Component supply device

Abstract

To provide a component supply device capable of improving a cycle time with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A component supply device includes: a plurality of component box storage shelves 10 for storing a component box M; and at least one component box return shelf 20 for returning the component box M, laminated therebelow. In each of the component box storage shelves 10 and one end side of the component box return shelf 20, a common takeout part is arranged below each of the component box storage shelves 10. In each of the component box storage shelves 10 and one end side of the component box return shelf 20, a lifter 40 is disposed so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and the component box M is moved to the common takeout part 30 by placing the component box M moved from each of the component box storage shelves 10 to downwardly move the lifter 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a parts supplying device having a plurality of parts box storage shelves and at least one parts box return shelf stacked vertically. [Background technology]

[0002] In general, in an assembly line for automobiles, etc., parts to be assembled are stored in a parts box and placed on a parts box storage shelf near the assembly line, and the parts are removed from the parts box and assembled. In recent years, in order to accommodate the assembly of a plurality of types of automobiles on the same assembly line, for example, parts box storage shelves are provided in a stacked manner, and parts boxes storing parts of different vehicle models are placed on each parts box storage shelf. In this parts supply device, for example, a lifter that can move in the vertical direction is provided on the assembly line side of the parts box storage shelf, and the lifter is moved to the corresponding parts box storage shelf according to the vehicle model to be assembled, and the parts box is moved to the lifter so that the parts can be easily removed by a work robot. In addition, in this parts supply device, for example, a parts box return shelf is provided in the stacking direction of the parts box storage shelves, and the parts box after the parts are removed is moved to the parts box return shelf by the lifter and returned to the parts box return shelf.

[0003] However, in this part supply device, the lifter had to be stopped while the part box was being moved to the lifter and the work robot was taking out the parts. Therefore, when a different type of part needs to be taken out next, the lifter cannot be moved to another part box storage shelf until the previous part take-out is completed and the part box is returned to the part box return shelf, which causes the problem that it takes time to take out the part. In addition, the height of the part box storage shelves differs depending on the type of part, so it takes time to have the work robot go to a part box located at a high position to take the part.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a component supply device in which a plurality of component box storage shelves for moving and transporting component boxes containing components and an empty box return shelf for moving and transporting the component boxes after the components have been removed are stacked, and a supply lifter for receiving the component boxes and a return lifter for returning the component boxes to the component box storage shelf or the empty box return shelf are provided on the forward side of each component box storage shelf in the transport direction, and are movable in the vertical direction. In this component supply device, a component box containing the components to be assembled is sent from the component box storage shelf to the supply lifter, and the component box sent to the supply lifter is pulled out to a workbench by an operator, who then assembles the components in the component box into a product. When the assembly of the components is completed, the operator returns the component box to the return lifter, and if there are still components remaining in the component box, the component box on the return lifter is transferred to the original component box storage shelf, while if all the components in the component box have been used up, the component box on the return lifter is transferred to the empty box return shelf.

[0005] However, the component supply device described in Patent Document 1 has the problem that the component box must be pulled out from the supply lifter onto the workbench, and then returned from the workbench to the return lifter after the components have been removed, which is cumbersome and troublesome work.In addition, the provision of a supply lifter and a return lifter makes the structure and control complex. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 2957098 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a component supplying device that can improve the cycle time with a simple structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The parts supply device of the present invention comprises a plurality of parts box storage shelves stacked in the vertical direction for storing parts boxes, at least one parts box return shelf stacked below each parts box storage shelf for returning parts boxes, a common removal section disposed below each parts box storage shelf at one end side of each parts box storage shelf and the parts box return shelf and for placing parts boxes removed from each parts box storage shelf, and a lifter movable in the vertical direction at one end side of the parts box storage shelf and the parts box return shelf and disposed corresponding to the common removal section in the vertical direction, for placing parts boxes removed from each parts box storage shelf on it and moving it downward to move the parts boxes to the common removal section. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, a common take-out section is disposed below each of the parts box storage shelves at one end side of each parts box storage shelf and the parts box return shelf, and a lifter is provided at one end side of each parts box storage shelf and the parts box return shelf so as to be movable in the vertical direction in correspondence with the common take-out section, and a parts box moved from each parts box storage shelf is placed on the lifter and moved downward to move the parts box to the common take-out section, so that the parts box can be easily moved to the common take-out section with a simple configuration and without complicated operations. Therefore, the position where the parts are taken out of the parts box by the work robot becomes constant, and the cycle time can be shortened. In addition, after the parts box is moved from the lifter to the common take-out section, the lifter can be moved to receive the next parts box even during the parts take-out, so that the cycle time can be further shortened.

