JP2001171826A - Micro-parts feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a micro-parts feeder smoothly feeding micro-parts in order. SOLUTION: A discharge end 11' of a vibration parts feeder 2' is stacked on a trough 32 of a linear vibration feeder 31 provided with the parts alignment means X', X", Y on its trough 32.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a micro component feeder for transferring micro components having a length, width and thickness of 1 mm or less, for example, by vibration.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a conventional component feeder shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and a component feeder 1 includes a vibrating parts feeder 2 and a linear vibrating feeder 10. FIG.

The vibrating part feeder 2 will be described. The bowl 3 having a substantially circular plane shape and a spiral track 19 formed on its inner peripheral wall as a transfer path for transferring small parts is inclined at equal angular intervals. The lower base block 9 is connected to the lower base block 9 by a leaf spring 5 which is disposed as shown in FIG. A movable core 4 is integrally attached to the bottom wall of the bowl 3 and faces the electromagnet 7 fixed to the base block 9 with a gap g1 . The coil 6 is wound around the electromagnet 7. The base block 9 is attached to the installation surface via a vibration-proof rubber 8 having a cylindrical shape, and prevents transmission of vibration to the installation surface. The torsional vibration drive unit including the movable core 4, the electromagnet 7, the coil 6, the leaf spring 5, and the like is covered by a cylindrical cover 21. On the spiral track 19, as part alignment means,
For example, a single-layer single-row means X and a front and back sorting means Y are provided on the downstream side.

In the linear vibration feeder 10, a leaf spring mounting block 18 is fixed to a bottom wall surface of a linear trough 12,
The base block 1 is formed by a pair of front and rear leaf springs 13.
7. The electromagnet 14 around which the coil 16 is wound is fixed to the base block 17, and faces the movable core 15 fixed to the mounting block 18 with a gap g2 . And the linear trough 12 is
5, linearly vibrated by a linear vibration drive unit 20 composed of an electromagnet 14, a coil 16, a leaf spring 13, and the like.

[0005] The trough 12 of the linear vibration feeder 10 is disposed so as to receive parts from the linear discharge end 11 of the vibration parts feeder 2, but the vibration parts feeder 2 performs torsional vibration, and the linear vibration feeder 10 has Since the linear vibration is performed and the vibration directions of the two feeders are different, the discharge end 11 of the vibrating parts feeder 2 and the trough 12 of the linear vibration feeder 10 are disposed with a gap s . Gap s
Is formed smaller than the size of the part to be transferred.

The operation of the conventional component feeder 1 configured as described above will now be described.

In the vibrating parts feeder 2, the electromagnet 7
When an alternating current is applied to the coil 6 wound around the
And an alternating magnetic attraction force is generated between the
Performs a known torsional vibration, and the parts supplied to the bottom of the bowl 3 climb up the spiral track 19,
On the way, it is made into a single-layer single-row by the single-layer single-row means X, and further sorted by the front and back sorting means Y to reach the discharge end 11.

[0008] From the discharge end 11, the parts move to the trough 12 of the linear vibration feeder 10 via the gap s . In the linear vibration feeder 10, when an alternating current is applied to the coil 16 wound around the electromagnet 14, an alternating magnetic attraction is generated between the movable core 15 and the trough 12. Supply to process. It should be noted that when the components have moved onto the trough 12, the components have already been aligned by the alignment means X and Y of the vibrating parts feeder 2, and therefore no component alignment means is provided on the trough 12. In other words, the linear vibration feeder 10 merely adjusts the flow of the aligned components and simply sends it to the next process.

[0009]

Here, a case where the transferred component is minute is considered. For example, it is a prismatic chip resistor K as shown in FIG. The chip resistor K is made of ceramic and has a white prism shape. A carbon film R as a thick film resistor is formed only on one side surface thereof, and both ends become electrodes E. The dimensions of the chip resistor K are length l = 0.6 mm, width w = 0.3 mm, and thickness h = 0.25 mm.

At this time, the gap s between the discharge end 11 of the vibrating parts feeder 2 and the trough 12 of the linear vibrating feeder 10 is adjusted to 0.1 mm to 0.2, which is smaller than the minute component K. However, when the vibrating parts feeder 2 or the linear vibrating feeder 10 is stopped, the power supply to the drive unit is turned off. At this time, since the power is stopped while damping, the amplitude becomes unstable, and the size of the gap s becomes large. Fluctuates. When the gap s expands, even if the gap s slightly expands, the minute component K is extremely small as described above, and thus may fall from the gap s . Alternatively, the minute parts K cannot be smoothly delivered, for example, the minute parts K are caught in the gap s .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a micro component feeder that can smoothly sort micro components.

