Workpiece transport device

Abstract

To provide a work-piece conveying device that is downsized.SOLUTION: A work-piece conveying device comprises: a pair of upstream-side end part shaft 126 and downstream-side end part shaft 146 arranged separately in a conveying direction X that is a conveying direction of a work-piece; an upstream-side driving shaft 116 arranged between the pair of upstream-side end part shaft 126 and downstream-side end part shaft 146 in the conveying direction X; an upstream-side driving belt 122 wound around the upstream-side driving shaft 116 and upstream-side end part shaft 126; and a conveying belt 130 wound around the pair of upstream-side end part shaft 126 and downstream-side end part shaft 146. Driving force for conveying the work-piece is transmitted through the upstream-side driving shaft 116, the upstream-side driving belt 122, and the upstream-side end part shaft 126 in this order to the conveying belt 130.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a workpiece transport device. [Background technology]

[0002] JP 2010-46706 A (Patent Document 1) discloses a workpiece transport device that transports a workpiece, which is a material to be processed, between presses.

[0003] The workpiece transportation device described in the above document includes a carrier extending in the workpiece transportation direction, a subcarrier arranged movably along the carrier, a workpiece gripping part connected to the subcarrier, and a cable guide having a power supply line to the workpiece gripping part. The carrier, the subcarrier, and the cable guide are arranged in approximately the same plane. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-46706 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] There is a demand for miniaturization of a workpiece transport device that transports a workpiece to be pressed by a press machine.

[0006] The present disclosure proposes a workpiece transport device that can achieve miniaturization. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, a workpiece transport device is proposed that transports a workpiece to be pressed by at least one press machine. The workpiece transport device includes a pair of end shafts that are spaced apart in a transport direction that is a direction in which the workpiece is transported, a drive shaft that is disposed between the pair of end shafts in the transport direction, a drive belt that is wound around the drive shaft and the end shaft, and a transport belt that is wound around the pair of end shafts. A driving force for transporting the workpiece is transmitted to the transport belt via the drive shaft, the drive belt, and the end shaft in this order. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the workpiece transport device can be made smaller. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the press system. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first drive unit constituting the workpiece transport device. [Diagram 5] 5 is a schematic diagram of a power transmission device included in the first drive unit shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 4 is an enlarged front view of the first driving device showing the first carrier and the second carrier and their vicinity. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing how a first carrier and a second carrier are attached to a conveyor belt. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The names and functions of the components are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a press machine 10 that performs press processing of a workpiece, to which a workpiece transportation device according to an embodiment is applied. A workpiece that is press processed in a press system including the press machine 10 and a press machine 20 described below is, for example, an exterior panel for an automobile. As shown in Fig. 1, the press machine 10 mainly includes a slide 11, a bolster 13, and an upright 15.

[0012] The uprights 15 are columnar members extending in the vertical direction. The four uprights 15 are arranged at the vertices of a rectangle in a plan view. A crown (not shown) is supported by the four uprights 15. A slide drive mechanism (not shown) that moves the slide 11 up and down is housed in the crown. The crown is arranged on top of the four uprights. The uprights 15 correspond to the column portion of the present invention.

[0013] The slide 11 is arranged so as to be surrounded by four uprights 15. The slide 11 is suspended from a crown above the uprights 15 and is movable up and down relative to the crown. An upper mold 12, not shown in FIG. 1, is removably attached to the lower end of the slide 11. The slide 11 is attached to the uprights 15 by four slide arms 16 so as to be movable up and down. The slide arms 16 correspond to the mounting portion of the present invention. The four slide arms 16 determine the position of the slide 11 relative to each upright 15. The slide arms 16 are slidable relative to the uprights 15.

[0014] In the figure, a conveying direction X in which the workpiece is conveyed, a vertical direction Z in which the uprights 15 extend and the direction in which the slide 11 and upper die 12 move, and a left-right direction Y perpendicular to the conveying direction X and perpendicular to the vertical direction Z are each indicated by a double-headed arrow. The four uprights 15 of the press machine 10 include two uprights 15A on the upstream side of the conveying direction X and two uprights 15B on the downstream side of the conveying direction X.

[0015] The bolster 13 is arranged so as to be surrounded by four uprights 15. A lower die 14 is attached to the upper surface of the bolster 13 (see FIG. 2, not shown in FIG. 1). When the slide 11 moves in the vertical direction Z, the upper die 12 moves integrally with the slide 11 in the vertical direction Z, and the upper die 12 moves toward and away from the lower die 14. The workpiece is sandwiched between the upper die 12 and the lower die 14, and the workpiece is press-processed.