[0010] In addition, if the lifter has a first side bottom support portion and a second side bottom support portion that respectively support the bottom portions on both sides of the parts box, and a spacing means for spacing the first side bottom support portion and the second side bottom support portion so that the distance between them is wider than the width of the parts box, the first side bottom support portion and the second side bottom support portion can support the bottom portions on both sides of the parts box and move it to the common removal portion, and after it has been moved to the common removal portion, the spacing means can be used to separate the first side bottom support portion and the second side bottom support portion, allowing the lifter to be easily moved upwards without overlapping with the parts box.

[0011] Furthermore, if the common removal section has a removal placement section on which the parts boxes are placed, and the removal placement section can be changed in position between a removal position in which the parts box return shelf side is higher than the opposite side, and a return position in which the parts box return shelf side corresponds to one of the parts box return shelves and the opposite side is higher than the parts box return shelf side, changing the position of the removal placement section makes it easy to remove parts, and the parts box after the parts have been removed can be easily returned to the parts box return shelf. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a component supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the component supplying device shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the component supplying device illustrated in FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the component supply device subsequent to FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 5 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the component supply device subsequent to FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 6 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the component supply device subsequent to FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the component supply device subsequent to FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] (One embodiment) Fig. 1 shows the overall configuration of a component supplying device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the configuration of the component supplying device 1. This component supplying device 1 is disposed, for example, near an assembly line (not shown) and stores components (not shown) to be assembled in a component box M and supplies the components to the assembly line.

[0015] This component supply device 1 includes a plurality of component box storage shelves 10 that are stacked vertically and store component boxes M, and at least one component box return shelf 20 that is stacked below each component box storage shelf 10 and returns the component boxes M. Although the number of stages of each component box storage shelf 10 is shown as two in FIG. 1, this is not particularly limited, and it is preferable, for example, to store different types of components in different component box storage shelves 10 depending on the type of components to be assembled on the assembly line. The component box return shelf 20 can be shared by all component boxes M, so one stage is sufficient, but multiple stages may also be provided.

[0016] Each parts box storage shelf 10 has, for example, a holding section 11 that places and holds one parts box M, and a support section 12 that supports the holding section 11 so that it can reciprocate in one direction so that it can be pushed out from one end side. That is, the holding section 11 can reciprocate between a pushed-out state in which it is pushed out from one end side in the pushing-out direction, and a pulled-back state in which it is pulled back from the one end side in the pushing-out direction. The width of the holding section 11, for example, the width in the direction perpendicular to the pushing-out direction, is preferably narrower than the width of the parts box M, for example, the width in the direction perpendicular to the pushing-out direction. Specifically, it is preferably narrower than the distance between the first side bottom support section 41 and the second side bottom support section 42 described later. This is to prevent the holding section 11 from overlapping with the first side bottom support section 41 and the second side bottom support section 42.

[0017] The holding unit 11 is preferably provided with, for example, a plurality of rotatable rollers 11A arranged in the extrusion direction on a placement portion on which the parts box M is placed. This is to allow the parts box M to be easily placed by rolling it on the rollers 11A. The holding unit 11 may be arranged so that the placement portion on which the parts box M is placed is horizontal, but may also be arranged so that the rear end in the extrusion direction is higher than the front end and inclined. The support unit 12 is preferably provided with, for example, a plurality of rotatable rollers 12A arranged in the extrusion direction on the side supporting the holding unit 11. This is to allow the holding unit 11 to be easily moved back and forth by rolling it on the rollers 12A.

