Parts stock equipment and parts transport system

Abstract

To open or close a shutter smoothly with a simple structure.SOLUTION: A component stock device includes: a housing having an internal space capable of housing magazines each configured so that a component storage body, in which components are stored, can be inserted thereinto or removed therefrom; an opening provided at a part of the housing and configured so that the magazines can be taken into and out from the housing therethrough; a shutter which is stored in a storage space located in the internal space and formed between the magazine and the housing and opens or closes the opening; and shutter opening / closing means which moves the shutter to open or close the opening.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a parts stock device and a parts conveyance system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a component supply device that removes pallets equipped with trays for storing components from a stacked magazine and moves them to a component supply position. This component supply device includes multiple magazine holding units arranged vertically, a rack unit that holds magazines inserted horizontally through magazine entrances provided corresponding to each magazine holding unit in each magazine holding unit, and a pallet moving unit that removes pallets from the multiple magazines held in the rack unit through pallet removal openings provided corresponding to each magazine holding unit and moves them to the component supply position. Each magazine holding unit is equipped with a blocking means (shutter) that opens and closes in conjunction with the insertion and removal of the magazine from the magazine entrance and blocks the pallet removal opening when the magazine is removed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-163005 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional shutters, for example, when a bendable planar opening / closing body is formed by connecting multiple rods or shutter plates (so-called slats), it is possible to make the shutter bend smoothly by increasing the number of divided pieces. However, as the number of divided pieces increases, the number of hinge parts also increases, resulting in adverse effects such as increased weight and price. Therefore, there is a demand for the development of a parts supply device (for example, a parts stock device and a parts conveyance system) that has a simple structure and can open and close the shutter smoothly.

[0005] The present disclosure has been devised in view of the above-described conventional situation, and aims to provide a parts stock device and a parts conveyance system that have a simple structure and are capable of smoothly opening and closing a shutter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present disclosure provides a housing having an internal space capable of accommodating a magazine configured so that a component storage body storing components can be inserted and removed; an opening provided in a part of the housing and configured so that the magazine can be inserted and removed; a shutter that is stored in a storage space formed between the magazine and the housing within the internal space and that opens and closes the opening; and shutter opening and closing means that moves the shutter to open and close the opening. The magazine allows the component storage body to be inserted and removed from the housing along a first axis, the housing allows the magazine to be inserted and removed along a second axis that intersects with the first axis in a plane along a substantially horizontal plane, and the opening allows the magazine to be inserted and removed from the housing along the second axis. We provide a parts stock device.

[0007] The present disclosure provides a parts conveying system comprising a parts stock device and a conveying device that moves around a factory floor and conveys parts storage units to be supplied to the parts stock device installed on the factory floor, wherein when the conveying device and the parts stock device are docked using a docking base of the parts stock device and a docking section of the conveying device and the parts storage unit is transferred between the conveying device and the parts stock device through the opening, the shutter opening / closing means moves the shutter towards the storage space to open the opening. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the shutter can be opened and closed smoothly with a simple structure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a factory floor where a component mounting system according to a first embodiment is installed. [Figure 2] Overall configuration of the component placement system shown in Figure 1 [Figure 3] A conceptual diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the component placement system shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4]Perspective view of a magazine containing pallets [Figure 5] A schematic diagram of the inside of the parts stock device seen from the aisle side [Figure 6] Plan view showing the layout of the component stock device and tray component supply device [Figure 7] Block diagram of parts stock device [Figure 8] Perspective view of the conveying device [Figure 9] Side cross-sectional view of the conveying device [Figure 10] Cross section AA of Figure 9 [Figure 11] Perspective view of the docking base [Figure 12] Perspective view of the docking section [Figure 13] A perspective view of a parts stock device having a shutter at an opening. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a shutter device according to a first embodiment; [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a shutter device according to a first embodiment; [Figure 16] Plan view of the bent section [Figure 17] A perspective view of a shutter provided with a load-supporting roller. [Figure 18] An enlarged view of a main part including one of at least two load support rollers provided on a connecting plate portion. [Figure 19] An enlarged view of the main part including the other load support roller provided on the shutter plate at the leading end in the opening and closing direction of the shutter. [Figure 20] A perspective view of the main part of the shutter, in which the guide roller and the load support roller are supported by the lower guide portion, seen from inside the parts stock device. [Figure 21] An enlarged perspective view of the main part of the shutter plate where the load support rollers contact the horizontal running surface of the straight section on the opening side. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of an arc-shaped plate provided at a bending portion; [Figure 23] A front view of a shutter with load support rollers provided at the front and rear of the shutter in the moving direction. [Figure 24]FIG. 1 is a front view of a shutter in which load-supporting rollers are provided on all of the connecting plate portions and the shutter plate. [Figure 25] A front view of a shutter in which load-supporting rollers are provided on every other shutter plate. [Figure 26] An explanatory diagram showing the magazine supply procedure for the parts stock device (A) to (E). [Figure 27] An operational diagram illustrating the operation of the guide roller at the bent portion. [Figure 28] A perspective view of a shutter equipped with two load-supporting rollers seen from inside the parts stock device. [Figure 29] Enlarged perspective view of the main part of the bent part [Figure 30] Front view of the shutter with the center part of the movement direction lowered [Figure 31] FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram of a parts stock device equipped with a shutter device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 32] Cross-sectional view of parts stock device and pallet transport section [Figure 33] 10 is a cross-sectional plan view of a shutter device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 34] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the shutter device when the shutter is moved to a position for closing the magazine exchange window. [Figure 35] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the shutter device when the shutter is moved to a position where the magazine exchange window is opened. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings as appropriate, a detailed description of an embodiment specifically disclosing a parts stock device and a parts conveyance system according to the present disclosure will be provided. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) First, the first embodiment will be described.

[0012] 1 is a plan view of a factory floor where a component mounting system 11 according to embodiment 1 is installed. In the following drawings with arrows indicating directions, the X axis indicates the left-right direction of the component mounting device 13, the Y axis indicates the front-rear direction of the component mounting device 13, and the Z axis indicates the up-down direction of the component mounting device 13. The X axis and Y axis are orthogonal to each other and are contained in a horizontal plane. The Z axis is contained in a vertical plane that is orthogonal to the horizontal plane.

[0013] 1, a plurality of component mounting devices 13 are arranged closely next to each other along an aisle 15 having an aisle width W1 on the factory floor. Each component mounting device 13 is provided with a plurality of parallel board transport conveyors 19, with the X-axis direction being the transport direction of boards 17, extending between the plurality of component mounting devices 13. A stick feeder 21, a tray component supply device 23, a tape component supply device 25, etc. are integrally connected to the component mounting device 13.

[0014] A plurality of component mounting devices 13 arranged side by side constitute a mounting line 27 on a factory floor. In particular, on factory floors with high production volumes, a plurality of mounting lines 27 are installed in parallel, separated by an aisle 15 in the direction along the X-axis that passes in front of and behind the component mounting devices 13. Of the plurality of component mounting devices 13 arranged side by side, a component mounting device 13 in which a component stock device 29 is integrally connected to a tray component supply device 23 constitutes a component mounting system 11.

[0015] In the component mounting system 11, the component stock device 29 is installed such that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the passage 15, so that the reduction rate of the effective passage width W2 between adjacent mounting lines 27 is kept to a minimum.

[0016] Fig. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of the component mounting system 11 shown in Fig. 1. The component mounting system 11 according to the first embodiment includes a component mounting device 13 that picks up components 33 (see Fig. 4) stored in trays 31 (see Fig. 4) using a mounting head 35 (see Fig. 3) that is a component mounting unit and mounts them on a board 17, a tray component supply device 23 that supplies the trays 31 to a position where the trays 31 can be picked up by the mounting head 35, and a component stock device 29 that replenishes trays 31 in the tray component supply device 23.

[0017] The component mounting device 13 has a component mounting device main body 37. The component mounting device main body 37 has a surface on the passage 15 side to which the tray component supply device 23 and the tape component supply device 25 are connected. The component mounting device main body 37 is integrally connected to the component stock device 29 via the tray component supply device 23.

