Component distribution method and corresponding system

Abstract

Method for distributing components (2) packaged in stacks, each stack being arranged in a tube (4), with: - insertion of a tube (4) into a charger (18), - positioning of the charger (18) so that the tube (4) is vertical with one open end in the lower position, on a support (6) capable of receiving at least two chargers (18), the chargers being aligned along a first longitudinal horizontal direction, - release of a component (2) into a first position, - movement by translation along a second transverse horizontal direction to bring the component (2) into a second position, - movement by translation along a third longitudinal direction from the second position to a lifting station (8), and - lifting of the component (2), i.e., moving from a horizontal to an upright position. System for implementing this method. Abstract figure: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Component distribution method and corresponding system

[0001] This disclosure relates to a method for distributing components, more particularly electronic components, and a corresponding system. The components are, for example, connectors, relays, capacitors, etc. They are most often packaged in such a way as to form a stack of components in a tube. technical field

[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of mounting components on a support or within a device. The components, generally electronic components, are delivered and must be supplied one after the other to an actuator which picks them up to mount them on their support or within a device. Previous technique

[0003] Electronic components packaged in tubes are generally components with a small thickness relative to their width and height. For example, they may be substantially parallelepiped-shaped with two large opposing faces and four lateral faces. The faces are generally substantially flat, but not necessarily so. Each large face is, for example, at least twice, or even at least three times, larger than each of the lateral faces. Connection leads most often extend from one (single) lateral face.

[0004] These electronic components are then stacked in such a way that a large face of an electronic component is in contact, or opposite, a large face of a neighboring electronic component and all the connecting pins of the electronic components of the same stack are aligned.

[0005] Several techniques exist for distributing electronic components packaged in tubes. Each tube contains a stack of electronic components, and the task is to remove them one after the other from their respective tubes. They must then be positioned relative to a robotic gripper. Most often, the large faces of the components must be positioned vertically with the connection leads facing downwards.

[0006] It is known, according to a first embodiment, to place the tube with the electronic components horizontally. Thus, the electronic components are "upright," that is, in the position mentioned above, with their large faces vertical. All the connection pins are then, for example, in the lower position. In this case, it is sufficient to push the components one by one... found in a tube. When an electronic component comes out of the tube, it is then upright and is positioned at a predetermined location so that it can be picked up by a gripper arm of an assembly robot.

[0007] Another solution for distributing electronic components out of a tube is to eject them by gravity. The tube containing the components is then inclined, for example, at approximately 45° to the horizontal. When an electronic component exits the tube, it is straightened into a position that allows it to be grasped by a gripper arm and possibly moved, for example, conveyed.

[0008] A first technical problem arises with narrow components, for example, electronic components—that is, components whose thickness is very small compared to their width and / or height—which, when upright, are not very stable and tend to tip over, meaning their large faces shift from vertical to horizontal. When a component falls, the industrial process must be interrupted, and an operator must intervene to restart the assembly system.

[0009] Another problem that arises is the size of the distribution devices. The 45° inclination of the tubes containing the electronic components saves space compared to distribution devices with horizontally arranged tubes, but the size remains significant and often the space around the machine mounting the components is confined.

[0010] Finally, there is a constant concern to have the shortest possible cycle time to accommodate various types of gripping robots, which vary in speed. The configuration of the assembly machine also influences cycle times. In all cases, it is preferable to have a fast dispensing system so that the cycle time is not dictated by the time required to dispense an electronic component. Summary

[0011] This disclosure improves the situation.

[0012] A method for distributing components packaged in stacks is proposed, each stack being arranged in a tube. The components are, for example, electronic components, and more particularly relays or the like.

[0013] According to this disclosure, this method comprises the following steps: - inserting a tube into a charger, - positioning the charger so that the tube is substantially vertical with one open end in the lower position, on a support capable of receiving at least two chargers, the chargers being aligned along a first horizontal direction, - release of a component such that it exits the tube completely and assumes a first position, - displacement by translation along a second horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal direction to bring the electronic component into a second position. - displacement by translation along a third horizontal direction substantially parallel to the first horizontal direction from the second position towards a lifting station, and - raising the electronic component, i.e. moving from a horizontal position to a vertical position.

