Abstract:
A work locating conveyer, including: a locator disposed on a conveyer carriage and configured to locate and support a work; a locating jig disposed on the respective locator and configured to locate and support the works having different configurations; and a driver. The driver includes: an original position mover configured to move a main locator in such a manner that the main locator follows a moving path on the conveyer carriage to an original position on the moving path, a jig returner configured to return the main locating jig to the non-use state, a jig locating mover configured to move the main locator from the original position to a certain locating position on the moving path, and a locating jig selective mover configured to move from the non-use state to the in-use state the main locating jig that is to be used.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a work locating conveyer, a work locating method, and a work locating conveyer carriage.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-263965 (=JP2002263965) discloses a car body conveying device and a method thereof for use in a car body welding line. In the case of a general-purpose conveyer carriage (conveyance track) for carrying various works having different configurations, the location of locating jigs (locator holder) disposed on the conveyer carriage has to be switched for each of the works having different configurations.  
         [0005]     A follower switch switches the locations of the locating jigs on the conveyer carriage, for switching vehicle types. The switch which is an outer driven device is provided with an actuator capable of moving in three orthogonal directions, a socket (moved by means of the actuator) and a swing arm. The lowered socket engages a locate pin of the conveyer carriage side, while the swing arm engages a hook pin of the conveyer carriage side.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a work locating conveyer free from complicated overall structure and control, and to easily locate a locating jig on a conveyer carriage side by using an outer driver.  
         [0007]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a work locating method and a work locating conveyer carriage for the above work locating conveyer.  
         [0008]     According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a work locating conveyer, comprising: 1) a locator disposed on a conveyer carriage and configured to locate and support a work, the locator including a main locator; 2) a locating jig disposed on the respective locator and configured to locate and support the works having different configurations, the locating jig including a main locating jig, the main locating jig being so set as to move between the following states: i) an in-use state for locating and supporting the work, and ii) a non-use state free from the locating and the supporting of the work- and 3) a driver, including: I) an original position mover configured to move the main locator in such a manner that the main locator follows a moving path on the conveyer carriage to an original position on the moving path, II) a jig returner configured to return the main locating jig to the non-use state, III) a jig locating mover configured to move the main locator from the original position to a certain locating position on the moving path, and IV) a locating jig selective mover configured to move, from the non-use state to the in-use state, the main locating jig that is to be used.  
         [0009]     According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a work locating method for locating and supporting a work on a conveyer carriage provided with a locator to thereby convey the work, the locator including a main locator, a locating jig being disposed on the respective locator and configured to locate and support the works having different configurations, the locating jig including a main locating jig, the main locating jig being so set as to move between the following states: i) an in-use state for locating and supporting the work, and ii) a non-use state free from the locating and the supporting of the work, the work locating method by using a driver, comprising: I) moving the main locator in such a manner that the main locator follows a moving path on the conveyer carriage to an original position on the moving path; II) returning the main locating jig to the non-use state; III) moving the main locator from the original position to a certain locating position on the moving path; and IV) moving, from the non-use state to the in-use state, the main locating jig that is to be used, to thereafter position and support the work on the main locator.  
         [0010]     According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a work locating conveyer carriage, comprising: 1) a locator configured to locate and support a work, the locator including a main locator, 2) a locating jig disposed on the respective locator, the locating jig being configured to locate and support the works having different configurations, the locating jig including a main locating jig, the main locating jig being so set as to move between the following states: i) an in-use state for locating and supporting the work, and ii) a non-use state free from the locating and the supporting of the work, the work locating conveyer carriage being configured to implement the following operations by using a driver: I) moving the main locator in such a manner that the main locator follows a moving path on the conveyer carriage to an original position on the moving path, II) returning the main locating jig to the non-use state, III) moving the main locator from the original position to a certain locating position on the moving path, and IV) moving, from the non-use state to the in-use state, the main locating jig that is to be used.  
