KR20100046257A

KR20100046257A - Pallet transfer equipment

Info

Publication number: KR20100046257A
Application number: KR1020107005790A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 이사오 키타; 카즈토 이케다; 타카유키 쿠사베; 히로미츠 오오시마; 히로아키 타케우치; 타다오 나스; 타쿠지 이즈타니; 코우이치 타카하시
Original assignee: 다이하쓰고교가부시키가이샤
Priority date: 2007-10-31
Filing date: 2008-04-14
Publication date: 2010-05-06
Also published as: WO2009057336A1; KR101093028B1; CN101815658A; MY152793A; CN101815658B

Abstract

A working space for works and an equipment space for equipment required for working are ensured by saving a space required for pallet transfer equipment. Pallet transfer equipment (1) is provided with two delivery lines (4) for delivering a pallet (3) whereupon a vehicle (2) is mounted as a work; and a returning line (5) for returning the empty pallet (3) from the end to the start of the delivery lines (4). On the delivery lines (4) arranged in parallel, right and left separated pallets (9, 10) are arranged, respectively. The returning line (5) is arranged between a pair of delivery lines (4, 4). The pair of separated pallets (9, 10) are delivered over the corresponding delivery lines (4, 4), and the separated pallets (9, 10) are returned over the returning line (5) in a combined state.

Description

Pallet Transfer Equipment {PALLET TRANSFER EQUIPMENT}

The present invention relates to a pallet conveying plant.

Various proposals have been made and implemented regarding the conveying equipment of a workpiece conveyance pallet, for example, from the viewpoint of conveyance efficiency and space saving with respect to conveying facilities of conveyance pallets, such as a vehicle body or a vehicle body part, as follows. Transfer equipment has been proposed.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-44810 (Patent Document 1) conveys a pallet for loading and conveying automobile glass as a work in a horizontally mounted state for the purpose of saving space in a return line. A pallet conveying line is disclosed which has a conveying line, and a return line for supporting and returning the pallet in a vertically mounted state from the end of the conveying line toward the start end.

In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-142643 (Patent Document 2) discloses a split pallet for loading left and right wheels, respectively, in a storage facility of a car that primarily stores a plurality of cars between transport lines of different types. It is disclosed that the transport space or the storage space can be miniaturized by transporting the car and keeping the divided pallets closer to each other when the car is not loaded, that is, when the empty pallet is transported and stored.

In this way, when the conveying equipment of the work conveying pallet is mounted and used in the work manufacturing line (including the assembly, storage, and inspection line), it is common that any equipment (processing equipment, etc.) is installed on both sides of the work conveying line. . Therefore, it is necessary to leave the space and working space for installing these facilities as much as possible on both sides or the periphery of a conveyance line.

However, in the case of the transfer lines disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the transfer lines circulated between the return lines and the transfer lines are configured, and as a result, installation spaces such as processing facilities are limited between the return lines and the transfer lines. In this case, the installation space is limited, and as a result, the processing equipment and the like that can be used are limited. In addition, since the means disclosed in any of the patent documents require space as much as the return line, it cannot be a fundamental measure for space saving.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-44810 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-142643

In view of the above circumstances, in the present invention, it is a technical problem to secure a work space for a work and an installation space for a work required for work by achieving space saving of a pallet conveying equipment.

Solution to the above technical problem is achieved by the pallet transport facility according to the present invention. That is, this pallet conveyance apparatus is a pallet conveyance apparatus provided with the conveyance line which conveys the pallet of the state which loaded the workpiece, and the return line which returns an empty pallet from the end of a conveyance line to the beginning, WHEREIN: Two conveyance lines are side by side Pallets divided into left and right are arranged on each conveying line, and a return line is provided between a pair of conveying lines, and both divided pallets are conveyed on a pair of conveying lines, respectively, and each division It is characterized in that the pallet is returned on the return line. In addition, right and left here shall refer to the direction orthogonal to these conveyance and return directions, when carrying or return directions are carried forward and backward.

According to this structure, since each divided pallet is returned through the center side of a conveyance installation rather than conveyance, the space for a return line can be accommodated in the space for a conveyance line. For this reason, the pallet conveyance line can be reduced significantly by making the increment space as much as a return line substantially zero. Moreover, since sufficient space is secured on the side of the conveying line, it is possible to arrange a suitable work work facility without being limited in space along the conveying line of the work.

Here, the following conveying forms can be taken for the divided pallets. That is, one divided pallet is driven, and the other divided pallet is integrated with the divided pallet on the driving side through the work, and at the time of return, both divided pallets are integrated on each other and returned on the return line. .

According to this configuration, the driven pallet is transported integrally with the driven pallet at the time of return, and the driven pallet is driven only by returning the driven pallet. Is returned. As a result, the space can be further reduced, and even when the pallet is divided, the power required for the pallet transfer can be minimized, and the installation space of the drive mechanism can be reduced.

Of course, the conveyance form of a split pallet is not limited to the said form. For example, a pair of divided pallets conveyed at the end of side-by-side conveying lines may be alternately conveyed and returned on one return line. Alternatively, two return lines may be used, and each divided pallet may be returned on two return lines provided between the pair of transport lines. When the workpiece is used as the vehicle body, the space between the conveying lines (the spacing of the splitting pallets) is approximately the same as the width of the vehicle body, so that space for two return lines can be secured.

Moreover, you may comprise so that the division pallet conveyed on a conveyance line and the division pallet returned on a return line may be on the same plane.

