Method for aligning conveyed objects and system for aligning conveyed objects

Abstract

The present application is a method and system for arranging a high-speed, high-density conveyed article in a straight line using magnetic force. In the process of conveying an article containing a magnetic body along a conveying path in a conveying direction, the posture of the article is controlled according to the direction of magnetic flux generated by a magnet arranged beside the conveying path, and the direction of the magnetic flux on the conveying path is changed in the conveying direction. In the upstream conveying process where the article approaches the magnet, the article is unified into a second conveying posture in which the straight-line direction is not aligned with the conveying direction, and the interval deviation in the conveying direction between the front and rear articles is reduced by the magnetic repulsion force between the articles. Then, in the downstream conveying process where the article moves away from the magnet, the posture of the article is gradually changed on the conveying path according to the change in the direction of the magnetic flux on the conveying path in the conveying direction, and the article is finally arranged in a first conveying posture in which the straight-line direction is aligned with the conveying direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method and system for arranging (organizing) transported materials. Background Technology

[0002] Traditionally, conveying devices such as feeders are known to supply electronic devices and other conveying materials in a neatly arranged, predetermined posture to various target devices, including inspection devices, installation devices, transfer devices, and tapping devices. In such conveying devices, the posture of the conveyed materials is determined by visual inspection, and materials with incorrect postures are removed from the conveying path by blowing airflow onto the materials based on the determination results, or their posture is changed by rotating them, thereby standardizing the posture of the conveyed materials.

[0003] However, there are conveyors containing magnetic materials, such as multilayer ceramic capacitors. In such conveyors containing magnetic materials, since the posture can be detected by magnetism or changed by magnetic force, various methods for detecting the posture of the conveyed object using electromagnets or permanent magnets (see Patent Document 1 below) and methods for changing the posture (see Patent Documents 2 to 4 below) have been proposed.

[0004] [Existing Technical Documents]

[0005] [Patent Documents]

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-130912

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-229634

[0008] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-43468

[0009] Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2011-18698

[0010] However, as a transport capable of performing magnetic detection or magnetic force-based posture changes, there are electronic devices with external electrodes made of magnetic materials and electronic devices with internal electrodes made of magnetic materials such as multilayer ceramic capacitors. For these devices, the direction of the magnet is set to match a standard posture so that the transport can be controlled into a standard posture by magnetic force. For example, in the aforementioned Patent Document 4, all the internal electrodes 3 of the electronic device 1 are set to a posture that matches the direction of the magnetic flux of the first magnet 21 (see...). Figure 1 (c) Figure 4(Figures 8 and 11). Furthermore, in this document, the electronic device 1 is attracted to the transport surface by the magnetic attraction of the second magnet 22 and maintained in a standard posture.

[0011] However, in recent years, conveying devices have required the transport of large quantities of fine materials. Therefore, it is necessary to reliably and orderly arrange the materials transported at high density. However, since the posture of the materials is changed one by one in the existing methods, if the conveying speed is directly increased, there are problems such as obstacles to the conveying posture and inability to arrange the materials in a high-speed and efficient manner. For example, when changing the posture of the materials being transported, the materials in front and behind interfere with each other and cannot be changed correctly, or when changing the posture of the material being transported, the materials in front and behind get caught up and the posture of the materials that are already in the standard posture is disrupted. Summary of the Invention

[0012] Therefore, the present invention is an invention that solves the above-mentioned problems. Its objective is to provide a method for arranging transported materials that can be transported at high speed and high density in a regular manner without obstruction, with high efficiency and reliability by means of magnetic force.

[0013] To solve the above problems, the present invention relates to a method for arranging transported items. During the transport of a transported item containing a magnetic body along a transport path toward the transport direction, the posture of the transported item is controlled according to the direction of the magnetic flux generated by a magnet disposed beside the transport path. The method is configured such that the direction of the magnetic flux on the transport path changes toward the transport direction, thereby using magnetic force to arrange the transported item into a first transport posture on the transport path. In this method, during the transport of the transported item as it approaches the upstream side of the magnet while being transported along the transport path, the transported item is uniformly arranged into a second transport posture on the transport path, and the transported item is then arranged into a second transport posture by the magnetic force. The magnetic repulsion between the conveyed items reduces the deviation in spacing between the conveyed items in the conveying direction. The second conveying posture is one where the alignment direction of the conveyed items is inconsistent with the conveying direction, whereas in the first conveying posture, the alignment direction should be consistent with the conveying direction. Then, as the conveyed items are conveyed downstream of the magnet along the conveying path, their posture gradually changes according to the direction of the magnetic flux along the path, eventually returning to the first conveying posture where the alignment direction is consistent with the conveying direction, thus ensuring a neat arrangement of the conveyed items. Therefore, once unified into the second conveying posture by a strong magnetic field, the magnetic flux direction gradually changes, gradually guiding the items towards the first conveying posture through a gradually weakening magnetic field. This allows for efficient and reliable alignment even at high conveying speeds without obstruction.

