Pallet transport apparatus and method for transporting plurality of pallets

Abstract

A pallet transport apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a placement base on which a plurality of pallets each holding a tray that is used in a tray unit attached to a component mounting machine and that accommodates a plurality of components can be placed in a stacked state; and a prevention mechanism which prevents horizontal displacement of the plurality of pallets that are placed on the placement base.

Description

Pallet transport device and transport method for transporting multiple pallets

[0001] The present invention relates to a pallet transport device used when transporting a pallet holding trays.

[0002] The following Patent Document describes a tray on which components are placed to be supplied by a tray-type component supply device.

[0003] International Publication No. 2021 / 014545

[0004] In a tray-type component supply device, components are supplied from trays held on a pallet. For this reason, for example, trays are held on a pallet in a component storage facility, and the pallet holding the trays is stored inside the tray-type component supply device. During this process, the pallet is transported between the component storage facility and the tray-type component supply device. However, depending on the state of the transport path, the components on the trays on the pallet may move and become misaligned. Therefore, the objective is to appropriately transport the pallet holding the trays.

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, this specification discloses a pallet transport device that is used in a tray unit attached to a component mounting machine and that includes a loading platform on which multiple pallets holding trays containing multiple components can be placed in a stacked state, and a prevention mechanism that prevents horizontal displacement of multiple pallets placed on the loading platform.

[0006] Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, this specification discloses a method for transporting multiple pallets placed in a stacked state on the tray unit attached to a component mounting machine, without storing a tray on the topmost pallet of the multiple pallets placed in a stacked state on the tray unit, using a pallet transport device that includes: a loading platform used in a tray unit attached to a component mounting machine, on which multiple pallets holding trays containing multiple components can be placed in a stacked state; a prevention mechanism that prevents horizontal displacement of the multiple pallets placed on the loading platform; a vibration transmission prevention member that is provided on the bottom of the loading platform and prevents transmission of vibrations to the loading platform; and a rail attached to the vibration transmission prevention member.

[0007] In the present disclosure, multiple pallets are stacked on a mounting table, and a prevention mechanism prevents horizontal displacement of the multiple pallets placed on the mounting table. This allows the pallets to be transported appropriately. Furthermore, the multiple pallets are transported using a pallet transport device without storing a tray on the topmost pallet of the multiple pallets stacked on the mounting table. This prevents parts from falling out of the tray in the pallet transport device, allowing the pallets to be transported appropriately.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a component mounter. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a component mounting device. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a pallet in a state where a component tray is stored. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a conveying device on which a pallet transporter is placed. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a pallet transporter. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a pallet transporter on which a pallet is placed. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a pallet transporter on which a plurality of pallets are placed in a stacked state. FIG. 8 is a side view showing a pallet transporter on which a plurality of pallets are placed in a stacked state.

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as modes for carrying out the present invention.

[0010] 1 shows a component mounter 10. The component mounter 10 is a device for performing the operation of mounting components on a circuit board 12. The component mounter 10 includes a device main body 20, a substrate transport and holding device 22, a component mounting device 24, a mark camera 26, a parts camera 28, a bulk component supply device 30, and a component supply device 32. Examples of the circuit board 12 include a circuit board, a substrate with a three-dimensional structure, and the circuit board includes a printed wiring board, a printed circuit board, and the like.

[0011] The device main body 20 is composed of a frame 40 and a beam 42 suspended from the frame 40. The substrate transport and holding device 22 is disposed in the center of the frame 40 in the front-to-rear direction and includes a transport device 50 and a clamp device 52. The transport device 50 transports the circuit board 12, and the clamp device 52 holds the circuit board 12. As a result, the substrate transport and holding device 22 transports the circuit board 12 and securely holds the circuit board 12 at a predetermined position. In the following description, the transport direction of the circuit board 12 is referred to as the X-direction, the horizontal direction perpendicular to that direction is referred to as the Y-direction, and the vertical direction is referred to as the Z-direction. In other words, the width direction of the component mounter 10 is the X-direction, and the front-to-rear direction is the Y-direction.

