JP5904029B2 - Work aligning and conveying device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a workpiece aligning and conveying device for conveying a supplied workpiece while aligning the supplied workpiece in a predetermined direction.

  Conventionally, many techniques have been disclosed for supplying workpieces continuously into a production line in a factory and transporting them while aligning their postures.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, workpiece alignment as a linear part feeder that can align a direction by rotating a workpiece different from a predetermined direction around an axis parallel to the conveyance direction while conveying the workpiece in one direction. A transport device is shown. In the workpiece alignment transport device, the workpiece is transported in one direction along the first transport path (first track) using vibration, and the posture of the workpiece being transported is detected, and the posture is not predetermined. Sometimes the posture is changed by ejecting air to the part and moving the work to roll over to a second transport path (second track) provided in parallel with the first transport path. It can be done.

JP 2000-159334 A

  However, when the posture is changed by causing the workpiece to roll over by ejecting air as described above, a posture change mistake may occur due to various factors such as individual differences in the workpiece and errors in the amount of air ejection.

  In the form of such a posture change mistake, the workpiece moved from the first conveyance path to the second conveyance path bounces back and returns to the first conveyance path (first form). And the like (second form) and those which become oblique on the conveyance path (third form).

  Normally, workpieces with such posture change mistakes are usually excluded at the inspection stage, but when there are many posture change mistakes, workpieces with appropriate postures are continuously processed in the next process. This will cause a reduction in the efficiency of the entire line. In addition, if it cannot be excluded at the inspection stage, it may be sent to the next process with an inappropriate posture and may cause another serious problem.

  An object of the present invention is to effectively solve such problems. Specifically, the workpiece alignment is capable of supplying a workpiece having a stable and appropriate posture while reducing mistakes in changing the posture of the workpiece. An object is to provide a transport device.

  In order to achieve this object, the present invention takes the following measures.

  In other words, the work aligning and conveying apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention applies vibration to the conveying table on which the conveying path is formed, and moves the workpiece placed on the conveying table along the conveying path. , A workpiece aligning and conveying device that rotates the workpiece around an axis parallel to the conveying direction by an urging means using air to have a predetermined posture, wherein the conveying path is a groove having a substantially V-shaped cross section. The formed first conveyance path is formed as a substantially V-shaped groove in parallel with the first conveyance path at a position adjacent to the first conveyance path, and the opening direction of the start end of the groove is on the first conveyance path side. An intermediate conveyance path that is inclined so that the opening direction of the terminal end is substantially the same as the opening direction of the first conveyance path, and a groove having a substantially V-shaped cross section continuous with the intermediate conveyance path in the conveyance direction. And the opening direction of the groove is the front A second conveyance path configured to be substantially the same as the opening direction of the first conveyance path, and the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path gradually approach and merge in the conveyance direction. A joining portion is formed, and the work rotated around an axis parallel to the transport direction while being moved from the first transport path to the intermediate transport path by the urging means is further rotated along the intermediate transport path. It is made to move to the said 2nd conveyance path, making it return, and to return to the said 1st conveyance path through the said junction part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Here, the opening direction of the groove is the same direction as the bisector of the angle formed by the two sides forming the substantially V-shaped groove cross section, and the direction toward the outside of the groove is The direction shown as positive shall be said.

  When configured as described above, since the amount of rotation of the workpiece by ejecting air can be limited to a small angle, it is possible to change the posture by simply rotating the workpiece with a small amount of air ejection. Become. Therefore, energy consumption can be suppressed, and posture change errors such as excessive rotation and rebounding can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, the work aligning and conveying apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention applies vibration to the conveying table on which the conveying path is formed, thereby moving the workpiece placed on the conveying table along the conveying path. , A workpiece aligning and conveying device that rotates the workpiece around an axis parallel to the conveying direction by an urging means using air to have a predetermined posture, wherein the conveying path is a groove having a substantially V-shaped cross section. The formed first conveyance path is formed as a substantially V-shaped groove in parallel with the first conveyance path at a position adjacent to the first conveyance path, and the opening direction of the start end of the groove is on the first conveyance path side. An intermediate conveyance path that is inclined so that the opening direction of the terminal end is substantially the same as the opening direction of the first conveyance path, and a groove having a substantially V-shaped cross section continuous with the intermediate conveyance path in the conveyance direction. And the opening direction of the groove is the above-mentioned A second conveyance path configured to be substantially the same as the opening direction of the one conveyance path, and each groove forming the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path is opened along the conveyance direction. A merging portion is formed that merges while gradually approaching while twisting in a direction in which the directions are relatively separated from each other, and the urging means moves the first conveying path to the intermediate conveying path while moving in the conveying direction. The workpiece rotated around a parallel axis is moved to the second conveyance path while further rotating along the intermediate conveyance path, and is returned to the first conveyance path through the junction. Features.

  If comprised in this way, while being able to acquire the effect similar to the workpiece | work alignment conveying apparatus in the said 1st invention, it becomes possible to enlarge the angle which can change the attitude | position of a workpiece | work at once.

  Furthermore, on the premise of the configuration in the second invention, in order to realize a more specific configuration, the grooves forming the first transport path and the second transport path are twisted in the merging portion. By merging along the conveying direction, a single merging groove having a substantially V-shaped cross section and an obtuse angle is formed, and the position is adjusted so that the section is substantially arc-shaped continuously with the merging groove in the conveying direction. It is preferable that a groove is formed and that the terminal end of the position adjusting groove is continuous with the first conveyance path.

  In addition, even if any of the above-described configurations is assumed, in order to further enhance the above effect by making it easier to rotate the work, it is effective to reduce the vertical movement of the work center of gravity accompanying the rotation. Therefore, it is preferable that at least the vicinity of the urging means in the boundary portion between the first transport path and the intermediate transport path is formed in an R shape.

  In order to make it possible to move the workpiece more stably, when the workpiece moves from the first conveyance path to the intermediate conveyance path, the R shape formed in the boundary portion is formed. It is preferable that the urging force by the urging means is set so as to rotate while moving along.

  In order to automatically detect the posture of the workpiece and change the workpiece to a predetermined posture, the urging means includes an air ejection hole provided in the first transport path, and the air ejection hole. An air supply unit for supplying air to the workpiece, a workpiece posture detection means for detecting the posture of the workpiece, and whether or not the posture of the workpiece is a predetermined one based on a signal from the workpiece posture detection means. A workpiece posture discriminating unit for discriminating, and configured to supply air from the air supply unit to the air ejection hole based on a signal from the workpiece posture discrimination unit and to eject the air from the air ejection hole. Is preferred.

