Storage box and storage box transport device

Abstract

To provide a storage box for a winding body that can accommodate a winding body in which magnetic foil material is wound into a cylindrical or columnar shape while maintaining the outer diameter of the winding body. [Solution] The storage box comprises a storage box body capable of accommodating a cylindrical or columnar wound body made of magnetic foil material, and a magnet provided on the storage box body for attracting the foil material from the bottom surface of the wound body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage box and a storage box conveying device.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a conveying device that is used to carry in and out plate-shaped bodies one by one on a sheet metal processing line. In this conveying device, a large number of permanent magnets distributed in an adsorption box are used to adsorb the surface of a plate-shaped body made of a magnetic material.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, after manufacturing a wound body in which a metal foil material that is easily elastically deformed is wound into a cylindrical or columnar shape, when the holding of the end of the wound body is released, the outer diameter of the wound body can easily change due to elastic deformation. In this case, it may be impossible to maintain the wound body within a predetermined outer diameter, and it may be difficult to put the wound body into a predetermined storage box.

[0005] Also, even if the wound body can be stored and conveyed in an appropriate storage box, it is desirable to maintain the outer diameter of the wound body in the storage box for the workability in the next process.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a storage box for a wound body that can store the wound body in a state where the outer diameter of the wound body in which a magnetic foil material is wound into a cylindrical or columnar shape is maintained, and a storage box conveying device having such a storage box.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A storage box according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a storage box body capable of accommodating a cylindrical or columnar wound body in which a magnetic foil material is wound, and a magnet provided on the storage box body for attracting the foil material on the bottom surface of the wound body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a storage box for a winding body that can accommodate a winding body in which a magnetic foil material is wound in a cylindrical or columnar shape while maintaining the outer diameter of the winding body, and a storage box transport device having such a storage box. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram of the manufacturing and transport system. [Figure 2] Schematic diagram of the winding system. [Figure 3] Schematic diagram of the conveying device. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the storage box of the conveying device and the shaft of the winding device of the winding system. [Figure 5] A schematic diagram of the housing box for the conveying device. [Figure 6] A schematic diagram viewed from the direction indicated by the symbol VI in Figure 5. [Figure 7] A schematic cross-sectional view along the line labeled VII-VII in Figure 6. [Figure 8] This diagram shows the operation flow when winding the supplied foil material using the winding system shown in Figure 2. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the operation flow when transporting a wound body using the transport device shown in Figure 3. [Figure 10] A schematic diagram showing the winding system when the tip of the foil material is at the origin position. [Figure 11] (A) is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the winding device, the movable base, and the winding retainer when the tip of the foil material is advanced from the origin position to the base member of the movable base, and (B) is a schematic diagram viewed from the direction indicated by arrow 11B in (A). [Figure 12](A) is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the winding device, movable base, and winding retainer after the foil material has been attached to the first magnet and then to the second magnet, and (B) is a schematic diagram viewed from the direction indicated by arrow 12B in (A). [Figure 13] (A) is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the winding device, the movable base, and the winding retainer when the base member of the movable base is retracted relative to the outer surface of the shaft from the position shown in Figure 12(A), and (B) is a schematic diagram viewed from the direction indicated by arrow 13B in (A). [Figure 14] A schematic diagram showing the winding system immediately after the rotation of the corrugated sheet feed gear and shaft has stopped, after the foil material has been fed a predetermined number of waves. [Figure 15] This schematic diagram shows the winding system after the corrugated sheet has reached the state shown in Figure 14, the shaft is rotated to suppress the deflection of the foil material, and the foil material has been cut with a cutter. [Figure 16] (A) is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the winding device, the movable base, and the winding retainer when the foil material has been wound onto the outer circumference of the shaft, and (B) is a schematic diagram viewed from the direction indicated by arrow 16B in (A). [Figure 17] (A) is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the winding device, the movable base, and the winding retainer when the roller is retracted upward from the position shown in Figure 16(A), and (B) is a schematic diagram viewed from the direction indicated by arrow 17B in (A). [Figure 18] Figure 17(A) shows the relative positions of the winding device, movable base, and winding retainer when the discharge plate has finished moving along the central axis of the shaft from the position shown, and also provides a schematic diagram of the storage box with one end face of the winding body brought close to the magnet. [Figure 19] Figure 18 shows a schematic diagram of the storage box with one end face of the wound material attached to a magnet. [Figure 20A] A schematic diagram showing an example of the outermost circumference of a winding body relative to a magnet, and the foil material inside it, as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow XX in Figure 19. [Figure 20B] A schematic diagram showing an example of the outermost circumference of a winding body relative to a magnet, and the foil material inside it, as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow XX in Figure 19. [Figure 21] Modified example of the arrangement of magnets in the storage box.

Embodiment for Carrying out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out this invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] The manufacturing and conveying system 1000 for the wound body 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 21.

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the manufacturing and conveying system 1000. As shown in FIG. 1, the manufacturing and conveying system 1000 includes a winding system (manufacturing apparatus for the wound body 1) for winding the wound body 1, and a conveying apparatus (storage box conveying apparatus) for conveying the wound body 1 wound by the winding system 10 while maintaining its shape.

[0013] It is assumed that various components including the drive source (actuator) of the manufacturing and conveying system 1000 are controlled by the control unit 200.

[0014] Here, mainly, an example in which a corrugated plate (a plate with a substantially sinusoidal shape having a predetermined pitch and a predetermined amplitude) is wound as the foil material 5 to form the wound body 1 will be described, but a flat plate formed of the foil material 5 may be wound to form the wound body 1. The foil material 5 used in the manufacturing and conveying system 1000 according to this embodiment may be appropriately formed with through holes (ventilation paths), or may not be formed with through holes. When through holes are formed, the magnetic force by the magnets 34 and 36 described later is more likely to reach the outer peripheral side of the wound body 1. The length and diameter of the wound body 1 can vary according to the requirements of the final product. As an example, the inner diameter of the wound body 1 in which the foil material 5 is a corrugated plate is about 60 mm, and the outer diameter is about 62.5 mm to 80 mm.

[0015] In this embodiment, a magnetic material, i.e., a metal that adheres to magnets, is used as the foil material 5. As an example, ferritic stainless steel or martensitic stainless steel can be used as the foil material 5. The thickness of the foil material 5 can range from several tens of micrometers to several millimeters or less, as an example. For this reason, the wound body 1 is formed in a cylindrical or columnar shape by winding the magnetic foil material 5.

[0016] Here, we assume an XYZ Cartesian coordinate system in Figure 1. The exterior of the manufacturing and conveying system 1000 is formed in a roughly L-shape. The winding system 10 is formed straight in the X-axis direction, for example. The conveying device 100 is formed straight in the Y-axis direction, for example.

[0017] First, the winding system 10 will be explained using Figure 2.

[0018] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the winding system 10. The +X axis direction is the direction in which the foil material 5 to be wound is transported along the transport surface 52 of the transport unit 16. The +Y axis direction is along the depth direction perpendicular to the plane of Figure 2. The +Z axis direction is towards the top of Figure 2. The origin O of the XYZ Cartesian coordinate system is taken as the position where the foil material 5 is cut by the cutter 20.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the winding system 10 comprises a winding device 12, a movable base 14, a transport unit 16, a first sensor 18, a cutter 20, a second sensor 22, and a winding retainer 24.

[0020] The winding device 12 comprises a housing 30, a shaft (winding roller) 32, a first magnet 34, a second magnet 36, and a discharge plate (pusher) 38.

[0021] The housing 30 forms the frame of the winding device 12. The housing 30 is provided with a shaft portion 32, a first magnet 34, and a second magnet 36.

