Separation apparatus and separation method

Abstract

This invention provides a separation device and a separation method that, compared to conventional methods, reliably separates a predetermined number of sheet-like components from a component bundle consisting of loaded components, even when the sheet-like components have a welded portion on their outer periphery after being cut by a laser or the like. The separation device positions a pressing plate in an abutting position (S5), where the pressing surface abuts against an abutting member. The abutting member is a component in the component bundle located closer to the opening of the receiving portion of the component bundle than in the first loading direction, and is located at the position closest to the first loading direction. With the pressing surface of the pressing plate in the abutting position applying a pressing force in a second loading direction opposite to the first loading direction to the abutting member, the separation device drives a moving mechanism to move the pressing member a first distance in the first moving direction (S8). The separation device then drives the moving mechanism to move the pressing plate a second distance in the second moving direction, longer than the first distance, separating a predetermined number of target components from the component bundle in the first loading direction, counting from the abutting member (S11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a separation apparatus and a separation method. Background Technology

[0002] Conventional separating devices include a pressing member and a driving unit. The pressing member applies a predetermined force to the surface of the sheet-like component while moving the component parallel to the conveying direction, thereby transmitting a driving force to the component. In the separating device, after driving the driving unit to move the pressing member parallel to the conveying direction, the pressing member is raised to separate it from the component.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 1-187138 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0007] When a component has a welded portion on its outer periphery, for example, after being cut by a laser, the aforementioned separation device has difficulty separating a predetermined number of components from the loaded component bundle.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a separation device and a separation method that, compared with the conventional method, can reliably separate a predetermined number of sheet-like components from a component bundle consisting of loaded components, even when the sheet-like components have a welded portion on their outer periphery after being cut by a laser or the like.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] The first technical solution provides a separation device, comprising: a receiving portion capable of accommodating a component bundle consisting of multiple sheet-like components, the receiving portion having a loading surface for loading the component bundle and an opening disposed relative to the loading surface in a first loading direction; a lifting mechanism capable of changing the relative position of the component bundle accommodated in the receiving portion and the opening in the first loading direction; a pressing member having a pressing surface; a moving mechanism capable of moving the pressing member in a first moving direction and a second moving direction that intersect and are different from the first loading direction; and a placement control unit for placing the pressing member in an abutting position, the abutting position being the position where the pressing surface abuts against an abutting member, the abutting member being one of the component bundles located closer to the opening than the first loading surface. The component is positioned in the direction closest to the first loading direction; a first movement control unit, in a state where the pressing surface of the pressing member in the abutting position applies a pressing force in a second loading direction opposite to the first loading direction to the abutting member, drives the movement mechanism to move the pressing member a first distance in the first movement direction; and a second movement control unit, after the pressing member is moved a first distance by the first movement control unit, drives the movement mechanism to move the pressing member a second distance in the second movement direction, which is longer than the first distance, to separate a predetermined number of object components in the component bundle in the first loading direction, counting from the abutting member.

[0011] In the separation apparatus of the first technical solution, even when the sheet-like component has a welded portion on its outer periphery after being laser-cut, the welded portion can be cut off from the target component by movement based on the first movement control unit, and then the target component can be moved in the second movement direction by movement based on the second movement control unit. Since the first distance is shorter than the second distance, even when there is a welded portion between the target component and an adjacent component adjacent to the target component in the second loading direction, the ends of the adjacent components are less likely to curl up during movement based on the first movement control unit. Therefore, compared to the conventional method, the separation apparatus can more easily separate the target component from the loaded component bundle.

[0012] The separation device of the second technical solution further includes: an information acquisition unit that acquires information related to the number of pieces of the target component; and a distance setting unit that sets a first distance accordingly based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit, wherein the first movement control unit causes the pressing member to move in the first movement direction by the first distance set by the distance setting unit. Therefore, in the separation device, compared to when the target component is thicker, when the target component is thinner, warping is more likely to occur in adjacent components adjacent to the target component in the second loading direction when moving based on the first movement control unit. By setting the first distance accordingly based on the thickness of the target component, the separation device can suppress the curling of the ends of adjacent components when moving based on the first movement control unit.

[0013] In the separation device of the third technical solution, the first moving direction and the second moving direction are opposite directions. Therefore, compared with when the first moving direction and the second moving direction are not opposite directions, the separation device can reliably separate the target component from the component bundle.

[0014] The receiving portion of the separation device of the fourth technical solution includes: a first wall disposed relative to the component bundle in the first moving direction, which is capable of facing a first side surface of the opening on the first moving direction side; and a second wall disposed relative to the opening in the second moving direction, which is capable of facing a second side surface of the component bundle on the second moving direction side, wherein a first end of the first wall in the first moving direction is positioned closer to the first loading direction than a second end of the second wall in the second moving direction. Therefore, in the separation device, when moving based on the second moving control unit, even if the target component and the adjacent component adjacent to the target component in the second loading direction are not separated, the target component and the adjacent component can be moved a second distance in the second moving direction. In the separation device, the following situation can be reduced: when moving based on the second moving control unit without separating into the target component and the adjacent component, the resulting defect caused by the adjacent component contacting the second end of the second wall can be reduced.

[0015] The fifth technical solution's separating device has a pressing member capable of holding the target component. The separating device further includes a holding control unit. After the first movement control unit moves the pressing member a first distance in the first movement direction, the holding control unit controls the holding mechanism to hold the target component, such that the pressing force applied to the abutting member is lower than the pressing force applied to the abutting member when moving in the first movement direction. While the holding control unit holds the target component and the pressing force applied to the abutting member is lower than the pressing force applied to the abutting member when moving in the first movement direction, the second movement control unit moves the pressing member a second distance in the second movement direction. Therefore, after the separating device separates the target component and the adjacent component adjacent to the target component in the second loading direction by movement based on the first movement control unit, the pressing force applied by the pressing member to the abutting member is lower than the pressing force applied to the abutting member when moving based on the first movement control unit, thereby eliminating the pressing force on a bundle of components including adjacent components. Therefore, in the separation device, when moving based on the second movement control unit, the friction between the target component and the adjacent component can be reduced, and the target component can move smoothly relative to the adjacent component.

[0016] The holding mechanism of the separation device in the sixth technical solution utilizes the negative pressure generated between the pressing surface and the abutting member to suction and hold the object component. Therefore, the separation device can use negative pressure to hold the object component without damaging it or leaving any holding marks.

[0017] The separation device of the seventh technical solution has multiple receiving portions corresponding to each of the multiple component bundles. The pressing surface of the pressing member is large enough to cover the upper part of the opening of each of the multiple receiving portions at one time. The configuration control unit drives the moving mechanism to position the pressing member at the abutment position of each of the multiple receiving portions, where the abutting member and the pressing surface can abut at one time. Therefore, compared with a device for separating components from a component bundle, the separation device can make the operation of separating components from a component bundle more efficient.

[0018] The separation device of the eighth technical solution includes: a first container and a second container, which are disposed relative to the receiving portion in the second movement direction and are capable of accommodating the component; a detector that detects the thickness of the object component held by the holding mechanism; and a differentiation control unit that, after the second movement control unit moves the pressing member a second distance in the second movement direction, drives the movement mechanism to move the pressing member in the second movement direction when the thickness is less than a threshold, based on the detection result of the detector, to transport the object component held by the holding mechanism to the first container; and drives the movement mechanism to move the pressing member in the second movement direction when the thickness is greater than or equal to the threshold, to transport the object component held by the holding mechanism to the second container. Therefore, the separation device can differentiate and accommodate the object component in either the first container or the second container according to the detection result of the detector.

