Work transport tray

Abstract

To provide a workpiece transport tray that can suppress the occurrence of warping or wrinkles in a workpiece with a simple configuration. [Solution] A rectangular workpiece transport tray 200 capable of placing and transporting a single workpiece W comprises a tray body 20 and two clip portions 50. The tray body 20 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate and is capable of placing the workpiece W. The two clip portions 50 are provided on each of two opposing sides of the tray body 20 and are capable of clamping each of the two opposing sides of the workpiece W.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a workpiece transport tray. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, supports capable of supporting a single workpiece or object to be treated and transporting it through a processing device have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a support capable of supporting a single object to be treated (film) and passing (transporting) it through a heating furnace to dry the object to be treated. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-226884 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The support body of Patent Document 1 is equipped with film holding parts such as clips that clamp the four sides or four corners of a rectangular, single-sheet object to be processed from both sides. This is intended to prevent wrinkles and the like from occurring on the object to be processed. The support body of Patent Document 1 is provided with four film holding parts corresponding to the four sides or four corners. This may result in the support body becoming complicated and large.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a workpiece transport tray that can suppress the occurrence of warping or wrinkles in a workpiece with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to a workpiece transport tray capable of placing and transporting rectangular, single-piece workpieces (W), and includes a tray body (20) and two clip portions (50). The tray body is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate, and is capable of placing a workpiece thereon. The two clip portions are provided on each of two opposing sides of the tray body, and are capable of clamping each of the two opposing sides of the workpiece.

[0007] Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of warping or wrinkles in the workpiece. Also, in the present invention, a total of two clip portions are provided so that each of the two opposing sides of the workpiece can be clamped. Therefore, the configuration can be simplified compared to the support body of Patent Document 1, in which a total of four film holding portions are provided to correspond to the four sides or four corners of the workpiece. The first aspect of the present invention further comprises a spacing biasing member 55. The spacing biasing member is capable of biasing at least one of the two clip portions in a direction in which the two clip portions move away from each other. In a second aspect of the present invention, the clip portion has a pressing portion (51) and a pressing receiving portion (52). The pressing portion can contact one side of the workpiece. The pressing receiving portion is formed of a material whose coefficient of friction with the workpiece is smaller than the coefficient of friction between the workpiece and the tray body, and is provided so as to be able to contact the other side of the workpiece, allowing the workpiece to be sandwiched between the pressing portion and the pressing portion. In a third aspect of the present invention, the clip portion has a pressing portion (51), a presser receiving portion (52), a rotating portion (53), and a rotation biasing member (54). The pressing portion is formed in an elongated shape and can abut against one side of the workpiece. The presser receiving portion is arranged to abut against the other side of the workpiece, and the workpiece can be sandwiched between the pressing portion and the presser receiving portion. The rotating portion is arranged to be connected to the pressing portion and can rotate relative to the presser receiving portion. The rotation biasing member can bias the rotating portion so that the rotating portion rotates relative to the presser receiving portion and presses the pressing portion against one side of the workpiece. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view schematically showing a heat treatment apparatus to which a workpiece mounting device according to an embodiment is applied; [Figure 2] 1 is a plan view schematically showing a heat treatment apparatus to which a workpiece mounting device according to an embodiment is applied; [Figure 3] (A) is a plan view showing a workpiece, (B) is a plan view showing a workpiece transport tray according to one embodiment, (C) is a front view showing a workpiece transport tray according to one embodiment, and (D) is a bottom view showing a workpiece transport tray according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a portion of the workpiece transport tray according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a portion of a workpiece transport tray according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a bottom view showing a portion of the workpiece transport tray according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a workpiece mounting device according to an embodiment, in which (A) is a plan view and (B) is a front view. [Figure 8]1A and 1B are cross-sectional views for explaining an example of the operation of a work transport tray and a work placement device according to one embodiment, where (A) is a cross-sectional view showing the clip portion of the work transport tray in an open state, and (B) is a cross-sectional view showing the clip portion in a closed state. [Figure 9] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining an example of operation of a workpiece placing device according to an embodiment, in which FIG. 5A is a plan view of the workpiece placing device, and FIG. 5B is a front view of the workpiece placing device. [Figure 10] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining an example of operation of a workpiece placing device according to an embodiment, in which FIG. 5A is a plan view of the workpiece placing device, and FIG. 5B is a front view of the workpiece placing device. [Figure 11] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining an example of operation of a workpiece placing device according to an embodiment, in which FIG. 5A is a plan view of the workpiece placing device, and FIG. 5B is a front view of the workpiece placing device. [Figure 12] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining an example of operation of a workpiece placing device according to an embodiment, in which FIG. 5A is a plan view of the workpiece placing device, and FIG. 5B is a front view of the workpiece placing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A workpiece transport tray, a workpiece placement device, and a heat treatment device according to one embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that substantially the same components are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0010] (One embodiment) 1 and 2 show a heat treatment apparatus equipped with a workpiece mounting device according to one embodiment. The heat treatment apparatus 10 is an apparatus for drying, by heat treatment, a treatment target coated on a single workpiece placed on a workpiece transport tray 200, for example. The workpiece mounting device 70 is an apparatus for mounting, on the workpiece transport tray 200, the single workpiece on which the treatment target has been coated.

