JP2019023139A - Feeder of shaft-like component - Google Patents

Abstract

To smoothly shift a shaft-like component from an end part of a rectilinear feeder to a conveyance passage and accurately transfer it in the transfer passage without the shaft-like component being inclined.SOLUTION: There is provided a type where conveyance is performed by a rectilinear feeder 5 in a suspension state with a head part 3 upside. A conveyance passage 14 extending almost in a vertical direction is so arranged in a state continuing a rail member 6 as to receive a shaft-like component 1 from the rail member 6 to convey. An inner surface of the conveyance passage 14 in a region almost facing the end part of the rail member 6 is a temporarily locked surface 19. Suction means 22 for sucking the shaft-like component 1 to the side of the temporarily locked surface 19 is arranged, and the shaft-like component 1 is sucked by the temporarily locked surface 19 in a normal attitude where a longitudinal direction thereof is along the conveyance direction of the conveyance passage 14. By cancel of the suction force of the suction means 22, the shaft-like component 1 is sent out in the normal attitude along the conveyance direction of the conveyance passage 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

この発明は、頭部を有する軸状部品を直進フィーダで移送し、その後、搬送通路で目的箇所へ供給する、軸状部品の供給装置に関している。  The present invention relates to an apparatus for supplying a shaft-shaped component, in which a shaft-shaped component having a head is transferred by a linear feeder and then supplied to a target location through a conveyance path.

特開２０１７−０６５９２２号公報には、頭部付き軸状部品を直進フィーダによって吊り下げ状態で搬送し、その後、貯留ボックスへ落下させることが記載されている。  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-065922 describes that a shaft-like component with a head is conveyed in a suspended state by a linear feeder and then dropped into a storage box.

特開２０１０−１７３８５３号公報には、吊り下げ状態で移送されてきた頭部付き軸状部品を、永久磁石の吸引力で保持空間へ引き込むことが記載されている。  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-173853 describes that a shaft-like component with a head that has been transferred in a suspended state is drawn into a holding space by the attractive force of a permanent magnet.

特開２０１７−０６５９２２号公報JP 2017-065922 A 特開２０１０−１７３８５３号公報JP 2010-173853 A

通常、頭部付き軸状部品を直進フィーダから搬送通路へ移行するときには、軸状部品の姿勢を適正に維持した状態で、直進フィーダの端部から円滑に搬送通路へ移行させて、軸状部品が傾いたりすることなく、搬送通路内を移送しなければならない。  Normally, when moving the head-shaped shaft part from the linear feeder to the transport path, the shaft-shaped part is smoothly transferred from the end of the straight feeder to the transport path while maintaining the proper posture of the shaft part. Must be transported through the transport path without tilting.

特許文献１および２においては、直進フィーダや永久磁石の吸引などについての記載はなされているが、軸状部品の移行姿勢を適正に維持することに関しては、何の記載もない。とくに、このような軸状部品の移行姿勢の適正化は、軸状部品の形状によって困難になることがあり、例えば、頭部付き軸状部品において、頭部の質量が軸部のそれよりもはるかに大きくて、しかも倒れやすい細長い形状のような場合に、重要な課題となる。  In Patent Documents 1 and 2, there is a description about linear feeders, permanent magnet attraction, and the like, but there is no description about properly maintaining the transition posture of the shaft-like component. In particular, the optimization of the transition posture of such a shaft-shaped component may be difficult depending on the shape of the shaft-shaped component. For example, in a shaft-shaped component with a head, the mass of the head is greater than that of the shaft. This is an important issue in the case of elongated shapes that are much larger and more likely to fall.

本発明は、上記の問題点を解決するために提供されたもので、軸状部品の姿勢を適正に維持した状態で、直進フィーダの端部から円滑に搬送通路へ移行させて、軸状部品が傾いたりすることなく、搬送通路内を正確に移送されることを目的とする。  The present invention is provided in order to solve the above-described problems, and in a state where the posture of the shaft-like component is properly maintained, the shaft-like component is smoothly transferred from the end of the linear feeder to the conveyance path. An object of the present invention is to accurately transport the inside of the transport passage without tilting.

請求項１記載の発明は、
軸部と、この軸部よりも大径の頭部を有する軸状部品が供給の対象とされ、
軸状部品を搬送する直進フィーダは、ほぼ水平方向に配置されたレール部材によって、頭部が上側になった吊り下げ状態で搬送する形式であり、
ほぼ鉛直方向に伸びた搬送通路が、レール部材からの軸状部品を受け入れて搬送できるように、レール部材に連続した状態で配置され、
レール部材の延長方向に配置されているとともに、レール部材の端部にほぼ対向している領域の搬送通路の内面が、一時係止面とされ、
レール部材の端部から落下しつつある軸状部品を、一時係止面の方へ吸引する吸引手段が配置され、
吸引手段の吸引力で軸状部品が、その長手方向が搬送通路の搬送方向に沿った正常姿勢で一時係止面に吸着されるように構成し、
吸引手段の吸引力の解除によって、軸状部品を搬送通路の搬送方向に沿った正常姿勢で送出することを特徴とする軸状部品の供給装置である。The invention described in claim 1
A shaft part and a shaft-shaped part having a head having a diameter larger than that of the shaft part are to be supplied,
A linear feeder that conveys a shaft-shaped part is a form that is conveyed in a suspended state with the head on the upper side by a rail member arranged in a substantially horizontal direction,
A conveying path extending in a substantially vertical direction is arranged in a continuous state with the rail member so that a shaft-shaped part from the rail member can be received and conveyed,
The inner surface of the conveyance passage in the region that is arranged in the extending direction of the rail member and substantially faces the end of the rail member is a temporary locking surface,
A suction means for sucking the shaft-shaped component falling from the end of the rail member toward the temporary locking surface is disposed,
The shaft-shaped component is configured so that the longitudinal direction is adsorbed to the temporary locking surface in a normal posture along the transport direction of the transport passage by the suction force of the suction means,
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supply device for a shaft-shaped component, wherein the shaft-shaped component is sent out in a normal posture along the transport direction of the transport passage by releasing the suction force of the suction means.

