Conveying device

Abstract

To provide a carrier device which can carry plural types of work-pieces with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: A carrier device 1, 1' has a position determination part 5, 5' which determines a holding position of a work-piece in the carrier device, and a connection part 6, 6' configured to connect to a jig 90, 90' provided separately from the carrier device. The connection part is rotated with the jig to change the holding position of the work-piece.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a conveying device for conveying a workpiece for product assembly is known in a place such as an automobile production line. When different types of products flow on one production line, it is necessary to use a conveying device corresponding to each shape of the product.

[0003] However, when using different conveying devices for each product, it is necessary to take the trouble to replace the conveying device according to the product. Further, when a new product is introduced, it is necessary to newly manufacture a conveying device corresponding to the new product. Furthermore, in order to cope with fluctuations in the production ratio of products, it is necessary to secure a spare conveying device for each product.

[0004] In response to these problems, Patent Document 1 describes that a plurality of types of workpieces can be conveyed using the same type of conveying device by changing the position of the workpiece positioning member in one conveying device.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, in the conveying device described in Patent Document 1, a drive member for changing the position of the workpiece positioning member is provided in the conveying device itself. Therefore, the configuration of the conveying device becomes complicated, and the conveying device tends to be expensive.

[0007] Therefore, in view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a conveying device that can convey multiple types of workpieces with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The gist of this disclosure is as follows:

[0009] (1) A conveying device for transporting a workpiece, comprising a position determination unit for determining the holding position of the workpiece in the conveying device, and a connecting unit configured to connect to a jig provided separately from the conveying device, wherein the holding position is changed by the rotation of the connecting unit by the jig.

[0010] (2) The conveying device according to (1) above, wherein the position determination unit has a plurality of holding units configured to hold the workpiece at different positions from each other, the holding position is determined by one of the plurality of holding units, and the connecting unit switches the one holding unit by being rotated by the jig.

[0011] (3) The transport device according to (1) above, wherein the position determination unit and the connecting unit are configured to convert the rotation of the connecting unit into linear movement of the position determination unit.

[0012] (4) The conveying device according to any one of (1) to (3) above, further comprising a locking part for locking the rotation of the connecting part.

[0013] (5) The conveying device according to (3) above, further comprising a locking part for locking the rotation of the connecting part, and a release part for releasing the lock by the locking part when the jig is pressed by the jig when the jig is connected to the connecting part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, a conveying device capable of conveying multiple types of workpieces with a simple configuration is provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a top perspective view of a conveying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a partially enlarged view of the conveying device showing the first end member. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a view showing the locking portion in a cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the rotating shaft and including the locking portion. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a partially enlarged view of the conveying device showing the second end member. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a jig applied to the conveying device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a front view of the jig-side connecting portion of the jig. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a top perspective view of a conveying device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a partially enlarged view of the conveying device showing the back of the adjustment mechanism. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a jig applied to the conveying device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a top view of the adjustment mechanism. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows the conveying device in the states before and after the holding position of the workpiece is changed.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same reference numerals are assigned to similar components.

[0017] <First Embodiment> First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a conveying device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The conveying device 1 is provided at a location such as a production line of industrial products and conveys a workpiece for the assembly of industrial products. The workpiece conveyed by the conveying device 1 is, for example, an automobile part, and in this embodiment, it is an automobile body. That is, the conveying device 1 holds the body as a workpiece. In this case, the longitudinal direction of the conveying device 1 corresponds to the length direction of the body, and the lateral direction of the conveying device 1 corresponds to the width direction of the body.

[0018] The conveying device 1 is placed on a rail 100 and moves integrally with the rail 100. A plurality of conveying devices 1 are arranged on the rail 100 at intervals from each other. When the rail 100 is pushed out along its longitudinal direction by rollers, the plurality of conveying devices 1 move together with the rail 100. The conveying device 1 moves between a plurality of manufacturing processes in a production line. In each manufacturing process, operations such as part attachment, welding, and processing are performed on the workpiece on the conveying device 1 by an operator or a robot.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the conveying device 1 has an adjustment mechanism 10 and a main body portion 20. The adjustment mechanism 10 is detachably held by the main body portion 20 and adjusts the holding position of the workpiece in the conveying device 1.

