JP2006315821A - Spring feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely carry a number of small springs in a casing while eliminating their entanglement, and carry items that are easily entangled with each other like springs by eliminating problems due to automation, rationalization, manpower saving, etc., in carrying. <P>SOLUTION: An openable/closable casing 1 having an air supply/discharge ports 5 and 6 is provided. A bottom surface 101 of the casing 1 is roughly shaped like a bowl in a truncated form, and a ceiling surface is roughly shaped like a ridge. An inclination surface 101a of the bottom surface 101 that is roughly shaped like a bowl, and an inclination surface of the ceiling surface that is roughly shaped like a ridge are positioned roughly in the same direction. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a spring feeder that conveys springs one by one to a predetermined location.

  Conventionally, this kind of small spring (for example, a small spring having a thin wire diameter that can be pressed and released with a fingertip) is conveyed (supplied) one by one to a predetermined location by a normal manual method. there were. Therefore, it has been pointed out that inefficiencies and costs increase, etc., and automation is also considered as a means to improve this effect, but there is still no desirable means. It is the present situation.

  In addition, as a technique (document) which conveys an object using air, the apparatus which conveys a process component, a pachinko ball, etc. is mentioned, for example. For example, there is a parts feeder (parts conveying device) installed in a factory, a store, or the like. This device accommodates non-entangled parts (articles) such as machined parts in a vibration heater, and sequentially (one by one) conveys the vibrations and / or through a conveyance path (separation path) through which substantially one can pass. It is a configuration. Further, as a prior document, for example, there is “Pachinko ball conveying device” disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-33766 (referred to as document (1)). However, this invention is a structure which conveys the pachinko ball (working parts etc.) in a tank (box) using the press of the air pumped in a hose, and pumps many pachinko balls. And since this literature (1) conveys the part which does not get entangled in conveyance, such as a pachinko ball, the means by the air pumped simply in a hose is attained. In addition, it is not always sufficient to reliably convey one by one.

JP-A-8-33766

  As described above, the conventional means of manual work is cumbersome and inefficient and requires manpower, and its improvement is an essential situation.

  Parts feeders are also suitable for transporting untangled items. However, from the viewpoint of structure, it is not necessarily considered sufficient for conveying the springs intended by the present invention one by one.

  Further, the document (1) is considered to be suitable for conveying non-tangling objects such as pachinko balls. However, this document (1) is indispensable to be entangled like the spring intended by the present invention, and is not suitable for reliably conveying one by one from a large number of springs.

  Therefore, the present invention aims to loosen the entanglement of a large number of springs in at least the casing (housing means such as a case and a box) for reliable conveyance, or to automate, rationalize and save labor. Therefore, it is intended to eliminate the above-mentioned adverse effects and to achieve the same effect (same effect) with respect to an article that is easily entangled like this type of spring. Further, the present invention intends to achieve downsizing of the apparatus, to save space in the factory and / or apparatus, to achieve power saving (electric power), and the like.

  The invention of claim 1 solves the above-mentioned adverse effects by unwinding at least a large number of springs in the casing and transporting them securely, or by automating, rationalizing and saving labor. In addition, it is intended to achieve the same effect with respect to easily entangled items such as this type of spring. In addition, the present invention intends to achieve downsizing of the device to save space in the factory and / or the device, achieve power saving, and the like.

  Claim 1 provides an openable and closable casing having an air supply / exhaust port, the bottom surface of the casing is formed in a substantially bowl-like shape in a semi-cylindrical shape, and the ceiling surface is formed in a substantially mountain shape. This is a spring feeder that is configured such that the inclined surface and the substantially mountain-shaped inclined surface of the ceiling surface are positioned in substantially the same direction.

  The invention of claim 2 is intended to achieve the object of claim 1 or to efficiently convey a spring.

  Claim 2 has a configuration in which a plurality of air exhaust ports according to claim 1 are provided, hose is connected to each of the plurality of exhaust ports, and auxiliary hoses for sending auxiliary air are provided to the exhaust ports, respectively. Spring feeder.

  The invention of claim 3 is intended to achieve the object of claim 1 or to provide a spring exhaust port (exhaust device) that is optimal for achieving the object.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a spring feeder in which the air exhaust port according to the first aspect is provided in a flat portion of a substantially mountain-shaped ceiling surface, and preferably opens in a recessed portion of the flat portion.