[0019] The receiving portion of the separation device of the ninth technical solution includes: a first wall disposed relative to the opening in the first movement direction and capable of facing a first side surface of the component bundle on the first movement direction side; a second wall disposed relative to the opening in the second movement direction and capable of facing a second side surface of the component bundle on the second movement direction side; and an end position changing portion capable of changing at least the position of the variable end of the second wall in the first loading direction in the first loading direction. The separation device further includes a changing control portion, which, after the first movement control portion moves the pressing member a first distance in the first movement direction, drives the end position changing portion to move the position of the variable end of the second wall to a position closer to the second loading direction than the position of the end of the first wall in the first loading direction when the first movement control portion moves the pressing member in the first movement direction. After the changing control portion moves the variable end of the second wall, the second movement control portion moves the pressing member a second distance in the second movement direction. Therefore, in the separation device, when moving based on the second movement control unit, even if the target component and its adjacent component in the second loading direction are not separated, the target component and the adjacent component can be moved a second distance in the second movement direction. In the separation device, the following situation can be reduced: when moving based on the second movement control unit without separation into the target component and the adjacent component, defects caused by the variable end of the adjacent component contacting the second wall can be reduced.

[0020] The tenth technical solution provides a separation method, which is a separation method performed by the control unit of a separation device. The separation device includes: a receiving portion capable of receiving a component bundle consisting of multiple sheet-like components, the receiving portion having a loading surface for loading the component bundle and an opening disposed relative to the loading surface in a first loading direction; a lifting mechanism capable of changing the relative position of the component bundle received in the receiving portion and the opening in the first loading direction; a pressing member having a pressing surface; and a moving mechanism capable of moving the pressing member in a first moving direction and a second moving direction that intersect and are different from the first loading direction. The separation method includes the following steps: a configuration control step, in which the moving mechanism is driven to position the pressing member in an abutment position, the abutment position being the position where the pressing surface abuts against an abutment member. The component is the component in the component bundle that is located closer to the first loading direction than the opening and is located at the position closest to the first loading direction; a first movement control step, in which, while the pressing surface of the pressing member in the abutting position applies a pressing force in a second loading direction opposite to the first loading direction to the abutting member, drives the movement mechanism to move the pressing member a first distance in the first movement direction; and a second movement control step, in which, after moving the first distance in the first movement control step, the movement mechanism is driven to move the pressing member a second distance in the second movement direction that is longer than the first distance, separating a predetermined number of object components in the component bundle in the first loading direction, counted from the abutting member.

[0021] By employing the separation method of the tenth technical solution, even when a sheet-like component has a welded portion on its outer periphery after being laser-cut, the welded portion can be cut off from the target component by movement based on the first movement control unit, and then the target component can be moved in the second movement direction by movement based on the second movement control unit. Since the first distance is shorter than the second distance, even when there is a welded portion between the target component and an adjacent component adjacent to the target component in the second loading direction during movement based on the first movement control unit, the ends of the adjacent components are less likely to curl up. Therefore, compared to the conventional method, the separation device can more easily separate the target component from the loaded component bundle. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view of the separation device 1.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the separation device 1 without the housing 2.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a left view of the separation device 1 with the housing 2 omitted.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the moving mechanism 5, the receiving part 4 placed on the mounting surface 21, and the first container 91 and the second container 93 placed on the mounting surface 22.

[0026] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional view of the moving mechanism 5, the pressing plate 7, and the holding mechanism 8.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional view of the housing part 4.

[0028] Figure 7 This is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the separation device 1.

[0029] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of the separation process.

[0030] Figure 9 This is a cross-sectional view of the separation device 1 when the support plate 62 is in the standby position and the pressing plate 7 is in the abutting position.

[0031] Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the separation device 1 when the pressing plate 7 presses the component bundle D in the second loading direction.

[0032] Figure 11 This is a cross-sectional view of the separation device 1 after the first movement control.

[0033] Figure 12 This is a cross-sectional view of the separation device 1 when the support plate 62 is lowered after the first movement control.

[0034] Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional view of the separation device 1 after the second movement control.

[0035] Figure 14 This is a cross-sectional view of the separation device 1 after the pressing plate 7 has been moved to the second release position.

[0036] Figure 15 This is a cross-sectional view of the separation device 1 after the pressing plate 7 has been moved to the first release position.

[0037] Figure 16 This is a schematic top view of the two receiving parts 4 and the pressing plate 7 of the separating device 1.

[0038] Figure 17 This is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of the separation device 101 in the modified example.

[0039] Figure 18 This is a flowchart of the separation process for the variant example.

[0040] Figure 19 This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the change in the position of the variable end 90 of the second wall 89 in the first loading direction during the separation process of the modified example. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The separation device 1 and separation method of one embodiment of the present invention will be described sequentially with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the arrows in the drawings are used to indicate left and right, front and back, and up and down.

[0042] like Figures 1-6 Thus, the separation device 1 is a device for separating component C, in predetermined number units, from the component bundle D. Component C is a ring-shaped resin sheet viewed from above, having an outer periphery that has been cut by a laser. The component bundle D is a bundle containing multiple components C. In this embodiment, the component bundle D is a bundle in which components C are loaded from bottom to top. The predetermined number of pieces in this embodiment is one piece. When a component C is cut by a laser, it may sometimes fuse with adjacent components C that overlap vertically, so that the outer periphery is connected to the adjacent component C. The separation device 1 separates the uppermost abutting component C from the component bundle D. When one abutting component C is separated, it is placed in a container. When two or more pieces of component C, including the abutting component C, are separated from the component bundle D, the multiple pieces of component C are placed in a second container 93, thereby achieving sorting.

[0043] The separation device 1 includes a housing 2, a display unit 17, an operation unit 18, a frame 3, a receiving unit 4, a moving mechanism 5, a lifting mechanism 6, a pressing plate 7, a holding mechanism 8, a first container 91, a second container 93, and a guide plate 95. Figure 1 , Figure 2Thus, the housing 2, which internally houses the frame 3, the receiving part 4, the moving mechanism 5, the lifting mechanism 6, the pressing plate 7, the holding mechanism 8, the first container 91, and the second container 93, is an L-shaped box when viewed from the left. The housing 2 includes a front surface 20, mounting surfaces 21 and 22, and doors 23 and 26. A display unit 17 and an operation unit 18 are located on the left side of the front surface 20. The display unit 17 displays images. The operation unit 18 includes switches and dials for inputting various instructions to the separation device 1. The mounting surfaces 21 and 22 extend parallel to the horizontal direction from the upper end of the front surface 20 to the rear. The mounting surfaces 21 and 22 are rectangular in shape when viewed from above. In the front-rear direction, the mounting surfaces 21 and 22 extend from the front end to the rear end of the separation device 1. The portions of the mounting surfaces 21 and 22 that are forward of the doors 23 and 26 are exposed to the outside, while the portions of the mounting surfaces 21 and 22 that are rearward of the doors 23 and 26 are located inside the housing 2. A mounting surface 21 is located to the left of mounting surface 22. Mounting surface 21 has a pair of left and right outer guides 29 extending in the front-rear direction. The pair of left and right outer guides 29 guide the movement of the plate 41 supporting the receiving portion 4 in the front-rear direction. Mounting surface 21 supports the receiving portion 4 by means of the plate 41. Mounting surface 22 mounts the first container 91 and the second container 93 in the portion rearward of the door 26. In the left-right direction, the first container 91 is positioned between the receiving portion 4 and the second container 93. Doors 23 and 26 are plate-shaped and longer in the left-right direction when viewed from the front. They are located above mounting surfaces 21 and 22 and in the front-rear direction, ahead of the center of mounting surfaces 21 and 22. Doors 23 and 26 extend perpendicularly to the front-rear direction. The left end of door 23 is connected to the left end of housing 2 by a pair of upper and lower hinges 25. Door 23 has a handle 24 at its right end. The operator holds the handle 24 to open and close door 23. When changing the receiving section 4, the operator keeps door 23 open. The right end of door 26 is connected to the right end of housing 2 via a pair of hinges 28. Door 26 has a handle 27 at its left end. The operator holds the handle 27 to open and close door 26. When changing the first container 91, second container 93, etc., the operator keeps door 26 open.

