WO2003067758A1

WO2003067758A1 - Apparatus for automatic insertion of a base in fabrication of quartz oscillator

Info

Publication number: WO2003067758A1
Application number: PCT/KR2003/000263
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jae-Kwang Cha; Jin-Moon Kim
Original assignee: Mirim Intellectual Robot Technology Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2002-02-07
Filing date: 2003-02-06
Publication date: 2003-08-14
Also published as: AU2003208029A1; CN1628413A

Abstract

An apparatus for automatic insertion of a base in fabrication of a quartz oscillator, which is used for inserting bases having blanks arranged on a pallet into a plurality of seat grooves formed along a circumference of a circular turret with a predetermined pitch, includes a base moving unit for taking at least one base from the pallet and supplying it to a front end of a conveyor rail, a circular turret horizontally installed at a rear end of the conveyor rail with upper ends of the seat grooves oriented upward and rotating pitch by pitch, a motor unit for providing a rotation force to the turret, and an insert unit interposed between the conveyor rail and the turret for inserting the base transferred to an exit of the conveyor rail into the seat groove.

Description

APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC INSERTION OF A BASE IN FABRICATION

OF QUARTZ OSCILLATOR

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatic insertion of a base, and more particularly to an apparatus for automatic insertion of a base, which is used to automatically insert a base on which a blank is seated into a circular turret in fabrication of a quartz oscillator.

BACKGROUND ART

A quartz oscillator is an element having a quartz plate (hereinafter, referred to as

'blank') in which a quartz crystal cut to have certain tilt and thickness is coated with film electrodes on both sides, and a base combined to the quartz plate. The quartz oscillator is broadly used in various communication equipments which require a stable

oscillating circuit since it has very small temperature coefficients.

To make such a quartz oscillator, bases 1 upon which a blank is seated are inserted into seating grooves 2a along the circumference of a circular turret 2, as shown in FIG. 1. Then, a coating thickness of a film electrode formed on the blank is finally adjusted with controlling a frequency at an electrode coating machine (not shown). Here, in most cases, the base has been manually inserted into the circular turret.

This frequently causes the blank to be damaged and makes the working speed slow.

As an alternative, there has been attempted a method for automatically pushing a base 1 into a seating groove 2a while rotating a standing turret 2 in a certain speed by using a motor 3. However, this method has some problems since an impact is exerted to the blank when forcing the base 1 into the seating groove 2a. In addition, the base 1

is apt to separate from the seating groove 2a while the turret rotates, thereby increasing inferior goods.

In addition, the seating grooves formed along the circumference of the turret are generally not divided in an accurate space due to a mechanical error. Thus, even though the motor 3 rotates one pitch at a time by precise steps, the alignment between the seating groove and a position where the base is supplied is frequently deviated. In this case, the base should be forced into the seating groove, thereby causing a damage of the blank. On the other hand, in the above configuration, a bar-shaped jaw is interposed between the inner circumference of the turret 2 and a shaft 3a acting as a rotary axis of the motor 3. The shaft 3a is configured as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, the jaw is engaged with the turret by chucking caused by the air passing through one air line so that the turret 2 is fixed to the shaft 3a. In the figure, an air flow is shown using arrows. However, this configuration adopts a simple manner that an air is supplied when the shaft 3a is fixed to the turret 2 and then the air is cut off when the shaft 3a is separated from the turret 2. Thus, though cutting off the air for separation of the turret, there remains air in the shaft 3a, causing uneasy separation.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The present invention is designed to solve the problems of the prior art, therefore an object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for automatic insertion of a base, which is capable of automatic insertion of a base while a circular turret is installed horizontally. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatic insertion of a base, which is capable of guiding the base to an accurate position on a seating groove by using a guide pin before the base is inserted into the seating groove of the turret. Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatic insertion of a base, in which the turret is easily detachable by separately configuring an airline for fixing the turret to the shaft and an airline for separating them.

In order to accomplish the above object, there is provided an apparatus for automatic insertion of bases, assembled with blanks and arranged on a pallet, into a plurality of seating grooves formed along a circumference of a circular turret in a predetermined pitch, the apparatus including: a base transferring unit for picking up at least one base from the pallet and then transferring the base to a front portion of a conveyor rail; a circular turret horizontally installed at a rear portion of the conveyor rail so that the seating groove is open upward, the circular turret rotating as much as one pitch; a motor for supplying a rotational force to the turret; and an insert unit interposed between the conveyor rail and the turret for inserting the base, which is transferred to an exit of the conveyor rail, into the seating groove.

