JP5387828B2

JP5387828B2 - Drum feeder

Info

Publication number: JP5387828B2
Application number: JP2009068448A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 誠法吉永; 康治前川
Original assignee: YOSHIKAWAKOGYO CO.,LTD.
Current assignee: YOSHIKAWAKOGYO CO.,LTD.
Priority date: 2009-03-19
Filing date: 2009-03-19
Publication date: 2014-01-15
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-19
Also published as: JP2010222072A

Description

本発明は検体接種に用いる白金耳や使い捨て型の樹脂製エーゼ等の細長い棒状の部材をドラムに収納し、このドラムから前記部材を１本ずつ取り出すドラムフィーダに関する。 The present invention relates to a drum feeder in which elongated rod-shaped members such as platinum ears and disposable resin azees used for specimen inoculation are housed in a drum, and the members are taken out one by one from the drum.

微生物の臨床検査において、通称シャーレ又はペトリ皿の底面に薄く寒天、ゼラチン等の固形培地を充填し、その表面に被験菌株の細胞含有物を塗布し、目的によって定まる特定の環境において繁殖させることが行われている。 In clinical examinations of microorganisms, the bottom of a petri dish or petri dish, commonly called a solid medium such as agar or gelatin, is applied to the surface, and the cell content of the test strain is applied to it, and it can be propagated in a specific environment determined by the purpose. Has been done.

この被験菌株の細胞含有物を塗布する際に用いられるものが白金耳等であり、別名エーゼと称される細長い棒状の部材である。上記の臨床検査において被験菌株を自動塗布する場合、多数のエーゼをあらかじめ手作業にて１本ずつ自立させるセット作業が行われており、この自立したエーゼをロボット等の搬送手段で把持して、エーゼ端の球状や線状の部分を使用してシャーレ等の固形培地の表面に被験菌株を塗布する。 What is used when applying the cell-containing material of the test strain is a platinum ear or the like, which is an elongated rod-like member called an ase. When the test strain is automatically applied in the above clinical test, a set operation is performed in which a large number of ase are self-supported one by one in advance, and the self-supported ase is gripped by a conveying means such as a robot, The test strain is applied to the surface of a solid medium such as a petri dish using a spherical or linear part at the edge of the ase.

このようにエーゼを取り扱う場合、これを１本ずつ取り出す作業が必要となるが、この作業を自動化する方案として参考になる機構を備えたものとして、特許文献１にパーツをドラムの回転により整列させ、別に設けたドラムに個別受け取りポケットを設けて要求された間隔で外部に供給する整列・供給装置が開示されている。 When handling the ase in this way, it is necessary to take it out one by one. However, as a mechanism for automating this work, it is assumed that a mechanism is provided as a reference, and the parts are aligned in Patent Document 1 by rotating the drum. In addition, there is disclosed an aligning / feeding apparatus in which an individual receiving pocket is provided in a separately provided drum and is supplied to the outside at a required interval.

この特許文献１に開示された整列・供給装置は、整列供給部とパーツ収納部を別体としており、小物部品を投入当初の塊状態をほぐしながら、概ね回転軸方向に沿う姿勢に予備設定する回転ドラムと、この回転ドラムに連結して個別整送装置とを備える。この個別整送装置には、個別整列ドラムの周面に個別受取ポケットが形成され、このポケット部のまわりに受入案内面と、ドラム回転方向後方側に持ち上げ板と、ドラム回転方向前方側に断面Ｒ形状の姿勢選別板が形成され、前記持ち上げ板の根元周面部位に逆送阻止部が形成され、個別整列ドラムの外側ほぼ下半周部に個別受取ポケットをカバーする支承案内板が張設されている。この構成により、小物部品等の被搬送体は、個別受取ポケットに送り込まれ、持ち上げ板と支承案内板とに保持され、次の個別受け渡しシュートまで搬送される。 The alignment / supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has an alignment supply unit and a part storage unit as separate bodies, and preliminarily sets the posture in the direction along the rotation axis direction while loosening the initial mass state of the small parts. A rotating drum and an individual feeding device connected to the rotating drum are provided. In this individual feeding device, an individual receiving pocket is formed on the peripheral surface of the individual aligning drum, a receiving guide surface around the pocket portion, a lifting plate on the rear side in the drum rotating direction, and a cross section on the front side in the drum rotating direction. An R-shaped posture selection plate is formed, a reverse feed blocking portion is formed on the base peripheral surface portion of the lifting plate, and a support guide plate covering an individual receiving pocket is stretched on the outer lower half of the individual alignment drum. ing. With this configuration, the object to be conveyed such as small parts is fed into the individual receiving pocket, held by the lifting plate and the support guide plate, and conveyed to the next individual delivery chute.

しかし、特許文献１の整列・供給装置では、最初の受取・漸出ゾーンから最終の適量規制ゾーンといくつものゾーンを経て、小物部品が整列、個別に取り出されるため、設置スペースが大きくなるという問題はある。 However, in the aligning / feeding device disclosed in Patent Document 1, small parts are aligned and individually taken out from the first receiving / retracting zone through the final appropriate amount regulation zone and several zones, so that the installation space increases. There is.

また、本発明者が特許文献１の整列・供給装置を使用してエーゼを１本ずつに取り出せるかテストしたところ、エーゼが細長い棒状で軽量の部材であることから、個別受取ポケットに複数本のエーゼが入り込み、そのまま重なった状態で個別受け渡しシュートへ排出されたり、個別受け渡しシュート上のエーゼが後から排出されたものに押されて同様に重なったりして、エーゼを１本ずつ安定して取り出すことができなかった。 In addition, when the present inventor tested whether the ase can be taken out one by one using the aligning / feeding device of Patent Document 1, since the ase is an elongated rod-like and lightweight member, a plurality of pieces are placed in the individual receiving pocket. The ase enters and is discharged to the individual delivery chute in the state of being overlapped as it is, or the ase on the individual delivery chute is pushed by what was discharged later and overlapped in a similar manner, and the ase is taken out stably one by one I couldn't.

