WO2017115676A1

WO2017115676A1 - Part loading device and part loading method

Info

Publication number: WO2017115676A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/087708
Authority: WO
Inventors: 和樹岩部
Original assignee: 住友電装株式会社
Priority date: 2015-12-28
Filing date: 2016-12-19
Publication date: 2017-07-06
Also published as: JP2017119328A

Abstract

Provided is a technique for transferring parts smoothly into a tube member. A part insertion hole 1131 and a first passage 1111 which communicates with the part insertion hole 1131 are formed in a part insertion unit 110. A second passage 121 through which a rubber stopper 50 can move toward a part loading path 400 is formed in a part supply unit 120. A transfer passage 131 is formed in a transfer unit 130. The transfer unit 130 moves between a first communicating position L21 at which the transfer passage 131 communicates with the first passage 1111, and a second communicating position L22 at which the transfer passage 131 communicates with the second passage 121. An air suction unit 140 sucks air inside the first passage 1111 via the transfer passage 131 of the transfer unit 130 in the first communicating position L21. An air supply unit 150 supplies air into the second passage 121 via the transfer passage 131 of the transfer unit 130 in the second communicating position L22.

Description

Parts filling apparatus and parts filling method

This invention relates to a technology for supplying parts such as rubber stoppers.

[Patent Document 1] discloses a rubber plug insertion device for inserting an electric wire into a rubber plug in a cutting pressure facility.

In this rubber plug insertion device, one rubber plug is pumped by air from the rubber plug supply pipe to the one end side opening of the through hole through the rubber plug supply hole and the middle part of the through hole. The rubber plug is held in the rubber plug housing recess of the plug holding member. Then, the pin member is moved forward (one end side of the through-hole portion), and the tip end portion of the core pin main body portion is press-fitted into the internal hole of the rubber plug in the rubber plug housing recess. In this state, the electric wire is inserted from the front (electric wire holding member side).

The rubber plug inserted into the electric wire is formed in a cylindrical shape as a whole. When transporting such a rubber plug to the rubber plug insertion device, it is necessary to transport the rubber plug with the same posture. For this reason, when conveying to a rubber plug insertion device, a vibration type part feeder having a vibration mechanism for aligning the posture of the rubber plug by vibration is used.

However, in the case of the rubber plug insertion device described above, it is necessary to prepare one vibration parts feeder for each cutting pressure equipment. For this reason, when rubber plug insertion is performed in a plurality of rubber plug insertion devices, the same number of vibratory parts feeders as the number of rubber plug insertion devices is required. Then, since the vibration type parts feeder is expensive, the equipment cost of the rubber plug insertion device becomes high.

On the other hand, Patent Document 2 discloses a cartridge-type parts feeder configured by winding a tube member that can be filled by arranging a plurality of rubber stoppers in a uniform posture. In this cartridge-type parts feeder, rubber plugs are supplied by air pressure feeding connected to each rubber plug insertion device. Since this cartridge-type parts feeder can be prepared at a lower cost than the vibration-type parts feeder, the equipment cost of the rubber plug insertion device can be reduced.

JP 2007-288966 A JP 2013-103317 A

However, in the cartridge-type parts feeder of Patent Document 2, a vibration-type parts feeder is used to align the posture of the rubber stopper. When using a vibratory parts feeder, it is effective when filling a large amount of rubber stoppers because it can be processed automatically, but when filling a small amount of rubber stoppers, filling various types of rubber stoppers, etc. In this case, there is a risk that it will take time. In addition, when filling a plurality of cartridge-type part feeders at the same time, if the same number of vibration-type part feeders as the number of cartridge-type part feeders is prepared, the equipment cost becomes high.

Therefore, in the cartridge-type parts feeder, parts can be transferred to the inside of the tube member (part filling path) by supplying parts one by one from the other end side while performing air suction from one end side of the tube member. Conceivable. However, in the case of this suction transfer system, the amount of parts in the part filling path increases, so that the air suction force gradually decreases, making it difficult to smoothly fill the parts. As a result, it becomes difficult to increase the number of parts that can be filled in the part filling path.

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for smoothly transferring parts into a tube member.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the first aspect is a parts filling device that fills parts into a tube member in which a part filling path is formed in which a plurality of parts are aligned and filled in a line. A part insertion hole into which a part can be inserted, a part insertion part formed with a first passage through which the part can move while communicating with the part insertion hole and the part filling path can be communicated, and the part filling A parts supply part formed with a second passage through which the parts can move toward the road, a delivery passage for delivering the parts between the first passage and the second passage, and A first communication position at which the delivery passage communicates with the first passage; a delivery section that moves between the second communication position at which the delivery passage communicates with the second passage; and the reception at the first communication position. Watanabe's Air is supplied into the second passage via the delivery passage and the air suction portion for sucking the air in the first passage and the delivery passage of the delivery portion at the second communication position. An air supply unit.

Further, the second aspect is the parts filling device according to the first aspect, wherein the parts insertion part is formed with a base part in which the first passage is formed and the parts insertion hole, and And a moving part movable between a set position where the outlet side of the part insertion hole is blocked by the surface of the base and a communication position where the outlet side of the part insertion hole communicates with the first passage.

Moreover, a 3rd aspect is a parts filling apparatus which concerns on a 2nd aspect, Comprising: The connection part which connects the said delivery part and the said movement part is further provided, and the said delivery part is a said 2nd delivery part. The moving unit is arranged at the communication position and the moving unit is connected to the moving unit arranged at the set position.

Further, the fourth aspect is the parts filling apparatus according to the second or third aspect, further comprising a movement drive unit that moves the movement unit between the set position and the communication position.

Moreover, a 5th aspect is a parts filling apparatus which concerns on any one of the 1st to 4th aspect, Comprising: The movement from the said 2nd communication position to the said 1st communication position of the said delivery part is detected. A first detector is further provided, and the air suction part performs air suction based on the fact that the first detector detects the movement of the delivery part to the first communication position.

