Transfer system

• US 20040134756A1
• Filed: 09/15/2003
• Published: 07/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Ikeda, Kouichii, Kubota, Keiichi, Murakami, Hideo, Nishizawa, Yoshihiro, Mitsuhashi, Masami
• Granted Patent: US 6,986,417 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 198/465.2
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 19/001 Article feeders for assembling machines screws or nuts being carried by a disposable strip or disc B25B23/045
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 21/004 the units passing two or more work-stations whilst being composed
• CPC Class Codes: B23P 2700/50 Other automobile vehicle parts, i.e. manufactured in assembly lines
• CPC Class Codes: B23Q 7/1447 using endless conveyors
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/18 Transportation, conveyor or haulage systems specially adapted for motor vehicle or trailer assembly lines conveyors and haulage in general B65G
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 37/02 Flow-sheets for conveyor combinations in warehouses, magazines or workshops

Abstract

A transfer system includes transfer lines (L) each of which forms a closed loop and has transfer-in stations (S₁ and S₃) and transfer-out stations (S₂ and S₄) for assembling parts to a work, while circulating the work along the transfer line (L); and a work and part transfer passage (51) for transferring the work and the parts. Transfer-in stations (S₁ and S₃) and the transfer-out stations (S₂ and S₄) are disposed at each of the longitudinal ends of each of the transfer lines (L). Sub-transfer-passages (52₁ and 52₂) branching out rightward and leftward from the work and part transfer passage (51), are disposed along longitudinal sides of the transfer lines (L). With this layout, a plurality of the transfer lines (L) can be disposed in a required minimum space, while securing a smooth supply and discharge of the works and parts with respect to the plurality of the transfer lines L.

Claims

1. A transfer system comprising:

transfer lines (L) each of which forms a closed loop and has transfer-in stations (S₁ and S₃) and transfer-out stations (S₂ and S₄) for assembling parts (p₁ to p₅) to a work (D_L and D_R), while circulating the work (D_L and D_R) along the transfer line (L);

a work and part transfer passage (51) for transferring the work (D_L and D_R) and the parts (p₁ to p₅); and

sub-transfer-passages (52₁ and 52₂) branching out from the work and part transfer passage (51);

wherein longitudinal ends of each of the transfer lines (L) face a side of the work and part transfer passage (51);

wherein the transfer-in stations (S₁ and S₃) and the transfer-out stations (S₂ and S₄) are disposed at each of the longitudinal ends of each of the transfer lines (L); and

wherein the sub-transfer-passages (52₁ and 52₂) are disposed on longitudinally sides of the transfer lines (L).

2. A transfer system according to claim 1, wherein longitudinal ends of a pair of the transfer lines (L) face opposite sides of the work and part transfer passage (51).

3. A transfer system according to claim 2, wherein transfer directions of the pair of the transfer lines (L) disposed on the opposite sides of the work and part transfer passage (51) are reverse to each other;

the transfer-in stations (S₁ and S₃) of one transfer line (L) oppose to the same of the other transfer line (L), with the work and part transfer passage (51) therebetween; and

the transfer-out stations (S₂ and S₄) of one transfer line (L) oppose to the same of the other transfer line (L), with the work and part transfer passage (51) therebetween.

4. A transfer system according to claim 1, wherein a pair of the transfer lines (L) are disposed along one side of the sub-transfer-passages (52₁ and 52₂), and another pair of the transfer lines (L) are disposed along the other side of the sub-transfer-passages (52₁ and 52₂).