JP5800531B2 - Ball feeder - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball supply apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for supplying the ball to a predetermined working machine using gravity acting on the ball.

  For example, in the manufacturing process of a cylinder head constituting an engine, after forming a hole in the cylinder head by drilling or the like, an oil passage is formed in the cylinder head by sealing the hole with a ball. Yes. This sealing step is performed by press-fitting a ball into the cylinder head by a press-fitting device disposed at substantially the same height as the conveyor that conveys the cylinder head.

  At this time, the supply of the ball to the press-fitting device is generally performed by utilizing the gravity of the ball, and the container for stocking the ball is disposed at a position higher than the press-fitting device. Therefore, when refilling the ball, it is necessary to lift the ball to the upper opening of the ball stock container disposed at a position higher than the press-fitting device, which is a heavy burden on the operator. It was. In addition, it is very dangerous to lift a plurality of balls having a considerable weight to a high position (usually above the operator's head), and improvement has been demanded from the viewpoint of safety.

  For example, Patent Document 1 below includes a support plate that moves up and down in the ball storage unit, and by raising the support plate, the ball in the ball storage unit is raised to a position higher than the floor surface of the ball storage unit. Describes a device for supplying a dropped ball to a press-fitting device by dropping the ball of its own weight from a ball supply hole opened on a side surface of the ball storage unit by dropping by its own weight (falling using gravity acting on the ball). .

JP-A-7-178627

  However, the apparatus described in Patent Document 1 requires a separate drive source (cylinder) for raising the ball to the ball supply hole, a device for controlling the drive, and the like. For this reason, the installation space for the ball supply device increases, and the cost of the press-fit equipment including the ball supply device may increase.

  Further, when the above-described structure is adopted, the ball is directly replenished from above the ball housing portion, but a support plate that moves up and down while the ball is placed is present inside the ball housing portion. For this reason, for example, it is necessary to shift the timing of replenishing the ball from above the ball storage portion and the timing of raising the support plate on which the ball is placed up to the height of the ball supply hole, which takes time and labor.

  The above problem can occur not only when supplying a ball to the press-fitting device but also when supplying a ball to another working machine.

  In view of the above circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ball supply device that can supply a ball to a work machine easily while reducing the burden and labor of an operator while using simple equipment. It should be a technical issue.

The solution to the above problem is achieved by the ball supply device according to the present invention. That is, this supply device is a ball supply device for supplying a ball to a work machine using gravity acting on the ball, and a ball storage part for storing the ball and a ball provided at a lower part of the ball storage part. A ball supply unit that supplies a ball to the work machine using gravity from a supply port, and a ball replenishment unit that replenishes the ball to the ball storage unit. The ball replenishment unit is a ball that can throw a ball into its internal space. those having inlet, and can close position where the top can close the ball reservoir, configured to be movable between a position outside of the low rather the ball reservoir than closable location of the ball replenishment section The bottom is formed with a communication port that can be switched between a communication state and a non-communication state between the internal space of the ball replenishing portion and the ball storage portion in a state where the ball replenishing portion is disposed at the closing position. With Characterized.

  Thus, in the present invention, the ball replenishment part for replenishing the ball to the ball storage part is formed separately from the ball storage part, and the upper part of the ball storage part can be closed by this ball replenishment part. Since it is configured to be movable between a closing position and a position lower than the closing position, a replenishing ball is thrown into the ball replenishing section at a relatively low position, and this ball replenishing section is used as a predetermined moving mechanism, for example. The ball can be replenished to the ball reservoir by moving upward using the switch and switching the communication port to the communication state. Thereby, workability is improved and the physical burden on the worker when the ball is replenished can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to lift a large number of balls directly by the operator's hand, safety is improved. Further, if the ball replenishment unit is configured to be movable as described above, a drive source for raising the ball as described in Patent Document 1 is not always necessary. For example, an operation from the outside of the operator A moving mechanism using force can be employed to move the ball (ball replenishing unit) upward. Accordingly, it is possible to simplify or omit the drive equipment that takes up space, and to simplify the equipment related to ball supply. In addition, since the ball replenishment part can be moved to the upper part of the ball storage part and the ball supply part is arranged at the lower part of the ball storage part, the replenishment operation of the ball to the ball storage part can be performed to the press-fitting device. There is no risk of disturbing the ball supply operation, and there is no need to adjust the timing of supplying the ball as in Patent Document 1. Therefore, the worker can easily supply the balls without performing complicated work. Of course, if the ball replenishment part formed separately from the ball storage part moves the upper part of the ball storage part to a position where the upper part of the ball storage part can be closed, this ball replenishment part also functions as an upper cover of the ball storage part. Therefore, there is no fear that dust, foreign matter, etc. enter the ball reservoir and adhere to the ball.

  As described above, according to the supply device according to the present invention, it is possible to easily supply the ball to the work machine by reducing the burden and labor of the worker, so that workability and safety related to the ball supply can be improved. It can be greatly improved. Moreover, it becomes possible to reduce the cost concerning an installation by making the supply apparatus which has the said effect | action into a simple installation.

