Conveying system

By receiving driving power through the holding device that supplies power on the conveying path, the problem of fixed position of the processing device is solved, efficient and flexible processing is achieved, and processing efficiency is improved.

CN115707636BActive Publication Date: 2025-09-12OMRON CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202210877917.4
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2021-08-20
Filing Date
2022-07-25
Publication Date
2025-09-12
Estimated Expiration
2042-07-25

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In the prior art, processing equipment is fixed in a specified position in order to receive power supply, which limits the area where it can exist, makes it difficult to flexibly design the processing environment, and hinders efficient processing.

Method used

The holding device receives driving power while conveying on the conveying path, and power is supplied from the conveying device through non-contact or contact power supply, realizing flexible layout of processing equipment and efficient processing.

Benefits of technology

It achieves efficient processing during the transportation of the holding device, improves processing efficiency and flexibility, reduces constraints on transportation, and adapts to various processing environments.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention provides a conveying system capable of efficiently processing a conveyed object (conveyed object). The conveying system comprises: a holding device configured to convey the conveyed object along a predetermined conveying path while holding the conveyed object; and a conveying device that forms a predetermined conveying path and conveys the holding device along the predetermined conveying path, wherein the holding device comprises: a processing device that performs a predetermined processing operation on the conveyed object; and a power receiving unit that receives driving power for driving the processing device from the conveying device while being conveyed by the conveying device, and the conveying device comprises a power transmitting unit that transmits the driving power to the power receiving unit.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying system for conveying a processing object and a holding device for holding the processing object. Background Art

[0002] In general, when a plurality of processing objects are subjected to predetermined processing, the following processing method is widely used: the processing objects are sequentially transported by a conveying device such as a belt conveyor, and the processing is performed when the processing objects arrive at a predetermined location, or the processing is performed while the processing objects are transported. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses the following technology: in a processing method in which a processing object is subjected to a heating treatment and a cooling treatment, the processing is achieved without stopping the transportation of the processing object by moving a heating unit for heating and a cooling unit for cooling relative to the transported workpiece. In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses the following structure: in the process of transporting the processing object from a heating process to a hot pressing process by a robot, a holding cooling unit provided on the gripping arm of the robot is used to perform a cooling treatment on a portion of the processing object.

[0003] Furthermore, for example, Patent Document 3 discloses a technique for maintaining an object in a state suitable for machining when machining such as cutting is performed on the object. In this technique, a holding unit for holding the object is provided with a heating and cooling unit for heating and cooling the object. By heating or cooling the object, the object can be maintained in a state suitable for machining while machining such as cutting is performed.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-7202

[0005] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-130513

[0006] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-57030 Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] To efficiently process an object, it's useful to carry out the necessary processing while transporting it. However, even this approach requires a supply of power to the processing equipment performing the processing. Traditionally, processing equipment has been fixed in a fixed position to receive power. This limits the area in which the processing equipment can be located, making it difficult to flexibly design an environment for processing the object, thus hindering efficient processing of the object.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technology capable of efficiently processing a conveyed object to be processed (hereinafter referred to as "conveyed object").

[0010] Means for solving problems

[0011] The present application discloses a conveying system comprising: a holding device configured to convey an object while holding it along a predetermined conveying path; and a conveying device that forms the predetermined conveying path and conveys the holding device along the predetermined conveying path. Furthermore, the holding device includes a processing device that performs a predetermined processing operation on the object; and a power receiving unit that receives driving power for driving the processing device from the conveying device while being conveyed by the conveying device, the conveying device including a power transmitting unit that transmits the driving power to the power receiving unit.

[0012] In the above-described conveying system, the holding device is used to convey an object to be processed while the holding device is holding the object. Furthermore, because the holding device includes a processing device, processing operations on the object are performed by the processing device on (or within) the holding device during the conveying process. In other words, the system is configured such that the processing device is conveyed along with the object by the holding device, thereby performing processing operations during the conveying process.

