JP2001096435A - Carried-in article detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely detect the fact that articles such as molds and workpieces to be carried have been carried-in to a specified place with a simple structure. SOLUTION: An abutting implement 37 is supported on the adapter block 35 fixed to the tip section of a support rod 4 so as to be able to be switched from an advancing position X to a retraction position Y and vice versa. The abutting implement 37 is provided with a first face F corresponding to the workpiece W and a second face S corresponding to the receiving face R of the adapter block 35. The abutting implement 37 is energized by an advancing spring 40 and moves to the advancing position X. As a result, a gap G is formed between the second face S of the abutting implement 37 and the receiving face R. A compressed air flow passage 41 is communicated with the gap G and one end of the flow passage 41 is communicated with an air source 44, and the other end is communicated with an outlet hole 36. When the abutting implement 37 is switched to the retraction position Y, resulting in closing the gap G. The increase in the pressure in the flow passage 41 is detected by a pressure switch 48.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting a carried object such as a workpiece or a mold.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of detecting device is configured so that a clamp such as a limit switch or the like detects, through a transmission rod, a sensor such as a limit switch via a transmission rod. (For example, actual fairness 2-2
No. 6584).

[0003]

The above prior art has room for improvement in the following points. If the above-mentioned conveyed material is not erroneously carried into the predetermined position, the clamp may be vacantly clamped, and even in such a case, the transmission rod operates the sensor to output a clamping completion signal. . In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable that another sensor detects that the above-mentioned conveyed material has been conveyed to a predetermined position. However, in the above prior proposal example,
Since the number of installed sensors increases, the configuration of the detection device becomes complicated. For this reason, the detection device has a high manufacturing cost and a high probability of failure. An object of the present invention is to make it possible to reliably detect that a carry-in object has been carried into a predetermined position with a simple configuration.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention according to claim 1 is, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 or FIGS. 3 to 8, respectively. Was constructed as follows. That is, the holding member 4
At the tip of (74, 84), the contact member 37 is supported so as to be switchable between the advance position X and the retreat position Y, and
A first surface F that comes into contact with the load W;
(74, 84) is provided with a second surface S in contact with the receiving surface R,
An advancing means 51 for switching the contact tool 37 from the retreat position Y to the advancing position X is provided.
A gap G is formed between the second surface S of the contact member 37 switched to the above and the receiving surface R, and a flow path 41 of the pressure fluid is communicated with the gap G. Is connected to the pressurized fluid supply means 42, and the other end of the flow path 41 is connected to the atmosphere side.
4) and the above-mentioned carry-in object W are relatively approached to each other, so that the contact member 37 is switched from the advance position X to the retreat position Y against the advance means 51. Then, the second surface S of the contact member 37 comes into contact with the receiving surface R, and the pressure rise of the flow path 41 at that time can be detected by the pressure detecting means 48. is there.

[0005] In the structure of the first aspect, the advancing means 51 of the holding member 4 (74, 84) uses a biasing force of an elastic body such as a spring or rubber, or uses the contact member 37.
Or the case of utilizing the fluid pressure acting on the contact member 37 from a pressurized fluid such as compressed air. The advancement means 51 may be a combination of any two or three of the above-described urging force, gravity, and fluid pressure. In addition, the above-mentioned load W
For example, a workpiece, a mold, a work pallet, or the like can be considered. Furthermore, the above-mentioned holding member and the above-mentioned carry-in object need only be relatively close to each other. May be moved, and both may be moved together.

The invention of claim 1 operates as follows, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In the state shown in FIG. 1A, the abutment member 37 has been switched to the advance position X by the advance means 51 such as the advance spring 40, and the pressurized fluid such as compressed air passes through the gap G to the atmosphere side. Has been released to As shown in FIG. 1 (B), when the holding member 4 and the carry-in object W are relatively close to each other, the abutment tool 37 is moved forward by the advancing means 51.
Is switched to the retracted position Y against the
7 comes into contact with the receiving surface R. Then, the flow path 41 is closed, and the pressure of the pressure fluid in the flow path 41 increases. By detecting the pressure increase by the pressure detecting means 48, it is determined that the above-mentioned conveyed material W has been conveyed to a predetermined position based on the detection signal.

