JP2004010254A - Conveying device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a conveying device capable of conveying an object to be conveyed at high speed without causing its positional deviation. <P>SOLUTION: The conveying device 100 is provided with a first rotor 110 and a second rotor. The first rotor 110 and the second rotor have suction groove parts continuously formed in the outer circumferential surfaces and having V-shaped cross sections which are the same shape as a part in a cross section in a conveyance direction of an electronic part, and a suction gap for sucking and holding the electronic part at the suction groove part to deliver the electronic part from the first rotor 110 to the second rotor. Communication holes 113 communicating with the suction gap 116 are formed in the rotor 110, and a chamber 121 is abutting on an end face 112 of the rotor 110 covering the communication holes 113. The chamber 121 is hollow and forms a suction space 122 with the rotor 110, and the electronic part is sucked and held at the periphery of the rotor 110 by reducing the pressure in the suction space 122. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transport device for rotating and transporting an object to be transported.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, small electronic components such as chip resistors and chip capacitors have become widespread. Such electronic components tend to be further miniaturized, and, for example, those having a shape of a square column of 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm × 1.0 mm called “1005” have been produced. Was.
[0003]
These electronic components are imaged on a plurality of surfaces with a camera, and the appearance is inspected for the presence or absence of flaws and the presence of attached matter. As an apparatus for inspecting the appearance of such an electronic component, for example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-337843, there is a device in which the appearance of an electronic component being transported by a transport device is imaged by a camera.
This transport device includes a linear feeder, a belt conveyor that transports the electronic components supplied from the linear feeder in one direction, and a transport drum that is disposed to face the downstream side of the belt conveyor. An adhesive is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the transport drum, and the upper surface (the surface on the transport drum side) of the electronic component transported between the belt conveyor and the transport drum is adhered by the adhesive. Delivery takes place. At the time of this transfer, the surface of the electronic component, which was the lower surface (surface in contact with the belt conveyor) when being transported by the belt conveyor, becomes the upper surface when transported by the transport drum, and the upper and lower sides are converted.
[0004]
The camera is installed in correspondence with the trajectory on which the electronic components are conveyed. While the electronic components are conveyed by the belt conveyor, the camera captures images of the upper surface and both side surfaces of the electronic components, and the electronic components are conveyed. The front and rear surfaces of the electronic component are conveyed on the drum, and the lower surface when conveyed by the belt conveyor is imaged on a total of three surfaces.
[0005]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-88656 discloses a transfer device used in processes such as defect inspection and appearance inspection of small articles such as pharmaceutical tablets, candy and the like, washers, button batteries and the like. The transfer device is composed of a pair of rotating disks opposed to each other, and a movable opposing plate having a slit at its peripheral edge and having an interval smaller than that of the small article and continuous over the entire circumference, and a concentric center inside the movable opposing plate. And a suction means communicating with the inside of the rotating cylinder shaft and sucking air from the slit into the movable opposing plate.
[0006]
As an effect, since the slit is formed at the edge of the movable opposing plate, when the small article is sucked and held, it does not deviate from the regular trajectory, and a considerable part of the small article floats from the slit, Appearance inspection can be performed over a wide range, and suction is based on suction. Therefore, the contact with the product is gentle, there is no impact, there is no risk of clogging, the transport direction can be freely combined, and the supply pitch It is stated that suction is performed irrespective of this.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the former former transport device, when the electronic components are shifted from the linear feeder on the belt conveyor in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction on the transport surface of the belt conveyor, the electronic components are displaced. There is a problem that a part cannot be accurately imaged by a camera. In particular, when electronic components are conveyed at high speed, this tendency becomes stronger.
[0008]
Further, in the latter transport device, there is no mention of a test object which is made of a rectangular parallelepiped article such as an electronic component and in which the directionality in the transport direction is a problem, and inspection of each surface is necessary, and each surface is required. Is a method that cannot be adopted as a transport method that can surely perform imaging inspection. Moreover, in the present conveying apparatus, the small articles are merely adsorbed to the edges of the movable opposing plate through the slits, and are not positioned in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction. Cannot be accurately captured.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a transfer device that can transfer a transferred object without causing a position shift of the transferred object even when the transferred object is transferred at high speed. And
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a transport device according to the present invention has a rotating body that adsorbs and transports a body to be transported to an outer peripheral surface, and has a groove that is continuous in a circumferential direction formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body. The groove is provided with a suction gap or a suction hole for sucking and holding the transported body, and a cross-sectional shape of the continuous groove is opposed to the groove in a cross section orthogonal to a transport direction of the transported body. The rotating body is suction-held and transported with the transported body fitted in the groove.
[0011]
According to this configuration, since the transported object can be rotated and transported while being positioned in the groove, even if the transported object is transported at a high speed, it is difficult to cause a positional shift. When an image of the outer surface of the object is taken by the image pickup means, the image pickup means can focus on the object to be conveyed at the imaging position in advance, and perform accurate imaging of the object to be conveyed. Further, for example, even if the transported object is randomly supplied to the rotating body, the transported body can be suction-held on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body regardless of the timing.
