JP4102478B2 - Work supply device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a workpiece supply apparatus for storing a large number of workpieces such as automobile parts and supplying them one by one to an appropriate place.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a turntable type as shown in FIG. This apparatus includes a turntable 91 on which a large number of workpieces 94 can be placed, and the turntable 91 is driven to turn in the direction of arrow C in the figure about a substantially vertical axis 90. Around the turntable 91, an outer wall 95 that prevents the workpiece 94 from falling from the turntable 91 to the outside is disposed. On the turntable 91, guide members 93A and 93B are arranged so as to be rotatable around fulcrums 92a and 92b provided on a support member (not shown), and the outer ends of the guide members 93A and 93B are illustrated. Thus, the workpiece 94 that is swung with the turntable 91 in the pressed state is guided radially outward in the pressed state in the direction pressed against the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall 95. Extending in the direction. When the workpiece 94 reaches the outer peripheral surface of the turntable 91, the guide members 93A and 93B are separated from the outer wall 95 against the urging force by the force with which the workpiece 94 is pressed against the guide members 93A and 93B. It rotates so that only one workpiece can pass through the gap between the outer ends of the guide members 93A and 93B and the outer wall 95 (see the two-dot chain line showing the guide member 93B in the figure).
[0003]
A discharge path forming plate 97 that forms a work discharge path 96 between the outer wall 95 is provided at a position on the outer peripheral portion of the turntable 91 and downstream of the guide members 93A and 93B. Yes. The work discharge path 96 extends in a direction substantially parallel to the rotational tangent direction of the turntable 91, and has a width that allows only one work 94 to pass through. And the workpiece | work 94 approached to the outer peripheral part of this turntable 91 is discharged | emitted from the workpiece discharge path 96 one by one.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the above apparatus, only the work 94 brought close to the outer peripheral portion of the turntable 91 is discharged from the work discharge path 96. However, the work 94 whose position is slightly shifted inward from the outer peripheral portion remains as it is. 7, the workpiece 94 hits the inlet end of the discharge path forming plate 97 as shown in FIG. 7, where the workpiece 94 is caught and clogged, and the subsequent discharge of the workpiece 94 may become impossible. .
[0005]
In view of such circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a workpiece supply device that can prevent a trouble at the workpiece discharge unit entrance and continue a smooth workpiece discharge.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
As means for solving the above-described problems, the present invention provides a turntable that is driven to turn with a plurality of workpieces placed thereon, and is placed on the turntable as the turntable turns. A workpiece having a guide member for guiding a workpiece to the outer peripheral portion of the turntable and a workpiece discharge portion for receiving the workpiece reaching the outer peripheral portion of the turntable and discharging the received workpiece out of the apparatus In the supply device, the work entrance of the work discharge unit is made higher than the upper surface of the turntable, and the worktable has a width that allows only one work to pass at the same time before the work entrance. A climbing inclined surface for guiding from above to the workpiece entrance is formed.
[0007]
According to this configuration, as the turntable turns, the work brought to the outer periphery of the turntable by the guide member climbs as it is, climbs the inclined surface, is received by the work entrance of the work discharge section, and is received by the work discharge section. It is discharged out of the device. Here, the work conveyed to the climbing inclined surface without reaching the outer periphery of the turntable cannot climb the climbing inclined surface, and even if the climbing inclined surface is climbed, Since the workpieces displaced inward in the radial direction fall off the inclined slope, these workpieces (that is, workpieces that have not reached the normal position) are prevented from hitting the edge of the workpiece entrance. For this reason, the workpiece clogging caused by the contact between the workpiece entrance edge and the workpiece is prevented in advance.
[0008]
Here, if the climbing slope is arranged so that the workpiece protruding from the climbing slope in the radial direction of the turntable falls on the turntable, the fallen workpiece is re-supplied by turning the turntable. can do.
