JP5679195B2 - Workpiece conveyance inspection device and workpiece conveyance inspection method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus and a workpiece conveyance inspection method for performing inspection while conveying a workpiece such as a chip-type electronic component, and more particularly to a workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus and a workpiece conveyance inspection method capable of shortening the inspection time. .

  Conventionally, as a work transport inspection device that performs inspection while transporting a workpiece such as a chip-type electronic component, inspection that performs a characteristic inspection on a transport body having a plurality of work storage holes and a work in the work storage holes of the transport body And a means are known.

  In the workpiece transfer inspection device, when the workpiece in the workpiece storage hole is transferred by the transfer body and the workpiece in the workpiece storage hole reaches the inspection means, the inspection means performs a characteristic inspection on the workpiece.

  Generally, the workpiece has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is stored in a direction perpendicular to the transfer direction of the workpiece transfer body in the workpiece storage hole. When the work reaches the inspection means, the work is drawn out of the work accommodation hole outward in the longitudinal direction (direction perpendicular to the transport direction), and the side face of the work is inspected by the inspection means.

  Thereafter, the work is returned again into the work storage hole and is transported again by the transport body.

  However, when the inspection means takes out the work from the work storage hole to the outside in the longitudinal direction, and then returns the work to the work storage hole, the work is inspected by the inspection means during the work take-out operation and the return work. The process needs to be interrupted. For this reason, work efficiency will fall as a whole.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such points, and continuously inspects the work that has reached the inspection means without interrupting the inspection process, thereby improving the overall work efficiency. An object of the present invention is to provide a workpiece transfer inspection device and a workpiece transfer inspection method capable of performing the above.

The present invention has a plurality of workpiece storage holes for storing a rectangular parallelepiped workpiece, a transfer body for transferring the workpiece along the transfer direction by intermittent movement, a separation supply means for storing the workpiece in the workpiece storage hole, and a workpiece A direction changing means for changing the direction of the work in the storage hole , and an inspection means for inspecting the characteristics of the work in the work storage hole , and the separation supply means, the direction changing means, and the inspection means are arranged on the outer edge of the carrier. And each workpiece storage hole has a first hole and a second hole for storing the workpieces in different postures, and is configured in a T shape. The first hole faces inward from the outer edge of the transport body. The workpiece is accommodated so as to extend perpendicular to the conveying direction and to take a posture orthogonal to the conveying direction, and the second hole extends along the outer edge of the conveying member in parallel to the conveying direction and takes a posture parallel to the conveying direction. Stores workpieces and supplies them separately The stage stores the work in the first hole, the direction changing means moves the work in the first hole to the outside of the transport body, rotates it 90 ° and stores it in the second hole, and the inspection means in the second hole. A workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus that performs a characteristic inspection on a surface of a stored workpiece that faces the outside of a conveyance body.

  In the present invention, the direction changing means sucks the work in the first hole and moves it outward in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport body and the longitudinal direction of the work, and rotates the work by 90 ° to move the work in the second hole. It is a workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus characterized by having a suction nozzle stored in the container.

  The present invention is the workpiece conveyance inspection device, wherein the direction changing means further includes an air ejection device for drawing the workpiece in the first hole outward in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece.

  The present invention is the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus, characterized in that a direction discriminating unit for discriminating the direction of the workpiece in the first hole is arranged between the separation supply unit and the direction changing unit.

  The present invention is the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus, wherein the direction changing unit rotates the workpiece by 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise according to the determination result of the direction determining unit.

  The present invention is the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus, wherein the conveyance body is a circular conveyance table.

  The present invention is the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus, wherein the conveyance body is an endless conveyance belt.

  The present invention provides a workpiece conveyance inspection method using the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus described above, wherein the separation supply unit stores the workpiece in a workpiece storage hole provided in the conveyance unit, and the workpiece is moved by intermittent movement of the conveyance body. A conveying step for conveying, a direction changing step for changing the direction of the workpiece by the direction changing means, and an inspection step for inspecting the characteristics of the workpiece by the inspecting means. In the separation supplying step, the separation supplying means puts the workpiece into the first hole. In the direction changing process, the direction changing means moves the work in the first hole to the outside of the transport body, rotates it 90 °, and stores it in the second hole. In the inspection process, the inspection means is stored in the second hole. A workpiece conveyance inspection method characterized by performing a characteristic inspection on a surface of the workpiece that faces the outside of the conveyance body.

  According to the present invention, in the direction changing step, the direction changing means sucks the work in the first hole and moves it outward in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport body and the longitudinal direction of the work, and rotates the work by 90 °. A workpiece conveyance inspection method characterized by having a suction nozzle that is housed in the second hole.

  The present invention is the workpiece conveyance inspection method, wherein in the direction changing step, the direction changing means draws the workpiece in the first hole outward in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece by the air jetting device.

  The present invention is the workpiece conveyance inspection method, wherein a direction determination step of determining the direction of the workpiece in the first hole is performed by the direction determination unit between the separation supply step and the direction conversion step.

  According to the present invention, in the direction changing process, the direction changing means rotates the work 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise according to the determination result of the direction determining process.

  The present invention is the workpiece transfer inspection method, wherein the transfer body is a circular transfer table.

  The present invention is the work transport inspection method, wherein the transport body is an endless transport belt.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to continuously inspect the work that has reached the inspection means without interrupting the inspection process, thereby improving the overall work efficiency.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the shape of the workpiece. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a work storage hole of the transfer table. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a conveyance state of a workpiece in the linear feeder. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the state of conveyance of the workpiece in the linear feeder. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a work housed in the first hole of the work housing hole. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a work housed in the first hole of the work housing hole. FIG. 8 is a side view showing a state in which the work accommodation hole is stopped in the direction determination unit. FIGS. 9A and 9B are plan views showing a state in which the work accommodation hole is stopped at the direction changing portion. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the structure of the rotating shaft and the suction nozzle. FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view showing the structure of the rotating shaft and the suction nozzle. FIGS. 12A and 12B are views showing the operation of the direction changing unit of the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus. FIGS. 13A and 13B are views showing the operation of the direction changing unit of the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus. FIGS. 14A and 14B are views showing the operation of the direction changing unit of the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus. FIGS. 15A and 15B are views showing the operation of the direction changing unit of the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus. FIGS. 16A and 16B are views showing the operation of the direction changing unit of the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus. FIGS. 17A and 17B are views showing the operation of the direction changing unit of the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a direction changing unit of the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus. FIGS. 19A and 19B are views showing the operation of the direction changing unit of the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus. FIGS. 20A and 20B are views showing the operation of the direction changing unit of the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus. FIGS. 21A and 21B are views showing the operation of the direction changing unit of the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus. FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a work housed in a second hole of the work housing hole. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of an inspection unit of the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of an inspection unit of the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of an inspection unit of the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus. FIG. 26 is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of the inspection unit of the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus. FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of an inspection unit of the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus. FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of an inspection unit of the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus. FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of an inspection unit of the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus. FIG. 30 is a time chart relating to operations of the direction changing unit and the inspection unit of the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus. FIG. 31 is a plan view of a workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus according to a comparative example. FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a workpiece storage hole of a comparative example. FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing a work housed in a work housing hole of a comparative example. FIG. 34 is a plan view showing a conveyance state of a workpiece in a linear feeder in a comparative example. FIG. 35 is a side view showing a conveyance state of a workpiece in the linear feeder in the comparative example. FIG. 36 is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of an inspection unit of a comparative example. FIG. 37 is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of an inspection unit of a comparative example. FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of an inspection unit according to a comparative example. FIG. 39 is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of an inspection unit of a comparative example. FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of an inspection unit according to a comparative example. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of an inspection unit of a comparative example. FIG. 42 is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of an inspection unit of a comparative example. FIG. 43 is a diagram illustrating the configuration and operation of an inspection unit of a comparative example. FIG. 44 is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of an inspection unit of a comparative example. FIG. 45 is a diagram showing the configuration and operation of an inspection unit of a comparative example. FIG. 46 is a time chart relating to the operation of the inspection unit of the comparative example.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 30 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus X includes a table base 1 arranged in a horizontal direction and a workpiece accommodation hole 4 that is rotatably arranged on the table base 1 and accommodates a rectangular parallelepiped workpiece W. A circular conveyance table (conveyance body) 2 that rotates intermittently, and a separation supply unit 6, a direction determination unit 7, a direction conversion unit 8, an inspection unit 9, and a classification discharge unit disposed along the outer edge of the conveyance table 2. 10.

