US3759419A

US3759419A - Apparatus for separating and individually dispensing small elongate parts

Info

Publication number: US3759419A
Application number: US00127991A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Iseli
Original assignee: Vereinigte Drahtwerke AG
Current assignee: Vereinigte Drahtwerke AG
Priority date: 1970-04-07
Filing date: 1971-03-25
Publication date: 1973-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 1990-09-18
Also published as: CH522471A; DE2029304A1; NL7104422A; GB1338137A; FR2089352A5; DE2029304B2

Abstract

An apparatus for aligning, separating and individually dispensing small substantially elongate objects which comprises an object dispensing drum member for receiving therein a stack supply of small objects, said drum member being rotatable about a horizontal axis at such rotational speed that a small object entrained by the drum member is subjected to centrifugal forces greater than its force of gravity. Means located within the drum member extend over at least a portion of the inner peripheral surface thereof for aligning the small objects within the drum member such that the primary lengthwise direction of such small objects is substantially aligned with the peripheral direction of the drum member. There are also provided means defining at least one recess, serving as an object dispensing element, at the bottom of the aforesaid aligning means, such recess when passing beneath the pile of small objects removing one such small object from said pile. A channel communicates with the recess, this channel opening approximately tangentially through the wall of the drum member and by means of which the small object disposed in the recess can slide out through the channel after the small object has been carried past the zenith of said drum member under the action of the centrifugal forces, but before said recess again immerses into the pile of small objects for engaging a further small object.

Description

Uited States Patent 1191 lseli [111 3,759,419 1451 Sept. 18, 1973 APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING AND INDIVIDUALLY DISPENSING SMALL ELONGATE PARTS [75] Inventor:

[7 3] Assignee: Vereinigte Drahtwerke A.G., Biel,

Switzerland 221 Filed: Mar. 25, 1971 211 Appl. No.: 121,991

Hans Iseli, Ligerz, Switzerland [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 7, 1970 Switzerland 5097/70 [52] US. Cl 221/168, 221/169, 221/186 [51] Int. Cl. B6511 9/00, 365g 47/24 [58] Field of Search 221/164, 167, 168,

Primary Examiner-Samuel F. Coleman Assistant Examiner-Francis J. Bartuska Attorney-Werner W. Kleeman [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for aligning, separating and individually dispensing small substantially elongate objects which comprises an object dispensing drum member for receiving therein a stack supply of small objects, said drum member being rotatable about a horizontal axis at such rotational speed that a small object entrained by the drum member is subjected to centrifugal forces greater than its force of gravity. Means located within the drum member extend over at least a portion of the inner peripheral surface thereof for aligning the small objects within the drum member such that the primary lengthwise direction of such small objects is substantially aligned with the peripheral direction of the drum member. There are also provided means defining at least one recess, serving as an object dispensing element, at the bottom of the aforesaid aligning means,

' such recess when passing beneath the pile of small objects removing one such small object from said pile. A channel communicates with the recess, this channel opening approximately tangentially through the wall of the drum member and by means of which the small object disposed in the recess can slide out through the channel afterthe small object has been carried past the zenith of said drum member under the action of the centrifugal forces, but before said recess again im' merses into the pile of small objects for engaging a further small object. 1

10 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures INVENTOR HFNS ISEL/ Mame P w. KLEEMI-IIV I? 7TDR NE y ma ma SHEET 3 BF 5 INVENTOR H/QA/ /5EL/ 9 FO/PNE y PATEWED 81975 PATENTED SEP] 8 I975 SHEET UF 5 IN VENTOI? H/WYS /5EL/ (7 0 RA/gy PATENTEI] SEPI 8 I975 SHEEI 5 UP 5 w Y a APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING AND INDIVIDUALLY DISPENSING SMALL ELONGATE PARTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improved apparatus for separating, aligning and individually dispensing small elongate parts or objects, as such are used for supplying prefabricated workpieces or raw workpieces to processing machines, for instance automatic lathes or presses, as well as for supplying finished parts to assembly conveyors, automatic testing devices and the like.

