JPWO2019102524A1 - Transport system and transport body - Google Patents

Abstract

Provide a transfer system with excellent workability. The transfer system includes a transfer body and a transfer rail. The carrier body controls the carrier body, the traveling part, the pressure contact body for pressing the conveyor body to connect the carrier body to the conveyor part, the pressure contact of the pressure contact body to the conveyor part, and the release of the pressure contact. And a control mechanism for. The control mechanism includes an operation unit for driving the press contact body. The transport rail has a power supply area in which the carrier is transported by the conveyor unit in a state where the pressure contact unit and the conveyor unit are in pressure contact with each other, and the rail unit is in a state in which the pressure contact unit and the conveyor unit are released from pressure contact. A power cutoff region is defined in which the vehicle can be freely operated for traveling. The transport rail acts on the operation unit so as to release the pressure contact between the pressure contact body and the conveyor unit when the transport body is located in the power supply region, and when the transport body is located in the power supply region, the pressure contact body is disposed. A drive member is provided which acts on the operating portion to maintain pressure contact with the conveyor portion. [Selection diagram] Fig. 10

Description

The present invention relates to a transfer system and a transfer device for transferring an object to a predetermined position.

Conventionally, various transfer devices (transfer systems) for transferring an object from a first process execution location where one step is performed to an object (work material) to a second process execution location where another process is performed. ) Is used.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a transport device capable of stopping and operating a transport body at an arbitrary position on a transport rail. The transfer device (100) includes one or a plurality of transfer bodies (110) that transfer an object to a predetermined position, and a rail portion (131) that extends along the transfer direction of the object and that allows the transfer body (110) to travel. ), and a transfer rail (130) provided with the conveyor part (135) that is installed side by side with the rail part (131) and is driven to rotate in the transfer direction. The carrier (110) includes a carrier body (111), a support part (112) for supporting an object, and a traveling part (travel) for the carrier body (111) to travel on a rail part (131). 113) and a pressure contact body (115) supported by the carrier body (111) and pressure-contacting the conveyor part (135) to connect the carrier body (111) to the conveyor part (135), and the pressure contact body. And a control unit (116) for releasing the pressure contact of the conveyor unit (135) with the conveyor unit (135).

Japanese Patent No. 5878996

The transport apparatus of Patent Document 1 can stop the transport body at any position on the transport rail by a simple manual operation. Generally, in a power cutting area (working area) on the transfer rail defined by the user, the transfer body is set in a free state (a state where the pressure contact body and the conveyor section are separated), and the user performs work on the transfer body. Carry out. However, in the transport device of Patent Document 1, when the transport body enters the power cutting region, the user needs to grasp the transport body moving forward and manually release the pressure contact between the pressure contact body and the conveyor unit. there were. In particular, when the transport body is flowing at high speed, it is difficult for the user to perform the pressure contact release operation in the power cutting region, and there is a risk that the transport body may fail to stop or the safety may be impaired. The present invention focuses on the above matters in the transfer device of Patent Document 1 as an improvement point, and when the transfer body enters the power cut area from the power supply area, the pressure contact body and the conveyor section are automatically pressure-contacted. The present invention provides a transfer device that can be released with a simple structure.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the object thereof is to be able to automatically release the pressure contact between the pressure contact member of the carrier and the conveyor unit in the power cutting area defined by the user. An object of the present invention is to provide a transfer system and a transfer body having excellent workability.

The transport system of one embodiment of the present invention is
A carrier for transporting the object to a predetermined position,
A rail portion that extends along the transport direction of the object and on which the transport body travels; and a transport rail that is provided with the rail portion and that includes a conveyor unit that is rotationally driven in the transport direction. ,
The carrier is
The carrier body,
A traveling part formed on the carrier body, the carrier body traveling on the rail part;
A movably supported by the carrier body, a pressure contact body for pressure-contacting the conveyor unit to connect the carrier body to the conveyor unit,
A control mechanism for driving the pressure contact member in a direction closer to the conveyor unit and in a direction separating the pressure contact member from the conveyor unit to control pressure contact of the pressure contact member to the conveyor unit and release of the pressure contact; ,,
The control mechanism includes an operation unit for driving and operating the pressure contact body,
On the transport rail, a power supply region in which the transport body is transported by the conveyor part in a state where the pressure contact body and the conveyor part are in pressure contact, and pressure contact between the pressure contact body and the conveyor part is released. In the state, a power disconnection region is defined in which the carrier can freely travel and operate with respect to the rail portion,
When the carrier is located in the power supply area, the operation part acts on the operation part so as to release the pressure contact between the pressure contact part and the conveyor part, and the carrier supplies the power to the transfer rail. It is characterized in that a driving member that acts on the operation portion is provided so as to maintain the pressure contact between the pressure contact body and the conveyor portion when positioned in the area.

A transfer system according to a further embodiment of the present invention is the transfer system described above, wherein the drive member includes drive rails provided in parallel with the rail portion,
The operation unit is movable to an operation position for pressing the pressure contact member against the conveyor unit and a release position for separating the pressure contact member from the conveyor unit, and the operation unit has a bearing capable of traveling the drive rail. Is formed,
On the drive rail, the bearing is capable of traveling at a first height, and a first traveling path provided alongside the rail portion in the power supply region and a second traveling path in which the bearing is different from the first height. And a second traveling path provided alongside the rail portion in the power cutting region are provided,
When the bearing is located on the first traveling path, the operating portion is located at the operating position and the pressing body is kept in pressure contact with the conveyor portion, while the bearing is located on the second traveling path. The operating portion may be positioned at the release position to maintain the state in which the pressure contact member is separated from the conveyer portion when positioned.

