JP3576388B2 - Transfer device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a transport device for continuously transporting an object such as an assembly or a painting in an assembly line, a painting line or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, various types of transport apparatuses have been proposed for this purpose. However, there is an apparatus that can move a transport table on which an object to be transported is placed along a transport path in a horizontal state. Often required. In an apparatus configured to move the transfer table in a horizontal state, the transfer target can be transferred simply by placing the transfer target on the transfer table, and there is no need to provide an instrument for fixing the transfer target on the transfer table. . For this reason, there is an advantage that the transfer table may be a simple table and the apparatus configuration is simplified, and there is an advantage that the apparatus is easy to use.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the transport table is moved in a horizontal state as described above, the transport device configuration is simple if the transport path is horizontal, but if the transport path is winding up and down, the transport is performed regardless of the transport path. There is a problem in that the configuration of the transport device is complicated, for example, a complicated mechanism for holding the table horizontally is required, and the device manufacturing cost is high. For example, in the case of an apparatus that continuously performs coating and drying of parts and the like, a transfer path is formed in a closed space, and a closed loop transfer path along a vertical plane is formed in this space. In some cases, it is required to move the carriage along this closed loop while keeping it horizontal. In such a case, if the transfer table is configured to be transferred while keeping the transfer table horizontal, there is a problem that the transfer device becomes complicated and expensive.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and has a simple configuration in which a transport table can be transported along a closed loop transport path along a vertical plane while holding a transport table in a horizontal state. An object is to provide a transport device.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve such an object, in the present invention, a pair of closed-loop chains is arranged in parallel along a closed-loop path in a vertical plane that is hung over a plurality of sprockets and moves synchronously . This locked closed loop chains with disposing the conveying table between a pair of closed loop chains, transport device to move along the transfer table by the actuation of the closed loop chains to the path forming a closed loop Is configured. Further, guide means having guide rollers are provided at four positions on the front, rear, left and right sides of the transfer table, and two of these guide means located on a diagonal line are connected to the pair of closed loop chains. Each is locked . The pair of closed-loop chains are disposed in parallel on the path forming the closed loop so as to be shifted back and forth by the same distance as the front-rear distance of the guide means, and the guide roller is provided from below on a horizontally extending portion of the path forming the closed loop. supporting and guiding guide rails Ru provided. A vertically extending portion of the closed loop path is disposed at one end of a guide rail that supports a guide roller that constitutes a guide unit that is not locked to one of the left and right chains and is not locked to the closed loop chain. The vertical guide chain is synchronized with a pair of closed loop chains by rotating one of the upper and lower sprockets in synchronization with the plurality of sprockets. A vertical movement mechanism for vertically moving the object is provided. Then, a vertical guide member formed by providing a guide groove capable of receiving the guide roller is attached to the vertical guide chain, and when the guide roller reaches the end of the guide rail by driving the closed loop chain, at least one of the guide rails is provided. One guide roller is received in the guide groove of the vertical guide member, and the vertical guide member receives the guide roller in a state of restricting relative movement in the vertical direction, and is substantially the same as the guide means locked to the closed loop chain. It is configured to be held on a horizontal plane and move vertically in synchronization .
[0006]
In the case of the transfer device having such a configuration, in the horizontal portion of the closed loop path, the transfer table is guided by a chain in which two guide means located on a diagonal line move horizontally, and another guide means is provided. Since the guide rollers of the means are guided by the horizontally extending guide rails, they are conveyed and moved horizontally in a stable horizontal support state. On the other hand, in the vertical portion of the closed loop path, the carriage is guided by a chain in which two guide means located on a diagonal line move vertically, and at least one of the two guide means has a guide roller. Since the guide means is vertically moved in synchronism with the vertical movement of the guide means locked to the chain by the vertical movement mechanism, it is horizontally conveyed and moved in a stable horizontal support state. That is, in the case of the transport apparatus of the present invention, the transport table is transported along a closed loop in a vertical plane while the transport table is horizontally and stably supported.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a plan view and a side view of a schematic overall configuration of the transfer apparatus according to the present invention. Are called right and left directions, and the directions of arrows U and D are called up and down directions.
