JP2022183852A - Carrying system and processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a carrying system that can carry in and carry out a plurality of trays, while suppressing burdens on a worker.SOLUTION: A carrying system 1 comprise: a first carriage 9 for supplying empty trays on which a plurality of empty trays 20A on which display panels 100 are not placed are stuck up; a first lift 3 that can adjust height positions of the plurality of empty trays 20A; a second carriage 10 for ejecting loaded trays on which a plurality of loaded trays 20B placed with the display panels 100 are stuck up; a second lift 4 that can adjust height positions of the plurality of loaded trays 20B; a first tray carrying mechanism 5 that carries the empty tray 20A at the uppermost stage of the plurality of empty trays 20A on the first carriage 9 stopped at an empty tray supply position 9A, in order to stack up the empty tray on a plurality of loaded trays 20B on the second carriage 10 stopped at a rear tray ejection position 10A; and a work-piece transferring mechanism 6 that places the display panel 100 on the empty tray 20A carried by the first tray carrying mechanism 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a transport system for transporting a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel, and a processing system provided with the transport system.

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a conveying system incorporated in an assembly line for liquid crystal display devices used in mobile devices and the like (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The transport system described in Patent Document 1 includes a carry-in conveyor that carries in stacks of trays containing display panels, a first tray stage and a second tray stage on which the trays are placed, a first tray stage and a second tray stage. A first robot that takes out the display panel from the tray placed on the second tray stage, a discharge conveyor that discharges the empty trays in a stacked state, and a tray from the loading conveyor to the first tray stage and the second tray stage and a second robot that passes trays from the first tray stage and the second tray stage to the discharge conveyor.

In the transport system described in Patent Literature 1, an operator manually carries a plurality of stacked trays onto the carry-in conveyor. Also, the operator manually carries out the stacked trays from the discharge conveyor.

JP 2018-127332 A

In the transport system described in Patent Literature 1, when a plurality of trays are manually carried in and out by an operator, there is a problem that the burden on the operator is large. In addition, when the display panel is housed in the tray, there is a problem that the housed display panel may be damaged if the operator accidentally knocks down the tray when loading and unloading.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a transport system capable of loading and unloading a plurality of trays while reducing the burden on the operator.

In order to solve the above problems, a transport system according to the present invention includes a first carriage for supplying empty trays in which a plurality of empty trays on which no work is placed are stacked, and height positions of the plurality of empty trays. a second carriage for discharging full trays stacked with a plurality of full trays on which the workpieces are placed; and a second lift capable of adjusting the height position of the plurality of full trays. and, among the plurality of empty trays on the first truck stopped at the empty tray supply position, the uppermost empty tray is transferred from the plurality of empty trays on the second truck stopped at the actual tray discharge position. It is characterized by having a first tray transport mechanism that transports the work to be stacked on the actual tray, and a work transfer mechanism that places the work on the empty tray transported by the first tray transport mechanism.

In the present invention, a plurality of empty trays on which workpieces are not placed are carried into the transport system using the first carriage for supplying empty trays. Also, a plurality of actual trays on which works are placed are unloaded from the transport system using the second carriage for unloading actual trays. Then, the transport system places the work on the empty tray carried in by the first carriage, and transports the full tray on which the work is placed to the second carriage. Therefore, the transport system transports empty trays from the state in which the trays are stacked on the first carriage, and stacks the actual trays on which the workpieces are placed on the second carriage.・It is possible to reduce the burden on the worker when unloading. Further, the first tray transport mechanism transports the uppermost empty tray among the plurality of empty trays on the first carriage so as to be stacked on the plurality of actual trays on the second actual tray carriage. It becomes possible to share the truck and the second truck.

In the present invention, a moving direction of the first carriage to the empty tray supply position, a moving direction of the first carriage from the empty tray supplying position, a moving direction of the second carriage to the actual tray discharging position, and All of the moving directions of the second truck from the actual tray ejection position are along the first direction, and the arrangement direction of the empty tray supply position and the actual tray ejection position is relative to the first direction. It is preferred that they are intersecting second directions. With this configuration, when moving the first truck and the second truck, the worker can move them from the same direction with respect to the transport system.

In the present invention, it is preferable that a plurality of full tray discharge mechanisms using the second carriage are arranged along the second direction. Further, in this case, in the present invention, it is preferable that each of the plurality of actual tray discharge mechanisms corresponds to the result of inspection of the workpiece. Therefore, when the work transfer mechanism moves the work based on the work inspection result, if a plurality of actual tray discharge mechanisms using the second carriage are arranged, the second carriage corresponding to the inspection result is arranged. becomes possible. As a result, the transport system can simultaneously transport a plurality of works with different inspection results.

In the present invention, a mode in which the work transfer mechanism is a SCARA robot can be adopted.

In the present invention, in the first ejection mechanism among the plurality of actual tray ejection mechanisms and the second ejection mechanism different from the first ejection mechanism among the plurality of actual tray ejection mechanisms, the work transfer The position of the empty tray when the mechanism places the work is displaced in the first direction, and the first discharge mechanism removes the plurality of empty trays on the second carriage stopped at the actual tray discharge position. The work transfer mechanism places the work on the empty tray stacked on the actual tray, and the second discharge mechanism causes the second tray transfer mechanism to transfer the empty tray conveyed by the first tray transfer mechanism. After the tray is transported along the first direction to the position where the workpiece is placed by the work transfer mechanism, the tray is placed on the plurality of actual trays on the second carriage stopped at the actual tray ejection position. Stacking is preferred. Here, in the case of the actual tray ejection mechanism in which the first ejection mechanism and the second ejection mechanism are arranged in the second direction, the movement range of the work transfer mechanism must be widened in the second direction. The mechanism becomes large. However, in the present invention, in the second ejection mechanism, the second tray transport mechanism transports the empty tray transported by the first tray transport mechanism along the first direction to the position where the workpiece is placed by the work transfer mechanism. Therefore, the position of the empty tray when the work transfer mechanism places the work thereon is shifted in the first direction between the first discharge mechanism and the second discharge mechanism. As a result, the movement range of the work transfer mechanism in the second direction becomes smaller than when the second discharge mechanism does not include the second tray transport mechanism. As a result, even if the transport system includes a plurality of actual tray discharge mechanisms, it is possible to prevent the work transfer mechanism from becoming large.

A transport system according to the present invention includes: a first carriage for supplying a full tray in which a plurality of full trays on which workpieces are placed are stacked; a first lift capable of adjusting the height positions of the plurality of full trays; A second carriage for discharging empty trays in which a plurality of empty trays on which no work is placed are stacked, a second lift capable of adjusting the height position of the plurality of empty trays, and a stop at an actual tray supply position transports the uppermost full tray among the plurality of full trays on the first carriage to the work take-out position, and stops the empty tray from which the work has been taken out at the work take-out position at the empty tray discharge position. and a work transfer mechanism for picking up the work from the actual tray at the work take-out position. .

In the present invention, a plurality of full trays on which works are placed are carried into the transport system using the first carriage for supplying full trays. Also, a plurality of empty trays on which no workpieces are placed are carried out from the transport system using the second carrier for empty tray ejection. Then, the transport system transports the full tray carried in by the first carriage to the work take-out position, and transports the empty tray from which the work has been taken out at the work take-out position to the second carriage. Therefore, the transport system transports actual trays from a state in which trays are stacked on the first carriage, and stacks empty trays from which workpieces have been taken out on the second carriage. It is possible to reduce the burden on the worker when carrying out. Further, the first tray transport mechanism transports the uppermost empty tray among the plurality of empty trays on the first carriage so as to be stacked on the plurality of actual trays on the second actual tray carriage. It becomes possible to share the truck and the second truck.

In the present invention, a moving direction of the first carriage to the actual tray supply position, a moving direction of the first carriage from the actual tray supplying position, a moving direction of the second carriage to the empty tray discharging position, and All of the moving directions of the second carriage from the empty tray discharge position are along the first direction, and the arrangement direction of the actual tray supply position and the empty tray discharge position intersects the first direction. It is preferable that the direction is the second direction. With this configuration, when moving the first truck and the second truck, the worker can move them from the same direction with respect to the transport system.

In the present invention, a mode in which the work transfer mechanism is a SCARA robot can be adopted.

A processing system according to the present invention is a processing system including the transport system described above, wherein the inspection is performed during a period from the actual tray supply position to the actual tray discharge position until the workpiece is transported. A device is provided.

In the present invention, it is possible to load and unload a plurality of trays by using the first truck and the second truck, so it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator. In addition, it is possible to prevent trays from being erroneously knocked down when loading and unloading a plurality of trays.

