Rail conveyance assisting device and rail conveyance system

Abstract

To improve the safety and efficiency of rail member transportation.SOLUTION: A rail transport auxiliary device of the present invention provides multiple elongated rail members spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rail member, and the multiple rail members placed in a loading area on the transport table that is different from predetermined locations are sent out one by one and conveyed to the predetermined locations on the transport table for transporting them to the predetermined processing line in the factory. The rail transport auxiliary device has: a transport platform that runs in the transport section between the predetermined locations and the loading area and moves the rail member horizontally; a traveling table on which the transport platform runs; a base that supports the traveling table; and a lifting device that is provided between the traveling table and the base and raises and lowers the traveling table in the vertical direction. After the transport platform is moved to the loading area and brought into contact with the lower surface of the rail member, the rail member is lifted from the upper surface of the transport table via the lifting device and moved to the predetermined location.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rail conveyance assisting technique for sending out rails one by one from a bundle of rail members (rail bundle) placed on a conveyance table to a predetermined conveyance line.

Background Art

[0002] Rail members are brought into a factory for performing various processes (straightening, chamfering, drilling, etc.). FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a conventional example. As shown in FIG. 9, in a factory, rail members R are placed on a conveyance table and conveyed from the conveyance table to a processing line (rail finishing line) for performing processing such as machining. On the same plane of the conveyance table, a conveyance line composed of a plurality of conveyance rollers is provided, and the rail members R are sent out one by one from the conveyance table to the conveyance line and conveyed from the conveyance line to the processing line.

[0003] The rail members R are packed in a rail bundle Rg in which a plurality of them are bundled. An operator manually unpacks the rail bundle Rg placed on the conveyance table, separates them one by one, and laterally moves them toward the conveyance line. At this time, a slide device for performing horizontal movement can be provided between the conveyance table and the conveyance line, and a plurality of slide devices can be arranged at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the long rail member R. The operator manually laterally moves the unpacked rail members R one by one to the conveyance claws of the slide device, and then they are slide-conveyed to the conveyance line by the slide device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the work of unpacking the rail bundle Rg and the work of laterally moving each rail member R from the rail bundle Rg to the transfer claws are heavy labor and require consideration for safety, so it is difficult to prioritize improving work efficiency. In particular, from the perspective of ensuring the safety of workers, during the work of laterally moving the rail member R to the transfer claws, the slide transfer by the slide device of the transfer claws must be stopped. That is, when work by a worker on the rail member R on the transfer table occurs, during that work, the slide device must be stopped to ensure safety, and during slide transfer by the slide device, the work of the worker must be stopped to ensure safety. Therefore, it leads to a decrease in work efficiency and a situation where efficiency improvement is not possible.

[0006] Also, the work of unpacking and laterally moving the rail bundle Rg requires attention to its safety aspect. For example, in the case of flat-bottom rails (inverted T-shaped rails), there may be a situation where one flat-bottom rail with the top and bottom reversed is inserted between two flat-bottom rails and packed. For this reason, when trying to send out the end rail member R, there is a risk that the inverted flat-bottom rail will fall. Although the flat-bottom rail is used as an example, the packing mode of the rail bundle Rg according to the rail cross-sectional shape affects the safety of the work of unpacking and laterally moving the rail bundle Rg.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a rail transfer assisting device and a rail transfer system that can reduce the manual work in the transfer work of rail members and improve safety and transfer efficiency.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] (1) The rail transfer assisting device of the present invention is arranged at a plurality of positions spaced apart from each other in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of a long rail member, and sends out and transfers each of a plurality of rail members placed in a placement area on a transfer table different from the predetermined location on the transfer table to a predetermined location on the transfer table for transfer to a predetermined processing line in the factory.

[0009] This rail conveyance assisting device includes a conveyance platform that travels in a conveyance section between a predetermined location and a placement area and horizontally moves a rail member to the predetermined location, a traveling table installed in the conveyance section on which the conveyance platform travels, a base that supports the traveling table, and a lifting device provided between the traveling table and the base for lifting and lowering the traveling table in the vertical direction.

[0010] Then, after moving the conveyance platform exposed from the long hole of the conveyance table provided in the conveyance section to the placement area and bringing it into contact with the lower surface of the rail member, the rail member is lifted from the upper surface of the conveyance table via the lifting device and moved to a predetermined location.

[0011] (2) In the above (1), the lifting device can include a lifting air cylinder provided between the traveling table and the base. And, a traveling air cylinder whose advancing and retreating rod is connected to the conveyance platform for traveling the conveyance platform, and a valve unit that is connected to both the traveling air cylinder and the lifting air cylinder and performs a first pneumatic control for supplying the pneumatic pressure supplied from the pneumatic supply device to the lifting air cylinder and a second pneumatic control for supplying the pneumatic pressure to the traveling air cylinder can be further provided.

