JP3690038B2 - SUBJECT SUPPLY METHOD AND SUBJECT SUPPLY DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a workpiece supply method and a workpiece supply apparatus for stably supplying workpieces such as electronic component elements at a predetermined ratio.
[Prior art and problems to be solved by the invention]
[0002]
For example, in the manufacturing process of ceramic electronic parts, generally, a ceramic raw material powder or a powder obtained by adding an additive to the ceramic raw material is formed into a predetermined shape, and the formed workpiece (work) is used for firing. Steps such as a pod filling process and a baking process in which a workpiece packed in the pod is fired in a firing furnace are included. However, it is not easy to make all the processing capacities in each process equal, and there may be a difference in processing capacities.
[0003]
Therefore, batch processing may be performed by temporarily pooling objects to be processed in a bat or the like. In such a case, a mechanism for stably supplying small amounts of the processing objects stacked on a bat or the like for the purpose of filling, counting or counting the processing objects is required.
[0004]
11 and 12 is an example of a conventional workpiece supply apparatus that is used to stably supply the workpieces stacked in a bat or the like little by little. FIG.
[0005]
This workpiece supply apparatus is arranged on a conveying means (in this example, a linear feeder) 53 that conveys workpieces (workpieces) 52 stacked in a workpiece container 51 using vibration, and on a conveying path 51a. A gate 54 that controls the supply amount of the work 52 by blocking the work 52 and passing the gap 56 between the lower end of the work 52 and the transport path 51a and a tray 55 that receives the work 52 are provided. .
[0006]
However, in this workpiece supply apparatus, as shown in FIG. 13, there is a case where the workpiece 52 cannot be conveyed because the workpiece 52 is sandwiched in the gap 56 between the conveyance path 51a and the lower end portion of the gate 54. Each time, the equipment must be stopped and the work 52 sandwiched in the gap 56 must be removed, resulting in poor production efficiency.
[0007]
In addition, there is a problem in that the yield is lowered due to the occurrence of cracks and chipping in the work sandwiched between the gaps 56. This tendency is particularly strong when the work is brittle like a powder molded product.
[0008]
Although not particularly illustrated, there is a supply method in which individual workpieces are conveyed one by one using a ball feeder. However, this method has a problem in that the processing capability is low although the reliability of the conveyance is high. In addition, this method has a problem that the equipment cost is high and the installation area of the equipment is large. Furthermore, since a ball feeder corresponding to the shape of the workpiece is required, the versatility is low, and when the workpiece is fragile, defects such as cracking and chipping occur in the workpiece due to dropping or vibration in the ball feeder. There is a problem.
[0009]
The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and can stably supply a predetermined amount of the object to be processed without requiring a large equipment cost, and does not damage the object to be processed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a workpiece supply method and a workpiece supply apparatus.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a method for supplying an object to be processed according to the present invention (Claim 1) includes:
In the processing object supply method for supplying the processing object at a predetermined ratio,
On the transport path where the workpiece is transported, a gate is provided for damming the workpiece and discharging the overflowing workpiece from its upper part,
Detect the relationship between the height of the workpiece on the front side of the gate and the height of the gate,
In the processing object supply method for supplying the processing object at a predetermined ratio by controlling the supply amount of the processing object by adjusting the height of the gate based on the detection result ,
A high position sensor height of the object in front of the gate for detecting whether or not reached the high position which is a position higher than the upper end of the gate, the height of the object to be treated, higher than the top of the gate A low position sensor for detecting whether or not the low position is reached, which is a position lower than the high position ,
The high position sensor and the low position sensor are configured to move up and down in conjunction with the gate,
When the low position sensor detects the workpiece, but the high position sensor does not detect the workpiece, keep the gate height as it is and the workpiece passes the gate to a predetermined percentage. Maintain the condition supplied in
When the low position sensor does not detect the workpiece, the workpiece and the gate are lowered by interlocking the gate and the two sensors until the low position sensor detects the workpiece. To be supplied at a predetermined rate,
In a state where the high position sensor is detecting the object to be processed, the object to be processed exceeds the gate by raising the gate and the two sensors in conjunction until the high position sensor stops detecting the object to be processed. It is characterized by being supplied at a predetermined rate.
[0011]
A gate is provided on the transfer path to discharge the workpiece to be processed by damming the workpiece and overflowing from the upper part of the gate. And a low position sensor for detecting whether the height of the workpiece reaches a low position which is higher than the upper end of the gate and lower than the high position. In addition, the high position sensor and the low position sensor are configured to move up and down in conjunction with the gate, and the relationship between the height of the workpiece on the front side of the gate and the height of the gate is detected, and the detection result Since the height of the gate is adjusted based on the above, it is possible to reliably control the amount of the workpiece to be supplied beyond the gate and supply the workpiece stably.
