Quantitative feeder

Abstract

To provide a quantitative feeder by which a small article is easy to be stably taken out from a storage part.SOLUTION: A quantitative feeder 100 feeds a fixed amount of small articles. The quantitative feeder 100 comprises a storage part 20a, a rotor 40, and a movable magnet. The storage part 20a stores a plurality of small articles. The rotor 40 rotates with a horizontal axis as a revolving shaft. The movable magnet is a magnet that varies a position of each of the small articles inside the storage part 20a in accordance with rotation of the rotor 40, when the movable magnet attracts the stored small articles. The movable magnet is movably attached to the rotor 40 in a direction of having a component in a radial direction of the rotor according to the rotation of the rotor 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a constant volume supply device. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a fixed-volume feeder (100) that feeds a fixed amount of small items such as screws. With regard to this type of technology, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a fixed-volume feeder in which small items are attracted to magnets (11a, 11b, 11c) and moved, and the small items are fed to a receiving tray (10). Specifically, magnets (11a, 11b, 11c) are attached to a rotating body (40) that rotates around a horizontal axis, and the magnets (11a, 11b, 11c) move with the rotation of the rotating body (40), attracting and removing the small items from a storage container, and moving them to the receiving tray. A rotor (40) of a constant volume feeder (100) in Patent Document 1 is provided with an agitating magnet (16). The agitating magnet (16) attracts and agitates small objects in the storage section (6). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-052615 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, while the stirring magnet (16) rotates and moves on a predetermined trajectory, stirring may be required at various positions within the storage section (6), and therefore the stirring magnet (16) may not be able to sufficiently stir the small objects within the storage section (6). In this case, a problem occurs in that it is difficult to stably remove the small objects from the storage section (6).

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a constant quantity supplying device that allows small objects to be easily and stably removed from a storage portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The quantitative supply device of the present invention is a quantitative supply device that supplies a fixed amount of small items, and has a storage section that stores a plurality of the small items, a rotating body that rotates about a horizontal axis as its axis of rotation, and a movable magnet that is a magnet that attracts the stored small items and thereby changes the position of the small items in the storage section as the rotating body rotates, and is characterized in that the movable magnet is attached to the rotating body so as to be movable in a direction having a radial component of the rotating body in response to the rotation of the rotating body.

[0007] By moving the movable magnet in the radial direction, the movable magnet can stir a wider range in the storage section compared to a case where the magnet does not move in the radial direction of the rotor 40 and is fixed relatively to the rotor 40. As a result, small items in the storage section become easier to remove by the removal magnet. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the constant volume supply device of the present invention, a wider area of ​​the storage section is stirred by the movable magnet, so that small objects can be removed from the storage section more stably. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a constant volume feeder according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the constant rate feeder according to the first embodiment as viewed from the front side, illustrating the structure of a first storage region. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure of the constant quantity supply device according to the first embodiment in a plan view. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a constant quantity supplying device according to a first embodiment, as viewed from the right side, with the position of a magnet and one of the holding holes shown by solid lines; [Diagram 5]FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the magnet and its surroundings for explaining how the magnet is attached to a rotating body. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the movement of a rotating body and a magnet in the constant volume feeder according to the first embodiment, and is a front view of the rotating body. [Figure 7] Figures 7(a) and 7(b) are explanatory diagrams for explaining the movement of the rotating body and magnet in the constant-volume supply device of the first embodiment when the rotating body is rotated at a speed equal to or faster than a predetermined speed, and are front views of the rotating body. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a front view of a rotating body in the constant volume supply device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a front view of a rotating body in the constant volume supply device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] 10(a) and 10(b) are front views of a rotor for explaining the rotor in a constant volume feeder according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The various components of the constant-volume supply device of the present invention do not need to be independent entities, and it is permitted that multiple components are formed as a single member, that one component is formed from multiple members, that one component is part of another component, that part of one component overlaps with part of another component, etc. In addition, the operation of the constant-volume supplying device of the present invention may be described using a number of steps described in sequence, but the order of the steps does not limit the order or timing of performing the steps. Therefore, when implementing the operation of the constant-volume supplying device of the present invention, the order of the steps may be changed to the extent that does not interfere with the content, and some or all of the execution timing of the steps may overlap with each other.

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, corresponding components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted as appropriate. In the present embodiment, the directions of front, back, left, right, top and bottom are defined for the sake of convenience in order to easily explain the relative relationships between components, and are not intended to limit the directions when the product embodying the present invention is manufactured or used. The "vertical direction" refers to the vertical direction in the state where the constant-volume supplying device 100 is arranged in the orientation shown in FIG. 2. More specifically, the constant-volume supplying device 100 can stand on its own by being placed on a horizontal mounting surface in the posture shown in FIG. 2. The "left-right direction" refers to the left-right direction in the state where the constant-volume supplying device 100 is arranged in the orientation shown in FIG. 2. The left-right direction of the constant-volume supplying device 100 may also be referred to as the width direction. The direction perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the left-right direction is referred to as the front-rear direction. In this embodiment, the front-rear direction coincides with the direction of the rotation axis described later. In this embodiment, the left-right direction and the front-rear direction are also horizontal directions. The front side in FIG. 2 may also be referred to as the front or front side, and the opposite side, that is, the back side of the paper, may also be referred to as the rear or back side. Further, the term "flat surface" as used herein means a shape that is physically formed with a flat surface as a goal, and it is not necessarily required that the surface be a geometrically perfect flat surface.

[0012] First Embodiment (Quantitative supply device) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a constant volume supply device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] First, an overview of the constant volume supply device of this embodiment will be described. The constant-volume feeder 100 feeds a fixed amount of small objects. The constant-volume feeder 100 has a storage section 20a, a rotor 40, and a movable magnet (movable stirring magnet 48a). The storage section 20a stores a plurality of small objects. The rotor 40 rotates about a horizontal axis. The movable magnet (movable stirring magnet 48a) is a magnet that attracts the stored small objects, thereby changing the position of the small objects in the storage section 20a as the rotor 40 rotates. The movable magnet (movable stirring magnet 48a) is attached to the rotor 40 so as to be movable in a direction having a radial component of the rotor 40 as the rotor 40 rotates. By moving the movable magnet in the radial direction as described above, the movable magnet can stir a wider range in the storage section 20a compared to a case where the magnet does not move in the radial direction of the rotor 40 and is fixed relatively to the rotor 40. As a result, the multiple small objects in the storage section 20a become loose, making it easier to remove the small objects by the removal magnet. Specifically, among the small articles stored in the storage section 20a, a plurality of small articles may interlock or engage with each other to form a mass (hereinafter referred to as a bridge or the like) in the storage section 20a, and the formation of the bridge or the like may hinder the magnet (the removal magnet 46 in this embodiment) from removing one small article from the storage section 20a. The bridge or the like may be a plurality of small articles (a plurality of small articles forming a bridge) in which the uneven parts of the screw grooves or heads or the like are tightly or loosely interlocked or interlocked with each other in the storage section 20a, or a plurality of small articles stored more densely in the storage section 20a than the surrounding plurality of small articles. The movable magnet can dissolve the bridge or the like by adsorbing to one or more small articles forming the bridge or the like, or to one or more small articles surrounding the bridge or the like, and moving the bridge or the like in the storage section 20a. As a result, the removal magnet 46 is easily adsorbed to one small article and moves the one small article with the rotation of the rotating body 40. Bridges and the like may occur at any position in the lower or upper part, or the left or right part, in the storage section 20a. However, when the stirring magnet (16) is fixed relative to the rotating body (40) as in Patent Document 1, the stirring magnet (16) moves with the rotation of the rotating body (40) and only moves on a track of a predetermined width. If a bridge or the like is formed at a position away from the track of the predetermined width, it is difficult for the stirring magnet (16) to break the bridge or the like. On the other hand, if the movable magnet is movable in the radial direction, the movable magnet moves on a track of a wider width with the rotation of the rotating body 40. As a result, the range of small objects that the movable magnet can attract is increased, and the movable magnet can break the bridge or the like in the storage section 20a well. Alternatively, since the movable magnet can move in a predetermined direction, the movable magnet can reliably attract and capture small objects even when the rotating body 40 is rotating at high speed. As described later, the movable magnet can reliably attract and capture small objects, especially when the movable magnet can move in a moving direction having a rotational component. As will be described in detail later, even when the rotating body 40 is rotating at high speed, the movable magnet can move in a backward direction relative to the rotating body 40. In other words, the movable magnet can remain in the vicinity of the attracted small object. This allows the movable magnet to be firmly attracted to the small object, and the small object can be moved within the storage section 20a to sufficiently stir the inside of the storage section 20a.