[0018] Each parts box storage shelf 10 preferably further has a waiting section 13 where the next parts box M is placed and kept waiting. The waiting section 13 is disposed, for example, behind the holding section 11 in the pushing-out direction, with the rear end of the placement section on which the parts box M is placed being inclined higher than the front end, and the front end facing the holding section 11. The waiting section 13 also preferably has, for example, a plurality of rotatable rollers 13A arranged in the pushing-out direction on the placement section on which the parts box M is placed. This is to make it possible to easily move the parts box M from the waiting section 13 to the holding section 11 by rolling it on the rollers 13A.

[0019] The parts box return shelf 20 returns the parts box M, for example, in the direction opposite to the push-out direction of the parts box M. The parts box return shelf 20 is preferably provided, for example, with the front side in the return direction (i.e., the direction opposite to the push-out direction) of the placement section on which the parts box M is placed inclined lower than the rear side. Furthermore, the parts box return shelf 20 may be provided, for example, with a plurality of rotatable rollers (not shown) lined up in the return direction on the placement section on which the parts box M is placed.

[0020] This parts supply device 1 also includes a common removal section 30 disposed below each parts box storage shelf 10 at one end side of each parts box storage shelf 10 and parts box return shelf 20, and a lifter 40 disposed so as to be movable in the vertical direction at one end side of each parts box storage shelf 10 and parts box return shelf 20. One end side of each parts box storage shelf 10 and parts box return shelf 20 refers to, for example, the front side of each parts box storage shelf 10 in the push-out direction, or the rear side of each parts box return shelf 20 in the return direction.

[0021] The common removal section 30 is for placing the parts boxes M removed from each parts box storage shelf 10, and for example, a work robot (not shown) can remove parts from the parts box M with the parts box M placed on the common removal section 30. The lifter 40 is provided to correspond to the common removal section 30 in the vertical direction, and is for placing the parts box M moved from each parts box storage shelf 10 on the lifter 40 and moving it downward to move the parts box M to the common removal section 30.

[0022] The common take-out section 30 has, for example, a take-out placement section 31 on which the parts box M is placed. The take-out placement section 31 is preferably rotatably arranged so that it can be changed between a take-out position in which the side of the parts box return shelf 20 is higher than the opposite side, and a return position in which the side of the parts box return shelf 20 corresponds to one of the parts box return shelves and the opposite side is higher than the side of the parts box return shelf 20. This is to make it easier to take out parts when taking out parts from the parts box M by facing the top surface of the parts box M toward the work robot, and to automatically move the parts box M by raising the rear side in the return direction when returning the parts box M to the parts box return shelf 20.

[0023] The common removal section 30 has, for example, a removal support section 32 that rotatably supports the side of the removal placement section 31 opposite to the part box return shelf 20. The rotation range of the removal placement section 31 is configured to be controlled, for example, by the outlet end of a return cylinder 33 (described later) and an adjustable stopper section (not shown) installed on the ground.

[0024] The take-out placement section 31 is preferably provided with, for example, a plurality of rotatable rollers 31A arranged in the return direction. This is to allow the part box M to be easily returned to the part box return shelf 20 by rolling it on the rollers 31A. The width of the take-out placement section 31, for example, the width in the direction perpendicular to the return direction, is preferably configured to be narrower than the width of the part box M, for example, the width in the direction perpendicular to the return direction. Specifically, it is preferably configured to be narrower than the distance between the first side bottom support section 41 and the second side bottom support section 42 described later. This is to prevent the take-out placement section 31 from overlapping with the first side bottom support section 41 and the second side bottom support section 42.

[0025] Further, the take-out placement section 31 is provided, for example, divided into two along the return direction. A return cylinder 33 is disposed below the take-out placement section 31, for example, corresponding to the space between the divided sections of the take-out placement section 31, for pushing up the rear side of the parts box M in the return direction from below when returning the parts box M to the parts box return shelf 20. A parts box locking member 34 is disposed on the opposite side of the take-out placement section 31 to the parts box return shelf 20, for example, for locking the parts box M placed in the take-out position to prevent it from falling.

