Automatic installation device and method for refrigerator inner box rails

Abstract

To provide a device and method for automatically attaching an inner box rail, capable of automatically attaching the inner box rail to an inner box.SOLUTION: A device for automatically attaching inner box rails which attaches inner box rails 2-5 to an inner case 1 of a refrigerator, comprises: a conveyor which conveys the inner case 1; a rail insertion robot which inserts the inner box rails 2-5 into guide sections provided in the inner case 1; and a suction pad 22 for forming a gap S between the inner box 1 and each of the inner box rails 2-5 by sucking the inner box rails 2-5 so that claws 9 provided on the inner box rails 2-5 do not interfere with the inner box 1 when the inner box rails 2-5 are inserted into the inner box 1 by the rail insertion robot.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic mounting device and method for inner box rails of a refrigerator. [Background technology]

[0002] Refrigerators are fitted with rail members (inner box rails) for supporting drawer doors so that they can slide freely. These rail members are attached to a resin-molded inner box. Patent Document 1 describes an attachment method in which the drawer rails are attached to receiving contours formed on the inner wall, and a heat insulating material is filled between the inner and outer walls, thereby firmly supporting the drawer rails on the inner wall. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2007-530900 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 does not consider automating the work of attaching the drawer rails to the inner box, so the rail members are attached to the inner box manually. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The automatic inner box rail installation device of the present invention is an inner box rail installation device that installs an inner box rail to the inner box of a refrigerator, and includes: a transport unit that transports the inner box; a rail insertion robot that inserts the inner box rail into an inner box rail insertion portion provided on the inner box; and an inner box suction device that, when the inner box rail is inserted into the inner box by the rail insertion robot, sucks the inner box rail so that claws or protrusions provided on the inner box rail do not interfere with the inner box, thereby forming a gap between the inner box and the inner box rail.

[0006] Furthermore, the automatic inner box rail installation method of the present invention is a method for installing an inner box rail to the inner box of a refrigerator, and when the inner box rail is inserted into an inner box rail insertion portion of the inner box to install it, the inner box rail is sucked so that claws or protrusions on the inner box rail do not interfere with the inner box, thereby forming a gap between the inner box and the inner box rail. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator in which inner box rails are attached to the inner box. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerator in which inner box rails are attached to the inner box. [Figure 3A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the inner box rail as seen from the front side. [Figure 3B] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the inner box rail. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top view showing the inner box rail automatic installation device of the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view showing an inner box rail automatic installation device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a rail box that stores inner box rails. [Figure 7A] FIG. 10 is a top view showing the state in which the inner box rail is held. [Figure 7B] FIG. 10 is a side view showing the state in which the inner box rail is held. [Figure 8A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a device for determining the type of inner box rail. [Figure 8B] FIG. 10 is a side view showing a device for determining the type of inner box rail. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a process diagram showing the steps from holding the inner box to sucking the inner box. [Figure 10A] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in the middle of attaching the inner box rail to the inner box. [Figure 10B] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the inner box rail attached to the inner box. [Figure 11] This is a process diagram from the state in the middle of attaching the inner box rails to the state where the inner box is released from its holding state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the present invention (the present embodiment) will be described. However, the present embodiment is not limited to the following content and can be carried out with any modifications within the scope of the gist of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator with inner box rails attached to the inner box, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the refrigerator with inner box rails attached to the inner box. Figs. 1 and 2 show refrigerator 100 with internal structural components such as doors and trays removed. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, refrigerator 100 includes an inner box 1 made of synthetic resin and an outer box 15 made of metal. Inner box 1 is formed to be slightly smaller than outer box 15. A thermal insulation material (not shown) is provided in the space between inner box 1 and outer box 15, which is formed by injecting and foaming a foam insulation material made of, for example, rigid urethane foam.

[0009] The inner box 1 is made of synthetic resin and has a left side surface 1L, a right side surface 1R, a back surface 1B, a top surface 1C, and a bottom surface 1D. Furthermore, the inner box 1 is easily deformed when molded as a single unit.