[0020] The adjustment mechanism 10 has a rotation shaft 2, a first end member 3a, a second end member 3b, and a frame portion 4. The rotation shaft 2 has a cylindrical shape and extends in the lateral direction of the conveying device 1 at the rear of the conveying device 1. The first end member 3a is provided at one end of the rotation shaft 2, and the second end member 3b is provided at the other end of the rotation shaft 2. The first end member 3a and the second end member 3b rotate integrally with the rotation shaft 2. The frame portion 4 rotatably holds the rotation shaft 2 and functions as a bearing for the rotation shaft 2. Therefore, the rotation shaft 2, the first end member 3a, and the second end member 3b are rotatable with respect to the frame portion 4.

[0021] Figure 2 is a partially enlarged view of the conveying device 1 showing the first end member 3a. Figure 2 shows the conveying device 1 in a state where the adjustment mechanism 10 is lifted relative to the main body 20, that is, in a state where the adjustment mechanism 10 is separated from the main body 20.

[0022] As shown in Figure 2, the first end member 3a has a positioning portion 5, a connecting portion 6, and a locking portion 7. The positioning portion 5, the connecting portion 6, and the locking portion 7 are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction of the pivot shaft 2. The connecting portion 6 is positioned furthest out in the axial direction of the pivot shaft 2, the locking portion 7 is positioned furthest in the axial direction of the pivot shaft 2, and the positioning portion 5 is positioned between the connecting portion 6 and the locking portion 7 in the axial direction of the pivot shaft 2.

[0023] The position determination unit 5 determines the holding position of the workpiece in the conveying device 1 and holds the workpiece. In this embodiment, the position determination unit 5 determines the holding position of the vehicle body and holds the rear of the vehicle body. The position determination unit 5 is fixed to the pivot shaft 2 and is rotatable together with the pivot shaft 2 around the axis of the pivot shaft 2.

[0024] The position determination unit 5 has a plurality of holding parts 51 (51a to 51d) configured to hold the workpiece at different positions. The plurality of holding parts 51 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the pivot axis 2 and each extends in the radial direction of the pivot axis 2. The plurality of holding parts 51 have different shapes, and one of the plurality of holding parts 51 is selectively used depending on the type of workpiece. That is, the position determination unit 5 determines the holding position of the workpiece by one of the plurality of holding parts 51.

[0025] In this embodiment, the position determination unit 5 has four holding parts 51a to 51d, which are arranged at 90° intervals in the circumferential direction of the pivot axis 2. Each of the four holding parts 51a to 51d consists of a pair of members, and the vehicle body is held by the pair of members. In the conveying device 1 shown in Figure 2, the holding part 51a extending inward (forward) in the horizontal direction of the conveying device 1 determines the holding position of the vehicle body and holds the vehicle body.

[0026] The connecting portion 6 is configured to connect to a jig, which will be described later. The connecting portion 6 has a cylindrical shape and is fixed to the end of the pivot shaft 2 such that the axis of the connecting portion 6 coincides with the axis of the pivot shaft 2. The connecting portion 6 is rotatable together with the pivot shaft 2 around the axis of the pivot shaft 2. The connecting portion 6 has a central hole 61 and a plurality of circumferential holes 62 (62a to 62d) formed around the central hole 61. The central hole 61 is positioned so that its center lies on the axis of the pivot shaft 2, and the plurality of circumferential holes 62 are arranged at equal intervals on an arc centered on the central hole 61. The central hole 61 and the plurality of circumferential holes 62 are exposed to the outside of the conveying device 1.

