JP3994699B2

JP3994699B2 - Method and apparatus for aligning and feeding flat members

Info

Publication number: JP3994699B2
Application number: JP2001239170A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 直樹 ▲高▼羽
Original assignee: Denso Corp
Current assignee: Denso Corp
Priority date: 2001-08-07
Filing date: 2001-08-07
Publication date: 2007-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 2021-08-07
Also published as: JP2003054729A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、マガジン内に積層された偏平部材を１個ずつ取り出し、これらの部材を所定のピッチで整列させる偏平部材の整列供給方法及びその装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来技術として、マガジン内に積層された偏平部材（例えば、熱交換器コアのチューブ等）を、所定の整列ピッチ（例えば熱交換器コアの組付ピッチ）に整列して供給する手段として、図５に示すような「ドラム式」の整列供給方法がある。この方法は、縦置きされたマガジン２内に平積みされた偏平部材１の最下部の１枚を仕切板３でマガジン２より横に突き出し、ドラム４に形成された複数の溝４ａの１つに挿入して保持する。その後、ドラム４を回転し偏平部材１を保持した溝４ａが最下部に達したときに、偏平部材１の自重又はプッシャ５によって、パレット搬送スクリュー６によって送られてくるパレット７上に載せる。この場合、パレット７に代えてチェーンコンベア又はスクリュー等の保持手段にすることもできる。以下、上記の仕切板３の突き出し、ドラム４の回転、パレット７のピッチ送りを繰り返し行うことで、所定のピッチに偏平部材１を整列していく方法である。
【０００３】
しかしながら、この従来の方法は、仕切板３、ドラム４、プッシャ５、パレット６等の保持手段、ピッチ送り手段等の構成要素、部品が非常に多く、コストがかかるという問題がある。また、仕切板やプッシャ等の往復動作及びドラムやピッチ送り手段等の間欠動作を伴うため、部材の整列速度が最大でも５個／秒程度であり、これ以上の高速化が図れず、生産効率が悪いという問題もあった。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
本発明は、上記問題に鑑みなされたもので、その目的は、間欠動作及び往復動作が無く、連続動作及び回転動作のみで高速で整列を行うことができ、しかも構造を簡素化できる偏平部材の整列供給方法及びその装置を提供することである。
【０００５】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、前記課題を解決するための手段として、特許請求の範囲の各請求項に記載の偏平部材の整列供給方法及びその装置を提供する。
請求項１に記載の偏平部材の整列供給方法は、上下一対のスクリューは、入口部ピッチのブレードの高さが低く、供給方向に沿って複数のピッチにわたってブレードの高さが徐々に高くなっていて、上下一対のスクリューのうち上側のスクリューは下側のスクリューよりも短く、かつ下側のスクリューは、入口部ピッチからブレードの高さが徐々に高くなる部分から連続した、ブレードの高さが同じで、所定数の偏平部材を所定のピッチで確保する整列部分を有していて、この整列部分は上側のスクリューよりも長い領域にわたって設けられており、横置き状態にされたマガジンから、その出口の上下に配置された少なくとも一対のスクリューで偏平部材を１個ずつ分離して取り出し、スクリューのブレードのピッチ間に偏平部材を確保した状態で徐々にブレードのピッチを拡大して、所定のピッチに偏平部材を整列し、下側のスクリュー上に整列された所定数の偏平部材を、ローダの所定数のチャックによって一括して把持し、次工程に供給するようにしたものであり、これにより、連続動作、回転動作のみで非常にシンプルに偏平部材の整列供給を達成することができる。また、整列速度の高速化が可能である。更に、偏平部材間の微少隙間に入り込んで偏平部材を確実に１個ずつ分離すると共に、取り出した偏平部材間のピッチを徐々に大きくして所定のピッチに偏平部材の倒れを生じることなく、保持、整列でき、パレットのような他の保持手段を別に設ける必要がない。また、スクリュー上に整列された所定数の偏平部材を、ローダの所定数のチャックによって一括して把持して供給できるので、例えば熱交換器のチューブをコア単位で一括して所定のピッチで整列、配置させることができる。
【０００６】