[0012]
Moreover, the workpiece supply device of the present invention (Claim 2) is:
A workpiece supply apparatus used for carrying out the workpiece supply method according to claim 1 ,
Conveying means for conveying the workpiece;
A gate that is disposed on a conveyance path to which the object to be conveyed is conveyed, blocks the object to be processed, and discharges the overflowing object to be processed from above;
Wherein configured to be able to lift in conjunction with the gate, the object to be processed high position sensor and the object to be processed height for detecting whether or not reached the high position which is a position higher than the upper end of the gate of the A low position sensor that detects whether or not the height of the gate has reached a low position that is higher than the upper end of the gate and lower than the high position ;
And a gate driving means for moving the gate and the two sensors up and down in conjunction with each other based on the detection results of the two sensors.
As described above, the workpiece supply apparatus of the present invention (Claim 2) includes a transport means for transporting the workpiece, and a gate that dams the workpiece and discharges the overflowing workpiece from its upper part. And the height of the gate based on the detection results of the two sensors, the high position sensor and the low position sensor, which detect the relationship between the height of the workpiece on the front side of the gate and the height of the gate. And a gate driving means for adjusting, so that the invention of the processing object supply method of claim 1 can be reliably implemented , and the amount of the processing object supplied beyond the gate can be more reliably ensured. It becomes possible to supply the object to be processed more stably by controlling.
[0013]
Moreover, the workpiece supply device of the present invention (Claim 3) is:
The gate includes an ascending slope part and a descending slope part, and is configured to change at least one of the slope of the ascending slope part and the descending slope part and the height of the top part. A thing is characterized by being configured to be supplied at a predetermined rate by sliding down the descending slope part after an object climbs the ascending slope part.
By using a gate having a mountain shape with an up-gradient part and a down-gradient part and configured to slide down the down-gradient part after the work object has climbed the up-gradient part, Is prevented from being damaged when crossing the gate, and the object to be processed can be supplied more reliably. In addition, the supply amount of the workpiece can be reliably controlled by changing at least one of the gradient and the height of the top.
[0014]
Moreover, the workpiece supply device of the present invention (Claim 4) is:
The conveyance means is a conveyance device using vibration.
By using a transfer device that utilizes vibration as the transfer means, it becomes possible to reliably move the object to be processed over the gate at a predetermined rate, and the present invention can be more effectively realized.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the features of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments of the present invention.
[0016]
[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a workpiece supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part thereof.
The workpiece supply apparatus according to this embodiment includes a transport unit (in this example) for transporting the workpiece 2 at a predetermined rate on the transport path 1a of the workpiece storage unit 1 in which the workpieces (workpieces) 2 are stacked. A linear feeder 3 which is a conveying device using vibration), a gate 4 which dams the workpiece 2 and discharges the workpiece 2 exceeding its upper end, a tray 5 which receives the workpiece 2 supplied over the gate 4, and a gate The high position sensor 7 and the low position sensor 8 for detecting the relationship between the height of the workpiece 2 (height of the assembly of the individual workpieces 2) and the height of the gate 4 on the front side of 4, and the above-described high position sensor 7 And gate drive means (linear motor) 9 for adjusting the height of the gate 4 based on the detection result of the low position sensor 8.
[0017]
The linear feeder 3 is a vibration feeder that applies electromagnetic vibration and the resonance action of a leaf spring. However, the conveying device using vibration is not limited to a linear feeder, and various devices such as a device using a vibration motor or an air vibrator can be used.
[0018]
The gate 4 can be slid in the vertical direction by a gate driving means (linear motor) 9. The gate 4 is not particularly limited in shape as long as the workpiece 2 can be smoothly discharged from the upper portion thereof, and can have various shapes in consideration of the shape of the workpiece 2 and the like. . Further, the gate driving means 9 for driving the gate 4 is not particularly limited, and various configurations such as those using a ball screw can be used in addition to the linear motor.
[0019]
Further, in the workpiece supply apparatus of this embodiment, a transmissive photoelectric sensor is used as the high position sensor 7 and the low position sensor 8, but the type of sensor is not limited to this, and the workpiece is not limited to this. Various sensors capable of detecting the height (bulk) of 2 can be used. For example, a reflective photoelectric sensor or the like can also be used.
[0020]
In this embodiment, two sensors, a high position sensor 7 and a low position sensor 8, are used as sensors. By connecting the sensor brackets 7a and 8a to the gate 4, the high position sensor 7 and the low position sensor are connected. 8 is configured to move up and down in conjunction with the gate 4.
