TWI664129B - Parts supply system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a parts supply system and a parts supply method. Parts for The feeding system includes a parts supply device having a conveying path for sequentially conveying a plurality of parts, and a stopper member which is provided facing a downstream end of the conveying path and stops the conveyed parts on the conveying path. The first detection unit is used to detect when the part stops at the predetermined position; the second detection unit is used to obtain information about the part stopped at the predetermined position in response to the detection of the first detection unit. And a conveying member for conveying the part stopped at the predetermined position to the assembling device based on the information about the part stopped at the predetermined position obtained by the second detection means.

Description

Parts supply system and method

The present invention relates to a parts supply system and a parts supply method, and more particularly, to a parts supply system and a parts supply method for supplying parts on a conveying path of a parts feeder to an assembly device.

Conventionally, a parts supply system for conveying parts from a parts feeder to an automatic assembly apparatus has generally used a chute, a product bag, a conveying claw, and the like for supplying. As a typical case, a gravity-type chute is often used. In this gravity-type chute, a parts feeder is set at a position higher than an automatic assembly device, and the chute is arranged obliquely, so that the parts sent out in a neat arrangement are at their own weight. The effect of falling down.

In addition, in an automatic assembly device, in order to perform normal assembly, it is necessary to transport parts of the same type (size, shape, etc.) in an appropriate posture (part orientation, front and back posture, etc.). Therefore, in order to keep the posture within a proper range when transferring parts from the parts feeder to the workstation of the automatic assembly device, it is necessary to install a posture control device or replace the chute, product bag, and conveyance for each part of different size and shape. Claws and other structures.

In addition, due to the assembly steps in the automatic assembly device, the supply of parts needs to be performed intermittently at a stable constant time. If the supply of parts is interrupted or many parts are supplied at once, a problem may occur at the workstation.

The present invention has been made in view of the above technical problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a simple, widely used, and stable system that does not need to separately install a posture control device or change the structure for each part having a different size and shape. A part supply system and a method for supplying parts.

The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following structure. (1) A parts supply system for supplying parts to an assembly device, the parts supply system including: a parts supply device having a conveying path for sequentially conveying a plurality of parts; and a stopper member facing the conveying path The downstream end portion is provided to stop the conveyed parts at a predetermined position of the conveying path; a first detection means for detecting a situation where the parts stop at the predetermined position; a second detection means In response to the detection of the first detection means to obtain information related to a part stopped at the predetermined position; and a conveying means for obtaining the information obtained by using the second detection means and the stop at the stop. The information on the parts at the predetermined position conveys the parts stopped at the predetermined position to the assembly device. (2) The parts supply system according to (1), wherein at least information on the direction of the part is included in the information about the part stopped at the predetermined position, and the conveying member is based on the information on the direction of the part. Adjusting the direction of the part and conveying the part to the assembly device.

(3) The parts supply system according to (1) or (2), wherein the information regarding the parts stopped at the predetermined position includes at least one of a type of the part, a front-back posture, a size, and a shape .

(4) The parts supply system according to (3), wherein the stopping member is fixed to a sliding member capable of sliding in a direction away from the conveying path, and information regarding the parts stopped at the predetermined position is not satisfied In a predetermined condition, the stopper is slid in a direction away from the conveyance path by the sliding member, and the parts stopped at the predetermined position are discharged from the conveyance path.

(5) The parts supply system according to (1), wherein the first detection member is a gap between an end portion of the conveyance path and the stop member and a surface of the conveyance path. Photodetector that detects the presence of an object on a straight line with a predetermined angle.

(6) The parts supply system according to (1), wherein the second detection means is provided above the predetermined position and is capable of acquiring an image of a predetermined range including a part stopped at the predetermined position Camera.

(7) The parts supply system according to (1), wherein the parts have protrusions on an upper surface, and the conveyance path has a shape protruding in parallel with the conveyance path at a height corresponding to the protrusions. Guide.

