JPS60232321A - Spherical body transfer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To ensure the absroption of spherical bodyies, by introducing spherical bodies into holes in the bottom surface of a container, and by pushing up these spherical bodies from the holes with the use of spherical body push-up rods each having a top concave surface so that any extra spherical bodies is dropped off from the top concave surface to hole one spherical body thereon. CONSTITUTION:Chocolate balls which have been dropped into holes 4 in the bottom surface of a container 1 which is vibrated, are received on top concave surfaces formed in the cylindrical bodies 5 of push-up rods 4. Then, an air cylinder 10 is actuated to raise a base plate 8 so that the push-up rods 4 are pushed up and projected upward from the holes 3, and therefore, on spherical body is held on the top end concave surface of the cylindrical body 5 of each push-up rod 4. Simultaneously, a support frame driving air cylinder is operated to lower a support frame together with a suction box 12 in one unit, and each chocolate ball is held between a rubber vacuum sucker 16a provided to a pipe 16 and the top concave surface of each cylindrical body 5, and is then absorbed onto the sucker 16a. Thereafter, the suction box 12 is raised to its original position, the chocolate balls are moved to a place right above a receiving plate and are dropped thereonto.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a spherical object transfer device that accurately transports spherical objects such as chocolate balls from a spherical object storage container to a predetermined location.

Generally, there are the following three methods for transporting a spherical body to a predetermined location. The first method is to provide a substrate with a predetermined gap under the mounting plate on which the spherical body is placed, and to provide a slidably perforated slide plate between the mounting plate and the substrate.
and providing a first hole at a predetermined position of the mounting plate,
A second hole is provided at a predetermined position on the substrate. Then, slide the slide plate, align the hole with the first hole of the mounting plate, and drop the spherical body on the mounting plate into the large direction of the slide plate through the first hole formed in the mounting plate.゛Log in.

At this time, since the substrate is located below the slide plate, the bottom of the hole in the slide plate is closed with the substrate. Next, slide the slide plate from this state and align the hole with the second hole of the board. This causes the spherical body to fall into a predetermined location through the hole in the substrate. In this case, if a spherical body with a diameter greater than the thickness of the slide plate enters the outer side of the slide plate, the upper part of the spherical body will come into contact with the mounting plate when the slide plate slides, causing damage. On the other hand, there are two spherical bodies with a diameter less than the thickness of the slide plate (
or part of the first and second spheres), causing damage to the second sphere. Therefore, this method has the disadvantage that only uniformly shaped spheres with a uniform diameter can be transported.

The second method is to use vibration to align the spherical bodies in a line within the transfer path, provide a first shutter that can be opened and closed at the open end of the transfer path, and send the spherical bodies into the tip of the transfer path. a second for isolating the spherule from subsequent spherules;
In this method, a shutter is provided, and the spherical bodies are dropped one by one from the open end portion of the transfer path to a predetermined location by opening and closing operations of the first and second shutters. This method has the disadvantage that the spherical bodies at the head of the row are separated from the following by opening and closing the shutter, so the spherical bodies are easily damaged, and if the dimensions of the spherical bodies vary, the spherical bodies may be easily damaged. It also has the problem of water. The third method is to transfer the spherical bodies by inserting a vacuum suction cup into a group of spherical bodies housed in a container. This method suffers from the phenomenon that a large number of spherical objects are attracted to one suction cup at the same time, and that spherical objects with large diameters are not attracted, resulting in a lack of operational reliability.

The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and includes a container for storing a spherical body having a plurality of holes arranged in the bottom surface,
A spherical object insertion means for inserting spherical objects into the plurality of holes in the bottom surface of the container by vibrating or tilting the container; An inserted spherical object pushing rod, an elastic material provided at the lower end of the spherical object pushing rod, a base that supports the spherical object pushing rod through the elastic material, and a base that supports the spherical object pushing rod, and a base that supports the spherical object pushing rod through the elastic material. A spherical body push-up rod protruding means for causing the upper concave surface of the spherical body push-up rod to protrude from the bottom surface of the container by moving it downward relative to the base, and a vacuum corresponding to the plurality of holes on the bottom surface of the container. A suction cup holder having a suction cup and positioned above the container, and moving the suction cup holder downward relative to the base to bring the vacuum suction cup close to the upper end surface of the protruding push-up rod. The gist of the present invention is a spherical body transfer device comprising a suction cup approaching means for moving the suction cup, a moving means for moving the suction cup holder, and a control means for controlling on/off the vacuum suction of the vacuum suction cup.

