JP4824432B2 - Parts alignment supply device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a component aligning and supplying apparatus that supplies a plurality of shaft-shaped components and plate-shaped components by aligning them in a predetermined alignment form.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vibrator bowl type or a straight vibration type parts feeder is known as a parts supply device that takes parts put into a storage unit in a random posture into a desired posture and takes them one by one. There is also known a transfer-type component supply device that uses an alignment jig (pallet). In such a supply device, a combination of a swinging means and a vibrating means is proposed in Patent Document 1, for example.

JP 2001-334418 A (paragraph numbers 0021 to 0028, FIG. 1)

However, the conventional parts feeder is difficult to manufacture the parts alignment mechanism, and the price is high and it is apt. In addition, since one parts feeder is required for one type of part, the equipment cost is high in multi-product and small-volume production, making it difficult to make a profit. In addition, the transfer machine drops parts into the indentation or hole of the pallet by vibration or swinging, so the parts can be aligned at a lower price than the parts feeder with a single pallet, but an XY table or robot is required to automatically supply the parts. It becomes. In addition, there is a problem that the number of pallet replacement man-hours becomes large when switching between component types.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide a component alignment and supply device that is easy to change product types and inexpensive.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the component alignment supply device of the present invention has the following feature (1). In addition, at least one of the following features (2) to (5) is also provided. (1) A rectilinear rail having a guide groove for transporting the component , having a container for storing the component, a cross-sectional contour shape that is replaceably provided on the bottom surface of the container and engages the contour unique to the component. A rectifying plate provided on the side of the straight rail with a concavo-convex surface for adjusting the posture of the component placed on the bottom surface of the container and adjusting the posture of the component put into the container, and the conveying direction of the component Swinging means for swinging the container in the left and right directions, and vibration means for mounting the container and the swinging means and for vibrating in the conveying direction of the components .
(2) The concavo-convex surface includes a plurality of protrusions arranged along a side portion of the rectilinear rail at a position higher than an upper surface of the rectilinear rail.
(3) The concavo-convex surface is higher than the upper surface of the rectilinear rail along the other side surface of the rectilinear rail and the wall provided at a position higher than the upper surface of the rectilinear rail along one side surface of the rectilinear rail. It consists of a plurality of protrusions arranged in position.
(4) the vessel has an opening for discharging the parts on the side wall portion in contact with the end of the straight rail at the opening, it has provided a straight rail of the linear rail and the cross-sectional shape. (5) A shutter that opens and closes the opening is provided, and the opening is closed by the shutter while the swinging means is operating.

According to the present invention, a container for storing a component , a rectilinear rail having a guide groove that is exchangeably provided on the bottom surface of the container and transporting the component, and a rectification provided with an uneven surface that is provided on the bottom surface of the container and directs the component to the straight rail. A relatively simple structure comprising a plate, a swinging means for swinging the container in the left-right direction of the component conveying direction, and a vibrating means that mounts the container and the swinging means and vibrates in the component transporting direction. In addition, it is possible to provide a parts aligning and supplying apparatus that is inexpensive and suitable for high-mix low-volume production that has good product changeability by exchanging the straight rail.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a component aligning and supplying apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a bowl of the component aligning and supplying apparatus, and FIG. 3 is a line AA in FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a part to be supplied by the component alignment and supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a straight rail of the component alignment and supply device. is there.

First, the component 2 applied to the component alignment supply apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 shows a representative example of the component 2. 4A is a pin having a stepped portion or a pipe having a center hole and a stepped portion, and is, for example, a shaft-like component that is press-fitted into a base plate of a wristwatch. FIG. 4B shows a plate-like component having a bent end or a plate-like component from which a press-fit pin protrudes. The axial component has a perpendicular direction to the axial direction, and the plate-like component has a longitudinal direction. It is transported in a posture aligned in a perpendicular direction.

A component alignment and supply apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 4 of the component aligning and feeding apparatus 1 is assembled on the base 3. A swing shaft 5 is rotatably inserted into the main body 4 in the conveying direction of the component 2. A lever 6 is fixed to one end of the swing shaft 5. A first cylinder 7 that is a double-acting air cylinder is mounted on the main body 4 via a bracket. The rod of the first cylinder 7 and the lever 6 are connected by a link mechanism (not shown). The first cylinder 7, the lever 6, the link mechanism, and the swing shaft 5 constitute swing means for swinging a bowl 8 (described later) in the + Y-Y direction perpendicular to the conveying direction + XX of the component 2, The bowl 8 is swung in the + Y-Y direction.