[0021]
Next, the operation of the workpiece supply apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
(1) As shown in FIG. 3, the low position sensor 8 detects the work 2 with respect to the height of the work (collection) 2 conveyed by the linear feeder 3 (FIG. 1). In a state where 7 does not detect the workpiece 2, the height of the gate 4 is kept as it is, and the state where the workpiece 2 is supplied over the gate 4 at a predetermined rate is maintained.
(2) On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the low position sensor 8 detects the workpiece 2 when the low position sensor 8 does not detect the workpiece 2 (the workpiece 2 is not supplied beyond the gate 4). By moving the gate 4, the high position sensor 7 and the low position sensor 8 in conjunction with each other until it becomes like this, the workpiece 2 is supplied over the gate 4 at a predetermined rate as shown in FIG. .
(3) Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the high position sensor 7 detects the workpiece 2 in a state where the high position sensor 7 detects the workpiece 2 (a state in which the supply amount of the workpiece 2 becomes too large as it is). By raising the gate 4, the high position sensor 7 and the low position sensor 8 in conjunction with each other until it stops (FIG. 7), the workpiece 2 is supplied over the gate 4 at a predetermined rate.
(4) Further , as shown in FIG. 8, when the gate 4 is at the lower limit position and the high position sensor 7 and the low position sensor 8 do not detect the work 2, it is determined that there is no work 2 to be supplied. Then, the gate is raised to the upper limit, and the next work 2 is supplied.
By repeating the above (1) to (4) , the amount of the object to be processed that is supplied beyond the gate can be controlled to stably supply the object to be processed at a predetermined ratio.
[0022]
[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a workpiece supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part thereof.
In the workpiece supply apparatus of this embodiment, the gate 4 has a mountain shape having an ascending slope part 11 and a descending slope part 12 as shown in FIGS. And it is comprised so that the height of the peak top part 4a can be changed. That is, the height and gradient of the mountain top 4a can be changed by pushing the gate 4 upward by the rod of the linear motor 9.
[0023]
Specifically, the gate 4 connects the plate-like member 11a constituting the ascending gradient portion 11 and the plate-like member 12a constituting the descending gradient portion 12 with a hinge 13, and the plate-like member 11a and the transport path 1a. Are connected by a hinge 14. Note that guide plates 15 (FIG. 9) for preventing the workpiece 2 from dropping are attached to both sides of the plate-like members 11a and 12a.
Note that the configuration for making the gradients of the ascending slope portion 11 and the descending slope portion 12 and the height of the top portion 4a of the mountain variable is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and for example, an elastic material such as rubber is used. It is possible to change the slope and the height of the peak portion of the mountain by changing the shape of the gate by using it to form a mountain-shaped gate, and it is also possible to have other configurations.
[0024]
Since other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. 9 and 10, the same reference numerals are given to the same or corresponding parts as those in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0025]
In the workpiece supply apparatus according to this embodiment configured as described above, the gate 4 has a mountain shape including the ascending slope portion 11 and the descending slope portion 12, and the workpiece 2 is ascending slope. After the part 11 is climbed, the workpiece 2 is supplied so as to slide down the descending slope part 12, so that it is possible to prevent the workpiece 2 from being damaged when it crosses the gate 4. Therefore, even when the workpiece 2 is brittle like a powder molded product, it is not damaged and can be reliably supplied at a predetermined ratio.
[0026]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various applications and modifications can be made within the scope of the invention with respect to the type of workpiece, the shape of the tray, and the like.
[0027]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the processing object supply method according to the present invention (Claim 1) is provided with a gate on the conveyance path, discharges the processing object overflowing by damming the processing object from the upper side thereof, and the front side of the gate. A high position sensor that detects whether or not the height of the object to be processed has reached a high position that is higher than the upper end of the gate, and the height of the object to be processed is higher than the upper end of the gate and higher than the high position. The low position sensor that detects whether or not the low position, which is a low position, is arranged, and the high position sensor and the low position sensor are configured to move up and down in conjunction with the gate. Since the relationship between the height of the workpiece on the near side of the gate and the height of the gate is detected, and the height of the gate is adjusted based on the detection result, the workpiece to be supplied beyond the gate Amount of Reliable control, it is possible to provide an object to be processed stably.