  Furthermore, in order to make it possible to further suppress posture change mistakes by appropriately ejecting air while grasping the positional relationship of the workpiece with respect to the air ejection hole, the workpiece posture detection means includes a light projecting portion and a light receiving portion. The light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged in a positional relationship such that light emitted from the light projecting unit passes through the air ejection hole and reaches the light receiving unit. Is preferred.

  In order to allow the polygonal workpieces to be properly aligned, the intermediate conveyance path, the second conveyance path, the merging portion, the urging means, and the workpiece posture detection means are arranged in the conveyance direction. It is preferable to configure so as to be provided at a plurality of locations along the line.

  According to the present invention described above, it is possible to provide a workpiece alignment / conveyance device that can continuously and stably supply a workpiece in an appropriate posture by reducing a workpiece posture change error.

1 is a side view of a workpiece alignment / conveyance apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view which shows the conveyance stand periphery of the workpiece | work alignment conveying apparatus. The expansion perspective view which expands and shows the M section in FIG. The principal part expansion perspective view which expands and shows the principal part in FIG. 3 further. FIG. 3 is a three-side view illustrating an example of a workpiece conveyed by the workpiece alignment conveyance device. The schematic diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the air ejection control in the workpiece | work alignment conveying apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows the movement form of the workpiece | work in the workpiece | work alignment conveying apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows the movement form of the workpiece | work in the workpiece | work alignment conveying apparatus. The schematic diagram which shows the movement form of the workpiece | work in the workpiece | work alignment conveying apparatus. The cross-sectional enlarged view which shows the shape of the 1st conveyance path and the intermediate conveyance path in the workpiece | work alignment conveyance apparatus. The cross-sectional enlarged view which shows the shape of the 1st conveyance path and the 2nd conveyance path in the conventional workpiece alignment conveyance apparatus as a comparative example. The perspective view which shows the confluence | merging part of the workpiece | work alignment conveying apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the confluence | merging part of the workpiece | work alignment conveying apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

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

<First Embodiment>
As shown in FIG. 1, the workpiece aligning and conveying apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is configured such that a conveying table 2 on which a conveying path 3 is formed can be vibrated, and a workpiece 9 placed on the conveying table 2. ˜9 can be conveyed in the W direction in the figure by the vibration of the conveyance table 2.

  Here, the conveyance direction of the workpiece 9 is defined as the W direction, and the horizontal direction that is substantially the same as the conveyance direction of the workpiece 9 is the X direction, the vertical upward direction is the Z direction, The depth direction of the paper surface orthogonal to the direction and the Z direction is defined as the Y direction.

  Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the workpiece aligning and conveying apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described using each direction defined as described above.

  The carriage 2 is generally configured as a block extending in the X direction, and is similarly fixed to the upper surface of the movable table 4 configured as extending in the X direction. And the movable stand 4 is elastically supported with respect to the base 7 via a pair of leaf | plate springs 71 and 71 arrange | positioned at predetermined intervals in the X direction.

  The leaf springs 71 and 71 are each arranged in parallel with a slight inclination with respect to the vertical direction. The upper ends of the leaf springs 71 and 71 are fixed to the lower surface of the movable table 4 by the mounting members 72a and 72b, and the lower ends are It is fixed to the upper surface of the base 7 by mounting members 72c and 72d. Further, an electromagnet 75 as a vibration means is attached to the upper surface of the base 7 via a mounting base 75a, and a magnetic block 76 is attached to the lower surface of the movable base 4 so as to face the electromagnet 75. Yes.

  With the configuration described above, a periodic magnetic force is generated in the magnetic block 76 by causing a current that periodically varies in magnitude to flow in the electromagnet 75, and in the normal direction of the leaf springs 71, 71. The conveyance stand 2 can be vibrated. Due to this vibration, a thrust in the transfer direction (W direction in the figure) is applied to the workpiece 9 placed on the transfer table 2 so that the transfer is performed.

  Further, the workpiece 9 is configured to move along the conveyance path 3 formed on the conveyance table 2. In addition, the workpiece aligning and conveying apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is configured to have the functions A to G in the drawing along the conveying path 3.

  Here, FIG. 5 shows an example of a workpiece 9 that is aligned and conveyed by the workpiece alignment and conveyance apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. The work 9 in this example has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and both end faces in the longitudinal direction are formed as substantially squares, and the other four faces serving as side faces in the longitudinal direction are each formed as a rectangle. Further, a cutout portion 9a is formed on one of the four rectangular surfaces.

  In the work aligning and conveying apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the work 9 having the above-described shape can be moved in the longitudinal direction, and the notch 9a can be aligned in a specific direction.

  Returning to FIG. 1, part A is an introduction part for receiving a work 9 supplied from a work supply part (not shown) provided in the left direction in the figure. The longitudinal direction of the workpiece 9 is aligned with the conveyance direction, and the workpiece 9 is moved in the conveyance direction along the conveyance path 3.

  BD parts are the 1st-3rd attitude | position change part which changes an attitude | position when the attitude | position of the workpiece | work 9 is not in the predetermined direction. In the workpiece aligning and conveying apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the orientation in which the notch 9a (see FIG. 5) of the workpiece 9 is substantially upward is set as the reference posture, and when the orientation is not in this direction, the workpiece 9 is set as the conveying direction. The workpiece 9 is set to the reference posture by rotating around a parallel axis. In the first to third posture changing sections (B to D sections), each of the workpieces 9 can be rotated by 90 ° around an axis parallel to the transport direction. Is an orientation that is aligned with the same orientation by selectively performing either no rotation (0 °) or 90 °, 180 °, or 270 ° rotation according to the orientation introduced from the introduction part (A part) Be changed.

  Moreover, the 1st, 2nd test | inspection part is provided as E and F part in the conveyance direction downstream of these attitude | position change parts. As a result, the workpiece 9 in which a posture change error has occurred is excluded from the transport path 3 so that it does not flow into the next process.

  Further, after the first and second inspection parts (E and F parts), a lead-out part is provided as a G part. Here, the workpiece 9 confirmed to be in the reference posture is derived while being finely corrected to an inclination suitable for the next process.

  In order to provide the above functions, specifically, the periphery of the transport table 2 is configured as shown in FIG.

  The conveyance path 3 has a substantially V-shaped cross section and is formed so as to be continuous in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the conveyance table 2. The workpiece 9 (see FIG. 1) passes through the parts A to G in the drawing along the conveyance path 3.