(8) A parts supply method for supplying parts to an assembly device, the parts supply method including the following steps: sequentially conveying a plurality of parts along a conveying path of the parts supplying device; The downstream end of the conveyance path is stopped at a predetermined position; detection of a part stopped at the predetermined position; and when it is detected that the part stops at the predetermined position, the acquisition is related to the part stopped at the predetermined position Based on the information about the parts stopped at the predetermined position, and the parts stopped at the predetermined position are conveyed to the assembling device by the conveying part. (9) The parts supplying method according to (8), wherein at least information on the direction of the parts is included in the information about the parts stopped at the predetermined position, and according to the information about the parts stopped at the predetermined position, Information, using a conveying member to convey the part stopped at the predetermined position to the assembly device includes the steps of adjusting the direction of the part using the conveying member according to the information of the direction of the part, and conveying the part to the Assemble the device. (10) The parts supply method according to (8) or (9), wherein the information regarding the parts stopped at the predetermined position includes at least one of a type of the part, a front-back posture, a size, and a shape . (11) The parts supplying method according to (10), wherein the parts supplying method further includes the step of: after obtaining information about the direction of the part stopped at the predetermined position, and then stopping at the predetermined position When the information about the parts does not satisfy the predetermined conditions, the parts stopped at the predetermined position are discharged from the conveying path. (12) The parts supplying method according to (8), wherein the step of detecting when a part stops at the prescribed position includes the step of: between an end of the conveying path and the stopping member In the gap, the presence or absence of an object is detected on a straight line having a predetermined angle with the surface of the conveyance path.

According to the present invention, since the sequentially conveyed parts are stopped at a predetermined position and the robot hand conveys the parts to the assembling device based on the information about the stopped parts, it is not necessary to additionally install a posture control device or adjust the size, Each part having a different shape changes the structure of the part supply system, and can be easily and widely used.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the parts are reliably transported one by one by the robot after sensing that the parts stop at a predetermined position, there is no interruption in the supply of parts or a large number of parts are supplied at one time, and stable supply can be performed.

In order to make those skilled in the art understand the technical solution of the present invention more clearly, each embodiment of the parts supply system and the parts supply method of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The parts supply system and the parts supply method in the present invention are used to supply parts sequentially conveyed from the parts supplier to the assembly device. In the following description and drawings, the slider body for a slide fastener is described as an example of the component, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be a slider for a slide fastener or any component other than a fastener-related component. Parts. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described below. Any embodiment that can be obtained by a person skilled in the art without creative work also belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

Parts Supply System As shown in FIG. 1, the parts supply system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a parts supplier 11, a stopper 12, a first sensor 13, a second sensor 14, and a robot 15.

The parts feeder 11 includes a conveying path 11 b for sequentially conveying a plurality of parts P. For example, the parts feeder 11 in this embodiment includes a conveying path 11b and a substantially bowl-shaped main body 11a capable of accommodating the parts P therein. The conveying path 11b rotates upward from the inner bottom surface of the main body 11a along the inner periphery and toward the upper part of the main body The main body 11a goes out and then extends along the tangential direction of the circular opening of the main body 11a. The component feeder 11 is vibrated at a predetermined frequency to sequentially convey the components P along the conveying path 11b. Preferably, a guide portion 11c is provided on the downstream side of the conveyance path 11b in the conveyance direction from the main body 11a, and the direction and posture of the conveyed parts P are roughly adjusted. In the present embodiment, protrusions Pa (post portions for attaching a pull tab for a slide fastener) are provided at two positions in the front-rear direction on the upper surface of the component P, and the guide portion 11c corresponds to the protrusions Pa A shape protruding in parallel to the conveyance path 11b. As a result, the protruding portion Pa of the component P that has been conveyed forwards while making contact with the guide portion 11c, so that the direction of the component P can be adjusted, for example, within 15 ° to the left and right with respect to the traveling direction. In addition, the above has shown the structure in which the protrusions Pa are provided at two places in the front-rear direction on the upper surface of the part P, but it is not limited to this in practice. For example, the protrusions Pa may extend in the front-rear direction The elongated shape may be any component as long as the component P can be adjusted within a predetermined range by contact with the guide portion 11c.

In addition, since there is no obstacle wall in the portion of the conveyance path 11b on the side of the main body 11a, the structure is such that when the direction, posture, and predetermined conditions of the conveyed component P deviate from the predetermined threshold value or more, the component P is pushed out from the conveyance path 11b toward the main body 11a side and falls. As a result, the component P can be configured to reach the downstream side of the conveyance path 11b only when the direction and posture of the conveyed component P are within a predetermined range (for example, within 15 ° to the left and right with respect to the traveling direction). Ends. In addition, the parts feeder 11 which is a parts supplying device of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned structure, and for example, another structure such as a conveyor belt may be used to sequentially convey a plurality of parts P.