[0044] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 Therefore, the frame 3 is constructed by combining multiple rod-shaped materials made of iron or aluminum. These rod-shaped materials include those extending in the front-to-back direction, the left-to-right direction, and the up-down direction. The frame 3 supports the housing 2 and the moving mechanism 5.

[0045] like Figure 4 , Figure 6Thus, the receiving part 4 can accommodate a component bundle D loaded with multiple sheet-like components C. The receiving part 4 includes a peripheral wall 43, an edge 44, a bottom 39, a cylindrical part 45, a support plate 62, a plate 41, a pair of left and right gripping parts 30, four ribs 49, and four screws 50. The peripheral wall 43 has an opening 40 at its end in the first loading direction, which can abut against the side of the component bundle D. The opening 40 is located in the first loading direction (above) relative to the loading surface 69 of the support plate 62. The top view shape of the opening 40 is the shape along the outer periphery of the top view shape of the component C. The end (upper end) of the peripheral wall 43 in the first loading direction is a radially protruding flange 59. The radial direction is perpendicular to the plane center M of the receiving part 4 and extends radially from the plane center M. On the upper left side of the flange 59, the edge 44, which is made of a rigid metal body, is fixed from above using seven screws 42. In this embodiment, the edge 44 is a top view arc-shaped component formed by a separate member relative to the peripheral wall 43. The frictional force generated between the friction member 82 on the pressing surface 71 on the back of the pressing plate 7 and the component C is greater than the frictional force generated between the components C. The bottom 39 is connected to the lower end of the peripheral wall 43. The bottom 39 has a hole through which the lifting mechanism 6 passes. The cylindrical portion 45 extends upward in a cylindrical shape from the center M of the plane of the bottom 39 of the receiving portion 4. The side of the cylindrical portion 45 has a plurality of slits extending in the vertical direction. The top view shape, arrangement, etc. of the cylindrical portion 45 can be appropriately changed according to the shape of the component C. The cylindrical portion 45 passes through the hole of the annular component C received in the receiving portion 4. The upper surface of the support plate 62 is the loading surface 69 for mounting the component bundle D. The top view shape of the loading surface 69 is annular and is approximately the same as the top view shape of the component C. The support plate 62 passes through the cylindrical portion 45 from above and is positioned above the bottom 39. The outer periphery of the support plate 62 is the shape along the inner periphery of the peripheral wall 43. The left side and edge 44 of the peripheral wall 43 are also referred to as the first wall 88. The right side of the peripheral wall 43 is also referred to as the second wall 89. The first wall 88 is disposed relative to the component bundle D in a first moving direction, opposite to the first side surface (left side surface) of the component bundle D in the first moving direction. The second wall 89 is disposed relative to the component bundle D in a second moving direction, opposite to the second side surface (right side surface) of the component bundle D in the second moving direction.

[0046] Plate 41 is a rectangular shape larger than the bottom 39 from above, supporting the bottom 39 from below. A pair of left and right grips 30 are fixed to the left and right sides of plate 41. When working on the receiving part 4, the operator grips the grips 30 and moves the receiving part 4. Four ribs 49 protrude outward from the outer periphery of the peripheral wall 43. Each rib 49 has a slit 60 extending vertically and penetrating radially. The lower end of each rib 49 is fixed to plate 41 by a corresponding screw 50. That is, the peripheral wall 43 is fixed to plate 41 by four screws 50.

[0047] like Figures 3-5Thus, the moving mechanism 5 moves the pressing plate 7 along a first moving direction and a second moving direction that intersect the first loading direction. The first moving direction and the second moving direction are opposite directions. In this embodiment, the first moving direction is to the left, and the second moving direction is to the right, which is opposite to the first moving direction. The moving mechanism 5 includes a pair of tracks 51, a column 52, a wiring harness 53, and a drive unit 54. The pair of tracks 51 extend in the left-right direction above the receiving part 4, the first container 91, and the second container 93. The pair of tracks 51 are separated front to back and are set at the same height. The left and right ends of the pair of tracks 51 are supported by the frame 3. The column 52 is located between the pair of tracks 51 in the front-back direction and extends in the left-right direction above the pair of tracks 51. One end of the wiring harness 53 is connected to the drive unit 54. The wiring harness 53 transmits data from the control unit 10 (see reference 10) to the drive unit 54. Figure 7 The control unit 10 issues a command and supplies power to the drive unit 54. The drive unit 54 is fixed to the upper surface 73 of the pressing plate 7. The drive unit 54 moves the pressing plate 7 in a first moving direction or a second moving direction according to the command of the control unit 10. When the drive unit 54 is driven, the pressing plate 7 moves along a pair of tracks 51 in the first moving direction or the second moving direction. The tracks 51 are held by a frame (not shown).

[0048] like Figure 3 In this way, the lifting mechanism 6 can change the relative position of the component bundle D housed in the receiving portion 4 and the opening 40 in the first loading direction. In this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 6 is located below the receiving portion 4, enabling the support plate 62 to move in both the first and second loading directions. The lifting mechanism 6 includes a drive unit 65 (see reference 65). Figure 7 The drive unit 65 is a known lifting device that can raise and lower the support plate 62 by means of power from the drive unit 65. The drive method of the drive unit 65 can be any method such as electro-hydraulic or electric ball screw.