[0012]
Also, the sectional shape of the groove is substantially V-shaped. According to this configuration, the transferred object can be suction-held in the groove while being positioned in the groove in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. Therefore, for example, even when the outer surface of the conveyed object being conveyed is imaged by the imaging unit, the imaging unit can previously focus on the conveyed object to be conveyed at the imaging position, and More accurate imaging can be performed.
[0013]
Further, a plurality of the rotating bodies are provided, and the suction force for sucking and holding the transported body is more suctioned and held by the rotating body upstream of the downstream rotating body as the downstream rotating body is sucked and held. It is characterized by being stronger than the suction force. According to this configuration, the downstream rotating body can reliably and smoothly receive the transported object from the rotating body upstream of the rotating body.
[0014]
In addition, each of the plurality of rotating bodies includes an adjusting unit that adjusts a suction force of the transferred body at a position where the transferred body is transferred from the upstream rotating body to the rotating body downstream of the rotating body. It is characterized by having. According to this configuration, the transported body can be reliably and smoothly received from the upstream rotating body to the downstream rotating body.
[0015]
Further, a cyclone collecting means for collecting the transported object by a cyclone method is provided. According to this configuration, it is possible to reduce the impact given to the transported object when the transported object is collected.
In addition, a parts feeder is arranged on the most upstream side of the transport path, and the transported body is supplied from the parts feeder to a rotating body positioned at the most upstream, so that the rotation speeds of the plurality of rotating bodies can be adjusted. It is characterized in that the suction holding pitch of the transported object can be adjusted. According to this configuration, for example, even if the transported object is supplied from the parts feeder at a substantially constant speed, it is possible to adjust the suction holding pitch of the transported object sucked and held by the rotating body.
[0016]
Further, adjacent rotating bodies in the transport path are relatively movable in the axial direction and in a direction of changing the inter-axis distance of the adjacent rotating body, so that it is possible to cope with a change in the size of the transported body. It is characterized by having. According to this configuration, it is possible to transport the transported object having various dimensions.
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of a transport device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1. About the configuration
1) Overall configuration
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a transport device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing the configuration of the transport device according to the present embodiment. The transport device 100 in the present embodiment is, for example, a device that transports a chip resistor (hereinafter, referred to as “electronic component”) called “1005”. The appearance of the electronic component 1 conveyed by the conveyance device 100 is inspected on the conveyance path. It is assumed that the electronic component 1 has a quadrangular prism shape and is inspected on its entire surface, that is, on six surfaces.
[0018]
The transport device 100 includes a parts feeder 10 that arranges and sends out the electronic components 1 in a row, a first transport unit 101 that receives the electronic components 1 sent from the parts feeder 10 at a position A and transports the electronic components 1 downstream. A second transport unit 102 disposed downstream of the first transport unit 101 and transporting the electronic component 1 received from the first transport unit 101 at the position B, and an electronic component transported by the second transport unit 102 1 are collected.
[0019]
The first transport unit 101 includes a first rotating body 110 having a suction groove formed continuously on the outer peripheral surface, a suction gap for sucking and holding the electronic component 1 in the suction groove, and a first rotating body. A first rotating shaft 130 for rotating the rotating member 110 and a suction device (not shown) for sucking the electronic component 1 from the suction gap are provided, and the first rotating body 110 sucks the electronic component 1 into the suction groove on the outer peripheral surface thereof. By rotating while holding, the electronic component 1 is rotated and conveyed.
[0020]
Similarly to the first transport unit 101, the second transport unit 102 includes a suction groove formed continuously on the outer peripheral surface and a suction gap for sucking and holding the electronic component 1 in the suction groove. The rotating body 150 includes a second rotating body 150, a second rotating shaft 175 for rotating the second rotating body 150, and a suction device (not shown) for sucking the electronic component 1 from the suction gap. The electronic component 1 is rotated and conveyed by rotating while the electronic component 1 is suction-held in the suction groove on the outer peripheral surface. The axial direction of the first rotating body 110 and the axial direction of the second rotating body 150 are substantially parallel, and this direction is hereinafter referred to as “axial direction”.
[0021]
The transport device 100 includes four detection sensors PH1 to PH4 for detecting the electronic component 1 being transported, and when these detection sensors PH1 to PH4 detect the electronic component 1, an image of the outer surface of the electronic component 1 is taken. Six imaging devices are attached.
Image data captured by the image capturing apparatus is processed by a computer or the like (not shown), and based on the processing results, the electronic component 1 is evaluated as “good” or “defective”. The collection units 211 and 221 collect the electronic component 1 based on the evaluation result.
[0022]
2) Parts feeder
The parts feeder 10 includes a ball feeder (not shown) that feeds a plurality of electronic components 1 supplied in a mortar-shaped container one by one along a peripheral wall of the container using vibration, and the ball feeder. And a linear feeder 10a for moving the electronic component 1 sent out of the printer 1 straight to the first transport unit 101.
