JP2008179471A - Component carrying passage device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a component carrying passage device maintaining a transfer force in a feeding pipe higher than ever before, by forming a carrying passage system extending from a component delivery device to a target portion. <P>SOLUTION: The component delivery device 10 delivers component by jetting carrying air to the component 1 in a case body 15. The feeding pipe 11 feeding the component to the target portion is connected to the component delivery device, and an inlet passage 29 leading supplementary air into a space in the feeding pipe in the rear of the component is disposed. An auxiliary injection port 59 jetting air for lowering pneumatic pressure of the space in the feeding pipe in front of the component, is disposed near the target portion toward the target portion. The air is jetted to the component 1 that has passed the auxiliary injection port 59. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is provided with a parts delivery device for delivering parts by injecting carrier air to the parts introduced into the case body, and a feed pipe for feeding the parts to a target location is connected to the parts delivery apparatus. The present invention relates to a parts conveyance path device.

In the already known parts delivery device, the carrier air is jetted onto the parts introduced into the case body, and the parts are fed to the target location via the feed pipe.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-90893 Japanese Patent No. 2521577

  In the case of injecting the carrier air to the parts introduced into the case body and feeding them to the target location through the supply pipe, when the air is injected from the injection port to the parts, the injection force is Acts on parts as dynamic pressure. Such dynamic pressure decreases as the part moves away from the injection port. At the same time, the space on the downstream side of the part, that is, the space of the feed pipe behind the part increases, and the pressure in that part decreases. Both of these lowering phenomena weaken the component transfer force in the middle of the supply pipe, reduce the component delivery speed, and make it difficult to improve productivity. That is, in order to obtain a strong jet flow, it is necessary to reduce the diameter of the jet port. However, since a sufficient flow rate cannot be ensured, it is impossible to follow the expansion of the space in the feed pipe behind the component.

  In particular, when the mass of the component is large and the component size is large, it is important for good component conveyance to effectively eliminate the shortage of component transfer force caused by jetting of the conveyance air.

  Furthermore, if the adhesion resistance between the part and the inner wall of the feed pipe is increased by the rust preventive oil applied to the part, unless the part transfer force is maintained at a sufficient value, the transport speed is reduced and productivity is reduced. There is a problem that improvement cannot be achieved.

  The present invention is provided in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it forms a conveying path system from a component delivery device to a target location of supply, and maintains a higher transfer force in the supply pipe. An object of the present invention is to provide a component conveying path device that can be used.

Means to solve the problem

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a parts delivery device for delivering parts by injecting carrier air to the parts introduced into the case body, and a feeding pipe for feeding the parts to a target location is the parts delivery device. Is connected to the component delivery device or in the vicinity thereof, and is provided with an introduction passage for introducing supplementary air into the feed pipe space behind the component, for air injection to reduce the air pressure in the feed pipe space ahead of the component. An auxiliary injection port is provided in the vicinity of the target location toward the target location, and is configured such that air injection is performed on a component that has passed through the auxiliary injection port. It is.

The invention's effect

  When air is injected from the injection port to the component, the injection force acts on the component as dynamic pressure. Such dynamic pressure decreases as the part moves away from the injection port. At the same time, the space of the feed pipe on the downstream side of the part, that is, behind the part becomes larger, so that the pressure in that part decreases. Both of these lowering phenomena weaken the component transfer force in the middle of the supply pipe, reduce the component delivery speed, and make it difficult to improve productivity. That is, in order to obtain a strong jet flow, it is necessary to reduce the diameter of the jet port. However, since a sufficient flow rate cannot be ensured, it is impossible to follow the space expansion behind the component.

  For the above-mentioned phenomenon, an introduction passage for introducing supplementary air is provided in the space inside the feed pipe behind the part, so that a pressure drop behind the part can be prevented and the transfer force of the part can be sufficiently increased. It can be secured. In other words, the space behind the component is expanded with the movement of the component. However, since air is replenished following the expansion, the pressure drop behind the component is prevented, and a sufficient component transfer force can be secured. In other words, as the mass and dimensional size of the component increase, the cross-sectional area of the feed pipe increases, and accordingly, the space behind the component with respect to the amount of movement of the component increases rapidly. Effective air replenishment is made.

  Furthermore, when the component is present at a location close to the injection port, sufficient injection energy can be utilized for moving the component while air injection from the injection port directly hits the component. The direct hit nature of such air injection becomes slow when moving away from the center. However, since the air is replenished, the air injection is continued in the replenished air, so that the pressure in the supply pipe behind the parts can be kept high. Therefore, when the component moves away from the injection port, the dynamic pressure on the entire component can be maintained as high as possible and a good component transfer force can be secured.