一方、ドラム内にエーゼ収納してドラムを停止状態から回転させると、ドラム内部において、ドラム内で静止して下側に溜まっていたエーゼはドラムの回転に伴い、ドラム内周面との摩擦抵抗によりドラムの回転方向へ持ち上げられ、その先行したものが上死点に達すると順次下方へ転がることで全体としてみかけの流動性が生じる。そこで、ドラムの外周１箇所にエーゼの取り出し口として開口部を設けると共にこの開口部にエーゼを取り出すための爪部を設け、ドラムを回転させて開口部が鉛直方向上側に達したときに、爪部上のエーゼを取り出す機構を検討したが、単に爪部を設けるだけでは、エーゼを１本ずつ取り出すことは困難であり、また開口部が１箇所では、ドラム１回転毎に１本のエーゼしか取り出せないのでサイクルタイムが長くなるという問題があった。 On the other hand, when the aze is stored in the drum and the drum is rotated from the stopped state, the ace that has been stationary in the drum and accumulated in the lower side in the drum is subjected to frictional resistance with the drum inner peripheral surface as the drum rotates. Is lifted in the direction of rotation of the drum, and when the preceding one reaches the top dead center, it rolls downward to produce apparent fluidity as a whole. Therefore, an opening is provided at one outer periphery of the drum as an outlet for ase, and a claw portion for taking out the ase is provided in the opening. When the drum is rotated and the opening reaches the upper side in the vertical direction, Although the mechanism for taking out the ase on the part has been examined, it is difficult to take out the ase one by one simply by providing the claw part, and only one ase per rotation of the drum at one opening. There was a problem that the cycle time was long because it could not be taken out.

また、サイクルタイムを短くするために開口部を２箇所以上に設けると、１回の取り出しに対してドラムの回転角度が少なくなるため、上記みかけの流動性が悪化し、また、ドラムの上側に位置する開口部からエーゼを取り出す際にドラムの回転を停止しているときに、ドラムの下側の位置する開口部にエーゼが埋まり、厚く堆積したエーゼの塊から１本のみを安定して取り出すことができないという問題があった。 In addition, if two or more openings are provided to shorten the cycle time, the rotation angle of the drum is reduced with respect to one take-off, so that the apparent fluidity is deteriorated, and the upper side of the drum is When the rotation of the drum is stopped when the ase is taken out from the positioned opening, the ase is buried in the opening located on the lower side of the drum, and only one piece is stably taken out from the thickly accumulated ase lump. There was a problem that I could not.

特開２００３−０２０１１６号公報JP 2003-020116 A

本願発明が解決しようとする課題は、エーゼのような細長い棒状の部材を堆積した状態で収納したドラムから、その部材を効率的かつ確実に１本ずつ取り出すことができるドラムフィーダを提供することにある。 The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a drum feeder that can efficiently and reliably take out the members one by one from the drum that is housed in a state where elongated rod-like members such as ase are accumulated. is there.

本発明のドラムフィーダは、外周に２以上の開口部を持つ回転自在なドラムと、このドラムの外周面と対面する湾曲面を持ち鉛直方向上側に部材取り出し用の切欠き箇所を設けた部材ガイドとを備え、前記ドラム内に長手方向に対する直角断面が略長方形又は略楕円形である棒状の部材を収納し、前記ドラムを回転させ鉛直方向上側に達した前記開口部から前記部材を１本ずつ取り出し可能とするドラムフィーダであって、前記開口部のドラム回転方向後方側に、部材受け面と部材フィード面とを備えた部材収容部を前記ドラムと一体的に設け、前記部材受け面は、ドラム外側を向いてドラム回転方向へ突き出し、かつ、前記部材フィード面と交わる位置から当該位置におけるドラム回転方向の接線を基準として０〜１５度の角度でドラム内側へ向かい、そのドラム回転方向の長さは前記部材の前記直角断面の長幅に対し０．７〜１．５倍とし、前記部材フィード面は、ドラム回転方向を向き、前記部材受け面と交わる位置が前記湾曲面からドラム半径方向へ前記部材の前記直角断面の短幅に対し１〜１．５倍となるように設けたことを特徴とするものである。 A drum feeder according to the present invention includes a rotatable drum having two or more openings on the outer periphery, a member guide having a curved surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the drum, and a notch portion for removing a member on the upper side in the vertical direction. And a rod-shaped member having a substantially rectangular or substantially elliptical cross section in the longitudinal direction is housed in the drum, and the members are rotated one by one from the opening that reaches the upper side in the vertical direction by rotating the drum. A drum feeder that can be taken out, and a member receiving portion provided with a member receiving surface and a member feed surface on the rear side in the drum rotation direction of the opening is provided integrally with the drum, and the member receiving surface is projecting the drum rotation direction facing the drum outer and the members 0-15 degree angle in a drum from the feed plane and intersecting position tangent of the drum rotation direction at the position as a reference The length in the drum rotation direction is 0.7 to 1.5 times the length of the perpendicular section of the member, and the member feed surface faces the drum rotation direction and intersects the member receiving surface. The position is provided so as to be 1 to 1.5 times the short width of the perpendicular section of the member in the drum radial direction from the curved surface.

本発明によれば、ドラムの開口部に設けた部材収容部の形状及び寸法関係を上記のように特定したことで、ドラムを１回転未満で回転させるという条件下で、ドラム内に収納された棒状の部材のみかけの流動性が悪く堆積した状態であっても、棒状の部材をドラムから１本ずつ安定して取り出すことができる。すなわち、外周に２以上の開口部を持つドラムを使用して、各開口部から棒状の部材を１本ずつ安定して取り出すことができるので、棒状の部材の取り出しを効率的かつ確実に行うことができ、取り出しのサイクルタイムも短縮できる。 According to the present invention, by specifying the shape and dimensional relationship of the member accommodating portion provided in the opening of the drum as described above, the drum is accommodated in the drum under the condition that the drum is rotated in less than one revolution. Even if the apparent fluidity of the rod-shaped member is poor and accumulated, the rod-shaped members can be stably taken out one by one from the drum. That is, using a drum having two or more openings on the outer periphery, one bar-like member can be stably taken out from each opening one by one, so that the rod-like member can be taken out efficiently and reliably. The cycle time for taking out can be shortened.