[0016] Fig. 2 is a side view of a press system including a plurality of press machines and a work transportation device 100 that transports the work between the press machines. Fig. 2 shows two press machines 10, 20 out of the plurality of press machines included in the press system, and a simplified illustration of the work transportation device 100. The work transportation device 100 is provided between the press machine 10 and the press machine 20. The work transportation device 100 transports a work from the press machine 10 on the upstream side in the transport direction X to the press machine 20 on the downstream side.

[0017] The press machine 10 and the press machine 20 are arranged side by side with a gap therebetween in the conveying direction X. The press machine 20 includes a slide 21, an upper die 22, a bolster 23, a lower die 24, four uprights 25, and four slide arms 26, similar to the press machine 10 described with reference to Fig. 1. The four uprights 25 of the press machine 20 include two uprights 25A on the upstream side of the conveying direction X and two uprights 25B on the downstream side of the conveying direction X.

[0018] The workpiece transportation device 100 transports a workpiece that has been press-formed by a press machine 10 on the upstream side to a press machine 20 on the downstream side. The workpiece that has been pressed while being sandwiched between an upper die 12 and a lower die 14 of the press machine 10 is transferred from the press machine 10 to the press machine 20, and is then sandwiched between an upper die 22 and a lower die 24 of the press machine 20 and pressed. A plurality of press machines including the press machines 10 and 20 constitute a tandem press line, in which the workpieces are processed sequentially.

[0019] Fig. 3 is a plan view of the press system shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 also shows a side view of the press system as seen from the direction of arrow II shown in Fig. 3.

[0020] The workpiece transportation device 100 includes a first driving device 110 disposed on one side in the left-right direction Y, and a second driving device 260 disposed on the other side in the left-right direction Y. The workpiece transportation device 100 further includes a crossbar 310. The crossbar 310 extends in the left-right direction Y.

[0021] The cross bar 310 has one end supported by the first driving device 110 and the other end supported by the second driving device 260. The cross bar 310 spans between the first driving device 110 and the second driving device 260.

[0022] The crossbar 310 holds a workpiece at a middle portion between one end and the other end. The crossbar 310 corresponds to a holding portion in the embodiment. The crossbar 310 has, for example, a vacuum cup at a middle portion, and can hold the workpiece by suctioning the workpiece using a vacuum.

[0023] After the press processing of the workpiece in the press machine 10 is completed, the crossbar 310 enters between the upper die 12 and the lower die 14 to hold the workpiece. With the crossbar 310 holding the workpiece, the first driving device 110 and the second driving device 260 move the crossbar 310 along a predetermined movement trajectory, thereby transporting the workpiece from the press machine 10 to the press machine 20. The crossbar 310 enters between the upper die 22 and the lower die 24 of the press machine 20 to release the hold of the workpiece, and the workpiece is delivered to the press machine 20.

[0024] 4 is a perspective view of the first driving device 110 constituting the work transportation device 100. The first driving device 110 includes a frame 112. The frame 112 is fixed to the upright 15B of the press machine 10 and the upright 25B of the press machine 20. The frame 112 extends in the transport direction X.

[0025] The frame 112 supports an upstream motor 114 at an upstream end in the transport direction X. The frame 112 supports a downstream motor 134 at a downstream end in the transport direction X. In the transport direction X, the upstream motor 114 is disposed upstream of the downstream motor 134, and the downstream motor 134 is disposed downstream of the upstream motor 114. The upstream motor 114 and the downstream motor 134 generate driving force for transporting the workpiece.

[0026] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a power transmission device that transmits driving forces generated by the upstream motor 114 and the downstream motor 134 included in the first drive device 110 shown in Fig. 4. The driving force of the upstream motor 114 is output to an upstream drive shaft 116. The upstream motor 114 is an upstream actuator that generates a driving force for rotating the upstream drive shaft 116. An upstream reducer 118 is provided on the upstream drive shaft 116. The upstream reducer 118 reduces the speed of rotation generated by the upstream motor 114 and increases the drive torque.

[0027] The driving force of the downstream motor 134 is output to a downstream drive shaft 136. The downstream motor 134 is a downstream actuator that generates a driving force for rotationally driving the downstream drive shaft 136. A downstream reducer 138 is provided on the downstream drive shaft 136. The downstream reducer 138 reduces the speed of rotation generated by the downstream motor 134 and increases the drive torque.

[0028] The upstream drive shaft 116 has a first upstream pulley 120 at its lower end. An upstream drive belt 122 is wound around the first upstream pulley 120. The downstream drive shaft 136 has a first downstream pulley 140 at its lower end. A downstream drive belt 142 is wound around the first downstream pulley 140.