1 is a plan view of a transport system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a front view of a transport system; FIG. 1 is a side view of a transport system; FIG. It is a figure which shows a separation mechanism and a stacking mechanism, FIG.4(a) is a figure which shows a separation mechanism, FIG.4(b) is a figure which shows a stacking mechanism. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a transport system according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a front view of a transport system; FIG. 1 is a side view of a transport system; FIG.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the case where the workpiece is the display panel 100 will be mainly described. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a transport system according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the transport system. FIG. 3 is a side view of the transport system; 4A and 4B are views showing a separation mechanism and a stacking mechanism, FIG. 4A is a view showing the separation mechanism, and FIG. 4B is a view showing the stacking mechanism.

(Overall configuration of transport system)
A transport system 1 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is used by being incorporated in a production line for small liquid crystal displays used in mobile devices and the like. When the display panel 100, which is a workpiece inspected in the previous process, is carried in by the carrying-in mechanism 11, the transport system 1 transports the carried-in display panel 100 to the tray 20 based on the inspection result. The display panel 100 is a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL panel, or the like. The display panel 100 is formed in a rectangular shape. In this embodiment, the pre-process is a process of lighting inspection of the display panel 100, and the display panel 100 is classified as a non-defective product, a defective product, or a re-inspected product based on the inspection result of the lighting inspection.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the transport system 1 includes a main body 2, a first carriage 9 stacked with a plurality of empty trays 20A on which no display panel 100 is placed, and a display panel 100 placed thereon. and a second carriage 10 on which a plurality of packed trays 20B are stacked. The first carriage 9 and the second carriage 10 are carried out from the main body part 2 and carried into the main body part 2 along a predetermined moving direction. In this embodiment, as the second truck 10, a second truck 101, a second truck 102, and a second truck 103 are provided.

Here, in the drawing, directions orthogonal to each other are defined as the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the Z-axis direction. The moving direction of the first carriage 9 and the second carriage 10 is defined as the X-axis direction, the direction in which the first carriage 9 and the second carriage 10 are carried out from the main body 2 is defined as the X1 direction, and the first carriage 9 and the second carriage 10 are arranged. is carried into the main body 2 as the X2 direction. The first truck 9 and the second truck 10 are arranged in the Y-axis direction. In the Z-axis direction, the upward direction is the Z1 direction, and the downward direction is the Z2 direction.

The main body 2 includes a first lift 3 capable of adjusting the height positions of the plurality of empty trays 20A placed on the first carriage 9, and the height of the plurality of full trays 20B placed on the second carriage 10. A position-adjustable second lift 4 conveys a plurality of empty trays 20A on a first carriage 9 stopped at an empty tray supply position 9A to a second carriage 10 stopped at an actual tray discharge position 10A. and a workpiece transfer mechanism 6 for placing the display panel 100 on the empty tray 20A transported by the first tray transport mechanism 5 . In this embodiment, as the second lift 4, a second lift 4A, a second lift 4B, and a second lift 4C are provided.

The main unit 2 includes a separation mechanism 7 for separating the uppermost empty tray 20A from the plurality of empty trays 20A on the first lift 3, and a real tray on which the display panel 100 is placed by the work transfer mechanism 6. and a stacking mechanism 8 for stacking 20B onto a plurality of full trays 20B on the second lift 4. - 特許庁The stacking mechanism 8 includes a stacking mechanism 8A that stacks the full trays 20B on the second carriage 101, a stacking mechanism 8B that stacks the full trays 20B on the second carriage 102, and a stacking mechanism 8B that stacks the full trays 20B on the second carriage 103. and a mechanism 8C.

Here, the second carriage 10 , the second lift 4 and the stacking mechanism 8 constitute a full tray discharge mechanism 16 . In this embodiment, a plurality of actual tray ejection mechanisms 16 are provided. More specifically, the actual tray ejection mechanism 16 includes a first ejection mechanism 16A and a second ejection mechanism 16B. The first discharge mechanism 16A is composed of a second truck 101, a second lift 4A, a stacking mechanism 8A, a second truck 102, a second lift 4A and a stacking mechanism 8B. The second discharge mechanism 16B is composed of a second carriage 103, a second lift 4C and a stacking mechanism 8C. The second ejection mechanism 16B also includes a second tray transport mechanism 15 .

An empty tray 20A and a full tray 20B as the tray 20 of this embodiment are configured by the same tray. The empty tray 20A and the full tray 20B are formed in a substantially rectangular flat plate shape. A concave portion in which the display panel 100 is accommodated is formed in the upper surfaces of the empty tray 20A and the full tray 20B.

(Loading mechanism)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the loading mechanism 11 transports the display panel 100 inspected in the previous process to the transport system 1 . The carrying-in mechanism 11 includes a stage 12 on which the display panel 100 is placed, and a drive unit 13 that reciprocates the stage 12 in the X-axis direction. The external shape of the stage 12 is rectangular. The drive unit 13 is composed of an electric cylinder or the like, and extends in the X-axis direction. The loading mechanism 11 transports the display panel 100 placed on the stage 12 at the end in the X2 direction to the end in the X1 direction.

(First truck)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first carriage 9 is used to carry a plurality of empty trays 20A into the main body 2. As shown in FIGS. The first carriage 9 includes a placement portion 91 on which a plurality of empty trays 20A are placed. The mounting section 91 includes three support members 911 . The support members 911 extend in the X-axis direction and are spaced apart in the Y-axis direction. The first carriage 9 has a connecting portion that connects with the main body portion 2 when stopped at the empty tray supply position 9A. Except when the first truck 9 is moved from the main body 2 , the first truck 9 is fixed to the main body 2 by connecting the connecting portion to the main body 2 .

(1st lift)
The first lift 3 overlaps the mounting portion 91 of the first carriage 9 in the Z-axis direction at the empty tray supply position 9A. The first lift 3 includes a stage 31 on which a plurality of empty trays 20A are placed, and a lift section 32 that moves the stage 31 in the Z-axis direction. Two stages 31 and 41 are provided, and each of them is positioned between three support members 911 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The lift section 32 is positioned in the Z2 direction from the mounting section 91 of the first carriage 9 . The first lift 3 moves the stage 31 in the Z-axis direction by the lift section 32, so that the stage 31 passes between the support members 911 and reciprocates in the Z-axis direction.

In this embodiment, the stage 31 is positioned in the Z2 direction from the support member 911 when the first carriage 9 is positioned at the empty tray supply position 9A. When the first carriage 9 is set at the empty tray supply position 9A, the first lift 3 causes the lift section 32 to move the stage 31 from below the support member 911 to above. As a result, the plurality of empty trays 20A placed on the first carriage 9 are moved to the stage 31 and lifted upward.

(Separation mechanism 7)
The separation mechanism 7 separates the uppermost empty tray 20A from the plurality of empty trays 20A lifted by the first lift 3 . As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the separation mechanism 7 is arranged in the Z1 direction from the first lift 3 and overlaps the first lift 3 in the Z-axis direction. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4A, the separation mechanism 7 includes a separation section 70 that separates the uppermost empty tray 20A and moves the separated empty tray 20A in the Z1 direction. The separation mechanism 7 also includes a support portion 71 that supports the empty tray 20A moved in the Z1 direction by the separation portion 70, and a positioning member 72 that abuts on the corner of the empty tray 20A supported by the support portion 71. Prepare.

The separation section 70 includes a separation claw 73 for separating the uppermost empty tray 20A, a driving section 74 for moving the separation claw 73 in the Y-axis direction, and a connecting member 75a for moving the driving section 74 in the Z-axis direction. A drive unit 75 for moving and a holding unit 76 for holding the separated empty tray 20A are provided.

The separation claws 73 are arranged so as to sandwich the uppermost empty tray 20A on both sides in the Y-axis direction. The drive unit 74 is composed of an air cylinder or the like. The drive unit 74 moves the separation claws 73 in the Y-axis direction, so that the separation claws 73 move from the interval at which the uppermost empty tray 20A is held to the uppermost empty tray 20A at both ends in the Y-axis direction. empty tray 20A. The holding portions 76 are fixed to the connecting member 75a and arranged to sandwich the empty tray 20A on both sides in the Y-axis direction. After the separation claws 73 have moved to the space for holding the empty tray 20A, the holding section 76 is positioned above the empty tray 20A and holds the upper surface of the empty tray 20A separated by the suction section 76a.

