JPH0544924U - Automatic separating device for aligned parts - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] When separating the parts to be transferred in an aligned state, a plurality of separation claws are intermittently driven to rotate one by one by rotating a ratchet wheel with concavo-convex gears. To separate. [Structure] A groove-shaped guide path S for transferring the component 2 is formed between the guide plate 4 and the guide plate 5, and the component 2 such as a screw is laterally restricted by the guide plate 4 and the guide plate 5. Are sequentially transferred while being aligned. In addition, a part of a plurality of separation claw portions 6a formed in a concave-convex shape at equal intervals along the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel 6 faces the guide path S. When the ratchet wheel 6 is intermittently rotated counterclockwise by the intermittent driving means 10, the separating claw portions 6a reliably separate the aligned components 2 one by one.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 According to the present invention, when separating the components to be transferred in an aligned state, a plurality of separation claws are intermittently driven to rotate a ratchet wheel having a concavo-convex shape like a gear, and the components are automatically separated one by one. The present invention relates to an automatic separating device for parts.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 When assembling electronic devices in a mass production line, fastening parts such as screws and small parts that are used are sent out from, for example, a parts feeder and transferred while being guided in an aligned state by a guide member, and the predetermined position of the guide member. At the same time, they are automatically separated one by one by an automatic separator and supplied to the line.

The configuration of the conventional automatic separating device 100 for aligned parts used here is such that a groove shape is formed between a guide plate 101 and a guide plate 102 as shown in plan view in FIGS. 3 (A) and 3 (B). The guide path S is formed, and the parts 103 such as screws are sequentially transferred from the upstream guide path S while being aligned downstream (in the direction of arrow A). Further, notches 101a and 102a are formed at predetermined positions in the guide path S, that is, upper and lower guide plates 101 and 102, and a stopper member 104 is provided at the upper notch 101a as the guide path S. Are provided so as to be able to move back and forth substantially at right angles, and a separating claw member 105 is provided at the lower cutout 102a so as to be able to move forward and backward substantially at right angles to the guide path S. The stopper member 104 has a function of temporarily blocking the transfer of the components 103 transferred in an aligned state from the upstream side, and has a flat abutting portion 104a formed at the tip thereof, and the abutting portion 104a corresponds to the cutout portion 101a. On the downstream side, it can move back and forth in the vertical direction (arrow B ₁ , B ₂ direction). On the other hand, the separating claw member 105 has a function of separating the parts 103 to be transferred in an aligned state one by one, and a sharp triangular claw portion 105a is formed at the tip thereof, and the triangular claw portion 105a has a cutout 102a. On the upstream side, it can move back and forth in the vertical direction (arrow B ₁ , B ₂ direction). Further, the stopper member 104 and the separation claw member 105 are controlled so as to always interlock with each other via a control means (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 3A, the operation of the conventional automatic separating device 100 for aligned parts is such that the upper stopper member 104 moves downward (in the direction of arrow B ₂ ) and the stopper member 104 The contact portion 104a formed at the position protrudes to a position where the guide path S is blocked, and the components 103 transferred in the aligned state from the upstream contact the contact portion 104a to temporarily prevent the downstream transfer. At this time, the part contacting the contact part 104a is located near the notches 101a and 102a, but the parts upstream of this part are vertically restricted by the guide plates 101 and 102. On the other hand, the triangular claw portion 105a formed on the lower separation claw member 105 is retracted from the guide passage S facing the cutout portion 102a.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3 (B), after the parts 103 transferred in an aligned state from the upstream contact the contact part 104a, the lower separation claw member 105 moves upward (arrow B). ₍₁ direction), the triangular claw portion 105a enters into the upstream side of the abutting component, and at the same time, the abutting portion 104a formed on the stopper member 104 is completely moved upward from the guide path S (arrow B ₁ direction). Since it is retracted, only the component 103 located near the notches 101a and 102a moves downstream while being pushed by the left side of the triangular claw 105a, while the component 103 on the upstream side projects into the guideway S. It is blocked on the right side of the claw portion 105a and the transfer to the downstream is stopped. By this operation, only the component 103 located near the notches 101a and 102a can be separated. Thereafter, the same operation is sequentially repeated to automatically separate the parts 103 transferred in the aligned state one by one.

