AU602168B2 – Carriage type conveyor
– Google Patents
AU602168B2 – Carriage type conveyor
– Google Patents
Carriage type conveyor
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Publication number
AU602168B2
AU602168B2
AU79377/87A
AU7937787A
AU602168B2
AU 602168 B2
AU602168 B2
AU 602168B2
AU 79377/87 A
AU79377/87 A
AU 79377/87A
AU 7937787 A
AU7937787 A
AU 7937787A
AU 602168 B2
AU602168 B2
AU 602168B2
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
frame
carrier
travel
wheels
drive
Prior art date
1986-10-07
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
AU79377/87A
Other versions
AU7937787A
(en
Inventor
Masasumi Murai
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tsubakimoto Chain Co
Original Assignee
Tsubakimoto Chain Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
1986-10-07
Filing date
1987-10-06
Publication date
1990-10-04
1986-10-07
Priority claimed from JP1986153141U
external-priority
patent/JPS6359065U/ja
1986-11-18
Priority claimed from JP17604886U
external-priority
patent/JPH0349092Y2/ja
1986-12-17
Priority claimed from JP19305186U
external-priority
patent/JPH0412859Y2/ja
1987-07-28
Priority claimed from JP11453987U
external-priority
patent/JPH0530547Y2/ja
1987-10-06
Application filed by Tsubakimoto Chain Co
filed
Critical
Tsubakimoto Chain Co
1988-04-14
Publication of AU7937787A
publication
Critical
patent/AU7937787A/en
1990-10-04
Application granted
granted
Critical
1990-10-04
Publication of AU602168B2
publication
Critical
patent/AU602168B2/en
2007-10-06
Anticipated expiration
legal-status
Critical
Status
Ceased
legal-status
Critical
Current
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Espacenet
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Classifications
B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
B65G17/00—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface
B65G17/06—Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriers; Endless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface having a load-carrying surface formed by a series of interconnected, e.g. longitudinal, links, plates, or platforms
B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B61—RAILWAYS
B61B—RAILWAY SYSTEMS; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
B61B10/00—Power and free systems
B61B10/04—Power and free systems with vehicles rolling trackless on the ground
B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B61—RAILWAYS
B61B—RAILWAY SYSTEMS; EQUIPMENT THEREFOR NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
B61B10/00—Power and free systems
B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
B65G35/00—Mechanical conveyors not otherwise provided for
Description
41 I i ili-YII-.IXI~~
AUSTRALIA
PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATIO: 6Form 10 Form
(ORIGINAL)
FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: Int. Cl: Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: Priority: Related Art: This document contains the amendments made under SSection 49 and is correct for lri i ting. P 0 t n t TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT t Name of Applicant: Address of Applicant: TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO.
17-88 TSURUMI 4-CHOME, TSURUMI-KU
OSAKA-SHI
JAPAN
CLEMENT HACK CO., 601 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Complete Specification for the invention entitled: CARRIAGE-TYPE CONVEYOR The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me:- 1- CARRIAGE-TYPE CONVEYOR Detailed Description of the Invention This invention relates to a carriage-type conveyor which is particularly suitable for use, for example, on a motor vehicle body coating, e.g. painting, and drying line The invention is designed to accommodate to the use of painting robots in the coating line.
Background of the Invention A carriage-type conveyor of this sort is disclosed in United States Patent No. 4,438,701, wherein each S 10 carriage is linked to a carrier, which runs under the floor level, by means of a C-shaped coupling member t which is offset in a lateral direction perpendicular to t its direction of travel. Cover plates, each with a t t resilient strip attached to its fore end for sealing the passage of the vertical portion of the coupling member, are placed on the floor surface on which the Sc. carriage runs, thereby ensuring smooth movements of the t c carrier and chain while protecting them against zCC t intrusion and deposition of the paint used on the coating line or of the dust on the floor surface, However, in the coating line, the paint deposits ecr on the traveling wheels of the oirriage, which are not provided with any dust cover. Deposited paint increases their rotational resistance or invites a 7 25 problem of degradation of the coating quality by whirling paint dust since the paint on the wheels becomes loose after drying and falls everywhere in the coating line in a finely divided form.
