JP2009092138A - Needle roller aligning and feeding device and tripod member assembling device having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a needle roller aligning and feeding device capable of efficiently and surely aligning and feeding a plurality of needle rollers on and to a leg shaft part outer peripheral surface of a tripod member. <P>SOLUTION: This needle roller aligning and feeding device has a first cylindrical member 22, a second cylindrical member 24 arranged with at least its part inserted into the first cylindrical member 22 and forming a plurality of grooves 25a respectively storing the needle rollers 208 in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface, a sandwiching mechanism 40 annularly arranged so as to project to the leg shaft part side more than a tip part of the first cylindrical member 22 and sandwiching the needle rollers 208 existing in the respective grooves 25a of the second cylindrical member 24 by pressing to the groove 25a side, a third cylindrical member 23 arranged between the first cylindrical member 22 and the second cylindrical member 24, and a driving mechanism for driving these respective cylindrical members 22, 23 and 24. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a needle roller alignment and supply device that supplies and supplies a plurality of needle rollers to the outer peripheral surface of a leg shaft portion of a tripod member of a tripod type universal joint, and an annular ring that is connected to the leg shaft portion via the needle roller. The present invention relates to a tripod member assembling apparatus for rotatably fitting a roller.

  The tripod type universal joint is used, for example, in an automobile to transmit a driving force from an engine to driving wheels, and examples thereof include those shown in FIGS. 29 and 30.

  As shown in FIG. 29 and FIG. 30, this tripod type universal joint 200 is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape with one end opened, and three grooves 201a are formed at equal circumferential positions on the inner peripheral surface. It comprises a housing 201 formed along the axial direction, and a tripod member 202 provided in the housing 201 and engaged with the groove 201a.

  The tripod member 202 includes a cylindrical main body 203 having a through-hole 203a penetrating in the axial direction, and three leg shafts 204 protruding radially on the outer peripheral surface of the main body 203 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. And an annular retainer 205 mounted on the distal end side of each leg shaft portion 204, and an annular roller 209 externally fitted to each leg shaft portion 204 via a predetermined number of needle rollers 208. The annular roller 209 is inserted into the groove 201a of the housing 201 and engaged therewith.

  An annular groove 204a is formed at the tip of the leg shaft portion 204, and the retainer 205 has an annular stopper 206 fitted in the annular groove 204a and the body portion 203 side of the stopper 206. An annular retainer main body 207 that is disposed and engages with the stopper 206 is provided, and each needle roller 208 is sandwiched between the main body 203 and the main body 203.

  A drive shaft 210 connected to the engine side is fixed to the other end of the housing 201, and a rotating shaft 211 connected to the drive wheel side is inserted into the through hole 203a of the main body 203. The

  In the tripod member 202 of the tripod type universal joint 200, the annular roller 209, the needle roller 208, and the retainer 205 are, for example, firstly used an apparatus as disclosed in JP-A-10-249657. Then, a predetermined number of needle rollers 208 are supplied between the dummy shaft serving as a substitute for the leg shaft portion 204 and the annular roller 209 in a state parallel and annularly aligned with the axis of the annular roller 209, and The leg shaft portion 204 was replaced, and thereafter, the retainer 205 was attached to the distal end of the leg shaft portion 204 to be attached to the leg shaft portion 204.

JP-A-10-249657

  By the way, the method of attaching the annular roller 209, the needle roller 208 and the retainer 205 to the leg shaft portion 204 is not limited to the method in which the retainer 205 is mounted last, as described above, but first the retainer 205 is attached to the leg shaft portion 204. In some cases, the needle roller 208 and the annular roller 209 are sequentially attached after the 205 is attached.

  In this case, since the apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-249657 cannot be applied, for example, while supporting the main body 203 so that the axis of the leg shaft portion 204 is horizontal, the C-shaped The member is arranged so that the inner peripheral surface thereof is spaced from the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion 204 and the opening portion is on the upper side, and the body 203 is swung around the axis of the leg shaft portion 204 while moving the C A predetermined number of needle rollers 208 are supplied one by one from the opening of the letter-shaped member, the supplied needle rollers 208 are moved downward by their own weights, and are arranged in order from the lower side to the upper side sequentially. . When all the predetermined number of needle rollers 208 have been arranged and arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion 204, the needle roller 208 is appropriately held and the C-shaped member is removed, and then the annular roller 209 is moved to the leg shaft portion 204. It fits outside.

  However, when the needle rollers 208 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion 204, if the needle rollers 208 are supplied one by one from the opening of the C-shaped member, all the needle rollers 208 are supplied. It takes a long time to finish and is inefficient. Further, when the needle roller 208 moves downward, the needle roller 208 is inclined from the horizontal and easily clogs in the middle. When the needle roller 208 is clogged, the operator returns the clogged needle roller 208 to the horizontal. Therefore, it is necessary to perform complicated work such as arranging them.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even if a tripod member on which a retainer is mounted in advance, a plurality of needle rollers are efficiently and surely aligned and supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion. It is an object of the present invention to provide a needle roller aligning and supplying apparatus that can perform the above and a tripod member assembling apparatus including the same.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides:
A cylindrical main body portion and a leg shaft portion projecting radially from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion are provided, and an annular roller is rotatably fitted to the leg shaft portion via a plurality of needle rollers. And an apparatus for aligning and supplying the plurality of needle rollers to a tripod member of a tripod type universal joint, in which an annular retainer is mounted on the distal end side of the leg shaft portion from the arrangement position of the needle rollers,
Support means for supporting the tripod member;
The plurality of needle rollers are supplied in a state of being arranged in parallel and annularly with the axis of the leg shaft portion on the outer peripheral surface between the root portion and the retainer of the leg shaft portion of the tripod member supported by the support means. Aligning and feeding means,
Needle roller supply means for supplying the plurality of needle rollers to the alignment supply means;
A holding means for holding a plurality of needle rollers supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion by the alignment supply means;
The alignment supply means includes
A first cylindrical member that is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and is provided so as to be coaxial with the axis of the leg shaft portion of the tripod member supported by the support means and to have a distal end face facing the leg shaft portion with a space therebetween. When,
A member that is formed in a cylindrical shape, is coaxial with the first cylindrical member, and is disposed in a state where at least a part thereof is inserted into the first cylindrical member. A second cylindrical member formed so that the plurality of grooves extend along the axial direction and penetrate the end surface on the leg shaft portion side;
The needle roller in each groove of the second cylindrical member is provided in an annular shape at the distal end portion of the first cylindrical member so as to protrude toward the leg shaft side from the distal end portion of the first cylindrical member. Clamping means for pressing and clamping to,
A third cylindrical member having an interior formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and disposed between the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member;
First driving means for relatively moving the support means and the first cylindrical member, the second cylindrical member, and the third cylindrical member in a direction parallel to the axis of the leg shaft portion;
Second driving means for moving the second cylindrical member in a direction parallel to the axis of the leg shaft portion;
Third driving means for moving the third cylindrical member in a direction parallel to the axis of the leg shaft portion;
The needle roller supply means is configured to supply the needle roller into each groove of the second cylindrical member in a portion inserted into the first cylindrical member,
The second cylindrical member has an opening having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the retainer at the end of the tripod member.
The third cylindrical member is disposed on the rear end side of the first cylindrical member with respect to the needle roller supplied into each groove of the second cylindrical member by the needle roller supply means,
The clamping means is configured such that an inner diameter on the leg shaft portion side is expandable / contractable with respect to a tip end portion of the first cylindrical member, and is smaller than an outer diameter in a state where the needle rollers are aligned and supplied to the leg shaft portion. In addition, the present invention relates to a needle roller alignment and supply device configured to generate a restoring force to return the inner diameter to the original diameter when the inner diameter increases.

  According to this needle roller alignment supply device, for example, as described below, the needle roller can be aligned and supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion of the tripod member between the root portion and the retainer.

  In other words, the retainer is mounted on the leg shaft, the tripod member not mounted on the annular roller and the needle roller is supported by the support means, and a predetermined number of needle rollers are inserted into the first cylindrical member by the needle roller supply means. Are supplied into each groove of the second cylindrical member of the portion.

  Next, when the second cylindrical member protrudes from the tip end portion of the first cylinder member by a certain amount, the third driving member moves the third cylinder member toward the tip end side of the first cylinder member. As a result, the needle roller in each groove moves along the groove and is pushed out from the tip of the first cylindrical member.

  On the other hand, when the second cylindrical member does not protrude from the front end of the first cylindrical member by a certain amount, the second driving member increases the amount of protrusion of the second cylindrical member from the front end of the first cylindrical member. While being moved, the third cylindrical member is moved toward the distal end side of the first cylindrical member by the third driving means. As a result, the needle roller in each groove moves along the groove and is pushed out from the tip of the first cylindrical member, or moves together with the second cylindrical member to move from the tip of the first cylindrical member to the outside. Extruded.

  When the needle roller is pushed out in this way, the pinching means comes into contact with the needle roller and the inner diameter of the pinching means is increased. As a result, the needle roller is inserted between the groove and the sandwiching means, and is pressed against the groove side by the restoring force of the sandwiching means and is sandwiched.

  Thereafter, the first driving member, the first cylindrical member, the second cylindrical member, and the third cylindrical member are moved relative to the support means so as to approach the leg shaft portion side. Thereby, the retainer attached to the leg shaft portion enters the state of entering the opening of the second cylindrical member.

