IE54010B1

IE54010B1 - A vibratory bowl

Info

Publication number: IE54010B1
Application number: IE17383A
Authority: IE
Original assignee: Mcelroy Dermot
Priority date: 1983-01-31
Filing date: 1983-01-31
Publication date: 1989-05-10
Also published as: GB2134502B; GB8402238D0; IE830173L; GB2134502A

Abstract

A vibratory bowl having a single start screw track 2 for delivering product onto a conveyor includes means 22 for mounting balance weights 21 to the bowl. In one case the means comprises a rim 22 onto which a weight 21 is secured by a U-shaped bracket 23 crimped onto the rim. In operation, the weights 21 are adjusted along the rim until the bowl is balanced and are then crimped into position. The means for mounting the ancillary apparatus may also comprise a downwardly extending flange or a rail. Instead of balance weights, airjets, orienting flags or detectors may be mounted in the same manner.

Description

The present invention relates to a vibratory bowl, and in particular, a vibratory bowl for feeding components in an assembly line operation.

A major problem with known vibratory bowls is that when they are assembled, there is generally a deadspot, and in many cases many deadspots, where there are no vibrations, and this leads to a blockage of the product on the tracks of the bowl at the deadspots. To overcome this problem, the bowl has to be tuned, this requires attaching weights to the side of the bowl to alter the balance of the bowl. However, in order to attach the weights the bowl has to be drilled and tapped, and the weights screwed onto the bowl. This, it will be appreciated, is a relatively timeconsuming task, and if the weight is positioned in the wrong position, on the first attempt, further drillings have to be made. The procedure involved is largely one of trial and error.

Furthermore, where other ancillary pieces of equipment are to be attached to the bowl, for example, air jets to orient -35 4 0 10 the product or other flags or feelers, the bowl also has to be drilled and tapped to accommodate such equipment.

There is therefore a need for a vibratory bowl which will 5 overcome this problem.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a vibratory bowl.

According to the invention there is provided a vibratory bowl comprising conveying means for conveying articles and a mounting track provided on the bowl for mounting ancillary apparatus to the bowl.

In one embodiment of the invention the means for mounting the ancillary apparatus extends to least partly around the bowl.

In one arrangement the means to mount the ancillary apparatus extends completely around the bowl.

In one embodiment of the invention the track extends upwardly from the top edge of the bowl. -4Alternatively, the track extends sidewardly from the outer surface of the bowl.

Preferably the track is engagable by a bracket provided on the ancillary apparatus.

In one embodiment of the invention the bowl is formed by casting.

In another arrangement the track is formed by extrusion moulding.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention 10 the track is formed by a rail. Usually the rail is of I-section having a base, a flange and a web interconnecting the base of the flange. The flange may be substantially circular in transverse cross section.

Typically the bracket is of deformable steel material for 15 crimping to securely engage the track. Alternatively the bracket is secured to the track by a grub screw.

The bowl may be of a fibre glass material. The track may be of a plastics material. In this case the track may be secured to the bowl by an epoxy-resin adhesive material. The bracket may be of a resilient material and is a snap fit in the track. -5In one embodiment of the invention the ancillary apparatus comprises a balancing weight.In an alternate embodiment of the invention the ancillary apparatus comprises an air jet.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a sectional elevational view of a vibratory bowl according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the bowl of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view of a vibratory bowl according to another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 4 is a sectional elevational view of portion of a vibratory bowl according to a further embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 5 is a sectional elevational view of portion of another vibratory bowl according to the invention.

Referring to the drawings and initially to Figs. 1 to 2 thereof there is illustrated a vibratory bowl indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The bowl comprises -6a single start screw track 2 for delivering product in the direction of the arrow A from the bowl 1. The track 2 begins at 3 and ends at 4 from which the product is delivered onto suitable conveying apparatus. The drive mechanism for the bowl is a conventional drive apparatus, and it is only described in outline. Essentially, the bowl is supported on a base member 6 by leaf springs 7 arranged in three banks of two springs per bank. Only one bank of springs 7 is illustrated in the drawings. The 10 springs 7 are secured to the base member 6 by screws 8, and to the plate 9 underneath the bowl 1 by means of screws 24.

