JP2018006518A - Conveyance system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a conveyance system for conveying a display panel to be supplied to a processing apparatus and conveying a display panel discharged from the processing apparatus, the conveyance system being capable of preventing damage of display panels at the time of destacking or stacking trays accommodating the display panels.SOLUTION: A conveyance system 1 for conveying a display panel 2 to be supplied to a processing apparatus 15 and conveying a display panel 2 discharged from the processing apparatus 15 comprises: conveyors 4 and 5 for conveying trays 3 stacked in a plurality of tiers and capable of accommodating the display panels 2; tray stages 6 and 7 on which the trays 3 are mounted; a robot 8 for conveying the trays 3 between the conveyors 4 and 5 and the tray stages 6 and 7; a robot 9 for performing export of the display panels 2 from the trays 3 mounted on the tray stages 6 and 7 and import of the display panels 2 to the trays 3 mounted on the tray stages 6 and 7; and a data reading apparatus 56 for reading data recorded in the display panels 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport system for transporting a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a conveyance device incorporated in an assembly line of a liquid crystal display device used in a portable device or the like is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The transport apparatus described in Patent Literature 1 includes five transport units, and various transport processes in the assembly process of the liquid crystal display device are assigned to each transport unit. In addition, the transport device includes an automatic loader that supplies the liquid crystal display panel accommodated in the tray to the transport unit (see FIG. 19 of Patent Document 1).

International Publication No. 2012/120956

  In an assembly line of a liquid crystal display device in which the transport device described in Patent Document 1 is used, generally, trays before being supplied to an automatic loader are stacked in a plurality of stages (in a stacked state) on a shelf. Temporarily placed, the operator stacks the manually stacked trays and supplies them one by one to the automatic loader. When an operator manually disassembles the tray, the operator's work is likely to vary, and when disposing the tray, the liquid crystal display panel in the tray is impacted and the liquid crystal display panel is damaged. There is a fear.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a display panel that is housed in a transport system that performs at least one of transport of a display panel supplied to a predetermined processing apparatus and transport of a display panel discharged from the predetermined processing apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a transport system capable of suppressing damage to a display panel when stacking and stacking trays.

  In order to solve the above problems, a transport system of the present invention is a transport system that performs at least one of transport of a display panel supplied to a predetermined processing apparatus and transport of a display panel discharged from the predetermined processing apparatus. A conveyor that stacks a plurality of stages and that can accommodate display panels; a tray stage on which the tray is placed; a first transport robot that transports the tray between the conveyor and the tray stage; and a tray A second transfer robot that performs at least one of carrying out the display panel from the tray placed on the stage and carrying the display panel into the tray placed on the tray stage, and reads data recorded on the display panel A data reading device, and the data reading device is a table after being carried out of the tray by the second transfer robot. Wherein the read at least one of the data of the previous display panel is carried into the tray by a panel of data and the second transport robot.

  The transport system of the present invention is a conveyor that transports trays that are stacked in a plurality of stages and can accommodate display panels, a tray stage on which the trays are placed, and a first transport that transports trays between the conveyor and the tray stage. With a robot. Therefore, in the present invention, it is possible to carry out stacking and stacking of the trays in which the display panels are accommodated by transporting the trays between the conveyor and the tray stage by the first transport robot. That is, according to the present invention, trays can be automatically stacked and stacked. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress variations in tray stacking work and stacking work, and it is possible to stabilize tray stacking work and stacking work. As a result, according to the present invention, it is possible to suppress damage to the display panel when stacking or stacking trays. In addition, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically stack and stack trays, thereby reducing labor costs.

  In addition, the transfer system of the present invention includes a second transfer robot that performs at least one of carrying out the display panel from the tray placed on the tray stage and carrying the display panel into the tray placed on the tray stage. Because it is equipped, it is possible to automatically convey the display panel accommodated in the tray after being separated to the processing device, or to automatically accommodate the display panel discharged from the processing device in the tray. become.

  In addition, the transfer system of the present invention reads at least one of display panel data after being carried out of the tray by the second transfer robot and display panel data before being transferred into the tray by the second transfer robot. Since the reader is further provided, individual data can be associated with the display panel carried out from the tray, and the display panel associated with the individual data can be supplied to the processing device. In addition, individual data can be associated with the display panel discharged from the processing apparatus, and the display panel associated with the individual data can be accommodated in the tray.

  In the present invention, the transport system includes, as a conveyor, a supply-side conveyor that transports the tray in a direction approaching the tray stage, and a discharge-side conveyor that transports the tray in a direction away from the tray stage. It is preferable to carry the tray from the side conveyor to the tray stage and carry the tray from the tray stage to the discharge side conveyor.

  If comprised in this way, since the conveyance system is provided with the supply side conveyor and the discharge side conveyor, the conveyance of the tray in the direction approaching the tray stage and the conveyance of the tray in the direction away from the tray stage can be performed separately. Is possible. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the cycle time in the transport system compared to the case of transporting the tray in the direction approaching the tray stage and transporting the tray in the direction away from the tray stage by a common conveyor. Become. Moreover, since it comprises in this way, since a 1st conveyance robot performs conveyance of the tray from a supply side conveyor to a tray stage, and conveyance of the tray from a tray stage to a discharge side conveyor, it is from a supply side conveyor to a tray stage. The configuration of the transport system can be simplified as compared with the case where the robot for transporting the tray and the robot for transporting the tray from the tray stage to the discharge-side conveyor are individually provided.

  In the present invention, the supply-side conveyor is disposed on both sides in the left-right direction orthogonal to the tray transport direction and the up-down direction, and is disposed at the downstream end of the tray transport direction with a guide member that regulates the movement of the tray in the left-right direction. It is preferable that the tray comes into contact with the contact member before the tray is transported to the tray stage by the first transport robot. If comprised in this way, it will become possible to position the tray before being conveyed by the 1st conveyance robot to a tray stage on a supply side conveyor. Therefore, the tray can be placed on the tray stage with high accuracy.

  In the present invention, the transport system preferably includes a plurality of tray stages. If comprised in this way, it will become possible to replace | exchange the tray on a tray stage by a 1st conveyance robot, carrying out carrying in and carrying in of a display panel by a 2nd conveyance robot. Therefore, the cycle time in the transport system can be shortened compared to the case where the number of tray stages provided in the transport system is one.

  In the present invention, the transport system includes an alignment device that detects the edge of the display panel carried out of the tray by the second transport robot and aligns the display panel based on the detection result of the edge of the display panel. preferable. If comprised in this way, it will become possible to read the data of the display panel after aligning with the alignment apparatus with a data reader. Therefore, the data on the display panel after being carried out of the tray by the second transport robot can be reliably and accurately read by the data reader.

  In this invention, it is preferable that a conveyance system is provided with the stage number detection mechanism which detects the number of trays on a conveyor, and a stage number detection mechanism is provided with the sensor which detects the presence or absence of a tray, and the raising / lowering mechanism which raises / lowers a sensor. If comprised in this way, by operating a 1st conveyance robot based on the detection result in a stage number detection mechanism, a collision with the tray on a conveyor and a 1st conveyance robot, a tray on a conveyor, and a 1st conveyance robot It becomes possible to prevent a collision with the transporting tray.

  In this invention, it is preferable that the conveyor is comprised by the some division conveyor which is divided | segmented by the conveyance direction of a tray and can be driven separately. If comprised in this way, it will become possible to convey the several stacked tray separately in the conveyance direction of a tray. Therefore, the convenience of the conveyor is improved.

  In the present invention, the transfer system includes a first frame on which the first transfer robot is installed and a second frame on which the second transfer robot is installed, and the first transfer robot is installed on the first frame. An installation surface is formed, the second frame includes an installation unit that is disposed above the installation surface and on which the second transfer robot is installed, and the first transfer robot is installed on the installation surface so as to rise from the installation surface, It is preferable that the 2nd conveyance robot is installed in the installation part so that it may hang from an installation part. With this configuration, it is easy to prevent interference between the first transfer robot and the second transfer robot when the first transfer robot and the second transfer robot are operated simultaneously.

  In the present invention, the second transfer robot includes, for example, a main body portion, a plurality of levers whose base end sides are rotatably connected to the main body portion, and a base end side that rotates on each of the front end sides of the plurality of levers. A plurality of arm portions that are movably coupled, a movable portion that is pivotally coupled to the distal ends of the plurality of arm portions, a panel gripping portion that is attached to the movable portion and grips the display panel, and a plurality of levers A plurality of rotation drive mechanisms for rotating each of the plurality of levers, and the plurality of levers are coupled to the main body so as to extend radially at substantially equal angular pitches toward the outer periphery of the main body, and the arm portions are parallel to each other. It has two linear arms, and the base end side of each of the two arms is rotatably connected to the tip end side of the lever, and the movable part is rotatably connected to the tip end side of the two arms. The body part is fixed to the installation part. . That is, the second transfer robot is, for example, a so-called parallel link robot. In this case, it is possible to carry out the display panel from the tray and the display panel into the tray at a relatively high speed.

  In the present invention, the transfer system is movable as a tray stage in two fixed tray stages adjacently arranged in the left-right direction orthogonal to the tray transfer direction and the up-down direction, and in the tray transfer direction and the left-right direction. Two movable tray stages and two stage moving mechanisms for individually moving the two movable tray stages. The stage moving mechanism includes a first position aligned with the fixed tray stage in the left-right direction, and a tray. It is preferable to move the movable tray stage between the second position overlapping at least a part of the fixed tray stage in the transport direction. If comprised in this way, even if the movable range of a 1st conveyance robot and the movable range of a 2nd conveyance robot will be narrowed, it will become possible to convey a tray between a conveyor and a movable tray stage by a 1st conveyance robot. At the same time, the second transfer robot can carry out the display panel accommodated in the tray on the movable tray stage or carry the display panel into the tray on the movable tray stage.

  As described above, in the present invention, a display panel is accommodated in a transport system that performs at least one of transport of a display panel supplied to a predetermined processing apparatus and transport of a display panel discharged from the predetermined processing apparatus. It is possible to suppress damage to the display panel when stacking or stacking trays.

