Work buffer device and work buffer method

Abstract

To provide a work buffer device and a work buffer method that can automate workpiece dispensing, storing, and re-inputting without contacting workpieces with each other in a space-saving configuration.SOLUTION: A work buffer device 1 for temporarily storing a plurality of workpieces 7 carried in from a delivery space 51 in a storage space 52 and then recharging them from a delivery space 51 to a manufacturing line is provided with a tray unit 2 and a throw-away device 6. The tray unit 2 is provided so as to reciprocate between the storage space 52 and the delivery space 51. The tray unit 2 has a box shape opening to the top side, includes a plurality of support parts 33 fitted to a supported part 73 formed on the workpiece 7 on a bottom surface 32, and has a plurality of trays 31 stacked in multiple stages at intervals larger than the height when the workpiece 7 is placed on the bottom surface 32. The plurality of supporting portions 33 are arranged so that the individual regions 7R, which are spaces occupied by the workpieces 7 supported by the supporting portions 33, do not interfere with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a work buffer device and a work buffer method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various work buffer devices and work buffer methods have been known. For example, the buffer device of Patent Document 1 includes a disk table, an upper plate portion, a work guide, and a drive motor, and can perform first-in first-out and smoothly carry out the work.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, in the manufacturing line of a clutch rotor, a buffer process for discharging is required to wait for the work outside the drying furnace after the painting drying process. This is because the work cannot be retained in the drying furnace in order to avoid the influence on the painting quality.

[0005] Conventionally, the discharge and re-input of the work were manually performed by workers, so the labor cost burden was large. In addition, the discharged work was often temporarily placed on the conveyor, so it was necessary to secure a large-area conveyor outside the line. Furthermore, in order to avoid the deterioration of the painting quality due to the peeling of the paint caused by the contact between the works, the discharge work had to be performed for each work, and it was difficult to automate with a machine. For this reason, space saving and automation of the work buffer operation have been demanded.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a work buffer device and a work buffer method that can automate the dispensing, storage, and re-insertion of workpieces in a space-saving configuration without the workpieces coming into contact with each other. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] <First aspect> A first aspect of the present invention is a work buffer device that temporarily stores a plurality of workpieces (7) brought in from a transfer space (51) in a storage space (52), and then reintroduces them from the transfer space to the manufacturing line, comprising a tray unit (2) and a dispensing / dispensing device (6). The tray unit is provided to be able to move back and forth between the storage space and the transfer space. The dispensing / dispensing device grips and transports workpieces between the transfer space and the tray unit.

[0008] The tray unit has a box shape with an opening on the top side, and includes a plurality of support parts (33) on its bottom surface that fit onto a support part (73) formed on the workpiece, and a plurality of trays (31) are stacked in multiple layers at intervals greater than the height when the workpiece is placed on the bottom surface. The system includes a drive cylinder (34) provided for each tray, which slides the tray horizontally to open the top of the lower tray, and a tray support module (4) which includes rollers (41) and support columns (42) to guide the sliding movement of the tray. It has the following features. The multiple support parts are arranged so that the individual regions, which are the spaces occupied by the workpieces supported by the support parts, do not interfere with each other. The trays, drive cylinders, and tray receiving modules of the tray unit can be further expanded by stacking them on top of multiple trays.

[0009] <Second aspect> A second aspect of the present invention is a work buffer method for which a plurality of workpieces (7) brought into a transfer space (51) are temporarily stored in a storage space (52), and then reintroduced from the transfer space to the manufacturing line, comprising a receiving step (S1), a buffer storage step (S2), and a reintroduction step (S3).

[0010] In the receiving step, a loading / unloading device (6) that grips and transports workpieces between the transfer space and the tray unit (2) places the workpieces brought into the transfer space onto one of the trays (31) of a multi-tiered tray unit that is provided to move back and forth between the storage space and the transfer space.

[0011] In the buffer storage step, the workpieces that were placed on each tray in the receiving step are stored in a storage space until they can be reintroduced to the production line.

[0012] In the re-loading step, after the buffer storage step is completed, the loading and unloading device grasps the workpieces that were stored on multiple trays in the storage space and transfers them from the transfer space to the manufacturing line.

