Loading table transport device

Abstract

To provide a conveyance apparatus for a mounting base, capable of conveying a conveyed object after completely mounting the conveyed object on he mounting base without causing collision between the mounting base and an engagement part of the conveyed object and without need for excessive conveyance time.SOLUTION: A conveyance apparatus includes: a conveyance path; a plurality of mounting bases being placed in a line so as to be movable along the conveyance path, on which conveyed objects are placed; an upstream engagement part which engages with the mounting base at the upstream end of the mounting bases placed in a line to be capable of being pushed out in the downstream direction; a mobile body which includes a downstream engagement part engaging with the mounting base at the downstream end of the mounting bases to regulate free movement in the downstream direction, and moves along the conveyance path; and a mobile body drive mechanism which repeatedly moves a mobile body by one pitch which is the length of a mounting base in the conveyance direction. The mobile body includes an interval change part which can change the length between the upstream engagement part and the downstream engagement part according to the lengths of a plurality of mounting bases sandwiched between the upstream engagement part and the downstream engagement part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device that conveys tables on which molding flasks, molds, cast products, etc. are placed, in a line on a conveying path. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a carriage transport device described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 554825 has been known as a device for transporting tables on which molds and castings are placed, arranged in a line on a transport path. This cart transport device is composed of a simple and inexpensive mechanism, and smoothly transports multiple carts lined up on a transport path with molding flasks, molds, etc. placed on them, using a moving body driven by a single drive unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 554825 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, the contact surfaces of the carriages (mounting tables) that are arranged in a row and transported wear out over time. As a result, the total length of the carriages that are arranged and clamped becomes shorter with use compared to the length between the upstream engagement part and the downstream engagement part of the moving body. Also, since the dimensions of the carriages in the transport direction are set short in consideration of expansion caused by the transported object (mold, etc.) when heated, when cooling, the total length of the carriages that are clamped becomes shorter compared to the length between the upstream engagement part and the downstream engagement part of the moving body.

[0005] In this way, due to shrinkage during use and cooling, large gaps are generated between the upstream and downstream engagement parts of the moving body and the lined up carriages. When the upstream engagement part, which pushes the upstream end of the lined up carriages, starts to decelerate, such large gaps may cause the downstream end of the lined up carriages to collide with the downstream engagement part, causing the transported object (mold) placed on the carriage to collapse. In addition, in order to prevent such collapse of the transported object, it becomes necessary to secure a long deceleration time, which requires extra transport time.

[0006] In order to solve such problems, the present invention aims to provide a loading platform transport device that can reliably place and transport an object on the loading platform without causing a collision between the loading platform and the engagement portion of the moving body and without requiring extra transport time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The mounting table transport device of the present invention is a mounting table transport device having a transport path, a plurality of mounting tables arranged in a row so as to be movable along the transport path and on which each of the objects to be transported is placed, an upstream engagement portion that engages with the upstream end of the mounting tables arranged in a row so as to be able to be pushed in the downstream direction, and a downstream engagement portion that engages with the downstream end of the mounting tables so as to restrict free movement in the downstream direction, and is equipped with a movable body that moves along the transport path, and a movable body drive mechanism that repeatedly moves the movable body by one pitch, which is the length of the mounting tables in the transport direction.

[0008] The movable body is equipped with a spacing change portion that enables the length between the upstream engagement portion and the downstream engagement portion to be changed in accordance with the length of the multiple mounting tables sandwiched between the upstream engagement portion and the downstream engagement portion.

[0009] According to this, the spacing change portion can change the length between the upstream engagement portion and the downstream engagement portion in accordance with the length of the multiple mounting stages clamped between the upstream engagement portion and the downstream engagement portion. Therefore, even if the contact surface of the mounting table wears down over time or the length shortens due to cooling, the length between the upstream engagement portion and the downstream engagement portion can be changed to suppress the occurrence of a gap between the mounting table and the downstream engagement portion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view showing an overall outline of a mounting table transport device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the downstream side of FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the upstream side of FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state at a midway point in the first conveying path at the start of feeding. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state at an intermediate position of feeding in the first conveying path. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state at a feed completion position in the first conveying path. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the extension device is extended in the first conveying path. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] 1. (First embodiment) A first embodiment of the mounting table transport device according to the present invention implemented in a mounting table transport device 1 that transports objects such as casting flasks and molds on a transport cart serving as a mounting table 8 in a casting line will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 9.

