JP2003261212A - Supply method of blank material of press, and roller conveyer used for it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To convey a blank material regardless of magnetic material or no- magnetic material, to facilitate maintenance or management, and to improve durability. <P>SOLUTION: In a supply method of the blank materials of press, one blank material is lifted up by a lift 1 from a stacked place of the blank materials B, the blank material is sucked onto the surface of a roller by suction from intake ports 20 formed in the entire surface of a roller 7 of a roller conveyer 3, and the blank material is fed to a backward roller by rotating the rollers. The rollers 7 having a roller body 13 rotatably about a hollow shaft 12 are aligned toward a press side from a lifting part of the blank materials, many intake ports 20 are formed in the entire surfaces of the roller bodies, and the hollow shafts have an air hole 15 connecting to the intake port 20 and are connected with a pipe 11 from a vacuum device 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for receiving a blank material lifted by a lift from a position where blank materials are stacked by a roller conveyor, sequentially conveying the blank material to a press and supplying the blank material, and a roller conveyor used therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional blank material supplying method for a press, there is a method that can be used only when the blank material is a magnetic material, but as a method that can be used even if the blank material is a magnetic material or a non-magnetic material. As shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-196243, the stacked blank materials are lifted one by one by a vacuum cup unit, and the blank materials are delivered to a belt conveyor having a small hole in the belt, and suction is performed from the small hole. An example is known in which a blank material is adsorbed on a belt and conveyed.

However, since the belt stretches due to use, it is necessary to adjust the tension, and since the belt has holes, the belt is easily damaged and there is a problem in durability.

[0004]

The inventions of claims 1 to 5 were developed in consideration of the above circumstances, and a common object thereof is to convey a blank material regardless of whether it is a magnetic material or a non-magnetic material. (EN) Provided are a blank material supply method for a press and a roller conveyor which are easy to maintain and manage and have improved durability.

A specific object of the invention of claim 3 is to reduce the amount of sucked air as much as possible when the blank material is a magnetic material.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional example, a housing having a bottomless U-shaped cross section is provided above the lower belt in the conveying direction in order to suck from the small holes, and further, abrasion with the belt is prevented. Since the structure has a gap between the housing and the belt to prevent it, the amount of wasted air sucked from places other than the small holes increases, and the device becomes larger.

The invention of claim 4 was developed in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and a specific object thereof is to reduce the amount of sucked air.

By the way, the blank material may be delivered to the conveyor while being overlapped with two sheets. In this case, if the blank material is conveyed to the press as it is, the press may be damaged. It is necessary to remove the blank material from the transportation path by dropping it during transportation.

The invention of claim 5 was developed in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and a specific object thereof is to discharge the blank material to the outside of the transportation route during transportation.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, one blank material is lifted from a position where blanks for press are piled up, and the blank material is provided on the entire circumference of the surface of the roller of the roller conveyor. It is a blank material intermediate feeding method for a press, characterized in that the blank material is sucked to the surface of the roller by suction from the formed air intake hole, and the blank material is fed to the rear roller by the rotation of the roller.

The suction of the blank material on the surface of the roller is a concept including the case where the blank material lifted by the lift is attracted to the lower surface side of the roller and the case where the blank material is attracted to the upper surface side of the roller. When adhering the blank material to the upper surface side of the roller, lift the blank material higher than the roller by a lift at a position before the tip of the roller conveyor, and then move the blank material laterally up to just above the roller conveyor. Let it drop.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the rollers having the roller body rotatably around the hollow shaft are arranged in a row from the rising position of the blank material toward the press side, and a large number of rollers are provided on the entire circumference of the surface of the roller body. Of the present invention, the hollow shaft is provided with a ventilation hole communicating with the intake hole, and a pipe from a vacuum device is connected to the hollow shaft.