The drive unit 75 is composed of an electric cylinder or the like. The driving portion 75 moves the separation claw 73 in the Z-axis direction by moving the driving portion 74 in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the drive unit 75 separates the uppermost empty tray 20A from the plurality of empty trays 20A by moving the separation claw 73 in the Z1 direction in a state where the separation claw 73 holds the uppermost empty tray 20A. do. At this time, the holding portion 76 is moved in the Z1 direction by the driving portion 75 together with the separation claw 73 while holding the upper surface of the separated empty tray 20A.

The support section 71 includes a support member 77 that supports the lower surface of the empty tray 20A moved in the Z1 direction by the separation section 70, and a drive section 78 that moves the support member 77. As shown in FIG. The support members 77 include first support members 77a arranged to sandwich the empty tray 20A on both sides in the X-axis direction, and second support members 77b arranged to sandwich the empty tray 20A on both sides in the Y-axis direction. , provided. The driving portion 78 is composed of an air cylinder or the like. The drive section 78 includes a first drive section 78a that moves the first support member 77a in the X-axis direction, and a second drive section 78b that moves the second support member 77b in the Y-axis direction. By moving the first supporting member 77a and the second supporting member 77b respectively by the first driving section 78a and the second driving section 78b, the first supporting member 77a and the second supporting member 77b move the empty tray 20A. The space is moved from the space that supports the bottom surface to the space that does not support the bottom surface of the empty tray 20A.

The positioning member 72 is moved by the driving portion 79 from the position where it contacts the corner of the empty tray 20A supported by the support portion 71 to the position where it does not contact. The positioning member 72 positions the empty tray 20A with respect to the support portion 71 by coming into contact with the corners of the empty tray 20A.

(Second truck)
The second carriage 10 is used to unload the plurality of trays 20B from the main body 2. As shown in FIG. Since the second carriage 10 has the same configuration as the first carriage 9, the same reference numerals are given and the description thereof is omitted. The second carriage 10 has a connection portion that connects with the main body portion 2 when stopped at the actual tray ejection position 10A. Except when the second truck 10 is moved from the main body 2 , the second truck 10 is fixed to the main body 2 by connecting the connecting portion to the main body 2 .

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a second truck 101, a second truck 102, and a second truck 103 are provided as the second truck 10. FIG. A second truck 101, a second truck 102, and a second truck 103 are arranged in this order along the Y1 direction. On the second carriage 101, the actual tray 20B containing the display panel 100 judged to be "non-defective" in the previous process is placed. On the second carriage 102, the actual tray 20B containing the display panel 100 judged to be "defective" in the previous process is placed. On the second carriage 103, the actual tray 20B containing the display panel 100 judged to be the "re-inspection product" in the previous process is placed.

(2nd lift)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the second lift 4 overlaps the mounting portion 91 of the second carriage 10 in the Z-axis direction at the actual tray ejection position 10A. The second lift 4 includes a stage 41 on which a plurality of actual trays 20B are placed, and a lift section 42 that moves the stage 41 in the Z-axis direction. Two stages 41 are provided and positioned between the three support members 911 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The lift section 32 is positioned in the Z2 direction from the mounting section 91 of the second carriage 10 . The second lift 4 moves the stage 41 in the Z-axis direction by the lift portion 42, so that the stage 41 passes between the support members 911 and reciprocates in the Z-axis direction.

In this embodiment, the stage 41 is positioned in the Z2 direction from the support member 911 when the second carriage 10 is set at the actual tray discharge position 10A. When the second carriage 10 is set at the actual tray ejection position 10A, the second lift 4 moves the stage 41 upward from below the support member 911 by means of the lift section 42 . Then, the stacking mechanism 8 stacks the actual trays 20B on the stage 41 . After that, when a predetermined number of actual trays 20B are stacked on the stage 41, the second lift 4 causes the lift section 42 to move the stage 41 from the support member 911 in the Z2 direction. As a result, the plurality of actual trays 20B placed on the stage 41 are placed on the placing portion 91 of the second carriage 10 .

In this embodiment, as the second lift 4, a second lift 4A, a second lift 4B, and a second lift 4C are provided. The second lift 4A is arranged at a position corresponding to the second truck 101, the second lift 4B is arranged at a position corresponding to the second truck 102, and the second lift 4C is arranged at a position corresponding to the second truck 103. It is

(stacking mechanism)
The stacking mechanism 8 receives the empty tray 20A and stacks the actual tray 20B with the display panel 100 placed on the empty tray 20A by the work transfer mechanism 6 on top of the plurality of actual trays 20B on the second lift 4. . As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4(b), the stacking mechanism 8 is arranged in the Z1 direction from the second lift 4 and overlaps the second lift 4 in the Z-axis direction. The stacking mechanism 8 includes a first tray receiving portion 81 for receiving the empty tray 20A (full tray 20B) and a second tray receiving portion 82 for receiving the empty tray 20A (full tray 20B) and stacking the full tray 20B. and

The first tray receiving portion 81 includes a receiving member 83 for receiving the empty tray 20A (full tray 20B) and a driving portion 84 for moving the receiving member 83 in the X-axis direction. The receiving members 83 are arranged so as to sandwich the empty tray 20A (full tray 20B) on both sides in the X-axis direction. The drive unit 84 is composed of an air cylinder or the like. Drive unit 84 moves receiving member 83 in the X-axis direction, so that receiving member 83 moves the lower surface of empty tray 20A (full tray 20B) at both ends of empty tray 20A (full tray 20B) in the X-axis direction. The space is moved from the receiving interval to the space not receiving the empty tray 20A (full tray 20B).

The second tray receiving portion 82 includes a receiving member 85 that receives the empty tray 20A (full tray 20B), a driving portion 86 that moves the receiving member 85 in the Y-axis direction, and a connecting member 87a that moves the driving portion 86 to the Z-axis. and a drive unit 87 for moving in the direction. The receiving members 85 are arranged so as to sandwich the empty tray 20A (full tray 20B) on both sides in the Y-axis direction. The drive unit 86 is composed of an air cylinder or the like. The drive unit 86 moves the receiving member 85 in the Y-axis direction, so that the receiving member 85 moves the lower surface of the empty tray 20A (full tray 20B) at both ends of the empty tray 20A (full tray 20B) in the Y-axis direction. The space is moved from the receiving interval to the space not receiving the empty tray 20A (full tray 20B). The space in the Y-axis direction where the receiving member 85 receives the lower surface of the empty tray 20A (full tray 20B) is wider than the width of the stage 41 of the second lift 4 in the Y-axis direction.

The drive unit 87 is composed of an electric cylinder or the like. The driving portion 87 moves the receiving member 85 in the Z-axis direction by moving the driving portion 86 in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the drive unit 87 stacks the trays 20B on the second lift 4 by moving the receiving member 85 in the Z2 direction while receiving the trays 20B.

In this embodiment, as the stacking mechanism 8, a stacking mechanism 8A, a stacking mechanism 8B, and a stacking mechanism 8C are provided. The stacking mechanism 8A is arranged at a position corresponding to the second lift 4A, the stacking mechanism 8B is arranged at a position corresponding to the second lift 4B, and the stacking mechanism 8C is arranged at a position corresponding to the second lift 4C. It is As will be described later, the stacking mechanism 8C receives the full tray 20B and stacks the received full tray 20B on the plurality of full trays 20B on the second lift 4C.

(Second tray transport mechanism)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the second tray transport mechanism 15 is arranged on the Y1 direction side of the second carriage 103 . The second tray transport mechanism 15 includes a stage 151 on which the tray 20 is placed, and a driving section 152 that reciprocates the stage 151 in the X-axis direction. The stage 151 is positioned in the Z1 direction from the stacking mechanism 8C. The drive unit 152 moves the stage 151 from the first position 15A where the stage 151 overlaps the stacking mechanism 8C in the Z-axis direction to the second position 15B where the stage 151 does not overlap.

(First tray transport mechanism)
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the first tray transport mechanism 5 includes a holding portion 51 that holds the empty tray 20A and a drive portion 52 that moves the holding portion 51. As shown in FIGS. The driving unit 52 includes a Z-axis driving unit 521 that vertically moves the holding unit 51 and a Y-axis driving unit 522 that moves the holding unit 51 in the Y direction via the Z-axis driving unit 521 . The Z-axis driving portion 521 and the Y-axis driving portion 522 are composed of electric cylinders or the like. By moving the holding portion 51 with the Z-axis drive portion 521 and the Y-axis drive portion 522, the first tray transport mechanism 5 receives the empty tray 20A separated by the separation mechanism 7 from the support portion 71 of the separation mechanism 7, The empty tray 20 A is placed on the receiving members 83 and 85 of the stacking mechanism 8 or the stage 151 of the second tray transport mechanism 15 . Here, when the first tray transport mechanism 5 delivers the empty tray 20A, the position of the support portion 71 of the separation mechanism 7 in the Z-axis direction and the position of the receiving members 83 and 85 of the stacking mechanism 8 in the Z-axis direction. are located at approximately the same height. Therefore, the position of the supporting portion 71 of the separating mechanism 7 in the Z-axis direction and the position of the receiving members 83 and 85 of the stacking mechanism 8 in the Z-axis direction are at substantially the same height position. , there is no need to greatly move the holding portion 51 in the Z-axis direction.

