JP2019142692A - Alignment conveyance device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an alignment conveyance device capable of promptly aligning and conveying objects to be conveyed, and realizing miniaturization.SOLUTION: An alignment conveyance device includes: a first conveyance path R1; a second conveyance path R2; a conveyance mechanism; a press member 31; and a biasing mechanism that biases the press member 31 downward in a direction of gravity. When a conveyance object W is rotated by a driving force of the conveyance mechanism in a state where a part of a protruding portion 12 is pressed by the press member 31 and is in a predetermined posture, the conveyance object W falls on the second conveyance path R2 and is conveyed on the second conveyance path R2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an aligning and conveying apparatus that aligns a plurality of objects to be conveyed while conveying the objects along a conveying direction.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an aligning and conveying apparatus that rotates a plurality of objects to be conveyed while being conveyed in the conveying direction and aligns the directions of the objects to be conveyed is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  The aligning and conveying apparatus of Patent Document 1 is arranged on a conveyor that conveys an object to be conveyed (a container having an elliptical cross section in the document) with a fixed guide arranged on one side perpendicular to the conveying direction, and the other side of the conveyor. And a rotating belt that rotates in the same direction as the conveying direction of the object to be conveyed. The objects to be conveyed being conveyed by the conveyor are rotated and aligned by being sandwiched between a rotating belt that rotates at a speed higher than the conveying speed of the conveyor and the fixed guide.

  The aligning and conveying apparatus of Patent Document 2 vibrates two plates that convey a conveyance object (a pallet cartridge in the literature) formed with a protruding portion (a film delivery port in the literature) protruding from the main body at different frequencies. A posture alignment unit having a vibration generator to be moved, and a posture holding and conveying unit having two conveyors that convey the aligned conveyance objects at different speed differences from each other. The posture alignment unit vibrates and rotates the conveyance object, and the conveyance object that has moved to the next posture holding conveyance unit is given a rotational force due to the difference in speed between the two conveyors, and the protrusion comes into contact with the reference guide. By carrying out, it is conveyed, maintaining the aligned state.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-60545 JP 2004-99235 A

  The aligning and conveying apparatus of Patent Document 1 includes a rotating belt for rotating a conveyance object and a conveyor for conveying the conveyance object, and includes two drive sources for driving them. Moreover, the alignment conveyance apparatus of patent document 2 is provided with two vibration generators for rotating and conveying a conveyance target object, and two conveyors for conveying a conveyance target object, and these vibration generators or conveyors are different. Two drive sources that provide a difference in frequency or speed are provided separately. Thus, since the alignment conveyance apparatus of patent documents 1-2 is separately provided with the drive source for rotating a conveyance target, and the drive source for conveying, the manufacturing cost of an apparatus increases. It was an increase in size.

  Moreover, the alignment conveyance apparatus of patent documents 1-2 is an object to be conveyed by a rotating device (rotating belt in Patent Document 1 and one vibration generator or conveyor in Patent Document 2) that rotates an object to be conveyed at a speed higher than the conveying speed. A rotational force is applied to the object. That is, since the rotational force is applied to the conveyance object independently of the conveyance of the conveyance object, it is necessary to reduce the conveyance speed of the conveyance object in order to surely rotate the conveyance object. It takes a conveyance time for aligning the objects.

  In view of this, there is a demand for an aligning and conveying apparatus that can quickly align and convey objects to be conveyed and can be downsized.

  The characteristic configuration of the aligning and conveying apparatus according to the present invention includes a main body having a circular cross section on the inner peripheral surface, and a plurality of peripheral edges that protrude radially outward of the main body and have different distances from the center of the main body. An alignment transport device that aligns a plurality of transport objects provided with a projecting portion while transporting along a transport direction, wherein the distance between the peripheral edge portion and the center of the projecting portion is 2 A first transport path having a transport width larger than twice, a second transport path positioned below the first transport path in the direction of gravity and having a transport width smaller than the transport width of the first transport path; A transport mechanism for transporting the transport object on the first transport path or the second transport path, and pressing a part of the protrusion from the upper side in the gravity direction toward the first transport path from the first transport path And pressing the pressing member downward in the direction of gravity An urging mechanism, and the transport object transported on the first transport path is rotated by a driving force of the transport mechanism in a state where a part of the protrusion is pressed by the pressing member, and is predetermined. When it becomes the attitude | position, it exists in the point to which the said conveyance target object falls on said 2nd conveyance path, and is conveyed on said 2nd conveyance path.