[0026] The lifter 40 has, for example, a first bottom support part 41 and a second bottom support part 42 that support both side bottom parts of the part box M in the direction in which the part box M is moved from each part box storage shelf 10, i.e., in the push-out direction, and a moving means 43 that moves the first bottom support part 41 and the second bottom support part 42 in the vertical direction. The first bottom support part 41 supports, for example, one bottom side of the part box M in the push-out direction, and the second bottom support part 42 supports, for example, the other bottom side of the part box M in the push-out direction. The moving means 43 has, for example, a pair of lifting cylinders 43A arranged in the vertical direction on one end side of each part box storage shelf 10 and one end side of the part box return shelf 20, and a pair of arrangement members 43B that arrange the first bottom support part 41 and the second bottom support part 42 on each lifting cylinder 43A.

[0027] The lifter 40 also preferably has a spacing means 44 for spacing the first side bottom support portion 41 and the second side bottom support portion 42 so that the distance between them is wider than the width of the parts box M in the opposing direction (see FIG. 2). When the parts box M is moved from each parts box storage shelf 10 to the common removal section 30, both side bottoms of the parts box M are supported by the first side bottom support portion 41 and the second side bottom support portion 42, and after the parts box M is moved to the common removal section 30, the first side bottom support portion 41 and the second side bottom support portion 42 are spaced apart by the spacing means 44, so that the lifter 40 can be easily moved upward without overlapping with the parts box M.

[0028] 2 shows the configuration of the first bottom support portion 41, the second bottom support portion 42, and the spacing means 44 as seen from the front side in the extrusion direction, where (A) shows a state in which the first bottom support portion 41 and the second bottom support portion 42 support the parts box M, and (B) shows a state in which the first bottom support portion 41 and the second bottom support portion 42 are spaced apart so that the distance between them is wider than the width of the parts box M. The spacing means 44 is rotatably provided, for example, between the first bottom support portion 41 or the second bottom support portion 42 and the arrangement member 43B so that the first bottom support portion 41 and the second bottom support portion 42 can be moved in a direction separating them from each other.

[0029] For example, this component supply device 1 is used as follows. Figures 3 to 7 are diagrams showing the operation of the component supply device 1. First, for example, as shown in Figure 1, a component box M containing components is placed on each component box storage shelf 10. Next, for example, as shown in Figure 3, the holder 11 of the component box storage shelf 10 on which the component box M containing the necessary components is placed is pushed forward in the pushing direction from one end side. Next, for example, as shown in Figure 4, both side bottoms of the component box M are supported by the first side bottom support part 41 and the second side bottom support part 42, the component box M is moved to the lifter 40, and the holder 11 is pulled back rearward in the pushing direction from one end.

[0030] Next, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the lifter 40, specifically the first side bottom support part 41 and the second side bottom support part 42, are moved downward to move the part box M to the take-out placement part 31 in the take-out posture with the part box return shelf 20 side higher than the opposite side. As a result, the part box M is placed on the take-out placement part 31 with the part box return shelf 20 side higher than the opposite side and the opposite side engaged with the part box locking member 35. Thereafter, the work robot, for example, takes out parts from the part box M placed on the take-out placement part 31 and performs an assembly operation. Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, the lifter 40 rotates the separation means 44 to separate the first side bottom support part 41 and the second side bottom support part 42, so that the first side bottom support part 41 and the second side bottom support part 42 can be moved upward through the outside of the part box M even during the part take-out operation by the work robot.

[0031] Next, for example, as shown in FIG. 7 , after the parts are removed from the parts box M, the removal placement section 31 is rotated to a return position in which the opposite side is higher than the side of the parts box return shelf 20, and the return cylinder 33 is used to push up the rear side of the parts box M in the return direction from below, thereby moving the parts box M to the parts box return shelf 20.

[0032] According to this embodiment, the common take-out section 30 is disposed below each of the parts box storage shelves 10 at one end of each of the parts box storage shelves 10 and the parts box return shelf 20, and the lifter 40 is provided corresponding to the common take-out section 30 so as to be movable in the vertical direction at one end of each of the parts box storage shelves 10 and the parts box return shelf 20. The lifter 40 is placed on the parts box M moved from each of the parts box storage shelves 10 and moved downward to move the parts box M to the common take-out section 30. This makes it possible to easily move the parts box M to the common take-out section 30 with a simple configuration and without performing complicated operations. Therefore, the position where the parts are taken out from the parts box M by the work robot becomes constant, and the cycle time can be shortened. In addition, after the parts box M is moved from the lifter 40 to the common take-out section 30, the lifter 40 can be moved to receive the next parts box M even during the parts take-out, so that the cycle time can be further shortened.

