JP4235891B2 - Carriage transfer device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a carriage conveying device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When assembling the parts to be transported to manufacture an apparatus or equipment, an assembly cart has been used in recent years in place of the conventional belt conveyor. The assembly cart is loaded with parts and moved by an external driving means. An operator on a belt conveyor and a carriage that moves synchronously performs a predetermined part assembling work while moving a certain distance, and gets off the assembling carriage after the work is completed. It is desirable that the length of the assembly line, that is, the number of assembly carts, can be easily and quickly changed when the number of processes is changed due to changes in the number of production units, work time, or the like.
[0003]
In the transport apparatus for an assembly carriage disclosed in the first conventional example (see Patent Document 1), assembly carriages are arranged on a guide rail at regular intervals, and are conveyed by conveyance means arranged in parallel with the guide rail. For example, when the number of assembling steps increases, the arrangement route of the guide rails and the conveying means must be changed to increase the number of assembling carts. This is the same as changing the arrangement route of the belt conveyor in order to increase the number of processes, and therefore requires a lot of labor and time.
[0004]
On the other hand, in the transfer apparatus (see Patent Document 2) provided with the work table disclosed in the second conventional example, a branch (bypass) line is provided in addition to the assembly line. The detour line branches off from the branch point on the assembly line, and joins at the junction point downstream of the branch point. By changing the number of assembly carts flowing from the assembly line to the detour line, the number of assembly carts on the assembly line, that is, the length of the assembly line can be changed.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-41156 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-7-33056 [0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the transfer device of the second conventional example requires a bypass line in addition to the assembly line. As a result, the equipment cost of the detour line, the arrangement space of the detour line, and the transport means for transporting the assembly cart on the detour line are required. Further, an assembly line and a plurality of conveying means are required. These increase costs and reduce the available space on the factory floor.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a carriage transport device that can easily and inexpensively change the length of a production line, that is, the number of carriages constituting the production line.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The inventor of the present application reduces the drive equipment arranged on the floor as much as possible, more specifically, the plurality of carriages are arranged in contact with each other, and the rearmost carriage is provided by one propulsion providing means arranged on the floor. Alternatively, the present invention has been completed by conceiving that a propulsive force is applied to the second carriage from the forefront and no conveying force is applied to the other carriages including the forefront carriage.
[0009]
The carriage device according to the present invention is a carriage device for a plurality of carriages that run on the floor, as described in claim 1, and is a guide means that is arranged on the floor and indicates the route and position of the carriage. And a carriage group consisting of a plurality of the carriages that are arranged in abutment with each other in front of a predetermined point of the transport path and constitute a line, and a predetermined distance forward from the carriage group that is disposed on the floor as a group. comprising a driving force applying means for running, the reading unit reads the path and position of the guide means, at least one conveyor Ru includes an engagement member coupled and separated to a driving source and the carriage, the said conveyor The machine travels along one of the carts along the transport path and carries the cart to the rearmost end of the cart group constituting the line, and then disengages the engaging member from the cart loaded , and then guides the guide. Previous position of means By reading by the reading unit, characterized by carrying out the該台vehicle by engaging the engaging member to the forwardmost truck該台vehicle group without accurate positioning.
[0010]
In this transport apparatus, the transporter carries the last cart into the cart group, and the propulsive force imparting means imparts propulsive force to the cart group including the loaded cart . Thus, the carriage group is integrally propelled by the propulsive force (pushing force or pulling force) of the propulsive force applying means.
[0011]
In the transport apparatus according to claim 1, the guide means preferably includes a magnetic tape and an address mark (claim 2) .
3. The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the transport machine is configured to carry out the cart by engaging the engaging member with the foremost cart of the cart group moving by the propulsion force applying means. (Claim 3).
[0012]
In the transport device of claim 1, wherein the conveyor is after loading the carriage one to the last end of the carriage groups, before Symbol propulsion force applying means to promote該台vehicle group it is preferable to configure to pass forward in the traveling direction of the passage space is formed in the lower portion of該台vehicle group at a faster rate than該台vehicle group while to the predetermined distance running (claim 4).