Next, the detailed structure of the bowl 8 into which the component 2 is charged will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5. FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the swing piece 9 is fixed to the boss at the center of the bottom surface of the bowl 8. The swing piece 9 is fixed to the swing shaft 5. As shown in FIG. 2, a current plate 10 for adjusting the posture of the component 2 is fixed to the bottom surface of the bowl 8. A recess 10 a is formed in the center of the current plate 10. One side wall of the recess 10a rises to form a wall surface 10b, and a plurality of protrusions 10c for adjusting the posture of the component 2 are discretely arranged on the other side wall side. A rectilinear rail 11 as a part aligning portion is mounted in the central recess 10 a of the rectifying plate 10. As described above, uneven surfaces are provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the rectilinear rail 11 on the bottom surface of the bowl 8. As shown in FIG. 5, the straight rail 11 includes a flange of a shaft-shaped component, a stepped portion of a shaft-shaped component or a plate-shaped component, a bent portion of a plate-shaped component, a pin protruding from the plate-shaped component, and the like. A guide groove 11a composed of a groove or a step is formed according to the outer shape of the component 2. The guide groove 11a engages a part of the component 2 such as a flange of the shaft-shaped component, a stepped portion of the shaft-shaped component or the plate-shaped component, a bent portion of the plate-shaped component, and a pin protruding from the plate-shaped component. .
As shown in FIG. 2, the stop piece 12 is fixed to the outer wall side of the recess 10a, and one end of the straight rail 11 is in contact with the end face of the stop piece 12 at a predetermined position away from the outer wall surface side.

As shown in FIG. 1, the 2nd cylinder 13 which is a double acting type air cylinder is attached to the base 3 via a bracket. A horizontal piece 14 is fixed to the rod of the second cylinder 13. A stopper 15 for receiving the bottom surface of the bowl 8 is attached to the horizontal piece 14. A compression spring is configured by inserting a compression spring through the shaft of the stopper 15. A guide shaft 16 is fixed to the horizontal piece 14. A hole for inserting the guide shaft 16 is formed in the guide piece 17 fixed to the base 3 via the bracket. The base 3 is fixed to the receiving surface of the support base 18 inclined so as to be a downhill toward the conveying direction + X of the component 2.

Next, the operation of the component alignment supply device 1 will be described. In the initial state, the rods of both the first cylinder 7 and the second cylinder 13 are advanced and stopped. First, an appropriate amount of the component 2 is charged into the bowl 8 manually or automatically from another supply device (not shown). The parts alignment supply device 1 is started by a control device (not shown). The rod of the second cylinder 13 moves backward to remove the stopper 15 from the bowl 8, and the rod of the first cylinder 7 operates back and forth to repeatedly swing the bowl 8. By swinging the bowl 8, the component 2 in the bowl 8 is slightly tilted from the + Y-Y direction and is directed toward the straight rail 11 while aligning the direction by the action of the projection 10c long in the + Y-Y direction, and gradually hits the wall surface 10b. It can be aligned on the straight rail 11 in a desired posture. Once the stepped portion of the component 2 is engaged with the guide groove 11a, the component 2 is not detached from the straight rail 11 even if the bowl 8 is inclined. After a predetermined time, the rod of the second cylinder 13 is moved forward, the rod of the first cylinder 7 is moved forward, the bottom surface of the bowl 8 abuts against the stopper 15 to stop swinging, and the bowl 8 is stopped at a fixed position. Let

Since the rectilinear rail 11 is inclined so as to be lowered in the transport direction + X, the parts 2 aligned in accordance with the swing are sent in the + X direction and come into contact with the stop piece 12 and stop. The part 2 in contact with the stop piece 12 is taken out by a pick and place unit which is a part picking device (not shown). When the number of alignment parts 2 on the rectilinear rail 11 decreases, the first cylinder 7 and the second cylinder 13 are actuated again to swing the bowl 8.