[0023]
A fixed amount of electronic components 1 is automatically supplied to the ball feeder from a hopper (not shown). In the linear feeder 10a, a groove having a substantially V-shaped cross section is formed in a conveying path for conveying the electronic component 1 (not shown), and one corner of the electronic component 1 is fitted into the groove. It is aligned and transported in the state.
3) Collection unit
The collection units 211 and 221 are for collecting the electronic component 1 in accordance with the evaluation result based on the appearance inspection of the electronic component 1. The non-defective product collection unit 211 for collecting non-defective products and the defective product collection unit for collecting defective products. 221. These collection units 211 and 221 have the same configuration except that the evaluation result of the electronic component 1 to be collected is different. Therefore, the configuration of the non-defective product recovery unit 211 will be described below.
[0024]
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the non-defective product recovery unit 211, which is partially cut away so that the inside thereof can be seen. As shown in the figure, the non-defective product recovery unit 211 includes an air nozzle 212 that blows air to the electronic component 1 that is rotated and transported by the second rotating body 150 of the second transport unit 102, and faces the air nozzle 212. And a collection unit 213 that collects the electronic component 1 that is disposed at a predetermined position and blown off by the air nozzle 212. The air nozzles 212 and 222 are connected to an air compressor (not shown).
[0025]
As shown in the drawing, the collection unit 213 includes a cylindrical tube 214, a guide tube 215 connected to be able to communicate with the tube 214 and guiding the blown-out electronic component 1 into the tube 214, A funnel 216 disposed at the lower end of the tube 214 and collecting the electronic component 1 guided into the tube 214, and the electronic component 1 guided through the guide tube 215 is moved by the cyclone airflow in the tube 214. , Falls while turning along the peripheral wall of, and is collected and collected by the funnel 216.
[0026]
4) About the first transport unit and the second transport unit
a) Configuration
The first transport unit 101 and the second transport unit 102 are for rotating and transporting the electronic components 1 in a state in which the rotating bodies 110 and 150 attract and hold the electronic component 1 in the suction grooves on the outer peripheral surface thereof, and have substantially the same configuration. You are. Therefore, the first transport unit 101 will be described below, and the description of the second transport unit 102 will be omitted.
[0027]
FIG. 4 is a front view in which a part of the first rotating body 110 is cut away, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XOX in FIG. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the suction groove on the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 110.
As shown in FIG. 5, the first rotating body 110 is fixed to a shaft end side of the rotating shaft 130 by a screw 141, and has a suction gap 116 (deep groove) that is continuous over the entire outer peripheral surface thereof. At the opening 116, a suction groove 120 having a substantially V-shaped cross section is formed continuously over the entire outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 110.
[0028]
The first rotating shaft 130 is rotatably supported by a support plate 142 via a bearing 143, as shown in FIG. The first rotating shaft 130 is rotationally driven by a rotation driving device (not shown), and the rotation speed of the first rotating body 110 (also the second rotating body 150) can be freely adjusted by setting the rotation driving device. Has become. Further, since the first rotating body 110 is configured to be fixed to the first rotating shaft 130 by the screw 141, the position of the first rotating body 110 can be adjusted in the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 130.
[0029]
A plurality of communication holes 113 communicating with the suction gap 116 are formed in a circumferential direction on an end surface 112 of the first rotating body 110 opposite to the rotation shaft 130 (see FIG. 4), and a chamber is provided via a seal member 115. 121 is in contact.
As shown in FIG. 5, the inside of the chamber 121 is hollow, and a suction space 122 is formed by the end face 112 of the first rotating body 110. That is, the end face on the opening side of the chamber 121 is in contact with the end face 112 of the first rotating body 110 over the entire circumference on the outer peripheral side of the communication hole 113 formed in the first rotating body 110, and the suction space 122 Communicates with the suction gap 116 and the suction groove 120 through the communication hole 113. Therefore, by reducing the pressure in the chamber 121 by a suction device (not shown), the electronic component 1 can be suction-held in the suction groove 120 of the first rotating body 110.
[0030]
The chamber 121 has a joint portion 123 for connecting a suction pipe connected to a suction device (not shown) at a substantially central portion on an end surface opposite to the first rotating body 110. A cylindrical portion 125 connected to a bearing 124 attached to a central portion of the end surface 112 of the first rotating body 110 is provided at a central portion of the side end surface. The chamber 121 is fixed to a support plate 142 by support members 144 and 145, as shown in FIG. Further, the joint 123 may not be at the center of the chamber 121, and may be, for example, sucked from the support 144 side.
[0031]
The joint part 123 and the cylindrical part 125 are hollow cylindrical, and the insides thereof communicate with each other. The inside of the joint part 123 communicates with the suction space 122 through the communication hole 126 of the cylindrical part 125.
In order to determine the suction conveyance area (the conveyance start and the conveyance end) where the electronic component 1 of the first rotating body 110 is sucked and transported, the communication hole of the first rotating body 110 is formed by the closing portion 127 formed in the chamber 121. By closing the 113, the suction force for sucking the electronic component 1 can be adjusted.