[0012] The component mounting device 24 is mounted on the beam 42 and includes two work heads 60, 62 and a work head moving device 64. Each work head 60, 62 has a suction nozzle 66 (see FIG. 2) that holds a component. As shown in FIG. 2, the work head moving device 64 includes an X-direction moving device 68, a Y-direction moving device 70, and a Z-direction moving device 72. The X-direction moving device 68 and the Y-direction moving device 70 allow the two work heads 60, 62 to be moved together to any desired position on the frame 40. Each work head 60, 62 is detachably attached to a slider 74, 76, and the Z-direction moving device 72 moves the slider 74, 76 individually in the vertical direction. That is, the work heads 60, 62 are moved individually in the vertical direction by the Z-direction moving device 72.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 2, the mark camera 26 is attached to the slider 74 facing downward, and is movable in the X, Y, and Z directions together with the work head 60. This allows the mark camera 26 to capture an image of any position on the frame 40. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 1, the part camera 28 is disposed on the frame 40 between the substrate material conveying and holding device 22 and the part supply device 32 facing upward. This allows the part camera 28 to capture an image of a part held by the suction nozzle 66 of the work heads 60, 62.

[0014] The bulk component supply device 30 is disposed at one end of the frame 40 in the front-to-rear direction. The bulk component supply device 30 aligns a plurality of components that are scattered randomly and supplies the aligned components. In other words, the bulk component supply device 30 aligns a plurality of components in any orientation into a predetermined orientation and supplies the components in the predetermined orientation.

[0015] The component supply device 32 is disposed at the other end of the frame 40 in the front-to-rear direction. The component supply device 32 has a feeder-type component supply device 86 and a tray-type component supply device 88. The feeder-type component supply device 86 is a device that supplies components using a tape feeder 90. The tape feeder 90, for example, separates lead components from tape-formed components and supplies the separated lead components.

[0016] The tray-type component supply device 88 supplies components placed on a component tray (see FIG. 3) 100. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of tray components 102 are aligned on the component tray 100. The component tray 100 is placed on a generally rectangular pallet 106. The component tray 100 is positioned on the pallet 106 by magnets 108 to prevent misalignment on the pallet 106. As shown in FIG. 1, the tray-type component supply device 88 also includes a tray tower 110 and a tray holder 112. The tray tower 110 incorporates a stocker (not shown) for storing a plurality of pallets 106 and a plurality of magazines (not shown) arranged vertically. The tray tower 110 transfers a desired pallet 106 from the stocker to a desired one of the plurality of magazines. A pallet 106 is pulled out of the magazine on the tray tower 110 and onto the tray holder 112. As a result, the tray-type component supply device 88 supplies tray components 102 from the component tray 100 placed on the pallet 106 to the pallet 106 pulled out onto the tray holder 112 .

[0017] The component mounter 10, with the above-described configuration, performs a component mounting operation on the circuit board 12 held by the substrate conveying and holding device 22. Specifically, the circuit board 12 is carried to a predetermined work position by the conveying device 50 and fixedly held at that position by the clamping device 52. Next, the mark camera 26 moves above the circuit board 12 and captures an image of the circuit board 12. This provides information regarding an error in the holding position of the circuit board 12. Furthermore, the bulk component supply device 30 or the component supply device 32 supplies components at a predetermined supply position. Specifically, for example, in the tray-type component supply device 88 of the component supply device 32, as described above, a component tray 100 is placed on a pallet 106 pulled out onto the tray holder 112, and tray components 102 are supplied from the component tray 100. Then, one of the work heads 60, 62 moves above the component supply position and holds the components with the suction nozzle 66. Next, the work heads 60, 62 holding the component move above the part camera 28, which captures an image of the component held by the suction nozzle 66. This provides information regarding any error in the component's holding position. The work heads 60, 62 holding the component then move above the circuit board 12, correcting for any error in the circuit board 12 holding position, any error in the component holding position, and mount the component onto the circuit board 12.

