Pin acquisition device and pin acquisition method

Abstract

This invention provides a pin acquisition device and a pin acquisition method that can reliably acquire a portion of pins from a plurality of pins. The pin acquisition device (1) vibrates a pin holding part (3) with a groove (6) to make a plurality of pins jump up. A plurality of pins are held in place by an adsorption arm (10) that holds the jump-up pins in an upright position. The bottle part is vibrated and a single pin is discharged through an insertion hole provided on the bottom surface of the internal space. One end of the single pin contacts a stop (40) to hold the single pin in an upright position. The stop (40) is provided at a distance from the outlet of the insertion hole that is shorter than the total length of the pin in the pin discharge direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a pin acquisition device and a pin acquisition method, and particularly to a pin acquisition device and a pin acquisition method capable of acquiring a portion of pins from a majority of supplied pins. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, when most pins were stored in a cylindrical box, the operator would directly take the pins out of the box and place them on a table or flat workbench, scattering the pins on the workbench. The operator would then manually pick up and remove the pins from the scattered workbench using tweezers or similar tools.

[0003] The pins being handled are very small, for example, as small as about 30μm in diameter and 10mm to 20mm in length. Because the pins are small, they require delicate handling, which can easily lead to errors and requires a high level of skill from the operator.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a micro-pin supply device that arranges flanged micro-pins and inserts (supplyes) them one by one to a predetermined position. According to Patent Document 1, the micro-pin supply device includes: a vibrating chute that arranges micro-pins in a hopper; a rotary arm with a protrusion having a suction port configured to engage with the front end of the vibrating chute for capturing the micro-pins, and which moves forward and backward and rotates via a reciprocating table; and a baffle plate inserted between the front end of the vibrating chute and the second micro-pin, which acts as a stopper at the protrusion of the rotary arm to stop the micro-pins moving forward via the vibrating chute. After capturing a micro-pin using the suction port of the protrusion, the baffle plate separates from the second micro-pin, moving the captured micro-pin to a junction position. Thus, micro-pins can be supplied one by one to a predetermined position.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent documents

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 04-45013 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0009] Previously, the task of removing only one pin from a large number of small pins was done manually. Because the pins were small and required delicate handling, it was prone to errors due to manual operation, demanding a high level of skill from the operator.

[0010] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the micro pin supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1 processes pins with a diameter of about 0.4 mm, which are then flanged pins. Therefore, it would be difficult to use the micro pin supply device for pins with a diameter of about 30 μm and without flanges.

[0011] In this situation, the inventors of this invention conducted repeated research and experiments to improve the aforementioned problem, and thus conceived of the following invention: In the past, the operation of removing only one pin from a large number of small pins was carried out manually. However, in order to solve the aforementioned situation, when obtaining a pin, a portion of the pins are made to jump off the large number of pins by vibration. The axial direction of the jumping pins is restricted and they are adsorbed and fixed. The invention has an internal space for storing the adsorbed and fixed pins and for holding the pins in an upright position. A single pin is discharged through an insertion hole provided on the bottom surface of the internal space with a diameter that allows only one pin to pass through. This reduces the number of pins from the supply of the large number of pins in stages, thereby enabling the single pin to be removed in an upright position.

[0012] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to provide a pin acquisition device and a pin acquisition method. When acquiring a pin, a portion of the pins are made to jump off from the majority of pins by vibration, the jumping pins are adsorbed and fixed, and the number of pins is reduced in stages, thereby stably acquiring the pins and enabling the individual pins to be taken out in an upright state.

[0013] Technical means to solve the problem

[0014] To achieve the aforementioned objective, the pin-acquiring device of the present invention acquires a portion of pins from a plurality of pins. The pin-acquiring device is characterized by comprising: a pin-supporting portion configured as a groove, capable of restricting the axial direction of a plurality of pins supported therein to align with the groove direction; a first vibration application portion, capable of vibrating the pin-supporting portion to cause at least a portion of the plurality of pins to jump up within the pin-supporting portion; an adsorption arm above the pin-supporting portion, which draws in and adsorbs and fixes a plurality of the jump-up pins via the belly of the plurality of pins; and a bottle portion having an internal space for storing the plurality of pins adsorbed and fixed by the adsorption arm. The bottle contains a pin, which allows the plurality of pins to be held in an upright position. A single pin can be discharged from the bottle via an insertion hole located on the bottom surface of the internal space and having a diameter through which only one pin can pass. A second vibration application part vibrates the bottle and discharges the single pin via the insertion hole. A stop is disposed at a distance from the outlet of the insertion hole that is shorter than the total length of the pin in the direction of pin discharge. One end of the single pin contacts the stop, and the other end of the single pin contacts the insertion hole, thereby holding the single pin in an upright position.

[0015] Furthermore, the adsorption arm of the present invention is characterized by having an air intake facing the pin mounting portion, the air intake being disposed inside the guide portion, the guide portion facing the pin mounting portion and being configured as a groove, which can restrict the axial direction of the plurality of pins adsorbed and fixed on the adsorption arm to be consistent with the groove direction.

[0016] In addition, the internal space of the pin mounting portion of the present invention is configured such that the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the groove direction gradually expands toward the opening direction.

[0017] In addition, the bottle portion of the present invention stores the plurality of pins in the internal space via the cap portion, and vibrates in the vertical direction while the cap portion is closed to discharge the individual pins.

[0018] In addition, the invention is characterized by further comprising: a compressed air supply unit capable of supplying compressed air to the internal space, the compressed air supply unit supplying the compressed air when the bottle vibrates.