[0014] In this invention, it is preferable that the conveyed object has a length direction, which is the alignment direction that coincides with the conveying direction in the first conveying posture. Therefore, as the conveyed object approaches the magnet, by unifying the conveyed object into a second conveying posture on the conveying path where the length direction of the conveyed object is inconsistent with the conveying direction, it is easier to increase the spacing between the conveyed objects, and thus easier to further unify the deviation of this spacing. Ultimately, the conveyed objects can be arranged more neatly and orderly in the first conveying posture. In this case, the second conveying posture is preferably a posture where the length direction is perpendicular to the conveying direction. Therefore, when unifying into the second conveying posture, the spacing between the conveyed objects can be further increased, and thus it is easier to further unify the deviation of this spacing, ultimately enabling the conveyed objects to be arranged more neatly and orderly.

[0015] In this invention, it is preferable that the transport object contains the magnetic body in a manner that maintains stability in the alignment direction along the direction of the magnetic flux. Therefore, the alignment direction of the transport object can be controlled by the direction of the magnetic flux, and thus, the magnetic flux distribution can be easily achieved by setting the strength or position of the magnets, resulting in a configuration similar to the alignment in the first transport position after being arranged in the second transport position. In this case, the alignment direction is preferably the length direction of the transport object. Furthermore, the second transport position is preferably one where the alignment direction is perpendicular to the transport direction. Furthermore, in this case, it is preferable that the magnet has magnetic poles oriented in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction relative to the transport path. However, the magnet can also be configured relative to the transport path such that the direction connecting a pair of magnetic poles is parallel to the transport direction.

[0016] In this invention, preferably, during the downstream conveying process, as the conveyed object is conveyed toward the conveying direction and the magnetic influence exerted by the magnet on the posture of the conveyed object decreases, the direction of the magnetic flux in the conveying path gradually approaches the first direction corresponding to the second conveying posture from the second direction corresponding to the second conveying posture. Therefore, the posture of the conveyed object can smoothly change from the second conveying posture to the first conveying posture, and the direction of the magnetic flux will not exceed the first direction until the magnetic influence of the magnet disappears, thus preventing disruption of the first conveying posture of the conveyed object.

[0017] In this invention, the conveying path is preferably configured to convey the transported object by reciprocating vibration in an obliquely upward direction toward the conveying direction. Thus, the transported object is conveyed in a suspended state by the aforementioned vibration along the conveying path, thereby enabling easy and highly precise magnetic-based attitude control of the transported object.

[0018] In this invention, it is preferable that the conveying path has a conveying bottom surface with a concave curved cross-sectional profile. In this case, the conveying bottom surface with a circular groove such as an arc or a U-shape, or other concave curved cross-sectional profile, is preferably a shape with a reduced flat surface area compared to the contact area of ​​the conveyed object. Specifically, the radius of curvature R of the conveying bottom surface is preferably greater than half of the maximum dimension K of the conveyed object. In addition, when the conveyed object is cuboid, the maximum dimension K is the square root of the sum of the squares of the length L, width W, and height H, i.e., K = (L... 2 +W 2 +H 2 ) 1 / 2 Here, when L > W and L > H, it is particularly desirable that the radius of curvature R is greater than (1 / 2)L. Furthermore, the radius of curvature R of the conveyor bottom surface can have different values ​​depending on its position. However, the concave curved portion as a whole preferably has a radius of curvature R that sufficiently satisfies all the above conditions.

[0019] Next, the conveyor alignment system of the present invention comprises: a conveyor including a magnetic body, a conveyor path for conveying the conveyor in a conveying direction, and a magnet disposed beside the conveyor path and forming a magnetic flux distribution on the conveyor path within at least a predetermined range in the conveying direction of the conveyor path that influences the conveying posture of the conveyor. The conveyor alignment system arranges the conveyor in a first conveying posture. In this conveyor alignment system, the direction of the magnetic flux distribution gradually changes to a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction in an upstream conveyor path region where the conveyor approaches the magnet as it is conveyed in the conveyor path in the conveying direction, thereby gradually guiding the conveyor towards a second conveying posture different from the first conveying posture. Furthermore, the direction of the magnetic flux distribution gradually changes to the conveying direction in a downstream conveyor path region where the conveyor moves away from the magnet as it is conveyed in the conveyor path in the conveying direction, thereby gradually guiding the conveyor from the second conveying posture towards the first conveying posture.

