Workpiece handling device

Abstract

To make a workpiece carrying device compact. The workpiece carrying device is provided with a pair of upstream end portion shafts (126) and downstream end portion shafts (146) arranged separately in a carrying direction (X) of a workpiece, an upstream drive shaft (116) arranged between the pair of upstream end portion shafts (126) and the downstream end portion shafts (146) in the carrying direction (X), an upstream drive belt (122) wound around the upstream drive shaft (116) and the upstream end portion shafts (126), and a carrying belt (130) wound around the pair of upstream end portion shafts (126) and the downstream end portion shafts (146). A driving force for carrying the workpiece is transmitted to the carrying belt (130) via the upstream drive shaft (116), the upstream drive belt (122), and the upstream end portion shafts (126) in this order.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a workpiece carrying device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-46706 (Patent Literature 1), a workpiece carrying device that carries a workpiece as a workpiece to be processed between press machines is disclosed.

[0003] The workpiece carrying device described in the above document is provided with a carrier that extends in a carrying direction of a workpiece, a sub-carrier that is configured to be movable along the carrier, a workpiece holding portion that is connected to the sub-carrier, and a cable guide that has a power supply line that supplies power to the workpiece holding portion. The carrier, the sub-carrier, and the cable guide are disposed in substantially the same plane.

[0004] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0005] PATENT LITERATURE

[0006] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-46706 SUMMARY

[0007] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0008] For a workpiece carrying device that carries a workpiece subjected to press processing by a press machine, miniaturization is sought.

[0009] In the present disclosure, a workpiece carrying device that can achieve miniaturization is proposed.

[0010] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0011] According to the present disclosure, a workpiece carrying device that carries a workpiece subjected to press processing by at least one press machine is proposed. The workpiece carrying device is provided with a pair of end shafts that are disposed separately in a carrying direction of a workpiece, i.e., a direction in which the workpiece is carried, a drive shaft that is disposed between the pair of end shafts in the carrying direction, a drive belt that is wound around the drive shaft and the end shafts, and a carrying belt that is wound around the pair of end shafts. A drive force for carrying the workpiece is transmitted to the carrying belt in sequence via the drive shaft, the drive belt, and the end shafts.

[0012] EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0013] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to miniaturize a workpiece carrying device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a press machine.

[0015] Figure 2 is a side view of a press system.

[0016] Figure 3is a plan view of the press system.

[0017] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a first drive device that constitutes the work conveyance device.

[0018] Figure 5 is Figure 4 is a schematic view of a power transmission device included in the first drive device shown in

[0019] Figure 6 is a front view of the first drive device that enlargedly shows the vicinity of the first carrier and the second carrier.

[0020] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the mounting of the first carrier and the second carrier to the conveyance belt. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described based on the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, the detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0022] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a press machine 10 that performs press working of a work, which is a work conveyance device to which the embodiments are applied. The work, which is subjected to press working by a press system including the press machine 10 and a press machine 20 to be described later, is, for example, an exterior panel for a motor vehicle. As shown in Figure 1 The press machine 10 mainly includes a slide 11, a bolster 13, and an aplite 15.

[0023] The aplite 15 is a columnar member that extends in the vertical direction. Four aplites 15 are arranged at positions of respective vertices of a rectangle in plan view. A crown, not shown, is supported by the four aplites 15. A slide drive mechanism, not shown, that moves the slide 11 up and down is housed in the crown. The crown is arranged above the four aplites. The aplite 15 corresponds to the column portion of the present application.

[0024] The slide 11 is arranged so as to be surrounded by the four aplites 15. The slide 11 is suspended from the crown above the aplites 15 and is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the crown. An upper die 12, not shown in Figure 1 , is detachably attached to a lower end portion of the slide 11. The slide 11 is mounted to the aplite 15 so as to be movable in the vertical direction by four slide arms 16. The slide arm 16 corresponds to the mounting portion of the present application. The positioning of the slide 11 with respect to each aplite 15 is performed by the four slide arms 16. The slide arm 16 is slidable with respect to the aplite 15.

[0025] In the drawings, a carrying direction X which is a direction of carrying of the work, an up-down direction Z which is a direction of extension of the columns 15 and a direction of movement of the slide 11 and the upper die 12, and a left-right direction Y which is a direction orthogonal to the carrying direction X and orthogonal to the up-down direction Z are shown by double-headed arrows, respectively. The four columns 15 of the press machine 10 include two columns 15A on the upstream side of the carrying direction X and two columns 15B on the downstream side of the carrying direction X.

[0026] The bolster plate 13 is disposed in a manner surrounded by the four columns 15. The lower die 14 is fitted to the upper surface of the bolster plate 13 (refer to Figure 2 , which is omitted in Figure 1 ). The upper die 12 is moved in the up-down direction Z integrally with the slide 11 by moving the slide 11 in the up-down direction Z, whereby the upper die 12 approaches and departs from the lower die 14. The work is sandwiched between the upper die 12 and the lower die 14, and is subjected to press working.

[0027] Figure 2 is a side view of a press system provided with a plurality of press machines and a work carrying device 100 which carries the work between the press machines. In Figure 2 , two press machines 10, 20 included in the press system and the work carrying device 100 which is briefly shown are shown. The work carrying device 100 is provided between the press machine 10 and the press machine 20. The work carrying device 100 carries the work from the press machine 10 on the upstream side in the carrying direction X to the press machine 20 on the downstream side.

