KR20220041407A - Screw feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a screw feeder that prepares a screw and supplies the screw when it is needed by shooting the screw using high-pressure air. The screw feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a fixed block (432) in which a guide slot (434) is formed in a linear shape; a slider block (446) in which a T-hole (448) is formed to penetrate from the front to the back, and which is disposed in the guide slot (434) so that the T-hole (448) reciprocates between a first position (A) and a second position (B); a screw alignment device (420) disposed behind the slider block (446) and inserting a single screw (600) into the T-hole (448) when the slider block (446) is in the first position (A); a pneumatic nozzle (436) disposed behind the fixed block (432) and supplying compressed air when the slider block (446) is in the second position (B); and a tube (510) installed in front of the fixed block (432), and provided as a path for the screw (600) so that the compressed air injected from the pneumatic nozzle (436) passes therethrough to move the screw (600) when the slider block (446) is in the second position (B).

Description

Screw feeder

The present invention relates to a screw supply device for automatically supplying a screw so that the screw can be fastened to a product material in a factory automation line.

In general, in products produced in factories, components are fixed or assembled using screws. This screw fastening operation is a simple repetitive operation, and factory automation is being made. Factory automation may be one in which a series of processes of supplying screws, fastening screws, and moving product materials are performed automatically.

On the one hand, since there is a distance between the supply device for supplying the screw and the drive head for fastening the screw, a means for properly moving the screw is required.

The screw has a cross groove formed in the head and a thread is formed on the other side of the head, and the diameter of the head is formed to be larger than that of the screw. That is, in order to fasten the screw, it is necessary to move the screw by aligning it in a certain posture.

Conventionally, a screw alignment device for aligning screws in a constant posture is known, and the aligned screws are moved to the drive head as if falling along a rail by their own gravity. In this method using self-gravity, the moving speed of the screw is too slow and the screws are arranged one after another, so when using the preceding screw, interference with the screw immediately following or jamming may occur, resulting in an error in the drive head. there is.

In addition, conventionally, vibration is applied to the rail to prevent the screw from jamming in the rail and shaking is continued. If the rail material is metal, the shaking can affect the entire rail, so the screw jamming phenomenon can be suppressed. As the movement path of the rail becomes more complex, the rail material is being replaced with a flexible material.

For example, the path along which the screw moves may be curved in an arbitrary three-dimensional shape rather than a straight line, and if the path is curved in this way, the rail may be provided with a flexible material. The damping may cause the screw to get caught in the middle of the rail.

In addition, if the space between the rail and the screw is designed too large and generously, the screw may lose its alignment while moving and may be twisted into an arbitrary posture. The screwdriver bit can be properly inserted into the screwdriver, but if the screw posture is wrong, the screwdriver bit cannot be properly inserted into the screw, making it difficult to fasten the screw.

KR 10-2053809 B1 KR 10-2019-0021441 A

Therefore, the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a screw supply device that allows the screw to be quickly supplied at a time when the screw should be there while preparing the screw, and there is no jamming while the screw is moving. there is.

Screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above technical problem, the guide slot 434 is formed in a linear shape fixing block 432; A slider block 446 in which a T-hole 448 is formed to penetrate forward and backward, and is disposed in the guide slot 434 so that the T-hole 448 reciprocates between the first position (A) and the second position (B). ); a screw alignment device 420 disposed behind the slider block 446 and for inserting a single screw 600 into the T hole 448 when the slider block 446 is in the first position A; a pneumatic nozzle 436 disposed behind the fixing block 432 and providing compressed air when the slider block 446 is in the second position (B); and the screw 600 is installed in front of the fixing block 432, and the compressed air injected from the pneumatic nozzle 436 passes through when the slider block 446 is in the second position (B). and a tube 510 provided as a path to do so.

In addition, the screw supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed on both sides of the fixing block 432 so that the screw is inserted into the T hole 448 when the slider block 446 is at the second position (B). It can be configured to include a light receiving element 451 and a light emitting element 452 for detecting the presence or absence of 600 .

