JPH05286532A - Transport system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To efficiently feed and take out hangers without interrupting work. CONSTITUTION:As for a hanger conveyor system, a rail division cutting mechanism 102 which opening-forms a division cutting rail 120 as a part of a rail 99 is installed on the rail 99 which supports a hanger for loading the worked cloth and finished articles, in shiftable manner, and the hanger is mounted and demounted onto the rail 99 from the rail division cutting mechanism 102.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a carrier system in which a work or an article is mounted on a carrier and the carrier is carried along a supporting member in a factory or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a transfer system, for example,
2. Description of the Related Art There is a hanger conveyor system that conveys a hanger that hangs an article such as a sewn product in a garment factory, and various hanger conveyor systems have been put into practical use (for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei 3-
61156, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56323/1993).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-611 filed by the applicant of the present application
The hanger conveyor described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-56153 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-56323 includes a plurality of distribution devices for distributing the hangers in eight directions at 45 ° intervals, and a plurality of intermediate rail devices for connecting the pair of distribution devices. A plurality of distribution rail devices coupled to the distribution device and extending to the work station.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, these hanger conveyors include two intermediate rails 210 and a distribution rail 2 which are erected and supported so as to extend horizontally.
12, a hanger 214 having a rolling roller 213 movably supported by the rails 210 and 212, an endless chain 216 arranged to extend horizontally along the rails 210 and 212, and an endless chain 216. Chain 21
And driving means 218 for driving 6 to move along both rails 210 and 212.

The endless chain 216 of the intermediate rail 210 is disposed in a horizontal plane and is orbitally driven in a predetermined direction, and a pair of sprockets rotatable around an axis orthogonal to the conveying direction are provided above the hanger 214. A detection disk having a plurality of detection slits is coaxially provided on the outer side of the sprocket. The endless chain 216 is provided with a large number of engagement rollers for transmitting the conveyance driving force to the sprockets. Of the pair of sprockets, the sprockets facing the endless chain 216 are the engagement rollers of the endless chain 216. It is configured to be engaged and transmit the conveyance driving force of the endless chain 216 to the hanger 214 via the sprocket.

Then, in order to change the work efficiency and the like according to the production plan, the worker inserts and removes the hanger 214. To this end, the movement of the endless chain 216 is stopped, and as shown in FIG.
The distribution arm 222 of the distribution device 220 is moved until the distribution arm 222 of 0 and the ends of the intermediate rail 210 and the distribution rail 212 are staggered. Next, a portion A of the end of the intermediate rail 210 or the distribution rail 212
From 1 to A6, the worker puts in and takes out the hanger 214, and then returns the sorting arm 222 to the original position. Further, as shown in FIG. 24, the central position of the intermediate rail 210 or the distribution rail 212, for example, the intermediate rail 21.
When the hanger 214 at the center position of 0 breaks down and is taken out, the operator moves the chain 216 in the arrow direction,
The hanger 214 to be taken out is moved, but since a plurality of hangers 214 are used in the hanger conveyor system, the central hanger 214 desired to be taken out.
The hanger 214 located before the take-out port is once taken out, the desired hanger 214 to be taken out is taken out, and then the hanger 214 is put in again. In addition, it is necessary to hold the hanger 214 that has been taken out, such as by holding the hanger 214 by hand in order or hanging it on something during this taking out work.

[0007]

However, in the conventional hanger conveyor, at the time of loading and unloading the hanger 214, the sorting device 220 or the like is forced to stop in order to prevent danger, and the work is interrupted. Also, distribution arm 2
It is necessary to move 22 once and return it again, and there is a case where the returning direction is wrong. The hanger conveyor system includes
Since a plurality of hangers 214 are used, when removing the hangers 214, the desired hanger 2 to be taken out
There is a problem that it is necessary to take out and hold the hanger 214 that is closer to the take-out port than 14 and take out the desired hanger 214.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a transfer system that enables a desired carrier to be taken out efficiently and safely without interrupting work. To aim.

[0009]

In order to achieve this object, a carrying system according to the present invention comprises a holding portion for holding a workpiece or a finished product, a supporting portion having the holding portion provided below, and a supporting portion thereof. And a rail that movably supports the moving body, and a rail dividing mechanism that is provided in a part of the rail and divides the rail when the carrier is attached or detached. ..

[0010]

In the transport system of the present invention having the above-described structure, the carrier holds the workpiece or the finished product by its holding portion, and the holding portion is a moving body provided on the supporting portion provided below. Can be moved. The holding member movably supports the moving body. A stepping mechanism provided in a part of the holding member divides the holding member when the carrier is attached and detached.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In this hanger conveyor system, various works (work cloth pieces, semi-finished products, finished products) suspended on a hanger 8 (see FIGS. 10 to 13) as a carrier in a sewing processing factory together with the hanger 8. It is for transportation. As shown in FIG. 1, in this hanger conveyor system HC, a plurality of distribution devices 1 are arranged in series at predetermined intervals, and a plurality of intermediate rail units 2 are bridged between each pair of distribution devices 1. It is located in. Further, a pair of work input distribution rail units 3 are connected to the left and right sides of the distribution device 1 at the upstream end in the work transfer direction, and a pair of work extraction distribution rails are connected to the left and right sides of the distribution device 1 at the downstream end in the work transfer direction. The unit 4 is connected. Further, on the left and right sides of each sorting device 1 on the way of the transport path, a work station 7 is provided with a worker 6.
A distribution rail unit 5 for work extending to is connected. A large number of hangers 8 (see FIG. 3) are arranged throughout the hanger conveyor system HC. In the following description, upstream and downstream will be defined with reference to the workpiece conveyance direction.