本発明のドラムフィーダの概略斜視図である。It is a schematic perspective view of the drum feeder of this invention. 図１のドラムストッカーのＡ−Ａ断面図であり、（ａ）はドラム回転前の部材を収納した状態を示し、（ｂ）はドラムの回転中を示し、ドラムの回転に伴う部材の挙動を示す。It is AA sectional drawing of the drum stocker of FIG. 1, (a) shows the state which accommodated the member before drum rotation, (b) shows during rotation of a drum, The behavior of the member accompanying rotation of a drum is shown. Show. 本発明のドラムフィーダの部材収容部周辺の部分正面断面図を示す。The fragmentary front sectional view around the member accommodation part of the drum feeder of the present invention is shown. 本発明のドラムフィーダによる部材取り出し過程を示す説明図であり、（ａ）はドラムフィーダの部材収容部周辺と部材との関係を示し、（ｂ）はドラムフィーダの部材収容部に部材が侵入した状態を示し、（ｃ）はドラムフィーダの回転により部材収容部がその頂部近傍に達した取り出し直前の状態を示す。It is explanatory drawing which shows the member taking-out process by the drum feeder of this invention, (a) shows the relationship between the member accommodating part periphery of a drum feeder, and a member, (b) has entered the member accommodating part of the drum feeder. (C) shows the state immediately before the take-out in which the member accommodating portion has reached the vicinity of the top due to the rotation of the drum feeder. 本発明で使用する細長い棒状の部材の一例である使い捨て型の樹脂製エーゼを示し、（ａ）はその側面図、（ｂ）は（ａ）のＢ−Ｂ断面図である。The disposable resin ase which is an example of the elongate rod-shaped member used by this invention is shown, (a) is the side view, (b) is BB sectional drawing of (a). 部材収容部の他の実施形態を示す部分正面断面図である。It is a fragmentary front sectional view which shows other embodiment of a member accommodating part. 本発明のドラムスフィーダの他の実施形態を示す部分正面断面図であり、（ａ）は３個の開口部を設けたドラムフィーダを示し、（ｂ）は４個の開口部を設けたドラムフィーダを示し、（ｃ）は５個の開口部を設けたドラムフィーダを示す。It is the fragmentary front sectional view which shows other embodiment of the drum feeder of this invention, (a) shows the drum feeder which provided the three opening parts, (b) is the drum feeder which provided the four opening parts (C) shows a drum feeder provided with five openings. 部材収容部のさらに他の実施形態を示す部分正面断面図である。It is a fragmentary front sectional view which shows other embodiment of a member accommodating part.

本発明の実施の形態を図面を参照して説明する。
図１に本願発明のドラムストッカーを示す。ドラム１は回転軸２で回転自在に支えられている。この回転軸２は図示しないドラム回転用のモータ（駆動機構）に接続され、プログラムの命令によって一方向へ指示された角度分だけ回転する。 Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a drum stocker of the present invention. The drum 1 is rotatably supported by a rotating shaft 2. The rotating shaft 2 is connected to a drum rotating motor (drive mechanism) (not shown), and rotates by an angle designated in one direction by a program command.

ドラム１の外周には２個以上（図１では２個）の開口部３を設けている。また、ドラム１の長手方向の寸法は収納する細長い棒状の部材４の長さに対し余裕を持たせた寸法としている。また、ドラム１が回転しているときに、部材４が設置面側（図１では下側）を向いた開口部３から外に流れ出てしまわないように、ドラム１の外周面と対面する湾曲面を持つ部材ガイド５がドラム１の外周面に沿って配置され、開口部３から流れ出ようとする部材４を支えている。図１では、部材ガイド５はドラム１の長さ寸法の三分の二程度の長さとし、中央部に配置している。また、部材ガイド５には、ドラム１の開口部３が頂上部（鉛直方向上側）に達したとき、その開口部３から部材４を取り出すことができるように、鉛直方向上側に、開口部３のドラム周方向の幅より多少広めとした切欠き箇所が設けられている。なお、部材ガイド５は、ドラムの長手方向（軸方向）全体ではなく、細長い棒状の部材４を安定して支持できる間隔を維持できる範囲内で複数に分割して設けることで、ドラムフィーダ全体の軽量化を図ることができる。また、本発明のドラムフィーダにおいては、後述するようにドラム１と部材ガイド５との寸法関係が重要であるので、その寸法関係を確実に維持するには、ドラム１と部材ガイド５は図１に示すように一体的に設けることが好ましい。 Two or more (two in FIG. 1) openings 3 are provided on the outer periphery of the drum 1. Further, the dimension in the longitudinal direction of the drum 1 is set to have a margin with respect to the length of the elongated rod-like member 4 to be accommodated. Further, when the drum 1 is rotating, the curve that faces the outer peripheral surface of the drum 1 is prevented so that the member 4 does not flow out from the opening 3 facing the installation surface side (lower side in FIG. 1). A member guide 5 having a surface is disposed along the outer peripheral surface of the drum 1, and supports the member 4 about to flow out from the opening 3. In FIG. 1, the member guide 5 has a length that is about two-thirds of the length of the drum 1 and is arranged at the center. Further, the member guide 5 has an opening 3 on the upper side in the vertical direction so that the member 4 can be taken out from the opening 3 when the opening 3 of the drum 1 reaches the top (vertical upper side). A notch portion that is slightly wider than the width in the drum circumferential direction is provided. In addition, the member guide 5 is not divided in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the drum, but is divided into a plurality of parts within a range in which the interval capable of stably supporting the elongated rod-like member 4 can be maintained, so that the entire drum feeder is provided. Weight reduction can be achieved. Further, in the drum feeder of the present invention, since the dimensional relationship between the drum 1 and the member guide 5 is important as will be described later, the drum 1 and the member guide 5 are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG.

この本発明のドラムフィーダの上方には挟持手段を持った部材搬送手段９が配置されており、ドラム１の開口部３が頂上部に達したとき、ドラム１の回転を一旦停止させて、部材搬送手段９を降下させ、その開口部３の中央部分に形成した切り欠き部９０において部材搬送手段９の挟持手段で部材４を挟んだ後、別の場所（例えば、検体塗り広げ位置）へ搬送する。 A member conveying means 9 having a clamping means is arranged above the drum feeder of the present invention. When the opening 3 of the drum 1 reaches the top, the rotation of the drum 1 is temporarily stopped to After the conveying means 9 is lowered and the member 4 is sandwiched by the clamping means of the member conveying means 9 in the notch 90 formed in the central portion of the opening 3, the conveying means 9 is conveyed to another place (for example, a specimen spreading position). To do.