[0049] like Figure 4 , Figure 5Thus, the pressing plate 7 has a pressing surface 71, an upper surface 73, a friction member 82, four support members 75, and two support members 74. The pressing plate 7 is a rectangular shape that is longer in the front-to-back direction when viewed from above. The moving mechanism 5 supports the pressing plate 7 in a manner that allows the pressing plate 7 to move in a first moving direction and a second moving direction that intersects the first loading direction. The pressing plate 7 can be moved by the moving mechanism 5 to an abutting position above the receiving portion 4, a first release position above the first container 91, and a second release position above the second container 93. The pressing surface 71 of the pressing plate 7 is the lower surface of the pressing plate 7 and is larger than the opening 40 of the receiving portion 4. When the pressing plate 7 is in the abutting position, the opening 40 of the receiving portion 4 is located inside the outline of the pressing plate 7 when viewed from above. The friction member 82 is circularly provided at the center of the pressing surface 71 when viewed from the rear. At a predetermined moment when the pressing plate 7 is in the abutting position, the friction member 82 faces the edge 44 (upper inner periphery of the receiving portion 4) of the receiving portion 4, and the friction member 82 is located at the part of the pressing surface 71 that abuts against the edge (outer periphery) of the abutting member C. When the pressing plate 7 is moved from the abutting position in the first moving direction, friction is generated between the friction member 82 and the abutting member C. When the pressing plate 7 is in the abutting position, the edge 44 of the receiving portion 4 is slightly separated from the pressing surface 71 and the friction member 82 vertically. The separation distance between the edge 44 and the friction member 82 (pressing surface 71) is a value corresponding to the member C. The separation distance is, for example, a distance greater than the thickness of one member C and less than the thickness of two members C. When the pressing plate 7 is in the abutting position, the opening 40 of the receiving portion 4 is located inside the contour of the friction member 82 when viewed from above. That is, at a predetermined moment when the pressing plate 7 is in the abutting position, the friction member 82 abuts against the upper surface of the abutting member C, including the entire edge 44 of the abutting member C containing the pressing surface 71. In this embodiment, the friction member 82 is an elastic member such as rubber. The predetermined moment is when the lifting mechanism 6 raises the support plate 62, causing the abutting member C to press against the pressing surface 71. Four support members 75 are provided on the right front, left front, right rear, and left rear of the upper surface 73, and extend in the left-right direction. The upper surface of each support member 75 has a groove 76 recessed to the downward side. The groove 76 extends from the left end to the right end of the support member 75 in the left-right direction. The groove 76 of the support member 75 on the right front of the upper surface 73 and the groove 76 of the support member 75 on the left front of the upper surface 73 of the pressing plate 7 engage with the front track 51, respectively. The groove 76 of the right rear part of the support member 75 on the upper surface 73 of the pressing plate 7 and the groove 76 of the left rear part of the support member 75 respectively engage with the rear track 51. The two support members 74 are inverted U-shaped plate members that are open when viewed from the left side. The two support members 74 are fixed to the left and right sides of the drive unit 54. The two support members 74 and the upper surface 73 of the pressing plate 7 surround the column part 52. One end of the wire harness 53 is fixed to the upper surface of the left support member 74.

[0050] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 Thus, the retaining mechanism 8 has four flow paths 83 communicating with four holes 81 provided on the pressing surface 71 of the pressing plate 7. Under the action of negative pressure introduced from each flow path 83, fluid is drawn from each hole 81, thereby using the negative pressure generated between the pressing surface 71 and the contact member C to adsorb and retain the contact member C. In this embodiment, the fluid is air, and the illustrations of the vacuum ejector that supplies negative pressure to each flow path 83 and the pipe that connects each flow path 83 are omitted. The four holes 81 are downward-opening holes, and are located in the following positions: in the portion of the pressing surface 71 where the friction member 82 is provided, at positions separated from the center of the pressing surface 71, and at the right front, left front, right rear, and left rear portions of the friction member 82. When the pressing plate 7 is in the contact position, the four holes 81 are located inside the opening 40 of the receiving portion 4.

[0051] like Figure 2 , Figure 4 Thus, the first container 91 and the second container 93 are positioned relative to the receiving portion 4 in the second moving direction (to the right), capable of accommodating component C. The first container 91 and the second container 93 are rectangular boxes with open tops. The first container 91 and the second container 93 are of the same shape. The first container 91 and the second container 93 are placed on the mounting surface 22. The lower part of the front surface of the first container 91 has a holding portion 92. The lower part of the front surface of the second container 93 has a holding portion 94. The operator holds the holding portions 92 and 94 to perform the replacement operation of the first container 91 and the second container 93.

[0052] like Figure 4 , Figure 9 Thus, the guide plate 95 is positioned between the receiving portion 4 and the first container 91 in the left-right direction. The guide plate 95 extends to the right from the right side of the edge 44 of the receiving portion 4, at a position slightly lower than the height of the edge 44, and bends downwards and to the left of the first container 91. The upper end of the guide plate 95 is positioned slightly higher than the upper end of the first container 91. The guide plate 95 prevents the component C held by the pressing plate 7 and the holding mechanism 8 from falling between the receiving portion 4 and the first container 91. Even when the object component C held by the holding mechanism 8 moves together with the adjacent component C in the second moving direction, it can prevent a portion of the adjacent component C from drooping off the object component C.

[0053] Reference Figure 7 And describe the electrical structure of separation device 1. For example... Figure 7Thus, the control unit 10 includes a CPU 9, ROM 12, RAM 13, storage device 14, and input / output interface (I / F) 15. The CPU 9, ROM 12, RAM 13, and storage device 14 are electrically connected to the I / F 15 via signal lines 16. The CPU 9 is responsible for controlling the separation device 1, executing various programs stored in the ROM 12. The ROM 12 stores various programs including the separation program, various initial setting parameters, etc. The RAM 13 temporarily stores the CPU 9's calculation results, various data, etc.

[0054] The input / output I / F15 is electrically connected to drive circuits 31-33, on / off valve 38, switch (SW) 34, detectors 35-37, and operation unit 18, respectively. Drive circuit 31 is electrically connected to drive unit 54 of moving mechanism 5. Drive circuit 32 is electrically connected to drive unit 65 of lifting mechanism 6. Drive circuit 33 is electrically connected to display unit 17 and displays images on display unit 17 according to instructions from CPU 9. On / off valve 38 is provided on the supply path of fluid supplied by air compressor to the four flow paths 83 of holding mechanism 8. CPU 9 opens and closes on / off valve 38 to control the driving and non-driving of holding mechanism 8. Detector 35 is an arbitrary sensor used to detect the number of pieces C held by holding mechanism 8. Detector 35 is, for example, a sensor for detecting the thickness disposed between receiving portion 4 and first container 91. This sensor can be, for example, a laser displacement gauge or a sensor for detecting the transmittance of ultrasonic waves. The detector 35 detects the number of pieces based on the thickness of the component C held by the holding mechanism 8, which is positioned at a detection position between the contact position and the first release position. The detector 36 is located inside the receiving portion 4 and detects whether the receiving portion 4 contains the component C. The detector 37 is located on the pressing surface 71 and detects whether the holding mechanism 8 holds the component C. The detectors 36 and 37 are, for example, proximity sensors. As proximity sensors, known types such as optical or capacitive proximity sensors utilizing infrared or laser light can be used. When using an optical proximity sensor, a transmission portion for the detection light can be provided at the mounting location to allow the detection light to pass through. The proximity sensor detects the proximity of the component C when the detection light emitted from the light projection portion to the light receiving portion via a track is blocked by the component C.

[0055] Reference Figures 8-15 This describes the separation process performed by the separation device 1. When the operator inputs a start instruction to the control unit 10 via the operation unit 18, the CPU 9 reads the separation program from the ROM 12 into the RAM 13 and executes the process. At the start of the process, the opening and closing valve 38 is closed.

[0056] like Figure 8In this way, CPU9 controls lifting mechanism 6 and moving mechanism 5 to move support plate 62 and pressing plate 7 to standby position (S1). The standby position of support plate 62 is the lowest position in the movable range of support plate 62. When support plate 62 is in standby position, support plate 62 abuts against bottom 39 of receiving portion 4. The standby position of pressing plate 7 is the position in the movable range of pressing plate 7 where pressing plate 7 is not opposite to edge 44 of receiving portion 4. CPU9 acquires information related to the number of pieces of target component C (S2). Target component C is a predetermined number of components C in the first loading direction of component bundle D, counting from abutting component C. In this embodiment, target component C is one abutting component C. The information related to the number of pieces of target component C may be the thickness of target component C, or the number of pieces of target component C itself. When storage device 14 stores the relationship between the type of target component C and the number (or thickness) of target component C, the information related to the number of pieces of target component C may also be information specifying the type of target component C. The information related to the number (or thickness) of the object component C can be a value input by the operator or a detection result from the detector 35, etc. Based on the correspondence between the information related to the number of object component C and the first distance stored in the storage device 14, the CPU9 sets the first distance (S3) accordingly, using the information acquired in S2. The correspondence between the information related to the number of object component C and the first distance can be information shown in a calculation formula or information stored in a table. For example, the larger the value represented by the information related to the number of object component C, the larger the value the CPU9 sets the first distance to.