[0011] First, the heat treatment apparatus 10 will be described.

[0012] The heat treatment apparatus 10 includes a heat treatment furnace 1, a transport conveyor 4, a heater 5, a workpiece placement device 70, etc. The heat treatment furnace 1 is, for example, a drying furnace, and has a space 100 of a predetermined length inside. The heat treatment furnace 1 has an inlet 2 at one end in the longitudinal direction and an outlet 3 at the other end. The inlet 2 and outlet 3 are in communication with the space 100.

[0013] The transport conveyor 4 is, for example, a chain conveyor, and is provided so as to follow the space 100 of the heat treatment furnace 1. The transport conveyor 4 is capable of transporting a work transport tray 200 on which the work W is placed, from the entrance 2 side to the exit 3 side of the heat treatment furnace 1 in the space 100. Here, the direction from the entrance 2 toward the exit 3 is defined as the "transport direction" of the work transport tray 200.

[0014] The heater 5 has a heater housing 6 and a heat generating portion 7. The heater housing 6 is formed, for example, in the shape of a rectangular plate made of metal. The heat generating portion 7 is formed, for example, in the shape of a long cylinder. A plurality of heat generating portions 7 are provided in the heater housing 6 so as to be inserted into cylindrical holes formed along the longitudinal direction of the heater housing 6. The heat generating portion 7 generates heat when current is applied. This causes heat to be released from the heater housing 6.

[0015] The heater 5 is provided vertically above the transport conveyor 4, with the surface direction of the heater housing 6 aligned horizontally and with the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the transport direction. A plurality of heaters 5 are provided from the entrance 2 side of the space 100 toward the exit 3 side. The space 100 is divided into three sections (first section S1, second section S2, and third section S3) from the entrance 2 side toward the exit 3 side. For example, six heaters 5 are provided in each of the first section S1 and the second section S2. No heaters 5 are provided in the third section S3.

[0016] The heater 5 in the first section S1 is provided with ten heat generating elements 7. The heater 5 in the second section S2 is provided with six heat generating elements 7. Therefore, by energizing the heat generating elements 7 of each heater 5 using a control unit (not shown), the temperature of the space 100 of the heat treatment furnace 1 can be controlled so that, for example, the temperature in the first section S1 of the space 100 is the highest and the temperature in the third section S3 is the lowest. The temperature of the space 100 is controlled by the control unit to, for example, about 100 to 200°C. Note that by providing more heaters 5 (heat generating elements 7) in the first section S1, it is possible to increase the space temperature itself. Additionally, since volatilization from the treated material occurs in the first half of the heat treatment furnace 1 (drying furnace), the output of the heater 5 may be increased or the number of heaters 5 (heat generating elements 7) may be increased to provide energy equivalent to the latent heat of evaporation.

[0017] Air is introduced into the space 100 through an inlet (not shown). The air in the space 100 is also discharged through an outlet (not shown). This allows the moisture or solvent that has evaporated or volatilized from the treatment object applied to the workpiece W to be discharged from the space 100.

[0018] An entrance conveyor 8 is provided on the opposite side of the conveyor 4 from the exit 3. The entrance conveyor 8 is, for example, a chain conveyor, and is capable of transporting a workpiece conveying tray 200 on which the workpiece W is placed to the conveyor 4 via the entrance 2. An exit conveyor 9 is provided on the opposite side of the conveyor 4 from the entrance 2. The exit conveyor 9 is, for example, a chain conveyor, and is capable of further transporting the workpiece conveying tray 200 that has been transported to the exit 3 by the conveyor 4 in the transport direction.

[0019] The workpiece placing device 70 is provided near the entrance transport conveyor 8. The workpiece placing device 70 has a workpiece transport section 81 attached to a robot arm 80. The workpiece placing device 70 can place the workpiece W placed on the workpiece transport section 81 onto the workpiece transport tray 200 by the robot arm 80 controlled by a control section (not shown). The workpiece transport tray 200 on which the workpiece W is placed is transported to the heat treatment furnace 1 by the entrance transport conveyor 8. The configuration of the workpiece placing device 70 will be described in detail later.

[0020] Next, the workpiece W will be described.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3(A), the workpiece W is formed in a rectangular shape and in a single sheet from a metal such as aluminum. The thickness of the workpiece W is, for example, 20 μm. That is, the workpiece W is, for example, aluminum foil. A processing object P1 is applied to the center of the workpiece W. The processing object P1 is, for example, an electrode material in a paste form. In this embodiment, the processing object P1 is applied in a rectangular shape to one side of the workpiece W, for example, at the center of the workpiece W. Note that the processing object P1 applied to one side of the workpiece W may be heat-treated (dried), and then the processing object P1 may be applied to the other side of the workpiece W and heat-treated (dried).

