JP2018193212A - Hopper device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a hopper device capable of improving a supply processing capability as compared with the device carrying out conveyance processing in a state that a supply object continues contacting the travel surface, by reducing the occasions/time that a supply object being conveyed in a desired direction on a travel surface contacts a travel surface.SOLUTION: A hopper device comprises a travel part that has a travel surface configured by a porous material, a base part that is arranged below the travel part and has an air chamber opening toward at least the travel part, and an air supply part that can supply air to the air chamber, and is configured to float the supply object from the travel surface by ejecting the air supplied from the air supply part to the air chamber to the supply object on the travel surface through the porous material and to supply the supply object to a prescribed supply destination by moving it in a prescribed conveyance direction on the travel surface through adjusting the supply rate of air from the air supply part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to a hopper device capable of moving a supply object such as an electronic component discharged on a traveling surface in a desired conveying direction and supplying it from a downstream end (tip) in the conveying direction of the traveling surface to a predetermined supply destination. It is.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a workpiece that is an object to be supplied such as electronic components discharged onto a traveling surface by appropriate means is conveyed in a desired direction on the traveling surface by vibration, and is supplied to a predetermined supply destination (for example, a vibration feeder). A hopper device that can be supplied is known. As an example, a hopper chute is disposed immediately below the discharge port of the hopper tank that stores the components, and the components discharged from the discharge port of the hopper tank onto the running surface of the hopper chute are conveyed in a desired direction by vibration of the hopper chute, There is known a hopper device configured to be able to supply a predetermined supply destination from the tip of the hopper chute (downstream end in the transport direction) (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 below).

JP 2012-153446 A

  By the way, in the above-mentioned hopper device, when the supply object on the traveling surface is conveyed in a desired conveying direction, the traveling surface and the supply object come into contact with each other due to vibration, so that the supply object is damaged, broken, dirty, or There may be a situation such as wear of the running surface. Also, due to the contact between the running surface and the supply object, the supply object is easily charged with static electricity, and the force to stick to other supply objects due to static electricity or to stick to the running surface increases. If the supply object in a state of being charged with static electricity stays on the traveling surface, the supply object cannot be smoothly transported, and the supply processing capability is reduced. In addition, the supply object due to friction between the supply object and the running surface, and scraps and dust on the running surface are likely to adhere to the charged supply object and the running surface, which also reduces the supply processing capacity. Leads to.

  In addition, the hopper device described above requires control to adjust the magnitude of the vibration of the running surface in actual usage situations, and is particularly complicated and sophisticated to supply a small amount of electronic components in a small amount and in a fixed amount. Vibration control is required.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such a problem, and a main purpose thereof is a degree of contact (contact time and number of times) between a supply object transported in a desired direction on the traveling surface and the traveling surface. Is to provide a hopper device capable of preventing and suppressing a decrease in supply processing capacity.

  That is, the present invention relates to a hopper device that transports a supply object discharged onto a traveling surface along a desired transport direction on the traveling surface and transports it to a predetermined supply destination. Here, the “traveling surface” in the present invention may be a surface on which the supply object can travel, and is a horizontal or substantially horizontal surface (horizontal plane), or a surface inclined at an inclination angle with respect to the horizontal (inclined surface, vertical surface). It is a concept that includes any of the above. Examples of the supply object include micro parts such as electronic parts, but may be articles other than electronic parts.

  And the hopper device according to the present invention includes a traveling part having a traveling surface constituted by a porous material, a base part having an air chamber arranged below the traveling part and opening at least toward the traveling part, An air supply unit capable of supplying air to the air chamber, and traveling the supply object by injecting the air supplied from the air supply unit to the air chamber through the porous material to the supply object on the traveling surface It is characterized by being configured to be able to float from the surface and by being configured to be able to transport and supply a supply object to a predetermined supply destination by adjusting the air supply amount from the air supply unit. In the process of “adjusting the air supply amount from the air supply unit” in the present invention, the process of adjusting the air supply amount by switching between the air supply ON state and the air supply OFF state, or the air supply amount in the air supply ON state The process of adjusting the degree of.

  In such a hopper device, the supply object on the traveling surface is obtained by injecting the air supplied from the air supply unit to the air chamber of the base portion through the porous material to the supply object on the traveling surface. As a result, an air flow is generated that causes the supply object to levitate from the traveling surface. Therefore, by adjusting the amount of air supplied from the air supply unit, the supply object on the traveling surface is lifted from the traveling surface, or the floating state is canceled or the degree of ascent is adjusted. It is possible to move along a desired conveyance direction and convey and supply to a predetermined supply destination.

  Further, with the hopper device according to the present invention, since the opportunity and time for the moving supply object to contact the traveling surface can be reduced, the moving supply object continues to contact the traveling surface. In comparison, it is possible to effectively prevent or suppress the occurrence of damage, breakage, dirt, and wear on the running surface of the supply object. Static electricity (friction charge, contact charge, (Peeling electrification) is also reduced, and it is difficult for scraps and dust on the supply object and the running surface due to friction between the supply object and the running surface to adhere to the supply object and the running surface. The problem of stopping the supply object in the vehicle can be eliminated and suppressed, and the supply object can be smoothly transported and supplied to a predetermined supply destination on the traveling surface.

  In particular, in the case of the hopper device according to the present invention, compared to a conventional mode in which a supply object on the traveling surface is conveyed and supplied by vibration from an excitation source, an excitation mechanism and an excitation device that apply vibration to the traveling surface are provided. Since the structure does not require a vibration source, the structure can be simplified and the space can be saved (miniaturization and cost saving of the device), and more than the control that adjusts the vibration of the running surface by the vibration source. It is possible to convey and supply the supply object with simple control of the air supply amount.

  In this invention, what has a stopper surface which faces a driving | running | working surface and regulates that a supply target protrudes out of the driving | running | working surface from the area | regions other than the conveyance direction downstream end of a driving | running | working surface can be applied. In this case, the stopper surface is made of a porous material, and only the traveling surface of the traveling portion, the surface facing the air chamber of the base portion, the stopper surface, and each of the above surfaces are set as breathable ventilation surfaces. If the other surface is set as the sealing surface, the air supplied from the air supply unit to the air chamber can be efficiently discharged from the surface facing the air chamber to the traveling surface, and is attached to the stopper surface. The object to be supplied can be blown off toward the traveling surface by the air discharged from the stopper surface, and the supply processing capability of the hopper device is improved. In addition, by setting the surface other than the traveling surface, the surface facing the air chamber, and the stopper surface as a sealing surface, a situation where air leaks to the outside from the surface that does not contribute to the conveyance of the supply object on the traveling surface (air Leakage) can be prevented / suppressed.

