Electric transport device and transporting method of electric transport device

Abstract

To provide an electric transport device that prevents the need for a long and thin, large protruding space due to an extrusion device and a cushioning device, secures a pool of a mold-holding body, and suppresses interference with a work passage.SOLUTION: An electric transport device includes: a transfer path 2 along which a mold-holding body 5 is transported; a pushing device 3 provided upstream of the transfer path to push the mold-holding body; and a cushioning device 4 provided downstream of the transfer path to prevent the mold-holding body from moving freely. One of the pushing device and the cushioning device includes an electric motor 41 and a motion conversion device 42. The motion conversion device includes: a rotating arm 42a; a circumferential gear 42b formed along the circumferential direction in which the rotating arm rotates, and rotating in synchronization with the rotating arm; a linear moving body 42c which contacts the mold-holding body arranged at the upstream end position or downstream end position of the transfer path and moves in the transfer direction in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating arm; and a meshing member which rotates in conjunction with the electric motor and meshes with the circumferential gear.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electric transport device for transporting molding flasks and molds in a casting line, and a transport method using the electric transport device. [Background technology]

[0002] A known electric transport device for transporting molding flasks and molds comprises a number of carts, each carrying a molding flask or mold, arranged on a transport rail as a transport path, and equipped with a push-out device using a servo motor that faces the upstream end of the transport rail, and a cushion device also using a servo motor that faces the downstream end of the transport rail. Multiple carts lined up on a transport rail are clamped between a push-out device and a cushioning device and are intermittently moved the length of one cart, allowing the items to be transported in sequence. Such a technique is described in US Pat. No. 5,399,633. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 2559334 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, both the push-out device using a servo motor and the cushion device using a servo motor have a long and thin shape and need to be arranged in series with the conveying rail, which requires a long and thin, large protruding space. As a result, in some factory layouts, it was not possible to pool the required number of carts (mold holders) on the transport rails, and they sometimes became an obstruction to work aisles, etc.

[0005] The present invention has been made in light of the above circumstances and aims to provide an electric transport device and a transport method thereof that prevent the need for a large, long, narrow protruding space due to the use of an extrusion device and cushion device, ensures a pool for a specified number of carts (mold holders), and prevents them from obstructing the work aisle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect of the electric transport device of the present invention, the transport device comprises a transport path along which a plurality of mold holders, which are molding flasks containing molds or transport tables on which molds are placed, are lined up and transported, an extrusion device provided at the upstream end of the transport path for intermittently pushing the mold holders along the transport path at one-piece lengths at a time, and a cushion device provided at the downstream end of the transport path for suppressing free movement of the mold holders in the transport direction.

[0007] Either the push-out device or the cushion device is provided with an electric motor and a motion conversion device that converts the rotational motion of the electric motor into linear motion along the conveying direction of the conveying path.

[0008] The motion conversion device comprises a rotating arm with a rotating shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying path, a circumferential gear formed along the circumferential direction in which the rotating arm rotates and rotating in sync with the rotating arm, a linear moving body that abuts against the mold holders aligned at the upstream end position or the downstream end position of the conveying path and moves linearly along the conveying direction in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating arm, and a meshing member that rotates in conjunction with the output shaft of the electric motor and meshes with the circumferential gear.

[0009] With this, the push-out device and cushion device do not require a large space for a long, thin protrusion, and a pool of the required number of carts (mold holders) can be secured, preventing them from obstructing the work aisle.

[0010] According to the electric transport device of the second aspect of the present invention, in the electric transport device of the first aspect, the tip end side of the rotating arm and the linear moving body are connected by a link member. According to this, the rotational motion of the rotating arm can be easily transmitted to the linear moving body by the link member and converted into linear motion.

[0011] According to the third aspect of the electric conveying device of the present invention, in the electric conveying device of the first aspect, the circumferential gear is a sector gear having a gear formed on an arc-shaped portion, and the rotating arm and the circumferential gear are integrally formed.

[0012] According to this, by transmitting a small force to the sector gear, a large force is generated, and by providing the rotating arm integrally with the sector gear, it is possible to produce a large movement in the rotating arm.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect of the electric conveying device of the present invention, in the electric conveying device of the third aspect, the sector gear has a gear formed on an arc-shaped portion, which is positioned opposite the center of the conveying path closer to the rotating arm, and the portion which engages with the engaging member is located above the center of rotation of the rotating arm.

