Transfer system and transfer arm for optical fiber bobbin
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-02-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-13
Smart Images
Figure JP2026004073_13082026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Optical Fiber Bobbin Transfer System and Transfer Arm
[0005]
[0001] This disclosure relates to an optical fiber bobbin transfer system and a transfer arm. This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-019285 filed on February 7, 2025, and incorporates all the descriptions described in the above Japanese application.
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a manufacturing apparatus for optical fibers. In Patent Document 1, it is disclosed that a plurality of bobbins around which optical fibers are wound are transferred from a wire drawing device onto a transfer track segment of a conveyor system by a transfer device, or are transferred from a shipping track segment to a shipping packaging container by a loading device.
[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-531693
[0004] An optical fiber bobbin transfer system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a transfer system for transferring an optical fiber bobbin. The optical fiber bobbin has a bobbin body having a cylindrical body portion and a pair of disk-shaped flanges provided at both ends of the body portion. The transfer system includes a plurality of placement portions for placing a plurality of the optical fiber bobbins such that each rotation center axis is along a first horizontal direction and the bobbins are arranged along the first direction, and the plurality of placement portions are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction. The transfer system further includes a movable rack, and a pair of arms for gripping one of the plurality of optical fiber bobbins accommodated in the movable rack and transferring it from the movable rack to a predetermined position. The pair of arms move the first arm of the pair of arms to the left in the first direction or the second direction opposite to the first direction of one of the optical fiber bobbins, and move the second arm of the pair of arms to the right in the second direction or the first direction of one of the optical fiber bobbins. The pair of arms grip the outer side surfaces of each of the pair of flanges from the left and the right and sandwich the central region of the bobbin body including the body portion, and move the gripped optical fiber bobbin forward.
[0005] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the optical fiber bobbin transfer system according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the movable rack of the transfer system. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the optical fiber bobbin. Figure 4 is a top view and side view of a pair of arms of the transfer system. Figure 5 is a top view and side view of a pair of arms of the transfer system. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an optical fiber bobbin with the bobbin cover attached. Figure 7 is a top view and side view of a pair of arms according to a modified example. Figure 8 is a top view and side view of a pair of arms according to a modified example.
[0006] Patent Document 1 discloses that bobbins are grasped and transported by a robot, but does not disclose the specific configuration of the robot. Also, bobbins with optical fibers wound around them may be temporarily stored in a warehouse. When the bobbins are to be shipped, they are carried out of the warehouse, transported to a packing lane of a conveyor system, and packed into packing boxes. At this time, rather than transporting each bobbin from the warehouse to the packing lane one by one, it is more efficient to temporarily store multiple bobbins stored in the warehouse in a movable rack capable of accommodating them, and then transport the movable rack and multiple bobbins at once to the packing lane.
[0007] The present disclosure aims to provide an optical fiber bobbin transfer system and transfer arm that can stably grip each individual optical fiber bobbin and efficiently transfer multiple optical fiber bobbins.
[0008] According to this disclosure, a transfer system and a transfer arm are provided that can stably grip each individual optical fiber bobbin and efficiently transfer multiple optical fiber bobbins.
[0009] First, embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described. (1) A transfer system for optical fiber bobbins according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a transfer system for transferring optical fiber bobbins, wherein the optical fiber bobbin has a bobbin body having a cylindrical body and a pair of disc-shaped flanges provided at both ends of the body, and the transfer system has a movable rack having a plurality of mounting sections for which a plurality of optical fiber bobbins are placed such that their respective rotational axes are oriented along a horizontal first direction and are aligned along the first direction, and the plurality of the aforementioned mounting sections are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction, and a system for gripping one optical fiber bobbin from the plurality of optical fiber bobbins housed in the movable rack and moving it from the movable rack The device comprises a pair of arms for transporting to a predetermined position, wherein the pair of arms, from the front where the pair of arms are positioned relative to the movable rack, move the first arm of the pair of arms to the left, which is the first direction or the second direction opposite to the first direction of one of the optical fiber bobbins, and move the second arm of the pair of arms to the right, which is the second direction or the first direction of one of the optical fiber bobbins, gripping the outer surfaces of the pair of flanges from the left and right sides and gripping the central region of the bobbin body including the body portion, and then move the gripped optical fiber bobbin forward.