The stopper 12 is provided so as to face the downstream end portion of the conveyance path 11b, and stops the conveyed part P at a predetermined position. When there is a component P stopped at a predetermined position, the first sensor 13 can detect this. The first sensor 13 as the first detection means may be, for example, a photo sensor described later, but the present invention is not limited to the photo sensor, as long as it can detect that the part P stops at a predetermined position, for example, It can be a gravity sensor, an infrared sensor, a camera, or other types of sensors.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first sensor 13 includes a support portion 13 a, an optical signal transmitting portion 13 b, and an optical signal receiving portion 13 c. A gap is provided between the conveying path 11 b and the stopper 12. The support portion 13 a is mounted behind the stopper 12. Further, an optical signal transmitting section 13b is provided at one end of the supporting section 13a, and an optical signal receiving section 13c is provided at the other end of the supporting section 13a. The optical signal transmitting section 13b and the optical signal receiving section 13c are arranged at positions corresponding to the gaps.

In addition, the optical signal transmitting section 13b and the optical signal receiving section 13c are not limited to the structure of FIG. 2, and an optical signal receiving section 13c may be provided at one end of the support section 13a, and an optical signal transmission may be provided at the other end of the support section 13a.部 13b. 13b. When the component P does not exist at the predetermined position, the optical signal receiving unit 13c can receive the optical signal transmitted from the optical signal transmitting unit 13b through the gap between the transport path 11b and the stopper 12. On the other hand, when the part P conveyed by the part feeder 11 comes into contact with the stopper 12 and stops at a predetermined position, a part of the part P enters the gap, and therefore, the part P sent from the optical signal transmitting section 13b The optical signal is blocked by the component P, and the optical signal receiving unit 13c can no longer receive the optical signal, so that the presence of the component P stopped at a predetermined position can be detected.

In this embodiment, the main body of a slider for a slide fastener is used as an example of the component P. However, a slot for inserting a fastener tape is formed on a lateral side of the main body of the slider. A groove is provided in a direction parallel to the plane of the conveyance path 11b. In this case, although the part P stops at a predetermined position according to the direction and posture of the stopped part P, the optical signal transmitted from the optical signal transmitting section 13b is received by the optical signal receiving section 13c through the groove of the part P. As a result, the presence of the part P cannot be accurately detected.

In order to prevent such a problem, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pair of the first sensor 13 is formed at a predetermined angle from the surface of the conveyance path 11b in the gap between the end of the conveyance path 11b and the stopper 12. The presence of objects on the straight line is detected. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, by tilting the support portion 13 a with respect to the surface of the conveyance path 11 b by a predetermined angle, the heights of the optical signal transmitting portion 13 b and the light signal receiving portion 13 c with respect to the surface of the conveyance path 11 b are different. Even if a groove is provided in the component P in a direction parallel to the plane of the conveyance path 11b, the presence of the component P can be reliably detected.

The second sensor 14 responds to the detection by the first sensor 13 and obtains information on the part P stopped at a predetermined position. The second sensor 14 may be, for example, an imaging device which is provided above the conveyance path 11b as shown in FIG. 1 and can acquire an image of a predetermined range including the part P stopped at a predetermined position. When the detector 13 detects the part P, the second sensor 14 acquires an image of a predetermined range including the part P. From this image, it is possible to analyze information about the part P stopped at a predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited to this. If the second sensor 14 serving as the second detection means can obtain information about the part P stopped at a predetermined position, the second sensor 14 may be a magnetic sensor. Sensors, infrared sensors, and ultrasonic sensors. In addition, the above-mentioned information may also include at least one type of information such as the orientation of the part, the type of the part, the front and back posture, the size, and the shape.

The robot hand 15 transfers the parts P stopped at the predetermined position to the assembling device 17 based on the information about the parts P stopped at the predetermined position obtained by the second sensor 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the robot hand 15 according to the present embodiment includes at least a holding portion 15 a, a rotating portion 15 b, and three arms 15 c, 15 d, and 15 e for spatially moving the holding portion 15 a. The holding portion 15 a can hold a part or the whole of the part P by using two plates. The rotation portion 15b is freely rotated because it is coupled to the motor shaft, and the direction in which the clamping portion 15a holds the component P can be adjusted. The three arms 15c, 15d, and 15e are respectively connected to shafts having different three-dimensional angles, and the overall movement of the gripping portion 15a is controlled by each of the arms. However, the manipulator of the present invention is not limited to this structure, and the manipulator may have any structure as long as the part P can be picked up from the predetermined stop position and placed in the assembly device. For example, the example in which the robot hand 15 as the conveying member has two plates has been described above, but it may also be, for example, a structure in which the robot hand holds parts by using three claws, or by using a magnet, suction by a negative pressure, or the like. To attract the structure of the part. In addition, the conveying member is not limited to the robot hand 15. For example, the parts P may be conveyed to the assembling device 17 by a conveyor belt, and the parts P may be conveyed to the assembling device 17 by driving a cylinder with a driving device.

