Feed arrangement and system

Abstract

A feed arrangement (12) for feeding a component (22), the feed arrangement (12) comprising: an input track (38) having an input profile (80) allowing the component (22) to be conveyed in a plurality of different orientations, a receiving track (40), and a diverting section (42); a receiving track (40) having a receiving profile (82) that allows the component (22) to be conveyed in less orientation than the input profile (80); and a diverting section (42) between the input rail (38) and the receiving rail (40), the diverting section (42) comprising a diverting gap (66) arranged to divert a component (22) conveyed from the input rail (38) having an orientation that is not adapted to the receiving profile (82). A system (10) is also provided that includes a tool (14) for handling a component (22) and a feed arrangement (12).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model generally relates to a feeding arrangement, and in particular provides a feeding arrangement for feeding a component and a system comprising the feeding arrangement. Background Art

[0002] There are various types of automatic or semi-automatic screw installation applications. Some screw installation applications include robots carrying tools and sorters for orienting screws before being installed by the robot. The sorter can include a matrix plate that vibrates so that the screws fall into the corresponding openings of the matrix plate to be correctly oriented. The screws that do not fall into the openings can be manually removed from the matrix plate, or can fall under the effect of gravity. The robot can then move the tool to the matrix plate for picking up the screws, and then move the tool to the installation position for installing the screws. This process is called a pick and place operation. The pick and place operation may be cumbersome or complicated because the robot must be provided with information about which openings of the matrix plate contain the correctly oriented screws. In addition, when the robot must move back and forth between the installation position and the matrix plate, the time between installation operations can be extended.

[0003] In some mounting applications, small and short screws are used. Examples of such applications include mounting applications for large-scale production of mobile phones, clocks and other small devices using small screws. Small and short screws, especially screws with a small ratio between the length of the shaft and the diameter of the head, cannot be reliably oriented using prior art sorting machines. The above examples of sorting machines including matrix plates cannot reliably orient such small and short screws as required. Many prior art sorting machines rely on screws including relatively long shafts that prevent the screws from being incorrectly positioned. However, this operating principle is not applicable to small and short screws. Utility Model Content

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an improved feeding arrangement for feeding components.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a feeding arrangement for feeding components which is capable of reliably conveying small-sized components in the correct orientation.

[0006] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a feeding arrangement for feeding components which enables a shorter cycle time for automatic or semi-automatic applications.

[0007] A further object of the invention is to provide a feeding arrangement for feeding a component, which feeding arrangement has a less complex design.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a feeding arrangement for feeding components, which feeding arrangement has an economical design and / or operation.

[0009] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a feeding arrangement for feeding a component, wherein the feeding arrangement solves several or all of the above objects in combination.

[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system comprising a tool and a feed arrangement, said system solving one, several or all of the above objects.

[0011] According to a first aspect, a feeding arrangement for feeding components is provided, the feeding arrangement comprising: an input track, a receiving track, and a turning section, the input track having an input profile, the input profile allowing components to be conveyed in multiple different orientations; the receiving track having a receiving profile, the receiving profile allowing components to be conveyed in fewer orientations than the input profile; the turning section is between the input track and the receiving track, the turning section comprising a turning gap, the turning gap being arranged to turn components conveyed from the input track with an orientation that does not match the receiving profile.

[0012] Since only components oriented in a manner adapted to the receiving contour enter the receiving track, the feed arrangement sorts components oriented in different ways. Only components correctly positioned relative to the receiving contour can be conveyed further through the receiving track. The feed arrangement thus functions as a sorter.

[0013] The receiving track is configured to deliver components only in one or more correct orientations. The feeding arrangement thus enables a new component to be presented in the correct orientation directly in front of the tool after the previous component has been installed. This makes it possible to eliminate pick and place operations, for example performed by a robot. Thus, the cycle time can be reduced and manual work, such as programming of the robot, can be reduced.

[0014] The component may be a mounting component, such as a fastener. Examples of fasteners include screws, nails, bolts, nuts, washers, anchors and rivets. The components may have a uniform size and shape. The feeding arrangement according to the invention is particularly advantageous for feeding small screws, for example having a small ratio between the length of the shaft and the diameter of the head.

