Patent Application
20240109746
This Nonprovisional application claims priority under U.S.C. § 119 on Patent Application No. 2022-156698 filed in Japan on Sep. 29, 2022 and Patent Application No. 2023-136580 filed in Japan on Aug. 24, 2023, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The present invention relates to an installation tool and an installation method that enable installation of a feed line.
A carrier, such as an over head hoist transport (OHT) and an over head shuttle (OHS), has been suitably used in the fields of semiconductor manufacturing, liquid crystal manufacturing, and the like as a device for transporting a transport target to a predetermined place with use of a carriage that travels on rails which are installed on the ceiling. Electric power supply to the carriage is carried out in a non-contact manner through a feed line laid on the rail. Such a feed line is held by a feed line holding part in a feed line holder supported by a rail, for example, as described in Patent Literature 1.
The laying of such a feed line is usually carried out by a worker in the following manner. That is, the worker rides on a vehicle for work at height and installs the feed line in the feed line holder which is disposed at a high place. Such work is laborious and inefficient.
An object of an aspect of the present invention is to efficiently conduct work for installation of a feed line.
In order to solve the above problem, an installation tool in accordance with an aspect of the present invention is an installation tool for installing a feed line in a feed line holder, the feed line holder accompanying any of rails for allowing a carrier to travel thereon and holding the feed line, the feed line feeding electric power to the carrier in a non-contact manner, the installation tool including: a main body part configured to be capable of moving along the rails; and a pressing part configured to move together with the main body part along the rails and continuously press the feed line into a holding part of the feed line holder as the main body part is moved, the holding part being partially open.
In order to solve the above problem, an installation method in accordance with an aspect of the present invention is an installation method for installing a feed line in a feed line holder, the feed line holder accompanying any of rails for allowing a carrier to travel thereon and holding the feed line, the feed line feeding electric power to the carrier in a non-contact manner, the installation method including: a fitting step of fitting, to the feed line holder having a holding part which is partially open, a pressing part configured to press the feed line into the holding part as the pressing part is moved; and a movement step of moving the pressing part along the rails.
According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to efficiently conduct work for installation of a feed line.
[Configuration of Transport System]
A transport system in which a feed line is installed with use of an installation tool in accordance with Embodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
The rails 301 are provided to allow the carrier 300 to travel thereon and are a pair of rails that are disposed so as to be parallel to each other in a movement path of the carrier 300. The rails 301 are provided to lower portions of a plurality of holding frames 303 that are spaced on a movement path. The holding frames 303 are supported so as to be hung from the ceiling 200 by a plurality of hanging brackets 304.
The rails 301 each have an upper surface 301a and a side surface 301b. The upper surface 301a is a horizontal surface on which a wheel 330 (described later) of the carrier 300 rolls. The side surface 301b is a vertical surface on which a driven roller 360 (described later) of the carrier 300 abuts. The shape and internal structure of the rails 301 are not particularly limited, and the rails 301 are preferably formed to have a hollow structure from the viewpoint of weight reduction.
The upper rail 302 is provided in an area where one of the rails 301 is not present in a merging portion and a branching portion of the rails 301. The upper rail 302 supports the carrier 300 at the top of the carrier 300 and guides movement of the carrier 300 along the rails 301. The upper rail 302 is mounted on lower end surfaces of upper portions of the plurality of holding frames 303 and has a suspended part 302a that is suspended such that a slide roller 370 (described later) abuts on the suspended part 302a.
Each of the feed line holders 305 is provided so as to accompany the rails 301 to hold the feed line 306 which feeds power to the carrier 300 in a non-contact manner. Each of the feed line holders 305 is mounted on the side surface 301b of the rail 301 so as to follow the rail 301. In addition, each of the feed line holders 305 has a width that extends from the side surface 301b of the rail 301 to a position at or near a support shaft 340 (described later) of the carrier 300 in a horizontal direction.
Each of the feed line holders 305 has a holding part 305a that is provided at an edge portion thereof close to the support shaft 340 and that is partially open and, specifically, is open at an upper portion thereof. Since the holding part 305a is open at the upper portion thereof, it is possible to press the feed line 306 into the holding part 305a from above. The holding part 305a holds the feed line 306 which has been pressed thereinto.
The carrier 300 transports a container (not illustrated) to a destination by traveling on the rails 301 in a transport direction. Accommodated in the container are, for example, a wafer, a reticle, and the like which are used for manufacturing semiconductors. The carrier 300 has a box 310, drive parts 320, wheels 330, a support shaft 340, a support 350, driven rollers 360, a slide roller 370, and a slide mechanism 380.
The box 310 accommodates the container and has a transfer mechanism (not illustrated) disposed at an upper portion thereof. The box 310 is open on one side-surface side thereof such that the container can be taken in and out.
The drive parts 320 are sources of power for driving the wheels 330 and are each constituted by a motor or the like. The drive parts 320 are at least two drive parts that are provided in a transport direction and that are connected to each other by a connection mechanism (not illustrated). The wheels 330 are a pair of wheels that are disposed at positions where the wheels 330 can roll on corresponding upper surfaces 301a of the rails 301.
The support shaft 340 is a shaft member that supports the box 310 such that the box 310 is hung from the drive part 320. The support shaft 340 is provided so as to connect a bottom surface of the drive part 320 and a top surface of the box 310. Although not illustrated, a power reception part is provided inside the support shaft 340 at a position substantially facing the feed line holders 305. The power reception part receives, in a non-contact manner, electric power which is fed through the feed line 306 held in the feed line holder 305, and supplies the electric power to each component of the carrier 300.
The support 350 is provided to the support shaft 340 and has a horizontal surface. The support 350 supports the driven rollers 360 on the horizontal surface thereof so as to enable the driven rollers 360 to be rotated.
The driven rollers 360 are two pairs of driven rollers that are disposed on both sides of the support shaft 340 and abut on corresponding side surfaces 301b of the rails 301. The driven rollers 360 maintain the posture of the drive part 320 within a specified range in the horizontal direction by rolling on the corresponding side surfaces 301b.