[0013]
Oite the conveying equipment according to claim 4, when adding the dolly to the carriage group constituting a line extending the length of the line, the conveyor passing through the該台vehicle group the passage space of It is preferable that the moving speed is set to a speed higher than the speed before the carriage is added (Claim 5) .
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
<Line, guide means>
The line of the present invention is a part preparation / parts pre-assembly line for removing parts from the shelf and assembling them, an assembly line for assembling equipment and devices from the parts, and an unloading line for unloading the completed equipment to the position. It can be. The extension direction and relative positional relationship of these lines on the floor are determined by the guide means.
<Guiding means>
The guide means may include an annular or looped traveling magnetic tape and a plurality of address marks spaced laterally. The belt-shaped traveling magnetic tape includes, for example, one straight line portion, the other straight line portion, one curved portion, and the other curved portion, and determines the conveyance path of the conveyance machine.
[0015]
The address mark indicates a position (address) on the guide member, and is arranged in the vicinity of the traveling magnetic tape of each line such as a component preparation line, and forms an operation instruction position to the transporter.
<Propulsion means>
There are two types of propulsion means. The first type of propulsive force applying means is fixed to the floor in correspondence with the rearmost position (line entrance) of the bogie group, and applies a pushing force to the bogie group. It is desirable that a propulsive force can be imparted to the cart that has reached the entrance without accompanying movement. In this respect, a friction motor composed of a driving roller and a driven roller arranged at predetermined intervals on both sides of the carriage is excellent.
[0016]
The second type of propulsive force applying means is provided corresponding to the second unit (near the exit) from the forefront, and applies a tensile force to the second unit. The carts are connected to each other with a chain or the like.
<Dolly>
Bogie can be made body constituting the skeleton, the engagement member passes through the space, and transport machines allow the passage of conveyor includes engaging the engaged member to leave. The passage space can be formed in the lower portion of the carriage, and the engaged member preferably includes an introduction portion that guides and securely engages the engaging member of the transporter. The carriage can further include a step board on which an operator rides when preparing and assembling parts, a work table for assembling parts, and the like.
[0017]
A cart with the same configuration can be used for different applications. When conveying parts, devices, etc., it becomes a parts conveying carriage, when assembling the apparatus while conveying parts, it becomes an assembly carriage, and when conveying finished products, it becomes a finished article conveying carriage.
[0018]
The number of carts constituting the cart group can be determined in consideration of the number of parts, the number of assembly processes, and the like. Rearmost bogie is given a thrust by thrust applying means, the other carriage can be made to move forward by thrust exerted from the back of the cart.
<Conveyor>
Conveyor can be assumed that a built-in drive source, moves cyclically along a distribution設経path of the guide member while reading the magnetic by the magnetic read sensor. The transporter can be separated from the last carriage at the entrance of the assembly line, etc., move through the passing space of the carriage group, and be coupled to the foremost carriage at the exit. That is, the transporter does not drive the carriage between the entrance and exit of the assembly line or the like. Further, it is desirable to move between the inlet portion and the outlet portion at a faster speed before reaching the inlet and after passing through the outlet.
[0019]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Constitution)
The production line shown in FIG. 1 includes a part preparation and pre-assembly line (hereinafter referred to as “part preparation line” in the embodiment) 12 and an assembly line 14. Three carts A, B, and C that are arranged on the right side of the one linear portion 21 of the guide member 20 so as to be separated from each other constitute a part preparation line 12. Each carriage A to C is driven in the right direction by automatic conveyors j, k and l, respectively.
[0020]
In addition, five carriages D, E, F, G, and H arranged in contact with each other on the right side of the other straight line portion 22 constitute an assembly line 14. The last carriage D is driven halfway by an automatic transfer machine m by a friction motor 35 fixedly arranged on the floor 31, and the remaining carriages E to H are moved to the left by a propulsive force applied to the carriage D. A finished unloading carriage I is provided near the left end of the other straight line portion 22 and is driven by an automatic transfer machine n. That is, nine carts A to I are circulated and driven by five automatic conveyors j to n.
