JP2004269143A - Dolly transport device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a transport device for a trolley, which can easily and inexpensively change the number of trolleys constituting a production line.
A guide means (20, 28, etc.) disposed along a predetermined route, a propulsion force applying means (35) disposed at a predetermined point of the guide means, and a front side of the guide means on the other side of the predetermined point. A carriage group D to H, etc. comprising a plurality of carriages which are arranged in contact with each other and constitute a line, a reading section 87 for reading the path and position of the guide means, a drive source 84 and an engagement member 93 which is coupled / separated to the carriage. And a transfer machine 1 provided. The propulsion applying means applies a propulsive force to the rearmost truck that the carrier has carried into the truck group, and the truck group is integrally propelled.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a transport device for a cart.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In the case of assembling conveyed parts to produce an apparatus or an apparatus, an assembling trolley has recently been used instead of a conventional belt conveyor. The assembling trolley has components mounted thereon and is moved by external driving means. An operator riding on a belt conveyor or a trolley that moves synchronously performs a predetermined part assembling operation while moving a predetermined distance, and gets off the assembling trolley after the operation is completed. It is desired that the length of the assembly line, that is, the number of assembling trolleys, can be easily and quickly changed when the number of processes is changed due to a change in the number of production units, work time, or the like.
[0003]
In the transportation device for an assembling trolley disclosed in the first conventional example (see Patent Literature 1), the assembling trolleys are arranged at regular intervals on a guide rail, and are transported by a transportation means arranged in parallel with the guide rail. For example, when the number of assembling processes increases, the arrangement routes of the guide rails and the transporting means must be changed to increase the number of assembling trolleys. This is the same as changing the arrangement route of the belt conveyor in order to increase the number of processes, which requires a great deal of labor and time.
[0004]
On the other hand, in the transfer device including the work table disclosed in the second conventional example (see Patent Document 2), a branch (detour) line is provided in addition to the assembly line. The bypass line branches from a branch point on the assembly line and joins at a junction downstream from the branch point. By changing the number of assembly vehicles flowing from the assembly line to the bypass line, the number of assembly vehicles 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
[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 space for arranging the detour line, and a transporting means for transporting the assembly vehicle on the detour line are required. Also, it requires an assembly line and a plurality of transport means. 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 it is an object of the present invention to provide a transportation device for a bogie that can easily and inexpensively change the length of a production line, that is, the number of bogies constituting the production line.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The inventor of the present application aims to reduce the number of driving equipments arranged on the floor as much as possible, more specifically, a plurality of bogies are arranged side by side in contact with each other, and the last bogie is provided by one propulsion force applying means arranged on the floor. Alternatively, the present invention was completed by giving the propulsion force to the second bogie from the forefront and not applying the conveying force to the other bogies including the foremost bogie.
[0009]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transporting device for a bogie, wherein: a guiding means disposed along a predetermined route; a propulsion applying means disposed at a predetermined point of the guiding means; A truck group consisting of a plurality of trucks arranged side by side in contact with each other on the other side (forward side in the transport direction) from the point; a reading unit for reading the route and position of the guide means, a drive source, and a truck; And a carrier provided with an engaging member to be separated.
[0010]
In this transport device, the transporter carries the rearmost bogie into the bogie group, and the propulsion applying means applies propulsive force to the rearmost bogie or the second bogie from the forefront. Thereby, the bogie group is integrally propelled by the propulsive force (push force or pull force) of the propulsive force applying means.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the guide means includes a magnetic tape disposed on a predetermined path, and a plurality of address marks arranged on a side of the magnetic tape and separated from each other in the transport direction.
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the transporter removes the engaging member from the rearmost carriage after carrying the rearmost carriage, and transports the carriage group while the propulsion force applying means propulses the carriage group. The vehicle moves forward in the traveling space of the truck group at a speed higher than the speed, and the engaging member is engaged with the foremost truck without accurate positioning to carry out the foremost truck.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, each of the carts has, at a lower portion thereof, a passage space allowing passage of the transporter, and an engaged member with which an engaging member of the transporter is engaged.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
<Line, guidance means>
The line of the present invention includes a parts preparation / parts pre-assembly line for removing parts from a shelf and assembling them beforehand, an assembly line for assembling devices and equipment from parts, and an unloading line for transporting completed equipment to an unloading position. Including. The extension direction and the relative positional relationship of these lines on the floor are determined by the guide means.