頭部の質量が軸部の質量よりも大きく、しかも頭部が長尺で上方に伸びた形状であると、頭部を上側にした吊り下げ状態で搬送する場合には、軸状部品全体が不安定となり、傾きやすくなる。このような不安定な状態で軸状部品を鉛直方向に伸びた搬送通路へ移行させるときには、軸状部品がレール部材から離れるのと同時に、異常な傾斜姿勢になり、軸状部品の上端と下端が搬送通路の内面にひっかかる恐れがある。  If the mass of the head is larger than the mass of the shaft, and the head is long and has a shape extending upward, the entire shaft-like component is It becomes unstable and tends to tilt. When shifting the shaft-shaped part to the conveying path extending in the vertical direction in such an unstable state, the shaft-shaped part becomes an abnormally inclined posture at the same time as it is separated from the rail member, and the upper and lower ends of the shaft-shaped part May catch on the inner surface of the transport path.

しかし、ほぼ鉛直方向に伸びた搬送通路が、レール部材からの軸状部品を受け入れて搬送できるように、レール部材に連続した状態で配置され、一時係止面が、レール部材の延長方向に配置されているとともに、レール部材の端部にほぼ対向している領域の搬送通路の内面によって形成され、レール部材の端部から落下しつつある軸状部品を、一時係止面の方へ吸引する吸引手段が配置されている。  However, the conveying path extending in the substantially vertical direction is arranged in a continuous state with the rail member so that the shaft-shaped part from the rail member can be received and conveyed, and the temporary locking surface is arranged in the extending direction of the rail member. The shaft-shaped component that is formed by the inner surface of the conveyance path in a region substantially opposite to the end portion of the rail member and is falling from the end portion of the rail member is sucked toward the temporary locking surface. A suction means is arranged.

したがって、レール部材の端部から離れて落下しつつある軸状部品は、吸引手段で吸引されるので、大きな傾斜変位を生じることがなく、その長手方向が搬送通路の搬送方向に沿った正常姿勢で一時係止面に吸着される。これにより、上述のような軸状部品の上下端部が搬送通路の内面にひっかかるような現象が回避できる。そして、吸引力の解除によって、正常な姿勢の一時係止も解除されるので、軸状部品は正常な姿勢のまま落下したり、搬送空気で送出されたりして、搬送通路の後流側へ送出される。このため軸状部品は、異常な傾きを呈することなく、正確に搬送され、信頼性の高い部品供給が実現する。  Accordingly, since the shaft-like component that is falling away from the end of the rail member is sucked by the suction means, a large inclination displacement does not occur, and the longitudinal direction thereof is a normal posture along the transport direction of the transport path. Is adsorbed to the temporary locking surface. Thereby, the phenomenon that the upper and lower ends of the shaft-shaped component as described above are caught on the inner surface of the conveyance path can be avoided. Since the temporary locking of the normal posture is also released by the release of the suction force, the shaft-shaped part falls in the normal posture or is sent out by the carrier air to the downstream side of the conveyance passage. Sent out. For this reason, the shaft-like component is accurately conveyed without exhibiting an abnormal inclination, and a highly reliable component supply is realized.

換言すると、レール部材から搬送通路の空間中に離隔した軸状部品を、吸引手段の吸引力で一旦正常な待機姿勢で停止させ、それから吸引力を解除して搬送を再開するので、軸状部品の再移動開始のときに、軸状部品の姿勢が正常になった状態から再移動が開始される。したがって、上記一旦停止によって軸状部品の待機姿勢が正常に確保されて、安定した部品供給姿勢が確保できる。  In other words, the shaft-shaped part separated from the rail member in the space of the transport passage is once stopped in a normal standby posture by the suction force of the suction means, and then the suction force is released and the transport is resumed. When the re-movement is started, the re-movement is started from the state where the posture of the shaft-like component becomes normal. Therefore, the standby posture of the shaft-like component is normally ensured by the temporary stop, and a stable component supply posture can be secured.

一時係止面は、レール部材の延長方向に配置されているとともに、レール部材の端部にほぼ対向している領域の搬送通路の内面によって構成されている。そして、搬送通路の搬送方向で見た一時係止面の長さ領域は、レール部材の真正面から落下方向である斜め下の領域であるから、軸状部品の質量、吸引手段の吸引力の大小などが変化しても、軸状部品は確実に一時係止面に吸着される長さ領域となっており、正確な一時係止が達成される。特許請求の範囲における「・・・レール部材の端部にほぼ対向している領域・・・」なる記載は、上記のような長さ領域を意味している。  The temporary locking surface is arranged in the extending direction of the rail member, and is configured by the inner surface of the conveyance passage in a region substantially facing the end of the rail member. The length region of the temporary locking surface viewed in the transport direction of the transport passage is a diagonally lower region in the drop direction from the front in front of the rail member. Therefore, the mass of the shaft-shaped component and the magnitude of the suction force of the suction means Even if it changes, the shaft-like component is a length region that is surely attracted to the temporary locking surface, and accurate temporary locking is achieved. In the claims, the description “... Region substantially opposite to the end of the rail member” means such a length region.

本願発明は、上述のような装置発明であるが、以下に記載する実施例から明らかなように、軸状部品の挙動状態や吸引力の作用状態などを特定した方法発明として存在させることができる。  The present invention is an apparatus invention as described above, but as can be seen from the embodiments described below, it can exist as a method invention that specifies the behavioral state of the shaft-like component, the action state of the suction force, and the like. .

装置全体の側面図である。It is a side view of the whole apparatus. 装置全体の平面図である。It is a top view of the whole apparatus. 吸引手段の変形例を示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of a suction means. 吸引手段の他の変形例を示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing which shows the other modification of a suction means. 吸引手段の配置箇所を変えた変形例を示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing which shows the modification which changed the arrangement | positioning location of a suction means. 軸状部品の送出方向を変えた変形例の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of the modification which changed the delivery direction of the shaft-shaped component.