[0012] (3) In the above (1) or (2), a pair of traveling rail members on which the conveyance platform travels are extended on the upper surface of the traveling table. Here, the traveling wheels of the conveyance platform can be V-groove type wheels, and the traveling rail members can be convex members that engage with the V-grooves of the wheels.

[0013] (4) In the above (1) to (3), the conveyance platform can be configured to include a placement portion having a placement surface with which the rail member abuts and a wall portion extending upward from the placement surface, and the conveyance platform can be configured to be positioned by moving the conveyance platform toward the placement area and bringing the wall portion into contact with the rail member.

[0014] (5) In the above (4), a sensor can be provided on the wall portion, and it can be configured to detect that the carrier is positioned based on the detection value of the sensor and perform running control of the carrier.

[0015] (6) In the above (4) or (5), the width of the mounting surface of the carrier can be configured to be substantially the same as the width of the bottom surface of the rail member placed in the mounting area, or smaller than the width of the bottom surface of the rail member placed in the mounting area.

[0016] (7) In any one of the above (1) to (6), the lifting device includes a lifting air cylinder provided between the running table and the base, and a link mechanism that rotates by the lifting air cylinder and moves the running Table parallel to the base while shifting the running Table in the vertical direction, and can be configured to include the link mechanism.

[0017] (8) In any one of the above (1) to (6), the lifting device can be a vertical jack device provided between the running table and the base and moving the running Table up and down with respect to the base.

[0018] (9) In any one of the above (1) to (8), the rail member is an inverted T-shaped flat-bottom rail, and a plurality of rail members placed in the mounting area form a rail bundle in a state where two flat-bottom rails are arranged side by side in an inverted T shape and one flat-bottom rail is inserted into the gap between the two flat-bottom rails in a T shape, and each rail member of this rail bundle can be configured to be moved horizontally to a predetermined location.

[0019] (10) The rail conveying system of the present invention conveys one by one a plurality of rail members placed in a placement area on a conveying table different from a predetermined location to a predetermined location on the conveying table for conveying to a predetermined processing line in a factory. This rail conveying system includes a plurality of the rail conveying auxiliary devices described in (1) above, which are arranged at intervals in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the long rail member, and a controller that controls each rail conveying auxiliary device.

[0020] The above controller performs the following controls. · A first control for moving each of the conveying platforms exposed from each elongated hole of the conveying table provided in the conveying section to the rail members in the placement area and positioning them on the lower surface of the rail member to be conveyed. · A second control for raising each of the positioned conveying platforms via the elevating device of each rail conveying auxiliary device, bringing the conveying platform into contact with the lower surface of the rail member and lifting it. · A third control for moving each of the conveying platforms on which the rail members are placed to a predetermined location, and · A fourth control for lowering each of the conveying platforms on which the rail members are placed at a predetermined location via the elevating device of each rail conveying auxiliary device.

Effect of the Invention

[0021] The present invention is provided with a conveying platform that travels in a conveying section between a predetermined location and the placement area of the rail members and horizontally moves the rail members to a predetermined location, and the conveying platform travels Table and moves up and down in the vertical direction by an elevating device via this.

[0022] Thereby, the conveying platform exposed from the elongated holes of the conveying table provided in the conveying section can be moved to the area where a plurality of rail members are placed, brought into contact with the lower surface of the rail member, lifted from the upper surface of the conveying table via the elevating device, and moved to a predetermined location.

[0023] Therefore, since manual work can be reduced and the conveyance work can be automated, the safety in the conveyance of the rail members can be improved and the conveyance efficiency can be enhanced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0026] (First Embodiment) Figures 1 to 10 are diagrams showing the rail conveying system of the first embodiment. Figure 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the rail conveying system.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, this rail conveying system is a conveying system that moves each rail member R of a rail bundle Rg brought into a factory for various processes (straightening, chamfering, drilling, etc.) one by one from a conveying table to a conveying line composed of a plurality of conveying rollers. The rail conveying system of this embodiment is disposed on a conveying table provided with conveying rollers (conveying line) and includes a plurality of rail conveying auxiliary devices 100. Note that the configuration of each rail conveying auxiliary device 100 is the same.

[0028] The conveying rollers are arranged in a plurality in the conveying direction (Y direction) of the conveying line at a predetermined interval, and a plurality of conveying table movement grooves M are formed in each region between the conveying rollers. The conveying table movement groove M penetrates in the thickness direction (vertical direction) of the conveying table and is an elongated hole extending in a direction (X direction) orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the rail member R. The conveying table movement groove M is formed substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the conveying roller, one end extends outward in the X direction from the conveying roller, and the other end extends to the placement area of the rail bundle Rg. The width of the conveying table movement groove M in the Y direction is formed to allow the running table 110 and the conveying table 150 of the rail conveying auxiliary device 100 to move in the vertical direction from the lower surface to a predetermined position exceeding the upper surface of the conveying table.