[0006]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 By the way, in the above-described conventional automatic separating device 100 for aligned parts, although the parts 103 transferred in the aligned state can be automatically separated one by one, both the stopper member 104 and the separating claw member 105 are interlocked with each other. The control of the device 100 is complicated because it must be controlled. Further, if the timing is misaligned when the stopper member 104 and the separating claw member 105 are interlocked, the component 103 may be caught between the two 104 and 105, or the component 103 may not be separated. Occurs, and the reliability of the device 100 is significantly reduced. Further, since the stopper member 104 and the separating claw member 105 are separately provided on the upper and lower sides of the guide plates 101 and 102, the mounting position accuracy of them must be accurately obtained, and both 104 and 105 are guided by the guide path. Since it crosses over S, there are problems such as poor maintenance of the device 100.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a guide path for guiding the components transferred from the upstream side in the aligned state toward the downstream side and a plurality of separation claws are formed in a gear-like uneven shape along the outer circumference. A claw wheel for projecting at least one separation claw of the plurality of separation claws into the guide path so as to project the one separation claw to temporarily prevent a component to be transferred in an aligned state. , Intermittently rotating the ratchet wheel, rotationally moving the separating claw blocking the component toward the downstream, and rotating the separating claw on the upstream side adjacent to the separating claw blocking the component The present invention provides an automatic separating device for aligned parts, characterized by comprising an intermittent drive means for separating only the leading part on the downstream side among the parts blocked by the above and transferring it downstream. ..

[0008]

【Example】

 An embodiment of an automatic separating device for aligned parts according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 in order of <configuration of automatic separating device for aligned parts>, <operation of automatic separating device for aligned parts>. The details will be described.

<Structure of Automatic Separation Device for Aligned Parts> FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of an automatic separation device for aligned parts according to the present invention.

In the apparatus for automatically separating aligned parts according to the present invention, at least one of a plurality of separating claws formed in a gear shape along the outer circumference of the ratchet wheel is provided in the inner path of the parts to be transferred in the aligned state. Of the separating claws are projected to face each other, and the claw wheel is intermittently rotated by the intermittent driving means so that the plurality of separating claws are rotationally moved from the upstream side to the downstream side, and the parts to be transferred in the aligned state are separated. The technical idea is that the nails are automatically separated one by one.

That is, in the automatic separating apparatus 1 for aligned parts according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1, a parts feeder 3 for accommodating a large amount of parts 2 such as screws and sequentially sending out the parts 2 by means of vibration is installed. ing. A guide plate 4 and a guide plate 5 are provided in parallel with each other so as to be connected to the window 3a of the parts feeder 3, and between the guide plate 4 and the guide plate 5, a low step portion of the guide plate 4 is provided. A groove-shaped guide path S for guiding and transferring the parts 2 in an aligned state is formed above 4a. The guide path S guides the parts 2 transferred from the upstream side to the downstream side by its own weight. It is formed so that it can fall naturally. Incidentally, as a method of transferring the parts along the guide path S, the method of spontaneous fall is adopted in the embodiment, but there is also a belt drive or the like in addition to this, and the method is not particularly limited. In addition, although a screw is used as the component 2 in the embodiment, in the aligned state, the components are aligned at the intervals of the screw heads, and the screw portion below the screw head has a small diameter. The shape of is not particularly limited.

Further, a cutout portion 5a is formed by cutting out a part of the upper portion at a predetermined position of the right side (front side) guide plate 5. From the cutout portion 5a to the guide path S, a part of the plurality of separation claw portions 6a formed on the ratchet wheel 6 arranged on the right side of the guide plate 5, that is, at least one of the plurality of separation claw portions 6a. Three or more separating claw portions 6a are projected and faced. Here, since the ratchet wheel 6 is provided only on the right (front side) guide plate 5 side, the maintainability of the device 1 is good.