[0022] Next, the workpiece transport tray 200 will be described.

[0023] As shown in FIGS. 3(B) to 3(C), the workpiece transport tray 200 includes a tray body 20, hole portions 31, rib portions 32, contact members 33, reinforcing portions 40, clip portions 50, and spacing biasing members 55. The tray body 20 is formed in a rectangular (oblong) plate shape from a metal such as aluminum. The hole portions 31 are formed in a rectangular (oblong) shape so as to penetrate the tray body 20 in the plate thickness direction. A plurality of hole portions 31 are formed in the longitudinal direction of the tray body 20, with the longitudinal direction aligned with the short side direction of the tray body 20. In this embodiment, seven hole portions 31 are formed in the tray body 20. A tray cutout portion 21 is formed in one of the two long sides of the tray body 20.

[0024] The rib portions 32 are formed between the plurality of hole portions 31 in the tray main body 20. The rib portions 32 are part of the tray main body 20, and six rib portions 32 are formed on the tray main body 20. The rib portions 32 are capable of supporting the lower surface of the workpiece W.

[0025] The contact members 33 are formed in a long, cylindrical shape from a material, such as fluororubber, whose thermal conductivity is lower than that of the rib portions 32 (aluminum). A contact member 33 is provided on each of the four rib portions 32 located at the center of the tray body 20. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , a tray step surface 34 is formed on each of the four rib portions 32 located at the center of the tray body 20. The tray step surface 34 is formed in a flat shape at a predetermined distance from one side of the tray body 20 toward the other side. A tray groove 35 is formed in the tray step surface 34. The tray groove 35 is recessed from the tray step surface 34 and is formed along the longitudinal direction of the rib portions 32. The tray groove 35 is formed in a dovetail shape so that the width of the bottom surface is larger than the width of the opening of the tray step surface 34 (see FIG. 5 ). Both ends of the tray groove 35 are formed in a circular shape when viewed perpendicularly to the tray step surface 34 so that a cutter for forming the tray groove 35 can be inserted.

[0026] The contact member 33 is provided so as to be fitted into the tray groove 35. When the contact member 33 is provided in the tray groove 35, the portion of the contact member 33 opposite the bottom surface of the tray groove 35 is positioned on the same plane as one surface of the tray main body 20 (see FIG. 5). As a result, when the workpiece W is placed on the tray main body 20, the portion of the underside of the workpiece W that corresponds to the object to be processed P1 abuts against the contact member 33 without coming into contact with the rib portion 32 (tray step surface 34).

[0027] The reinforcing portions 40 are formed of a material, such as stainless steel, that has a higher hardness than the tray body 20 (aluminum). The reinforcing portions 40 are provided at both longitudinal ends of the tray body 20, i.e., at the outer edge of the tray body 20. Clip notches 36 are formed at both longitudinal ends of the tray body 20. Two clip notches 36 are formed at each longitudinal end of the tray body 20 (see FIGS. 4 to 6). An inclined surface 41 is formed on the side of the reinforcing portion 40 opposite the clip notches 36 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The inclined surface 41 is formed flat and inclined relative to one surface of the tray body 20. A push pin hole 42 is formed on the inclined surface 41 of one of the two reinforcing portions 40 provided on the tray body 20 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). A conveyor fitting protrusion 43 is formed on the side of the reinforcing portion 40 opposite the inclined surface 41 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The conveyor fitting protrusion 43 is formed linearly along the longitudinal direction of the reinforcing portion 40 and can be fitted onto the chains of the transport conveyor 4, the entrance transport conveyor 8, and the exit transport conveyor 9.

[0028] When the workpiece transport tray 200 is transported by the transport conveyor 4 of the heat treatment device 10, the chain of the transport conveyor 4 does not come into contact with the tray body 20 but comes into contact with the reinforcing portion 40. This makes it possible to suppress wear on the workpiece transport tray 200 during transport.

[0029] 3(B) to 3(D), clip portions 50 are provided on two short sides of the tray main body 20, i.e., on each of two opposing sides of the tray main body 20. Clip portion 501, which is one of the two clip portions 50, has a pressing portion 51, a pressing portion 52, a rotating portion 53, a rotation biasing member 54, a clip base portion 56, a clip support portion 57, a clip stopper portion 59, a bolt 60, a washer 61, etc. (see FIGS. 4 to 6).

[0030] The pressing portion 51 is formed by, for example, folding one long side of a rectangular (rectangular) plate-shaped metal material twice (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The curved portion of the pressing portion 51, which is the folded portion, can abut against one side of the workpiece W. The pressing portion 52 is formed in a long plate shape from a material, such as fluororubber or fluororesin, whose coefficient of friction with the workpiece W (aluminum) is smaller than the coefficient of friction between the workpiece W and the tray body 20 (aluminum). The pressing portion 52 has a pressing groove 521 formed therein (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The pressing groove 521 is formed linearly on one side of the pressing portion 52 so as to extend in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of pressing grooves 521 are formed at predetermined intervals in the lateral direction of the pressing portion 52. Note that by forming the pressing portion 52 from fluororesin, the pressing portion 52 can be made heat-resistant. Furthermore, by forming the clamping portion 51 from a material such as fluororesin, which is softer (less hard) than the metal clamping portion 51, the aggressiveness to the workpiece W can be reduced, and the workpiece W can be prevented from breaking when clamped between the clamping portion 51 and the clamping receiving portion 52.