It is a side view of the conveyance system concerning Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a top view which shows a conveyance system from the EE direction of FIG. It is a perspective view of the division conveyor shown in FIG. It is the schematic for demonstrating the structure of the stage number detection mechanism shown in FIG. 3, and the structure of the tray holding part shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the 2nd conveyance robot shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the supply unit shown in FIG. It is a top view of the supply unit shown in FIG. It is a side view of the conveyance system concerning Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a top view which shows a conveyance system from the FF direction of FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the fixed tray stage and the movable tray stage shown in FIG. 9. It is a perspective view of the discharge unit shown in FIG. It is a top view of the discharge unit shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a supply unit according to a modification of the first embodiment. It is a top view of the supply unit shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a discharge unit according to a modification of the second embodiment. It is a top view of the discharge unit shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
(Overall configuration of transfer system)
FIG. 1 is a side view of a transport system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the transport system 1 from the EE direction of FIG.

  The transport system 1 of this embodiment is used by being incorporated in a production line for a small liquid crystal display used in a portable device or the like. The transport system 1 transports the liquid crystal panel 2 that is a display panel, and supplies the liquid crystal panel 2 to a processing device 15 (see FIG. 2) that performs predetermined processing on the liquid crystal panel 2. That is, the transport system 1 transports the liquid crystal panel 2 supplied to the processing device 15. Further, the transport system 1 transports a small liquid crystal panel 2 (for example, a 4-inch liquid crystal panel 2).

  The liquid crystal panel 2 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape. Data such as inspection data of the liquid crystal panel 2 is recorded at a location outside the display area of the liquid crystal panel 2. Specifically, data such as inspection data is recorded as a two-dimensional code or a one-dimensional code at a location outside the display area of the liquid crystal panel 2. That is, optically readable data is recorded at a location outside the display area of the liquid crystal panel 2. In addition, the polarizing plate (polarizing film) may be affixed to the liquid crystal panel 2 conveyed with the conveyance system 1 of this form, and the polarizing plate may not be affixed. The liquid crystal panel 2 may be mounted with an FPC or a chip, or may not be mounted with an FPC or a chip.

  The transport system 1 includes two conveyors 4 and 5 that transport a tray 3 that can accommodate a liquid crystal panel 2. The conveyors 4 and 5 convey the trays 3 stacked in a plurality of stages (that is, the stacked trays 3) linearly in the horizontal direction. For example, the conveyors 4 and 5 linearly convey the trays 3 stacked in 20 stages in the horizontal direction.

  In the following description, the conveyance direction of the tray 3 by the conveyors 4 and 5 (X direction in FIG. 1 and the like) is referred to as “front-rear direction”, and the direction (Y in FIG. Direction) is the “left-right direction”. Also, one side in the front-rear direction (X1 direction side in FIG. 1 etc.) is the “front” side, and the opposite side (X2 direction side in FIG. 1 etc.) is the “rear (rear) side”. (Y1 direction side in FIG. 2 etc.) is the “right” side, and the opposite side (Y2 direction side in FIG. 2 etc.) is the “left” side. In this embodiment, the processing device 15 is disposed on the rear side of the transport system 1.

  The transport system 1 includes two tray stages 6 and 7 on which the tray 3 is placed, and a robot as a first transport robot that transports the tray 3 between the conveyors 4 and 5 and the tray stages 6 and 7. 8, a robot 9 as a second transfer robot that carries the liquid crystal panel 2 out of the tray 3 placed on the tray stages 6 and 7, and a supply unit 10 that receives the liquid crystal panel 2 from the robot 9 and supplies the liquid crystal panel 2 to the processing device 15. And. The tray stages 6 and 7 are arranged behind the conveyors 4 and 5. The supply unit 10 is disposed behind the tray stages 6 and 7.

  Further, the transport system 1 includes a main body frame 11 as a first frame on which the conveyors 4 and 5, tray stages 6 and 7, a robot 8 and a supply unit 10 are installed, and a second frame on which the robot 9 is installed. And a main body frame 12. The main body frame 11 is formed in a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape that is elongated in the front-rear direction and has a low height. The upper surface 11a of the main body frame 11 is formed in a planar shape orthogonal to the vertical direction, and the conveyors 4, 5 and tray stages 6, 7 and the robot 8 and the supply unit 10 are installed on the upper surface 11a of the main body frame 11. ing. The upper surface 11a of this embodiment is an installation surface on which the robot 8 is installed.

  The main body frame 12 is a gate-shaped frame formed in a substantially gate shape. The width of the main body frame 12 in the left-right direction is wider than the width of the main body frame 11 in the left-right direction, and the width of the main body frame 12 in the front-rear direction is shorter than the length of the main body frame 11 in the front-rear direction. The height of the main body frame 12 is higher than the height of the main body frame 11, and the main body frame 12 includes an upper surface portion 12 a disposed above the upper surface 11 a of the main body frame 11. The upper surface portion 12 a is disposed above the conveyors 4 and 5, the tray stages 6 and 7, the robot 8, and the supply unit 10.

  The main body frame 12 is installed so as to straddle the main body frame 11 when viewed from the front-rear direction. That is, the main body frame 12 is installed so as to straddle the main body frame 11 in the left-right direction. The main body frame 12 is installed so as to straddle the rear end portion of the main body frame 11. The robot 9 is installed on the upper surface portion 12 a of the main body frame 12. The upper surface part 12a of this embodiment is an installation part where the robot 9 is installed.

(Conveyor configuration and operation)
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the division conveyor 20 shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the stage number detection mechanism 29 shown in FIG. 3 and the configuration of the tray gripping portion 39 shown in FIG.

  The conveyors 4 and 5 are roller conveyors including a plurality of rollers. The conveyor 4 and the conveyor 5 are adjacently arranged in the left-right direction. The conveyor 4 conveys the stacked trays 3 toward the rear side, and the conveyor 5 conveys the stacked trays 3 toward the front side. That is, the conveyor 4 conveys the tray 3 in a direction approaching the tray stages 6 and 7, and the conveyor 5 conveys the tray 3 in a direction away from the tray stages 6 and 7. A plurality of liquid crystal panels 2 are accommodated in the tray 3 conveyed by the conveyor 4. On the other hand, the liquid crystal panel 2 is not accommodated in the tray 3 conveyed by the conveyor 5, and the tray 3 conveyed by the conveyor 5 is an empty tray. The conveyor 4 in this embodiment is a supply side conveyor, and the conveyor 5 is a discharge side conveyor. The conveyors 4 and 5 may be belt conveyors or the like.

  The conveyor 4 includes a plurality of divided conveyors 16 to 20 that are divided in the front-rear direction. The conveyor 4 of this form is comprised by the five division conveyors 16-20. The division conveyors 16 to 20 are arranged in this order from the front side to the rear side. Similarly, the conveyor 5 is comprised by the five division | segmentation conveyors 21-25 divided | segmented in the front-back direction. The division conveyors 21 to 25 are arranged in this order from the front side to the rear side. Each of the division conveyors 16 to 25 includes a motor and a power transmission mechanism that transmits the power of the motor to the rollers, and the division conveyors 16 to 25 can be individually driven. The width of the division conveyors 16 to 25 in the front-rear direction is wider than the width of the tray 3 in the front-rear direction. Specifically, the width of the division conveyors 16 to 25 in the front-rear direction is slightly wider than the width of the tray 3 in the front-rear direction.

  On the division conveyor 16, the stacked trays 3 carried by the operator from a temporary shelf (not shown) are placed. The stacked trays 3 placed on the division conveyor 16 are conveyed to the rear side by the conveyor 4. The stacked trays 3 conveyed to the dividing conveyor 20 are separated by the robot 8 as described later. Also, empty trays 3 are stacked on the division conveyor 25 by the robot 8 as described later. When the trays 3 are stacked up to a predetermined number, the stacked trays 3 are conveyed to the front side by the conveyor 5. The stacked trays 3 conveyed to the division conveyor 21 are transported to an empty tray shelf by an operator.

  When the stacked trays 3 are placed on the division conveyor 16, the stacked trays 3 are usually placed on at least one of the division conveyors 17 to 20. . In addition, when empty trays 3 are stacked on the division conveyor 25, the stacked empty trays 3 are placed on at least one of the division conveyors 21 to 24. Sometimes.

  The division conveyor 20 arranged at the rearmost side of the conveyor 4 includes a guide member 27 that regulates the movement of the tray 3 in the left-right direction (see FIG. 3). The guide members 27 are disposed on both sides of the division conveyor 20 in the left-right direction. The distance in the left-right direction between the guide surface of the guide member 27 disposed on the right side and the guide surface of the guide member 27 disposed on the left side is substantially equal to the width in the left-right direction of the tray 3. Further, the division conveyor 20 includes an abutting member 28 with which the rear end of the tray 3 abuts. The abutting member 28 is disposed at the rear end of the division conveyor 20. That is, the abutting member 28 is disposed at the downstream end in the conveyance direction of the tray 3 by the conveyor 4.

  In this embodiment, the conveyor 4 conveys the tray 3 rearward and conveys the tray 3 to the abutting member 28 before conveying the tray 3 to the tray stages 6 and 7 by the robot 8. That is, every time when the robot 8 transports the tray 3 to the tray stages 6 and 7, it is transported to the rear side until the tray 3 contacts the contact member 28, and then to the tray stages 6 and 7 by the robot 8. The tray 3 is transported.

  A stage number detection mechanism 29 that detects the number of stages of the tray 3 on the conveyor 4 is attached to the division conveyor 20. The stage number detection mechanism 29 is attached to both ends of the division conveyor 20 in the left-right direction. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the stage number detection mechanism 29 includes a sensor 30 that detects the presence / absence of the tray 3 and an elevating mechanism 31 that raises and lowers the sensor 30. The sensor 30 is a reflective optical sensor, and the light emitting element of the sensor 30 emits light toward the center of the division conveyor 20 in the left-right direction. The elevating mechanism 31 includes a motor 32 and a ball screw (not shown) that converts the rotational motion of the motor 32 into a linear motion in the vertical direction. The sensor 30 may be a transmissive optical sensor, a proximity sensor, or the like.

  When detecting the number of stages of the tray 3 on the conveyor 4 by the stage number detection mechanism 29, the sensor 30 is moved to the upper limit position, and then the sensor 30 is lowered until the tray 3 is detected by the sensor 30. Further, the number of trays 3 on the conveyor 4 is detected based on the rotational position of the motor 32 when the tray 3 is detected by the sensor 30. In addition, although the stage number detection mechanism 29 is not attached to the division conveyor 25, the stage number detection mechanism 29 may be attached to the division conveyor 25.

