JP6529392B2 - Parts supply device - Google Patents

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a component supply device that imparts torsional vibration to a component storage container by a vibrating device, transports components stored in the component storage container, and supplies the component to the outside.

  In the past, a component feeder has been used to align components in a predetermined posture and supply them to the next process. As such a component supply device, a vibration device is provided at a central portion of the bottom surface of a substantially bowl-shaped or flat cylindrical component storage container (bowl) in which a conveyance track extending spirally from the bottom to the top is formed inside A vibratory parts supply apparatus fixed to a movable block of the above by bolts is well known (e.g., Patent Document 1).

  The vibration type component feeding apparatus applies torsional vibration to the component containing container through the movable block of the vibration exciter to move the components contained in the component containing container from the bottom to the top along the transport track. The components are transported using the attachment or the like, and the components are arranged in a predetermined posture and supplied to the outside. Further, the lower surface of the component storage container is in surface contact with the upper surface of the movable block, and torsional vibration of the movable block is transmitted to the component storage container through the contact surface and the bolt. It is common.

  The torsional vibration applied by the vibration device includes a vibration component around the rotation axis and a vibration component along the rotation axis. As a method for applying such a torsional vibration to the movable block, Besides the electromagnetic type using an electromagnet, there is also a piezo type using a piezoelectric element. In addition, the transport track may be configured by forming a step extending in a spiral shape on the peripheral wall of the substantially bowl-shaped component storage container, and a transport path extending helically on the inner peripheral wall by fasteners such as bolts or welding. You may comprise by fixing a formation member.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-167451

  Such parts supply devices are also used in the fields of medicines and foodstuffs. In the case of use in these fields, it is necessary to take care in terms of hygiene, such as facilitating the cleaning of the parts container in contact with parts. For example, in order to facilitate cleaning, it is common for parts such as part containers and containers to be easily removed from the vibration apparatus and to be made of a material such as stainless steel that is resistant to rust and the like. It is. In addition, when the component storage container is provided with a hole, the washing liquid may enter and remain in the hole at the time of washing, and it may take time until drying to cause breeding of bacteria. For this reason, when using the parts supply device in the pharmaceutical and food products field, the conveyance path forming member and the inner peripheral wall of the parts container are fixed by welding all over the joint so that no pin holes are generated. It is common to be However, mounting of the component storage container on the movable block is still performed using a fastener such as a bolt, and there is a problem that a cleaning solution or the like may remain in a hole for inserting the fastener.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a component supply apparatus provided with a component storage container capable of solving the problems existing in the prior art and reducing the need for providing a hole for a fastener such as a bolt. It is in.

In view of the above object, the present invention is provided with a component storage container in which a transport track extending spirally from the bottom toward the top along the peripheral wall, and an excitation device for applying torsional vibration to the movable block, A component supply apparatus for imparting torsional vibration to the component storage container mounted on the movable block by the excitation device to transport the components in the component storage container along the transport track and externally supplying the components a is said to one of lower and upper surfaces of the movable block of the parts container, a supporting portion protruding raised provided, upon attachment to the movable block of the component storage container, of the component storage container The component storage container is supported on the movable block via the support portion by bringing the support portion into contact with a support portion contact surface formed on the other of the lower surface and the upper surface of the movable block. Configured to, on the upper surface of the movable block, open the sealing member mounting portion of the annular sealing member and annular is provided on the inner side of the support portion is attached to the inside of the sealing member mount portion suction And a height of the supporting portion is determined such that a hole is formed, and the sealing member attached to the sealing member attachment portion is lower than a height projecting from the upper surface of the movable block. An annular sealing member contact surface is formed at the bottom of the component storage container, and suction is performed through the suction hole in a state in which the sealing member is in contact with the sealing member contact surface. A component supply device is provided, in which the component storage container is attached to the movable block by vacuum suction of the lower surface of the container.

In the component supply device, when the component storage container is mounted on the movable block of the vibration device, the sealing member attached to the upper surface of the movable block and the sealing member contact portion formed on the bottom of the component storage container Making the suction space enclosed by the lower surface of the component storage container, the sealing member and the upper surface of the movable block a negative pressure by performing suction through the suction holes formed in the movable block in a state where the it can. Thus, the lower surface of the component storage container can be vacuum-adsorbed to the movable block, and the component storage container can be locked to the movable block without using a fastener such as a bolt. In addition, since the sealing member for forming the suction space is attached to the movable block side of the vibrating device, cleaning of the component storage container becomes easy. In addition, by configuring the supporting portion to abut on the supporting portion abutting surface when the component storage container is attached to the movable block, the torsional vibration of the movable block can be a sealing member and the sealing member abutting surface. In addition to transmission through, the support and the support abutment surface are transmitted to the component receiving container.

