JP7359455B2 - Vibrating parts feeding device - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a bowl-type vibrating component feeding device, and more particularly to a bowl-type vibrating machine screw feeding device.

2. Description of the Related Art Vibratory component supply devices that supply components by conveying a plurality of articles by vibration have been known. This device allows parts to be quickly and oriented under the worker or working machine, allowing the next work step to be carried out without delay.

Among the vibrating parts feeding devices, the bowl-type vibrating parts feeding device is known, in which parts are placed in a bowl-shaped container and the parts are conveyed by climbing up a spiral conveying path provided inside the bowl. It is being

However, as the parts climb up the spiral conveyance path, they climb against gravity, so with a normal bowl, there is a problem in that the parts slip and cannot move up the conveyance path properly. there were. In particular, small parts such as machine screws have a small contact area with the conveyance path and tend to easily slip off.

By the way, some prior art documents are known that focus on the surface roughness of the spiral conveyance path inside the bowl of this bowl-type vibrating component supply device.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an invention in which the surface roughness of the conveyance path is set to a smaller value than the surface roughness of the component to prevent the surface of the component from being scraped by the friction of the conveyance path. (paragraph 0011 etc.).

In addition, Patent Document 2 describes that by forming the bottom and inner peripheral surfaces of the bowl into rough surfaces, static electricity generated when parts come into contact with the bottom and inner peripheral surfaces of the bowl can be suppressed. An invention is disclosed that prevents components from being charged with electricity before entering a conveyance path (paragraphs 0016, 0017, etc.).

However, as described below, Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not solve the above problem.

The conveyed components in Patent Document 1 are specified as electronic components, and Patent Document 1 solves the problem that poor soldering is likely to occur due to scraping of electrode films formed on the surfaces of electronic components during the transportation of electronic components. This invention solves the problem (paragraphs 0003, 0004, etc.). Furthermore, for this purpose, the present invention is directed toward reducing the surface roughness of the conveyance path. In this way, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a technique for making it easier for non-electronic components to climb up the spiral conveyance path.

The purpose of the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 is to prevent components from being charged, and does not disclose a technique for making it easier for components to climb up a spiral conveyance path.

JP2017-210342 JP2002-265033

The present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and is a bowl-type vibrating component feeding device that stably transports components supplied to the bowl without slipping down the spiral conveyance path provided inside the bowl. The challenge is to transport the materials to

A vibrating component feeding device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a vibrating component feeding device that conveys and supplies screws along a conveying path by vibrating a conveying path composed of grooves. The passage includes a conveying passage spirally rising from the bottom surface of the bowl to the inner circumferential surface, and is characterized in that the entire inner surface of the bowl is formed into a rough surface.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a vibrating component supply device that conveys and supplies components along a conveyance path by vibrating a conveyance path configured with grooves. The channel includes a conveyance channel rising spirally from the bottom surface to the inner peripheral surface of the bowl, the entire inner surface of the bowl is formed with a rough surface, and the discharge end of the bowl has a wall surface at one end and a wall surface at the other end. The conveyance path is extended by connecting chutes having curved detours that are not provided with curved detours.

The vibrating component feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention is further characterized in that the rough surface has an arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of 1.0 to 1.8 μm.

In the vibrating component feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the rough surface is formed by blasting at least the entire inner surface of the bowl made of aluminum, followed by etching treatment, and further alumite treatment. It is characterized by being something.

The vibrating component feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention is further characterized in that the bowl vibrates by applying torsional vibration around the central axis, and the frequency of the vibration is a resonant frequency. do.

The vibratory component feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention is further characterized in that the frequency of vibration is automatically adjusted to maintain a resonant frequency depending on the weight of the screw or component in the bowl. shall be.

The vibrating component feeding device according to the embodiment of the present invention is further characterized in that the screw or the component is a screw having a screw head diameter of less than 2 mm.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bowl-type vibrating parts supply device that can stably transport parts supplied to a bowl without slipping down a spiral transport path provided inside the bowl. .

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bowl-type vibrating component feeding device 100 that is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the entire bowl 20. FIG. 3 is a top view and a sectional view of the bowl 20. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the entire chute 30. FIG. 3 is a top view of the entire chute 30. FIG. 3 is a yz plane cross-sectional view of a deep groove 34 portion of the chute 30. FIG.

[Embodiment]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

(Schematic configuration)
A schematic configuration of a bowl-type vibrating component feeding device 100 according to this embodiment will be described using FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bowl-type vibrating component feeding device 100. The bowl-type vibrating component feeding device 100 is entirely covered with a housing 90. Note that in FIG. 1, the housing 90 is depicted as semi-transparent for the sake of explanation, and even its internal structure is illustrated.