[0015] The input track may be configured to feed multiple components in a single row. The receiving profile may have a shape that only allows components in a single orientation to be received therein. The receiving track may be configured to feed multiple components in a single row. Thus, multiple correctly oriented components may be lined up in the receiving track.

[0016] The turning section acts as a sorting mechanism by comprising a turning gap arranged to turn incorrectly oriented components. The turning gap may be an air gap. The feeding arrangement may be arranged so that correctly oriented components fly out of the input profile one by one, over the turning gap and into the receiving profile. Only correctly oriented components in the air between the input track and the receiving track enter the receiving profile.

[0017] The feeding arrangement may be arranged to feed the component along the input track at a predetermined speed. The speed should be sufficient to cause the component to fly over the turning gap and into the receiving profile when leaving the input track. The component may be moved along the input track partially or completely under the effect of gravity. Alternatively, or in addition, the feeding arrangement may be configured to push the component along the input track, for example by pressurized air. The turning gap may, for example, have a width of at least 2 mm and / or less than 20 mm.

[0018] The receiving profile may be arranged to receive only components having an orientation aligned relative to a receiving plane, the receiving plane containing the receiving direction of the receiving track. The receiving track may be elongated. In this case, the receiving track contains a longitudinal axis parallel to the receiving direction.

[0019] The receiving contour may have a shape matching each component. The receiving contour may for example be T-shaped. In this case, the T-shape may lie in a plane transverse to the receiving direction.

[0020] The turning section may include a blocking structure arranged to block components with an orientation that does not match the receiving profile from the input track. The blocking structure may be configured such that a component moving through the turning gap with an orientation that does not match the receiving profile will hit the blocking structure and be turned away from the receiving track. In this way, the blocking structure prevents incorrectly oriented components from getting stuck in the receiving track. After hitting the blocking structure, the component may be turned away from the turning section at least partially under the effect of gravity.

[0021] As seen in the receiving direction, the input contour and the blocking structure may together form a shape which substantially corresponds to or corresponds to the receiving contour.However, the blocking structure is positioned downstream of the input contour.

[0022] The input track and the receiving track may be inclined relative to the horizontal. Thus, the component slides along the input profile and along the receiving profile partially or completely under the effect of gravity. Due to the inclination of the input track, a predetermined speed may be provided for the component for traveling over the turning gap and into the receiving profile. Alternatively, or in addition, the feeding arrangement may be configured to push the component along the input track and / or the receiving track, for example by pressurized air. In any case, the predetermined speed may be calibrated based on the type of component and the width of the turning gap.

[0023] Each component may comprise a shaft and a head connected to the shaft. The length of the shaft may be less than twice the diameter of the head, such as less than 1.5 times, such as less than the diameter of the head.

[0024] The feeding arrangement may further comprise a downstream track and a feeding device configured to feed individual components from the receiving track to the downstream track. The feeding device may thus be configured to feed individual components one by one from the queue of components in the receiving track to the downstream track. The downstream track may also be inclined relative to the horizontal so that the components may slide along the downstream track partially or completely under the effect of gravity. Alternatively, or in addition, the feeding arrangement may be configured to push the components along the downstream track, for example by pressurized air.

[0025] The feed device may include a feed seat. In this case, the feed device may be configured to move the feed seat from an input feed position aligned with the receiving track to an output feed position aligned with the downstream track. In the output feed position, the feed device may block the receiving track, thereby preventing the component in the receiving track from moving forward.

[0026] The feeding device may be configured to rotate the feeding seat between an input feeding position and an output feeding position. The feeding device may include a rotatable disc, and the rotatable disc includes the feeding seat. The feeding seat may, for example, rotate 180 degrees between the input feeding position and the output feeding position.

[0027] The feed seat can be configured to hold the component in a precise orientation. Thus, when the feed device holds the component and moves from the input feed position to the output feed position, the correct orientation of the component can be maintained. For example, the feed seat prevents the component from tilting therein. The feed seat can have a shape that matches each component. The feed seat can be, for example, T-shaped. The feed seat can have a design that corresponds to the receiving profile.

