JP5148444B2 - Work return device and return method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a workpiece return technique for returning an unspecified type of workpiece among workpieces supplied from a parts feeder, or returning a surplus portion of workpieces supplied from a parts feeder.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, workpieces supplied from two parts feeders, each of which has two independent return devices, are known as devices that return workpieces that have been sorted out in the middle (for example, Patent Documents). 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-58955 (FIG. 2)

Patent document 1 is demonstrated based on the following figure.
FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the basic principle of the prior art. Among the workpieces 102 supplied from the parts feeder 101 of the workpiece supply apparatus 100, the workpiece 102 that has been sorted out by the sorting mechanism 103 is the first workpiece. Is returned to the parts feeder 101.
Of the workpieces 106 supplied from the parts feeder 105 of the workpiece supply device 100, the workpieces 106 that have been sorted out by the sorting mechanism 107 are sent to the second workpiece return device 108 and returned to the parts feeder 105. .

Since the workpiece supply device 100 includes the first workpiece return device 104 and the second workpiece return device 108, a plurality of workpieces 102 and 106 can be returned to the parts feeders 101 and 105, respectively.
However, if a workpiece return device is provided for each of a plurality of workpieces, the workpiece supply devices 104 and 108 are enlarged, and a large space is required. That is, there is a demand for a technique for downsizing the workpiece return devices 104 and 108 for returning a plurality of types of workpieces.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for downsizing a workpiece return device that returns a plurality of types of workpieces.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a workpiece return device that returns an unspecified type of workpiece among workpieces supplied from a parts feeder, or returns a surplus portion of workpieces supplied from a parts feeder, The workpiece return device is provided downstream of the parts feeder and grips the non-designated workpiece or surplus workpiece, and is provided in the vicinity of the gripping mechanism according to the type of workpiece, and the workpiece is assembled to the workpiece feeder. And a receiving member that receives the workpiece at an inclined portion that is provided so as to be movable forward and backward along the dedicated rail and descends in the forward direction. And the workpiece in a continuous inclined portion that is provided so as to be movable up and down on the receiving member and is continuous with the inclined portion of the receiving member. A transfer member to be transferred, a guide rail which is provided at a position lower than the rising end of the transfer member and supports the transfer member and guides the workpiece housed in the transfer member in an upright position; and an upper portion of the guide rail It is provided with a return conveyor that returns the work that is provided and delivered from the transfer member, and a sorting member that is provided at the end of the return conveyor and distributes the work according to the type.

  The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the inclined portion of the receiving member and the continuous inclined portion of the transfer member are inclined surfaces that allow the workpiece to slide under its own weight.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the gripping mechanism moves along the dedicated rail, and the receiving member receives the workpiece from the gripping mechanism while moving on the dedicated rail at a position lower than the gripping mechanism.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 4, it is the return method of the workpiece | work which returns an unspecified kind workpiece | work among the workpiece | work supplied from the parts feeder, or returns the surplus part among the workpiece | work supplied from the parts feeder. A gripping mechanism for gripping the workpiece supplied from the parts feeder, a moving step for moving the gripped workpiece along the dedicated rail, a receiving step for receiving the moved workpiece by the receiving member, and a receiving step. A transfer step of transferring the transferred workpiece from the receiving member to the transfer member, a transfer step of raising the transferred workpiece along the guide rail in a standing posture and transferring it to a position higher than the upper end of the guide rail, and A delivery process for delivering the workpiece from the transfer member to the return conveyor, and a dedicated supply conveyor corresponding to the type of the dispensed workpiece. Wherein the return step of returning by distributing, in that it consists of a.

In the invention according to claim 5, the receiving member is provided with an inclined portion that descends in the forward and backward advance direction, and the transfer member is provided with a continuous inclined portion that is continuously lowered in combination with the inclined portion. The delivery step is characterized in that the workpiece is delivered by sliding the inclined portion and the continuous inclined portion by its own weight.