More preferably that the previous SL support portion is provided in at least three places.

  In one embodiment, the transport track may be connected to a branch track for branching parts in a plurality of rows at an upper portion of the component storage container.

  Further, it is preferable that the sealing member abutting surface is formed by a tip end surface of a protruding portion which protrudes from the lower surface of the component storage container and extends annularly.

The support portion contact surface may be formed on the lower surface of the storage container, and the support portion contact surface and the sealing member contact surface may be formed by the same surface.

  According to the present invention, by using vacuum suction, the component storage container can be locked to the movable block without using a fastener such as a bolt. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a fastener hole for mounting to the movable block in the component storage container, and the washability and the hygiene are improved. Further, since the sealing member for forming the suction space is attached to the movable block side, the cleaning becomes easy. Furthermore, if the raised support portion provided on one of the lower surface of the component storage container and the upper surface of the movable block abuts on the support portion contact surface provided on the other, the torsion of the movable block In addition to the transmission through the sealing member and the sealing member contact surface, the torsional vibration is transmitted to the component storage container through the support and the support component contact surface, and the torsional vibration is efficiently transmitted to the component storage container. Can be transmitted.

It is a partially broken side view showing a parts supply device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the components supply apparatus shown by FIG. It is a top view of the components storage container of the components supply apparatus shown by FIG. It is a bottom view of a component storage container shown in Figure 3. It is a top view of the movable block of the excitation apparatus of the components supply apparatus shown by FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the components supply apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the components supply apparatus which concerns on another embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of a component supply apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
First, the entire configuration of the component supply device 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The component supply device 11 includes an excitation device 13 that applies torsional vibration, and a component storage container (bowl) 15 that stores components, and applies the torsional vibration to the component storage container 15 by the excitation device 13 Then, the components in the component storage container 15 are transported and supplied to the outside. The parts supply apparatus 11 of this embodiment is suitably used for the use of medicines and foodstuffs that require attention to hygiene.

  The vibrating device 13 can adopt any mechanism such as an electromagnetic mechanism using an electromagnet or a piezoelectric mechanism using a piezoelectric element as long as it can impart torsional vibration to the component storage container 15 . In the present embodiment, the excitation device 13 employs an electromagnetic mechanism, and as shown in FIG. 1, the base block 17, the movable block 19, the plurality of inclined plate springs 21, and the electromagnet And 23. The base block 17 and the movable block 19 are formed of a metal material.

  The base block 17 is disposed on the floor via the vibration insulating material 25. The movable block 19 is supported by a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) inclined leaf springs 21 disposed at equal angular intervals and inclined at a predetermined angle on the same circle of the base block 17 in the tangential direction side. ing. In addition, an electromagnet 23 is provided on the base block 17 and disposed so as to face the lower surface of the movable block 19 slightly apart. The movable block 19 is made of a magnetic material at least at a portion facing the electromagnet 23 and can be attracted by the electromagnet 23.

  In the excitation device 13 having such an arrangement, when an alternating current is supplied to the electromagnet 23, the attraction of the movable block 19 to the electromagnet 23 and the repulsion by the inclined plate spring 21 are repeated. Further, since the movable block 19 is restrained by the inclined plate spring 21, the movable block 19 is rotated when reciprocating in the vertical direction of the movable block 19 which is repeated by the attraction by the electromagnet 23 and the repulsion by the inclined plate spring 21. As a result, the movable block 19 performs torsional vibration including the rotational direction component and the vertical direction component, and applies the torsional vibration to the component storage container 15 mounted on the movable block 19.