<Guidance means>
The guide means includes an annular or loop-shaped running magnetic tape, and a plurality of address marks spaced apart on its side. The belt-shaped traveling magnetic tape includes one straight portion, the other straight portion, one curved portion, and the other curved portion, and determines a transport path of the transport device.
[0015]
The address mark indicates a position (address) on the guide member, and is arranged near the traveling magnetic tape on each line such as a component preparation line, and forms an operation instruction position to the transporter.
<Propulsion applying means>
There are two types of propulsion means. The first type of propulsion force applying means is fixed to the floor corresponding to the rearmost position (entrance portion of the line) of the cart group, and applies a pushing force to the cart group. It is desirable that a propulsive force can be applied to the truck that has reached the entrance without moving. In this regard, a friction motor including a driving roller and a driven roller disposed at predetermined intervals on both sides of the bogie is excellent.
[0016]
The second type of propulsion force applying means is provided corresponding to the second vehicle (near the exit) from the forefront, and applies a pulling force to the second vehicle. The cart group is mutually connected by a chain or the like.
<Dolly>
The cart includes a main body that forms a skeleton, a passage space that allows the carrier to pass through, and an engaged member with which the engaging member of the carrier engages and disengages. The passage space can be formed in a lower portion of the cart, and the engaged member preferably has an introduction portion for guiding the engaging member of the transporter to securely engage the engaging member. The cart can further include a step board on which an operator rides when preparing and assembling parts, a work table for performing an assembling operation of parts, and the like.
[0017]
Dolly of the same configuration can be used for different applications. When transporting parts, devices, etc., it becomes a component transport trolley, when assembling the device while transporting components, it becomes an assembly trolley, and when transporting finished products, it becomes a finished product transport trolley.
[0018]
The number of trolleys constituting the trolley group is determined in consideration of the number of parts, the number of assembly steps, and the like. The trailing bogie is provided with propulsive force by the propulsive force applying means, and the other bogies move forward by the propulsive force applied from the rear bogie.
<Transport machine>
The carrier has a built-in drive source and circulates along the guide member arrangement path while reading the magnetism with a magnetic reading sensor. At the entrance of an assembly line or the like, the truck is separated from the rearmost truck, moves through the passage space of the truck group, and is coupled to the frontmost truck at the exit. That is, the bogie is not driven between the entrance and the exit of an assembly line or the like. Further, it is desirable to move between the entrance and the exit at a faster speed before reaching the entrance and after passing through the exit.
[0019]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
(Constitution)
The production line shown in FIG. 1 includes a parts preparation and pre-assembly line (hereinafter, referred to as a “parts preparation line” in the embodiment) 12 and an assembly line 14. The three carts A, B, and C, which are arranged on the right side of the one straight portion 21 of the guide member 20 and are separated from each other, constitute the component preparation line 12. Each of the carts A to C is driven rightward by an automatic transfer machine j, k, and l, respectively.
[0020]
On the other hand, five carts D, E, F, G, and H arranged on the right side of the other straight portion 22 in contact with each other constitute the assembly line 14. The rearmost truck D is driven halfway by the automatic transfer machine m by the friction motor 35 fixedly disposed on the floor 31 thereafter, and the remaining trucks E to H are moved leftward by the propulsive force applied to the truck D. On the other hand, a finished product unloading truck I is provided near the left end of the other straight portion 22, and is driven by the automatic transfer machine n. That is, nine carts A to I are circulated by five automatic transporters j to n.
[0021]
The nine carts A to H all have the same configuration, and the five automatic transporters j to n all have the same configuration. However, the trolley on the component preparation line 12 may be referred to as a “component preparation trolley” and the trolley on the assembly line 14 may be referred to as an “assembly trolley” as necessary.