[0014] The constant-quantity supply device 100 supplies a constant amount of small items. The small items are stored in a storage container 20 shown in Fig. 1, and a constant amount of small items are supplied to a removal section 70. Details will be described later, but as shown in Fig. 2, the small items stored in the storage section 20a are attracted by a removal magnet 46, transported with the rotation of the rotor, and supplied to the removal section 70 through a capture section 83. Small items are not shown in Figs. 1 to 9. Small objects are generally used as components of products. At least a portion of the small object is made of a magnetic metal that can be attracted by a magnet, such as 400 series stainless steel or steel material. However, the small object is not limited to this example and may be made of other materials that can be attracted by a magnet. In addition, the term "small item" in the context of small items means that the size of the small item is not extremely large compared to the attractive force of the removal magnet 46 to which the small item is attracted. In other words, the term "small item" does not necessarily mean that the absolute size of the small item is small. In addition, in cases where the removal magnet 46 is large or the attractive force of the removal magnet 46 is particularly strong compared to the size of the removal magnet 46, the size of the small item may be large. In this embodiment, the small article is, for example, a small article having a screw head and a shaft (male screw, bolt) or a nut.

[0015] 1, the constant volume supply device 100 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 10 having a front wall 12 located on the front side, side walls 15 and 16 located on the left and right sides, and a rear wall 13 located on the rear side. The shape of the housing 10 is not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and may be, for example, a column with a polygonal or circular bottom shape. A storage container 20 is formed in a part (for example, inside) of the housing 10. The storage container 20 is a container for storing small items. The storage container 20 in this embodiment has a rectangular side wall 25 and a bottom surface 27 in a plan view, and is formed in a generally box shape that is open upward.

[0016] A plurality of small items are stored in the storage section 20a shown in Fig. 2. The storage section 20a is a part of the storage container 20 (see Fig. 1, particularly the second storage area 22), and specifically, is in the vicinity of the bottom surface 27 (see Fig. 3) of the storage container 20 (the lower part of the storage container 20). It is preferable that a predetermined amount of small items is stored in the storage section 20a. In order to confirm that a predetermined amount of small items is stored in the storage section 20a, a remaining amount confirmation sensor such as a photoelectric sensor (not shown) may be attached inside the storage container 20. The remaining amount confirmation sensor detects whether or not small items are present near the lower part of the first inclined surface 27a or the lower part of the second inclined surface 27b (described later). The remaining amount confirmation sensor is attached, for example, to the upper part inside the storage container 20.

[0017] The rotating body 40 is a member that rotates about a rotation axis AX1 and moves the extraction magnet 46 in conjunction with the rotation. The rotation axis AX1 does not need to be completely horizontal. It is sufficient that the extension direction of the rotation axis AX1 has a horizontal component. The rotating body 40 rotates in a predetermined rotation direction. Here, the rotation direction of the rotating body 40 is the direction in which the rotating body 40 rotates to take out small items. The rotation direction of the rotating body 40 in this embodiment is the clockwise direction in Figs. 2 and 5. Hereinafter, the rotation direction of the rotating body 40 may be simply referred to as the rotation direction. In addition, for a specific member or the trajectory 200 of the extraction magnet 46, a part on the forward side in the rotation direction may be referred to as the leading end or terminal end, or the leading end or terminal end, and a part on the opposite side to the forward side in the rotation direction may be referred to as the base end or base end, etc. In addition, the rotation of the rotating body 40 in the rotation direction may be referred to as the rotating body 40 rotating forward. In addition, the rotation of the rotating body 40 in the opposite direction to the rotation direction when the rotating body 40 rotates forward may be referred to as the rotating body 40 rotating backward. In this embodiment, the shape of the rotor 40 is circular when viewed in the axial direction of the rotation axis AX1 (front-rear direction; hereinafter, simply referred to as the axial direction). The rotor 40 is a plate-like disk. As shown in FIG. 3, the rotor 40 is disposed in a space (arrangement area 18) different from the storage section 20a inside the housing 10. In this embodiment, the internal space of the housing 10 is partitioned into the arrangement area 18 and the storage container 20 (specifically, the second storage area 22) by the rear surface portion 26. The rear surface portion 26 is, for example, a part of the rear side of the side peripheral wall 25 that defines the storage container 20. In addition, the rear surface portion 26 is made of a non-magnetic metal such as 300 series stainless steel. The arrangement area 18 and the storage container 20 may be separated by the rear surface portion 26 and may not be in communication with each other, or may be in communication with each other in part. The arrangement area 18 is covered from above with a cover portion 19 (see FIG. 1). The rotating body 40 is disposed in the arrangement area 18 so that the rotation axis AX1 is perpendicular to the plate surface of the rear surface portion 26. The main surface of the rotating body 40 facing the front side faces the plate surface of the rear surface portion 26. 2, the rotating body 40 is supported by a support 41. The constant-volume feeder 100 has a rotary motor 93, and the rotary motor 93 and the rotating body 40 are connected via a belt 94. When the rotary motor 93 is driven, the rotating body 40 rotates around a rotation axis AX1.

[0018] The movable magnet is a magnet attached to the rotor 40 and is movable relative to the rotor 40. In this embodiment, the movable magnet is a movable stirring magnet 48a, which changes the position of the attracted small objects in the storage section 20a as the rotor 40 rotates, stirring the inside of the storage section 20a. Instead of this embodiment, the removal magnet 46 may be a movable magnet as described below. In other words, the removal magnet 46 may be attached so as to be movable relative to the rotor 40 to remove small objects, and may also be used to stir small objects in the storage section 20a. As described below, the removal magnet 46 moves the attracted small objects to the capture section 83 as the rotor 40 rotates. The movable magnet is movable in a predetermined moving direction in response to the rotation of the rotating body 40. Being movable in response to the rotation of the rotating body 40 means that the movable magnet can move, for example, when the inclination of the rotating body 40 (specifically, the inclination of the extension direction of the long groove 47 described later with respect to the horizontal direction) changes with the rotation of the rotating body 40, when the rotation direction of the rotating body 40 changes, when the rotation speed of the rotating body 40 changes, or when the rotation of the rotating body 40 stops or starts. The predetermined moving direction of the movable magnet has a radial component of the rotating body 40. The moving direction of the movable magnet is a moving direction related to the relative movement of the movable magnet with respect to the rotating body 40. The movable magnet may move only in the radial direction of the rotating body 40, or may move in a moving direction having other directional components in addition to the radial component of the rotating body 40. As will be described later, in this embodiment, the moving direction of the movable magnet has not only a radial component of the rotating body 40 but also a rotational component of the rotating body 40. Here, the radial direction of the rotor 40 refers to a direction radially from the center of rotation of the rotor 40 (rotation axis AX1 viewed from the axial direction) to the periphery of the rotor 40, regardless of whether the rotor 40 is a disk or a polygonal shape. In other words, the radial direction of the rotor 40 is also a direction perpendicular to the rotation direction of the rotor 40. Hereinafter, the radial direction of the rotor 40 may be simply referred to as the radial direction. In addition, in the radial direction of the rotor 40, the peripheral side of the rotor 40 may be referred to as the outer diameter side, and the center side of the rotor 40 may be referred to as the inner diameter side. In this embodiment, the movable magnet is disposed in a long groove 47 extending in an extension direction having a radial component as described later, and the movable magnet is movable in the long groove 47 according to gravity, inertia, or the like. That is, in this embodiment, the moving direction of the movable magnet coincides with the extending direction of the long groove 47. Instead of this embodiment, the movable magnet may be movably attached to the rotating body 40 by other methods. For example, the rotating body 40 may be provided with a path for the movable magnet to move, and the movable magnet may be movable along the path by gravity, or the like. An example of the path is a guide such as a rail through which the movable magnet passes. Alternatively, the movable magnet may have a driving unit that moves the movable magnet by pulling or biasing, or the like, and the driving unit may move the movable magnet against gravity, inertia, or the like.