[0022] The shaft portion 32 is supported by the housing 30 so as to be rotatable around a predetermined central axis C. The shaft portion 32 is formed in a cylindrical shape (cylindrical body) or cylindrical shape (cylindrical body) having an outer surface around which the supplied foil material 5 is wound, and is rotatable around the predetermined central axis C by a drive source (actuator), such as a motor. The predetermined central axis C is provided parallel to the Y axis. The length of the shaft portion 32 in the Y axis direction may be greater than or less than the width of the conveying surface 52 in the Y axis direction.

[0023] The first magnet 34 shown in Figure 2 is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 32 or on its inner side. The first magnet 34 is shown as a rectangle when viewed from the Y-axis direction, but various shapes are permitted. The first magnet 34 exerts a magnetic force on the foil material 5, causing the foil material 5 to stick to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 32. Preferably, the magnetic force of the first magnet 34 is formed to act in such a way that, when the foil material 5 is a corrugated sheet, the outermost foil material 5 of the wound body 1 is pulled toward the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 32.

[0024] The second magnet 36 is provided on the outer surface of the shaft portion 32 or inside it, spaced apart from the first magnet 34 in the circumferential direction of the outer surface of the shaft portion 32. The second magnet 36 is illustrated as a rectangle when viewed from the Y-axis direction, but various shapes are permitted. The distance between the first magnet 34 and the second magnet 36 is preferably greater than 0° and within 90° with respect to a predetermined central axis C. The second magnet 36 exerts a magnetic force on the foil material 5, causing the foil material 5 to stick to the outer surface. When the foil material 5 is a corrugated sheet, the magnetic force of the second magnet 36 is preferably formed to pull the outermost foil material 5 of the wound body 1 toward the outer surface of the shaft portion 32.

[0025] The first magnet 34 and the second magnet 36 are preferably permanent magnets, but electromagnets may also be used. If electromagnets are used, the control unit 200 may control the on / off state of the magnetic forces of the first magnet 34 and the second magnet 36.

[0026] Furthermore, the magnetic forces of the first magnet 34 and the second magnet 36 are determined by the material of the foil material 5 constituting the winding body 1, the pitch and amplitude of the corrugated waves, the assumed outer diameter of the winding body 1, and the ease with which the winding body 1 can be discharged from the shaft portion 32.

[0027] The first magnet 34 and the second magnet 36 are positioned so as to be centered in the width direction of the foil material 5 being transported. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the foil material 5 passes through the center in the width direction of the transport surface 52 of the transport section 16. It is also assumed that the foil material 5 passes through the center in the width direction of the shaft section 32. In this case, the first magnet 34 and the second magnet 36 are positioned at the center or approximately center in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the foil material 5 wound around the outer circumferential surface of the shaft section 32.

[0028] If the foil material 5 being transported is positioned biased towards one end in the width direction of the transport surface 52 of the transport section 16, the first magnet 34 and the second magnet 36 are positioned not at the center or approximately center of the shaft section 32, but shifted towards one end. Even in this case, the first magnet 34 and the second magnet 36 are positioned so as to be centered in the width direction of the foil material 5 being transported.

[0029] The discharge plate 38 is operated by a linear actuator (electric cylinder) using a motor and ball screw, etc., or an air cylinder, etc., which moves the discharge plate 38 in the Y-axis direction parallel to a predetermined central axis C.

[0030] The discharge plate 38 has an annular portion 39 which serves as a through hole through which the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 32 is inserted. When the wound body 1 is created, the discharge plate 38 is positioned at one end (rear end) in the Y-axis direction of the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 32, and is able to move the wound body 1 along the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 32 to the other end (advancing end). Therefore, each time the wound body 1 is created, the discharge plate 38 moves from one end in the Y-axis direction of the shaft portion 32 to the other end, pushing the wound body 1 towards the other end of the shaft portion 32.

[0031] In order to discharge the wound corrugated sheet 5 attached to the magnets 34 and 36, it is necessary to minimize the clearance between the annular portion 39 of the discharge plate 38 and the outer surface of the shaft portion 32 so as not to damage the corrugated sheet 5 during discharge. For example, suppose the minimum height of the corrugated sheet 5 is 1.25 mm. In this case, it is preferable that the hole diameter of the annular portion 39 of the discharge plate 38 be 61.2 mm, given that the outer diameter of the shaft portion 32 is 60 mm. In this case, the discharge plate 38 can be in contact with the corrugated sheet 5 for approximately half of its height.

[0032] Furthermore, because the clearance between the annular portion 39 of the discharge plate 38 and the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 32 is small, it is necessary to design the system so that the discharge plate 38 does not come off the shaft portion 32 when the discharge plate 38 moves between the retracted end and the forward end (see Figures 18 and 19).

[0033] Furthermore, with respect to the discharge plate 38, parts of the first retainer 72 and the second retainer 74, which will be described later, are positioned to interfere with each other if the discharge plate 38 is to be moved relative to the shaft portion 32. However, with respect to the discharge plate 38, parts of the first retainer 72 and the second retainer 74 move in a way that they do not interfere with each other.

[0034] In this embodiment, the operation of the discharge plate 38 is described using a drive source, but the discharge plate 38 may also be moved manually along the Y-axis.

[0035] The movable base 14 has a base member (plate-shaped member) 42 that can move horizontally along the tangential direction of the outer surface of the shaft portion 32, allowing it to approach and move away from the outer surface of the shaft portion 32. When the base member 42 of the movable base 14 approaches the outer surface of the shaft portion 32, it guides the foil material 5 to the outer surface of the shaft portion 32. The base member 42 is moved by a drive source (actuator) 44.

[0036] The base member 42 is made of a material that exhibits a magnetic shielding effect. It is preferable that the base member 42 be made of a soft magnetic material or a non-magnetic material. An example of a material for the base member 42 is stainless steel.

[0037] When the base member 42 moves from the position indicated by the solid line in Figure 2 to the position furthest towards the +X axis (indicated by the dashed line in Figure 2), the end (downstream end) 42a of the base member 42 is positioned above the first magnet 34 (in the +Z axis direction) (see Figure 11).

[0038] The conveying unit 16 conveys the foil material 5 in a predetermined direction. More specifically, the conveying unit 16 feeds the foil material 5 to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 32 of the winding device 12. The conveying unit 16 comprises a housing 50, a conveying surface 52, and a corrugated sheet feed gear 54 that feeds the foil material 5 from the upstream side to the downstream side along the conveying surface 52.

[0039] The housing 50 is provided with a transport surface 52 and a corrugated sheet feed gear 54.

[0040] The conveying surface 52 can be a simple flat surface, or various materials such as rollers or belts can be used.

[0041] The corrugated sheet feed gear 54 does not move relative to the transport surface 52, but rotates in place around a rotation axis parallel to a predetermined central axis C of the shaft portion 32 by a drive source (actuator) such as a motor. There is a gap between the transport surface 52 and the lower end of the corrugated sheet feed gear 54 into which the corrugated sheet, as foil material 5, fits. The gap depends on the pitch, amplitude, etc., of the corrugated sheet, as foil material 5. The corrugated sheet feed gear 54 is used in the same way as a spur gear (pinion gear), and the corrugated sheet 5 is preferably used in the same way as a straight-tooth rack. Therefore, the relationship between the corrugated sheet, as foil material 5, and the corrugated sheet feed gear 54 is used in the same way as a rack and pinion relationship. As a result, the corrugated sheet feed gear 54, by rotating in a predetermined direction in place, contacts the surface of the corrugated sheet, as foil material 5, and can move the corrugated sheet, as foil material 5, along the transport surface 52 from the upstream side to the downstream side.

[0042] The length of each corrugated sheet feed gear 54 in the depth direction (Y-axis direction) may be longer or shorter than the width of the foil material 5, or they may be formed to be approximately the same length. The corrugated sheet feed gear 54 may be formed so that multiple gears, spaced appropriately apart with a width smaller than the width of the foil material 5 in the depth direction, move in conjunction with each other. In this embodiment, the length of the corrugated sheet feed gear 54 in the depth direction is assumed to be longer than the width of the foil material 5.