  Next, the first driving member causes the first cylindrical member, the second cylindrical member, and the third cylindrical member to move relative to the support unit so as to approach the leg shaft portion side, and the second driving unit performs the second movement. The cylindrical member is moved toward the rear end side of the first cylindrical member.

  When the second cylindrical member enters the first cylindrical member, the inner diameter thereof is narrowed by the restoring force of the clamping means, so that the needle roller pressed and held against the groove side moves to the leg shaft side, It is pressed against the outer peripheral surface and pinched. As a result, a predetermined number of needle rollers are supplied to the leg shaft portion of the tripod member in a state of being aligned in parallel and annularly with the axis. At this time, the predetermined number of needle rollers supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion is held by the holding means.

  Subsequently, the first driving member, the first cylindrical member, the second cylindrical member, and the third cylindrical member are moved relative to the support means so as to be separated from the leg shaft side, and the clamping means is clamped away from the needle roller. The pinching of the needle roller by the means is released. At this time, the needle roller does not come out of the leg shaft portion because its movement is restricted by the retainer or is held by the holding means.

  Further, the third driving member moves the third cylindrical member toward the rear end side of the first cylindrical member, and the second driving unit moves the second cylindrical member to the front end side or the rear end of the first cylindrical member. It is moved toward the part side and returned to its original position.

  Thus, according to the needle roller alignment and supply apparatus according to the present invention, a predetermined number of needle rollers arranged in the respective grooves of the second cylindrical member and clamped by the clamping means have the original diameter of the clamping means. Since it is arranged to supply the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion of the tripod member by restoring force to return to (reducing), all the needle rollers can be aligned and supplied at a time, Can be supplied. Moreover, since it can supply in a short time, cycle time can also be shortened. In addition, since the movement of the needle roller from the groove of the second cylindrical member to the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion is performed in a very short time, the needle roller is not disturbed and the leg roller is reliably maintained while being aligned. It can supply to the outer peripheral surface of a shaft part.

  The clamping means is a plurality of members arranged radially and annularly so as to correspond one-to-one with each groove of the second cylindrical member, and at the tip thereof is a needle roller in each groove. A plurality of gripping claws each formed with an abutting portion capable of contacting with each other, and a distal end portion of the first cylindrical member, each gripping claw being arranged in a direction in which an inner diameter formed by these distal ends widens and A supporting member that is rotatably supported in a narrowing direction, and an urging force that is formed by an annular or C-shaped elastic body that has an axis parallel to the axis of the first cylindrical member, and that engages with each of the gripping claws. The biasing member is elastically deformed to allow the gripping claws to rotate in the spreading direction and to bias the gripping claws in the narrowing direction by its shape recovery action. Even though it is configured to There.

  In this way, when the needle roller is pushed out from the first cylindrical member and the gripping claw comes into contact with the needle roller, the gripping claw rotates in the expanding direction against the biasing force of the biasing member. Thus, the needle roller is inserted between the groove and the abutment portion of the gripping claw, and is pressed against the groove side by the urging force of the urging member and is sandwiched.

  On the other hand, when the second cylindrical member enters the first cylindrical member and the gripping claw is rotated in the narrowing direction by the urging force of the urging member, the needle roller pressed against the groove side is held by the tripod member. The needle roller is moved to the leg shaft portion side and pressed against the outer peripheral surface thereof, whereby the needle roller is aligned and supplied to the leg shaft portion.

  Therefore, even if the clamping means is configured in this way, the same effect as described above can be obtained. In this case, the abutment portion of each gripping claw is preferably formed to be recessed along the axial direction of the second cylindrical member. In this case, the recess and the needle roller Therefore, when the needle roller moves from the groove of the second cylindrical member to the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion, the alignment state of the needle roller can be prevented more reliably.

  The needle roller supply means includes rotation driving means for rotating the second cylindrical member about its axis, and the rotation driving means rotates the second cylindrical member about its axis while rotating in the rotation direction. The needle roller may be supplied into the groove of the second cylindrical member at at least one rotational angle position.

  In this case, the support means is configured to support the axis of the leg shaft portion to be horizontal, and the first cylindrical member is formed in a slit shape formed along the axial direction on the upper outer peripheral surface thereof. The needle roller supply means is disposed on the upper side of the through hole of the first cylindrical member so as to be connectable to the through hole, and the needle rollers are stacked vertically so that their axis lines are parallel to each other. A supply member that is held in a state of being provided may be further provided, and the needle roller held by the supply member may be supplied from the through hole into the groove of the second cylindrical member. When supplying the needle roller held by the supply member into the groove of the second cylindrical member, even if the needle roller is dropped and supplied by its own weight, an external force is applied to the needle roller. You may make it supply by moving below.

  In this way, the needle roller can be supplied to all the grooves by rotating the second cylindrical member about the axis thereof by the rotation driving means, so that the needle roller can be easily supplied into the grooves. can do.

  The needle roller alignment and supply device may further include positioning means for positioning the retainer mounted on the tripod member supported by the support means at the tip of the leg shaft portion. The retainer is not limited to being completely fixed to the leg shaft portion, but may be movable to the base side of the leg shaft portion although it does not fall off from the leg shaft portion. In such a case, it is necessary to prevent the retainer from approaching the base side of the leg shaft portion so as not to hinder the alignment and supply of the needle rollers. Accordingly, if the retainer is positioned at the tip of the leg shaft portion by the positioning means, a space for aligning and supplying the needle roller to the leg shaft portion can be secured, and inconvenience can be prevented.

  The second driving means is formed along the axial direction in one of the second cylindrical member and the third cylindrical member, and a compression spring disposed in parallel with the axial line in the third cylindrical member. And a projection formed on the other of the second cylindrical member and the third cylindrical member and engageable with the long hole. The second cylindrical member is formed by the compression spring. And the other end of the compression spring abuts on the inner surface of the opening. The elongated hole and the protrusion allow the third cylindrical member to move toward the distal end side of the first cylindrical member against the urging force of the compression spring, while the third cylindrical member is Engage this second cylindrical member when moving to the rear end side of the first cylindrical member. It may be configured to move in the direction.

  In this way, when the third cylindrical member is moved toward the distal end side of the first cylindrical member by the third driving means, the second cylindrical member is moved in the same direction together with the third cylindrical member by the urging force of the compression spring. Moving. Further, when the first driving member moves the first cylindrical member, the second cylindrical member, and the third cylindrical member relative to the support means so as to approach the leg shaft portion side, the opening of the second cylindrical member is opened. When the tip of the leg shaft abuts against the inner surface of the member, the third cylindrical member is allowed to move toward the tip of the first cylindrical member against the biasing force of the compression spring due to the engagement relationship between the elongated hole and the protrusion. Is done.

  On the other hand, when the third cylindrical member is moved toward the rear end side of the first cylindrical member by the third driving means, the elongated hole and the protrusion are engaged, and the second cylindrical member is It moves in the same direction with the three cylindrical members.

  In this way, if the second drive means is configured, the second cylindrical member can be moved in a direction parallel to the axis of the leg shaft portion with a simpler configuration, and the apparatus configuration can be made compact and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. Can be planned.

The present invention also provides:
The needle roller alignment supply device;
An annular roller mounting device that externally fits the annular roller to a leg shaft portion of a tripod member in which the plurality of needle rollers are aligned and supplied by the needle roller alignment supply device;
The tripod member assembly characterized in that the holding means is configured to release the holding of the plurality of needle rollers when the annular roller is fitted onto the leg shaft portion by the annular roller mounting device. Related to the device.

  According to this tripod member assembling apparatus, the annular roller is externally fitted to the leg shaft portion of the tripod member in which a predetermined number of needle rollers are efficiently and reliably aligned and supplied by the needle roller alignment and supply apparatus as described above. Therefore, a series of operations for assembling the needle roller and the annular roller to the leg shaft portion can be performed efficiently.