[0057] CPU9 determines whether component C is present in the receiving section 4 based on the detection result of detector 36 (S4). If component C is not present in the receiving section 4 (S4: "No"), CPU9 performs component replenishment processing for component C (S23). Specifically, CPU9, for example, displays a message prompting the display unit 17 to replenish component C to the receiving section 4. The operator replenishes component C to the receiving section 4 according to the message displayed on the display unit 17 and operates the operation unit 18 to input an instruction that component C replenishment is complete. After detecting the completion instruction, CPU9 moves the processing to S21.

[0058] When component C is present (S4: "Yes"), CPU9 drives the moving mechanism 5 so that the pressing surface 71 is at least opposite to the portion of the edge (upper inner side of the edge 44) of the opening 40 of the receiving portion 4, relative to the component bundle D on the side towards the first moving direction (left), and positions the pressing plate 7 in the abutting position (the position where the abutting member C overlaps with the pressing surface 71 when viewed from above) (S5). This abutting position is the position where the pressing surface 71 can abut against the abutting member C, and the abutting member C is the component C in the position closest to the first loading direction. Figure 9Thus, when the drive mechanism 5 positions the pressing plate 7 in the abutting position, the pressing surface 71 is opposite to the entire edge of the opening 40 of the receiving portion 4. The pressing surface 71 of the pressing plate 7 is slightly separated from the edge 44 of the receiving portion 4 vertically. The pressing surface 71 is separated from the abutting member C vertically.

[0059] CPU9 drives lifting mechanism 6 to raise support plate 62 from standby position, and abutting member C abuts against pressing surface 71 (friction member 81) of pressing plate 7 (S6). When abutting member C abuts against pressing surface 71 of pressing plate 7 and applies a predetermined pressing force to component bundle D between pressing plate 7 and support plate 62, CPU9 stops the rising of support plate 62 (S7). The method for detecting whether a predetermined pressing force is applied to component bundle D can be appropriately set; for example, a sensor that detects torque, such as a load sensor, can be used to determine the torque of drive unit 65. Figure 10 Thus, via S5~S7, CPU9 positions the pressing plate 7 in an abutting position, where the pressing surface 71 abuts against the abutting member C. The abutting member C is the member C in the member bundle D located closer to the first loading direction than the opening 40 of the receiving portion 4, and is in the position closest to the first loading direction. CPU9 drives the lifting mechanism 6 to adjust the pressing force applied by the pressing surface 71 of the pressing plate 7 to the abutting member C.

[0060] CPU9 drives the moving mechanism 5 to perform the first movement control (S8). For example... Figure 11Thus, in the first movement control, the CPU9 moves the pressing plate 7 a first distance in the first movement direction while the pressing surface 71 of the pressing plate 7 in the abutting position applies a pressing force in a second loading direction opposite to the first loading direction to the abutting member C. The CPU9 moves the pressing plate 7 in the first movement direction while the entire edge of the pressing plate 7 is in contact with the abutting member C. The first distance is a value set in S3, which is shorter than the radial length of the edge 44 at the upper end of the receiving portion 4. Therefore, after the first movement control, the left end of the abutting member C is located between the edge 44 and the pressing surface 71 (friction member 82). The friction member 82 is provided at the part of the pressing surface 71 that abuts the edge of the abutting member C. When the pressing plate 7 is moved in the movement direction, friction is generated between the friction member 82 and the abutting member C. Through step S8, a predetermined number of target components C, counting from the abutting component C in the first loading direction within the component bundle D, move together with the pressing plate 7 in the first moving direction and separate from the component bundle D. Specifically, the target component C is located above the edge 44 and is not obstructed by the edge 44; therefore, the target component C can move in the first moving direction with the pressing plate 7. On the other hand, at this time, since there is a portion of the component bundle D other than the target component C that is lower than the edge 44, this portion is obstructed by the peripheral wall 43 and the inner side of the edge 44. When a welded portion exists on the outer periphery of the abutting component C, the separating device 1 peels off the welded portion between the abutting component C and the adjacent component C through the first movement control.

[0061] CPU9 controls the opening / closing valve 38, switching it from a closed state to an open state, and drives the holding mechanism 8 (S9). The holding mechanism 8 draws fluid from the four holes 81, utilizing the negative pressure generated between the pressing surface 71 and the abutting member C to draw and hold the abutting member C. CPU9 controls the lifting mechanism 6 to lower the support plate 62 (S10). Figure 12 Thus, the uppermost component C of the component bundle D is separated from the abutting component C held and drawn in by the holding mechanism 8. Through S10, after moving the pressing plate 7 a first distance in the first moving direction, the CPU 9 controls the holding mechanism 8 to hold the target component C, so that the pressing force applied to the abutting component C is lower than the pressing force applied to the abutting component C during the first moving direction movement in S8. In this embodiment, through S10, the pressing force applied to the abutting component C becomes 0.

[0062] CPU9 drives the moving mechanism 5 to perform second movement control (S11). For example... Figure 13Thus, in the second movement control, CPU9 moves the pressing plate 7 a second distance in the second movement direction, a distance longer than the first distance. In S9, CPU9 uses the holding mechanism 8 to hold the object component C, and in S10, it lowers the support plate 62 to reduce the pressing force applied to the abutting component C to a lower level than the pressing force applied to the abutting component C when moving in the first movement direction. In this state, CPU9 moves the pressing plate 7 a second distance in the second movement direction and positions it in the detection position. When the pressing plate 7 is in the detection position, its left end is to the right of the opening 40 of the receiving portion 4. In the left-right direction, the center of the pressing plate 7 is located between the receiving portion 4 and the first container 91.

[0063] The CPU9 determines whether the thickness of the component C held by the holding mechanism 8 is greater than 0 based on the detection result of the detector 35 (S12). If the thickness is not greater than 0 (S12: "No"), the CPU9 performs abnormality handling (S18). For example, the CPU9 causes the display unit 17 to display a warning. After confirming the warning displayed on the display unit 17, the operator performs the necessary work and operates the operation unit 18 to input an instruction to restart the separation process or an instruction to end the separation process. After detecting the instruction input by the operator, the CPU9 proceeds to S21.

[0064] When the thickness is greater than 0 (S12: "Yes"), CPU9 determines whether it is less than the threshold stored in storage device 14 based on the detection result of detector 35 (S13). The threshold is preset considering the number and thickness of the target component C. In this embodiment, since one abutting component C is the target component C, the threshold is a value greater than the thickness of one component C and less than the thickness of two components C. When the thickness is not less than the threshold (S13: "No"), it can be considered that the target component C was not separated from the component bundle D in S8, therefore, as Figure 14 In this way, CPU9 controls the moving mechanism 5 to deliver the pressing plate 7 to the second release position above the second container 93 (S14). When the thickness is less than the threshold (S13: "Yes"), as... Figure 15 In this way, the CPU9 controls the moving mechanism 5 to deliver the pressing plate 7 to the first release position (S15) above the first container 91. Compared with the second container 93, the first container 91 is in a position closer to the receiving part 4.