In the parts supply system of the present invention, the parts P that have been sequentially conveyed are stopped at a predetermined position, and the robot hand conveys the parts P to the assembling device based on the information about the stopped parts P. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately A posture control device is provided, or the structure of the parts supply system can be changed for each part P having a different size and shape, which can be easily and widely used.

In addition, in the parts supply system of the present invention, since the parts P are reliably conveyed one by one by the robot after sensing that the parts P stop at a predetermined position, there is no interruption in the supply of the parts P or a large number of parts P are supplied at once. In this case, stable supply is possible.

Next, several preferred embodiments will be described.

In order to perform the assembly operation normally, in most cases, the parts P must be supplied to the assembly device 17 in an appropriate direction. Therefore, the assembly device 17 is provided with, for example, a plurality of placement recesses 17a that match the shape of the part P. The robot hand 15 must pick up the part P stopped at a predetermined position and insert it into the predetermined placement recess 17a. Way to place part P. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the information about the part P stopped at a predetermined position acquired by the second sensor 14 may include at least information about the direction of the part P, and the robot 15 may stop the The information of the direction of the part P in a state of a predetermined position adjusts the direction of the part P and conveys the part P to the assembly device 17. Specifically, the robot 15 may calculate the difference between the direction of the stopped part P and the placement direction of the part P (for example, the length direction of the placement recess 17a, etc.). The difference adjusts the direction of the part P correspondingly, and then the part P is placed on the assembly device 17.

Thereby, even if the direction of the part P in the state stopped at a predetermined position is reversed or a certain deviation occurs, the part P can be reliably supplied to the assembly device 17 in an appropriate direction.

In addition, normally, the case where the parts P supplied to the assembling device 17 are of a constant type (model) satisfies the requirements, and when other kinds of parts are accidentally mixed into the parts feeder, a defect occurs. In addition, when the part P is turned over or the direction of the part P is greatly changed to a lateral direction (for example, when the direction of travel is a lateral direction greater than 15 ° left and right), the robot may not be able to pick up the part P well. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the information regarding the part P stopped at the predetermined position does not satisfy the predetermined conditions (whether the shape and size of the part stopped at the predetermined position are consistent with the information of the supplied part in advance, the part (Whether the direction or posture is within a certain threshold, etc.), it is considered to take measures to discharge the component P from the component feeder 11.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5, the stopper 12 may be fixed to the slide member 16 capable of sliding (slidable) in the direction D away from the conveying path 11 b, and the stopper 12 may be configured. The first sensor 13 slides in a direction D away from the conveyance path 11b. When the information about the part P stopped at the predetermined position satisfies the predetermined condition, as shown in FIG. 4, the sliding member 16 does not operate, and the part P stopped at the predetermined position is picked up by the robot 15 and transported to Assembling device 17. On the other hand, when the information regarding the part P stopped at the predetermined position does not satisfy the predetermined conditions, as shown in FIG. 5, the sliding member 16 moves the stopper 12 and the first sensor 13 away from the conveyance path 11 b. Slide in the direction D. At this time, since the component feeder 11 continues to operate, the component P which has stopped due to contact with the stopper 12 advances and descends from the downstream side end of the conveyance path 11b. Thereby, the component P stopped at a predetermined position is discharged from the conveyance path 11b. In addition, after a constant time has elapsed for dropping the part P, the slide member 16 returns to the original position. The direction D away from the conveyance path 11b is the same as the direction in which the conveyance path 11b extends.

Thereby, it is possible to reliably supply only the parts P satisfying the conditions to the assembling apparatus without stopping the operation of the parts supplier 11.

The embodiments of the parts supply system of the present invention have been described above. Of course, as long as they do not deviate from the gist and idea of the present invention, those skilled in the art can also combine, modify, and deform these embodiments. Any other embodiment that can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work also belongs to the present invention. The technical scope of the invention.

Parts supply method Hereinafter, the parts supply method of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The parts supply method of the present invention can be applied to, for example, the parts supply system of the present invention described above. Hereinafter, the case where the parts supply method of the present invention is executed in the parts supply system of the present invention will be described as an example, but this is only an example of the parts supply method of the present invention, and each of the parts supply systems can be executed in other parts supply systems. step.