  As described above, according to the needle roller alignment and supply device and the tripod member assembly device according to the present invention, a predetermined number of needle rollers are efficiently and reliably attached to the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion of the tripod member to which the retainer is previously attached. Alignment can be supplied.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a tripod member assembling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tripod member assembling apparatus 1 of this example is the above-described tripod member 202 shown in FIG. 29 and FIG. 30, in which the retainer 205 is previously attached to the leg shaft portion 204. The tripod member 202 is assembled by assembling the needle roller 208 and the annular roller 209. First, after the needle roller 208 is aligned and supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion 204, the main body portion 203 is horizontally rotated to obtain a predetermined rotation angle. The annular roller 209 is mounted on the outer peripheral portion of the leg shaft portion 204 that is indexed to the position and to which the needle roller 208 is aligned and supplied. In this example, the tripod member 202 shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 will be described as an example, but the tripod member 202 is not limited to this.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tripod member assembling apparatus 1 is supported by the support unit 10 that supports the tripod member 202 so that the axis of the leg shaft unit 204 is horizontal, and the support unit 10. The horizontal rotation drive mechanism unit 14 that rotates the tripod member 202 horizontally to determine three rotation angle positions (first, second, and third rotation angle positions α, β, γ) set at equal intervals, and the first rotation A needle roller alignment supply unit 20 for supplying and supplying a predetermined number (32 in this example) of needle rollers 208 to the leg shaft unit 204 at the angular position α, and a leg shaft unit 204 at the second rotational angle position β. An annular roller mounting portion 120 for mounting the annular roller 209 on the leg shaft portion 204 to which the needle roller 208 is aligned and supplied to the outer peripheral portion, the support portion 10, the horizontal rotation drive mechanism portion 14, and the needle roller alignment The frame 5 is configured to support the supply unit 20 and the annular roller mounting unit 120. In addition, the support part 10 and the needle roller alignment supply part 20 function as the needle roller alignment supply apparatus of a claim.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the support portion 10 is fixed to the support shaft 11 whose axis is arranged in the vertical direction and the frame 5, and the central portion of the support shaft 11 is rotated about the axis via a bearing 13. And a support member 12 that is freely supported. On the upper end portion of the support shaft 11, a mounting portion 11 a on which the main body portion 203 of the tripod member 202 is mounted, and a circle that protrudes upward from the mounting portion 11 a and is fitted into the through hole 203 a of the main body portion 203. Columnar protrusions 11b are formed. And in this support part 10, the projection part 11b is inserted in the through-hole 203a, and the main-body part 203 is mounted on the mounting part 11a, so that the axis line of the leg axis part 204 becomes horizontal. The tripod member 202 is supported.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 2, the horizontal rotation drive mechanism unit 14 is connected to the lower end of the support shaft 11, and the support shaft 11 is rotated horizontally about the axis to move the tripod member 202 to each rotation angle position α. , Β, γ. The horizontal rotation drive mechanism 14 is fixed to the upper surface of the support flat plate 18, and the support flat plate 18 is suspended by a suspension member 19 fixed to the frame 5.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 22, the needle roller alignment supply unit 20 is supported by the upper end of the support shaft 11, and the leg shaft portion 204 of the tripod member 202 is indexed to the first rotation angle position α. An alignment supply device 21 that supplies a predetermined number of needle rollers 208 to the outer peripheral surface between the root portion and the retainer 205 in a state of being aligned in parallel and annularly with the axis of the leg shaft portion 204, and the needle roller 208 to the alignment supply device 21 Is supported by the upper end of the support shaft 11, a holding device 85 for holding a predetermined number of needle rollers 208 aligned and supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion 204 by the alignment supply device 21. And a positioning device 100 for positioning the retainer 205 mounted on the tripod member 202 at the tip of the leg shaft portion 204.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the aligning and feeding device 21 includes an outer cylindrical member 22 that is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape inside, and a hollow cylindrical shape that is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape inside the outer cylindrical member 22. And a first inner cylindrical member 23 that is arranged and supported so as to be rotatable about the axis thereof, and a plurality of needle rollers 208 that are respectively accommodated on the outer peripheral surface. A groove 25 a is formed, and the second inner cylindrical member 24 is disposed and supported coaxially in the first inner cylindrical member 23, and is horizontally disposed, and the outer cylindrical member 22 is placed via the mounting member 27. Mounting plate 28, a support base 29 fixed to the frame 5, a first drive cylinder 30 provided on the upper surface of the support base 29 for supporting and driving the mounting plate 28, and a first internal cylindrical member 23. 1st drive mechanism 3 which drives A second drive mechanism 36 that drives the second internal cylindrical member 24, and a clamping mechanism 40 that presses and clamps the needle roller 208 in each groove 25a of the second internal cylindrical member 24 toward the groove 25a. The

  The outer cylindrical member 22 is supported by the upper end of the support shaft 11 and is coaxial with the axis of the leg shaft portion 204 of the tripod member 202 indexed to the first rotation angle position α, and the distal end surface is the same as the leg shaft portion 204. It is provided so as to be opposed to each other with a predetermined interval. The outer cylindrical member 22 includes a slit-like through hole 22a formed along the axial direction on the upper outer peripheral surface on the tip side. The outer cylindrical member 22 is provided with an attachment member 27 at the center thereof. The needle roller 208 is supplied from the through hole 22a into the groove 25a.

  The first inner cylindrical member 23 is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction thereof, a tip end portion thereof is located on the rear end side of the outer cylindrical member 22 with respect to the through hole 22a, and a rear end portion thereof is provided on the outer cylindrical member 22. It protrudes from the rear end. Further, the inner peripheral portion of the first internal cylindrical member 23 has a stepped shape such that the inner diameter from the front end portion side to the central portion side is large and the inner diameter from the central portion side to the rear end portion side is small. .

  The second internal cylindrical member 24 is provided so as to be movable in the axial direction thereof, the front end portion is located in a state of entering the inside from the front end portion of the external cylindrical member 22, and the rear end portion is the first internal cylindrical member 23. It protrudes from the rear end. The second internal cylindrical member 24 includes a large-diameter portion 25 formed on the front end portion side and a small-diameter portion 26 formed on the rear end portion side, and the groove 25a is formed at both end surfaces of the large-diameter portion 25. It is formed along the axial direction so as to penetrate through. An opening 25b having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the retainer 205 (retainer main body 207) is formed at the distal end surface of the second inner cylindrical member 24 (large diameter portion 25). The tip of the leg shaft portion 204 of the tripod member 202 is in contact with the side vertical surface. The grooves 25a are provided in the same number as the needle rollers 208 to be aligned and supplied.

  The first drive cylinder 30 is fixed to the guide rail 30a formed parallel to the axial direction of the outer cylindrical member 22, and the lower surface of the mounting plate 28, and engages with the guide rail 30a along the guide rail 30a. The slider 30b moves horizontally and a cylinder body 30c fixed on the upper surface of the support base 29 and provided with a guide rail 30a on the upper surface. The slider 30b is driven and moved.

  In the first drive cylinder 30, when the slider 30b is driven and moved by the cylinder body 30c, the mounting plate 28, the outer cylindrical member 22, the first inner cylindrical member 23, the second inner cylindrical member 24, and the like are integrally formed. By moving in the same direction as the slider 30b, the outer cylindrical member 22, the first inner cylindrical member 23, the second inner cylindrical member 24, etc. move in a direction approaching and separating from the leg shaft portion 204 of the tripod member 202.

  The first drive mechanism 31 includes a drive rod 32 a that can move in a direction parallel to the axis of the first internal cylindrical member 23, and a second drive cylinder 32 that is fixed to the mounting plate 28 via an attachment member 33. And a first engagement member 34 fixed to the front end of the drive rod 32a, and a second engagement member 35 fixed to the rear end of the first internal cylindrical member 23.

  The second drive mechanism 36 is a compression spring disposed in the first internal cylindrical member 23 and between the large-diameter portion 35 of the second internal cylindrical member 24 and the stepped portion 23a of the first internal cylindrical member 23. 37, a long hole 38 formed along the axial direction on the upper outer peripheral surface on the rear end side of the first inner cylindrical member 23, and a rear end side (small diameter portion 26) of the second inner cylindrical member 24. An engaging pin (protrusion) 39 that is fixed and inserted into the elongated hole 38 and engageable therewith is formed.

  The compression spring 37 has the small diameter portion 26 inserted therethrough and is provided in parallel with the axis thereof. One end of the compression spring 37 contacts the large diameter portion 35 and the other end contacts the stepped portion 23a. The long hole 38 and the engagement pin 39 allow the first internal cylindrical member 23 to move toward the tip end side of the second internal cylindrical member 24 against the biasing force of the compression spring 37, while When the cylindrical member 23 moves to the rear end side of the outer cylindrical member 22, the first inner cylindrical member 23 and the second inner cylindrical member 24 are integrally moved by being engaged.

  In the first drive mechanism 31 and the second drive mechanism 36, when the drive rod 32 a is driven by the second drive cylinder 32 and moves in the direction approaching the leg shaft portion 204 of the tripod member 202, the first internal cylindrical member. 23 moves in the same direction and the second inner cylindrical member 24 moves in the same direction by the urging force of the compression spring 37. On the other hand, when the drive rod 32a is driven by the second drive cylinder 32 and moves away from the leg shaft portion 204, the first inner cylindrical member 23 moves in the same direction, and the long hole 38, the engagement pin 39, And the second inner cylindrical member 24 moves in the same direction together with the first inner cylindrical member 23.

  The clamping mechanism 40 is arranged radially and annularly so as to have a one-to-one correspondence with the grooves 25a of the second inner cylindrical member 24, and a plurality of gripping claws 41 that grip the needle rollers 208 in the grooves 25a. The gripping claws 41 are arranged at the distal end portion of the outer cylindrical member 22, and the inner diameter formed by the distal ends of the gripping claws 41 is expanded and narrowed (relative to the outer peripheral surface of the second inner cylindrical member 24). An annular support member 42 that is rotatably supported in the direction of approaching and separating) and an annular elastic body whose axis is parallel to the axis of the outer cylindrical member 22 are engaged with the gripping claws 41, respectively. And an urging member 43.

  Each gripping claw 41 is formed in an L shape so that an abutting portion 41 a provided at the tip of the gripping claw 41 that can abut against the needle roller 208 protrudes inward, and is supported on both side surfaces of the rear end. A protrusion 41b that engages with the member 42 is formed on the outer peripheral surface with a recess 41c into which the biasing member 43 is fitted. Further, each gripping claw 41 is configured to rotate in the expanding direction when it comes into contact with the second inner cylindrical member 24 projecting outward from the tip of the outer cylindrical member 22 and the needle roller 208 in the groove 25a. Has been. Further, the contact portion 41a is formed in a groove shape that is engageable with the needle roller 208 and is recessed so as to be along the axial direction of the second inner cylindrical member 24.

  The support member 42 is formed with the same number of grooves 42a as the gripping claws 41 so as to open radially and at both end faces, and the rear ends of the gripping claws 41 are inserted and disposed in the grooves 42a. Further, the support member 42 is formed with an annular groove 42b opened on the outer peripheral surface, and the protrusion 41b is engaged with the annular groove 42b.