The plurality of distribution devices 1 have the same structure, the plurality of intermediate rail units 2 also have the same structure, and a pair of loading distribution rail units 3 (3A, 3).
B) has a symmetrical structure, and the pair of take-out distribution rail units 4 (4A, 4B) has a symmetrical structure.
The plurality of work distribution rail units 5 have the same structure. Therefore, the transport direction of the hanger 8 in the hanger conveyor system HC is basically a counterclockwise direction in plan view as indicated by a plurality of arrows, but as shown in FIG. The distribution direction of the hangers 8 in the distribution rail unit 3A for use and the distribution rail unit 4B for extraction on the left side is clockwise.

Next, a specific configuration of the distribution device 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, each sorting device 1 has a completely unitized structure so as to be a single independent device, and is provided with columns 10 standing on the floor. Has been. As shown in FIG. 6, a mounting shaft member 11 is fixed to the upper end of the column 10, and a support plate 12 is fixed to the upper end of the mounting shaft member 11. A distribution mechanism 13 is rotatably mounted on the mounting shaft member 11, and a main body member 14 of the distribution mechanism 13 is rotationally driven by a servo motor 17 via a timing belt 15 and a timing pulley 16. The servomotor 17 is mounted on the support plate 12, and has a drive pulley 17a and a timing pulley 16 fixed to the motor shaft.
A timing belt 15 is stretched between and.

As shown in FIG. 5, the distribution mechanism 13 comprises eight distribution arms 1 which are horizontally arranged at 45 ° intervals in the radial direction and fixed to the main body member 14 at the base end.
The distribution arm 19 has a hanger 8 between the intermediate rail unit 2 and the distribution rail units 3, 4, and 5.
Each of the distribution arms 19 has a hanger rod 51 (see FIG. 11) to be described later.
A slit 19a having an open tip is formed for introducing (see). A movable arm 20 having a slit 20a similar to the slit 19a is pin-coupled to the tip end of each distributing arm 19 at its outer end, and the movable arm 20 is connected to the outlet 25b of the intermediate rail unit 2 or the distribution rail unit 3. Since the hangers 8 are introduced by the weight of the hangers 8 from the outlet portions 99b of 4, 5, they are arranged in a downward slope toward the inner end side. Furthermore, the distribution arm 1
An air cylinder 18 is fixedly arranged on the column 10 below 9, and the rod of the air cylinder 18 is extended so that the movable arm 20 is inclined downward toward the outer end side as shown in phantom in FIG. The movable arm 20
From the intermediate rail unit 2 to the inlet section 25a of the intermediate rail unit 2 and the inlet sections 99a of the distribution rail units 3, 4, and 5 by its own weight.

The distribution device 1 comprises an intermediate rail unit 2
From the outlet portion 25b of the distribution rail unit 3 to 5 or the outlet portion 25b of the distribution rail unit 3-5.
After receiving the hanger 8 at 0, the distribution mechanism 13 is rotated by a commanded angle (an integral multiple of 45 °), so that one set of the distribution arm 19 and the movable arm 20 is rotated.
To the inlet 99 of the distribution rail unit 3 to 5 on either side.
a or the inlet portion 25a of the intermediate rail unit 2 and then the corresponding rod of the air cylinder 18 is extended to raise the movable arm 20 and supply the hanger 8 to any of the inlet portions.

Next, a specific structure of the intermediate rail unit 2 will be described with reference to FIGS.

Each intermediate rail unit 2 is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 12, it has a completely unitized structure so that it becomes one independent device, and a pair of left and right support frames 24 are provided in parallel for a long time. As shown in FIG. Support pieces 77 are arranged and fixed at a plurality of positions on the respective lower surfaces. Below the left and right support frames 24, rectangular support fittings 79 formed by bending a plate material so as to be parallel to the support frames 24 are provided on the support pieces 77 respectively.
A plurality of bolts 78 are fixed to the supporting frame 24 at a distance. As shown in FIG. 12, each support fitting 79 is formed with an opening 79a that allows the hanger rod 51 of the hanger 8 to pass therethrough.

Inside the plurality of support fittings 79,
2 supported at the same level as the outer end of the movable arm 20
The strip rails 25 (25A, 25B) are arranged at the same intervals as the width of the opening 79a. Furthermore, rail 2
As shown in FIG. 4, both end parts of the No. 5 are bent inward, and three sprocket wheels 26 having a vertical axis are provided at the upstream end of the bent part. Further, at the downstream end thereof, three sprockets 2 having a vertical axis are provided.
7 is provided. The six sprockets 26, 2
The endless chain 28 (moving body) hung on 7 is the inner rail 25A on the right side (upper side in FIG. 4) and the inner rail 2 on the left side.
It is arranged in the horizontal plane along the 5A at a height higher than the rail 25 by a predetermined height and slightly inward. Further, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, a chain guide mechanism 29 for guiding the chain 28 is attached to the inner side of the plurality of support fittings 79.

As shown in FIG. 2, the left and right support frames 24 are connected by a plurality of connection frames 34, and the support frames 24 and the connection frames 34 have a ladder shape. Also, the support frame 24
3 and 7, between the connecting frames 34 at one end of
As shown in FIG. 8, a chain 28 is inserted through a tensioner sprocket 26a in the center of the sprockets 26.
A tension mechanism 30 is provided for adjusting the tension of the. On the other hand, between the connecting frame 34 at the other end of the support frame 24, as shown in FIGS.
A drive motor 31 (driving means) for driving the central drive sprocket 27 a of the seven is provided. As shown in FIGS. 5, 14 and 16, the stop mechanism is provided in the support fitting 79 at a position corresponding to the chain circulation direction downstream side portion of the rail 25 corresponding to the right side (upper side in FIG. 2) support frame 24. 32 and a detector 33 are attached. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the support metal fitting 7 at the position corresponding to the downstream side portion of the rail 25 corresponding to the left support frame 24 in the chain winding direction.
A stop mechanism 32 and a detector 33 similar to the above are attached to the device 9.