[0018] A component stock device 29, which is an example of a component stock device 29, houses a magazine 41 that allows a pallet 39 (see FIG. 4) on which a tray 31 storing components 33 (see FIG. 4) is placed to be inserted and removed along a first axis (e.g., the X-axis). The component stock device 29 has a pallet stock unit 43 (see FIG. 3) that functions as a stocker. The pallet stock unit 43 allows the magazine 41 to be inserted and removed along a second axis (e.g., the Y-axis) that intersects with the X-axis within a horizontal plane. For this reason, a cover 109, which is the housing of the pallet stock unit 43, has an opening (e.g., a magazine exchange window 111) that allows the magazine 41 to be inserted and removed from the passage 15 along the Y-axis. A shutter 427 (see FIG. 13) is attached to the magazine exchange window 111 to close the magazine exchange window 111 except when the magazine 41 is being inserted or removed.

[0019] The housing of the pallet stock unit 43 described above may be made up of a cover 109 and a stand (not shown). The stand is a frame that supports the weight of the parts stock device 29. The frame is made of structural material such as angle bar.

[0020] The component stock device 29 has a pallet transport unit 45. The pallet transport unit 45 transports a pallet 39 along the X axis from the magazine 41 stored in the pallet stock unit 43. The pallet 39 transported by the pallet transport unit 45 from the pallet stock unit 43 is supplied to the tray component supply device 23. In addition, the pallet transport unit 45 transports the pallet 39 from the tray component supply device 23 to the pallet stock unit 43 in order to collect the pallet 39 from which components 33 have been consumed (i.e., all of the components 33 on the pallet have been used to mount onto boards 17).

[0021] Fig. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the component mounting system 11 shown in Fig. 2. The component mounting device main body 37 is provided with a board transport unit 49 on the upper surface of a base 47, the board transport unit 49 having a board transport conveyor 19 (see Fig. 1) for transporting the board 17 in a direction along the X-axis (board transport direction). The board transport unit 49 transports the board 17 on which the components 33 are to be mounted, and positions and holds it at the working position of the component mounting device main body 37. A tray component supply device 23 is arranged on the aisle 15 side of the base 47.

[0022] The tray component supply device 23 has a replacement pallet storage unit 51. The replacement pallet storage unit 51 holds multiple magazines 41 arranged in a vertical direction (along the Z axis). In the tray component supply device 23, a pallet changer 53 is provided between the replacement pallet storage unit 51 and the base 47. The pallet changer 53 raises and lowers a changer lifting table 55 using a pallet changer lifting unit 57 (see FIG. 6). The tray component supply device 23 moves the pallet 39 between the replacement pallet storage unit 51 and the component removal position by operating the pallet changer 53. The tray component supply device 23 supplies the components 33 to the mounting head 35 by moving the pallet 39, which holds the trays 31 on which the components 33 (see FIG. 4) are stored in a grid-like arrangement, to the component removal position.

[0023] The mounting head 35 is, for example, a multiple-head type head equipped with multiple unit transfer heads. A suction nozzle is replaceably attached to the bottom end of each unit transfer head. The mounting head 35 is attached so that it can move freely in the X and Y directions by an XY table 59 that moves along the Y axis and is made up of a linear drive mechanism or the like. The XY table 59 allows the mounting head 35 to move freely between a component removal position and a component placement position on the board transport section.

[0024] The component stock device 29 has a pallet stock section 43 and a pallet conveying section 45. The pallet stock section 43 stores a plurality of magazines 41 at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction (along the Z axis). Any pallet 39 can be inserted or removed from each magazine 41 stored in the vertical direction (along the Z axis) by the pallet conveying section 45 in the direction along the X axis. The pallet 39 pulled out from the pallet stock section 43 by the pallet conveying section 45 is moved to the tray component supply device 23 by the pallet conveying section 45. The pallet conveying section 45 can also move the pallet 39 in the opposite direction.

[0025] Pallet 39 has a pallet body 61 formed in the shape of a rectangular plate in a plan view. Pallet 39 has a pair of parallel long sides, one of which is a first long side 63 and the other is a second long side 65. In the first embodiment, first long side 63 is the front of the pallet, and second long side 65 is the rear of the pallet. Pallet 39 is transported with either first long side 63 or second long side 65 at the leading edge in the transport direction.

[0026] 4 is a perspective view of a magazine 41 that stores pallets 39. The magazine 41 will now be described. The magazine 41 has a pair of parallel side plates 83 whose upper ends are connected by a top plate 85 and whose lower ends are connected by a bottom plate (not shown), forming an inner storage space in the shape of a square tube that is open on both sides as insertion and removal openings 89. The magazine 41 is stored in the pallet stock section 43 with both ends along the X-axis facing open. In other words, the pair of side plates 83 are stored in the pallet stock section 43 with a distance between them in the direction along the Y-axis.

[0027] Ribs 91 are provided on the inner surface of each side plate 83, with both ends extending across the insertion / removal opening 89. A pair of parallel short sides of the pallet 39 are inserted into the gaps between adjacent ribs 91 in the vertical direction (along the Z axis). This allows the magazine 41 to store multiple pallets 39 in multiple stages in the vertical direction (along the Z axis) in the internal storage space (see above), and allows the pallets 39 to be inserted and removed through the insertion / removal opening 89.

[0028] 4, a pair of X alignment rollers 93 are provided on the lower outside of each side plate 83. Each of the pair of X alignment rollers 93 is rotatable around a rotation center perpendicular to the side plate 83. Furthermore, a Y alignment portion 95 is provided on the lower inside of each of the pair of side plates 83, close to the insertion / removal openings 89 on both ends. A tapered surface 97 is formed on the Y alignment portion 95, and the tapered surface 97 is formed by a slope that reduces the thickness of the side plate 83 downward.

[0029] Four Y alignment rollers 99 (see FIG. 10) are provided on the underside of the bottom plate of magazine 41. Each Y alignment roller 99 is supported rotatably around a rotation center perpendicular to mounting piece 101 (see FIG. 10) that hangs down perpendicular to side plate 83 from the underside of the bottom plate.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the interior of the parts stock device 29 as seen from the aisle side. The parts stock device 29 has multiple (e.g., four) fixed shelves 125 spaced apart in the vertical direction (along the Z direction). Of these, for example, a slide table device 123 is fixed to the second-lowest fixed shelf 125. That is, in the pallet stock section 43, of the magazines 41 stored in four vertical tiers, the magazine 41 in the second-lowest tier is placed on the slide table device 123. In the first embodiment, an example is described in which the slide table device 123 is installed in the second-lowest tier, but the slide table device 123 may be installed in any tier in the vertical direction. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, an example is described in which the slide table device 123 is installed only in the second-lowest tier, but the slide table device 123 may be installed in multiple tiers.

[0031] The slide table device 123 can manually drive the slide table 127 on which the magazine 41 is placed to advance and retreat. The slide table device 123 supports the slide table 127 and has slide rails 167 (see FIG. 26) that extend and retract along a second axis (e.g., the Y-axis). The slide table 127 moves outside and inside the cover 109 as the slide rails 167 extend and retract. The slide rails 167 have fixed rails 169 (see FIG. 26) and movable rails 173 (see FIG. 26). For example, the lower slide table 127 of the slide tables 127 located in the magazine exchange window 111 can be manually moved forward and backward.

[0032] Furthermore, the slide table device 123 may be configured to include an advance / retract drive unit 129 so that the slide table 127 on which the magazine 41 is placed automatically protrudes outside the cover 109. In this case, the advance / retract drive unit 129 includes, for example, an air cylinder (not shown) that is an advance / retract drive source, and a valve that supplies operating air to the air cylinder. The slide table 127 located in the magazine exchange window 111 is equipped with this advance / retract drive unit 129 so that the magazine 41 can protrude (feed out) outside the cover 109 through the magazine exchange window 111.

[0033] The pallet transport section 45 provided in the component stock device 29 includes a pallet handler 133 that moves pallets 39 between the pallet stock section 43 and the tray component supply device 23. The pallet transport section 45 includes a pallet handler lifting section 135 that moves up and down (along the Z direction). The pallet handler lifting section 135 is erected on the stock base section 113 and has approximately the same height as the pallet stock section 43. The pallet handler lifting section 135 is provided with an erect stocker feed screw (not shown). This stocker feed screw is rotated by a handler lifting motor (not shown). An lifting base nut section (not shown) is threadedly engaged with the stocker feed screw.

[0034] A lifting base 137 is fixed to the lifting base nut portion. A drawing device 141 is rotatably supported on the upper surface of the lifting base 137 via a handler shaft 139 that extends along the Z-axis. A handler motor 145, whose output shaft extends along the Z-axis, is fixed to the standing base portion 143 of the lifting base 137. A belt 147 is stretched between the output shaft of this handler motor 145 and the handler shaft 139. The handler motor 145, belt 147, and handler shaft 139 constitute a turning mechanism 149 (see FIG. 6). When the handler motor 145 of the turning mechanism 149 is driven, a rotational force is transmitted to the handler shaft 139, and the drawing device 141 is rotated around the handler shaft. The drawing device 141 has a handler engagement rod 81 and a pair of parallel pallet guides 151.