In addition, in the screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the pneumatic nozzle 436 is provided in plurality, and any one pneumatic nozzle 436 is the head of the screw 600 mounted in the T hole 448 . is disposed at a position for jetting high-pressure air to the air, and the other pneumatic nozzle 436 may be disposed at a position for jetting high-pressure air to the bolt of the screw 600 mounted to the T-hole 448 .

In addition, in the screw supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the tube 510 has a head passing section 512 and a bolt passing section 514 arranged in a T-shape, and the dividing line is biased toward either side on both outer walls. 516 is formed, and double walls 518 may be formed on both side walls of the bolt passage section 514 .

The details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

The screw supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention made as described above, prepares a screw and waits, and fires it using high-pressure air when the screw is needed, thereby transporting the screw in an instant without being caught in the middle of the movement path can do.

In particular, in the screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the leading screw and the following screw do not interfere with each other, and the screw posture can be maintained as it is intended by the designer.

That is, the screw supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention can quickly supply the screw at a specific point in time without disturbing the posture.

1 is a view for explaining an example of an automatic product production facility.
2 and 3 are views for explaining a screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view for explaining an example of a screw alignment device in the screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 to 8 are views for explaining an example when the T hole is in the first position in the screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is a perspective view seen from the front, Figure 6 is a view from the rear It is a perspective view, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view seen from a direction crossing the slider block, and FIG. 8 is a front view seen from the front.
9 to 12 are views for explaining an example when the T hole is in the second position in the screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 9 is a perspective view seen from the front, Figure 10 is a view from the rear It is a perspective view, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view seen from a direction crossing the slider block, and FIG. 12 is a front view seen from the front.
13 is a view for explaining a tube of the screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods for achieving them, will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments described below are illustratively shown to aid understanding of the present invention, and the present invention may be implemented with various modifications different from the embodiments described herein. However, when it is determined that a detailed description of a known function or component related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description and specific illustration thereof will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are not drawn to scale, in order to help the understanding of the invention, the size of some components may be exaggerated.

Meanwhile, terms such as first and second may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component.

On the other hand, the terms described below are terms set in consideration of functions in the present invention, which may vary depending on the intention or custom of the producer, so the definition should be made based on the content throughout this specification.

Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

First, an example of an automatic product production facility will be described with reference to FIG. 1 . 1 is a view for explaining an example of an automatic product production facility.

In the automatic product production facility, as shown in FIG. 1 , the articulated robot device 100 may be disposed around the conveyor device 300 , and the drive head 200 may be installed in the articulated robot device 100 . can

The conveyor device 300 may transport materials for product production.

The articulated robot device 100 may rotate an arm device according to a control program. The drive head 200 may fasten the screw to the product material. That is, the articulated robot device 100 may position the drive head 200 at a specific position of the product material according to the control program and fasten the screw.

In addition, a camera device C is installed on one side of the drive head 200 to track and read a position to fasten the screw, and the conveyor 300 continues to operate without stopping, so that the product material can continue to move. As described above, since the screw fastening position of the product material can be tracked using the camera device C, the articulated robot device 100 moves the drive head 200 to the movement of the product material even if the screw fastening position continues to move. It can be moved in response to speed and direction, so that the screw can be fastened to the workpiece material in the correct position.

The screw 600 may be supplied using the screw feed device 400 . The screw supply device 400 may be provided in plurality, thereby providing several types of screws 600 to one drive head 200 .

The screw supply device 400 and the drive head 200 may be connected by a tube 510 , and the plurality of screw supply devices 400 are connected to a plurality of tubes 510 , thereby changing a path in the middle of the tube 510 . 500 may be installed.

The path switching device 500 may connect any one of the plurality of tubes 510 to the opposite tube 510 .

Accordingly, the screw supply device 400 can select a specific screw required in the product production process and supply it appropriately at a specific time.

Hereinafter, a screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4 . 2 and 3 are views for explaining a screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a view for explaining an example of a screw alignment device in the screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The screw supply device 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a fixing block 432 , a slider block 446 , a screw alignment device 420 , a pneumatic nozzle 436 and a tube 510 . there is.