(work transfer mechanism)
The work transfer mechanism 6 is a SCARA robot. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the work transfer mechanism 6 is arranged on the side of the first tray transport mechanism 5 in the X2 direction. The workpiece transfer mechanism 6 includes a holding portion 61 that holds the display panel 100 and an arm body portion 62 that moves the holding portion 61 . The holding portion 61 includes a plurality of adsorption portions 611 . The holding portion 61 holds the display panel 100 by the suction portion 611 sucking the display panel 100 . Based on the inspection result of the display panel 100, the work transfer mechanism 6 moves the empty tray 20A placed on the stacking mechanism 8 or the empty tray 20A placed on the second tray transport mechanism 15 to the stage 12. The placed display panel 100 is moved.

(Operation of transport system)
Next, operation of the transport system 1 will be described. First, a worker sets the first carriage 9 on which a plurality of empty trays 20A are placed at the empty tray supply position 9A of the main body 2 . Similarly, the second carriage 10 for placing a plurality of full trays 20B is set at the full tray ejection position 10A of the main body 2 by the worker.

When the first carriage 9 is set at the empty tray supply position 9A, the first carriage 9 is fixed to the main body 2 by connecting the connecting portion to the main body 2 . After the first carriage 9 is fixed to the main body 2, the first lift 3 lifts the plurality of empty trays 20A placed on the first carriage 9 in the Z1 direction.

When the second carriage 10 is set at the actual tray ejection position 10A, the second carriage 10 is fixed to the main body 2 by connecting the connecting portion to the main body 2 . After the second carriage 10 is fixed to the main body 2 , the second lift 4 moves the stage 41 in the Z1 direction from the mounting portion 91 of the second carriage 10 .

Next, when the plurality of empty trays 20A are lifted by the first lift 3, the separating mechanism 7 causes the driving section 74 to move the separating claws 73 to a distance that holds the uppermost empty tray 20A. After that, the separation mechanism 7 positions the holding portion 76 above the empty tray 20A, and holds the top surface of the uppermost empty tray 20A with the suction portion 76a. After that, the separation mechanism 7 moves the separation claw 73 and the holding portion 76 in the Z1 direction. As a result, the uppermost empty tray 20A is separated from the plurality of empty trays 20A. The separated empty tray 20A moves in the Z1 direction to the position of the support portion 71. As shown in FIG.

After the separated empty tray 20A is moved to the position of the support portion 71, the separation mechanism 7 moves the first support member 77a and the second support member 77b to a distance that supports the lower surface of the empty tray 20A. Further, the separating mechanism 7 releases the holding of the empty tray 20A by the adsorption portion 76a, and retracts the holding portion 76 to the outside of the empty tray 20A. Then, the separation mechanism 7 moves the separation claw 73 to a distance where the empty tray 20A is not held, and then moves the separation claw 73 and the holder 76 in the Z2 direction.

After the separation claw 73 and the holding portion 76 move in the Z2 direction, the empty tray 20A supported by the support portion 71 is positioned with respect to the support portion 71 by the positioning member 72 coming into contact with the corner of the empty tray 20A. be done. After that, the positioning member 72 retreats to a position where it does not come into contact with the corners of the empty tray 20A. After the positioning member 72 is retracted, the first tray transport mechanism 5 receives the empty tray 20A from the support portion 71 of the separation mechanism 7. As shown in FIG.

The first tray transport mechanism 5 places the received empty tray 20A on the stacking mechanism 8A, the stacking mechanism 8B, or the second tray transport mechanism 15 . Here, when the first tray transport mechanism 5 places the empty tray 20A on the second tray transport mechanism 15, the stage 151 of the second tray transport mechanism 15 is positioned at the first position 15A. After the empty tray 20A is placed on the stage 151, the second tray transport mechanism 15 moves the stage 151 from the first position 15A to the second position 15B. Note that when the empty tray 20A is placed on the stacking mechanism 8A, the stacking mechanism 8A is configured such that the receiving member 83 of the first tray receiving portion 81 and the second tray receiving portion 83 are spaced apart to receive the lower surface of the tray 20. The receiving member 85 of the portion 82 is moved. Similarly, when the empty tray 20A is placed on the stacking mechanism 8B, the stacking mechanism 8B moves the receiving member 83 of the first tray receiving portion 81 and the second tray so that the space for receiving the lower surface of the tray 20 is formed. The receiving portion 82 and the receiving member 85 are moved.

After the first tray transport mechanism 5 receives the empty tray 20A from the support portion 71 of the separation mechanism 7, the separation mechanism 7 supports the lower surface of the empty tray 20A with the first support member 77a and the second support member 77b. Move so that there is an interval that does not occur. After that, the separation mechanism 7 separates the uppermost empty tray 20A again by the separation section 70 .

Here, when all the empty trays 20A placed on the first lift 3 are conveyed by the first tray conveying mechanism 5, the tray detection sensor detects that the empty tray 20A has disappeared. After the tray detection sensor detects that the empty tray 20A has disappeared, the first lift 3 moves the stage 31 from the mounting portion 91 of the first carriage 9 in the Z2 direction. After the stage 31 moves in the Z2 direction from the mounting portion 91 of the first carriage 9, the connecting portion and the main body portion 2 are disconnected. Thereafter, the operator moves the empty first truck 9 from the main body 2 and sets another first truck 9 on which a plurality of empty trays 20A are placed at the empty tray supply position 9A.

Next, the workpiece transfer mechanism 6 moves the display panel 100 placed on the stage 12 to the empty tray 20A based on the inspection result of the display panel 100. FIG. Specifically, when the inspection result of the display panel 100 is "non-defective", the work transfer mechanism 6 moves the display panel 100 from the stage 12 to the empty tray 20A placed on the stacking mechanism 8A. Let When the inspection result of the display panel 100 is "defective", the work transfer mechanism 6 moves the display panel 100 from the stage 12 to the empty tray 20A placed on the stacking mechanism 8B. When the inspection result of the display panel 100 is "re-inspected product", the workpiece transfer mechanism 6 moves the display panel 100 from the stage 12 to the empty tray 20A placed on the stage 151 located at the second position 15B. move to Here, after the work transfer mechanism 6 moves the display panel 100 from the stage 12, the loading mechanism 11 moves the stage 12 to the end of the loading mechanism 11 in the X2 direction. After the stage 12 has moved to the end of the loading mechanism 11 in the X2 direction, the next display panel 100 is placed on the stage 12 . Then, the loading mechanism 11 moves the stage 12 to the end of the loading mechanism 11 in the X1 direction to transport the display panel 100 again.

After the display panel 100 is moved to the empty tray 20A placed on the stacking mechanism 8A, the stacking mechanism 8A places the actual tray 20B with the display panel 100 placed thereon on the stage 41 of the second lift 4A. place. Specifically, the stacking mechanism 8A moves the receiving member 83 so that it does not receive the lower surface of the tray 20, and then moves the receiving member 85 until the receiving member 85 is positioned in the Z2 direction from the stage 41 of the second lift 4A. , the receiving member 85 is moved in the Z2 direction. As a result, the actual tray 20B is placed on the stage 41 of the second lift 4A. After the stacking tray 20B is placed on the stage 41 of the second lift 4A, the stacking mechanism 8A moves the receiving member 85 so that it does not receive the lower surface of the tray 20, and then moves the receiving member 85 to Move in the Z1 direction. After that, the stacking mechanism 8A moves the receiving member 83 and the receiving member 85 so as to receive the lower surface of the tray 20 . Thereafter, the first tray transport mechanism 5 again receives the empty tray 20A from the separation section 70 of the separation mechanism 7 and places the empty tray 20A on the stacking mechanism 8A. Thereafter, the work transfer mechanism 6 again moves the “non-defective” display panel 100 to the empty tray 20A placed on the stacking mechanism 8A. Thereafter, the stacking mechanism 8A again places the full tray 20B on the full tray 20B placed on the stage 41 of the second lift 4A.

