Article supply device

Abstract

The utility model provides an article supply device which can automatically supply articles. An article supply device (1) is provided with: a storage mechanism (10) capable of moving an article from a storage region (24) for storing the article to a take-out region (22) for taking out the article; a position determination mechanism (60) that determines the position of the article supplied to the take-out area (22); and a taking-out mechanism (50) for taking out the article whose position is determined by the position determining mechanism (60).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an article supply device. Background Art

[0002] For example, there is a high demand for appearance inspection of items such as sealing components, i.e. oil seals. For example, CCD image sensors are used in appearance inspection of mass-produced items. Based on the images captured by the CCD image sensors, defects such as damage and dirt formed on the items are detected. Utility Model Content

[0003] Issues to be Solved by Utility Models

[0004] When performing appearance inspection using a CCD image sensor, objects are currently manually supplied to the inspection device, and it is difficult to automatically supply objects to the inspection device equipped with the CCD image sensor. In order to improve the efficiency of appearance inspection, it is desired to automatically supply objects to the inspection device.

[0005] The present invention is completed in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide an article supply device capable of automatically supplying articles.

[0006] Means for solving problems

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the article supply device involved in the utility model includes: a storage mechanism, which can move the article from a storage area for storing the article to a removal area for taking out the article; a position determination mechanism, which determines the position of the article supplied to the removal area; and a removal mechanism, which takes out the article whose position is determined by the position determination mechanism.

[0008] In the article supply device according to the present invention, the storage mechanism includes a storage component, and the storage component establishes an inclined posture capable of moving the article from the storage area to the removal area.

[0009] In the article supply device of the present invention, when the position determination unit determines the position of the article, the storage component establishes a horizontal posture.

[0010] In the article supply device of the utility model, the accommodating component can rotate to promote the movement of the article from the accommodating area to the taking-out area.

[0011] In the article supply device of the present invention, the storage component is rotatable around a rotation axis intersecting with the lower surface of the storage component.

[0012] In the article supply device of the utility model, the storage mechanism includes: a partition component that separates the storage area from the taking-out area; and a bottom plate that forms a gap between the bottom plate and the partition component to allow the articles to pass through.

[0013] In the article supply device according to the present invention, the partition member can adjust the size of the gap.

[0014] In the article supply device according to the present invention, the storage mechanism includes a detection mechanism, and the detection mechanism detects the articles stored in the storage area.

[0015] The article supply device of the utility model further comprises: a conveying mechanism for conveying the article taken out by the taking-out mechanism to a supply destination.

[0016] In the article supply device of the present invention, the storage component establishes a second inclined posture capable of moving the article from the taking-out area to the storage area.

[0017] Effect of utility model

[0018] According to the utility model, it is possible to provide an article supply device capable of automatically supplying articles. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of the article supply device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 It is a plan view schematically showing the structure of the article supply device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a storage mechanism 10 according to a specific example.

[0022] Figure 4 It is a side view schematically showing the structure of a storage mechanism 10 according to a specific example.

[0023] Figure 5 It is a front view schematically showing the structure of a storage mechanism 10 according to a specific example.

[0024] Figure 6 It is a plan view of the storage mechanism 10 according to a specific example in which the storage member 13 is omitted from the illustration.

[0025] Figure 7 It is a perspective view of the storage mechanism 10 according to a specific example in which only the outline of the storage member 13 is shown.