A transport system according to a further embodiment of the present invention may be characterized in that, in the transport system, the first traveling path and the second traveling path are continuously formed via an inclined portion.

In a transfer system according to a further embodiment of the present invention, in the transfer system, the pressure contact body is supported so as to be movable in a pressure contact direction and a separation direction with respect to the conveyor body, and the leg. A press-contact plate formed at the tip of the portion, and an engagement shaft formed in the leg portion,
The control mechanism includes a rotating shaft that rotatably supports the operation unit on the carrier body, a main drive gear fixed to the rotating shaft, and the carrier body adjacent to the rotating shaft. A rotary shaft rotatably supported on the drive shaft, a drive gear fixed to the rotary shaft and disposed at a position meshable with the main drive gear, fixed to the rotary shaft, and engageable with the engagement shaft. Further comprising an arranged engaging body,
The distance between the outer peripheral surface of the engagement body and the rotation axis is not uniform,
The main driving gear, the driven gear, and the engaging body rotate simultaneously in accordance with the turning operation of the operating portion, and the engaging shaft relatively slides on the outer peripheral surface of the engaging body as the engaging body rotates. The leg portions may move with respect to the carrier body in a pressure contact direction and a separation direction with respect to the conveyor unit.

A transport body according to an embodiment of the present invention extends along a transport direction of the object and has a rail portion on which the transport body travels, and is attached to the rail portion and is rotationally driven in the transport direction. A carrier for transporting an object to a predetermined position along a transport rail including a conveyor section,
The carrier body,
A traveling part formed on the carrier body, the carrier body traveling on the rail part;
A movably supported by the carrier body, a pressure contact body for pressure-contacting the conveyor unit to connect the carrier body to the conveyor unit,
A control mechanism for driving the pressure contact member in a direction closer to the conveyor unit and in a direction separating the pressure contact member from the conveyor unit to control pressure contact of the pressure contact member to the conveyor unit and release of the pressure contact; ,,
The control mechanism includes an operation unit for driving and operating the pressure contact body,
The operation unit is movable to an operation position for pressing the pressure contact member against the conveyor unit and a release position for separating the pressure contact member from the conveyor unit, and the operation unit is arranged in parallel with the rail unit. A bearing that can run on the drive rail is formed,
When the bearing is located on the first traveling path formed at the first height of the drive rail, the operating unit is located at the operating position and the pressing body is pressed against the conveyor unit. On the other hand, when the bearing is located on the second traveling path formed at a second height different from the first height of the drive rail, the operating portion is located at the release position. It is characterized in that the pressure contact body is kept separated from the conveyor unit.

The carrier according to a further embodiment of the present invention is the above-mentioned carrier, wherein the press-contact body is movably supported in a press-contact direction and a separation direction with respect to the conveyor body with respect to the carrier body, and the leg. A press-contact plate formed at the tip of the portion, and an engagement shaft formed in the leg portion,
The control mechanism includes a rotating shaft that rotatably supports the operation unit on the carrier body, a main drive gear fixed to the rotating shaft, and the carrier body adjacent to the rotating shaft. A rotary shaft rotatably supported on the drive shaft, a drive gear fixed to the rotary shaft and disposed at a position meshable with the main drive gear, fixed to the rotary shaft, and engageable with the engagement shaft. Further comprising an arranged engaging body,
The distance between the outer peripheral surface of the engagement body and the rotation axis is not uniform,
The main driving gear, the driven gear, and the engaging body rotate simultaneously in accordance with the turning operation of the operating portion, and the engaging shaft relatively slides on the outer peripheral surface of the engaging body as the engaging body rotates. The leg portions may move with respect to the carrier body in a pressure contact direction and a separation direction with respect to the conveyor unit.

According to the transport system of one aspect of the present invention, the rail portion has a power supply region in which the transport body is transported by the conveyor portion in a state where the pressure contact body and the conveyor portion are in pressure contact, and the pressure contact body and the conveyor portion. A power cutoff region is defined in which the transport body can freely travel and operate with respect to the rail portion in a state where the pressure contact is released. Then, when the transfer body moves from the power supply area to the power cut area, the drive member provided on the rail portion acts to release the pressure contact with the operation portion of the control mechanism of the transfer body, thereby the power cut area. At, the power supply of the carrier is automatically cut off. That is, in a power cutting area predetermined by the user, the user does not have to manually operate the carrier, but only by moving the carrier into the power cutting area, the carrier is supported by the rail portion in a free state. The Rukoto. Therefore, the transport system of the present invention greatly improves the workability of the user.

According to the transport system of the further aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the above invention, the drive member is a drive rail provided in parallel with the rail portion. The drive rail is composed of a first traveling path corresponding to the power supply area and a second traveling path corresponding to the power cut area. On the other hand, the operating part is provided with a bearing that can be moved to an operating position where the pressure contact body is pressed against the conveyor part and a release position where the pressure contact part is separated from the conveyor part, and which is capable of traveling on the drive rail. Then, when the carrier travels in the power supply region of the rail portion and the bearing travels on the first traveling path at the first height, the operation portion is located at the operating position and the pressure contact body is in pressure contact with the conveyor portion. To maintain. When the carrier enters the power cut-off area from the power supply area, the bearing moves from the first travel path to the second travel path at the second height, and the operation unit moves from the operating position to the release position to perform pressure contact. The state is released. Further, when the transport body is located in the power cutting area, the bearing is located at the second height on the second traveling path, so that the operation unit is located at the release position and the pressure contact body is separated from the conveyor unit. Maintained. Therefore, the present invention can switch and/or maintain the pressure contact state and the released state of the carrier with a simple structure.

