JP2020137446A - Animal cage assembly system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an animal cage assembling system and an assembling method that facilitate assembly workability and improve assembly efficiency by facilitating the assembly of an animal cage as automatically as possible. A bottom net 1, a top net 2, a front net 3, a rear net 4, and side nets 5(A), 5(B) are connected by connecting rings R to connect necessary wire rods adjacent to each other. A system S for assembling an animal cage C forming a housing space for housing an animal, comprising a bottom net 1, a top net 2, a front net 3, a rear net 4 and side nets 5(A), 5(B). An intermediate product assembling device Sa for assembling an intermediate product Wa in which respective component nets are preliminarily linked so as to be foldable, and a finished product assembling device Sb for assembling a finished product W of an animal cage C using the intermediate product Wa. [Selection drawing] Fig. 1

Description

The present invention relates to an animal cage assembly system and an assembly method thereof used for purposes such as breeding and transporting animals such as chickens for poultry farming for collecting chicken eggs.

Conventionally, as an animal cage, for example, there is a poultry cage for collecting chicken eggs, which connects each constituent net of a bottom net, a top net, a front net, a rear net and a side net, and serves as an animal. It forms a containment space for chickens. As the side nets, a pair of left and right outer side nets are provided, and one or a plurality of inner side nets are provided between the outer side nets at predetermined intervals, and a plurality of chicken storage spaces are provided. The bottom net is formed so as to be inclined downward so that the eggs can roll from the rear side to the front side, and the front end side is provided with a chicken egg receiving portion for receiving the rolling chicken eggs with the front end bending upward. Is formed. Further, the front net is formed by having a chicken egg passage hole on the lower end side for passing chicken eggs and an openable doorway opening on the upper side of the passage hole for inserting and removing chickens. Each constituent network is connected using a connecting ring. The connecting ring may be made of any material such as resin or metal, but for example, a well-known C ring or hog ring, which is made of metal into which these wires are loosely fitted, is used. This connecting ring is mounted using, for example, a trigger-type manual mounting gun also called a C ringer or a hog ringer. The poultry cage as the animal cage is assembled manually at a factory or a poultry farm using this mounting gun (see, for example, Jikkaihei 6-79252).

Jikkenhei 6-79252 Gazette

By the way, in this conventional assembly of animal cages, a gun with a connecting ring is used and the assembly work is performed manually at the factory or poultry farm, so the assembly work is extremely complicated and the assembly efficiency is poor. There was a problem.
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an animal whose cage can be assembled as automatically as possible to facilitate assembly workability and improve assembly efficiency. It is an object of the present invention to provide an assembly system and an assembly method of a cage.

In order to achieve such an object, the animal cage assembly system of the present invention connects the required wire rods adjacent to each other by connecting the bottom net, the top net, the front net, the rear net and at least one pair of side nets. In an animal cage assembly system that assembles animal cages that are connected by rings to form a containment space for animals.
The configuration is provided with an intermediate product assembling device for assembling an intermediate product in which at least two or more of the bottom net, top net, front net, rear net, and side net are linked in advance so as to be foldable.

The connecting ring may be made of any metal, resin, or the like. For example, a well-known C ring or a hog ring, which is a metal in which these wires are loosely fitted, can be used. Even if the wires are connected by the connecting ring, the wires are loosely fitted by the connecting ring, so that the wires can rotate in the connecting ring if there is nothing to restrain the constituent net. Therefore, when the constituent nets are connected and linked by the connecting ring, the constituent nets can be folded by rotation at this connecting portion. Further, the constituent nets can be linked with each other, for example, by engaging the wire rods with each other. However, in the finished product, even if there are engagement points between the wires, the constituent nets are basically connected by a connecting ring.

As a result, the intermediate product can be in a folded state, so that subsequent storage and transportation to the site or the like can be facilitated. Then, for example, when assembling the finished product of the animal cage in the field, the constituent net of the folded intermediate product is raised to the required form, and the finished product can be assembled using this intermediate product. In this case, since the intermediate product is automatically assembled in advance by the intermediate product assembling device, the work of connecting the constituent nets can be reduced, the assembly workability can be improved, and the assembly efficiency can be improved. In addition, when assembling the finished product of the animal cage at the factory, it is possible to raise the constituent net of the intermediate product that has been folded once to make it the required form, but use the intermediate product that has been taken out as it is without folding. It can also be made into a finished product.

In this case, it is effective that the linkage of the intermediate products includes the connection by the connecting ring. In the linkage between the constituent nets, even if there is a part to be linked by engaging the wires with each other, for example, since the linkage of this intermediate product includes the connection by the connecting ring, the wire connecting work with the connecting ring is performed. It can definitely be reduced.

Then, if necessary, the intermediate product assembling device is used for a holder that holds the constituent net to be assembled in a coordinated manner, a transfer robot that transfers the constituent net to a required position for the holder, and the holder. It is configured to include a connecting robot that connects the constituent networks to be linked with each other by the connecting ring, and a control unit that controls the operations of the transfer robot and the connecting robot. As the transfer robot, for example, a 6-axis actuated robot equipped with a gripping hand for gripping the constituent net can be used. Further, as the connecting robot, for example, a 6-axis actuating type equipped with a mounting gun for automatically launching the connecting ring in the hand portion can be used.

As a result, when assembling the intermediate product, each constituent net is laminated on a stacker or the like in advance, and the constituent net to be assembled by the transfer robot is taken out from the stacker and transferred to the holder under the control of the control unit. Then, the connecting robot is operated by the control of the control unit, and the constituent nets held by the holder and linked with each other are connected by the connecting ring. As a result, the intermediate product is assembled. In this case, since the holder is used, the positioning of the constituent net becomes easy, and the connecting work by the connecting robot can be facilitated accordingly. Then, for example, using a manual or taking-out robot, the intermediate product is taken out from the holding portion, and this is also folded into a required shape by using a manual or working robot. Further, in the case of factory production, it is possible to make a finished product by using an intermediate product as it is taken out without folding it.