The component alignment supply device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a bowl 8 that accommodates a component 2, a straight rail 11 that is provided on the bottom surface of the bowl 8 and aligns the component 2, and a conveyance direction + XX of the component 2. Since the swinging means for swinging the bowl 8 in the perpendicular direction + Y-Y is provided, the structure is simple, the apparatus can be obtained at low cost, and the operation is stable. When the type of the component 2 is changed, it is only necessary to replace the linear rail 11 with the guide groove 11a that matches the component 2, and it can be carried out easily and inexpensively. Therefore, it is possible to realize a parts supply apparatus suitable for a large variety and small quantity production.

Further, the current plate 10 having the recess 10a, the wall surface 10b, and the protrusion 10c is provided in the bowl 8, and the rectilinear rail 11 having the guide groove 11a is provided in the recess 10a, so that the component 2 is engaged with the guide groove 11a. This makes it easy to align the desired posture. The base 3 is disposed on the inclined support base 18, and the component 2 can be sent in the transport direction + X by the effect of the inclination. The stopper 15 which is a shock absorber works by the second cylinder 13, and the bowl 8 can be stopped at a fixed position. Further, when the swinging is stopped, the shock that occurs when the bowl 8 abuts against the stopper 15 is absorbed, so that the parts 2 once aligned do not jump out of the straight rail 11.

Next, a component alignment and supply apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a component alignment and supply apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 6 differs from the component alignment and supply device 1 of the first embodiment in that the base 3 is mounted instead of the support base 18 having the inclined receiving surface in the + XX direction. The point is that it is replaced by a linear feeder 28 which is a vibrating means for vibrating. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Next, the operation of the component alignment and supply device 21 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The base 3 is mounted on the straight feeder 28. The linear feeder 28 may or may not be operated while the bowl 8 is swinging, but is operated when the swinging of the bowl 8 is completed. Therefore, the parts 2 aligned with the straight rail 11 can be transported in the transport direction + X. The linear feeder 28 may be temporarily stopped when the component 2 is picked up.

In the parts alignment supply device 21 of the second embodiment of the present invention, the main body 4 is mounted on the linear feeder 28, so that the parts 2 in the bowl 8 can be reliably transferred in the transport direction even if the main body 4 is not inclined. Can send. The other effects are the same as the effects of the component alignment and supply device 1 of the first embodiment.

Next, a component alignment and supply apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a component alignment and supply apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a bowl of the component alignment and supply apparatus, and FIG. 9 is a line AA in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the spill prevention plate.

The difference between the bowl 38 of the third embodiment and the bowl 8 of the second embodiment is that an opening 10d for discharging the component 2 is formed on the side wall of the bowl 38 as shown in FIGS. It is a point to do. The outer surface of the side wall portion where the opening 10d is formed is cut linearly. One end of the rectilinear rail 41 having the same cross-sectional shape as the rectilinear rail 11 of the first embodiment and having a long length is aligned with the cut outer wall surface of the opening 10 d of the rectifying plate 10.

As shown in FIG. 7, a linear rail 35 that is a component alignment unit for conveying the aligned components 2 in the + X direction is formed in a recess formed on the extension of the straight rail 41 on the upper part of the main body 34 of the component alignment supply device 31. Installing. The straight rail 35 has the same cross-sectional shape as the rectilinear rail 41, and the end portion on the −X side is in contact with the end of the rectilinear rail 41 through a slight gap. A stop piece 36 for receiving a part is fixed to the + X side end of the straight rail 35.

A guide shaft 46 is fixed to the horizontal piece 14. A guide piece 47 is fixed to the base 3 via a bracket, and a shutter 48 for preventing spillage of parts 2 is pivotally supported on the guide piece 47 so as to be rotatable. The shutter 48 functions when the bowl 38 swings to the -Y side. A hole for inserting the guide shaft 46 is formed in the guide piece 47. The shutter 48 opens and closes the opening 10d by the tip of the guide shaft 46 cut obliquely kicking the side surface of the shutter 48 in response to the operation of the guide shaft 46. A spill prevention plate 39 that functions when the bowl 38 swings to the + Y side is fixed to the main body 34. Since other configurations are the same as those of the component alignment and supply device 21 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Next, the operation of the component alignment and supply device according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. When the rod of the second cylinder 13 is retracted and the stopper 15 is removed from the bowl 38, the shutter 48 is simultaneously closed to close the opening 10d, and the bowl 38 swings. When the swing of the bowl 38 is finished, the rod of the second cylinder 13 moves forward and the stopper 15 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the bowl 38, and at the same time, the shutter 48 opens to open the opening 10d. Therefore, the linearly moving feeder 28 is vibrated to convey the aligned parts 2 in the + X direction. The component 2 on the rectilinear rail 41 passes through the opening 10d and moves to the straight rail 35 and comes into contact with the stop piece 36 and stops. The component 2 in contact with the stop piece 36 is taken out by a pick and place unit (not shown). When the number of parts 2 on the straight rail 35 decreases, the second cylinder 13 and the first cylinder 7 are actuated again to swing the bowl 38.