[0018] In this manner, in the mounter 10, for example, tray components 102 supplied from the tray-type component supply device 88 are mounted on the circuit board 12. As described above, the tray components 102 are stored in the component tray 100, and the component tray 100 is placed on the pallet 106. Therefore, an operator places the component tray 100 containing the tray components 102 required for the mounting operation in the mounter 10 on the pallet 106 in a component storage facility or the like where components are stored, and stores the pallet 106 in the stocker of the tray-type component supply device 88 in the mounter 10. In this manner, in order to store the pallet 106 prepared by the operator in a component storage facility or the like in the stocker of the tray-type component supply device 88, the pallet 106 is automatically transported from the component storage facility to the mounter 10 by a transport device (see FIG. 4 ) 120.

[0019] 4, the transport device 120 is configured by connecting an automatic transport vehicle 122 and a transport cart 124, and the automatic transport vehicle 122 automatically moves to a desired position, thereby transporting the transport cart 124 connected to the automatic transport vehicle 122 to the desired position. Therefore, the pallet 106 prepared in the component storage facility is placed on the transport cart 124, and is then automatically transported by the transport device 120 from the component storage facility to the mounter 10.

[0020] 3, the component tray 100 is positioned on the pallet 106 by magnets 108, but the top of the component tray 100 is naturally open, and the tray components 102 are exposed above the component tray 100. Therefore, when the pallet 106 is transported by the transport device 120, there is a risk that the tray components 102 may fly out of the component tray 100 placed on the pallet 106 due to vibrations of the transport device 120, etc.

[0021] In consideration of this, the pallet 106 is automatically transported by the transport device 120 using a pallet transport device 130. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the pallet transport device 130 is composed of a mounting table 132 and a displacement prevention mechanism 134. The mounting table 132 is generally in the shape of a rectangular plate, and the lengths of the four sides of the mounting table 132 are slightly longer than the lengths of the four sides of the pallet 106. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the entire pallet 106 can be placed on the mounting table 132. Note that FIG. 6 is a view showing the mounting table 132 with the pallet 106 placed thereon, as viewed from above.

[0022] 5, the displacement prevention mechanism 134 is composed of a pair of erected arms 150, 152. The pair of erected arms 150, 152 are erected on a pair of opposing short sides of the four sides of the generally rectangular mounting base 132 and have an arch shape. The erected arm 150 includes a pair of pillars 156 erected on the mounting base 132 and a beam 158 spanning the upper ends of the pair of pillars 156. The erected arm 152 also includes a pair of pillars 160 erected on the mounting base 132 and a beam 162 spanning the upper ends of the pair of pillars 160. Furthermore, the length of the pillar portion 156 of the standing arm 150 is the same as the length of the pillar portion 160 of the standing arm 152, but the length of the beam portion 158 of the standing arm 150 is longer than the length of the beam portion 162 of the standing arm 152. Therefore, the height of the standing arm 150 is the same as the height of the standing arm 152, but the width of the standing arm 150 is wider than the width of the standing arm 152. In other words, the external dimensions of the standing arm 150 and the standing arm 152 are different.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3 , a pair of engagement blocks 170 are fixed to one of a pair of opposing short sides of the generally rectangular pallet 106, and a pair of engagement blocks 172 are fixed to the other of the short sides. The pair of engagement blocks 170 are arranged to face each other on one of the short sides, and a V-groove 176 is formed on each of the opposing surfaces of the pair of engagement blocks 170. The distance between the interior of the V-groove 176 of one of the pair of engagement blocks 170 and the interior of the V-groove 176 of the other of the pair of engagement blocks 170 corresponds to the length of the beam portion 158 of the erection arm 150. The pair of engagement blocks 172 are arranged to face each other on the other of the short sides, and a V-groove 178 is formed on each of the opposing surfaces of the pair of engagement blocks 172. The distance between the inside of one V-groove 178 of a pair of engaging blocks 172 and the inside of the other V-groove 178 of the pair of engaging blocks 172 is set to a distance equivalent to the length dimension of the beam portion 162 of the upright arm 152.