Moreover, a 6th aspect is a parts filling apparatus which concerns on any one of the 1st to 5th aspect, Comprising: The movement from the said 1st communication position to the said 2nd communication position of the said delivery part is detected. A second detector, and the air supply unit supplies air based on the fact that the second detector detects the movement of the delivery unit to the second communication position.

A seventh aspect is a parts filling method in which a part is filled in a tube member formed with a part filling path in which a plurality of parts are aligned and filled in a line, and (a) from the first A connecting step of connecting the second passage of the parts filling apparatus according to any one of the sixth aspect to the parts filling passage; (b) an insertion step of inserting a part into the parts insertion hole; and (c). A suction transfer step of moving the parts to the delivery passage by the air suction part sucking air in the first passage through the delivery passage, and (d) in the suction transfer step, A communication step of communicating the delivery passage in which the part has moved with the second passage; and (e) after the communication step, the air supply section supplies air to the second passage through the delivery passage. The parts of the delivery passage And a pumping step of pumping the part loading path.

According to the parts filling apparatus according to the first to sixth aspects, since the parts are pumped by air supply from the second passage to the parts filling passage, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the transfer force applied to the parts. Thereby, the parts can be smoothly transferred to the tube filling path. Further, the part moved from the part insertion hole to the first passage is moved to the delivery passage by air suction. Thereby, it can be made to move to a delivery passage, suppressing that direction changes by parts moving around. As a result, it is possible to prevent the parts from filling the parts filling path in an incorrect posture.

According to the part filling apparatus according to the second aspect, even when the part is inserted into the part insertion hole in the wrong direction, the part can be taken out before moving to the first passage. As a result, it is possible to prevent the parts from filling the parts filling path in an incorrect posture.

According to the parts filling apparatus according to the third aspect, since the delivery unit and the moving unit can be interlocked, the parts can be efficiently filled.

According to the parts filling device according to the fourth aspect, the moving unit can be moved by the movement driving unit, so that the burden on the operator can be reduced.

According to the parts filling device according to the fifth aspect, air suction can be performed in accordance with the movement of the delivery unit to the first communication position. For this reason, it can suppress that the air suction part performs unnecessary air suction.

According to the parts filling device according to the sixth aspect, air can be supplied in accordance with the movement of the delivery unit to the second communication position. For this reason, it can suppress that an air supply part performs unnecessary air supply.

According to the parts filling method according to the seventh aspect, since the parts are pressure-fed by air supply from the second passage to the parts filling path, it is possible to suppress a decrease in transfer force applied to the parts. Thereby, the parts can be smoothly transferred to the tube filling path. Further, the part moved from the part insertion hole to the first passage is moved to the delivery passage by air suction. Thereby, it can be made to move to a delivery passage, suppressing that direction changes by parts moving around. As a result, it is possible to prevent the parts from filling the parts filling path in an incorrect posture.

It is a side view which shows the cartridge type parts feeder and cutting device which concern on embodiment. It is a side view which shows the parts feeder which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the connection state at the time of parts supply of the cutting device from the parts feeder which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the cutting-out mechanism which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the cutting-out mechanism which concerns on embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the parts filling apparatus which fills parts into the parts feeder which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic plan view of the parts filling apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic plan view of the parts filling apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic side view which shows the parts filling apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the base of the parts insertion part which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the filling operation | work of the rubber stopper which concerns on embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, the component described in this embodiment is an illustration to the last, and is not a thing of the meaning which limits the scope of the present invention only to them. In the drawings, the size and number of each part may be exaggerated or simplified as necessary for easy understanding.

<1. Embodiment>
<Configuration of cartridge type parts feeder>
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a cartridge-type parts feeder (hereinafter simply referred to as “part feeder”) 1 and a cutting device 55 according to the embodiment.

The parts feeder 1 has portability, does not include a vibration mechanism, and is connected to a parts filling apparatus 100 or the like described later, so that a plurality of parts having the same shape and the same size (here, rubber plugs 50) are provided. The tube members 40 of the parts feeder 1 are filled in a state where the postures are aligned and aligned. The parts feeder 1 is connected to the cutting device 55 and supplies parts to the cutting device 55 while maintaining their postures constant.

The cutting device 55 separates the rubber plugs 50 supplied from the parts feeder 1 one by one and conveys them to a cutting pressure machine (not shown). Thereafter, cutting and terminal crimping are performed on the electric wire (not shown) by a cutting machine, and the electric wire is inserted into the rubber plug 50 by an electric wire insertion device (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the parts feeder 1 according to the embodiment. The parts feeder 1 includes a transparent tube member 40 (tubular body), a male coupler member 43 (part entry / exit portion) connected to one end of the tube member 40, and a coupler member (not shown) at the other end of the tube member 40. An air hose 45 (tubular body) connected via the (gas inlet / outlet part), a male coupler member 48 connected to the other end of the air hose 45, and a cartridge 31 that winds and holds the tube member 40 and the air hose 45. It has. The internal passage formed in the tube member 40 is an example of a parts filling path 400 that can be filled in a state in which the plurality of rubber stoppers 50 are aligned in a line. The tube member 40, the air hose 45, the male coupler member 43, and the male coupler member 48 are examples of parts supply members.

The cartridge 31 has a pair of plate members 32 formed in a rectangular shape, and a winding shaft portion 34 for winding the tube member 40 and the air hose 45. The pair of plate members 32 are arranged in parallel so as to face each other in the depth direction of the paper, and a winding shaft portion 34 is fixed between the pair of plate members 32 at the central portion of the pair of plate members 32. .

A guide member 35 is attached and fixed to the inner surface side of the central portion in the front-rear direction at the upper end portion of the plate member 32. An insertion hole is formed in the guide member 35, and the guide member 35 guides the tube member 40 in the winding direction by inserting the tube member 40 through the insertion hole.

