JP2017080700A - Air injection mechanism and parts feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air injection mechanism which can digitally manage the flow rate or the pressure of compressed air and prevent a decrease in working efficiency.SOLUTION: An air injection mechanism 1, which sequentially injects compressed air toward a plurality of workpieces W, comprises flow rate adjustment means 3A connected to a compressed air source 11 and having a two-way port valve 3 capable of continuously changing the opening/closing amount, a host controller 4 that outputs parameters suitable to kinds of the workpieces W, and a piezoelectric valve driver 5 that proportionally controls the opening/closing amount of the two-way port valve 3 on the basis of impressed voltages corresponding to parameters the host controller 4 outputs.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an air injection mechanism and a parts feeder capable of digitally controlling the flow rate and pressure of compressed air.

  Conventionally, workpieces (chips) such as electronic components are identified on the conveyance path, and workpieces with other appropriate postures are corrected while removing the inappropriate workpiece from the conveyance path or reversing the posture on the conveyance path. There is known a parts feeder capable of transporting to a predetermined supply destination (for example, Patent Document 1).

  In this type of parts feeder, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, a regulator 12 connected to the compressed air source 11, a three-port valve 700 disposed downstream of the regulator 12, and a downstream of the three-port valve 700. An air injection mechanism 15 including a needle valve with a check valve (speed controller, hereinafter also referred to as “speaker”) 50 is applied to eliminate or correct a workpiece W having an inappropriate posture (defective workpiece W ′). It is customary to do this.

  The regulator 12 adjusts (depressurizes) the pressure of the compressed air supplied from the compressed air source 11 to be constant.

  The three-port valve 700 includes a first port 107a that communicates with the outlet of the regulator 12, a second port 107b that communicates with the air supply / discharge passage 21 of the parts feeder 2 via the needle valve 50 with a check valve, and a third port that communicates with the atmosphere. A port 107c. The three-port valve 700 allows the second port 107b and the third port 107c to communicate with each other via the passage 171 in the spool 170 and shuts off the first port 107a and the second port 107b when not energized. The compressed air supplied from 12 is closed in the vicinity of the first port 107a. On the other hand, when energized, the spool 170 is displaced, and the first port 7a and the second port 107b are communicated with each other via the passage 173 in the spool 170, so that the compressed air supplied from the regulator 12 is supplied with a needle valve with a check valve ( (Hereinafter also simply referred to as “needle valve”) 50.

  The needle valve 50 with a check valve adjusts the flow rate of the compressed air, and supplies the compressed air of a predetermined flow rate to the air supply / discharge passage 21 of the parts feeder 2. Further, the needle valve 50 with a check valve causes a free flow to be generated on the check valve 51 side when energization to the 3-port valve 700 is switched OFF and a reverse flow of compressed air occurs. Compressed air can flow toward

  In the parts feeder 2 using such an air injection mechanism 15, the workpiece W is detected by the sensor 65, and a signal is sent from the sensor amplifier 68 with a determination function at the timing when the defective workpiece W ′ reaches the predetermined processing position P. The output is applied to the electromagnetic solenoid 172 of the three-port valve 700 to open and close (ON / OFF) the three-port valve 700 to inject compressed air from the air supply / discharge path 21 to the defective workpiece W ′ at the processing position P. Thus, the defective workpiece W ′ can be removed from the conveyance path 20 or reversed on the conveyance path 20.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-30566

  By the way, in the parts feeder 2, the flow rate and pressure of compressed air that are optimal for reversal or exclusion differ depending on the size of the workpiece W, so that the flow rate and pressure match the target workpiece W and the opening time of the 3-port valve 700. It is conceivable to adjust the needle valve 50.

  At this time, in adjusting the needle valve 50, it is desirable to use a dial type speed controller, a flow rate sensor or a pressure sensor, and it should be reproducible by digital management. I can't finish it. In addition, along with the recent miniaturization of the workpiece W, the optimum flow rate and pressure of compressed air have also been miniaturized (decreased), and the measured value is too small to be accurately detected by the flow rate sensor or pressure sensor (flow rate sensor). Sensing with pressure sensors and pressure sensors is difficult).