The many apparatus structures and methods already known to the art for the purpose of supplying production installations with smallor mass produced parts, such as: dispensing of parts from a plate-shaped container rotating about a vertical axis, by means of an up and down oscillating bifurcated member; the raising of the parts within a discarding drum and thereafter ejecting these workpieces via a discharge trough or chute; the throwing-out of the parts from a centrifuge rotating about a vertical axis; the pouring out of workpieces from a rocking container; the movement of the parts in a predetermined direction by resorting to the use of oscillations or vibrations, are all associated with the drawbacks that the dispensed parts per unit of time vary quite markedly. Each of these known devices or equipment possess a certain specific favorable utilitarian range withinwhich any disturbances which might arise can be accepted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There is yet still present a real need in the art for apparatus for separating and individually dispensing small parts or objects which is not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks and limitations of the prior art constructions. One particularly significant objective of the instant invention is to provide an improved apparatus for separating and individually dispensing such parts or objects in a manner fulfilling the existing need in the art and overcoming or at least minimizing the drawbacks existant with the prior art constructions.

Another and more specific object of the present invention is the provision of improved apparatus of the character described which fills the existing gaps present in the favorable range of use of the heretofore known devices, and in contrast to such devices provides for a defined time-constant with respect to the dispensing of the. workpieces or the like, so that a predetermined quantity of the parts or objects to be dispensed will be dispensed per unit of time with greater probability, and also affords the possibility of delivering in a very simple manner a larger predetermined number of parts at the same time and at fixed time periods.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the invention contemplates a new and improved type of apparatus for the aligning, separation and individually dispensing of small elongate parts or objects, by means of a dispensing drum for receiving a supply of the small parts, the dispensing drum rotating about a horizontal axis. According to the invention, there is provided a rotational drive mechanism for the drum which drives such drum at such a velocity that a small part entrained by the drum has imparted thereto a centrifugal force which is greater than its gravitational force. Additionally, the interior of the drum is provided over at least a portion of its periphery with a profile or configuration ensuring that the small parts will be aligned with their main lengthwise direction along the peripheral direction of the drum. As the base of the profile of the drum interior there is arranged a recess serving as a dispensing element, this recess, during such time as it passes beneath a pile of the small parts, removing one small part from the pile. The dispensing recess opens into a channel which, in turn, opens approximately tangentially towards the outside through the wall of the drum, this channel allowing the small part seized in the recessto slide out after it has been carried past the zenith under the influence of the centrifugal force, yet before the recess again immerses into the pile of small parts in order to engage and remove a further small part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of inventive apparatus;

FIG. 2 isa side view, partially in section, of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 to 5 are respective different side elevational views of the apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing such apparatus in different working positions for the purpose of explaining its mode of operation;

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are respective fragmentary side sectional views of modified forms of the equipment of FIG. 1 for handling different symmetrical workpieces or objects;

FIGS. -9, 9a. and 10 are respective side sectional views, similar to the showing of FIGS. 6 to 8, but for parts or workpieces possessing a configuration which is asymmetrical in lengthwise direction;

FIG. 11 is an elevational view, partly in section, of an apparatus which can simultaneously align and dispense a number of similar parts;

FIG. l2'is aside elevational view of the apparatus depicted in FIG. 11 and showing the additional means for controlling the ejection sequence; and

