Alignment device

Abstract

To provide a flask mating installation allowing for reducing installation space by eliminating the projection from a machine outside a transfer table reciprocating between a flask mating position and an unloading position.SOLUTION: A flask mating installation comprises a loading station that is provided at a downstream end of a loading passage comprising a loading roller conveyor to load an upper flask by a loading roller and a loading rail to load a lower flask by a carrier truck, a superposition device that superposes the upper flask on the lower flask loaded, an unloading station that is provided at an upstream end of an unloading passage comprising an unloading rail for unloading the superposed upper and lower flasks by the carrier truck, a transfer table that reciprocates between the loading station and the unloading station, a pair of placement rails that are provided on the transfer table and lined up with the loading rail and the unloading rail of the unloading passage, a first placement roller that is provided on the transfer table and lined up with the first loading roller paired, and a second placement roller that is provided on the loading station and lined up with the second loading roller paired.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a frame alignment device for overlapping an upper mold frame in which an upper mold is molded and a lower mold frame in which a lower mold is molded.

Background Art

[0002] In a casting line, before pouring molten metal into a mold, an upper mold frame in which an upper mold is molded and a lower mold frame in which a lower mold is molded are overlapped. Patent Document 1 discloses that a traveling carriage (transfer carriage) equipped with rollers and rails is reciprocated between a frame alignment position where an upper mold frame is overlapped on a lower mold frame and a carry-out position where it can be connected to a transfer device.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the frame alignment device of Patent Document 1, both rollers and rails are provided in parallel on the traveling carriage (transfer carriage). Therefore, the length of the traveling carriage becomes long, and when the rail side is positioned at the frame alignment position, the side of the traveling carriage provided with rollers protrudes greatly outside the machine. As a result, other adjacent facilities have to be kept away, and there is a problem that a large installation space is required.

[0005] In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a frame alignment device that can eliminate the protrusion of a transfer carriage that reciprocates between a frame alignment position and a carry-out position from outside the machine and reduce the installation space.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the frame alignment device includes a loading roller conveyor that loads the upper casting frames with a pair of first loading rollers and second loading rollers each composed of a plurality of rollers, and a loading rail that loads the lower casting frames with a transport cart, and is provided opposite to the downstream end of the loading path. It also includes a stacking device provided at the loading station for stacking the upper casting frames on the loaded lower casting frames.

[0007] Further, it includes an unloading station provided opposite to the upstream end of the unloading path having an unloading rail for unloading the stacked upper and lower casting frames with the transport cart, and a transfer table that reciprocates between the loading station and the unloading station.

[0008] And it includes a pair of mounting rails provided on the transfer table that align with the loading rail when the transfer table is positioned at the loading station and align with the unloading rail of the unloading path when the transfer table is positioned at the unloading station, a plurality of first mounting rollers provided on the transfer table that align with the first loading rollers of the loading roller conveyor when the transfer table is positioned at the unloading station, and a plurality of second mounting rollers provided at the loading station that can align with the second loading rollers of the loading roller conveyor when the transfer table is positioned at the unloading station.

[0009] According to this, the loading of the upper casting frames required for frame alignment into the loading station can be carried out by positioning the transfer table at the unloading station and aligning the mounting roller conveyor with the loading roller conveyor. The alignment of this mounting roller conveyor can be carried out by aligning the first mounting rollers provided on the transfer table with the first loading rollers of the loading roller conveyor and aligning the second mounting rollers provided at the loading station with the second loading rollers of the loading roller conveyor.

[0010] Thus, the transfer table is provided with a placement rail and a first placement roller, and since there is no second placement roller that pairs with the first placement roller, the transfer table can be set shorter by the length where the second placement roller is not provided, and it is possible to prevent the transfer table from protruding outside the machine. As a result, it is possible to save space in the space where the frame alignment device is installed.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the second placement roller includes a moving device that moves between an alignment position where the second placement roller aligns with the second loading roller of the loading roller conveyor when the transfer table is positioned at the unloading station, and a retracted position where the second placement roller avoids interference with the transfer table when the transfer table is positioned at the loading station.

[0012] According to this, the loading of the lower casting mold placed on the transport cart into the loading station can be carried out by raising the upper casting mold with the frame alignment device, then positioning the transfer table at the loading station, and aligning the placement rail with the loading rail. At that time, by moving the second placement roller from the alignment position to the retracted position, it is possible to prevent the transfer table from interfering with the second placement roller.

[0013] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the moving device includes a rotation support shaft provided at the loading station, and a rotation arm having the second placement roller assembled to the tip side and rotating about the rotation support shaft.

[0014] According to this, by means of a simple mechanism of a rotation arm that rotates about a rotation support shaft provided at the loading station, the second placement roller can reciprocate between the alignment position and the retracted position.

[0015] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the second placement roller aligns with the second loading roller of the loading roller conveyor, the load point on the second placement roller by the upper casting mold is on a vertical plane including the rotation center of the rotation support shaft.