Therefore, the first aspect of the present invention has the following effects. Since it is possible to directly detect that the carried-in object has been carried into the predetermined position by using the contacting tool, the detection can be reliably performed. Moreover, unlike the above-mentioned prior proposal example, there is no need to provide another sensor for detecting the above-mentioned conveyed material, so that the configuration of the detection device is simplified. For this reason, the detection device can reduce the manufacturing cost and has few failures. By the way, when the receiving surface provided on the holding member is brought into direct contact with the conveyed material, the above-described receiving member is used in order to prevent an excessive leakage of the pressurized fluid at the time of the contact and prevent a detection error from occurring. It is necessary to precisely process not only the surface but also the contact surface of the load. However, the receiving surface of the present invention is the
Since the second surface is brought into contact with the surface, the second surface may be precisely machined, so that it is possible to save the trouble of precisely machining the abutting surface of the load. Further, by making the receiving surface of the holding member and the second surface of the contacting tool not to be exposed to the outside, a detection device is provided which is hardly affected by foreign matter such as cutting chips, cutting oil and dust. it can.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an adapter block 35 is detachably fixed to the distal end of the main body portion 4a of the holding member 4 (74, 84). When the surface R is provided and the detection hole 43 of the flow path 41 is opened in the receiving surface R, the following operation and effect can be obtained. That is, by processing the receiving surface and the detection hole in the adapter block, which is a small component compared to the holding member, it becomes easy to precisely process these receiving surface and the detection hole.
The detection accuracy of the detection device is improved. Moreover, since it is not necessary to machine the receiving surface and the detection hole in the main body of the holding member, the machining is facilitated, and the manufacturing cost of the detection device can be greatly reduced.

Further, as shown in the invention of claim 3 (see FIG. 2), when the holding member is constituted by the support rod 4 for supporting the workpiece W which is the loaded material, By detecting that the support rod has contacted the piece, the support state can be detected accurately and reliably.

Further, as shown in the invention of claim 4 (see FIG. 9 or FIG. 10), when the holding member is constituted by a clamp 74 (84) for clamping the load W, By detecting that the clamp tool has come into contact with a workpiece such as a workpiece or a mold, the clamp state can be accurately and reliably detected.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 (A), FIG. 1 (B) and FIG.
1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention and illustrates an example in which the present invention is applied to a work support 1. First, the structure of the work support 1 will be described with reference to the longitudinal sectional view of FIG.

In this embodiment, the work support 1
Are clamped by hydraulic pressure and released by spring force. That is, the housing 2 of the work support 1 includes the upper end wall 2a, the lower end wall 2b, and the body 2c, and is fixed to the upper surface of the table T by a plurality of fastening bolts (not shown). A support rod 4, which is a holding member, is externally movably fitted to the pipe member 3 airtightly fixed to the lower end wall 2b.

A piston member 5 is hermetically inserted into the pipe member 3, and a piston rod 6 projects upward from the piston member 5. A locking member 7 provided at the upper end of the piston rod 6 is in contact with the stepped portion 8 of the support rod 4 at an intermediate height from above. An ascending spring 10 for urging the support rod 4 upward is provided between the piston member 5 and the stepped portion 8.
A downward spring 11 is provided between the upper part of the pipe member 3 and the piston member 5 to urge the piston member 5 downward. The urging force of the descending spring 11 is set to a value larger than the urging force of the ascending spring 10 described above.

A holding and fixing area A is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the support rod 4, and a cylindrical collet 13 is externally fitted in the holding and fixing area A. The collet 13 is formed with a tapered outer peripheral surface 14 having a tapered upper portion, and is elastically reduced in diameter by one slit 15 extending in the vertical direction. An annular transmission 17 is arranged on the outer peripheral side of the collet 13, and a tapered inner peripheral surface 18 of the transmission 17 is provided.
Faces the tapered outer peripheral surface 14 of the collet 13 from above. A large number of balls B are inserted into an annular tapered gap formed between the tapered outer peripheral surface 14 and the tapered inner peripheral surface 18.

A clamp piston 20 projects radially outward from the transmission 17, and a clamp working chamber 21 is formed above the clamp piston 20 and a spring chamber 22 is formed below the clamp piston 20. A pressure oil supply / discharge port 23 communicates with the working chamber 21 and a return spring 2 is connected to the spring chamber 22.
4 is attached. Further, a lower working chamber 26 on the lower side of the piston member 5 is communicated with the above-described pressure oil supply / discharge port 23 via a connection path 27 in the housing body 2c.

