JP6491076B2 - Transport device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport device for transporting an assembly having a lead wire having an attachment portion fixed to an end portion.

In mass production of an assembly having a lead wire having an attachment portion fixed to an end portion, a transport device that transports the assembly is used.
In addition, as an assembly, it is an assembly formed in the manufacturing process of a sensor, Comprising: The cable for sensors provided with a lead wire and a connector is mentioned, for example (patent document 1). This assembly (sensor cable) is configured such that a connector is fixed to at least one end of a lead wire. The lead wire is provided to form a signal path for transmitting the sensor signal, and the connector is provided to connect the lead wire to an external device.

JP 2014-219355 A

  When transporting multiple assemblies suspended in a state where the attachment (connector) is on the lower side, the lead wires can be freely deformed, so that two or more adjacent assemblies can mutually lead each other. Lines or attachments may be intertwined. When proceeding to the next step in which the distance between two or more assemblies is maintained in such a entangled state, due to the influence of external force that separates the two or more assemblies, the attachment portion and the lead wire There is a risk that the assembly will be damaged, such as poor electrical connection or the attachment part falling off the lead wire.

  On the other hand, when two or more adjacent assemblies are entangled, the operator manually entangles them before proceeding to the next step in which the two or more assemblies are separated from each other. By eliminating the state, damage to the assembly can be suppressed.

  However, in a state where the assemblies are entangled in a complicated manner and cannot be separated easily, an excessive force by manual operation may be applied to the assembly when the worker manually resolves the entangled state. The assembly may be damaged due to manual work (such as an electrical connection failure between the attachment portion and the lead wire, or the attachment portion falling off from the lead wire).

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a transport device that can suppress damage to an assembly caused by an entangled state even when the entangled state between adjacent assemblies occurs.

The conveyance apparatus in one situation of this invention is a conveyance apparatus which conveys the assembly which has a lead wire, Comprising: A conveyance part and a gas injection part are provided.
The lead wire provided in the assembly has an attachment portion fixed to at least one end.

  The transport unit suspends the assembly in a state where the attachment portion is on the lower side, and transports the plurality of assemblies in a tandem state. The gas injection unit injects gas toward the assembly being transferred by the transfer unit.

  The gas injection unit includes a right injection unit and a left injection unit. The right injection unit injects the gas from the right side when viewed from the upstream side in the conveyance direction by the conveyance unit toward the assembly. The left injection unit injects gas from the left side when viewed from the upstream side in the conveyance direction by the conveyance unit toward the assembly.

The right injection unit and the left injection unit are configured such that the gas injection direction is a horizontal direction or an upward direction from the horizontal direction.
Here, out of the trajectory area in which the assembly being transported by the transport section moves, the trajectory area in which the appendage may move is defined as the appendage trajectory area.

  In that case, the gas injection unit includes a right action position that is an intersection position between the gas injection direction by the right injection unit and the attachment locus region, and an intersection position between the gas injection direction by the left injection portion and the attachment locus region. It is comprised so that it may become a different position from the left side action position which is.

  In the transport apparatus having such a configuration, the gas injection unit includes the right injection unit and the left injection unit, so that the conveyance direction by the transfer unit with respect to a plurality of entangled assemblies (particularly, the attachment unit). Gas can be blown from both the right side and the left side when the downstream side is viewed from the upstream side.

  In addition, since the gas injection unit is configured such that the right action position and the left action position are different from each other, by injecting gas from each of the right injection part and the left injection part, a plurality of entangled states An external force (rotational force) in the rotational direction about the vertical direction (hanging direction) as the central axis can be applied to the assembly (particularly, the attached portion).

By applying such an external force in the rotational direction, a plurality of entangled assemblies (particularly, attachments) can be rotated, and as a result, the entangled state can be eliminated.
Further, since the right injection unit and the left injection unit are configured such that the gas injection direction is the horizontal direction or an upward direction from the horizontal direction, a downward external force is exerted on a plurality of assemblies (particularly, the attachment unit). Instead, the external force can be applied in the horizontal direction or higher than the horizontal direction. Thereby, in addition to the external force in the rotation direction described above, an external force for swinging the plurality of assemblies (particularly, the attachment portion) in the left-right direction and an external force for lifting the plurality of assemblies (particularly, the attachment portion) are This can be applied to a plurality of assemblies (particularly attachments) in an entangled state, and the ability to eliminate the entangled state can be improved.

  Therefore, according to this transfer apparatus, even when the entanglement state between two or more adjacent assemblies occurs, the assembly damage due to the entanglement state can be eliminated by eliminating the entanglement between the assemblies. Can be suppressed.

  The “trajectory area” means the area occupied by the trajectory followed by a moving object, and the “trajectory area where the assembly being transported by the transport unit moves” refers to the assembly being transported. It means the area occupied by the trajectory. In addition, the “attachment part trajectory area” includes not only the trajectory area in which the attachment part in the normal assembly that is not entangled moves but also the attachment part in the assembly in the entanglement state. A trajectory region (an appendix trajectory region at the time of an abnormality) that may occur is included. That is, the “attachment portion locus region” refers to a locus region in which at least one of the attachment portions in all the assemblies may move.

  Further, the “right-side action position” and “left-side action position” may mean an intersection (point) between the gas injection direction of the right-side injection unit or the left-side injection unit and the appendage part trajectory region, or the right-side injection unit. Alternatively, it may mean an intersection region (a range having a spread) between the region of gas injected in the injection direction by the left-side injection unit and the appendage locus region. In other words, “the right action position and the left action position are different” means that the right intersection and the left intersection are different, or the right (or left) intersection and the left (or right) intersection area are different. And that the intersection area on the right side and the intersection area on the left side are different.

  Furthermore, “the right action position and the left action position are different positions” may be different positions in the transport direction, or may be different positions in the vertical direction (hanging method). The positions may be different in both cases. In other words, the positions may be set at different positions so that an external force in the rotational direction with the vertical direction as the central axis can be applied to a plurality of assemblies (in particular, the attachment portion) in a tangled state.

In the above-described transfer device, the gas injection unit may be disposed in the most downstream region in the transfer direction of the transfer unit.
Note that “the most downstream region in the transport direction in the transport unit” refers to the downstream side of the position where the next assembly in the column state exists when the leading assembly reaches the downstream end of the transport unit. Means the area.

  The most downstream area in the conveyance direction in the conveyance section is an area immediately before the assembly is transferred to the next process. In this most downstream region, by eliminating the entanglement between the assemblies by gas injection, even if the entanglement state between the assemblies occurs in the middle of the transport unit, because the entangled state can be eliminated in the most downstream region, When shifting to the next step, it is possible to suppress shifting to the next step while maintaining the entangled state.

Therefore, according to this conveying apparatus, the damage resulting from the entanglement state of the assemblies can be further suppressed.
In the above-described transfer device, the right injection unit may include a plurality of gas injection ports, and each gas injection port may be configured to face a different direction. The left injection unit includes a plurality of gas injection ports. In addition, the gas injection ports may be configured to face different directions.

  In this way, the right injection unit and the left injection unit each include a plurality of gas injection ports, and each gas injection port faces a different direction, thereby injecting gas to a wider area. Can do. Thereby, the gas injection state corresponding to more entangled states can be realized, and the external force due to the gas can be more reliably applied to the assembly (particularly, the attachment portion).

Therefore, according to this conveyance apparatus, it becomes easy to eliminate the entanglement between the assemblies, and the breakage of the assembly due to the entangled state can be suppressed.
Note that “each gas injection port faces in a different direction” may be a different position in the transport direction or a different position in the vertical direction (hanging method). Different positions may be used.