[0019] In this embodiment, the constant quantity supply device 100 further includes a removal magnet 46 different from the movable magnet (movable stirring magnet 48a). The removal magnet 46 is attached to the rotating body 40 and attracts small objects, thereby moving the small objects in the rotational direction of the rotating body 40 as the rotating body 40 rotates. In this embodiment, the removal magnet 46 removes the small objects from within the storage unit 20a and moves them to a capture unit 83 described below. In this embodiment, the extraction magnet 46 is a magnet made of a neodymium magnet, but it may be a magnet made of other materials. The extraction magnet 46 moves on a trajectory 200 shown by a dashed line in Fig. 2. The trajectory 200 shown by the dashed line is the trajectory of the center of the extraction magnet 46 when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis. In this embodiment, four extraction magnets 46 are attached to the rotating body 40. The distance from the rotation axis AX1 to each of the four extraction magnets 46 as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis is the same. Alternatively, the distance may be different for each extraction magnet 46. The extraction magnets 46 are disposed closer to the periphery (outer diameter side) of the rotating body 40 than the movable magnets and the fixed stirring magnets 48b. The outer diameter side or inner diameter side of a member (such as the extraction magnet 46) refers to the periphery side or center side of the rotating body 40, respectively, of the trajectory of the member when the rotating body 40 rotates. 4 and 5, in this embodiment, the extraction magnet 46 is attached so as to be embedded in the rotating body 40. Specifically, the extraction magnet 46 is disposed inside a holding hole 42 provided in the rotating body 40. The holding hole 42 may be formed with a shape and dimensions that match the size of the extraction magnet 46, or the holding hole 42 may be formed with a predetermined shape and dimensions regardless of the size of the extraction magnet 46. 2 and 5, in this embodiment, the holding hole 42 is formed with a shape and dimensions that are at least one size larger than the shape and dimensions of the extraction magnet 46 when viewed from the rotation axis direction. As shown in Fig. 5, the extraction magnet 46 is contained in a sleeve 43, and the sleeve 43 is embedded in the holding hole 42. The inner diameter of the sleeve 43 is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the extraction magnet 46. The outer diameter of the sleeve 43 is approximately equal to the inner diameter of the holding hole 42. By using multiple sleeves 43 with a constant outer diameter but different inner diameters, extraction magnets 46 of different sizes can be attached to the holding hole 42. As described later, there are cases where different sizes of extraction magnets 46 are used depending on the size of the small item. By using multiple types of sleeves 43 (see FIG. 5) with different inner diameters, various extraction magnets 46 can be attached to one type of rotating body having a holding hole 42 of a predetermined size. In other words, there is no need to prepare multiple types of rotating bodies 40 with holding holes 42 of different sizes. As shown in FIG. 5, the extraction magnet 46 is embedded in the sleeve 43 so that the entirety of the extraction magnet 46 is located inside the sleeve 43. More specifically, the extraction magnet 46 is disposed at a position retreated toward the rear side from a part of the front side of the sleeve 43 and fixed to the sleeve 43. Furthermore, the extraction magnet 46 is preferably disposed at a position retreated toward the rear side from the plate surface on the front side of the rotating body 40. This prevents the extraction magnet 46 from rubbing against the rear surface portion 26 when the rotating body 40 rotates, causing the rear surface portion 26 to wear out. A part of the front side of the sleeve 43 may be disposed closer to the front side than the plate surface on the front side of the rotating body 40, or may be disposed closer to the rear side than the plate surface. The size and magnetic force of the extraction magnet 46 may be changed depending on the size of the small item to be supplied. For example, a small-sized extraction magnet 46 or an extraction magnet 46 with weak magnetic force may be used for small or lightweight small items, and a large-sized extraction magnet 46 or an extraction magnet 46 with strong magnetic force may be used for large or heavy small items.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, one or more stirring magnets 48 are provided on the rotor 40. The stirring magnets 48 are magnets for stirring small objects. In this embodiment, the stirring magnets 48 have a stronger adhesive force than the removal magnets 46. The adhesive force of a magnet is the strength with which the magnet is attached to small objects. The adhesive force of a magnet is determined by the size of the magnet, the position of the magnet (the distance between the storage section 20a and the magnet), the type of material constituting the magnet, etc. In this embodiment, the constant-volume supply device 100 has both the movable stirring magnet 48a and the fixed stirring magnet 48b as the stirring magnet 48. That is, the constant-volume supply device 100 further has a movable magnet (movable stirring magnet 48a) and a fixed stirring magnet 48b different from the removal magnet 46. Instead of this embodiment, the constant-volume supply device 100 may have only the movable stirring magnet 48a or only the fixed stirring magnet 48b. The attractive force (magnetic force) of either the movable stirring magnet 48a or the fixed stirring magnet 48b may be weak or strong. In this embodiment, the attractive force of the movable stirring magnet 48a and the attractive force of the fixed stirring magnet 48b are approximately the same (comparable). The attractive forces of both are approximately the same when, for example, the attractive force of the movable stirring magnet 48a is more than half and less than twice the attractive force of the fixed stirring magnet 48b. The movable stirring magnet 48a is the stirring magnet 48 as the movable magnet described above. In this embodiment, the constant quantity supply device 100 has two movable stirring magnets 48a. The two movable stirring magnets 48a are disposed at positions that are approximately point-symmetrical with respect to the center of rotation of the rotor 40 when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis. In other words, the movable ranges (long grooves 47) of the two movable stirring magnets 48a are positioned at positions that are approximately point-symmetrical with respect to the center of rotation of the rotor 40 when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis. In this embodiment, the distance between the first position of each of the multiple movable stirring magnets 48a and the center (rotation axis AX1) of the rotor 40 is equal. Instead of this embodiment, the distance between the first position of each of the multiple movable stirring magnets 48a and the center (rotation axis AX1) of the rotor 40 may be different, as described later in the second embodiment and subsequent embodiments.

[0021] The fixed stirring magnet 48b is fixedly attached to the rotor 40. Specifically, the fixed stirring magnet 48b is attached to the rotor 40 so that it does not move relative to the rotor 40, or does not move substantially relative to the rotor 40 compared to the movable stirring magnet 48a. The fixed stirring magnet 48b attracts the stored small objects, thereby changing the position of the small objects in the storage section 20a as the rotor 40 rotates. In this embodiment, the constant quantity supply device 100 has four fixed stirring magnets 48b. As viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the fixed stirring magnet 48b is provided at a position closer to the rotation axis AX1 than the position where the removal magnet 46 is provided. Furthermore, as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the fixed stirring magnet 48b is provided at a position closer to the rotation axis AX1 than the position where the brush-off section 61 is provided. Alternatively to this embodiment, the rotor 40 may not have the fixed stirring magnets 48b, and all the stirring magnets 48 may be movable magnets.

[0022] When multiple small objects are stacked on top of each other in the second storage area 22 (storage section 20a) as the rotor 40 rotates, the stirring magnet 48 attracts and moves the small objects stacked on the upper side or the small objects arranged on the lower side among the multiple small objects. As a result, the multiple small objects in the second storage area 22 are loosened and attracted to the removal magnet 46, making them easier to move. Also, the stirring magnet 48 (particularly the fixed stirring magnet 48b) is disposed between two adjacent removal magnets 46 in the rotation direction. As a result, the small objects can be stirred by the stirring magnet 48 immediately before the removal magnet 46 attracts the small objects. In this embodiment, the distance from the rotation axis AX1 (the rotation center of the rotor 40) to each of the two opposing fixed stirring magnets 48b as viewed in the rotation axis direction is different from the distance from the rotation axis AX1 to each of the other two opposing fixed stirring magnets 48b. This allows the stirring magnet 48 to stir different small objects in the storage section 20a. Instead of this embodiment, the distances from the rotation axis AX1 to each of the multiple stirring magnets 48 as viewed in the rotation axis direction may all be equal. 2 and 5, the stirring magnet 48 is housed in the second holding hole 44 provided in the rotor 40, similar to the extraction magnet 46. More specifically, similar to the aspect in which the extraction magnet 46 is housed in the holding hole 42 via the sleeve 43, the stirring magnet 48 is housed in the second holding hole 44 or the long groove 47 via a sleeve 49. Alternatively to this embodiment, the stirring magnet 48 may be housed directly in the second holding hole 44 or the long groove 47 without the sleeve 49. The stirring magnet 48 in this embodiment is made of the same type of magnet (e.g., a neodymium magnet) as the extraction magnet 46. The outer diameter of the stirring magnet 48 is larger than that of the extraction magnet 46. The stirring magnet 48 and the extraction magnet 46 may be made of different materials. The outer diameter of the stirring magnet 48 may be equal to or smaller than that of the extraction magnet 46.

[0023] The guide portion 60 shown in Fig. 2 is a member that guides the movement of a small item attracted to the retrieval magnet 46. Specifically, the guide portion 60 has a guide surface 62 (which corresponds to a brush-off portion 61 described later in this embodiment) that is a part of the surface of the guide portion 60. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the guide surface 62 is curved along the trajectory 200 of the retrieval magnet 46. The guide surface 62 being along the trajectory 200 of the retrieval magnet 46 means that, of the extending direction of the guide surface 62, the component parallel to the extending direction of the trajectory 200 is greater than the component perpendicular thereto (radial component). The guide surface 62 assists the movement of the small item attracted to the retrieval magnet 46. The guide surface 62 of the guide unit 60 is a surface of the surface of the guide unit 60 that faces the moving small item and supports the small item. The guide surface 62 may be a physical surface or a virtual surface. For example, when the guide unit 60 is composed of a plate-shaped member as in the present embodiment, a part of the side end surface of the plate-shaped member is the guide surface 62. As another example, when the guide unit 60 is composed of two plate surfaces facing each other and is hollow inside, a virtual surface connecting the outer edges of the two plate surfaces is the side end surface of the guide unit 60, and a part of the side end surface is the guide surface 62. In addition, when the guide unit 60 is a plurality of protruding parts that protrude from the rear surface part 26 to the front side and are aligned along the trajectory 200, the entirety of the plurality of protruding parts may be the guide unit 60, and a virtual surface that faces the outside of the guide unit 60 in the radial direction of the rotating body 40 may be the guide surface 62. The guide surface 62 is not limited to a uniform surface, but may be an uneven surface overall, or may be curved in the front-rear direction.