[0032]
The closing unit 127 may determine the number (range) of closing the communication holes 113 in accordance with the range of the suction conveyance area, and the difference between the second rotating body 150 and the suction force for sucking the electronic component 1, the electronic component 1. The weight is determined in consideration of factors such as the weight and the transport speed (rotation speed).
In the present embodiment, the suction gap 116 is formed in a radially deep groove shape so as to communicate with the bottom of the suction groove 120 having a substantially V-shaped cross section. Even if the rotating body 110 is configured in a split mold system, and the suction gap 116 is formed not of the bottom of the suction groove 120 but of a communication hole (suction hole) communicating with the side wall of the suction groove 120, the electronic component 1 is inserted into the suction groove 120. Can be adsorbed.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 6, two surfaces inclined approximately 45 degrees downward inward are opposed to each other on the outer periphery of the first rotating body 110, thereby forming a substantially V-shaped suction groove portion 120. .
For this reason, the electronic component 1 is suction-held by the first rotating body 110 in a posture inclined at 45 degrees with one corner part being fitted into the suction groove 120 (virtual line in FIG. 6). They are positioned in orthogonal directions. Here, the V-shape is formed so that the angle is approximately 90 °, but the angle may not be 90 ° as long as the electronic component 1 can be sucked into the suction groove 120.
[0034]
The chamber corresponding to the second rotating body 150 is also fixed by the same structure as the first rotating body 110 (not shown). Further, although the rotating shaft 130 and the first rotating body 110 are configured as separate bodies, they may be configured integrally. However, when the rotating body and the rotating shaft are integrated, it is necessary to provide a mechanism that allows the rotating body to move in the axial direction. As such a mechanism, for example, a table on which the rotating shaft and the rotating body are mounted may be movable, or the rotating shaft may be movable in the axial direction in connecting the rotating shaft and the driving shaft.
[0035]
b) About the positional relationship between the first rotating body and the second rotating body and the transfer
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the transfer of the electronic component 1 from the first rotating body 110 to the second rotating body 150.
First, the positional relationship between the first rotating body 110 and the second rotating body 150 will be described.
The second rotating body 150 is disposed downstream of the first rotating body 110 such that the suction groove 120 of the first rotating body 110 and the suction groove 170 of the second rotating body 150 face each other. That is, in the present embodiment, since the electronic component 1 has a square cross section orthogonal to the transport direction, the bottom of the suction groove 120 (the suction gap 116) of the first rotating body 110 and the second The position of the second rotating body 150 with respect to the first rotating body 110 is determined such that the bottom of the suction groove 170 of the rotating body 150 (suction gap) is substantially in the same plane.
[0036]
The distance between the axes of the first rotator 110 and the second rotator 150, that is, the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the first rotator 110 and the outer peripheral surface of the second rotator 150 is determined by the dimensions of the electronic component 1 to be conveyed, It is determined by a suction force or the like for sucking and holding the electronic component 1 in each of the rotating bodies 110 and 150.
The second rotating body 150 is movable in a direction toward and away from the first rotating body 110 so as to have the above-described positional relationship with the first rotating body 110. As a specific example, the second rotating body 150 is movable in a direction between the first rotating shaft 130 and the second rotating shaft 175. In order to realize this, for example, the second transport unit 102 is moved in the screw axis direction using the rotation of a screw shaft or the like, or is moved in the insertion / removal direction of the rod using a hydraulic or air cylinder. You can do it.
[0037]
Next, delivery of electronic components will be described.
Here, each of the six surfaces of the electronic component 1 is determined as follows for convenience of explanation. The surface on the left side in the transport direction of the electronic component 1, the surface held and held by the first rotating body 110 is referred to as a lower left surface 11, and the surface not held by suction is referred to as a left upper surface 14. The surface on the right side of the drawing, the surface held and held by the first rotating body 110, is called the lower right surface 12, and the surface not held by suction is called the upper right surface 13 (see FIG. 7). In the front and rear surfaces in the transport direction, the downstream side is referred to as a front surface, and the upstream side is referred to as a rear surface.
[0038]
First, at the position A in FIG. 7, the left lower surface 11 and the right lower surface 12 of the electronic component 1 are suction-held by the suction groove 120. When the electronic component 1 is rotated and conveyed to a position near the position B by the rotation of the first rotating body 110, it is sucked from the suction gap of the second rotating body 150, and the left upper surface 14 and the right upper surface 13 are moved to the second upper surface 13. It is held by suction in the suction groove 170 of the rotating body 150. By this transfer, the top and bottom of the electronic component 1 are converted.
[0039]
At this time, in each of the first rotator 110 and the second rotator 150, the area other than the suction conveyance area between the transfer positions of the electronic components 1 (the range in which the electronic components 1 are not sucked) is rotated by the closing portion of the chamber. The communication hole in the body is closed. For this reason, at the delivery B position, the first rotator 110 ends the suction of the electronic component 1 passed to the second rotator 150, and conversely, the second rotator 150 completes the suction of the electronic component 1 received from the first rotator 110. Start suction. Therefore, delivery of the electronic component 1 can be performed smoothly.