図２は図１のＡ−Ａ断面図である。図２（ａ）に示すように、ドラム１内部に部材４が収納されている。部材４は予め作業者が部材ガイド５の切欠き箇所に位置するドラム１の開口部３からその内部に入れたものである。 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2A, the member 4 is accommodated in the drum 1. The member 4 is previously inserted by the operator into the inside of the opening portion 3 of the drum 1 located at the notch portion of the member guide 5.

なお、本発明のドラムフィーダによる部材の取り出し作業を効率的に行うには、予備のドラムフィーダを準備し、そのドラムフィーダに事前に部材を入れておき、図１に示すドラムフィーダの使用が終了したら、すぐに交換できるようにドラム１の回転軸２はドラム１の駆動機構であるモータの軸と着脱可能に設けることが好ましい。 In order to efficiently perform the work of removing the member by the drum feeder of the present invention, a spare drum feeder is prepared, the member is put in the drum feeder in advance, and the use of the drum feeder shown in FIG. Then, it is preferable that the rotating shaft 2 of the drum 1 is detachably provided with a shaft of a motor that is a driving mechanism of the drum 1 so that the drum 1 can be replaced immediately.

図２（ｂ）に示すように、部材４はドラムストッカー１の回転に伴いその内周面との抵抗によりその回転方向に持ち上げられ、塊状態にあったそれぞれの部材４の上死点に来たものがドラム１の下方へ崩れ落ちる。本発明では複数の開口部３を設けたので、１回あたりの取り出しにつき、ドラム１は３６０度を開口部３の数で割った角度で回ることになり、上述したみかけの流動性の悪化、若しくは、部材４がドラム下方にきた開口部３を埋めて厚く堆積した状態となる。本発明のドラムフィーダは後述するように開口部３に部材収容部を設け、その構成に工夫を施すことでこの問題を解決している。なお、開口部３の数を増やすことで、ドラム１回転あたりの取り出しの回数を増やすことができ、作業効率を向上させることが可能となる。 As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the member 4 is lifted in the rotation direction by the resistance with the inner peripheral surface as the drum stocker 1 rotates, and comes to the top dead center of each member 4 in the lump state. The material collapses below the drum 1. In the present invention, since the plurality of openings 3 are provided, the drum 1 is rotated at an angle obtained by dividing 360 degrees by the number of the openings 3 for each extraction, and the above-described deterioration of the apparent fluidity, Alternatively, the member 4 is in a state of being deposited thickly by filling the opening 3 coming below the drum. The drum feeder according to the present invention solves this problem by providing a member accommodating portion in the opening 3 and devising the configuration as described later. In addition, by increasing the number of openings 3, it is possible to increase the number of extractions per drum rotation, and it is possible to improve work efficiency.

ドラム１の外周に３個以上の開口部３（３ａ〜３ｅ）を配置した例を図７に示している。図に示すように開口部３の数を増やせば、部材４の取り出しのサイクルタイムを短くすることができるが、後述するように多く設けた場合は、別の問題が生じる。 An example in which three or more openings 3 (3a to 3e) are arranged on the outer periphery of the drum 1 is shown in FIG. If the number of the openings 3 is increased as shown in the figure, the cycle time for taking out the member 4 can be shortened. However, when many are provided as described later, another problem arises.

本発明のドラムフィーダでは、図３に示すように、ドラム１の開口部３のドラム回転方向後方側に開口部３の周方向においてその一部を覆うように爪部６０を設け、この爪部６０にドラム１の外側を向く部材受け面７を形成し、それに連なる部材フィード面８をドラム１の回転方向に面して設け、それらで囲まれた領域を部材収容部６とした。なお、本実施形態では、爪部６０は部材４の長さ寸法の三分の二程度の間隔で一対配置している。 In the drum feeder of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, a claw portion 60 is provided on the rear side in the drum rotation direction of the opening 3 of the drum 1 so as to cover a part thereof in the circumferential direction of the opening 3. A member receiving surface 7 facing the outside of the drum 1 is formed at 60, and a member feed surface 8 connected to the member receiving surface 7 is provided facing the rotation direction of the drum 1. In the present embodiment, a pair of claw portions 60 are arranged at an interval of about two-thirds of the length dimension of the member 4.

部材受け面７は部材フィード面８と交わる位置Ｈ１から０〜１５度の角度Ａでドラム１の内側へ向かうように設けている（角度Ａの起点となる直線は位置Ｈ１における接線である。）。これにより、図４（ａ）に示すように、ドラム１の開口部３と部材ガイド５とに空隙部を形成し、図４（ｂ）に示すように、部材ガイド５に接触している部材４は他の部材４・・ともどもドラム１の回転に伴って持ち上げられると部材受け面７の先端周辺に接触し、他の部材４・・の重みも受けている部材４をドラム１外側へ押しながら、部材４の向きを整え、この部材４は部材フィード面８側へ押され、最終的に部材受け面７と部材ガイド５及び部材フィード面８に囲まれた領域内、すなわち、部材収容部６に部材４が１本だけ収容される。この収まった部材４は他の部材４・・から様々な力を受けるが、部材受け面７がドラム１の内方向きの角度を有しているので、ドラム１の回転中は常に部材４を部材ガイド５の湾曲面に押し付ける力が発生し、部材収納部６内に収まった部材４の挙動が安定する。この状態を維持したまま、収まった部材４は部材ガイド５の湾曲面に沿って、図４（ｃ）に示す部材ガイド５に切欠き箇所がある鉛直方向上側まで送り出され、一対の爪部６０、６０で支持された部材４が露出し部材受け面７上に載った状態が保持される。 The member receiving surface 7 is provided so as to go to the inside of the drum 1 at an angle A of 0 to 15 degrees from a position H1 at which it intersects with the member feed surface 8 (the straight line that is the starting point of the angle A is a tangent at the position H1). . As a result, a gap is formed in the opening 3 and the member guide 5 of the drum 1 as shown in FIG. 4A, and the member in contact with the member guide 5 as shown in FIG. 4B. When the member 4 is lifted as the drum 1 rotates, the member 4 comes into contact with the periphery of the tip of the member receiving surface 7 and pushes the member 4 receiving the weight of the other member 4. However, the direction of the member 4 is adjusted, the member 4 is pushed toward the member feed surface 8 side, and finally in the region surrounded by the member receiving surface 7, the member guide 5 and the member feed surface 8, that is, the member accommodating portion. Only one member 4 is accommodated in 6. The accommodated member 4 receives various forces from the other members 4..., But the member receiving surface 7 has an angle inward of the drum 1. A force pressing against the curved surface of the member guide 5 is generated, and the behavior of the member 4 accommodated in the member storage portion 6 is stabilized. While maintaining this state, the accommodated member 4 is sent out along the curved surface of the member guide 5 to the upper side in the vertical direction where the notch portion is present in the member guide 5 shown in FIG. , 60, the state where the member 4 exposed and placed on the member receiving surface 7 is maintained.

