JP5352302B2 - Bar feeder - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for supplying elongated bars, and more particularly, to a bar supply apparatus that can sequentially hold and feed bars having different diameters.

For example, many small motors in recent years have a motor shaft with a diameter of about 1 to 3 mm and a length of about several to 10 mm. For example, one process such as press-fitting such a small shaft into the rotor is fixed. It is very difficult to carry out by one manual operation.
For this reason, there is a device that can easily hold and sequentially feed bar materials such as motor shafts, especially a bar material supply device that can also handle bar materials with different diameters and can fully handle the mass production process of a wide variety of products. Long-awaited.

  As an apparatus that sequentially feeds long and narrow bars, there is a device such as a mechanical pencil. In a general mechanical pencil mechanism, a single core holding mechanism cannot hold many types of cores having different diameters. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a type capable of holding various cores having different diameters. Yes.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, even when a workpiece having a different outer diameter is held on the headstock of the lathe device, it is not necessary to replace the chuck claw, and a workpiece having a different outer diameter can be held. A collet chuck is described.

Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 63-41758 JP 2008-55548 A

As shown in FIG. 10, the one described in Patent Document 1 is different in the core holding body 103 due to the movement of the core holding body 103 along the shape of the core holding body fixing hole formed inside the fastener 104. The diameter core can be held.
However, the core holder 107 and the guide pipe 110 cannot handle cores having different diameters. If the core holder 107 and the guide pipe 110 are combined with a thick core, the core holder 103 holds the core. In the absence, the thin core passes through the core holder 107 and the guide pipe 110 and falls.
Therefore, Patent Document 1 merely describes a mechanism that can hold cores having different diameters, and is incomplete as an apparatus that sequentially holds and feeds bars having different diameters.
Further, the structure of the core holder 103 and the fastener 104 is extremely complicated, and there is a problem that high dimensional accuracy of each component is required.

  On the other hand, although the collet chuck described in Patent Document 2 can hold bars with different outer diameters, it simply holds the bar with a chuck claw. It is not possible to sequentially feed out a storage tube containing a large number of materials.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a bar supply device that solves the problems of the prior art as described above, has a simple structure, and can sequentially hold and feed bar bars of different diameters from the storage tube. For the purpose.

The present invention made to achieve the above object includes a storage tube in which a bar is stored, a chuck fixed to the tip of the storage tube, a chuck ring inserted into the outer periphery of the tip of the chuck, A bar supply device comprising an outer cylinder for storing these and capable of handling bars of different diameters ,
The chuck has a plurality of fingers at the tip,
The finger has a convex portion in a portion for gripping a bar,
One of the fingers and the chuck ring has a tapered portion in which a portion in contact with the other expands toward the tip,
A cap is attached to the tip of the outer cylinder,
The cap includes a bar passing port through which a bar with the maximum diameter to be handled can pass, a step portion with which the tip of the chuck ring is in contact, and the bar while holding the bar according to the diameter of the bar Having an opening shape changing means for changing the opening shape of the material passage opening;
The chuck ring has a flange at the tip, and the flange is disposed so as to be movable between the front end surface of the outer cylinder and the stepped portion of the cap .
At the rear end of the storage tube, an end cap whose position can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction is attached,
A spring material is interposed between the front of the end cap and the rear of the outer cylinder so that the operation load when pushing the end cap can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the end cap. It is what.

As a further preferable feature, the bar supply device of the present invention is as follows.
"The opening shape changing means is a leaf spring or a rubber ring attached to the cap",
"The cap can be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder" containing,.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even if it is a bar | burr of a different diameter by simple structure, the bar | burr supply apparatus which can be sequentially hold | gripped and sent out from a storage tube is implement | achieved.

1 is an overall view of a bar supply device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the chuck | zipper concerning the example of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the chuck ring which concerns on the example of 1st Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a top view, (b) is the side view which showed the right half in cross section. It is a figure which shows the front-end | tip tool which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a top view, (b) is the side view which showed the right half in cross section. It is explanatory drawing of the cap and tip implement which concern on the example of 1st Embodiment of this invention, (a) is the side view which showed the right half in cross section, (b) is AA sectional drawing in (a). . It is principal part sectional drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the bar supply apparatus which concerns on the example of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is principal part sectional drawing for demonstrating operation | movement of the bar supply apparatus which concerns on the example of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the opening shape change means based on the other embodiment of this invention. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the bar feeder concerning other examples of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating a prior art example.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be exemplarily described based on the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an overall view of a bar supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and shows a right half in section. The bar supply device 10 supplies bar bars stored in the storage tube 11 to the next process while sequentially holding the bars one by one.

