JP2006199416A - Article carrying device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an article carrying device, capable of forming an article supply line compact for saving space. <P>SOLUTION: This device is provided with a carrying part 2, comprising a carrying passage 4 having a carrying surface 5 in which the carrying direction is regulated to be straight for carrying an article 75 positioned in the carrying passage 4 along a carrying surface 5, and a vibration providing mechanism 30 to provide vibration to the carrying part 2 for carrying the article 75. The vibration providing mechanism 30 is provided with a first cam mechanism to convert rotary movement inputted from a drive source 66 into a reciprocating straight movement in a first direction including at least a carrying direction component, and a second cam mechanism to covert the rotary movement inputted from the drive source 66 into reciprocating straight movement in a second direction including at least a normal line component of the carrying surface 5. The carrying part 2 is connected to a storage mechanism 20 having a storage part 28 for storing the article 75 to be fed to the carrying passage 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an article conveyance device that conveys an article in a conveyance path of a conveyance unit by applying vibration to the conveyance unit, and more particularly to an article conveyance device that includes a conveyance unit having a linearly regulated conveyance path.

  Conventionally, as an example of an article conveying apparatus that conveys an article such as a so-called loose part, an article is manufactured by vibrating a conveying surface that conveys an article and utilizing a relative slip and jump phenomenon with respect to the conveying surface of the article. Vibration feeders configured to convey are known.

  In order to configure an article supply line using the vibratory feeder having such a configuration, functions such as storage, alignment, and supply to the next process of articles are required. Therefore, in general, a hopper for storing articles, A bowl feeder for aligning articles and a linear feeder (vibration feeder) for conveying articles are combined.

  In the article supply line having such a configuration, articles stored in the hopper are supplied from the hopper to the storage section of the bowl feeder, supplied from the storage section of the bowl feeder to the circumferential path, and aligned while being conveyed in the circumferential path. Then, it is supplied from the bowl feeder into the linear conveyance path of the linear feeder, is conveyed through the conveyance path of the linear feeder, and is supplied to the next process continuous to the linear feeder.

  Here, the bowl feeder performs the alignment of the articles because the bowl feeder is excellent in storage capacity and the storage section is located in the center, so that the articles removed from the line by the discrimination when the articles are aligned are arranged. This is because it is easy to construct a circulation path that returns to the line again. Moreover, the aligned articles are conveyed by the linear feeder because, in the case of configuring an article supply line, it is more advantageous to supply articles in a straight line because there are advantages such as better conveyance efficiency and fewer troubles during conveyance. is there.

  However, in the article supply line configured as described above, when the article is delivered from the bowl feeder to the linear feeder, the article aligned in the bowl feeder changes its posture and moves to the linear feeder side in an abnormal posture. There are cases in which it is supplied, transported in the transport path of the linear feeder, and supplied to the next process, and there is a problem that the line is stopped due to the occurrence of defective products or foreign object detection.

  In addition, since the article supply line is configured by combining the hopper, bowl feeder and linear feeder, a large space is required to install one article supply line, and as a result, various electronic components are assembled. Difficult to adopt for line etc. Further, when a very large space is not required as in the supply of small articles, the space is used more than necessary, which is uneconomical.

In order to cope with the above problems, it is conceivable to apply a linear vibration type part feeder as described in Patent Document 1.
This linear vibration type part feeder is configured by combining two sets of electromagnetic linear feeders. The linear trough is configured so as to face an adjusting trough that conveys an article and the adjusting trough. A return trough that conveys articles in the opposite direction, and an alignment determining unit that determines the alignment state of the articles is provided on the side of the feeding trough, and the articles that have been excluded from the line by the alignment determining unit are routed through the return trough. It is configured to return to the upstream side.
JP 2000-289831 A

  However, although the linear vibration type part feeder described in Patent Document 1 can solve the space problem, the vibration caused by the feeding trough and the vibration caused by the return trough interfere with each other. It can be applied only to a small-sized device that does not interfere with the operation of the vibration, and the applicable range is limited to a narrow range.

  The present invention has been made in view of the conventional problems as described above, and the article supply line can be made compact, space saving can be achieved, the applicable range is wide, and various types can be achieved. An object of the present invention is to provide an article conveying apparatus that can be applied to supply of a large number of articles.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means.
That is, the invention according to claim 1 has a conveyance path having a conveyance surface in which the conveyance direction is regulated in a straight line, and a conveyance unit that conveys an article positioned in the conveyance path along the conveyance surface; A first cam mechanism that converts a rotational motion input from a drive source into a reciprocating linear motion in a first direction having at least a component in the transport direction and transmits it to the transport unit, and a rotational motion input from the drive source Having a second cam mechanism that converts at least a reciprocating linear motion in a second direction having a component in the normal direction of the transport surface and transmits the reciprocating motion to the transport section, and the transport section is cooperated by the two cam mechanisms. A vibration imparting mechanism that applies vibration for conveying the article to the sheet, and a storage mechanism that is connected to the conveyance unit and has a storage unit for storing the article to be supplied into the conveyance path. It is characterized by.
According to the article conveying apparatus of the present invention, the rotational motion input from the driving source is converted into the reciprocating linear motion in the first direction having at least the conveying direction component by the first cam mechanism, and the second cam mechanism. It is converted into a reciprocating linear motion in the second direction having a component in the normal direction of the transport surface and transmitted to the transport unit. The transport unit vibrates according to a motion trajectory in which the reciprocating linear motion in the first direction and the reciprocating linear motion in the second direction are combined, and the article is transported on the transport surface of the transport path. In this case, the vibration applied to the conveyance unit includes a component for controlling the relative slip of the article, that is, a component in the conveyance direction according to the inertial force term and a component in the normal direction of the conveyance surface according to the frictional force term. Since it has, it becomes possible to convey an article | item efficiently on a conveyance surface.
Furthermore, the reciprocating linear motion in the first direction is set to a desired reciprocating linear motion through the cam design of the first cam mechanism, and the reciprocating linear motion in the second direction is set through the cam design of the second cam mechanism. Therefore, an arbitrary motion trajectory in a two-dimensional plane defined by the first direction and the second direction can be expressed through the cam design of both cam mechanisms, and the degree of freedom in setting the motion trajectory can be increased. it can. Accordingly, vibrations composed of complex motion trajectories can be applied to the transport unit, not limited to simple motion trajectories, and vibrations most suitable for required specifications such as the type of article and transport capability can be applied to the transport unit. it can.
Furthermore, since the storage unit is continuously provided with a storage mechanism having a storage unit for storing articles to be supplied in the transport path, a hopper for supplying articles is provided when configuring the article supply line. There is no need to install a new line, the entire line can be made compact, and space can be saved.

The invention according to claim 2 is the article transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage mechanism is arranged in parallel with the transport unit.
According to the article conveying apparatus according to the present invention, the storage mechanism can be accommodated within the entire length of the conveying section. Therefore, when configuring the article supply line, the entire length of the line can be shortened, and space saving can be achieved. Can do.

The invention according to claim 3 is the article transport apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage mechanism transports the article in a direction opposite to the transport direction of the article transported in the transport path. It is characterized by having.
According to the article conveying apparatus of the present invention, when the article stored in the storage mechanism is supplied to the conveying unit, the article is conveyed by the conveying means in the direction opposite to the conveying direction of the article by the conveying unit and is supplied to the conveying unit. Therefore, the entire length of the article supply line is not increased by the conveying means, the entire length of the line can be shortened, and space saving can be achieved.

