JP6782537B2 - Air injection mechanism and parts feeder - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air injection mechanism and a parts feeder capable of digitally controlling the flow rate and pressure of compressed air.

Conventionally, the posture of a work (chip) such as an electronic component is determined on the transport path, and the work with an inappropriate posture is removed from the transport path or inverted on the transport path to correct the posture, and the work in other appropriate postures. There is known a parts feeder capable of transporting the above to a predetermined supply destination (for example, Patent Document 1).

In this type of parts feeder, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the regulator 12 connected to the compressed air source 11, the 3-port valve 700 arranged downstream of the regulator 12, and the 3-port valve 700 arranged downstream of the regulator 12 An air injection mechanism 15 equipped with a needle valve with a check valve (speed controller, hereinafter also referred to as "speakon") 50 is applied to eliminate or correct the work W (defective work W') in an inappropriate posture. It is customary to do.

The regulator 12 adjusts (reduces pressure) the pressure of the compressed air supplied from the compressed air source 11 to a constant level.

The 3-port valve 700 includes a first port 107a that leads to the outlet of the regulator 12, a second port 107b that leads to the air supply / discharge passage 21 of the parts feeder 2 via a needle valve 50 with a check valve, and a third port that leads to the atmosphere. It has a port 107c. When the 3-port valve 700 is not energized, the second port 107b and the third port 107c are communicated with each other through the passage 171 in the spool 170, and the first port 107a and the second port 107b are cut off to form a regulator. The compressed air supplied from No. 12 is closed near the first port 107a. On the other hand, when energized, the spool 170 is displaced, and the first port 7a and the second port 107b are communicated with each other via the passage 173 in the spool 170, and the compressed air supplied from the regulator 12 is a needle valve with a check valve ( (Hereinafter, simply referred to as “needle valve”) 50 is supplied.

The needle valve 50 with a check valve adjusts the flow rate of compressed air and supplies a predetermined flow rate of compressed air to the air supply / discharge passage 21 of the parts feeder 2. Further, the needle valve 50 with a check valve causes a free flow on the check valve 51 side when the energization of the 3-port valve 700 is switched to OFF and a reverse flow of compressed air occurs, and the 3-port valve 700 Compressed air can flow toward.

In the parts feeder 2 using such an air injection mechanism 15, the work W is detected by the sensor 65, and a signal is sent from the sensor amplifier 68 with a determination function at the timing when the defective work W'reaches a predetermined processing position P. Output, a voltage is applied to the electromagnetic solenoid 172 of the 3-port valve 700 to open and close (ON / OFF) the 3-port valve 700, and compressed air is injected from the air supply / discharge path 21 to the defective work W'at the processing position P. As a result, the defective work W'can be removed from the transport path 20 or inverted on the transport path 20.

JP-A-2015-30566

By the way, in the parts feeder 2, the optimum flow rate and pressure of compressed air for inversion or elimination differ depending on the size of the work W, so that the flow rate and pressure match the opening time of the target work W and the 3-port valve 700. It is conceivable to adjust the needle valve 50.

At this time, it is desirable to adjust the needle valve 50 by using a dial type speed controller, a flow rate sensor or a pressure sensor so that the needle valve 50 can be reproduced by digital management. However, since it is a fine adjustment, the dial type speed controller is appropriately adjusted. I can't finish it. In addition, with the recent miniaturization of the work W, the optimum flow rate and pressure of compressed air are also miniaturized (decreased), and the measured values are too small to be detected accurately by the flow rate sensor or pressure sensor (flow rate sensor). It is difficult to sense with a pressure sensor, etc.).

Therefore, it is common to manually adjust the needle valve 50 in order to perform the matching by the movement of the target work W, but if the fine adjustment is performed manually, it will be adjusted by feeling, so it is the same. Low reproducibility to settings. Therefore, even if the needle valve 50 is readjusted for each type of work W, it cannot be returned to the original set value, and there is a problem that the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air cannot be accurately controlled.

Further, there is a multi-product support in which a plurality of types (types) of work W are flown by the same parts feeder 2, but in a configuration in which the air injection mechanism 15 is applied, each type of work W to be transported is changed in advance for each type. It is necessary to replace the needle valve 50 with the needle valve 50 adjusted to the above, or readjust the needle valve 50 each time, which causes a problem of poor work efficiency.