[0024] In this embodiment, the guide portion 60 is provided on the front side (the inner side of the storage container 20) of the rear portion 26. Specifically, the guide portion 60 is fixed to the rear portion 26 by screws or the like. In this embodiment, the guide section 60 has a first guide member 60a, a second guide member 60b, and a third guide member 60c. The first guide member 60a, the second guide member 60b, and the third guide member 60c are each a plate-shaped member. The guide surface 62 (the brushing section 61) is a surface formed by joining a side end surface of the first guide member 60a and a side end surface of the second guide member 60b. The first guide member 60a and the second guide member 60b are members that have a substantially fan-shaped shape when viewed from the rotation axis direction. The first guide member 60a and the second guide member 60b are arranged to overlap in the front-rear direction and are fixed to each other by screws. The second guide member 60b has a protruding portion 60b1, and the protruding portion 60b1 overlaps with the third guide member 60c in the front-rear direction. The protruding portion 60b1 has a long hole 60b2 that extends in the up-down direction. In this embodiment, the protruding portion 60b1 has two long holes 60b2. The third guide member 60c is disposed next to the first guide member 60a. In other words, the plate surface of the third guide member 60c is disposed on the same plane as the plate surface of the first guide member 60a.

[0025] The brush-off portion 61 is a portion for brushing off small objects attracted to the removal magnet 46 and moving. In particular, as described later, the brush-off portion 61 is a portion for brushing off excess small objects attracted to the removal magnet 46. The brush-off portion 61 is at least a part of the guide surface 62, and is a physical or virtual surface portion of the guide surface 62. In this embodiment, the entire guide surface 62 is the brush-off portion 61. Alternatively, the guide surface 62 may be along both the upward region 201 and the downward region 202, and the brush-off portion 61 may be a portion of the guide surface 62 that is along the upward region 201. In other words, the guide surface 62 may continue to the tip side or base end side of the brush-off portion 61 in the rotation direction. As described above, the brush-off portion 61 is aligned along a partial length region (upward region 201) of the trajectory 200 of the extraction magnet 46 that slopes upward in the rotation direction of the rotor 40. In other words, the brush-off portion 61 is not aligned along a partial length region (downward region 202) of the trajectory 200 that slopes downward in the rotation direction. In this embodiment, the upward region 201 is the left half of the trajectory 200, and the downward region 202 is the right half of the trajectory 200. In this embodiment, the brush-off portion 61 is located along a part of the upper side of the upward region 201. In other words, the brush-off portion 61 (particularly its surface) faces upward. Furthermore, the fact that the brush-off portion 61 is aligned along the upward region 201 does not mean that the brush-off portion 61 is completely parallel to the upward region 201. The extension direction of the brush-off portion 61 (part of the brush-off portion 61) contains more components in the extension direction of the upward region 201 than components in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the upward region 201 adjacent to the brush-off portion 61. The brush-off portion 61 is curved to the same extent as the upward region 201 and in approximately the same direction. Furthermore, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the brush-off portion 61 may be separated from, in contact with, or intersect with the upward region 201.

[0026] 2, in this embodiment, the downward-facing side end surface (collision surface 60e) of the guide portion 60 is inclined with respect to the horizontal. More specifically, the collision surface 60e is inclined so as to follow the radial direction of the rotating body 40. It is preferable that the angle that the collision surface 60e forms with the horizontal direction is less than 45 degrees. The collision surface 60e is inclined so that a part of the collision surface 60e that continues to the brush-off portion 61 is disposed upward, and another part that is adjacent to the rotation axis AX1 on the opposite side to the part is disposed downward. The small objects attracted to the stirring magnet 48 collide with the collision surface 60e and fall into the storage section 20a. Because the collision surface 60e is inclined, the small objects that collide with the collision surface 60e fall to a position different from the position before they were attracted to the stirring magnet 48. This allows the stirring magnet 48 to stir the small objects well. Also, because the collision surface 60e is inclined so that its left side is positioned upward, the small objects that collide with the collision surface 60e and fall fall to a position to the left of the position before they were attracted to the stirring magnet 48. This allows the removal magnet 46 to easily attract the fallen small objects.

[0027] 1, the constant quantity supply device 100 has a capture section 83. The capture section 83 is a member for capturing small objects attracted to and moving by the removal magnet 46 and guiding them to the removal section 70. The capture section 83 in this embodiment is formed as a passage that slopes downward from a part of the trajectory 200 of the removal magnet 46 toward the removal section 70 when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis. A small item that has been attracted to and moved by the retrieval magnet 46 falls to the upper end of the capture section 83 by detaching from the retrieval magnet 46 under its own weight above the upper end of the capture section 83. Alternatively, a small item that has been attracted to and moved by the retrieval magnet 46 hits the third guide member 60c and detaches from the retrieval magnet 46, thereby falling to the upper end of the capture section 83. Alternatively, a small item that has been attracted to and moved by the retrieval magnet 46 hits the upper end of the capture section 83 and detaches from the retrieval magnet 46, thereby landing on the upper end of the capture section 83. As a result, the small item is supplied to the retrieval section 70 along the capture section 83. The bottom surface of the catching portion 83 has a downwardly recessed shape, for example, a U-shape or a V-shape. This allows small objects to gather at the center of the width direction (front-rear direction) of the catching portion 83 and pass through. In this embodiment, the bottom surface of the catching portion 83 is formed into a V-shape by two inclined surfaces. The angle between the two inclined surfaces may be 90 degrees, may be less than 90 degrees, or may be less than 75 degrees. The angle is preferably greater than 45 degrees, and more preferably greater than 60 degrees. By making the angle smaller than 90 degrees, even if the small object is small, the small object can be effectively prevented from bouncing off the bottom surface of the catching portion 83 and escaping from the catching portion 83.

[0028] 1 and 2, the removal portion 70 is a tray, and in this embodiment, the removal portion 70 is formed in a hemispherical shape (the shape of the lower half of a sphere). More specifically, the inner and outer diameters of the removal portion 70 each gradually decrease downward. In this embodiment, the removal section 70 is supported by a support member 78, which is a plate-like member having an L-shape when viewed from the front. The support member 78 has a first plate surface arranged horizontally and a second plate surface arranged in an upright state, and the first plate surface supports the removal section 70. The support member 78 is arranged in a state in which the second plate surface stands upward from the left end of the first plate surface.

[0029] 2, in this embodiment, the constant volume supply device 100 further includes a control unit 90 that controls the rotational operation of the rotating body 40. More specifically, the control unit 90 controls the operation of a rotary motor 93 for rotating the rotating body 40. The control unit 90 is provided, for example, inside the housing 10. The control unit 90 may also be provided outside the housing 10. The control unit 90 is configured, for example, with a main memory device (ROM: Read Only Memory) that stores and holds a control program, a processing device (CPU: Central Processing Unit) that executes control operations in accordance with the control program, a primary memory device (RAM: Random Access Memory) that functions as a working area for the CPU, and a timing means that measures the elapsed time since the rotating body 40 is rotated in a predetermined direction and the elapsed time since a counting sensor described later counts one small object. The control unit 90 controls the operation of the rotary motor 93, so that the rotary body 40 rotates around the rotary axis AX1.

[0030] 3, a plurality of through holes 84 are provided in the bottom of the capture portion 83. The plurality of through holes 84 are aligned in the extension direction of the capture portion 83. This prevents dust and the like from accumulating on the bottom of the capture portion 83. The constant-quantity supply device 100 (control unit 90) also includes a counting sensor (not shown) above the catching unit 83. The counting sensor is a sensor for counting small objects supplied to the removal unit 70 through the catching unit 83. An example of the counting sensor is a photoelectric sensor having a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit arranged opposite each other. The light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit are arranged to sandwich the catching unit 83, and light from the light-emitting unit may pass through one through-hole 84 (for example, the rightmost through-hole 84 of the multiple through-holes 84) toward the light-receiving unit. Each time the counting sensor detects a small object, it outputs a detection signal to a control unit 90 (not shown). The control unit 90 counts the number of detection signals input from the counting sensor, and when the count reaches a predetermined number (e.g., a number between 5 and 10; hereinafter, "predetermined number"), it outputs a stop signal to a rotary motor 93 (see FIG. 2), and each rotary motor that receives the stop signal stops operating, thereby stopping the rotation of the rotating body 40. The control unit 90 also outputs a stop signal to the rotary motor 93, and outputs an alarm signal to an alarm unit such as a lamp or buzzer (not shown), and upon receiving the alarm signal, the alarm unit performs an alarm operation such as emitting light or sound. This alarm operation allows the worker to recognize that a predetermined number of small articles have been discharged onto the removal unit 70.