As shown in FIG. 2, two support frames 34a are provided between the connecting frames 34 at both ends of the support frame 24, and the support pieces 77 are fixed to the support frames 34a. 2 like the support frame 24
The support fitting 79 is supported by the bolt 78 of the book to the support frame 34.
It is fixed to a. As a result, the bent portion of the rail 25 is held.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upstream ends of the pair of support frames 24 are connected to the distribution device 1 to which they are connected.
Is fixed to the upper surface of the support plate 12 of the distribution rail units 3, 4, and 5 so as to be disassembled by a plurality of bolts. Similarly, the downstream ends of the pair of support frames 24 are connected to each other. It is fixed to the upper surface of the support plate 12 of the sorting device 1 by a plurality of bolts with the support frame 96 of the distribution rail units 3, 4, 5 interposed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the entrance 25a of the rail 25 on the right side (upper side in FIG. 2) and the exit 25b of the rail 25 on the left opposite to the entrance 25a of the rail 25 are adjacent to each other. In order to connect to the movable arm 20 with a slight clearance, the movable arm 20 is bent toward the adjacent sides so that the opening angle between them is 45 °, and similarly, the outlet portion 25b of the right rail 25 is formed.
As shown in FIG. 5, the left side rail 25 and the inlet 25a of the left rail 25 are connected to the pair of adjacent movable arms 20 of the sorting apparatus 1 with a slight clearance so that the open angle between them is 4 degrees.
It is bent toward the approaching side to form 5 °.

The sprocket 27 and the drive motor 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, and the three sprockets 27 are mounted on a bracket 37 fixed to the downstream ends of the pair of support frames 24. One drive sprocket 27a at the center is arranged at a predetermined distance upstream from the other two sprockets 27. By thus shifting the position where the drive sprocket 27a is arranged to the upstream side, the drive motor 31 is moved to an intermediate position. A pair of supporting frames 2 of the rail unit 2
I was able to fix it to 4.

The sprocket 26 and the tension mechanism 3
0 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 7 to 9. The left and right sprockets 26 of the three sprockets 26 are fixed to the pair of connecting frames 34 by bolts or screws as shown in FIG. 4, the central tensioner sprocket 26a is mounted on the bracket 38 so as to be movable in the work transfer direction on the downstream side of the two left and right sprockets 26, as shown in FIG. ing. That is, the shaft member 39 of the tensioner sprocket 26a is attached to the bracket 38.
8, the slide member 41 is provided at the upper end of the shaft member 39 as shown in FIG. 8, and the tensioner sprocket 26a is configured to be movable within the slit 40 in the work transfer direction by a predetermined distance. There is. still,
While the hanger conveyor system HC is in use, the drive motor 31 is constantly driven to rotate in the same direction, and the chain 28 is moving in the direction of the arrow in FIG.

In addition to the structure for movably supporting the tensioner sprocket 26a, the tensioning mechanism 30 is provided with a pair of guide members 48 on the bracket 38 in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval as shown in FIG. Has been. The guide member 48 guides the slide member 41 (tensioner sprocket 26a),
As shown in FIG. 8, the slide member 41 is provided with four guide rollers 49, and the guide roller 49 allows the slide member 41 to move along the guide member 48. Further, on the downstream side of the guide member 48, a lower guide wheel 43 is rotatably supported by a support piece 48a fixed to the upper surface thereof. As shown in FIG. 7, a frame 42 is erected on the pair of coupling frames 34, and a guide wheel 44 with a one-way clutch and an upper guide wheel 45 are supported by the frame 42.

The chain member 47 whose one end is fixed to the slide member 41 is guided by the three guide wheels 43, 44 and 45, and the weight 46 is fixed to the other end, as shown in FIG. There is. Therefore, the tension of the chain 28 can be kept constant by constantly urging the tensioner sprocket 26a via the chain member 47 in the downstream direction by the constant gravity acting on the weight 46. In this way, the three sprockets 26 and the tension mechanism 30 could be attached to the pair of supporting frames 24 of the intermediate rail unit 2 via the pair of connecting frames 34.

Here, the chain guide mechanism 29, the stop mechanism 32 and the detector 33 of the intermediate rail unit 2 are described.
Before describing the above, a specific structure of the hanger 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 13.

On each hanger 8, as shown in FIG.
A hanger rod 51 extending vertically downward from the center of the carrier body 50 is provided, and an engaging disc 52 made of a sprocket that engages the chain 28 from the outside is provided at the upper end of the carrier body 50. Further, a friction clutch mechanism 53 as shown in FIG. 13 is formed and arranged between the carrier body 50 and the engagement disc 52. As shown in FIG. 3, a work holding portion 54 capable of holding a plurality of works is provided below the hanger rod 51. The hanger 8 is basically bilaterally symmetrical and longitudinally symmetrical.

As shown in FIG. 11, the carrier body 5
0 is elongated in the carrying direction, and the carrier main body 50
Rolling rollers 56 that roll on the rail 25 via shaft members 55 are provided on both left and right sides of the central portion in the length direction of the roller. As shown in FIG. 12, the pair of left and right shaft members 55 are projected outward from the rolling roller 56 by a predetermined length, and a sleeve 57 is rotatably fitted on the shaft member 55. Further, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the left and right sides of both ends of the carrier main body 50 are located slightly above the upper surface of the rail 25, and the rail 25 moves when the hanger 8 swings in the transport direction. A swing-restricting wheel 58 that is in contact with the upper surface and restricts the swing of the hanger 8 is provided.

Further, at the bottom of the carrier body 50, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 12, a pair of vertical bosses 5 are provided at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the hanger rod 51 to the upstream side and the downstream side.
9 are provided so as to protrude between the pair of rails 25, and guide rollers 60 are mounted on the vertical bosses 59 so as to be rotatable around the vertical axis. Rotation around the vertical axis is restricted. As shown in FIG. 11, a rubber member 61 for cushioning is fixed to both ends of the carrier body 50 with screws 62, and the rubber member 6 of the hanger 8 conveyed adjacently.
It is configured that the intervals between the hanger rods 51 are maintained at a predetermined interval by contacting one another. Therefore, the hanger 8 is movable along the rails 25 by rolling the pair of rolling rollers 56 on the pair of rails 25.

