JP3393430B2 - Bolt supply sorting device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bolt supply / sorting device for sorting a plurality of types of bolts having different lengths and supplying them to a desired bolt sorting path.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in assembling a device (work) such as an engine, a bolt is tightened on a work by using a tightening device such as a nut runner (temporary tightening or final tightening).
In some cases, a parts feeder may be used to supply a nut runner with a given bolt. Further, in the assembly of the work, a plurality of types of bolts having different lengths may be used depending on the depth of the bolt insertion hole and the like, and the plurality of types of bolts are sequentially screwed into the work by one nut runner. To do so, it is necessary to supply multiple types of bolts to the nut runner in a predetermined order.
In this case, conventionally, a number of parts feeders are prepared according to the type of bolts, the pre-sorted bolts are stored separately in each parts feeder, and the bolts sent separately from each parts feeder are in a predetermined order. It was necessary to supply the nutrunner.

[0003]

However, when the number of parts feeders corresponding to the type of bolts is used as described above, not only the equipment cost increases substantially in proportion to the number of installed parts feeders, but also a plurality of parts feeders are required. There is a problem that a large floor area is required to install the parts feeder for each unit, and the equipment layout in the factory becomes difficult.

As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-115665, it has been proposed to supply different kinds of bolts to the distribution means from different bolt feeders. In this case as well, as the number of types of bolts increases, the amount of bolts increases accordingly. It is necessary to add more bolt feeders only, which has the drawback of leading to the above-mentioned problems (increasing equipment size and cost).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a bolt supply / sorting device capable of sorting a plurality of types of bolts supplied from a small number of bolt feeders and automatically supplying them to a desired bolt sorting path.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] A bolt supply / sorting device of the present invention for achieving the above object is constructed as described in claim 1. In this bolt supply / sorting device, a plurality of types of bolts having different lengths are mixed and aligned by a bolt feeder and supplied in a line. These bolts are delivered to the inflow path as they are supplied from the bolt feeder, and the bolt type is detected by the bolt type detecting means. Then, the carry-out mechanism corresponding to the bolt type is switched from the first state to the second state.

The bolt moves toward the downstream side of the inflow passage, but the movement of the bolt in the inflow passage is blocked by the unloading mechanism corresponding to the bolt type, and then the unloading mechanism is brought to the third state. By switching, bolts are sent out to the bolt selection path according to this bolt type. as a result,
The bolts are sorted and supplied to the bolt sorting path for each bolt type.

As a preferred form, the structure of the carry-out mechanism may be simplified by adopting a carry-out mechanism integrally having a stopper and a pusher as described in claim 2.

Further, a bolt driving mechanism as set forth in claim 3 may be provided. This bolt driving mechanism preferably has a conveying member for holding the bolt in a suspended state, and the actuator. By moving the carrying member toward the downstream side of the inflow path, the bolts held by the carrying member are moved to the downstream side of the inflow path. Then, by switching the carry-out mechanism corresponding to the bolt type to the second state, the conveying member is stopped at the desired bolt selection path, and the movement of the bolt is stopped accordingly.

As a preferred form, a staying state detecting means and a discharging means are provided as described in claim 4, and the discharging means is provided when the bolt type detected by the bolt type detecting means is in the staying state in the bolt sorting path. It may be configured to discharge the excess bolt by operating it.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. An example of the bolt tightening equipment 10 shown in FIG. 4 includes an engine oil pan, a timing gear case, and the like, which are examples of the work W, and a plurality of types of bolts B having a length corresponding to the depth of the bolt insertion hole (for example, FIG. 3).
As shown in, bolts B1, B2, B3, B having different lengths from each other
4, B5, B6) is the work for assembling.
The work W is held at a predetermined position by the transfer device 11 such as a conveyor.

These bolts B are used for the robot hand 12
The nut runner 13 provided on the workpiece W inserts the bolt B into a predetermined bolt insertion hole of the work W, and also fastens (temporarily tightens or permanently tightens) the bolt B to the work W.
The nut runner 13 is for tightening the bolts B (for example, B1 to B6) of various lengths according to the depth of the bolt insertion holes of the work W one by one in a predetermined order on the work W.