According to the transport device of a further aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the above-described invention, the first traveling path and the second traveling path are continuously formed via the inclined portion, so that the pressure contact state and the released state are obtained. Switching between and can be performed more smoothly.

According to the carrier of one aspect of the present invention, the operation unit of the control mechanism is movable to an operating position where the pressure contact member is brought into pressure contact with the conveyor unit and a release position where the pressure contact member is separated from the conveyor unit, and travels on the drive rail. With possible bearings. Then, when the bearing of the operating portion of the transport body travels on the first traveling path at the first height, the operating portion is located at the operating position, and the press contact body is maintained in a state of being pressed against the conveyor portion. When the carrier enters the power cut-off area from the power supply area, the bearing moves from the first travel path to the second travel path at the second height, and the operation unit moves from the operating position to the release position to perform pressure contact. The state is released. Further, when the transport body is located in the power cutting area, the bearing is located at the second height on the second traveling path, so that the operation unit is located at the release position and the pressure contact body is separated from the conveyor unit. Maintained. Therefore, the present invention can switch and/or maintain the pressure contact state and the released state of the carrier with a simple structure. Therefore, the carrier of the present invention greatly improves the workability of the user.

The schematic perspective view of the conveyance body of one embodiment of the present invention. (A) Front view and (b) rear view of the conveyance body of FIG. FIG. 2A is a plan view and FIG. 1B is a side view of the transport body of FIG. 1. AA sectional drawing of the conveyance body of FIG. The figure which shows the press contact form of the conveyance body of FIG. The schematic perspective view which shows the conveyance rail of one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 7A is a plan view and FIG. 6B is a side view of the transport rail of FIG. 6. (A) BB sectional drawing and (b) CC sectional drawing of the conveyance rail of FIG. The schematic perspective view of the conveyance system of one embodiment of the present invention. The schematic front view of the conveyance system of FIG. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a carrier located in a power supply area of the carrier system of FIG. 9. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD of the transfer system of FIG. 11. FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of the transfer system in FIG. 9 when the transfer body moves from the power supply area to the power cut area. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a carrier located in a power absent area of the carrier system of FIG. 9. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of the transport system of FIG. 14.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The shape of each drawing referred to in the following description is a conceptual diagram or a schematic view for explaining a preferable shape, and the dimensional ratio and the like do not always match the actual dimensional ratio. That is, the present invention is not limited to the dimensional ratios in the drawings.

The transport system 10 of the present embodiment includes a transport body 110 that transports an object to a predetermined position, and a transport rail 150 laid along a predetermined transport path. That is, the transfer system 10 transfers an object (not shown) to a predetermined position by the transfer device 100 along the transfer rail 150 laid along a predetermined transfer path. More specifically, in order to perform a plurality of steps on an object (work material), from one process execution place for performing the first process to another process execution place for performing the second process. The carrier 110 can be used to carry an object along the carrier rail 150.

A carrier 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a carrier 110 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2A and 2B are a front view and a rear view of the carrier 110. 3A and 3B are a plan view and a side view of the carrier 110. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the carrier 110 (a form in which pressure contact is released). FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the carrier 110 (in a pressure contact form).

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the carrier 110 includes a carrier body 111, a support portion 112 for supporting an object, and the carrier body 111 travels on a carrier rail 150 (rail portion 151). And a pressure contact member 115 for movably supported by the carrier body 111 to press the conveyor unit 155 of the carrier rail 150 to connect the carrier body 111 to the conveyor unit 155, and a conveyor of pressure contact members. And a control mechanism 116 for controlling pressure contact with the portion and release of the pressure contact.

The carrier body 111 has a pair of vertical frames 111a extending in the vertical (height) direction at the left and right ends thereof, a pair of upper horizontal frames 111b extending in the horizontal direction before and after the pair of vertical frames 111a, and below the pair thereof. The lower horizontal frame 111c extends parallel to the upper horizontal frame 111b.

Each vertical frame 111a is formed as a rectangular column body. At the lower end of each vertical frame 111a, a support portion 112 for suspending and fixing a support plate (not shown) for mounting and supporting an object is provided. The support portion 112 may be a screw hole that can connect the support plate with a screw. A traveling unit 113 is provided at the upper end of the vertical frame 111a. The traveling unit 113 includes a pair of wheels attached to the upper ends of the vertical frames 111a so as to be rotatable in the left-right width direction of the carrier body 111. The traveling portion 113 is located so as to project from the front and back surfaces of the vertical frame 111a, is placed on the rail portion 151 of the transport rail 150, and is configured to be able to travel on the rail portion 151.

The pair of front and rear upper horizontal frames 111b is formed in an elongated plate shape, and is fixed to the front and back surfaces of the vertical frame 111a so that the plane portions thereof face the front and back surfaces. That is, the pair of front and rear upper horizontal frames 111b are connected to each other with the pair of vertical frames 111a interposed therebetween. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, three flat surface holes of the upper horizontal frame 111b are provided with three shaft holes for pivotally supporting the rotating shaft 116g and the rotating shafts 116h, 116h of the control mechanism 116. .. On the other hand, the lower horizontal frame 111c is formed in an elongated plate shape. The lower horizontal frame 111c is fixed (sandwiched) to the opposing inner surfaces of the pair of left and right vertical frames 111a so that the plane portions thereof face upward and downward. Further, four rectangular cutouts for guiding the movement of the leg portions 115a of the pressure contact member 115 are formed on both front and rear side edges of the lower horizontal frame 111c.