  For this reason, it is common to manually adjust the needle valve 50 in order to perform the current combination by the movement of the target workpiece W. However, if the fine adjustment is manually performed, the adjustment will be made with the sense. Low reproducibility to settings. For this reason, even if the needle valve 50 is readjusted for each type of workpiece W, there is a problem in that the flow rate and pressure of compressed air cannot be accurately managed without returning to the original set values.

  Furthermore, there are multi-product types that allow a plurality of types (product types) of workpieces W to flow through the same parts feeder 2. However, in the configuration in which the air injection mechanism 15 is applied, each time the product type of the workpiece W to be transferred is changed, the product type is previously It is necessary to replace the needle valve 50 that has been adjusted or to readjust the needle valve 50 each time, resulting in a problem of poor working efficiency.

  An object of the present invention is to effectively solve such problems, and to provide an air injection mechanism and a parts feeder capable of digitally managing the flow rate and pressure of compressed air and preventing a reduction in work efficiency. It is aimed.

  The present invention takes the following measures in view of the above problems.

  That is, the air injection mechanism of the present invention sequentially injects compressed air toward a plurality of injection objects, and has a switching valve connected to a compressed air source and capable of continuously changing the opening / closing amount. Adjusting means; parameter output means for outputting a parameter suitable for the type of the object to be injected; and proportional control means for proportionally controlling the opening / closing amount of the switching valve based on an applied voltage or an applied current corresponding to the parameter. It is characterized by providing.

  With such a configuration, the applied voltage or applied current to the switching valve of the flow rate adjusting means is set based on the parameter output from the parameter output means, and the switching valve is set by the proportional control means with the applied voltage or applied current. Therefore, the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air output from the switching valve can be set to be suitable for the type of the injection target. Therefore, the flow rate of the compressed air output from the switching valve can be finely adjusted appropriately, and the reproducibility to the same setting can be achieved, and the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air injected from the air injection mechanism can be accurately digitally managed. Further, in the case of dealing with a variety of products, it is not necessary to replace the switching valve with a different setting every time the type of the ejected object to be conveyed is changed, and a reduction in work efficiency can be prevented.

  In particular, in order to improve the responsiveness of compressed air injection, it is preferable that the switching valve is a piezoelectric valve.

  In particular, when applied to a parts feeder that injects compressed air at a predetermined processing position to defective workpieces among workpieces conveyed along the conveyance path, compressed air having a flow rate and pressure suitable for the type of workpiece is appropriately used. In order to inject onto a defective workpiece at a timing, it is provided with timing acquisition means for obtaining the timing at which the defective workpiece reaches the processing position, and the parameter output means outputs a parameter suitable for the type of workpiece to be conveyed Preferably, the proportional control unit is configured to apply a voltage corresponding to the parameter to the switching valve at a timing obtained by the timing acquisition unit.

  Alternatively, the apparatus includes a timing acquisition unit that obtains a timing at which a defective workpiece arrives at the processing position, and the parameter output unit has an input unit that can input data regarding the type of workpiece to be conveyed, and is input to the input unit. The proportional control means is configured to apply a voltage corresponding to the parameter to the switching valve at a timing obtained by the timing acquisition means. It is preferable.

  In order to inject compressed air, the switching valve includes at least a first port that communicates with a compressed air source and a second port that communicates with an air supply / exhaust path formed in the conveyance path, It is a switching valve of two or more ports that can be switched between a communication position that brings the second port into a communication state and a non-communication position that makes the first port and the second port non-communication. is necessary. In particular, in order to accelerate the fall of the compressed air and improve the responsiveness of the injection of the compressed air, the switching valve further includes a third port that communicates with the atmosphere, and the first port and the second port It is preferable that the switching valve is a three-port switching valve that can be switched between a communication position for communicating with a port and an atmosphere open position as a non-communication position for communicating the second port and the third port.

  Furthermore, in order to realize a parts feeder that can accurately control the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air to be injected, and that can prevent a reduction in work efficiency when dealing with a variety of products, it can be transported using the air injection mechanism. It is preferable that compressed air is jetted onto a defective workpiece conveyed along the path, and the posture is changed by removing the defective workpiece from the conveying path or reversing on the conveying path.

  As described above, according to the present invention described above, the flow rate and pressure of compressed air can be finely adjusted with one switching valve, and the reproducibility to the same setting is achieved, and the flow rate and pressure of injected compressed air are accurately digitalized. Provided is an air injection mechanism and a parts feeder that can be managed and that do not need to be replaced with a switching valve that is set differently for each type of object to be conveyed, and that can prevent work efficiency from being lowered. It becomes possible.