[0012] In this specification, the direction in which the mounting table 8 is transported along the transport path 2 is referred to as the "transport direction." The transport of the mounting table 8 is likened to a water flow, and the side that is the starting point of the transport in the casting line is referred to as the "upstream side," and the side that is the end point of the transport is referred to as the "downstream side." In the transport direction, the upstream side is referred to as the "rear" and the downstream side is referred to as the "front." Assuming that there is a center line extending in the transport direction of the transport path 2, the side farther from the center line is referred to as the "outside" and the side closer to the center line is referred to as the "inside."

[0013] The mounting table transporting device 1 of this embodiment includes a first transporting path 2a, a second transporting path 2b, a first traverser 3, a second traverser 4, a first moving body 51, a second moving body 52, a spacing change unit 6, and a moving body drive mechanism 7. A plurality of mounting tables 8 are arranged in a row on each of the first transport path 2a and the second transport path 2b. The first transport path 2a and the second transport path 2b each correspond to the transport path 2.

[0014] 1-1.(Transport path) The first transport path 2a of the transport path 2 transports a placement table 8 on which an object to be transported is placed to the left in FIG. The first transport path 2 a includes a placement table rail 21 and a separation stopper 22 . A pair of mounting table rails 21 are formed to extend horizontally along the conveying direction. The pair of mounting table rails 21 are laid corresponding to the outer sides of the upper ends of a pair of I-beams 23 extending in the conveying direction. The pair of I-beams 23 are supported by a plurality of posts 24 protruding from the floor surface F, and hold the mounting table rail 21 in an elevated state. On the mounting table rail 21, mounting tables 8 on which molds or flasks are placed are arranged in a row along the conveying direction.

[0015] (Separation stopper device) 4, a separation stopper 22 is provided at the downstream end position DEP of the first transport path 2a. The separation stopper 22 restricts the free movement of the mounting table 8 at the downstream end position DEP in a further downstream direction.

[0016] The separation stopper 22 includes an air cylinder device 22a fixed to the lower side surface of the I-beam 23, and a crank device 22b having a stopper portion 22b1 whose one end is connected to a piston portion of the air cylinder device 22a and whose other end is journaled on the side surface of the I-beam 23 and advances and retreats on the mounting table rail 21. The stopper portion 22b1 is adapted to come into contact with a front end portion of a bearing portion 8b (described later) on the front side of the mounting table 8 positioned at the downstream end position DEP when it advances on the mounting table rail 21.

[0017] The second conveying path 2b is arranged in parallel with the first conveying path 2a, and conveys the objects in the opposite direction to the conveying direction of the first conveying path 2a. As shown in FIG. 3, the configuration is the same as that of the first conveying path 2a, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0018] 1-2.(Traverser) A first traverser 3 is disposed between a first carry-in position CIP1 aligned with the upstream end position UEP of the first conveying path 2a and a second carry-out position COP2 aligned with the downstream end position DEP of the second conveying path 2b and facing the first carry-in position CIP1. The first traverser 3 moves the article between the first carry-in position CIP1 and the second carry-out position COP2. The first traverser 3 includes a first transport rail 31 and a transport cart 32. The first transport rail 31 is disposed so as to connect the first carry-in position CIP1 and the second carry-out position COP2, and extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first transport path 2a and the second transport path 2b extend.

[0019] At a first carry-in position CIP1 on the first transport rail 31, a transport cart 32 is positioned, on which a mounting table 8 is placed and which moves in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The transport cart 32 has transport wheels 32a that roll on the first transport rail 31, a transport base 32b on which the transport wheels 32a are supported so that they can roll freely, and a transport platform rail 32c and a protruding support portion 33 arranged on the transport base 32b so as to be aligned with the loading platform rail 21 (see the first unloading position COP1 side in Figure 1).

