Conveying device

Abstract

A conveying device that includes a workpiece tray, a workpiece tray–conveying rail, a moving element–conveying path, and a plurality of moving elements that can be moved on the moving element–conveying path, and that conveys a workpiece placed on the workpiece tray by transferring the workpiece tray from an origin moving element to a destination moving element, the conveying device being configured such that the moving elements each have a moving element body and a moving element engaging part that detachably engages with the workpiece tray, and in a region where a movement range in which the origin moving element moves on the moving element–conveying path and a movement range in which the destination moving element moves on the moving element–conveying path overlap, the moving element engaging part of the origin moving element releases engagement with the workpiece tray and the moving element engaging part of the destination moving element engages with the workpiece tray, thereby transferring the workpiece tray from the origin moving element to the destination moving element.

Description

Conveyor

[0001] The present invention relates to a transport device for placing a workpiece thereon.

[0002] When a workpiece (an item that requires processing) is processed in multiple steps, the workpiece is transported to multiple workstations in sequence, and the required processing is performed at each workstation. In this case, a means for transporting the workpiece from one workstation to the workstation for the next process is required.

[0003] In this regard, for example, Patent Document 1 describes an article supplying device that uses a linear motor mechanism to transport and supply articles to a packaging process.

[0004] Patent document 2 also describes a conveying device that includes an extendable arm equipped with a workpiece gripping means and a moving means that moves the arm back and forth horizontally and swings the arm in the moving direction.

[0005] JP-T-2015-525176 A JP-A-2007-021696

[0006] When linear motor mechanisms are used, as in the technology of Patent Document 1, it is possible to connect linear motor mechanisms in series for short to medium transport distances, allowing workpieces to be transported quickly and accurately to a designated workstation. However, there is a limit to the connection distance of linear motor mechanisms, and as the travel distance becomes longer, the end of the linear motor mechanism appears. The linear motor mechanism cannot transport the workpiece beyond this end.

[0007] In this regard, the technology of Patent Document 2 makes it possible to transport a workpiece beyond the end of the linear motor mechanism. However, if a completely separate transport means is introduced in addition to the linear motor mechanism, not only will the equipment costs increase, but there is also the concern that the cycle time may become worse.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a workpiece transport device that is low-cost and prevents an increase in cycle time even when the workpiece is transported over a long distance.

[0009] The present invention is as follows.

[0010] <Aspect 1> A transport device comprising: a work tray for placing workpieces; a work tray transport rail along which the work tray moves; one or more mover transport paths arranged along the work tray transport rail; and a plurality of movers movable on the mover transport paths, wherein the workpieces placed on the work tray are transported by transferring the work tray from a source mover that is one of the plurality of movers to a destination mover that is a mover of the plurality of movers adjacent to the source mover, wherein each of the movers has a mover body and a mover engagement part that detachably engages with the work tray, and has an overlapping region in which a movement range in which the source mover moves on the mover transport path overlaps with a movement range in which the destination mover moves on the mover transport path, A transport device configured to transfer the work tray from the source mover to the destination mover in the overlapping region by the mover engagement portion of the source mover releasing engagement with the work tray and the mover engagement portion of the destination mover forming engagement with the work tray. {Aspect 2} The transport device according to Aspect 1, wherein in the overlapping region, the mover engagement portion protrudes from the mover main body toward the work tray and is pulled back, thereby detachably engaging with the work tray. {Aspect 3} The transport device according to Aspect 2, wherein the mover engagement portion is a plate-shaped mover engagement protrusion, and the work tray has a work tray engagement recess capable of receiving the mover engagement portion. {Aspect 4} The transport device according to Aspect 3, wherein the mover engagement protrusion has a roller capable of running within the work tray engagement recess. <Aspect 5> The transport device according to Aspect 4, wherein, when observed from the direction of the rotation axis of the roller, the contact surface of the roller protrudes on both sides in a direction perpendicular to the protruding direction of the mover engaging protrusion. <Aspect 6> The transport device according to any one of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the overlapping region exists midway through one of the mover transport paths. <Aspect 7> The transport device according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6, wherein the number of the mover transport paths is two or more, and the overlapping region exists at a connection portion of two of the mover transport paths adjacent to each other.<Aspect 8> The transport device according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7, wherein the transport device has a linear motor mechanism for moving the mover on the mover transport path. <Aspect 9> A transport method using the transport device according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7, comprising placing a workpiece on a work tray and moving the workpiece. <Aspect 10> The transport method according to Aspect 9, wherein the transport device has a linear motor mechanism for moving the mover on the mover transport path. <Aspect 11> A set of the mover transport path and the mover for use in the transport device according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7.