[0028] The feeding arrangement may further comprise a conveying device downstream of the receiving track. The conveying device may have a conveying seat arranged to directly or indirectly receive individual components from the receiving track. The conveying seat may have a shape matching each component. The conveying seat may be T-shaped, for example. The conveying seat may have a design corresponding to the receiving profile. The conveying device may comprise a carriage. In this case, the carriage may comprise the conveying seat.

[0029] The conveying device may be configured to move the conveying seat from an input conveying position for receiving a single component to an output conveying position. The output conveying position may be aligned with a tool axis of the tool. Thus, the feeding arrangement enables feeding and positioning of small-sized components in the front of the tool, for example near the action point of the tool, with the correct orientation. The action point may be a tool bit of the tool.

[0030] The transport shoe may be arranged to receive components from the downstream track in an input transport position.

[0031] The feed arrangement may further comprise a storage arranged to receive components diverted from the diverting gap. The components received in the storage may then be conveyed again by the input track to be retried through the diverting gap. The diverting section may be configured to divert incorrectly oriented components to the storage under the effect of gravity. The storage may be a high capacity storage for storing a plurality of randomly oriented components. The storage may be configured to store at least 100 components, such as at least 1000 components, such as 20000 components. In this way, manual interaction of an automated application using the feed arrangement may be eliminated during an entire work shift.

[0032] The feeding arrangement may further comprise a supply device arranged to supply components from the reservoir to the input track.The supply device may comprise a conveyor belt, such as a toothed belt.

[0033] The reservoir may be fixed relative to the input track. For example, where the feed arrangement is carried by a robot, the reservoir remains fixed relative to the input track while the robot moves the feed arrangement.

[0034] The feed arrangement can be constructed as a single unit. The entire feed arrangement including the storage and the input track can be carried and moved, for example, by a robot.

[0035] According to a second aspect, there is provided a system comprising a tool for processing a component and a feed arrangement according to the first aspect.The feed arrangement may be located proximate to the tool.

[0036] The tool may be a power tool. The power tool may be, for example, an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic power tool. Alternatively, or in addition, the tool may be a tightening tool, for example, for tightening a nut on a threaded member.

[0037] The system may further comprise a robot. The robot may comprise a robot base and a manipulator movable relative to the robot base. The manipulator may be programmable in three or more axes, for example in six or seven axes. For example, the robot may carry a feed arrangement and a tool, for example at the distal end of the manipulator. Thus, the entire feed arrangement may be movable together with the tool.

[0038] According to a third aspect, a kit of parts is provided, comprising a feeding arrangement according to the first aspect or a system according to the second aspect, and a plurality of components. The components may be of any type according to the invention.

[0039] According to a fourth aspect, a feeding arrangement is provided, comprising a receiving track, a downstream track and a feeding device configured to feed a single component from the receiving track to the downstream track. The feeding arrangement according to the fourth aspect may be of any type according to the present invention. However, the feeding arrangement according to the fourth aspect may not include the input track and the turning section according to the first aspect. The feeding device according to the fourth aspect may include any type of feeding device according to the present invention.

[0040] The feeding arrangement according to the fourth aspect may further comprise a feeding seat. The feeding device may be configured to move the feeding seat from an input feeding position aligned with the receiving track to an output feeding position aligned with the downstream track. The feeding device may be configured to rotate the feeding seat between the input feeding position and the output feeding position.

[0041] According to a fifth aspect, a feeding arrangement is provided, comprising a receiving track and a conveying device downstream of the receiving track, wherein the conveying device comprises a conveying seat arranged to receive a single component. The feeding arrangement according to the fifth aspect may be of any type according to the utility model. However, the feeding arrangement according to the fifth aspect may not include the input track and the turning section according to the first aspect. The feeding device according to the fifth aspect may include a conveying device of any type according to the utility model.

[0042] The conveying device of the feed arrangement according to the fifth aspect can be configured to move the conveying seat from an input conveying position for receiving a single component to an output conveying position aligned with the tool axis of the tool. The feed arrangement according to the fifth aspect can further include a downstream track as described herein. In this case, the conveying seat of the feed arrangement of the fifth aspect can be arranged to receive a component from the downstream track in the input conveying position.

[0043] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a system comprising a tool for processing a component and a feed arrangement according to the fourth or fifth aspect.The feed arrangement may be located proximate to the tool.