[0016] According to this, since the load point on the second placement roller by the upper casting frame is on a vertical plane including the rotation center of the rotation support shaft, the load by the upper casting frame does not affect the component in the rotation direction of the rotation support shaft. Therefore, the upper casting frame can be surely supported by the second placement roller.

[0017] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the transfer table is set to a length that only straddles the paired carry-in rails. The "length that only straddles the carry-in rails" means a short length that straddles between the paired carry-in rails, not a long length that straddles both the carry-in rails and the carry-out rails.

[0018] According to this, even when the transfer table is positioned at the carry-in station, it is possible to prevent the end on the placement roller side of the transfer table from protruding outside the machine.

[0019] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the first placement roller is provided at the end of the transfer table on the carry-in station side. According to this, when the transfer table is positioned at the carry-out station, it is possible to easily and surely align the first placement roller with one of the carry-in rollers.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] (Embodiment) An embodiment in which the mold assembling device 1 according to the present invention is implemented on a mold assembling line FAL provided between the mold inversion process and the molten metal pouring process of the casting line will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

[0022] In this specification, the direction in which the upper mold frame UCF and the lower mold frame LCF, which are conveyed objects, are conveyed along the loading path CIR and the unloading path COR is referred to as the "conveying direction". Taking the conveyance of the upper mold frame UCF and the lower mold frame LCF as an example of the flow of water, the side that is the starting point of conveyance in the casting line is referred to as the "upstream side", and the side that is the ending point of conveyance is referred to as the "downstream side". In the conveying direction, the upstream direction is referred to as the "rear", and the downstream direction is referred to as the "front". When assuming a center line extending in the conveying direction or a center line extending in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, the side farther from the center line is referred to as the "outer side", and the closer side is referred to as the "inner side".

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the mold assembling line FAL includes a loading path CIR, a mold assembling device 1, and an unloading path COR. The mold assembling device 1 is adjacent to another facility AE. The mold assembling device 1 in this embodiment overlaps and unloads the lower mold frame LCF and the upper mold frame UCF, which are respectively molded by a molding device and carried in from the loading path CIR, to the unloading path COR.

[0024] (Loading Path) The loading path CIR alternately conveys the upper mold frame UCF molded by a molding device (not shown) and the lower mold frame LCF molded by the molding device to the mold assembling device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the loading path CIR includes a loading roller conveyor IRC that directly places and conveys the upper mold frame UCF, and a loading rail IRL that places and conveys the lower mold frame LCF on a transport cart TT.

[0025] The loading roller conveyor IRC includes a pair of roller support frames SF extending in the conveying direction, and a plurality of first loading rollers IR1 and second loading rollers IR2 are respectively rotatably provided on the inner wall portions of the roller support frames SF. The first loading rollers IR1 and the second loading rollers IR2 are respectively provided in pairs, and the lower end of the outer edge portion of the upper casting frame UCF is in contact with and placed on the outer peripheral upper surfaces of the first loading rollers IR1 and the second loading rollers IR2. Since the loading roller conveyor IRC is a known technique, the description thereof is omitted.

[0026] The loading rail IRL is provided on a pair of rail support members (not shown) provided on the gantry MT so as to extend along the conveying direction.

[0027] A cushion device CD is provided at a position facing the downstream end of the loading path CIR, sandwiching the alignment position FOP. The cushion device CD functions to receive the transport carriage TT located at the frontmost position among the transport carriages TT arranged on the loading path CIR. The plurality of transport carriages TT are transported in the conveying direction one stroke at a time while being sandwiched between the cushion device CD and a pusher device (not shown) so as not to move freely. Since the pusher device and the cushion device CD are known techniques, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0028] (Alignment device) As shown in FIG. 1, the alignment device 1 includes a loading station 2, a stacking device 3, a transfer device 4, a placement roller conveyor 5, and an unloading station 6. The loading station 2 is provided at the alignment position FOP facing the downstream end of the loading path CIR. The loading station 2 is formed in a rectangular cage shape by four columns 21 erected from the floor surface BG and a rectangular top plate 22 provided in parallel with the tips of the columns 21. The columns 21 arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the loading path CIR are formed so as to straddle the loading path CIR. The columns 21 arranged along the conveying direction of the loading path CIR are formed so as to straddle the transfer device 4, which will be described later, loaded into the loading station 2. The loading station 2 is provided with a stacking device 3 and a second placing roller 52, which will be described later.

[0029] (Stacking device) The stacking device 3 raises and holds the upper casting frame UCF that has been previously loaded into the loading station 2, and then lowers and stacks the upper casting frame UCF onto the lower casting frame LCF that has been loaded onto the transport cart TT and transported into the loading station 2 later. The stacking device 3 includes a lifting frame 31, a second lifting frame 32, a clamp arm 33, an opening and closing drive device 34, a link member 35, and a lifting device 36.

[0030] (Lifting frame) The lifting frame 31 is made of iron, for example, and is formed in a rectangular shape. It is provided with a horizontal support member (not shown) that is horizontally installed along a direction perpendicular to the transport direction between two outer frames 31a and 31b (see Fig. 3) that face each other in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The lifting frame 31 is attached to the lower end of the lifting device 36.