In general, a supply pipe for compressed air is laid throughout the factory for blowing off iron scrap, cooling of processing heat, and the like, and the compressed air from this pipe is jetted from the injection port. By doing so, although by unifying the source of compressed air is to rationalize factory equipment, the pressure of the compressed air is usually lower 3 Kg / cm ² or so, at most 8 Kg / cm ² approximately by Therefore, in order to make the air injection from the injection port as strong as possible, there is a situation in which the diameter of the injection port must be reduced. Therefore, although it becomes difficult to increase the air flow rate from the injection port, in the present invention, the introduction passage is effectively functioned as described above. That is, it can be adapted to the circumstances of the factory air supply.

  The above-mentioned effect is to maintain the pressure in the feed pipe space at the rear of the part high. However, in the present invention, the pressure in the feed pipe space at the front of the part is lowered, so that it acts on the part. Therefore, even a component having a large mass or size can be smoothly conveyed at high speed. That is, parts are positively transferred by applying air pressure from the rear and air suction from the front to the parts in the feed pipe.

  That is, an auxiliary injection port for air injection for lowering the air pressure in the space inside the feed pipe in front of the part is provided in the vicinity of the target location and substantially toward the target location. Therefore, a phenomenon occurs in which air behind the auxiliary injection port is drawn into the air injection flow from the auxiliary injection port. That is, an injector-like phenomenon occurs. Furthermore, since a phenomenon occurs in which the air in front of the auxiliary injection port is pushed out by the injection air from the auxiliary injection port, the space in the feed pipe behind the auxiliary injection port becomes lean. Therefore, the pressure in the space inside the feed pipe behind the component is reduced, and the component transfer force for the component is increased as described above.

  Compressed air is injected from both the injection port and the auxiliary injection port. The injection air from the injection port functions to increase the pressure in the feed pipe behind the component, and the injection air from the auxiliary injection port is the component. It fulfills the function of lowering the pressure in the front feed pipe. That is, an opposite pressure environment is formed by one jet air and the other jet air. Therefore, the pressure difference before and after the components can be increased without employing equipment such as a pressurized air pump and a suction air pump, which is effective for simplifying equipment and reducing equipment costs.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the component conveying passage according to the first aspect, wherein the injection of the conveying air to the component introduced into the case main body and the injection from the auxiliary injection port are performed substantially synchronously. Device.

  Since air pressurization from the rear and air suction from the front are simultaneously performed on the components in the feed pipe, a stronger transfer force to the components acts effectively.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the component conveying passage device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the air injection to the component that has passed through the auxiliary injection port is temporarily stopped and then re-injected.

  When a part that has passed through the opening of the auxiliary injection port is caught by a foreign object such as iron scrap and stopped, if the air injection from the auxiliary injection port is stopped and then re-injected, the air flow of the re-injection is Since it acts on the part shockingly, the part receives a strong transfer force. Accordingly, even if the above-described catching phenomenon occurs, the re-movement of the component is surely started.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the feeding pipe according to any one of the first to third aspects, the feeding pipe has a curved shape in the vicinity of a target location, and the auxiliary injection port is provided in the curved portion. It is a parts conveyance passage device.

  If the feed pipe is curved, the parts are in strong contact with the inner surface of the feed pipe on the curved outer peripheral side, so that the passage resistance of the parts increases. However, since the transfer force is applied to the parts by the air jetted from the auxiliary injection port, the parts can be moved smoothly against the passage resistance. Further, since the auxiliary injection port is opened in the curved portion, the injection flow can be easily directed to the target location. Therefore, the part that has passed through the opening location of the auxiliary injection port can reliably move toward the target location.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the component delivery device includes an inlet passage that introduces components from the component introduction passage into the case body, and an outlet passage that delivers components from the case body and communicates with the supply pipe. Is provided in the case main body, and an extruding member for moving the component introduced into the case main body from the inlet passage to the outlet passage side is provided in a state capable of moving back and forth in the case main body. The component conveyance passage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an injection port for injecting conveyance air is provided on a front surface of the extrusion member in a direction substantially the same as an advancing direction of the extrusion member. It is.

  The parts are pushed out toward the outlet passage by the pushing member, and air is jetted from the front surface of the pushing member in the same direction as the pushing direction, and is sent to the feeding pipe. Therefore, since the advancing direction of the pushing member and the jetting direction of the carrier air are the same direction, the jetting force of the carrier air is added to the moving inertial force of the component pushed out by the pushing member, Initial movement of the parts is reliably achieved. Usually, rust preventive oil etc. is applied to the parts, and the movement of the parts may not start smoothly due to its adhesiveness. Since the air injection force is added to act on the component, the reliable movement start of the component can be ensured and the operation reliability of the apparatus is improved.

  By such an operation, even if the mass of the component is large and its size is large, the movement inertia force of the component and the jet force of the carrier air are added and act on the component, so that the movement start is reliably achieved. The In particular, since the air injection is performed from an injection port having a small diameter, the injection flow hits only a very small local portion for a large-sized component. Therefore, although it is difficult to send parts having a large mass and size by this form of air injection, as described above, the air injection flow is in response to the moving inertia force of the parts obtained by the extrusion of the extrusion member. Since the addition is performed, the start of the movement of the part can be surely obtained.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the component conveying passage device of the present invention will be described.

  The target parts will be described.