[0013] Furthermore, the power supply to the processing device of the holding device is achieved by transmitting driving power from the power transmission unit of the conveying device to the power receiving unit of the holding device, and the power receiving unit receives the driving power. According to this structure, it is not necessary to ensure the entire power used to drive the processing device on the holding device side, and the holding device can receive power while being transported by the conveying device. As a result, it is possible to minimize the need to impose certain restrictions on the transportation of the conveyed object to be processed in order to supply power to the processing device. Therefore, the environment for carrying out the processing operation of the conveyed object can be flexibly designed, and its processing efficiency can be improved.

[0014] In addition, the power supply method between the power transmission part of the conveying device and the power receiving part of the holding device can adopt various well-known power supply methods. As an example, a non-contact power supply method can be adopted. As such a non-contact power supply method, for example, as a method for relatively close distances, an electromagnetic induction method, a magnetic field resonance method, an electric field coupling method, etc. can be adopted, and as a method for relatively long distances, a microwave method, a laser method, etc. can be adopted. The "power transmission part" and the "power receiving part" also correspond to the non-contact power supply method adopted. For example, when the magnetic field resonance method is adopted, the structure becomes a two-part structure containing a resonant circuit, and when the microwave method is adopted, the structure becomes a two-part structure containing an antenna.

[0015] Furthermore, the processing device may be either a DC-driven device or an AC-driven device, and a device preferably adapted to the processing operation on the conveyed object being processed may be employed. Furthermore, as needed, the holding device may include a rectifier for storing the driving power received by the power receiving unit, a power storage device, a power conversion device for driving the processing device, and the like.

[0016] Here, in the above-mentioned conveying system, it is also possible to configure the power transmission unit to transmit a first signal as a wireless signal related to the driving power, and the power receiving unit to receive the first signal and extract the driving power. This method is a method in which a contactless power supply method is used for the power supply method between the power transmission unit of the conveying device and the power receiving unit of the holding device. As an example, the power transmission unit may be arranged on a part or all of the prescribed conveying path in a manner that can transmit the first signal when the holding device reaches a prescribed position of the prescribed conveying path. As another example, it is also possible to configure the power transmission unit to transmit the power required for the prescribed processing operation to the power receiving unit based on the conveying speed of the holding device conveyed by the conveying device. According to such a structure, the supply of driving power to the processing device can be appropriately achieved in conjunction with the conveyance of the conveyed object. In addition, since the power supply is wireless, it is difficult to generate "resistance" to the conveyance of the holding device, so it is expected that extremely efficient processing operations can be achieved.

[0017] As another method, the above-mentioned transport system can also be configured such that: the power transmission unit is arranged in part or all of the specified transport path, transmits a first signal related to the driving power, and the power receiving unit contacts the power transmission unit when the holding device is transported on the specified transport path, thereby receiving the first signal and extracting the driving power. This method is a method in which the power supply method between the power transmission unit of the transport device and the power receiving unit of the holding device adopts a contact power supply method. When the contact power supply method is adopted, "resistance" to the transport of the holding device is generated at the contact point between the power transmission unit and the power receiving unit, but by passing through the contact point, the power supply from the transport device to the holding device can be executed more reliably.

[0018] Here, in the above-mentioned conveying system, the power transmitting unit may superimpose a control signal for controlling the processing operation of the processing device on the first signal and then transmit the signal, and the power receiving unit may separate and extract the driving power and the control signal from the first signal transmitted by the power transmitting unit. By adopting such a structure, the driving power and control signal of the processing device can be transmitted simultaneously, and the processing operation of the conveyed object can be flexibly designed. For example, by adjusting the control signal superimposed on the driving power according to the location where the conveyed object is being conveyed, appropriate power supply and processing operation can be achieved during the conveying process.