[0009]
Furthermore, a rotating member that rotates in a direction to scrape the work on the turntable in a position protruding from the work entrance of the work discharge unit to the inner side in the radial direction at a position near the top of the climbing inclined surface. If provided, it becomes possible to more reliably prevent the workpiece from clogging at the workpiece entrance.
[0010]
The specific shape of the rotating member may be set as appropriate. For example, when the work has a substantially gear-shaped outer peripheral shape, the rotating member is formed in a shape that can mesh with the work. The effect of scraping the workpiece by the rotating member is further increased.
[0011]
In addition, depending on the position of the rotating member, not only the work that has climbed the climbing slope while slightly protruding from the climbing slope, but also the work that has fallen on the turntable from the climbing slope or the climbing slope is not climbed. Even a workpiece that is conveyed in the turning direction of the turntable while passing immediately inside may be sent to the rotating member. In this case, the driving load of the rotating member increases, and there is a problem that wear damage of the rotating member is promoted more than necessary. However, an inner inclined surface that descends from the climbing inclined surface onto the turntable is formed at a position radially inward of the turntable from the climbing inclined surface, and the rotating member is disposed at a position downstream of the inner inclined surface. If it is provided, the workpiece that has not climbed the climbing inclined surface or the workpiece that has fallen off the climbing inclined surface is guided to a position radially further inside than the rotating member by the inclination of the inner inclined surface. It is prevented from being sent to the rotating member.
[0012]
In order to smoothly transfer the workpiece from the turntable to the inclined surface, the upper surface of the turntable and the inclined surface are preferably continuous. In order to make the surfaces continuous in this way, for example, the turntable upper surface and the lower end portion of the inclined member forming the climbing inclined surface may be brought into direct contact. In this case, the turntable upper surface is turned by turning the turntable. And the lower end of the inclined member rub against each other, and there may be a disadvantage that wear damage of these portions is promoted. On the other hand, if a concave groove is formed on the upper surface of the outer peripheral portion of the turntable and the lower end portion of the inclined member forming the climbing inclined surface is inserted into the concave groove, the upper surface of the turntable and the inclined member are formed. Even if the lower end portion is not in direct contact (or while greatly reducing the contact area), the turntable upper surface and the climbing inclined surface can be made continuous.
[0013]
In this case, a plurality of branching portions are formed at the lower end of the inclined member, while a plurality of concave grooves are formed on the upper surface of the outer peripheral portion of the turntable so that the branching portions are inserted into the concave grooves. Then, it becomes possible to climb the workpiece from the upper surface of the turntable and move it onto the inclined surface in a more stable state.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0015]
The workpiece supply apparatus shown here includes a hollow base 10, and a horizontal disk-shaped substrate 12 is fixed on the base 10. A shaft holding cylinder 14 penetrating the substrate 12 is fixed to the center portion of the substrate 12, and a vertical rotation shaft 18 is held in the shaft holding cylinder 14 via a bearing 16 so as to be rotatable. A horizontal disk-shaped turntable 20 is fixed to the upper end of 18. A turning drive motor 24 is connected to the lower end of the rotating shaft 18 via a speed reducer 22, and the turntable 20 is driven to turn integrally with the rotating shaft 18 by the power of the turning drive motor 24.
[0016]
An outer wall 26 rises from the outer periphery of the substrate 12. The outer wall 26 surrounds the turntable 20 and is disposed at a position where the work 36 is prevented from falling radially outward from the turntable 20. It should be noted that the outer wall 26 that is the fall prevention portion may rotate integrally with the turntable 20.
[0017]
A beam 28 extending in the diameter direction is provided above the turntable 20. Both ends of the beam 28 are fixed to the upper end portion of the outer wall 26, and guide members 32A and 32B are attached to the middle portion so as to be rotatable around fulcrums 30A and 30B in the vertical direction. These guide members 32A and 32B extend outward in the radial direction of the turntable 20 from the fulcrums 30A and 30B, and further bend in the turning direction of the turntable 20 (in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 1). It has a shape that reaches the peripheral surface. Furthermore, tension springs 34A and 34B are provided between the guide members 32A and 32B and the beam 28, and the guide members 32A and 32B are pulled in a direction opposite to the turning direction of the turntable 20 by the elastic tensile force. The state where the end portions of the guide members 32 </ b> A and 32 </ b> B are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall 26 is maintained.