Guide members

37 and 38 are attached and fixed in the vertical direction on the inner surface side of the rear end (on the side of the cutting mechanism 60 in FIG. 1) at the center in the vertical direction of the plate member 32. Insertion holes are formed in the

guide members

37, 38, and the

guide members

37, 38 guide the tube member 40 through the insertion holes in the winding direction. As a configuration for mounting and fixing the

guide members

35, 37, and 38, a plurality of screws 53 are used here, but the configuration for mounting and fixing is not particularly limited.

<Configuration of tube member and air hose>
Next, the tube member 40 and the air hose 45 will be described. The tube member 40 and the air hose 45 are formed in a state of being wound around the winding shaft portion 34. The tube member 40 is formed to have an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the rubber plug 50. In other words, the tube member 40 has an inner diameter larger than the maximum outer diameter of the rubber plug 50 so that a plurality of rubber plugs 50 can be filled and can maintain a constant posture, and is more than the projected shape from the side of the rubber plug 50. Is also formed to have a small inner diameter. Also, a male coupler member 43 of the coupler member 41 is connected to one end of the tube member 40, and the inner diameter of the male coupler member 43 can be filled with a plurality of rubber plugs 50 and can maintain a constant posture. The inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the rubber plug 50 and is smaller than the projected shape from the side of the rubber plug 50. For this reason, the tube member 40 (including the opening 40a at one end) and the male coupler member 43 can pass through the plurality of rubber plugs 50 while maintaining their postures constant. The opening 40 a at one end of the tube member 40 corresponds to the opening on one side of the parts filling path 400.

The tube member 40 has flexibility and is formed in a predetermined length. In the present embodiment, the tube member 40 is formed to a length that can be filled with, for example, about 1000 rubber plugs 50. Of course, the tube member 40 may have various lengths depending on the number of the rubber plugs 50 to be filled. The tube member 40 is not necessarily wound and the tube member 40 is short. May be held in a substantially straight line. In addition, the parts supply member may be configured by general piping or the like, and in this case, may be formed in various shapes such as a wound shape or a straight shape. Further, as the parts supplied by the parts feeder 1, a plurality of types of rubber plugs are usually assumed. The plurality of types of rubber plugs are different in length, outer diameter, outer shape, and the like. In this case, various tube members having an inner diameter corresponding to the length, outer diameter, outer shape, etc. of the rubber plug can be applied. In addition to rubber plugs, the parts may be other electric parts (terminals, etc.), various parts and members for automobiles, medicines, foods, and the like.

The other end of the tube member 40 is connected to one end of an air hose 45 having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the rubber plug 50 via a coupler member. The air hose 45 is flexible, and a male coupler member 48 of the coupler member 46 is connected to the other end of the air hose 45, and a coupler member connected to the other end of the tube member 40 and a male coupler are connected. The member 48 has an inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the rubber plug 50. For this reason, the coupler member connected to the other end of the tube member 40, the air hose 45, and the male coupler member 48 are configured to be able to flow in and out of pressure-feeding air (gas). It is configured not to pass.

<Parts supply from the parts feeder to the cutting device>
Drawing 3 is an explanatory view showing the connection state at the time of parts supply of cutting device 55 from parts feeder 1 concerning an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, when the rubber plug 50 is conveyed to the cutting machine, the air hose 45 and the air supply source 82 are connected via the coupler member 46, and the tube member 40 and the tube member 44 of the cutting device 55 are connected. It is connected via a coupler member 41. In the state where the pressure feed air supplied from the air supply source 82 flows into the tube member 40 from the male coupler member 48 via the air hose 45, and the plurality of rubber plugs 50 fed by the pressure feed air are aligned. It flows out of the male coupler member 43 through the tube member 40.

Note that it is not essential to connect the air hose 45 to the other end of the tube member 40. For example, one end portion and the other end portion of the tube member 40 as the part filling path 400 may be configured to be able to pass through the plurality of rubber plugs 50 while maintaining their postures constant. Also, a method other than air for pressure feeding, for example, one end of the tube member 40 is disposed below the supply path 81, and a plurality of rubber plugs 50 are filled from the one end of the tube member 40 by gravity. The other end portion of the member 40 may be disposed below the one end portion, and the plurality of rubber plugs 50 may be led out from the other end portion of the tube member 40.

Next, the cutting device 55 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the cutting device 55 includes a cutting mechanism 60, a parts feeder mounting portion 4 that holds the parts feeder 1 in a detachable manner, a tube member 44, a female coupler member 42, and an air hose 65a (see FIG. 3). ) And a base plate 3.

The parts feeder mounting portion 4 is disposed on the front side (one longitudinal side of the base plate 3) of the base plate 3 formed in a rectangular shape in plan view so that the parts feeder 1 can be mounted. The parts feeder mounting portion 4 includes a main body member 5 and a base 6 on which the parts feeder 1 is placed. The main body member 5 is erected on the front side of the base plate 3 (one end side in the longitudinal direction of the base plate 3), and is attached to the parts feeder mounting portion 4 that opens upward and forward (one end side in the longitudinal direction of the base plate 3). When the parts feeder 1 is mounted, the upper part and the front end of the parts feeder 1 protrude from the main body member 5. In addition, the quantity of the parts feeder 1 with which the parts feeder mounting part 4 is mounted | worn is not limited to one. The parts feeder mounting portion 4 may be formed so that a plurality of parts feeders 1 can be mounted.

The upper surface of the base 6 is formed in a horizontal plane, and the parts feeder 1 can be stably placed on the upper surface. An air hose 49 (see FIG. 3) for supplying pressure air to the tube member 40 via the air hose 45 and a rubber plug 50 filled in the tube member 40 are cut out between the base 6 and the base plate 3. A space 13 for passing the tube member 44 supplied to the mechanism 60 is formed. As described above, the tube member 44 is connected to the cutting mechanism 60. The air hose 49 is connected to an air supply source 82 (see FIG. 3) through the space 13 between the base 6 and the base plate 3.