  Examples of the shape of the component in the present invention include various members such as an elongated member having a circular cross section, a member such as a square projection nut, or a member such as a projection bolt with a flange. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, it is an elongated member made of iron and having a circular cross section. The component is denoted by reference numeral 1 and is constituted by a cylindrical portion 2 and a circular flange portion 3 integrated therewith. Since the component 1 is welded to the steel plate component by projection welding, a welding projection 4 is formed on the flange portion 3. The other elongated member having a circular cross section may be a solid columnar member as shown in FIG.

  Each part size of the part 1 shown in FIG. 6A is as follows. The diameter of the cylindrical part 2 is 24 mm, the inner diameter of the cylindrical part 2 is 15 mm, the diameter of the flange part 3 is 40 mm, and the height of the part (height in the axial direction). Is 38 mm and the mass is 20 g.

  The entire apparatus of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a simplified plan view of the entire apparatus. A parts introduction passage 6 (see FIG. 2) extending from the parts feeder 5 is formed by the parts introduction pipe 7. Although not shown in the drawing, the component introduction pipe 7 is provided with an inclination such that the upper side in FIG. 1 is lowered, and the components sent out from the parts feeder 5 are transported in a state of sliding down. ing.

  The parts feeder 5 has a circular bowl 8 to which delivery vibration is applied, and a storage box 9 for replenishing parts is disposed in the bowl 8. The parts feeder 5 is one that is sent out from a transfer path of a vibrating bowl as shown in the figure, or one that adsorbs a predetermined number of parts with a magnet attached to a rotating plate and sends it out from the sending path. Various things can be employed, such as moving parts to a transport path with a plate and sending the parts out from the transfer path.

  The part 1 that has passed through the part introduction pipe 7 is sent to the part delivery device 10 that sends out the part 1 vigorously. This component delivery device 10 can have both a function to send out the components 1 vigorously and a function to send out the components 1 one by one. In this embodiment, both functions are provided. A feed pipe 11 for feeding the component 1 to a target location is connected to the component delivery device 10.

  There are various target locations to which the component 1 is fed, such as a receiving hole for a component formed in the counterpart component, a chuck mechanism for the component of the supply unit, and the latter in this embodiment.

  The supply unit is denoted by reference numeral 12, and a chuck mechanism 13 for gripping the component 1 is disposed at the tip of the supply unit, and the chuck mechanism 13 is advanced and retracted. The component 1 held by the chuck mechanism 13 is supplied to an electrode 14 of an electric resistance welding apparatus (not shown).

  Next, the component delivery device 10 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the component delivery device 10 and a cross-sectional view of each part. The cross-sectional view in FIG. 4 is based on the principle as shown in FIG. 5B, and the cross-section CC is shown in FIG. For ease of understanding, the component delivery device 10 of FIG. 2A is illustrated with the cover plate removed.

  The case body 15 is made of a metal material such as stainless steel, and is configured to have an internal space 16 having a square cross section, as shown in FIG. The feed pipe 11 is connected to the case body 15. The feed pipe 11 is provided with a flexibility that can be bent in order to avoid interference with neighboring members, and is made of a flexible synthetic resin such as urethane resin or vinyl chloride. The cross-sectional shape of the feed pipe 11 is such that it matches the cylindrical portion 2 and the flange portion 3 of the component 1 as shown in FIG. The gap between the part 1 and the inner surface of the feed pipe 11 allows the part 1 to move smoothly in the feed pipe 11 and prevents the air to be described later from leaking significantly so that the pressure difference between the parts 1 and 2 Is set to a value as large as possible.

  The connection structure between the case main body 15 and the feed pipe 11 is a general joint structure, but here, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIGS. 2A and 2E, a joint member fixed to the case main body 15 17 so that the component 1 can be smoothly transferred from the case main body 15 to the feed pipe 11.

  In order to introduce the component 1 from the component introduction passage 6 into the internal space 16 of the case main body 15, an inlet passage 18 is provided. The inlet passage 18 is open to the side of the case body 15, and the component introduction pipe 7 is coupled thereto. The case body 15 is provided with an outlet passage 19 through which the component 1 that has entered the internal space 16 is sent to the feed pipe 11.

  An extrusion member 20 that moves the part 1 that has entered the internal space 16 from the inlet passage 18 to the outlet passage 19 is disposed in the internal space 16. The extruded member 20 is composed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped stainless steel block material. The push-out member 20 advances and retreats in the case main body 15 and advances and retreats by an air cylinder 22 that is a driving means fixed to the end lid 21 of the case main body 15. Therefore, the piston rod 23 of the air cylinder 22 is coupled to the end of the pushing member 20.

  The direction in which the component 1 passes through the inlet passage 18 is orthogonal to the advancing / retreating direction of the pushing member 20, and the outlet passage 19 is disposed on the advancing direction side of the pushing member 20. Therefore, the part 1 pushed out by the pushing member 20 moves in the pushing direction as it is and is sent out to the feed pipe 11. Then, the part 1 that has entered the inner space 16 contacts the front surface 24 of the pushing member 20 that is most retracted, or there is a slight gap between the front surface 24 and the inlet passage 18 so that it is the most retracted. The relative position with respect to the front surface 24 of the extruded member 20 is set.

