JP5485536B2 - Feeder - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a feeding device using an ultrasonic transducer.

  Conventionally, as a feeding device using an ultrasonic transducer, as illustrated in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-152671, a type in which a pair of ultrasonic transducers arranged in an intersecting manner is connected at one output end. As exemplified in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-81119, there is a type in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged in a matrix.

  With reference to FIG. 16, the former type of feeder will be described. The feeding device 1 includes an output unit 3, a slide guide mechanism 5, and a preload applying mechanism 7. The output unit 3 has a pair of ultrasonic transducers 9 arranged so as to cross each other. The pair of ultrasonic transducers 9 are connected by one output end 11. The slide guide mechanism 5 supports the output unit 3 so as to be slidable with respect to the base 13, and is usually configured by a roller guide that allows only linear movement in a specific direction. The preload applying mechanism 7 is constituted by a coil spring or the like, and urges the output portion 3 toward the driven portion 15 so that the output end portion 11 contacts the driven portion 15 with an appropriate pressing force. Yes. The slide guide mechanism 5 has a structure in which a plurality of spheres are arranged in a predetermined support groove so as to roll.

According to the investigation of the present inventor, in the feeding device having such a configuration, a phenomenon occurs in which the smoothness of the slide state of the output unit is lost as the use period proceeds.
JP 2000-152671 A Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 3-81119

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a feeding device that can ensure a smooth slide of an output unit over a long period of time.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a feeding device according to the present invention includes an output unit having an ultrasonic transducer, and a guide that slidably supports the output unit so that the output unit abuts and separates from a driven unit. And a preload applying mechanism that applies a preload toward the driven portion to the output unit, and the guide mechanism includes a movable body and a fixed base, and the movable body and the fixed base A pair of left and right mutual abutting sliding portions is provided between each of the two, and each of the mutual abutting sliding portions includes a concave surface and a convex surface that is incorporated into and abuts on the concave surface, A cross-sectional shape extending in the sliding direction and orthogonal to the sliding direction is constant over the sliding direction.

  Each of the mutual abutting sliding portions has two V-shaped or U-shaped guide grooves whose opening sides face each other, and a columnar member disposed so as to be sandwiched between the guide grooves. One of the two guide grooves facing each other is supported by the movable body, the other is supported by the fixed base, and the columnar member is attached to both the movable body and the fixed base. It is maintained in an unfixed state, and the concave surface may be constituted by the guide groove, and the convex surface may be constituted by an arcuate side surface of the columnar member.

  Each of the mutual abutting sliding portions has a V-shaped or U-shaped guide groove and a columnar member disposed facing the opening side of the guide groove, Supported by one of the movable body and the fixed base, the columnar member is supported by the other, the concave surface is constituted by the guide groove, and the convex surface is constituted by an arc-shaped convex surface of the columnar member. You may do it.

  According to the present invention, a smooth slide of the output unit can be ensured over a long period of time.

  The other features of the present invention and the operational effects thereof will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment in which a feeding device according to the present invention is implemented as a linear type feeding device that linearly drives a driven portion will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

  FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a plane, a back surface and a side surface of the feeding device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, respectively. Prioritizing the understanding of the explanation, the top cover is omitted in all the drawings, and the preload applying mechanism described later is omitted on the back surface.

  The feeding device 41 includes a base 43, an output unit 45, a preload applying mechanism 47, and a guide mechanism 49. The output unit 45 is disposed on the base 43 and includes a pair of Langevin type ultrasonic transducers 51 each including a piezoelectric element, and a cross holding bracket 53. The pair of ultrasonic transducers 51 are supported by the cross holding bracket 53 in such a manner that the axes cross each other as viewed in a plan view. The pair of ultrasonic transducers 51 share a cylindrical output end 55, that is, a single output end 55 is provided at the tip of the pair of ultrasonic transducers 51. In the present embodiment, as an exemplary configuration, the assembly of the ultrasonic transducer 51, the cross holding bracket 53, and the output end portion 55 has a configuration that is symmetric in plan view and is substantially on a symmetric axis. The contact point of the output end 55 with respect to the driven part 42 is located.

  A preload applying mechanism 47 is provided on the side opposite to the output end 55 with the ultrasonic transducer 51 and the cross holding bracket 53 interposed therebetween. The preload applying mechanism 47 includes a coil spring 57 and a spring receiving plate 59.

  The spring receiving plate 59 is erected on the base 43. A rear end of the coil spring 57 is connected to the spring receiving plate 59. The front end of the coil spring 57 is connected to the rear of the cross holding bracket 53. The preload applying mechanism 47 applies a preload for contacting the driven portion 42 to the output portion 45 by the elastic force of the coil spring 57.