[0029] The rail conveying auxiliary devices 100 of this embodiment are arranged in a plurality in parallel in accordance with the conveying table movement groove M. The conveying table 150 of each rail conveying auxiliary device 100 is exposed from the conveying table movement groove M. The plurality of rail conveying auxiliary devices 100 are connected to a control device 1. The control device 1 is a controller that performs drive control and inter-device cooperation control of each rail conveying auxiliary device 100.

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the rail conveyance assisting device 100 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the rail conveyance assisting device 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the conveyance mode of the rail conveyance assisting device 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a top view of the rail conveyance assisting device 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the conveyance table 150 and the travel lane on which the conveyance table 150 travels in the present embodiment.

[0031] The rail conveyance assisting device 100 includes a traveling table 110, a conveyance table 150 provided so as to be travelable on the traveling table 110, and a base 120 that supports the traveling table 110 via a link mechanism 130.

[0032] The traveling table 110 is a long member having a predetermined length from the region where the rail bundle Rg is placed to the conveyance roller, and two link members 131 and 132 constituting the link mechanism 130 are rotatably connected at intervals in the longitudinal direction (X direction). The traveling table 110 performs a swinging up-and-down movement parallel to the conveyance table by the link mechanism 130. That is, the traveling table 110 can shift in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

[0033] When the link mechanism 130 rotates toward the right, the traveling table 110 shifts upward while moving horizontally to the right (see FIG. 2). On the other hand, when the link mechanism 130 rotates toward the left, the traveling table 110 shifts downward while moving horizontally to the left (see FIG. 3). The state shown in FIG. 2 is the upper limit position of the conveyance table 150, and the state shown in FIG. 3 is the lower limit position of the conveyance table 150.

[0034] Both ends of the link members 131 and 132 are rotatably connected to the traveling table 110 and the base 120 respectively, and the end of the advancing / retracting rod 141 of the air cylinder 140 is connected to the link member 132. The air cylinder 140 is connected to the valve unit B. The valve unit B performs valve control (first pneumatic control) to supply the pneumatic pressure supplied from a pneumatic supply device C such as an air compressor to the air cylinder 140. Due to the pneumatic pressure supplied from the pneumatic supply device C via the valve unit B, the advancing / retracting rod 141 of the air cylinder 140 advances and retracts with respect to the link member 132, and the link member 132 rotates. The example in FIG. 2 shows a state where the link members 131 and 132 are substantially upright.

[0035] The rotation range of the link members 131 and 132 is restricted by the locking portions 131a, 131b and the locking portions 132a, 132b. The locking portions 131a and 132a are lower limit stoppers, and the locking portions 131b and 132b are upper limit stoppers. The locking portions 131a and 131b are arranged so as to sandwich the link member 131 from both sides. The left locking portion 131a allows the link member 131 to rotate from a substantially upright state to a state inclined downward (movement to the lower limit where the placement surface of the carrier 150 is located below with respect to the transfer table), and the right locking portion 131b allows the link member 131 to rotate until it is substantially upright (movement to the upper limit where the placement surface of the carrier 150 is located above with respect to the transfer table) (see FIG. 3). The same applies to the locking portions 132a and 132b installed on both sides of the link member 132. A sensor (not shown) for detecting that the link member 132 is inclined downward or substantially upright can be provided at or near the locking portions 132a and 132b.

[0036] The rail conveyance assisting device 100 of this embodiment first moves the conveyance table 150 to the rail bundle Rg with the placement part (placement surface) 153 on which the rail member R of the conveyance table 150 is placed being located below the upper surface of the conveyance table. Then, positioning is performed to position the placement part 153 under the lower surface of the rail member R. Next, the link mechanism 130 is operated to lift the rail part R so that the placement part 153 is located above the upper surface of the conveyance table. At this time, although the traveling table 110 moves in the horizontal direction, the conveyance table 150 is pressed by the weight of the rail member R that abuts against the placement part 153 and does not move from the positioned position in the X direction, and only the traveling table 110 moves in the X direction (horizontal direction). The conveyance table 150 is pushed up only upward from the positioning position to lift the rail member R. Note that, as will be described later, the air cylinder 145 that drives the conveyance table 150 to travel is in an open state in which the pressure inside the cylinder is released after positioning, and the forward and backward movement of the air cylinder 145 relative to the horizontal movement of the traveling table 110 is in a free state.

[0037] With the rail part R lifted upward from the upper surface of the conveyance table, the conveyance table 150 is moved toward the conveyance roller. After moving to the conveyance roller, when the link mechanism 130 is driven to the inclined state shown in FIG. 3, the conveyance table 150 (traveling table 110) swings and descends, and the rail member R can be placed on the conveyance roller.