[0020] The transfer base 32b is made of, for example, iron and formed into a rectangular plate shape. Two pairs of transfer wheels 32a having rotation axes aligned with the transfer directions of the first transfer path 2a and the second transfer path 2b are rotatably supported on the lower side of the transfer base 32b. The transport platform rail 32c is attached to the upper surface of the transport base 32b so as to extend in a direction parallel to the transport direction of the first transport path 2a and the second transport path 2b.

[0021] The protruding support portion 33 is provided on the upper surface of the transfer base 32b, on one outer side (the lower side in FIG. 1) of the transfer table rail 32c. One end of a rod-shaped member 33a extending along the transfer table rail 32c is rotatably connected to the protruding support portion 33 by a rotation shaft having an axis perpendicular to the transfer table rail 32c.

[0022] 2, a roller 33b having a rotation axis perpendicular to the transport table rail 32c is rotatably provided at the other end of the rod-shaped member 33a, and a coil spring 33c is provided at the other end of the middle part of the rod-shaped member 33a. The coil spring 33c is disposed between the lower surface of the rod-shaped member 33a and the upper surface of the transport base 32b, and is configured to urge the other end of the rod-shaped member 33a upward. A stopper 34 is provided at the end of the transport table rail 32c (the end opposite the conveying path), and a rolling wheel 8c and a bearing part 8b (described later) of the mounting table 8 are sandwiched between the stopper 34 and the roller 33b provided at the other end of the rod-shaped member 33a, thereby positioning and holding the mounting table 8 on the transport base 32b.

[0023] The first transfer rail 31 and the transfer carriage 32 constitute a first traverser 3 as a traverser. In addition, at the stop position when the first moving body 51 transfers the mounting table 8 from the downstream end position DEP to the first unloading position COP1, the mounting table 8 moved to the downstream end position DEP stops with the rolling wheels 8c climbing over the tops of the rollers 33b of the protruding support parts 33 toward the stopper 34. In other words, it is set to stop in a state where it is biased toward the stopper 34 (further downstream).

[0024] In addition, when the transport cart 32 carrying the loading platform 8 is positioned at the first loading position CIP1, the transport platform rail 32c aligns with the loading platform rail 21, and the loading platform 8 placed on the transport platform rail 32c is arranged with a predetermined gap tB between it and the multiple loading platforms 8 placed on the loading platform rail 21 of the first conveying path 2a (see Figure 2).

[0025] (Second traverser) The second traverser 4 is provided between a second loading position CIP2 aligned with the upstream end position UEP of the second conveying path 2b and a first unloading position COP1 aligned with the downstream end position DEP of the first conveying path 2a and opposite the second loading position CIP2. The second traverser 4 has a similar configuration to the first traverser 3, except that the conveying direction of the second traverser 4 is the opposite direction to that of the first traverser 3. Therefore, the same reference numerals are used and the description thereof is omitted.

[0026] 1-3.(Mobile) A first moving body 51 of the moving body 5 is provided below the first transport path 2a, and reciprocates along the transport direction of the first transport path 2a. The first movable body 51 has movable body rails (not shown) parallel to the platform rails 21 laid on the lower inner edges of a pair of I-beams 23 of the first conveying path 2a, and the rolling wheels 53 of the first movable body 51 are placed on the movable body rails.

[0027] The first movable body 51 has a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped movable body upstream section 51a provided on the upstream end position UEP side (right side in Figure 1), a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped movable body downstream section 51b provided on the downstream end position side (left side in Figure 1), and a movable body drive section 51c provided between the movable body upstream section 51a and the movable body downstream section 51b.

[0028] Between the upstream moving body portion 51a and the moving body drive portion 51c, and between the downstream moving body portion 51b and the moving body drive portion 51c, rod-shaped connection portions 51d are provided, respectively. The upstream moving body portion 51a and the moving body drive portion 51c move as one unit due to the connection portions 51d. The downstream moving body portion 51b and the moving body drive portion 51c move as one unit due to the connection portions 51d. The rolling wheels 53 are rotatably supported on the front, rear, left and right sides of the side portions of the upstream moving body portion 51a, the moving body drive portion 51c and the downstream moving body portion 51b, respectively (see FIG. 2).