[0031] The rotating part 53 is formed, for example, from a plate-shaped metal material. The rotating part 53 has a rotating part main body 531 and a bearing part 532 (see FIG. 5). The rotating part main body 531 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The bearing part 532 is formed integrally with the rotating part main body 531 so as to extend perpendicularly from each of two opposing sides of the rotating part main body 531. The rotating part main body 531 is formed with a rotating part notch 533 (see FIGS. 4 to 6).

[0032] The clip base 56 is formed, for example, from metal, in a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The clip base 56 is provided in each of the two clip notches 36 formed at one longitudinal end of the tray body 20. Two rail holes 561 are formed in the clip base 56 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The clip support 57 is formed, for example, from a plate-shaped metal material. The clip support 57 has a clip support body 571 and a bearing 572 (see FIG. 5). The clip support body 571 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The bearing 572 is formed integrally with the clip support body 571 so as to extend perpendicularly from each of two opposing sides of the clip support body 571. The clip support 57 is provided integrally with the clip base 56 so that the clip support body 571 is joined to the upper surface of the clip base 56. The clip support 57 is provided on each of the two clip bases 56.

[0033] A clip rail portion 58 is provided in the clip cutout portion 36. The clip rail portion 58 is formed into a cylindrical shape from, for example, metal. One end of the clip rail portion 58 is joined to the clip cutout portion 36 of the tray main body 20, and the other end is connected to the reinforcing portion 40 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Two clip rail portions 58 are provided for each clip cutout portion 36. The clip portion 50 is provided on the tray main body 20 with the clip rail portion 58 inserted into the rail hole portion 561 of the clip base portion 56. This allows the clip portion 50 to move back and forth in the axial direction of the clip rail portion 58.

[0034] The clip stopper portion 59 is formed into a cylindrical shape from, for example, metal. The clip stopper portion 59 is provided integrally with the clip base 56 between the two rail holes 561 so that one end thereof is joined to the clip base 56 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). When the clip stopper portion 59 abuts against the clip notch 36 of the tray main body 20, movement of the clip portion 50 toward the opposite side from the reinforcing portion 40 is restricted. In other words, the clip stopper portion 59 functions as a stopper that restricts excessive movement of the clip portion 50.

[0035] The rotating part 53 is provided so that the two bearings 532 are positioned inside the two bearings 572 of the clip support part 57. A clip shaft 534 formed in a cylindrical shape from, for example, metal is inserted into holes formed in the bearings 532 and 572. This allows the rotating part 53 to be rotatable relative to the clip support part 57 and the clip base 56. A rotating part 53 is provided on each of the two clip support parts 57.

[0036] The presser receiving portion 52 is provided integrally with the clip support portion 57 so that the surfaces opposite the presser receiving groove portions 521 at both longitudinal ends thereof are joined to the clip support portion main body 571. The presser portion 51 is provided so that both longitudinal ends thereof are connected to the rotating portion main body 531. The presser portion 51 and the rotating portion main body 531 are joined by a bolt 60. A washer 61 is provided between the head of the bolt 60 and the presser portion 51. A predetermined gap G is set between the head of the bolt 60 and the washer 61 (see FIG. 5). The presser portion 51 and the washer 61 are movable relative to the bolt 60 between the rotating portion main body 531 and the head of the bolt 60. In other words, a predetermined play is set between the presser portion 51 and the rotating portion 53.

[0037] The rotation biasing member 54 is, for example, a double torsion spring, and is provided between the rotating portion 53 and the clip support portion 57 on the radial outside of the clip shaft portion 534. The rotation biasing member 54 can bias the rotating portion 53 so that the rotating portion 53 rotates relative to the presser receiving portion 52 and the presser portion 51 is pressed against one surface of the workpiece W.

[0038] The separation biasing member 55 is, for example, a coil spring, and is provided radially outside the clip rail portion 58, between the clip notch 36 of the tray body 20 and the clip base portion 56 (see FIGS. 4 to 6). The separation biasing member 55 has a force that stretches in the axial direction. As a result, the separation biasing member 55 biases the clip base portion 56 toward the reinforcing portion 40.

[0039] Clip portion 502, the other of the two clip portions 50, does not have clip base portion 56 or clip stopper portion 59. Furthermore, pivot portion main body 531 of clip portion 502 does not have pivot portion notch 533 formed therein. Furthermore, clip support portion 57 of clip portion 502 is joined to reinforcing portion 40. In other words, clip portion 502 is provided so as to be immovable relative to tray main body 20.