In the screw supply device 400 , a screw alignment device 420 may be disposed on the upper side of the frame 410 , and the fixing block 432 and the slider block 446 are disposed on one side of the frame 410 structure. can be placed.

In the screw alignment device 420 , when the screws 600 are randomly poured, the postures of the head and the bolts are aligned in an upright posture and discharged one after the other.

In the screw alignment device 420, two screw rails 421 are spaced apart from each other with a gap sufficient for a bolt of one screw 600 to pass, and a rail cover 422 is provided on the upper side of the screw rail 421. are placed The distance between the screw rail 421 and the rail cover 422 is sufficient to allow the head of the screw 600 to pass therethrough.

That is, in the screw alignment device 420 , as shown in FIG. 5 , the screws 600 are aligned in an upright posture, and a plurality of screws 600 may be sequentially disposed and discharged in order.

A technique for aligning and discharging screws in the screw alignment device 420 uses a known technique, and a more detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Hereinafter, a screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12 . 5 to 8 are views for explaining an example when the T hole is in the first position in the screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5 is a perspective view seen from the front, Figure 6 is a view from the rear It is a perspective view, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view seen from a direction crossing the slider block, and FIG. 8 is a front view seen from the front. 9 to 12 are views for explaining an example when the T hole is in the second position in the screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 9 is a perspective view seen from the front, Figure 10 is a view from the rear It is a perspective view, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view seen from a direction crossing the slider block, and FIG. 12 is a front view seen from the front.

A first fixing bracket 430 may be installed on one side of the frame 410 , and a fixing block 432 may be installed on the first fixing bracket 430 . The first fixing bracket 430 may be used to set an installation position of the fixing block 432 , and the fixing block 432 may be directly installed on the frame 410 .

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11 , the fixing block 432 may have a guide slot 434 formed in a linear shape.

The slider block 446 is disposed in the guide slot 434 to reciprocate between the first position (A) and the second position (B). The slider block 446 may be installed on the rod bracket 444 , and the rod bracket 444 may move according to the operation of the actuator 442 .

Meanwhile, the rod bracket 444 may be used to set the installation position of the slider block 446 , and the slider block 446 may be directly installed on the rod of the actuator 442 .

In addition, the slider block 446 may be formed such that the T-hole 448 passes through the front and rear. The T hole 448 is formed in a shape similar to the front shape of the screw 600 , and one screw 600 may be mounted in the T hole 448 .

The first position (A) may be a position in which the slider block 446 is retracted to wait for the screw 600 to be mounted, and the second position (B) is a position in which the slider block 446 is advanced to the screw 600 . It may be a position to launch the .

The screw alignment device 420 may be disposed at the rear of the slider block 446 , and as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 , when the slider block 446 is in the first position A, the T A single screw 600 may be inserted into the hole 448 to be mounted.

As shown in FIG. 6 , a pneumatic nozzle 436 may be disposed behind the fixing block 432 , and may provide compressed air when the slider block 446 is in the second position B. .

The pneumatic nozzle 436 may receive compressed air generated from a pneumatic pump, and may supply or stop supplying compressed air according to opening and closing of the pneumatic control valve. In particular, the compressed air can be blown as if firing the screw 600 as it is provided at a high pressure for a short time.

The tube 510 may be installed in front of the fixing block 432 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8 . The tube 510 may provide a path for the screw 600 to move.

In particular, as shown in FIG. 8 , the position of the tube 510 and the pneumatic nozzle 436 may be arranged at the same mutually communicating position.

The tube 510 may be installed as tube holder blocks 461 and 462 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9 . In addition, a bolt knob 461 may be installed in the tube holder block 462 , and when the bolt knob 461 is tightened, the tube 510 can be fixed, and when the bolt knob 462 is released The tube 510 may be separated. That is, when the tube 510 is to be replaced, the bolt knob 461 may be loosened and tightened.

The tube holder blocks 461 and 462 may be fixed to the fixing block 432 .

That is, when the slider block 446 is at the second position B, the compressed air injected from the pneumatic nozzle 436 may pass therethrough.