[0014] This allows the protruding dimension of the electric transport device to be reduced and the electric motor to be installed in a higher position, thereby reducing the installation space and improving maintenance workability.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect of the electric conveying device of the present invention, in the electric conveying device of the second aspect, the height position of the swing center where the link member and the linear moving body are connected is located between the height position where the connection part between the link member and the rotating arm is at its lowest point and the height position where the connection part between the link member and the rotating arm is at its highest point.

[0016] This allows the angle of the swinging motion that occurs in the link member during transportation to be divided into upward and downward with respect to the swing center. Therefore, the diagonal load acting on the link member during transportation can be reduced. As a result, the strength required on the track surface of the linear moving body can be reduced, leading to reduced manufacturing costs.

[0017] According to the sixth aspect of the electric transport device of the present invention, in the electric transport device of the first aspect, both the push-out device and the cushion device are equipped with the motion conversion device, and the rotation angles of the rotating arms of the push-out device and the cushion device are set to be the same when a first gap provided between the mold holder at the upstream end and the newly transported mold holder in order to line them up on the transport path, and a second gap provided between the mold holder at the downstream end and the linear moving body of the cushion device in order to transport the mold holder from the transport path on which it is lined up, become intimately attached so as to disappear after transport of the mold holder begins.

[0018] According to this, by setting the rotation start angles of the rotating arm of the push-out device and the rotating arm of the cushion device to be the same, the peripheral speeds of the sector gears of both devices can be synchronized, and the number of rotations of the electric motors becomes the same, enabling the mold holder group to be transported accurately.

[0019] According to a seventh aspect of the electric transport device of the present invention, in the electric transport device of the first aspect, the linear moving body is provided with a deviation prevention device that prevents the linear moving body from deviating from the transport path.

[0020] According to this, by providing a disengagement mechanism that prevents the linear moving body of the extrusion device and the linear moving body of the cushion device from disengaging from the transport path when the mold holder group is clamped and moved on the track device, the rotational motion of the rotating arm can be reliably converted into linear motion.

[0021] According to the eighth aspect of the transport method for an electric transport device of the present invention, there is provided a transport method for transporting the mold holder using the electric transport device of the first aspect, comprising: an extrusion start step of setting the electric motor of the extrusion device to an acceleration frequency and starting the extrusion of the mold holder; a brake release step of releasing the brake of the electric motor of the cushion device immediately before the mold holder comes into contact with the cushion device after the extrusion start step; a constant speed proceeding step of switching the electric motor of the extrusion device to a high speed frequency to proceed at a constant speed; a deceleration switching step of the extrusion device of switching the electric motor of the extrusion device to a deceleration frequency; and a deceleration switching step of the cushion device of switching the electric motor of the cushion device to a deceleration frequency.

[0022] According to this, the drive control of the electric motor of the push-out device and the electric motor of the cushion device can be performed with simple control, and the mold holder can be transported quickly and reliably. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic plan view of an electric transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the electric transport device taken along the line II-II of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an extrusion device. [Diagram 5] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a swinging motion of a link member. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 4. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 4. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 4. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the cushion device. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the conveying process immediately after conveying is started. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 illustrates a transport process at a high frequency. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 illustrates a decelerated and paused process. [Figure 14] 13A and 13B show a process in which the rotating arm of the cushioning device rotates to a final stop position and the rotating arm of the pushing device returns to its initial position. [Figure 15] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing another example of a rotating arm and a sector gear. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] First embodiment First, an electric transport device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, the horizontal direction extending from left to right in FIG. 1 is defined as the X-axis direction, and the horizontal direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction is defined as the Y-axis direction. In addition, the starting point side of the transport path along which the mold holder is transported is referred to as the "upstream side", and the end point side of the transport path is referred to as the "downstream side". Furthermore, in the case of a three-dimensional object, the side closer to the center will be referred to as the "inside" and the side furthest from the center will be referred to as the "outside."

[0025] The electric transport device 1 includes a transport path 2, a push-out device 3, and a cushion device 4.