[0029] An upstream end shaft 126 is disposed upstream of the upstream drive shaft 116 in the conveying direction X. The upstream end shaft 126 has an upstream second pulley 124 at its upper end and an upstream third pulley 128 at its lower end. The upstream second pulley 124 and the upstream third pulley 128 can rotate integrally. An upstream drive belt 122 is wound around the upstream second pulley 124. A conveying belt 130 is wound around the upstream third pulley 128.

[0030] The upstream drive belt 122 is wound around the upstream drive shaft 116 via the upstream first pulley 120, and around the upstream end shaft 126 via the upstream second pulley 124. The downstream end of the upstream drive belt 122 in the conveying direction X is wound around the upstream drive shaft 116. The upstream end of the upstream drive belt 122 in the conveying direction X is wound around the upstream end shaft 126. Both ends of the upstream drive belt 122 in the conveying direction X are wound around the pair of the upstream drive shaft 116 and the upstream end shaft 126.

[0031] A downstream end shaft 146 is disposed downstream of the downstream drive shaft 136 in the conveying direction X. The downstream end shaft 146 has a downstream second pulley 144 at its upper end and a downstream third pulley 148 at its lower end. The downstream second pulley 144 and the downstream third pulley 148 can rotate integrally. The downstream drive belt 142 is wound around the downstream second pulley 144. The conveyor belt 130 is wound around the downstream third pulley 148.

[0032] The downstream drive belt 142 is wound around the downstream drive shaft 136 via a downstream first pulley 140, and around a downstream end shaft 146 via a downstream second pulley 144. An upstream end of the downstream drive belt 142 in the conveying direction X is wound around the downstream drive shaft 136. A downstream end of the downstream drive belt 142 in the conveying direction X is wound around the downstream end shaft 146. Both ends of the downstream drive belt 142 in the conveying direction X are wound around the pair of the downstream drive shaft 136 and the downstream end shaft 146.

[0033] The driving force generated by the upstream motor 114 is transmitted to the conveyor belt 130 via the upstream drive belt 122. The driving force generated by the downstream motor 134 is transmitted to the conveyor belt 130 via the downstream drive belt 142. The upstream drive belt 122 and the downstream drive belt 142 extend in the conveying direction X. The conveyor belt 130 extends in the conveying direction X. The axis of the upstream end of the conveyor belt 130 in the conveying direction X is coaxial with the axis of the upstream end of the upstream drive belt 122 in the conveying direction X. The axis of the downstream end of the conveyor belt 130 in the conveying direction X is coaxial with the axis of the downstream end of the downstream drive belt 142 in the conveying direction X.

[0034] The conveyor belt 130 is configured as a belt member separate from the upstream drive belt 122 and the downstream drive belt 142. The conveyor belt 130 is wound around an upstream end shaft 126 via an upstream third pulley 128, and around a downstream end shaft 146 via a downstream third pulley 148. An upstream end of the conveyor belt 130 in the conveying direction X is wound around the upstream end shaft 126. A downstream end of the conveyor belt 130 in the conveying direction X is wound around the downstream end shaft 146. Both ends of the conveyor belt 130 in the conveying direction X are wound around the pair of the upstream end shaft 126 and the downstream end shaft 146.

[0035] The upstream drive shaft 116, the upstream reducer 118, the upstream first pulley 120, the upstream drive belt 122, the upstream second pulley 124, the upstream end shaft 126, and the upstream third pulley 128 constitute a power transmission device that transmits the driving force generated by the upstream motor 114 to the conveyor belt 130. The driving force generated by the upstream motor 114 for conveying the workpiece is transmitted to the conveyor belt 130 via the upstream drive shaft 116, the upstream reducer 118, the upstream first pulley 120, the upstream drive belt 122, the upstream second pulley 124, the upstream end shaft 126, and the upstream third pulley 128 in this order.

[0036] The downstream drive shaft 136, the downstream reducer 138, the downstream first pulley 140, the downstream drive belt 142, the downstream second pulley 144, the downstream end shaft 146, and the downstream third pulley 148 constitute a power transmission device that transmits the driving force generated by the downstream motor 134 to the conveyor belt 130. The driving force generated by the downstream motor 134 for conveying the workpiece is transmitted to the conveyor belt 130 via the downstream drive shaft 136, the downstream reducer 138, the downstream first pulley 140, the downstream drive belt 142, the downstream second pulley 144, the downstream end shaft 146, and the downstream third pulley 148 in this order.

[0037] The upstream drive shaft 116 extends downward from the upstream motor 114. The downstream drive shaft 136 extends downward from the downstream motor 134. When viewed from above in a plan view, the upstream drive shaft 116 overlaps with the upstream motor 114. When viewed from above in a plan view, the downstream drive shaft 136 overlaps with the downstream motor 134.