(Configuration of tray stage)
One tray 3 is placed on the tray stages 6 and 7. The tray stages 6 and 7 are fixed to the main body frame 11. The tray stage 6 and the tray stage 7 are arranged in a state with a predetermined interval in the left-right direction. The tray stage 6 is disposed at substantially the same position as the conveyor 4 in the left-right direction, and the tray stage 7 is disposed at substantially the same position as the conveyor 5 in the left-right direction. The tray stage 6 is disposed immediately behind the dividing conveyor 20, and the tray stage 7 is disposed immediately behind the dividing conveyor 25. The upper surfaces of the tray stages 6 and 7 are formed in a planar shape perpendicular to the vertical direction. The upper surfaces of the tray stages 6 and 7 are disposed above the upper surfaces of the conveyors 4 and 5.

(Robot configuration and operation)
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the robot 9 shown in FIG.

  The robot 8 is a so-called three-axis orthogonal robot. The robot 8 includes a main body frame 35 formed in a gate shape, a movable frame 36 held by the main body frame 35 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction with respect to the main body frame 35, and the movable frame 36. A movable frame 37 held by the movable frame 36 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and a movable frame 38 held by the movable frame 37 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction with respect to the movable frame 37. And a tray grip 39 attached to the movable frame 38. The robot 8 includes a drive mechanism that slides the movable frame 36 in the left-right direction, a drive mechanism that slides the movable frame 37 in the front-rear direction, and a drive mechanism that slides the movable frame 38 in the up-down direction.

  The height of the main body frame 35 is higher than the height of the conveyors 4 and 5. The main body frame 35 is installed so as to straddle the conveyors 4 and 5 that are adjacently arranged in the left-right direction when viewed from the front-rear direction. That is, the main body frame 35 is installed so as to straddle the conveyors 4 and 5 in the left-right direction. The main body frame 35 is disposed so as to straddle the rear end side portions of the division conveyors 19 and 24 and the front end side portions of the division conveyors 20 and 25.

  The movable frame 36 is attached to the upper surface side of the main body frame 35 and is disposed above the conveyors 4 and 5. In addition, the movable frame 36 is disposed above the tray 3 in a stacked state placed on the conveyors 4 and 5. The movable frame 37 is attached to the right side of the movable frame 36. The movable frame 38 is attached to the rear end side of the movable frame 37. The main body frame 35 is fixed to the upper surface 11 a so as to rise from the upper surface 11 a of the main body frame 11. That is, the robot 8 is installed on the upper surface 11a so as to rise from the upper surface 11a.

  The tray grip 39 is attached to the lower end of the movable frame 38. As shown in FIG. 4, the tray gripping portion 39 includes a plurality of suction portions 40 that suck the tray 3, a claw portion 41 for supporting the tray 3 from the lower side, and a claw moving mechanism that moves the claw portion 41. 42. The suction unit 40 contacts the upper surface of the tray 3 and vacuum-sucks the tray 3. The claw portions 41 are disposed at the center position in the front-rear direction of the tray grip portion 39 and are disposed on both sides in the left-right direction. The claw moving mechanism 42 is an air cylinder and moves the claw portion 41 in the left-right direction. When the robot 8 transports the tray 3, the claw portion 41 moves inward in the left-right direction until the claw portion 41 is disposed below the tray 3 to be transported. Further, when the robot 8 transports the tray 3, the suction unit 40 sucks and holds the upper surface of the tray 3.

  The robot 8 carries the tray 3 from the conveyor 4 to the tray stages 6 and 7 and carries the tray 3 from the tray stages 6 and 7 to the conveyor 5. Specifically, the robot 8 transports the stacked trays 3 conveyed to the division conveyor 20 one by one to the tray stage 6 or the tray stage 7, and the stacked trays 3 on the division conveyor 20 are conveyed. Step up. Further, the robot 8 conveys one empty tray 3 from the tray stage 6 or the tray stage 7 to the dividing conveyor 25, and divides it until the number of trays 3 stacked on the dividing conveyor 25 reaches a predetermined number. The trays 3 are stacked on the conveyor 25.

  The robot 9 is a so-called parallel link robot. The robot 9 includes a main body 45, three levers 46 connected to the main body 45, three arm parts 47 connected to each of the three levers 46, and three arm parts 47. A head unit 48 as a movable part to be connected and a panel gripping part 49 attached to the head unit 48 are provided. The main body 45 is fixed to the upper surface 12 a of the main body frame 12. The robot 9 is disposed below the upper surface portion 12a. That is, the robot 9 is installed on the upper surface portion 12a so as to hang from the upper surface portion 12a. The main body 45 is disposed above the tray stages 6 and 7 and is disposed behind the main body frame 35 of the robot 8.

  The three levers 46 are connected to the main body portion 45 so as to extend radially at substantially equal angular pitches toward the outer peripheral side of the main body portion 45. That is, the three levers 46 are connected to the main body 45 so as to extend radially at a pitch of about 120 ° toward the outer peripheral side of the main body 45. In addition, the base end sides of the three levers 46 are rotatably connected to the main body 45. A motor 50 with a speed reducer as a rotation drive mechanism for rotating the lever 46 is disposed at a connecting portion between the main body 45 and the lever 46. The robot 9 of this embodiment includes three motors 50 that rotate each of the three levers 46. The output shaft of the motor 50 is fixed to the base end side of the lever 46.

  The base end side of the arm portion 47 is rotatably connected to the distal end side of the lever 46. Specifically, the arm portion 47 includes two linear arms 52 that are parallel to each other, and the base end sides of the two arms 52 are rotatably connected to the distal end side of the lever 46. Yes. The head unit 48 is rotatably connected to the distal end sides of the three arm portions 47. That is, the head unit 48 is rotatably connected to the distal end side of the six arms 52.

  The panel grip 49 is attached to the lower end of the head unit 48. The panel grip portion 49 includes a plurality of suction portions that vacuum-suck the liquid crystal panel 2. The liquid crystal panel 2 is gripped by sucking the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel 2 by the suction portions. A motor 53 is attached to the upper end of the head unit 48. The panel grip 49 is connected to the motor 53 and can be rotated with the power of the motor 53 so that the vertical direction is the axial direction of rotation.

  In the robot 9, the three motors 50 are individually driven, so that the head unit 48 is maintained in a predetermined posture in a predetermined area at any position in the vertical direction, the horizontal direction, and the front-rear direction. In this state (specifically, with the panel gripping portion 49 facing downward), the head unit 48 can be moved.

  The robot 9 carries out the liquid crystal panels 2 one by one from the tray 3 placed on the tray stage 6 or the tray 3 placed on the tray stage 7. Specifically, the robot 9 carries out the liquid crystal panels 2 one by one from the tray 3 until the tray 3 placed on the tray stages 6 and 7 becomes empty. Further, the robot 9 conveys the liquid crystal panel 2 carried out from the tray 3 to a panel stage 64 described later.

(Supply unit configuration and operation)
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the supply unit 10 shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a plan view of the supply unit 10 shown in FIG.

  The supply unit 10 includes a data reading device 56 that reads data recorded on the liquid crystal panel 2, an alignment device 57 that aligns the liquid crystal panel 2 before the data reading device 56 reads data on the liquid crystal panel 2, and a data A robot 58 that transports the liquid crystal panel 2 after data is read by the reading device 56 to the processing device 15, an ionizer (static discharge device) 59 that removes static electricity from the liquid crystal panel 2 transported to the processing device 15, and alignment A transport device 60 that transports the liquid crystal panel 2 that has been aligned by the device 57 toward the robot 58, a robot 61 that transports the liquid crystal panel 2 that has been aligned by the alignment device 57 to the transport device 60, and these configurations And a base plate 62 on which is fixed.

  The alignment device 57 is placed on the left end side of the base plate 62. The robot 58 is placed on the right end side of the base plate 62. The data reader 56 and the ionizer 59 are placed at the center position of the base plate 62 in the left-right direction. The transfer device 60 is disposed between the alignment device 57 and the robot 58 in the left-right direction. The robot 61 is disposed adjacent to the right side of the alignment device 57. The base plate 62 is placed and fixed on the rear end portion of the upper surface 11 a of the main body frame 11.

  The alignment device 57 includes a panel stage 64 on which the liquid crystal panel 2 carried out from the tray 3 on the tray stages 6 and 7 by the robot 9 is placed, a movable frame 65 that rotatably holds the panel stage 64, and left and right A movable frame 66 that holds the movable frame 65 so that it can slide in the direction, a fixed frame 67 that holds the movable frame 65 so that it can slide in the front-rear direction, and a panel with respect to the movable frame 65 A rotation mechanism that rotates the stage 64, a drive mechanism that slides the movable frame 65 in the left-right direction with respect to the movable frame 66, and a drive mechanism that slides the movable frame 66 in the front-rear direction with respect to the fixed frame 67 are provided. ing. The panel stage 64 includes a plurality of suction units that vacuum-suck the liquid crystal panel 2 placed on the upper surface of the panel stage 64. The fixed frame 67 is fixed to the base plate 62.

  The alignment device 57 includes a camera 68 and an illumination 69 disposed above the panel stage 64. The illumination 69 is a bar illumination having a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) arranged in the front-rear direction. The illumination 69 is arranged below the camera 68 and at a position outside the field of view of the camera 68. In this embodiment, the illumination 69 is disposed on the lower left side of the camera 68. The illumination 69 irradiates the panel stage 64 with indirect light.

  The camera 68 detects an edge of the liquid crystal panel 2 placed on the panel stage 64 (specifically, a corner portion of the liquid crystal panel 2 formed in a rectangular shape). The camera 68 includes a polarizing filter. A polarizing plate (polarizing film) is attached to the upper surface of the panel stage 64. The phase of the polarizing filter of the camera 68 and the phase of the polarizing plate of the panel stage 64 are shifted by 90 °, and the panel stage 64 reflected on the camera 68 becomes black. Therefore, in this embodiment, the contrast between the edge of the liquid crystal panel 2 reflected on the camera 68 and the upper surface of the panel stage 64 is increased, and the camera 68 can accurately detect the edge of the liquid crystal panel 2.

