CH702813B1 - Storage device and supplies distribution. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for storing and dispensing supplies (1a) and intended for a machine, comprising a reservoir (1) of supplies (1a) connected to a dispensing nozzle (2) for dispensing the supplies contained in the reservoir (1) and an extraction mechanism (3) actuated by an actuating means (3a), said extraction mechanism (3) being actuated to dispense the supplies (1a) contained in the reservoir (1), characterized in that the dispensing nozzle (2) is integral with the reservoir (1) forming a dispensing subassembly (2b) mounted on the extraction mechanism (3), so as to constitute a removable assembly in a single element .

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to the general technical field of manufacturing machines and / or assembly industry. The use of such machines is widespread especially in the watch industry, electronics or mechanical industry.

These machines manufacturing and / or assembly are generally supplied with supplies. These supplies are for example clockwork, pins, feet-screws, balls, tenons or other industrial parts. When these supplies are packaged in tubes one behind the other or side by side, they must be extracted manually by an operator or an assembly automaton, forcing them out of the tube via a rod or a wire pushing on said supplies.

State of the art

It is known to use a forcing roller system, electrically driven, to actuate a wire that forces the supplies out of a packaging. To change packaging, the operator must separate the packaging, for example a tube, a system for extracting supplies and a control means. Such a packaging renewal operation containing supplies involves various actions the duration of which is disadvantageous in the context of a manufacturing or assembly process. This disadvantage is all the more marked as the renewals to be performed are frequent.

Indeed, with a known system, the operator must, before being able to distribute the supplies, grab a tank or packaging, fix it with its dispensing nozzle on a fixed part cooperating with a drawer receiving supplies, remove the cap covering an upper end of the reservoir, fix said upper nozzle on the extraction system of the machine and introduce the thrust wire into the reservoir. It is only after all these operations that the distribution of supplies can start.

When disconnecting the conditioning or reservoir of the extraction system that remains on the machine, the wire exerting a push on the supplies remains linked to the extraction system. There is therefore a significant risk that the supplies contained in the package, which are no longer constrained by the thrust wire, will turn around. This can lead to a subsequent interruption of the assembly process when this packaging is reused.

In addition, the extraction systems remaining on the machine are often bulky.

Disclosure of the invention

The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a new device for storing and dispensing supplies, to simplify assembly steps and to reduce downtime during assembly .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new storage device and dispensing supplies, adapted to be mounted directly on a movable part of a manufacturing machine and / or assembly.

The objects assigned to the invention are achieved by means of a device for storing and dispensing supplies and intended for a machine, comprising a supply reservoir connected to a dispensing nozzle for dispensing the supplies contained in the reservoir and an extraction mechanism actuated by an actuating means, said extraction mechanism being actuated to dispense the supplies contained in the tank 1, characterized in that the dispensing nozzle is integral with the reservoir forming a sub distribution assembly mounted on the extraction mechanism, so as to constitute a removable assembly in a single element.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises coupling means for rapid assembly / disassembly of the distribution subassembly on the extraction mechanism and comprising a sliding wheel making a mechanical connection between a connection end of the reservoir and a tube of the extraction mechanism, said sliding wheel moving between an assembly position in which the sliding wheel radially constrains the ends of the tube in a position in engagement with the connection endpiece while retaining the latter and a release position in which the ends of the tube can deviate radially to release the connection tip.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, the actuating means is configured to cooperate with a manual control device, pneumatic or electrical.

According to an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the extraction mechanism comprises an element of the kind stem or wire imparting a step in advance to the supplies of the reservoir during their distribution.

According to an embodiment of the device according to the invention, the reservoir is a rigid or flexible container.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention, the dispensing nozzle comprises at its free end means for constituting a gripping mechanism of supplies for supplying the reservoir with supplies.

The advantageous combination of a conditioning tank and an extraction mechanism, also called distribution mechanism, significantly improves the assembly and assembly rates in that it is extremely easy to pass from a series of pieces to another. It is sufficient to replace in a single operation the assembly comprising the reservoir, the dispensing nozzle and the extraction mechanism. It is sufficient to manipulate an assembly in one piece.