[0008]
This transport device is configured to include a pair of left and right chain mechanisms 10 and 20, and both chain mechanisms 10 and 20 form a rectangular closed loop in a vertical plane. As shown in FIG. 2, the right chain mechanism 10 includes first to fourth sprockets 11 to 14, and a chain 15 which is wound around these sprockets to form a rectangular closed loop. It is composed of first to fourth sprockets 21 to 24 and a chain 25 which is looped over these sprockets to form a rectangular closed loop. For convenience of explanation, in these chains 15, 25, the portion between the first and second sprockets 11, 21, 12, 22 is referred to as rear vertical portion 15B, 25B, and the second and third sprockets 12, 22, 13 are referred to as rear vertical portions 15B, 25B. , 23 is referred to as an upper horizontal portion 15U, 25U, a portion between the third and fourth sprockets 13, 23, 14, 24 is referred to as a front vertical portion 15F, 25F, and the fourth and first sprockets 14, 24 are designated. , 11, 21 are referred to as lower horizontal portions 15D, 25D.
[0009]
The right and left chain mechanisms 10 have the same configuration in a vertical plane, and are disposed so as to extend in parallel in the front-rear direction at predetermined intervals on the left and right. At a distance of p. As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer device has a drive motor 1 having a speed reducer and a power transmission mechanism 2, and the rotational driving force of the drive motor 1 is transmitted to the first sprocket 11 via the power transmission mechanism 2. , 21 and the first sprockets 11 and 21 are synchronously driven to rotate at the same speed, and both chains 15 and 25 are driven at a constant speed in the direction of arrow A.
[0010]
The transfer tables 50 are arranged between the left and right chain mechanisms 10 and 20 arranged as described above at equal intervals in the front-rear direction, as shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the transfer table 50 is located at the upper horizontal portion 15U, 25U or the lower horizontal portion 15D, 25D of the chains 15, 25.
[0011]
The transfer table 50 includes a mounting table 55 having a rectangular mounting surface on the upper surface, and a total of a mounting table 55 provided on the left and right side surfaces of the mounting table 55 at the same horizontal plane with an interval of a distance p forward and backward. It is composed of four first to fourth guide mechanisms 51, 52, 53, 54. Each of these guide mechanisms has guide rollers 51a, 52a, 53a, and 54a formed of ball bearings, and the first guide mechanism 51 and the third guide mechanism 53 located on the diagonal line are connected to the right via connection pins 51b and 53b, respectively. It is connected to the chain 15 and the left chain 25. The first and fourth guide mechanisms 51 and 54 are located coaxially, and the second and third guide mechanisms 52 and 53 are also located coaxially. .
[0012]
On the other hand, guide rails 3, 3 extending horizontally in parallel with the upper horizontal portions 15U, 25U of the chains 15, 25 and the lower horizontal portions 15D, 25D extend below the guide rollers 51a to 54a. The portions 15U, 25U, 15D, and 25D are configured to roll on the guide rails 3, 3. For this reason, in the upper and lower horizontal portions 15U, 25U, 15D, and 25D, the transport table 50 is transported in a horizontal state in accordance with the movement of the chains 15, 25 in the direction of arrow A while being guided by the guide rails 3, 3. You.
[0013]
In this way, for example, when the transfer table 50 is moved along the upper horizontal portions 15U, 25U and transferred to the front end thereof, the chains 15, 25 move to the front vertical portions 15F, 25F. Accordingly, the transfer table 50 is also vertically moved. The mechanism for this vertical movement will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 shows the center of the first and fourth guide mechanisms 51 and 54 when the transfer table 50 is located at the front end of the upper horizontal portions 15U and 25U (the shaft center of the third sprocket 13 of the right chain mechanism 10). 2) shows a vertical cross section in the left-right direction. FIG. 5 shows the centers of the second and third guide mechanisms 52 and 53 when the transfer table 50 is located at the front ends of the upper horizontal portions 15U and 25U (the axial center of the third sprocket 23 of the left chain mechanism 20). 2) shows a vertical cross section in the left-right direction.
[0014]
When the carriage 50 is positioned at the front end of the upper horizontal portions 15U and 25U in this manner, the guide rollers 51a of the first guide mechanism 51 connected to the right chain 15 are disengaged from the guide rails 3 (the guide rail 3 is a third sprocket). 13 is cut away), and after being rotated 90 degrees along the pitch line of the third sprocket 13 with the right chain 15 wound around the third sprocket 13 and then moved together with the right chain 15 It is moved vertically downward (movement along the front vertical portion 15F). Similarly, the guide roller 53a of the third guide mechanism 53 connected to the left chain 25 is disengaged from the guide rail 3 and moves along the pitch line of the third sprocket 23 together with the left chain 25 that is wound around the third sprocket 23 and moves. After being rotated by 90 degrees, it is moved vertically downward together with the left chain 25 (movement along the front vertical portion 25F).