[0021]
Nine carts A to H all have the same configuration, and five automatic transporters j to n all have the same configuration. However, the carriage on the parts preparation line 12 may be referred to as “part preparation truck” and the carriage on the assembly line 14 may be referred to as “assembly truck” as necessary.
[0022]
Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the guide member 20 has a certain width and freely constitutes a line by a magnetic running tape. Here, one linear portion 21, the other linear portion 22, one curved portion 23, and the other curved portion 24 are included. The guide member 20 is provided with an address mark at a predetermined position to be an operation instruction position of the transfer machine, and address marks 28a, 29a and 31a are arranged at the inlet portion 28, the outlet portion 29 and the unloading portion 31 of the assembly line 14. Yes.
[0023]
A friction motor 35 is disposed at the inlet 28 of the assembly line 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the main friction motor 37 on the downstream side (left side) extends in parallel in the vertical direction (perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 3) and extends in the width direction of the carriage D (vertical direction in FIG. 3). A driving roller 38 and a driven roller 39 arranged at a predetermined interval and a main motor 40 that drives the driving roller 38 are included. The auxiliary friction motor 42 on the upstream side includes a driving roller 43 and a driven roller 44, and a driving rotor 43, whose axis extends in parallel in the vertical direction and is disposed in the width direction of the carriage D at the same distance as the main friction motor 37. And a secondary motor 45 to be driven.
[0024]
The main friction motor 37 and the sub friction motor 42 are separated by a distance slightly shorter than the length of the carriage D in the conveyance direction of the carriage D (the left-right direction in FIG. 3). The auxiliary friction motor 42 delivers the carriage D between the automatic transfer machine m and the main friction motor 37, and the main friction motor 37 drives a carriage group consisting of five carriages D to H.
[0025]
The cart D is shown in FIGS. The carriage D includes a frame-shaped main body 50, a plurality of rotating wheels 61, a step platform 63, a work table 65, and an intermediate plate 67. The main body 50 includes an upper left frame 51 and a lower left frame 52 extending in the front-rear direction, an upper right frame 53 and a lower right frame 54 extending in the front-rear direction, and a front left frame 56 and a front right frame 57 extending in the vertical direction. And a rear left frame 58 and a rear right frame 59 extending in the vertical direction.
[0026]
A roller 61 is attached to the lower left frame 52 and the lower right frame 54, and a step 63 is projected from the lower right frame 54. A ceiling plate 65 passed between the upper left frame 51 and the upper right frame 53 serves as a work table, and an assembly jig is provided thereon.
[0027]
A hook engaging member 70 is attached to an intermediate plate 67 disposed across the intermediate portions of the left front frame 56, the right front frame 57, the left rear frame 58, and the right rear frame 59. As shown in FIGS. 6A, 6 </ b> B, and 6 </ b> C, the hook engaging member 70 includes two introduction members 72 on the lower surface of the rectangular plate 71. Each introduction member 72 has a pair of side wall portions 74 whose width gradually decreases from the front edge to the rear edge of the rectangular plate 71, and is positioned between the side wall portions 74 and has a height from the front edge to the rear edge of the rectangular plate 71. And a ceiling wall portion 75 that gradually decreases. A circular pin engaging hole 76 is formed at the junction of the pair of side wall portions 74 and the ceiling wall portion 75 on the rectangular plate 71.
[0028]
A member that crosses the lower left frame 52 and the lower right frame 54 in the width direction is not arranged, and as a result, a passage space 78 having a predetermined height and width is defined between the intermediate plate 67 and the floor 31. (See FIG. 5).