The bolts B are attached in a predetermined order to the nut runner 1
3, the bolt tightening equipment 10 is provided with a bolt selecting mechanism 15 connected to the nut runner 13 and a plurality of types of bolts B at predetermined positions of the bolt selecting mechanism 15.
A bolt supply / sorting device 20 for supplying 1 to B6 is provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bolt supply / sorting apparatus 20 according to the present invention comprises a bolt feeder 21 and a bolt sorting section 22. The bolt feeder 21 has a configuration similar to that of a well-known vibration type parts feeder, and has a container-shaped bowl 25 having built-in vibration generating means, an alignment conveyance path 27 connected to a parts outlet 26 of the bowl 25, and the like. A large number of bolts B (for example, B1 to B6) of a plurality of types having different lengths are accommodated in the bowl 25 in a randomly mixed state.

The bolt feeder 21 has a shaft portion 30 of the bolt B in the process of sending the bolt B in the bowl 25 from the parts outlet 26 to the alignment conveyance path 27 by a known vibration action.
That is, the bolts can be sequentially sent out to the alignment conveyance path 27 while being aligned in a row in a posture in which the screw portions are directed downward (a head suspension with the head 31 facing upwards) and in a mixed flow state in which the bolts B do not move in order. . These bolts B are used for the alignment conveyance path 27.
The top is moved in the direction of arrow F1 in FIG.

A conveying start end 40a of an inflow passage 40 forming a part of the bolt sorting portion 22 is connected to a downstream end of the alignment conveying passage 27. The inflow path 40 is provided with a pair of left and right linear guide members 41 and 42 extending substantially horizontally in the carrying direction of the bolt B (direction of arrow F2 in FIG. 1) and parallel to each other. These guide members 41, 42 are connected to each other in a direction (in the illustrated example, a direction orthogonal to each other) intersecting the bolt conveying direction F1 of the aligned conveying path 27 when viewed from above.

As shown in FIG. 3, one guide member 41
A through hole 43 having a shape corresponding to the bolt B is formed in the hole so that the bolt B can pass through in the thickness direction of the guide member 41. The other guide member 4
2 is formed with a horizontal hole 44 (shown in FIG. 6 etc.) through which the pusher 94 described below can pass.

A conveying member 50 is provided between the guide members 41 and 42. The transport member 50 is a guide member 41,
The bolt B can be moved in the transfer direction (in the direction of arrow F2 in FIG. 1) along the line 42, and by the actuator 51 of an appropriate drive system, almost the entire length of the inflow path 40, that is, from the conveyance start end 40a of the inflow path 40 to the most. It is configured to be able to reciprocate within a range extending over the bolt introduction port 80 of the following bolt selection path 71f at a distant position.

The drive system of the actuator 51 is not limited, but a cylinder mechanism using a fluid pressure such as air may be used, or the driving force of the motor may be converted into a linear movement of the conveying member 50 via an appropriate transmission member or the like. It may be something that does. The conveying member 50 and the actuator 51 constitute the bolt driving mechanism 52 in this invention.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG.
0, a head accommodation hole 55 having a shape capable of accommodating the head 31 of the bolt B, a support portion 56 for supporting the lower surface of the head 31,
A vertical shaft insertion hole 57 that allows the shaft portion 30 of the bolt B to pass through is formed. The head accommodation hole 55 and the shaft insertion hole 57 penetrate in the thickness direction of the transport member 50, that is, in the direction crossing the inflow path 40.

Therefore, when the transport member 50 is located at the transport start end 40a of the inflow path 40, the bolt B sent from the aligned transport path 27 remains in the supplied state (the shaft portion 30).
It is possible to transfer to the transport member 50 (in a posture in which the face is directed downward). In addition, when the transport member 50 moves to the overflow discharge passage 70 or the bolt sorting passages 71a to 71f described below, the bolt B held by the transport member 50.
But the overflow discharge passage 70 or the bolt sorting passage 7
You can transfer to 1a to 71f.