[0014] The idea here is to keep the components in a horizontal, and therefore stable, position throughout the transfer from the tube in which they are stored to a lifting (or transfer) station where they are upright so they can be more easily grasped by an actuator / gripper. In this way, the components cannot fall. Having multiple loaders (or at least the possibility of having multiple loaders) increases the throughput because the components can be extracted in parallel.

[0015] The features described in the following paragraphs may optionally be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other:

[0016] - all the electronic components of a charger are distributed before distribution the electronic components of another charger; and / or

[0017] - the electronic components are distributed alternately from a first charger and from a second charger; and / or

[0018] - the electronic components are distributed simultaneously by at least two chargers; and / or

[0019] - the movement along the third horizontal direction is achieved using a jack then a conveyor.

[0020] This disclosure also relates to a component distribution system which includes: - at least two chargers, each with a compartment to receive a tube containing components, - a support to receive at least two chargers in a substantially vertical position, the chargers being aligned along a first horizontal direction, - a housing under each tube to receive a component, - the first means of movement to move a component along a second horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction horizontal from a first position in said housing to a second position, - second means of movement to move the component along a third horizontal direction substantially parallel to the first horizontal direction from its second position to a third position in a lifting station, and - said lifting station allowing a component to be moved from a horizontal position to a vertical position.

[0021] The features described in the following paragraphs may optionally be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other:

[0022] - the first means of movement include a jack; and / or

[0023] - the second means of movement comprise a jack and / or a conveyor; and / Or

[0024] - the lifting station has gripping means allowing a pivoting rotate the electronic component 90° and move it along a fourth direction parallel substantially to the second direction. Brief description of the figures

[0025] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below, and upon analysis of the accompanying drawings, on which: Fig. 1

[0026] [Fig.1] shows a general perspective view of a component distribution device, for example connectors. Fig. 2

[0027] [Fig.2] shows the component distribution device of [Fig.1] in elevation. Fig. 3

[0028] [Fig.3] shows the distribution device of figures 1 and 2 in top view. Fig. 4

[0029] [Fig.4] shows a partial and enlarged cross-sectional view along the section line AA of [Fig.2]. Fig. 5

[0030] [Fig.5] corresponds to [Fig.4] in a different position. Fig. 6

[0031] [Fig.6] shows a partial and enlarged cross-sectional view along the section line BB of [Fig.3]. Fig. 7

[0032] [Fig.7] shows another partial sectional view and enlarged scale along section line BB of [Fig.3]. Fig. 8

[0033] [Fig.8] shows a partial and enlarged cross-sectional view along the section line CC of [Fig.2]. Fig. 9

[0034] [Fig.9] shows a partial and enlarged cross-sectional view along the section line DD of [Fig.2]. Fig. 10

[0035] [Fig. 10] shows a perspective view of a charger. Fig. 11

[0036] [Fig.11] shows at an enlarged scale the lower part of the charger of [Fig.10]. Fig. 12

[0037] [Fig. 12] shows in perspective a translational drive system of at least one relay. Fig. 13

[0038] [Fig. 13] shows in perspective at enlarged scale a pivoting selector, and Fig. 14

[0039] [Fig. 14] shows in perspective (with removal of protective covers) a transfer station of the device of the previous figures. Description of the implementation methods

[0040] Reference is now made to [Fig. 1]. It shows in perspective a device used to supply components, more particularly electronic components, for example relays, packaged and stacked in a tube. The device described is intended to distribute the electronic components one by one to a gripping device of a system that mounts said component onto a support, a device under construction, or the like.

[0041] In the following description, it is assumed that the components to be supplied, which are packaged in tubes and dispensed by the device, are electronic components and, more specifically, relays. The shape of a relay is approximately parallelepiped with a length L, a height h, and a thickness e. The device described below is particularly intended for relays with a relatively small thickness compared to their height and / or length, for example, 2e <h et e<L. Ainsi le relais présente deux grandes faces (de dimension h x L) et quatre faces latérales. En position montée, le relais 2 vient par exemple reposer sur une surface d’accueil par une face latérale (de dimension e x L) qui présente des moyens de connexion. Avant montage, les relais 2 sont empilés dans un tube 4, fermé at one end, such that two neighbouring relays are in contact with each other by a large face, all faces having means of connection being in the same plane.