The plate 9 is secured to the base of the bowl 1 by screws 10. An electro-magnet 11 is mounted on the base member 6 by a screw 14 and nut 15. Spacer shims 16 or jacking grub screws are provided between the electro-magnet 11 and the base member 6 to adjust an air gap 17 between the magnet 11 and the plate 9. A housing 18 encases the springs 7 and electro-magnet 11. Anti-vibration mounting pads 19 are provided on the base member 6.

Means for mounting ancillary apparatus, in this case, balance weights 21 to the bowl is provided by a track which in this case is formed by a rim 22 extending upwardly from the top edge of the bowl 1. The rim 22 as can be seen in Fig. 2 extends completely around the bowl. The weights 21 are secured to the rim 22 by U-shaped brackets 23 which are made of deformable steel, lead or similar metals and which can be 540 10 -7crimped onto the rim 22 by means of a crimping tool (not shown).

In use, the bowl 1 is set up in conventional manner and tested for deadspots. A weight 21 or weights 21 is then mounted on the rim 22 so that the U-shaped brackets 23 engage the rim 22. The weights are adjusted along the rim until the deadspots have been eliminated. The U-shaped brackets 23 are then crimped into position onto the rim 22.

Fig. 3 shows a vibratory bowl 30 according to another embodiment of the invention. In this case the track is formed by a downwardly extending flange 31 extending around the bowl.

Referring to Fig. 4 there is illustrated an alternative construction of vibratory bowl according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 40. In this case the bowl is of fibre glass material and the track for mounting ancillary apparatus is provided by a rail 41 which is of extruded plastics material. The rail 41 comprises a base 42, a flange 43 and a web 44 interconnecting the base and flange. The flange 43 is secured to the outer surface of the bowl by an epoxy-resin adhesive material 45. Two returns 45 are provided on the bracket 23 to engage behind the flange 43 and retain the weight 21 in position on the rail. To facilitate 540 10 -8mounting of the bracket on the rail the bracket may be of resilient material such as plastics or spring steel to snap over the rail or the rail may be interrupted at one or several locations around the bowl and the bracket secured in the desired position on the rail by any suitable means such as by an adhesive, by crimping or by a grub screw.

In some cases, particularly where the bowl is of a fibre glass material the rail may be formed integrally with the bowl.The design of the mould for this arrangement however may be difficult and hence more costly than the arrangement just described.

Referring to Fig. 5 there is illustrated an alternative construction of vibratory bowl according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 50. The bowl 50 is similar to that described above with reference to Fig. 4 and like parts are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case the flange 43 is substantially circular in transverse cross section and the bracket is of complementary shape for ease of fixing of the bracket onto the rail.

It is envisaged that as well as being used for securing weights onto the bowl, the rim 22, flange 31 or rail 41 may be used for positioning and securing air jets to orientate product before leaving the track 2 of the bowl. 4 0 10 9Indeed, in certain cases, it is envisaged that flags or other orientating apparatus could also be secured to the rim 22, flange 31 or rail 41.

It will be appreciated that the major advantage of the invention is that it allows the bowl to be tuned readily easily by merely having to slide a weight around a track until it is correctly positioned. At which stage, the weight can immediately be crimped in position. This eliminates delays associated with having to drill and tap holes to secure the weights, and furthermore, it eliminates trial and error which was inherent in methods of tuning bowls known heretofore.

Furthermore, it permits other ancillary apparatus, for example, air jets and orientating flags and the like to be readily easily positioned on a bowl without having to screw and tap holes in the bowl. Furthermore, it allows for easy adjustment of the apparatus or changing the ancillary apparatus to accommodate varying sizes or shapes of product, if the same bowl is to be used for a different product.

It will be appreciated that the track could be provided in any suitable location, for example, it could be provided around the outer surface of the bowl, either adjacent the top or intermediate the top and bottom -10of the bowl.

In certain cases, it is envisaged that the track may extend around the interior of the bowl.