The invention according to claim 4 is the article transport apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the transport means is a conveyor.
According to the article transporting apparatus according to the present invention, vibration is hardly generated when the article is transported by the conveyor as the transport means. Therefore, the vibration of the conveyor and the vibration of the transporting part when the article is transported interfere with each other. There is no such thing, and the article can be accurately and efficiently conveyed by the conveying unit.

The invention according to claim 5 is the article transporting apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the posture of the article transported in the transport path is determined in the transport unit, and an article other than a normal posture is placed. An attitude determination unit that excludes the conveyance mechanism of the storage mechanism from the inside of the conveyance path is provided, and an article that is excluded from the conveyance path by the attitude determination unit is returned to the upstream side of the conveyance path through the conveyance means. It is characterized by comprising.
According to the article conveying apparatus of the present invention, among articles conveyed in the conveying path, articles other than the normal posture are excluded from the conveying path by the attitude determination unit, and are upstream of the conveying path by the conveying mechanism of the storage mechanism. It is returned to the side and transported again in the transport path.
Accordingly, since articles other than the normal posture are not supplied to the next process via the transport unit, the generation of defective products can be greatly reduced, and the article supply line can be provided by an item other than the normal posture. Stopping can be prevented, and the conveyance efficiency of articles can be increased.

The invention according to claim 6 is the article transporting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the vibration applying mechanism includes a housing and a single input shaft rotatably supported by the housing. An output portion supported by the housing so as to be capable of reciprocating linear movement in the first direction and the second direction, and the transport portion is integrally attached to the output portion, and the input shaft and the output portion, The first cam mechanism and the second cam mechanism are respectively provided between the first cam mechanism and the second cam mechanism.
According to the article conveying device of the present invention, the rotational motion of the input shaft is converted into the reciprocating linear motion in the first direction by the first cam mechanism, and the reciprocating linear motion in the second direction by the second cam mechanism. It is converted and transmitted to the output unit, and the transport unit reciprocates linearly in the first direction and the second direction integrally with the output unit. In this case, since the first cam mechanism and the second cam mechanism are driven by a single input shaft, it is easy to synchronize the two reciprocating linear motions by the two cam mechanisms, and the motion trajectory of the transport unit is the desired motion trajectory. Can be set easily.

The invention according to claim 7 is the article transporting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first cam mechanism is provided on the input shaft and is driven to rotate integrally with the input shaft, and the output. And a first contact that contacts the cam surface of the first cam, and the second cam mechanism is provided on the input shaft and integrated with the input shaft. A second cam that is rotationally driven, and a second contact that is provided at the output portion and that is integrally displaced with the output portion and that contacts the cam surface of the second cam, and the first cam and the first cam By the cooperation with one contact, the rotational motion of the input shaft is converted into the reciprocating linear motion in the first direction and transmitted to the output unit, and by the cooperation between the second cam and the second contact , The rotational motion of the input shaft is converted into the reciprocating linear motion in the second direction, Characterized in that it is transmitted to the force unit.
According to the article conveying apparatus of the present invention, the rotational movement of the input shaft is converted into the reciprocating linear movement in the first direction by the cooperation of the first cam and the first contact, and the second cam and the second contact As a result, the rotational motion of the input shaft is converted into the reciprocating linear motion in the second direction, the reciprocating linear motion in the two directions is synthesized and transmitted to the output unit, and the output unit vibrates in two directions. Become.

The invention according to claim 8 is the article transport apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the reciprocating linear motion in the first direction has only a component in the transport direction, and the second direction. The reciprocating linear motion has only a component in the normal direction of the transport surface.
According to the article conveying apparatus of the present invention, the desired reciprocating linear motion only in the conveying direction can be set by the first cam mechanism, and the desired reciprocating movement in the normal direction of the conveying surface by the second cam mechanism. Since the linear motion can be set, the motion trajectory of the transport unit formed by combining the two-way reciprocating linear motion can be easily set as a desired trajectory.

The invention according to claim 9 is the article transport apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the input shaft is supported by the housing such that an axis thereof faces the transport direction, and the first cam is formed on both side surfaces. Is formed on a curved cam surface that is displaced in the axial direction of the input shaft and rises perpendicularly from the outer peripheral surface of the input shaft, and the first contact can roll on both cam surfaces of the first cam. A pair of cam followers that come into contact with each other.
According to the article transporting apparatus of the present invention, when the input shaft is rotationally driven, the first cam is rotationally driven integrally with the input shaft, and each cam follower as the first contactor contacts each cam surface of the first cam. Rolling while maintaining the state, both cam followers are displaced in the axial direction of the input shaft according to the shape of the cam surface of the first cam, and the output unit and the conveying unit are displaced in the same direction integrally with both cam followers. Become.

The invention according to claim 10 is the article transporting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second cam is provided with an annular groove on one side surface around the axis of the input shaft. Inner and outer surfaces are displaced in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the input shaft and formed on a cam surface parallel to the axis of the input shaft, and the second contactor is fitted in an annular groove of the second cam. The cam follower contacts the cam surface in a rollable manner.
According to the article conveying apparatus of the present invention, when the input shaft is rotationally driven, the second cam is rotationally driven integrally with the input shaft, and the cam follower as the second contactor maintains a contact state on the cam surface of the second cam. The cam follower is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the input shaft according to the shape of the cam surface of the second cam, and the output unit and the conveying unit are displaced in the same direction integrally with the cam follower.

The invention according to claim 11 is the article transporting apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second cam has an outer peripheral surface displaced in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the input shaft and parallel to the axis of the input shaft. The second contactor is a cam follower that is movably contacted with the cam surface of the second cam.
According to the article conveying apparatus of the present invention, when the input shaft is rotationally driven, the second cam is rotationally driven integrally with the input shaft, and the cam follower as the second contactor maintains a contact state on the cam surface of the second cam. The cam follower is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the input shaft according to the shape of the cam surface of the second cam, and the output unit and the conveying unit are displaced in the same direction integrally with the cam follower.

The invention according to claim 12 is the article transporting apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the space between the housing and the output unit is sealed between the housing and the output unit. A seal member that elastically deforms following the displacement is interposed.
According to the article conveying apparatus of the present invention, the gap between the output portion and the housing is sealed by the seal member, and the lubricating oil in the housing is prevented from leaking to the outside. Further, when the output portion is displaced in the first direction and the second direction, the seal member is elastically deformed accordingly, so that the displacement of the output portion in that direction is allowed.

The invention according to claim 13 is the article transport apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the output portion is provided on the inner surface of the housing only in the transport direction and the normal direction of the transport surface. A guide surface for movably guiding is provided, and a predetermined gap for holding the viscous fluid is provided between the guide surface and the output unit.
According to the article conveying apparatus of the present invention, the output unit can be surely reciprocated linearly only in the conveying direction and the normal direction of the conveying surface, so that the conveying unit attached to the output unit can be reliably moved along a desired locus. Can be made. In addition, since the viscous fluid is interposed in the gap between the output portion and the guide surface of the housing, the function as an oil film damper is obtained, which is caused by the bending of the transport portion, etc. The generated harmful vibration can be attenuated by the viscous fluid, and the predetermined vibration can be surely applied to the transport section via the output section.