[0027] In this embodiment, the connecting portion 6 has four circumferential holes 62a to 62d, and the four circumferential holes 62a to 62d are arranged at 90° intervals in the circumferential direction of the pivot shaft 2. The number of circumferential holes 62a to 62d matches the number of holding portions 51a to 51d, and the positions of the circumferential holes 62a to 62d in the circumferential direction of the pivot shaft 2 coincide with the positions of the holding portions 51a to 51d.

[0028] The locking part 7 locks the rotation of the pivot shaft 2, and consequently the rotation of the positioning part 5 and the connecting part 6. Figure 3 shows the locking part 7 in a cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the pivot shaft 2 and including the locking part 7. The locking part 7 has a substantially cylindrical shape and is fixed to the pivot shaft 2 such that the axis of the locking part 7 coincides with the axis of the pivot shaft 2. The locking part 7 is rotatable together with the pivot shaft 2 around the axis of the pivot shaft 2.

[0029] The locking portion 7 has a central hole 71 and a plurality of recesses 72 (72a to 72d) formed around the central hole 71. The central hole 71 is positioned so that its center lies on the axis of the pivot shaft 2, and the plurality of recesses 72 are arranged at equal intervals on an arc centered on the central hole 71. Each of the plurality of recesses 72 has a substantially trapezoidal shape. The pivot shaft 2 extends through the central hole 71 of the locking portion 7, and the locking portion 7 is fixed around the pivot shaft 2.

[0030] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the main body 20 has a first protrusion 21 that projects vertically upward. The first protrusion 21 is located at the same position as the locking portion 7 in the axial direction of the pivot shaft 2 and has a shape complementary to each of the plurality of recesses 72. As shown in Figure 3, of the plurality of recesses 72, the recess 72b facing the first protrusion 21 engages with the first protrusion 21. The engagement of the recesses 72 and the first protrusion 21 restricts the rotation of the locking portion 7, and locks the rotation of the pivot shaft 2, the positioning portion 5, and the connecting portion 6. Therefore, the locking portion 7 can prevent the positioning portion 5 from rotating and causing the workpiece holding position to shift.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, when the adjustment mechanism 10 is lifted relative to the main body 20, the locking part 7 moves vertically upward. As a result, the engagement between the first protrusion 21 and the recess 72 is released, allowing the locking part 7 to rotate, and consequently the rotation of the pivot shaft 2, the positioning part 5, and the connecting part 6.

[0032] In this embodiment, the locking portion 7 has four recesses 72a to 72d, which are arranged at 90° intervals in the circumferential direction of the pivot shaft 2. The number of recesses 72a to 72d corresponds to the number of retaining portions 51a to 51d, and the positions of the recesses 72a to 72d in the circumferential direction of the pivot shaft 2 coincide with the positions of the retaining portions 51a to 51d.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the frame portion 4 has a fitting portion 41, and the main body portion 20 has a second protrusion 22 that protrudes vertically upward. The second protrusion 22 is located at the same position as the fitting portion 41 in the axial direction of the pivot shaft 2 and has a shape complementary to the fitting portion 41. The fitting portion 41 engages with the second protrusion 22 and restricts the movement of the adjustment mechanism 10 in the axial direction of the pivot shaft 2.

[0034] Figure 4 is a partially enlarged view of the transport device 1 showing the second end member 3b. The second end member 3b is configured similarly to the first end member 3a, except that it has a rotation detection unit 8 instead of a connecting unit 6. That is, the second end member 3b has a position determination unit 5 and a locking unit 7, similar to the first end member 3a.

[0035] The rotation detection unit 8 is positioned on the outermost side in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 2 and indicates the rotation position of the rotation shaft 2. The rotation detection unit 8 has a cylindrical shape and is fixed to the end of the rotation shaft 2 such that the axis of the rotation detection unit 8 coincides with the axis of the rotation shaft 2. The rotation detection unit 8 is rotatable together with the rotation shaft 2 around the axis of the rotation shaft 2. The rotation detection unit 8 has a central hole 81 and a plurality of circumferential holes 82 (82a to 82c) formed around the central hole 81. The central hole 81 is positioned so that its center lies on the axis of the rotation shaft 2, and the plurality of circumferential holes 82 are arranged at equal intervals on an arc centered on the central hole 81. The central hole 81 and the plurality of circumferential holes 82 are exposed to the outside of the conveying device 1.