[0038] The upstream drive belt 122 is disposed below the upstream motor 114. The downstream drive belt 142 is disposed below the downstream motor 134. The conveyor belt 130 is disposed below the upstream drive belt 122 and the downstream drive belt 142. When viewed from above in a plan view, the upstream motor 114, the upstream drive belt 122, and the conveyor belt 130 overlap one another. When viewed from above in a plan view, the downstream motor 134, the downstream drive belt 142, and the conveyor belt 130 overlap one another.

[0039] A carrier 158 is fixed to the conveyor belt 130. The carrier 158 includes a first carrier 160 on the upstream side of the conveying direction X and a second carrier 180 on the downstream side of the conveying direction X. The first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 are configured as separate members, and are arranged adjacent to each other in the conveying direction X and integrated together by bolt connection. Details of the structure that integrates the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0040] The first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 are moved integrally in the conveying direction X by the operation of the conveying belt 130. That is, by synchronously operating the upstream side reducer 118 and the downstream side reducer 138, the conveying belt 130 is driven and the carriers 158 (the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180) provided on the conveying belt 130 are moved in the conveying direction X.

[0041] A base unit 300 is suspended and supported by the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180. A crossbar 310 shown in FIG. 3 is connected to the base unit 300 via an arm unit (not shown). The conveyor belt 130 moves the crossbar 310 in the conveying direction X via the base unit 300. The work held by the crossbar 310 is conveyed in the conveying direction X by the operation of the conveyor belt 130. The crossbar 310 may be configured to move relative to the base unit 300 by driving the arm unit, and an actuator that generates a driving force for the relative movement may be mounted on the base unit 300.

[0042] A linear motion member 152 is fixed to the first carrier 160. A linear motion member 154 is fixed to the second carrier 180. The linear motion members 152, 154 are attached to and supported by a guide rail 150. The guide rail 150 extends in a conveying direction X. The length of the conveyor belt 130 in the conveying direction X is substantially equal to the length of the guide rail 150 in the conveying direction X. The guide rail 150 is configured to be immovable in the conveying direction X. The linear motion members 152, 154 are capable of linearly reciprocating along the guide rail 150 in the conveying direction X.

[0043] The guide rail 150 supports the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 via linear motion members 152, 154. The weight acting on the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 is supported by the guide rail 150. The first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 are guided by the guide rail 150 and are capable of moving linearly along the conveying direction X.

[0044] The pair of upstream end shafts 126 and downstream end shafts 146 are disposed apart from each other in the conveying direction X. The pair of upstream end shafts 126 and downstream end shafts 146 are provided at both longitudinal ends of a guide rail 150 shown in FIG. 4. The pair of upstream drive shafts 116 and downstream drive shafts 136 are provided on the inner side of the pair of upstream end shafts 126 and downstream end shafts 146 in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail 150. The upstream drive shafts 116 and downstream drive shafts 136 are disposed between the pair of upstream end shafts 126 and downstream end shafts 146 in the conveying direction X. The upstream drive shafts 116 and downstream drive shafts 136 are disposed downstream of the upstream end shafts 126 in the conveying direction X, and upstream of the downstream end shafts 146 in the conveying direction X.

[0045] 2 and 3, the length of the conveyor belt 130 and the guide rail 150 in the conveying direction X is greater than the distance between the press machines 10 and 20.

[0046] The conveyor belt 130 and the guide rail 150 extend upstream in the conveying direction X, beyond the upright 15B on the downstream side of the press machine 10. The upstream ends of the conveyor belt 130 and the guide rail 150 in the conveying direction X are located upstream in the conveying direction X of the upright 15B on the downstream side of the press machine 10. A portion of the conveyor belt 130 and the guide rail 150 are disposed inside the press machine 10.

[0047] The conveyor belt 130 and the guide rail 150 extend downstream in the conveying direction X, beyond the upright 25A on the upstream side of the press machine 20. The downstream ends of the conveyor belt 130 and the guide rail 150 in the conveying direction X are located downstream in the conveying direction X of the upright 25A on the upstream side of the press machine 20. A portion of the conveyor belt 130 and the guide rail 150 are disposed inside the press machine 20.

[0048] The conveyor belt 130 and the guide rail 150 are disposed outside the slides 11 and 21 in the left-right direction Y. The conveyor belt 130 and the guide rail 150 are disposed between the slide 11 and the upright 15B, and between the slide 21 and the upright 25A, in the left-right direction Y. In a plan view, the conveyor belt 130 and the guide rail 150 overlap with the slide arms 16 and 26.