Additionally, The apparatus for automatic insertion of a base of the present invention may further include an insert pin mounted above the seating groove to be vertically movable in order to push the base, supplied to an entrance of the seating groove through the insert unit, to be seated in the seating groove.

Preferably, the base transferring unit further includes an electromagnetic member mounted to the base transferring unit for drawing up the base from the pallet by a magnetic force. In addition, the apparatus for automatic insertion of a base according to the present invention may further include: a shaft acting as a rotary axis of the motor; and a stick-shaped jaw positioned between the shaft and an inner circumference of the turret, the jaw receiving air supplied from the shaft for chucking in order to selectively fix the turret, wherein the shaft includes a closing air inflow path for supplying air in order to push the jaw away from the shaft, and an opening air inflow path for supplying air in order to pull the jaw toward the shaft, and wherein the shaft includes sealing rings mounted between the shaft and a housing, which is fixed around the shaft, near the closing air inflow path and the opening air inflow path in order to prevent air leakage when the shaft rotates relative to the fixed housing.

Preferably, a guide groove is formed on the insert unit for receiving the base

passing through the exit of the conveyor rail, and the insert unit rotates as much as 90°

with the base being received in the guide groove in order to supply the base into the seating groove of the turret. In addition, the insert unit may be freely movable in a direction of a rotary axis

while the insert unit rotates as much as 90°, and the apparatus may further include a

guide pin installed to work together with the motion of the insert unit in the direction of the rotary axis, a tapered end of the guide pin being inserted to a specific seating groove when the guide pin descends so as to move the insert unit along the rotary axis for aligning the guide groove with an opposite seating groove.

Preferably, the apparatus for automatic insertion of a base according to the present invention further includes: a movable member installed to work together with the motion of the insert unit in the direction of the rotary axis; deflection detectors fixed near both sides of the movable member for detecting an approach of the movable member; and a compensation controller for driving a motor so that the turret is rotated in a direction from one deflection detector detecting the approach of the movable member to the other deflection detector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be more fully described in the following detailed description, taken accompanying drawings. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a base which is inserted into a general circular turret;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view showing that a base automatically inserted into the turret according to the prior art;

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view partially showing a shaft used in the automatic insertion apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an apparatus for automatic insertion of a base according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing a structure for guiding an insert unit into a seating groove of a turret in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic plane view showing a deflection compensation unit provided according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a movable member which is moved near a deflection detector in a forwarding direction in FIG. 6; and FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view partially showing a shaft provided according to the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

At first, FIG. 4 shows an appearance of an apparatus for automatic insertion of a base according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the automatic insertion apparatus of the present invention includes a pallet 10 for placing bases 1 on which a blank is seated, a base transferring unit 11 for picking up at least one base 1 from the pallet 10 and transferring the base 1 to a conveyer rail 12, a circular turret 2 horizontally installed at a rear portion of the conveyor rail 12, and an insert unit 14 interposed between the conveyor rail 12 and the turret 2 for inserting the base 1 into a seating groove 2a of the turret 2. The base transferring unit 11 picks up the base 1 from the pallet 10 and then transfers the base 1 to a front portion of the conveyor rail 12. For this purpose, the base transferring unit 11 preferably has an electromagnetic member 11a therein so that the base transferring unit 11 becomes a magnetic bar in order to draw up the base 1 by use of a magnetic force. Of course, various modifications are possible for the base transferring unit 11. For example the base transferring unit 11 may pick up the base by using a vacuum absorption manner.

The base 1 drawn up by the base transferring unit 11 is supplied to the conveyor rail 12 and transferred toward the turret 2. At this time, the conveyor rail 12 preferably adopts vibration for transferring the base 1 , and many modifications are also possible. In addition, it is also preferable to provide an optic sensor 13 above the conveyor rail 12 for sensing a state of the transferred base 1.