  Here, examples of the stopper surface include a surface in a standing posture on both sides in the width direction of the traveling surface (side stopper surface) and a surface in a standing posture at the upstream end in the transport direction of the traveling surface (back stopper surface). it can. Further, the traveling unit may have only one of the side stopper surface and the back stopper surface, or may have both the side stopper surface and the back stopper surface. In the present invention, when the latter configuration (running part having both the side stopper surface and the back stopper surface) is adopted, both the side stopper surface and the back stopper surface are set as ventilation surfaces, or only one of the stopper surfaces is used. Can be set as the ventilation surface, and the other stopper surface can be set as the sealing surface.

  In the present invention, as a specific process for setting the sealing surface, a masking process for applying an adhesive to a target surface, or a process for fixing a non-breathable plate in close contact with the target surface Etc. The stopper surface may be a surface formed integrally with the traveling surface, or may be a separate surface from the traveling surface. Further, the present invention does not exclude a mode in which all the stopper surfaces are set as sealing surfaces.

  As an example of the base portion in the present invention, a base front wall portion that partitions an air chamber and an external space in front of the air chamber is provided, and an inward surface facing the air chamber in the base front wall portion is an object to be supplied on the traveling surface And a configuration in which the taper surface is inclined toward the conveyance direction (the same direction as the “front of the air chamber”). According to such a configuration, the airflow of air that reaches the tapered surface of the base portion and is released to the traveling surface in the air chamber is directed toward the conveying direction of the supply object, and the downstream end in the conveying direction of the traveling surface and The supply object reaching the vicinity of the downstream end can be appropriately supplied from the downstream end in the transport direction of the traveling surface to a predetermined supply destination.

  In addition, the traveling surface of the traveling unit may be a straight surface with a flat cross-sectional shape, but the cross-sectional shape is curved or bent with a central portion in the width direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the supply object. The surface may be set in a shape. By setting the shape of the running surface to a groove shape such as a curved shape or a bent shape (for example, a U shape, a V shape, or a W shape) as in the latter case, a small number of objects to be supplied or 1 It can be transported in a state of being arranged in a row, and it becomes possible to easily and appropriately perform advanced processing for supplying a small amount of a supply object to a supply destination.

  In the hopper device according to the present invention, when the traveling surface is tilted so that the downstream end in the transport direction of the traveling surface is at a position relatively lower than the upstream end in the transport direction, the weight of the supply object is utilized on the traveling surface. Thus, the supply object can be smoothly transported and the supply processing capacity is improved. The inclination angle of the traveling surface may be appropriately selected and adjusted according to the size and weight of the supply object, and a hopper device including a mechanism capable of adjusting the inclination angle of the traveling surface can be provided. As a preferable inclination angle of the traveling surface in the present invention, an inclination angle such that a supply object that does not float from the traveling surface does not slide down on the traveling surface by its own weight can be exemplified. The hopper device of the present invention also includes a configuration in which the inclination angle of the traveling surface is set so that the supply object that is not lifted from the traveling surface moves to the downstream side in the transport direction while sliding down on the traveling surface with its own weight. . Here, as shown in FIG. 21, even if the air supply is off, slippage of the object to be conveyed (work) occurs due to inertial force, which is not an accurate value, but the approximate conveyance distance of the object to be conveyed is estimated. An expression that can be expressed (expression 4 in FIG. 21) can be expressed. As an example, FIG. 22 shows a calculation for deriving the moving distance xmm of the object to be conveyed (workpiece) when levitated and conveyed with an air ON time (levitation time) of 100 msec when the inclination angle θ of the traveling surface is 15 degrees. Then, a desired inclination angle of the traveling surface can be calculated using Expression 4 in FIG.

  Further, the hopper device according to the present invention adjusts the blowing direction of the air sprayed from the lower side of the traveling surface toward the supply object on the traveling surface so as to be the direction from the upstream side in the transport direction to the downstream side in the transport direction. An air spray direction adjusting means may be provided. For example, when the travel surface is set substantially horizontal without tilting the travel surface so that the downstream end in the transport direction of the travel surface is relatively lower than the upstream end in the transport direction, the air blowing direction adjusting means By making it the structure provided with, it can be made to float with air from a running surface, and a supply target object can be moved to the conveyance direction downstream side while floating. As an example of the air blowing direction adjusting means, there may be mentioned an embodiment using a punched material in which a large number of holes are regularly or irregularly formed in a plate-like or sheet-like material (base material). Specifically, the punching material (air spraying direction adjusting plate) is placed on the traveling portion in a posture in which the air flow passing through each hole of the punching material is in the direction from the upstream side in the transport direction to the downstream side in the transport direction. The aspect arrange | positioned in the position which contacts or adjoins the surface which faces an air chamber among these can be mentioned. As the air blowing direction adjusting plate, a plate in which the through direction of each hole is set to a direction inclined by a predetermined angle from the upstream side in the transport direction toward the downstream side in the transport direction can be used.

  According to the present invention, air is supplied to a traveling surface composed of a porous material, and the supply object is forcibly levitated from the traveling surface by air blown through the porous material toward the supply object on the traveling surface. It is possible to reduce damage / breakage / dirt of the supply object due to contact between the supply object and the traveling surface, and wear of the traveling surface. It becomes difficult to wear, the supply object can be smoothly conveyed on the running surface, and the supply processing capability of the hopper device can be improved.

1 is an overall view showing a hopper device according to a first embodiment of the present invention together with a parts feeder. The principal part enlarged view of the hopper apparatus which concerns on the same embodiment. The exploded view of the hopper apparatus shown in FIG. The top view of the hopper apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line aa in FIG. 4. The block diagram of the gas supply part in the embodiment. The principal part enlarged view of the hopper apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 8 is an arrow A direction view of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line aa in FIG. 8. The principal part enlarged view of the hopper apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 11 is an arrow A direction view of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line aa in FIG. 11. The figure which shows an example of the air chamber in this invention typically. The figure which shows an example of the air chamber in this invention typically. The principal part enlarged view of the hopper apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment in this invention. The exploded view of the hopper apparatus shown in FIG. The figure which shows an example of the air chamber in this invention typically. The figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the air supply end in the air chamber of this invention. The figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the air supply end in the air chamber of this invention. The figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the air supply end in the air chamber of this invention. A transport distance calculation formula for a transport object that transports an inclined traveling surface in a floating state. An example of the conveyance distance calculation of the conveyance target object using Formula 4 in FIG.