[0035] The pallet handler 133 moves up and down along the pallet stock unit 43, for example, when a handler lifting motor (not shown) is driven by the pallet transport control unit 153 (see FIG. 7). At this time, the pallet handler 133 can position the drawing device 141 at the height position of the pallet 39 corresponding to the storage address by specifying a storage address assigned to the pallet storage unit of the pallet stock unit 43. A parts stock device control unit 119 for controlling these components is provided below the pallet transport unit 45.

[0036] 6 is a plan view showing the layout of the component stock device 29 and the tray component supply device 23. The pallet stock unit 43 and the pallet transport unit 45 are aligned along the aisle 15 (see FIG. 1). That is, the component stock device 29 is installed with its long side oriented along the aisle 15. The pallet transport unit 45 of the component stock device 29 is connected to the component mounting device 13 in the direction along the Y-axis via the tray component supply device 23. As a result, the component mounting system 11 is installed in an L-shaped space in plan view, with the pallet stock unit 43 and the pallet transport unit 45 aligned along the long side along the X-axis, and the pallet stock unit 43 and the pallet transport unit 45 connected to the tray component supply device 23 in the direction intersecting the X-axis.

[0037] Therefore, the component mounting system 11 according to the first embodiment includes a component mounting device 13 that removes components 33 stored in a tray 31 using a component mounting section (e.g., a mounting head 35) and mounts them on a board 17, a tray component supply device 23 that supplies the tray 31 to a position where it can be removed by the component mounting section (e.g., the mounting head 35), and a component stock device 29 that replenishes the tray component supply device 23 with trays 31. The parts stock device 29 is configured to include a pallet stock section 43 capable of storing a magazine 41 in the internal space of the cover 109, the magazine 41 allowing a pallet 39 carrying a tray 31 containing parts 33 to be inserted and removed along a first axis (e.g., the X axis), a parts storage body transport section (e.g., a pallet transport section 45) that transports the pallet 39 between the pallet stock section 43 and a parts supply device (e.g., the tray parts supply device 23), and a slide table device 123 that carries the magazine 41 and moves the magazine 41 between the inside and outside of the cover 109 along a second axis (e.g., the Y axis) that intersects the first axis in a plane along the horizontal plane, and that has a slide table 127 that can protrude from the inside to the outside of the cover 109.

[0038] In addition, in the parts stock device 29, the slide table device 123 may further include a forward / backward driving unit 129 that causes the slide table 127 to protrude outside the cover 109.

[0039] The pallet 39 is also provided with a first engagement portion 75 on the first long side 63 and a second engagement portion 77 on the second long side 65. The first engagement portion 75 and the second engagement portion 77 are arranged so that the opening sides of the engagement claws, which are U-shaped in plan view, face each other. The first engagement portion 75 has a larger gap between its engagement claws than the second engagement portion 77. In the first embodiment, the first engagement portion 75 engages with a changer engagement rod 79 of the pallet changer 53, and the second engagement portion 77 engages with a handler engagement rod 81, which is the traction portion of the pallet conveying unit 45.

[0040] Next, the configuration of a control system of the parts stock device 29 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0041] 7 is a block diagram of the parts stock device 29. The parts stock device 29 includes a pallet transport unit 45, a shutter opening / closing means 429, a slide table device 123, an operation unit 121, one connector 117, and a parts stock device control unit 119. An external power supply unit 155 is connected to one connector 117 via a power supply cable 157. An external power source 159 is connected to the power supply unit 155 via the power supply cable 157. The power supply unit 155 is also directly connected to the parts stock device control unit 119 via a signal line 161.

[0042] The parts stock device control unit 119 includes a pallet transport control unit 153, a slide table control unit 163, and a storage unit 165.

[0043] When the pallet transport control unit 153 receives a request instruction for components 33 from the component mounting device 13, it refers to the component stock information stored in the memory unit 165 and sends an instruction to the pallet transport unit 45 to withdraw the pallet 39 of the tray 31 holding the components 33 from the pallet stock unit 43. Based on the instruction from the pallet transport control unit 153, the pallet transport unit 45 withdraws the corresponding pallet 39 from the pallet stock unit 43 and inserts the withdrawn pallet 39 into the magazine 41 of the replacement pallet storage unit 51 in the tray component supply device 23, thereby completing the supply of the pallet 39 to the tray component supply device 23. If, as a result of referring to the component stock information stored in the memory unit 165, the pallet transport control unit 153 finds that the requested components 33 are not available or that the remaining amount is low (for example, less than a specified amount), it displays a request instruction for the components 33 to the component stock device 29 on the operation unit 121 and notifies the user that the components are out of stock or will soon be out of stock.

[0044] The shutter opening / closing means 429 drives the shutter 427, which opens and closes the magazine exchange window 111 provided in the cover 109, to open and close in response to an opening / closing drive signal from the parts stock device control unit 119. The parts stock device control unit 119 sends out the opening / closing drive signal based on the presence or absence of docking with the transport device 209 detected by one of the connectors 117.

[0045] The component stock device 29 transfers the component storage body 69 (e.g., magazine 41) to and from the transport device 209. When the component stock device 29 transfers the magazine 41, the docking unit 269 of the transport device 209 docks with the docking base 115. When the component stock device control unit 119 detects that the component stock device 29 is docked, it sends a shutter open signal to the shutter opening / closing means 429. This causes the shutter 427 provided in the magazine exchange window 111 to open, and the component storage body 69 (e.g., magazine 41) is transferred between the transport device 209 and the component stock device 29 via the magazine exchange window 111.

[0046] For example, when a pull-out command is input from the operation unit 121, the slide table control unit 163 sends an instruction to the slide table device 123 to switch the port of the valve connected to the air cylinder (not shown) to the pull-out operating side. The slide table device 123 switches the above-mentioned valve based on the instruction from the slide table control unit 163. This switching causes the drive shaft of the air cylinder (not shown) to advance, and the slide table 127 passes through the magazine exchange window 111 and advances to the aisle side. Furthermore, when a storage command is input from the operation unit 121, the slide table control unit 163 sends an instruction to the slide table device 123 to switch the port of the valve connected to the air cylinder (not shown) to the storage operating side. The slide table device 123 switches the above-mentioned valve based on the instruction from the slide table control unit 163. This switching causes the drive shaft of the air cylinder (not shown) to retract, and the slide table 127 is stored in the pallet stock unit 43. The slide table control unit 163 may drive the slide table 127 to move forward or backward in response to a forward or backward command from the component mounting device 13 or the transport device 209 .

[0047] The storage unit 165 is configured using a data recording device such as a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores stock information. The storage unit 165 stores component stock information indicating the quantity of components 33 to be supplied to the component mounting device 13, storage addresses (for example, a combination of the numbers of the magazines 41, pallets 39, and trays 31 on which each component 33 is placed), and whether or not the component mounting device 13 is being supplied.

[0048] Next, a part transport system 211 equipped with a transport device 209 that is an automated guided vehicle (AGV) will be described.

[0049] The conveying device 209 shown in FIG. 2 conveys items (for example, a pallet 39 or a magazine 41 as an example of a component storage body 69) to be used in at least one manufacturing facility (see below) installed on the factory floor.

[0050] In this specification, the term "manufacturing equipment" refers not only to equipment that assembles, processes, treats, inspects, etc., but also to incidental equipment that stores items consumed by those components and supplies them to the equipment. In this specification, the tray component supply device 23, tape component supply device 25, and component stock device 29 correspond to incidental equipment.

[0051] 2 is coupled to the side of the conveying device 209, thereby enabling the conveying device 209 to automatically travel along the aisles 15 on the factory floor. In other words, the conveying device 209 is a tow-type device. The conveying device 209 stores a magazine 41 loaded with items (e.g., a pallet 39 or a magazine 41) at a work location (not shown) separate from the component stock device 29 connected to the tray component supply device 23, transports it to a designated component stock device 29, and docks with it, enabling the magazine 41 to be collected and replenished.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the conveying device 209. The conveying device 209 has an item storage body that stores at least one item. In the first embodiment, the item storage body is a magazine 41. Hereinafter, the item storage body will also be referred to as the magazine 41. Note that the component storage body 69 (see FIG. 4) described in the first embodiment may be a tray 31, a pallet 39, or may be configured with a tray 31 and a pallet 39. The conveying device 209 has a base 217 equipped with wheels 215 for traveling on the factory floor. The conveying device 209 is covered by a rectangular parallelepiped cover 219 that is vertically long above the base 217.