請求項２に記載の偏平部材の整列供給方法は、偏平部材を分離して取り出し、整列させる上下一対のスクリューのうち上側のスクリューは下側のスクリューよりも短く、また下側のスクリューには、所定数の偏平部材を所定のピッチで確保する整列部分が上側のスクリューよりも長い領域にわたって設けられており、横置き状態にされたマガジンから、その出口の上下に配置された少なくとも一対のスクリューで偏平部材を１個ずつ分離して取り出し、スクリューのブレードのピッチ間に偏平部材を確保した状態で徐々にブレードのピッチを拡大して、所定のピッチに偏平部材を整列し、この下側のスクリュー上に整列された所定数の偏平部材を、ローダの所定数のチャックによって一括して把持し、次工程に供給するようにすると共に、下側のスクリューが所定数の偏平部材を所定のピッチで確保し、これを先頭の偏平部材を検知することで行うか又は、下側のスクリューの回転数をカウントすることにより行うようにしたものである。これにより、スクリュー自体で偏平部材を所定のピッチで保持できるので、パレットのような他の保持手段を別に設ける必要がない。また、偏平部材の整列数の変化に対応できる。
請求項３の該整列供給方法は、スクリューが所定のピッチで所定数の偏平部材を確保したことを、先端の偏平部材を検知するか、またはスクリューの回転数のカウントにより検知するようにしたものである。これにより、偏平部材の整列数が変わっても容易に対応できる。
【０００８】
請求項４に記載の偏平部材の整列供給装置は、請求項１の方法の発明を装置発明にしたものであり、請求項１の発明と同様の作用効果を奏する。
請求項５の該整列供給装置は、スクリューの入口部のブレードのピッチを偏平部材の厚みと等しくしたものであり、これにより、隣接する偏平部材間の微少隙間にスクリュー入口部のブレードが入り込んで、偏平部材を確実に１個ずつ分離して取り出すことができるようになる。
【０００９】
請求項６の該整列供給装置は、偏平部材が所定のピッチで整列する部分では、下側のスクリューのブレードの高さを偏平部材の幅とほぼ同じ高さにしたものであり、これにより、偏平部材の倒れを生じることなく、整列させることができる。
請求項７の該整列供給装置は、偏平部材として偏平長尺部材を採用し、上下一対のスクリューを２組設けたものであり、これにより、例えば熱交換器の偏平チューブのような偏平長尺部材であっても、マガジンから１個ずつ取り出し整列させることができる。
【００１０】
請求項８の該整列供給装置は、偏平部材の分離・供給方向と直角方向にストッパを設けたものであり、これにより、偏平部材がスクリューの回転方向に動いても、ストッパによって位置が規制され、偏平部材の長手方向でのずれを防止できる。
請求項９の該整列供給装置は、スクリューに整列される所定数の偏平部材の先頭の偏平部材を検知するセンサを設けたものであり、これによって、容易にスクリュー上に所定数の偏平部材が整列されたことを検出できる。
【００１１】
請求項１０の該整列供給装置は、スクリューの回転数をカウントする回転数カウント手段を設けたものであり、これによっても、所定の回転数に達した時点で、スクリュー上に所定数の偏平部材が整列されたことを検出することができる。
【００１２】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、図面に基づいて本発明の実施の形態の偏平部材の整列供給方法及びその装置について説明する。図１は、本発明の偏平部材の整列供給装置の全体構成を示す図であり、図２は、一対のスクリューの入口部分の拡大図である。本発明においては、偏平部材１１（例えば、熱交換器コアの偏平チューブ等）が積層して収容されているマガジン１２は、横置き（横向き）状態で使用される。マガジン１２の入口側にはプッシャ１３が配置されており、作業中においては、偏平部材１を常時押圧している。マガジン１２の出口側には、その上下に一対のスクリュー１４，１５が隣接して配置されており、マガジン１２内の偏平部材１１を１個ずつ分離して取り出すようになっている。
【００１３】
図２に示されるように、スクリュー１４，１５の入口部のブレード１４ａ，１５ａのピッチは、偏平部材１１の厚さとほぼ等しくされており、入口部から偏平部材１１の送り方向に沿って、徐々にブレード１４ａ，１５ａのピッチは拡大して行き、所定の整列ピッチになったところで、上スクリュー１４は途切れており、下スクリュー１５のみが所定の整列ピッチで所定の数だけブレード１５ａが形成されている。即ち、上スクリュー１４は、下スクリュー１５の偏平部材１１を所定ピッチで整列させる整列部分を無くした構造である。
また、スクリュー１４，１５のブレード１４ａ，１５ａの高さは、その入口部では、隣接偏平部材１１間に入る寸法である微少高さであり、その後ブレード１４ａ，１５ａのピッチが拡大するのと一緒に高さも増加して行き、所定の整列ピッチになったところで、下スクリュー１５のブレード１５ａの高さは、偏平部材１１が倒れない高さである、偏平部材１１の幅とほぼ同じ高さに形成されている。
更に、特に入口部のスクリュー１４，１５のブレード１４ａ，１５ａの断面形状は山形形状に形成することが好ましい。
なお、偏平部材１の断面形状は、長円又は４隅が丸みを帯びており、偏平部材１１を重ね合わせた場合に、隣接偏平部材間に微少隙間が形成されるものである。
【００１４】