  Among these, the conveyance table 2 is intermittently moved, that is, intermittently rotated, along the clockwise conveyance direction (direction of arrow A) around the central axis 3 by the action of a drive mechanism (not shown). As described above, a plurality of workpiece storage holes 4 for individually storing the workpieces W shown in FIG. 2 are provided on the peripheral edge (outer edge) of the transfer table 2.

  Further, a linear linear feeder 5 that conveys the workpiece W toward the conveyance table 2 in the direction of arrow B is disposed outside the conveyance table 2. The terminal portion of the linear feeder 5 is located at the peripheral edge of the transfer table 2, and the separation supply unit 6 serving as a separation supply unit for individually storing the workpieces W in the workpiece storage holes 4 is installed there as described above.

  When the conveyance table 2 rotates intermittently with the workpiece W stored in the workpiece storage hole 4, the workpiece W is transferred in the direction of arrow A. The direction discriminating unit 7 discriminates the direction of the workpiece W, the direction converting unit 8 converts the direction of the workpiece W based on the discrimination result of the direction discriminating unit 7, the inspection unit 9 performs the characteristic inspection of the workpiece W, and the classification discharge. The unit 10 classifies the workpieces W into predetermined grades based on the inspection result in the inspection unit 9 and discharges them toward discharge boxes (not shown) corresponding to the respective grades. The upper surface of the work storage hole 4 is covered with a table cover 21 in the rotation path of the transport table 2 from the separation supply unit 6 to the classification discharge unit 10. Furthermore, a guard wall 22 having a shape surrounding the conveyance table 2 is provided along the outer periphery of the conveyance table 2.

  Here, the workpiece W is a light emitting diode (LED) having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The light emitting surface Wa is formed on one of the four surfaces forming the longitudinal direction, and the surface (electrode surface) Wb adjacent to the light emitting surface Wa is formed. Electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 are formed (see FIG. 2). The electrode Wc1 is an anode and the electrode Wc2 is a cathode. When a DC voltage is applied between the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 so that the electrode Wc1 side is positive, the light emitting surface Wa emits light. Polarity indications Wx of the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 are provided at the corners of the light emitting surface Wa. In the case of FIG. 2, the electrode Wc2 close to the polarity display Wx is the cathode. As described above, an LED having an electrode formed on the surface adjacent to the light emitting surface is called a side view LED, and many products are commercially available.

  An enlarged perspective view of the work storage hole 4 is shown in FIGS. However, for simplicity, the table cover 21 and the guard wall 22 are omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, each workpiece storage hole 4 includes a first hole 4 a having an opening 41 </ b> A directed outward from the transfer table 2, and a position closer to the outer side of the transfer table 2 than the first hole 4 a. A second hole 4b having a second opening 41B orthogonal to the first hole 4a in the opening 41A of the first hole 4a is located on the side. The lower surface of the work storage hole 4 is the upper surface of the table base 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, the first opening 41 </ b> A of the first hole 4 a of the work storage hole 4 extends inward from the outer edge 2 </ b> A of the transfer table 2 in the transfer direction A, and is in the transfer direction. The workpiece W is accommodated so as to take a posture orthogonal to A. The second opening 41B of the second hole 4b extends along the outer edge 2A of the transfer table 2 in parallel with the transfer direction A and accommodates the workpiece W so as to take a posture extending in parallel with the transfer direction A.

  And the workpiece | work storage hole 4 consists of the 1st hole 4a and the 2nd hole 4b, and has planar T shape.

Further, the first hole 4a is formed from the wall surfaces 4a ₁ , 4a ₂ , 4a ₃ , and the workpiece W has one end face Wd or We in the longitudinal direction in FIG. 2 facing the outside of the transport table 2 from the first opening 41A. In the posture, it is housed in the first hole 4a. At this time, if the work W is stored in the first hole 4a so that the light emitting surface Wa is positioned on the lower surface, friction with the table base 1 may occur during intermittent rotation, and the light emitting surface Wa may be damaged. Further, when the light-emitting surface Wa to the wall surface 4a ₁ and 4a ₂ in the first hole 4a is accommodated a workpiece W so as to face, since the conveying table 2 is intermittently rotated in the direction of arrow A, fire when started or stopped rotating The surface Wa may collide with the wall surface 4a ₁ or 4a ₂ to damage the light emitting surface Wa. In addition, the position where the sensor for inspecting the wavelength, the luminance, etc. is installed facing the light emitting surface Wa in the inspection unit 9 is preferably on the upper side or the lower side of the transport table 2.

For these reasons, when the workpiece W is stored in the workpiece storage hole 4 by the separation supply unit 6, the workpiece W is stored such that the light emitting surface Wa is positioned on the upper surface of the first hole 4a. At this time, a surface Wb of the electrode Wc1 and Wc2 are formed in FIG. 2, depending on whether one of the end faces Wd and We face outward of the transfer table 2, that faces the one of the wall surface 4a ₁ or 4a ₂ become.

Further, the second hole 4b is used for storing the one obtained by rotating the direction of the workpiece W in the first hole 4a by 90 ° by the direction changing portion 8. Also, in FIG. 3, among the wall surfaces constituting the first hole 4a, a communication groove 4a ₄ is opened at a location near the table base 1 of the wall surface 4a ₃ located on the opposite side of the outer edge 2A of the transport table 2. .

The communication groove 4 a ₄ extends toward the central axis 3 in FIG. 1 on the surface of the transport table 2 on the table base 1 side. The separation supply unit 6, the direction determination unit 7, and the direction conversion unit 8 communicate with a vacuum source or a compressed air source installed in the table base 1, and the inside of the first hole 4 a is vacuum-sucked or the first hole It has the effect | action which supplies compressed air in 4a.

Further, among the wall surfaces constituting the second hole 4b, a communication groove 4b ₄ is opened at a location near the table base 1 of the wall surface 4b ₁ located inside the transfer table 2. The communication groove 4b ₄ communicates with the vacuum source installed in the table base 1 in the direction changing portion 8, and has a function of vacuum suction in the second hole 4b.