[0024] In the pallet transport device 130 having such a structure, an operator places the pallet 106 on the platform 132 from above the standing arms 150, 152 so that the beams 158 of the standing arm 150 enter between the V-grooves 176 of the pair of engaging blocks 170 and the beams 162 of the standing arm 152 enter between the V-grooves 178 of the pair of engaging blocks 172. As a result, the pallet 106 is placed on the upper surface of the platform 132 with the V-grooves 176 of the pair of engaging blocks 170 engaged with the pair of pillars 156 of the standing arm 150 and the V-grooves 178 of the pair of engaging blocks 172 engaged with the pair of pillars 160 of the standing arm 152, as shown in FIG.

[0025] Furthermore, the pallet transport device 130 allows multiple pallets 106 to be placed on the platform 132 in a stacked state. More specifically, as described above, after the worker places the first pallet 106 on the upper surface of the platform 132, the worker places the second pallet 106 from above the standing arms 150, 152 toward the platform 132, in the same manner as the first pallet 106. That is, the worker places the second pallet 106 from above the standing arms 150, 152 toward the first pallet 106, so that the beam portion 158 of the standing arm 150 enters between the V-grooves 176 of the pair of engaging blocks 170 and the beam portion 162 of the standing arm 152 enters between the V-grooves 178 of the pair of engaging blocks 172. In this way, the second pallet 106 is placed on the platform 132 stacked on top of the first pallet 106. Then, the worker places the third to fifth pallets 106 onto the table 132 from above the erected arms 150 and 152 in the same manner as the first pallet 106 .

[0026] 7 to 9, five pallets are placed on the platform 132 of the pallet transport device 130 in a stacked state. In this way, in the pallet transport device 130 on which multiple pallets 106 are placed in a stacked state, the anti-slip mechanism 134 prevents the pallets 106 from shifting horizontally on the platform 132. In other words, by placing the pallet 106 on the platform 132 between the pair of standing arms 150, 152 that make up the anti-slip mechanism 134, it is possible to prevent the pallet 106 from shifting in the direction in which the pair of standing arms 150, 152 face each other. Furthermore, by engaging the engagement blocks 170, 172 with the standing arm 150, it is possible to prevent the pallet 106 from shifting in the direction that intersects with the direction in which the pair of standing arms 150, 152 face each other. Incidentally, the bottommost pallet 106 will be referred to as the first pallet 106, and the pallets 106 above the first pallet 106 will be referred to as the second to fifth pallets 106 in order.

[0027] When multiple pallets 106 are stacked, the top surface of the component tray 100 housed in one pallet 106 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the pallet 106 stacked on top of it. At this time, the tray components 102 of the component tray 100 come into contact with the bottom surface of the pallet 106. For example, the tray components 102 of the component tray 100 housed in the first pallet 106 come into contact with the bottom surface of the second pallet 106 stacked on top of the first pallet 106. For this reason, the bottom surface of the pallet 106 that comes into contact with the tray components 102 (electronic components) is formed from a conductive resin plate. The conductive resin plate is made of resin with carbon black or the like kneaded into it, and has excellent discharge properties. This prevents the pallets 106 from becoming electrically charged, thereby preventing damage to the tray components 102 due to static electricity or the like.