[0022]
Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 2, the guide member 20 has a fixed width, and freely forms a line with a magnetic traveling tape. Here, it includes one straight portion 21, the other straight portion 22, one curved portion 23, and the other curved portion 24. Address marks serving as operation instruction positions of the transporter are arranged at predetermined positions on the guide member 20, and address marks 28a, 29a and 31a are arranged at the entrance 28, the exit 29 and the unloading section 31 of the assembly line 14. I have.
[0023]
A friction motor 35 is disposed at the entrance 28 of the assembly line 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the main friction motor 37 on the downstream side (left side) has its axis extending in the vertical direction (perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 3) in parallel, and in the width direction of the truck D (vertical direction in FIG. 3). It includes a driving roller 38 and a driven roller 39 that are arranged at predetermined intervals, and a main motor 40 that drives the driving roller 38. The upstream sub-friction motor 42 has a drive roller 43 and a driven roller 44 whose axis extends in the up-down direction in parallel with the main friction motor 37 in the width direction of the bogie D, and the drive roller 43. And a sub motor 45 to be driven.
[0024]
The main friction motor 37 and the sub friction motor 42 are separated from each other by a distance slightly shorter than the length of the truck D in the transport direction of the truck D (the left-right direction in FIG. 3). The auxiliary friction motor 42 transfers the truck D between the automatic transfer device m and the main friction motor 37, and the main friction motor 37 drives a truck group including five trucks D to H.
[0025]
4 and 5 show the carriage D. The trolley D includes a frame-shaped main body 50, a plurality of rotating wheels 61, a step 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 and rear direction, an upper right frame 53 and a lower right frame 54 extending in the front and 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. The ceiling plate 65 passed between the upper left frame 51 and the upper right frame 53 serves as a work table, on which an assembly jig is provided.
[0027]
A hook engaging member 70 is attached to an intermediate plate 67 disposed over an intermediate portion between 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 walls 74 whose width gradually decreases from the front edge to the rear edge of the rectangular plate 71, and is located between the side walls 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]
Note that no member that crosses between the lower left frame 52 and the lower right frame 54 in the width direction is arranged, and as a result, a passing 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 transporter 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 at an intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of a main body 81 supported by a plurality of rotating wheels 82, and a power supply 85 is mounted at 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 a control panel 94.
[0030]
A pin driving mechanism 91 is disposed between the control panel 94 and the power supply 85 near the rear of the upper surface of the main body 81. As shown in FIG. 8, the pin driving mechanism 91 includes a hook pin 93 movably attached to the main body 81 in a vertical direction, a spring push-up mechanism 92 disposed at a lower end of the hook pin 93, and a main body rotatable in the horizontal direction. The cam includes a cam 96 and a cam follower 97 attached to the cam 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 bin 93 is raised via the cam follower and the connecting member.
[0032]
A magnetic reading sensor 87 is arranged below the pin driving mechanism 91. The reading sensor 87 reads the signals of the guide member 20 and the address marks 28 and the like, the drive motor 84 and the like are driven, and the automatic transporting 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 a state at the end of the previous process. The three automatic transporters j, k, and l that have entered the respective passing spaces 78 of the three trucks A, B, and C cause the hook pins 93 to protrude from the upper surface, and pin engaging holes of the trucks A, B, and C. 76. Thereby, each of the automatic transporters j to l is connected to each of the carts A to C.
[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 of the automatic transporters j to l moves by the rotation of the drive wheel 86, and moves the carts A to C at a predetermined speed. In addition, space efficiency can be increased by moving at an appropriate speed for each truck.
[0034]
The worker A on the cart A takes necessary parts from a shelf at the front and places it on the worktable 65. After the completion of the pre-assembly work for component preparation (hereinafter, including the pre-assembly work), the user descends the bogie A and walks back to the original position. The worker A moves the trolley A on which the parts are placed and is transported. The worker B gets on the truck B that has moved, and places another part taken from the front shelf on the work table. The worker C of the trolley C on which the workers A and B have mounted parts places another part taken from the front shelf on the work table.