  In this configuration, the conveyance object is rotated by the driving force of the conveyance mechanism in a state where a part of the pressing portion of the conveyance object is pressed by the pressing member. In other words, since the conveyance object is rotated by using the driving force of the conveyance mechanism, it is not necessary to provide a separate drive source for rotating the conveyance object, and the manufacturing cost of the apparatus can be saved to reduce the size. Can be planned.

  Further, the conveyance object rotates while being conveyed by the driving force of the conveyance mechanism, and when the protruding portion assumes a predetermined posture, the conveyance object falls on the second conveyance path and the conveyance by the conveyance mechanism is continued. As a result, since it is not necessary to reduce the conveyance speed of the conveyance object, the conveyance object can be promptly aligned and conveyed.

  As described above, it is possible to provide an aligning / conveying apparatus that can quickly align and convey objects to be conveyed and can be downsized.

  Another characteristic configuration is that the pressing member guides a part of the protruding portion to the lower side in the gravitational direction of the pressing member, and reduces a distance from the first transport path toward the transport direction. And an alignment region provided adjacent to the guide region on the downstream side in the transport direction and having a constant distance from the first transport path.

  By providing a guide region in which the distance between the pressing member and the first conveying path is gradually reduced in the conveying direction as in this configuration, the pressing force of the pressing member on a part of the protruding portion is gradually increased. That is, the transport object is smoothly moved until the transport object reaches the alignment region where the distance between the pressing member and the first transport path is constant, and the transport object is caught by the press member and transported. Inconvenience that becomes difficult can be prevented.

  In another characteristic configuration, the length of the pressing member along the conveyance direction is configured such that at least three or more conveyance objects do not contact at the same time, and a plurality of the pressing members are arranged in the conveyance direction. It is in the point arranged in parallel along.

  Since the conveyance object reaches the alignment area and rotates by receiving a predetermined pressing force from the pressing member, when a plurality of conveyance objects have entered the alignment area, the dimensional error for each product of the projecting portion is caused. Due to this, there is a possibility that a conveyance object that does not rotate is generated. Therefore, in this configuration, the length along the conveyance direction of the pressing member is set to a length at which at least three conveyance objects do not contact at the same time. As a result, the length of the pressing member is limited so as to limit the timing at which the two transport objects are simultaneously positioned in the alignment area, such as one transport object in the guide area and another transport object in the alignment area. It becomes possible to set. That is, when two protruding parts having different heights enter the alignment region due to a dimensional error or the like, the pressing member is inclined, and the rotation of the conveyance target is hindered due to insufficient pressing force on the protruding part. Can be prevented. In addition, by arranging a plurality of pressing members in parallel, even if there is a conveyance object that is insufficiently rotated in the alignment area of the preceding pressing member, the conveying object is rotated in the alignment area of the subsequent pressing member. It can be surely aligned.

  In another characteristic configuration, the urging mechanism includes a fixing member, a shaft member connected to the pressing member in a state of being supported by the fixing member, and movable along a gravity direction. And a biasing member that biases downward in the direction.

  By providing an urging mechanism that urges the pressing member downward in the gravitational direction as in this configuration, the pressing force of the pressing member downward in the gravitational direction is surely applied to a part of the protruding portion of the conveyance object. Can act on. Therefore, the conveyance object can be reliably rotated by the driving force of the conveyance mechanism in a state where a part of the protrusion is pressed by the pressing member.

  In another characteristic configuration, the biasing mechanism is connected to the fixing member, the shaft member arranged along the transport direction in a state supported by the fixing member, and the pressing member, and the shaft member is centered. And a biasing member that biases the pivoting member so that a biasing force is applied to the pressing member downward in the gravitational direction.

  In this configuration, since the shaft member serving as the rotation shaft of the rotation member to which the pressing member is connected is disposed along the transport direction, compared to the case where the shaft member is provided in the vertical direction and the pressing member is urged. Thus, the vertical dimension can be made compact. As a result, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom of the arrangement place of the aligning and conveying apparatus in a manufacturing site where various apparatuses are densely packed.