On the other hand, Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application No. 60-5966 discloses a transfer system employing wheelless load support deck 1 which is free of the above-mentioned problems but unsuitable for -2use with coating robots due to inferior stability against sideward wavering movements.
Further, the load support deck which is supported by front and rear l rolleys immovably in the vertical direction is driven by horizontal-axis wheels running on guide rails, so that a great load is imposed on the wheels and guide rails, causing considerable friction therebetween. In addition, the transfer system is held in overload condit:’on when a foreign object gets into the gaps between the horizontal-axis wheels and guide rails, and, since the horizontal rollers are not castors, they skid sideward at curves. It is very likely that 00 the rollers and guide rails suffer from localised abrasive 0 wear. The above-mentioned phenomena all lend themselves to 0 0 00 000 degrade the positional accuracy with respect to painting 000015 robots.
00 0 In case there is a necessity for switching the 00 0 coo transfer of the load from continuous travel to intermittent travel for coating a work in a painting robot operating zone, for example, a continuous travelling conveyor and an 0000 intermittent travelling conveyor have to be juxz.aposed at the 0000 switching point. However, it is difficult for the abovco- 0 described prior art conveyors to meet this requirement due to a spatial problem.
Summary of the Invention 425 In accordance with an aspect of the invention there ooo. is provided an assembly having a conveyor unit for travel in *0 6 series with the like units at spaced intervals in a predetermined path, comprising: a lower frame having wheels; an upper frame for supporting a load; post members having upright post portions supporting said upper fr~ame above said lower frame, all of said post portions being aligned longitudinally of said predetermined path; a chain guide extending along said predetermined path; drive means conveying said lower frame along said chain Sguide; -3drive coupling means at the front end of said lower frame having an operative position connecting scid lower frame to said drive means to effect conveyance, and an inoperative position disconnecting said lower frame and said drive means to inactivate said conveyance; drive uncoupling means at the rear end of said lower f rame operable to displace the drive-coupling means of a succeeding unit in said series to said inoperative’ position when said spaced interval is closed; and a dust cover enveloping said drive means in at least a selected zone Qf said path, said cover having a top wall with parts extending between said lower and said upper frames and confronting each other to form a slot along said selected zone 06 4 t of said predetermined path through which said aligned post o 6 a 5 portions may travel, 00 a In accordance with another aspect of the invention, 00 0 there is provided a conveyor assembly for a painting and drying line having a painting booth, the conveyor assembly comprising a conveyor Unit for travel ii a predetermined patl,\ including a zone within painting booth in which the conveyor unit is stabilized against lateral sway, the assembly further 000 00 comprising: a frame having swivelable wheels at four corners for 9C supporting a load, said frame including a lower frame provided with said wneels, and an upper ftamre for supporting a load; post members having upright post portions supporting said 00::0 upper frame above said lower frame, all of said post portions being aligned longitudinally of said pred(ctermied path; a carrier supporting said frame; alad a carrier rail to define said predetermined path and, operable to support and guide said carrier therealong; drive means extending along sa, predetermined path conveying said carrier and said frame along said carrier rail; drive coupling means on said carrier having an operative position connecting said carrier to said drive means to effect conveyance, and an inoperative position disconnecting said carrier and said drive means to inactivate said conveyance;
A,
MEO
4 a dust cover enveloping said drive means in at least said painting booth zone of said path, said cover having a top wall with parts extending between said lower and said upper frames and confronting each other to form a slot along said painting booth zone of said predetermined path through which said aligned post portions may travel; and, wheel-guide rails underlying the swivelable wheels of said frame in said painting booth zone to stabilize the lower frame against lateral sway, said wheel-guide rails having entrance gates to orient the wheels in the rails, and entrance and exit ramps, respectively, to elevate said wheels and said frame as o ‘0 the wheels enter the rails and to lower said wheels and said 4’ frame as the wheels exit the rails, whereby said wheel-guide rails support said unit in the painting zone.