The pressure contact member 115 is movably supported in the vertical direction on the carrier body 111, and is pressed against the conveyor unit 155 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) of the carrier rail 150 to connect the carrier unit 111 to the conveyor unit 155. Works like. The pressure contact member 115 includes a pair of left and right leg portions 115a extending in the vertical direction of the carrier body 111, and a plate-shaped pressure contact plate (pressure contact portion) 115b fixed to the upper ends of the pair of leg portions 115a.

Each leg 115a is formed by combining two vertically long plate-shaped portions arranged at the front and rear. The lower horizontal frame 111c of the carrier body 111 is arranged inside the plate-shaped portion of the leg 115a, and the upper horizontal frame 111b is arranged outside the plate member. The press contact body 115 is supported by the carrier body 111 in a state where the plate-shaped portions of the leg portions 115a are accommodated in the four cutouts of the lower horizontal frame 111c.

The press-contact plate 115b is fixed to the leg portion 115a such that its rectangular base is sandwiched between the plate-like portions of the leg portion 115a. The press-contact plate 115b extends in the left-right width direction and is tapered so that both ends thereof recede downward. That is, the upper surface of the press contact plate 115b is configured as a press contact portion that presses the conveyor portion 155.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, an engaging shaft 115c is provided above each leg 115a. The engagement shaft 115c extends in the front-rear direction so as to connect the front and rear plate-shaped portions, and is arranged to be engageable with the outer surface of an engagement body 116e of the control mechanism 116 described later. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, an elongated hole 115d extending along the longitudinal direction is formed at a substantially central portion of each leg 115a. More specifically, long holes 115d are formed in both of the plate-like portions of the leg portions 115a, and the rotation shaft 116h of the control mechanism 116 is movably (sliding) inserted therein. A bottom wall 115e is provided at the lower end of each leg 115a. The bottom wall 115e connects the plate-shaped portions of the leg portions 115a so as to close the lower end thereof. As shown in FIG. 8, the spring 116f of the control mechanism 116 is arranged between the upper surface of the bottom wall 115e and the lower surface of the lower horizontal frame 111c.

The control mechanism 116 drives the press contact body 115 in the direction of approaching the transport rail 150 (conveyor section 155) and in the direction of separating the press contact body 115 from the transport rail 150 to press the press contact body 115 to the conveyor section 155 and the press contact. Function to control the release of. The control mechanism 116 includes a lever-shaped operation portion 116 a for driving and operating the press contact body 115. The operation unit 116a is movable to an operating position (inclined posture) in which the press contact member 115 is pressed against the conveyor unit 155 and a release position (vertical position) in which the press contact member 155 is separated from the conveyor unit 155. Further, the operation portion 116a holds a rotatable bearing 116b at the tip. The bearing 116b functions so as to slide on the lower surface of the drive rail 158 of the transport rail 150 described later.

The operation portion 116a is pivotally supported at its proximal end (lower end) approximately at the center of the upper horizontal frame 111b of the carrier body 111 via a rotation shaft 116g. The rotating shaft 116g penetrates through the pair of front and rear upper horizontal frames 111b so as to project to the front side of the carrier body 111, and is rotatable with respect to the carrier body 111. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation portion 116a is fixed to the front end of the rotating shaft 116g, and is disposed in front of (front side of) the carrier body 111. A driving gear 116c is fixed to the rotating shaft 116g between the outer surface of the horizontal frame 111b on the front side and the operating portion 116a. That is, the operating portion 116a and the driving gear 116c can rotate in synchronization with each other about the rotation shaft 116g.

On the other hand, on both sides of the rotary shaft 116g, two driven gears 116d are rotatably supported by the upper horizontal frame 111b of the carrier body 111 via two rotary shafts 116h. Each rotation shaft 116h penetrates the pair of front and rear upper horizontal frames 111b and is rotatable with respect to the carrier body 111. The rotating shaft 116g and the rotating shafts 116h, 116h are aligned in a straight line along the extending direction of the upper horizontal frame 111b (the widthwise direction of the carrier 110). Each driven gear 116d is fixed to the front end of the rotating shaft 116h, and two left and right driven gears 116d are arranged at positions where they can mesh with the central driving gear 116c. That is, the driven gear 116d is configured to rotate as the driving gear 116c rotates. In addition, in the present embodiment, since the driving gear 116c and the driven gear 116d have the same diameter, the rotation angles of the driving gear 116c and the driven gear 116d are the same. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

The engagement body 116e is fixed to each rotation shaft 116h between the pair of front and rear upper horizontal frames 111b. That is, since the engagement body 116e is integrally fixed to the driven gear 116d via the rotation shaft 116h, the engagement body 116e rotates synchronously with the rotation of the driven gear 116d. The engagement body 116e has a shape in which the center of each side of the square is recessed toward the center side in a front view. In other words, a recessed portion is formed at the center of each side of the engaging body 116e. The outer peripheral surface of the engagement body 116e changes gently and is curved as a whole. Then, the outer peripheral surface of the engagement body 116e is arranged so as to abut (sliding contact) with the engagement shaft 115c (see FIGS. 4 and 5). That is, since the distance between the outer peripheral surface of the engaging body 116e and the rotating shaft 116h is not uniform, the engaging shaft 115c slidingly contacting the outer peripheral surface of the engaging body 116e with respect to the rotating shaft 116h is accompanied by the rotational movement of the engaging body 116e. Can be moved so as to approach and separate from each other.