[0040] Next, the workpiece mounting device 70 will be described.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 7 , the workpiece placement device 70 includes a receiving platform 71, a receiving platform lifting unit 74, a device base 700, a trace stopper 701, a sensor 702, a robot arm 80, a workpiece transport unit 81, a tray positioning unit 90, a clip opening / closing unit 93, and the like. The receiving platform 71 includes a receiving platform base 72, a workpiece support unit 73, and a workpiece suction unit 75. The receiving platform base 72 is formed, for example, from a metal, into a rectangular (oblong) plate shape. The workpiece support unit 73 is formed, for example, from a metal, into a rectangular plate shape, and is provided on the receiving platform base 72 so as to be perpendicular to the receiving platform base 72. A plurality of workpiece support units 73 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the receiving platform base 72, with their surfaces aligned along the shorter side of the receiving platform base 72. In this embodiment, seven workpiece support units 73 are provided, each of which can pass through seven holes 31 in the workpiece transport tray 200.

[0042] The workpiece suction portions 75 are provided on two of the seven workpiece support portions 73 arranged in the longitudinal direction of the cradle base 72, one on each side. The workpiece suction portions 75 open on the upper end surfaces of the workpiece support portions 73 and are capable of sucking air near the openings. As a result, when the workpiece W is placed on the upper end surface of the workpiece support portion 73, the workpiece suction portions 75 can suction the underside of the workpiece W to the upper end surface of the workpiece support portion 73.

[0043] The apparatus base 700 is formed into a plate shape made of, for example, metal, and is provided near the entrance 2 of the heat treatment apparatus 10. The pedestal lifting unit 74 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus base 700, and the side opposite to the apparatus base 700 is connected to the pedestal base 72. Under the control of a control unit (not shown), the pedestal lifting unit 74 can drive the pedestal 71 up and down in the vertical direction relative to the apparatus base 700, i.e., can raise and lower it.

[0044] The trace stopper 701 is provided so as to be movable up and down in the vertical direction relative to the device base 700. The trace stopper 701 is controlled by a control unit (not shown), and when it moves to a predetermined height relative to the device base 700, it abuts against the front surface (the side on which the tray cutout portion 21 is formed) of the tray body 20 of the work transport tray 200 transported by the entrance transport conveyor 8, thereby restricting movement of the work transport tray 200 in the transport direction.

[0045] The sensor 702 is provided on the trace stopper 701. The sensor 702 detects the tray cutout 21 of the work transport tray 200, thereby being able to detect whether the work transport tray 200 is placed in the wrong orientation on the entrance transport conveyor 8. In other words, the sensor 702 can detect whether the work transport tray 200 is placed in the wrong orientation.

[0046] The robot arm 80 is a typical robot arm configured with, for example, 4 to 6 axes, and can freely move a workpiece carrier 81 attached to the tip thereof.

[0047] The workpiece transporting unit 81 has a comb portion 82 and a comb portion support portion 83. The comb portion 82 is formed, for example, from metal in the shape of a long plate. A plurality of comb portions 82 are provided so that they can support the underside of the workpiece W and can fit into gaps between the plurality of workpiece support portions 73 of the receiving base 71. In this embodiment, eight comb portions 82 are provided. The comb portion support portion 83 is formed so as to support one end of each of the eight comb portions 82. The workpiece transporting unit 81 is attached to the robot arm 80 so that the center of the comb portion support portion 83 is connected to the tip of the robot arm 80. The workpiece transporting unit 81 attached to the robot arm 80 can place the workpiece W on the comb portion 82 and transport it to the receiving base 71.

[0048] The tray positioning parts 90 are provided at positions corresponding to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the work transport tray 200 when the work transport tray 200 is in contact with the trace stopper 701 and movement in the transport direction is restricted. The tray positioning parts 90 have positioning pins 91 that can fit into positioning holes (not shown) formed in the reinforcing parts 40 of the work transport tray 200. The two tray positioning parts 90 can position the work transport tray 200 on the entrance transport conveyor 8 by fitting the positioning pins 91 into the positioning holes from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the work transport tray 200.

[0049] Of the two tray positioning parts 90, the tray positioning part 90 located on the reinforcing part 40 side (clip part 501 side) where the push pin hole part 42 is formed is provided with a push pin 92. The push pin 92 can pass through the push pin hole part 42 and press against the clip base part 56 of the clip part 50 of the work transport tray 200 by being moved in the axial direction by a control part (not shown).

[0050] A clip opening / closing section 93 is provided for each of the two tray positioning sections 90. The clip opening / closing section 93 has a roller 94 and a roller shaft section 95. The rollers 94 are provided in pairs for each rotating section 53 of the clip section 50. The roller shaft section 95 is provided at the rotation center of each pair of rollers 94, and supports the two rollers 94 rotatably.

[0051] Next, the operation when the workpiece W is placed on the workpiece transport tray 200 and clamped by the clip portion 50 will be described.