[0031] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the storage container 20 is divided into a first storage area 21 and a second storage area 22 by a partition wall 30. The partition wall 30 is disposed between the front surface portion and the rear surface portion 26 of the side peripheral wall 25, and is disposed (bridged) across the right side wall 15 and the left side wall 16. The plate surface of the partition wall 30 faces the front-rear direction. In the internal space of the storage container 20, the area on the front side of the partition wall 30 is the first storage area 21, and the area on the rear side is the second storage area 22. 3, in this embodiment, the partition wall 30 is disposed slightly rearward of a position that divides the storage container 20 into two equal parts in a front-rear direction in a plan view. Therefore, the dimension of the first storage area 21 in the front-rear direction is larger than the dimension of the second storage area 22 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower portion of the partition wall 30 and the bottom surface 27 are spaced apart, and the first storage area 21 and the second storage area 22 communicate with each other via an opening 28 . In this embodiment, the partition wall 30 includes a first portion 31 fixed to each of the right side wall 15 and the left side wall 16, and a second portion 36 fixed to be vertically displaceable relative to the first portion 31. A eaves portion 32 protruding toward the front is provided at the lower portion of the second portion 36. The eaves portion 32 is inclined so that its tip slopes downward. The eaves portion 32 prevents small items from clogging near the opening 28. This is because the eaves portion 32 bears the weight of the small items stored in the first storage area 21.

[0032] Most of the small items are stored in the first storage area 21. Some of the small items stored in the first storage area 21 are supplied little by little to the second storage area 22 through the opening 28. This is because the bottom surface 27 of the storage container is inclined downward toward the rear, and the small items slide down on the bottom surface 27. In addition, the bottom surface 27 in this embodiment includes three inclined surfaces, a first inclined surface 27a, a second inclined surface 27b, and a third inclined surface 27c. The second inclined surface 27b slopes downward from the front side to the rear side and from the left side to the right side. The first inclined surface 27a slopes downward from the front side to the rear side. The third inclined surface 27c slopes downward from the front side to the rear side and from the right side to the left side. In a plan view, the first inclined surface 27a and the third inclined surface 27c are right-angled triangles, and the second inclined surface 27b is a trapezoid. In a plan view, the second inclined surface is disposed between the first inclined surface 27a and the third inclined surface 27c. In addition, the left-right dimension of the rear portion of the third inclined surface 27c is smaller than the left-right dimension of the rear portion of the first inclined surface 27a. As a result, the rear portion of the second inclined surface 27b is disposed biased to the left of the center in the left-right direction of the entire bottom surface 27.

[0033] In this embodiment, the control unit 90 can rotate the rotating body 40 in a backward direction, which is the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the rotating body 40. The backward direction in this embodiment is the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 2. More specifically, if no small object is supplied to the removal unit 70 while the rotating body 40 is rotating, the control unit 90 causes the rotating body 40 to start rotating in the backward direction. By rotating the rotor 40 in the reverse direction, the rotor 40 can attract and pull small objects in a direction different from that when the rotor 40 rotates in the forward direction. As a result, bridges and the like in the storage section 20a are released, and the small objects can be stably removed. Furthermore, when the rotor 40 rotates in the reverse direction as described below, the movable stirring magnet 48a is likely to be disposed at a position (particularly the second position) on the outer diameter side of the rotor 40 as described below due to gravity, inertial force, etc. Since bridges and the like may occur particularly in the lower part (near the bottom surface 27) of the storage section 20a, the rotor 40 rotates in the reverse direction and the movable stirring magnet 48a moves to the outer diameter side of the rotor 40, which makes it easier to eliminate bridges and the like that have occurred in the lower part of the storage section 20a.

[0034] The control unit 90 controls the rotary motor 93 as described above to rotate the rotor 40. The control unit 90 controls the rotational direction of the rotary motor 93 to be reversed, or reverses the running direction of the belt 94 by switching a gear (not shown), thereby rotating the rotor 40 in the forward or backward direction (rotating the rotor 40 forward or backward). As described above, whether small items are being supplied is determined based on whether a detection signal is input from the counting sensor to the control unit. That is, if a detection signal is not input from the counting sensor to the control unit 90 for a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as "no-supply time") previously recorded in the control unit 90, the control unit 90 determines that small items are not being supplied to the take-out unit 70. Examples of the lower limit of the no-supply time for determining that small items are not being supplied are 10 seconds or 20 seconds. Examples of the upper limit of the no-supply time are 20 seconds, 30 seconds, or 1 minute. In this embodiment, the control unit 90 rotates the rotating body 40 in reverse for a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as the "reverse rotation time"), and then reverses the running direction of the belt 94 again to return the rotating body 40 to forward rotation. The reverse rotation time is preferably shorter than the non-supply time, for example, 5 seconds. This is because the reverse rotation time is sufficient as long as it is long enough to rotate the rotating body 40 several times and release bridges and the like of small objects. The lower limit of the reverse rotation time of the rotating body 40 is preferably 5 seconds or 10 seconds, and the upper limit is preferably 10 seconds or 20 seconds. Alternatively to this embodiment, the control unit 90 may not control the rotating body 40 to rotate in the reverse direction when a small object is not supplied. Alternatively to this embodiment, when a small object is not supplied, the control unit 90 may cause the rotating body 40 to rotate at a slower or faster speed than before. By changing the rotation speed of the rotating body 40, bridges and the like may be released simply by continuing the forward rotation without performing reverse rotation. In this embodiment, when small items are not supplied for a predetermined time (hereinafter referred to as the "total no-supply time") despite the rotating body 40 rotating (forward or reverse), the control unit 90 outputs a notification signal to an alarm unit such as a lamp or buzzer (not shown). The alarm unit that receives the notification signal performs an alarm operation such as a light emission operation or a sound emission operation. This alarm operation allows the worker to recognize that the supply of small items has stopped. Note that the alarm signal output by the control unit 90 when small items are not supplied and the alarm signal output by the control unit 90 when the supply of small items is completed as described above are processed as different by the alarm unit. The alarm unit performs different alarm operations such as a light emission operation in a different color or a sound emission operation in each case. Furthermore, when the time during which small items are not supplied reaches the total no-supply time, the control unit 90 stops the rotation of the rotating body 40. It is preferable that the total no-supply time is greater than the sum of the no-supply time and the reverse rotation time, and that the rotation is stopped or the notification signal is output after the rotor 40 starts at least the second forward rotation. The lower limit of the total no-supply time is, for example, 10 seconds or 20 seconds, and the upper limit is, for example, 40 seconds or 1 minute. Furthermore, the speed at which the rotor 40 rotates in the reverse direction may be approximately the same as the speed at which the rotor 40 rotates in the forward direction, may be greater than the speed at which the rotor 40 rotates in the forward direction, or may be less than the speed at which the rotor 40 rotates in the forward direction. If the speed at which the rotor 40 rotates in the reverse direction is greater than the speed at which the rotor 40 rotates in the forward direction, the inside of the storage section 20a can be stirred efficiently. If the speed at which the rotor 40 rotates in the reverse direction is less than the speed at which the rotor 40 rotates in the forward direction, the inside of the storage section 20a can be stirred while the small objects are sufficiently attracted to the movable stirring magnet 48a.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the moving direction of the movable magnet (movable stirring magnet 48a) has a component in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction (the rotation direction of the rotor 40). The movable magnet (movable stirring magnet 48a) can be disposed at a first position or a second position. In FIG. 2, the first position and the second position of one movable stirring magnet 48a are illustrated with the symbols of position A and position B, respectively. The movable stirring magnet 48a at the first position is illustrated with a dashed line, and the movable stirring magnet 48a at the second position is illustrated with a dotted line. Note that, for convenience, FIG. 2 illustrates the movable stirring magnet 48a disposed at positions A and B in the long groove 47, respectively, but in reality, one movable stirring magnet 48a exists at position A or position B in the long groove 47, or at a position between positions A and B. Regardless of the one movable stirring magnet 48a, for the other movable stirring magnets 48a, the positions corresponding to positions A and B of the one movable stirring magnet 48a are the first position or the second position of the movable stirring magnet 48a. The first position is a position where the movable magnet (movable stirring magnet 48a) is disposed on the retreating side in the rotation direction. The second position is a position where the movable magnet (movable stirring magnet 48a) is disposed on the advancing side in the rotation direction. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating body 40, the first position is closer to the center (rotation axis AX1) of the rotating body 40 than the second position.