It is a whole perspective view of an alignment conveyance apparatus. It is the perspective view which expanded the biasing mechanism of the alignment conveyance apparatus. It is the III-III sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state into which a workpiece | work enters a guide area | region. It is a figure which shows the state which a workpiece | work rotates and aligns. It is the expansion perspective view seen from the back of the alignment conveyance apparatus which concerns on another embodiment. It is the expansion perspective view seen from the front of the alignment conveyance apparatus which concerns on another embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an alignment transport apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, as an example of an aligning / conveying device, an aligning / conveying device X that aligns a plurality of workpieces W (an example of an object to be conveyed), which are sleeves of electromagnetic valves (not shown), while conveying along a conveying direction Z. explain. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the following description, in the state in which the alignment transport device X of FIG. 1 is placed on the ground, the term “upper and lower” with respect to the direction of gravity will be used. "Lower side" means "gravity direction side".

  As shown in FIG. 5, the workpiece W includes a cylindrical main body portion 11 having a circular inner peripheral surface, a rotation shaft center Y (an example of the center) of the main body portion 11, and a main body portion that is coaxial. 11 and a projecting portion 12 projecting in an annular shape on the radially outer side. The protrusion 12 has a structure in which a part of an annular shape is cut out in a plan view, and has a plurality of peripheral portions 12 a with different distances from the rotation axis Y of the main body 11. The distance between the plurality of peripheral portions 12a is different from the distance from the rotational axis Y to the outer end portion of the annular shape and the distance to the outer end portion that is notched in the peripheral portion 12a of the protruding portion 12. It means that

  Specifically, the protrusion 12 is divided into a first area A1 and a second area A2. In the present embodiment, in the state where the workpieces W are aligned (the state shown in FIG. 5 (5)), the region including the notched portion of the projecting portion 12 along the direction perpendicular to the transport direction Z is referred to as a second region A2. The other region is referred to as a first region A1. The first region A1 has a first diameter D1 that passes through the rotation axis Y of the main body 11 (a diameter that is twice the distance from the rotation axis Y to the annular portion of the peripheral portion 12a). The second region A2 is smaller than the first diameter D1 and is the sum of the distance from the peripheral edge portion 12a to the notch portion through the rotation axis Y and the distance to the annular portion. It has a diameter D2 (minimum value of diameter). The second area A2 is further divided into a notch area A21 in which a part of the annular protrusion 12 is notched and an arc area A22 facing the notch area A21. The notch area A21 is directed toward the rotation axis Y. It is formed in a concave shape.

  In the protrusion 12 of the workpiece W of the present embodiment, the two first regions A1 are opposed to each other with the rotation axis Y as a reference, and the two second regions A2 (the cutout region A21 and the arc region A22) are the rotation axis. Opposite with respect to Y. In other words, the first diameter D1 is the distance (maximum value of the diameter) between the outermost ends of the first regions A1 that pass through the rotational axis Y and the second diameter D2 is opposed through the rotational axis Y. It is the shortest distance of the distances between the outermost ends of the second region A2 to be performed. In other words, in the state in which the workpieces W are aligned (the state shown in FIG. 5 (5)), the first diameter D1 is parallel to the transport direction Z and the outermost ends of the first regions A1 that face each other and pass through the rotation axis Y. The second diameter D2 is a distance between the outermost ends of the second region A2 perpendicular to the transport direction Z and passing through the rotation axis Y. The first region A1 is formed on a concentric circle having a first diameter D1. The second region A2 includes a third value D3 in which the width perpendicular to the transport direction Z at both ends of the transport direction Z is the maximum value in a state where the workpieces W are aligned (the state of FIG. 5 (5)). The third value D3 is a value obtained by subtracting the arrow height of the arc portion cut out in the cutout region A21 from the first diameter D1 (the maximum value of the diameter of the protruding portion 12) of the first region A1.

[Basic configuration]
As shown in FIG. 1, the alignment transport device X includes a transport path R, a transport mechanism 2, a pressing member 31, and an urging mechanism 3.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the conveyance path R is a conveyance path for the workpiece W, and is formed between the long plate-shaped alignment rail Ra and the long plate-shaped guide rail Rb. The transport path R includes a first transport path R1 and a second transport path R2 positioned below the first transport path R1.

  The first transport path R1 is configured by a plane located above the step portion 15 in which the inner wall of the alignment rail Ra (the side facing the guide rail Rb) is recessed in two steps. Further, the first transport path R1 is not formed on the guide rail Rb. The conveyance width of the first conveyance path R1 is the distance between the inner wall above the step portion 15 of the alignment rail Ra and the inner wall of the guide rail Rb, and the first diameter D1 (rotation axis) of the protrusion 12 of the workpiece W. (See (5) “Plane” in FIG. 5)).