[0019] Here, in the above-mentioned conveying system, the processing device may be, for example, a device that performs a heating treatment or a cooling treatment on the conveyed object as the prescribed processing operation. As another method, the processing device may also be a robot device that installs a prescribed component on the conveyed object as the prescribed processing operation. As the processing device, a processing device other than these devices may also be used. In addition, the robot device may be supplied with the driving power via the power receiving unit so that when the conveyed object is conveyed along the prescribed conveying path and reaches a prescribed position, the robot device obtains the prescribed component arranged near the conveying device. By adopting such a structure, if the prescribed component is appropriately arranged at the prescribed position of the conveying device, the robot device that is conveyed together with the conveyed object obtains the prescribed component and installs it on the conveyed object. Therefore, there is no need to arrange a robot device that provides the prescribed component to the conveyed object according to each prescribed component near the conveying device, so that the environment for the processing operation can be compactly constructed.

[0020] Here, in the above-mentioned conveying system, the conveying device may be a belt conveyor device having a belt on which the conveyed object is placed and a drive motor for driving the belt.

[0021] Here, the disclosure of this application can also be determined from the side of the holding device for holding the conveyed object while the conveyed object is being conveyed. That is, the holding device has: a storage portion that stores the conveyed object in a state of holding the conveyed object; a support portion that supports the storage portion in a manner that allows it to move on a prescribed conveying path for conveying the holding device; a processing device that is supported by the support portion and performs a prescribed processing operation on the conveyed object; and a power receiving portion that receives a wireless signal related to the driving power for driving the processing device from the side of the prescribed conveying path and extracts the driving power. By adopting a holding device constructed in this way, it is possible to suppress as much as possible certain restrictions on the conveyance of the conveyed object as a processing object in order to supply power to the processing device. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly design the environment for realizing the processing operation of the conveyed object, and to improve its processing efficiency.

[0022] Furthermore, the aforementioned holding device may be configured such that a control signal for controlling the processing operation of the processing device is superimposed on the wireless signal transmitted from the side of the specified transport path, and the power receiving unit separates and extracts the driving power and the control signal from the wireless signal transmitted from the side of the specified transport path. By adopting such a structure, the driving power and control signal of the processing device can be transmitted simultaneously, allowing for flexible design of the processing operation on the transported object. Furthermore, the technical concepts disclosed in the aforementioned transport system can also be applied to the aforementioned holding device, as long as no technical inconsistencies arise.

[0023] Effects of the Invention

[0024] A technology capable of efficiently processing a conveyed object (conveyed object) can be provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 This is the first diagram showing a schematic configuration of the transport system.

[0026] Figure 2 This is the first diagram showing a schematic structure of the holding device.

[0027] Figure 3A This is the first diagram for explaining a method related to power supply between a conveying device and a holding device in the conveying system.

[0028] Figure 3B This is a second diagram for explaining a method related to power supply between the transport device and the holding device in the transport system.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a second diagram showing a schematic configuration of the transport system.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a second diagram showing a schematic structure of the holding device.

[0031] Figure 6 The third diagram shows a schematic structure of the holding device.

[0032] Description of labels

[0033] 1: Conveying system; 2, 3: Conveying device; 5, 8: Power transmission unit; 6: Supply path; 7: AC power supply; 7a: Power supply; 10: Holding device; 11: Conveyed object; 12: Finished product; 21, 22: Robot device; 24: Component; 31: Inspection device; 40: Power receiving unit; 41: Power storage unit; 42: Heating unit; 43: Cooling unit; 44: Separation unit; 48: Robot device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the figures, identical or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated. In the present disclosure, a conveying system in a production line of a factory or the like is illustrated as an example of a conveying system.