[0031] (Lifting device) The lifting device 36 is provided between the top plate 22 of the loading station 2 and the lifting frame 31, and moves the lifting frame 31, the second lifting frame 32, and the clamp arm 33 in the vertical direction. As shown in Fig. 1, the lifting device 36 includes a lifting cylinder device 361 and a vertical guide device 362. The lifting cylinder device 361 includes a lifting cylinder part 361a and a lifting piston rod 361b.

[0032] The lifting cylinder part 361a is provided so as to extend in the vertical direction, and the lower part of the lifting cylinder part 361a is assembled so as to penetrate the top plate 22. The lifting piston rod 361b is provided at the lower end side of the lifting cylinder part 361a so as to advance and retract downward. The lower end of the lifting piston rod 361b is assembled to the horizontal support member of the lifting frame 31 by, for example, screwing.

[0033] The lifting cylinder section 361a communicates with a hydraulic pump (not shown) via an oil supply pipe (not shown). An electromagnetic switching valve (not shown) is provided between the lifting cylinder section 361a and the hydraulic pump. The operation of the electromagnetic switching valve is controlled by a control device (not shown).

[0034] The vertical guide device 362 guides the vertical movement of the lifting frame 31 in the vertical direction. The vertical guide device 362 is provided on both sides along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the lifting cylinder device 361, and includes guide cylinders 362a and guide rods 362b respectively. Each guide cylinder 362a is formed in a cylindrical shape. Each guide cylinder 362a is assembled so that its upper part penetrates the top plate 22. The guide rod 362b is slidably inserted into each guide cylinder 362a, and the lower end thereof is assembled to the lateral support member of the lifting frame 31, for example, by screwing.

[0035] Upper flange portions 311 are provided at the four outer corners of the lifting frame 31, which are formed in a thin plate shape extending in the vertical direction and protruding in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. A connecting shaft is provided on each upper flange portion 311. A spherical sliding bearing 371 provided at the upper end of a shaft member 37 described later is connected to the connecting shaft.

[0036] (Second Lifting Frame) The second lifting frame 32 is, for example, made of iron and formed in a rectangular shape, and is provided below the lifting frame 31. Lower flange portions 321 are provided at the four outer corners of the second lifting frame 32, which are formed in a thin plate shape extending in the vertical direction and protruding in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The lower end of the connecting shaft is connected to each lower flange portion 321. A spherical sliding bearing 371 provided at the lower end of a shaft member 37 described later is connected to the connecting shaft.

[0037] The second lifting frame 32 is connected to the lifting frame 31 via a plurality of (four in this embodiment) free mechanisms. The free mechanism connects the upper end of the shaft member 37 to the connecting shaft of the lifting frame 31 via a spherical plain bearing 371, and connects the lower end of the shaft member 37 to the connecting shaft of the second lifting frame 32 via a spherical plain bearing 371. The lifting frame 31 and the second lifting frame 32 form a parallel link mechanism in which the second lifting frame 32 swings while maintaining a parallel state with respect to the lifting frame 31 by the free mechanism. In order to perform accurate alignment, a guide pin GP is provided on the upper casting frame UCF, and a guide hole (not shown) is provided on the lower casting frame LCF. The parallel link mechanism reduces the wear of the guide pin GP and the guide hole during alignment. A clamp arm 33 and an opening / closing drive device 34 are attached to the second lifting frame 32.

[0038] (Clamp arm) The clamp arm 33 is formed of, for example, an iron plate extending in the vertical direction, and includes a strip-shaped first clamp arm 331 and a second clamp arm 332 having a shorter length on the handle side than the first clamp arm 331.

[0039] (First clamp arm) The first clamp arm 331 is rotatably assembled to one end (the right end in FIG. 1) of the downstream outer frame 32a among the outer frames 32a and 32b facing the conveying direction of the second lifting frame 32 and the other end (the left end in FIG. 1, not shown) of the upstream outer frame 32b via rotation shafts 33a and 33b. The two first clamp arms 331 are provided to face each other on the diagonal line of the rectangular second lifting frame 32 when viewed from above.

[0040] The rotating shaft 33a is rotatably supported by a bearing (not shown) provided on the second elevating frame 32. The rotating shaft 33a of the first clamping arm 331 provided at one end of the downstream outer frame 32a shares the same rotating shaft 33a as the rotating shaft 33a of the second clamping arm 332 provided at one end of the upstream outer frame 32b. The first clamping arm 331 and the second clamping arm 332 are assembled to the rotating shaft 33a so as not to be relatively rotatable.

[0041] At the lower end of the first clamping arm 331, a first gripping claw 331a (gripping portion) protruding in the inner lateral direction is provided. The first gripping claw 331a is adapted to latch onto the lower side of one side (right side in FIG. 1) of the upper casting frame UCF which is the conveyed object. It cooperates with the second gripping claw 332a of the second clamping arm 332 described later to grip the upper casting frame UCF from both sides.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 1, one end of a link member 35 is connected between the rotating shaft 33a of the first clamping arm 331 and the connecting shaft 342a of a piston rod 342 (described later) via a connecting shaft 351. The other end of the link member 35 is connected to the second clamping arm 332 described later.