  The second transport path R2 has an L-shaped cross section in the plane located below the step portion 15 in which the inner wall of the alignment rail Ra is stepped and the inner wall of the guide rail Rb (the side facing the alignment rail Ra). It is comprised with the plane of the site | part dented in. The transport width of the second transport path R2 is the distance between the inner wall of the step portion 15 of the alignment rail Ra and the inner wall of the guide rail Rb. The transport width of the first transport path R1 and the first width of the projecting portion 12 of the workpiece W are as follows. It is smaller than one diameter D1 and larger than the second diameter D2 of the protrusion 12 of the workpiece W (see (5) “Plane” in FIG. 5). In particular, since the workpiece W in the present embodiment has a structure in which a part of the annular shape is cut into a concave shape, the conveyance width of the second conveyance path R2 is the state in which the workpieces W are aligned (the state of FIG. 5 (5)). ) Is larger than a third value D3 that is a width orthogonal to the transport direction Z at both ends of the second region A2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the transport mechanism 2 transports the workpiece W on the first transport path R1 or the second transport path R2. The transport mechanism 2 includes a transport rail 20 placed on the ground, a transport cylinder 21 including an air cylinder that moves along the transport rail 20, a base 22 fixed to the transport cylinder 21, and a base. A pair of support shafts 23 fixed to the base 22, an upper and lower plate 24 supported by the pair of support shafts 23 so as to be movable up and down, and an upper and lower cylinder 25 constituted by an air cylinder or the like for moving the upper and lower plates 24 up and down; It has. A plurality of center pins 26 that support the workpiece W are fixed to the upper and lower plates 24 while being inserted into the hollow portion of the main body 11 of the workpiece W (the inner portion of the inner circumferential surface having a circular cross section). (See FIG. 3).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the pressing member 31 includes a pressing plate 31 a having a T-shape in a side sectional view, a box-shaped base portion 31 b connected to the pressing plate 31 a, and a cylindrical cylindrical portion protruding above the base portion 31 b. 31c. A plurality (three in this embodiment) of pressing members 31 in the present embodiment are arranged in parallel along the transport direction Z.

  The pressing plate 31a is formed with a leading end 31d facing the first transport path R1 along the transport direction Z in a state where no workpiece W is interposed. The tip 31d presses a part of the protruding portion 12 from the upper side of the first transport path R1 toward the first transport path R1 (see (2) and (4) “side surface” in FIG. 5). The tip 31d in the present embodiment has a guide region B1 located on the upstream side in the transport direction Z, and an alignment region B2 provided adjacent to the guide region B1 on the downstream side in the transport direction Z.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the guide region B1, the tip 31d and the first transport are moved in the transport direction Z so as to guide a part of the protrusion 12 to the lower side of the alignment region B2 of the pressing plate 31a. The distance from the path R1 is small. In this guide region B1, the corners are chamfered so that the distance between the leading end 31d and the first transport path R1 gradually decreases from the upstream side in the transport direction Z toward the downstream side in the transport direction Z. One inclined part B1a, a linear part B1b in which the distance between the tip part 31d and the first transport path R1 is constant, and the distance between the tip part 31d and the first transport path R1 as it goes downstream in the transport direction Z The second inclined portion B1c gradually decreases.

  Returning to FIG. 2, the length L <b> 1 along the conveyance direction Z of the tip portion 31 d is set to a length at which at least three or more workpieces W do not contact at the same time. In the present embodiment, the length L1 along the conveyance direction Z of the tip 31d is a value obtained by adding the pitch between the protrusions 12 of the adjacent workpieces W to twice the first diameter D1 of the protrusions 12 of the workpieces W. Is set to be equivalent.

  The value L2 obtained by adding the lengths L1 of the tip portions 31d of the pressing plates 31a in the plurality of pressing members 31 is 1.5 times the circumferential length of the virtual outer circumference of the first region A1 in the protruding portion 12 of the workpiece W. It is set to ~ 2 times.

  In the alignment region B2, the distance between the tip 31d and the first transport path R1 is constant so as to rotate the workpiece W. Although details will be described later, the workpiece W that has entered the alignment region B2 is conveyed while being rotated by the driving force of the conveying mechanism 2 with a part of the protrusion 12 receiving a predetermined pressing force from the pressing plate 31a.

