JP5206299B2 - Component supply device and component re-sorting method for component supply device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a component supply device capable of transferring a component by vibration, and a component re-sorting method using the component supply device.

  Conventionally, a vibratory parts feeder has been widely used to supply parts to the next process. This vibratory parts feeder is suitable for supplying a large number of relatively small parts. In recent years, parts such as semiconductor IC chips, surface-mounted electronic parts, and crystal vibrating pieces have become smaller and thinner. Accordingly, the importance of the parts supply apparatus is increasing.

  Here, regarding the technology related to the component supply device, many technologies have been proposed so far. For example, conventionally, a technique related to a vibratory part feeder provided with a component feeding unit or a component sorting unit has been disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the vibratory parts feeder described in Patent Document 1, parts that have not been sent or sorted are not sorted by the parts feeding means or parts sorting means that are attached to the side wall of the annular track that is the path for conveying the parts. The parts are returned from the truck into the bowl-shaped container through a through-hole formed in the peripheral wall of the bowl-shaped container. Then, the parts returned into the bowl-shaped container are supplied to the truck from the upstream side in the transport direction of the truck, and are again spirally transported in the bowl-shaped container along the peripheral wall of the bowl-shaped container.

JP-A-10-167451

  However, according to the vibratory parts feeder described in Patent Document 1, the above-mentioned components that are returned to the bowl-shaped container without being fed or sorted and transported for a relatively long distance again are vibrations in the bowl-shaped container. There is a problem that it can be damaged by transportation. Further, when the parts re-conveyed in the bowl-shaped container are returned to the bowl-shaped container again without being regulated or sorted, the parts are returned to the bowl-shaped container again. In other words, there is a possibility that the parts circulate in the bowl-shaped container many times, and there is a concern about the damage of the parts.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, that is, to provide a component supply device having a structure capable of reducing or avoiding damage received by components that are vibrated and conveyed in a bowl-shaped container of the component supply device. That is.

Means and effects for solving the problems

  As a result of intensive studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors do not simply return the parts that have not been selected as in the prior art into the bowl-like container, but instead of these parts at the shortest possible distance to the parts selection means. By providing in the bowl-shaped container a path for supplying again to the sorting truck provided with a part, the re-conveying distance of the part can be shortened, and as a result, the time during which the part is subjected to vibration can be shortened. I found out that I can do it. The present invention has been completed based on this finding.

  The component supply device according to the present invention relates to a component supply device capable of transferring components by vibration. And the component supply apparatus which concerns on this invention has the following some features in order to achieve the said subject. That is, the component supply apparatus of the present invention includes the following features alone or in combination as appropriate.

In order to achieve the above object, the first feature of the component supply apparatus according to the present invention is a hemispherical bowl-shaped container for receiving and conveying a component, and vibrating and conveying the component by applying vibration to the bowl-shaped container. A vibration generating device, a bowl track formed in a spiral shape along the inner peripheral wall of the bowl-shaped container from the bottom to the top, and a part formed on the downstream side in the conveying direction of the bowl track A sorting truck provided with parts sorting means, and a part formed in an arc shape along the inner peripheral wall from a portion of the sorting truck adjacent to the side surface on the center side of the bowl-shaped container to a part inlet of the sorting truck. comprising 1 and return grooves, wherein the sorting truck parts that have not been screened in is eliminated in the first return groove, the screened bets the excluded component through the first return groove Is resupplied to the click, the transport direction downstream side end portion of the bowl track, is that they are connected to join the said first return groove.

  According to this configuration, the parts excluded in the first return groove in the portion adjacent to the side surface of the sorting truck in the center of the bowl-shaped container by the parts sorting means are formed in an arc shape along the inner peripheral wall of the bowl-shaped container. The first return groove is conveyed by vibration and reenters the sorting truck. Therefore, the parts removed without being sorted by the parts sorting means fall to the inside of the bowl track formed in a spiral shape, etc., and are transported again in the bowl-shaped container from the most upstream part in the transport direction of the bowl track. Can be prevented.

  That is, by providing the first return groove in the bowl-shaped container, it is possible to shorten the re-conveying distance of the component as compared with the conventional technique, and it is possible to reduce the time during which the component receives vibration. In other words, the component supply device according to the present invention is a device that can alleviate or avoid damage to components that are vibrated and conveyed in a bowl-shaped container.