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

<First Embodiment>
The hopper apparatus H according to the first embodiment is an apparatus that supplies a supply object (workpiece) such as an electronic component to a parts feeder P that is a supply destination as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The parts feeder P shown in FIG. 1 has a predetermined conveyance destination (for example, a linear feeder not shown) while moving the supply object supplied from the hopper device H by vibration on the spiral conveyance path (bowl conveyance path P1). Etc.) (a bowl feeder).

  The parts feeder P has a substantially circular storage part P2 formed on the bottom surface and a bowl conveyance path P1 formed in a spiral shape that is inclined upward along the inner peripheral wall P3 starting from a predetermined portion at the peripheral edge of the storage part P2. (Also referred to as a track).

  The storage part P2 has a mounting surface P21 that is an upward surface set so that the center side is higher than the radially outer side, and the supply object accommodated in the vibration of the bowl P4 or in the storage part P2 The supply object on the mounting surface P21 is moved radially outward by its own weight. The supply object moved radially outward on the placement surface P21 reaches the start end of the bowl transport path P1, passes through the start end of the bowl transport path P1, and moves along the bowl transport path P1.

  The bowl conveyance path P1 has a starting end that is continuous with the storage portion P2, and a bowl conveyance surface P11 that is an upward surface is set to a flat surface that is inclined downward, for example, radially outward. The supply object is in contact with the inner peripheral wall P3 while being in contact with the inner peripheral wall P3 (ie, the terminal end side of the bowl conveyance path P1) due to the radially outward force of the conveyance force received by the supply object due to vibration and the inclination of the bowl conveyance surface P11. ). Alignment means (not shown) is provided at a predetermined position of the bowl conveyance path P1, and only the supply object in a predetermined posture is conveyed downstream in the conveyance direction by the alignment means, and the supply object that is not in the predetermined attitude is stored in the storage unit. It is configured to return (drop) to P2. The end of the bowl conveyance path P1 is connected so as to be continuous with the starting end of a linear conveyance path (also referred to as a straight track) provided in a linear feeder (not shown), and conveys the supply object in an aligned state to the linear feeder. (Supply) Yes.

  The hopper device H according to the present embodiment includes a hopper tank T that stores an object to be supplied as shown in FIG. 1, and a traveling unit 1 (a hopper chute) that is disposed immediately below the discharge port T1 of the hopper tank T. A supply object such as an electronic component discharged from the discharge port T1 of the T onto the travel surface 1X of the travel unit 1 is transported, and a predetermined supply destination (part feeder P from the front end (downstream end in the transport direction F) of the travel surface 1X. Of the storage part P2).

  The hopper tank T includes a frustoconical tank body T2 and a cylindrical discharge portion T3 extending downward from the lower end of the tank body T2, and has a funnel shape as a whole. The hopper tank T is supported in such a posture that the discharge port T1 which is the lower end of the discharge portion T3 faces the running surface 1X of the running portion 1. Specifically, the entire hopper tank T is supported by the support column H2 via a holding member H1 that holds a region near the upper end of the discharge portion T3. Accordingly, the supply object can be discharged from the discharge port T1 of the hopper tank T onto the traveling surface 1X of the traveling unit 1.

  1 to 5 (FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part, FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the hopper device shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of the hopper device shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line aa in FIG. 4), and the main part is a traveling unit main body 2 constituted by a block body made of a porous material. The porous material in the present embodiment is formed, for example, by sintering a mixture of an aggregate made of a granular material of an inorganic material and a binder (binder) that connects the aggregates. Preferable examples of the aggregate made of inorganic material granular materials include alumina and silicon carbide, and preferable examples of the binder include vitrified, zirenoid, cement, rubber, glass and the like. it can. Such a ceramic porous material can be made into a molded product according to the mold by charging the mixed material of the aggregate and the binder into the mold and sintering it. An infinite number of fine pores are formed inside the porous material by a sintering process, and the air flow path is formed by connecting the fine pores opening on the surface of the porous material and the internal fine pores. The inner diameter of the fine pores is remarkably small as compared with the case of machining, and an infinite number of fine pores are formed over the entire surface of the porous material. Note that the types of aggregates and binders in the present invention are not particularly limited to those described above, and those appropriately selected can be applied. In the present embodiment, a block-shaped porous material (a block body made of a porous material) constituting the traveling unit 1 is formed using an appropriate mold or the like. Hereinafter, a block body made of a porous material is referred to as a “porous block body”.

  As described above, the porous block body has an infinite number of fine pores formed therein, and has an air flow path in which the fine pores opened on the surface and the internal fine pores are formed continuously. That is, the porous block body has an inside through which fluid can flow (permeate), and a large number of holes are uniformly exposed on the entire surface. In addition, each hole (micropore) is a minute size in which the supply object does not fall into the hole. For example, the size of the supply object is 0603 size (0.6 mm × 0.3 mm) with respect to each hole ( The pore diameter of the fine pores is about 60 μm.

  In the present embodiment, the traveling unit 1 having a flat traveling surface 1X without unevenness is applied. Further, the traveling unit 1 of the present embodiment includes a traveling unit main body 2 having a traveling surface 1X, side standing wall portions 3 positioned on both sides in the width direction W of the traveling surface 1X, and upstream in the conveying direction F of the traveling surface 1X. And a rear standing wall portion 4 positioned at the end. And the traveling part main body 2 and the side standing wall part 3 are comprised with the porous block body. In the following description, the downstream end side in the transport direction F of the supply object on the traveling surface 1X is referred to as “front side”, and the upstream end side in the transport direction F is referred to as “rear side”. A direction orthogonal to the width direction is defined as a width direction W (left-right direction).

  The traveling unit main body 2 has a flat plate shape, and only the upward surface 2a and the bottom surface 2b are set as a breathable ventilation surface, and the other surfaces, that is, the left and right side surfaces 2c, the front surface 2d, and the rear surface 2e are used as sealing surfaces. It is set. Specific processing for setting the sealing surface includes masking processing for applying an adhesive to the target surface, processing for fixing a non-breathable plate in close contact with the target surface, and the like. Can do. In this embodiment, a masking process is applied.