[0053] A magazine storage rack 223, which is a storage rack having an opening 221, is housed inside the cover 219. At least one holding table for holding magazines 41 is provided on the inner wall surface of the magazine storage rack 223. This holding table rises and falls integrally with the magazine storage rack 223 as the magazine storage rack 223 rises and falls relative to the base part 217. The holding tables may include, for example, a first magazine holding table 225 and a second magazine holding table 227. Note that the number of holding tables is not limited to two. The magazine storage rack 223 allows magazines 41 to be inserted and removed laterally from the holding table as the slide table 127 of the parts stock device 29 advances and retreats through the opening 221.

[0054] 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the transport device 209. The transport device 209 is equipped with a rack lifting device 229 that raises and lowers the storage rack. The rack lifting device 229 has a rack lifting motor 231, a feed screw 233, and a rack lifting nut unit 235. The rack lifting motor 231 is fixed to a frame 237 that extends vertically, with its drive shaft oriented along the Z axis. The feed screw 233 is coaxially connected to the drive shaft of the rack lifting motor 231 and rotatably supported by a plurality of bearing plates 239. The rack lifting nut unit 235 is threadedly engaged with the feed screw 233, and a side surface of the rack lifting nut unit 235 is fixed to the back surface of the magazine storage rack 223 (i.e., the surface opposite the opening 221).

[0055] Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Figure 9. Therefore, when rack lift motor 231 is driven, feed screw 233 rotates and rack lift nut portion 235 moves up and down, whereby slide portion 241 fixed to the back surface of magazine storage rack 223 is guided by slide guide 243 erected on base portion 217, causing magazine storage rack 223 to rise and fall. The operation of rack lift motor 231 housed in unit intra-space 245 shown in Figure 9 is controlled by transport device control portion 247 housed in base portion 217. Furthermore, inside opening 221, a wireless communication unit 249 connected to transport device control portion 247 is provided at a position that does not interfere with the raising and lowering of magazine storage rack 223.

[0056] 8 and 9, a reference height detection sensor 251, which is a reference height detection unit described later, is provided in the opening 221 of the magazine storage rack 223. The reference height detection unit is not limited to a single sensor and may be, for example, a camera unit for image recognition. Also, as shown in Fig. 9, a total of four slide table detection sensors 253 are provided on the inner wall surface of the magazine storage rack 223, one pair of which sandwiches the first magazine holding table 225 and the second magazine holding table 227 from above and below.

[0057] 10, first magazine holding table 225 and second magazine holding table 227 are each provided with X alignment rollers 255, magazine receiving portions 257, and Y alignment members 259 (described later) on both ends along the Y axis. Both sides of first magazine holding table 225 and second magazine holding table 227 are supported by opposing inner wall surfaces of magazine storage rack 223. Note that the dashed lines in FIG. 10 indicate the outline of magazine 41 in a plan view. X alignment rollers 255, magazine receiving portions 257, and Y alignment members 259 are respectively arranged at the four corners of magazine 41. That is, four X alignment rollers 255, four magazine receiving portions 257, and four Y alignment members 259 are arranged.

[0058] Stoppers 261 are provided between the rear wall of the magazine storage rack 223 and the first magazine holding table 225, and between the rear wall of the magazine storage rack 223 and the second magazine holding table 227. Each stopper 261 prevents the first magazine holding table 225 and the second magazine holding table 227 from retracting further into the magazine storage rack 223 than a predetermined distance. A first magazine detection sensor 263, which will be described later, is provided between the rear wall of the magazine storage rack 223 and the first magazine holding table 225. The first magazine detection sensor 263 detects a magazine 41 placed on the first magazine holding table 225. A second magazine detection sensor 265, which will be described later, is provided between the rear wall of the magazine storage rack 223 and the second magazine holding table 227. The second magazine detection sensor 265 detects a magazine 41 placed on the second magazine holding table 227.

[0059] Each of the first magazine holding table 225 and the second magazine holding table 227 is provided with a charge-removing contact 267 for removing static electricity that may be building up on the magazine 41 .

[0060] In the transport device 209, holding tables (for example, the first magazine holding table 225 and the second magazine holding table 227) are mounted so as to be slidable laterally (for example, along the Y-axis) relative to the storage rack. The first magazine holding table 225 and the second magazine holding table 227 can each be pulled out from the magazine storage rack 223 by a pair of table slide rails 365 fixed to opposing inner walls of the magazine storage rack 223. The storage rack (for example, the magazine storage rack 223) is provided with a slide lock section 367 for preventing the holding tables from sliding.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 8, the base portion 217 further has a docking portion 269 that docks with a docking base 115 of the manufacturing equipment when the base portion 217 moves in a first direction (e.g., along the Y-axis) and approaches the manufacturing equipment.

[0062] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of docking base 115. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of docking unit 269. Docking unit 269 has at least one alignment target member that moves in a first direction (a direction along the Y-axis) while contacting and approaching at least one alignment target member provided on docking base 115, thereby adjusting the position of base unit 217 (i.e., the entire transport device) in a second direction (e.g., a direction along the X-axis) that is perpendicular to the first direction and horizontally intersects with the first direction. The alignment target members provided on docking base 115 are X guide 271 having guide slope 425 shown in FIG. 11 and positioning pin guide member 275 having positioning pin guide hole 273. These alignment targets regulate the position along the X-axis. The alignment target members provided on docking unit 269 are X guide roller 277 and positioning pin 279.

[0063] 12, in the transport device 209, these two members to be aligned are arranged at an interval in the second direction (the direction along the X-axis). Each of these members to be aligned individually comes into contact with two alignment members provided at an interval in the second direction on the docking base 115.

[0064] Base portion 217 further has a held member held by docking holder 281 provided on docking base 115. Docking holder 281 has hook insertion openings 283 arranged at an interval in the second direction (direction along the X-axis). The held member of base portion 217 is a pair of hooks 285 arranged at an interval in the second direction (direction along the X-axis) shown in FIG.

[0065] The docking unit 269 has a second connector 287 for communication or power supply that is electrically connected to a first connector 117 provided on the docking base 115. The first connector 117 is disposed at an intermediate position between a pair of X guides 271. The second connector 287 is disposed at an intermediate position between a pair of X guide rollers 277. The first connector 117 is a female connector in which female terminals are housed in a female housing made of insulating resin. The second connector 287 is a male connector in which male terminals, which are electrically connected to the female terminals, are housed in a male housing made of insulating resin. Note that the gender of the first connector 117 and the second connector 287 is not limited to this.

[0066] The other connector 287 can connect two circuits, a communication circuit wire and a power supply circuit wire. In this case, the other connector 287 can be formed with a single male housing having multiple terminal accommodating chambers that respectively accommodate male terminals to be attached to wires of different circuits. The other connector 287 may also be formed by joining a male housing for communication and a male housing for power supply that are formed separately.

[0067] The docking unit 269 has a connector position adjustment mechanism 289 that adjusts the vertical position of the other connector 287 during docking. Alternatively, the docking base 115 has a connector position adjustment mechanism 289 that adjusts the vertical position of one connector 117 during docking. In other words, the connector position adjustment mechanism 289 may be provided in either the docking unit 269 or the docking base 115. The connector position adjustment mechanism 289 is actuated by an alignment member provided on the docking counterpart. In the second embodiment, the connector position adjustment mechanism 289 is provided in, for example, the docking unit 269. Therefore, the alignment member that actuates the connector position adjustment mechanism 289 is provided in the docking base 115.

[0068] 12, the connector position adjustment mechanism 289 has a lifting member 291, a pushing member 293, and a cam follower 295. The alignment member that operates the connector position adjustment mechanism 289 is a plate-shaped cam 297 having an acting surface (for example, an inclined surface Sc) shown in FIG.

[0069] In the docking unit 269, the connector position adjustment mechanism 289 moves up and down together with the other connector 287. In the connector position adjustment mechanism 289, the cam follower 295 moves in a first direction (direction along the Y-axis) while contacting an inclined surface Sc of a cam 297 provided on the docking base 115 of the component stock device 29, whereby the height position of the lifting / lowering member 291 is adjusted by the cam 297. The lifting / lowering member 291 is supported by the base unit 217 so as to be able to move up and down freely by a lifting / lowering guide 341.