[0029] 2 and 4, a bracket 54 protruding downward is provided on the upstream lower portion of the movable body driving unit 51c. One end of a first link member 71 constituting a slider crank mechanism described later is rotatably connected to the bracket 54.

[0030] Further, an upwardly protruding rectangular upstream engaging portion 57 is provided on the upper portion of the upstream end position side of the movable body upstream portion 51a. This upstream engaging portion 57 is provided at a position shifted to one side (downward in FIG. 1) from the center of the first movable body 51 in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and is configured to engage with a later-described front engaged portion 87 provided on the mounting table 8.

[0031] An upwardly protruding rectangular downstream engaging portion 58 is provided at an upper portion on the downstream end position side of the movable body downstream portion 51b. This downstream engaging portion 58 is provided at a position shifted to the other side (upward in FIG. 1) from the center in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and is configured to engage with a rear engaged portion 88 provided on the mounting table 8, which will be described later.

[0032] (Second moving body) The second moving body 52 is provided below the second transport path 2b, and reciprocates along the transport direction of the second transport path 2b. The second moving body 52 includes a moving body upstream section 52a having a rectangular parallelepiped shape provided on the upstream end position side (the right side in FIG. 1), a moving body downstream section 52b having a rectangular parallelepiped shape provided on the downstream end position side (the left side in FIG. 1), and a moving body drive section 52c provided between the moving body upstream section 52a and the moving body downstream section 52b. The other configurations are the same as those of the first moving body 51, so the same reference numerals are used and the description will be omitted.

[0033] 1-4. (Spacing change section) The interval changer 6 is provided between the movable body drive unit 51c and the movable body downstream unit 51b. The interval changer 6 changes the length between the upstream engagement unit 57 and the downstream engagement unit 58 in accordance with the length of a plurality of mounting tables 8 (mounting tables) held between the upstream engagement unit 57 and the downstream engagement unit 58. The interval changing unit 6 includes a hydraulic cylinder device 61, a hydraulic pump 62, and an electromagnetic switching valve 63.

[0034] The hydraulic cylinder device 61 includes a cylinder portion 61a provided at the downstream end of the moving body drive portion 51c and a piston portion 61b connected by a joint to a connection portion 51d continuing to the moving body downstream portion 51b. The solenoid switching valve 63 includes a left position L where the hydraulic pump 62 is connected to the cap side of the cylinder portion 61a to move the piston portion 61b forward, and a right position R where the hydraulic pump 62 is connected to the piston portion 61b side of the cylinder portion 61a to move the piston portion 61b backward. The solenoid switching valve 63 also includes a center position C where the piston portion 61b is stopped. The operation of the solenoid switching valve 63 is controlled by a control device (not shown). The hydraulic cylinder device 61, the hydraulic pump 62 and the electromagnetic switching valve 63 constitute an expansion device.

[0035] 1-5. (Moving body drive mechanism) 3, the moving body drive mechanism 7 drives the first moving body 51 and the second moving body 52 by one inverter-controlled motor 28. The moving body drive mechanism 7 includes a first link member 71 connected to the moving body drive unit 51c of the first moving body 51, a first crank arm 73 connected to the first link member 71, and the inverter-controlled motor 28 having a drive shaft 281 that rotates the first crank arm 73.

[0036] The movable body drive mechanism 7 also includes a second link member 72 connected to the movable body drive unit 52c of the second movable body 52, and a second crank arm 74 connected to the second link member 72. The second crank arm 74 is also rotated by the drive shaft 281 of the inverter-controlled motor 28, similar to the first crank arm 73. The drive device is composed of an inverter-controlled motor 28 and a drive shaft 281 .

[0037] 2 and 3, a first crank arm 73 and a second crank arm 74 are attached to the base end of the drive shaft 281 so as not to rotate relative to each other. Each crank arm 73, 74 is positioned approximately horizontally at the starting point where the moving bodies 51, 52 start to move forward, and is positioned approximately horizontally on the opposite side to the starting point at the end point where the moving bodies 51, 52 pass the bottom dead center during the rotation and end their forward movement.