[0028] Furthermore, in the pallet transport device 130, generally cylindrical vibration transmission prevention members 180 are fixed to the four corners of the underside of the mounting platform 132. The vibration transmission prevention members 180 are made of Alpha Gel, a material with excellent shock absorption, vibration isolation, and vibration damping properties. Therefore, by fixing the vibration transmission prevention members 180 to the underside of the mounting platform 132, the vibration transmission prevention members 180 prevent the transmission of vibrations from below the mounting platform 132 to the mounting platform 132. Furthermore, of the four vibration transmission prevention members 180, rails 186 are fixed in a spanning state across the underside of every two vibration transmission prevention members 180, which are arranged to extend in the direction of a pair of long sides of the mounting platform 132. In other words, a pair of rails 186 are arranged on the underside of the mounting platform 132 via the four vibration transmission prevention members 180 so as to extend in the direction of a pair of long sides of the mounting platform 132.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4 , the pallet transport device 130 having such a structure is placed on the transport vehicle 124 so that the pair of rails 186 contact the upper surface of the transport vehicle 124. The automated transport vehicle 122 then transports the pallet transport device 130 placed on the upper surface of the transport vehicle 124 by self-propelling. Five pallets 106 are placed in a stacked state on the pallet transport device 130. The first to fourth pallets 106 from the bottom contain component trays 100, but the fifth pallet 106 from the bottom, i.e., the topmost pallet 106, does not contain a component tray 100. The five pallets 106 stacked in this manner are transported by the transport device 120 using the pallet transport device 130. In this case, one pallet 106 in the pallet transport device 130 functions as a lid for the pallet 106 below it. That is, for example, the second pallet 106 functions as a lid for the first pallet 106, and the third pallet 106 functions as a lid for the second pallet 106. Furthermore, the fourth pallet 106 functions as a lid for the third pallet 106, and the fifth pallet 106 functions as a lid for the fourth pallet 106. Therefore, the first to fourth pallets 106 can prevent tray components 102 from falling out of the component trays 100 stored in each pallet 106. Furthermore, by not storing a component tray 100 in the fifth pallet and having the fifth pallet function only as a lid, it is possible to prevent tray components 102 from falling out of all pallets 106 transported using the pallet transport device 130.

[0030] Since the pallet transport device 130 is placed on the transport cart 124 via the vibration transmission prevention member 180, it is also possible to store a component tray 100 on the fifth pallet 106. In other words, the vibration transmission prevention member 180 makes it difficult for vibrations from the transport device 120 to be transmitted to the pallet transport device 130, and even when a component tray 100 is stored on the fifth pallet 106, it is possible to prevent the tray components 102 from popping out of the component tray 100 stored on the fifth pallet 106. Therefore, even when component trays 100 are stored on all five pallets 106, it is possible to prevent the tray components 102 from popping out of all pallets 106 transported using the pallet transport device 130.

[0031] The pallets 106 transported by the pallet transport device 130 are placed on the mounting table 132 by an operator in accordance with instructions from a management device (not shown) of the mounter 10. Specifically, when an operator collects component trays 100 containing tray components 102 required for mounting in the mounter 10 from a component storage warehouse or the like, the operator places the collected component trays 100 on the pallet 106. A 2D code is affixed to the component tray 100, and the 2D code indicates identification information for the component tray 100 and the tray components 102 contained in the component tray 100. A 2D code is also affixed to the pallet 106, and the 2D code indicates identification information for the pallet 106. Therefore, the operator reads the 2D code of the pallet 106 and the 2D code of the component trays 100 placed on the pallet 106 using a code reader or the like. This links the identification information of the pallet 106, the identification information of the component tray 100, and the identification information of the tray component 102. Note that association information linking the identification information of the pallet 106, the identification information of the component tray 100, and the identification information of the tray component 102 is stored in the management device.

[0032] Furthermore, information regarding the tray components 102 used in the mounting operation by the mounter 10 (hereinafter referred to as "necessary component information") is input into the management device. The management device then extracts identification information for the pallet 106 linked to the necessary component information from the related information. The management device then displays the identification information for the pallet 106 extracted from the related information on a panel (not shown) as the pallet to be stored in the tray-type component supply device 88 of the mounter 10. This allows the worker to identify the pallet 106 to be set in the pallet transport device 130.