このようなスクリュー構造によって、偏平部材１１同志が密着した押せ押せ状態であっても、隣の偏平部材１１との間に形成された微少の隙間を利用して、密着した押せ押せ状態の偏平部材１１を１個ずつに分離することができる。即ち、偏平部材１１間の微少隙間にスクリュー１４，１５の入口部の微少サイズのブレード１４ａ，１５ａを入れて分離し搬送する。この場合、次の偏平部材１１はこの微少サイズのブレード１４ａ，１５ａに当接して一時的に待機状態にあるので偏平部材の分離の邪魔をすることはない。こうして分離した偏平部材１１は、スクリュー１４，１５のブレード１４ａ，１５ａのピッチの拡大に従って、偏平部材間のピッチを拡大して行き、所定の整列ピッチで下スクリュー１５のブレード１５ａ間に１個ずつ整列することになる。
【００１５】
図３は、本発明の偏平部材の整列供給装置の側面図である。偏平部材１１として長尺偏平部材を想定しており、この場合、マガジン１２出口に配置された上下一対のスクリュー１４，１５が２組配置されている。偏平部材１１は、上下スクリュー１４，１５の同方向の回転によってマガジン１２内から分離され、等ピッチに整列されて行くものである。従って、上下スクリュー１４，１５の回転によって偏平部材１１はその回転方向の力を受けることによって、偏平部材１１の先端部の相互の位置がずれる恐れがある。そのために、スクリュー１４，１５による偏平部材１１の分離・搬送方向と直角方向にストッパ１６を設けて偏平部材１１の先端部の位置がずれるのを防止している。また、偏平部材１１の後端側にはガイド１７を設けて、ストッパ１６とガイド１７間で偏平部材１１を案内するようにしている。
【００１６】
下スクリュー１５のブレード１５ａ間に整列された偏平部材１１を、所定個数一括してチャックして、次工程に供給するために、所定個のチャック１８を備えたローダ１９が、下スクリュー１５の上方で上スクリュー１４の後方に配置されている。このローダ１９は上昇・下降機能と横移動機能とを有しており、ローダ１９の下降→所定個一括チャック→上昇→横移動（後工程へ）→下降→アンチャック→横移動（元の位置である下スクリュー上まで戻って待機）という動作で、偏平部材１１を次工程に供給して行く。
【００１７】
所定個数の偏平部材１１の下スクリュー１５上の整列完了の検出方法としては、いろいろと考えられるが、大きくは、先頭の偏平部材１１がどこまで到達したかを検出する方法と、下スクリュー５の回転数をカウントする方法の２つに大別できる。以下、図４に基づきこれらの方法について説明する。
例えばチャック１８として（Ａ〜Ｊ）の１０個を有したローダを用いて、１０個ずつ偏平部材１１を供給していく場合を説明する。図５は、丁度１０個の偏平部材１１をローダ１９が把持して上昇した時点であるが、この後ローダ１９が後工程側に偏平部材１１を供給している間に、次サイクル分の１０個の偏平部材１１を下スクリュー１５上に準備しておく。その際、次サイクル用の１０個の偏平部材１１を準備する方法として、光電管や近接スイッチ等の先頭の偏平部材１を確認する先頭確認センサ２０を設け、図４に点線で示す下スクリュー１５の１の位置に偏平部材１が来たらスクリュー１４，１５の回転を停止して待機する方法や、センサ２０を設けずにスクリュー駆動手段側にスクリューの回転数をカウントするカウント手段２１を設けて、スクリューの回転数が所定の回数に達した時点でスクリュー１４，１５の回転を停止して待機する方法がある。これらの方法を繰り返し、毎回１０個ずつの偏平部材１１を後工程側に供給することができる。
【００１８】
上記した基本構成を用いて、任意の個数ずつの偏平部材１１を後工程側に供給することも可能である。以下、その方法について述べる。
Ａ〜Ｊの１０個のチャック１８をもつローダ１９で、かつ先頭確認センサ２０を用いて、１０個よりも少ない個数の偏平部材を毎回後工程側に供給するやり方について、８個の場合を例にとって説明する。図４で、センサ２０を用いる場合と構成は同じであるが、ローダ１９の待機位置を偏平部材２個分（２ピッチ分）だけスクリュー後部側（図４の右側）にずらす。即ち、チャック１８のＡ，Ｂは下降しても偏平部材１１が掴めない位置にずらしておき、ローダ１９が下降した際にはＣ〜Ｊの８個のチャック１８で、図５の１〜８の位置にある８個の偏平部材１１を掴むようにしておく。したがって、チャック１８が下降し、Ｃ〜Ｊの８個のチャックが下スクリュー１５の１〜８の位置にある８個の偏平部材１１を把持して、ローダ１９が後工程側に偏平部材１１を供給している間に、スクリュー１４，１５は先頭確認センサ２０が先頭の偏平部材１１を検出するまで回転し、次サイクル分の偏平部材１１を８個、下スクリュー１５上に準備した状態で待機する。次サイクルでは、またローダ１９が２ピッチ分ずれた位置で８個の偏平部材１１をチャックするということを繰り返す。
この方法を使用する場合、ローダ１９は整列供給個数に応じて待機位置を変えることができる段取り機能を有する必要がある。
【００１９】