[0038] The first crank arm 73 on the first transport path 2a and the second crank arm 74 on the second transport path 2b rotate simultaneously in the same direction. Therefore, the forward and backward positioning of each of the movable bodies 51, 52 with respect to the rotational directions of the crank arms 73, 74 differs between the first transport path 2a and the second transport path 2b, where the mounting tables 8 are transported in opposite directions.

[0039] Specifically, in FIG. 2, when the first moving body 51 advances due to the clockwise rotation of the first crank arm 73 on the first conveying path 2a, the second moving body 52 retreats due to the clockwise rotation of the second crank arm 74 on the second conveying path 2b, and when the first moving body 51 retreats due to the counterclockwise rotation of the first crank arm 73 on the first conveying path 2a, the second moving body 52 advances due to the counterclockwise rotation of the second crank arm 74 on the second conveying path 2b.

[0040] In addition, a deceleration proximity switch 92 is provided at a position passing the bottom dead center on the rotation path of the first crank arm 73, and a final end proximity switch 94 is provided at the end position, on both the outward and return paths of the swinging of the first crank arm 73. When the crank arm 73 reaches the positions where these switches are arranged, a predetermined rotation control is performed on the inverter-controlled motor 28. The inverter-controlled motor 28, the deceleration proximity switch 92, and the final end proximity switch 94 constitute a drive control means. The second crank arm 74 is also provided with these proximity switches.

[0041] The movable body drive mechanism 7 is a known technique using a slider crank mechanism, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. A known example of the movable body drive mechanism is the technique described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5548255. The difference from this known example is that the movable body drive mechanism 7 in this embodiment does not require a temporary stop proximity switch. This is because the addition of the extension device as the interval change unit 6 makes the temporary stop operation unnecessary. As the temporary stop operation is no longer necessary, the time required for the process can be further shortened.

[0042] 1-6.(Placement table) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the mounting tables 8 arranged on each conveying path 2a, 2b are equipped with a rectangular mounting table main body 8a, bearing portions 8b protruding forward, backward, left and right from below the mounting table main body 8a, and rolling wheels 8c that are rotatably supported by the pair of left and right bearing portions 8b and roll on the mounting table rails 21.

[0043] A front engaged portion 87 that protrudes downward is provided at the front of the mounting table main body 8a in the transport direction. The front engaged portion 87 is provided at a position shifted to one side (lower in FIG. 1 in the first transport path 2a, and upper in FIG. 1 in the second transport path 2b) from the center in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction on the mounting table main body 8a of the mounting table 8, and is configured to engage with an upstream engaging portion 57 provided on the movable body upstream portions 51a, 52a of the movable body.

[0044] In addition, since the moving direction of the mounting table 8 is opposite in the first conveying path 2a and the second conveying path 2b, the front and rear are reversed, but in either case, the downstream side in the moving direction is called the "front" and the upstream side is called the "rear." Therefore, the front engaged part 87 in the first conveying path 2a becomes the rear engaged part 88 in the second conveying path 2b, and the rear engaged part 88 in the first conveying path 2a becomes the front engaged part 87 in the second conveying path 2b.

[0045] A rear engaged portion 88 protruding downward is provided at the rear in the transport direction of the mounting table main body 8a. The rear engaged portion 88 is provided at a position shifted to the other side (upward in FIG. 1 in the first transport path 2a, and downward in FIG. 1 in the second transport path 2b) from the center of the mounting table main body 8a of the mounting table 8 in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and is configured to engage with the downstream engaging portion 58 provided at the downstream portions 51b, 52b of the movable bodies 51, 52.

[0046] 1-7.(Control device) Although not shown, the control device controls the rotation of the inverter-controlled motor 28 based on detection signals from the deceleration proximity switch 92 and the final end proximity switch 94. Also, in the expansion and contraction devices (61, 62, 63) of the gap change unit 6, the control device controls the operation of the solenoid switching valve 63.

[0047] As is clear from the above description, the mounting table transport device 1 of this embodiment comprises a transport path 2 and a plurality of mounting tables 8 arranged in a row movably along the transport path 2, on which each of the objects to be transported is placed.