FIGS. 13 and 14 are respective fragmentary views showing details of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 l and 12 in section, for the purpose of explaining the ejection operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, in FIGS. 1 and 2 there is illustrated the manner in which a'heap or pile 20 of small parts or workpieces 23 are situated within a drum 22 rotating about a horizontal axis and driven by drive shaft 21. Owing to the moment of inertia of the pile of workpieces 20, the center of gravity of the individual workpieces 23, thefrictional forces occurring between 23 which are situated in each instance at the region of the inclined portions 25 tend to align parallel to the direction of rotation. Now, if a recess 26, formed at the wall of the drum 22 and accommodated to the configuration and size of a workpiece 23 and serving as a workpiece-dispensing element, moves beneath the pile or stack 20 of workpieces 23, then a workpiece 23 drops into this recess 26 whereas the further workpieces located thereabove slide away. The recess 26 can only be slightly larger in size than the dimensions of the workpieces 23, and particularly the edge 27 should not extend over the workpiece located in the recess 26. The workpiece 23 entrained within the recess or groove 26 is raised in the direction of rotation of the drum 22 from beneath the workpiece stack or pile 20.

As soon as the raised workpiece 23 has moved past the position of FIG. 3, the centrifugal force acting upon such workpiece must always be greater than the component of its gravitational force which is directed radially with respect to the drum 22. However, the rotational speed of the drum 22 should not be so large that the entire stack of workpieces is also entrained, which is only then the case, in any event, when the rotational speed of the drum is a multiple of the speed necessary for maintaining such minimum centrifugal force. If the above explained conditions are fulfilled, .then, as best shown by referring to FIG. 4, the workpiece 23 is carried past the zenith or top of the drum and again downwards, without falling down into the bottom of the drum 22. Finally, as best seen by referring to FIG. 5, the workpiece 23 thereafter slides out of the channel 28 extending tangentially to the inner diameter of the drum as soon as and this depends upon the position of the workpiece 23 the component of the gravitational force of the workpiece 23 acting tangentially to the drum 22 is greater than its centrifugal force multiplied by the relevant frictional values. As mentioned above, the completion of this operation has been depicted in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 schematically illustrate the manner in which the recess or groove 26 and the channel 28 can be constructed to handle other symmetrical shapes of workpieces 23.

Now, in conjunction with the showing of FIG. 9 there will be explained-the manner in which the recess 26 and the channel 28 must be constructed to handle, for instance, a bolt member 29 which is pointed at one end and such that the bolt member 29 leaves the drum 22 only with the pointed end leading. The edge 27 of the recess 26 is set back or recessed to such an extent that the bolt member 29 will not be caught or entrained within the recess 26 if its pointed end is directed opposite to the direction of rotation of the drum 22, as such has been shown in FIG. 9a. In FIG. 9 there is illustrated the manner in which this bolt member 29 will be entrained when it has slid into the recess 26 in desired position. In order to allow workpieces which are asymmetrical in the lengthwise direction to turn or rotate into the desired position, as for instance the bolt members 29, the

inclined portions

24 and 25, reference here also to be made to FIG. I, viewed in the direction of rotation, are only arranged directly in front of the recess 26 and thereafter merge into a cylindrical portion 32 where the lengthwise axes of the bolt members 29 primarily rotate in the axial direction of the drum 22, in order that again the majority of such bolts will come to be disposed in the direction of rotation as soon as they arrive at the region of the

inclined portions

24 and 25. During the course of a number of revolutions of the drum member 22 all of the bolt members 29 must assume one or more times that position in which they can be best engaged by the recess 26.

Stepped bolt members 33, for instance of the type illustrated in FIG. 10, must be rolled about by using, for instance, certain expedients as indicated by the means 31, here shown as a member extending transversely through the profiled

portions

24 and 25, so that they can assume with sufiicient frequency or probability the desired position. The transition from a wall surface or line with

inclined portions

24 and 25 into one possessing a cylindrical form 32, as explained above in connection with FIG. 9, is not sufficient for changing the position of stepped bolt members 30, because the head of each such bolt members generally come to rest at the incorrect side. Hence, the member 31 ensures that the stepped bolt members 30 will assume the correct position with the head oriented in the correct manner to be properly received by the recess 26.