In addition, if necessary, the holder allows a predetermined constituent net related to linkage to stand up along the vertical direction of the plane, and other constituent nets related to connection to the predetermined constituent net are described above. The configuration is provided with an upright holding portion that exposes and holds the portion related to the connection of the predetermined configuration network so that the connection robot can be connected by the connection ring. Since the required configuration network to be linked is upright and held, it is possible to easily and surely perform the connection with the connection ring by the connection robot.

Further, if necessary, the intermediate product assembling device has a configuration in which all of the constituent nets of the bottom net, the top net, the front net, the rear net, and the side net are linked in advance so as to be foldable. .. As a result, since the intermediate product is composed of all of the constituent nets, it is possible to further facilitate subsequent storage and transportation to the site or the like in the folded state. And when assembling the finished product of the animal cage, all of the constituent nets are linked, and the number of connecting parts of the wire rod in the connecting ring increases accordingly, so the work of attaching the connecting ring is surely reduced. It is possible to further improve the assembly efficiency.

More specifically, the animal cage is for poultry farming for collecting chicken eggs.
The bottom net is formed so as to incline downward so that the eggs can roll from the rear side to the front side, and the front end portion bends upward to the front end side to receive the rolling chicken eggs. Formed in preparation
The upper surface net is arranged on the bottom surface net at a predetermined height.
The rear surface net is provided between the rear end edge of the bottom surface net and the rear end edge of the top surface net.
The front net is formed between a pair of wires extending downward on the lower end side, has a chicken egg passage hole through which the rolling chicken egg passes, and is a net-like door on the upper side of the passage hole for inserting and removing chickens. It is formed with an opening and closing opening, and is provided between the bottom net and the front end edge of the top net by projecting the egg receiving portion of the bottom net in front of the front net.
The side net is provided with its surface direction orthogonal to the surface directions of the bottom net, the top net, the rear net, and the front net.
The lower end of the wire rod forming the chicken egg passage hole of the front net is formed as a U-shaped bend and is configured as an engaging portion that engages with the wire rod of the bottom net, and is between the bottom net and the front net. Is connected by engaging the engaging portions,
Between the rear edge of the bottom net and the bottom edge of the rear net, between the rear edge of the top net and the top edge of the rear net, between the front edge of the top net and the top edge of the front net, The outer peripheral edge of the side net and the corresponding bottom net, top net, rear net, and front net are each connected by the connecting ring. It can be used for poultry cages.

In this case, the intermediate product is linked between the bottom surface net and the front surface net by engaging the engaging portion, and between the rear end edge of the bottom surface net and the lower end edge of the rear surface net, the upper surface. The rear end edge of the net and the upper end edge of the rear surface net, and the lower end edge of the side surface net and the bottom surface net are respectively linked by the connecting ring, and are linked by the engaging portion and the connecting ring. Each constituent net is folded from the part so that the top net, the rear net, the front net, and the side net can be superimposed on the bottom net. The method and order of superimposing the constituent nets may be appropriately determined. All the constituent nets can be linked to the bottom net, and the assembly of the finished product can be made extremely easy.

Further, if necessary, the animal cage is provided with a pair of left and right outer side nets as the side nets, and is provided with one or more inner side nets provided between the outer side nets at predetermined intervals. It has a structure. It can be used for animal cages that have a large storage space for animals (chickens).

In this poultry cage, if necessary, the above-mentioned holder is related to erecting a predetermined predetermined constituent net related to the linkage along the vertical direction of the plane and connecting to the predetermined constituent net. It is provided with an upright holding portion that exposes and holds a portion related to the connection of the predetermined configuration network so that other configuration networks can be connected by the connection robot with a connection ring.
The upright holding portion of the holder is provided with a side net upright holding portion for supporting the side net along the vertical direction with the upper end edge facing down and exposing the lower end edge and the front end edge. Configure and
The control unit operates the transfer robot so that the transfer robot mounts the bottom surface net on the required position of the exposed lower end edge of the side net held by the side net upright holding unit, and the transfer robot operates the transfer robot. The front net is joined to the required position of the exposed front end edge of the side net held by the side net upright holding portion, and the engaging portion of the front net engages with the bottom net mounted on the side net. It is configured to operate the transfer robot.
Since a plurality of outer side nets and inner side nets can be folded with respect to the bottom net, the intermediate product can be made even more compact.

In this case, if necessary, the upright holding portion of the holder is supported by supporting the upper surface net along the surface direction in the vertical direction with the front end edge facing down and exposing the rear end edge to erect the side net. It is configured with a top net upright holding part that stands up in the required positional relationship with the holding part.
The holder is located between the exposed rear end edge of the upper surface net holding the rear surface net in the upper surface net upright holding portion and the rear end edge of the bottom surface net placed on the side surface net, and the rear surface net. A rear net support portion that supports the rear net so that the upper end edge of the upper net can be connected to the rear end edge of the upper net with a connecting ring and the lower end edge of the rear net can be connected to the rear end edge of the bottom net with a connecting ring. Prepare,
The control unit is located between the exposed rear end edge of the upper surface net in which the transfer robot holds the rear surface net in the upper surface net upright holding unit and the rear end edge of the bottom surface net placed on the side surface net. The transfer robot is operated so as to transfer to the rear net support portion.