つぎに、本発明に係る軸状部品の供給装置を実施するための形態を説明する。  Below, the form for implementing the supply apparatus of the shaft-shaped component which concerns on this invention is demonstrated.

図１〜図６は、本発明の実施例を示す。  1 to 6 show an embodiment of the present invention.

最初に、軸状部品について説明する。  First, the shaft-like component will be described.

軸状部品の形態としては、種々なものがあり、その一例が図１（Ｂ）に示されている。軸状部品全体は符号１で示され、鉄製である。断面円形の細長い部材で構成された軸部２と、断面円形の細長い部材で構成され、軸部２よりも大径の頭部３を有している。軸部２と頭部３の境界部位に、下向きの平坦な受け面４が形成されている。各部の寸法は、軸状部品１の全長が６０ｍｍ、軸部２の直径と長さが４ｍｍと３４ｍｍ、頭部３の直径と長さが１２ｍｍと２６ｍｍである。  There are various types of shaft-shaped parts, and one example is shown in FIG. The whole shaft-like component is denoted by reference numeral 1 and is made of iron. The shaft portion 2 is configured by an elongated member having a circular cross section, and the head portion 3 is configured by an elongated member having a circular cross section and has a diameter larger than that of the shaft portion 2. A downward flat receiving surface 4 is formed at a boundary portion between the shaft portion 2 and the head portion 3. As for the dimensions of each part, the total length of the shaft-like component 1 is 60 mm, the diameter and length of the shaft part 2 are 4 mm and 34 mm, and the diameter and length of the head 3 are 12 mm and 26 mm.

つぎに、直進フィーダについて説明する。  Next, the linear feeder will be described.

直進フィーダ５は、ほぼ水平方向に配置された２本のレール部材６によって、頭部３が上側になった吊り下げ状態で搬送する形式である。図１（Ｂ）に示すように、レール部材６は、２本のレール部材６を平行に配置して、両レール部材６の上面を滑動面７とし、両レール部材６の間の空間８を軸部２の通過空間としてある。滑動面７上を頭部３の下面である受け面４が滑動し、軸部２が通過空間を通過する。符号９は、両レール部材６を一体化する結合部材であり、レール部材６の下部に溶接してある。滑動面７は仮想水平面上に存在している。  The rectilinear feeder 5 is of a type that is conveyed in a suspended state with the head 3 on the upper side by two rail members 6 arranged in a substantially horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 1B, the rail member 6 has two rail members 6 arranged in parallel, the upper surface of both rail members 6 is a sliding surface 7, and a space 8 between the rail members 6 is formed. A passage space for the shaft portion 2 is provided. The receiving surface 4 which is the lower surface of the head 3 slides on the sliding surface 7, and the shaft portion 2 passes through the passage space. Reference numeral 9 denotes a coupling member that integrates both rail members 6, and is welded to the lower portion of the rail member 6. The sliding surface 7 exists on a virtual horizontal plane.

機枠などの静止部材１１に傾斜した板ばね１２の下部が固定され、その上部が結合部材９に固定され、電磁石１３で結合部材９やレール部材６に送出振動を付与する。  The lower part of the inclined leaf spring 12 is fixed to a stationary member 11 such as a machine frame, the upper part is fixed to the coupling member 9, and the electromagnet 13 applies a sending vibration to the coupling member 9 and the rail member 6.

つぎに、搬送通路について説明する。  Next, the conveyance path will be described.

搬送通路１４の形成方法は種々なものがあり、管状部材または通過孔付きのブロック部材などで構成することができる。ここでは、直方体のステンレス鋼製ブロック部材１５にほぼ鉛直方向の通孔１６を開け、それに連通する管部材１７をブロック部材１５の下面に結合してある。このようにして通孔１６と管部材１７によって搬送通路１４が形成されている。通孔１６は、断面円形である。  There are various methods for forming the conveyance passage 14, and it can be constituted by a tubular member or a block member with a passage hole. Here, a substantially vertical through hole 16 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped stainless steel block member 15, and a pipe member 17 communicating with the hole 16 is coupled to the lower surface of the block member 15. In this way, the conveyance passage 14 is formed by the through hole 16 and the pipe member 17. The through hole 16 has a circular cross section.

ブロック部材１５の片側に形成した開口部１８に、レール部材６の端部が進入させてあり、これによって搬送通路１４が、レール部材６からの軸状部品１を受け入れて搬送できるように、レール部材６に連続した状態で配置してある。  The end of the rail member 6 is made to enter an opening 18 formed on one side of the block member 15, so that the transport passage 14 can receive and transport the shaft-like component 1 from the rail member 6. The member 6 is arranged in a continuous state.

一時係止面１９は、通孔１６の内面、すなわち搬送通路１４の断面円弧状の内面によって形成され、レール部材６の延長方向に配置されている。それと同時に、レール部材６の端部にほぼ対向している領域の搬送通路１４の内面が、一時係止面１９とされている。  The temporary locking surface 19 is formed by the inner surface of the through hole 16, that is, the inner surface having a circular arc cross section of the transport passage 14, and is disposed in the extending direction of the rail member 6. At the same time, the inner surface of the transport passage 14 in a region substantially facing the end of the rail member 6 is a temporary locking surface 19.

搬送通路１４の搬送方向で見た一時係止面１９の長さ領域は、レール部材６の真正面から後述の落下方向である斜め下の領域であるから、軸状部品１の質量、後述の吸引手段の吸引力の大小などが変化しても、軸状部品１は確実に一時係止面１９に吸着される長さ領域となっており、正確な一時係止が達成される。特許請求の範囲における「・・・レール部材の端部にほぼ対向している領域・・・」なる記載は、上記のような長さ領域を意味している。  Since the length region of the temporary locking surface 19 viewed in the transport direction of the transport passage 14 is a region obliquely below that is a drop direction described later from the front in front of the rail member 6, the mass of the shaft-shaped component 1 and the suction described later Even if the suction force of the means changes, the shaft-like component 1 has a length region that is surely attracted to the temporary locking surface 19, and accurate temporary locking is achieved. In the claims, the description “... Region substantially opposite to the end of the rail member” means such a length region.