  The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the receiving step receives the workpiece by advancing the receiving member.

In the invention which concerns on Claim 1, the workpiece | work return apparatus guides a workpiece | work, the holding | grip mechanism which hold | grips the non-designated workpiece | work or a surplus workpiece | work, the receiving member which receives a workpiece | work by an inclination part, the transfer member which transfers a workpiece | work. It consists of a guide rail, a return conveyor that returns the delivered work, and a sorting member that sorts the work according to the type. Since the component parts are shared for a plurality of types of workpieces, the entire return device can be reduced in size.
In addition, since the number of components is reduced, the cost of the return device can be reduced.

In the invention which concerns on Claim 2, the inclination part of a receiving member and the continuous inclination part of a transfer member are slopes which slide a workpiece | work with dead weight. Since the workpiece movement from the receiving member to the transfer member and the workpiece movement from the transfer member to the return conveyor utilize the weight of the workpiece, no special mechanism is required and the configuration of the return device can be simplified.
In addition, since there are few components, the maintenance of the apparatus is easy.

  In the invention according to claim 3, the gripping mechanism moves along the dedicated rail, and the receiving member receives the workpiece from the gripping mechanism while moving on the dedicated rail at a position lower than the gripping mechanism. Since the gripping mechanism is used for both supplying the workpiece and returning the workpiece, the apparatus can be further simplified.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 4, a workpiece | work is paid out to the return conveyor from the said transfer member, and the discharged | paid-out workpiece | work is distributed and returned to a corresponding exclusive supply conveyor according to a kind. Since workpieces with different return locations are returned in a common process, workpieces can be easily returned.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 5, a delivery process slides an inclination part and a continuous inclination part by weight of a workpiece | work. Because it slides under its own weight, it can quickly deliver workpieces.

  In the invention according to claim 6, since the receiving step moves the workpiece to the advanced receiving member in the same operation and the same cycle time as the gripping device moves the workpiece to the dedicated rail, the workpiece can be returned quickly. it can.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are viewed in the direction of the reference numerals.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a basic configuration of a supply device including a workpiece return device according to the present invention. A workpiece supply device 10 includes a long bolt 11 as a workpiece of a different type and a short bolt 12 as a workpiece. The first dedicated supply conveyor 13 and the second dedicated supply conveyor 14 that store and supply the workpieces 11 and 12 to the downstream process according to the type currently used, and the first and second dedicated supply conveyors 13. , 14, one parts feeder 15 that aligns the workpieces 11, 12 and supplies them to the downstream process, and a single common rail 16 that is provided in this parts feeder 15 and flows through the workpieces 11, 12, A discriminating mechanism 17 for discriminating the type of the workpieces 11 and 12 provided to face the common rail 16 and a discriminating mechanism provided to face the common rail 16. A gripping mechanism 18 that grips the workpieces 11 and 12, and a first mechanism that is provided in the vicinity of the gripping mechanism 18 according to the type of the workpieces 11 and 12 and flows to the assembly device (not shown). Return device for returning to the first and second dedicated supply conveyors 13 and 14, respectively, the special rails 21 and the second dedicated rails 22 and the different types of workpieces that are discriminated as different types from the workpieces currently assembled by the discrimination mechanism 17 23, a control unit 24 that performs a series of controls, and a patrol light 25 that informs that the stock of the workpieces 11 and 12 has run out on the first and second dedicated supply conveyors 21 and 22.

  Further, the workpiece supply device 10 includes a measuring mechanism 26 that counts the workpieces 11 and 12 aligned by the parts feeder 15. As a result, it is possible to supply a number of workpieces 11 and 12 that can flow in contact with the inner wall 27 of the parts feeder 15.