[0026] (Transport path) A plurality of mold holders 5 are lined up on the conveying path 2 and are conveyed in the conveying direction (X-axis direction). The conveying path 2 is equipped with a stand 21 and a roller conveyor 22. An upstream traverser (not shown) is provided at the upstream end position UEP of the conveying path 2, through which a new mold holder 5 is conveyed. A downstream traverser (not shown) is provided at the downstream end position DEP of the conveying path 2, through which the mold holder 5 conveyed to the downstream end position DEP is conveyed out.

[0027] The base 21 supports the roller conveyor 22 at a position higher than the floor surface BF. The mounting base 21 includes a base frame 21a, a base cross frame 21b, a pole frame 21c, and a cross frame 21d.

[0028] The base frame 21a is made of, for example, iron and is formed of a long material with a square cross section. The base frames 21a are arranged in pairs in the Y-axis direction and laid on the floor surface so as to extend along the X-axis direction. A plurality of base cross frames 21b (eight in FIG. 2) are provided between the pair of base frames 21a so as to extend in the Y-axis direction at predetermined intervals. The interval between adjacent base cross frames 21b on the most upstream and most downstream sides is about twice as wide as that in other parts.

[0029] At the positions where the base frame 21a intersects with the base cross frame 21b, the pole frames 21c are erected at a predetermined height along the vertical direction. The pole frames 21c are formed, for example, of iron rods with a rectangular cross section. The pole frames 21c are arranged in pairs in the Y-axis direction, and the cross frame 21d is horizontally supported between the upper ends of the paired pole frames 21c.

[0030] The cross frame 21d is made of iron and formed into a rod shape, for example, and is formed into a square cross section whose sides are shorter than the long sides of the cross section of the pole frame 21c.

[0031] Furthermore, two parallel frames 21e are provided along the X-axis direction between the most upstream base cross frame 21b and the second most upstream base cross frame 21b. Pits P are formed on the upstream side and downstream side of the floor surface BF on which the stand 21 is arranged. In each pit P, a part of the motion conversion device 32, 42 described later is housed. A roller conveyor 22 is provided on the stand 21.

[0032] (Roller conveyor) The roller conveyor 22 transports the mold holder 5 placed on a plurality of freely rotating rollers. The roller conveyor 22 includes a roller support member 22a and a plurality of rollers 22b.

[0033] The roller support members 22a are formed of, for example, iron, long members with a rectangular cross section, and are arranged in pairs in the Y-axis direction and fixed on a stand so as to extend along the X-axis direction. The roller support member 22a is provided with a plurality of rotation shafts extending in the Y-axis direction on the inner sides facing each other, and a roller 22b is rotatably supported on each of the rotation shafts.

[0034] Each roller 22b is made of iron and has a disk shape, for example, and the disk-shaped circumferential portion supports the lower ends of the mold holder 5 in the Y-axis direction. A push-out device 3 is provided at the upstream end of the conveying path 2, and a cushion device 4 is provided at the downstream end.

[0035] (Extrusion device) The push-out device 3 intermittently moves the mold holders 5 arranged in the transport path 2 toward the downstream side by the length of each mold holder 5 (one pitch). As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the push-out device 3 includes an electric motor 31 and a motion conversion device 32.

[0036] For example, a servo motor is used as the electric motor 31. A servo motor can accurately realize position / speed / rotational force (torque) and the like. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the electric motor 31 is fixed to a fixed plate 21f provided between the parallel frame 21e and the base frame 21a on the upstream side. The output shaft of the electric motor 31 is set to extend along the Y-axis direction. A pinion gear 32e (meshing member) is attached to the output shaft so as to be immovable relative to the output shaft, and the pinion gear 32e meshes with a sector gear 32b, which will be described later. The pinion gear 32e corresponds to the meshing member and is included in the motion conversion device 32.

[0037] (Motion conversion device) The motion conversion device 32 converts the rotational motion of the output shaft of the electric motor 31 into the linear motion of a linear moving body 32c that reciprocates along the conveying direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the motion conversion device 32 includes a rotating arm 32a, a sector gear 32b, a linear moving body 32c, a link member 32d, and a pinion gear 32e.