[0036] In this embodiment, the rotation detection unit 8 has three circumferential holes 82a to 82c, which are arranged at 90° intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis 2. The number of circumferential holes 82a to 82c is one less than the number of holding parts 51a to 51d, and the positions of the circumferential holes 82a to 82c in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis 2 coincide with the positions of the holding parts 51a to 51c. Since there are no circumferential holes at the position of the holding part 51d, the rotation position of the rotation axis 2 can be detected by detecting the arrangement of the circumferential holes 82a to 82c of the rotation detection unit 8 using an external detection device of the conveying device 1.

[0037] When the type of workpiece (e.g., vehicle type) to be transported by the transport device 1 is changed, the jig changes the workpiece holding position via the adjustment mechanism 10. The jig lifts the adjustment mechanism 10 from the main body 20 and rotates the pivot shaft 2, the first end member 3a, and the second end member 3b relative to the frame 4. When the position determination parts 5 of the first end member 3a and the second end member 3b are rotated, the holding part 51 that extends forward of the transport device 1 to hold the workpiece is switched, and the workpiece holding position is changed.

[0038] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a jig 90 applied to the conveying device 1 according to the first embodiment. The jig 90 is provided separately from the conveying device 1 and is a separate component from the conveying device 1. In this embodiment, the jig 90 is positioned on the outside of the first end member 3a and rotates the pivot shaft 2, the first end member 3a, and the second end member 3b via the connecting portion 6 of the first end member 3a. As shown in Figure 5, the jig 90 has a jig-side connecting portion 91, a horizontal drive portion 92, a vertical drive portion 93, and a rotation drive portion 94.

[0039] Figure 6 is a front view of the jig-side connecting portion 91 of the jig 90. The jig-side connecting portion 91 engages with the connecting portion 6 of the conveying device 1 to connect the jig 90 to the connecting portion 6. The jig-side connecting portion 91 has a cylindrical base portion 911, a central pin 912, and a plurality of circumferential pins 913 (913a, 913b) formed around the central pin 912. The central pin 912 is positioned so that its central axis coincides with the axis of the base portion 911, and the plurality of circumferential pins 913 are arranged at equal intervals on an arc centered on the central pin 912.

[0040] The central pin 912 has a shape complementary to the central hole 61 of the connecting portion 6, and the circumferential pin 913 has a shape complementary to the circumferential hole 62 of the connecting portion 6. When the central pin 912 and circumferential pin 913 of the jig-side connecting portion 91 engage with the central hole 61 and circumferential hole 62 of the connecting portion 6, respectively, the jig 90 is connected to the connecting portion 6 of the conveying device 1. In other words, the connecting portion 6 is configured to connect to the jig 90.

[0041] The horizontal drive unit 92 moves the jig-side connecting part 91 in the horizontal direction. The vertical drive unit 93 moves the jig-side connecting part 91 in the vertical direction. The rotational drive unit 94 rotates the jig-side connecting part 91. The horizontal drive unit 92 and the vertical drive unit 93 are configured as, for example, air cylinders, and the rotational drive unit 94 is configured as, for example, a stepping motor.

[0042] The workpiece holding position by the jig 90 is changed in the following procedure. First, the horizontal drive unit 92 moves the jig-side connecting part 91 horizontally forward so that it approaches the connecting part 6. As a result, the central pin 912 and circumferential pin 913 of the jig-side connecting part 91 engage with the central hole 61 and circumferential hole 62 of the connecting part 6, respectively, and the jig 90 is connected to the connecting part 6 via the jig-side connecting part 91.