[0010] According to this disclosure, the pair of arms grip the outer surfaces of the pair of flanges from the left and right, and also grip the central region of the bobbin body, including the body portion. Therefore, the optical fiber bobbin can be gripped more stably compared to cases where the pair of arms do not grip the central region, for example, when only the outer edges of the flanges are gripped.
[0011] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, since a pair of arms move from the front to grasp and move forward a single optical fiber bobbin placed on a movable rack, it is easier to efficiently transport multiple optical fiber bobbins compared to when they are removed from directions other than the front.
[0012] (2) In (1) above, the pair of arms have a main gripping portion that grips the pair of flanges, and the main gripping portion may be made of an elastic member.
[0013] According to this disclosure, the main gripping portion that grips a pair of flanges is formed of an elastic material. When gripping a pair of flanges, the elastic material of the main gripping portion deforms elastically as appropriate, making it easier to prevent the optical fiber bobbin from slipping off the pair of arms.
[0014] (3) In (1) or (2) above, the pair of arms may be provided with a first fitting portion on at least one inner surface facing each other, and the pair of flanges may be provided with a second fitting portion into which the first fitting portion fits.
[0015] According to this disclosure, the first fitting portion of the pair of arms and the second fitting portion of the pair of flanges engage with each other, making it difficult for the bobbin body to rotate when the pair of arms grip the optical fiber bobbin. Therefore, the pair of arms can grip the optical fiber bobbin more stably.
[0016] (4) In any of (1) to (3) above, the optical fiber bobbin further has an annular bobbin cover that covers the body and exposes a part of the outer surface of the pair of flanges, and the pair of arms may grip the bobbin cover together with the pair of flanges between the pair of arms.
[0017] According to this disclosure, since the optical fiber bobbin has a bobbin cover, when the optical fiber is wound around the body, the cover protects the optical fiber and prevents the optical fiber from falling off the pair of flanges. Furthermore, since the pair of arms also grip the bobbin cover, the bobbin cover is less likely to be displaced relative to the bobbin body. Therefore, the pair of arms can grip the optical fiber bobbin more stably.
[0018] (5) In (4) above, the pair of arms have a main gripping portion for gripping the pair of flanges and a cover gripping portion for gripping the bobbin cover, the main gripping portion is made of an elastic material and the cover gripping portion is made of an elastic material, and the elastic material of the cover gripping portion may be softer than the elastic material of the main gripping portion.
[0019] When a pair of arms grip the bobbin body and the bobbin cover, the bobbin cover is prone to displacement relative to the bobbin body. In the pair of arms of this disclosure, the elastic member of the cover gripping portion is softer than the elastic member of the body gripping portion. In other words, by gripping the lightweight bobbin cover, which is prone to displacement relative to the bobbin body, with a relatively soft elastic member, and securely gripping the heavier bobbin body with a relatively hard elastic member, both the bobbin body and the bobbin cover can be securely gripped.
[0020] (6) A transfer arm for an optical fiber bobbin according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a transfer arm for an optical fiber bobbin that transfers an optical fiber bobbin, wherein the optical fiber bobbin has a bobbin body having a cylindrical body and a pair of disc-shaped flanges provided at both ends of the body, and the transfer arm has a plurality of mounting parts for mounting a plurality of optical fiber bobbins so that each rotational axis is oriented along a first horizontal direction and is aligned along the first direction, and the transfer arm grasps one optical fiber bobbin from a plurality of optical fiber bobbins housed in a movable rack in which the plurality of the aforementioned mounting parts are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction a pair of arms for transporting to a predetermined position, wherein the pair of arms move the first arm of the pair to the left, which is the first direction or the second direction opposite to the first direction of one of the optical fiber bobbins, from the front where the pair of arms are positioned relative to the movable rack, and move the second arm of the pair to the right, which is the second direction or the first direction of one of the optical fiber bobbins, gripping the outer surfaces of the pair of flanges from the left and right sides and gripping the central region of the bobbin body including the body portion, and moving the gripped optical fiber bobbin forward.
[0021] According to this disclosure, the pair of arms grip the outer surfaces of the pair of flanges from the left and right sides, and also grip the central region of the bobbin body, including the shaft, thereby enabling a stable grip on the optical fiber bobbin.
[0022] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, a pair of arms move from the front to grasp and move forward a single optical fiber bobbin placed on a movable rack, making it easy to efficiently transport multiple optical fiber bobbins.