In the above-described transfer device, the gas injection unit may be configured such that the gas injection timing by the right injection unit and the gas injection timing by the left injection unit coincide with each other.
When the right injection unit and the left injection unit inject gas at the same time, a stronger external force can be applied to the plurality of assemblies (particularly, the attachment unit) in a tangled state. For example, by applying a stronger external force in the rotational direction to the assembly (particularly, the attachment portion), the ability to eliminate the entangled state between the assemblies can be improved.

Therefore, according to this conveying apparatus, the entangled state between the assemblies can be further eliminated, and damage to the assembly due to the entangled state can be further suppressed.
In the above-described transfer device, the gas injection unit may be configured such that the gas injection timing by the right injection unit and the gas injection timing by the left injection unit are different.

  In such a configuration, for example, the right injection unit first injects gas to swing the assembly (particularly, the attachment), and then the assembly (particularly, the attachment) moves from the right side to the left side. During the period of swinging toward the assembly, the left injection unit injects gas to the assembly (particularly, the attachment), so that a stronger external force can be applied to the assembly. Thus, the ability to eliminate the entangled state between the assemblies can be improved by injecting the gas at a time when the right injection unit and the left injection unit are different.

Therefore, according to this conveying apparatus, the entangled state between the assemblies can be further eliminated, and damage to the assembly due to the entangled state can be further suppressed.
The above-described transfer device includes a determination unit that determines whether or not an assembly is present in at least one of the right-side action position and the left-side action position in the appendage part trajectory region. The configuration may be such that if an affirmative determination is made, a gas injection operation is executed, and if a negative determination is made by the determination unit, the gas injection operation is not executed.

  That is, when at least a part of the assembly is present in at least one of the right side action position and the left side action position in the appendage part trajectory region, the determination part makes an affirmative determination, and the gas injection part injects gas. Perform the action. Further, when there is no assembly at either the right side action position or the left side action position in the appendage part trajectory region, the determination part makes a negative determination, and the gas injection part does not execute the gas injection operation.

  Accordingly, it can be determined that at least a part of the assembly being transported has reached at least one of the right-side action position and the left-side action position, and external force due to gas is applied to the assembly (particularly, the attachment). Timing can be set appropriately. In other words, in this transport device, the gas ejection unit unnecessarily ejects gas in a situation where the assembly being transported (particularly, the attachment) is not present in either the right action position or the left action position. Can be suppressed.

  Also, even when the uppermost part of the assembly in the hanging direction is located at a position different from the vertical upper area of the right action position and the vertical upper area of the left action position, the attachment parts are entangled. In the case of the state, the attachment portion is present in at least one of the right action position and the left action position. For this reason, the determination result by the determination unit is not only whether or not the attachment part in the assembly in the normal state has reached at least one of the right action position and the left action position, but also between the assemblies (particularly attachment parts). It also changes depending on whether or not the entangled state occurs.

  For this reason, when the determination unit determines that “there is an assembly (or attachment)” (affirmative determination), by performing the gas injection operation, the entangled assembly (particularly, the attachment) On the other hand, the external force by gas can be given more reliably.

  Therefore, according to this conveyance apparatus, a gas injection part can inject gas at an appropriate timing, and it can suppress that a gas injection part injects gas unnecessarily at an unnecessary timing. Moreover, according to this conveyance apparatus, the entanglement state between assemblies can be further eliminated, and the damage of the assembly resulting from the entanglement state can be further suppressed.

  In the transport apparatus including the determination unit described above, the determination unit includes a laser beam emitting unit and a laser beam arrival determination unit, and whether an assembly exists based on the determination result of the laser beam arrival determination unit. It may be configured to determine whether or not.

  The laser light emitting unit emits the laser light so as to pass through at least one of the right action position and the left action position in the appendage locus region. The laser beam arrival determination unit is arranged on the opposite side of the laser beam emitting unit through the right side action position and the left side action position in the course of the laser beam emitted from the laser beam emitting unit, and the laser beam has reached. It is determined whether or not.

  If the laser beam arrival determination unit determines that the laser beam has arrived, the determination unit determines that the assembly is not present in either the right action position or the left action position in the attachment locus region. judge. If the laser beam arrival determination unit determines that the laser beam does not reach, the determination unit determines that the assembly is present in at least one of the right action position and the left action position in the attachment locus region. )

  In this way, by using the determination result of the laser beam arrival determination unit, the determination unit can determine that the attachment in the assembly being transported has reached at least one of the right side action position and the left side action position.

  Therefore, according to this conveyance apparatus, based on the determination result of the laser beam arrival determination unit, the gas injection unit can inject gas at an appropriate timing, and the gas injection unit wastes gas at an unnecessary timing. Injecting can be suppressed. Further, according to this transport device, the entangled state between the assemblies can be further eliminated based on the determination result of the laser beam arrival determining unit, and the breakage of the assembly due to the entangled state can be further suppressed. .

  In the transport apparatus including the determination unit described above, a trajectory region in which an appendage portion of an assembly that is in an entangled state with an adjacent assembly among the appendage portion trajectory regions may be defined as an abnormal portion appendage trajectory region. Then, when the position where at least one of the right-side action position and the left-side action position overlaps with the abnormal-time appendage locus region is defined as the abnormal-time action position, the determination unit has an assembly at the abnormal-time action position. In this case, an affirmative determination may be made, and a negative determination may be made when no assembly is present at the abnormal action position.

  Such a determination unit can determine whether or not an entangled state between the assemblies (particularly, the attachment unit) has occurred. For this reason, when an affirmative determination is made by this determination unit, the gas injection unit performs gas injection, so that the external force due to the gas is more reliably applied to the entangled assembly (particularly, the attached unit). be able to.

Therefore, according to this conveying apparatus, the entangled state between the assemblies can be further eliminated, and damage to the assembly due to the entangled state can be further suppressed.
In the above-described transport apparatus, the assembly may be a sensor cable including a lead wire that transmits a sensor signal and a connector that is attached to an end portion of the lead wire. The attachment portion of the assembly may be a connector.

  The sensor cable is an assembly formed in the manufacturing process of the sensor, and is transported in a state where the attachment portion (connector) is suspended so as to be on the lower side. In the sensor manufacturing process, when a plurality of sensor cables are conveyed in a tandem state, the lead wires or the attachments may be entangled between adjacent sensor cables.

  By applying the above-mentioned transport device as such a sensor cable transport device, even if the entanglement state between adjacent sensor cables occurs, the entanglement between the sensor cables can be eliminated. The breakage of the sensor cable due to the entangled state can be suppressed.

  According to the transfer device of the present invention, even when the entanglement state between adjacent assemblies occurs, the assembly damage due to the entanglement state can be suppressed by eliminating the entanglement between the assemblies.

It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure when a conveying apparatus is seen from the side. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure when a conveying apparatus is seen from the upper side of a perpendicular direction. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of a conveying apparatus when it sees to the AA arrow direction in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows a 1st step to a 4th step among the conveyance states of an assembly. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 8th step from the 5th step among the conveyance states of an assembly. It is explanatory drawing which shows the position of an attachment part when an adjacent assembly is a entanglement state. It is explanatory drawing showing the position of the intersection of the injection direction of gas by a gas injection part, and the attachment part locus | trajectory area | region P. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the electrical structure of a conveying apparatus. It is a flowchart showing the processing content of a conveyance control process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the external appearance of the cable for sensors as an assembly.

Embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to the drawings.
In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiment at all, and it cannot be overemphasized that various forms may be taken as long as it belongs to the technical scope of this invention.

[1. First Embodiment]
[1-1. overall structure]
A configuration of the transfer apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration when the transport device is viewed from the side. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration when the transport device is viewed from above in the vertical direction. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the transport device when viewed in the direction of arrows AA in FIG.

  The conveying apparatus 1 is an apparatus for conveying a plurality of assemblies 31 in a tandem state. In detail, for example, the transport apparatus 1 is arranged between a production line (manufacturing apparatus, not shown) of the assembly 31 and an inspection line (inspection apparatus, not shown) of the assembly 31, and includes a plurality of The assembly 31 is conveyed in a column state.

The transport apparatus 1 includes a transport unit 5, a tip opening / closing unit 13, an assembly partition unit 15, a detection unit 17, a gas injection unit 19, and an inspection table 25.
The conveyance unit 5 includes two shaft portions (a right shaft portion 5a and a left shaft portion 5b) arranged in parallel. The transport unit 5 is configured to be inclined from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the assembly 31 so that the height positions of the right shaft portion 5a and the left shaft portion 5b are gradually reduced. The right shaft portion 5a is disposed on the right side when viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction of the assembly 31, and the left shaft portion 5b is viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction of the assembly 31. It is arranged on the left side.

  Here, the assembly 31 is a sensor cable including a lead wire 33, a first attachment portion 35, and a second attachment portion 37. The second attachment portion 37 includes two portions (a large diameter portion 37a and a small diameter portion 37b) having different width dimensions.

  And in the conveyance part 5, the space | interval dimension of the right side shaft part 5a and the left side shaft part 5b is set so that the assembly 31 can be suspended. Specifically, the distance dimension between the right shaft part 5a and the left shaft part 5b is set larger than the width dimension of the small diameter part 37b and smaller than the width dimension of the large diameter part 37a. Thereby, the conveyance part 5 is comprised so that the assembly 31 can be suspended in the state which the 1st attachment part 35 becomes a lower side, supporting the 2nd attachment part 37 (specifically large diameter part 37a). ing.

The assembly 31 suspended from the transport unit 5 moves from the upstream (high position) to the downstream (low position) of the transport unit 5 due to gravity.
1 to 3 schematically show the assembly 31, and details of the assembly 31 will be described later.

  The distal end opening / closing part 13 is configured to be movable to at least two positions, that is, a passage permission position and a passage restriction position at the most downstream end (tip part) of the transport unit 5. Note that the passage allowable position is a position where the assembly 31 is allowed to pass from the most downstream end of the transport unit 5 to the outside, and the passage limit position is a position where the assembly 31 is the most downstream end of the transport unit 5. It is a position that restricts (blocks) the passage from the part to the outside. In the present embodiment, the distal end opening / closing part 13 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction, and the passage allowable position is a position higher than the upper end of the assembly 31 when passing through the most downstream end part of the transport part 5. (Refer to the seventh stage in FIG. 5), and the passage restriction position is set to a position that abuts at least a part of the assembly 31 when passing through the most downstream end of the transport unit 5. (See step 6 in FIG. 5).

4 is an explanatory diagram showing the first to fourth stages in the transport state of the assembly, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the fifth to eighth stages in the transport state of the assembly. is there.
The assembly partition unit 15 includes an upstream partition unit 15a and a downstream partition unit 15b. The assembly delimiter 15 includes an area for extracting one assembly 31 (the most downstream area A1 shown in FIG. 1) and an area for storing a plurality of assemblies 31 in a tandem state. (Column region B1 shown in FIG. 1) and the boundary position.

  Each of the upstream partitioning portion 15a and the downstream partitioning portion 15b is configured to be movable in at least two positions, that is, a passage-permitted position and a passage-restricted position, by moving in the vertical direction in the same manner as the tip opening / closing section 13. . The upstream delimiter 15a is arranged on the upstream side of the downstream delimiter 15b. The upstream delimiter 15a and the downstream delimiter 15b are arranged away from each other so that a temporary arrangement area for arranging one assembly 31 can be secured between them.

  Then, when the upstream partition 15a moves to the movement-permitted position and the downstream partition 15b exists at the movement restriction position, the assembly partitioning unit 15 first has a plurality in the column region B1 of the transport unit 5. Among the assemblies 31, one assembly 31 moves to the temporary arrangement region (see the second to third stages in FIG. 4). Thereafter, when the upstream partitioning portion 15a moves to the movement restriction position, one assembly 31 is disposed in the temporary placement region between the upstream partitioning portion 15a and the downstream partitioning portion 15b (the second assembly in FIG. 4). See step 4). Next, when the upstream partitioning portion 15a remains in the movement restriction position and the downstream partitioning portion 15b moves to the movement allowable position (see the fifth stage in FIG. 5), one assembly in the primary arrangement region 31 moves to a region downstream of the downstream partition 15b. Thereafter, the downstream delimiter 15b moves to the movement restriction position, and both the upstream delimiter 15a and the downstream delimiter 15b become the movement restriction positions (see the sixth stage in FIG. 5).

  As described above, the assembly delimiter 15 is configured such that the upstream delimiter 15a and the downstream delimiter 15b move to the movement restriction position or the movement allowable position, so that one assembly from the plurality of assemblies 31 in the column region B1. 31 is extracted.

The detection unit 17 and the gas injection unit 19 will be described later.
As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection table 25 is provided to move the assemblies 31 that have passed through the transport unit 5 one by one to an inspection area (not shown). The inspection table 25 supports the second attachment portion 37 (specifically, the large diameter portion 37a) of the assembly 31 and allows the assembly 31 to be suspended while the first attachment portion 35 is on the lower side. It is configured.

  In the inspection area, an energization inspection is performed to determine whether an energization path from the first attachment portion 35 to the second attachment portion 37 via the lead wire 33 is properly established, and the first attachment portion 35 and the second attachment portion. An inspection is performed to determine whether the assembly 31 satisfies a predetermined quality, such as an appearance inspection to determine whether or not the portion 37 has been damaged.

[1-2. Detection unit and gas injection unit]
The detection unit 17 includes a laser beam emitting unit 17a and a laser beam arrival determination unit 17b.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the laser beam emitting unit 17a and the laser beam arrival determining unit 17b are configured to sandwich the conveyance unit 5 when the conveyance device 1 is viewed from the upper side (specifically, the attachment part locus region P is set). It is arranged so as to sandwich. The attachment portion locus region P is a locus region (virtual region) in which the first attachment portion 35 in the assembly 31 being conveyed by the conveyance portion 5 may move. Strictly speaking, the attachment part locus region P exists from the most upstream side end portion to the most downstream side end portion of the transport unit 5, but in FIG. Only a region corresponding to a part between the unit 15 and the unit 15 is illustrated. The laser beam emitting unit 17a is arranged on the right side when the downstream side is viewed from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the conveyance unit 5, and the laser beam arrival determination unit 17b is located on the downstream side from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the conveyance unit 5. Located on the left side when viewed.

  The laser light emitting unit 17a emits (emits) laser light toward the laser light arrival determining unit 17b. Accordingly, the detection unit 17 determines whether the assembly 31 exists between the tip opening / closing unit 13 and the assembly partitioning unit 15 depending on whether the laser beam arrival determination unit 17b is receiving the laser beam. Can be determined.