[0036] When the rotor 40 rotates forward, if the movable stirring magnet 48a is disposed on the trajectory 200 of the removal magnet 46 (disposed on the outer diameter side of the rotor 40), small objects may be attracted to the movable stirring magnet 48a rather than the removal magnet 46, and the small objects may not be stably removed. In particular, if the attractive force of the movable stirring magnet 48a is greater than that of the removal magnet 46, the movable stirring magnet 48a may hinder the removal magnet 46 from attracting small objects. With the above configuration, when the rotor 40 rotates forward, the movable stirring magnet 48a moves toward the inner diameter side of the removal magnet 46, so that the movable stirring magnet 48a is prevented from hindering the removal of small objects by the removal magnet 46. The movement of the movable stirring magnet 48a will be described in detail later.

[0037] As described above, the movable stirring magnet 48a moves in a rotational direction toward the outer diameter side (from the first position toward the second position), or in a retreating direction toward the inner diameter side (from the second position toward the first position). The first position and the second position may be positions where the movable stirring magnet 48a is disposed on the most retreating side (base end side) or advancing side (tip end side) in the rotational direction within the range where the movable stirring magnet 48a moves. Alternatively, the first position and the second position may be positions where the movable stirring magnet 48a is disposed on the retreating side or advancing side in the rotational direction relative to the second position or the first position, respectively. The radial component of the moving direction of the movable magnet (movable stirring magnet 48a) of the rotating body 40 may be larger than the rotational component of the moving direction. This makes it easier for the movable stirring magnet 48a to move to the outer diameter side of the rotating body 40 due to gravity or the like during reverse rotation of the rotating body 40 described later. Alternatively, the radial component of the moving direction of the movable magnet (movable stirring magnet 48a) of the rotating body 40 may be smaller than the rotational component of the moving direction. This makes it easier for the movable stirring magnet 48a to be positioned on the inner diameter side of the rotating body 40 due to gravity or the like during forward rotation of the rotating body 40 described later. In this embodiment, the radial component and rotational component of the moving direction of the movable stirring magnet 48a of the rotating body 40 are approximately the same in size. The fact that the magnitudes of the two directional components are approximately the same means that the magnitude of one directional component is more than half and less than twice the magnitude of the other directional component. The magnitudes of the two directional components being approximately the same means that the magnitude of one directional component is preferably at least two-thirds and at most 1.5 times the magnitude of the other directional component.

[0038] In this embodiment, the distance between the first position and the center of the rotating body 40 is smaller than the distance between the extraction magnet 46 and the center of the rotating body 40. In other words, the movable stirring magnet 48a can move radially inward relative to the extraction magnet 46. Because the movable stirring magnet 48a can move radially inward relative to the extraction magnet 46, the movable stirring magnet 48a is prevented from interfering with the attraction of small objects by the extraction magnet 46 when the rotating body 40 rotates in the reverse direction, as described below.

[0039] The distance between the first position and the center of the rotor 40 is the distance along the radial direction between the movable stirring magnet 48a (center or edge of the movable stirring magnet 48a) arranged at the first position and the rotation axis AX1 of the rotor 40, as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor 40. Moreover, the distance between the extraction magnet 46 (center or edge of the extraction magnet 46) and the center of the rotor 40 is the distance along the radial direction between the extraction magnet 46 and the rotation axis AX1 of the rotor 40. The distance between the magnet and the rotation axis AX1 is the distance between the center or edge of the magnet and the rotation axis AX1 as viewed from a predetermined direction (the direction of the rotation axis). In this embodiment, the distance between the first position and the center of the rotating body 40 is greater than the distance between the extraction magnet 46 and the first position. The distance between the extraction magnet 46 and the first position is the distance between the center of the extraction magnet 46 and the center of the movable stirring magnet 48a arranged at the first position. Since the first position of the movable stirring magnet 48a is close to the extraction magnet 46 in this manner, the movable stirring magnet 48a stirs small objects near the trajectory 200 of the extraction magnet 46 within its movement range.

[0040] In this embodiment, the distance between the first position and the center of the rotating body 40 is smaller than the distance between the fixed stirring magnet 48b and the center of the rotating body 40. The distance between the second position and the center of the rotating body 40 is larger than the distance between the fixed stirring magnet 48b and the center of the rotating body 40. With the above-described configuration, the movable stirring magnet 48a can stir a wider area in the storage portion 20a than the fixed stirring magnet 48b can stir. Specifically, when the rotor 40 rotates, the fixed stirring magnet 48b moves in the region between the two-dot chain line II and the two-dot chain line III shown in FIG. 6. That is, the fixed stirring magnet 48b can stir the range close to the region in the storage section 20a. On the other hand, the movable stirring magnet 48a can move in the region between the two-dot chain line I and the two-dot chain line IV. The two-dot chain line I is a trajectory of a part of the inner diameter side of the movable stirring magnet 48a arranged at the first position on the inner diameter side, and the two-dot chain line IV is a trajectory of a part of the outer diameter side of the movable stirring magnet 48a arranged at the second position on the outer diameter side. Since the movable stirring magnet 48a can move in the region between the two-dot chain line I and the two-dot chain line II and the region between the two-dot chain line III and the two-dot chain line IV, the movable stirring magnet 48a can stir a wider range in the storage section 20a than the fixed stirring magnet 48b.

[0041] The distance between the fixed stirring magnet 48b and the center of the rotor 40 is the distance between the center or edge of the fixed stirring magnet 48b and the rotation axis AX1 of the rotor 40 when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor 40. The distance between the second position and the center of the rotor 40 is the distance between the center or edge of the movable stirring magnet 48a arranged at the second position and the rotation axis AX1 of the rotor 40 when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor 40. In this embodiment, the distance between the movable stirring magnet 48a and the fixed stirring magnet 48b that is disposed closest to the movable stirring magnet 48a when the movable stirring magnet 48a is disposed at the second position is smaller than the distance between the fixed stirring magnet 48b and the center of the rotor 40. As a result, the fixed stirring magnet 48b is disposed closer to the outer diameter side of the rotor 40, and the fixed stirring magnet 48b can stir small objects in the lower part of the storage section 20a (near the bottom surface 27).

[0042] In this embodiment, the trajectory along which the movable magnet (movable stirring magnet 48a) moves between the first position and the second position (the movement trajectory of the movable magnet) is curved and has a protruding shape toward the periphery of the rotating body 40. As a result, when the rotor 40 rotates forward, the movable stirring magnet 48a can be disposed on the inner diameter side so as not to prevent the removal magnet 46 from attracting small objects. When the rotor 40 rotates backward, the movable stirring magnet 48a is likely to be disposed on the outer diameter side due to gravity or the like. The movement of the movable stirring magnet 48a accompanying the forward or reverse rotation of the rotor 40 will be described in detail later. Alternatively to this embodiment, the trajectory along which the movable stirring magnet 48a moves between the first position and the second position may be linear, or may be curved with a protruding shape toward the center of the rotating body 40. The length of the movement path of the movable stirring magnet 48a may be smaller than the distance from the center of the rotor 40 to the periphery of the rotor 40 (the radius of the rotor 40 when the rotor 40 is a disk). The length of the movement path of the movable stirring magnet 48a is the distance between the first position and the second position along the movement direction of the movable stirring magnet 48a, and is also the dimension in the extension direction of the long groove 47. In addition, the length of the movement path of the movable stirring magnet 48a or the shortest distance between the first position and the second position of the movable stirring magnet 48a (the length of the straight line connecting the center of the movable stirring magnet 48a at the first position and the center of the movable stirring magnet 48a at the second position) may be larger than the distance between the fixed stirring magnet 48b and the center of the rotor 40.