[0026] Description of Reference Numerals

[0027] 1 article supply device, 10 storage mechanism, 11 base, 12 support member 12 storage member, 14 support leg, 15 base plate, 16 support plate, 17 first lifting cylinder, 18 second lifting cylinder, 19 opening, 20 bottom plate, 21 side wall, 22 take-out area, 23 side wall, 24 storage area, 25 partition mechanism, 26 partition member, 27 shift mechanism, 28 gap, 29 sensor (detection mechanism), 29a projector, 29b light receiver, 30 hole, 31 servo motor, 32 shaft, 33 rotary arm, 34 connecting shaft, 35x 36 axis guide, slide, 37 workbench, 38y-axis guide, 39 slide, 40 opening, 50 removal mechanism, 51 chuck, 52x-axis guide, 53y-axis guide, 54z-axis guide, 60 position determination mechanism, 61 camera (shooting mechanism), 62 light source, 63y-axis guide, 70 conveying mechanism, 71 conveyor belt, 72 frame, 80 input mechanism, 81 top plate, 82 opening, 83 input path, H1 height, H2 height, PT rotation trajectory, x1 swing axis, x2 rotation axis (rotation axis), x3 rotation axis. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 It is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of the article supply device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 1 is a top view schematically showing the structure of an article supply device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The article supply device 1 is, for example, a device for automatically supplying articles to an appearance inspection device (not shown) that performs appearance inspection of articles. The processing of the article supply device 1 is automatically performed by a computer (control unit) executing a program stored in a storage unit of the article supply device 1. It should be noted that in Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the figure, there are structures that are omitted from the illustration.

[0029] The article includes, for example, an annular sealing member such as an oil seal, which is used to seal between a rotating shaft that rotates around the axis of a vehicle, general machinery, etc. and a through hole of a housing into which the rotating shaft is inserted. In addition, in the subsequent drawings, an x-axis and a y-axis that are orthogonal to each other along a horizontal plane, and a z-axis that is orthogonal to these x-axis and y-axis are specified. That is, a three-dimensional coordinate having an origin at a specified position is specified in a space where the article supply device 1 is configured. In this example, the x-axis specifies the front-to-back direction of the article supply device 1, the y-axis specifies the left-to-right direction of the article supply device 1, and the z-axis specifies the up-down (vertical) direction of the article supply device 1.

[0030] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2The article supply device 1 includes a storage mechanism 10, a taking-out mechanism 50, a position determination mechanism 60, and a conveying mechanism 70 (in Figure 1 The storage mechanism 10 is configured to store a plurality of articles. The position determination mechanism 60 is configured to determine the position of the article stored in the storage mechanism 10. The position of the article can also be determined based on three-dimensional coordinates. The removal mechanism 50 is configured to take out the article whose position is determined by the position determination mechanism 60 from the storage mechanism 10 and hand over the taken-out article to the conveying mechanism 70. The conveying mechanism 70 conveys the article to the appearance inspection device as the supply destination. The insertion mechanism 80 is configured to insert the article into the storage mechanism 10.

[0031] Figure 3 It is a perspective view schematically showing the structure of a storage mechanism 10 according to a specific example. Figure 4 It is a side view schematically showing the structure of a storage mechanism 10 according to a specific example. Figure 5 1 is a front view schematically showing the structure of a storage mechanism 10 according to a specific example. Figures 3 to 5 The storage mechanism 10, for example, includes: a base 11, which is supported by a structure (not shown); a supporting member 12, which is connected to the base 11 in a manner that allows relative displacement relative to the base 11; and a storage member (storing portion) 13, which is connected to the supporting member 12 in a manner that allows relative displacement relative to the supporting member 12.

[0032] The base 11 includes a plurality of support legs 14 supported at the lower end on the surface of the structure and a base plate 15 supported at the upper ends of the plurality of support legs 14. In this example, the base plate 15 is formed in a rectangular shape, for example, when viewed from above. The base plate 15 is formed, for example, by a flat plate extending along a horizontal plane, that is, an xy plane. The base plate 15 is supported, for example, by six support legs 14. In addition, the surface of the structure supporting the support legs 14 includes, for example, the floor of a building, the surface of a housing, the surface of a support platform, and the like.