Next, the present invention will be explained in detail based on examples.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a conveying device for chocolate balls. In the figure, 1 is a chocolate ball (hereinafter referred to as "
4 is a push-up rod fitted into the hole 3 of the container so as to be able to move up and down. As shown in FIG. 2, this push-up rod 4
It is constructed by inserting a core rod 7 with a spring spring 6 wound around its outer circumference, and inserting the lower end of the core rod 7 into the mounting hole of the board 8 against the spring force of the spring spring 6. It is attached and supported by the board 8 by fastening with screws 9. The upper surface of the cylinder 5 of the push-up rod 4 is formed into a hemispherical recess, and is pushed up by the spring force of the spring 6. In the initial state, the upper surface is the opening of the hole 3 in the bottom of the container 1. It is set to be located at the edge.

In FIG. 2, the chain line indicates a chocolate ball. and,
The board 8 is connected to an air cylinder 10 as shown in FIG.
It is supported by and can be moved up and down by its operation. 11 is a magnetic intermittent open type vibrator that constantly applies slight vibrations to the container l, and 12 is a suction box. The suction box 12 is mounted on a pair of left and right support frames 13 provided laterally above the container 1 so as to be movable left and right, and is driven in the left and right directions by an air cylinder 14 for driving the suction box 12. It has become.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a vacuum pipe that vacuums the inside of the suction box 12, and is provided with a solenoid valve (air solenoid valve, not shown) in the middle, and the vacuum suction is controlled on and off by opening and closing the valve. 16 is the above-mentioned suction box 12
A plurality of pipes with rubber vacuum suction cups are provided on the bottom surface, each corresponding to a plurality of holes 3 on the bottom of the container.In the initial state, the suction box 12 is located at the position shown in Fig. 1, so the corresponding holes are Facing 3. Reference numeral 17 denotes a support frame driving air cylinder that vertically drives the pair of left and right support frames 13 along with the suction box 12, and is activated in response to the operation of the air cylinder 10 provided on the base plate 8. Reference numeral 18 denotes a chocolate ball holder plate with a recess into which the chocolate balls are placed.

In this configuration, the manufactured chocolate balls are stored in container 1
However, in this case, since the container 1 is constantly vibrated by the vibrator 11, among the chocolate balls transferred to the container 1, the chocolate balls near the holes 3 arranged in the bottom surface of the container are placed in the corresponding hole 3. Fall inside. A push-up rod 4 is inserted into this hole 3, but in the initial state, the push-up rod 4 is inserted into the hole 3.
As shown in FIG. 2, the recessed portion of the upper surface of the cylindrical body 5 is located above the bottom hole 3 of the container 1. Therefore, the chocolate pole that falls into the bottom hole 3 due to the vibration of the container 1 is supported by the recess on the top surface of the cylindrical body 5. In this way, container 1
Chocolate balls are respectively entered into the holes 3 arranged in the bottom surface of the cylinder body 5 and supported by the recesses on the top surface of the cylinder body 5. Next, from this state, the air cylinder 10 is activated and the substrate 8 is raised. As the substrate 8 rises, the push-up rod 4 is pushed up, and the upper end surface of the cylinder 5 projects upward from the bottom hole 3 of the container 1.

On the other hand, in response to the operation of the air cylinder 10, the support frame driving air cylinder 17 is operated, and the support frame 13 is lowered together with the suction box 12. Therefore, the rubber vacuum suction cup equipped vibrator 16 descends toward the bottom hole 3 of the container 1. Incidentally, when the support frame 13 is lowered, the solenoid valve of the vacuum pipe 15 is activated, and the suction box 12 is operated for suction. Then, the substrate 8 and the support frame 13 are moved by a predetermined distance, and as shown in FIG.
The chocolate ball is sandwiched between a and the recessed part at the upper end of the cylindrical body 5 and is attracted to the suction cup 16a. However, since the cylindrical body 5 is supported by a spring 6, the rubber vacuum suction cup 16a and the cylindrical body 5 When a large chocolate ball is located between the four upper ends of the cylinder 5, the cylinder 5 is pushed down significantly. Conversely, when a small chocolate ball is located, the cylinder 5 is pushed down slightly. That is, the pressure applied to the chocolate ball is approximately constant regardless of its size due to the buffering action of the spring 6. Therefore, the chocolate balls do not crack or get damaged due to their size. Next, from this state, the substrate 8 is lowered and at the same time the support frame 13
The suction box 12 and the suction box 12 rise together and return together to the initial position. Then, by operating the air cylinder 14, the suction box 12 is moved in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Next, from that state, the support frame 13
When the vacuum suction cup 16a approaches each recess 19 of the plate 18 as shown in FIG. It falls into each recess 19. Next, the support frame 13 rises and the suction box 12 returns to its initial position. By repeating this, the suction box 12
As many chocolate poles as there are vacuum suction cups 16a are continuously transferred to the position of the chocolate ball receiving plate 18.