[0015]
As described above, if the two first and third guide mechanisms 51 and 53 located on the diagonal line are vertically moved together with the left and right chains 15, 25 (15F, 25F), the remaining two second and fourth guide mechanisms are moved. Even if the guide mechanisms 52 and 54 are in a free state, it is possible to vertically move the transport table 50 (mounting table 55) while keeping it in a horizontal state. However, with this alone, the horizontal holding of the mounting table 55 may become unstable. Therefore, in the present transport device, the second and fourth guide mechanisms 52 and 54 also guide for vertical movement. I have.
[0016]
First, with respect to the fourth guide mechanism 54, a rotary movement guide device 60 having a configuration as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 is provided. The guide device 60 includes a guide disk 62 rotatably supported by a fixed shaft 61 fixed to the frame 4 that supports the guide rail 3, and the fixed shaft 61 is connected to the third chain of the right chain mechanism 10. It is located on the same axis as the sprocket 13. A plurality of guide grooves 63 are formed at equal pitches on the outer peripheral end of the guide disk 62, and when the carriage 50 is located at the front end of the upper horizontal part as described above, the fourth guide mechanism 54 The guide roller 54a is received in the guide groove 63 of the guide disk 62.
[0017]
When the guide roller 54a received in the guide groove 63 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the guide disk 62, the locus of the center point of the guide roller 54a is a circle having the same diameter as the pitch circle of the third sprocket 13. A guide disk 62 is formed in an arc shape. For this reason, when the guide roller 51a of the first guide mechanism 51 rotates 90 degrees with the rotation of the third sprocket 13, the guide roller 54a of the fourth guide mechanism 54 follows an arc-shaped trajectory having the same diameter as this. And rotate 90 degrees. Thereafter, the guide roller 54a moves away from the guide groove 63 and moves vertically downward along the guide side surface 65a of the vertical guide plate 65 with the vertical movement of the chains 15, 25.
[0018]
On the other hand, the second guide mechanism 52 is provided with a vertical movement guide device 40 having a configuration as shown in FIGS. The vertical movement guide device 40 has a vertical guide upper sprocket 41 which is attached to a rotating shaft 33 rotatably supported by a ball bearing with respect to the frame 4 and is rotatable. The upper sprocket 41 is disposed on the same axis as the third sprocket 23 of the left chain mechanism 20. On the other hand, although not shown, a rotating shaft similar to that described above is also provided on the same axis as the fourth sprocket 24 vertically below the upper sprocket 41, and is attached to this rotating shaft so as to be rotatable. A lower sprocket is provided, and a vertical guide chain 42 is stretched between the upper and lower sprockets. A plurality of vertical guide members 43 are attached to the vertical guide chain 42 at the same interval p as the longitudinal shift interval p of the left and right chain mechanisms 10 and 20 described above. The vertical guide member 43 extends to the position of the guide roller 52a of the second guide mechanism 52 in the left-right direction, and a guide groove 43a capable of receiving the guide roller 52a is formed at this position.
[0019]
The rotating shaft 33 protrudes and extends to the outside (right side) of the frame 4, and a synchronous driven sprocket 34 is fixed to this portion. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, a rotating shaft 31 to which the third sprocket 13 of the right chain mechanism 10 is attached projects outside the frame 4, and a synchronous drive sprocket 32 is fixed to this portion. A synchronizing chain 35 is hung on the synchronous driving sprocket 32 and the synchronous driven sprocket 34 to constitute a synchronizing device 30. Therefore, the upper sprocket 41 for vertical guide is driven to rotate at the same rotation speed as the third sprocket 13.
[0020]
When the transfer table 50 moves to the front end of the upper horizontal portion as described above, the guide roller 52a of the second guide mechanism 52 is received by the guide groove 43a of the guide member 43 attached to the vertical guide chain 42. You. Since the vertical guide upper sprocket 41 is rotationally driven in synchronization with the third sprocket 13 by the synchronizer 30, the guide member 43 is hung on the third sprocket 13 while receiving the guide roller 52a of the second guide mechanism 52. It is rotated 90 degrees in synchronization with the right chain 15 and moved vertically downward (see FIG. 7).