[0019] Furthermore, the present invention provides a pin-acquiring device for acquiring a portion of pins from a plurality of pins. The pin-acquiring device is characterized by comprising: a pin-holding portion configured as a groove, capable of restricting the axial direction of a plurality of pins held therein to align with the groove direction; a first vibration application portion, capable of vibrating the pin-holding portion to cause at least a portion of the plurality of pins to jump up inside the pin-holding portion; an adsorption arm above the pin-holding portion, which draws in and adsorbs and fixes a plurality of the jumped pins via the belly of the plurality of pins; and a bottle portion having an internal space, which stores the plurality of pins adsorbed and fixed by the adsorption arm via a cap portion, and allows the plurality of pins to be... The bottle is held upright, and a single pin can be discharged through an insertion hole located on the bottom surface of the internal space, having a diameter that allows only one pin to pass through. A compressed air supply unit supplies compressed air to the internal space when the cap of the bottle is closed, and discharges the single pin through the insertion hole. A stop is disposed at a distance from the outlet of the insertion hole that is shorter than the total length of the pin in the pin discharge direction, wherein one end of the single pin contacts the stop, and the other end of the single pin contacts the insertion hole, thereby holding the single pin in an upright position.

[0020] Furthermore, the present invention provides a pin-acquiring method for obtaining a portion of pins from a plurality of pins. The pin-acquiring method is characterized by comprising: a first step of arranging a plurality of pins in a pin-carrying portion, the pin-carrying portion being configured as a groove and capable of restricting the axial direction of each of the plurality of pins placed therein to be aligned with the groove direction; a second step of vibrating the pin-carrying portion to cause at least a portion of the plurality of pins to jump out of the pin-carrying portion, and adsorbing and fixing a plurality of the jumping pins to an adsorption arm, the adsorption arm being positioned above the pin-carrying portion and drawing in and adsorbing the pins via the belly of the plurality of pins; and a third step of adsorbing... The plurality of pins fixed to the adsorption arm are stored inside the bottle portion, which has an internal space for holding the plurality of pins in an upright state; and a fourth step, vibrating the bottle portion and discharging a single pin through an insertion hole provided on the bottom surface of the internal space with a diameter that allows only one pin to pass through, so that one end of the single pin contacts a stop provided at a distance from the outlet of the insertion hole that is shorter than the total length of the pin in the direction of pin discharge, and holding the single pin in an upright state through the insertion hole and the stop, thereby setting the single pin to an accessible state.

[0021] Furthermore, the present invention provides a pin-acquiring method for obtaining a portion of pins from a plurality of pins. The pin-acquiring method is characterized by comprising: a first step, wherein a plurality of pins are disposed in a pin-carrying portion, the pin-carrying portion being configured as a groove and capable of restricting the axial direction of each of the plurality of pins placed therein to align with the groove direction; a second step, wherein the pin-carrying portion is vibrated to cause at least a portion of the plurality of pins to jump out within the pin-carrying portion, and a plurality of the jumping pins are adsorbed and fixed to an adsorption arm, the adsorption arm being positioned above the pin-carrying portion and performing suction and adsorption via the belly of the plurality of pins; and a third step, the adsorption fixed to the adsorption arm... Multiple pins are stored inside a bottle via a cap, the bottle having an internal space for holding the multiple pins in an upright position; and in a fourth step, compressed air is supplied to the bottle with the cap closed, and a single pin is discharged through an insertion hole provided on the bottom surface of the internal space with a diameter that allows only one pin to pass through, such that one end of the single pin contacts a stop located at a distance from the outlet of the insertion hole that is shorter than the total length of the pin in the direction of pin discharge, and the single pin is held in an upright position through the insertion hole and the stop, thus making the single pin available.

[0022] The effects of the invention

[0023] According to the present invention, when acquiring a pin, the supply of a majority of pins is divided into two stages, and the pins are reduced in stages, thereby ensuring a stable acquisition of individual pins.

[0024] That is, according to the present invention, as a first stage, the pin-mounting part is vibrated so that at least a portion of the majority of the pins jumps up inside the pin-mounting part. The adsorption arm above the pin-mounting part draws in and adsorbs and fixes a plurality of the jump-up pins through the belly of the plurality of pins. The axial direction of the adsorbed pins is aligned with the groove of the adsorption arm. Therefore, a portion of the pins can be stably removed from the pin-mounting part.

[0025] Furthermore, according to the present invention, as a second stage, multiple pins that are adsorbed and fixed to the adsorption arm are stored in the internal space of the bottle section. The bottle section, including an insertion hole with a diameter that allows only one pin to pass through, is vibrated and a single pin is discharged through the insertion hole, so that one end of the single pin contacts the stop and the other end of the single pin contacts the insertion hole, and the single pin is held in an upright state, thereby allowing the single pin to be removed stably. The stop is disposed at a position that is a distance shorter than the total length of the pin in the direction of pin discharge from the outlet of the insertion hole.

[0026] Furthermore, according to the present invention, even for pins with small diameters, since they are not picked up and held like tweezers, pins can be obtained stably.

[0027] Furthermore, according to the present invention, when obtaining a portion of the pins from a majority of the pins, no operator skill is required, and the pin-obtaining operation can be performed continuously, thus improving the productivity of the pin-obtaining operation. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the structure of a pin-getting device that retrieves a single pin from a plurality of pins.

[0029] Figure 2 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the pin mounting platform in the pin mounting section, and it is a view showing the internal spatial shape of the pin mounting platform and the state of the pins mounted on the pin mounting platform.

[0030] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the shape of the front end of the pin-adhesive arm. Figure 3 (a) is a three-dimensional view of the front end of the pin adsorption arm. Figure 3 (b) is a front view of the front end of the pin adsorption arm. Figure 3 (c) is a bottom view of the front end of the pin adsorption arm. Figure 3 (d) is a three-dimensional diagram showing the state in which a pin is adsorbed and fixed at the front end of the pin adsorption arm.

[0031] Figure 4 It is a (side view) view that includes a partial cross-sectional view of the bottle's structure.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of obtaining a single pin from a majority of pins.