[0043] Furthermore, the drive source for the corrugated sheet feed gear 54 is used as a wave crest counter to count the number of wave crests on the corrugated sheet 5 corresponding to the rotational speed of the corrugated sheet feed gear 54. When winding the corrugated sheet as foil material 5, the corrugated sheet 5 can be wound with a predetermined number of waves.

[0044] The cutter 20 is located in the transport section 16, downstream of the touch sensor 18 in the flow direction of the foil material 5. The cutter 20 is used, for example, together with the receiving section 20a, and is capable of cutting the foil material 5.

[0045] As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the position where the cutter 20 cuts the foil material 5 is defined as the origin position O of the winding system 10. After the sensor 18 detects that the foil material 5 is closer than a predetermined distance or in contact with the transport surface 52 on the transport unit 16, the cutter 20 is controlled by the control unit 200 to cut the foil material 5 at the origin position O.

[0046] Downstream of the transport unit 16, a second sensor 22 is provided above and downstream of the cutter 20, in the direction of flow of the foil material 5, to detect the rear end (cut end) 5c of the foil material 5. The second sensor 22 can detect, for example, the presence of the foil material 5 between the downstream end 52a of the transport surface 52 of the transport unit 16 and the outer circumferential surface of the shaft 32. The second sensor 22 is preferably provided above the base member 42 of the movable base 14. The second sensor 22 is controlled by the control unit 200 to detect the rear end of the foil material 5 on the transport surface 52 of the transport unit 16 that has been cut by the cutter 20. The second sensor 22 is provided, for example, on the housing 30.

[0047] The winding retainer 24 is provided, for example, on the housing 30. The winding retainer 24 faces the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 32 and is movable in directions toward and toward a predetermined central axis C of the shaft portion 32. In this embodiment, the winding retainer 24 is provided above the shaft portion 32. When the winding retainer 24 is moved toward the predetermined central axis C of the shaft portion 32, it presses the foil material 5 of the winding body 1 toward the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 32.

[0048] In this embodiment, the winding retainer 24 has a first retainer 72 and a second retainer 74. The first retainer 72 is preferably provided directly above a predetermined central axis C of the shaft portion 32. The second retainer 74 is provided on the movable base 14 side upstream (-X axis direction) along the direction of movement of the foil material 5 compared to the first retainer 72.

[0049] The first retainer 72 includes a drive source (actuator) 82 provided on the housing 30 and a roller 84 supported at the lower end of the drive source 82.

[0050] The drive source 82 is, for example, an air cylinder. The air cylinder 82 moves the roller 84 closer to and further away from the outer surface of the shaft 32 in accordance with the contact between the foil material 5 and the roller 84. As a result, the winding body 1 is wound without applying a large gravitational force from the outer surface of the winding body 1 in the direction of the central axis of the winding body 1 (a predetermined central axis C of the shaft 32).

[0051] The second retainer 74 includes a drive source (actuator) 92 provided on the housing 30 and a retainer member 94 provided at the lower end of the drive source 92.

[0052] The drive source 92 may be, for example, an air cylinder.

[0053] The pressing member 94 guides the foil material 5 between itself and the base member 42 of the movable base 14 at a position where the base member 42 of the movable base 14 is separated from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 32. In this embodiment, it is preferable that the pressing member 94 extends in the Y-axis direction to a length equal to or greater than the width of the foil material 5, or to a length equal to the total length along the Y-axis direction of the shaft portion 32. On the other hand, it is preferable that the length of the pressing member 94 in the Y-axis direction is longer than the width of the transport surface 52 in the Y-axis direction. A projection (not shown) extending in the -X-axis direction may be formed near the center of the pressing member 94 in the width direction. By providing a projection, the rear end 5c of the foil material is prevented from floating after cutting, and the sensor 22 can reliably detect the rear end 5c of the foil material.

[0054] When the retaining member 94 is lowered, it is desirable that its lower surface height be slightly higher than the amplitude height of the corrugated sheet 5. When the retaining member 94 is lowered, its lower surface height is approximately 2 mm higher than the upper surface of the conveying surface 52.

[0055] Next, the transport device (container box transport device) 100 will be explained using Figures 3 to 7.

[0056] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the conveying device 100. As shown in Figure 3, the conveying device 100 includes a storage box 102 for the wound body 1, a conveying base 104 having one end 104a and the other end 104b, a slope 106 arranged on the conveying base 104, a movable part 108 that can move between the one end 104a and the other end 104b along the conveying base 104, and a support part 110 that has a link mechanism 110a that operates as the slope 106 moves, supports the storage box 102, and is provided on the movable part 108 so as to be movable together with the movable part 108.

[0057] The transport base 104 and the slope 106 are preferably straight along the Y-axis. The transport base 104 and the slope 106 may be curved as appropriate.

[0058] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the storage box 102 of the conveying device 100 and the shaft portion 32 of the winding device 12 of the winding system 10. Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the storage box 102 of the conveying device 100. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram viewed from the direction indicated by the reference numeral VI in Figure 5. Figure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line reference numeral VII-VII in Figure 6.

[0059] As shown in Figure 4, the storage box 102 is located on the front side (-Y-axis side) along the axial direction of the central axis C which is aligned with the Y-axis direction of the shaft portion 32 of the winding device 12 of the winding system 10. The storage box 102 is used to store the wound body 1 wound by the winding device 12 and then to transport it.

[0060] As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the storage box 102 is supported by a support portion 110 provided on the movable portion 108, and is movable between one end 104a and the other end 104b of the transport base 104.

[0061] When the storage box 102 is at one end 104a of the transport base 104, it is the first position for receiving the winding body 1 from the winding system 10. When the storage box 102 is at the other end 104b of the transport base 104, it is the second position for handing over the winding body 1 to the subsequent process.

[0062] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the storage box 102 is rotatable around the axis of the pivot shaft 112 which is along the X-axis. Therefore, when the winding body 1 is housed in the storage box 102, the central axis of the winding body 1 can be moved along the YZ plane. In this embodiment, the storage box 102 can move (rotate) the central axis of the winding body 1 by 90° between the direction along the Y-axis and the direction along the Z-axis. In the first position, the storage box 102 housing the winding body 1 is positioned so that the central axis of the winding body 1 is along the Y-axis. In the second position, the storage box 102 housing the winding body 1 is positioned so that the central axis of the winding body 1 is along the Z-axis.

[0063] As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, the storage box 102 has a storage box body 122 and a magnet 124 provided on the storage box body 122 that attracts the foil material 5 which will be one end face (bottom face) 1a (see Figure 4) of the wound body 1.

[0064] The storage box body 122 is capable of accommodating a cylindrical or columnar wound body 1 made by winding a magnetic foil material 5. The storage box body 122 has a box body 132 having an opening 132a into which the wound body 1 is inserted and removed, and a movable plate 134 disposed inside the box body 132, holding a magnet 124, being able to move toward and away from the opening 132a, intersecting the direction in which the wound body 1 is inserted and removed from the opening 132a, and attracting the end face 1a of the wound body 1.

[0065] For example, the storage box body 122, that is, the box body 132 and the movable plate 134, is preferably made of a non-magnetic material such as aluminum or austenitic stainless steel. The box body 132 and the movable plate 134 may also be made of plastic material.

[0066] In this embodiment, the box body 132 of the storage box main body 122 is formed as a roughly rectangular box with, for example, four sides (four plates). The box body 132 has a pair of side plates 142, 144 along the YZ plane, a first bottom plate 146, and a second bottom plate 148. Here, a support 164, which will be described later, is installed on the first bottom plate 146.