  The biasing member 43 is configured to elastically deform to allow the gripping claws 41 to rotate in the spreading direction and to bias the gripping claws 41 in the narrowing direction by its shape recovery action. The The urging member 43 has each gripping claw so that the inner diameter formed by the tip of each gripping claw 41 is smaller than the outer diameter in a state where the needle roller 208 is aligned and supplied to the leg shaft portion 204 of the tripod member 202. 41 is energized. The urging member 43 is composed of, for example, an O-ring.

  Thus, according to the alignment supply device 21, the drive rod 32a is driven by the second drive cylinder 32 and moves in the direction approaching the leg shaft portion 204, and the first internal cylindrical member 23 and the second internal cylindrical member are moved. When 24 moves in the same direction, the second inner cylindrical member 24 protrudes outside from the distal end portion of the outer cylindrical member 22, and the distal end portion of the first inner cylindrical member 23 becomes the second inner cylindrical member 24 (large diameter portion 25). ) And the needle roller 208 accommodated in each groove 25a is moved in the same direction, and pushed out from the tip of the external cylindrical member 22 (see FIGS. 11 and 12).

  When the needle roller 208 is pushed out from the distal end portion of the outer cylindrical member 22, the needle roller 208 and each gripping claw 41 come into contact with each other, and each gripping claw 41 is biased in a direction in which the inner diameter formed by these distal ends expands. It rotates against the urging force of the member 43. As a result, the needle roller 208 is inserted between the groove 25a of the second internal cylindrical member 24 and the contact portion 41a of the gripping claw 41, and is pressed against the second internal cylindrical member 24 side by the biasing force of the biasing member 43. And is held (see FIG. 12).

  Next, the first driving cylinder 30 moves the outer cylindrical member 22, the first inner cylindrical member 23, the second inner cylindrical member 24, and the like in a direction approaching the leg shaft portion 204, so that the opening of the second inner cylindrical member 24 is opened. When the distal end of the leg shaft portion 204 comes into contact with the back vertical surface of the portion 25 b, the outer cylindrical member 22 and the first inner cylindrical member 23 resist the biasing force of the compression spring 37 and the distal end portion of the second inner cylindrical member 24. It moves toward the side (see FIGS. 13 and 14).

  And when the front-end | tip part of the 2nd internal cylindrical member 24 enters in the external cylindrical member 22, each holding claw 41 will be rotated by the urging | biasing force of the urging | biasing member 43 in the direction where the internal diameter formed with these front-end | tips will narrow. As a result, the needle roller 208 pressed and clamped to the second internal cylindrical member 24 side moves to the leg shaft portion 204 side of the tripod member 202 and is pressed and clamped to the outer peripheral surface (see FIG. 14). .

  In this way, a predetermined number of needle rollers 208 are supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion 204 between the root portion and the retainer 205 in a state of being aligned in parallel and annularly with the axis of the leg shaft portion 204. When the needle roller 208 is supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion 204, the supplied needle roller 208 is held by the holding device 85 (see FIGS. 20 and 21).

  Thereafter, the outer cylinder member 22, the first inner cylinder member 23, the second inner cylinder member 24, and the like are moved in the direction away from the leg shaft portion 204 by the first drive cylinder 30. Further, when the drive rod 32a is driven by the second drive cylinder 32 and moves away from the leg shaft portion 204, the first internal cylindrical member 23 and the second internal cylindrical member 24 move in the same direction. As a result, the outer cylindrical member 22, the first inner cylindrical member 23, and the second inner cylindrical member 24 return to their original positions, and each gripping claw 41 is separated from the needle roller 208 and the needle roller 208 is moved by each gripping claw 41. The clamping is released (see FIG. 11). At this time, since the movement of the needle roller 208 is restricted by the retainer 205, the needle roller 208 does not come off the leg shaft portion 204.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 and FIGS. 15 to 19, the needle roller supply device 45 includes a parts feeder 46 that supplies the needle roller 208, a rectangular block shape, and an axis of the external cylindrical member 22. The supply member 47 that is movable in the orthogonal horizontal direction is disposed so as to be spaced apart from the supply member 47 in the horizontal direction with the supply member 47 interposed therebetween, and is in contact with both side surfaces of the supply member 47 in the movement direction. The two stoppers 48 that restrict the movement, the first drive cylinder 49 that supports and drives the supply member 47, and the predetermined number (32 in this example) of the needle rollers 208 supplied from the parts feeder 46 are supplied members 47. And the needle roller 208 filled in the supply member 47 is discharged to the outside and the groove 25a of the second inner cylindrical member 24 is inserted into the groove 25a. A discharge mechanism 70 to be supplied, a rotation drive mechanism 76 that rotates the first inner cylindrical member 23 and the second inner cylindrical member 24 about the axes thereof when the needle roller 208 is discharged by the discharge mechanism 70, and a vertical drive mechanism 76 are arranged vertically. The support plate 82 is fixed to the mounting plate 28 via the mounting member 83 and includes a stopper 48, a first drive cylinder 49, a filling mechanism 50, and a discharge plate 70.

  The parts feeder 46 is connected to the filling mechanism 50 and supplies the needle roller 208 to the filling mechanism 50.

  The supply member 47 is disposed above the outer cylindrical member 22 and on the front side of the support flat plate 82, and horizontally moves in parallel with the support flat plate 82. Further, the supply member 47 includes a supply hole 47a having a long hole shape that penetrates up and down on both end sides in the moving direction and whose longitudinal direction is formed in parallel with the axis of the outer cylindrical member 22. The needle roller 208 is held in the state where the axes of the needle roller 208 are parallel to each other and vertically stacked in 47a.

  The first drive cylinder 49 is fixed to the guide rail 49a formed in parallel with the moving direction of the supply member 47 and the back surface of the supply member 47, and engages with the guide rail 49a and horizontally moves along the guide rail 49a. A slider 49b, a cylinder body 49c fixed on the front surface of the support flat plate 82 and provided with a guide rail 49a on the front surface, and a contact surface provided on both side surfaces in the moving direction of the slider 49b and capable of contacting the stopper 48. It consists of a member 49d, and drives and moves the slider 49b. In the first drive cylinder 49, when the slider 49b is driven and moved by the cylinder body 49c, the supply member 47 moves in the same direction as the slider 49b.

  When the abutting member 49d of the slider 49b and the stopper 48 are brought into contact with each other by the movement of the supply member 47, the supply hole 47a formed at the end opposite to the moving direction side and the outer cylindrical member 22 The through hole 22a communicates, and a supply hole 47a formed at the end of the moving direction communicates with a later-described through hole 51a and guide hole 62a.

  The filling mechanism 50 includes a connection member 51 that connects the parts feeder 46 and the upper opening of the supply hole 47 a of the supply member 47, an axis line arranged in the vertical direction, and a lower end that contacts the needle roller 208 in the connection member 51. A filling shaft 53 that contacts and fills the supply hole 47a, a first guide member 54 that is fixed to the front surface of the support plate 82 and guides the vertical movement of the filling shaft 53, and the filling shaft 53 are moved up and down. A drive mechanism 55 that moves in the direction, a receiving member 61 that is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction and receives the needle roller 208 filled in the supply hole 47a by the filling shaft 53, and a lower and external cylindrical member on the supply member 47 22, a second guide member 62 that is disposed on the outer peripheral portion 22 and fixed to the support flat plate 82 via the attachment member 63 and guides the movement of the receiving member 61 in the vertical direction, and is supported via the attachment member 65. Provided is fixed to the front plate 82, a second drive cylinder 64 for moving the receiving member 61 upward, and a pressing mechanism 66 for pressing and holding the receiving member 61.

  The connecting member 51 is disposed on the upper side of the supply member 47 and is fixed to the front surface of the support flat plate 82 via the mounting member 52, penetrates vertically and communicates with the upper opening of the supply hole 47 a of the supply member 47. It has a possible through hole 51a and a connection hole 51b that communicates with the through hole 51a and opens on the back surface. The parts feeder 46 is connected to the connection hole 51b. The needle roller 208 moves in the connecting hole 51b in the axial direction.

  The filling shaft 53 includes a flat plate-like contact portion 53 a that contacts the upper surface of the needle roller 208 in the through hole 51 a of the connection member 51 at the lower end thereof. It is provided in a state of being inserted into the through hole 51a.

  The first guide member 54 includes a guide hole 54a penetrating vertically, and a filling shaft 53 is inserted into the guide hole 54a with its upper and lower ends protruding.

  The drive mechanism 55 is disposed on the back surface of the support flat plate 82, and the output shaft 56 a is inserted into the through hole 82 a of the support flat plate 82 and protrudes to the front side, and to the output shaft 56 a of the drive motor 56. A rotating body 57 that is fixed and rotates about a horizontal axis, an abutting member 58 that is attached to and supported by the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 57, and an upper end portion of the filling shaft 53. A pin 59 provided on each of the outer peripheral surface and the outer surface of the first guide member 54; a tension spring 60 that has both ends connected to each pin 59 and biases the filling shaft 53 toward the first guide member 54 (downward); Consists of. The rotating body 57 is formed in a circular shape.