FIG. 13 shows the friction clutch mechanism 53.
Referring to, a vertical cylindrical hole 67 is formed in the boss portion 66 at the upper end of the center portion of the carrier body 50 in the longitudinal direction, and the vertical cylindrical hole 67 is formed in the center portion of the engaging disc 52 through the metal 68. A vertically oriented shaft member 69 that rotatably supports the engagement disk 52 is inserted into the cylindrical hole 67 and screwed into the carrier body 50. Further, clutch plates 70 made of an oil-containing resin are mounted on the upper and lower surfaces of the engaging disc 52, and both clutch plates 70 are externally fitted to the shaft member 69, so that the convex portions 52a on the upper and lower surfaces of the engaging disc 52 are provided. The engaging disc 52 and the two clutch plates 70 are configured so as not to rotate relative to each other by fitting each of them to the corresponding small hole of the clutch plate 70. Further, a washer 71 is mounted between the lower clutch plate 70 and the upper ends of the boss portions 66, and the upper clutch plate 70 and the head portion 69 of the shaft member 69.
A washer 71 is mounted between a and the engagement disk 52 and the pair of clutch plates 70 are elastically clamped between the pair of washers 71 by the clutch spring 72 which is mounted on the shaft member 69 in the cylindrical hole 67. There is.

Due to the elastic force of the clutch spring 72, an appropriate frictional force acts between the upper and lower pairs of the clutch plate 70 and the washer 71. Therefore, when the movement of the hanger 8 in the chain circumferential direction is not restricted, the chain 28 Even if the conveyance driving force from the above acts on the engagement disk 52, the engagement disk 52 does not rotate relative to the carrier body 50, and the hanger 8 moves on the rail 25 integrally with the chain 28. Also,
When the movement of the hanger 8 is blocked by a stop mechanism 32, which will be described later, a slip occurs between the pair of upper and lower clutch plates 70 and washers 71, and the engagement disk 52 rotates relative to the carriage body 50, and the hanger 8 Is maintained in a stopped state.

As shown in FIG. 10, the engaging disc 52 has a plurality of engaging teeth 52a (engaging portions) which are meshed with the chain 28 and are formed at equal pitches on the circumferential portion of the engaging disc 52. Also,
Eleven bit slits 73 for generating a reference pulse are transparently provided on the flat surface portion of the engaging disk 52 at equal 12 positions on the circumference, and the bit slits 73 are not formed on the equal 12 positions on the circumference. One point is the origin position. Further, the engaging disc 52
Inside the bit slit 73 in the plane part of
Eleven through holes 74 are formed on the radiation connecting the rotation center of the engaging disc 52 and the bit slit 73, and the closing plates 75 closing the through holes 74 are provided differently for each hanger 8. There is. Therefore, the hanger 8 can be made of 2 11 -1 = 2047 types.

With the hanger 8 constructed in this way stopped by the stop mechanism 32 described later, and the engagement disk 52 is rotating clockwise in FIG. 10, the detector 33 described later operates on these bits. Slit 73, through hole 7
4. Detects the position of the closing plate 75 and outputs a detection signal such as an identification code for identifying the type (number) of the hanger 8.

Next, the chain guide mechanism 29, the stop mechanism 32, and the detector 33 of the intermediate rail unit 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 and 10 to 16.

The chain guide mechanism 29 is constructed as shown in FIG. 12, and an inner part of the support fitting 79 is a synthetic resin guide for guiding the inner part of the chain 28. Strip 80 and chain 2
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 12, a synthetic resin guide strip 81 made of an integral part or a plurality of parts for guiding the bottom of the inner rail 25 is arranged along the diagonally upper part of each inner rail 25A. .. The guide strips 80 and 81 are not arranged above the bent portion of the rail 25 as shown in FIG. 4, but may be arranged continuously. These guide strips 80, 81 are integrally fixed with screws 82, 83 by screws 84, and the screws 82, 8 are also attached.
3 is fixed to the support fitting 79 by screws (not shown).

Here, in order to prevent the engaging disc 52 from coming off the chain 28 due to the swinging of the hanger 8 in the left-right direction, the lower surface of the guide strip 81 is, as shown in FIG.
The rocking | fluctuation control member 8 comprised from the guide strip 81 and the rail 25, and the L-shaped cross-section integrated component or multiple components.
5 are provided. The rocking restricting member 85 is fixed by the screw 84 so as to be in contact with the guide strip 81. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the rocking restricting member 85 is arranged along the entire length of the inner rail 25A. Has been done. The regulating portion 85a, which is the tip of the swing regulating member 85, is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the hanger 8 is provided in a state of approaching the upper end of the shaft member 55 and the sleeve 57 protruding inward of the carrier body 50 of the hanger 8 with a slight gap. For this reason, when the hanger rod 51 slightly swings inward (clockwise direction in FIG. 12), the protruding member 86 comes into contact with the regulating portion 85a from below and the swing of the hanger 8 is regulated. As shown by the phantom line in FIG. 12, the swing restricting member 85i corresponding to the outer protruding member 86 is attached to the outer rail 25B.
It is also possible to provide along.

Next, the stop mechanism 32 and the detector 33.
2, FIG. 5, and FIG. 14 to FIG. 16, the stop mechanism 32 and the detector 33 are the rail 2
5 is disposed inside a supporting metal fitting 79 located upstream of the supporting metal fitting 79 provided at the outlet portion 25b of No. 5 in the chain circulation direction and is supported by the support frame 24 via the supporting metal fitting 79, but the stop mechanism 32 As shown in FIG. 16, a fixing plate 88 is fixed to the inner upper surface of the support fitting 79 by a bolt 87, and the fixing plate 88 has a fixing plate 88 as shown in FIG.
A support shaft 89 to which the locking arm 90 is connected at the bent portion is attached by a stepped screw, and the locking arm 90 is connected to the support shaft 8.
It can be rotated around 9. In addition, the locking arm 90 is the shaft member 6 protruding from the upper end of the carrier body 50 of the hanger 8.
The ninth head 69a is locked from the downstream side of the chain 28 in the orbiting direction, and is horizontally swingable between the locking position shown by the solid line and the retracted position shown by the phantom line in FIG.