  The side upright walls 3 are respectively arranged along a pair of long sides (sides that coincide with the supply direction) in the upward surface 2a of the traveling unit main body 2. Among the pair of left and right side upright walls 3, the inner side surface 3s facing each other across the traveling surface 1X is such that the supply object on the traveling surface 1X is outside the traveling surface 1X from both sides in the width direction W of the traveling surface 1X. This is a side stopper surface 1Y that restricts the jumping out. In the present embodiment, only the bottom surface 3b in contact with the upward surface 2a of the traveling unit main body 2 and the inner side surface 3s (side stopper surface 1Y) among the side standing wall portions 3 are set as ventilation surfaces. The other surfaces, that is, the upward surface 3a, the outer surface 3c, the front surface 3d, and the rear surface 3e are set as sealing surfaces. The longitudinal dimension of the side upright wall 3 is the same as the longitudinal dimension of the traveling unit body 2 (dimension along the transport direction F). The width dimension of the running surface 1X is defined by the pair of left and right side stopper surfaces 1Y.

  The rear standing wall 4 is configured by a block body made of a material having no air permeability (for example, metal, plastic, etc.). The width of the rear standing wall 4 is set to be the same as the width of the traveling unit main body 2 and is fixed in contact with or close to the rear surfaces 2e and 3e of the traveling unit main body 2 and the side standing wall 3. (See FIGS. 4 and 5). In the present embodiment, the upward surface 4 a of the rear standing wall 4 is higher than the upward surface 3 a of the side wall 3, and the bottom surface 4 b of the rear wall 4 is lower than the bottom surface 2 b of the traveling unit body 2. The rear upright wall 4 is disposed. Of the rear standing wall portion 4, the front surface 4 d facing the traveling surface 1 </ b> X is a back stopper surface that restricts the supply object on the traveling surface 1 </ b> X from jumping out of the traveling surface 1 </ b> X from the upstream end in the conveying direction F of the traveling surface 1 </ b> X. 1Z.

  The hopper device H according to the present embodiment includes a base portion 5 having an air chamber 1S disposed below the traveling portion 1 and opening toward the traveling portion 1, and air capable of supplying air to the air chamber 1S. And a supply unit 6.

  The base part 5 has a plate shape formed of a non-breathable material (for example, stainless steel), and has an air chamber 1S that opens upward and rearward as shown in FIGS. The base part 5 protrudes above the base bottom wall part 51 at the front edge of the base bottom wall part 51 that partitions the air chamber 1S and the external space below the air chamber 1S, and the base bottom wall part 51, and the air chamber 1S. And a base front wall portion 52 that divides the front space of the air chamber 1S, and the left and right side edges of the base bottom wall portion 51 project above the base bottom wall portion 51 and to the sides of the air chamber 1S and the air chamber 1S. And a base side wall 53 that partitions the external space. And the inward surface which faces the air chamber 1S in the base front wall part 52 is set to the taper surface 5T which was made to incline forward gradually toward upper direction. Thereby, in the air chamber 1S, the flow of air that reaches the inward surface (tapered surface 5T) of the base front wall portion 52 and discharges to the traveling surface 1X becomes a flow having a component in the conveyance direction F of the supply object. Further, in the present embodiment, the tapered surface 5T facing the air chamber 1S in the base front wall portion 52 is set to have a wave shape (wave shape) in the width direction W. As a result, the air that has reached the tapered surface 5T, which is the inward surface of the base front wall 52 in the air chamber 1S, can be evenly discharged across the entire width direction W at the supply downstream end of the traveling surface 1X and its vicinity. . The longitudinal dimension of the base part 5 is the same as the longitudinal dimension (dimension along the conveying direction F) of the traveling part main body 2 and the side upright wall part 3, and the base bottom wall part 51 is the bottom face 2 b of the rear standing wall part 4. The base portion 5 is arranged in a posture that is the same height position.

  The space above the air chamber 1S and the air chamber 1S is partitioned by the traveling unit main body 2, and the external space behind the air chamber 1S and the air chamber 1S is partitioned by the rear standing wall portion 4.

  The traveling unit 1 is fixed to the base unit 5 with bolts N. Specifically, a bolt N is inserted into a bolt insertion hole n formed in the pair of left and right side upright wall portions 3 and the traveling portion main body 2 in the height direction, and the female screw 5n of the base portion 5 is inserted. The traveling portion 1 is fixed to the base portion 5 by being screwed to (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The rear standing wall 4 is fixed to the traveling part 1 and the base part 5 by bolts N.

  In the hopper device H of the present embodiment, the cavity 41 that can accommodate the air input end of the air supply portion 6 (the tip portion of the air supply nozzle 62) is formed in the portion of the rear standing wall portion 4 that faces the air chamber 1S. doing.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the air supply unit 6 includes an air supply source 61 (compressor), an air supply nozzle 62, a pipe 63, a filter 64, and the like appropriately disposed between the air supply source 61 and the air supply nozzle 62. A regulator 65, a control valve 66, and a speed controller 67 are provided. The filter 64 is attached in the middle of the pneumatic piping, removes dust and drain (water), and supplies clean compressed air. The regulator 65 (pressure reducing valve) is compressed air sent from the air supply source 61. Is adjusted to an appropriate pressure and stabilized. The control valve 66 is an ON / OFF control valve, and the speed controller 67 controls the flow rate of air. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which a plurality (two in the illustrated example) of air supply nozzles 62 faces the air chamber 1S is employed.

  The hopper device H of the present embodiment places the traveling unit 1 at a predetermined angle (see FIG. 5) so that the downstream end (front end, front end) in the transport direction F of the travel surface 1X is lower than the upstream end (rear end) in the transport direction F. In the example shown, it is disposed in an inclined posture. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the rear standing wall portion 4 is fixed to the support member H3 in a state where the traveling portion 1 and the base portion 5 are assembled together. The support member H3 is fixed to a support column H2 common to the holding member H1 that holds the hopper tank T so that the height can be adjusted.

A method of using and operating the hopper device H having the above configuration will be described.
When the hopper device H according to the present embodiment is actually used, first, the height dimension from the discharge port T1 of the hopper tank T to the traveling surface 1X is adjusted. That is, considering that the supply object discharged from the discharge port T1 of the hopper tank T to the traveling surface 1X jumps on the traveling surface 1X or temporarily stays in the discharged place and becomes clogged. The height dimension from the discharge port T1 of the hopper tank T to the running surface 1X is adjusted so that a simple supply object does not hit the discharge port T1 of the hopper tank T.

  Further, the distance from the discharge port T1 of the hopper tank T to the air input end (the tip of the air supply nozzle 62 in the present embodiment) in the air chamber 1S is adjusted. This is because the air jetted from the air input end is difficult to reach in the vicinity of the air input end in the air chamber 1S, and the air does not reach the supply target on the traveling surface 1X corresponding to the hard-to-reach area. This is an adjustment for avoiding the occurrence of a phenomenon (work remaining) in which the supply object remains at and near the upstream end in the transport direction F of the traveling surface 1X, and transports the discharge port T1 of the hopper tank T from the air input end. It is set at a position separated by a predetermined dimension on the downstream side in the direction F.