  After the extruding member 20 has advanced to the left in FIG. 2, the carrier air is jetted onto the component 1. For this purpose, an air passage 25 is provided in the pushing member 20, and a tip of the air passage 25 is opened in the front surface 24 to form an injection port 26. The direction of the air passage 25 is set so that the jet air from the jet port 26 is jetted in the same direction as the advancing direction of the pushing member 20. An air supply pipe 27 is connected to the air passage 25, and the air supply pipe 27 passes through a long hole 28 provided in the case body 15 and is connected to an air supply source (not shown). The elongated hole 28 is formed in the lateral side portion of the case body 15, and the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 28 is the same as the advancing / retreating direction of the pushing member 20 so that the air supply pipe 27 can be advanced / retreated with the pushing / retracting of the pushing member 20. It is considered to be a direction.

  By directing the jet air flow from the injection port 26 toward the center of gravity of the component 1 or in the vicinity thereof, the component 1 can be slid in a more stable state. Therefore, the air passage 25 is in a state of facing the center of gravity G of the component 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (E), the air passage 25 is in a state in which an inclination angle θ is applied downward, and the jet air flow is directed downward. By doing so, the air flow acts to hold down the flange portion 3 from above, so that the inclination of the component 1 can be prevented. Further, since air is injected onto the cylindrical surface of the component 1, it is important that the air is injected toward the circular center of the component as viewed in plan as shown in FIG. It is. If this is deviated, the component 1 will be biased and hinder smooth movement of the component.

The diameter of the injection port 26 is 4 mm, and the supply pressure in the air supply source is 6 Kg / cm ² .

  The component delivery device 10 described above has both a function to send out the component 1 vigorously and a function to send out the components 1 one by one, but this is only a function to send out the component 1 vigorously by air injection. It is also possible to do. The lid plate is denoted by reference numeral 31. A sensor 50 is attached to the component introduction pipe 7 to detect the number of components 1 waiting in the component introduction passage 6 and to issue a signal for starting the component feeder 5 if the number is insufficient.

  Next, the introduction passage will be described.

  The component 1 that has entered the case body 15 is first pushed out toward the outlet passage 19 by the advancement of the pushing member 20, and after the lateral side surface of the pushing member 20 closes the inlet passage 18, the compressed air is injected into the injection port 26. Is injected from. Therefore, the dynamic pressure by air injection acts on the component 1 in the state added to the moving inertia force by the pushing member 20.

  When air is injected from the injection port 26 to the component 1, the injection force acts on the component 1 as dynamic pressure. Such dynamic pressure decreases as the component 1 moves away from the injection port 26. At the same time, since the space of the feed pipe 11 on the downstream side of the part, that is, behind the part becomes larger, the pressure in that part decreases. Both of these lowering phenomena weaken the component transfer force in the middle of the supply pipe, reduce the delivery speed of the component 1 and make it difficult to improve productivity. Paying attention to such a phenomenon, an introduction passage is provided.

  This introduction passage may be established as an internal structure of the component delivery device 10, that is, provided in the component delivery device 10, or formed in the vicinity of the component delivery device 10. The introduction passage shown in FIG. 2 is established as the internal structure of the component delivery device 10. A notch 30 provided along the longitudinal direction of the extrusion member 20 is opened at the front surface 24, and a long hole 28 communicates with the notch 30 as shown in FIG. The cutout portion 30 is a vent-shaped portion provided in the extrusion member 20, and may be an internal passage that penetrates the inside of the extrusion member 20 instead of the shape of the cutout portion 30. By providing this notch 30 also on the inlet passage 18 side, air from the component introduction passage 6 can be introduced through the notch 30.

  When air is injected from the injection port 26, the component 1 receives the dynamic pressure of the injection air and is transferred from the outlet passage 19 to the supply pipe 11. When the part 1 moves away from the injection port 26, the dynamic pressure decreases and the space inside the feed pipe behind the part increases, so that external air is notched from the long hole 28 to the flow path of the notch 30 or from the part introduction passage 6. The air is sucked into the space in the feed pipe through the distribution channel of the section 30. Since the air injection from the injection port 26 is continued at the time of such air replenishment, the pressure drop in the feed pipe space on the downstream side of the part is prevented, the pressure on the part 1 is maintained high, and the speed of part transfer is reduced. Is prevented.

  It is also possible to perform the extrusion advancement of the extrusion member 20 and the air injection from the injection port 26 at the same time. In this case, the jet air may flow out from the inlet passage 18, but the advancement of the pushing member 20 and the air jet can be applied to the part 1 at the same time. The

  Although not shown in the drawing, the introduction passage provided in the vicinity of the above-described component delivery device 10 is such that the introduction passage is an air introduction port provided slightly in front of the outlet passage 19. Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (E), an intake hole 58 communicating with the notch 30 may be provided in the lid plate 31 near the outlet passage 19 to be an introduction passage or a part thereof.