t 15 Brief Description of the Drawings S.te Figs. 1 through 8 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention, of which Fig. 1 is a cross-section of the conveyor as a whole; Fig, 2 is a perspective view of a carriage; 0 Fig. 3 is a frontal elevation of the carriage; -o Fig. 4 is a lefthand side view of the carriage; Fig. 5 is a frontal elevation of a carrier; Fig. 6 an elevation of a leading end coupler; Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the coupler in released state; and Fig. 8 is an elevation on an enlarged scale of an alternate direct drive mechanism for the carriage in the conveyor shown in Fig. 1; 4-
I
7 1- ;;Liiiiii:-.i3ii -L;.-YJZIII.I-~T I- .ycl t I’p a; 6 Figs. 9 through 11 illustrate another embodiment of the invention, of which Fig. 9 is a frontal elevation of a conveyance unit; Fig. 10 is a schematic side view of the carrier within a coating booth; and Fig. 11 is an elevation of a coupling mechanism; Fig. 12 is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a dust cover, showing the carrier as taken on line 12-12 of Fig. Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 showing a different carrier drive and support system; Figs. 14 through 21 illustrate a further embodiment of the carriage-type conveyor, of which Figs. 14 and 15 are schematic frontal views of the conveyor as a whole, Fig. 14 showing a carriage passing toward the exit end of a dust cover in a coating booth and Fig. 15 showing the carriage passing toward the entrance end of the dust cover; Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on line 16-16 of Fig. 14; Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the coupler shown in Fig. 16; Fig. 18 is a frontal view of the coupler of Fig.
17; Fig. 19 is a sectional view taken on line 19-19 of Fig. Fig. 20 is a frontal view of major components of the conveyor shown in Fig. 15; and Fig. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of the entrance end of a gutter-like wheel guide rail employed in this embodiment of the invention.
Preferred Embodiments Referring to Figs. 1 through 8, there is shown an embodiment in which the conveyance unit has carrier trucks connected to the fore and rear ends of a r i r 1 carriage. The carriage 1 includes a lower frame 2 which is formed by welding transverse frame members 3 to longitudinal frame members 4 extending in the travel Sdirection. Each transverse frame member 3 has F’divelable wheels 5 at the opposite ends thereof. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, a post member 6, for examples of channel- or I-shape has .a vertical portion 6a of a small thickness in the lateral direction, and a lower end 6b fixed on each transverse frame member 3 at a position so that the vertical portion 6a is offset from the medial centerline of the path of travel and the vertical portions 6a of the post members 6 on the respective transverse frame members are aligned with each other in the travel direction. The upper e;\ds 6c l 15 of the post members 6 are securely fixed to transverse frame members 7 which are walded to longitudinal frame members 8 to form an upper frame 9.
The upper and lower frames 9 and 2 have their respective longitudinal axes aligned with each other, K 20 and a coupling ‘member 10 with a coupling hole 11 l1 projects outward from the center of each one of the M front and rear transverse frame members 3. A bracket 12 projects outward from the top surface of each transverse frame member 3 at a position which is offset from the medial centerline of the frame member, opposite to the vertical portion 6a, and rotatably i supports a vertical-axis guide roller 13. Details of the guide rollers 13 will be described hereinafter.
The upper frame 9 has receptacle members 14 (not shown in Fig. 2, but see Fig. 1) at suitable positions for supporting a large-size load, for example, a motor vehicle body M.
As shown in Fig. I1 a pit 15 is provided beneath the floor surface along the path of travel 15a of the carriage 1. In the pit 15, vertical support columns 16 r are erected at predetermined intervals alonig the opposite side walls thereof. A support plate 19 is securely fixed to a support column 16 on one side and is secured at the other side to a cross member 17 and a beam 18, which are in turn fixed on the support coltomns 16 respectively at the lower ends and at the level of the floor surface F. Each support plate 19 is provided with a U-shaped groove 20 in which paired channel members are fixed to form a carcier rail 21 in an upper portion and a, chain guide rail 22 in a lower portion thereof. The upper surface of the carrier rail 21 is substantially fl ush with the floor surface F.