[0028] The press machine 10 and the press machine 20 are disposed side by side at intervals in the carrying direction X. The press machine 20 is provided with a slide 21, an upper die 22, a bolster plate 23, a lower die 24, four columns 25, and four slide arms 26 similarly to the press machine 10 described with reference to Figure 1 . The four columns 25 of the press machine 20 include two columns 25A on the upstream side of the carrying direction X and two columns 25B on the downstream side of the carrying direction X.

[0029] The work carrying device 100 carries the work which has been subjected to press forming at the press machine 10 on the upstream side to the press machine 20 on the downstream side. The work which has been subjected to press working while being sandwiched between the upper die 12 and the lower die 14 of the press machine 10 is handed over from the press machine 10 to the press machine 20, and is next subjected to press working while being sandwiched between the upper die 22 and the lower die 24 of the press machine 20. The plurality of press machines including the press machines 10, 20 constitute a tandem press production line, and the work is sequentially processed.

[0030] Figure 3 is Figure 2A plan view of the press system is shown. Note that in Figure 2 A side view of the press system is shown as viewed in the direction of arrow II shown in Figure 3

[0031] The workpiece carrying device 100 is provided with a first drive device 110 disposed on one side in the lateral direction Y and a second drive device 260 disposed on the other side in the lateral direction Y. The workpiece carrying device 100 is further provided with a crossbar 310. The crossbar 310 extends in the lateral direction Y.

[0032] The crossbar 310 has one end supported by the first drive device 110 and the other end supported by the second drive device 260. The crossbar 310 is erected between the first drive device 110 and the second drive device 260.

[0033] The crossbar 310 holds a workpiece at an intermediate portion between the one end and the other end. The crossbar 310 corresponds to the holding portion of the embodiment. The crossbar 310 has, for example, a vacuum cup at the intermediate portion and is capable of holding a workpiece by vacuum-sucking the workpiece.

[0034] After the press working of the workpiece in the press machine 10 is completed, the crossbar 310 enters between the upper die 12 and the lower die 14 to hold the workpiece. In the state where the crossbar 310 holds the workpiece, the first drive device 110 and the second drive device 260 move the crossbar 310 along a prescribed movement locus, thereby carrying the workpiece from the press machine 10 to the press machine 20. The workpiece is handed over to the press machine 20 by the crossbar 310 entering between the upper die 22 and the lower die 24 of the press machine 20 and releasing the holding of the workpiece.

[0035] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the first drive device 110 that constitutes the workpiece carrying device 100. The first drive device 110 is provided with a frame 112. The frame 112 is fixed to the column 15B of the press machine 10 and the column 25A of the press machine 20. The frame 112 extends in the carrying direction X.

[0036] The frame 112 supports an upstream-side motor 114 at an end portion on the upstream side in the carrying direction X. The frame 112 supports a downstream-side motor 134 at an end portion on the downstream side in the carrying direction X. In the carrying direction X, the upstream-side motor 114 is disposed on the upstream side than the downstream-side motor 134, and the downstream-side motor 134 is disposed on the downstream side than the upstream-side motor 114. The upstream-side motor 114 and the downstream-side motor 134 generate driving force for carrying a workpiece.

[0037] Figure 5 is Figure 4 ​A schematic diagram of a power transmission device included in the first drive device 110 that transmits driving forces generated by the upstream-side motor 114 and the downstream-side motor 134 is shown. The driving force of the upstream-side motor 114 is output to the upstream-side drive shaft 116. The upstream-side motor 114 is an upstream-side actuator that generates a driving force for driving the upstream-side drive shaft 116 to rotate. The upstream-side decelerator 118 is provided to the upstream-side drive shaft 116. The upstream-side decelerator 118 decelerates the rotation generated by the upstream-side motor 114 and increases the driving torque.

[0038] The driving force of the downstream-side motor 134 is output to the downstream-side drive shaft 136. The downstream-side motor 134 is a downstream-side actuator that generates a driving force for driving the downstream-side drive shaft 136 to rotate. The downstream-side decelerator 138 is provided to the downstream-side drive shaft 136. The downstream-side decelerator 138 decelerates the rotation generated by the downstream-side motor 134 and increases the driving torque.

[0039] The upstream-side drive shaft 116 has the upstream-side first pulley 120 at a lower end thereof. The upstream-side drive belt 122 is wound around the upstream-side first pulley 120. The downstream-side drive shaft 136 has the downstream-side first pulley 140 at a lower end portion thereof. The downstream-side drive belt 142 is wound around the downstream-side first pulley 140.

[0040] The upstream-side end portion shaft 126 is disposed at an upstream side of the upstream-side drive shaft 116 in the conveyance direction X. The upstream-side end portion shaft 126 has the upstream-side second pulley 124 at an upper end portion thereof and the upstream-side third pulley 128 at a lower end portion thereof. The upstream-side second pulley 124 and the upstream-side third pulley 128 are integrally rotatable. The upstream-side drive belt 122 is wound around the upstream-side second pulley 124. The conveyance belt 130 is wound around the upstream-side third pulley 128.