The slide roller 370 is a roller that abuts on and rolls on the suspended part 302a of the upper rail 302. The slide roller 370 can be slid to a varying position in relation to the suspended part 302a in a direction of the width of the pair of rails 301, as indicated by an arrow in
The slide mechanism 380 is a mechanism that allows the slide roller 370 to slide to any position in a direction in which the slide roller 370 is moved. The slide mechanism 380 is provided on the drive part 320. The slide mechanism 380 has a fixing part 380a, which is fixed on the drive part 320, and a movement part 380b, which is moved on the fixing part 380a. The fixing part 380a is driven so as to slide the movement part 380b.
An installation tool in accordance with Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to
<Configuration of Installation Tool>
As illustrated in
The main body part 1 is configured to be capable of moving along the rails 301. The main body part 1 has movement support parts 11, a base body part 12, and rolling leg parts 13.
The movement support parts 11 are two plate-like members each forming a rectangle. The movement support parts 11 are disposed such that lengthwise sides of the movement support parts 11 face corresponding widthwise sides of the pair of rails 301. Further, the pair of movement support parts 11 are disposed at a predetermined interval in a direction in which the installation tool 101 is moved.
The base body part 12 is a plate-like member and has an upper end surface which is fixed, at opposite end portions thereof, on corresponding lower surfaces of the pair of movement support parts 11. In this way, the base body part 12 constitutes a basic structure of the main body part 1. The base body part 12 is disposed so as to be suspended with respect to the movement support parts 11.
The base body part 12 has holes 12a (hanging structure) respectively provided at two positions closer to the center of the base body part 12 than to the opposite end portions thereof. The holes 12a are provided to allow a rope for moving the main body part 1 to be drawn therethrough and hung when the feed line 306 is installed in the feed line holder 305. The holes 12a are provided in the base body part 12 in an area defined between the moving and rolling part 4 which is provided at a front end portion of the main body part 1 in the direction in which the main body part 1 is moved and the moving and rolling part 4 which is provided at a rear end portion of the main body part 1 in the direction in which the main body part 1 is moved. More specifically, the holes 12a are provided in the base body part 12 such that one of the holes 12a is provided between the support part 3 and the moving and rolling part 4 which is provided at the front end portion of the main body part 1, and the other one of the holes 12a is provided between the support part 3 and the moving and rolling part 4 which is provided at the rear end portion of the main body part 1. The moving and rolling parts 4 will be described in detail later.
Note that the hanging structure is not limited to the holes 12a, and may be a structure such as a hook, provided that the hanging structure is a structure that allows the rope to be hung.
The rolling leg parts 13 are provided to fix the regulating and rolling parts 5. The rolling leg parts 13 are fixed on the lower surface of each of the movement support parts 11 at positions spaced from opposite surfaces of the base body part 12. The rolling leg parts 13 are disposed so as to be suspended from the lower surface of each of the movement support parts 11.
The pressing part 2 is configured to move together with the main body part 1 along the rails 301 and continuously press the feed line 306 into the holding part 305a of the feed line holder 305 as the main body part 1 is moved. The pressing part 2 is removably mounted on any of lower portions of the opposite end portions of the opposite surfaces of the base body part 12 by fastening of a bolt and a nut. The pressing part 2 is formed of a material having a small friction coefficient so as not to cause damage to the feed line 306 due to friction because the pressing part 2 comes into strong contact with the feed line 306. As such a material, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is suitable.
In work for installation of the feed line 306, the pressing part 2 is mounted on at least one end portion of one of the opposite surfaces of the base body part 12. Specifically, the pressing part 2 is mounted on the rear end portion thereof in the direction in which the main body part 1 is moved. Thus, according to a direction in which the installation tool 101 is moved, a mounting position of the pressing part 2 can be selected from two mounting positions.
The pressing part 2 has a lower portion 2a, an upper portion 2b (abutting portion), and a mounting portion 2c. The lower portion 2a is formed so as to be parallel to a lower surface of the feed line holder 305 in a state in which the installation tool 101 is placed on the rails 301. The upper portion 2b is formed so as to be parallel to the lower portion 2a with an interval which is provided between the upper portion 2b and the lower portion 2a and which is slightly wider than the thickness of the feed line holder 305. The upper portion 2b is placed in the vicinity of a top of the feed line holder 305 in a state in which the installation tool 101 is placed on the rails 301. Thus, the upper portion 2b abuts, from above, on the feed line 306 which is to be introduced into the pressing part 2 as the pressing part 2 is moved. The mounting portion 2c is a portion that is to be mounted on the base body part 12, and is connected to one end edge of the lower portion 2a and one end edge of the upper portion 2b.
The support part 3 supports the feed line 306 which is to be introduced into the pressing part 2. The support part 3 is fixed on the surface of the base body part 12 on which the pressing part 2 is mounted, so as to move together with the main body part 1 along the rails 301. The support part 3 is disposed in the center of the base body part 12 so as to be positioned forward of the pressing part 2 in the direction in which the main body part 1 is moved. The support part 3 is disposed at a position higher than the pressing part 2. Further, the support part 3 has a through hole 3a that penetrates so as to extend in the lengthwise direction of the base body part 12 and that has a diameter larger than the diameter of the feed line 306.
The moving and rolling parts 4 are each a rolling mechanism that allows the main body part 1 to move by rolling on the corresponding rails 301. The moving and rolling parts 4 are provided on a one-to-one basis on opposite end portions of the movement support part 11. The moving and rolling parts 4 each have a holder 41 and a spherical body 42. The holder 41 is fixed on the lower surface of the movement support part 11 at the opposite ends of the movement support part 11, and holds the spherical body 42 so as to enable the spherical body 42 to rotate and so as to prevent the spherical body 42 from coming off. The spherical body 42 is positioned on the upper surface 301a of each of the rails 301 in a state in which the installation tool 101 is placed on the rails 301.