[0033] The support member 12 includes a support plate 16 supported on the base plate 15 of the base 11 in a relatively displaceable manner. The support plate 16 is formed in a rectangular shape, for example, when viewed from above. The support plate 16 is formed, for example, of a flat plate extending along a horizontal plane, that is, an xy plane. Figures 3 to 5 In the embodiment, the support plate 16 is in a horizontal posture parallel to the base plate 15. The support plate 16 can swing relative to the base plate 15 around a swing axis x1 parallel to the y-axis. In this example, the swing axis x1 can also be defined between the base plate 15 and the support plate 16 and at a substantially middle position of the support plate 16 in the x-axis direction. By swinging around the swing axis x1, the support plate 16 can establish a first tilted posture in which its front end is close to the upper surface of the base plate 15 in the x-axis direction and a second tilted posture in which its rear end is close to the upper surface of the base plate 15.

[0034] The upper ends of the first lifting cylinder 17 and the second lifting cylinder 18 arranged along the x-axis direction are connected to the bottom surface of the support plate 16. The first lifting cylinder 17 and the second lifting cylinder 18 are supported on the structure at their lower ends through the opening 19 formed in the base plate 15. The first lifting cylinder 17 and the second lifting cylinder 18 are operated in a telescopic and displaceable manner, for example, by hydraulic pressure. The support plate 16 swings around the swing axis x1 by the extension and contraction of the first lifting cylinder 17 and the second lifting cylinder 18. Specifically, for example, the second lifting cylinder 18 extends while the first lifting cylinder 17 contracts, thereby establishing a first tilting posture of the support plate 16. Conversely, for example, the second lifting cylinder 18 contracts while the first lifting cylinder 17 extends, thereby establishing a second tilting posture of the support plate 16.

[0035] The storage part 13 has a bottom plate 20 formed in a rectangular shape, for example, in a plan view (see Figure 3 ). The bottom plate 20 is formed, for example, by a flat plate extending along the xy plane. The lower surface of the bottom plate 20 is opposite to the upper surface of the support plate 16. In this example, the bottom plate 20 and the support plate 16 are arranged parallel to each other. On the front end side of the bottom plate 20, a take-out area 22 surrounded by side walls 21 arranged along three sides of the bottom plate 20 is defined. The take-out area 22 is an area for taking out articles. On the other hand, on the rear end side of the bottom plate 20, a storage area 24 surrounded by side walls 23 arranged along three sides of the bottom plate 20 is defined. The storage area 24 is an area for storing articles. In this example, the front end of the storage area 24 is adjacent to the rear end of the take-out area 22.

[0036] A partition mechanism 25 is disposed between the take-out area 22 and the storage area 24. The partition mechanism 25 includes a partition member 26 extending in the y-axis direction and a displacement mechanism 27 that supports the partition member 26 so as to be displaceable in the z-axis direction. The partition member 26 is formed of a flat plate extending along the yz plane. A predetermined gap 28 is formed between the lower edge of the partition member 26 and the upper surface of the base plate 20. In this example, the height H1 of the gap 28 in the z-axis direction is set to be constant in the y-axis direction (refer to Figure 3 The displacement mechanism 27 is supported by the bottom plate 20 at both ends in the y-axis direction, for example. A space larger than the gap 28 is formed between the displacement mechanism 27 and the bottom plate 20.

[0037] By displacing the partition member 26 relative to the base plate 20 in the z-axis direction through the shifting mechanism 27, the height H1 of the gap 28, that is, the size of the gap 28 can be adjusted. On the other hand, the side wall 21 surrounding the take-out area 22 has a height H2 in the z-axis direction. Similarly, the side wall 23 surrounding the accommodating area 24 has a height H3 in the z-axis direction. The height H2 is set to be smaller than the height H3. In this example, the height H2 is set to the maximum height of the height H1 of the gap 28. In addition, the height H1 of the gap 28, the height H2 of the side wall 21, and the height H3 of the side wall 23 can also be set according to the axial length of the annular oil seal accommodated in the accommodating member 13. For example, the heights H1 and H2 only need to be set to be larger than the axial dimensions of one oil seal.