  The alignment device 57 detects the edge of the liquid crystal panel 2 by the camera 68 when the liquid crystal panel 2 carried out by the robot 9 is placed on the panel stage 64. The alignment device 57 also rotates the panel stage 64, slides the movable frame 65 in the left-right direction, and slides the movable frame 66 in the front-rear direction based on the detection result of the edge of the liquid crystal panel 2 by the camera 68. The liquid crystal panel 2 is aligned by performing at least one of the operations. That is, the alignment device 57 detects the edge of the liquid crystal panel 2 and aligns the liquid crystal panel 2 based on the detection result of the edge of the liquid crystal panel 2.

  The transport device 60 includes two slide stages 70 on which the liquid crystal panel 2 is placed, a movable frame 71 to which the two slide stages 70 are fixed, and a movable frame 71 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction. And a driving mechanism that slides the movable frame 71 in the left-right direction with respect to the fixed frame 72. The two slide stages 70 are adjacently arranged in the left-right direction. The slide stage 70 includes a plurality of suction units that vacuum-suck the liquid crystal panel 2 placed on the upper surface of the slide stage 70. The fixed frame 72 is fixed to the base plate 62.

  The robot 61 can slide in the left-right direction, a panel gripping portion 73 that holds the liquid crystal panel 2 by vacuum suction, a movable frame 74 that holds the panel gripping portion 73 so as to be able to slide in the vertical direction. A fixed frame 75 that holds the movable frame 74 so as to become, a lifting mechanism that raises and lowers the panel gripping portion 73 with respect to the movable frame 74, and a drive mechanism that slides the movable frame 74 in the left-right direction with respect to the fixed frame 75. It has. The fixed frame 75 is fixed to the base plate 62. The panel grip 73 is disposed at the same position as the slide stage 70 in the front-rear direction.

  The robot 61 conveys the liquid crystal panel 2 after being aligned by the alignment device 57 from the panel stage 64 to the slide stage 70. Specifically, the robot 61 holds the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel 2 on the panel stage 64 by vacuum suction with the panel gripping portion 73 and moves to the left end side to stop each of the two slide stages 70 stopped. Then, the liquid crystal panel 2 is sequentially transported from the panel stage 64. When the liquid crystal panel 2 is placed on each of the two slide stages 70, the transport device 60 moves the slide stage 70 to the right and transports the liquid crystal panel 2 to the right end side of the transport device 60. .

  The panel gripping portion 73 is disposed behind the camera 68. In addition, the edge of the liquid crystal panel 2 is detected by the camera 68 in a state where the panel stage 64 is disposed directly below the camera 68, and the vacuum suction of the liquid crystal panel 2 by the panel gripping portion 73 is performed directly below the panel gripping portion 73. In the state where the panel stage 64 is disposed on the screen. In this embodiment, the alignment device 57 detects the edge of the liquid crystal panel 2 by the camera 68 and then moves the panel stage 64 from directly below the camera 68 to just below the panel gripping portion 73 while aligning the liquid crystal panel 2. . That is, in this embodiment, the alignment device 57 conveys the liquid crystal panel 2 to a position where it is vacuum-sucked by the panel gripping portion 73 while aligning the liquid crystal panel 2.

  The robot 58 includes two panel gripping portions 76 that grip the liquid crystal panel 2 by vacuum suction, a movable frame 77 that holds the panel gripping portion 76 so as to be able to slide in the vertical direction, and a front-rear direction. A fixed frame 78 that holds the movable frame 77 so as to be slidable, an elevating mechanism that raises and lowers the panel gripping portion 76 with respect to the movable frame 77, and a slide that moves the movable frame 77 forward and backward relative to the fixed frame 78. Drive mechanism. The two panel gripping portions 76 are adjacently arranged in the left-right direction. The pitch of the two panel grips 76 in the left-right direction is equal to the pitch of the two slide stages 70 in the left-right direction. The fixed frame 78 is fixed to the base plate 62.

  The robot 58 carries the liquid crystal panel 2 transported to the right end side of the transport device 60 by the transport device 60 into the processing device 15. Specifically, the robot 58 holds the upper surfaces of the two liquid crystal panels 2 placed on the two slide stages 70 by vacuum suction using the two panel holding portions 76, respectively. Two liquid crystal panels 2 are carried into the processing apparatus 15 together from the slide stage 70.

  The data reader 56 is movable so that it can slide in the vertical direction, and a camera 81 that reads optically readable data such as a two-dimensional code and a one-dimensional code, a movable frame 82 to which the camera 81 is attached. A movable frame 83 that holds the frame 82, a movable frame 84 that holds the movable frame 83 so that it can slide in the left-right direction, and a fixed that holds the movable frame 84 so that it can slide in the front-rear direction. A frame 85, a lifting mechanism that moves the movable frame 82 up and down relative to the movable frame 83, a drive mechanism that slides the movable frame 83 left and right relative to the movable frame 84, and a movable frame 84 that moves back and forth relative to the fixed frame 85 And a drive mechanism that slides in the direction. The fixed frame 85 is fixed to the base plate 62. Further, the data reading device 56 includes illumination for irradiating the liquid crystal panel 2 with light.

  As described above, the data reading device 56 is placed at the center position of the base plate 62 in the left-right direction. The data reading device 56 reads the data recorded on the liquid crystal panel 2 that is conveyed rightward by the conveying device 60 after the position adjustment by the alignment device 57. That is, the data reading device 56 reads the data of the liquid crystal panel 2 after being carried out by the robot 9 from the tray 3 placed on the tray stages 6 and 7. When data is read by the data reading device 56, the transport device 60 is temporarily stopped so that the liquid crystal panel 2 is disposed below the camera 81. The data of the liquid crystal panel 2 read by the data reading device 56 is linked to the liquid crystal panel 2 from which the data has been read as individual data of the liquid crystal panel 2 from which the data has been read.

  The ionizer 59 is disposed above the transport device 60. The ionizer 59 is disposed on the right side of the camera 81 and removes static electricity from the liquid crystal panel 2 after data is read by the data reading device 56.

(Main effects of this form)
As described above, in this embodiment, the robot 8 transports the stacked trays 3 transported to the dividing conveyor 20 one by one to the tray stages 6 and 7, and stacks the stacked trays on the dividing conveyor 20. The tray 3 is arranged. That is, in this embodiment, the tray 3 is automatically separated by the robot 8. For this reason, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress variation in the work of disassembling the tray 3, and it is possible to stabilize the work of disposing the tray 3. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress damage to the liquid crystal panel 2 when the tray 3 is separated.

  In this embodiment, the liquid crystal panel 2 in the tray 3 placed on the tray stages 6 and 7 is carried into the supply unit 10 by the robot 9 and then carried by the robot 61, the carrying device 60 and the robot 58. Are carried into the processing device 15. That is, in this embodiment, the liquid crystal panel 2 is automatically conveyed from the tray 3 after being separated to the processing device 15. For this reason, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress variations in the transport operation of the liquid crystal panel 2 and to stabilize the transport operation of the liquid crystal panel 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress damage to the liquid crystal panel 2 when the liquid crystal panel 2 is transported. Further, in this embodiment, the trays 3 are automatically stacked and stacked, and the liquid crystal panel 2 is automatically transported from the tray 3 after being stacked to the processing device 15, thereby reducing labor costs. It becomes possible.

  In this embodiment, the data of the liquid crystal panel 2 read by the data reading device 56 is linked to the liquid crystal panel 2 from which the data has been read as individual data of the liquid crystal panel 2 from which the data has been read. In this embodiment, the liquid crystal panel 2 after the data is read by the data reading device 56 is conveyed to the processing device 15. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to supply the liquid crystal panel 2 associated with the individual data to the processing device 15, and as a result, the processing device 15 appropriately processes the liquid crystal panel 2 based on the individual data. It becomes possible. Further, in this embodiment, since the liquid crystal panel 2 is aligned by the alignment device 57 before the data reading device 56 reads the data of the liquid crystal panel 2, the data of the liquid crystal panel 2 is surely and accurately detected by the data reading device 56. Can be read.

  In this embodiment, a conveyor 4 that conveys the stacked trays 3 toward the rear side and a conveyor 5 that conveys the stacked trays 3 toward the front side are individually installed. It is possible to carry out the conveyance to the rear side of the tray 3 in the stacked state and the conveyance to the front side of the empty tray 3 in the stacked state. Therefore, in this embodiment, the transport to the rear side of the stacked tray 3 in which the liquid crystal panels 2 are accommodated and the transport to the front side of the stacked empty tray 3 are performed by a common conveyor. In comparison, the cycle time in the transport system 1 can be shortened.

  In this embodiment, since the two tray stages 6 and 7 are installed, for example, while the liquid crystal panel 2 is unloaded from the tray 3 on the tray stage 6 by the robot 9, the robot 8 removes the liquid crystal panel 2 from the tray stage 7. The empty tray 3 can be conveyed to the conveyor 5 and the tray 3 in which the liquid crystal panel 2 is accommodated can be conveyed from the conveyor 4 to the tray stage 7. That is, it is possible to replace the tray 3 on the tray stage 7 by the robot 8 while carrying out the liquid crystal panel 2 from the tray 3 on the tray stage 6 by the robot 9. Therefore, in this embodiment, the cycle time in the transport system 1 can be shortened as compared with the case where the number of tray stages installed is one.

  In this embodiment, the robot 8 is installed on the upper surface 11 a so as to rise from the upper surface 11 a of the main body frame 11, and the robot 9 is hung on the upper surface portion 12 a of the main body frame 12 disposed above the upper end of the robot 8. It is installed on the upper surface part 12a. Therefore, in this embodiment, it becomes easy to prevent interference between the robot 8 and the robot 9 when the robot 8 and the robot 9 are operated simultaneously. In this embodiment, since the robot 9 is a so-called parallel link robot, it is possible to carry out the liquid crystal panel 2 from the tray 3 at a relatively high speed.

  In this embodiment, the robot 8 carries the tray 3 from the conveyor 4 to the tray stages 6 and 7 and carries the tray 3 from the tray stages 6 and 7 to the conveyor 5. Therefore, in this embodiment, a robot that transports the tray 3 from the conveyor 4 to the tray stages 6 and 7 and a robot that transports the tray 3 from the tray stages 6 and 7 to the conveyor 5 are individually provided. Compared to the case, the configuration of the transport system 1 can be simplified.