[0049] The conveyor belt 130 and the guide rail 150 extend in the conveying direction X by a length that extends from the slide 11 of the press machine 10 to the slide 21 of the press machine 20. As shown in Fig. 2, the upstream end and downstream end of the conveyor belt 130 and the guide rail 150 in the conveying direction X overlap with the slides 11, 21, respectively, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the conveying direction X and the up-down direction Z, that is, when viewed in the left-right direction Y (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in Fig. 2).

[0050] The first driving device 110 is disposed so as not to interfere with the slide arms 16, 26 as a whole. In the first driving device 110, a portion located upstream of the upstream motor 114 in the conveying direction X, more specifically, a portion including the upstream drive belt 122, the upstream end shaft 126, the conveyor belt 130, and the guide rail 150, is disposed below the slide arm 16 of the press machine 10. In the first driving device 110, a portion located downstream of the downstream motor 134 in the conveying direction X, more specifically, a portion including the downstream drive belt 142, the downstream end shaft 146, the conveyor belt 130, and the guide rail 150, is disposed below the slide arm 26 of the press machine 20.

[0051] The upstream drive belt 122, the downstream drive belt 142, the conveyor belt 130 and the guide rail 150 are disposed below the lower limit of the movable range of the vertically movable slide arms 16, 26. The crossbar 310 is disposed below the conveyor belt 130 and the guide rail 150 and spaced apart from the conveyor belt 130.

[0052] 2 and 3 again, as viewed in the left-right direction Y (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 2), the upstream motor 114 overlaps with the downstream upright 15B of the press machine 10, and the downstream motor 134 overlaps with the upstream upright 25A of the press machine 20. Of the four slide arms 16 of the press machine 10, the upstream motor 114 and the downstream motor 134 are disposed downstream in the conveying direction X of the slide arm 16 downstream in the conveying direction X. Of the four slide arms 26 of the press machine 20, the upstream motor 114 and the downstream motor 134 are disposed upstream in the conveying direction X of the slide arm 26 upstream in the conveying direction X. The upstream motor 114 and the downstream motor 134 are disposed downstream in the conveying direction X of the slide 11 of the press machine 10, and disposed upstream in the conveying direction X of the slide 21 of the press machine 20.

[0053] 3, on the XY plane, the upstream drive shaft 116 is in the same position as the upstream motor 114, and the downstream drive shaft 136 is in the same position as the downstream motor 134. Therefore, the upstream drive shaft 116 and the downstream drive shaft 136 are disposed downstream of the slide 11 of the press machine 10 in the conveying direction X, and disposed upstream of the slide 21 of the press machine 20 in the conveying direction X. The upstream drive shaft 116 and the downstream drive shaft 136 are disposed between the slide 11 of the press machine 10 and the slide 21 of the press machine 20 in the conveying direction X.

[0054] The upstream drive shaft 116 and the downstream drive shaft 136 are disposed downstream in the conveying direction X of the slide arm 16 that is downstream in the conveying direction X of the four slide arms 16 of the press machine 10. The upstream drive shaft 116 and the downstream drive shaft 136 are disposed upstream in the conveying direction X of the slide arm 26 that is upstream in the conveying direction X of the four slide arms 26 of the press machine 20. The upstream drive shaft 116 and the downstream drive shaft 136 are disposed in the conveying direction X between the slide arm 16 that is downstream in the conveying direction X of the press machine 10 and the slide arm 26 that is upstream in the conveying direction X of the press machine 20.

[0055] The upstream motor 114 and the downstream motor 134, the upstream drive shaft 116 and the downstream drive shaft 136, and the upstream reducer 118 and the downstream reducer 138 are arranged in the space between the upstream press machine 10 and the downstream press machine 20.

[0056] Fig. 6 is a front view of the first driving device 110, showing an enlarged view of the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 and their vicinity. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the attachment of the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 to the conveyor belt 130. The conveyor belt 130 is an end belt having a first end 130E1 and a second end 130E2. The conveyor belt 130 is a toothed belt having teeth on its inner peripheral surface.

[0057] A belt fastening plate 200 is attached to a first end 130E1 of the conveyor belt 130. The belt fastening plate 200 has an outer plate 202 facing the outer circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 130, and an inner plate 204 facing the inner circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 130. The outer plate 202 and the inner plate 204 sandwich the first end 130E1 of the conveyor belt 130 and are integrally connected by a plurality of fastening bolts 206.

[0058] A belt fastening plate 210 is attached to a second end 130E2 of the conveyor belt 130. The belt fastening plate 210 has an outer plate 212 facing the outer circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 130, and an inner plate 214 facing the inner circumferential surface of the conveyor belt 130. The outer plate 212 and the inner plate 214 sandwich the second end 130E2 of the conveyor belt 130 and are integrally connected by a plurality of fastening bolts 216.