         [0011]     The other object(s) and feature(s) of the present invention will become understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a work locating conveyer, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a fourth locating jig on a fourth locator.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross section taken along the lines IV-IV in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a right side view of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged cross section taken along the lines VII-VII in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a right side view of  FIG. 7 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged cross section taken along the lines X-X in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of  FIG. 10 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  is a right side view of  FIG. 10 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged cross section taken along the lines XIII-XIII in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 14  is a plan view of  FIG. 13 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 15  is a right side view of  FIG. 14 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 16  is a plan view of an outer driver.  
         [0028]      FIG. 17  is a plan view of  FIG. 16 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 18  is a left side view of  FIG. 16 .  
         [0030]      FIG. 19  shows an operation in which all the four fourth locating jigs arranged on each of right and left sides are in the non-use state.  
         [0031]      FIG. 20  shows an operation in which the to-be-used fourth locating jig is alone raised for the in-use state. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0032]     In the following, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
         [0033]     For ease of understanding, the following description will contain various directional terms, such as left, right, upper, lower, forward, rearward and the like. However, such directional terms are to be understood with respect to only a drawing or drawings on which the corresponding part of element is illustrated.  
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a work locating conveyer  100  and  FIG. 2  is a plan view of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0035]     The work locating conveyer  100  has a body base  1  which is a conveyer carriage  1  extending in a horizontal direction in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . On the body base  1 , there are fixed a first base  3 , a second base  5 , a third base  7 , and a fourth base  9  sequentially from the right side, as referenced in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0036]     On the first base  3 , there is disposed a first locator  11  in such a manner as to move on a pair of guide rails  13  extending in the horizontal direction in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . On the second base  5 , there is disposed a second locator  15  in such a manner as to move on one guide rail  17  extending in the horizontal direction in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . On the third base  7 , there is disposed a third locator  19  in such a manner as to move on a pair of guide rails  21  extending in the horizontal direction in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . On the fourth base  9 , there is disposed a fourth locator  23  in such a manner as to move on a pair of guide rails  25  extending in the horizontal direction in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 .  
         [0037]     The guide rails  13 ,  17 ,  21  and  25  each structure a moving path for allowing one of the respective locators  11 ,  15 ,  19  and  23  to follow.  
         [0038]     On each of the locators  11 ,  15 ,  19  and  23 , one of respective locating jigs  77 ,  55 ,  71  and  35  (to be described afterward) are to be disposed, thereby locating a work W (body part) on the locating jigs  77 ,  55 ,  71  and  35  for operations such as welding of the thus positioned work W. In  FIG. 2 , however, the work W is not shown (see  FIG. 10  for the work W).  
         [0039]     Hereinafter described sequentially are details about the fourth locator  23 , the second locator  15 , the third locator  19  and the first locator  11 .  
         [0000]     [Fourth Locator  23 : Main Locator] 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a fourth locating jig  35  (main locating jig) on the fourth locator  23 ,  FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross section taken along the lines IV-IV in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 5  is a plan view of  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 6  is a right side view of  FIG. 4 . The fourth locator  23  is provided with a guided portion  26  movably guided by a guide rail  25 , and a bench plate  27  fixed on the guided portion  26 .  
         [0041]     There is provided a jig supporting bracket  29  standing on the bench plate  27 . There is provided a jig supporting plate  31  on an upper arm portion  29   a  (of the jig supporting bracket  29 ) extending horizontally on both right and left sides in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0042]     In  FIG. 4 , a fixture  33  is fixed to each of right and left ends on the jig supporting plate  31 . A plurality of the fourth locating jigs  35  are fitted to the fixture  33 . The fixture  33  is provided with a pair of fitting flanges  37  extending upward. A supporting shaft  39  supported by the pair of the fitting flanges  37  connects to a first end of the fourth locating jig  35 , thereby making the thus connected fourth locating jig  35  pivotal.  
         [0043]     Each of the plurality of the fourth locating jigs  35  is individually pivotal around the supporting shaft  39 , and as shown in  FIG. 4 , makes a displacement between i) an in-use state (positioning and supporting the work W) indicated by an actual line and ii) a non-use state (not positioning or supporting the work W) indicated by a 2-point chain line. An upper end of the fourth locating jig  35  in the in-use state is formed with a locating portion  35   a  for locating and supporting the work W.  