Here, the attachment locus region P will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the position of the first appendage 35 when the adjacent assemblies 31 are in an entangled state. Specifically, the position of the first attachment portion 35 when the assembly 31 approaching the tip opening / closing portion 13 and the assembly 31 contacting the assembly partitioning portion 15 (upstream partitioning portion 15a) are in an entangled state. Is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the attachment portion locus region P includes a locus region (normal attachment portion locus region P1) in which the first attachment portion 35 in the assembly 31 in a normal state that is not entangled moves, A trajectory area in which the first appendage 35 in the assembly 31 may move (an abnormal-time appendage trajectory area P2) is included.

  The first attachment portion 35 in the assembly 31 in the entangled state is not in the “straight state along the vertical direction” but in the “tilted state”, so that the first attachment portion 35 in the assembly 31 in the normal state is in the first state. Compared to the attachment 35 (shown by a dotted line in FIG. 6), it exists at a higher position. For this reason, the abnormal accessory locus region P2 exists at a higher position than the normal accessory locus region P1.

  In particular, the position of the 1st attachment part 35 becomes high, so that the distance (distance on the conveyance part 5) of the 2nd attachment part 37 among the two assemblies 31 in a tangled state leaves | separates. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the assembly 31 in which the second attachment portion 37 approaches the tip opening / closing portion 13 and the assembly in which the second attachment portion 37 contacts the assembly partition portion 15 (upstream partition portion 15 a). 31 is in a state of being entangled, the distance between the second appendages 37 is far, so that the abnormal accessory locus region P2 is considerably higher than the normal accessory locus region P1. In this case, compared to the case where the assemblies 31 are close to each other, the overlapping region in the height direction between the abnormal accessory locus region P2 and the normal accessory locus region P1 is reduced, and the abnormal accessory locus region P2 is obtained. And the normal appendage locus region P1 can be easily distinguished from each other.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the path of the laser beam by the laser beam emitting unit 17 a is the assembly 31 approaching the tip opening / closing unit 13 in the transport direction by the transport unit 5, and the assembly partitioning unit 15. It is set so as to overlap with an intermediate position between the assembly 31 and the assembly 31 in contact with the (upstream dividing portion 15a). That is, the detection position of the assembly 31 by the detection unit 17 is set to a position where the abnormal accessory locus region P2 and the normal accessory locus region P1 can be easily distinguished.

  Therefore, the detection unit 17 determines whether the assembly 31 exists between the tip opening / closing unit 13 and the assembly partitioning unit 15 depending on whether the laser beam arrival determination unit 17b is receiving the laser beam. It is possible to determine whether or not the adjacent assemblies 31 are in an entangled state.

The gas injection unit 19 includes a right injection unit 21 and a left injection unit 23.
As shown in FIG. 2, the right injection unit 21 and the left injection unit 23 sandwich the conveyance unit 5 when the conveyance device 1 is viewed from above (specifically, sandwich the attachment locus region P). ) Is arranged. The right injection unit 21 is disposed on the right side when the downstream side is viewed from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the conveyance unit 5, and the left injection unit 23 is viewed from the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the conveyance unit 5. It is arranged on the left side. The right injection unit 21 injects gas (for example, the atmosphere) from the right side when viewed from the upstream side in the conveyance direction by the conveyance unit 5 toward the assembly 31. The left-side injection unit 23 injects gas toward the assembly 31 from the left side when the downstream side is viewed from the upstream side in the conveyance direction by the conveyance unit 5.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the right injection unit 21 includes four right injection ports 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d, and the left injection unit 23 includes four left injection ports 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d. It has. The right injection ports 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d and the left injection ports 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d are each configured such that the gas injection direction is upward from the horizontal direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, in the right injection ports 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d, the right injection ports 21a and 21c have a gas injection direction in a plan view as compared with the right injection ports 21b and 21d. It is set in a different direction. Specifically, the right side injection ports 21a and 21c are arranged so that the intersection between the gas injection direction and the appendage locus region P is closer to the upstream side in the transport direction than the right side injection ports 21b and 21d. The injection direction is set.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, in the left injection ports 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d, the left injection ports 23a and 23c have a gas injection direction in a plan view as compared with the left injection ports 23b and 23d. It is set in a different direction. Specifically, the left injection ports 23a and 23c are arranged so that the intersection of the gas injection direction and the attachment portion locus region P is closer to the downstream side in the transport direction than the left injection ports 23b and 23d. The injection direction is set.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the right injection ports 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d have different height positions and different gas injection directions when viewed from the downstream side in the transport direction. Set to direction. Specifically, the intersection of the gas injection direction and the appendage locus region P is set at the highest position of the right injection port 21a, and the order of the right injection port 21b, the right injection port 21c, and the right injection port 21d. Thus, the injection directions of the respective gases are set so as to change from a high position to a low position.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the left injection ports 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d have different height positions and different gas injection directions when viewed from the downstream side in the transport direction. Set to direction. Specifically, the intersection of the gas injection direction and the appendix part locus region P is set at the highest position of the left injection port 23a, and the order of the left injection port 23b, the left injection port 23c, and the left injection port 23d. Thus, the injection directions of the respective gases are set so as to change from a high position to a low position.

  In this way, the four right injection ports 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d have their gas injection directions set so that the intersections of the respective gas injection directions and the appendage locus region P are at different positions. Has been. In addition, the four left injection ports 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d have their gas injection directions set so that the intersections between the gas injection directions and the appendage locus region P are different positions. Yes.

  That is, at the right injection ports 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d and the left injection ports 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d, as shown in FIG. Each is in a different position. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the position of the intersection between the gas injection direction by the gas injection unit 19 and the appendage locus region P. In FIG. 7, the gas injection directions of the right injection ports 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, and 21 d and the left injection ports 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, and 23 d when viewing the appendage locus region P from the left injection unit 23 The position of the intersection with the appendix locus region P is shown.

  In addition, in FIG. 7, the intersection corresponding to each injection port is represented with the same code | symbol as an injection port. That is, among the intersections shown in FIG. 7, the intersections 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, and 21 d correspond to the right action position that is the intersection position of the gas injection direction by the right injection part 21 and the appendix part locus region P. Reference numerals 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d correspond to the left-side action positions that are the intersection positions of the gas injection direction of the left-side injection unit 23 and the appendix part locus region P.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gas injection unit 19 is disposed in the most downstream area A <b> 1 in the transport direction of the transport unit 5. The most downstream area A <b> 1 is an area between the front end opening / closing part 13 and the assembly partition part 15 in the transport part 5.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the path of the laser beam by the laser beam emitting unit 17 a of the detection unit 17 is at least one of the intersections of the gas injection direction of the gas injection unit 19 and the appendage locus region P. Is set to pass through. In the present embodiment, the laser beam emitted from the laser beam emitting unit 17a passes through the intersection points (eight intersection points shown in FIG. 7) between the jet direction of all the gases from the gas ejection unit 19 and the appendage locus region P. The course is set.

  When the laser beam arrival determining unit 17b cannot receive any part of the laser beam emitted from the laser beam emitting unit 17a, the assembly 31 is connected to the distal end opening / closing unit 13 and the assembly separating unit 15. It is determined that it exists between.

  For this reason, the detection part 17 can determine whether the assembly 31 exists in the intersection of the gas injection direction by the gas injection part 19, and the attachment part locus | trajectory area | region P. FIG. Thereby, the gas injected from the gas injection part 19 can be applied to the assembly 31 with high accuracy.