Like the moving and rolling parts 4, the regulating and rolling parts 5 are each a rolling mechanism that allows the main body part 1 to move by rolling on the corresponding rails 301. Further, the regulating and rolling parts 5 each have a function of regulating the position of the main body part 1 in the direction of the width of the pair of rails 301 when the main body part 1 is moved on the rails 301, and are provided on the corresponding rolling leg parts 13. The regulating and rolling parts 5 each have a holder 51 and a spherical body 52. The holder 51 is fixed on a surface of each of the rolling leg parts 13 which faces a corresponding one of the rails 301, and holds the spherical body 52 so as to enable the spherical body 52 to rotate and so as to prevent the spherical body 52 from coming off. The spherical body 52 rolls on the side surface 301b of each of the rails 301 in a state in which the installation tool 101 is placed on the rails 301.
<Method for Installing Feed Line with Use of Installation Tool>
First, the worker fits the pressing part 2 to the feed line holder 305. Thus, the worker rides on a platform so that the worker can work at a high place, and forces, into the holding part 305a of the feed line holder 305, a part of the feed line 306 having been drawn out from a draw-out part (not illustrated) from which the feed line 306 is drawn out by manually pressing the part of the feed line 306 into the holding part 305a of the feed line holder 305. As illustrated in
Next, the worker places the main body part 1 on the rails 301 as illustrated in
When the placement of the installation tool 101 has been completed in this manner, a worker who has waited below moves the installation tool 101 along the rails 301 by pulling on the rope from diagonally below in front of the installation tool 101 in a direction in which the installation tool 101 is moved (movement step). With the movement of the installation tool 101, as illustrated in
When the installation tool 101 is moved, the support part 3 supports, at a position higher than the pressing part 2, the feed line 306 which is to be introduced into the pressing part 2, as illustrated in
Conventionally, the installation of the feed line 306 is carried out by the worker in the following manner. That is, the worker rides on a vehicle for work at height, forces the feed line 306 into the holding part 305a of the feed line holder 305 which is disposed at a high place by manually pressing the feed line 306 into the holding part 305a of the feed line holder 305. The worker is not permitted by law to conduct such work in a state in which the vehicle for work at height on which the worker is riding is moving. Thus, when the worker has completed the work in an accessible area, the worker goes down from the vehicle for work at height, and, when the vehicle for work at height is moved to the next work location, the worker climbs back to the vehicle for work at height to conduct the work. This is repeatedly done. Therefore, the work is laborious and inefficient.
In contrast, in the present embodiment, moving the installation tool 101 makes it possible to install the feed line 306 in the feed line holder 305. Thus, the worker climbs up to a high place and climbs down from the high place when the installation tool 101 needs to be placed on the rails 301 or when the installation tool 101 needs to be removed from the rails 301. Accordingly, it is possible to greatly reduce the number of times the worker climbs up and down. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the work of the worker pressing the feed line 306 into the feed line holder 305 and improve the efficiency of the work. The same applies to Embodiment 2 which will be described later.
As described above, the installation tool 101 is moved on the rails 301 by the worker pulling on the rope. However, the installation tool 101 may be configured to include a drive source so that the installation tool 101 travels on the rails 301 under its own power. Note, however, that, in a case where the installation tool 101 is configured to travel in a self-propelled manner, for example, the following control needs to be performed. That is, in a place where the placement of the installation tool 101 on the rails 301 and the removal of the installation tool 101 from the rails 301 are relatively frequently performed, it is necessary to detect such a place and stop movement of the installation tool 101. Furthermore, handling of the installation tool 101 becomes difficult because of an increase in the weight of the installation tool 101. In contrast, the installation tool 101 in accordance with the present embodiment can freely be moved or stopped since the installation tool 101 is moved under the force of the worker. Furthermore, the installation tool 101 in accordance with the present embodiment is lightweight and easy to handle. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently perform the work for installation of the feed line 306. The same applies to an installation tool 102 (see
An installation tool in accordance with Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to
<Configuration of Installation Tool>
As illustrated in
The main body part 1A is configured to be capable of moving along the rails 301. The main body part 1A has movement support parts 11, rolling leg parts 13, and a base body part 14.
The base body part 14 has an upper end surface which is fixed, at opposite end portions thereof, on corresponding lower surfaces of the pair of movement support parts 11. In this way, the base body part 14 constitutes a basic structure of the main body part 1A. The base body part 14 is disposed so as to be suspended with respect to the movement support parts 11. The base body part 14 is formed to be shorter than the base body part 12 of the installation tool 101 in Embodiment 1 because a place at which the pressing part 7 is mounted (described later) is limited to one place.
The base body part 14 has a hole 14a (hanging structure) provided in a substantially central portion thereof. The hole 14a is provided to allow a rope for moving the main body part 1A to be drawn therethrough and hung when the feed line 306 is installed in the feed line holder 305. The hole 14a is provided in an area defined between the moving and rolling part 4 which is provided at a front end portion of the main body part 1A in the direction in which the main body part 1A is moved and the moving and rolling part 4 which is provided at a rear end portion of the main body part 1A in the direction in which the main body part 1 is moved. More specifically, the hole 14a is provided in the base body part 14 at or near a midpoint position between the moving and rolling part 4 which is provided at the front end portion and the moving and rolling part 4 which is provided at the rear end portion. Alternatively, the hole 14a may be provided at a position slightly rearward of the support part 8 in the base body part 14.
Note that the hanging structure is not limited to the hole 14a, and may be a structure such as a hook, provided that the hanging structure is a structure that allows the rope to be hung.
