JP3162826B2 - Safety device for automatic assembly equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a safety device for an automatic device suitable for use as a means for exchanging tools and the like in, for example, automatic production processes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an automobile assembly process, F
A (factory automation) technology has been introduced to improve product quality, reduce manufacturing costs, and improve productivity. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a partial configuration example of an automatic assembling apparatus into which general factory automation is introduced. In this figure, reference numerals 101 and 102 denote an assembling process (hereinafter, referred to as stations), respectively, and reference numeral 11 denotes a transport path 11 connecting between the stations 101 and 102. Is subjected to a predetermined processing. Here, FIG.
M / C is a machining center in the station 101 and, as is well known, appropriately drives a plurality of cutting tools to perform various types of processing on a workpiece. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a machining center M / C and a control system thereof. In the machining center M / C, a plurality of cutting tools, a motor for driving these cutting tools are provided, and a hydraulic cylinder for holding and moving the cutting tools is provided. Shows only a part of them for simplification of description.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 28 denotes a cutting tool, which is held by a holder 27. The holder 27 is detachably clamped to a chuck 26 provided at an end of the cylinder 23. 22 is a cylinder 23
And a hydraulic cylinder 24 for driving other movable parts. 21 is N
C control device, which controls the motor 22 and other motors (not shown) based on control data transferred from the sequencer 20, and outputs data indicating a control status to the sequencer 2.
Feedback is made to 0. The sequencer 20 sequentially transfers necessary control data to the NC device 21 while monitoring the feedback information. Reference numeral 25 denotes a hydraulic control unit which sends oil to the hydraulic cylinders 23 and 24 and other hydraulic cylinders (not shown) under the control of the sequencer 20. Reference numeral 29 denotes a safety fence, which is provided so that a worker cannot easily approach the blade 28 or the like for safety measures. A part of the safety fence 29 is provided with a door 30 for an operator to enter and exit.

By the way, for example, while the above-mentioned predetermined process is repeated in the station 101, the cutting tool 28 is worn, and it may be necessary to replace it with a new cutting tool 28. In this case, a worker enters the safety fence 29 and the blade 28 is replaced.

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned conventional automatic assembling apparatus has the following disadvantages. That is, when replacing the cutting tool 28, the cutting tool 2
Since it is necessary to operate the chuck 26 of the cylinder 23 which holds the cylinder 8, the operator enters the safety fence 29 and replaces the cutting tool while the power of the apparatus is turned on. However, in this state, each device in the safety fence 29 is in an "operation preparation state", that is, a state where it can be operated at any time by pressing a switch for instructing operation start.
For this reason, if the device in the safety fence 29 runs away for some reason or the operation start switch is pressed by mistake, a disaster may occur. The present invention has been made under such a background, and the cutting tool 2 in the safety fence 29 is provided.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a safety device for an automatic device that can prevent malfunctions in order to safely perform a tool replacement operation such as a tool No. 8.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gripping mechanism for gripping a tool, and the gripping mechanism being gripped by the gripping mechanism in accordance with supplied instruction data. Driving means for driving the tool, clamp control means for controlling the clamping / unclamping of the gripping mechanism in accordance with the supplied instruction data, and a program stored in advance for the driving means and the clamp control means. In the safety device for an automatic assembling apparatus used in an automatic assembling apparatus having a sequence means for supplying the instruction data according to the following, an operation of prohibiting an operation of the sequence means and the driving means and permitting only an operation of the clamp control means. Instruction data for supplying an instruction signal to the selection control means and the clamp control means permitted to operate by the operation selection control means; And data supply means of the automatic assembly device
A safety book surrounding the movable part, wherein the operation selection control means is provided.
Are the safety plug, the first switch, the second switch,
And a third switch provided in the safety book,
When the first switch is turned off, the sequence means
The operation of the driving means and the clamp control means is prohibited.
Then the safety plug is inserted in place,
The second switch is turned off and the
When the third switch is turned on, the
It is characterized in that only the pump control means can be operated . According to the invention described in claim 2, in the invention described in claim 1, the second switch and the third switch are connected to each other.
Switches are key switches and are the same
The on / off operation is possible with the key of
ing.

[0007]

According to the above construction, only the operation of the clamp control means necessary for tool exchange is permitted, and in this state, instruction data is supplied from the instruction data supply means to the clamp control means, so that automatic assembly is performed. The other parts of the device are not driven, and the tool can be changed safely.

