Device and method for transferring small parts

Abstract

An apparatus (100) for transferring small items (102), the apparatus (100) having a base module (104), having a transfer module (106) with a horizontal transfer surface (114), and having a vibratory drive, wherein the transfer module (106) can be made to vibrate vertically with the aid of the vibratory drive, characterized in that the vibratory drive has at least one pneumatic cylinder, which is active between the base module (104) and the transfer module (106), and a valve device, which retracts and extends the at least one pneumatic cylinder in oscillating fashion, and a method for transferring small items (102), wherein small items (102) are arranged on the transfer surface (114), the vibratory drive and / or the at least one pneumatic cylinder (220, 222) are / is activated in order to distribute, to separate and / or to reposition the small items (102), and the small items (102) are picked up with the aid of a robot.

Description

Device and method for transferring small parts Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for transferring small parts, the device comprising a base module, a transfer module with a horizontal transfer surface, and a vibratory drive, wherein the transfer module can be set into vertical vibrations by means of the vibratory drive. The invention also relates to a method for transferring small parts.

[0002] Document DE 102 42 855 A1 relates to a device for singulating and aligning small parts, such as screws, rivets, or the like, each with a head, which are stored in bulk in a storage container. To achieve a compact form and optimize the device's economic operation, a singulating unit is located downstream of the storage container. This unit is followed by an alignment station connected to a transfer device for the precise positioning and transfer of each small part to a processing unit.

[0003] Document DE 10 2020 212 768 A1 discloses a bulk material feeding system for feeding components in the correct orientation, comprising at least one storage box for holding a large number of components, at least one singulation device for singulating and / or spacing several components, at least one removal device for simultaneously removing several components from the storage box and transferring the several components simultaneously removed from the storage box to the singulation device, and at least one alignment device for receiving the components singulated by the singulation device and for feeding these received components in the correct orientation.

[0004] The invention is based on the objective of structurally and / or functionally improving a device mentioned above. Furthermore, the invention is based on the objective of structurally and / or functionally improving a device mentioned above.

[0005] The problem is solved by a device having the features of claim 1. Furthermore, the problem is solved by a device having the features of claim 10. Advantageous embodiments and / or further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] The device can be designed and / or arranged to transfer small parts to a robot. The device can be designed and / or arranged to feed small parts to a robot. The device can be designed and / or arranged to make small parts available for pickup by a robot. The device can be designed for use in an assembly line or manufacturing system. The device can be designed for use in robot-assisted assembly or manufacturing. The small parts can be in a pourable form. The small parts can be in bulk. Therefore, the device can also be designed and / or arranged to transfer, feed, and / or make available bulk material. The small parts can be, for example, assembly parts or connecting parts such as screws, nuts, washers, or rings.

[0007] The device may have a base. The base module may have or form the base. The base module may be designed and / or arranged to support the transfer module. The base module may be designed and / or arranged to accommodate the vibratory drive. The base module may have an interior. The interior may be openable and / or closable. The base module may have a base and a cover. The base and cover may define the interior. The base and cover may be connected to each other and / or detachable from each other.

[0008] The transfer module can have a shell-like shape. The transfer module can include a base section, a wall section, and / or an edge section. The base section can form the transfer surface. The base section can have perforations. The wall section can be arranged around the base section. The wall section can be designed and / or arranged to delimit the transfer surface. The wall section can be arranged at an angle to the base section. The edge section can be arranged around the wall section. The edge section can be arranged at an angle to the wall section. The edge section can extend at least approximately parallel to the base section. The transfer module can be vertically displaceable relative to the base module within certain limits. The transfer module can have sections that are subject to different levels of vibration. The sections can each have a sector-like shape. The transfer module can have two or four sections.

[0009] The at least one pneumatic cylinder can be designed as a single-acting cylinder or as a double-acting cylinder. The at least one pneumatic cylinder can comprise a cylinder and a piston with a piston rod. The at least one pneumatic cylinder can have a first working end and a second working end. The at least one pneumatic cylinder can be mechanically connected to the base module at its first working end and to the transfer module at its second working end.

[0010] The valve assembly can include at least one pneumatic valve. The at least one pneumatic valve can be designed and / or arranged to control the at least one pneumatic cylinder. The valve assembly can include one pneumatic valve for each pneumatic cylinder. The valve assembly can include one common pneumatic valve for each pneumatic cylinder. The at least one pneumatic valve can be designed as an oscillating valve or a changeover valve. The at least one pneumatic valve can be designed as a pressure-controlled oscillating valve or a changeover valve. With the aid of an oscillating valve or a changeover valve, a pneumatic cylinder can be extended or retracted after the oscillating valve is activated until a set pressure is reached at the oscillating valve, and after reaching the set pressure, the oscillating valve can automatically close under pressure control. switch so that the pneumatic cylinder is moved in the opposite direction, and this process is repeated until the control valve is switched off again.