[0033] Figure 6 This diagram shows the state in which a pin is stored on the pin mounting platform of the pin acquisition device.

[0034] Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the state in which a pin is fixed by the pin adsorption arm of a pin acquisition device.

[0035] Figure 8 This diagram shows the state in which pins, which are fixed by the pin adsorption arm, are supplied to the bottle body.

[0036] Figure 9 This diagram shows the bottle body rising while the pin is held in place.

[0037] Figure 10 This diagram shows the state where the pin adsorption arm retracts, and the pin is retained inside the bottle body.

[0038] Figure 11 This diagram shows the state of the bottle body being closed with the cap and vibrating.

[0039] Figure 12 This diagram shows the state of the pin being discharged from the insertion hole in the bottle body.

[0040] Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of supplying compressed air into the internal space of the bottle body to obtain a single pin, replacing the upper and lower mechanism of the bottle section, which serves as the second vibration application unit.

[0041] Explanation of icon numbers

[0042] 1: Pin acquisition device

[0043] 3: Pin mounting section

[0044] 5: Sales platform

[0045] 6: Slot

[0046] 8: Swinging mechanism (first vibration application part)

[0047] 10: Adsorption arm

[0048] 12: Pin Adsorption Arm

[0049] 13: Front end of pin adsorption arm

[0050] 15: Guiding Department

[0051] 16: Intake port

[0052] 17: Vacuum adsorption connection part

[0053] 18: Pin adsorption arm sliding part

[0054] 19: Pin Adsorption Arm Drive Mechanism

[0055] 20: Rotation axis

[0056] 21: Rotating arm

[0057] 23: Bottle section

[0058] 24: Bottle body

[0059] 25: Interior Space

[0060] 28: Through hole

[0061] 29: Bottle sliding part

[0062] 30: cover

[0063] 31: Air supply connection section

[0064] 32: Cover sliding part

[0065] 33: Cover drive unit

[0066] 35: Bottle upper and lower mechanism (second vibration application part)

[0067] 40: Stop component

[0068] 41: First pin detection sensor

[0069] 42: Second pin detection sensor

[0070] 43: Vibration direction of the mounting platform

[0071] 44: Direction of movement of the sliding part of the pin adsorption arm

[0072] 45: Rotation direction of the rotating shaft arm

[0073] 46: Direction of movement of the bottle's sliding part

[0074] 47: Direction of movement of the sliding part of the cover

[0075] 50: Sales Detailed Implementation

[0076] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrates the configuration of the pin acquisition apparatus and method for implementing the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention provides a pin acquisition apparatus and method for acquiring a portion of pins from a plurality of pins. In this apparatus and method, a pin-carrying portion of a plurality of pins is vibrated, causing a portion of the pins to jump within the pin-carrying portion. A suction arm then draws in and adheres to the undersides of the jumping pins, securing the portion of pins to the suction arm. By progressively reducing the number of pins during acquisition, a portion of pins is stably acquired, enabling the removal of a single pin. Furthermore, "a portion of pins" refers to a plurality of pins including a single pin.

[0077] [Structure of the pin acquisition device]

[0078] First, refer to Figures 1 to 4 A pin-acquiring device capable of acquiring a portion of a plurality of small pins will be described. Furthermore, regarding the size of the pins in the pin-acquiring device of the present invention, an example is a fine pin with a diameter of approximately 30 μm and a total length of 10 mm to 20 mm. However, as long as the diameter is 10 μm or more, it is conceivable that the implementation of the present invention will not be limited to a fine pin, and neither the diameter nor the total length will be limited.

[0079] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the structure of a pin-collecting device that collects a portion of the pins from a majority of the pins. Figure 2 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the pin mounting platform in the pin mounting section, and it is a view showing the internal spatial shape of the pin mounting platform and the state of the pins mounted on the pin mounting platform. Figure 3 This is a diagram showing the shape of the front end of the pin-adhesive arm. Figure 3 (a) is a three-dimensional view of the front end of the pin adsorption arm. Figure 3 (b) is a front view of the front end of the pin adsorption arm. Figure 3 (c) is a bottom view of the front end of the pin adsorption arm. Figure 3 (d) is a three-dimensional diagram showing the state in which a pin is adsorbed and fixed at the front end of the pin adsorption arm. Figure 4 It is a side view that includes a partial cross-sectional view showing the structure of the bottle. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the pin acquisition device 1 has a pin placement part 3, an adsorption arm 10, and a bottle part 23.

[0080] [Structure of the pin mounting section in the pin acquiring device]

[0081] First, the pin mounting section 3 of the pin acquiring device 1 will be described. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the pin receiving device 1 has a pin mounting section 3 that internally stores a plurality of pins 50. Figure 2 As shown, the pin mounting platform 5 and the swing mechanism 8 are... Figure 2As shown, the pin mounting platform 5 is configured as a groove, and its cross-sectional shape, orthogonal to the groove direction, gradually expands towards the opening direction. For example, it may have a V-shaped or U-shaped groove 6. Thus, the groove 6 is configured such that the axial direction of each of the majority of pins 50 placed inside is aligned with the groove direction, thereby restricting the axial direction of the pins 50. The groove 6 of the pin mounting platform 5 may, for example, be large enough to accommodate more than 100 pins 50.

[0082] In addition, such as Figure 1 As shown, the pin mounting part 3 has a swing mechanism 8 as a first vibration application part, which swings the pin mounting platform 5 and vibrates the pins 50 inside the pin mounting platform 5. The swing mechanism 8 is mounted on the pin mounting platform 5 and vibrates in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the majority of pins 50 mounted inside the pin mounting platform 5, so that the pins 50 swing on the mounting platform 5. Figure 1 The arrow in the middle indicates the vibration direction 43 of the pin-mounted platform 5 that swings through the swing mechanism 8.