The schematic diagram shown in the state which applied the air injection mechanism which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention to the parts feeder. The schematic diagram which shows partially the air injection mechanism at the time of injection of compressed air. The figure which shows the modification of this invention. The figure which shows the other modification of this invention. The figure which shows the further another modification of this invention. The figure which shows the further another modification of this invention. The figure which shows the conventional structure.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an air injection mechanism 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a parts feeder 2. The parts feeder 2 conveys the workpieces W as a plurality of objects to be conveyed along the conveyance path 20, and the posture of the workpiece W based on image data obtained by the camera 65 that images the conveyed workpieces W. The defective work W ′ determined to be defective is excluded from the conveyance path 20 at the processing position P set downstream of the camera 65 in the conveyance direction or reversed on the conveyance path 20. Posture correction. An air supply / discharge path 21 is formed through the side wall 20a in the conveyance path 20, and the air injection mechanism 1 injects compressed air toward the processing position P through the air supply / discharge path 21, In this embodiment, the defective workpiece W ′ is processed with compressed air having a flow rate or pressure suitable for the type of workpiece W to be conveyed, specifically, the type of workpiece W.

  The air injection mechanism 1 includes an air circuit 10, a host controller 4, an image processing device 6, and a piezoelectric valve driver 5.

  The air circuit 10 is connected to a compressed air source 11 (factory equipment), is arranged downstream of the regulator 12 with a regulator 12 that depressurizes compressed air supplied from the compressed air source 11 to a constant value, and is depressurized by the regulator 12. And a two-port valve 3 for adjusting the flow rate of the compressed air. The compressed air source 11 and the regulator 12 are connected by a first air piping path 13a, the regulator 12 and the 2-port valve 3 are connected by a second air piping path 13b, and the 2-port valve 3 and the air supply / discharge path 21 are The third air piping path 13c is connected. In this embodiment, the 2-port valve 3 constitutes the flow rate adjusting means 3A.

  The two-port valve 3 as a switching valve includes a first port 3a that communicates with the second air piping path 13b, that is, the outlet of the regulator 12, and a third port that communicates with the third air piping path 13c, that is, the air supply / discharge path 21 of the parts feeder 2. 3b. The two-port valve 3 includes a closed position L as a non-communication position shown in FIG. 1 for closing the first port 3a and the second port 3b, and a first port 3a and a second port via a switching unit 33 of the operating unit 30. The port 3b is configured to be switchable between a communication position R shown in FIG.

  This switching is performed by the operation unit 30 being displaced by energization (voltage application) to the electrical input unit 32 provided in the 2-port valve 3, and is shown in FIG. 1 when the electrical input unit 32 is not energized. The closed position L is reached, and the compressed air supplied from the regulator 12 to the 2-port valve 3 is closed near the first port 3a. On the other hand, when the electrical input unit 32 is energized, the operating unit 30 is displaced to reach the communication position R shown in FIG. 2, and the compressed air supplied from the regulator 12 is input from the first port 3a via the switching unit 33. Then, the air is supplied from the second port 3b and supplied to the air supply / discharge path 21. As a result, compressed air is jetted from the air supply / discharge path 21 toward the processing position P. When the energization to the electrical input unit 32 is stopped, the operating unit 30 is displaced toward the original position and returns to the closed position L shown in FIG. 1, and the injection from the air injection circuit 10 is stopped. .

  Further, the displacement amount of the operating unit 30, that is, the opening / closing amount (opening amount) of the 2-port valve 3 can be continuously changed according to the voltage applied to the electrical input unit 32, and the opening / closing amount with respect to the applied voltage. Therefore, the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air supplied from the air supply / discharge passage 21 can be finely adjusted. The 2-port valve 3 is a piezoelectric valve that uses a piezo element as a driving source, and has a quick response (high-speed response) after a voltage is applied as compared with, for example, an electromagnetic valve or a proportional valve.

  The host controller 4 as parameter output means holds various parameters of driver settings suitable for the type of workpiece W, specifically, the type of workpiece W, and is optimal for the type of workpiece W that is transported on the transport path 20. Various parameters are output to the image processing apparatus 6.