C, As shown in Fig. 5, four rollers 27 are provided Q oon each ono of carriersi 23 to 26 which are connected to the carriage 1. The rollers 27 are loosely fitted in 0. the carrier rail 21 for moving the carriage therev.1ong 0 Oa under their guidance. A head carrier 23 and a trailing carrier 24 on the front side as well as a follower carrier 25 and a tail carrier Z6 on the rear side are flexibly connected by connecting rods 28 which are exposed above the floor surface, forming a front carrier truck 29 and a rear carrier truck 30. Tow pins 0 4- 31 project upwardly from the carriers 24 and 25 (Figs.
1 and~ and are fitted in the coupling holes 11 at 4 t 425 the fore and rear ends of the carriage 1 to form a conveyance unit A with the front and rear carrier trucks 29 and 30 connected to the carriage 1, and free for vertical movement relative thereto. At 32 (F~ig.
a vertical-axis guide roller is rotatable on the carrier between and abo~ve the level of wheels 27/, so as to be positioned between the opposing upper eqges’ of th rail 21 to prevent sideward rocking movements of the carrier.
As shwon in Figs. 6 and 7, a chain guide rail 22 guides the movement of a roller 35 of a trolley 34I which suspends a drive chain 33 for the conveyance unit A. The drive chain 33 is horizontally flexible, and extends along the path of travel of the conveyance unit A. A pusher 37 for driving the head carrier 23 projects upwardly from the body 36 of the trolley 34, while a coupler 38 which is engageable with the pusher 37 is provided on the head carrier 23.
The coupler 38 includes: a main body 39 on which the rollers 27 of the head carrier 23 are journalled; a IQ lever 42 which is pivotally mounted by pins 41 o7 a body portion 40 which projects above the floor surface F; a hook member 44 pivotally connected at 43 to a lower rear portion of tha main body 39; and a link connecting the lever 42 with the hook member 44.
Normally the levev 42 is urged by its own weight into engagement with a projection 46 on the body portion and in this position a hook 47 formed in a front portion of the hook member 44 falls in the path of movement of the pusher so that it is engageable with the pusher 37. The front and rear surfaces of the hook 47 are inclined rearwad to ensure secure engagement with a forwardly projecting inclined surface 48 in forward drive of the conveyance unit A. If the pusher 37 is advanced when the conveyor A is at rest, it abuts against the rear inclined surface 49 01 the hook member 44, and cams it upwardly, together with the lever 42, to allow the pusher to enter a recess 50, engaging wifh the hook 47 as the hook member 44 is lowered by gravity or by engagement of the pusher with the rearward inclined surface of the hook portion 47.
On the other hand, the carrier 26 at the tail end is provided with an upcoupling member 51 (see Fig. 7) which extends above the floor surface F and has a rear inclined surface 52. If a curved portion 53 at the P ix 0.
9 fore end of’the lever 42 of a succeeding conveyance Aunit A rides up th’a surface 52,r the succeeding unit A is stopped since the hook member 44 of the succeeding conveyance unit A is lifted up and released from the pusher 37.
The unit A may also be uncoupled or disengaged from the drive chain at a fixed point in the path of travel by a Etopper which may be projected into the path of the shoe portion 53 from alongside the path.
AccorOingly, if the lever 42 of a first conveyance unit A is pivoted up and disengaged from ti~ -I”sher 37 by a V stopper, not shown, protruding into the travel path from one side thereof, the succeeding conveyance units A are s-Li-pped one af ter another as they are released f romr the pusher 37 by the uncoupling member 51 of a preceding conveyance unit A. If the stopper is retracted, the hook~ member 44 of the leading one of the stopped conveyor units is l~owered and moved forward by engagement with an advancing pusher 37. By this forward movement, the hook member 44 of the next stopped conveyor unit A is lowered to start the conveyor in the same manner. Consequently, it is possible to store the conveyor units A in a desired zone of the travel path and to start automatically the conveyor units A which are in storage one after another.
In order to store the loads M in the above-described manner, it is necessary to select conveyance units A of a larger length than the load M.
flwevert the carriages 1 which are easily separable from the carrier trucks 29 and 30 provide various conveniences in use, such as separate storage and replacements by carrier trucks of a desired length.
it is possible to, render the drive inoperative by increasing the vertical spacing between the rails 21.
and 22 saiciently so that the pusher 3? passes below the hook 47 without engaging the inclined surface 48.