The bowl-type vibratory component feeding device 100 includes a controller 10, a bowl 20, a chute 30, and an index 40. The housing 90 covers the entire bowl-type vibrating component supply device 100, and the controller 10 and a portion of the index 40 are exposed to the outside from the outlet 60.

A component, for example, a microscrew 1, can be directly loaded into the bowl 20 by opening the loading port 50 provided on the bowl 20 of the housing 90.

The bowl 20 has a conveyance path rising spirally from its bottom surface to its inner peripheral surface. Further, the bowl 20 is placed on a vibrator, and is designed so that when the vibrator vibrates, the vibration is also transmitted to the microscrew 1 within the bowl 20. The vibration produced by this vibrator is preferably vibration that includes rotation so that the microscrew 1 moves along the conveyance path.

The chute 30 is a component connected to the discharge end of the spiral conveyance path of the bowl 20, and has the function of lining up the microscrews 1 that have traveled along the spiral conveyance path and supplying them to the index 40.

A disk is rotatably embedded in the index 40 and has a plurality of holes on its outer periphery for storing the screw heads of the microscrews 1, and the screw heads of the microscrews 1 supplied from the chute 30 are inserted into these holes. It is inserted and fed under the circular outlet 60 as the disk rotates.

A worker or a working machine can take out the microscrew 1 supplied under the outlet 60 and use it for screw tightening.

The controller 10 can turn on/off the power of the entire bowl-type vibrating parts supply device 100, turn on/off the vibration applied to the bowl 20, adjust the vibration frequency, and adjust the rotation speed of the index 40.

In summary, the overall movement of the microscrew 1 is as follows. The microscrew 1 supplied to the bottom surface of the bowl 20 climbs up along the conveyance path spirally rising from the bottom surface to the inner circumferential surface due to vibration, and enters the conveyance path 32 of the chute 30 connected to the discharge end thereof. After being conveyed and aligned, they are inserted into a hole provided in the disk of the index 40, and as the disk rotates, they are supplied below the outlet 60.

(Bowl 20)
FIG. 2(a) is a perspective view of the entire bowl 20. FIG. FIG. 2(b) is a diagram showing a situation in which the microscrew 1 is placed in the bowl 20 and is being transported. The bowl 20 includes a bottom surface 22 and a conveyance path 21 rising spirally from the bottom surface 22 toward the inner peripheral surface.

At the end of the spiral conveyance path 21, there is a discharge end 23. The fixing hole 24 in FIG. 2 and the fixing hole 37 of the chute 30 in FIG. 4 are fixed with screws or the like. Therefore, the discharge end 23 is connected to the conveyance path 32 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 3(a) is a view of the bowl 20 in FIG. 2 viewed from above the z-axis, and FIG. 3(b) is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3(a). The bottom surface 22 of the bowl 20 is raised in the middle so that the inserted microscrew 1 can be easily supplied to the spiral conveyance path 21.

A vibrator is provided below the bowl 20, making it possible to transmit controlled vibrations to the bowl 20. This vibration is preferably a torsional vibration applied around the central axis. This vibration allows the microscrew 1 supplied to the bottom surface 22 to climb up the conveyance path 21 that rises in a spiral shape.

Preferably, the bowl 20 vibrates at a resonant frequency. As a result, the parts are efficiently moved up and down and transported along the transport path. Specifically, it is preferable to adjust the frequency to 400Hz to 430Hz.

The frequency of the bowl 20 may be a constant value throughout the supply of the microscrews 1, but it can also be automatically adjusted to a resonant frequency depending on the remaining amount of the microscrews 1. In other words, the resonance frequency changes slightly depending on the remaining amount of the microscrew 1 in the bowl 20, so by automatically changing the frequency to an appropriate frequency while monitoring the remaining amount of the microscrew 1, the resonance frequency can be adjusted slightly. This is because it becomes possible to maintain the resonance frequency throughout the supply of the screw 1. The monitoring methods include a method of constantly measuring the weight of the bowl 20, a method of counting the number of supplied microscrews 1 by image analysis and calculating the remaining amount of the microscrews 1 in the bowl 20, and a method of calculating the remaining amount of microscrews 1 in the bowl 20. Any method such as measuring the approximate amount using image analysis may be used.

In this embodiment, the entire inner surface of the bowl 20 is formed into a rough surface. The meaning of the entire inner surface basically means the entire inner surface of the bowl 20, such as the bottom surface 22, the conveyance path 21, and the inner wall surface 25 in FIG. 3(b). However, in the case where the problem of the present invention can be solved even if a portion unrelated to the conveyance of the microscrew 1, such as a part of the inner wall surface 25 located away from the conveyance path 21, is not formed into a rough surface. It can be said that the entire inner surface is formed into a rough surface.