[0041] The upstream-side drive belt 122 is wound around the upstream-side drive shaft 116 via the upstream-side first pulley 120 and is wound around the upstream-side end portion shaft 126 via the upstream-side second pulley 124. The downstream end of the upstream-side drive belt 122 in the conveyance direction X is wound around the upstream-side drive shaft 116. The upstream end of the upstream-side drive belt 122 in the conveyance direction X is wound around the upstream-side end portion shaft 126. Both ends of the upstream-side drive belt 122 in the conveyance direction X are wound around the pair of the upstream-side drive shaft 116 and the upstream-side end portion shaft 126.

[0042] A downstream-side end shaft 146 is disposed at a downstream side of the downstream-side drive shaft 136 in the conveyance direction X. The downstream-side end shaft 146 has a downstream-side second pulley 144 at an upper end portion thereof and a downstream-side third pulley 148 at a lower end portion thereof. The downstream-side second pulley 144 and the downstream-side third pulley 148 are integrally rotatable. A downstream-side drive belt 142 is wound around the downstream-side second pulley 144. The conveyance belt 130 is wound around the downstream-side third pulley 148.

[0043] The downstream-side drive belt 142 is wound around the downstream-side drive shaft 136 via the downstream-side first pulley 140 and is wound around the downstream-side end shaft 146 via the downstream-side second pulley 144. An upstream end of the downstream-side drive belt 142 in the conveyance direction X is wound around the downstream-side drive shaft 136. A downstream end of the downstream-side drive belt 142 in the conveyance direction X is wound around the downstream-side end shaft 146. Both ends of the downstream-side drive belt 142 in the conveyance direction X are wound around the pair of the downstream-side drive shaft 136 and the downstream-side end shaft 146.

[0044] The driving force generated by the upstream-side motor 114 is transmitted to the conveyance belt 130 via the upstream-side drive belt 122. The driving force generated by the downstream-side motor 134 is transmitted to the conveyance belt 130 via the downstream-side drive belt 142. The upstream-side drive belt 122 and the downstream-side drive belt 142 extend in the conveyance direction X. The conveyance belt 130 extends in the conveyance direction X. An axis of an upstream end of the conveyance belt 130 in the conveyance direction X is coaxial with an axis of an upstream end of the upstream-side drive belt 122 in the conveyance direction X. An axis of a downstream end of the conveyance belt 130 in the conveyance direction X is coaxial with an axis of a downstream end of the downstream-side drive belt 142 in the conveyance direction X.

[0045] The conveyance belt 130 is constituted as a belt member different from the upstream-side drive belt 122 and the downstream-side drive belt 142. The conveyance belt 130 is wound around the upstream-side end shaft 126 via the upstream-side third pulley 128 and is wound around the downstream-side end shaft 146 via the downstream-side third pulley 148. An upstream end of the conveyance belt 130 in the conveyance direction X is wound around the upstream-side end shaft 126. A downstream end of the conveyance belt 130 in the conveyance direction X is wound around the downstream-side end shaft 146. Both ends of the conveyance belt 130 in the conveyance direction X are wound around the pair of the upstream-side end shaft 126 and the downstream-side end shaft 146.

[0046] The upstream-side drive shaft 116, the upstream-side speed reducer 118, the upstream-side first pulley 120, the upstream-side drive belt 122, the upstream-side second pulley 124, the upstream-side end shaft 126, and the upstream-side third pulley 128 constitute a power transmission device that transmits the driving force generated by the upstream-side motor 114 to the carrying belt 130. The driving force for carrying the workpiece, which is generated by the upstream-side motor 114, is transmitted to the carrying belt 130 via the upstream-side drive shaft 116, the upstream-side speed reducer 118, the upstream-side first pulley 120, the upstream-side drive belt 122, the upstream-side second pulley 124, the upstream-side end shaft 126, and the upstream-side third pulley 128 in this order.

[0047] The downstream-side drive shaft 136, the downstream-side speed reducer 138, the downstream-side first pulley 140, the downstream-side drive belt 142, the downstream-side second pulley 144, the downstream-side end shaft 146, and the downstream-side third pulley 148 constitute a power transmission device that transmits the driving force generated by the downstream-side motor 134 to the carrying belt 130. The driving force for carrying the workpiece, which is generated by the downstream-side motor 134, is transmitted to the carrying belt 130 via the downstream-side drive shaft 136, the downstream-side speed reducer 138, the downstream-side first pulley 140, the downstream-side drive belt 142, the downstream-side second pulley 144, the downstream-side end shaft 146, and the downstream-side third pulley 148 in this order.

[0048] The upstream-side drive shaft 116 extends downward from the upstream-side motor 114. The downstream-side drive shaft 136 extends downward from the downstream-side motor 134. The upstream-side drive shaft 116 overlaps the upstream-side motor 114 when viewed from above. The downstream-side drive shaft 136 overlaps the downstream-side motor 134 when viewed from above.