次に、Ａ〜Ｊの１０個のチャック１８をもつローダ１９を使用して、先頭確認センサ２０を用いずに、スクリューの回転数をカウントするカウント手段２１を用いて、１０個よりも少ない個数の偏平部材１１を毎回後工程側に供給するやり方を、８個の場合を例に採って説明する。前述の図４でスクリューの回転数をカウントするカウント手段２１を用いる場合と構成及びローダ１９の待機位置は同じである。相違点は、下スクリュー１５上への偏平部材整列個数を図４よりも２個少ない８個としておく点である。即ち、Ａ，Ｂのチャック１８が下降しても下スクリュー１５上には偏平部材１１が無い状態（図４で、下スクリューの１，２の位置に偏平部材が無い状態）としておき、ローダ１９が下降した際には、Ｃ〜Ｊの８個のチャック１８で、図４の下スクリュー１５上の３〜１０の位置にある８個の偏平部材１１を掴むようにしておく。この８個の偏平部材１１を掴んでローダ１９が上昇して、後工程に偏平部材１１を供給している間に次サイクル分の８個の偏平部材１１を下スクリュー１５上に準備しておく。即ち、図４の下スクリュー１５上の３〜１０の位置に偏平部材１１を準備しておく。その際スクリューは、スクリューの回転数をカウントするカウント手段２１によって、丁度偏平部材１１が８個整列したところで回転を停止し、待機する。次サイクルでは、またローダ１９が２個足りない８個の偏平部材１１をチャックするということを繰り返す。
このカウント手段２１を使用する方法では、前述したように先頭確認センサ２０を使用する方法で説明したローダ１９の待機位置段取り機構は不要である。
【００２０】
以上、偏平部材の整列個数を１０個と８個の例で説明したが、例えば実際の熱交換器では供給する偏平チューブの本数が３０〜８０本程度と多いため、偏平部材の整列供給個数の信頼性の確保のため、センサ２０とカウント手段２１とを併用して使用することが好ましい。
【００２１】
【発明の効果】
このように、本発明の偏平部材の整列供給方法及びその装置においては、往復動作・間欠動作が無く、連続動作・回転動作のみの非常に簡素な構造にしたことにより、整列速度が従来比の４倍の２０個／秒程度に高速化することができ、またコストにおいても、従来比の１／２程度とすることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の形態の偏平部材の整列供給装置の全体構成を示す図である。
【図２】上下のスクリューの入口部の部分拡大図である。
【図３】本発明の実施の形態の偏平部材の整列供給装置の側面図である。
【図４】等ピッチの所定個数の偏平部材の整列・供給を説明する図である。
【図５】従来の偏平部材の整列供給装置の全体構成を示す図である。
【符号の説明】
１，１１…偏平部材
２，１２…マガジン
１３…プッシャ
１４…上スクリュー
１４ａ…ブレード
１５…下スクリュー
１５ａ…ブレード
１６…ストッパ
１８…チャック
１９…ローダ
２０…先頭確認センサ
２１…カウント手段[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a flat member aligning and supplying method and apparatus for taking out flat members stacked in a magazine one by one and aligning these members at a predetermined pitch.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a prior art, as a means for supplying flat members (for example, tubes of a heat exchanger core) stacked in a magazine in alignment with a predetermined alignment pitch (for example, an assembly pitch of heat exchanger cores), FIG. There is a “drum type” alignment supply method as shown in FIG. In this method, one of the lowermost flat members 1 stacked in a vertically placed magazine 2 is protruded laterally from the magazine 2 by a partition plate 3, and one of a plurality of grooves 4a formed in the drum 4 is obtained. Insert and hold. Thereafter, when the groove 4 a holding the flat member 1 reaches the lowermost portion by rotating the drum 4, the drum 4 is placed on the pallet 7 sent by the pallet conveying screw 6 by the weight of the flat member 1 or the pusher 5. In this case, a holding means such as a chain conveyor or a screw can be used instead of the pallet 7. Hereinafter, the flat member 1 is aligned at a predetermined pitch by repeatedly projecting the partition plate 3, rotating the drum 4, and pitch-feeding the pallet 7.