In order to detect that a predetermined number or more work 11 and 12 co-rails 16 are aligned, the work 11 at the site from the outlet 28 of the co-rails 16 at a distance to the co-rail 16, A common rail sensor 31 for detecting 12 is provided, and a predetermined distance from the outlet 32 of the first dedicated rail 21 in order to detect that a predetermined number of workpieces 11 are aligned with the first dedicated rail 21. In order to detect that a predetermined number or more of the workpieces 12 are aligned with the second dedicated rail 22, a first dedicated rail sensor 33 for detecting the workpiece 11 on the dedicated rail is provided at A second dedicated rail sensor 35 for detecting the workpiece 12 is provided on the dedicated rail 22 at a position spaced apart from the outlet 34 of the second dedicated rail 22.

  The first dedicated supply conveyor 13 includes a first conveyor sensor 36 that detects the long bolt 11 as a workpiece, and a guide 37 that guides the workpiece 11 to the parts feeder 15. The conveyor 14 includes a second conveyor sensor 41 that detects a short bolt 12 as a workpiece, and a guide 42 that guides the workpiece 12 to the parts feeder 15. When the workpieces 11 and 12 are not detected for a certain period of time after the operation of the first and second dedicated supply conveyors 21 and 22, the patrol 25 can notify that the stock of the workpieces 11 and 12 has been exhausted.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the workpiece return device according to the present invention. The workpiece return device 23 is provided downstream of the parts feeder 15 and grips a non-designated workpiece or surplus workpiece, and the gripping mechanism. 18 is provided in the vicinity of 18 according to the type of the work, and is provided in the vicinity of the second dedicated rail 22 so as to be able to advance and retreat in the vicinity of the second dedicated rail 22. A receiving member 43 that receives a different type of workpiece discriminated from a workpiece that is currently assembled by the discriminating mechanism, a receiving member cylinder 44 that advances and retracts the receiving member 43, and is provided in the vicinity of the receiving member 43 so as to be movable up and down. A transfer member 45 for transferring different kinds of workpieces, an elevating cylinder 46 for raising and lowering the transfer member 45, and supporting the transfer member 45 and being housed in the transfer member 45. Guide rail 47 that guides the workpieces 11 and 12 in a standing posture, an upper guide 51 that is provided at the upper end portion 48 of the guide rail 47 and guides the workpieces 11 and 12, and the first and second dedicated supply conveyors 13 and 14 A return conveyor 52 that extends and displaces the dissimilar workpieces to the first and second dedicated supply conveyors 13 and 14, and is provided at the end 53 of the return conveyor 52 so as to be swingable. It comprises a distribution member 54 that distributes to the conveyors 13 and 14 and a swing drive reduction 55 that swings the distribution member 54.

The receiving member 43 includes an inclined portion 56 that descends in the forward and backward direction. The transfer member 45 disposed at a position opposite to the receiving member 56 includes a continuous inclined portion 57 that is continuous with the inclined portion 56 of the receiving member 43.
Since the inclined portion 56 and the continuous inclined portion 57 are continuous, the workpiece is transferred from the receiving member 43 to the transfer member 45 while sliding on the inclined surface 56 as the inclined portion and the inclined surface 57 as the continuous inclined portion by its own weight.

  In the embodiment, the receiving member 43 is provided in the vicinity of the second dedicated rail 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the receiving member 43 may be provided in the vicinity of the first dedicated rail 21. Similarly to the operation of moving the workpieces 11 and 12 to 21 and 22, the receiving member 43 may be provided in the vicinity of another dedicated rail as long as the workpieces 11 and 12 are moved to the receiving member 43.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2, and the gripping mechanism 18 is slidably provided on a cross rail 62 fixed to the column 61. The gripping mechanism 18 includes a sliding member 63 slidably provided on the crossing rail 62, a pressing portion 64 provided on the sliding member 63 and pressed against the head of the workpiece, and the pressing portion 64 can be opened and closed freely. It comprises gripping claws 65 and 65 that are provided and grip the workpiece, and an opening / closing drive source 66 that opens and closes the gripping claws 65 and 65.