[0067] It is preferable that the pair of side plates 142 and 144 are parallel. The distance between the pair of side plates 142 and 144 may increase as they move toward the entrance 132a. In this embodiment, the pair of side plates 142 and 144 have guide portions 142a and 144a, respectively, at the entrance 132a. It is preferable that the guide portions 142a and 144a are spaced further apart from each other as they move away from the second bottom plate 148.

[0068] The first bottom plate 146 becomes a bottom plate aligned with the XY plane when the storage box 102 is in the first position, and a side plate aligned with the ZX plane when it is in the second position described above. The second bottom plate 148 becomes a side plate aligned with the ZX plane when the storage box 102 is in the first position, and a bottom plate aligned with the XY plane when it is in the second position described above.

[0069] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, it is preferable that the pair of side plates 142 and 144, the first bottom plate 146, and the second bottom plate 148 are perpendicular to each other and form a box that is approximately rectangular in shape. Here, the surface facing the second bottom plate 148 is open, forming an entrance (inlet / outlet) 132a through which the winding body 1 is inserted into and removed from the storage box 102. The surface facing the first bottom plate 146 is also open.

[0070] The movable plate 134 is, for example, rectangular in shape. The movable plate 134 is preferably positioned parallel to the second bottom plate 148 and is able to move closer to and further away from the second bottom plate 148. For this reason, the movable plate 134 has a movable surface 134a that intersects the direction Di in which the wound body 1 is inserted into the inlet 132a and the direction Do in which it is removed (hereinafter, these will be mainly referred to as the insertion / removal direction D). That is, the movable plate 134 is able to move closer to and further away from the inlet 132a and moves in a direction perpendicular to the pair of side plates 142, 144 and the first bottom plate 146.

[0071] The movable surface 134a may be, for example, substantially rectangular, or it may be circular with an outer diameter larger than the outer diameter of the intended wound body 1. For this reason, the movable plate 134 may be disc-shaped or the like.

[0072] The movable plate 134 can be moved closer to and further away from the second bottom plate 148 manually or automatically. The distance between the movable surface 134a of the movable plate 134 and the entrance 132a is shorter than the total length between one end face 1a and the other end face 1b of the winding body 1. When the winding body 1 is housed in the housing box 102, it is preferable that, for example, one end face 1a, which includes a position halfway along the total length of the winding body 1, is housed in the housing box 102, and the other end face 1b, which is more than halfway along the total length of the winding body 1, protrudes outward from the entrance 132a of the housing box 102.

[0073] Furthermore, the distance between the movable surface 134a of the movable plate 134 and the other end 32b of the shaft portion 32 of the winding system 10 is preferably, for example, the total length of the winding body 1 plus, for example, about 1 mm to 5 mm.

[0074] A magnet 124 is provided on the movable surface 134a of the movable plate 134. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, in this embodiment, for example, six magnets 124 are embedded and fixed in the movable surface 134a of the movable plate 134. In Figure 7, it is preferable that the surface of the magnet 124 on the inlet 132a side is flush with the movable surface 134a, but the magnet 124 may protrude from the movable surface 134a by, for example, a few millimeters or less. In this way, when the surface of the magnet 124 on the inlet 132a side is flush with or protrudes from the movable surface 134a, the winding body 1 reliably makes contact with the magnet 124. For example, for all magnets 124, the side facing the second bottom plate 148 is, for example, the south pole, and the side facing the inlet 132a, opposite to the second bottom plate 148, is the north pole. Of course, for all magnets 124, the side facing the second base plate 148 may be, for example, the north pole, and the side facing the entrance 132a opposite the second base plate 148 may be the south pole.

[0075] Therefore, the movable surface 134a holds the magnet 124, can move toward and away from the inlet 132a, intersects the direction in which the winding body 1 is inserted into and removed from the inlet 132a, and attracts the bottom surface (one end surface) 1a of the winding body 1.

[0076] Each magnet 124 is preferably a permanent magnet with a magnetic force of 49 N / magnet, although this is just an example. In this embodiment, six magnets 124 are used, so a magnetic force of 294 N (= 49 N / magnet × 6 magnets) is at work.

[0077] In this case, if the winding body 1, as a magnetic material, is placed inside the housing box 102 such that it is closer to the magnet 124 than to the entrance 132a, then an appropriate attractive force will act on the winding body 1 even if it is at an appropriate distance from the magnet 124.

[0078] Furthermore, the distance between the movable surface 134a of the movable plate 134 and the other end 32b of the shaft portion 32 of the winding system 10 is, for example, the total length of the winding body 1 plus, for example, about 1 mm to 5 mm. Therefore, there is a period when the winding body 1 is not restrained by anything, but the winding body 1 is affected by magnetic force before it sticks to the magnet 124. As a result, even if the end 5c of the foil material 5 of the winding body 1 is not held by the winding device 12, the time when the winding body 1 is not restrained is shortened, and it sticks to the magnet 124. Accordingly, the magnet 124 of the housing box 102 according to this embodiment is set at an appropriate distance from the shaft portion 32, and the winding body 1 can be prevented from unraveling due to its elastic force and from increasing the outer diameter of the winding body 1.

[0079] The magnetic force and number of each magnet 124 may be selected, for example, taking into consideration the ease of removing the wound body 1 at the second position.

[0080] Of the pair of side plates 142 and 144, an arch-shaped movable guide 150 is provided on the side opposite to the first bottom plate 146. The movable guide 150 restricts the upward movement (towards the +Z axis direction) of the wound body 1 at the first position described above, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, and restricts the movement of the wound body 1 at the second position described above, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 4, in the -Y axis direction. The movable guide 150 acts as a stopper to prevent the wound body 1, which is the workpiece, from falling out of the storage box 102 when the storage box 102 rotates during transport, as will be described later.

[0081] The movable guide 150 is preferably made of a non-magnetic material such as aluminum or austenitic stainless steel. The movable guide 150 may also be made of plastic or rubber. The movable guide 150 may be an expandable or non-expandable member.

[0082] One of the pair of side plates 142, for example, one side plate 142, has a substantially rectangular opening 152 that extends in the Y-axis direction when the housing box 102 is in a first position, and that is, along the Z-axis direction when the housing box 102 is in a second position. Engaging portions 154 are provided at predetermined intervals along the edges of the opening 152 on the outer circumference of the side plate 142.

[0083] One end 150a of the movable guide 150 is connected to the movable plate 134 through the opening 152. The one end 150a of the movable guide 150 is engageable with the engaging portion 154.

[0084] The other end 150b of the movable guide 150 can be fixed to, for example, the other side plate 144 of the pair of side plates 142, 144 by screwing or the like.

[0085] Therefore, by moving the movable guide 150 in the inlet / outlet direction D relative to the box body 132, the position of the movable surface 134a of the movable plate 134 can be brought closer to or further away from the entrance 132a, depending on the axial length of the winding body 1. The movable plate 134 can be positioned at a desired location by engaging one end 150a of the movable guide 150 with the engaging portion 154. For example, the movable plate 134 can engage with the engaging portion 154 of the opening 152 of the storage box body 122 at intervals of 10 mm in the Y-axis direction at a first position. The other end 150b of the movable guide 150 can be fixed to the side plate 144. Therefore, the distance from the entrance 132a of the storage box body 122 to the movable surface 134a of the movable plate 134 can be adjusted according to the axial length of the winding body 1.

[0086] In this embodiment, an example is described in which the magnet 124 is formed in a rod shape, but other shapes such as disc or annular are also acceptable. The width of each magnet 124 (width along the X-axis direction in Figure 6) is, for example, 10 mm. Of the three magnets 124 arranged in the X-axis direction, the distance between the position furthest to the -X-axis direction of the magnet 124 furthest to the +X-axis direction of the magnet 124 furthest to the +X-axis direction is, for example, 70 mm. The magnets 124 are positioned so that they always contact one end face 1a of the winding body 1, whether the diameter of the wound body 1 is at its minimum or maximum.