  The first to third posture changing units (B to D) and the first and second inspection units (E and F) respectively detect the posture of the work 9 (see FIG. 1) passing through the conveyance path 3. Photoelectric sensors 62 to 62 are provided as work posture detection means for this purpose. These photoelectric sensors 62 are of a transmissive type, have a light projecting part 62a and a light receiving part 62b, and are each attached by a bracket 63 provided on the transport table 2.

  Further, an urging means 6 for changing the posture of the work 9 (see FIG. 1) different from the reference posture is provided, and an air pipe connection portion for introducing compressed air as a power source as a part thereof. 61-61 are provided. In the figure, the air piping connected to these is omitted.

  An exclusion product receiving portion 51 formed with a groove parallel to the transport path 3 is provided on the side of the transport platform 2 and is used as a product whose posture is changed by the first and second inspection portions (E and F portions). The workpiece 9 (see FIG. 1) detected and removed from the conveyance path 3 is received and returned to the bowl (not shown) in which the workpiece 9 before conveyance is accommodated.

  Cover members 52 and 53 for covering the conveyance path 3 are provided in the lead-out section (G section), and the workpiece 9 is supported while supporting the workpiece 9 in a space formed inside these and the conveyance path 3. The operation is stabilized and sent out while correcting the inclination of the nozzle to the one suitable for the next process.

  3 is enlarged and shown in FIG.

  The conveyance path 3 formed in the conveyance table 2 includes a first conveyance path 31 formed continuously in the workpiece conveyance direction, an intermediate conveyance path 32 provided in parallel at a position adjacent to the first conveyance path 31, The second transport path 33 is provided so as to be continuous with the intermediate transport path 32 in the transport direction.

  Furthermore, a merging portion 34 that gradually approaches the first conveyance path 31 and the second conveyance path 33 in the conveyance direction and merges with one first conveyance path 31 is formed.

  The shape of these grooves will be described with reference to FIG. 4 further enlarged than FIG.

  The first transport path 31, the intermediate transport path 32, and the second transport path 33 are each formed so that the cross section is substantially V-shaped, and can support two surfaces of the workpiece 9 by two surfaces serving as inner walls. It can be done.

  The path through which the work 9 passes includes a path R1 as the first transport path 31, and a path R2 on the transport direction start end side as an intermediate transport path 32 provided in parallel with the path R2 and the end. There is a path R3 on the side and a path R4 as the second transport path 33. The portion of the path R2 in the intermediate transport path 32 is formed in a straight line, but the portion of the path R3 is formed so as to be twisted in the clockwise direction in the drawing as it proceeds to the end side. By providing the twisted path R3 in a part of the intermediate transport path 32, the path R2 of the intermediate transport paths 32 having different opening directions and the second transport path (path R4) are smoothly continuous. It can be made to. Therefore, the paths R2 to R4 are formed so as to be smoothly continuous. Further, the route R1 and the route R4 gradually approach each other at the junction 34 (see FIG. 3) as described above, and eventually become one route R1.

  Furthermore, an air ejection hole 64 that constitutes a part of the urging means 6 is provided on one side of the two surfaces serving as the inner walls of the first conveyance path 31, and the air is directed toward the intermediate conveyance path 32 from here. Can be ejected.

  The main one of the routes R1 to R4 is the route R1 that is continuous as the first transport path 31 in the transport direction. When the posture of the workpiece 9 moving in the transport direction (W direction in the drawing) along the path R1 is different from the reference posture, the bias is applied to the workpiece 9 by the biasing means 6 using air, and the route The posture is changed by rotating while moving to R2. Specifically, the urging means 6 can apply an urging force by ejecting air to the work 9 from the air ejection hole 64, and the urging force is applied to the air pressure and the air. It is controlled by the amount of ejection. The work 9 that has moved on the route R2 instead of the route R1 by the action of such an urging force returns to the route R1 in a state in which the posture is changed from the initial state via the routes R3 and R4 that are continuous with the route R2. It will be.

  The urging means 6 is operated by a system as shown in FIG.

  As described above, the air ejection hole 64 is formed on one side of the two surfaces of the inner wall of the first conveyance path 31. The air ejection hole 64 is provided at a position corresponding to the upper portion of the work 9 so that when air is ejected from the air ejection hole 64, the air ejection hole 64 can be efficiently moved to the intermediate conveyance path 32 while exerting a rotational force. It has become. Further, as shown in the figure, when the workpiece 9 is in the reference posture, that is, when there is a notch 9a on the upper surface, the notch 9a and the air ejection hole 64 are set so as to be at the same position. ing.

  With respect to the air ejection hole 64, the air introduced from the air pipe connection portion 61 can be supplied and ejected through the air conduction hole 63.

  Further, the air ejection hole 64 is opened to the outside of the transport table 2 as a through hole. And the light projecting part 62a and the light receiving part 62b of the photoelectric sensor as the work posture detecting means 62 described above are installed at positions where light can be projected and received through the air ejection holes 64. A signal from the workpiece posture detection means (photoelectric sensor) 62 is output to the workpiece posture determination unit 71, where the workpiece 9 has reached the position of the air ejection hole 64, and the workpiece 9 is in the reference posture. It is possible to determine whether or not. When the work 9 reaches the position of the air ejection hole 64 and the work posture is not in the reference posture, the air supply unit 72 issues a posture change command in the form of a pulse signal to change the posture of the work 9. Output for.

  The air supply unit 72 is configured as an electromagnetic valve, and can receive supply of compressed air from the outside (not shown), and supply or stop the supply of the compressed air to the air pipe connection unit 61 through the air pipe. Yes. When the pulse signal as the posture change command is input from the workpiece posture determination unit 71, the compressed air from the air supply source can be supplied to the air ejection hole 64 for a short time to be ejected. ing.

  With this configuration, since the positional relationship with respect to the air ejection holes 64 can be simultaneously grasped in addition to the posture of the workpiece 9 only by using a pair of photoelectric sensors 62, the posture of the workpiece 9 is changed. For this reason, it is possible to cause the ejection of air to be performed in a timely manner in accordance with the position of the workpiece 9, and the success rate of posture change can be further improved.

  Here, the positional relationship of each conveyance path mentioned above is demonstrated in detail using FIGS. 7-9 with the motion of the workpiece | work 9 which moves between these.

  FIG. 7A shows a case where the workpiece 9 moving on the first conveyance path 31 passes through the position of the air ejection hole 64 in a reference posture with the notch 9a facing upward, and is a cross-sectional view at the position. It is described as. At a position corresponding to such an air ejection hole 64, a portion of the path R <b> 2, which is the starting end side in the transport direction of the intermediate transport path 32, is formed in parallel with the first transport path 31.