  The invention of claim 4 is intended to achieve the object of claim 1, or to provide an exhaust port having a sure structure that is optimal for achieving the object.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a spring feeder in which the bottom surface according to the first aspect is provided on the resin bottom plate and the ceiling surface is provided on the resin top plate.

  The invention of claim 1 is provided with an openable and closable casing having an air supply / exhaust port, wherein the bottom surface of the casing is formed in a substantially bowl-like shape with a semi-cylindrical shape, and the ceiling surface is formed in a substantially mountain shape. This is a spring feeder that is configured such that the inclined surface and the substantially mountain-shaped inclined surface of the ceiling surface are positioned in substantially the same direction.

  Therefore, claim 1 eliminates the above-mentioned adverse effects by at least unwinding the entanglement of a large number of springs in the casing so that it can be transported reliably, or can be automated, streamlined, labor-saving, etc. Moreover, it has the characteristics that the same effect can be achieved with respect to an article that is easily entangled like this type of spring. In addition, the present invention has advantages such as achieving downsizing of the apparatus, space saving of the factory and / or apparatus, and power saving.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of air exhaust ports according to the first aspect, wherein hoses are connected to the plurality of exhaust ports, and auxiliary hoses for sending auxiliary air to the exhaust ports are provided. Spring feeder.

  Accordingly, the second aspect has features such that the object of the first aspect can be achieved or the spring can be efficiently conveyed.

  A third aspect of the present invention is a spring feeder in which the air exhaust port according to the first aspect is provided in a flat portion of a substantially mountain-shaped ceiling surface, and preferably opens in a recessed portion of the flat portion.

  Accordingly, the third aspect has features such that the object of the first aspect can be achieved, or an optimal exhaust port for the spring (exhaust device) can be provided to achieve the object.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is a spring feeder in which the bottom surface according to the first aspect is provided on a resin bottom plate and the ceiling surface is provided on a resin top plate.

  Accordingly, the fourth aspect has the characteristics that the object of the first aspect can be achieved, or that an exhaust port having a sure structure can be provided that is optimal for achieving the object.

  An example of the present invention will be described.

  Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described.

  Reference numeral 1 denotes a casing provided with a housing portion 1c for the spring W. The casing 1 is an annular casing body (preferably using a transparent member made of resin), and a semi-cylindrical shape provided at the lower portion of the casing body 100. The bottom surface 101 having a substantially bowl-shaped inclined surface 101 a and the ceiling surface 102 having a substantially mountain-shaped inclined surface 102 a provided on the upper portion of the casing body 100. The bottom surface 101 is formed on the bottom plate 1a, and the ceiling surface 102 is formed on the top plate 1b. In this example, the bottom plate 1a and / or the top plate 1b is made of a resin having a low sliding resistance (slidable resin). However, since the slippery resin is an example, it can be replaced with other members such as metal, glass, and ceramics. In this example, the casing 1 is a resin transparent member. However, since this member is an example, it can be replaced with other members such as metal, glass, and earthenware. In this example, the casing body 100, the bottom plate 1 a, and the top plate 1 b constitute the casing 1 having the accommodating portion 1 c for the spring W. In the example shown in the drawing, the casing 1 has a vertically placed structure, but a horizontally placed example is also possible.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the substantially bowl-shaped inclined surface 101a of the bottom surface 101 and the substantially mountain-shaped inclined surface 102a of the ceiling surface 102 are positioned in substantially the same direction. It is intended to form a convection airflow A (swirl airflow) to release the entanglement of the spring W and to reliably supply the spring W to an exhaust port described later.

  The top plate 1b is provided with an inlet 1d for the spring W, and a lid 3 that is opened and closed by a hinge 2 is provided at the inlet 1d. The lid 3 and the top plate 1b are kept airtight via a lock 4 and / or packing (not shown). By adopting this configuration, the accommodating portion 1c of the casing 1 is kept airtight. In addition, since the member of the lid | cover 3 is considered similarly to the above-mentioned, it is set as slippery resin, a metal, glass, earthenware etc.