FIG. 11 illustrates an apparatus where a number of, for instance 50, similar workpieces 23 can slide in a predetermined sequence from the same or different side of the drum out of such drum 33 in accordance with the mode of operation described above in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 5. Here, a number of adjacently arranged grooves 35 corresponding to the desired number of workpieces per operating cycle and a number of adjacently arranged inclined portions 36 are intermittently distributed at a freely selected spacing over the entire length of the drum member 33. A respective recess 26 of the type shown in FIG. 5 and possessing a respective channel 28 of the type best shown in FIG. 4 is operably associated with each groove 35 in the form of a row disposed parallel to the axis of the drum member 33, in the event that the workpieces 23 (FIG. 5) are intended to simultaneously depart from the drum member 33. In the event there is desired a certain irregularity in the departure of the workpieces from the drum, then the recesses 26 together with the channels 28 must be arranged so as to be appropriately offset in the direction of rotation of the drum. A supply of workpieces 23 can be introduced continuously or intermittently through the infeed opening 34. In the illustrated embodiment the drum member 33 is driven by a suitable drive, for instance, by a conventional oil motor unit 37, and this type drive can be also used for the other embodiments disclosed herein. 5

In FIG. 12 additional means are illustrated to improve the frequency with which thedesired number of workpieces can depart during each cycle of the drum 33, and to ensure for a more exact predetermination of the position of the drum 33 at which the workpieces slide out thereof. A cam or curved member 38 which can be extended by means of a lever 39, for instance through the action of a compressed air cylinder 40, presses a roll carrying-lever member 41, fixedly connected with a closure cap 42 (FIGS. 13 and 14) outwardly against the action of a spring 43, when the channel 28 is located at the region of the cam 38 and such has been outwardly displaced or extended, so that the workpieces can only then leave the drum member 33 through the agency of the channel 28. In order to ensure that a workpiece will be entrained with greater probability by a recess 26 (FIGS. 12 and 13) before the channel38 is freed by the flap member 42 (FIG. 13)

the cam member 23 remains in its retracted position during a predetermined number of revolutions of the drum member 33. in the illustrated embodiment a con trol cam M is driven via a transmission 45 by means of the drum member 33 with a ratio of the number of revolutions of one to two, so that one work cycle corresponds to two revolutions of the drum 33. The angular velocity of the oil motor 3'7 (FIG. ill) driving the drum member 33 is determined by a flow control valve 46, the passage of oil therethrough being regulated by the control cam M. In the illustrated position, the drum member 33 has just experienced a brief deceleration or delay, the channel 23 through which there can be tangentially propelled a workpiece during this operation is, however, still closed by a flap member 42 (FIG. 13). A workpiece which has properly positioned itself in the recess 26, owing to the brief deceleration slides into the channel 23, whereas a further workpiece, which has possibly been additionally entrained, falls back into the drum 33 owing to the thus exerted deceleration shock.

At the next moment the drum 33 is again slightly accelerated, so that thereafter, as soon as the channel 28 is located at the region of a slide 2-7 through which the workpieces for instance can be further conveyed, is decelerated or delayed practically to null. As best seen by referring to F l6. l4, shortly beforehand the flap member d2 is pushed open by means of the cam 38 via the roller lever ll, because such cam 38 has been displaced into its extended position. The position of the drum 33, during which the last-mentioned positively controlled delay or deceleration occurs, corresponds to a position which is reached shortly prior to the point of time where the workpiece can also slide out without deceleration.