[0023] (Details of one embodiment of the disclosure) Specific examples of a fiber optic bobbin transfer system and transfer arm relating to one embodiment of the disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to these examples and is intended to include all changes within the meaning and scope of the claims as indicated by the claims.
[0024] (Transfer System for Optical Fiber Bobbins) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a transfer system 1 for optical fiber bobbins 100 according to this embodiment. The transfer system 1 is a system for transporting optical fiber bobbins 100. As shown in Figure 1, the transfer system 1 comprises a warehouse 2, a movable rack 3, a transfer arm 4, and a packing lane 5. The transfer system 1 of this embodiment is configured to transport a plurality of optical fiber bobbins 100 stored in the warehouse 2 to the packing lane 5 using the movable rack 3 and the transfer arm 4.
[0025] Warehouse 2 temporarily stores multiple optical fiber bobbins 100. When the multiple optical fiber bobbins 100 stored in Warehouse 2 are to be shipped out, they are removed from Warehouse 2.
[0026] The movable rack 3 is a movable rack configured to accommodate multiple optical fiber bobbins 100. The multiple optical fiber bobbins 100 stored in the warehouse 2 may be placed into the movable rack 3 by an operator manually, or they may be placed into the movable rack 3 automatically by a robot (not shown). The multiple optical fiber bobbins 100 placed in the movable rack 3 are transported from the warehouse 2 to the vicinity of the transport arm 4 as the movable rack 3 moves.
[0027] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the movable rack 3 of the transport system 1. As shown in Figure 2, the movable rack 3 has a plurality of mounting sections 31. The mounting sections 31 are configured to mount a plurality of optical fiber bobbins 100 such that their respective rotational axis Ax is aligned with a horizontal first direction D1 and they are arranged along the first direction D1. Furthermore, in the movable rack 3, the plurality of mounting sections 31 are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction VD. In this embodiment, the movable rack 3 has a first mounting section 311 and a second mounting section 312 located below the first mounting section 311. The number of mounting sections 31 is not limited to two, but may be three or more.
[0028] Each of the multiple mounting sections 31 is composed of two parallel rod members. Each rod member is positioned so that its axis is aligned with the first direction D1. The two rod members are positioned horizontally and at the same height.
[0029] In this embodiment, the first direction D1 is horizontal and is to the left of the movable rack 3. The second direction D2 is horizontal, opposite to the first direction D1, and is to the right of the movable rack 3. In this embodiment, the horizontal direction includes not only the strictly horizontal direction but also directions that are evaluated as substantially horizontal. The horizontal direction also includes, for example, directions within ±5 degrees of the strictly horizontal direction.
[0030] In this embodiment, the front FD of the movable rack 3 is perpendicular to the vertical direction VD and the horizontal direction, and the movable rack 3 is positioned relative to the transport arm 4, facing the transport arm 4 (see Figure 1). The rear BD of the movable rack 3 is perpendicular to the vertical direction VD and the horizontal direction, and is in the opposite direction to the front FD.
[0031] In this embodiment, the first direction D1, the second direction D2, the front FD, and the rear BD are also applied to the optical fiber bobbin 100 placed on the movable rack 3.
[0032] Returning to Figure 1, let's continue the explanation of the transfer system 1. The transfer arm 4 has a pair of arms 40. The pair of arms 40 is configured to grip one of the multiple optical fiber bobbins 100 housed in the movable rack 3. Furthermore, the pair of arms 40 is configured to transfer the gripped optical fiber bobbin 100 from the movable rack 3 to the packaging lane 5. Details of the pair of arms 40 of the transfer arm 4 will be described later.
[0033] The packaging lane 5 is part of the conveyor system. Multiple optical fiber bobbins 100, transported to the packaging lane 5 by the transfer arm 4, are packed into packaging boxes 50 located in the packaging lane 5. The multiple optical fiber bobbins 100 packed in the packaging boxes 50 are then transported by the conveyor system and shipped. The packaging lane 5 is an example of a predetermined location.
[0034] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the optical fiber bobbin 100. As shown in Figure 3, the optical fiber bobbin 100 has a bobbin body 110. The bobbin body 110 has a body portion 111 and a pair of flanges 112.
[0035] The body portion 111 has a cylindrical shape. The center of the body portion 111 lies concentric with the rotational axis Ax of the bobbin body 110. The inside of the body portion 111 is, for example, hollow. An optical fiber can be wound around the outer circumference of the body portion 111.
