JPH0526243U - Automatic parts feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To provide an inexpensive automatic component feeder having a simple structure capable of directly feeding a component to a processing apparatus or the like without requiring a large feeding space. [Structure] While the slider 16 moves from a receiving position where the crimping pin 12 is supplied into the through hole 28 to a position before the feeding position in the caulking device 46, the shaft 34 projects into the through hole 28 to prevent the crimping pin 12 from falling. While the slider 16 is held in the blocking position, the engaging block 36 integral with the shaft 34 abuts on the abutment surface 44 of the plate 20 after the slider 16 reaches the front of the feeding position, so that the shaft 34 is relatively moved. When the slider 16 is moved and reaches the feeding position, the shaft 34 is retracted from the through hole 28 and is positioned at the open position that allows the crimping pin 12 to fall.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to an automatic component feeder for automatically feeding components to a processing device, etc., and more particularly to a feeder for setting components one by one at predetermined positions from above. is there.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 In recent years, in order to reduce costs by automating manual work, in automation lines at various assembly plants, etc., a device that automatically feeds parts one by one to a processing device in response to various processes has been considered. .. One of such automatic component feeders is, for example, a caulking pin automatic feeder for setting a caulking pin in a caulking device, and an example of the feeding process in such a device is shown in FIG. In the feeding process of FIG. 6, first, the crimp pin 60 supplied from the hopper by the parts feeder through the supply nozzle 64 is received by the slider 62 at the receiving position, and then the slider 62 is shifted to the suction position. After that, the caulking pin 60 is sucked and lifted by the vacuum type suction device 66. Then, the suction device 66 conveys it to above the pin receiving die 68 of the caulking device, lowers it to release the suction, and automatically feeds the pin receiving die 68 with the caulking pin 60. ..

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, an automatic feeder that performs the process shown in FIG. 6 requires a large admission space for the adsorption device above the feeding position. Therefore, in the case of a processing device with a narrow admission space, parts are automatically fed. There was a problem that I could not get it. Even if an entrance space for automatic feeding can be secured, the feeding device includes a suction device in addition to the slider, which makes the structure large and complicated, which increases the equipment cost and operating cost and increases the feeding cost. There was the inconvenience that the entire feeding process became complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a simple structure capable of directly feeding a component to a processing apparatus or the like without requiring a large feeding space. It is to provide an inexpensive automatic component feeder.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve such an object, the gist of the present invention is that (a) a through hole through which a component to be fed is movable in the feeding direction and through which the component can pass is in a substantially vertical direction. And (b) the slider is moved back and forth in the feeding direction so that the component is supplied into the through hole, and a predetermined receiving position, and the component is removed from the through hole. A driving device positioned at a predetermined feeding position to be dropped, and (c) a component which is disposed on the slider so as to be relatively movable in the feeding direction, and the component when the component falls from the through hole. The closed position that prevents the parts from falling out of the through hole by protruding onto the passage path of the, and the open position that retracts from the passage path and allows the parts to fall through the through hole. Fall The limit member and (d) allow the drop limiting member to move integrally with the slider while being held in the closed position while the slider moves from the receiving position to just before the feeding position. However, after the slider reaches just before the feeding position, it engages with the drop limiting member to prevent further movement of the drop limiting member in the feeding direction, and only the slider feeds the feed. A position-fixed engagement member that relatively moves the drop limiting member to the open position by being moved to the feeding position; and (e) while the slider is returned from the feeding position to the receiving position. And a return mechanism for mechanically moving the drop limiting member relative to the closed position in association with the movement of the slider.

[0006]

[Action]

 In the above-mentioned automatic component feeder, when a component is fed into the through hole of the slider at the receiving position, the drop limiting member projects into the passage path when the component falls and the through hole of the component Since it is held in a closed position that prevents it from falling off, the supplied component is temporarily retained in its through hole. In that state, the slider is moved from the receiving position to the feeding position by the driving device. While the slider is allowed to move in the feeding direction together with the slider while it is held in the closed position while the slider is moving to the position before the feeding position, After reaching the position, the engaging member engaged with the drop restricting member prevents further movement of the drop restricting member in the feeding direction, and only the slider holds the part and feed position as it is. Can be moved to. During this movement of the slider, the drop control member moves relative to the slider, and when the slider reaches the feeding position, it moves to the open position that allows the parts to drop from the through hole, Parts are dropped from the through hole at the feeding position. After that, while the slider returns from the feeding position to the receiving position, the returning mechanism moves the drop limiting member to the closed position to prepare for the supply of parts at the receiving position.