[0048] The movable bodies 51, 52 have an upstream engagement portion 57 that engages with the upstream end mounting table 8 among the mounting tables 8 arranged in a row so as to be able to be pushed in the downstream direction, and a downstream engagement portion 58 that engages with the downstream end mounting table 8 among the mounting tables 8 so as to restrict free movement in the downstream direction, and move along the conveying path 2. A moving body drive mechanism 7 is provided which repeatedly moves the moving bodies 51 and 52 by one pitch, which is the length of the mounting table 8 in the conveying direction.

[0049] Furthermore, the movable bodies 51, 52 are equipped with a spacing change section 6 that enables the length between the upstream engagement section 57 and the downstream engagement section 58 to be changed in accordance with the length of the multiple mounting tables 8 clamped between the upstream engagement section 57 and the downstream engagement section 58.

[0050] As a result, even if the contact surface of the mounting table 8 wears down over time or the length shortens due to cooling, the length between the upstream engagement portion 57 and the downstream engagement portion 58 can be changed to suppress the occurrence of a gap between the mounting table 8 and the downstream engagement portion 58.

[0051] In addition, the movable bodies 51, 52 include movable body upstream portions 51a, 52a provided with an upstream engagement portion 57, movable body drive portions 51c, 52c to which the movable body drive mechanism 7 is assembled, and movable body downstream portions 51b, 52b provided with a downstream engagement portion 58, and the spacing change portion 6 is provided between the movable body drive portions 51c, 52c and the movable body downstream portions 51b, 52b. This makes it possible to easily and reliably change the distance between the upstream engagement portion 57 and the downstream engagement portion 58 in accordance with the gap that occurs between the downstream end mounting platform 8 and the downstream engagement portion 58 when the upstream engagement portion 57 of the movable body upstream portions 51a, 52a engages with the upstream end mounting platform 8 and presses it downstream.

[0052] The conveying path 2 includes a first conveying path 2a and a second conveying path 2b arranged parallel to the first conveying path 2a and along which the object is conveyed in a direction opposite to the conveying direction of the first conveying path 2a, the movable body includes a first movable body 51 moving along the first conveying path 2a and a second movable body 52 moving along the second conveying path 2b, the movable body drive mechanism 7 drives the first movable body 51 and the second movable body 52 by one drive device (motor 28 with inverter control function, drive shaft 281), and a spacing change unit 6 is provided for each of the first movable body 51 and the second movable body 52.

[0053] According to this, even in a unitized loading platform conveying device having a first conveying path 2a and a second conveying path 2b that conveys the object in the opposite direction to the first conveying path 2a, and a single drive device (motor 28 with inverter control function, drive shaft 281) that drives the first moving body 51 and the second moving body 52, a spacing change section 6 can be provided in each of the conveying paths 2a, 2b.

[0054] Further, the interval changing portion 6 is provided with a hydraulic cylinder 61 that changes the length between the upstream engaging portion 57 and the downstream engaging portion 58 . According to this, the length between the upstream engaging portion 57 and the downstream engaging portion 58 can be changed by the hydraulic cylinder 61 which can be configured with a simple mechanism.

[0055] 2. (Operation) The operation of the mounting table transport device 1 configured as above will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2, a plurality of mounting tables 8 are arranged from the upstream end position UEP to the downstream end position DEP of the first transport path 2a. The mounting table 8 placed on the transport cart 32 is positioned at the first carry-in position CIP1. At this time, the mounting table 8 positioned at the first carry-in position CIP1 has the upstream rolling wheel 8c held on the transport cart 32 by the protruding support portion 33 and the stopper 34.

[0056] A gap tA is provided between the upstream engaging portion 57 and the front engaged portion 87 of the mounting table 8 positioned at the first carry-in position CIP1. A gap tB is provided between the mounting table 8 positioned at the upstream end position UEP and the mounting table 8 positioned at the first carry-in position CIP1. The gap tA is for the upstream engaging portion 57 to smoothly engage with the front engaged portion 87 of the mounting table 8 when the mounting table 8 is positioned at the first carry-in position CIP1 by the first traverser 3. The gap tB is for preventing contact between the mounting tables 8 when the mounting table 8 is positioned at the first carry-in position CIP1 by the first traverser 3. Although not shown in the figure, a gap considering thermal expansion of the mounting table and a gap due to wear during use are set in advance in addition to the gap tA and the gap tB.