<Operation of cutting mechanism>
4 and 5 are explanatory views showing the operation of the cutting mechanism 60 according to the embodiment. In this example, two tube members 44 extending from the two parts feeders 1 are connected to the cutting mechanism 60. The cutting mechanism 60 is disposed on the front side of the base plate 3 (the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the base plate 3), and includes a switching member 61, a cutting member 64, a driving mechanism 62, a driving mechanism 63, and an air supply unit 65. ing. The air supply unit 65 is connected to an air supply source 82 via an air hose 65a, and the conveyance path 66 is connected to a conveyance path 83 of a cutting machine (see FIG. 3). Since the pressure supply air is always supplied from the air supply source 82, in the case of FIG. 4, the pressure supply air supplied to the air supply unit 65 passes through the air passage 63a, the passage 64a, and the conveyance passage 66, and the It flows to the conveyance path 83.

The drive mechanism 62 drives the switching member 61, and the driving mechanism 62 drives the switching member 61 from a first position where the passage 61 b and the passage 62 a communicate with each other to a second position where the passage 61 a and the passage 62 a communicate with each other. Move to. The driving mechanism 63 drives the cutting member 64, and the driving member 63 is driven to move the cutting member 64 from the holding position shown in FIG. 4 to the cutting position shown in FIG. The drive mechanism 62 and the drive mechanism 63 are configured by a drive mechanism including a known actuator such as an air cylinder or a linear motor.

When the rubber plug 50 is supplied via the left tube member 44, the switching member 61 is in the first position as shown in FIG. 4, so the passage 61a of the switching member 61 does not communicate with the passage 62a. For this reason, the rubber stopper 50 passes through the left tube member 44 and is held in the passage 61 a of the switching member 61. When the switching member 61 is moved to the second position by driving the drive mechanism 62, the passage 61a communicates with the passage 62a, so that the rubber plug 50 is held in the accommodation hole 64b of the cutout member 64 through the passage 62a and the passage 63b. The Then, as shown in FIG. 5, when the cutting member 64 is moved to the cutting position by the drive of the driving mechanism 63, one rubber plug 50 is separated. At this time, since the accommodation hole 64b communicates with the air passage 63a and the conveyance passage 66, the rubber plug 50 is conveyed to the conveyance path 83 of the cutting machine through the conveyance passage 66 by the pressure feeding air supplied to the air supply section 65. Is done.

When the rubber plug 50 is supplied through the right tube member 44, when the switching member 61 is in the first position as shown in FIG. 4, the passage 61b of the switching member 61 and the passage 62a of the drive mechanism 62 are driven. It passes through the passage 63 b of the mechanism 63 and is held in the accommodation hole 64 b of the cutting member 64. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, when the cutting member 64 is moved to the cutting position by the drive of the driving mechanism 63, one rubber plug 50 is separated. At this time, since the accommodation hole 64b communicates with the air passage 63a and the conveyance passage 66, the rubber plug 50 is conveyed to the conveyance path 83 of the cutting machine through the conveyance passage 66 by the pressure feeding air supplied to the air supply section 65. Is done.

<Parts filling from parts filling jig to parts feeder>
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a parts filling apparatus 100 that fills parts into the parts feeder 1 according to the embodiment. In the parts feeder 1, the rubber plug 50 is filled in the tube member 40 in advance using the parts filling device 100.

Specifically, a tubular member 91 extending from the parts filling apparatus 100 is connected to the connection jig 90. Then, the female coupler member 42 at the tip of the connection hose 93 extending from the connection jig 90 and the male coupler member 43 of the tube member 40 are connected. As a result, the parts filling apparatus 100 is connected to the parts filling path 400.

The tubular member 91 and the connecting hose 93 have the same inner diameter as that of the tube member 40, that is, an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the rubber plug 50 so that the rubber plug 50 can maintain a constant posture. The inner diameter of the rubber plug 50 is smaller than the projected shape from the side.

As will be described later, in the parts filling apparatus 100, the rubber plug 50 is pumped from the parts filling apparatus 100 to the parts filling path 400 via the tubular member 91 by supplying air. The pressure-feeding air flows out through the air hose 45 and the male coupler member 48 connected to the other end side of the tube member 40.

According to the parts feeder 1 configured as described above, the parts filling device 100 is used to align the postures of the plurality of rubber stoppers 50, and the opening on at least one side of the internal passage of the tube member 40 as the parts filling path 400 is provided. The rubber stopper 50 can be transferred into the parts filling path 400 from 40a. Further, the plurality of rubber plugs 50 filled in a posture in the part filling path 400 are placed outside from the opening 40a on at least one side of the part filling path 400 while maintaining the posture of the plurality of rubber plugs 50 constant. Can supply.

Also, the parts filling operation to the parts feeder 1 can be simplified by using the parts filling apparatus 100 as compared with the case of setting a large-scale apparatus such as a vibratory parts feeder, and the equipment cost can be reduced.

In addition, a male coupler member 43 capable of passing a plurality of rubber plugs 50 while maintaining their posture constant is provided at one end of the parts filling path 400, and a plurality of rubber plugs 50 are provided at the other end of the parts filling path 400. A coupler member is provided in which the rubber plug 50 cannot pass and the pumping air can flow in and out. For this reason, when the rubber plug 50 is filled from the male coupler member 43, the rubber plug 50 can be prevented from jumping out of the coupler member.

Since the tube member 40, the air hose 45, the male coupler member 43, and the male coupler member 48 as the parts supply member are formed in a shape in which the tube member 40 and the air hose 45 are wound, the total length of the parts supply member becomes long. The rubber plug 50 can be filled. In addition, the size of the parts feeder 1 can be reduced.

<Configuration of parts filling equipment>
Next, the configuration of the parts filling apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS.

7 and 8 are schematic plan views of the parts filling apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic side view showing the parts filling apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view showing the base 111 of the part insertion part 110 according to the embodiment.