[0070] The parts conveyance system 211 includes at least one manufacturing facility (parts stock device 29) installed on the factory floor, and a conveyance device 209 that moves around the factory floor to convey items used in the manufacturing facility. The parts conveyance system 211 docks the conveyance device 209 to the parts stock device 29 using a docking device 299 that is composed of the docking base 115 shown in FIG. 11 that the parts stock device 29 has and the docking unit 269 shown in FIG. 12 that the conveyance device 209 has, and delivers items between the conveyance device 209 and the parts stock device 29. In other words, the docking device 299 can be said to be a joint that joins the conveyance device 209 and the parts stock device 29.

[0071] The docking device 299 includes a guide section 301 and a buffer section 303 .

[0072] Guiding unit 301 is composed of an alignment member (e.g., X guide 271) and a member to be aligned (e.g., X guide arm 307, X guide roller 277). Guiding unit 301 guides transport device 209 approaching from a first direction (direction along the Y axis) toward component stock device 29, while adjusting its position in a second direction (direction along the X axis) that is perpendicular to the first direction in the horizontal plane. Guiding unit 301 has at least one alignment member (e.g., X guide 271) provided on docking base 115, and at least one member to be aligned (e.g., X guide arm 307, X guide roller 277) provided on docking unit 269. The guide unit 301 moves in the first direction (direction along the Y-axis) while bringing the X guide roller 277 into contact with the guide slope 425 of the X guide 271, whereby the trajectory of the X guide roller 277 is corrected by the X guide 271, and thereby the position of the conveying device 209 in the second direction (direction along the X-axis) is adjusted.

[0073] A protrusion 319 is arranged on the other of the docking base 115 or the docking unit 269. The protrusion 319 abuts against the buffer unit 303, which is configured to include a buffer spring (not shown), in a first direction (from the direction along the Y-axis) to deform the buffer spring that configures the buffer unit 303. In the second embodiment, the buffer spring is arranged on the docking base 115, and the protrusion 319 is arranged on the docking unit 269.

[0074] The buffer unit 303 absorbs the impact during docking by using the repulsive force of a buffer spring (not shown) to push the transport device 209 in a direction away from the manufacturing equipment. The buffer unit 303 is disposed on either the docking base 115 or the docking unit 269. The other of the docking base 115 or the docking unit 269 is disposed with a protrusion 319 that abuts against the buffer unit 303 from a first direction (a direction along the Y-axis) to deform the buffer spring. In the first embodiment, the buffer spring is disposed on the docking base 115, and the protrusion 319 is disposed on the docking unit 269.

[0075] 6, component stock device 29 according to the first embodiment has storage space 431 between magazine 41 and cover 109. Storage space 431 is a rectangular plate-shaped space that is planar along the Z-axis and Y-axis and has a thickness along the X-axis.

[0076] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the parts stock device 29 having a shutter 427 provided at its opening. The shutter 427 and a shutter opening / closing means 429 are housed in the storage space 431 (see also FIG. 6). The shutter 427 is moved by the shutter opening / closing means 429 to open and close the magazine exchange window 111. The shutter opening / closing means 429 is made up of, for example, an air cylinder. The cylinder body of the air cylinder is fixed to the inner wall or the base of the parts stock device 29 via a shutter bracket 433. The air cylinder has an opening / closing drive shaft (not shown) that moves back and forth from the cylinder body and is fixed to the shutter 427. The opening / closing drive shaft is fixed to a connecting plate portion 435 at the opening / closing base end of the shutter 427 that is close to the shutter opening / closing means 429.

[0077] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the shutter device 437. The parts stock device 29 has a guide portion 439. The guide portion 439 is provided along the magazine replacement window 111 and the inner wall of the cover 109 located to the side of the magazine replacement window 111. The guide portion 439 guides the shutter 427 moving from the storage space 431 to the magazine replacement window 111. The guide portion 439 has an upper guide portion 441 and a lower guide portion 443. The shutter 427 is formed into a bendable plane by connecting multiple vertically long, rectangular shutter plates 445 (also referred to as slats) at their long sides with hinges 447. The shutter 427 is guided in its movement between the upper guide portion 441 and the lower guide portion 443, allowing it to move back and forth between the magazine replacement window 111 and the storage space 431.

[0078] 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the shutter device 437. The shutter 427 has guide rollers 449 that rotate about the Z axis above and below each shutter plate 445. In other words, one shutter plate 445 has two guide rollers 449, one above and one below. The upper guide portion 441 and the lower guide portion 443 have a pair of vertical guide surfaces 451 that face each other with the guide rollers 449 in between.

[0079] FIG. 16 is a plan view of the bent portion 453. The guide portion 439 has the bent portion 453 that bends laterally from the magazine replacement window 111 to guide the movement of the shutter 427. The bent portion 453 is composed of two straight portions 455 and a curved portion 457 that connects the two straight portions 455. The bent portion 453 changes the movement direction of the shutter 427 by 90°. The guide portion 439 has an opening-side straight portion 459 and a storage-compartment-side straight portion 461 that are orthogonal to each other across the bent portion 453. The two straight portions 455 are provided between the opening-side straight portion 459 and the curved portion 457, and between the curved portion 457 and the storage-compartment-side straight portion 461, respectively. That is, the two straight portions 455 are inclined with respect to the opening-side straight portion 459 and inclined with respect to the storage-compartment-side straight portion 461 to connect to the curved portion 457. The guide roller 449 is also guided by a pair of opposing vertical guide surfaces 451 at the bent portion 453 consisting of these two straight portions 455 and the curved portion 457 .

[0080] 17 is a perspective view of the shutter 427 provided with the load support rollers 463. The shutter 427 has at least two load support rollers 463 at the front and rear in the movement direction, which support the load of the shutter 427 on the guide portion 439. The load support rollers 463 are supported by the lower guide portion 443 of the guide portion 439.

[0081] FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of a main portion including one of the at least two load support rollers 463 provided on the connecting plate portion 435. FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of a main portion including the other load support roller 463 provided on the shutter plate 445 at the leading end of the shutter 427 in the opening / closing direction. Of the two load support rollers 463, one is provided on the connecting plate portion 435, for example, and the other is provided on the shutter plate 445 at the leading end of the shutter 427 in the opening / closing direction. Note that, as described below, two or more load support rollers 463 may be provided. The load support roller 463 is rotatably attached to a support shaft 465 that is fixed and penetrates the connecting plate portion 435 or the shutter plate 445 in the plate thickness direction. The load support roller 463 rolls on a guide side plate 467 provided on the lower guide portion 443. A flat horizontal running surface 469 on which the load support roller 463 can roll is formed on the upper surface of the guide side plate 467.

[0082] 20 is a perspective view of the main part of the shutter 427, in which the guide rollers 449 and the load support rollers 463 are supported by the lower guide portion 443, as seen from inside the parts stock device 29. The lower guide portion 443 has a pair of opposing vertical guide surfaces 451 similar to the upper guide portion 441 (see FIG. 17), and in addition, a horizontal running surface 469 is provided on the upper surface of a guide side plate 467. The guide side plate 467 is not provided on the upper guide portion 441. Therefore, the lower guide portion 443 guides the guide rollers 449 and the load support rollers 463 at the same time.

[0083] 21 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the shutter plate 445 in which the load support rollers 463 come into contact with the horizontal running surface 469 of the opening-side straight portion 459. The opening-side straight portion 459 rolls on the horizontal running surface 469 of the opening-side straight portion 459 and the horizontal running surface 469 of the storage section-side straight portion 461 shown in FIG. 20. The direction change portion between the opening-side straight portion 459 and the storage section-side straight portion 461 is the bent portion 453 shown in FIG. 20.

[0084] 22 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of an arc-shaped plate 471 provided at the bent portion 453. The arc-shaped plate 471 is fixed to the bent portion 453 of the lower guide portion 443. This arc-shaped plate 471 is disposed between the opening-side straight portion 459 and the storage-compartment-side straight portion 461. The outer peripheral side surface of the arc-shaped plate 471 serves as one vertical guide surface 451 of the guide roller 449. Meanwhile, the upper surface of this arc-shaped plate 471 is disposed lower than the guide portion 439 other than the bent portion on which the load support roller 463 rolls. In other words, the upper surface of the arc-shaped plate 471 is lower than the horizontal running surface 469 of the opening-side straight portion 459 and the horizontal running surface 469 of the storage-compartment-side straight portion 461.