[0020] In this invention, it is preferable that the conveyed object has a length direction, which is consistent with the conveying direction in the first conveying posture. In this case, the second conveying posture is preferably a posture in which the length direction is perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0021] In this invention, it is preferable that the conveyor contains the magnetic body in a manner that keeps it stable along the direction of the magnetic flux in a direction consistent with the conveying direction in the first conveying posture. In this case, the consistent direction is preferably the length direction of the conveyor. Furthermore, the second conveying posture is preferably one in which the consistent direction is perpendicular to the conveying direction. Moreover, in this case, it is preferable that the magnet has magnetic poles oriented in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction relative to the conveying path.

[0022] In this invention, preferably in the downstream conveying path region, as the conveyed object is conveyed toward the conveying direction and the magnetic influence exerted by the magnet on the posture of the conveyed object decreases, the direction of the magnetic flux in the conveying path gradually approaches the first direction corresponding to the first conveying posture from the second direction corresponding to the second conveying posture.

[0023] In this invention, it is preferable to further include a discrimination control unit that, at a position downstream of the downstream conveyor belt area where the conveyed items are neatly arranged and conveyed in the first conveying posture, discriminates the conveyed items and controls the conveyed items based on the discrimination result. Examples of such a discrimination control unit include a discrimination rejection unit that excludes defective or improperly positioned conveyed items from the conveyor belt, and a discrimination flipping unit that rotates improperly positioned conveyed items to change their posture.

[0024] (Invention Effects)

[0025] According to the present invention, a method for arranging transported materials at high speed and high density in a regular manner can be provided, which can be achieved by using magnetic force to arrange the transported materials in a regular manner without obstruction, with high efficiency and reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a top view of an example of a vibrating conveyor that constitutes a conveyor aligning system for implementing the conveying method of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a side view of the vibrating conveyor.

[0028] Figure 3 (a) is an exterior illustration consisting of a front view and a side view of the conveyor of this embodiment, and (b) is a cross-sectional view consisting of a front sectional view and a side sectional view.

[0029] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram showing the stable posture of the transported object in the magnetic field according to this embodiment.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the magnet and the transport path in this embodiment.

[0031] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the transport path within a specified range where the magnetic field generated by the magnet in this embodiment affects the transport posture of the transported item.

[0032] Figure 7 This is an explanatory diagram showing a wider range of states of the transport path in this embodiment.

[0033] (Symbol Explanation)

[0034] 100… Vibrating conveyor device 101… Setting platform

[0035] 102…Support platform 110…Conveyor supply section

[0036] 112…Hopper 120…First Conveying Section

[0037] 130…Second Conveying Unit 132…Vibrating Body

[0038] 132t… conveyor path

[0039] 132tr, 132tp, 132ts… conveyor path section

[0040] 132trs… Magnetic influence range of the transmission path

[0041] 132tr0… closest position

[0042] 132tr1…Upstream transport route area

[0043] 132tr2…Downstream transport route area

[0044] 132trb, 132tpb, 132tsb…bottom surface

[0045] 137(M)…Magnet 137a(Ms)…Magnetic pole

[0046] Φm…magnetic flux Sm…magnetic pole area

[0047] Bm…magnetic flux density CA…transported material

[0048] CAx…Column direction axis L…Length

[0049] W...width H...height

[0050] K…maximum size Q…magnetic attraction Detailed Implementation

[0051] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, referring to... Figure 1 and Figure 2The vibratory conveyor 100 constituting the conveying system of the present invention will be described. This vibratory conveyor 100 includes: a conveyor supply unit 110 provided on a mounting platform 101; a first conveying unit 120 for conveying conveyed materials supplied from the conveyor supply unit 110; and a second conveying unit 130 for conveying conveyed materials supplied from the first conveying unit 120. The first conveying unit 120 and the second conveying unit 130 are equipped with vibrators and are mounted on a support platform 102 provided on the mounting platform 101 via vibration-damping material (such as coil springs). The conveyor supply unit 110 includes a drive unit 111 and a hopper 112 mounted on the drive unit 111, and discharges the conveyed materials from the hopper 112 to the first conveying unit 120.

[0052] The first conveying section 120 is a so-called bowl-shaped feeder, which includes a rotary vibrator 121 and a bowl-shaped vibrating body 122 mounted on the rotary vibrator 121. The vibrating body 122 has a conveying path 122t that spirals upward from the inner bottom, and the conveyed material supplied to the inner bottom of the vibrating body 122 is slowly raised along the conveying path 122t and arranged by the rotational vibration applied by the rotary vibrator 121.