[0003]
However, this conventional method has a problem that the number of components and parts such as the holding means such as the partition plate 3, the drum 4, the pusher 5, and the pallet 6, the pitch feeding means, and the like are very large and the cost is high. In addition, since the reciprocating operation of the partition plate and the pusher and the intermittent operation of the drum and the pitch feeding means are involved, the member alignment speed is about 5 pieces / second at the maximum. There was also a problem that was bad.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to provide a flat member that can perform alignment at high speed only by continuous operation and rotation operation without any intermittent operation and reciprocation operation, and can simplify the structure. It is to provide an alignment supply method and apparatus.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention provides, as means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a flat member aligning and supplying method and an apparatus therefor according to the claims.
In the flat member aligning and supplying method according to claim 1, in the pair of upper and lower screws, the blade height of the inlet portion pitch is low, and the height of the blade is gradually increased over a plurality of pitches along the supply direction. The upper screw of the pair of upper and lower screws is shorter than the lower screw, and the lower screw has a blade height that is continuous from the portion where the blade height gradually increases from the inlet pitch. In the same manner, it has an alignment portion that secures a predetermined number of flat members at a predetermined pitch, and this alignment portion is provided over a region longer than the upper screw , The flat members were separated and removed one by one with at least a pair of screws arranged above and below the outlet, and the flat members were secured between the pitches of the screw blades. Expanding the pitch gradually blade condition, aligns the flat member to a predetermined pitch, a flat member of a predetermined number which is aligned on the lower side of the screw to grip collectively a predetermined number of chuck loader In this way, the flat members can be arranged and supplied very simply by only continuous operation and rotation operation. In addition, the alignment speed can be increased. In addition, the flat members are surely separated one by one by entering a minute gap between the flat members, and the pitch between the flat members taken out is gradually increased to hold the flat member without falling down to a predetermined pitch. Can be aligned and does not require any other holding means such as a pallet. In addition, a predetermined number of flat members arranged on the screw can be collectively held and supplied by a predetermined number of chucks of the loader, so that, for example, heat exchanger tubes are aligned at a predetermined pitch in units of cores. Can be arranged.
[0006]
The flat member aligning and supplying method according to claim 2, wherein the upper screw is shorter than the lower screw among the pair of upper and lower screws for separating and taking out the flat member, and the lower screw includes: An alignment portion that secures a predetermined number of flat members at a predetermined pitch is provided over a region longer than the upper screw, and from a horizontally placed magazine, at least a pair of screws arranged above and below its outlet is separated off the flat member one by one, to expand the pitch gradually blade while securing the flat members between the pitch of the screw blade, align a flat member to a predetermined pitch, the lower the screw a predetermined number of flat members aligned above, the gripping collectively a predetermined number of chucks of the loader, so as to supply to the next step, the lower The screw of this type secures a predetermined number of flat members at a predetermined pitch and performs this by detecting the leading flat member or by counting the number of rotations of the lower screw. . Thereby, since the flat member can be held at a predetermined pitch by the screw itself, there is no need to separately provide other holding means such as a pallet. Moreover, it can respond to the change of the number of alignment of a flat member.
The alignment supply method according to claim 3, wherein the screw has secured a predetermined number of flat members at a predetermined pitch by detecting the flat member at the tip or counting the number of rotations of the screw. It is. Thereby, it can respond easily even if the number of alignment of the flat members changes.
[0008]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flat member aligning and supplying apparatus, which is an apparatus invention according to the method of the first aspect, and has the same operational effects as the first aspect of the present invention.
The aligning and supplying apparatus according to claim 5 is configured such that the pitch of the blades at the inlet portion of the screw is equal to the thickness of the flat member, whereby the blade at the screw inlet portion enters the minute gap between the adjacent flat members. The flat members can be reliably separated and taken out one by one.
[0009]
The alignment supply device according to claim 6 is configured such that, in a portion where the flat members are aligned at a predetermined pitch, the height of the blade of the lower screw is substantially the same as the width of the flat member. The flat members can be aligned without causing the flat members to fall down.
The alignment supply device according to claim 7 employs a flat elongated member as a flat member and is provided with two pairs of upper and lower screws, and thereby a flat elongated member such as a flat tube of a heat exchanger, for example. Even members can be taken out of the magazine one by one and aligned.
[0010]
The aligning and supplying apparatus according to claim 8 is provided with a stopper in a direction perpendicular to the separating / supplying direction of the flat member, whereby the position is regulated by the stopper even if the flat member moves in the rotation direction of the screw. The flat member can be prevented from shifting in the longitudinal direction.
The alignment supply device according to claim 9 is provided with a sensor for detecting a leading flat member of a predetermined number of flat members aligned with the screw, whereby a predetermined number of flat members can be easily provided on the screw. Alignment can be detected.