[0038] Next, the traveling table 110 and the conveyance table 150 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of traveling rail members 111, 112 are extended on the upper surface of the traveling table 110. The traveling rail members 111, 112 are convex rail members corresponding to the V-groove type traveling wheels 151 described later.

[0039] Also, as a driving device for driving the conveyance table 150, an air cylinder 145 is fixed to the upper surface of the traveling table 110, and the tip of the forward and backward rod 146 extending from the air cylinder 145 is connected to the conveyance table 150. By the forward and backward movement of the forward and backward rod 146 of the air cylinder 145, the conveyance table 150 travels on the traveling railMember It travels on 111, 112. The air cylinder 145 is connected to the valve unit B, and the air pressure supplied from the pneumatic supply device C causes the advance / retreat rod 146 to advance and retreat.

[0040] In this embodiment, both the air cylinder 140 which is a lifting air cylinder and the air cylinder 145 which is a traveling air cylinder are connected to the valve unit B, and perform a first pneumatic control for supplying the air pressure supplied from the pneumatic supply device C to the air cylinder 140 and a second pneumatic control for supplying it to the air cylinder 145.

[0041] The carrier 150 includes a traveling body 152 provided with traveling wheels 151, a mounting portion 153 fixed to the upper surface of the traveling body 152, and a sensor 154 provided adjacent to the mounting portion 153. A pair of guide members 113, 114 are provided on the carrier 150 on the traveling table 110, and the pair of guide members 113, 114 are arranged so as to sandwich the carrier 150. The upper ends of the guide members 113, 114 are fixed to the side surfaces of the traveling body 152, and the lower ends are provided with guide pieces 113a, 114a that protrude so as to go around the lower surface of the traveling table 110. The pair of guide members 113, 114 prevent the carrier 150 from detaching from the traveling table 110.

[0042] The mounting portion 153 has a width d that is substantially the same as the flat width of the flat-bottom rail (see FIG. 4). A buffer material such as a urethane material can be applied to the upper surface (mounting surface) of the mounting portion 153. The sensor 154 is a magnetic induction type proximity sensor or the like. The sensor 154 is connected to the control device 1, and the sensor detection value is sent to the control device 1. The sensor 154 is provided on a wall surface 155 that extends on the upper surface (mounting surface) of the mounting portion 153, and senses whether or not the rail member R is in contact with the wall surface 155. It is possible to confirm whether the rail member R is properly placed on the mounting portion 153 in the conveying direction (whether it is properly positioned with respect to the rail member R), and by grasping the conveying situation in the state of being in contact with the wall surface 155, it is possible to suppress the rail member R lifted from falling off the mounting portion 153.

[0043] The traveling wheels 151 are V-groove type wheels and engage with the convex rail members 111, 112. Since the area of the surfaces in contact with each other is small, the traveling resistance (frictional resistance) can be reduced, and the metal rail member R, which is a heavy object, can be conveyed smoothly and stably.

[0044] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the lifting operation and the positional relationship of the rail member R by the carrier 150 of the present embodiment.

[0045] The left diagram of FIG. 6 shows a state in which the rail member R is in contact with and positioned on the wall surface 155 of the carrier 150. At this time, the valve unit B controls the pressure inside the cylinder of the air cylinder 145 that drives the carrier 150 to travel to be in an open state in which the pressure is released based on the positioning detection through the sensor 154, and the forward and backward movement of the air cylinder 145 is in a free state.

[0046] The right diagram of FIG. 6 shows a state in which the traveling table 110 is moved to the right by the link mechanism 130 and the carrier 150 on which the rail member R is placed while being lifted upward.

[0047] As shown in the right diagram of FIG. 6, the carrier 150 is in a state of not moving from the positioned position in the X direction while being pushed from above by the weight of the rail member R, and only the traveling table 110 moves horizontally to push the carrier 150 upward. At this time, as described above, since the forward and backward rod 146 after positioning is in a free state, the carrier 150 is in a state of not moving from the positioned position in the X direction.

[0048] Also, the width d of the mounting portion 153 (mounting surface) of the carrier 150 is formed to be substantially the same size as the width of the bottom surface of the rail member R placed in the mounting area, or smaller than the width of the bottom surface of the rail member R placed in the mounting area. Therefore, even when a plurality of rail members R are placed in close contact, when the carrier 150 moves upward to lift the rail member R, the mounting portion 153 (carrier 150) in contact with the wall surface 155 does not protrude beyond the adjacent rail member R and does not interfere.

[0049] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a control system and a pneumatic supply route of the rail conveyance system according to the present embodiment. The control device 1 performs traveling control of each traveling base 150 of a plurality of rail conveyance auxiliary devices 100 and lifting control of the traveling table 110 via the link mechanism 130.