  Next, the direction determination unit 7 and the direction conversion unit 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. The direction discriminating unit 7 discriminates the direction of the workpiece W in the first hole 4a. Here, FIG. 8 is a view in the direction of the arrow M in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, a monitor window 71 made of a transparent material is formed on the table cover 21 in the direction determination unit 7 at a location facing the upper surface of the workpiece W accommodated in the first hole 4a. Above the monitor window 71, an imaging unit 72 capable of imaging the light emitting surface Wa of the workpiece W housed in the first hole 4a is installed, and the imaging unit 72 is supported by a support column 73 above the imaging unit 72. .

  The support column 73 is bent directly above the image pickup means 72 toward the outside of the transfer table 2, and the support column 73 is not shown in the figure, but is bent again toward the table base 1 side above the transfer table 2 and connected to the table base 1. Has been.

Further, the communicating groove 4a ₄ of the first hole 4a is connected to a vacuum source (not shown) installed in the table base 1, the workpiece W housed in the first hole 4a is adsorbed on the wall surface 4a _3. In the direction determination unit 7 shows the case where the surface Wb of the electrode Wc1 and Wc2 of the workpiece W is formed are housed opposite to the wall surface 4a ₂ of the first hole 4a in a perspective view (see FIG. 6). Further, a case where the surface Wb of the electrode Wc1 and Wc2 of the workpiece W is formed are housed opposite to the wall surface 4a ₁ of the first hole 4a in a perspective view (see FIG. 7). However, for the sake of simplicity, the table cover 21 and the guard wall 22 are omitted in these perspective views.

In FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the position of the polarity display Wx indicating the cathode provided on the light emitting surface Wa is different. Accordingly, the direction of the workpiece W in the first hole 4a is obtained by imaging the light emitting surface Wa by the imaging device 72 in FIG. 8 and determining the position of the polarity display Wx shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 using image processing software. That is, it can be determined which of the wall surfaces 4a ₂ and 4a ₁ the surface Wb faces.

  Thus, after the direction discriminating unit 7 discriminates the direction of the work W in the first hole 4 a, the transport table 2 rotates again and transports the work W toward the direction changing unit 8.

  Next, the direction changing unit 8 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 9A shows an enlarged plan view of the direction conversion unit 8. However, the position of the arrow N in FIG. 1 is shown on the left side in FIG. FIG. 9B shows a perspective view in the direction of arrow P in FIG.

  In FIGS. 9A and 9B, the transfer table 2 is stopped, but the work W is not stored in the first hole 4a. A circular sensor window 82 made of a transparent material is provided on the table cover 21 in the direction changing portion 8 at a location facing the upper surface of the work storage hole 4. A stop groove 81a having the same shape as the first hole 4a is formed at a position of the guard wall 22 facing the first hole 4a.

  The stop groove 81a has a shape that can store the workpiece W in the same posture as the first hole 4a. The optical sensor 83 is supported by the support column 88 at a position directly above the stop groove 81 a on the upper side of the sensor window 82.

  The support column 88 extends toward the outside of the transfer table 2 and is not shown in the figure, but is bent toward the table base 1 again above the outside of the transfer table 2 and connected to the table base 1. The optical sensor 83 irradiates light toward the stop groove 81a and detects reflected light to detect whether or not the workpiece W is stored in the stop groove 81a.

  In the table base 1 below the work storage hole 4 and the stop groove 81a, a cylindrical rotary shaft 84 that rotates in the same plane as the transfer table 2 by the action of a drive mechanism (not shown) is installed. The inside of the rotating shaft 84 is hollow, and the upper end surface 84a of the rotating shaft 84 is substantially flush with the upper surface of the table base 1. The rotation direction of the rotary shaft 84 can be either clockwise or counterclockwise when the upper end surface 84 a is viewed from above the table base 1.

  Inside the rotating shaft 84, a suction nozzle 85 is inserted from below the rotating shaft 84 so as to be rotatable integrally with the rotating shaft 84 by the action of a drive mechanism (not shown) and to be able to advance and retreat in the vertical direction within the rotating shaft 84. .

  Detailed structures of the rotary shaft 84 and the suction nozzle 85 are shown in FIGS. 10 shows the structure of each of the rotary shaft 84 and the suction nozzle 85 and the positional relationship when the suction nozzle 85 is inserted into the rotary shaft 84. FIG. 11 shows that the suction nozzle 85 is inserted into the rotary shaft 84 and integrated. The state when it is done is shown.

  In FIG. 10, a work drawing hole 84 b having a shape capable of storing the work W is formed in the upper end surface 84 a of the rotation shaft 84 so as to communicate with the cavity inside the rotation shaft 84. Further, a vacuum suction groove 84c that is recessed inward from the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 84 is formed around the side surface of the rotating shaft 84 at a position slightly away from the upper end surface 84a at the peripheral portion of the rotating shaft 84. Has been. On the wall surface of the vacuum suction groove 84c, two sets of shaft suction holes 84d communicating with the inside of the rotary shaft 84 are formed, that is, four places so as to face diagonally when the upper end surface 84a is viewed from the direction of the arrow Q1. ing. Further, a tip portion 85a having a shape that can be inserted into the workpiece drawing hole 84b is formed at the upper end of the suction nozzle 85, and two tip suction holes 85b are formed on the upper surface 85as of the tip portion 85a. The shape of the upper surface 85as of the tip end portion 85a is substantially the same as the shape of the light emitting surface Wa of the workpiece W shown in FIG.

  Two wall surfaces 85c are formed on the peripheral edge portion of the suction nozzle 85 in the same plane as both longitudinal end surfaces of the tip end portion 85a. Further, the nozzle suction hole 85d communicating with the tip suction hole 85b inside the suction nozzle 85 is located on the wall surface 85c close to the boundary line between the tip portion 85a and the wall surface 85c when the upper surface 85as is viewed from the direction of the arrow Q2. Two points are formed so as to face each other diagonally.

  Similarly, two nozzle suction holes 85d are formed on the side surface of the suction nozzle 85 where the wall surface 85c is not formed so as to face diagonally when the upper surface 85as is viewed from the upper side. When the suction nozzle 85 is inserted in the direction of arrow R from the lower side of the rotation shaft 84, the tip end portion 85a of the suction nozzle 85 is inserted into the work drawing hole 84b of the rotation shaft 84, and integrated as shown in FIG. Is done. At this time, the nozzle suction hole 85d of the suction nozzle 85 is substantially the same as the shaft suction hole 84d of the rotation shaft 84 in a state where the upper surface 85as of the tip 85a of the suction nozzle 85 and the upper end surface 84a of the rotation shaft 84 are in the same plane. Become position.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment having such a configuration, that is, a work conveyance inspection method will be described.

  In FIG. 1, when a workpiece W is supplied to a parts feeder (not shown), the workpiece W is transferred to the linear feeder 5 with its longitudinal direction as a traveling direction due to its action. The linear feeder 5 conveys the workpiece in the direction of arrow B by vibration, and aligns the light emitting surface Wa of the workpiece W shown in FIG. 2 with the upper surface side of the linear feeder 5 by an alignment means (not shown). This state is shown in FIG. 4 as an enlarged plan perspective view of the region T in FIG.