The height of the support portion 56 is made to coincide with the height of the overflow discharge passage 70 and the bolt selection passages 71a to 71f, and the bolt B held by the carrying member 50 is discharged from the support portion 56 for overflow discharge. It is possible to smoothly transfer to the road 70 or the bolt selection paths 71a to 71f.

At the conveyance start end 40a of the inflow path 40, a bolt type detection sensor 60 (shown in FIG. 2) which functions as bolt type detection means for detecting the type of the bolt B transferred from the aligned conveyance path 27 to the conveyance member 50. ) Is provided.
The bolt type detection sensor 60 is, for example, one in which a plurality of light emitting elements and light receiving elements are combined and arranged at a height corresponding to the type (length) of the bolt B. A corresponding signal is output to a control unit (not shown) such as a microcomputer (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 1, the inflow passage 40 has an overflow discharge passage 70 located near the transport start end 40a.
And a plurality of bolt sorting paths 71a, 71b, 71c located downstream of the overflow discharge path 70 in the conveyance direction.
71d, 71e, and 71f are provided in the state branched from the inflow path 40, respectively. Overflow discharge path 7
0 and the bolt selection paths 71a to 71f are respectively the inflow path 40.
Are arranged side by side on one side and are arranged parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to the inflow passage 40.

The overflow discharge passage 70 and the bolt sorting passages 71a to 71f have the same structure, and are provided with a pair of guide members 75 and 76, respectively. Guide member 7
A gap 77 having a width that allows the shaft portion 30 of the bolt B to pass therethrough is formed between the portions 5 and 76, and the lower surface of the head portion 31 of the bolt B is supported by the upper surfaces of the guide members 75 and 76. There is. A bolt introduction port 80 is provided on one end side of each of the bolt selection paths 71a to 71f.
0 communicates with the inflow passage 40 through the through hole 43 described above. The other end 81 side of the bolt selection paths 71a to 71f is inclined downward in a chute shape and is connected to the bolt pressure feeding device 82.

The bolt pressure feeding device 82 connected to the overflow discharge passage 70 receives the bolt B from the bolt feeder 21 via a collecting circulation portion 83 (shown in FIG. 2) such as a pipe by a fluid pressure such as compressed air. I'm going to put it back in bowl 25. The bolt pressure feeding device 82 connected to the bolt sorting paths 71a to 71f receives the bolt B by the fluid pressure such as compressed air.
Has a function of feeding the bolt to the bolt selection mechanism 15 (shown in FIG. 4) via the supply circulation portion 84 such as a pipe.

At appropriate positions of the bolt sorting paths 71a to 71f, in order to detect the staying state of the plurality of bolts B sequentially sent to the bolt sorting paths 71a to 71f, a fullness detecting sensor functioning as staying state detecting means. 86 (shown in FIG. 1) is provided.

An overflow carry-out mechanism 90 is provided at a position facing the overflow discharge path 70 with the inflow path 40 interposed therebetween. In addition, the carry-out mechanism 91 is located at a position facing the bolt selection paths 71a to 71f with the inflow path 40 interposed therebetween.
a, 91b, 91c, 91d, 91e, 91f are provided.

The overflow carrying-out mechanism 90 has a function of pushing the bolt B held by the carrying member 50 into the overflow discharge passage 70 when the carrying member 50 stops at a position corresponding to the overflow discharge passage 70. There is.
That is, the overflow discharge path 70 and the overflow carry-out mechanism 90 constitute the discharge means in the present invention.

In the carry-out mechanisms 91a to 91f other than the overflow carry-out mechanism 90, the carrying member 50 has a bolt sorting path 71.
When the conveyance member 5 stops at the position corresponding to a to 71f.
The bolt B (B1 to B6) held at 0 is supplied to the bolt selecting paths 71a to 71f corresponding to the bolt type.

Since the carry-out mechanisms 90 and 91a to 91f have the same structure, the first carry-out mechanism 91a will be described below as a representative. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the carry-out mechanism 91 a includes an actuating member 92 that is provided so as to be movable back and forth in a direction crossing the inflow path 40.