[0036] A pair of flanges 112 are provided at both ends of the body portion 111. In other words, the body portion 111 is sandwiched between the pair of flanges 112. Each of the pair of flanges 112 has a disc shape. Each of the pair of flanges 112 has an outer surface 113 that is exposed outward. The pair of flanges 112 includes a left flange 112L located to the left of the body portion 111 and a right flange 112R located to the right of the body portion 111.
[0037] The bobbin body 110 includes a central region CR. The central region CR is a cylindrical region including the body portion 111, centered on the rotation axis Ax. The central region CR is the region that includes the center of gravity of the optical fiber bobbin 100. The central region CR is, for example, the region that includes the radial half of the outer surface 113 of the disc-shaped flange 112.
[0038] Next, the details of the pair of arms 40 of the transfer arm 4 will be described. Figure 4 shows a top view and a side view of the pair of arms 40. Furthermore, Figure 4 illustrates how the pair of arms 40 move toward one optical fiber bobbin 100 housed in the movable rack 3. As shown in Figure 4, the pair of arms 40 move from the front FD to the rear BD of the movable rack 3 toward one optical fiber bobbin 100 housed in the movable rack 3.
[0039] The pair of arms 40 includes a first arm 41 and a second arm 42. In this embodiment, the first arm 41 is configured to grip the left flange 112L of the optical fiber bobbin 100. The second arm 42 is configured to grip the right flange 112R of the optical fiber bobbin 100.
[0040] As shown in Figure 4, the first arm 41 moves to the left, which is the first direction D1 of the optical fiber bobbin 100. Furthermore, the second arm 42 moves to the right, which is the second direction D2 of the optical fiber bobbin 100. In this way, the pair of arms 40 are positioned so as to sandwich the optical fiber bobbin 100 between them.
[0041] Figure 5 shows a top view and a side view of the pair of arms 40. Figure 5 illustrates how the pair of arms 40 grip a single optical fiber bobbin 100. As shown in Figure 5, the first arm 41 moves from a first direction D1 to a second direction D2 toward the outer surface 113L of the left flange 112L of the optical fiber bobbin 100. The first arm 41 then makes contact with the left flange 112L of the optical fiber bobbin 100. The second arm 42 moves from a second direction D2 to a first direction D1 toward the outer surface 113R of the right flange 112R of the optical fiber bobbin 100. The second arm 42 then makes contact with the right flange 112R of the optical fiber bobbin 100. In this way, the pair of arms 40 grip the optical fiber bobbin 100 by sandwiching the outer surfaces 113 of each of the pair of flanges 112 from the left and right sides. At this time, the pair of arms 40 grip the central region CR of the bobbin body 110, including the body portion 111, by sandwiching it between them.
[0042] Subsequently, the pair of arms 40 move the gripped optical fiber bobbin 100 from the rear BD to the front FD, removing the gripped optical fiber bobbin 100 from the movable rack 3. The removed optical fiber bobbin 100, still gripped by the pair of arms 40, is transported to the packaging lane 5 and placed in the packaging box 50. After one optical fiber bobbin 100 is placed in the packaging box 50, the pair of arms 40 remove the other optical fiber bobbin stored in the movable rack 3 using the procedure described above and transport it to the packaging lane 5.
[0043] As described above, according to this embodiment, the pair of arms 40 grip the outer surfaces 113 of the pair of flanges 112 from the left and right sides, and also grip the central region CR of the bobbin body 110. If, unlike this embodiment, the pair of arms 40 do not grip the central region CR, for example, if they only grip the outer edges of the pair of flanges 112, it will be difficult to grip the optical fiber bobbin 100 stably. However, in this embodiment, the pair of arms 40 grip the central region CR, which includes the center of gravity of the optical fiber bobbin 100, so the optical fiber bobbin 100 can be gripped stably.
[0044] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the optical fiber bobbin 100 housed in the movable rack 3 is gripped by the pair of arms 40 moving from the front FD and is transferred to the front FD. If, unlike the present embodiment, the pair of arms 40 move and grip from above the movable rack 3 instead of the front FD, it is difficult to take out the optical fiber bobbin 100 housed in the second placement portion 312 located below among the plurality of placement portions 31. However, according to the present embodiment, it is easier to efficiently transfer the plurality of optical fiber bobbins 100 as compared with the case of taking out from a direction other than the front.