[0033] The management device displays on a panel the number of pallets 106 that can be loaded onto the pallet transport device 130 at one time. Specifically, the management device stores the height dimension LA of the erection arms 150, 152 of the pallet transport device 130, the thickness dimension LP of each pallet 106, and the thickness dimension LT of each component tray 100. The management device then extracts the identification information of the pallet 106 and the identification information of the component tray 100, which are linked by the association information, and determines the thickness dimension LP of the pallet 106 corresponding to the extracted identification information of the pallet 106 and the thickness dimension LT of the component tray 100 corresponding to the extracted identification information of the component tray 100. The management device then calculates the combined height of the component tray 100 and the pallet 106 when the component tray 100 is placed on the pallet 106 as the sum of the thickness dimension LP of the pallet 106 and the thickness dimension LT of the component tray 100 (LP + LT). Therefore, when multiple (X) pallets 106 with component trays 100 placed on the mounting table 132 are stacked, the height of the X stacked pallets is (LP + LT) × X. When a pallet 106 without component trays 100 is placed on top of the X stacked pallets, the height of the (X+1) stacked pallets is (LP + LT) × X + LP. The management device calculates the type and number of pallets 106 to be placed on the mounting table 132 so that the height of the (X+1) pallets does not exceed the height LA ​​of the erection arms 150, 152 of the pallet transport device 130. In other words, the management device calculates the type and number (X) of pallets 106 to be placed on the mounting table 132 and the number (X) of pallets 106 with component trays 100 placed on the mounting table 132 so as to satisfy the following formula: LA≧(LP+LT)×X+LP This makes it possible for the height dimension of multiple pallets 106 placed in a stacked state on the loading platform 132 in the pallet transport device 130 to not exceed the vertical arms 150, 152, and for multiple pallets 106 to be transported appropriately by the pallet transport device 130.

[0034] The management device also inputs the priorities of the component trays 100 to be stored in the tray-type component supply device 88 in the mounter 10, and the component trays 100 with the highest priorities are transported preferentially by the pallet transport device 130. Therefore, the management device identifies the pallets 106 to be transported so as to satisfy the above formula, starting with the component trays 100 with the highest priorities. That is, for example, if the component trays 100 with the first to third priorities satisfy the above formula but the component trays 100 with the first to fourth priorities do not, the pallets 106 carrying the component trays 100 with the first to third priorities are identified as the pallets to be transported first. The identified pallets are then displayed on the panel. The operator then loads the pallets displayed on the panel into the pallet transport device 130 and transports the pallet transport device 130 to the mounter 10 using the transport device 120. This allows the component trays 100 with the highest priorities to be transported preferentially.

[0035] Note that the pallets 106 to be transported may be identified so that many pallets 106 can be loaded onto the pallet transport device 130 while taking priority order into consideration. Specifically, for example, even if the component trays 100 with first to fourth priority order do not conform to the above formula, the component trays 100 with first to third and fifth priority order may conform to the above formula. In such a case, the pallets 106 on which each of the component trays 100 with first to third and fifth priority order are placed are identified as the pallets to be transported first. Identifying the pallets 106 to be transported in this manner makes it possible to load many pallets 106 onto the pallet transport device 130 while taking priority order into consideration.

[0036] Furthermore, when the pallet transport device 130 is placed on the transport vehicle 124, for example, the worker grasps the beams 158, 162 of the pair of standing arms 150, 152 to carry the pallet transport device 130. In other words, the pair of standing arms 150, 152 also function as handles. Furthermore, because the width dimensions of the pair of standing arms 150 are different as described above, the worker can recognize the orientation of the pallet 106 on the pallet transport device 130. Specifically, when the pallet 106 is stored in the stocker of the tray-type component supply device 88, for example, the worker stores the pallet 106 with the short side on which the engagement block 170 of the pallet 106 is arranged facing the interior of the stocker. Therefore, the direction in which the engagement block 170 of the pallet 106 is arranged is the storage direction of the pallet 106. In the pallet transport device 130, the engagement block 170 of the pallet 106 always engages with the standing arm 150, so the worker can recognize the storage direction of the pallet 106 by recognizing the standing arm 150. In this way, by recognizing the standing arm 150, which has a different width dimension from the standing arm 152, the worker can easily recognize the storage direction of the pallet 106 in the pallet transport device 130.

