JP4814833B2 - Bowl type parts feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bowl parts feeder capable of accurately and surely aligning the orientations of bottomed cylindrical parts and easily adaptable to the change of the sizes of parts to be conveyed. <P>SOLUTION: An aligning part 222 for aligning the axial direction of a part 9 in the advancing longitudinal direction is formed in a conveying track 22. A restraining plate 26 is vertically installed at the end 222b of the aligning part 222 to form a stop position 23 for the part to be conveyed, and an unloading part 3 is formed on the outer periphery of the stop position 23. A proximity sensor 27 inserted into the opening 92 of the part 9 projects from the restraining plate 26. A second proximity sensor 27' is installed in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the first proximity sensor 27. According to the detection signals from the first and second proximity sensors 27, 27', the part 9 at the stop position 23 is sorted to the inner peripheral side of the unloading part 3 or a bowl 2 by jetting a compressed gas from jetting nozzles 41, 42 by a control device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a bowl-type parts feeder that is placed in a bowl that is vibrated by a driving unit, for example, and that transports parts of an electrical component in an aligned manner, and more specifically, such as an electrolytic capacitor case. The present invention relates to a bowl-type parts feeder that can transport a bottom cylindrical case in an aligned manner so that the bottom of the case is in a predetermined direction.

  As an example of an electrical component, an electrolytic capacitor will be described as an example. This electrolytic capacitor is immersed in an electrolytic capacitor element with leads, and then the electrolytic capacitor element is placed in a bottomed cylindrical case made of aluminum. It is manufactured by inserting and sealing the opening of this case with a sealing material.

  Therefore, if it is attempted to smoothly insert the capacitor element into the case in such an electrolytic capacitor manufacturing process, the case which is a part of the electrolytic capacitor is arranged with its end on the opening side facing upward. It is necessary to supply it to an assembling apparatus or the like in a state of being directed in the direction of

  Accordingly, in response to such a need, a parts feeder has also been proposed in which a bottomed cylindrical part is transported and the bottom part can be aligned in a predetermined direction.

  As an example of such a parts feeder, paying attention to the difference in weight between the bottom side and the opening side of a bottomed cylindrical part to be transported, the center of gravity generated based on such a difference in weight Based on the bias, parts that are in the opposite direction to the desired direction are dropped from the conveyance path so that only the parts in the desired direction can be carried out (Patent Documents 1 and 2), the axial direction The tip of the hook-shaped member bent in an L-shape is brought into contact with the end of the front part in the direction of travel of the parts that are transported in the state of being tilted forward and backward in the transport direction, and the opening side is forward in the direction of travel Insert the tip of this bowl-shaped member into the opening of the part conveyed as a side and hook the part to collect only the part caught or reverse the direction of the part caught or remove it from the conveyance path By Parts that have the same orientation can be supplied (Patent Documents 3 and 4), and are transported with the orientation in the axial direction aligned, but the orientation of the opening or bottom is not aligned. Whether one end facing the same direction is the bottom side or the opening side is determined based on the difference in reflection intensity of the reflected light by the photosensor, and either one direction is determined according to this determination result. There has been proposed a parts feeder (see Patent Documents 5 and 6) that can be aligned by inverting and aligning parts or removing them from the conveyance path.

Prior art document information of the present invention includes the following.
Utility Model Registration No. 2522696 JP-A-11-11643 JP 2000-25936 A JP 2004-107084 A JP 2001-19143 A JP-A-11-227934

  Among the above-mentioned conventional techniques, in the parts feeders described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 that select parts based on the bias of the center of gravity of the part, in order to determine which end side the center of gravity of the part is biased to, This part is guided to the edge of the wedge-shaped member or step, and the bottom side is directed to which direction the part tilts with the top of the wedge-shaped member or the end of the step as a fulcrum. judge.

  For this reason, in this type of parts feeder, it is necessary to form a transport path etc. so that a fixed part of the part passes over the fulcrum, and it may be manufactured as a dedicated device for a specific type of part. Many of them are not compatible with changes in size and shape of parts to be conveyed.

  However, in order to deal with such changes in size and shape, it is necessary to replace parts significantly and to make precise adjustments after replacement, which is complicated and is being replaced and adjusted. This device needs to be stopped, and the production line in which the parts feeder is incorporated is stopped.

  Further, in the case of a parts feeder that aligns parts by utilizing the deviation of the center of gravity of the parts in this way, even when a bottomed cylindrical part is targeted, for example, the total length is short and the center of gravity is If the position is relatively close to the center in the length direction, the diameter on the opening side is large, or the cylindrical part is thick on the opening side, etc. It is not possible to sort by this method for parts whose bias has been eliminated or reduced.

  On the other hand, in the parts feeder described in Patent Documents 3 and 4 in which the tip of the hook-shaped member is brought into contact with the end of the part, the end of the part in contact with the tip of the hook-shaped member is the opening side. Since the tip of the bowl-shaped member is inserted into the opening of the part when it is an end, even if the part cannot be selected by the method described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 above, It is possible to determine which direction the opening of the part is facing.

  However, for example, when a plurality of parts are transported continuously with the end parts butted, the opening part is covered by other parts even if the part is transported with the opening part as the tip side. Therefore, the bowl-shaped member cannot be inserted into the opening of the part, and as a result, the parts having different directions may be mixed in the conveyed part.