As shown in FIG. 6, the parts supplying method of the present invention has the following steps: sequentially conveying a plurality of parts P along the conveying path 11 b of the parts feeder 11 (S101); The downstream end of the path 11b is stopped at the predetermined position (S102); the case where the part P is stopped at the above-mentioned predetermined position is detected (S103); and when the part P is stopped at the above-mentioned predetermined position, it is acquired and stopped at the above-mentioned Information about the part P at the predetermined position (S104); and based on the information about the part P stopped at the above-mentioned predetermined position, the robot P 15 is used to transport the part P stopped at the above-mentioned predetermined position to the assembly device 17 (S105). Hereinafter, each step will be specifically described.

First, a plurality of parts P are sequentially conveyed along the conveying path 11 b of the parts feeder 11 (S101). For example, the parts feeder 11 in this embodiment includes a substantially bowl-shaped main body 11a capable of accommodating the parts P inside, and a conveying path 11b. The conveying path 11b rotates from the inner bottom surface of the main body 11a along the inner circumferential direction and from the upper part of the main body After going out of the main body 11a, it extends in a direction substantially tangential to the circular opening of the main body 11a, and the parts feeder 11 is vibrated at a predetermined frequency to sequentially convey the parts P along the conveying path 11b. Preferably, the method further includes the step of providing a guide portion 11c on a downstream side in the conveyance direction of the conveyance path 11b from the main body 11a, and roughly adjusting the direction and posture of the conveyed parts P. In the present embodiment, protrusions Pa (post portions for attaching a pull tab for a slide fastener) are provided at two positions in the front-rear direction on the upper surface of the component P, and the guide portion 11c corresponds to the protrusions Pa A shape protruding in parallel to the conveying path 11b, whereby the protruding portion Pa of the conveyed part P advances while coming into contact with the guide portion 11c. Therefore, the direction of the part P can be adjusted to the left and right with respect to the traveling direction, for example. Within 15 °. In addition, the above has shown the structure in which the protrusions Pa are provided at two places in the front-rear direction on the upper surface of the part P, but it is not limited to this in practice. For example, the protrusions Pa may extend in the front-rear direction. The elongated shape may be any component as long as the component P can be adjusted within a predetermined range by contact with the guide portion 11c.

In addition, since there is no obstacle wall in the portion of the conveyance path 11b on the side of the main body 11a, the structure is such that when the direction, posture, and predetermined conditions of the conveyed component P deviate from the predetermined threshold value or more, the component P is pushed out from the conveying path 11b toward the main body 11a side, and is thereby dropped so that the direction and posture of the conveyed part P is within a predetermined range (for example, within 15 ° to the left and right with respect to the traveling direction). ), The component P can reach the downstream end of the conveyance path 11b. In addition, the parts feeder 11 which is a parts supplying device of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned structure, and for example, another structure such as a conveyor belt may be used to sequentially convey a plurality of parts P.

Next, the conveyed component P is stopped at a predetermined position at the downstream end portion of the conveyance path 11 b (S102). For example, the stopper 12 may be provided so that it may face the downstream end of the conveyance path 11b of the parts feeder 11, and the conveyed part P may be stopped in a predetermined position.

Next, the case where the part P stops at the said predetermined position is detected (S103). For example, the presence of the component P stopped at a predetermined position is detected by the first sensor 13. The first sensor 13 as the first detection means may be, for example, a photo sensor described later, but the present invention is not limited to the photo sensor, as long as it can detect that the part P stops at a predetermined position, for example, It can be a gravity sensor, an infrared sensor, a camera, or other types of sensors.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the first sensor 13 includes a support portion 13 a, an optical signal transmitting portion 13 b, and an optical signal receiving portion 13 c. A gap is provided between the conveying path 11 b and the stopper 12. The support portion 13 a is mounted behind the stopper 12. Further, an optical signal transmitting section 13b is provided at one end of the supporting section 13a, and an optical signal receiving section 13c is provided at the other end of the supporting section 13a. The optical signal transmitting section 13b and the optical signal receiving section 13c are arranged at positions corresponding to the gaps.