An object of the present invention is to effectively solve such a problem, and to provide an air injection mechanism and a parts feeder capable of digitally controlling the flow rate and pressure of compressed air and preventing a decrease in work efficiency. I am aiming.

In view of the above problems, the present invention has taken the following measures.

That is, the air injection mechanism of the present invention sequentially injects compressed air toward a plurality of objects to be injected, and is connected to a compressed air source and has a switching valve capable of continuously changing the opening / closing amount. The applied voltage or applied current for each parameter is set based on the adjusting means , the parameter output means for outputting the parameter suitable for the type of the object to be jetted, and the parameter output from the parameter output means, and the command signal is commanded. It is characterized by comprising a proportional control means for electrically proportionally controlling the opening / closing amount of the switching valve based on the applied voltage or the applied current when input to the input unit .

With such a configuration, the applied voltage or applied current to the switching valve of the flow rate adjusting means is set based on the parameters output from the parameter output means, and the switching valve is set by the proportional control means with the applied voltage or applied current. Since the opening / closing amount of the switch can be controlled proportionally, the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air output from the switching valve can be set to be suitable for the type of the object to be injected. Therefore, the flow rate of the compressed air output from the switching valve can be finely adjusted appropriately, and the reproducibility to the same setting can be obtained, and the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air injected from the air injection mechanism can be accurately digitally controlled. Further, in the case of supporting a wide variety of products, it is not necessary to replace the switching valve with a different setting every time the type of the object to be conveyed is changed, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in work efficiency.

In particular, in order to improve the responsiveness of the injection of compressed air, it is preferable that the switching valve is a piezoelectric valve.

In particular, when applied to a parts feeder that injects compressed air at a predetermined processing position to a defective work among the works transported along the transport path, compressed air with a flow rate and pressure suitable for the type of work is appropriate. In order to inject the defective work at the timing, a timing acquisition means for obtaining the timing at which the defective work reaches the processing position is provided, and the parameter output means is configured to output parameters suitable for the type of work to be conveyed. Therefore, it is preferable that the proportional control means is configured to apply a voltage corresponding to the parameter to the switching valve at a timing obtained by the timing acquisition means.

Alternatively, the parameter output means has an input unit capable of inputting data regarding the type of the work to be conveyed, and is input to the input unit while providing a timing acquisition means for obtaining the timing when the defective work reaches the processing position. The parameter is generated and output based on the data, and the proportional control means is configured to apply a voltage corresponding to the parameter to the switching valve at a timing obtained by the timing acquisition means. Is preferable.

In order to inject compressed air, the switching valve includes at least a first port communicating with the compressed air source and a second port communicating with an air supply / exhaust passage formed in the transport path, and the first port and the first port. A switching valve having two or more ports that can be switched between a communication position that makes the second port communicate with each other and a non-communication position that makes the first port and the second port in a non-communication state. is necessary. In particular, in order to accelerate the fall of the compressed air and further improve the responsiveness of the injection of the compressed air, the switching valve further includes a third port leading to the atmosphere, and the first port and the second port are further provided. It is preferable that the valve is a three-port switching valve that can be switched between a communication position for communicating with the port and an open air position as a non-communication position for communicating the second port and the third port.

Furthermore, in order to realize a parts feeder that can accurately digitally control the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air to be injected and prevent a decrease in work efficiency when supporting a wide variety of products, the above air injection mechanism is used for transportation. It is preferable that compressed air is injected into the defective work transported along the path, and the defective work is removed from the transfer path or inverted on the transfer path to change the posture.

According to the present invention described above, it is possible to finely adjust the flow rate and pressure of compressed air with one switching valve, and it has reproducibility to the same setting, and the flow rate and pressure of the injected compressed air can be accurately digitalized. Provided is an air injection mechanism and a parts feeder that can be managed and can prevent a decrease in work efficiency without the need to replace with a switching valve that has different settings for each type of object to be transported when supporting a wide variety of products. It becomes possible.

