CN113800206A

CN113800206A - Chute and vibration carrying device

Info

Publication number: CN113800206A
Application number: CN202110113914.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 前田峰尚; 木村哲行; 大西孝信
Original assignee: Sinfonia Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Sinfonia Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-06-11
Filing date: 2021-01-27
Publication date: 2021-12-17
Also published as: KR20210154071A; JP2021195202A; JP7506309B2; TW202146310A

Abstract

The invention provides a chute, which can reduce the friction between a workpiece and a conveying surface, prevent and inhibit the generation of amplitude difference between each part of the conveying surface, and reduce the fall of the conveying surface and the workpiece transferring surface of next process equipment, thereby preventing and inhibiting the posture change of the workpiece when transferring to the workpiece transferring surface of the next process equipment, and realizing the quantitative supply of the workpiece under the condition. The spout includes: a workpiece conveying path (2) which comprises a chute conveying surface (21) on the upward surface and has an open lower space; a conveying part (3) which is arranged at a position adjacent to the workpiece conveying path (2) and transmits vibration generated by elastic deformation to the chute conveying surface (21); and a drive unit (4) that elastically deforms the conveying unit (3), wherein, in a vibration mode in which the conveying unit (3) is elastically deformed by the drive unit (4), the entire chute conveying surface (21) is positioned at an antinode portion of the vibration mode.

Description

Chute and vibration carrying device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a chute and a vibration conveying apparatus which can be applied to an apparatus (a part feeder) for conveying a workpiece by vibration.

Background

As a vibration conveying apparatus (parts feeder) for conveying and aligning small-sized workpieces such as electronic chip components by vibration and supplying the workpieces to the next process, there is known an apparatus including a linear feeder for conveying the workpieces along a conveying path extending linearly and a bowl feeder connected to an upstream side of the linear feeder. In order to cope with miniaturization of the workpiece, such a parts feeder has been proposed in which the workpiece is conveyed by a traveling wave by elastic vibration (see, for example, patent document 1: japanese patent application laid-open No. 2018 100139).

Further, patent document 2 (japanese patent application laid-open publication No. 2011-133458) discloses a workpiece appearance inspection apparatus in which a vibration-free portion for transferring a workpiece in a vibration-free state is disposed between a linear feeder and a circular carrier table that is rotatable. This patent document discloses the following structure: a non-vibrating portion having an inclination equal to that of the linear feeder and not vibrating is connected to a downstream end of the linear feeder which is slightly inclined and descends toward the conveying table. In this patent document, the reason for adopting such a configuration is: since the linear feeder vibrates, when the linear feeder is moved to a position directly above the carrier table, the linear feeder may come into contact with the carrier table. When a non-vibrating portion that does not vibrate is provided between the downstream end of the linear feeder and the conveying table, the workpiece on the non-vibrating portion is pushed by the subsequent workpiece to move forward, gradually descends toward the conveying table, and reaches the downstream end of the non-vibrating portion, is pushed by the subsequent workpiece located immediately after the subsequent workpiece, and is transferred to the conveying table.

Patent document 1 below also discloses the following structure: a chute (discharge feeder) including a workpiece conveying path is disposed at a position continuous with a downstream end of the linear feeder, the workpiece conveying path is formed in a shape inclined such that a downstream side in a workpiece conveying direction is lower than an upstream side in the workpiece conveying direction, and the workpiece is fed to a next step by sliding on a conveying surface of the workpiece conveying path.

However, if the workpiece is configured to slide on the vibration-free conveying surface, the workpiece may be stopped on the workpiece conveying path by a frictional force with the conveying surface, or the workpiece that cannot receive a pressing force of the subsequent workpiece may be stopped at a downstream end of the workpiece conveying path, which may cause clogging of the workpiece and disturbance of the workpiece.

The applicant has therefore proposed the following structure: in a structure capable of improving the efficiency of workpiece conveyance processing as compared with a structure in which a workpiece slides on a conveyance surface of a chute without vibration, a piezoelectric element is attached to a back surface of the chute, and the piezoelectric element is driven to generate waves (antinodes and nodes) in the entire chute including the conveyance surface, thereby elastically deforming the chute and exciting the chute in a bending vibration mode (for example, see patent document 1). In such a configuration, compared to a configuration in which the workpiece on the conveying surface of the chute is slid without vibration, by exciting the chute in the bending vibration mode, friction between the conveying surface of the chute and the workpiece can be reduced, and as a result, the workpiece conveying processing efficiency can be improved.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, if the piezoelectric element is attached to the back surface of the chute to vibrate the entire chute including the conveying surface by generating waves (antinodes and nodes), a portion of the chute to which the piezoelectric element is fixed (an exciting portion) corresponds to an antinode of the vibration, and a portion distant from the exciting portion corresponds to a node of the vibration, so that an amplitude difference occurs between each portion of the chute, and the vibration varies in the entire chute, and it is sometimes impossible or difficult to perform quantitative supply of the workpiece, and thus there is room for improvement in this point.

Further, in the case of the method of attaching the piezoelectric element to the rear surface of the chute, the rear surface of the chute needs to be separated from the workpiece transfer surface of the next process facility by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the piezoelectric element itself and the wiring space that must be secured in association with the installation of the piezoelectric element.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and a main object thereof is to provide a chute which can reduce friction between a workpiece and a conveying surface of the chute, prevent or suppress occurrence of an amplitude difference between respective portions of the conveying surface, and reduce a difference in height between the conveying surface and a workpiece transfer surface of a next process facility, so that a change in posture of the workpiece does not occur or hardly occurs when the workpiece is transferred to the workpiece transfer surface of the next process facility, and can realize quantitative supply of the workpiece in such a situation, and a vibration conveying apparatus including the chute.