[0087] As shown in Figure 3, the transport base 104 is formed, for example, as a straight rail.

[0088] The length of the transport base 104 can be adjusted as appropriate depending on the arrangement of subsequent processing devices, etc. The transport base 104 has a drive source (actuator) 105. The drive source 105 allows the moving part 108 to move between one end 104a and the other end 104b of the transport base 104.

[0089] Furthermore, such a drive source 105 is controlled by the control unit 200 in synchronization with the winding system 10.

[0090] The ramp 106 is arranged on the underside of the transport base 104. The ramp 106, on the underside of the transport base 104, comprises a first horizontal section 106a that is horizontal at one end 104a, an inclined section 106b that rises from one end 104a to the other end 104b, and a second horizontal section 106c that is horizontal at the other end 104b. The space between the first horizontal section 106a and the inclined section 106b, and the space between the inclined section 106b and the second horizontal section 106c are smoothly continuous.

[0091] The movable unit 108 is, for example, mounted on a transport base 104, and the transport base 104 can be moved between one end 104a and the other end 104b by a drive source 105.

[0092] The support section 110 is provided on the movable section 108 so that the transport base 104 can be moved together with the movable section 108.

[0093] The support section 110 includes a base 162 fixed to the upper side of the movable section 108, a support body 164 supported by the base 162, a roller section 166 supported on the slope 106, a rod 168 provided on the roller section 166 that moves vertically (in the Z-axis direction) according to the distance between the movable section 108 and the roller section 166, a link section 170 provided on the upper side of the movable section 108 that moves in accordance with the movement of the rod 168 and rotates the support body 164 around the axis of the pivot shaft 112 relative to the base 162, and an extendable section 172 supported by the movable section 108 and provided between it and the roller section 166.

[0094] The base 162 is located above the movable part 108 and extends upward from the movable part 108. The length of the base 162 is such that it does not come into contact with the transport base 104 or the movable part 108 when the storage box 102 rotates.

[0095] The support 164 is supported by a pivot shaft 112 that rotates around an axis in the X-axis direction at the lower end of the upper end of the base 162. The support 164 is fixed to the first bottom plate 146 of the housing box 102 at its upper end (distal end) when the housing box 102 is in a first position.

[0096] The roller section 166 is supported so as to be movable on the first horizontal section 106a, the inclined section 106b, and the second horizontal section 106c of the slope 106. The roller section 166 rotates about an axis in the X-axis direction and is movable on the first horizontal section 106a, the inclined section 106b, and the second horizontal section 106c of the slope 106. The roller section 166 is kept in contact with the slope 106 at all times.

[0097] The rod 168 is movable up and down relative to the movable part 108 through the movable part 108. The lower end of the rod 168 is supported by the roller part 166, and the upper end of the rod 168 moves up and down according to the position of the roller part 166.

[0098] Furthermore, the rod 168 may preferably have a damper, such as an air damper or an oil damper.

[0099] The link section 170 connects the pivot shaft 112 to the upper end of the rod 168. The link section 170 supports the upper end of the rod 168 so that it can move within a predetermined range. The link section 170 uses a mechanism that converts the vertical movement of the rod 168 into a 90° rotational movement.

[0100] The telescopic section 172 is provided between the movable section 108 and the roller section 166. The telescopic section 172 can be made of, for example, a coil spring or an expandable rubber material. The positional relationship of the upper end of the telescopic section 172 with respect to the movable section 108 does not change. The positional relationship of the lower end of the telescopic section 172 with respect to the movable section 108 changes depending on the position of the slope 106. For example, the telescopic section 172 can be used such that when the storage box 102 is in a first position, it presses the rod 168 toward the lower roller section 166, i.e., the slope 106, and when it is in a second position, it can move the rod 168 upward relative to the movable section 108.

[0101] When a coil spring is used as the telescopic section 172, a type is used that suppresses rapid deformation even when the combined weight of the wound body 1 and the storage box 102 is applied when the roller section 166 moves up the inclined section 106b. In addition, the coil spring used as the telescopic section 172 is one that can keep the rod 168 and the roller section 166 pressed against the slope 106 when the empty storage box 102 is rotated from the second position to the first position.

[0102] Hereinafter, an example of a series of operations will be described using Figures 8 to 20B, in which the winding system 10 according to this embodiment winds the material, the wound material 1 wound by the winding system 10 is placed in the storage box 102 of the transport device 100, and the wound material 1 placed in the storage box 102 is transported to a predetermined position (the other end 104b of the transport base 104).

[0103] Figure 8 shows a series of flow diagrams of the winding process of the winding system 10 according to this embodiment. Figure 9 shows a series of flow diagrams of the transport process by the transport device 100, which operates in parallel with the winding process.

[0104] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the winding system 10 when the tip of the foil material 5 is at the origin position O. Figure 11(A) is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the winding device 12, the movable base 14, and the winding presser 24 when the tip of the foil material 5 has been advanced from the origin position O to the base member 42 of the movable base 14. Figure 11(B) is a schematic diagram viewed from the direction indicated by arrow 11B in Figure 11(A). Figure 12(A) is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship of the winding device 12, the movable base 14, and the winding presser 24 when the foil material 5 has been attached to the first magnet 34 and then to the second magnet 36. Figure 12(B) is a schematic diagram viewed from the direction indicated by arrow 12B in Figure 12(A). Figure 13(A) is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the winding device 12, the movable base 14, and the winding presser 24 when the base member 42 of the movable base 14 is retracted relative to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft 32 from the position shown in Figure 12(A). Figure 13(B) is a schematic diagram viewed from the direction indicated by arrow 13B in Figure 13(A). Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing the winding system 10 immediately after the number of waves of the foil material 5 has been fed a predetermined number and the rotation of the corrugated sheet feed gear 54 and the shaft 32 has stopped. Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing the winding system 10 after the corrugated sheet 5 has reached the state shown in Figure 14, the shaft 32 has been rotated to suppress the deflection of the foil material 5, and the foil material 5 has been cut by the cutter 20. Figure 16(A) is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the winding device 12, the movable base 14, and the winding presser 24 when the foil material 5 has been wound onto the outer circumferential surface of the shaft 32. Figure 16(B) is a schematic diagram viewed from the direction indicated by arrow 16B in Figure 16(A). Figure 17(A) is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the winding device 12, the movable base 14, and the winding retainer 24 when the roller is retracted upward from the position shown in Figure 16(A). Figure 17(B) is a schematic diagram viewed from the direction indicated by arrow 17B in Figure 17(A).

[0105] Figure 18 shows the positional relationship between the winding device 12, the movable base 14, and the winding retainer 24 when the discharge plate 38 has been moved to the forward end along the central axis of the shaft portion 32 from the position shown in Figure 17(A), and is a schematic diagram of the storage box 102 with one end face 1a of the winding body 1 close to the magnet 124 of the storage box 102. Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of the storage box 102 following Figure 18, with one end face 1a of the winding body 1 attached to the magnet 124. Note that the roller 84 is not shown in Figures 18 and 19. Figure 20A is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the foil material 5 on the outermost circumference 2a and the inner circumference 2b of the winding body 1 relative to the magnet 124, as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow XX in Figure 19. Figure 20B is a schematic diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the foil material 5 on the outermost circumference 2a and the inner circumference 2b of the winding body 1 relative to the magnet 124, as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow XX in Figure 19. Note that the box body 132 and the movable guide 150 in Figures 20A and 20B are omitted from the illustration.