[0044] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a kit of parts comprising a feeding arrangement according to the fourth aspect, a feeding arrangement according to the fifth aspect or a system according to the second or sixth aspect and a plurality of components. The components may be of any type according to the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] Further details, advantages and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0046] Figure 1 : schematically shows a side view of a system including a robot, a feeding arrangement and a tool;

[0047] Figure 2 : A perspective side view schematically showing the feed arrangement and the tool;

[0048] Figure 3 : schematically shows a partial perspective side view of the feeding arrangement;

[0049] Figure 4 : schematically shows another partial perspective side view of the feeding arrangement when the feeding device is in the input feeding position;

[0050] Figure 5 : schematically shows another partial perspective side view of the feeding arrangement;

[0051] Figure 6 : schematically shows a partial cross-sectional front view of the feed arrangement;

[0052] Figure 7 : A partial cross-sectional rear view schematically showing an input track of the feed arrangement;

[0053] Figure 8 : schematically showing a partial cross-sectional front view of a receiving track of a feed arrangement;

[0054] Fig. 9 : A partial perspective side view schematically showing a diverting section of a feed arrangement;

[0055] Fig.10 : schematically shows another partial perspective side view of the feeding arrangement when the feeding device is in the output feeding position and the conveying device is in the input conveying position; and

[0056] Fig.11 : Schematically shows another partial stereoscopic side view of the feed arrangement when the conveying device is in the output conveying position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] In the following, a feeding arrangement for feeding a component and a system comprising such a feeding arrangement will be described. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

[0058] Figure 1 There is schematically represented a side view of a system 10. The system 10 comprises a feed arrangement 12 and a tool 14. The tool 14 is here exemplified as a tightening power tool.

[0059] The system 10 of this example further includes a robot 16. The robot 16 of this example includes a robot base 18 and a manipulator 20 that is movable relative to the robot base 18. The manipulator 20 can be programmable in three or more axes. Figure 1As shown, a robot 16 , here at the distal end of a manipulator 20 , carries the feed arrangement 12 and the tool 14 .

[0060] The system 10 is an example of an automated application of a feed arrangement 12. The system 10 is configured to automatically install a screw 22 into a horizontal surface of an object 24 by a tool 14. The feed arrangement 12 of this example is held horizontally during operation. The screw 22 constitutes one of many examples of a component according to the present invention. Installing the screw 22 by the tool 14 is an example of processing a component by the tool 14 according to the present invention.

[0061] The feeding arrangement 12 feeds the screws 22 one by one to the tool 14. Therefore, the robot 16 does not need to perform a pick and place operation between each installation of the screws 22.

[0062] The system 10 includes a control system 26. The control system 26 communicates signals with the robot 16, the feed arrangement 12, and the tool 14, and is configured to control their operation. The control system 26 of this example includes a data processing device and a memory. A computer program is stored on the memory. The computer program includes program code, which, when executed by the data processing device, causes the data processing device to perform or command the execution of various steps as described herein.

[0063] Figure 2 A perspective side view of the feed arrangement 12 and the tool 14 is schematically shown. Figure 2 As shown, the feed arrangement 12 is constructed as a single unit carried by the robot 16 in close proximity to the tool 14. The feed arrangement 12, the tool 14 and the screw 22 constitute one example of a kit 28.

[0064] The tool 14 comprises a tool bit 30 . The tool 14 of this example is arranged to move vertically along a tool axis 32 to install the screw 22 .

[0065] The feed arrangement 12 of this example includes a feed arrangement base 34 and a tool base 36 fixed to the feed arrangement base 34. The tool 14 is automatically fed with screws 22, one at a time, from the feed arrangement 12. The tool 14 automatically installs the screws 22 into the object 24.

[0066] The feeding arrangement 12 comprises an input track 38 for conveying the screws 22, a receiving track 40 for conveying the screws 22 and a turning section 42. Figure 2As shown, the turning section 42 is positioned between the input track 38 and the receiving track 40. The turning section 42 includes a blocking structure 44. The receiving track 40 is positioned downstream of the input track 38. In addition, each of the input track 38 and the receiving track 40 is inclined relative to a horizontal direction 46. Each of the input track 38, the receiving track 40, and the turning section 42 is fixed relative to the feed arrangement base 34.