Means for solving the problems

That is, the present invention relates to a chute that enables a workpiece as a conveyance target to be conveyed to a workpiece transfer surface of a predetermined next process facility while moving along a conveyance surface toward a downstream end (terminal end) in a conveyance direction.

Further, a chute according to the present invention includes: a conveying path which includes a conveying surface on an upward surface and has an open lower space; a conveying unit which is disposed adjacent to the conveying path and transmits vibration generated by elastic deformation to the conveying surface; and a driving unit that elastically deforms the conveying unit, wherein the chute is configured such that, in a vibration mode in which the conveying unit is elastically deformed by the driving unit, the entire conveying surface is located at a position corresponding to an antinode of the vibration mode or a position near the antinode. Here, the antinode of the vibration is a point at which the amplitude is maximum and the displacement swings to the maximum. The workpiece in the present invention may be a minute member such as an electronic member, but may be an article other than an electronic member.

According to the chute of the present invention, since the entire conveying surface is located at a position corresponding to an antinode of the vibration mode (antinode portion of vibration) or a portion in the vicinity thereof in the vibration mode in which the conveying portion is elastically deformed by the driving portion, a vibration state in which there is no node of the vibration mode (point at which the amplitude is minimum) on the conveying surface can be obtained, vibration is performed with the same amplitude over the entire area of the conveying surface, a friction reducing effect can be uniformly obtained on the entire conveying surface, and a problem that may occur in a non-vibrating chute, that is, a case in which a workpiece stays on the workpiece conveying path due to a frictional force with the conveying surface can be avoided, thereby preventing or suppressing occurrence of clogging of the workpiece and disturbance of the workpiece, and enabling smooth execution of workpiece conveying processing.

In particular, according to the chute of the present invention, since the space below the conveyance path including the conveyance surface on the upward surface is open, the gap between the downward surface of the workpiece conveyance path and the workpiece transfer surface of the next process equipment can be secured by taking the amount of vibration of the conveyance path into consideration, and compared with the case where the drive unit is provided on the downward surface of the conveyance path, the downward surface of the conveyance path and the workpiece transfer surface of the next process equipment can be brought close to each other, the posture of the workpiece at the time of transfer from the conveyance path to the workpiece transfer surface of the next process equipment is stabilized, and the connection with the next process equipment and the position adjustment with respect to the next process equipment can be performed easily and smoothly without taking the wiring space and the like that are generated in association with the installation of the drive unit into consideration.

In the present invention, although the structure is simple without complicating the structure, a preferable example of the structure in which a free space is secured in the lower space of the conveyance path is as follows: the conveying section is constituted by an elastically deformable plate body provided in an upright posture, and the vibration mode is such that the conveying section is provided with a conveying surface in a posture projecting from an end of the conveying section in a thickness direction of the conveying section while vibrating due to a telescopic motion in a height direction of the conveying section by driving a driving section fixed to a height direction center portion of the conveying section. With such a configuration, the vibration transmitted from the conveying unit to the conveying surface is vibration that is performed only in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the workpiece on the conveying surface (vibration that is performed only in the vertical direction), and the amplitude of the conveying surface in the horizontal direction is substantially zero, so that the vibration wave itself does not directly contribute to the propulsive force of the workpiece, the behavior of the workpiece during conveyance on the conveying surface does not generate pulsation, the conveying speed of the workpiece can be maintained at a constant speed, and stable workpiece conveying processing can be realized.

As another preferable example of the chute of the present invention, the following configuration can be given: the conveying section is constituted by an elastically deformable plate body disposed in a horizontally-placed posture, and the vibration mode is bending vibration in a plane perpendicular to the height direction with respect to the conveying direction of the conveying section, which is generated by driving a driving section fixed to the widthwise central portion of the conveying section, and the conveying section is provided with a conveying path at a position adjacent to one side end portion or a position near the side end portion of the conveying section. With this configuration, although the bending vibration is transmitted from the conveying unit to the conveying surface, since the amplitude of the conveying surface in the horizontal direction is substantially zero as in the case of the longitudinal vibration described above, the vibration wave itself does not directly contribute to the propulsive force of the workpiece, pulsation does not occur in the behavior of the workpiece during conveyance on the conveying surface, the conveying speed of the workpiece can be maintained at a constant speed, and stable workpiece conveying processing can be realized.

In addition, in the chute of the present invention, if the conveying surface is configured to be an inclined surface that is gradually inclined downward toward the downstream end in the conveying direction, the workpiece on the conveying surface is conveyed in a sliding manner, and even if the last workpiece is not pressed by the force (pressing force) from behind, the last workpiece can be conveyed in a sliding manner, and the workpiece can be stably supplied to the workpiece transfer surface of the next process facility.