A supply port 29 for compressed air is provided below the housing body 2c. The compressed air supplied to the supply port 29 is supplied to the spring chamber 22, a horizontal hole 30 formed in a lower part of a peripheral wall of the collet 13, a vertical groove 31 provided on an inner peripheral surface of the support rod 4, and Stepped part 8
Upper surface groove 32 and upper portion 3 of cylindrical hole of support rod 4 described above.
After that, the air is discharged from the outlet hole 36 to the atmosphere side.
The outlet hole 36 is provided in an adapter block 35 fixed to the upper end of the main body portion 4a of the support rod 4, as shown in FIG. The adapter block 35 supports an abutment tool 37 described later so as to be vertically movable.

The work piece W is supported by the work support 1 in the following procedure, for example. In the clamp release state shown in FIG. 2, the pressure oil is discharged from the clamp working chamber 21, and the clamp piston 20 and the transmission 17
Is moved upward by the return spring 24 to release the diameter reduction of the collet 13. Further, the piston member 5 and the piston rod 6 are lowered by the lowering spring 11, and the locking member 7 of the piston rod 6 is
Is descending. In the above-mentioned clamp release state, the workpiece W is carried in from the upper side, and the main body of the workpiece W is received on a support (not shown).

Next, pressure oil is supplied to the pressure oil supply / discharge port 23. Then, by the supplied pressure oil, the ascending working chamber 26 first reaches the set ascending pressure, so that the piston member 5 and the piston rod 6 ascend against the descending spring 11, and At the same time, the support rod 4 is raised by the lifting spring 10. Thereby, the contact tool 37 contacts the work piece W from below (see FIG. 1B). Subsequently, the pressure in the clamp working chamber 21 increases to a set clamp pressure, and the transmission 17 moves downward by the hydraulic pressure acting on the clamping piston 20 from the working chamber 21, and the pressure in the taper of the transmission 17 is increased. The peripheral surface 18 smoothly engages with the tapered outer peripheral surface 14 of the collet 13 while rolling the ball B, and reduces the diameter of the collet 13 received by the lower end wall 2b. As a result, the collet 13 having the reduced diameter presses the holding and fixing region A of the support rod 4 in the centripetal direction, and holds and fixes the support rod 4. The upper surface of the workpiece W is machined in the clamped state, and the pressing force during the machining is strongly received in the axial direction by the support force of the support rod 4.

After the above machining is completed, the pressurized oil is discharged from the clamp working chamber 21. Then, first, the clamp piston 20 and the transmission 17 are returned to the return spring 24.
As a result, the tapered inner peripheral surface 18 of the transmission 17 is smoothly moved upward while rolling the ball B, and the pressed state of the tapered outer peripheral surface 14 of the collet 13 is released. Thereby, the diameter of the collet 13 is expanded by its own elastic restoring force, and the clamped state of the support rod 4 is released. Thereafter, the support rod 4 is moved to the lowered position in FIG. 2 by the urging force of the descending spring 11 via the locking member 7 of the piston rod 6.

Next, a specific structure of the adapter block 35 and the abutment 37 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B. FIG. 1 (A) shows the contact device 3 described above.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a state where 7 is switched to an advanced position X. FIG. 1B is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which the contact member 37 is switched to the retracted position Y. The adapter block 35 is detachably screwed to the upper end of the main body 4a of the support rod 4, and the contact 37 is supported on the upper part of the adapter block 35 so as to be vertically movable. The first surface F, which is the upper end surface of the contact tool 37, can contact the workpiece W, and the second surface S, which is the lower end surface, can contact the receiving surface R of the adapter block 35. ing.

A plurality of spring accommodating holes 39 are provided on the receiving surface R at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction, and each spring accommodating hole 39 is provided between the spring accommodating hole 39 and the contact member 37. An extension spring 40 for urging the tool 37 to the upper extension position X is mounted. The contact tool 37 switched to the advance position X
A gap G is formed between the second surface S and the receiving surface R described above, and the compressed air flow path 41 communicates with the gap G. One end of the flow path 41 is connected to the pressure fluid supply means 42, and the other end of the flow path 41 is connected to the atmosphere through the outlet hole 36. The flow path 41 is provided with a detection hole 43.
Through the receiving surface R. The supply means 42 includes an air pressure source 44, a pressure reducing valve 45, an on-off valve 46, and a variable throttle valve 47 arranged in this order.
Is connected to the supply port 29 described above. further,
A pressure switch or a pressure sensor (pressure detecting means) 48 for detecting an increase in the pressure of the compressed air in the flow path 41 is connected to the supply port 29.