By using the part filling device 100, the rubber plug 50 is filled in the part filling path 400. In the present embodiment, the rubber plug 50 to be filled by the parts filling apparatus 100 includes a narrow portion 51 having a first outer diameter and a wide portion 52 having a second outer diameter larger than the first outer diameter. It has (refer FIG. 7). It is assumed that a thick portion 511 having an outer diameter slightly larger than the base end side (side closer to the wide portion 52) is formed at the distal end portion of the narrow portion 51. In addition, it is assumed that two thick portions 521 are provided at intervals in a portion of the wide portion 52 that is connected to the narrow portion 51.

In this example, the narrow portions 51 of the respective rubber plugs 50 are arranged in a line in the parts filling path 400 of the tube member 40 so that the narrow portions 51 are in front and the wide portions 52 are in the rear (see FIG. 2). That is, the filling direction when the rubber plug 50 is filled in the parts filling path 400 coincides with the connecting direction of the narrow portion 51 and the wide portion 52 (direction in which the central axis Q extends).

In the parts filling device 100, several passages through which the rubber plug 50 passes are formed. In the following description, when the rubber plug 50 is filled in the parts filling path 400, the side on which the rubber plug 50 enters in each passage is referred to as an inlet side, and the side on which the rubber plug 50 exits is referred to as an outlet side.

The parts filling apparatus 100 includes a parts insertion part 110, a parts supply part 120, a delivery part 130, an air suction part 140, an air supply part 150, a connection part 160, and a movement drive part 170. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the moving unit 113 is disposed at the set position L11 and the delivery unit 130 is disposed at the second communication position L22. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the moving unit 113 is arranged at the communication position L12 and the delivery unit 130 is arranged at the first communication position L21. FIG. 9 is a side view showing the side where the connecting part 160 is provided in the parts filling apparatus 100, and shows only the part insertion part 110, the part supply part 120 and the delivery part 130.

The parts insertion part 110 includes a base part 111, a moving part 113, and a lid part 115.

As shown in FIG. 10, the upper surface of the base 111 has a concave surface 111a that forms a space in which the moving unit 113 is inserted, and a concave surface 111b that forms a space in which the air supply unit 150 is installed. The concave surface 111a is provided at a position closer to the intermediate portion from one end of the base 111 in the direction D1, and the concave surface 111b is provided at the other end of the base 111 in the direction D1. The

concave surfaces

111a and 111b are provided at one end of the base 111 in the direction D2 orthogonal to the direction D1.

In the base portion 111, a first passage 1111 extending in the direction D1 is formed in the vicinity of an intermediate portion of the base portion 111 in the direction D2. The first passage 1111 is configured such that the rubber plug 50 can move in a falling posture (a posture in which the central axis Q is substantially parallel to the direction D1). One end side in the direction D1 of the first passage 1111 extends in a groove shape at a part of the concave surface 111a, and the other end side in the direction D1 extends in a hole shape so as to open on the side surface of the base 111. Yes. The bottom surface of the first passage 1111 has a semicircular cross section. The height and width of the first passage 1111 are larger than the maximum outer diameter W1 of the projected shape on the side of the rubber plug 50, and the height H1 of the rubber plug 50 (the length in the direction parallel to the central axis Q). )) Is set shorter. Thereby, in the 1st channel | path 1111, it can suppress that the rubber stopper 50 becomes a standing attitude | position (attitude | position with the center axis | shaft Q orthogonal to the direction D1).

The concave surface 111a includes a flat bottom surface 1111S (front surface) and a pair of facing surfaces 1112S standing up at 90 degrees so as to face each other in the direction D1 of the bottom surface 11S. The pair of facing surfaces 1112S extends along a direction D2 orthogonal to the direction D1. The pair of opposing surfaces 1112S are in sliding contact with both side surfaces of the moving unit 113 inserted into the concave surface 111a, thereby guiding the moving unit 113 to move linearly. The pair of opposing surfaces 1112S constitute a guide part.

The moving part 113 is a substantially plate-like member made of resin or metal. A part insertion hole 1131 into which the rubber plug 50 can be inserted is formed in the intermediate part of the moving part 113. The part insertion hole 1131 has a shape corresponding to a projected shape from the side of the rubber plug 50 (that is, a projected shape from a direction orthogonal to the central axis Q). Specifically, the part insertion hole 1131 has a shape in which a first hole through which the narrow portion 51 can pass and a second hole through which the wide portion 52 can pass are connected along the direction D1. The first hole is formed so that the distal end side is slightly wider than the proximal end side so that the thick part 511 can pass therethrough. The second hole is formed wider than the first hole.

Thus, the inner peripheral surface of the part insertion hole 1131 has an uneven surface so as to correspond to the projected shape of the rubber plug 50. Therefore, the operator can easily grasp the posture that the rubber plug 50 should take when inserting the rubber plug 50 into the part insertion hole 1131 based on the shape of the part insertion hole 1131.

The moving part 113 is inserted between the pair of opposed surfaces 1112S of the concave surface 111a. The distance between the pair of facing surfaces 1112S is set to be approximately the same as or slightly larger than the width of the moving portion 113 in the direction D1. The moving unit 113 receives a driving force of the movement driving unit 170 described later, and is guided to the pair of facing surfaces 1112S while sliding on the pair of facing surfaces 1112S, and linearly moves along the direction D2.

In the state where the moving part 113 is arranged at the set position L11 shown in FIG. 7, the exit side of the part insertion hole 1131 is in a state of being blocked by the surface of the base 111, that is, the bottom face 1111S of the concave surface 111a. For this reason, when the rubber plug 50 is inserted into the part insertion hole 1131, the rubber plug 50 stays in the part insertion hole 1131 without coming out of the part insertion hole 1131.

In the state where the moving part 113 is arranged at the communication position L12 shown in FIG. 8, the outlet side of the part insertion hole 1131 overlaps the first passage 1111. As a result, the part insertion hole 1131 communicates with the first passage 1111. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the width of the first passage 1111 (the length in the direction D <b> 2) is larger than the width of the part insertion hole 1131. In addition, in a state where the moving unit 113 is disposed at the communication position L12, the part insertion hole 1131 is disposed at the center of the first passage 1111 in the direction D2.