上記部材受け面７の角度Ａが、０度未満、つまりドラム回転方向の接線よりドラム外側へ向かう面であると、部材４を部材受け面７と部材ガイド５に挟まれた部材収容部６の領域に取り込めても、部材４を部材ガイド５に押し付ける力が発生せず、部材４の挙動が安定せず、ドラム１の回転抵抗が増大する。また、角度Ａが１５度を超えると、部材収容部６の入口が大きくなりすぎ、部材４が２本以上取り込まれて、ドラム１と部材ガイド５との間で摩擦抵抗が生じ、ドラム１の回転を阻害する恐れがあり、また、部材収容部６に収めた部材４の姿勢を安定させることができない。 When the angle A of the member receiving surface 7 is less than 0 degrees, that is, a surface that faces the drum outside from a tangential line in the drum rotation direction, the member 4 is sandwiched between the member receiving surface 7 and the member guide 5. Even if it is taken in the region, the force for pressing the member 4 against the member guide 5 is not generated, the behavior of the member 4 is not stabilized, and the rotational resistance of the drum 1 is increased. If the angle A exceeds 15 degrees, the inlet of the member accommodating portion 6 becomes too large, two or more members 4 are taken in, and a frictional resistance is generated between the drum 1 and the member guide 5. There is a possibility of inhibiting the rotation, and the posture of the member 4 housed in the member housing portion 6 cannot be stabilized.

部材受け面７の長さＬ（図３参照）は、部材４の直角断面の長幅（図５参照）に対し、０．７〜１．５倍とする。部材受け面７の長さＬが部材４の長幅の０．７倍未満であると、ドラム１が部材取り出し位置で停止した際、部材受け面７上の部材４がドラム１内に落下する恐れがある。また、１．５倍を超えると２本乗ってしまう恐れがあり、また、部材収容部６に複数の部材４が詰まり、ドラム１の回転を阻害する恐れがある。 The length L (see FIG. 3) of the member receiving surface 7 is 0.7 to 1.5 times the long width (see FIG. 5) of the member 4 at right angles. When the length L of the member receiving surface 7 is less than 0.7 times the width of the member 4, the member 4 on the member receiving surface 7 falls into the drum 1 when the drum 1 stops at the member removal position. There is a fear. Further, when the ratio exceeds 1.5 times, there is a possibility that two will be ridden, and there is a possibility that the member accommodating portion 6 is clogged with a plurality of members 4 and obstructs the rotation of the drum 1.

また、部材受け面７の長さＬを上記のように設定することで、上述の部材受け面７の角度の作用と相まって、確実に部材４の向きを整え、部材収容部６に部材４を１本のみ取り込むことができる。そして、図４（ｃ）に示すように、ドラム１が部材取り出し位置で停止した際の部材収容部６に収まった部材４の近傍の部材４、あるいは図２（ｂ）に示す回転方向の持ち上げ位置の最上部を越えた部材４であって一緒に持ち上げられた部材４はドラム１内に再度戻り、部材受け面７に載った１本だけを開口部３に残こすことができる。 In addition, by setting the length L of the member receiving surface 7 as described above, in combination with the above-described action of the angle of the member receiving surface 7, the direction of the member 4 is surely adjusted, and the member 4 is attached to the member accommodating portion 6. Only one can be imported. Then, as shown in FIG. 4C, the member 4 in the vicinity of the member 4 accommodated in the member accommodating portion 6 when the drum 1 stops at the member take-out position, or the rotation direction shown in FIG. The member 4 beyond the top of the position, which is lifted together, returns again into the drum 1, and only one piece placed on the member receiving surface 7 can be left in the opening 3.

ここで、ドラム１の部材取り出し位置は、部材受け面７が水平、若しくは水平に対し部材受け面７の先端が上向きになる位置とする。この位置でドラム１が停止し、上述のとおり部材搬送手段９が降下し、切り欠き部９０に進入して爪部６０に支持された部材４を把持し、上昇して次の作業位置へ移動する。 Here, the member take-out position of the drum 1 is a position where the member receiving surface 7 is horizontal or the tip of the member receiving surface 7 is upward with respect to the horizontal. At this position, the drum 1 stops, the member conveying means 9 descends as described above, enters the notch 90, grips the member 4 supported by the claw 60, and moves up to the next work position. To do.

なお、部材受け面７に複数の凹凸を設けてドラム１が停止した際に部材受け面７に載った部材４が落ちることを抑制するようにしても良い。そうするとドラム１の部材取り出し位置にある程度の幅を持たすことができるので、ドラム１の回転制御が行いやすくなる。部材受け面７に凹凸に設けた場合は、その複数の凸部の頂点を結んで部材受け面７の角度や位置の起点とする。 In addition, you may make it suppress that the member 4 mounted on the member receiving surface 7 falls, when a plurality of unevenness | corrugations are provided in the member receiving surface 7 and the drum 1 stops. Then, a certain amount of width can be given to the member take-out position of the drum 1, so that the rotation control of the drum 1 can be easily performed. In the case where the member receiving surface 7 is provided with irregularities, the apexes of the plurality of convex portions are connected to be the starting point of the angle and position of the member receiving surface 7.

