Rail running device

Abstract

The invention provides a track running device which stably and reliably runs on a plate-shaped track. In the orbital operation device (10), a spur gear (42) is rotated by the torque of a motor (M) attached to a base (11), teeth of the spur gear (42) sequentially mesh with a plurality of holes (72) provided so as to be continuous in the longitudinal direction of a plate-shaped orbital (R1), and the base (11) can be moved forward and backward in the longitudinal direction of the orbital (R1). The orbital operation device is provided with a pair of holding members (26, 36) and a pair of guide members (44, 46), the pair of holding members (26, 36) being located on one side and the other side in the axial direction of the spur gear (42) with respect to the spur gear (42). And a pair of holding members (26, 36) that contact the rail (R1) from the side opposite the spur gear (42) at a position where the distance between the axial center of the spur gear (42) and the rail (R1) is shortest with respect to the rail (R1), and a pair of guide members (44, 46) that are positioned on one side and the other side in the axial direction of the spur gear (42) with respect to the spur gear (42). The pair of guide members (44, 46) are in contact with the rail (R1) from the same side as the spur gear (42) at a position where the distance between the axial center of the spur gear (42) and the rail (R1) is shortest with respect to the rail (R1), so that the distance between the spur gear (42) and the rail (R1) can be kept constant, and the teeth of the spur gear (42) can be reliably engaged with the holes (72). Therefore, the device can stably and reliably run on the plate-shaped track (R1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for moving forward and backward on a plate-shaped track (hereinafter referred to as a "track running device" for short). Background Art

[0002] In automatic welding devices or automatic cutting devices for cutting weld beads, there are devices that use plate-shaped rails as running paths and electrically move forward and backward on the rails. As this type of rail running device, for example, the following technology has been developed.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-156423

[0006] The piping track device of Patent Document 1 comprises a plate-shaped track arranged around the circumference of the piping, a plurality of pedestals elastically supporting the track and having springs and magnets built therein, and a track running device. Accordingly, since the track can be elastically deformed, it can handle not only flat installation objects but also curved installation objects. Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0008] In the track running device of Patent Document 1, holes are continuously provided on the track, and the gears of the track running device mesh with the holes of the track while rotating, so that the track running device moves forward and backward on the track. However, in the case of a curved track with a large curvature or due to the influence of gravity on the track running device, the gears may not mesh with the holes of the track or the meshing is shallow, and the track running device may not move forward and backward smoothly.

[0009] Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a track running device that runs stably and reliably on a plate-shaped track.

[0010] Solutions for solving technical problems

[0011] The present invention relates to a track running device for moving forward and backward on a plate-shaped track, wherein the plate-shaped track is provided with a plurality of holes continuous in a length direction, and the track running device comprises: a motor mounted on a base; a spur gear configured to rotate by the torque of the motor and having teeth meshing with the holes; a pair of retaining components, wherein the pair of retaining components are located on one direction side and another direction side of the axial direction of the spur gear relative to the spur gear, and wherein the pair of retaining components contact the track from a side opposite to the spur gear at a position where the distance between the axis center of the spur gear and the track is shortest relative to the track; and a pair of guide components, wherein the pair of guide components are located on one direction side and another direction side of the axial direction of the spur gear relative to the spur gear, and wherein the pair of guide components contact the track from a side same as the spur gear at a position where the distance between the axis center of the spur gear and the track is shortest relative to the track, wherein the technical problem is solved by the track running device.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, the spur gear is rotated by the torque of the motor installed on the base, and the teeth of the spur gear are sequentially meshed with a plurality of holes provided in a continuous manner in the longitudinal direction of the plate-shaped track, so that the base can be moved forward and backward along the longitudinal direction of the track. Here, the following track running device can be formed, which has a pair of holding members and a pair of guide members, the pair of holding members are located on one direction side and another direction side of the axial direction of the spur gear relative to the spur gear, and the pair of holding members contact the track from the opposite side of the spur gear at a position where the distance between the axis of the spur gear and the track is shortest relative to the track, the pair of guide members are located on one direction side and another direction side of the axial direction of the spur gear relative to the spur gear, and the pair of guide members contact the track from the same side as the spur gear at a position where the distance between the axis of the spur gear and the track is shortest, so that the distance between the spur gear and the track can be kept constant, and the teeth of the spur gear can be meshed with the holes reliably, so that not only on a flat track but also on a curved track with a large curvature, even regardless of the posture of the track running device, it can be stably and reliably operated.

[0014] In addition, if a structure is formed in which the retaining component and the guiding component are in contact with the track at the position where the teeth of the spur gear mesh with the hole within the height range of the tooth tip, malfunction caused by shallow or deep meshing of the teeth of the spur gear with the hole can be prevented, and a track operating device that can move forward and backward smoothly on the track can be formed.

[0015] In addition, if a structure is formed in which a retaining component is connected to a shaft passing through the spur gear, the shaft is arranged on the base in a manner that can rotate within a specified range, and is connected to a rod that is forced in one direction, and if the rod is rotated in the other direction, the retaining component opens in a direction in which they are separated from each other. When the rod is rotated in the other direction, the teeth of the spur gear are engaged with the hole, causing the rod to return, thereby enabling the track running device to be easily assembled on the track.