With this configuration, the suction action from the vacuum device is sequentially transmitted to the tube, the hollow shaft, the vent hole, and the intake hole, and the blank member can be adsorbed to the lower side of the roller body by the suction action from the intake hole.

The surface of the roller body may be made of a non-magnetic material or a rigid material, but if the blank material is a magnetic material, the amount of sucked air is reduced and the blank material is To prevent scratches, claim 3
It is preferable that the lining on the surface of the roller body is formed of an elastic body having magnetism, as in the invention described in (1).

Further, although air may be sucked from all of the suction holes formed on the entire surface of the roller body, suction from the suction holes other than the lower side of the roller body is useless. As in the invention, a hollow portion is formed along the widthwise intermediate portion on the inner peripheral side of the roller body, and the separator that makes the air suction direction downward is fixed to the hollow shaft in the state of being arranged in the hollow portion,
A downward groove is formed on the lower side of the separator along the lateral width direction, the groove is connected to the ventilation hole and the lower intake hole, and the outer portion of the groove of the separator and the rotatable roller body are connected. It is preferable that the space is airtight.

The airtight state here is a concept including not only a completely sealed state but also a highly sealed state. Specifically, a structure in which a very small gap for rotation of the roller body is provided between the outer side of the groove of the separator and the roller body, and an elastic sealing material is interposed between the separator and the roller body. An example of the structure is as follows. In addition, the groove provided on the lower side of the separator,
Since it communicates with the ventilation hole and the lower intake hole, the lower intake hole allows efficient intake. Since the groove is formed along the width direction of the separator, the suction action works in the width direction of the roller body, and the blank material can be sucked stably.

Further, when the blank materials are conveyed while being overlapped with each other, the blank materials may be knocked down by using a cylinder or the like in order to discharge the blank materials out of the conveyance path during the conveyance. In order to simplify the structure of the device, as in the invention of claim 5, among the pipes connected to the hollow shaft of each roller from the vacuum device, the ventilation valve can be opened and closed in the pipe to the hollow shaft of the roller during conveyance. It should be installed in.

With this configuration, when the blank material is continuously conveyed, the ventilation valve may be held in the open state and sucked from the intake hole, and when the blank material is discharged to the outside of the conveyance path. The ventilation valve may be closed to block suction from the intake hole.

[0019]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a blank material supplying apparatus for a press according to the present invention has a plurality of lifts 1 for lifting the stacked blank materials B one by one, and a blank material B from the lifts 1. And a roller conveyer 3 that conveys the blank material B to the press side and places the blank material B on the relay receiving table 2, and the roller conveyor 3 is arranged on the side of the lift 1. The blank material B placed on the relay table 2 is transferred to the press by the feed bar F.

The lift 1 lifts and lowers the vacuum cup 5 with the cylinder 4.

In the roller conveyor 3, the frames 6 which open downward are arranged side by side with a space left and right, and the rollers 7 for adsorbing the blank material B are arranged in line in each frame 6,
A wheel wheel 8 as a rotation transmission portion is provided at an end of the roller wheel 7, and the rotation of the rotation drive device 9 provided between the frames 6 is transmitted to the wheel wheel 8 via a belt (not shown). Turning the. Further, a tube 11 is connected to each roller 7 from a vacuum device 10 provided between both frames 6 and the blank material B is adsorbed to the lower side of the roller 7 by suction of air from the vacuum device 10.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the roller 7 has a hollow shaft 12 fixed horizontally to the frame 6, and the hollow shaft 1
A roller body 13 is rotatably provided to the roller 2 via a bearing 14. Further, in order to adsorb the blank material B to the lower side of the roller 7, a downward ventilation hole 15 is formed in the horizontal width intermediate portion of the hollow shaft 12, and the ventilation hole 15 is provided in the horizontal width intermediate portion on the inner peripheral side of the roller body 13. Forming a cylindrical hollow portion 16 that communicates,
The thick cylindrical separator 17 arranged in the cavity 16
The roller body 13 is fixed to the hollow shaft 12 with a gap for rotation and airtightness, a groove 18 is formed below the separator 17 along the lateral width direction, and communicates with the ventilation hole 15 of the hollow shaft 12. A hole 19 is provided in the concave groove 18, and an intake hole 20 communicating with the hollow portion 16 is formed over the entire surface of the roller body 13.