In addition, the optical signal transmitting section 13b and the optical signal receiving section 13c are not limited to the structure of FIG. 2, and an optical signal receiving section 13c may be provided at one end of the support section 13a and an optical signal transmission may be provided at the other end of the support section 13a.部 13b. 13b. When the component P does not exist at the predetermined position, the optical signal receiving unit 13c can receive the optical signal transmitted from the optical signal transmitting unit 13b through the gap between the transport path 11b and the stopper 12. On the other hand, when the part P conveyed by the part feeder 11 comes into contact with the stopper 12 and stops at a predetermined position, a part of the part P enters the gap, so the part P sent from the optical signal transmitting section 13b The optical signal is blocked by the component P, and the optical signal receiving unit 13c can no longer receive the optical signal, so that the presence of the component P stopped at a predetermined position can be detected.

In this embodiment, the main body of a slider for a slide fastener is used as an example of the part P. However, a groove for inserting a chain belt is formed on the lateral side of the main body of the slider. A groove is provided in a direction parallel to the plane of the conveyance path 11b. In this case, although the part P stops at a predetermined position according to the direction and posture of the stopped part P, the optical signal transmitted from the optical signal transmitting section 13b is received by the optical signal receiving section 13c through the groove of the part P. As a result, the presence of the part P cannot be accurately detected.

In order to prevent such a problem, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of detecting the situation where the part P stops at a predetermined position may include the following step: a gap between the end of the conveyance path 11b and the stopper 12 In this case, the presence or absence of an object is detected on a straight line having a predetermined angle with the surface of the conveyance path 11b. For example, the first sensor 13 detects the presence or absence of an object on a straight line having a predetermined angle with the surface of the conveyance path 11b in the gap between the end of the conveyance path 11b and the stopper 12. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, by tilting the support portion 13 a with respect to the surface of the conveyance path 11 b by a predetermined angle, the heights of the optical signal transmitting portion 13 b and the light signal receiving portion 13 c with respect to the surface of the conveyance path 11 b are different. Even if a groove is provided in the component P in a direction parallel to the plane of the conveyance path 11b, the presence of the component P can be reliably detected.

Next, when it is detected that the part P is stopped at the predetermined position (when YES in S103), information regarding the part P stopped at the predetermined position is acquired (S104). For example, the second sensor 14 responds to the detection by the first sensor 13 and obtains information on the part P stopped at a predetermined position. The second sensor 14 may be, for example, an imaging device which is provided above the conveyance path 11b as shown in FIG. 1 and can acquire an image of a predetermined range including the part P stopped at a predetermined position. When the detector 13 detects the part P, the second sensor 14 acquires an image of a predetermined range including the part P. From this image, it is possible to analyze information about the part P stopped at a predetermined position. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any information such as a magnetic sensor, an infrared sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor may be used as long as the information on the component P stopped at a predetermined position can be obtained. In addition, the above-mentioned information may also include at least one type of information such as the orientation of the part, the type of the part, the front and back posture, the size, and the shape.

On the other hand, when it is not detected that the component P stops at the predetermined position (NO in S103), the above-mentioned detection operation may be repeatedly performed (S103).

Next, based on the information about the part P stopped at a predetermined position, the robot P 15 transports the part P stopped at a predetermined position to the assembling device 17 (S105). For example, the robot hand 15 conveys the parts P stopped at the predetermined position to the assembling device 17 based on the information about the parts P stopped at the predetermined position, which is acquired by the second sensor 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the robot hand 15 according to the present embodiment includes at least a holding portion 15 a, a rotating portion 15 b, and three arms 15 c, 15 d, and 15 e for spatially moving the holding portion 15 a. The holding portion 15 a can hold a part or the whole of the part P by using two plates. The rotation portion 15b is freely rotated because it is coupled to the motor shaft, and the direction in which the clamping portion 15a holds the component P can be adjusted. The three arms 15c, 15d, and 15e are respectively connected to shafts having different three-dimensional angles, and the overall movement of the gripping portion 15a is controlled by each of the arms. However, the manipulator of the present invention is not limited to this structure, and the manipulator may have any structure as long as the part P can be picked up from the predetermined stop position and placed in the assembly device. For example, the example in which the robot hand 15 as the conveying member has two plates has been described above, but it may also be, for example, a structure in which the robot hand holds parts by using three claws, or by using a magnet, suction by a negative pressure, or the like. To attract the structure of the part. In addition, the conveying member is not limited to the robot hand 15. For example, the parts P may be conveyed to the assembling device 17 by a conveyor belt, and the parts P may be conveyed to the assembling device 17 by driving a cylinder with a driving device.

According to the parts supply method of the present invention, the parts P that are sequentially conveyed are stopped at a predetermined position and the robot hand conveys the parts P to the assembly device based on the information about the stopped parts P. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide The attitude control device can be easily and widely used by changing the structure of the parts supply system for each of the parts P having different sizes and shapes.