[0045] The pair of arms 40 may have a main body gripping portion 43 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). The main body gripping portion 43 is an inner surface of the pair of arms 40 facing each other, and is provided at each end of the pair of arms 40. The main body gripping portion 43 is formed of an elastic member. The elastic member is, for example, urethane rubber. The main body gripping portion 43 is configured to grip the pair of flanges 112. The main body gripping portion 43 has, for example, a circular shape in side view.
[0046] The main body gripping portion 43 has a left main body gripping portion 43L and a right main body gripping portion 43R. The left main body gripping portion 43L is provided on the inner surface 41I of the first arm 41 facing the second arm 42. The left main body gripping portion 43L is convex from the inner surface 41I of the first arm 41 toward the inner surface 42I of the second arm 42. The left main body gripping portion 43L is configured to grip the left flange 112L of the optical fiber bobbin 100. The left main body gripping portion 43L is arranged at a position overlapping the central region CR of the optical fiber bobbin 100 in side view when the end of the first arm 41 faces the left flange 112L.
[0047] The right main body holding portion 43R is provided on the inner surface 42I of the second arm 42 that faces the first arm 41. The right main body holding portion 43R is convex from the inner surface 42I of the second arm 42 toward the inner surface 41I of the first arm 41. The right main body holding portion 43R is configured to hold the right flange 112R of the optical fiber bobbin 100. The right main body holding portion 43R is arranged so as to overlap with the central region CR of the optical fiber bobbin 100 in a side view when the end of the second arm 42 is arranged at a position facing the right flange 112R.
[0048] As described above, since the main body holding portion 43 is formed of an elastic member, when the pair of arms 40 hold the pair of flanges 112, the elastic member of the main body holding portion 43 is appropriately elastically deformed. Therefore, it is easy to prevent the optical fiber bobbin 100 from slipping off the pair of arms 40.
[0049] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the optical fiber bobbin 100 may have a bobbin cover 120 in addition to the bobbin main body 110. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the optical fiber bobbin 100 with the bobbin cover 120 attached. The bobbin cover 120 has an annular shape. The bobbin cover 120 is configured to cover the body portion 111 of the bobbin main body 110 and expose a part of the outer surface 113 of the pair of flanges 112. The bobbin cover 120 exposes at least the central region CR of the optical fiber bobbin 100. The bobbin cover 120 exposes, for example, a region two-thirds in the radial direction of the outer surface 113 of the flange 112 having a disc shape. A handle 121 is provided on the side surface portion of the bobbin cover 120 that covers the body portion 111 of the bobbin main body 110. An operator or an industrial robot (not shown) can easily transfer the optical fiber bobbin 100 by gripping the handle 121.
[0050] The pair of arms 40 may grip the bobbin cover 120 together with the pair of flanges 112 of the bobbin body 110 between the arms 40 (see Figures 4 and 5). More specifically, the first arm 41 grips the left side of the bobbin cover 120, and the second arm 42 grips the right side of the bobbin cover 120. In this way, the pair of arms 40 grip the bobbin cover 120 from the left and the right.
[0051] The bobbin cover 120, when attached to the bobbin body 110, protects the optical fiber wound on the body 111. Furthermore, it prevents the optical fiber wound on the body 111 from falling off the pair of flanges 112. In addition, since the pair of arms 40 grip both the bobbin body 110 and the bobbin cover 120, the bobbin cover 120 is less likely to be displaced relative to the bobbin body 110. Therefore, the pair of arms 40 can grip the optical fiber bobbin 100 more stably.
[0052] The pair of arms 40 may have a cover gripping portion 44 in addition to the main body gripping portion 43 (see Figures 4 and 5). The cover gripping portion 44 is provided on the mutually opposing inner surfaces of the pair of arms 40, near the main body gripping portion 43. The cover gripping portion 44 may be provided at a distance from the main body gripping portion 43 or adjacent to it. The cover gripping portion 44 is formed of an elastic member. The elastic member is, for example, urethane rubber. The cover gripping portion 44 is configured to grip the bobbin cover 120. In a side view, the cover gripping portion 44 has, for example, a rectangular shape.