さらに、本発明では、部材受け面７と部材フィード面８が交わる位置Ｈ１（図３参照）が、部材ガイド５の湾曲面（内周面）からドラム１半径方向へ部材４の直角断面の短幅（図５参照）の１〜１．５倍になるように、部材フィード面８を設ける。言い換えれば、部材ガイド５の湾曲面（内周面）から位置Ｈ１までの距離Ｈ（図３参照）が、部材４の短幅の１〜１．５倍になるように部材フィード面８を設ける。 Furthermore, in the present invention, the position H1 (see FIG. 3) where the member receiving surface 7 and the member feed surface 8 intersect is short from the curved surface (inner peripheral surface) of the member guide 5 in the drum 1 radial direction. The member feed surface 8 is provided so as to be 1 to 1.5 times the width (see FIG. 5). In other words, the member feed surface 8 is provided so that the distance H (see FIG. 3) from the curved surface (inner peripheral surface) of the member guide 5 to the position H1 is 1 to 1.5 times the short width of the member 4. .

これにより、部材４が部材ガイド５から受ける摩擦力で部材受け面７から受ける反力を得ることができ、部材収容部６に取り込んだ１本の部材４を保持し、部材取り出し位置まで安定して送り出すことができる。 As a result, the reaction force received from the member receiving surface 7 by the frictional force received by the member 4 from the member guide 5 can be obtained, and the single member 4 taken into the member accommodating portion 6 is held and stabilized to the member removal position. Can be sent out.

距離Ｈが部材４の短幅の１倍未満であると、部材ガイド５の先行部はドラム１の内方向きの角度を有していることから、部材４が部材フィード面８方向へ押し込まれて詰まり、ドラム１の回転負荷が増大してドラム１を回すモータが故障する恐れがある。 If the distance H is less than 1 times the short width of the member 4, the leading portion of the member guide 5 has an angle inward of the drum 1, so that the member 4 is pushed toward the member feed surface 8. As a result, the rotation load of the drum 1 increases and the motor that rotates the drum 1 may break down.

また、距離Ｈが部材４の短幅の１．５倍を超えると、部材受け面７からの反力が十分得られず、部材４が部材収容部６において暴れて向きを変え、部材収容部６の爪部６０と部材ガイド５の間に詰まる恐れがある。ここで、距離Ｈが部材４の短幅の１倍あるいは１．５倍とは、部材４が使い捨て型の樹脂製エーゼのように弾性変形を伴う場合、短幅に対して５％の誤差は含むものである。 Further, when the distance H exceeds 1.5 times the short width of the member 4, the reaction force from the member receiving surface 7 is not sufficiently obtained, and the member 4 is violently changed in direction in the member accommodating portion 6, and the member accommodating portion is changed. There is a risk of clogging between the six claw portions 60 and the member guide 5. Here, the distance H is 1 time or 1.5 times the short width of the member 4. When the member 4 is elastically deformed like a disposable resin ase, an error of 5% with respect to the short width is Is included.

部材フィード面８はドラム１の回転方向前方を向く面である。また、図８に示すように、部材受け面７と交わる位置は、部材フィード面８の最大径部１０とドラム１中心を結んだ直線に対し、ドラム１の回転方向後側へ部材４の長幅の０．２倍以下の幅Ｗ内に収まるようにすることが好ましい。これにより、取り込んだ部材４の姿勢がより安定し、部材４の送りが確実となる。 The member feed surface 8 is a surface facing forward in the rotation direction of the drum 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the position where the member receiving surface 7 intersects is the length of the member 4 toward the rear side in the rotation direction of the drum 1 with respect to the straight line connecting the maximum diameter portion 10 of the member feed surface 8 and the center of the drum 1. It is preferable to fit within a width W of 0.2 times or less of the width. Thereby, the attitude | position of the taken-in member 4 becomes more stable, and the feed of the member 4 becomes reliable.

次に、本発明のドラムフィーダの動きについて図４を用いて説明する。図４（ａ）は、２個の開口部３を持つドラム１が取り出し位置で停止している位置から動き出した直後の図である。このときにドラム１の開口部３に設けた部材収容部６の部材受け面７の先端付近で、ドラム１に収納されている部材４が整流（向きがばらばらの部材４を部材受け面７の先端付近で捕らえ、部材４の向きを整える）され、その後、部材受け面７あるいは部材フィード面８と部材ガイド５の湾曲面とで部材４を保持する。図４（ｂ）はその後約４０度回転した状態を示した図であり、図４（ｃ）はドラム１が１８０度回転して部材取り出し位置で停止した状態を示した図である。図４（ｂ）において、部材４を保持した状態を維持してドラム１の回転に伴い鉛直方向上側へ導く。その後、図４（ｃ）のように、開口部３がドラムフィーダの設置面に対して鉛直方向上側を向く位置に来たときには、鉛直方向上側に導かれた多数の部材４のうち、部材フィード面８に接する１本だけが部材受け面７上に残留し、他の部材４はドラム１内へ落下する。この状態で、ハンドチャック等を備えた部材搬送手段９（図１参照、駆動装置等は図示していない。）で部材受け面７上に残った部材４を取り、部材４を次工程へ搬送する。 Next, the movement of the drum feeder of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4A is a view immediately after the drum 1 having the two openings 3 starts to move from the position where it is stopped at the take-out position. At this time, in the vicinity of the tip of the member receiving surface 7 of the member receiving portion 6 provided in the opening 3 of the drum 1, the member 4 accommodated in the drum 1 is rectified (the member 4 having a different orientation is replaced with the member receiving surface 7. Then, the member 4 is held by the member receiving surface 7 or the member feed surface 8 and the curved surface of the member guide 5. FIG. 4B is a view showing a state where the drum 1 is rotated about 40 degrees thereafter, and FIG. 4C is a view showing a state where the drum 1 is rotated 180 degrees and stopped at the member extraction position. In FIG. 4B, the state in which the member 4 is held is maintained and guided upward in the vertical direction as the drum 1 rotates. After that, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), when the opening 3 comes to a position facing the upper side in the vertical direction with respect to the installation surface of the drum feeder, among the many members 4 guided upward in the vertical direction, the member feed is performed. Only one member that contacts the surface 8 remains on the member receiving surface 7 and the other member 4 falls into the drum 1. In this state, the member 4 remaining on the member receiving surface 7 is taken by the member conveying means 9 (see FIG. 1, drive device etc. not shown) provided with a hand chuck and the like, and the member 4 is conveyed to the next process. To do.