As a method for forming the rough surface, for example, the bowl 20 made of aluminum may be subjected to a blasting treatment, then an etching treatment, and finally an alumite treatment. An optimal rough surface is formed by forming relatively large irregularities in the blasting process, and then smoothing out the irregularities to some extent by the subsequent etching process or alumite treatment.

In the blasting process, small particles or powdered media are sprayed onto the inner surface of the bowl 20 to process the object so that the surface has minute irregularities. Various materials can be used for the media, such as metal, slag, ceramic, natural stone sand, glass, resin, plant material, dry ice, and baking soda. The type of media, ejection speed, ejection time, etc. can be adjusted as appropriate depending on the type of component.

Alumina powder is preferred as the media used for blasting. In particular, it is preferable to alternately use alumina powders of different particle sizes.

In the etching process, the corrosive action of chemicals partially dissolves the irregularities on the bowl surface. Thereby, the degree of unevenness on the inner surface of the bowl 20 after the blasting process can be adjusted as appropriate. Conventional techniques can be used for the etching solution, etching time, and the like.

In alumite treatment, the aluminum bowl 20 is immersed in an electrolytic solution such as sulfuric acid or oxalic acid, the positive electrode is connected to a jig that fixes the bowl 20, and a current is passed between the cathodes. As electrolysis progresses, an oxide film is formed on the surface of the aluminum. The type of electrolyte, the current value to be passed, the time for which the current is applied, etc. can be adjusted as appropriate depending on the type of component.

The thickness of the alumite (aluminum oxide film) in the alumite treatment is preferably less than 30 μm.

Blast treatment, etching treatment, and alumite treatment are performed in this order. If necessary, separate steps may be included between each treatment.

The roughness of the rough surface formed by blasting, etching, and alumite treatment can be adjusted so that each part can move up the conveyance path independently by vibration. be.

In this embodiment, the entire inner surface of the bowl 20 is subjected to a blasting process, followed by an etching process and an alumite process. At this time, even if a part of the inner surface of the bowl 20 is subjected to blasting, etching, or alumite treatment with a cover seal etc. applied, if the problem of the present invention can be solved, the entire inner surface will be rough. It can be said that it is formed on a surface.

In this embodiment, the surface roughness of the rough surface is preferably set to 1.0 to 1.8 μm in terms of arithmetic mean roughness (Ra). When Ra is within this range, parts can be stably supplied along the spiral conveyance path. When Ra is less than 1.0 μm, the components tend to slide down the spiral conveyance path, and when Ra is greater than 1.8 μm, the components get too caught on the conveyance path, making it difficult to climb up the conveyance path.

In other words, in this embodiment, it is preferable that the rough surface be adjusted to such a degree that each component can move up the conveyance path independently by vibration.

The method for measuring the arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) shall be in accordance with JISB0601-2001.

(Shoot 30)
FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view of the chute 30 used in the bowl-type vibrating component feeding device 100 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4(b) is a perspective view of FIG. 4(a) rotated approximately 120 degrees clockwise in the z-axis direction.

The chute 30 is provided with a conveyance path 32 composed of a groove. The conveyance path 32 is connected to a detour path 33, a deep groove 34, and an inclined conveyance path 35, which are the same conveyance path.

Arrow X indicates a flow in which the microscrew 1 is conveyed from the discharge end of the bowl 20 to the conveyance path 32 of the chute 30. Arrow Y indicates the flow in which the microscrew 1 is transported from the inclined transport path 35 to the index 40.

A curved detour 33 is connected to the tip of the conveyance path 32 of the chute 30 . It is preferable that the detour path 33 has a convex curved shape that is detoured by at least the same width as the conveyance path 32, compared to an extension of the conveyance path 32 which is a substantially straight line. The curved shape of the convex portion is preferably a substantially arcuate shape, but is not limited thereto.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the chute 30 of FIG. 4 viewed from above in the z-axis direction.

A wall surface 31 along the detour path 33 is provided at one end of the detour path 33, and no wall surface is provided at the other end. The wall surface 31 is provided generally vertically upward along the curved shape of the detour path 33, but it can be either a wall surface that protrudes and slopes toward the detour path 33 side, or a wall surface that slopes on the opposite side of the detour path 33. It may be. The height of the wall surface 31 is sufficient as long as it can come into contact with and eject the microscrew 1 in an incorrect posture.

The microscrews 1 are conveyed to the conveyance path 32 in the direction of the arrow X, but at this point there are still overlaps and poor postures. However, when the microscrew 1 is conveyed to the detour path 33, it has a curved shape with one end being a wall surface and the other end being a cliff, that is, it becomes an unstable conveyance path for conveying parts. This causes a movement in the posture of the microscrew 1 being conveyed, and a phenomenon occurs in which a microscrew 1 with a poor posture cannot survive the conveyance path and falls off a cliff. Thereby, in the detour path 33, it becomes possible to discharge the microscrews 1 with poor posture, and sort and align the microscrews 1 with good posture.