As illustrated in
The pressing part 7 is configured to move together with the main body part 1A along the rails 301 and continuously press the feed line 306 into the holding part 305a of the feed line holder 305 as the main body part 1A is moved. The pressing part 7 is disposed on one end portion of one of opposite surfaces of the base body part 14. Specifically, the pressing part 7 is disposed on a rear end portion of the base body part 14 in the direction in which the main body part 1A is moved. The pressing part 7 is removably mounted on a lower portion of the rear end portion of the base body part 14 by an engagement structure with the notches 14b. Like the pressing part 2 in the installation tool 102 in Embodiment 1, the pressing part 7 is formed of a material having a small friction coefficient.
As illustrated in
The engagement portions 7d are two engagement portions which are provided on the mounting portion 7c and are disposed so as to be spaced from each other. The engagement portions 7d are each formed in a hook-like manner so as to be engaged with the corresponding notches 14b of the base body part 14. The engagement portions 7d each have a projecting portion that projects vertically from the mounting portion 7c and a bent portion that is bent from an end of the projecting portion to the left when viewed in a plan view in
The support part 8 supports the feed line 306 which is to be introduced into the pressing part 7. The support part 8 is fixed on the surface of the base body part 14 on which the pressing part 8 is mounted, so as to move together with the main body part 1A along the rails 301. The support part 8 is disposed at a position slightly forward of the center of the base body part 14 so as to be positioned forward of the pressing part 7 in the direction in which the main body part 1A is moved. The support part 8 is disposed at a position higher than the pressing part 7. Further, the support part 8 is formed so as to extend in the lengthwise direction of the base body part 14 and has a groove 8a that guides the feed line 306.
The displacement regulating parts 9, by abutting on the suspended part 302a of the upper rail 302, regulate the displacement of the main body part 1A in the direction of the width of the pair of rails 301, and maintain the posture of the main body part 1A. The displacement regulating parts 9 each have a support member 91 and a rolling portion 92.
The support member 91 is provided so as to stand in a substantially central portion of an upper surface of the movement support part 11. The support member 91 has a bottom plate, a standing plate that stands on the bottom plate, and reinforcing plates that are provided on opposite sides of the standing plate to ensure strength.
The rolling portion 92 is provided on an upper end portion of the support member 91. The rolling portion 92 has a holder 92a and a spherical body 92b. The holder 92a is fixed on one surface of the upper end portion of the support member 91, and holds the spherical body 92b so as to enable the spherical body 92b to rotate and so as to prevent the spherical body 92b from coming off. The spherical body 92b rolls on the suspended part 302a of the upper rail 302 in a state in which the installation tool 102 is placed on the rails 301.
Note that, although each of the displacement regulating parts 9 has one rolling portion 92, each of the displacement regulating parts 9 may have two rolling portions 92 that differ from each other in that spherical bodies 92b protrude from holders 92a in different directions. Although not illustrated, the other rolling portion 92 differs from the rolling portion 92 illustrated in
The displacement regulating parts 9 configured as described above can each switch the posture, when the support member 91 is turned, between a position where the rolling portion 92 abuts on one surface of the suspended part 302a of the upper rail 302 and a position where the other rolling portion 92 abuts on the other surface of the suspended part 302a. In a state in which each rolling portion 92 abuts on the surface of the suspended part 302a, the support member 91 is fixed so as not to turn. In this way, switching between the two rolling portions 92 makes it possible to cause one of the two rolling portions 92 to abut on one of the two surfaces of the suspended part 302a. Thus, even in an area where one of the rails 301 is not present in the merging portion and the branching portion of the rails 301, it is possible to maintain the posture of the installation tool 102 without repositioning the installation tool 102 by changing the orientation of the installation tool 102.
<Method for Installing Feed Line with Use of Installation Tool>
As illustrated in
Next, the worker places the main body part 1A on the rails 301 (placement step). In the placement step, the worker mounts, on the main body part 1A, the pressing part 7 which has been fitted to the feed line holder 305 (mounting step). The mounting of the pressing part 7 on the main body part 1A completes the installation tool 102. In the placement step, the worker lifts the feed line 306 jutting out of the pressing part 7, places the feed line 306 in the groove of the support part 8, and causes the rope 30 to be hung down from the hole 14a 30 of the base body part 14.
In the mounting step, the worker inserts the projecting portions of the engagement portions 7d of the pressing part 7 illustrated in
Thus, when the main body part 1A moves on the rails 301, the pressing part 7 receives resistance due to contact with the feed line 306, so that the engagement portions 7d move toward the rear of the installation tool 102. Therefore, the engagement portions 7d do not come off from the notches 14b. Hence, the pressing part 7 can be easily joined to the main body part 1A (base body part 14) without using screws.
When the placement of the installation tool 102 has been completed in this manner, a worker who has waited below moves the installation tool 102 along the rails 301 by pulling on a rope 30 in front of the installation tool 102 in a direction in which the installation tool 102 is moved (movement step). With the movement of the installation tool 101, as the pressing part 7 is moved, the upper portion 7b abuts, from above, on the feed line 306 which is to be introduced into the pressing part 7. Thus, the feed line 306 is pressed downward into the holding part 305a which is open in the upper portion thereof.
When the main body part 1A is pulled with the rope 30, the moment of the entire installation tool 102 is easily balanced by an upward reaction force received by the moving and rolling part 4 from the rail 301 and a force acting on the hole 14a diagonally downward through the rope 30. Therefore, it is possible to stably pull the main body portion 1A.
When the installation tool 102 is moved, the support part 3 supports, at a position higher than the pressing part 2, the feed line 306 which is to be introduced into the pressing part 2. This makes it possible to reduce the load applied to the pressing part 2, as compared with the structure in which the feed line 306 hanging downward is directly introduced into the pressing part 2. As a result, the feed line 306 is easily introduced into the pressing part 2.
Thus, moving the installation tool 102 makes it possible to install the feed line 306 in the feed line holder 305. Therefore, as in Embodiment 1, it is possible to reduce the work of the worker pressing the feed line 306 into the feed line holder 305.