The deceleration is chosen to be so pronounced that the frictional resistance between the drum 33 and the workpiece is instantaneously overcome, so that the ejection position of the drum can be determined under exactly reproducible conditions. Thus, the workpieces are ejected when the location or point 4% of the control cam M travels over the actuation roll 54 of the flow control valve 46. After this deceleration or delay the drum 33 travels slowly further until the point 49 moves over the roller 54, and thereafter acceleration occurs until a'drum velocity has been reached which, for instance, can amount to one half of the maximum velocity. During this reduced velocity the recess 26 (FlG. 13) moves beneath the workpiece pile or stack 20 (FIG. 1) and can again receive a workpiece. At the same time, the cam or curve 38 is retracted, which can be brought about by a terminal switch actuated by'a cam traveling synchronously with the control cam 44. If point 50 of the control cam 44 reaches the location of the actuation roll 34, something which occurs shortly prior to the time that the drum reaches the position depicted in FIG. 3, then, the drum is accelerated to the previously defined maximum velocity which is necessary in order to carry the entrained workpiece past the zenith or top of the drum. After cam location or point 51 has reached the actuation roller 54, the drum speed is again retarded or decelerated to the velocity which is switched-in in front of location 50. This deceleration occurs when the drum assumes approxi mately the position which has been illustrated in FIG. 5, however no workpiece is ejected because the cam 38 has been retracted. As shown in FIG. 1, the recess 26 now passes through the workpiece stack or pile 2b a second time and, in the event that it is not yet charged with a workpiece, it can take-up such workpiece this second time. At location 52, analogous to location 50 of the control cam 44, the drum is accelerated to the maximum velocity, but when reaching location 53, however, when the drum position approximately corre sponds to that illustrated in FIG. 4, the drum is then briefly decelerated or delayed. At the same time, the cam 38 is moved out or extended which, just as was the case during retraction of such cam, can be achieved by a terminal switch. Consequently, a workcycle has now terminated and such can repeat as often as desired.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodies and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

Accordingly, what is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for aligning, separating and individuallydispensing small objects, especially substantially elongate objects, comprising an object dispensing drum member for receiving a supply of small objects deposited therewithin in the form of a pile of objects, said drum member being rotatable about a horizontal axis,

. means for driving said drum member at such rotational speed that a small object entrained by said drum member is subjected to centrifugal forces greater than its force of gravity, means located within said drum member over at least a portion of the inner peripheral surface thereof foraligning the small objects within the drum member such that the primary lengthwise direction of such small objects is substantially aligned with the perhipheral direction of said drum member, means providing at least one recess serving as an object dispensing element at the bottom of said aligning means, said recess when passing beneath the pile of small objects removing one such small object from said pile, means defining a channel communicating with said recess, said channel opening approximately tangentially through the wall of said drum member and by means of which the small object disposed in said recess can slide out of said recess through said channel after said small object has been carried past the zenith of said drum member under the action of the centrifugal forces, but before said recess again immerses into the pile of small objects for engaging a further small object, said drum member being subjected to a brief deceleration when the recess is approximately located at the zenith of the drum member in order to throw back into the bottom of the drum member additional'objects which possibly have been undesirably entrained.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said aligning means comprises profiled means arranged at the interior of said drum member which extend over only a portion of the inner peripheral surface of said drum member, the remainder of the inner peripheral surface of said drum member possessing a substantially cylindrical configuration.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including means within said drum member extending substantially transversely through said aligning means for the purpose of shifting said small objects into a posi tion to be correctly received by said recess.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a plurality of aligning means arranged adjacent one another within said drum member, means defining a respective recess and associated channel arranged at each aligning means along a line extending substantially parallel to the axis of said drum member in order to be able to simultaneously dispense a number of small objects corresponding to the number of said aligning means.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a plurality of aligning means arranged adjacent one another within said drum member, means defining a respective recess and associated channel member arranged at each aligning means, said plurality of recesses together with the associated channels are arranged in offset relationship with respect to one another in the peripheral direction of said drum member.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including closure means provided for said channel, means for actuating said closure means only after said drum member has performed a predetermined number of revolutions and when the small object located in the associated recess should be removed theefrom.

7. The apparatus as defined in claim 5, further including a plurality of channels and a separate closure member provided for each channel, an actuation mechanism for operating each closure member only then when said drum member has performed a given number of revolutions and when the small object disposed in an associated recess should be removed therefrom, said separate closure members being actuatable in accordance with the desired position of ejection of each small object.