[0040]
c) About suction power
The delivery of the electronic component 1 is performed by the second rotator 150 sucking the electronic component 1 held by the suction groove 120 of the first rotator 110. Therefore, it is preferable that the suction force of the second rotating body 150 for sucking and holding the electronic component 1 be stronger than the suction force of the first rotating body 110 for sucking and holding the electronic component 1.
[0041]
However, by providing the above-mentioned closing portion 127 that adjusts so as to weaken the suction force of the first rotating body 110 at the delivery position of the electronic component 1, the suction force of the first rotating body 110 and the second rotating body 150 is substantially reduced. It can be equivalent.
In the present embodiment, the suction force of the second rotating body 150 for sucking and holding the electronic component 1 is approximately twice the suction force of the first rotating body 110 for sucking and holding the electronic component 1. .
[0042]
d) Outer diameter and rotation speed of rotating body
The outer diameter D1 of the first rotator 110 and the outer diameter D2 of the second rotator 150 (see FIG. 2), or the rotational speeds of these two rotators 110 and 150 are determined by the amount of transport of the electronic component 1 and the inspection of the electronic component 1. It is determined according to the contents and its collection processing capacity. That is, when increasing the transport amount of the electronic component 1, it is necessary to increase the rotation speed of each of the rotating bodies 110 and 150. Furthermore, even if the electronic component 1 is supplied to the first rotator 110 at a constant speed from the parts feeder 10, for example, the rotation speed of the rotators 110 and 150 is adjusted so that the outer periphery of the rotators 110 and 150 is attracted. The holding pitch of the held electronic component 1 can be freely adjusted.
[0043]
In the imaging of the electronic component 1, if the inspection surface of the electronic component 1 cannot be accurately imaged due to the shadow of the electronic component 1 being transported before and after the electronic component 1 to be inspected, the rotation speed of the rotating body Is increased, the pitch for holding the electronic components 1 before and after can be increased. Further, when imaging the front and rear surfaces of the electronic component 1, if the outer diameter of the rotating body is small, the front and rear surfaces can be easily seen.
[0044]
In the present embodiment, the outer diameter D2 of the second rotator 150 is approximately half the outer diameter D1 of the first rotator 110, and the rotation speed of the second rotator 150 is substantially equal to that of the first rotator 110. Doubled. The outer diameter D2 of the second rotator 150 is smaller than the outer diameter D1 of the first rotator 110 because the front and rear surfaces of the electronic component 1 are imaged while being conveyed by the second rotator 150. The reason why the rotation speed of the second rotator 150 is higher than that of the first rotator 110 is that the pitch between the electronic components 1 to be suction-held on the outer peripheral surface of the second rotator 150 can be widened. Because. Thus, when imaging the front and rear surfaces of the electronic component 1, there is no possibility that a shadow of another electronic component 1 being transported before and after the electronic component 1 to be imaged is imaged.
[0045]
5) Imaging device
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, six imaging devices are provided for imaging six surfaces of the electronic component 1. Specifically, this imaging device uses a CCD camera (hereinafter simply referred to as “camera”).
The cameras 1 and 2 capture images of the upper left surface and the upper right surface of the electronic component 1 being rotated and conveyed by the first rotating body 110. When the detection sensor PH1 detects the electronic component 1, the cameras 1 and 2 move the upper left surface and the upper right surface. Take an image.
[0046]
The cameras 3 and 4 capture images of the front and rear surfaces of the electronic component 1 that is being rotationally conveyed by the second rotating body 150. When the detection sensor PH2 detects the electronic component 1, the camera 3 detects the front surface of the electronic component 1. On the other hand, when the detection sensor PH3 detects the electronic component 1, the camera 4 captures an image of the rear surface of the electronic component 1.
The cameras 5 and 6 capture images of the upper left surface and the upper right surface of the electronic component 1 rotated and conveyed by the second rotating body 150. When the detection sensor PH4 detects the electronic component 1, the cameras 5 and 6 capture images. . Note that the electronic component 1 has its left lower surface and the right lower surface on the first rotator 110 turned upside down when being transferred from the first rotator 110 to the second rotator 150, so that the second On the rotator 150, the upper surface is the left upper surface and the right upper surface.
[0047]
As the detection sensors PH1 to PH4, for example, transmission type photoelectric sensors are used. As shown in FIG. 1, this transmission-type photoelectric sensor includes a light emitter for emitting laser or infrared light, and a light receiver for receiving the emitted laser or infrared light, and an electronic device is provided between the light emitter and the light receiver. The electronic component 1 is detected by passing the component 1 and blocking the light reception of the light receiver. Note that the detection sensors PH1 to PH4 may be of a reflection type.