[0106] [Origin position (Step S1)] As shown in Figure 10, the tip of the foil material (corrugated sheet) 5 is assumed to be at the origin O (the cutting position by the cutter 20). At this time, the rod portion 44b is retracted relative to the cylinder portion 44a, and the downstream end 42a of the base member 42 of the movable base 14 is retracted and separated from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 32. The first magnet 34 is positioned above the central axis C of the shaft portion 32 and upstream (-X axis direction) along the X axis with respect to a predetermined central axis C of the shaft portion 32. This position is defined as the initial position of the first magnet 34. The second magnet 36 is positioned, for example, below the central axis C of the shaft portion 32 and upstream (-X axis direction) along the X axis with respect to a predetermined central axis C of the shaft portion 32. The second magnet 36 may be positioned above the central axis C of the shaft portion 32, for example, or at the same height.

[0107] [Corrugated sheet forward (Step S2)] When the control unit 200 receives a command to start operation and detects that the foil material 5 is in contact with the first sensor 18 (see Figure 10), it drives the third drive source 44 of the movable base 14 to extend the rod portion 44b relative to the cylinder portion 44a. As shown in Figure 11, the downstream end 42a of the base member 42 of the movable base 14 is advanced toward the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 32, and the control unit 200 drives the drive source to rotate the corrugated sheet feed gear 54 in a predetermined direction to guide the foil material 5 from the upstream side to the downstream side, so that the tip 5a of the foil material 5 is placed on the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 32 through the transport surface 52 and the base member 42.

[0108] When the base member 42 of the movable base 14 and the foil material 5 by the corrugated sheet feed gear 54 are moved simultaneously, the base member 42 of the movable base 14 approaches the outer surface of the shaft portion 32 before the foil material 5 reaches the outer surface of the shaft portion 32.

[0109] The foil material 5 is transferred from the transport surface 52 to the base member 42 of the movable base 14. The foil material 5 is then transferred from the base member 42 of the movable base 14 to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 32.

[0110] [Corrugated sheet winding operation (step S3)] The control unit 200 controls the drive source to rotate the shaft portion 32 around a predetermined central axis C from the position shown in Figure 11 to the position shown in Figure 12.

[0111] At this time, the magnetic force from the first magnet 34 attracts the tip 5b of the foil material 5, causing it to stick to the first magnet 34 and the outer surface of the shaft 32. The control unit 200 also controls the drive source to rotate the corrugated sheet feed gear 54 and feed the foil material (corrugated sheet) 5 downstream, and also controls the drive source to rotate the shaft 32. As a result, the foil material 5 also sticks to the second magnet 36 at a position behind the tip 5b of the foil material 5 to which the first magnet 34 is attached. Therefore, the second magnet 36 sticks to the foil material 5 following the first magnet 34.

[0112] Immediately after the foil material 5 is attached to the first magnet 34 and the second magnet 36 in this manner, as shown in Figure 13, the control unit 200 moves the base member 42 in the -X axis direction on the upstream side of the foil material 5, retracting it from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft portion 32 and separating them.

[0113] Subsequently, the control unit 200 controls the drive source of the corrugated sheet feed gear 54 to feed the foil material 5 toward the outer surface of the shaft 32, and also controls the drive source of the shaft 32 to wind the foil material 5 onto the outer surface of the shaft 32.

[0114] Then, the control unit 200 stops the rotation of the corrugated sheet feed gear 54 and the shaft 32 when the number of waves of the foil material (corrugated sheet) 5 fed by the corrugated sheet feed gear 54, as shown in Figure 14, reaches a predetermined number.

[0115] [Cutting operation (Step S4)] The feeding speed of the foil material (corrugated sheet) 5 by the corrugated sheet feed gear 54 is faster than the winding speed of the foil material 5 by the outer surface of the shaft 32. Therefore, when the rotation of the corrugated sheet feed gear 54 and the shaft 32 is stopped, the foil material 5 flexes in the area enclosed by the dashed line indicated by the symbol R in Figure 14, and the foil material 5 between the pressing member 94 and the corrugated sheet feed gear 54 lifts up relative to the transport surface 52. When the control unit 200 detects that the foil material 5 has moved away from the first sensor 18, it drives the drive source of the shaft 32 and winds the foil material 5 onto the outer surface of the shaft 32. Then, when the control unit 200 detects that the foil material 5 has approached or come into contact with the first sensor 18 on the transport surface 52, it stops driving the drive source of the shaft 32 and drives the drive source to cut the foil material 5 as shown in Figure 15. Furthermore, when the control unit 200 detects that the foil material 5 has come closer to or is in contact with the first sensor 18 than a predetermined distance, it determines that the deflection of the foil material 5 has been eliminated.

[0116] [Rewind (Step S5)] As shown in Figure 16, the control unit 200 drives the drive source and rotates the shaft 32. When the second sensor 22 detects the rear end 5c of the foil material 5, the control unit 200 stops the rotation of the shaft 32. At this time, the winding of the foil material 5 in the winding device 12 is completed, and the winding body 1 is manufactured.

[0117] [Winding retainer (roller 84) rises (step S6)] As shown in Figure 17, in this state, the control unit 200 controls the drive source (actuator) 82 of the first presser 72, raising the roller 84 supported at the lower end of the drive source 82. As a result, the roller 84 moves upward away from the winding body 1. On the other hand, the presser member 94 is in contact with the vicinity of the rear end of the foil material 5. Therefore, the shape of the winding body 1 is maintained even when the roller 84 moves away.

[0118] [Confirming the location of storage box 102 (Step S7)] The control unit 200 determines whether the movable part 108 of the transport device 100 is at one end 104a of the transport base 104. If the control unit 200 determines that the movable part 108 of the transport device 100 is at one end 104a of the transport base 104 (step S7-Yes), it proceeds to step S8. On the other hand, if the control unit 200 determines that the movable part 108 of the transport device 100 is not at one end 104a of the transport base 104 (step S7-No), it repeats the determination in step S7.

[0119] [Discharge plate forward, backward (step S8)] The control unit 200 controls the drive source of the discharge plate 38 to move the discharge plate 38 from the position shown in Figure 17 (retracted end) to the position shown in Figure 18 (advancing end).

[0120] The discharge plate 38 removes the wound body 1 that is attached to the outer surface of the shaft portion 32 by magnets 34 and 36.

[0121] Subsequently, the control unit 200 controls the drive source to return the discharge plate 38 to its original retracted end position and raise the retaining member 94. It is preferable that the control unit 200 moves the discharge plate 38 to the retracted end position of one end of the shaft 32 shown in Figure 17 immediately after moving it to the forward end position of the other end of the shaft 32 shown in Figure 18. For this reason, the control unit 200 uses the winding system 10 to make the winding body 1 ready to be wound onto the shaft 32 of the winding device 12. At this time, the control unit 200 may position the first magnet 34 and the second magnet 36, which are arranged on the shaft 32, at the positions shown in Figures 10 and 11. That is, the first magnet 34 may be placed at its initial position.

[0122] In step S8, the control unit 200 moves the drive source of the discharge plate 38, moving from one end of the shaft portion 32 in the Y-axis direction to the other end each time a wound body 1 is created, and pushes the wound body 1 towards the other end of the shaft portion 32.

[0123] Then, the winding system 10 repeats the operations from step S1 to step S8, as explained with reference to Figure 8, to obtain a series of operations to obtain a winding body 1, thereby obtaining multiple winding bodies 1.

[0124] Furthermore, when the winding body 1 is removed from the shaft portion 32 in this manner, if the magnets 34 and 36 are positioned only in the center of the shaft portion 32 in the width direction, moving the winding body 1, i.e., the foil material 5, in a predetermined direction from the shaft portion 32 will eliminate the influence of the magnets 34 and 36 on the winding body 1. However, because the retaining member 94 extends to the end of the shaft portion 32, the winding body 1 can maintain its wound shape.

[0125] The following explanation of the transport process of the wound body 1 by the storage box 102 will be given using Figure 9.