  The guide mechanism 49 is provided between the output unit 45 and the base 43, and supports the output unit 45 so as to be slidable so as to be in contact with or separated from the driven unit 42. As well shown in FIG. 2, the guide mechanism 49 includes a moving body 61 that supports the output unit 45, and a fixed base 62 that is combined therewith and fixed to the base 43. A pair of left and right abutting sliding portions 65 are provided between the moving body 61 and the fixed base 62.

  This will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the mutual contact sliding portion. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing one guide rail and a columnar member incorporated therein. First, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the mutual contact sliding portions 65 includes a concave surface 67 and a convex surface 69 that is incorporated in the concave surface and contacts the concave surface.

  Specifically, along the present embodiment, the moving body 61 and the fixed base 62 are provided with a pair of left and right guide rails 63, respectively. Each of the guide rails 63 is formed with a V-shaped or U-shaped guide groove 71. Two guide rails 63 are arranged on the left and right sides so that the opening sides of the grooves face each other. And the one mutual contact sliding part 65 has the two guide grooves 71 which the opening side has mutually faced, and the cylindrical member 73 arrange | positioned so that these guide grooves may be pinched | interposed. One of the two guide grooves 71 that face each other is fixed to the moving body 61, and the other is fixed to the fixed base 62. The columnar member 73 is located between the two guide grooves 71 and is kept in an unfixed state with respect to both the moving body 61 and the fixed base 62. That is, the concave surface 67 is configured by the guide groove 71, and the convex surface 69 is configured by the arc-shaped side surface of the cylindrical member 73. The columnar member 73 and the guide rail 63 extend in the sliding direction, and the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the sliding direction is constant over the sliding direction. For this reason, the convex surface 69 and the concave surface 67 that are a part thereof. Further, the cross-sectional shape extending in the sliding direction and orthogonal to the sliding direction is constant over the sliding direction at least in the mutual sliding range. The contact between the concave surface 67 and the convex surface 69 is not in the relationship of being in contact with each other but in the relationship of being in partial contact as seen in a cross section orthogonal to the sliding direction.

  In the feeding device 41 configured as described above, the preload applying mechanism 47 is caused to function from the state where the output portion 45 is in contact with the driven portion 42 as shown in FIG. Give. At this time, the output unit 45 is biased forward by the elastic force of the coil spring 57, and a desired pre-pressure is applied. When a desired preload is applied, a displacement is output from each ultrasonic transducer 51 by applying a current to the ultrasonic transducer 51, and the output displacement is synthesized at the output end 55 to be taken out as a frictional force. The driven part 42 is operated in the driving direction T shown in the figure.

  Furthermore, the operation of the feeding device according to the present embodiment will be described. According to the inventor's investigation, in the slide guide mechanism in which a plurality of spheres are arranged so as to be able to roll in the predetermined support groove described above as an existing feeding device, the sliding state of the output unit is changed as the use period proceeds. There is a phenomenon in which smoothness is lost. Therefore, a test for examining a change in slide smoothness over time was performed on a feeding device according to the present embodiment and a feeding device as a comparative example provided with a slide guide mechanism having a plurality of spheres.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the feeding device is set in the test device. A push-pull gauge 105 and a micrometer 107 are mounted on the gantry 103 in the test apparatus 101. The push-pull gauge 105 is slidable in the approaching / separating direction with respect to the feeding device by the stage 109. In addition, as a push-pull gauge, a digital force gauge (DPZS + DPU500N) manufactured by Imada Co., Ltd. was used.

  As a test procedure, first, the feeder 41 according to the present embodiment or the feeder of the comparative example is set on the frame 103 of the test apparatus 101, and a push-pull gauge is brought into contact with the tip of the output end of the feeder. Let Then, the preload on the feeder side is released, and the preload is measured on the push-pull gauge 105 side while changing the state. Specifically, the micrometer 107 is turned to move the push-pull gauge 105 to the left side (side away from the feeder) in the figure by a stroke amount of 0.1 [mm], and the preload is measured at each position. When the movement of the total stroke amount 1.0 [mm] to the left side in the figure is finished, the push-pull gauge 105 is reversed to the right side (the side closer to the feeding device) in the figure and the stroke amount is 0.1 [mm]. ] And measure the preload at each position. Move the total stroke amount 1.0 [mm] to the right in the figure to return to the set position at the start of the test.