  The top plate 1b has an air supply port 5 and an air exhaust port 6 (the exhaust port 6 also serves as a suction port for the spring W. The supply port 5 and the exhaust port 6 open to the housing portion 1c. The supply port 5 and the exhaust port 6 are provided with hoses 50 and 60, respectively. In this example, two exhaust ports 6 are used for efficient and / or reliable conveyance, conveyance to a plurality of locations, and the like. In addition, each exhaust port 6 is provided with auxiliary supply pipes 7 and 7 (referred to as 7) for supplying auxiliary air in order to eliminate clogging and achieve the above-described objects. In this example, the exhaust pipes 61 and 61 (referred to as 61) communicating with the exhaust port 6 are provided so as to be inclined at the center, and air is injected toward the opening of the exhaust port 6. The auxiliary supply pipe nozzle 71 of the auxiliary supply pipe 7 opens into the exhaust pipe 61. The auxiliary supply pipe 7 is connected to hoses 70 and 70 (referred to as 70). In the figure, 51 indicates a supply pipe. The supply port 5 may be a nozzle type.

  It is ideal that the exhaust port 6 is provided in the flat portion 102b of the ceiling surface 102 so that one of the turning springs W can be reliably captured.

  Next, using the supply of the spring W to the casing 1, conveyance by the casing main body 100, the bottom plate 1 a, the top plate 1 b and the convection airflow A, air supplied by a discharge pump (not shown), stirring, etc. are used. Now, the conveyance of the spring W filled in the accommodating portion 1c will be described. The lid 3 is opened and a predetermined number of springs W (about 1/3 of the capacity of the casing is ideal) are filled in the accommodating portion 1c. When air is supplied through the supply port 5 after the casing 1 is sealed, the spring W in the housing portion 1c moves along the convection air stream A (swirls and turns), for example, the spring W The entanglement is removed, and the slewing is made in an orderly manner (the spring W without the entanglement is easier). During this turning, the spring W is moved to the exhaust port 6 in the process in which the air in the casing 1 is carried out of the casing 1 through the exhaust pipe 61 and the hose 60 connected to the exhaust port 6. It is guided to the exhaust port 6 so as to be sucked by the air that has been directed. Then, it is carried out of the casing 1 through the exhaust port 6 etc. with air. And in the structure provided with the two types of exhaust port 6 grade | etc., While the above-mentioned effect | action is performed alternately or simultaneously, more complicated convection airflow A generate | occur | produces and the further effect can be anticipated. In addition, air is free, such as intermittent and continuous, and is employed in the situation of use.

  Further, air is ejected from the auxiliary supply pipe nozzle 71 of the auxiliary supply pipe 7 toward the exhaust pipe 61. For example, the air is sprayed from the middle of the exhaust pipe 61 toward the exhaust port 6 (an example), and the exhaust pipe 61 and / or the spring W in the exhaust port 6 is entangled and / or clogged. To solve the problem. It is another object of the present invention to achieve efficient suction, separation, or conveyance through the air injection.

  In some cases, a suction pump (not shown) may be used using the exhaust port 6.

Side view of a partial defect of the present invention Front view of the example shown in FIG. Plan view of a partial defect in the example shown in FIG. The enlarged front view which showed the exhaust port, the exhaust pipe, and the hose of the example shown in FIG. The enlarged front view of the principal part of FIG. An enlarged perspective view showing an example of a spring

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Casing 100 Casing main body 1a Bottom plate 1b Top plate 1c Accommodating part 1d Input port 101 Bottom surface 101a Inclined surface 102 Ceiling surface 102a Mountain-shaped inclined surface 102b Flat part 2 Hinge 3 Lid 4 Lock 5 Supply port 50 Hose 51 Supply tube 6 Exhaust port 60 Hose 61 Exhaust pipe 7 Auxiliary supply pipe 70 Auxiliary hose 71 Auxiliary supply pipe nozzle A Convection air flow W Spring

Claims (4)

  An openable and closable casing having an air supply / exhaust port is provided, the bottom surface of the casing is formed in a substantially bowl-like shape with a semi-cylindrical shape, and the ceiling surface is formed in a substantially mountain shape, respectively, and a substantially bowl-shaped inclined surface on the bottom surface, A spring feeder that has a configuration in which a substantially mountain-shaped inclined surface of the ceiling surface is positioned in substantially the same direction.   A spring feeder comprising a plurality of air exhaust ports according to claim 1, wherein hose is connected to each of the plurality of exhaust ports, and an auxiliary hose for sending auxiliary air is provided to each of the exhaust ports.   A spring feeder provided with the air exhaust port according to claim 1 provided in a flat portion of a substantially mountain-shaped ceiling surface, desirably opening in a recessed portion of the flat portion.   A spring feeder having a configuration in which the bottom surface according to claim 1 is provided on a resin bottom plate and the ceiling surface is provided on a resin top plate.

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