Further, if necessary, the holding tool and a camera that captures the surroundings including the constituent network held by the holding tool are provided, and the control unit of the transfer robot and the connecting robot are based on the image data of the camera. The configuration is equipped with a function to calculate and control the optimum operation.
In this case, a mark is attached to a predetermined position of the holder, the camera is mounted on the transfer robot and the connecting robot, and the control unit of the transfer robot and the connecting robot is based on the mark imaged by the camera. It is effective to have a function to calculate and control the optimum operation. As a result, accurate positioning and mounting of the connecting ring can be performed, and the connecting accuracy of the connecting ring can be improved.

In addition, the camera can confirm whether or not the constituent net is held in a normal state (posture) with respect to the holder. If it is not in the proper position or if there is a poor posture, this can be detected. In this case, the configuration network can be moved again and the installation can be redone. It is also possible to confirm with the camera whether or not the connection is made by the connection ring. When there is a connection failure due to the connection ring, for example, an abnormal signal can be sent to stop the device. In this case, if the recognition judgment using artificial intelligence or the like is performed for the positioning of the constituent network, the positioning can be performed with higher accuracy, and the connection accuracy by the connecting ring can be improved. Alternatively, if the connection state of the connection ring is recognized and determined using artificial intelligence or the like, more accurate connection can be performed.

Furthermore, if necessary, the configuration is provided with a finished product assembling device for assembling the finished product of the animal cage using the above intermediate product. Since the finished product assembling device can automatically assemble even the finished product using the intermediate product, the assembling workability can be further improved and the assembling efficiency can be improved.

In this case, the posture holding means for holding the finished product assembling device in a required posture and the intermediate product held by the posture holding means are connected to the intermediate product in which the constituent net of the intermediate product remains. It is effective to include a connecting robot that connects the parts to be connected with the connecting ring. Since the posture holding means can hold the posture of the intermediate product and attach the connecting ring, the assembly efficiency can be further improved.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, in the method of assembling the animal cage of the present invention, the required wire rods having the bottom net, the top net, the front net, the rear net and at least a pair of side nets adjacent to each other are used. In the method of assembling an animal cage, which is connected by a connecting ring to form an animal cage that forms a storage space for animals.
Using the above animal cage assembly system
The intermediate product is assembled, the intermediate product is folded, the folded intermediate product is transported to a required location, and then the finished product of the animal cage is assembled using the intermediate product. It has the same action and effect as above.

According to the present invention, since the intermediate product can be in a folded state, it is possible to facilitate subsequent storage and transportation to a site or the like. Then, for example, when assembling the finished product of the animal cage in the field, the constituent net of the folded intermediate product is raised to the required form, and the finished product can be assembled using this intermediate product. In this case, since the intermediate product is automatically assembled in advance by the intermediate product assembling device, the work of connecting the constituent nets can be reduced, the assembly workability can be improved, and the assembly efficiency can be improved. In addition, when assembling the finished product of the animal cage at the factory, it is possible to raise the constituent net of the intermediate product that has been folded once to make it the required form, but use the intermediate product that has been taken out as it is without folding. It can also be made into a finished product. If a finished product assembling device for assembling the finished product of the animal cage using the intermediate product is provided, the finished product assembling device can automatically assemble even the finished product using the intermediate product. Assembling workability can be improved and assembly efficiency can be improved.

It is an overall view which shows the assembly system and assembly method of the animal cage which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the intermediate product assembly apparatus in the animal cage assembly system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view (a) (b) which shows the structure of the holder in the intermediate product assembly apparatus of the animal cage assembly system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the holder in the intermediate product assembly apparatus of the animal cage assembly system which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (a) is a plan view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a side view. It is a figure. It is a figure which shows the mounting gun of the connecting ring of the connecting robot in the intermediate product assembling device of the assembling system of the animal cage which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view (a) (b) (c) which shows the finished product assembly apparatus together with the operation process in the animal cage assembly system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the animal cage applied to the assembly system of the animal cage which concerns on embodiment of this invention. An animal cage applied to the animal cage assembly system according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown, (a) is a front view, and (b) is a side view. It is an exploded perspective view which shows the animal cage applied to the assembly system of the animal cage which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an exploded perspective view which shows the structure of the intermediate product to be assembled in the intermediate product assembly apparatus of the animal cage assembly system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the folded state of the intermediate product assembled in the intermediate product assembly apparatus of the animal cage assembly system which concerns on embodiment of this invention together with the folding process.

Hereinafter, the animal cage assembly system and the animal cage assembly method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Since the method for assembling the animal cage according to the embodiment of the present invention is realized by the action of the animal cage assembly system according to the embodiment of the present invention, it will be described in the description of the action.

The animal cage assembly system S according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 is a system for assembling a poultry farm for collecting chicken eggs as the animal cage C. As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the animal cage C has a required wire rod that is adjacent to each other of the constituent nets of the bottom net 1, the top net 2, the front net 3, the rear net 4, and at least a pair of side nets 5. They are connected by a connecting ring R to form a storage space e in which animals are housed. Each constituent net is composed of, for example, a so-called welded wire mesh formed by welding a stainless steel wire rod to form a rectangular shape whose eyes do not allow adult chickens to come out, and the outer peripheral edge is basically bordered by the wire rod.

The connecting ring R may be made of any metal, resin, or the like, but in the embodiment, a well-known metal such as a C ring or a hog ring into which these wires are loosely fitted is used. The wires are bound and connected by the connecting ring R, but since the wires are loosely fitted to the connecting ring R, the wires can rotate in the connecting ring R if there is nothing to restrain the constituent net. This connecting ring R is mounted by a mounting gun described later.

Specifically, the bottom net 1 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape as a whole, is formed so as to be inclined downward so that the chicken egg can roll from the rear side to the front side, and the front end portion is bent upward toward the front end side. It is formed with a chicken egg receiving portion 6 for receiving a rolling chicken egg. The upper surface net 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape as a whole, and is arranged on the bottom surface net 1 at a predetermined height. The rear surface net 4 has a rear end edge 1a of the bottom surface net 1 and a rear end edge 2a of the upper surface net 2. It is provided between.