  The image processing device 6 includes a driver setting unit 64 that transmits parameters output from the host controller 4 to the communication input / output unit 51 of the piezoelectric valve driver 5, and an image processing unit that processes image data obtained using the camera 65. 61, an image discriminating unit 62 that discriminates the quality of the posture of the workpiece W based on data processed by the image processing unit 61, and a defective workpiece W ′ that is a workpiece W that the image discriminating unit 62 has determined to be defective is a processing position P. And a command unit 63 that outputs data (timing data) related to the timing of reaching the command input unit 54 of the piezoelectric valve driver 5 as an exclusion inversion command. The timing at which the defective workpiece W ′ arrives at the processing position P is obtained from, for example, the conveyance speed of the defective workpiece W ′ calculated using the image data, and the image processing apparatus 6 determines that the defective workpiece W ′ is at the processing position P. It also functions as a timing acquisition means for obtaining the timing to reach the position.

  When a parameter is input via the communication input / output unit 51, the piezoelectric valve driver 5 serving as a proportional control unit stores various data relating to proportional control for each parameter, for example, an applied voltage setting unit that holds in advance an applied voltage for each parameter. The corresponding applied voltage is extracted from 53 and the applied voltage (proportional control) to the 2-port valve 3 is set. Similarly, switching of synchronous output / one-shot output, setting of voltage output waveform such as rising and falling, setting of one-shot pulse time, command input via the applied voltage setting unit 53 with respect to the signal of the command input unit 54 Switching between normally closed and normally open according to the mechanism of the unit 54 and the 2-port valve 3 is also set for each parameter.

  In addition, the piezoelectric valve driver 5 uses the voltage set by the applied voltage setting unit 53 via the output control unit 55 and the voltage output circuit 56 based on the timing data input from the command unit 63 via the command input unit 54. Is applied to the electrical input 32 of the two-port valve 3. In this way, while the same type of workpiece W is being transported, the feedback control of the applied voltage is not performed every time compressed air is injected, and the applied voltage is determined and the injection response can be accelerated. it can.

  In such a configuration, when conveyance of the workpiece W is started, parameters suitable for the type of workpiece W are output from the host controller 4 to the piezoelectric valve driver 5 via the driver setting unit 64, and the applied voltage setting unit 53 An optimum applied voltage or the like for the type of workpiece W is set. The image processing device 6 determines the quality of the posture of the workpiece W by the image determination unit 62 based on the image data obtained using the camera 65, obtains the timing at which the defective workpiece W ′ reaches the processing position P, and instructs Timing data is output to the piezoelectric valve driver 5 via the unit 63. Each time the timing data is input via the command input unit 54, the piezoelectric valve driver 5 applies the applied voltage to the electrical input unit of the 2-port valve 3 for the one-shot pulse time set by the applied voltage setting unit 53. 32. Alternatively, when the synchronous output is set, the applied voltage is supplied to the input unit 32 while the signal is output from the command unit 63 of the image processing device 6.

  In the 2-port valve 3, the operating unit 30 is continuously displaced according to the applied voltage, and compressed air is output at a flow rate and pressure optimum for the type of workpiece W. The compressed air output from the 2-port valve 3 reaches the defective workpiece W via the air supply / discharge passage 21 and appropriately rejects the defective workpiece W from the conveyance path 20 or reverses it properly on the conveyance path 20. Change posture. Thus, by injecting compressed air at a flow rate and pressure optimal for the type of workpiece W, for example, the alignment capability of the parts feeder 2 can be maintained in a suitable state.

  As described above, the air injection mechanism 1 of the present embodiment sequentially injects compressed air toward the workpieces W as a plurality of objects to be injected, and is connected to the compressed air source 11 and continuously opens and closes. The flow rate adjusting means 3A having a two-port valve 3 as a changeable valve, the host controller 4 as a parameter output means for outputting a parameter suitable for the type of workpiece W, specifically, the type, and corresponding to the parameter And a piezoelectric valve driver 5 as proportional control means for proportionally controlling the opening / closing amount of the two-port valve 3 based on the applied voltage.