[0067] The feed arrangement 12 of this example further comprises a reservoir 48, illustrated here as a container that opens vertically upwards. The screws 22 can be loaded into the reservoir 48 from its open top. In addition, the reservoir 48 is fixed relative to the feed arrangement base 34. The reservoir 48 contains a plurality of screws 22 in any orientation, for example 20,000 screws 22. The screws 22 are small and short screws here, for example M1x0.85 screws.

[0068] The feeding arrangement 12 of this example further comprises a supply device 50. The supply device 50 is configured to supply the screws 22 from the reservoir 48 to the input track 38. The supply device 50 of this particular example comprises a continuous and toothed conveyor belt 52 driven around two pulleys 54a and 54b.

[0069] The feed arrangement 12 of this example further includes a blower 56. The blower 56 is controlled by the control system 26.

[0070] The feeding arrangement 12 of this example further comprises a downstream track 58 for conveying the screws 22. The downstream track 58 is positioned downstream of the receiving track 40. Figure 2 As shown, the downstream track 58 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction 46. The blower 56 is used to blow the screws 22 along the downstream track 58 by means of pressurized air.

[0071] The feeding arrangement 12 of this example further comprises a conveying device 60. The conveying device 60 is positioned downstream of the receiving track 40. The conveying device 60 is configured to convey the screws 22 one at a time to the tool axis 32 below the tool bit 30. The conveying device 60 of this example comprises a carriage 62. The conveying device 60 is controlled by the control system 26.

[0072] The feeding arrangement 12 of this example further includes a feeding device 64. The feeding device 64 is configured to feed the screws 22 from the receiving track 40 to the downstream track 58 one at a time.

[0073] Figure 3 A partial perspective side view of the feed arrangement 12 is schematically shown. Figure 3As shown, the turning section 42 includes a turning gap 66, illustrated here as an air gap, between the input track 38 and the receiving track 40. The turning gap 66 can have a width of several millimeters. The width of the turning gap 66 can be determined based on the speed of the screw 22 in the input track 38 and the type of screw 22. Figure 3 The screws 22 are shown aligned in the receiving track 40 .

[0074] Figure 3 It is further shown that the feeding device 64 is illustrated as a rotatable circular plate. The feeding device 64 is controlled to rotate by a motor 68. The motor 68 is controlled by the control system 26. Figure 3 , the feed device 64 is in the output feed position 70. In the output feed position 70, the feed device 64 delivers a single screw 22 to the downstream track 58 while preventing the screws 22 in the receiving track 40 from moving forward.

[0075] Figure 4 Schematically shows another partial perspective side view of the feeding arrangement 12. The feeding device 64 comprises a feeding seat 72. Figure 4 In the output feed position 70 ( Figure 3 ), the feed seat 72 is aligned with the downstream track 58. By rotating the feed device 64 between the input feed position 74 and the output feed position 70, the feed seat 72 moves between the receiving track 40 and the downstream track 58. In this way, the feed device 64 can feed the screws 22 one by one from the receiving track 40 to the downstream track 58. In this example, the feed device 64 rotates 180 degrees from the input feed position 74 and the output feed position 70. The feed seat 72 of this example is T-shaped and is thereby configured to maintain the screws 22 in a well-defined orientation during the rotation of the feed device 64. Alternatively, the feed seat 72 may have other shapes to maintain the screws 22 in a well-defined orientation.

[0076] Figure 4 It is further shown that the conveying device 60 includes a conveying seat 76. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the delivery device 60 is in the input delivery position 78, and the delivery seat 76 is arranged to receive a single screw 22 from the downstream track 58. In this example, the delivery seat 76 is also T-shaped, but, alternatively, it can have other shapes that match the screw 22. Here, the delivery seat 76 is set in the carriage 62.

[0077] Figure 5 Another partial perspective side view of the feed arrangement 12 is schematically shown. Figure 5As shown, the input track 38 includes an input profile 80, and the receiving track 40 includes a receiving profile 82. The dimensions of the input profile 80 and the receiving profile 82 are specific to the dimensions of the screw 22. The input profile 80 is configured to allow the screw 22 to be delivered in a plurality of different orientations. On the other hand, the receiving profile 82 is configured to allow the screw 22 to be in only a single well-defined orientation.