Latching the shoe portion 53 in its elevated position also inactivates the drive.
In a painting booth, opposing beam members 55 and 56 have their outer ends fixed on the upper ends the support columns 16 at the opposite sides of the pit and are spaced apart at their inner ends but confront one another to provide a passage groove or slot 54 for the hvertical portions 6a. Covering the top surfaces of these beam members and the support column portions Vabove the floor surface is a dust cover 57 which, in a tunnel-like fashion, encloses the upper portions of the opposite side walls of the pit In order to prevent the paint from entering through the passage slot 54 and contamJ:~ating the Oarrier chains 29 and 30 and the drive chain 33, the positions of the vertical portions 6a and the passage groove 54 are offset from the longitudinal center of the carriage 1. The passage slot 54 may be left open jin case its width is small. However, to enhance the shielding effect of the dust guard cover 57, it is preferred to cover the passage groove 54 with at least LI one flap 58 of a flexible resilient sheet which has one lQngitudinal side thereof fixed on the dust cover such that the free side of the resilient sheet 58 is locally turned up when a vertical portion 6a pasmes.
With the above-described construction, the paint is completely prevented from deposittng on the, movable parts below the lower frame 2, namely, on the swivelable wheels 5, carrier chains 29 and 30, drive chain 33, trolley rollers 35 and the like, eliminating the conventional problems such as the increased travel resistance and coating defects.
Within the coating bootht the carriage I Is completely grounded during an electrostatic spray coating operation, by running the wheels 5 through water which flows through gutter-like rails 59.
In case painting robots are employed in the painting booth, it is desirable to use an alternative secondary carriage drive mechanism 60 instead of the drive chain 33, for the purpose of enhancing the accuracy of movement and stop positionz of the carriage 1 to facilitate the programming of the robots. The secondary drive mechanism may temporarily stop the carriage in association with operations by the coating robots.
To this end, the secondary carriage drive mechanism 60 includes, as shown in Figs. I and 8, a V track 62 consisting of a pair of channel members fixedly supported in a cut-out 61 which is formed in the support plate 19 contiguously on one side of the rail 21, a truck 65 with connecting rods 66 for flexibly connecting a large number of trucks 6$ having front aiid rear rollers 63 fitted in thk t x 6i and vertical-axis guide rollers 64 between the pA_- e channel members, an endless drive chain 67 having the Vi opposite ends thereof fastened to each other to drive the trucks in the forward and reverse directions, and an upstanding coupling rod 68 guided against rotational movement about its upright axis by the truck 65 for upward and downward movements. The secondary drive may be confined to the portion of the pathi ot tv where the conveyance units A pass by painting robotS.
The trucks and the connecting rods may be an endless chain Which may be deiven i ;i r il” controlled in unison with the painting robots, avoiding the need for the separate drive chain 67.
A cam roller is rotatably supported on one side of a lower portion of the coupling rod 68 and rides upon a cam plate 70 which is fixed on the support plate 19, thereby retaining the coupling rod 68 in a lifted position, shown in full lines in Fig. 8. In this state, a bifurcated coupling portion 71 at the upper end of the coupling rod 68 is engaged with a beam member 3 of the lower frame of the carriage 1 for controlled advancement by the alternate drive mechanism Accordingly, the carriage 1 is transferred with high accuracy in travel position. After finishing a transfer, part of the cam plates 70 is lowered by a cylinder or the like, and the cam roller 69 recedes to the lower position shown in broken lines at 69a. The coupling rod follows the lowered part of the cam plate at a recession limit position and raises again with the cam plates 70 when the lowered part is lifted up.
The coupling rod 68 is offset from ehe longitudinal center line of the carriage 1 oppositely to the offset vertical portion 6a of the post member 6, and therefore the pushing force from the* alternate drive 60 impa-ts a rotational moment to the carriage 1.
The vertical-axis guide roller 13 which is journalled on the transverse member 3 is fitted in a downwardly open guide rail 72 formed by channel members which are fixed on the lower side of beam members 55, thereby counteracting the aforementioned rotational moment.