In the vibration carrying device of the present invention, the slide groove is disposed at a position adjacent to the end of the main carrying path, and the slide groove is disposed at a position adjacent to the end of the main carrying path. According to the vibration carrying device of the present invention, the above-described operational effect of the chute can be obtained, the friction reduction effect between the workpiece and the carrying surface of the chute can be improved, the workpiece can be constantly supplied from the terminal end of the carrying surface of the chute to the workpiece transfer surface of the next process facility, and the gap between the carrying path and the workpiece transfer surface can be reduced by disposing the carrying path close to the workpiece transfer surface of the next process facility as compared with the case where the lower space of the carrying path is not open, so that the change of the posture of the workpiece can be prevented or suppressed when the workpiece is transferred from the carrying surface of the chute to the workpiece transfer surface.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, based on a novel technical idea of being configured such that the entire conveying surface is located at the position of the antinode of vibration or a position near the position in the antinode of vibration in a vibration mode in which the conveying unit is elastically deformed by the driving unit, the following vibration conveying apparatus can be provided: the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a conveyance device capable of obtaining a uniform vibration state without nodes and vibrating with the same degree of amplitude over the entire conveyance surface, capable of performing smooth conveyance processing of workpieces and quantitative supply of workpieces without causing local stagnation of workpieces or clogging of workpieces, and capable of reducing design restrictions when the conveyance path is disposed close to a workpiece placement surface of next process equipment compared to a case where the lower space of the conveyance path is not open, capable of reducing a gap between a downstream end (terminal end) of the conveyance surface and the workpiece transfer surface, and capable of preventing or suppressing a change in posture of workpieces when transferring from the conveyance surface to the workpiece transfer surface.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an overall view of a vibration conveying apparatus including a chute according to an embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a main part diagram of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an overall external view of the chute according to this embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the chute of this embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the chute of this embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the vertical vibration mode in the present embodiment by performing displacement enlargement by an analysis animation.

Fig. 7 is an overall view of a vibration conveying apparatus including a chute according to another embodiment (second embodiment) of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a main part diagram of fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is an overall external view of the chute according to this embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the chute of this embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a bending vibration mode in the present embodiment by performing displacement enlargement by an analysis animation.

Description of the symbols

1-chute, 21-conveying surface, 2-conveying path (workpiece conveying path), 3-conveying part, 4, 41-driving part (piezoelectric element), L1-main conveying path (linear main conveying path), W-workpiece, X-vibration conveying device, Y-next process equipment (rotary table), Y1-workpiece transfer surface.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First embodiment

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the chute 1 of the present embodiment is applied to a vibration conveying apparatus X capable of conveying a workpiece W as a conveying object to the downstream side in the conveying direction D1 while moving the workpiece W toward the terminal end L11 of a main conveying path (a linear main conveying path L1) by vibration, and the chute 1 is connectable to the terminal end L11 of the main conveying path. Fig. 1 shows a linear feeder L as an example of the main conveyance path, and shows a mode in which the chute 1 of the present embodiment is disposed at a position adjacent to a terminal end L11 of the linear main conveyance path L1.

As shown in fig. 2, the linear feeder L is capable of conveying the workpiece W to the downstream side in the conveying direction along the linear main conveying path L1 by applying vibration to the linear conveying section L2 including the linear main conveying path L1 which is a linear conveying path. In the linear feeder L of the present embodiment, a specific configuration for conveying the workpiece W on the linear main conveying path L1 to the downstream side in the conveying direction by vibrating the linear conveying section L2 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include the following: a leaf spring (drive spring) that connects the movable section to which the linear conveyance section L2 is connected and a predetermined fixed section to each other is directly or indirectly vibrated by an exciting force applied from an exciting source, and the movable section and the fixed section vibrate in opposite directions to each other, whereby the linear conveyance section L2 connected to the movable section vibrates in the longitudinal direction and conveys the workpiece W to the downstream side in the conveyance direction. As another example, the linear feeder L may be configured to convey the workpiece W along the linear main conveyance path L1 by using a traveling wave generated by the linear conveyance unit L2.

The starting end (not shown) and the terminating end L11 of the linear main conveyance path L1 reach the outer edge of the linear conveyance section L2, and are set to have an appropriate cross-sectional shape. The linear main conveyance path L1 functions as a conveyance surface (linear conveyance surface) for conveying the workpiece W. The linear main conveying surface may have an appropriate cross-sectional shape such as an upward "コ" shape, a U shape, or a V shape. The linear feeder L can align the workpieces W conveyed from the start end of the linear main conveyance path L1 in a row during conveyance and feed the workpieces W from the end L11 of the linear main conveyance path L1 to the next process apparatus.

Further, the vibration conveying device X including a not-shown bowl feeder may be provided upstream of the linear conveying portion L2. The bowl feeder can convey the workpiece W along the spiral conveyance path toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction by applying vibration to a bowl-shaped conveyance section (bowl conveyance section) including a spiral conveyance path (spiral conveyance path) on the inner peripheral surface. In the bowl feeder, a specific configuration for vibrating the bowl conveying portion to convey the workpiece W on the screw conveying path to the downstream side in the conveying direction is not particularly limited, and the configuration according to the above-described straight feeder L (a configuration using a plate spring, a configuration generating a traveling wave, or the like) can be suitably adopted. When vibration is applied to the bowl type conveying portion, the workpiece W rides on the screw conveying path, and is conveyed from the terminal end (outlet portion) of the screw conveying path to the start end of the linear main conveying path L1 of the linear feeder L in this state.