  On the other hand, the surface Wb on which the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 of the workpiece W are formed in FIG. 2 is located on either the side seen from the arrow L1 direction or the side seen from the arrow L2 direction in FIG. An example of this state is shown in FIG. 5 as an enlarged perspective view taken along arrow L2 in FIG. In FIG. 5, among the workpieces W conveyed by the linear feeder 5, the first, third, and fourth workpieces W counted from the right side have the surface Wb facing the side viewed from the direction of the arrow L2.

In such a state, the workpieces W continuously conveyed by one line by the linear feeder 5 reach the terminal end portion of the linear feeder 5 and reach the end of the first hole 4a of the workpiece storage hole 4 at the peripheral edge of the conveyance table 2 that is stopped. Opposite the opening 41A. And the workpiece | work W is isolate | separated one by one by the effect | action of the separation supply part 6 installed in this opposing part. Further, while the transfer table 2 is stopped at the separation supply unit 6, the communication groove 4a ₄ shown in FIG. 3 communicates with a vacuum source (not shown) installed in the table base 1, and the inside of the first hole 4a is vacuumed. Therefore, the workpiece W is accommodated in the first hole 4a as shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. At this time, since the upper surface of the transfer table 2 facing the separation supply unit 6 is covered with the table cover 21 as described above, the inside of the work storage hole 4 is kept hermetically sealed, and vacuum suction is performed efficiently. Is called.

Next, the conveyance table 2 rotates intermittently in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 1, and when the workpiece W reaches the direction determination unit 7, the conveyance table 2 stops. Such intermittent rotation is performed between the separation supply unit 6, the direction determination unit 7, the direction conversion unit 8, the inspection unit 9, and the classification discharge unit 10. During the intermittent rotation, the communication groove 4 a ₄ shown in FIG. 3 is used. Does not communicate with the vacuum source, a centrifugal force acts on the workpiece W in the first hole 4a.

  However, since the guard wall 22 shown in FIG. 1 is provided, the workpiece W does not jump out of the transfer table 2 from the first hole 4a. In addition, since the table cover 21 covers the upper surface of the work storage hole 4, the work W does not jump out from the first hole 4a to the upper side of the transfer table 2 due to vibration generated during intermittent rotation.

  As described above, when the workpiece W reaches the direction determination unit 7, the transport table 2 stops. Then, the light emitting surface Wa of the workpiece W is imaged by the imaging means 72 of the direction determination unit 7, and the position of the polarity display Wx is determined, whereby the direction of the workpiece W in the first hole 4a is determined. Thereafter, the transfer table 2 rotates again, and the workpiece W is sent to the direction changing unit 8.

  Next, the operation of the direction changing unit 8 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. Here, FIGS. 12A and 12B show a state in which the workpiece storage hole 4 stops at the direction changing portion 8 shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B in a state where the workpiece W is stored in the first hole 4a. Show. FIGS. 13A and 13B are enlarged views of the vicinity of the workpiece W in FIGS. 12A and 12B.

As shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the communication groove 4 a ₄ in the first hole _{4 a} is connected to the switching valve 87 a via a control pipe 86 a installed in the table base 1. A vacuum source 11 and a compressed air source 12 are installed in the table base 1, and the switching valve 87 a has a function of connecting the control pipe 86 a to the vacuum source 11 or the compressed air source 12. In FIG. 13 (b), the switching valve 87a is connected to the control pipe 86a to a vacuum source 11 side, Therefore the first hole 4a is vacuum suction, the workpiece W is sucked to the wall 4a _3.

  In this case, since the upper surface of the first hole 4a is covered with the table cover 21, the inside of the first hole 4a is kept hermetically sealed and vacuum suction is performed efficiently. The communication groove 81 c that opens to the wall surface 81 b in the stop groove 81 a extends toward the outside of the transport table 2 on the lower surface of the guard wall 22 in the direction changing portion 8, and is a control pipe installed in the table base 1. It is connected to the switching valve 87b via 86b. The switching valve 87b does not connect the control pipe 86b to either the vacuum source 11 or the compressed air source 12. In the following description, this state is called neutral. Further, the longitudinal direction of the tip end portion 85a of the suction nozzle 85 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the first hole 4a.

(Initial position of suction nozzle 85)
And the one end surface of the longitudinal direction of the front-end | tip part 85a is located on the substantially same plane as the wall surface 81b of the stop groove 81a. Further, the upper end surface 84a of the rotating shaft 84 and the upper surface 85as (see FIG. 10) of the tip end portion 85a of the suction nozzle 85 are substantially flush with the upper surface of the table base 1. This is the initial position of the suction nozzle 85. Further, the shaft suction hole 84d shown in FIG. 10 is connected to the switching valve 87c via the nozzle suction hole 85d and a control pipe 86c installed in the table base 1. The switching valve 87c is neutral.

Further, the two communication holes 4b ₄ in the second hole 4b shown in FIG. 13A are provided with a vacuum groove (not shown) provided on the lower surface of the transfer table 2 and a pipe (not shown) provided in the table base 1. Via, it is connected to the vacuum source 11 shown in FIG. Thereby, the inside of the 2nd hole 4b is always vacuum-sucked. In addition, since the upper surface of the 2nd hole 4b is covered with the table cover 21, the inside of the 2nd hole 4b is maintained airtight, and vacuum suction is performed efficiently.

From the state of FIGS. 13A and 13B, the switching valve 87 a is connected to the compressed air source 12, and the switching valve 87 b is connected to the vacuum source 11. This is shown in FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b). In FIG. 14B, compressed air is supplied into the first hole 4a by the action of the switching valves 87a and 87b, and the inside of the stop groove 81a is vacuum-sucked, so that the workpiece W is stopped from the first hole 4a to the stop groove 81a. The movement in the direction of arrow H is started. In this case, the communication groove 4a ₄ functions as an air ejection device. Furthermore, the state when time has passed is shown in FIGS. 15 (a) and 15 (b).

  As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the workpiece W comes into contact with the wall surface 81b in the stop groove 81a and stops, and is stored in the stop groove 81a. In this state, both longitudinal end faces (Wd and We in FIG. 2) of the workpiece W are substantially flush with the longitudinal end faces of the tip 85a of the suction nozzle 85. Then, the reflection of the light applied toward the stop groove 81a from the optical sensor 83 disposed on the upper side of the transparent sensor window 82 formed immediately above the stop groove 81a causes the workpiece W to enter the stop groove 81a. Since it changes depending on the storage, the optical sensor 83 detects this change and detects that the workpiece W is stored in the stop groove 81a. The switching valves 87 a and 87 b are neutral, and the switching valve 87 c is connected to the vacuum source 11. Thereby, the work W in the stop groove 81a is vacuum-sucked to the upper surface 85as (see FIG. 10) of the tip end portion 85a of the suction nozzle 85. A state immediately after this state is shown in FIGS.

(Retraction position of the suction nozzle 85)
In FIG. 16B, the suction nozzle 85 descends in the direction of the arrow J in the rotating shaft 84 by the action of a drive mechanism (not shown) while the work W is sucked. That is, the suction nozzle 85 moves downward in a state perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport table 2 and the longitudinal direction of the work W while the work W is sucked. When the light emitting surface Wa, which is the upper surface of the workpiece W, reaches slightly below the upper surface of the table base 1, it stops. Then, the suction nozzle 85 takes a retracted position. This state is shown in FIGS. 17 (a) and 17 (b).

