JPH06336324A - Conveyer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely convey a workpiece with a simple constitution by providing at least two sets of fixed rails and a turning rail connected to either one of these fixed rails, so that a carrier is moved on the rail when a conveyed object is once mounted if the carrier. CONSTITUTION:A device comprises at least two sets of fixed rails 16 fixed to a conveyer main unit and a turning rail 22 turnably mounted with a supporting shaft 20 serving as the center on the conveyer main unit. Further the device comprises a carrier 13, sprocket 26 and a chain 27. The carrier 13, holding a conveyed object, is pulled by the chain 27 and moved on the fixed rail 16. The carrier 13, leading to the turning rail 22, is moved with the connecting part along the periphery of the sprocket 26. In this way, the turning rail 22 is turned with the supporting shaft 20 of the sprocket 26 serving as the center. This turning rail 22 is connected to the next fixed rail 16, and the carrier 13 is moved on this fixed rail 16.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transfer device used for transferring a work or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in carrying a work or the like, it is necessary to carry the work while changing the carrying direction according to the arrangement position of the machine tool, the machining position, etc. The one shown in FIG. 10 is known. In this carrying device, between the carry-in position A and the carry-out position B, the swivel arm 1, the carrying belt 2, the pusher 3, and the lift 8a are provided.
Are arranged respectively.

After the workpiece 1 is held by the hand portion 1a of the swing arm 1, the swing cylinder 4 is driven to swing the arm 5 around the support shaft 5a, and the workpiece W held at the carry-in position A is conveyed by the conveyor belt. It is to be moved up two. The conveyor belt 2 includes a pair of rollers 6a, 6 arranged at a predetermined interval.
The roller 6b is bridged over the roller b, and one of the rollers 6b is rotationally driven by a motor 7 to convey the workpiece W in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The pusher 3 detects the workpiece W conveyed by the conveyor belt 2, positions the pressing portion 3a behind it, and drives the cylinder 3b to move the workpiece W to the lift 8a. There is. The elevating table 8a lowers the placed work W by the cylinder 8 to move it to the carry-out position B, and is raised again after carry-out.

[0004]

However, in the transfer apparatus having the above-mentioned structure, not only the transfer belt 2 but also the revolving arm 1, the pusher 3 and the lift 8a are required to transfer the workpiece W, and the required number of apparatuses is required. Will increase. Also,
Since these are provided separately, detection means (not shown) such as a switch and a sensor for detecting whether or not the workpiece W has been reliably moved between the respective devices is required. In addition, in order to detect the workpiece W by the detecting means and convey it by each device, it is necessary to drive and control these, and the conveying device itself becomes complicated. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a transfer device capable of reliably transferring a workpiece with a simple configuration.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, in the invention according to claim 1, long members which are fixed to the main body of the conveying device so that their extension lines are substantially orthogonal to each other are arranged at predetermined intervals. At least two sets of fixed rails, which are installed, are attached to the main body of the transfer device so as to be rotatable about a support shaft, and depending on the pivot position, they are located on an extension line of either one of the two sets of fixed rails and connected. Slewing rail, a carrier that holds an object to be conveyed and moves by contacting each rail at least at two locations in the longitudinal direction of each rail, and a sprocket rotatably provided concentrically with a pivot of the slewing rail. And a chain that is partially connected to a middle portion in the transport direction of the carrier and that is changed in direction by the sprocket and moves along the rail.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2, by disposing sprockets at a plurality of positions of the main body of the conveying device, the chain is bridged in a loop shape on the sprockets, and fixed rails are provided between the sprockets. At the same time, a revolving arm is provided so as to be concentric with the center of rotation of each sprocket, and one of the sprockets is driven in the forward and reverse directions to reciprocally move the carrier through a chain, while revolving by the movement of the carrier. The turning rail is maintained at the turning end position.

Further, in the invention according to claim 3, by disposing sprockets at a plurality of positions of the carrying device main body, the chain is bridged over the sprockets while a fixed rail is provided between the sprockets. At the same time, a revolving arm is provided so as to be concentric with the center of rotation of each sprocket, the carrier is connected to at least one location of the chain, and any one sprocket is driven only in one direction, so While the carrier is circularly moved, the carrier is returned to the original position after the carrier has passed through the turning rail.