  The first transport path 31 has a substantially V-shaped cross section, and is formed so that the opening direction faces slightly upward to the right from the upper direction in the drawing. By doing so, two of the four side surfaces of the work 9 can be supported by the two inner wall surfaces.

  Similarly, the intermediate conveyance path 32 (R2) is formed so as to have a substantially V-shaped cross section, and is provided so as to be substantially symmetrical with the first conveyance path 31. That is, the opening direction of the intermediate transport path 32 (R2) is different from the opening direction of the first transport path 31 and is formed to face slightly upward to the left from the upward direction. In other words, it can be said that the opening direction is inclined toward the first conveying path 31 with respect to the opening direction of the first conveying path 31.

  Further, the first transport path 31 and the intermediate transport path 32 (R2) are in a positional relationship such that when the work 9 is placed on each of the first transport path 31 and the intermediate transport path 32 (R2), a part of the work 9 protrudes from each other and overlaps. Is set. By doing so, it is possible to change the posture by causing a rotational movement while moving the workpiece 9 between the conveyance paths.

  However, since the workpiece 9 shown in FIG. 7A is in the reference posture, the posture is not changed by air ejection.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the workpiece 9 that has reached the position of the air ejection hole 64 is not in the reference posture, the light applied from the light projecting unit 62a to the light receiving unit 62b is blocked for a long time. Will be. As a result, a posture change command is output from the above-described workpiece posture determination unit 71 (see FIG. 6), air is ejected from the air ejection holes 64 accordingly, and the workpiece 9 moves toward the intermediate conveyance path 32 (R2). Then, a rotational motion for changing the direction is performed and the state shown in FIG. 8C is obtained.

  Thereafter, the workpiece 9 advances in the transport direction, and passes through the path R3 with twist until the opening direction is the same as that of the first transport path 31 from the intermediate transport path 32 (R2) toward the end side described above. The state shown in FIG. In addition, the workpiece 9 conveyed through the intermediate conveyance path 32 (R2) and the second conveyance path has a portion overlapping with the workpiece 9 conveyed along the adjacent first conveyance path 31 when viewed from the conveyance direction. For this reason, the positional relationship between the front and rear workpieces 9 and the conveyance direction is not changed, and the workpieces are conveyed in an aligned state.

  Since the second conveyance path 33 is formed in the same opening direction as the first conveyance path 31, the workpiece 9 on the second conveyance path 33 is the same as the workpiece 9 on the first conveyance path 31 at the beginning. Will have a slope of.

  And the workpiece | work 9 reaches | attains the position corresponding to the junction part 34 mentioned above by advancing in a conveyance direction. In this junction 34, as shown in FIG. 9 (e), the wall on the side closer to the second conveyance path 33 among the inner walls of the first conveyance path 31 gradually approaches the second conveyance path 33, and eventually. As shown in FIG. 9 (f), there is no difference between the first conveyance path 31 and the second conveyance path 33, and one first conveyance path 31 is formed.

  In this way, the workpiece 9 moved from the first conveyance path 31 to the second conveyance path 33 is changed in posture by 90 ° around an axis (X axis) parallel to the conveyance direction, and then the first conveyance path. It will return to 31.

  Here, the groove cross section in the vicinity where the workpiece 9 is moved from the workpiece first conveyance path 31 by air ejection is further enlarged and shown in FIG.

  As described above, the path R2 portion in the first transport path 31 and the intermediate transport path 32 is formed at an angle that is substantially left and right across the boundary between them. And angle (alpha) which the wall surface which forms the boundary part between both makes is larger than 90 degrees, and is specifically set to the range of 120 degrees-140 degrees. By doing so, the amount of rotation of the workpiece 9 from the first conveyance path 31 to the intermediate conveyance path 32 is reduced, and the workpiece 9 can be easily moved with a small urging force.

  Furthermore, since the boundary P between the two has an R shape, the workpiece 9 moves while sliding while moving so that the contact point continuously changes along the R shape as T1 to T5. The movement of the center of gravity of the work 9 in accordance with the posture change is small, and the movement can be performed more smoothly. In addition, the part provided with such an R shape is sufficient only in the vicinity of the urging means 6 (see FIG. 4) for moving the workpiece 9 and more specifically in the vicinity of the air ejection hole 64 (see FIG. 4).

  Further, by setting the pressure of the air ejected from the air ejection hole 64 (see FIG. 4), that is, the urging force by the urging means 6, to a value that allows the work 9 to roll along the R shape, the work 9 It is possible to prevent posture change mistakes caused by jumping or rolling too much.

  11 (a) and 11 (b) show a groove cross-sectional shape as a conventionally used conveyance path as a comparative example. As shown here, the workpiece 9 having a square cross section is changed in direction by 90 ° at a time so as to roll over by one air jet.

  Also in the case of FIG. 11A, the second transport path 832 is provided in parallel with the main first transport path 831, and the angle β of the wall surface forming these boundaries is set to 90 °. . Therefore, the work 9 given the rotational force by the air jet moves from the first transport path 831 to the second transport path 832 so as to get over the boundary while rotating 90 ° around the boundary P1.

  As described above, since the rotational movement for changing the posture and the vertical movement for overcoming the boundary are required, the work 9 needs a long movement distance and a large vertical movement of the center of gravity. Therefore, it is necessary to give a large amount of energy in order to operate the workpiece 9, and a large amount of air ejection is required, resulting in a large energy consumption. In addition, since the boundary portion P1 is formed in an edge shape, the sliding resistance between the workpiece 9 and the workpiece 9 is large, and the workpiece is greatly increased due to individual differences such as slight scratches on the conveyance path and the surface roughness of the workpiece 9. 9 will be different, and it can be said that it is easy to make a posture change mistake. Furthermore, since a large air ejection amount is required, it is difficult to finely adjust the air ejection amount, and it becomes difficult to control the movement of the work 9 in combination with the individual difference factors.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11B, the workpiece 9 may be moved only by rotational movement with the boundary portion P2 between the first conveyance path 931 and the second conveyance path 932 as a fulcrum. Even in such a case, the movement of the center of gravity of the workpiece 9 in the vertical direction accompanying the rotational movement around the boundary portion P2 formed as an edge is still large. For this reason, a large amount of air is required to move the workpiece 9, which consumes a large amount of energy and makes it difficult to make fine adjustments to the air. In addition, since the first conveyance path 931 and the second conveyance path 932 need to reduce the height of the wall surface on the side that forms the boundary portion, the stability of the work 9 is reduced, and it is not intended due to slight disturbance. Leads to a lot of movement.