  Then, after these adjustments are completed, when the air supply state by the air supply unit 6 is turned ON by an appropriate operation, the hopper device H according to the present embodiment is configured from the air supply source 61 via the air supply nozzle 62 to the base. Air is supplied toward the air chamber 1S of the unit 5. The air supplied into the air chamber 1S permeates and flows into the interior of the traveling unit body 2 that is a porous block body from the bottom surface 2b of the traveling unit body 2 that is the ventilation surface, that is, the surface that faces the air chamber 1S. The air is discharged from the running surface 1X, which is a ventilation surface, into the outside air (see FIG. 2). Further, a part of the air that permeates and flows into the inside of the traveling unit body 2 that is the porous block body from the bottom surface 2b of the traveling unit body 2 that is the ventilation surface is in contact with the traveling surface 1X that is the ventilation surface. From the bottom surface 3b of the standing wall portion 3, it permeates and flows into the side standing wall portion 3 that is a porous block body, and is discharged from the side stopper surface 1Y that is a ventilation surface to the outside air.

  Of the traveling unit body 2 that is a porous block body, only the upward surface 2a and the bottom surface 2b are set as a breathable ventilation surface, and the other surfaces, that is, the left and right side surfaces 2c, the front surface 2d, and the rear surface 2e are defined. Since the sealing surface is set, the air that has flowed into the interior of the traveling unit body 2 from the bottom surface 2b facing the air chamber 1S of the traveling unit body 2 is formed on both side surfaces 2c, the front surface 2d, and the rear surface 2e of the traveling unit body 2. It is possible to prevent / suppress the situation of leaking through the outside.

  In addition, only the bottom surface 3b and the side stopper surface 1Y of the side upright wall portion 3 that is a porous block body are set as a breathable ventilation surface, and other surfaces, that is, the outer surface 3c, the front surface 3d, and the rear surface. Since 3e is set as the sealing surface, the air that has flowed into the side upright wall portion 3 from the bottom surface 3b of the side upright wall portion 3 flows into the outer side surface 3c and the front surface 3d of the side upright wall portion 3. And the situation which permeate | transmits the rear surface 3e and leaks outside can be suppressed / suppressed.

  With the configuration as described above, the hopper device H according to the present embodiment is configured such that the air supplied from the air supply unit 6 to the air chamber 1S of the base unit 5 is a porous block body, the traveling unit main body 2 and the side upright walls. The entire portion 3 can be spread, and the air can be discharged only from the traveling surface 1X and the surface facing the traveling surface 1X (side stopper surface 1Y). As a result, the supply object discharged from the discharge port T1 of the hopper tank T to the position near the upstream end side in the transport direction F in the traveling surface 1X is discharged from the traveling surface 1X by the air jetted from the air chamber 1S onto the traveling surface 1X. Surface.

  And since the hopper apparatus H of this embodiment inclines the driving | running | working surface 1X along the conveyance direction F by the predetermined angle, it tends to slide down on the supply target on the driving | running | working surface 1X in the conveyance direction F with gravity. Force acts. Here, in the present embodiment, the inclination angle of the traveling surface 1X is set to an angle at which the supply object on the traveling surface 1X stays on the traveling surface 1X without slipping off due to its own weight. That is, in a state where the air supply by the air supply unit 6 is stopped (air supply OFF state), the supply object is set to stop on the traveling surface 1X without floating from the traveling surface 1X. In such a setting, when the air supply ON state is established, the supply object floats from the running surface 1X by air and moves to the downstream side in the transport direction F by gravity. Therefore, by repeating the process of switching the air supply ON state and the air supply OFF state at an appropriate timing, the supply object on the traveling surface 1X can be moved toward the downstream end in the transport direction F, and the traveling surface 1X Properly supply the supply object that has reached the downstream end in the transport direction F and the vicinity thereof from the downstream end in the transport direction F of the traveling surface 1X to the predetermined supply destination (the storage part P2 of the parts feeder P shown in FIG. 1). Can do.

  As described above, the hopper device H according to the present embodiment is configured so that the supply object discharged from the discharge port T1 of the hopper tank T to the traveling surface 1X is configured by forming the traveling surface 1X with the porous block body and from the air supply unit 6. By supplying the supplied air from below to the supply object on the traveling surface 1X through the porous block body, an air flow is generated on the traveling surface 1X so as to float the supply object from the traveling surface 1X. The object can be transported while forcibly ascending temporarily from the traveling surface 1X. As a result, according to the hopper device H according to the present embodiment, the hopper device H moves on the traveling surface 1X as compared with the aspect in which the supply object is moved on the traveling surface 1X while being in contact with the traveling surface 1X. It is possible to reduce the opportunity and time for the supply object to come into contact with the running surface 1X, and to effectively prevent or suppress the occurrence of damage, breakage, dirt, or wear on the running surface 1X. The static electricity (friction charge, contact charge, peeling charge) of the supply object and the running surface 1X in the inside is also reduced, and the scrap and dust of the supply object and the running surface 1X due to the friction between the supply object and the running surface 1X are reduced. It is difficult to adhere to the supply object and the traveling surface 1X, and the problem of a decrease in the conveyance supply processing capacity caused by static electricity can be solved and suppressed. Supply to the supplier It is possible.

  In particular, the hopper device H according to the present embodiment applies vibration to the traveling surface 1X compared to a conventional hopper device that conveys and supplies a supply object on the traveling surface 1X by vibration from an excitation source. Since the mechanism and the excitation source are not required, the structure can be simplified and the space can be saved (miniaturization and cost saving of the apparatus), and the control for adjusting the vibration of the traveling surface 1X by the excitation source can be realized. It is possible to convey and supply the supply object with simpler control of the air supply amount.