[0050] These respective controls are realized via the valve unit B. That is, the bubble unit B supplies the pneumatic pressure supplied from the pneumatic supply device C to the air cylinder 140 to increase the pneumatic pressure, stops or reduces the supply of the pneumatic pressure to the air cylinder 140, or stops the supply of the pneumatic pressure to open the inside of the cylinder of the air cylinder 140 to the outside air (atmosphere). The control device 1 controls these valve operations and controls each valve unit B of a plurality of rail conveyance auxiliary devices 100. The valve control for the air cylinder 140 is referred to as first pneumatic control.

[0051] Similarly, the bubble unit B performs valve control (second pneumatic control) for the air cylinder 145 independently of the first pneumatic control. The bubble unit B supplies the pneumatic pressure supplied from the pneumatic supply device C to the air cylinder 145 to increase the pneumatic pressure and causes the conveyance table 150 to travel toward the left side in FIG. 2, or stops the supply of the pneumatic pressure to the air cylinder 145 to stop the traveling of the traveling conveyance table 150, or stops the supply of the pneumatic pressure to open the inside of the cylinder of the air cylinder 145 to the outside air (atmosphere) so that the conveyance table 150 is in a free state with respect to the air cylinder 145 (a state in which no pressure is applied inside the cylinder and the advance / retreat rod 146 advances and retreats in accordance with the movement of the conveyance table 150).

[0052] Also, as shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, a configuration is applied in which pneumatic pressure is supplied from one pneumatic supply device C to a plurality of rail conveyance assisting devices 100. In the example of FIG. 7, with respect to one supply path c1 from the pneumatic supply device C, branched paths b1, b2, b3, b4 are formed leading to each of the plurality of valve units B, and the total amount of the branched flow rates (total flow rate) flowing through the branched paths to each valve unit B is made equal to the flow rate supplied by the pneumatic supply device C (the supply flow rate from the supply path c1 before branching). Thus, pneumatic pressure can be supplied to each of the plurality of valve units B.

[0053] That is, in the configuration of the pneumatic supply route shown in FIG. 7, for example, when the supply of pneumatic pressure to the branch path b1 decreases, the branched flow rates to the other branch paths b2, b3, b4 increase accordingly. For example, by setting the traveling speed of the carrier 150 of the rail conveyance assisting device 100 connected to the branch path b1 to be slower than the traveling speeds of the carriers 150 of the respective rail conveyance assisting devices 100 connected to the other branch paths b2, b3, b4, the branched flow rate to the branch path b1 decreases, and the branched flow rates to the other branch paths b2, b3, b4 can be increased. Thus, the supply of pneumatic pressure to the air cylinders 145 connected to the branch paths b2, b3, b4 can be increased, and the traveling speeds of the carriers 150 of each rail conveyance device 100 can be increased.

[0054] Note that, even if the configuration of FIG. 7 is not adopted, individual supply routes may be provided from one pneumatic supply device C to each of the plurality of rail conveyance assisting devices 100. The example of FIG. 7 can simplify the system configuration because it is not necessary to provide individual supply routes to each of the plurality of rail conveyance assisting devices 100.

[0055] Thus, in this embodiment, second pneumatic control is performed for each valve unit B of each rail conveyance assisting device 100 to control the traveling air cylinders 145 of each rail conveyance assisting device 100, so that all the carriers 150 can be made to travel at substantially the same traveling speed from the beginning, or a carrier 150 that has advanced too far can be decelerated (braked) to increase the speed of the other carriers.

[0056] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the conveyance control method of the rail conveyance system of the present embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the conveyance control method of the rail conveyance system of the present embodiment following FIG. 8.

[0057] The control device 1 outputs a drive signal to each of the four rail conveyance auxiliary devices 100 to move each conveyance table 150 to the rail member R placed on the conveyance table. The valve unit B of each rail conveyance auxiliary device 100 supplies the pneumatic pressure supplied from the pneumatic supply device C to the air cylinder 145, moves the advance / retreat rod 146 toward the rail member R, and moves the conveyance table 150. When each conveyance table 150 abuts against the rail member R, a detection signal is output from each sensor 154 and input to the control device 1. The control device 1 outputs a signal for stopping each conveyance table 150 based on the detection signal from each rail conveyance auxiliary device 100 (first control). Thereafter, the control device 1 controls to shift each traveling table 110 upward to lift the rail member R (second control).