Further, according to this configuration, the parts conveyed on the bowl track enter the first return groove to which the bowl track is connected. And it is conveyed on a 1st return groove | channel with the components excluded by the said component selection means. That is, as in the case where the bowl track is connected to the sorting truck alone, the parts transported on the bowl track can be supplied to the sorting truck, while the bowl track and the first return groove are provided on the inner peripheral wall of the bowl-shaped container. As a result, the bowl-shaped container can be reduced in size, the manufacturing process of the bowl-shaped container can be shortened, and the manufacturing cost of the bowl-shaped container can be reduced.

  A third feature of the component supply device according to the present invention is that a plurality of arc-shaped second return grooves are formed from a portion close to the side surface toward the downstream side in the transport direction, and the plurality of second return grooves are formed. The downstream end in the transport direction is connected to the first return groove.

  According to this configuration, the parts eliminated from the wide range of the side surface of the sorting truck to the center side of the bowl-shaped container can be easily and reliably guided to the return groove without dropping to the vicinity of the center of the bowl-shaped container. .

  The fourth feature of the component supply apparatus according to the present invention is that the plurality of second return grooves are formed adjacent to each other.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent the parts removed by the part selection means from falling between the second return grooves not provided with the grooves, and the parts from staying between the second return grooves.

  The fifth feature of the component supply apparatus according to the present invention is that a return trough is provided as a path for returning the component from the outside of the bowl-shaped container to the bowl-shaped container, and the downstream end of the return trough in the conveying direction is provided. The portion is provided in the vicinity of the first return groove.

  According to this configuration, the parts returned on the return trough can be supplied to the first return groove. That is, it is possible to prevent the parts that have returned on the return trough from dropping into the vicinity of the center of the bowl-like container and transporting them again in the bowl-like container for a relatively long distance.

  Moreover, the component re-sorting method of the component supply apparatus which concerns on this invention is related with the component re-sorting method using the component supply apparatus which can transfer components by vibration. And the component re-sorting method of the component supply apparatus which concerns on this invention has the following characteristics, in order to achieve the said objective.

The parts re-sorting method of the parts supply apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by a hemispherical bowl-shaped container for receiving and transporting parts, and generation of vibration for vibrating the bowl-shaped container to vibrate and transport parts. A component re-sorting method for a component supply device comprising: a device; and a bowl track formed in a spiral shape along an inner peripheral wall of the bowl-shaped container from below to above, downstream of the bowl track in the transport direction A part sorting step for sorting parts formed by the side and sorting parts by means of a part sorter for a sort truck that transports the parts, and the sorter truck from a portion close to the side surface of the bowl-shaped container center side of the sorter truck The part removal work which excludes the part which was not sorted by the above-mentioned part sorter in the 1st return groove formed in the shape of a circle along the above-mentioned inner peripheral wall to the parts entrance part of When, and a re-supplying component resupplied step to the sorting track through the first return grooves are eliminated component, the transport direction downstream side end portion of the bowl track, merge into the first return groove Is connected to do.

  According to this configuration, the parts that have not been sorted by the parts sorting means are removed in the first return groove in the portion adjacent to the side surface of the sorting truck on the center side of the bowl-shaped container. Then, the removed parts are conveyed by vibration on the first return groove formed in an arc shape along the inner peripheral wall of the bowl-shaped container, and enter the sorting track again. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the parts removed without being sorted by the parts sorting means from dropping into the vicinity of the center of the bowl-shaped container and being conveyed again in the bowl-shaped container for a relatively long distance.

  In other words, by eliminating the parts that were not sorted by the first return and re-feeding the parts to the sorting truck via the first return groove, the re-transport distance of the parts can be shortened compared to the conventional technology, and the parts It is possible to reduce the time during which the motor receives vibration. That is, it is possible to mitigate or avoid damage to components that are vibrated and conveyed in the bowl-shaped container.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment of the component re-sorting method of the component supply device according to the present invention will be described together with the description of the embodiment of the component supply device according to the present invention.

(First embodiment)
First, a first embodiment of a component supply apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a component supply apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing components to be supplied. As shown in FIG. 1, a component supply device 100 includes a hemispherical bowl-shaped container 1 for receiving and transporting a component, and a vibration generating device 2 for applying vibration to the bowl-shaped container 1 to convey the component by vibration. The bowl-shaped container 1 is provided with a bowl track 3 which is one of the component conveying paths formed in a spiral shape along the inner peripheral wall of the bowl-shaped container 1 from below to above.

