elevator section, FIGS. 13 and 14 are sectional views taken along lines 13-13 and 14-14, respectively, Figure 15 is a top view of the lifting/lowering section, Figure 16 is a side view of the chain guide in the same line timing section, and Figure 11 is Figure 15.1.
7-IT line, Figure 18 is a side view of the loader and unloader for the holding table, Figure 19 is Figure 18, Figure 19-19.
20 is a side view showing another embodiment of the bond unloading mechanism, FIG. 21 is an end view of the loader shown in FIG. 20, FIG. 22 is a plan view of the switching portion of the conveyor track, and FIG.
24 is a plan view showing a modified example of the track circuit, FIG. 25 is a plan view showing another modified example of the track circuit each having parallel lines for storage, and FIG. 26 is a plan view showing a modified example of the track circuit. Figure 210 shows a spiral descending trajectory for omitting the lowering device part, Figure 210 is a side view taken along line 281127-27 of the elevator that directly raises or lowers the workpiece, Figure 28 shows the workpiece elevator and A horizontal sectional view of the main part of the loading and unloading track, Figure 29 shows the workpiece and maintenance I using a single workpiece elevator.
Diagram showing N storage and flt unloading system, No. 30
Figure 31 is a line diagram showing a track layout using two elevators to transfer exposed workpieces from one machine to another; figure 31 is a line similar to figure 30 feeding a two-view machine; Figure 32 shows the bottom surface of a modified example of the holding stand;
Fig. 33 is an end view of the holding stand, Fig. 34 is a side view of the holding stand, Fig. 35 is a sectional view showing a modified example of the roller/guide member configuration, and Fig. 36 is a further modification of the holding stand guide device. 3T is a front view showing a modification of the R crusher for the holding table, FIG. 38 is a side view taken along line 38-38 in FIG. 31, and FIG. 39 is another modification of the elevator. Front view showing 4th
0 is a side view taken along the line 40-40 in FIG. 39, FIG. 41 is a side view showing the escalator for the holding platform, and FIG.
1 is a sectional view taken along the line 42-42, FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the escalator, FIG. 44 is a side view showing yet another modified example of the monorail suspended escalator, and FIG.
Figure 5 is an end view of the same escalator, No. 46 concave V1 chain/
41 is a cross-sectional view of a driving conveyor, FIG. 41 is a diagram showing a structure that changes the resistance depending on the direction of movement, FIG. 48 is a diagram of a belt-driven holding table moving device, and FIG. 49 is a diagram showing a system in which the action of the speed reduction device is disabled. Fig. 50 is a side view of the elevating device, Fig. 51 is a plan view showing the elevator configuration, Fig. 52 is a side view of the elevator configuration;
FIG. 53 is a diagram showing a device for changing the height of a time keeping table using an actuator that can reciprocate up and down. 2......Holding stand 4......
...Workpiece 8...Suspension member 12.
... Wheel 14 ... Track 30.
...Roller 6G ...Wheel 64
...Race 10 ...Suspension member 10
0...Rail 104...Roller 152.
...Workpiece 162.164...Gate 158.160.166...Cylinder 168...Button 170...Mounted holding stand 112...Non-mounted holding stand 174,188...Elevator 176.180
．． 182.184.19n. 194.196.198...Orbit 1ra, i92...Escape 1'86...Rotor 200...Unloader 20G,
20B...Gate 21"2,214...High level switch 230...
・Elevator frame 244...Sprocket 248...
・Motor 25B...Chain 260.270
... Packet 272 ... Roller bed track 274 ... Groove section 278 ... Shaft 282 ...
・U-shaped arm 286...Cylinder 288.292
... Stopper 298 ... Movable gate 310 ... Roller 313
... Bracket 315, 318 ... Link 32
1...Horizontal beam 322, 324...Arm 3
26.328...Divided nest 334...Drive link 346...Output shaft 350
・・・Cylinder 360・・Butsushaba 366・
...Rail 36B...Guide block 370.
・Guide rod 372 ・Lift board 374 ・・
・Lift rail 315...Piston rod 400.
410, 412... Track 404... Overhang 406... Cylinder 41
4.416... Stopper 440.452, 454.464... Escape 43
6,438,466.468...High level switch 500...Conveyor 504.512
...Spiral track 506.516...Lower track 501, 518...Elevator 510.520...Upper track 522.528...Entrance 524,526...Exit 550...Transfer platform 552. ... Cantilever arm 556 ... Guide roller 560 ... Auxiliary guide rollers 564, 570, 572, 574 ... Roller nest track 580, 582, 584, 586 ... Elevator 600 ...
