Holding unit for panel transmitting device

A holding unit for a panel transmitting device provided with a robot of an articulated joint type to hold a panel of various types and transmit between processes includes a supporting means and a plurality of moving means. An end of the supporting means is movably supported and fixed to the robot and the other end of which extends along a width direction of the panel. Each of the moving means is provided with a moving bar an end of which is provided at a side of the supporting means and is able to rotate and slide in a thickness direction and a width direction of the panel so that the other end thereof may hold the panel. With the unit, precise position adjustment can be achieved in a cost-effective manner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0121883 filed on Dec. 3, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

(a) Technical Field

The present invention relates to a holding unit for a panel transmitting device, and more particularly, to a holding unit for a panel transmitting device which has an enhanced compatibility and user's convenience.

(b) Description of the Related Art

In a vehicle manufacturing process, a panel transmitting device is provided for holding and transmitting a panel between sub-processes.

Typically, the panel transmitting device includes a robot, a supporting means, and a moving means. The robot may be realized in a well-known multiple articulated joint type, and a quick change adapter (QCA) is provided at an end thereof. The supporting means is coupled to one side of the adapter and is formed in a bar shape supporting load of the panel. The moving means is formed such that an end thereof is supported at both sides of the supporting means and the other end thereof is able to respectively hold the panel.

However, the conventional panel transmitting device has a problem that to replace the panel transmitted between sub-processes, a worker must manually replace the moving means according to the shape of the panel, which results in decreased preciseness and increased time for replacement, thereby lowering working capacity and overall productivity. In addition, many moving means corresponding to various shapes of panel types are needed, which causes manufacturing cost to be increased.

SUMMARY

The present invention has been made in an effort to provide a holding unit for a panel transmitting device which can hold various panels with different shapes.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a holding unit for a panel transmitting device provided with a robot which can stably hold and transmit a panel regardless of the shape of the panel. The holding unit may include a supporting means an end of which is movably supported and fixed to the robot and the other end of which extends along a width direction of the panel; and a plurality of moving means each provided with a moving bar an end of which is provided at a side of the supporting means and is able to rotate and slide in a thickness direction and a width direction of the panel so that the other end thereof may hold the panel.

Preferably, the supporting means may further comprise a plurality of plates which are separated from each other and a plurality of guide bars each of which is supported and connected to two of the surfaces of the plates and is provided with a slider reciprocally movable on and along a circumferential surface of the guide bar.

Suitably, the slider is configured to be able to stop at one or more predetermined positions on the circumferential surface of the guide bar.

Suitably, an end of the moving bar of the moving means may be fixedly connected to the slider and the other end of the moving bar may be provided with an absorbing plate for holding the panel.

Suitably, the moving bar of the moving means may be formed by a plurality of sections such that one end of a section can be inserted into and exited from an inside of another section thereby allowing the moving bar to be expandable and contractable.

Suitably, the moving means may further comprise a clamp provided at a position between the end of the moving bar at the side of the supporting means and the other end thereof so as to adjust the position the other end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Terms and words used in the specification and claims should not interpreted limitedly as general literal meanings, and should be interpreted as meanings and concepts which are complied with the spirit of the invention in conformity with the principle that the inventor can define the meaning of words in order to explain the invention in a best way.

Accordingly, an embodiment disclosed in the specification and the structure shown in the drawings are only an embodiment of the present invention, and does not cover all the spirit of the invention, so it should be understood that there are various equivalents and variations which substitute the same at the time of filing.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a holding unit for a panel transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIG. 1, the holding unit for a panel transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a supporting means100and a plurality of moving means200. A side of the supporting means100is coupled to a robot (not shown) provided between sub-processes for supporting the load of a panel F. An end of the moving means200is connected to a side of the supporting means100and the other end of the moving means200is configured to be able to hold various types of panels.

The robot can be realized by one conventionally used in the art. For example, it may be a multiple articulated joint type robot, detailed description of which will be omitted. An adapter and a gripper are provided at an end of the robot. The adapter is configured to be able to be attached and detached to a side of the supporting means100. The gripper is configured to be able to be attached and detached to the adapter and perform gripping function by pneumatic pressure.

An end of the supporting means100is movably supported and fixed to the adapter of the robot, and the other end thereof is provided with a supporting bar110which extends in a width Y direction of the panel F.