  With such a configuration, the applied voltage to the 2-port valve 3 of the flow rate adjusting means 3A is set based on the parameters output from the host controller 4, and the 2-port valve 3 is set by the piezoelectric valve driver 5 with the applied voltage. Therefore, the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air output from the 2-port valve 3 can be set to be suitable for the type of workpiece W. Therefore, the flow rate of the compressed air output from the 2-port valve 3 can be finely adjusted appropriately, and the reproducibility to the same setting can be achieved, and the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air injected from the air injection mechanism 1 can be accurately digitalized. Can manage. Also, in the case of multi-product support (when using multi-product shared parts feeder), it is not necessary to replace the 2-port valve 3 with different settings each time the type of work W to be transferred is changed, and switching work can be made more efficient. It is possible to prevent a decrease in work efficiency.

  In particular, since the 2-port valve 3 is a piezoelectric valve, the responsiveness of compressed air injection can be improved.

  Further, the present invention is applied to the parts feeder 2 that injects compressed air at a predetermined processing position P to a defective workpiece W ′ among the workpieces W conveyed along the conveying path 20, and the defective workpiece W ′ is processed at the processing position. The image processing apparatus 6 is provided as timing acquisition means for obtaining the timing to reach P, and the host controller 4 is configured to output parameters suitable for the type of work W to be conveyed. Since the voltage corresponding to the parameter is applied to the 2-port valve 3 at the timing determined by the device 6, the opening / closing amount of the 2-port valve 3 can be proportionally controlled based on the parameter output from the host controller 4. , Compressed air with a flow rate and pressure suitable for the type of workpiece W is detected at a suitable timing by the piezoelectric valve driver 5 It becomes possible to inject to W '.

  The switching valve includes a first port 3a that communicates with the compressed air source 11, and a second port 3b that communicates with an air supply / discharge passage 21 formed in the conveyance path 20, and communicates the first port 3a and the second port 3b. Two or more ports so that the two-port valve 3 can be switched between the communication position R to be in the state and the closed position L as the non-communication position in which the first port 3a and the second port 3b are not in communication. It is necessary to be a switching valve. As will be described later, the switching valve further includes a third port valve that communicates with the atmosphere, and a communication position for communicating the first port and the second port; the second port and the third port; By using the three-port switching valve that can be switched to the atmospheric open position as a non-communication position that communicates with each other, the fall of the pressure of the compressed air is accelerated and the responsiveness of the compressed air injection is further improved.

  Further, the parts feeder 2 uses the air injection mechanism 1 of the present embodiment to inject compressed air onto the defective workpiece W ′ conveyed along the conveyance path 20 and excludes the defective workpiece W ′ from the conveyance path 20. Alternatively, since the posture is changed by reversing on the conveyance path 20, the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air injected using one two-port valve 3 can be finely adjusted, and the reproducibility to the same setting can be achieved. It is possible to accurately control the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air to be injected, and in the case of dealing with various types, every time the type of work W to be conveyed is changed, it is replaced with a 2-port valve 3 which is set differently. There is no need to prevent the work efficiency from being lowered.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, the specific structure of each part is not limited only to embodiment mentioned above. Hereinafter, the same components as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  For example, in this embodiment, different parameters are output from the host controller 4 for each type of workpiece W, but as shown in FIG. 3, the type data of the workpiece W to be conveyed is output from the host controller 4. (The host controller 4 is only for product type designation). In this case, the image processing apparatus 6 includes a parameter setting unit 66 that holds parameters suitable for each type of data. The parameter setting unit 66 sets parameters suitable for the type data output from the host controller 4 to the driver setting unit 64. It can be considered that the output is made to the piezoelectric valve driver 5 via the. In this configuration, the image processing device 6 constitutes a parameter output unit.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which parameters are output from the host controller 4, and as shown in FIG. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which input is possible (panel input), parameters suitable for each product type are generated from the data input to the setting input unit 52, and the applied voltage and the like are set by the applied voltage setting unit 53. In this configuration, the piezoelectric valve driver 5 constitutes parameter output means. Further, instead of the camera 65 and the image processing apparatus 6, a configuration using a sensor 67 and a sensor amplifier 68 with a determination function may be used. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4, the sensor 67 detects the workpiece W, and the sensor amplifier 68 serving as a timing acquisition unit that obtains the timing at which the defective workpiece W ′ reaches the processing position P based on the detection result of the sensor 67 is excluded. An inversion command is output to the command input unit 54, and an applied voltage set via the applied voltage setting unit 53 is applied to the 2-port valve 3 every time an exclusion inversion command is input to the command input unit 54. .