The rubber plug 50 inserted into the part insertion hole 1131 moves along the direction D2 along the direction D2 toward the communication position L12. Then, when the moving unit 113 reaches the communication position L12, the rubber plug 50 falls from the part insertion hole 1131 to the first passage 1111.

The lid 115 is a plate member made of resin or metal that covers the upper surface of the base 111. On one side of the lid 115 in the direction D2, a notch 1151 that is notched in a concave shape is provided at a position overlapping the moving part 113. As shown in FIG. 7, the entrance of the part insertion hole 1131 is arranged inside the notch 1151 in a state where the moving unit 113 is arranged at the set position L11. That is, the rubber plug 50 can be inserted into the part insertion hole 1131.

In addition, the lid 115 is formed of a transparent material in this example. For this reason, it is possible to visually recognize the part insertion hole 1131 of the moving part 113 through the lid part 115. For this reason, the clogging of the rubber plug 50 or the change in the direction of the rubber plug 50 is monitored until the moving unit 113 moves from the set position L11 to the communication position L12 or in the state where it has reached the communication position L12. it can. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the rubber plug 50 from being filled in the parts filling path 400 in an incorrect posture.

The parts supply unit 120 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped member made of resin or metal. The parts supply unit 120 is disposed on the other end side in the direction D1 of the parts insertion unit 110 with the delivery unit 130 interposed therebetween.

Inside the parts supply part 120, the 2nd channel | path 121 which penetrates the parts supply part 120 along the direction D1 is formed. That is, the second passage 121 extends in parallel with the first passage 1111. However, the second passage 121 is arranged at a position where the position in the direction D2 deviates from the first passage 1111. The second passage 121 has a substantially circular cross section in the direction D2. The width of the second passage 121 is set to be larger than the maximum outer diameter of the rubber plug 50 and smaller than the height of the rubber plug 50. By inserting the tubular member 91 into the second passage 121, the second passage 121 can communicate with the parts filling passage 400.

The delivery unit 130 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped member formed of resin or metal. In the delivery part 130, a delivery passage 131 that penetrates the delivery part 130 along the direction D1 is formed. As will be described later, the rubber plug 50 is pumped by supplying air from the delivery passage 131 toward the second passage 121. For this reason, in order to suppress that the rubber plug 50 receives air and moves around, it is desirable that the gap between the delivery passage 131 of the delivery unit 130 and the rubber plug 50 be as small as possible. In the present embodiment, the shape of the cross section perpendicular to the direction D1 of the delivery passage 131 is a transverse cross section at a position where the maximum outer diameter W1 of the rubber plug 50 is obtained (the plane of the cut surface when cut at right angles to the central axis Q). And the same shape (here, circular). The width of the delivery passage 131 is preferably slightly larger than the maximum outer diameter W1 of the rubber plug 50, and is preferably smaller than the height H1 of the rubber plug 50.

The delivery unit 130 reciprocates between the first communication position L21 (see FIG. 8) and the second communication position L22 (see FIG. 7) by receiving a driving force from the movement drive unit 170 described later.

The first communication position L21 shown in FIG. 8 is the position of the delivery unit 130 when the delivery passage 131 communicates with the first passage 1111 because the exit side of the first passage 1111 overlaps the entrance side of the delivery passage 131. is there. Further, in the state where the delivery unit 130 is arranged at the first communication position L21, the outlet side of the delivery passage 131 is connected to the air suction unit 140 as shown in FIG. The air suction unit 140 is configured by a vacuum pump or the like, and sucks air in the first passage 1111 through the delivery passage 131. As a result, the rubber plug 50 disposed in the first passage 1111 is transferred to the delivery passage 131. The outlet side of the delivery passage 131 is blocked by the side surface of the parts supply unit 120 except for the flow path connected to the air suction unit 140. As a result, the rubber plug 50 that has moved to the delivery passage 131 is prevented from passing through the outlet side of the delivery passage 131.

The second communication position L22 shown in FIG. 7 is a position of the delivery unit 130 when the delivery passage 131 communicates with the second passage 121 by the exit side of the delivery passage 131 overlapping the entrance side of the second passage 121. is there. Further, in the state where the delivery unit 130 is disposed at the second communication position L22, the inlet side of the delivery passage 131 is connected to the air supply unit 150 as shown in FIG. The air supply unit 150 supplies the high-pressure air to the delivery passage 131. As a result, the rubber plug 50 disposed in the delivery passage 131 is transferred to the second passage 121 by being pushed by the air supplied from the air supply unit 150, and further passes through the tubular member 91 to fill the parts. It is transferred to the path 400.

The air suction unit 140 is connected to the first detector 141. The first detector 141 includes a switch 143 extending in the direction D2. As shown in FIG. 8, the switch 143 is pressed when the delivery unit 130 moves from the second communication position L22 to the first communication position L21. The first detector 141 detects that the switch 143 has been pressed, thereby detecting that the delivery unit 130 has moved from the second communication position L22 to the first communication position L21.

The first detector 141 outputs a control signal for opening and closing a suction valve (such as an electromagnetic valve) inserted on the flow path connecting the air suction unit 140 and the delivery unit 130. More specifically, when the movement of the delivery unit 130 to the first communication position L21 is detected, the first detector 141 opens the suction valve and connects the air suction unit 140 and the delivery unit 130. As a result, the rubber plug 50 is sucked and transferred from the first passage 1111 to the delivery passage 131.

Note that when the delivery unit 130 moves from the first communication position L21 toward the second communication position L22, the switch 143 returns to the original position. The first detector 141 detects the return of the switch 143, thereby detecting the movement of the delivery unit 130 to the second communication position L22 and outputting a control signal for closing the suction valve. Thereby, the flow path of the air suction unit 140 is blocked.

Thus, by providing the first detector 141, air suction can be performed in accordance with the movement of the delivery unit 130 to the first communication position L21. Thereby, it is possible to suppress unnecessary air suction from being performed by the air suction unit 140.