As shown inFIG. 1, the supporting means100includes a plurality of plates120, a plurality of the supporting bars110and a plurality of guide bars130. The plates120are separated from each other and fixed to the supporting bars110and the guide bars130. Both ends of the guide bar130are supported and connected to plate surfaces of the plates120. At least one of the guide bars130may be provided with a slider135which is reciprocally movable on circumferential surfaces thereof. The slider135is pneumatically controlled so as to be able to stop at a desired position on the circumferential surface of the guide bar130. Accordingly, the moving means200can reciprocally move or stop.

Each of the moving means200may include a moving bar210, an absorbing plate220and a clamp230. An end of the moving bar210is fixedly connected to the slider135so as to be able to rotate and slide in a thickness Z direction and in a width Y direction of the panel F. The absorbing plate220is provided at the other end of the moving bar210for holding the panel F. The clamp230is fixed at a position between the two ends of the moving bar210.

The moving bar210may be formed by a plurality of sections210A,210B such that one end of a section can be inserted into and exited from an inside of another section thereby allowing the moving bar to be expandable and contractable.

Preferably, the moving bars210may be provided at both sides of the supporting means100so as to stably hold and transmit the panel F. As a non-limiting example, as shown inFIG. 1, two moving bars210may be provided at each side of the supporting means100. As another non-limiting example, two moving bars210may be provided at one side of the supporting means100and one moving bar210may be provided at the other side of the supporting means100.

The absorbing plate220is configured to hold the panel F using vacuum during contact with the panel F and to transmit the panel between sub-processes by the robot.

The clamp230can be provided at a position between the end of the moving bar at the side of the supporting means and the other end thereof so as to adjust the position the other end.

In an embodiment, the holding unit may further include one or more auxiliary supporting means150to further firmly support the moving means200. Each of the auxiliary supporting means150includes an auxiliary guide bar151and an auxiliary moving bar152. The auxiliary guide bar151is disposed near and in parallel with the guide bar130and both ends thereof are supported to the surfaces of the plates. The auxiliary moving bar152is movable along an outer surface of the auxiliary guide bar151and is expandable and contractable along its longitudinal direction.

Reference numeral240indicates a connector which not only connects the moving bar210and the auxiliary moving bar152together but also arranges the absorbing plate220toward a surface of the panel F. Reference numeral245indicates a holder which is protruded toward one side of the connector240and one side of the moving bar210and is coupled to the gripper of the robot to move the moving means200in a length X direction, a width Y direction, and a thickness Z direction of the panel F.

Operations of the holding unit for a panel transmitting device will be explained with reference toFIGS. 2-4hereinafter.

Referring toFIG. 2, in a holding unit for a panel transmitting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in case that a type of the panel F which is transmitted between sub-processes is replaced, an end of the supporting bar110is restricted by an adapter of a robot on a jig (not shown) which is provided at a stand-by space between spaces and is transmitted. At this time, the moving means200is firmly supported to the supporting means100by pneumatic pressure acting on the slider135and the clamp230.

In this state, as shown inFIG. 3, the gripper is connected to the adapter of the robot, and in a state that the holder245provided at one side of the respective moving bars210is restricted by the gripper, the moving bar210and the auxiliary moving bar152are suitably moved along a width Y direction of the panel which has been stored. At this time, pneumatic pressure still acts on the clamp230, and pneumatic pressure is released from the slider135, so the moving bar210can freely slide.

Next, referring toFIG. 4, the robot makes the gripper to release the tightening of the holder245provided at a side of the moving bar210and tightens the holder245provided to the connector240of the moving means200, and suitably moves the other side of the moving bar210and the auxiliary moving bar152in a stored length X direction and a stored thickness Z direction of the panel, respectively, so the absorbing plate220is adjusted in accordance with the shape of the replaced type of the panel F.

At this time, pneumatic pressure acts on the slider135to make the moving means200not move in a width direction of the panel F, and pneumatic pressure is released from the clamp230, so the moving bar210and the auxiliary moving bar152can freely rotate, expand, and contract.

If the adjustment of the absorbing plate220is completed as such, the gripper is separated from the adapter of the robot, and the moving means200is supported not to move on the supporting means100by acting pneumatic pressure to the slider135and the clamp230, and one end of the supporting means100is restricted by the adapter of the robot, so the replaced panel can be transmitted between sub-processes.

According to holding units for a panel transmitting device according to the present invention, even when a panel which is transmitted between sub-processes is replaced, the moving means is precisely adjusted by automation of the robot according to the shape of the panel, so replacement can be performed in a short time and productivity can be enhanced. Furthermore, the moving means can conform with various shapes of panels, so manufacturing cost can be reduced.