  In this embodiment, the division conveyor 20 includes a guide member 27 that regulates the movement of the tray 3 in the left-right direction. Further, in this embodiment, the division conveyor 20 includes a contact member 28 with which the rear end of the tray 3 comes into contact. The conveyor 4 is configured so that the tray 3 is transported to the tray stages 6 and 7 by the robot 8 before the tray 3 is conveyed. Is conveyed rearward to bring the tray 3 into contact with the contact member 28. Therefore, in this embodiment, the tray 3 before being transferred to the tray stages 6 and 7 by the robot 8 can be positioned on the conveyor 4. Therefore, in this embodiment, the tray 3 can be placed on the tray stages 6 and 7 with high accuracy.

  In this embodiment, a stage number detection mechanism 29 that detects the number of stages of the tray 3 on the conveyor 4 is attached to the division conveyor 20. For this reason, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent collision between the tray grip portion 39 of the robot 8 and the tray 3 by operating the robot 8 based on the detection result of the stage number detection mechanism 29. Moreover, in this form, the conveyor 4 is comprised by the five division conveyors 16-20 which can be driven individually, and the conveyor 5 is comprised by the five division conveyors 21-25 which can be driven individually. A plurality of stacked trays 3 can be individually conveyed in the front-rear direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the convenience of the conveyors 4 and 5 is improved.

[Embodiment 2]
(Overall configuration of transfer system)
FIG. 8 is a side view of the transport system 91 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the transport system 91 from the FF direction of FIG.

  The transport system 91 of this embodiment is used by being incorporated in a small liquid crystal display production line in the same manner as the transport system 1 of the first embodiment. The transport system 91 transports the liquid crystal panel 2 discharged from the processing device 15. Further, the transport system 91 transports the small liquid crystal panel 2. In the present embodiment, a transfer system 91 is disposed behind the processing device 15. In the following description, components that are the same as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted or simplified.

  The transport system 91 includes four conveyors 94 to 97 that transport the tray 3 that can accommodate the liquid crystal panel 2. Similarly to the conveyors 4 and 5 of the first embodiment, the conveyors 94 to 97 convey the trays 3 (stacked trays 3) stacked in a plurality of stages in the front-rear direction. Further, the transfer system 91 includes the robots 8 and 9 as in the transfer system 1. The width of the main body frame 35 of the robot 8 of the present embodiment in the left-right direction is longer than the length of the main body frame 35 of the robot 8 of the first embodiment, and the left-right direction of the movable frame 36 of the present embodiment. The movable amount is larger than the movable amount of the movable frame 36 of the first embodiment. However, except for this point, the robot 8 of the present embodiment is configured in the same manner as the robot 8 of the first embodiment.

  Further, the transport system 91 includes four tray stages 98 to 101 on which the tray 3 is placed, and a discharge unit 102 that receives the liquid crystal panel 2 discharged from the processing device 15 and delivers it to the robot 9. . The tray stages 98 to 101 are disposed in front of the conveyors 94 to 97. The discharge unit 102 is disposed in front of the tray stages 98 to 101. Further, the transport system 91 includes main body frames 11 and 12 as in the transport system 1.

(Conveyor configuration and operation)
Similar to the conveyors 4 and 5, the conveyors 94 to 97 are roller conveyors including a plurality of rollers. The conveyor 94, the conveyor 95, the conveyor 96, and the conveyor 97 are arranged in this order from the right side to the left side, and are adjacently arranged in the left-right direction. The conveyors 94 and 95 convey the stacked trays 3 toward the front side, and the conveyors 96 and 97 convey the stacked trays 3 toward the rear side. That is, the conveyors 94 and 95 convey the tray 3 in a direction approaching the tray stages 98 to 101, and the conveyors 96 and 97 convey the tray 3 in a direction away from the tray stages 98 to 101.

  The liquid crystal panel 2 is not accommodated in the tray 3 conveyed by the conveyors 94 and 95, and the tray 3 conveyed by the conveyors 94 and 95 is an empty tray. On the other hand, a plurality of liquid crystal panels 2 are accommodated in the tray 3 conveyed by the conveyors 96 and 97. In this embodiment, the conveyors 94 and 95 are supply-side conveyors, and the conveyors 96 and 97 are discharge-side conveyors. The conveyors 94 to 97 may be belt conveyors or the like.

  The conveyors 94 and 95 are configured by three divided conveyors 18 to 20 divided in the front-rear direction. The division conveyors 18 to 20 are arranged in this order from the rear side to the front side. Similarly, the conveyors 96 and 97 are comprised by the three division | segmentation conveyors 23-25 divided | segmented in the front-back direction. The division conveyors 23 to 25 are arranged in this order from the rear side to the front side. As described above, each of the division conveyors 18 to 20 and 23 to 25 includes a motor and a power transmission mechanism that transmits the power of the motor to the rollers. The division conveyors 18 to 20 and 23 to 25 are individually provided. It can be driven.

  On the division conveyor 18, an empty tray 3 in a stacked state that is carried by an operator from a temporary shelf (not shown) is placed. The stacked trays 3 placed on the division conveyor 18 are conveyed to the front side by the conveyors 94 and 95. The stacked trays 3 conveyed to the division conveyor 20 are separated by the robot 8. Further, the tray 3 in which the liquid crystal panels 2 are accommodated is stacked on the division conveyor 25 by the robot 8. When the trays 3 are stacked up to a predetermined number, the stacked trays 3 are conveyed to the rear side by the conveyors 96 and 97. The trays 3 in a stacked state conveyed to the division conveyor 23 are carried by an operator to a temporary storage shelf.

  When the stacked trays 3 are placed on the division conveyor 18, the stacked trays 3 are usually placed on at least one of the division conveyors 19 and 20. . Further, when the trays 3 are stacked on the division conveyor 25, the trays 3 in a stacked state may be placed on at least one of the division conveyors 23 and 24.

  Similar to the first embodiment, the division conveyor 20 includes a guide member 27. In addition, the division conveyor 20 includes a contact member 28. The abutting member 28 is disposed at the front end of the division conveyor 20. That is, the abutting member 28 is disposed at the downstream end in the conveying direction of the tray 3 by the conveyors 94 and 95. As in the first embodiment, the conveyors 94 and 95 convey the tray 3 forward and bring the tray 3 into contact with the contact member 28 before the robot 8 conveys the tray 3 to the tray stages 98 to 101. Further, as in the first embodiment, a stage number detection mechanism 29 is attached to the division conveyor 20.

(Configuration and operation of tray stage)
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the tray stages 98 to 101 shown in FIG.

  One tray 3 is placed on the tray stages 98 to 101. The upper surfaces of the tray stages 98 to 101 are formed in a planar shape perpendicular to the vertical direction. Further, the upper surfaces of the tray stages 98 to 101 are arranged above the upper surfaces of the conveyors 94 to 97. The tray stages 98 and 99 are fixed to the main body frame 11. The tray stage 98 and the tray stage 99 are adjacently arranged in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the tray stage 98 is disposed on the right side, and the tray stage 99 is disposed on the left side.

  The transport system 91 includes a stage moving mechanism 105 that moves the tray stage 100 in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction, and a stage moving mechanism 106 that moves the tray stage 101 in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. That is, the transport system 91 includes two stage moving mechanisms 105 and 106 that individually move the two tray stages 100 and 101. In this embodiment, the tray stages 98 and 99 are fixed tray stages, and the tray stages 100 and 101 are movable tray stages that can move in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction.

  The stage moving mechanism 105 includes a movable frame 107 that holds the tray stage 100 so that it can slide in the left-right direction, a fixed frame 108 that holds the movable frame 107 so that it can slide in the front-rear direction, A drive mechanism that slides the tray stage 100 in the left-right direction relative to the movable frame 107 and a drive mechanism that slides the movable frame 107 in the front-rear direction relative to the fixed frame 108 are provided. Similarly, the stage moving mechanism 106 includes a movable frame 109 that holds the tray stage 101 so that it can slide in the left-right direction, and a fixed frame that holds the movable frame 109 so that it can slide in the front-rear direction. 110, a drive mechanism that slides the tray stage 101 in the left-right direction with respect to the movable frame 109, and a drive mechanism that slides the movable frame 109 in the front-rear direction with respect to the fixed frame 110.

  The stage moving mechanism 105 includes a first stage (a position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 9) where the tray stage 100 is disposed on the right side of the tray stage 98 and a tray stage in front of the right end side portion of the tray stage 98 in the front-rear direction. The tray stage 100 is moved between a second position (a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 9) where the left end side portion of 100 is disposed. That is, the stage moving mechanism 105 moves the tray stage 100 between a first position aligned with the tray stage 98 in the left-right direction and a second position overlapping with a part of the tray stage 98 in the front-rear direction.

  The stage moving mechanism 106 has a tray stage in front of the first position where the tray stage 101 is disposed on the left side of the tray stage 99 (the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 9) and the left end side portion of the tray stage 99 in the front-rear direction. The tray stage 101 is moved between a second position (a position indicated by a solid line in FIG. 9) where the right end side portion of 101 is disposed. That is, the stage moving mechanism 106 moves the tray stage 101 between a first position aligned with the tray stage 99 in the left-right direction and a second position overlapping with a part of the tray stage 99 in the front-rear direction.

(Robot configuration and operation)
As described above, the lateral width of the main body frame 35 of the robot 8 of the present embodiment is longer than the lateral length of the main body frame 35 of the robot 8 of the first embodiment, and the movable frame 36 of the present embodiment. The movable amount in the left-right direction is larger than the movable amount of the movable frame 36 of the first embodiment. The main body frame 35 is installed so as to straddle the conveyors 94 to 97 in the left-right direction. The main body frame 35 is disposed so as to straddle the front end side portions of the division conveyors 19 and 24 and the rear end side portions of the division conveyors 20 and 25.

  The robot 8 transports the tray 3 from the conveyors 94 and 95 to the tray stages 98 to 101 and transports the tray 3 from the tray stages 98 to 101 to the conveyors 96 and 97. Specifically, the robot 8 conveys the stacked empty trays 3 conveyed to the dividing conveyor 20 one by one to the tray stages 98 to 101, and the stacked trays 3 on the dividing conveyor 20 are transferred. Step up. The robot 8 transports one tray 3 containing a predetermined number of liquid crystal panels 2 from the tray stages 98 to 101 to the dividing conveyor 25, and the number of trays 3 stacked on the dividing conveyor 25 is the predetermined number of stages. The trays 3 are stacked on the division conveyor 25 until it becomes.