[0083] The pin mounting platform 5 is oscillating via the swing mechanism 8, causing the pins 50 stored inside the pin mounting platform 5 to vibrate. The axial direction of the pins 50 is aligned with the groove direction of the pin mounting portion 3. Furthermore, inside the pin mounting platform 5, the pins 50 whose axial direction aligns with the surface surface spring up, and the pins 50 become dispersed. The popped-up pins 50 are a portion of the majority of pins 50 stored inside the pin mounting platform 5, for example, about 10. Moreover, by adjusting the vibration frequency of the swing mechanism 8, the number of popped-up pins 50 can be changed.

[0084] The oscillating mechanism 8, which serves as the first vibration application unit, is preferably a linear motor capable of generating vibration by reciprocating in one axial direction. However, the oscillating mechanism 8 is not limited to a linear motor that generates vibration by reciprocating movement; other mechanisms that generate vibration, such as a vibrator, may also be used.

[0085] [Structure of the adsorption arm in the pin acquisition device]

[0086] Next, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 The suction arm that draws in and adsorbs onto the abdomen of multiple pins above the pin mounting platform will be explained. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the adsorption arm 10 of the pin acquisition device 1 has a pin adsorption arm 12, a pin adsorption arm front end 13, a vacuum adsorption connection part 17, a pin adsorption arm sliding part 18, a pin adsorption arm drive mechanism 19, a rotating shaft 20, a rotating shaft arm 21, and a rotating shaft drive part (not shown).

[0087] The adsorption arm 10 adsorbs and fixes the pins 50 from the pin mounting platform 5. The pin adsorption arm 12 of the adsorption arm 10 has a pin adsorption arm front end 13 at the front end that draws in and adsorbs and fixes multiple pins 50. Figure 3The shape of the front end 13 of the pin-adhesive arm 12 is shown. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the front end 13 of the pin adsorption arm is arranged facing the pin mounting portion 3, as... Figure 3 of (a), Figure 3 (b) and Figure 3 As shown in (c), it has a guide portion 15 configured in a groove shape, which can restrict the adsorption of multiple pins 50 fixed to the front end 13 of the pin adsorption arm, with the axial direction aligned with the groove direction, and an air intake 16 is provided inside the guide portion 15. Figure 3 As shown in (d), a plurality of pins 50 are adsorbed and fixed to the front end 13 of the pin adsorption arm in such a way that the pin axis is aligned with the groove direction. Therefore, the groove direction of the guide portion 15, which is formed into a groove, is configured to face each other in a way that is aligned with the groove direction of the groove 6 of the pin mounting platform 5.

[0088] In addition, such as Figure 1 As shown, the pin adsorption arm 12 has a vacuum adsorption connection portion 17 at its upper part. The vacuum adsorption connection portion 17 is connected to the air intake 16 at the front end 13 of the pin adsorption arm 12 via an exhaust path (not shown) provided inside the pin adsorption arm 12. Furthermore, an externally provided vacuum adsorption device (not shown) is connected to the vacuum adsorption connection portion 17 of the pin adsorption arm 12, and the pin 50 is sucked and fixed to the air intake 16 by the vacuum adsorption device. In addition, the vacuum adsorption device can control the vacuum adsorption operation according to an ON / OFF signal.

[0089] A pin-adsorption arm 12 is provided on a pin-adsorption arm sliding part 18 that can move in the vertical direction. The pin-adsorption arm sliding part 18 can move in the vertical direction via a pin-adsorption arm drive mechanism 19. As the pin-adsorption arm sliding part 18 moves in the vertical direction, the front end 13 of the pin-adsorption arm descends above the pin mounting platform 5, thereby adsorbing the pin 50. Figure 1 The arrow in the middle indicates the moving direction 44 of the sliding part 18 of the pin adsorption arm.

[0090] A pin-adsorption arm drive mechanism 19, which drives the sliding part 18 of the pin-adsorption arm, is provided on the rotating shaft arm 21, which is directly connected to the rotating shaft 20. The rotating shaft 20 is driven by a motor (not shown) of the rotating shaft drive unit.

[0091] The rotating arm 21 is configured to rotate 90 degrees vertically via the rotating shaft 20. The rotating arm 21 is connected via the rotating shaft 20... Figure 1The rotating shaft arm 21, indicated by the middle arrow, rotates 90 degrees counterclockwise from direction 45. This causes the pin-adhesive arm sliding portion 18 to also rotate 90 degrees, and the groove direction of the front end portion 13 of the pin-adhesive arm is vertical. Furthermore, with the pin-adhesive arm 12 rotated 90 degrees, the pin-adhesive arm sliding portion 18 moves via the pin-adhesive arm drive mechanism 19, thereby allowing the front end portion 13 of the pin-adhesive arm to move horizontally. Moreover, as will be described later... Figure 8 The pin adsorption arm sliding part 18 is shown in the figure. Figure 1 The state is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise.

[0092] [Structure of the bottle section in the pin-collecting device]

[0093] Next, refer to Figure 1 , Figure 4 The bottle section that preserves multiple pins fixed to the adsorption arm and holds these pins in an upright position is described. For example... Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, the bottle portion 23 of the pin-collecting device 1 has a bottle body 24, a cap portion 30, and a stop member 40. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the bottle body 24 of the bottle section 23 is generally cylindrical, and the lower part of the bottle body 24 forms an inverted truncated cone that gradually narrows downward and is horizontal at the lower end.

[0094] Figure 4 The bottle body 24, shown in cross-sectional view, has an internal space 25 that stores multiple pins 50 adsorbed and fixed to the pin adsorption arm 12, and allows the multiple pins 50 to be held in an upright position. An insertion hole 28 with a diameter allowing only one pin 50 to pass through is provided on the bottom surface of the internal space 25 of the bottle body 24. The insertion hole 28 is located at the center of the bottom surface of the internal space 25 of the bottle body 24. Thus, the bottle body 24 can discharge a single pin 50 through the insertion hole 28.