The turret 2 has a plurality of seating grooves 2a in a predetermined pitch along its circumference. At this time, the shape of the seating groove 2a may be variously changed depending on the kind or model of the quartz oscillator. In other words, though '49/S turret' is shown in the figure, various kinds of circular turrets can be used according to the quartz oscillator. This turret 2 is preferably installed so that the seating grooves 2a are open upward, and rotates one pitch at a time by use of a rotational force from a stepping motor (not shown). The insert unit 14 is installed between the rear portion of the conveyor rail 12 and the turret 2 and inserts the transferred base 1 into the seating groove 2a of the turret 2. Here, various manners may be adopted to insert the base 1 into the seating groove 2a by use of the insert unit 14. Preferably, the insert unit 14 rotates the transferred

base 1 as much as 90° toward the seating groove 2a so that the base 1 is inserted into the

seating groove 2a by its own weight.

For this purpose, the insert unit 14 has a guide groove 14b at its upper end for

receiving the transferred base 1 , and rotates as much as 90° on the center of a rotary

axis 14C toward the turret 2 so as to supply the base 1 to the seating groove 2a of the turret 2. Here, well-known techniques using a rotating means such as a motor may be

adopted to rotate the insert unit 14 as much as 90°, and not described in detail.

Additionally, in order to increase a transferring speed of the base 1 from the conveyor rail 12 to the guide groove 14b of the insert unit 14, a gas blowing unit 27 is preferably mounted to one side on the conveyor rail 1 in order to blow the base 1 with a gas. At this time, it is preferred to use an inert gas such as nitrogen so as to prevent the blank on the base 1 from being contaminated.

In addition, a support pin 14a, which is horizontally movable, is preferably mounted at a lower portion of the guide groove 14b, as shown in FIG. 5. The guide pin 14a supports the base 1 not to be fallen down when the insert unit 14 rotates. The insert pin 14a releases the base 1 when the insert unit 14 comes in contact with a support 15 so that the base 1 may pass along a guide rail 15a of the support 15 and then falls down into the seating groove 2a.

Here, the support 15 is installed above the turret 2 so as to support the insert unit

14 which is rotated as much as 90°. Between the inner circumference of the turret 2

and its end opposite thereto, a sensor (not shown) is preferably installed to determined a base position of the turret.

At this time, the sensor plays a role of transmitting a light against the turret 2 and then detecting the light. Thus, a through hole is formed at a specific position of the circumference of the turret 2 in order to detect an initiating point and a completing point of the rotating turret 2. By using such a sensor, it is possible to detect a inferior state of the seating groove 2a formed on the turret 2. Therefore, the present invention may be configured not to insert a base 1 into an inferior seating groove 2a, of course.

According to the present invention, there are provided a guide pin 17 and a

restoring pin 19 as shown in FIG. 5 so that the insert unit 14 rotated as much as 90° is

exactly faced with the seating groove 2a.

The guide pin 17 is inserted into the seating groove 2a formed on the turret 2 by means of descending movement. At this time, the guide pin 17 is tapered to have a sharp lower end so that the guide pin 17 may be easily inserted though it is not exactly faced with the seating groove 2a.

According to the present invention, the insert unit 14 integrally works together with the guide pin 17, so the guide groove 14b of the insert unit 14 may also be aligned to the seating groove 2a in which the base 1 is inserted later.

In other words, the insert unit 14 is freely movable to a direction of the rotary axis 14c while rotating. Thus, the insert unit 14 moves in the direction of the rotary axis 14c to a position guided by the guide pin 17 and at the same time rotates up to the support 15. Mechanical configuration for such an operation may be easily realized in various ways by those skilled in the art, and not described in detail.

In order to rotate the insert unit 14 toward the conveyor rail 12 for taking another base 1, the insert unit 14 should restore its original position along the direction of the rotary shaft 14c. For this purpose, there is installed the restoring pin 19 which works together with the vertical movement of the guide pin 17. The restoring pin 19 is tapered upward to have a sharp upper end. The restoring pin 19 may be combined to or separated from a corn-shaped insert hole (not shown) of a fixed panel 18 which is fixed independent from the vertical movement of the guide pin 17, thereby enabling the insert unit 14 to move along the rotary shaft 14c and restore its origin position. In other words, if the guide pin 17 descends into the seating groove 2a, the restoring pin 19 also descends. Thus, there creates a room between the sharp end of the guide pin 17 and the corn-shaped insert hole formed on the fixed panel 18, thus the insert unit 14 may move along the rotary shaft 14c. In addition, if the guide pin 17 ascends, the restoring pin 19 also ascends into the insert hole of the fixed panel 18, therefore the insert unit 14 restores its origin position.