[0016] In addition, if the configuration further includes a supporting member connected to the base in a variable angle relative to the base, and the supporting member has a structure of clamping members for clamping the front and back sides of the rail, the posture of the rail running device relative to the rail can be stabilized.

[0017] Furthermore, if the support member is configured to further include a side contact member that contacts the side surface of the rail, the support member can be prevented from accidentally falling off the rail while the rail operating device is moving forward and backward on the rail. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 This is a front view of a track operating device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Top view of the .

[0020] Figure 3 It is a partial sectional side view of the base.

[0021] Figure 4 Yes Figure 3 The rod is rotated in the other direction.

[0022] Figure 5 It is a side view of the support member in the closed state.

[0023] Figure 6 It is a side view of the support member in the opened state.

[0024] Figure 7 This is a front view of a case where the track operating device according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the outer peripheral surface side of a curved track.

[0025] Figure 8 This is a front view of a case where the track operating device according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the inner peripheral surface side of a curved track. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Below, refer to Figures 1 to 8 The embodiments of the present invention will be described, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0027] like Figure 1As shown, the track running mechanism 100 includes a track running device 10 and a pair of supporting members 50. As described later, the track running device 10 is a device that moves forward and backward on a plate-shaped track R1. The plate-shaped track R1 can be formed by, for example, a leaf spring, and can be mounted on an installation object by means of a component 70 such as a magnet. In addition, although not illustrated, a welding machine or a cutting machine, a monitoring device, etc. are installed on the track running device 10, and the installation object can be processed or inspected.

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, a plurality of holes 72 are continuously arranged in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the track R1. Figure 3 How to attach the track running device 10 to the track R1 will be described. The base 11 of the track running device 10 rotatably supports the spur gear 42. The spur gear 42 is rotated by the torque of the motor M attached to the base 11.

[0029] The teeth of the spur gear 42 are aligned with the holes 72 (see Figure 2 Therefore, if the motor M is driven and the spur gear 42 rotates, the teeth of the spur gear 42 sequentially mesh with a plurality of holes 72 that are arranged continuously in the length direction of the track R1, thereby causing the base 11 and the track running device 10 to move forward and backward along the length direction of the track R1.

[0030] The base 11 has a pair of holding members 26 and 36. The pair of holding members 26 and 36 are arranged so as to be located on one side and the other side of the axial direction of the spur gear 42 with respect to the spur gear 42. In addition, the pair of holding members 26 and 36 are arranged from the side opposite to the spur gear 42 (the side opposite to the spur gear 42) at a position where the distance between the axis of the spur gear 42 and the track R1 is the shortest with respect to the track R1. Figure 3 The lower surface side of R1) is configured in a manner that contacts the track R1 (see also Figure 1 The holding members 26 and 36 of the track running device 10 are rotating bodies (rollers), but they can be applied even if they are not rotating bodies. In the case of rotating bodies, the axis of the rotating body can be parallel to the axis of the spur gear 42.

[0031] In addition, the base 11 has a pair of guide members 44 and 46. The pair of guide members 44 and 46 are arranged so as to be located on one direction side and the other direction side of the axial direction of the spur gear 42 with respect to the spur gear 42. In addition, the pair of guide members 44 and 46 are arranged from the same side ( Figure 3The guide members 44 and 46 of the track running device 10 are rotating bodies (rollers), but can be applied even if they are not rotating bodies. In the case of a rotating body, the axis of the rotating body can be parallel to the axis of the spur gear 42.

[0032] As described above, the track running device 10 includes a pair of holding members 26, 36 and guide members 44, 46, so that the distance between the spur gear 42 and the track R1 can be kept constant, and the teeth of the spur gear 42 can be reliably engaged with the hole 72. Figure 1 , Figure 2 The planar track R1 shown in FIG. Figure 7 The outer peripheral surface side of the curved track R2 shown in FIG. Figure 8 On the inner peripheral surface side of the curved track R3 shown, the curved track with a large curvature can form the track running device 10 that can run stably and reliably regardless of the posture of the track running device 10.

[0033] Here, if Figure 3 As shown, the teeth of the spur gear 42 can be aligned with the hole 72 of the track R1 within the height range of the tooth tip (see Figure 2 . ) The arrangement positions of the pair of holding members 26, 36 and the guide members 44, 46 are determined by the way in which the pair of holding members 26, 36 and the guide members 44, 46 contact the track R1. This is because if this structure is formed, it is possible to prevent malfunction caused by shallow or deep meshing of the teeth of the spur gear 42 and the hole 72, and it is possible to form a track running device 10 that can smoothly move forward and backward on the track R1.