[0008]

According to the structure of the invention described in claim 1, the carrier holds the transported object and is pulled by the chain to move on the fixed rail. When the carrier reaches the turning rail, the connecting portion moves along the outer circumference of the sprocket. As a result, the turning rail turns about the support shaft of the sprocket. Then, this turning rail is connected to the next fixed rail, and the carrier moves on this fixed rail.

Further, according to the structure of the invention as claimed in claim 2, the carrier holds the conveyed object at the carry-in position.
Each rail is moved by moving the chain by rotating two sprockets. That is, the carrier moves between the fixed rails via the turning rail in the same manner as described above.
When the carrier reaches the carry-out position, the sprocket is once stopped to carry out the conveyed product, and then the sprocket is rotated in the reverse direction, the carrier moves from the carry-out position to the carry-in position.

Further, according to the configuration of the invention according to claim 3, as in the case of the invention according to claim 2, the carrier holds the transported object, moves between the rails, and moves from the carry-in position to the carry-out position. , Circulate from the carry-out position to the carry-in position. In this case, if a plurality of the carriers are provided, the workpieces can be continuously transferred while mounting and removing the workpieces at the same time.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a carrier device. This transport device generally includes a fixed rail portion 11, a turning rail portion 12,
The transport path formed by both rail portions 11 and 12 is moved to the loading position A.
It is composed of a carrier 13 that circulates between the carry-out position B and the drive mechanism 14 that moves the carrier 13.

The fixed rail portion 11, as shown in FIG.
This is a structure in which a fixed rail 16 is provided so as to project inwardly on the upper edge of two rail bases 15 that project from the carrier body 10 at predetermined intervals. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, a first fixed rail portion 11a extending vertically upward from the carry-in position A of the workpiece W and a second fixed rail portion 11b extending horizontally from the upper end side of the first fixed rail portion 11a. And this second
The fixed rail portion 11b includes a third fixed rail portion 11c extending from an end portion on the opposite side of the first fixed rail portion 11a to a unloading position B below. A part of the side wall 15 projects from the fixed rail 16 and serves as a stopper portion 17 whose position is regulated by contact with a turning rail 22 of a turning rail portion 12 described below.

The turning rail portion 12 includes a first turning rail portion 12a provided between the first and second fixed rail portions 11a and 11b and second and third fixed rail portions 11b and 11b.
It is composed of a second turning rail portion 12b provided between c. 1st turning rail part 12a (2nd turning rail part 12b
Has a holding member 18 fixed to the conveyance device body 10, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. The holding member 18 has side portions 18a and 18b formed by cutting out the central portion thereof.
As shown in FIG. 5, a support shaft 20 is rotatably inserted through the bearings 19 in the both side portions 18a and 18b. Inverted triangular side plates 21 are integrated on both sides of the support shaft 20, and swivel rails 22 projecting inwardly in the same plane are fixed to the upper edges of the side plates 21.

On one side portion 18b of the holding member 18, in addition to the bearing 19, a sleeve 24 that rotates integrally with the support shaft 20 and a pin 23 is provided.
This sleeve 24 has two small recesses 24 at 90 degree intervals.
a is formed, and the ball of the ball plunger 25 provided on the side portion 18b is locked and positioned by the rotation of the support shaft 20. This is the turning rail 22
Is a position on the extension line of each fixed rail 16 and connected to this fixed rail 16.

A bearing 19 is provided at the center of the support shaft 20.
A sprocket 26 is rotatably provided via the. The sprocket 26 is attached to the side portion 1 of the holding member 18.
It is located between 8a and 18b. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, in addition to the turning rail portions 12a and 12b, sprockets 26 are provided inside the vicinity thereof, near the carry-in position A, and near the carry-out position B, respectively, and a chain 27 is bridged therebetween. Form a closed loop. The sprocket 26 provided in the vicinity of the carry-out position B is adapted to transmit the rotational force of the drive motor 29 via the chain 28.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the carrier 13 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and comprises a carrier body 30 and a work holder 31. As shown in FIG. 5, the carrier body 30 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and a pair of rollers 32a are provided on the side surface in two positions in the front-rear direction so as to be rotatable in a total of four sets. Further, a pair of left and right rollers 32b is provided in front of and behind the carrier body 30 so that a total of four rollers 32b can be rotated.
Further, the chain 2 is attached to the center of the bottom surface of the carrier body 30.
7 are partly connected (hereinafter, this connecting part is referred to as carrier connecting part C).