[0043] Next, the vertical drive unit 103 moves the jig-side connecting portion 91 vertically upward. As a result, the adjustment mechanism 10, which is cantilevered by the jig 90, is lifted from the main body portion 20, and the engagement between the first protrusion 21 and the recess 72 of the locking portion 7 is released at each of the first end member 3a and the second end member 3b.

[0044] Next, the rotation drive unit 94 rotates the connecting part 6 via the jig-side connecting part 91. As a result, the position determination parts 5 of the first end member 3a and the second end member 3b rotate, and the holding part 51 that holds the workpiece is switched. In other words, the holding position of the workpiece is changed by the rotation of the connecting part 6 by the jig 90. For example, when switching from the holding part 51a to the holding part 51b as the holding part 51 that holds the workpiece, the rotation drive unit 94 rotates the connecting part 6 by 90° via the jig-side connecting part 91.

[0045] Next, the vertical drive unit 103 moves the jig-side connecting portion 91 vertically downward to reconnect the adjustment mechanism 10 to the main body portion 20. As a result, the recess 72 of the locking portion 7 engages with the first protrusion 21 of the main body portion 20, and the fitting portion 41 of the frame portion 4 engages with the second protrusion 22 of the main body portion 20, locking the position of the adjustment mechanism 10 relative to the main body portion 20. Note that if the holding portion 51 for holding the workpiece is switched from the holding portion 51a to the holding portion 51b, the recess 72 that engages with the first protrusion 21 is also switched from the recess 72a to the recess 72b.

[0046] Next, the horizontal drive unit 92 moves the jig-side connecting portion 91 horizontally backward so that it separates from the connecting portion 6. As a result, the engagement between the central pin 912 and circumferential pin 913 of the jig-side connecting portion 91 and the central hole 61 and circumferential hole 62 of the connecting portion 6 is released, and the connection between the jig 90 and the connecting portion 6 is released. Therefore, the holding position of the workpiece in the conveying device 1 can be changed by the above procedure.

[0047] According to this embodiment, since the workpiece holding position in the conveying device 1 can be changed, there is no need to prepare multiple types of conveying devices 1 to convey multiple types of workpieces. Therefore, the number of conveying devices 1 required to produce multiple types of industrial products on a production line can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost and storage space of the conveying devices 1 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the workpiece holding position is changed by a jig 90 provided separately from the conveying device 1, the conveying device 1 itself does not need to be equipped with a drive member for changing the workpiece holding position. Accordingly, this embodiment provides a conveying device 1 that can convey multiple types of workpieces with a simple configuration.

[0048] <Second Embodiment> The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment, with reference to Figures 7 to 11. Figure 7 is a top perspective view of the conveying device 1' according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the first embodiment, the conveying device 1' is mounted on a rail 100 and moves integrally with the rail 100. As shown in Figure 7, the conveying device 1' has an adjustment mechanism 10' and a main body 20'. The adjustment mechanism 10' is held in the main body 20' and adjusts the holding position of the workpiece in the conveying device 1'.

[0049] Figure 8 is a partially enlarged view of the transport device 1' showing the rear of the adjustment mechanism 10'. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the adjustment mechanism 10' has a frame section 4', a positioning section 5', a connecting section 6', a locking section 7', and a lock release section 11. The frame section 4' is fixed to the main body section 20' so as not to move, while the positioning section 5', connecting section 6', locking section 7', and lock release section 11 are held in a movable manner by the frame section 4'.

[0050] The position determination unit 5' determines the holding position of the workpiece in the conveying device 1' and holds the workpiece. In this embodiment, the position determination unit 5' determines the holding position of the vehicle body and holds the rear of the vehicle body. As shown in Figure 8, the position determination unit 5' consists of a pair of movable parts 50a and 50b, and has a pair of holding parts 51a' and 51b' formed at the upper ends of the pair of movable parts 50a and 50b. The pair of holding parts 51a' and 51b' have symmetrical shapes and cooperate to hold the vehicle body.