  The urging mechanism 3 is configured to urge the pressing member 31 downward, and is provided separately for each of the plurality of pressing members 31. Each urging mechanism 3 includes a fixing member 30 fixed to the alignment rail Ra, and a plurality of (in this embodiment) connected to the pressing member 31 while being supported by the fixing member 30 and movable in the direction of gravity. Two shaft members 32, a top plate 33 connecting the plurality of shaft members 32, a stopper 34 fixed to the top plate 33 between the plurality of shaft members 32, and lower than each shaft member 32. A plurality (two in this embodiment) of coil springs S (an example of an urging member) for applying an urging force to the side.

  The fixing member 30 includes a block-shaped first member 30a fixed to the alignment rail Ra, a second member 30b projecting vertically from the upper surface of the first member 30a in the direction of the first transport path R1, and a second member 30b. A pair of third members 30c projecting upward from both ends along the transport direction Z of the second member, and a fourth member projecting upward from the center (between the pair of third members 30c) along the transport direction Z of the second member 30b 30d is fastened with a bolt or the like to form an integral structure.

  A central portion in the longitudinal direction of the shaft member 32 is inserted and supported by the second member 30b and the third member 30c. Further, one side of the longitudinal direction of the shaft member 32 is inserted into the upper wall of the cylindrical portion 31c, the base portion 31b and the pressing plate 31a of the pressing member 31 described above and fixed to the upper wall with a bolt or the like. A coil spring S is disposed inside the cylindrical portion 31c of the pressing member 31 so as to surround the outer peripheral side of the shaft member 32, and the coil spring S applies a downward biasing force to the pressing plate 31a. I am letting.

  The other side in the longitudinal direction of the shaft member 32 is fixed to a top plate 33, and a stopper 34 is fixed to the top plate 33. One end 34b (nut in this embodiment) of the stopper 34 abuts on the fourth member 30d, thereby restricting the downward movement of the pressing member 31 (pressing plate 31a). On the other hand, when a part of the protruding portion 12 of the work W enters the tip 31d of the pressing plate 31a, the pressing plate 31a receives an upward reaction force from a part of the protruding portion 12 of the work W, and the pressing plate 31a Along with the fixed shaft member 32, the top plate 33 and the stopper 34 are configured to be movable upward.

[Mode of operation]
Subsequently, an operation mode of the alignment transport device X will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the aligning and conveying apparatus X conveys a workpiece installation range in which the workpiece W is set, a workpiece rotation range in which the pressing member 31 and the urging mechanism 3 are arranged, and a rotated and aligned workpiece W. And the transport range after alignment.

  The transport mechanism 2 is initially set in the work installation range shown in FIG. 1 in a state where the upper and lower plates 24 to which the center pins 26 are fixed are lowered by the driving force of the upper and lower cylinders 25. Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the upper and lower plates 24 to which the center pin 26 is fixed are raised by the driving force of the upper and lower cylinders 25, and the upper end of the center pin 26 protrudes above the first transport path R <b> 1. Next, a part of the projecting portion 12 is placed on the first transport path R1 by extrapolating the inner peripheral surface of the main body portion 11 of a plurality (five in this embodiment) of the workpiece W to the respective center pins 26. It will be in the state. Thus, the plurality of workpieces W are supported by the center pin 26 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis Y while maintaining a predetermined pitch (distance between the centers of adjacent center pins 26). ing.

  Next, the workpiece W supported by the center pin 26 is moved along the conveyance direction Z by the driving force of the conveyance cylinder 21. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the protruding portion 12 of the leading work W enters the work rotation range shown in FIG. At this time, since the first inclined portion B1a having a chamfered corner is provided in the guide region B1 of the pressing member 31, the protruding portion 12 enters the lower side of the distal end portion 31d without being caught by the distal end portion 31d. Further, since the linear portion B1b and the second inclined portion B1c are arranged in this order on the downstream side in the transport direction Z from the first inclined portion B1a, the protruding portion 12 is lightly pressed by the linear portion B1b, and the second The pressing force against the protruding portion 12 gradually increases at the inclined portion B1c.

  That is, the pressing force of the pressing plate 31a against the protruding portion 12 gradually increases until the protruding portion 12 of the leading work W reaches the alignment region B2. As a result, the movement of the workpiece W is facilitated, and the inconvenience that the workpiece W is caught by the tip portion 31d of the pressing plate 31a and difficult to convey is prevented.