[0007]

[Effect of the device]

 According to such an automatic component feeder, the slider itself temporarily holds the component supplied at the receiving position in the through hole and conveys the component, and at the same time, the component drops at the feeding position. Parts can be set directly in the processing equipment as long as there is a slider entry space, and parts are automatically fed even to processing equipment that could not be automatically fed in the past due to the narrow entry space for feeding. It is possible to do so. In addition, since the above-mentioned automatic component feeder has a simple structure, the apparatus can be constructed at low cost and the feeding process is simplified, and compared with the conventional large-scale feeder using an adsorption device. As a result, the facility cost and the operating cost can be significantly reduced, and the parts can be reliably delivered by the stable operation of the fall limiting member.

[0008]

【Example】

 An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a caulking pin automatic feeding device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention as seen from the side with respect to the feeding direction of the caulking pins 12 (the arrow direction in the drawing). In the figure, the caulking pins 12, which are the feeding parts, are automatically and sequentially fed from above the caulking pin automatic feeding device 10 through a hose 14 from a hopper (not shown) through a parts feeder or the like. At this time, the caulking pin 12 is always fed with the large diameter portion facing downward. The slider 16 forms a slender rectangular parallelepiped along the feeding direction of the caulking pin 12, and as can be seen from FIG. 2 which is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. It is arranged so as to be surrounded by 18, 20, 22, 24 and a block 26. The slider 16 is slidably guided by the four plates 18, 20, 22, and 24 so that the caulking pin 12 can be moved in the feeding direction. A through hole 28 through which the crimping pin 12 can pass is vertically provided at the end of the slider 16 on the leading end side in the feeding direction (hereinafter, the left side in the drawing is referred to as the leading end side). In FIG. 12 shows a state in which 12 descends and is fitted into the through hole 28.

On the other hand, an output rod 32 of an air cylinder 30 as a drive device fixed to the block 26 is connected to a rear end portion of the slider 16. When the air cylinder 30 is operated and the slider 16 is reciprocated in the feeding direction, the through hole 28 is directly below the hose 14 as shown in FIG. The slider 16 is positioned at a feeding position (see FIG. 5) where the caulking pin 12 should be dropped from the through hole 28 by a predetermined distance from the position in the feeding direction. A long shaft 34 is arranged inside the slider 16 along the longitudinal direction of the slider 16. One end of the shaft 34 passes through the through hole 28 when the caulking pin 12 falls. It is movable between a closed position that protrudes upward to prevent the crimping pin 12 from falling and an open position that allows the crimping pin 12 to drop by retracting from the passage as shown in FIG. The depth dimension of the through hole 28 in a state where the shaft 34 is held at the closed position is substantially equal to the length dimension of the crimp pin 12. An engaging block 36 is integrally fixed to a predetermined portion of the shaft 34, and the engaging block 36 is inserted in the recess 38 of the slider 16 around the shaft 34 to form a compression coil spring 40. The shaft 34 is urged from the open position toward the closed position by being pressed by the slider 16 toward the tip end side thereof. 3 is a bottom view of the crimp pin automatic feeding device 10 with the lower plate 20 removed. In the present embodiment, the shaft 34 corresponds to the drop limiting member and the compression coil spring 40 corresponds to the return mechanism.