The invention according to claim 14 is the article transport apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the reciprocating linear motion in the first direction has only a component in the transport direction, and the transport direction is The reciprocating linear motion in the horizontal direction in the second direction has only a component in the normal direction, and the normal direction is a vertical direction.
According to the article conveying apparatus of the present invention, since the conveying direction can be set to the horizontal direction, an apparatus having excellent versatility can be provided. Further, since the normal direction is the vertical direction, it is possible to easily set the frictional force between the article and the conveyance surface.

The invention according to claim 15 is the article transporting apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the first cam is configured such that the first contact is made when the output portion reciprocates linearly in a vertical direction. The second cam has a cam surface in which the contact position moves in the same direction as the movement direction of the output unit while maintaining a contact state with the child, and the second cam is reciprocated linearly in the horizontal direction. It has a cam surface in which the contact position moves in the same direction as the movement direction of the output part while maintaining the contact state with the second contactor.
According to the article transporting apparatus of the present invention, when the output unit is displaced in the vertical direction, the contact state between the first cam and the first contact is not changed, and the first contact is the displacement of the output unit. There is no such thing as inhibiting it. Further, when the output part is displaced in the horizontal direction, the contact state between the second cam and the second contactor does not change, and the second contactor inhibits the displacement of the output part. There is nothing. Therefore, the movement operation in the first direction and the second direction which is not intended is not added to the output unit, so that the article can be conveyed with high accuracy and efficiency.

  As described above, according to the article transporting apparatus of the present invention, the storage mechanism having the storage section for storing the articles to be supplied into the transport path is connected to the transport section having the transport path for transporting the articles. Therefore, when the article supply line is configured, the entire line can be made compact, and space saving can be achieved. In addition, since the storage mechanism is arranged in parallel with the transport unit, when the article supply line is configured, the storage mechanism can be accommodated within the entire length of the transport unit, so that the total length of the line can be shortened. Space can be achieved. Furthermore, since the article can be conveyed in the direction opposite to the conveyance direction of the article by the conveyance unit by the conveyance unit of the storage mechanism and supplied to the conveyance unit, the total length of the article supply line is increased by the conveyance unit. No, the overall length of the line can be shortened, and space saving can be achieved. Furthermore, by using a conveyor as the conveying means, vibration hardly occurs when the article is conveyed by the conveyor, so that the vibration when conveying the article by the conveying unit and the vibration on the conveyor side interfere with each other. In addition, the article can be accurately and efficiently conveyed by the conveying unit.

In addition, since the posture determination unit is provided in the transport unit and articles other than the normal posture are excluded from the transport path to the transport mechanism of the storage mechanism, functions such as storage and alignment of articles and supply to the next process When the article supply line having the above is configured, the whole can be made compact, and the installation space can be reduced, and the space can be saved. In addition, since articles other than the normal posture are not supplied to the next process, the occurrence of defective products can be greatly reduced, and the article supply line can be prevented from being stopped by an item other than the normal posture. It is possible to increase the conveyance efficiency of the article.
Furthermore, since the transport unit is reciprocated linearly in two directions using two cam mechanisms, the first cam mechanism and the second cam mechanism, no harmful vibration is added to the transport unit. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to the conveyance of many and many articles, and the applicable range can be greatly expanded, and versatility can be improved.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 4 show a first embodiment of an article conveying apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire article conveying apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a diagram of the vibration applying mechanism of FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

  That is, the article transport apparatus 1 is a so-called linear feeder, and includes a transport unit 2 having a transport path 4 that transports the article 75 and a vibration applying mechanism 30 that applies vibrations to transport the article 75 to the transport unit 2. And a storage mechanism 20 connected to the transport unit 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transport unit 2 has a long, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a linear groove 3 having an I-shaped cross section is provided over the entire length on the upper surface side. It is formed in the conveyance path 4 for conveying 75. The bottom surface of the conveyance path 4 is formed on a flat conveyance surface 5 whose conveyance direction is linearly regulated by the side walls 6 and 7, and the article 75 is conveyed in one direction on the conveyance surface 5. The conveyance unit 2 is attached to the upper part of the output unit 60 of the vibration applying mechanism 30 described later so that the conveyance surface 5 faces the horizontal direction.

 As shown in FIG. 1, a discharge port 8 penetrating between the inner and outer surfaces of the side wall 7 (the side wall 7 on the front side in the figure) is provided at an intermediate portion in the transport direction of the transport unit 2. Accordingly, an article 75 other than the normal attitude excluded from the inside of the conveyance path 4 by the attitude determination unit 10 described later (the article 75 in an abnormal attitude) is collected by the storage mechanism 20 described later. A supply port 9 penetrating between the inner and outer surfaces of the side wall 7 (the side wall 7 on the front side in the drawing) is provided on the upstream side in the transport direction of the transport unit 2, and a storage mechanism 20 to be described later is provided through the supply port 9. The articles 75 collected in the above are returned to the transport path 4.

  The article 75 has a two-stage columnar shape including a cylindrical large-diameter portion 76 and a cylindrical small-diameter portion 77 having a smaller diameter than the large-diameter portion 76 integrally provided at the center of one end surface of the large-diameter portion 76. The large-diameter portion 76 is conveyed in the conveyance path 4 with the state where the large-diameter portion 76 is positioned on the lower side (normal posture), and other postures are handled by the posture determination unit 10 described later. It is excluded from the inside of the conveyance path 4.

 An attitude determination unit 10 is provided in the middle of the conveyance direction of the conveyance path 4. The attitude determination unit 10 determines the attitude of the article 75 conveyed in the conveyance path 4. The article 75 that has passed through 10 and is supplied to the next process and is in an abnormal posture is removed from the conveyance path 4 by the posture determination unit 10 and collected by the storage mechanism 20 described later.

 The posture determination unit 10 includes a posture determination plate 11 attached to an upper portion of an intermediate side wall 6 (in the drawing, the side wall 6 on the back side) in the conveyance direction of the conveyance path 4, and a conveyance path 4 corresponding to the posture determination plate 11. A step 13 that is one step lower than the conveyance surface 5 provided on the bottom surface along the side wall 7 (the side wall 7 on the near side in the figure), and a portion of the conveyance surface 5 that faces the step 13 (the side wall on the back side in the figure) 6) and a small width portion 14 provided on the portion 6).

  The posture discriminating plate 11 has a substantially rectangular plate shape, and the side surface 12 facing the transport path 4 has a predetermined length in the transport path 4 than the inner surface of the side wall 6 (back side wall 6 in the figure). It is fixed to the upper part of the side wall 6 (back side wall 6 in the figure) with a bolt 15 so as to protrude, and the peripheral surface of the article 75 conveyed in the conveyance path 4 to the protruding side surface 12 part. Part is configured to contact. In this case, both end portions of the side surface 12 in the longitudinal direction are chamfered to form rounded surfaces, thereby preventing the conveyance of the article 75 conveyed in the conveyance path 4.

 The step portion 13 is formed by cutting out the bottom portion of the conveyance path 4 adjacent to the side wall 7 (the side wall 7 on the near side in the figure) into a substantially semi-oval shape and forming that portion one step lower than the conveyance surface 5. And the part of the conveyance surface 5 (part along the side wall 6 on the back side) facing the step part 13 is formed in the narrow part 14 having a narrower width than other parts.

  Of the articles 75 conveyed in the conveyance path 4, the articles 75 in the normal posture (the articles 75 in which the large-diameter portion 76 is positioned below) have both end faces in the thickness direction of the large-diameter portion 76 at the posture determination plate 11. Next, the circumferential surface of the small-diameter portion 77 passes through the posture determination unit 10 while contacting the side surface 12 of the posture determination plate 11 and continues to the conveyance unit 2. Supplied to the process.