[0126] The control unit 200 detects whether the discharge plate 38 has finished advancing from the retracted end 32a of one end 32a of the shaft portion 32 to the advanced end 32b of the other end (step S11). When the discharge plate 38 has finished advancing from one end 32a to the other end 32b of the shaft portion 32 (step S11-Yes), the control unit 200 determines that the winding body 1 has been stored in the storage box 102 and proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, when the discharge plate 38 has not finished advancing from one end 32a to the other end 32b of the shaft portion 32 (step S11-No), the control unit 200 determines that the winding body 1 has not been stored in the storage box 102 and repeats the process in step S11.

[0127] The wound body 1 is placed in the storage box 102 adjacent to the shaft portion 32 in the axial direction.

[0128] When the discharge plate 38 moves from the position shown in Figure 17 to the position shown in Figure 18, the retaining member 94 no longer holds down the winding body 1. On the other hand, the end face 1a of the winding body 1 that is attached to the magnet 124 is positioned, for example, closer to the magnet 124 than the entrance 132a of the storage box 102. Therefore, when the winding body 1, as a magnetic material, is placed inside the storage box 102 such that it is closer to the magnet 124 than the entrance 132a, an appropriate attractive force acts on the winding body 1 even when it is at an appropriate distance from the magnet 124.

[0129] Furthermore, the distance between the movable surface 134a of the movable plate 134 and the other end 32b of the shaft portion 32 of the winding system 10 is, for example, the total length of the winding body 1 plus, for example, about 1 mm to 5 mm. Therefore, there is a period when the winding body 1 is not restrained by anything, but the winding body 1 is affected by magnetic force before it sticks to the magnet 124. For this reason, even if the end 5c of the foil material 5 of the winding body 1 is not held by the winding device 12, the time when the winding body 1 is not restrained is shortened, and it sticks to the magnet 124 as shown in Figure 19. Accordingly, the magnet 124 of the housing box 102 according to this embodiment is set at an appropriate distance from the shaft portion 32, and it is possible to suppress the winding body 1 from unraveling due to its elastic force and the outer diameter of the winding body 1 from increasing.

[0130] At this time, as shown in Figure 20A or Figure 20B, the magnet 124 provided on the movable surface 134a of the movable plate 134 attracts the outermost circumference 2a of the foil material 5 of the winding body 1, including the end 5c of the winding, and the inner circumference 2b of the outermost circumference 2a. Therefore, by attracting the outermost circumference 2a of the foil material 5 of the winding body 1, including the end 5c of the winding, and the inner circumference 2b of the outermost circumference 2a, the magnet 124 maintains the shape of the winding body 1 against the elastic force of the foil material 5 of the winding body 1.

[0131] Furthermore, when the winding body 1 is transferred from the winding device 12 to the storage box 102, there may be a moment when the outermost circumference of the winding body 1, including the end 5c of the foil material 5, is not held by the pressing member 94 of the winding device 12, and the winding body 1 is not restrained, and the end face 1a of the winding body 1 is not attached to the magnet 124. Even in this case, the attractive force of the magnet 124 is exerted on the winding body 1, preventing the winding body 1 from unraveling due to its elastic force and suppressing the outer diameter of the winding body 1 from increasing.

[0132] If the magnetic force of the magnet 124 were not acting on the outermost circumference 2a of the winding body 1, including the end 5c of the foil material 5 winding, and on the inner circumference 2b of the outermost circumference, the winding body 1 would expand radially outward at each circumference 2a and 2b including the end 5c due to elastic force. At this time, the maximum outer diameter that the winding body 1 can deform is defined by the pair of side plates 142 and 144, the first bottom plate 146, and the movable guide 150. This prevents the winding body 1 from unintentionally falling out of the storage box 102.

[0133] Therefore, the storage box 102 according to this embodiment can accommodate the winding body 1, which is a magnetic foil material 5 wound in a cylindrical or columnar shape, while maintaining the outer diameter of the winding body 1.

[0134] The wound body 1, which is housed in the storage box 102, is then transported by the transport device 100.

[0135] As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 200 moves the drive source (actuator) 105 to operate the moving unit 108, moving the moving unit 108 from one end 104a to the other end 104b of the transport base 104 (step S12). At this time, the roller unit 166 ascends the inclined section 106b from the first horizontal section 106a of the slope 106 and reaches the second horizontal section 106c. As a result, the distance between the moving unit 108 and the roller unit 166 is reduced as it ascends the inclined section 106b. Consequently, as the roller unit 166 ascends the inclined section 106b of the slope 106, the rod 168 moves upward relative to the moving unit 108, pushing up the lower end of the link unit 170. At this time, the pivot axis 112 along the X axis relative to the base 162 rotates together with the support 164. As a result, the storage box 102 rotates from the first position to the second position. Furthermore, the expandable section 172 can perform vibration damping.

[0136] Then, the winding body 1 can be removed from the storage box 102 located at the other end 104b of the transport base 104, and the winding body 1 can be removed from the top of the storage box 102. The winding body 1 may be removed by an operator, or it may be removed by a robot or the like. In any case, one end face (top surface) 1b of the winding body 1, opposite to the other end face (bottom surface) 1a, protrudes upward relative to the entrance 132a of the storage box 102. For this reason, the winding body 1 can be easily removed.

[0137] The control unit 200 determines whether the storage box 102 is empty (step S13). If the storage box 102 is not empty (step S13-No), the check in step S13 is repeated.

[0138] For example, when an operator removes the winding body 1 from the storage box 102, the operator presses a switch (not shown). This switch signal triggers the control unit 200 to determine that the storage box 102 is empty (step S13-Yes). Until the switch is pressed, the control unit 200 determines that the storage box 102 is not empty.

[0139] The control unit 200 operates the drive source 105 to move the movable unit 108, causing the movable unit 108 to move from the other end 104b of the transport base 104 toward the one end 104a (step S14). At this time, the roller unit 166 descends from the second horizontal section 106c to the inclined section 106b of the slope 106 and reaches the first horizontal section 106a. As a result, the distance between the movable unit 108 and the roller unit 166 increases as it descends the inclined section 106b of the slope 106. Consequently, as the roller unit 166 descends the inclined section 106b of the slope 106, the rod 168 moves downward relative to the movable unit 108, pushing down the lower end of the link unit 170. At this time, the pivot axis 112 along the X axis relative to the base 162 rotates together with the support 164. As a result, the storage box 102 rotates from the second position toward the first position. The telescopic section 172 can perform vibration damping.

[0140] Therefore, if the control unit 200 determines that the movable part 108 is located at one end 104a (step S15-Yes), the storage box 102 becomes capable of receiving the wound body 1 from the winding device 12 again. If the control unit 200 determines that the movable part 108 is not located at one end 104a (step S15-No), the process in step S15 is repeated.

[0141] In this way, the conveying device 100 receives the winding body 1 from the winding system 10 when the storage box 102 is on one end 104a of the conveying base 104, and when the storage box 102 is on the other end 104b of the conveying base 104, it hands over the winding body 1 to the next process and places the empty storage box 102 on the one end 104a of the conveying base 104. This makes it easy to hand over the manufactured winding body 1 to the next process.

[0142] Therefore, the support part 110 has a link mechanism 110a that operates as it moves along the slope 106, and is provided on the movable part 108 so as to be movable together with the movable part 108. As the movable part 108 moves from one end 104a to the other end 104b, the link mechanism 110a rotates the housing box 102 from a first position in a first direction (clockwise when viewed from the -X-axis side to the +X-axis side) to a second position, and as the movable part 108 moves from the other end 104b to the one end 104a, the link mechanism 110a rotates the housing box 102 in a second direction opposite to the first direction (counterclockwise when viewed from the -X-axis side to the +X-axis side) to a first position.

[0143] In this embodiment, an example of transporting a wound body 1 has been described, but other workpieces may be transported in the same manner as the wound body 1. In other words, the transport device 100 according to this embodiment is not exclusive to the wound body 1, but can be used for various articles.