[0038] The storage mechanism 10 has one or more sensors (detection mechanisms) 29 arranged along the outer side of the side wall 23 extending in the x-axis direction in the y-axis direction. In this example, six sensors 29 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the x-axis direction. Each sensor 29 is a transmission type sensor. Specifically, in particular, Figure 5 As shown, each sensor 29 includes a light projector 29a and a light receiver 29b, and the light projector 29a and the light receiver 29b are opposite to the hole 30 formed in the side wall 23. Light is projected from the light projector 29a toward the corresponding light receiver 29b through the hole 30. By blocking the light, it is possible to detect whether there is an object between the light projector 29a and the light receiver 29b.

[0039] Figure 6 It is a plan view of the storage mechanism 10 according to a specific example in which the storage member 13 is omitted from the illustration. Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage mechanism 10 according to a specific example showing only the outline of the storage member 13. Figures 3 to 7 The servo motor 31 having a predetermined rotation axis (swivel axis) x2 is supported at the center of the support plate 16 of the support member 12 when viewed from above, that is, at the center of gravity. The rotation axis x2 is, for example, defined as a direction intersecting the lower surface of the base plate 20. In this example, the rotation axis x2 is orthogonal to the lower surface of the base plate 20. The servo motor 31 is held from above the surface of the structure supporting the support leg 14, and can swing around the swing axis x1 integrally with the support plate 16.

[0040] The servo motor 31 has a shaft 32 that can rotate around a rotation axis x2. The shaft 32 protrudes upward from the upper surface of the support plate 16. The base end of a rotating arm 33 extending in a direction orthogonal to the rotation axis x2 is connected to the upper end of the shaft 32. The rotating arm 33 is opposite to the upper surface of the support plate 16 and extends along the upper surface. The rotating arm 33 can rotate around the rotation axis x2 according to the rotation of the shaft 32. The lower end of a connecting shaft 34 extending along the z-axis is supported at the front end of the rotating arm 33. The connecting shaft 34 is supported so as to be able to rotate relative to the rotating arm 33 around the rotation axis x3. The upper end of the connecting shaft 34 is fixed to the lower surface of the bottom plate 20 of the accommodating component 13 in a non-rotatable manner. The rotation axis x3 is defined to be parallel to the rotation axis x2 and orthogonal to the lower surface of the bottom plate 20.

[0041] A pair of x-axis guide rails 35, 35 are fixed to the upper surface of the support plate 16, and the pair of x-axis guide rails 35, 35 extend parallel to each other in the x-axis direction along the long side of the support plate 16 specified in the x-axis direction. In this example, each x-axis guide rail 35 extends from the front end to the rear end of the support plate 16. A pair of slides 36, 36 arranged at a specified interval are supported on each x-axis guide rail 35. Each slide 36 can slide in the x-axis direction along the x-axis guide rail 35. A workbench 37 extending in the y-axis direction spans and is supported on the pair of x-axis guide rails 35, 36. The workbench 37 is formed, for example, by a rectangular flat plate when viewed from above. The workbench 37 can be displaced in the x-axis direction along the pair of x-axis guide rails 35, 35.

[0042] A pair of y-axis guide rails 38, 38 are fixed on the upper surface of the workbench 37, and the pair of y-axis guide rails 38, 38 extend parallel to each other in the y-axis direction along the long side of the workbench 37 specified in the y-axis direction. In this example, each y-axis guide rail 38 extends from the left end to the right end of the workbench 37. A pair of slides 39, 39 arranged at a specified interval are supported on each y-axis guide rail 38. Each slide 39 can slide in the y-axis direction along the y-axis guide rail 38. The slide 39 is mounted on the lower surface of the accommodating component 13. An opening 40 extending in the y-axis direction is formed on the workbench 37. The opening 40 can accommodate the connecting shaft 34. As described later, when the rotating arm 33 rotates around the rotation axis x2, the connecting shaft 34 can reciprocate between one end and the other end of the opening 40 specified in the y-axis direction within the opening 40.