[0052] 8(A), when the push pin 92 presses the clip base 56 under the control of the control unit, the tip of the clip stopper portion 59 abuts against the clip notch 36 of the tray main body 20, restricting the movement of the clip portion 501 toward the clip portion 502. Also, when the roller 94 of the clip opening / closing portion 93 moves vertically downward from a position vertically above the rotating portion 53 of the clip portion 50 under the control of the control unit, the rotating portion 53 rotates against the biasing force of the rotation biasing member 54, and the pressing portion 51 moves in a direction away from the pressing portion receiving portion 52. In this state, the workpiece W is placed on the upper surface of the tray main body 20.

[0053] 8(A), the distance D between the holding portions 51 of the two clip portions 50 (501, 502) is greater than the longitudinal length L of the workpiece W. Therefore, the workpiece W can be placed on the upper surface of the tray body 20 without coming into contact with the holding portions 51.

[0054] 8(A), a portion of the push pin 92 in the axial direction is located inside the pivoting portion notch 533, and a portion of its vertically upper side is located between the two rollers 94. Therefore, with the push pin 92 pressing the clip base 56, the pivoting portion 53 can be pivoted, i.e., the clip portion 501 can be opened. If the pivoting portion 53 of the clip portion 501 does not have the pivoting portion notch 533, the pivoting portion 53 comes into contact with the push pin 92, preventing the clip portion 501 from being fully opened. Furthermore, if the pivoting portion 53 of the clip portion 501 does not have the pivoting portion notch 533, the pivoting portion 53 and the pressing portion 51 must be positioned vertically upward by a predetermined distance to fully open the clip portion 501. In this case, the height of the workpiece transport tray 200 may become large.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 8(B), when the roller 94 of the clip opening / closing part 93 is moved vertically upward under the control of the control unit, the rotating part 53 is rotated by the biasing force of the rotation biasing member 54, and the pressing part 51 moves in a direction approaching the pressing part receiving part 52. As a result, both longitudinal ends of the workpiece W are sandwiched between the pressing part 51 and the pressing part receiving part 52. Thereafter, when the push pin 92 is moved in a direction away from the clip base 56 under the control of the control unit, the clip part 501 moves in a direction away from the clip part 502 due to the biasing force of the separation biasing member 55. As a result, a longitudinal pulling force is applied from the clip part 50 to the workpiece W, and the workpiece W is pulled in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of bending or wrinkling of the workpiece W.

[0056] In this embodiment, a presser receiving groove 521 is formed in the presser receiving portion 52. As a result, in the state shown in FIG. 8(B), a predetermined grip force on the workpiece W can be secured between the presser portion 51 and the presser receiving portion 52.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the presser receiving portion 52 is formed from a material whose coefficient of friction with the workpiece W (aluminum) is smaller than the coefficient of friction between the workpiece W and the tray body 20 (aluminum). As a result, in the state shown in Fig. 8(B), the presser receiving portion 51 and the presser receiving portion 52 can slide appropriately relative to the workpiece W. This makes it possible to prevent the workpiece W from bending, wrinkling, or tearing even if excessive pulling force is applied to the workpiece W in the longitudinal direction from the two clip portions 50.

[0058] In this embodiment, a predetermined play is set between the pressing portion 51 and the rotating portion 53. As a result, even if an excessive biasing force is generated from the rotation biasing member 54 in the state shown in Fig. 8(B), this biasing force is absorbed by the play, and the workpiece W can be clamped between the pressing portion 51 and the presser receiving portion 52 with an appropriate force.

[0059] Next, an example of the operation of the workpiece placing device 70 when placing the workpiece W on the workpiece transport tray 200 will be described.

[0060] The operation of each device and each part described below is controlled by a control part (not shown).

[0061] First, the workpiece W is placed on the comb portion 82, and the robot arm 80 is operated so that the workpiece transport part 81 is positioned at a predetermined position on the opposite side of the workpiece transport tray 200, which is in contact with the trace stopper 701 on the entrance transport conveyor 8 (see FIG. 7). At this time, the receiving platform 71 is positioned at the uppermost vertical position within its movable range, and the multiple workpiece support parts 73 have passed through the multiple holes 31 of the workpiece transport tray 200.

[0062] Next, the robot arm 80 moves the work transporter 81 to a predetermined position on the cradle 71 so that the work W is positioned above the work support portions 73 and the multiple comb portions 82 are positioned in the gaps between the multiple work support portions 73. Thereafter, the robot arm 80 moves the work transporter 81 vertically downward and places the work W on the upper end surfaces of the work support portions 73. Thereafter, the work suction portion 75 suctions the lower surface of the work W to the upper end surfaces of the work support portions 73. In addition, the two tray positioning portions 90 are moved in directions approaching each other, and the positioning pins 91 position the work transport tray 200 (see FIG. 9 ). In addition, the robot arm 80 moves the work transporter 81 from the cradle 71.