Next, due to the action of a drive mechanism (not shown), the suction nozzle 85 rotates 90 ° clockwise (in the direction of the arrow K) as shown in FIG. A state where the rotation is completed is shown in FIGS. Here, the surface Wb of the electrode Wc1 and Wc2 of the workpiece W is formed, in advance opposite to the wall surface 4a ₂ shown in FIG. 3 in a state of being accommodated in the first hole 4a as shown in FIG. For this reason, when such clockwise rotation is completed, the surface Wb is directed to the outside of the transport table 2 as shown in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the second hole 4b is located immediately above the workpiece W in the table base 1, and the longitudinal direction thereof coincides with the longitudinal direction of the workpiece W.

  When the rotation of the workpiece W is completed as described above, as shown in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the suction nozzle 85 sucks the workpiece W, and the inside of the rotary shaft 84 is moved to an arrow by the action of a drive mechanism (not shown). Ascend in the Y direction. Then, when the upper surface 85as (see FIG. 10) of the tip end portion 85a of the suction nozzle 85 coincides with the upper surface of the table base 1, it stops and the switching valve 87c becomes neutral (initial position of the suction nozzle 85).

This state is shown in FIGS. 21 (a) and 21 (b), the workpiece W is accommodated in the second hole 4b, and the two communication grooves 4b ₄ in the second hole 4b shown in FIG. It is connected to the vacuum source 11 shown in b). As a result, the workpiece W in the second hole 4b is vacuum-sucked, and the surface Wb of the workpiece W on which the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 are formed faces the outer side of the transfer table 2. Further, the light emitting surface Wa of the workpiece W faces the upper side of the second hole 4b. The state of the workpiece W thus housed in the second hole 4b is shown in FIG. 22 as a perspective view. As shown in FIGS. 21 (a) and 21 (b), the workpiece W is accommodated in the second hole 4b and is sucked by vacuum, and the switching valve 87c is neutralized. (See FIG. 10).

  21 (a) and 21 (b), the suction nozzle 85 rotates 90 ° integrally with the rotary shaft 84 in the counterclockwise direction (the direction opposite to the arrow K shown in FIG. 18). When the rotation is completed, the suction nozzle 85 returns to the initial position shown in FIGS.

In the above description, the surface Wb of the electrode Wc1 and Wc2 of the workpiece W is formed faces the wall surface 4a ₂ of the first hole 4a as shown in FIG. 6, the suction nozzle 85 and the rotating shaft 84 in FIG. 18 Although a is clockwise, in the direction determination unit 7, it determines that the surface Wb of the electrode Wc1 and Wc2 of the workpiece W is formed is opposed to the wall surface 4a ₁ of the first hole 4a as shown in FIG. 7 In this case, the rotation direction of the suction nozzle 85 and the rotary shaft 84 that have sucked the workpiece W in the direction conversion unit 8 is counterclockwise (the direction opposite to the arrow K shown in FIG. 18).

  Thereafter, the transfer table 2 rotates and the workpiece W is sent to the inspection unit 9. When the workpiece W reaches the inspection section 9, the transport table 2 stops, and the inspection section 9 causes the probes 92a and 92b to contact the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 of the workpiece W to perform optical characteristic inspection (FIG. 23). Thru | or FIG. 29).

  In the optical property inspection in the inspection unit 9, a direct-current voltage is applied between the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 to cause the light emitting surface Wa to emit light, and the wavelength, brightness, etc. of the light are measured by a sensor provided facing the light emitting surface Wa. This is to inspect the optical characteristics.

  Thereafter, the probes 92a and 92b are separated from the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 of the workpiece W, the transport table 2 is rotated again, and the workpiece W is sent to the classification discharge unit 10.

  The work W that has reached the classification discharge unit 10 is classified into a predetermined grade that is determined in advance based on the result of the optical characteristic inspection performed in the inspection unit 9. And it discharges by the effect | action of the discharge mechanism which is not shown toward the discharge box which is not shown corresponding to each grade.

  Next, the operations of the direction conversion unit 8 and the inspection unit 9 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 30 is a time chart relating to the operation of the direction conversion unit 8 and the inspection unit 9. While “table rotation / stop” in FIG. 30 is at the H level, the conveyance table 2 rotates, and while the “table rotation / stop” is at the L level, the conveyance table 2 is stopped. While the “inspection” is at the H level, as shown in FIGS. 24 to 28, the inspection section 9 makes the probes 92a and 92b contact the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 of the workpiece W to perform the optical characteristic inspection. 92a and 92b are separated from the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 of the workpiece W. Further, while the “work movement” is at the H level, the work W is moved from the first hole 4a to the stop groove 82a in the direction changing portion 8 as shown in FIGS.

  Further, while the “work descending” is at the H level, as shown in FIG. 15 to FIG. 17, the work W is attracted to the suction nozzle 85 in the direction changing portion 8, and the rotary shaft 84 is lowered. Further, while “work rotation” is at the H level, as shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the work W is sucked by the suction nozzle 85 in the direction changing section 8 and is rotated 90 ° integrally with the rotary shaft 84. Further, while the “work lift” is at the H level, as shown in FIG. 19 to FIG. 21, the work W is lifted up by the suction nozzle 85 in the direction changing portion 8, and the rotary shaft 84 is lifted. Further, while the “nozzle rotation return” is at the H level, as shown in FIGS. 21 to 13, in the state where the work W is stored in the second hole 4 b in the direction changing unit 8 and the suction nozzle 85 opens the work W, Return to the initial position.

  In FIG. 30, the required time t1 of the inspection in the inspection unit 9 is approximately the same as the required time t1 (FIG. 46) in the prior art and is 130 ms. The reason is that each required time is the sum of the time required for the advancement / retraction of the probe and the time required for the measurement in a state where the probe is in contact with the electrode. Here, “work movement” at the required time t2 in FIG. 30, “work lowering” at the required time t3, “work rotation” at the required time t4, “work rise” at the required time t5, and “nozzle rotation return” at the required time t6. "Is an operation in the direction changing unit 8. These operations are performed in parallel with the inspection in the inspection unit 9 while the transport table 2 is stopped.

  As an example of the time required for each operation in the direction changing unit 8, there are t2 = 10 ms, t3 = 20 ms, t4 = 20 ms, t5 = 20 ms, t6 = 20 ms, and the total of these is t2 + t3 + t4 + t5 + t6 = 90 ms. This time is shorter than the time required for the inspection in the inspection unit 9.

  Thus, in the present invention, the operation of the direction conversion unit 8 is performed in parallel with the operation of the inspection unit 9, and the operation time of the direction conversion unit 8 is shorter than the operation time of the inspection unit 9. For this reason, in FIG. 30, T1 which is the stop time of the conveyance table 2, that is, the substantial inspection time is 130 ms which is equal to t1 which is the time for the inspection unit 9 to perform the inspection itself. In FIG. 46 which shows a time chart of a comparative example which will be described later, T2 which is the stop time of the transport table 200, that is, the substantial inspection time is the work W with respect to t1 which is the time when the inspection unit 900 performs the inspection itself. This is a time obtained by adding the times t7 and t8 to move from the work storage hole 400, and increases by about 38%.

  On the other hand, in the case of the present invention, as described above, T1, which is the stop time of the transport table 2, that is, the substantial inspection time is increased from t1, which is the time for performing the inspection itself in the inspection unit 9. There is no. For this reason, the overall work efficiency can be improved.