[0038] The rotating arm 32a is, for example, a long and narrow plate-like body made of iron, and is tapered toward the tip. The rotating arm 32a is formed integrally with a sector gear 32b, which will be described later. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the rotating arm 32a is provided so that the central axis of rotation CL extends along the Y-axis direction, and the central axis of rotation CL is rotatably supported by bearings 32f fixed to the lower surfaces of the two parallel frames 21e by brackets 32f1.

[0039] The rotating arm 32a is provided so as to rotate within an imaginary vertical plane including a straight line extending in the X-axis direction. The length of the rotating arm 32a is set so that, when the rotating arm 32a is set vertically, it is higher than the height position of the linear moving body 32c that moves on the roller conveyor 22.

[0040] (Secondary gear) The sector gear 32b is a type of circumferential gear, and is not provided with gears around the entire circumference, but rather with gears on an arc-shaped portion that is a part of the circumference. The angle formed by the arc-shaped portion is, for example, about 30 degrees to 180 degrees. In this embodiment, a gear with an angle of about 80 degrees is used. As shown in FIG. 4, the sector gear 32b has a radial support portion 32b1 extending in the radial direction and a circumferential support portion 32b2 extending along the circumferential direction, and is formed integrally with the rotating arm 32a on the opposite side to the radial support portion 32b1.

[0041] The sector gear 32b has an external gear 32b3 formed in a range of, for example, 60 degrees of an arc-shaped portion formed by a part of the circumference of the circumferential support part 32b2. The radius of the sector gear 32b is shorter than the length of the rotating arm 32a, and no external gear is provided in a circumferential portion of about 20 degrees on the rotating arm 32a side. The external gear 32b3 meshes with a pinion gear 32e provided on the output shaft of the electric motor 31. The center of rotation of the sector gear 32b coincides with the central axis CL of rotation of the rotating arm 32a.

[0042] The sector gear 32b has an external gear 32b3 formed on an arcuate portion and is disposed facing the rotating arm 32a toward the center (downstream) of the conveying path 2. The portion of the sector gear 32b that meshes with the pinion gear 32e is disposed above the center of rotation (center axis CL) of the rotating arm 32a.

[0043] As the pinion gear 32e rotates, the sector gear 32b and the rotating arm 32a which mesh with the pinion gear 32e rotate about the central axis CL. One end of a link member 32d is connected to the tip of the rotating arm 32a via a connecting shaft so as to be relatively rotatable. As shown in Fig. 3, the link member 32d is formed of, for example, two rectangular iron plates arranged in the Y-axis direction. The other end of the link member 32d is connected to the linear moving body 32c via a connecting shaft so as to be relatively rotatable.

[0044] 5 illustrates the movement of a link member 32d that connects the rotating arm 32a and the linear moving body 32c. The rotating arm 32a (not shown) rotates counterclockwise, and the linear moving body 32c moves horizontally to the left (downstream). The height position H1 of the swing center YC at which the link member 32d and the linear moving body 32c are connected is set to be located between the height position H2 at which the connection part RC between the link member 32d and the rotating arm 32a is at its lowest point and the height position H3 at which the connection part RC between the link member 32d and the rotating arm 32a is at its highest point. Preferably, the height position H1 of the swing center YC is set to be exactly midway between the height position H2 of the lowest point and the height position H3 of the highest point. In other words, the link member 32d is set so that the angles at which it swings upward and downward about the swing center YC are equal.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 3, the linear moving body 32c extends along the X-axis direction and is formed into a substantially U-shape by a pair of sliding parts 32c1 that slide on the roller conveyors 22 that face each other in the Y-axis direction, and a connecting bar 32c2 that connects the front ends of the sliding parts 32c1 in a line perpendicular to the sliding parts 32c1. A contact part 32c3 that protrudes in the shape of a short cylinder is provided on the downstream end face of the connecting bar 32c2. The contact part 32c3 contacts the rear end of the mold holder 5 that is arranged at the upstream end position UEP. A slippage prevention device 33 for preventing the linear moving body 32c from slipping off the roller conveyor 22 is provided on the underside of the sliding portion 32c1.