[0053] The second conveying section 130 is a so-called linear feeder, which includes a linear vibrator 131 and linear vibrating bodies 132 and 133 mounted on the linear vibrator 131. Here, the vibrating body 132 has a linear supply conveying path 132t connected to the outlet end of the aforementioned conveying path 122t. In addition, the vibrating body 133 has a conveying path 133t extending parallel to the conveying path 132t. This conveying path 133t is a recycling conveying path for receiving the conveyed material discharged from the conveying path 132t, conveying the conveyed material in the opposite direction to the conveying path 132t, and returning the conveyed material to the aforementioned vibrating body 122.

[0054] A magnet 137 is disposed beside the aforementioned conveying path 132t. This magnet 137 is not limited to various permanent magnets such as neodymium magnets, but can also be an electromagnet. The magnet 137 is mounted on a mounting member 136 held by a support arm 135 mounted on a support member 134, which is mounted on the aforementioned support platform 102. In the illustrated example, relative to the support member 134 disposed on the vibrator 133 side, the mounting member 136 is disposed on the vibrator 132 side by having the support arm 135 pass over the vibrators 132 and 133, thereby the magnet 137 is disposed from the side opposite to the support member 134 at a position adjacent to the vibrator 132. Furthermore, in the illustrated example, as described later, the vibrators 132 and 133 are made of non-magnetic materials such as SUS303, 304 (non-magnetic) stainless steel, aluminum, or aluminum alloys such as A5051 and A5052.

[0055] Next, refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The conveying object involved in this invention will be described. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the conveyed object CA in this embodiment is configured as a cuboid. The conveyed object CA in the example is a multilayer ceramic capacitor having external electrodes OE1 and OE2 at both ends and multiple internal electrodes IE1 and IE2 sandwiched within it by a dielectric material DE such as a ceramic layer. There are cases where the internal electrodes IE1 and IE2 are made of Ni and the external electrodes OE1 and OE2 are made of Cu. In the above example, since the internal electrodes IE1 and IE2 are surrounded by a non-magnetic material such as the dielectric material DE, and since Ni is a strongly magnetic material, the conveyed object CA is strongly affected by a magnetic field. In the example, the alignment direction (which is consistent with the length direction in the example) axis CAx of the conveyed object CA is consistent with the length direction of the internal electrodes IE1 and IE2. The alignment direction (length direction) axis CAx of the conveyed object CA is consistent with the conveying direction F in the first conveying posture, which is the standard posture of the conveyed object CA.

[0056] like Figure 4 As shown, when the transported object CA is placed in the magnetic field (magnetic flux distribution) generated between a pair of magnetic poles Ms of the magnet M, the magnetic flux distribution is as follows: along the length direction of the internal electrodes IE1 and IE2, which are strong magnetic bodies ( Figure 3 The magnetic polarization occurs along the direction of the length L (as shown), thus stabilizing the transported object CA. Therefore, the transported object CA is guided in an orientation where the direction of its length L is along the direction of the magnetic flux. Furthermore, since the internal electrodes IE1 and IE2 are also along the direction of the width W, when comparing the direction of the width W with the direction of the height H, the case where the direction of the width W is along the direction of the magnetic flux is more stable than the case where the direction of the height H is along the direction of the magnetic flux.

[0057] like Figure 5As shown in the example, one pole 137a of the magnet 137 is positioned toward the transport path 132t of the vibrator 132. Here, the transport path 132t facing the magnet 137 is a groove-shaped transport path portion 132tr, which has a bottom portion 132trb with a concave curved cross-sectional profile. This cross-sectional profile can be either arc-shaped or U-shaped, but is preferably a smooth curved shape that allows for easy changes in the posture of the transported object CA. For example, the concave curved shape of the bottom portion 132trb of the transport path portion 132tr is set such that, relative to the length L of the transported object CA, the radius of curvature R satisfies the condition expressed by the formula R > (1 / 2)·L. More generally, in the above formula, the maximum dimension K of the transported object CA, instead of the length L, can also be the square root of the sum of the squares of the length L, width W, and height H (L). 2 +W 2 +H 2 ) 1 / 2 In the example shown, the cross-sectional shape of the bottom portion 132trb perpendicular to the conveying direction F is set as an arc with a certain radius of curvature R, but the radius of curvature R can also vary within the bottom portion 132trb. In this case, the average value of the radius of curvature R of the bottom portion 132trb only needs to meet the above conditions. However, it is more ideal if the overall radius of curvature R of the bottom portion 132trb meets the above conditions. In addition, the upper limit of the radius of curvature R is preferably less than 5 times or less than L or K, and more preferably less than 3 times.