  Next, a description will be given of a target part for supplying parts.

  As described above, there are various target locations to which the component 1 is fed, such as the receiving hole of the component 1 provided in the counterpart component, the chuck mechanism of the supply unit that supplies the component 1, and the like. The latter is the example.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the supply unit is indicated by reference numeral 12, and a chuck mechanism 13 for gripping the component 1 is disposed at the tip of the supply unit, and the chuck mechanism 13 moves forward and backward. The component 1 held by the chuck mechanism 13 is supplied to an electrode 14 of an electric resistance welding apparatus (not shown). FIG. 3 shows a state where the chuck mechanism 13 has advanced.

  A metal bending member 32 is disposed at the end of the feed pipe 11 as a pipe structure constituting a part of the feed pipe 11. The curved member 32 is provided with a joint member 33 for joining the synthetic resin portion and the metal portion. The curved member 32 is formed with a curved passage 34 having a cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. It should be noted that the lid plate of the bending member 32 is not shown for easy understanding. The bending member 32 is fixed on a flat support plate 35. The support plate 35 is fixed to a stationary member via a support rod 66. That is, the supply unit 12 is supported.

  A receiving member 36 for receiving the component 1 is fixed on the support plate 35. The receiving member 36 is cut out of a thick plate material to form a receiving mounting surface 37, and the cut-out portion is in a positional relationship communicating with the outlet portion 38 of the curved passage 34, as shown in FIG. The component 1 that has slid along the curved passage 34 can smoothly move to the receiving placement surface 37. As shown in FIG. 4A, the receiving placement surface 37 is opened by an opening portion 41 provided on the side where the component 1 is sent out. In order to position the component 1 that has entered the receiving placement surface 37, an arc wall 39 that can be matched with the flange portion 3 of the component 1 is formed, and matching with the arc wall 39 is maintained by the permanent magnet 40 that is a suction means. Is done. The permanent magnet 40 is embedded in the receiving member 36.

  When the component 1 comes out from the outlet portion 38, the chuck mechanism 13 stands by above the receiving member 36 as shown in FIG.

  As the structure of the chuck mechanism 13, various structures such as a structure in which the component 1 is sandwiched between the advancing / retreating member and the stationary member and a structure using suction means such as a magnet can be adopted. Here, it is the former form. The (4B)-(4B) cross section of FIG. 3 (A) is shown in FIG. 4 (B).

  The component 1 is sandwiched between the substantially L-shaped stopper member 43 fixed to the chuck support plate 42 and the advance / retreat member 44. A circular arc surface 45 is formed on the stopper member 43, and the cylindrical portion 3 of the component 1 matches here. A V-shaped pressing surface 46 is provided at the end of the advance / retreat member 44. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, the component 1 stopped on the receiving member 36 is sandwiched between the stopper member 43 and the V-shaped pressing surface 46. In order to introduce the component 1 onto the receiving placement surface 37, a substantially U-shaped notch 67 is formed in the chuck support plate 42.

  The advance / retreat member 44 is mounted so as to be slidable on the chuck support plate 42, and a piston rod 48 of an air cylinder 47 fixed to the chuck support plate 42 is coupled to the advance / retreat member 44 so that advance / retreat operation can be performed. ing. The chuck support plate 42 is disposed substantially in the horizontal direction, and a connecting member 49 standing at the end of the chuck support plate 42 is coupled thereto.

  An air cylinder 51 is fixed on the support plate 35, and a piston rod 52 is coupled to the connection member 49. The chuck mechanism 13 advances and retreats by the output of the air cylinder 51. A support block 53 is fixed on the support plate 35, and the piston rod 52 passes through the support block 53. Further, the guide rod 54 also passes through the support block 53 in a slidable state and is coupled to the connection member 49.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the steel plate component 55 is placed on the electrode 14, and the guide pin 56 of the electrode 14 penetrates the steel plate component 55 to position the steel plate component 55. The electrode axis is indicated by the symbol OO.

  FIG. 4B shows a state in which the chuck mechanism 13 is retracted most by the air cylinder 51 and the chuck mechanism 13 is positioned directly above the receiving member 36. When the part 1 enters the state, the stop position of the part 1 is set by the receiving member 36 and the permanent magnet 40. Next, when the advance / retreat member 44 advances by the operation of the air cylinder 47, the cylindrical portion 2 is sandwiched between the arc surface 45 and the pressing surface 46.

  When the component 1 is held by the chuck mechanism 13 in this way, this time, the chuck mechanism 13 as a whole is advanced by the operation of the air cylinder 51, and the axis of the component 1 is coaxial with the electrode axis OO. Stop at. In this state, when the advance / retreat member 44 moves backward, the component 1 falls directly below and the guide pin 56 penetrates the component 1 relatively. Thereafter, when the chuck mechanism 13 is retracted and the movable electrode 57 is lowered, the welding projection 4 of the component 1 is pressed against the steel plate component 55, and then a welding current is applied to complete the welding.