[0049] The upstream-side drive belt 122 is disposed below the upstream-side motor 114. The downstream-side drive belt 142 is disposed below the downstream-side motor 134. The carrying belt 130 is disposed below the upstream-side drive belt 122 and the downstream-side drive belt 142. The upstream-side motor 114, the upstream-side drive belt 122, and the carrying belt 130 overlap each other when viewed from above. The downstream-side motor 134, the downstream-side drive belt 142, and the carrying belt 130 overlap each other when viewed from above.

[0050] A carrier 158 is fixed to the carrying belt 130. The carrier 158 includes a first carrier 160 on the upstream side in the carrying direction X, and a second carrier 180 on the downstream side in the carrying direction X. The first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 are constituted as different members, are disposed adjacent to each other in the carrying direction X, and are integrated by bolt coupling. Details of the configuration for integrating the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 are described using Figure 6 、 Figure 7 Hereinafter.

[0051] The first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 are integrally moved in the conveyance direction X by the action of the conveyance belt 130. That is, by causing the upstream-side decelerator 118 and the downstream-side decelerator 138 to act synchronously, the conveyance belt 130 is driven, and the carriers 158 (the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180) provided to the conveyance belt 130 are moved in the conveyance direction X.

[0052] The base portion 300 is supported in a suspended manner on the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180. The base portion 300 is connected to the cross bar 310 via an arm portion not shown. Figure 3 The conveyance belt 130 moves the cross bar 310 in the conveyance direction X via the base portion 300. By the action of the conveyance belt 130, the workpiece held to the cross bar 310 is conveyed in the conveyance direction X. It is also possible to provide a structure in which the cross bar 310 is relatively movable with respect to the base portion 300 by driving the arm portion described above, and it is also possible that an actuator that generates a driving force for this relative movement is mounted to the base portion 300.

[0053] The direct motion member 152 is fixed to the first carrier 160. The direct motion member 154 is fixed to the second carrier 180. The direct motion members 152, 154 are assembled to the guide rail 150 and are supported by the guide rail 150. The guide rail 150 extends in the conveyance direction X. The length of the conveyance belt 130 in the conveyance direction X is almost equal to the length of the guide rail 150 in the conveyance direction X. The guide rail 150 is configured not to be movable in the conveyance direction X. The direct motion members 152, 154 are linearly reciprocally movable in the conveyance direction X along the guide rail 150.

[0054] The guide rail 150 supports the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 via the direct motion members 152, 154. The weight acting on the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 is supported by the guide rail 150. The first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 are guided by the guide rail 150, and thus are linearly movable in the conveyance direction X.

[0055] The pair of upstream-side end portion shafts 126 and the pair of downstream-side end portion shafts 146 are disposed apart in the conveyance direction X. The pair of upstream-side end portion shafts 126 and the pair of downstream-side end portion shafts 146 are provided to the conveyance belt 130. Figure 4The guide rails 150 are shown as extending in the length direction thereof. A pair of upstream-side end shafts 126 and a pair of downstream-side end shafts 146 are provided at the length direction inner sides of the guide rails 150. The upstream-side end shafts 126 and the downstream-side end shafts 146 are disposed between the pair of upstream-side end shafts 126 and the pair of downstream-side end shafts 146 in the conveyance direction X. The upstream-side end shafts 126 are disposed at the conveyance direction X downstream side of the upstream-side end shafts 126, and the downstream-side end shafts 146 are disposed at the conveyance direction X upstream side of the downstream-side end shafts 146.

[0056] Referring to Figure 2 , 3 , the conveyance direction X, the length of the conveyance belt 130 and the guide rails 150 is greater than the interval between the press machines 10, 20.

[0057] The conveyance belt 130 and the guide rails 150 extend to the conveyance direction X upstream side beyond the column 15B on the downstream side of the press machine 10. The conveyance direction X upstream end of the conveyance belt 130 and the guide rails 150 is located at the conveyance direction X upstream side of the column 15B on the downstream side of the press machine 10. A portion of the conveyance belt 130 and the guide rails 150 is disposed inside the press machine 10.

[0058] The conveyance belt 130 and the guide rails 150 extend to the conveyance direction X downstream side beyond the column 25A on the upstream side of the press machine 20. The conveyance direction X downstream end of the conveyance belt 130 and the guide rails 150 is located at the conveyance direction X downstream side of the column 25A on the upstream side of the press machine 20. A portion of the conveyance belt 130 and the guide rails 150 is disposed inside the press machine 20.

[0059] The conveyance belt 130 and the guide rails 150 are disposed outside the slides 11, 21 in the left-right direction Y. The conveyance belt 130 and the guide rails 150 are disposed between the slide 11 and the column 15B in the left-right direction Y, and between the slide 21 and the column 25A in the left-right direction Y. In plan view, the conveyance belt 130 and the guide rails 150 overlap the slide arms 16, 26.

[0060] The conveyance belt 130 and the guide rails 150 extend in the conveyance direction X with a length from the slide 11 of the press machine 10 to the slide 21 of the press machine 20. As shown in Figure 2 , when viewed from a direction orthogonal to the plane defined by the conveyance direction X and the up-down direction Z, i.e., in the left-right direction Y (in which the paper is vertical), the conveyance direction X upstream end and the conveyance direction X downstream end of the conveyance belt 130 and the guide rails 150 respectively overlap the slides 11, 21. Figure 2 ​

[0061] The first drive unit 110 is configured so as not to interfere with the sliding arms 16 and 26. In the first drive unit 110, the portion located upstream of the upstream motor 114 in the transport direction X, more specifically including the upstream drive belt 122, the upstream end shaft 126, the transport belt 130, and the guide rail 150, is positioned below the sliding arm 16 of the stamping machine 10. In the first drive unit 110, the portion located downstream of the downstream motor 134 in the transport direction X, more specifically including the downstream drive belt 142, the downstream end shaft 146, the transport belt 130, and the guide rail 150, is positioned below the sliding arm 26 of the stamping machine 20.