つぎに、吸引手段について説明する。  Next, the suction means will be described.

レール部材６の端部を離れて、通孔１６内を落下しつつある軸状部品１を、一時係止面１９の方へ吸引する吸引手段２２が配置され、軸状部品１が、その長手方向が搬送通路１４の搬送方向に沿った正常姿勢で一時係止面１９に吸着される。  A suction means 22 is arranged to suck the shaft-like component 1 that is falling off the end of the rail member 6 and dropping in the through-hole 16 toward the temporary locking surface 19. The direction is adsorbed to the temporary locking surface 19 in a normal posture along the conveyance direction of the conveyance passage 14.

吸引手段２２としては、永久磁石、電磁石、空気吸引など種々な構造が採用できる。図１、図２においては、永久磁石２３である。永久磁石２３は、落下しつつある軸状部品１を確実に吸引して捕捉するために、図１（Ａ）に示すように、レール部材６よりも低い箇所に配置され、そのために落差間隔Ｌ１が設定してある。そして、２点鎖線で示すように、軸状部品１は、その長手方向が搬送通路１４の搬送方向に沿った正常姿勢で一時係止面１９に吸着されて一時係止がなされる。  As the suction means 22, various structures such as a permanent magnet, an electromagnet, and air suction can be employed. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, it is a permanent magnet 23. The permanent magnet 23 is disposed at a position lower than the rail member 6 as shown in FIG. 1A in order to reliably attract and capture the falling shaft-like component 1, and for this reason, the head gap L <b> 1. Is set. Then, as indicated by a two-dot chain line, the shaft-shaped component 1 is attracted to the temporary locking surface 19 in a normal posture in which the longitudinal direction thereof is along the transport direction of the transport passage 14, and is temporarily locked.

永久磁石２３は、収容部材２４の中に埋め込まれており、この収容部材２４が進退できるように配置してある。ブロック部材１５にガイド孔２５が、搬送通路１４の長手方向と直角に食い違う方向に形成されており、ここに摺動可能な状態で収容部材２４が挿入してある。ブロック部材１５に支持部材２６を介してエアシリンダ２７が取り付けられ、そのピストンロッド２８が収容部材２４に結合してある。  The permanent magnet 23 is embedded in the housing member 24 and is arranged so that the housing member 24 can be advanced and retracted. A guide hole 25 is formed in the block member 15 in a direction that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the transport passage 14, and a receiving member 24 is inserted therein in a slidable state. An air cylinder 27 is attached to the block member 15 via a support member 26, and its piston rod 28 is coupled to the housing member 24.

軸状部品１がレール部材６から落下するときには、エアシリンダ２７の動作で永久磁石２３が図２（Ａ）に示す待機位置に停止し、これによる永久磁石２３の吸引力が軸状部品１に作用して、図１（Ａ）に２点鎖線で示す位置に一時係止される。ついで、エアシリンダ２７の動作で永久磁石２３が後退すると、軸状部品１に対する永久磁石２３の吸引力が消滅し、軸状部品１は一時係止された姿勢のまま落下する。つまり、一旦正常な待機姿勢で停止させ、それから吸引力を解除して搬送を再開するので、軸状部品１の再移動開始のときに、軸状部品１の姿勢が正常になった状態から再移動が開始される。したがって、上記一旦停止によって軸状部品１の待機姿勢が正常に確保されて、安定した部品供給姿勢が確保できる。  When the shaft-shaped component 1 falls from the rail member 6, the permanent magnet 23 stops at the standby position shown in FIG. 2A by the operation of the air cylinder 27, and the attractive force of the permanent magnet 23 is applied to the shaft-shaped component 1. It acts and is temporarily locked in the position shown with a dashed-two dotted line in FIG. Next, when the permanent magnet 23 moves backward by the operation of the air cylinder 27, the attractive force of the permanent magnet 23 with respect to the shaft-shaped component 1 disappears, and the shaft-shaped component 1 falls in a temporarily locked posture. In other words, since it is stopped once in a normal standby posture, and then the suction force is released and the conveyance is resumed, when the re-movement of the shaft-like component 1 is started, the posture of the shaft-like component 1 is resumed from the normal state. The move starts. Therefore, the standby posture of the shaft-like component 1 is normally ensured by the temporary stop, and a stable component supply posture can be secured.

なお、落下しつつある軸状部品１に空気噴射をして軸状部品１を目的箇所へ搬送するために、圧縮空気の噴射口２９が管部材１７内に斜め下方に向けて開口させてある。  In order to inject air into the falling shaft-like component 1 and transport the shaft-like component 1 to the target location, a compressed air injection port 29 is opened obliquely downward in the pipe member 17. .

つぎに、軸状部品の計数位置決めユニットについて説明する。  Next, a counting / positioning unit for shaft-like parts will be described.

軸状部品１は、１つずつレール部材６から転落し、最先の軸状部品１は、センサーに対して正し位置で停止するようになっている。このような条件を満足させるために、計数位置決めユニット３１が設けてある。レール部材６に沿って移動してきた軸状部品１は、最先の軸状部品１が第１規制部材３２で受け止められ、２番目の軸状部品１が第２規制部材３３で受け止められる。両規制部材３２、３３は軸状部品１の移送方向に対して直交する方向に進退するもので、静止部材１１に固定したエアシリンダ３４、３５によって進退動作をする。  The shaft-shaped components 1 fall from the rail member 6 one by one, and the earliest shaft-shaped component 1 stops at a correct position with respect to the sensor. In order to satisfy such conditions, a counting positioning unit 31 is provided. In the shaft-shaped component 1 that has moved along the rail member 6, the earliest shaft-shaped component 1 is received by the first regulating member 32, and the second shaft-shaped component 1 is received by the second regulating member 33. Both restricting members 32 and 33 are advanced and retracted in a direction orthogonal to the transfer direction of the shaft-like component 1, and are advanced and retracted by air cylinders 34 and 35 fixed to the stationary member 11.