  Compared to the cases of FIGS. 11A and 11B shown as comparative examples as described above, in this embodiment, the center of gravity movement in the vertical direction of the work 9 necessary for movement is less as shown in FIG. It can be moved with less energy. In addition, since the boundary portion P has an R shape and the posture can be changed while performing a sliding motion along the R, the workpiece 9 is not caught on the boundary portion P and can be moved stably. . Moreover, since the inner wall of each conveyance path can be configured to have a sufficient width (height of the wall surface) with respect to the workpiece 9, the behavior of the workpiece 9 during conveyance can be stabilized.

  As described above, in the work aligning and conveying apparatus 1 of the present embodiment configured as shown in FIG. 1, the work 9 is conveyed while being aligned as follows.

  The carriage 2 is vibrated in the W direction in the figure with respect to the work 9 placed on the carriage 2 by being vibrated from the lower left in the figure to the upper right by an electromagnet 75 as a vibration means. Is given and moved. A conveyance path 3 as a groove having a substantially V-shaped cross section is formed on the conveyance table 2, and the workpiece 9 moves along the conveyance path 3.

  The workpiece 9 is fed from the introduction portion (A portion) on the left side in the drawing, and is supported in the conveyance path 3 with the workpiece 9 oriented in the longitudinal direction with respect to the conveyance direction. Since the work 9 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a feature on only one of the four side surfaces, the posture is determined with the direction in which this surface is directed upward as a reference posture. Then, in the first posture changing unit (B portion), the work 9 is moved from the first transport path 31 as shown in FIG. Move to the route R2 of the intermediate conveyance path 32. Then, the workpiece 9 moves in the transport direction, moves to the second transport path 33 through the route R3, and returns to the first transport path 31 through the junction 34. At this time, as compared with the initial state, it is in a state of being rotated by 90 ° around an axis parallel to the transport direction.

  Similar to the first attitude changing unit (B part) described above, the second attitude changing part (C part) and the third attitude changing part (D part) shown in FIG. 1 are configured. The workpiece 9 can rotate about 270 ° at the maximum. By doing in this way, in the workpiece | work 9 which shows a rectangular parallelepiped form, it can be finally changed to a reference | standard attitude | position no matter which side is initially upward.

  After changing the posture as described above, the first and second inspection units (E and F portions) exclude the workpiece 9 having the posture change mistake from the line, and then proceed to the next process through the derivation unit (G portion). Can be sent out.

  As described above, the workpiece aligning and conveying apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment applies the vibration to the conveying table 2 on which the conveying path 3 is formed, so that the workpiece 9 placed on the conveying table 2 is transferred to the conveying path. The workpiece aligning and conveying apparatus 1 is configured to rotate the workpiece 9 around an axis parallel to the conveying direction by an urging means 6 using air while moving the workpiece 9 along the conveying path 3. However, the cross section is formed as a substantially V-shaped groove in parallel with the first transport path 31 in a position adjacent to the first transport path 31, and the cross section is formed as a substantially V-shaped groove. An intermediate conveyance path 32 configured such that the opening direction of the start end of the groove is inclined toward the first conveyance path 31 and the opening direction of the terminal end is substantially the same as the opening direction of the first conveyance path 31; A cross section continuous with the intermediate conveyance path 32 in the conveyance direction is formed as a substantially V-shaped groove. And a second transport path 33 configured such that the opening direction of the groove is substantially the same as the opening direction of the first transport path 31, and the first transport path 31. And the second transport path 33 are formed in the transport direction so as to be gradually approached and merged, and the urging means 6 transports the first transport path 31 from the first transport path 31 to the intermediate transport path 32. The workpiece 9 rotated about an axis parallel to the direction is moved along the intermediate conveyance path 32 while being further rotated to the second conveyance path 33, and returned to the first conveyance path 31 via the junction 34. It is comprised so that it may make it.

  Since it comprises in this way, since the rotation amount of the workpiece | work 9 produced by the biasing means 6 using air can be made small, the workpiece | work 9 can be rotated easily with a small air ejection amount, and a posture can be changed. Is possible. Therefore, energy consumption can be suppressed, and posture change errors such as excessive rotation of the work 9 and rebounding can be suppressed.

  In addition, since at least the vicinity of the urging means 6 is configured to have an R shape in the boundary portion between the first conveyance path 31 and the intermediate conveyance path 32, the vertical center of gravity of the work 9 accompanying the rotation. The movement can be reduced, the work 9 can be more easily rotated, and the above effect can be enhanced.

  Further, when the workpiece 9 moves from the first conveyance path 31 to the intermediate conveyance path 32, the biasing means applies the biasing means so as to rotate while moving along the R shape formed in the boundary portion 34. Since the power is set, the workpiece 9 can be moved more stably.

  Further, the urging means 6 detects an air ejection hole 64 provided in the first conveyance path 31, an air supply unit 72 that supplies air to the air ejection hole 64, and the posture of the workpiece 9. A workpiece posture detection unit 62; and a workpiece posture determination unit 71 that determines whether or not the workpiece posture is a predetermined one based on a signal from the workpiece posture detection unit 62. Since air is supplied from the air supply part 72 to the air ejection hole 64 based on a signal from the part 71 and air is ejected from the air ejection hole 64, the posture of the workpiece 9 is automatically detected. It is possible to change to a regular posture.

  Further, the workpiece posture detecting means 62 is a photoelectric sensor including a light projecting unit 62a and a light receiving unit 62b, and the light emitted from the light projecting unit 62a passes through the air ejection hole 64 and reaches the light receiving unit 62b. Since the light projecting unit 62a and the light receiving unit 62b are provided in a proper positional relationship, the posture of the workpiece 9 can be determined based on a signal from the workpiece posture detecting means 62, and the air ejection hole 64 can be Since the position of the workpiece 9 can be accurately grasped, air can be ejected with high accuracy, and mistakes in posture change can be further suppressed.

  In addition, since the intermediate conveyance path 32, the second conveyance path 33, the merging portion 34, the biasing means 6 and the work posture detection means 62 are configured to be provided at a plurality of locations along the conveyance direction, By rotating the predetermined angle a plurality of times, the posture of the polygonal workpiece 9 can be changed and aligned in a specific direction.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the joining portion J1 (34) of the workpiece alignment / conveyance apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 13 shows the workpiece alignment / conveyance apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view of the confluence | merging part J2 (134) vicinity is shown.