  In this drive mechanism 55, the filling shaft 53 is urged downward by the urging force of the tension spring 60, so that the rotator 57 is rotated around the horizontal axis by the drive motor 56. When 57a and the contact member 58 come into contact with each other, the filling shaft 53 moves downward. As a result, the abutting portion 53a of the filling shaft 53 abuts on the upper surface of the needle roller 208 in the through hole 51a, and moves from the through hole 51a into the supply hole 47a of the supply member 47 for filling. Note that the downward movement amount of the filling shaft 53 at this time is set to an amount of movement that can fill one needle roller 208 into the supply hole 47a. On the other hand, when the portion of the rotating body 57 other than the non-circular portion 57 a is in contact with the contact member 58, the filling shaft 53 is moved upward against the urging force of the tension spring 60.

  The receiving member 61 is formed in a flat plate shape, and its longitudinal direction is arranged in the vertical direction. The receiving member 61 can move up and down in the supply hole 47 a and the guide hole 62 a of the supply member 47. The needle roller 208 filled in the supply hole 47a is received on the upper surface. Further, the receiving member 61 is provided with an engaging pin 61a on the upper side surface. The receiving member 61 is positioned so that the upper surface is substantially the same height as the upper surface of the supply member 47 when it is at the raised end position, and the upper surface is substantially the same as the lower surface of the supply member 47 when it is at the lowered end position. It is positioned so that it does not protrude above this lower surface at a height. The receiving member 61 is lowered by one needle roller 208 every time the needle roller 208 is filled in the supply hole 47a.

  The second guide member 62 includes a guide hole 62a penetrating vertically and communicating with the lower opening of the supply hole 47a of the supply member 47, and the receiving member 61 is inserted into the guide hole 62a. . In addition, the second guide member 62 has a through hole 62b formed in the side surface and the inner surface of the guide hole 62a and formed in the vertical direction. The receiving member 61 has a through hole 62b. The engaging pin 61a is located. Further, the second guide member 62 is formed with a lateral hole 62c that opens to the side surface and the inner surface of the guide hole 62a. The lateral hole 62c is a step having a large inner diameter on the guide hole 62a side and a smaller inner diameter on the side surface side. It is formed in the attached shape.

  The upper surface of the second guide member 62 is horizontally formed at the same height as the upper outer peripheral surface of the outer cylindrical member 22, and the supply member 47 is filled with the needle roller 208 in the supply hole 47a. When moving in the state, the lower opening of the supply hole 47a is closed to prevent the filled needle roller 208 from falling downward.

  The second drive cylinder 64 includes a drive rod 64a that is movable in the vertical direction, and an engagement claw 64b that is provided at the lower end of the drive rod 64a and engages with the engagement pin 61a of the receiving member 61 from below. Prepare. In the second drive cylinder 64, when the drive rod 64a is driven to move upward, the engagement claw 64b and the engagement pin 61a engage to move the receiving member 61 upward.

  The pressing mechanism 66 is inserted into the large diameter portion of the horizontal hole 62c of the second guide member 62 so as to be movable in the axial direction, and one end of the pressing mechanism 66 faces the inner surface side of the guide hole 62a of the second guide member 62. A pressing member 67 that is pressed toward the side, a sealing member 68 provided in a small diameter portion of the lateral hole 62c of the second guide member 62, and a pressing member 67 provided between the pressing member 67 and the sealing member 68. It consists of a compression spring 69 that urges toward the receiving member 61 side.

  In the pressing mechanism 66, the pressing member 67 is urged toward the receiving member 61 by the urging force of the compression spring 69, whereby the side surface of the receiving member 61 is pressed by the pressing member 67, and the receiving member 61 is inserted into the guide hole 62a. It is held in a state of being sandwiched between the inner surface and the pressing member 67. It should be noted that the urging force of the compression spring 69 is gradually lowered when the needle roller 208 is filled in the supply hole 47a of the supply member 47, and further falls due to being unable to withstand the weight of the needle roller 208. In addition, it is set so that it can be raised by the drive cylinder 64.

  The connecting member 51, the filling shaft 53, the first guide member 54, the drive mechanism 55, the receiving member 61, the second guide member 62, the drive cylinder 64 and the pressing mechanism 66 are provided in the two supply holes 47 a of the supply member 47. Two sets are provided corresponding to each.

  The discharge mechanism 70 is formed with a first guide hole 71a and a second guide hole 71b penetrating vertically, a guide member 71 fixed to the front surface of the support plate 82, and a longitudinal direction thereof arranged vertically. It is connected via a flat plate-like extrusion member 72 fitted in the first guide hole 71a so as to be movable in the vertical direction, and the extrusion member 72 via a rod-like connection member 74, and is movable in the vertical direction. A third moving cylinder 75 that is fixedly mounted on the front surface of the support flat plate 82 via a mounting member 76 and a columnar moving member 73 that is inserted into the third driving cylinder 75 and moves the pushing member 72, the moving member 73, and the connecting member 74 upward. It consists of. The connecting member 74 is arranged such that its axis is parallel to the moving direction of the supply member 47.

  The guide member 71 opens on the side surface and the inner surface of the first guide hole 71a, opens on the inner surface of the first guide hole 71a and the inner surface of the second guide hole 71b, and is formed along the vertical direction. A through hole 71c is provided, and a connecting member 74 is located in the through hole 71c. Further, the guide member 71 is disposed so that the lower opening of the first guide hole 71 a is located directly above the upper opening of the supply hole 47 a of the supply member 47.

  The pushing member 72 is configured such that the lower end thereof moves in the supply hole 47a and comes into contact with the upper surface of the needle roller 208 filled therein.

  The third drive cylinder 75 includes a drive rod 75a that is movable in the vertical direction, and an engagement member 75b that is provided at the lower end of the drive rod 75a and engages the connecting member 74 from below.

  In the third drive cylinder 75, when the drive rod 75a is driven to move upward, the engaging member 75b and the connecting member 74 are engaged, and the pushing member 72 and the moving member 73 move upward together with the connecting member 74. To do. On the other hand, when the drive rod 75a is driven to move downward, the pushing member 72, the moving member 73, and the connecting member 74 are integrally moved downward due to their own weight.

  The rotational drive mechanism 76 includes a gear 80 for transmitting a driving force of a drive motor (not shown) fixed to the mounting plate 28, and the gear 80 is a center of the first internal cylindrical member 23. The outer cylindrical member 22 is rotatably supported via a bearing 81 at a rear end portion of the outer cylindrical member 22. In the rotational drive mechanism 76, when the driving force is transmitted to the first internal cylindrical member 23 by the gear 80, the first internal cylindrical member 23 rotates about its axis, and the long hole 38 and the engagement are engaged. The second inner cylindrical member 24 rotates about its axis by the engagement relationship of the pins 39.

  Thus, according to the needle roller supply device 45, when the needle roller 208 is supplied from the parts feeder 46 into the connection hole 51 b of the connection member 51, the supplied needle roller 208 contacts the rotating body 57. The supply hole 47a is filled by the filling shaft 53 that moves downward at a constant cycle due to the engagement relationship with the member 58. At this time, the receiving member 61 moves down every time the filling shaft 53 moves downward (a new needle roller 208 is filled into the supply hole 47a).

  When a predetermined number of needle rollers 208 are filled in the supply holes 47 a, the supply member 47 is moved by the first drive cylinder 49, and the one supply hole 47 a filled with the needle rollers 208 and the external cylindrical member 22. The through hole 22a communicates with the other supply hole 47a, the through hole 51a of the connection member 51, and the guide hole 62a of the second guide member 62.

  Thereafter, the drive rod 75a is driven by the third drive cylinder 75 to move downward, and when the pushing member 72, the moving member 73 and the connecting member 74 are integrally moved downward by its own weight, the lower end of the pushing member 72 is moved. The needle roller 208 contacts the needle roller 208 in the supply hole 47 a and is pushed down, and is discharged and supplied from the through hole 22 a of the outer cylindrical member 22 into the groove 25 a of the second inner cylindrical member 24. At this time, the second inner cylindrical member 24 is rotated about its axis by the drive motor 77, and the needle rollers 208 pushed down by the pushing member 72 are discharged and supplied one by one into each groove 25a. In this way, the needle roller 208 is supplied to all the grooves 25 a and is held by the second inner cylindrical member 24 and the first inner cylindrical member 23.

  The pushing member 72 descends until it directly contacts the needle roller 208 housed in the groove 25a. Further, the pushing member 72, the moving member 73, and the connecting member 74 that have moved downward are returned to their original positions when the drive rod 75a is driven by the third drive cylinder 75 and moved upward.

  On the other hand, the needle roller 208 is filled in the other supply hole 47a in the same manner as described above.

  When the supply of the needle roller 208 into the groove 25a of the second inner cylindrical member 24 and the filling of the new needle roller 208 into the supply hole 47a are completed, the supply member 47 is moved by the first drive cylinder 49, and the needle The other supply hole 47a filled with the roller 208 and the through hole 22a of the outer cylindrical member 22 are connected to the one supply hole 47a, the through hole 51a of the connecting member 51, and the guide hole 62a of the second guide member 62. Communicate.

  For the other supply hole 47a, the needle roller 208 is discharged and supplied into the groove 25a of the second inner cylindrical member 24 in the same manner as described above, and for the one supply hole 47a, the second drive cylinder 64 is supplied. Thus, after the drive rod 64a is driven and moved upward and the receiving member 61 is returned to its original position, the needle roller 208 is filled in the same manner as described above. When the receiving member 61 returns to the original position, the drive rod 64a is driven by the second drive cylinder 64 and moved downward.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 20, and 21, the holding device 85 has a predetermined number of needle rollers 208 aligned and supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion 204 of the tripod member 202 by the alignment supply device 21. A first holding member 86 and a second holding member 87 that are held so as to be sandwiched from both the left and right sides, and a support member 88 that rotatably supports the holding members 86 and 87 around a central axis parallel to the axis of the leg shaft portion 204. And an operating mechanism 89 that rotates the holding members 86 and 87 to hold and release the needle roller 208.