[0028]
Further, the workpiece supply apparatus of the present invention (Claim 2) includes a transport means for transporting the workpiece, a gate that dams the workpiece and discharges the overflowing workpiece from its upper part, and a gate. Two sensors, a high position sensor and a low position sensor, for detecting the relationship between the height of the object to be processed and the height of the gate on the front side of the gate, and a gate for adjusting the height of the gate based on the detection results of the two sensors And a driving means, so that the processing object supply method of the present invention (Claim 1) can be reliably implemented without causing the processing object to be clogged, cracked or chipped. Can be stably supplied at a predetermined ratio.
[0029]
Further, as in the processing object supply device according to claim 3, the processing object has a mountain shape having an ascending slope part and a descending slope part. By using the gate configured to slide down, it is possible to prevent the workpiece from being damaged when falling over the upper end of the gate, and to supply the workpiece more reliably. In addition, the supply amount of the object to be processed can be easily and reliably controlled by changing at least one of the gradient and the height of the top.
[0030]
Further, when a transfer device using vibration is used as the transfer means as in the supply object supply device according to the fourth aspect, it becomes possible to reliably pass the workpiece at a predetermined ratio over the gate. Therefore, the supply amount of the workpiece to be supplied beyond the gate can be more reliably controlled, and the present invention can be more effectively realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a workpiece supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a workpiece supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts for explaining the operation of the workpiece supply apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part for explaining the operation of the workpiece supply apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts for explaining the operation of the workpiece supply apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part for explaining the operation of the workpiece supply apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the main part for explaining the operation of the workpiece supply apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the main parts for explaining the operation of the workpiece supply apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a workpiece supply apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a workpiece supply apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional workpiece supply apparatus.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a conventional workpiece supply apparatus.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an object to be processed is clogged in a conventional object supply apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Work accommodating part 1a Conveyance path 2 Workpiece (work)
3 Transport means (linear feeder)
4 Gate 4a Top of Gate 5 Receptacle 7 High Position Sensor 7a Sensor Bracket for High Position Sensor 8 Low Position Sensor 8a Sensor Bracket for Low Position Sensor 9 Gate Drive Unit (Linear Motor)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Ascending slope part 11a Plate-shaped member 12 Down-gradient part 12a Plate-like member 13 Hinge 14 Hinge 15 Guide plate

Claims (4)

In the processing object supply method for supplying the processing object at a predetermined ratio,
On the conveyance path where the object to be processed is conveyed, a gate is provided to dam the object to be processed and to discharge the overflowing object to be processed from above,
Detect the relationship between the height of the workpiece on the front side of the gate and the height of the gate,
In the processing object supply method for supplying the processing object at a predetermined ratio by controlling the supply amount of the processing object by adjusting the height of the gate based on the detection result ,
A high position sensor height of the object in front of the gate for detecting whether or not reached the high position which is a position higher than the upper end of the gate, the height of the object to be treated, higher than the top of the gate A low position sensor for detecting whether or not the low position is reached, which is a position lower than the high position ,
The high position sensor and the low position sensor are configured to move up and down in conjunction with the gate,
When the low position sensor detects the workpiece, but the high position sensor does not detect the workpiece, the gate height remains the same and the workpiece passes over the gate Maintain the condition supplied in
In a state where the low position sensor does not detect the workpiece, the workpiece and the gate are lowered by interlocking the gate and the two sensors until the low position sensor detects the workpiece. To be supplied at a predetermined rate,
In the state where the high position sensor detects the workpiece, the workpiece is moved past the gate by raising the gate and the two sensors in conjunction until the high position sensor no longer detects the workpiece. A method for supplying an object to be processed, characterized by being supplied at a predetermined rate. A workpiece supply apparatus used for carrying out the workpiece supply method according to claim 1 ,
A transport means for transporting the workpiece;
A gate that is disposed on a conveyance path through which the object to be conveyed is conveyed, blocks the object to be processed, and discharges the overflowing object to be processed from its upper part;
Wherein configured to be able to lift in conjunction with the gate, the object to be processed high position sensor and the object to be processed height for detecting whether or not reached the high position which is a position higher than the upper end of the gate of the A low position sensor that detects whether or not the height of the gate has reached a low position that is higher than the upper end of the gate and lower than the high position ;
A workpiece supply apparatus comprising: a gate driving unit that moves the gate and the two sensors up and down in conjunction with each other based on detection results of the two sensors. The gate includes an ascending slope part and a descending slope part, and is configured to change at least one of the slope of the ascending slope part and the descending slope part and the height of the top part. 3. The processing object supply device according to claim 2 , wherein an article is supplied at a predetermined rate by sliding down the descending slope part after the article has climbed the ascending slope part. The workpiece supply apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the transfer means is a transfer device using vibration.

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