  FIG. 7 shows the test results. (A) is related to the feeding device of the comparative example, (b) is related to the feeding device according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7A, first, in the feeding device of the comparative example, the sliding smoothness of the guide mechanism is very good in the state after manufacture, that is, the state before driving, and almost no hysteresis is observed. The preload is clearly proportional to the stroke amount of the output end (push-pull gauge). On the other hand, in the test result after the driven part travels 100 [m], it can be seen that a very large hysteresis is seen and the smoothness of sliding of the guide mechanism is impaired. In other words, with the change in the direction of increasing stroke amount, the guide mechanism does not follow and the preload decreases greatly, and a large load is applied to the guide mechanism at the moment when the stroke amount changes from increasing to decreasing. Furthermore, it can be seen that even when the stroke direction is decreased, the guide mechanism becomes a resistance and the preload is greatly increased. In contrast to the feeding device of this comparative example, in the feeding device 41 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, the hysteresis itself is constant and slightly present before and after driving. However, there was no change in hysteresis. Moreover, the test results after running are very different from the 100 [m] running conditions of the comparative example, and are 100 times after 10 [km] running, and the sliding smoothness of the guide mechanism 49 is also possible in actual use. It is an extremely excellent device that can maintain the performance as originally designed for a long time without being damaged.

  Further, after the above test was completed, both the feeding device 41 according to the present embodiment and the feeding device of the comparative example were disassembled and investigated, and in the feeding device of the comparative example, the V-shaped groove in the guide mechanism was Although the scraped trace was confirmed, such a trace was not seen at all in the feeding device 41 according to the present embodiment.

  Thus, according to the feeding device according to the present embodiment, in the guide mechanism, the convex surface that extends in the sliding direction and whose cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the sliding direction is constant over the sliding direction is Since the contact is made in a partial contact relationship rather than the whole, the convex surface slides smoothly without scraping the concave surface. Therefore, the change in slide smoothness with time in the guide mechanism is extremely small, and a smooth slide of the output unit can be ensured over a long period of time. Further, in this embodiment, since only one cylindrical member is incorporated in the guide groove, the output portion of the output unit due to insufficient dimensional accuracy between the members as in the case of incorporating a plurality of members. There are no problems such as the occurrence of swinging, the occurrence of vibrations, and the occurrence of shaving of the guide grooves.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 shows a diagram of the same mode as FIG. 2 relating to the second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the manner of forming the guide groove and the convex surface. As shown in FIG. 8, the guide mechanism 149 includes a movable body 61 and a fixed base 62 that is combined with the movable body 61 and fixed to the base 43. A pair of left and right mutual abutting sliding portions 165 are provided between the moving body 61 and the fixed base 62. Each of the mutual contact sliding portions 165 includes a concave surface and a convex surface that is incorporated in the concave surface and contacts the concave surface.

  Specifically, along the present embodiment, the fixed base 62 is provided with a pair of left and right guide rails 63, and the movable body 61 is provided with a pair of left and right columnar members 173. Each of the guide rails 63 is formed with a V-shaped or U-shaped guide groove. The columnar member 173 is disposed so as to face the opening side of the groove of the guide rail 63 on each of the left and right sides. Each one of the abutting sliding portions 165 has one guide groove and one columnar member 173 arranged so as to be sandwiched between the guide grooves. The guide groove is fixed to the fixed base 62, and the columnar member 173 is fixed to the moving body 61. That is, in the present embodiment, the concave surface is configured by a guide groove, and the convex surface is configured by an arc-shaped convex surface of the columnar member 173. The columnar member 173 and the guide rail 63 extend in the sliding direction, and the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the sliding direction is constant over the sliding direction. Therefore, the convex surface and the concave surface which are a part of them are also formed. The cross-sectional shape extending in the sliding direction and orthogonal to the sliding direction is constant over the sliding direction at least in the mutual sliding range. The contact between the concave surface and the convex surface is not in a relationship in which the whole is in contact but in a relationship in which it is in partial contact as seen in a cross section orthogonal to the sliding direction.

  In this embodiment as well, as in the above-described embodiment, in the guide mechanism, the convex surface that extends in the sliding direction and whose cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the sliding direction is constant over the sliding direction, Since the contact with the concave surface is in contact with a part rather than the whole, the convex surface slides smoothly without scraping the concave surface. Therefore, the change in slide smoothness with time in the guide mechanism is extremely small, and a smooth slide of the output unit can be ensured over a long period of time. Further, in this embodiment, since only one columnar member is incorporated into the guide groove, the output portion of the output unit due to insufficient dimensional accuracy between the members as in the case of incorporating a plurality of members. There are no problems such as the occurrence of swinging, the occurrence of vibrations, and the occurrence of shaving of the guide grooves.