[0046] The slip-out prevention devices 33 are made of, for example, iron, and are formed of a plate material with an L-shaped cross section consisting of a vertical portion 33a and a horizontal portion 33b as shown in Fig. 7, and are formed to extend in the X-axis direction along the sliding portion 32c1. The slip-out prevention devices 33 are provided in pairs aligned in the Y-axis direction. The vertical portions 33a have their upper ends connected to the undersides of the sliding portions 32c1, and the horizontal portions 33b are configured to be hooked from the inside of the conveying path 2 onto the undersides of the circumferential portions of the rollers 22b.

[0047] (Cushioning device) The cushion device 4 prevents the aligned mold holders 5 on the downstream side from becoming free and moving freely during transportation.

[0048] The cushion device 4 is provided at the downstream end of the conveying path 2, and is configured and arranged so as to be plane-symmetrical to the extrusion device 3 when a plane of symmetry is imagined as a vertical plane including a line in the Y-axis direction at the center of the conveying path 2. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the cushion device 4 includes an electric motor 41 and a motion conversion device .

[0049] The electric motor 41 in the cushion device 4 is similar to the electric motor 31 in the push-out device 3 . The motion conversion device 42 in the cushion device 4 is similar to the motion conversion device 32 in the push-out device 3, but has a symmetrical configuration as described above.

[0050] The motion conversion device 42 includes a rotating arm 42a, a sector gear 42b, a linear moving body 42c, a link member 42d, and a meshing member (pinion gear 42e). The following describes the symmetrical differences. The sector gear 42b in the cushion device 4 is disposed so that an external gear 42b3 portion formed on a circular arc portion faces the center side (upstream side) of the conveying path 2 relative to the rotating arm 42a.

[0051] The linear moving body 42c in the cushion device 4 is provided with a contact portion 42c3 projecting in the shape of a short cylinder on the upstream end surface of the connecting bar 42c2. The link member 42d of the cushion device 4 is located upstream of the tip end of the rotating arm 42a.

[0052] (Control device) A control device (not shown) controls an electric motor 31 that rotates a pinion gear 32e meshing with the sector gear 32b in order to rotate the rotating arm 32a of the extrusion device 3. Further, the control device (not shown) controls the electric motor 41 that rotates the pinion gear 42e meshing with the sector gear 42b in order to rotate the rotating arm 42a of the cushion device 4.

[0053] (Activation) The operation of the electric transport device configured as above will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2, 5, 11, 12, 13 and 14.

[0054] The rotating arm 32a of the push-out device 3 is stopped at the upstream rotation end USE after rotating clockwise in Fig. 2. A new mold holder 5 is carried into the upstream end position UEP of the transport path 2 by an upstream traverser (not shown). A gap t1 of 10 mm is provided between the new mold holder 5 and the abutment part 32c3 of the linearly movable body 32c. A gap t2 of 10 mm (corresponding to the first gap) is provided between the new mold holder 5 and the mold holder 5 at the upstream end lined up on the transport path 2.

[0055] These gaps t1, t2 are provided so that a new mold holder 5 can be smoothly positioned between the contact portion 32c3 of the linearly movable body 32c and the mold holder 5 at the upstream end lined up in the transport path 2.

[0056] At the downstream end position DEP of the transport path 2, the mold holders 5 lined up at the downstream end are carried out by a downstream traverser (not shown). The rotating arm 42a of the cushion device 4 is stopped at the rotation end rotated clockwise in Fig. 2. A gap t3 of 10 mm (corresponding to a second gap) is provided between the abutment part 42c3 of the linear moving body 42c of the cushion device 4 and the mold holders 5 lined up at the downstream end of the transport path 2.

[0057] This is because a gap t3 is provided between the mold holder 5 next to the downstream end and the mold holder 5 arranged next to the downstream end to allow smooth removal when the mold holder 5 arranged next to the downstream end is removed. The electric motor 41 of the cushion device 4 is braked.

[0058] Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the control device sets the electric motor 31 of the extrusion device 3 to an acceleration frequency to start extrusion of the mold holder 5 (extrusion start step). Rotation of the pinion gear 32e provided on the output shaft of the electric motor 31 rotates the sector gear 32b, and the rotating arm 32a rotates counterclockwise in Fig. 11 in synchronization with the sector gear 32b. The rotation of the rotating arm 32a causes the linear moving body 32c to start linearly moving downstream.

