JP2001259937A - Method and device for feeding parts - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a parts feeding system useful for turning direction of fed parts, feeding them to a processing position, and processing them. SOLUTION: In this method, a chucking device freely opened/closed is moved forward and backward toward a parts feeding position from any angle, and the fed parts held by the chucking device is fed to a corresponding object to be processed. After the fed parts are received by the chucking device, the fed parts held are turned to a stable and normal direction by reversing the chucking device and fed to a position where the corresponding object is fed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for supplying, for example, welding bolts, welding nuts and other T-shaped parts to a counterpart workpiece. More specifically, after receiving the supplied parts sent from the parts feeder to the workpiece set in the resistance spot welding machine by the chucking device, the direction of the supplied parts is reversed and welding is performed in a normal state. The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for supplying parts useful for a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, when a projection welding bolt B shown in FIG. 7 or FIG.
The projection P formed on B1 is brought downward into contact with the surface of the counterpart metal plate W, which is sandwiched between the upper electrode E1 and the lower electrode E2 and pressure-welded. in this case. The following component supply systems, devices, and electrodes are known as known technologies.

For example, JP-A-11-347747 and JP-A-2824729 (JP-A-7-60454)
No. 2,784,988 (JP-A-7-17168).
No. 7), Japanese Patent No. 2750340 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-1001).
No. 58), JP-A-9-286519, and Japanese Patent No. 2627.
467 (JP-A-5-24645), JP-A-9-15
5560, JP-A-8-300161, JP-A-7-2
28337, JP-A-7-223078, JP-A-7-230
196146, JP-A-7-17625, JP-A-6-176
No. 315774, JP-A-6-238463, JP-A-4
Japanese Patent No. 270075, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-235824, etc. have proposed a welding component supply method and apparatus, a welding electrode, a supply component positioning method, and the like.

[0004] The main component supply device known here is advantageous when, for example, projection welding, stud welding or arc welding is performed by automatically supplying a welding bolt to a counterpart metal plate, and the like.

An example of this type of welding bolt supply device will be described. For example, a component holding member 72 is installed on a supply rod 71 which is moved by a driving device 70, and the welding member sent from a parts feeder by the holding member 72 is used. Bolt B is held just below supply tube 76. in this case,
The head B1 of the welding bolt is sent downward and enters the receiving hole 73 of the holding member.

Thereafter, the supply component is moved forward from below the movable electrode E1 (upper electrode) by an insertion means 73 such as an air blow or an air cylinder as the supply rod 71 advances.
Axial thread B2 of the welding bolt is inserted into the receiving hole 74 formed in
Is inserted. The welding bolt inserted into the movable electrode is adsorbed by a positioning means 75 such as a permanent magnet disposed in the back of the accommodation hole 74 or a vacuum means, and is reliably positioned and held.

As described above, the projection side of the welding bolt, whose head is held upside down by the movable electrode, is pressed against the workpiece by the operation of pressing the movable electrode. Thus, a sufficient pressing force is applied to the welding bolt and the mating plate between the electrodes to cause a welding current to flow, whereby the projection is locally heated and melted and pressed.

Conventional supply systems and devices of this type are:
Insertion means is required for forcibly inserting the axial thread portion of the welding bolt into the movable electrode into a holding member that holds the supply component sent from the parts feeder at the tip of the spindle. In addition, positioning means such as a magnet and an air vacuum for holding the screw portion of the welding bolt by suction in the back of the accommodation hole of the movable electrode is required.

[0009]

In the conventional system and apparatus, the upper electrode is provided with a driving means for inserting and lowering a welding bolt in the back of the receiving hole below the holding member. In order to hold the welding bolts on the electrodes, it takes more time to supply them, and the distance between the upper and lower electrodes must be increased by the amount of the above-mentioned holding member entering between the electrodes. A pressure cylinder is required, and the entire machine becomes large.