図２に示した状態は、第１規制部材３２が進出して最先の軸状部品１を受け止め、第２規制部材３３は後退した状態となっている。ここで第２規制部材３３が進出して２番目の軸状部品１を制止するのと同時に、第１規制部材３２が後退すると、レール部材６の振動で最先の軸状部品１がレール部材６から離脱して落下する。  The state shown in FIG. 2 is a state in which the first restricting member 32 has advanced to receive the earliest shaft-like component 1 and the second restricting member 33 has retracted. Here, when the second restricting member 33 advances and restrains the second shaft-shaped component 1, when the first restricting member 32 moves backward, the earliest shaft-shaped component 1 becomes the rail member due to the vibration of the rail member 6. Drop off 6 and fall.

その後、第１規制部材３２が規制位置に進出して復帰し、第２規制部材３３が後退すると、２番目の軸状部品１が第１規制部材３２に受け止められて、最先位置に停止する。このようにして、軸状部品１を１つずつレール部材６から転落させる。  Thereafter, when the first restricting member 32 advances to the restricting position and returns and the second restricting member 33 moves backward, the second shaft-shaped component 1 is received by the first restricting member 32 and stops at the foremost position. . In this way, the shaft-like parts 1 are dropped from the rail member 6 one by one.

最先の軸状部品１が正常に最先位置に移送されてきていることを検知するために、センサー３６が設けてある。センサー３６は、図１（Ａ）に示すように、ブロック部材１５に取り付けた支持アーム３７に結合してある。センサー３６の下向きの検知面３８に対して、正しい位置に軸状部品１を停止させるために、最先の軸状部品１を正しい姿勢で停止する。そのために図２（Ｂ）に示すように、第１規制部材３２に永久磁石３９を埋設するとともに、平坦な位置決め面４０が形成してある。この位置決め面４０は、鉛直方向に起立した配置になっている。  A sensor 36 is provided to detect that the earliest shaft-like component 1 has been normally transferred to the earliest position. The sensor 36 is coupled to a support arm 37 attached to the block member 15 as shown in FIG. In order to stop the shaft-like component 1 at a correct position with respect to the downward detection surface 38 of the sensor 36, the earliest shaft-like component 1 is stopped in a correct posture. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2B, a permanent magnet 39 is embedded in the first restricting member 32, and a flat positioning surface 40 is formed. The positioning surface 40 is arranged so as to stand in the vertical direction.

最先の軸状部品１は、永久磁石３９によって位置決め面４０に吸着されるので、軸状部品１全体が鉛直方向の姿勢で停止し、このときに頭部３の頂面１０が正しい位置関係でセンサー３６の検知面３８に対面する。このため、最先の軸状部品１が確実に検知され、この検知信号がトリガーになってエアシリンダ２７の後退動作が行われて、最先の軸状部品１がレール部材６から落下する。  Since the earliest shaft-shaped component 1 is attracted to the positioning surface 40 by the permanent magnet 39, the entire shaft-shaped component 1 stops in a vertical posture, and at this time, the top surface 10 of the head 3 is in a correct positional relationship. It faces the detection surface 38 of the sensor 36. For this reason, the earliest shaft-like component 1 is reliably detected, and the detection signal serves as a trigger to cause the air cylinder 27 to move backward, so that the earliest shaft-like component 1 falls from the rail member 6.

つぎに、吸引手段の変形例を説明する。  Next, a modification of the suction means will be described.

図３は、吸引手段２２が電磁石４２で構成された場合である。電磁石４２が、一時係止面１９に対応した箇所において、ブロック部材１５に埋め込んである。それ以外の構成は、図示されていない部分も含めて先の永久磁石の事例と同じであり、同様な機能の部材には同一の符号が記載してある。また、吸引動作も先の永久磁石の事例と同じである。  FIG. 3 shows a case where the suction means 22 is composed of an electromagnet 42. The electromagnet 42 is embedded in the block member 15 at a location corresponding to the temporary locking surface 19. The other configuration is the same as that of the case of the previous permanent magnet, including a portion not shown, and the same reference numerals are given to members having similar functions. Further, the attraction operation is the same as the case of the permanent magnet.

図４は、吸引手段２２が空気吸引構造４３で構成された場合であり、一時係止面１９に多数の空気吸引口４４が開口し、それが空気通路４５、４６、４７を経て吸引ポンプ（図示していない）に連通している。それ以外の構成は、図示されていない部分も含めて先の永久磁石や電磁石の事例と同じであり、同様な機能の部材には同一の符号が記載してある。また、吸引動作も先の永久磁石や電磁石の事例と同じである。  FIG. 4 shows a case where the suction means 22 is constituted by an air suction structure 43, and a large number of air suction ports 44 are opened in the temporary locking surface 19, and these suction pumps ( (Not shown). Other configurations are the same as those of the previous permanent magnet and electromagnet including the portions not shown, and the members having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals. In addition, the attraction operation is the same as the case of the permanent magnet or electromagnet.

つぎに、落差間隔を変えた場合を説明する。  Next, a case where the head interval is changed will be described.

図５は、落差間隔Ｌ２がわずかな距離とされている場合を示す。この場合には、吸引手段２２の吸引力を大きくして、軸状部品１の落下開始と同時に、強い吸引力を作用させている。こうすることにより、一時係止面１９の上位に部品の一時係止ができる。それ以外の構成は、図示されていない部分も含めて先の永久磁石、電磁石、空気吸引構造の事例と同じであり、同様な機能の部材には同一の符号が記載してある。また、吸引動作も先の永久磁石、電磁石、空気吸引構造の事例と同じである。  FIG. 5 shows a case where the head gap L2 is a slight distance. In this case, the suction force of the suction means 22 is increased, and a strong suction force is applied simultaneously with the start of the dropping of the shaft-like component 1. In this way, the component can be temporarily locked above the temporary locking surface 19. Other configurations are the same as those of the previous permanent magnet, electromagnet, and air suction structure including portions not shown in the figure, and members having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals. Also, the suction operation is the same as the case of the permanent magnet, electromagnet, and air suction structure.