Further, since the guide roller 13 is covered by the guide rail 72, there is no possibility of the paint depositing on the interior surfaces of the guide rail or on the roller 13.
It is noted that when the alternative secondary drive 60 is operative, the chain rail 22 is spaced below the rail 21 so that the pusher 37 does not engage the hook 48.
Referring to Figs. 9 to 11, there is shown an embodiment employing a carriage or a conveyance unit Aa of a greater length than the load M to dispense with the carrier links 29 and 30. In these figures, the component parts which are common to the foregoing embodiment are designated’ by common reference numerals.
In this embodiment, a pusher plate 73 projects downwardly from the front end of the lower frame 2, while a hook member 78 is pivotally mounted by a pin on the attachment 74 of a drive chain 33a, urging the hook member 78 by a pendant weight 77 into a position for engagement with the pusher plate 73. The front portion of the hook member 76 forms an inclined surface 79, and an uncoupling member 81 of the same height .s the inclined surface 79 is fixed on the rear end of the lower frame 2.’ If a stopper (not shown) is projected across the path of travel and hits against the inclined surface 79 when the carriage Aa Is buing pushed forward by engagement of the pusher plate 73 with the hook 78, the hook member 76 is turned downward to disengage the hook 78 from the pusher plate 73, stopping the carriage Aa.
If a succeeding carriage Aa approaches, it is similarly stopped as the hook is disengaged by the uncoupling member 81 of the preceding carriage which rides onto the inclined surface 79. In this manner, the carriage Aa can be put in storage.
If a preceding one of the carriages in storage is started, the hook member 76 of the next carriage rises up and automatically engages a hook 78 which arrives next, starting the carriages Aa one after another.
CI-
I
S
The pusher 73, which is projected downwardly from the lower frame 2 for pushing forward a carriage Aal is driven by an ordinary dual trolley conveyor chain.
However, in order to preclude the adverse effects of degradations in accuracy of the transfer position of the carriage 1 due to elongation of the drive chain 33a or the like in a case where painting robots are used, it is desirable to provide in the painting booth another carrier rail 82 and a support rail 83 for the carrier drive chain on one side of the center line of jthe travel path, pushing forward or rearward a pusher by means of a dog 84 (similar to the bifurcated Scoupling portion 71) which is provided on the carrier.
In this embodiment, the carriage is also retained in a correct position in the transverse direction by guide :I rollers 13 and guide rail 72.
Illustrated in Fig. 12 is an alternate embodiment of the cdust cover having a construction which facilitates removal of the paint deposited on the dust cover 57, and in which component parts common to the embodiments of Figs. 1 to 11 are designated by common reference numerals.
j| In the paint booth, dust guard covers 90 and 91 iare opposingly fixed on the upper end of the support columns 16 in the pit 15 to close its upper opening except the passage slot 54 for the vertical portions 6a. The dust covers 90 and 91 are each constituted by a large number of cover units which are connected endto-end in the travel direction. These dust covers and 91 have the same construction except the lengths of horizontal portions shown in Fig. 12, so that the construction of only one dust cover 90 is explained below, omitting explanation of the other dust cover 91 which is simply indicated by a suffix C The dust guard cover 90 includes a square shallow tray 92 and a vertical cover plate 93 fixed to the outer end of the tray and extending almost to the floor surface F. The tray 92 is mounted on the support columns 16, and the cover plate 93 is fixed to the I support columns 16 by bolts 94. In this state, a water drain pipe 95 which is fixed to the tray 92 is inserted into the upper end of a fixed water drain pipe 96.
Also attached to the tray 92 is a water feed pipe 98 which is connected to a water supply hose 97. The Spaint which falls or flows into the tray 92 is washed away with water from the water feed pipe 98 and discharged to the outside through the water drain pipes and 96. Placed in the tray 92 is a duckboard-like grating 101 with longitudinal and transverse slats I ;which are integrally formed of a metallic or synthetic resin material. The slats are made of thin-wall material to reduce the surface on which paint may be deposited. This grating 101 should be sufficient in *20 strength for permitting an operator to walk thereon.