[1-3. Control unit]
Next, the electrical configuration of the transport apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the transport apparatus 1.

The transport apparatus 1 includes a control unit 11 as an electrical configuration.
The control unit 11 is connected to at least the front end opening / closing unit 13, the assembly partitioning unit 15, the detection unit 17, the gas injection unit 19, and the inspection table 25 among the units of the transport device 1, and various signals are transmitted between the units. The electronic control device performs transmission and reception and executes various control processes for transporting the assembly 31 from the transport unit 5 to the inspection table 25.

The control unit 11 includes a microcomputer 11a (hereinafter also referred to as a microcomputer 11a), a signal input / output unit 11b, an information input unit 11c, and an information display unit 11d.
The microcomputer 11a includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown) and is configured to execute various control processes. The microcomputer 11a is configured such that the CPU executes various control processes based on, for example, a program recorded in a ROM or RAM. The RAM stores various information used in various control processes executed by the CPU.

  The signal input / output unit 11b includes an A / D board, a D / A board, an I / O board, and the like, and transmits and receives various signals to and from each unit. The A / D board A / D converts various analog signals input to the control unit 11 from an external device or the like, and transmits the converted digital signal to the microcomputer 11a. The D / A board D / A converts a digital signal output from the microcomputer 11a toward an external device and transmits the converted analog signal to the external device. The I / O board transmits / receives various digital data transmitted / received between the microcomputer 11a and the external device.

  The information input unit 11 c is provided for an operator to input various types of information to the transport device 1. As various information input using the information input part 11c, the gas injection timing by the gas injection part 19, etc. are mentioned. For example, as information regarding the gas injection timing by the gas injection unit 19, the injection timing of each of the four injection ports (right injection ports 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, 21 d) of the right injection unit 21, There are injection timings of the four injection ports (left injection ports 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d).

  The information display unit 11d is provided to display various states in the transport device 1. Examples of various states displayed using the information display unit 11d include a setting state relating to the gas injection timing by the gas injection unit 19, the conveyance state of the assembly 31, the failure state of the conveyance device 1, and the like.

[1-4. Transport control process]
Next, the conveyance control process performed by the control part 11 is demonstrated.
After the “injection timing” is set by the setting operation by the operator, when the “transfer control start” command is input by the worker, the transfer control process is started.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the transport control processing.
When the conveyance control process is started, first, in S100 (S represents a step), a process of moving one assembly 31 to the assembly delimiter 15 is performed. Specifically, first, the upstream partition 15a of the assembly partition 15 moves from the passage restriction position (first stage in FIG. 4) to the passage allowable position (second stage in FIG. 4). The individual assemblies 31 move to a position where they come into contact with the downstream partition 15b (third stage in FIG. 4). Next, the upstream partitioning portion 15a moves from the passage allowable position to the passage restriction position, so that one assembly partitioning portion 15 (specifically, between the upstream partitioning portion 15a and the downstream partitioning portion 15b). The assembly 31 is arranged (fourth stage in FIG. 4). Thereby, the process of moving one assembly 31 to the assembly delimiter 15 is completed.

  In the next S110, a process of transporting one assembly 31 from the assembly delimiter 15 toward the tip opening / closing part 13 is performed. Specifically, first, the downstream partition 15b of the assembly partition 15 moves from the passage restriction position (fourth stage in FIG. 4) to the passage allowable position (fifth stage in FIG. 5). The individual assemblies 31 can move to the downstream side of the downstream partitioning portion 15b. Then, while the single assembly 31 moves to a position where it comes into contact with the tip opening / closing portion 13, the downstream partitioning portion 15b moves from the passage allowable position to the passage restriction position (step 6 in FIG. 5). Thereby, the process of transporting one assembly 31 from the assembly partitioning portion 15 to the distal end opening / closing portion 13 is completed.

  In the next S120, it is determined whether or not the laser beam emitted from the laser beam emitting unit 17a in the detection unit 17 is blocked before reaching the laser beam arrival determining unit 17b. If yes, the process proceeds to S140. If a negative determination is made (when the light is not shielded), the process proceeds to S130.

  In S120, when even a part of the laser light emitted from the laser light emitting unit 17a does not reach the laser light arrival determining unit 17b, it is determined that the laser light is shielded (positive determination), and the laser light emitting unit is determined. When all of the laser light emitted from 17a reaches the laser light arrival determination unit 17b, it is determined that the laser light is not shielded (negative determination).

  When a negative determination is made in S120 and the process proceeds to S130, in S130, a process of conveying one assembly 31 from the distal end opening / closing part 13 to the inspection table 25 is performed. Specifically, the front end opening / closing part 13 moves from the passage restriction position (sixth stage in FIG. 5) to the passage allowable position (seventh stage in FIG. 5), so that one assembly 31 can move to the transport part 5. It is possible to move to the inspection table 25 from the most downstream end (tip). Then, after one assembly 31 is moved from the transport unit 5 to the inspection table 25, the front end opening / closing unit 13 is moved from the passage allowable position to the passage restriction position (eighth stage in FIG. 5). Thereby, the process of transporting one assembly 31 from the tip opening / closing part 13 to the inspection table 25 is completed. Thereafter, the inspection table 25 itself moves to the inspection area (not shown), thereby moving one assembly 31 to the inspection area.

When the process in S130 is completed, the process proceeds to S100 again.
When an affirmative determination is made in S120 and the process proceeds to S140, the number counter CN is initialized in S140. Specifically, “0” is set to the number counter CN.

In the next S150, the gas injection unit 19 performs gas injection (air injection) based on the “injection timing” set by the operator's setting operation before the start of this process.
For example, first, by using two right injection ports 21a and 21c of the right injection unit 21 and two left injection ports 23a and 23c of the left injection unit 23, a predetermined injection time (for example, , 1.0 sec), the gas injection operation is performed. As a result, a clockwise rotational force with the vertical direction as the central axis can be applied to the tangled first appendage 35. Next, using two right injection ports 21b and 21d of the right injection unit 21 and two left injection ports 23b and 23d of the left injection unit 23, a predetermined injection time (for example, The gas injection operation is executed for 1.0 sec). Thereby, the counterclockwise rotational force which makes the vertical direction a central axis can be applied with respect to the 1st attachment part 35 of a entanglement state.

  In other words, by performing gas injection by the gas injection unit 19 in S150, first, a “clockwise rotational force” is applied to the two tangled first appendages 35, and then “counterclockwise” ”Rotary power”. By applying such a rotational force, the two first attachment portions 35 in the entangled state can eliminate the entangled state in accordance with either the clockwise rotation or the counterclockwise rotation operation.

In the next S160, a process of adding 1 to the number counter CN (CN = CN + 1) is executed.
In the next S170, as in S120, it is determined whether the laser light emitted from the laser light emitting unit 17a in the detecting unit 17 is blocked before reaching the laser light arrival determining unit 17b, and an affirmative determination is made. In the case (when light is shielded), the process proceeds to S180, and in the case where a negative determination is made (when light is not shielded), the process proceeds to S130. In S170, it is determined whether or not the entangled state between the assemblies 31 (first attachment portions 35) has been eliminated.

If a negative determination is made in S170 and the process proceeds to S130, the same processing as described above is performed in S130.
When an affirmative determination is made in S170 and the process proceeds to S180, in S180, it is determined whether or not the number counter CN is equal to or greater than a predetermined allowable number Th (for example, 10 times). If the determination is negative, the process returns to S150 again.