[0065] After S14 or S15, CPU9 determines whether the holding mechanism 8 is holding component C based on the detection result of detector 37 (S16). If the holding mechanism 8 is not holding component C (S16: "No"), CPU9 performs the exception handling in S18 and then proceeds to S21. If the holding mechanism 8 is holding component C (S16: "Yes"), CPU9 controls the opening / closing valve 38 to switch it from the open state to the closed state, causing the holding mechanism 8 to stop holding the abutting component C (S17). Through S16, the abutting component C held by the holding mechanism 8 falls into the first container 91 or the second container 93 located below the pressing plate 7. Through the processes of S13 to S18, after the pressing plate 7 moves a second distance in the second moving direction (S11), the CPU 9, based on the detection result of the detector 35, drives the moving mechanism 5 to move the pressing plate 7 in the second moving direction when the thickness is less than the threshold (S13: "Yes"), thus conveying the object component C held by the holding mechanism 8 to the first container 91 (S15). When the thickness is not less than the threshold (S13: "No"), the CPU 9 drives the moving mechanism 5 to move the pressing plate 7 in the second moving direction, thus conveying the object component C held by the holding mechanism 8 to the second container 93, thereby distinguishing between them.

[0066] Similar to S4, CPU9 determines whether component C exists in the receiving section 4 based on the detection result of detector 36 (S19). If component C does not exist (S19: "No"), CPU9 performs component replenishment processing as in S23 (S20) and then proceeds to S21. If component C exists (S19: "Yes"), CPU9 determines whether an end instruction has been obtained (S21). When the operator wants to end the separation process, they operate the operation unit 18 to input the end instruction. If CPU9 does not detect an end instruction (S21: "No"), CPU9 returns the process to S5. If an end instruction is detected (S21: "Yes"), CPU9 drives the lifting mechanism 6 and the moving mechanism 5 as in S1 to move the support plate 62 and the pressing plate 7 to the standby position (S22). At this point, CPU9 completes the process.

[0067] In the above embodiments, the separating device 1, the receiving part 4, the moving mechanism 5, the lifting mechanism 6, the pressing plate 7, and the holding mechanism 8 are examples of the separating device, the receiving part, the moving mechanism, the lifting mechanism, the pressing member, and the holding mechanism of the present invention, respectively. The detector 35, the opening 40, the loading surface 69, the pressing surface 71, the hole 81, the first wall 88, the second wall 89, the first container 91, and the second container 93 are examples of the detector, the opening, the loading surface, the pressing surface, the hole, the first wall, the second wall, the first container, and the second container of the present invention, respectively. S5 is an example of the configuration control process of the present invention, and the CPU 9 performing S5 is an example of the configuration control unit of the present invention. S8 is an example of the first movement control process of the present invention, and the CPU 9 performing S8 is an example of the first movement control unit. S11 is an example of the second movement control process of the present invention, and the CPU 9 performing S11 is an example of the second movement control unit of the present invention. The CPU 9 performing S2 is an example of the information acquisition unit of the present invention. The CPU 9 performing S3 is an example of the distance setting unit of the present invention. The CPU 9 performing S9 and S10 is an example of the holding control unit of the present invention. The CPU9 performing S13 to S15 is an example of the differentiation control unit of the present invention.

[0068] The separation device 1 of the above embodiment includes a receiving portion 4, a lifting mechanism 6, a pressing plate 7, a moving mechanism 5, and a CPU 9. The receiving portion 4 is capable of accommodating a component bundle D, which is formed by loading a plurality of sheet-like components C. The receiving portion 4 has a loading surface 69 for loading the component bundle D and an opening 40 provided in a first loading direction relative to the loading surface 69. The lifting mechanism 6 is capable of changing the relative position of the component bundle D housed in the receiving portion 4 and the opening 40 in the first loading direction. The pressing plate 7 has a pressing surface 71. The moving mechanism 5 is capable of moving the pressing plate 7 in a first moving direction and a second moving direction that are intersecting and different from the first loading direction. The CPU 9 positions the pressing plate 7 in an abutting position (S5), which is the position where the pressing surface 71 abuts against an abutting component C. The abutting component C is the component C in the component bundle D that is located closer to the first loading direction than the opening 40 and is the component C closest to the first loading direction. CPU9 drives the moving mechanism 5 to apply a pressing force in a second loading direction opposite to the first loading direction to the abutting member C with the pressing surface 71 of the pressing plate 7 in the abutting position, causing the pressing plate 7 to move a first distance in the first moving direction (S8). CPU9 drives the moving mechanism 5 to move the pressing plate 7 a second distance longer than the first distance in the second moving direction, separating a predetermined number of object members C from the component bundle D in the first loading direction, counting from the abutting member C (S11).

[0069] In the separation device 1, even when the sheet-like component C has a welded portion on its outer periphery after being laser-cut, the welded portion can be cut off from the target component C by movement based on the first movement control unit. Afterward, the target component C is moved in the second movement direction by movement based on the second movement control unit. Since the first distance is shorter than the second distance, during movement in S8, even if there is a welded portion between the target component C and an adjacent component C adjacent to the target component C in the second loading direction, the end of the adjacent component C is less likely to curl up. Therefore, compared to the conventional method, the separation device 1 can more easily separate the target component C from the bundle of loaded components C.

[0070] Separation device 1 acquires information related to the thickness of target component C (S2). CPU 9 sets a first distance accordingly based on the information acquired in S2 (S3). CPU 9 moves pressing plate 7 in the first moving direction by the first distance set in S3 (S8). Compared to when the target component C is thicker, when the target component C is thinner, it is easy for adjacent components C adjacent to the target component C in the second loading direction to warp when moving based on the first moving control unit. By setting the first distance accordingly based on the thickness of the target component C, separation device 1 can suppress the curling of the ends of adjacent components C when moving based on the first moving control unit.

[0071] In the separation device 1, the first moving direction and the second moving direction are opposite directions. Compared with when the first moving direction and the second moving direction are not opposite directions, the separation device 1 can more easily and reliably separate the target component C from the bundle of components C.

[0072] The receiving portion 4 of the separating device 1 includes: a first wall 88 disposed relative to the component bundle D in a first moving direction, the first wall 88 facing a first side surface of the component bundle D in the first moving direction; and a second wall 89 disposed relative to the component bundle D in a second moving direction, the second wall 89 facing a second side surface of the component bundle D in the second moving direction. The first end (left end) of the first wall 88 in the first moving direction is positioned closer to the first loading direction (above) than the second end (right end) of the second wall in the second moving direction. In the separating device 1, during movement in S11, even when the target component C and the adjacent component C adjacent to the target component C in the second loading direction are not separated, the target component C and the adjacent component C can be moved a second distance in the second moving direction. In the separating device 1, the following situation can be reduced: when moving based on the second moving control unit, in the state where the target component C and the adjacent component C are not separated, the adverse reaction caused by the second end of the second wall contacting each other.

[0073] The pressing plate 7 has a holding mechanism 8 capable of holding the object component C. After the separating device 1 moves the pressing plate 7 a first distance in the first moving direction in S8, it controls the holding mechanism 8 to hold the object component C, so that the pressing force applied to the abutting component C is lower than the pressing force applied to the abutting component C when moving in the first moving direction (S10). The CPU 9 causes the holding control unit to hold the object component C, and moves the pressing plate 7 a second distance in the second moving direction in the state where the pressing force applied to the abutting component C is lower than the pressing force applied to the abutting component C when moving in the first moving direction (S11). After the separating device 1 separates the object component C and the adjacent component C adjacent to the object component C in the second loading direction by moving in S8, it makes the pressing force applied by the pressing plate 7 to the abutting component C lower than the pressing force applied to the abutting component C when moving in S8, thereby eliminating the pressing force on the component bundle D containing the adjacent component C. Therefore, in the separation device 1, the friction between the object component C and the adjacent component C can be reduced when moving in S11, and the object component C can move smoothly relative to the adjacent component C.