[0043] (Second clamping arm) The upper end of the second clamping arm 332 is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft 33b supported by the second elevating frame 32, and a second gripping claw 332a (gripping portion) is formed at the lower end. The second gripping claw 332a is formed to protrude inwardly facing the first gripping claw 331a of the first clamping arm 331. The other end of the link member 35 is connected via a connecting shaft 352 at a position below the rotating shaft 33b and at the upper one-third position between the upper end and the lower end of the second clamping arm 332.

[0044] (Link member) The link member 35 is made of, for example, iron and is formed in a rod shape. By connecting, with the link member 35, the portion above the rotation axis 33a of the first clamp arm 331 and the portion below the rotation axis 33b of the second clamp arm 332, for example, when the first clamp arm 331 performs a closing operation, the second clamp arm 332 performs a closing operation in which the lower portion of the rotation axis 33b is pulled inward. When the first clamp arm 331 performs an opening operation, the second clamp arm 332 performs an opening operation in which the lower portion of the rotation axis 33b is pushed outward. In this way, the opening and closing operations of the first clamp arm 331 and the second clamp arm 332 are synchronized by the link member 35.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 3, the rotation axis 33a of the first clamp arm 331 attached to the downstream outer frame 32a and the rotation axis 33a of the second clamp arm 332 attached to the upstream outer frame 32b share the same rotation axis 33a. Therefore, rotational torque is transmitted from the first clamp arm 331 on the downstream side to the second clamp arm 332 on the upstream side. Also, rotational torque is transmitted in the same way between the second clamp arm 332 of the downstream outer frame 32a and the first clamp arm 331 of the upstream outer frame 32b via the rotation axis 33b.

[0046] The second clamp arm 332 attached to the upstream outer frame 32b and the first clamp arm 331 attached to the upstream outer frame 32b are connected by a link member 35 in the same manner as the first clamp arm 331 and the second clamp arm 332 of the downstream outer frame 32a. Therefore, the opening and closing operations of the four clamp arms 33 are synchronously executed by one opening and closing drive device (described later) 34 provided on the upstream side.

[0047] The central portion between the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the first clamp arm 331 is pivotally supported by the second lifting frame 32 by the rotation axis 33a. At the position of the upper end portion of the first clamp arm 331, the tip portion of the piston rod 342 of the opening and closing drive device 34 described later is connected via a connecting shaft 532a.

[0048] (Opening and Closing Drive Device) As shown in Fig. 1, the opening and closing drive device 34 includes a cylinder part 341 and a piston rod 342. The cylinder part 341 is assembled to the downstream outer frame 32a of the two outer frames 32a and 32b facing the conveying direction of the second lifting frame 32 via a bracket 343. The cylinder part 341 is provided so as to extend in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The cap side of the cylinder part 341 is connected to the bracket 343 via a connecting shaft 341a extending along the conveying direction. The cylinder part 341 communicates with a hydraulic pump (not shown) via an oil supply pipe (not shown).

[0049] An electromagnetic switching valve (not shown) is provided between the cylinder part 341 and the hydraulic pump. The switching operation of the electromagnetic switching valve is controlled by a control device (not shown).

[0050] The piston rod 342 is provided with a piston that slides on the inner wall of the cylinder part 341 at the base end, and the tip end side advances and retreats in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction from the opening side of the cylinder part 341. The tip end of the piston rod 342 is connected to the upper end above the rotation shaft 33a of the first clamp arm 331. Therefore, the first clamp arm 331 closes when the piston rod 342 advances and opens when the piston rod 342 retreats.

[0051] (Transfer Device) The transfer device 4 transfers the stacked upper and lower casting frames UCF and LCF from the frame alignment position FOP facing the downstream end of the loading path CIR to the unloading position COP facing the upstream end of the unloading path COR. The transfer device 4 includes a transfer table 41, transfer rails 42, mounting rails 43, a transfer table drive device 44, and first mounting rollers 51.

[0052] The transfer table 41 includes a transfer table body 41a and transfer wheels 41b. The transfer table body 41a is made of, for example, iron and formed in a rectangular plate shape, and has a length along a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the loading path CIR that is just long enough to span the loading rails IRL of the loading path CIR. In other words, the length of the transfer table body 41a in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the loading path CIR is formed to correspond to the width of the loading path CIR, and is not formed to be a long length that straddles both the loading path CIR and the unloading path COR.

[0053] On the right end portion of the transfer table body 41a in FIG. 1, a roller support wall 51a extending along the transport direction is erected at a predetermined height. A plurality (five in this embodiment) of first placement rollers 51b, which will be described later, are arranged side by side on the roller support wall 51a. Each first placement roller 51 has a rotation axis extending along a direction perpendicular to the transport direction.