Further, a torsion spring 91 for urging the locking arm 90 to the locking position is wound around the support shaft 89.
Then, on the outer upper surface of the support fitting 79, as shown in FIGS.
An air cylinder 92 is provided via 9a, and the air cylinder 92 is in contact with the side surface of the contact arm portion 92c of the locking arm 90. When the piston 92a is projected against the torsion spring 91, The locking arm 90 is a support shaft 89
Is rotated to the retracted position. The contact arm portion 92
The abutting portion 92b on the end surface of c is formed in an arc shape as shown in FIG. Further, the locking arm 90 is normally arranged at the locking position.

A shaft member 6 is provided at the tip of the locking arm 90.
A V-shaped locking portion 90a that locks the head portion 69a of the shaft 9 is formed, and the shaft member 69 is locked by the V-shaped locking portion 90a without shifting in the left-right direction.

A mounting bracket 79 at a position corresponding to the engaging disk 52 of the hanger 8 stopped by the stop mechanism 32.
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 16, a photo interrupter 33 having two sets of a light emitting section and a light receiving section is provided on the inner side surface of the photo interrupter 33.
The detector 33 is formed from a and 33b. The photo interrupter 33a is arranged at a position facing the bit slit 73, and detects the origin position and the position of the bit slit 73 based on the revolution speed of the chain 28, that is, the rotation speed of the engaging disk 52. In addition, the photo interrupter 33
b is arranged at a position facing the through hole 74 and the closing plate 75, detects the through hole 74 or the closing plate 75 based on the position data of the bit slit 73 of the photo interrupter 33a, and the data is a control unit (not shown). Supply to. Then, the control unit identifies the type (number) of the hanger 8 based on the data from the photo interrupters 33a and 33b, and detects that the hanger 8 is locked by the stop mechanism 32.

In this way, the number of the hanger 8 is identified by the detector 33, and as shown in FIG. 5, the sorting arm 19 of the sorting apparatus 1 and the outlet 25b of the rail 25 are provided.
And are in agreement, the rod 92a of the air cylinder 92
Is projected. As a result, the locking arm 90 rotates around the support shaft 89 to the retracted position against the torsion spring 91. Then, the locking of the hanger 8 by the locking arm 90 is released, and the hanger 8 moves toward the outlet portion 25b of the rail 25 (direction of arrow A) by the circulation of the chain 28. At this time, since the locking arm 90 of the subsequent hanger 8 is arranged at the retracted position, the head 6 of the shaft member 69 is formed by the arcuate end surface of the contact portion 90b of the locking arm 90.
Since 9a is locked, the hangers 8 are not conveyed continuously, and the hangers 8 are surely stopped one by one. Then, when the piston 92 a of the air cylinder 92 is pulled in, the locking arm 90 is rotated to the locking position by the torsion spring 91. With this rotation, the head portion 69a of the shaft member 69 of the subsequent hanger 8 and the arcuate end surface of the contact portion 90b of the locking arm 90 slide, and the subsequent hanger 8
Are smoothly conveyed, the shaft member 69 is locked by the V-shaped locking portion 90a, and the hanger 8 is locked. At this time, since the rubber member 61 of the further hanger 8 is in contact with the rubber member 61 of the hanger 8 being locked,
Similarly, it is not transported.

Next, the work distribution rail unit 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 17.

As shown in FIG. 2, each work distribution rail unit 5 has a completely unitized structure so as to be an independent unit, and the U-shaped supporting frame 96 in plan view has a space. Placed in parallel. Supporting pieces 97 are arranged and fixed at a plurality of positions on the lower surface of the supporting frame 96, and below the supporting frame 96, each supporting piece 97 and two supporting rods 98 respectively form a substantially U shape in plan view. Pair of rails 99 (9
9A, 99B) are fixed. A rail cutting mechanism 102 for removing the hanger 8 from the distribution rail unit 5 is provided in the middle of the pair of rails 99, as shown in FIG. Subsequently, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 17, a stop mechanism 100 for locking and stocking the hanger 8 during a sewing operation is provided at a downstream portion of the curved portion of the pair of rails 99 in the work transfer direction. It is provided. Further, a lift mechanism 101 for lifting the hanger 8 by a predetermined height is arranged on the pair of rails 99 on the downstream side of the stop mechanism 100. Then, a timing stopper mechanism 1 for determining the timing of returning the hanger 8 to the distribution device 1 is provided at a position slightly upstream of the outlet 99b of the rail 99.
30 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 6, the end portion of the support frame 96 is fixed to the support plate 12 of the sorting apparatus 1 by a bolt (not shown) so as to be disassembled. The inlet portion 99a and the outlet portion 99b of the rail 99 are at the same height as the outer end portion of the movable arm 20 of the sorting apparatus 1, and are connected to the pair of adjacent movable arms 20 of the sorting apparatus 1 with a slight gap. As described above, they are bent toward each other so that the opening angle between them is 45 °. The rail 99 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, from the entrance 99a to the rail dividing mechanism 10
2 and the stop mechanism 100 and lift mechanism 101
Is formed in a gentle inclination shape (for example, an inclination angle of 2 to 5 °) to the lower end of the. Further, the rail 99 has a lift mechanism 101.
The same is formed in a gentle slope shape from the upper end portion to the outlet portion 99b through the timing stopper mechanism 130.