[0035]
Hereinafter, the present process will be described. The carriage C for which the component preparation has been completed is driven by the automatic transporter 1 and moves on the one hand along the curved portion 24 in the counterclockwise direction to reach the entrance 28 of the assembly line 14. As shown in FIG. 9A, when the reading sensor 87 of the automatic transporter 1 reads the address mark 28a of the entrance 28, the pin driving mechanism 91 operates to lower the hook pin 93, and the pin engagement of the carriage D Exit through hole 76. Thereafter, the carriage C no longer receives the driving force of the automatic transfer machine l.
[0036]
At the point in time when the hook pin 93 comes out of the pin engagement hole 76, the leading end portion of the carriage C is held by the auxiliary friction motor 42, and soon thereafter by the main friction motor 37. Thereafter, the four assembled carts E, F, G and H are driven integrally by the main friction motor 37.
[0037]
The drive 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 truck D, and propel the truck D by friction. The front end of the truck D contacts and pushes the rear end of the truck E in front of it (the second from the rear). The same applies to the relationship between the truck E and the third truck F from the rear, the relationship between the truck F and the second truck G from the front, and the relationship between the truck G and the frontmost truck H.
[0038]
In this way, the four front bogies E, F, G and H having no drive source are pushed by the propulsive force applied to the rearmost bogie D from the main friction motor 37, and the four bogies D to G are integrated. It is moved at a predetermined speed. In the meantime, the workers D, E, F, and G who have been on the respective steps 63 of the four carts E to G assemble parts using the jigs arranged on the work table 65.
[0039]
The worker D of the carriage E performs a predetermined assembling operation while the carriage E moves by its length. After the work is completed, the user gets off the carriage E, walks back to the original position, and gets on the next carriage D to perform the same work. The worker E of the trolley F performs an assembling operation following the operation of the worker D while the trolley F is moving. The same applies to the worker of the truck G and the worker of the truck H.
[0040]
The moving speed of the automatic transporting machine m separated from the rearmost truck D is switched to a higher speed when passing through the address mark 28a of the entrance 28, and as shown in FIG. During the assembling work from the carts E to G, the car passes through the tunnel-like passage space 75 below the carts at a speed higher than the carts E to H.
[0041]
Then, as shown in FIG. 9 (c), the vehicle reaches the exit portion 29 in synchronization with the foremost truck H for which the assembly operation has been completed. When the vehicle reaches the address mark 29a of the exit portion 29, the speed returns to the original low speed which is almost equal to the moving speed of the carriage E. Further, the pin drive mechanism 91 raises the hook pin 93 and engages the pin engagement hole 76 of the carriage H. As a result, the automatic transporter l is coupled to the foremost truck H.
[0042]
The trolley H (the worker is not on board) on which the assembling operation has been completed is transported to the unloading position 31 by the automatic transporter l, where it stops for a predetermined time. Meanwhile, a worker waiting at the unloading position unloads the finished product from the workbench.
[0043]
Next, a case where the length of the assembly line 14 is increased, that is, a case where the number of bogies is increased will be described with reference to FIG. The operation of the production line is temporarily stopped, and one truck H ′ (not shown) is added to the outlet 29 side of the assembly line 14, that is, in front of the foremost truck H. As a result, the assembly line 14 is composed of six carts D, E, F, G, H and H '. Even in this case, the entrance of the assembly line 14, that is, the position of the main friction motor 37 does not change, the bogie group extends downstream with respect to the main friction motor 37, and the position of the outlet 29 shifts downstream.
[0044]
As a result of the increase in the number of trucks to one, the distance that the automatic transfer machine m moves from the position of the main friction motor 37 to the foremost truck H 'is increased. If the vehicle has moved through the passage space 75 at the same speed as the case of five vehicles, it will not be enough for the vehicle H 'to reach the exit portion 29. Therefore, the moving speed of the automatic transporting machine m is increased so as to reach the exit portion 29 after the movement at the same timing as the foremost truck 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 bogies. As described above regarding the increase from five to six, it is only necessary to add the truck H ′ to the front side in the moving direction of the trucks D to H. This is because no equipment for regulating the foremost truck H or H ′ is provided on the floor 31 in the case of five or six trucks.