The front net 3 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape as a whole, has a chicken egg passage hole 7 formed between a pair of wire rods extending downward on the lower end side and allows a rolling egg to pass through, and is above the chicken egg passage hole 7. The bottom net 1 and the top net 2 are formed by having a door 8 that can be opened and closed by a net-like door 8 for taking in and out chickens, and the egg receiving portion 6 of the bottom net 1 is projected in front of the front net 3. It is provided between the front end edge 2b. Further, the side net 5 is formed in a trapezoidal shape surrounded by the bottom net 1, the top net 2, the rear net 4, and the front net 3 when viewed from the side surface, and the bottom net 1, the top net 2, the rear net 4, and the front surface net 5. It is provided orthogonal to the plane direction of the net 3. The side nets 5 include a pair of left and right outer side nets 5 (A), and one or a plurality (two in the embodiment) provided between the outer side nets 5 (A) at predetermined equal intervals. It is provided with a side net 5 (B). As a result, three storage spaces e for accommodating animals (chicken) are formed.

In the front net 3, three entrance / exit openings 9 that can be opened / closed by the chicken egg passage hole 7 and the door 8 are provided corresponding to the three storage spaces e. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the lower end portion of the wire rod 7a forming the chicken egg passage hole 7 of the front net 3 is formed into a U-shape as an engaging portion 10 that engages with the wire rod of the bottom net 1. It is configured, and the bottom net 1 and the front net 3 are connected by engaging the engaging portion 10. The engaging portion 10 may be crimped so that it cannot be engaged or disengaged after engagement.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9, in the animal cage C (finished product W), between the rear end edge 1a of the bottom net 1 and the lower end edge 4a of the rear net 4, the rear end edge 2a and the rear surface of the upper net 2 Between the upper end edge 4b of the net 4, between the front end edge 2b of the upper surface net 2 and the upper end edge 3a of the front surface net 3, the outer peripheral edge 5a of the side surface net 5 and the corresponding bottom surface net 1, upper surface net 2, rear surface. The net 4 and the front net 3 are connected to each other by a plurality of predetermined connecting rings R at required intervals.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the animal cage assembly system S according to the embodiment includes the bottom net 1, the top net 2, the front net 3, the rear net 4, and the side net 5 among the constituent nets. An intermediate product assembly device Sa that assembles an intermediate product Wa in which at least two or more constituent nets are foldably linked in advance, and a finished product assembly device Sb that assembles the finished product W of the animal cage C using this intermediate product Wa. I have. In the embodiment, the intermediate product assembling device Sa assembles the intermediate product Wa in which all the constituent nets of the bottom net 1, the top net 2, the front net 3, the rear net 4 and the side net 5 are linked in advance so as to be foldable. ..

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the intermediate product Wa is linked between the bottom surface net 1 and the front surface net 3 by engaging the engaging portion 10, and the rear end of the bottom surface net 1. Between the edge 1a and the lower edge 4a of the rear surface net 4, between the rear end edge 2a of the upper surface net 2 and the upper end edge 4b of the rear surface net 4, the lower end edge 5b of the outer peripheral edge 5a of the side surface net 5 and the bottom surface net A plurality of predetermined connecting rings R are linked to each other. That is, the linkage of the intermediate product Wa includes the engagement by the engaging portion 10 and the connection by the connecting ring R. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, each constituent net is folded from the engaging portion 10 and the linking portion by the connecting ring R, and the top net 2, the rear net 4, the front net 3 and the side net 5 are folded against the bottom net 1. Can be superimposed. In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, a pair of inner side nets 5 (B), one outer side net 5 (A) and the front side net 3 are superposed on the upper side of the bottom net 1, and the bottom net 1 The other outer surface net 5 (A), the rear surface net 4, and the upper surface net 2 are superimposed on the lower side in this order.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the intermediate product assembling device Sa includes a holder 20 that holds the constituent net to be assembled in a linked manner, and a transfer robot 30 that transfers the constituent net to a required position with respect to the holder 20. , The connecting robot 40, which is a constituent net held with respect to the holder 20 and connects the constituent nets to be linked with each other by a connecting ring R, and the intermediate product Wa assembled on the holder 20 are taken out from the holder 20. The robot 50 is provided with a control unit (not shown) that controls the operations of the transfer robot 30, the connecting robot 40, and the taking-out robot 50.

Specifically, the holder 20 erects a predetermined constituent net related to the linkage along the vertical direction thereof, and another constituent net related to the connection to the predetermined constituent net is connected by the connecting robot 40. An upright holding portion 21 for exposing and holding a portion related to the connection of a predetermined constituent net is provided so that the connection can be made by the connection ring R. The upright holding portion 21 of the holder 20 supports the side net 5 (outer side net 5 (A) and inner side net 5 (B)) along the surface direction in the vertical direction with the upper end edge facing down. The side net upright holding portion 21A is provided so that the lower end edge 5b is exposed upward and the front end edge is exposed to the front side to stand up. The side net upright holding portion 21A is provided on both sides of the base plate 22 that supports the side net 5 and the side net 5 installed on the base plate 22 so that the side net 5 stands up along the vertical direction. It is configured to include a first holding block 24 formed by forming a plurality of (four in the embodiment) grooves 23 having guide surfaces along the sides according to the arrangement interval of the side nets 5. When the front net 3 is supported on the base plate 22 with the upper end edge 3a facing down and the lower end side is exposed and erected on the base plate 22 on the front side of the first holding block 24, the upper end of the front net 3 is raised. A regulating member 25 is provided to prevent the edge portion from falling off to the front side.