  In order to solve such problems, it is necessary to transport each part at intervals, and it is necessary to have a device configuration for realizing such transport, and to transport the parts by providing a space. The speed is reduced. In order to prevent mixing of parts in the opposite direction, it may be possible to check the direction of the parts multiple times. However, the configuration of the apparatus becomes complicated, and the parts are continuously connected with the ends facing each other. As a result, it is not possible to completely eliminate this problem even if the mixing rate of reverse parts is reduced by multiple checks.

  Furthermore, in the parts feeders described in Patent Documents 5 and 6 that detect the orientation of the conveyed parts with a photosensor, whether the end of the inspected part is the bottom side or the opening side. Is obtained according to the intensity of the reflected light received by the light receiving element provided in the photosensor.

  That is, when the intensity of the reflected light received by the light receiving element is strong, it is detected that the photosensor faces the bottom side of the part, and when the reflected light is weak, it is detected that the photosensor faces the opening side. Be able to.

  However, it is sufficient if the bottom of the parts to be transported is flat, but for example, the bottom of the part is in a hemispherical shape, or a stamp indicating the manufacturer and other information on the outside of the bottom of the part. If the part is crushed or scratched at the bottom of the part, the intensity of the reflected light received by the light receiving element is diffused by the light emitted from the light emitting element of the photosensor. May decrease, and an error may occur in the determination.

  For example, in the invention described in Patent Document 6, a part to be detected is placed on a predetermined tilted table, and the upward end of the part is opened or bottomed by a photosensor from above the table. In this configuration, if the length of the part to be transported changes, the distance from the photosensor to the end of the part to be detected changes, If the diameter of the part changes, the axis of the photosensor will deviate from the axis of the part.

  For this reason, when trying to change the size of a part to be transported, it is necessary to adjust the optical axis of the photosensor along with this change in size, and it is necessary to adjust the sensitivity. Requires adjustment.

  In addition, according to the size change of the parts to be transported, the detachable holding member corresponding to the part shape can be replaced on the mounting table on which the parts are mounted at the time of inspection by the photosensor. In the configuration, even if the size (diameter) of the part to be inspected changes, the part is placed on the optical axis of the sensor by exchanging this holding member. However, it is not necessary to adjust the optical axis, etc., but it is necessary to prepare the holding member for each size of the parts to be transported and to change the size of the parts to be transported. The holding member also needs to be replaced.

  Therefore, in order to cope with various parts sizes, it is necessary to prepare a large number of holding members in advance, and complicated operations such as replacement are required.

  Furthermore, in the configuration described in Patent Document 5, the configuration opposite to the desired orientation is mechanically reversed and aligned, so that the device configuration is complicated and one part is required. It takes a long time to align the hits.

  The present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and can accurately and reliably align the direction of the bottomed cylindrical part and change the size and shape of the parts to be transported. Even in such a case, it is not necessary to make major changes or complicated adjustments of the component parts. It aims at providing the parts feeder which can do.

In order to achieve the above object, the bowl-type parts feeder 1 of the present invention moves the parts along the transport track 22 and the bowl 2 in which the transport track 22 is formed, which is the moving path of the loaded parts 9. In the bowl-type parts feeder 1 that includes a drive unit 7 that applies vibration to the bowl 2 and carries out the bottom 91 of the bottomed cylindrical part 9 in a state in which it is directed in a certain direction
The conveying track 22 is provided with an aligning portion 222 for aligning the axial direction of the parts 9 in the front-rear direction of the traveling direction, and a regulating plate 26 is erected at the end portion 222b of the aligning portion 222 to A stop position 23 for restricting and stopping the forward movement is formed, and an unloading portion 3 that receives the part 9 that communicates with the stop position 23 and is unloaded from the bowl 2 from the stop position 23 is formed on the outer periphery of the stop position 23. Provided,
A first proximity sensor 27 to be inserted into the opening 92 of the part 9 transported to the stop position 23 with the opening 92 facing forward in the traveling direction is projected from the restriction plate 26 and the first A second proximity sensor 27 ′ that is orthogonal to the first proximity sensor 27 and that faces the first proximity sensor 27 at a portion protruding from the restriction plate 26;
Further, a carrying-out means for carrying out the part 9 at the stop position 23 to the carrying-out part 3 (in the embodiment, a carrying-out injection nozzle 41 for injecting compressed gas to the part 9 from the inner peripheral side of the bowl 2), Returning means for returning to the center side (in the embodiment, a return injection nozzle 42 for injecting compressed gas to the part 9 from the outer peripheral side of the bowl 2),
Based on the detection signals of the first and second proximity sensors 27, 27 ', the unloading means and the returning means are controlled to unload the part 9 facing the predetermined conveying direction to the unloading section 3, and The controller 9 is provided with control means such as a controller (not shown) and electromagnetic valves 45A and 45B that are opened and closed by an external controller for returning the part 9 opposite to the unloading direction to the center side of the bowl 2. (Claim 1).

  In the bowl-type parts feeder 1 having the above-described configuration, it is preferable to shield the side surfaces of the first and second proximity sensors 27 and 27 '.