The hollow shaft 12 has one end connected to the tube 11 from the vacuum device 10 and the other end closed. Also, the hollow shaft 12
The bearing 14 described above is provided on both sides of the width of the bearing 1.
A highly hermetically sealed material is used as 4 to efficiently suck air through the intake hole 20.

The roller main body 13 is composed of a pair of coating bodies 21 for covering the outside of each bearing 14 and a cylindrical body 22 for connecting the coating bodies 21, 21.
It is provided integrally with 1. Further, the lining 23 on the surface of the cylindrical body 22 is formed of an elastic body having magnetism (for example, synthetic rubber), and the inner layer side of the cylindrical body 22 is formed of another material having high rigidity. The cover 21 is tapered on the inner side so that the intake action works efficiently in the lateral width direction of the roller body 13. Further, a plurality of intake holes 20 are provided not only in the circumferential direction of the tubular body 22 but also in the lateral width direction thereof, and have a suction cup shape so that the blank material B can be stably adsorbed.

A ventilation valve 24 is interposed in the pipe 11 connected to the hollow shaft 12 of the roller 7 during conveyance, and the ventilation valve 24
With blank open, send blank B to rear roller 7,
The blank B is dropped with the ventilation valve 24 closed.
In order to drop the blank material B at the location where the ventilation valve 24 is provided, although not shown, a sensor for measuring the thickness of the blank material B is arranged in front of the location where the ventilation valve 24 is provided,
In response to the detection signal from the sensor, the control device recognizes whether the blank material B is one piece or two pieces, and when it is one piece, the ventilation valve 24 is automatically held in the open state. The ventilation valve 24 is automatically closed in consideration of the arrival timing of the vehicle. In addition, the last roller hollow shaft 1 of the roller conveyor 3
The pipe 11 connected to 2 is also provided with the ventilation valve 24, and at the timing when the blank material B falls directly above the relay cradle 2,
The ventilation valve 24 is closed.

The recessed groove 18 of the separator 17 has a shallow depth so as not to reach the bearing 14 to make it difficult for the bearing side to perform an intake action, so that the intake hole 20 on the lower side can efficiently inhale. .

If the size of the blank B is such that it can be adsorbed by at least three rollers 7, the rollers 7
Even when the blank material B is rotated and is sending the blank material B to the rear roller 7, the two rollers 7, 7 adsorb the blank material B, so that the horizontal state is maintained, and the blank material B is transferred to the rear roller 7. It can be transferred reliably.

As another example of the separator 17, as shown in FIG. 5, there is a downward U-shaped separator. In this case, the separator 17 forms an airtight state between the inner surface of the roller body 13 and the outer side portions of the groove 18 only. Then, in order to enhance the airtightness, the groove 1
Slits 25 are formed on both outer side portions of 8 along the lateral width direction, a seal material 26 having elasticity is accommodated in the slit 25, and the roller body 13 is rotatably provided while sliding with respect to the seal material 26. is there. Further, a labyrinth seal groove 27 is provided further outside the slit 25 to further enhance airtightness.