[0063] Next, the push pin 92 presses the clip base 56 of the clip part 501, moving the clip part 501 toward the clip part 502. Also, the roller 94 of the clip opening / closing part 93 is moved downward in the vertical direction, thereby rotating the rotating part 53 and opening the clip part 50 (see FIG. 10).

[0064] Next, the receiving table 71 is moved vertically downward by the receiving table lifting unit 74. At this time, just before the lower surface of the workpiece W abuts against the upper surface of the tray body 20 of the workpiece transport tray 200, the workpiece suction unit 75 releases the suction of the workpiece W. As a result, the workpiece W is placed on the upper surface of the tray body 20, and the receiving table 71 is moved vertically downward of the tray body 20 (see FIG. 11).

[0065] Next, the roller 94 of the clip opening / closing part 93 is moved vertically upward to rotate the rotating part 53, closing the clip part 50, i.e., clamping the workpiece W between the clip part 50. Thereafter, the push pin 92 is moved in a direction away from the clip part 501 (see FIG. 12). As a result, a longitudinal pulling force acts on the workpiece W from the clip part 50, and the workpiece W is pulled in the longitudinal direction.

[0066] Thereafter, the workpiece transport tray 200 on which the workpiece W is placed is transported to the heat treatment furnace 1 by the entrance transport conveyor 8, and then transported through the space 100 within the heat treatment furnace 1 by the transport conveyor 4 over a predetermined time. This allows the treatment object P1 applied to the workpiece W to dry.

[0067] As described above, (1) this embodiment is a workpiece transport tray 200 capable of placing and transporting a rectangular, single-piece workpiece W, and includes a tray main body 20 and two clip portions 50. The tray main body 20 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate, and is capable of placing a workpiece W. The two clip portions 50 are provided on each of two opposing sides of the tray main body 20, and are capable of clamping each of the two opposing sides of the workpiece W.

[0068] This makes it possible to prevent bending or wrinkling of the workpiece W. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a total of two clip portions 50 are provided so that they can clamp each of two opposing sides of the workpiece W. This simplifies the configuration compared to the support body of Patent Document 1 (JP 2005-226884 A), in which a total of four film holding portions are provided to correspond to the four sides or four corners of the workpiece.

[0069] Also, (2) this embodiment further includes a spacing biasing member 55. The spacing biasing member 55 can bias at least one of the two clip portions 50 in a direction in which the two clip portions 50 move away from each other. In this embodiment, the spacing biasing member 55 can bias one (501) of the two clip portions 50 (501, 502) in a direction in which the two clip portions 50 (501, 502) move away from each other. Therefore, when the two clip portions 50 clamp each of two opposing sides of the workpiece W, the spacing biasing member 55 biases one (501) of the clip portions 50, causing a pulling force to act on the workpiece W from the clip portions 50. As a result, the workpiece W is pulled in the arrangement direction of the clip portions 50. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of bending or wrinkling of the workpiece W.

[0070] Furthermore, (3) in this embodiment, the clip portion 50 has a pressing portion 51 and a pressing portion 52. The pressing portion 51 can abut against one side of the workpiece W. The pressing portion 52 is formed of a material whose coefficient of friction with the workpiece W is smaller than the coefficient of friction between the workpiece W and the tray body 20, and is provided so as to be able to abut against the other side of the workpiece W, allowing the workpiece W to be sandwiched between the pressing portion 51 and the pressing portion 52. Therefore, when the two clip portions 50 sandwich each of the two opposing sides of the workpiece W, the friction force between the workpiece W and the pressing portion 52 can be reduced, allowing the pressing portion 52 to slide appropriately relative to the workpiece W. This prevents the workpiece W from bending, wrinkling, or tearing, even if excessive pulling force is applied from the two clip portions 50 in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece W (the direction in which the clip portions 50 are arranged).

[0071] Also, (4) in this embodiment, the clip portion 50 has a pressing portion 51, a presser receiving portion 52, a rotating portion 53, and a rotation biasing member 54. The pressing portion 51 is formed in an elongated shape and can abut against one side of the workpiece W. The presser receiving portion 52 is provided so as to be able to abut against the other side of the workpiece W, and the workpiece W can be sandwiched between the pressing portion 51 and the presser receiving portion 52. The rotating portion 53 is provided to be connected to the pressing portion 51 and can rotate relative to the presser receiving portion 52. The rotation biasing member 54 can bias the rotating portion 53 so that the rotating portion 53 rotates relative to the presser receiving portion 52 and the pressing portion 51 is pressed against one side of the workpiece W. Therefore, the two clip portions 50 can securely clamp each of the two opposing sides of the workpiece W.

[0072] Also, (5) in this embodiment, two rotating parts 53 are provided so as to connect to both ends of the holding part 51 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the workpiece W can be clamped with an equal force from one end to the other end of the holding part 51 in the longitudinal direction. This makes it possible to effectively prevent the workpiece W from warping or wrinkling. Furthermore, by applying a force evenly in the longitudinal direction of the holding part 51, the load on the workpiece W can be distributed, and tearing of the workpiece W can also be prevented.