  Further, the alignment portion 222 is provided with a groove C continuously formed with the part 9 fitted therein and the traveling direction of the part as a length direction, and a predetermined interval on the groove C. The part 9 not fitted to C can be constituted by a wiper 25 that drops off the inner side of the bowl 2 (Claim 3).

  In this case, when the part 9 to be conveyed is a bottomed cylindrical shape, it is preferable that the groove C formed in the alignment portion 222 has a V-shaped cross section (Claim 4).

  Furthermore, when the parts 9 to be transported are made of aluminum such as an aluminum case of an electrolytic capacitor, high-frequency oscillation type proximity sensors can be used as the proximity sensors 27 and 27 ′. 5).

  The stop position can be inclined at a predetermined angle with the regulating plate side as the lower side (Claim 6).

  With the configuration of the present invention described above, the bowl-type parts feeder 1 of the present invention can obtain the following remarkable effects.

  By using proximity sensors 27 and 27 'as means for detecting the orientation of the part 9 on the bottom 91 side, the shape of the bottom 91 swelled in a hemisphere, the shape with engraving, and the bottom is crushed and scratched. In such cases, it was possible to accurately detect parts that could not be detected accurately with a photosensor.

  In addition, by using the two proximity sensors 27 and 27 ′ and allowing one proximity sensor (first proximity sensor 27) to be inserted into the opening 92 of the part 9, the opening 92 is defined as the front side in the traveling direction. The part 9 to be stopped stops at the position where the first proximity sensor 27 is inserted into the opening 92, and at this time, the part 9 can be disposed on the front surface of the second proximity sensor 27 ', and conversely, the bottom 91 is moved in the traveling direction. Since the bottom part 91 collides with the 1st proximity sensor 27 and advancing is controlled, the part 9 made into the front side stops from the edge part position reverse | retreated compared with the case where the opening part 92 is turned to the front. , It is possible to prevent the part 9 from being arranged on the front surface of the second proximity sensor 27 ′, so that when one of the two sensors detects the part 9, the other does not detect the part 9. , The other is part 9 One when you are in could be configured not to detect the part 9.

  As a result, the first proximity sensor 27 is provided when the bottom 91 of the part 9 is directed forward in the traveling direction, and the second proximity sensor 27 ′ is disposed when the part 9 is directed forward in the traveling direction. Each detection signal is output, for example, the unloading means (unloading injection nozzle 41) is based on the detection signal of the first proximity sensor 27, and the returning means (returning injection nozzle 42) is based on the detection signal of the second proximity sensor 27 ′. ) Or the reverse combination, the part 9 facing in the desired direction and the part 9 facing in the opposite direction can be easily sorted.

  Further, the part 9 whose direction of the bottom portion 91 is opposite to the predetermined conveying direction is returned to the center side of the bowl 2 and is again subjected to the conveying and aligning steps, so that it is reversed by mechanical means. The configuration of the apparatus can be simplified compared to the case where the parts 9 are reversed one by one and aligned.

  By inserting the first proximity sensor 27 into the opening 92 of the part 9, it is possible to prevent the opening edge of the part 9 from being arranged on the front surface of the first proximity sensor 27 and to detect it. The resulting malfunction could be prevented.

  By shielding the side surfaces of the first and second proximity sensors 27 and 27 ', detection of the detection target metal on the side of the sensor could be prevented. As a result, for example, even when the sensor 27 is inserted into the opening 92 of the part 9, malfunction due to detection of the cylindrical part of the part 9 on the side can be prevented.

  By providing the groove C and the wiper 25 having the above-described configuration in the alignment portion 222, the axial direction of the parts 9 can be reliably aligned in the front-rear direction with respect to the conveyance direction while having a relatively simple configuration.

  Further, it is possible to easily cope with the size change of the part 9 by adjusting the height of the wiper 25.

  Further, when the part 9 to be transported is a bottomed cylindrical shape, the groove C formed in the alignment portion 222 is a V-groove so that the part 9 can be stably fitted even when the diameter of the part 9 is changed. I was able to join.

  Further, when the V-shaped groove is used, the position of the part 9 is fixed, so that the position can be accurately aligned with the position where the first proximity sensor 27 is inserted into the opening 92.

  By using the proximity sensor 27 as a high-frequency oscillation type, it was possible to detect parts 9 made of nonmagnetic metal such as aluminum.

  By providing the stop position 23 with an inclination of a predetermined angle θ with the regulating plate 26 side downward, the front end in the advancing direction of the part 9 conveyed to the stop position 23 is moved to the proximity sensor 27 side for accurate positioning. In particular, when the part 9 is conveyed with the opening 92 facing forward, the proximity sensor 27 can be reliably inserted into the opening 92.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  In this embodiment, as an example, the case where the part 9 conveyed by the parts feeder 1 of the present invention is a bottomed cylindrical case for an electrolytic capacitor will be described as an example. The possible part 9 is not limited to a cylindrical case, and may be, for example, a rectangular tube having a cross-sectional shape such as a triangle, a quadrangle, and other polygons. As long as it is formed into a hollow cylinder (including not only a cylinder but also a square cylinder) having an opening 92 at the other end, various shapes can be transported and aligned. be able to.