The schematic diagram which shows the state which applied the air injection mechanism which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention to a parts feeder. The schematic diagram which shows the air injection mechanism at the time of the injection of compressed air partially. The figure which shows the modification of this invention. The figure which shows the other modification of this invention. The figure which shows still another modification of this invention. The figure which shows still another modification of this invention. The figure which shows the conventional structure.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the air injection mechanism 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the parts feeder 2. The parts feeder 2 transports the work W as a plurality of objects to be transported along the transport path 20, and the posture of the work W and the like are based on the image data obtained by the camera 65 that images the transported work W. The defective work W'determined as defective is removed from the transport path 20 or inverted on the transport path 20 at the processing position P set on the downstream side in the transport direction from the camera 65. It corrects the posture. An air supply / discharge path 21 is formed in the transport path 20 through the side wall 20a, and the air injection mechanism 1 injects compressed air toward the processing position P via the air supply / discharge path 21. At this time, in the present embodiment, the defective work W'is treated with compressed air having a flow rate and pressure suitable for the type of work W to be conveyed, specifically, the type of work W.

The air injection mechanism 1 includes an air circuit 10, a host controller 4, an image processing device 6, and a piezoelectric valve driver 5.

The air circuit 10 is connected to the compressed air source 11 (factory equipment), is arranged downstream of the regulator 12 and has a regulator 12 for reducing the compressed air supplied from the compressed air source 11 to a constant value, and is decompressed by the regulator 12. It is provided with a 2-port valve 3 for adjusting the flow rate of compressed air. The compressed air source 11 and the regulator 12 are connected by the first air piping path 13a, the regulator 12 and the 2-port valve 3 are connected by the second air piping path 13b, and the 2-port valve 3 and the air supply / exhaust path 21 are connected to each other. It is connected by the third air piping path 13c. In this embodiment, the 2-port valve 3 constitutes the flow rate adjusting means 3A.

The 2-port valve 3 as a switching valve has a first port 3a leading to the second air piping path 13b, that is, the outlet of the regulator 12, and a second port leading to the third air piping path 13c, that is, the air supply / exhaust path 21 of the parts feeder 2. It is provided with 3b. The two-port valve 3 has a closed position L as a non-communication position shown in FIG. 1 that closes the first port 3a and the second port 3b, respectively, and the first port 3a and the second port 3a via the switching portion 33 of the operating portion 30. It is configured to be switchable between the communication position R shown in FIG. 2 which communicates with the port 3b internally.

This switching is performed by displacement of the operating unit 30 by energizing (voltage application) the electrical input unit 32 provided in the 2-port valve 3, and is shown in FIG. 1 when the electrical input unit 32 is not energized. The closed position L is reached, and the compressed air supplied from the regulator 12 to the 2-port valve 3 is closed near the first port 3a. On the other hand, when the electrical input unit 32 is energized, the operating unit 30 is displaced to reach the communication position R shown in FIG. 2, and the compressed air supplied from the regulator 12 is input from the first port 3a and passed through the switching unit 33. It is output from the second port 3b to supply air to the air supply / discharge path 21. As a result, compressed air is injected from the air supply / discharge passage 21 toward the processing position P. Then, when the energization of the electrical input unit 32 is stopped, the operating unit 30 is displaced toward the original position and returns to the closed position L shown in FIG. 1, and the injection from the air injection circuit 10 is stopped. ..

Further, the displacement amount of the operating unit 30, that is, the opening / closing amount (opening amount) of the 2-port valve 3 can be continuously changed according to the voltage applied to the electrical input unit 32, and the opening / closing amount with respect to the applied voltage. Is uniquely determined, so that the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air supplied from the air supply / discharge passage 21 can be finely adjusted. Further, the 2-port valve 3 is a piezoelectric valve which is a valve using a piezo element as a drive source, and has a quicker response after a voltage is applied than, for example, an electromagnetic valve or a proportional valve (high-speed response).

The host controller 4 as a parameter output means holds various parameters of the driver setting suitable for the type of work W, specifically, the type of work W, and is most suitable for the type of work W that conveys the transport path 20. Parameters are output to the image processing device 6.

The image processing device 6 has a driver setting unit 64 that transmits parameters output from the host controller 4 to the communication input / output unit 51 of the piezoelectric valve driver 5, and an image processing unit that processes image data obtained by using the camera 65. The processing position P is 61, an image discrimination unit 62 that determines the quality of the posture of the work W based on the data processed by the image processing unit 61, and a defective work W'that is a work W determined by the image discrimination unit 62 to be defective. It is provided with a command unit 63 that outputs data (timing data) related to the timing of reaching the above to the command input unit 54 of the piezoelectric valve driver 5 as an exclusion reversal command. The timing at which the defective work W'reaches the processing position P is determined from, for example, the transport speed of the defective work W'calculated using the image data, and in the image processing apparatus 6, the defective work W'is the processing position P. It also functions as a timing acquisition means for finding the timing to reach.