The workpiece W having reached the start end (upstream end) of the linear main conveying path L1 is conveyed toward the end L11 (downstream end) of the linear main conveying path L1, transferred to the chute 1 in this state, and then supplied to the workpiece transfer surface Y1 of the next process facility Y. Fig. 1 and 2 show a mode in which the next process facility Y is a turntable T. A predetermined surrounding area defined along the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge of the upward surface of the rotary table T is a workpiece transfer surface Y1. The rotary table T constitutes, for example, a part of an appearance inspection apparatus for inspecting the appearance of a workpiece, and in such an appearance inspection apparatus, workpieces W are arranged on a disk-shaped rotary table T at regular intervals in a fixed posture, thereby improving inspection efficiency.

As shown in fig. 3 to 5, the chute 1 includes: a conveying path (workpiece conveying path 2) which includes a conveying surface (conveying surface 21) on an upward surface and has an open lower space; a conveying unit 3 disposed adjacent to the workpiece conveying path 2 and transmitting vibration generated by elastic deformation to the conveying surface 21; and a driving unit 4 for vibrating and elastically deforming the conveying unit 3. Here, fig. 3 is an overall external perspective view of the chute 1, fig. 4 (a) is a plan view of the chute 1, fig. 4 (B) and (C) are a B-direction view, a C-direction view, an F-direction view and a G-direction view of fig. 4 (a), and fig. 5 (C) is an enlarged view of a region P of fig. 5 (a), respectively.

In the chute 1 of the present embodiment, the conveying section 3 is formed of an elastically deformable plate body provided in an upright posture. The chute 1 of the present embodiment includes fixing portions 5 projecting from the center portion in the height direction H of the conveying portion 3 toward the upstream side and the downstream side in the conveying direction D1 of the workpiece W in the chute 1. The fixing portion 5 is formed integrally with the conveying portion 3. Further, the conveying direction D1 of the workpiece W in the chute 1 can be specified as "the front-rear direction Z of the chute 1". Therefore, the chute 1 of the present embodiment can be considered to include the fixing portions 5 protruding forward and rearward from the front surface 31 and the rear surface 32 of the conveying portion 3, respectively.

In the chute 1 of the present embodiment, the driving portion 4 is provided on one side surface 33 of the two side surfaces 33 and 34 (two surfaces orthogonal to the conveying direction D1 of the workpiece W in the conveying portion 3 in a plan view) of the conveying portion 3. In the present embodiment, the piezoelectric element 41 is applied as the driving unit 4, and one piezoelectric element 41 is fixed to the center portion in the height direction H of one side surface 33 of the conveying unit 3 by an appropriate process such as a bonding process or a fixing means.

The workpiece conveying path 2 is provided at an end portion (upper end portion in the illustrated example) of the conveying unit 3 in a posture projecting in a thickness direction of the conveying unit 3 (a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction D1 of the workpiece W in the conveying unit 3 in a plan view, the width direction E). In the present embodiment, the workpiece conveying path 2 is provided at the upper end of the conveying section 3 in a posture projecting in a direction away from the side surface 33 to which the driving section 4 is fixed. A groove-shaped conveying surface 21 is formed on the upward surface of the workpiece conveying path 2. The groove shape of the conveying surface 21 is not particularly limited, and fig. 5 and the like show the conveying surface 21 having an upward "コ" cross section as an example. The start end 22 and the end 23 of the workpiece conveying path 2 reach the outer edge of the workpiece conveying path 2 on the upstream side in the workpiece conveying direction D1 and the outer edge of the workpiece conveying path 2 on the downstream side in the workpiece conveying direction D1, respectively. The dimension of the workpiece conveying path 2 in the front-rear direction Z is the same as the dimension of the upper end portion of the conveying portion 3 in the front-rear direction Z. That is, the chute 1 of the present embodiment includes a workpiece conveying path 2 that extends laterally from an upper end portion of the conveying portion 3. In the present embodiment, the conveying unit 3 and the workpiece conveying path 2 are formed integrally.

In the chute 1 of the present embodiment, no other member is provided on the downward surface of the workpiece conveying path 2, and the space below the workpiece conveying path 2 becomes a free space (see fig. 3, fig. 4 (b), and fig. 5 (a) and (c)). In the present embodiment, the portion of the downward surface of the workpiece conveying path 2 on the downstream side in the workpiece conveying direction D1 is set as the tapered surface 24 whose height dimension gradually decreases toward the terminal end 23 of the workpiece conveying path 2 (see fig. 4 (b)).

The vibration conveying apparatus X in which the chute 1 having the above-described configuration is disposed at a position adjacent to the terminal end L11 of the linear feeder L can be provided in a state in which the downward surface on the downstream end side in the workpiece conveying path 2 is brought close to the workpiece transfer surface Y1 of the rotary table T as the next process facility Y, and in a state in which the fixing portion 5 is fixed to a support member (not shown) independent from the chute 1 by an appropriate means, as shown in fig. 1 and 2. In this set state, the downward surface of the workpiece conveying path 2 on the downstream side set as the tapered surface 24 is brought close to the workpiece transfer surface Y1 of the turntable T, so that the conveying surface 21 has a descending slope that gradually slopes obliquely downward from upstream to downstream in the workpiece conveying direction D1. The inclination angle of the descent slope is a degree to which the workpiece W slips off due to gravity, and is an angle that does not distort the posture of the workpiece W, and it is important that the conveyance surface 21 is set to a descent slope of about 5 ° to 15 ° in the present embodiment. The fixing portion 5 functions as a support portion of the chute 1.