[0043] In such a storage mechanism 10, the storage member 13 is fixed to the y-axis guide rail 38 via the carriage 39, and is connected to the support plate 16 of the support member 12 via the shaft 32 of the servo motor 31, the rotary arm 33, and the connecting shaft 34. According to such a structure, the storage member 13 can swing around the swing axis x1 together with the support member 12. That is, the storage member 13 can take three postures: a horizontal posture in which the take-out area 22 and the storage area 24 are arranged at the same height, a first inclined posture in which the take-out area 22 is arranged at a position lower than the storage area 24, and a second inclined posture in which the storage area 24 is arranged at a position lower than the take-out area 22.

[0044] The storage member 13 is connected to the shaft 32 of the servo motor 31 via the connecting shaft 34 and the rotating arm 33. When the shaft 32 rotates around the rotation axis x2, the rotating arm 33 rotates around the rotation axis x2. Figure 7 The rotation trajectory PT (circular trajectory centered on the rotation axis x2) rotates around the rotation axis x2. The connecting shaft 34 is supported to be relatively rotatable about the rotation axis x3 relative to the rotating arm 33, so the accommodating member 13 fixed to the connecting shaft 34 rotates around the rotation axis x2. The rotation of the accommodating member 13 causes the reciprocating displacement of the connecting shaft 34 in the opening 40 of the worktable 37, the sliding movement of the supporting member 12 along the y-axis guide rail 38, and the sliding movement of the supporting member 12 along the x-axis guide rail 35.

[0045] The rotation of the rotating arm 33, that is, the rotational movement of the connecting shaft 34 along the rotation trajectory PT is converted into the linear movement of the accommodating part 13 fixed to the connecting shaft 34 along the x-axis guide rail 35 and the linear movement along the y-axis guide rail 38. The conversion from the rotational movement to the linear movement is allowed by the relative rotation of the connecting shaft 34 with respect to the rotating arm 33 around the rotation axis x3. In addition, during the linear movement of the workbench 37 in the y-axis direction, the connecting shaft 34 reciprocates between one end and the other end of the opening 40 of the workbench 37 specified in the y-axis direction. As a result of such movement, the accommodating part 13 can rotate around the rotation axis x2 without changing the orientation of the accommodating part 13 in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction (when viewed from above). In addition, the rotation direction of the accommodating part 13 can be clockwise or counterclockwise when viewed from above.

[0046] Return to Figure 1 and Figure 2The position determination mechanism 60 has a camera 61, which is a photographing mechanism, arranged above the storage part 13, and a light source 62, which is arranged around the camera 61 and illuminates the storage part 13. The camera 61 is a camera that can take an image of the take-out area 22 of the storage part 13 when viewed from above. The xy coordinate values ​​of the multiple objects arranged in the take-out area 22 are acquired based on the captured image. The positions of the objects in the take-out area 22 are determined by the xy coordinate values. The light source 62 can illuminate the take-out area 22 when the camera 61 is photographing. For example, a rectangular planar light source using an LED can be used as the light source 62. The planar light source as the light source 62 is formed, for example, in the shape of a flat plate extending along the xy plane.

[0047] The camera 61 and the light source 62 are supported in a slidable manner on a y-axis guide rail 63 extending along the y-axis direction. Based on the sliding movement in the y-axis direction, the camera 61 and the light source 62 can scan the take-out area 22. As a result, the camera 61 can photograph the objects arranged in the take-out area 22. In this way, the position determination mechanism 60 can determine the relative positions of all the objects arranged in the take-out area 22. For example, when the object is an annular oil seal, the contour position of the object can also be determined by the position determination mechanism 60.

[0048] The take-out mechanism 50 is, for example, disposed between the storage mechanism 10 and the position determination mechanism 60. The take-out mechanism 50 includes a chuck 51, an x-axis guide rail 52 extending along the x-axis direction, a y-axis guide rail 53 extending along the y-axis direction, and a z-axis guide rail 54 extending along the z-axis direction. The chuck 51 can slide and move in the x-axis direction, the y-axis direction, and the z-axis direction along the x-axis guide rail 52, the y-axis guide rail 53, and the z-axis guide rail 54, respectively. The chuck 51 can hold an object, for example, by a holding mechanism (not shown) that can mechanically hold an object.