[0062] The upstream drive belt 122, the downstream drive belt 142, the transport belt 130, and the guide rail 150 are positioned below the lower limit of the movable range of the sliding arms 16 and 26, which can move vertically. The crossbar 310 is positioned below the transport belt 130 and the guide rail 150, separate from the transport belt 130.

[0063] Refer again Figure 2 , 3 Along the left and right direction Y ( Figure 2 When viewed vertically (on paper), the upstream motor 114 overlaps with the downstream column 15B of the stamping machine 10, and the downstream motor 134 overlaps with the upstream column 25A of the stamping machine 20. Compared to the downstream sliding arm 16 of the four sliding arms 16 of the stamping machine 10 in the transport direction X, the upstream motor 114 and the downstream motor 134 are positioned downstream in the transport direction X. Compared to the upstream sliding arm 26 of the four sliding arms 26 of the stamping machine 20 in the transport direction X, the upstream motor 114 and the downstream motor 134 are positioned upstream in the transport direction X. The upstream motor 114 and the downstream motor 134 are positioned downstream of the sliding member 11 of the stamping machine 10 in the transport direction X, and positioned upstream of the sliding member 21 of the stamping machine 20 in the transport direction X.

[0064] like Figure 3 As shown, in the XY plane, the upstream drive shaft 116 is located at the same position as the upstream motor 114, and the downstream drive shaft 136 is located at the same position as the downstream motor 134. Therefore, the upstream drive shaft 116 and the downstream drive shaft 136 are positioned downstream of the sliding member 11 of the stamping machine 10 in the transport direction X, and upstream of the sliding member 21 of the stamping machine 20 in the transport direction X. The upstream drive shaft 116 and the downstream drive shaft 136 are positioned between the sliding member 11 of the stamping machine 10 and the sliding member 21 of the stamping machine 20 in the transport direction X.

[0065] The upstream-side drive shaft 116 and the downstream-side drive shaft 136 are disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction X with respect to the slide arm 16 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction X among the four slide arms 16 of the press machine 10. The upstream-side drive shaft 116 and the downstream-side drive shaft 136 are disposed on the upstream side in the conveyance direction X with respect to the slide arm 26 on the upstream side in the conveyance direction X among the four slide arms 26 of the press machine 20. The upstream-side drive shaft 116 and the downstream-side drive shaft 136 are disposed between the slide arm 16 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction X of the press machine 10 and the slide arm 26 on the upstream side in the conveyance direction X of the press machine 20 in the conveyance direction X.

[0066] The upstream-side motor 114 and the downstream-side motor 134, the upstream-side drive shaft 116 and the downstream-side drive shaft 136, and the upstream-side speed reducer 118 and the downstream-side speed reducer 138 are disposed in a space between the upstream-side press machine 10 and the downstream-side press machine 20.

[0067] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the first drive device 110 near the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the installation of the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 to the conveyance belt 130. The conveyance belt 130 is an endless belt having a first end 130E1 and a second end 130E2. The conveyance belt 130 is a toothed belt having teeth on an inner circumferential surface.

[0068] The belt fastening plate 200 is installed at the first end 130E1 of the conveyance belt 130. The belt fastening plate 200 has an outer side plate 202 facing an outer circumferential surface of the conveyance belt 130, and an inner side plate 204 facing an inner circumferential surface of the conveyance belt 130. The outer side plate 202 and the inner side plate 204 sandwich the first end 130E1 of the conveyance belt 130, and are integrally coupled by a plurality of fastening bolts 206.

[0069] The belt fastening plate 210 is installed at the second end 130E2 of the conveyance belt 130. The belt fastening plate 210 has an outer side plate 212 facing an outer circumferential surface of the conveyance belt 130, and an inner side plate 214 facing an inner circumferential surface of the conveyance belt 130. The outer side plate 212 and the inner side plate 214 sandwich the second end 130E2 of the conveyance belt 130, and are integrally coupled by a plurality of fastening bolts 216.

[0070] The first carrier 160 has a guide rail support portion 162 and a belt fixing portion 166. The guide rail support portion 162 is coupled to the direct motion member 152 by a plurality of support bolts 164. The belt fixing portion 166 is coupled to the outer side plate 202 of the belt fastening plate 200 by a plurality of fixing bolts 168.

[0071] The second carrier 180 has a guide rail support portion 182 and a belt fixing portion 186. The guide rail support portion 182 is coupled to the direct acting member 154 by a plurality of support bolts 184. The belt fixing portion 186 is coupled to the outer side plate 212 of the belt fastening plate 210 by a plurality of fixing bolts 188.