  An annular groove-shaped sealing member attachment portion 27 is formed on the upper surface 19 a of the movable block 19, and the sealing member 29 such as an O-ring formed of an elastic material is attached to the sealing member attachment portion 27. In the illustrated embodiment, two concentric annular groove-shaped sealing member attachment portions 27 are formed, but one or three or more annular groove-shaped sealing member attachment portions 27 may be provided. May be Further, a suction hole 19 b for suctioning air is formed in the movable block 19 and is opened to the inside of the sealing member attachment portion 27 in the form of an annular groove. Further, the upper surface 19 a of the movable block 19 is provided with a protruding support 31. The support portion 31 abuts on a support portion contact surface 43 (described later) formed on the lower surface 15 a of the component storage container 15 when the component storage container 15 is mounted on the movable block 19. A component storage container 15 is supported on 19. The support portion 31 is formed of a metal material, and may be integrally formed with the movable block 19 or may be formed by welding a separate metal member to the movable block 19 by welding or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, three supports 31 are provided on the upper surface 19 a of the movable block 19. As shown in the embodiment, when the three supports 31 are brought into contact with the support abutting surface 43, all the supports 31 simultaneously abut the support abutting surface 43 to support the supports 31 and the support. Since a gap does not occur between the part contact surface 43, there is an advantage that rattling does not occur. However, four or more supports 31 may be provided on the upper surface 19 a of the movable block 19. Although the place where the support portion 31 is provided is not particularly limited, it is preferable to provide the support portion 31 outside the annular groove-shaped sealing member attachment portion 27 as in the illustrated embodiment. More preferably, it is provided on the outer peripheral portion. The height of the supporting portion 31 is the height of the sealing member 29 (more specifically, the sealing member 29 attached to the sealing member attaching portion 27 is in order to secure the crush allowance of the sealing member 29). It is preferable to form so that it may become lower than the height which protruded from the upper surface 19a of the movable block 19. As shown in FIG.

  The component storage container 15 is formed of a material such as stainless steel that is resistant to scratches and rust. As a shape of the component storage container 15, various shapes, such as a bowl shape (bowl shape), a bottomed cylindrical shape, a conical shape, etc., are employable. In the present embodiment, the component storage container 15 has a bottomed cylindrical shape, and the bottom surface 15a inside thereof is formed in a substantially conical surface shape whose central portion is higher than the outer peripheral portion. As a result, the components accommodated in the component accommodating container 15 can be easily moved to the outer peripheral side.

  A transport track 33 is formed inside the component storage container 15 and extends spirally around the central axis from the bottom surface 15a to the upper part along the inner peripheral wall of the component storage container 15. A support surface 33a of the transport track 33 is formed. Parts can move on the top. The support surface 33a of the transport track 33 is formed so that the inner circumferential side is higher than the outer circumferential side, as shown in FIG. This makes it difficult for parts moving on the transport track 33 to drop off from the support surface 33a. The transport track 33 is formed, for example, by welding the entire outer peripheral side edge portion of the spirally extending strip-like transport path forming member to the inner peripheral wall of the component storage container 15 so as not to cause pin holes or the like. When the bowl-shaped one is used as the component storage container 15, the transport track 33 is a so-called stepped bowl, and the distance from the central axis to the peripheral wall of the component storage container 15 from the lower part to the upper part It is also possible to form by forming the level | step difference extended helically so that it may become long. In order to prevent the parts from falling off, side walls may be formed on the inner circumferential side edge of the transport track 33 so as to stand substantially vertically. The transport track 33 is also preferably made of a material such as stainless steel which is not easily scratched and rusts as well as the component storage container 15.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the transport track 33 is connected to the unloading track 35 provided along the outer peripheral wall of the component storage container 15 at the upper end portion, and the component storage container 15 is Supply parts from the outside. It is also possible to connect to the delivery track 35 a branch track 37 for branching the parts to be transported into a plurality of rows. By providing such a branched track 37, it is possible to supply parts to a plurality of external devices (not shown) simultaneously. The branch track 37 can be formed, for example, by erecting the separation wall 39 on the support surface 37a. In this case, the parts are distributed to the lanes separated and formed by the separation wall 39 in accordance with the position in the width direction of the parts at the entrance of the branch track.

  An annular sealing member contact surface 41 and a support portion contact surface 43 are formed on the lower surface 15 b of the component storage container 15, and the component storage container 15 is placed on the movable block 19 of the vibration device 13. So that the sealing member 29 mounted on the movable block 19 abuts on the sealing member abutment surface 41 and the support portion 31 provided on the movable block 19 abuts on the support portion abutment surface 43 It has become. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing member abutting surface 41 is formed by the tip end surface of the annular projection 45 projecting downward from the lower surface 15 b of the component storage container 15 toward the movable block 19. Further, the support portion contact surface 43 is formed by the tip end surface of the skirt portion 47 which protrudes annularly downward from the outer peripheral portion of the lower surface 15 a of the component storage container 15 toward the movable block 19.