  The discrimination mechanism 17 includes a first discrimination sensor 72 provided on the column 71, a second discrimination sensor 73 provided above the first discrimination sensor 72, and the first and second discrimination sensors. A blocking member 74 provided in the vicinity of the sensors 72 and 73 so as to be movable up and down and blocking the first discrimination sensor 72 or the second discrimination sensor 73 in accordance with the type of the workpiece, and provided in the blocking member 74 so as to be raised and lowered. It consists of a contact member 75 that contacts the lower end portion, and a lift drive source 76 that moves the contact member 75 and the blocking member 74 up and down.

When the blocking member 74 rises and blocks the first determination sensor 72 for a certain time, the first determination sensor 72 detects the blocking member 74. When the blocking member 74 further rises and blocks the second determination sensor 73 for a certain time, the second determination sensor 73 detects the blocking member 74.
Since the raised positions of the contact member 75 and the blocking member 74 differ depending on the type of workpiece, the type of workpiece can be determined.

The operation of the workpiece supply apparatus having the above configuration will be described below.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the first supply process to the common rail flow process.
(A) is a figure explaining a 1st supply process, operates the 1st exclusive supply conveyor 13, moves the long volt | bolt 11 as a workpiece | work as the arrow (1), and supplies it to the parts feeder 15. To do.

  (B) is a figure explaining a 2nd supply process, operates the parts feeder 15, and aligns the long volt | bolt 11 as a workpiece | work along the inner side wall 27 with a vibration, and is shared like the arrow (2). The rail 16 is supplied.

  (C) is a figure explaining a common rail flow process, and, as for the long bolt 11 as a workpiece | work, the neck lower part of a bolt falls in the groove | channel 77 of a rail, the head of a bolt is hooked on the common rail 16, and a posture is suspended. The state is lowered, and the common rail 16 flows and moves to the discrimination field 78 as indicated by the arrow (3).

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4C. In the gripping process, as shown in FIG. 5A, the gripping mechanism 18 is lowered in the direction of the arrow (4) to Hold the head.
As shown in (b), the gripping claws 65 and 65 are closed in the directions of arrows (5) and (5) to grip the bolt 11 as a workpiece.
The blocking member 74 and the contact member 75 of the determination mechanism 17 are raised in the direction of the arrow (6), and the contact member 75 is brought into contact with the lower end portion of the bolt 11 as a workpiece.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the type discriminating process. As shown in FIG. 6A, when the abutting member 75 is abutted against the long bolt 11 as a workpiece, the blocking member 74 causes the first discriminating sensor 72 to be brought into contact. Block it. As a result, it is possible to determine that the type of the work in the determination field 78 is the long bolt 11.
When it is determined that the workpiece is currently assembled, the determination gripping mechanism 18 is moved, and the bolt 11 as a workpiece is moved to the first dedicated rail 21 as indicated by an arrow (7).

  As shown in (b), the gripping claws 65 and 65 are opened by operating in the directions of arrows (8) and (8), and the bolt 11 as a workpiece is released. The gripping mechanism 18 is moved as indicated by the arrow (9) to return to the origin position. The contact member 75 of the determination mechanism 17 is moved as indicated by an arrow (10) to return to the origin position.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a dedicated rail flow process, and the long bolt 11 as a work flows through the first dedicated rail as indicated by an arrow (11) and is supplied to the assembling apparatus.
In addition, when the workpiece | work currently assembled | attached is the short volt | bolt 12 as a workpiece | work, it carries out similarly to the above-mentioned description, the 2nd exclusive supply conveyor 14 is operated, and the short volt | bolt 12 as a workpiece | work is 2nd. Supply to the dedicated rail 22.

Here, the operation of the return device having the above-described configuration will be described below.
The return device operates when the type of workpiece is switched or when an incorrect product is detected. Here, a case where an incorrect product is detected will be described as an example.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a state in which wrong products are mixed in the work currently being assembled. It is assumed that the work currently being assembled is the long bolt 11.
In the common rail 16, the short bolt 12 as a wrong product is mixed in the long bolt 11. As the long bolt 11 is supplied, the short bolt 12 changes its posture to a suspended state, and moves to the discrimination field 78 through the common rail 16 as indicated by an arrow (12).