The stop mechanism 100 shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, the air cylinder 103 is erected on the support plate 105, and one end of the locking arm 104 rotatably supported by the support plate 105 is at the one end of the air cylinder 10.
It is fixed to the rod of No. 3 by stepped screws. Also,
When the rod of the air cylinder 103 is extended, the locking arm 104 rotates to lock the protruding member 86 of the hanger 8. At this time, since the locked hanger 8 is not meshed with the endless chain 28 or the like, it is movable in the backward direction along the rail 99. Further, a first sensor (not shown) is attached to the support plate 105, and the stop mechanism 100 causes the hanger 8 to move by the first sensor.
Determine whether or not is stopped. The stop mechanism 100 is configured such that an operator pushes a release button (not shown) to unlock the hanger 8.
The vicinity of the stop position of the hanger 8 is the position where the sewing work is performed.

Next, the lift mechanism 101 will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20. In the work distribution rail unit 5, as shown in FIG. It is formed in a gentle inclination toward the side, and is configured to be driven and driven by the weight of the hanger 8 and its work. Further, since the entrance 99a and the exit 99b of the rail 99 have the same height level, In order to send the hanger 8 to the outlet 99b, the hanger 8
Need to be lifted to a predetermined height by the lift mechanism 101. Therefore, the outlet portions 99b of the pair of rails 99
As shown in FIG. 19, a pair of lift rails 107, which are inclined upward toward the downstream side in the transport direction, are provided in the slightly upstream portion.
Is provided.

A second sensor (not shown) is provided at the upstream portion (the lowermost end position) of the pair of lifting rails 107 in the carrying direction. The second sensor is the hanger 8 of the lifting rail 107. It is determined whether or not it exists at the lowermost position. Further, a swing arm 108 is rotatably disposed inside the inner lift rail 107, and the base end of the swing arm 108 swings to the inner lift rail 107 by a stepped screw member 109. It is pivotally supported. Further, at the tip of the swing arm 108, an engaging portion 108a is formed that can engage with the protruding member 86 protruding inward of the inner rail 99A of the hanger 8 from below.

Inside the swing arm 108, as shown in FIG.
As shown in, an air cylinder 110 is provided,
The base end of the cylinder body of the air cylinder 110 is pivotally attached to the inner lifting rail 107 by a horizontal pin 111, and the connecting tool 112 fixed to the tip of the rod 110a of the air cylinder 110 is a swing arm. The horizontal pin 1 is attached to the bracket portion 108b at the upper end of the base end side portion of 108.
It is connected at 13. When the rod 110a of the air cylinder 110 is completely retracted, the swing arm 108 is moved.
Becomes the swing lower limit position (the position shown in FIG. 19), the engaging portion 108a retracts so as not to project from the upper surface of the rail 99, and when the rod 110a of the air cylinder 110 is extended, the engaging portion 108a moves. The protrusion member 86 inside the carrier main body 50 of the hanger 8 is pushed up and swings upward by about 90 degrees to the swing upper limit position (the position shown in FIG. 20). In this way, the rocking arm 10 is moved by the air cylinder 110.
The hanger 8 can be lifted from the lower end position of the lift rail 107 to the upper end position of the lift rail 107 by swinging 8 upward and pushing up the inner protruding member 86.

Further, when the swing arm 108 is returned from the swing upper limit position to the swing lower limit position, the swing arm 108
The stopper arm 114 for preventing the engaging portion 108a of the above from interfering with the protruding member 86 of the subsequent hanger 8,
As shown in FIG. 20, it is arranged between the inner lifting rail 107 and the swing arm 108. The base end of the stopper arm 114 is pivotally attached to the inner lifting rail 107 by a stepped screw 115 so that the stopper arm 114 can swing. Lift rail 10 inside
7, a locking portion 114a for locking a portion slightly inwardly projected from 7 from the downstream side is formed.
Is urged in the upward swinging direction by a tension spring 116 stretched between it and the lift rail 107.

The stopper arm 114 is shown in FIG.
As shown in, a pin member 117 engageable with the lower end of the engaging portion 108a of the swing arm 108 is provided in a protruding manner. When the swing arm 108 is located at the swing lower limit position, the swing arm 108 pushes the pin member 117 downward, so that the stopper arm 114 does not project above the upper surface of the rail 99 (see the retracted position in FIG. 19). Position),
While the swing arm 108 is moving upward from the swing lower limit position, the stopper arm 114 is not pushed downward by the swing arm 108.
The urging force of 16 oscillates to the locking position (the position shown in FIG. 20) that is swung upward, and the position is regulated by the cushioning member 119 externally fitted to the pin 118 protruding from the lift rail 107.

As shown in FIG. 20, when the stopper arm 114 is in the locked position, the rolling roller 56 of the subsequent hanger 8 is located slightly upstream of the lower end position of the lift rail 107, and the rolling roller 56 is located in the stopper arm 114. The locking portion 114a of the swing arm 108 holds the position by being locked from the downstream side by the locking portion 114a of the rocking arm 114a. It does not interfere with the protruding member 86. When the swing arm 108 returns to the swing lower limit position, the swing arm 108 switches the stopper arm 114 to the retracted position, and the trailing hanger 8 inclines the lift rail 107. Therefore, the lift rail 107 is lifted. It will move to the lower end position of its own weight. When the second sensor determines that the hanger 8 is present at the lowermost end, the rod 110a of the air cylinder 110 extends and the swing arm 1 moves.
The hanger 8 is lifted by 08. At this time, the pair of rolling rollers 56 roll along the upper ends of the pair of lifting rails 107, and the carrier main body 50 is lifted while maintaining the horizontal state. The pair of rocking regulation wheels 58 attached moves between the pair of lift rails 107.

The timing stopper mechanism 130 is arranged between the upper end position of the lift rail 107 and the outlet portion 99b of the rail 99, and the stop mechanism 1 is provided.
It has the same configuration as 00. That is, as shown in FIG. 17, in the timing stopper mechanism 130, one end of the locking arm 134 is connected to the rod of the upright air cylinder 133, and the distribution arm 19 of the distribution device 1 and the exit of the rail 99. When the portion 99b is not aligned with the straight line, the protruding member 86 of the hanger 8 is locked by the locking arm 134. The timing stopper mechanism 130 is also provided with a third sensor (not shown) for determining whether or not the hanger 8 is present at that position.