Note in the above-described embodiment, surface Wb of the electrode Wc1 and Wc2 of the separating supply unit 6 is accommodated in the first hole 4a workpiece W is formed, as opposed to one of the wall surface 4a ₁ or 4a ₂ As described above, when the workpiece W is conveyed by the linear feeder 5, the direction of the surface Wb is aligned in advance, and the surface Wb of the workpiece W stored in the first hole 4a in the separation supply unit 6 is, for example, the wall surface 4a _2. It is also possible to always face each other. In this case, the direction discriminating unit 7 is omitted, and the direction in which the suction nozzle 85 rotates 90 ° together with the rotary shaft 84 in the state where the suction nozzle 85 sucks the workpiece W in the direction conversion unit 8 is always clockwise.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the inspection item in the test | inspection part 9 was demonstrated as an optical characteristic, the test item in the test | inspection part 9 is not limited to an optical characteristic.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an apparatus in which one inspection unit 9 is arranged as an inspection unit has been described. However, the number of inspection units is not limited to one.

  Further, in the above embodiment, after the inspection unit 9, the work is classified into predetermined grades determined in advance based on the result of the inspection performed in the inspection unit 9, and a discharge box (not shown) corresponding to each grade The apparatus provided with the classification discharge unit 10 that discharges toward the head has been described. Here, instead of the classification discharge unit 10, a discharge unit that classifies the workpiece W into a non-defective product and a defective product based on the result of the inspection and discharges them to the corresponding discharge boxes may be arranged. After the workpieces are classified and only defective products are discharged, a taping unit for inserting the non-defective product into the concave portion of the carrier tape and applying the cover tape may be arranged.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where the conveyance table 2 was installed horizontally was demonstrated, it is applicable also when the conveyance table 2 is installed vertically, or is installed inclining. Is possible.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the example using the circular conveyance table 2 rotated as a conveyance body was shown, you may use the endless conveyance belt rotated as a conveyance body.

Comparative Example Next, a comparative example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 31 shows a plan view of a workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus according to a comparative example. The workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus X1 includes a fixed table base 1 and a circular conveyance table 200 which is a conveyance body as a conveyance unit disposed on the table base 1. The transport table 200 is intermittently moved, that is, intermittently rotated clockwise (in the direction of arrow A) around the central axis 3 by the action of a driving mechanism (not shown). A plurality of workpiece storage holes 400 for individually storing workpieces W are provided at the peripheral edge of the transfer table 200.

  A linear linear feeder 500 that conveys the workpiece W in the direction of arrow B toward the conveyance table 200 is disposed outside the conveyance table 200. The end portion of the linear feeder 500 is located at the peripheral edge of the transfer table 200, and a separation supply unit 600 serving as a separation supply unit for individually storing the workpieces in the workpiece storage holes 400 is installed therein. When the transfer table 200 rotates intermittently while the work is stored in the work storage hole 400, the work is transferred in the direction of arrow A. An inspection unit 900 as an inspection unit and a classification discharge unit 10 as a classification discharge unit are arranged along the conveyance path. The inspection unit 900 performs a characteristic inspection of the workpiece, and the classification discharge unit 10 classifies the workpiece into predetermined grades based on the inspection result in the inspection unit 900 and discharges the workpieces toward discharge boxes (not shown) corresponding to the respective grades.

  The upper surface of the work storage hole 400 is covered with the table cover 21 in the rotation path of the transport table 200 from the separation supply unit 600 to the classification discharge unit 10. Furthermore, a guard wall 22 having a shape surrounding the conveyance table 200 is provided along the outer periphery of the conveyance table 200.

  Here, the work W is a rectangular parallelepiped light emitting diode (LED). The light emitting surface Wa is formed on one of the four surfaces forming the longitudinal direction, and the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 are formed on the surface Wb adjacent to the light emitting surface Wa. Is formed (see FIG. 2). The electrode Wc1 is an anode and the electrode Wc2 is a cathode. When a DC voltage is applied between the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 so that the electrode Wc1 side is positive, the light emitting surface Wa emits light. Polarity indications Wx of the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 are provided at the corners of the light emitting surface Wa. In the case of FIG. 2, the electrode Wc2 close to the polarity display Wx is the cathode. As described above, an LED having an electrode formed on the surface adjacent to the light emitting surface is called a side view LED, and many products are commercially available.

  An enlarged perspective view of the work storage hole 400 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 32, the work storage hole 400 has an opening 401 facing outward from the transfer table 200. The lower surface of the work storage hole 400 is the upper surface of the table base 1. Further, by forming the opening 401 by the wall surfaces 402, 403, and 404, the workpiece W has a posture in which one end face Wd or We in the longitudinal direction in FIG. 2 faces the outside of the transport table 200 from the opening 401. It is stored in the work storage hole 400. Here, since the light emitting surface Wa of the workpiece W is made of a transparent resin, care must be taken not to damage the workpiece W during transportation. In the characteristic inspection in the inspection unit, a direct-current voltage is applied between the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 to cause the light emitting surface Wa to emit light and to inspect optical characteristics such as light wavelength and luminance. Therefore, it is necessary to install a sensor that performs these inspections facing the light emitting surface Wa.

  Here, if the work W is stored so that the light emitting surface Wa is positioned on the lower surface among the surfaces surrounding the work storage hole 400, friction with the table base 1 may occur during intermittent rotation, and the light emitting surface Wa may be damaged. is there. Further, when the workpiece W is stored so that the light emitting surface Wa faces the wall surface 402 or 403, the transport table 200 rotates intermittently in the direction of arrow A, so that the light emitting surface Wa is moved to the wall surface 402 or 403 at the start or stop of rotation. There is a risk of colliding and damaging the light emitting surface Wa.

  On the other hand, the position where the sensor for inspecting the wavelength, the luminance, etc. is installed facing the light emitting surface Wa in the inspection unit 900 is preferably on the upper side or the lower side of the transport table 200. For these reasons, when the workpiece W is stored in the workpiece storage hole 400, the workpiece W is stored so that the light emitting surface Wa is positioned on the upper surface of the workpiece storage hole 400. At this time, the surface Wb on which the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 are formed faces either the wall surface 402 or 403 depending on which of the end surfaces Wd and We faces the outside of the transfer table 200 from the opening 401. However, here, from the positional relationship between probes 903a and 903b and electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 installed in the inspection unit 900, which will be described later, as shown in FIG. It is stored so that the surface Wb faces the wall surface 403.

  Further, in FIG. 32, a communication hole 405 is opened at a location close to the table base 1 of the wall surface 404 located on the opposite side of the opening 401 among the wall surfaces constituting the work storage hole 400. The communication hole 405 communicates with a vacuum source or a compressed air source in the separation supply unit 600, the inspection unit 900, the classification discharge unit 10, etc., and vacuum-sucks the work storage hole 400 or supplies compressed air into the work storage hole 400. It has the effect | action which supplies.