Regardless of the time of conveyance and return, if the divided pallet is always on the same plane, the conveying equipment is simplified because the pallet can be transferred from the conveying line to the return line only by conveying in the pallet horizontal direction (vehicle width direction). Moreover, since it is enough to just move the minimum distance, it is also preferable at the point of conveyance efficiency. In addition, since the vertical direction of the pallet is always constant at the time of conveying the pallet, the vertical direction of the workpiece loaded on the pallet is also easy and accurate.

In addition, when paying attention to the pallet for workpiece conveyance, the configuration shown below aims at further space saving of the pallet conveying equipment, or reduces the proportion of the mechanism driving the pallet to the conveying equipment, thereby improving the space of the work equipment. It is also possible to aim for an increase.

That is, the pallet conveying apparatus which concerns on this invention has a power transmission part for receiving the power to a conveyance direction from the drive mechanism provided by one of the division pallets of a pair of division pallets provided separately from one division pallet, and the other division pallet The silver workpiece may be configured to be conveyed integrally with one divided pallet via the workpiece.

According to this structure, the structure around the pallet loading part in a conveyance installation can be simplified. In particular, since the drive mechanism is sufficient to be provided only on one pallet side, the installation space of the drive mechanism can be greatly reduced, and further space saving of the pallet transfer facility can be achieved. In addition, the space around the split pallet can be emptied as long as the entire transport equipment can be maintained. Therefore, access to the workpiece mounted on the divided pallet is also good, and workability is improved.

Here, as a specific form of a pair of dividing pallets, for example, a dividing pallet having a base having a work loading surface together and a side wall portion extending downward from the side edges of the base, wherein the work is divided into a pair of the side walls. The fitting parts for making the side wall parts adhere to each other in close contact with each other in the state mounted on the pallet are mentioned, respectively.

According to the above structure, the pallet divided to the left and right can be returned in an integrated state, so that even when the workpiece is not loaded on the pallet at the time of return, the pallet is driven on the driving side as in the case of conveyance by driving the driving side pallet integrated with the driven side pallet. Both divided pallets can be returned only by the drive mechanism provided. Moreover, since the side wall parts of the pallet divided left and right can be contacted and fitted, the pallet transfer mechanism required at the time of integration is also simple.

In this case, it is preferable that the contact area with the conveying side member in which this divided pallet is mounted among the lower surfaces of the at least one divided pallet forms the shape which can be slid with respect to a conveyance side member not only in a conveyance direction but a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction. . By setting it as such a structure, the at least one division | segment pallet may be slid off from a conveyance member only by the movement of the division pallet in the horizontal direction, and the division pallets may be closely fitted. Therefore, the pallet conveyance mechanism required at the time of integration can be simplified more.

Moreover, when paying attention to the drive apparatus of the workpiece conveyance pallet, by setting it as the structure shown below, it is also possible to aim at further space saving of a pallet conveyance installation, and to increase the space for work equipment.

That is, the pallet conveying apparatus according to the present invention further includes a pallet driving device which is mounted and used on a pallet conveying line having a conveying line and a return line, and the pallet driving device is installed between the conveying line and the return line parallel to each other, The roller may be configured to have a plurality of rollers connected to the driving source, one side of the roller contacting the side face of the pallet on the conveying line, and the other side of the roller contacting the side face of the pallet on the return line.

When the pallet drive device is provided in this manner, the drive device is configured to be capable of conveying and returning the pallet by bringing the pallet side into contact with the side surfaces of different rollers at the time of conveyance and at the time of return. Since the conveying direction of a pallet is reversed in a parallel conveyance line and a return line, the pallet transfers the conveyance direction to a pallet by rotating the roller by contacting the side surface of the pallet on a conveyance line to one side of a roller. In addition, by moving the side of the pallet on the return line to the other side of the roller and rotating the roller in the same direction as the conveyance, the pallet is given a moving force in the return direction. Therefore, the drive device for conveyance can be combined with the drive device for return, and the installation space of such a drive device can be made small, and further miniaturization of a pallet conveyance installation can be attained. Moreover, since it is not necessary to provide each drive apparatus for return and conveyance, the cost down can be aimed at by that much.

In addition, since the direction of rotation of the roller can always be in one direction, it is not necessary to interpose a mechanism for changing the direction of the driving force applied to the pallet between the pallet and the roller on the return line. Therefore, even when it returns only by the drive apparatus (roller) for conveyance, the driving force of a return direction can be given to a pallet.

Here, as a specific configuration for achieving the contact state between the roller and the pallet, for example, further comprises a roller moving means for moving the roller between a position in contact with the pallet on the conveying line and a position in contact with the pallet on the return line. A constitution provided is considered. According to this structure, a relatively small roller can be adopted, and sufficient working space can be ensured between a conveyance line and a return line.

Moreover, as a structure of that excepting the above, the structure which provides the roller of the magnitude | size which a contact state with the pallet on a conveyance line and the contact state with the pallet on a return line is obtained, for example is considered. That is, by providing the roller of the said size in consideration of the space | interval of a conveyance line and a return line, the pallet can be provided with the driving force required for conveyance and return of a pallet, without providing a roller moving means etc.

(Effects of the Invention)

As described above, according to the pallet transfer facility according to the present invention, the work space for the work and the installation space for the facility required for the work can be secured by reducing the space of the transfer facility.