Further, the upright holding portion 21 is provided on the rear side of the side net upright holding portion 21A, and supports the upper surface net 2 along the surface direction in the vertical direction with the front end edge 2b facing down and the rear end edge 2a. It is configured to include a side net upright holding portion 21A that is exposed upward and an upper surface net upright holding portion 21B that stands up in a required positional relationship. The upper surface net upright holding portion 21B includes the above-mentioned base plate 22 that supports the upper surface net 2 and the upper surface net 2 so that the upper surface net 2 is installed on the base plate 22 and stands up along the surface direction in the vertical direction. It is configured to include a second holding block 27 having guide surfaces along both sides and forming a groove 26 extending in a direction orthogonal to the groove 23 of the side surface net upright holding portion 21A.

Further, the holder 20 is located between the exposed rear end edge 2a of the upper surface net 2 holding the rear surface net 4 in the upper surface net upright holding portion 21B and the rear end edge 1a of the bottom surface net 1 placed on the side surface net 5. At the same time, the upper end edge 4b of the rear surface net 4 can be connected to the rear end edge 2a of the upper surface net 2 by the connecting ring R, and the lower end edge 4a of the rear surface net 4 can be connected to the rear end edge 1a of the bottom surface net 1 by the connecting ring R. As described above, the trapezoidal rear net support portion 28 for supporting the rear net 4 is provided. The rear net support portion 28 is projected from the groove 26 of the second holding block 27 toward the first holding block 24.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the transfer robot 30 is, for example, a 6-axis actuating type equipped with a gripping hand 31 for gripping the constituent net, and has a bottom net 1, a top net 2, a front net 3, and a rear net. The corresponding constituent nets are grasped and taken out from the stackers (not shown) stocked by stacking the constituent nets of 4 and the side nets 5, and transferred to the holder 20. Further, the transfer robot 30 engages the engaging portion 10 of the front net 3 with the bottom net 1.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the connecting robot 40 is, for example, a 6-axis actuating type equipped with a mounting gun 41 for automatically launching the connecting ring R in the hand portion. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the mounting gun 41 includes a supply pipe 42 that sequentially supplies the connecting ring R, a trigger 44 that is operated by the pneumatic cylinder 43, and a connection that is supplied from the supply pipe 42 by the operation of the trigger 44. It is configured to include a binding portion 45 for caulking and binding the wire rods of the constituent net for taking out and connecting the ring R. Two connecting robots 40 are installed. On the other hand, the connecting robot 40 (A) mounts a predetermined number of connecting rings R between the lower end edge 5b of the side net 5 and the bottom net 1. The other connecting robot 40 (B) is located between the lower end edge 4a of the rear surface net 4 and the rear end edge 1a of the bottom surface net 1, and between the upper end edge 4b of the rear surface net 4 and the rear end edge 2a of the upper surface net 2. A predetermined number of connecting rings R are attached.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the take-out robot 50 takes out the intermediate product Wa assembled on the holder 20 from the holder 20, and is provided with a gripping hand 51 for gripping the intermediate product Wa, for example, 6. It is a shaft-operated type.

The control unit operates the transfer robot 30 so that the transfer robot 30 places the bottom surface net 1 on the side net upright holding portion 21A at a required position on the exposed lower end edge 5b of the side net 5, and the transfer robot 30. Joins the front net 3 to the required position of the exposed front edge of the side net 5 held by the side net upright holding portion 21A, and the engaging portion 10 of the front net 3 is attached to the bottom net 1 mounted on the side net 5. The transfer robot 30 is operated so as to be engaged. Further, in the control unit, the transfer robot 30 holds the rear surface net 4 on the upper surface net upright holding portion 21B, and the exposed rear end edge 2a of the upper surface net 2 and the rear end edge 1a of the bottom surface net 1 mounted on the side surface net 5. The transfer robot 30 is operated so as to transfer to the rear net support portion 28 so as to be located between them. Further, the control unit operates the connecting robot 40 so that the connecting robot 40 sequentially attaches the connecting ring R to the required parts of the constituent nets by the mounting gun 41. Further, the control unit operates the take-out robot 50 to take out the intermediate product Wa assembled on the holder 20 from the holder 20.

Further, the holder 20 and the camera 60 that captures the surroundings including the constituent net held by the holder 20 are provided. The cameras 60 are mounted in the vicinity of the hands of the transfer robot 30 and the connecting robot 40, respectively. A mark 61 that can be captured and recognized by the camera 60 is attached to a predetermined position of the holder 20. Then, the control unit has a function of calculating and controlling the optimum operation of the transfer robot 30 and the connecting robot 40 based on the mark 61 imaged by the camera 60. As a result, it is possible to reliably position the constituent net with respect to the holder 20 and to position other constituent nets connected to the constituent net positioned with the holder 20. Further, the mounting gun 41 can be reliably moved so that the connecting rings R are sequentially mounted on the required parts of the constituent nets.

In addition, the camera 60 can confirm whether or not the constituent net is held in a normal state (posture) with respect to the holder 20. If it is not in the proper position or if there is a poor posture, this can be detected. In this case, the configuration network can be moved again and the installation can be redone. In addition, the camera 60 can also confirm whether or not the connection is performed by the connection ring R. When there is a connection failure due to the connection ring R, for example, an abnormal signal can be sent to stop the device. In this case, if the recognition determination is made using artificial intelligence or the like for the positioning of the constituent net, the positioning can be performed with even higher accuracy, and the connection accuracy by the connection ring R can be improved. Alternatively, if the connection state of the connection ring R is recognized and determined using artificial intelligence or the like, more accurate connection can be performed.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the present assembly system includes a finished product assembling device Sb for assembling the finished product W of the animal cage C using the intermediate product Wa. The finished product assembly device Sb is provided adjacent to the intermediate product assembly device Sa, or is transported to the site where the animal cage C is installed and installed. The finished product assembling device Sb has a holding robot 70 as a posture holding means for holding the intermediate product Wa in a required posture, and a remaining network of the intermediate product Wa with respect to the intermediate product Wa held by the holding robot 70. It is configured to include the same connecting robot 40 (C) as described above, which connects the parts to be connected with the connecting ring R.