[0048]
Image data of the external appearance of the electronic component 1 captured by each of the cameras 1 to 6 is processed by a computer using a general method, and is used to determine whether the external appearance of the electronic component 1 is abnormal. Is evaluated as “good” or “defective” of the electronic component 1, and it is determined which collection unit 211 or 221 the electronic component 1 is collected.
[0049]
2. About transport and inspection operation
An operation of transporting the electronic component 1 by the transport device 100 having the above configuration and performing an appearance inspection of the electronic component 1 during the transport will be described with reference to FIG. First, the first rotating body 110 sucks the electronic component 1 supplied from the linear feeder 10 a from the suction gap 116 and sucks and holds the electronic component 1 in the suction groove 120. At this time, since the V-shaped suction groove 120 is formed continuously on the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 110 over the entire circumference, the suction is performed with one corner of the electronic component 1 fitted in the suction groove 120. It is held (see FIG. 6). Therefore, once the electronic component 1 is sucked and held in the suction groove 120, the electronic component 1 is less likely to be displaced in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the delivery of the electronic component 1 to the second rotating body 150 is facilitated.
[0050]
The electronic component 1 sucked and held in the suction groove 120 is rotated and conveyed to the downstream side by the rotation of the first rotating body 110, and when the detection sensor PH1 detects it, the cameras 1 and 2 move to the upper left surface of the electronic component 1 and The right upper surface is imaged. The captured image data is sent to a computer and inspected for abnormal appearance. At this time, since the electronic components 1 are positioned in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction, the cameras 1 and 2 can set and fix the focus in advance, and can accurately image the outer surface of the electronic components 1.
[0051]
The electronic component 1 whose two surfaces are imaged is further rotated and conveyed downstream by the rotation of the first rotating body 110, and is transferred from the first rotating body 110 to the second rotating body 150 at the position B. That is, the trajectory of the electronic component 1 conveyed by the first rotator 110 and the second rotator 150 becomes S-shaped.
At this time, in the area other than the suction conveyance section of the first rotating body 110, the communication hole 113 communicating with the suction groove 120 and the suction gap 116 is closed by the closing portion 127 of the chamber 121, as shown in FIG. In front of the position, the suction force for sucking the electronic component and holding the electronic component 1 on the outer periphery near the position B becomes weak.
[0052]
On the other hand, also in the second rotating body 150, similarly to the first rotating body 110, since the communication hole is closed by the closing portion of the chamber, the electronic component 1 starts to be sucked from the position B without being sucked before the position B. . Thus, the delivery of the electronic component 1 from the first rotating body 110 to the second rotating body 150 can be performed very smoothly.
Furthermore, since the suction force of the second rotating body 150 for sucking and holding the electronic component 1 is set stronger than the suction force of the first rotating body 110, the delivery of the electronic component 1 can be performed accurately and reliably. . Also, since the cross section of the suction groove portions 120 and 170 has substantially the same shape as the portion facing the suction groove portions 120 and 170 in the cross section orthogonal to the transport direction of the electronic component 1, the electronic component 1 is not in the transport direction. Difficult to displace in the direction. Therefore, the distance between the two rotating bodies 110 and 150 can be reduced. Therefore, the electronic component 1 can be smoothly delivered, and the electronic component 1 can be delivered with a weak suction force.
[0053]
Further, in each of the rotating bodies 110 and 150, the communication holes other than the suction transfer area are closed by a closed portion of the chamber, and the chamber is fixed to the support plate 142 or the like. In addition, by changing the range in which the closed portion of the chamber closes the through hole, the suction transfer area can be easily changed.
[0054]
The electronic component 1 sucked and held in the suction groove 170 of the second rotator 150 is further conveyed to the downstream side by the rotation of the second rotator 150, and when the detection sensor PH2 detects it, the camera 3 turns the electronic component. When the detection sensor PH3 detects the electronic component 1 further downstream, the camera 4 images the rear surface of the electronic component 1.
The detection sensor PH2 is operated by the rising portion of the signal that has detected the electronic component 1, and the detection sensor PH3 is operated by the falling portion of the signal that has detected the electronic component 1. Instead, the front and rear surfaces of the electronic component 1 can be focused at the same position on the transport path.
[0055]
The electronic component 1 is further rotated and conveyed, and when the detection sensor PH4 detects the rotation, the cameras 5 and 6 image the upper left surface and the upper right surface of the electronic component 1. Then, the computer processes the electronic component 1 based on the respective image data obtained by imaging all six sides, and evaluates “defective product” and “non-defective product” of the electronic component 1. The non-defective product is collected by the unit 221 and collected by the non-defective product collection unit 211.
[0056]
At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the recovery units 211 and 221 for recovering the electronic component 1 use the cyclone airflow to cause the electronic component 1 to turn inside the cylinder 214. Can be reduced, and damage to the electronic component 1 can be prevented.
(Modification)
As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, it is needless to say that the content of the present invention is not limited to the specific examples shown in the above-described embodiments. be able to.