[0053] The cover gripping portion 44 has a left cover gripping portion 44L and a right cover gripping portion 44R. The left cover gripping portion 44L is provided on the inner surface 41I of the first arm 41. The left cover gripping portion 44L is convex from the inner surface 41I of the first arm 41 toward the inner surface 42I of the second arm 42. The left cover gripping portion 44L is configured to grip the side surface of the bobbin cover 120, which is positioned to surround the outer edge of the left flange 112L of the optical fiber bobbin 100. When the end of the first arm 41 is positioned opposite the left flange 112L, the left cover gripping portion 44L is positioned in a side view to overlap with a part of the side surface of the bobbin cover 120.
[0054] The right cover gripping portion 44R is provided on the inner surface 42I of the second arm 42. The right cover gripping portion 44R is convex from the inner surface 42I of the second arm 42 toward the inner surface 41I of the first arm 41. The right cover gripping portion 44R is configured to grip the side surface of the bobbin cover 120, which is positioned to surround the outer edge of the right flange 112R of the optical fiber bobbin 100. When the end of the second arm 42 is positioned opposite the right flange 112R, the right cover gripping portion 44R is positioned in a side view to overlap with a part of the side surface of the bobbin cover 120.
[0055] The length in the second direction D2 of the left cover gripping portion 44L, which is erected from the inner surface 41I of the first arm 41, is the same as or longer than the length in the second direction D2 of the left main body gripping portion 43L, which is erected from the inner surface 41I of the first arm 41. The length in the first direction D1 of the right cover gripping portion 44R, which is erected from the inner surface 42I of the second arm 42, is the same as or longer than the length in the first direction D1 of the right main body gripping portion 43R, which is erected from the inner surface 42I of the second arm 42.
[0056] The elastic material of the cover gripping portion 44 is made of a softer material than the elastic material of the main body gripping portion 43.
[0057] When the pair of arms 40 grip the bobbin body 110 and the bobbin cover 120, the bobbin cover 120 is easily displaced relative to the bobbin body 110. In this embodiment, the elastic member of the cover gripping portion 44 is softer than the elastic member of the body gripping portion 43. In other words, the bobbin cover 120, which is lightweight and easily displaced relative to the bobbin body 110, is gripped with a relatively soft elastic member, while the heavier bobbin body 110 is securely gripped with a relatively hard elastic member. With this configuration, both the bobbin body 110 and the bobbin cover 120 can be securely gripped.
[0058] (Modified Version) The pair of arms 40 may be provided with a protrusion 45 in addition to or instead of the main body gripping portion 43. Figures 7 and 8 are top and side views of the pair of arms 40 according to the modified version. Figure 7 illustrates how the pair of arms 40 move toward one optical fiber bobbin 100 housed in the movable rack 3. In the configuration shown in Figure 7, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those shown in Figure 4, and their descriptions are omitted. Figure 8 illustrates how the pair of arms 40 grip one optical fiber bobbin 100. In the configuration shown in Figure 8, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those shown in Figure 5, and their descriptions are omitted.
[0059] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the protrusion 45 is provided on at least one of the opposing inner surfaces of the pair of arms 40, at the ends of the pair of arms 40. The protrusion 45 is configured to fit into the recess 114 of the bobbin body 110, which will be described later, and to grip the pair of flanges 112. In a side view, the protrusion 45 has, for example, a trapezoidal shape. The protrusion 45 is an example of a first fitting portion.
[0060] The protrusion 45 has a left protrusion 45L and a right protrusion 45R. The left protrusion 45L is provided on the inner surface 41I of the first arm 41. The left protrusion 45L is convex from the inner surface 41I of the first arm 41 toward the inner surface 42I of the second arm 42. When the end of the first arm 41 is positioned facing the left flange 112L, the left protrusion 45L is positioned so as to overlap with a part of the central region CR of the optical fiber bobbin 100 in a side view. Two left protrusions 45L are provided on the inner surface 41I of the first arm 41. The two left protrusions 45L are spaced apart from each other. When the two left protrusions 45L are spaced apart from each other, the bobbin body 110 is less likely to rotate when the protrusion 45 and the recess 114 fit together and the pair of arms 40 grip the pair of flanges. The number of left protrusions 45L is not limited to two; there may be one or three or more. The right convex portion 45R is the same as the left convex portion 45L.