[0011] According to the present invention, a workpiece transport device is provided that is low cost and prevents an increase in cycle time even when the workpiece is transported over a long distance.

[0012] FIG. 1(a) is a schematic top view illustrating a state in which a source mover approaches a work tray transfer location in the conveying device of the present invention. FIG. 1(b) is a schematic top view illustrating a state in which the source mover reaches the work tray transfer location. FIG. 1(c) is a schematic top view illustrating a state in which a destination mover approaches the work tray transfer location. FIG. 1(d) is a schematic top view illustrating a state in which the destination mover reaches the work tray transfer location and engages with the work tray. FIG. 2(a) is a schematic perspective view illustrating the configuration of the mover. FIG. 2(b) is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a dashed-dotted circle in FIG. 2(a). FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating the configuration of the work tray. FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a state in which a mover engagement protrusion of the mover and a work tray engagement recess of the work tray are engaged.

[0013] <<Conveying Device>> The conveying device of the present invention comprises: a work tray for placing workpieces thereon; a work tray conveying rail along which the work tray moves; one or more mover conveying paths arranged along the work tray conveying rail; and a plurality of movers movable on the mover conveying paths, wherein the conveying device conveys the workpieces placed on the work tray by delivering the work tray from a source mover that is one of the plurality of movers to a destination mover that is a mover of the plurality of movers adjacent to the source mover; wherein each of the movers has a mover body and a mover engaging portion that detachably engages with the work tray, and has an overlapping region in which a movement range in which the source mover moves on the mover conveying path overlaps with a movement range in which the destination mover moves on the mover conveying path, In the overlapping region, the moving element engagement portion of the source moving element disengages from the work tray, and the moving element engagement portion of the destination moving element engages with the work tray, thereby transferring the work tray from the source moving element to the destination moving element.

[0014] In this specification, the term "workpiece" refers to an object to be processed by various processes.

[0015] The transport device of the present invention can, for example, carry a workpiece into a processing machine (workstation) for processing the workpiece, and carry the workpiece out of the workstation after being processed in the workstation.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of work stations are arranged along the mover transport path and work tray transport rail of the transport device. In this case, the transport device of the present invention can, for example, carry a workpiece into a certain work station, and after processing, carry the workpiece out of that work station and carry it into the next work station. In this aspect, a plurality of processes can be sequentially performed on the workpiece while it is being transported.

[0017] In another embodiment of the present invention, even when the workpiece travels a long distance and multiple movable element transport paths are connected, the workpiece can be transferred between movable element transport paths without the need for a special transfer device.

[0018] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the work stations arranged along the work tray transport rail of the transport device have multiple processing locations. In this case, the transport device of the present invention can, for example, transport a workpiece to a certain workstation by transporting it to an available processing location among the multiple processing locations. In this aspect, even if a predetermined process includes time-consuming processing, the waiting time for an available workstation can be reduced.

[0019] The elements constituting the transport device of the present invention will be described below in order.

[0020] <Work Tray> The work tray included in the conveying device of the present invention can be used to place a work. The work tray with the work placed thereon moves on the work tray conveying rail, thereby conveying the work placed on the work tray.

[0021] The work tray can be detachably engaged with a moving element engaging portion of the moving element described below. When the moving element moves on the moving element transport path with the moving element engaging portion engaged with the work tray, the work tray moves on the work tray transport rail accordingly. When the moving element engaging portion of the moving element and the work tray are disengaged, the work tray remains in the disengaged position on the work tray transport rail regardless of the movement of the moving element.

[0022] The work tray may have, for example, a flat plate shape, and the upper surface of this flat plate may have depressions, holes, protrusions, etc. for placing the work in a predetermined position.

[0023] The work tray moves on the work tray transport rail while engaged with the moving element. The work tray may have wheels, rollers, a roller mechanism, or the like to move smoothly on the work tray transport rail.