The storage tube (tank) 11 includes a large-diameter portion 11a, a small-diameter portion 11b, and a hopper portion 11c that connects them. The large-diameter portion 11a has an inner diameter that is at least twice that of the maximum-diameter bar that can be handled by the bar-feeding device 10, and the small-diameter portion 11b has an inner diameter that is comparable to the maximum-diameter bar. .
The diameter of the bar that can be handled by the bar supply apparatus 10 of this example is larger than ½ times the inner diameter of the small-diameter portion 11b and smaller than the inner diameter of the small-diameter portion 11b.
In addition, the shape of the storage tube 11 is not particularly limited, and may be configured by only the small diameter portion 11b, for example.

A chuck 12 as shown in FIG. 2A is fixed to the distal end portion of the storage tube 11. The chuck 12 has two fingers 12a that are separated into two ends by a separation groove 12d. The inner diameter of the base end portion of the chuck 12 is the same as the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 11b.
As shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, a convex portion 12c whose longitudinal section approximates a semi-elliptical shape is formed on the inner surface of the finger 12a, which is a portion for gripping the bar. The outer peripheral portion is enlarged. FIGS. 2B and 2C are cross-sectional views showing a state where a small-diameter bar 20a and a large-diameter bar 20b are gripped, respectively.

  In the bar supply device 10 of this example, the storage tube 11 and the chuck 12 are formed as separate members, but they may be formed as a single member. Further, the number of fingers 12a and the shape of the convex portion 12c can be appropriately designed in consideration of the cross-sectional shape of the bar, the grip strength, and the like.

A chuck ring 13 for opening and closing the finger 12a is inserted into the outer periphery of the tip of the chuck 12, that is, the outer periphery of the finger 12a.
As shown in FIG. 3, the chuck ring 13 includes a ring portion 13a and a flange portion 13b that come into contact with the finger 12a.
The ring portion 13a is formed as a tapered portion that expands at a predetermined angle. The flange portion 13b is formed over the entire circumference of the tip of the ring portion 13a, but a plurality of flange portions 13b may be formed by being partially separated.

  The storage tube 11, the chuck 12 and the chuck ring 13 are stored inside the outer cylinder 14. And the cap 15 is screwed at the front-end | tip of this outer cylinder 14 so that a position can be adjusted to the longitudinal direction.

  The cap 15 includes a cylindrical portion 15a and a front surface portion 15b. On the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 15a, a step portion 15c is formed on which the flange portion 13b of the chuck ring 13 abuts when the bar is fed. Accordingly, the chuck ring 13 is configured such that the flange portion 13b can move only between the step portion 15c and the front end surface 14a of the outer cylinder 14 (dimension L in FIG. 1).

A front end portion 15b of the cap 15 is provided with a tip 15d having an opening (bar material passage opening) 15e through which a bar having the maximum diameter handled by the bar material supply device 10 can pass. In this example, the cap 15 and the tip 15d are formed as separate members, but they may be integrally formed as a single member.
As shown in FIG. 4, the tip 15d is provided with two support columns 15f adjacent to the opening 15e. The width W of the column 15f is slightly smaller than the diameter of the minimum diameter bar handled by the bar supply device 10.
As shown in FIG. 5, a rubber ring 16 is stretched over the support 15f so as to close a part of the opening 15e as opening shape changing means.

An end cap 17 is screwed to the rear end of the storage tube 11 so that its position can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction.
A spring material 18 is interposed between the front of the end cap 17 and the rear of the outer cylinder 14. For this reason, when the end cap 17 is not pushed downward, as shown in FIG. 1, the end cap 17, the storage tube 11 and the chuck 12 are urged rearward (upward) and further abut against the finger 12a. The chuck ring 13 that is pulled in is also urged rearward (upward), and the flange portion 13 b of the chuck ring 13 is in contact with the front end surface 14 a of the outer cylinder 14.