  That is, if the entangled state between the assemblies 31 (first attachment portion 35) is not resolved (Yes in S170) and the number counter CN is smaller than the allowable number Th (No in S180), S150 The air injection is repeatedly executed by repeatedly executing the process of S180.

  Further, when the entanglement state between the assemblies 31 (the first attachment portion 35) is resolved (No in S170), the process proceeds to S130, and the process proceeds to S100 again, whereby the process of transporting the next assembly 31 is performed. Run.

  Furthermore, when the entangled state between the assemblies 31 (first attachment portion 35) is not resolved (affirmative determination in S170) and the number counter CN is equal to or greater than the allowable number of times Th (positive determination in S180), It is determined that the entangled state cannot be resolved, and the process proceeds to S190.

  When an affirmative determination is made in S180 and the process proceeds to S190, an abnormality occurrence notification process is performed in S190. Specifically, a process of notifying the occurrence of abnormality from the transfer apparatus 1 to an external apparatus (manufacturing apparatus, inspection apparatus, etc.), a process of emitting a warning sound from a speaker (not shown), and an information display unit 11d Execute a process of displaying a notification message that “the entangled state cannot be resolved”. The external device that is notified of the occurrence of an abnormality can be prevented from being manufactured in vain due to an emergency stop regardless of whether or not the operator has operated. In addition, by notifying the occurrence of abnormality using the speaker or the information display unit 11d, it is possible to notify the worker of the abnormality.

  When the process in S190 is completed, the transport control process ends. If a negative determination is made in S120 or a negative determination is made in S170, the process proceeds to S100 again via S130, so that the leading assembly 31 among the plurality of assemblies 31 existing in the column region B1 is conveyed. Execute control processing.

[1-5. Assembly]
The configuration of the assembly 31 will be described.
The assembly 31 of the present embodiment is used as a sensor cable 31 that is a part of a full-range air-fuel ratio sensor (not shown).

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the appearance of the sensor cable 31 as the assembly 31.
As shown in FIG. 10, the assembly 31 includes an insulating contact member 41, a plurality of (for example, five) connection terminals 43, a grommet 45, an outer cylinder 37 (corresponding to the second attachment portion 37), and a plurality of (for example, 5 A lead wire 33, a tube member 47, a connector portion 35 (corresponding to the first attachment portion 35), and a metal terminal 49.

  The insulating contact member 41 is a member formed using an insulating material having a contact insertion hole 42 penetrating in the axial direction. Inside the contact insertion hole 42, a plate-type gas detection element (not shown) is provided. A rear end is arranged. The gas detection element has a plate-like shape extending in the axial direction, a detection portion (not shown) is formed on the front end side directed to the gas to be measured, and an electrode terminal portion (not shown) is formed on the rear end side. ing.

  The plurality of connection terminals 43 are respectively disposed between the gas detection element and the insulating contact member 41 (specifically, the inner surface of the contact insertion hole 42), so that each of the connection terminals 43 is electrically connected to the electrode terminal portion of the gas detection element. Connected to. The connection terminal 43 is also electrically connected to the lead wire 33.

  The outer cylinder 37 is formed in a cylindrical shape that can accommodate the insulating contact member 41 and the grommet 45 therein. The outer cylinder 37 includes two parts (a large diameter part 37a and a small diameter part 37b) having different width dimensions (outer diameter dimensions) and is opposed to the connector part 35 between the large diameter part 37a and the small diameter part 37b. It has a locking surface 37c.

The tube member 47 is a resin tube member that bundles a plurality of lead wires 33.
Of the end portions of the lead wire 33, the end portion opposite to the side connected to the connection terminal 43 is electrically connected to the metal terminal 49 of the connector portion 35. The lead wire 33 forms a part of a signal path for transmitting the sensor signal.

  The connector portion 35 is a member formed using an insulating material, and is provided to electrically connect the lead wire 33 and the external device by being connected to a connector (not shown) of the external device. ing.

  As described above, the assembly 31 includes the lead wire 33, and the “insulating contact member 41, a plurality of (for example, five) connection terminals 43, the grommet 45, and the outer cylinder 37” are fixed to one end of the lead wire 33. The “connector portion 35” is fixed to the other end of the lead wire 33. That is, the assembly 31 is used as a sensor cable for electrically connecting an external device from the electrode terminal portion of the gas detection element in the entire region air-fuel ratio sensor.

  The assembly 31 is supported by the conveying portion 5 while the locking surface 37c of the outer cylinder 37 is supported, and the connector portion 35 is suspended so that the connector portion 35 is on the lower side. It is conveyed toward the side.

[1-6. effect]
As described above, in the transport device 1 of the present embodiment, the gas injection unit 19 includes the right injection unit 21 and the left injection unit 23. For this reason, the gas injection unit 19 has the right side when the downstream side is viewed from the upstream side in the transport direction by the transport unit 5 with respect to the plurality of assemblies 31 (particularly, the first attachment portion 35) in a tangled state. Gas can be blown from both the left side.

  Further, in the gas injection unit 19, the right action position (intersection points 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d shown in FIG. 7) and the left action position (intersection points 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d shown in FIG. 7) are different from the positions. Thus, the gas injection directions of the right injection ports 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d and the left injection ports 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d are set. For this reason, by injecting gas from each of the right side injection part 21 and the left side injection part 23 in the gas injection part 19, it is perpendicular to the plurality of assemblies 31 (particularly, the first attachment part 35) in a tangled state. It is possible to apply an external force (rotational force) in the rotational direction with the center axis as a center. By giving such a rotational force, the plurality of assemblies 31 (particularly, the first attachment portion 35) in an entangled state can be rotated, and as a result, the entangled state can be eliminated.

  Furthermore, since the right injection unit 21 and the left injection unit 23 are configured such that the gas injection direction is upward from the horizontal direction, the plurality of assemblies 31 (particularly, the first attachment portion 35) are configured. An upward external force can be applied rather than a downward external force. Thereby, in addition to the rotational force described above, an external force for swinging the plurality of assemblies 31 (particularly, the first attachment portion 35) in the left-right direction and a plurality of assemblies 31 (particularly, the first attachment portion 35) An external force for lifting can be applied to a plurality of assemblies (particularly attachments) in an entangled state, and the ability to eliminate the entangled state can be improved.

  Therefore, according to this conveyance apparatus 1, even if it is a case where the entanglement state of the adjacent assemblies 31 generate | occur | produced, the damage of the assembly 31 resulting from an entanglement state is eliminated by eliminating the entanglement between the assemblies 31. Can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the “attachment portion locus region P” includes a locus region in which the first attachment portion 35 in the assembly 31 in a normal state that is not entangled moves (normal attachment portion locus region). This includes not only P1) but also a trajectory region (an abnormal accessory trajectory region P2) in which the first appendage 35 of the entangled assembly 31 may move.

Next, in the transport device 1, the gas injection unit 19 is disposed in the most downstream area A <b> 1 in the transport direction of the transport unit 5.
The most downstream area A1 in the transport direction in the transport section 5 is an area for moving the assembly 31 to the next process. Even if the entanglement state between the assemblies 31 occurs in the middle of the transport unit 5 by eliminating the entanglement between the assemblies 31 by gas injection in the most downstream region A1, the entanglement state in the most downstream region A1. Therefore, when moving to the next inspection process (inspection area), it is possible to suppress the transition to the next inspection process while maintaining the entangled state.

  Next, in the transport apparatus 1, the right injection unit 21 includes a plurality of right injection ports 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d, and is configured such that each injection port faces a different direction. The left injection unit 23 includes a plurality of left injection ports 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d, and each injection port is configured to face a different direction.