The detection device having the above configuration operates as follows. In the state of FIG. 1A, the compressed air supplied to the supply port 29 passes through the upper portion 33 of the cylindrical hole of the support rod 4, the detection hole 43, the gap G, and the outlet hole 36 in this order. Released to the atmosphere. In this case, the pressure of the pressure chamber 50 below the flange portion 37a of the contact member 37 is increased by the throttle action of the outlet hole 36. It is pressed upward by air pressure and is urged upward by the advance spring 40 to be held at the advance position X. That is, the advance means 51 is constituted by the air pressure of the pressure chamber 50 and the urging force of the advance spring 40.

As described above, when the support rod 4 is pushed up, the pushing force causes the contact member 37 to oppose the advance output of the advance means 51 as shown in FIG. Switching to the retracted position Y, the second surface S of the contact member 37 contacts the receiving surface R.
As a result, the upper end opening of the detection hole 43 is closed, so that the pressure of the compressed air at the supply port 29 increases. The pressure rise is measured by the pressure switch (or pressure sensor) 4
8 to detect. Then, based on the detection signal, it is determined that the support rod 4 is in contact with the workpiece W.

The work support 1 of the first embodiment can be changed as follows. The support rod 4 is
Instead of clamping by hydraulic pressure and releasing by spring force, it is also possible to clamp by spring force and release by hydraulic pressure. Further, the support rod 4 may be always urged upward by a push-up spring (not shown) instead of the one using the illustrated piston member 5 and the two springs 10 and 11. Further, the plurality of balls B can be omitted.

FIGS. 3 to 8 show the second to seventh embodiments, respectively, and correspond to FIG. 1A. In these other embodiments, members having the same configuration as the above-described first embodiment are given the same reference numerals in principle, and configurations different from the first embodiment will be described.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the abutment 37 is supported by the adapter block 35 via a dust seal 53. Further, the contact ring 37 is prevented from advancing beyond a predetermined amount by the retaining ring 54. The advance spring 40 is constituted by one spring.
Further, the detection hole 43 of the flow channel 41 is formed in an annular shape, and a filter 55 is mounted on the outlet hole 36 of the flow channel 41.

In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the detection hole 43 is opened in a receiving surface R provided on the main body 4a of the support rod 4. Further, the outlet hole 36 is formed by a groove provided in a screw portion of the adapter block 35.

In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG.
7 is provided with an end portion of the flow path 41,
7, the detection hole 43 is opened on the lower surface, and the outlet hole 36 is opened on the upper outer peripheral surface.

In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, a receiving surface R is formed on the upper end surface of the adapter block 35, and the second surface S is formed on the lower surface of the enlarged diameter portion 37b of the contact member 37.
Is formed, and a gap G serving also as the outlet hole 36 is provided between these two surfaces R and S. The abutment 37 is pressed downward by its own weight and the urging force of the push-down spring 57, and is opposed to the above-mentioned pressing force by the air pressure of the pressure chamber 50 below the enlarged diameter portion 37b. The position is switched to the advance position X. That is, the advance means 51 is constituted by the air pressure of the pressure chamber 50. Incidentally, the retaining ring 58 prevents the contact tool 37 from rising above a predetermined amount.

In the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, when the supply of the compressed air is stopped during the suspension of the work support, the abutment 37 is combined with its own weight and the urging force of the pressing spring 57. Is lowered smoothly and reliably. Therefore, it is possible to prevent foreign matter from entering the gap G.

In the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the advance spring 40 in FIG. 1A is omitted, and the advance means 51 is constituted only by the air pressure of the pressure chamber 50. . Note that the advance spring 40 described above can be omitted in each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 to 5.

In the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the pressing spring 57 in FIG. 6 is omitted, and the abutment 37 can be lowered only by its own weight.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the holding member 4 such as a support rod and the abutment 37 may be arranged in an upside-down posture, an obliquely upward posture, or an obliquely downward posture from the illustrated posture. In the case of being arranged upside down or obliquely downward, the own weight of the abutment 37 can be used as advancing means.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a first modified example and a second modified example of the present invention, and correspond to FIG. 2 described above, respectively. In these modified examples, an example in which the above-described detection device is provided in a clamp tool for clamping a workpiece W to be carried in is illustrated.