[0078] The screws 22 fed from the reservoir 48 to the input track 38 by the supply device 50 slide along the input track 38 in a random orientation. In this example, due to the inclination of the input track 38, the screws 22 move downward along the input track 38 under the action of gravity. The length and inclination of the input track 38 produce a predetermined speed of the screws 22 at the downstream end of the input track 38. At the downstream end of the input track 38, the screws 22 fly out of the input track 38 and reach the turning gap 66. In the turning gap 66, the screws 22 that are not in an orientation that matches the receiving profile 82 will hit the blocking structure 44. These screws 22 will fall back into the reservoir 48 under the action of gravity. Therefore, the turning gap 66 is used to sort out the screws 22 with incorrect orientation. The screws 22 that are correctly oriented to match the receiving profile 82 will fly through the turning gap 66 one by one and enter the receiving profile 82, and these screws are lined up in the receiving profile 82 with the correct orientation. The feeding arrangement 12 is particularly advantageous for sorting and feeding small screws 22 .

[0079] Figure 5 Further shown is a receiving plane 84 at the receiving track 40 . In this example, the receiving contour 82 is arranged to receive only screws 22 having an orientation which is aligned relative to the receiving plane 84 .

[0080] Figure 6 A partial cross-sectional front view of the feed arrangement 12 is schematically shown. Figure 6 As shown, the feeding arrangement 12 of this example includes a channel 86 for conveying the screws 22 to the input track 38. When the screws 22 on the conveyor belt 52 travel over the pulley 54a, the screws 22 fall into the channel 86 under the action of gravity. In this way, the screws 22 that have been diverted to the reservoir 48 by the diverting section 42 are fed to the input track 38 again by the supply device 50 for retrying on the diverting gap 66.

[0081] Figure 7 A partial cross-sectional rear view of the input track 38 is schematically shown. Figure 7 As shown, the input profile 80 is open upwardly, thereby allowing the screws 22 to be delivered along the input track 38 in random orientations.

[0082] Figure 7It is further shown that each screw 22 includes a shaft 88 and a head 90 connected to the shaft 88. In this example, the length of the shaft 88 is shorter than the diameter of the head 90, here about 60% of the diameter of the head 90. Each screw 22 has the same size and shape. Such small and short screws 22 are difficult to automatically classify using prior art solutions.

[0083] Figure 8 A partial cross-sectional front view of a receiving rail 40 is schematically shown. Figure 8 The receiving direction 92 of the screw 22 is shown. The receiving direction 92 is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the receiving track 40. Figure 8 As shown, the receiving contour 82 is T-shaped, but, alternatively, may have another shape matching the screw 22. The T-shape lies in a plane transverse to the receiving direction 92. Figure 8 It is further shown that the receiving plane 84 contains a receiving direction 92. The head 90 is parallel to the receiving plane 84.

[0084] Fig. 9 A partial perspective side view of the turning section 42 is schematically shown. Fig. 9 In FIG. 4 , details of the blocking structure 44 can be seen. The blocking structure 44 of this example comprises a wall arranged to block screws 22 from the input track 38 having an orientation that does not fit the receiving contour 82 .

[0085] The blocking structure 44 is positioned downstream of the input track 38. As seen in the receiving direction 92, the input profile 80 and the blocking structure 44 together form a shape corresponding to the shape of the receiving profile 82 in this example (see also FIG. Figure 7 ).

[0086] Fig.10 Another partial perspective side view of the feed arrangement 12 is schematically shown. Fig.10 , the conveying device 60 is in the input conveying position 78. The screws 22 have been blown from the feed seat 72 along the downstream track 58 by the blower 56 to be received in the conveying seat 76 while maintaining the correct orientation of the screws 22.