  Thus, if the sealing member contact surface 41 is provided on the tip end surface of the annular raised portion 45, the sealing member 29 contacts and crushes the sealing member contact surface 41, and the sealing member contact surface 41 Even when the upper surface 19a of the movable block 19 comes into contact with the movable block 19, the space surrounded by the annular raised portion 45 can secure a suction space in which air is sucked from the suction hole 19b. The container 15 can be reliably vacuum-adsorbed. In addition, when the support portion contact surface 43 is provided on the tip end surface of the annular skirt portion 47, the direction in mounting the component storage container 15 is not limited.

Next, the operation of the component supply device 11 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 will be described.
First, the component housing container 15 is placed on the movable block 19 so that the annular sealing member contact surface 41 of the component housing container 15 abuts on the annular sealing member 29 of the movable block 19 of the vibration device 13 Do. The height of the support portion 31 of the movable block 19 and the length of the skirt portion 47 are such that the support portion 31 of the movable block 19 supports the component storage container 15 when the component storage container 15 is placed on the movable block 19 It shall be determined not to abut on the part abutment surface 43. Next, when suction is performed through the suction hole 19b, a space surrounded by the upper surface 19a of the movable block 19, the sealing member 29, and the protruding portion 45 of the component housing container 15 and the lower surface 15b (hereinafter referred to as a suction space). Air is drawn from) to create negative pressure. The negative pressure acts on the lower surface 15b of the component storage container 15, and the lower surface 15b of the component storage container 15 is attracted to the movable block 19, and the support portion of the movable block 19 is the tip noodle of the skirt 47 of the component storage container 15. The component storage container 15 is attracted to the movable block 19 and locked until it abuts on the support portion abutting surface 43. At this time, the sealing member 29 is crushed and the space between the sealing member pressing surface 41 of the component storage container 15 and the upper surface 19 a of the movable block 19 is sealed more reliably. Further, the support portion 31 of the movable block 19 abuts on the tip end surface of the skirt portion 47 of the component storage container 15, that is, the support portion contact surface 43, so that excessive crushing of the sealing member 29 is prevented. The effect of prolonging the life of the

  In this state, when the exciter 13 is operated to supply an alternating current to the electromagnet 23, the attraction of the movable block 19 by the electromagnet 23 and the repulsion by the inclined plate spring 21 are repeated, and the movable block 19 rotates up and down It generates a torsional vibration that moves. The torsional vibration thus generated is transmitted to the component storage container 15 mounted on the movable block 19 through the contact portion between the component storage container 15 and the movable block 19. As a result, the components in the component storage container 15 are transported from the bottom to the top along the transport track 33, and are further supplied to the outside in a plurality of rows through the unloading track 35 and the branch track 37.

  As described above, since the component storage container 15 is attached to the movable block 19 by vacuum suction, it is not necessary to provide the component storage container 15 with a bolt hole for passing a bolt for fixing to the movable block 19. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem of the remaining of the cleaning liquid that may occur when cleaning the component storage container 15. In addition, since the sealing member 29 is provided on the movable block 19 side and the cleaning can be performed without the need to consider the chemical resistance and the like of the sealing member 29, the cleaning of the component storage container 15 becomes easy. Therefore, the parts supply device 11 is suitable for the pharmaceutical field and the food field where hygiene considerations are required.

  Furthermore, when the component storage container 15 is locked to the movable block 19 by vacuum suction, the component storage container 15 and the movable block 19 are sealed with each other if the support portion 31 and the support portion contact surface 43 are not provided. You will be in contact via However, the sealing member 29 is formed of an elastic material such as a rubber material in order to seal the suction space, and the torsional vibration of the movable block 19 is attenuated and transmitted to the component storage container 15 for sufficient transportation. It may not be possible to gain power. In addition, if torsional vibration of the vibration device 13 is strengthened to obtain a sufficient conveying force, the vibration component in the vertical direction becomes strong, causing jumping of parts, which may affect the alignment of parts. On the other hand, in the component supply device 11, the support portion 31 and the support portion contact surface 43 are provided, and when the component storage container 15 is mounted on the movable block 19 by vacuum suction, the support portion of the movable block 19 31 abuts against the supporting portion abutting surface 43 of the component storage container 15. Therefore, the torsional vibration of the movable block 19 is not only through the sealing member 29 but also through the contact portion between the support portion 31 and the support portion abutting surface 43 which is high in rigidity and difficult to cause vibration damping. The transmission of vibration can be performed efficiently.

  In particular, the component supply device 11 is preferable when it is desired to realize a strong conveying force while suppressing jumping of components. For example, when it is desired to supply parts in a plurality of rows from the part supply device 11, it is necessary to transmit stronger torsional vibration from the movable block 19 to the part container 15 in order to increase the conveying force. It occurs. Therefore, in such a case, the component supply device 11 capable of providing a strong conveyance force while suppressing the jumping of the components is advantageous.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, a component supply apparatus 11 'according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 6, the same reference numerals are assigned to components that perform the same function as the component supply device 11 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to FIG.