[0024] The work tray may or may not have a power source for moving on the work tray transport rail. The work tray moves on the work tray transport rail by engaging with the moving element that moves on the moving element transport path, so it does not need to have a power source.

[0025] The engagement between the work tray and the moving element engagement portion will be described later.

[0026] <Work Tray Transport Rail> The work tray transport rail included in the transport device of the present invention functions as a path along which the work tray moves.

[0027] The work tray transport rail may extend in a straight line, a curved line, or a combination thereof. The work tray transport rail may be, for example, a rail-like, groove-like, etc. Only one of these grooves, rails, etc. may extend, or multiple rails may extend in parallel.

[0028] When the work tray has wheels, roller mechanisms, etc. for moving on the work tray transport rail, the work tray transport rail may be a rail shaped so that the wheels, roller mechanisms, etc. of the work tray can slide.

[0029] <Moving Element Transport Path> The moving element transport path included in the transport device of the present invention is arranged along the work tray transport rail, and functions as a passage along which the moving element moves.

[0030] The mover transport path may extend in a straight line, a curved line, or a combination thereof. The mover transport path may have, for example, a substantially horizontal surface on which the mover can be placed and moved.

[0031] The conveying device of the present invention may include only one mover conveying path, or two or more mover conveying paths connected in series. In the prior art, when the driving force for moving the mover is a linear motor mechanism and two or more mover conveying paths are connected, a special conveying means is required to move the mover across two mover conveying paths. In contrast, in the conveying device of the present invention, even when the driving force for the mover is a linear motor mechanism and two or more mover conveying paths are connected, the mover can be moved across two mover conveying paths without requiring a special moving device.

[0032] <Moving Element> The moving element included in the transport device of the present invention can move on the moving element transport path.

[0033] The mover has a mover body and a mover engagement portion, and this mover engagement portion can be detachably engaged with the work tray.

[0034] When the moving element engages with the work tray and the moving element moves on the moving element conveying path, the work tray moves along the work tray conveying rail in accordance with the movement of the moving element. Also, when the moving element engages with the work tray, the work tray remains at the disengaged position on the work tray conveying rail regardless of the movement of the moving element.

[0035] The driving force for moving the moving element may be appropriately selected from known moving mechanisms. In order to control the moving distance and moving speed, the driving force for the moving element may be selected from, for example, a servo motor, a stepping motor, a linear motor, etc. If the conveying device of the present invention has a linear motor mechanism, it is preferable in that the position of the moving element can be controlled to the rated value and the moving element can be accurately stopped at the intended transfer position of the work tray.

[0036] The engagement between the moving element engaging portion and the work tray will be described later.

[0037] The transport device of the present invention has multiple movers. In the transport device of the present invention, when there is only one mover transport path, two or more movers may be arranged on the mover transport path. In the transport device of the present invention, when two or more mover transport paths are connected, one or two or more movers may be arranged on each mover transport path.

[0038] <Transfer of Work Tray from Source Moving Element to Destination Moving Element> In the transport device of the present invention, the work tray is transported by transferring the work tray from one of the moving elements, a source moving element, to a destination moving element, which is an adjacent moving element to the source moving element. In the device of the present invention, the transfer of the work tray can be performed without requiring a special moving device, whether the transfer of the work tray is performed within a single moving element transport path or between two adjacent moving element transport paths.

[0039] At this time, there is an overlapping region where the movement range in which the source movable element moves on the movable element conveying path and the movement range in which the destination movable element moves on the movable element conveying path overlap. In this overlapping region, the movable element engaging portion of the source movable element disengages from the work tray, and the movable element engaging portion of the destination movable element engages with the work tray. The conveying device of the present invention is configured to transfer the work tray from the source movable element to the destination movable element by such a mechanism.

[0040] This delivery mechanism will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0041] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing, in chronological order, how a work tray is transferred from a source mover to a destination mover in a transfer device of the present invention.

[0042] The transfer source moving element (100) has a moving element main body (101) and a moving element engaging portion (102). The rest of the moving element configuration and the work tray (500) will be described in detail later.