  Next, as shown in (2) of FIG. 5, the workpiece W that has entered the alignment region B2 acts on the rotational axis Y in a state where a part of the protruding portion 12 is pressed against the tip portion 31d of the pressing plate 31a. An attempt is made to move forward in the transport direction Z by the driving force of the transport mechanism 2 to be performed. At this time, since the forward movement is suppressed in a part of the protruding portion 12 pressed by the tip portion 31d and rotational resistance (frictional force) is generated, the workpiece W rotates clockwise around the rotation axis Y in plan view. While moving forward. That is, in this embodiment, since the work W is rotated by using the driving force of the transport mechanism 2, there is no need to separately provide a drive source for rotating the work W, and the manufacturing cost of the alignment transport device X can be saved. Thus, the size can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the length L1 along the transport direction Z of the tip portion 31d is set to a length at which at least three workpieces W do not contact at the same time. That is, as shown in FIGS. 5 (1) and (2), one work W is arranged in the guide area B1 and another work W is arranged in the alignment area B2, and the two pressed by the tip 31d are arranged. A length L1 along the transport direction Z of the tip 31d is set so as to suppress the protrusion 12 from being simultaneously positioned in the alignment region B2. As a result, when the two workpieces W having the protruding portions 12 having different heights due to dimensional errors or the like enter the alignment region B2, the pressing plate 31a is inclined, and the pressing force on the protruding portions 12 is insufficient. Inconveniences such as hindering the rotation of the can be prevented. Further, by arranging the plurality of pressing members 31 in parallel along the transport direction Z, there is a work W that is insufficiently rotated in the preceding alignment region B2 as shown in (3) and (4) of FIG. However, the workpiece W can be rotated in the rear-stage alignment region B2.

  Next, as shown in (5) of FIG. 5, a portion having a third value D3 (maximum width orthogonal to the conveyance direction Z of the protrusion 12 when the workpieces W are aligned) in the protrusion 12 is the transfer direction Z. When the workpiece W is in a predetermined posture positioned in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece W, the workpiece W falls on the second conveyance path R2 and is conveyed on the second conveyance path R2. At this time, the downward movement of the pressing member 31 (pressing plate 31a) is limited by the contact of the one end 34b of the stopper 34 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the fourth member 30d of the fixing member 30. Therefore, the tip 31d of the pressing plate 31a does not come into contact with the protrusion 12 of the workpiece W that has fallen into the second transport path R2. As a result, the workpiece W is then transported on the second transport path R2 in an aligned state without rotating, and transported to the post-alignment transport range shown in FIG.

  In the transport range after alignment shown in FIG. 1, the work W aligned in the work rotation range is transported on the second transport path R2, but there is a work W that is not aligned in the work rotation range. The workpiece W is transported on the first transport path R1. At this time, the workpiece W conveyed on the first conveyance path R1 having a height different from that of the second conveyance path R2 can be selected and collected as an alignment defect product. It should be noted that a stopper may be provided on the first transport path R1 in the post-alignment transport range so that the unaligned workpieces W are forcibly discharged.

[Another embodiment]
Another embodiment of the alignment transport device X will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the structures of the biasing mechanism 3 and the pressing member 31 in the above-described embodiment are different, and the other structures are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  The urging mechanism 3A in the present embodiment includes a fixing member 130 fixed to the alignment rail Ra with a bolt or the like, a shaft member 132 supported by the fixing member 130, and a plurality of rotating members (this embodiment) (In the embodiment, three) the rotation member 135, the stopper 134 that restricts the downward movement of the rotation member 135, and the rotation member 135 so that the urging force acts on the pressing member 131 downward. A first elastic body Sa (an example of an urging member) composed of a rubber material or the like that urges each separately, and a leaf spring Bb that integrally urges the plurality of rotating members 135 downward. ing.

  The pressing member 131 in this embodiment is integrated with the rotating member 135. The rotation member 135 includes a block-shaped rotation main body 135a, and the pressing member 131 includes one side wall of the rotation main body 135a. The rotation main body 135a has a shaft member 132 inserted in the center portion 135a1, and the center portion is arranged so that the first elastic body Sa is disposed on the opposite side of the pressing member 131 across the shaft member 132. An extending portion 135a2 extending from the upper region of 135a1 is formed.

  The stopper 134 is a bottomed cylindrical rubber material including a support shaft 134a fixed to the alignment rail Ra with the rubber member 134a1 disposed on the upper surface, and an upper wall 134b1 mounted on the upper surface of the rubber member 134a1. It has the comprised 2nd elastic body 134b and the cyclic | annular member 134c mounted on the upper surface of the 2nd elastic body 134b. With the upper wall 134b1 of the second elastic body 134b sandwiched between the rubber member 134a1 and the annular member 134c of the support shaft 134a, the support shaft 134a including the rubber member 134a1, the second elastic body 134b, the annular member 134c, and The stopper 134 is fixed to the alignment rail Ra by fastening the alignment rail Ra with a bolt or the like.