The passage slot 54 is provided in a position which is deviated toward one side from the longitudinal center line of the travel path, for preventing contamination of strueutal parts of the conveyor by the paint entering through the groove. Accordingly, since the dust cover 91 has a larger extension length from j the support columns 16 than the other dust cover the lower side of the tray 92a is supported by beams 102 which are projected from the upper ends of the support columns 16. A channel member 72 for receiving the guide roller 13 is fixed at the inner ends. of the beams 102. This guide roller 13 serves to hold the carriage accurately in position in the transverse direction. The cover plates 93 and 93a of the dust Kf covers 90 and 91 are overlapped oi lower cover plates 103 and 103a to cover the entire side surfaces of the conveyor.
As described hereinbefore, the dust covers 90 and 91 and cover plates 93 and 93a enshroud in a tunnel-like fashion the top surface of the lower frame 2 except the passage slot 54 as well as the entire lateral surfaces of the transfer path below the lower frame 2. Therefore, in a case where the passage groove 54 is of a small width, intrusion of the paint can be prevented sufficiently even if the passage groove 54 is kept in open state. However, in order to enhance the shielding effect of the dust cover, it is recommended to cover the passage slot 54 with flaps of flexible or resilient strips 104 and 105 which are fixed at one side thereof on the inner folded-back end of the tray 92 or 92a. The resilient strips 104 and 105 are locally turned up when a vertical portion 6a passes.
With this arrangement, it becomes possible to S 20 completely prevent paint deposition on movable parts which are located beneath the lower frame 2, namely, on swivelable wheels 5, carrier links 29 and 30, drive chain 33 and the like.
In the tray 92, the paint deposits only in a little amount on the slats 99 and 100 which are normally small in thickness, and an operator can walk on the grating 101 safely without slips to go to the other side of the conveyor or to perform a painting or other job on the grating. When the paint has deposited on the grating 101 to a large extent, it can be removed simply by washing the grating after detaching .same from the trays 92 and 92a.
Illustrated in Fig. 13 is a similar dust cover for apparatus employing another carriage which is *different in construction from the one shown in Fig.
12. Namely, the lower frame 2 of a pallet 106 has the opposite side portions thereof supported directly on links 109 of drive chains 108 with rollers which run on fixed rails 107 above the floor surface F for moving the pallet. ‘in this figure, the component parts common to Fig. 12 are designated by common reference numerals.
SIn this embodiment, the vertical portions 93 and 93a of the dust cover are fastened to fixed support members 110 on the floor by means of bolts 94.
According to the first embodiment of the invention, the flat carriage is always supported by the wheels 5 which are guided by rails, so that it can j always travel in stabilized state. However, the necessity for providing the guide rails for the ca-riage wheels over the entire length of the transfer path gives rise to the problem of high cost, in i addition to the possibilities of degradation of coated surfaces by dust which is whirled up in the paint drying oven by rolling movements of the carriage wheels.
A Referring to Figs. 14 to 21, there is shown a jfurther embodiment which is arranged to move the carriage in a more stabilized state in a particular zone in a paint booth) than in normal traveling condition, and in which the component parts common to the embodiments of Figs. 1 to 11 are designated by Scommon reference numerals.
A pit 65 of a square shape in sa ition is similarly dug out under the floor surface F tr vide a travel path for the carriage unit 120.
A pair of channel members of anape in section are supported in the pit 15 oppositely spaced from each other by support plates 121 (Fig. i6) and 122 (Fig. 19) .<0 which are located within the pit 15 at predetermined intervals, to serve as a chain rail 22 and carrier 21. Mounted parallel on support plates 121' dust cover 57 gutter-like wheel guide rails 123 examples of for .the swivelable wheels 5. These laid only portion path travel 57, have downslope or ramp portions 123a at' their entrance exit ends (Figs. 14, respectively). As shown in Fig. 21, converging gate 123b is formed end correct direction the.
swivelable about enter 123.
Provided between lower frame 2 carriage unit 120 trailing follower carriers 24 couplers 130 connecting latter.
It The front rear S 20 same construction, therefore coupler mounted (the one left side 14) described hereafter with reference Figs.