  Next, the auxiliary injection port will be described.

  As described above, the introduction passage for introducing supplementary air has been described in order to maintain a higher pressure in the space inside the feed pipe behind the part when the part 1 is transferred through the feed pipe 11. On the other hand, the component conveying force can be further increased by lowering the air pressure in the space inside the feed pipe in front of the component. Note that the rear of the component is the rear viewed in the direction of travel of the component, and the front of the component is the front viewed in the direction of travel of the component.

  An auxiliary injection port 59 is provided in the curved passage 34 of the curved member 32, an air passage 60 connected to the auxiliary injection port 59 is opened in the curved member 32, and an air supply pipe 61 is coupled to the curved member 32. The auxiliary injection port 59 opens on the inner surface of the curved passage 34 on the outer peripheral side. Then, the direction of the air passage 60 is set so that air is injected toward the chuck mechanism 13 at the part supply target location, that is, the retracted position (position just above the receiving member 36). Thus, in order to inject air toward the target location, the auxiliary injection port 59 is disposed in the vicinity of the target location.

  FIG. 5A is a system diagram showing the entire component transport path device, and the same reference numerals are given to portions having the same functions as those of the configuration described above. Here, the component delivery device 10 is of a type without the extrusion member 20, and air is directly injected from the injection port 26 to the component that has entered the internal space 16. An introduction passage formed by the long hole 28, the cutout 30 or the like is denoted by reference numeral 62. As is clear from FIGS. 3 and 4, the chuck mechanism 13, which is the target location, has a gap through which air flows out, and this is indicated by reference numeral 63. Further, in order to position the component 1 that has entered the internal space 16, a permanent magnet 68, which is a suction means, is attached to the case body 15.

  An air switching valve 64 that distributes air from an air supply source (not shown) is installed, and air supply pipes 27 and 61 extend therefrom. A control device 65 that operates in response to signals from the above-described air cylinders, component detection sensors, and the like is provided, and an operation signal from the control device 65 is input to the air switching valve 64. An operation signal is sent from the control device 65 to the air switching valve 64 so that air is simultaneously injected from the injection port 26 and the auxiliary injection port 59. Although not shown, when a signal indicating the presence of a component is issued from the sensor that detects that the component 1 has entered the internal space 16 to the control device 65, an operation signal is sent from the control device 65 to the air switching valve 64. It is supposed to be sent. The air injection from the injection port 26 may be performed in advance, and the air injection from the auxiliary injection port 59 may be performed slightly later than that.

  When compressed air is injected from the auxiliary injection port 59, a phenomenon occurs in which air in the vicinity of the air jet flows is drawn, and air behind the auxiliary injection port is drawn into the air injection flow from the auxiliary injection port 59. That is, a phenomenon like an injector occurs. Furthermore, since a phenomenon occurs in which the air in front of the auxiliary injection port is pushed out by the injection air from the auxiliary injection port 59, the space in the feed pipe behind the auxiliary injection port becomes lean. Therefore, the pressure in the space inside the feed pipe in front of the component is reduced, and the component transfer force for the component 1 is increased as described above. That is, the pressure that pushes the component 1 and the pressure that pulls the component 1 act on the component 1.

  FIG. 5B is the same as that of FIG. 5A except that the straight feed pipe 11 communicates with the chuck mechanism 13 without the curved passage 34 as shown in FIG. It is.

  FIG. 5C shows a cross section of the structure in which the thickness is shown in FIG. 5B, and the configuration of each part is the same as that in FIG.

  The part 1 that has passed through the auxiliary injection port 59 may be caught and stopped due to the presence of impurities such as iron scrap. In preparation for such a case, a sensor 69 is attached in the immediate vicinity of the auxiliary injection port 59, and even if a predetermined time has elapsed after a signal is issued from the sensor 69, it is detected from the sensor 70 attached to the stopper member 43. When no signal is emitted, air from the auxiliary injection port 59 is reinjected. Such an operation can be executed by inputting signals from the sensors 69 and 70 to the control device 65.

  As described above, once the air injection is stopped and then re-injection is performed, since the shocking injection pressure acts on the component 1, the abnormally stopped component 1 can be pushed out strongly, It is possible to reliably get out of the stop.

  Although various air cylinders are employed in the above-described embodiments, an electric motor that performs forward / backward output may be employed instead. Further, the operation as described above can be easily performed using a control device such as a normal sequencer, a sensor, an air switching valve operated by the control device, or the like.

  The operational effects of the first embodiment described above are as follows.

  When air is injected from the injection port 26 to the component 1, the injection force acts on the cylindrical portion 2 of the component 1 as dynamic pressure. Such dynamic pressure decreases as the component 1 moves away from the injection port 26. At the same time, the space of the feeding pipe 11 at the rear side of the part, that is, the rear side of the part as viewed in the traveling direction of the part 1 is increased, so that the pressure at that portion is reduced. Both of these lowering phenomena weaken the component transfer force in the middle of the supply pipe, reduce the delivery speed of the component 1 and make it difficult to improve productivity. That is, in order to obtain a strong jet flow, it is necessary to reduce the diameter of the jet port 26. However, since a sufficient flow rate cannot be ensured for this purpose, it is impossible to follow the space expansion behind the parts.