  On the other hand, among the articles 75 conveyed in the conveyance path 4, an article 75 in an abnormal posture (for example, an article 75 in which the small diameter portion 77 is located on the lower side) has both end surfaces in the thickness direction of the large diameter portion 76 in the posture. Without being guided between the discriminating plate 11 and the narrow portion 14 of the conveying surface 5, the peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 76 comes into contact with the side surface 12 of the posture discriminating plate 11, thereby breaking the balance and It falls into the step portion 13 from the narrow portion 14 and is collected by the storage mechanism 20 through the discharge port 8 communicating from the step portion 13 to the step portion 13.

  In addition, said attitude | position discrimination | determination part 10 was comprised corresponding to the two-stage cylindrical article | item 75 which has the large diameter part 76 and the small diameter part 77, Comprising: The articles | goods of another shape are made into a conveyance target object. In that case, the posture determination unit 10 may be configured according to the shape of the article.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the storage mechanism 20 is connected to the transport unit 2 and stores a predetermined amount of articles 75 to be supplied into the transport path 4 of the transport unit 2. A conveying means 21 having a circulation function for collecting the articles 75 excluded from the conveying path 4 and returning them to the upstream side of the conveying path 4 is provided.

  The conveying means 21 is provided in a portion adjacent to the conveying unit 2 in parallel and horizontally to the conveying unit 2, and includes a conveyor 23 having a belt 22 that can circulate between the discharge port 8 and the supply port 9 of the conveying unit 2, The driving source 24 rotates the conveyor 23 and a support plate 25 that supports the conveyor 23. The support plate 25 is fixed to an upper portion of a base 72 that is shared with a vibration applying mechanism 30 described later. The height of the conveyor 23 is adjusted so that the upper surface of the belt 22 is slightly lower than the bottom surface of the discharge port 8 and the bottom surface of the supply port 9 of the transport unit 2.

  A rectangular plate-like cover 26 is integrally provided at the upper end of the support plate 25 so that a predetermined gap is formed between the upper surface of the belt 22 of the conveyor 23. A substantially rectangular cutout 27 is provided in a portion of the cover 26 along the transport unit 2. The cutout 27, the side wall 7 of the transport unit 2 (the side wall 7 on the front side in the drawing), and the upper surface of the belt 22 A substantially rectangular storage portion 28 having an upper opening is formed in a portion surrounded by the opening, and one end in the longitudinal direction of the storage portion 28 communicates with the discharge port 8 of the transport unit 2 and the other end communicates with the supply port 9. is doing.

  The storage unit 28 collects a predetermined amount of the article 75 on the upper surface of the belt 22 and the article 75 excluded from the conveyance path 4 and conveys the article 75 in the opposite direction to the conveyance path 4 by the rotation of the belt 22. And a circulation function for returning to the upstream side of the conveyance path 4.

  In addition, the conveying means 21 is not limited to the conveyor 23, and other known devices may be used. In short, it is only necessary to have a function of collecting the article 75 removed from the conveyance path 4 and returning it to the upstream side of the conveyance path 4 and a function of storing a predetermined amount of the article 75.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the vibration applying mechanism 30 applies vibration for conveying the article 75 to the conveying unit 2, and includes a housing 31 fixed to the upper portion of the base 72, and the housing 31. An input shaft 40 that is rotatably provided therein, a first cam mechanism 41 that is provided in the housing 31 and converts the rotational motion of the input shaft 40 into a reciprocating linear motion, and the rotational motion of the input shaft 40 is a reciprocating linear motion. A second cam mechanism 50 that converts to the first cam mechanism, an output unit 60 that is driven by the first cam mechanism 41 and the second cam mechanism 50, and a drive source 66 that rotationally drives the input shaft 40.

  Here, the first cam mechanism 41 has a function of converting the rotational motion of the input shaft 40 into a reciprocating linear motion in a first direction having at least the conveyance direction of the article 75, and the second cam mechanism 50 has the input shaft By having the function of converting the rotational movement of 40 into the reciprocating linear movement in the second direction having the normal direction component of the conveying surface 5 that conveys at least the article 75, and by synthesizing the reciprocating linear movement in these two directions The obtained vibration is given to the transport unit 2 via the output unit 60. Since this vibration has a conveying direction component related to the inertial force term and a normal direction component related to the frictional force term necessary for effectively controlling the relative slip of the article 75 with respect to the conveying surface 5, the conveying surface 5 can be efficiently conveyed in the conveying direction.

  In the following description, the first direction is the horizontal direction (transport direction), and the second direction is the normal direction of the transport surface (vertical direction). However, the first direction is not necessarily limited to this direction. The reciprocating linear motion in one direction may include a component in a direction other than the transport direction, and the reciprocating linear motion in the second direction may include a component other than the normal direction. Alternatively, the transport direction in the first direction may be inclined by a predetermined angle from the horizontal, and the second direction may be the normal direction of the transport surface inclined.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 31 has a box shape having a void inside, and a rectangular opening 32 penetrating the inside and outside of the void is provided on the upper surface side. In the empty space of the housing 31, a single input shaft 40 is horizontally and rotatably provided in the central portion, and the output portion 60 is disposed in the horizontal direction (article 75) at the inner portion of the opening 32 above the input shaft 40. The first cam mechanism 41 and the second cam mechanism 50 are provided between the output unit 60 and the input shaft 40.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the input shaft 40 is rotatably supported between a pair of front and rear walls 33, 34 of the housing 31 via a pair of bearings 35, 35, and one end portion penetrates the rear wall 34. The drive shaft 67 of the drive source 66 provided on the outer surface side of the rear wall 34 of the housing 31 is connected to the protruding portion of the housing 31 via a shaft coupling 68, and driven by the drive source 66. The input shaft 40 is configured to rotate through the drive shaft 67.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the output unit 60 is provided horizontally in an inner portion of the opening 32 of the housing 31 and has a rectangular plate-like output that is slightly smaller than the opening 32 of the housing 31. A main body 61 and a pair of rectangular plate-like lift members 62 and 62 provided integrally at both ends in the longitudinal direction on the lower surface side of the output section main body 61. Are fixed horizontally by bolts 15.

  A seal member 69 made of an elastic material such as rubber is interposed between the peripheral surface of the output portion main body 61 and the inner peripheral surface of the opening 32 of the housing 31. The lubricating oil 70 filled in the empty space is prevented from leaking out of the housing 31. The seal member 69 elastically deforms following the reciprocating linear movement of the output part main body 61 in the horizontal and vertical directions, thereby allowing the output part main body 61 to reciprocate linearly in the horizontal and vertical directions. .

  The pair of lift members 62, 62 are integrally provided on the lower surface side of the output unit body 61 so as to be orthogonal to the upper surface (or lower surface) of the output unit body 61, and both side surfaces 63, 63 ( The end surface along the conveyance direction of the article 75 is formed as a flat surface facing the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the portion on the inner surface side of the housing 31 facing each side surface 63 of each lift member 62 is parallel to each side surface 63 of each lift member 62 and to each side surface 63. Plate-shaped guide members 36 each having a slidable flat guide surface 37 are integrally provided. Both the guide members 36 and 36 allow the lift members 62 and 62 to move in one horizontal direction (conveyance direction) and the vertical direction, and to move in the other horizontal direction (direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction). Be regulated. As a result, the output body 61 integrated with both lift members 62, 62 is allowed to move in one horizontal direction (conveying direction) and in the vertical direction, and in the other horizontal direction (direction perpendicular to the conveying direction). Movement is restricted.