Further, in the ratchet wheel 6, a plurality of separation claw portions 6a are formed in a gear shape at equal intervals (equal pitch P) along the outer circumference, that is, the separation claw portions 6a are substantially triangular. A semi-circular recess 6b into which the component 2 and the miniature bear rings 16 and 17, which will be described later, can be inserted is formed between the adjacent separating claws 6a, and the claw wheel 6 has a plurality of separating claws. The portion 6a and the plurality of concave portions 6b are formed in a gear-like uneven shape along the outer circumference.

An L-shaped bracket 7 is fixed below the cutout portion 5a formed in the guide plate 5, and a shaft 8 is fixed to an upper surface 7a of the L-shaped bracket 7. The ratchet wheel 6 is rotatably supported by a shaft 8 via a bearing 9 so as to be intermittently rotatable.

Here, the intermittent drive means 10 for intermittently rotating and driving the ratchet wheel 6 will be described. An air cylinder 11 is fixed to the lower surface 7b of the L-shaped bracket 7 described above. The air cylinder 11 has a well-known structure in which a cylinder (not shown) driven by air is fitted so as to be linearly movable back and forth. Further, in the recess 11a ₁ formed in the right side surface 11a of the Eashirin da 11, the slide guide 12 through the linked cylinder (not shown) "generally L-shaped" bearing support plate 13 the guide plate 4, It is fitted so as to be reciprocal and linearly movable in the directions of arrows X ₁ and X _{2 in} parallel with 5. Therefore, the bearing support plate 13 can be linearly moved to the left and right (arrows X ₁ and X ₂ directions) below the ratchet 6 by the air cylinder 11.

Further, shafts 14 and 15 are fixed to the upper surface 13a of the bearing support plate 13 so as to project upward, and the right shaft 14 is guided upstream from the shaft 8 which is the rotation center of the ratchet wheel 6. The shaft 15 on the left side is installed at one end of the upper surface 13a near the plate 5, while the left shaft 15 is installed at the other end of the upper surface 13a away from the guide plate 5 on the downstream side. Diameter miniature bearings 16 and 17 are rotatably supported. Further, the miniature bearings 16 and 17 are supported at a height position where they can come into contact with the separation claw portion 6a formed on the ratchet wheel 6 and can be inserted into the concave portion 6b, and the miniature bearings near the guide plate 5 are provided. The mounting positional relationship between the 16 and the miniature bear ring 17 separated from the guide plate 5 is set to a substantially predetermined relationship in the direction of the arrow Y substantially perpendicular to the guide plate 5, that is, n × (the separation claw portion 6a Pitch P) + 0.5 × (pitch P of separating claw portion 6a), and n at this time is set to an appropriate integer, so that the miniature bearing 16 and the miniature bearing 17 are in the direction of the arrow Y. In addition, the phase is shifted by about 1/2 pitch P with respect to the pitch P of the separation claw portion 6a. In the above description, if the miniature bearing 16 and the miniature bearing 17 are provided in the arrow Y direction so as to be in phase with the pitch P of the separation claw portion 6a, the miniature bearings 16 and 17 are integrally formed with the arrow X ₁ , during operation described later. When the reciprocating straight line is moved in the X ₂ direction, the both 16 and 17 alternately enter directly into the concave portion 6b formed in the ratchet wheel 6, so that the ratchet wheel 6 cannot rotate.

Then, as described later, the air cylinder 11 is operated to linearly reciprocate the bearing support plate 13 in the directions of the arrows X ₁ and X _2, so that the miniature bearings 16 and 17 are integrated with the arrow X _{1 as well.} , X ₂ direction, and both 16 and 17 move alternately in the recesses 6b formed in the ratchet 6 at different timings, so that the ratchet 6 is always counterclockwise about the shaft 8 (arrow C). Direction) can be intermittently rotated. The rotation direction of the ratchet wheel 6 is set so that the plurality of separating claw portions 6a rotate and move from the upstream side to the downstream side during the operation described later.

Although the air cylinder 11 is used as a drive source in the intermittent drive means 10 for intermittently rotationally driving the ratchet wheel 6 having the above-described structure, other than this, as an intermittent drive means for intermittently rotationally driving the ratchet wheel 6, For example, there is a method of intermittently controlling the ratchet wheel 6 by using a pulse motor, or a method of intermittently rotating the ratchet wheel 6 by using a known Geneva mechanism. Any method may be used as the intermittent driving means for rotationally driving intermittently.