[0051] The connecting portion 6' is configured to connect to a jig, which will be described later. The connecting portion 6' is configured as a pinion and engages with a rack 52 formed on each of the pair of movable portions 50a and 50b. The rack 52 and the connecting portion 6' function as a rack and pinion, and the positioning portion 5' and the connecting portion 6' are configured to convert the rotation of the connecting portion 6' into the linear movement of the positioning portion 5'. When the connecting portion 6' is rotated by the jig, the pair of movable portions 50a and 50b move in opposite directions in the short-side direction of the conveying device 1'. That is, when the connecting portion 6' is rotated in one direction, the pair of holding portions 51a' and 51b' move away from each other, and when the connecting portion 6' is rotated in the other direction, the pair of holding portions 51a' and 51b' move towards each other.

[0052] The locking section 7' ​​locks the rotation of the connecting section 6', and consequently the linear movement of the positioning section 5'. The unlocking section 11 releases the lock from the locking section 7'. Details of the operation of the locking section 7' ​​and the unlocking section 11 will be described later.

[0053] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a jig 90' applied to a conveying device 1' according to a second embodiment. The jig 90' is provided separately from the conveying device 1' and is a separate component from the conveying device 1'. As shown in Figure 9, the jig 90' has a jig-side connecting portion 91', a rotational drive portion 94', a swinging drive portion 95, and a pressing portion 96.

[0054] The jig-side connecting portion 91' engages with the connecting portion 6' of the conveying device 1' to connect the jig 90' to the connecting portion 6'. The rotational drive unit 94' rotates the jig-side connecting portion 91'. The rotational drive unit 94' is configured, for example, as a stepping motor.

[0055] The oscillating drive unit 95 oscillates the jig-side connecting portion 91' and the pressing portion 96 so that they approach the adjustment mechanism 10' of the conveying device 1', as indicated by the arrows in Figure 9. Figure 9 shows the jig 90' when the jig-side connecting portion 91' and the pressing portion 96 are close to the adjustment mechanism 10' of the conveying device 1'. The oscillating drive unit 95 is configured as, for example, an air cylinder or an electric motor. The pressing portion 96 is positioned below the jig-side connecting portion 91' in the vertical direction and presses the unlocking portion 11 when the jig-side connecting portion 91' engages with the connecting portion 6'.

[0056] The principles of locking and unlocking the connecting portion 6' will be explained below. Figure 10 is a top view of the adjustment mechanism 10'. In Figure 10, the jig-side connecting portion 91' of the jig 90' is omitted in order to show the operation of the pressing portion 96 of the jig 90'. Figure 10(a) shows the state in which the rotation of the connecting portion 6' is locked, and Figure 10(b) shows the state in which the rotation of the connecting portion 6' is unlocked.

[0057] As shown in Figure 10, the locking portion 7' ​​includes a disc 73, a pad 74, a connecting portion 75, and a spring 76. The disc 73 is connected to the connecting portion 6' and is rotatable integrally with the connecting portion 6'. The connecting portion 75 is connected to the pad 74. The spring 76 is positioned between the connecting portion 75 and the frame portion 4' and expands and contracts between the connecting portion 75 and the frame portion 4'. The spring 76 biases the pad 74 toward the disc 73 via the connecting portion 75. As a result, the pad 74 presses against the disc 73, locking the rotation of the disc 73 and the connecting portion 6'. Therefore, the locking portion 7' ​​can prevent the positioning portion 5 from moving linearly due to the rotation of the connecting portion 6', thus preventing the workpiece holding position from shifting.