  A predetermined gap (not shown) is provided between each side surface 63 of each lift member 62 and the guide surface 37 of each guide member 36 that slides with each side surface 63, and the viscous fluid 70 is placed in the gap. By interposing, it may function as a so-called oil film damper.

  That is, a predetermined gap is provided between each side surface 63 of each lift member 62 and the guide 37 face of each guide member 36, and the viscous fluid 70 is interposed in this gap, and in this state, each lift member 62 and each guide By moving the member 36 relative to each other, a velocity gradient is generated in the viscous fluid 70, and a force opposite to the relative movement acts between the lift member 62 and the guide member 36. This acts as a braking force that attenuates.

  In this case, since the housing 31 is filled with the lubricating oil 70 which is a viscous fluid as described above, the housing 31 has a gap between the side surfaces 63 of the lift members 62 and the guide surfaces 37 of the guide members 36. In this case, the lubricating oil 70 is always present, so that it can function as an oil film damper.

  Since the oil film damper can attenuate harmful vibrations of the transport unit 2 itself caused by the bending deformation of the transport unit 2, the first cam mechanism 41 and the second cam mechanism 50 operate as designed. Vibration can be applied to the transport unit 2.

  In addition, it is preferable to set the clearance gap between the lift member 62 and the guide member 36 in the range of 0.005 mm-0.05 mm. By setting the gap within this range, it is possible to reliably prevent physical contact between the guide surface 37 of the guide member 36 and the side surface 63 of the lift member 62 and to suppress the play of the transport unit 2 to be small. Can do.

  Further, a groove may be formed on at least one of the guide surface 37 of the guide member 36 and the side surface 63 of the lift member 62. By forming such a groove, the holding force of the viscous fluid 70 in the gap can be increased, so that the function as an oil film damper can be reliably obtained. The shape of the groove is not particularly limited as long as it increases the holding force of the viscous fluid 70.

 A second contact 55 of a second cam mechanism 50, which will be described later, is attached to the center of the lower end of each lift member 62, and the input shaft is supported by the cooperation of the second contact 55 and the second cam 51, which will be described later. The rotational motion of 40 is converted into a linear motion in the vertical direction and transmitted to both lift members 62, 62, and the output section main body 61 reciprocates linearly in the vertical direction via both lift members 62, 62.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first cam mechanism 41 is provided integrally with the central portion of the input shaft 40, and is associated with the first cam 42 and the first cam 42 that is rotationally driven integrally with the input shaft 40. A pair of first contactors 46, 46 are combined, and by the cooperation of the first cam 42 and the pair of contactors 46, 46, the rotational movement of the input shaft 40 is unidirectional in the horizontal direction (article 75 Is converted to a linear motion in the conveyance direction) and transmitted to the output unit 60, and the output unit 60 reciprocates linearly in one horizontal direction (the conveyance direction of the article 75).

  The first cam 42 is a disc-shaped rib cam in which a rib 43 is formed in an annular shape on the peripheral surface, and one side surface of the rib 43 is formed on the first cam surface 44 over the entire circumference, and the other side surface is formed. The first contactor 46 is engaged with the first cam surface 44 and the second cam surface 45, respectively.

  The first cam surface 44 and the second cam surface 45 of the first cam 42 are each formed in the same curved surface that is curved (displaced) in the axial direction of the input shaft 40 and rises perpendicularly from the outer peripheral surface of the input shaft 40. This curved surface forms the cam curve of the first cam 42.

  The first contactors 46 are cam followers 46 and are respectively provided in the output portion main body 61 of the output portion 60 corresponding to the first cam surface 44 and the second cam surface 45 of the rib 43 of the first cam 42. Yes. Each of the first contactors 46 is attached to a portion on the lower surface side of the output unit main body 61 by a means such as fitting or screwing so that the axis is directed in the vertical direction, and the support shaft 47 in the horizontal direction. The roller 48 is rotatably supported, and the circumferential surface of each roller 48 is in contact with the first cam surface 44 and the second cam surface 45.

  In this case, the peripheral surface of the roller 48 of one cam follower 46 is in contact with the first cam surface 44 so as to be able to roll, and the peripheral surface of the roller 48 of the other cam follower 46 is in contact with the second cam surface 45 so as to be capable of rolling. As described above, the horizontal distance between the cam followers 46 and 46 is adjusted.

  The two cam followers 46 and 46 are configured to be able to adjust the distance between them. By adjusting the distance between the two cam followers 46 and 46, the roller 48, the first cam surface 44, and the first cam surface 44 of each cam follower 46 are adjusted. The contact pressure with the two cam surfaces 45 can be adjusted to a predetermined value, and a pressurized state that does not cause backlash can be created.

  By driving the drive source 66 to rotationally drive the input shaft 40, the first cam 42 is rotationally driven integrally with the input shaft 40, and on the first cam surface 44 and the second cam surface 45 of the first cam 42. The roller 48 of each cam follower 46 rolls while maintaining a contact state, and both cam followers 46 and 46 are unidirectional in the horizontal direction (conveyance) according to the curved surface shape of the first cam surface 44 and the second cam surface 45. The output section main body 61 of the output section 60 is displaced in the same direction integrally with both cam followers 46, 46, and the transport section 2 attached to the upper part of the output section main body 61 is integrated with the output section 60. Reciprocates linearly in one horizontal direction (conveyance direction).

  In this case, the first cam surface 44 and the second cam surface 45 of the first cam 42 are formed as curved surfaces that rise vertically from the outer peripheral surface of the input shaft 40, and are formed on the first cam surface 44 and the second cam surface 45. Each of the cam followers 46 in contact with each other is configured such that the axis of the support shaft 47 is oriented in the vertical direction and the roller 48 is rotated in the horizontal direction around the axis of the support shaft 47. At the time of driving, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5A, both cam followers 46, 46 move in the vertical direction integrally with the output unit 60, so both cam followers 46, 46 are perpendicular to the output unit 60. The reciprocating linear motion in the direction is not hindered, and the output unit 60 can smoothly reciprocate linearly in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the second cam mechanism 50 is provided integrally with both sides of the first cam 42 of the input shaft 40, and is a pair of second drives that are rotationally driven integrally with the input shaft 40. The pair of second cams 51, 51 and the pair of second contactors 55 are constituted by cams 51, 51, and a pair of second contactors 55, 55 that mutually engage with the second cams 51, 51. 55, the rotational motion of the input shaft 40 is converted into a vertical reciprocating linear motion and transmitted to the output unit 60, and the output unit 60 reciprocates linearly in the vertical direction.

  Each of the second cams 51 is a disk-shaped groove cam, and a groove 52 having a predetermined width and depth centering on the axis of the input shaft 40 is annularly formed on one side surface. And the outer surface is formed in the 1st cam surface 53 and the 2nd cam surface 54, respectively.

  The first cam surface 53 and the second cam surface 54 are curved in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the input shaft 40 and are formed in curved surfaces parallel to the axis of the input shaft 40. The first cam surface 53 and the second cam surface A roller 57 of the second contactor 55 is engaged in a rollable manner in a groove 52 having a surface 54. The 1st cam surface 53 and the 2nd cam surface 54 are formed in the curved surface mutually parallel over the perimeter, and the cam curve of the 2nd cam 51 is comprised by this curved surface.