[0021]
As can be understood from the above description, the guide rollers 51a, 53a of the first and third guide mechanisms 51, 53 connected to the left and right chains 15, 25 are vertically moved together with the left and right chains 15, 25, and the second guide mechanism 52 The guide roller 52a is vertically moved by the vertical guide chain 42 in synchronization with the left and right chains 15, 25. As described above, the transfer table 50 is vertically moved in synchronization with the three guide mechanisms 51, 52, and 53, so that the mounting table 55 is stably held in a horizontal state and is transferred vertically downward.
[0022]
Thereafter, in the lower horizontal portions 15D and 25D, similarly to the transport in the upper horizontal portions 15U and 2U, the transport table 50 is stably maintained in a horizontal state while the guide rollers 51a to 54a roll on the guide rails. Conveyed. In the rear vertical portions 15B and 25B, the transport table 50 is stably held in a horizontal state and transported vertically upward by the reverse principle of the operation in the front vertical portions 15F and 25F.
[0023]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in the horizontal portion of the closed loop path, the carriage is guided by a chain in which two guide means located on a diagonal line move horizontally, and two guides are provided. Since the guide rollers of the means are guided by horizontally extending guide rails, they are transported horizontally in a stable horizontal support state, and in a vertical portion of the closed loop path, the transport table is provided with two guides located diagonally. The means is guided by a vertically moving chain, and at least one of the two guide means is vertically moved in synchronization with the vertical movement of the guide means locked to the chain by a vertical movement mechanism. Therefore, the sheet is conveyed and moved horizontally in a stable horizontal support state. That is, according to the transfer apparatus of the present invention, the transfer table can be transferred while being stably supported horizontally along a closed loop in a vertical plane, and the apparatus configuration is very simple. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a transfer device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a transfer device according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view showing a periphery of a transfer table constituting the transfer device.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the transfer device taken along arrows IV-IV in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the transfer device taken along arrows VV in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the transfer device taken along arrow VI in FIG. 4;
FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged view of the transfer device taken along arrow VII in FIG. 5;
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 20 Chain mechanisms 11 to 14, 21 to 24 First to fourth sprockets 15, 25 Chain 30 Synchronizing device 40 Vertical movement guide device 50 Transport tables 51 to 54 First to fourth guide mechanisms 55 Mounting table

Claims (1)

A pair of closed-loop chains that are respectively wound around a plurality of sprockets and move synchronously along a closed-loop path in a vertical plane are disposed in parallel, and are located between the pair of closed-loop chains and A transport device that is configured to include a transport table that is locked to a closed loop chain and that is moved along a path that forms the closed loop with the drive of the closed loop chain,
Guide means having guide rollers are provided at four positions in front, rear, left and right of the transfer table, and two of the guide means located on a diagonal line are respectively associated with the pair of closed loop chains. Has been stopped ,
The pair of closed loop chains are arranged in parallel in the path forming the closed loop, being shifted back and forth by the same distance as the front and rear interval of the guide means,
A guide rail that supports and guides the guide roller from below is provided in a horizontally extending portion of the closed loop path,
A vertically extending portion of the path forming the closed loop is provided at at least one of right and left and at an end of the guide rail that supports a guide roller that constitutes the guide means that is not locked to the closed loop chain. An upper and lower sprocket, and a vertical guide chain spanned between the upper and lower sprockets. By rotating any of the upper and lower sprockets in synchronization with the plurality of sprockets, the vertical guide chain is A vertical movement mechanism for vertically moving in synchronization with a pair of closed loop chains is provided,
A vertical guide member formed by providing a guide groove capable of receiving the guide roller is attached to the vertical guide chain,
When the guide roller reaches the end of the guide rail by driving the closed loop chain, at least one of the guide rollers is received in the guide groove of the vertical guide member, and the vertical guide member is The guide roller is received in a state that restricts relative movement in the vertical direction, and is configured to be held on substantially the same horizontal plane as the guide means locked to the closed loop chain and to move vertically in synchronization with the guide means. conveying apparatus characterized by that.

Images