In the above embodiment, the chocolate balls are put into the bottom hole 3 of the container 1 by vibrating the container 1, but this may also be done by tilting the container 1. Furthermore, vibrations may be applied to the container 1 by providing an eccentric cam on the rotating shaft.

In addition, the push-up rod 4 protrudes from the bottom hole 3 of the container l (the third
(see figure) may be performed by pushing up the substrate 8 and lowering the container 1 at the same time, or may be performed by lowering only the container 1. Furthermore, the vacuum suction cup 16a
The chocolate ball may be attracted to the substrate 8 by moving the substrate 8 upward rather than by lowering the suction box I2, or both may be used in combination. Further, it is preferable to use a rubber vacuum suction cup 16a in terms of adsorption ability and prevention of damage to the chocolate ball. However, since the object to be transferred is not limited to Chicoco Balls, if a hard object is to be transferred, a vacuum suction cup made of steel or the like may be used.

Furthermore, the movement of the suction box 12, etc. is performed using the air cylinder 1.
Of course, it is also possible to use a morph or the like instead of using 4. Furthermore, a hydraulic cylinder may be used instead of the air cylinder 14. Furthermore, suction box 1
2 may be provided in multiple rows and suctioned and moved in sequence to improve the transfer efficiency.

As described above, the spherical object transfer device of the present invention is configured to put a spherical object into the bottom hole of a container and push it upward from the bottom hole with the spherical object push-up rod whose upper surface is formed with a recess. Therefore, even if a plurality of spherical bodies enter the bottom hole, the excess spherical bodies will fall from the upper recess of the spherical object pushing rod and only one spherical body will remain in the upper recess. Since the spherical body push-up rod is supported by the base via an elastic material, when the vacuum suction cup descends and sucks the remaining spherical body on the top surface of the push-up rod while pressing it against the top surface. , the pressing force of the vacuum suction cup applied to the spherical body is alleviated by the elastic material.

That is, even if the spherical body has a size variation, the variation in the pressing force of the vacuum suction cup against the spherical body due to the variation is relaxed and absorbed by the expansion and contraction of the elastic material. Therefore, even if there are variations in the dimensions of the spherical bodies, scratches, cracks, etc. caused by the variations do not occur. That is, the spherical object transfer device of the present invention has the advantage of being able to adsorb spherical objects one by one to a plurality of suction cups and repeatedly transfer them to a predetermined location accurately and without causing any damage or cracks to the spherical objects. It has a certain effect.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view explaining the positional relationship between the bottom hole of the container and the push-up rod in the initial state, and Figs. 3 and 4 are explanatory diagrams of its operation. It is. 1... Container 3... Hole 4... Push-up rod 6...
・Spring spring 8...Base 10, 14.17・
... Air cylinder 11 ... Vibrator 12 ... Absorption box 13 ... Support frame 15 ... Vacuum pipe
16... Pipe with a suction cup 16a... Suction cup patent applicant Kanebo Foods Co., Ltd. Agent Patent attorney Yukihiko Nishifuji

Claims (1)

[Claims] +11 A container for housing a spherical object having a plurality of holes arranged in its bottom surface, and a spherical object in which the spherical object can be inserted into each of the plurality of holes in the bottom surface by vibrating or tilting the container. a hole-pushing means; a spherical body push-up rod having a recessed portion on an upper end surface and fitted into each of the plurality of holes of the container so as to be vertically movable; and an elastic member provided at the lower end of the spherical body push-up rod; , a base that supports the spherical body push-up rod via the elastic material, and a concave surface of the upper end of the spherical body push-up rod from the bottom surface of the container by moving the container downward relative to the base. a spherical push-up rod protruding means for causing the spherical body to protrude; a suction cup holder having vacuum suction cups corresponding to the plurality of holes on the bottom of the container and positioned above the container; and a suction cup holder positioned above the container; a suction cup approaching means for bringing the vacuum suction cup close to the upper end surface of the protruding push-up rod by moving the vacuum suction cup relatively downward; and a moving means for moving the suction cup holder;
A spherical object transfer device comprising a control means for controlling on/off the vacuum suction of the vacuum suction cup. (2) The spherical object transporting device according to claim 1, wherein the spherical object drilling means is a vibrator. (3) The spherical object transferring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elastic member at the upper end of the spherical object pushing rod is a spring. (4) The spherical object transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vacuum suction cup is made of rubber. (5) The spherical body according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the spherical body push-up rod protruding means is an air cylinder that moves upward a base supporting the spherical body push-up rod. Body transfer device. (6) The spherical object transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the suction cup approaching means is an air cylinder that moves the suction cup holder downward. (7) The spherical object transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the moving means for moving the suction cup holder is an air cylinder.