[0018]
In this state, the guide members 32A and 32B are inclined in the turntable turning direction with respect to the radial straight line of the turntable 20, and the work 36 on the turntable 20 is moved outward in the turntable radial direction along with the turning. It is in a state to guide. When the work 36 reaches the outer periphery of the turntable 20, the guide members 32A and 32B resist the elastic force of the tension springs 34A and 34B by the force with which the work 36 is pressed against the outer ends of the guide members 32A and 32B. The turntable 20 is rotated in the turning direction, and only one workpiece 36 is pulled out downstream in the turning direction from the gap between the outer ends of the guide members 32A and 32B and the inner peripheral surface of the outer wall 26 generated thereby. (Refer to the two-dot chain line showing the guide member 32B in FIG. 1).
[0019]
In addition, the workpiece | work 36 shown by this embodiment becomes a deformed thing in which the outer peripheral surface makes a gear shape.
[0020]
A workpiece discharge chute 44 is provided above a specific portion in the outer peripheral portion of the turntable 20. The workpiece discharge chute 44 has a width that allows only one workpiece 36 to pass through, and has a shape that allows the workpiece 36 to be discharged out of the apparatus.
[0021]
Further, an inclined plate (inclined member) 40 for guiding the work 36 on the turntable 20 to the work discharge chute 44 is provided on the front side of the work discharge chute 44 (lower side in FIG. 1 and left side in FIG. 2). Is provided. The inclined plate 40 is fixed to the outer wall 26 and forms an upward inclined surface 40 a that extends from the outer peripheral portion of the turntable 20 to the work discharge chute 44. Specifically, a plurality of circumferential grooves 21 are formed on the outer peripheral portion of the upper surface of the turntable 20, while a fork-like branching portion 41 that can be individually inserted into each circumferential groove 21 is formed at the lower end portion of the inclined plate 40. (FIG. 4B), these branch portions 41 penetrate into the inclined plate 40, so that the turntable 20 and the inclined plate 40 are continuously connected from the turntable 20 to the inclined plate 40 even if the turntable 20 and the inclined plate 40 are not in direct contact with each other. A workpiece guide surface is formed.
[0022]
The width dimension of the climbing inclined surface 40 a is set to a dimension substantially equal to the outer diameter of the workpiece 36. The width dimension may be set as appropriate as long as the condition that only one workpiece 36 can climb on the climbing inclined surface 40a is satisfied. Specifically, it is preferable to set the width so that the workpieces 36 can be climbed in a substantially lined state and the workpieces 36 protruding beyond a certain level can be dropped.
[0023]
A support base 46 is erected at a position immediately next to the inclined plate 40, and a support plate 48 extends from the top of the support base 46 so as to cover the upper side of the inclined plate 40. A shaft 50 penetrating the support plate 48 in the vertical direction is rotatably supported by a bearing 52. A rotating member 54 is fixed to the lower end portion of the shaft 50, and a gear 56 is fixed to the upper end portion thereof. Has been. The rotating member 54 has a substantially gear shape that can mesh with the substantially gear-shaped workpiece 36, and is located immediately inside the vicinity of the top portion of the guide plate 40, on the downstream side of the inner inclined surface 42 (turns). It is located on the downstream side in the table turning direction; on the upper side in FIG. The distance between the rotating member 54 and the outer wall 26 is set slightly larger than the outer diameter of the work 36 so that only one work 36 can pass through.