  Moreover, although the following embodiment demonstrates the example which carries out the bottom part 91 of the bottomed cylindrical part 9 toward the front side of the advancing direction, and the opening part 92 toward the back side of the advancing direction, it replaces with this structure. The opening 92 may be carried out on the front side in the traveling direction, and the bottom 91 may be carried out on the rear side in the traveling direction. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and various modifications can be made.

〔overall structure〕
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a bowl-type parts feeder 1 according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, the bowl-type parts feeder 1 includes a part 9 to be transported, a bowl 2 having a predetermined depth into which a case for an electrolytic capacitor in this embodiment is placed, For example, an unloading path 5 for unloading the parts 9 aligned and unloaded by the bowl 2 to an assembling apparatus (not shown) in the next process, the frame 6 for mounting the bowl 2 and the unloading path 5, and the above-mentioned A drive unit 7 for applying a predetermined vibration for causing the bowl 2 to convey the parts 9 is provided, and the basic configuration thereof is the same as that of a known bowl-type parts feeder.

  In the parts feeder 1 of the present invention, by forming the bowl 2 and the carry-out part 3 as follows, not only the axial direction of the part 9 is aligned in a certain direction, but also the bottom 91 of the part 9 is fixed to a predetermined part. It is comprised so that it can align toward a direction.

〔bowl〕
The bowl 2 mounted on the bowl-type parts feeder 1 of the present invention has a substantially circular plane (see FIG. 1), and a circular part loading part 21 into which a part to be transported is placed in the center, and this part loading. On the outer periphery of the portion 21, there is provided a transport track 22 that is a transport path for the parts 9 and that is formed in a spiral shape that gradually increases in height toward the outer peripheral side. A stop position 23 of the part 9 transported via the transport track 22 is formed, and the orientation of the part 9 on the bottom 91 side is determined at the stop position 23.

  Further, an unloading unit 3 is provided which is located on the outer peripheral side of the stop position 23 and receives a part 9 in a predetermined direction unloaded from the stop position 23 among the parts 9 introduced into the stop position 23. By connecting the carry-out portion 3 to the carry-out path 5, the parts 9 having the same orientation of the bottom portion 91 can be supplied to an unillustrated assembly device or the like.

In FIG. 1, a circular portion appearing in the center of the bowl 2 is a portion (part input portion 21) where parts 9 conveyed by the parts feeder 1 are input. The part 9 thrown into this portion is formed on the outer peripheral side of the parts throwing portion 21 by vibration applied to the bowl 2 and is formed on a conveying track 22 (described later). Is configured to move.

Conveying Track The aforementioned conveying track 22 provided in the bowl 2 is formed in a spiral shape with the diameter gradually increasing from the inner peripheral side to the outer peripheral direction of the bowl 2. It is formed in a spiral shape that turns in the turning direction and expands its diameter.

  The transport track 22 is also formed in an upward inclined shape that gradually increases in height toward the outer peripheral direction. Due to the inclined spiral shape of the transport track 22, the bowl 2 as a whole becomes deeper toward the inner peripheral side. It is formed in a bowl shape that increases the thickness.

  The conveyance track 22 has a linear shape that is slightly upwardly inclined from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side in the cross section in the width direction, and an introduction part 221 formed continuously with the parts input part. , Which is continuously formed on the outer peripheral side of the introduction portion 221 and is constituted by an alignment portion 222 which aligns the axial direction of the parts 9 in the front-rear direction of the conveying direction.

Introducing portion The above-mentioned introducing portion 221 has a predetermined range on the low position side formed at substantially the same height as the outer peripheral portion of the parts inserting portion 21. When the driving portion 7 gives vibration to the bowl 2, The parts 9 put into the parts throwing part 21 are configured to move to the outer peripheral side of the parts throwing part 21 and be placed on the introducing part 221.

  The introduction part 221 is preferably formed wider than the entire length of the part 9 that conveys the width, and the part 9 introduced into the introduction part 221 is driven in a state in which the directions are not aligned. In this embodiment, it is conveyed in the clockwise direction by the vibration provided by the portion 7 and moves to the high position side, and the alignment portion 222 described later is formed continuously with the high position side end portion 221a of the introduction portion 221. It is configured to be introduced.

Alignment unit The alignment unit 222 described above conveys the parts 9 conveyed by the introduction unit 221 in a state where various orientations are mixed so that the axial direction thereof is directed in the front-rear direction of the conveyance direction.

  In the present embodiment, such alignment is performed by fitting the parts 9 into the grooves C formed continuously in the conveying direction, and the parts 9 not fitted into the grooves C are bowled by the wiper 25. This is realized by returning to the center side of 2.

  In the present embodiment, the alignment portion 222 is formed on the inner periphery along the vertical guide 24 erected in the substantially vertical direction on the outer peripheral edge of the bowl 2, and has an end portion (starting end) 222 a on the low position side. Is connected to the end portion (terminal) 221a on the high position side of the introduction portion 221, and a stop plate 23 described later is provided by standing a restriction plate 26 described later on the end portion (terminal) 222b on the high position side. Is formed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the wiper 25 that protrudes in the horizontal direction from the vertical guide 24 gradually protrudes toward the inner peripheral side of the bowl 2 toward the front side in the moving direction of the part 9 in plan view. Are arranged to be.