  Similar to the first contact 46, the second contact 55 is a cam follower 55 and is attached to the center of the lower end of each shift member 62 of the output unit 60. Each second contact 55 is fitted to the center of the lower end of each shift member 62, horizontally by means such as screwing, and vertically by the support shaft 56. The support shaft 56 is mounted parallel to the axis of the input shaft 40. Each roller 57 is engaged with the groove 52 of each second cam 51, and the circumferential surface of each roller 57 is the first cam surface 53 and the second cam surface 54. Are in contact with each other in a rollable manner.

  By operating the drive source 66 to rotationally drive the input shaft 40, both the second cams 51, 51 are rotationally driven integrally with the input shaft 40 and are engaged in the grooves 52 of each second cam 51. The peripheral surface of the roller 57 of each second contact 55 rolls on the first cam surface 53 and the second cam surface 54, and both the second contacts 55, 55 are the first cams of both the second cams 51, 51. According to the shape of the curved surface of the surface 53 and the second cam surface 54, it is displaced in the vertical direction, and the output body 61 is displaced in the same direction via both lift members 62, 62 integrally with both the second contacts 55, 55. Then, the transport unit 2 attached to the upper portion of the output unit main body 61 performs a reciprocating linear motion in the vertical direction integrally with the output unit 60.

In this case, the first cam surface 53 and the second cam surface 54 of each second cam 51 are formed in a curved surface parallel to the axis of the input shaft 40 and are engaged in the groove 52 of each second cam 51. Since each cam follower 55 is mounted so that the axis of the support shaft 56 is parallel to the axis of the input shaft 40 and the roller 57 is rotatable in the vertical direction, the first cam mechanism 41 causes the output unit 60 to move horizontally. When the reciprocating linear motion is performed, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5B, both the cam followers 55 and 55 are displaced in the horizontal direction integrally with the output unit, so that both the cam followers 55 and 55 are output unit. The reciprocating linear motion of 60 in the horizontal direction is not hindered, and the output unit 60 can smoothly reciprocate linearly in the horizontal direction.
Although not shown, the second cam may be constituted by a plate cam having a cam surface formed on the peripheral surface.

Next, an example of the movement trajectory of the article transport apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
The upper part of FIG. 6 shows a timing chart of horizontal movement that is a reciprocating linear movement in the transport direction, and the lower part shows a timing chart of vertical movement that is a reciprocating linear movement in the vertical direction. The top timing chart shows the relationship between horizontal motion displacement and time, the relationship between horizontal motion speed and time, and the relationship between horizontal motion acceleration and time, respectively, from the left. The bottom timing chart shows the relationship from the left. The relationship between the vertical motion displacement and time, the relationship between the vertical motion speed and time, and the relationship between the vertical motion acceleration and time are respectively shown in order. The time axes of the upper three diagrams and the lower three diagrams are the same in the upper and lower diagrams.

  When the input shaft 40 is rotationally driven and the first cam 42 and the second cams 51 and 51 are rotationally driven integrally with the input shaft 40, the transport unit 2 performs horizontal and vertical movements integrally with the output unit 60. Thus, the conveying operation of the article 75 is performed.

First, the horizontal movement of the transport unit 2 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, the transport unit 2 moves from the first position X1 forward in the transport direction to the second position X2, and moves backward from the second position X2 in the transport direction to the first position X1. Move back and forth in a straight line. That is, in the horizontal direction, the horizontal movement back and forth is performed between the first position X1 and the second position X2.

  At this time, the time required for the transport unit 2 to move forward from the first position X1 to the second position X2 is required for the transport unit 2 to move backward from the second position X2 to the first position X1. It is set longer than the time. Accordingly, the article 75 can be positively conveyed.

  That is, by increasing the time during which the transport unit 2 moves forward, the forward acceleration can be suppressed, so that the article 75 on the transport surface 5 is unlikely to slip relative to the transport surface 5, and vice versa. In addition, since the abrupt movement is performed when the transport unit 2 moves rearward, the acceleration increases, and the article 75 on the transport surface 5 is likely to slip relative to the transport surface 5.

  In addition, in the horizontal movement of the transport unit 2, the transport unit 2 moves at a constant speed for a predetermined time from the start of the forward movement from the first position X1 to the second position X2. Since the inertia force resulting from the acceleration of the conveyance unit 2 does not act on the article 75 placed on the conveyance surface 5 while the conveyance unit 2 is moving at a constant speed, the article is applied to the conveyance surface 5. 75 does not slip. Accordingly, the relative slip of the article 75 can be effectively suppressed at least during the constant speed movement.

  In the article transport apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the storage mechanism 20 is connected to the transport unit 2 that transports the article 75, and the article supplied to the transport unit 2 is supplied to the storage mechanism 20. Since a storage function for storing 75 and a circulation function for collecting the articles 75 excluded from the transport unit 2 and returning them to the transport path 2 are added, the transport efficiency can be greatly increased.

  In addition, the posture determination unit 10 is provided in the intermediate portion of the conveyance unit 2 to exclude the article 75 having an abnormal posture from the conveyance path 4 of the conveyance unit 2, and only the article 75 having a normal posture passes through the posture determination unit 10. Since the product 75 is supplied to the next process continuous to the transport unit 2, the article 75 having an abnormal posture is not supplied to the next process, the generation of defective products can be reduced, and the abnormal posture is achieved. It is possible to prevent the line from being stopped by the article 75.

  Further, since the conveyor 23 is used for the conveying means 21 that collects the article 75 removed from the conveying path 4 and returns it to the upstream side of the conveying path 4, the article 75 is returned to the upstream side of the conveying path 4. There is no vibration, the vibration of the transport unit 2 and the vibration of the transport means 21 do not interfere with each other, and the transport of the article 75 by the transport unit 2 is not affected. In addition, since there is no vibration, quiet operation is possible.

  Further, since the vibration is applied to the transport surface 5 by the cooperation of the first cam mechanism 41 and the second cam mechanism 50, an appropriate vibration is given to the transport surface 5 according to the conditions such as the material and the discrimination method. Even an article such as a difficult-to-align part having a small feature in shape can be transported.

  Further, the output unit 60, that is, the transport unit 2 is reciprocated linearly only in one horizontal direction and only in the vertical direction by the cooperation of both side surfaces 63, 63 of the lift member 62 and the guide surface 37 of the guide member 36 on the inner surface of the housing 31. Since it is guided so as to be movable, it is possible to always carry out stable and uniform conveyance over the entire conveyance surface 5 and to smoothly deliver the article 75 to and from the storage mechanism 20.

  Furthermore, even when the horizontal amplitude of the conveyance surface 5 such as conveyance of relatively large parts is required, stable conveyance with little flapping can be performed, and even such articles are aligned. In this state, it can be supplied to the next process.

  Furthermore, since it is a simple structure that simply connects the storage mechanism 20 to the transport unit 2, the entire configuration can be simplified, and when the article supply line is configured, the entire can be made compact. The installation space can be reduced, and space saving can be achieved.

  Further, the vibration of the conveying surface 5 is generated by the independent first cam mechanism 41 and the second cam mechanism 50 in the horizontal and vertical reciprocating linear motions (vibrations), respectively, and these two reciprocating linear motions (vibrations). Therefore, the vibrations do not interfere with each other, and an accurate and stable operation can be obtained by the two cam mechanisms 41 and 50.