[0024]
A motor 60 is fixed on the support plate 48 via a bracket 58. A gear 64 is fixed to the output shaft 62 of the motor 60, and the gear 64 is engaged with the gear 56. The rotating member 54 is rotated by the power of the motor 60 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 3, that is, in the direction in which the work 36 </ b> C sent toward the rotating member 54 is sent down to the turntable 20 side. ing.
[0025]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 38 denotes a fixed guide member for guiding the work 36 that has not been able to climb up the inclined slope to the outside in the radial direction of the turntable 20.
[0026]
Next, the operation of this apparatus will be described.
[0027]
A large number of workpieces 36 placed on the turntable 20 swivel together with the turntable 20, and along with this swiveling, the guide members 32 </ b> A and 32 </ b> B approach the outer periphery of the turntable 20 and are carried to the inclined member 40.
[0028]
Among these, the work 36 guided almost completely to the outer periphery of the turntable 20 along the outer wall 26 is pushed by the work 36 conveyed from the upstream side in the rotation direction of the turntable 20 and is directly inclined. 40 climbs up the inclined surface 40a and passes between the outer wall 26 and the rotating member 54 and is discharged one by one from the work discharge chute 44 (see the work 36A shown in FIG. 3).
[0029]
On the other hand, the work 36 carried to the inclined member 40 in a state where it does not reach the outer peripheral portion of the turntable 20 and is separated from the outer wall 26 by a predetermined distance or more cannot climb the climbing inclined surface 40a, and the inner side thereof. It will be transported through. Further, the workpiece displaced inwardly on the climbing inclined surface 40a is displaced inward along the inner inclined surface 42 from the climbing inclined surface 40a, for example, as a workpiece 36B shown in FIG. . Therefore, it is possible to prevent inconvenience that the workpiece shifted in this way is conveyed to the workpiece discharge chute 44 as it is and clogged at the entrance, and the workpiece is automatically re-supplied.
[0030]
Furthermore, in this embodiment, a rotating member 54 is provided in the vicinity of the top of the climbing inclined surface 40a, and the work 36 that protrudes inward from the normal conveyance path immediately before reaching the top is positively turned by the rotating member 54. Since the workpiece is fed to the side, the workpiece clogging at the inlet portion of the workpiece discharge chute 44 can be prevented more reliably (see the workpiece 36C shown in FIG. 3).
[0031]
In the case where the rotating member 54 is provided at the illustrated position, when the inner inclined surface 42 is not provided, as shown in FIG. 5A, the workpiece 36 that has not climbed the climbing inclined surface 40a, The work 36 that has fallen inward from the climbing inclined surface 40a is also sent to the rotating member 54 one after another, and there is a possibility that the rotating member 54 may come into contact. Therefore, in this case, there is a problem that the driving load of the rotating member 54 is large and wear damage of the rotating member 54 is promoted. On the other hand, if the inner inclined surface 42 is formed as in the present embodiment and the rotating member 54 is provided on the downstream side thereof, the workpiece 36 that has not climbed the climbing inclined surface 40a or the climbing inclined surface 40a will fall off. The workpieces 36 are guided to a position further inside (left side in the figure) than the rotating member 54 due to the inclination of the inner inclined surface 42, so that these workpieces 36 are prevented from being sent to the rotating member 54. That is, the rotating member 54 only needs to scrape only the workpiece 36 that has climbed while being displaced on the climbing inclined surface 40a, and the contact between the rotating member 54 and the workpiece 36 can be minimized. .
[0032]
The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may take the following form as an example.
[0033]
(1) In the present invention, the specific structure and number of guide members for guiding the workpiece 36 radially outward are not limited, and for example, only a single guide member may be provided.
[0034]
(2) When forming the concave groove 21 in the turntable 20, the number is not limited and the number may be one. In this case, a single protrusion may be formed on the lower end side of the inclined plate 40 and this may be inserted into the groove 21. However, with the structure as shown in the figure, the workpiece 36 can be moved from the turntable 20 onto the inclined plate 40 in a more stable state.