[0013] The tray unit has a box shape with an opening on the top side, and includes a plurality of support parts (33) on its bottom surface that fit onto a support part (73) formed on the workpiece, and multiple trays are stacked in multiple layers at intervals greater than the height when the workpiece is placed on the bottom surface. It also includes a drive cylinder (34) provided for each tray, which slides the tray horizontally, and a tray support module (4) which includes rollers (41) and support columns (42) and guides the sliding movement of the tray. The multiple support sections are arranged so that the individual areas occupied by the workpieces supported by the support sections do not interfere with each other. The trays, drive cylinders, and tray receiving modules of the tray unit can be further stacked on top of the plurality of trays. The receiving step and the re-insertion step each include a sliding movement step (S10, S30) in which the drive cylinder slides the tray to open the top of the tray located lower down.

[0014] With the above configuration, although the height increases due to the multi-stage design, the installation area can be kept small. Furthermore, the fitting of the support part and the supported part allows individual workpieces to be placed in a fixed position. For this reason, the work buffer device and work buffer method of the present invention can automate the dispensing, storage, and re-insertion of workpieces in a space-saving configuration without the workpieces coming into contact with each other. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] A perspective view of a work buffer device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] A perspective view of a workpiece according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] A perspective view of a tray unit according to one embodiment. [Figure 4] (a) Arrangement diagram of individual areas, (b) Cross-sectional view of a tray of one embodiment. [Figure 5] A perspective view of (a) a tray module and (b) a tray receiving module of a tray unit according to one embodiment. [Figure 6]Perspective view illustrating a slid tray of an embodiment. [Figure 7] Flowchart of a work buffer method of an embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, a work buffer device and a work buffer method of an embodiment will be described based on the drawings.

[0017] <好 <An embodiment> FIG. 1 shows a work buffer device 1 of an embodiment. This embodiment assumes an apparatus for implementing a payout buffer process for waiting until the clutch rotor work after the painting drying process can be re-introduced into the production line.

[0018] The work buffer device 1 is a device that temporarily stores a plurality of workpieces 7 carried in from the delivery space 51 in the storage space 52 and then re-introduces them from the delivery space 51 into the production line. It includes a tray unit 2, a transfer robot 6 as the loading / unloading device 6, a loading conveyor 81, and an unloading conveyor 82. The tray unit 2 is provided so as to be able to reciprocate between the storage space 52 and the delivery space 51.

[0019] The loading conveyor 81 carries the workpiece 7 delivered from the production line outside the device to the delivery space 51. The unloading conveyor 82 carries out the workpiece 7 after temporary storage from the delivery space 51 toward the production line.

[0020] The transfer robot 6 is arranged in the delivery space 51 and grips and transports the workpiece 7 between the delivery space 51 and the tray unit 2. That is, the transfer robot 6 picks up the workpiece 7 from the loading conveyor 81 and moves it to the tray unit 2, and also picks up the workpiece 7 from the tray unit 2 and moves it to the unloading conveyor 82.

[0021] It should be noted that there is an unclear "好0000090" in the original text. I translated it as "好0000090" as it is. If this is an incorrect or unclear expression, please check and correct it for a more accurate translation.In this embodiment, the dispensing robot 6 remembers which workpiece 7 was moved to which tray unit 2 and when, and performs pick-up and place using a first-in, first-out method. By keeping the elapsed time after the painting process constant in this way, the painting quality is maintained. In addition, the dispensing robot 6 grips the workpiece 7 at a point that does not affect the painting quality inside the workpiece 7.

[0022] Figure 2 shows a workpiece 7 of one embodiment. In this embodiment, the workpiece 7 is assumed to be a substantially disc-shaped workpiece of a clutch rotor after the paint drying process. The workpiece 7 is placed so that the parallel circular portions on both sides are in contact with the floor surface. The workpiece 7 has a supported portion 73 formed to fit into the support portion 33 of the tray 31, which will be described later. When the workpiece 7 is placed on the floor surface, it occupies the individual region 7R shown at the bottom of Figure 2, as will be described later.

[0023] Figure 3 shows the tray unit 2. The tray unit 2 has a tray module 3 and a tray receiving module 4. The tray unit 2 has multiple trays 31 belonging to the tray module 3. Figure 5(a) shows the tray module 3. Figure 5(b) shows the tray receiving module 4 along with its components.