[0037] The engagement blocks 170, 172 of the pallet 106 are not only used to engage with the erected arms 150, 152 of the pallet transport device 130, but are also used when the tray-type component supply device 88 automatically moves the pallet 106. More specifically, the tray-type component supply device 88 has a built-in gripper, and when the gripper engages with the engagement block 170, the pallet 106 moves from the stocker to the magazine. Furthermore, when the gripper engages with the engagement block 172 in the tray-type component supply device 88, the pallet 106 moves from the magazine to the tray holder 112. In other words, the pallet 106 engages with the erected arms 150, 152 of the pallet transport device 130 using the engagement blocks used when the tray-type component supply device 88 automatically moves the pallet 106. This allows the pallet 106 to engage with the erected arms 150, 152 of the pallet transport device 130 using the engagement blocks 170, 172 conventionally provided on the pallet 106.

[0038] The component mounter 10 is an example of a component mounter. The tray-type component supply device 88 is an example of a tray unit and a supply device. The component tray 100 is an example of a tray. The pallet 106 is an example of a pallet. The transport device 120 is an example of an automatic transport device. The pallet transport device 130 is an example of a pallet transport device. The mounting table 132 is an example of a mounting table. The slippage prevention mechanism 134 is an example of a prevention mechanism. The erected arms 150, 152 are an example of an erected portion. The engaging blocks 170, 172 are an example of an engaging portion. The vibration transmission prevention member 180 is an example of a vibration transmission prevention member. The rail 186 is an example of a rail.

[0039] As described above, the present embodiment has the following advantages.

[0040] In the pallet transport device 130, multiple pallets 106 holding part trays 100 are placed in a stacked state on a loading table 132, and horizontal displacement of the multiple pallets 106 placed on the loading table 132 is prevented by a displacement prevention mechanism 134. This allows the pallets 106 to be transported appropriately by the pallet transport device 130.

[0041] Furthermore, in the pallet transport device 130, a pair of erect arms 150, 152 are erected on a pair of opposing short sides of the mounting table 132, preventing the pallet 106 from shifting in the opposing directions of the pair of erect arms 150, 152. This makes it possible to prevent the pallet 106 from shifting with a simple structure.

[0042] Furthermore, the pair of standing arms 150, 152 have different width dimensions. This allows, for example, an operator to easily identify the standing arm 150 of the pair of standing arms 150, 152 and recognize the position of the engagement block 170 that engages with that standing arm 150. This allows the operator to easily recognize the orientation of the pallet 106 in the pallet transport device 130. Furthermore, when the pair of standing arms 150, 152 have different width dimensions, when the pair of standing arms 150, 152 restrict misalignment of the pallet 106, the width dimensions of the portions of the pair of standing arms 150, 152 that restrict misalignment of the pallet 106 are different. Therefore, the width dimensions of the pair of standing arms 150, 152 can be rephrased as the width dimensions of the portions of the pair of standing arms 150, 152 that restrict misalignment of the pallet 106.

[0043] Additionally, engagement blocks 170, 172 are disposed on a pair of opposing short sides of the pallet 106. The engagement blocks 170, 172 engage with the erection arms 150, 152 of the pallet transport device 130, thereby preventing the pallet 106 from shifting in a direction intersecting the opposing direction of the pair of erection arms 150, 152. This makes it possible to prevent the pallet 106 from shifting with a simple structure.

[0044] Furthermore, the engagement blocks 170, 172 of the pallet 106 are not only used when engaging with the erection arms 150, 152 of the pallet transport device 130, but are also used when automatically moving the pallet 106 with the tray-type component supply device 88. This allows the engagement blocks 170, 172 to be used efficiently.

[0045] Furthermore, in the pallet transport device 130, a vibration transmission prevention member 180 is disposed on the underside of the mounting table 132. This makes it possible to prevent the transmission of vibrations to the mounting table 132, and effectively prevents the tray components 102 from jumping out of the component tray 100.

[0046] Furthermore, the pallet transport device 130 is provided with rails 186 attached to the vibration transmission prevention member 180. The rails 186 are placed on the upper surface of the transport vehicle 124, and the pallet transport device 130 is automatically transported by the transport device 120. This makes it possible to prevent the transmission of vibrations from the transport device 120 to the pallet transport device 130, and enables the pallet transport device 130 to be transported appropriately by the transport device 120.