The blank material feeder for the above-mentioned press is
The blank material B is transferred by the following procedure. First, roller 7
Is rotated by the rotary drive device 9 and the vacuum device 10 is operated, and one blank material B that has been stacked is adsorbed and lifted by the lift 1, and a blank is provided below the roller 7 on the leading side of the roller conveyor 3. Material B is adsorbed in a horizontal state. By the rotation of the roller 7, the blank material B is sent to the rear roller 7 in a horizontal state, and the rear roller 7
Sucks the blank material B, and thereafter, the blank material B is similarly sent to the rear. If two blanks B overlap,
The ventilation valve 24 is closed during transportation to stop the suction by the roller 7, and the blank material B is dropped. In addition, blank material B
In the case of one sheet, the blank material B is sent to the end, the intake valve 24 at the end is closed, and the blank material B is dropped onto the relay cradle 2. When the blank material B is sent backward, the lift 1 repeats the operation of lifting another blank material B and adsorbing it to the roller 7.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, a structure without the separator 17 may be used, or an O-ring may be used in place of the bearing 14 to rotatably support the roller 7 and improve hermeticity. Further, the recessed groove 18 may be deeply formed to reach the hollow shaft 12 without providing the communication hole 19.

[0031]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, since the suction from the intake holes formed on the entire circumference of the roller surface is utilized, the blank material can be conveyed regardless of the magnetic material and the non-magnetic material. Further, since the roller does not extend like a belt conveyor, maintenance is easy and durability is improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the blank material is a magnetic material, since the lining on the surface of the roller body has magnetism, the blank material is attracted to the roller without being sucked from the intake hole. Therefore, the suction of air becomes unnecessary,
Equipment operating costs are low. Further, since the lining is made of an elastic material, the blank material can be prevented from being scratched.

According to the invention of claim 4, since the separator efficiently inhales from the lower intake hole and the intake air amount from the other intake holes is reduced, the intake air amount is drastically reduced and the equipment operating cost is low. Become.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the two blank materials are conveyed in an overlapping manner, the ventilation valve is closed, and when the blank material reaches the roller provided with the ventilation valve, The blank material will fall and the supply to the press can be blocked.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a blank material supplying device for a press.

FIG. 2 is a simplified front view showing how blank material is transferred.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of a roller.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing another example of the separator.

[Explanation of symbols]

B blank material 1 lift 3 roller conveyor 7 Laura 10 Vacuum device 11 tubes 12 hollow shaft 13 Roller body 15 vents 16 cavity 17 separator 18 groove 20 air intake 23 lining 24 Ventilation valve

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) B65G 59/04 B65G 59/04

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A blank material (B) is lifted by a lift (1) from a place where the blank materials (B) for press are stacked, and the blank material (B) is fed to a roller (3) of a roller conveyor (3). 7) Intake holes (2
It is adsorbed on the surface of the roller (7) by suction from 0),
A blank material supply method for a press, characterized in that the blank material (B) is sent to the rear roller (7) by the rotation of the roller (7). 2. A roller (7) having a roller body (13) rotatably provided around a hollow shaft (12) is arranged in a row from the rising position of the blank (B) toward the press side. A large number of air intake holes (20) are formed all around the surface of the main body (13), a hollow shaft (12) is provided with air vents (15) communicating with the air intake holes (20), and a tube from the vacuum device (10). (11) is connected to the roller conveyor. 3. The roller conveyor according to claim 2, wherein the lining (23) on the surface of the roller body (13) is formed of an elastic body having magnetism. 4. A cavity (16) is formed along a lateral width intermediate portion on the inner peripheral side of the roller body (13), and a separator (17) for directing air suction downward is arranged in the cavity (16). Fixed to the hollow shaft (12),
A downward groove (18) is formed on the lower side of (7) along the lateral width direction, and the groove (18) communicates with the ventilation hole (15) and the lower intake hole (20) to form a separator ( Roller body (13) rotatable with the outer part of the groove (18) of (17)
The roller conveyor according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a space between the roller conveyor and the roller conveyor is formed in an airtight state. 5. A ventilation valve (24) for a pipe (11) connected to the hollow shaft (12) of each roller from a vacuum device (10), the pipe (11) connecting to the hollow shaft (12) of the roller during transfer. ) Is provided so as to be opened and closed, and the roller conveyor according to claim 2, 3 or 4.