After the display panel 100 is moved to the empty tray 20A placed on the stacking mechanism 8B, the stacking mechanism 8B places the actual tray 20B with the display panel 100 placed thereon on the stage 41 of the second lift 4B. place. Specifically, the stacking mechanism 8B moves the receiving member 83 so that it does not receive the lower surface of the tray 20, and then moves the receiving member 85 until the receiving member 85 is positioned in the Z2 direction from the stage 41 of the second lift 4B. , the receiving member 85 is moved in the Z2 direction. As a result, the actual tray 20B is placed on the stage 41 of the second lift 4B. After the full tray 20B is placed on the stage 41 of the second lift 4B, the stacking mechanism 8B moves the receiving member 85 so that it does not receive the lower surface of the tray 20, and then moves the receiving member 85 to Move in the Z1 direction. After that, the stacking mechanism 8B moves the receiving member 83 and the receiving member 85 so that they are spaced apart to receive the lower surface of the tray 20 . After that, the first tray transport mechanism 5 again receives the empty tray 20A from the separating section 70 of the separating mechanism 7, and places the empty tray 20A on the stacking mechanism 8B. After that, the work transfer mechanism 6 again moves the “defective product” display panel 100 to the empty tray 20A placed on the stacking mechanism 8B. Thereafter, the stacking mechanism 8B again places the full tray 20B on the full tray 20B placed on the stage 41 of the second lift 4B.
to be placed.

After the display panel 100 is moved to the empty tray 20A placed on the stage 151, the second tray transport mechanism 15 moves the stage 151 from the second position 15B to the first position 15A. After the stage 151 moves to the first position 15A, the first tray transport mechanism 5 receives the actual tray 20B from the stage 151. FIG. After the first tray transport mechanism 5 receives the actual tray 20B from the stage 151, the second tray transport mechanism 15 moves the stage 151 from the first position 15A to the second position 15B. After the stage 151 moves to the second position 15B, the first tray transport mechanism 5 places the received full tray 20B on the stacking mechanism 8C. At this time, the stacking mechanism 8</b>C moves the receiving member 83 of the first tray receiving portion 81 and the receiving member 85 of the second tray receiving portion 82 so as to receive the lower surface of the tray 20 .

After the full tray 20B is placed on the stacking mechanism 8C, the stacking mechanism 8C places the full tray 20B on the stage 41 of the second lift 4C. Specifically, the stacking mechanism 8C moves the receiving member 83 so that it does not receive the lower surface of the tray 20, and then moves the receiving member 85 until the receiving member 85 is positioned in the Z2 direction from the stage 41 of the second lift 4C. , the receiving member 85 is moved in the Z2 direction. As a result, the actual tray 20B is placed on the stage 41 of the second lift 4C. After the actual tray 20B is placed on the stage 41 of the second lift 4C, the stacking mechanism 8C moves the receiving member 85 so that it does not receive the lower surface of the tray 20, and then moves the receiving member 85 to Move in the Z1 direction. After that, the stacking mechanism 8C moves the receiving member 83 and the receiving member 85 so that they are spaced apart to receive the lower surface of the tray 20 . After that, the second tray transport mechanism 15 again moves the stage 151 from the second position 15B to the first position 15A, and the first tray transport mechanism 5 receives the empty tray 20A from the separation section 70 of the separation mechanism 7. , the empty tray 20 A is placed on the stage 151 . After the empty tray 20A is placed on the stage 151, the second tray transport mechanism 15 moves the stage 151 from the first position 15A to the second position 15B. After that, the work transfer mechanism 6 again moves the “re-inspection product” display panel 100 to the empty tray 20</b>A placed on the stage 151 . Thereafter, by repeating the above operation, the stacking mechanism 8C places the full tray 20B on the full tray 20B placed on the stage 41 of the second lift 4C.

Next, when a predetermined number (for example, 50) of actual trays 20B are stacked on the stage 41 of the second lift 4 (second lifts 4A to 4C) by the stacking mechanism 8 (stacking mechanisms 8A to 8C), the trays A detection sensor detects that the predetermined number of sheets has been reached. After the tray detection sensor detects that the predetermined number of sheets has been reached, the second lift 4 moves the stage 41 from the mounting portion 91 of the second carriage 10 (second carriages 10A to 10C) in the Z2 direction. As a result, the plurality of actual trays 20B placed on the stage 41 are placed on the placing portion 91 of the second carriage 10 . After the stage 41 moves in the Z2 direction from the mounting portion 91 of the second carriage 10, the connecting portion and the main body portion 2 are disconnected. Thereafter, the worker moves the second cart 10 on which the predetermined number of stacked trays 20B are placed, from the main body 2, and sets another second cart 10 at the tray discharge position 10A.

(Effect)
In this embodiment, a plurality of empty trays 20A on which no display panel 100 is placed are carried into the transport system 1 using the first carriage 9 for supplying empty trays. Further, the plurality of actual trays 20B on which the display panels 100 are mounted are carried out from the transport system 1 using the second cart 10 for unloading the actual trays. Then, the transport system places the display panel 100 on the empty tray 20A carried in by the first carriage 9 and transports the full tray 20B on which the display panel 100 is placed to the second carriage 10 . Therefore, the transport system 1 transports the empty tray 20A from the state in which the trays 20 are stacked on the first carriage 9, and stacks the full tray 20B on which the display panel 100 is placed on the second carriage 10. It is possible to reduce the burden on the operator when carrying the plurality of trays 20 into and out of the transport system 1 . Further, the first tray transport mechanism 5 stops the uppermost empty tray 20A among the plurality of empty trays 20A on the first carriage 9 stopped at the empty tray supply position 9A at the actual tray discharge position 10A. It is transported to be stacked on a plurality of full trays 20B on the second carriage 10 that is being held. That is, the plurality of empty trays 20A stacked on the first carriage 9 are conveyed from the uppermost empty tray 20A, and the plurality of full trays 20B stacked on the second carriage 10 are transferred to the uppermost full tray 20B. are stacked. Therefore, it is possible to use the first truck 9 and the second truck 10 in common.

In this embodiment, both the moving direction of the first carriage with respect to the empty tray supply position 9A and the moving direction of the second carriage 10 with respect to the actual tray discharge position 10A are along the X-axis direction. The arrangement direction of the actual tray ejection positions 10A is the Y-axis direction. Therefore, when moving the 1st truck 9 and the 2nd truck 10, a worker's work area can be limited to the X1 direction side.

In this embodiment, a plurality of actual tray ejection mechanisms 16 using the second carriage 10 are arranged along the Y-axis direction. Further, each of the plurality of actual tray ejection mechanisms 16 corresponds to the result of inspection of the display panel 100 . More specifically, a plurality of first ejection mechanisms 16A using the second carriages 101 and 102 and second ejection mechanisms 16B using the second carriage 103 are arranged along the Y-axis direction. there is The first ejection mechanism 16A corresponds to the inspection results of the display panel 100 of "defective product" and "defective product", and the second ejection mechanism 16B corresponds to the inspection result of the display panel 100 of "re-inspected product". . As a result, the transport system 1 can simultaneously transport a plurality of display panels 100 with different inspection results.

In this embodiment, in the second discharge mechanism 16B, the second tray transport mechanism 15 moves the empty tray 20A transported by the first tray transport mechanism 5 to the second position 15B where the work transfer mechanism 6 places the display panel 100. , the position of the empty tray 20A when the work transfer mechanism 6 places the display panel 100 on the first discharge mechanism 16A and the second discharge mechanism 16B is in the X-axis direction. out of alignment. As a result, the movement range of the work transfer mechanism 6 in the Y-axis direction becomes smaller than when the second discharge mechanism 16B does not include the second tray transport mechanism 15 . As a result, even if the transport system 1 includes a plurality of actual tray discharge mechanisms 16, it is possible to prevent the workpiece transfer mechanism 6 from becoming large.

(Second embodiment)
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In 2nd Embodiment, the same code|symbol as 1st Embodiment is attached|subjected to the structure similar to 1st Embodiment, and detailed description is abbreviate|omitted.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a transport system according to a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6 is a front view of the transport system. FIG. 7 is a side view of the transport system.

(Overall configuration of transport system)
The transport system 1 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 5 supplies the display panel 100 to the inspection device 17 for inspecting the display panel 100 . In this embodiment, a plurality of actual trays 20B on which display panels 100 are placed are stacked on the first carriage 9 . A plurality of empty trays 20</b>A on which no display panel 100 is placed are stacked on the second carriage 10 .