[0059] As the linearly movable body 32c moves linearly downstream, first, the abutment portion 32c3 of the linearly movable body 32c abuts and comes into close contact with the mold holder 5u at the upstream end, thereby eliminating the gap t1. Next, the mold holder 5u at the upstream end abuts against and comes into close contact with the second mold holder 5s, thereby eliminating the gap t2.

[0060] Furthermore, gap t3 is eliminated by mold holder 5d at the downstream end coming into contact with and tightly fitting to contact portion 42c3 of linear moving body 42c of cushion device 4. When all gaps t1 to t3 are eliminated, rotating arm 32a of push-out device 3 and rotating arm 42a of cushion device 4 are set to have the same rotation angle. Also, immediately before the gap t3 is eliminated, the brake of the electric motor 41 of the cushion device 4 is released (brake release process).

[0061] Next, the control device switches the electric motor 31 of the extrusion device 3 to a high-speed frequency to advance at a constant speed (constant-speed advancement step). After the gap t3 is eliminated and pressing is performed a predetermined distance (e.g., 10 mm), the control device switches the frequency to the high-speed frequency to rotate the electric motor 31 of the extrusion device 3 at high speed. The electric motor 41 of the cushion device 4 rotates by an external force pressed by the mold holder 5 while generating a light resistance.

[0062] Next, the control device switches the electric motor 31 of the push-out device 3 to a deceleration frequency (a deceleration switching process of the push-out device). The timing of switching to the deceleration frequency is, for example, when the rotating arm 32a has passed halfway through the rotation process, as shown in FIG.

[0063] The control device issues a deceleration command to the electric motor 41 of the cushion device 4 at the same time as the push-out device 3 starts to decelerate. The frequency of the cushion device 4 is set to be equal to the frequency of the push-out device 3. (Cushion device deceleration switching process).

[0064] Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the control device stops the rotating arm 32a of the push-out device 3 and the rotating arm 42a of the cushion device 4 at a temporary stop position that is slightly before the final stop position. The control device locks the second mold holder 5 from the downstream end with a separation stopping device (not shown) so that it does not move further downstream, and rotates the rotating arm 42a of the cushion device 4 to the final stop position.

[0065] The control device moves the downstream end mold holder 5 further downstream using a positioning device (not shown). As a result, a gap t4 is formed between the downstream end mold holder 5 and the second mold holder 5 from the downstream end, and a gap t5 is formed between the downstream end mold holder 5 and the contact portion 42c3 of the linearly movable body 42c of the cushion device 4 (see FIG. 14).

[0066] Next, the control device rotates the rotary arm 32a of the push-out device 3 in the reverse direction (clockwise) to return the linearly movable body 32c to its original position. Then, a new mold holder 5 is carried into the upstream end position UEP by the upstream traverser (not shown). These steps are then repeated.

[0067] As is clear from the above description, the electric transport device 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention is a transport device comprising: a transport path 2 along which a plurality of mold holders 5, which are molding flasks containing molds or transport tables on which molds are placed, are lined up and transported; a push-out device 3 provided at the upstream end of the transport path 2 for intermittently pushing the mold holders 5 along the transport path 2 by the length of each unit; and a cushion device 4 provided at the downstream end of the transport path 2 for restricting free movement of the mold holders 5 in the transport direction.

[0068] Either the push-out device 3 or the cushion device 4 is provided with an electric motor 31, 41 and a motion conversion device 32, 42 that converts the rotational motion of the electric motor 31, 41 into linear motion along the conveying direction of the conveying path 2.

[0069] The motion conversion device 32, 42 comprises a rotating arm 32a, 42a having a rotating shaft extending in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying path 2, a circumferential gear formed along the circumferential direction in which the rotating arms 32a, 42a rotate and which rotates in sync with the rotating arms 32a, 42a, a linear moving body 32c, 42c that abuts against a mold holder 5 arranged at the upstream end position UEP or the downstream end position DEP of the conveying path 2 and moves linearly along the conveying direction in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating arms 32a, 42a, and an engaging member (pinion gear 32e, 42e) that rotates in conjunction with the output shaft of the electric motor 31, 41 and engages with the circumferential gear (sector gear 32b, 42b).