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a wrong product gripping step and a discrimination step. In the gripping step, the gripping mechanism 18 is lowered in the direction of the arrow (13) to grip the bolt 12 as a wrong product.
The blocking member 74 and the contact member 75 of the determination mechanism 17 are raised in the direction of the arrow (14), and the contact member 75 is brought into contact with the lower end portion of the bolt 11 as a workpiece.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the moving process. When the abutting member 75 comes into contact with the short bolt 12 as a wrong product, the blocking member 74 blocks the second discrimination sensor 73. As a result, it can be determined that the type of work in the determination field 78 is the short bolt 12.
When it is determined that the workpiece is different from the workpiece currently assembled, the gripping mechanism 18 is moved, and the short bolt 12 as a wrong product is moved above the second dedicated rail 22 as indicated by an arrow (15). .

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the receiving process and the transferring process. As shown in FIG. 11A, the receiving member 43 is advanced in the direction of the arrow (16) at a position lower than the gripping mechanism 18. The short bolt 12 as a wrong product is lowered as indicated by an arrow (17) and released from the gripping device 18. As a result, the receiving member 43 receives the short bolt 12 as a workpiece.
As shown in (b), the lower neck portion of the short bolt 12 enters the groove 81 of the receiving member, and the head of the short bolt 12 is caught by the inclined portion 56. The short bolt 12 is brought into a suspended state, and is transferred to the transfer member 45 while sliding on the slope by its own weight from the inclined portion 56 to the continuous inclined portion 57 as indicated by an arrow (18). In the transfer member 45, the lower neck portion of the bolt enters the groove 82 of the transfer member.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the transfer process and the payout process. As shown in FIG. 12A, the lift cylinder 46 is operated to raise the transfer member 45 in the direction of the arrow (19). At this time, the short bolt 12 as a work is lifted in a state where a force acts in a direction of sliding on the slope of the continuous inclined portion 57 by its own weight and is received by the guide rail 47. The transfer member 45 moves to a position higher than the upper end portion 48 of the guide rail 47, and the short bolt 12 as a workpiece is transferred.

Then, as shown in (b), the short bolt 12 as a workpiece falls over the upper guide 51 as shown by the arrow (20) and is delivered to the return conveyor 52.
Thus, since the upper end portion 48 of the guide rail 47 is provided at a position lower than the rising end of the transfer member 45, the workpieces 11 and 12 can fall into the upper guide 51 due to their own weight.

FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the return process. As shown in FIG. 13A, the return conveyor 52 is operated to move the short bolt 12 as a wrong product in the direction of the arrow (21). The sorting member 54 is rotated as indicated by an arrow (22).
Then, as shown to (b), the path | route led to the 2nd exclusive conveyor 14 is formed. The short bolt 12 as a wrong product is returned to the second dedicated supply conveyor 14 as indicated by an arrow (23).
The return conveyor sensor 83 monitors the short bolt 12 as a workpiece, and does not return the next workpiece until the return workpiece is returned to the dedicated supply conveyor.

In addition, when the work currently being assembled is the short bolt 12 and the long bolt 11 as a wrong product is mixed, the long bolt 11 as a wrong product is similarly returned to the first dedicated supply conveyor 13. Is done.
In addition, when the model is changed, the workpiece whose type has been determined to correspond to the model change in the type determination process is also returned in the same manner.

Here, control of the number of workpieces to be supplied will be described with reference back to FIG.
It is assumed that the work currently assembled is a long bolt 11.
When the long bolt 11 as a workpiece is detected by the first dedicated rail sensor 31 for a predetermined time or more, the control unit 24 determines that there are a predetermined number of workpieces or more on the first dedicated rail 21.