[0054] When the transfer table 41 is positioned at the unloading position COP (unloading station 6) facing the upstream end of the unloading path COR, each first placement roller 51 is configured to be aligned with the first loading roller IR1 (the left side in FIG. 2) of the loading roller conveyor IRC in the loading path CIR in FIG. 2. The roller support wall 51a and the first placement rollers 51b, together with a placement roller support frame 52a and second placement rollers 52b, which will be described later, constitute a placement roller conveyor 5.

[0055] Notches 51a1 are provided at two upper positions of the roller support wall 51a at positions facing the first clamp arm 331 and the second clamp arm 332. The first gripping claws 331a and the second gripping claws 332a are inserted through these notches 51a1 to latch the lower end of the outer edge of the upper casting frame UCF placed on the placement rollers 51 and 52.

[0056] Transfer wheels 41b having rotation axes along the transport direction of the loading path CIR are provided at the four corners of the transfer table body 41a. A driven sprocket 444 is peripherally provided on the rotation axis of one transfer wheel 41b on the right side in FIG. 1 and on the unloading path COR side. On the left bottom of the transfer table body 41a in FIG. 1, a stop projection 41c formed in a quadrangular prism shape and protruding downward is provided. The stop projection 41c is locked to a stopper bolt SV described later and is used for positioning the transfer table 41 at the alignment position FOP or the carry-out position COP.

[0057] The transfer table drive device 44 includes an electric motor 441, a drive sprocket 442, a roller chain 443, and a driven sprocket 444. The electric motor 441 is provided at the right end of the transfer table body 41a in FIG. 2, and a drive sprocket 442 is provided on the output shaft of the electric motor 441 parallel to the rotation axis of the transfer wheel 41b. The drive sprocket 442 is provided opposite to the driven sprocket 444, and a roller chain 443 is mounted between the drive sprocket 442 and the driven sprocket 444.

[0058] The transfer rail 42 extends in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance directions of the carry-in path CIR and the carry-out path COR, and is provided so as to connect the alignment position FOP and the carry-out position COP. The transfer wheels 41b of the transfer table 41 roll on the transfer rail 42. Stopper bolts SV are provided below the end on the carry-out position COP side and below the center on the alignment position FOP side of the transfer rail 42. When the stop projection 41c provided on the transfer table body 41a abuts against the stopper bolt SV, the transfer table 41 is positioned at the alignment position FOP (carry-in station 2) and the carry-out position COP (carry-out station 6).

[0059] The mounting rail 43 is assembled to extend along the conveyance direction on the transfer table body 41a. When the transfer table 41 is positioned at the alignment position FOP (carry-in station 2), the mounting rail 43 aligns with the carry-in rail IRL, and when the transfer table 41 is positioned at the carry-out position COP (carry-out station 6), the mounting rail 43 aligns with the carry-out rail OR.

[0060] (Second mounting roller · Second mounting roller rotation device) The second placement roller rotating device 53 moves the second placement roller 52 between an alignment position AP where it aligns with the second loading roller IR2 (the right side in FIG. 2) of the loading roller conveyor IRC when the transfer table 41 is positioned at the unloading position COP, and a retracted position EP where interference with the transfer table 41 is avoided when the transfer table 41 is positioned at the alignment position FOP. The second placement roller 52, at the alignment position AP where it aligns with the second loading roller IR2 of the loading roller conveyor IRC, cooperates with the first placement roller 51 to support the top casting frame UCF carried in from the loading path CIR within the loading station 2. Note that the second placement roller rotating device 53 corresponds to a moving device.

[0061] The second placement roller 52 is provided on a placement roller support frame 52a. The placement roller support frame 52a is formed of, for example, a strip-shaped iron plate member extending along the conveying direction. A plurality (five in this embodiment) of second placement rollers 52 are arranged side by side on the placement roller support frame 52a. Each second placement roller 52 has a rotation axis extending along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0062] Notches 52a1 are provided at two upper positions of the placement roller support frame 52a at positions facing the first clamp arm 331 and the second clamp arm 332. The first clamp arm 331 and the second clamp arm 332 insert the first gripping claws 331a and the second gripping claws 332a through these notches 52a1 to latch the lower end of the outer edge of the top casting frame UCF placed on the placement roller conveyor 5 (placement rollers 51, 52).

[0063] The second placement roller rotating device 53 includes a bell crank device 531, a rotating arm 532, and a hydraulic cylinder device 533.

[0064] The bell crank device 531 and the rotating arm 532 are supported in a non-rotatable relative manner on a rotating support shaft 534 that extends along the conveying direction. The rotating support shaft 534 is rotatably supported by a bearing provided below the inside of the paired transfer rails 42. The bell crank device 531 is formed of a thin iron plate bent in a boomerang shape and includes a long-axis rotating arm 531L disposed above and a short-axis rotating arm 531S disposed below. The rotating support shaft 534 penetrates through the bent portion connecting the long-axis rotating arm 531L and the short-axis rotating arm 531S in a non-rotatable relative manner with respect to the long-axis rotating arm 531L and the short-axis rotating arm 531S.