An installation tool in accordance with Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to
<Configuration of Installation Tool>
As illustrated in
The installation tool 103 not only installs the feed line 306 in the feed line holder 305, but also installs a heat detection line 308 (detection line) in the feed line holder 305. The heat detection line 308 has the function of detecting an overheating state of the feed line 306. Specifically, the heat detection line 308 is formed of copper or the like so as to be, when the feed line 306 becomes heated to a temperature not lower than a predetermined temperature, fused by heat of the feed line 306. In a case where the feed line 306 has become overheated due to miswiring or the like of the feed line 306, the heat detection line 308 is broken. This stops the feeding of power to the feed line 306.
Note that the feed line 306 in Embodiments 1 and 2 may have a heat detection line having the same function as the heat detection line 308 incorporated into a coating of the feed line 306.
The feed line holder 305 has a holding part 305a and a sub-holding part 305b. The sub-holding part 305b holds the heat detection line 308 at a position where the heat detection line 308 contacts the feed line 306 in the feed line holder 305, and is provided so as to be continuous with the holding part 305a.
The main body part 1B has movement support parts 11, rolling leg parts 13, and a base body part 15 so as to be capable of moving along the rails 301.
The base body part 15 constitutes a basic structure of the main body part 1B by having an upper end surface which is fixed, at opposite end portions thereof, on corresponding lower surfaces of the pair of movement support parts 11. The base body part 15 is disposed so as to be suspended with respect to the movement support parts 11. The base body part 15 is formed to be shorter than the base body part 12 of the installation tool 101 in Embodiment 1 because a place at which the pressing part 20 is mounted (described later) is limited to one place.
As illustrated in
The hole 15b is formed in the suspended part 15a. The hole 15b is provided to allow a rope for moving the main body part 1B to be drawn therethrough and hung when the feed line 306 and the heat detection line 308 are installed in the feed line holder 305. The hole 15b is provided in an area defined between the moving and rolling part 4 which is provided at a front end portion of the main body part 1B in the direction in which the main body part 1B is moved (right direction in
Note that the hanging structure is not limited to the hole 15b, and may be a structure such as a hook, provided that the hanging structure is a structure that allows the rope to be hung.
The base body part 15 has support rods 15c, 15d, and 15e. The support rods 15c, 15d, and 15e are provided for allowing the pressing part 20, the pressing support part 60, and the support part 80, respectively, to be removably mounted on the base body part 15.
The support rod 15c is provided in an end portion of the base body part 15 where the pressing part 20 is to be mounted. Specifically, the support rod 15c is provided in a lower portion of a rear end of the base body part 15 in the movement direction. The support rod 15c is formed so as to have (i) a portion extending downward and protruding rearward from the rear end of the base body part 15 and (ii) a portion extending from a lower end of the portion (i) toward the movement direction.
The support rod 15d is provided in a front end of the suspended part 15a in the movement direction at a position somewhat higher than the hole 15b. Further, the support rod 15d is formed so as to extend in the same direction as the direction in which the support rod 15c extends.
The support rod 15e is provided in a long hole 15f that is formed in the base body part 15. The long hole 15f is formed on a side further frontward than the front end of the suspended part 15a in the movement direction so as to extend in the same direction as the direction in which the support rod 15c extends. The support rod 15e is formed so as to extend, from a rear end of the long hole 15f in the movement direction, in the same direction as the direction in which the support rod 15c extends. Further, the support rod 15e has a length shorter than the length of the long hole 15f. For example, the support rod 15e has a length shorter than half the length of the long hole 15f.
The pressing part 20 is configured to move together with the main body part 1B along the rails 301 and continuously press the feed line 306 into the holding part 305a of the feed line holder 305 as the main body part 1B is moved. The pressing part 20 is disposed on one end portion of one of opposite surfaces of the base body part 15. Specifically, the pressing part 20 is disposed on a rear end portion of the base body part 15 in the movement direction. Specifically, the pressing part 20 is removably mounted to the main body part 1B by inserting the support rod 15c into the pressing part 20. Like the pressing part 2 in the installation tool 102 in Embodiment 1, the pressing part 20 is formed of a material having a small friction coefficient.
The pressing part 20 has a lower portion 20a, an upper portion 20b (abutting portion), a mounting portion 20c, and an insertion hole 20d. The lower portion 20a, the upper portion 20b, and the mounting portion 20c have substantially the same structure as the lower portion 2a, the upper portion 2b, and the mounting portion 2c of the pressing part 2 in the installation tool 101 described above.
The insertion hole 20d is provided for inserting the support rod 15c thereinto. The insertion hole 20d is formed so as to open in a rear end surface of the mounting portion 20c and extend to a substantially central portion of the mounting portion 20c in the movement direction. In other words, the rear end surface of the mounting portion 20c is a surface on a side where the feed line 306 passing through between the lower portion 20a and the upper portion 20b exits from the pressing part 20 when the pressing part 20 is moved.
The support part 80 supports the feed line 306 which is to be introduced into the pressing part 20. The support part 80 is mounted on the base body part 15 so as to move together with the main body part 1B along the rails 301. The support part 80 is disposed at a position that is slightly forward of the center of the base body part 15 so as to be positioned forward of the pressing part 20 in the movement direction and that is higher than the pressing part 20. Further, the support part 80 is formed so as to extend in the lengthwise direction of the base body part 15 and has a groove 80a that guides the feed line 306.
As illustrated in
The base body part 15 has a long hole 15g. The long hole 15g is provided near an upper end of the base body part 15 at a position higher than the long hole 15f. Further, the long hole 15g is formed so as to extend from the center of the base body part 15 such that a length extending frontward of the center of the base body part 15 in the movement direction is substantially equal to a length extending rearward thereof. The long hole 15g is provided for achieving light weight of the base body part 15 and for allowing the worker to easily hold the main body part 1B.