  Next, the operation of the comparative example having such a configuration will be described in detail below. In FIG. 31, when the workpiece W is supplied to a parts feeder (not shown), the workpiece W is transferred to the linear feeder 500 by its action with the longitudinal direction as the traveling direction. Then, the linear feeder 500 conveys the workpiece W in the direction of arrow B by vibration, and aligns the light emitting surface Wa of the workpiece W shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the surface Wb of the workpiece W on which the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 are formed is aligned with the side viewed from the arrow L. These states are shown in FIG. 34 as an enlarged plan perspective view of the region T in FIG. 31 and in FIG. 35 as an arrow L enlarged perspective view in FIG. 34 and 35, the workpieces W that are continuously conveyed in a line by the linear feeder 500 with the surface directions aligned reach the end portion of the linear feeder 500 and are moved at the peripheral edge of the conveying table 200 that is stopped. It faces the opening 401 of the storage hole 400.

  Then, the workpieces W are separated one by one by the action of the separation supply unit 600 installed in the facing portion, and further, the communication hole 405 shown in FIG. Is communicated with a vacuum source (not shown), and the inside of the work storage hole 400 is vacuumed. Therefore, the work W is stored in the work storage hole 400 as shown in FIG. At this time, since the upper surface of the transfer table 200 facing the separation supply unit 600 is covered with the table cover 21 as described above, the inside of the work storage hole 400 is kept hermetically sealed and vacuum suction is performed efficiently. Is called.

  Next, when the conveyance table 200 rotates intermittently and the workpiece W reaches the inspection unit 900, the conveyance table 200 stops. Such intermittent rotation is performed between the separation supply unit 6, the inspection unit 900, and the classification discharge unit 10, and the communication hole 405 shown in FIG. 32 does not communicate with the vacuum source during the intermittent rotation. Centrifugal force acts on the workpiece W in the workpiece storage hole 400. However, since the guard wall 22 shown in FIG. 31 is provided, the workpiece W does not jump out of the transfer table 200 from the workpiece storage hole 400. In addition, since the table cover 21 covers the upper surface of the work storage hole 400, the work W does not jump out of the work storage hole 400 above the transfer table 200 due to vibration generated during intermittent rotation.

  The configuration and operation of the inspection unit 900 will be described as an enlarged plan view with reference to FIGS. Here, for simplicity, the table cover 21 and the guard wall 22 are omitted in FIGS. FIG. 36 shows a state immediately before the conveyance table 200 rotates intermittently in the direction of arrow A to convey the workpiece W toward the inspection unit 900 and stop at the inspection unit 900. In the inspection unit 900, an inspection unit block 901 is disposed outside the conveyance table 200, and in the inspection unit block 901, at a position facing the opening 401 of the work storage hole 400 when the conveyance table 200 stops. An inspection chamber 902 having a shape capable of drawing and storing the workpiece W from the workpiece storage hole 400 to the outside of the transfer table 200 is formed. Further, in the inspection unit block 901, a DC voltage source (not shown) is connected to the rear side of the rotation direction (arrow A) of the transfer table 200 with respect to the inspection room 902, and the inspection room 902 is operated by an action of a driving mechanism (not shown). Probes 903a and 903b that can move forward and backward are installed.

  A communication hole 905 is provided at a position adjacent to the table base 1 on the wall surface 904 farthest from the work storage hole 400 in the wall surface of the inspection chamber 902. The communication hole 905 is connected to a switching valve 907 via a control pipe 906 installed in the table base 1, and the switching valve 907 connects the control pipe 906 to a vacuum source 908 or a compressed air source 909.

  That is, when the switching valve 907 connects the control pipe 906 and the vacuum source 908, the inside of the inspection chamber 902 is vacuum-sucked, and when the switching valve 907 connects the control pipe 906 and the compressed air source 909, compressed air is introduced into the inspection chamber 902. Supplied. Further, the switching valve 907 can be in a state where the control pipe 906 is not connected to either the vacuum source 908 or the compressed air source 909.

  In the following description, this state is called neutral. In the case of neutrality, the inside of the inspection chamber 902 is not vacuumed and the compressed air is not supplied into the inspection chamber 902. In this case, since the inspection chamber 902 is provided in the inspection unit block 901, the inside thereof is kept hermetically sealed, and vacuum suction and compressed air supply are efficiently performed. Further, a communication hole 405 (see FIG. 32) provided in the wall surface 404 in the work storage hole 400 is a control pipe 910 disposed in the table base 1 while the work storage hole 400 is located in the vicinity of the inspection unit 900. The switching valve 911 is connected to the vacuum source 908 and the compressed air source 909. That is, when the switching valve 911 connects the control pipe 910 and the vacuum source 908, the inside of the work storage hole 400 is vacuumed, and when the switching valve 911 connects the control pipe 910 and the compressed air source 909, the work storage hole 400 is compressed. Air is supplied. Further, the switching valve 911 can be in a state where the control pipe 910 is not connected to either the vacuum source 908 or the compressed air source 909.

  As in the case of the switching valve 907, this state is referred to as neutral in the following description. In the neutral state, the work storage hole 400 is not vacuum-sucked, and compressed air is not supplied into the work storage hole 400. In this case, since the table cover 21 covers the upper surface of the work storage hole 400 as described above, the inside of the work storage hole 400 is kept airtight, and vacuum suction and compressed air supply are efficiently performed.

  In FIG. 36, the probes 903a and 903b are stopped. The switching valve 907 is neutral, and the switching valve 911 is connected to the vacuum source 908. FIG. 37 shows a state immediately after the transport table 200 stops at the inspection unit 900. The opening 401 of the work storage hole 400 in which the work W is stored faces the inspection chamber 902. At this time, since the inside of the work storage hole 400 is vacuumed, the work W is held in the work storage hole 400.

  Here, the switching valve 907 is switched and connected to the vacuum source 908, and the switching valve 911 is switched and connected to the compressed air source 909. FIG. 38 shows a state immediately after this switching is performed. By switching, the inside of the inspection chamber 902 is vacuumed and compressed air is supplied into the work storage hole 400, so that the work W starts to move from the work storage hole 400 toward the inspection chamber 902 in the direction of arrow C. .

  When a further time elapses from this state, the work W is taken out from the work storage hole 400 as shown in FIG. 39 and comes into contact with the wall surface 904 of the inspection chamber 902 and stops. When the workpiece W stops, the switching valve 911 is switched to neutral.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 40, the probes 903a and 903b start to advance in the direction of arrow D from the initial position toward the examination room 902.

  When a further time elapses from this state, as shown in FIG. 41, the probes 903a and 903b come into contact with the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 of the workpiece W shown in FIG. Here, the probes 903a and 903b advance in the direction of the arrow D shown in FIG. 40 and reliably contact the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 of the workpiece W. Therefore, when the workpiece W is stored in the workpiece storage hole 400, the surface Wb (see FIG. 2) on which the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 are provided as described above is indicated by the arrow A as shown in FIG. The transport table 200 is stored so as to face the wall surface 403 that is behind the rotation direction of the transport table 200.

  When the probes 903a and 903b come into contact with the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 of the workpiece W, a DC voltage is applied to the workpiece W, and the light emitting surface Wa shown in FIG. As described above, the light emitting surface Wa is stored toward the upper surface of the work storage hole 400, and faces the upper surface of the inspection chamber 902 when the work W is stored in the inspection chamber 902. A sensor (not shown) is installed in the inspection block 901 on the upper surface side of the inspection chamber 902. When the light emitting surface Wa emits light, the light is received and the optical characteristics such as wavelength and light intensity are inspected. When the inspection is completed, the probes 903a and 903b start to move out in the direction of arrow E as shown in FIG. 42 and are separated from the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 of the workpiece W. When the time further elapses, the probes 903a and 903b return to their original positions and stop as shown in FIG. In this state, the switching valve 907 is switched and connected to the compressed air source 909, and the switching valve 911 is switched and connected to the vacuum source 908. By switching, compressed air is supplied into the inspection chamber 902 and the work storage hole 400 is vacuumed, so that the work W starts to move from the inspection chamber 902 toward the work storage hole 400 in the direction of arrow F. .