[0010] In addition, in order to obtain a sufficient magnetic force or attractive force for securely positioning and holding the welding bolt inserted into the accommodation hole of the upper electrode, a permanent magnet or a vacuum means is provided at the back of the accommodation hole. This not only complicates the internal suction structure of the upper electrode, but also causes the magnet to lose its magnetic force depending on the direction of the welding current flowing between the electrodes.
There is a danger of inadvertent parts supply.

According to the present invention, after a supply part sent from a parts feeder is received by a chucking device, the supply part is rotated and changed to a normal direction so that the supply part is reliably supplied while being pressurized to the counterpart, and before the welding energization is started. It is another object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned conventional problem by providing a metal working system capable of efficiently welding the chucking device by returning the chucking device from an electrode position to an original component supply port.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a chucking device which can be opened and closed from an arbitrary angle toward a component supply position. In a method of feeding and holding a supply component held by the chucking device to a counterpart work, the supply component held by the chucking device after receiving the supply component by the chucking device. Is supplied to the supply position by rotating the component.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the chucking device receives a part sent from a parts feeder at a predetermined position, and then rotates the part by 180 degrees to reverse the part. Provide a component supply method.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, after the chucking device receives the component sent from the parts feeder at a predetermined position, the chucking device advances to move the chucking device to the component supply position. The held part is rotated and supplied to the workpiece.

Further, according to the present invention, the chucking device is reciprocated from an arbitrary angle with respect to the pressing center line of the upper and lower electrode chips, and the supply component held by the chucking device is moved between the upper and lower electrodes. In a method of supplying a set component to a workpiece and press-welding the supply component and the workpiece between the electrodes, the chucking device holds the supply component sent from a predetermined supply position and then performs the supply. There is provided a component supply method in which a component is rotated, whereby the welding side of the supplied component is pressed toward an opposite workpiece by pressing the supplied component with a floating pin provided on the upper electrode when the electrode tip is pressed by the electrode tip.

Next, a fifth aspect of the present invention provides a component supply method for detecting the presence or absence of a supply component by detecting a displacement amount of the floating pin when the upper electrode is pressurized.

In the supply device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention,
The supply component is moved by the forward movement of the chucking device from a position apart from the upper and lower electrode positions of the resistance welding machine on the pressing center line between the upper and lower electrodes, and the chucking device is pushed by the electrode stroke when the electrode is pressed. Open, thereby pressing the supply component held by the chucking device against the workpiece welding position, and then withdrawing the chucking device from the electrode position to a predetermined position before the supply component is energized;
Meanwhile, the chucking device is sent from a parts feeder in a supply component resistance welding apparatus in which a supply component and a workpiece are sandwiched between upper and lower electrodes, and a welding force and a welding current necessary for welding are applied and joined. After receiving the supply component from the discharge port at a predetermined position, the chucking device is rotated by a rotary drive mechanism, and the chucking device is moved in a reciprocating path by a fluid pressure or an electric drive mechanism, whereby the supply component is moved. Provided is a component supply device that supplies a welding side to a counterpart workpiece.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component supply device in which the chucking device is driven to rotate by a rotary cylinder.

An eighth aspect of the present invention provides a molten component supply device in which the chucking device has a structure in which the rotary cylinder and a jaw included in the chucking device can be attached and detached.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component supply device supported by a mechanism that shifts the supply pipe concentrically with an axis of a supply component held by a jaw included in the chucking device.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the shift mechanism comprises a linear guide and is driven by a hydraulic cylinder or an electric motor.

[0022]

[Operation] According to the component supply system of the present invention,
Compared with the above-described conventional component supply method and apparatus, there is no need for an elevating drive means for inserting the axial thread portion of the welded component from directly below the upper electrode. Since there is no need for a permanent magnet or vacuum means inside, the structure of the upper electrode is simplified, and a stable supply of components and reliable welding can be performed.