         [0044]     In addition, in the vicinity of the supporting shaft  39 , each of the fourth locating jigs  35  is provided with a stopper  41  which protrudes downward in the in-use state. The in-use state can be secured, when a stopper face  41   a  on the fixture  33  side of the stopper  41  abuts on a side face of the mixture  33 . In addition, in the vicinity of the supporting shaft  39 , each of the fourth locating jigs  35  is provided with a stopper  43  which protrudes downward in the non-use state. The non-use state can be secured, when a stopper face  43   a  on the fixture  33  side of the stopper  43  abuts on an upper face of the fixture  33 . Hereinabove, between i) the stopper face  43   a  of the stopper  43  and ii) the upper face (abutting on the stopper face  43   a ) of the fixture  33 , there is interposed a shock-absorbing material (not shown) such as urethane.  
         [0045]     For each of the fourth locating jigs  35 , there is provided a jig raising piece  45  on an opposite side to the stopper face  41   a  of the stopper  41 . The jig raising piece  45  is formed with a jig raising hole  45   a  which is a holding hole (through hole) extending in the direction along the guide rail  25 . The As shown in  FIG. 3 , the two center downward jig raising pieces  45  are longer than the other two side downward jig raising pieces  45 . With this, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the two center jig raising holes  45   a  are disposed lower than the two side jig raising holes  45   a , thus making an offset upward and downward from each other when the jig raising holes  45   a  are viewed from the direction of conveying the work W.  
         [0046]     To an end of the fourth locator  23  on a back side of  FIG. 4 , an air locker  47  is fixed via a fitting portion  47   a  thereof (see  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 ). The air locker  47  can move along the guide rail  25  integrally with the fourth locator  23 . In a certain locating position of the fourth locator  23 , a pressing piece (not shown) in the air locker  47  presses the guide rail  25  by means of air pressure, thus locking the fourth locator  23 .  
         [0047]     On an end of the fourth locator  23  on a front side of  FIG. 4 , there is formed a cutout  11   a  (see  FIG. 3 ). An engaged block  51  is fixed to the cutout  11   a . The engaged block  51  is formed with a protrusion  51   a  which is a held portion protruding outward relative to the guide rail  25 .  
         [0000]     [Second Locator  15 : Sub-Locator] 
         [0048]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged cross section taken along the lines VII-VII in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 8  is a plan view of  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 9  is a right side view of  FIG. 7 . A jig supporting bracket  53  stands on the second locator  15 . The jig supporting bracket  53  has an upper end side provided with a second locating jig  55  (sub-locating jig) for receiving the work W in the downward position  
         [0049]     The second locator  15  is provided with: i) a guided portion  56  movably guided by the guide rail  17  and ii) a bench plate  57  fixed on the guided portion  56 .  
         [0050]     The second locating jig  55  has a support pin holder  58  fixed to the jig supporting bracket  53 . The support pin holder  58  is provided with a plurality of support pins  59  protruding upward in form of a needle (or frog, brush). Under each of the support pins  59 , there is provided a spring  60  which resiliently supports via the support pins  59  the work W in such a manner that the support pin  59  is moved downward when abutted by a lower face of the work W. The above spring  60  is received in the support pin holder  58 .  
         [0051]     To an end of the second locator  15  on a back side of  FIG. 7 , there is fixed an air locker  61  via a fitting portion  61   a  thereof (see  FIG. 8 ). Like the air locker  47  in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 , the air locker  61  in  FIG. 8  can move along the guild rail  17  integrally with the second locator  15 . In a certain locating position of the second locator  15 , a pressing piece (not shown) in the air locker  61  presses the guide rail  17  by means of air pressure, thus locking the second locator  15 .  
         [0052]     An engaged block  63  is fixed to a lower end face on the right side of the second locator  15  in  FIG. 7 . The engaged block  63  is formed with a protusion  63   a  (held portion) protruding outward relative to the guide rail  17 .  
