Production line equipment

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to production line equipment. The production line equipment includes a plurality of work areas arranged in a line, a plurality of work tables movable in a fixed direction along the arrangement direction of the plurality of work areas and located at a work position of each work area, and a conveying mechanism configured to mechanically convey each work table to a mechanical conveying position in front of the work position of each work area and freely move each work table from the mechanical conveying position to the work position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a production line equipment that sequentially performs production line work on a workpiece placed on a worktable while conveying the worktable in a fixed direction. BACKGROUND

[0002] For example, in a manufacturing factory of a wire harness installed in an automatic vehicle or the like, a production line equipment is used in which a worker of each work area sequentially performs work on a workpiece (wire harness) placed on a worktable, and the worktable is conveyed in the arrangement direction of a plurality of work areas arranged in a line to complete the wire harness.

[0003] In such a production line equipment in the related art, a plurality of worktables are generally placed on a mechanically driven carrying conveyor and conveyed (see, for example, JP 2017-188275 A).

[0004] However, in the production line equipment of the related art, when a worker's work is delayed, the carrying conveyor needs to be stopped. In this case, there is a problem that the production efficiency is reduced because the entire work is stopped. That is, if not all the workers complete the work of all the work areas, there is a problem of unnecessary waiting time of the workers in addition to the work delay, which affects the management of the working time (time required to manufacture one product), thereby reducing the production efficiency, because the next conveyance cannot be performed. SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure provides a production line equipment capable of smoothly managing the working time and improving the production efficiency.

[0006] According to the present disclosure, a production line equipment includes a plurality of work areas arranged in a line, a plurality of worktables movable in a fixed direction along the arrangement direction of the plurality of work areas and located at work positions of the respective work areas, and a conveying mechanism configured to mechanically convey each worktable to a mechanical conveying position in front of the work position of each work area and to freely move each worktable from the mechanical conveying position to the work position.

[0007] The present disclosure is briefly described as above. Furthermore, details of the present disclosure will be clarified by reading the mode (hereinafter, referred to as "embodiment") for carrying out the present disclosure described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a production line equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] Figure 2 is a partial plan view of a production line equipment.

[0010] Figure 3It is a schematic plan view of the state in which each workbench of the production line equipment is in a normal working position in each work area.

[0011] Figure 4 It is a schematic plan view of the state in which each workbench of the production line equipment is transferred to each mechanical transfer position by the transfer mechanism.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a schematic plan view showing the positional relationship between workstations when work delays occur in some work areas of production line equipment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Specific embodiments related to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a production line equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2 This is a partial plan view of the production line equipment. Figures 3 to 5 It is a schematic plan view illustrating the operation of production line equipment.

[0015] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the production line equipment 1 of this embodiment is used to sequentially perform multiple work processes on a workpiece (not shown). Each work process is assigned a work area E (EA, EB, EC, ...), and the multiple work areas E are arranged in a line. Workers M (MA, MB, MC, ...) are arranged one after another in the work area E to perform their respective work processes (see Figure 5 ).

[0016] The workpiece is placed in a fixed direction ( Figure 2 Workpieces are transported (in the direction of arrow X) along the arrangement of work areas EA, EB, EC, etc., with workpieces simultaneously placed on pallets P, which serve as work tables. When pallets P are located at a work position (e.g., the center of each work area) designated for each work area EA, EB, EC, etc., workers M perform their respective work steps on the workpieces placed on pallets P. Each worker M typically performs work while standing at the center of work area E (the center in the direction of transport of pallets P).

[0017] In the production line equipment 1 of this embodiment, the transmission range of one pitch of the pallet P from the working position of the current working area E to the working position of the next working area E (equal to the interval between adjacent working areas) is divided into two ranges, namely the front stage and the rear stage.

[0018] That is, Figure 4As shown by the arrow H1, the front stage of the conveying range is the mechanical conveying range, in which the pallet P is automatically conveyed mechanically to the mechanical conveying position in front of the working position of the next working area E ( Figure 4 ). Figure 4 The latter stage of the transfer range, indicated by arrow H2, is the manual transfer range, where the pallet P can be freely and manually transferred from the mechanical transfer position to the next work location. In the manual transfer range, the worker M can move the pallet P at his or her own convenience and position it at the work location.

[0019] A conveying mechanism 20 is provided as a means for conveying the pallets P at the preceding and succeeding stages. That is, the conveying mechanism 20 mechanically conveys each pallet P to a mechanical conveying position before the working position of each working area E and can freely move the pallet P from the mechanical conveying position to the working position.