  The holding members 86 and 87 are formed with semicircular recesses 86a and 87a in the upper part, and the needle roller 208 is held by the recesses 86a and 87a. Each holding member 86, 87 is supported at its lower part by the support member 88, and has long holes 86b, 87b whose longitudinal direction is formed substantially in the lateral direction. The support member 88 is fixed to a guide member 103 described later.

  The operating mechanism 89 includes a moving member 90 provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction, two guide rods 91 whose axis is arranged in the vertical direction, and whose upper end is fixed to the moving member 90, and below the moving member 90. A guide member 92 that is disposed and fixed to the support shaft 11 to guide the vertical movement of each guide rod 91, two first compression springs 93 through which each guide rod 91 is inserted, and a moving member 91 and two holding members 86 and 87, respectively, two second compression springs 95 provided between the guide member 92 and each connecting member 94, and an attachment member 97. A driving cylinder 96 fixed to the frame 5 and moving the moving member 90 downward, and an arcuate contact plate 98 that contacts the moving member 90 and maintains the moving member 90 moving downward. Obtain.

  The moving member 90 is formed with an abutting portion 90 a at a portion protruding through the through hole 103 b of the guide member 103. The guide member 92 includes a guide hole 92a penetrating vertically, and each guide rod 91 is inserted into the guide hole 92a. In addition, two pins 92 b are provided on the upper surface of the guide member 92. Each of the first compression springs 93 is arranged in the vertical direction, the upper end abuts on the moving member 90, the lower end abuts on the guide member 92, and biases the moving member 90 upward.

  Each of the connecting members 94 is disposed on the upper surface of the moving member 90. The connecting member 94 is inserted into the elongated holes 86b and 87b of the holding members 86 and 87 and engages with the engaging projections 94a. And a pin 94b provided.

  The holding members 86 and 87 support the support portion by the support member 88 when the connecting member 94 (moving member 90) moves upward due to the engagement relationship between the elongated holes 86b and 87b and the engaging projection 94a. As the recesses 86a and 87a rotate in the direction approaching the leg shaft portion 104 and the connecting member 94 (moving member 90) moves downward, the recess portions 86a and 87a are supported by the support portion by the support member 88 as a fulcrum. It rotates in a direction away from 104.

  Each of the second compression springs 95 is arranged in the vertical direction, the upper end abuts on the connecting member 94, the lower end abuts on the guide member 92, and biases the connecting member 94 upward. Each second compression spring 95 has a pin 92b of the guide member 92 inserted in the lower part thereof and a pin 94b of the connecting member 94 inserted in the upper part thereof.

  The drive cylinder 96 includes a drive rod 96a that is movable in the vertical direction, and an engagement member 96b that is provided at the upper end of the drive rod 96a and engages the contact portion 90a of the moving member 90 from above.

  In the drive cylinder 96, when the drive rod 96a is driven to move upward, the engagement relationship between the engagement member 96b and the contact portion 90a is released. On the other hand, when the drive rod 96a is driven to move downward, the engaging member 96b and the contact portion 90a are engaged, and the moving member 90 is subjected to the urging force of each first compression spring 93 and each second compression spring 95. Move down.

  In the holding device 85, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the components other than the drive cylinder 96 and the contact plate 98 among the above components are arranged in the circumferential direction of the support shaft 11 and the like. Three are provided at intervals, and rotate together with the support shaft 11. The drive cylinder 96 is disposed at the first rotation angle position α and the second rotation angle position β. The contact plate 98 is installed in a range from the second rotation angle position β through the third rotation angle position γ to the front of the first rotation angle position α, and before the first rotation angle position α. To the second rotation angle position β is not installed.

  Thus, according to the holding device 85, when the predetermined number of needle rollers 208 are aligned and supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion 204 by the alignment supply device 21, the drive rod 96a is driven by the drive cylinder 96. It is moved upward, and the engagement relationship between the engagement member 96b and the contact portion 90a is released. Thereby, the moving member 90 moves upward by the urging force of each first compression spring 93 and each second compression spring 95, and each holding member 86 is caused by the engagement relationship between the long holes 86b and 87b and the engagement protrusion 94a. , 87 are rotated so as to approach each other, and the needle roller 208 is held by the holding members 86, 87.

  When the annular roller 209 is mounted by the annular roller mounting portion 120, the drive rod 96a is driven and moved downward by the drive cylinder 96, and the engagement member 96b and the contact portion 90a are engaged. Then, the moving member 90 moves downward against the urging force of each first compression spring 93 and each second compression spring 95. As a result, the connecting member 94 moves downward, and the holding members 86 and 87 are rotated away from each other by the engagement relationship between the elongated holes 86b and 87b and the engaging protrusion 94a. Holding is released.

  The holding members 86 and 87 are changed from the opened state to the closed state at the first rotational angle position α, and are changed from the closed state to the opened state at the second rotational angle position β. In the range from the position β to the first rotation angle position α through the third rotation angle position γ, the open state is maintained.

  As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 22, the positioning device 100 includes a positioning member 101, two guide rods 102 whose axis is arranged in the vertical direction, and whose upper end is fixed to the positioning member 101, A guide member 103 that is fixed to the guide member 92 and guides the movement of each guide rod 102 in the up-and-down direction, and is provided so as to be movable in the up-and-down direction. A rectangular elevating plate 104 formed with a contact pin 104a and a drive cylinder 105 for moving the elevating plate 104 in the vertical direction are provided.

  The positioning member 101 is disposed below the distal end of the leg shaft portion 204 of the tripod member 202, and the upper portion is divided into two portions so as to sandwich the leg shaft portion 204 therebetween. The base end portion of the leg shaft portion 204 is configured to be able to abut.

  The guide member 103 is disposed on the upper surface of the guide member 92 so that the holding members 86 and 87, the support member 88, the moving member 90, and the connecting member 94 are sandwiched between the guide shaft 103 and the support shaft 11. Further, the guide member 103 includes two guide holes 103a penetrating vertically and a through hole 103b formed vertically elongated between the guide holes 103a, and the guide rods 102 are fitted in the guide holes 103a. The contact portion 90a of the moving member 90 is inserted into the through hole 103b and protrudes to the side opposite to the support shaft 11 side of the guide member 103.

  The drive cylinder 105 includes a drive rod 105 a that can move in the vertical direction, and the upper end of the drive rod 105 a is fixed to the lower surface of the elevating plate 104. In the drive cylinder 105, when the drive rod 105a is driven to move upward, the elevating plate 104, each guide rod 102, and the positioning member 101 move upward. On the other hand, when the drive rod 105a is driven and moves downward, the elevating plate 104, each guide rod 102, and the positioning member 101 move downward.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the positioning device 100 is configured so that the components other than the drive cylinder 100 and the lifting plate 104 are equally spaced in the circumferential direction of the support shaft 11. Are provided, and rotate together with the support shaft 11. The drive cylinder 100 and the elevating plate 104 are disposed at each rotation angle position α, β, γ.

  Thus, according to the positioning device 100, when the drive rod 105a is driven by the drive cylinder 105 to move upward, and the elevating plate 104, each guide rod 102 and the positioning member 101 move upward, the leg shaft portion 204 is moved. The retainer main body 207 can be positioned. On the other hand, when the drive rod 105a is driven by the drive cylinder 105 and moves downward, and the elevating plate 104, each guide rod 102 and the positioning member 101 move downward, the positioning member 101 moves to the retracted position. At this time, the contact pin 104a of the elevating plate 104 and the lower end of the guide rod 102 are separated from each other with a predetermined interval.

  23 to 25, the annular roller mounting portion 120 is a leg shaft portion 204 of the tripod member 202 supported by the upper end of the support shaft 11 and indexed to the second rotation angle position β. An attachment device 121 for attaching the annular roller 209 to the leg shaft portion 204, to which the needle roller 208 is aligned and supplied, by press-fitting, and a supply device 135 for supplying the annular roller 209 attached to the leg shaft portion 204 by the attachment device 121; Is provided.

  The mounting device 121 includes a mounting table 122 fixed to the frame 5, a support block 123 mounted on the mounting table 122 and having a through-hole 123a penetrating in the horizontal direction, and an accommodation hole 124a opened at the tip. In the through hole 123a of the support block 123. The first slide member 124 is arranged and supported coaxially and movably in the axial direction, and in the accommodation hole 124a of the first slide member 124. A cylindrical second slide member 125 arranged and supported coaxially and movably in the axial direction, a first drive mechanism 126 that drives the first slide member 124, and a second drive member that drives the second slide member 125. 2 drive mechanism 131.

  The support block 123 is supported by the upper end of the support shaft 11 and is opposed to the leg shaft portion 204 of the tripod member 202 that is indexed to the second rotation angle position β at a predetermined interval. 204 and the through-hole 123a are provided so that it may become coaxial. The support block 123 includes a bush 123b on the inner surface of the through hole 123a, and the bush 123b supports the first slide member 124 coaxially with the through hole 123a and movably in the axial direction.

  The first slide member 124 has a front end portion and a rear end portion protruding from the through hole 123a of the support block 123, and a flat surface 124b is formed on the upper outer peripheral surface and the left and right outer peripheral surfaces of the front end portion. It is formed into a shape. Further, a hole 124c having an inner diameter smaller than that of the accommodation hole 124a is formed on the vertical surface on the back side of the accommodation hole 124a.