         [0000]     [Third Locator  19 : Sub-Locator] 
         [0053]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged cross section taken along the lines X-X in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 11  is a plan view of  FIG. 10 , and  FIG. 12  is a right side view of  FIG. 10 . On right and left sides in  FIG. 10 , there are provided a pair of the third locators  19  each of which is provided with a guided portion  65  movably guided by a guide rail  21  and a bench plate  67  fixed on the guided portion  65 . In  FIG. 10 , a jig supporting bracket  69  stands on the bench plate  67 , where arm portions  69   a  each extends horizontally from an upper part of the jig supporting bracket  69 . On an upper face at a head end of the arm portion  69   a , there is provided a third locating jig  71  (sub-locating jig) which is a locating pin.  
         [0054]     Inserting a head end of the third locating jig  71  into a locating hole Wa of the work W and putting the work W on a stage portion  71   a  of the third locating jig  71  can implement the locating operation in upper-lower direction. The locating position in the upper-lower direction serves as a reference position of the work W.  
         [0055]     To an end of the third locator  19  on a back side of  FIG. 10 , an air locker  73  is fixed via a fitting portion  73   a  thereof (see  FIG. 11 ). Like the air locker  47  in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 , the air locker  73  in  FIG. 11  can move along the guild rail  21  integrally with the third locator  19 . In a certain locating position of the third locator  19 , a pressing piece (not shown) in the air locker  73  presses the guide rail  21  by means of air pressure, thus locking the third locator  19 .  
         [0056]     On a lower end face on the right side (likewise, on the left side) of the third locator  19  in  FIG. 10 , there is formed a protrusion  75   a  (held portion) protruding outward relative to the guide rail  21 .  
         [0000]     [First Locator  11 : Main Locator] 
         [0057]      FIG. 13  is an enlarged cross section taken along the lines XIII-XIII in  FIG. 1 , showing a first locating jig  77  (main locating jig) of the first locator  11 ,  FIG. 14  is a plan view of  FIG. 13 , and  FIG. 15  is a right side view of  FIG. 14 . The first locating jig  77  is, in general, longer than the fourth locating jig  35  in  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 6 , and has a head end provided with a locating portion  77   a  for receiving the work W.  
         [0058]     Other structural elements of the first locator  11  and the first locating jig  77  in  FIG. 13  to  FIG. 15  are like those of the fourth locator  23  and the fourth locating jig  35  in  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 6 , therefore omitting repeated descriptions of the elements having the same reference numerals.  
         [0000]     [Outer Driver  79 ] 
         [0059]     Hereinafter described is an outer driver  79  shown in  FIG. 3 . From an outer part of the work locating conveyer  100 , the outer driver  79  moves the locators  11 ,  15 ,  19  and  23 , and turns the first locating jig  77  and the fourth locating jig  35  around the supporting shaft  39 .  
         [0060]     The outer driver  79  is an outer driver fitted to a head end of a robot arm  200  via a fining portion  81 .  FIG. 16  is a plan view of the outer driver  79 ,  FIG. 17  is a plan view of  FIG. 16 , and  FIG. 18  is a left side view of  FIG. 16 .  
         [0061]     The outer driver  79  has the fitting portion  81  to which a base plate  83  is fixed, and is provided, on the other end of a connecting rod  85 , with an end plate  87  on an opposite side to the base plate  83 . On a lower face of the end plate  87  and below the connecting rod  85  in  FIG. 3 , there is provided an operation piece  89  for moving the locators  11 ,  15 ,  19  and  23  along the respective guide rails  13 ,  17 ,  21  and  25 .  
         [0062]     The operation piece  89  is, as shown in  FIG. 17  and  FIG. 18 , fitted to the connecting rod  85  via a fitting piece  91 , thereby protruding more upward in  FIG. 17  than the end plate  87  and more rightward than the end plate  87  in  FIG. 18 .  