[0020] In the production line equipment 1, the working side rails 10 ( Figure 1 、 Figures 3 to 5 ), the pallet P is set on the rail 10 so as to be movable along the conveying direction (the direction of the arrow X). Figure 1 As shown, the working side rail 10 is installed on the upper stage of the base 5, and the return side rail 12 is installed on the lower stage of the base 5.

[0021] The pallet P is guided by the track 10 of the upper stage and moves from the starting point ( Figures 2 to 5 The pallet P moves to the end of the production line. After reaching the end, the pallet P returns to the starting point from the end point under the guidance of the track 12 of the next stage. Then, the pallet P that has returned to the starting point passes through Figure 2 The pallet P is returned to the starter box 8 shown and placed again on the work-side track 10 of the upper stage. The return operation of the pallet P can be performed in any manner. For example, the production line equipment 1 may include a conveyor or chain for moving the pallet P from the end point to the start point, may include a mechanism for pushing the pallet P toward the starter box 8, and may include a downwardly inclined return track so that the pallet P is guided to the starter box 8 as it travels by gravity.

[0022] The conveying mechanism 20 includes a column 24 arranged in parallel with the rail 10 , a cylinder 21 as a conveying driving unit for reciprocating the column 24 in the extending direction of the rail 10 , and an air driving source 25 for supplying driving air to and exhausting driving air from the cylinder 21 .

[0023] The tray transfer tongs (push-out section) 23 are fixed to the column 24 at an interval (pitch) identical to that of the work areas E. As the rod of the cylinder 21 extends, a plurality of trays P are pushed out in the fixed direction by the tray transfer tongs 23 and are transferred to respective mechanical transfer positions. The tray transfer tongs 23 include a ratchet mechanism (not shown) that engages with the tray P so as to be able to push the tray P when the tray P is pushed out in the fixed direction, and does not engage with the tray P so as to be able to return when the column 24 returns to the initial position.

[0024] As an example of the ratchet mechanism, there is a mechanism for rotating the tray transfer tongs 23, the rotation of which is restricted when the tray transfer tongs 23 move in the tray transfer direction, the tray transfer tongs 23 engage with the rear end of the tray P, the tray transfer tongs 23 do not engage with the tray P by rotation and move on the tray P when the tray transfer tongs 23 move in the direction opposite to the tray transfer direction.

[0025] With such a ratchet mechanism, when Figure 4 the tray transfer tongs 23 move to the right together with the column 24, the tray transfer tongs 23 push and move the rear end of the tray P. When Figure 4 the column 24 returns to the left, the tray transfer tongs 23 move on the upper surface of the tray P to the rear end of the next tray P to be transferred.

[0026] As Figure 4 shown, the above mechanical transfer positions are set so that when the tray P is mechanically transferred from the work position of the current work area E to the next mechanical transfer position, the rear end of the tray P is still located in the current work area E.

[0027] In the embodiment, the work procedure is determined so that the work on the workpiece placed on the tray P is mainly performed in the order from the front end side to the rear end side of the tray P. Since the work procedure is determined in this way, even after the tray P is mechanically transferred to the mechanical transfer position, the position where the work still exists is the rear end of the tray P. Therefore, even if a work delay occurs in a certain work area E, the worker M can reach out to the tray P at the mechanical transfer position, and the delayed work can be continued to be performed when the worker M is at his work area E. In the case where the workpiece is a wire harness, since the wire harness is usually laid at a predetermined position of the tray P, the lay position is preferably determined so that the work on the wire harness is performed in the order from the front end side to the rear end side of the tray P.

[0028] Next, the operation will be described.

[0029] In the production line equipment 1 of the present embodiment, generally, as Figure 3 shown, the trays P (P0 to P3) are located at the normal work positions, and the workers M (see Figure 5) performs predetermined work processes on workpieces placed on the pallet P.

[0030] When each work process is completed, as shown in Figure 4 , the cylinder 21 extends the rod, and the cylinder 24 slides to the right. Then, the pallet transfer tongs 23 fixed to the cylinder 24 push and move the rear end of the pallets Pl to P3, and transfer the pallets Pl to P3 to the mechanical transfer position. The mechanical transfer is performed in the length range of the arrow HI. In this way, when the pallets Pl to P3 are mechanically transferred to the mechanical transfer position before the work position, the pallet P can be freely moved to the work position by the worker M in this state. The manual transfer range is the length range of the arrow H2.