[0043] The movement trajectory of the movable magnet (movable stirring magnet 48a) is a movement trajectory regarding the relative movement of the movable stirring magnet 48a with respect to the rotating body 40. In the movement trajectory of the movable stirring magnet 48a, the trajectory of the movement of the movable stirring magnet 48a accompanying the rotation of the rotating body 40 in the rotation direction is not taken into consideration. The movement trajectory of the movable stirring magnet 48a is curved and has a protruding shape toward the periphery of the rotor 40 means that the movement trajectory of the movable stirring magnet 48a is curved and bulges outward in the radial direction of the rotor 40. It is preferable that the movement trajectory of the movable stirring magnet 48a continues smoothly (without any discontinuous parts such as a sudden bend midway). In this embodiment, the moving locus of the movable stirring magnet 48a is arc-shaped. The moving locus of the movable stirring magnet 48a may be a part of an arc of a perfect circle, or may be a part of an arc of an ellipse. When the movable stirring magnet 48a is an ellipse, the radius of curvature at the center of the moving locus of the movable stirring magnet 48a may be smaller or larger than the radius of curvature at the end of the moving locus of the movable stirring magnet 48a. In this embodiment, the radius of curvature of the movement trajectory is equal to or smaller than the radius of curvature of the trajectory 200 along which the extraction magnet 46 moves. This makes it easier for the movable stirring magnet 48a to move toward the outer diameter side or the inner diameter side as the rotor 40 rotates. When the movement trajectory of the movable magnet is a part of an elliptical arc, it is preferable that the radius of curvature of a part of the movement trajectory of the movable magnet is equal to or smaller than the trajectory 200 of the extraction magnet 46, or that the maximum value of the radius of curvature of the movement trajectory of the movable magnet is equal to or smaller than the trajectory 200 of the extraction magnet 46. In this embodiment, the radius of curvature of the moving path of the movable magnet is larger than the radius of curvature of the moving path of the fixed stirring magnet 48b arranged at the first position. Therefore, the movable stirring magnet 48a is more likely to move toward the outer diameter side or the inner diameter side as the rotor 40 rotates.

[0044] In this embodiment, the distance between the first position and the extraction magnet 46 is greater than the distance between the second position and the fixed stirring magnet 48b. More specifically, as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor 40, the distance between the movable stirring magnet 48a arranged at the first position and the extraction magnet 46 is greater than the distance between the movable stirring magnet 48a arranged at the second position and the fixed stirring magnet 48b. Note that, as in this embodiment, there may be a plurality of movable stirring magnets 48a, fixed stirring magnets 48b, or extraction magnets 46. In this case, the above-mentioned distance is determined by a certain movable stirring magnet 48a, the extraction magnet 46 closest to the movable stirring magnet 48a when the movable stirring magnet 48a is arranged at the first position, and the fixed stirring magnet 48b closest to the movable stirring magnet 48a when the movable stirring magnet 48a is arranged at the second position. By keeping the removal magnet 46 and the movable stirring magnet 48a apart at a sufficient distance, the movable stirring magnet 48a is prevented from interfering with the removal magnet 46's attraction of small objects.

[0045] The distance between the first magnet and the other magnet is the shortest distance between the first magnet and the other magnet. The distance between the first magnet and the other magnet may be the distance between the center of the first magnet and the center of the other magnet, or may be the distance between a part of the periphery of the first magnet that is close to the other magnet and a part of the periphery of the other magnet that is close to the first magnet. The distance between the movable stirring magnet 48a and the extraction magnet 46, and the distance between the movable stirring magnet 48a and the fixed stirring magnet 48b are the distances along the plate surface of the rotating body 40 when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating body 40. The distance between the movable stirring magnet 48a and the removal magnet 46 when the movable stirring magnet 48a is closest to the removal magnet 46 may be greater than the distance between the movable stirring magnet 48a and the fixed stirring magnet 48b when the movable stirring magnet 48a is closest to the fixed stirring magnet 48b. This more effectively prevents the movable stirring magnet 48a from preventing the removal magnet 46 from attracting small objects. Alternatively, the distance between the movable stirring magnet 48a and the removal magnet 46 when the movable stirring magnet 48a is closest to the removal magnet 46 may be smaller than the distance between the movable stirring magnet 48a and the fixed stirring magnet 48b when the movable stirring magnet 48a is closest to the fixed stirring magnet 48b. By ensuring a sufficient distance between the fixed stirring magnet 48b and the movable stirring magnet 48a, it is possible to prevent the movable stirring magnet 48a from being attracted to the fixed stirring magnet 48b, which has a relatively strong magnetic force, and thereby prevent the free movement of the movable stirring magnet 48a from being hindered. In this embodiment, the position of the movable stirring magnet 48a when it is closest to the removal magnet 46 is a position between the first position and the second position, and is a position closer to the first position than the second position on the movement trajectory of the movable stirring magnet 48a. In this embodiment, the position of the movable stirring magnet 48a when it is closest to the fixed stirring magnet 48b is a position between the first position and the second position or the second position. If the position of the movable stirring magnet 48a when it is closest to the fixed stirring magnet 48b is between the first position and the second position, the position is a position closer to the second position than the first position on the movement trajectory of the movable stirring magnet 48a. Moreover, in this embodiment, the distance between the fixed stirring magnet 48b and the extraction magnet 46 is greater than the distance between the second position and the extraction magnet 46. In particular, the distance between the extraction magnet 46 and the fixed stirring magnet 48b, which is disposed on the forward side of the rotation direction from the extraction magnet 46 and closest to the extraction magnet 46, is greater than the distance between the second position and the extraction magnet 46. Since the fixed stirring magnet 48b, which is disposed on the forward side of the rotation direction from the extraction magnet 46, is sufficiently separated from the extraction magnet 46, it is possible to suppress the fixed stirring magnet 48b from preventing the extraction magnet 46 from attracting small objects when the movable stirring magnet 48a is disposed on the inner diameter side.

[0046] In this embodiment, as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor 40, the movable magnet (movable stirring magnet 48a) at the second position is disposed on a trajectory 200 of the center of the extraction magnet 46 that moves with the rotor 40. In other words, as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, a part of the movable stirring magnet 48a disposed at the second position overlaps with the trajectory 200 of the extraction magnet 46. Since the movable stirring magnet 48a can move up to the trajectory 200 of the extraction magnet 46, the movable stirring magnet 48a can stir on the trajectory of the extraction magnet 46 and in the vicinity thereof as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor 40 in the storage section 20a. As a result, the extraction magnet 46 can stably remove small objects. In this embodiment, the center of the movable stirring magnet 48a arranged at the second position as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor 40 is arranged on the side closer to the center of the rotor 40 (inner diameter side) than the trajectory 200 of the extraction magnet 46. Alternatively to this embodiment, the center of the movable stirring magnet 48a arranged at the second position as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor 40 may be arranged on the side closer to the periphery of the rotor 40 (outer diameter side) than the trajectory 200 of the extraction magnet 46. This allows the movable stirring magnet 48a to stir a lower range of the storage section 20a.

[0047] (Operation of fixed quantity supply device) The operation of the constant-volume feeder 100 of this embodiment will be described below. In particular, the movement of the movable stirring magnet 48a in the constant-volume feeder 100 will be described in detail. Figures 6 to 7(b) are front views of the rotating body 40 for explaining the movement of the rotating body 40. Members other than the rotating body 40 are omitted for convenience. In addition, in Figures 6 to 7(b), in order to explain the movement of the movable stirring magnet 48a, only one movable stirring magnet 48a and the removal magnet 46 and fixed stirring magnet 48b arranged in close proximity to the one movable stirring magnet 48a are illustrated in solid lines for convenience. That is, the other movable stirring magnets 48a, etc. are omitted from the illustration. In addition, the positions of the one movable stirring magnet 48a and the removal magnet 46 and fixed stirring magnet 48b adjacent thereto when their positions are changed by 90 degrees in the rotation direction or backward direction are indicated by two-dot chain lines. The positions of the movable stirring magnet 48a, removal magnet 46, and fixed stirring magnet 48b shown by solid lines are indicated as position P, and the positions of the movable stirring magnet 48a etc. when the position is changed by 90 degrees from position P in the rotational or backward direction are indicated as positions Q, R, S. The symbols for the movable stirring magnet 48a etc. at positions P, Q, R, S have p, q, r, and s added to the end, respectively.