  In this embodiment, when the tray 3 is transported between the conveyors 94 to 97 and the tray stage 100 by the robot 8, the tray stage 100 is disposed at the first position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. . Similarly, when the robot 8 transports the tray 3 between the conveyors 94 to 97 and the tray stage 101, the tray stage 101 is disposed at the first position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. In this embodiment, the tray stages 100 and 101 disposed at the second position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 9 are out of the operation range of the robot 8.

  The robot 9 has a liquid crystal panel on the tray 3 placed on the tray stage 98, the tray 3 placed on the tray stage 99, the tray 3 placed on the tray stage 100, or the tray 3 placed on the tray stage 101. 2 is carried in one by one. Specifically, the robot 9 carries the liquid crystal panels 2 carried out from a panel stage 113 (described later) one by one into the tray 3 placed on the tray stages 98 to 101. The robot 9 carries in the liquid crystal panel 2 until a predetermined number of liquid crystal panels 2 are accommodated in the tray 3.

  In this embodiment, when the liquid crystal panel 2 is carried into the tray 3 placed on the tray stage 100 by the robot 9, the tray stage 100 is disposed at the second position indicated by the solid line in FIG. Similarly, when the liquid crystal panel 2 is carried into the tray 3 placed on the tray stage 101 by the robot 9, the tray stage 101 is disposed at the second position indicated by the solid line in FIG. In the present embodiment, the tray stages 100 and 101 arranged at the first position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 9 are out of the operation range of the robot 9.

(Configuration and operation of the discharge unit)
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the discharge unit 102 shown in FIG. 12 is a plan view of the discharge unit 102 shown in FIG.

  The discharge unit 102 includes panel stages 111 to 113 on which the liquid crystal panel 2 is placed. The discharge unit 102 according to this embodiment includes a pair of (two) panel stages 111 arranged adjacent in the left-right direction, a pair of panel stages 112 arranged adjacent in the left-right direction, and a pair of panels arranged adjacent in the left-right direction. Stage 113. Panel stages 111 to 113 are fixed to the left end side of base plate 114. The pair of panel stages 111 to 113 are arranged in this order from the front side to the rear side at a constant pitch. Further, the pair of panel stages 111 to 113 are disposed at the same position in the left-right direction. The panel stages 111 to 113 include a plurality of suction units that vacuum-suck the liquid crystal panel 2 placed on the upper surfaces of the panel stages 111 to 113.

  The discharge unit 102 also includes a data reading device 116 that reads data recorded on the liquid crystal panel 2, a robot 117 that transports the liquid crystal panel 2 discharged from the processing device 15 to the panel stage 111, and a placement on the panel stage 111. A robot 118 for transporting the liquid crystal panel 2 to the panel stages 112 and 113 and an ionizer 59 for removing static electricity from the liquid crystal panel 2 carried into the tray 3 are provided. These configurations are placed and fixed on the base plate 114. The base plate 114 is placed and fixed on the front end side portion of the upper surface 11 a of the main body frame 11. The ionizer 59 is disposed above the panel stage 111 and removes static electricity from the liquid crystal panel 2 placed on the panel stage 111.

  The robot 117 includes two panel gripping portions 121 that grip the liquid crystal panel 2 by vacuum suction, a movable frame 122 that holds the panel gripping portion 121 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, and a horizontal direction. A fixed frame 123 that holds the movable frame 122 so as to be slidable, an elevating mechanism that raises and lowers the panel gripper 121 with respect to the movable frame 122, and a movable frame 122 that slides in the left-right direction relative to the fixed frame 123 Drive mechanism.

  The fixed frame 123 is fixed to the base plate 114. The two panel grips 121 are arranged with a predetermined interval in the left-right direction. The two panel grips 121 are arranged at the same position as the panel stage 111 in the front-rear direction. The robot 117 holds the two liquid crystal panels 2 discharged from the processing device 15 by vacuum suction using the panel holding unit 121 and conveys them to the panel stage 111. The liquid crystal panel 2 discharged from the processing device 15 is aligned by an alignment mechanism provided inside the processing device 15.

  The robot 118 can slide in the vertical direction with two panel gripping portions 124 that grip the liquid crystal panel 2 by vacuum suction and two panel gripping portions 125 that grip the liquid crystal panel 2 by vacuum suction. The movable frame 126 that holds the panel gripping portions 124 and 125, the fixed frame 127 that holds the movable frame 126 so that it can slide in the front-rear direction, and the panel gripping portion 124, An elevating mechanism for elevating 125 and a drive mechanism for sliding the movable frame 126 in the front-rear direction with respect to the fixed frame 127 are provided. The fixed frame 127 is fixed to the base plate 114.

  The two panel grips 124 are arranged with a predetermined gap in the left-right direction, and the two panel grips 125 are arranged with a predetermined gap in the left-right direction. The panel gripper 124 and the panel gripper 125 are arranged in a state where a predetermined interval is provided in the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the panel grip portion 124 is disposed on the front side, and the panel grip portion 125 is disposed on the rear side. The pitch between the panel gripping portion 124 and the panel gripping portion 125 in the front-rear direction is equal to the pitch of the panel stages 111 to 113 in the front-rear direction. The panel grips 124 and 125 are disposed at the same positions as the panel stages 111 to 113 in the left-right direction.

  The robot 118 sequentially transports the liquid crystal panel 2 placed on the panel stage 111 to the panel stage 112 and the panel stage 113. Specifically, the panel gripper 124 transports the liquid crystal panel 2 placed on the panel stage 111 to the panel stage 112, and the panel gripper 125 moves the liquid crystal panel 2 placed on the panel stage 112 to the panel stage. It is conveyed to 113. The liquid crystal panel 2 placed on the panel stage 113 is conveyed to the tray 3 placed on the tray stages 98 to 101 by the robot 9.

  The data reading device 116 has two cameras 81, two movable frames 129 that hold the two cameras 81 so that they can slide in the vertical direction, and can slide in the horizontal direction. The movable frame 130 that holds the two movable frames 129, the movable frame 131 that holds the movable frame 130 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and the sliding in the left-right direction are possible. A fixed frame 132 that holds the movable frame 131, an elevating mechanism that raises and lowers each of the two cameras 81 with respect to each of the two movable frames 129, and each of the two movable frames 129 with respect to the movable frame 130 And a movable mechanism 130 that slides in the front-rear direction relative to the movable frame 131. A drive mechanism for de, and a drive mechanism for sliding the movable frame 131 in the lateral direction with respect to the fixed frame 132. The fixed frame 132 is fixed to the base plate 114. In addition, the data reading device 116 includes illumination for irradiating the liquid crystal panel 2 with light.

  The data reading device 116 is placed at the center position of the base plate 114 in the front-rear direction, and reads data recorded on the liquid crystal panel 2 placed on the panel stage 112. That is, the data reading device 116 reads the data of the liquid crystal panel 2 before being carried into the tray 3 on the tray stages 98 to 101 by the robot 9. The data of the liquid crystal panel 2 read by the data reading device 116 is linked to the liquid crystal panel 2 from which the data has been read as individual data of the liquid crystal panel 2 from which the data has been read.

(Main effects of this form)
As described above, in this embodiment, the robot 8 conveys one tray 3 containing the liquid crystal panel 2 from the tray stages 98 to 101 to the dividing conveyor 25 and stacks the trays 3 on the dividing conveyor 25. doing. That is, in this embodiment, the trays 3 are automatically stacked by the robot 8. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress variations in the stacking work of the trays 3 and to stabilize the stacking work of the trays 3. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress damage to the liquid crystal panel 2 when stacking the trays 3.

  In this embodiment, the tray stages 100 and 101 are movable between a first position indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 9 and a second position indicated by a solid line in FIG. Therefore, in this embodiment, the tray stages 100 and 101 arranged at the second position are out of the operation range of the robot 8, and the tray stages 100 and 101 arranged at the first position are out of the operation range of the robot 9. Even if it is detached, the robot 8 can transport the tray 3 between the conveyors 94 to 97 and the tray stages 100 and 101, and the robot 9 can transfer the liquid crystal panel 2 to the tray 3 on the tray stages 100 and 101. Can be carried in. That is, in this embodiment, even if the movable range of the robot 8 or the movable range of the robot 8 is narrowed, the robot 3 can transport the tray 3 between the conveyors 94 to 97 and the tray stages 100 and 101. At the same time, the robot 9 can carry the liquid crystal panel 2 into the tray 3 on the tray stages 100 and 101.

  In the present embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. For example, in the present embodiment, the liquid crystal panel 2 discharged from the processing device 15 is transported to the tray stage 113 by the robots 117 and 118 and then carried into the tray 3 on the tray stages 98 to 101 by the robot 9. In addition, it is possible to suppress variations in the transport operation of the liquid crystal panel 2, and it is possible to stabilize the transport operation of the liquid crystal panel 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to suppress damage to the liquid crystal panel 2 when the liquid crystal panel 2 is transported.

  Further, for example, in this embodiment, the data of the liquid crystal panel 2 read by the data reading device 116 is linked to the liquid crystal panel 2 from which the data has been read as individual data of the liquid crystal panel 2 from which the data has been read, and the data Since the liquid crystal panel 2 after the data is read by the reading device 116 is carried into the tray 3 on the tray stages 98 to 101, the liquid crystal panel 2 associated with the individual data can be accommodated in the tray 3. become.

[Modification of Embodiment 1]
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a supply unit 140 according to a modification of the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a plan view of the supply unit 140 shown in FIG.

  In the transport system 1 of the first embodiment, the small liquid crystal panel 2 is transported. However, in the transport system 1, a medium-sized liquid crystal panel 2 (for example, a 15-inch liquid crystal panel 2) may be transported. When the liquid crystal panel 2 transported by the transport system 1 is small, in general, the cycle time required by the supply unit 10 is smaller than when the liquid crystal panel 2 transported by the transport system 1 is a medium size. Shorter. The supply unit 10 includes a panel stage 64, movable frames 65 and 66, a fixed frame 67, and a robot 61 in order to shorten the cycle time in the supply unit 10.