[0065] The tip portions of the long-axis rotating arm 531L and the rotating arm 532 (see FIG. 3) are joined to the mounting roller support frame 52a and support the downstream side of the mounting roller support frame 52a. The tip portion of the short-axis rotating arm 531S is connected to the tip portion of the piston rod portion 533b of the hydraulic cylinder device 533 via a connecting shaft.

[0066] The hydraulic cylinder device 533 is fixed to the gantry that supports the transfer rails 42 by a fixing bracket 533c, and by advancing and retracting the piston rod portion 533b, rotates the long-axis rotating arm 531L of the bell crank device 531 and the rotating arm 532. By rotating the long-axis rotating arm 531L, the second mounting roller 52 is moved between an alignment position AP where it aligns with the second loading roller IR2 (the right side in FIG. 2) of the loading roller conveyor IRC and a retracted position EP (see FIG. 4) that avoids interference with the transfer table 41. Note that the long-axis rotating arm 531L and the rotating arm 532 correspond to the rotating arm. Also, the rotating arm (the long-axis rotating arm 531L and the rotating arm 532) and the rotating support shaft 534 constitute a moving device. When positioned at the alignment position AP, the load point loaded from the upper casting frame UCF onto the second mounting roller 52 and the rotation center of the rotating support shaft 534 are included in the same virtual vertical plane.

[0067] As shown in Fig. 1, the hydraulic cylinder device 533 includes a hydraulic cylinder portion 533a and a piston rod portion 533b. The hydraulic cylinder portions 533a are all in communication with a hydraulic pump via an oil supply pipe (not shown). An electromagnetic switching valve is provided between the hydraulic cylinder portion 533a and the hydraulic pump, and the operation of the electromagnetic switching valve is controlled by a control device (not shown). The rotary arm 532 has a base end portion rotatably supported by a rotary support shaft 534 in a non-rotatable manner, and a tip end portion joined to the upstream side of the mounting roller support frame 52a.

[0068] (Unloading Station) The unloading station 6 is provided at an unloading position COP facing the upstream end of a later-described unloading path COR. It corresponds to the end portion of the transfer rail 42 on the unloading path COR side, and a stopper bolt SV is fixed beside the end portion of the transfer rail 42. When the stopper bolt SV abuts against the stop projection 41c of the transfer table 41, the transfer table 41 is positioned at the unloading position COP (unloading station 6). When the transfer table 41 is positioned at the unloading position COP, the first mounting roller 51 provided at the end portion of the transfer table 41 on the frame alignment position FOP side aligns with the first loading roller IR1 (the left side in Fig. 2) of the loading roller conveyor IRC, enabling the loading of the upper casting frame UCF from the loading path CIR. When enabling the loading of this upper casting frame UCF, the first mounting roller 51 cooperates with a second mounting roller 52 described later.

[0069] (Unloading Path) The unloading path COR unloads the superimposed upper casting frame UCF and lower casting frame LCF to the next pouring process. The unloading path COR is arranged to extend along a direction perpendicular to the transfer rail 42. Also, it is arranged parallel to the loading path CIR and configured to extend in a direction opposite to the loading path CIR. When the loading path CIR, the transfer rail 42, and the unloading path COR are connected, they are formed in a crank course shape. The carry-out path COR is provided with a carry-out rail OR for placing and carrying the superposed upper casting frame UCF and lower casting frame LCF on a transport cart TT. The carry-out rail OR is provided so as to extend along the transport direction on a pair of rail support members (not shown) provided on a gantry.

[0070] A pusher device PD is provided at a position facing the upstream end of the carry-out path COR with the carry-out position COP interposed therebetween. The pusher device PD presses the transport cart TT positioned at the carry-out position COP and the transport carts TT arranged on the carry-out path COR by one stroke (the length in the transport direction of one transport cart TT) in the transport direction.

[0071] The plurality of transport carts TT on the carry-out path COR are transported in the transport direction by one stroke at a time while being sandwiched between a cushion device (not shown) and the pusher device PD so as not to move freely. Since the pusher device PD and the cushion device are well-known technologies, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0072] (Control device) The control device controls the operations of the cylinder part 341 of the opening / closing drive device 34, the lifting cylinder device 361 of the lifting device 36, the electric motor 441 of the transfer table drive device 44, the hydraulic cylinder device 533 of the bell crank device 531, the pusher device PD, and the cushion device CD.

[0073] (Operation) Next, the operation of the frame alignment device 1 configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1, 3 to 8. As shown in Fig. 3, the upper mold frame UCF is being carried from the loading path CIR to the alignment position FOP. The stacking device 3 holds the clamp arm 33 above the upper mold frame UCF. The transfer table 41 is positioned at the unloading position COP (unloading station 6), and the first placement roller 51 is aligned with the first loading roller IR1 of the loading roller conveyor IRC. The bell crank device 531 is positioned at the alignment position AP, and the second placement roller 52 is aligned with the second loading roller IR2 of the loading roller conveyor IRC. As a result, the upper mold frame UCF is being carried from the loading roller conveyor IRC to the placement roller conveyor 5 located at the alignment position FOP.