[0033] In addition, if the lifter 40 has a first side bottom support portion 41 and a second side bottom support portion 42 which respectively support the bottom portions on both sides of the parts box M, and a spacing means 44 which separates the first side bottom support portion 41 and the second side bottom support portion 42 so that the distance between them is wider than the width of the parts box M, the first side bottom support portion 41 and the second side bottom support portion 42 support the bottom portions on both sides of the parts box M and move it to the common removal portion 30, and after it has been moved to the common removal portion 30, the first side bottom support portion 41 and the second side bottom support portion 42 are separated by the spacing means 44, so that the lifter 40 can be easily moved upward without overlapping with the parts box M.

[0034] Furthermore, the common removal section 30 has a removal placement section 31 on which the parts box M is placed, and the removal placement section 31 can be changed in position between a removal position in which the side facing the parts box return shelf 20 is higher than the opposite side, and a return position in which the side facing the parts box return shelf 20 corresponds to one of the parts box return shelves 20 and the opposite side is higher than the parts box return shelf 20 side.By changing the position of the removal placement section 31, it is easy to remove parts, and the parts box M after the parts have been removed can be easily returned to the parts box return shelf 20.

[0035] (Modification) In the above embodiment, a case has been shown in which the height of the parts box return shelf 20 does not differ significantly from the height of each parts box storage shelf 10. However, for example, as shown in Figure 8, even when the height of the parts box return shelf 20 is increased and the removal placement section 31 is in the removal position, the first side bottom support section 41 and the second side bottom support section 42 can be moved to a position corresponding to the lowest parts box storage shelf 10, so that the holding section 11 with the parts box M placed on it can be pushed out of the lowest parts box storage shelf 10 and moved to the lifter 40.

[0036] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified in various ways. For example, in the above embodiment, each component is specifically described, but the specific structure or shape of each component may be different, and the present invention may not include all of the above-mentioned components, and may include other components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1...component supply device, 10...component box storage shelf, 11...holding section, 11A...roller, 12...support section, 12A...roller, 13...waiting section, 13A...roller, 20...component box return shelf, 30...common removal section, 31...removal placement section, 31A...roller, 32...removal support section, 33...return cylinder, 34...component box locking member, 40...lifter, 41...first side bottom support section, 42...second side bottom support section, 43...moving means, 43A...lifting cylinder, 43B...arrangement member, 44...separating means, M...component box

Claims

1. a plurality of component box storage shelves arranged in a vertical stack and configured to store component boxes; At least one part box return shelf for returning the part boxes, the part box return shelf being stacked below each of the part box storage shelves; a common removal section disposed below each of the parts box storage shelves at one end side of each of the parts box storage shelves and the parts box return shelf, and on which the parts boxes removed from each of the parts box storage shelves are placed; a lifter that is movable in the vertical direction at one end side of the part box storage shelf and the part box return shelf, that is provided to correspond to the common removal section in the vertical direction, that places the part box removed from each part box storage shelf on the lifter and moves it downward to move the part box to the common removal section; A component supplying device comprising:

2. The lifter is a first side bottom support portion and a second side bottom support portion that support both side bottom portions of the part box in a direction in which the part box is moved from each of the part box storage shelves; a spacing means for spacing the first side bottom support portion and the second side bottom support portion so that the distance between them is wider than the width of the component box in the opposing direction; 2. The parts supplying device according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. 2. The parts supply device according to claim 1, wherein the common removal section has a removal placement section on which the parts boxes are placed, and the removal placement section is rotatably arranged so that its position can be changed between a removal position in which the parts box return shelf side is higher than the opposite side, and a return position in which the parts box return shelf side corresponds to one of the parts box return shelves and the opposite side is higher than the parts box return shelf side.

Images