  In the component supply device 11 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the component supply device 11 'of this embodiment has the support portion 31 provided on the upper surface 19a of the movable block 19 and the support portion contact surface 43 The support portion 31 is formed by a plurality of raised portions formed on the lower surface 15 b of the component storage container 15 while the support portion 31 is formed at the tip of the skirt portion 47 extending from the lower surface 15 b of the component storage container 15 The difference is that the abutting surface 43 is formed as a part of the upper surface 19 a of the movable block 19. The other structure is the same as that of the component supply device 11 'of this embodiment and the component supply device 11 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, and thus the description thereof is omitted here. The component supply device 11 'of this embodiment is a point that mounting of the component storage container 15 to the movable block 19 is performed by vacuum suction, a point that the sealing member 29 is attached to the movable block 19 side, and the component storage container 15 is movable. The component supply device 11 is in common in that the support portion 31 and the support portion contact surface 43 abut when mounted on the block 19, and performs the same operation as the operation of the component supply device 11, It will be understood that the effect of Therefore, the description of the operation and effect of the component supply device 11 'is omitted here.

  As mentioned above, although component supply apparatus 11 and 11 'of this invention was demonstrated with reference to the embodiment shown in figure, this invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in figure. In the component supply device 11, 11 'of the present invention, the support portion 31 projecting therefrom is formed on one of the lower surface 15b of the component storage container 15 and the upper surface 19a of the movable block 19. The support portion 31 may be in contact with a part of the other of the lower surface 15 b of the component storage container 15 and the upper surface 19 a of the movable block 19 when mounted on the rear surface 19. For example, the support 31 may be formed on the upper surface 19 a of the movable block 19, and the support contact surface 43 may be formed as a part of the lower surface 15 b of the component storage container 15. Further, a supporting portion 31 is formed on the upper surface 19 a of the movable block 19, and as shown in FIG. 7, a supporting portion abutting surface and a 43 sealing member abutting surface 41 on the lower surface 15 b of the component storage container 15. And may be integrally formed. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the branch track 37 is connected to the downstream side of the unloading track 35, but may be provided on the upstream side of the unloading track 35 or in the middle of the transport track 33.

11, 11 'Component supply device 13 Vibration device 15 Component storage container 15b Lower surface 19 Movable block 19a Upper surface 19b Suction hole 27 Sealing member mounting portion 29 Sealing member 31 Support portion 33 Conveyance track 37 Branching track 41 Sealing member contact Face 43 support contact surface

Claims (5)

The component mounted on the movable block, comprising: a component storage container in which a transport track extending spirally from the bottom to the top along the peripheral wall is formed, and a vibrator for applying a torsional vibration to the movable block A component supply device for imparting torsional vibration to a storage container by the excitation device, transporting components in the component storage container along the transport track, and supplying the components to the outside,
On one of the upper surface of the lower surface and the movable block of the component storage container, a supporting portion protruding raised provided, upon attachment to the movable block of the component storage container, the lower surface of the component storage container and the movable The support portion is brought into contact with a support portion contact surface formed on the other one of the upper surfaces of the block, and the component storage container is supported on the movable block via the support portion,
Formed on the upper surface of the movable block is an annular sealing member attachment portion provided inside the support portion and to which an annular sealing member is attached, and a suction hole opening inside the sealing member attachment portion And the height of the support portion is determined such that the sealing member attached to the sealing member attachment portion is lower than the height projecting from the upper surface of the movable block, and the bottom portion of the component storage container An annular sealing member contact surface is formed, and suction is performed through the suction hole in a state where the sealing member is in contact with the sealing member contact surface to vacuum the lower surface of the component housing container. A component supply apparatus characterized in that the component storage container is mounted on the movable block by suction. The parts feeding device according to claim 1 , wherein the transport track is connected to a branch track for branching parts in a plurality of rows at an upper portion of the part storage container. The parts supply apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the support portion is provided at at least three places. The sealing member abutment surface is formed by the distal end surface of the raised portion extending annularly protruding from a lower surface of the component storage container, the component supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The support portion abutting surface is formed on the lower surface of the component storage container, the support abutment surface and the sealing member abutment surface is formed by the same surface, claims 1 to 4 The parts supply apparatus according to any one of the above.

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