[0031] Next, for example, as shown in Figure 5 , when the work of the worker MC in the work area EC is delayed, even after the pallet Pl is transferred to the next work area ED (the mechanical transfer position before the normal work position), the worker MC can continue the work. That is, when the pallet Pl is in the mechanical transfer position, since the rear end of the pallet Pl is still within the preceding work area EC, the worker MC who delayed the work can reach out and perform the remaining work on the workpieces placed on the pallet Pl.

[0032] The front half of the pallet Pl has reached the next work area ED, and the worker MD in the next work area ED can perform the work portion in charge of the worker MD (work on the front half of the workpiece) on the workpieces placed on the pallet Pl without waiting time.

[0033] Then, when the work of the worker MC who delayed the work in the area EC is completed, the worker MD in the next work area ED can move the pallet Pl from the mechanical transfer position to its normal work position, and then continue to perform the remaining work.

[0034] Therefore, even if the work is delayed in one work area EC, by forcibly transferring the pallet P to the next mechanical transfer position, the workers MA, MB, and MD in the respective work areas EA, EB, and ED where the work starts can be notified and continue the work, and the working time can be managed. Since the working time can be smoothly managed, the overall work delay can be eliminated, that is, the wasted waiting time can be eliminated. Therefore, the production efficiency can be improved.

[0035] If the work of the preceding worker has been completed, the worker who has completed the work early without delay manually moves the pallet P to the work position (operation of the arrow H2), and starts the work in charge of the worker himself. For example, in Figure 5In this way, according to the production line equipment 1 of the present embodiment, since the ratchet mechanism is provided in the tray conveying jaws 23, the tray push-out operation of the tray conveying jaws 23 and the return operation of the column 24 can be smoothly performed by the reciprocating movement of the column 24.

[0036] In this way, according to the production line equipment 1 of the present embodiment, since the ratchet mechanism is provided in the tray conveying jaws 23, the tray push-out operation of the tray conveying jaws 23 and the return operation of the column 24 can be smoothly performed by the reciprocating movement of the column 24.

[0037] The column 24 can be returned to the initial position before the next tray P is pressed, and the time for the column 24 to return to the initial position is not particularly limited.

[0038] Further, as an actual operation, the production line equipment 1 is set so that the cylinder 21 is driven at predetermined time intervals, and the tray P is mechanically conveyed. In other words, even if there is a worker who has not completed the work, mechanical conveyance is forcibly performed so that the work time is smoothly managed. At this time, if an alarm is issued before the cylinder is driven, announcing that the tray P starts to move, the work can be more smoothly performed.

[0039] Further, a push button switch can be provided on the hand of each worker M, and when all the workers press the push button switch, the cylinder can be driven to continue conveying the tray without waiting for a predetermined time. This can further improve work efficiency.

[0040] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified, improved, etc. In addition, the materials, shapes, sizes, numbers, arrangement positions, etc. of the components in the above-described embodiments are optional and non-limiting as long as the present disclosure can be achieved.

[0041] Here, the features of the production line equipment according to the embodiments of the present disclosure will be briefly summarized and listed in the following first to fifth aspects.

[0042] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a production line equipment (1) includes a plurality of work areas (E, EA to ED) arranged in a line, a plurality of work tables (P, P0 to P4) that are movable in a fixed direction along the arrangement direction of the plurality of work areas (E, EA to ED) and that are located at work positions of the respective work areas (E, EA to ED), and a conveying mechanism (20) configured to mechanically convey each of the work tables (P, P0 to P4) to a mechanical conveying position before the work position of each of the work areas (E, EA to ED) and to freely move each of the work tables (P, P0 to P4) from the mechanical conveying position to the work position.

[0043] According to the production line equipment (1) configured to have the first aspect, after the mechanical transfer position before the worktable (P, P0 to P4) is mechanically transferred to the work position, the worker (M, MA to MD) can freely proceed to the work position. That is, even after the worktable (P, P0 to P4) is transferred to the next work area (E, EA to ED), the worker (M, MA to MD) who delays work can temporarily stop the worktable (P, P0 to P4) at the mechanical transfer position before the normal work position and continue to perform work on the task stopped at that position. At the same time, the worker (M, MA to MD) in the next work area (E, EA to ED) can perform a part of the work that the worker (M, MA to MD) is responsible for on the worktable (P, P0 to P4) transferred to the mechanical transfer position. Then, when the work of the worker (M, MA to MD) who delays work is completed, the worker (M, MA to MD) in the next work area (E, EA to ED) can move the worktable (P, P0 to P4) from the mechanical transfer position to its normal work position and then continue to perform the remaining work. Therefore, even if work is delayed in one work area (E, EA to ED), by forcibly transferring the worktable (P, P0 to P4) to the next mechanical transfer position, the worker (M, MA to MD) in each work area (E, EA to ED) where work starts can be informed and continue work, and the work time can be managed. Since the work time can be smoothly managed, overall work delays, i.e., wasted waiting time, can be eliminated. Therefore, production efficiency can be improved.