[0010] Additionally, partition members 101, 102, and 103 are provided inside inner box 1 in this order from top to bottom. Partition member 101 separates refrigerator compartment a1 from upper freezer compartment a2 and ice-making compartment a3. Partition member 102 separates upper freezer compartment a2 and ice-making compartment a3 from lower freezer compartment a4. Partition member 103 separates lower freezer compartment a4 from vegetable compartment a5.

[0011] The inner box 1 is fitted with inner box rails 2 on both the left and right sides of the upper freezer compartment a2 and the ice-making compartment a3 to slidably support the drawer doors for the upper freezer compartment a2 and the ice-making compartment a3. The inner box 1 is also fitted with inner box rails 3 on both the left and right sides near the top of the lower freezer compartment a4 to slidably support the upper drawer door for the lower freezer compartment a4. The inner box 1 is also fitted with inner box rails 4 on both the left and right sides near the bottom of the lower freezer compartment a4 to slidably support the lower drawer door for the lower freezer compartment a4. The inner box 1 is also fitted with inner box rails 5 on both the left and right sides of the vegetable compartment a5 to slidably support the drawer door for the vegetable compartment a5. The inner box rails 2 to 5 are made of synthetic resin and are separate parts from the inner box 1, and are attached to the molded inner box 1 afterwards.

[0012] Furthermore, guide portions 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d (inner box rail inserted portions) into which the inner box rails 2 to 5 are inserted and attached are formed on the inner box 1. The guide portions 1a to 1d are members that fix the inner box rails 2 to 5, and are formed by resin molding integrally with the inner box 1. Furthermore, the guide portions 1a to 1d are each provided in pairs on the left and right.

[0013] Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the inner box rails as seen from the front side, and Fig. 3B is a rear view of the inner box rails. Note that the inner box rails 2-5 shown in Fig. 3A are components provided on the left side surface 1L of the inner box 1. The inner box rails 2-5 provided on the right side surface 1R are formed symmetrically with the inner box rails 2-5 on the left side surface. In other words, the inner box rails 2-5 dedicated to the left side are attached to side surface 1L, and the inner box rails 2-5 dedicated to the right side are attached to side surface 1R.

[0014] 3A, inner box rails 2-5 are formed with guide portions 12 for slidably supporting a drawer door (not shown). Guide portions 12 slidably support rails (not shown) equipped with rollers that are provided on the drawer door.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 3B, inner box rails 2-5 are formed with engraved portions 6 for identifying the model (type) of the inner box rail. These engraved portions 6 are configured with letters or symbols formed in a convex or concave shape. In other words, engraved portions 6 are not configured in a flat shape by printing, but are configured in an uneven shape.

[0016] Furthermore, claws 9 are formed on the back surfaces of the inner box rails 2 to 5. These claws 9 are inserted into holes 1e (see FIG. 7B) formed in the inner box 1, and have the function of fixing the inner box rails 2 to 5 so that they do not come off the inner box 1. Furthermore, the claws 9 are formed on the base end side in the longitudinal direction. Note that the claws are not limited to claws 9, and may be simple protruding members. Furthermore, the claws 9 on the inner box rails 2 to 5 are not limited to being formed in one location, and may be formed in two or more locations. In this case, the number of holes 1e formed in the inner box 1 is changed according to the number of claws 9 (protrusions).

[0017] Fig. 4 is a schematic top view showing the automatic inner box rail installation device of this embodiment, Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the automatic inner box rail installation device of this embodiment, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a rail box that stores inner box rails. For ease of explanation, Figs. 4 and 5 show a simplified version of the automatic inner box rail installation device. As shown in Fig. 4, the automatic inner box rail installation device 200 of this embodiment is configured to include rail supply robots 10, 10, 10, 10, inner box fixing devices 20, 20, rail insertion robots 30, 30, a conveyor 40 (transport section) that transports inner boxes 1, and rail boxes 50, 50, 50, 50 (see Fig. 4) that store inner box rails 4. Note that the automatic inner box rail installation device 200 is configured to be able to simultaneously install two inner box rails on each side, for a total of four, but it may also be configured to simultaneously install one inner box rail on each side, for a total of two.

[0018] The rail supply robot 10 is a device that takes out the inner box rails 2 to 5 from the rail box 50 and moves them to the intermediate buffer 11.