A part of the engagement block 36 projects below the lower surface of the slider 16, and the lower plate 20 has an opening 42 that allows the projection. When the slider 16 is moved from the receiving position to the feeding position, the shaft 34 moves integrally with the slider 16 while being held in the closed position by the compression coil spring 40, and the engagement block 36 moves. It can be moved in the opening 42. However, the dimension A in FIG. 1 is set to be shorter than the movement stroke of the slider 16 by the air cylinder 30 (the distance from the receiving position to the feeding position), and the slider 16 is shorter than the feeding position by the shorter amount. That is, when reaching a position moved by a distance equal to the dimension A from the receiving position, the engaging block 36 comes into contact with the abutment surface 44 on the distal end side in the opening 42, so that the shaft 34 is further moved in the feeding direction. Is blocked. FIG. 4 shows the state at this time. Therefore, when the slider 16 further moves toward the feeding position, the shaft 34 moves relatively to the rear end side with respect to the slider 16, and when the slider 16 reaches the feeding position, the shaft 34 is attached with the compression coil spring 40. It is placed in the open position against the forces. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the caulking pin 12 is dropped from the through hole 28 while the slider 16 is located at the feeding position. Here, since the relative movement stroke of the shaft 34 with respect to the slider 16 is the length obtained by subtracting the dimension A from the movement stroke of the slider 16 from the receiving position to the feeding position, the closed position and the open position of the shaft 34. The position of the contact surface 44 is preset so as to satisfy the dimension A which is inevitably determined by the distance between them and the distance between the receiving position and the feeding position of the slider 16. In this embodiment, the plate 20 provided with the contact surface 44 corresponds to the position-fixed engaging member.

As shown in FIG. 4, the caulking pin automatic feeding device 10 configured as described above is installed so as to be positioned at an intermediate height between the caulking punch 48 of the caulking device 46 and the pin receiving base 50, as shown in FIG. Works like.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, the crimp pin 12 is supplied into the through hole 28 with the slider 16 positioned at the receiving position. At this time, the shaft 34 is held in the closed position by the urging force of the compression coil spring 40, and the crimping pin 12 is prevented from falling while the caulking pin 12 is on the shaft 34. Next, the air cylinder 30 is actuated in the direction in which the output rod 32 is projected, and the slider 16 temporarily holding the crimp pin 12 is moved from the receiving position to the feeding position. After the slider 16 reaches the position before the feeding position as shown in FIG. 4 and the plate 20 is engaged with the shaft 34 by the contact between the engagement block 36 and the contact surface 44, the shaft 34 is further fed. The movement in the feeding direction is blocked and the slider 16 relatively moves from the closed position to the open position. Then, when the slider 16 reaches the feeding position, the shaft 34 also reaches the open position, the falling of the crimping pin 12 is allowed, and the crimping pin 12 is loaded into the pin receiving base 50 of the crimping device 46. The compression coil spring 40 in this state is compressed and deformed by the relative movement stroke of the shaft 34. After that, the air cylinder 30 is operated in the direction to pull in the output rod 32, and the slider 16 is moved back from the feeding position to the receiving position. At this time, the shaft 34 relatively moves from the open position to the closed position according to the urging force of the compression coil spring 40 in the slider 16 while the slider 16 moves to the position just before the feeding position on the forward path, and then the slider 16 after that. In this movement, the shaft 34 is held in the closed position and moves integrally with the slider 16 in the direction opposite to the feeding direction. Then, when the slider 16 reaches the receiving position, the next crimping pin 12 falls into the through hole 28, and the above operation cycle is repeated.

As described above, in the caulking pin automatic feeding device 10 of the present embodiment, the caulking pin 12 fed into the through hole 28 at the receiving position of the slider 16 is prevented from dropping by the shaft 34. Then, when the slider 16 reaches the feeding position by the relative movement of the shaft 34 from the position before the feeding position, the caulking pin 12 is allowed to fall and the caulking pin 12 is set in the caulking device 46. Therefore, even with respect to the caulking device 46 that could not be automatically fed in the past, even if the caulking device 46, which cannot be automatically fed in the past, does not have a large approach space corresponding to the conventional large-scale feeding device using the suction device, even a relatively small entry space is required. If secured, the crimping pin 12 can be automatically fed directly to the crimping device 46 by the slider 16.

Further, since the caulking pin automatic feeding device 10 does not have a suction device by vacuum suction or electromagnetic suction, the structure is simple, the device can be constructed at low cost, and the feeding process is simple. Therefore, compared to the conventional large-scale feeding device that uses an adsorption device, the equipment cost and operating cost can be significantly reduced, and caulking pins can be removed in the middle due to the adsorption failure when the adsorption device is used. There is an advantage that the caulking pin 12 can be reliably fed by the stable operation of the shaft 34 which is relatively moved by a simple structure without fear of dropping.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the present invention can be implemented in other modes.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the caulking pin automatic feeding device 10 for automatically feeding the caulking pin 12 as the feeding component to the caulking device 46 is used. Even when feeding to another processing device corresponding to the component, the component automatic feeding device of the present invention can be applied as long as the space for entering the slider 16 can be secured.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the feeding direction of the caulking pin 12 is horizontal, but if the caulking pin 12 can drop from the through hole 28 by its own weight, the feeding direction is inclined. However, the device can be configured, and even if the through hole 28 is provided with a slight inclination with respect to the vertical direction, it does not matter as long as the caulking pin 12 can be dropped.