[0035] <First embodiment>

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a conveying system 1 including a holding device 10 and a conveying device 2 in the first embodiment. The conveying system 1 also includes a conveying device 3. The conveying devices 2 and 3 are belt conveyor devices having a belt 2a for carrying a conveyed object and a drive motor 2b for driving the belt 2a (see Figures 3a and 3b). As devices for conveying conveyed objects, they have a well-known structure, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0037] Here, the flow of the processing operation of the conveying object in the conveying system 1 is described. In a state where the conveying object 11 to be processed is stored in the holding device 10 described in detail later, the holding device 10 is placed on the belt of the conveying device 2. In this embodiment, the holding device 10 (hereinafter also referred to as "holding device 10") storing the conveying object 11 is moved from the conveying device 2 to the conveying device 2. Figure 1 The robot 21 is conveyed from the lower left to the upper right on the belt of the conveying device 2. A robot 21 is provided at a predetermined position on the conveying device 2. The robot 21 includes a hand 21a as an end effector. The robot 21 is controlled so that it uses the hand 21a to grasp components 24 loaded on a work table 23 located near the robot 21 one by one. When the holding device 10 is conveyed to a predetermined position within the movable range of the robot 21, the robot 21 positions the grasped components 24 on the conveyed object 11 stored in the holding device 10.

[0038] When the robot 21 positions the component 24 on the object 11, it presses the component 24 with a predetermined pressure using its hand 21a. Since the holding device 10 is being transported by the conveying device 2, the robot 21 controls the hand 21a while performing the pressing operation, taking into account the conveying speed of the conveying device 2. As will be described in detail later, the holding device 10 heats and cools the object 11 to facilitate the joining of the object 11 and the component 24. Once the robot 21 joins the component 24, the object 11 becomes a primary finished product 12. When the holding device 10 containing the primary finished product 12 reaches the end of the belt 2a of the conveying device 2, another robot 22 located at that end removes the primary finished product 12 from the holding device 10 using its hand 22a and replaces it on the belt of the conveying device 3, which can be transported in a direction different from that of the conveying device 2.

[0039] After that, the primary finished product 12 is conveyed on the conveying device 3. In addition, the conveying device 3 is also formed as a belt conveyor device similar to the conveying device 2. In this embodiment, the primary finished product 12 is conveyed from Figure 1 The primary finished product 12 is conveyed from the upper left to the lower right on the belt of the conveying device 3. A gate-shaped inspection device 31 is installed in the conveying device 3 so as to span the belt surface. The inspection device 31 has an inspection camera 31a, which images the primary finished product 12 conveyed on the belt surface from above, performs a predetermined inspection process related to the joining of the components 24 performed in the previous process, and selects the post-processing of the primary finished product 12 based on the inspection results.

[0040] In this way, Figure 1 In the transport system 1 shown, the transport device 2 performs predetermined heating and cooling processes on the transport object 11, which is received in the holding device 10 and transported on the belt 2a, while positioning the component 24 using the robot device 21, and finally performs the joining operation between the transport object 11 and the component 24. Therefore, the following describes the heating and cooling processes and the power supply for each process.

[0041] Here, Figure 2 The schematic structure of the holding device 10 is shown. The holding device 10 includes a storage portion 16 for storing the transported object 11 and a device body 15 configured to support the storage portion 16. The device body 15 corresponds to the support portion disclosed in this application and has a generally rectangular shape. Furthermore, the storage portion 16 is formed into a concave shape on the upper surface of the device body 15. The depth of the storage portion 16 is designed to be shallower than the thickness of the transported object 11 stored therein.