<Operation of Automatic Separation Device for Aligned Parts> The operation of the automatic separation device for aligned parts according to the present invention having the above configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 (A) to 2 (D).

2A to 2D are plan views schematically showing the operation of the automatic separating device for aligned parts according to the present invention.

In the state shown in FIG. 2 (A), the component 2 is guided between the guide plates 4 and 5 from the upstream side and is sent to the guide path S in an aligned state, and the guide wheel S is provided on the guide path S. At least one separation claw 6a out of the plurality of separation claws 6a formed on the outer periphery of 6 is projected. At this time, since the air cylinder 11 is in the non-operating state and the ratchet wheel 6 is stopped, the component 2 transferred in the aligned state from the upstream side is projected to the guide path S 1 Transfer to the downstream side is temporarily blocked by the two separating claw portions 6a ₁ . Moreover, the separation claw portions 6a ₂ of the separating claw portion 6a ₁ and the adjacent upstream side is retracted from the component 2 of which are close to the component 2 of the alignment. In the drawing, screws are used as the components 2, and in the aligned state, they are aligned at the intervals of the screw heads, and the screw portion below the screw heads is shown so that the separation claw portion 6a prevents the transfer. There is. Further, of the miniature bearings 16 and 17 connected to the air cylinder 11 and pivotally supported by the bearing support plate 13, for example, the miniature bear ring 16 near the guide plate 5 is retracted from the ratchet wheel 6, while The miniature bearing 17 separated from the guide plate 5 fits into the nearest recess 6b of the ratchet wheel 6.

Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the air cylinder 11 is moved to the left (direction of arrow X ₁ ), the miniature bearings 16 and 17 pivotally supported by the bearing support plate 13 are integrated. And move to the left (arrow X ₁ direction). Here, the miniature bearing 16 in the vicinity of the guide plate 5 starts to contact the vicinity of the tip of the separation claw 6a ₃ closest to the ratchet wheel 6, and further, as the miniature bearing 16 moves to the left, a plurality of separation claws are separated. The portion 6a starts rotating toward the downstream side, that is, the ratchet wheel 6 starts rotating in the counterclockwise direction (direction of arrow C) about the shaft 8. Then, the miniature bearing 16 rolls into the separation claw portion 6a ₃ and enters the recess 6b. On the other hand, the miniature bearing 17 separated from the guide plate 5 gradually moves leftward (in the direction of the arrow X ₁ ) from the state where it has entered the closest concave portion 6b of the ratchet wheel 6 and thus retracts from the concave portion 6b. When the ratchet wheel 6 starts to rotate counterclockwise, the separating claw portion 6 a ₁ blocking the component 2 rotationally moves toward the downstream side. Furthermore adjacent to the separating claw unit 6a ₁ that prevents the part 2, the separation claw portions 6a ₂ of the upstream side, enters the rear side of the top part 2 of the downstream side of the component 2 is blocked.

After that, as shown in FIG. 2C, the ratchet wheel 6 moves counterclockwise until the miniature bearing 16 near the guide plate 5 completely moves into the recess 6b while rolling the separating claw 6a _3. When rotated in the direction (direction of arrow C), only the leading part 2 on the downstream side of the blocked parts 2 is pushed by the separation claw portion 6a ₂ on the upstream side and transferred in the downstream direction, where 1 The two parts 2 are completely separated from the aligned parts 2.

The separated components 2 are supplied to an electronic equipment assembly line or the like by a spontaneous drop, automatic extraction, or manual extraction within an intermittent timing.