[0043] In Fig. 1(a), the transfer source mover (100) moves in the direction of the arrow on the mover conveyance path (300) with the mover engagement part (102) engaged with the work tray (500). As the transfer source mover (100) moves, the work tray (500) moves in the same direction as the transfer source mover (100) on two rail-shaped work tray conveyance rails (600). The transfer source mover (100) moves in the direction of the movement of the mover engagement part (102) P １ This is the range of movement of the transfer source mover (100) (R １００ In FIG. 1(b), the end of the transfer source moving element (100) in the moving direction of the moving element engaging portion (102) is P １ The work tray (500) stops temporarily at the point indicated by the arrow, disengages the movable element engaging portion (102) from the movable element conveying path (300), and then returns in the direction of the arrow on the movable element conveying path (300). The work tray (500) remains in the position where it has disengaged from the movable element engaging portion (102).

[0044] In Fig. 1(c), the destination moving element (200) has a moving element body (201) and a moving element engaging portion (202). The destination moving element (200) moves on the moving element conveying path (300) in the direction of the arrow with the moving element engaging portion (202) not engaged with the work tray (500). This destination moving element (200) moves in the direction of the arrow with the moving element engaging portion (202) at the end of the moving direction. ２ This is the moving range (R ２００ 1(d), the end of the moving element engaging portion (202) of the receiving moving element (200) in the moving direction is P ２ The moving element (200) stops temporarily at the point indicated by the arrow and engages the moving element engagement portion (202) with the work tray (500). The moving element engagement portion (202) then returns along the moving element conveying path (300) in the direction of the arrow together with the work tray (500). As the destination moving element (200) moves, the work tray (500) moves along the work tray conveying rail (600) in the same direction as the destination moving element (200).

[0045] By the above operation, the work tray (500) is transferred from the transfer source moving element (100) to the transfer destination moving element (200), and the work tray (500) is transported. １００ ) and the moving range (R ２００ ) is the point P １ and point P ２ There is an overlapping region (R ＯＬ ), and this overlapping region (R ＯＬ In this case, the source moving element (100) releases the engagement between the moving element engagement portion (102) and the work tray (500), and the destination moving element (200) forms an engagement between the moving element engagement portion (202) and the work tray (500), thereby transferring the work tray (500) from the source moving element (100) to the destination moving element (200) and transporting the work tray (500).

[0046] The overlapping area between the movement range of the source moving element and the movement range of the destination moving element, which is the location for transferring the work tray, may be located in the middle of one of the moving element transport paths, or at the connection point of two adjacent and connected moving element transport paths, or at both of these.

[0047] In Figure 1, the moving element engagement portion (102) of the source moving element (100) is positioned at a position shifted from the center of the moving element body (101) of the source moving element (100) in the conveying direction of the work tray (500), and the moving element engagement portion (202) of the destination moving element (200) is positioned at a position shifted from the center of the moving element body (201) of the source moving element (100) in the direction opposite to the conveying direction of the work tray (500).

[0048] The degree to which the position of the mover engagement part is shifted from the center of the mover body may be such that, when the mover is viewed from above, the mover body and the mover engagement protrusion (described later) of the mover engagement part do not have an overlapping portion. In other words, when the mover is viewed from above, the mover engagement protrusion may be disposed at a position protruding from the mover body. In such an embodiment, the movement range (R １００) and the moving range (R ２００ ) and overlapping region (R ＯＬ Therefore, according to this embodiment, even if the work tray transfer location is the connection portion of two moving element transport paths, the work tray can be smoothly transported without introducing any special transport means.

[0049] In FIG. 1, the source moving element (100) and the destination moving element (200) are in a mirror image (plane symmetry) relationship with each other, but they do not have to be in a mirror image relationship.

[0050] <Engagement Between Work Tray and Moving Element> The moving element has a moving element main body and a moving element engaging portion that detachably engages with the work tray.

[0051] In the overlapping region between the movement range of the source movable element and the movement range of the destination movable element, the movable element engaging portion of the movable element protrudes from the movable element body toward the work tray, thereby forming an engagement with the work tray remaining in the overlapping region. Also, in this overlapping region, the movable element engaging portion of the movable element is pulled back from the movable element body away from the work tray, thereby releasing the engagement with the work tray and allowing the work tray to remain in the overlapping region.