  The vibration generator 2 includes a piezoelectric spring part (not shown) that generates vibration, a movable base (not shown) that transmits vibration to the bowl-shaped container 1, and a fixed base that supports the movable base via the piezoelectric spring part. (Not shown). Next, as shown in FIG. 2, the component P to be supplied is a rectangular parallelepiped having a length L, a width W, and a thickness T. The relationship between the length L, the width W, and the thickness T is as follows: T <W <L. In general, the size of the component P is such that the length L is about 1.6 mm to 8 mm, the width W is about 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm, and the thickness T is about 0.3 mm to 1.7 mm. The component P is not limited to the above shape and size.

  Here, the vibration oscillated by the vibration generator 2 of the component supply device 100 is given to the bowl-shaped container 1 placed on the upper part of the vibration generator 2 and provided along the inner peripheral wall of the bowl-shaped container 1. The bowl track 3 vibrates. The component P received in the bowl-shaped container 1 is oscillated and conveyed spirally on the bowl track 3 which is a component conveyance path formed in a spiral shape by vibration from the vibration generator 2.

  Next, FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the component supply apparatus 100 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the bowl-shaped container 1 of the component supply apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes a bowl track 3 formed in a spiral shape along the inner peripheral wall of the bowl-shaped container 1 from below to above. The sorting truck 5 formed on the downstream side in the conveying direction B of the bowl track 3 and provided with the parts sorting means 6 for sorting the parts P, and the sorting truck 5 is sorted from a portion close to the side surface of the bowl-shaped container 1 on the center side. A first return groove 4 formed in an arc shape along the inner peripheral wall of the bowl-shaped container 1 is provided up to the component inlet of the track 5.

  Further, the upper surface 10 of the bowl-shaped container 1 formed between the side surface of the bowl-shaped container 1 center side of the sorting truck 5 and the bowl track 3 and extending to the first return groove 4 faces the first return groove 4. And a downward slope (inclination direction F). The component sorting means 6 is an air injection device that injects compressed air sent from a compressed air source (not shown). The bowl truck 3, the first return groove 4, and the sorting truck 5 constitute a parts carrying truck for carrying the parts P, and the sorting truck 5 is provided on the most downstream side of the parts carrying truck. . Further, the downstream end portion of the bowl track 3 in the conveying direction B is connected to the first return groove 4 at a portion A of the first return groove 4.

  The component P received in the bowl-shaped container center 11 is guided to the bowl track 3 formed in a spiral shape by vibration from the vibration generator 2. Then, the component P is oscillated and conveyed on the bowl track 3 formed in a spiral shape along the peripheral wall of the bowl-shaped container 1 from below to above. The part P enters the first return groove 4 at the portion A where the bowl track 3 joins the first return groove 4, and is oscillated and conveyed on the first return groove 4. In the process of vibration conveyance, the parts P are arranged in a predetermined posture.

  The component P that has been vibrated and conveyed on the first return groove 4 then enters the sorting truck 5 provided with the component sorting means 6 and is vibrated and conveyed on the sorting track 5. When the component P passes through the installation portion of the component sorting means 6 provided in the sorting truck 5, the component P having an inappropriate posture is applied to the upper surface 10 of the bowl-shaped container 1 by the air jetted from the component sorting means 6. It is blown away and eliminated.

  Here, a process in which the component P having an inappropriate posture is blown off and eliminated will be described. For example, the sorting track 5 provided with the component sorting means 6 has a track shape inclined upward in the radial direction with respect to the center of the bowl-shaped container 1. And the hole is provided in the inclination upper part of the inclination sorting track 5, and compressed air is injected from the hole. When the component P with the posture in which the length L direction is the vertical direction passes through the sorting track 5, the component P in the posture in which the width W direction is the vertical direction is not blown away. Therefore, it is possible to select the component P in the posture in which the width W direction is the vertical direction by the component selecting means 6 (component selecting step). The sorted parts P are discharged in the direction E.

  On the other hand, the component P in the posture in which the length L direction that has not been selected by the component selection means 6 is the vertical direction is inclined downward (inclination direction F) toward the first return groove 4 in a bowl shape. It is excluded to the first return groove 4 through the upper surface 10 of the container 1 (part exclusion process). It should be noted that the number of parts sorting means 6 is one, and from the portion close to the position where the jet direction of the compressed air jetted from the parts sorting means 6 and the side surface of the sorting truck 5 on the center side of the bowl-shaped container 1 intersect. If the first return groove 4 is formed, it is not necessary to incline the upper surface 10 of the bowl-shaped container 1, and the part P that has not been sorted is directly removed by the first return groove 4.

  The component P removed in the first return groove 4 is vibrated and conveyed on the first return groove 4 formed in an arc shape by vibration from the vibration generator 2 while being arranged again in a predetermined posture (conveying direction D). ) And re-supplied to the sorting truck 5 (part re-supplying step).