  Furthermore, since the vibration for conveying the article 75 is given to the conveyance surface 5 by synthesizing the vibration of the two-axis system, it becomes possible to give a two-dimensional arbitrary locus to the conveyance surface 5. Versatility can be improved.

  Furthermore, since the first cam mechanism 41 and the second cam mechanism 50 can freely set arbitrary timings, the movement of the conveyance surface 5 that is most suitable for conveyance according to use conditions such as material and conveyance capacity. Can produce.

  Further, since the output unit 60 is guided so as to be displaced in two directions by the cooperation of the lift member 62 and the guide member 36, it is caused by additional fluctuation, pitching vibration of the conveyance surface 5, and bending of the conveyance surface 5. It is difficult to be affected by vibration or the like, and stable and uniform conveyance is always possible over the entire conveyance surface 5.

  FIG. 7 shows a second embodiment of the article conveying apparatus according to the present invention. This article conveying apparatus 1 is arranged by inclining the conveyor 23 of the conveying means 21 of the storage mechanism 20, and conveying section 2 is configured so as to rise sequentially from the second discharge port 8 toward the supply port 9, and the other configuration is the same as that shown in the first embodiment.

  Even in the article transport apparatus shown in this embodiment, the storage mechanism 20 is connected to the transport unit 2 that transports the article 75 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Since the storage function for storing the article 75 to be supplied to the conveyance unit 2 and the circulation function for collecting the article 75 removed from the conveyance unit 2 and returning it to the conveyance path 2 are added to the mechanism 20, the conveyance efficiency is improved. Can greatly increase.

  In addition, the posture determination unit 10 is provided in the intermediate portion of the conveyance unit 2 to exclude the article 75 having an abnormal posture from the conveyance path 4 of the conveyance unit 2, and only the article 75 having a normal posture passes through the posture determination unit 10. Since the product 75 is supplied to the next process continuous to the transport unit 2, the article 75 having an abnormal posture is not supplied to the next process, the generation of defective products can be reduced, and the abnormal posture is achieved. It is possible to prevent the line from being stopped by the article 75.

  Further, since the conveyor 23 is used for the conveying means 21 that collects the article 75 removed from the conveying path 4 and returns it to the upstream side of the conveying path 4, the article 75 is returned to the upstream side of the conveying path 4. There is no vibration, the vibration of the transport unit 2 and the vibration of the transport means 21 do not interfere with each other, and the transport of the article 75 by the transport unit 2 is not affected. In addition, since there is no vibration, quiet operation is possible.

  Further, since the vibration is applied to the transport surface 5 by the cooperation of the first cam mechanism 41 and the second cam mechanism 50, an appropriate vibration is given to the transport surface 5 according to the conditions such as the material and the discrimination method. Even an article such as a difficult-to-align part having a small feature in shape can be transported.

  Further, the output unit 60, that is, the transport unit 2 is reciprocated linearly only in one horizontal direction and only in the vertical direction by the cooperation of both side surfaces 63, 63 of the lift member 62 and the guide surface 37 of the guide member 36 on the inner surface of the housing 31. Since it is guided so as to be movable, it is possible to always carry out stable and uniform conveyance over the entire conveyance surface 5 and to smoothly deliver the article 75 to and from the storage mechanism 20.

  Furthermore, even when the horizontal amplitude of the conveyance surface 5 such as conveyance of relatively large parts is required, stable conveyance with little flapping can be performed, and even such articles are aligned. In this state, it can be supplied to the next process.

  Furthermore, since it is a simple structure that simply connects the storage mechanism 20 to the transport unit 2, the entire configuration can be simplified, and when the article supply line is configured, the entire can be made compact. The installation space can be reduced, and space saving can be achieved.

  Further, the vibration of the conveying surface 5 is generated by the independent first cam mechanism 41 and the second cam mechanism 50 in the horizontal and vertical reciprocating linear motions (vibrations), respectively, and these two reciprocating linear motions (vibrations). Therefore, the vibrations do not interfere with each other, and an accurate and stable operation can be obtained by the two cam mechanisms 41 and 50.

  Furthermore, since the vibration for conveying the article 75 is given to the conveyance surface 5 by synthesizing the vibration of the two-axis system, it becomes possible to give a two-dimensional arbitrary locus to the conveyance surface 5. Versatility can be improved.

  Furthermore, since the first cam mechanism 41 and the second cam mechanism 50 can freely set arbitrary timings, the movement of the conveyance surface 5 that is most suitable for conveyance according to use conditions such as material and conveyance capacity. Can produce.

Further, since the output unit 60 is guided so as to be displaced in two directions by the cooperation of the lift member 62 and the guide member 36, it is caused by additional fluctuation, pitching vibration of the conveyance surface 5, and bending of the conveyance surface 5. It is difficult to be affected by vibration or the like, and stable and uniform conveyance is always possible over the entire conveyance surface 5.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the conveyor 23 is inclined and arranged, the volume of the storage unit 28 can be made larger than that shown in the first embodiment, and the first embodiment More articles can be stored than shown.

  FIG. 8 shows a third embodiment of the article transporting apparatus according to the present invention. This article transporting apparatus 1 removes the posture determination unit 10 from the transporting unit 2 and the side wall 7 ( In the drawing, only the supply port 9 is provided on the upstream side of the front side wall 7), and only the storage function for storing the article 75 to be supplied into the transport path 4 is added to the storage mechanism 20, and the other configuration Is the same as that shown in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the article 75 is cylindrical.

  And even in what is shown in this embodiment, the storage mechanism 20 is connected to the transport unit 2 that transports the article 75 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Since the storage function for storing the articles 75 to be supplied to the transport unit 2 is added to the transport unit 2, the transport efficiency can be greatly increased.

  Further, since the conveyor 23 is used for the conveying means 21, there is no vibration in the operation of returning the article 75 to the upstream side of the conveying path 4, and the vibration of the conveying unit 2 and the vibration of the conveying means 21 are not caused. There is no interference, and the conveyance of the article 75 by the conveyance unit 2 is not affected. In addition, since there is no vibration, quiet operation is possible.

  Further, since the vibration is applied to the transport surface 5 by the cooperation of the first cam mechanism 41 and the second cam mechanism 50, an appropriate vibration is given to the transport surface 5 according to the conditions such as the material and the discrimination method. Even an article such as a difficult-to-align part having a small feature in shape can be transported.

  Further, the output unit 60, that is, the transport unit 2 is reciprocated linearly only in one horizontal direction and only in the vertical direction by the cooperation of both side surfaces 63, 63 of the lift member 62 and the guide surface 37 of the guide member 36 on the inner surface of the housing 31. Since it is guided so as to be movable, it is possible to always carry out stable and uniform conveyance over the entire conveyance surface 5 and to smoothly deliver the article 75 to and from the storage mechanism 20.

  Furthermore, even when the horizontal amplitude of the conveyance surface 5 such as conveyance of relatively large parts is required, stable conveyance with little flapping can be performed, and even such articles are aligned. In this state, it can be supplied to the next process.

  Furthermore, since it is a simple structure that simply connects the storage mechanism 20 to the transport unit 2, the entire configuration can be simplified, and when the article supply line is configured, the entire can be made compact. The installation space can be reduced, and space saving can be achieved.

  Further, the vibration of the conveying surface 5 is generated by the independent first cam mechanism 41 and the second cam mechanism 50 in the horizontal and vertical reciprocating linear motions (vibrations), respectively, and these two reciprocating linear motions (vibrations). Therefore, the vibrations do not interfere with each other, and an accurate and stable operation can be obtained by the two cam mechanisms 41 and 50.