[0070] With this, the push-out device 3 and cushion device 4 do not require a large space for a long, thin protrusion, and a pool of the required number of carts (mold holders 5) can be secured, preventing them from obstructing the work passage.

[0071] Further, the tip end sides of the rotary arms 32a, 42a and the linear moving bodies 32c, 42c are connected by link members 32d, 42d. According to this, the rotational motion of the rotational arms 32a, 42a can be easily transmitted to the linear movement bodies 32c, 42c by the link members 32d, 42d and converted into linear motion.

[0072] The circumferential gear is a sector gear 32b, 42b having a gear formed on a circular arc portion, and the rotating arms 32a, 42a and the circumferential gear are provided integrally.

[0073] According to this, a small force can be transmitted to the sector gears 32b, 42b to produce a large force, and by providing the sector gears 32b, 42b integrally with the rotating arms 32a, 42a, it is possible to produce a large movement in the rotating arms 32a, 42a.

[0074] In addition, the sector gears 32b, 42b have gears formed in the arc-shaped portions arranged opposite the central portion of the conveying path 2 relative to the rotating arms 32a, 42a, and the portions that mesh with the meshing members (pinion gears 32e, 42e) are located above the rotation centers of the rotating arms 32a, 42a.

[0075] According to this, the protruding dimension of the electric transport device can be reduced and the electric motors 31, 41 can be installed at a high position, so that the installation space can be reduced and the maintenance workability can be improved.

[0076] In addition, the height position of the swing center YC where the link members 32d, 42d and the linear moving bodies 32c, 42c are connected is located between the height position where the connection part RC between the link members 32d, 42d and the rotating arms 32a, 42a is at its lowest point and the height position where the connection part RC between the link members 32d, 42d and the rotating arms 32a, 42a is at its highest point.

[0077] According to this, the angle of the swinging motion occurring in the link members 32d, 42d during transportation can be divided into upward and downward with respect to the swing center YC. Therefore, the diagonal load acting on the link members during transportation can be reduced. As a result, the strength required on the track surface of the linear moving bodies 32c, 42c can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

[0078] In addition, both the extrusion device 3 and the cushion device 4 are equipped with motion conversion devices 32, 42, and the rotation angles of the rotating arms 32a, 42a of the extrusion device 3 and the cushion device 4 are set to be the same when the first gap (t2) provided between the mold holder 5 at the upstream end and the newly transported mold holder 5 in order to line them up on the conveying path 2, and the second gap (t3) provided between the mold holder 5 at the downstream end and the linear moving bodies 32c, 42c of the cushion device 4 in order to transport them from the conveying path 2 where the mold holders 5 are lined up, become intimately attached so as to disappear after the conveying of the mold holder 5 begins.

[0079] According to this, by setting the rotation start angles of the rotating arms 32a, 42a of the push-out device 3 and the rotating arms 32a, 42a of the cushion device 4 to be the same, it is possible to synchronize the peripheral speeds of both sector gears 32b, 42b. This makes the rotation speeds of the electric motors 31, 41 the same, and allows the group of mold holders 5 to be transported accurately.

[0080] Further, the linear moving bodies 32c and 42c are provided with a deviation prevention device 33 for preventing deviation from the conveying path 2.

[0081] According to this, by providing a disengagement mechanism that prevents the linear moving bodies 32c, 42c of the extrusion device 3 and the linear moving bodies 32c, 42c of the cushion device 4 from disengaging from the conveying path 2 when they clamp the group of mold holders 5 and move on the track device, the rotational motion of the rotating arms 32a, 42a can be reliably converted into linear motion.

[0082] Although the electric motor 31 is a servo motor in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an inverter motor may be used. In addition, the torque from the electric motor 31 is transmitted by a combination of the external gear and the pinion gear 32e, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the torque may be transmitted by a combination of a pin gear and a pinion gear.

[0083] In addition, although the rotating arm 32a and the sector gear 32b are described as being integral with each other, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in Fig. 15, the rotating arm 52a and the sector gear 52b may be assembled to one rotating part SP so as not to rotate relative to each other, and the rotating arm 52a and the sector gear 52b may rotate simultaneously and synchronously.