         [0063]     In  FIG. 16 , an upper end of the operation piece  89  is formed with a dent portion  89   a  which serves as a holder for sandwiching and holding the protrusions  51   a ,  63   a ,  75   a  and  51   a  of the respective locators  11 ,  15 ,  19  and  23 . With the protrusions  51   a ,  63   a ,  75   a  and  51   a  each inserted in the dent portion  89   a , moving the outer driver  79  along one of the respective guide rails  13 ,  17 ,  21  and  25  can move one of the respective locators  11 ,  15 ,  19  and  23  to a certain locating position.  
         [0064]     In  FIG. 16 , on right side of the dent portion  89   a  of the operation piece  89 , there is provided a pressing portion  89   b  for moving the locators  11 ,  15 ,  19  and  23  in the forward direction by pressing side faces of the protrusions  51   a ,  63   a ,  75   a  and  51   a  of the respective locators  11 ,  15 ,  19  and  23 . Through the above pressing operation, each of the locators  11 ,  15 ,  19  and  23  can move to an original position on the guide rails  13 ,  17 ,  21  and  25 .  
         [0065]     Summarizing the above, the pressing portion  89   b  moves the locators  11 ,  15 ,  19  and  23  to the original position on the moving paths (guide rails  13 ,  17 ,  21  and  25 ). In addition, the dent portion  89   a  moves the locators  11 ,  15 ,  19  and  23  from the original position to the certain locating position on the moving pats (guide rails  13 ,  17 ,  21  and  25 ).  
         [0066]     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 16 , the outer driver  79  is provided with a pressing rod  93  which connects the base plate  83  to the end plate  87 , in an upper position of the connecting rod  85 . The pressing rod  93  (jig returner) of the outer driver  79  in the state shown  FIG. 3  presses, for example, the pressed portions  35   b  (four in number) of the fourth locating jigs  35  (four in number) in the position in  FIG. 3 , returning all at once the fourth locating jigs  35  (four in number) to the non-use state indicated by 2-point chain line in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0067]     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 16 , on the faces where the base plate  83  and the end plate  87  oppose each other in the lower side of the connecting rod  85 , the outer driver  79  is provided respectively with an insert pin  95  and an insert pin  97  protruding in opposite directions to each other.  
         [0068]     Each of the insert pin  95  and the insert pin  97  is to be inserted into one to-be-used jig raising hole  45   a  of the fourth locating jigs  35  (four in number), thereby moving the fourth locating jigs  35  from the non-use state (indicated by the 2-point chain line in  FIG. 4 ) to the in-use state (indicated by the actual line in  FIG. 4 ), serving as a locating jig selective mover.  
         [0069]     The insert pin  95  corresponds to two fourth locating jigs  35  on a first side, while the insert pin  97  corresponds to another two fourth locating jigs  35  on a second side.  
         [0070]     In addition, the pressing rod  93 , the insert pin  95  and the insert pin  97 , likewise, operate the first locating jig  77  in  FIG. 13  to  FIG. 15 .  
         [0000]     [Operation] 
         [0071]     Hereinafter described is operation of the work locating conveyer  100  and the work locating conveyer carriage  1 .  
         [0072]     Described at first is operation of locating the fourth locating jig  35  on the fourth locator  23 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . In accordance with a teaching of the robot (robot arm  200 ), the outer driver  79  moves toward the fourth locator  23 . Then, the pressed face  51   b  of the protrusion  51   a  of the engaged block  51  on the fourth locator  23  side is pressed toward the air locker  47  side by means of the pressing portion  89   b  of the operation piece  89 , to thereby move the fourth locator  23  to the original position along the guide rail  25 .  
         [0073]     In this case, all the four fourth locating jigs  35  on each of right and left sides, as shown in  FIG. 3 , are in the in-use state. Alternatively however, at least one of the four fourth locating jigs  35  used before may be in the in-use state on each of right and left sides.  