Meanwhile, when the slider block 446 is positioned at the first position A, a ventilation hole 449 may be formed at a position corresponding to the pneumatic nozzle 436 . The ventilation hole 449 may be used when intentionally blowing compressed air into the tube 510 . The ventilation hole 449 may be used for blowing compressed air, for example, when the screw 600 is caught in the tube 510 for unknown reasons or there is a foreign material in the tube 510 .

The screw 600 may be mounted in the T hole 448 to stand by when the slider block 446 is in the first position (A), and the slider block 446 is moved to the second position (B). When done, it can be fired with high-pressure air provided through the pneumatic nozzle 436 .

The second position B of the slider block 446 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12 .

When the actuator 442 is actuated according to the control signal, the rod bracket 444 may move forward in the expanding direction, and accordingly, the rod bracket 444 and the slider block 446 may move forward together, and specifically, the first It can move from the position (A) to the second position (B).

11 and 12 , when the slider block 446 is moved to the second position B, the T hole 448 may be located in front of the pneumatic nozzle 436 .

On the other hand, since the screw 600 is mounted in the T hole 448 , the screw 600 may be located in front of the pneumatic nozzle 436 .

Thereafter, when high-pressure air is provided from the pneumatic nozzle 436 , the screw 600 may be blown off as if fired due to the high-pressure air. The screw 600 may be routed to the tube 510 up to the driver unit 200 .

The tube 510 will be described with reference to FIG. 13 . 13 is a view for explaining a tube of the screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the tube 510, the head passing section 512 and the bolt passing section 514 may be arranged in a T-shape, whereby the screw 600 may be moved in an aligned state without disturbing the posture.

In addition, the dividing line 516 may be formed on both outer walls of the tube 510 to be deflected in which direction, and the dividing line 516 makes it possible to know what posture the tube 510 is installed in. That is, when the tube 510 is viewed from the outside, the upper and lower parts can be distinguished. When the tube 510 is installed, it can be installed separately.

On the other hand, the head passing section 512 may be further formed on the opposite side of the bolt passing section 514 , and the cross section of the tube 510 may be formed in an English capital letter I shape.

As a result, when the life of the head passage section 512 in the tube 510 has expired due to abrasion, etc., the tube 510 can be disassembled and turned over to reuse, and at this time, which head passage section is currently used using the dividing line 516 . It can be known whether the 512 is installed to be used, so that the convenience of maintenance and maintenance can be increased.

In addition, in the tube 510 , double walls 518 may be formed on both side walls of the bolt passage section 514 .

The length of the tube 510 may be arranged in an arbitrary curve according to the distance from the screw supply device 400 to the drive head 200 and the mutual arrangement relationship, and the tube 510 may be arranged to be twisted like a spiral.

That is, the tube 510 is not disposed in advance, and may be disposed in a bent shape at any curvature, or may be disposed in a twisted shape, in which case the inner width of the head passing section 512 or the bolt passing section 514 . Although there may be a risk of this narrowing, the double wall 518 can increase the rigidity of the tube 510 and thereby prevent the inner width of the head passage section 512 or the bolt passage section 514 from being narrowed. Thus, it is possible to prevent the screw jamming phenomenon when the screw 600 moves.

As described above, the screw supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention prepares and waits for the screw 600 , and fires the screw 600 using high-pressure air at a time when the screw 600 is required, thereby moving the screw 600 . It can be transported in an instant without jamming in the middle of the route.

In particular, in the screw supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention, by moving one screw 600 at a time as if firing, the leading screw and the trailing screw may not interfere with each other, and the screw posture is determined by the designer. It can be maintained as intended.

That is, the screw supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention can quickly supply the screw at a specific point in time without disturbing the posture.

On the other hand, the screw supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11 , may include a light receiving element 451 and a light emitting element 452 , and the light receiving element 451 . and the light emitting device 452 may be installed on both sides of the fixing block 432 .

A hole may be formed through the slider block 446 above or below the T hole 448 or the ventilation hole 449 .