[0074] The holding mechanism 8 has an orifice 81 for drawing fluid. The CPU 9 uses the suction of fluid from the orifice 81 to create a negative pressure between the pressing surface 71 and the contacting member C to draw in and hold the object member C (S9). The separation device 1 is able to hold the object member C using negative pressure without damaging it or leaving any holding marks on it.

[0075] The separation device 1 includes: a first container 91 and a second container 93, which are disposed relative to the receiving portion 4 in a second moving direction and are capable of accommodating the component C; and a detector 35, which detects the thickness of the component C held by the holding mechanism 8. After the CPU 9 moves the pressing plate 7 a second distance in the second moving direction in S11, based on the detection result of the detector 35, if the thickness is less than a threshold (S13: "Yes"), it drives the moving mechanism 5 to move the pressing plate 7 in the second moving direction, conveying the component C held by the holding mechanism 8 to the first container 91. If the thickness is above the threshold (S13: "No"), it drives the moving mechanism 5 to move the pressing plate 7 in the second moving direction, conveying the component C held by the holding mechanism 8 to the second container 93. The separation device 1 can accordingly distinguish between accommodating the component C in the first container 91 or the second container 93 based on the detection result of the detector 35.

[0076] Besides the embodiments described above, the separation device and separation method of the present invention can be modified in various ways. The above embodiments and the following modifications can be appropriately combined without contradiction. In the drawings used in the following description of the modifications, the same reference numerals are used for structures that are the same as those in the above embodiments, and the description of structures that are the same as those in the above embodiments is omitted. In the separation device 1, the holding mechanism 8 may not be provided on the pressing plate 7. In this case, for example, after the separating device 1 moves the abutting member C a first distance in the first moving direction by the first movement control, S9 and S10 are omitted, and the abutting member C is moved a second distance in the second moving direction by the second movement control. The structure of the holding mechanism 8 can be appropriately modified. It may be a suction mechanism using a negative pressure pump other than a vacuum ejector, a Bernoulli-type suction mechanism, a mechanism for holding member C, or a mechanism for holding member C by inserting a needle or the like. The moving mechanism 5 can enable the pressing plate 7 to move in only one direction, or it can enable the pressing plate 7 to move in two intersecting directions. The structure of the holding pressure plate 7 of the moving mechanism 5 can be appropriately modified. In addition to a pair of tracks 51, rollers or the like can be used to hold the pressure plate 7. The number, shape, and arrangement of the pair of tracks 51 can be appropriately modified. For example, the pair of tracks 51 can be arranged relative to the pressure plate 7 in a second loading direction. In addition to the tracks 51, the moving direction of the pressure plate 7 can also be limited by guide members or the like. The shape of the receiving part 4 can be appropriately modified to a top-view rectangular shape, an elliptical shape, etc., depending on the shape of the component C received by the receiving part 4. The shape, size, and material of the pressure plate 7 can be appropriately modified. The material, shape, and arrangement of the friction member 82 can also be appropriately modified. The friction member 82 can be a member with a concave-convex surface formed by a member that is not an elastic member. The pressure plate 7 may also be without the friction member 82. The pressure plate 7 only needs to have a pressing surface 71, and it does not need to be plate-shaped. The target component C only needs to be one or more components C that include the abutting component C, and the number of components C included in the target component C can be modified. The structure of the lifting mechanism 6 can be appropriately modified. For example, in the lifting mechanism 6, the peripheral wall 43 can be moved in the first loading direction and the second loading direction while keeping the vertical position of the support plate 62 fixed. The first loading direction, the second loading direction, the first moving direction, and the second moving direction can be appropriately modified according to the structure of the separating device 1. The receiving part 4 may not be fixed to the plate 41. The positions of the ends of the first wall 88 and the second wall 89 of the receiving part 4 in the first loading direction can be the same as each other. The first container 91 and the second container 93 may also be omitted. In this case, the processing of S12 to S18 can be appropriately omitted or modified. The first container 91 can be positioned further away from the receiving part 4 than the second container 93.If the detector 35 is a sensor (e.g., an imaging device) that can directly detect the number of object parts C held by the holding mechanism 8, the CPU 9 may determine in S12 whether the number of object parts C held by the holding mechanism 8 is greater than 0, and in S13 determine whether the number of object parts C held by the holding mechanism 8 is less than a threshold representing the number of parts.

[0077] like Figure 16 In this way, the separating device 1 can also have multiple receiving portions 4 corresponding to each of the multiple component bundles D. In this case, the pressing surface 71 of the pressing plate 7 can be large enough to cover the opening 40 of each of the multiple receiving portions 4 at once. In S5, the CPU 9 drives the moving mechanism 5 to position the pressing plate 7 at the contact position of each of the multiple receiving portions 4, where the contact component C and the pressing surface 71 abut at once. Compared to a device for separating component C from a component bundle D, the separating device 1 can make the operation of separating component C from the component bundle D more efficient. When the separating device 1 has multiple receiving portions 4, the arrangement of the multiple receiving portions 4 can be appropriately changed. The size, shape, etc., of the multiple receiving portions 4 can be the same as each other or different from each other.

[0078] The program containing instructions for causing the separation device 1 to perform separation processing only needs to be stored in the storage device of the separation device 1 before the CPU 9 executes the program. Therefore, the method of obtaining the program, the acquisition path, and the device for storing the program can all be appropriately changed. Alternatively, the program executed by the CPU 9 can be received from other devices via cable or wireless communication and stored in a storage device such as flash memory. Other devices include, for example, PCs and servers connected via a network.

[0079] Some or all of the processing performed by the separation device 1 can also be performed by other electronic devices (e.g., ASICs) different from CPU 9. The processing performed by the separation device 1 can also be distributed by multiple electronic devices (e.g., multiple CPUs). The order of the steps in the processing performed by the separation device 1 can be changed, steps can be omitted, or additional steps can be added as needed. The scope of protection of this invention also includes the following: some or all of the processing is performed by an operating system (OS) or the like running on the separation device 1 under the instructions of the separation device 1. For example, the above-described embodiments can be modified as follows:

[0080] Reference Figures 17-19 The separation device 101 of the modified example is described. For example... Figure 17 , Figure 19In this embodiment, the separating device 101 does not have an edge portion 44, but instead has at least an end position changing portion 103 capable of changing the position of the variable end of the second wall 89 in the first loading direction, and a drive circuit 102 for driving the end position changing portion 103. This is different from the separating device 1 of the above embodiment, but the other structures are the same as those of the separating device 1. In the modified separating device 101, the left side portion of the peripheral wall 43 is the first wall 88, and the right side portion of the peripheral wall 43 is the second wall 89. The end position changing portion 103 can be a known mechanism such as a cylinder, as long as it is configured to at least move the second wall 89.