  Further, the hopper device H according to the present embodiment defines the traveling unit body 2 having the traveling surface 1X, the width dimension of the traveling surface 1X, and the supply object on the traveling surface 1X travels from both sides of the traveling surface 1X. A laterally rising wall portion 3 that prevents falling to the outside of the surface 1X, and the traveling portion main body 2 and the laterally standing wall portion 3 are made of a porous material, and the traveling portion main body is applied. The traveling surface 1X and the surface facing the air chamber 1S (bottom surface 2b), the bottom surface 3b of the side upright wall portion 3 and the side stopper surface 1Y (inner surface 3s) are set as breathable ventilation surfaces. Both the side surfaces 2c, the front surface 2d, the rear surface 2e, the outer side surface 3c, the front surface 3d, and the rear surface 3e of the side standing wall 3 are set as sealing surfaces. As a result, the air supplied from the air supply unit 6 to the air chamber 1S of the base unit 5 passes through the interior of the traveling unit body 2 from the surface (bottom surface 2b) of the traveling unit body 2 facing the air chamber 1S. The air is released only from the running surface 1X and the side stopper surface 1Y of the side upright wall portion 3 to prevent / suppress air leaking from each surface set as the sealing surface (air leakage). The air supplied into the chamber 1S can be efficiently discharged onto the traveling surface 1X, avoiding wasteful use of air that does not contribute to floating the supply object on the traveling surface 1X, and supplying the hopper device H The processing capacity can be improved.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, since the side stopper surface 1Y that faces the running surface 1X of the side upright wall 3 is set as the ventilation surface, air can be discharged from the side stopper surface 1Y. Thereby, it is possible to prevent / suppress the situation where the supply object on the running surface 1X sticks to the side stopper surface 1Y and stays there. Further, since the fine pores are exposed on the side stopper surface 1Y, the side stopper surface 1Y becomes a rough surface (rough surface), and the supply object on the running surface 1X is difficult to stick to the side stopper surface 1Y. It is.

  Further, the hopper device H of the present embodiment includes a rear standing wall portion 4 that partitions an upstream end in the transport direction F of the traveling surface 1X and an external space behind the traveling surface 1X, and a front surface 4d of the rear standing wall portion 4 is It functions as a back stopper surface 1Z that prevents the supply object on the traveling surface 1X from falling to the rear of the traveling surface 1X. As a result, it is possible to prevent the supply object discharged onto the traveling surface 1X from the discharge port T1 of the hopper tank T from dropping from the upstream end in the transport direction F of the traveling surface 1X to the outside.

  If it is the aspect which set the inward surface which faces the air chamber 1S in the base front wall part 52 among the base parts 5 in the direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction F of the supply target object on the traveling surface 1X, it is the traveling surface 1X. The momentum of the air blown to the supply object from below at the downstream end in the conveyance direction F and the vicinity thereof is extremely stronger than the momentum of the air blown to the supply object from below in the other parts, thereby conveying the running surface 1X. The supply object that has reached the downstream end in the direction F and the vicinity thereof floats higher than the supply object that has not reached the downstream end in the transport direction F of the traveling surface 1X and the vicinity thereof, and moves the side stopper surface 1Y. The problem of falling over and falling outside can occur.

  In consideration of such problems, in the hopper device H according to the present embodiment, the base front wall portion 52 that partitions the air chamber 1S and the external space in front of the air chamber 1S in the base portion 5 faces the air chamber 1S. The inward surface is set to a tapered surface 5T that is inclined toward the conveyance direction F of the supply object on the traveling surface 1X. As a result, the air flow that reaches the tapered surface 5T of the base front wall 52 in the air chamber 1S and is discharged to the traveling surface 1X becomes an airflow that faces the conveyance direction F of the supply object and is discharged onto the traveling surface 1X. Become so. As a result, the momentum of air blown to the supply object from below at the downstream end in the conveyance direction F of the running surface 1X and the vicinity thereof is almost the same as that of air blown from below to the supply object at other portions. It is possible to prevent / suppress the situation where the supply object that has reached the downstream end in the transport direction F of the surface 1X and the vicinity thereof floats up to a height exceeding the side stopper surface 1Y.

  In addition, in the hopper device H according to the present embodiment, the traveling surface 1X is inclined so that the downstream end in the transport direction F of the traveling surface 1X is relatively lower than the upstream end in the transport direction F. The supply object can be smoothly transported on the traveling surface 1X using the weight of the object.

Second Embodiment
A hopper device H according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 (FIG. 8 is a view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a cross section taken along the line aa in FIG. 8). Thus, it differs from the hopper apparatus H which concerns on 1st Embodiment by the point which has applied the traveling part 1 which has the groove-shaped traveling surface 1X whose cross-sectional shape is substantially U shape. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  The traveling unit 1 in this embodiment is mainly composed of a traveling unit main body 2 made of a porous material, and all or part of the groove-shaped traveling surface 1X formed on the upward surface of the traveling unit main body 2 is a curved surface. It is formed at 1W. In the present embodiment, the lowest surface (bottom) of the traveling surface 1X is set as a flat surface, and the surfaces rising from the left and right sides of the flat surface are set as curved surfaces, and are regarded as the curved surface 1W as a whole. The traveling surface 1X that can be used is applied. Although not shown in the drawings, the entire groove-like running surface may be formed as a curved surface, and the running surface may be set so that a straight line portion does not appear in the cross-sectional shape of the running surface.

  In the present embodiment, the entire groove-shaped portion shown in FIG. 9 can be regarded as the traveling surface 1X, while traveling from the lowest position (bottom) to the predetermined height position in the groove-shaped portion. It is also possible to regard the surface above the traveling surface as a side stopper surface that faces the traveling surface and prevents the supply object on the traveling surface from dropping from the side of the traveling surface to the outside. is there. In the latter case, the traveling unit main body 2 of the present embodiment can be considered as having a traveling surface and a side stopper surface integrally.

  Then, in the traveling unit body 2, the entire grooved traveling surface 1X having a substantially U-shaped cross section and only the bottom surface 2b (surface facing the air chamber 1S) are set as ventilation surfaces, and the other surfaces are sealed. Set to stop.

  Even in the hopper device H provided with such a traveling unit 1, the air supplied from the air supply unit 6 to the air chamber 1 </ b> S of the base unit 5 is perforated similarly to the hopper device H according to the first embodiment. It is distributed only through the bottom surface 2b (surface facing the air chamber 1S) of the traveling unit body 2 formed of a quality block body to the entire interior of the traveling unit body 2, and is discharged only from the groove-shaped traveling surface 1X that is substantially U-shaped. can do. Therefore, by repeating the process of switching the air supply ON state and the air supply OFF state at an appropriate timing, the supply object on the traveling surface 1X can be moved toward the downstream end in the transport direction F. In particular, in the case of the hopper device H according to the present embodiment, by setting the traveling surface 1X to the curved surface 1W, the supply objects can be transported in a row or a plurality of rows on the traveling surface 1X. The process which supplies a supply target object to a supply destination by a small quantity and quantity can be performed easily.