[0095] also, Figure 4 The bottom surface of the internal space 25 of the bottle body 24 shown is flat, but for example, the bottom surface of the internal space 25 of the bottle body 24 may have an inclined surface for guiding the pin 50 to the through hole 28, the inclined surface being disposed from the inner circumferential surface of the bottom surface of the internal space 25 toward the underside of the through hole.

[0096] [The structure of the cap in the bottle]

[0097] like Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, the cap 30 is provided in the cap sliding part 32 located in the upper direction of the bottle body 24, and can move in the vertical direction through the cap sliding part 32. Figure 1 The arrow in the middle indicates the direction of movement 47 of the sliding part 32 of the cover.

[0098] like Figure 4 As shown in the cross-sectional view, the cap 30 has a space at its lower part, which covers the upper part of the internal space 25 of the bottle body 24 when the bottle body 24 vibrates, to prevent the pin 50 from flying out. On the other hand, when the pin 50 is supplied from the suction arm 10 to the bottle body 24, the cap 30 moves to open the upper part of the internal space 25 of the bottle body 24. In addition, the upper surface of the cap 30 has an air supply connection 31 for supplying compressed air to the internal space 25 of the bottle body 24, and the cap 30 blows the compressed air supplied from the air supply connection 31 into the internal space 25 of the bottle body 24.

[0099] like Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, the bottle body 24 and the cap sliding part 32 are arranged in an L-shaped bottle sliding part 29. The bottle body 24 is located at the lower part of the bottle sliding part 29, and the cap sliding part 32 is arranged at the upper part of the bottle sliding part 29. The bottle sliding part 29 can move in the up and down (vertical) direction and is driven by the bottle up and down mechanism 35.

[0100] Furthermore, the cap sliding portion 32 of the bottle sliding portion 29 moves up and down via the cap driving portion 33, which can be provided on the bottle sliding portion 29. Thus, the cap portion 30 of the cap sliding portion 32 can move up and down independently on the bottle sliding portion 29, and furthermore, the cap portion 30 can move up and down together with the bottle body 24 via the bottle sliding portion 29.

[0101] The cap drive unit 33 operates such that it moves the cap 30 of the cap sliding unit 32 up and down. When the pin 50 is supplied to the bottle body 24 via the pin suction arm 12, the cap 30 rises and retracts, thereby opening the upper part of the internal space 25 of the bottle body 24. Furthermore, when the bottle body 24 vibrates or compressed air is supplied, the cap 30 descends to seal the interior of the bottle body 24.

[0102] The air supply connection 31 of the cap 30 is connected to an externally mounted air supply device (not shown) to supply compressed air from the upper part of the cap 30 to the insertion hole 28 of the bottle body 24, thereby discharging the single pin 50. Furthermore, the air supply device can control the air supply operation according to an ON / OFF signal.

[0103] Furthermore, the bottle portion 23 has a bottle portion lifting mechanism 35 that moves the bottle body 24 and the cap portion 30 vertically up and down. When a pin 50 is supplied to the bottle body 24 via the pin suction arm 12, the vertical movement of the bottle body 24 is performed by the bottle portion lifting mechanism 35. In addition, the bottle portion lifting mechanism 35 also serves as a second vibration application part that vibrates the bottle body 24 (and the cap portion 30). By moving the bottle portion lifting mechanism 35 back and forth at high speed for a short distance in the vertical direction, the bottle body 24 vibrates in the vertical direction, thereby discharging a single pin 50 from the outlet of the insertion hole 28.

[0104] In the discharge operation of the pin 50 in the bottle section 23, the following three actions are listed as examples. As a first action, the bottle body 24 is vibrated only by the bottle section up-and-down mechanism 35. As a second action, compressed air is supplied to the bottle body 24. As a third action, the vibration of the bottle body 24 and the supply of compressed air are performed simultaneously. The discharge operation can be performed by any of these actions. Furthermore, while the bottle section up-and-down mechanism 35 vibrates only the bottle body 24 in the vertical direction, it could also be a mechanism that vibrates in the horizontal direction or in a direction combining the vertical and horizontal directions, serving as the second vibration application unit.

[0105] Furthermore, a vacuum ejector, serving as a conveying component for suction-based objects, can be further connected to the air supply device. The negative pressure flow path of the vacuum ejector is also connected to the air supply connection 31. The vacuum ejector generates negative pressure by allowing compressed air to flow into the diffuser (vacuum generating mechanism) and performs a suction operation. In this case, the air supply connection 31 can not only supply compressed air based on the air supply device but also switch to supply compressed air for connecting the negative pressure flow path for the suction operation based on the vacuum ejector. That is, compressed air can also flow into the diffuser, and a suction operation with the opposite airflow can be performed by the vacuum ejector. Regarding the suction operation, when the suction operation stops, disruptive air (compressed air from the air supply device) can be supplied to the negative pressure flow path of the vacuum ejector to reliably stop the operation.

[0106] When the air supply device is connected to a vacuum ejector, during the suction action of the vacuum ejector, the pin 50 stored inside the bottle 23 is moved towards the cap side by suction. When the suction action stops, agitating air (compressed air from the air supply device) is supplied to the negative pressure flow path of the vacuum ejector, thereby discharging the single pin 50 from the outlet of the insertion hole 28 along the flow of agitating air.

[0107] [Structure of the stop component in the bottle]

[0108] like Figure 1 , Figure 4As shown, the stop 40 of the bottle portion 23 is positioned at a distance from the outlet of the insertion hole 28 that is shorter than the total length of the pin 50 in the discharge direction of the pin 50. By using the stop 40 located on the lower side of the bottle body 24 to block the pin 50 being pulled out from the bottle body 24, the pin 50 stops on the stop 40. The bottle portion 23 holds the individual pin 50 in an upright position by contacting one end of the individual pin 50 with the stop 40 and the other end with the insertion hole 28.