If the insert unit 14 rotates as much as 90° up to a position above the support 15

together with such an alignment, the support pin 14a is released and then the base 1 falls on the guide rail 15a of the support 15. At this time, though the base 1 may fall into the seating groove 2a by its own weight, a vertically movable insert pin 16 is preferably installed above the guide groove 14b of the insert unit 14 so that the insert pin 16 may slightly push down the base 1 by descending for the purpose of helping the seating process.

If the base 1 is inserted into the seating groove 2a, the turret 2 rotates as much as one pitch so that the next base 1 is ready.

The insert unit 14 rotates up to a position above the corresponding seating groove 2a while moving in the direction of the rotary shaft 14c by guidance of the guide pin 17. Thus, though the distance between the seating grooves 2a is not regular due to an error of the mechanical processing, the base 1 may be exactly inserted into each seating groove 2a.

Here, in case the distance error between the seating grooves 2a is so great or there are accumulated small errors, the insert unit 14 on the rotary shaft 14c should move an increased distance, thereby deteriorating the work speed. In order to solve this problem, the deflection compensation unit is preferably further provided in the present invention.

The deflection compensation unit includes a movable member 28, a forward deflection detector 29, a backward deflection detector 30, and a compensation controller (not shown). The movable member 28 is fixed to a certain assembly moving together with the movement of the insert unit 14 in the direction of the rotary shaft 14c. The movable member 28 is laterally moved according to the movement of the insert unit 14c in the direction of the rotary shaft 14c while one side of the movable member 28 is positioned between the forward deflection detector 29 and the backward deflection detector 30. Though it is shown in the figure that the movable member 28 has a board shape, the shape of the movable member 28 may be modified in various ways, not limited to that case.

As schematically shown in FIG. 6, the forward deflection detector 29 and the back deflection detector 30 are respectively installed independently near both sides of the movable member 28. Here, the terms "forward" and "backward" indicate one rotational direction of the turret 2 and its opposite direction, respectively.

In the figure, a distance di from the movable member 28 to the forward deflection detector 29 and a distance d₂ from the movable member 28 to the backward deflection detector 30 denote an allowable forward movable distance and an allowable backward movable distance of the insert unit 14, respectively.

For example, in case the seating groove 2a into which the base 1 is going to be inserted is deflected in a forward direction from an exact position, the guide pin 17 is moved in a forward direction along the rotary shaft 14c while going into the seating groove 2a, therefore the movable member 28 is also moved in the forward direction together with the guide pin 17. At this time, if the deflection is more than di, the forward deflection detector 29 detects the movable member 28.

To the contrary, if the backward deflection of the seating groove 2a is more than d₂, the backward deflection detector 30 detects the movable member 28. The forward deflection detector 29 and the backward deflection detector 390 adopt a sensor for sensing an approach of the movable member 28, preferably a common beam sensor having a light transmitting portion T and a light receiving portion R. Of course, it may be replaced with various types of sensors. The compensation controller receives a detect signal from the forward deflection detector 29 or the backward deflection detector 30 and then operates the motor to rotate the turret 2 backward. Thus, the insert unit 14 may rapidly return and conduct the next operation.

At this time, the compensation controller preferably fuzzy-controls the motor so that the turret 2 may rotate as much as a pitch corresponding to a certain value within the distance between the seating grooves 2a so that the guide pin 17 is inserted into the seating groove 2a accurately and rapidly with maintaining a suitable error range.

On the other hand, the turret 2 is generally configured to have a circular hollow rim. Thus, there is required a fixing unit for fixing the turret 2 to a rotary shaft of the motor. In addition, after the bases are inserted into all seating grooves 2a on the turret

2, the turret 2 should be separated from the rotary shaft of the motor. In this aspect, the fixing unit is preferably easily detached from the rotary shaft.

In this purpose, at least stick-shaped jaws 26 are installed between the inner circumference of the turret 2 and the shaft 20 acting as the rotary shaft of the motor. The jaws 26 are used to fix or separate the shaft 20 and the turret 2 by chucking.

Various types of operating units may be used for chucking of the jaw 26.

