Frame storage device and frame storage method

Abstract

The present application provides a frame storage device and a frame storage method, the frame storage device comprising: a plurality of storage mechanisms (10, 20) having a take-out port (14, 24) for taking out a frame component (RF) and capable of storing the frame component (RF) in a removable manner; a shielding mechanism (30) having a shielding component (32) for selectively shielding the take-out ports (14, 24) of the plurality of storage mechanisms (10, 20); and a moving mechanism (40) for moving the shielding component (32) between the plurality of storage mechanisms (10, 20).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a frame storage device and a frame storage method. Background Technology

[0002] Frame storage devices that store frame components in multiple storage mechanisms are known (e.g., see reference 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-27015). Additionally, frame storage devices that use shielding members to conceal the exit points of frame components in storage mechanisms are known (e.g., see reference 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-77737).

[0003] When the door portion 28 (shielding member) of the box-loading mechanism 10 described in Document 2 is provided, for example, on the first frame storage mechanism 3A and the second frame storage mechanism 3B (storage mechanism) of the sheet pasting device 1 (frame storage device) described in Document 1, there is a problem that the number of shielding members increases and the device becomes larger. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a frame storage device and a frame storage method that can prevent the device from becoming too large.

[0006] The present invention adopts the structure described in the claims.

[0007] According to the present invention, since the shielding component can be moved between multiple storage mechanisms, the number of shielding components can be reduced, and the device can be prevented from becoming too large.

[0008] In addition, if the moving mechanism is constituted by the extraction mechanism, there is no need to set up a separate moving mechanism in addition to the extraction mechanism, which can further prevent the device from becoming too large. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1A This is an explanatory diagram of a frame storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 1B This is an explanatory diagram of a frame storage device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0012] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are orthogonal to each other. The X-axis and Y-axis are defined as axes within a specified plane, and the Z-axis is defined as an axis orthogonal to the specified plane. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the axis parallel to the Y-axis is used... Figure 1BWhen observing from the near-forward direction as the reference direction, "up" is the arrow direction of the Z-axis, "down" is its opposite direction, "left" is the arrow direction of the X-axis, "right" is its opposite direction, "front" is the arrow direction of the Y-axis, and "back" is its opposite direction.

[0013] The frame storage device EA of the present invention includes: a first storage mechanism 10 and a second storage mechanism 20 as storage mechanisms, each having an outlet 14, 24 for retrieving an annular frame RF as a frame component, and for retrievably storing the annular frame RF; a shielding mechanism 30 having a shielding member 32 that selectively shields the outlets 14, 24 of the first and second storage mechanisms 10, 20; a moving mechanism 40 that moves the shielding member 32 between the first and second storage mechanisms 10, 20; and a retrieval mechanism 50 that retrieves the annular frame RF from the outlets 14, 24 of the first and second storage mechanisms 10, 20. In this embodiment, the frame storage device EA is disposed near the processing device EA1 that performs the prescribed processing on the annular frame RF.

[0014] The first storage mechanism 10 includes: multiple slide rails 11 supported on a main frame (not shown); a storage platform 12 supported on sliders 11A of the slide rails 11 and stacked to store the annular frame RF; multiple positioning members 13 supported on the storage platform 12 and positioning the annular frame RF; and an outlet 14 consisting of an upward opening surrounded by the positioning members 13.

[0015] The second storage mechanism 20 has the same structure as the first storage mechanism 10. It can be described by replacing the reference numeral 1 at the beginning of the reference numerals of each structure of the first storage mechanism 10 with 2. Therefore, its description is omitted.

[0016] The shielding mechanism 30 includes: a linear guide rail 31 supported on a main frame (not shown); a shielding component 32 supported on a slider 31A of the linear guide rail 31, which is composed of plate-shaped components such as metal plate, resin plate, and glass plate; and a pin 34 supported on the shielding component 32 via a bracket 33 and protruding upward from the bracket 33.

[0017] In this embodiment, the moving mechanism 40 is structured to also serve as the taking-out mechanism 50, and is composed of the taking-out mechanism 50.