  As described above, the right injection unit 21 and the left injection unit 23 each include a plurality of injection ports, and each injection port faces a different direction, thereby injecting gas to a wider area. Can do. Thereby, the gas injection state corresponding to more entangled states can be realized, and the external force due to the gas can be more reliably applied to the assembly 31 (particularly, the first attachment portion 35). Therefore, according to this conveying apparatus 1, it becomes easy to eliminate the entanglement of the assemblies 31, and the damage of the assembly 31 resulting from the entangled state can be suppressed.

  Next, in the conveyance apparatus 1, regarding the gas injection state by the gas injection unit 19 in the process at S150, the gas injection unit 19 includes the gas injection timing by the right injection unit 21 and the gas injection timing by the left injection unit 23. Are configured to be at the same time. Specifically, the gas injection timings of the two right injection ports 21a and 21c of the right injection unit 21 and the two left injection ports 23a and 23c of the left injection unit 23 are set at the same time. Further, the gas injection timings of the two right injection ports 21b and 21d of the right injection unit 21 and the two left injection ports 23b and 23d of the left injection unit 23 are set at the same time.

  In this way, the right injection unit 21 and the left injection unit 23 inject gas at the same time, so that a stronger external force is applied to the plurality of entangled assemblies 31 (particularly, the first attachment unit 35). Can be given. In this embodiment, the ability to eliminate the entanglement state between the assemblies 31 can be improved by applying a stronger external force in the rotational direction to the assembly 31 (particularly, the first attachment portion 35).

According to the transport apparatus 1 having such a configuration, the entangled state between the assemblies 31 can be further eliminated, and damage to the assembly due to the entangled state can be further suppressed.
Next, the transport device 1 is configured to change the right action position (intersection points 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d shown in FIG. 7) and the left action position (intersection points 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d shown in FIG. 7) in the appendix locus region P. At least one of them includes a detection unit 17 that determines whether or not the assembly 31 is present. The detection unit 17 includes a laser beam emitting unit 17a and a laser beam arrival determination unit 17b, and determines whether or not the assembly 31 is present based on the determination result of the laser beam arrival determination unit 17b. It is configured.

  And the conveying apparatus 1 determines whether the gas injection operation | movement (S150) by the gas injection part 19 is performed based on the determination result by the detection part 17 in the process by S120 and S180. That is, if the gas injection unit 19 makes an affirmative determination (determined that the laser light has been shielded) in the determination processing in S120 and S180 using the detection unit 17, it performs a gas injection operation and makes a negative determination (laser light) Is determined not to be shielded from light), the gas injection operation is not executed.

  Thereby, it can be determined that at least a part of the assembly 31 being transported has reached at least one of the right-side action position and the left-side action position, and the assembly 31 (particularly, the first attachment portion 35) can be determined. The timing which gives external force by gas can be set up appropriately. In other words, in the transport device 1, the gas injection unit is uselessly gas in a situation where the assembly 31 being transported (particularly, the first attachment portion 35) is not present in either the right action position or the left action position. Can be suppressed.

  Even when the second attachment portion 37 of the assembly 31 is located at a position different from the vertical upper region of the right action position and the vertical upper region of the left action position, the first attachment portions 35 are connected to each other. Is in a state where the first appendage 35 is present in at least one of the right action position and the left action position. For this reason, the determination result by the detection unit 17 is determined not only by whether or not the first attachment part 35 in the assembly 31 in the normal state has reached at least one of the right action position and the left action position. In particular, it also changes depending on whether or not the tangled state between the first appendages 35) has occurred.

  For this reason, when it is determined (affirmative determination) in the detection unit 17 that “the assembly 31 (or the first attachment unit 35) is present”, the gas injection unit 19 performs the gas injection operation, thereby being entangled. The external force by gas can be more reliably applied to the assembly 31 (particularly, the first attachment portion 35).

  Therefore, according to the conveying apparatus 1, the gas injection part 19 can inject gas at an appropriate timing, and it can suppress that the gas injection part 19 injects gas uselessly at an unnecessary timing. Moreover, according to the conveying apparatus 1, the entangled state of the assemblies 31 can be further eliminated, and damage to the assembly 31 due to the entangled state can be further suppressed.

  Next, in the transfer apparatus 1, the right-side action positions (intersection points 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d shown in FIG. 7) and the left-side action positions (intersection points 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d shown in FIG. 7) are all abnormal. The appendage locus region P2 overlaps. When a position where at least one of the right side action position and the left side action position overlaps with the abnormal time appendage locus region P2 is defined as an abnormal time action position, the right action position and the left action position of the present embodiment are both This is the position of action during abnormal conditions. That is, the detection unit 17 makes an affirmative determination when the assembly 31 (particularly, the first attachment part 35) is present at the abnormal action position, and the assembly 31 (particularly, the first attachment part 35) is located at the abnormality action position. When no exists, a negative determination is made.

  Such a detection unit 17 can determine whether or not an entangled state between the assemblies 31 (particularly, the first attachment unit 35) has occurred. For this reason, when an affirmative determination is made by the detection unit 17, the gas injection unit 19 performs the gas injection, so that the assembly 31 (particularly, the first attachment unit 35) in the entangled state is more reliable. External force can be given to the gas.

According to the transport device 1 having such a configuration, the entangled state between the assemblies 31 can be further eliminated, and damage to the assembly 31 caused by the entangled state can be further suppressed.
Next, in the transport device 1, the assembly 31 includes a lead wire 33 that transmits a sensor signal and a connector portion 35 that is attached to an end portion of the lead wire 33. It is.

  The sensor cable is an assembly formed in the manufacturing process of the full-range air-fuel ratio sensor, and is conveyed in a state of being hung so that the connector portion 35 is on the lower side. In the manufacturing process of the full-range air-fuel ratio sensor, when a plurality of sensor cables 31 are conveyed in a tandem state, the lead wires 33 or the first attachment portion 35 may be entangled between adjacent sensor cables 31.

  By applying the transport device 1 of this embodiment as such a transport device for the sensor cable 31, even if a entangled state between adjacent sensor cables 31 occurs, the sensor cables 31 can be connected to each other. By eliminating the entanglement, breakage of the sensor cable 31 due to the entangled state can be suppressed.

[1-7. Correspondence of wording]
Here, the correspondence between words will be described.
The conveyance device 1 corresponds to an example of a conveyance device, the assembly 31 and the sensor cable 31 correspond to an example of an assembly, and the conveyance unit 5 corresponds to an example of a conveyance unit.

  The gas injection unit 19 corresponds to an example of a gas injection unit, the right injection unit 21 corresponds to an example of a right injection unit, and the left injection unit 23 corresponds to an example of a left injection unit. The right injection ports 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d correspond to examples of gas injection ports of the right injection unit, and the left injection ports 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d correspond to examples of gas injection ports of the left injection unit, respectively.

  The control unit 11 and the detection unit 17 that execute S120 or S180 correspond to an example of a determination unit, the laser beam emitting unit 17a corresponds to an example of a laser beam emitting unit, and the laser beam arrival determining unit 17b is a laser beam arrival determining unit. It corresponds to an example.

[2. Other Embodiments]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, In the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it is possible to implement in various aspects.

  For example, in the said embodiment, although the gas injection part 19 is comprised so that the gas injection timing by the right side injection part 21 and the gas injection time by the left side injection part 23 may become simultaneous, a gas injection part is It is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the gas injection unit may be configured such that the gas injection timing by the right injection unit and the gas injection timing by the left injection unit are different.