[0058] The lifted rail member R is moved toward the conveyance roller (third control). However, as shown in FIG. 8, the rail member R placed on the conveyance table is not always placed parallel to the conveyance direction of the conveyance roller and may be inclined. Therefore, the control device 1 can control to adjust the traveling speed of each conveyance table 150 directed toward the conveyance roller so as to be parallel to the conveyance direction of the conveyance roller when placed on the conveyance roller. For example, a reference axis P parallel to the conveyance direction of the conveyance roller is set in the region between the conveyance roller and the rail member R on the conveyance table. Then, the traveling speed at which the conveyance table 150 moves toward the reference axis P is made different by each rail conveyance auxiliary device 100, and the distance moved to the reference axis P is variably controlled. By controlling in this way, when the rail member R moves to the reference axis P, it becomes parallel to the conveyance direction of the conveyance roller.

[0059] In the example of FIG. 8, for the rail member R that is inclined so as to spread downward in the drawing plane, the traveling distance of each transfer table 150 becomes shorter from above to below in the drawing plane. Therefore, as described above, the traveling speeds of the plurality of transfer tables 150 are controlled independently of each other. That is, different speed controls are performed among the plurality of transfer tables 150 such that the longer the traveling distance, the faster the traveling speed, and the shorter the traveling distance, the slower the traveling speed. As shown in FIG. 9, by moving each transfer table 150 to the reference axis P at different speeds, when moving to the reference axis P, the rail member R that was inclined becomes parallel to the reference axis P. Thereafter, from the reference axis P to the transfer roller, the traveling speeds of the respective transfer tables 150 are set to be the same and they travel. In order to place the rail member R located on the transfer roller on the transfer roller, the control device 1 shifts each traveling table 110 downward (fourth control).

[0060] Note that the reference axis P can be set at an arbitrary position. For example, it may be on the transfer roller. When placing the rail member R on the transfer roller, it is sufficient that the rail member R is parallel to the transfer direction of the transfer roller. Further, in FIGS. 8 and 9, an example has been described in which a straight rail member R is inclined with respect to the transfer direction of the transfer roller. However, the rail member R may be curved. Even in this case, each transfer table 150 can be easily positioned by abutting against the curved rail member R in the longitudinal direction, and further, different speed controls are performed among the plurality of transfer tables 150 so as to be parallel to the transfer direction of the transfer roller in accordance with the curved state, and it can be carried to the transfer roller.

[0061] The rail transfer system of the present embodiment includes a rail transfer auxiliary device 100 that is arranged in a plurality at intervals in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the long rail member R, and feeds out and transfers the rail members R one by one from a rail bundle Rg placed in a placement area on a transfer table different from the transfer line to the transfer line on the transfer table for transfer within the factory.

[0062] And the following control is performed. a) The first control of moving each of the transfer tables 150 exposed from each long hole (transfer table movement groove M) of the transfer table provided in the transfer section between the transfer line and the placement area of the rail bundle Rg to the rail member R in the placement area and positioning them on the lower surface of the rail member R to be transferred, b) The second control of raising each of the positioned transfer tables 150 via the lifting device of each rail transfer auxiliary device 100 and bringing the transfer table 150 into contact with and lifting it on the lower surface of the rail member R, c) The third control of moving each transfer table 150 on which the rail member R is placed to the transfer line, and, d) In the transfer line, the fourth control of lowering each transfer table 150 on which the rail member R is placed via the lifting device of each rail transfer auxiliary device 100 is performed.

[0063] According to the present embodiment, since manual work can be reduced and the transfer work can be automated, the safety in the transfer of the rail member can be improved and the transfer efficiency can be increased.

[0064] Also, in the third control, the traveling speed of each transfer table 150 moved toward the transfer line can be variably controlled so that when it moves to the transfer line, the axis in the longitudinal direction of the rail member R to be transferred is parallel to the transfer direction of the transfer roller.

[0065] Next, FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the transfer method of the rail transfer system of the present embodiment. The example of FIG. 10 is for transferring the rail bundle R in which a plurality of flat-bottom rails are bundled and packed in an upright and inverted manner one by one toward the transfer line (transfer roller) by the rail transfer auxiliary device 100.

[0066] As shown in Fig. 1, four rail conveyance assisting devices 100 operate on a long rail member R to convey one rail member R. Since the operations of the respective rail conveyance assisting devices 100 are basically the same, the operation of one rail conveyance assisting device 100 will be described here. Further, as shown in Fig. 10, among the three flat-bottom rails, two (Ra, Rc) are arranged side by side in an inverted T shape, and the remaining one (Rb) is inserted into the gap between the two flat-bottom rails in a T shape, and this state is regarded as a state in which a plurality of flat-bottom rails are bundled upright and upside down.

[0067] Further, the conveyance table 150 in Fig. 10 is provided with an extended placement portion 153b extending from the placement portion 153, and a recessed portion 153a recessed from the placement surface of the placement portion 153 is provided on the wall surface 155 side opposite to the extended placement portion 153b. The placement surface of the extended placement portion 153b is located below the placement portion 153. Also, the width d of the placement portion 153 including the recessed portion 153a is formed to be substantially the same size as or smaller than the flat width of the flat-bottom rail as described above.