[0085] 23 is a front view of shutter 427 in which load support rollers 463 are provided at the front and rear of the shutter 427 in the direction of movement. Load support rollers 463 can be provided at the front and rear of the shutter 427 in the direction of movement. This shutter 427 reduces the number of parts, making it possible to reduce manufacturing costs and suppress running noise.

[0086] 24 is a front view of shutter 427 in which load support rollers 463 are provided on all of connecting plate portion 435 and shutter plate 445. Shutter 427 may have load support rollers 463 provided on all of connecting plate portion 435 and shutter plate 445. With this shutter 427, the load applied to hinge 447 can be suppressed.

[0087] 25 is a front view of the shutter 427 in which the load support rollers 463 are provided on every other shutter plate 445. The shutter 427 may have the load support rollers 463 provided on every other shutter plate 445. With this shutter 427, the load applied to the hinge 447 can be suppressed while the number of parts can be reduced and the manufacturing cost can be lowered compared to when the load support rollers 463 are provided on all of the connecting plate portions 435 and shutter plates 445.

[0088] Next, the operation of the above-described configuration will be described.

[0089] The parts stock device 29 of this embodiment comprises a housing (cover 109) having an internal space (pallet stock section 43) capable of accommodating a magazine 41 configured to allow part storage bodies 69 containing parts 33 to be inserted and removed, an opening (magazine replacement window 111) provided in part of the housing and configured to allow the magazine 41 to be inserted and removed, a shutter 427 stored in a storage space 431 formed between the magazine 41 and the housing within the internal space and for opening and closing the opening, and shutter opening / closing means 429 for moving the shutter 427 to open and close the opening.

[0090] In the component stock device 29 according to this embodiment, the component stock device 29 includes a cover 109, which is a housing. Inside the cover 109 is a pallet stock section 43, which is an internal space. In the pallet stock section 43, a plurality of magazines 41 are housed in multiple levels in the vertical direction.

[0091] The cover 109 is provided with a magazine exchange window 111 for exchanging the magazine 41. The parts stock device 29 carries in (supplies) the magazine 41 or carries out (collects) the magazine 41 between the parts stock device 29 and the transport device 209 that has arrived by automatic travel through this magazine exchange window 111.

[0092] 26 is an explanatory diagram showing, in (A) to (E), the procedure for supplying magazine 41 to component stock device 29. For example, when magazine 41 is carried in, the magazine 41 is not present on slide rail 167 positioned in magazine exchange window 111. The transport device 209 and component stock device 29 are docked by docking device 299 (see FIG. 26(A)).

[0093] When docking with the transport device 209 is completed, the parts stock device 29 sends a shutter open signal to the shutter opening / closing means 429 to open the shutter 427. The shutter device 437 drives the shutter opening / closing means 429 to move the shutter 427 in the opening direction and open the magazine exchange window 111.

[0094] When the component stock device 29 receives a shutter open signal from the shutter device 437, it sends a feed signal to the slide table device 123. The slide table device 123 receives the magazine 41 from the first magazine holding table 225 (or the second magazine holding table 227) of the transport device 209 by extending the movable rail 173 (see FIG. 26(B)) (see FIG. 26(C)). Having received the magazine 41, the slide table device 123 retracts the movable rail 173 and takes the received magazine 41 into the component stock device 29 through the magazine exchange window 111 (see FIG. 26(D)). In other words, the supply of the magazine 41 to the component stock device 29 is completed.

[0095] When the supply of the magazine 41 is completed and the parts stock device 29 is to be undocked from the transport device 209, the parts stock device 29 detects an undock signal from one of the connectors 117 and the parts stock device control unit 119 sends a shutter close signal to the shutter opening / closing means 429. This causes the magazine exchange window 111 to be closed by the shutter 427. After the shutter 427 is closed, the transport device 209 is detached from the parts stock device 29 (see FIG. 26(E)).

[0096] The component stock device 29 has a magazine exchange window 111 on the surface of the cover 109 facing the passage 15. This magazine exchange window 111 is an opening that is at least larger than the side plate 83 of the magazine 41, so that the magazine 41 can be inserted and removed in the direction along the Y axis. Therefore, a small gap is created between the magazine exchange window 111 and the side plate 83 of the magazine 41 located inside it, allowing for the insertion of a finger (see FIG. 2). In addition, the pallet transport unit 45 inserts and removes the component storage unit 69 (pallet body 61) into and from the magazine 41 housed in the component stock device 29 in the direction along the X axis.

[0097] The component storage unit 69 is inserted or removed by the handler engagement rod 81 from the pallet transport unit 45 engaging with the second engagement portion 77 of the pallet body 61 (see FIG. 6). The component stock device 29 is configured so that the shutter 427 closes the magazine exchange window 111, preventing fingers from accessing these engagement portions or the inserted or removed component storage unit 69 through the gap formed between the magazine exchange window 111 and the side plate 83 of the magazine 41.

[0098] Furthermore, when the supply of magazines 41 to the parts stock device 29 is completed and the transport device 209 and the parts stock device 29 are released from their docking, the shutter 427 is driven to close the magazine exchange window 111. The shutter 427 closes immediately after one connector 117 detects the release of the docking and immediately before the transport device 209 is released. In other words, the shutter 427 does not close after the transport device 209 has been released (it is closed once the transport device 209 has been released). This prevents fingers from being pinched when the shutter is closed. As a result, the parts stock device 29 and the parts transport system 211 can ensure the safety of workers even in a structure that includes the magazine exchange window 111 that opens toward the aisle 15.

[0099] In addition, in the component stock device 29, the magazine 41 allows the component storage body 69 to be inserted and removed from the housing (cover 109) along a first axis (X-axis), the housing allows the magazine 41 to be inserted and removed along a second axis (Y-axis) that intersects with the first axis in a plane along an approximately horizontal plane, and the opening (magazine replacement window 111) allows the magazine 41 to be inserted and removed from the housing along the second axis.

[0100] In this parts stock device 29, the magazine 41 has a pair of parallel side plates 83. Between the pair of parallel side plates 83 is an opening 89 for inserting and removing the magazine 41. The opening 89 for inserting and removing the magazine 41 opens toward the pallet conveying unit 45 in a direction along the first axis (X-axis), and the magazine 41 is inserted and removed.

[0101] Meanwhile, the magazine exchange window 111 through which the magazine 41 is inserted or removed opens toward the passage 15 in a direction along a second axis (Y-axis) intersecting the first axis. Therefore, the side plates 83 of the magazine 41 are arranged at the magazine exchange window 111. In other words, the magazine 41 is inserted or removed with the pair of side plates 83 facing forward or backward. This allows the component stock device 29 to suppress the inertial force acting on the component storage body 69 in a direction that would cause it to jump out of the insertion / removal opening 89 when the magazine 41 is inserted or removed. As a result, the component stock device 29 can insert or remove the magazine 41 at high speed.

[0102] In addition, parts stock device 29 further includes guide section 439, which is provided along the inner wall of the housing located on the side of the opening and guides shutter 427 moving from storage space 431 to the opening, and storage space 431 is provided along the inner wall of the housing located on the side of the opening.

[0103] In this component stock device 29, a storage space 431 shown in FIG. 6 is provided along the inner wall of the cover 109 located to the side of the magazine exchange window 111. In the first embodiment, the storage space 431 is provided extending along the inner wall in the direction along the Y-axis. The component stock device 29 includes a guide portion 439 that is L-shaped in a plan view and extends across the magazine exchange window 111 and the storage space 431. In the first embodiment, the guide portion 439 is made up of an upper guide portion 441 and a lower guide portion 443 that substantially overlap in a plan view. The shutter 427, the shutter opening / closing means 429, and the guide portion 439 constitute a shutter device 437. The shutter device 437 is a so-called horizontally sliding shutter.

[0104] In addition, in the first embodiment, shutter 427 is formed into a bendable plane by connecting the long sides of a plurality of vertically long, strip-shaped shutter plates 445 (also referred to as slats) with each other via hinges 447. Shutter 427 is guided between upper guide portion 441 and lower guide portion 443, and moves between magazine replacement window 111 and storage space 431.

[0105] That is, when the shutter 427 is placed in the magazine replacement window 111, it closes the magazine replacement window 111. On the other hand, when the shutter 427 is moved to the storage space 431, it opens the magazine replacement window 111. The storage space 431 is provided with a shutter opening / closing means 429 for moving the shutter 427 along a guide portion 439.