  When the long bolt 11 is taken out to the assembling apparatus, the first dedicated rail sensor 31 detects the absence of a workpiece. Then, the work on the shared rail 16 is determined, and the long bolt 11 as a work is replenished from the shared rail 16 to the first dedicated rail 21.

  When a long bolt as a work is taken out from the common rail 16, the common rail sensor 31 detects the absence of the work. Then, the parts feeder 15 is operated, and a long bolt 11 as a work is supplied from the parts feeder 15 to the common rail 16 (for example, 5 pieces). As a result, the common rail sensor 31 detects the presence of a workpiece. The control unit 24 stops the parts feeder 15.

During the operation of the parts feeder 15, the counting mechanism 26 counts the number of long bolts 11 as works flowing on the inner wall 27. When the work is not detected and counted by the counting mechanism 26 for a certain period of time, the first dedicated supply conveyor 13 is operated, and the long bolt 11 as the work is replenished to the parts feeder 15 from the first dedicated supply conveyor 13. The As a result, the counting mechanism 26 can count the long bolts 11 as workpieces, and when it reaches a certain number (for example, 5), the control unit 24 stops the first dedicated supply conveyor 13.
When the first conveyor sensor 36 does not detect a work for a certain time during the operation of the first dedicated supply conveyor 13, the control unit 24 lights the patrol light 15.

As a result, it is possible to require a minimum the stock number of the work of the parts feeder 15 and co-rails 16, it is possible to perform the work returned at the time of model change quickly.
In addition, since the workpieces of the dedicated rails 21 and 22 are kept to a certain number or more, the workpiece can be supplied quickly and without interruption when changing the model.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a basic configuration of a workpiece return device according to another embodiment of the present invention. The parts constituted by the same members as those in FIG.
The workpiece supply device 85 used in the workpiece return device 23 according to another embodiment includes a first dedicated supply conveyor 13, a second dedicated supply conveyor 14, and a third dedicated supply that store four different types of workpieces. Supplied from the conveyor 86 and the fourth dedicated supply conveyor 87, the first sub-supply conveyor 88 that supplies the workpiece fed from the first dedicated supply conveyor 13 to the parts feeder 15, and the fourth dedicated supply conveyor 87. A fourth sub-supply conveyor 89 for supplying the workpiece to the parts feeder 15, and a first dedicated rail 21, a second dedicated rail 22, a third dedicated rail 91 and a fourth dedicated rail for supplying the workpiece to the assembling apparatus. A first dedicated return conveyor 93 and a second dedicated return conveyor 94 that return the returned work to the rail 92, the dedicated supply conveyors 13, 14, 86, and 87. A third dedicated return conveyor 95 and a fourth dedicated return conveyor 96; and a sorting mechanism 97 that is provided so as to be swingable so as to face the return conveyor 52 and distributes the return work to the dedicated return conveyors 93, 94, 95, 96; It is equipped with.

Next, the operation of the workpiece return device 23 according to another embodiment will be described.
Description of the operation similar to that of the workpiece supply device 10 shown in FIG. 1 and the workpiece return device shown in FIG. 2 is omitted.
The sorting mechanism 97 rotates as indicated by an arrow (24) based on the workpiece type discrimination information by the discrimination mechanism 17 to form a return path for the return workpiece. As a result, a plurality of types of workpieces can be supplied by a workpiece feeder provided with one parts feeder and one common rail.

Although the workpiece supply device of the present invention is applied to the bolt in the embodiment, it can also be applied to other workpieces such as screws and clips, and can be applied to general machine parts.
Further, the discriminating mechanism of the present invention discriminates the type of the bolt based on the length of the lower neck portion of the bolt, but the invention is not limited to this. If the type can be discriminated, there is no problem with other discriminating means.
Furthermore, although the workpiece supply apparatus of the present invention is applied to two or four types of workpieces, it may be applied to a plurality of types of workpieces such as three types and five types.

  The workpiece supply apparatus of the present invention is suitable for a workpiece supply apparatus that supplies a plurality of types of bolts.