Since the component alignment supply device 31 of the third embodiment of the present invention includes the straight rail 35, the number of components 2 to be aligned increases, and the continuous supply of the components 2 can be performed more stably. Since the spill prevention plate 39 and the shutter 48 block the opening 10d of the bowl 38 while swinging, the component 2 in the bowl 38 does not spill from the opening 10d. When the type of the component 2 is switched, it is only necessary to replace the linear rail 35 formed with a guide groove that matches the component 2 and the straight rail 41, and it can be carried out easily and inexpensively. Therefore, it is possible to provide a parts alignment and supply device suitable for high-mix low-volume production.

Note that the shutter 48 in the embodiment of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the form of FIG. For example, a fixed spill prevention plate 49 as shown in FIG. 10 may be used. The spill prevention plate 49 shown in FIG. 10 is opened only in the region where the linear rail 35 and the straight rail 41 are in contact with each other, and the other region is the spill prevention plate 49. Block it. In this case, the guide shaft 46 of FIG. 7 becomes a guide shaft 50 having a function of preventing rotation, and is guided to the through hole of the spill prevention plate 49.

The component alignment supply device of the present invention can be widely applied to automatic supply of small shaft-shaped components and plate-shaped components, and is an inexpensive component supply device having a switchability that is particularly advantageous for high-mix low-volume production.

It is a perspective view which shows the components alignment supply apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the bowl of the components alignment supply apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing in the AA line of FIG. 2 which shows the bowl of the components alignment supply apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is drawing which shows the components applied to the components alignment supply apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the rectilinear rail of the components alignment supply apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the components alignment supply apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the components alignment supply apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the bowl of the components alignment supply apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing in the AA line of FIG. 8 which shows the bowl of the components alignment supply apparatus in embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows other embodiment of the spill prevention board of the components alignment supply apparatus in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 21, 31 Parts alignment supply device 2 Parts 4, 34 Main body 5 Oscillating shaft 6 Lever 7 First cylinder 8, 38 Bowl 10b Wall surface 10c Projection 10d Opening 11, 41 Linear rail 11a Guide groove 28 Linear feeder 35 Linear Rail 48 Shutter

Claims (5)

A container for storing a component, a rectilinear rail having a guide groove that conveys the component with a cross-sectional contour shape that engages with an outer shape unique to the component in order to align the component with the container bottom surface, A rectifying plate provided on the side of the rectilinear rail with a concavo-convex surface provided on the bottom surface of the container and facing the rectilinear rail while adjusting the posture of the component put into the container, and left and right with respect to the conveying direction of the component A component aligning and supplying apparatus comprising: a swinging unit that swings the container in a direction; and a vibrating unit that mounts the container and the swinging unit and applies a vibration in the conveying direction of the component.   2. The component alignment and supply device according to claim 1, wherein the uneven surface includes a plurality of protrusions arranged along a side portion of the rectilinear rail at a position higher than an upper surface of the rectilinear rail. The uneven surface is arranged at a position higher than the upper surface of the rectilinear rail along one side surface of the rectilinear rail and at a position higher than the upper surface of the rectilinear rail along the other side surface of the rectilinear rail. 2. The component aligning and supplying apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of protrusions. Has an opening for discharging the parts on the side wall portion to the container, the contact with the end of the straight rail in the opening, characterized by being arranged straight rail of the linear rail and the cross-sectional shape The parts alignment supply apparatus in any one of Claim 1 to 3 . 5. The component aligning and supplying apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein a shutter for opening and closing the opening is provided, and the opening is closed by the shutter while the swinging unit is in operation.

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