[0106] According to this parts stock device 29, the shutter 427 is stored in a storage space 431 provided along the inner wall of the cover 109 located to the side of the magazine exchange window 111, making it difficult to touch the shutter opening / closing means 429 from outside the cover 109. As a result, even in a structure provided with the shutter 427 that opens and closes the magazine exchange window 111 that opens facing the passage 15, the safety of the worker can be ensured.

[0107] In addition, the parts stock device 29 has a bending portion 453 in which the guide portion 439 bends sideways from the opening to guide the movement of the shutter 427, and the bending portion 453 is composed of two straight portions 455 and a curved portion 457 connecting the two straight portions 455.

[0108] In this component stock device 29, guide portions 439 (e.g., upper guide portion 441 and lower guide portion 443) have bent portions 453. Bent portion 453 is made up of two straight portions 455 and a curved portion 457 connecting the two straight portions 455.

[0109] In the first embodiment, the shutter 427 is provided with guide rollers 449, each of which rotates about the Z axis, above and below each shutter plate 445. That is, one shutter plate 445 is provided with two guide rollers 449, one above the other. The upper guide portion 441 and the lower guide portion 443 have a pair of vertical guide surfaces 451 that face each other with the guide rollers 449 sandwiched between them. In the guide portion 439, even in the bent portion 453, the pair of vertical guide surfaces 451 is formed by two straight portions 455 and a curved portion 457 that connects the two straight portions 455.

[0110] Conventionally, in a typical guide rail bend where two perpendicular straight lines are connected by an arc (quadrants), when a shutter plate 445 of a predetermined width passes through a bend 453, a relatively large deviation occurs between the direction in which the guide rollers 449 provided on each shutter plate 445 want to move and the direction of the force acting on the guide rollers 449. As a result, the guide rollers 449 are pressed against the vertical guide surface 451, increasing the frictional force, and may not move smoothly at the bend.

[0111] 27 is an operational diagram illustrating the operation of guide roller 449 at bent portion 453. In contrast, shutter device 437 of component stock device 29 has two straight portions 455, one before and one after bent portion 453, sandwiching curved portion 457. The two straight portions 455 are respectively provided between opening-side straight portion 459 and curved portion 457, and between curved portion 457 and storage-section-side straight portion 461.

[0112] As a result, in the shutter device 437 of the parts stock device 29, when the guide roller 449 passes through the straight section 455, if a force b acts on the guide roller 449 at the front in the moving direction, pulling it forward, then, for example, at the start position e of the straight section 455, the direction c in which the guide roller 449 at the rear in the moving direction wants to move is similar to the direction d of the force acting on the guide roller 449. As a result, the guide roller 449 is no longer pressed strongly against the vertical guide surface 451, the frictional force is reduced, and the guide roller 449 moves smoothly at the bent section.

[0113] Furthermore, in the parts stock device 29, the shutter 427 has at least two load support rollers 463 that support the load of the shutter 427 on the guide portion 439 at the front and rear in the movement direction.

[0114] 28 is a perspective view of a shutter 427 equipped with two load support rollers 463, as viewed from inside the component stock device 29. In this component stock device 29, the shutter 427 has at least two load support rollers 463, one at the front and one at the rear in the movement direction, that support the load of the shutter 427 on the guide section 439. In the first embodiment, the guide section 439 has a horizontal running surface 469 in addition to a vertical guide surface 451 on the lower guide section 443. The load support rollers 463 provided on the shutter 427 ride on this horizontal running surface 469.

[0115] That is, as the load support rollers 463 roll on the horizontal running surface 469, the shutter 427 converts the friction between the guide portion 439 and the load of the shutter 427 into rolling friction, which is smaller than sliding friction, allowing for smooth movement.

[0116] Furthermore, in the parts stock device 29, the bent portion 453 is lower in the vertical direction (for example, along the Z-axis direction) than the guide portion 439 other than the bent portion on which the load support roller 463 rolls.

[0117] 29 is an enlarged perspective view of a main portion of the bending portion 453. In this parts stock device 29, the guide portion 439 has a horizontal running surface 469. The load support rollers 463 roll on the horizontal running surface 469. At the bending portion 453, the horizontal running surface 469 of the guide portion 439 is lower in the vertical direction (for example, along the Z-axis direction) than the horizontal running surface 469 at the other portions of the bending portion on which the load support rollers 463 roll, and has a non-contact surface 473 with which the load support rollers 463 do not come into contact. Specifically, an arc-shaped plate 471 is attached between two linear horizontal running surfaces 469 that intersect at right angles at the other portions of the bending portion, and the upper surface of this arc-shaped plate 471 is made to be the non-contact surface 473, thereby positioning the horizontal running surface 469 lower than the horizontal running surfaces 469.

[0118] As a result, at the bending portion 453 where the load support roller 463 changes direction, the load support roller 463 does not come into contact with the arc-shaped plate 471 of the bending portion 453. As a result, the shutter device 437 does not generate friction caused by the load support roller 463 sliding sideways at the bending portion 453, allowing for smooth movement.

[0119] In addition, the shutter 427 has a connecting plate portion 435 at the opening / closing base end close to the shutter opening / closing means 429 fixed to, for example, an opening / closing drive shaft that moves back and forth of the shutter opening / closing means 429. Therefore, even in the case of the shutter 427 having two load support rollers 463, since the connecting plate portion 435 is supported by the opening / closing drive shaft, when passing through the bending portion 453, the load support rollers 463 can pass in a state of floating above the non-contact surface 473.

[0120] FIG. 30 is a front view of shutter 427 with the center portion in the movement direction lowered. Furthermore, by providing shutter 427 with two load support rollers 463 at the front and rear in the movement direction, the number of parts can be reduced, making it lightweight and inexpensive to manufacture. In this case, the center portion in the movement direction of multiple shutter plates 445 connected by hinges 447 tends to be lower than both ends in the movement direction due to gravity f. Even in this case, by providing arc-shaped plate 471 with a lower upper surface at bent portion 453, it is possible to prevent the lower end of shutter plate 445 from contacting bent portion 453. As a result, shutter device 437 can reduce the number of parts, be lightweight, and be inexpensive, while still enabling smooth movement.

[0121] Furthermore, the component conveying system 211 according to this embodiment comprises any one of the component stock devices 29, and a conveying device 209 that moves around the factory floor and conveys component storage bodies 69 to be supplied to the component stock devices 29 installed on the factory floor, and when the conveying device 209 and the component stock device 29 are docked by the docking base 115 of the component stock device 29 and the docking section 269 of the conveying device 209 and the component storage body 69 is transferred between the conveying device 209 and the component stock device 29 through the opening, the shutter opening / closing means 429 moves the shutter 427 towards the storage space 431 to open the opening.

[0122] In the component conveyance system 211 according to this embodiment, when the conveyance device 209 is docked with the component stock device 29, the component storage unit 69 is transferred. When the conveyance device 209 is docked, the component stock device 29 drives the shutter opening / closing means 429 to move the shutter 427 from the magazine exchange window 111 to the storage space 431. This opens the magazine exchange window 111. When the component stock device 29 receives a shutter open signal from the shutter device 437, the component conveyance system 211 sends a feed signal to the slide table device 123. The slide table device 123 extends the movable rail 173 to receive the magazine 41 from the first magazine holding table 225 (or the second magazine holding table 227) of the conveyance device 209. Having received the magazine 41, the slide table device 123 retracts the movable rail 173 and takes the received magazine 41 into the component stock device 29 through the magazine exchange window 111.

[0123] As a result, the parts stock device 29 automatically opens the shutter 427, realizing unmanned supply of the magazine 41.

[0124] In the component transport system 211, when the transport device 209 is released from the component stock device 29 from the docked state, the shutter opening / closing means 429 moves the shutter 427 from the storage space 431 to the opening.

[0125] In this component conveying system 211, when the supply of magazines 41 to the component stock device 29 is completed and the conveying device 209 and the component stock device 29 are released from each other, the shutter opening / closing means 429 is driven to close the magazine exchange window 111. The shutter 427 is closed just before the conveying device 209 is detached. In other words, the shutter 427 is not closed after the conveying device 209 has been detached (the closure is completed when the conveying device 209 has been detached).

[0126] This prevents fingers from getting caught when the shutter is closed. As a result, parts stock device 29 and parts conveying system 211 can ensure the safety of workers even in a structure that has magazine replacement window 111 that opens onto aisle 15.