[0011]
The alignment supply device according to claim 10 is provided with a rotation number counting means for counting the number of rotations of the screw, and by this, when a predetermined rotation number is reached, a predetermined number of flat members are provided on the screw. Can be detected.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A flat member alignment and supply method and apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a flat member aligning and feeding apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of an inlet portion of a pair of screws. In the present invention, the magazine 12 in which the flat members 11 (for example, flat tubes of the heat exchanger core) are stacked and accommodated is used in a horizontally placed (sideways) state. A pusher 13 is disposed on the inlet side of the magazine 12 and always presses the flat member 1 during operation. On the outlet side of the magazine 12, a pair of screws 14 and 15 are arranged adjacent to each other on the upper and lower sides thereof, and the flat members 11 in the magazine 12 are separated and taken out one by one.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 2, the pitch of the blades 14 a, 15 a at the inlet portions of the screws 14, 15 is substantially equal to the thickness of the flat member 11, and gradually along the feed direction of the flat member 11 from the inlet portion. When the pitch of the blades 14a and 15a increases and reaches a predetermined alignment pitch, the upper screw 14 is interrupted, and only the lower screw 15 is formed with a predetermined number of blades 15a at a predetermined alignment pitch. Yes. That is, the upper screw 14 has a structure in which an alignment portion for aligning the flat members 11 of the lower screw 15 at a predetermined pitch is eliminated.
Further, the height of the blades 14a and 15a of the screws 14 and 15 is a very small height which is a dimension that enters between the adjacent flat members 11 at the inlet portion, and then the pitch of the blades 14a and 15a is increased. The height of the blade 15a of the lower screw 15 is approximately the same as the width of the flat member 11, which is a height at which the flat member 11 does not fall down. Is formed.
Further, it is particularly preferable that the cross-sectional shape of the blades 14a and 15a of the screws 14 and 15 at the inlet is formed in a mountain shape.
The cross-sectional shape of the flat member 1 is such that an ellipse or four corners are rounded, and when the flat members 11 are overlapped, a minute gap is formed between adjacent flat members.
[0014]
By such a screw structure, even in the pressing state in which the flat members 11 are in close contact with each other, the flat member in the close in pressing state is utilized by utilizing a small gap formed between the adjacent flat members 11. 11 can be separated one by one. That is, the minute size blades 14a and 15a at the inlet portions of the screws 14 and 15 are put into the minute gap between the flat members 11 and separated and conveyed. In this case, the next flat member 11 is in contact with the minute blades 14a and 15a and is temporarily in a standby state, so that the flat member is not disturbed. The flat members 11 thus separated increase in pitch between the flat members as the pitches of the blades 14a and 15a of the screws 14 and 15 increase, and one by one between the blades 15a of the lower screw 15 at a predetermined alignment pitch. Will be aligned.
[0015]
FIG. 3 is a side view of the flat member aligning and feeding apparatus of the present invention. A long flat member is assumed as the flat member 11, and in this case, two pairs of upper and lower screws 14, 15 arranged at the outlet of the magazine 12 are arranged. The flat members 11 are separated from the magazine 12 by the rotation of the upper and lower screws 14 and 15 in the same direction, and are aligned at an equal pitch. Therefore, the flat member 11 receives a force in the rotation direction due to the rotation of the upper and lower screws 14, 15, so that there is a possibility that the mutual positions of the distal end portions of the flat member 11 are shifted. Therefore, a stopper 16 is provided in a direction perpendicular to the separating / conveying direction of the flat member 11 by the screws 14 and 15 to prevent the position of the tip portion of the flat member 11 from shifting. A guide 17 is provided on the rear end side of the flat member 11 so that the flat member 11 is guided between the stopper 16 and the guide 17.
[0016]
In order to chuck a predetermined number of flat members 11 aligned between the blades 15a of the lower screw 15 and supply them to the next process, a loader 19 having a predetermined number of chucks 18 is disposed above the lower screw 15. It is arranged behind the upper screw 14. The loader 19 has an ascending / descending function and a lateral movement function. The loader 19 descends → predetermined batch chuck → ascending → lateral movement (to the subsequent process) → descending → unchuck → lateral movement (original position) The flat member 11 is supplied to the next process by the operation of returning to the lower screw and waiting.
[0017]
There are various methods for detecting the completion of alignment on the lower screw 15 of the predetermined number of flat members 11, but in general, a method for detecting how far the leading flat member 11 has reached and the rotation of the lower screw 5. It can be roughly divided into two methods of counting numbers. Hereinafter, these methods will be described with reference to FIG.