[0059] The first carrier 160 has a rail support portion 162 and a belt fixing portion 166. The rail support portion 162 is connected to the linear motion member 152 by a plurality of support bolts 164. The belt fixing portion 166 is connected to an outer plate 202 of the belt fastening plate 200 by a plurality of fixing bolts 168.

[0060] The second carrier 180 has a rail support portion 182 and a belt fixing portion 186. The rail support portion 182 is connected to the linear motion member 154 by a plurality of support bolts 184. The belt fixing portion 186 is connected to an outer plate 212 of the belt fastening plate 210 by a plurality of fixing bolts 188.

[0061] With the rail support portion 162 fixed to the linear motion member 152 and the rail support portion 182 fixed to the linear motion member 154, the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 are supported by the guide rail 150 as described above.

[0062] With the belt fixing portion 166 fixed to the belt fastening plate 200 and the belt fixing portion 186 fixed to the belt fastening plate 210, as described above, the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180 are moved in the conveying direction X by the conveying belt 130.

[0063] The first carrier 160 has a bottom plate portion 172. The second carrier 180 has a bottom plate portion 192. The base portion 300 is suspended downward from the bottom plate portions 172, 192 and supported by the first carrier 160 and the second carrier 180.

[0064] The first carrier 160 has a wall portion 170 extending in the vertical direction. The second carrier 180 has a wall portion 190 extending in the vertical direction. The wall portion 170 constitutes an edge portion of the first carrier 160 on the downstream side in the conveying direction X. The wall portion 190 constitutes an edge portion of the second carrier 180 on the upstream side in the conveying direction X.

[0065] Wall portion 170 of first carrier 160 and wall portion 190 of second carrier 180 are arranged to face each other, and shim plate 220 is sandwiched between wall portion 170 and wall portion 190. Wall portion 170, shim plate 220 and wall portion 190 are fastened together with shim adjustment bolts 222, 224, thereby connecting first carrier 160 and second carrier 180.

[0066] The distance between the wall portion 170 and the wall portion 190 is adjusted by adjusting the amount of fastening of the shim adjustment bolts 222, 224 to the wall portions 170, 190. This makes it possible to adjust the distance between the first end 130E1 and the second end 130E2 of the conveyor belt 130 in the conveying direction X.

[0067] A shim plate 220 is sandwiched between the wall portion 170 and the wall portion 190 instead of forming a gap between them. A shim plate 220 with an appropriate thickness is selected based on the length of the conveyor belt 130, the spring constant of the conveyor belt 130, and the like, and the shim plate 220 with the appropriate thickness is sandwiched between the wall portion 170 and the wall portion 190. The shim plate 220 is used to adjust the gap between the wall portion 170 and the wall portion 190, and thereby the gap between the first end 130E1 and the second end 130E2 of the end-equipped conveyor belt 130 can be adjusted reliably, thereby making it possible to reliably adjust the tension of the conveyor belt 130. By sandwiching the shim plate 220, it is possible to keep the tension of the conveyor belt 130 constant without the help of an operator.

[0068] On the other hand, the upstream drive belt 122 and the downstream drive belt 142 are endless belts, as shown in the schematic diagram of Fig. 5. The tension of the upstream drive belt 122 is adjusted by adjusting the relative position of the upstream drive shaft 116 to the upstream end shaft 126 in the conveying direction X. The tension of the downstream drive belt 142 is adjusted by adjusting the relative position of the downstream drive shaft 136 to the downstream end shaft 146 in the conveying direction X.

[0069] Specifically, the upstream end shaft 126 is configured to be immovable in the conveying direction X, and an assembly including the upstream motor 114, the upstream drive shaft 116, the upstream reducer 118, and the upstream first pulley 120 is configured to be movable in the conveying direction X. By moving the upstream drive shaft 116 closer to the upstream end shaft 126, the tension of the upstream drive belt 122 can be reduced, and by moving the upstream drive shaft 116 away from the upstream end shaft 126, the tension of the upstream drive belt 122 can be increased.

[0070] 4, a shim plate 226 is provided on the downstream side of the upstream drive shaft 116 in the conveying direction X. The position of the upstream drive shaft 116 in the conveying direction X can be adjusted by using the shim plate 226. The tension of the upstream drive belt 122 can be appropriately adjusted by using an appropriate shim plate 226 selected based on the length of the upstream drive belt 122, the spring constant of the upstream drive belt 122, and the like.