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the transport system 1 includes a main body 2, a first carriage 9 on which a plurality of actual trays 20B having display panels 100 mounted thereon are stacked, and a display panel 100 mounted thereon. and a second carriage 10 on which a plurality of empty trays 20A are stacked. The first carriage 9 and the second carriage 10 are carried out from the main body part 2 and carried into the main body part 2 along a predetermined movement direction.

The main body 2 includes a first lift 3 capable of adjusting the height positions of the plurality of full trays 20B placed on the first carriage 9, and the height of the plurality of empty trays 20A placed on the second carriage 10. The position-adjustable second lift 4 transports the uppermost tray 20B among the plurality of trays 20B on the first carriage 9 stopped at the tray supply position 9B to the workpiece pick-up position 19A. , a first tray transport mechanism 5 for transporting an empty tray 20A from which a display panel 100 has been taken out at the work take-out position 19A onto the second carriage 10 stopped at the empty tray discharge position 10B; A workpiece transfer mechanism 6 that picks up the display panel 100 from 20B and transports the display panel 100 to the inspection device 17, and a placement unit 19 that is positioned at a workpiece pick-up position 19A.

The main unit 2 includes a separation mechanism 7 for separating the uppermost tray 20B from the plurality of trays 20B on the first lift 3, and an empty tray 20A from which the display panel 100 is taken out by the work transfer mechanism 6. a stacking mechanism 8 for stacking empty trays 20A on the second lift 4.

(Inspection device)
The inspection device 17 performs a lighting inspection and the like of the display panel 100 . As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the inspection device 17 includes a transport section 171 for transporting the display panel 100 to the inspection section. In this embodiment, two transport units 171 are provided. The transport unit 171 includes a stage 172 on which the display panel 100 is placed, and a drive unit 173 that reciprocates the stage 172 in the X-axis direction. The drive unit 173 is composed of an electric cylinder or the like, and extends in the X-axis direction. When the display panel 100 is placed on the stage 172 by the work transfer mechanism 6, the transport unit 171 transports the display panel 100 by moving the stage 172 in the X2 direction.

(First truck)
The first carriage 9 is used to carry the plurality of actual trays 20B into the main body 2 . As shown in FIG. 4, the first carriage 9 has a connection portion that connects with the main body portion 2 when stopped at the actual tray supply position 9B. Except when the first truck 9 is moved from the main body 2 , the first truck 9 is fixed to the main body 2 by connecting the connecting portion to the main body 2 .

(1st lift)
As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the first lift 3 overlaps the mounting portion 91 of the first carriage 9 in the Z-axis direction at the actual tray supply position 9B. When the first carriage 9 is set at the actual tray supply position 9B, the first lift 3 causes the lift section 32 to move the stage 31 from below to above the three support members 911 . As a result, the plurality of actual trays 20B placed on the first carriage 9 are moved to the stage 31 and lifted upward.

(Separation mechanism 7)
The separating mechanism 7 separates the uppermost full tray 20B from the plurality of full trays 20B lifted by the first lift 3 . As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the separation mechanism 7 is arranged in the Z1 direction from the first lift 3 and overlaps the first lift 3 in the Z-axis direction. The separating mechanism 7 includes a separating section 70 that separates the uppermost full tray 20B and moves the separated full tray 20B in the Z1 direction. The separation mechanism 7 also includes a support section 71 that supports the actual tray 20B moved in the Z1 direction by the separation section 70 .

The separation unit 70 includes a separation claw 73 for separating the uppermost tray 20B, a driving unit 74 for moving the separation claw 73 in the Y-axis direction, and a connecting member 75a that moves the driving unit 74 in the Z-axis direction. A driving unit 75 for moving and a holding unit 76 for holding the separated actual tray 20B are provided.

The separation claws 73 are arranged on both sides of the uppermost tray 20B in the Y-axis direction. The drive unit 74 is composed of an air cylinder or the like. The drive unit 74 moves the separation claws 73 in the Y-axis direction, so that the separation claws 73 are moved from the distance at which the uppermost tray 20B is held at both ends in the Y-axis direction of the uppermost tray 20B to the upper stage. , the actual tray 20B is moved so as to be an interval that does not hold the actual tray 20B. The holding portions 76 are fixed to the connecting member 75a and arranged to sandwich the actual tray 20B on both sides in the Y-axis direction. After the separation claws 73 move to the space for holding the empty tray 20A, the holding section 76 is positioned above the actual tray 20B and holds the upper surface of the empty tray 20A separated by the suction section 76a.

The drive unit 75 is composed of an electric cylinder or the like. The driving portion 75 moves the separation claw 73 in the Z-axis direction by moving the driving portion 74 in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the drive unit 75 separates the uppermost tray 20B from the plurality of trays 20B by moving the separation claw 73 in the Z1 direction while the separation claw 73 holds the uppermost empty tray 20A. do. At this time, the holding portion 76 is moved in the Z1 direction by the driving portion 75 together with the separation claw 73 while holding the upper surface of the separated actual tray 20B.

The support section 71 includes a support member 77 that supports the lower surface of the stacking tray 20B moved in the Z1 direction by the separation section 70, and a drive section 78 that moves the support member 77. As shown in FIG. The support members 77 include first support members 77a arranged to sandwich the actual tray 20B on both sides in the X-axis direction, and second support members 77b arranged to sandwich the actual tray 20B on both sides in the Y-axis direction. , provided. The driving portion 78 is composed of an air cylinder or the like. The drive section 78 includes a first drive section 78a that moves the first support member 77a in the X-axis direction, and a second drive section 78b that moves the second support member 77b in the Y-axis direction. The first driving section 78a and the second driving section 78b move the first supporting member 77a and the second supporting member 77b, respectively, so that the first supporting member 77a and the second supporting member 77b respectively move the tray 20B. The space is moved from the space that supports the bottom surface to the space that does not support the bottom surface of the actual tray 20B.

(Placement part)
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the placement section 19 is arranged between the separating mechanism 7 and the stacking mechanism 8 in the Y-axis direction. The mounting unit 19 includes a stage 191 on which the actual tray 20B is mounted, and positioning members 192 that contact the corners of the actual tray 20B mounted on the stage 191 . The positioning member 192 is moved by the drive unit 193 from the position where it contacts the corner of the actual tray 20B placed on the stage 191 to the position where it does not contact. The positioning member 192 positions the actual tray 20B with respect to the stage 191 by coming into contact with the corners of the actual tray 20B.

(Second truck)
The second carriage 10 is used to carry out the plurality of empty trays 20A from the main body 2. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the second carriage 10 has a connection portion that connects with the main body portion 2 when stopped at the empty tray discharge position 10B. Except when the second truck 10 is moved from the main body 2 , the second truck 10 is fixed to the main body 2 by connecting the connecting portion to the main body 2 .

(2nd lift)
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the second lift 4 overlaps the mounting portion 91 of the second carriage 10 in the Z-axis direction at the empty tray discharge position 10B. In this embodiment, the stage 41 is positioned in the Z2 direction from the support member 911 when the second carriage 10 is set at the empty tray discharge position 10B. When the second carriage 10 is set at the empty tray discharge position 10B, the second lift 4 moves to the lift portion 42
to move the stage 41 from below to above the support member 911 . Then, the stacking mechanism 8 stacks the empty trays 20A on the stage 41 . After that, when a predetermined number of actual trays 20B are stacked on the stage 41, the second lift 4 causes the lift section 42 to move the stage 41 from the support member 911 in the Z2 direction. As a result, the plurality of empty trays 20</b>A placed on the stage 41 are placed on the placing portion 91 of the second carriage 10 .

(stacking mechanism)
The stacking mechanism 8 stacks the empty trays 20A on top of the plurality of empty trays 20A on the second lift 4 . As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the stacking mechanism 8 is arranged in the Z1 direction from the second lift 4 and overlaps the second lift 4 in the Z-axis direction. The stacking mechanism 8 includes a first tray receiving portion 81 for receiving the empty tray 20A and a second tray receiving portion 82 for receiving the empty tray 20A and stacking the empty trays 20A.

The first tray receiving portion 81 includes a receiving member 83 that receives the empty tray 20A, and a driving portion 84 that moves the receiving member 83 in the X-axis direction. The receiving members 83 are arranged on both sides of the empty tray 20A in the X-axis direction. The drive unit 84 is composed of an air cylinder or the like. The drive unit 84 moves the receiving member 83 in the X-axis direction, so that the receiving member 83 does not receive the empty tray 20A at both ends of the empty tray 20A in the X-axis direction because of the gap between the lower surface of the empty tray 20A and the receiving member 83. Move so that there is an interval.