[0019] The rail supply robot 10 also has an intermediate buffer 11 that temporarily holds the inner box rails 2 to 5 before they are attached to the inner box 1. The intermediate buffer 11 is provided in a position where it can be handed over to and from the rail insertion robot 30.

[0020] Inner box fixing device 20 is configured to include angle 21 (inner box pressing member) that presses and positions inner box 1, and suction pad 22 (inner box suction device, see FIG. 5) that sucks inner box 1.

[0021] The angles 21 are plate-shaped members extending in the longitudinal direction of the inner box 1, and are provided on both the left and right sides of the inner box 1. The angles 21 are also equipped with a drive unit (not shown) that moves them toward and away from the inner box 1. The angles 21 press down on the sides 1L and 1R of the inner box 1, thereby correcting the orientation of the inner box 1 that has been conveyed tilted by the conveyor 40. In other words, the orientation is corrected so that the longitudinal direction of the inner box 1 is parallel to the conveyance direction.

[0022] The suction pads 22 are provided at two locations on the side surface 1L of the inner box 1. Although not shown, similar suction pads 22 are provided at two locations on the side surface 1R of the inner box 1. The suction pads 22 are also movable according to the position of the hole 1e of the inner box 1.

[0023] The suction pads 22 also have a mechanism for sucking the side surfaces 1L, 1R of the inner box 1 and pulling the inner box 1 or pushing the inner box 1 in while still sucking. In this embodiment, because two inner box rails 2 to 5 on one side must be attached at the same time, a configuration with two suction pads 22 on one side will be described as an example, but a configuration with one suction pad 22 may also be used. The suction pads 22 are, for example, air-operated, and are configured to suck the inner box 1 by creating a vacuum by suctioning the space between the pad portion of the suction pad 22 and the inner box 1.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 6 , a rail box 50 stores multiple inner box rails 2 to 5, and the inner box rails 2 to 5 are stored upright with their tips facing downward. One rail box 50 stores multiple left-side inner box rails 2, and another rail box 50 stores multiple right-side inner box rails 2. Similarly, one rail box 50 stores multiple left-side inner box rails 3, and another rail box 50 stores multiple right-side inner box rails 3. One rail box 50 stores multiple left-side inner box rails 4, and another rail box 50 stores multiple right-side inner box rails 4. One rail box 50 stores multiple left-side inner box rails 5, and another rail box 50 stores multiple right-side inner box rails 5.

[0025] Returning to Fig. 4, the left outer inner box rails 2 and 3 correspond to the left side of the inner box 1, and the left inner inner box rails 2 and 3 correspond to the right side of the inner box 1. Furthermore, the right outer inner box rails 4 and 5 in Fig. 4 correspond to the right side of the inner box 1, and the right inner inner box rails 4 and 5 correspond to the left side of the inner box 1. Note that the configuration of rail box 50 shown in Fig. 4 is one example and is not limited to this embodiment and can be modified as appropriate.

[0026] The rail insertion robot 30 is a six-axis robot that inserts the inner box rails 2 to 5 into the inner box 1, and receives the inner box rails 2 to 5 held in the intermediate buffer 11 and inserts them into the guide sections 1a to 1d of the inner box 1. In this embodiment, one rail insertion robot 30 grips two inner box rails 2, 3 (or inner box rails 4, 5) and attaches them to the inner box 1.

[0027] The rail insertion robot 30 also has a gripping section 30a at its tip that grips the inner box rails 2 to 5. This gripping section 30a has a mechanism that sucks and holds the two inner box rails 2, 3 (4, 5). Note that the rail insertion robot 30 is not limited to a configuration that grips the two inner box rails 2, 3 (4, 5), and may also grip one inner box rail 2 (3, 4, 5).

[0028] 5, the rail supply robot 10 includes a drive unit 10a that moves along the rail box 50 and a gripper unit 10b that removes the inner box rails 2 to 5 from the rail box 50, and the drive unit 10a moves the gripper unit 10b to the intermediate buffer 11. The gripper unit 10b grips the upper ends of the inner box rails 2 to 5 and pulls out the inner box rails 2 to 5 from the rail box 50. The rail supply robot 10 also pulls out the inner box rails 2 to 5 from the rail box 50 and moves them to the intermediate buffer 11.