  The workpiece aligning / conveying device 101 according to the second embodiment is different from the workpiece aligning / conveying device 1 of the first embodiment only in the form of the merging portion J1 (J2), and other parts are the same. Therefore, the same code | symbol is used about the same location as the case of 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted about parts other than the junction part J2. In addition, as shown in FIG.12 and FIG.13, although it sets so that the length of the conveyance direction of the junction part J1 in the case of 1st Embodiment and the junction part J2 in the case of 2nd Embodiment may differ. This is not intended by the present invention, and it is possible to set both to the same length.

  Prior to describing the form of the merging portion J2 of the workpiece aligning and conveying apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment, in order to compare with this, the merging portion J2 of the work aligning and conveying apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. I will explain it once.

FIG. 12 shows the workpiece 9 conveyed in the direction toward the lower left side, with the upper right side in the drawing as the upstream side in the conveyance direction, as indicated by the arrows in the figure.

  In this figure, for simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that the posture of the work 9 conveyed in the same direction is changed with reference to the direction of the work 191a conveyed from the upstream side in the conveyance direction. It is easy to understand the amount of posture change in each part. Therefore, in the figure, the postures of the workpieces 9 that have passed through the junction portion J2 are in a disjointed state. However, since the posture conversion is performed while detecting the posture of the workpiece 9 in actual use, the junction portion J2 is in principle. The posture of each workpiece 9 that has passed through is closer to the upstream side. This also applies to FIG. 13 described later.

  12 will be described in order from the upstream side toward the downstream side in the transport direction. In the upper right side of the drawing, the path R1 as the first transport path 31 and the path R4 as the second transport path 33 are adjacent to each other in parallel. Is formed.

  The first transport path 31 and the second transport path 33 are each formed as a groove having a substantially V-shaped cross section, and the outer side of the transport surface formed by the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 33 as a whole is formed. Assuming that the two surfaces are surfaces K1 and L1, a projecting portion S1 having a rectangular cross section is integrated at the intersection of the surfaces K1 and L1 while extending along the transport direction. I can say that.

  The first transport path 31 (R1) and the second transport path 33 (R4) are gradually and closely joined at the junction J1 (34) on the downstream side in the transport direction. More specifically, the surface S11 on the first conveyance path 31 (R1) side of the protrusion S1 is sloped toward the surface L1 on the second conveyance path 33 (R4) side as it goes downstream in the conveyance direction. Then, the protrusion S1 does not exist, and the surface K1 and the surface L1 directly intersect to form a groove having a substantially V-shaped cross section.

  In other words, when the protrusion S1 does not exist when viewed in the transport direction, the first transport path 31 (R1) and the second transport path 33 (R4) merge to form one first transport path again. 31 (R1).

  By passing through the junction J1, the work 9 moves as follows. For example, the work 91a that has been transported on the first transport path 31 without moving to the second transport path 33 proceeds like the work 91b in the drawing while maintaining the posture. Furthermore, while maintaining the posture, the head moves toward the first transport path 31 on the downstream side while moving slightly toward the second transport path 33 along the slope formed by the protrusion S1 at the junction J1. Become. On the other hand, the workpiece 92a that has been moved from the first conveyance path 31 to the second conveyance path 33 while changing its posture advances like the workpiece 92b in the drawing while maintaining the same posture. Furthermore, since the protrusion S1 does not exist while proceeding in the conveyance direction at the junction portion J1, the position is shifted closer to the first conveyance path 31 and the workpiece 92c moves as shown in the drawing. Become.

  As described above, since the posture of the workpiece 9 that has traveled through the first transport path 31 (R1) and the second transport path 33 (R4) does not change at the junction J1, the first transport path 31 (R1). The workpiece 9 passing through the second transport path 33 (R4) undergoes a relative 90 ° change in posture.

  Next, the configuration of the merging portion J2 of the workpiece aligning and conveying apparatus 101 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 also shows the direction in which the workpiece 9 is conveyed toward the lower left side, with the upper right side of the drawing as the upstream side in the conveyance direction, as indicated by the arrows in the figure, as in FIG.

  Even in this case, in the upper right region in the figure, the path R1 as the first transport path 31 and the path R4 as the second transport path 33 are formed in parallel while being adjacent to each other.

  Assuming that the outer two surfaces of the first conveyance path 31 and the entire second conveyance path 33 are the surfaces K2 and L2, a protrusion having a rectangular cross section is formed at a place where these surfaces K2 and L2 intersect. S2 has a shape as if it was integrated while extending along the transport direction.

  The first transport path 31 (R1) and the second transport path 33 (R4) proceed to the downstream side in the transport direction and are smoothly connected to the paths R21 and R22, respectively. Similar to the first transport path 31 (R1) and the second transport path 33 (R4), the paths R21 and R22 are formed as grooves having a substantially V-shaped cross section, and the first transport is performed on the surfaces K2 and L2, respectively. Although the path 31 (R1) and the second transport path 33 (R4) are continuous, the opening directions are twisted in directions away from each other in the transport direction.

  For this reason, the angle formed by the surface K2 and the surface L2 is set to be approximately 90 ° on the upstream side in the transport direction, and becomes an obtuse angle on the downstream side of the paths R21 and R22 so as to be widened to about 110 to 140 °. doing. Along with this, the angle of the apex portion of the protrusion S2 changes from the state of about 90 ° toward the downstream side in the transport direction, and becomes an acute angle with a smaller angle.

  Further, such paths R21 and R22 gradually approach each other to form a merge groove 135 having a substantially V-shaped cross section as a path R23. Specifically, as the protrusion S2 goes downstream in the transport direction, the surface S21 on the path R21 side and the surface S22 on the path R22 side are similarly reduced, and the protrusion S2 eventually exists. Instead, the surface K2 and the surface L2 directly intersect to form a merging groove 135 (path R23) having a substantially V-shaped cross section. At this time, since the twist described above is added, the opening angle is largely opened to about 110 to 140 °.

  And the confluence | merging groove | channel 135 which comprises path | route R23 is smoothly connected with path | route R24 formed as the position adjustment groove | channel 136 which has an arc-shaped cross section. Therefore, in this region, the surface K2 and the surface L2 are smoothly continuous with one curved surface.

  Further, the position adjusting groove 136 constituting the path R24 is smoothly continuous with the downstream first transport path 31 again through the path R25 at the end thereof.

  As described above, the paths R <b> 21 to R <b> 25 constitute the joining portion J <b> 2 that joins the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 33 and connects to the first transport path 31 on the downstream side.