図５（ａ）は、部材４の一例である使い捨て型の樹脂製エーゼを示す側面図である。このエーゼは、図５（ｂ）に示すように、主要な胴部４０の長手方向の直角断面が略長方形（角落し、若しくは角部を丸めた形状）を有している。よって、図２、図４においては部材４を略長方形として示している。なお、本発明において部材４の直角断面は略楕円形であっても良い。直角断面が略楕円形の場合、その直角断面の長幅とは略楕円の長軸長さを意味し。短幅とはその短軸長さを意味する。 FIG. 5A is a side view showing a disposable resin ase that is an example of the member 4. As shown in FIG. 5B, this ASE has a rectangular shape (a shape in which corners are dropped or rounded at corners) in a cross section in the longitudinal direction of the main body 40. Therefore, in FIGS. 2 and 4, the member 4 is shown as a substantially rectangular shape. In the present invention, the right-angle cross section of the member 4 may be substantially elliptical. When the right-angle cross section is substantially oval, the long width of the right-angle cross section means the major axis length of the oval. The short width means the short axis length.

また、本発明の部材受け面７や部材フィード面８は平面で設けるのが簡単で良いが、ドラム回転軌跡の外へ向かって凸曲面であると、部材受け面７の先端と基端の径の差が大きくなり、多数の部材４を整流しやすく、かつ、取り込んだ際に保持しやすい。なお、この場合、図３に示す角度Ａは、位置Ｈ１と部材受け面７の先端を結んだ直線によって規定する。 In addition, the member receiving surface 7 and the member feed surface 8 of the present invention may be simply provided as a flat surface. The difference between the two becomes large, and it is easy to rectify a large number of members 4 and to hold them when they are taken in. In this case, the angle A shown in FIG. 3 is defined by a straight line connecting the position H1 and the tip of the member receiving surface 7.

さらに、図１〜図４では、部材フィード面８をドラム１の開口部３の１辺（ドラム１の胴部の厚み部分）を利用して設けたが、図６や図８に示す爪部６１、６２のように部材受け面７と同一部品で設けることも、本発明の範疇であることは言うまでもない。 Further, in FIGS. 1 to 4, the member feed surface 8 is provided by using one side of the opening 3 of the drum 1 (thickness portion of the drum portion of the drum 1). Needless to say, it is also within the scope of the present invention to be provided with the same component as the member receiving surface 7 as in 61 and 62.

また、上述の部材ガイド５の湾曲面（内周面）に硬質プラスチックなどの低抵抗の部材を貼ることも好ましい。これにより、部材４に対するすべりを向上させてドラム１の回転抵抗を低減させることができる。 It is also preferable to attach a low-resistance member such as hard plastic to the curved surface (inner peripheral surface) of the member guide 5 described above. Thereby, the sliding with respect to the member 4 can be improved and the rotational resistance of the drum 1 can be reduced.

本発明の効果を検証するため、本発明例１〜９、比較例１〜６として、部材受け面７の角度と長さ、部材受け面７と部材フィード面８の交わる位置Ｈ１（距離Ｈ）が表１に示すもので、開口部３の数が２個のドラムフィーダをそれぞれ作製し、部材取り出し実験に供した。ここで、部材４としては図５に示した使い捨て型の樹脂製エーゼ（以下、単に「エーゼ」という。）を使用した。その長幅は３ｍｍ、短幅は２ｍｍで角に曲面取りがなされている。 In order to verify the effects of the present invention, as the inventive examples 1 to 9 and comparative examples 1 to 6, the angle and length of the member receiving surface 7 and the position H1 (distance H) where the member receiving surface 7 and the member feed surface 8 cross each other. Are shown in Table 1, and drum feeders each having two openings 3 were prepared and subjected to a member removal experiment. Here, as the member 4, a disposable resin ase (hereinafter simply referred to as “Aze”) shown in FIG. 5 was used. The long width is 3 mm, the short width is 2 mm, and the corner is curved.

実験条件は、エーゼをドラム１内に３００本収納し、１回の取り出しにつき、ドラム１は３６０度を開口部３の数で割った角度、つまり１８０度毎で回す。ドラム１の回転と停止はドラム１の回転軸２に接続したエンコーダ式のモータにプログラムによる指令を送り行った。これを３００回行い、取り出しミスの有無を確認した。これを３セット繰り返した結果を表１に示す。また、ドラム回転の阻害がされてないかをドラム回転用のモータの電流値の昇降を指標にして観察した。 The experimental condition is that 300 azes are stored in the drum 1 and the drum 1 is rotated at an angle obtained by dividing 360 degrees by the number of the openings 3, that is, every 180 degrees. The drum 1 was rotated and stopped by sending a program command to an encoder motor connected to the rotating shaft 2 of the drum 1. This was performed 300 times, and the presence or absence of an extraction error was confirmed. Table 1 shows the results of repeating these three sets. Further, whether the rotation of the drum was hindered was observed using the increase / decrease of the current value of the drum rotation motor as an index.

表１に示すように、本発明例１〜９は３セット、合計９００本とも１本ずつ取り出せ、取り出しミスがなく安定していた。本発明例１、４、９は１００回に数回程度モータの電流値が２割前後上がることがあったが、取り出しミスはなかった。電流値上昇はドラム１の回転抵抗が増加したためであるが、その原因は、本発明例１では部材収容部６がエーゼを取り込むまでの部材受け面７とエーゼの擦過の増加、本発明例４、９ではエーゼの姿勢が部材収容部６で安定しなかったためと考えられる。 As shown in Table 1, the inventive examples 1 to 9 were 3 sets, and a total of 900 pieces could be taken out one by one. In Examples 1, 4, and 9 of the present invention, the current value of the motor increased by about 20% several times in 100 times, but there was no mistake in taking it out. The increase in the current value is due to an increase in the rotational resistance of the drum 1. The cause of the increase in the friction of the member receiving surface 7 and the ase until the member accommodating portion 6 takes in the ase in the first example of the present invention, the fourth example of the present invention. 9, it is considered that the posture of the ase was not stabilized in the member accommodating portion 6.