  As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the part P that has been removed without being sorted by the part sorting unit 6 falls to the bowl-shaped container center 11 that is inside the bowl track 3 that is formed in a spiral shape. Then, it is avoided that the bowl-shaped container 1 is transported again from the most upstream part of the bowl track 3. That is, by providing the first return groove 4 in the bowl-shaped container 1 as described above, the re-transport distance of the component P can be shortened and the time during which the component P is subjected to vibration can be shortened. That is, the component supply apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is a component supply apparatus that can reduce or avoid damage received by the component P that is vibrated and conveyed in the bowl-shaped container 1.

  Further, the downstream end of the bowl track 3 in the conveying direction B is connected to the first return groove 4 at the portion A of the first return groove 4, so that the bowl track 3 and the first track are connected to the inner peripheral wall of the bowl-shaped container 1. Since the range in which the return groove 4 is formed in parallel can be reduced, the bowl-shaped container 1 can be reduced in size, the manufacturing process of the bowl-shaped container 1 can be shortened, and the manufacturing cost of the bowl-shaped container 1 can be reduced. It is not always necessary to connect the downstream end of the bowl track 3 in the conveyance direction B to the first return groove 4. The downstream end of the bowl track 3 in the conveyance direction B is connected to the sorting truck 5 together with the first return groove 4. You may connect.

  The sorting truck 5 is provided on the most downstream side of the component transporting track including the bowl track 3, the first return groove 4, and the sorting truck 5, but is not necessarily limited to this position. If it is the outside of the bowl track 3 which is the diameter outward direction, it can be suitably provided on the inner peripheral wall of the bowl-shaped container 1. In other words, it is not always necessary to provide the sorting truck 5 near the position where the component P is discharged from the bowl-shaped container 1.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the component supply apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a component supply apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those of the component supply apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the component supply apparatus 101 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of second arc-shaped second portions from the portion close to the side surface of the sorting container 5 near the center of the bowl-shaped container 1 toward the downstream side in the conveying direction C. A return groove 9 is formed, and downstream ends of the plurality of second return grooves 9 in the conveyance direction C are connected to the first return groove 4. The plurality of second return grooves 9 are formed adjacent to each other.

  Of the parts P on the sorting truck 5, the parts P that have not been sorted by any of the plurality of parts sorting means 6 provided on the sorting truck 5 fall into any of the plurality of second return grooves 9. . That is, the part P removed from the wide range of the side surface of the sorting truck 5 to the center side of the bowl-shaped container 1 can be easily and reliably passed through the second return groove without dropping to the bowl-shaped container center 11 or the like. It can be guided to the first return groove 4. In addition, the quantity of the part selection means 6 is determined suitably.

  Further, since the plurality of second return grooves 9 are formed adjacent to each other, the component P falls between the second return grooves 9 where no grooves are provided, and the second return grooves 9 It is possible to prevent the component P from staying in between. The second return grooves 9 do not necessarily have to be formed adjacent to each other. For example, the space between the adjacent second return grooves 9 is directed to any one of the adjacent second return grooves 9. It may be formed on a surface having a downward slope, or may be formed in a shape having a downward slope toward any of the adjacent second return grooves 9. As a result, the component P falls into the second return groove 9 due to the vibration of the bowl-shaped container 1.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the component supply apparatus according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of a component supply apparatus 102 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those of the component supply apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the component supply apparatus 102 of the present embodiment includes a return trough 7 that is a path for returning the component P from the outside of the bowl-shaped container 1 to the bowl-shaped container 1. The end of the return trough 7 on the downstream side in the transport direction G is close to the first return groove 4. Further, the component supply device 102 sorts the component P formed on the downstream side in the conveying direction B of the bowl track 3 corresponding to the sorting track 5 of the component supply devices 100 and 101 of the first and second embodiments. A sorting truck 8 provided with component sorting means (not shown) is provided adjacent to the return trough 7.

  The first return groove 4 has an arc shape along the inner peripheral wall of the bowl-shaped container 1 from the portion X adjacent to the side surface of the sorting truck 8 on the center side of the bowl-shaped container 1 to the inlet portion P of the sorting truck 8. It is a return groove formed.

  Here, the sorting truck 8 not only sorts the parts P but also serves to vibrate and convey the parts P linearly to an apparatus (not shown) in the next process. A vibration generator (not shown) for applying vibration to the sorting truck 8 is disposed below the sorting truck 8. By this vibration generator, the parts P on the sorting truck 8 are conveyed by vibration toward the apparatus of the next process.