The vibration conveying apparatus X of the present embodiment can convey the workpiece W transferred from the linear main conveying path L1 of the linear feeder L to the conveying surface 21 in a certain section (a conveying section in which the workpiece W is conveyed by the conveying surface 21) by using the chute 1 provided between the linear feeder L and the rotary table T as the next process facility Y, and thereafter, can supply the workpiece W to the rotary table T as the next process facility Y.

Specifically, when the conveying unit 3 is vibrated by applying an ac voltage to the driving unit 4 (piezoelectric element 41) provided at the center portion of the conveying unit 3 in the height direction H, the entire conveying unit 3 is vibrated (longitudinally vibrated) by elastic deformation that performs a stretching motion in the height direction H (vertical direction). As can be understood from fig. 6, the chute 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that, in a vibration state (longitudinal vibration mode) in which the entire conveying unit 3 vibrates, the piezoelectric element 41 is provided at a node position of the vibration wave, and the conveying surface 21 to which the longitudinal vibration is transmitted from the conveying unit 3 is set in an antinode or a vicinity of the antinode of the vibration wave. In particular, in the present embodiment, the entire conveying surface 21 is set to be located at a position (position of an antinode of vibration) corresponding to an antinode of a longitudinal vibration state (longitudinal vibration mode) or a position in the vicinity thereof. The chute 1 of the present embodiment can vibrate the conveying surface 21 in an ultrasonic region having a frequency of 20kHz or more (standing wave) in the longitudinal vibration mode. The frequency at the time of excitation by the piezoelectric element 41 is set to the natural frequency of the longitudinal vibration mode of the conveying unit 3. As can be understood from fig. 6, the chute 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the fixing portion 5 is also provided at a node of the vibration wave or a position near the node. Fig. 6 is a diagram in which the vertical vibration mode is shifted by analyzing the animation and displayed in an enlarged scale (schematically shown in an exaggerated manner).

As described above, in the chute 1 of the present embodiment, in the vibration mode (longitudinal vibration mode) in which the conveying unit 3 is elastically deformed by the driving unit 4 (piezoelectric element 41), the entire conveying surface 21 is located at a position (antinode portion of vibration) corresponding to the antinode of the vibration mode or a portion in the vicinity thereof, so that a vibration state in which there is no node on the conveying surface 21 can be obtained, vibration is performed with the same amplitude over the entire conveying surface 21, and the friction reduction effect is uniformly obtained over the entire conveying surface 21, and therefore, workpiece conveying processing can be smoothly performed. In particular, according to the chute 1 of the present embodiment, the conveying unit 3 is vibrated at a high frequency (ultrasonic vibration), so that the jumping of the workpiece W on the conveying surface 21 can be suppressed, and the friction between the conveying surface 21 and the workpiece W can be reduced. Further, by adopting the configuration in which the conveying unit 3 is ultrasonically vibrated, there can be obtained an advantage that the vibration sound cannot be heard and the working environment is not adversely affected.

Further, according to the chute 1 of the present embodiment, since the space below the workpiece conveying path 2 including the conveying surface 21 on the upper surface is open, the gap between the lower surface of the workpiece conveying path 2 and the workpiece transfer surface Y1 of the next process equipment Y can be secured by an amount that takes into account the vibration of the workpiece conveying path 2, and compared to the case where a driving unit such as a piezoelectric element is provided on the lower surface of the workpiece conveying path 2, the lower surface of the workpiece conveying path 2 can be brought close to the workpiece transfer surface Y1 of the next process equipment Y, the posture of the workpiece W at the time of transfer from the workpiece conveying path 2 to the workpiece transfer surface Y1 of the next process equipment Y can be stabilized, and the connection with the next process equipment Y and the position adjustment with respect to the next process equipment Y can be performed easily and smoothly without taking into account the wiring space of the piezoelectric element and the like. In particular, the chute 1 of the present embodiment is extremely high in practicality in the case where the workpiece W reaching the terminal end L11 of the main conveyance path (in the present embodiment, the linear main conveyance path L1) disposed upstream of the chute 1 is only the workpiece W in the desired appropriate posture, and is required to be supplied to the workpiece transfer surface Y1 of the next process facility Y via the workpiece conveyance path 2 in the appropriate posture, and in this case, the downward surface of the workpiece conveyance path 2 is brought close to a position where there is almost no gap with respect to the workpiece transfer surface Y1, and the height difference (step difference) between the terminal end L11 of the conveyance surface 21 and the workpiece transfer surface Y1 can be set to a state close to zero. In particular, in the present embodiment, since vibration is performed at a high frequency in the ultrasonic region, the amplitudes in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction are reduced, and the height difference (step difference) between the terminal end L11 of the conveying surface 21 and the workpiece transfer surface Y1 can be set to a state close to zero.

Further, according to the chute 1 of the present embodiment, the conveying section 3 is constituted by the elastically deformable plate body provided in the standing posture, the conveying surface 21 is provided in the posture protruding from the upper end portion of the conveying section 3 in the thickness direction (width direction E) of the conveying section 3, the vibration mode is the vibration generated by the expansion and contraction motion in the height direction H of the conveying section 3 by driving the driving section 4 fixed to the center portion in the height direction H of the conveying section 3, the vibration transmitted from the conveying section 3 to the conveying surface 21 is the vibration (the vibration generated only in the up-down direction) which is performed only in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction D1 of the workpiece W on the conveying surface 21, and the amplitude in the horizontal direction of the conveying surface 21 is substantially zero, so that the vibration wave itself does not directly contribute to the propulsive force of the workpiece W, and the behavior of the workpiece W during conveyance on the conveying surface 21 does not generate pulsation, the conveying speed of the workpiece W can be maintained at a constant speed, and stable workpiece conveying processing can be realized. The chute 1 of the present embodiment has such an extremely simple structure, and can ensure a free space in the space below the workpiece conveying path 2.