[0029] The intermediate buffer 11 has a U-shaped holding portion into which the leading ends of the inner box rails 2 to 5 are inserted and held. More specifically, the intermediate buffer 11 first presses down on both the left and right sides of the leading ends of the inner box rails 2 to 5, and then presses down on the rear side, thereby holding the inner box rails 2 to 5 in an upright position. However, because the inner box rails 2 to 5 have an elongated shape, they are subject to significant warping (variation), making it difficult to directly transfer them between the rail supply robot 10 and the rail insertion robot 30 in the air. More specifically, because the gripping portion 30a (see FIG. 4) of the rail insertion robot is provided with a suction portion (not shown), when an attempt is made to directly receive the inner box rails 2 to 5 from the rail supply robot 10, the warping of the inner box rails 2 to 5 prevents the inner box rails 2 to 5 from being sucked in. Therefore, in this embodiment, an intermediate buffer 11 is added to press down the inner box rails 2 to 5 based on their tip ends, thereby keeping the warping of the inner box rails 2 to 5 within a certain range, so that the inner box rails 2 to 5 can be sucked in and held by the rail insertion robot 30 even if they are warped to some extent.

[0030] FIG. 7A is a top view showing the state in which the inner box rail is held, and FIG. 7B is a side view showing the state in which the inner box rail is held. As shown in Fig. 7A, when the inner box 1 is transported to a predetermined position by the conveyor 40 (see Fig. 5), the angles 21, 21 arranged at positions facing the left and right side surfaces 1L, 1R of the inner box 1 move in a direction approaching the inner box 1, and the inner box 1 is pressed down from both the left and right sides 1L, 1R. This corrects the tilt of the inner box 1 so that it is oriented in a predetermined direction.

[0031] 7B, the angles 21 are arranged on the left and right side surfaces 1L, 1R of the inner box 1, and are configured to press and hold the lower part of the inner box 1. In other words, the height position of the angles 21 is a position where they overlap with the ends of the guide portions 1a to 1d formed on the inner box 1.

[0032] Inner box 1 has holes 1e formed at the upper ends (opening side of inner box 1) of guide portions 1a to 1d, into which claws 9 (see FIG. 3B) of inner box rails 2 to 5 are inserted.

[0033] FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing a device for determining the type of inner box rail, and FIG. 8B is a side view showing the device for determining the type of inner box rail. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the rail supply robot 10 is equipped with a rail discrimination sensor 13 that discriminates the model (type) of the inner box rails 2 to 5. This rail discrimination sensor 13 is configured with an imaging unit 7 that captures an image of the marking portion 6 (see FIG. 3B) on the inner box rails 2 to 5, and an illumination unit 8 that illuminates the marking portion 6 (see FIG. 3B). By shining light on the marking portion 6 to create a shadow, the outline is emphasized, making it easier to read the letters and symbols on the marking portion 6. This makes it possible to prevent incorrect insertion of the inner box rails 2 to 5.

[0034] In this way, the inner box rail automatic installation device 200 has the function of reading the engraved portion 6 and judging the correctness of the inner box rails 2 to 5. If the inner box rails 2 to 5 are compatible with the applicable model, they are sent to the intermediate buffer 11, and if they are not compatible with the applicable model, they are sent to an error storage section (not shown).

[0035] Next, the process for attaching inner box rails 2 to 5 to inner box 1 will be described with reference to Figures 9 to 11. Figure 9 is a process diagram from holding the inner box to sucking the inner box, Figure 10A is a cross-sectional view showing the state in the middle of attaching the inner box rails to the inner box, Figure 10B is a cross-sectional view showing the state after the inner box rails have been attached to the inner box, and Figure 11 is a process diagram from the state in the middle of attaching the inner box rails to releasing the holding of the inner box. As shown in the upper diagram of Fig. 9, when the inner box 1 is conveyed to a predetermined position by the conveyor 40 (see Figs. 4 and 5), the conveyance of the inner box 1 stops. Then, the angles 21, 21 provided on both sides of the conveyor 40 move in a direction approaching the inner box 1, as shown by the black arrows, and the sides 1L, 1R of the inner box 1 are pressed down, fixing the inner box 1 in place. This movement of the angles 21 corrects the tilt of the inner box 1 so that it faces in a predetermined direction.