つぎに、軸状部品の送出方向を変えた場合を説明する。  Next, a case where the delivery direction of the shaft-like component is changed will be described.

図６（Ａ）は、頭部３を進出方向にし、上方へ送出する場合を示す。搬送通路１４に斜め上方に向けて噴射口２９が開口している。それ以外の構成は、図示されていない部分も含めて先の各事例と同じであり、同様な機能の部材には同一の符号が記載してある。また、吸引動作も先の各事例と同じである。  FIG. 6 (A) shows a case where the head 3 is set in the advance direction and is sent upward. An injection port 29 opens obliquely upward in the transport passage 14. Other configurations are the same as those of the previous examples, including the portions not shown, and members having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals. The suction operation is also the same as in the previous cases.

図６（Ｂ）は、軸部２を進出方向にし、上方へ送出する場合を示す。レール部材６は、上方に開放しているコ字型断面の長尺部材で構成され、頭部３が下側になってコ字型断面の空間を搬送される。搬送通路１４に上方に向って噴射口２９が開口している。それ以外の構成は、図示されていない部分も含めて先の各事例と同じであり、同様な機能の部材には同一の符号が記載してある。また、吸引動作も先の各事例と同じである。  FIG. 6 (B) shows a case where the shaft portion 2 is set in the advance direction and is sent upward. The rail member 6 is composed of a long member having a U-shaped cross section that is open upward, and the head 3 is positioned on the lower side and is transported through a space having a U-shaped cross section. An injection port 29 is opened upward in the transport passage 14. Other configurations are the same as those of the previous examples, including the portions not shown, and members having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals. The suction operation is also the same as in the previous cases.

上記各事例において、吸引手段２２によって軸状部品１が吸引される通孔１６の断面積は、管部材１７の断面積よりも大きく設定してある。こうすることにより、レール部材６を離れた軸状部品１の空間移動が、吸引手段２２に向って直線的になされて、軸状部品１の移動軌跡が均一化され、一時係止面１９に対する軸状部品１の受け止めが正確になされる。なお、テーパ部２１によって軸状部品１が円滑に管部材１７へ移行できるようになっている。  In each case described above, the cross-sectional area of the through hole 16 through which the shaft-like component 1 is sucked by the suction means 22 is set larger than the cross-sectional area of the tube member 17. By doing so, the spatial movement of the shaft-like component 1 away from the rail member 6 is made linearly toward the suction means 22, the movement locus of the shaft-like component 1 is made uniform, and the temporary locking surface 19 is moved. The shaft-shaped component 1 is accurately received. The tapered part 21 allows the shaft-like component 1 to smoothly move to the pipe member 17.

上述の第１規制部材３２、吸引手段２２の進退動作や噴射口２９からの空気噴射および直進フィーダ５の駆動などの動作は、一般的に採用されている制御手法で容易に行うことが可能である。制御装置またはシーケンス回路からの信号で動作する空気切換弁や、エアシリンダの所定位置で信号を発して前記制御装置に送信するセンサー等を組み合わせることによって、所定の動作を確保することができる。  Operations such as the advance / retreat operation of the first restricting member 32 and the suction means 22, the air injection from the injection port 29, and the driving of the rectilinear feeder 5 can be easily performed by a generally adopted control method. is there. A predetermined operation can be ensured by combining an air switching valve that operates with a signal from the control device or the sequence circuit, a sensor that emits a signal at a predetermined position of the air cylinder, and transmits the signal to the control device.

なお、上記各種のエアシリンダに換えて、進退出力をする電動モータを採用することもできる。また、上記各種の永久磁石を電磁石に置き換えることも可能である。  It should be noted that an electric motor that performs forward / backward output can be employed instead of the various air cylinders. It is also possible to replace the various permanent magnets with electromagnets.

つぎに、装置の作動を説明する。  Next, the operation of the apparatus will be described.

直進フィーダ５に並んでいる軸状部品１の最先のものが、正常に位置していることをセンサー３６が検知すると、第１規制部材３２の前述の動作で１本の軸状部品１がレール部材６から搬送通路１４内へ落下しようとする。そのときに吸引手段２２の吸引力が軸状部品１に作用して、一時係止面１９に吸着され、搬送通路１４の長手方向に沿った正常な姿勢で一時係止状態になる。つまり、軸状部品１が斜め向きになったひっかかり状態が回避される。  When the sensor 36 detects that the earliest one of the shaft-shaped components 1 arranged in the linear feeder 5 is positioned normally, one shaft-shaped component 1 is moved by the above-described operation of the first restricting member 32. The rail member 6 tries to fall into the conveyance path 14. At that time, the suction force of the suction means 22 acts on the shaft-like component 1 and is attracted to the temporary locking surface 19, and is temporarily locked in a normal posture along the longitudinal direction of the transport passage 14. That is, a hooked state where the shaft-like component 1 is inclined is avoided.

それからエアシリンダ２７動作で吸引手段２２が後退すると、軸状部品１に対する吸引力が消滅するので、軸状部品１は上記の正常な姿勢から、落下や空気噴射で搬送通路１４内に沿って搬送される。軸状部品１は、正常な姿勢で一旦停止し、その姿勢から再移動が開始される。  Then, when the suction means 22 is retracted by the operation of the air cylinder 27, the suction force with respect to the shaft-shaped component 1 disappears, so that the shaft-shaped component 1 is transported along the transport passage 14 by dropping or air jet from the above normal posture. Is done. The shaft-like component 1 is temporarily stopped in a normal posture, and re-movement is started from the posture.

以上に説明した実施例の作用効果は、つぎのとおりである。  The operational effects of the embodiment described above are as follows.