Such a step is less complicated and faster than a connection of a tank containing the supplies to the fixed extraction mechanism, installed on a machine. The risk of overturning supplies in the tank is also avoided with a device according to the invention. No special precautions must be observed for the storage of supplies in the device according to the invention.

In addition, the use of a device according to the invention allows, because of its limited size and its low weight, for example to easily handle and leave the control member on a permanent basis. mobile part of a machine when moving from one set of supplies to another. Its connection and disconnection on the machine are extremely simple and fast operations.

Another advantage of the device according to the invention lies in the ability to prepare in advance several devices thus constituting packaging subassemblies easily and quickly interchangeable.

Another advantage is obtained by the fact that the device according to the invention can be made in a compact manner. The density of supply tanks per work area can thus be increased.

Brief description of the drawings

Other features of the present invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: <tb> fig. 1 <SEP> represents, according to a partially exploded view, an exemplary embodiment of a storage and dispensing device according to the invention, <tb> fig. 2 <SEP> represents, according to a partly cut-out view, an exemplary embodiment of coupling means between the reservoir and the extraction mechanism of a storage and dispensing device according to the invention, <tb> fig. 3a <SEP> represents a longitudinal sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a dispensing nozzle of a storage and dispensing device according to the invention, <tb> fig. 3b <SEP> represents a section along the line A-A of FIG. 3a, an embodiment of the dispensing nozzle of the storage and dispensing device according to the invention, <tb> and fig. 4 <SEP> illustrates an example of use on a machine of a set of storage and distribution devices according to the invention.

Mode (s) of realization of the invention

The structurally and functionally identical elements and present in several separate figures are assigned a same numerical or alphanumeric reference.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a storage and dispensing device according to the invention, without its sleeve or protective tube, so as to better visualize its constituent parts.

The storage and distribution device comprises a reservoir 1 of supplies 1a, having a tubular shape. The tank 1 is integral with a dispensing nozzle 2 so as to form a distribution subassembly 2b.

The storage and distribution device also comprises an extraction mechanism 3 for dispensing, for example one by one, the supplies 1a contained in the tank 1.

An actuating means 3a can transmit a step in advance to the supplies 1a contained in the tank 1. The extraction mechanism 3 comprises a member of the kind rod or wire 4 imparting a step in advance to the supplies 1a of the tank 1 during their distribution. The actuating means 3a is thus connected to the rod or wire-like element 4, of which a cylindrical end 4a exerts a pressure on the supplies 1a contained in the tank 1.

The actuating means 3a is configured to cooperate with a control member 5 capable of exerting a thrust on said actuating means 3a. The control member 5 is controlled manually, hydraulically, pneumatically or electrically.

The extraction mechanism 3 is removably attached to the distribution subassembly 2b, thanks to coupling means 6 for a quick and easy assembly / disassembly.

Fig. 2 shows a partially cut-out view of an embodiment of the coupling means 6. The latter, known as such, comprise a sliding wheel 7 for making the mechanical connection between a connecting piece 8 of the tank 1 and a tube 9 of the extraction mechanism 3.

The sliding wheel 7 moves between an assembly position and a release position. In the assembly position, the sliding wheel 7 radially constrains the ends of the tube 9 in a position in engagement with the connecting piece 8 and holds the latter. On the other hand, in the position of release of the sliding wheel 7, the ends of the tube 9 can deviate radially to release the connecting piece 8.

The sliding wheel 7 for this purpose forces an elastic ring 10 in circular housings 9a and 9b respectively corresponding to the assembly and release positions. The displacement of the sliding wheel 7 to the release position and to the assembly position is shown respectively by the arrows L and A in FIG. 2. The difference in depth that presents the housings 9a and 9b makes it possible to obtain the assembly position with radial clamping exerted on the tube 9 and the position of release without radial clamping exerted on the tube 9.