1 is a partial plan view of a pallet conveying equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a perspective view of an essential part of a pallet conveying facility.
3 is an essential part cross-sectional view showing a power transmission form when conveying a driving pallet.
4 is a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a power transmission form when returning a driving pallet.
It is a top view conceptually explaining an example of the conveyance form of each divided pallet.
Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of principal parts showing the vertical positional relationship between each divided pallet and a workpiece.
7 is an essential part cross sectional view showing another embodiment of the pallet drive device.
8 is a plan view conceptually illustrating another transfer mode of each divided pallet.
Fig. 9A is a plan view of a main part of a pallet conveying facility according to another embodiment, and is a plan view of a main part of the facility before transferring each divided pallet onto a return rail.
Fig. 9B is a plan view of a main part of a pallet conveying facility according to another embodiment, and is a plan view of a main part of the facility after transferring each divided pallet on a return rail.
It is AA sectional drawing of the principal part of the pallet conveyance installation in FIG. 9A.
It is BB sectional drawing of the principal part of the pallet conveyance apparatus in FIG. 9B.
It is a top view which expands and shows the principal part of the driven side pallet by another form.
It is a front view which expands and shows the principal part of the driven side pallet by another form.
It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the principal part of the driven pallet by another form.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, one Embodiment of the pallet conveyance installation by this invention is described based on drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is the figure which looked at the part of the pallet conveyance facilities by one Embodiment of this invention from the top view. As shown in the figure, the transfer facility 1 is mounted and used in a line for conveying the vehicle body 2 as a work, and the pallet 3 in the state where the vehicle body 2 is loaded (here for work conveyance) It has a conveyance line 4 which conveys a pallet, and the return line 5 which returns the empty pallet 3 from the end of the conveyance line 4. As shown in FIG.

Here, the conveyance lines 4 are arrange | positioned in two rows parallel to each other. In this embodiment, each conveyance line 4 is comprised by the conveyance rail 7 provided on the frame 6 used as a base, respectively, as shown in FIG. In addition, the return line 5 is provided between two parallel conveyance lines 4, and is comprised by the return rail 8 provided on the base frame 6 similarly to the conveyance line 4. As shown in FIG. .

The pallet 3 for workpiece conveyance is divided | segmented and arrange | positioned on the two conveyance lines 4 arrange | positioned in parallel. For this reason, the divided pallets 9 and 10 of both sides partially support and support the vehicle body 2 used as a workpiece in the both sides part (refer FIG. 1). In this embodiment, one of the divided pallets is the pallet 9 of a drive side, and the other is the pallet 10 of a driven side.

The drive side pallet 9 mainly works on the pallet main body 11, the power transmission part 12 for receiving the moving force in the conveyance direction or the return direction by being fixed to the pallet main body 11, and the pallet main body 11. It has the attachment part 13 for attaching the one side part of the vehicle body 2 to become. Here, the pallet main body 11 forms what is called a cross-sectional L shape, and the plate-shaped base 14 on which the vehicle body 2 is mounted, and the side wall part 15 extended downward from the side edge of the base 14 are here. Is made of. In addition, in this embodiment, the driving side pallet 9 is on the conveyance rail 7 or the return rail 8 so that the side wall part 15 may be located between the conveyance rail 7 and the return rail 8. Loaded on

Moreover, the attachment part 13 which has the protruding pin 16 is provided in the upper end surface of the base 14, and the outer side surface of the side wall part 15 (surface of the side which opposes the conveyance rail 7). ], A plate-shaped power transmission unit 12 is fixed. This power transmission part 12 has a shape longer in the conveying direction (conveying and returning direction) than the pallet main body 11 in consideration of the contact form with the drive roller 24 mentioned later (refer FIG. 1 or FIG. 2). .

The driven side pallet 10 mainly has the pallet main body 17 and the attachment part 18 for attaching the other side part of the vehicle body 2 to the pallet main body 17. As shown in FIG. Here, the pallet main body 17 has a L-shaped cross section similar to the pallet main body 11 of the drive side pallet 9, and has a plate-shaped base 19 and a base 19 on which the vehicle body 2 is loaded. It consists of a side wall portion 20 extending downward from the side edge of. In this embodiment, the driven pallet 10 is placed on the conveying rail 7 or the returning rail 8 so that the side wall portion 20 is positioned between the conveying rail 7 and the return rail 8. Loaded on

Moreover, the attachment part 18 which has the protruding pin 21 is provided in several places in the upper end surface of the base 19. As shown in FIG. Accordingly, the protruding pin 16 is engaged with the lower side of one side of the vehicle body 2 so that the vehicle body 2 is attached to the attachment portion 13 of the driving side pallet 9 and the protruding pin 21 is attached to the vehicle body 2. By attaching the vehicle body 2 to the attachment portion 18 of the driven side pallet 10 by engaging the other side of the driven side lower side of the driven side pallet 10 through the vehicle body 2 when the body 2 is conveyed. It is conveyed in synchronization with the pallet 9 integrally (see FIG. 1 or FIG. 6).

Moreover, in this embodiment, the side wall parts 15 and 20 adhere to each other in the surface which opposes to the vehicle width direction among the side wall part 15 of the drive side pallet 9 and the side wall part 20 of the driven side pallet 10, respectively. A pair of fitting parts 22 and 22 for fitting are formed, respectively. 2, one convex fitting part 22 formed in the opposing surface of the side wall part 15 of the drive side pallet 9 is shown. Moreover, the corresponding concave fitting part 22 (part shown with a broken line in the figure) is shown in the figure in the opposing surface of the side wall part 20 of the driven side pallet 10. As shown in FIG.