[0074] Next, the control device drives the lifting device 36 to lower the lifting frame 31 and the second lifting frame 32, and the opening and closing drive device 34 opens and closes the clamp arm 33 to grip the upper mold frame UCF. Then, as shown in Fig. 4, the upper mold frame UCF is lifted upward. Next, the control device drives the hydraulic cylinder device 533 to rotate the bell crank device 531 and the rotating arm 532 to position them at the retracted position EP.

[0075] Next, as shown in Fig. 5, the control device drives the electric motor 441 of the transfer table drive device 44 to move the transfer table 41 to the alignment position FOP (loading station 2) and position it. Next, as shown in Fig. 6, the control device drives the pusher device and the cushion device CD of the loading path CIR to move the lower mold frame LCF placed on the transport cart TT to the placement rail 43 of the transfer table 41 and position it at the alignment position FOP of the loading station 2. Since the transfer table 41 does not protrude outside the machine, it will not contact other adjacent equipment AE. Therefore, it is not necessary to take a large space between the adjacent other equipment AE, and space saving can be achieved. Next, the control device drives the lifting device 36 to lower the upper mold frame UCF and stack it on the lower mold frame LCF.

[0076] Then, the control device opens the clamp arm 33 with the opening / closing drive device 34 and drives the lifting device 36 to lift the clamp arm 33, the lifting frame 31, and the second lifting frame 32.

[0077] Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the control device drives the electric motor 441 of the transfer table drive device 44 to move the transfer table 41 to the unloading position COP of the unloading station 6. Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the control device drives the pusher device PD and the cushion device to unload the upper casting frame UCF and the lower casting frame LCF placed on the transport cart TT along the transport path COR. The following similar operations are repeated.

[0078] As is clear from the above description, the frame aligning device 1 of the present embodiment includes an inlet roller conveyor IRC that conveys the upper casting frame UCF by a pair of first inlet rollers IR1 and second inlet rollers IR2 each composed of a plurality of rollers, and an inlet rail IRL that conveys the lower casting frame LCF by the transport cart TT. An inlet station 2 is provided facing the downstream end of the inlet path CIR, and a superimposing device 3 provided at the inlet station 2 for superimposing the upper casting frame UCF on the loaded lower casting frame LCF.

[0079] Further, an unloading station 6 provided facing the upstream end of the unloading path COR having an unloading rail ORL for unloading the superimposed upper casting frame UCF and lower casting frame LCF by the transport cart TT, and a transfer table 41 that reciprocates between the inlet station 2 and the unloading station 6 are provided. In addition, a pair of mounting rails 43 are provided on the transfer table 41, which are aligned with the inlet rail IRL when the transfer table 41 is positioned at the inlet station 2 and aligned with the unloading rail ORL of the unloading path COR when the transfer table 41 is positioned at the unloading station 6.

[0080] And it includes a first placement roller 51 provided on the transfer table 41 and aligning with the first loading roller IR1 of the loading roller conveyor IRC when the transfer table 41 is positioned at the unloading station 6, and a second placement roller 52 provided at the loading station 2 and capable of aligning with the second loading roller IR2 of the loading roller conveyor IRC when the transfer table 41 is positioned at the unloading station 6. "Capable of aligning" does not necessarily mean always aligning, and includes the state of not aligning.

[0081] According to this, the loading of the upper casting frame UCF required for alignment into the loading station 2 can be carried out by positioning the transfer table 41 at the unloading position COP (unloading station 6) and aligning the placement roller conveyor 5 with the loading roller conveyor IRC. The alignment of this placement roller conveyor 5 can be carried out by aligning the first placement roller 51 provided on the transfer table 41 with the first loading roller IR1 of the loading roller conveyor IRC, and aligning the second placement roller 52 provided at the loading station 2 with the second loading roller IR2 of the loading roller conveyor IRC.

[0082] In this way, since the transfer table 41 is provided with the placement rail 43 and the first placement roller 51 and not provided with the second placement roller 52, the transfer table 41 can be set shorter by the length where the second placement roller 52 is not provided on the transfer table 41, and it is possible to prevent the transfer table 41 from protruding outside the machine. Thereby, it is possible to save space in the space where the alignment device 1 is installed.

[0083] Also, the second placement roller 52 is provided with a second placement roller rotation device 53 (moving device) that moves between an alignment position AP where it aligns with the paired second loading roller IR2 of the loading roller conveyor IRC when the transfer table 41 is positioned at the unloading station 6, and a retracted position EP that avoids interference with the transfer table 41 when the transfer table 41 is positioned at the loading station 2.

[0084] According to this, the loading of the lower casting mold frame LCF placed on the transport cart TT into the loading station 2 can be carried out by raising the upper casting mold frame UCF from the frame alignment position FOP by the stacking device 3, then positioning the transfer table 41 at the loading station 2, and aligning the placement rail 43 on the loading rail IRL. At this time, by positioning the second placement roller 52 at the retracted position EP, it is possible to prevent the transfer table 41 from interfering with the second placement roller 52.