  Thus, the present invention is applied to the parts feeder 2 that injects compressed air at a predetermined processing position P onto a defective workpiece W ′ conveyed along the conveyance path 20, and the defective workpiece W ′ is at the processing position P. A sensor amplifier 68 is provided as a timing acquisition means for obtaining the arrival timing, and the piezoelectric valve driver 5 as a parameter output means has a setting input unit 52 as an input unit capable of inputting data relating to the type of work W to be conveyed. The piezoelectric valve driver 5 is configured to generate and output the parameter based on the data input to the setting input unit 52. The piezoelectric valve driver 5 outputs the voltage corresponding to the parameter at two ports at the timing obtained by the sensor amplifier 68. Since it is configured to be applied to the valve 3, the opening of the 2-port valve 3 is based on the data input to the setting input unit 52. The closing amount can be proportionally controlled, and the piezoelectric valve driver 5 can inject compressed air having a flow rate and pressure suitable for the type of the workpiece W onto the defective workpiece W ′ at an appropriate timing.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, a sensor amplifier and a programmable controller that do not have a determination function may be used instead of the sensor amplifier 68 with a determination function.

  Furthermore, although the 2-port valve 3 is used as the switching valve of the flow rate adjusting means 3A in the above embodiment, a 3-port valve 7 as shown in FIG. 5 may be used. Alternatively, a valve having four or more ports may be used.

  The three-port valve 7 includes a second air piping path 13b, that is, a first port 7a that communicates with the outlet of the regulator 12, a third air piping path 13c, that is, a second port 7b that communicates with the air supply / discharge path 21 of the parts feeder 2, and the atmosphere. And a third port 7c leading to the area. The three-port valve 7 communicates with the first port 7a and the second port 7b through the switching unit 73 of the operating unit 70 when the electric input unit 32 is energized. When the electrical input unit 32 is de-energized, the second port 7b and the third port 7c are internally communicated via the switching unit 71 of the operating unit 70, and the first port 7a and the second port 7b are connected to each other. It is configured to be switchable between an open air position N as a non-communication position shown in FIG.

  5A, the compressed air supplied from the regulator 12 to the three-port valve 7 is closed near the first port 7a, and the second port 7b is opened to the atmosphere. On the other hand, at the communication position R shown in FIG. 5B, the compressed air supplied from the regulator 12 is input from the first port 7a and output from the second port 7b via the switching unit 73, and the air supply / discharge path 21 is supplied. To air. As a result, compressed air is jetted from the air supply / discharge path 21 toward the processing position P.

  When the energization to the electrical input unit 32 is stopped, the operating unit 70 is displaced toward the original position and returns to the atmosphere open position N shown in FIG. The residual pressure in the path 13c is released from the air supply / discharge passage 21 into the atmosphere, and is released from the third port 7c through the switching unit 71 from the second port 7b of the three-port valve 7. Therefore, immediately after the 3-port valve 7 is returned from the communication position R shown in FIG. 5B to the atmospheric release position N shown in FIG. 5A, the air supply / discharge passage 21 between the 3-port valve 7 and the parts feeder 2 is provided. Since the residual pressure in the third air piping path 13c between the two is properly released to the atmosphere from both the air supply / discharge passage 21 and the 3-port valve 7, the fall of the pressure of the compressed air can be accelerated.

  As described above, the switching valve includes the first port 7a that communicates with the compressed air source 11, the second port 7b that communicates with the air supply / discharge passage 21 formed in the conveyance path 20, and the third port 7c that communicates with the atmosphere. At least, the communication position R for communicating the first port 7a and the second port 7b, the second port 7b and the third port 7c are communicated, and the first port 7a and the second port 7b are disconnected. Since the three-port valve 7 having three or more ports that can be switched between the air release position N as the non-communication position, the residual pressure in the third air piping path 13c after the injection is supplied to the air supply / discharge path 21. From the second port 7b of the three-port valve 7 to the atmosphere from the third port 7c via the switching unit 71, so that the exhausted air is discharged from the air supply / discharge passage 21 and the three-port valve. To do from both It can, by advancing the fall of the injection of the compressed air can be the response of the pressure of the compressed air more better.

  In the above-described embodiment, the normally closed three-port valve 7 that is opened to the atmosphere when the electrical input unit 32 is not energized is used as described above. A normally open type three-port valve 7 may be used. Switching between normal open and normal close is performed by an applied voltage setting unit 53 shown in FIG.