The air supply unit 150 is connected to the second detector 151. The second detector 151 has a switch 153 extending in the direction D2. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the switch 153 is configured such that when the delivery unit 130 moves from the first communication position L21 to the second communication position L22, the delivery unit 130 (here, the connection unit 160 connected to the delivery unit 130). Is pressed by. It is detected that the delivery unit 130 has moved from the first communication position L21 to the second communication position L22.

The second detector 151 outputs a control signal for opening and closing a supply valve (such as an electromagnetic valve) inserted on the flow path connecting the air supply unit 150 and the delivery unit 130. More specifically, when detecting the movement of the delivery unit 130 to the second communication position L22, the second detector 151 connects the air supply unit 150 and the delivery unit 130 by opening the supply valve. As a result, the rubber plug 50 is transferred from the delivery passage 131 toward the second passage 121.

Note that when the delivery unit 130 moves from the second communication position L22 toward the first communication position L21, the switch 153 returns to the original position. The second detector 151 detects the return of the switch 153, thereby detecting the movement of the delivery unit 130 to the first communication position L21 and outputting a control signal for closing the supply valve. As a result, the flow path of the air supply unit 150 is blocked.

Thus, by providing the second detector 151, it is possible to supply air in accordance with the movement of the second communication position L22 of the delivery unit 130. As a result, unnecessary air supply by the air supply unit 150 can be suppressed, and the amount of air can be saved.

In the part filling apparatus 100, the opening or closing of the suction valve or the supply valve is controlled based on the output signals from the first detector 141 and the second detector 151. Instead, the driving of the air suction unit 140 or the air supply unit 150 may be directly controlled according to the output signal from the first detector 141 or the second detector 151.

The delivery unit 130 is coupled to the moving unit 113 of the part insertion unit 110 by a coupling unit 160. The connecting part 160 is connected to the movement driving part 170. Here, the movement drive unit 170 includes a drive source and a mechanism that converts a drive force from the drive source into a linear motion. The connecting part 160 moves along the direction D2 by being pushed and pulled by the movement driving part 170. Accordingly, the moving unit 113 and the delivery unit 130 are interlocked along the direction D2. More specifically, the moving unit 113 and the delivery unit 130 are configured to reciprocate by the same distance along the direction D2. The movement driving unit 170 may be configured to push and pull the moving unit 113 or the delivery unit 130.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the connecting unit 160 connects the moving unit 113 disposed at the set position L11 and the delivery unit 130 disposed at the second communication position L22. As shown in FIG. 8, as the moving unit 113 moves from the set position L11 to the communication position L12, the delivery unit 130 moves from the second communication position L22 to the first communication position L21. That is, in the present embodiment, the movement amount between the first communication position L21 and the second communication position L22 of the delivery unit 130 and the movement amount between the set position L11 and the communication position L12 of the movement unit 113 are: Match.

A foot switch 171 is connected to the movement drive unit 170. The foot switch 171 receives an operation that an operator steps on with his / her foot. The movement driving unit 170 pushes and pulls the connecting unit 160 in response to detecting that the foot switch 171 is pressed with the foot or the pressing is released.

By providing the movement drive unit 170, the burden on the operator can be greatly reduced as compared with the case where the moving unit 113 and the delivery unit 130 are manually moved. Further, by linking the moving unit 113 and the delivery unit 130 with the connecting unit 160, the configuration of the moving drive unit can be simplified as compared with the case where each unit is moved individually. Moreover, the filling operation | work of the rubber stopper 50 can be made efficient.

The moving unit 113 and the delivery unit 130 may be moved manually. In this case, the movement drive unit 170 may be omitted. Further, the connecting unit 160 may be omitted, and the moving unit 113 and the delivery unit 130 may be moved individually. In this case, either the moving unit 113 or the delivery unit 130 may be moved by the movement driving unit 170.

<About the flow of filling the rubber plug 50>
The operation | work which fills the rubber plug 50 in the parts filling path 400 of the tube member 40 in the parts feeder 1 using the parts filling apparatus 100 is demonstrated.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow of filling work of the rubber plug 50 according to the embodiment. First, as shown in FIG. 6, when the tubular member 91 is connected to the parts filling device 100, the parts filling device 100 (more specifically, the parts supply unit 120) is connected to the parts filling path 400 ( Connection step S1).

Subsequently, the air suction unit 140, the air supply unit 150, and the movement drive unit 170 are prepared to operate by turning on the power. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the movement driving unit 170 places the moving unit 113 at the set position L11 and the delivery unit 130 at the second communication position L22. In this state, the rubber plug 50 is inserted into the part insertion hole 1131 (insertion step S2).

Subsequently, when the foot switch 171 is operated, the movement driving unit 170 moves the moving unit 113 from the set position L11 to the communication position L12 shown in FIG. 7 (moving step S3). Accordingly, the rubber plug 50 also moves along the direction D2 by rotating in the part insertion hole 1131. Furthermore, the rubber plug 50 falls into the first passage 1111 by the part insertion hole 1131 communicating with the first passage 1111.

Also, at the same time when the moving unit 113 moves to the communication position L12, the delivery unit 130 also moves from the second communication position L22 to the first communication position L21. The delivery passage 131 communicates with the first passage 1111 (first communication step S4). Furthermore, when the delivery unit 130 presses the switch 143, the suction valve is opened, and air suction by the air suction unit 140 is started. Thereby, the rubber stopper 50 of the first passage 1111 is transferred to the delivery passage 131 (suction transfer step S5).

Subsequently, the movement drive unit 170 moves the delivery unit 130 from the first communication position L21 to the second communication position L22 shown in FIG. Thereby, the pressing of the switch 143 is released, the suction valve is closed, and the air suction is stopped. Then, when the delivery unit 130 reaches the second communication position L22, the delivery passage 131 in which the rubber plug 50 is inserted communicates with the second passage 121 (second communication step S6). Further, when the delivery unit 130 presses the switch 153, the supply valve is opened and the air supply by the air supply unit 150 is started. Thereby, the rubber plug 50 of the delivery passage 131 is transferred to the parts filling passage 400 through the second passage 121, the tubular member 91, and the like (pressure feeding step S7). The pressure-feeding air sent to the tube member 40 is appropriately discharged from the male coupler member 48 to the outside through the air hose 45.