FIG. 3a shows a longitudinal sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a dispensing nozzle 2 of a storage and dispensing device according to the invention and its cooperation with a machine.

The dispensing nozzle 2 is mounted in a fixed part 11 of a machine and comprises retention members 12 and 13 preventing supplies 1a from being expelled from the tank 1.

A drawer 14 moves under the fixed part 11 so as to recover a supply 1a in a specific housing 14a, during the distribution of said supplies 1a. The slide 14 moves back and forth between a loading position located under the dispensing nozzle 2 and a position suitable for gripping the supply 1a. During such a distribution, the retention members 12 and 13 are retracted or inoperative.

FIG. 3b represents a section along the line A-A of FIG. 3a and more particularly illustrates the structure and operation of the retention members 12 and 13. The latter formed in the form of trays, each have an orifice 12b and 13b whose dimensions and shape are adapted to the dimensions and shape of the supplies 1a .

When the retaining members 12 and 13 are active, the orifices 12b and 13b are not superimposed and project at least partially in the circulation channel supplies 1a.

The retaining members 12 and 13 also have ends 12a and 13a projecting from the periphery of the dispensing nozzle 2. The retaining members 12 and 13 are capable of bearing on internal shoulders 11a and 11b , provided in an engagement opening 11c of the fixed part 11.

When the dispensing nozzle 2 is inserted into the fixed part 11, a rotation of said dispensing nozzle 2 in the fixed part 11, for example a quarter turn, allows the shoulders 11a and 11b to constrain the ends. 12a and 13a in a radial direction until a superposition the orifices 12b and 13b. The supplies 1a can then be distributed through the orifices 12b and 13b, either under the effect of their own weight or with the assistance of the thrust wire 4.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of use on a machine of a set of storage and distribution devices according to the invention. A set of storage and dispensing devices are mounted via quick fastening means on a movable member 15 of a machine. The quick fastening means comprise for example two housings in the form of clip 16 for each device. This provides a very compact arrangement of devices on the movable member 15. Each storage and gripping device is positioned above a drawer 14. When the supplies 1a are deposited in the specific housing 14a, the drawers 14 advance according to the arrow D so as to allow seizure of said supplies 1a.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the dispensing nozzle 2 comprises at its free end 2a means for constituting a mechanism for gripping supplies, for supplying the reservoir 1 supplies 1a.

It is obvious that the present description is not limited to the examples explicitly described, but also includes other embodiments and / or implementation as defined by the claims. Thus, a technical characteristic or an implementation step can be replaced respectively by an equivalent characteristic or an equivalent step without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (6)

1. Device for storing and dispensing supplies (1a) and intended for a machine, comprising a supply reservoir (1) (1a) connected to a dispensing nozzle (2) for dispensing the supplies contained in the reservoir (1) , and an extraction mechanism (3) actuated by an actuating means (3a), said extraction mechanism (3) being actuated to dispense the supplies (1a) contained in the reservoir (1), characterized in that the dispensing nozzle (2) is integral with the reservoir (1) forming a distribution subassembly (2b) mounted on the extraction mechanism (3), so as to constitute a removable assembly in a single element. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises coupling means (6) for rapid assembly / disassembly of the distribution subassembly on the extraction mechanism (3) and comprising a sliding wheel ( 7) providing a mechanical connection between a connecting end (8) of the reservoir (1) and a tube (9) of the extraction mechanism (3), said sliding wheel (7) moving between an assembly position in which the sliding wheel (7) radially constrains the ends of the tube (9) in a position in engagement with the connecting piece (8) by retaining the latter and a release position in which the ends of the tube (9) can spread radially to release the connector (8). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating means (3a) is configured to cooperate with a control member (5) manual, pneumatic or electrical. 4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the extraction mechanism (3) comprises a member of the kind stem or wire (4) imparting a step in advance to the supplies of the tank (1) during their distribution. 5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the reservoir (1) constitutes a rigid or flexible container. 6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the dispensing nozzle (2) comprises at its free end means for constituting a gripping mechanism supplies for supplying the reservoir (1) in supplies.