  In the above embodiment, different parameters are output from the host controller 4 for each type of workpiece W, but different parameters may be output from the host controller 4 for each type and lot. Even if the workpiece W is of the same type, the external shape and surface friction are slightly different for each lot. However, the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air to be injected can be further optimized by the configuration capable of outputting different parameters for each type and lot of the work W.

  In the above embodiment, instead of the 2-port valve 3 or the 3-port valve 7, a high-speed electromagnetic valve connected to the proportional valve 75 via the proportional valve 75 and the air piping path 13d as shown in FIG. A valve 76 may be used. That is, the flow rate adjusting unit 3B may be configured by the proportional valve 75 and the electromagnetic valve 76. In this configuration, the opening / closing amount of the proportional valve 75 is proportionally controlled by a current applied to a coil (not shown) of the proportional valve 75 from an electromagnetic valve driver 5 'serving as a proportional control means that is substantially the same configuration as the piezoelectric valve driver 5. Thus, the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air output from the proportional valve 75 are digitally managed, and the electromagnetic valve 76 is opened and closed by the electromagnetic valve driver 5 ′ at the timing obtained by the timing acquisition means to inject the compressed air.

  Furthermore, although the air injection mechanism 1 of this embodiment was applied to the parts feeder 2, it is not limited to this, You may apply to an external appearance inspection machine, a measurement sorter, a taping machine, etc.

  Other configurations can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Air injection mechanism 2 ... Parts feeder 3 ... 2 port valve (switching valve, piezoelectric valve)
3A, 3B ... Flow rate adjusting means 4 ... Host controller (parameter output means)
5 ... Piezoelectric valve driver (proportional control means, parameter output means)
5 '... Electromagnetic valve driver (proportional control means)
6. Image processing apparatus (timing acquisition means, parameter output means)
7 ... 3 port valve (switching valve, piezoelectric valve)
7a ... 1st port 7b ... 2nd port 7c ... 3rd port 11 ... Compressed air source 20 ... Conveyance path 21 ... Air supply / discharge path 52 ... Setting input part ( Input part)
68... Sensor amplifier (timing acquisition means)
P: Processing position R: Communication position L: Blocking position (non-communication position)
N: Open to the atmosphere (non-communication position)
W ... Workpiece (Subject)
W '... Defect work

Claims (6)

An air injection mechanism that sequentially injects compressed air toward a plurality of objects to be injected,
A flow rate adjusting means having a switching valve connected to a compressed air source and capable of continuously changing the opening and closing amount;
Parameter output means for outputting parameters suitable for the type of the injection target;
An air injection mechanism comprising: proportional control means for proportionally controlling an opening / closing amount of the switching valve based on an applied voltage or an applied current corresponding to the parameter.   The air injection mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the switching valve is a piezoelectric valve. It is applied to a parts feeder that injects compressed air at a predetermined processing position to a defective workpiece among the workpieces conveyed along the conveyance path,
In addition to providing timing acquisition means for obtaining the timing at which a defective workpiece arrives at the processing position, the parameter output means is configured to output a parameter suitable for the type of workpiece to be conveyed,
The air injection mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the proportional control unit is configured to apply a voltage corresponding to the parameter to the switching valve at a timing obtained by the timing acquisition unit. It is applied to a parts feeder that injects compressed air at a predetermined processing position to a defective workpiece among the workpieces conveyed along the conveyance path,
The timing acquisition means for obtaining the timing at which the defective workpiece reaches the processing position is provided, and the parameter output means has an input section capable of inputting data relating to the type of workpiece to be conveyed, and the data input to the input section Configured to generate and output the parameters based on
The air injection mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the proportional control unit is configured to apply a voltage corresponding to the parameter to the switching valve at a timing obtained by the timing acquisition unit.   The switching valve includes at least a first port that communicates with a compressed air source and a second port that communicates with an air supply / discharge passage formed in the conveyance path, and the first port and the second port are in communication with each other. 5. The switching valve having two or more ports that can be switched between a communication position that performs communication and a non-communication position that places the first port and the second port in a non-communication state. The air injection mechanism described.   Using the air injection mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, compressed air is injected to a defective workpiece conveyed along a conveyance path, and the defective workpiece is excluded from the conveyance path or on the conveyance path. A parts feeder, characterized in that it is configured to change its posture by reversing the position.

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