It is a partial cross section figure of the ball supply device concerning one embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a ball supply device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case where the ball is supplied to a press-fitting device that performs ball press-fitting for forming an oil passage of the cylinder head will be described as an example. For convenience of explanation, the vertical direction will be described below as the vertical direction.

  FIG. 1 shows a front view of a ball supply device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This ball supply device 1 is for supplying an oil passage forming ball 2 to a press-fitting device 4 for press-fitting into a hole of a cylinder head 3, and includes a ball storage portion 5 for storing the ball 2, and a ball storage portion. A ball supply unit 6 for supplying the ball 2 to the press-fitting device 4 using gravity acting on the ball 2 from a ball supply port 6 provided at a lower portion of the ball 5; and a ball supply for replenishing the ball storage unit 5 with the ball 2 Part 8.

  The ball reservoir 5 has a generally cylindrical shape, and the opening 9 formed in the upper portion thereof is closed by the ball replenishment portion 8. In addition, a reduced diameter portion 10 that decreases in a taper shape is integrally provided at a lower portion of the ball storage portion 5, and the ball is supplied through a ball supply port 6 formed at the lowermost portion of the reduced diameter portion 10. It is connected to one end of the tube 11. The other end of the ball supply pipe 11 is connected to the press-fitting device 4, whereby the ball 2 dropped due to gravity from the ball supply port 6 of the ball reservoir 5 is supplied to the press-fitting device 4 through the ball supply pipe 11. It has become so. Therefore, in this embodiment, the ball supply portion 7 is formed by the reduced diameter portion 10, the ball supply port 6, and the ball supply pipe 11.

  The ball replenishing unit 8 has a ball insertion port 13 into which the ball 2 can be inserted into the internal space 12. In addition, the ball replenishing portion 8 is located outside the ball storage portion 5 at a closing position 14 where the opening 9 of the ball storage portion 5 can be closed, and at a position lower than the closing position 14, for example, the ball storage portion here. 5, which is lower than the ball supply port 6 formed at the lowermost portion of 5, and can move back and forth between a throwable position 15 at a height at which the ball 2 can be thrown into the ball replenishing unit 8 in an upright posture. It is configured as follows. In this embodiment, the ball replenishment portion 8 is tiltably coupled to one end of two arm portions 16 (in FIG. 1, only the arm portion 16 in the depth direction of the paper is shown), and the arm portion. By rotating the arm portion 16 around the horizontal fixed shaft 17 provided at the other end of the ball 16, the ball replenishing portion 8 connected to one end of the arm portion 16 rotates and moves integrally with the arm portion 16. ing. Further, in a state where the ball replenishing unit 8 is located at the closeable position 14 and the throwable position 15, the ball replenishing unit 8 maintains a horizontal posture. Of course, you may comprise so that the ball replenishment part 8 may always maintain a horizontal attitude | position.

A communication port 18 is formed at the bottom of the ball replenishing portion 8 so as to communicate between the internal space 12 of the ball replenishing portion 8 and the ball storage portion 5 in a state where the ball replenishing portion 8 is disposed at the closeable position 14. Yes. Further, a bottom plate 20 that closes the communication port 18 is inserted into the insertion port 19 provided at the bottom of the ball replenishing portion 8, and the bottom plate 20 is inserted and removed (removed), whereby the ball replenishing portion 8. The internal space 12 and the ball reservoir 5 are switched between a communication state and a non-communication state. In this illustrated example, the bottom plate 20 and the ball replenishing portion 8 are connected by inserting the pin 21 vertically downward . Further, a gripping portion 22 is formed at the end of the bottom plate 20 opposite to the insertion side (the end far from the insertion side), and the gripping portion 22 is gripped and moved up and down with the pin 21 inserted. By doing so, the ball replenishment portion 8 can be rotated around the fixed shaft 17 via the arm portion 16.

  Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the ball supply device 1 configured as described above will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, the operator grasps and pulls down the grip portion 22 of the ball replenishment portion 8 with the pin 21 inserted therein, thereby fixing the ball replenishment portion 8 together with the two arm portions 16. It is rotated around the shaft 17 (rotated in the direction indicated by arrow a in FIG. 1) and moved to the loading position 15. Then, a large number of balls 2 are thrown from the ball throwing opening 13 provided at the upper part of the ball replenishing portion 8. As a result, the replenishment balls 2 are supplied to the internal space 12 of the ball replenishment unit 8.

