Application system, operation system, and posture changing unit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11167306-B2
Application number	US-202016788846-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 12, 2020
Priority date	Jan 16, 2018
Publication date	Nov 9, 2021
Grant date	Nov 9, 2021

Abstract

An application system includes an application unit including a nozzle configured to discharge a seal agent to a work, and a moving device configured to move the application unit. The moving device includes a movable unit, an elevating unit, and a posture changing unit configured to be raised and lowered by the elevating unit and support the application unit. The nozzle includes a proximal end and a distal end portion configured to discharge the seal agent. The posture changing unit includes a pivot mechanism configured to make the application unit pivot about a vertical axis, and a pivot mechanism configured to make the application unit pivot about a horizontal axis. The vertical axis and the nozzle are located on the same axis, and the vertical axis and the horizontal axis cross on a center axis of the nozzle.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An application system comprising:
an application unit including a nozzle configured to discharge a seal agent to a work; and
a moving device configured to move the application unit, wherein
the moving device includes:
a movable unit provided to be movable in a first horizontal direction along a guide portion extended in the first horizontal direction and including a support portion extending in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first horizontal direction;
an elevating unit provided to be movable in the second horizontal direction with respect to the support portion; and
a posture changing unit configured to be raised and lowered by the elevating unit and support the application unit,
the application unit includes a supply portion configured to supply the seal agent to the nozzle,
the nozzle includes a proximal end portion to which the seal agent is supplied from the supply portion, and a distal end portion configured to discharge the seal agent,
the posture changing unit includes:
a first pivot mechanism configured to make the application unit pivot about a vertical axis; and
a second pivot mechanism configured to make the application unit pivot about a horizontal axis,
when the application unit is in a posture in which an axial direction of the nozzle faces a vertical direction, the vertical axis and the nozzle are located on the same axis, and the vertical axis and the horizontal axis cross on a center axis of the nozzle,
the application system further comprises:
a pair of frames serving as the guide portion, which are extended in the first horizontal direction and apart in the second horizontal direction;
a plurality of support columns configured to support the pair of frames;
a support device configured to support the work; and
a base member configured to support the plurality of support columns and the support device,
the movable unit is laid on the pair of frames,
the support device is arranged under a moving range of the movable unit, and includes a positioning portion configured to position the work, and
the base member includes an installation portion where the plurality of support columns are installed, and an installation portion where the support device is installed.

2. The application system according to claim 1 , wherein
the posture changing unit further includes a support member configured to support the application unit, and
the support member includes:
a first fixed portion to which the supply portion is fixed; and
a connecting portion connected to the second pivot mechanism.

3. The application system according to claim 2 , further comprising a measuring unit configured to measure an application state of the seal agent discharged from the nozzle,
wherein the support member further includes a second fixed portion to which the measuring unit is fixed.

4. The application system according to claim 1 , wherein
a portion on the center axis at which the vertical axis and the horizontal axis cross is a portion apart from the distal end portion to a side of the proximal end portion.

5. The application system according to claim 1 , further comprising a control apparatus configured to control the moving device,
wherein the control apparatus controls a position of the nozzle while changing a discharge direction of the nozzle along an application path of the seal agent to the work.

6. The application system according to claim 1 , further comprising a control apparatus configured to control the application unit,
wherein the control apparatus controls a discharge amount of the seal agent by the application unit in accordance with a moving speed of the nozzle by the moving device.

7. The application system according to claim 1 , wherein
the posture changing unit comprises a support member extended in the vertical direction,
the application unit is supported at a lower end of the support member to be able to pivot about the horizontal axis, and
the second pivot mechanism includes:
a motor supported by the support member on an upper side of the lower end; and
a transmission mechanism supported by the support member and configured to transmit a driving force of the motor to the application unit and make the application unit pivot about the horizontal axis.

8. The application system according to claim 7 , wherein
the transmission mechanism includes:
a driven gear connected to a pivot shaft of the application unit;
a driving gear arranged on an upper side of the driven gear and driven by the driving force of the motor; and
a rack configured to transmit rotation of the driving gear to the driven gear.

9. The application system according to claim 1 , wherein
the support device further includes a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the work between an outside and an inside of the application system.

10. The application system according to claim 1 , further comprising a conveyance device configured to convey, on to a work supported by the support device, an attachment body to be attached to the work via the seal agent,
wherein the conveyance device includes:
a second movable unit laid on the pair of frames and configured to move in the first horizontal direction;
a second elevating unit supported by the second movable unit;
a holding unit configured to hold the attachment body and raised and lowered by the second elevating unit.

11. The application system according to claim 10 , wherein
the holding unit includes a holding portion configured to hold the attachment body, and a positioning portion configured to position the held attachment body in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

12. The application system according to claim 10 , wherein
the support device further includes a transfer mechanism configured to transfer the attachment body between an outside and an inside of the application system.

13. The application system according to claim 10 , wherein the conveyance device includes a third pivot mechanism supported by the second elevating unit and configured to make the holding unit pivot about the vertical axis.

14. An operation system comprising:
an operation unit including an operation portion configured to perform an operation for an operation point of a work; and
a moving device configured to move the operation unit, wherein
the moving device includes:
a movable unit provided to be movable in a first horizontal direction along a guide portion extended in the first horizontal direction and including a support portion extending in a second horizontal direction orthogonal to the first horizontal direction;
an elevating unit provided to be movable in the second horizontal direction with respect to the support portion; and
a posture changing unit configured to be raised and lowered by the elevating unit and support the operation unit,
the operation portion is a solid or hollow shaft body,
the posture changing unit includes:
a first pivot mechanism configured to make the operation unit pivot about a vertical axis; and
a second pivot mechanism configured to make the operation unit pivot about a horizontal axis,
when the operation unit is in a posture in which an operation shaft of the operation portion faces a vertical direction, the vertical axis and the operation portion are located on the same axis, and the vertical axis and the horizontal axis cross on a center axis of the operation portion,
the operation system further comprises:
a pair of frames serving as the guide portion, which are extended in the first horizontal direction and apart in the second horizontal direction;
a plurali

Assignees

• Hirata Spinning

Inventors

• Mine Koshi
• Hokimoto Koichi
• Kuroki Yasuaki

Classifications

• B05C11/1005

  responsive to condition of liquid or other fluent material already applied to the surface, e.g. coating thickness, weight or pattern · CPC title

• B05C13/02

  for particular articles · CPC title

• B25J11/0075

  Manipulators for painting or coating · CPC title

• B05C5/0216 Primary

  by relative movement of article and outlet according to a predetermined path · CPC title

• B05C11/1002

  Means for controlling supply, i.e. flow or pressure, of liquid or other fluent material to the applying apparatus, e.g. valves · CPC title