  Next, the bar supply operation by the bar supply apparatus 10 of this example will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the bar 20a having the minimum diameter that can be handled by the bar supply apparatus 10 of this example is supplied.
First, with the end cap 17 (not shown in FIG. 6) removed from the storage tube 11, a large number of bars 20 a are put into the storage tube 11 from the rear opening of the storage tube 11. Several bars 20a put in the storage tube 11 enter the small diameter portion 11b of the storage tube 11, and the rest are stored in the large diameter portion 11a. In the figure, only two bars are shown.
At this time, as shown in FIG. 6A, the finger 12a is closed by the chuck ring 13, and the most advanced bar is in contact with the upper side of the convex portion 12c.

Next, when the end cap 17 is pushed in and the flange portion 13b of the chuck ring 13 abuts against the step portion 15c of the cap 15, the finger 12a projects from the chuck ring 13 and is expanded. As a result, the most advanced bar 20a passes through the finger 12a, and the most advanced bar 20a contacts the rubber ring 16 as shown in FIG.
At this time, the finger 12a does not hold the bar 20a, but the inner side of the rubber ring 16 is narrower than the outer diameter of the bar 20a, so the bar 20a does not fall.

  Next, when the pushing of the end cap 17 is stopped, the restoring force of the spring material 18 (not shown in FIG. 6) pulls back the finger 12a together with the storage tube 11, and as shown in FIG. The front end portion of 12a is inserted into the chuck ring 13, and the flange portion 13b contacts the front end surface 14a. Thereby, the finger 12a grips the bar 20a.

  Subsequently, when the end cap 17 is pushed in a plurality of times, as shown in FIGS. 6D and 6E, the state-of-the-art bar 20a pushes the rubber ring 16 and partially protrudes from the opening 15d. .

  As shown in FIG. 6E, with the state-of-the-art bar 20a partially protruding from the cap 15, for example, the tip of the bar 20a is processed or an adhesive is applied to the tip. When the end cap 17 is pushed in a plurality of times after the above process is performed, the processed and processed bar 20a is pushed out by the next bar 20a, and the next bar 20a is processed and processed in the same procedure as described above. It can be performed.

FIG. 7 shows a state in which the bar 20b having the maximum diameter that can be handled by the bar supply apparatus 10 of the present example is supplied. FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (e) are respectively shown in FIGS. It corresponds to e).
In the bar supply device 10 of this example, the ring portion 13a of the chuck ring 13 that contacts the finger 12a is formed in a tapered shape that expands toward the tip. The depth with which 13a meshes changes, and the opening angle of finger 12a also changes.
That is, when handling bars with different diameters, as can be seen by comparing FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C, the opening angle of the fingers 12a when gripping the bars changes.

As described above, although the opening angle of the finger 12a varies depending on the diameter of the bar, the convex portion 12c having an appropriate shape is formed on the inner surface of the finger 12a, so that even if the opening angle of the finger 12a varies. The rod can be securely gripped.
The cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 12c is preferably composed of a curved surface such as a semi-elliptical shape as in this example in order to be able to deal with bars of all diameters within a predetermined range. . On the other hand, in the case of handling only rods having a predetermined number of diameters, for example, a cross-sectional shape having a surface whose angle changes stepwise is preferable. In this case, each surface having a different angle becomes a gripping surface corresponding to a bar having a different diameter.

  In the bar supply device 10 of this example, the rubber ring 16 is stretched over the column 15e of the cap 15 so as to block a part of the bar passage port 15d, and the bar is held while holding the bar according to the diameter of the bar. Since the opening shape of the passage port 15d can be changed, it is possible not only to simply grip the rods having different diameters with the fingers 12a but also to sequentially take out them from the storage tube 11 in which a large number of bars are stored. .

  Moreover, in the bar supply apparatus 10 of this example, the position of the cap 15 can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 14. For this reason, the dimension L in FIG. 1 can be adjusted, the length of the bar sent out by one operation can be adjusted, and not only different diameters but also different lengths of bars can be handled appropriately.