[0044] According to the second aspect of the present disclosure, a track (10) is laid along the arrangement direction of the plurality of work areas (E, EA to ED), and the worktable (P, P0 to P4) is movably provided on the track. The transfer mechanism (20) includes a column (24) and a transfer driving unit (21), the column (24) is juxtaposed with the track and configured to push out a plurality of worktables (P, P0 to P4) in a fixed direction by a push-out portion (23) fixed at the same interval as the interval of the work areas (E, EA to ED) so as to transfer the worktable (P, P0 to P4) to the mechanical transfer position, and the transfer driving unit (21) is configured to reciprocate the column in the extension direction of the track.

[0045] According to the production line equipment (1) configured to have the second aspect, the worktable (P, P0 to P4) can be forcibly mechanically transferred to the mechanical transfer position by the movement of the column (24) by the transfer driving unit (21).

[0046] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, the push-out section (23) includes a ratchet mechanism that engages with each workbench (P, P0 to P4) so as to be able to push the workbench when the workbench (P, P0 to P4) is pushed out in a fixed direction, and that does not engage with the workbench (P, P0 to P4) so as to be able to return when the column (24) returns to the initial position.

[0047] According to the production line equipment (1) configured with the third aspect, since the push-out section (23) is provided with the ratchet mechanism, the workbench push-out operation of the push-out section (23) and the return operation of the column can be smoothly performed by the reciprocating movement of the column (24).

[0048] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the transfer drive unit (21) pushes out the column (24) at predetermined time intervals to transfer the workbench (P, P0 to P4) to the mechanical transfer position.

[0049] According to the production line equipment (1) configured with the fourth aspect, even if a worker who has not completed work, the transfer drive unit (21) forcibly performs mechanical transfer, so that the working time can be smoothly managed.

[0050] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, when the workbench (P, P0 to P4) is mechanically transferred from the work position of the current work area (E, EA to ED) to the next mechanical transfer position, the rear end of the workbench (P, P0 to P4) is kept in the current work area (E, EA to ED).

[0051] According to the production line equipment (1) configured with the above-described fifth aspect, since the rear end of the workbench (P, P0 to P4) that is mechanically transferred to the mechanical transfer position is kept in the current work area (E, EA to ED), a worker (M, MA to MD) who has delayed work can continue to perform work at the rear end (P, P0 to P4) of the workbench to make up for the delay.

Claims

1. A production line equipment, comprising: Multiple work areas arranged in a line; a plurality of work tables, which are movable in a fixed direction along the arrangement direction of the plurality of work areas and are located at a working position of each of the work areas; a transport mechanism configured to mechanically transport each of the workbenches to a mechanical transport position in front of a working position of each of the work areas, and to freely move each of the workbenches from the mechanical transport position to the working position, When the workbench is mechanically transferred from a working position in a current working area to a next mechanical transfer position, the rear end of the workbench remains in the current working area, and the front half of the workbench has reached the next working area.

2. The production line equipment according to claim 1, A track is arranged along the arrangement direction of the plurality of working areas, and the workbench is movably arranged on the track, and The transmission mechanism includes: a column arranged in parallel with the rail and configured to push out the plurality of work tables in the fixed direction through a push-out portion so as to transfer the work tables to the mechanical transfer position, the push-out portions being fixed at the same intervals as the intervals of the work areas, and The transmission driving unit is configured to make the column reciprocate in the extending direction of the track.

3. The production line equipment according to claim 2, The pushing portion includes a ratchet mechanism, which engages with each of the workbenches when the workbenches are pushed out in the fixed direction so as to be able to push the workbenches, and disengages from the workbenches when the column returns to its initial position so as to be able to return.

4. The production line equipment according to claim 2, The transport driving unit pushes out the cylinder at predetermined time intervals to transport the workbench to the mechanical transport position.

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