[0058] In addition, such as Figure 5 As shown, the magnetic poles 137a of the magnet 137 are arranged opposite to the conveyor section 132tr in a horizontal direction. However, the magnetic poles 137a of the magnet 137 can also be arranged opposite to the conveyor section 132tr in an inclined direction from above or below. Furthermore, if the conveying direction to be aligned is different from that in the embodiment, the direction connecting a pair of magnetic poles can be parallel to the conveying direction F of the conveyor path, or it can be arranged opposite each other from above or below.

[0059] Figure 5 The vibrating body 132 shown is actually a portion of the vibrating body 132, namely the conveying section having the conveying path 132t. This conveying section is preferably made of a non-magnetic material such as non-magnetic stainless steel, aluminum, or aluminum alloy, as described above. This is because, since the magnetic flux Φm passes through the conveying section, it does not easily affect the direction of the magnetic flux on the conveying path 132t. This is especially true when, as shown in the example, the conveying path 132t itself is shadowed by the conveying section when viewed from the magnetic pole 137a of the magnet 137 along the direction of the magnetic flux Φm.

[0060] like Figure 6As shown, the magnetic field (magnetic flux distribution) formed by magnet 137 is represented by the magnetic flux Φm as shown by the double-dotted line in the diagram. Here, the magnetic flux Φm is represented by the product of the surface area Sm of magnetic pole 137a (Ms) and the magnetic flux density Bm on magnetic pole 137a (Ms). Furthermore, the distance Dm between magnetic pole 137a (Ms) and the closest position 132tr0 of the transport path section 132tr is set according to the magnitude of the magnetic flux Φm. In this embodiment, since magnet 137 is configured so that magnetic pole 137a faces the transport path 132t, the aforementioned closest position 132tr0 becomes the position directly opposite magnetic pole 137a.

[0061] Taking the aforementioned closest position 132tr0 on the conveying path 132t as a reference, when the conveyed object CA is conveyed along the conveying direction F on the conveying path 132t, in the upstream conveying path region 132tr1, which is further upstream than the aforementioned closest position 132tr0, the conveyed object CA gradually approaches the magnet 137 as it is conveyed. Therefore, during this upstream conveying process, the magnetic flux density on the conveying path 132t gradually increases, and the direction of the magnetic flux Φm on the conveying path 132t gradually changes from the conveying direction F to the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction F (width direction). On the other hand, in the downstream conveying path region 132tr2, which is further downstream than the aforementioned closest position 132tr0, the conveyed object CA gradually moves away from (away from) the magnet 137 as it is conveyed. Therefore, during this downstream conveying process, the magnetic flux density on the conveying path 132t gradually decreases, and the direction of the magnetic flux Φm gradually changes from the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction F to the direction of conveying F.

[0062] In this embodiment, within the aforementioned conveyor path section 132tr, at the upstream end of the magnetic influence range 132trs of the conveyor path where the magnetic influence of the magnet 137 affects the conveyed object CA on the conveyor path 132t, the direction of the magnetic flux is consistent with the conveying direction F. Furthermore, at the closest position 132tr0, the direction of the magnetic flux is perpendicular to the conveying direction F. Finally, at the downstream end, the direction of the magnetic flux is again consistent with the conveying direction F. Moreover, the aforementioned magnetic influence refers to the effect of the magnet 137 on the posture change of the conveyed object CA on the conveyor path 132t. That is, the magnetic influence range 132trs of the conveyor path is the range within the conveyor path 132t where, observed in the conveying direction F, the posture of the conveyed object CA is affected by the direction of the magnetic flux of the magnet 137. In this embodiment, the conveyed material CA is conveyed in a suspended state on the conveying path 132t for most of the time by vibration conveying. Furthermore, at the conveying path section 132tr, the contact area between the bottom part 132trb and the conveyed material CA is reduced because the bottom part 132trb is formed into a concave curved surface. Therefore, the posture of the conveyed material CA is in a state that can be easily changed.