[0071] Similarly, the downstream end shaft 146 is configured to be immovable in the conveying direction X, and the assembly including the downstream motor 134, the downstream drive shaft 136, the downstream reducer 138, and the downstream first pulley 140 is configured to be movable in the conveying direction X. By moving the downstream drive shaft 136 closer to the downstream end shaft 146, the tension of the downstream drive belt 142 can be decreased, and by moving the downstream drive shaft 136 away from the downstream end shaft 146, the tension of the downstream drive belt 142 can be increased.

[0072] 4, a shim plate 228 is provided on the upstream side of the downstream drive shaft 136 in the conveying direction X. The position of the downstream drive shaft 136 in the conveying direction X can be adjusted by using the shim plate 228. The tension of the downstream drive belt 142 can be appropriately adjusted by using an appropriate shim plate 228 selected based on the length of the downstream drive belt 142, the spring constant of the downstream drive belt 142, and the like.

[0073] The second drive device 260 shown in Fig. 3 has the same configuration as the first drive device 110 described above. The second drive device 260 is equipped with motors 264, 274 that generate a drive force for transporting a workpiece. With reference to the arrangement of the motors 264, 274 shown in Fig. 3, the drive shaft to which the drive force of the motors 264, 274 is transmitted is disposed between the slide 11 of the press machine 10 and the slide 21 of the press machine 20 in the transport direction X. The drive shaft is disposed between the slide arm 16 on the downstream side of the press machine 10 and the slide arm 26 on the upstream side of the press machine 20.

[0074] Although some of the description herein overlaps with the above description, the characteristic configuration and effects of this embodiment can be summarized as follows.

[0075] 5, the workpiece conveying device 100 according to the embodiment includes a pair of upstream end shafts 126 and downstream end shafts 146 spaced apart from each other in a conveying direction X, which is a direction in which the workpiece is conveyed, an upstream drive shaft 116 disposed between the pair of upstream end shafts 126 and downstream end shafts 146 in the conveying direction X, an upstream drive belt 122 wound around the upstream drive shaft 116 and the upstream end shaft 126, and a conveying belt 130 wound around the pair of upstream end shafts 126 and downstream end shafts 146. A driving force for conveying the workpiece is transmitted to the conveying belt 130 via the upstream drive shaft 116, the upstream drive belt 122, and the upstream end shaft 126 in this order.

[0076] By providing the work transportation device 100 with the upstream drive belt 122 and the conveyor belt 130 separately, the design freedom allowed for the relative position of the upstream drive shaft 116 with respect to the upstream end shaft 126 is increased. Therefore, it is possible to downsize the work transportation device 100 by arranging the upstream drive belt 122 so as to be folded back at the upstream end shaft 126 with respect to the conveyor belt 130, and arranging the upstream drive shaft 116 between the pair of the upstream end shaft 126 and the downstream end shaft 146. Since the work transportation device 100 is space-saving, it is possible to arrange the upstream drive shaft 116 in the space between the press machines 10 and 20 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. With such a configuration, the work transportation device 100 can be operated to transport the work without interfering with the operation of each of the press machines 10 and 20.

[0077] 3, an upstream drive shaft 116 and a downstream drive shaft 136 are disposed between the slide 11 of the upstream press machine 10 and the slide 21 of the downstream press machine 20. This makes it possible to prevent the upstream drive shaft 116 or the downstream drive shaft 136 from interfering with the operation of the slides 11, 21 moving in the up and down direction.

[0078] 3, an upstream drive shaft 116 and a downstream drive shaft 136 are disposed between the slide arm 16 of the upstream press machine 10 and the slide arm 26 of the downstream press machine 20. This makes it possible to prevent the upstream drive shaft 116 or the downstream drive shaft 136 from interfering with the operation of the slide arms 16, 26 moving in the up and down direction.

[0079] 2, the conveyor belt 130 is disposed below the slide arms 16, 26. By reliably avoiding interference between the workpiece conveying device 100 and the press machines 10, 20, it is possible to ensure the productivity of the press working by the press machines 10, 20.

[0080] 5, the upstream drive belt 122 is an endless belt, and the relative position of the upstream drive shaft 116 to the upstream end shaft 126 in the conveying direction X is adjustable. This makes it easy to adjust the tension of the upstream drive belt 122.

[0081] 7, the conveyor belt 130 is an end belt having a first end 130E1 and a second end 130E2, and the distance between the first end 130E1 and the second end 130E2 in the conveying direction X is adjustable. This allows the tension of the conveyor belt 130 to be easily adjusted.