  The lower surface of the second elastic body 134b is disposed so as to be able to come into contact with the upper surface of the extending portion 135a2 of the rotating member 135, and the extending portion 135a2 of the rotating member 135 rotates upward. It is regulated by 134b. That is, when the lower surface of the second elastic body 134b comes into contact with the upper surface of the extending portion 135a2 of the rotating member 135, the distal end portion 131d of the pressing member 131 is restricted from moving toward the alignment rail Ra. .

  The first elastic body Sa is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape including the lower wall Sa1, and the lower wall Sa1 is sandwiched between the flange 136a of the rubber member 136 and the upper surface of the alignment rail Ra, and the rubber The first elastic body Sa is fixed to the alignment rail Ra by fastening the member 136, the first elastic body Sa and the alignment rail Ra with a bolt or the like. The upper surface of the first elastic body Sa is disposed so as to be in contact with the lower surface of the extending portion 135a2 of the rotating member 135, and the extending portion 135a2 of the rotating member 135 rotates downward. It is regulated by the elastic body Sa. That is, the top surface 131d of the pressing member 131 is urged toward the alignment rail Ra by the upper surface of the first elastic body Sa coming into contact with the lower surface of the extending portion 135a2 of the rotating member 135.

  The leaf spring Bb is disposed over the upper surface of the adjacent rotating member 135 and is fixed to the upper surface of one rotating member 135 with a bolt or the like. The leaf spring Bb is such that the pressing member 131 of one rotating member 135 rotates upward from the projecting portion 12 of the work W that has entered between the tip 131d of the pressing member 131 and the alignment rail Ra. When receiving the force, the other rotating member 135 is rotated upward in conjunction with the one rotating member 135.

  The pressing member 131 is formed with a tip 131d facing the first transport path R1 along the transport direction Z in a state where no workpiece W is interposed. The tip 131d presses a part of the protruding portion 12 from the upper side of the first transport path R1 toward the first transport path R1. In the present embodiment, the tip 131d of one pressing member 131 located on the most upstream side in the transport direction Z has a guide region B1 located on the upstream side in the transport direction Z and a guide region B1 on the downstream side in the transport direction Z. And an alignment region B2 provided adjacent to each other. On the other hand, the tip portions 131d of the two pressing members 131 located on the downstream side in the transport direction Z are configured only by the alignment region B2. The guide region B1 in the present embodiment is configured by an inclined portion with a chamfered corner portion of the tip end portion 131d, and the alignment region B2 is a linear shape in which the distance between the tip end portion 131d and the first transport path R1 is constant. It is configured.

  Similarly to the above-described embodiment, when the protruding portion 12 of the workpiece W enters the guide region B1 of the pressing member 131 located on the most upstream side in the transport direction Z, the protruding portion 12 is not caught by the tip portion 131d. It enters the lower side of the tip 131d. When the projecting portion 12 of the workpiece W that has entered the alignment region B2 is pressed by the tip 131d of the pressing member 131, the pressing member 131 receives a reaction force from the projecting portion 12 and the rotating member 135 rotates upward. To do. At this time, the rotation member 135 adjacent to the rotation member 135 located on the most upstream side in the transport direction Z is rotated upward by the urging force of the leaf spring Bb. As a result, when the protruding portion 12 of the workpiece W enters the alignment region B2 of the adjacent rotating member 135, a predetermined gap is formed between the tip portion 131d and the first transport path R1. Therefore, even if the guide region B1 is not provided in the adjacent rotating member 135, the protruding portion 12 enters the lower side of the distal end portion 131d without being caught by the distal end portion 131d. It should be noted that the guide region B1 may be provided on all the rotating members 135, and when the guide region B1 is provided on all the rotating members 135, the leaf spring Bb may be omitted. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, since the shaft member 132 serving as the rotation shaft of the rotation member 135 to which the pressing member 131 is connected is disposed along the transport direction Z, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. Compared with the case where the shaft member 32 is provided and the pressing member 31 is biased, the vertical dimension can be made compact. As a result, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom of the arrangement place of the alignment transport device X in a manufacturing site where various devices are densely packed.