[0029]
FIG. 7 shows an automatic transfer machine m. The automatic transfer machine m includes a main body 81, a drive motor 84, a magnetic marker reading unit 87, a pin drive mechanism 91, a control panel 94, and the like. A drive motor 84 is mounted on the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the main body 81 supported by the plurality of rotating wheels 82, and a power source 85 is mounted on the rear. A drive wheel 86 attached to the lower surface of the main body 81 is driven by a drive motor 84, and the operation of the drive motor 84 is controlled by a control circuit disposed in the control panel 94.
[0030]
A pin drive mechanism 91 is disposed between the control panel 94 and the power supply 85 near the upper surface of the main body 81. As shown in FIG. 8, the pin drive mechanism 91 includes a hook pin 93 movably attached to the main body 81, a spring push-up mechanism 92 disposed at the lower end of the hook pin 93, and an axis that is rotatable in the horizontal direction. 81, a cam 96 and a cam follower 97 which are attached to 81 and driven by a motor 98, and a connecting member 94 disposed between the spring push-up mechanism 92 and the cam follower 97.
[0031]
When the cam 96 is rotated by the motor 98, the hook pin 93 is raised through the cam follower and the connecting member.
[0032]
A magnetic reading sensor 87 is disposed below the pin driving mechanism 91. The reading sensor 87 reads signals from the guide member 20 and the address mark 28 and the like, the drive motor 84 and the like are driven, and the automatic transfer machine m moves on a predetermined locus at a predetermined speed.
(Operation)
The operation of this embodiment is as follows. First, component preparation in the component preparation line 12 will be described. FIG. 1 shows the state at the end of the previous process. The three automatic transfer machines j, k, and l that have entered the respective passing spaces 78 of the three carriages A, B, and C have hook pins 93 protruding from the upper surface, and pin engagement holes of the carriages A, B, and C. 76 is engaged. As a result, the automatic transfer machines j to l are coupled to the carriages A to C, respectively.
[0033]
The control circuit controls the drive motor 84 based on the reading of the address mark 26 a and the like on the guide member 20 by the reading sensor 87. Each automatic transporter j to l moves by the rotation of the drive wheel 86, and each carriage A to C moves at a predetermined speed. Moreover, space efficiency can be improved by moving at an appropriate speed for each carriage.
[0034]
The worker a who gets on the carriage A takes necessary parts from the shelf in front and places them on the work table 65. After completion of the assembly work before parts preparation (hereinafter including the previous assembly work), the vehicle gets off the carriage A and walks back to the original position. The worker A is transported by moving the carriage A on which the parts are placed. The worker B gets on the carriage B that has moved and places another part taken from the front shelf on the work table. The worker C of the carriage C on which the parts A and B put the parts places another part taken from the front shelf on the work table.
[0035]
Hereinafter, this process will be described. After the parts preparation is completed, the carriage C is driven by the automatic transfer machine 1 to move the curved portion 24 counterclockwise, and reaches the inlet portion 28 of the assembly line 14. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the reading sensor 87 of the automatic transfer machine 1 reads the address mark 28a of the entrance 28, the pin driving mechanism 91 is actuated and the hook pin 93 is lowered to engage the pin of the carriage D. Exit from hole 76. Thereafter, the carriage C is not subjected to the driving force by the automatic transfer machine l.
[0036]
When the hook pin 93 comes out of the pin engaging hole 76, the tip end portion of the carriage C is clamped by the auxiliary friction motor 42, and is clamped by the main friction motor 37 shortly thereafter. Thereafter, the four assembly carts E, F, G, and H are integrally driven by the main friction motor 37.
[0037]
The driving roller 38 and the driven roller 39 of the main friction motor 37 are engaged with the outer surfaces of the lower left frame 52 and the lower right frame 54 of the rearmost cart D, and the cart D is propelled by friction. The front end of the carriage D comes into contact with and pushes the rear end of the carriage E in front (second from the back). The relationship between the carriage E and the third carriage F from the rear, the relation between the carriage F and the second carriage G from the front, and the relation between the carriage G and the front carriage H are the same.