[0008]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a safety device for an automatic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, each part corresponding to FIG. 4 is denoted by the same reference numeral, and description thereof is omitted. A whole board 40 is provided near the station 101 shown in FIG.
A power switch SW41 corresponding to the station 101 is provided. The power switch SW41 is a switch that is turned on / off by turning the power switch key 42 in and turning it. When the power switch SW41 is ON, the station 101 can be driven according to the operation contents of the worker, that is, the “operation preparation state”.
On the other hand, when the power switch SW41 is in the off state, power is not supplied to the sequencer 20, the NC control device 21 and the like in the station 101, and the operation is in the “operation stopped state”.

A safety plug insertion port SW51 is provided near the door 30 and outside the safety fence 29. Normally, the safety plug 52 is inserted into the safety plug insertion port SW51. This safety plug 52
Is tied to the door 30 with a string.

The control panel 60 and the operation panel 61 are installed outside the safety fence 29 as shown in FIG. The control panel 60 and the operation panel 61
1 has an operator for operating the operating state of the machining center M / C and the like. When the safety plug 52 is pulled out from the safety plug insertion port SW51 and the door 30 is opened, the safety plug 52 also moves in the direction of the arrow with the door, and can be inserted into the blade replacement plug switch SW62 of the control panel 60.

The above-mentioned operation panel 61 has various operators for operating each device of the machining center M / C. Here, for simplification of explanation, only a part thereof will be described. . The operation preparation push button indicated by reference numeral 63 is a button for controlling only the hydraulic control unit to be operable when performing the replacement work of the cutting tool 28 even in the “operation stop state”. However, if the safety plug 52 is not inserted into the safety plug insertion port SW51, the operation preparation push button 63 is not activated. Further, the PB switch SW64 is enabled / disabled by the key switch SW71 for changing the cutting tool.
This is a switch for changing over to invalidity. Normally, the cutting tool replacement key 65 is inserted and switched to "invalid". Also, the holder clamp / unclamp button 66
Is a button for switching between clamping and unclamping of the holder 27 which is clamped by the chuck 26 of the cylinder 23. The conditions for this button to be enabled are:
It will be described later.

Next, a description will be given of a blade tool replacing operation according to this embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration with reference to a flowchart of FIG. It should be noted that this tool replacement operation is basically performed by two people, and care is taken to prevent an operation error during the operation. First, the worker goes to the whole panel 40 and turns off the power switch SW41.
2, and thereafter carried by the operator until the blade replacement work is completed. By the above operation, the machining center M / C is in the “operation stop state”. And
The worker posted a sign saying "Working inside the safety fence"
After letting other workers know the status of station 101,
It proceeds to the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG.

Step S20 of the flowchart shown in FIG.
At 1, the operator switches the PB switch SW64 of the operation panel 61 to the "valid" state, and
Select switch key 6 for cutting tool replacement inserted in
Remove 5 In this state, the NC control device 21 is still in the off state, and the motor 22 is not driven.

Then, the worker unplugs the safety plug 52, opens the door 30, and enters the safety fence 29 (step S20).
2). Then, the cutting tool replacement select switch key 65 removed in step S201 is inserted into the cutting tool replacement key switch SW71 to be turned on (step S2).
03). As a result, the control signal S1 is supplied to the hydraulic control unit 25 from the blade replacement key SW.

Next, the process proceeds to step S204, where the safety plug 52 removed in step S202 is inserted into the blade tool replacement plug switch SW62 of the control panel 60. When the conditions of both steps S203 and S204 are satisfied, the hydraulic control unit 25 of the station 101 starts driving, and only the cutting tool cylinder 23 can be driven. In this state, in the station 101, only the holder clamp / unclamp button 66, which is the minimum necessary for the blade replacement work, becomes effective. However, in this state, no operation instruction is output to the NC control device 21 even if any operation is performed by the operation panel 61, and therefore, the motor 22 does not operate. That is, the control power supply of the NC control device 21 is off, and all outputs of the pneumatic circuit are also off. Eventually, the hydraulic control unit operates, but the power supply for parts not related to the holder operation remains cut off.