<Third Embodiment>
A hopper device H according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 (FIG. 11 is a view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 10, and FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line aa in FIG. 10). Thus, it differs from the hopper apparatus H which concerns on each above-mentioned embodiment by the point which has applied the traveling part 1 which has the groove-shaped traveling surface 1X whose cross-sectional shape is substantially V shape. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  The traveling portion 1 of the present embodiment includes a traveling portion main body 2 and a side upright wall portion 3 each made of a porous material, and has a curved surface 1K having a groove shape formed on the upward surface of the traveling portion main body 2. The whole can be regarded as the traveling surface 1X. The side upright wall portion 3 having the side stopper surface 1Y facing the traveling surface 1X is fixed to the base portion 5 together with the traveling portion main body 2 by appropriate fixing means (for example, a bolt N).

  In the present embodiment, the entire upward surface including the bent surface 1K and the bottom surface 2b (surface facing the air chamber 1S) opposite to the upward surface of the traveling unit main body 2 and the side stopper surface of the side upright wall portion 3 are included. Only 1Y (inner side surface) is set as a ventilation surface, and other surfaces are set as sealing surfaces.

  Even in the hopper device H including the traveling unit 1, the air supplied from the air supply unit 6 to the air chamber 1 </ b> S of the base unit 5 is porous as in the hopper device H according to the first embodiment. It can be discharged only from the bent surface 1K and the side stopper surface 1Y by spreading over the entire parts (traveling part main body 2, side standing wall part 3) made up of block bodies. Therefore, by repeating the process of switching the air supply ON state and the air supply OFF state at an appropriate timing, the supply object on the traveling surface 1X can be moved toward the downstream end in the transport direction F. In particular, in the case of the hopper device H according to the present embodiment, by setting the traveling surface 1X to the bent surface 1K, the supply objects can be transported in a row or a plurality of rows on the traveling surface 1X. The process which supplies a supply target object to a supply destination by a small quantity and quantity can be performed easily.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the air chamber 1 </ b> S and the surface 1 </ b> Sb that partitions the external space behind the air chamber 1 </ b> S (in the above-described embodiments, the surface facing the running surface 1 </ b> X of the front surface 4 d of the rear standing wall 4 is The surface below the surface facing the running surface 1X of the front surface 4d of the rear standing wall portion 4 functions as the stopper surface 1Y, and functions as a surface that partitions the air chamber 1S and the external space behind the air chamber 1S. In addition, when the air input end of the air supply unit 6 (tip portion of the air supply nozzle 61) is set to face, the surface that partitions the air chamber 1S and the external space behind the air chamber 1S (air chamber rear partition surface 1Sb) May be a hopper device that is set in a curved surface shape (semi-arc shape, partial arc shape) or a bent shape (V shape) in plan view. By adopting such a configuration, compared with the aspect (see FIG. 14) in which the surface 1Sb facing the air input end is set in a straight line in plan view (see FIG. 14), the air input end is also difficult to spread in the air chamber 1S. It becomes easy to spread air. The air chamber 1S shown in FIG. 14 includes an air chamber rear partition surface 1Sb, an air chamber side partition surface 1Sc (a surface that partitions the air chamber 1S and the external space in front of the air chamber 1S), and an air chamber front partition surface 1Sa. (The surface that partitions the air chamber 1S and the external space in front of the air chamber 1S) is set to a surface that stands up in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the bottom surface 1Sd of the air chamber S1.

  In the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the part having the air chamber rear partition surface 1Sb (base part 5) and the part having the back stopper surface 1Z (rear standing wall part 4) are separate bodies, A configuration in which the traveling unit main body 2 having the traveling surface 1X is disposed between the air chamber rear partition surface 1Sb and the back stopper surface 1Z can be employed. In this case, the back stopper surface 1Z is set to a shape corresponding to the planar view shape of the air chamber rear partition surface 1Sb, and the back stopper surface 1Z and the air chamber rear partition surface 1Sb are set to be substantially coincident with each other in plan view. Then, the efficiency of supplying air to the running surface 1X is further increased. 15 and 16 exemplify a mode in which the rear standing wall portion 4 having the back stopper surface 1Z and the side standing wall portion 3 having the side stopper surface 1Y are integrally formed. The wall may be a separate part.

  Further, in the present invention, in order to increase the amount of air supplied to the air chamber, and hence increase the force for floating the supply object on the running surface, the air input facing the air chamber 1S as a gas supply unit While it is possible to apply one having a plurality of ends (for example, air supply nozzles), it is also possible to apply a gas supply unit having a single air input end.

  In addition, in order to make it easier to spread air around the air input end of the air chamber, an air chamber is used in which the air chamber rear partition surface is set to a generally inclined surface (curved surface or flat surface). It is also possible to do. Furthermore, it is also possible to apply an air chamber in which the air chamber side partition surface is set to a surface (curved surface or flat surface) that is inclined sideways as a whole. As shown in FIG. 17, by setting the air chamber rear partition surface 1Sb and the air chamber side partition surface 1Sc of the air chamber 1S to be inclined surfaces, the amount of air in the air chamber 1S is reduced to the air chamber rear partition surface 1Sb. And its vicinity area, and the air chamber side partition surface 1Sc and its vicinity area are evenly distributed, and the amount of air discharged onto the running surface can be made uniform. In addition, in FIG. 17, the aspect which set the air chamber front partition surface 1Sa (surface which partitions off the air chamber 1S and the external space ahead of the air chamber 1S) to the surface inclined entirely forward is illustrated.

  Of course, in the hopper device according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 14, none of the air chamber rear partition surface 1Sb, the air chamber side partition surface 1Sc, or the air chamber front partition surface 1Sa is set to be an inclined surface. An embodiment having the air chamber 1S is also included.

  As shown in FIG. 18, in the air chamber 1S, the surface where the air input end of the air supply unit 6 (the tip portion of the air supply nozzle 62) faces the air chamber 1S corresponds to the downstream end in the transport direction F of the traveling surface 1X. A surface other than (air chamber rear partition surface 1Sb), for example, a surface (air chamber side partition surface 1Sc) orthogonal to the conveyance direction F of the traveling surface 1X may be used. As shown in FIG. It may be the bottom surface 1Sd of the chamber 1S.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 20, a plurality of air input ends (tip portions of the air supply nozzle 62) are respectively different surfaces of the air chamber 1S (in the illustrated example, the air chamber rear partition surface 1Sb and the air chamber side partition surface). 1Sc, but may be configured to face the air chamber rear partition surface 1Sb and the bottom surface 1Sd, for example).