...Holding stand 602...Deceleration device 604...
Wheel 606... Main track 608... Structural member 610... Auxiliary wheel 618... Central guide roller 62σ... Adapter 634, 636, 646° 664.666.6r2... Tin rocket shaft 638.
640,644,668,670°674...Sprocket 642.648.650,676.678...Chain 654.656.684...0-lanest orbit 655
．． 686...Stopper 680.682...Bracket 688...Movable gate 700,704...Pulley 108...Bell) 712...Rail 7
14.720...Fixed track 716.718...Roller nest type track 722...
Holding stand 726... Chain 740... Monorail 742... Monorail chain 745...
・Support roller 746...Press claw 750...Chain strand 752.754...Tin rocket 756...Reduction gear shaft 766.772...Rotor 758...Reduction gear housing 774...Bushing 115...Overrunning clutch 780...
Pulley 782...Belt 186...Subwheel 190...Subtrack γ92...Cap member 8oo, 802...Rail 820...Actuator 818...Transfer stand 824...Torque tube rl
G, 1 F'''1624 rlo, 2!6 rlG, 27r+0.2B rlG, 29 rlG, 4 years rlG, 4g "-(i, 49FIG,!S.

Claims (27)

[Claims] (1) In a series of automated workpiece processing facilities comprising separate machines, transfer machines, or separate sections of a plurality of transfer machines that act sequentially on workpieces to form a processing line, A. a first track means forming a topologically closed loop and having a downwardly inclined track surface in a constant topological direction around said loop; B. a plurality of retainers; each of the holding stands comprises: 1. a body for supporting and holding one or more workpieces; 2. supporting the holding stand relative to the first track means on the first track means; a plurality of non-power driven main wheels attached to the holding base body for guiding; a deceleration means that generates a substantially proportional deceleration torque; D. a loader mechanism that divides the track means into a first part for transporting the non-mounted holding platform and a second part for transporting the workpiece-mounted holding platform; and an unloader mechanism for further dividing the space between the processing lines, and means for loading workpieces from or headed for the processing line onto or from the holding table while the holding table is supported on the track. A gravity-operated workpiece conveyance and storage system, characterized by comprising: (2) the track means further cooperating with the first track means;
Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises secondary track means forming track sections between the track means, and that the holding platform further comprises secondary support means cooperating with the secondary track means. Gravity-operated workpiece transport and storage system. (3) The track means form a plurality of intersecting topologically closed closed loops having a common portion, and at each intersection of these closed loops, the flow of the holding platform is directed from the plurality of track means to a single closed loop. Claim 1 characterized in that a first switching means for merging the flow with the track means and a second switching means for branching the flow from a single track means to a plurality of track means is provided. Gravity-operated workpiece transport and storage system. (4) The gravity-operated workpiece transport and storage storage according to claim 3, characterized in that the first switching means is a means for setting alternating and selectable entry heights for the lifting means. system. (5) The gravity-operated workpiece transport and storage storage according to claim 3, characterized in that the second switching means is a means for setting alternately selectable discharge heights relative to the lifting means. system. (6) the one main wheel of the holding platform has a plurality of rolling diameters that are selectively engageable with the first track means, such that each rolling diameter has a selectable speed with respect to the holding platform; 2. A gravity-actuated workpiece transport and storage system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it produces a ratio of . (7) The first track means is a monorail on which the holding platform is suspended via means including main wheels, the sub-track means is unevenly distributed below a portion adjacent to the first track means, and a series of rollers are provided; The patent is further characterized in that the auxiliary support means is constituted by a support surface of a holding base that is located below the main wheel and engages with the roller when the main wheel rolls on the proximal end of the monorail. A gravity-operated workpiece transport and storage system according to claim 2. (8) The holding table is provided with a workpiece supporting surface between its main wheels and the supporting surface in the vertical direction, and the main wheels are spaced apart from each other in front and behind the workpiece supporting surface, so that the holding table can be placed on the secondary track. characterized in that the workpiece on the holding stand can move upwardly between the main wheels when supported by the means;
A gravity-operated workpiece transport and storage system according to claim 7. (9) By attaching the main wheel to the holding base below the position of the workpiece within the holding stand, the holding stand runs on the first track means and is unstable when supported only by the main wheel; The auxiliary support means of the holding stand are auxiliary wheels attached to the holder outside the main wheels, and these auxiliary wheels are engaged with the auxiliary track means, while the auxiliary track means has a contact surface substantially parallel to the first track means. 