[0024] The tray module 3 of the tray unit 2 includes a tray 31 and a drive cylinder 34. The tray 31 has a box shape with an opening on the top side and includes a plurality of support parts 33 on its bottom surface 32 that fit onto a supported part 73 formed on the workpiece 7. The plurality of support parts 33 on the tray 31 are arranged so that the individual regions 7R (Figure 2), which are the spaces occupied by the workpiece 7 supported by the support parts 33, do not interfere with each other (Figure 4), and the plurality of workpieces 7 are stored in the tray 31 without coming into contact with each other. This prevents paint peeling due to contact between the workpieces 7.

[0025] Furthermore, the drive cylinders 34 are provided for each tray 31 (i.e., one drive cylinder 34 is provided for each tray 31), and they slide the trays 31 horizontally so as to open the top side of the trays 31 located lower down.

[0026] The tray receiving module 4 of the tray unit 2 has rollers 41 and support columns 42, which guide the sliding movement of the tray 31. With this configuration, the tray unit 2 can bring the empty space of the tray 31 (the support portion 33 where no workpieces 7 are stored) closer to the dispensing robot 6, whether storing workpieces 7 in the tray 31 or removing workpieces 7 from the tray 31. Figure 6 shows an example of the tray module 3 of this embodiment sliding.

[0027] Furthermore, the tray unit 2, through a combination of the tray module 3 and the tray receiving module 4, can be stacked in multiple layers while maintaining a spacing 3H greater than the height when the workpiece 7 is placed on the bottom surface 32 (Figures 3, 5(a), and 6). Therefore, it can be expanded as needed depending on the number of workpieces 7 to be temporarily stored. For example, the tray unit 2 in Figure 1 is stacked in four layers, but the tray unit 2 in Figures 3 and 6 has been expanded to stack in eight layers.

[0028] Figure 7 shows a flowchart of a work buffer method according to one embodiment. In this embodiment, the work buffer method S involves temporarily storing multiple workpieces 7 brought into the transfer space 51 in the storage space 52, and then re-entering them from the transfer space 51 into the manufacturing line. The method includes an acceptance step S1, a buffer storage step S2, and a re-entry step S3. The acceptance step S1 also includes a slide movement step S10, and the re-entry step S3 includes a slide movement step S30.

[0029] The receiving step S1 is a step in which a dispensing robot 6, which grips and transports the workpiece 7 between the transfer space 51 and the tray unit 2, places the workpiece 7 that has been brought into the transfer space 51 onto one of the multiple trays 31 that are stacked in multiple layers in the tray unit 2 provided in the storage space 52.

[0030] The buffer storage step S2 is a step in which the workpieces 7 stored on each of the multiple trays 31 in the receiving step S1 are stored in the storage space 52 until the workpieces 7 can be put back into the production line.

[0031] The re-loading step S3 is a step in which, after the completion of the buffer storage step S2, the dispensing robot 6 grasps the workpieces 7 that were stored on multiple trays 31 in the storage space 52 and transfers them from the transfer space 52 to the manufacturing line.

[0032] The sliding steps S10 and S30 included in the receiving step S1 and the re-insertion step S3, respectively, are steps in which the drive cylinder 34 slides the tray 31 to open the top side of the tray 31 that is on the lower side.

[0033] With the above configuration, the work buffer device 1 and work buffer method S of this embodiment can automate work buffer operations in a space-saving configuration, and can dispense a large number of workpieces 7 that have passed through the painting process as needed, without occupying a long conveyor line for temporarily storing workpieces 7, and temporarily store them until they can be put back into the manufacturing line.

[0034] <Other Embodiments> In the above-described embodiment, an example configuration was presented in which a clutch rotor workpiece was assumed to be the workpiece. However, the workpiece is not limited to the above example; it can be applied to any workpiece that can be fitted into the support portion on the bottom surface of the tray, and may be, for example, cubic, linear, or spherical.