[0052] The means for protruding and retracting the mover engagement portion from the mover body may be appropriately selected from common actuators. The actuator may be, for example, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electromagnetic, etc. The mechanical actuator may be, for example, a combination of a stepping motor with a rack and pinion, a ball screw, a slide screw, etc. The pneumatic actuator may be, for example, a configuration in which a piston in a cylinder is reciprocated by air pressure. The hydraulic actuator may be, for example, a configuration in which a piston in a cylinder is reciprocated by hydraulic pressure. The electromagnetic actuator may be, for example, a configuration in which a linear reciprocating motion is generated by a linear motor.

[0053] In one embodiment of the present invention, the mover engagement portion may be a plate-shaped mover engagement protrusion, and in this case, the work tray may have a work tray engagement recess capable of receiving the mover engagement portion.

[0054] In one embodiment of the present invention, the mover engagement protrusion may have a roller that can run within the work tray engagement recess. The number of rollers may be one or more. Preferably, a pair of rollers that rotate coaxially with a small gap between them is arranged. One mover engagement protrusion may have one or more pairs of such rollers.

[0055] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the roller is observed from the direction of its rotation axis, the contact surface of the roller may extend on both sides in a direction perpendicular to the protruding direction of the movable element engaging protrusion. In such an embodiment, even if the positional relationship between the destination movable element and the work tray is slightly misaligned, smooth engagement can be achieved.

[0056] The following are possible cases where the positional relationship between the destination mover and the work tray may be displaced: When the position where the source mover stops in the overlapping area is displaced from the specified position, causing the position of the work tray after disengagement to be displaced from the specified position on the work tray transport rail, and When the position where the destination mover stops in the overlapping area is displaced from the specified position, causing the positional relationship between the destination mover and the work tray on the work tray transport rail to be displaced.

[0057] When the driving force that moves the moving element is a linear motor mechanism, it is thought that the position at which the moving element stops on the moving element conveying path can be controlled extremely accurately in terms of the front-to-back relationship in the direction of travel (horizontal direction). In this case, it is thought that the main problem is the deviation of the stopping position in the up-down direction (vertical direction). Therefore, when the driving force that moves the moving element is a linear motor mechanism, it is desirable that the rotation axis of the roller of the moving element engaging convex part is horizontal and perpendicular to the protruding direction of the moving element engaging convex part.

[0058] The engagement between the moving element and the work tray will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0059] A schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the mover in the transport device of the present invention is shown in Fig. 2. Although the reference numerals are used to denote the source mover in Fig. 2, the destination mover may also have the same configuration.

[0060] The moving element (100) in FIG. 2(a) has a moving element main body (101) and a moving element engagement portion (102), and is configured to be movable on the moving element conveying path (300) in the direction in which the moving element conveying path (300) extends.

[0061] In the mover (100) of Fig. 2(a), the mover engagement portion (102) is disposed at a position slightly shifted from the center of the mover main body (101) in the extension direction of the mover transport path (300). In this case, the mover engagement portion (102) may be disposed shifted from the center of the mover main body (101) toward the transport direction of the work tray.

[0062] Furthermore, a moving element engaging protrusion (102a) is disposed at the tip of the moving element engaging portion (102) of the moving element (100).

[0063] The moving element engaging portion (102) can be protruded from the moving element main body (101) perpendicular to the extending direction of the moving element conveying path (300) and in the direction of the work tray conveying rail (not shown), and can be retracted to its original position. When the moving element engaging portion (102) is protruded, the moving element engaging protrusion (102a) is inserted into the work tray engaging recess of the work tray (not shown), and engagement is formed.

[0064] FIG. 2(b) is an enlarged view of the moving element engaging protrusion (102a).

[0065] The moving element engaging protrusion (102a) in Fig. 2(b) has a plate-like shape and has a pair of rollers (103) at its tip that rotate coaxially with a small gap between them. The diameter of the pair of rollers (103) is set larger than the plate thickness of the moving element engaging protrusion (102a). The presence of these rollers (103) allows the moving element engaging protrusion (102a) to smoothly run within the work tray engaging recess and form an engagement, even if the positional relationship between the moving element and the work tray is misaligned.

[0066] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the work tray in the conveying device of the present invention.

[0067] The work tray (500) in Fig. 3 has a plate-shaped work tray body (501), holes (502) for placing works, and wheels (503), and is configured to be movable on the work tray transport rail (600) in the extension direction of the work tray transport rail (600). The work tray (500) has four pairs (eight wheels) of wheels (503) that rotate coaxially in accordance with the width of the work tray transport rail (600), and are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the extension direction of the work tray transport rail (600).