[0042] Figure 1 illustrates in perspective a device having a receiving block 6 for receiving tubes 4 containing relays 2. This receiving block 6 is shown in an embodiment that can receive up to four tubes 4 (one of which is not shown in the figures) aligned with each other in a first horizontal direction. However, it is possible to have a receiving block 6 to receive any number of tubes 4, preferably at least two. In this device, the relays 2 are connected to a transfer station 8. Typically, this transfer station 8 is positioned and fixed precisely, for example by placing it in a receiving housing, relative to the relay mounting system.Thus, the gripping device (not shown) of the relay mounting system will be able to optimally grasp the relays brought, for example conveyed and possibly pivoted, to the transfer station 8. Opposite this transfer station 8, the device is also equipped with a support leg 10, preferably of adjustable length, which partially supports the weight of the device and allows its height relative to the ground to be adjusted.

[0043] The device, which will be described in more detail, allows for the distribution of relays to supply a relay mounting system. The device is designed so that the relays 2 are stacked in the tubes 4. This defines a vertical axis that provides an up / down orientation which will be used subsequently. Between a tube 4 and the transfer station 8, the relays 2 move in horizontal directions (before being rotated in the transfer station 8).

[0044] The relays 2 are stacked in tubes 4 so that they are lying down, i.e., the large faces of the relays 2 are arranged substantially horizontally. Once the relays 2 are stacked in a tube 4, the tube 4 is positioned in its receiving block 6, and the relays 2 are pushed, one by one, out of the tube 4 towards a track 12, along a second horizontal direction perpendicular to the first direction (of alignment of the tubes 4). A pusher 14 then moves the relay(s) 2, along a third direction perpendicular to the second direction and parallel to the first direction, to a conveyor 16 located between the track 12 and the transfer station 8. Until they reach the entrance of the transfer station 8, the relays 2 remain in their lying position.The pusher 14, the track 12, and the conveyor 16 are dimensioned so that, during these movements, the connection lugs of the relays 2 are protected and do not come into contact with any element of the device.

[0045] Figures 10 and 11 illustrate in more detail a tube 4 intended to receive relays 2 and its environment in the distribution device described. Each tube 4 is mounted in a loader 18 having an overall elongated shape with a U-shaped profile, which includes at the top a stop 20 and retaining means at the bottom with a pre-stressed retaining pin 22. To insert a tube 4 into the loader 18, it must be pushed upwards against the elastically pre-stressed stop 20, pushing the stop to allow the bottom of the tube to pass behind the retaining pin 22. Once the retaining pin 22 has passed, the stop 20 pushes the tube 4 downwards, and the retaining pin 22 holds the tube 4 against the bottom of the loader 18. The bottom of the tube 4 sits in a tube support 24, which has a rim to retain the tube 4 itself, while allowing the relays contained within the tube 4 to exit through its lower opening. When a relay 2 comes out of the tube 4, it comes to rest on lateral stops 26 which also serve as a guide rail for the relay as explained below with reference to figures 4 and 5 below.The lateral stops 26 are positioned relative to track 12 such that the relay 2 resting on the lateral stops 26 overhangs track 12, and also such that only one relay 2 protrudes entirely from the tube 4. Thus, the distance between the rim cooperating with the tube 4 and the lateral stops 26 (the rim and the stops all extending in a horizontal plane) is greater than one time the thickness e of a relay 2 but less than twice this thickness. Finally, the tube support 24 also includes a positioning tab 28 which is used to position the tube 4 with its charger 18 in the receiving block 6. The positioning tab 28 can also be used, in cooperation with a sensor, for example an inductive sensor, to detect the presence of a tube in a slot of the receiving block 6.