  On the other hand, when the liquid crystal panel 2 transported by the transport system 1 is a medium size, a configuration corresponding to the panel stage 64, a configuration corresponding to the movable frames 65 and 66, a configuration corresponding to the fixed frame 67, and a robot A supply unit 140 that does not have a configuration corresponding to 61 may be installed in place of the supply unit 10. Hereinafter, the configuration of the supply unit 140 will be described. In the following description, the same reference numerals are assigned to configurations common to those in Embodiment 1, and description thereof is omitted or simplified.

  The supply unit 140 includes a data reading device 146 that reads data recorded on the liquid crystal panel 2, a robot 148 that conveys the liquid crystal panel 2 after the data is read by the data reading device 146, and the processing device 15. An ionizer 59 that removes static electricity from the liquid crystal panel 2 that is transported to the robot, and a transport device 150 that transports the liquid crystal panel 2 after data is read by the data reader 146 toward the robot 148.

  The data reading device 146, the robot 148, the ionizer 59, and the transport device 150 are placed and fixed on the base plate 152. The data reading device 146 is placed on the left end side of the base plate 152. The robot 148 is placed on the right end side of the base plate 152. The ionizer 59 is placed at the center position of the base plate 152 in the left-right direction. The conveyance device 150 is disposed between the data reading device 146 and the robot 148 in the left-right direction. The base plate 152 is placed and fixed on the rear end portion of the upper surface 11 a of the main body frame 11.

  Further, the supply unit 140 includes two cameras 68 and two lights 69 for aligning the liquid crystal panel 2 before the data reading device 146 reads the data of the liquid crystal panel 2. The camera 68 and the illumination 69 are disposed on the front side of the transport device 150. Further, the camera 68 and the illumination 69 are disposed between the tray stage 6 and the tray stage 7 when viewed from above and below. The camera 68 and the illumination 69 are placed on a base plate 153 fixed to the upper surface 11 a of the main body frame 11, and the camera 68 detects the edge of the liquid crystal panel 2 from the lower side of the liquid crystal panel 2.

  The camera 68 detects two corners on one diagonal line of the liquid crystal panel 2 formed in a rectangular shape, so that two of the right front end side of the base plate 153 and the left rear end side of the base plate 153 are detected. It is placed in the place. The two illuminations 69 are disposed between the two cameras 68 in the front-rear direction. The illumination 69 is arranged to emit light downward, and when the camera 68 detects the edge of the liquid crystal panel 2, the light reflected by the base plate 153 (that is, indirect light) is reflected. The liquid crystal panel 2 is irradiated.

  The data reading device 146 includes a camera 81 and a fixed frame 154 to which the camera 81 is fixed. The fixed frame 154 is fixed to the base plate 152. Further, the data reading device 146 includes illumination for irradiating the liquid crystal panel 2 with light. The camera 81 reads data recorded on the liquid crystal panel 2 from the lower side of the liquid crystal panel 2.

  The transport device 150 includes a slide stage 155 on which the liquid crystal panel 2 is placed, a fixed frame 156 that holds the slide stage 155 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction, and a slide stage 155 with respect to the fixed frame 156. And a drive mechanism that slides in the left-right direction. The slide stage 155 includes a plurality of suction units that vacuum-suck the liquid crystal panel 2 placed on the upper surface of the slide stage 155. The fixed frame 156 is fixed to the base plate 152.

  The robot 148 can slide in the left and right directions, a panel holding portion 158 that holds the liquid crystal panel 2 by vacuum suction, a movable frame 159 that holds the panel holding portion 158 so that it can slide in the up and down directions, and the like. The movable frame 160 that holds the movable frame 159 so as to become, the fixed frame 161 that holds the movable frame 160 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction, and the panel gripper 158 are raised and lowered with respect to the movable frame 159 An elevating mechanism, a drive mechanism for sliding the movable frame 159 in the left-right direction with respect to the movable frame 160, and a drive mechanism for sliding the movable frame 160 in the front-rear direction with respect to the fixed frame 161 are provided. The fixed frame 161 is fixed to the base plate 152.

  In this modification, the robot 9 transports the liquid crystal panel 2 carried out from the tray 3 on the tray stages 6 and 7 directly above the camera 68. When the edge of the liquid crystal panel 2 is detected by the camera 68, the robot 9 transports the liquid crystal panel 2 to the data reading device 146 while aligning the liquid crystal panel 2 based on the detection result of the edge of the liquid crystal panel 2. To do. In this modification, an alignment device that aligns the liquid crystal panel 2 is configured by the robot 9, the camera 68, and the illumination 69. The alignment device detects the edge of the liquid crystal panel 2 and detects the edge of the liquid crystal panel 2. The liquid crystal panel 2 is aligned based on the detection result.

  When the liquid crystal panel 2 is conveyed above the data reading device 146, the camera 81 reads the data on the liquid crystal panel 2. When the data of the liquid crystal panel 2 is read by the camera 81, the robot 9 transports the liquid crystal panel 2 to the slide stage 155 that has moved to the left end side and stopped, and places the liquid crystal panel 2 on the slide stage 155. When the liquid crystal panel 2 is placed on the slide stage 155, the transport device 150 moves the slide stage 155 to the right and transports the liquid crystal panel 2 to the right end side of the transport device 150. The robot 148 holds the liquid crystal panel 2 transported to the right end side of the transport apparatus 150 by vacuum suction using the panel gripping unit 158 and carries the liquid crystal panel 2 from the slide stage 155 into the processing apparatus 15. The ionizer 59 is disposed above the transport device 150 and removes static electricity from the liquid crystal panel 2 transported by the transport device 150.

[Modification of Embodiment 2]
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a discharge unit 172 according to a modification of the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is a plan view of the discharge unit 172 shown in FIG.

  In the transport system 91 of the second embodiment, the small liquid crystal panel 2 is transported, but in the transport system 91, the medium-sized liquid crystal panel 2 may be transported. When the liquid crystal panel 2 is small, the cycle time required for the discharge unit 102 is generally shorter than when the liquid crystal panel 2 is medium. Therefore, the configuration of the discharge unit 172 installed when the liquid crystal panel 2 transported by the transport system 91 is a medium size may be different from the configuration of the discharge unit 102 of the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the configuration of the discharge unit 172 will be described. In the following description, the same reference numerals are assigned to configurations common to Embodiments 1 and 2, and the description thereof is omitted or simplified.

  The discharge unit 172 includes a panel stage 173 on which the liquid crystal panel 2 is placed. The panel stage 173 is fixed to the left rear end side of the base plate 174. The panel stage 173 includes a plurality of suction units that vacuum-suck the liquid crystal panel 2 placed on the upper surface of the panel stage 173. The discharge unit 172 includes a data reading device 175 that reads data recorded on the liquid crystal panel 2, a robot 176 that transfers the liquid crystal panel 2 discharged from the processing device 15 to the panel stage 173, a transfer device 177, and a robot 178. And an ionizer 59 for removing static electricity from the liquid crystal panel 2 carried into the tray 3. These configurations are placed and fixed on the base plate 174.

  The data reading device 175 is disposed immediately behind the panel stage 173. The robot 176 is placed on the right end side of the base plate 174, and the robot 178 is placed on the left end side of the base plate 174. The ionizer 59 is placed at the center position of the base plate 174 in the left-right direction. The transfer device 177 is disposed between the robot 176 and the robot 178 in the left-right direction. The base plate 174 is placed and fixed on the front end side portion of the upper surface 11 a of the main body frame 11.

  The data reading device 175 includes a camera 81 and a fixed frame 179 to which the camera 81 is fixed. The fixed frame 179 is fixed to the base plate 174. In addition, the data reading device 175 includes illumination for irradiating the liquid crystal panel 2 with light. The camera 81 reads data recorded on the liquid crystal panel 2 from the lower side of the liquid crystal panel 2.

  The transport device 177 includes a slide stage 180 on which the liquid crystal panel 2 is placed, a fixed frame 181 that holds the slide stage 180 so as to be slidable in the left-right direction, and a slide stage 180 with respect to the fixed frame 181. And a drive mechanism that slides in the left-right direction. The slide stage 180 includes a plurality of suction units that vacuum-suck the liquid crystal panel 2 placed on the upper surface of the slide stage 180. The fixed frame 181 is fixed to the base plate 174.

  The robot 176 can slide in the left and right directions, a panel holding portion 184 that holds the liquid crystal panel 2 by vacuum suction, a movable frame 185 that holds the panel holding portion 184 so that it can slide in the vertical direction, and the like. A fixed frame 186 that holds the movable frame 185 so that the panel holding portion 184 is moved up and down relative to the movable frame 185, and a drive mechanism that slides the movable frame 185 left and right relative to the fixed frame 186. It has.

  The fixed frame 186 is fixed to the base plate 174. The panel grip 184 is disposed at the same position as the slide stage 180 in the front-rear direction. The robot 176 holds the liquid crystal panel 2 discharged from the processing apparatus 15 by vacuum suction with the panel gripping portion 184, conveys the liquid crystal panel 2 to the slide stage 180 that has moved to the right end side and stopped, and slide stage. The liquid crystal panel 2 is placed on 180.

  The robot 178 can slide in the front-rear direction and a panel gripping part 187 that holds the liquid crystal panel 2 by vacuum suction, a movable frame 188 that holds the panel gripping part 187 so that it can slide in the up-down direction. A fixed frame 189 that holds the movable frame 188 so that the panel holding portion 187 is moved up and down relative to the movable frame 188, and a drive mechanism that slides the movable frame 188 in the front-rear direction relative to the fixed frame 189 It has.

  The fixed frame 188 is fixed to the base plate 174. The panel grip 187 is disposed at the same position as the panel stage 173 in the left-right direction. The robot 178 holds the liquid crystal panel 2 placed on the slide stage 180 that has been stopped by moving to the left end side by vacuum suction with the panel gripping part 187 and transports it to the panel stage 173.

  In this modification, the robot 9 conveys the liquid crystal panel 2 placed on the panel stage 173 above the data reading device 175. When the liquid crystal panel 2 is conveyed above the data reading device 175, the camera 81 reads the data on the liquid crystal panel 2. When the data of the liquid crystal panel 2 is read by the camera 81, the robot 9 carries the liquid crystal panel 2 to the tray 3 placed on the tray stages 98 to 101 as it is. The ionizer 59 is disposed above the transport device 177 and removes static electricity from the liquid crystal panel 2 transported by the transport device 177.