[0068] The conveyance table 150 is run to the location where the rail member Ra is placed in a state where it is positioned below the upper surface of the conveyance table. At this time, since the wall surface 155 is a wall portion extending upward from the placement table 153, when the conveyance table 150 runs toward the rail member Ra, the wall surface 155 abuts against the rail member Ra. Positioning can be easily performed just by pressing the wall surface 155 against the rail member Ra. As described above, the sensor 154 is provided on the wall surface 155, and through the sensor 154, it is possible to detect that the wall surface 155 has abutted against the rail member Ra, and based on the presence or absence of the detection, the supply of air pressure to the air cylinder 145 can be stopped and the conveyance table 150 can be stopped.

[0069] After the transfer table 150 is positioned under the rail member Ra, the link mechanism 130 is operated to shift the traveling table 110 upward to move the transfer table 150 upward. As a result, the transfer table 150 is in a state of lifting the rail member Ra from the upper surface of the transfer table. Since the upper surface of the transfer roller is arranged to be higher than the upper surface of the transfer table, the amount of lifting of the rail member R can be appropriately set according to the position of the upper surface of the transfer roller arranged on the transfer table.

[0070] Then, with the rail member Ra lifted from the upper surface of the transfer table, the transfer table 150 is run toward the transfer line opposite to the location where the rail member Ra is placed. When the rail member Ra is conveyed onto the transfer roller of the transfer line, this time, the link mechanism 130 is operated to shift the traveling table 110 downward to move the transfer table 150 below the transfer roller. As a result, the rail member Ra can be placed from the transfer table 150 onto the transfer roller.

[0071] Next, the second rail member Rb is in a state of falling sideways because the first rail member Ra has been conveyed. Similar to the first rail member Ra, the transfer table 150 is run toward the rail member Rb, and the wall surface 155 is brought into contact with the sideways fallen rail member Rb for positioning. At this time, the transfer table 150 in FIG. 10 is provided with a concave portion 153a and an extended placement portion 153b in order to stably convey the sideways fallen flat-bottom rail.

[0072] The flange-shaped bottom end of the sideways fallen flat-bottom rail engages with the concave portion 153a, and the side surface of the head of the flat-bottom rail abuts against the extended placement portion 153b, so that the sideways fallen flat-bottom rail can be stably conveyed.

[0073] Then, operate the link mechanism 130 to shift the traveling table 110 upward to lift the horizontally laid rail member Rb from the upper surface of the transfer table and convey the rail member Rb to above the transfer rollers of the transfer line. After that, operate the link mechanism 130 to shift the traveling table 110 downward to move the transfer stand 150 below the transfer rollers and place the rail member Rb on the transfer rollers. The remaining rail members Rc are conveyed in the same manner as the first rail member Ra.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 10, the rail transfer system of the present embodiment can safely and surely convey the plurality of rail members R one by one while they are bundled. In particular, even if the adjacent rail members R are laid horizontally, they can be directly conveyed to the transfer line without any operation by the operator during the conveyance to the transfer line. Therefore, the work efficiency and safety are improved.

[0075] (Second Embodiment) FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the rail transfer assisting device of the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the rail transfer assisting device 100A of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment as well, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

[0076] This embodiment is a mode in which the vertical movement of the traveling table 110 is realized by the vertical jack devices 161 and 162. In the first embodiment, the traveling table 110 (transfer stand 150) swings up and down with horizontal movement by the link mechanism 130, but the traveling table 110 of this embodiment does not include the link mechanism 130 and is allowed to move only in the vertical direction. The vertical jack devices 161 and 162 are, for example, screw jacks driven by electric power.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 11, the outermost rail member R of the rail bundle Rg is brought into contact with the wall surface 155 of the carrier 150, the traveling table 110 is moved upward, and the rail member R is lifted. Even with the rail conveyance assisting device 100A of the present embodiment, it is possible to easily lift and convey the rail bundle Rg one by one. At this time, it is also possible to control the carrier 150 to move in a direction away from the rail bundle Rg together with the lifting operation. After conveying to the conveying roller, the traveling table 110 is lowered, and the rail member Ra positioned above the conveying roller is placed from the carrier 150 onto the conveying roller.