Further, the control mechanism 116 is provided with a spring 116f that urges the pressure contact body 115 in the backward direction (downward). The spring 116f is arranged inside each leg 115a. Particularly, the lower end of the spring 116f is fixed to the upper surface of the bottom wall 115e, and the upper end of the spring 116f is fixed to the lower surface of the lower horizontal frame 111c. Then, in the form of FIG. 4 (and FIG. 5), the spring 116f is in a state of contracting from its natural length, and the bottom wall 115e and the lower horizontal frame 111c are urged in a direction of separating from each other. That is, the bottom wall 115e of each leg 115a is biased downward with respect to the lower horizontal frame 111c of the carrier body 111 by the elastic return force of the spring 116f, so that the pressure contact body 115 is biased in the backward direction (downward). Energized. By maintaining the contact between the engagement shaft 115c and the outer peripheral surface of the engagement body 116e by the biasing force, the engagement shaft 115c can relatively slide on the outer peripheral surface of the driven gear 116d as the driven gear 116d rotates. is there.

Next, the operation of the carrier 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 shows the transport body 110 in a form in which the press contact body 115 is retracted in the direction in which it is separated from the transport rail 150. FIG. 5 shows the transport body 110 in a form in which the pressure contact body 115 is advanced in a direction in which the pressure contact body 115 is in pressure contact with the transport rail 150.

In FIG. 4, the operating portion 116a of the control mechanism 116 is in a substantially vertical posture, and the bearing 116b at the tip of the operating portion 116a is located at the first height. The engaging shaft 115c is in contact with the center of one side of the upper side of the engaging body 116e. The distance between the center of the rotating shaft 116h and the outer peripheral surface of the engaging body 116e is minimized in the recessed portion at the center of each side of the engaging body 116e. That is, in the form of FIG. 4, the pressure contact member 115 is arranged at the most retracted position.

Then, by tilting the operating portion 116a of the control mechanism 116 (either to the left or right) from the configuration of FIG. 4, the pressure contact member 115 can be moved in the forward direction (upward) as shown in FIG. More specifically, when the operation portion 116a is rotated in a tilted posture at a predetermined angle, the driving gear 116c rotates in one direction at a predetermined angle in synchronization with the rotation of the operation portion 116a. At this time, the bearing 116b at the tip of the operating portion 116a is located at the second height. Further, in the present embodiment, the above-mentioned predetermined angle is about 45 degrees. Since the central driving gear 116c meshes with the two driven gears 116d on both sides, the two driven gears 116d are driven to rotate by a predetermined angle in accordance with the rotation of the driving gear 116c. Then, the engagement body 116e rotates at a predetermined angle in synchronization with the rotation of each driven gear 116d. With the rotation of the engaging body 116e, the engaging shaft 115c relatively slides on the outer peripheral surface of the engaging body 116e. As the engagement shaft 115c moves outward from the recessed portion in the center of the side of the engagement body 116e, the engagement shaft 115c gradually moves upward so that the rotation shaft 116g and the engagement shaft 115c are separated from each other. At the same time, the rotary shaft 116h relatively slides downward in the long hole 115d. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, when the engagement shaft 115 c moves to the corner of the engagement body 116 e, the pressure contact body 115 is most advanced in the direction in which it is in pressure contact with the transport rail 150. Although not shown, it is also possible to maintain the press contact body 115 in the forward posture by fixing the operation portion 116a to the carrier body 111 at a desired tilt angle with a fixing means such as a pin.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, a description will be given of a transport rail 150 that constitutes a part of the transport system 10 of the present embodiment and that transports an object along the transport direction. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the transport rail 150. 7A and 7B are a plan view and a side view of the transport rail 150. 8A and 8B are a BB vertical sectional view and a CC horizontal sectional view of the transport rail 150.

As shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, the transport rail 150 includes a top wall portion 152 extending in a longitudinal direction along the transport direction, and a pair of hanging downward from both end edges of the top wall portion 152 in the width (widthwise) direction. Side wall portion 153, an opening 154 that is opened downward between the pair of side wall portions 153, and a drive rail that protrudes laterally from the outer surface of one side wall portion 153 and extends longitudinally along the transport direction (drive Member) 158, and. Rail portions 151 protruding inward are formed at the open ends of the side wall portions 153, respectively. The distance between the pair of rail portions 151 extending in the longitudinal direction (transport direction) is larger than the width of the transport body 111, and corresponds to the position of the pair of wheels forming the traveling portion 113. Further, a suspending tool 157 for suspending and fixing the transport rail 150 to the structure is fixed to the upper surface of the top wall portion 152.

On the other hand, a conveyor unit 155 is provided on the opposite side (back side) of the opening 154 of the transport rail 150. The conveyor section 155 is installed side by side with the rail section 151, and drives the carrier 110 so as to travel on the rail section 151. The conveyor unit 155 includes a plurality of pulleys 155a that are rotatably supported between the side wall portions 153, and a conveyor belt 155b that is hung on the plurality of pulleys 155a. For convenience of description, the illustration of the conveyor belt 155b is omitted in FIG. Then, the power unit 156 rotationally drives the pulley 155a and the conveyor belt 155b. A rotation driving means such as a motor may be adopted as the power unit 156. The pressure contact plate 115b of the pressure contact member 115 is in pressure contact with the surface of the conveyor belt 155b, and the conveyor 110 moves as the conveyor belt 155b rotates.