  Thereafter, the operator grasps and pushes up the grip portion 22, so that the ball replenishment portion 8 in a state where a large number of balls 2 are held in the internal space 12 is moved around the fixed shaft 17 together with the two arm portions 16. Rotate (rotate in the direction indicated by arrow b in FIG. 1) and move to the closing possible position 14. Then, after pulling the pin 21 upward (in the direction indicated by the arrow c in FIG. 1), the grip portion 22 is pulled forward (the direction indicated by the arrow d in FIG. 1), and the bottom plate 20 is pulled out. As a result, the internal space 12 of the ball replenishing unit 8 and the ball storage unit 5 are in communication with each other, and a large number of balls 2 supplied to the internal space 12 of the ball replenishing unit 8 are ballged through the communication port 18 by the action of gravity. Drop into the reservoir 5. Through the above operation, the replenishment operation of the ball 2 is performed, and the ball 2 is continuously supplied to the press-fitting device 4.

  As described above, according to the ball supply device 1 of the present invention, the ball replenishment portion 8 for replenishing the ball 2 to the ball storage portion 5 is formed separately from the ball storage portion 5, and this ball replenishment is performed. The portion 8 can be moved between a closeable position 14 that can close the opening 9 formed in the upper part of the ball reservoir 5 and a throwable position 15 of the ball 2 that is set lower than the closeable position 14. Configured. Therefore, the ball 2 can be thrown into the ball replenishing portion 8 at a low position where the throwing operation can be performed while the worker is standing, and can be supplied to the ball storage portion 5. Thereby, the physical burden of the operator at the time of ball replenishment can be reduced. In addition, since it is not necessary to lift a large number of balls 2 directly by the operator's hand, safety is improved as well as workability. Further, since the ball replenishing portion 8 is rotated around the fixed shaft 17 via the arm portion 16 only by the operator grasping and moving the grip portion 22 provided on the ball replenishing portion 8 up and down, the ball 2 The ball 2 (the ball replenishing portion 8 holding the ball 2) can be moved upward without providing a drive source for raising the ball. Therefore, the equipment such as the drive source can be simplified or omitted, and the ball supply device 1 can be simplified and space-saving can be achieved.

  Further, in this embodiment, the bottom plate 20 and the ball replenishment portion 8 are connected by the pin 21 and the grip portion 22 is provided on the bottom plate 20, so that the ball replenishment portion 8 is raised and lowered only with the pin 21 inserted. be able to. Therefore, for example, when the ball replenishing portion 8 is moved from the closeable position 14 to the throwable position 15, the bottom plate 20 is connected to the ball replenishing portion 8 by the pin 21, that is, formed at the bottom of the ball replenishing portion 8 by the bottom plate 20. The ball replenishing unit 8 is moved in a state where the communication port 18 is always closed. Accordingly, when the ball 2 is thrown from the ball throwing opening 13, it is possible to reliably avoid the situation where the ball 2 falls from the communication opening 18.

  Further, with the configuration as described above, the gripping portion 22 can be used for raising and lowering the ball replenishing portion 8 and between a communication state and a non-communication state between the internal space 12 of the ball replenishing portion 8 and the ball storage portion 5. It also serves as an operation for switching to. Therefore, the operation can be simplified, the configuration can be simplified, and the ball supply device 1 can be further simplified or saved in space.

  In the above embodiment, the ball replenishment portion 8 is tiltably connected to one end of the two arm portions 16, and the arm portion 16 is rotated around the horizontal fixed shaft 17 provided at the other end of the arm portion 16. By doing so, the ball replenishing portion 8 connected to one end of the arm portion 16 is configured to rotate integrally with the arm portion 16, but of course other configurations are possible. For example, a mechanism other than that shown in the figure that can reciprocate the ball replenishment portion 8 between the closeable position 14 and the throwable position 15 by the operator's operating force can be employed.

  Further, the ball supply device 1 according to the above description can be applied to the case where the ball 2 is press-fitted into a component other than the cylinder head 3, or the ball 2 is applied to a working machine other than the press-fitting device 4. This can also be applied to the case of supplying

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ball supply apparatus 2 Ball 3 Cylinder head 4 Press-fitting apparatus 5 Ball storage part 6 Ball supply port 7 Ball supply part 8 Ball replenishment part 9 Opening part 10 Reduced diameter part 11 Ball supply pipe 12 Internal space 13 Ball insertion port 14 Closeable position 15 Position possible 16 Arm part 17 Fixed shaft 18 Communication port 19 Insertion port 20 Bottom plate 21 Pin 22 Gripping part

Claims (1)

A ball supply device for supplying the ball to a work machine using gravity acting on the ball,
A ball storage section for storing the ball; a ball supply section for supplying the ball to the working machine using gravity from a supply port provided at a lower portion of the ball storage section; and a replenishment of the ball to the ball storage section A ball replenishment unit,
The ball refill unit, those having a ball inlet capable put the ball in its internal space, and capable of closing closable location an upper portion of the ball storage portion, the ball reservoir rather lower than the closable location Configured to be movable between positions outside the section ,
At the bottom of the ball replenishing portion, the ball replenishing portion can be switched between a communication state and a non-communication state between the internal space of the ball replenishing portion and the ball storage portion with the ball replenishing portion disposed at the closeable position. A ball supply device in which a continuous communication port is formed.

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