  By passing through the junction J2, the work 9 moves as follows. For example, the work 191a that has been transported on the first transport path 31 without moving to the second transport path 33 is counterclockwise as viewed from the transport direction, like the work 191b, along the twist of the path R21. It is conveyed while being rotated slightly. And when it arrives at the confluence | merging groove | channel 135 which comprises path | route R23, the attitude | position is changed about 30 degrees counterclockwise seeing from the conveyance direction.

  The workpiece 191c that has reached the joining groove 135 moves while being regulated by the portion where the edge portion formed between the side surfaces is caught by the intersection portion formed by the surfaces K2 and L2. Specifically, although one of the side surfaces of the work 191c comes into contact with the surface K2, the edge portion is caught so that it hardly comes into contact with the adjacent surface L2 side and is supported only on the surface K2 side. Then, it is conveyed to the position adjusting groove 136 constituting the next path 24.

  In the position adjusting groove 136, the surface K2 and the surface L2 are connected to form a single smooth curved surface. Therefore, the intersection portion does not exist, and the restriction of the edge portion by the intersection portion is released. 191c moves while being automatically adjusted to a stable position. At this time, the work 191c is positioned at the bottom of the position adjusting groove 136 while further rotating counterclockwise as viewed from the conveying direction. Then, the workpiece 191c moves to the position of the workpiece 191d in the first conveyance path 31 on the downstream side while the direction is again regulated to have the initial inclination through the path R25.

  On the other hand, the workpiece 192a that has been moved from the first conveyance path 31 to the second conveyance path 33 is conveyed while being slightly rotated clockwise as viewed from the conveyance direction along the twist of the path R22. When the route R23 is reached, the posture is changed clockwise by about 30 ° as viewed from the transport direction.

  The workpiece 192a that has reached the junction groove 135 constituting the path R23 is regulated in a state in which the edge portion formed between the side surfaces is caught by the intersection portion formed by the surface K2 and the surface L2, just like the workpiece 191b. It moves to the position adjusting groove 136 that is the next path 24 while being supported only on the L2 side. The position adjusting groove 136 is positioned at the bottom of the position adjusting groove 136 while rotating further clockwise as viewed from the conveying direction, like a workpiece 192b shown in the drawing. Then, the work 192b moves to the position of the work 192c in the first conveyance path 31 on the downstream side, while the direction is again regulated to have the initial predetermined inclination through the path R25.

  As described above, the workpiece 191a (191b, 191c, 191d) that moves from the first transport path 31 without passing through the second transport path 33 also passes through the second transport path 33 from the first transport path 31. The moving workpiece 192a (192b, 192c) also passes through the position adjusting groove 136 whose cross section as the path R24 is once arcuate. At this time, in the process from the path R21 to R23 to the path R24, both the workpieces rotate relative to each other by about 90 ° by being slightly twisted as viewed from the conveyance direction. As described above, since the component moved from the first conveyance path 31 to the second conveyance path 33 has already performed a relative rotation of about 90 °, a total rotation of about 180 ° is performed.

  In other words, in the workpiece aligning and conveying apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment, the workpiece 9 that has traveled along the first conveying path 31 (R1) and the second conveying path 33 (R4) has a relative angle of 90 further at the junction J2. Since the angle is changed, it is possible to change the posture by a total of 180 degrees between those passing through the first transport path 31 (R1) and the second transport path 33 (R4).

  In addition, since the workpieces 191a and 192a that have passed through any path move to the same position at the bottom of the position adjustment groove 136, all the workpieces 9 are similarly set in a predetermined posture. It can be stably transported to the first transport path 31 on the downstream side.

  As described above, the workpiece aligning and conveying apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment applies the vibration to the conveying table 2 on which the conveying path 3 is formed, and thereby moves the workpiece 9 placed on the conveying table 2 to the conveying path. 3 is a work alignment transport device 101 that rotates the work 9 about an axis parallel to the transport direction by an urging means 6 using air and moves the work 9 along a predetermined posture. However, the cross section is formed as a substantially V-shaped groove in parallel with the first transport path 31 in a position adjacent to the first transport path 31, and the cross section is formed as a substantially V-shaped groove. An intermediate conveyance path 32 configured such that the opening direction of the start end of the groove is inclined toward the first conveyance path 31 and the opening direction of the terminal end is substantially the same as the opening direction of the first conveyance path 31; The intermediate conveying path 32 and a groove having a substantially V-shaped cross section continuous in the conveying direction And a second transport path 33 configured such that the opening direction of the groove is substantially the same as the opening direction of the first transport path 31, and the first transport A merging portion 134 is formed in which the grooves forming the path 31 and the second transport path 33 merge while gradually approaching each other while twisting in the direction in which the opening direction is relatively separated along the transport direction. The workpiece 9 rotated around the axis parallel to the transport direction while being moved from the first transport path 31 to the intermediate transport path 32 by the biasing means 6 is further rotated along the intermediate transport path 32 while the workpiece 9 is further rotated. It moves to the 2nd conveyance path 33, and is comprised so that it may return to the said 1st conveyance path 31 through the said junction part 134. FIG.

  Since it is configured in this way, the posture can be greatly changed only by passing through the posture changing section once.

  Moreover, in the said junction part 134, each groove | channel which makes the said 1st conveyance path 31 and the said 2nd conveyance path 33 merges along a conveyance direction, producing a twist, A cross section is substantially V shape and an open angle is made. A single confluence groove 135 having an obtuse angle is formed, a position adjustment groove 136 having a substantially arc-shaped cross section is formed continuously with the confluence groove 135 in the conveying direction, and the end of the position adjustment groove 136 is Since it is configured so as to be continuous with the first conveyance path 33, if the workpiece 9 has a rectangular cross section, it may be realized as a specific configuration in which the posture is changed not only to 90 ° but also to 180 ° at a time. It becomes possible.

  Further, in this embodiment, the grooves forming the first conveyance path 31 and the second conveyance path 33 are configured to merge while generating twisting in the directions in which the opening directions are separated from each other. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the intermediate conveyance path 32 exists in parallel and is directly joined while twisting the grooves forming these. Even in this case, the positional relationship between the first transport path 31 and the second transport path 33 is partially generated in the process of generating the twist, and the same effect as described above can be obtained. It is.

  Furthermore, the portion constituting the junction portion J1 in the first embodiment and the portion constituting the junction portion J2 in the second embodiment are unitized and can be selectively replaced with respect to the main body portion. In this way, it is possible to appropriately change the posture of each type of workpiece 9 corresponding to various types and shapes using a single device.