The drive rail 158 is juxtaposed with the rail portion 151 in a plan view. The drive rail 158 is a long narrow plate fixed to the outer surface of the side wall portion 153. The drive rail 158 has a first traveling path 158a linearly extending at a first height and a second traveling path linearly extending at a second height above the first traveling path 158a. 158b and an inclined portion 158c connecting the first traveling path 158a and the second traveling path 158b.

The power supply area X in which the carrier 110 is transported by the conveyor unit 155 in a state where the pressure contact unit 150 and the conveyor unit 155 are in pressure contact with each other on the transport rail 150 of the present embodiment, and between the pressure contact unit 150 and the conveyor unit 155. A power cut region Y is defined in which the carrier 110 can freely travel and operate with respect to the rail portion 151 in a state where the pressure contact is released. The power cutting area Y is preferably set at a place where the worker stops the carrier 110 and performs a process on an object (work material). The first traveling path 158a of the drive rail 158 defines a power supply area X, the second traveling path 158b defines a power cut area Y, and the inclined portion 158c defines a transition area between the power supply area X and the power cut area Y. Determine.

Although the transport rail 150 is schematically shown as one unit or a part for convenience of description, in reality, one process execution location and at least one other process execution location apart from this are performed by the transport rail 150. It can be configured to be long to connect. The transport rail 150 may be laid linearly, bent or meandered, or laid annularly. The length of the transport rail 150 is arbitrarily determined according to the site or the like.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of the transfer system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the transfer system 10 of the present embodiment can be configured by the one or more transfer devices 110 and the transfer rail 150 described above.

As shown in FIG. 10, on the transport rail 150, a power disconnection region Y is formed between power supply regions X (as an example), and the transport body 110 is arranged in each of the regions X and Y. The power supply area X and the power cut area Y correspond to the positions of the first traveling path 158a and the second traveling path 158b of the drive rail 158 (shown by thick lines). When the conveyor unit 155 is driven, a driving force is supplied from the conveyor unit 155 to the carrier 110 in the power supply area X, and the carrier 110 travels on the rail 151 in a certain direction. On the other hand, no driving force is supplied from the conveyor unit 155 to the carrier 110 in the power cutting area Y, and the carrier 110 can freely slide back and forth. That is, when the carrier 110 reaches the power cut area Y through the power supply area X, the driving force supply from the conveyor unit 155 is automatically cut off. Therefore, an operator (user) may grasp the carrier 110 in the power cutting region Y by hand and move and/or stop the carrier 110 to process an object (work material) supported by the carrier 110. It will be possible. After the worker completes the process, when the worker slides the carrier 110 from the power cutting region Y to the front power supply region X, the conveyor unit 155 again supplies the driving force to the carrier 110. The carrier 110 is automatically carried to the next destination by the power supply area X.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the power supply region X, the conveyance body 110 is conveyed through the opening 154 of the conveyance rail 150 while the upper portion of the conveyance body 110 is accommodated inside the conveyance rail 150. The pair of running portions 113 of the carrier 110 are placed on the pair of rail portions 151 of the rail 150, and the pressure contact plate 115b of the pressure contact body 115 is in pressure contact with the conveyor belt 155b of the conveyor portion 155. At this time, the operating portion 116a is in an inclined posture, and the bearing 116b is in contact with the lower surface of the drive rail 158 (first traveling path 158a). That is, the bearing 116b travels on the first traveling path 158a at the first height, so that the operating portion 116a is maintained in the operating position (inclined posture). As a result, the pressure contact of the pressure contact body 120 to the conveyor unit 155 is maintained, and the driving force is supplied from the conveyor unit 155 to the conveyor 110. In the present embodiment, in the forward power supply area X in the traveling direction, the operating portion 116a takes a rearward tilted posture, and in the rearward power supply area X, the operating portion 116a takes a forward tilted posture. There is. Since the operating portion 116a can be tilted both in the front-back direction, the tilting direction of the operating portion 116a is determined according to how the bearing 116b and the drive rail 158 hit each other.

Then, as shown in FIG. 13, when the carrier 110 moves from the power supply area X to the power cut area Y, it passes through the transition area. Along with this, the bearing 116b enters the inclined portion 158c from the first traveling path 158a of the drive rail 158. At this time, the operating portion 116a is biased to the release position (vertical posture) by the elastic return force of the spring 116f, so that the operating portion 116a tilts (displaces) in the vertical direction, while the bearing 116b moves downward from the inclined portion 158c. Slide. With the tilting of the operation portion 116a, the pressure contact body 120 retracts in the direction of separating from the conveyor portion 155.

Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, in the power cutting region Y, the pair of traveling portions 113 of the carrier 110 are placed on the pair of rail portions 151 of the carrier rail 150, and the pressure contact plate of the pressure contact body 115 is placed. 115b is separated from the conveyor belt 155b of the conveyor section 155. At this time, the operating portion 116a is in the vertical posture, and the bearing 116b is in contact with the lower surface of the drive rail 158 (second traveling path 158a). In other words, the bearing 116b travels on the second traveling path 158a at the second height, so that the operating portion 116a is maintained in the release position (vertical posture). As a result, the separated state of the press contact body 120 to the conveyor section 155 is maintained, and the supply of the driving force from the conveyor section 155 to the conveyor 110 is cut off. That is, even when driven by the conveyor section 155, the operator can freely move the carrier 110 back and forth in the power cutting region Y.