[0038]
Thus, the four front carriages E, F, G, and H that do not have a drive source are pushed by the driving force applied to the rearmost carriage D from the main friction motor 37, and the five carriages D to H are integrated. It is moved at a predetermined speed. In the meantime, workers D, E, H, and G on the four platform E to H steps 63 assemble parts by using a jig provided on the work table 65.
[0039]
An operator D of the carriage E performs a predetermined assembly operation while the carriage E moves by the length. After the work is completed, the user gets off the carriage E, walks back to the original position, rides the next carriage D, and performs the same work. The worker E of the carriage F performs assembly work following the work of the worker D while the carriage F is moving. The same applies to the operator of the carriage G and the operator of the carriage H.
[0040]
The moving speed of the automatic transfer machine m separated from the last carriage D is switched to a high speed when it passes the address mark 28a of the entrance 28, and as shown in FIG. During assembly work from G to G, the vehicle passes through a tunnel-like passage space 75 below the carriage group at a speed higher than that of the carriage groups E to H.
[0041]
And as shown in FIG.9 (c), it arrives at the exit part 29 according to the forefront trolley H which the assembly operation was complete | finished, and timing. When the address mark 29a of the exit 29 is reached, it returns to the original slow speed that is about the same as the moving speed of the carriage E. Further, the pin driving mechanism 91 raises the hook pin 93 and engages it with the pin engaging hole 76 of the carriage H. As a result, the automatic transporter l is coupled to the foremost cart H.
[0042]
The carriage H (the operator is not on board) that has completed the assembly work is transported to the unloading position 31 by the automatic transport machine 1 and stops there for a predetermined time. Meanwhile, the worker who is waiting at the unloading position lowers the finished product from the workbench.
[0043]
Next, a case where the length of the assembly line 14 is extended, that is, a case where the number of carriages is increased will be described with reference to FIG. The operation of the production line is temporarily stopped, and one carriage H ′ (not shown) is added on the outlet portion 29 side of the assembly line 14, that is, in front of the foremost carriage H. As a result, the assembly line 14 is composed of six carriages D, E, F, G, H, and H ′. Even in this case, the position of the inlet portion of the assembly line 14, that is, the position of the main friction motor 37 does not change, the carriage group extends downstream with respect to the main friction motor 37, and the position of the outlet portion 29 shifts to the downstream side.
[0044]
As a result of the increase in the number of carriages, the distance that the automatic transfer machine m moves from the position of the main friction motor 37 to the foremost carriage H ′ becomes longer. If the passing space 75 is moved at the same speed as when there are five carriages, it will not be in time to reach the exit 29 of the carriage H ′. Therefore, the moving speed of the automatic transfer machine m is increased so as to reach the moved exit portion 29 at the same timing as the foremost cart H ′.
(effect)
The effects of this embodiment are as follows. First, it is easy to change the length of the assembly line 14, that is, increase or decrease the number of carriages. As described above with respect to the increase from five to six, it is only necessary to add the carriage H ′ to the front side in the movement direction of the carriage groups D to H. This is because in the case of five or six carts, the facility for regulating the foremost cart H or H ′ is not arranged on the floor 31.
[0045]
If several carriages are added and the other straight portion 22 needs to be extended, the other straight portion 22 may be lengthened by changing the arrangement path of the guide member 20 made of a magnetic running tape. Further, when reducing the number of H from the carriage group D, the foremost carriage H may be removed from the assembly line 14.
[0046]
Second, the drive source of the carriage group of the assembly line 14 is simplified. For example, in FIG. 1, all five carriages D to H are integrally moved by the driving force applied to the rearmost carriage D from the main friction motor 37 fixed to the floor 31. In other words, neither the carriage D nor the carriages E to H need to have a drive source.
[0047]
Third, the introduction member 72 attached to the lower surface of each carriage A to H has a ceiling wall portion 75 inclined in the height direction having a tapered guide surface, and a side wall portion 74 inclined in the width direction has a tapered guide. Have a face. Therefore, even if the relative positions of the hook pin 93 of the automatic transfer machine 1 that has reached the outlet 29 of the assembly line 14 and the pin engagement hole 76 of the carriage G are slightly deviated, the hook pin 93 is connected to the ceiling wall 75 and the side wall 74. It is guided by the taper surface of the pin and securely engages with the pin engagement hole 76.