[0018] The removal mechanism 50 includes: a multi-joint robot 51 as a drive device; multiple adsorption pads 53 supported on the front arm 51A of the multi-joint robot 51 via a bracket 52, capable of adsorption and retention by a pressure-reducing mechanism (holding mechanism) not shown, such as a pressure-reducing pump or a vacuum ejector; a locking member 54 supported on the bracket 52, having a locking hole 54A for inserting and locking a pin 34; and a detection mechanism 55 composed of various sensors such as a camera or projector, an optical sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor, for detecting the shielding member 32. It should be noted that the detection mechanism 55 of this embodiment can also detect the annular frame RF stored on the storage platforms 12 and 22.

[0019] The multi-joint robot 51 consists of multiple arms and is a so-called 6-axis robot that allows the multi-joint robot, supported by the front end arm 51A which serves as the working part, to move at any position and any angle within its working range.

[0020] The operation of the above-mentioned frame storage device EA will be explained.

[0021] First, regarding in Figure 1A and Figure 1B The frame storage device EA, with each component arranged in its initial position as shown by solid lines, is used by the user (hereinafter referred to as "user") to pull the storage platforms 12 and 22 to the left, as shown by the double-dotted lines in the figure, to store the annular frame RF on top of them. The storage platforms 12 and 22 are then returned to their initial positions. Next, when the user inputs a signal to start automatic operation via an operating panel (not shown) or a personal computer, the extraction mechanism 50 drives the detection mechanism 55 to detect the shielding component 32. Based on the detection result, the annular frame RF is extracted from the storage mechanism (in this embodiment, the first storage mechanism 10) on the side not shielded by the shielding component 32. That is, the extraction mechanism 50 drives the multi-joint robot 51 and a decompression mechanism (not shown), as... Figure 1B As shown by the double-dotted line, an adsorption pad 53 is inserted into the retrieval port 14 of the first storage mechanism 10, and the adsorption pad 53 is used to hold the annular frame RF in place. Then, the retrieval mechanism 50 drives the multi-joint robot 51, as shown... Figure 1A As shown by the double-dotted line, after the annular frame RF held by the adsorption pad 53 is placed on the worktable TA of the processing device EA1, the drive of the decompression mechanism (not shown) is stopped, and the same operation is repeated thereafter.

[0022] It should be noted that the annular frame RF placed on the workbench TA undergoes the prescribed processing and machining through the processing device EA1.

[0023] Next, when the detection mechanism 55 detects that all the ring-shaped frame RFs have been removed from the first storage mechanism 10, based on this detection result, the removal mechanism 50 drives the multi-joint robot 51, as follows: Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown by the double-dotted line, after the locking member 54 is moved to insert the pin 34 into the locking hole 54A, the shielding member 32 moves forward to shield the take-out outlet 14 of the first storage mechanism 10. Then, the take-out mechanism 50 drives the multi-joint robot 51 and the decompression mechanism (not shown) to take out the annular frame RF from the second storage mechanism 20 in the same manner as described above, and repeats the same action of placing the annular frame RF onto the worktable TA of the processing device EA1. It should be noted that when all the annular frame RFs are taken out from the first storage mechanism 10 and the take-out outlet 14 is shielded by the shielding member 32, the user pulls the storage table 12 to the left to stack the annular frame RFs on top of it, and then returns the storage table 12 to its initial position.

[0024] According to the above embodiment, since the shielding member 32 can be moved between the first and second storage mechanisms 10 and 20, the number of shielding members 32 can be reduced, and the device can be prevented from becoming too large.

[0025] As described above, the optimal structure, method, etc., for carrying out the present invention have been disclosed, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, although the present invention has been specifically illustrated and described with regard to particular embodiments, those skilled in the art can make various modifications to the above-described embodiments in terms of shape, material, quantity, and other detailed structures without departing from the technical concept and purpose of the present invention. In addition, the description of the defined shapes, materials, etc. disclosed above is illustrative for ease of understanding of the present invention and does not limit the present invention. Therefore, the description of the names of components that are excluded from some or all of the limitations of these shapes, materials, etc. is included in the present invention.

