Workpiece position detecting method and hanger maintenance-work necessity judging method

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10280011-B2
Application number	US-201815877411-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 23, 2018
Priority date	Jan 26, 2017
Publication date	May 7, 2019
Grant date	May 7, 2019

Abstract

The stop position of a workpiece is detected by a position detection unit. A control unit calculates and records a difference between the detected stop position (actual stop position) and a reference stop position set in advance. After recording the difference multiple times, the control unit performs a statistical processing of the differences and calculates a compensation amount based on results of the statistical processing. In the next position detecting, the position detection unit is disposed at a compensated position which is obtained by adding the compensation amount to the reference stop position, and in this state, detects the position of a predetermined portion of the workpiece.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A workpiece position detecting method for detecting, by a position detection unit, a stop position of a predetermined portion of each of workpieces which are supported individually by a plurality of hangers, when each of the workpieces is stopped after being transferred together with the hangers by a transfer mechanism, or a stop position of a predetermined portion of each of the hangers when each of the hangers is stopped, the method comprising the steps of:
recording, multiple times, a difference between the stop position of the predetermined portion of the workpiece or the hanger when the hanger is stopped after transferring the workpiece, and a reference stop position set in advance;
performing a statistical processing based on the differences recorded the multiple times to thereby calculate a compensation amount for each of the hangers;
disposing the position detection unit at a compensated position obtained by adding the compensation amount to the reference stop position; and
detecting, by the position detection unit disposed at the compensated position, the stop position of the predetermined portion of the hanger or the stop position of the predetermined portion of the workpiece stopped after being transferred by the hanger.

2. The workpiece position detecting method according to claim 1 , wherein the statistical processing is performed to calculate an average value of the differences recorded the multiple times.

3. The workpiece position detecting method according to claim 1 , wherein each of the hangers is provided with an identification member.

4. A hanger maintenance-work necessity judging method for judging necessity of a maintenance work of a hanger which supports a workpiece and is transferred together with the workpiece by a transfer mechanism, the method comprising the steps of:
recording, multiple times, a difference between a stop position of a predetermined portion of the hanger or the workpiece when the hanger is stopped after transferring the workpiece, and a reference stop position set in advance;
performing a statistical processing based on the differences recorded the multiple times to calculate a compensation amount;
disposing a position detection unit at a compensated position obtained by adding the compensation amount to the reference stop position;
detecting, by the position detection unit disposed at the compensated position, the stop position of the predetermined portion of the hanger or the stop position of the predetermined portion of the workpiece stopped after being transferred by the hanger; and
comparing the stop position which is detected by the position detection unit disposed at the compensated position, with the reference stop position;
wherein the maintenance work of the hanger is judged to be necessary if the compensation amount exceeds an allowable compensation amount set in advance.

5. The hanger maintenance-work necessity judging method according to claim 4 , wherein the statistical processing is performed to calculate an average value of the differences recorded the multiple times.

6. The hanger maintenance-work necessity judging method according to claim 4 , wherein each of the hangers is provided with an identification member.

Assignees

• Honda Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Namba Nobuhiro
• Ueyama Atsushi
• Adachi Masakazu
• Ishitani akihiro

Classifications

• G01B21/00

  Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant · CPC title

• B65G2203/046

  RFID · CPC title

• B65G2203/0233

  Position of the article · CPC title

• B65G35/06 Primary

  comprising a load-carrier moving along a path, e.g. a closed path, and adapted to be engaged by any one of a series of traction elements spaced along the path (effecting drive at two or more points spaced along the length of an endless conveyor B65G23/32) · CPC title

• B65G43/08

  Control devices operated by article or material being fed, conveyed or discharged {(and controlling the discharging devices B65G47/42)} · CPC title