[0048]
Fourth, since the friction motor 35 at the inlet portion 28 of the assembly line 14 is composed of the main friction motor 37 and the auxiliary friction motor 42, the carriage D from the automatic transfer machine m or the like at the inlet portion 28 to the main friction motor 37. Delivery of etc becomes smooth.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the cart transport apparatus according to the present invention, the cart group consisting of a plurality of carts is driven by the propulsive force applied to the last cart or the second cart from the front by the propelling force applying means. Ru is integrally promotion. Moreover, there is nothing that regulates the conveyance of the foremost carriage. That is, the foremost carriage is in a free state with respect to conveyance.
[0050]
Therefore, when changing the length of the line, it can be easily adjusted by adding or removing the foremost carriage without changing the equipment on the floor.
[0051]
According to the conveying device of the second aspect, the guide means comprising the magnetic running tape and the address mark is not bulky and is easy to dispose. According to the transfer device of the third aspect, work efficiency is good because the movement of the carriage group is not stopped. According to the transfer device of the fourth aspect, since the carry-in machine carrying the rearmost carriage carries out the foremost carriage, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated conveyance machine for carrying out the frontmost carriage. According to the conveyor of the fifth aspect, it becomes easy to increase the length of the line, that is , increase the number of carriages .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory plan view showing the entirety of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of guide means.
FIG. 3 is a plan view for explaining a propulsive force applying means.
FIG. 4 is a front view of the carriage.
FIG. 5 is a side view of the same.
6A is a plan view of a pin engaging member, FIG. 6B is a front view of the same, and FIG. 6C is a side view of the same.
FIG. 7 is a front view of the transport machine.
FIG. 8 is a front view of a pin driving mechanism.
FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are operation explanatory views of the embodiment. FIGS.
[Explanation of symbols]
14: Assembly line 20: Guide member 28, 29: Address mark 31: Floor 35: Friction motor 37: Main propulsive force imparting unit 42: Sub propulsive force imparting unit D to H: Cart 62: Step platform 65: Work platform m: Conveyance Machine 84: Motor 78: Passing space 87: Reading section

Claims (5)

A transport device for a plurality of carriages traveling on a floor,
Guidance means disposed on the floor and indicating a transport path and position of the carriage;
A carriage group composed of a plurality of the carriages that are arranged side by side in contact with each other in front of a predetermined point of the conveyance path, and constitute a line;
Propulsive force imparting means disposed on the floor and traveling forward a predetermined distance with the bogie group as a group;
The reading section reads the route and position of the guide means, the drive source and at least one conveyor Ru includes an engagement member coupled and separated on the carriage, comprising,
The transport machine travels along the transport path of one of the carts and carries it to the rearmost end of the cart group constituting the line, and then separates the engagement member from the cart that has been loaded. Carriage transportation characterized in that the position of the guide means is read by the reading section, and the engagement member is engaged with the foremost carriage of the carriage group without accurate positioning to carry out the carriage. apparatus.   The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the guide means includes a magnetic tape and an address mark. 3. The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the transport machine carries out the cart by engaging the engaging member with the foremost cart of the cart group moving by the propulsion force applying means . After the transporter carries one of the carts to the rear end of the cart group, the propulsion force imparting means propels the cart group and travels a predetermined distance, so that the cart group is faster than the cart group. The conveying apparatus of any one of Claims 1-3 which pass through the inside of the passage space currently formed in the lower part of the forward direction . When a carriage is added to the carriage group constituting the line and the length of the line is extended, the moving speed of the transfer machine passing through the passing space of the carriage group is set to a value before the carriage is added. The transport apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the transport apparatus is set to a speed higher than the speed.

Images