  Specifically, first, all the right injection ports 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d of the right injection unit 21 are swung so as to reciprocate left and right by injecting gas, and then assembled. During the period in which the three-dimensional body 31 swings from the right side to the left side, at least one of the left injection ports 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d of the left injection unit 23 injects a gas, thereby A stronger external force can be applied. Thus, the ability to eliminate the entangled state between the assemblies can be improved by injecting the gas at a time when the right injection unit and the left injection unit are different.

  Further, the gas injection unit is configured to be able to switch between “when simultaneous” and “when different” with respect to gas injection timing by the right injection unit and gas injection timing by the left injection unit. Also good. In other words, if the entangled state of the assembly cannot be resolved even if the gas injection is executed a predetermined number of times in the “simultaneous period”, the gas injection is performed by switching to the “different time period”. Also good. In this way, by changing the external force application mode to the assembly, it is possible to deal with more types of entangled states and improve the possibility of eliminating the entangled state of the assembly.

  Moreover, although the said embodiment demonstrated the structure from which the gas injection direction in a gas injection part (a right injection part and a left injection part) becomes upward from a horizontal direction, the gas injection direction is restricted to such a direction. There is nothing. For example, the gas injection direction may be configured to be the same as the horizontal direction or upward from the horizontal direction. With such a configuration, it is possible to apply an external force in the horizontal direction or upward in the horizontal direction instead of a downward external force to a plurality of assemblies (particularly, the attachment portion). As a result, an external force for swinging at least a plurality of assemblies (especially attachments) in the left-right direction can be applied to the plurality of assemblies (particularly attachments) in a tangled state, and the entangled state is eliminated. Can improve their ability to

  Further, in the above embodiment, the intersections 21a and 21c among the right side action positions shown in FIG. 7 and 23b and 23d among the left side action positions are aligned at the same position in the transport direction. In addition, the intersection points 21b and 21d in the right action position and the 23a and 23c in the left action position are arranged at the same position in the transport direction. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and all of the right side action positions (intersection points 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) and the left side action positions (intersection points 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d) shown in FIG. It may be in a different position.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the right injection part 21 and the left injection part 23 were provided with two or more, it is not restricted to such a structure, The right injection part 21 and the left injection part 23 are respectively one each. It may be arranged.

  Next, in the above-described embodiment, the determination unit (detection unit 17) has been described with respect to the configuration for determining whether or not an assembly is present by laser light emitted in the horizontal direction. It is not limited to a simple configuration. For example, the structure which determines whether an assembly exists with the laser beam emitted toward the perpendicular direction (up-down direction) or the diagonal direction may be sufficient.

  Next, in the above embodiment, all of the right side action positions (intersection points 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d shown in FIG. 7) and the left side action positions (intersection points 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d shown in FIG. Although the description has been given of the mode in which the gas injection direction in the gas injection unit 19 is set so as to overlap with the locus region P2 (in other words, all of the right-side action position and the left-side action position become the action position at the time of abnormality). The configuration is not limited to this. For example, gas injection in the gas injection unit is performed so that gas injection by the gas injection unit also acts on a region that does not overlap with the abnormal accessory locus region P2 in the normal attachment locus region P1 in FIG. The direction may be set. Specifically, another injection port may be added to the above-described gas injection unit 19 in the lower region of the above eight injection ports, or among the above eight injection ports. You may change the position of some injection openings.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Conveyance apparatus, 5 ... Conveyance part, 11 ... Control part, 13 ... End opening / closing part, 15 ... Assembly part | segmentation part, 17 ... Detection part, 17a ... Laser beam emission part, 17b ... Laser beam arrival determination part, 19 ... Gas injection unit, 21 ... right injection unit, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d ... right injection port, 23 ... left injection unit, 23a, 23b, 23c, 23d ... left injection port, 31 ... assembly (sensor cable), 33 ... Lead wire, 35 ... First attachment portion (connector portion), 37 ... Second attachment portion (outer cylinder), 37a ... Large diameter portion, 37b ... Small diameter portion, 37c ... Locking surface, A1 ... Most downstream region, P ... attachment portion locus region, P1 ... normal attachment portion locus region, P2 ... abnormality attachment portion locus region.

Claims (9)

A transport device for transporting an assembly having a lead wire having an attachment fixed to at least one end,
A transport unit that suspends the assembly in a state where the attachment portion is on the lower side and transports the plurality of assemblies in a tandem state;
A gas injection unit that injects gas toward the assembly being transferred by the transfer unit;
With
The gas injection unit includes a right injection unit that injects gas toward the assembly from the right side when viewed from the upstream side in the conveyance direction by the conveyance unit, and the upstream side in the conveyance direction by the conveyance unit. A left side injection unit that injects gas toward the assembly from the left side when viewing the downstream side, and
The right injection unit and the left injection unit are configured such that the gas injection direction is a horizontal direction or an upward direction from the horizontal direction,
When a trajectory area in which the appendage may move is defined as an appendage trajectory area among trajectory areas in which the assembly being transported by the transport section moves, the gas injection section A right action position that is an intersection position between the gas injection direction of the gas and the attachment portion trajectory area, and a left action position that is an intersection position of the gas injection direction of the gas injection direction and the attachment portion locus area. , Are configured to be in different positions,
Conveying device. The gas injection unit is disposed in the most downstream region in the conveyance direction of the conveyance unit,
The transport apparatus according to claim 1. The right side injection unit includes a plurality of gas injection ports, and each gas injection port is configured to face a different direction.
The left injection unit includes a plurality of gas injection ports, and each gas injection port is configured to face a different direction.
The transport apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The gas injection unit is configured such that the gas injection timing by the right injection unit and the gas injection timing by the left injection unit are coincident with each other.
The conveying apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-3. The gas injection unit is configured such that the gas injection timing by the right injection unit and the gas injection timing by the left injection unit are different from each other.
The conveying apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-3. A determination unit that determines whether or not the assembly is present in at least one of the right-side action position and the left-side action position in the appendage part trajectory region;
The gas injection unit performs the gas injection operation when an affirmative determination is made by the determination unit, and does not execute the gas injection operation when a negative determination is made by the determination unit.
The conveyance apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5. The determination unit
A laser beam emitting unit that emits a laser beam so as to pass through at least one of the right action position and the left action position in the attachment locus region;
Whether the laser light has reached the path of the laser light emitted from the laser light emitting unit and is disposed on the opposite side of the laser light emitting unit via the right action position and the left action position. A laser beam arrival determination unit for determining whether or not,
If the laser beam arrival determination unit determines that the laser beam has reached, it is determined that the assembly does not exist, and the laser beam arrival determination unit does not reach the laser beam. If it is determined that the assembly is present,
The transport apparatus according to claim 6. Among the appendage portion trajectory regions, a trajectory region in which the appendage portion of the assembly in a tangled state with the adjacent assembly is likely to move is defined as an abnormal time appendage portion trajectory region, and the right side action position and When a position where at least one of the left-side action positions overlaps with the abnormal-time appendage locus region is defined as an abnormal-time action position,
The determination unit makes an affirmative determination when the assembly exists at the abnormal action position, and a negative determination when the assembly does not exist at the abnormal action position.
The transport apparatus according to claim 6 or 7. The assembly is a sensor cable including a lead wire for transmitting a sensor signal and a connector attached to an end portion of the lead wire,
The attachment is the connector;
The conveyance apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-8.