[0012]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a minute component feeder according to the present invention comprises a discharge part of a vibrating parts feeder superimposed on a trough of a linear vibrating feeder, and a trough of a linear vibrating feeder. The part alignment means is provided on the upper part.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same components as those in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a micro component feeder 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway side view.

The vibrating parts feeder 2 'is constructed in the same manner as in the prior art, and is similarly torsionally vibrated. However, no component alignment means is provided on the spiral track 19.

In the linear vibration feeder 31, the drive unit 20 for linearly oscillating the trough 32 is the same as the conventional one, but the single row means X ', the single layer means X ", the front and back sides are arranged on the trough 32 in order from the upstream side. The sorting means Y is provided, and the trough 32 is formed longer than in the prior art in order to efficiently perform the component aligning operation by providing the component aligning means. As shown in trough 3
A movable block 33 is fixed to the bottom surface of the second upstream end 32a, and is connected to a fixed block 35 fixed to the installation surface by a pair of front and rear leaf springs 34. Leaf spring 34
The bolt 3 is attached to the movable block 33 and the fixed block 35.
It is mounted at 6. That is, the upstream end 32 a of the trough 32 is supported by the plate spring 34 so as to be capable of linear vibration.

The discharge end 11 'of the vibrating parts feeder 2' is superimposed on the upstream end 32a of the trough 32 of the linear vibrating feeder 31. FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the overlapped portion, FIG. 4 is a perspective view thereof, and FIG. 5 is a trough 32 of the linear vibration feeder 31.
2 shows an enlarged perspective view of only its upstream end 32a. The upstream end 32a of the trough 32 of the linear vibration feeder 31 has a U-shaped groove X1 'having a starting point immediately below the discharge end 11' of the vibration parts feeder 2 ', and the same merges into the groove X1'. A component single-row means X 'including a groove X2' having a U-shaped cross section is formed.

The micro component feeder 30 according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, and the operation will be described next.

As in the prior art, the minute component K is transferred along the spiral track 19 of the vibrating parts feeder 2 'by torsional vibration and reaches the discharge end 11'. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, it falls from the discharge end 11 'onto the upstream end 32a of the trough 32 of the linear vibration feeder 31 therebelow.

At this time, even if the microparts K are subjected to the single layer, single row or front / back sorting operation by the vibrating parts feeder 2 ', the direction and front / back of the microparts K are separated due to the drop during the transfer. The linear vibration feeder 31
The minute parts K are arranged and delivered by the part aligning means provided in.

First, the microparts K that have moved onto the trough 32 are subjected to a single row operation by being transferred along a U-shaped groove X 'shown in FIGS. Mainstream U-shaped groove X1 '
Is provided so that the microparts K that did not enter the groove X1 'when they moved are picked up by the groove X2' so that the single-row operation can be performed effectively. ing.

Next, with reference to FIG. 1, the microparts K which have been single-lined by the single-layering means X 'are removed from overlapping by the single-layer means X ", and the front and back sorting means by the next front-and-back sorting means. It is sorted and supplied to the next step.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the transfer of parts between the vibrating parts feeder 2 'and the linear vibrating feeder 31 does not pass through a gap, so that even small parts can be connected. Can be carried out smoothly, and can be fed and supplied to the next step.

The trough 32 is long because the linear vibration feeder 31 is provided with the component alignment means. However, since the upstream end 32a is supported by the plate spring 34 so as to be capable of linear vibration, the trough 32 is stable. Linear vibration can be performed.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The vibrating parts feeder 2 'and the linear vibrating feeder 41 are constructed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
The discharge end 11 ′ of the vibrating parts feeder 2 ′ is overlaid on the upstream end 32 a of the trough 32 of the linear vibrating feeder 41.

Also in this embodiment, a groove having a U-shaped cross section is formed in the upstream end portion 32a similarly to the first embodiment, and a component alignment means Z is further provided downstream of this groove. Have been. A pocket 42 is provided below the trough 32 in this portion, and the pocket 42 is fixed to the bowl 3 'of the vibrating parts feeder 2'.

Then, the parts which are not arranged in a single row in the U-shaped groove or the parts which are determined to have the different posture by the part alignment means Z are
The cutout 44 formed in the trough 32 is dropped to the pocket 42. That is, the component arranging unit Z in the present embodiment includes a component selecting unit, and the component not in the desired posture selected by the selecting unit is dropped into the pocket 42. The component that has fallen into the pocket 42 passes through the opening 43 formed in the ball 3 ', and the ball 3'
And is again subjected to the action as described above. As a result, in the next step, only the components that have undergone the alignment operation can be reliably supplied.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a circulating linear feeder F as a minute component feeder according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The circulation type linear feeder F is located above the combination line indicated by the line C in FIG. 7, and has a return trough R for transferring the part K as a whole in the direction indicated by the arrow r by linear vibration, and a return trough R located below the line C. It is configured in combination with a main trough M that transports K as a whole in a direction indicated by an arrow s. The main trough M and the return trough R are combined in the combination line C so as to face each other with a slight gap (not shown).