[0035] In the above-described embodiment, an example configuration was presented in which a disc-shaped workpiece has a hollow supported portion, and the tray has a support portion that protrudes from the bottom surface towards the top. However, the shapes of the support portion and the supported portion are not limited to the above example; any shape that allows the support portion on the bottom surface of the tray and the workpiece to combine to fix the workpiece is acceptable. Therefore, for example, a convex portion may be provided on the workpiece side, and a concave portion may be provided on the tray side.

[0036] The above-described embodiment presented an example configuration assuming the removal of workpieces after the paint drying process. However, the applicable process is not limited to the paint drying process; it may also be a coating and drying process for adhesives or other materials instead of paint, or it can be used in the same way for any process that requires a certain waiting period after completion, such as a surface treatment process for workpieces. Furthermore, it may also be used as a workpiece buffer device or method for temporarily removing workpieces from the manufacturing line during breaks or other times, even if not at these specific timings.

[0037] In the above-described embodiment, an example configuration using a throwing / discarding robot as the throwing / discarding device was introduced. However, the throwing / discarding device is not limited to a robot type; any configuration that can grip and transport workpieces between the transfer space and the tray unit can be used in the same way.

[0038] Thus, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1 Work buffer device, 2 Tray unit, 31 Tray, 33 Support part 51 Transfer space, 52 Storage space, 6 Discharge / rejection device 7 Workpiece, 73 Supported part

Claims

1. A work buffer device (1) that temporarily stores multiple workpieces (7) brought in from a transfer space (51) in a storage space (52), and then reintroduces them to the manufacturing line from the transfer space, A tray unit (2) is provided that can move back and forth between the storage space and the transfer space, A dispensing and undispensing device (6) that grips and transports the workpiece between the transfer space and the tray unit, Equipped with, The tray unit is The tray (31) has a box shape with an opening on the top side, and includes a plurality of support parts (33) on its bottom surface that fit into the supported part (73) formed on the workpiece, and is stacked in multiple layers at intervals greater than the height when the workpiece is placed on the bottom surface, A drive cylinder (34) is provided corresponding to each of the trays, and slides the tray horizontally so as to open the top side of the lower tray, A tray support module (4) including rollers (41) and support columns (42) that guides the sliding movement of the tray, It has, The plurality of support parts are arranged so that the individual regions, which are the spaces occupied by the workpieces supported by the support parts, do not interfere with each other. A work buffer device in which the trays, drive cylinders, and tray receiving modules of the tray unit can be further added by stacking them on top of the plurality of trays.

2. A work buffer method (S) is provided in which multiple workpieces (7) brought into a transfer space (51) are temporarily stored in a storage space (52), and then re-entered into the manufacturing line from the transfer space, A receiving step (S1) involves a receiving device (6) that grasps and transports the workpiece between the transfer space and the tray unit (2), and places the workpiece brought into the transfer space onto one of the trays (31) of the tray unit, which is stacked in multiple layers and is provided to be able to move back and forth between the storage space and the transfer space. A buffer storage step (S2) is performed in which the workpieces stored on each of the trays in the receiving step are stored in the storage space until the workpieces can be reintroduced to the manufacturing line, After the buffer storage step is completed, the dispensing and undispensing device grasps the workpieces that were stored on the plurality of trays in the storage space and transfers them from the transfer space to the manufacturing line in a re-input step (S3), Includes, The tray unit is The trays are arranged in a box shape with an opening on the top, and include a plurality of support parts (33) on the bottom surface that fit into a supported part (73) formed on the workpiece, and are stacked in multiple layers at intervals greater than the height when the workpiece is placed on the bottom surface. A drive cylinder (34) is provided corresponding to each of the trays and slides the tray horizontally, A tray support module (4) including rollers (41) and support columns (42) that guides the sliding movement of the tray, It has, The plurality of support parts are arranged so that the individual regions, which are the spaces occupied by the workpieces supported by the support parts, do not interfere with each other. The trays, drive cylinders, and tray receiving modules of the tray unit can be further added by stacking them on top of the plurality of trays. A work buffer method in which the receiving step and the re-insertion step each include a sliding movement step (S10, S30) in which the drive cylinder slides the tray to open the top side of the tray located on the lower side.

3. The work buffer method according to claim 2, wherein the loading and unloading device loads the workpieces transported from the loading space onto the tray in the receiving step, in the order they were transported, from the loading space to the manufacturing line in the reloading step.

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