16 19.
A pair brackets 131 project vertically 2, coupling member 132 rotatably by means laterally extending horizontal shafts pina 133. provided hole 134 therethrough. Engaged this snugly rattle-free state tow pin 135 projects from main body 24a 24. pivotably connected 136.
L-
-i-I 19 embodiment Figs. 14 through 21 operates following manner.
When position outside guard where not (see 19), it supported 25 instead traveling 5, members superposed directly bodies 25. In state, drive 33 actuated move drawing trolley 34, 38, I head 23 rod 28. Whereupon, moved along soon point near directions 5 corrected ride onto 123a, pushing up movement 33. On |I other hand, horizontally At time, result upward 120, away Z5a guided upwardly i pins 16 18, permitting smooth causing roller 13 engage downwardly-open track 72.
Accordingly, has been preceding now an succeeding movement. During these movements, vertical 6a posts.6 passed passage slot 54 57.
While moves drawn (or aforementioned secondary mechanism load whole wheel-guide 44! After passing gradually lowered under guidance 123, together while 24a, So then suspended above ramp. come off S* 25a 25, Swhich Son 21.
When lifted, turned during its travel, 4 can cope movements make L downward turn relative addition fore aft rocking axes 133 136. Further, there no possibility, turnover even when inclined sidewards, since fit 132, x, 4__ sufficient strength retain rollers (27 etc.) place upper flange 19.
In coating booth, stably without sideward wavering ensure high quality operation.
The absence simplifies and, zone t center gravity lowered, stabilized *r free wavering.
"'urther, floor rotated -0 paint drying oven (not shown), precluding generation would deteriorate coated surfaces.
The may be completely disengaged so that released So" used freely independently transfer 15a. conveniently such case.
The foregoing description painting booth example needs controlled carriage. However, needless say, present invention limited application.
Effects Invention hereinbefore, stable posture wheels, load-mounting wheeled posts each small width transverse direction, envelop all parts except preclude deposition movable parts.
Further, also possible employ ensuring higher accuracy case robots used, provide covering hold conveyance operations easy.
Moreover, washing dut easy because suffices wash grating alone, performed simply use pressure water. removable inspection conveyor parts. walk carry out manual operation cover.
Furthermore, becomes obtain carriage-type more particular than normal condition.
The features combined separately, otherwise modified supplemented scope invention, defined appended claims.
A ?tlY 1 i
Claims (14)
1. An assembly having series like units spaced intervals path, comprising: wheels; supporting load; post upright said frame, being aligned longitudinally path; cnain conveying guide; ij operative Ssaid effect conveyance, inoperative disconnecting inactivate conveyance; uncoupling operable displace drive-coupling interval closed; enveloping least selected top wall frames confronting form travel. 0 P #N
2. A according claim wherein carriages ends; define therealong; carriages.
3. extend beyond unit. o
4. including flexible resilient flap secured part over slot, sufficiently deflected aid afford memrbers slot. I
including: rotation axis; downwardlyuopen channel-shaped underside Wall registry stabilize against sideways movement.
6. offset longitudinal centerline at. centerline. 7. comprises primary pusher cooperating includes: alongside second travel; Sa roupling opposite path. S
8. 7 elevated a'depressed position, cam o0 into elevAted inoperative.
9. ,sembly Wherein itop trays facing surfaces, introduce water flush particles deposited trays, drain discharge flushing trays. 9 detatchably positioned comprising slats thin-wall material allow operator Walk V slipping.
I. 26 11. lino lateral s9way, further four corners support,Lng load, gaid frame; rail; disconnectiag L~nactivate oaid saiLd Said 0A underlyIng wlieels stabil, ze sway, gates orient rails, ramps, respectively, elevate wbeels whereby zone.
11 _1 1, CCC 27 rests upon provides sole 13. 12 coupled disengagement displacement determined rails,
14. substantially hereinbefore illustrated any accompanying drawings. Dated 20th day July 1990. TSUBAKIMOTO CHAIN CO. By Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute Australia. 4, .4 ;I d 9i~ 1* 44 -r L, AU79377>Download PDF in English