[0023]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a component supply apparatus for implementing a system according to the present invention, and is a view showing a schematic structure of a supply head section. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a jaw included in a chucking device that receives a component sent from a pat feeder immediately below a supply pipe. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the jaw when the jaw is rotated 180 degrees right below the supply pipe and the supply component is turned over. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in which an inverted welding bolt is supplied to a welding position, is sandwiched between upper and lower electrodes, and the head of the bolt is downwardly adhered to an object to be welded. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the floating pin protruding from the electrode surface of the upper electrode presses the tip of the screw portion of the welding bolt. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the upper electrode is pressurized to push down the welding bolt so that the bolt head is completely brought into close contact with the mating plate.

The supply device 1 has a chucking device 4 attached to the tip of a spindle 3 which is moved by a driving device such as an air cylinder 2. The supply device 1 is mounted on a bracket 5 supported on the main body side of the spot welding machine. The chucking device 4 is a shaft-shaped screw portion B2 of the welding bolt B.
Has an inserted jaw 6. The jaw 6 is configured to be rotated at an arbitrary set angle by a rotary mechanism 7 such as a rotary cylinder or an electric motor included in the chucking device. Note that this rotation angle is not limited to the above-described 180 degrees, and varies depending on the shape, size, and the like of the supply component.

The structure of the jaw 6 is described, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 60-5.
No. 4822, the receiving groove 8 of the welding bolt B
And a groove 9 into which a screw portion is inserted.
It is supported to rotate around 0 and open and close.
Details are omitted.

The jaw 6 is supported by a ball plunger 11, and a rod 14 inserted into a bearing 13 of a bracket 12 fixed to the tip of the spindle 3 and a rotary output shaft 15 of the rotary cylinder 7 are detachably connected. .
Thus, the jaw 6 is rotated concentrically with the rotation axis XX. In order to avoid the interference of the opposing plate W,
It is preferable that the center of rotation is downward.

A supply pipe 16 for supply parts sent out from the parts feeder is supported by a linear guide 17, and by moving the linear guide 17 along a rail 18 with an elevating cylinder 18, the component discharge port 19 of the supply pipe 16 is moved up and down. It is configured to be possible. This makes it possible to avoid interference between the rotation of the jaw 6 and the retreat.

A floating pin 2 for pressing the tip of an axial thread B2 of the welding bolt B against the upper electrode E1.
0 is inserted. In this case, floating pin 2
Reference numeral 0 denotes an insulating tube 2 having an insertion groove formed concentrically with the upper electrode.
1 and is constantly pressed downward by the elastic force of the spring S.

When the floating pin 20 presses the welding bolt B in advance and presses the tip of the shaft-shaped screw portion B2 in advance, and when the bolt head comes into contact with the mating plate and stops, the shaft-shaped screw portion B2 is pressed. The floating pin 20 is pushed up against the tension of the spring S and enters the insulating tube. Thus, the upper electrode E1 presses the head of the bolt, so that the projection below the head can be brought into close contact with the mating plate.

In the above configuration, the welding bolt B sent out from the parts feeder is used for the parts discharge port 1 of the supply pipe 16.
9 of chucking device 4 waiting just below 9
Into the receiving groove 8 of the jaw 6, the screw portion B2
Enters the insertion slot 9. When the welding bolt B is held during the jaw in this way, the rotary cylinder 7 rotates, and the jaw 6 is turned 180 degrees, thereby turning the head B1 of the welding bolt downward (FIG. 3).

After the components are turned over, the drive cylinder 2 is operated, the spindle 3 is advanced, and the chucking device 4 is sent between the upper and lower electrodes E1 and E2 in the open state.
It stops just below the upper electrode, that is, at the welding position of the mating plate W (FIG. 4).