Next, in step S205, the holder is unclamped / clamped by two persons, and the holder is replaced. That is, first, the worker A stands at the position of the operation panel 61 shown in FIG. On the other hand, the worker B stands at the position of the cylinder 23 in the safety fence 29 and holds the holder 27 with both hands.
And press it against the cylinder 23 (in the direction of the arrow).
Then, after confirming that the worker A performs the “holder unclamping operation” by calling out to the worker B, the worker A presses the holder clamp / unclamp button 66 on the operation panel 61 and presses the holder 27. In an unclamped state. As a result, the holder 27 comes off the chuck 26,
Instead, another holder 27 to which a new cutting tool 28 is attached in advance is pushed into the cylinder 23 side. The worker A, who has assisted in this replacement work, stands in front of the operation panel 61 again, calls out to the worker B, confirms that the “holder clamp operation” is to be performed, and then performs the holder clamp / unlock operation of the operation panel 61. Press the clamp button 66 and press the holder 2
7 is switched to the clamp state. Then, the worker B makes sure that the holder 27 is securely attached to the chuck 26 of the cutting tool cylinder 23.
Check whether it has been clamped.

Next, proceeding to step S206, the cutting tool replacement select switch key 65 is pulled out from the cutting tool replacement key switch SW71, and exits outside the safety fence 29. And
From the plug replacement plug SW on the control panel 60 to the safety plug 5
2 and the door 30 is closed and the safety plug 52
It is inserted into the insertion port 51 (step S207). Next, proceeding to step S208, the cutting tool replacement select switch key 65 extracted in step S206 is inserted into the PB switch SW64 of the operation panel 61, and "invalid".
Switch to. Further, the worker inserts the power switch key 42 carried by the user into the power switch SW41 of the entire panel 40 to return the power switch to the ON state, removes the indication plate indicating "working inside the safety fence", and performs the work. finish. Thus, the operation returns to the normal “operation preparation state”.

As described above, since only the hydraulic control unit is driven by the switching operation to the blade replacement key switch SW64, malfunction in the safety fence 29 can be effectively prevented, and the tool such as the blade 28 can be effectively operated. Replacement work can be performed safely. In this embodiment, the safety plug 52 is used.
A switch may be used instead of 2.

[0019]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Gripping mechanism for gripping a tool, driving means for driving the tool gripped by the gripping mechanism according to the supplied instruction data, and controlling clamp / unclamp of the gripping mechanism according to the supplied instruction data In the safety device for an automatic assembling apparatus used in an automatic assembling apparatus having clamp control means and sequence means for supplying the instruction data to the driving means and the clamp control means in accordance with a program stored in advance, the sequence Operation selecting means for inhibiting the operation of the driving means and the driving means and permitting only the operation of the clamp control means, and an instruction for supplying an instruction signal to the clamp control means permitted to operate by the operation selecting means. Data supply means and before
A safety book surrounding the movable parts of the automatic assembly device.
The operation selection means includes a safety plug, a first switch, and a
2 switch, and a third switch provided in the safety book.
A switch, and when the first switch is turned off,
Sequence means, the drive means and the clamp control means.
Operation of the step is prohibited, and then the safety plug is
And the second switch is turned off, and
The third switch provided in the whole book is turned on
Sometimes only the clamp control means can be operated.
Thus, it is possible to effectively prevent a malfunction from occurring during the tool changing operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a safety device of an automatic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of the safety device of the automatic device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of a safety device of a general automatic device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional safety device for an automatic device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 station 20 sequencer (sequence means) 21 NC controller (drive means) 22 motor (drive means) 23, 24 cylinder (gripping mechanism) 25 hydraulic control unit (clamp control means) ) 26 Chuck (gripping mechanism) 27 Holder 28 Cutting tool 29 Safety fence

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A gripping mechanism for gripping a tool, driving means for driving a tool gripped by the gripping mechanism in response to supplied instruction data, and a clamp / clamping mechanism for the gripping mechanism in response to supplied instruction data Safety of an automatic assembling apparatus used in an automatic assembling apparatus having clamp control means for controlling unclamping, and sequence means for supplying the instruction data to the driving means and the clamp control means in accordance with a program stored in advance. In the apparatus, an operation selection control unit that prohibits the operation of the sequence unit and the drive unit and permits only the operation of the clamp control unit, and instructs the clamp control unit whose operation is permitted by the operation selection unit. comprising an instruction data supplying means for supplying a signal, and a safety Saku surrounding the moving parts of the automated assembly device, before Operation selection control means, safety plug, the first switch,
A second switch, and a third switch provided in the safety book.
And when the first switch is turned off,
Sequence means, said drive means and said clamp control
Operation of the means is prohibited, after which the safety plug is
And the second switch is turned off, and
The third switch provided in the safety book is turned on.
Operable only the clamp control means when
Automatic assembly apparatus used in an automatic assembly apparatus characterized by the following.
Safety equipment. 2. The second switch and the third switch.
Are key switches, and the same key
Claims wherein on-off operation is possible.
A safety device for the automatic assembling apparatus according to claim 1.