Additionally, it is envisaged that instead of being a 5 track the means for mounting ancillary apparatus could be a groove, in which case the weight or air jet or the like would be provided with a complementary member to engage the groove. Indeed, any suitable male/female connection or any suitable complementary interengagable formations may be employed.

Also it will be appreciated that instead of crimping the bracket onto the track the U-shaped bracket may be fast ened by any suitable method, for example the bracket may have a grub screw to clampingly engage the track.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that although a particular type of bowl has been described, in this case a single start track, any other type of bowl could be used, for example multiple start tracks. Additionally, other type: of drive means or other variations of drive means for the 2o bowl could be used without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, instead of a single vertical coil the bowl may be driven by three or more horizontally disposed electro-magnetic coils. 540 10 -lilt will also be appreciated that it is not essential that the means for mounting ancillary apparatus extend fully around the bowl. It may extend only partially around, for example along 75% of the bowl. Further, it may be interrupted along its length. Thus, the track, rail or groove may be formed from two or any number of sections spaced-apart circumferentially along the bowl.

It will also be appreciated that where the track is defined by a rail which is adhesively mounted on the bowl any suitable adhesive may be used including G.R.P. resin and fi bre.

The invention may be applied when attaching any ancillary apparatus to a vibratory bowl. As already mentioned the ancillary apparatus may comprise weights, air jets and flags and includes any detection or switching device which may be electronically operated, such as a photocell.

Claims

1. A vibratory bowl comprising conveying means for conveying articles and a mounting track provided on the bowl for mounting ancillary apparatus to the bowl.

2. A vibratory bowl as claimed in claim 1 in which 5 the mounting track for mounting ancillary apparatus extends at least partly around the bowl.

3. A vibratory bowl as claimed in claim 2 in which the mounting track for mounting ancillary apparatus extends completely around the bowl. 10

4. A vibratory bowl as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 in which the track extends upwardly from the top edge of the bowl.

5. A vibratory bowl as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 in which the track extends sidewardly from the outer 15 surface of the bowl.

6. A vibratory bowl as claimed in claim 4 or 5 in which the track is engagable by a bracket provided on the ancillary apparatus.

7. A vibratory bowl as claimed in any of the 5401ο -13preceding claims in which the bowl is formed by casting.

8. A vibratory bowl as claimed in any preceding claim in which the mounting track is formed integrally with the bowl. 5

9. A vibratory bowl as claimed in any preceding claim in which the mounting track is formed by extrusion moulding.

10. A vibratory bowl as claimed in any preceding claim in which the mounting track is formed by a rail. 10

11. A vibratory bowl as claimed in claim 10 in which the rail is of I-section having a base, a flange and a web interconnecting the base and the flange.

12. A vibratory bowl as claimed in claim 11 in which the flange is substantially circular in transverse cross 15 section.

13. A vibratory bowl as claimed in any of claims 6 to 12 in which the bracket is of deformable steel material for crimping to securely engage the mounting track.

14. A vibratory bowl as claimed in any of claims 6 3 4 010 -14to 12 in which the bracket is secured to the mounting track by a grub screw.

15. A vibratory bowl as claimed in any of claims 7 to 12 in which the bowl is of fibre glass material. 5

16. A vibratory bowl as claimed in any of claims 9 to 15 in which the mounting track is of a plastics material

17. A vibratory bowl as claimed in claim 16 in which the mounting track is secured to the bowl by an epoxy-resin adhesive material. 10

18. A vibratory bowl as claimed in any of claims 6 to 17 in which the bracket is of a resilient material and is a snap fit in the mounting track.

19. A vibratory bowl as claimed in any of claims 1 to 19 in which the ancillary apparatus comprises a 15 balancing weight.

20. A vibratory bowl as claimed in any of claims 1 to 19 in which the ancillary apparatus comprises an air jet.

21. A vibratory bowl as claimed in any of claims 1 to 19 in which the ancillary apparatus comprises a det20 ection or switching device. 540 10 -15

22. A vibratory bowl substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.