Immediately after the chucking device 4 stops, the upper electrode E1 descends and enters the receiving groove 8 of the jaw 6. When the upper electrode enters, the floating pin 20 protruding from the electrode surface of the upper electrode presses the tip of the screw portion B2 of the welding bolt (FIG. 5). Further, the upper electrode E1
Presses down the welding bolt B to bring the bolt head B1 into complete contact with the mating plate W (FIG. 6).

During this time, the outer peripheral surface of the upper electrode E1
And the chucking device 4 is returned to the original position by the drive cylinder 2. With this return operation, the jaw 6 engages with the outer periphery of the upper electrode, opens around the support pins 10 on both sides, and separates from the upper electrode E1. At the same time when the chucking device 4 is detached, the pressing force and welding current required for welding between the upper and lower electrodes are intensively supplied through the projection P, and the projection welding is performed. In this way, one cycle of operation from component supply to welding is completed.

Thereafter, in the same manner, the supply pipe 16 is retracted by the elevating cylinder 18, and the chucking device 4 is turned 180 degrees and returns to the original position. Next, the welding bolt B is supplied to the chucking device 4 from the supply pipe 16. The chucking device 4 is turned over, the supply component is changed to the normal direction, the spindle 3 is advanced, and the held welding bolt reaches the center line of pressure between the electrodes. The upper electrode E1 presses the welding bolt. With pressure applied, the chucking device retracts to its original position,
And the supply pipe 16 is shifted forward to supply bolts. In this way, a series of component supply, component reversal, moving supply, and welding are automatically and reliably performed.

[0035]

As described above, according to the method of the present invention, after receiving a supply part sent from a parts feeder by a chucking device, the supply part is turned over and the partner side is reliably turned over. Since it can be supplied and welded efficiently, the lifting and lowering for inserting the welding bolts deeper into the receiving hole of the upper electrode in the component holding device of the component supply device, compared to the conventional system, device, and electrode device, etc. There is no need to arrange driving means for the motor, so the supply time can be shortened, and there is no need to increase the stroke length between the upper and lower electrodes. The welding tact can be shortened.

Further, according to the method of the present invention, a permanent magnet is provided deeply in the accommodation hole for obtaining a sufficient magnetic force or suction force for reliably positioning and holding the welding bolt inserted into the accommodation hole of the upper electrode. There is no need to arrange magnets or vacuum means, and there is no need for an internal suction structure for the upper electrode, and there is no need to dispose magnets. Therefore, regardless of the direction of the welding current flowing between the electrodes, the supply components are stable. Positioning can be reliably maintained in this state, and component supply errors can be reliably prevented.

Further, according to the method of the present invention, since the floating pin is built in the upper electrode, the supply component can be pressed by the floating pin and the projection can be brought into close contact with the work surface. The structure is simpler than that of the device, and generally, an existing electrode device having a built-in positioning guide pin can be used.

Next, according to the apparatus of the present invention, since only a rotation mechanism for reversing the supply parts by the chucking device is added, the structure can be made simple and inexpensive by using, for example, a rotary cylinder or the like in the existing bolt supply apparatus. Can be manufactured.

Further, according to the apparatus of the present invention, the presence or absence of a supply component can be detected from the displacement amount of the floating pin of the upper electrode. The floating pin is movably penetrated concentrically with the upper electrode rod as compared with the electrode device in which the magnet and the component detection means are arranged inside.
The detection of the amount of displacement at the time of component insertion can be detected at a position distant from the power supply path, and the detection accuracy can be improved.

Further, according to the apparatus of the present invention, since the supply pipe can be shifted, interference can be prevented in accordance with a change in the shape and size of the supply component. The use of a linear guide for the shift mechanism not only facilitates the adjustment of assembly accuracy, but also achieves smooth operation and improves durability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a method of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a component supply apparatus for implementing a system of the present invention, and is a view showing a schematic structure of a chucking apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a jaw included in a chucking device that receives a component sent from a feeder immediately below a supply pipe.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the jaw when the jaw is rotated 180 degrees immediately below a supply pipe and the supply component is inverted.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in which an inverted welding bolt is supplied to a welding position, is sandwiched between upper and lower electrodes, and the head of the bolt is downwardly adhered to an object to be welded.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the upper electrode showing a state in which a floating pin protruding from an electrode surface of the upper electrode presses a tip of a thread portion of a welding bolt.