In the return trough R, the side wall Wr, the rapid discharge gate Q, and the end side wall Wr 'surround the internal transfer path.
Similarly, in the main trough M, the side wall Wm, the single-layer / single-row section P, the discharge chute E, and the end side wall Wm 'are also provided one step higher surrounding the internal transfer path. . Further, the separator Sr on the return trough R side and the separator Sm on the main trough M side facing the line C.
Are formed to form transition paths C ₁ , C ₂ , and C ₃ for transferring the parts K between the main trough M and the return trough R, and the transition of the parts K other than these transition paths is performed. Is prevented. The return trough R is formed with return-side outer circulation paths Ra and Rb having different height levels and a return-side inner circulation path Rc, and the return-side outer circulation path Rb is slightly lower than the return-side outer circulation path Ra. , The return-side inner peripheral circuit Rc is at the lowest level. A transfer guide groove Gr is formed in an arc shape in the return-side outer peripheral passage Ra, and the bottom surface of the transfer guide groove Gr is at a level slightly higher than the return-side outer peripheral passage Rb. The return-side outer circulation passage Ra is narrowed in two stages by the return-side inner circulation passage Rc in the downstream portion, and the transfer amount is limited. The main trough M is also formed with a main-side alignment transfer path Ma and a main-side inner peripheral circulation path Mc having different height levels, and the level of the main-side inner peripheral circulation path Mc is lower than the main-side alignment transfer path Ma. An alignment guide groove Gm is formed in an arc shape on the main-side alignment transfer path Ma, and the bottom surface of the alignment guide groove Gm is at a level slightly higher than the transfer path Pa of the single-layer / single-row section P. is there.

In addition, an auxiliary groove Gu that joins the alignment guide groove Gm is formed downstream of the main alignment transfer path Ma, and is located outside the alignment guide groove Gm in the main alignment transfer path Ma. Guide groove Gm for aligning part W
It leads to the inside. Furthermore, the main-side alignment transfer path Ma in the transition path C ₁ is the return-side outer peripheral circulation path Rb
More slightly lower, main side inner peripheral circulation path Mc in the transition path C ₂ is slightly lower than the return-side peripheral circulation path Rc, the return-side outer peripheral circulation path Ra in the transition path C ₃ than the main side inner peripheral circulation path Mc It is formed slightly lower.

The parts K are transferred in two flows between the main trough M and the return trough R where each transfer path is formed at the above-described height level. One is transferred from the return-side outer peripheral circulation path Ra of the return trough R to the return-side outer peripheral circulation path Rb by the transfer guide groove Gr of the narrow portion Ra ′, as indicated by the solid line arrow, and the transition path C _1. To the main-side alignment transfer path Ma, the alignment guide groove Gm is transferred, and the subsequent single-layer / single-row section P and the discharge chute E are transferred on the return-side outer peripheral side, as shown by a white arrow, via a transition passage C ₂ from the return side peripheral circulation path Rc is shifted to the main side inner circumferential transport path Mc, part K falling from the main side alignment transfer path Ma, monolayer & encompasses parts K are excluded from the single Stringified unit P, migrated through the migration path C ₃ to the return side outer peripheral circulation path Ra, the flow of the inner circumferential side back is distributed into the return side peripheral circulation path Rc And

Then, in order to avoid that both vibrations interfere with each other to cause a transfer disturbance, the main trough M and the return trough R have different frequencies, preferably the main trough M is vibrated by a high-frequency alternating current. The return trough R is vibrated by a low-frequency alternating current. By vibrating the main trough M at a high frequency, there is an advantage that the components K can be supplied in a single layer and a single row with high precision. The main trough M is vibrated by a high-frequency alternating current of, for example, 200 Hz to 300 Hz obtained by a high-frequency generation source, and the return trough R is, for example, 100H obtained by full-wave rectification of a commercial frequency (50 Hz or 60 Hz in Japan).
Vibration is caused by low frequency alternating current of z or 120 Hz. Then, the component K is transferred by the alignment guide groove Gm of the main trough M and is transferred from the downstream end of the discharge chute E to the next process at a predetermined supply speed. The transfer to the side alignment transfer path Ma is performed, and most of the other parts K are circulated between the return-side inner peripheral circuit Rc and the main-side inner peripheral circuit Mc. The amplitude of the vibration of the main trough and the amplitude of the vibration of the return trough are independently controlled so that the supply and circulation of such components can be easily obtained.