[0046] Figures 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views illustrating a sliding selector 30 used to move a relay 2 located under the tube 4 from which it has just emerged and resting on the lateral stops 26. This sliding selector 30 has an inverted T shape in elevation, with the base of the T horizontal and the upper bar vertical. The base of the T is used to connect the sliding selector 30 to a horizontal guide rail 32 fixed to a vertical wall designed to support this rail. One arm of the upper bar of the T is attached to a cylinder rod of a cylinder 34, for example, a pneumatic cylinder. The other arm of the upper bar of the T has a finger 36 extending horizontally at the height of the relay 2 resting on the lateral stops 26. The stroke of the finger 36 is such that it allows the relay 2 located under the stack of relays arranged in the tube 4 to be pushed onto the track 12.The tubes 4 and their chargers 18 are aligned in the receiving block, and track 12 extends parallel to this alignment. The finger 36 of each sliding selector 30 (there is one sliding selector for each tube and corresponding charger) moves transversely with respect to the direction of track 12. Figures 4 and 5 illustrate this. sliding selector 30 in its two extreme positions and thus how a relay 2 is brought from tube support 24 to track 12, remaining in a horizontal position.

[0047] Track 12 is a horizontal flat strip edged to allow a relay to be guided horizontally, in a direction hereafter referred to as longitudinal. The relays 2 located on track 12 must be moved to the transfer station 8. The system proposes to use the pusher 14 to push each relay 2 along track 12 and move it onto the conveyor 16.

[0048] The pusher 14 and its drive means are illustrated in Figures 6, 7, and 12. Figure 12 shows a rodless cylinder 38 mounted along track 12, on the side of the track opposite the tubes 4 and their loaders. The rodless cylinder 38 is equipped with a carriage 40 on which the pusher 14 is mounted. Limit switches 42 are located at the ends of the stroke to be traveled by the carriage 40. During a stroke, the pusher 14 can drive a single relay 2, but it is also possible to drive several, for example, as many as there are tubes 4 in the device (i.e., four in the illustrated example).

[0049] Fig. 6 illustrates the pusher 14 when it is near a tube 4 with its relays 2. Fig. 7 illustrates the pusher 14 when it reaches the end of its travel and delivers the relays 2 that it has just pushed onto the conveyor 16.

[0050] The conveyor 16 is arranged in line with the track 12. For example, it is a conveyor with two belts 44 driven by rollers 46. The relays 2 are automatically driven by the conveyor 16 as soon as they come into contact with the belts 44 by friction. The relays are then, always in a horizontal position, and are brought to the transfer station 8.

[0051] The transfer station 8 is shown in enlarged scale (and in cross-section) in Figures 8, 9, and 14, and [Fig. 13] illustrates a pivoting selector 48 which is at the heart of this transfer station 8. [Fig. 8] shows a relay 2 entering the pivoting selector 48, while [Fig. 9] shows the relay 2 of [Fig. 8] in the raised position, i.e., rotated 90° so that it can be properly grasped by a gripper (not shown). Indeed, it is most often necessary for a relay 2 to be presented to the gripper with its connection lugs facing downwards, below the relay, so that the gripper, after picking up the relay, places it on a support (not shown) and connects it at the same time. [Fig. 14] shows the entire transfer station 8 (with protective covers removed) as well as the end of conveyor 16.

[0052] As can be seen in particular in Figures 13 and 14, the pivoting selector 48 is a pivoting assembly with a housing 50 for receiving a relay 2. The overall shape of the pivoting selector 48 is that of a quarter cylinder with recesses for the housing 50 to allow this housing 50 to pivot by 90°. First, a bore 52 is provided to receive a rotation shaft 53. by a bearing piece 54. A second bore 56 is provided to receive a connecting shaft 57 to a cylinder rod 58. The second bore 56 is arranged to allow the housing to rotate 90° from the housing 50.

[0053] The housing 50 is sized to accommodate a relay 2 and is generally shaped like a slot that is movable between a "lying down" position, which is in line with the conveyor 16, and a "raised up" position, which is rotated 90° relative to the lying down position. When the slot forming the housing 50 is in the "lying down" position, it is in the path of a relay transported by the conveyor 16 ([Fig. 14]). The pivoting selector 48 is actuated by the cylinder rod 58 and then acts as a gripper that raises a relay 2 by pushing it upwards and pivoting it along an arc-shaped path. [Fig. 8] shows a relay 2 in the housing 50 of the pivoting selector 48 when it is still on the conveyor 16.It is noted that the pivoting selector has a longitudinal slot 60 in the shape of an arc of a circle which receives a belt 44 from the conveyor 16 when the pivoting selector 48 pivots or is in the "raised" position (i.e., with the slot in the housing 50 oriented vertically as in Figures 9, 13 and 14). During this pivoting movement, along an arc of a circle, the relay 2 also moves upwards and transversely. The shape of the housing 50 and any clearances are designed so that the connection lugs of the pivoted relays 2 are protected and cannot come into contact with any elements of the device.