[0026] For example, the first storage mechanism 10 and the second storage mechanism 20 may be separated by a wall at least on the front, rear, and right sides. They may also replace the storage platforms 12 and 22 and the positioning components 13 and 23, using a box with multiple shelves that store the frame components in multiple layers. The retrieval outlet is not limited to upward; it may be forward, backward, right, left, or downward. They may also replace or use the slide rails 11 and 21, using small casters, or using a linear motor or multi-joint robot or other drive device to support the storage platform 12 and 22 or the box so that it can move. Alternatively, they may only store a single ring frame. The frame RF can also be used to store annular frame RFs with adhesive sheets attached, or to store annular frame RFs that support the bonded body via adhesive sheets. After all the annular frame RFs have been removed from one of the storage mechanisms of the first storage mechanism 10 and the second storage mechanism 20, the frame components can be stored in one of the storage mechanisms before the outlets 14 and 24 of that storage mechanism are covered by the shielding member 32. Different frame components can also be stored in the first storage mechanism 10 and the second storage mechanism 20, or different structures can be used in the first storage mechanism 10 and the second storage mechanism 20.

[0027] The storage mechanism can also have more than three components in the frame storage unit EA.

[0028] The shielding mechanism 30 can also replace the linear guide rail 31, using a linear motor as the driving device, or a chuck cylinder or support column can be provided for each of the first and second storage mechanisms 10 and 20 to support the shielding component 32. Alternatively, the shielding component 32 can be placed on the positioning components 13 and 23 to shield the outlets 14 and 24. The shielding component 32 can also be made of metal, cloth, film or other components. Alternatively, it can replace the pin 34 or use the pin 34 to provide a chuck cylinder or latch or other holding mechanism to hold the front arm 51A or bracket 52.

[0029] The moving mechanism 40 may also have a pin on the bracket 52 as a locking member, which is inserted into a locking hole on the shielding member 32 to lock the locking member onto the shielding member 32. Alternatively, the front arm 51A of the multi-joint robot 51 may support a mechanical chuck or chuck cylinder or a holding mechanism such as an adsorption pad, and the shielding member 32 may be held or held by the holding mechanism or holding mechanism. Alternatively, it may not be constituted by the take-out mechanism 50. In the case where it is not constituted by the take-out mechanism 50, for example, the linear guide rail 31 may be replaced or used in conjunction with the linear guide rail 31, and the shielding member 32 may be supported by a linear motor or a multi-joint robot or other drive device to enable movement. The shielding member 32 may be moved between the first and second storage mechanisms 10 and 20 by the drive device.

[0030] The extraction mechanism 50 can also be independently configured to extract the ring frame RF from the first storage mechanism 10 and the ring frame RF from the second storage mechanism 20. It can also extract the ring frame RF from three or more storage mechanisms. It can also be a structure that does not serve as the moving mechanism 40. In the case that it does not serve as the moving mechanism 40, it is sufficient to use a structure that extracts the ring frame RF independently from the first and second storage mechanisms 10 and 20 from the moving mechanism 40. It can also be without the locking component 54. It can also be a structure that does not use the detection mechanism 55 to detect the ring frame RF stored on the storage platforms 12 and 22. In this case, it is sufficient to use a frame detection mechanism that is separately configured from the detection mechanism 55 and is composed of various sensors such as a camera or projector, an optical sensor or an ultrasonic sensor to detect the ring frame RF.

[0031] The processing device EA1 can be any device that performs the prescribed treatment on the frame component, such as an inspection device for inspecting frame components, a positioning device for positioning frame components, a sheet pasting device for pasting adhesive sheets onto the frame component using a pressing mechanism such as a pressing roller or pressing head, a sheet peeling device for peeling off adhesive sheets pasted on the frame component, or a cleaning device for cleaning the frame component.

[0032] In addition to the ring-shaped frame RF, the frame component can also be a non-ring-shaped (without connecting the outer perimeter) frame component, or a circular, elliptical, polygonal, or other shape.