頭部３の質量が軸部２の質量よりも大きく、しかも頭部３が長尺で上方に伸びた形状であると、頭部３を上側にした吊り下げ状態で搬送する場合には、軸状部品１全体が不安定となり、傾きやすくなる。このような不安定な状態で軸状部品１を鉛直方向に伸びた搬送通路へ移行させるときには、軸状部品１がレール部材６から離れるのと同時に、異常な傾斜姿勢になり、軸状部品１の上端と下端が搬送通路１４の内面にひっかかる恐れがある。  When the head 3 has a mass larger than that of the shaft portion 2 and the head 3 is long and has an upwardly extending shape, the shaft 3 is used when transported in a suspended state with the head 3 facing upward. The entire shaped part 1 becomes unstable and tends to tilt. When the shaft-shaped component 1 is transferred to the conveying path extending in the vertical direction in such an unstable state, the shaft-shaped component 1 assumes an abnormally inclined posture at the same time as the shaft-shaped component 1 moves away from the rail member 6. There is a possibility that the upper end and the lower end of the sheet will be caught on the inner surface of the transport passage 14.

しかし、ほぼ鉛直方向に伸びた搬送通路１４が、レール部材６からの軸状部品１を受け入れて搬送できるように、レール部材６に連続した状態で配置され、一時係止面１９が、レール部材６の延長方向に配置されているとともに、レール部材６の端部にほぼ対向している領域の搬送通路１４の内面によって形成され、レール部材６の端部から落下しつつある軸状部品１を、一時係止面１９の方へ吸引する吸引手段２２が配置されている。  However, the conveying passage 14 extending substantially in the vertical direction is arranged continuously with the rail member 6 so that the shaft-like component 1 from the rail member 6 can be received and conveyed. 6 is formed by the inner surface of the conveyance path 14 in a region that is disposed in the extending direction of the rail member 6 and substantially faces the end portion of the rail member 6, and the shaft-like component 1 that is falling from the end portion of the rail member 6 is A suction means 22 for sucking toward the temporary locking surface 19 is arranged.

したがって、レール部材６の端部から離れて落下しつつある軸状部品１は、吸引手段２２で吸引されるので、大きな傾斜変位を生じることがなく、その長手方向が搬送通路１４の搬送方向に沿った正常姿勢で一時係止面１９に吸着される。これにより、上述のような軸状部品１の上下端部が搬送通路１４の内面にひっかかるような現象が回避できる。そして、吸引力の解除によって、正常な姿勢の一時係止も解除されるので、軸状部品１は正常な姿勢のまま落下したり、搬送空気で送出されたりして、搬送通路１４の後流側へ送出される。このため軸状部品１は、異常な傾きを呈することなく、正確に搬送され、信頼性の高い部品供給が実現する。  Therefore, the shaft-like component 1 that is falling away from the end of the rail member 6 is sucked by the suction means 22, so that a large inclination displacement does not occur and the longitudinal direction thereof is in the transport direction of the transport passage 14. It is attracted to the temporary locking surface 19 in a normal posture along. Thereby, the phenomenon that the upper and lower ends of the shaft-like component 1 are caught on the inner surface of the conveyance passage 14 can be avoided. Since the temporary locking of the normal posture is also released by the release of the suction force, the shaft-like component 1 falls in the normal posture or is sent out by the carrier air, and the downstream of the carrier passage 14 Sent to the side. For this reason, the shaft-like component 1 is accurately conveyed without exhibiting an abnormal inclination, and a highly reliable component supply is realized.

換言すると、レール部材６から搬送通路１４の空間中に離隔した軸状部品１を、吸引手段２２の吸引力で一旦正常な待機姿勢で停止させ、それから吸引力を解除して搬送を再開するので、軸状部品１の再移動開始のときに、軸状部品１の姿勢が正常になった状態から再移動が開始される。したがって、上記一旦停止によって軸状部品１の待機姿勢が正常に確保されて、安定した部品供給姿勢が確保できる。上記一旦停止で正常な待機姿勢が整えられてから、再移動が開始される。  In other words, the shaft-like component 1 separated from the rail member 6 in the space of the transport passage 14 is temporarily stopped in a normal standby posture by the suction force of the suction means 22, and then the suction force is released and the transport is resumed. When the re-movement of the shaft-like component 1 is started, the re-movement is started from a state in which the posture of the shaft-like component 1 becomes normal. Therefore, the standby posture of the shaft-like component 1 is normally ensured by the temporary stop, and a stable component supply posture can be secured. After the normal standby posture is adjusted by the temporary stop, the re-movement is started.

一時係止面１９は、レール部材６の延長方向に配置されているとともに、レール部材６の端部にほぼ対向している領域の搬送通路１４の内面によって構成されている。そして、搬送通路１４の搬送方向で見た一時係止面１９の長さ領域は、レール部材６の真正面から落下方向である斜め下の領域であるから、軸状部品１の質量、吸引手段２２の吸引力の大小などが変化しても、軸状部品１は確実に一時係止面１９に吸着される長さ領域となっており、正確な一時係止が達成される。特許請求の範囲における「・・・レール部材の端部にほぼ対向している領域・・・」なる記載は、上記のような長さ領域を意味している。  The temporary locking surface 19 is arranged in the extending direction of the rail member 6 and is constituted by the inner surface of the transport passage 14 in a region substantially facing the end of the rail member 6. Since the length region of the temporary locking surface 19 viewed in the transport direction of the transport passage 14 is a diagonally lower region in the drop direction from the front of the rail member 6, the mass of the shaft-like component 1 and the suction means 22 Even if the magnitude of the suction force changes, the shaft-like component 1 has a length region that is surely attracted to the temporary locking surface 19, and accurate temporary locking is achieved. In the claims, the description “... Region substantially opposite to the end of the rail member” means such a length region.