The drive roller 24 connected with the drive source 23 is provided between the conveyance line 4 and the return line 5 of the side by which the drive side pallet 9 is conveyed. These drive rollers 24 constitute a pallet drive device with the drive rollers 24 and guide rollers 25 and 26 opposed to the vehicle width direction (horizontal direction). Here, all the some driving roller 24 is provided between the conveyance line 4 and the return line 5 of the side by which the drive side pallet 9 is conveyed. Here, as shown in FIG. 3, each drive roller 24 has a rotating shaft in the vertical direction, and the power transmission part 12 of the drive side pallet 9 mounted on the conveyance rail 7 is shown. It is provided in the position which contacts the inner side surface of the. And when the drive roller 24 starts to rotate by receiving the drive force from the drive source 23, the power transmission part 12 which contacts one side surface of this drive roller 24 conveys the frictional resistance with the drive roller 24. It converts into the moving force in a direction, and transmits the moving force to the pallet main body 11 which is fixed. For this reason, the drive side pallet 9 slides on the conveyance rail 7 toward a conveyance direction, changing sequentially the drive roller 24 which is powered. Moreover, the driven pallet 10 in the state integrated with the drive-side pallet 9 via the vehicle body 2 also slides on the conveyance rail 7 toward the conveyance direction.

Moreover, the drive roller 24 is provided in the position which contacts the outer surface of the power transmission part 12 of the drive side pallet 9 mounted on the return rail 8 of the return line 5. And when the drive roller 24 starts to rotate in the same direction as the conveyance, the power transmission part 12 which contacts the other side surface of this drive roller 24 will transfer the frictional resistance with the drive roller 24 to a conveyance direction. It converts into a moving force and transmits the moving force to the pallet main body 11 which is fixed. For this reason, the drive side pallet 9 slides the return rail 8 toward a return direction, changing the powered drive roller 24 one by one. Moreover, in this embodiment, the driven side pallet 10 slides on the return rail 8 toward a return direction in the state integrated with the drive side pallet 9.

In addition, as shown, for example in FIG. 3, the 1 or some guide roller 25 is provided in the position which opposes the drive roller 24 and the vehicle width direction outer side. This guide roller 25 contacts the power transmission part 12 of the drive side pallet 9 mounted on the conveyance rail 7 in the form which pinched | interposed with the drive roller 24, When the movement force in the conveyance direction is transmitted to the power transmission part 12 according to rotation, it serves to guide the moving direction of the power transmission part 12, and also the conveyance direction of the drive side pallet 9 to it.

Similarly, one or more guide rollers 26 are provided in the position which opposes the drive roller 24 and the vehicle width direction inner side (center side), for example as shown in FIG. This guide roller 26 contacts the power transmission part 12 of the drive side pallet 9 mounted on the return rail 8 in the form which pinched | interposed with the drive roller 24, When the movement force in the conveying direction is transmitted to the power transmission unit 12 in accordance with the rotation, it serves to guide the direction of movement of the power transmission unit 12, and furthermore, the return direction of the driving side pallet 9. In addition, the guide rollers 25 and 26 do not necessarily need to be opposed to the drive roller 24 in the vehicle width direction, and the installation position is arbitrary as long as the guide rollers 25 and 26 can contact the power transmission part 12 of the drive-side pallet 9. . Moreover, the arrangement | positioning interval and the number of them are arbitrary as long as the conveyance guide of the drive side pallet 9 is possible.

Moreover, in this embodiment, since the said drive form is taken, the arrangement | positioning interval of the some drive roller 24 provided along the conveyance line 4 and the return line 5 is the power transmission provided in the drive side pallet 9 It is determined based on the long side dimension of the part 12. That is, the maximum arrangement interval of the drive rollers 24 is determined so that the power transmission unit 12 always contacts the drive rollers 24.

The plurality of drive side pallets 9 forming the above structure are mounted on one conveyance rail 7 (upper side in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2). In addition, the same number of driven side pallets 10 as those of the drive side pallets 9 are mounted on the other conveying rail 7 (the lower side in each drawing in Figs. 1 and 2). These several driving side pallet 9 and the driven side pallet 10 are comprised so that the upper side of each conveyance rail 7 may slide toward a conveyance direction.

In addition, both the driving side pallet 9 and the driven side pallet 10 are conveyed on the return rail 8 which comprises the return line 5, and are also returned along the return rail 8 in a return direction (conveyance). It is configured to be able to slide toward the reverse direction.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the return rail 8 is partially missing in the return direction start end of the return line 5. In addition, a part of the conveying rails 7 and 7 slides toward the center side of the pallet conveying apparatus 1 by a suitable conveying mechanism in the conveyance direction terminal part of each conveying line 4 and 4, respectively, and returns the return rail ( 8). Therefore, the slide part 27 of the conveyance rail 7 of the drive side pallet 9 is slid toward the center side of the pallet conveying apparatus 1, and the slide part 27 is connected with the return rail 8, The drive side pallet 9 mounted on this slide part 27 is conveyed on the return rail 8. Further, by sliding the slide portion 28 of the conveying rail 7 of the driven pallet 10 toward the center side of the pallet conveying equipment 1 by connecting the slide portion 28 with the return rail 8. The driven side pallet 10 mounted on this slide part 28 is conveyed on the return rail 8. In addition, in this embodiment, the driving side pallet 9 and the driven side pallet 10 always exist on the same plane irrespective of the conveyance line 4 and the return line 5.