In addition, according to the parts supply method of the present invention, since the parts P are reliably conveyed one by one by the robot after sensing that the parts P stop at a predetermined position, there is no interruption in the supply of the parts P or a sudden supply of many parts P. In this case, stable supply can be performed.

Next, several preferred embodiments of the parts supply method of the present invention will be described.

In order to perform the assembly operation normally, in most cases, the parts P must be supplied to the assembly device 17 in an appropriate direction. Therefore, the assembly device 17 is provided with, for example, a plurality of placement recesses 17a that match the shape of the part P. The robot hand 15 must pick up the part P stopped at a predetermined position and insert it into the predetermined placement recess 17a. Way to place part P. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the information about the part P stopped at a predetermined position includes at least information about the direction of the part P, and based on the information about the part P stopped at a predetermined position, the robot 15 uses The step (S105) of conveying the part P stopped at a predetermined position to the assembling device includes the steps of adjusting the direction of the part P using the robot 15 based on the information of the direction of the part P and conveying the part P to the assembling device 17. Specifically, the robot 15 may calculate the difference between the direction of the stopped part P and the placement direction of the part P (for example, the length direction of the placement recess 17a, etc.). The difference adjusts the direction of the part P correspondingly, and then the part P is placed on the assembly device 17.

Thereby, even if the direction of the part P in the state stopped at a predetermined position is reversed or a certain deviation occurs, the part P can be reliably supplied to the assembly device 17 in an appropriate direction.

In addition, normally, the case where the parts P supplied to the assembling device 17 are of a constant type (model) satisfies the requirements, and when other kinds of parts are accidentally mixed into the parts feeder, a defect occurs. In addition, when the part P is turned over or the direction of the part P is greatly changed to a lateral direction (for example, when the direction of travel is a lateral direction greater than 15 ° left and right), the robot may not be able to pick up the part P well. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, it is considered to have the following steps: The information regarding the part P stopped at the predetermined position does not satisfy the prescribed condition (whether the shape and size of the part stopped at the predetermined position are in accordance with the expected supply When the information of the parts is consistent, whether the orientation and orientation of the parts are within a certain threshold, etc.), the part P is discharged from the parts supplier 11.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the stopper 12 may be fixed to a sliding member 16 capable of sliding in a direction D away from the conveying path 11 b, and the stopper 12 and the first sensor 13 may be arranged along the stopper 12. Sliding in the direction D away from the conveying path 11b. When the information about the part P stopped at the predetermined position satisfies the predetermined condition, as shown in FIG. 4, the sliding member 16 does not operate, and the part P stopped at the predetermined position is picked up by the robot 15 and transported to Assembling device 17. On the other hand, when the information about the part P stopped at a predetermined position does not satisfy the predetermined conditions, as shown in FIG. 5, the sliding member 16 moves the stopper 12 and the first sensor 13 away from the conveyance path. 11b slides in the direction D. At this time, since the component feeder 11 continues to operate, the component P which has stopped due to contact with the stopper advances and descends from the downstream side end of the conveyance path 11b. Thereby, the component P stopped at a predetermined position is discharged from the conveyance path 11b. After a certain period of time has elapsed for dropping the part P, the sliding member 16 returns to the original position.

Thereby, it is possible to reliably supply only the parts P satisfying the conditions to the assembling apparatus without stopping the operation of the parts supplier 11.

[Hereinabove, various embodiments of the parts supply method of the present invention have been described. Of course, as long as it does not deviate from the gist and idea of the present invention, even if a person skilled in the art combines, modifies, or deforms these embodiments, any other embodiment that can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work also belongs to The technical scope of the present invention.

1‧‧‧Part Supply System

11‧‧‧Part feeder

11a‧‧‧Subject

11b‧‧‧conveying path

11c‧‧‧Guide

12‧‧‧stop

13‧‧‧1st sensor

13a‧‧‧ support

13b‧‧‧Optical Signal Transmission Department

13c‧‧‧Optical Signal Receiving Department

14‧‧‧ 2nd sensor

15‧‧‧Robot

15a‧‧‧Clamping section

15b‧‧‧rotating part

15c ~ 15e‧‧‧arm

16‧‧‧ sliding parts

17‧‧‧Assembly device

17a‧‧‧Place recess

D‧‧‧ direction

P‧‧‧Parts

Pa‧‧‧ protrusion

Steps of S101 ~ S105‧‧‧Part Supply Method

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a parts supply system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of the conveyance path shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the robot hand shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining the operation of a sliding member in the parts supply system of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a state where the stopper shown in FIG. 4 is slid away from the conveyance path. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a parts supplying method according to the present invention.