For example, the case where the flat members 11 are supplied ten by ten using a loader having ten (A to J) as the chuck 18 will be described. FIG. 5 shows a point in time when the loader 19 grips and lifts exactly 10 flat members 11. After that, while the loader 19 supplies the flat member 11 to the subsequent process side, the next 10 cycles. The flat members 11 are prepared on the lower screw 15. At that time, as a method of preparing ten flat members 11 for the next cycle, a leading confirmation sensor 20 for confirming the leading flat member 1 such as a photoelectric tube or a proximity switch is provided, and the lower screw 15 indicated by a dotted line in FIG. When the flat member 1 comes to the position 1, the method of stopping the rotation of the screws 14 and 15 and waiting, or the counting means 21 for counting the number of rotations of the screw on the screw driving means side without providing the sensor 20, There is a method of stopping and waiting for the rotation of the screws 14 and 15 when the number of rotations of the screw reaches a predetermined number. By repeating these methods, ten flat members 11 can be supplied to the subsequent process side each time.
[0018]
Using the basic configuration described above, any number of flat members 11 can be supplied to the post-process side. The method will be described below.
A method of supplying less than 10 flat members to the post-process side each time by using a loader 19 having 10 chucks A to J and using a leading confirmation sensor 20, an example of 8 cases I will explain to you. In FIG. 4, the configuration is the same as when the sensor 20 is used, but the standby position of the loader 19 is shifted to the screw rear side (right side in FIG. 4) by two flat members (two pitches). That is, A and B of the chuck 18 are shifted to a position where the flat member 11 cannot be gripped even when the chuck 18 is lowered, and when the loader 19 is lowered, the eight chucks C to J are used as shown in FIGS. The eight flat members 11 at the position are held. Therefore, the chuck 18 descends, the eight chucks C to J grip the eight flat members 11 at the positions 1 to 8 of the lower screw 15, and the loader 19 puts the flat member 11 on the subsequent process side. During the supply, the screws 14 and 15 rotate until the leading confirmation sensor 20 detects the leading flat member 11, and wait for eight flat members 11 corresponding to the next cycle to be prepared on the lower screw 15. To do. In the next cycle, it is repeated that the loader 19 chucks the eight flat members 11 at a position shifted by two pitches.
When this method is used, the loader 19 needs to have a setup function that can change the standby position in accordance with the number of aligned supplies.
[0019]
Next, a loader 19 having 10 chucks 18 of A to J is used, and the count means 21 for counting the number of rotations of the screw is used without using the head check sensor 20, and the number less than 10 is used. A method of supplying the flat member 11 to the post-process side every time will be described by taking eight cases as an example. The configuration and the standby position of the loader 19 are the same as in the case of using the counting means 21 for counting the number of rotations of the screw in FIG. The difference is that the number of flat members aligned on the lower screw 15 is set to eight, which is two less than that in FIG. That is, even when the A and B chucks 18 are lowered, the flat member 11 is not present on the lower screw 15 (in FIG. 4, there is no flat member at positions 1 and 2 of the lower screw). Is lowered, the eight flat members 11 at the positions 3 to 10 on the lower screw 15 in FIG. 4 are held by the eight chucks 18 of C to J. While holding the eight flat members 11 and the loader 19 ascends and supplying the flat members 11 to the subsequent process, eight flat members 11 for the next cycle are prepared on the lower screw 15. . That is, the flat member 11 is prepared at positions 3 to 10 on the lower screw 15 in FIG. At that time, the screw stops rotating and waits when the eight flat members 11 are aligned by the counting means 21 that counts the number of rotations of the screw. In the next cycle, the loader 19 repeats the chucking of the eight flat members 11 that are not sufficient.
In the method using the counting means 21, the standby position setup mechanism of the loader 19 described in the method using the head confirmation sensor 20 as described above is unnecessary.
[0020]
The example in which the number of flat members aligned is 10 and 8 has been described above. However, in an actual heat exchanger, for example, the number of flat tubes to be supplied is as large as about 30 to 80. In order to ensure reliability, it is preferable to use the sensor 20 and the counting means 21 in combination.
[0021]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the flat member alignment supply method and apparatus according to the present invention, since the reciprocating operation / intermittent operation is not performed, and the continuous operation / rotating operation is performed in a very simple structure, the alignment speed is lower than the conventional speed. The speed can be increased to about 20 times / second, which is four times, and the cost can be reduced to about ½ of the conventional one.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a flat member aligning and feeding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view of inlet portions of upper and lower screws.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the flat member aligning and feeding apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining alignment and supply of a predetermined number of flat members having an equal pitch.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a conventional flat member aligning and supplying apparatus;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,11 ... Flat member 2,12 ... Magazine 13 ... Pusher 14 ... Upper screw 14a ... Blade 15 ... Lower screw 15a ... Blade 16 ... Stopper 18 ... Chuck 19 ... Loader 20 ... Lead check sensor 21 ... Count means

Claims

In a flat member aligning and supplying method, a large number of flat members stacked in a magazine are separated and taken out one by one, and these flat members are aligned at a predetermined pitch.