Hereinafter, the operational effects of the transport system 10 and the transport body 110 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

According to the transport system 10 (transport body 110) of the present embodiment, the power supply area X in which the transport body 110 is transported by the conveyor section 155 with the pressure contact body 115 and the conveyor section 155 in pressure contact with the rail section 151. , And a power cutting region Y in which the transport body 110 can freely travel and operate with respect to the rail portion 151 in a state in which the pressure contact between the pressure contact body 115 and the conveyor portion 155 is released. Then, when the carrier 110 moves from the power supply region X to the power disconnection region Y, the drive rail 158 provided in the rail portion 151 releases the pressure contact with the operation unit 116a of the control mechanism 116 of the carrier 110. By operating, the power supply of the carrier 110 is automatically cut off in the power cutting region Y. That is, in the power cutting area Y predetermined by the user, the user does not manually operate the carrier 110, but only by the operation of moving the carrier 110 into the power cutting area Y, the carrier 110 becomes free. It will be supported by the rail portion 151. Therefore, the transport system 10 of the present invention greatly improves the workability of the user.

In particular, the drive rail 158 is provided in parallel with the rail portion 151 and includes a first traveling path 158a corresponding to the power supply area X, a second traveling path 158b corresponding to the power cut area Y, and an inclined portion 158c. .. On the other hand, the operation unit 116 a is movable to an operating position where the press contact member 115 is pressed against the conveyor unit 155 and a release position where the press contact member 115 is separated from the conveyor unit 155, and includes a bearing 116 b capable of traveling on the drive rail 158. Then, when the carrier 110 travels in the power supply region X of the rail portion 151 and the bearing 116b travels on the first traveling path 158a at the first height, the operation portion 116a is located at the operating position and the press contact body 115 is located. Maintain pressure contact with the conveyor unit 155. When the carrier 110 moves from the power supply area X to the power cut area Y, the bearing 116b smoothly moves from the first traveling path 158a to the second traveling path 158b at the second height via the inclined portion 158c, The operating portion 116a moves from the operating position to the release position, and the pressed state is released. Further, when the carrier 110 is located in the power cutting region Y, the bearing 116b is located at the second height on the second traveling path 158b, so that the operating portion 116a is located at the release position and the press contact body 115 is located on the conveyor. The state of being separated from the portion 155 is maintained. Therefore, in the transfer system 10 (and the transfer body 110) of the present embodiment, by using the drive rail 158, switching between the pressure contact state and the release state of the transfer body 110 can be performed with a simple structure without mounting electronic means. And/or maintenance can be performed.

[Modification]
The form of the carrier of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. That is, the form of the carrier body, the pressure contact body, the traveling portion, etc. of the carrier body can take various structures as long as the functions can be exhibited. For example, a form such as the carrier described in Japanese Patent No. 5878996 by the same inventor may be partially adopted.

The form of the transport rail of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the side wall portion and the top wall portion may be omitted so that the transport rail does not have a casing shape, and a shaft-shaped rail portion may be adopted as a separate body from the conveyor portion. Further, the rail portion and the traveling portion may be a rack and pinion, and the carrier may be caused to travel by meshing the teeth of the gears. As described above, when the rack and pinion is adopted, it is advantageous for the traveling of the transport body when the transport path is laid obliquely or vertically. Further, the traveling unit may travel on one surface of the rail unit without sandwiching the rail unit from above and below.

The operation unit and the drive member of the present invention are not limited to the lever-shaped operation unit and the drive rail of the above-described embodiment. That is, the driving member and the operating portion can have any shape as long as they can interact with each other.

Further, the conveyor unit is not limited to the form of the pool and the conveyor belt, and any means can be used as long as it can maintain the pressure contact relationship with the pressure contact body and send out the transport body along the transport path. For example, a plurality of drive wheels may be adopted in the conveyor section, and the carrier may be sent out as the drive wheels rotate.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modified examples, and can be implemented in various modes within the technical scope of the present invention.

10 Conveying System 100 Conveying Device 110 Conveying Body 110-1 First Conveying Body 110-2 Second Conveying Body 111 Conveying Body Main Body 111a Vertical Frame 111b Upper Horizontal Frame 111c Lower Horizontal Frame 112 Supporting Section 113 Traveling Section 115 Pressing Contact 115a Leg 115b Pressure contact plate (pressure contact part)
115c Engaging shaft 115d Long hole 115e Bottom wall 116 Control mechanism 116a Operating portion 116b Bearing 116c Driving gear 116d Driven gear 116e Engaging body 116f Spring 116g Rotating shaft 116h Rotating shaft 120 Coupling body 121 First link 122 Second link 123 First Shaft 124 Second shaft 125 Rotary damper 126 First gear 127 Second gear 150 Conveyor rail 151 Rail portion 152 Top wall portion 153 Side wall portion 154 Opening portion 155 Conveyor portion 155a Pulley 155b Conveyor belt 156 Driving portion 157 Lifting member 158 Driving rail ( Drive member)
158a 1st runway 158b 2nd runway 158c Slope X power supply area Y Power cut area

Claims (6)