[0061] A recess 114 is provided in the pair of flanges 112 of the bobbin body 110. The recess 114 is provided on at least one surface of the outer surface 113 of the pair of flanges 112, on the surface facing the inner surface where the protrusions 45 of the pair of arms 40 are provided. The recess 114 is configured to fit with the protrusions 45 of the pair of arms 40. In side view, the recess 114 has the same shape as the protrusions 45, for example, it has a trapezoidal shape. When the protrusions 45 and the recess 114 are trapezoidal, the bobbin body 110 is less likely to rotate when the protrusions 45 and the recess 114 fit together and the pair of arms 40 grip the pair of flanges. The recess 114 is provided in a position where it is exposed without being covered by the bobbin cover 120 even when the bobbin cover 120 is attached to the bobbin body 110. The recess 114 is an example of a second fitting portion.
[0062] The recess 114 has a left recess 114L and a right recess 114R. The left recess 114L is provided on the outer surface 113L of the left flange 112L of the bobbin body 110. The left recess 114L is recessed from the outer surface 113L of the left flange 112L toward the right flange 112R. Two left recesses 114L are provided on the outer surface 113L of the left flange 112L. The two left recesses 114L are spaced apart from each other. When the end of the first arm 41 is positioned opposite the left flange 112L, in a side view, the position of the left recess 114L is the same as the position of the left convex portion 45L. The two left recesses 114L are provided, for example, on either side of the rotational axis Ax. The two left recesses 114L may be provided point-symmetrically with respect to the rotational axis Ax. The number of left recesses 114L is the same as the number of left convex portions 45L. The number of left recesses 114L is not limited to two; it may be one or three or more, depending on the number of left protrusions 45L. The right recess 114R is the same as the left recess 114L.
[0063] When the pair of arms 40 grip the optical fiber bobbin 100 by sandwiching the outer surfaces 113 of the pair of flanges 112 from the left and right sides, the protrusions 45 of the pair of arms 40 and the recesses 114 of the pair of flanges 112 fit together. This fitting of the protrusions 45 and recesses 114 makes it difficult for the bobbin body 110 to rotate when the pair of arms 40 grips the optical fiber bobbin 100. Therefore, the pair of arms 40 can grip the optical fiber bobbin 100 more stably.
[0064] In this modified example, the first arm 41 is provided with a left convex portion 45L and the second arm 42 is provided with a right convex portion 45R, but the configuration of the convex portion 45 is not limited to these. For example, the first arm 41 may be provided with a left convex portion 45L, the left flange 112L of the bobbin body 110 may be provided with a left recess 114L, and the second arm 42 may be provided with a right body gripping portion 43R. Alternatively, the first arm 41 may be provided with a left body gripping portion 43L, the second arm 42 may be provided with a right convex portion 45R, and the right flange 112R of the bobbin body 110 may be provided with a right recess 114R.
[0065] In this modified example, the pair of arms 40 are provided with protrusions 45 and the bobbin body 110 is provided with recesses 114. However, the pair of arms 40 may be provided with recesses and the bobbin body 110 may be provided with protrusions. However, when the bobbin body 110 is provided with recesses 114, it is easier to store efficiently in the warehouse 2 or movable rack 3 and to transport the bobbin body 110 compared to when the bobbin body 110 is provided with protrusions, because it does not have a convex shape.
[0066] The shape of the cover gripping portion 44 is not limited to a rectangular shape. For example, the shape of the cover gripping portion 44 may be V-shaped in a side view (see Figures 7 and 8).
[0067] In the embodiments and modifications, the main body gripping portion 43 and the cover gripping portion 44 were provided on a pair of arms 40, but these gripping portions may be provided on separate arms. For example, the transfer arm 4 may include a pair of second arms (not shown) for gripping the bobbin cover 120, in addition to the pair of arms 40 for gripping the bobbin body 110. The main body gripping portion 43 may be provided at the ends of the pair of arms 40, and the cover gripping portion 44 may be provided on a pair of second arms different from the pair of arms 40. Even with such a configuration, the transfer arm 4 can reliably grip both the bobbin body 110 and the bobbin cover 120.
[0068] The transfer arm 4 may include a third arm (not shown) for gripping the handle 121 of the bobbin cover 120, in addition to a pair of arms 40 for gripping the bobbin body 110. For example, the transfer arm 4 uses the pair of arms 40 to remove the optical fiber bobbin 100 from the movable rack 3 and place it on the base 6 (see Figure 1). The transfer arm 4 then releases the grip of the optical fiber bobbin 100 from the pair of arms 40, grips the handle 121 of the optical fiber bobbin 100 placed on the base 6 with the third arm, and transfers the optical fiber bobbin 100 to the packaging box 50 on the packaging lane 5. The third arm may also release the grip of the optical fiber bobbin 100 after tilting the gripped handle 121 from above to the front or back inside the packaging box 50. With this configuration, the handle 121 of the optical fiber bobbin 100 is less likely to get in the way inside the packaging box 50 in subsequent processes of the conveyor system.