[0054] A fixed guide piece 62 guides the relay 2 in its housing 50 during the pivoting of the relay 2 and prevents it from radially moving out of its housing 50. This guide piece 62 also serves as a support for a plate (not shown so as not to obscure the pivoting selector 48 in the figures) which acts as a stop for a relay 2 traveling on the conveyor 16. This plate is fixed, for example, to a face of the guide piece 62 extending transversely with respect to the direction of travel of the conveyor 16 and located downstream with respect to the direction of said travel. Two pins 64 for positioning this plate on the guide piece can be seen in [Fig. 14]. This plate serves both as a stop in the longitudinal direction on the conveyor 16 and as a guide wall during the pivoting of a relay 2.

[0055] The pivoting selector 48 is positioned such that a relay 2, located in its housing 50 and in the raised position, is within the range of an actuator / gripper of a component mounting system (not shown). It should be noted that recesses 66 are provided on two walls of the housing 50 to facilitate the gripping of a relay 2 by a gripper or similar device. Industrial application

[0056] The present technical solutions can be applied, in particular, to the distribution of relays, or other tall and narrow components, packaged in a stack within a tube. An original solution is proposed: the stack of relays in its tube is placed vertically in a charger within a receiving block that serves as a support for the chargers. The receiving block is designed to accommodate several chargers so that relays can be dispensed while a charger whose tube is empty is being refilled with a new tube. The relays are dispensed one by one while remaining in a horizontal position. The pusher then moves the dispensed relays to the conveyor. The pusher can move the relays one by one to the conveyor, but it can also, to reduce cycle time, move several relays to the conveyor when driven by its rodless cylinder.The relay then remains in a horizontal position until it reaches the transfer station where it is placed "upright" to be gripped by an actuator / gripper.

[0057] The proposed system is particularly compact due to the vertical arrangement of its chargers. Its structure also helps to limit cycle times. Because the components / relays remain permanently lying down, i.e., in the position in which they are most stable, the reliability of the device is increased as there is no risk of a component / relay falling.

Claims

Demands

1. A method for distributing components (2) packaged in stacks, each stack being arranged in a tube (4), characterized by the following steps: - introduction of a tube (4) into a charger (18), - positioning the charger (18) so that the tube (4) is substantially vertical with one open end in the lower position, on a support (6) capable of receiving at least two chargers (18), the chargers being aligned along a first horizontal direction, - release of a component (2) so that it comes completely out of the tube (4) and takes a first position, - movement by translation along a second horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal direction to bring the component (2) into a second position, - movement by translation along a third horizontal direction substantially parallel to the first horizontal direction from the second position to a lifting station (8),and - raising of component (2), that is to say, transition from a lying position to a raised position.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that all the components (2) of one charger (18) are distributed before distributing the components (2) of another charger.

3. A method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the components (2) are distributed alternately from a first charger (18) and from a second charger (18).

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the displacement along the second horizontal direction is achieved using a jack (38).

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the displacement along the third horizontal direction is carried out using a cylinder (38) and then a conveyor (16).

6. Component distribution system, characterized in that it comprises: - at least two chargers (18) each having a housing (24) for receiving a tube (4) containing electronic components,

7.

8.

9. - a support (6) for receiving at least two magazines (18) in a substantially vertical position, the magazines (18) being aligned along a first horizontal direction, - a housing under each tube (4) to receive a component (2), - first means of displacement (30, 34) for moving a component (2) along a second horizontal direction substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal direction from a first position in said housing to a second position, - second means of movement (14, 38) for moving the component (2) along a third horizontal direction substantially parallel to the first horizontal direction from its second position to a third position in a lifting station (8), and - said lifting station (8) allowing an electronic component to move from a horizontal position to a vertical position. A distribution system according to claim 6, characterized in that the first means of movement comprise a cylinder. A distribution system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the second means of movement comprise a cylinder and / or a conveyor. Distribution system according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the lifting station (8) has gripping means (48, 50) allowing an electronic component to be rotated by 90° and moved along a fourth direction parallel substantially to the second direction.

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