[0036] Then, as shown in the middle diagram of FIG. 9, the side surface of the inner box 1 is sucked by the suction pad 22 (see FIG. 5). Before the inner box 1 is sucked by the suction pad 22, the position of the hole 1e of the inner box 1 is detected by a sensor (not shown), and the position of the suction pad 22 is moved to the position of the hole 1e. The position at which the suction pad 22 sucks the guide portion 1a of the side surface 1L is below the hole 1e, as indicated by reference symbol P1. The position at which the suction pad 22 sucks the guide portion 1b of the side surface 1L is below the hole 1e, as indicated by reference symbol P2. The position at which the suction pad 22 sucks the guide portion 1c of the side surface 1R is above the hole 1e, as indicated by reference symbol P3. The position at which the suction pad 22 sucks the guide portion 1d of the side surface 1R is below the hole 1e, as indicated by reference symbol P4.

[0037] 9, the inner box 1 is pulled in the direction of the black arrow while being sucked by the suction pad 22. This causes the left and right side surfaces 1L, 1R of the inner box 1 to deform and spread outward.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 10A, with the inner box 1 fixed by the angle 21, the inner box rails 2-5 gripped by the rail insertion robot 30 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) are inserted into the guide portions 1a-1d (see FIG. 9) of the inner box 1. Then, just before the claws 9 of the inner box rails 2-5 come into contact with the flange 1s of the inner box 1, the side surface 1L of the inner box 1 is pulled outward by the suction pad 22. At this time, the inner box rails 2-5 may be moved in a direction away from the side surface 1L. This forms a gap S between the side surface 1L of the inner box 1 and the inner box rails 2-5. This gap S is a distance that prevents the claws 9 from interfering with the inner box 1 (side surface 1L) even when the inner box rails 2-5 are inserted.

[0039] Then, while the inner box 1 is being pulled by suction with the suction pads 22, the inner box rails 2 to 5 are further inserted. When the claws 9 of the inner box rails 2 to 5 are inserted to a position facing the holes 1e in the side surface 1L, the inner box 1 is pushed inward (towards the inner box rails 2 to 5) while still being held by suction with the suction pads 22. This results in the claws 9 being inserted into the holes 1e. Furthermore, with the claws 9 inserted into the holes 1e, the inner box rails 2 to 5 are further inserted. This causes the claws 9 to catch on the edges of the holes 1e in the side surface 1L, and the inner box rails 2 to 5 are fixed to the side surface 1L, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 10B.

[0040] 11, inner box rails 2 and 3 are inserted into guide portions 1a and 1b of inner box 1 on side surface 1L of inner box 1. Furthermore, inner box rails 4 and 5 are inserted into guide portions 1c and 1d of inner box 1 on side surface 1R of inner box 1. In this way, inner box rails 2 to 5 are simultaneously attached to guide portions 1a to 1d located diagonally opposite each other (located at diagonal corners). In this way, bending and lifting of inner box 1 can be suppressed.

[0041] Although the present embodiment has been described with reference to an example in which diagonally positioned inner box rails 2, 3 and inner box rails 4, 5 are simultaneously attached, one inner box rail each on one diagonal side may be simultaneously attached. For example, inner box rail 2 may be inserted into guide portion 1a on side surface 1L and inner box rail 3 may be inserted into guide portion 1b on side surface 1R, or inner box rail 4 may be inserted into guide portion 1c on side surface 1L and inner box rail 5 may be inserted into guide portion 1d on side surface 1R. Furthermore, inner box rail 2 may be inserted into guide portion 1a on side surface 1L and inner box rail 5 may be inserted into guide portion 1d on side surface 1R, or inner box rail 3 may be inserted into guide portion 1b on side surface 1L and inner box rail 4 may be inserted into guide portion 1c on side surface 1R. Furthermore, in the case of a refrigerator in which three inner box rails 2, 4, 5 are attached on one side, inner box rail 2 may be inserted into guide portion 1a on side surface 1L and inner box rails 4, 5 may be inserted into guide portions 1c, 1d on side surface 1R.