Moreover, in this embodiment, since the pair of fitting parts 22 and 22 which closely contact each other are formed in the side wall parts 15 and 20 of each division pallet 9 and 10, for example, one slide part ( 27 conveys the drive side pallet 9 loaded on the return rail 8 on the return rail 8, and the other slide portion 28 on which the driven side pallet 10 is loaded. By sliding toward the center side, the driving side pallet 9 and the driven side pallet 10 are integrated through the fitting parts 22 and 22. Therefore, in this state, the driving side pallet 9 and the driven side pallet 10 are integrated with each other by applying a moving force to the driving side pallet 9 by a suitable driving means (which may be the driving roller 24). It returns on the rail 8 for a furnace return.

Here, the contact surface with the conveyance rail 7 in the base 19 of the driven side pallet 10 is smooth over the whole, and it slides not only in a conveyance direction but also in a vehicle width direction (direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction). Since the driven side pallet 10 slides away from the slide part 28, it can be integrated with the drive side pallet 9 smoothly. In this example, the lower end surface of the base 14 of the drive-side pallet 9 and the upper end surface of the conveyance rail 7 which contact this lower surface and the whole surface are planar. In addition, the lower end surface of the base 19 of the driven side pallet 10 and the upper end surface of the conveyance rail 7 which contact this lower surface and the whole surface are all planar. Of course, the upper end surface of the return rail 8 which contacts these divided pallets 9 and 10 has comprised planar shape over the whole surface.

Next, the conveyance form of the pair of divided pallets 9 and 10 in the pallet conveyance apparatus 1 of the said structure is demonstrated using FIG. 5 as an example.

FIG. 5: shows the conceptual diagram for demonstrating the conveyance form of the pallet for workpiece conveyance in the pallet conveyance apparatus 1 attached to the vehicle body welding line. In the same figure, first, the vehicle body 2 as a workpiece is temporarily loaded on the workpiece conveyance pallet (split pallets 9 and 10) on the workpiece loading station S1. Specifically, the floor panel integrated by welding in advance is mounted on a pair of split pallets 9 and 10, and the left and right side members are mounted on the floor panel in a fixed state, and these side members are also mounted. The roof panel is loaded in such a manner that it extends over the top of the roof.

Subsequently, in a state where the loaded vehicle body 2 is loaded, the pair of divided pallets 9 and 10 are conveyed in the conveying direction, and the fusible welding is performed at the fusible welding station S2 and is located in front of the conveying direction. Reinforcement is performed in the reinforcement welding station S3 to complete the assembly of the vehicle body 2. Further, in this case, after loading the side member and the roof panel at the loading station S1, the floor panel and the side member, and the side member and the roof panel are tacked together at the subsequent welding welding station S2. Although the case was illustrated, it is a matter of course that other welding procedures can be adopted, for example, after the side members are first fixed to the floor panel and fixed, and then the roof panel is loaded and tagged.

In this way, the pair of divided pallets 9 and 10, which are separated by separating the vehicle body 2 on which the assembly is performed, from the pair of divided pallets 9 and 10, are terminated at the end of the conveying lines 4 and 4. 27, 28), a pair of divided pallets 9, 10 are integrated on the return line 5 arranged on the center side of the pallet transfer equipment 1, for example, by the transfer mechanism. And the divided pallets 9 and 10 of an integrated state are conveyed on the return line 5.

When the integrated pallets 9 and 10 are integrated to the end of the return line 5, detailed descriptions are omitted, but the pallets 9 and 10 on the return line 5 are respectively conveyed to the left and right transport lines 4,. Each divided pallet 9, 10 is conveyed on each conveyance line 4, 4 by the conveyance mechanism for conveying to 4). And the divided pallets 9 and 10 conveyed on each conveyance line 4 and 4 are conveyed toward the loading station S1 located in the conveyance direction front. In this way, the transfer cycles of the divided pallets 9 and 10 are respectively formed.

Thus, in the case of the pallet conveying apparatus 1 by the said structure, since a pair of split pallets 9 and 10 are all returned through the center side of the pallet conveying apparatus 1 rather than at the time of conveyance, the installation space of the return line 5 Can be accommodated in the space between the conveyance lines 4 and 4 provided side by side. For this reason, the increase of the installation space of the return line 5 is made substantially 0, and the conveyance installation 1 of the pallet 3, and also the work conveying line to which it is mounted can be reduced significantly. In addition, since sufficient space is secured outside each of the conveying lines 4 and 4, a suitable work equipment, here a welding robot, or the like can be arranged without being limited in space along the conveying line of the workpiece.

In addition, one of the divided pallets 9 and 10 is made into the drive side pallet 9, and the other is made into the driven side pallet 10 integrated with the drive side pallet 9 via the vehicle body 2 used as a workpiece | work. In addition, the pair of split pallets 9 and 10 are returned on the return line 5 in a state of being integrated with each other upon return. According to this, in the state where the vehicle body 2 is loaded at the time of conveyance, the driven side pallet 10 is conveyed integrally with the drive side pallet 9, and at the time of return, only the drive side pallet 9 by the drive roller 24 at the time of return. By applying the moving force, the driven pallet 10 is also returned. As a result, it is possible to further improve the space saving of the pallet conveying equipment 1, and even when the pallet is divided, the power required for conveying the pallet is minimized to minimize the drive mechanism (the driving roller 24 or the driving source thereof). 23) can reduce the installation space.