In addition, according to the chute 1 of the present embodiment, since the conveying surface 21 is set to be an inclined surface gradually inclined downward toward the downstream end in the workpiece conveying direction D1, the workpiece W delivered from the linear feeder L to the conveying surface 21 of the workpiece conveying path 2 is conveyed in a sliding manner, and even the last workpiece W that is not pressed by the force (pressing force) from behind the workpiece W is conveyed in a sliding manner. Further, when the conveying speed of the workpiece W on the conveying surface 21 is set to be slower than the conveying speed of the workpiece W on the linear main conveying path L1 of the linear feeder L, the workpiece W can be conveyed on the conveying surface 21 without a gap or a substantially gap in the conveying direction D1, so that a phenomenon in which the distance between the workpieces W in the conveying direction D1 becomes large (separation of the workpieces W) is prevented, the workpiece conveying amount per unit time can be increased, and further, more stable constant supply processing of the workpieces W can be realized.

Further, according to the vibration transport apparatus X of the present embodiment including the chute 1, the operation and effect of the chute 1 are obtained, the friction reduction effect between the workpiece W and the transport surface 21 can be enhanced, the workpiece W can be constantly supplied from the terminal end L11 of the transport surface 21 toward the workpiece transfer surface Y1 of the next process facility Y, and the step difference between the terminal end L11 of the transport surface 21 and the workpiece transfer surface Y1 of the next process facility Y can be made close to zero, so that when transferring from the terminal end L11 of the transport surface 21 to the workpiece transfer surface Y1 of the next process facility Y, a trouble of changing the posture of the workpiece W can be prevented or suppressed.

Second embodiment

The chute 1 of the second embodiment constitutes the vibration transport device X, and can be disposed adjacent to the terminal end L11 of the linear main transport path L1 in the same manner as in the first embodiment in fig. 7 and 8. The linear feeder L of the present embodiment is the same as the linear feeder L of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in fig. 9 to 10, the chute 1 of the second embodiment includes: a conveying path (workpiece conveying path 2) which includes a conveying surface (conveying surface 21) on an upward surface and has an open lower space; a conveying unit 3 disposed adjacent to the workpiece conveying path 2 and transmitting vibration generated by elastic deformation to the conveying surface 21; and a driving unit 4 for vibrating and elastically deforming the conveying unit 3. In the following description and fig. 7 to 11, the parts and components corresponding to each other in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals as those used in the respective embodiments. Here, fig. 9 is an overall external perspective view of the chute 1, fig. 10 (a) is a plan view of the chute 1, fig. 10 (B) and (C) are a B-direction view and a C-direction view of fig. 10 (a), respectively, and fig. 10 (C) is an enlarged view of a main portion of fig. 10 (B).

In the chute 1 of the present embodiment, the conveying section 3 is formed of an elastically deformable plate body provided in a horizontally placed posture. The chute 1 of the present embodiment includes fixing portions 5 projecting from the center portion in the width direction E of the conveying portion 3 toward the upstream side and the downstream side in the conveying direction D1 of the workpiece W in the chute 1. The fixing portion 5 is formed integrally with the conveying portion 3. The chute 1 of the present embodiment may be considered to include the fixing portions 5 protruding forward and rearward from the front surface 31 and the rear surface 32 of the conveying portion 3, respectively.

In the chute 1 of the present embodiment, the driving portion 4 is provided on one surface (the upward surface 35 in the illustrated example) of the upward surface 35 and the downward surface 36 of the conveying portion 3. In the present embodiment, the piezoelectric element 41 is applied as the driving unit 4, and one piezoelectric element 41 is fixed to the center portion in the width direction E of the upward surface 35 of the conveying unit 3 by an appropriate process such as a bonding process or a fixing means.

The workpiece conveying path 2 is provided at one side end of the conveying unit 3. That is, in the workpiece conveying path 2 of the present embodiment, the workpiece conveying path 2 is provided in a position separated by a predetermined distance in the width direction E from the portion of the conveying unit 3 to which the driving unit 4 is fixed. A groove-shaped conveying surface 21 is formed on the upward surface of the workpiece conveying path 2. The groove shape of the conveying surface 21 is not particularly limited, and fig. 10 and the like show an example of the conveying surface 21 having an upward "コ" cross section. The conveying surface 21 reaches the outer edge of the workpiece conveying path 2 on the upstream side in the workpiece conveying direction D1 and the outer edge of the workpiece conveying path 2 on the downstream side in the workpiece conveying direction D1. The dimension of the workpiece conveying path 2 in the front-rear direction Z is the same as the dimension of the conveying section 3 in the front-rear direction Z. The chute 1 of the present embodiment may be considered to include a workpiece conveying path 2 that extends laterally from the side end of the conveying portion 3. In the present embodiment, the conveying unit 3 and the workpiece conveying path 2 are formed integrally.