[0047] Furthermore, the plurality of pallets 106 are stacked on the mounting table 132 and are transported using the pallet transport device 130 without storing the component tray 100 on the topmost pallet 106. This makes it possible to prevent the tray components 102 from jumping out of all the pallets 106 on the pallet transport device 130.

[0048] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and improvements can be made based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the pallet transport device 130 is transported by the self-propelled transport device 120, but it may also be transported by a general cart. In other words, the pallet transport device 130 may be transported by placing it on a cart that an operator pushes by hand. Furthermore, the pallet transport device 130 may be transported by being grasped by an operator without using a cart or the like.

[0049] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the engagement blocks 170, 172 are disposed on a pair of opposing short sides of the pallet 106, but an engagement block may be disposed on only one of the pair of opposing short sides of the pallet 106. That is, for example, the engagement block 170 may be disposed on the pallet 106 without the engagement block 172. In such a case, the engagement block 170 engages with the standing arm 150, thereby preventing the pallet 106 from shifting in a direction intersecting the opposing direction of the pair of standing arms 150, 152.

[0050] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, since the pair of standing arms 150, 152 have different width dimensions, the worker can easily identify the standing arm 150 of the pair of standing arms 150, 152, and can recognize the position of the engagement block 170 that engages with that standing arm 150. This allows the worker to easily recognize the orientation of the pallet 106 on the pallet transport device 130. On the other hand, the outer dimensions of the engagement block 170 and the engagement block 172 may be made different, so that the position of the engagement block 170 can be recognized. This also allows the worker to easily recognize the orientation of the pallet 106 on the pallet transport device 130.

[0051] 10: Component mounter 88: Tray-type component supply device (tray unit) (supply device) 100: Component tray (tray) 106: Pallet 120: Conveyor device (automatic conveyor device) 130: Pallet transport device 132: Placement table 134: Misalignment prevention mechanism (prevention mechanism) 150: Standing arm (standing portion) 152: Standing arm (standing portion) 170: Engagement block (engagement portion) 172: Engagement block (engagement portion) 180: Vibration transmission prevention member 186: Rail

Claims

1. A pallet transport device used in a tray unit attached to a component mounter, comprising: a platform on which multiple pallets, each holding a tray containing multiple components, can be placed in a stacked state; and a prevention mechanism for preventing horizontal displacement of multiple pallets placed on the platform.

2. A pallet transport device as described in claim 1, wherein the prevention mechanism has a pair of erected portions erected on two opposing sides of the loading platform, and prevents the multiple pallets from shifting in the opposing directions of the pair of erected portions.

3. A pallet transport device according to claim 2, wherein one of the pair of upright portions has a different width dimension from the other.

4. A pallet transport device as described in claim 2, wherein an engaging portion is arranged on at least one of the two opposing sides of the pallet, and the prevention mechanism prevents the multiple pallets from shifting in a direction intersecting the opposing direction of the pair of upright portions by engaging the engaging portion with at least one of the pair of upright portions.

5. A pallet transport device as described in claim 4, wherein the engaging portion is engaged with a gripping portion of a supply device that supplies parts from the tray stored on the pallet when the pallet is automatically moved.

6. A pallet transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a vibration transmission prevention member disposed on the underside of the platform to prevent transmission of vibrations to the platform.

7. A pallet transport device according to claim 6, further comprising a rail attached to the vibration transmission prevention member, and which is placed on an automatic transport device and transported by the automatic transport device.

8. A transportation method for transporting multiple pallets stacked on the tray, without storing a tray on the topmost pallet of multiple pallets stacked on the tray, using a pallet transport device that includes: a mounting table used in a tray unit attached to a component mounter, capable of placing multiple pallets holding trays each containing a plurality of components in a stacked state; a prevention mechanism that prevents horizontal displacement of the multiple pallets placed on the mounting table; a vibration transmission prevention member that is provided on the bottom of the mounting table and prevents the transmission of vibrations to the mounting table; and a rail attached to the vibration transmission prevention member.

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