In addition, in this embodiment, the drive-side pallet 9 is provided with a power transmission part 12 for receiving power in the conveying direction from the drive roller 24 provided separately from the pallet 9. In the state in which the vehicle body 2 to be loaded is loaded, the driving side pallet 9 and the driven side pallet 10 are conveyed integrally through the vehicle body 2. Therefore, it is enough to just install the drive roller 24 only on the conveyance rail 7 side of the drive side pallet 9, and the drive source 23 for driving the drive roller 24 and this drive roller 24 is sufficient. Significantly reduce installation space. In addition, since the space around the divided pallets 9 and 10 is empty, access to the vehicle body 2 mounted on the divided pallets 9 and 10 is also improved, and workability is improved.

In particular, in this embodiment, since the attachment parts 13 and 18 for attaching the vehicle body 2 as a workpiece | work are provided to the split pallets 9 and 10 of both a drive side and a driven side, each work station S1-S3 is provided. ), The relative position of the vehicle body 2 with respect to the divided pallets 9 and 10 is maintained even when the pair of divided pallets 9 and 10 which convey the vehicle body 2 are stopped. Therefore, positioning of the workpiece in each work station S1-S3 can be performed easily and with high precision.

In this embodiment, the pair of divided pallets 9 and 10 have both the bases 14 and 19 on which the vehicle body 2 is mounted, and the side wall portions extending downward from the side edges of the bases 14 and 19 ( 15 and 20, and the fitting portions 22 and 22 for tightly fitting the side wall portions 15 and 20 to each other on the surface where the side wall portions 15 and 20 oppose each other. did. With such a configuration, the split pallets 9 and 10 are integrated by being in contact with each other and returned on the return line 5 in this state. Therefore, even if the vehicle body 2 is not mounted on the divided pallets 9 and 10, the drive source provided in the drive side similarly to the conveyance by driving the drive side pallet 9 integrated with the driven side pallet 10 is carried out. Both the divided pallets 9 and 10 can be returned only by the 23 and the drive rollers 24. In addition, since the slides 27 and 28 can be integrated only by horizontal movement, the transfer mechanisms of the divided pallets 9 and 10 required at the time of integration are also simplified.

Thus, when the driving side pallet 9 and the driven side pallet 10 are integrated and returned on the same plane, the attachment portions 13 and 18 protruding upward from the workpiece loading surface (protrusion pins 16 and 21 in this embodiment). ] And work interference are a problem. Here, if the vehicle width position of the return line 5 is made to match with the vehicle width direction position of the tunnel part 29 formed in the center part of the floor panel of the vehicle body 2 used as a workpiece | work as shown in FIG. The interference between the portions 13 and 18, the protruding pins 16 and 21 and the vehicle body 2 can be reliably avoided.

In addition, both the driving side pallet 9 and the driven side pallet 10 sandwich the bases 14 and 19 constituting the respective pallet main bodies 11 and 17 by the conveying rail 7 and the vehicle body 2. Since the side wall portions 15 and 20 are sandwiched and conveyed by the driving roller 24 and the guide rollers 25 and 26, respectively, the stable posture is maintained even in the form of conveying while repeatedly conveying and stopping like a vehicle body manufacturing line. It can carry in one state.

Moreover, in this embodiment, the drive device of the drive side pallet 9 is comprised by the drive source 23 and the drive roller 24 connected to the drive source 23, and the one side surface of the drive roller 24 is for conveyance. The plurality of drive rollers 24 are placed in contact with the driving pallet 9 on the rail 7 and the other side of the driving roller 24 is in contact with the driving pallet 9 on the return rail 8. Placed. Thus, the drive device for conveyance by giving a rotation drive force of the drive roller 24 to the other side surface of the power transmission part 12 at the time of conveyance and the return, conveys the drive side pallet 9, and also returns it. Even when returning alone, the driving force (power in the return direction) in the opposite direction can be applied to the drive-side pallet 9. Therefore, it is not necessary to newly install a return drive device, thereby reducing the installation cost and saving the space. Moreover, since the said effect is acquired by rotating the drive roller 24 in the same direction, it moves simultaneously with respect to the drive side pallet 9 on the conveyance rail 7, and the drive side pallet 9 on the return rail 8. Force can be given. Therefore, a large number of drive side pallets 9 can be simultaneously conveyed and returned regardless of the timing of conveyance and return.

Here, the driving roller 24 has one side thereof in contact with the driving side pallet 9 on the transport rail 7, and the other side of the driving roller 24 has the driving side pallet on the return rail 8 ( It should just be installed in the position where it contacts with 9). Therefore, the timing which the drive side pallet 9 on the conveyance rail 7 passes through the side of the drive roller 24 passes the side of the drive roller 24 the same, and the drive side pallet on the return rail 8 ( When it differs from the timing which 9 passes, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the position which contacts the drive side pallet 9 on the conveyance rail 7, and the drive side pallet 9 on the return rail 8 are shown. It is also possible to take the structure which provided the roller moving means (not shown) which moves the drive roller 24 to a vehicle width direction between the positions which contact | connects (). If the drive roller 24 can be moved in the vehicle width direction, the roller diameter of the drive roller 24 can be made small. Here, since the distance between the conveying lines 4 and 4 is invariant because the work is the vehicle body 2, the work space around each pallet 9 and 10 can be widened, and access to the vehicle body 2 to be the work at the time of work. Can be made favorable.