[0073] Furthermore, (6) in this embodiment, a predetermined play is set between the pressing portion 51 and the rotating portion 53. Therefore, even if an excessive biasing force is generated from the rotation biasing member 54, this biasing force is absorbed by the play, and the workpiece W can be clamped between the pressing portion 51 and the presser receiving portion 52 with an appropriate force.

[0074] Furthermore, (7) the workpiece transport tray 200 of this embodiment is transported through the heat treatment furnace 1 with the workpiece W coated with the treatment objects P1 and P2 placed on it. The workpiece W transported through the heat treatment furnace 1 is prone to warping and wrinkling due to thermal expansion. This embodiment is provided with two clip portions 50 that can clamp each of the two opposing sides of the workpiece W, thereby making it possible to prevent warping and wrinkling of the workpiece W due to thermal expansion.

[0075] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment, an example has been shown in which the spacing biasing member 55 is provided only on one (501) side of the two clip portions 50, and the spacing biasing member 55 biases one (501) of the two clip portions 50 in a direction in which the two clip portions 50 move apart. In contrast to this, in another embodiment, the spacing biasing member 55 may also be provided on the other (502) side of the two clip portions 50, and the two (two locations) spacing biasing members 55 may bias both (501, 502) of the two clip portions 50 in a direction in which the two clip portions 50 move apart from each other.

[0076] In the above-described embodiment, the spacing biasing member 55 biases the clip portion 50 by an expanding force. However, in other embodiments, the spacing biasing member 55 may bias the clip portion 50 by a contracting force.

[0077] In other embodiments, the spacing biasing member 55 is not limited to a coil spring and may be any biasing member as long as it is capable of biasing the clip portion 50. In other embodiments, a spacing biasing member need not be provided.

[0078] In other embodiments, the pressure receiving portion 52 does not have to be made of a material whose coefficient of friction with the workpiece W is smaller than the coefficient of friction between the workpiece W and the tray body 20. In other words, the coefficient of friction between the pressure receiving portion 52 and the workpiece W may be any value.

[0079] In other embodiments, there may be no play between the pressing portion 51 and the rotating portion 53.

[0080] In other embodiments, the tray body 20 is not limited to being made of aluminum, but may be made of stainless steel, iron, or the like.

[0081] In other embodiments, the workpiece is not limited to a metal such as aluminum, but may be formed into a sheet (film) of resin, for example.

[0082] In the above-described embodiment, the object to be treated is a paste of electrode material, but in other embodiments, the object to be treated may be any material that requires heat treatment (drying).

[0083] The various features shown in the above-described embodiments may be partially omitted or may be combined in any manner.

[0084] As such, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 20 Tray body, 50 Clip part, 200 Work transport tray, W work

Claims

1. A work transport tray capable of placing and transporting a rectangular, single-piece work (W), a rectangular plate-shaped tray body (20) on which the workpiece can be placed; Two clip portions (50) are provided on two opposing sides of the tray body, respectively, and are capable of clamping the two opposing sides of the work, respectively; a separation biasing member (55) capable of biasing at least one of the two clip portions in a direction in which the two clip portions are separated from each other; A work transport tray equipped with:

2. A work transport tray capable of placing and transporting a rectangular, single-piece work (W), a rectangular plate-shaped tray body (20) on which the workpiece can be placed; Two clip portions (50) are provided on two opposing sides of the tray body, respectively, and are capable of clamping the two opposing sides of the work, respectively; Equipped with The clip portion is A pressing portion (51) that can contact one surface of the workpiece, and a presser receiving portion (52) formed of a material having a smaller coefficient of friction with the work than the coefficient of friction between the work and the tray body, and provided so as to be able to abut against the other surface of the work, and capable of sandwiching the work between itself and the presser portion; A work transport tray having

3. A work transport tray capable of placing and transporting a rectangular, single-piece work (W), a rectangular plate-shaped tray body (20) on which the workpiece can be placed; Two clip portions (50) are provided on two opposing sides of the tray body, respectively, and are capable of clamping the two opposing sides of the work, respectively; Equipped with The clip portion is a pressing portion (51) formed in an elongated shape and capable of contacting one surface of the workpiece; a presser receiving portion (52) that is provided so as to be able to come into contact with the other surface of the workpiece and that is able to sandwich the workpiece between itself and the presser portion; A rotating part (53) that is provided to be connected to the pressing part and is rotatable relative to the pressing part; a rotation biasing member (54) capable of biasing the rotating portion so that the rotating portion rotates relative to the presser receiving portion and the presser portion is pressed against one surface of the workpiece; A work transport tray having

4. 4. The workpiece transport tray according to claim 3, wherein two of the rotating parts are provided so as to be connected to both ends of the pressing part in the longitudinal direction.

5. 4. The workpiece transport tray according to claim 3, wherein a predetermined play is set between the pressing portion and the rotating portion.

6. The workpiece transport tray according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is transported through a heat treatment furnace (1) with the workpiece coated with the object to be treated (P1, P2) placed thereon.

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