The work holder 31 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in, the holder body 33, the two plate cams 34,
It is composed of two sliding pieces 35 and two shutters 37.

The holder body 33 is fixed to the upper surface (lower surface in FIG. 3) of the carrier body 30, and guide grooves 33a are formed on both sides of the holder body 33 in a direction orthogonal to the carrying direction of the carrier 13. . The plate cams 34 are slidably provided in the guide grooves 33a of the holder body 33, and both ends of the plate cams 34 project from both sides of the holder body 33. Oblong holes 34a are obliquely formed at the center of each plate cam 34, and small recesses 34b are formed at two predetermined positions on the upper surface. The plate cam 34 is positioned by engaging a ball of a ball plunger 36 provided in the holder body 33 with a small recess 34b thereof.

The plate cam 34 is movable by driving an air cylinder 38. As shown in FIG. 6, the air cylinder 38 includes a pair of rods 38 protruding at a predetermined interval.
The pressing plate 38b is fixed to the tip of a. The air cylinders 38 are respectively provided at the carry-in position A and the carry-out position B of the transport device of the present application. Both sides of the sliding piece 35 are held by the holder main body 33 so as to be slidable in the carrying direction of the carrier 13.

The shutter 37 has a rectangular plate shape and is fixed to the sliding piece 35 by a bolt 37a. A roll 39 is rotatably mounted on the bolt 37b. The roll 39 has the long hole 3 of the plate cam 34.
It is located at 4a.

In the carrier 13, the boss W of the workpiece W is
After a is fitted into the positioning hole 33b in the upper center of the holder body 33, the plate cam 34 is driven by driving the air cylinder 38.
Is moved, the roll 39 moves in the long hole 34a and the sliding piece 35 and the shutter 37 are moved through the bolt 37a.
Can be reciprocated in the vertical direction in FIG.
Then, when the sliding piece 35 and the shutter 37 are moved toward each other, the shutter 37 engages with the upper surface of the flange Wb of the workpiece W to prevent the workpiece W from jumping out of the holder body 33. It has become.

In the carrying device having the above-mentioned structure, the work W is carried from the carry-in position A to the carry-out position B as follows. First, at the carry-in position A, the workpiece W is supplied to the carrier 13 by the workpiece supply means (not shown). Then, as described above, the plate cam 34 is moved by the drive of the air cylinder 38, and the workpiece W is moved by the shutter 37 and the sliding piece 35.
Hold. In this state, the position of the plate cam 34 is regulated by the ball plunger 36, so that a stable holding state is formed.

Next, the drive motor 29 is driven to rotate the sprocket 26 via the belt 28.
By this rotation, the chain 27 circulates in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1, and the carrier 13 moves upward on the first fixed rail portion 11a.

Then, the carrier 13 moves from the first fixed rail portion 11a to the first turning rail portion 12a and tries to go straight. On the other hand, the carrier connecting portion C of the carrier 13 changes its traveling direction along the outer periphery of the sprocket 26. That is, if there is no regulation by the chain 27,
The carrier connecting portion C moves to, for example, C ₁ in FIG. 8. However, since the carrier connecting portion C is actually located at C ₂ , the amount of deviation in the moving direction between the two acts as the turning force of the first turning rail portion 12a. become. As a result, the first turning rail portion 12a rotates about the support shaft 20 in the clockwise direction in FIG.