[0081] Separation device 101 performs Figure 18 Separation processing, to replace Figure 8 Separation process. In Figure 18 In China, for the sake of Figure 9 The separation process is the same as the process described in the accompanying figure. For example... Figure 18 Therefore, in the separation process of the modified example, CPU9 omits the processing of S2 and S3, treats the first distance of S8 as a fixed value, and performs S31 between S10 and S11, and S32 between S17 and S19. In these aspects, it is consistent with... Figure 8 The separation processes differ. For example... Figure 19 As in (A), after the CPU9 moves the pressing plate 7 a first distance in the first moving direction in S8, it drives the holding mechanism 8 (S9). Figure 19 As in (B), after the CPU9 lowers the support plate 62 (S10), it drives the end position changing unit 103 to move the position of the variable end 90 of the second wall 89 to a position closer to the second loading direction than the position of the end of the first wall 88 in the first loading direction when the pressing plate 7 is moved in the first moving direction in S8 (S31). Figure 19 As in (C), the separation device 101 of the modified example lowers the entire peripheral wall 43, including the first wall 88 and the second wall 89, from the raised position during the first movement control to the lowered position. After S31, the CPU9 moves the pressing plate 7 a second distance in the second movement direction (S11). After stopping the drive of the holding mechanism 8 (S17), the CPU9 drives the end position changing unit 103 to move at least the position of the variable end 90 of the second wall 89 to the position of the second wall 89 when the pressing plate 7 was moved in the first movement direction in S8 (S32). The separation device 101 of the modified example raises the entire peripheral wall 43, including the first wall 88 and the second wall 89, to the raised position during the first movement control ( Figure 19 (Position of (A)).

[0082] In the separation device 101 of the above-described modified example, during the second movement control in S11, even when the target component C and the adjacent component C adjacent to the target component C in the second loading direction are not separated, the target component C and the adjacent component C can be moved a second distance in the second movement direction. In the separation device 1, the following situation can be reduced: when the target component C and the adjacent component C are not separated during the second movement control in S11, the defect caused by the adjacent component C contacting the variable end 90 of the second wall 89 can be reduced. In S31 and S32, the separation device 101 can also move only the second wall 89.

[0083] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0084] 1. Separation device; 4. Receiving part; 5. Moving mechanism; 6. Lifting mechanism; 7. Pressing plate; 40. Opening; 43. Peripheral wall; 44. Edge; 69. Loading surface; 71. Pressing surface; 88. First wall; 89. Second wall; 103. End position changing part.

Claims

1. A separation device, characterized in that, The separation device includes: A receiving portion capable of accommodating a component bundle consisting of multiple sheet-like components, the receiving portion having a loading surface for loading the component bundle and an opening disposed in a first loading direction relative to the loading surface; A lifting mechanism capable of changing the relative position of the component bundle housed in the receiving portion and the opening in the first loading direction; The pressing component has a pressing surface; A moving mechanism that enables the pressing member to move in a first moving direction and a second moving direction that are intersecting and different from the first loading direction; A configuration control unit is configured to position the pressing member in an abutting position, which is the position where the pressing surface abuts against an abutting component, which is the component in the component bundle that is located closer to the first loading direction than the opening and is located closest to the first loading direction; When the pressing surface of the pressing member in the abutting position applies a pressing force in a second loading direction opposite to the first loading direction to the abutting member, the first movement control unit drives the movement mechanism to move the pressing member a first distance in the first movement direction. as well as After the first movement control unit moves the pressing member a first distance, the second movement control unit drives the movement mechanism to move the pressing member a second distance in the second movement direction, which is longer than the first distance, to separate a predetermined number of object components from the component bundle in the first loading direction, starting from the abutting component.

2. The separation device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The separation device also features: An information acquisition unit acquires information related to the number of pieces of the object component; and The distance setting unit sets the first distance accordingly based on the information acquired by the information acquisition unit. The first movement control unit causes the pressing member to move in the first movement direction by the first distance set by the distance setting unit.

3. The separation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first moving direction and the second moving direction are opposite.

4. The separation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The receiving portion includes: A first wall, which is disposed relative to the opening in the first direction of movement, is able to face a first side surface of the component bundle on the first direction of movement side; as well as A second wall, disposed relative to the opening in the second direction of movement, is positioned opposite a second side surface of the component bundle on the second direction of movement side. The first end of the first wall in the first direction of movement is positioned closer to the first loading direction than the second end of the second wall in the second direction of movement.

5. The separation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The pressing member has a holding mechanism capable of holding the object component. The separation device also includes a holding control unit. After the first movement control unit moves the pressing member a first distance in the first movement direction, the holding control unit controls the holding mechanism to hold the object component, so that the pressing force applied to the abutting member is lower than the pressing force applied to the abutting member when moving in the first movement direction. While the holding control unit holds the object component and the pressing force applied to the abutting member is lower than the pressing force applied to the abutting member when moving in the first moving direction, the second moving control unit moves the pressing member by the second distance in the second moving direction.

6. The separation device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The retaining mechanism uses the negative pressure generated between the pressing surface and the abutting member to draw in and retain the object component.

7. The separation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The separation device has multiple receiving portions corresponding to each of the multiple sets of component bundles. The pressing surface of the pressing member is sized to cover the upper part of the opening of each of the plurality of receiving portions at one time. The configuration control unit drives the moving mechanism to position the pressing member at the abutting position of each of the plurality of receiving portions, where the abutting component and the pressing surface can abut together at one time.

8. The separation device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The separation device includes: A first container and a second container are disposed relative to the receiving portion in the second direction of movement and are capable of accommodating the component; A detector that detects the thickness of the object component held by the holding mechanism; as well as The differentiation control unit, after the second movement control unit moves the pressing member a second distance in the second movement direction, according to the detection result of the detector, drives the movement mechanism to move the pressing member in the second movement direction when the thickness is less than a threshold, and transports the object component held by the holding mechanism to the first container; when the thickness is above the threshold, the differentiation control unit drives the movement mechanism to move the pressing member in the second movement direction, and transports the object component held by the holding mechanism to the second container.

9. The separation device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The receiving portion includes: A first wall, which is disposed relative to the opening in the first direction of movement, is able to face a first side surface of the component bundle on the first direction of movement side; The second wall, which is disposed relative to the opening in the second movement direction, is able to face the second side surface of the component bundle on the second movement direction side; as well as The end position changing unit is capable of changing the position of the variable end of the second wall in the first loading direction, at least in the first loading direction. The separation device also includes a change control unit that, after the first movement control unit moves the pressing member a first distance in the first movement direction, drives the end position change unit to move the position of the variable end of the second wall to a position closer to the second loading direction than the position of the end of the first wall in the first loading direction when the first movement control unit moves the pressing member in the first movement direction. After the change control unit moves the variable end of the second wall, the second movement control unit moves the pressing member by the second distance in the second movement direction.

10. A separation method, which is a separation method performed by the control unit of a separation device, the separation device comprising: a receiving portion capable of receiving a component bundle consisting of a plurality of sheet-like components, the receiving portion having a loading surface for loading the component bundle and an opening disposed in a first loading direction relative to the loading surface; A lifting mechanism capable of changing the relative position of the component bundle housed in the receiving portion and the opening in the first loading direction; The separation method is characterized by a pressing member having a pressing surface, and a moving mechanism capable of moving the pressing member in a first moving direction and a second moving direction that intersect and are different from the first loading direction. The separation method includes the following steps: In the configuration control process, the moving mechanism is driven to position the pressing member in an abutting position, which is the position where the pressing surface abuts against the abutting component, which is the component in the component bundle that is located closer to the first loading direction than the opening and is located closest to the first loading direction. In the first movement control step, while the pressing surface of the pressing member in the abutting position applies a pressing force in a second loading direction opposite to the first loading direction to the abutting component, the movement mechanism is driven to move the pressing member a first distance in the first movement direction. as well as In the second movement control step, after moving a first distance in the first movement control step, the movement mechanism is driven to move the pressing member a second distance in the second movement direction, which is longer than the first distance, to separate a predetermined number of object components from the component bundle in the first loading direction, starting from the abutting member.

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