Preferably, there is used a way for supplying an air through the shaft 20. In particular, the present invention configures the shaft 20 as shown in FIG. 8 in order to ensure easy fixing and separating of the shaft 20 and the turret 2. In the figures, arrows indicate the air flowing direction.

Referring to FIG. 8, a bearing 21a is mounted so that the shaft 20 may rotate on the housing 21. At a heat 20a of the shaft 20 to which the jaw 26 is combined, an opening port 24b and a closing port 23b are formed so as to flow an opening air and a closing air into the head 20a, thereby operating the jaw 26.

Here, the opening air pulls the jaw 26 so that the jaw 26 is separated from the turret 2, while the closing air pushes the jaw 26 from the shaft 20 so that the jaw 26 is engaged with the turret 2. For the help of such operation, the head 20a may receive a cylinder and a cam working together with the jaw 26. Such configuration may adopt various well-know techniques, not described here in detail.

For ensuring the air to be supplied into the head 20a of the shaft 20, an opening air tube 24a is installed to the opening port 24b so as to be communicated with an opening air inflow path 24 of the shaft 20. A closing air tube 23a is installed to the closing port 23b so as to be communicated with a closing air inflow path 23 of the shaft 20.

At this time, there are mounted sealing rings 22 between the shaft 20 and the housing 21. The sealing rings 22 are positioned near an opening of the opening air inflow path 24 and an opening of the closing air inflow path 23 so that the air supplied through the opening air inflow path 24 and the closing air inflow path 23 from the outside of the housing 21 is not leaked between the housing 21 and the shaft 20 while the shaft 20 rotates. At this time, the sealing ring 22 may have various configuration, preferably an X-ring having a X-shaped section in order to give excellent sealing even under a high air pressure, for example 5kg/cm².

By using the above-mentioned configuration of the shaft 20, the air is supplied as soon as the shaft 20 rotates, thereby driving the jaw 26 for chucking.

Now, an operation of the apparatus for automatic insertion of a base according to the present invention constructed as above is described. Prior to the description, it should be noted that the apparatus of the present invention is preferably operated using a control means such as PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) in order to process overall procedures subsequently, thereby improving automation efficiency.

At first, the base transferring unit 11 having the electromagnetic member 11a draws at least one base 1, for example eight bases at once, from the pallet 10 by a magnetic force and then supplies the base 1 onto the conveyor rail 12. Then, the base 1 is subsequently transferred up to the insert unit 14 positioned in the rear portion of the conveyor rail 12 and then received in the guide groove 14b of the insert unit 14. At this time, the guide pin 14a is provided to the guide groove 14b for supporting the base 1.

Subsequently, the insert unit 14 rotates as much as 90° toward the turret 2 and

moves in the direction of the rotary shaft 14c in accordance with the descending movement of the guide pin 17. Thus, the insert unit 17 rotates up to the support 15 above the turret 2 with being accurately aligned with the seating groove 2a. Here, the seating grooves 2a into which the bases 1 are to be inserted are supplied in order below the support 15 as the turret 2 rotates. At this time, since the movable member 28 is installed to work together with the movement of the insert unit 14 in the direction of the rotary shaft 14c and the movable member 28 is positioned between the forward deflection detector 29 and the backward deflection detector 30, the detectors 29 and 30 detect that the insert unit 14 is moved beyond an allowable deflection.

As soon as the insert unit 14 comes in contact with the support 15, the support pin 14a is released so that the base 1 falls along the guide rail 15a of the support 15. At this time, the insert pin 16 descends and slightly pushes the base 1 so that the base 1 is seated on the seating groove 2a.

After the base 1 is inserted into the seating groove 2a, the insert unit 14 rotates upward again and moves in the direction of the rotary shaft 14c to return to its initial position.

On the other hand, if the forward deflection detector 29 or the backward deflection detector 30 detect the approach of the movable member 28 and output a detect signal to the compensation controller, the compensation controller drives the motor so that the turret 2 rotates as much as predetermined pitches in a direction opposite to the corresponding deflection detector.

Continuously, the turret 2 receives a rotational force from the motor and rotates one pitch at a time so that a plurality of seating grooves 2a are subsequently moved below the support 15, and the above-mentioned operation is repeated until the bases 1 are automatically seated on all of the seating grooves 2a in order.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention may reduce costs and prevent the blank from damaged since the bases are automatically inserted in the circular turret.