The light-receiving element 451 and the light-emitting element 452 are irradiated from a light-emitting element 452 disposed opposite to the light-receiving element 451 when the slider block 446 is in the second position (B). It is possible to detect the presence or absence of the screw 600 in the T hole 448 according to whether or not it is received.

That is, when the screw 600 is supplied, the slider block 446 is in the second position B, and when the light receiving element 451 detects the screw 600 , compressed air is sprayed from the pneumatic nozzle 436 . It is possible to blow the screw (600).

Thereafter, if the light receiving element 451 cannot detect the screw 600, the actuator 442 is retracted to move the slider block 446 from the second position (B) to the first position (A). can make it move.

Therefore, in the screw supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention, by using the light-receiving element 451 and the light-emitting element 452 , it is possible to reliably determine whether the screw 600 is mounted, so that the operation accuracy and reliability can be improved. there is.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the pneumatic nozzles 436 may be provided in plurality.

Any one of the pneumatic nozzles 436 may be disposed at a position for jetting high-pressure air to the head of the screw 600 mounted on the T-hole 448, and the other pneumatic nozzle 436 is the T-hole ( 448 may be disposed at a position for injecting high-pressure air to the bolt of the screw 600 mounted on the bolt.

By disposing a plurality of pneumatic nozzles 436 in this way, the flow rate of high-pressure air per unit time can be increased, thereby providing more kinetic energy to the screw 600 when firing and moving the screw 600, and the tube Even if the length of the 510 is designed and arranged to be somewhat longer, it can contribute to reliably transporting the screw 600 to the intended place.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential characteristics thereof. will be able

Therefore, the embodiments described above are to be understood as illustrative and not restrictive in all respects, and the scope of the present invention is indicated by the following claims, which are derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents. All changes or modifications should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

The screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention can be used to quickly supply the screw at the time of need at the manufacturing site.

100: articulated robot device 200: drive head
300: conveyor device 400: screw feed device
410: frame 420: screw alignment device
421: screw rail 422: rail cover
430, 440: first and second fixing brackets 432: fixing block
434: guide slot 436: pneumatic nozzle
442: actuator 444: rod bracket
446: slider block 448: T hole
449: ventilation hole
451 light receiving element 452 light emitting element
461, 462: tube holder block
500: path switching device 510: tube
512: head passage section 514: bolt passage section
516: dividing line 518: double wall
600: screw

Claims (4)

a fixing block 432 having a guide slot 434 formed in a linear shape;
A slider block 446 in which a T hole 448 is formed to pass through the front and rear and is disposed in the guide slot 434 so that the T hole 448 reciprocates between the first position (A) and the second position (B). );
a screw alignment device 420 disposed behind the slider block 446 and for inserting a single screw 600 into the T-hole 448 when the slider block 446 is in the first position (A);
a pneumatic nozzle 436 disposed behind the fixing block 432 and providing compressed air when the slider block 446 is in the second position (B); and
It is installed in front of the fixing block 432, and when the slider block 446 is in the second position (B), the compressed air injected from the pneumatic nozzle 436 passes through and the screw 600 moves. tube 510 provided as a path;
A screw feeder comprising a.
According to claim 1,
a light receiving element 451 installed on both sides of the fixing block 432 to detect the presence or absence of the screw 600 in the T hole 448 when the slider block 446 is in the second position B; light emitting element 452;
A screw feeder comprising a.
According to claim 1,
The pneumatic nozzles 436 are provided in plurality,
Any one of the pneumatic nozzles 436 is disposed at a position for injecting high-pressure air to the head of the screw 600 mounted on the T hole 448,
the other pneumatic nozzle 436 is disposed at a position for spraying high-pressure air to the bolt of the screw 600 mounted to the T hole 448;
A screw feeder comprising a.
According to claim 1,
The tube 510 is
The head passage section 512 and the bolt passage section 514 are arranged in a T-shape,
A dividing line 516 is formed on both sides of the outer wall to deflect in either direction,
Double walls 518 are formed on both side walls of the bolt passage section 514;
A screw feeder comprising a.

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