  Furthermore, since the vibration for conveying the article 75 is given to the conveyance surface 5 by synthesizing the vibration of the two-axis system, it becomes possible to give a two-dimensional arbitrary locus to the conveyance surface 5. Versatility can be improved.

  Furthermore, since the first cam mechanism 41 and the second cam mechanism 50 can freely set arbitrary timings, the movement of the conveyance surface 5 that is most suitable for conveyance according to use conditions such as material and conveyance capacity. Can produce.

Further, since the output unit 60 is guided so as to be displaced in two directions by the cooperation of the lift member 62 and the guide member 36, it is caused by additional fluctuation, pitching vibration of the conveyance surface 5, and bending of the conveyance surface 5. It is difficult to be affected by vibration or the like, and stable and uniform conveyance is always possible over the entire conveyance surface 5.

1 is an overall perspective view of a first embodiment of an article supply apparatus according to the present invention. It is the fragmentary sectional view which showed the internal structure of the vibration provision mechanism of FIG. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 2, where (a) is a state where the output unit has reached top dead center, and (b) is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where the output unit has reached bottom dead center. . It is explanatory drawing which showed the relationship between a 1st cam mechanism and a 2nd cam mechanism, Comprising: (a) is at the time of the reciprocating linear motion to a horizontal direction, (b) is the relationship at the time of the reciprocating linear motion to a perpendicular direction. It is explanatory drawing shown. It is explanatory drawing which showed an example of the movement locus | trajectory of a conveyance part. It is the whole perspective view of 2nd Embodiment of the article | item supply apparatus by this invention. It is a whole perspective view of 3rd Embodiment of the article | item supply apparatus by this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Article conveying apparatus 2 Conveying part 3 Groove 4 Conveying path 5 Conveying surface 6 Side wall (back)
7 Side wall (front) 8 Discharge port 9 Supply port 10 Posture determination unit 11 Posture determination plate 12 Side surface 13 Step portion 14 Narrow width portion 15 Bolt 20 Storage mechanism 21 Conveying means 22 Belt 23 Conveyor 24, 66 Drive source 25 Support plate 26 Cover 27 Notch 28 Storage 30 Vibration imparting mechanism 31 Housing 32 Opening 33 Front wall 34 Rear wall 35 Bearing 36 Guide member 37 Guide surface 40 Input shaft 41 First cam mechanism 42 First cam 43 Rib 44, 53 First cam surface 45 , 54 Second cam surface 46 First contactor 47, 56 Support shaft 48, 57 Roller 50 Second cam mechanism 51 Second cam 52 Groove 55 Second contactor 60 Output part 61 Output part body 62 Lift member 63 Side face 67 Drive Shaft 68 Shaft coupling 69 Seal member 70 Lubricating oil 72 Base 75 Article 76 Large diameter portion 77 Small diameter portion

Claims (15)

A transport section having a transport surface in which the transport direction is linearly regulated, and transporting an article positioned in the transport path along the transport surface;
A first cam mechanism that converts a rotational motion input from a drive source into a reciprocating linear motion in a first direction having at least a component in the transport direction and transmits it to the transport unit, and a rotational motion input from the drive source Having a second cam mechanism that converts at least a reciprocating linear motion in a second direction having a component in the normal direction of the transport surface and transmits the reciprocating motion to the transport section, and the transport section is cooperated by the two cam mechanisms. A vibration imparting mechanism for imparting vibration to convey the article to
An article transporting apparatus comprising: a storage mechanism that is connected to the transporting unit and has a storage unit for storing articles to be supplied into the transporting path.   The article storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage mechanism is arranged in parallel with the transport unit.   The article transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage mechanism includes a transport unit that transports an article in a direction opposite to a transport direction of the article transported in the transport path.   4. The article conveying apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the conveying means is a conveyor.   An attitude determination unit that determines the attitude of an article conveyed in the conveyance path and excludes an article other than a normal attitude from the conveyance path to the conveyance unit of the storage mechanism is provided in the conveyance unit. 5. The article transport apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the article removed from the transport path by the section is returned to the upstream side of the transport path via the transport unit.   The vibration applying mechanism includes a housing, a single input shaft rotatably supported by the housing, and an output unit supported by the housing so as to be capable of reciprocating linear movement in the first direction and the second direction. And the transport unit is integrally attached to the output unit, and the first cam mechanism and the second cam mechanism are provided between the input shaft and the output unit, respectively. Item conveying device in any one of claim | item 1-5. The first cam mechanism is provided on the input shaft and rotationally driven integrally with the input shaft. The first cam mechanism is provided on the output portion and is displaced integrally with the output portion, and the cam surface of the first cam. A first contactor that comes into contact with
The second cam mechanism is provided on the input shaft and rotationally driven integrally with the input shaft. The second cam mechanism is provided on the output portion and is displaced integrally with the output portion, and the cam surface of the second cam. A second contactor in contact with
By the cooperation of the first cam and the first contact, the rotational movement of the input shaft is converted into the reciprocating linear movement in the first direction and transmitted to the output unit, and the second cam and the second The article conveying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the rotary motion of the input shaft is converted into a reciprocating linear motion in the second direction and transmitted to the output unit in cooperation with the contact.   The reciprocating linear motion in the first direction has only a component in the transport direction, and the reciprocating linear motion in the second direction has only a component in the normal direction of the transport surface. 8. The article conveying device according to any one of items 1 to 7. The input shaft is supported by the housing such that the axis thereof faces the transport direction,
The first cam is formed on a curved cam surface whose both side surfaces are displaced in the axial direction of the input shaft and rises perpendicularly from the outer peripheral surface of the input shaft,
9. The article conveying apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first contact is a pair of cam followers that are slidably in contact with both cam surfaces of the first cam. The second cam has an annular groove on one side surface with the axis of the input shaft as a center, the inner and outer surfaces of the groove are displaced in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the input shaft, and the axis of the input shaft Formed on parallel cam surfaces,
The article conveying apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second contact is a cam follower that is fitted in an annular groove of the second cam so as to be able to roll on the cam surface. The second cam is formed on a cam surface whose outer peripheral surface is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the input shaft and parallel to the axis of the input shaft,
The article conveying apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second contact element is a cam follower that comes into contact with a cam surface of the second cam so as to allow rolling.   12. A seal member that seals between the housing and the output portion and elastically deforms following the displacement of the output portion is interposed between the housing and the output portion. The article conveying device according to any one of the above.   An inner surface of the housing is provided with a guide surface for guiding the output unit so as to be movable only in the transport direction and the normal direction of the transport surface, and a viscous fluid is provided between the guide surface and the output unit. The article conveying apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a predetermined gap for holding the article is provided. The reciprocating linear motion in the first direction has only a component in the transport direction, and the transport direction is a horizontal direction,
14. The article transporting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reciprocating linear motion in the second direction has only the component in the normal direction, and the normal direction is a vertical direction. The first cam has a cam surface whose contact position moves in the same direction as the movement direction of the output unit while maintaining a contact state with the first contact when the output unit reciprocates linearly in the vertical direction. Have
The second cam has a cam surface on which the contact position moves in the same direction as the movement direction of the output unit while maintaining a contact state with the second contact when the output unit reciprocates linearly in the horizontal direction. The article carrying apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the article carrying apparatus is provided.

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