Examples of microscrews 1 with poor posture include those with overlapping screws and screw heads whose orientation is not parallel to the conveying direction. If the direction of the screw head is substantially the same as or substantially opposite to the conveyance direction, the posture is good.

In this way, the detour 33 allows the microscrews 1 to be transported to be narrowed down and aligned so that the direction of the screw heads is substantially the same or substantially opposite to the transport direction.

It is preferable that the end where the wall surface is not provided, that is, the microscrew 1 that has fallen from the cliff, is connected to the conveyance path at a lower position inside the bowl 20. Note that the conveyance path 21 as a connected destination is a concept that includes the bottom surface 22 because the bottom surface 22 is also connected to the conveyance path. As a result, even if the microscrew 1 is once ejected due to poor posture, it can be returned to the conveyance path at a lower position and returned to the cycle in which it is conveyed through the conveyance path again.

1, 2, and 4 show that the chute 30 is connected to the discharge end 23 of the bowl 20, and that the microscrew 1 discharged due to poor posture is connected to the conveyance path 21 and the bottom surface 22 inside the bowl 20. I understand.

In the chute 30 used in the bowl-type vibrating component supply device 100 according to the present embodiment, a deep groove 34 for accommodating the screw neck portion of the microscrew 1 in addition to the groove 36 is provided at the end of the detour 33. . The size of the deep groove 34 is adjusted so as to accommodate only the screw head portion of the microscrew 1, and the screw head of the microscrew 1 is held in a state caught in the groove 36 during storage.

When the microscrews 1 whose screw heads are narrowed down and aligned by the detour path 33 so that the orientation of the screw heads is substantially the same or substantially opposite to the conveyance direction are conveyed to the deep groove 34, the screw heads are automatically accommodated in the deep groove 34 by gravity. will be done.

FIG. 6 is a yz plane cross-sectional view of a portion of the chute 30 in FIG. 4 in which the deep groove 34 is formed, and is a BB cross-sectional view of the chute 30 in FIG. A state in which the screw neck of the microscrew 1 is accommodated in the deep groove 34 is shown.

The groove 36 is formed approximately at the center of the conveyance path 32 for the purpose of stably conveying the microscrew 1. The shape of the groove 36 is not particularly limited, but can be appropriately designed such as a V-shaped groove, a U-shaped groove, or a recessed groove.

The chute 30 can be made of resin, metal, or the like.

(parts)
In this embodiment, a microscrew 1 with a screw head diameter of less than 2 mm is used as an example of a component, but the component is not limited to this. The parts may be any parts that require a large quantity supply of similar items, such as common screws, bolts, and nuts. However, as for parts, preferably electronic parts are excluded.

The shape of the conveyance path and the shape of the chute 30 can be designed as appropriate depending on the weight, shape, balance, etc. of the parts.

1 Microscrew 10 Controller 20 Bowl 21 Conveyance path 22 Bottom surface 23 Discharge end 24 Fixing hole 30 Chute 31 Wall surface 32 Conveyance path 33 Detour path 34 Deep groove 35 Inclined conveyance path 36 Groove 37 Fixing hole 40 Index 50 Inlet port 60 Output port 90 Housing 100 Bowl-type vibrating parts supply device

Claims (8)

A vibrating component supply device that conveys and supplies components along the conveyance path by vibrating a conveyance path composed of grooves,
The conveyance path includes a conveyance path rising spirally from the bottom surface of the bowl to the inner peripheral surface,
The entire inner surface of the bowl is formed into a rough surface,
A discharge end of the bowl has a substantially linear shape forming a part of the conveyance path, and a wall surface at one end and no wall surface at the other end forming a part of the conveyance path, Vibration characterized in that the conveyance path is extended by connecting a chute connected to the end of a substantially linear shape and having a curved shape forming a convex portion with respect to an extension of the substantially linear shape . Type parts supply device. The vibrating component feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the curved shape is a substantially arc shape. The vibrating component supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rough surface has an arithmetic mean roughness (Ra) of 1.0 to 1.8 μm. Any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rough surface is formed by blasting at least the entire inner surface of the bowl made of aluminum, followed by etching treatment, and further alumite treatment. The vibrating parts feeding device according to item 1. The vibration type according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bowl vibrates by applying torsional vibration around a central axis, and the vibration frequency is a resonant frequency. Parts feeding device. 6. The vibratory component feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the frequency is automatically adjusted to maintain a resonant frequency depending on the weight of the component in the bowl. The vibrating component feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the component is a screw having a screw head diameter of less than 2 mm. A method for manufacturing an aluminum bowl used in the vibrating component feeding device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising :
A manufacturing method comprising the steps of blasting at least the entire inner surface of the bowl, followed by etching, and then alumite treatment.