[0049] The conveying mechanism 70 is associated with the storage part 13 of the storage mechanism 10. In one example, the conveying mechanism 70 is a belt conveyor having a pair of pulleys (not shown), a conveyor belt 71 wound around the pair of pulleys, a drive motor (not shown) for rotating the pulleys, and a frame 72. The chuck 51 can lift the article from the removal area 22 based on the displacement in the x-axis direction, the y-axis direction, and the z-axis direction and arrange the article on the conveyor belt 71 of the conveying mechanism 70. On the other hand, the conveying mechanism 70 can transport the article arranged on the conveyor belt 71 by the chuck 51 to a visual inspection device (not shown) as a supply destination.

[0050] The loading mechanism 80 is arranged above the storage area 24 of the storage mechanism 10. The loading mechanism 80 has a top plate 81 (in Figure 2The top plate 81 includes an opening 82 formed in the top plate 81, and an input path 83 for inputting articles into the storage area 24 connected to the opening 82. The top plate 81 is formed of, for example, a flat plate extending along the xy plane. The input path 83 is formed, for example, as an inclined path for inputting articles from the opening 82 of the top plate 81 into the storage area 24 of the storage mechanism 10. The input of articles into the opening 82 is performed automatically by a machine, but can also be performed manually by a person.

[0051] Next, the driving method of the article supply device 1 is described. In addition, the following actions in the article supply device 1 are automatically executed by the control of the control unit. Before driving, a plurality of articles are pre-put into the storage area 24 of the storage component 13 via the input mechanism 80. The storage component 13 takes a horizontal posture. The central axis of the oil seal as an article is specified as the z-axis direction, for example. The storage component 13 takes a first inclined posture by swinging around the swing axis x1 to a specified angle. The take-out area 22 is arranged at a position lower than the storage area 24. At this time, the storage component 13 rotates around the rotation axis x2. Through the rotation of the storage component 13, an inertial force acts on the articles contained in the storage area 24. Specifically, according to the rotation in the first inclined posture, a greater inertial force acts on the articles from the storage area 24 toward the take-out area 22. The movement of the articles is promoted by this inertial force. As a result, the articles move to the take-out area 22 through the gap 28 between the partition component 26 and the bottom plate 20.

[0052] The height H1 of the gap 28 formed by the partition member 26 is set, for example, so that one article passes along the upper surface of the bottom plate 20. Therefore, the article can be moved to the take-out area 22 in a manner that does not overlap with the upper surface of the bottom plate 20. As a result, a plurality of articles are flatly spread out in a non-overlapping manner in the take-out area 22. In this way, when the article moves to the take-out area 22, the accommodating member 13 returns to the horizontal posture from the first inclined posture. Thereafter, the position determination mechanism 60 determines the positions of all articles in the take-out area 22 based on the top-down image of the take-out area 22 captured by the camera 61 that scans the entire take-out area 22. The position can also be determined based on three-dimensional coordinates. The articles whose positions are determined are grasped one by one by the take-out mechanism 50 and arranged on the conveyor belt 71 of the conveying mechanism 70.

[0053] The articles supplied to the taking-out area 22 in this way are supplied to the appearance inspection device through the conveying mechanism 70. However, there is a case where the taking-out mechanism 50 fails to hold the articles for some reason. In this case, the containing part 13 changes from a horizontal position to a second inclined position by swinging around the swing axis x1 to a prescribed angle. The storage area 24 is arranged at a position lower than the taking-out area 22. At this time, the storage part 13 rotates around the rotation axis x2. According to the rotation in the second inclined position, a greater inertial force acts on the articles from the taking-out area 22 toward the storage area 24. Through this inertial force, the articles move to the storage area 24 through the gap 28. In addition, in the storage part 13, when the sensor 29 detects a decrease in the number of articles in the storage area 24, new articles are added to the storage area 24 via the input mechanism 80.