Thereafter, the turning rail portion 12a comes into contact with the stopper 17 to prevent the turning, and at this position, the ball plunger 25 has the small recess 2 formed therein.
Since the position of the carrier 13 is restricted by being locked to the carrier 4a, the carrier 13
Continues to move to the second fixed rail portion 11b.
Thereafter, similarly, the second swing rail portion 12b is moved to the third fixed rail portion 11c, the drive motor 29 is stopped at the carry-out position B, and the plate cam 34 is moved in the opposite direction by the air thin lider 38. Take out the workpiece W. When the conveyance of the workpiece W from the carry-in position A to the carry-out position B is completed in this way, the drive motor 29 is rotated in the reverse direction to return the carrier 13 to the carry-in position A to prepare for the next conveyance.

Although the carrier 13 is reciprocated between the carry-in position A and the carry-out position B in the above embodiment, it may be circulated. According to this, since the carrier 13 can be connected to a plurality of positions of the chain 27 and the work W can be continuously transferred, the transfer efficiency is good.

In this case, due to the relationship with other machine tools and the like, the chain 27 is circulated in one direction as shown by the solid line in FIG.
You may make it move the outside of. In addition, 2 in FIG.
As shown by the dotted line, when it is necessary to move the carrier 13 on the rotation center side of the turning rail portion 12, the following configuration may be adopted. That is, the sprocket 26
On one side or both sides of the turning rail 22,
By extending a part of the carrier 13 to one side or both sides, this extending portion may be connected to the chain 27 that is bridged over the sprocket 26 (2 in FIG. 5).
(See dotted line). Further, the rollers 32a and 32b are
Instead of this, a sliding piece may be used.

[0028]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the carrier device of the first aspect of the present invention, once a carrier is attached to the carrier, the carrier moves along the rail and moves between the members as in the conventional case. Since it is not necessary to transfer the sheet to the container, the transfer can be performed reliably and the control becomes simple. Further, according to the carrying device of the second aspect of the present invention, the carrier can be moved from the carry-in position to the carry-out position only by rotationally driving one sprocket. Further, according to the carrier device of the invention of claim 3,
Since a plurality of carriers can be provided in the chain to successively carry in and carry out the work, the carrying efficiency is very good.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a carrying device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a fixed rail and a shutter guide portion of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing the turning rail of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV of FIG. 4 during carrier movement.

6 is a plan view of the carrier of FIG.

7 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a moving state of a carrier on a turning rail.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a carrying device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a transfer device according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 (11a, 11b, 11c) ... Fixed rail portion (first
~ Third fixed rail portion), 12 (12a, 12b) ... turning rail portion (first and second turning rail portions), 13 ... carrier, 16 ... fixed rail, 20 ... support shaft, 22 ... turning rail, 26 ... Sprocket, 27 ... Chain.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. At least two sets of fixed rails, which are fixed to the carrier body so that their extension lines are substantially orthogonal to each other, and which are formed by arranging long members side by side at predetermined intervals, and a spindle for the carrier body. And a swivel rail that is mounted so as to swivel about the center of the rail and is connected to the swivel position by being located on an extension line of one of the two fixed rails, and that holds a transported object and at least the longitudinal direction of each rail. Two
A carrier that moves in contact with each of the rails at a location, a sprocket rotatably provided concentrically with the support shaft of the turning rail, and a part of the sprocket that is connected to an intermediate portion in the transport direction of the carrier and is directional by the sprocket. And a chain which is changed to move along the rail, and a carrier device. 2. A sprocket is arranged at a plurality of positions on the main body of the conveying device to bridge the chain on the sprocket, while a fixed rail is provided between the sprockets and a rotation center of each sprocket is provided. A swivel arm is concentrically provided so as to swivel, and one of the sprockets is driven forward and backward to move the carrier back and forth through a chain, while the swivel rail swung by the movement of the carrier is moved to the swivel end position. The carrier device according to claim 1, wherein the carrier device is maintained. 3. The sprocket is arranged at a plurality of positions on the main body of the conveying device to bridge the chain on the sprocket, while a fixed rail is provided between each sprocket and a rotation center of each sprocket is provided. A swivel arm is concentrically provided so as to swivel, a carrier is connected to at least one location of the chain, and any one sprocket is driven only in one direction, thereby circulating the carrier through the chain, The carrier device according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is returned to the original position after the carrier has passed through the turning rail.