[0127] In addition, in the part conveying system 211, the part stock device 29 has a connector (one of the connectors 117) that is electrically connected to the conveying device 209, and determines whether the part stock device 29 and the conveying device 209 are in a docked state through the one of the connectors 117.

[0128] In this component transport system 211, the docking state of the component stock device 29 and the transport device 209 is determined by one connector 117 provided on the docking base 115 of the component stock device 29. When the transport device 209 is docked to the docking base 115, the component stock device 29 detects the docking by one connector 117 and drives the shutter opening / closing means 429 to move the shutter 427 toward the storage space 431 and open the magazine exchange window 111.

[0129] When one connector 117 detects undock, the magazine exchange window 111 closes immediately before the transport device 209 is detached. In other words, the shutter 427 does not close after the transport device 209 has been detached (closing is completed when the transport device 209 has been detached).

[0130] This prevents fingers from getting caught when the shutter is closed. As a result, parts stock device 29 and parts conveying system 211 can ensure the safety of workers even in a structure that has magazine replacement window 111 that opens onto aisle 15.

[0131] (Embodiment 2) Next, a second embodiment will be described.

[0132] Fig. 31 is an overall configuration diagram of a parts stock device 29 equipped with a shutter device 475 according to embodiment 2. In embodiment 2, the same members and parts as those shown in Figs. 1 to 12 in embodiment 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0133] In this parts stock device 29, a storage space 477 is provided along the inner wall of the cover 109 located above the magazine exchange window 111. The position of the magazine exchange window 111 is the same as in the first embodiment. A shutter 479 provided in the magazine exchange window 111 is formed as a single rectangular plate slightly larger than the magazine exchange window 111. A pair of parallel lift-up slide rails 481 and 483 extending vertically are fixed to the inner walls on both sides of the magazine exchange window 111 or to the base of the parts stock device 29. The shutter 479, the lift-up slide rails 481 and 483, and the shutter opening / closing means 429 constitute a shutter device 475. The shutter device 475 is a so-called lift-up shutter.

[0134] Figure 32 is a plan cross-sectional view of the component stock device 29 and the pallet transport section 45. The component stock device 29 supports the magazine 41 inside the magazine exchange window 111 so that the magazine 41 can be freely extended from the magazine exchange window 111 to the aisle side. By closing the magazine exchange window 111, the shutter 479 can block the access portion of the pallet handler 133 (such as the handler engagement rod 81 shown in Figure 6) that is accessible through the gap between the magazine exchange window 111 and the side plate 83 of the magazine 41.

[0135] 33 is a plan cross-sectional view of the shutter device 475. The lifting / lowering slide rails 481 and 483 are made up of a fixed rail 485, a connecting rail 487, and a movable rail 489. The fixed rail 485 is fixed to the inner wall or the base of the parts stock device 29 by a slide rail support member 491. The movable rail 489 is fixed to the shutter 479. The connecting rail 487 supports the movable rail 489 so that it can freely protrude from the end of the fixed rail 485. The lifting / lowering slide rails 481, 483, and slide rail support member 491 form a guide section 493.

[0136] Shutter opening / closing means 429 is fixed to one of the fixed rails 485. Shutter opening / closing means 429 is made up of, for example, an air cylinder. The air cylinder has a cylinder body fixed to the fixed rail 485. The air cylinder is disposed below the shutter 479 with an opening / closing drive shaft 495 facing upward. The air cylinder has an opening / closing drive shaft 495 (see FIG. 35) that advances and retreats from the cylinder body fixed to the shutter 479.

[0137] 34 is a perspective view of the shutter device 475 in which the shutter 479 has been moved to the position for closing the magazine exchange window 111. An upward stopper 497 is provided on one of the slide rail support members 491, facing the shutter 479 at the upward end of the shutter 479. Furthermore, a downward stopper 499 is provided below the slide rail support member 491, facing the shutter 479 at the downward end of the shutter 479. The upward and downward movement of the shutter 479 is restricted by the upward stopper 497 and the downward stopper 499.

[0138] 35 is a perspective view of the shutter device 475 in which the shutter 479 has been moved to a position that opens the magazine replacement window 111. When the opening / closing drive shaft 495 of the shutter opening / closing means 429 advances from the cylinder body, the shutter device 475 raises the shutter 479 to open the magazine replacement window 111. When the opening / closing drive shaft 495 of the shutter opening / closing means 429 retreats into the cylinder body, the shutter device 475 lowers the shutter 479 to close the magazine replacement window 111.

[0139] Next, the operation of the above-described configuration will be described.

[0140] The parts stock device 29 is further provided with a guide section 493 that is provided along the inner wall of the housing (cover 109) located above the opening (magazine replacement window 111) and that guides the shutter 479 moving from the storage space 477 to the opening, and the storage space 477 is provided along the inner wall of the housing located above the opening.

[0141] In parts stock device 29 equipped with this shutter device 475, shutter 479 is formed from a single rectangular plate, which reduces the number of parts and makes it lightweight and inexpensive. Also, shutter device 475 opens and closes magazine exchange window 111 by moving shutter 479 only in a linear direction (raising and lowering), and since there is no bent portion 453, it is possible to achieve quiet and smooth movement of shutter 479 and high-speed opening and closing of magazine exchange window 111.

[0142] Therefore, according to the component stock device 29 and component conveyance system 211 of this embodiment, the shutter 427 can be opened and closed smoothly with a simple structure.

[0143] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner as long as they do not deviate from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0144] The present disclosure is useful as a parts stock device and a parts conveyance system that have a simple structure and can smoothly open and close a shutter. [Explanation of symbols]

[0145] 29 Parts stock device 33 parts 41 Magazine 43 Pallet stock section (internal space) 69 Parts storage unit 109 Cover (Housing) 111 Magazine replacement window (opening) 115 Docking Base 117 One connector (connector) 209 Transport Equipment 211 Parts transport system 269 ​​Docking Section 287 Other Connector (Connector) 427 Shutter 429 Shutter opening and closing means 431 Storage Space 439 Guide part 453 Bend 455 Straight section 457 Curved section 463 Load-bearing roller 479 Shutter 493 Guide part X-axis First axis Y-axis Secondary axis

Claims

1. a housing having an internal space capable of accommodating a magazine configured so that a component storage body storing components can be inserted and removed; an opening provided in a part of the housing and configured to allow the magazine to be inserted and removed; a shutter that is accommodated in a storage space formed between the magazine and the housing within the internal space and that opens and closes the opening; a shutter opening / closing means for moving the shutter to open and close the opening, the magazine is capable of inserting and removing the component storage body from the housing along a first axis, the housing is capable of inserting and removing the magazine along a second axis that intersects with the first axis within a plane that is substantially horizontal, the opening allows the magazine to be inserted and removed from the housing along the second axis. Parts stock device.

2. a guide portion provided along an inner wall of the housing located on a side of the opening and configured to guide the shutter as it moves from the storage space to the opening, The storage space is provided along an inner wall of the housing located on a side of the opening. The parts stock device according to claim 1 .

3. a guide portion provided along an inner wall of the housing above the opening portion, the guide portion guiding the shutter as it moves from the storage space to the opening portion, The storage space is provided along an inner wall of the housing located above the opening. The parts stock device according to claim 1 .

4. the guide portion has a bent portion that bends from the opening toward the side to guide movement of the shutter, The bent portion is composed of two straight line portions and a curved line portion connecting the two straight line portions. The parts stock device according to claim 2 .

5. The shutter has at least two load support rollers at the front and rear of the movement direction, which support the load of the shutter on the guide portion. The parts stock device according to claim 4.

6. the bent portion is formed vertically lower than the guide portion other than the bent portion on which the load support roller rolls. The parts stock device according to claim 5 .

7. A parts stock device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; a conveying device that moves on a factory floor and conveys a component storage unit to be supplied to the component stocking device installed on the factory floor, When the transport device and the component stock device are docked by a docking base of the component stock device and a docking section of the transport device, and a component storage body is transferred between the transport device and the component stock device through the opening, the shutter opening / closing means moves the shutter toward the storage space to open the opening. Parts transport system.

8. When the transport device is released from the docked state from the parts stock device, the shutter opening / closing means moves the shutter from the storage space to the opening. The parts conveying system according to claim 7.

9. the parts stock device has a connector electrically connected to the transport device, and determines whether the parts stock device and the transport device are docked via the connector.

9. A parts conveying system according to claim 7 or 8.

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