In the embodiment, the holding robot 70 as the posture holding means is, for example, a 6-axis actuating type having a gripping hand 71 for gripping the outer surface side of the bottom surface net 1 of the intermediate product Wa. Further, the connecting robot 40 (C) is a 6-axis actuating type similar to the above, for example, the hand portion is provided with a mounting gun 41 that automatically launches the connecting ring R as described above. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, when the holding robot 70 grips the bottom net 1 of the intermediate product Wa and reverses the vertical direction, the side net 5, the front net 3, the rear net 4 and the top net 2 hang down. In this state, the connecting robot 40 (C) first connects the front net 3 to each side net 5 as shown in FIG. 6A. Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, the intermediate product Wa is inverted by 180 ° in the upside-down direction, and this time, the rear surface net 4 is connected to each side surface net 5. Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, the bottom surface net 1 is lifted by 90 ° so that its surface is along the vertical direction, the top surface net 2 is joined to the side surface net 5 and the front surface net 3, and the top surface net 2 and the top surface net 2 are joined. The side net 5, the top net 2 and the front net 3 are connected.

Therefore, according to the assembly system according to the embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 10, first, the intermediate product Wa is assembled by the intermediate product assembling device Sa. At this time, each constituent net is laminated on a stacker or the like in advance, and the constituent nets assembled by the transfer robot 30 are taken out from the stacker and transferred to the holder 20 under the control of the control unit. Then, the connecting robots 40 (A) and (B) are operated by the control of the control unit, and the connecting nets that are held by the holder 20 and are linked to each other are connected by the connecting ring R. As a result, the intermediate product Wa is assembled.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 10, the transfer robot 30 first sequentially transfers the side net 5 to the side net upright holding portion 21A of the holder 20. Next, the bottom surface net 1 is transferred by the transfer robot 30, and is placed on the lower end edge 5b of the side surface net 5. In this state, one of the connecting robots 40 (A) operates, and a predetermined number of connecting rings R are mounted between the lower end edge 5b of the side net 5 and the bottom net 1. In this case, since the side net 5 to be linked is upright and held in the holder 20, the side net 5 can be easily positioned, and the connecting robot 40 (A) can easily and surely connect the side net 5 with the connecting ring R. Can be done.

Further, in parallel with this, the upper surface net 2 is transferred to the upper surface net upright holding portion 21B of the holder 20 by the transfer robot 30. Next, the rear net 4 is transferred to the rear net support portion 28 of the holder 20 by the transfer robot 30. In this state, the other connecting robot 40 (B) operates, and a predetermined number of connecting rings R are attached to the rear end edge 2a of the upper surface net 2 and the upper end edge 4b of the rear surface net 4. In this case, in the holder 20, since the upper surface net 2 to be linked is upright and held, the upper surface net 2 can be easily positioned, and the connecting robot 40 (B) can easily and surely connect the upper surface net 2 with the connecting ring R. Can be done. Next, when one of the connecting robots 40 (A) finishes mounting the connecting ring R between the lower end edge 5b of the side net 5 and the bottom net 1, the other connecting robot 40 (B) has the bottom net 1. A predetermined number of connecting rings R are mounted between the rear end edge 1a and the lower end edge 4a of the rear surface net 4.

Further, in parallel with this, the front net 3 is transferred to the front side of the first holding block 24 of the holder 20 by the transfer robot 30, and the engaging portion 10 of the front net 3 is placed on the side net 5. It is engaged with the bottom net 1. In this case, the front net 3 is supported by the base plate 22 with its upper end edge 3a facing down, and the front net 3 is erected by being restricted from falling off to the front side of the upper end edge portion of the front net 3. As a result, the intermediate product Wa is assembled. This intermediate product Wa is taken out from the holder 20 by the take-out robot 50.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 11, the intermediate product Wa is automatically folded by another robot or manually. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, each constituent net is folded from the engaging portion 10 and the linking portion by the connecting ring R, and a pair of inner side nets 5 (B) and one outside are sequentially placed on the upper side of the bottom net 1. The side net 5 (A) and the front net 3 are superposed, and the other outer net 5 (A), the rear net 4 and the top net 2 are superposed on the lower side of the bottom net 1 in this order. In particular, since the plurality of outer surface nets 5 (A) and inner side surface nets 5 (B) can be folded with respect to the bottom surface net 1, the intermediate product Wa can be made compact. The folded intermediate product Wa is transported to, for example, a warehouse and stored. In this case, since the intermediate product Wa can be in a folded state, it can be easily transported, and since it becomes compact, it can be easily stored. Further, in this case, since the intermediate product Wa is composed of all of the constituent nets, it is possible to further facilitate transportation and storage in the folded state.

Next, when the animal cage C is installed at a site such as a poultry farm, the required number of intermediate products Wa are transported by truck or the like. In this case, since the intermediate product Wa is folded, it can be easily transported. Since the intermediate product Wa is composed of all of the constituent nets, it is possible to further facilitate the transportation in the folded state. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, a finished product assembly device Sb is installed at the site. Then, the finished product W is assembled by the finished product assembling device Sb.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the holding robot 70 as the posture holding means grips the outer surface side of the bottom surface net 1 of the intermediate product Wa with the gripping hand 71, and the vertical direction is reversed. As a result, the side net 5, the front net 3, the rear net 4, and the top net 2 hang down. In this state, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, the front surface net 3 is first connected to each side surface net 5 by the connecting robot 40 (C). Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, the intermediate product Wa is inverted by 180 ° in the upside-down direction, and this time, the rear surface net 4 is connected to each side surface net 5. Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, the bottom surface net 1 is lifted by 90 ° so that its surface is along the vertical direction, the top surface net 2 is joined to the side surface net 5 and the front surface net 3, and the top surface net 2 and the top surface net 2 are joined. The side net 5, the top net 2 and the front net 3 are connected. Since the holding robot 70 can hold the posture of the intermediate product Wa and attach the connecting ring R, the assembly efficiency can be further improved. In this way, the finished product assembling device Sb can automatically assemble even the finished product W using the intermediate product Wa, so that the assembling workability can be further improved and the assembling efficiency can be improved.