[0042] Furthermore, the holding device 10 has a heating unit 42 and a cooling unit 43, which are equivalent to the processing device disclosed in the present invention. The heating unit 42 is formed as a heater that performs a heating process when supplied with DC power. In addition, the cooling unit 43 is formed as a Peltier element that performs a cooling process when supplied with DC power. By supplying the DC power stored in the storage unit 41 to the heating unit 42 and the cooling unit 43, respective heating processes and cooling processes are performed. The heating process and cooling process are processes performed on the conveyed object 11 stored in the storage unit 16 in order to join the above-mentioned component 24 to the conveyed object 11. In each process, the conveyed object 11 is first subjected to a heating process based on the heating unit 42 to soften the adhesive previously attached to the conveyed object 11. Thereafter, when the component 24 is positioned and pressed onto the conveyed object 11 by the robot device 21, a cooling process is performed instead of the heating process, and the joining of the conveyed object 11 and the component 24 is promoted by the solidification of the adhesive. Such heating and cooling processes are performed by controlling the heating unit 42 and the cooling unit 43 by the control unit 45. Programs for the heating and cooling processes are pre-recorded in the memory of the control unit 45, and these programs are read and executed at predetermined timings associated with the operation of the robot device 21, thereby achieving the joining operation of the component 24 to the conveyed object 11.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, Figure 3A As shown, the driving power stored in the power storage unit 41 is generated by transmitting a wireless signal related to the driving power from the power transmission unit 5 provided on the conveying device 2 side, and receiving and extracting the wireless signal at the power receiving unit 40 of the holding device 10. Specifically, the driving power for the heating unit 42 and cooling unit 43 in the holding device 10 is supplied from the conveying device 2 side via a contactless power supply method while the holding device 10 is being transported. The conveying device 2 is provided with an AC power source 7, which supplies AC power via a supply path 6 to the power transmission unit 5, which is a plurality of electromagnetic induction-based power transmission coils arranged along the conveying direction of the conveying device 2. Furthermore, when the power receiving unit 40 of the holding device 10, serving as the power receiving coil, is positioned opposite the power transmission coil of the power transmission unit 5, electromagnetic induction, a form of contactless power supply, is used between the power transmission unit 5 and the power receiving unit 40 to transmit the driving power from the conveying device 2 to the holding device 10. Since the power received by the power receiving unit 40 is directly AC power, it is converted to DC power by a rectifier circuit (not shown) after receiving the power and stored in the power storage unit 41. Alternatively, as another contactless power supply method, a magnetic field resonance method may be employed. In this case, the resonant coils for power transmission and power reception are included in the power transmitting unit 5 and the power receiving unit 40, respectively.

[0044] Here, if Figure 3AAs shown, the contactless supply of driving power from the conveying device 2 to the holding device 10 occurs between transport positions P1 and P2, which are set along the conveying direction of the conveying device 2. Specifically, the holding device 10, which houses the object 11, is conveyed on the conveying device 2. Power is supplied from the power transmission unit 5 upon reaching transport position P1, and this power supply continues until the holding device 10 reaches transport position P2. This power is used for heating the heating unit 42 and cooling the cooling unit 43. Therefore, the power transmission unit 5 in the section P1 to P2 is designed (for example, the length of the section P1 to P2, the number of power transmission coils, etc.) to ensure that the power required for these processes is maintained in the power storage unit 41, taking into account the conveying speed of the conveying device 2 and other factors.

[0045] In addition, the transport position P2 is the transport position where the supply of driving power in the contactless power supply method is completed. Figure 1 As shown, the joining operation of the component 24 to the conveyed object 11 is an operation in which the robot 21 positions and presses the component 24. At this point, it is particularly preferable to perform a cooling process by the cooling unit 43. Therefore, the conveying position P2 is preferably a position before the robot 22 removes the primary finished product 12, and is near the conveying position corresponding to the timing when the pressing operation by the robot 21 ends.

[0046] According to the conveying system 1 thus configured, it is not necessary to secure all the power required to drive the heating unit 42 and the cooling unit 43 on the holding device 10 side; the holding device 10 can be supplied with power while being conveyed by the conveying device 2. As a result, any restrictions imposed on the conveyance of the conveyed object 11 and the joining of the component 24 to the conveyed object 11 by the power supply to the heating unit 42 and the cooling unit 43 can be minimized. Therefore, the environment for carrying out the processing of the conveyed object 11 can be flexibly designed, thereby improving processing efficiency.