頭部３の質量が軸部２の質量よりも大きく、しかも頭部３が長尺で上方に伸びた形状であると、頭部３と軸部２の境界部がレール部材６の滑動面７に載置されているときに、軸状部品１全体が不安定となり、傾きやすくなる。このような傾きが発生すると、センサー３６との相対位置が正しく設定されないので、軸状部品１が存在するにもかかわらずセンサー３６による部品検知がなされない、という問題が発生する。例えば、センサー３６が、渦電流変位センサーや静電容量型接近センサーのような場合には、非検知物とセンサーの相対位置が正確に設定されていなければならない。  When the mass of the head 3 is larger than the mass of the shaft 2 and the head 3 is long and has a shape extending upward, the boundary between the head 3 and the shaft 2 is the sliding surface 7 of the rail member 6. The entire shaft-like component 1 becomes unstable and easily tilted. When such a tilt occurs, the relative position with respect to the sensor 36 is not set correctly, and thus there is a problem that the component detection by the sensor 36 is not performed even though the shaft-like component 1 exists. For example, when the sensor 36 is an eddy current displacement sensor or a capacitive proximity sensor, the relative position between the non-detected object and the sensor must be set accurately.

上記実施例においては、軸状部品１の頭部３が、第１規制部材３２に鉛直方向に形成した位置決め面４０に、永久磁石３９で吸引されているので、軸状部品１の静止姿勢が、水平方向のレール部材６とともに鉛直方向に設定されて、センサー３６による正確な部品検知が実現し、信頼性の高い動作がえられる。  In the above embodiment, the head 3 of the shaft-shaped component 1 is attracted by the permanent magnet 39 to the positioning surface 40 formed in the vertical direction on the first regulating member 32, so that the stationary posture of the shaft-shaped component 1 is maintained. These are set in the vertical direction together with the rail member 6 in the horizontal direction, so that accurate component detection by the sensor 36 is realized, and a highly reliable operation is obtained.

さらに、位置決め面４０に吸引されている頭部３の姿勢が鉛直方向に設定されているので、レール部材６の端部から離れて落下しつつある軸状部品１は鉛直方向の姿勢となり、この姿勢のまま吸引手段２２で一時係止面１９に吸引される。したがって、軸状部品１は搬送通路１４の長手方向に沿った姿勢が維持され、吸引力が解除されたときに正常な姿勢で落下し、上述のような異常な傾斜変位が回避でき、円滑な部品供給が可能となる。  Further, since the posture of the head 3 sucked by the positioning surface 40 is set in the vertical direction, the shaft-like component 1 that is falling away from the end portion of the rail member 6 has a vertical posture. With the posture, the suction means 22 sucks the temporary locking surface 19. Therefore, the shaft-like component 1 is maintained in the posture along the longitudinal direction of the transport passage 14 and falls in a normal posture when the suction force is released, so that the abnormal tilt displacement as described above can be avoided and smooth. Parts can be supplied.

上述のように、本発明の装置によれば、軸状部品の姿勢を適正に維持した状態で、直進フィーダの端部から円滑に搬送通路へ移行させて、軸状部品が傾いたりすることなく、搬送通路内を正確に移送される。したがって、自動車の車体組み立て工程や、家庭電化製品の板金組み立て工程などの広い産業分野で利用できる。  As described above, according to the apparatus of the present invention, the shaft-shaped component is not tilted by smoothly transitioning from the end of the rectilinear feeder to the transport path while maintaining the posture of the shaft-shaped component appropriately. , It is transported accurately in the transport path. Therefore, the present invention can be used in a wide range of industrial fields such as an automobile body assembly process and a home appliance sheet metal assembly process.

１ 軸状部品
２ 軸部
３ 頭部
５ 直進フィーダ
６ レール部材
１４ 搬送通路
１９ 一時係止面
２２ 吸引手段
２３ 永久磁石
３６ センサー
４０ 位置決め面
４２ 電磁石
４３ 空気吸引構造
Ｌ１ 落差間隔
Ｌ２ 落差間隔DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Axis part 2 Shaft part 3 Head 5 Straight advance feeder 6 Rail member 14 Conveyance path 19 Temporary latching surface 22 Suction means 23 Permanent magnet 36 Sensor 40 Positioning surface 42 Electromagnet 43 Air suction structure L1 Head gap L2 Head gap

Claims (1)

軸部と、この軸部よりも大径の頭部を有する軸状部品が供給の対象とされ、
軸状部品を搬送する直進フィーダは、ほぼ水平方向に配置されたレール部材によって、頭部が上側になった吊り下げ状態で搬送する形式であり、
ほぼ鉛直方向に伸びた搬送通路が、レール部材からの軸状部品を受け入れて搬送できるように、レール部材に連続した状態で配置され、
レール部材の延長方向に配置されているとともに、レール部材の端部にほぼ対向している領域の搬送通路の内面が、一時係止面とされ、
レール部材の端部から落下しつつある軸状部品を、一時係止面の方へ吸引する吸引手段が配置され、
吸引手段の吸引力で軸状部品が、その長手方向が搬送通路の搬送方向に沿った正常姿勢で一時係止面に吸着されるように構成し、
吸引手段の吸引力の解除によって、軸状部品を搬送通路の搬送方向に沿った正常姿勢で送出することを特徴とする軸状部品の供給装置。A shaft part and a shaft-shaped part having a head having a diameter larger than that of the shaft part are to be supplied,
A linear feeder that conveys a shaft-shaped part is a form that is conveyed in a suspended state with the head on the upper side by a rail member arranged in a substantially horizontal direction,
A conveying path extending in a substantially vertical direction is arranged in a continuous state with the rail member so that a shaft-shaped part from the rail member can be received and conveyed,
The inner surface of the conveyance passage in the region that is arranged in the extending direction of the rail member and substantially faces the end of the rail member is a temporary locking surface,
A suction means for sucking the shaft-shaped component falling from the end of the rail member toward the temporary locking surface is disposed,
The shaft-shaped component is configured so that the longitudinal direction is adsorbed to the temporary locking surface in a normal posture along the transport direction of the transport passage by the suction force of the suction means,
An apparatus for supplying a shaft-shaped component, wherein the shaft-shaped component is sent out in a normal posture along the transport direction of the transport passage by releasing the suction force of the suction means.

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