  In addition, the return trough 7 is a first part of the bowl-shaped container 1 for removing the part P that has been removed without being sorted by the part sorting unit provided in the sorting truck 8 or the part P that has been returned from the apparatus for the next process. It is for re-supplying to the return groove | channel 4, It is a belt conveyor provided with the conveyance belt.

  The component supply device 102 is provided with a return trough 7, and the downstream end of the return trough 7 in the conveying direction G is brought close to the first return groove 4, so that the component P returning on the return trough 7 is transferred to the first return groove 4. Can be supplied to. That is, it is possible to prevent the part P that has returned on the return trough 7 from dropping onto the bowl-shaped container central portion 11 and the like and being conveyed again on the bowl track 3 of the bowl-shaped container 1 for a relatively long distance.

  The return trough 7 is not a belt conveyor, and a vibration generator for applying vibration to the return trough 7 is disposed below the return trough 7 so that the component P on the return trough 7 is directed toward the bowl-shaped container 1. You may convey by vibration. In addition, this vibration generator may be the same as the vibration generator disposed below the sorting truck 8 and may apply vibrations to the return trough 7 and the sorting truck 8 with one vibration generator.

  Further, the sorting track 8 extends along the inner peripheral wall of the bowl-shaped container 1 outside the bowl track 3 in the same manner as the sorting track 5 to which vibration is applied by the vibration generator 2 according to the first and second embodiments. It may be a formed sorting track. In this case, a belt conveyor provided with a conveyor belt is used as an apparatus for connecting the sorting truck and the apparatus for the next process.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made as long as they are described in the claims.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the components supply apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the components of supply object. It is a plane schematic diagram of the component supply apparatus shown in FIG. It is a plane schematic diagram of the component supply apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a plane schematic diagram of the components supply apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1: bowl-shaped container 2: vibration generator 3: bowl track 4: first return groove 5: sorting truck 6: parts sorting means 9: second return groove 100: parts feeding device

Claims (5)

A hemispherical bowl-shaped container for receiving and transporting parts;
A vibration generator for vibrating the bowl-shaped container to convey the parts;
A bowl track spirally formed along the inner peripheral wall of the bowl-shaped container from below to above;
A sorting truck provided with parts sorting means for sorting parts formed on the downstream side of the bowl track in the conveying direction;
A first return groove formed in an arc shape along the inner peripheral wall from a portion adjacent to the side surface of the bowl-shaped container center side of the sorting truck to a component inlet portion of the sorting truck ;
The parts not sorted by the sorting truck are removed to the first return groove, and the removed parts are re-supplied to the sorting truck via the first return groove,
The component supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a downstream end portion of the bowl track in the transport direction is connected to join the first return groove . A hemispherical bowl-shaped container for receiving and transporting parts;
A vibration generator for vibrating the bowl-shaped container to convey the parts;
A bowl track spirally formed along the inner peripheral wall of the bowl-shaped container from below to above;
A sorting truck provided with parts sorting means for sorting parts formed on the downstream side of the bowl track in the conveying direction;
A first return groove formed in an arc shape along the inner peripheral wall from a portion adjacent to the side surface of the bowl-shaped container center side of the sorting truck to a component inlet portion of the sorting truck;
A plurality of arc-shaped second return grooves are formed from the portion adjacent to the side surface toward the downstream side in the transport direction,
Conveyance direction downstream side end portion of the plurality of the second return groove, characterized in that connected to the first return groove, part article feeder. The component supply apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of second return grooves are formed adjacent to each other. A return trough that is a path for returning parts from the outside of the bowl-shaped container to the bowl-shaped container;
The transport direction downstream side end portion of the return trough, characterized in that it is provided in proximity to the first return groove, component supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A hemispherical bowl-shaped container for receiving and transporting parts, a vibration generator for vibrating the bowl-shaped container to convey the parts, and an inner peripheral wall of the bowl-shaped container from below to above A component re-sorting method for a component supply device including a bowl track formed spirally along
A part selection step of selecting parts by means of a part selection unit of a selection truck that performs the selection of parts formed at the downstream side of the bowl track in the conveyance direction and conveys the parts;
The part sorting means sorts the first return groove formed in an arc shape along the inner peripheral wall from the part of the sorting truck close to the side surface on the center side of the bowl-shaped container to the part inlet part of the sorting truck. A parts removal process to remove the missing parts,
A component refeeding step of refeeding the excluded component to the sorting truck through the first return groove ;
A component re-sorting method for a component supply device , wherein a downstream end portion of the bowl track in the conveying direction is connected to join the first return groove .

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