[0085] Further, the second placement roller rotating device 53 includes a rotation support shaft 534 provided at the loading station 2, and a rotation arm (long axis rotation arm 532L, rotation arm 532) to which the second placement roller 52 is assembled on the tip side and rotates around the rotation support shaft 534.

[0086] According to this, by a simple mechanism of the rotation arms 531L and 532 that rotate around the rotation support shaft 534 provided at the loading station 2, the second placement roller 52 can reciprocate between the alignment position AP and the retracted position EP.

[0087] Also, when the second placement roller 52 aligns with the second loading roller IR2 of the loading roller conveyor IRC, the load point of the second placement roller 52 by the upper casting mold frame UCF is on a vertical plane including the rotation center of the rotation support shaft 534.

[0088] According to this, since the load point of the second placement roller 52 by the upper casting mold frame UCF is on a vertical plane including the rotation center of the rotation support shaft 534, the load by the upper casting mold frame UCF does not affect the component in the rotation direction of the rotation support shaft 534. Therefore, the upper casting mold frame UCF can be reliably supported by the second placement roller 52.

[0089] Further, the transfer table 41 is set to a length that only spans the paired loading rails IRL. The "length that only spans the loading rails IRL" means not a long length that spans the loading rails IRL and the unloading rails ORL, but a short length that spans between the paired loading rails IRL.

[0090] According to this, even when the transfer table 41 is positioned at the loading station 2, it is possible to prevent the end portion of the transfer table 41 on the side of the first mounting roller 51 from protruding outside the machine.

[0091] Further, the first mounting roller 51 is provided at the end portion of the transfer table 41 on the side of the loading station 2. According to this, when the transfer table 41 is positioned at the unloading station 6, the first mounting roller 51 can be easily and surely aligned with the first loading roller IR1 of the loading roller conveyor IRC.

[0092] Note that, in the present embodiment, the transfer table 41 is a carriage provided with transfer wheels 41b and rolling on the transfer rail 42, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the transfer table may be a tray without wheels and may be moved between the loading station and the unloading station by a roller conveyor.

[0093] The present invention is not limited only to the above-described and illustrated embodiments, and can be appropriately modified and implemented without departing from the gist thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0094] 1: Frame alignment device, 2: Loading station, 3: Stacking device, 41: Transfer table, 42: Transfer rail, 43: Mounting rail, 5: Mounting roller conveyor, 51: First mounting roller, 52: Second mounting roller, 53: Second mounting roller rotation device (moving device), 531L: Long shaft rotation arm (rotation arm · moving device), 532: Rotation arm (moving device), 534: Rotation support shaft (moving device), 6: Unloading station, AP: Alignment position, EP: Retraction position, CIR: Loading path, COR: Unloading path, FOP: Frame alignment position, IR1: First loading roller, IR2: Second loading roller, IRC: Loading roller conveyor, IRL: Loading rail, LCF: Lower casting frame, UCF: Upper casting frame, TT: Conveying carriage.

Claims

1. An input station provided opposite to the downstream end of an input path, the input path comprising an input roller conveyor for conveying an upper casting mold by a pair of first input rollers and second input rollers each composed of a plurality of rollers, and an input rail for conveying a lower casting mold by a carrier vehicle; An overlapping device provided at the input station for overlapping the upper casting mold on the input lower casting mold; An output station provided opposite to the upstream end of an output path having an output rail for outputting the overlapped upper and lower casting molds by the carrier vehicle; A transfer table reciprocating between the input station and the output station; A pair of mounting rails provided on the transfer table, aligning with the input rail when the transfer table is positioned at the input station and aligning with the output rail of the output path when the transfer table is positioned at the output station; A plurality of first mounting rollers provided on the transfer table, aligning with the first input rollers of the input roller conveyor when the transfer table is positioned at the output station; A plurality of second mounting rollers provided at the input station, capable of aligning with the second input rollers of the input roller conveyor when the transfer table is positioned at the output station; A mold aligning device comprising the above.

2. The mold aligning device according to claim 1, wherein the second mounting roller is provided with a moving device that moves between an alignment position where it aligns with the second input roller of the input roller conveyor when the transfer table is positioned at the output station and a retracted position where it avoids interference with the transfer table when the transfer table is positioned at the input station.

3. The moving device Comprises a rotary support shaft provided at the input station; And a rotary arm having the second mounting roller assembled to the tip side and rotating about the rotary support shaft. The mold aligning device according to claim 2.

4. The mold aligning device according to claim 3, wherein when the second mounting roller aligns with the second input roller of the input roller conveyor, the load point on the second mounting roller by the upper casting mold is on a vertical plane including the rotation center of the rotary support shaft.

5. The mold aligning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the transfer table is set to a length that only straddles the paired input rails.

6. The frame alignment device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first placement roller is provided at an end of the transfer table on the loading station side.

Images