[0069] 1 Transfer system 2 Warehouse 3 Movable rack 31 Mounting section 311 First mounting section 312 Second mounting section 4 Transfer arm 40 Arm 41 First arm 41I Inner side 42 Second arm 42I Inner side 43 Main body gripping section 43L Left main body gripping section 43R Right main body gripping section 44 Cover gripping section 44L Left cover gripping section 44R Right cover gripping section 45 Protrusion 45L Left protrusion 45R Right protrusion 5 Packaging lane 50 Packaging box 6 Base 100 Optical fiber bobbin 110 Bobbin body 111 Body section 112 Flange 112L Left flange 112R Right flange 113 Outer side 113L Outer side 113R Outer side 114 Recess 114L Left recess 114R Right recess 120 Bobbin cover 121 Handle CR Central area
Claims
1. A transfer system for transporting optical fiber bobbins, wherein the optical fiber bobbin has a bobbin body having a cylindrical body and a pair of disc-shaped flanges provided at both ends of the body, and the transfer system comprises a movable rack having a plurality of mounting sections for placing a plurality of optical fiber bobbins so that their respective rotational axes are aligned along a horizontal first direction and are aligned along the first direction, and the plurality of the mounting sections are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction, and a pair of arms for gripping one of the plurality of optical fiber bobbins housed in the movable rack and transporting it from the movable rack to a predetermined position, A fiber optic bobbin transfer system comprising: a pair of arms, from the front where the pair of arms are positioned relative to the movable rack, moving the first arm of the pair of arms to the left, which is the first direction or the second direction opposite to the first direction of one of the fiber optic bobbins, and moving the second arm of the pair of arms to the right, which is the second direction or the first direction of one of the fiber optic bobbins, gripping the outer surfaces of the pair of flanges from the left and right sides, and gripping the central region of the bobbin body including the body portion, and moving the gripped fiber optic bobbin forward.
2. The optical fiber bobbin transfer system according to claim 1, wherein the pair of arms have a main gripping portion for gripping the pair of flanges, and the main gripping portion is formed of an elastic member.
3. The optical fiber bobbin transfer system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the pair of arms are provided with a first fitting portion on at least one of their opposing inner surfaces, and the pair of flanges are provided with a second fitting portion into which the first fitting portion fits.
4. The optical fiber bobbin transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an annular bobbin cover that covers the body portion and exposes a portion of the outer surfaces of the pair of flanges, and the pair of arms gripping the bobbin cover together with the pair of flanges between the pair of arms.
5. The optical fiber bobbin transfer system according to claim 4, wherein the pair of arms have a main gripping portion for gripping the pair of flanges and a cover gripping portion for gripping the bobbin cover, the main gripping portion is formed of an elastic member, the cover gripping portion is formed of an elastic member, and the elastic member of the cover gripping portion is softer than the elastic member of the main gripping portion.
6. A transfer arm for transporting optical fiber bobbins, wherein the optical fiber bobbin has a bobbin body having a cylindrical body and a pair of disc-shaped flanges provided at both ends of the body, and the transfer arm has a plurality of mounting sections for placing a plurality of optical fiber bobbins so that each of the rotational centers of the bobbins is oriented along a first horizontal direction and aligned along the first direction, and the plurality of the mounting sections are arranged in parallel in the vertical direction, and the pair of arms for gripping one optical fiber bobbin from a plurality of optical fiber bobbins housed in the movable rack and transporting it to a predetermined position, The pair of arms are optical fiber bobbin transfer arms, wherein the first arm of the pair moves one of the arms to the left, which is the first direction or the second direction opposite to the first direction of one of the optical fiber bobbins, from the front where the pair of arms are positioned relative to the movable rack, and the second arm of the pair moves one of the arms to the right, which is the second direction or the first direction of one of the optical fiber bobbins, gripping the outer surfaces of the pair of flanges from the left and the right, and gripping the central region of the bobbin body including the body portion, and moving the gripped optical fiber bobbin forward.