  The wiper 25 does not contact the part 9 fitted in the groove C of the alignment portion 222 in a state where the length direction is horizontal (rolled over), but is fitted in the groove C. The lower side is arranged at a height where it comes into contact with a non-part 9 (including both a roll-up state and an upright state). Of the parts 9 conveyed from the introduction part 221 to the alignment part 222, a groove The parts 9 not fitted in C are guided to the inner peripheral side of the bowl 2 by the wiper 25 as the aligning portion 222 is moved to the high place side, and eventually fall off from the aligning portion 222 to be introduced into the parts inserting portion 21 or the introduction. The unit 221 is configured to be returned.

  In the bowl type parts feeder 1 of the present invention, by providing a V-shaped groove as the groove C, when the part 9 to be conveyed is cylindrical, the part 9 fitted in the V-shaped groove is Regardless of the size of the diameter, it is supported at two points on the outer periphery and can be transported in a stable state.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the alignment portion 222 is preferably formed to have a width narrower than that of the introduction portion 221. More preferably, the alignment portion 222 is formed to have a width of ½ or less of the entire length of the parts 9 to be conveyed. It is preferable.

  By forming the alignment portion 222 in such a narrow manner, the length direction of the parts 9 conveyed to the alignment portion 222 via the introduction portion 221 is orthogonal to the formation direction of the groove C. The parts 9 that have been transported fall off without being able to get on the alignment part 222, and are returned again to the parts input part 21 and the introduction part 221 formed on the center side of the bowl 2.

  The parts 9 transported through the transport track 22 configured as described above are fitted into the grooves C formed in the alignment portion 222, and the length direction thereof is directed to the formation length direction of the grooves C. Then, it is conveyed in a state where it is aligned in one row, and is conveyed to the end (high position side end portion 222 b) of the alignment unit 222 that is also the end of the transfer track 22.

  At the end of the alignment portion 222, a regulating plate 26 is provided upright in the vertical direction as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, and the total length of the parts 9 to be conveyed as shown in FIG. The range of about twice as long is inclined at a slight angle θ, 3 ° as an example in this embodiment, and the part 9 reaching the end portion of the alignment portion 222 is guided by this inclination. However, it is configured to be stopped at a predetermined position by being restricted by the restriction plate 26 (or a proximity sensor 27 described later).

Stop Position The end portion (end) 222b on the high position side of the alignment portion 222 is restricted from moving the part 9 by the restriction plate 26 as described above, and is at the stop position 23 stopped by the restriction plate 26. It is determined whether the conveyed part 9 has been conveyed in which direction (forward or backward in the traveling direction) the bottom 91 is conveyed.

  In order to enable the above-described determination work, at the stop position 23 described above, the end on the front side in the traveling direction of the conveyed part 9, that is, the end facing the restriction plate 26 is the bottom 91 or the opening 92. The first proximity sensor 27 protruding from the restriction plate 26 for detecting which side of the restriction plate 26 is disposed, and the first proximity sensor 27 arranged in a direction orthogonal to the first proximity sensor and protruding from the restriction position 26. A second proximity sensor 27 ′ facing the first proximity sensor 27 is provided.

  It should be noted that the stop position 23 is preferably configured not to vibrate so that the detection by the first and second proximity sensors 27 and 27 'can be performed accurately.

  Here, examples of the proximity sensor include a high-frequency oscillation type using electromagnetic induction, a magnetic type using a magnet, and a capacitance type using a change in capacitance. In this embodiment in which an aluminum case is to be inspected, as an example, the first and second proximity sensors 27 and 27 ′ use a high-frequency oscillation type.

  However, any type of proximity sensor can be used as long as it is suitable for the material of the parts 9 to be conveyed.

  The first proximity sensor 27 described above uses a sensor whose diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the part 9 to be transported so that the proximity sensor 27 can be inserted into the part 9 and the part 9 that has been transported to the stop position 23 can be inserted. When the end on the front end side in the traveling direction is the opening 92, the proximity sensor 27 is arranged at a position to be inserted into the opening 92.

  As an example, in the present embodiment, the diameter of the 5.4 mm diameter is 6.3 mm to 25 mm and the total length is 20 to 50 mm so that the aluminum case for the electrolytic capacitor to be transported can be resized. A proximity sensor was used.

  By providing the proximity sensor 27 at this position, when the end of the part 9 facing the proximity sensor 27 is on the bottom 91 side, the proximity sensor 27 is close to the position that accurately faces the bottom 91 of the part 9. The sensor 27 is disposed.

  As described above, the proximity sensor 27 is configured such that the proximity sensor 27 is inserted into the opening 92 of the part 9 when the end of the conveyed part 9 on the proximity sensor 27 side is the opening 92. For example, an opening edge of the part 9 can be prevented from being erroneously detected as the bottom portion 91 by arranging the opening edge of the part 9.

  As described above, when the proximity sensor 27 is configured to be inserted into the opening 92 of the part 9, the metal to be detected on the side of the proximity sensor 27 (in this embodiment, aluminum constituting the cylindrical portion of the case). A so-called “shield type” proximity sensor 27 is used, in which the side of the proximity sensor is shielded so as not to detect.