[0047] Here, based on Figure 3B Another method of supplying driving power from the conveying device 2 to the holding device 10 will be described. Figure 3B The schematic structure of another method for supplying power from the conveying device 2 side to the holding device 10 in the conveying system 1 is shown. In this method, a driving power signal is transmitted from the power transmission unit 8 provided on the conveying device 2 side, and the power receiving unit 40 of the holding device 10 receives and extracts the driving power signal to generate power. Figure 3AThe difference in the illustrated method is that power is transferred through direct contact between the power transmitter 8 and the power receiver 40. Specifically, the driving power for the heating unit 42 and cooling unit 43 in the holding device 10 is supplied from the conveying device 2 via contact power supply while the holding device 10 is being transported. The conveying device 2 is equipped with a power supply 7a, which supplies power via a supply path 6 to the power transmitter 8, a plurality of contacts arranged along the conveying direction of the conveying device 2.

[0048] Furthermore, the multiple contacts, which serve as the power transmission unit 8, are exposed from the belt 2a of the conveyor 2 and slightly protrude from the surface of the belt 2a. Furthermore, in the holding device 10 conveyed on the belt 2a, the power reception unit 40 is exposed on the lower surface (the surface in contact with the belt 2a) of the device body 15 of the holding device 10. With this structure, each holding device 10 conveyed on the belt 2a sequentially contacts the contacts, i.e., the power transmission unit 8, on the conveyor 2 side. During this contact, DC power is supplied, and the supplied DC power is stored in the power storage unit 41. Furthermore, the exposed length of each contact (the length in the conveying direction of the conveyor 2) is designed to maintain adequate contact with the power reception unit 40. Furthermore, the spacing between adjacent contacts is designed to sufficiently shorten the time the power reception unit 40 is out of contact with the contact, and to prevent the power reception unit 40 from short-circuiting two adjacent contacts.

[0049] <Second embodiment>

[0050] Figure 4 2 is a schematic diagram of the transport system 1 in the second embodiment. The transport system 1 also includes a holding device 10, a transport device 2, and a transport device 3. The transport device 3 has substantially the same structure as that of the first embodiment, so its detailed description is omitted.

[0051] Here, the flow of processing work of the conveying object 11 in the conveying device 2 is described. As in the first embodiment, the holding device 10 is placed on the belt of the conveying device 2 with the conveying object 11 stored in it. In this embodiment, the holding device 10 is moved from Figure 4 The conveyor 2 of this embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in that a robot device 22 is provided at the end of the belt 2a of the conveyor 2, but no robot device 22 is provided. Figure 1The robot device 21 shown. Instead, a replacement robot device 48 is provided on the holding device 10 that accommodates the conveyed object 11, and the robot device 48 is conveyed together with the conveyed object 11 on the belt 2a of the conveying device 2 through the holding device 10. The robot device 48 has a hand device 48a as an end effector. The robot device 48 is controlled so that when the workbench 23 set at a specified position close to the conveying device 2 enters the movable range of the robot device 48 during the process of being conveyed by the conveying device 2, the hand device 48a is used to grasp the component 24 loaded on the workbench 23 and position the component 24 on the conveyed object 11. Figure 4 In the figure, only one workbench 23 loaded with a component 24 is shown, but as another method, multiple workbenches 23 can also be arranged along the conveying device 2. The robot device 48 obtains the components from each workbench 23 in sequence according to the conveying process and performs operations such as positioning the conveyed object 11.

[0052] After positioning component 24 on object 11, robot 48 uses its hand to press component 24 with a predetermined pressure, thereby joining component 24 to object 11. In this embodiment, robot 48 is mounted on holding device 10, so the relative speed between robot 48 and object 11 is zero, facilitating the pressing operation. Consequently, component 24 can be joined to object 11 without reducing the transport speed of conveyor 2, significantly contributing to a reduction in production cycle time. Furthermore, in this embodiment, holding device 10 also performs heating and cooling processes on object 11 to facilitate joining. Once robot 21 has joined component 24, object 11 becomes a finished product 12. At the end of belt 2a of conveyor 2, robot 22 removes finished product 12 from holding device 10 using its hand 22a and replaces it on conveyor 3. The robot device 22 also grasps the holding device 10 after taking out the primary finished product 12 and replaces it on a nearby workbench 25 .