[0068] With this configuration, the work tray (500) can move smoothly on the work tray transport rail (600) while engaged with the mover (100).

[0069] The work tray (500) further has a work tray engagement portion (504) approximately in the center of the side on the moving element side, and a work tray engagement recess (504a) is formed in the gap between the upper surface of the work tray main body (501) and the work tray engagement portion (504). The moving element engagement protrusion of the moving element is inserted into this work tray engagement recess (504a), thereby forming an engagement between the moving element and the work tray.

[0070] Fig. 4 shows the state in which the movable element engaging protrusion of the movable element and the work tray engaging recess of the work tray are engaged. In Fig. 4, the plate-shaped movable element engaging protrusion, which is the tip of the movable element engaging portion of the movable element, is inserted into the work tray engaging recess of the work tray, thereby forming the engagement.

[0071] <<Transportation Method>> According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transporting method including placing a work on a work tray and moving the work by using the transporting device of the present invention.

[0072] The above description may be applied to the conveying device used in the conveying method of the present invention. Therefore, the conveying device may have, for example, a linear motor mechanism for moving the moving element on the moving element conveying path.

[0073] The workpiece to be transported by the transport method of the present invention may be, for example, a honeycomb substrate for manufacturing an exhaust gas purification catalytic device to be disposed in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine.

[0074] <<Set of Mover Carriage Path and Mover>> According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a set of a mover carriage path and a mover for use in the transport device of the present invention.

[0075] The relevant portions of the description of the transport device of the present invention may be cited for the transport path and the transport element.

[0076] 100 Moving element, source moving element 101, 201 Moving element body 102, 202 Moving element engaging portion 102a Moving element engaging convex portion 103 Roller 200 Destination moving element 300 Moving element conveying path 500 Work tray 501 Work tray body 502 Hole 503 Wheel 504 Work tray engaging portion 504a Work tray engaging concave portion 600 Work tray conveying rail P １ Arrival point of the transfer source mover P ２ Arrival point of the transfer destination R １００ Movement range of the transfer source mover R ２００ Movement range of the transfer destination element R ＯＬ overlap area

Claims

1. A conveying device comprising: a work tray for placing a workpiece; a work tray conveying rail along which the work tray moves; one or more mover conveying paths arranged along the work tray conveying rail; and a plurality of movers movable on the mover conveying paths, wherein the work tray is delivered from a source mover, which is one of the plurality of movers, to a destination mover, which is one of the plurality of movers adjacent to the source mover, thereby conveying a workpiece placed on the work tray, wherein each of the movers has a mover main body and a mover engaging portion which detachably engages with the work tray, and has an overlapping region in which a movement range in which the source mover moves on the mover conveying path overlaps with a movement range in which the destination mover moves on the mover conveying path, a conveying device configured to transfer the work tray from the source mover to the destination mover in the overlapping region by disengaging the mover engagement portion of the source mover from the work tray and engaging the mover engagement portion of the destination mover with the work tray.

2. A conveying device as described in claim 1, wherein in the overlapping region, the movable element engagement portion is protruded from the movable element main body toward the work tray and then pulled back, thereby detachably engaging with the work tray.

3. The conveying device according to claim 2, wherein the movable element engaging portion is a plate-shaped movable element engaging protrusion, and the work tray has a work tray engaging recess capable of receiving the movable element engaging portion.

4. The conveying device according to claim 3, wherein the movable member engaging protrusion has a roller capable of running within the work tray engaging recess.

5. A conveying device according to claim 4, wherein, when observed from the direction of the rotation axis of said roller, the contact surface of said roller protrudes on both sides in a direction perpendicular to the protruding direction of said movable element engaging protrusion.

6. A transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the overlapping area is present midway along one of the movable element transport paths.

7. A transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the number of the mover transport paths is two or more, and the overlapping area is present at a connection portion between two adjacent mover transport paths.

8. A transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the transport device has a linear motor mechanism for moving the moving element on the moving element transport path.

9. A conveying method using the conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising placing a work on a work tray and moving the work.

10. The transport method according to claim 9, wherein the transport device has a linear motor mechanism for moving the movable element on the movable element transport path.

11. A set of the mover transport path and the mover for use in the transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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