Further, the slider 16 in the above-described embodiment is for feeding the crimping pin 12 to one place, and has a long and slender longitudinal shape along the feeding direction. When the caulking pins are simultaneously fed to a plurality of caulking devices, a slide having an arbitrary shape corresponding to the approach space on the caulking device side is used. In that case, a plurality of shafts may be configured to be interlocked.

Further, the slider 16 in the above-described embodiment is guided so as to be linearly movable in the feeding direction by slidingly contacting the peripheral plates 18, 20, 22, 24. Depending on the shape of the above and the shape of the slider corresponding thereto, it may be guided by a guide rod or a link mechanism so that it can be moved along an arbitrary feeding path.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the air cylinder 30 is used as the drive device, but instead of this, another actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder or a linear motor, or a feed screw combined with an electric motor. A device or the like may be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the shaft 34 that projects into the through hole 28 of the slider 16 and prevents the crimping pin 12 from falling is provided, but instead of this, for example, the through hole 28 A shutter that closes the lower opening may be arranged on the lower surface side of the slider 16 so as to move relative to the closed position and the open position.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the engaging block 36 integrally fixed to the shaft 34 and the contact surface 44 of the plate 20 contact each other so that the plate 20 engages with the shaft 34. As a result, the shaft 34 can be moved relative to each other with the subsequent movement of the slider 16, but it is easy to form such an engagement relationship at other locations as well, and the construction of the slider or the like is easy. Various engagement members may be used depending on the form of the element.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the compression coil spring 40 that biases the shaft 34 toward the front end side via the engagement block 36 is provided as the return mechanism, but instead of this, for example, When another spring member such as a tension coil spring or an urging means using a weight is used, or when the slider 16 in the returning movement reaches a position before the receiving position, the engaging block 36 and the shaft 34 on the block 26 side. There may be provided a second contact surface or the like that abuts against the end of the shaft and prevents further movement of the shaft 34 in the return direction.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the crimping pin 12 is automatically supplied from the hopper through the hose 14 while maintaining a constant posture. It does not matter even if the hopper is directly installed in the supply unit or the parts are supplied one by one by manual work or the like.

Although not illustrated one by one, the present invention can be implemented in various modified and improved modes based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an essential part of a caulking pin automatic feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing a part of the apparatus of FIG. 1 omitted.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which a slider reaches a position before a feeding position in the apparatus of FIG.

5 is a diagram showing a state in which the slider has reached a feeding position in the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a feeding process by a conventional automatic component feeding device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10: Crimping pin automatic feeding device (parts automatic feeding device) 12: Crimping pin (parts) 16: Slider 20: Plate (engaging member) 28: Through hole 30: Air cylinder (driving device) 34: Shaft (fall limiting member ) 40: Compression coil spring (return mechanism)

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A slider, which is disposed so as to be movable in a feeding direction of a component to be fed, and has a through hole through which the component can pass, provided in a substantially vertical direction; A reciprocating movement to a predetermined receiving position where the component is supplied into the through hole, and a predetermined feeding position where the component is to be dropped from the through hole; A closure disposed on the slider so as to be relatively movable in the feeding direction and protruding from a passage path of the component when the component falls from the through hole to prevent the component from falling from the through hole. A position and a drop limiting member that is moved relative to the passing path and an open position that allows the component to drop from the through hole; and the slider from the receiving position to the front of the feeding position. Move to While the fall limiting member is allowed to move integrally with the slider while being held in the closed position, the fall limiting member is allowed to move after the slider reaches before the feeding position. The fall restricting member is relatively moved to the open position by engaging with a member to prevent further movement of the drop restricting member in the feeding direction, and by moving only the slider to the feed position. A position-fixed engaging member to be moved, and mechanically relatively moving the drop limiting member to the closed position in association with the movement of the slider while the slider is returned from the feeding position to the receiving position. A parts automatic feeding device having a return mechanism.