The pair of upper and lower screws have a low blade height at the inlet pitch, and the blade height gradually increases over a plurality of pitches along the supply direction.
Of the pair of upper and lower screws, the upper screw is shorter than the lower screw, and the lower screw has a blade height that is continuous from the portion where the blade height gradually increases from the inlet pitch. In the same way, it has an alignment portion that secures a predetermined number of flat members at a predetermined pitch, and the alignment portion is provided over a region longer than the upper screw,
A large number of flat members in the magazine that are turned sideways are pressed against the outlet of the magazine by a pusher, and at least one flat member is arranged at least by the pair of upper and lower screws arranged vertically at the outlet of the magazine. Separating and taking out, gradually increasing the pitch of the blade in a state where the flat member is secured between the pitches of the blades of the screw, aligning the flat members at a predetermined pitch ,
A method of aligning and supplying flat members, wherein a predetermined number of flat members aligned on the lower screw are collectively held by a predetermined number of chucks of a loader and supplied to the next step .

In a flat member aligning and supplying method, a large number of flat members stacked in a magazine are separated and taken out one by one, and these flat members are aligned at a predetermined pitch.
Of the pair of upper and lower screws to separate and align the flat members, the upper screw is shorter than the lower screw, and the lower screw is aligned to ensure a predetermined number of flat members at a predetermined pitch. A portion is provided over a region longer than the upper screw;
A large number of flat members in the magazine that are turned sideways are pressed toward the outlet of the magazine by a pusher, and the flat members are separated one by one with at least a pair of upper and lower screws arranged vertically at the outlet of the magazine. And gradually expanding the blade pitch in a state where the flat member is secured between the pitches of the blades of the screw, and aligning the flat members at a predetermined pitch,
A predetermined number of flat members arranged on the lower screw are collectively held by a predetermined number of chucks of a loader, and supplied to the next process,
In the lower screw of the pair of screws, the predetermined number of flat member while securing a predetermined pitch, the lower the screw, that ensuring a predetermined number of the flat member at a predetermined pitch, A method for aligning and supplying flat members, wherein the method is performed by detecting a leading flat member or by counting the number of rotations of the lower screw.

The lower screw secures a predetermined number of flat members at a predetermined pitch by detecting the leading flat member or by counting the number of rotations of the lower screw. The method for aligning and feeding flat members according to claim 1.

In the flat member aligning and supplying apparatus which separates and takes out a large number of flat members stacked in a magazine one by one and aligns these flat members at a predetermined pitch, the aligning and supplying apparatus includes:
The magazine that accommodates and holds a large number of stacked flat members in a horizontal state;
A pusher for pressing the flat member in the magazine toward the outlet,
At least a pair of upper and lower screws disposed above and below the outlet of the magazine;
A loader that holds a predetermined number of flat members aligned on the screw together by a predetermined number of chucks, and carries to the next process;
Comprising
The pair of screws, the blade height of the inlet portion pitch is low, the blade height is gradually increased over a plurality of pitches along the supply direction,
It said upper screw of the pair of upper and lower screw is shorter than the lower screw, the lower screw was or the height of the blade from the inlet portion pitch is continuous from gradually becomes higher portion, the height of the blade And having an alignment portion that secures a predetermined number of flat members at a predetermined pitch, the alignment portion being provided over a region longer than the upper screw ,
The pair of upper and lower screws separate and take out the flat members in the magazine one by one, and the pitch of the blades gradually expands at a predetermined pitch with the flat members secured between the blade pitches of the screws. A flat member aligning and supplying apparatus characterized in that a predetermined number of flat members are aligned , the predetermined number of flat members aligned by the chuck of the loader are collectively held, and supplied to the next step .

5. The flat member aligning and feeding apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein a pitch of blades at an inlet portion of the screw is equal to a thickness of the flat member.

Wherein in the alignment part, aligning and feeding device of the flat member according to claim 4 or 5 the height of the blade, characterized in that it is formed to a height of about approximately equal to the width of the flat member.

Said flat member is a flat elongate member, aligning and feeding device of the flat member according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein said pair of upper and lower screw along its longitudinal direction, characterized in that it is provided two pairs .

8. The flat member aligning and supplying apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein a stopper is provided in a direction perpendicular to the separating and supplying direction of the flat members to prevent the aligned flat members from being displaced.

9. The flat member alignment supply device according to claim 4 , further comprising a sensor for detecting a leading flat member among a predetermined number of flat members aligned with the screw. .

10. The flat member aligning and supplying apparatus according to claim 4 , further comprising a rotation number counting means for counting the number of rotations of the screw.