The second tray receiving portion 82 includes a receiving member 85 for receiving the empty tray 20A, a driving portion 86 for moving the receiving member 85 in the Y-axis direction, and a driving portion for moving the driving portion 86 in the Z-axis direction via a connecting member 87a. a portion 87; The receiving members 85 are arranged on both sides of the empty tray 20A in the Y-axis direction. The drive unit 86 is composed of an air cylinder or the like. The drive unit 86 moves the receiving member 85 in the Y-axis direction, so that the receiving member 85 does not receive the empty tray 20A at both ends of the empty tray 20A in the Y-axis direction. Move so that there is an interval. The distance in the Y-axis direction where the receiving member 85 receives the lower surface of the empty tray 20A is wider than the width of the stage 41 of the second lift 4 in the Y-axis direction.

The drive unit 87 is composed of an electric cylinder or the like. The driving portion 87 moves the receiving member 85 in the Z-axis direction by moving the driving portion 86 in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the drive unit 87 stacks the empty trays 20A on the plurality of empty trays 20A on the second lift 4 by moving the receiving member 85 in the Z2 direction while receiving the empty trays 20A.

(First tray transport mechanism)
As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the first tray transport mechanism 5 includes a holding section 51 that holds the actual tray 20B and a driving section 52 that moves the holding section 51. As shown in FIGS. The driving unit 52 includes a Z-axis driving unit 521 that vertically moves the holding unit 51 and a Y-axis driving unit 522 that moves the holding unit 51 in the Y direction via the Z-axis driving unit 521 . The Z-axis driving portion 521 and the Y-axis driving portion 522 are composed of electric cylinders or the like. By moving the holding portion 51 with the Z-axis driving portion 521 and the Y-axis driving portion 522, the first tray transport mechanism 5 receives the actual tray 20B separated by the separation mechanism 7 from the support portion 71 of the separation mechanism 7, and places it thereon. The actual tray 20B is placed on the stage 191 of the placement section 19 . By moving the holding portion 51 with the Z-axis driving portion 521 and the Y-axis driving portion 522, the first tray transport mechanism 5 places the empty tray 20A from which the display panel 100 has been taken out by the work transfer mechanism 6. Received from the stage 191 of the unit 19 , the empty tray 20 A is placed on the receiving members 83 and 85 of the stacking mechanism 8 . Here, when the first tray transport mechanism 5 delivers the empty tray 20A (full tray 20B), the position of the support section 71 of the separation mechanism 7 in the Z-axis direction and the position of the stage 191 of the placement section 19 in the Z-axis direction , and the receiving members 83 and 85 of the stacking mechanism 8 are positioned at substantially the same height in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the Z-axis direction position of the support portion 71 of the separation mechanism 7, the Z-axis direction position of the stage 191 of the mounting portion 19, and the Z-axis direction positions of the receiving members 83 and 85 of the stacking mechanism 8 are substantially the same. Since it is at the height position, the first tray transport mechanism 5 does not need to move the holding portion 51 greatly in the Z-axis direction.

(work transfer mechanism)
The work transfer mechanism 6 is a SCARA robot. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the work transfer mechanism 6 is arranged on the side of the first tray transport mechanism 5 in the X1 direction. The workpiece transfer mechanism 6 includes a holding portion 51 that holds the display panel 100 and an arm body portion 62 that moves the holding portion 51 . The work transfer mechanism 6 moves the display panel 100 mounted on the stage 191 of the mounting section 19 to the stage 172 of the transport section 171 .

(Operation of transport system)
Next, operation of the transport system 1 will be described. First, a worker sets the first carriage 9 on which a plurality of full trays 20B are placed at the full tray supply position 9B of the main body 2 . Similarly, the second carriage 10 for placing a plurality of empty trays 20A is set at the empty tray discharge position 10B of the main body 2 by the worker.

When the first carriage 9 is set at the actual tray supply position 9B, the first carriage 9 is fixed to the main body 2 by connecting the connecting portion to the main body 2 . After the first carriage 9 is fixed to the main body 2, the first lift 3 lifts the plurality of actual trays 20B placed on the first carriage 9 in the Z1 direction.

When the second carriage 10 is set at the empty tray discharge position 10B, the second carriage 10 is fixed to the main body 2 by connecting the connecting portion to the main body 2 . After the second carriage 10 is fixed to the main body 2 , the second lift 4 moves the stage 41 in the Z1 direction from the mounting portion 91 of the second carriage 10 .

Next, when the plurality of stack trays 20B are lifted by the first lift 3, the separation mechanism 7 causes the drive section 74 to move the separation claws 73 to a distance that holds the top stack tray 20B. After that, the separation mechanism 7 positions the holding portion 76 above the actual tray 20B, and holds the top surface of the uppermost actual tray 20B with the suction portion 76a. After that, the separation mechanism 7 moves the separation claw 73 and the holding portion 76 in the Z1 direction. As a result, the uppermost actual tray 20B is separated from the plurality of actual trays 20B. The separated empty tray 20A moves in the Z1 direction to the position of the support portion 71. As shown in FIG.

After the separated full tray 20B has moved to the position of the support portion 71, the separating mechanism 7 moves the first support member 77a and the second support member 77b to a distance that supports the lower surface of the full tray 20B. Further, the separation mechanism 7 releases the holding of the full tray 20B by the suction portion 76a, and retracts the holding portion 76 to the outside of the empty tray 20A. Then, the separation mechanism 7 moves the separation claw 73 to the interval at which the actual tray 20B is not held, and then moves the separation claw 73 and the holder 76 in the Z2 direction.

After the separation claw 73 and the holding portion 76 have moved in the Z2 direction, the first tray transport mechanism 5 receives the actual tray 20B from the support portion 71 of the separation mechanism 7 . The first tray transport mechanism 5 places the received actual tray 20B on the stage 191 of the placing section 19 . When the actual tray 20B is placed on the stage 191, the placement section 19 brings the positioning members 192 into contact with the corners of the actual tray 20B to position the actual tray 20B. After the actual tray 20B is positioned, the first tray transport mechanism 5 moves the holding portion 51 in the Y2 direction, and then the work transfer mechanism 6 moves from the actual tray 20B placed on the stage 191 to the display panel. 100 is moved to the stage 172 of the transport section 171 . After the display panel 100 is moved from the actual tray 20B placed on the stage 191, the placement section 19 retracts the positioning member 192 to a position where it does not come into contact with the corner of the empty tray 20A. After the positioning member 192 is retracted, the first tray transport mechanism 5 receives the empty tray 20A from the stage 191 of the placing section 19 and places it on the receiving members 83 and 85 of the stacking mechanism 8 . When the empty tray 20</b>A is placed on the stacking mechanism 8 , the stacking mechanism 8 moves the receiving members 83 and 85 so that the lower surface of the tray 20 is received.

After the first tray transport mechanism 5 receives the full tray 20B from the support portion 71 of the separation mechanism 7, the separation mechanism 7 supports the lower surface of the full tray 20B with the first support member 77a and the second support member 77b. Move so that there is an interval that does not occur. After that, the separation mechanism 7 separates the uppermost tray 20B again by the separation section 70 .

Here, when the full tray 20B placed on the first lift 3 is completely transported by the first tray transport mechanism 5, the tray detection sensor detects that the full tray 20B has run out. After the tray detection sensor detects that the actual tray 20B has run out, the first lift 3 moves the stage 31 from the mounting portion 91 of the first carriage 9 in the Z2 direction. After the stage 31 moves in the Z2 direction from the mounting portion 91 of the first carriage 9, the connecting portion and the main body portion 2 are disconnected. After that, the worker moves the empty first truck 9 from the main body 2 and sets another first truck 9 on which a plurality of full trays 20B are placed at the full tray supply position 9B.

After the empty tray 20A is placed on the receiving member 83 and the receiving member 85 of the stacking mechanism 8, the stacking mechanism 8 moves the receiving member 83 so that it does not receive the lower surface of the tray 20. FIG. Then, the stacking mechanism 8 moves the receiving member 85 in the Z2 direction until the receiving member 85 is positioned in the Z2 direction from the stage 41 of the second lift 4 . The empty tray 20A is thereby placed on the stage 41 of the second lift 4 . After the empty tray 20A is placed on the stage 41 of the second lift 4, the stacking mechanism 8 moves the receiving member 85 so that it does not receive the lower surface of the tray 20, and then moves the receiving member 85 to Move in the Z1 direction. After that, the stacking mechanism 8 moves the receiving member 83 and the receiving member 85 so as to receive the lower surface of the tray 20 . After that, the first tray transport mechanism 5 again receives the empty tray 20A from the stage 191 of the placing section 19 and places the empty tray 20A on the receiving members 83 and 85 of the stacking mechanism 8 .