[0042] As shown in the middle drawing of FIG. 11 , when insertion of the inner box rails 2 to 5 is complete, side surfaces 1L, 1R are pushed inward (in the direction in which side surfaces 1L, 1R approach each other) while still being sucked by suction pad 22, and the claws 9 of the inner box rails 2 to 5 are inserted into the holes 1e of side surfaces 1L, 1R. If the inner box rails 2 to 5 have claws 9 formed thereon, after inserting the claws 9 into the holes 1e, the inner box rails 2 to 5 are further inserted so that the claws 9 of the inner box rails 2 to 5 catch on the edges of the holes 1e. Note that while the present embodiment has been described using an example in which the inner box rails 2 to 5 have claws 9, protrusions may be used instead of the claws 9. In this case, the inner box rails 2 to 5 are pushed inward by suction pad 22, and the protrusions are inserted into the holes and fitted.

[0043] Then, when the installation of inner box rails 2, 3 on side 1L and inner box rails 4, 5 on side 1R is complete, suction pads 22 are moved to holes 1e, 1e corresponding to guide portions 1c, 1d on side 1L and holes 1e, 1e corresponding to guide portions 1a, 1b on side 1R. Rail insertion robot 30 then goes to retrieve the corresponding inner box rails 2-5 from intermediate buffer 11. By repeating the same process as above, installation of inner box rails 2-5 on both the left and right sides is completed.

[0044] As shown in the lower diagram of Figure 11, after the attachment of inner box rails 2 to 5 to inner box 1 is complete, angles 21, 21 are operated to move away from inner box 1. As a result, inner box 1 with inner box rails 2 to 5 attached is sent to the next process by conveyor 40 (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0045] As described above, automatic inner box rail installation device 200 of this embodiment installs inner box rails to the inner box of a refrigerator, and includes conveyor 40 that transports inner box 1, rail insertion robot 30 that inserts inner box rails 2-5 into guide sections 1a-1d provided on inner box 1, and suction pad 22 that sucks inner box 1 so that claws 9 provided on inner box rails 2-5 do not interfere with inner box 1 when rail insertion robot 30 inserts inner box rails 2-5 into inner box 1, thereby forming gap S between inner box 1 and inner box rails 2-5 (see FIG. 10A ). Furthermore, the automatic inner box rail installation method sucks inner box rails 2-5 so that claws 9 provided on inner box rails 2-5 do not interfere with inner box 1 when inserting and installing inner box rails 2-5 into guide sections 1a-1d of inner box 1, thereby forming gap S between inner box 1 and inner box rails 2-5. This makes it possible to prevent claws 9 provided on inner box rails 2-5 from colliding with inner box 1. As a result, it becomes possible to automatically attach the inner box rails 2 to 5 equipped with the claws 9 to the inner box 1.

[0046] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when claw 9 is inserted to a position facing hole 1e formed in inner box 1, suction pad 22 pushes inner box 1 while still attracting it, inserting claw 9 into hole 1e. This allows claw 9 to be caught in hole 1e, making it possible to fix inner box rails 2 to 5 to inner box 1.

[0047] This embodiment also includes angles 21, 21 (inner box pressing members) that press and fix both the left and right sides of the inner box 1 before inserting the inner box rails 2 to 5 into the inner box 1. This allows the inner box 1 to be corrected to a predetermined orientation, making it easier to attach the inner box rails 2 to 5.

[0048] In this embodiment, the rail insertion robot 30 simultaneously attaches the inner box rails 2 to 5 to the guide portions 1a to 1d located diagonally opposite each other. This makes it possible to prevent the inner box 1 from bending and lifting up.

[0049] This embodiment also includes a rail supply robot 10 that takes out the inner box rails 2 to 5 from the rail box 50 in which the inner box rails 2 to 5 are stored, and a rail discrimination sensor 13 that discriminates the types of the inner box rails 2 to 5. This makes it possible to prevent the inner box rails 2 to 5 from being inserted incorrectly.

[0050] In this embodiment, the inner box rails 2 to 5 are formed with engraved portions 6 for identifying the model of the inner box 1, and the rail identification sensor 13 includes an imaging unit 7 that images the engraved portions 6 and an illumination unit 8 that illuminates the engraved portions 6. This makes the imprint of the engraved portions 6 clearer due to the light emitted from the illumination unit 8, making it easier to read the model of the engraved portions 6.