In the above embodiment, in the assembly of the intermediate product Wa, the operation order of the transfer robot 30 and the two connecting robots 40 (A) and 40 (B) is not limited to the above-mentioned order, for example. First, the transfer robot 30 transfers the upper surface net 2 to the upper surface net upright holding portion 21B of the holder 20, and then transfers the rear surface net 4 to the rear surface net support portion 28 of the holder 20, and in this state, A predetermined number of connecting rings R are attached to the rear end edge 2a of the upper surface net 2 and the upper end edge 4b of the rear surface net 4 by the other connecting robot 40 (B). In parallel with this, the transfer robot 30 transfers the side net 5 to the side net upright holding portion 21A of the holder 20, and the bottom net 1 is transferred. In this state, one connecting robot 40 (A) transfers the side net 5. , A predetermined number of connecting rings R are mounted between the lower end edge 5b of the side net 5 and the bottom net 1. Then, a predetermined number of connecting rings R are mounted between the rear end edge 1a of the bottom surface net 1 and the lower end edge 4a of the rear surface net 4 by the other connecting robot 40 (B). Finally, the transfer robot 30 engages the front net 3 with the bottom net 1. Alternatively, the transfer robot 30 first installs all of the side net 5, top net 2, bottom net 1, front net 3, and rear net 4 on the holder 20, and then one and the other connecting robot 40 (A). The operation order of the transfer robot 30 and the two connecting robots 40 (A) and (B) may be appropriately changed, such as by attaching the connecting ring R according to (B).

Further, in the above embodiment, the intermediate product Wa is configured by linking all of the constituent nets of the bottom net 1, the top net 2, the front net 3, the rear net 4, and the side net 5 in advance so as to be foldable. The intermediate product Wa is not necessarily limited to this, and for example, the intermediate product Wa is composed of other constituent nets excluding the front net 3, or the intermediate product Wa is formed from the bottom net 1, the front net 3, and the side net 5. It may be configured in any unit, such as being divided into two, such as a first intermediate product Wa and a second intermediate product Wa composed of a rear surface net 4 and an upper surface net 2, and may be changed as appropriate. However, it is desirable to use an intermediate product Wa in which all of the constituent nets are linked in advance so as to be foldable. Further, a plurality of types of intermediate product assembly devices may be provided. Further, the posture holding means of the finished product assembling device Sb is not limited to the holding robot 70, and may have a configuration such as a holding tool 20, and may be appropriately changed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the finished product W is performed on site has been described, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and the finished product assembly device Sb is installed in the factory and directly from the intermediate product Wa. It may be assembled so as to be a finished product W, and may be changed as appropriate. Further, the intermediate product Wa may be automatically folded by a robot or the like. Further, the folding method and order of the constituent nets may be appropriately determined.

Further, in the above embodiment, the present invention has been applied to a poultry cage for collecting chicken eggs, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and various animals including those for broilers and young birds. Of course, it can be applied to cages for breeding and transportation. In short, the invention is not limited to the embodiments of the invention described above, and one of ordinary skill in the art will make many modifications to these exemplary embodiments without substantial departure from the novel teachings and effects of the invention. It is easy to make, and many of these modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

S Animal cage assembly system Sa Intermediate product assembly device Sb Finished product assembly device C Animal cage W Finished product Wa Intermediate product R Connecting ring 1 Bottom net 2 Top net 3 Front net 4 Rear net 5 Side net 5 (A) Outside Side net 5 (B) Inner side net e Storage space 6 Chicken egg receiving part 7 Chicken egg passing hole 7a Wire rod 8 Door 9 Doorway opening 10 Engagement part 20 Holder 21 Standing holding part 21A Side net standing holding part 21B Top net standing holding part 22 Base plate 23 Groove 24 1st holding block 25 Regulator member 26 Groove 27 2nd holding block 28 Rear net support 30 Transfer robot 40 Connecting robot 41 Mounting gun 50 Extraction robot 60 Camera 61 Mark 70 Holding robot (posture holding means)

Claims (15)