[Other embodiments]
The above-described embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  In the above-described form, the transport system 1 transports the liquid crystal panel 2 supplied to the processing device 15, and the transport system 91 transports the liquid crystal panel 2 discharged from the processing device 15, but the present invention is applied. The transporting system that transports the liquid crystal panel 2 supplied to the processing device 15 may transport the liquid crystal panel 2 that is discharged from the processing device 15. The transfer system in this case includes the robots 8 and 9 and, like the transfer system 91, four conveyors 94 to 97, four tray stages 98 to 101, and two stage moving mechanisms 105 and 106. And. In this case, the transport system includes, for example, a camera 68, an illumination 69, a data reading device 56, and the like.

  In this case, the conveyors 94 to 97 convey the stacked trays 3 in which the liquid crystal panels 2 are accommodated. The robot 8 conveys the tray 3 in which the liquid crystal panel 2 is accommodated between the conveyors 94 to 97 and the tray stages 98 to 101. That is, the robot 8 stacks and stacks the trays 3 in which the liquid crystal panels 2 are accommodated. The robot 9 carries out the liquid crystal panel 2 from the tray 3 on the tray stages 98 to 101 and carries the liquid crystal panel 2 into the tray 3 on the tray stages 98 to 101. Further, for example, the data reading device 56 includes data of the liquid crystal panel 2 (the liquid crystal panel 2 supplied to the processing device 15) after being carried out of the tray 3 by the robot 9 and liquid crystal carried into the tray 3 by the robot 9. Data of the panel 2 (the liquid crystal panel 2 discharged from the processing device 15) is read.

  In this case, it is preferable that the tray stage (empty tray stage) on which the empty tray 3 is placed is installed within the operation range of the robot 8. On this empty tray stage, for example, about three empty trays 3 are placed in a stacked state, and the robot 8 moves empty trays from the empty tray stage to the tray stages 98 to 101 as necessary. 3 is conveyed. Moreover, the robot 8 conveys the empty tray 3 on the tray stages 98 to 101 to the empty tray stage as necessary.

  In the embodiment described above, one tray 3 is placed on the tray stages 6, 7, 98 to 101. However, the tray stages 6, 7, 98 to 101 are placed so that the plurality of trays 3 do not overlap each other. It may be placed. In the above-described form, the transport system 1 includes the two tray stages 6 and 7, and the transport system 91 includes the four tray stages 98 to 101. However, the transport system 1 includes the four tray stages. The transport system 91 may include two tray stages. Further, the number of tray stages provided in the transport systems 1 and 91 may be three, or may be five or more. Further, the number of tray stages provided in the transport systems 1 and 91 may be one.

  In the embodiment described above, the transport system 1 includes the two conveyors 4 and 5, and the transport system 91 includes the four conveyors 94 to 97, but the transport system 1 includes the four conveyors and the transport system 91. May have two conveyors. Further, the number of conveyors included in the transport systems 1 and 91 may be three, or may be five or more. Further, the number of conveyors included in the transport systems 1 and 91 may be one.

  In the second embodiment, the tray stages 100 and 101 arranged at the second position shown by the solid line in FIG. 9 are out of the operation range of the robot 8, but the tray stages 100 and 101 arranged at the second position are the robot. It may be within the operating range of 8. In this case, the stage moving mechanisms 105 and 106 become unnecessary, and the tray stages 100 and 101 are fixed at the second position, for example. In the second embodiment, the tray stages 100 and 101 arranged at the first position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 9 are out of the operating range of the robot 9, but the tray stage 100 arranged at the first position. , 101 may be within the operating range of the robot 9. In this case, the stage moving mechanisms 105 and 106 are not necessary, and the tray stages 100 and 101 are fixed at the first position, for example.

  In the embodiment described above, the conveyors 4, 5, 94 to 97 are constituted by a plurality of divided conveyors, but the conveyors 4, 5, 94 to 97 may be integrated conveyors. Moreover, in Embodiment 1, the conveyor 4 and the conveyor 5 are adjacently arranged in the left-right direction, but the conveyor 4 and the conveyor 5 may be arranged so as to overlap in the up-down direction. Similarly, in the second embodiment, the four conveyors 94 to 97 are adjacently arranged in the left-right direction, but any two conveyors 94 to 97 selected from the four conveyors 94 to 97 can be used. You may arrange | position so that the remaining two conveyors 94-97 may overlap with an up-down direction.

  In the embodiment described above, the robot 8 is a three-axis orthogonal robot that can move the tray gripping portion 39 in the vertical direction, the left-right direction, and the front-back direction. However, the robot 8 moves the tray gripping portion 39 in the left-right direction and the front-back direction. It may be a biaxial orthogonal robot that can be moved in the direction. In this case, the conveyors 4, 5, 94 to 97, which are roller conveyors, are provided with a lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers a plurality of rollers. The robot 8 may be a horizontal articulated robot. In the embodiment described above, the robot 9 is a parallel link robot, but the robot 9 may be a horizontal articulated robot. In this case, the robot 9 may be installed on the upper surface 11 a so as to rise from the upper surface 11 a of the main body frame 11.

  In the form described above, the robot 8 transports the tray 3 from the conveyors 4, 94, 95 to the tray stages 6, 7, 98-101, and from the tray stages 6, 7, 98-101 to the conveyors 5, 96, 97. The tray 3 is transported by a robot that transports the tray 3 from the conveyors 4, 94, 95 to the tray stages 6, 7, 98-101, and the conveyor from the tray stages 6, 7, 98-101. A robot that transports the tray 3 to 5, 96, and 97 may be provided individually. In the above-described embodiment, the display panel transported by the transport systems 1 and 91 is the liquid crystal panel 2, but the display panel transported by the transport systems 1 and 91 is a display panel other than the liquid crystal panel 2. Also good. For example, the display panel transported by the transport systems 1 and 91 may be an organic EL panel.

1, 91 Transport system 2 Liquid crystal panel (display panel)
3 Tray 4, 94, 95 Conveyor (Supply side conveyor)
5, 96, 97 Conveyor (discharge conveyor)
6, 7 Tray stage 8 Robot (first transfer robot)
9 Robot (second transfer robot)
11 Body frame (first frame)
11a Top surface (installation surface)
12 Body frame (second frame)
12a Upper surface part (installation part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Processing apparatus 16-25 Division conveyor 27 Guide member 28 Contact member 29 Stage number detection mechanism 30 Sensor 31 Lifting mechanism 45 Main-body part 46 Lever 47 Arm part 48 Head unit (movable part)
49 Panel gripping part 50 Motor (rotation drive mechanism)
52 Arm 56, 116, 146, 175 Data reading device 57 Alignment device 98, 99 Tray stage (fixed tray stage)
100, 101 Tray stage (movable tray stage)
105, 106 Stage moving mechanism X Tray transport direction Y Left-right direction

Claims (10)

A transport system that performs at least one of transport of a display panel supplied to a predetermined processing apparatus and transport of the display panel discharged from the predetermined processing apparatus,
A conveyor that stacks a plurality of stages and that can accommodate display panels; a tray stage on which the tray is placed; a first transport robot that transports the tray between the conveyor and the tray stage; A second transfer robot that carries out at least one of carrying out the display panel from the tray placed on the tray stage and carrying the display panel into the tray placed on the tray stage; A data reader for reading data recorded on the panel,
The data reading device includes at least one of the data of the display panel after being carried out of the tray by the second transport robot and the data of the display panel before being carried into the tray by the second transport robot. A conveyance system characterized by reading one of them. As the conveyor, a supply-side conveyor that conveys the tray in a direction approaching the tray stage, and a discharge-side conveyor that conveys the tray in a direction away from the tray stage,
The said 1st conveyance robot performs conveyance of the said tray from the said supply side conveyor to the said tray stage, and conveyance of the said tray from the said tray stage to the said discharge side conveyor. Conveying system.   The supply-side conveyor is disposed on both sides in the left-right direction orthogonal to the transport direction and the vertical direction of the tray, and is disposed at a downstream end in the transport direction of the tray, and a guide member that restricts the movement of the tray in the left-right direction. 3. The contact member according to claim 2, further comprising: a contact member that contacts the tray, wherein the tray is brought into contact with the contact member before the tray is transported to the tray stage by the first transport robot. Conveying system.   The transport system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of the tray stages.   An alignment device that detects an edge of the display panel carried out of the tray by the second transfer robot and aligns the display panel based on a detection result of the edge of the display panel is provided. The transport system according to claim 1. A stage number detecting mechanism for detecting the number of stages of the tray on the conveyor;
The transport system according to claim 1, wherein the stage number detection mechanism includes a sensor that detects the presence or absence of the tray and a lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers the sensor.   The said conveyor is comprised by the some division conveyor which is divided | segmented in the conveyance direction of the said tray and can be driven separately, The conveyance system in any one of Claim 1 to 6 characterized by the above-mentioned. A first frame on which the first transfer robot is installed; and a second frame on which the second transfer robot is installed;
An installation surface on which the first transfer robot is installed is formed on the first frame,
The second frame includes an installation unit that is arranged above the installation surface and on which the second transfer robot is installed,
The first transfer robot is installed on the installation surface so as to rise from the installation surface,
The transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the second transfer robot is installed in the installation unit so as to hang from the installation unit. The second transfer robot includes a main body, a plurality of levers that are pivotally connected to the main body, and a base end side that is pivotable to the distal ends of the levers. A plurality of arm portions to be connected, a movable portion rotatably connected to the distal ends of the plurality of arm portions, a panel gripping portion attached to the movable portion and gripping the display panel, and the plurality of levers A plurality of rotation drive mechanisms for rotating each of the
The plurality of levers are coupled to the main body so as to extend radially at substantially equal angular pitches toward the outer periphery of the main body,
The arm portion includes two linear arms parallel to each other,
The base end sides of the two arms are rotatably connected to the distal end side of the lever, and the movable portion is rotatably connected to the distal ends of the two arms.
The transport system according to claim 8, wherein the main body is fixed to the installation unit. As the tray stage, two fixed tray stages that are adjacently arranged in the left-right direction orthogonal to the tray conveyance direction and the vertical direction, and two movable trays that are movable in the tray conveyance direction and the horizontal direction A stage, and two stage moving mechanisms for individually moving the two movable tray stages,
The stage moving mechanism moves the movable tray stage between a first position aligned with the fixed tray stage in the left-right direction and a second position overlapping at least a part of the fixed tray stage in the tray transport direction. The conveyance system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by things.

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