Claims (12)

A parts supply system (1) for supplying parts (P) to an assembly device (17). The parts supply system (1) is characterized in that it includes: a parts supply device (11) having a mechanism for sequentially conveying multiple components. A conveying path (11b) of each of the parts (P); a stopper member (12), which is provided facing the downstream end of the conveying path (11b), and is used to make the conveyed part (P) come over Stopped at a predetermined position of the conveying path (11b); a first detection part (13) for detecting a situation where the part (P) is stopped at the predetermined position; a second detection part (14), It is used in response to the detection of the first detection part (13) to obtain information about the part (P) stopped at the predetermined position; and a conveying part (15) for using the first 2 The information about the part (P) stopped at the predetermined position obtained by the detection unit (14) conveys the part (P) stopped at the predetermined position to the assembly device (17). The parts supply system (1) according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the information about the part (P) stopped at the prescribed position includes at least information about the direction of the part (P), The conveying member (15) adjusts the direction of the part and conveys the part (P) to the assembly device (17) according to the information of the direction of the part. The parts supply system (1) according to item 1 or 2 of the scope of patent application, wherein the information about the part (P) stopped at the prescribed position includes the type of the part, the front and back posture, At least one of size and shape. The parts supply system (1) according to item 3 of the scope of patent application, wherein the stopping member (12) is fixed to a sliding member (16) capable of sliding in a direction away from the conveying path (11b), and stops When the information about the part (P) at the predetermined position does not satisfy a predetermined condition, the sliding member (16) slides the stopping member (12) in a direction away from the conveying path (11b), thereby The component (P) stopped at the predetermined position is discharged from the conveying path (11b). The parts supply system (1) according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the first detection member (13) is between the end of the conveying path (11b) and the stopper member (12). In the gap, a photo sensor (13a, 13b) for detecting whether or not an object exists on a straight line having a predetermined angle with the surface of the conveying path (11b). The parts supply system (1) according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the second detection part (14) is provided above the predetermined position and can obtain the part including stopping at the predetermined position (P) An imaging device for a predetermined range of images. The parts supply system (1) according to item 1 of the patent application scope, wherein the parts have protrusions (Pa) on an upper surface, and the conveying path (11b) is in a position corresponding to the protrusions (Pa). A guide portion (11c) having a shape protruding in parallel to the conveying path (11b) in height. A parts supply method for supplying parts (P) to an assembly device (17), the parts supply method includes the following steps: sequentially transporting a plurality of the parts along a conveying path (11b) of the parts supply device (11) ( P); using the stopper (12) to stop the part (P) that has been conveyed at the downstream end of the conveying path (11b) at a predetermined position; and stopping the part (P) at the predetermined position Detection of the condition of the part (P) stopped at the prescribed position, obtaining information about the part (P) stopped at the prescribed position; and based on the stop at the prescribed position Information on the part (P) at a predetermined position is conveyed to the assembling device (17) by the conveying member (15), the part (P) stopped at the predetermined position. The parts supply method according to item 8 of the scope of patent application, wherein the information about the part (P) stopped at the predetermined position includes at least information about the direction of the part (P), and Information about the part (P) stopped at the predetermined position, using the conveying member (15) to convey the part (P) stopped at the predetermined position to the assembly device (17). The steps include the steps of adjusting the direction of the part and conveying the part (P) to the assembly device (17) by using the conveying member (15) according to the information of the direction of the part. The parts supply method according to item 9 of the scope of patent application, wherein the information about the part (P) stopped at the predetermined position includes at least one of a type of the part, a front-back posture, a size, and a shape. By. The parts supply method according to item 10 of the scope of patent application, wherein the parts supply method further includes the steps of: after obtaining information about the direction of the part (P) stopped at the prescribed position, When the information about the part (P) at the predetermined position does not satisfy a predetermined condition, the part (P) stopped at the predetermined position is discharged from the conveying path (11b). The parts supply method according to item 8 of the scope of patent application, wherein the step of detecting a situation where the part (P) stops at the prescribed position includes the following steps: an end on the conveying path (11b) In the gap between the part and the stopper (12), the presence or absence of an object is detected on a straight line having a predetermined angle with the surface of the conveying path (11b).