[0034] In the track running device 10, the pair of holding members 26 and 36 are switched to the open state ( Figure 4 ) and the closed state ( Figure 3 ). Specifically, the retaining member 26 is connected to the shaft 20 that passes through the spur gear 42 via the first connecting member 22, and the retaining member 36 is connected to the shaft 20 that passes through the spur gear 42 via the second connecting member 32. The shaft 20 is connected to the rod 12 via the first connecting member 22. The rod 12 is provided on the base 11 in a manner that allows it to rotate within a prescribed range around the rod fulcrum 14, and is urged in one direction by a force applying unit 15 such as a coil spring. The first connecting member 22 is configured to be rotatable around a first fulcrum 24 located between the shaft 20 and the rod 12, and the second connecting member 32 is configured to be rotatable around a second fulcrum 34 located between the shaft 20 and the retaining member 36.

[0035] Therefore, if the rod 12 is rotated in the other direction, the rod 12 rotates around the rod fulcrum 14, the first connecting member 22 rotates around the first fulcrum 24, and the second connecting member 32 rotates around the second fulcrum 34. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , a pair of holding members 26 and 36 can be formed to open in a direction away from each other. According to this structure, when the rod 12 is rotated in the other direction, the teeth of the spur gear 42 and the hole 72 (see FIG. 1 ) are aligned. Figure 2 ) is engaged and the rod 12 is returned, thereby making it possible to easily assemble the rail running device 10 to the rail R1. In addition, similar to the clamping members 57 and 58 of the supporting member 50 described later, other structures such as a structure that opens and closes a pair of holding members 26 and 36 using a knob and a link mechanism can of course be applied.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the track running device 10 may also be configured to further include a support member 50. As shown in the figure, a pair of support members 50 may be provided in a manner of sandwiching the track running device 10. The support member 50 is connected to the track running device 10, more specifically, to the base 11, via a fastening member 60. The fastening member 60 is composed of a fastening rod 62 and a fastener 64 (see also FIG. 1 ). Figure 2 ). By rotating the tightening rod 62, the tightening state of the fastener 64 can be loosened or tightened, so that the support member 50 is connected to the base 11 in a manner that the angle relative to the base 11 is variable.

[0037] like Figure 5 As shown, the support member 50 includes a pair of front surfaces ( Figure 5 ) and the back ( Figure 5 The lower side of the knob 52 is provided with clamping members 57 and 58. The clamping members 57 and 58 of the support member 50 are rotating bodies (rollers), but can be applied even if they are not rotating bodies. A pair of clamping members 57 and 58 are connected to the nut 54 via a link mechanism 56. The nut 54 is configured to move forward and backward on the axis of the knob 52 by rotating the knob 52.

[0038] The clamping member 58 located on the back side of the rail R1 of the pair of clamping members 57 and 58 is switched according to the position of the nut 54. Figure 5 The closed state and Figure 6 When the track running device 10 moves forward and backward on the track R1, the pair of clamping members 57 and 58 are in the closed state. When the track running device 10 is installed or removed from the track R1, the pair of clamping members 57 and 58 are in the open state. If this structure is formed, the posture of the track running device 10 relative to the track R1 can be stabilized, and it can be Figure 7 , Figure 8As shown, a structure that is preferable when the rail running device 10 moves forward and backward on the curved rails R2 and R3 is formed.

[0039] In addition, if Figure 5 As shown, the support member 50 may also be configured to further include a side surface ( Figure 5 The side contact member 59 of the support member 50 is a rotating body (roller), but it can be applied even if it is not a rotating body. If this structure is formed, it can prevent the support member 50 from accidentally falling off the track R1 during the forward and backward movement of the track running device 10 on the track R1.

[0040] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a track running device that can run stably and reliably even on a plate-shaped track having a large curved surface.

[0041] Description of Reference Numerals

[0042] 10: track running device; 11: base; 12: rod; 26, 36: holding part; 42: spur gear; 44, 46: guide part; 50: supporting part; 57, 58: clamping part; 59: side contact part; 72: hole; M: motor; R1: track.

Claims

1. A track running device, the track running device moves forward and backward on a plate-shaped track, the plate-shaped track is provided with a plurality of holes continuous in the length direction, the track running device comprises: a motor mounted on the base; a spur gear configured to be rotated by the torque of the motor and having teeth meshing with the hole; a pair of retaining members, the pair of retaining members being located on one direction side and another direction side of the axial direction of the spur gear relative to the spur gear, the pair of retaining members being in contact with the track from a side opposite to the spur gear at a position where a distance between an axis of the spur gear and the track is shortest relative to the track; and a pair of guide members, the pair of guide members being located on one direction side and another direction side of the axial direction of the spur gear relative to the spur gear, the pair of guide members being in contact with the track from the same side as the spur gear at a position where the distance between the axis of the spur gear and the track is shortest relative to the track; The holding member is connected to a shaft passing through the spur gear. The shaft is provided on the base so as to be rotatable within a predetermined range and is connected to a rod urged in one direction. The holding members are configured so as to open in directions away from each other when the lever is rotated in the other direction.

2. The track running device according to claim 1, The retaining member and the guide member contact the rail at a position where the teeth of the spur gear engage with the hole within the height range of the tooth tip.

3. The track running device according to claim 1 or 2, A supporting member is further provided, the supporting member being connected to the base in a manner that an angle relative to the base is variable, The supporting member has clamping members for clamping the front and back surfaces of the rail.

4. The track running device according to claim 3, The support member further includes a side contact member that contacts a side surface of the rail.

Images