In the bar supply device 10 of the present example, when the fingers 12a grip bars having different diameters, the return position of the end cap 17 is different. For this reason, when the diameter of the bar changes, the operation load for pushing the end cap 17 when the bar is fed changes, and the gripping force by the fingers 12a also changes.
That is, the larger the diameter of the bar, the greater the amount of contraction of the spring material 18 when the end cap 17 is stopped, and the greater the repulsive force of the spring material 18, the greater the gripping force. The initial operating load is also increased.

  On the other hand, it may be inconvenient if the operation load or gripping force changes depending on the diameter of the bar. For example, when the operation load changes, it may be necessary to control the operation method, or the gripping force may need to be adjusted according to the type of bar. Specifically, when handling a hard metal rod such as a motor shaft, it must be gripped with a strong force, and when handling a relatively fragile and soft rod, it must be gripped with a relatively weak force.

Even in such a case, in the bar supply device 10 of this example, the position of the end cap 17 can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the storage tube 11, so that the gripping force and the operation load can be adjusted appropriately. it can.
For example, when it is desired to keep the operation load constant even with rods of different diameters, the end cap 17 is screwed deeply into the storage tube 11 when handling thin rods, and the end cap is handled when handling thick rods. The cap 17 may be shallowly screwed into the storage tube 11.
Further, when it is desired to weaken the gripping force when handling a fragile and soft bar, the end cap 17 may be shallowly screwed into the storage tube 11.

  In the present invention, the means for changing the opening shape of the bar passage opening is not limited to the rubber ring 16 as described above. For example, a plurality of leaf springs may be used to block a part of the bar passage opening. It may be arranged around the bar passage opening. Further, when a rubber ring is applied, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, an opening groove 15f is formed in the cylindrical portion 15a of the cap 15, and the rubber ring 16 is attached to the opening groove 15f so that one of the openings 15e. The part may be closed.

  In the previous example, the ring portion 13a of the chuck ring 13 is a tapered portion so that rods having different diameters can be gripped. However, the taper that widens the outer peripheral portion of the tip of the finger 12a toward the tip. It is good also as a part.

  In the previous example, the spring material 18 is interposed between the front of the end cap 17 and the rear of the outer cylinder 14, but if adjustment of the gripping force and the operation load as described above is unnecessary, the spring The arrangement of the material 18 can take various forms. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, step portions can be provided in the storage tube 11 and the outer cylinder 14, and a spring material 18 can be disposed between these step portions.

10 Bar supply device 11 Storage pipe (tank)
11a Large diameter portion 11b Small diameter portion 11c Hopper portion 12 Chuck 12a Finger 12c Convex portion 12d Separation groove 13 Chuck ring 13a Ring portion 13b Hook portion 14 Outer tube 14a Front end surface 15 Cap 15a Cylindrical portion 15b Front portion 15c Step portion 15d 15e opening (bar outlet)
15f Prop 15g Opening groove 16 Rubber ring (opening shape changing means)
17 End cap 18 Spring material 19 Leaf spring 20a, 20b Bar material 103 Core holder 104 Fastener 107 Core holder 110 Guide pipe

Claims (3)

A rod having a different diameter, comprising a storage tube for storing a bar material, a chuck fixed to the tip of the storage tube, a chuck ring inserted into the outer periphery of the tip of the chuck, and an outer cylinder for storing them. A bar supply device capable of handling a material ,
The chuck has a plurality of fingers at the tip,
The finger has a convex portion in a portion for gripping a bar,
One of the fingers and the chuck ring has a tapered portion in which a portion in contact with the other expands toward the tip,
A cap is attached to the tip of the outer cylinder,
The cap includes a bar passing port through which a bar with the maximum diameter to be handled can pass, a step portion with which the tip of the chuck ring is in contact, and the bar while holding the bar according to the diameter of the bar Having an opening shape changing means for changing the opening shape of the material passage opening;
The chuck ring has a flange at the tip, and the flange is disposed so as to be movable between the front end surface of the outer cylinder and the stepped portion of the cap .
At the rear end of the storage tube, an end cap whose position can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction is attached,
A spring material is interposed between the front of the end cap and the rear of the outer cylinder so that the operation load when pushing the end cap can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the end cap. Bar supply device to do.   The bar material supply device according to claim 1, wherein the opening shape changing means is a leaf spring or a rubber ring attached to the cap.   The bar supply device according to claim 1, wherein a position of the cap can be adjusted in a longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder.

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