         [0074]     From this state, the outer driver  79  is to be moved in such a manner that the pressing rod  93  presses the pressed portion  35   b  of the fourth locating jig  35  in a proper direction. Then, from the in-use state, all the fourth locating jigs  35  are pivoted around the supporting shaft  39  extending in the direction along the guide rail  25 , to thereby reach the non-use state indicated by 2-point chain line in  FIG. 4 . With this, as shown  FIG. 19 , all the four fourth locating jigs  35  arranged on each of right and left sides are in the non-use state.  
         [0075]     Then, the outer driver  79  is separated from the fourth locating jig  35 . Then, the operation piece  89  is moved toward a lower part of the fourth locator  23 , to thereby allow the dent portion  89   a  of the operation piece  89  to engageably sandwich the protrusion  51   a  of the fourth locator  23 . In this state, the outer driver  79  is so moved as to move the fourth locator  23  along the guide rail  25  in a direction away from the original position to the certain locating position.  
         [0076]     Then, the outer driver  79  is detached from the fourth locator  23 . In a position properly spaced apart from the fourth locator  23 , as shown in  FIG. 19 , the outer driver  79  is pivoted by 180° around a shaft center of the connecting rod  85  extending in the longitudinal direction. Then, from this state in  FIG. 19 , the insert pin  95  is inserted into the jig raising hole  45   a  of the jig raising piece  45  of one of the fourth locating jigs  35  that is to be used. Then, as shown in  FIG. 20 , the to-be-used fourth locating jig  35  is alone raised for the in-use state. Like operations are to be implemented for one of the fourth locating jigs  35  on the opposite side.  
         [0077]     In this case, the outer diameter of each of the insert pin  95  and the insert pin  97  is smaller than the inner diameter of the jig raising hole  45   a , forming a certain gap therebetween. In this case however, the fourth locating jig  35  is to be raised smoothly, without causing a play by the insert pin  95  and the insert pin  97  in the jig raising hole  45   a.    
         [0078]     In addition, the two middle jig raising holes  45   a  are offset from the two side jig raising holes  45   a , thereby the insert pin  95  and the insert pin  97  each can be preferably inserted into only the jig raising hole  45   a  that is to be used for the current raising operation. Otherwise, all the four jig raising holes  45   a  can be offset differently, allowing only one insert pin  95  or  97  to be used for the raising operation.  
         [0079]     As described above, the locating operation of the fourth locator  23  and the fourth locating jig  35  is thus ended. This locating operation is to be likewise implemented for the fist locator  11  and the first locating jig  77 . Specifically, the following operations are to be implemented:  
         [0080]     Operation I) moving the first locator  11  to the original position,  
         [0081]     Operation II) moving, to the non-use state, all the four first locating jigs  77  on each of right and left sides,  
         [0082]     Operation III) moving the first locator  11  to the certain locating position, and  
         [0083]     Operation IV) moving, to the in-use state, the one to-be-used first locating jig  77  on each of the right and left sides.  
         [0084]     In addition, operations like those for the first locator  11  (or the fourth locator  23 ) are to be implemented for the second locator  15  and the third locator  19 . Specifically, moving the second locator  15  and the third locator  19  to the original position {operation I) in the former paragraph} and moving the second locator  15  and the third locator  19  to the certain locating position {operation III) in the former paragraph}.  
         [0085]     With the above operations, each of the locators  11 ,  15 ,  19  and  23  is moved to the certain locating position, and the first locating jig  77  and the fourth locating jig  35  are set in the in-use state, to thereby set the work W on the locating jigs  77 ,  55 ,  71  and  35 , as shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0086]     After the setting, the third locating jig  71  which is a locating pin for the third locator  19  specifies the upper-lower position of the work W, as shown in  FIG. 10 . In addition, according to the configuration of a lower face of the work W, a plurality of the support pins  59  of the second locator  15  resiliently support the work W by means of the spring  60 , suppressing deformation of the work W. Then, with this locating set, the work W is, for example, subjected to the welding.  