8. An apparatus for aligning, separating and individually dispensing small substantially elongate objects, comprising an object dispensing drum member for receiving a supply of small objects deposited therewithin in the form of a pile of objects, said drum member being rotatable about a horizontal axis, means for driving said drum member at such rotational speed that a small object entrained by said drum member is subjected to centrifugal forces greater than its force of gravity, means located within said drum member over at least a portion of the inner peripheral surface thereof for aligning the small objects within the drum member such that the primary lengthwise direction of such small objects is substantially aligned with the peripheral direction of said drum member, means providing at least one recess serving as an object dispensing element at the bottom of said aligning means, said recess when passing beneath the pile of small objects removing one such small object from said pile, means defining a channel communicating with said recess, said channel opening approximately tangentially through the wall of said drum member and by means of which the small object disposed in said recess can slide out of said recess through said channel after said small object has been carried past the zenith of said drum member under the action of the centrifugal forces, but before said recess again immerses into the pile of small objects for engaging a further small object, a control mechanism for imparting an irregular speed of rotation to said drum member in such a manner that said recess travels slowly beneath the pile of small objects in order to enhance its object seizing capability, thereafter said drum member is accelerated to a larger rotational speed sufficient to prevent the falling back of small objects which have been entrained by said recess into the bottom of said drum member, and in the event after a first revolution of said drum member small objects are ready to be ejected said drum member is subjected to a brief deceleration when the recess is approximately located at the zenith of the drum member in order to throw back into the bottom of the drum member additional objects which possibly have been undesirably entrained, thereafter when the drum member has attained the predetermined desired position for dispensing the objects such drum member is pronouncedly decelerated so that the small object located in the recess is abruptly ejected from the drum member, and additionally in the event that said drum member prior to dispensing of the small objects should perform a number of revolutions the aforementioned brief deceleration, accelerations and pronounced deceleration only then occur during the last rotation of the drum member to be performed during a given work cycle, whereas during all other rotations of said drum member such brief deceleration, accelerations and pronounced deceleration are dispensed with and only a deceleration to the slowest rotational speed occurs prior to the time that said recess immerses into the pile of small objects, and an acceleration occurs to the largest velocity after said recess has moved out of said pile of small objects.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said control mechanism includes means for controlling the rotational speed of said drum member such that brief deceleration of said drum member does not occur during initial rotation of said drum member but such brief deceleration of said drum member occurs during a subsequent rotation of said drum member.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said control mechanism further includes means for controlling the rotational speed of said drum member such that brief deceleration of said drum member repeatedly occurs during each revolution thereof when said recess is approximately located at the zenith of the drum member. 5

Claims

1. An apparatus for aligning, separating and individually dispensing small objects, especially substantially elongate objects, comprising an object dispensing drum member for receiving a supply of small objects deposited therewithin in the form of a pile of objects, said drum member being rotatable about a horizontal axis, means for driving said drum member at such rotational speed that a small object entrained by said drum member is subjected to centrifugal forces greater than its force of gravity, means located within said drum member over at least a portion of the inner peripheral surface thereof for aligning the small objects within the drum member such that the primary lengthwise direction of such small objects is substantially aligned with the perhipheral direction of said drum member, means providing at least one recess serving as an object dispensing element at the bottom of said aligning means, said recess when passing beneath the pile of small objects removing one such small object from said pile, means defining a channel communicating with said recess, said channel opening approximately tangentially through the wall of said drum member and by means of which the small object disposed in said recess can slide out of said recess through said channel after said small object has been carried past the zenith of said drum member under the action of the centrifugal forces, but before said recess again immerses into the pile of small objects for engaging a further small object, said drum member being subjected to a brief deceleration when the recess is approximately located at the zenith of the drum member in order to throw back into the bottom of the drum member additional objects which possibly have been undesirably entrained.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including means within said drum member extending substantially transversely through said aligning means for the purpose of shifting said small objects into a position to be correctly received by said recess.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said control mechanism further includes means for controlling the rotational speed of said drum member such that brief deceleration of said drum member repeatedly occurs during each revolution thereof when said recess is approximately located at the zenith of the drum member.