  With respect to the phenomenon as described above, the introduction passage for introducing the supplementary air into the space inside the feed pipe behind the component is the long hole 28 and the cutout portion 30 communicating with this, or the component introduction passage 6 and the cutout portion communicating with this. Since it is provided in the form of 30, the pressure drop behind the part can be prevented, and the transfer force of the part 1 can be sufficiently secured. In other words, the space behind the component is expanded with the movement of the component. However, since air is replenished following the expansion, the pressure drop behind the component is prevented, and a sufficient component transfer force can be secured. That is, as the mass and dimensional size of the component 1 increase, the cross-sectional area of the feed pipe 11 increases, and accordingly, the space behind the component with respect to the movement amount of the component 1 increases rapidly. Effective air replenishment is provided in the situation as described above.

  Furthermore, when the component 1 is present at a location close to the injection port 26, sufficient injection energy can be utilized for moving the component in a state where the air injection from the injection port 26 directly hits the component 1. When the component 1 moves away from the injection port 26, the direct impact of such air injection becomes slow. However, since the air is replenished, the air injection is continued in the replenished air, so that the pressure in the supply pipe behind the parts can be kept high. Therefore, when the component 1 moves away from the injection port 26, the dynamic pressure on the entire component can be maintained as high as possible, and a good component transfer force can be secured.

In general, a supply pipe for compressed air is laid throughout the factory for blowing off iron scrap, cooling of processing heat, and the like, and the compressed air from this pipe is configured to be injected from the injection port. By doing so, but by unifying the source of compressed air is to rationalize factory equipment, the pressure of the compressed air is usually lower 3 Kg / cm ² or so, at most 8 Kg / cm ² approximately by Therefore, in order to make the air injection from the injection port 26 as strong as possible, the diameter of the injection port 26 has to be reduced. Therefore, it is difficult to increase the air flow rate from the injection port 26, but in this embodiment, the introduction passage is effectively functioned as described above. That is, it becomes possible to adapt to the situation of factory air supply. It is not preferable to increase the air pressure throughout the factory because of air leakage and energy costs.

  The above-mentioned effect is to keep the pressure in the feed pipe space behind the part high, but in this embodiment, the pressure in the feed pipe space in front of the part is made low, so the part 1 The component transfer force acting on the component 1 can be further increased, and even the component 1 having a large mass or size can be smoothly conveyed at high speed. That is, the parts are positively transferred by applying air pressure from the rear and air suction from the front to the parts 1 in the feed pipe 11.

  That is, an auxiliary injection port 59 for air injection for lowering the air pressure in the space inside the feed pipe in front of the part is provided in the vicinity of the chuck mechanism 13 that is retracted substantially toward the chuck mechanism 13. Therefore, a phenomenon occurs in which the air behind the auxiliary injection port is drawn into the air injection flow from the auxiliary injection port 59. That is, an injector-like phenomenon occurs. Furthermore, since a phenomenon occurs in which the air in front of the auxiliary injection port is pushed out by the injection air from the auxiliary injection port 59, the space in the feed pipe behind the auxiliary injection port becomes lean. Therefore, the pressure in the space inside the feed pipe behind the part is reduced, and the part transfer force for the part 1 is increased as described above.

  Compressed air is injected from both the injection port 26 and the auxiliary injection port 59, and the injection air from the injection port 26 functions to increase the pressure in the feed pipe behind the parts. The blast air functions to reduce the pressure in the feed pipe in front of the part. That is, an opposite pressure environment is formed by one jet air and the other jet air. Therefore, the pressure difference before and after the components can be increased without employing equipment such as a pressurized air pump and a suction air pump, which is effective for simplifying equipment and reducing equipment costs.

  The injection of the carrier air to the component 1 introduced into the case main body 15 and the injection from the auxiliary injection port 59 are performed almost synchronously.

  Since the air pressurization from the rear and the air suction from the front of the component 1 in the feed pipe 11 are simultaneously performed, a stronger transfer force to the component 1 acts effectively.

  Air injection to the component 1 that has passed through the auxiliary injection port 59 is temporarily stopped and then re-injected.

  When the part 1 that has passed through the opening of the auxiliary injection port 59 is caught by foreign matter such as iron scrap and stopped, if the air injection from the auxiliary injection port 59 is temporarily stopped and then re-injected, the re-injection Since the air flow impacts on the part 1, the part 1 receives a strong transfer force. Therefore, even if the above-described catching phenomenon occurs, the re-movement of the component 1 is surely started.

  The feed pipe 11 is curved in the vicinity of the chuck mechanism 13 in the retracted position, and the auxiliary injection port 59 is provided in the curved portion.