[0109] like Figure 1 , Figure 4 As shown, a first pin detection sensor 41 is provided near the upper part of the bottle body 24 to detect the presence or absence of pins 50. The first pin detection sensor 41 detects whether there are pins 50 in the internal space 25 of the bottle body 24, and the detection signal is used to control the supply action of pins 50 from the pin adsorption arm 12.

[0110] Additionally, a second pin detection sensor 42 is provided to detect whether the pin 50 has been discharged from the bottle body 24. The second pin detection sensor 42 is located near the midpoint between the through hole and the stop member 40 in the bottle body 24. As the first pin detection sensor 41 and the second pin detection sensor 42, for example, a reflective sensor is used to detect the presence of an object by illuminating light from the light-emitting part and receiving reflected light from the object.

[0111] The pin 50 discharged from the bottle body 24 is in a state that can be obtained using a pin holding device or pin suction device (not shown). That is, the pin 50 discharged from the bottle body 24 is held by the stop member 40 at the bottom of the bottle body 24 and is in an upright state. The pin 50 is sucked or held horizontally through the belly of the pin 50 using a pin holding device (not shown). In this state, the bottle body 24 is raised, thereby obtaining a pin 50.

[0112] In addition, the pin acquisition device 1 has a control unit (not shown) with a built-in computer, which executes computer programs to control the motors, sensors, etc. of each drive unit of the pin loading unit 3, the suction arm 10, and the bottle unit 23.

[0113] [Regarding the sales acquisition process]

[0114] Next, refer to Figures 5 to 12 This section explains the methods for obtaining sales from a portion of the majority of sales and from a single sales.

[0115] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of obtaining a single pin from a majority of pins. Figure 6 This diagram shows the state in which a pin is stored on the pin mounting platform of the pin acquisition device. Figure 7 This diagram illustrates the state in which a pin is fixed by the pin adsorption arm of a pin acquisition device. Figure 8 This diagram shows the state in which pins, which are fixed by the pin adsorption arm, are supplied to the bottle body. Figure 9 This diagram shows the bottle body rising while the pin is held in place. Figure 10 This diagram shows the state where the pin adsorption arm retracts, and the pin is retained inside the bottle body. Figure 11 This diagram shows the state of the bottle body being closed with the cap and vibrating. Figure 12 This diagram shows the state of the pin being discharged from the insertion hole in the bottle body.

[0116] [Regarding the first step in obtaining the sales order]

[0117] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, firstly, as the first step, a majority of pins 50 are pre-stored inside the groove 6 of the pin mounting platform 5 in the pin mounting section 3 (step S1). At this time, it is sufficient that the axial direction of each of the majority of pins 50 is approximately aligned with the groove direction of the groove 6. This is because the pin mounting platform 5 can, in the subsequent second step, use vibration to ensure that the axial direction of each of the majority of pins 50 placed inside is naturally aligned with the groove direction.

[0118] [Regarding the second step in sales acquisition]

[0119] Next, as the second process, such as Figure 7 As shown by the arrow indicating the vibration direction 43 of the pin mounting platform, the pin mounting platform 5 is moved back and forth at high speed in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the axis of the pin 50 by the swing mechanism 8, causing the pin mounting platform 5 to vibrate (step S2). As a result, a portion of the pin 50 stored in the pin mounting platform 5 jumps upward in the internal space of the pin mounting platform 5.

[0120] like Figure 7 As shown, for multiple pins 50 that have jumped up, the pin adsorption arm 12 is lowered above the pin mounting platform 5 to suction the underside of the multiple pins 50, thereby adsorbing and fixing them to the pin adsorption arm 12 in a horizontal state with the pin 50's axis as the horizontal (step S3). Here, the number of pins 50 adsorbed by the pin adsorption arm 12 is about 10. At this time, the axis of the multiple adsorbed pins is aligned with the groove direction of the groove-shaped guide portion 15 at the front end 13 of the pin adsorption arm, so the pins can be stably removed from the pin mounting platform 5.

[0121] In this case, the number of pins 50 adsorbed by the pin adsorption arm 12 can be adjusted according to the vibration frequency of the swing mechanism 8, the distance between the front end 13 of the pin adsorption arm 12 and the pin mounting platform 5 caused by the descent of the pin adsorption arm 12, the adsorption force of the vacuum adsorption device, and the groove shape of the groove-shaped guide portion 15 in the front end 13 of the pin adsorption arm.

[0122] [Regarding the third step in sales acquisition]

[0123] Next, as Figure 5 , Figure 8 As shown, as the third process, the pin adsorption arm 12 is raised, as... Figure 8 As shown by the arrow, the rotating shaft 20 is rotated 90 degrees toward the bottle part 23, so that the axis of the attracted pin 50 changes from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction. The pin 50 in the vertical state is moved horizontally on the pin attracting arm 12 by the pin attracting arm sliding part 18, so that the pin 50 is moved onto the bottle body 24 (step S4).

[0124] like Figure 5 , Figure 9 As shown, after the pin 50 moves onto the bottle body 24, the bottle body 24 is raised by the bottle lifting mechanism 35, and the pin 50 is inserted into the internal space 25 from the top of the bottle body 24, so that a portion of the entire length of the pin 50 is located in the internal space 25. In this state, the pin adsorption arm 12 is released, and after the adsorption is released, the pin 50 falls and is stored in the internal space 25 of the bottle body 24 (step S5). Thus, as... Figure 10 As shown, the multiple pins 50 that are adsorbed and fixed on the pin adsorption arm 12 are stored in the bottle body 24, which has an internal space 25 that allows the multiple pins 50 to be held in an upright state.