[0033] The mechanisms and processes in this invention are not limited in any way as long as they can realize the actions, functions, or processes described herein, and are not limited to the components or processes of a single embodiment shown in the above embodiments. For example, the storage mechanism can be any component as long as it has an outlet for removing the frame component and can store the frame component in a removable manner, as long as it is within the scope of its technical knowledge in accordance with the prior art of the application (the same applies to other mechanisms and processes).

[0034] There are no particular limitations on the material, type, or shape of the frame components, adhesive sheets, and the bonded objects. For example, the frame components, adhesive sheets, and bonded objects can be polygonal shapes such as circles, ovals, triangles, or quadrilaterals, or other shapes. The adhesive sheets can also be pressure-sensitive adhesive sheets, heat-sensitive adhesive sheets, or other adhesive types. When using heat-sensitive adhesive sheets, bonding can be performed using an appropriate heating mechanism, such as a suitable coil heater or a heating side of a heat pipe, to heat the sheet. Furthermore, such adhesive sheets can be, for example, single-layer adhesive sheets with only an adhesive layer, adhesive sheets with an intermediate layer between the substrate and the adhesive layer, adhesive sheets with three or more layers such as a cover layer on the upper surface of the substrate, or so-called double-sided adhesive sheets that allow the substrate to be peeled off from the adhesive layer. Double-sided adhesive sheets can be adhesive sheets with single or multiple intermediate layers, or single or multiple adhesive sheets without intermediate layers. Furthermore, the bonded material can be, for example, a single material such as food, resin container, semiconductor wafers such as silicon semiconductor wafers or compound semiconductor wafers, circuit board, information recording substrate such as optical disc, glass plate, steel plate, ceramic, wood board, or resin, or a composite material formed from two or more of the above. It can also be any shape of component or article. It should be noted that the adhesive sheet can also be any sheet, film, or tape, such as an information recording label, decorative label, protective sheet, cutting tape, chip adhesive film, chip bonding tape, or recording layer forming resin sheet, to replace the reading of function or purpose.

[0035] The driving device in the above embodiments can be an electric device such as a rotary motor, a direct-acting motor, a linear motor, a single-axis robot, a multi-joint robot with two or more axes, a cylinder, a hydraulic cylinder, a rodless cylinder, or a rotary cylinder, etc., and can also be a driving device that combines them directly or indirectly.

[0036] In the above embodiments, when a rotating component such as a roller is used, a drive device for rotating the rotating component can also be provided. The surface of the rotating component or the rotating component itself can be made of deformable components such as rubber or resin, or the surface of the rotating component or the rotating component itself can be made of non-deformable components. Other components such as rotating or non-rotating shafts or blades can be used instead of rollers. When a pressing mechanism or pressing component such as a pressing roller or pressing head is used to press the object being pressed, the components illustrated above can be used in place of or in combination with rollers, round bars, blade materials, and brush-like components. In addition, components that blow out air or other gases can be used, and pressing components can be made of deformable components such as rubber, resin, or sponge, or they can be made of non-deformable components such as metal or resin. When a structure that supports (holds) the supported component (held component) is used, it can also be a structure that supports (holds) the supported component (held component) using a holding mechanism such as a mechanical chuck or chuck cylinder, Coulomb force, adhesive (adhesive sheet, adhesive tape), magnetic force, Bernoulli adsorption, attraction adsorption, drive equipment, etc.

Claims

1. A frame storage device, characterized in that, have: Multiple storage mechanisms have outlets for retrieving frame components and removably store the frame components; A shielding mechanism having a shielding component that selectively shields the outlets of the plurality of storage mechanisms; A moving mechanism that allows the shielding component to move between the plurality of storage mechanisms.

2. The frame storage device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The system includes a retrieval mechanism that retrieves the frame component from the retrieval outlet of the plurality of storage mechanisms. The moving mechanism is composed of the taking-out mechanism.

3. A frame storage method, characterized in that, The following procedures shall be performed: The shielding process involves moving a shielding component between multiple storage mechanisms, each having an outlet for retrieving a frame component, and the frame component being retrievable, with the shielding component selectively shielding the outlet. The storage process involves storing the frame component in a storage mechanism where the outlet is shielded by the shielding component.

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