Next, the rail dividing mechanism 102 will be described. The rail dividing mechanism 102 is provided on the outer rail 99B at a position slightly downstream of the inlet 99a of the rail 99, as shown in FIG. A predetermined length portion of the rail 99B is formed on the dividing rail 120,
The dividing rail 120 is formed to have a width of ½ of the width of the rail 99B as shown in FIG. Also, the dividing rail 120
As shown in FIG. 21, the upstream end of the is connected by a stepped screw 123 inserted into an elongated hole 122 formed in the narrow rail portion 121 of the rail 99B so as to be movable in the carrying direction.
Further, a metal piece 124 is fixed to the downstream end of the dividing rail 120, a U-shaped notch 125 is formed at the end of the rail 99B on the downstream side of the dividing rail 120, and a knob screw 126 having a knob 126a has a U-shaped notch. 125 is inserted, and the tip portion is screwed into the screw hole of the metal piece 124. Also,
As shown in FIG. 1, the rail dividing mechanism 102 is provided not only on the rail 99B outside the rail unit 5 but also on the other rail units 3 and 4 and the rail 25B. Since they are the same as the above, the description thereof will be omitted.

During normal work transfer, the dividing rail 12
0 is held in the illustrated state and the screw 126 with the knob is fastened, so the rail 99B is in a continuous state without being divided, but when it is necessary to remove any hanger 8, Loosen the knob screw 126,
By moving the dividing rail 120 to the upstream side (the direction of arrow B), the dividing rail 120 is switched to the downward state as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 21, and the pair of the carrier main body 50 is separated from the dividing portion of the rail 99B. The hanger 8 can be removed by removing the vertical boss 59 and the swing control wheel 60. After the removal, the dividing rail 12 again
It is assumed that 0 is restored to the illustrated state.

Next, the input distribution rail unit 3 and the extraction distribution rail unit 4 will be described. The left distribution rail unit 3B basically has the support frame 96 and the support frame 96 in the work distribution rail unit 5. Although it has a structure in which the left and right lengths of the parallel portions of the pair of rails 99 are enlarged, as shown in FIG. 1, the stopper mechanism 100 is located upstream of the curved portions of the rails 99 (on the side of the intermediate rail unit 2 in FIG. 1). ) Is located. Further, the timing stopper mechanism 130 is arranged near the outlet 99b of the rail 99. Furthermore, the timing stopper mechanism 13
A holding mechanism (not shown) for holding a plurality of hangers 8 at a predetermined interval is provided between 0 and the lift mechanism 101 in order to make it easier to mount a work on the hanger 8. A fourth sensor (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of the hanger 8 at the position closest to the mechanism 101 is arranged near the lift mechanism 101.

On the other hand, the input distribution rail unit 3 on the right side
As shown in FIG. 1, A has a structure symmetrical to the left side distribution rail unit 3B with the distribution device 1 as the center. Distributing distribution rail units 3A, 3B
A detailed description of the above will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the take-out distribution rail unit 4A on the right side is basically the length in the left-right direction of the parallel portion of the support frame 96 and the pair of rails 99 in the work distribution rail unit 5. The stop mechanism 100 is arranged on the side of the rail 99 on the side of the intermediate rail unit 2 as in the case of the distribution rail unit for inputting on the left side 3B described above. Similarly, the timing stopper mechanism 130 is also arranged near the outlet 99b of the rail 99. The left distribution rail unit 4B has a structure symmetrical to the right distribution rail unit 4A, like the closing distribution rail unit 3. These input distribution rail units 4A,
Detailed description regarding 4B is omitted.

Left and right pair of distribution rail units 3 for inputting
A and 3B have a symmetrical structure because, as shown in FIG. 1, the feeding operator 6 linearly reciprocates left and right as shown by an arrow C, while the feeding distribution rail units 3A and 3B are moved. This is so that the work can be efficiently put into the many hangers 8 of 3B. In addition, the pair of left and right take-out distribution rail units 4A and 4B has a bilaterally symmetrical structure because the take-out operator 6 linearly reciprocates left and right as shown by an arrow D as shown in FIG. However, the reason is that the finished work can be efficiently removed from the large number of hangers 8 of the take-out distribution rail units 4A and 4B.

Next, the hanger conveyor system HC
The control system will be briefly described. First, the servo motors 17 and the air cylinders 18 of the plurality of distribution devices 1 are first described.
An air cylinder 92 of the motor 31 and the stop mechanism 32 of the plurality of intermediate rail units 2 and an air cylinder 11 of the lift mechanism 101 of the plurality of distribution rail units 3-5.
A control unit for controlling 0 or the like is provided. Then, the detectors 33 of the plurality of intermediate rail units 2
Is supplied to the control unit, and the control unit is connected to the keyboard, the CRT display, and the printer. The air cylinder 103 of the stop mechanism 100 of the distribution rail units 3 to 5 is operated by the operator 6 via a foot switch or the like.

A control program for controlling the various control target devices and data of the transport path of each hanger 8 associated with the identification code of each hanger 8 are input in advance to the control unit, or are not shown. Data is transferred from the host computer, and the control unit is configured to control the transport path of each hanger 8 by controlling various controlled devices based on the detection signal from the detector 33.

In this embodiment, the hanger 8 and the like correspond to a carrier that holds a workpiece or a finished product and that has a moving body. The rail units 3, 4, 5 and the rail 25 correspond to a supporting member that movably supports the moving body of the carrier. The rail dividing mechanism 102 and the like correspond to the supporting member dividing mechanism that divides the supporting member when the carrier is attached and detached.

The operation of the rail dividing mechanism 102 of the hanger conveyor system will be described below.