  If the feed pipe 11 is curved, the component 1 is in strong contact with the inner surface of the feed pipe on the curved outer peripheral side, so that the passage resistance of the component 1 increases. However, since the transfer force is applied to the component 1 by the blast air from the auxiliary injection port 59, the component 1 can be moved smoothly against the passage resistance. Further, since the auxiliary injection port 59 is opened in the curved portion, the injection flow can be easily directed to the chuck mechanism 13 which is the target location. Therefore, the component 1 that has passed through the opening location of the auxiliary injection port 59 can move reliably toward the target location.

  The component delivery device 10 includes an inlet passage 18 for introducing the component 1 into the case body 15 from the component introduction passage 6, and an outlet passage 19 for delivering the component 1 from the case body 15 and communicating with the feed pipe 11. Is provided in the case main body 15, and an extruding member 20 that moves the component 1 introduced into the case main body 15 from the inlet passage 18 toward the outlet passage 19 is provided in a state in which the push-out member 20 can advance and retreat in the case main body 15. An injection port 26 for injecting carrier air to the component 1 introduced into the main body 15 is provided on the front surface 24 of the extrusion member 20 in a direction substantially the same as the advancing direction of the extrusion member 20.

  The component 1 is pushed out toward the outlet passage 19 by the pushing member 20, air is jetted from the front surface 24 of the pushing member 20 in the same direction as the pushing direction, and is sent out to the feeding pipe 11. Therefore, since the advancing direction of the pushing member 20 and the jetting direction of the carrier air are the same direction, the jetting force of the carrier air is added to the moving inertia force of the component 1 pushed out by the pushing member 20. Thus, the initial movement of the component 1 is reliably achieved. Usually, the rust preventive oil or the like is applied to the component 1 and the movement of the component 1 is not smoothly started due to its adhesiveness. However, as described above, the component 1 is moved by the extrusion member 20. Since the inertial force and the jetting force of the carrier air are added and act on the component 1, the reliable movement start of the component 1 can be ensured and the operation reliability of the apparatus is improved.

  By such an operation, even if the mass of the component 1 is large and its size is large, the movement inertia force of the component 1 and the jetting force of the carrier air are added and act on the component 1, so that the movement is surely started. Is achieved. In particular, since the air injection is performed from the injection port 26 having a small diameter, the injection flow hits only a very small local portion for the large-sized component 1. Therefore, although it is difficult to send the part 1 having a large mass and size by the air jet of such a form, as described above, the air is applied to the moving inertia force of the part 1 obtained by the extrusion of the pushing member 20. Since the jet flow is added, the start of movement of the component 1 can be reliably obtained.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since it is a device that can maintain a higher transfer force in the parts supply pipe, a wide range of processes such as a car body welding process for automobiles and a sheet metal welding process for home appliances can be used. Can be used in industrial fields.

It is a top view which shows the whole apparatus. It is a top view of a parts delivery device, and a sectional view of each part. It is the top view and side view of a supply unit. It is a top view of a receiving member, and a partial sectional view of a chuck mechanism. It is sectional drawing of the whole components conveyance passage apparatus. It is a side view of components.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Parts 5 Parts feeder 6 Parts introduction passage 10 Parts delivery apparatus 11 Feed pipe 12 Supply unit 13 Chuck mechanism 15 Case body 16 Inner space 18 Inlet passage 19 Outlet passage 20 Extrusion member 22 Air cylinder 24 Front face 26 Injection port 28 Long hole G Center of gravity 29 Introduction passage 34 Curved passage 36 Receiving member 59 Auxiliary injection port 62 Introduction passage

Claims (5)

  A parts delivery device for delivering parts by injecting carrier air to the parts introduced into the case body is provided, and a feed pipe for feeding the parts to a target location is connected to the parts delivery device, An introduction passage is provided in the vicinity thereof for introducing supplemental air into the space inside the feed pipe behind the part, and an auxiliary jet for air jet for lowering the air pressure in the space inside the feed pipe ahead of the part is provided at the target location. A component transport passage device that is provided near the target location in the vicinity and is configured such that air is injected to a component that has passed through the auxiliary injection port.   2. The component conveyance passage device according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance air injection to the component introduced into the case main body and the injection from the auxiliary injection port are performed substantially synchronously.   The component conveyance path device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein air injection with respect to a component that has passed through the auxiliary injection port is temporarily stopped and then re-injected.   The component feeding passage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the feeding pipe has a curved shape in the vicinity of a target location, and the auxiliary injection port is provided in the curved portion.   The component delivery device is provided with an inlet passage for introducing a component from the component introduction passage into the case main body, and an outlet passage for sending the component from the case main body and communicating with the supply pipe. An extrusion member for moving a part introduced into the case body from the inlet passage to the outlet passage side is provided in a state capable of advancing and retreating in the case body, and an injection port for injecting carrier air to the part introduced into the case body The component conveying path device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the component conveying path device is provided on a front surface of the pushing member in a direction substantially the same as an advancing direction of the pushing member.

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