  The second slide member 125 has a tip protruding from the tip of the first slide member 124. The second slide member 125 includes an opening 125a that opens to the front end surface and a hole 125b that opens to the rear end surface. The tip of the leg shaft portion 204 of the tripod member 202 is in contact with the vertical surface on the back side of the opening 125a.

  The first drive mechanism 126 includes a drive rod 127a that can move in a direction parallel to the axis of the first slide member 124, a drive cylinder 127 fixed to the mounting table 122 via an attachment member 128, and a drive rod. The first engagement member 129 is fixed to the front end of 127a, and the second engagement member 130 is fixed to the rear end portion of the second slide member 125 and engaged with the first engagement member 129.

  The second drive mechanism 131 is disposed horizontally, one end is provided in the hole 124c of the first slide member 124, and the other end is provided in the hole 125b of the second slide member 125, and the first slide member. An elongated hole 133 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the outer periphery of the second slide member 125 along the axial direction thereof, and an engagement pin 134 provided in the outer peripheral surface of the second slide member 125 and inserted into the elongated hole 133 and engageable therewith. Consists of.

  The elongated hole 133 and the engagement pin 134 allow the first slide member 124 to move toward the distal end side of the second slide member 125 against the biasing force of the compression spring 132, while the first slide member 124. Are engaged to move the first slide member 124 and the second slide member 125 integrally when moving toward the rear end side.

  In the first drive mechanism 126 and the second drive mechanism 131, when the drive rod 127 a is driven by the drive cylinder 127 and moves in the direction approaching the leg shaft portion 204 of the tripod member 202, the first slide member 124 is the same. The second slide member 125 moves in the same direction by the urging force of the compression spring 132 while moving in the direction. On the other hand, when the drive rod 127 a is driven by the drive cylinder 127 and moves away from the leg shaft portion 204 of the tripod member 202, the first slide member 124 moves in the same direction, and the long hole 133 and the engagement pin 134 are moved. And the second slide member 125 moves together with the first slide member 124 in the same direction.

  The supply device 135 is supported by the upper end of the support shaft 11 and a chute 136 disposed between the support shaft 123 and the leg shaft portion 204 of the tripod member 202 indexed to the second rotation angle position β. The fixing member 138 that fixes the chute 136 to the upper surface of the mounting table 122 is configured.

  The chute 136 moves the annular roller 209 supplied into the chute 136 so that the lowermost annular roller 209 is coaxial with the leg shaft portion 204 of the tripod member 202. In addition, a rectangular through-hole 136a that penetrates in a direction parallel to the axis of the lowermost annular roller 209 is formed in the lower portion of the chute 136.

  The inner surface of the through-hole 136a on the support block 123 side engages with the upper end surface of the annular roller 209 and the end surfaces on both the left and right sides, and is formed larger than the outer surface of the front end portion of the first slide member 124. On the other hand, the inner surface of the through hole 136a on the leg shaft portion 204 side is formed larger than the outer diameter of the annular roller 209, and doors 137 arranged on the left and right sides of the annular roller 209 are provided on the annular roller 209. Engages with the left and right end faces. The door 137 is biased in a closing direction by a spring (not shown).

  Thus, according to the annular roller mounting portion 120, the drive rod 127 a is driven by the drive cylinder 127 and moves in the direction approaching the leg shaft portion 204, and the first slide member 124 and the second slide member 125 are the same. When moving in the direction, the tip of the second slide member 125 is fitted into the annular roller 209 located at the lowest side in the chute 136, and the tip of the first slide member 124 abuts against the annular roller 209. This is contacted and moved in the same direction (see FIGS. 23 and 26).

  Then, the first slide member 124 and the second slide member 125 pass through the through hole 136a of the chute 136. At this time, the door 137 opens and the annular roller 209 comes out of the chute 136. Thereafter, when the tip end of the leg shaft portion 204 comes into contact with the back vertical surface of the opening 125 a of the second slide member 125, the first slide member 124 resists the urging force of the compression spring 132 and the second slide member 125. Move to the tip side.

  Thereby, the annular roller 209 is moved to the leg shaft portion 204 side and is press-fitted into the outer peripheral portion of the leg shaft portion 204 (see FIGS. 27 and 28). At this time, when the annular roller 209 is press-fitted about half of the leg shaft portion 204, the drive rod 96a is driven by the drive cylinder 96 to move downward, and the needle roller 208 is held by the holding members 86 and 87. Is released (see FIGS. 20 and 21). Then, after the holding of the needle roller 208 is released, the annular roller 209 is pressed into the end.

  Thus, when the annular roller 209 is press-fitted into the leg shaft portion 204 in which the needle roller 208 is aligned and supplied to the outer peripheral portion, the drive rod 127a is driven by the drive cylinder 127 and moved away from the leg shaft portion 204. The first slide member 124 and the second slide member 125 move in the same direction. Thereby, the 1st slide member 124 and the 2nd slide member 125 return to the original position (refer FIG. 23).

  According to the tripod member assembling apparatus 1 of the present example configured as described above, first, the positioning members 101 corresponding to the respective rotation angle positions α, β, γ of the positioning apparatus 100 are moved upward. The retainer 205 is attached to the leg shaft portion 204, and the tripod member 202 to which the annular roller 209 and the needle roller 208 are not attached is placed on the support shaft 11 by an operator or by an automatic supply device. At this time, the tripod member 202 is placed in a state where the retainer body 207 is positioned at the tip of each leg shaft portion 204 by the positioning member 101.

  Next, after the positioning member 101 corresponding to each rotation angle position α, β, γ of the positioning device 100 is moved downward, the leg shaft of the tripod member 202 indexed to the first rotation angle position α. A predetermined number of needle rollers 208 are aligned and supplied to the section 204 by the alignment supply device 21, and each of the holding members 86, corresponding to the first rotation angle position α of the holding device 85 corresponds to the needle roller 208 aligned and supplied. 87.

  Thereafter, the support shaft 11 is rotated about the axis by the horizontal rotation drive mechanism 14, and the tripod member 202 rotates horizontally. As a result, the leg shaft portion 204 that was indexed at the first rotation angle position α is at the second rotation angle position β, and the leg shaft portion 204 that is indexed at the second rotation angle position β is the third rotation angle position. The leg shaft portion 204 that has been determined at the third rotational angle position γ is determined at γ as the first rotational angle position α. At this time, the holding members 86 and 87 and the positioning member 101 also rotate integrally with the support shaft 11.

  Then, the annular roller 209 is press-fitted by the mounting device 121 into the leg shaft portion 204 to which the needle roller 208 is aligned and supplied at the second rotation angle position β. At that time, the holding of the needle roller 208 by the holding members 86 and 87 corresponding to the second rotation angle position β of the holding device 85 is released. Similarly, a predetermined number of needle rollers 208 are aligned and supplied to the leg shaft portion 204 determined at the first rotation angle position α.

  Thereafter, the support shaft 11 is rotated about the axis by the horizontal rotation drive mechanism 14, and the tripod member 202 rotates horizontally. As a result, the leg shaft portion 204 is indexed to each rotation angle position α, β, γ.

  Similarly to the above, the needle roller 208 is aligned and supplied to the leg shaft portion 204 indexed to the first rotation angle position α, and the leg shaft portion 204 indexed to the second rotation angle position β is supplied to the leg shaft portion 204. On the other hand, the annular roller 209 is press-fitted.

  Thereafter, the support shaft 11 is rotated about the axis by the horizontal rotation drive mechanism 14, and the annular roller 209 is press-fitted into the leg shaft portion 204 indexed to the second rotation angle position β.

  In this way, the needle roller 208 and the annular roller 209 are respectively assembled to the three leg shaft portions 204, and thereby the tripod member 202 is assembled. The assembled tripod member 202 is replaced with a new tripod member 202 to which the annular roller 209 and the needle roller 208 are not attached. Thereafter, similarly, a predetermined number of tripod members 202 are assembled.

  As described in detail above, according to the tripod member assembling apparatus 1 of this example, the predetermined number of needle rollers 208 that are respectively disposed in the respective grooves 25a of the second inner cylindrical member 24 and sandwiched by the gripping claws 41 are attached. Since the urging force of the urging member 43 aligns and supplies the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion 204 of the tripod member 202, all the needle rollers 208 can be aligned and supplied at a time, and the needle rollers 208 are efficiently supplied. can do. Moreover, since it can supply in a short time, cycle time can also be shortened. Further, since the operation of moving the needle roller 208 from the groove 25a of the second inner cylindrical member 24 to the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion 204 is performed in a very short time, the needle roller 208 is not disturbed and is in an aligned state. It can supply to the outer peripheral surface of the leg axis part 204, maintaining reliably.

  Further, since the contact portion 41a of the gripping claw 41 is formed in a groove shape, the contact portion 41a and the needle roller 208 can be engaged when the gripping claw 41 sandwiches the needle roller 208, and the needle roller 208 Can be reliably prevented from disturbing the alignment state of the needle roller 208 when moving from the inside of the groove 25a of the second internal cylindrical member 24 to the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion 204.

  Further, while the needle rollers 208 stacked vertically are moved downward so that the axes are parallel to each other, the second inner cylindrical member 24 is rotated about the axis by the rotation drive mechanism 76, and the needle rollers 208 are inserted into the grooves 25a. Since 208 is supplied, the needle roller 208 can be easily supplied into the groove 25a.