The actuating member 92 is provided with a stopper 93 and a pusher 94 which project in a direction crossing the inflow passage 40. The stopper 93 and the pusher 94 are integrated with each other via a base portion 95, and the stopper 93 and the pusher 94 are configured to move integrally with each other by an actuator 96 using a double-stroke type air cylinder or the like. . The actuator 96 is mounted on a base 97 such as a device frame.

In this operating member 92, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the stopper 93 and pusher 94 are retracted from the inflow passage 40 in the first state, and as shown in FIG. The second state and the third state in which the pusher 94 protrudes into the inflow passage 40 as shown in FIG. 9 can be sequentially switched. The actuating member 92 is configured such that the second state has a smaller amount of protrusion toward the inflow passage 40 than the third state.

The pusher 94 is located at a height facing the side surface of the bolt B supported by the carrying member 50. The pusher 94 is located upstream of the stopper 93 in the inflow passage 40, and the protrusion amount of the pusher 94 in the inflow passage 40 direction is smaller than that of the stopper 93.

Therefore, when the operating member 92 is in the first state, the conveying member 50 can freely move along the inflow passage 40, but in the second state, the movement of the conveying member 50 in the inflow passage 40, that is, the bolt B. The movement of is blocked by the stopper 93. In the third state, the bolt B, the movement of which has been blocked in the second state, is sent to the overflow discharge passage 70 or the bolt sorting passages 71a to 71f by the pusher 94.

Next, the bolt supply / sorting device 20 having the above structure.
The action of will be described. The plurality of bolts B of a plurality of types housed in the bowl 25 of the bolt feeder 21 are arranged in a line along the aligned conveyance path 27 with the shaft portion 30 facing downward, and in the flow path 40 in the direction of the arrow F1 in the mixed flow state. Sent to. Then, the posture of the support portion 56 of the transport member 50 waiting at the transport start end 40a of the inflow path 40 (the shaft portion 3
Change the posture with 0 facing down).

The bolt type detecting sensor 60 detects a bolt type corresponding to the length of the shaft portion 30 of the bolt B,
It is output to a control unit such as a microcomputer. This control unit carries out the unloading mechanisms 91a to 9a according to the detected bolt type.
By operating the 1f actuator 96, the position of the operating member 92 corresponding to the bolt type is switched from the first state to the second state shown in FIG.

When the actuator 51 of the bolt driving mechanism 52 operates, the bolt B moves along the conveying member 50 in the inflow path 40 in the direction of arrow F2, and the inflow path 40 moves.
By coming into contact with the stopper 93 protruding to the front, further advancement is prevented.

In this state, the actuator 96 further drives the actuating member 92 to the position of the third state so that the pusher 94 causes the bolt B to select the bolt selecting passage 71a (or 71b to 71b).
sent to f). This bolt B is an arrow F3 in FIG.
After being moved in a predetermined direction and sent to the bolt selecting mechanism 15 (shown in FIG. 4) via the bolt pressure feeding device 82, a predetermined bolt type is supplied to the nut runner 13 in a predetermined order.

Bolt sorting path 71a (or 71b-7)
When the full detection sensor 86 detects that 1f) has reached a predetermined staying state, and the bolt type detection sensor 60 detects a bolt of the same type as the staying state bolt type, the overflow carry-out mechanism 90 The actuating member 92 is moved to the second state by the actuator 96.

After the conveying member 50 stops at the overflow discharge path 70, the actuator 96 of the overflow discharge mechanism 90 moves the operating member 92 to the position of the third state, whereby the pusher 94 causes the bolt B to overflow. Is ejected to the discharge passage 70. As a result, the surplus bolt B is returned to the bolt feeder 21 via the bolt pressure feeding device 82 and the recovery circulation portion 83.

In carrying out the present invention, each of the constituent elements including the bolt feeder, the inflow passage, the bolt type detecting means, the bolt sorting passage, and the carry-out mechanism constituting the present invention can be appropriately modified and implemented. Needless to say. Further, it is needless to say that the concrete shape and length of the bolt are not limited to the illustrated examples.