In addition, although the form which returns the drive side pallet 9 and the driven side pallet 10 in the state integrated with each other was demonstrated in the above description, the pallet conveyance installation 1 which concerns on this invention is not limited to this form of course. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the driving pallet 9 and the driven pallet 10 respectively conveyed on the parallel conveyance lines 4 and 4 are alternately conveyed on one return line 5, It can also take the form returned. At this time, the transfer of each divided pallet 9 and 10 from the conveyance line 4 end to the return line 5 start end is performed in the order of the arrow shown by the original number 2 from the arrow shown by the original number 1 in FIG. . Accordingly, the transfer of the divided pallets 9 and 10 from the end of the return line 5 to the respective conveying lines 4 and 4 is performed in the order of the arrows indicated by the original numeral 2 from the arrows indicated by the original numeral 1 in FIG. 8. Is done.

Alternatively, although not shown, two return lines 5 and 5 are similarly provided between two conveying lines 4 and 4 in parallel, and on the pair of conveying lines 4 and 4 and correspondingly. It is also possible to take the form in which each divided pallet 9, 10 is respectively conveyed on a pair of return lines 5, 5.

Of course, as long as the return line 5 is provided between the conveyance lines 4 and 4 arranged side by side irrespective of the number, the arrangement form or return form is arbitrary. For example, as shown to FIG. 9A, the structure in which the two return rails 8 and 8 which adjoin each other between the conveyance rails 7 and 7 arrange | positioned in parallel can also be provided. In this case, a part of the conveyance rails 7 and 7 in the conveyance direction terminal part of each conveyance line 4 and 4 is made into the slide parts 30 and 31, respectively, and the center side of the pallet conveyance installation 1 is carried out. By making it slidable toward the side, the split pallets 9 and 10 can be integrated and returned without sliding each split pallet 9 and 10 in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance rails 7 and 7. As shown in FIG.

Specifically, two conveyance rails 32 and 32 are provided along the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction, and the base 33 slides with respect to the conveyance rails 32 and 32 on these conveyance rails 32 and 32. FIG. It is arrange | positioned as possible. As shown to FIG. 10A, the drive part 24 and the drive source which the slide part 30 of the conveyance rail 7 of the drive side pallet 9 side contact with the power transmission part 12 are attached to the base 33. As shown to FIG. It is fixed together with (23). Therefore, by sliding the base 33 in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction by a suitable drive means, as shown in FIG. 9B, on the slide part 30 fixed on the base 33, and the slide part 30 The drive side pallet 9 loaded in the slide slides to the center side of the transfer facility 1. The drawing of the driven pallet 10 is similarly omitted, but the base is disposed on the conveying rail, the slide 31 is fixed on the base, and the base is slid in the conveying orthogonal direction by a suitable driving means. The slide part 31 fixed on the base and the driven pallet loaded on the slide part 31 slide toward the center side of the transfer facility 1.

In this way, by moving the slide parts 30 and 31, as shown in FIG. 10B, the divided pallets 9 and 10 contact and mutually integrate. Further, the slides 30 and 31 are substantially connected to the corresponding return rails 8 and 8, respectively, so that the two split pallets 9 and 10 are transported on the corresponding return rails 8 and 8, respectively. do. Accordingly, in this state, the driving roller 24 is driven in the return direction by rotationally driving the driving roller 24 in a predetermined direction (the reverse of the conveyance) through the power transmission unit 12. 9) is integrally returned with the driven pallet 10. Therefore, unlike the other drive roller 24, the drive roller 24 fixed to the base 33 makes the rotation direction different at the time of conveyance and return.

In addition, as mentioned above, when each divided pallet 9 and 10 is conveyed on the return rail 8 and 8 without sliding in the conveyance orthogonal direction with respect to the conveyance rail 7, 7, For example, the structure shown to FIG. 11A-FIG. 11C can also be taken. That is, as shown to FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B, it is also below the division pallet (here, the driven side pallet 10), and attaching two guide rollers 34 and 34 to both sides of the conveyance rail 7 is also shown. It is possible. In this case, the driven pallet 10 is conveyed on the conveyance rail 7 in the form which clamps the conveyance rail 7 with the two guide rollers 34 and 34. Therefore, the vehicle body 2 can be conveyed in the state which maintained the attitude | position of the driven side pallet 10 suitably.

11A-11C, the sliding roller 35 can also be provided in the position which contacts the upper surface of the conveyance rail 7 inside the base 19 of the driven side pallet 10. Moreover, as shown to FIG. Of course, the sliding roller 35 rotates along the longitudinal direction of the conveyance rail 7 according to the movement of the conveyance rail 7. By setting it as such a structure, the sliding resistance of the driven side pallet 10 and the conveyance rail 7 can be reduced, and a smooth conveyance form can be realized. Of course, the above structure and effect can be applied also to the drive side pallet 9 similarly. The same holds true on the return rail 8.

In addition, the divided pallets 9 and 10 do not necessarily need to be on the same plane at the time of conveyance and return. Depending on the type of workpiece, the pallet loading surface of the return rail 8 is arranged vertically below the pallet loading surface of the return rail 5 (specifically, the pallet loading surface of the conveying rail 7). Is good. This is to avoid interference between the workpiece and the respective split pallets 9 and 10 upon return. However, if the return line 5 is drastically lowered, the height of the pallet conveying equipment 1 is increased as a result of the overall increase in space, and in particular, considering the workability of the upper part of the vehicle body and the height of the equipment required for the work. It is better to put it in a proper vertical position.