It is a figure explaining the basic composition of the supply device containing the return device of the work concerning the present invention. It is a top view of the return apparatus of the workpiece | work which concerns on this invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2. It is a figure explaining from a 1st supply process to a common rail flow process. FIG. 5C is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. It is a figure explaining a kind discrimination | determination process. It is a figure explaining an exclusive rail flow process. It is a figure explaining a mode that a wrong article is mixed in the work currently assembled. It is a figure explaining the grip process and discrimination | determination process of a wrong article. It is a figure explaining a movement process. It is a figure explaining a receiving process and a delivery process. It is a figure explaining a transfer process and a payment process. It is a figure explaining a return process. It is a figure explaining the basic composition of the return device of the work of another example of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the basic principle of the prior art.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Work supply apparatus, 11 ... Work (long bolt), 12 ... Work (short bolt), 13 ... 1st exclusive supply conveyor, 14 ... 2nd exclusive supply conveyor, 15 ... Parts feeder, 18 ... Holding mechanism , 21 ... 1st exclusive rail, 22 ... 2nd exclusive rail, 23 ... Return device, 43 ... Receiving member, 45 ... Transfer member, 51 ... Upper guide, 52 ... Return conveyor, 54 ... Sorting member, 56 ... Inclination Part (slope), 57... Continuously inclined part (slope), 97.

Claims (6)

Among the workpieces supplied from the parts feeder, return the unspecified types of workpieces, or among the workpieces supplied from the parts feeder, the workpiece return device that returns the surplus,
The workpiece return device is provided downstream of the parts feeder and grips the non-designated workpiece or surplus workpiece, and is provided in the vicinity of the gripping mechanism according to the type of workpiece, and the workpiece is assembled to the workpiece feeder. And a receiving member that receives the workpiece at an inclined portion that is provided so as to be movable forward and backward along the dedicated rail and descends in the forward direction. And a transfer member that faces the receiving member and is provided so as to be movable up and down, and is combined with the inclined portion of the receiving member to transfer the workpiece at a continuous inclined portion, and is provided at a position lower than the rising end of the transfer member. A guide rail that supports the transfer member and guides the workpiece housed in the transfer member in an upright position, and is provided on an upper portion of the guide rail. Wherein a return conveyor for returning the work passed received from the transfer member, the return device of a work, wherein the sorting member, in that it consists of distributing the work in accordance with the type provided at the end of the return conveyor.   2. The workpiece return apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inclined portion of the receiving member and the continuous inclined portion of the transfer member are inclined surfaces that allow the workpiece to slide under its own weight.   2. The gripping mechanism moves along the dedicated rail, and the receiving member receives the workpiece from the gripping mechanism while moving on the dedicated rail at a position lower than the gripping mechanism. Work return device. Of the workpieces supplied from the parts feeder, return the unspecified type of workpieces, or, among the workpieces supplied from the parts feeder, return the surplus,
A gripping step of gripping the workpiece supplied from the parts feeder by a gripping mechanism;
A moving process of moving the gripped work along a dedicated rail;
A receiving process for receiving the moved workpiece by the receiving member;
A delivery step of delivering the received workpiece from the receiving member to the transfer member;
A transfer step of moving the transferred work in a standing posture along the guide rail to a position higher than the upper end of the guide rail;
A payout step of paying out the transferred work from the transfer member to a return conveyor;
A work return method comprising: a return step of distributing and returning the delivered work to a corresponding dedicated supply conveyor according to the type. The receiving member is provided with an inclined portion that descends in the forward and backward direction, and the transfer member is provided with a continuous inclined portion that is continuously lowered in combination with the inclined portion,
5. The workpiece return method according to claim 4, wherein the delivery step is delivered by sliding the inclined portion and the continuous inclined portion by its own weight.   5. The workpiece return method according to claim 4, wherein the receiving step receives the workpiece by advancing the receiving member.

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