The sub-pressing part 6 moves together with the main body part 1B along the rails 301 and is positioned forward of the pressing part 20 in the movement direction. The sub-pressing part 6 continuously presses the heat detection line 308 into the sub-holding part 305b as the main body part 1B is moved. As illustrated in an enlarged view in
The pressing support part 60 supports the sub-pressing part 6 in such a manner as to allow the leading end portion 63 to move within the holding part 305a and to allow the sub-pressing part 6 to be removed from the main body part 1B. As illustrated in
The lower portion 601 is formed so as to face a lower surface of the feed line holder 305 in a state in which the installation tool 103 is placed on the rails 301. The upper portion 602 is formed so as to face the lower portion 601 with an interval which is provided between the upper portion 602 and the lower portion 601 and which is slightly wider than the thickness of the feed line holder 305. The lower portion 601 and the upper portion 602 have, on sides thereof where the heat detection line 308 is to be introduced, an introduction end portion 601a and an introduction end portion 602a, respectively.
Note that the lower portion 601 and the upper portion 602 change their positions depending on a direction of mounting of the pressing support part 60 to the base body part 15. Specifically, as illustrated in
The mounting portion 603 is a portion that is to be mounted on the base body part 15, and is connected to one end edge of the lower portion 601 and one end edge of the upper portion 602. The mounting portion 603 has an insertion hole 603a. The insertion hole 603a is provided for inserting the support rod 15d thereinto. The insertion hole 603a is formed so as to open in a rear end surface of the mounting portion 603 and extend to a substantially central portion of the mounting portion 603 in the movement direction (right direction in
With the structure as described above, the lower portion 601 and the upper portion 602, which constitute a pair of protrusions, are disposed so as to cover the holding part 305a together with the mounting portion 603 and to protrude above and below the feed line holder 305 from the mounting portion 603. In addition, the lower portion 601 and the upper portion 602 have an inclined portion 601b and an inclined portion 602b, respectively. The inclined portions 601b and 602b are inclined such that an interval between the lower portion 601 and the upper portion 602 decreases with increasing distance from the introduction end portions 601a and 602a to positions at or near centers of the lower portion 601 and of the upper portion 602 in the movement direction.
The feed line holder 305 is constituted by a plurality of components having a predetermined length, and is formed by, during attachment of the components to the rail 301, sequentially connecting the components to the lengthwise side of the rail 301. In a case where some of the components are not properly attached to the rail 301, a level difference at a joint between the components may be caused in the feed line holder 305. In such a case, for example, a problem is likely to occur that the lower portion 601 and the upper portion 602 of the pressing support part 60 get stuck with the level difference.
As a countermeasure against this problem, the lower portion 601 and the upper portion 602 have the inclined portion 601b and the inclined portion 602b, respectively, so that a wide interval between the lower portion 601 and the upper portion 602 is secured at the respective introduction end portions 601a and 602a. Even when the level difference is caused in the feed line holder 305, this configuration allows the lower portion 601 and the upper portion 602 to be less likely to get stuck with the level difference. Therefore, with small influence of the level difference, it is possible to stably introduce and press the heat detection line 308.
Note that the lower portion 20a and the upper portion 20b of the above-described pressing part 20 may also have respective inclined portions of the same structure as the inclined portions 601b and 602b. Further, the pressing parts 2 and 7 in Embodiments 1 and 2 may also have respective inclined portions of the same structure as the inclined portions 601b and 602b.
The lower portion 601 and the upper portion 602 have a slit 601c and a slit 602c, respectively. The slits 601c and 602c are provided for fitting the sub-pressing part 6 into the pressing support part 60. The slit 601c is formed so as to extend from the introduction end portion 601a to a position near a rear end of the slit 601c in a direction opposite to the movement direction (right direction in
As illustrated in
The top portion 61 is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The middle portion 62 is formed on a lower end surface of the top portion 61 and at the center of the top portion 61 in a width direction so as be suspended from the lower end surface of the top portion 61 throughout the length of the top portion 61. The middle portion 62 has a wide portion 62a. The wide portion 62a is provided approximately at a midsection of the middle portion 62 and is formed so as to be curved and wider than the other sections. The above-described slits 601c and 602c are formed so as to conform to the outer shape of the middle portion 62 so that the middle portion 62 is fitted into the slits 601c and 602c.
The leading end portion 63 is formed throughout the length of the top portion 61 so as to follow the lower end of the middle portion 62. The leading end portion 63 has a tip-split portion 63a. The tip-split portion 63a is provided on one side in a width direction of the top portion 61. The tip-split portion 63a is formed so as to have a two-pronged tip.
With regard to the sub-pressing part 6 configured as described above, an upper end of the top portion 61 sits on an upper end surface of the upper portion 602 of the pressing support part 60, and the middle portion 62 is inserted into the slit 602c. Further, while the pressing support part 60 moves, the sub-pressing part 6 is held by a rear end of the slit 602c, and the wide portion 62a of the middle portion 62 is held by being fitted into the slit 602c. Thus, the sub-pressing part 6 does not come out of the slit 602c during the movement of the installation tool 103. Further, as illustrated in
<Method for Installing Feed Line with Use of Installation Tool>
As illustrated in
Then, the worker fits the pressing part 20 to an end portion of the feed line holder 305 into which the feed line 306 has been forced, so that the pressing part 20 is inserted into the feed line holder 305 (first fitting step). In the first fitting step, as illustrated in
Thus, when the main body part 1B moves on the rails 301, the pressing part 20 receives resistance due to contact with the feed line 306, so that the support rod 15c prevents the pressing part 20 from moving toward the rear of the installation tool 103. Therefore, the pressing part 20 does not come off from the base body part 15. Hence, the pressing part 20 can be easily mounted to the main body part 1B (base body part 15) without using screws.