[Other Embodiments]
(1) The shape of the workpiece W is not limited to the shape of the above-described embodiment. For example, in the cutout region A21 of the protrusion 12 shown in FIG. 5, the concave shape recessed toward the rotation axis Y is eliminated, and the width (second diameter D2) perpendicular to the transport direction Z in a state where the workpieces W are aligned. May be configured in a straight line so that all become the third value D3. Moreover, you may comprise the external shape cross section which has the some peripheral part 12a which the protrusion part 12 protrudes in the radial direction outer side of the main-body part 11, and from which the distance from the center of a main-body part differs. Further, the outer cross section of the main body 11 may be configured in a rectangular shape.
(2) The shape of the guide region B1 shown in FIG. 2 may be any shape as long as a part of the protruding portion 12 can be guided to the lower side of the pressing plate 31a. For example, you may comprise only 1st inclination part B1a shown in FIG.
(3) In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of pressing members 31 and 131 are arranged in parallel along the transport direction Z, but may be configured by a single pressing member 31 and 131.
(4) In the embodiment described above, the center pin 26 shown in FIG. 3 is installed in parallel to the direction of gravity, but the center pin 26 may be inclined with respect to the direction of gravity. In this case, the conveying paths R1 and R2 shown in FIG. 1 are set in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the center pin 26 inclined with respect to the direction of gravity, and the pressing member 31 and the urging mechanism 3 are extended from the center pin 26. What is necessary is just to provide along a direction.
(5) In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the coil spring S and the first elastic body Sa are used as the urging members of the urging mechanisms 3 and 3A that urge the pressing member 31 has been described. However, air or electromagnetic force is used. The pressing member 31 may be biased.
(6) The aligning and conveying apparatus X in the present embodiment can be used in general work supply apparatuses such as a parts feeder, a linear feeder, and a robot work conveying apparatus.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for an alignment transport apparatus that aligns a plurality of transport objects while transporting them along the transport direction.

2: Conveying mechanism 3: Energizing mechanism 3 A: Energizing mechanism 11: Main body 12: Protruding part 30: Fixing member 31: Pressing member 32: Shaft member 130: Fixing member 131: Pressing member 132: Shaft member 135: Turning Member B1: Guide region B2: Alignment region D1: First diameter (maximum value of diameter)
R1: First transport path R2: Second transport path S: Coil spring (biasing member)
Sa: First elastic body (biasing member)
W: Workpiece (object to be transported)
X: Alignment / conveying device Y: Rotation axis (center of main body)
Z: Transport direction

Claims (5)

A plurality of conveyance objects including a main body having a circular inner peripheral surface and a plurality of protrusions having a plurality of peripheral edges projecting radially outward from the main body and having different distances from the center of the main body. Are aligned and conveyed while being conveyed along the conveying direction,
A first transport path having a transport width greater than twice the maximum value of the distance between the peripheral edge and the center of the protrusion;
A second transport path located below the first transport path in the direction of gravity and having a transport width smaller than the transport width of the first transport path;
A transport mechanism for transporting the transport object on the first transport path or the second transport path;
A pressing member that presses a part of the protrusion from the upper side of the first conveying path toward the first conveying path from the upper side in the gravity direction;
An urging mechanism that urges the pressing member downward in the direction of gravity, and
When the transport object transported on the first transport path is rotated by a driving force of the transport mechanism in a state where a part of the protruding portion is pressed by the pressing member, An alignment transport apparatus in which a transport object falls on the second transport path and is transported on the second transport path.   The pressing member is configured to guide a part of the protruding portion to the lower side in the gravity direction of the pressing member and reduce a distance from the first conveying path toward the conveying direction. The aligning and conveying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an aligning area provided adjacent to the guide area on the downstream side and having a constant distance from the first conveying path. The length of the pressing member along the transport direction is configured such that at least three or more transport objects do not contact at the same time.
The alignment conveyance apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of pressing members are arranged in parallel along the conveyance direction.   The biasing mechanism includes a fixed member, a shaft member connected to the pressing member in a state supported by the fixed member, and capable of moving along the direction of gravity, and biasing the shaft member downward in the direction of gravity. The aligning / conveying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an urging member that performs urging.   The urging mechanism is connected to the fixing member, the shaft member disposed along the transport direction while being supported by the fixing member, and the rotation that rotates around the shaft member. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a member, and a biasing member that biases the rotating member so that a biasing force is applied to the pressing member downward in the gravity direction. The alignment conveying apparatus as described.

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