[0063] Typically, on conveyor path 132t, the conveyed object CA is conveyed in various postures along the conveying direction F. Especially in vibratory conveyors, because the conveyed object CA travels in a suspended state due to the vibration of the vibrator 132, the posture of the conveyed object CA is prone to change, and as long as it is not limited by the width direction, as shown in the upstream portion of the magnetic influence range 132trs of the conveyor path, the conveying posture and intervals of the conveyed object CA will be quite irregular. In this state, when the conveyed object CA advances in the upstream conveyor path region 132tr1, such as... Figure 6 As shown by the magnetic attraction Q, the magnetic influence gradually increases, and the direction of the magnetic flux gradually tilts from the conveying direction F. Therefore, the alignment direction (length direction) axis CAx, which is the direction of the length L of the conveyed item CA, also gradually tilts. Finally, near the closest position 132tr0, corresponding to the case where the direction of the magnetic flux is perpendicular to the conveying direction F, the alignment direction axis CAx of the conveyed item CA is also perpendicular to the conveying direction F. In addition, in this upstream conveying path region 132tr1, due to the component of the magnetic flux in the conveying direction F, the conveyed item CA receives a small amount of magnetic attraction Q, so the conveying speed and spacing between the conveyed items CA slightly increase. Furthermore, in the example shown, initially, most of the conveyed items CA are along the conveying direction F in the length direction. Later, due to the magnetic influence of magnet 137, the conveyed items CA gradually change their posture so that their length direction is perpendicular to the conveying direction F. Therefore, the distance between the conveyed items CA on the conveying path 132t also gradually increases.

[0064] The conveyed items CA closest to position 132tr0, in a posture (second conveying posture) where the alignment (length direction) axis CAx is perpendicular to the conveying direction F, are primarily magnetically polarized (magnetized) by their internal electrodes IE1 and IE2 along their length direction. At this time, a repulsive force is generated between the conveyed items CA that are magnetized in the same posture and direction, thus increasing the distance between them and reducing the deviation in their spacing. Ideally, the spacing between the multiple conveyed items CA near the closest position 132tr0 is approximately equal.

[0065] If the conveyed item CA passes the closest position 132tr0, it moves away from the magnet 137 as it advances along the conveying direction F. Therefore, in the downstream conveying path region 132tr2, unlike in the upstream conveying path region 132tr1, the magnetic influence gradually decreases as it advances along the conveying direction F, and the direction of the magnetic flux gradually tilts from a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction F and gradually changes towards the conveying direction F. Then, when the direction of the magnetic flux becomes closer to the conveying direction F and the alignment direction (length direction) axis CAx of the conveyed item CA approaches the conveying direction F in accordance with the magnetic flux, as... Figure 6As shown by the magnetic attraction Q, the magnetic influence gradually decreases and no longer produces posture changes. Therefore, the conveyed item CA is placed in a conveying posture (first conveying posture) where its alignment direction (length direction) axis CAx aligns with the conveying direction F, and it continues to move downstream in this posture. At this time, the queue of conveyed items CA passes through the closest position 132tr0 from the aforementioned upstream conveying path region 132tr1, thereby reducing the deviation of posture and spacing in the second conveying posture. Therefore, when it is restricted to the first conveying posture through the aforementioned downstream conveying path region 132tr2, a neat alignment state (orderly arrangement state) can be obtained. However, in this alignment state, although the first conveying posture in which the alignment direction axis CAx of the conveyed item CA aligns with the conveying direction F is used for alignment, in the case of the example shown, the first conveying posture may include the following two postures: the posture where the face of the width W corresponding to the width direction of the internal electrodes IE1 and IE2 faces the bottom surface 132trb, and the posture where the face of the height H faces the bottom surface 132trb.

[0066] In this embodiment, in the downstream conveyor region 132tr2, as the conveyed item CA is conveyed in the conveying direction F and the magnetic influence exerted by the magnet 137 on the posture of the conveyed item CA decreases, the direction of the aforementioned magnetic flux Φm on the conveyor 132t gradually approaches the first direction corresponding to the second conveying posture from the second direction corresponding to the second conveying posture. As a result, the conveyed item CA is gradually guided from the second conveying posture to the first conveying posture and will not receive a magnetic force in the opposite direction (e.g., a magnetic force that returns it to the second conveying posture). Therefore, even under high-speed, high-density conveying conditions, the conveyed item CA can be effectively and reliably aligned into the first conveying posture. To achieve such a magnetic flux distribution, it is preferable to adjust the magnetic force of the magnet 137 or the aforementioned distance Dm. In this embodiment, since the position of the mounting component 136 can be adjusted, the aforementioned distance Dm can be adjusted. However, the magnetic flux distribution can also be adjusted, for example, by replacing the magnet 137 or by adjusting the power value, such as the current value, when using an electromagnet. In this case, it is even more preferable to analyze the magnetic influence on the conveyed object by processing images acquired by a camera or other imaging device, especially analyzing the conveying posture or its changing shape of the conveyed object in the closest position 132tr0 and its surrounding or downstream conveying path area 132tr2, thereby automatically controlling the distance Dm or the power value. Image processing in this case can utilize pattern matching processing or AI such as a learned neural network. Preferably, the manual distance Dm or power value adjustment unit, or the automatic distance Dm or power value adjustment unit, is installed on the controller of the conveying system.