[0072] The guide rail support portion 162 is fixed to the direct acting member 152, and the guide rail support portion 182 is fixed to the direct acting member 154, whereby, as described above, the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 are supported by the guide rail 150.

[0073] The belt fixing portion 166 is fixed to the belt fastening plate 200, and the belt fixing portion 186 is fixed to the belt fastening plate 210, whereby, as described above, the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 are moved in the conveyance direction X by the conveyance belt 130.

[0074] The first carrier 160 has a bottom plate portion 172. The second carrier 180 has a bottom plate portion 192. The pedestal portion 300 is suspended from the bottom plate portions 172, 192, and is supported by the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180.

[0075] The first carrier 160 has a wall portion 170 extending in the up-down direction. The second carrier 180 has a wall portion 190 extending in the up-down direction. The wall portion 170 constitutes a rim portion of the first carrier 160 on the downstream side in the conveyance direction X. The wall portion 190 constitutes a rim portion of the second carrier 180 on the upstream side in the conveyance direction X.

[0076] The wall portion 170 of the first carrier 160 and the wall portion 190 of the second carrier 180 are arranged facing each other, a gasket plate 220 is interposed between the wall portion 170 and the wall portion 190, and the wall portion 170, the gasket plate 220, and the wall portion 190 are fastened by gasket adjusting bolts 222, 224, whereby the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 are coupled.

[0077] The interval between the wall portion 170 and the wall portion 190 is adjusted by adjusting the screwing amount of the gasket adjusting bolts 222, 224 with respect to the wall portions 170, 190. Thereby, the interval between the first end 130E1 and the second end 130E2 of the conveyance belt 130 in the conveyance direction X can be adjusted.

[0078] The configuration involves clamping a shim plate 220 between wall portions 170 and 190 without creating a gap. A shim plate 220 of appropriate thickness is selected based on the length of the conveyor belt 130, its spring constant, etc., and this appropriately thick shim plate 220 is clamped between wall portions 170 and 190. The shim plate 220 is used to adjust the gap between wall portions 170 and 190, thereby adjusting the gap between the first end 130E1 and the second end 130E2 of the conveyor belt 130, thus enabling reliable tension adjustment of the conveyor belt 130. By clamping the shim plate 220, the tension of the conveyor belt 130 can be managed to remain constant without operator intervention.

[0079] On the other hand, such as Figure 5 As shown in the schematic diagram, the upstream drive belt 122 and the downstream drive belt 142 are annular belts. The tension of the upstream drive belt 122 is adjusted by adjusting the relative position of the upstream drive shaft 116 in the transport direction X relative to the upstream end shaft 126. The tension of the downstream drive belt 142 is adjusted by adjusting the relative position of the downstream drive shaft 136 in the transport direction X relative to the downstream end shaft 146.

[0080] Specifically, the upstream end shaft 126 is configured to be immobile in the transport direction X, while the assembly including the upstream motor 114, the upstream drive shaft 116, the upstream reducer 118, and the upstream first pulley 120 is configured to be movable in the transport direction X. By bringing the upstream drive shaft 116 closer to the upstream end shaft 126, the tension of the upstream drive belt 122 can be reduced; by moving the upstream drive shaft 116 away from the upstream end shaft 126, the tension of the upstream drive belt 122 can be increased.

[0081] like Figure 4 As shown, a shim plate 226 is provided downstream of the upstream drive shaft 116 in the transport direction X. By using the shim plate 226, the position of the upstream drive shaft 116 in the transport direction X can be adjusted. By using an appropriate shim plate 226 selected according to the length of the upstream drive belt 122, the spring constant of the upstream drive belt 122, etc., the tension of the upstream drive belt 122 can be appropriately adjusted.

[0082] Similarly, the downstream end shaft 146 is configured to be immobile in the transport direction X, while the assembly including the downstream motor 134, the downstream drive shaft 136, the downstream reducer 138, and the downstream first pulley 140 is configured to be movable in the transport direction X. By bringing the downstream drive shaft 136 closer to the downstream end shaft 146, the tension of the downstream drive belt 142 can be reduced; by moving the downstream drive shaft 136 away from the downstream end shaft 146, the tension of the downstream drive belt 142 can be increased.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 1, the workpiece carrying device 100 according to the embodiment is provided with a pair of the upstream end portion shafts 126 and the downstream end portion shafts 146, which are arranged separately in the carrying direction X of the workpiece, an upstream side drive shaft 116 arranged between the pair of the upstream end portion shafts 126 and the downstream end portion shafts 146 in the carrying direction X, an upstream side drive belt 122 wound around the upstream side drive shaft 116 and the upstream end portion shafts 126, and a carrying belt 130 wound around the pair of the upstream end portion shafts 126 and the downstream end portion shafts 146. A drive force for carrying the workpiece is transmitted to the carrying belt 130 via the upstream side drive shaft 116, the upstream side drive belt 122, and the upstream end portion shafts 126 in this order. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1, the workpiece carrying device 100 according to the embodiment is provided with a pair of the upstream end portion shafts 126 and the downstream end portion shafts 146, which are arranged separately in the carrying direction X of the workpiece, an upstream side drive shaft 116 arranged between the pair of the upstream end portion shafts 126 and the downstream end portion shafts 146 in the carrying direction X, an upstream side drive belt 122 wound around the upstream side drive shaft 116 and the upstream end portion shafts 126, and a carrying belt 130 wound around the pair of the upstream end portion shafts 126 and the downstream end portion shafts 146. A drive force for carrying the workpiece is transmitted to the carrying belt 130 via the upstream side drive shaft 116, the upstream side drive belt 122, and the upstream end portion shafts 126 in this order.