Also, at the same time as the delivery unit 130 moves to the second communication position L22, the moving unit 113 returns to the set position L11. As a result, a new rubber stopper 50 can be inserted.

<Effect>
As described above, according to the parts filling apparatus 100, the rubber plug 50 is pumped toward the parts filling path 400 by supplying air. For this reason, compared with the case where the rubber plug 50 is transferred to the parts filling path 400 by air suction, the transfer force applied to the rubber plug 50 is less likely to decrease. For this reason, the rubber stopper 50 can be smoothly transferred to the parts filling path 400. Moreover, since the fall of a transfer force is suppressed, the quantity of the rubber stopper 50 which can be filled into the parts filling path 400 can be increased.

Moreover, in the parts filling apparatus 100, as shown in FIG. 7, the rubber plug 50 falls into the first passage 1111 by the parts insertion hole 1131 communicating with the first passage 1111. In this state, the upper part of the rubber plug 50 is released by the part insertion hole 1131, and the rubber plug 50 is easily rotated. Therefore, in the first passage 1111, it is possible to suppress the change in the direction of the rubber plug 50 by moving the rubber plug 50 by air suction. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively suppress the rubber plug 50 from being filled in the parts filling path 400 in an incorrect posture.

In this embodiment, the part insertion hole 1131 into which the rubber plug 50 is inserted is formed in the moving part 113 that moves relative to the base part 111. The position of the part insertion hole 1131 differs between when the rubber plug 50 is inserted into the part insertion hole 1131 and when the part insertion hole 1131 communicates with the first passage 1111 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). ). Thus, even if the operator inserts the rubber plug 50 into the part insertion hole 1131 in the wrong direction, the rubber plug 50 can be taken out before the moving unit 113 is moved to the communication position L12. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the rubber plug 50 from being filled in the parts filling path 400 in an incorrect posture.

In the part insertion part 110, it is not essential that the first passage 1111 and the part insertion hole 1131 are provided in different members (here, the base part 111 and the moving part 113). For example, the part insertion part may be formed with a first passage and a part insertion hole arranged at a position fixed with respect to the first passage.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, the above description is illustrative in all aspects, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It is understood that countless variations that are not illustrated can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, the configurations described in the above embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined or omitted as long as they do not contradict each other.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Parts feeder 40 Tube member 400 Parts filling path 50 Rubber plug 51 Narrow part 511 Thick part 52 Wide part 521 Thick part 91 Tubular member 100 Parts filling apparatus 110 Parts insertion part 111 Base 111a Concave surface 1111 1st channel | path 1111S Bottom (surface)
1112S Opposite surface (guide section)
113 moving part 115 lid part 120 parts supply part 121 second passage 130 delivery part 131 delivery passage 140 air suction part 141 first detector 150 air supply part 151 second detector 160 connecting part 170 moving drive part 171 foot switch 1131 parts Insertion hole 1151 Notch L11 Set position L12 Communication position L21 1st communication position L22 2nd communication position S1 Connection process S2 Insertion process S3 Movement process S4 1st communication process S5 Suction transfer process S6 2nd communication process S7 Pressure feed process

Claims

A parts filling device for filling parts into a tube member formed with a part filling path in which a plurality of parts are aligned and filled in a row.
A part insertion hole in which a part can be inserted, and a part insertion part in which a first passage through which the part can move while communicating with the part insertion hole is formed;
A parts supply section that is capable of communicating with the parts filling path and has a second passage through which the parts can move toward the parts filling path;
A delivery passage for delivering the parts is formed between the first passage and the second passage, and a first communication position where the delivery passage communicates with the first passage, and the delivery passage is the A delivery section that moves between second communication positions communicating with the second passage;
An air suction portion for sucking air in the first passage through the delivery passage of the delivery portion in the first communication position;
An air supply section for supplying air into the second passage through the delivery passage of the delivery section at the second communication position;
A parts filling device.
The parts filling device according to claim 1,
The parts insertion part is
A base in which the first passage is formed;
A set position where the part insertion hole is formed and an outlet side of the part insertion hole is blocked by the surface of the base; and a communication position where the outlet side of the part insertion hole communicates with the first passage. A moving part movable between,
Including parts filling equipment.
The parts filling device according to claim 2,
A connecting part for connecting the delivery part and the moving part;
Further comprising
The connecting unit is a parts filling device in which the delivery unit is arranged at the second communication position, and the moving unit is connected to the moving unit arranged at the set position.
The parts filling device according to claim 2 or 3,
A movement drive unit for moving the moving unit between the set position and the communication position;
The parts filling device further comprising:
It is a parts filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A first detector for detecting movement of the delivery unit from the second communication position to the first communication position;
Further comprising
A parts filling apparatus in which the air suction part performs air suction based on the fact that the first detector detects movement of the delivery part to the first communication position.
The parts filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A second detector for detecting movement of the delivery unit from the first communication position to the second communication position;
Further comprising
A parts filling apparatus in which the air supply unit supplies air based on the fact that the second detector detects movement of the delivery unit to the second communication position.
A part filling method for filling a part into a tube member formed with a part filling path in which a plurality of parts are aligned and filled in a row,
(a) a connecting step of connecting the second passage of the parts filling device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 to the parts filling path;
(b) an insertion step of inserting a part into the part insertion hole;
(c) a suction transfer step of moving the parts to the delivery path by the air suction part sucking air in the first path through the delivery path;
(d) a communication step of communicating the delivery passage in which the parts have moved in the suction transfer step with the second passage;
(e) after the communicating step, the air supply unit supplies air to the second passage through the delivery passage, thereby pumping the parts of the delivery passage to the parts filling passage; ,
Including parts filling method.