[0067] Figure 7A wider range of the conveyor path 132t is shown. In the conveyor path 132t, a conveyor path section 132tp is provided upstream of the aforementioned conveyor path section 132tr, and this conveyor path section 132tp has a conveyor path shape with a flat bottom surface 132tpb. This flat bottom surface 132tpb has the characteristic of high stability in the conveying posture of the conveyed item CA. In the example shown, by providing a wider bottom surface 132tpb in the conveyor path section 132tp, conveying can be performed even with the entire column direction (length direction) axis CAx oriented towards the width direction of the conveyed item CA. Furthermore, in the aforementioned conveyor path section 132tr, since the concave bottom surface 132trb facilitates changes in the conveying posture of the conveyed item CA, posture changes based on the magnetic effect of the magnet 137 are easily generated within the magnetic influence range 132trs of the conveyor path.

[0068] On the other hand, a conveyor section 132ts is connected downstream of conveyor section 132tr. In this conveyor section 132ts, the stability of the conveying posture of the conveyed item CA is improved by having a conveyor shape with a flat bottom surface 132tsb. Here, the width dimension of the conveyor section 132ts is preferably a value corresponding to the first conveying posture. In the illustrated example, since the first conveying posture is aligned with the conveying direction F in the column direction (length direction), the width of the bottom surface 132tsb is configured to be narrower than that of the upstream conveyor sections 132tp and 132tr.

[0069] In the conveyor section 132ts, a discrimination control unit 132S is provided on the conveyor 132t. The discrimination control unit 132S has a measurement area ME for discerning the appearance, posture, and other characteristics of the conveyed item CA. Various measurements are performed on the conveyed item CA in the measurement area ME to discern the conveyed item CA, and based on the discrimination result, the conveyed item CA is removed from the conveyor 132t or its conveying posture is reversed. In the illustrated example, if the conveyed item CA is discerned based on an image captured by the camera CM and its image processing, and it is determined that the conveyed item CA is not suitable for direct downstream conveying, the conveyed item CA is removed from the conveyor 132t by airflow blown from the jet nozzle OP, or its posture is changed by flipping or other rotational actions. As an example of the discrimination control unit 132S, it can be used to discern whether the rotational posture of the conveyed item CA about the axis CAx in the column direction (length direction) is appropriate.

[0070] Furthermore, the method and apparatus of the present invention are not limited to the examples shown in the figures above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the above embodiment, the posture of one magnetic pole 137a of the magnet 137 facing the closest position 132tr0 of the conveying path 132t is set, and the following magnetic flux distribution is formed in the magnetic influence range 132trs of the conveying path: that is, the direction of the magnetic flux generated by the magnet 137 is substantially consistent with the conveying direction F at the upstream end of the upstream conveying path region 132tr1 and the downstream end of the downstream conveying path region 132tr2, and is perpendicular to the conveying direction F near the closest position 132tr0. However, the present invention is not limited to such a magnetic flux distribution. For example, the magnet may be arranged in a manner where the arrangement direction of a pair of magnetic poles is parallel to the conveying path 132t, and the direction of its magnetic flux may be formed such that it is approximately perpendicular to the conveying direction F on the upstream and downstream sides, and substantially consistent with the conveying direction F near the closest position 132tr0. In this case, it is sufficient to configure the conveyed object to have a first conveying posture when the direction of the magnetic flux is perpendicular to the conveying direction F, and a second conveying posture when the direction of the magnetic flux is consistent with the conveying direction F. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the posture of the conveyed object CA is described as being determined by magnetic force with the alignment axis CAx of the conveyed object CA along the direction of the magnetic flux Φm. However, the present invention is not limited to this case. The alignment axis CAx can be in a direction other than the length direction. Alternatively, the alignment axis CAx can be not along the direction of the magnetic flux Φm, but rather, for example, along a direction perpendicular to the magnetic flux Φm, maintaining stability in the conveyed object CA.