In addition, the present invention may seat the base onto the seating groove stably since the turret is horizontally installed and rotates one pitch at a time.

Particularly, since the insert unit is accurately aligned to the seating groove by use of the guide pin having a tapered portion during inserting the base, the present invention ensures exact insertion even though there is a mechanical error in the distance between the seating grooves. Therefore, the present invention may prevent the blank from shocked, and also prevent that the base is inserted into the seating groove by force. In addition, since the compensation controller fuzzy-controls the rotation of the turret, the present invention may compensate deflection of the insert point caused by an error of the seating grooves, thereby improving working speed and accuracy.

Since there is provided the base transferring unit for drawing the base in an electromagnetic way, the present invention may easily take and supply many bases onto the conveyor rail.

In addition, since the apparatus for automatic insertion of a base according to the present invention drives the jaw by use of an air line for fixing the turret to the rotary shaft and an air line for separating the turret from the rotary shaft, which are provided independently, the chucking of the jaw may be realized rapidly. The present invention has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for automatic insertion of bases (1), assembled with blanks and arranged on a pallet (10), into a plurality of seating grooves (2a) formed along a circumference of a circular turret (2) in a predetermined pitch, the apparatus comprising: a base transferring unit (11) for picking up at least one base (1) from the pallet (10) and then transferring the base (1) to a front portion of a conveyor rail (12); a circular turret (2) horizontally installed at a rear portion of the conveyor rail (12) so that the seating groove (2a) is open upward, the circular turret (2) rotating as much as one pitch; a motor for supplying a rotational force to the turret (2); and an insert unit (14) interposed between the conveyor rail (12) and the turret (2) for inserting the base (1), which is transferred to an exit of the conveyor rail (12), into the seating groove (2a).

2. An apparatus for automatic insertion of a base according to claim 1, further comprising an insert pin (16) mounted above the seating groove (2a) to be vertically movable in order to push the base (1), supplied to an entrance of the seating groove (2a) through the insert unit (14), to be seated in the seating groove (2a).

3. An apparatus for automatic insertion of a base according to claim 1, further comprising an electromagnetic member (11a) mounted to the base transferring unit (11) for drawing up the base (1) from the pallet (10) by a magnetic force.

4. An apparatus for automatic insertion of a base according to claim 1, further comprising: a shaft (20) acting as a rotary axis of the motor; and a stick-shaped jaw (26) positioned between the shaft (20) and an inner circumference of the turret (2), the jaw (26) receiving air supplied from the shaft (20) for chucking in order to selectively fix the turret (2), wherein the shaft (20) includes a closing air inflow path (23) for supplying air in order to push the jaw (26) away from the shaft (20), and an opening air inflow path (24) for supplying air in order to pull the jaw (26) toward the shaft (20), wherein the shaft (20) includes sealing rings (22) mounted between the shaft (20) and a housing (21), which is fixed around the shaft (20), near the closing air inflow path (23) and the opening air inflow path (24) in order to prevent air leakage when the shaft (20) rotates relative to the fixed housing (21).

5. An apparatus for automatic insertion of a base according to any of claims l to 4, wherein a guide groove (14b) is formed on the insert unit (14) for receiving the base (1) passing through the exit of the conveyor rail (12),

wherein the insert unit (14) rotates as much as 90° with the base (1) being

received in the guide groove (14b) in order to supply the base (1) into the seating groove (2a) of the turret (2).

6. An apparatus for automatic insertion of a base according to claim 5, wherein the insert unit (14) is freely movable in a direction of a rotary axis (14c)

while the insert unit (14) rotates as much as 90°,

wherein the apparatus further comprises a guide pin (17) installed to work together with the motion of the insert unit (14) in the direction of the rotary axis (14c), a tapered end of the guide pin (17) being inserted to a specific seating groove (2a) when the guide pin (17) descends so as to move the insert unit (17) along the rotary axis (14c) for aligning the guide groove (14b) with an opposite seating groove (2a).

7. An apparatus for automatic insertion of a base according to claim 6, further comprising: a movable member (28) installed to work together with the motion of the insert unit (14) in the direction of the rotary axis (14c); deflection detectors fixed near both sides of the movable member (28) for detecting an approach of the movable member (28); and a compensation controller for driving a motor so that the turret is rotated in a direction from one deflection detector detecting the approach of the movable member (28) to the other deflection detector.