  Further, in the present invention, instead of the process of switching the air supply state from the air supply unit between ON and OFF, the travel is performed by the process of appropriately adjusting and changing the strength of the supply amount while maintaining the air supply state ON. It is also possible to change the height of the supply object that floats on the surface and move it toward the downstream end in the transport direction of the traveling surface.

  Moreover, the hopper apparatus which arrange | positioned the driving | running | working part with the attitude | position with which a driving | running | working surface becomes horizontal may be sufficient. In this case, air blowing direction adjusting means for adjusting the blowing direction of the air blown from the lower side of the running surface toward the supply object on the running surface so as to be the direction from the upstream side in the carrying direction to the downstream side in the carrying direction is provided. A hopper device is preferable. As an example of the air blowing direction adjusting means, there may be mentioned an embodiment using a punched material in which a large number of holes are regularly or irregularly formed in a plate-like or sheet-like material (base material). Specifically, the punching material (air spraying direction adjusting plate) is placed on the traveling portion in a posture in which the air flow passing through each hole of the punching material is in the direction from the upstream side in the transport direction to the downstream side in the transport direction. The aspect arrange | positioned in the position which contacts or adjoins the surface which faces an air chamber among these can be mentioned.

  The side upright wall portion of the traveling unit may be integrated with a part (traveling unit main body) having a traveling surface, or may be a separate member. Further, the present invention has a configuration in which either or both of the side stopper surface and / or the back stopper surface of the traveling unit are set as a sealing surface, and both the side stopper surface or the back stopper surface of the traveling unit are used as a ventilation surface. The set configuration is also included.

  When the back stopper surface is set to the ventilation surface, the part having the back stopper surface is composed of a block body made of a porous material, and the air that has permeated and flowed into the porous block body is the ventilation surface. What is necessary is just to set so that it may be discharged to the outside air. In order to prevent air from leaking to the outside from a surface other than the back stopper surface, it is preferable to set an appropriate surface of the porous block body having the back stopper surface as a sealing surface.

  In addition, the traveling unit body of the present embodiment sets only the upward surface and the bottom surface as a breathable ventilation surface, and other surfaces, that is, the left and right side surfaces, the front surface and the rear surface are set as sealing surfaces, In addition to the upward surface and the bottom surface, the front surface may be set as a ventilation surface, and the left and right side surfaces and the rear surface may be set as sealing surfaces.

  Further, the hopper device of the present embodiment is provided with an ionizer (not shown) that injects ionized air toward the periphery of the supply object that has floated from the running surface and the surface of the supply object that has floated by air from the air supply unit. It may be. In this case, the ionized air is sprayed on the surface of the supply object including the surface that has been in contact with the traveling surface until just before the surface of the ionization by injecting ionized air by the ionizer around the surface of the supply object that has surfaced and the surface of the supply object that has surfaced. In addition to being able to spray reliably, ionized air can also be sprayed onto a predetermined area of the running surface where the supply object that has surfaced has been in contact until just before. In addition, the ionizer that injects ionized air toward the surface of the supply object that has floated can be used as an ionizer that injects ionized air to the running surface around the surface of the supply object that has surfaced. Compared with an aspect in which an ionizer that injects ionized air onto an object and an ionizer that injects ionized air over a wide range over the entire traveling surface are individually provided, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. This is advantageous.

  Further, according to the hopper device provided with the ionizer, the supply object is placed on the traveling surface by the air from the air supply source that is injected from below through the porous block body with respect to the supply object on the traveling surface. The flow of ionized air jetted by the ionizer to the supply object placed in the air flow becomes a factor that changes the wind pressure distribution around the supply object, and on the running surface Even when a plurality of supply objects adhere to each other due to static electricity or adhesiveness, the irregular distribution of each supply object is caused by a change in the pressure distribution around the supply object. It can be expected that the state of adhesion between the supply objects can be released.

  Moreover, if ionized air is applied as the air supplied from the air supply unit, the supply object floating from the running surface by the ionized air supplied from the air supply unit is in a state where the ionized air is blown at that time. Static electricity can be quickly neutralized and removed, and it is possible to further improve the conveyance processing capacity.

  The predetermined supply destination of the hopper device according to the present invention is not limited to a parts feeder having a storage function, but may be a parts feeder without a storage function or a measuring instrument.

  Furthermore, the hopper device according to the present invention may not include a hopper tank.

  The base portion may be made of metal or plastic. When the traveling part is provided with a side upright wall part or a rear upright wall part, both or one of these upright wall parts is constituted by a block body made of a porous material, or both of these upright wall parts are used. Alternatively, one may be made of metal or plastic.

  Moreover, in this invention, it can replace with or in addition to the porous material formed in the shape of a block or a plate, for example, can comprise a running surface with the porous material formed in the sheet form.

  Further, the supply object may be an electronic component or something other than an electronic component such as food.

  In addition, the specific configuration of each part is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Traveling part 1S ... Air chamber 1X ... Traveling surface 1Y ... Side stopper surface 1Z ... Back stopper surface 5 ... Base part 52 ... Base front wall part 6 ... Air supply part H ... Hopper apparatus

Claims (5)

A hopper device that conveys a supply object discharged on a traveling surface in a predetermined direction on the traveling surface and supplies the object to a predetermined supply destination,
A traveling part having the traveling surface constituted by a porous material;
A base portion having an air chamber disposed below the traveling portion and opening toward at least the traveling portion;
An air supply unit capable of supplying air to the air chamber;
The supply object is configured to be able to float from the traveling surface by injecting air supplied from the air supply unit to the air chamber through the porous material to the supply object on the traveling surface, and A hopper device configured to convey an object to be supplied in a predetermined direction on the traveling surface and to supply a predetermined supply destination by adjusting an air supply amount from an air supply unit. The traveling unit has a stopper surface that faces the traveling surface and restricts a supply object from jumping out of the traveling surface from a region other than the downstream end in the conveyance direction of the traveling surface, and has an outer surface that is exposed to the outside. Of these, only the running surface, the surface facing the air chamber, and the stopper surface are set as a ventilation surface having air permeability, and the other surface is set as a sealing surface having no air permeability. Hopper device. The base portion includes a base front wall portion that partitions the air chamber and an external space in front of the air chamber, and an inward surface facing the air chamber in the base front wall portion is an object to be supplied on the traveling surface. The hopper device according to claim 1, wherein the hopper device is set to have a tapered surface inclined in the conveying direction. The hopper device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the traveling surface has a curved or bent cross-sectional shape in which a central portion in a width direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction of a supply object is recessed. The hopper device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the traveling surface is inclined such that a downstream end of the traveling surface in the transport direction is positioned relatively lower than an upstream end in the transport direction.

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