[0051] Furthermore, this embodiment includes an intermediate buffer 11 that holds the inner box rails 2 to 5 removed from the rail box 50 before they are handed over from the rail supply robot 10 to the rail insertion robot 30. By temporarily placing the inner box rails 2 to 5 on the intermediate buffer 11, handover to the rail insertion robot 30 becomes easier. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 Inner box 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d Guide section (inner box rail insertion section) 1e hole 1L,1R side 2,3,4,5 Inner box rail 6 Engraved part 7. Imaging unit 8 Lighting Section 9 Claws 10 Rail supply robot 11 Intermediate Buffer 13 Rail detection sensor 21 Angle (inner box pressing member) 22 Suction pad (inner box suction device) 30 Rail Insertion Robot 40 Conveyor (transport section) 50 Rail Box 100 refrigerator 200 Inner box rail automatic installation device S Gap

Claims

1. An automatic inner box rail mounting device for mounting inner box rails to an inner box of a refrigerator, a conveying unit that conveys the inner box; a rail insertion robot that inserts the inner box rail into an inner box rail receiving portion provided on the inner box; an inner box suction device that, when the inner box rail is inserted into the inner box by the rail insertion robot, sucks the inner box rail so that claws or protrusions on the inner box rail do not interfere with the inner box, thereby forming a gap between the inner box and the inner box rail.

2. 2. The automatic inner box rail installation device according to claim 1, When the claw or the protrusion is inserted to a position facing the hole formed in the inner box, the inner box suction device pushes the inner box while sucking the inner box, and inserts the claw or the protrusion into the hole.

3. 2. The automatic inner box rail installation device according to claim 1, An automatic inner box rail mounting device is provided with inner box pressing members that press and fix both left and right sides of the inner box before the inner box rail is inserted into the inner box.

4. 2. The automatic inner box rail installation device according to claim 1, The rail insertion robot is an automatic inner box rail installation device that simultaneously installs the inner box rail into the inner box rail insertion receiving portion located diagonally opposite.

5. 2. The automatic inner box rail installation device according to claim 1, a rail supply robot that takes out the inner box rail from the rail box in which the inner box rail is stored; and a rail discrimination sensor that discriminates the type of the inner box rail.

6. 6. The automatic inner box rail installation device according to claim 5, The inner box rail is formed with an engraved portion for identifying the type of the inner box, The rail discrimination sensor is an inner box rail automatic installation device that includes an imaging unit that images the marking portion and an illumination unit that illuminates the marking portion.

7. 6. The automatic inner box rail installation device according to claim 5, an automatic inner box rail installation device including an intermediate buffer for holding the inner box rail removed from the rail box before the inner box rail is handed over from the rail supply robot to the rail insertion robot;

8. An automatic inner box rail installation method for installing inner box rails on an inner box of a refrigerator, comprising: This is an automatic inner box rail installation method in which, when the inner box rail is inserted into an inner box rail receiving portion of the inner box to install it, the inner box rail is sucked so that claws or protrusions provided on the inner box rail do not interfere with the inner box, thereby forming a gap between the inner box and the inner box rail.

9. 9. The method for automatically installing inner box rails according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of: When the claw or the protrusion is inserted to a position facing a hole formed in the inner box, the inner box is pushed in while being sucked, and the claw or the protrusion is inserted into the hole.

10. 9. The method for automatically installing inner box rails according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of: The inner box rail automatic mounting method includes pressing and fixing both left and right sides of the inner box before inserting the inner box rail into the inner box.

11. 9. The method for automatically installing inner box rails according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of: When the claws are positioned opposite holes formed in the inner box, the inner box is pushed in to insert the claws into the holes.

12. 9. The method for automatically installing inner box rails according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of: The method for automatically attaching inner box rails simultaneously attaches the inner box rails to the inner box rail inserting portions located diagonally opposite each other.

13. 9. The method for automatically installing inner box rails according to claim 8, further comprising the steps of: The method for automatically installing an inner box rail includes determining the type of the inner box rail after the inner box rail is removed from the rail box in which the inner box rail is stored.

14. 14. The method for automatically installing inner box rails according to claim 13, comprising: The method for automatically mounting an inner box rail includes illuminating an engraved portion for identifying the model of the inner box when capturing an image of the engraved portion.

Images