[0053] Next, based on Figure 5 , the heating process and the cooling process used for the joining operation of the conveyed object 11 and the component 24, and the power supply for controlling the robot device 48 will be described. Figure 5 The schematic structure of the holding device 10 of this embodiment is shown in FIG. The holding device 10 includes a device body 15 and a storage portion 16, and Figure 2The holding device 10 is similar to the embodiment shown in the figure, and further includes a power receiving unit 40, a power storage unit 41, a heating unit 42, and a cooling unit 43. Furthermore, to drive the actuators of the robot device 48, a power converter is provided within the holding device 10 to convert the DC power supplied from the power storage unit 41 into AC power. Furthermore, the heating and cooling processes for joining the component 24 to the conveyed object 11 stored in the storage unit 16, as well as the gripping and pressing processes of the robot device 48, are executed by the control unit 49.

[0054] Here, in this embodiment, control signals for heating, cooling, and driving the robot device 48 are supplied from the conveying device 2 side together with the driving power. Figure 3A As shown, when a driving power signal is transmitted from the power transmission unit 5 on the conveyor 2 side via a contactless power supply method, a control signal for controlling the heating unit 42, the cooling unit 43, and the robot device 48 is superimposed on the driving power signal. Thus, the power receiving unit 40 receives the superimposed driving power signal and the control signal. Furthermore, the signal received by the power receiving unit 40 is separated into the driving power signal and the control signal by the separation unit 44. This signal separation process is achieved using known techniques based on, for example, frequency information pre-set for the driving power and control signals.

[0055] In addition, the control signals for controlling the heating unit 42, the cooling unit 43, and the robot device 48 are generated by a control device (PLC, etc.) not shown in the figure for controlling the conveying system 1. The control device can adjust the control signals based on the parameters detected by the various sensors included in the conveying system 1, the inspection results of the inspection device 31, etc. For example, the power-on time and current amount to the heating unit 42 and the cooling unit 43 are adjusted according to the connection result of the component 24 relative to the conveyed object 11, or the acceleration conditions of the drive motor that drives the joint of the robot device 48 are adjusted when there is vibration in the positioning of the component 24 by the robot device 48, thereby adjusting the control signals to these processing devices. In addition, the adjusted control signal is superimposed on the signal about the driving power on the conveying device 2 side, and is supplied from the power transmitting unit 5 to the control unit 49 of the holding device 10 via the power receiving unit 40.

[0056] With this configuration, it is possible to appropriately supply power to processing devices such as the heating unit 42, cooling unit 43, and robot device 48 while achieving appropriate control based on the processing status of the conveyed object 11. In other words, the conveying system 1 of this embodiment can simultaneously achieve efficient processing of the conveyed object 11 and improved processing accuracy. Furthermore, the control signal superimposed on the signal regarding the driving power may be a control signal for a portion of the devices rather than for all of the devices included in the conveying system 1.

[0057] <Third embodiment>

[0058] Figure 6 This is a schematic structural diagram of the holding device 10 in the third embodiment. Figure 2 The holding device shown similarly includes a power receiving unit 40, a power storage unit 41, a heating unit 42, a cooling unit 43, and a control unit 45. Since the components denoted by the same reference numerals are substantially the same, their detailed description will be omitted.