[0035]
(3) In the present invention, the size and specific shape of the work 36 are not limited. However, when the outer peripheral shape of the workpiece is a complicated shape other than a circle, the workpiece is easily caught at the inlet of the workpiece discharge portion, and clogging is likely to occur. Therefore, the present invention is particularly effective. When the outer peripheral shape of the workpiece is similar to a gear as shown in the figure, the rotating member 54 is formed in a shape that meshes with the gear so that the rotating member 54 and the workpiece 36 can be easily caught. It is possible to further enhance the work removal function by the rotating member 54.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, in the workpiece supply apparatus that discharges workpieces guided to the outer peripheral portion thereof one by one from the workpiece discharge portion as the turntable turns, the workpiece inlet of the workpiece discharge portion is formed from the upper surface of the turntable. And an upwardly inclined surface with a predetermined width is formed in front of the workpiece entrance, so that the workpiece shifted inward from the normal discharge position on the outer periphery of the turntable hits the workpiece entrance edge and becomes clogged. It is possible to prevent this from occurring, and it is possible to continue the smooth work supply.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a workpiece supply apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the workpiece supply device.
FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a main part of the workpiece supply apparatus.
4A is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3, and FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
5A is a plan view showing a workpiece transfer state when there is no inner inclined surface shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5B is a plan view showing a workpiece transfer state when there is an inner inclined surface.
FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of a conventional workpiece supply apparatus.
7 is a plan view showing a state in which a workpiece is clogged at a workpiece discharge path entrance of the workpiece supply apparatus shown in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
20 Turntable 21 Concave groove 24 Rotation drive motor 26 Outer wall (fall prevention part)
32A, 32B, 38 Guide member 36 Work 40 Inclined plate (Inclined member)
40a Climbing inclined surface 41 Branching portion 42 Inner inclined surface 44 Work discharge chute 54 Rotating member

Claims (7)

  A turntable that is driven to turn with a plurality of workpieces placed thereon, and a guide member that guides the workpieces placed on the turntable to the outer periphery of the turntable as the turntables are turned. A workpiece supply device having a workpiece inlet for receiving a workpiece reaching the outer peripheral portion of the turntable, and a workpiece discharging portion for discharging the received workpiece to the outside of the device. A climbing inclined surface that is higher than the upper surface and has a width that allows only one workpiece to pass at the same time and guides the workpiece from the outer periphery of the turntable to the workpiece entrance is formed in front of the workpiece entrance. A workpiece supply device characterized by that. 2. The workpiece supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the climbing inclined surface is arranged so that a workpiece protruding from the climbing inclined surface to the inside in the radial direction of the turntable falls on the turntable. . 3. The work supply apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a work in a position that protrudes radially inward of the turntable from the work entrance of the work discharge section is scraped onto the turntable at a position near the top of the climbing inclined surface. A work supply apparatus comprising a rotating member that rotates in a dropping direction.   4. The workpiece supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the workpiece has a substantially gear-shaped outer peripheral shape, and the rotating member is formed in a shape capable of meshing with the workpiece. 5. The work supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an inner inclined surface that descends from the climbing inclined surface onto the turntable is formed at a position radially inward of the turntable with respect to the climbing inclined surface. A workpiece supply apparatus comprising the rotating member provided at a position downstream of the workpiece.   6. The workpiece supply device according to claim 1, wherein a concave groove is formed on an upper surface of an outer peripheral portion of the turntable, and a lower end portion of the inclined member forming the climbing inclined surface is inserted into the concave groove. A workpiece supply device characterized by having been made.   The work supply device according to claim 6, wherein a plurality of branch portions are formed at a lower end portion of the inclined member, and a plurality of concave grooves are formed on an upper surface of an outer peripheral portion of the turntable, and each of the concave grooves is provided with each of the grooves. A workpiece supply device characterized by having a branching portion invaded.

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