[0087] Fig.11 Schematically another partial perspective side view of the feed arrangement 12 is shown. The conveying device 60 has now been moved to the output conveying position 94. Here, the movement includes moving the carriage 62 relative to the feed arrangement base 34. Fig.11As shown, the delivery seat 76 is aligned with the tool axis 32 in the output delivery position 94. The screw 22 is thus positioned directly below the tool 14 vertically. The tool 14 moves downward to pick up the screw 22 and then moves upward again. The delivery device 60 is retracted from the output delivery position 94 to the input delivery position 78. The tool 14 then moves downward to the installation position to install the screw 22 to the object 24. By retracting the delivery device 60, the tool 14 only needs to move in the vertical direction to pick up the screw 22 and move the screw 22 to the object 24. The delivery device 60 then moves again to the output delivery position 94 with the new correctly oriented screw 22 for the tool 14. The feeding arrangement 12 thus enables a new screw 22 to be presented in the correct orientation directly below the tool 14 after the previous screw 22 has been installed. A prototype of the feeding arrangement 12 has been built by the inventor and has been proven to function satisfactorily in reality.

[0088] Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the contents described above. For example, it should be understood that the size of the components can be changed as needed. Therefore, the present invention can be limited only by the scope of the attached claims.

Claims

1. A feeding arrangement (12) for feeding a component (22), characterized in that The feeding arrangement (12) comprises: - an input track (38) having an input profile (80) that allows the parts (22) to be conveyed in a plurality of different orientations; a receiving track (40) having a receiving profile (82) that allows the component (22) to be conveyed in fewer orientations than the input profile (80); and a deflection section (42) between the input track (38) and the receiving track (40), the deflection section (42) comprising a deflection gap (66) arranged to deflect a component (22) conveyed from the input track (38) and having an orientation that does not match the receiving contour (82), Each component (22) includes a shaft (88) and a head (90) connected to the shaft (88).

2. The feed arrangement (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that The receiving contour (82) is arranged to receive only components (22) having an orientation that is aligned relative to a receiving plane (84) that contains a receiving direction (92) of the receiving track (40).

3. A feed arrangement (12) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The receiving contour (82) is T-shaped.

4. The feed arrangement (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that The deflection section (42) includes a blocking structure (44) arranged to block a component (22) from the input track (38) having an orientation that does not fit the receiving contour (82).

5. The feed arrangement (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that The input track (38) and the receiving track (40) are inclined relative to a horizontal direction (46).

6. The feed arrangement (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that Further included is a downstream track (58) and a feed device (64) configured to feed individual components (22) from the receiving track (40) to the downstream track (58).

7. The feed arrangement (12) according to claim 6, characterized in that The feed device (64) includes a feed seat (72), and wherein the feed device (64) is configured to move the feed seat (72) from an input feed position (74) aligned with the receiving track (40) to an output feed position (70) aligned with the downstream track (58).

8. The feed arrangement (12) according to claim 7, characterized in that The feed device (64) is configured to rotate the feed seat (72) between an input feed position (74) and an output feed position (70).

9. A feed arrangement (12) according to claim 7 or 8, characterised in that The feed shoe (72) is configured to hold the component (22) in a precise orientation.

10. The feed arrangement (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that Further included is a conveying device (60) downstream of the receiving track (40), the conveying device (60) having a conveying seat (76) arranged to directly or indirectly receive the individual components (22) from the receiving track (40).

11. The feed arrangement (12) according to claim 10, characterized in that The transfer device (60) is configured to move a transfer seat (76) from an input transfer position (78) for receiving a single component (22) to an output transfer position (94) aligned with a tool axis (32) of a tool (14).

12. The feed arrangement (12) according to claim 11, characterized in that Further comprising a downstream track (58) and a feed device (64), the feed device (64) being configured to feed a single component (22) from the receiving track (40) to the downstream track (58), the delivery seat (76) being arranged to receive the component (22) from the downstream track (58) in an input delivery position (78).

13. The feed arrangement (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that Further included is a reservoir (48) arranged to receive the component (22) diverted from the diverting gap (66).

14. The feed arrangement (12) according to claim 13, characterized in that Further included is a supply device (50) arranged to supply components (22) from the storage (48) to the input track (38).

15. The feed arrangement (12) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The reservoir (48) is fixed relative to the input track (38).

16. The feed arrangement (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that The feed arrangement (12) is designed as a single unit.

17. A system (10), characterized in that It comprises a tool (14) for handling a component (22) and a feed arrangement (12) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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