JP3036391B2 - Parts supply device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a component supply apparatus for automatically taking out and supplying magnetic metal parts such as bolts and nuts from a storage container, and more particularly to a component supply apparatus for taking out parts by magnetic attraction. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an assembly line of a production factory, an assembly operation using a large amount of bolts and nuts is performed. Therefore, if the operator pokes his hand out of the container containing the attached parts every time the work is repeatedly performed, there is a problem in hygiene such as damage to the fingertips. Therefore, a component supply device that automatically takes out a predetermined amount of components has conventionally been used. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing a conventional component supply device. this is,
The rotating part 52 is provided so as to surround the periphery of the vibration plate 51. The vibration plate 51 is provided with a slope from the center to the outer periphery, and a base 53 supporting the vibration plate 51 and the rotating portion 52.
Vibration is given by drive means (not shown) provided in the inside, and the rotation of the rotating unit 52 is performed.

[0003] Therefore, components in a component storage section 54 surrounded by the vibration plate 51 and the rotating section 52 slide toward the rotating section 52. The components that have entered the rotating unit 52 are sent one by one to an extraction pipe 55 connected to the rotating unit 52 by the rotation. And it is stored in the component holding container 56 provided so as to communicate with the take-out pipe 55. A count sensor 57 is provided in the component holding container 56, counts the number of components to be sent, and when a predetermined number of components are stored, sends a signal to the driving means to stop the driving. On the other hand, a take-out confirmation switch 59 is provided at the take-out opening 58 of the component holding container 56 to check whether or not the component in the component holding container 56 has been taken out. When the removal is confirmed, a drive start signal is sent to the drive means to store the components again. Therefore, the operator can always obtain a predetermined number of parts only by the operation of lifting the outlet 58.

[0004]

However, such a conventional component supply apparatus has the following problems. As described above, in the conventional component supply device, the components are stored in the component storage unit 5.
4 and taken out therefrom, in principle, one type of component corresponds to one component supply device. Also, in the vibration-type component supply device, the components are aligned and taken out one by one, so the configuration of the alignment means differs for each component shape, and one component supply device is a dedicated machine corresponding to each component. Had become. Therefore, the equipment cost for the component supply device is very high.

In some cases, it is necessary to assemble a plurality of types of components for one assembling operation. In such a case, it is necessary to arrange the component supply devices according to the number of types. Yes, a large installation space is required. Further, since the component supply device itself needs to secure a large volume of the component storage portion 54, it is necessary to secure a relatively large space for independent installation. As described above, the problem related to the increase in the size of the apparatus itself is that not only does the operation of the operator be restricted in order to reduce the work space, but when a plurality of devices are provided, the range of the operation area for the operator to take parts is inevitable. Resulting in a reduction in work efficiency.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a component supply apparatus which can be installed in a small space in order to solve such a problem. It is another object of the present invention to provide a component supply device capable of taking out components corresponding to a plurality of types by one device. It is another object of the present invention to provide a component supply device capable of simultaneously taking out components to a plurality of locations by one device. It is another object of the present invention to provide a low-cost component supply device.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided a component supply apparatus comprising: a component storage container for storing magnetic components in a random state; and a vertically cylindrical hollow cylindrical component disposed in the component storage container. A piston provided with a magnet is inserted into the cylinder in a vertically slidable manner, and a magnetic component is magnetically attached to the outer surface of the cylinder, and is transferred by following the vertical movement of the piston. <br/> means and, in Rutoki the magnetic material element parts made Ri by the component pickup means is transferred to the upper position of the cylinder, before
Forward to near the outer surface of the cylinder, and
And parts passive operation means but that receive the magnetic components made when it is lowered, and conveying means for conveying the components passive operation means receives part, and a take-out container holding the component transported by the transport means Have

Further, in the component supply device of the present invention, the component storage container has a partition plate for dividing a storage space, and the component extracting means is provided in the storage space on both sides divided by the partition plate. Is desirably provided so that the outer side surface of the front surface appears. Further, the component supply device of the present invention is provided in the middle of a component transfer path formed on the outer surface of the cylinder , and is transferred by one rising of the component extracting means.
Removing means for removing a part of the plurality of components, detecting means for detecting the components held in the unloading container, and control for controlling driving of the component receiving operation means based on a signal from the detecting means. It is desirable to have means.