Further, from the state shown in FIG. 2 (C), as shown in FIG. 2 (D), when the air cylinder 11 is moved rightward (in the direction of arrow X ₂ ) contrary to the above, The miniature bearings 16 and 17 pivotally supported by the bearing support plate 13 move integrally to the right (the arrow X ₂ direction). Here, by moving the miniature bearing 17 away from the guide plate 5 to the right, the miniature bearing 17 rolls into the nearest separating claw portion 6a of the ratchet wheel 6 and enters the concave portion 6b. The ratchet wheel 6 is rotated counterclockwise (direction of arrow C) about the shaft 8. That is, the miniature bearings 16 and 17 are separated left and right around the shaft 8 which is the center of rotation of the ratchet wheel 6, and the left and right are linearly moved alternately left and right at different timings, so that the two 16 and 17 alternate. By engaging with the separation claw portion 6a and the concave portion 6b formed on the ratchet wheel 6, the ratchet wheel 6 is always intermittently rotated in one counterclockwise direction (direction of arrow C). Since the separating operation of the component 2 thereafter is the same as the above, the description is omitted.

According to the automatic separating device 1 for the aligned parts according to the present invention described in detail above, in the guide path S of the parts 2 to be transferred in the aligned state, a plurality of gear-shaped irregularities are formed along the outer circumference of the ratchet wheel 6. At least one separation claw 6a of the plurality of separation claws 6a projects and faces, and the claw wheel 6 is intermittently driven so that the plurality of separation claws 6a rotationally move from the upstream side to the downstream side. Since the components 2 in the aligned state can be automatically separated one by one by the separating claw portion 6a only by rotating intermittently by 10, the stopper member and the separating claw for separating the components 2 in the aligned state as in the conventional case. It is not necessary to use two parts, one with the member. Therefore, only the ratchet wheel 6 that separates the aligned components 2 needs to be intermittently operated, and the aligned components 2 can be reliably removed one by one regardless of the timing of operating the two components as in the conventional case. Since the parts 2 can be separated and the parts 2 can be separated without damaging them, there is a practical advantage that the quality and reliability of the automatic separating device 1 for aligned parts are significantly improved.

Further, the ratchet wheel 6 can be provided, for example, only on one side of the guide path S, and the maintainability of the automatic separating device 1 for the aligned parts is improved.

[0028]

[Effect of the device]

 According to the apparatus for automatically separating aligned parts according to the present invention described in detail above, at least one of a plurality of separating claws formed in a gear shape along the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel in the guide path of the parts to be transferred in the aligned state. One or more separating claws are projected to face each other, and the claw wheel is intermittently rotated by the intermittent driving means so that the plurality of separating claws are rotationally moved from the upstream side to the downstream side. Since they can be automatically separated one by one by the separating claw, it is not necessary to use two parts such as a stopper member and a separating claw member for separating the parts in the aligned state as in the conventional case. For this reason, it is only necessary to intermittently operate the ratchet wheel that separates the aligned parts. Moreover, the aligned parts can be reliably separated one by one regardless of the conventional timing of operating the two parts. In addition, since the parts can be separated without damaging them, there is a practical advantage that the quality and reliability of the automatic separating device for aligned parts are significantly improved.

Further, the ratchet wheel in the automatic separating device for the aligned parts can be provided, for example, only on one side of the guide path, and the maintainability of the automatic separating device for the aligned parts is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of an automatic separating device for aligned parts according to the present invention.

2A to 2D are plan views schematically showing the operation of the automatic separating device for aligned parts according to the present invention.

3A and 3B are plan views for explaining the configuration and operation of a conventional automatic separating device for aligned parts.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Automatic separating device for aligned parts, 2 ... Parts, 6 ... Claw wheel, 6
a: separation claw portion, 6b ... concave portion, 10 ... intermittent driving means, S ...
Guideway (of parts).

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A guide path for guiding the components transferred from upstream toward the downstream in an aligned state, and a plurality of separation claws are formed in a concavo-convex shape like a gear along the outer periphery, and at least one of the plurality of separation claws is formed. The above-mentioned separation claws projectingly face the guide path, and one claw wheel that temporarily blocks a component that is transferred in an aligned state and one claw wheel that intermittently rotates the claw wheel Along with this, the separation claw blocking the component is rotationally moved downstream, and the separation claw on the upstream side adjacent to the separation claw blocking the component is rotationally moved downstream of the components blocked. And an intermittent drive means for separating only the leading part of the above and transferring it downstream, an automatic separating device for aligned parts.