[0058] The unlocking unit 11 has a fixed arm 111 and a movable arm 112. The fixed arm 111 is fixed immovably to the frame portion 4'. The movable arm 112 is connected to the connecting portion 75 of the locking unit 7'. As shown in Figure 10(b), the pressing portion 96 of the jig 90' presses the tips of the fixed arm 111 and the movable arm 112 and is inserted between the fixed arm 111 and the movable arm 112 when the jig-side connecting portion 91' of the jig 90' engages with the connecting portion 6'. At this time, the connecting portion 75 rotates in conjunction with the movable arm 112, pressing the spring 76 against the frame portion 4' and compressing it. As a result, the pad 74 separates from the disc 73, and the lock by the locking unit 7' is released. Therefore, the unlocking unit 11 releases the lock by the locking unit 7' by being pressed by the jig 90' when the jig 90' is connected to the connecting portion 6'. This allows the lock by the locking part 7' to be released in conjunction with the connecting operation of the jig 90' and the connecting part 6', and the workpiece holding position can be quickly changed using the jig 90'.

[0059] Figure 11(a) shows the transport device 1' before the workpiece holding position is changed, and Figure 11(b) shows the transport device 1' after the workpiece holding position is changed. The workpiece holding position is changed by the jig 90' in the following procedure. First, the swing drive unit 95 swings the jig-side connecting part 91' and the pressing part 96 so that they move closer to the adjustment mechanism 10'. As a result, the jig-side connecting part 91' engages with the connecting part 6', and the jig 90' is connected to the connecting part 6' via the jig-side connecting part 91'. Also, the pressing part 96 of the jig 90' presses the lock release part 11, and the lock by the lock part 7' is released.

[0060] Next, the rotation drive unit 94' rotates the connecting unit 6' via the jig-side connecting unit 91'. As a result, the rotation of the connecting unit 6' is converted into linear movement of the position determination unit 5' via the rack 52, and the distance between the pair of holding units 51a' and 51b' of the position determination unit 5' changes, thereby changing the workpiece holding position. Therefore, the connecting unit 6' changes the workpiece holding position by being rotated by the jig 90'. In the example shown in Figure 11, the connecting unit 6' is rotated in a direction that separates the pair of holding units 51a' and 51b'. For this reason, in the state shown in Figure 11(b), the distance between the pair of holding units 51a' and 51b' is greater than in the state shown in Figure 11(a).

[0061] Next, the oscillating drive unit 95 oscillates the jig-side connecting part 91' and the pressing part 96 so that they move away from the adjustment mechanism 10'. As a result, the jig-side connecting part 91' moves away from the connecting part 6', and the connection between the jig 90' and the connecting part 6' is released. Also, the pressing part 96 moves away from the lock release part 11, and the lock part 7' locks the rotation of the connecting part 6'. Therefore, the holding position of the workpiece in the conveying device 1' can be changed by the above procedure.

[0062] According to this embodiment, since the workpiece holding position in the conveying device 1' can be changed, there is no need to prepare multiple types of conveying devices 1' to convey multiple types of workpieces. Therefore, the number of conveying devices 1' required to produce multiple types of industrial products on a production line can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost and storage space of the conveying devices 1' can be reduced. Furthermore, since the workpiece holding position is changed by a jig 90' provided separately from the conveying device 1', the conveying device 1' itself does not need to be equipped with a drive member for changing the workpiece holding position. Accordingly, this embodiment provides a conveying device 1' that can convey multiple types of workpieces with a simple configuration.

[0063] <Other Embodiments> Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, the workpieces transported by the transport devices 1 and 1' may be other than vehicle bodies (e.g., electrical appliances). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 1, 1' Conveyor device 5, 5' positioning part 6, 6' connection part 90, 90' jigs

Claims

[Claim 1] A conveying device for transporting workpieces, A position determination unit that determines the holding position of the workpiece in the conveying device, A connecting part configured to connect to a jig provided separately from the conveying device, A locking mechanism that locks the rotation of the aforementioned connecting part, A lock release unit which is pressed by the jig when the jig is connected to the connecting portion, thereby releasing the lock by the locking portion. It has, The connecting portion is rotated by the jig to change the holding position, A conveying device wherein the position determination unit and the connecting unit are configured to convert the rotation of the connecting unit into linear movement of the position determination unit.

Images