[0011] The oscillation frequency of at least one pneumatic cylinder can be adjustable. The oscillation frequency of the at least one pneumatic cylinder can be adjustable within a range between f = 1 Hz and f = 100 Hz. The at least one pneumatic valve can be adjustable. The retraction and / or extension of the at least one pneumatic cylinder can be adjustable. The retraction and / or extension of the at least one pneumatic cylinder can be adjusted together or independently.

[0012] The oscillating drive can have several pneumatic cylinders. The pneumatic cylinders can be assigned to different sections of the transfer module that are subject to vibration. The pneumatic cylinders assigned to the sections of the transfer module can be set to a common oscillation frequency or to different oscillation frequencies. The oscillating drive and / or the at least one pneumatic cylinder can be activated and / or deactivated. The at least one pneumatic cylinder can be activated and / or deactivated by switching the valve assembly. The pneumatic cylinders assigned to the sections of the transfer module can be activated and / or deactivated together and / or separately. The transfer module can be set into vertical oscillations (236) by means of the oscillating drive such that the small parts are distributed, singulated, and / or oriented.

[0013] The at least one pneumatic cylinder and / or the valve assembly can be arranged inside the device. The device can have at least one compressed air connection. The at least one compressed air connection can be located on the base module. The at least one compressed air connection can be connected to the valve assembly via a compressed air line. The at least one valve assembly can be connected to the at least one pneumatic cylinder via a compressed air line.

[0014] The device can have at least one first connecting element acting between the at least one pneumatic cylinder and the transfer module. The at least one first connecting element can be designed and / or arranged to transmit vibrations. The at least one first connecting element can be mechanically connected to the second working end of the at least one pneumatic cylinder on the one hand and to the transfer module, in particular to the edge section of the transfer module, on the other hand. The at least one first connecting element can be angled and / or leaf spring-shaped.

[0015] The device can have at least one second connecting element acting between the base module and the transfer module. This second connecting element can be designed and / or arranged to support and / or dampen vibrations. The second connecting element can be mechanically connected to the base module, in particular to the cover part of the base module, on the one hand, and to the transfer module, in particular to the bottom section of the transfer module, on the other. The second connecting element can be arranged at a predetermined location on the bottom section. The second connecting element can have predetermined damping properties.

[0016] The base module and / or the transfer module can be manufactured, at least partially, using an injection molding process. The base module and / or the transfer module can be manufactured, at least partially, from a plastic material.

[0017] The small parts can be poured onto the transfer surface. The small parts can be redistributed, selectively distributed, reoriented, and / or selectively oriented. The small parts can be distributed, separated, and / or oriented in such a way that picking them up with the robot is facilitated or made possible. The small parts can be grasped.

[0018] In summary, and in other words, the invention provides, among other things, a pneumatic repositioning device as well as Method for part singulation. A parts tray can be rapidly moved up and down using pneumatic cylinders. This can occur once or a hundred times per second. The up-and-down movement causes the parts to be thrown around chaotically, distributing them across the surface and potentially reorienting themselves. This ensures that a robot can grasp parts in the correct orientation or that parts that are too tightly nested are separated, thus preventing mishandling by the robot. Manufacturing can be done using injection molding.

[0019] The pneumatic cylinders can be rapidly filled and emptied with compressed air, creating an up-and-down movement of the parts tray. The parts inside are flung up and down, distributing them and making them easier for a robot to grip. At least one pneumatic cylinder can be used to move the parts tray one-dimensionally up and down. However, multiple pneumatic cylinders can also be used to trigger specific movements. For example, if only the left pneumatic cylinder is activated, all the parts move to the right side; if both cylinders are activated alternately, the parts are moved back to the center. Using multiple pneumatic cylinders allows for a variety of methods to support parts singulation.

[0020] The invention reduces costs such as development costs, investment costs, expenses and / or manufacturing costs.

[0021] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the figures, which show schematically and by way of example: Fig. 1 shows a device for transferring small parts with a base module and a movable transfer module in an axonometric view. Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of a device for transferring small parts, comprising a base module, a movable transfer module, and a vibratory drive. Fig. 3 shows a device for transferring small parts with a base module and a movable transfer module in a side view.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows an axonometric view of a device 100 for transferring small parts, such as small part 102, with a base module 104 and a movable transfer module 106. Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of a device 200 for transferring small parts with a base module 202, a transfer module 204, and a vibratory drive. Fig. 3 shows a side view of the device 200. The device 100, 200 is designed and arranged in an assembly line or manufacturing system to provide small parts 102, which are present as bulk material, for pickup by a robot.