  When further time elapses from this state, the work W comes into contact with the wall surface 404 of the work storage hole 400 and stops, as shown in FIG. 44, and is returned to the work storage hole 400. In this state, the switching valve 907 is switched to neutral. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 45, the conveyance table 200 starts to rotate in the direction of arrow A, and the workpiece W is conveyed toward the classification discharge unit 10. The workpiece W that has reached the classification discharge unit 10 is classified into a predetermined grade that is determined in advance in accordance with the result of the optical characteristic inspection performed in the inspection unit 900. Then, compressed air is supplied into the work storage hole 400 toward a discharge box (not shown) corresponding to each grade and discharged.

  The workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus X1 in the comparative example as described above has the following problems.

  That is, FIG. 46 is a time chart relating to the operation of the inspection unit 900. As shown in FIG. 46, the conveyance table 200 rotates while “table rotation / stop” is at the H level, and the conveyance table 200 during the L level. Has stopped. Further, while the “work removal” is at the H level, the work W is taken out from the work storage hole 400 to the inspection chamber 902 as shown in FIGS. While the “inspection” is at the H level, the probes 903a and 903b are brought into contact with the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 of the workpiece W as shown in FIGS. The electrodes are separated from the W electrodes Wc1 and Wc2. Further, while the “work return” is at the H level, the work W is returned from the inspection chamber 902 to the work accommodation hole 400 as shown in FIGS.

  In FIG. 46, three operations of “work removal” at the required time t7, “inspection” at the required time t1, and “work return” at the required time t8 are performed, and the total of these required times is the stop time of the transfer table 200. It turns out that it is T2. As an example of the required time, there are t1 = 130 ms, t7 = 25 ms, t8 = 25 ms, and T2 = t1 + t7 + t8 = 180 ms. That is, the required times of “work take-out” and “work return” are added to the required time of “inspection” of 130 ms to increase to 180 ms, and 180 ms / in comparison with the case where the stop time T2 of the transfer table 200 is “inspection” alone. 130 ms≈1.38, that is, about 38% longer. This is the same as the substantial inspection time being about 38% longer. The reason why “work removal” and “work return” are necessary in the inspection unit 900 is that the work W is a side view LED, and the light emitting surface Wa and the surface Wb on which the electrodes Wc1 and Wc2 are formed are adjacent as shown in FIG. It is because it is doing.

  Since side view LEDs are parts that are in great demand and production is rapidly increasing, it is strongly desired to shorten the inspection time. However, in the case of the work transfer device shown in the comparative example, the above numerical example The inspection time is about 38% longer, and it is difficult to meet the demand for shortening the inspection time.

  On the other hand, according to this invention, it can carry out continuously without interrupting an inspection process in an inspection part, and can improve the working efficiency as a whole.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Table base 2 Conveyance table 3 Center axis | shaft 4 Work accommodation hole 4a 1st hole 4b 2nd hole 5 Linear feeder 6 Separation supply part 7 Direction discrimination | determination part 8 Direction conversion part 9 Inspection part 10 Classification discharge | emission part 11 Vacuum source 12 Compressed air source 21 Table cover 22 Guard wall 71 Monitor window 72 Imaging means 81 Sensor window 82a Stop groove 83 Optical sensor 84 Rotating shaft 85 Suction nozzle 92a, 92b Probe W Work Wa Light emission surface Wb Work electrode surface

Claims (14)

A transport body that has a plurality of work storage holes for storing a rectangular parallelepiped work, and transports the work along the transport direction by intermittent movement;
Separation supply means for storing the work in the work storage hole;
Direction changing means for changing the direction of the work in the work storage hole ;
An inspection means for inspecting the characteristics of the workpiece in the workpiece storage hole ,
The separation supply means, the direction changing means, and the inspection means are each disposed along the outer edge of the transport body, and each work storage hole has a first hole and a second hole for storing the work in different postures, and T Configured in a letter shape,
The first hole extends inward from the outer edge of the transport body in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and stores the workpiece so as to take a posture orthogonal to the transport direction, and the second hole is parallel to the transport direction along the outer edge of the transport body. The workpiece is stored so that it takes a posture parallel to the conveyance direction,
The separating and supplying means stores the work in the first hole, the direction changing means moves the work in the first hole to the outside of the conveyance body, rotates it 90 °, and stores it in the second hole, and the inspection means stores the second hole. A workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus that performs a characteristic inspection on a surface of a workpiece accommodated in a hole that faces the outside of the conveyance body.   The direction changing means sucks the work in the first hole and moves it outward in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the transport body and the longitudinal direction of the work, and rotates the work by 90 ° to store it in the second hole. The workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a nozzle.   3. The workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the direction changing means further includes an air ejection device for drawing the workpiece in the first hole outward in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece.   2. The work conveyance inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein direction discriminating means for discriminating the direction of the work in the first hole is arranged between the separation supply means and the direction changing means.   5. The workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the direction changing unit rotates the workpiece by 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise according to the determination result of the direction determining unit.   6. The workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance body is a circular conveyance table.   6. The workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveyance body is an endless conveyance belt. In the workpiece conveyance inspection method using the workpiece conveyance inspection apparatus according to claim 1, a separation supply step of storing the workpiece in a workpiece storage hole provided in the conveyance unit by the separation supply unit,
A transport process for transporting the workpiece by intermittent movement of the transport body;
A direction changing step of changing the direction of the workpiece by the direction changing means;
An inspection process for inspecting the characteristics of the workpiece by the inspection means,
In the separation supply process, the separation supply means stores the work in the first hole, and in the direction conversion process, the direction conversion means moves the work in the first hole to the outside of the transport body and rotates it by 90 ° to the second hole. A workpiece conveyance inspection method characterized in that the inspection means performs a characteristic inspection on a surface of the workpiece accommodated in the second hole facing the outside direction of the conveyance body in the inspection step.   In the direction changing step, the direction changing means sucks the work in the first hole and moves it outward in the direction perpendicular to the carrying direction of the carrier and the longitudinal direction of the work, and rotates the work by 90 ° to the second hole. The work conveyance inspection method according to claim 8, further comprising a suction nozzle that is housed inside.   10. The work conveyance inspection method according to claim 9, wherein in the direction changing step, the direction changing means pulls out the work in the first hole to the outside in the longitudinal direction of the work by an air jetting device.   9. The workpiece conveyance inspection method according to claim 8, wherein a direction discrimination step of discriminating the direction of the workpiece in the first hole is performed by the direction discrimination means between the separation supply step and the direction conversion step.   12. The work conveyance inspection method according to claim 11, wherein, in the direction changing step, the direction changing means rotates the work 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise according to the determination result of the direction determining step.   The workpiece conveyance inspection method according to claim 8, wherein the conveyance body is a circular conveyance table.   The work conveyance inspection method according to claim 8, wherein the conveyance body is an endless conveyance belt.

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