[0045]
If it is necessary to extend the other straight part 22 by adding several trucks, the other straight part 22 may be lengthened by changing the arrangement route of the guide member 20 formed of the magnetic tape. In order to reduce the number of trucks H from the truck group D, the frontmost truck H may be removed from the assembly line 14.
[0046]
Second, the driving source of the truck group on the assembly line 14 is simplified. For example, in FIG. 1, all of the five trucks D to H are integrally moved by the driving force applied to the rearmost truck D from the main friction motor 37 fixed to the floor 31. In other words, neither the cart D nor the carts E to H need to have a drive source.
[0047]
Third, the introduction member 72 attached to the lower surface of each of the carts 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 having a tapered guide surface. Have a face. Therefore, even if the relative position between the hook pin 93 of the automatic transporting machine 1 reaching the outlet 29 of the assembly line 14 and the pin engaging hole 76 of the carriage G is slightly shifted, the hook pin 93 can be fixed to the ceiling wall 75 and the side wall 74. And is securely engaged with the pin engagement hole 76.
[0048]
Fourth, since the friction motor 35 at the entrance 28 of the assembly line 14 is composed of the main friction motor 37 and the auxiliary friction motor 42, the bogie D from the automatic conveyor m at the entrance 28 to the main friction motor 37 is formed. Etc. will be delivered smoothly.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the bogie transport device of the present invention, the bogie group including a plurality of bogies is driven by the propulsive force applied from the propulsive force applying means to the rearmost bogie or the second bogie from the forefront. Integrated promotion. Moreover, there is nothing that regulates the transport of the foremost truck. That is, the foremost truck is in a free state with respect to conveyance.
[0050]
Therefore, when the length of the line is changed, the adjustment can be easily performed by adding or removing the frontmost bogie without changing the equipment on the floor.
[0051]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the guide means including the magnetic tape and the address mark is not bulky and is easy to dispose. According to the transfer device of the third aspect, since the carry-in machine that has carried in the rearmost carriage carries out the frontmost carriage, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated carrier for carrying out the frontmost carriage. According to the cart of the fourth aspect, the transporter can be moved without making any special improvement on the floor, and the coupling and disengagement of the engaging member of the transporter to and from the truck having the engaged member is facilitated. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory plan view showing an entire embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a guide unit.
FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a propulsion applying means.
FIG. 4 is a front view of the cart.
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 transporter.
FIG. 8 is a front view of the pin driving mechanism.
FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C are explanatory views of the operation of the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
14: Assembly line 20: Guide members 28, 29: Address mark 31: Floor 35: Friction motor 37: Main propulsion applying section 42: Sub-propulsion applying section D to H: Dolly 62: Stepping platform 65: Work table m: Transport Machine 84: motor 78: passage space 87: reading section

Claims (4)

Guide means arranged along a predetermined route;
Thrust applying means arranged at a predetermined point of the guiding means,
A cart group consisting of a plurality of carts which are juxtaposed in contact with each other on the other side from a predetermined point of the guide means, and constitute a line;
A reading unit that reads a path and a position of the guide unit, a transfer device having an engagement member that is coupled to and separated from the drive source and the cart,
The propulsion applying means applies propulsion to the second bogie from the rearmost bogie or the foremost bogie carried by the conveyer into the bogie group, and the bogie group is integrally propelled. Carriage transport device. The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the guide unit includes a magnetic tape disposed on a predetermined path, and a plurality of address marks disposed apart from the magnetic tape in a transport direction. The transporter, after loading the rearmost truck, disengages the engaging member from the rearmost truck, and while the propulsion force applying means is propelling the truck group, the transfer member is moved at a higher speed than the truck group. The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the transport device passes through the passing space forward in the traveling direction, and engages the engaging member with the frontmost truck without accurate positioning to carry out the frontmost truck. The transport device according to claim 1, wherein a passing space is formed in a lower portion of each of the carts to allow the transport device to pass therethrough, and has a member to be engaged with an engaging member of the transport device.

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