  Preferably, the proximity sensor 27 inserted into the opening 92 of the part 9 does not detect the bottom inner wall of the part 9 existing at a position away from the front surface. It is preferable to use a sufficiently short one, and in this embodiment, a detection distance of 3 mm is used as an example.

  The part 9 at the stop position 23 is selected by determining whether the end of the part 9 is on the bottom 91 side or the opening 92 side by outputting or not outputting the detection signal from the first proximity sensor 27 described above. However, in the present embodiment, in addition to the first proximity sensor 27 disposed opposite to the end of the part 9, the orthogonal direction with respect to the first sensor 27 is set. And a second proximity sensor 27 ′ facing the protruding portion of the first proximity sensor 27 from the restriction plate 26.

  Similar to the first proximity sensor 27, the second proximity sensor uses the material of the parts to be transported (aluminum in the present embodiment) as a detection target metal and detects only the front detection target metal. Is shielded, and is inserted into an opening formed on the floor surface of the end 222b of the alignment portion 222 and disposed.

  In such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 4, when the part 9 transported to the stop position 23 is transported with the bottom portion 91 facing forward in the traveling direction, the movement is restricted by the first proximity sensor 27. The part 9 made is not arranged in front of the second proximity sensor 27 ′, and the second proximity sensor 27 ′ does not detect the part 9.

  On the other hand, when the part 9 transported to the stop position 23 is transported with the opening 92 facing forward in the traveling direction, the first proximity sensor 27 is inserted into the opening 92 of the part 9. Therefore, the cylindrical portion of the part 9 is arranged on the front surface of the second proximity switch 27 ′, and the second proximity sensor 27 ′ detects this.

  Thus, since the 1st proximity sensor 27 and 2nd proximity sensor 27 'output the detection result opposite, the reliability of a determination result is further increased by sliding the detection result of both proximity sensors. Can do.

As described above, on the outer peripheral side of the stop position 23 formed at the high position side end (end) 222b of the alignment unit 222, the bottom 91 in the desired direction is carried out of the bowl 2 according to the determination result. An unloading part 3 for introducing the part 9 facing the side is provided in communication with the stop position 23.

  In this way, in order to form the carry-out portion 3 communicating with the stop position 23, the vertical guide 24 formed on the outer periphery of the bowl 2 at the formation position of the stop position 23 is cut in the present embodiment. 24 'is provided, and a shutter 28 in which a notch 28a having a shape corresponding to the size of the part 9 to be conveyed is attached to the notch 24' portion is formed on the shutter 28. The part 9 at the stop position 23 can be carried out of the bowl 2 through the notch 28a.

  Reference numeral 29 in FIG. 4 is an attachment plate for attaching the shutter. When the size of the part 9 to be conveyed is changed, a notch 28a corresponding to the changed shape of the part 9 is formed. The shutter 28 thus attached is attached to the attachment plate 29.

  In the space outside the bowl 2 that communicates with the stop position 23 through the notch 28 a of the shutter 28, a carry-out portion 3 that receives the parts 9 from the stop position 23 is formed.

  The carry-out portion 3 includes a mounting plate 31 projecting in a direction orthogonal to the vertical guide on the outer peripheral side of the stop position 23, a regulation guide 32 screwed to the upper surface of the mounting plate 31, and a return plate described later. It is comprised by the mounting base 33 for attaching the injection nozzle 42. FIG.

  The above-described mounting plate 31 serves as a stay for mounting the various components, and protrudes in the horizontal direction from the outer peripheral side of the vertical guide 24 as described above. As shown in FIG. 5, the mounting plate 31 is preferably formed at a predetermined low position with respect to the stop position 23 of the alignment portion 222, and the parts 9 transported from the stop position 23 are temporarily placed on the mounting plate 31. When placed, it is configured not to return to the stop position 23 side.

  The aforementioned regulation guide 32 is formed in an L-shape in which two metal pieces 32a and 32b are connected to each other by bending a rectangular metal plate, for example, and one of the metal pieces A space for receiving the part 9 unloaded from the stop position 23 between the vertical guide 24 and the other metal piece 32b that is vertically mounted on the mounting base 31 and mounted on the mounting plate 31 in a superposed state. Is formed.

  The interval between the vertical guide 24 and the regulation guide 32 is adjusted to be less than the total length of the part 9 so that the direction of the part 9 carried out between the regulation guide 32 and the vertical guide 24 does not change. The width is adjusted to be slightly wider corresponding to the diameter.

  In order to enable such adjustment, in the present embodiment, a long hole 321 is provided in one piece 32a of the regulation guide 32 superposed on the mounting plate 31, and the long hole 321 is interposed through the long hole 321. The restriction guide 32 is screwed to the mounting plate 31 so that the position of the restriction guide 32 can be moved by the length of the long hole 321 only by loosening the screw for fixing the restriction guide 32.

Injection nozzle (carrying means, return means)
The stop position 23 is formed at the inner position of the bowl 2 as unloading means for unloading the part 9 introduced at the stop position 23 to the unloading unit 3 according to the determination result made at the stop position 23. The ejection nozzle 41 for ejecting compressed gas from the side to the part 9 at the stop position 23, and the part 9 at the stop position 23 on the inner peripheral side of the bowl 2, that is, the introduction part 221 of the parts loading part 21 and the transport track 22. As return means for returning to, a return injection nozzle 42 for injecting compressed gas from the outer peripheral side of the bowl 2 to the part 9 at the stop position 23 is provided.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the carry-out injection nozzle 41 is attached to an injection nozzle bracket 43 provided on the inner peripheral side of the alignment portion 222 with the injection direction directed to the stop position 23.