[0009]

According to the component supply apparatus of the present invention, a large number of predetermined mounting components used for an assembling operation or the like are randomly stored in a component storage container, and are vertically disposed in the component storage container. When the piston slides up and down in the hollow cylindrical cylinder, the magnet sucks the magnetic component and sandwiches the cylinder to transfer the component as the piston moves. The part receiving operation means, which is provided in the middle of the transfer path and is driven when the part to be transferred comes to a predetermined position, releases the part from the attraction of the magnet by shutting off the transfer path. Relocated to and stored. Therefore, in such a component supply device,
Since the component removing means removes the components in the storage container by vertical linear motion of the piston, it can be installed in a small space, and the operator can grasp the component storage container packed in large quantities. It does not do anything and can be easily taken out from the take-out container as needed.

Further, in the component supply device of the present invention, different parts can be simultaneously removed from both spaces by a partition plate which divides a storage space of the component storage container, by a cylinder surface appearing in the storage space partitioned by the component extracting means. The parts can be taken out, and the parts can be taken out to a plurality of places at the same time by guiding the parts conveying means to the plurality of take-out containers. Further, the component supply device according to the present invention is characterized in that, when unnecessarily components are sucked by the component extraction means when the components are taken out of the component storage container by the component extraction means, the elimination means provided in the middle of the transfer path. Eliminates the extra parts,
Detecting means for detecting the number of parts held in the holding container,
By controlling the driving of the component receiving operation means by the control means based on the signal from the detection means, the number of parts required by the operator are held in the unloading container.

[0011]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the component supply device of the present embodiment. In this embodiment,
A case where four types of parts can be taken out by one unit is shown. In the component supply device 1 of the present embodiment, two large first
The storage container 2 and the second storage container 3 are provided before and after,
The storage container 2 and the second storage container 3 are divided into two by partition plates 4 and 5, respectively. Further, rod-less cylinder bodies 6 and 7 are vertically engaged with the partition plates 4 and 5, respectively, and take-out portions for vertically transferring components in the first and second storage containers 2 and 3 are formed. I have. Also, on both sides of the partition plates 4 and 5, a pair of parts shooters 8a and 8b and parts shooters 9a and 9b, respectively, as transporting means for transporting the parts transported by the take-out unit in different directions are provided. It is provided in. At the tip of each of the parts shooters 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, there is provided a take-out container 10 for taking out the parts held by the operator. Hereinafter, these configurations will be described in more detail.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a take-out portion of the component supply device according to the present embodiment. In the drawings, only the partition plate 4 and the parts shooter 8a are shown and described for convenience. As can be seen from the drawing, this is provided so that the rodless cylinder main body 6 as the component receiving operation means is sandwiched in the middle of the partition plate 4 divided into two pieces. FIG. 3 is a plan view of this as viewed from above. The partition plate 4 is formed by bending an end face along the rodless cylinder body 6,
It is configured to sandwich it. Incidentally, the rodless cylinder body 6 uses a commercially available rodless cylinder. FIG. 4 is a partially sectional perspective view showing the rodless cylinder body 6.

The rodless cylinder body 6 has a cylinder tube 11 made of non-magnetic stainless steel which is resistant to scratching and rust, and whose both ends are closed by head covers 12a and 12b. Ports 13a and 13b for supplying and discharging compressed air into and from the cylinder tube 11 are provided at both ends. In the cylinder tube 11, a yoke 15 made of a rolled steel plate and a magnet 14 made of a rare earth magnet are stacked in a stepped manner. The yoke 15 provided in the cylinder tube 11 and the magnet 14 are overlapped to form a piston 16. Also,
When used as an original rodless cylinder,
A slider body 30 is fitted so as to move following the cylinder tube 11. Therefore, in a state where the slider body 30 is removed, any metal parts made of a magnetic material can be used for the cylinder tube 1 by the piston 16.
1 can be adsorbed. Also, the cylinder tube 11
The position at which the piston 16 moves inside is the position at which the parts are transferred.

The partition plate 4 on which the rodless cylinder body 6 is engaged is provided with the cylinder tube 1.
Baffle plate 1 so that it can slide on partition plate 4 in the middle of 1
7a and 17b are provided. In this embodiment, almost one half of the cylinder tube 11 is covered, leaving a space for transferring one component by one drive of the piston 16. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the component extracting device. The parts shooter 8 a is fixed to the first storage container 2 so as to be inclined along the partition plate 4. The parts shooter 8a is formed by a U-shaped groove, and has a double structure in which a slide groove 18 is provided inside.