[0078] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the inclination correction of the rail member R when placed on the conveying roller shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 may be realized by a method other than the method of adjusting the traveling speed of each carrier 150. For example, stoppers protruding upward from the conveying rollers are provided in each region between the conveying rollers, and each stopper is arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the conveying direction of the conveying rollers. By configuring in this way, even without adjusting the traveling speed of each carrier 150, by bringing the rail member R carried by each carrier 150 into contact with each stopper, the inclination correction of the rail member R on the conveying roller can be automatically performed.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0079] 1 Control device (controller) 100, 100A Rail conveyance assisting device 110 Traveling table 111, 112 Traveling rails Member 113, 114 Guide members 113a, 114a Guide pieces 120 Base 130 Link mechanism 131, 132 Link members 131a, 131b Locking portions 132a, 132b Locking portions 140, 145 Air cylinders 141, 146 Advance / retreat rods 150 Carrier 151 Wheel (V-groove type) 152 Running body 153 Placing part (placing surface) 153a Concave part 153b Extended placing part 154 Sensor 155 Wall part 161, 162 Vertical jack device B Valve unit b1, b2, b3, b4 Branch path C Pneumatic supply device c1 Supply path M Conveyor table movement groove P Reference axis R Rail member Rg Rail bundle

Claims

1. A rail conveying auxiliary device that is arranged at intervals in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of a long rail member, and conveys each of a plurality of rail members placed in a placement area on a conveying table different from the predetermined location to a predetermined location on the conveying table for conveyance to a predetermined processing line in the factory. The rail conveying auxiliary device includes: A conveying table that travels in a conveying section between the predetermined location and the placement area and horizontally moves the rail member to the predetermined location; A traveling table installed in the conveying section on which the conveying table travels; A base that supports the traveling table; A lifting device provided between the traveling table and the base for lifting and lowering the traveling table in the vertical direction. The rail conveying auxiliary device is characterized in that after moving the conveying table exposed from a long hole of the conveying table provided in the conveying section to the placement area and bringing it into contact with the rail member, the rail member is lifted from the upper surface of the conveying table via the lifting device and moved to the predetermined location.

2. The lifting device includes a lifting air cylinder provided between the traveling table and the base, A traveling air cylinder having a retractable rod connected to the conveying table for traveling the conveying table, And a valve unit to which both the traveling air cylinder and the lifting air cylinder are connected, and which performs a first pneumatic control for supplying the pneumatic pressure supplied from a pneumatic supply device to the lifting air cylinder and a second pneumatic control for supplying the pneumatic pressure to the traveling air cylinder. The rail conveying auxiliary device according to claim 1, further comprising the valve unit.

3. A pair of traveling rail members on which the conveying table travels are extended on the upper surface of the traveling table, The traveling wheels of the conveying table are V-groove type wheels, The traveling rail member is a convex member that engages with the V-groove of the wheel. The rail conveying auxiliary device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the traveling rail member is a convex member that engages with the V-groove of the wheel. ​

4. The transfer table includes a placement portion having a placement surface against which the rail member abuts, and a wall portion extending upward from the placement surface, The rail transfer assisting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the transfer table is positioned by moving the transfer table toward the placement area and bringing the wall portion into contact with the rail member.

5. Further comprising a sensor provided on the wall portion, The rail transfer assisting device according to claim 4, characterized in that it detects that the transfer table is positioned according to the detection value of the sensor and performs traveling control of the transfer table.

6. The width of the placement surface of the transfer table is substantially the same as the width of the bottom surface of the rail member placed in the placement area, or smaller than the width of the bottom surface of the rail member placed in the placement area. The rail transfer assisting device according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The lifting device is A lifting air cylinder provided between the traveling table and the base, A link mechanism that rotates by the lifting air cylinder and shifts the traveling table in the vertical direction while moving the traveling table parallel to the base with respect to the base, The rail transfer assisting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by comprising

8. The lifting device is a vertical jack device provided between the traveling table and the base, and moves the traveling table up and down with respect to the base. The rail transfer assisting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. The rail member is an inverted T-shaped flat-bottom rail, The plurality of rail members placed in the placement area are characterized in that two flat-bottom rails are arranged side by side in an inverted T shape, and one flat-bottom rail is inserted into the gap between the two flat-bottom rails in a T shape to form a rail bundle. The rail conveyance assisting device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A rail conveyance system that feeds and conveys one by one a plurality of rail members placed in a placement area on a conveyance table different from a predetermined location to a predetermined location on the conveyance table for conveyance to a predetermined processing line in a factory, A plurality of the rail conveyance assisting devices according to claim 1, arranged at intervals in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the long rail member, A controller for controlling each of the rail conveyance assisting devices, The controller, A first control for moving each of the transfer tables exposed from the respective long holes of the transfer table provided in the transfer section to the rail members in the placement area and positioning them on the lower surface of the rail member to be transferred, A second control for raising each of the positioned transfer tables via the elevating device of each rail conveyance assisting device and bringing the transfer table into contact with and lifting the lower surface of the rail member, A third control for moving each of the transfer tables on which the rail members are placed to the predetermined location, A fourth control for lowering each of the transfer tables on which the rail members are placed via the elevating device of each rail conveyance assisting device at the predetermined location. A rail conveyance system characterized by performing the above.

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