When a parameter is input via the communication input / output unit 51, the piezoelectric valve driver 5 as the proportional control means is an applied voltage setting unit that holds various data related to proportional control for each parameter, for example, an applied voltage for each parameter in advance. The corresponding applied voltage is taken out from 53, and the applied voltage (proportional control) to the 2-port valve 3 is set. Similarly, for the signal of the command input unit 54 via the applied voltage setting unit 53, switching of synchronous output / one-shot output, setting of voltage output waveforms such as rising and falling, setting of one-shot pulse time, command input. Switching between normal close and normal open according to the mechanism of the part 54 and the 2-port valve 3 is also set for each parameter.

Further, the piezoelectric valve driver 5 has a voltage set by the applied voltage setting unit 53 via the output control unit 55 and the voltage output circuit 56 based on the timing data input from the command unit 63 via the command input unit 54. Is applied to the electrical input portion 32 of the 2-port valve 3. While the work W of the same type is being conveyed in this way, the feedback control of the applied voltage is not performed for each injection of compressed air, and the applied voltage can be fixed to improve the responsiveness of the injection. it can.

In such a configuration, when the transfer of the work W is started, parameters suitable for the type of the work W are output from the host controller 4 to the piezoelectric valve driver 5 via the driver setting unit 64, and the applied voltage setting unit 53 The optimum applied voltage and the like are set for the type of work W. The image processing device 6 determines whether or not the posture of the work W is good or bad based on the image data obtained by using the camera 65, and obtains the timing when the defective work W'reaches the processing position P, and commands the image processing unit 62. The timing data is output to the piezoelectric valve driver 5 via the unit 63. Each time the timing data is input via the command input unit 54, the piezoelectric valve driver 5 applies the applied voltage to the electrical input unit of the 2-port valve 3 during the one-shot pulse time set by the applied voltage setting unit 53. Give to 32. Alternatively, when the synchronous output is set, the applied voltage is applied to the input unit 32 while the signal is output from the command unit 63 of the image processing device 6.

In the 2-port valve 3, the operating portion 30 is continuously displaced according to the applied voltage, and compressed air is output at an optimum flow rate and pressure for the work W type. The compressed air output from the 2-port valve 3 reaches the defective work W via the air supply / discharge passage 21, and the defective work W is appropriately removed from the transport path 20 or appropriately inverted on the transport path 20. Change posture. By injecting compressed air at an optimum flow rate and pressure for the work W type in this way, for example, the alignment ability of the parts feeder 2 can be maintained in a suitable state.

As described above, the air injection mechanism 1 of the present embodiment sequentially injects compressed air toward the work W as a plurality of objects to be injected, is connected to the compressed air source 11, and continuously opens and closes the opening and closing amount. A flow rate adjusting means 3A having a 2-port valve 3 as a switching valve that can be changed to, a host controller 4 as a parameter output means for outputting parameters suitable for the type of work W, specifically, the type of work, and parameters corresponding to the parameters. It is configured to include a piezoelectric valve driver 5 as a proportional control means for proportionally controlling the opening / closing amount of the 2-port valve 3 based on the applied voltage.

With such a configuration, the applied voltage to the 2-port valve 3 of the flow rate adjusting means 3A is set based on the parameters output from the host controller 4, and the 2-port valve 3 is set by the piezoelectric valve driver 5 at the applied voltage. Since the opening / closing amount of the work W can be proportionally controlled, the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air output from the 2-port valve 3 can be set to those suitable for the type of work W. Therefore, the flow rate of the compressed air output from the 2-port valve 3 can be finely adjusted appropriately, and the same setting can be reproduced, and the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air injected from the air injection mechanism 1 can be accurately digitalized. Can be managed. In addition, in the case of multi-product support (when using a multi-product shared parts feeder), it is not necessary to replace the 2-port valve 3 with different settings each time the type of work W to be transported is changed, and switching work can be made more efficient. , It is possible to prevent a decrease in work efficiency.

In particular, since the 2-port valve 3 is a piezoelectric valve, the responsiveness of the injection of compressed air can be improved.