[0125] [Regarding the fourth step in sales acquisition]

[0126] Next, as Figure 5 , Figure 11 As shown, as the fourth step, after the multiple pins 50 are stored in the bottle body 24, the pin adsorption arm 12 is moved away from the bottle body 24, so that the cap 30 is lowered and contacts the upper part of the bottle body 24, thereby sealing the interior of the bottle body 24 (step S6).

[0127] Then, as Figure 5 , Figure 12 As shown, by using the bottle-mounted mechanism 35 to move the bottle body 24 up and down at high speed, the bottle body 24 vibrates, causing the pin 50 to jump up inside the bottle body 24 (step S7). The single pin 50 vibrates through the insertion hole 28 corresponding to a pin, which is open on the lower side of the bottle body 24. Figure 4 As shown, the pin 50 falls. The stop 40 at the bottom of the bottle body 24 blocks the falling pin 50, causing the pin 50 to stop at the bottom of the bottle body 24. The second pin detection sensor 42 checks whether the pin 50 has been discharged (step S8). When the pin 50 has been discharged (step S9), the vibration of the bottle body 24 is stopped (step S10).

[0128] Since the stop 40 is located at a distance from the outlet of the insertion hole 28 of the bottle body 24 at the bottle portion 23 that is shorter than the total length of the pin 50 in the discharge direction of the pin 50, one end of the single pin 50 contacts the insertion hole 28, and the single pin 50 is held in an upright state by the stop 40.

[0129] The pin 50 discharged from the bottle body 24 is in a state that can be obtained using a pin holding device or pin suction device (not shown). By using a pin holding device (not shown) or the like, the pin 50 is sucked or held horizontally through the belly of the pin 50, and the bottle body 24 is raised in this state, thereby obtaining a pin 50.

[0130] [Regarding another fourth step in sales acquisition]

[0131] On the other hand, as another fourth step, compressed air can be supplied from the air supply device after step S6 to replace the step of making the bottle body 24 vibrate by moving up and down at high speed. Figure 13 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of obtaining a pin by supplying compressed air into the internal space of the bottle body, replacing the bottle-mounted upper and lower mechanism which serves as the second vibration application unit, thereby discharging a single pin. Furthermore, due to... Figure 13 The process shown is related to... Figure 5 The process before step S6 is the same, so the process after step S6 will be explained.

[0132] like Figure 13 As shown, after the interior of the bottle body 24 is sealed, compressed air is supplied to the interior (step S11). As a result, a single pin 50 is discharged (falls) through the airflow from the insertion hole 28 corresponding to a pin, which is located on the lower side of the bottle body 24. The falling pin 50 is stopped at the lower part of the bottle body 24 by the stop member 40 at the bottom of the bottle body 24. The second pin detection sensor 42 checks whether the pin 50 has been discharged (step S12). If the pin 50 has been discharged (step S13), the supply of compressed air to the interior of the bottle body 24 is stopped (step S14).

[0133] The stop 40 is positioned at a distance shorter than the full length of the pin 50 from the outlet of the insertion hole 28 of the bottle body 24 in the bottle section 23 in the discharge direction of the pin 50. As a result, the individual pin 50 is held in an upright position.

[0134] The pin 50 discharged from the bottle body 24 is in a state that can be obtained using a pin holding device or pin suction device (not shown). By using a pin holding device (not shown) or the like, the pin 50 is sucked or held horizontally through the belly of the pin 50, and the bottle body 24 is raised in this state, thereby obtaining a pin 50.

[0135] Furthermore, as a new fourth process, it is also possible to make the vibration of the bottle body 24 and the supply of compressed air operate simultaneously, thereby expelling individual pins.

[0136] Furthermore, in the air supply device, when the negative pressure flow path of the vacuum ejector is also connected to the air supply connection 31, after the interior of the bottle body 24 is sealed by the cap 30, a suction operation is continuously performed except when a single pin 50 is discharged from the bottle section 23. This prevents the single pin 50 from being discharged from the outlet of the insertion hole 28 of the bottle section 23 at an unexpected time. In this case, when the single pin 50 is discharged from the bottle section 23, the suction operation is stopped, and disruptive air (compressed air from the air supply device) is supplied to the negative pressure flow path of the vacuum ejector, thereby allowing the single pin 50 to be discharged from the outlet of the insertion hole 28 by utilizing the flow of disruptive air. In addition, the vibration of the bottle body 24 can also be used simultaneously in combination with the suction operation and the supply of compressed air as disruptive air.

[0137] As described above, according to the present invention, when acquiring a pin, the supply of pins is divided into two stages to reduce the pins in stages, thereby ensuring a stable acquisition of individual pins.

[0138] Furthermore, according to the present invention, as a first stage, the pin-mounting part is vibrated so that at least a portion of the majority of the pins jumps up inside the pin-mounting part. The adsorption arm above the pin-mounting part draws in and adsorbs and fixes the majority of the jump-up pins through the abdomen of the majority of the pins. The axial direction of the adsorbed pins is aligned with the groove of the adsorption arm, so that a portion of the pins can be stably removed from the pin-mounting part.

[0139] Furthermore, according to the present invention, as a second stage, multiple pins that are adsorbed and fixed to the adsorption arm are stored in the internal space of the bottle section. The bottle section, including an insertion hole with a diameter that allows only one pin to pass through, is vibrated and a single pin is discharged through the insertion hole, so that one end of the single pin contacts the stop and the other end of the single pin contacts the insertion hole, and the single pin is held in an upright state, thereby allowing the single pin to be removed stably. The stop is disposed at a position that is a distance shorter than the total length of the pin in the direction of pin discharge from the outlet of the insertion hole.

[0140] Furthermore, according to the present invention, even for pins with small diameters, the pins can be obtained stably because they are not picked up and held like tweezers.

[0141] Furthermore, according to the present invention, when obtaining a portion of the pins from a majority of the pins, no operator skill is required, and the pin-obtaining operation can be performed continuously, thus improving the productivity of the pin-obtaining operation.