A carrier for transporting the object to a predetermined position,
A rail portion that extends along the transport direction of the object and on which the transport body travels; and a transport rail that is provided with the rail portion and that includes a conveyor unit that is rotationally driven in the transport direction. ,
The carrier is
The carrier body,
A traveling part formed on the carrier body, the carrier body traveling on the rail part;
A movably supported by the carrier body, a pressure contact body for pressure-contacting the conveyor unit to connect the carrier body to the conveyor unit,
A control mechanism for driving the pressure contact member in a direction closer to the conveyor unit and in a direction separating the pressure contact member from the conveyor unit to control pressure contact of the pressure contact member to the conveyor unit and release of the pressure contact; ,,
The control mechanism includes an operation unit for driving and operating the pressure contact body,
On the transport rail, a power supply region in which the transport body is transported by the conveyor part in a state where the pressure contact body and the conveyor part are in pressure contact, and pressure contact between the pressure contact body and the conveyor part is released. In the state, a power disconnection region is defined in which the carrier can freely travel and operate with respect to the rail portion,
When the carrier is located in the power supply area, the operation part acts on the operation part so as to release the pressure contact between the pressure contact part and the conveyor part, and the carrier supplies the power to the transfer rail. A transport system comprising a driving member that acts on the operation unit so as to maintain the pressure contact between the pressure contact body and the conveyor unit when positioned in the area. The drive member includes a drive rail provided in parallel with the rail portion,
The operation unit is movable to an operation position for pressing the pressure contact member against the conveyor unit and a release position for separating the pressure contact member from the conveyor unit, and the operation unit has a bearing capable of traveling the drive rail. Is formed,
On the drive rail, the bearing is capable of traveling at a first height, and a first traveling path provided alongside the rail portion in the power supply region and a second traveling path in which the bearing is different from the first height. And a second traveling path provided alongside the rail portion in the power cutting region are provided,
When the bearing is located on the first traveling path, the operating portion is located at the operating position and the pressing body is kept in pressure contact with the conveyor portion, while the bearing is located on the second traveling path. 2. The transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is located at the release position and the pressure contact body is kept separated from the conveyor unit when it is located at. The transport system according to claim 2, wherein the first traveling path and the second traveling path are continuously formed via an inclined portion. The pressure contact body is formed on the leg portion, a leg portion movably supported with respect to the conveyor body in a pressure contact direction and a separation direction with respect to the conveyor portion, a pressure contact plate formed at a tip of the leg portion. And an engaged shaft
The control mechanism includes a rotating shaft that rotatably supports the operation unit on the carrier body, a main drive gear fixed to the rotating shaft, and the carrier body adjacent to the rotating shaft. A rotary shaft rotatably supported on the drive shaft, a drive gear fixed to the rotary shaft and disposed at a position meshable with the main drive gear, fixed to the rotary shaft, and engageable with the engagement shaft. Further comprising an arranged engaging body,
The distance between the outer peripheral surface of the engagement body and the rotation axis is not uniform,
The main driving gear, the driven gear, and the engaging body rotate simultaneously in accordance with the turning operation of the operating portion, and the engaging shaft relatively slides on the outer peripheral surface of the engaging body as the engaging body rotates. The transport system according to claim 1, wherein the leg portion moves in a pressure contact direction and a separation direction with respect to the conveyor body with respect to the carrier body. An object along a transport rail that includes a rail portion that extends along the transport direction of the target object and through which the transport body travels; A carrier for transporting an object to a predetermined position,
The carrier body,
A traveling part formed on the carrier body, the carrier body traveling on the rail part;
A movably supported by the carrier body, a pressure contact body for pressure-contacting the conveyor unit to connect the carrier body to the conveyor unit,
A control mechanism for driving the pressure contact member in a direction closer to the conveyor unit and in a direction separating the pressure contact member from the conveyor unit to control pressure contact of the pressure contact member to the conveyor unit and release of the pressure contact; ,,
The control mechanism includes an operation unit for driving and operating the pressure contact body,
The operation unit is movable to an operation position for pressing the pressure contact member against the conveyor unit and a release position for separating the pressure contact member from the conveyor unit, and the operation unit is arranged in parallel with the rail unit. A bearing that can run on the drive rail is formed,
When the bearing is located on the first traveling path formed at the first height of the drive rail, the operating unit is located at the operating position and the pressing body is pressed against the conveyor unit. On the other hand, when the bearing is located on the second traveling path formed at a second height different from the first height of the drive rail, the operating portion is located at the release position. A carrier body, characterized in that the pressure contact body is maintained in a state of being separated from the conveyor unit. The pressure contact body is formed on the leg portion, a leg portion movably supported with respect to the conveyor body in a pressure contact direction and a separation direction with respect to the conveyor portion, a pressure contact plate formed at a tip of the leg portion. And an engaged shaft
The control mechanism includes a rotating shaft that rotatably supports the operation unit on the carrier body, a main drive gear fixed to the rotating shaft, and the carrier body adjacent to the rotating shaft. A rotary shaft rotatably supported on the drive shaft, a drive gear fixed to the rotary shaft and disposed at a position meshable with the main drive gear, fixed to the rotary shaft, and engageable with the engagement shaft. Further comprising an arranged engaging body,
The distance between the outer peripheral surface of the engagement body and the rotation axis is not uniform,
The main driving gear, the driven gear, and the engaging body rotate simultaneously in accordance with the turning operation of the operating portion, and the engaging shaft relatively slides on the outer peripheral surface of the engaging body as the engaging body rotates. The transport system according to claim 5, wherein the legs move with respect to the carrier body in a pressure contact direction and a separation direction with respect to the conveyor unit.

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