[0084] Figure 3 The second drive device 260 shown in FIG. 2 has the same structure as the first drive device 110 described above. The second drive device 260 is provided with motors 264, 274 that generate a drive force for carrying the workpiece. Referring to the arrangement of the motors 264, 274 shown in FIG. 2, a drive shaft that transmits the drive force of the motors 264, 274 is arranged in the carrying direction X between the slide 11 of the press machine 10 and the slide 21 of the press machine 20. The drive shaft is arranged between the slide arm 16 on the downstream side of the press machine 10 and the slide arm 26 on the upstream side of the press machine 20. Figure 3

[0085] Although there is a description overlapping a part of the above description, if the characteristic structure and the effect of the present embodiment are summarized, the following is described.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 1, the workpiece carrying device 100 according to the embodiment is provided with a pair of the upstream end portion shafts 126 and the downstream end portion shafts 146, which are arranged separately in the carrying direction X of the workpiece, an upstream side drive shaft 116 arranged between the pair of the upstream end portion shafts 126 and the downstream end portion shafts 146 in the carrying direction X, an upstream side drive belt 122 wound around the upstream side drive shaft 116 and the upstream end portion shafts 126, and a carrying belt 130 wound around the pair of the upstream end portion shafts 126 and the downstream end portion shafts 146. A drive force for carrying the workpiece is transmitted to the carrying belt 130 via the upstream side drive shaft 116, the upstream side drive belt 122, and the upstream end portion shafts 126 in this order. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1, the workpiece carrying device 100 according to the embodiment is provided with a pair of the upstream end portion shafts 126 and the downstream end portion shafts 146, which are arranged separately in the carrying direction X of the workpiece, an upstream side drive shaft 116 arranged between the pair of the upstream end portion shafts 126 and the downstream end portion shafts 146 in the carrying direction X, an upstream side drive belt 122 wound around the upstream side drive shaft 116 and the upstream end portion shafts 126, and a carrying belt 130 wound around the pair of the upstream end portion shafts 126 and the downstream end portion shafts 146. A drive force for carrying the workpiece is transmitted to the carrying belt 130 via the upstream side drive shaft 116, the upstream side drive belt 122, and the upstream end portion shafts 126 in this order.

[0087] The workpiece carrying device 100 is separately provided with the upstream side drive belt 122 and the carrying belt 130, so that the degree of freedom of design allowed for the relative position of the upstream side drive shaft 116 with respect to the upstream end portion shaft 126 is increased. Therefore, the upstream side drive belt 122 is arranged in a manner of being folded back at the upstream end portion shaft 126 with respect to the carrying belt 130, so that the workpiece carrying device 100 can be downsized in a manner of arranging the upstream side drive shaft 116 between the pair of the upstream end portion shafts 126 and the downstream end portion shafts 146. Since the workpiece carrying device 100 is made space-saving, the workpiece carrying device 100 can be arranged in a narrow space as shown in FIG. 3. Figure 2 , 3 ​As shown, an upstream drive shaft 116 can be arranged in the space between the stamping machines 10 and 20. With the structure described above, the workpiece handling device 100 can be operated without interfering with the operation of each stamping machine 10 and 20, thereby enabling the handling of workpieces.

[0088] like Figure 3 As shown, an upstream drive shaft 116 and a downstream drive shaft 136 are arranged between the sliding member 11 of the upstream stamping machine 10 and the sliding member 21 of the downstream stamping machine 20. This prevents the movement of the sliding members 11 and 21 in the vertical direction from being hindered by the upstream drive shaft 116 or the downstream drive shaft 136.

[0089] like Figure 3 As shown, an upstream drive shaft 116 and a downstream drive shaft 136 are arranged between the sliding arm 16 of the upstream stamping machine 10 and the sliding arm 26 of the downstream stamping machine 20. This prevents the movement of the sliding arms 16 and 26 in the vertical direction from being hindered by the upstream drive shaft 116 or the downstream drive shaft 136.

[0090] like Figure 2 As shown, the conveyor belt 130 is positioned below the sliding arms 16 and 26. By reliably avoiding interference between the workpiece conveying device 100 and the stamping machines 10 and 20, the productivity of the stamping process performed by the stamping machines 10 and 20 can be ensured.

[0091] like Figure 5 As shown, the upstream drive belt 122 is an annular belt, which allows adjustment of the relative position of the upstream drive shaft 116 with respect to the upstream end shaft 126 in the transport direction X. This allows for easy adjustment of the tension of the upstream drive belt 122.

[0092] like Figure 7 As shown, the conveyor belt 130 is an end belt with a first end 130E1 and a second end 130E2, and the interval between the first end 130E1 and the second end 130E2 in the conveying direction X can be adjusted. Therefore, the tension of the conveyor belt 130 can be easily adjusted.