In the chute 1 of the present embodiment, no other member is provided on the downward surface of the workpiece conveying path 2, and the space below the workpiece conveying path 2 becomes a free space (see fig. 9 and fig. 10 (c) and (d)). In the present embodiment, the portion of the downward surface of the workpiece conveying path 2 on the downstream side in the workpiece conveying direction D1 is set as the tapered surface 24 whose height dimension gradually decreases toward the terminal end 23 of the workpiece conveying path 2 (see fig. 10 (b)).

The vibration conveying apparatus X in which the chute 1 having the above-described configuration is disposed at a position adjacent to the terminal end L11 of the linear feeder L can be provided in a state in which the downward surface on the downstream end side in the workpiece conveying path 2 is brought close to the workpiece transfer surface Y1 of the rotary table T as the next process facility Y, and in a state in which the fixing portion 5 is fixed to a support member (not shown) independent from the chute 1 by an appropriate means, as shown in fig. 7 and 8. In this set state, the downward surface of the workpiece conveying path 2 on the downstream side set as the tapered surface 24 is brought close to the workpiece transfer surface Y1 of the turntable T, so that the conveying surface 21 has a descending slope that gradually slopes obliquely downward from upstream to downstream in the workpiece conveying direction D1. In the present embodiment, the conveying surface 21 is inclined at an inclination of about 5 ° to 15 ° in the workpiece conveying direction D1. The fixing portion 5 functions as a support portion of the chute 1.

Specifically, when the conveying unit 3 is vibrated by applying an ac voltage to the driving unit 4 (piezoelectric element 41) provided at the center portion of the conveying unit 3 in the width direction E, the entire conveying unit 3 is vibrated (bending vibration) by elastic deformation that is deflected in the height direction H (vertical direction). As can be understood from fig. 11, the chute 1 of the present embodiment is configured such that, in a state in which the entire conveying unit 3 is in bending vibration (bending vibration mode), the piezoelectric element 41 is provided at a node position of the vibration wave, and the conveying surface 21 to which the bending vibration is transmitted from the conveying unit 3 is set in an antinode or a vicinity of the antinode of the vibration wave. In particular, in the present embodiment, the entire conveying surface 21 is set to be located at a position corresponding to an antinode of a bending vibration state (bending vibration mode) or a position near the antinode. The chute 1 of the present embodiment can vibrate the conveying surface 21 in an ultrasonic region having a frequency of 20kHz or more (standing wave) in the bending vibration mode. The frequency at the time of excitation by the piezoelectric element 41 is set to the natural frequency of the bending vibration mode of the conveying unit 3. As can be understood from fig. 11, the chute 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the fixing portion 5 is also provided at the position of the node of the vibration wave. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an enlarged display (schematically shown in an exaggerated manner) of the displacement of the bending vibration mode by analyzing the moving image.

Further, according to the chute 1 of the present embodiment, since the space below the workpiece conveying path 2 including the conveying surface 21 on the upper surface is open, the gap between the lower surface of the workpiece conveying path 2 and the workpiece transfer surface Y1 of the next process equipment Y can be secured by an amount that takes into account the vibration of the workpiece conveying path 2, and compared to the case where a driving unit such as a piezoelectric element is provided on the lower surface of the workpiece conveying path 2, the lower surface of the workpiece conveying path 2 can be brought close to the workpiece transfer surface Y1 of the next process equipment Y, the posture of the workpiece W at the time of transfer from the workpiece conveying path 2 to the workpiece transfer surface Y1 of the next process equipment Y can be stabilized, and the connection with the next process equipment Y and the position adjustment with respect to the next process equipment Y can be performed easily and smoothly without taking into account the wiring space of the piezoelectric element and the like. In particular, the chute 1 of the present embodiment is extremely high in practicality in the case where the workpiece W reaching the terminal end L11 of the main conveyance path (in the present embodiment, the linear main conveyance path L1) disposed upstream of the chute 1 is only the workpiece W in the desired appropriate posture, and is required to be supplied to the workpiece transfer surface Y1 of the next process facility Y via the workpiece conveyance path 2 in the appropriate posture, and in this case, the downward surface of the workpiece conveyance path 2 is brought close to a position where there is almost no gap with respect to the workpiece transfer surface Y1, and the height difference (step difference) between the terminal end L11 of the conveyance surface 21 and the workpiece transfer surface Y1 can be set to a state close to zero.

Further, according to the chute 1 of the present embodiment, since the conveying portion 3 is constituted by the elastically deformable plate body provided in the horizontally placed posture, the vibration mode is the vibration generated by the flexural deformation of the conveying portion 3 by driving the driving portion 4 fixed to the center portion in the width direction E of the conveying portion 3, and the conveying surface 21 is provided at the side end portion of the conveying portion 3, the vibration transmitted from the conveying portion 3 to the conveying surface 21 is the vibration (the vibration generated only in the vertical direction) which is performed only in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction D1 of the workpiece W on the conveying surface 21, and the amplitude in the horizontal direction of the conveying surface 21 is substantially zero, the vibration wave itself does not directly contribute to the propulsive force of the workpiece W, the pulsation of the behavior of the workpiece W during the conveyance on the conveying surface 21 does not occur, and the conveying speed of the workpiece W can be maintained at a constant speed, thereby, stable workpiece conveyance processing can be realized. The chute 1 of the present embodiment has such an extremely simple structure, and can ensure a free space in the space below the workpiece conveying path 2.