一方、比較例１は、１０回目で部材受け面７にエーゼが載ってないことがあり、その後も頻発した。比較例２は、２３回目で部材受け面７にエーゼが２本同時載った状態で送り出されてきた。また、比較例３は、１回目からドラム１が取り出し位置に停止したときに部材受け面７からエーゼが落ちてしまった。比較例４は５回目でエーゼが２本載った状態で送り出され、また、４０回目で複数のエーゼが部材ガイド５との隙間に詰まりドラム１が停止した。比較例５は送り出し自体はできたものの、部材ガイド５とエーゼの擦れが強く、ドラム１の回転に負荷がかかったため実験を中止した。比較例６は１５回目で複数のエーゼが部材ガイド５との隙間に詰まりドラム１の回転に負荷がかかったため実験を中止した。 On the other hand, in Comparative Example 1, the ase may not be placed on the member receiving surface 7 at the 10th time, and it frequently occurred after that. In Comparative Example 2, it was sent out in a state in which two asees were placed on the member receiving surface 7 at the 23rd time. In Comparative Example 3, the ase fell from the member receiving surface 7 when the drum 1 stopped at the take-out position from the first time. Comparative Example 4 was sent out in a state where two asees were placed at the fifth time, and a plurality of ases were clogged with the member guide 5 at the 40th time, and the drum 1 was stopped. In Comparative Example 5, although the feeding itself was made, the friction between the member guide 5 and the ase was strong, and the experiment was stopped because the rotation of the drum 1 was loaded. In Comparative Example 6, the experiment was stopped at the 15th time because a plurality of azes were clogged with the member guide 5 and a load was applied to the rotation of the drum 1.

以上より、本発明のドラムフィーダによれば、エーゼを的確に部材収容部６に取り込み、送り出すことができることが分かった。さらに、部材受け面７の角度Ａは５度〜１０度がさらに好ましく、部材受け面７と部材フィード面８の交わる位置Ｈ１（距離Ｈ）はエーゼの短幅の１〜１．２倍がさらに好ましい範囲ということが分かった。 From the above, it was found that according to the drum feeder of the present invention, the ase can be accurately taken into and sent out from the member accommodating portion 6. Further, the angle A of the member receiving surface 7 is more preferably 5 to 10 degrees, and the position H1 (distance H) where the member receiving surface 7 and the member feed surface 8 intersect is further 1 to 1.2 times the short width of the ASE. It turned out to be a preferred range.

本発明例１０〜１２として、上記本発明例６と同様の仕様で開口部３の数が表２に示すものをそれぞれ用意し、実施例１と同様の試験に供した。 As Invention Examples 10-12, those having the same specifications as in Invention Example 6 and the number of openings 3 shown in Table 2 were prepared and subjected to the same tests as in Example 1.

本発明例１０〜１２は取り出しミスは起こらなかったが、表２に示すように、本発明例１２は他の本発明例に比べ、若干モータの電流値が高く、回転抵抗が大きいと推察された。これは、開口部の数が多く、エーゼと部材ガイド５の湾曲面及び部材受け面７との擦過抵抗が大きくなったためと考えられる。したがって、開口部の数は４以下が好ましい。

Inventive Examples 10 to 12 did not cause an error in taking out. However, as shown in Table 2, it is presumed that Inventive Example 12 has a slightly higher motor current value and a larger rotational resistance than the other Inventive Examples. It was. This is presumably because the number of openings is large, and the abrasion resistance between the ASE and the curved surface of the member guide 5 and the member receiving surface 7 is increased. Therefore, the number of openings is preferably 4 or less.

本発明のドラムフィーダは、白金耳や使い捨て型の樹脂製エーゼのほか、その他の細長い棒状の部材の収納及び取り出しに利用可能である。例えば、長さが１２０〜２００ｍｍ、直角断面の長幅及び短幅が２〜６ｍｍ程度の棒状の部材であれば、本発明のドラムフィーダは問題なく使用できる。 The drum feeder according to the present invention can be used to store and take out other elongated rod-shaped members in addition to platinum ears and disposable resinous ASEs. For example, the drum feeder of the present invention can be used without any problem as long as it is a rod-shaped member having a length of 120 to 200 mm and a long width and a short width of about 2 to 6 mm.

１ドラム
２回転軸
３、３ａ〜３ｅ開口部９０切欠き部
４部材４０胴部
５部材ガイド
６部材収容部６０、６１、６２爪部
７部材受け面
８部材フィード面
９部材搬送手段
Ａ部材受け面の角度
Ｌ部材受け面の長さ
Ｈ１交わる位置 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Drum 2 Rotating shaft 3, 3a-3e Opening part 90 Notch part 4 Member 40 Body part 5 Member guide 6 Member accommodating part 60, 61, 62 Claw part 7 Member receiving surface 8 Member feed surface 9 Member conveying means A Member receiving Surface angle L Length of member receiving surface H1 Intersection

Claims

A rotatable drum having two or more openings on the outer periphery, and a member guide having a curved surface facing the outer peripheral surface of the drum and provided with a notch portion for removing a member on the upper side in the vertical direction. A drum feeder that houses a rod-shaped member having a substantially rectangular or substantially elliptical cross section with respect to the longitudinal direction, and allows the members to be taken out one by one from the opening that has reached the upper side in the vertical direction by rotating the drum. There,
On the rear side in the drum rotation direction of the opening, a member accommodating portion provided with a member receiving surface and a member feed surface is provided integrally with the drum,
The member receiving surface faces the outside of the drum and protrudes in the drum rotation direction, and from the position intersecting the member feed surface toward the inside of the drum at an angle of 0 to 15 degrees with respect to a tangent in the drum rotation direction at the position , The length in the drum rotation direction is 0.7 to 1.5 times the long width of the perpendicular section of the member,
The member feed surface faces the drum rotation direction and is provided so that the position intersecting with the member receiving surface is 1 to 1.5 times the short width of the perpendicular section of the member from the curved surface to the drum radial direction. Drum feeder.

The drum feeder according to claim 1, wherein the member is a disposable resin ase or platinum ear.

The drum feeder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the number of the openings is 2 to 4.

The angle of the member receiving surface from the position intersecting with the member feed surface toward the inside of the drum with respect to the tangent in the drum rotation direction at the position is 5 to 10 degrees, and the position intersecting with the member receiving surface of the member feed surface The drum feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein is located at a position of 1 to 1.2 times the short width of the perpendicular section of the member in the drum radial direction from the curved surface.