After that, the worker lifts the feed line 306 jutting out of the pressing part 20 and places the feed line 306 in the groove of the support part 80 (first laying preparation step). In the first laying preparation step, as illustrated in
Then, the worker presses the heat detection line 308 into the sub-holding part 305b to a position at which the sub-pressing part 6 is to be mounted to the main body part 1B, and the worker fits the pressing support part 60 into the feed line holder 305, at the position at which the heat detection line 308 has been pressed into the sub-holding part 305b, so that the pressing support part 60 is inserted into the feed line holder 305 (second fitting step). In the second fitting step, as illustrated in
Furthermore, the worker places the sub-pressing part 6 such that the tip-split portion 63a of the leading end portion 63 presses the heat detection line 308 which is placed inside the sub-holding part 305b. In this state, the worker fits the sub-pressing part 6 into the slit 602c of the pressing support part 60 and moves the sub-pressing part 6 rearward so that the sub-pressing part 6 is mounted in the pressing support part 60 (second laying preparation step (post-fitting step)). In the second laying preparation step, the worker hangs the heat detection line 308 on a hook 70 at a section forward of the pressing support part 60.
In this way, the pressing part 20, the support part 80, the pressing support part 60, and the sub-pressing part 6 are mounted to the main body part 1B. This completes the installation tool 103. In this state, the worker causes the rope 30 to be hung down from the hole 15b of the base body part 15. Then, a worker who has waited below moves the installation tool 103 along the rails 301 by pulling on the rope 30 in front of the installation tool 103 in the direction in which the installation tool 103 is moved (movement step).
With the movement of the installation tool 103, as the pressing part 20 is moved, the upper portion 20b abuts, from above, on the feed line 306 which is to be introduced into the pressing part 20. Thus, the feed line 306 is pressed downward into the holding part 305a which is open in the upper portion thereof.
Further, as the pressing support part 60 is moved, the tip-split portion 63a of the sub-pressing part 6 is pressed against the heat detection line 308 which is placed inside the holding part 305a of the feed line holder 305, so that the heat detection line 308 is introduced into the sub-holding part 305b. This causes the heat detection line 308 to be pressed into the sub-holding part 305b which is continuous with the holding part 305a.
During the movement of the installation tool 103, the hook 70 supports, at a position higher than the pressing support part 60, the heat detection line 308 which is to be introduced into the pressing support part 60. This makes it possible to reduce the load applied to the pressing support part 60, as compared with the structure in which the heat detection line 308 hanging downward is directly introduced into the pressing support part 60. Consequently, the heat detection line 308 is easily introduced into the pressing support part 60.
Thus, moving the installation tool 103 makes it possible to install the feed line 306 and the heat detection line 308 in the feed line holder 305. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the work of the worker pressing the feed line 306 and the heat detection line 308 into the feed line holder 305.
Aspects of the present invention can also be expressed as follows:
As described above, an installation tool in accordance with Aspect 1 of the present invention is an installation tool for installing a feed line in a feed line holder, the feed line holder accompanying any of rails for allowing a carrier to travel thereon and holding the feed line, the feed line feeding electric power to the carrier in a non-contact manner, the installation tool including: a main body part configured to be capable of moving along the rails; and a pressing part configured to move together with the main body part along the rails and continuously press the feed line into a holding part of the feed line holder as the main body part is moved, the holding part being partially open.
According to the above-described configuration, as the main body part is moved, the feed line is pressed into the feed line holder by the pressing part. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the work of the worker pressing the feed line into the feed line holder.
An installation tool in accordance with Aspect 2 of the present invention is configured, in Aspect 1 above, such that the holding part is open at an upper portion thereof, and the pressing part has an abutting portion that, by being placed in a vicinity of a top of the feed line holder, abuts, from above, on the feed line which is to be introduced into the pressing part as the pressing part is moved.
According to the above-described configuration, the abutting portion abuts on the feed line from above. Thus, it is possible to press the feed line downward into the holding part which is open in the upper portion thereof.
An installation tool in accordance with Aspect 3 of the present invention is configured, in Aspect 1 or 2 above, to further include a support part configured to move together with the main body part along the rails and support the feed line which is to be introduced into the pressing part, the support part being disposed forward of the pressing part in a direction in which the main body part is moved and being disposed at a position higher than the pressing part.
According to the above-described configuration, the feed line which is to be introduced into the pressing part is supported at a position higher than the pressing part. Thus, it is possible to reduce the load applied to the pressing part, as compared with the structure in which the feed line hanging downward is directly introduced into the pressing part. Consequently, the feed line is easily introduced into the pressing part.
An installation tool in accordance with Aspect 4 of the present invention is configured, in Aspect 3 above, such that the support part has a groove that guides the feed line.
According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to support the feed line by placing the feed line in the groove of the support part. Consequently, it is possible to easily conduct work for allowing the support part to support the feed line.
An installation tool in accordance with Aspect 5 of the present invention is configured, in Aspect 1 to further include a sub-pressing part configured to move together with the main body part along the rails and continuously press a detection line into a sub-holding part as the main body part is moved, the sub-pressing part being disposed forward of the pressing part in a direction in which the main body part is moved, the detection line being configured to detect an overheating state of the feed line, the sub-holding part being configured to hold the detection line at a position where the detection line contacts the feed line in the feed line holder and being provided so as to be continuous with the holding part.
According to the above-described configuration, as the main body part is moved, the detection line is pressed into the sub-holding part by the sub-pressing part before the feed line is pressed into the holding part. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the work of the worker pressing the detection line into the feed line holder.
An installation tool in accordance with Aspect 6 of the present invention is configured, in Aspect 5, such that the sub-pressing part has a leading end portion that moves within the holding part and introduces the detection line into the sub-holding part. In addition, the installation tool further comprises a pressing support part configured to support the sub-pressing part in such a manner as to allow the leading end portion to move within the holding part and to allow the sub-pressing part to be removed from the main body part.
According to the above-described configuration, the detection line, which is generally formed so as to be thinner than the feed line, in a state of being drawn into the holding part is introduced into the sub-holding part by the leading end portion that moves within the holding part. This causes the detection line to be pressed into the sub-holding part. Further, the sub-pressing part is supported by the pressing support part in such a manner as to allow the sub-pressing part to be removed from the main body part. This allows the worker to conduct initial work of pressing the detection line into the sub-holding part and then mount the sub-pressing part to the main body part with the leading end portion pressed against the detection line. Consequently, it is possible to easily conduct the above-described initial work.