[0023] The transfer module 106, 204 has a shell-like shape with a base section 108, 206, a wall section 110, 208 and / or an edge section 112, 210. The base section 108, 206 forms a horizontal transfer surface 114, 212 of the transfer module 106, 204.

[0024] The transfer module 106 of the device 100 is arranged with its base section 108 directly adjacent to the base module 104. The transfer module 204 of the device 200 is spaced from the base module 202 with its base section 206, interposed by connecting elements 214, 216, which are designed and / or arranged to transmit vibrations, and connecting elements such as connecting element 218, which are designed and / or arranged to support and / or dampen vibrations, and is vertically displaceable relative to the base module 202.

[0025] The transfer module 106, 204 can be set into vertical oscillations by means of an oscillating drive. The oscillating drive of the device 200 has two pneumatic cylinders 220, 222 and a valve assembly 224 for the oscillating extension and retraction of the pneumatic cylinders 220, 222. The base module 202 of the device 200 has a bottom part 226 and a cover part 228, which define an interior space 230. The pneumatic cylinders 220, 222 and the valve assembly 224 are arranged in the interior space 230.

[0026] The pneumatic cylinders 220 and 222 are each mechanically connected to the base section 226 on one side and to a connecting element 214 and 216 on the other, and are assigned to different sections 232 and 234 of the transfer module 204. The connecting elements 214 and 216 are each mechanically connected to a pneumatic cylinder 220 and 222 on one side and to the edge section 210 of the transfer module 204 on the other. The extension and retraction frequency of the pneumatic cylinders 220 and 222 is adjustable within a range of f = 1 Hz to f = 100 Hz.

[0027] To transfer, feed or provide small parts, the pneumatic cylinders 220, 222 are pressurized with compressed air, so that the transfer surface 212 is set into vertical vibration 236 via the connecting elements 214, 216 and the small parts located on it are separated from each other, repositioned and / or reoriented and a robot can grasp the small parts without mishandling.

[0028] The term "may" refers in particular to optional features of the invention. Accordingly, there are also further developments and / or embodiments of the invention that additionally or alternatively include the respective feature(s).

[0029] From the combinations of features disclosed herein, isolated features can also be selected as needed and, by dissolving any structural and / or functional relationship that may exist between the features, used in combination with other features to define the subject matter of the claim. Reference sign Device small part Basic module Transfer module floor section wall section Edge section transfer area Device Base Module Transfer module floor section wall section Edge section, transfer surface, connecting element, connecting element, connecting element, pneumatic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, valve assembly, base section Lid part interior Section Section Vibration

Claims

Claims Device (100, 200) for transferring small parts (102), the device (100, 200) comprising a base module (104, 202), a transfer module (106, 204) with a horizontal transfer surface (114) and a vibratory drive, wherein the transfer module (106, 204) can be set into vertical vibrations (236) by means of the vibratory drive, characterized in that the vibratory drive comprises at least one pneumatic cylinder (220, 222) acting between the base module (104, 202) and the transfer module (106, 204) and a valve device (224) for oscillating extension and retraction of the at least one pneumatic cylinder (220, 222). Device (100, 200) according to claim 1 , characterized in that an oscillation frequency of the at least one pneumatic cylinder (220, 222) is adjustable, in particular in a range between f=1 Hz and f=100 Hz.Device (100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve assembly (224) comprises at least one oscillation valve. Device (100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the oscillating drive comprises several pneumatic cylinders (220, 222) assigned to different sections (232, 234) of the transfer module (106, 204). Device (100, 200) according to claim 4, characterized in that the pneumatic cylinders (220, 222) assigned to the different sections (232, 234) of the transfer module (106, 204) are adjustable to a common oscillation frequency or to different oscillation frequencies. Device (100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base module (104, 202) has an interior space (230) and the at least one pneumatic cylinder (220,. 222) and / or the valve assembly (224) are arranged in the interior (230). Device (100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (100, 200) has at least one connecting element (214, 216) effective between the at least one pneumatic cylinder (220, 222) and the transfer module (106, 204), designed and / or arranged for transmitting vibrations. Device (100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (100, 200) has at least one connecting element (218) effective between the base module (104, 202) and the transfer module (106, 204), designed and / or arranged for supporting and / or damping vibrations.Device (100, 200) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base module (104, 202) and / or the transfer module (106, 204) are / are manufactured at least section by injection molding. Method for transferring small parts (102), characterized in that the method is carried out using a device according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, wherein small parts (102) are arranged on the transfer surface (1 14), the vibratory drive and / or the at least one pneumatic cylinder (220, 222) is activated to distribute, separate and / or reorient the small parts (102), and the small parts (102) are picked up by means of a robot.