2. A gravity-operated workpiece conveyance and storage system according to claim 2, characterized in that the sub-orbit has a sub-orbit. (10) The auxiliary track means includes: A. A pair of spaced apart sprockets that are pivotally supported on a support frame; B. An endless chain that spans these sprockets; and C. A drive that drives the chain. and the sub-support means of the holding platform are sprockets mounted concentrically on the main wheel, and these sprockets are engaged in driven relation to the chain, whereby the holding platform is unscrewed by the deceleration torque of the deceleration means. Claim 2, characterized in that the auxiliary track means is positively coupled so as to move along the running path of the chain, and further the auxiliary track means is tilted upward to constitute lifting means for the holding table. A gravity-operated workpiece transport and storage system. (11) The auxiliary track means is composed of M, a pair of spaced apart pulleys pivotally supported by a support frame, B, an endless belt running on these pulleys, and C, a drive means for driving the belt. Further, by making the sub-supporting means the surface of the main wheel that engages the belt in a driven relationship, the holding platform is non-actively coupled by the deceleration torque of the deceleration means and moves along the running path of the belt. 3. The gravity-operated workpiece transport and storage system according to claim 2, further comprising: a sub-orbit means which is tilted upward to form means for lifting the holding table. (12) The auxiliary support means includes a plurality of guide wheels attached to the holding base on an axis substantially intersecting the axis of the main wheel, and the auxiliary track means is provided on an axis substantially parallel to the axis of the guide wheels. A plurality of guide members each having a guide surface.
A gravity-operated workpiece transport and storage system according to claim 2. (13) The gravity-operated workpiece conveyance and storage system according to claim 2, wherein the sub-supporting means is a supporting surface of a holding table. (14) A auxiliary wheel rotatable independently of the main wheel to be decelerated is provided on the holding stand, and when the auxiliary wheel rolls on the track means, the secondary wheel is selectively attached to the track means in order to cancel the effect of the deceleration means. A gravity-operated workpiece transport and storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that the system is adapted to engage. (15) Deceleration means A, a housing member; B, a second member partially located within the housing member and defining a space between the housing member and itself; and C, enclosed in the space. D. a seal provided between the housing member and the second member to seal the fluid in a space; E. one of the housing member and the second member is made non-rotatable; 2. The gravity-operated workpiece transport and storage system according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece conveyance and storage system is coupled to the main body of the holding table, and the other is non-rotatably coupled to one main wheel. (16) The deceleration means is A, a first member attached to the main body of the holding base, B, a second member rotating with respect to the first member, C, this second member is proportional to the main wheel, and A coupling device between a second member and the main wheel provided to rotate at a higher angular velocity; D. A permanent magnet attached to one of the first member and the second member; E. A magnetic field of this permanent magnet. an electric conductor attached to the other of the first member and the second member, and an eddy current is generated in the electric conductor as a result of the relative movement of the electric conductor with respect to the magnetic field, and the force required for this relative movement is the same. Workpiece conveyance by gravity operation according to claim 1, characterized in that the torque required for rotation of the main wheels is proportional to the speed of relative movement and proportional to the angular velocity of said rotation. storage system. (17) In a gravity-operated workpiece transfer system for conveying a workpiece from one point to another, A. an endless conveyor disposed in a substantially vertical plane and having a pair of vertical running sections facing each other; B. , a plurality of workpiece conveyance members provided at intervals along the conveyor; C. a workpiece support member close to the running portion of the belt that runs in one direction in the vertical direction; and D. a workpiece support member that runs in the other direction. a first base member forming a base for supporting a holding member located close to a running portion of the belt, the workpiece support member being interdigitally related to each other member; When the conveyor is driven in one direction, the conveyance member picks up the workpiece from the workpiece support member and places it on the holding table located on the first base member, and when the conveyor is driven in the other direction, the conveyance member A method for transporting workpieces for loading and unloading onto and from the holding table, characterized in that the workpiece is picked up by the first table member and is placed on the workpiece support member. means. (18) A second platform member is provided at a position separated from the first platform member in the vertical direction in the same traveling section, and a non-mounted holding platform or a mounted holding platform is provided for each of the first platform member and the second platform member. 18. Workpiece transfer means according to claim 17, characterized in that it comprises means for carrying in and carrying out. (19) The upper table member of the first table member and the second table member is movable from an operating position in the workpiece movement path on the workpiece conveyance member to a bypass position outside the movement path, so that the conveyor can move in one direction. In response to the operation of the conveyor, the non-loaded holding table moves toward one table member and the workpiece is placed on the same table member, and as the conveyor operates in the opposite direction, the loaded holding table heads toward the other table member and the workpiece is placed on the same table member. 18. The workpiece transfer means according to claim 17, wherein the workpiece transfer means is configured such that the workpiece is removed and placed on the workpiece support member. (20) In a system in which the workpiece is not transferred by a holding table in the main part of the movement along the processing line, but is supported and transferred on the holding table in the subpart of the processing line, A. The workpiece is transferred to the holding table. comprising loader means for loading;