Further, according to the vibration transport apparatus X of the present embodiment including the chute 1, the operation and effect of the chute 1 described above are obtained, the friction reduction effect between the workpiece W and the transport surface 21 can be enhanced, the workpiece W can be constantly supplied from the terminal end L11 of the transport surface 21 toward the workpiece transfer surface Y1 of the next process facility Y, and the step difference between the terminal end L11 of the transport surface 21 and the workpiece transfer surface Y1 of the next process facility Y can be made close to zero, so that when transferring from the terminal end L11 of the transport surface 21 to the workpiece transfer surface Y1 of the next process facility Y, a trouble of changing the posture of the workpiece W can be prevented or suppressed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the conveying surface is set to have a slope that is lowered in the workpiece conveying direction, but a flat conveying surface that is not inclined may be used.

The conveying unit disposed adjacent to the workpiece conveying path may be a member independent from the workpiece conveying path if the conveying unit satisfies a condition that vibration generated by elastic deformation is transmitted to the conveying surface. That is, the chute according to the present invention includes both a structure including the conveyance path and the conveyance unit independently of each other and a structure including the conveyance path and the conveyance unit integrally. The present invention also includes a structure in which the conveyance path and the conveyance unit are integrated (a structure in which a part of the conveyance unit is formed and processed as the conveyance path).

In the present invention, the cross-sectional groove shape of the conveying surface and the length of the workpiece conveying path in the workpiece conveying direction can be appropriately selected and changed.

In the present invention, a magnetostrictive element or another element can be applied as the driving unit instead of or in addition to the piezoelectric element. Further, the driving portions may be disposed at positions sandwiching the conveying portion in the thickness direction. Each driving unit is not limited to being disposed at or near a node of vibration, and may be disposed at or near an antinode of vibration depending on the mode of vibration. That is, in order to vibrate the piezoelectric element more efficiently in the vibration mode, it is preferable to dispose the driving portion (to which the piezoelectric element is attached) at a position where the strain due to the elastic deformation is large.

In addition, as a modification of the configuration described in the first embodiment, there is a configuration in which a conveyance path is provided at a lower end portion of a plate body in a posture of protruding in a thickness direction of the plate body.

The vibration carrying device of the present invention is not limited to include all of the bowl feeders, the linear feeders, and the chutes, and may be configured such that the chutes are disposed at positions adjacent to the end of the main carrying path (spiral carrying path) of the bowl feeders, or configured such that the vibration carrying device does not include the bowl feeders and the chutes are disposed at positions adjacent to the end of the main carrying path (linear main carrying path) of the linear feeders. Further, the linear feeder may be configured such that a linear main feed path and a return path for returning the work excluded from the linear main feed path to the upstream side (for example, a storage section of a bowl feeder) are formed on an upward surface of the linear feed section.

In addition, the following structure can be realized: the chute of the present invention is provided between the bowl feeder and the linear feeder, and the workpiece reaching the start end of the workpiece conveying path from the end of the spiral conveying path is conveyed to the end of the workpiece conveying path and transferred to the start end of the linear main conveying path of the linear feeder. In this case, the vibration conveying device may include a bowl feeder and a chute, and the "workpiece transfer surface of the next process facility" in the present invention is a start end of the linear main conveying path.

The next process equipment in the present invention is not limited to the rotary table of the appearance inspection apparatus, and may be any equipment that constitutes a part of an appropriate inspection apparatus or processing apparatus and includes a workpiece transfer surface.

As an example of the workpiece W as the object to be conveyed, a minute member such as an electronic component may be mentioned, but the workpiece W may be an article other than an electronic component.

In addition, the specific configuration of each part is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A chute capable of conveying a workpiece as a conveying object to a workpiece transfer surface of a predetermined next process facility while moving one edge of the workpiece along the conveying surface toward a downstream end in a conveying direction,

the chute is characterized by comprising:

a conveying path which includes the conveying surface on the upper surface and has an open lower space;

a conveying unit disposed adjacent to the conveying path and transmitting vibration generated by elastic deformation to the conveying surface; and

a driving part for elastically deforming the conveying part,

the chute is configured such that, in a vibration mode in which the conveying unit is elastically deformed by the drive unit, the entire conveying surface is located at a position corresponding to an antinode of the vibration mode or a position in the vicinity thereof.

2. A chute according to claim 1,

the conveying part is an elastically deformable plate body arranged in a standing posture,

the vibration mode is vibration generated by the expansion and contraction motion of the plate body in the height direction by driving the driving part fixed to the central part of the plate body in the height direction,

the conveying path is provided at an end of the plate body in a posture projecting in a thickness direction of the plate body.

3. A chute according to claim 1,

the conveying part is an elastically deformable plate body arranged in a transverse placing posture,

the vibration mode is a bending vibration of the plate body in a plane perpendicular to the conveying direction, the bending vibration being generated by driving the driving unit fixed to a widthwise central portion of the plate body,

the conveying path is provided at one side end portion of the plate body or at a position adjacent to the side end portion.

4. A chute according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

the conveying surface is set to be an inclined surface gradually inclined downwards towards the downstream end in the conveying direction.

5. A vibration conveying device capable of conveying a workpiece as a conveying object to the downstream side in the conveying direction while moving the workpiece toward the terminal end of a main conveying path by vibration,

the above-described vibration carrying apparatus is characterized in that,

a chute according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is disposed at a position adjacent to a terminal end of the main conveyance path.