[0057] 2, the first crank arm 73 is held horizontally on the upstream side. This positions the first moving body 51 at the most upstream side. The empty transfer cart 32 is positioned at the first unloading position COP1. As shown in FIG. 4, in the interval changing unit 6, the electromagnetic switching valve 63 is positioned at the central position C, and the hydraulic cylinder 61 is maintained in a stopped state.

[0058] In the second conveying path 2b, as shown in Fig. 3, the second crank arm 74 is held horizontally on the downstream side. This positions the second moving body at the most downstream side. In the interval changing unit 6, as shown in Fig. 5, the electromagnetic switching valve 63 is positioned at the central position C, and the hydraulic cylinder 61 is maintained in a stopped state. At the second unloading position COP2 and the second loading position CIP2, there is no transfer cart 32, and they are empty.

[0059] Next, the control device drives the motor 28 with inverter control function to rotate the drive shaft 281. The first crank arm 73 rotates clockwise in FIG. 6. In a state in which acceleration in the conveying direction is being generated by the first crank arm 73 (for example, when the rotation angle of the first crank arm 73 is about 45 degrees), the interval change unit 6 Figure 61, the electromagnetic switching valve 63 is positioned at the left position L, and the downstream engaging portion 58 is engaged with the rear engaged portion 88 of the downstream end of the mounting table 8. Gap t By providing a state in which the loading platform 8 at the downstream end can move freely, smooth transportation is achieved.

[0060] Next, the control device, as shown in FIG. Gap t When the time has passed (for example No acceleration in the conveying direction At this time (rotation angle 90 degrees), the electromagnetic switching valve 63 is switched to the right position R, and the hydraulic cylinder 61 of the interval change unit 6 is contracted. As a result, the multiple mounting tables 8 are sandwiched between the upstream engagement portion 57 and the downstream engagement portion 58 with no gaps between them. In this manner, the multiple mounting tables 8 are transported while being sandwiched with no gaps between them. This prevents the occurrence of impacts due to collisions between the multiple mounting tables 8, and enables fast and reliable transport.

[0061] Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the control device stops the first moving body 51 at the final end position via signals from the deceleration proximity switch 92 by the first crank arm 73 and the final end proximity switch 94. In this case, the mounting table 8 positioned at the first unloading position COP1 and the mounting table 8 positioned at the downstream end position DEP are in contact with each other without any gaps. The rear engaged portion 88 of the mounting table 8 positioned at the first unloading position COP1 is engaged with the downstream engaging portion 58 without any gaps.

[0062] The front rolling wheel 8c of the mounting table 8 positioned at the first unloading position COP1 is in a state of climbing over the top of the roller 33b of the protruding support portion 33 to the downstream side. By the rolling wheel 8c climbing over the top of the roller 33b to the downstream side, the mounting table 8 positioned at the first unloading position COP1 is biased toward the downstream side (leftward in FIG. 7). In addition, a gap tC is provided between the front rolling wheel 8c of the mounting table 8 and the stopper 34.

[0063] 9, the control device drives the separation stopper 22 to restrict further downstream movement of the mounting table 8 positioned at the downstream end position DEP. Then, the electromagnetic switching valve 63 is switched to the left position L to extend the hydraulic cylinder 61. The mounting table 8 positioned at the first unloading position COP1 moves a distance tC to a position where the rolling wheels 8c abut against the stopper 34.

[0064] As a result, the rolling wheels 8c of the mounting table 8 are held in a state of being fitted between the rollers 33b and the stoppers 34. The mounting table 8 is then positioned and held on the transfer cart 32. In this case, a gap tA is provided between the rear engaged portion 88 and the downstream engaging portion 58. A gap tB is formed between the mounting table 8 positioned at the downstream end position DEP and the mounting table 8 positioned at the first unloading position COP1.

[0065] In this embodiment, a dolly that moves on rails is used as the mounting table 8, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a pallet that runs on a roller conveyor may also be used. Furthermore, the number of transport paths is not limited to two, 2a and 2b, but may be one, or three or more. Furthermore, the interval changer is not limited to a hydraulic cylinder, and may be any of various known actuators.