         [0087]     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the outer driver  79  which is the outer driver  79  moved by the teaching of the robot (robot arm  200 ) is provided with the following integrated members:  
         [0088]     I) the pressing portion  89   b  of the operation piece  89  for pressing each of the locators  11 ,  15 ,  19  and  23  to the original position,  
         [0089]     II) the pressing rod  93  for returning at once the four fourth locating jigs  35  (four first locating jigs  77 ) to the non-use state,  
         [0090]     III) the dent portion  89   a  of the operation piece  89  for moving each of the locators  11 ,  15 ,  19  and  23  from the original position to the certain locating position, and  
         [0091]     IV) the insert pin  95  and the insert pin  97  for moving from the non-use state to the in-use state the fourth locating jig  35  (first locating jig  77 ) that is to be used.  
         [0092]     The above structure of the outer driver  79  can eliminate the need for an actuator which has crossing three axes for operation freedom. Therefore, the work locating conveyer  100  and the work locating conveyer carriage  1  can prevent complicated overall structure and control; and can easily locate, by using the outer driver  79 , the locating jig disposed on the locator ( 11 ,  15 ,  19 ,  23 ) side.  
         [0093]     In addition, simply pressing each of the locators  11 ,  15 ,  19  and  23  by means of the pressing portion  89   b  of the outer driver  79  can once move the locators  11 ,  15 ,  19  and  23  to the original position, before moving each of the locators  11 ,  15 ,  19  and  23  to the certain locating position by means of the dent portion  89   a . With the above movement, the locators  11 ,  15 ,  19  and  23  are not necessarily on certain positions on the respective guide rails  13 ,  17 ,  21  and  25 , eliminating the need for receiving position information of the locators  11 ,  15 ,  19  and  23  before switching the vehicle types, resulting in easy and short-time locating operation.  
         [0094]     This application is based on a prior Japanese Patent Application No. P2004-378102 (filed on Dec. 27, 2004 in Japan). The entire contents of the Japanese Patent Application No. P2004-378102 from which priority is claimed are incorporated herein by reference, in order to take some protection against translation errors or omitted portions.  
         [0095]     Although the present invention has been described above by reference to a certain embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. Modifications and variations of the embodiment described above will occur to those skilled in the art, in light of the above teachings.  
         [0096]     Specifically, according to the embodiment, returning each of the fourth locating jigs  35  to the non-use state indicated by the 2-point chain line in  FIG. 4  is implemented when the fourth locator  23  is in the original position. The present invention is, however, not limited to this. The returning may be implemented when the fourth locator  23  is in the certain locating position. In addition, raising to the in-use state (indicated by the actual line in  FIG. 4 ) the one fourth locating jig  35  that is to be used for the current operation can be implemented in the original position, like the returning of the fourth locating jig  35  to the non-use state being implemented in the original position.  
         [0097]     In addition, when the second locating jig  55  in  FIG. 7  to  FIG. 9  is not provided with the support pin  59  having the spring  60 , a supporting member abutting on the lower face of the work W is to be used for supporting the work W. In this case, however, the supporting member is not to be fixed to the jig supporting bracket  53 , but is made slidable along a guide rail in the upper-lower direction, with an air locker provided for locking the sliding movement.  
         [0098]     The second locating jig  55  provided with the above supporting member is to be held by an operation piece (which is to be provided, for example, on a face opposite to the connecting rod  85  side of the end plate  87 ) formed with a dent portion like the dent portion  89   a  of the operation piece  89 , to thereby properly position the second locating jig  55  by the upper-lower movement.  
         [0099]     In addition, the third locating jig  71  in  FIG. 10  to  FIG. 12  may be provided with a clamp mechanism for clamping the work W from upper and lower sides.  
         [0100]     Moving merely along the guide rail  21  in the forward-backward direction of the work W, the above third locating jig  71  can have a simple structure. In addition, for moving the third locating jig  71  in the width direction or the upper-lower direction of the work W, guide rails extending in the respective directions and air lockers are to be provided, like the supporting member which is used when the support pin  59  is not provided for the second locating jig  55 , as described in the former two paragraphs. With this, the third locating jig  71  is to be moved to be certain position by means of the outer driver  79 .  
         [0101]     The scope of the present invention is defined with reference to the following claims.