[0084] In the above embodiment, the rotary arm 32a and the linear moving body 32c are connected by the link member 32d, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the rotary arm and the linear moving body may be connected by a cross slider mechanism that slides in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the linear moving body. In addition, the conveying path 2 is a roller conveyor 22, but is not limited to this. For example, a rail may be used. In this case, a rolling wheel that rolls on the rail is required.

[0085] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these descriptions. Various modifications that do not deviate from the scope of the claims and that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art are also included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0086] 1: electric conveying device, 2: conveying path, 3: pushing device, 3 electric motor, 32: motion conversion device, 32a: rotating arm, 32b: sector gear (circumferential gear), 32c: linear moving body, 32d: link member, 32e: pinion gear (meshing member), 33: disengagement prevention device, 4: cushion device, 41: electric motor, 42: motion conversion device, 42a: rotating arm, 42b: sector gear (circumferential gear), 42c: linear moving body, 42d: link member, 5: mold holder, UEP: upstream end position, DEP: downstream end position, CL: central axis (center of rotation), t2: gap (first gap), t3: gap (second gap).

Claims

1. a conveying path along which a plurality of mold holders, which are molding flasks housing molds or conveying tables on which molds are placed, are arranged and conveyed; an extrusion device provided at an upstream end of the transport path and configured to intermittently extrude the mold holder along the transport path by a single length at a time; a cushion device provided at a downstream end of the transport path and configured to suppress free movement of the mold holder in the transport direction, Either the push-out device or the cushion device is provided with an electric motor and a motion conversion device that converts a rotational motion of the electric motor into a linear motion along a conveying direction of the conveying path, The motion conversion device includes a rotating arm having a rotation axis extending in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveying path; a circumferential gear formed along the circumferential direction in which the rotating arm rotates and rotating in synchronization with the rotating arm; a linear moving body that comes into contact with the mold holders arranged at the upstream end position or the downstream end position of the transport path and moves linearly along the transport direction in conjunction with the rotation of the rotary arm; a meshing member that rotates in conjunction with the output shaft of the electric motor and meshes with the circumferential gear; Electric transport device.

2. 2. The electric transport device according to claim 1, wherein the tip end of the rotary arm and the linear moving body are connected by a link member.

3. The circumferential gear is a sector gear having a gear formed on a circular arc portion, The rotating arm and the circumferential gear are integrally provided.

2. The motorized transport device of claim 1.

4. the sector gear is disposed such that a gear formed on the arc-shaped portion faces the central portion of the conveying path closer to the central portion than the rotating arm, and a portion that meshes with the meshing member is provided above the rotation center of the rotating arm; 4. The motorized transport device according to claim 3.

5. a height position of a swing center where the link member and the linear moving body are connected is located between a height position where a connection portion between the link member and the rotating arm is at its lowest point and a height position where the connection portion between the link member and the rotating arm is at its highest point; 3. The motorized transport device according to claim 2.

6. Both the pushing device and the cushioning device are equipped with the motion conversion device; a first gap provided between the mold holder at the upstream end and a mold holder to be newly carried in so as to be arranged on the transport path; a second gap provided between the mold holder at the downstream end and the linearly movable body of the cushion device in order to transport the mold holder from the transport path on which the mold holder is arranged, 2. The electric transport device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation angles of the rotating arms of the push-out device and the cushion device are set to be the same when the mold holder comes into close contact with the push-out device so as to disappear after the mold holder starts to be transported.

7. 2. The electric transport device according to claim 1, wherein the linear moving body is provided with a deviation prevention device for preventing deviation from the transport path.

8. A method for transporting the mold holder using the electric transport device according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: an extrusion start step of setting the electric motor of the extrusion device to an acceleration frequency to start extrusion of the mold holder; a brake releasing step of releasing a brake of the electric motor of the cushion device immediately before the mold holder comes into contact with the cushion device after the extrusion start step; a constant speed advancement step of switching the electric motor of the extrusion device to a high-speed frequency to advance the electric motor at a constant speed; a deceleration switching step of switching the electric motor of the extrusion device to a deceleration frequency; a deceleration switching step of switching the electric motor of the cushion device to a deceleration frequency; Equipped with A conveying method for an electric conveying device.

Images