A piston cylinder 19 is engaged with the overhang 18a provided at the tip of the slide groove 18. The tip of the slide groove 18 is configured to follow the shape of the rodless cylinder body 6 when extended by sliding in the parts shooter 8a. The piston cylinder 19 is fixed near the tip of the parts shooter 8a so as to be along the same, and a piston rod 19a fixed to an internal piston is fixed to the overhang 18a. The other end of the piston cylinder 19 is provided with a port 19b for supplying and discharging compressed air. On the other hand, a magnetic sensor 20 is provided on the parts shooter 8a so as to cover the groove.

A take-out container 10 is provided at the lower end of the parts shooter 8a. The unloading container 10 includes a fixed container 21 fixed to the first storage container 2 and the fixed container 2
1 is constituted by a slide container 22 fitted from the lower end. The lower end of the fixed container 21 is inclined, and an extraction hole 21a is formed on the front surface. On the other hand, the slide container 22
Also, an extraction hole 22a is formed at the lower end, and the overhang portion 22 at the upper end is formed.
b is formed so as to abut the removal confirmation switch 23. The removal confirmation switch 23 confirms the removal of the component by the contact of the overhang 22b. When the slide container 22 is in contact with the removal confirmation switch 23, the removal hole 21 a of the fixed container 21 is closed by the slide container 22. On the other hand, the slide container 22 slides at the lower end portion of the fixed container 21 in the vertical direction, but when slid upward, the takeout hole 21a of the fixed container 21 and the takeout hole 22a of the slide container 22 overlap and communicate.

The component supply device 1 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration operates as follows. First, various necessary components are stored in the first storage container 2 and the second storage container 3. In this embodiment, since each storage container is divided into two as shown in FIG. 1, a total of four types of parts can be stored. The stored parts are first transferred upward by the rodless cylinder body 6. Specifically, compressed air is supplied into the cylinder tube 11 from a port 13b provided at the lower end of the rodless cylinder body 6. Then, the pressure below the piston 16 in the cylinder tube 11 is increased, and pressure is applied to the yoke 15 to raise the piston 16. When the piston 16 moves, the component adsorbed by the magnet 14 constituting the piston 16 is transferred so as to slide on the outer surface of the cylinder tube 11.

At this time, since the surface of the cylinder tube 11 at the position where the magnet 14 is present has an area where a plurality of components are attracted, a plurality of components are transferred as the piston 16 moves. Sometimes. However, in order to hold a predetermined number of parts in the unloading container 10, it is necessary to transfer them one by one so that accurate detection is performed. Therefore, the amount of the cylinder tube 11 that covers the cylinder tube 11 is adjusted by sliding the baffle plate 17a, so that one component is surely transferred in one reciprocation of the piston 16. Then, even if a plurality of components move along with the piston 16, only the components adsorbed at the predetermined positions are left, and the other components fall on the baffle plate 17a.

When the piston 16 rises to the upper end in the cylinder tube 11, the slide groove 18 of the parts shooter 8 a is moved closer to the cylinder tube 11 by the piston cylinder 19. That is, when compressed air is supplied from the port 19b at a predetermined timing by a control device (not shown), the piston (not shown) in the piston cylinder 19 is driven, and accordingly, the piston rod 19a extends and the slide groove 18 also extends. . Then, the piston 16 raised to a predetermined position by the supply of compressed air from the port 13b
While compressed air is then exhausted from port 13b,
It descends when compressed air is supplied from the port 13a. As described above, when the slide groove 18 extends and approaches the cylinder tube 11, the component moving on the surface of the cylinder tube 11 hits the slide groove 18 when descending.
Since the piston 16 is still moving, the parts are released from the magnetic attachment of the magnet 14, and the inclined parts shooter 8a
Slide down.

Then, by discharging the compressed air in the piston cylinder 19, the slide groove 18 is slid and separated from the cylinder tube 11. Therefore, the component can be transferred to the upper end again. On the other hand, the parts that have slipped down the parts shooter 8a are checked by the magnetic detection sensor 20 on the way, and are counted. Then, the unloading container 1 provided at the lower end thereof
It is stored in 0. The unloading container 10 is stored in the fixed container 21 in which the unloading hole 21a is closed, and the number of components counted by the magnetic sensor 20 is stored. And
The operator moves the slide container 22 upward with the palm. Then, the extraction holes 21a and 22a overlap to be in an open state, and the components stored in the fixed container 21 are
1 slides down the inclined surface at the lower end and passes through the extraction holes 21a and 22a and is placed on the palm of the worker.