[0057]
(1) Conveyed object
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a quadrangular prism-shaped (rectangular) electronic component is used as the transported object has been described. However, other shapes such as a cubic shape and a cylindrical shape may be used. However, it is preferable that the cross section of the suction groove portion (the cross section orthogonal to the rotation direction of the rotating body) has substantially the same shape as the portion to be suctioned by the suction groove portion in the cross section orthogonal to the transport direction of the transported object. This is because, when the transported object is sucked and held in the suction groove, the transported object can be sucked and held while being positioned in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the electronic components can be easily and reliably delivered.
[0058]
Further, the transported object does not have to be an electronic component. For example, pharmaceuticals such as tablets and capsules, and precision machine parts such as small shafts used in precision machines may be used. This is also effective when performing the appearance inspection while transporting the same.
(2) About the positional relationship between the first rotating body and the second rotating body
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the first rotating body and the second rotating body are arranged such that the suction groove of the first rotating body and the suction groove of the second rotating body are in the same plane. Are located. This is because the shape of the transported object has a square (0.5 mm × 0.5 mm) cross section orthogonal to the transport direction.
[0059]
However, the cross-sectional shape of the transferred object that can be transferred by the transfer device is not limited to a square. For example, when the shape of a surface orthogonal to the transport direction of the transported object 1 is a rectangle, as shown in FIG. 8, the transported object 1 is formed between the suction groove 120 of the first rotating body 110 and the second rotating body 150. The second rotating body 150 is displaced by L in the axial direction (X direction in FIG. 8) so as to enter the space between the suction groove 170, and the distance between the first rotating body 110 and the second rotating body 150 is changed. What is necessary is just to move in the direction (Y direction in FIG. 8).
[0060]
Note that, as described in the above-described embodiment, the second rotating body 150 in the transport apparatus 100 has a mechanism that can move in the direction toward and away from the first rotating body 110 (inter-axis direction) and in the axial direction. Have. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the second rotator 150 is moved with respect to the first rotator 110. However, for example, the position of the second rotator is fixed, and the first rotator moves. Alternatively, the first rotator may move only in the axial direction, and the second rotator may move only in the direction in which the inter-axis distance is changed.
[0061]
(3) Number of rotating bodies
In the above-described embodiment, the transport device includes two rotating bodies, the first rotating body and the second rotating body. However, even if three or more rotating bodies are provided, the effects described above can be obtained. When the number of rotating bodies is plural, the suction conveyance pitch of the conveyed object can be easily and plurally set.
[0062]
Further, the number of rotating bodies may be one. In other words, even with one rotating body, the transported body sucked and held on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body can be rotated and transported while being positioned in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and the transported body is randomly placed on the rotating body. Even if the supply is performed, the transported object can be suction-held and transported on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body regardless of the supply timing.
[0063]
(4) Groove on the outer peripheral surface
In the above embodiment, the groove (suction groove) has a V-shaped cross section, but may have another shape. For example, the shape may be a U-shape, a concave shape, or the like, as long as it is substantially the same as the shape of the portion facing the groove in the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the transport direction of the transported object. In particular, when at least a part of the cross-sectional shape of the transported body orthogonal to the transport direction is V-shaped, U-shaped, or convex, it is effective to form the groove to correspond to this shape. Thus, the object to be transferred can be positioned in a direction perpendicular to the transfer direction.
[0064]
Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a step portion 180 may be provided instead of the groove portion. In this case, if a suction gap is provided at the bottom at the corner of the step portion 180 and the transferred object is sucked to the step portion 180 via the suction gap as in the embodiment, the transferred object is moved in a direction different from the transfer direction. Since the positioning can be performed, the same effect as the above embodiment can be obtained.
Here, the step portion 180 is formed by forming a part of the outer peripheral surface of the first rotating body 110 and the second rotating body 150 in a step shape. Therefore, even when the step portion 180 is separated from the outer peripheral surface, it is assumed that the step portion 180 is formed on the outer peripheral surface.
[0065]
(5) Suction gap
In the above embodiment, the suction gap is formed over the entire circumference at the bottom of the groove, but any other structure may be used as long as the transported body can be reliably sucked into the groove or the step of the rotating body. In such an example, a suction hole and a communication hole communicating with a suction space formed by the rotating body and the inside of the chamber may be provided at intervals in the circumferential direction at the bottom of the groove or the step portion of the rotating body. However, the pitch of the suction holes in the transport direction needs to be smaller than the dimension of the transported object in the transport direction, and is more preferably 1/2 or less of the transport direction dimension of the transported object.
[0066]
(6) Adjustment of suction force
In the above-described embodiment, the communication hole of the rotating body is closed by the closing portion of the chamber, and the suction conveyance section for suctioning and conveying the transfer target object by the suction groove is formed. May be formed.
As such a method, a method of inserting a regulating plate into the suction gap of the rotating body can be considered. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the position B in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front when a regulating plate is applied to the above embodiment.