  The specific configuration of each unit is not limited to the first and second embodiments described above.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, a transmissive photoelectric sensor is used as the workpiece posture detection means 62, but a reflective photoelectric sensor can be used instead. In this way, each surface of the workpiece 9 can be identified not only by the difference in shape but also by distinguishing each surface by a difference in reflectance such as surface roughness. In addition, an image processing device can be used in place of these photoelectric sensors.

  In the above-described embodiment, the light emitted from the light projecting portion 62a of the photoelectric sensor is configured to pass through the air ejection hole 64 and reach the light receiving portion 62b. However, the positional relationship with the air ejection hole 64 is appropriate. It is possible to obtain the main effect of the present invention by making the light from the light projecting part 62a pass through a hole provided separately from the air ejection hole 64 and reach the light receiving part 62b as long as it can be achieved. Is possible. In this way, the number of holes increases and the position of the holes needs to be adjusted, so that the manufacturing cost will increase slightly. However, the running cost can be reduced by reducing the amount of air leakage. .

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the posture of the workpiece 9 having a square cross section and a rectangular parallelepiped shape is changed, and the posture is changed by changing the directions of the four side surfaces. If it is formed in a polygonal shape with a large number of faces, by increasing the number of posture change units installed according to the number of faces, one of the faces is used as a reference as described above. It is possible to change the posture.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the first transport path 31, the intermediate transport path 32, and the second transport path 33 are configured to have a substantially V-shaped cross section, but the gist of the work 9 configured in a polygonal shape. Two surfaces of the side surfaces are supported by two wall surfaces arranged in a V shape. Therefore, regardless of whether or not the wall surface is connected so that the cross section is V-shaped, even if it is divided into C-shapes, the connection portion of the wall surface is configured by another plane or curved surface May be.

  In the above-described embodiment, the electromagnet 75 is used as a drive source that generates vibration in the carriage 2. However, the drive source is in this form as long as the vibration frequency and the excitation force can be controlled. Not exclusively. For example, it is possible to apply an excitation force to the carrier 2 by attaching a piezoelectric element to the surface of the leaf springs 71 and 71 and applying a sinusoidal voltage to the piezoelectric element to cause periodic elongation. is there.

  Other configurations can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Work alignment conveyance apparatus 2 ... Conveyance stand 3 ... Conveyance path 4 ... Movable stand 5 ... 2nd cover member 6 ... Biasing means 7 ... Base 9 ... Work piece 31 ... 1st conveyance path 32 ... Intermediate conveyance path 33 ... 1st 2 transport path 34 ... merge section 62 ... work posture detection means (photoelectric sensor)
64 ... Air ejection hole 71 ... Work posture determination part 72 ... Air supply part P ... Boundary part (R part)

Claims (8)

By applying vibration to the transport table on which the transport path is formed, the work placed on the transport table is moved along the transport path, and the work is moved in the transport direction by the biasing means using air. A workpiece alignment and conveyance device that rotates around a parallel axis to a predetermined posture,
The transport path is
A first conveyance path having a substantially V-shaped cross section;
The groove is formed in a substantially V-shaped groove in parallel with the first conveyance path at an adjacent position, and the opening direction of the start end of the groove is inclined to the first conveyance path side, and the opening direction of the terminal end is An intermediate conveyance path configured to be substantially the same as the opening direction of the first conveyance path;
A cross section continuous with the intermediate conveyance path in the conveyance direction is formed as a substantially V-shaped groove, and the opening direction of the groove is substantially the same as the opening direction of the first conveyance path. A second transport path,
A merge portion is formed in which the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path gradually approach and merge in the conveyance direction;
The work rotated around an axis parallel to the transport direction while being moved from the first transport path to the intermediate transport path by the biasing means is further rotated along the intermediate transport path to the second transport path. A work aligning and conveying apparatus configured to move and return to the first conveying path through the merging portion. By applying vibration to the transport table on which the transport path is formed, the work placed on the transport table is moved along the transport path, and the work is moved in the transport direction by the biasing means using air. A workpiece alignment and conveyance device that rotates around a parallel axis to a predetermined posture,
The transport path is
A first conveyance path having a substantially V-shaped cross section;
The groove is formed in a substantially V-shaped groove in parallel with the first conveyance path at an adjacent position, and the opening direction of the start end of the groove is inclined to the first conveyance path side, and the opening direction of the terminal end is An intermediate conveyance path configured to be substantially the same as the opening direction of the first conveyance path;
A cross section continuous with the intermediate conveyance path in the conveyance direction is formed as a substantially V-shaped groove, and the opening direction of the groove is substantially the same as the opening direction of the first conveyance path. A second transport path,
A joining portion is formed in which the grooves forming the first transport path and the second transport path are joined while gradually approaching each other while twisting in the direction in which the opening direction is relatively separated along the transport direction. ,
The work rotated around an axis parallel to the transport direction while being moved from the first transport path to the intermediate transport path by the biasing means is further rotated along the intermediate transport path to the second transport path. A work aligning and conveying apparatus configured to move and return to the first conveying path through the merging portion. In the merging portion, each groove forming the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path merges along the conveyance direction while generating a twist, so that the cross section is substantially V-shaped and the opening angle is an obtuse angle. A joining groove is formed, a position adjusting groove having a substantially arc-shaped cross section is formed continuously with the joining groove in the transport direction, and the end of the position adjusting groove is continued to the first transport path. The work aligning and conveying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the work aligning and conveying apparatus is configured. The workpiece aligning / conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion near the urging means in the boundary portion between the first conveying path and the intermediate conveying path has an R shape. When the workpiece moves from the first conveyance path to the intermediate conveyance path,
The work aligning / conveying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a biasing force by the biasing means is set so as to rotate while moving along an R shape formed in the boundary portion. The biasing means is
An air ejection hole provided in the first conveyance path;
An air supply section for supplying air to the air ejection holes;
A workpiece posture detection means for detecting the posture of the workpiece;
A work posture determination unit that determines whether the posture of the workpiece is a predetermined one based on a signal from the workpiece posture detection means;
6. The air according to claim 1, wherein air is supplied from the air supply unit to the air ejection hole based on a signal from the workpiece posture determination unit, and is ejected from the air ejection hole. Work alignment transport device. The work posture detecting means is a photoelectric sensor including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit, and the light projecting unit is in a positional relationship such that light emitted from the light projecting unit passes through the air ejection hole and reaches the light receiving unit. The workpiece aligning and conveying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the light receiving unit is provided. The work according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the intermediate transport path, the second transport path, the joining portion, the urging means, and the work posture detecting means are provided at a plurality of locations along the transport direction. Alignment transport device.

Images