[0082] In the above embodiments, an example has been described in which the first drive device 110 includes a pair of upstream motor 114 and downstream motor 134 that generate a drive force for transporting the workpiece, and a pair of upstream drive shaft 116 and downstream drive shaft 136. The first drive device 110 does not necessarily have to include a pair of motors and drive shafts. As long as sufficient torque can be transmitted to the conveyor belt 130, a configuration in which the drive force generated by one motor (only the upstream motor 114 or only the downstream motor) is transmitted to the conveyor belt 130 to transport the workpiece may be used.

[0083] In the embodiment, an example has been described in which both ends of the crossbar 310 are supported by the first driving device 110 and the second driving device 260 arranged on both sides in the left-right direction Y. It is not necessary to provide a pair of driving devices supporting the crossbar 310, and a configuration in which one driving device supports one point of the crossbar 310 may also be used.

[0084] Furthermore, the workpiece transport device 100 does not necessarily need to include the crossbar 310, and the tip of the arm section provided on the base section 300 may be provided with fingers that can advance and retreat in the left-right direction Y, and the workpiece may be held by the fingers. The fingers that can advance and retreat in the left-right direction Y also correspond to the holding section. Alternatively, a vacuum cup may be attached to the tip of the arm section without using a crossbar.

[0085] In the embodiment, an example has been described in which the work transportation device 100 transports a work between the press machines 10, 20 that constitute a tandem press line. The work transportation device 100 of the embodiment may be applied to transport a work between a plurality of dies arranged in one press machine in a transfer press line.

[0086] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered as limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 10,20 Press machine, 11,21 Slide, 12,22 Upper die, 13,23 Bolster, 14,24 Lower die, 15,15A,15B,25,25A,25B Upright, 16,26 Slide arm, 100 Work conveying device, 110 First drive device, 112 Frame, 114 Upstream motor, 116 Upstream drive shaft, 118 Upstream reducer, 120 Upstream first pulley, 122 Upstream drive belt, 124 Upstream second pulley, 126 Upstream end shaft, 128 Upstream third pulley, 130 Conveyor belt, 130E1 First end, 130E2 Second end, 134 Downstream motor, 136 Downstream drive shaft, 138 Downstream reducer, 140 Downstream first pulley, 142 downstream drive belt, 144 downstream second pulley, 146 downstream end shaft, 148 downstream third pulley, 150 guide rail, 152, 154 linear motion member, 158 carrier, 160 first carrier, 162, 182 rail support portion, 164, 184 support bolt, 166, 186 belt fixing portion, 168, 188 fixing bolt, 170, 190 wall portion, 172, 192 bottom plate portion, 180 second carrier, 200, 210 belt fastening plate, 202, 212 outer plate, 204, 214 inner plate, 206, 216 fastening bolt, 220, 226, 228 shim plate, 222, 224 shim adjustment bolt, 260 second drive device, 264, 274 motor, 300 Base section, 310 crossbar, X transport direction.

Claims

1. A workpiece transport device that transports a workpiece to be pressed by at least one press machine, A pair of end shafts arranged apart from each other in a conveying direction, which is a direction in which the work is conveyed; a drive shaft disposed between the pair of end shafts in the conveying direction; a drive belt wound around the drive shaft and the end shaft; A conveyor belt is wound around the pair of end shafts, A driving force for transporting the workpiece is transmitted to the transport belt via the drive shaft, the drive belt, and the end shaft in this order; The at least one press machine has a die that moves in a vertical direction and a slide to which the die is attached, the at least one press machine includes an upstream press machine and a downstream press machine in the conveying direction, the workpiece transportation device transports a workpiece from the upstream press machine to the downstream press machine, the drive shaft is disposed between the slide of the press machine on the upstream side and the slide of the press machine on the downstream side in the conveying direction, The at least one press machine each has a column portion extending in the vertical direction, a length between the pair of end shafts in the conveying direction is longer than a distance between the upstream press machine and the downstream press machine, A workpiece transport device, wherein the drive shaft is arranged to overlap the pillar portion when viewed from the side.

2. the at least one press machine each has a mounting portion that mounts the slide to the column portion so as to be movable in the up-down direction; 2. The workpiece transportation device according to claim 1, wherein the drive shaft is disposed between the mounting portion on the downstream side of the upstream press machine and the mounting portion on the upstream side of the downstream press machine in the transport direction.

3. The workpiece transport device according to claim 2 , wherein the transport belt is disposed below the mounting portion.

4. The drive belt is an endless belt, The workpiece transport device according to claim 1 , wherein a relative position of the drive shaft with respect to the end shaft in the transport direction is adjustable.

5. the conveyor belt is an end belt having a first end and a second end, The workpiece transport device according to claim 1 , wherein a distance between the first end and the second end in the transport direction is adjustable.

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