[0066] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and shown in the drawings, and can be modified and carried out as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1: mounting table transport device, 2: transport path, 2a: first transport path, 2b: second transport path, 28: inverter controlled motor (drive device), 281: drive shaft (drive device), 5: moving body, 51: first moving body, 51a: moving body upstream portion, 51b: moving body downstream portion, 51c: moving body drive portion, 52: second moving body, 52a: moving body upstream portion, 52b: moving body downstream portion, 52c: moving body drive portion, 57: upstream engagement portion, 58: downstream engagement portion, 6: spacing change portion, 61: hydraulic cylinder (telescopic device), 7: moving body drive mechanism, W: transported object.

Claims

1. A conveying path; a plurality of placement tables arranged in a line so as to be movable along the conveying path, on each of which an object to be conveyed is placed; a movable body having an upstream side engaging portion that engages with the upstream end of the mounting tables arranged in a row so as to be extruded in a downstream direction, and a downstream side engaging portion that engages with the downstream end of the mounting tables so as to restrict free movement in the downstream direction, the movable body moving along the transport path; a movable body drive mechanism that repeatedly moves the movable body by one pitch, which is the length of the placement table in the conveying direction; A mounting table conveying device comprising: the movable body includes a spacing changer that changes a length between the upstream engagement portion and the downstream engagement portion in accordance with a length of the plurality of mounting tables sandwiched between the upstream engagement portion and the downstream engagement portion, the interval change unit provides a gap between the downstream engaging unit and a rear engaged unit of the downstream end of the mounting table, the rear engaged unit being engaged by the downstream engaging unit, when acceleration occurs in the transport direction, so that the downstream end of the mounting table can move freely; When the acceleration in the transport direction is eliminated during movement by the movable body, the interval change portion clamps the multiple placement tables between the upstream engagement portion and the downstream engagement portion with no gaps between them. Loading table transport device.

2. the movable body includes a movable body upstream section provided with the upstream engagement section, a movable body drive section to which the movable body drive mechanism is assembled, and a movable body downstream section provided with the downstream engagement section, 2. The mounting table transport device according to claim 1, wherein the distance changing unit is provided between the movable body driving unit and the movable body downstream unit.

3. The transport path includes a first transport path, a second conveying path provided in parallel with the first conveying path, along which the object is conveyed in a direction opposite to the conveying direction of the first conveying path, the movable body includes a first movable body that moves along the first transport path and a second movable body that moves along the second transport path, the movable body drive mechanism drives the first movable body and the second movable body by one drive device, 3. The mounting table transport device according to claim 1, wherein the distance changing unit is provided on each of the first movable body and the second movable body.

4. 4. The mounting table transport device according to claim 1, wherein the distance changing portion includes an extension device for changing a length between the upstream engagement portion and the downstream engagement portion.

5. A conveying path; a plurality of placement tables arranged in a line so as to be movable along the conveying path, on each of which an object to be conveyed is placed; a movable body that moves along the transport path and has an upstream engaging portion that engages with a front engaged portion provided at a front portion of the upstream end of the mounting tables arranged in a row so as to be extruded in a downstream direction, and a downstream engaging portion that engages with a rear engaged portion provided at a rear portion of the downstream end of the mounting tables so as to restrict free movement in the downstream direction; a movable body drive mechanism that repeatedly moves the movable body by one pitch, which is the length of the placement table in the conveying direction; A mounting table conveying device comprising: a mounting table conveying device including a distance changing unit that changes a distance between the upstream engagement unit and the downstream engagement unit in accordance with lengths of the mounting tables held between the upstream engagement unit and the downstream engagement unit, the interval change unit provides a gap between the downstream side engagement unit and the rear engaged unit of the downstream end of the placement table when acceleration occurs in the transport direction, allowing the downstream end of the placement table to move freely; The interval changing unit holds the plurality of mounting tables between the upstream engaging unit and the downstream engaging unit with no gap therebetween when the acceleration in the transport direction is eliminated. Method for transporting the loading platform.

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