  On the other hand, the return injection nozzle 42 described above is provided in the carry-out portion 3 described above, and is attached to a mounting base 33 attached to the mounting plate 31 together with the regulation guide 32. The restriction guide 32 is screwed to the restriction guide 32, and the restriction guide 32 is fixed to the mounting base 31. Then, the direction of the return injection nozzle 42 can be adjusted by bolting the restriction guide 32 through a long hole 331 as shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, it has been described that the return injection nozzle 42 is provided in the carry-out unit 3. However, the return injection nozzle 42 removes the part 9 at the stop position 23 by the injection of compressed gas. As long as the arrangement can be returned to the center side of the lens, it is not limited to the position shown in the figure, and it may be attached at any position.

  Similarly, the ejection nozzle 41 for unloading is not limited to the arrangement shown in FIG. 3, and if the part 9 introduced into the stop position 23 can be unloaded to the unloading unit 3, its mounting position is It is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

  The carry-out injection nozzle 41 and the return injection nozzle 42 thus provided are both communicated with a compressed gas supply source such as an air compressor (not shown), and the compressed gas supply source and the injection nozzle 41, The circuit between 42 is provided with electromagnetic valves 45A and 45B for controlling the opening and closing thereof (see FIG. 2), and further, the operation of the electromagnetic valves 45A and 45B is received by receiving the output from the proximity sensor described above. A control device (for example, an electronic control device) such as a controller (not shown) for controlling is provided.

[Description of operation]
The carry-out portion 3 of the bowl-type parts feeder 1 of the present invention configured as described above communicates with a carry-out path 5 for carrying the parts carried to the carry-out portion 3 to an assembly device (not shown). .

  Then, when a part 9 to be transported in the bowl 2, in this embodiment an electrolytic capacitor cover is inserted, and the drive unit 7 is driven to apply vibration to the bowl 2, the vibration starts the part 9. The

  The parts 9 input to the parts input part 21 move from the center side of the parts input part 21 in the outer peripheral direction according to the shape of the part input part 21 formed in an inverted bowl shape. Are transported onto the introduction portion 221 of the transport track 22.

  The parts 9 conveyed onto the introduction part 221 move from the low position side to the high position side of the introduction part 221 by vibration, and are arranged in communication with the high position side end part 221a of the introduction part 221. To.

  The part 9 which reaches the alignment part 222 formed narrower than the introduction part 221 and is directed in the length direction in the width direction of the transport track 22 can not get on the alignment part 222, and the inner periphery of the bowl 2 And then returned again to the lower position side of the parts insertion part 21 or the introduction part 221.

  The parts 9 that can be put on the alignment part 222 without falling off to the center side of the bowl 2 include a part 9 whose length direction is the conveying direction and an upright part 9. The parts 9 other than the part 9 fitted in the groove C and aligned in the lengthwise direction in the length direction are guided to the center side of the bowl 2 by the wiper 25 and fall off from the aligning portion 222, and thereby the bottom portion. Although the direction of 91 varies, a part 9 in which the axial direction is aligned in a predetermined direction is obtained.

  The parts 9 aligned in this way further travel on the alignment part 222, reach the stop position 23 formed at the end 222b of the alignment part 222, and the proximity sensors (first proximity sensor 27, second proximity sensor 27 ′). ) To determine whether the end on the front side in the traveling direction is the end on the bottom 91 side or the end on the opening 92 side.

  In the present embodiment in which only the part 9 having the bottom 91 side end as the front side in the traveling direction is carried out, the first proximity sensor 27 detects the metal to be detected (the second proximity sensor 27 ′ outputs a detection signal). Output), that is, when it is detected that the end on the front side in the traveling direction of the part 9 is the bottom 91 side, the solenoid valve 45A is operated by a controller (not shown) to introduce the compressed gas into the ejection nozzle 41 for unloading. To do.

  By the injection of the compressed gas from the carry-out injection nozzle 41, the part 9 at the stop position 23 rises from the groove C and moves to the outer peripheral side of the bowl 2, and is carried out to the carry-out section 3 through the notch 28a provided in the shutter 28. The

  Since the shutter 28 is formed with the cutout 28a having a shape corresponding to the part 9 to be transported as described above, the parts 9 can be transported to the unloading unit 3 only one by one. Even if the subsequent part 9 moves to the outer peripheral side of the bowl 2 together with the carried-out part due to the jet of compressed gas from the injection nozzle 41, the part 9 may be carried out of the bowl 2. In other words, the undecided part 9 is carried out, and accordingly, mixing of parts with irregular orientations is prevented.

  The parts 9 thus carried out are carried out between the regulation guide 32 provided in the carrying-out part 3 and the vertical guide 24, and moved along the carry-out path 5 provided in communication with this interval. If the auxiliary straight-out carry-out path 5 'is provided, the auxiliary straight-out carry-out path 5' passes through the auxiliary straight-out carry-out path 5 '.