[0054] In the article supply device 1 as described above, the articles in the storage area 24 can be automatically moved to the take-out area 22 by the tilting posture and the rotational movement of the storage part 13. The height H1 of the gap 28 can be adjusted according to the size of the article, so the amount of the article moved to the take-out area 22 can be adjusted. For example, by adjusting the height H1, the articles can be arranged in a manner that does not overlap with the take-out area 22. The take-out mechanism 50 can easily hold the articles. The articles are smoothly and efficiently transported to the conveying mechanism 70. By repeatedly moving the articles from the storage area 24 to the take-out area 22, determining the position of the articles, and holding the articles, the article supply device 1 can continuously supply the articles to the appearance inspection device. In this way, the article supply device 1 can automatically supply the articles.

[0055] Furthermore, in the storage part 13, the height H3 of the side wall 23 surrounding the storage area 24 is set relatively high. In this way, more articles can be accommodated in the storage area 24. Even if the inertial force acts on the articles when the storage part 13 rotates around the rotation axis x2, the articles can be reliably prevented from falling out of the storage part 13. On the other hand, the height H2 of the side wall 21 surrounding the take-out area 22 is set relatively low. In the take-out area 22, the articles moved to the take-out area 22 through the gap 28 spread out flatly without overlapping each other. Therefore, the height H2 of the side wall 21 does not need to be as high as the height H3 of the side wall 23. In addition, since the side wall 21 is low, it will not hinder the movement of the chuck 51 of the take-out mechanism 50 in the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis directions.

[0056] Furthermore, the sensor 29 can detect the articles in the storage area 24. As a result, when it is detected that the number of articles in the storage area 24 is reduced, additional articles can be automatically put into the storage area 24. In addition, by adjusting the height H1 of the gap 28 by shifting the partition member 26, even when articles of different sizes are used, the height H1 can be set according to the size of the articles.

[0057] The present invention has been described above by the above-mentioned embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-mentioned embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or improvements can be made to the above-mentioned embodiments. According to the description of the claims, the method to which such changes or improvements are made can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0058] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the interpretation of the present invention. In addition, the above-described embodiments do not limit the objects of use of the present invention, and the present invention can include all schemes as its objects of use. The various components and their configurations, materials, conditions, shapes, and dimensions of the above-described embodiments are not limited to the illustrated contents and can be appropriately changed. For example, the present invention includes differences in implementation caused by manufacturing tolerances, etc. In addition, within the scope of technical non-contradiction, the components shown in different embodiments can be partially replaced or combined with each other. In addition, the various structures can be appropriately and selectively combined to achieve at least a portion of the above-mentioned topics and effects.

Claims

1. An article supply device, characterized in that: include: A receiving mechanism capable of moving the article from a receiving area for receiving the article to a taking-out area for taking out the article; a position determining mechanism for determining the position of the article supplied to the taking-out area; as well as a taking-out mechanism for taking out the article whose position is determined by the position determining mechanism, The storage mechanism includes a storage member that establishes an inclined posture capable of moving the article from the storage area to the removal area.

2. The article supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the position determining mechanism determines the position of the object, the receiving part establishes a horizontal posture.

3. The article supply device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The receiving component can be rotated to facilitate the objects to move from the receiving area to the taking-out area.

4. The article supply device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The receiving member is rotatable about a rotation axis intersecting a lower surface of the receiving member.

5. The article supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The accommodating mechanism comprises: a partition member, which partitions the containing area from the taking-out area; and A bottom plate is formed between the bottom plate and the partition member to form a gap for allowing the articles to pass through.

6. The article supply device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The partition member can adjust the size of the gap.

7. The article supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The storage mechanism includes a detection mechanism that detects the article stored in the storage area.

8. The article supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that: Also includes: The conveying mechanism conveys the article taken out by the taking-out mechanism to a supply destination.

9. The article supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The receiving component establishes a second inclined posture capable of moving the article from the taking-out area to the receiving area.

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