[0093] It should be noted that in the above embodiments, an example was described where the first drive device 110 includes a pair of upstream motors 114 and downstream motors 134 that generate driving force for transporting workpieces, and a pair of upstream drive shafts 116 and downstream drive shafts 136. The first drive device 110 does not necessarily include a pair of motors and drive shafts. As long as sufficient torque can be transmitted to the transport belt 130, it can also be configured to transmit the driving force generated by a single motor (only the upstream motor 114, or only the downstream motor) to the transport belt 130 to transport workpieces.

[0094] In the embodiment, an example in which both ends of the cross bar 310 are supported by the first driving device 110 and the second driving device 260 arranged on both sides in the left-right direction Y is described. The driving device that supports the cross bar 310 is not necessarily provided in a pair, and can be configured so that one driving device supports one part of the cross bar 310.

[0095] In addition, the workpiece carrying device 100 does not necessarily need to have the cross bar 310, and can be configured so that a finger portion capable of advancing and retreating in the left-right direction Y is provided at the front end portion of the arm portion arranged on the base portion 300, and the workpiece is held by the finger portion. The finger portion capable of advancing and retreating in the left-right direction Y also corresponds to the holding portion. Alternatively, a vacuum cup can be attached to the front end portion of the arm portion without passing through the cross bar.

[0096] In the embodiment, an example in which the workpiece carrying device 100 carries the workpiece between the press machines 10 and 20 that configure the series press production line is described. The workpiece carrying device 100 of the embodiment can also be applied to carry the workpiece between a plurality of dies arranged in one press machine in a multi-station press production line.

[0097] It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all aspects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present application is not indicated by the above description but indicated by the technical scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications equivalent in meaning and scope to the technical scope.

[0098] Explanation of Reference Signs:

[0099] 10, 20 … punch press; 11, 21 … slide; 12, 22 … upper die; 13, 23 … backing plate; 14, 24 … lower die; 15, 15A, 15B, 25, 25A, 25B … post; 16, 26 … slide arm; 100 … workpiece carrying device; 110 … first drive device; 112 … frame; 114 … upstream side motor; 116 … upstream side drive shaft; 118 … upstream side speed reducer; 120 … upstream side first pulley; 122 … upstream side drive belt; 124 … upstream side second pulley; 126 … upstream side end shaft; 128 … upstream side third pulley; 130 … carrying belt; 130E1 … first end; 130E2 … second end; 134 … downstream side motor; 136 … downstream side drive shaft; 138 … downstream side speed reducer; 140 … downstream side first pulley; 142 … downstream side drive belt; 144 … downstream side second pulley; 146 … downstream side end shaft; 148 … downstream side third pulley; 150 … guide rail; 152, 154 … linear motion member; 158 … carrier; 160 … first carrier; 162, 182 … rail support portion; 164, 184 … support bolt; 166, 186 … belt fixing portion; 168, 188 … fixing bolt; 170, 190 … wall portion; 172, 192 … floor portion; 180 … second carrier; 200, 210 … belt fastening plate; 202, 212 … outer side plate; 204, 214 … inner side plate; 206, 216 … fastening bolt; 220, 226, 228 … spacer plate; 222, 224 … spacer adjustment bolt; 260 … second drive device; 264, 274 … motor; 300 … base portion; 310 … cross bar; X … carrying direction.

Claims

1. A workpiece conveyance device that conveys a workpiece subjected to press working by at least one press machine, wherein the workpiece conveyance device comprises: a pair of end shafts disposed apart in a conveyance direction in which the workpiece is conveyed; a drive shaft disposed between the pair of end shafts in the conveyance direction; a drive belt wound around the drive shaft and the end shafts; and a conveyance belt wound around the pair of end shafts, a drive force for conveying the workpiece is transmitted to the conveyance belt via the drive shaft, the drive belt, and the end shafts in that order, the at least one press machine has a die that moves in an up-down direction and a slide that mounts the die, the at least one press machine includes an upstream press machine and a downstream press machine in the conveyance direction, the workpiece conveyance device conveys the workpiece from the upstream press machine to the downstream press machine, the drive shaft is disposed between the slide of the upstream press machine and the slide of the downstream press machine in the conveyance direction, the at least one press machine has a column portion that extends in the up-down direction, a length between the pair of end shafts in the conveyance direction is longer than a distance between the upstream press machine and the downstream press machine, and the drive shaft is disposed so as to overlap the column portion in a side view.

2. The workpiece conveyance device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one press machine has a mounting portion that mounts the slide to the column portion so as to be movable in the up-down direction, and the drive shaft is disposed between the mounting portion of the upstream press machine and the mounting portion of the downstream press machine in the conveyance direction.

3. The workpiece conveyance device according to claim 2, wherein the conveyance belt is disposed below the mounting portion.

4. The workpiece conveyance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the drive belt is a ring-shaped belt, and a relative position of the drive shaft with respect to the end shafts in the conveyance direction is adjustable.

5. The workpiece conveyance device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the conveyance belt is an end belt having a first end and a second end, and a distance between the first end and the second end in the conveyance direction is adjustable.

6. The workpiece conveyance device according to claim 4, wherein the conveyance belt is an end belt having a first end and a second end, and a distance between the first end and the second end in the conveyance direction is adjustable. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Images