said loader means: 1. a first exchange position provided in said main part of said process line such that workpieces are removed from said main part of said process line; 2. said process line at said first exchange position; 3. A first elevator for endless vertical conveyance installed near the main part; 3. A holding platform loading platform 4, which is installed in this first elevator as part of a sub-section of the processing line and supports a holding platform; attached to an elevator to carry the workpiece and move it through the first exchange position in a substantially vertical travel path and through the holding platform on the holding platform loading platform without interference; 1. A workpiece support capable of transferring a workpiece from an exchange position to a holding platform on a holding platform loading platform; 5. A first driving means for driving the first chain-type elevator in a first direction; B. further comprising unloader means for lowering the workpieces from the holding platform, the unloader means comprising: 1. a second exchange position provided in the main part of the processing line for feeding the workpieces into the main part; 2. the second exchange position; 2. A second endless elevator for vertical conveyance provided near the main part at the exchange position; 3. A holding stand attached to this second elevator as part of the sub-section of the processing line and supporting the holding stand. an unloading table; 4. A workpiece is transported and moved in a substantially vertical movement path through the second exchange position, and also can be moved through a holding table on the unloading table without interference. 5. a workpiece support mounted on the second elevator and thereby transferring the workpiece from a holding platform on the unloading platform to a second exchange position; 5. a second chain elevator for driving the second chain elevator in a second direction; 1. A loading and unloading system for a holding platform, characterized by comprising a drive means. (21) The loading and unloading system for a holding platform according to claim 20, characterized in that the second elevator is provided with a plurality of selectable holding platform loading platforms. (22) The loading and unloading system for a holding platform according to claim 20, characterized in that the second elevator is provided with a plurality of selectable holding platform unloading platforms. (23) The first driving means and the second driving means intermittently drive the endless conveyor through a predetermined mechanically generated acceleration-deceleration movement, and adjust the distance between two adjacent workpiece supports to the above-mentioned distance. The loading and unloading system for a holding platform according to claim 20, characterized in that the loading and unloading system is an integral multiple of the stroke. (24) In a workpiece conveyance system in which a workpiece supported by a non-power-driven holding table rolling on a first downward slope track is conveyed, and the non-mounted holding table rolls on a second downward slope track, A. Downward. B. a plurality of holders, each of which includes: 1 a body for supporting one or more workpieces; 2 a body attached to the body for supporting said workpiece; a non-power driven wheel that rollably engages the track and has a plurality of diameters and supports the holding platform on the track when rolling on one of the diameters; 3. the main body and the wheel; a deceleration torque acting between the wheels and generating a deceleration torque approximately proportional to the angular velocity of the wheel, so that the ratio of the deceleration force to the speed of the holding platform along the track changes in accordance with the diameter of engagement with the track; A workpiece conveyance system characterized by comprising means. (25) A gravity-operated workpiece conveyance system for conveying a workpiece from one point to another, comprising: A, a means for forming a downwardly inclined trajectory; and B, a holding table; , a main body that supports one or more workpieces; 2. non-powered main wheels that are attached to the main body and support the main body so as to move it along the track; 3. between the main body and the main wheels. 4. A decelerating means that acts on the main wheel and generates a decelerating torque substantially proportional to the angular velocity of the main wheel; 4. A holding stand that is rotatable on the main body but is not decelerated and is provided along the track as a support in place of the main wheel. A gravity-operated workpiece conveyance system characterized by comprising one or more auxiliary wheels for movement. (26) The track means is constituted by two continuous parts having overlapping end portions spaced apart from each other in the left and right direction, and the main wheels and auxiliary wheels are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction so as to coincide with the overlapping track portion. A workpiece transport system according to claim 25, characterized in that: (27) The workpiece conveyance system according to claim 26, wherein the main wheel and the subwheel are arranged on the same axis.