[0067]
The first rotating body 110 has a regulating plate 117 for regulating a suction force for sucking and holding the electronic component 1 near a position closest to the second rotating body 150 (hereinafter, referred to as a “closest position”). Are fixed in a state inserted into the suction gap of the first rotating body 110 so that the electronic component 1 sucked and held by the first rotating body 110 is easily sucked toward the second rotating body 150, and The electronic component 1 sucked and held by the second rotating body 150 is prevented from returning to the first rotating body 110 again.
[0068]
Similarly, a restricting plate 167 for restricting a suction force for sucking and holding the electronic component 1 in the suction groove 170 is inserted near the closest position to the second rotating body 150 in the suction gap. , So that the electronic component 1 does not attract the electronic component 1 before the electronic component 1 approaches the second rotating body 150.
Accordingly, when the electronic component 1 sucked and held by the first rotating body 110 approaches the closest position, the suction force sucked and held by the suction groove 120 is weakened. At this time, since the suction is performed from the suction gap of the second rotating body 150, the electronic component 1 can be smoothly delivered.
[0069]
In the above example, this regulating plate is inserted into the upstream and downstream rotating bodies of the adjacent rotating body. However, the regulating plate may be inserted only into the suction gap of the upstream rotating body or the downstream rotating body. That is, in the adjacent rotating body, a regulating plate is inserted into the upstream rotating body to make it easier for the transported body to separate from the upstream rotating body, or a regulating plate is inserted into the downstream rotating body, By facilitating the suction of the transported body toward the downstream rotating body near the contact position, it is considered that substantially the same effect as in the present embodiment can be obtained.
[0070]
When the size of the transported body is small as in the above-described embodiment, the suction groove and the suction gap formed on the outer periphery of the rotating body are naturally small. Therefore, it is difficult to insert the regulating plate into the suction gap, and it is necessary to take measures against wear between the suction gap and the regulating plate. On the other hand, the above-described problem does not occur in the closed portion of the chamber described in the embodiment.
[0071]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the transfer device according to the present invention includes the rotating body that adsorbs and transports the transported object to the outer peripheral surface, and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body is formed with a circumferentially continuous groove, and the groove is Has a suction gap or a suction hole for sucking and holding the object to be conveyed, and a cross-sectional shape of the continuous groove portion is substantially the same as a portion facing the groove portion in a cross section orthogonal to a conveyance direction of the object to be conveyed. Since the rotator has the same shape and is transported while being suction-held while the transported object is fitted in the groove, the transported object can be transported in a state where the transported object is positioned in the groove. For this reason, even if the transported object is transported at a high speed, there is no positional deviation.For example, even when the outer surface of the transported object is imaged by the imaging unit, the imaging unit is transported in advance at the imaging position. The object to be transported can be focused on, and accurate imaging of the object to be transported can be performed.
[0072]
Further, for example, even if the transported object is randomly supplied to the rotating body, the transported body can be suction-held on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body regardless of the supply timing.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a transport device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the collection unit according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which a part of the collection unit is cut away.
FIG. 4 is a front view in which a part of a first rotating body according to the embodiment of the present invention is cut away.
5 is a cross-sectional view of the first transport unit taken along line XOX in FIG.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a suction groove according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining delivery of an electronic component according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining delivery of an electronic component according to a modified example of the invention.
FIG. 9 is a view showing a step portion in a modified example of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view around a delivery position of an electronic component according to a modification of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 First transport unit
102 Second transport unit
110 1st rotating body
113 communication hole
116 suction gap
127 Closure
150 Second rotating body
120, 170 Suction groove

Claims (7)

A rotating body that adsorbs and transports the transported body to the outer peripheral surface,
On the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body, a groove portion that is continuous in the circumferential direction is formed,
The groove portion includes a suction gap or a suction hole for sucking and holding the transported body,
The cross-sectional shape of the continuous groove portion is substantially the same shape as a portion facing the groove portion in a cross section orthogonal to the transport direction of the transported object,
The transfer device, wherein the rotating body is suction-held and transported while the transported body is fitted in the groove. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the groove is substantially V-shaped. A suction force for adsorbing and holding the object to be transported is provided to the rotating body on the downstream side, the suction force for suctioning and holding the object to be transported in the rotating body upstream of the downstream rotating body. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the transfer device is stronger than the transfer device. Each of the plurality of rotating bodies includes an adjusting unit that adjusts a suction force of the transferred body at a position where the transferred body is transferred from the upstream rotating body to the rotating body downstream of the rotating body. The transport device according to claim 3, wherein: The transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a cyclone collecting unit configured to collect the transported object by a cyclone method. A parts feeder is arranged on the most upstream side of the transport path, and the transported body is supplied from the parts feeder to a rotating body located at the most upstream side, and the rotational speeds of the plurality of rotating bodies can be adjusted, whereby the The conveyance device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a suction holding pitch of the object to be conveyed is adjustable. The rotating bodies adjacent to each other in the transport path are relatively movable in the axial direction and in a direction to change the distance between the axes of the adjacent rotating bodies, so that it is possible to cope with the dimensional change of the transported body. The transfer device according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein

Images