[0144] In the conveying device 100 according to this embodiment, by using only one actuator to move the moving part 108 along the conveying base 104, it is possible to rotate the device in a way that facilitates both the placement of the wound body 1 in the storage box 102 and the removal of the wound body 1 from the storage box 102. Therefore, even when moving the storage box 102 and rotating the storage box 102, two operations can be performed with a single actuator, thereby suppressing an increase in equipment costs.

[0145] Furthermore, by appropriately setting the inclination of the slope 106, it is possible to rotate the storage box 102 between the first position and the second position while appropriately setting the travel distance of the transport base 104. Therefore, the same operation can be performed even if the moving part 108 moves a shorter or longer distance on the transport base 104.

[0146] As described above, the drive source 105 is controlled by the control unit 200 in synchronization with the winding system 10. Therefore, while the winding body 1 manufactured by the winding system 10 is placed in the storage box 102 and transported by the transport device 100 between one end 104a and the other end 104b of the transport base 104, the winding system 10 manufactures another winding body 1. Then, when the empty storage box 102 returns to the other end 104b of the transport base 104, a new winding body 1 is placed in the storage box 102 again. In this way, the manufacturing and transport system 1000 can manufacture winding bodies 1, transport the manufactured winding bodies 1 using the storage box 102, and retrieve the winding bodies 1 stored in the storage box 102 to a desired position. The manufacturing and transport system 1000 can perform this series of processes.

[0147] The transport device (storage box transport device) 100 has been described in an example where it supports and rotates a storage box 102. The transport device 100 is not limited to a storage box 102, but may simply be formed as a mechanism for supporting and rotating various objects.

[0148] Furthermore, if the winding body 1 cannot maintain its shape, and its diameter increases or it unravels due to elastic force, the winding body 1 may not fit into the storage box 102 and may not be able to be automatically transported to the designated location. Also, if the winding body 1 does not fit into the storage box 102, there is a risk that it may get caught on the storage box 102 or its surrounding equipment. Moreover, even if the winding body 1 can be placed into the storage box 102 and automatically transported, if the diameter of the winding body 1 has increased beyond the desired diameter, the ease of removing it from the storage box 102 may worsen, potentially worsening the workability for subsequent processes. Such situations can cause delays in the cycle time of the series of operations involved in manufacturing the winding body 1 and performing appropriate processing on it.

[0149] In this embodiment, when the winding body 1 is transferred from the winding device 12 to the storage box 102, the shape of the winding body 1 is maintained, preventing the winding body 1 from unraveling due to elastic force, and the winding body 1 can be stored in the storage box 102 while maintaining a desired shape, such as a desired diameter. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the winding body 1 from affecting surrounding equipment when it is stored in the storage box 102. Furthermore, since the winding body 1 is stored in the storage box 102 while maintaining the desired shape, it is possible to maintain good ease of removal of the winding body 1 from the storage box 102 when it is automatically transported, and to prevent deterioration of workability to subsequent processes. In this situation, it is possible to prevent delays in the cycle time of the series of operations in which the winding body 1 is manufactured and appropriate processing is performed on the winding body 1.

[0150] Furthermore, when the wound body 1 is stored in the storage box 102 and automatically transported, if it is necessary to prevent the wound body 1 from unraveling, it is conceivable to provide a mechanism in the storage box 102 to prevent the wound body 1 from unraveling. Providing such a mechanism may make the mechanism more complex, for example, by requiring the power source to operate the mechanism to be located inside the box 132 of the storage box 102. In such a case, the ease of operation and safety when removing the wound body 1 from the storage box 102 are likely to become issues.

[0151] In contrast, the storage box 102 according to this embodiment has a magnet 124 placed on the movable surface 134a of the movable plate 134, which serves as the bottom surface of the wound body 1, the workpiece placed in the storage box 102. The shape of the wound body 1 is maintained by the magnetic force of the magnet 124, so there is no need to provide a mechanism to prevent the wound body 1 from unraveling inside the storage box 102, and a simple structure can be achieved.

[0152] According to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a storage box 102 for a winding body 1 that can accommodate a winding body 1 while maintaining the outer diameter of the winding body 1, which is a winding of a magnetic material 5 such as metal in a cylindrical or columnar shape, and a storage box transport device 100 having such a storage box 102.

[0153] The magnet 124 provided on the movable surface 134a of the movable plate 134 of the storage box 102 is capable of various deformations.

[0154] Figure 21 shows a modified arrangement of the magnets 124 provided on the movable surface 134a of the movable plate 134 of the storage box 102. In Figure 21, the wound body 1 is simplified and shown as a circle.

[0155] For example, as shown in Figure 21, multiple magnets 124 may be arranged radially. The magnets 124 should be positioned to attract the outermost circumference 2a of the foil material 5 of the wound body 1, including the end 5c of the winding, and the circumference 2b inside the outermost circumference 2a.

[0156] Therefore, it is preferable that the magnet 124, for example, is capable of attracting the outermost circumference 2a of the foil material 5 of the wound body 1, including the end 5c of the winding, and the inner circumference 2b of the outermost circumference 2a, with just one magnet.

[0157] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways during implementation without departing from its essence. Furthermore, each embodiment may be combined as appropriate, and in that case, the combined effects can be obtained. Moreover, the above embodiments include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by selecting combinations from the multiple constituent elements disclosed. For example, if the problem can be solved and effects obtained even if some constituent elements are deleted from all the constituent elements shown in the embodiment, then the configuration with these deleted constituent elements can be extracted as an invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0158] 1...winding body, 1a, 1b...end face, 5...foil material, 5a...tip, 5b...tip section, 5c...rear end (end), 10...winding system, 32...shaft section, 32a...one end, 32b...other end, 38...discharge plate, 84...roller, 94...pressure member, 100...container box conveying device, 102...container box, 104...conveying base, 104a...one end, 104b...other end, 105...drive source, 106...slope, 106a...first horizontal section, 106b...inclined section, 106c...second horizontal section, 108...moving section, 110...support section, 110a...ring 112...Rotating shaft, 122...Storage box body, 124...Magnet, 132...Box body, 132a...Entrance, 134...Movable plate, 134a...Movable surface, 142,144...Side plates, 142a,144a...Guide parts, 146...First bottom plate, 148...Second bottom plate, 150...Movable guide, 150a...One end, 150b...Other end, 152...Opening, 154...Engaging part, 162...Base, 164...Support, 166...Roller part, 168...Rod, 170...Link part, 172...Telescopic part, 200...Control unit, 1000...Manufacturing and conveying system.

Claims

1. A storage box body capable of accommodating a cylindrical or columnar wound body made of magnetic foil, A magnet is provided in the storage box body to attract the foil material on the bottom surface of the wound body. A storage box having [a certain feature].

2. The magnet is provided to attract the outermost circumference of the winding body, including the end of the winding of the foil material, and the inner circumference of the outermost circumference. The storage box according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned housing box body is The aforementioned winding body has an entrance through which it is inserted and removed, A movable surface that holds the magnet, is movable toward and away from the inlet, intersects the direction in which the winding body is inserted into and removed from the inlet, and attracts the bottom surface of the winding body A storage box according to claim 1 or claim 2, having the following features.

4. A transport base having one end and the other end, A ramp arranged on the aforementioned transport base, A movable part that can move between one end and the other end along the transport base, A support portion having a link mechanism that operates as the slope moves, supporting the housing box according to claim 1 or claim 2, and provided on the moving portion so as to be movable together with the moving portion, the link mechanism rotates the housing box in a first direction as the moving portion moves from one end to the other end, and the link mechanism rotates the housing box in a second direction opposite to the first direction as the moving portion moves from the other end to the one end, A storage box transport device having the following features.

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