Further, among the work W transported along the transport path 20, the work W is applied to the part feeder 2 that injects compressed air at a predetermined processing position P to the defective work W', and the defective work W'is the processing position. An image processing device 6 is provided as a timing acquisition means for determining the timing of reaching P, and the host controller 4 is configured to output parameters suitable for the type of work W to be conveyed, and the piezoelectric valve driver 5 performs image processing. Since the voltage corresponding to the parameter is applied to the 2-port valve 3 at the timing obtained by the device 6, the opening / closing amount of the 2-port valve 3 can be proportionally controlled based on the parameter output from the host controller 4. The piezoelectric valve driver 5 makes it possible to inject compressed air having a flow rate and pressure suitable for the type of work W onto the defective work W'at an appropriate timing.

The switching valve includes a first port 3a communicating with the compressed air source 11 and a second port 3b communicating with an air supply / exhaust passage 21 formed in the transport path 20, and communicates the first port 3a and the second port 3b. Two or more ports so as to be a two-port valve 3 that can be switched between the communication position R to be in a state and the closed position L as a non-communication position to make the first port 3a and the second port 3b in a non-communication state. It is necessary to be a switching valve of. Further, as will be described later, the switching valve further includes a third port valve communicating with the atmosphere, and a communication position for communicating the first port and the second port, and the second port and the third port. By using a 3-port switching valve that can be switched to the open position to the atmosphere as a non-communication position, the pressure of the compressed air drops earlier and the responsiveness of the injection of the compressed air is further improved.

Further, the parts feeder 2 injects compressed air into the defective work W'conveyed along the transport path 20 by using the air injection mechanism 1 of the present embodiment, and removes the defective work W'from the transport path 20. Alternatively, since it is configured to be inverted on the transport path 20 to change the posture, the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air injected using one 2-port valve 3 can be finely adjusted, and the reproducibility to the same setting can be achieved. It has and can accurately control the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air to be injected, and in the case of multi-type support, it is replaced with a 2-port valve 3 with different settings every time the type of work W to be conveyed is changed. There is no need to do so, and it is possible to prevent a decrease in work efficiency.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the specific configuration of each part is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Hereinafter, the same components as those described above are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

For example, in the present embodiment, different parameters are output from the upper controller 4 for each type of work W, but as shown in FIG. 3, the type data of the work W to be conveyed from the upper controller 4 is output. It may be good (upper controller 4 only specifies the type). In this case, the image processing device 6 includes a parameter setting unit 66 that holds parameters suitable for each product type data, and the parameter setting unit 66 sets parameters suitable for the product type data output from the host controller 4 to the driver setting unit 64. It is conceivable that the data is output to the piezoelectric valve driver 5 via the above. In this configuration, the image processing device 6 constitutes the parameter output means.

Further, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which parameters are output from the host controller 4, and as shown in FIG. 4, data regarding the type of work W to be conveyed is manually input from the setting input unit 52 as an input unit included in the piezoelectric valve driver 5. Input is possible (panel input), parameters suitable for each type may be generated from the data input to the setting input unit 52, and the applied voltage or the like may be set by the applied voltage setting unit 53. In this configuration, the piezoelectric valve driver 5 constitutes the parameter output means. Further, instead of the camera 65 and the image processing device 6, a sensor 67 and a sensor amplifier 68 with a determination function may be used. In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, the sensor 67 detects the work W, and the sensor amplifier 68 as a timing acquisition means for obtaining the timing at which the defective work W'reaches the processing position P based on the detection result of the sensor 67 is eliminated. It is configured to output a reversal command to the command input unit 54, and each time an exclusion reversal command is input to the command input unit 54, an applied voltage set via the applied voltage setting unit 53 is applied to the 2-port valve 3. ..

As described above, it is applied to the part feeder 2 that injects compressed air at a predetermined processing position P to the defective work W'conveyed along the transport path 20, and the defective work W'is set to the processing position P. A sensor amplifier 68 is provided as a timing acquisition means for determining the arrival timing, and the piezoelectric valve driver 5 as a parameter output means has a setting input unit 52 as an input unit capable of inputting data regarding the type of work W to be conveyed. Then, the parameter is generated and output based on the data input to the setting input unit 52, and the piezoelectric valve driver 5 outputs the voltage corresponding to the parameter to two ports at the timing obtained by the sensor amplifier 68. Since it is configured to be applied to the valve 3, the opening / closing amount of the 2-port valve 3 can be proportionally controlled based on the data input to the setting input unit 52, and the piezoelectric valve driver 5 is suitable for the type of work W. It becomes possible to inject compressed air having a flow rate and pressure onto the defective work W'at an appropriate timing.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 4, a sensor amplifier and a programmable controller having no determination function may be used instead of the sensor amplifier 68 with the determination function.