  Preferably, a V groove is formed in the carry-out path 5 as shown in FIG. 6, and a cover 51 is covered as necessary, and the part 9 falls off the carry-out path 5 and falls, or vibrations, etc. Thus, the direction is prevented from changing, for example, by reversing in the carry-out path 5.

  The electrolytic capacitor case thus transported is transported to the next process with the opening 92 or the bottom 91 facing a predetermined direction. By standing up, the capacitor element can be inserted through the opening 92 very easily and efficiently.

  On the other hand, when the second proximity sensor 27 ′ outputs a detection signal (the first proximity sensor 27 does not output a detection signal), that is, when the end of the part 9 in the traveling direction is on the opening 92 side, The controller operates the electromagnetic valve 45B to introduce the compressed gas into the return injection nozzle 42.

  By the introduction of the compressed gas, the compressed gas is injected from the return injection nozzle 42 toward the part 9 at the stop position 23, and the part 9 that has received the injection of the compressed gas floats up from the groove C to the center side of the bowl 2. It moves and falls off from the alignment unit 222, passes through the parts input unit 21 and the conveyance track 22 again, reaches the stop position 23, and repeats the same operation.

  In the present embodiment, in order to be able to transport only the part 9 with the bottom 91 facing forward in the traveling direction, the part 9 is unloaded to the unloading unit 3 when the first proximity sensor 27 detects the metal to be detected. However, the control operation of the electromagnetic valves 45A and 45B is reversed by changing the setting of the controller, for example, and the part 9 is carried out when the second proximity sensor 27 'outputs a detection signal. If so, it is possible to carry out only the parts 9 that are transported with the opening 92 side forward in the traveling direction.

The top view of a bowl-shaped parts feeder. The front view of a bowl-shaped parts feeder. The top view of a stop position and a carrying-out part. Explanatory drawing which looked at the stop position from the inner peripheral side of the bowl. The perspective view of a stop position and a carrying-out part. The abbreviated perspective view of a carry-out path.

Explanation of symbols

1 (Bowl type) parts feeder 2 Bowl 21 Parts input part 22 Transport truck 221 Introduction part (of transport truck)
221a High position side end (introduction part)
222 Alignment section (of transport truck)
222a Low position side end (of alignment part)
222b High position side end (of alignment part)
23 Stop position 24 Vertical guide 24 'Cut (for vertical guide)
25 Wiper 26 Regulating plate 27, 27 'Proximity sensor 28 Shutter 28a Notch (shutter)
29 Shutter mounting plate 3 Unloading part 31 Mounting plate 32 Regulation guide 32a, 32b Metal piece (of regulation guide)
321 Long hole 33 Mounting base (for return injection nozzle)
331 long hole 41 ejection nozzle 42 return ejection nozzle 43 bracket (of ejection nozzle)
45A, 45B Solenoid valve 5 Unloading path 5 'Auxiliary straight traveling unloading path 51 Cover 6 Frame 7 Drive unit 9 Parts 91 Bottom (of parts)
92 opening (parts)
C groove

Claims (6)

A bowl in which a transport track that is a moving path of the charged parts is formed, and a drive unit that imparts vibration to the bowl to move the parts along the transport track, the bottom of the bottomed cylindrical part being In bowl-type parts feeders that are transported in a fixed direction,
The transporting track is provided with an aligning section that aligns the axial direction of the parts in the front-rear direction of the traveling direction, and a restricting plate is erected at the end of the aligning section to restrict the advance of the transported parts and stop. Forming a stop position to be provided, and provided on the outer periphery of the stop position a carry-out portion that communicates with the stop position and carries parts to be carried out of the bowl from the stop position;
A first proximity sensor to be inserted into the opening of the part conveyed to the stop position with the opening facing forward in the advancing direction protrudes from the restriction plate and is orthogonal to the first proximity sensor. Providing a second proximity sensor that is oriented and that faces the first proximity sensor at a portion protruding from the restriction plate;
Furthermore, a carrying-out means for carrying out the parts at the stop position to the carrying-out part, and a returning means for returning to the center side of the bowl,
Based on the detection signals of the first and second proximity sensors, the carry-out means and the return means are controlled to carry out the parts facing in a predetermined conveyance direction to the carry-out portion and reverse to the predetermined carry-out direction. A bowl-type parts feeder, characterized in that a control means is provided for returning the facing parts to the center side of the bowl.   2. The bowl-type parts feeder according to claim 1, wherein side surfaces of the first and second proximity sensors are shielded.   The alignment portion is provided with a groove formed continuously with the moving direction of the part as a length direction in which the part is fitted, and a predetermined interval above the groove, and is fitted into the groove. The bowl-type parts feeder according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a wiper for dropping off the parts that are not attached to the inner peripheral side of the bowl.   4. The bowl-type parts feeder according to claim 3, wherein a bottomed cylindrical part is a conveyance target, and a cross section of the groove formed in the alignment portion is V-shaped.   The bowl-type parts feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the parts to be conveyed are made of aluminum and the proximity sensor is a high-frequency oscillation type.   The bowl-type parts feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the stop position is inclined at a predetermined angle with the regulating plate side as a lower side.

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