An installation tool in accordance with Aspect 7 of the present invention is configured, in Aspect 6, such that the main body part has a base body part that constitutes a basic structure of the main body part, and the pressing support part has: a mounting portion that is mounted to the base body part; and a pair of protrusions that are disposed so as to cover the holding part together with the mounting portion and to protrude above and below the feed line holder from the mounting portion, the pair of protrusions having respective inclined portions that are inclined such that an interval between the pair of protrusions decreases with increasing distance from introduction end portions which are provided on a side where the detection line is to be introduced to a rear side in a direction in which the main body part is moved.
According to the above-described configuration, the pair of protrusions have respective inclined portions, so that a wide interval between the pair of protrusions is secured at the introduction end portions. Even when the level difference is caused in the feed line holder at a section where the components which constitute the feed line holder are joined, this configuration allows the pair of protrusions to be less likely to get stuck with the level difference. Therefore, with small influence of the level difference, it is possible to stably introduce and press the detection line.
An installation tool in accordance with Aspect 8 of the present invention is configured, in Aspect 5 or 6, such that the main body part has a hanging structure for hanging a rope at a position lower than a lower end of the sub-pressing part.
According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to avoid the rope from coming into contact with the sub-pressing part. Thus, it is possible to move the main body part smoothly by pulling on the rope.
An installation tool in accordance with Aspect 9 of the present invention is configured, in any one of Aspects 1 to 8 above, such that the pressing part is disposed on a rear end portion of the main body part in a direction in which the main body part is moved.
According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to shorten the total length of the main body part in the direction in which the main body part is moved.
An installation tool in accordance with Aspect 10 of the present invention is configured, in any one of Aspects 1 to 4 above, such that the main body part has notches that are formed so as to extend along a direction in which the main body part is moved, and the pressing part has hook-like engagement portions that are engaged in the notches.
According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to easily join the pressing part to the main body part without using screws. Further, by moving the installation tool in the direction of forward movement, a force is applied in a direction in which the engagement portions are more deeply engaged in the notches. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the tendency of the pressing part to come off from the main body part without the need to secure the pressing part to the main body part by screws or the like.
An installation tool in accordance with Aspect 11 of the present invention is configured, in any one of Aspects 1 to 8 above, to further include a maintaining part configured to maintain a posture of the main body part by abutting on an upper rail that is provided above the rails and that is for guiding the carrier.
An installation tool in accordance with Aspect 12 of the present invention is configured, in any one of Aspects 1 to 7 above, to further include rolling parts configured to roll on the rails to move the main body part.
According to the above-described configuration, the main body part can smoothly move on the rails.
An installation tool in accordance with Aspect 13 of the present invention is configured, in Aspect 12 above, such that the rolling parts are provided at a front end portion of the main body part and at a rear end portion thereof in a direction in which the main body part is moved, the main body part has a hanging structure for hanging a rope, and the hanging structure is provided in an area defined between the rolling part provided at the front end portion of the main body part and the rolling part provided at the rear end portion of the main body part.
According to the above-described configuration, it is possible to move the main body part on the rails by pulling the main body part in the direction of movement from below the main body part by the rope. Further, the moment of the entire installation tool is easily balanced by an upward reaction force received by the rolling part from the rail and a force acting diagonally downward through the rope. Thus, it is possible to stably pull the main body part.
An installation method in accordance with Aspect 14 of the present invention is an installation method for installing a feed line in a feed line holder, the feed line holder accompanying any of rails for allowing a carrier to travel thereon and holding the feed line, the feed line feeding electric power to the carrier in a non-contact manner, the installation method including: a fitting step of fitting, to the feed line holder having a holding part which is partially open, a pressing part configured to press the feed line into the holding part as the pressing part is moved; and a movement step of moving the pressing part along the rails.
According to the above-described method, as the pressing part is moved, the feed line is pressed into the feed line holder by the pressing part. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the work of the worker pressing the feed line into the feed line holder.
An installation method in accordance with Aspect 15 of the present invention, in the movement step in Aspect 14 above, further includes a mounting step of, prior to the movement step, placing, on the rails, a main body part configured to be capable of moving along the rails and mounting, on the main body part, the pressing part having been fitted to the feed line holder.
According to the above-described method, it is possible to move the pressing part at a position away from the pressing part. Consequently, it is possible to greatly reduce work at a high place.
An installation method in accordance with Aspect 16 of the present invention, in Aspect 14 above, further includes a post-fitting step of fitting a sub-pressing part into a pressing support part, the sub-pressing part being configured to press a detection line into a sub-holding part as the sub-pressing part is moved, the pressing support part being configured to support the sub-pressing part in such a manner as to allow the sub-pressing part to be removed from a main body part configured to be capable of moving along the rails, the detection line being configured to detect an overheating state of the feed line, the sub-holding part being configured to hold the detection line at a position where the detection line contacts the feed line in the feed line holder and being provided so as to be continuous with the holding part, wherein in the movement step, the sub-pressing part is moved together with the pressing part.
According to the above-described method, as the main body part is moved, the detection line is pressed into the sub-holding part by the sub-pressing part before the feed line is pressed into the holding part. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the work of the worker pressing the detection line into the feed line holder.
An installation method in accordance with Aspect 17 of the present invention is such that, in the movement step in any of Aspects 14 to 16 above, the pressing part is moved by pulling on a rope.
According to the above-described method, it is possible to move the pressing part at a position away from the pressing part. Consequently, it is possible to greatly reduce work at a high place.
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but can be altered in various ways by a skilled person in the art within the scope of the claims. The present invention also encompasses, in its technical scope, any embodiment derived by combining technical means disclosed in differing embodiments.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-156698 | Sep 2022 | JP | national |
| 2023-136580 | Aug 2023 | JP | national |