Further, in the above embodiment, the 2-port valve 3 is used as the switching valve included in the flow rate adjusting means 3A, but the 3-port valve 7 as shown in FIG. 5 may be used. Alternatively, a valve with 4 or more ports may be used.

The 3-port valve 7 includes a second air piping path 13b, that is, a first port 7a that leads to the outlet of the regulator 12, a third air piping path 13c, that is, a second port 7b that leads to an air supply / exhaust path 21 of the parts feeder 2, and the atmosphere. It is provided with a third port 7c leading to the region. The three-port valve 7 internally communicates the first port 7a and the second port 7b via the switching unit 73 of the operating unit 70 when the electrical input unit 32 is energized, and the communication position R shown in FIG. 5 (b). When the electrical input unit 32 is not energized, the second port 7b and the third port 7c are internally communicated with each other via the switching unit 71 of the operating unit 70, and the first port 7a and the second port 7b are connected. It is configured to be switchable between the open position to the atmosphere N as the non-communication position shown in FIG.

At the atmosphere opening position N shown in FIG. 5A, the compressed air supplied from the regulator 12 to the 3-port valve 7 is closed near the first port 7a, and the second port 7b is opened to the atmosphere. On the other hand, at the communication position R shown in FIG. 6B, the compressed air supplied from the regulator 12 is input from the first port 7a and output from the second port 7b via the switching unit 73, and the air supply / discharge path 21 Air supply to. As a result, compressed air is injected from the air supply / discharge passage 21 toward the processing position P.

Then, when the energization of the electrical input unit 32 is stopped, the operating unit 70 is displaced toward the original position and returns to the atmospheric open position N shown in FIG. 3A, and the third air pipe at this time The residual pressure in the path 13c is released to the atmosphere from the air supply / discharge path 21 and is released from the second port 7b of the 3-port valve 7 to the atmosphere from the third port 7c via the switching portion 71. Therefore, immediately after returning the 3-port valve 7 from the communication position R shown in FIG. 5 (b) to the atmospheric opening position N shown in FIG. 5 (a), the air supply / discharge passage 21 of the 3-port valve 7 and the parts feeder 2 Since the residual pressure in the third air piping path 13c between the air supply / exhaust passage 21 and the 3-port valve 7 is appropriately released to the atmosphere, the pressure drop of the compressed air can be accelerated.

In this way, the switching valve connects the first port 7a leading to the compressed air source 11, the second port 7b communicating with the air supply / discharge passage 21 formed in the transport path 20, and the third port 7c communicating with the atmospheric area. At least, the communication position R for communicating the first port 7a and the second port 7b, the second port 7b and the third port 7c are communicated with each other, and the first port 7a and the second port 7b are in a non-communication state. Since it is a 3-port valve 7 having 3 or more ports that can be switched between the air supply / discharge position N as a non-communication position, the residual pressure in the third air piping path 13c after injection is the air supply / discharge path 21. The air supply / exhaust path 21 and the 3-port valve after injection are released from the second port 7b of the 3-port valve 7 to the atmosphere from the third port 7c via the switching portion 71. It can be performed from both of No. 7, and the fall of the injection of the compressed air can be accelerated to further improve the responsiveness of the pressure of the compressed air.

In the above embodiment, as described above, a normally closed type 3-port valve 7 that is opened to the atmosphere when the electrical input unit 32 is de-energized is used, but is closed when the electrical input unit 32 is de-energized. A normally open type 3-port valve 7 may be used. Switching between normal open and normal closed is performed by the applied voltage setting unit 53 shown in FIG. 4 and the like.

Further, in the above embodiment, different parameters are output from the upper controller 4 for each type of work W, but different parameters may be output for each type and lot from the upper controller 4. Even if the work W is of the same type, the outer shape and surface friction are slightly different for each lot, so even if the settings are the same, there will be differences in the inversion movement and exclusion movement, and the alignment ability of the parts feeder 2 will decrease. However, the flow rate and pressure of the compressed air to be injected can be further optimized by the configuration in which different parameters can be output for each type of work W and lot.