  Also, with respect to the feeder according to the second embodiment, the same test as that of the first embodiment is performed, and the hysteresis results of the two embodiments of the present invention and the comparative example are shown in FIG. 9 is shown collectively. As the hysteresis, a value at a stroke amount of 0.5 [mm] is adopted. As can be seen from the above, the present invention has almost no change in hysteresis, the slide smoothness is not impaired even after long-term use, and the performance as originally designed is ensured over the long term.

  Although the contents of the present invention have been specifically described with reference to the preferred embodiments, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art based on the basic technical idea and teachings of the present invention. It is self-explanatory.

  In the present invention, the mutual abutting sliding portion includes a concave surface and a convex surface that is incorporated into and abuts with the concave surface, the convex surface extends in the sliding direction, and a cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the sliding direction is Since it is only necessary to be constant over the sliding direction, various uneven installation modes can be adopted. For example, it is possible to appropriately change which of the moving body and the fixed base bears the object to be provided with the unevenness constituting the mutual contact sliding portion. Therefore, in the modes of FIGS. 2 and 8, the modes shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 in which the objects to be unevenly set are assigned in reverse are also possible. In addition, it can be appropriately modified as to which of the movable body and the fixed base bears the support object inside and outside the unevenness constituting the mutual contact sliding portion. Therefore, in the modes of FIGS. 2 and 8, the modes shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 in which the objects to be supported on the inside and outside of the unevenness are handled in reverse are also possible. Further, by combining the above, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 in which both the uneven installation object and the internal and external support objects are in charge of each other in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 8 is also possible.

  The present invention is not limited to a mode in which the fed body is moved linearly, and can be implemented as a mode in which, for example, the rotor (driven unit) is rotationally driven.

  Furthermore, the mode of the output unit to which the present invention is applied is not limited to a type in which a pair of ultrasonic transducers arranged in an intersecting mode is connected at one output end. For example, a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are connected. It is also possible to adopt a type of arrangement in a matrix.

It is a top view of the feeder which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a rear view of the feeder seen from the arrow II of FIG. It is a side view of the feeding device seen from the arrow III of FIG. It is a figure which shows the part between a mobile body and a guide rail regarding this Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows one guide rail and the cylindrical member integrated in it regarding this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the state by which the feeder was set to the test apparatus. The relationship between the pre-load before and after driving and the stroke amount is shown. (A) relates to the feeding device of the comparative example, and (b) relates to the feeding device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram similar to FIG. 2 for a modified embodiment of the present invention. The hysteresis results of the two embodiments of the present invention and the comparative example are collectively shown. It is a figure which shows the modification of a structure of the mutual contact sliding part regarding this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of a structure of the mutual contact sliding part regarding this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of a structure of the mutual contact sliding part regarding this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of a structure of the mutual contact sliding part regarding this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of a structure of the mutual contact sliding part regarding this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of a structure of the mutual contact sliding part regarding this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional feeder.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 41 Feeder 42 Driven part 45 Output part 47 Preload giving mechanism 49, 149 Guide mechanism 51 Ultrasonic vibrator 61 Moving body 62 Fixed base 63 Guide rail 65,165 Mutual contact sliding part 67 Concave surface 69 Convex surface 71 Guide groove 73 Columnar member 173 Columnar member

Claims (1)

An output unit having an ultrasonic transducer;
A guide mechanism that slidably supports the output unit so as to be in contact with or separated from the driven unit;
A preload application mechanism that applies a preload toward the driven section to the output section;
The guide mechanism has a moving body and a fixed base,
Between the movable body and the fixed base, a pair of left and right mutual abutting sliding portions are provided,
Each of the mutual abutting sliding parts includes a concave surface and a convex surface that is incorporated into and abuts on the concave surface,
The convex surface extends in the sliding direction, and a cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the sliding direction is constant over the sliding direction,
Each of the mutual abutting sliding portions has two V-shaped or U-shaped guide grooves whose opening sides face each other, and a cylindrical member disposed so as to be sandwiched between the guide grooves. And
One of the two guide grooves facing each other is supported by the movable body, the other is supported by the fixed base, and the cylindrical member is not fixed to both the movable body and the fixed base. Kept in a state,
The concave surface is constituted by the guide groove, and the convex surface is constituted by an arc-shaped side surface of the cylindrical member.
Feeder.

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