Next, when a predetermined number (for example, 50) of empty trays 20A are stacked on the stage 41 of the second lift 4 by the stacking mechanism 8, the tray detection sensor detects that the predetermined number has been reached. After the tray detection sensor detects that the predetermined number of sheets has been reached, the second lift 4 moves the stage 41 from the mounting portion 91 of the second carriage 10 in the Z2 direction. As a result, the plurality of empty trays 20</b>A placed on the stage 41 are placed on the placing portion 91 of the second carriage 10 . After the stage 41 moves in the Z2 direction from the mounting portion 91 of the second carriage 10, the connecting portion and the main body portion 2 are disconnected. Thereafter, the worker moves the second carriage 10 on which the predetermined number of empty trays 20A are placed, from the main body 2, and sets another second carriage 10 at the empty tray ejection position 10B.

(Effect)
In this embodiment, a plurality of actual trays 20B on which the display panels 100 are placed are carried into the transport system 1 using the first cart 9 for supplying actual trays. A plurality of empty trays 20</b>A on which the display panel 100 is not placed are carried out from the transport system 1 using the second carriage 10 for empty tray ejection. Then, the transport system 1 transports the full tray 20B carried in by the first carriage 9 to the work take-out position 19A, and transports the empty tray 20A from which the display panel 100 has been taken out at the work take-out position 19A to the second carriage 10. do. Therefore, the transport system 1 transports the full tray 20B from the state in which the trays 20 are stacked on the first carriage 9, and stacks the empty tray 20A from which the display panel 100 has been taken out on the second carriage 10. It is possible to reduce the burden on the operator when carrying a plurality of trays 20 into and out of the system 1 . The first tray transport mechanism 5 transports the uppermost full tray among the plurality of full trays 20B on the first carriage 9 stopped at the full tray supply position 9B to the work unloading position 19A, and At 19A, the empty tray 20A from which the display panel 100 has been taken out is conveyed so as to be stacked on the plurality of empty trays 20A on the second carriage 10 stopped at the empty tray discharge position 10B. That is, the plurality of full trays 20B stacked on the first carriage 9 are conveyed from the uppermost full tray 20B, and the plurality of empty trays 20A stacked on the second carriage 10 are transferred to the uppermost empty tray 20A. are stacked. Therefore, it is possible to use the first truck 9 and the second truck 10 in common.

In this embodiment, both the direction of movement of the first carriage relative to the actual tray supply position 9B and the direction of movement of the second carriage 10 relative to the empty tray discharge position 10B are along the X-axis direction. The arrangement direction of the empty tray discharge position 10B is the Y-axis direction. Therefore, when moving the 1st truck 9 and the 2nd truck 10, a worker's work area can be limited to the X1 direction side.

(processing system)
The transport system 1 according to the first embodiment and the transport system 1 according to the second embodiment may be used simultaneously in the processing system. More specifically, the conveying system 1 according to the second embodiment is arranged upstream of the inspection device that inspects the display panel 100, and the transport system 1 according to the first embodiment is arranged downstream of the inspection device that inspects the display panel 100. A processing system in which the transport system 1 described in 1. is arranged. As a result, since the first carriage 9 and the second carriage 10 can be lifted when carrying a plurality of trays into and out of the processing system, the burden on the operator can be reduced.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Conveyance system, 2... Main body part, 3... 1st lift, 4, 4A, 4B, 4C... 2nd lift, 5... 1st tray conveyance mechanism, 6... Work transfer mechanism, 7... Separation mechanism, 8, 8A, 8B, 8C... Stacking mechanism, 9... First truck, 9A... Empty tray supply position, 9B... Full tray supply position, 10, 101, 102, 103... Second truck, 10A... Full tray discharge position, 10B Empty tray supply position 11 Loading mechanism 12 Stage 13 Drive unit 15 Second tray transport mechanism 15A First position 15B Second position 16 Full tray ejection mechanism 16A Second 1 Ejection Mechanism 16B Second Ejection Mechanism 16A Ejection Mechanism 16B Ejection Mechanism 17 Inspection Apparatus 19 Placement Part 19A Work Pickup Position 20 Tray 20A Empty Tray 20B Actual Tray 31 Stage 32 Lift section 41 Stage 42 Lift section 51 Holding section 52 Drive section 61 Holding section 62 Arm main body 70 Separation section 71 Support section , 72 Positioning member 73 Separation claw 74 Driving unit 75 Driving unit 75a Connecting member 76 Holding unit 76a Adsorbing unit 77 Supporting member 77a First supporting member 77b Second support member 78 Drive section 78a First drive section 78b Second drive section 79 Drive section 81 First tray receiving section 82 Second tray receiving section 83 Receiving member 84 Drive unit 85 Receiving member 86 Drive unit 87 Drive unit 87a Connection member 91 Mounting unit 100 Display panel 151 Stage 152 Drive unit 171 Transport unit DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 172... Stage, 173... Drive part, 191... Stage, 192... Positioning member, 193... Drive part, 521... Z-axis drive part, 522... Y-axis drive part, 611... Adsorption part, 911... Support member

Claims (10)

a first carriage for supplying empty trays in which a plurality of empty trays on which no work is placed are stacked;
a first lift capable of adjusting height positions of the plurality of empty trays;
a second carriage for discharging actual trays in which a plurality of actual trays on which works are placed are stacked;
a second lift capable of adjusting height positions of the plurality of actual trays;
Among the plurality of empty trays on the first truck stopped at the empty tray supply position, the uppermost empty tray is replaced by the plurality of actual trays on the second truck stopped at the actual tray discharge position. a first tray transport mechanism for transporting for stacking on top;
a work transfer mechanism for placing a work on the empty tray transported by the first tray transport mechanism;
A transport system comprising: In the transport system of claim 1,
A moving direction of the first carriage to the empty tray supply position, a moving direction of the first carriage from the empty tray supplying position, a moving direction of the second carriage to the actual tray discharging position, and the full tray discharging. Both directions of movement of the second truck from the position are along the first direction,
The conveying system, wherein the direction in which the empty tray supply position and the full tray discharge position are arranged is a second direction that intersects with the first direction. In the transport system according to claim 2,
A conveying system, wherein a plurality of full tray discharge mechanisms using the second carriage are arranged along the second direction. In the transport system of claim 3,
A transport system, wherein the workpiece transfer mechanism is a SCARA robot. In the transport system according to claim 3 or 4,
A first ejection mechanism among the plurality of actual tray ejection mechanisms and a second ejection mechanism different from the first ejection mechanism among the plurality of actual tray ejection mechanisms, wherein the work transfer mechanism moves the work The position of the empty tray when placing the is shifted in the first direction,
In the first ejection mechanism, the workpiece transfer mechanism places the workpiece on the empty tray stacked on the plurality of actual trays on the second carriage stopped at the actual tray ejection position,
In the second discharge mechanism, the second tray transport mechanism transports the empty tray transported by the first tray transport mechanism along the first direction to a position where the work transfer mechanism places the work. and stacking the plurality of actual trays on the second carriage stopped at the actual tray discharge position. In the transport system according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
A conveying system, wherein each of the plurality of actual tray discharge mechanisms corresponds to a result of inspection of the work. a first carriage for supplying actual trays in which a plurality of actual trays on which works are placed are stacked;
a first lift capable of adjusting height positions of the plurality of actual trays;
a second carriage for discharging empty trays in which a plurality of empty trays on which no work is placed are stacked;
a second lift capable of adjusting height positions of the plurality of empty trays;
An empty tray from which the uppermost full tray of the plurality of full trays on the first carriage stopped at the full tray supply position is conveyed to a work take-out position, and the work has been taken out at the work take-out position. a tray transport mechanism for stacking the plurality of empty trays on the second carriage stopped at the empty tray ejection position;
a work transfer mechanism for picking up the work from the actual tray at the work take-out position;
A transport system comprising: In the transport system of claim 7,
Moving direction of the first carriage to the full tray supply position, moving direction of the first carriage from the actual tray supplying position, moving direction of the second carriage to the empty tray ejection position, and empty tray ejection Both directions of movement of the second truck from the position are along the first direction,
A conveying system, wherein a direction in which the full tray supply position and the empty tray discharge position are arranged is a second direction that intersects with the first direction. In the transport system according to claim 7 or 8,
A transport system, wherein the workpiece transfer mechanism is a SCARA robot. A transport system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a processing system comprising the transport system according to any one of claims 7 to 9,
A processing system, comprising: an inspection device that inspects a work from the actual tray supply position to the actual tray discharge position until the work is conveyed.

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