[0043]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the bolts supplied to the inflow passage in a mixed flow state can be sorted according to the bolt type by controlling the operation of the unloading mechanism corresponding to the bolt type. Can be properly sorted and supplied to the road,
Even if there are many types of bolts, it is possible to reduce the size of equipment and reduce costs without adding a bolt feeder.
In addition, since the carry-out mechanism is individually provided in each bolt selection path provided for each bolt type, there is also an advantage that the operation of the carry-out mechanism can be simplified.

According to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent movement of the bolt and carry out the bolt with a simple carrying-out mechanism. Further, according to the configuration described in claim 3, the bolt supplied to the inflow passage can be reliably moved to a position where movement is blocked by the unloading mechanism corresponding to this bolt type, and operation reliability is improved. To do. Further, according to the configuration described in claim 4, even if a plurality of types of bolts are supplied to the inflow passage in a mixed flow state, it is possible to prevent a specific bolt type from being over-supplied in the bolt selection passage, and The supply of various types of bolts does not stop, and a quick and stable supply can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a part of a bolt supply / sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a side view of the bolt supply / sorting device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a part of the bolt supply / sorting device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a part of bolt tightening equipment using the bolt supply / sorting device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a carrying member and an operating member of the bolt supply / sorting device.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a carry-out mechanism of the bolt supply / sorting device.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a partial cross section of the carry-out mechanism when the carry-out mechanism of the bolt supply / sorting device is in the first state.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a partial cross section of the carry-out mechanism when the carry-out mechanism of the bolt supply / sorting device is in the second state.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a partial cross section of the carry-out mechanism when the carry-out mechanism of the bolt supply / sorting device is in the third state.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 ... Bolt supply / sorting device 21 ... Bolt feeder 40 ... Inflow path 50 ... Transport member 52 ... Bolt drive mechanism 60 ... Bolt type detection sensor (bolt type detection means) 70 ... Overflow discharge path 71a-71f ... Bolt sorting path 86 ... Full detection sensor (retention state detection means) 90 ... unloading mechanism for overflow 91a to 91f ... Carrying out mechanism 92 ... Actuating member 93 ... Stopper 94 ... Pusher

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A bolt feeder for feeding a plurality of types of bolts having mutually different lengths in a mixed state and aligned, and an inflow path for moving the bolts delivered in the state of being fed from the bolt feeder, Bolt type detecting means for detecting the type of bolts supplied from the bolt feeder to the inflow path, a plurality of bolt sorting paths each branched from the inflow path for each bolt type, and each bolt sorting path A first state in which each of the bolts is provided so as to be able to move back and forth in the direction crossing the inflow passage and retracts from the inflow passage, a second state in which movement of the bolt on the inflow passage is blocked, and a bolt in which movement is blocked in this second state And a plurality of carrying-out mechanisms capable of switching to a third state in which the bolts are sent to the bolt sorting path corresponding to the bolt type, and the bolt detected by the bolt type detecting means is detected. Bolt supply sorting, characterized in that bolts are carried out to a bolt sorting path corresponding to the bolt type by sequentially switching the carrying-out mechanism corresponding to the type from the first state to the second state and the third state. apparatus. 2. The carrying-out mechanism comprises a stopper for preventing movement of the bolt by projecting into the inflow passage in the second state, and a bolt sorting passage located upstream of the stopper in the inflow passage. In the third state, the amount of protrusion in the direction is smaller than that of the stopper.The pusher pushes the bolt toward the bolt selection path corresponding to the bolt type in the third state, and the pusher and the stopper move integrally with each other. 2. The bolt supply / sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the second state has a smaller amount of protrusion into the inflow path than the third state. 3. A bolt drive mechanism for moving the bolt supplied from the bolt feeder to the inflow passage to the downstream side of the inflow passage in the inflow passage. The described bolt supply and sorting device. 4. A staying state detecting means for detecting a staying state of a bolt in each of the bolt selecting passages, and a discharging means for discharging a bolt supplied from the bolt feeder to the inflow passage. 2. The bolt supply / sorting device according to claim 1, wherein when the bolt type detected by the type detecting means is in a predetermined retention state in the bolt sorting path, the discharging means is operated to discharge the bolt.