In the circulating linear feeder F as described above, each of the two troughs vibrates linearly and hardly vibrates in the width direction of the trough (transfer direction of the parts). Vibration can be performed while maintaining a small gap between the two troughs, and components can be smoothly transferred. For example, a small part K ｛(l = 0.6 mm) × (w = 0.3 m) having a size shown in FIG.
m) × (h = 0.25 mm)}. A gap of 5/100 mm, which is sufficiently smaller than any dimension of (m) × (h = 0.25 mm)}, can be formed.

The gap is formed at a position between the main trough M and the return trough R at the time of assembling.
This can be easily achieved by interposing a 100 mm spacer or gap gauge. For example, first, the position of the main trough M is fixed, the other return trough R is brought into close contact with the main trough M via a combination line C via a spacer, and the return trough R is bolted to the vibration drive unit at that position. Attach with Thereafter, by removing the interposed spacer, a gap of 5/100 mm can be formed between both troughs. Further, the circulation type linear feeder F has an advantage that the cost is smaller than that of the first embodiment using the vibrating parts feeder 2 'for torsional vibration of the bowl 3'.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is, of course, not limited to these embodiments.
Various modifications are possible based on the technical idea of the present invention.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the parts K are also arranged in a single row in the vibrating parts feeder 2 '. However, when the parts K fall into the trough 32, they are collapsed. Since the uniting means is provided on the side 32, the vibrating parts feeder 2 'may not be provided with the aligning means, but may simply store the component K and adjust the supply amount to the trough 32. Also in the third embodiment, the return trough R is similarly provided with a single-row unit. However, the return trough R may not be provided, and may simply serve to adjust the flow rate. Further, in the third embodiment, the main trough M is provided with only a single-layer unit and a single-row unit as a component alignment unit, but a front-back selection unit may be provided.

In the first embodiment, the number of the converging grooves X2 'to the U-shaped grooves X1' formed in the trough 32 is one, but may be larger. Thereby, it is possible to form a single row more efficiently.

In the first embodiment, the upstream end 32a of the trough 32 is supported by the leaf spring 34, but may be supported by a coil spring or a rubber spring.

[0041]

As described above, according to the micro component feeder of the present invention, even a micro component whose vertical, horizontal and thickness dimensions are all 1 mm or less can be smoothly processed. It can be sent stably.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a micro component feeder according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially broken side view of the same.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a main part in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the same.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of a linear vibration feeder in the micro component feeder according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a micro component feeder according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a micro component feeder according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a conventional minute component feeder.

FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway side view of the same.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of a micro component.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 'Vibration parts feeder 3' Bowl 11 'Discharge end 20 Linear vibration drive unit 30 Micro component feeder 31 Linear vibration feeder 32 Trough 32a Upstream end F Micro component feeder K Micro component M Main trough R Return trough X Single Layer / single-row means X 'Single-row means X "Single-layer means Y Front / back sorting means

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A vibrating parts feeder for conveying a micropart by torsional vibration of a bowl having a spiral track formed therein, and receiving the micropart from a discharge end of the vibrating parts feeder to form a linear trough. A micro-vibration feeder comprising: a linear vibration feeder that vibrates and conveys the micro-parts; wherein the discharge end of the vibration parts feeder is superimposed on the trough of the linear vibration feeder, and the linear vibration feeder includes: A minute component feeder characterized by providing component alignment means on a trough. 2. The micro component feeder according to claim 1, wherein an upstream end of the trough of the linear vibration feeder is supported by a spring. 3. The micro component feeder according to claim 1, wherein a groove having a U-shaped cross section is formed on the trough immediately below the discharge end. 4. The micro component feeder according to claim 3, wherein at least one groove having a U-shaped cross section is joined to the groove. 5. The micro component feeder according to claim 1, wherein the micro component that cannot be aligned by the component alignment means is returned into the vibrating part feeder. 6. A main trough having component aligning means for transferring micro components by linear vibration, and a return trough transferring the micro components in a direction opposite to the main trough by linear vibration, with a slight gap therebetween. The micro components transferred in the main trough are combined from each other and transferred from the downstream portion to the upstream portion of the return trough, and the micro components transferred in the return trough are transferred from the downstream portion to the upstream portion of the main trough. In the micro component feeder, which is transferred to the part and circulated, and the micro components aligned by the component alignment means are supplied to the next process from a downstream portion of the main trough, After assembling with a spacer in between, the main trough and the Microcomponents feeder being characterized in that so as to form a small gap than the size of the microcomponent between the turns trough. 7. The micro component according to claim 1, wherein the micro component has a vertical length, a horizontal length, and a thickness of 1 mm or less. Parts feeder.