By the way, the component supply device 1 of this embodiment is
The predetermined number of parts held in the take-out container 10 is counted by the magnetic sensor 20. When the predetermined number of parts are transferred, the supply of the compressed air to the piston cylinder 19 is stopped, and the slide groove 18 is stopped. Becomes Therefore,
Even if the rodless cylinder body 6 continues to be driven, the parts slide on the surface of the cylinder tube 11 due to the movement of the piston 16, but are not sent to the parts shooter 8 a and do not enter the unloading container 10. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the number of parts required by the operator. On the other hand, when the worker raises the slide container 22 of the unloading container 10 and removes the component, the overhanging portion 22 b
By further separating, the removal is confirmed, and the parts are supplied to the removal container 10 again by the operation of the slide groove 18.

The embodiment of the component supply apparatus of the present invention has been described above. According to this, the following effects can be obtained. In the present embodiment, the parts are transferred in the vertical direction using the rodless cylinder body 6, so that a large installation space is not required and the storage containers can be connected in series, so that several kinds of parts are handled in a small space. Can be. Also,
A plurality of components can be transferred by one rodless cylinder body 6 by interposing one storage container through the partition plate 4, so that a space can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since the take-out container 10 can be connected continuously, the operator can take out parts at the same place, and the work efficiency is very good. In addition, since the parts are transferred by the rodless cylinder body 6, the shape of the parts is not limited as long as the parts are attracted to the magnet 14 of the piston 16, so that various magnetic parts can be used. In that sense, it can also contribute to cost reduction.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the storage container is
However, the number may be increased. Further, in addition to being arranged in front and rear, a horizontally long storage container may be separated by a partition plate. Further, although a magnetic sensor is used for detecting the number of components, another sensor may be used. In the embodiment, the rodless cylinder body 6 is divided into two directions.
The partition plate may be divided so as to be distinguished into three directions.

[0024]

As described above, according to the component supply apparatus of the present invention, the component pick-up means picks up components from inside the component storage container by magnetic force and
To follow the vertical movement of the emission is transported, the parts to be transported shea
Near the cylinder outer surface when in the upper position of the cylinder
Operating the component passive operation means to so is to hold guide the component take-out container, but may be installed in a small space and it becomes possible to provide a low-cost component supply device. Further, in the component supply device of the present invention, since the component extraction means is provided so that the suction surface appears in both of the divided storage spaces, it is possible to extract components corresponding to a plurality of types. It has become possible to provide a component supply device which can take out components to a plurality of places at the same time with a single device. Further, in the component supply device of the present invention, the elimination unit eliminates a part of the plurality of components transferred by one rise of the extraction unit, and the control unit performs the control based on the signal detected by the detection unit. Since the drive of the component receiving operation means is controlled, it is possible to stably supply as many components as required by the operator.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an embodiment of a component supply device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a take-out part of one embodiment of the component supply device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a take-out part of one embodiment of the component supply device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a rodless cylinder tube that constitutes an extraction unit.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a component supply device according to an embodiment of the component supply device according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing a conventional component supply device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Component supply apparatus 2 1st storage container 3 2nd storage container 4, 5 Partition plate 6, 7 Rodless cylinder tube 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b Parts shooter 10 Extraction container 14 Magnet 15 Yoke

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A component storage container for storing magnetic material components in a random state, and a piston vertically arranged in the component storage container and provided with a magnet in a hollow cylindrical cylinder and slidable up and down. fitted with rotatably state, and <br/> component taking means for transporting it to follow the vertical movement of the piston magnetically attached to the magnetic components made on the outer surface of the cylinder, Ri by said component extracting means the magnetic material elements manufactured part, said Siri
When being transferred to the upper position of the cylinder,
Moving forward near the outer surface, the magnetic part is lowered.
Component receiving operation means for receiving the magnetic material product, a transport means for transporting the magnetic component received by the component receiving operation means, and a take-out container for holding the component transported by the transport means. A parts supply device characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. The component supply device according to claim 1, wherein the component storage container has a partition plate that divides a storage space, and the component extraction unit is provided in a storage space on both sides divided by the partition plate. A component supply device provided so as to expose an outer surface of the cylinder. 3. The component supply device according to claim 1, wherein the component removal means is provided near the outer surface of the cylinder, and is provided near the cylinder outer surface.
Removing means for removing a part of a plurality of parts transferred by one rise ; detecting means for detecting parts held in the unloading container; and receiving the parts based on a signal from the detecting means. A component supply device comprising control means for controlling driving of an operation means.