FIG. 6 is an electrode cross-sectional view showing a state in which the upper electrode is pressurized to push down the welding bolt, and the bolt head is completely brought into close contact with the mating plate.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing one structural example of a conventional component supply device for projection welding bolts.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an upper electrode in a case where welding bolts are sandwiched between upper and lower electrodes and a plate to be welded is welded.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 supply device 2 drive device 3 spindle 4 chucking device 5 bracket 6 jaw 7 rotation mechanism 8 receiving groove 9 insertion groove 10 support pin 12 bracket 13 bearing 14 rod 16 supply pipe 17 linear guide 18 elevating cylinder 20 floating pin 21 insulating pipe B Weld bolt (supplied parts) B1 Bolt head B2 Shaft thread

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A method for feeding a supply component held by said chucking device to a workpiece of a counterpart by retracting a chucking device which can be opened and closed from an arbitrary angle toward a component supply position. A component supply method, wherein after the supply component is received by the chucking device, the chucking device rotates the held supply component and supplies the supply component to the supply position. 2. The component supply method according to claim 1, wherein the chucking device rotates the component by 180 degrees and reverses the component after receiving the component sent from the parts feeder at a predetermined position. 3. The chucking device receives a component sent from a parts feeder at a predetermined position, and then advances the chucking device to rotate the held component during the process of reaching the component supply position. 4. The component supply method according to claim 1, wherein the component is supplied to the workpiece. 4. A chucking device is reciprocated from an arbitrary angle with respect to a pressing center line of the upper and lower electrode chips, and a supply component held by the chucking device is moved to a workpiece set between the upper and lower electrodes. In a method of supplying and supplying a pressure between a supply component and a workpiece between the electrodes, the chucking device rotates the supply component after holding the supply component sent from a predetermined supply position, thereby rotating the supply component. 4. The component supply method according to claim 1, wherein the supply component is pressed against and adhered to the counterpart workpiece by a floating pin provided on the upper electrode when the electrode tip is pressed toward the other workpiece. 5. The component supply method according to claim 4, wherein the presence or absence of a supply component is detected by detecting a displacement amount of the floating pin when the electrode is pressurized. 6. A supply component is moved by a forward movement of a chucking device from a position apart from upper and lower electrode positions of a resistance welding machine onto a pressing center line between the electrodes, and the chuck is moved by an electrode stroke when the electrode is pressed. Pushing and opening the king device, whereby the supply part held by the chucking device is pressed against the work welding position of the lower electrode, and then, before the supply part is started to be energized, the chucking device is pulled back from the electrode position to a predetermined position, Meanwhile, the chucking device is sent from a parts feeder in a supply component resistance welding apparatus in which a supply component and a workpiece are sandwiched between upper and lower electrodes, and a welding force and a welding current necessary for welding are applied and joined. After receiving the supply component from the discharge port at a predetermined position, the chucking device is rotated by a rotary drive mechanism, and the chucking device is hydraulically or electrically driven. Specific drive mechanism to move the reciprocating path, whereby the component supply device for supplying the welding side of the supply part to the other side workpiece. 7. The welding component supply device according to claim 6, wherein said chucking device is driven to rotate by a rotary cylinder. 8. The component supply device according to claim 7, wherein said chucking device has a structure in which said rotary cylinder and a jaw included in said chucking device can be attached and detached. 9. The feed pipe is supported so as to be shiftable above a supply component held by the chucking device.
Welding parts supply equipment. 10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said shift mechanism comprises a linear guide, and is driven by a fluid pressure cylinder or an electric motor.