Claims

1. A method for arranging transported items, wherein during the transport of transported items containing magnetic bodies along a transport path toward a transport direction, the posture of the transported items is controlled according to the direction of magnetic flux generated by magnets disposed beside the transport path, and configured such that the direction of the magnetic flux on the transport path changes toward the transport direction, thereby using magnetic force to neatly arrange the transported items into a first transport posture on the transport path, the method being characterized in that... During the conveying process of the transported object approaching the upstream side of the magnet by being conveyed along the transport path, the transported object is uniformly arranged into a second transport posture along the transport path, and the spacing deviation of the transported objects in the transport direction is reduced by the magnetic repulsion between the transported objects, wherein... The second conveying posture is a posture in which the alignment direction of the conveyed items is inconsistent with the conveying direction, whereas the alignment direction should be consistent with the conveying direction in the first conveying posture; Then, as the conveyed material is conveyed away from the magnet on the downstream side by being conveyed on the conveying path, the posture of the conveyed material is gradually changed on the conveying path according to the change of the direction of the magnetic flux on the conveying path toward the conveying direction, thereby finally becoming the first conveying posture in which the alignment direction is consistent with the conveying direction, so that the conveyed material is arranged in an orderly manner; The conveying route is made of a non-magnetic material and has a conveying bottom surface with a concave curved cross-sectional profile along the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The lowest part of the conveying bottom surface has a cross-sectional profile with a radius of curvature R on both sides of the width direction. The radius of curvature R is in the range of R > L / 2 relative to the length L of the conveyed object, or R > K / 2 relative to the maximum size K of the conveyed object.

2. The method for aligning transported items as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The conveyed material has a length direction; The length direction is the column direction that is consistent with the conveying direction in the first conveying posture.

3. The method for aligning transported items as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The second conveying posture is the posture in which the length direction is perpendicular to the conveying direction.

4. The method for arranging transported goods as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, During the downstream conveying process, as the conveyed object is conveyed toward the conveying direction and the magnetic influence exerted by the magnet on the posture of the conveyed object decreases, the direction of the magnetic flux on the conveying path gradually approaches the first direction corresponding to the second conveying posture from the second direction corresponding to the second conveying posture.

5. The method for arranging transported goods as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The conveyor contains the magnetic body in a manner that keeps it stable in the alignment direction along the direction of the magnetic flux.

6. The method for arranging transported goods as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The conveying path is configured to convey the conveyed object by reciprocating vibrations in a forward and upward direction toward the conveying direction.

7. A conveying and aligning system comprising: a conveyor including a magnetic material, a conveying path for conveying the conveyor in a conveying direction, and a magnet disposed beside the conveying path and forming a magnetic flux distribution on the conveying path within at least a predetermined range in the conveying direction that influences the conveying posture of the conveyor; the conveying and aligning system aligns the conveyor in a regular arrangement with respect to a first conveying posture, characterized in that... The magnetic flux is distributed within the specified range, and the transported object approaches the upstream transport area of ​​the magnet by being transported along the transport path in the transport direction, so as to gradually guide the transported object towards a second transport posture different from the first transport posture, thereby causing the direction of the magnetic flux to gradually change towards a direction perpendicular to the transport direction; and... The magnetic flux is distributed in the downstream side of the conveying path region away from the magnet as the conveyed object is conveyed in the conveying direction, so as to gradually change the direction of the magnetic flux in order to guide the conveyed object from the second conveying posture to the first conveying posture. The conveying route is made of a non-magnetic material and has a conveying bottom surface with a concave curved cross-sectional profile along the width direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The lowest part of the conveying bottom surface has a cross-sectional profile with a radius of curvature R on both sides of the width direction. The radius of curvature R is in the range of R > L / 2 relative to the length L of the conveyed object, or R > K / 2 relative to the maximum size K of the conveyed object.

8. The conveying and aligning system as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The conveyed material has a length direction; The length direction is consistent with the conveying direction in the first conveying posture.

9. The conveying and aligning system as described in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The conveyor contains the magnetic body in a manner that keeps it stable along the direction of the magnetic flux in a direction consistent with the conveying direction in the first conveying posture.

10. The conveying and aligning system as described in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, In the downstream conveying path region, as the conveyed object is conveyed toward the conveying direction and the magnetic influence exerted by the magnet on the posture of the conveyed object decreases, the direction of the magnetic flux in the conveying path gradually approaches the first direction corresponding to the second conveying posture from the second direction corresponding to the second conveying posture.

11. The conveying and aligning system as described in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The conveying and aligning system further includes a discrimination control unit, which identifies the conveyed items at a position downstream of the downstream conveying path area where the conveyed items are neatly arranged and conveyed in the first conveying posture, and controls the conveyed items based on the discrimination result.

12. The conveying and aligning system as described in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The conveying path is configured to convey the conveyed object by reciprocating vibrations in a forward and upward direction toward the conveying direction.

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