FIG. 9 shows a first modification in which the present invention is applied to a swing type clamping device 71. That is, the clamp rod 73 is supported on the housing 72 fixed to the table T, and the clamp rod 73 is turned and then lowered as shown in the drawing, and the workpiece W is pressed by the clamp tool 74 fixed to the clamp rod 73. It is intended to be fixed. That is, a holding member is constituted by the clamp member 74.

The adapter block 35 is fixed to the lower surface of the distal end of the clamp 74, and the contact block 37 is supported on the adapter block 35 so as to be switchable between a downwardly advanced position and an upwardly retracted position Y shown in the figure. I have. The flow path 41 connected to the air pressure source 44 is provided inside the housing 72, the clamp rod 73, and the clamp 7
4 is connected to the adapter block 35 in sequence.

In a second modification shown in FIG. 10, the present invention is applied to a link type clamping device 81. That is, the clamp rod 83 is attached to the housing 82 fixed to the table T.
, And by raising the clamp rod 83 as shown in the figure, the clamp 84 is swung downward to press and fix the workpiece W. That is, a holding member is constituted by the clamp member 84. The intermediate length of the clamp 84 and the upper part of the housing 82 are connected by a link 85.

The adapter block 35 is fixed to the lower surface of the distal end portion of the clamp 84, and the contact block 37 is supported on the adapter block 35 so as to be switchable between a downwardly advanced position and an upwardly retracted position Y shown in the figure. I have. The flow path 41 connected to the pneumatic pressure source 44 has an external pipe 86 connected to the upper surface of the tip of the clamp 84.

The above embodiments and modifications can be further modified as follows. The carry-in object may be a mold, a work pallet, or the like instead of the illustrated work piece W. It is also possible to omit the adapter block 35 and directly support the contact member 37 on the support rod 4 or the clamp members 74 and 84. The pressurized fluid for detecting the above conveyed material may be another gas such as nitrogen instead of the illustrated compressed air, and furthermore, a liquid may be used.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a vertical cross-sectional view of the contact tool switched to the advanced position. FIG. 1B is a longitudinal sectional view of the contact tool switched to the retracted position.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a work support provided with the above-mentioned contacting tool.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 7 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG.

FIG. 8 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention, and is a view corresponding to FIG. 6 described above.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a first modification of the present invention and corresponding to FIG. 2 described above.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a second modification of the present invention and corresponding to FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 ... holding member (support rod), 4a ... body part of holding member 4, 35 ... adapter block, 37 ... contacting tool, 4
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Flow path, 42 ... Pressure fluid supply means, 48 ... Pressure detection means (pressure switch), 51 ... Advance means, 74/84 ... Holding member (clamping tool), F ... 1st surface, G ... Gap, R ... Receiving surface, S: second surface, W: incoming work (workpiece), X: advance position, Y: retreat position.

Claims (4)

[Claims] At the tip of the holding member (4, 74, 84),
A first surface that contacts the contacting tool (37) with the incoming object (W) by supporting the contacting tool (37) so as to be switchable between an advance position (X) and a retreating position (Y).
(F) and the receiving surface (R) of the holding member (4, 74, 84).
A second surface (S) for contacting the abutment means, and an advancing means (51) for switching the abutment tool (37) from the retreat position (Y) to the advancing position (X). The contact tool (37) switched to the advance position (X)
A gap (G) is formed between the second surface (S) and the receiving surface (R), and a flow path (41) of the pressure fluid is communicated with the gap (G). One end of 41) communicates with the pressure fluid supply means (42), and the other end of the flow path (41) communicates with the atmosphere, and the holding member (4, 74, 84) and the load (W), by bringing them relatively close to each other,
(37) is the advance position against the advance means (51).
(X) is switched to the retracted position (Y), and the second surface (S) of the contact tool (37) contacts the receiving surface (R). Characterized in that the pressure rise of the flow path (41) can be detected by a pressure detecting means (48). 2. The apparatus for detecting a carried-in object according to claim 1, wherein an adapter block (35) is detachably fixed to a tip of a main body (4a) of said holding member (4, 74, 84). The adapter block (35) and the receiving surface (R)
And a detection hole (43) of the flow path (41) is opened in the receiving surface (R). 3. The apparatus for detecting a carried-in object according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is constituted by a support rod (4) for supporting a workpiece as the carried-in object (W). Characteristic detection device for incoming objects. 4. The apparatus for detecting a carried-in object according to claim 1, wherein the clamp member (7) for clamping the carried-in object (W).
4, 84), wherein the holding member is configured.