Moreover, it is not limited to the structure which attached the power transmission part 12 to the side wall part 15 of the pallet main body 11 which comprises the drive side pallet 9 with respect to the pallet conveyance apparatus 1 which concerns on this invention, It is also possible to take a different structure as long as the contact state with the drive roller 24 can be secured over the entire length of the conveying line 4. For example, the structure in which the side wall portion 15 is integrally formed with the power transmission portion 12, that is, the vertical direction dimension of the side wall portion 15 of the driving side pallet 9 is used as the driving roller 24 or the guide roller ( It may be extended to the same plane position as 25). For this reason, the side wall part 15 can also function as the power transmission part 12. FIG. At this time, if the size of the side wall portion 20 of the driven side pallet 10 is illustrated in FIG. 6, there is no problem even when integrated. Of course, it is also possible to use the said structure in combination with the pallet drive apparatus by this invention.

Moreover, as for the workpiece conveyance pallet which concerns on this invention, the pallet main body 11 which comprises the drive side pallet 9 has the plate-shaped base 14 and the side wall part extended downward from the side edge of the base 14. When comprised with (15), it is not limited, The pallet main body 11 of arbitrary shape can be employ | adopted. For example, the side wall part 15 may be provided in the side edge of the outer side of the pallet conveyance installation 1 among the side edges of the base 14. Alternatively, the side wall portions 15 may be provided at both edges of the base 14.

In addition, in the above description, although the conveyance power and the return power are provided to the drive side pallet 9 by one drive roller 24, it does not need to be specifically limited to this structure. If installation space does not become a problem, you may use a separate drive roller for conveyance and return of the drive side pallet 9, respectively. You may take the form which provides a driving force to both divided pallets, respectively. Alternatively, the driving force imparting means may be provided on each of the divided pallets 9 and 10 to form so-called self-propelled divided pallets.

In addition, instead of sliding a part of the conveyance rail 7 about the conveyance means from the conveyance line 4 to the return line 5, only each divided pallet 9 and 10 located in the conveyance line 4 end part. The means for sliding or picking up and conveying on the adjacent return line 5 may be adopted by suitable means.

Of course, the pallet conveying apparatus by this invention can be variously changed within the scope of the present invention, without being limited to description of the above illustration.

1: pallet transfer equipment 2: body
3: pallet 4: conveying line
5: return line 6: frame
7: conveying rail 8: return rail
9: Drive side pallet (Split pallet) 10: Follower pallet (Split pallet)
11, 17: pallet body 12: power transmission unit
13, 18: attachment portion 14, 19: base
15, 20: side wall portion 16, 21: protruding pin
22, 22: fitting portion 23: drive source
24: drive roller 25, 26, 34: guide roller
27, 28, 30, 31: slide portion 29: tunnel portion
S1: Work load station S2: Welding welding station
S3: Reinforcement Welding Station

Claims

In the pallet conveying apparatus provided with the conveyance line which conveys the pallet of the state which loaded the workpiece | work, and the return line which returns the said empty pallet from the end of the said conveyance line to the beginning end:
Two said conveying lines are installed side by side, and the said pallet divided | segmented to the left and right is arrange | positioned on each said conveying line,
The return line is provided between the pair of conveying lines, wherein the two divided pallets are conveyed on the pair of conveying lines, respectively, and each of the divided pallets is returned on the return line. Transport equipment.

The method of claim 1,
The one divided pallet is driven, and the other divided pallet is integrated with the divided pallet of the driving side through the work, and when the two divided pallets are returned on the return line in a state of being integrated with each other. Pallet transfer equipment characterized by the above.

The method of claim 1,
And said divided pallet conveyed on said conveying line and said divided pallet returned on said return line are on the same plane.

The method of claim 1,
One of the divided pallets of the pair of divided pallets has a power transmission unit for receiving power in the conveying direction from a drive mechanism provided separately from the one divided pallet,
The other divided pallet is conveyed integrally with said one divided pallet via the said workpiece | work in the state which mounted the said workpiece | work.

The method of claim 4, wherein
The pair of divided pallets all have a base having a work loading surface, and sidewall portions extending downward from side edges of the base,
And a fitting portion for tightly fitting the side wall portions to a surface facing each other in a state where the work is loaded on the pair of divided pallets among the side wall portions, respectively.

The method of claim 5, wherein
The contact area with the conveying side member in which the said one divided pallet is mounted among at least the lower end surfaces of the said one divided pallet forms the shape which can slide with respect to the said conveyance side member not only in a conveyance direction but also a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction. Pallet transfer equipment characterized by the above.

The method of claim 1,
And a pallet driving device mounted on the pallet conveying line having the conveying line and the return line, and used.
The pallet driving device is provided between the conveying line and the return line which are parallel to each other, and has a plurality of rollers connected to a driving source,
And one side of the roller is in contact with the side of the pallet on the conveying line, and the other side of the roller is configured to be in contact with the side of the pallet on the return line.

The method of claim 7, wherein
And a roller moving means for moving the roller between a position in contact with the pallet on the conveying line and a position in contact with the pallet on the return line.

The method of claim 7, wherein
The pallet conveyance facility of the magnitude | size which obtains the contact state with the said pallet on the said conveyance line, and the contact state with the said pallet on the said return line is provided.