First, the input distribution rail unit 3 includes:
As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of empty hangers 8 are arranged on the worker movement range C side, and when the worker 6 sequentially stops the workpieces on the empty hangers 8, the respective hangers 8 are distributed to the most upstream part. 1, is distributed by the distribution device 1, supplied to the intermediate rail unit 2 on the downstream side thereof, and conveyed. When the detector 33 detects the identification code of the hanger 8 during the transportation, the next distribution device 1 is controlled based on the detection signal, and the distribution device 1 controls the two work distribution rail units 5 and the next intermediate position. It is distributed to any of the rail units 2.

The hanger 8 is the work distribution rail unit 5
When the hanger 8 is distributed to the hanger 8, the hanger 8 moves along its own rail 99 of the distribution rail unit 5 by its own weight, and a predetermined sewing operation is performed while the work is mounted on the hanger 8 at the work station. After that, the hanger 8
Are supplied to the distribution device 1 and distributed in the same manner as described above. Then, in the same manner, the hangers 8 are sequentially transported to the downstream side via a plurality of work stations, and finally to the distribution rail unit 4 for taking out, along the rail 99 of the distribution rail unit 4 for taking out. The work flows to the worker movement range D side, and the picked-up worker removes the finished or unfinished work from the hanger 8. After that, the empty hanger 8 is transported to the upstream side via the plurality of distribution devices 1 and the plurality of intermediate rail units 2, and is returned to the loading distribution rail unit 3 again.

When the hanger 8 is put in or taken out due to a failure of the hanger 8 or a production plan, etc., the entrance 99 of each rail 99 for opening the rail 99B.
By loosening the knob screw 126 of the rail dividing mechanism 102 provided on the outer rail 99B at a position slightly downstream of a, and moving the dividing rail 120 to the upstream side (direction of arrow B), a virtual line in FIG. As shown in the drawing, the dividing rail 120 is switched to the downward state, and the rail 99
With B open, the hanger 8 is loaded or unloaded from the rail cutting mechanism 102. After that, the dividing rail 120 is restored again to the state shown by the solid line in FIG.

When the hanger 8 is detached from the rail dividing mechanism 102 as described above, as shown in FIG. 23, the distribution arm 12 of the distribution device 12 is positioned and returned to its original position, or the hanger desired to be taken out. Take out the hangers 8 other than 8, hold them by hand or hang them on something, and do not need to reload them, without interrupting the work,
Work can be done efficiently.

Further, in the embodiment, the rail dividing mechanism 1
As shown by the descending line in FIG. 21, the reference numeral 02 indicates that the dividing rail 120 is rotated downward with the line orthogonal to the axis of the rail 99 being the rotation axis so as to be in the open state, but the hanger 8 can be detached from the rail 99. If it can be opened, the dividing rail 120 may be rotationally moved by a rotation axis parallel to the axis of the rail 99 or a rotation axis of a twist position line of the rail 99. Further, the dividing rail 120 is detachable from the rail 99, and the rail 99 is opened by detaching it from the rail 99, or the dividing rail 120 slides along the rail 99 to open the rail 99. However, similar effects can be obtained.

The dividing rail 120 is opened downward without being held. However, if the dividing rail 120 is held upward and sideways via an elastic body such as a spring or rubber and opened, the fluctuation of the dividing rail 120 is suppressed. Therefore, the work cloth or the like mounted on the hanger 8 is prevented from being caught.

Further, in addition to the rail 99, as shown in FIG. 1, the rail dividing mechanism 102 may be provided on each rail, and each rail can be divided.
It can be put in or taken out.

[0073]

As described above, in the transfer system of the present invention, the carrier on which the workpiece or finished product is mounted is provided in a part of the support member that movably supports the moving body of the carrier. Since the supporting member is detached from the supporting member cutting mechanism for cutting the supporting member, it is possible to efficiently put in the carrier to be put in and to take out the carrier to be taken out without interrupting the work.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration plan view of a hanger conveyor system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a distribution device, an intermediate rail unit, and a work distribution rail unit.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a distribution device and an intermediate rail unit.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of an essential part of the intermediate rail unit.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a main part of a distribution device, a part of an intermediate rail unit, and a work distribution rail unit.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of the main parts of the distribution device and the intermediate rail unit.

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional side view of the tensioner device.

8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG.

9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a rail and the like of the intermediate rail unit, a chain, and a hanger.

FIG. 11 is a side view of main parts of a rail and the like of the intermediate rail unit, a chain, and a hanger.

12 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 2 including a hanger.

FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional front view of a main part of a hanger, a chain guide mechanism, and a rail.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a stop mechanism of the intermediate rail unit.

FIG. 15 is a side view of a stop mechanism of a hanger and an intermediate rail unit.

16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 2 including a hanger.

FIG. 17 is a front view of the work distribution rail unit (a view of arrow 17 in FIG. 2).

FIG. 18 is a plan view of a lift mechanism of a work distribution rail unit.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the lift mechanism of the work distribution rail unit before lift.

FIG. 20 is a front view of the lift mechanism of the work distribution rail unit after lift.

FIG. 21 is a front view of a rail dividing mechanism of a work distribution rail unit.

FIG. 22 is a plan view of a rail dividing mechanism of a work distribution rail unit.

FIG. 23 is a schematic plan view of a hanger attaching / detaching part of a conventional hanger conveyor system.

FIG. 24 is a schematic side view showing the overall configuration of a conventional hanger conveyor system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 HC Hanger conveyor system 8 Hanger 25, 99 Rails 26, 27 Sprocket 28 Chain 31 Motor 52 Engaging disk 53 Friction clutch mechanism 56 Rolling roller 102 Rail dividing mechanism 120 Dividing rail 126 Screw with knob

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A holding unit for holding a workpiece or a finished product,
A carrier having a supporting portion having the holding portion provided below and a moving body provided on the supporting portion, a supporting member that movably supports the moving body, and a part of the supporting member, A carrier system, comprising: a support member cutting mechanism for cutting a support member when the carrier is attached or detached. 2. A part of the supporting member is openable and closable on a supporting surface of the carrier.
Transport system. 3. The transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the support member is a pair of rails, and the pair of rails are present between the holding portion of the carrier and the moving body.