  Further, since the retainer 205 (retainer main body 207) mounted on the tripod member 202 supported by the support shaft 11 is positioned by the positioning member 101, there is a space in which the needle roller 208 is aligned and supplied to the leg shaft portion 204. It is possible to prevent inconveniences such as not being ensured. It is to be noted that the retainer 205 needs to be positioned in this way, not only the retainer 205 is completely fixed to the leg shaft portion 204 but also does not fall off from the leg shaft portion 204, but the root of the leg shaft portion 204. This is because there are some that can be moved to the side.

  If the second internal cylindrical member 24 is moved by the compression spring 37 and the engagement relationship between the long hole 38 and the engagement pin 39, the second internal cylindrical member 24 can be moved with a simpler configuration. Therefore, the device configuration can be made compact and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  Further, when two supply holes 47a are formed in the supply member 47 and the needle roller 208 filled in one supply hole 47a is supplied into the groove 25a of the second internal cylindrical member 24, the other supply hole 47a is supplied. Since the new needle roller 208 is filled in the hole 47a, the supply of the needle roller 208 into the groove 25a can be efficiently performed.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, the specific aspect which this invention can take is not limited to this at all.

It is the schematic which showed the tripod member assembly apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which showed schematic structure of the support part, horizontal rotation drive mechanism part, holding | maintenance apparatus, and positioning device which concern on this embodiment. It is a top view of the support part, horizontal rotation drive mechanism part, holding device, and positioning device which were shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which showed schematic structure, such as the alignment supply apparatus which concerns on this embodiment, and a needle roller supply apparatus. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the alignment supply device and the needle roller supply device shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a front view of the alignment supply device and the needle roller supply device shown in FIG. 4. It is sectional drawing which showed schematic structure of the principal part of the alignment supply apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a front view of the arrow C direction in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the arrow DD direction in FIG. It is the front view which showed schematic structure of the holding nail | claw which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the alignment supply apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the alignment supply apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the alignment supply apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the alignment supply apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which showed schematic structure, such as the needle roller supply apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the needle roller supply apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the arrow EE direction in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the arrow FF direction in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the arrow GG direction in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the arrow AA direction in FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the holding | maintenance apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the arrow BB direction in FIG. It is sectional drawing which showed schematic structure, such as a cyclic | annular roller mounting part which concerns on this embodiment. It is a top view of the annular roller mounting part shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the arrow HH direction in FIG. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the mounting apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the mounting apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the mounting apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which showed schematic structure of the tripod type universal joint. It is sectional drawing of the arrow JJ direction in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tripod member assembly apparatus 10 Support part 11 Support shaft 14 Horizontal rotation drive mechanism part 20 Needle roller alignment supply part 21 Alignment supply apparatus 22 External cylindrical member 23 1st internal cylindrical member 24 2nd internal cylindrical member 41 Holding claw 43 Energizing member 45 Needle roller supply device 47 Supply member 53 Filling shaft 54 First guide member 57 Rotating body 58 Contact member 61 Receiving member 62 Second guide member 67 Press member 68 Sealing member 71 Guide member 72 Extrusion member 73 Moving member 74 Connecting member 76 Rotation drive mechanism 85 Holding device 86, 87 Holding member 88 Support member 90 Moving member 91 Guide rod 92 Guide member 94 Connecting member 98 Contact plate 100 Positioning device 101 Positioning member 102 Guide rod 103 Guide member 104 Lifting plate 120 Ring roller mounting Part 121 mounting device 1 23 support block 124 first slide member 125 second slide member 135 supply device 136 chute

Claims (8)

A cylindrical main body portion and a leg shaft portion projecting radially from the outer peripheral surface of the main body portion are provided, and an annular roller is rotatably fitted to the leg shaft portion via a plurality of needle rollers. And an apparatus for aligning and supplying the plurality of needle rollers to a tripod member of a tripod type universal joint, in which an annular retainer is mounted on the distal end side of the leg shaft portion from the arrangement position of the needle rollers,
Support means for supporting the tripod member;
The plurality of needle rollers are supplied in a state of being arranged in parallel and annularly with the axis of the leg shaft portion on the outer peripheral surface between the root portion and the retainer of the leg shaft portion of the tripod member supported by the support means. Aligning and feeding means,
Needle roller supply means for supplying the plurality of needle rollers to the alignment supply means;
A holding means for holding a plurality of needle rollers supplied to the outer peripheral surface of the leg shaft portion by the alignment supply means;
The alignment supply means includes
A first cylindrical member that is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and is provided so as to be coaxial with the axis of the leg shaft portion of the tripod member supported by the support means and to have a distal end surface facing the leg shaft portion with a space therebetween. When,
A member that is formed in a cylindrical shape, is coaxial with the first cylindrical member, and is disposed in a state where at least a part thereof is inserted into the first cylindrical member. A second cylindrical member formed so that the plurality of grooves extend along the axial direction and penetrate the end surface on the leg shaft portion side;
The needle roller in each groove of the second cylindrical member is provided in an annular shape at the distal end portion of the first cylindrical member so as to protrude toward the leg shaft side from the distal end portion of the first cylindrical member. Clamping means for pressing and clamping to,
A third cylindrical member having an interior formed in a hollow cylindrical shape and disposed between the first cylindrical member and the second cylindrical member;
First driving means for relatively moving the support means and the first cylindrical member, the second cylindrical member, and the third cylindrical member in a direction parallel to the axis of the leg shaft portion;
Second driving means for moving the second cylindrical member in a direction parallel to the axis of the leg shaft portion;
Third driving means for moving the third cylindrical member in a direction parallel to the axis of the leg shaft portion;
The needle roller supply means is configured to supply the needle roller into each groove of the second cylindrical member in a portion inserted into the first cylindrical member,
The second cylindrical member is formed with an opening having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the retainer at the end of the tripod member.
The third cylindrical member is disposed on the rear end side of the first cylindrical member with respect to the needle roller supplied into each groove of the second cylindrical member by the needle roller supply means,
The clamping means is configured such that the inner diameter of the first cylindrical member on the side of the leg shaft portion is larger than the distal end portion of the first cylindrical member, and is smaller than the outer diameter in a state where the needle rollers are aligned and supplied to the leg shaft portion. In addition, the needle roller alignment and supply device is configured to generate a restoring force to return the inner diameter to the original diameter when the inner diameter increases. The clamping means is
A plurality of members arranged radially and annularly so as to have a one-to-one correspondence with each groove of the second cylindrical member, and at the tip thereof, abutment capable of contacting the needle roller in each groove A plurality of gripping claws each formed with a portion;
A support member that is disposed at a distal end portion of the first cylindrical member and supports the gripping claws so as to be rotatable in a direction in which an inner diameter formed by the distal ends expands and narrows.
An axial line is made of an annular or C-shaped elastic body provided in parallel with the axial line of the first cylindrical member, and is constituted by a biasing member that engages with each of the gripping claws,
The biasing member is configured to elastically deform to allow the gripping claws to rotate in the spreading direction, and to bias the gripping claws in the narrowing direction by its shape recovery action. The needle roller alignment supply device according to claim 1, wherein   The needle roller alignment supply device according to claim 2, wherein the contact portion of each gripping claw is formed to be recessed along the axial direction of the second cylindrical member.   The needle roller supply means includes rotation driving means for rotating the second cylindrical member about its axis, and the rotation driving means rotates the second cylindrical member about its axis while at least 1 in the rotation direction. 4. The needle roller alignment supply device according to claim 1, wherein the needle roller is supplied into the groove of the second cylindrical member at one rotational angle position. 5. The support means is configured to support so that the axis of the leg shaft portion is horizontal,
The first cylindrical member includes a slit-shaped through hole formed along an axial direction on an upper outer peripheral surface thereof,
The needle roller supply means is disposed on the upper side of the through hole of the first cylindrical member so as to be connectable to the through hole, and holds the needle roller in a state where the needle rollers are stacked vertically so that their axes are parallel to each other. The needle roller alignment according to claim 4, further comprising a supply member, wherein the needle roller held by the supply member is configured to be supplied from the through hole into a groove of the second cylindrical member. Feeding device.   The needle roller alignment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising positioning means for positioning the retainer mounted on a tripod member supported by the support means at a tip end of the leg shaft portion. Feeding device. The second driving means is formed along the axial direction in one of the second cylindrical member and the third cylindrical member, and a compression spring disposed in parallel with the axial line in the third cylindrical member. Formed of a long hole and a protrusion formed on the other of the second cylindrical member and the third cylindrical member and engageable with the long hole;
The second cylindrical member is configured such that one end of the compression spring abuts, and is configured such that a tip end of the leg shaft portion abuts on the inner surface of the opening.
The third cylindrical member is configured such that the other end of the compression spring contacts,
The elongated hole and the protrusion allow the third cylindrical member to move toward the distal end side of the first cylindrical member against the urging force of the compression spring, while the third cylindrical member is the first cylindrical member. The needle roller according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the needle roller is configured to engage and move the second cylindrical member in the same direction when moving to the rear end side of the cylindrical member. Alignment supply device. The needle roller alignment supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An annular roller mounting device that externally fits the annular roller to a leg shaft portion of a tripod member in which the plurality of needle rollers are aligned and supplied by the needle roller alignment supply device;
The tripod member assembly characterized in that the holding means is configured to release the holding of the plurality of needle rollers when the annular roller is fitted onto the leg shaft portion by the annular roller mounting device. apparatus.

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