Further, in the above embodiment, instead of the 2-port valve 3 or the 3-port valve 7, a high-speed solenoid is connected to the proportional valve 75 via the proportional valve 75 as a switching valve and the air piping path 13d as shown in FIG. Valve 76 may be used. That is, the flow rate adjusting means 3B may be composed of the proportional valve 75 and the solenoid valve 76. In this configuration, the opening / closing amount of the proportional valve 75 is proportionally controlled by the current applied to the coil of the proportional valve 75 (not shown) from the solenoid valve driver 5'as the proportional control means, which has almost the same configuration as the piezoelectric valve driver 5. The flow rate and pressure of the compressed air output from the proportional valve 75 are digitally controlled, and the solenoid valve 76 is opened and closed by the solenoid valve driver 5'at the timing required by the timing acquisition means to inject the compressed air.

Further, the air injection mechanism 1 of the present embodiment is applied to the parts feeder 2, but is not limited to this, and may be applied to a visual inspection machine, a measurement sorting machine, a taping machine, and the like.

Other configurations can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 ... Air injection mechanism 2 ... Parts feeder 3 ... 2 port valve (switching valve, piezoelectric valve)
3a ... 1st port
3b ... 2nd ports 3A, 3B ... Flow rate adjusting means 4 ... Upper controller (parameter output means)
5 ... Piezoelectric valve driver (proportional control means, parameter output means)
5'... Solenoid valve driver (proportional control means)
6 ... Image processing device (timing acquisition means, parameter output means)
7 ... 3 port valve (switching valve, piezoelectric valve)
7a ... 1st port 7b ... 2nd port 7c ... 3rd port
10 ... Air circuit 11 ... Compressed air source
12 ... Regulator
13a ... 1st air piping route
13b ... Second air piping route
13c ・ ・ ・ Third air piping route 20 ・ ・ ・ Transport path
20a ... Side wall 21 ... Air supply / discharge path
30 ... Acting part
32 ... Electrical input unit
33 ... Switching part
51 ... Communication input / output unit 52 ... Setting input unit (input unit)
53 ... Applied voltage setting unit
54 ... Command input unit
55 ... Output control unit
56 ... Voltage output circuit
61 ... Image processing unit
62 ... Image discrimination unit
63 ... Command section
64 ... Driver setting section
65 ... Camera 68 ... Sensor amplifier (timing acquisition means)
P ... Processing position R ... Communication position L ... Blocking position (non-communication position)
N: Open to the atmosphere (non-communication position)
W ... Work (object to be injected)
W'... Bad work

Claims (6)

An air injection mechanism that sequentially injects compressed air toward a plurality of objects to be injected.
A flow rate adjusting means connected to a compressed air source and having a switching valve that can continuously change the opening / closing amount.
A parameter output means that outputs parameters suitable for the type of object to be injected, and
The applied voltage or applied current for each parameter is set based on the parameter output from the parameter output means, and when a command signal is input to the command input unit, the switching valve is opened and closed based on the applied voltage or applied current. An air injection mechanism including a proportional control means for electrically proportionally controlling an amount. The air injection mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the switching valve is a piezoelectric valve. It is applied to the parts feeder that injects compressed air at a predetermined processing position to the defective work among the works transported along the transport path.
A timing acquisition means for obtaining the timing at which the defective work reaches the processing position is provided, and the parameter output means is configured to output parameters suitable for the type of work to be conveyed.
The air injection mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the proportional control means is configured to apply a voltage corresponding to the parameter to the switching valve at a timing obtained by the timing acquisition means. It is applied to the parts feeder that injects compressed air at a predetermined processing position to the defective work among the works transported along the transport path.
The parameter output means has an input unit capable of inputting data regarding the type of work to be conveyed, and the data input to the input unit is provided with a timing acquisition means for obtaining the timing at which the defective work reaches the processing position. Is configured to generate and output the parameters based on
The air injection mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the proportional control means is configured to apply a voltage corresponding to the parameter to the switching valve at a timing obtained by the timing acquisition means. The switching valve includes at least a first port communicating with a compressed air source and a second port communicating with an air supply / exhaust path formed in the transport path, and the first port and the second port are in a communicating state. 3 or 4 according to claim 3, wherein the switching valve has two or more ports that can be switched between the communication position to be connected and the non-communication position that makes the first port and the second port in a non-communication state. The described air injection mechanism. Using the air injection mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, compressed air is injected into the defective work transported along the transport path, and the defective work is removed from the transport path or on the transport path. A parts feeder that is configured to be flipped over and changed in posture.

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