[0059] In this embodiment, the holding device 10 has wheels 17 that support the device body 15 so that it can move. Therefore, the holding device 10 is configured to be able to move on the ground FL by a force from the outside or by a driving force generating device such as a motor provided inside the holding device 10 (for example, like a vehicle). Figure 3A The multiple power transmission units 5 shown are supplied with AC power from an AC power source 7 via a supply path 6. Furthermore, when the holding device 10 moves on the thus constructed floor, the power transmission units 5, acting as power transmission coils, can receive drive power for the power receiving unit 40. While receiving this drive power, the object 11 stored in the storage unit 16 can be processed by a processing device such as a heating unit 42 or a cooling unit 43. In other words, the object 11 can be processed regardless of the power supply method for the processing device. For example, by receiving power from the power transmission units 5 while the object 11 is stored in the storage unit 16, the object 11 can be transported while being cooled.

[0060] In addition, as another method, the holding device 10 of this embodiment may also have Figure 5 In this case, the control signal of the processing device is superimposed on the signal of the driving power, and the power is supplied from the power transmission unit 5, so that more appropriate processing work can be performed on the conveyed object 11.

[0061] <Note 1>

[0062] A conveying system (1) comprising:

[0063] A holding device (10) is configured to transport a transport object (11) along a predetermined transport path (2a) while holding the transport object (11); and

[0064] A conveying device (2) forms the predetermined conveying path (2a) and conveys the holding device (10) along the predetermined conveying path (2a).

[0065] The holding device (10) has:

[0066] a processing device (42, 43, 48) for performing a predetermined processing operation on the conveyed object (11); and

[0067] a power receiving unit (40) which receives driving power for driving the processing devices (42, 43, 48) from the conveying device (2) while being conveyed by the conveying device (2);

[0068] The transport device (2) includes a power transmission unit (5, 8) for transmitting the driving power to the power receiving unit (40).

[0069] <Note 2>

[0070] A holding device (10) for holding a conveyed object (11) during conveyance, the holding device (10) comprising:

[0071] a storage portion (16) for storing the transported object (11) while holding the transported object (11);

[0072] a support portion (15) configured to support the storage portion (16) in a manner capable of moving along a predetermined transport path (2a) for transporting the holding device (10);

[0073] a processing device supported by the support portion (15) and performing a predetermined processing operation on the conveyed object (11); and

[0074] A power receiving unit (40) receives a wireless signal related to driving power for driving the processing device (42, 43, 48) from the predetermined transport path side and extracts the driving power.

Claims

1. A conveying system comprising: a holding device configured to hold the object to be transported and to transport the object along a predetermined transport path; and a transport device that forms the predetermined transport path and transports the holding device along the predetermined transport path; The holding device has: a processing device that performs a predetermined processing operation on the conveyed object; and a power receiving unit that receives driving power for driving the processing device from the conveying device while the processing device is being conveyed by the conveying device, The transport device includes a power transmission unit that transmits the driving power to the power reception unit. The power transmission unit transmits a first signal as a wireless signal related to the driving power, The power receiving unit receives the first signal and extracts the driving power. The transport system is configured such that the power transmission unit transmits electric power required for the predetermined processing operation to the power reception unit based on a transport speed at which the transport device transports the holding device.

2. The conveying system according to claim 1, wherein: The power transmission unit superimposes a control signal for controlling the machining operation of the machining device on the first signal and then transmits the superimposed signal. The power receiving unit separates and extracts the driving power and the control signal from the first signal transmitted from the power transmitting unit.

3. The conveying system according to claim 1, wherein: The processing device is a device that performs a heating process or a cooling process on the conveyed object as the predetermined processing operation.

4. The conveying system according to claim 1, wherein: The processing device is a robot device that mounts a predetermined component on the conveyed object to perform the predetermined processing operation. The robot device is supplied with the driving power via the power receiving unit so that when the conveyed object is conveyed along the predetermined conveyance path and reaches a predetermined position, the robot device acquires the predetermined component disposed near the conveying device.

5. The conveying system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The conveying device is a belt conveyor device including a belt on which the conveyed object is placed and a drive motor for driving the belt.

Citation Information

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