US 4,540,087 AGranted

Three-dimensional work transfer apparatus

AssigneeKabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho

InventorMasakatsu Mizumoto

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Abstract

Apparatus particularly well suited for successively transferring generally flat workpieces through a series or processing stations in a transfer press. Included are a pair of transfer bars extending horizontally in parallel spaced relation to each other. Disposed adjacent one end of the transfer bar pair, a feed mechanism longitudinally reciprocates the transfer bars. A pair of clamp mechanisms and a pair of lift mechanisms, disposed adjacent the opposite ends of the transfer bar pair, move the transfer bars toward and away from each other, and up and down, respectively. The transfer bars repeats the longitudinal, transverse, and vertical motions in a prescribed sequence for work transfer through the successive press stations. The feed, clamp, and lift mechanisms are all driven by respective DC servomotors so that the longitudinal, transverse, and vertical strokes of the transfer bars ar infinitely variable. The apparatus may additionally comprise overload protection mechanisms for preventing the bending or breaking of the transfer bars when the latter are overloaded during movement toward each other.

Claims8

Dependent claims

An apparatus for transferring work in three dimensions through a succession of processing stations in a transfer press or the like, comprising:

(a) a pair of transfer bars extending in parallel spaced relation to each other;
(b) a feed mechanism adjacent one end of the transfer bar pair for longitudinally moving the same back and forth;
(c) first drive means including a first DC servomotor for driving the feed mechanism;
(d) a pair of clamp mechanisms adjacent the opposite ends of the transfer bar pair for conjointly moving the transfer bars toward and away from each other;
(e) second drive means including a second DC servomotor for driving each of the clamp mechanisms;
(f) a pair of lift mechanisms adjacent the opposite ends of the transfer bar pair for conjointly moving the same up and down;
and
(g) third drive means including a third DC servomotor for driving each of the lift mechanisms;
the first, second, and third DC servomotors being controlled in time relation to each other to cause the operation of the feed, clamp, and lift mechanisms, respectively, in a predetermined sequence;
and
said feed mechanism having first guide means extending longitudinally of the transfer bar pair, a pair of longitudinal carriages coupled to the first drive means thereby to be reciprocated along the first guide means, second guide means on each longitudinal carriage extending at right angles with the transfer bar pair, a pair of transverse carriages mounted one on each longitudinal carriage for reciprocating movement along the second guide means, and means for coupling the transverse carriages to the respective transfer bars for joint longitudinal travel of the transfer bars with the longitudinal carriage means while allowing the transfer bars to move up and down relative to the transverse carriages.

8 more elements

Apparatus for three-dimensionally transferring work, comprising:

(a) a pair of transfer bars extending in parallel spaced relation to each other;
(b) a feed mechanism adjacent one end of the transfer bar pair for longitudinally moving the same back and forth, the feed mechanism comprising:
(1) first guide means extending longitudinally of the transfer bar pair;
(2) longitudinal carriage means reciprocably movable along the first guide means;
(3) second guide means on the longitudinal carriage means extending at right angles with the transfer bar pair;
(4) a pair of transverse carriages movable toward and away from each other along the second guide means;
and
(5) means for coupling the transverse carriages with the respective transfer bars in such a way that the transfer bars are movable longitudinally with the longitudinal carriage means, toward and away from each other with the transverse carriages, and up and down relative to the transverse carriages;
(c) first drive means coupled to the longitudinal carriage mens of the feed mechanism and including a first DC servomotor for controllably reciprocating the longitudinal carriage means along the first guide means;
(d) a pair of clamp mechanisms adjacent the opposite ends of the transfer bar pair for conjointly moving the transfer bars toward and away from each other, each clamp mechanism comprising:
(1) third guide means extending at right angles with the transfer bars;
(2) a pair of clamp carriages independently movable along the third guide means;
(3) rack-and-pinion means for simultaneously moving the clamp carriages toward and away from each other along the third guide means;
(e) second drive means coupled to the rack-and-pinion means of each clamp mechanism and including a second DC servomotor for controllably moving the pair of clamp carriages of each clamp mechanism toward and away from each other along the third guide means;
(f) a pair of lift mechanisms adjacent the opposite ends of the transfer bar pair for conjointly moving the same up and down, each lift mechanism comprising:
(1) a straight-splined drive shaft rotatably supported in right angular relation to the transfer bars;
(2) a pair of pinions splinedly mounted on the drive shaft for joint rotation therewith and for relative sliding motion in the axial direction thereof, the pinions being rotatably mounted in the respective clamp carriages of one clamp mechanism for joint sliding motion therewith along the drive shaft;
(3) a rack mounted to each clamp carriage for vertical sliding motion relative to the same and for joint travel therewith along the drive shaft, each rack being engaged with one pinion on the drive shaft thereby to be moved up and down;
and
(4) means for connecting each rack to one transfer bar so as to allow longitudinal displacement of the transfer bar relative to the rack while restraining the transfer bar from lateral displacement relative to the rack;
(g) third drive means coupled to the straight-splined drive shaft of each lift mechanism and including a third DC servomotor for controllably moving the pair of transfer bars up and down.

18 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.