[0142] Furthermore, according to the present invention, by simultaneously vibrating the bottle body 24 and simultaneously drawing in gas from the internal space of the bottle, the movement of the pin and the supply of gas from the gas-drawing switch to the internal space can be achieved, thus enabling the reliable removal of a single pin.

[0143] This invention can be embodied in many forms without departing from its essential characteristics. Therefore, the described embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the invention.

Claims

1. A pin-acquiring device for acquiring a portion of pins from a plurality of pins, the pin-acquiring device being characterized by comprising: The pin mounting section is configured as a groove, which can restrict the axial direction of most of the pins mounted inside from being aligned with the direction of the groove. The first vibration application part is capable of causing the pin mounting part to vibrate, thereby causing at least a portion of the majority of pins to jump up inside the pin mounting part; An adsorption arm, located above the pin mounting portion, draws in and adsorbs multiple pins among the jumping pins via the abdomen of the multiple pins. The bottle has an internal space that holds the plurality of pins adsorbed and fixed on the adsorption arm and allows the plurality of pins to be held in an upright position. The bottle can discharge a single pin through an insertion hole located on the bottom surface of the internal space and having a diameter that allows only one pin to pass through. The second vibration application part causes the bottle to vibrate and discharges a single pin through the insertion hole; as well as A stop is provided at a position that is a distance shorter than the total length of the pin in the direction of pin discharge from the outlet of the insertion hole. Specifically, one end of the single pin contacts the stop member, and the other end of the single pin contacts the through hole, thereby holding the single pin in an upright state.

2. The pin-acquiring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adsorption arm has an air intake facing the pin-supported portion. The air intake is located inside the guide portion, which faces the pin mounting portion and forms a groove, thereby restricting the axial direction of the plurality of pins that are adsorbed and fixed on the adsorption arm from being aligned with the groove direction.

3. The pin-acquiring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The internal space of the pin mounting portion is configured such that the cross-sectional shape orthogonal to the groove direction gradually expands toward the opening direction.

4. The pin-acquiring device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottle section holds the plurality of pins in the internal space via the cap section, and vibrates vertically in the closed state to expel the individual pins.

5. The pin-acquiring device according to claim 4, characterized in that, Also includes: The compressed air supply unit is capable of supplying compressed air to the internal space. The compressed air supply unit supplies compressed air when the bottle vibrates.

6. A pin-acquiring device for acquiring a portion of pins from a plurality of pins, the pin-acquiring device being characterized by comprising: The pin mounting section is configured as a groove, which can restrict the axial direction of most of the pins mounted inside from being aligned with the direction of the groove. The first vibration application part is capable of causing the pin mounting part to vibrate, thereby causing at least a portion of the majority of pins to jump up inside the pin mounting part; An adsorption arm, located above the pin mounting portion, draws in and adsorbs multiple pins among the jumping pins via the abdomen of the multiple pins. The bottle has an internal space that holds the plurality of pins adsorbed and fixed on the adsorption arm via a cap and allows the plurality of pins to be held in an upright position. The bottle can discharge a single pin through an insertion hole located on the bottom surface of the internal space and having a diameter that allows only one pin to pass through. The compressed air supply unit supplies compressed air to the internal space when the cap of the bottle is closed, and discharges a single pin through the insertion hole; as well as A stop is provided at a position that is a distance shorter than the total length of the pin in the direction of pin discharge from the outlet of the insertion hole. Specifically, one end of the single pin contacts the stop member, and the other end of the single pin contacts the through hole, thereby holding the single pin in an upright state.

7. A method for acquiring pins, comprising acquiring a portion of pins from a majority of pins, the method characterized by including: In the first step, a plurality of pins are arranged in the pin mounting part, which is configured as a groove and can restrict the axial direction of the plurality of pins mounted inside to be consistent with the direction of the groove. The second step involves vibrating the pin-mounting portion to cause at least a portion of the plurality of pins to jump up inside the pin-mounting portion, and adsorbing and fixing a plurality of the jumping pins onto an adsorption arm, which draws in and adsorbs the plurality of pins above the pin-mounting portion via the belly of the pins. The third step involves storing the plurality of pins that are adsorbed and fixed on the adsorption arm inside the bottle, wherein the bottle has an internal space that allows the plurality of pins to be held in an upright position. as well as In the fourth step, the bottle is vibrated, and a single pin is discharged through an insertion hole with a diameter that allows only one pin to pass through, located on the bottom surface of the internal space. One end of the single pin contacts a stop, which is positioned at a distance from the outlet of the insertion hole that is shorter than the total length of the pin in the direction of pin discharge. The single pin is held in an upright state by the insertion hole and the stop, thus making the single pin available for pickup.

8. A method for acquiring pins, comprising acquiring a portion of pins from a majority of pins, the method for acquiring pins being characterized by: In the first step, a plurality of pins are arranged in the pin mounting part, which is configured as a groove and can restrict the axial direction of the plurality of pins mounted inside to be consistent with the direction of the groove. The second step involves vibrating the pin-mounting portion to cause at least a portion of the plurality of pins to jump up inside the pin-mounting portion, and adsorbing and fixing a plurality of the jumping pins onto an adsorption arm, which draws in and adsorbs the plurality of pins above the pin-mounting portion via the belly of the pins. In the third step, the plurality of pins that are adsorbed and fixed on the adsorption arm are stored inside the bottle via the cap, and the bottle has an internal space for the plurality of pins to be held in an upright position. as well as In the fourth step, with the cap closed, compressed air is supplied to the bottle and a single pin is discharged through an insertion hole on the bottom surface of the internal space, which has a diameter that allows only one pin to pass through. One end of the single pin contacts a stop member, which is positioned at a distance from the outlet of the insertion hole that is shorter than the total length of the pin in the direction of pin discharge. The single pin is held in an upright state by the insertion hole and the stop member, thus making the single pin accessible.

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