An animal cage is assembled by connecting the required wire rods adjacent to each other by connecting the bottom net, the top net, the front net, the rear net, and at least one pair of side nets with a connecting ring to form a storage space for animals. In the animal cage assembly system
It is characterized by being equipped with an intermediate product assembling device for assembling an intermediate product in which at least two or more constituent nets of the bottom net, top net, front net, rear net, and side net are foldably linked in advance. Animal cage assembly system. The animal cage assembly system according to claim 1, wherein the linking of the intermediate products includes connection by the connecting ring. The intermediate product assembling device includes a holder that holds the constituent net to be assembled in a linked manner, a transfer robot that transfers the constituent net to a required position with respect to the holder, and a constituent net held with respect to the holder. The animal product according to claim 2, further comprising a connecting robot that connects the connecting networks with the connecting ring, and a control unit that controls the operation of the transfer robot and the connecting robot. Cage assembly system. In the holder, a predetermined predetermined constituent net related to linkage is erected along the vertical direction of the surface direction, and other constituent nets related to connection to the predetermined constituent net are connected by the connecting robot in a connecting ring. The animal cage assembly system according to claim 3, further comprising an upright holding portion for exposing and holding a portion related to the connection of the predetermined constituent net so that the predetermined constituent net can be connected. Claims 2 to 4 are characterized in that the intermediate product assembling device assembles an intermediate product in which all of the constituent nets of the bottom net, the top net, the front net, the rear net, and the side net are linked in advance so as to be foldable. The animal cage assembly system described in either. The above animal cage is for poultry farming for collecting eggs,
The bottom net is formed so as to incline downward so that the eggs can roll from the rear side to the front side, and the front end portion bends upward to the front end side to receive the rolling chicken eggs. Formed in preparation
The upper surface net is arranged on the bottom surface net at a predetermined height.
The rear surface net is provided between the rear end edge of the bottom surface net and the rear end edge of the top surface net.
The front net is formed between a pair of wires extending downward on the lower end side, has a chicken egg passage hole through which the rolling chicken egg passes, and is a net-like door on the upper side of the passage hole for inserting and removing chickens. It is formed with an opening and closing opening, and is provided between the bottom net and the front end edge of the top net by projecting the egg receiving portion of the bottom net in front of the front net.
The side net is provided so that its surface direction is orthogonal to the surface directions of the bottom net, the top net, the rear net, and the front net.
The lower end of the wire rod forming the chicken egg passage hole of the front net is formed as a U-shaped bend and is configured as an engaging portion that engages with the wire rod of the bottom net, and is between the bottom net and the front net. Is connected by engaging the engaging portions,
Between the rear edge of the bottom net and the bottom edge of the rear net, between the rear edge of the top net and the top edge of the rear net, between the front edge of the top net and the top edge of the front net, The third to fifth aspects of claim 3 to 5, wherein the outer peripheral edge of the side net and the corresponding bottom net, top net, rear net, and front net are connected by the connecting ring, respectively. Animal cage assembly system. The intermediate product is linked between the bottom surface net and the front surface net by engaging the engaging portion, and between the rear end edge of the bottom surface net and the lower end edge of the rear surface net, after the top surface net. Between the end edge and the upper end edge of the rear surface net, and between the lower end edge of the side surface net and the bottom surface net, each is configured by being linked by the connecting ring, and each of the engaging portion and the linking portion by the connecting ring is formed. The animal cage assembly system according to claim 6, wherein the constituent net is folded so that the top net, the rear net, the front net and the side net can be superimposed on the bottom net. The animal cage is characterized in that, as the side net, a pair of left and right outer side nets are provided, and one or a plurality of inner side nets are provided between the outer side nets at predetermined intervals. Item 6. The animal cage assembly system according to item 6. In the holder, a predetermined predetermined constituent net related to linkage is erected along the vertical direction of the surface direction, and other constituent nets related to connection to the predetermined constituent net are connected by the connecting robot in a connecting ring. It is provided with an upright holding portion that exposes and holds the portion related to the connection of the predetermined constituent net so that it can be connected.
The upright holding portion of the holder is provided with a side net upright holding portion for supporting the side net along the vertical direction with the upper end edge facing down and exposing the lower end edge and the front end edge. Configure and
The control unit operates the transfer robot so that the transfer robot mounts the bottom surface net on the required position of the exposed lower end edge of the side net held by the side net upright holding unit, and the transfer robot operates the transfer robot. The front net is joined to the required position of the exposed front end edge of the side net held by the side net upright holding portion, and the engaging portion of the front net engages with the bottom net mounted on the side net. 7. The animal cage assembly system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the transfer robot is operated. The upright holding portion of the holder is supported by supporting the upper surface net along the vertical direction with the front end edge facing down to expose the rear end edge, and the required positional relationship with the side net upright holding portion. It is configured to have an upright holding part for the upper surface net to stand up.
The holder is located between the exposed rear end edge of the upper surface net holding the rear surface net in the upper surface net upright holding portion and the rear end edge of the bottom surface net placed on the side surface net, and the rear surface net. A rear net support portion that supports the rear net so that the upper end edge of the upper net can be connected to the rear end edge of the upper net with a connecting ring and the lower end edge of the rear net can be connected to the rear end edge of the bottom net with a connecting ring. Prepare,
The control unit is located between the exposed rear end edge of the upper surface net in which the transfer robot holds the rear surface net in the upper surface net upright holding unit and the rear end edge of the bottom surface net placed on the side surface net. 9. The animal cage assembly system according to claim 9, wherein the transfer robot is operated so as to transfer to the rear net support portion. A camera that captures the surroundings including the holder and the constituent network held by the holder is provided, and the control unit calculates the optimum operation of the transfer robot and the connected robot based on the image data of the camera. The animal cage assembly system according to any one of claims 3 to 10, further comprising a control function. A mark is attached to a predetermined position of the holder, the camera is mounted on the transfer robot and the connection robot, and the control unit performs the optimum operation of the transfer robot and the connection robot based on the mark imaged by the camera. The animal cage assembly system according to claim 11, further comprising a function of calculating and controlling. The animal cage assembly system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a finished product assembling device for assembling a finished product of an animal cage using the intermediate product. A posture holding means for holding the finished product assembling device in a required posture, and a portion to be connected to the intermediate product held by the posture holding means, in which a constituent network of the intermediate product remains. 13. The animal cage assembly system according to claim 13, wherein the robot is provided with a connecting robot for connecting the above. An animal cage is assembled by connecting the required wire rods adjacent to each other with a connecting ring to form a storage space for animals by connecting the bottom net, the top net, the front net, the rear net, and at least one pair of side nets. In the method of assembling the animal cage
Using the animal cage assembly system according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
Assembling the animal cage, which comprises assembling the intermediate product, folding the intermediate product, transporting the folded intermediate product to a required place, and then assembling the finished product of the animal cage using the intermediate product. Method.