[0048] First, the movement of the movable stirring magnet 48a when the rotor 40 rotates in the forward direction will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The forward rotation direction of the rotor 40 is the direction of arrow A in Fig. 6. At position P and its vicinity, the movable stirring magnet 48ap is disposed at a position (first position) on the inner diameter side due to gravity or the like. This is because at position P and its vicinity, one end (referred to as the inner end) of the long groove 47p corresponding to the first position is disposed lower than one end (referred to as the outer end) corresponding to the second position. While the movable stirring magnet 48a etc. move 90 degrees in the rotation direction (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 6) from position P to position Q, the movable stirring magnet 48a moves from the inner diameter side to the outer diameter side and from the retreating side to the advancing side relative to the rotor 40. Specifically, in the process of the movable stirring magnet 48a moving from position P to position Q, the movable stirring magnet 48a moves from the inner end to the outer end in the long groove 47. This is because, in the process of the movable stirring magnet 48a moving from position P to position Q, the state of the movable stirring magnet 48a transitions from the state of position P where the inner end was lower than the outer end, through a state where the extension direction of the long groove 47 is approximately parallel to the horizontal direction with the rotation, to a state where the outer end of the long groove 47 is disposed lower than the inner end. As a result, at position Q, the movable stirring magnet 48a is disposed at a position (second position) on the outer diameter side. As the movable stirring magnet 48a moves from position Q to position R, the movable stirring magnet 48a is positioned at a position on the outer diameter side (second position) throughout, so that the movable stirring magnet 48a can stir the storage section 20a, particularly the lower part (near the bottom surface 27). Alternatively, in the process of the moving stirring magnet 48a moving from position P to position Q or from position Q to position R, the moving stirring magnet 48a may be moved by the attraction force to the small objects in addition to gravity. Specifically, the moving stirring magnet 48a may move in the backward direction relative to the rotating body 40, since it is attracted to one or more small objects in the storage section 20a and is pulled by the small objects. For example, when the moving stirring magnet 48a moves from position Q to position R, the moving stirring magnet 48a is attracted to one or more small objects in the storage section 20a. In that case, the moving stirring magnet 48a arranged at the second position on the outer diameter side is attracted by the small objects and moves from the second position to the backward side (first position side) relative to the rotating body 40. This is because the small objects hardly move in the storage section 20a due to their own weight or restraint from the surrounding small objects, while the moving stirring magnet 48a can move in the long groove 47. When the movable stirring magnet 48a moves to the first position, the movable stirring magnet 48a cannot move any further backward, and therefore rotates together with the rotor 40 at the first position. One or more small objects that are sufficiently attracted to the movable stirring magnet 48a are moved within the storage section 20a by the movable stirring magnet 48a. This releases the bridge or the like. In the process of moving the movable stirring magnet 48a from position R to position S, if the movable stirring magnet 48a is disposed at the second position on the outer diameter side, the movable stirring magnet 48a moves from the outer diameter side to the inner diameter side and from the forward side to the backward side relative to the rotating body 40. Specifically, in the process of moving the movable stirring magnet 48a from position R to position S, the movable stirring magnet 48a moves from the outer end to the inner end in the long groove 47 by gravity. This is because, in the process of moving the movable stirring magnet 48a from position R to position S, the state of the outer end being lower than the inner end passes through a state in which the extension direction of the long groove 47 is approximately parallel to the horizontal direction due to rotation, and then transitions to a state in which the inner end of the long groove 47 is disposed lower than the outer end. Note that a small object may be attracted to the movable stirring magnet 48a, and the movable stirring magnet 48a may move downward before the long groove 47 becomes approximately parallel due to the weight of the small object attracted to the movable stirring magnet 48a. When the removal magnet 46 moves from position R to position S, the removal magnet 46 attracts small objects in the storage section 20a and removes the small objects from the storage section 20a. At this time, the movable stirring magnet 48a moves from the outer diameter side to the inner diameter side, so that the small objects ahead of the removal magnet 46 are not attracted to the movable stirring magnet 48a, and the removal magnet 46 can stably attract and remove the small objects. In addition, the movable stirring magnet 48a moves from the forward side to the backward side, so that the movable stirring magnet 48a can stir the inside of the storage section 20a for a longer period of time.

[0049] Next, the movement of the movable stirring magnet 48a when the rotor 40 is rotating in the reverse direction (when rotating in the direction of arrow B in the figure) will be described. At position P, the movable stirring magnet 48a is disposed at a position on the inner diameter side (first position). This is because the inner end of the long groove 47p is disposed lower than the outer end. During movement from position P to position S, the movable stirring magnet 48a is also disposed at the first position. While the movable stirring magnet 48a etc. move from position S to position R, the movable stirring magnet 48a moves from a first position on the inner diameter side to a second position on the outer diameter side. This is because the up-down relationship between the outer end and the inner end of the long groove 47 is switched during the movement process. Also, when a small object is attracted to the movable stirring magnet 48a, the movable stirring magnet 48a may be pulled by the small object and positioned from the first position on the inner diameter side to a position (particularly the second position) that is more outer diameter than the first position. In the process of moving the movable stirring magnet 48a etc. from position R to position Q, the movable stirring magnet 48a is disposed at the second position, and therefore can stir the lower part of the storage section 20a. In the process of moving the movable stirring magnet 48a etc. from position Q to position P, the movable stirring magnet 48a moves from the second position on the outer diameter side to the first position on the inner diameter side. This is because the up-down relationship between the inner end and the outer end of the long groove 47 is switched during the movement process.

[0050] When the rotor 40 is rotated at a sufficiently high speed, the rotor 40 may move in a different manner from the above-mentioned movable stirring magnet 48a. This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 7(a). When the rotor 40 rotates forward at a speed equal to or higher than a predetermined speed, the movable stirring magnet 48a may be positioned at a position (particularly, the first position on the innermost side) on the retreat side from the most forward position (the second position on the outermost side) in the forward rotation direction due to the inertial force (centrifugal force) caused by the rotation of the rotor 40 from approximately the beginning to the end. Here, approximately the beginning to the end is particularly a period including the period during which the movable stirring magnet 48a moves from position Q to position R or from position R to position S during the period from when the movable stirring magnet 48a starts rotating from position P to when it returns to position P again. Here, the predetermined speed is the rotation speed of the rotor 40 at which the position of the movable stirring magnet 48a is determined solely by the inertial force caused by the rotation of the rotor 40 rather than by gravity. For example, when the rotating body 40 is rotating forward at the specified speed or faster and the movable stirring magnet 48a is located at position Q, the movable stirring magnet 48a is not positioned at a first position on the outer diameter side by gravity, but is positioned at a position on the inner diameter side of the first position or at a second position on the innermost diameter side. 7(b) shows the rotor 40 when it is rotating in the reverse direction at a speed equal to or faster than the above-mentioned predetermined speed. Due to the inertial force caused by the rotation of the rotor 40, the movable stirring magnet 48a may be positioned at a position on the retreating side (particularly, the second position on the outermost side) from the most advancing side position (the first position on the innermost side) in the direction of reverse rotation almost throughout the entire time.

[0051] Second Embodiment Fig. 8 is a front view showing an example of the rotating body 40 according to this embodiment. Fig. 8 shows only the rotating body 40 and magnets and the like attached to the rotating body 40. The members in this embodiment other than the rotating body 40 are the same as those in the first embodiment. First, an overview of the constant volume supply device 100 of this embodiment will be described.

[0052] The constant-volume supply device 100 of this embodiment has the following features. The constant-volume supply device 100 has two or more movable magnets (movable stirring magnets 48a). When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the distance L1 between the position where one movable stirring magnet 48a1 is disposed closest to the center (rotation axis AX1) of the rotor 40 and the center of the rotor 40 is smaller than the distance L2 between the position where another movable stirring magnet 48a2 is disposed closest to the center of the rotor 40 and the center of the rotor 40. This allows small objects that collide with the guide section 60 (particularly the collision surface 60e. See FIG. 2) and are separated from the one movable stirring magnet 48a1 or the other movable stirring magnets 48a2 to fall to different positions in the storage section 20a. This allows the small objects that were attracted to the stirring magnet 48 to be stacked more uniformly in the storage section 20a after being separated, and the storage section 20a is stirred better.

[0053] Next, the constant volume supply device 100 of this embodiment will be described in detail. The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the multiple movable magnets have mutually different distances to the center of the rotor 40. The constant volume supply device 100 of this embodiment has two types of movable stirring magnets 48a1 and 48a2 as the movable stirring magnets 48a. The movable stirring magnets 48a1 and 48a2 are disposed in the long groove 47, similar to the movable stirring magnet 48a in the first embodiment, and move in a direction having radial and rotational components. The shape of the long groove 47 in which the movable stirring magnet 48a1 is accommodated is arc-shaped, similar to the long groove 47 in the first embodiment. On the other hand, the shape of the long groove 47 in which the movable stirring magnet 48a2 is accommodated is linear. The shape of the long groove 47 in which the movable stirring magnet 48a2 is accommodated may be arc-shaped. In addition, the length in the extension direction of the long groove 47 in which the movable stirring magnet 48a1 is accommodated is greater than the length in the extension direction of the long groove 47 in which the movable stirring magnet 48a2 is accommodated. The difference between the distance L1 and the distance L2 is preferably larger than the width (diameter) of the movable stirring magnet 48a as viewed from the rotation axis direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the distance between the position of one movable stirring magnet 48a1 when it is positioned farthest from the center of the rotating body 40 (rotation axis AX1) and the center of the rotating body 40 is greater than the distance between the position of the other movable stirring magnet 48a2 when it is positioned farthest from the center of the rotating body 40 and the center of the rotating body 40. In this embodiment, all the stirring magnets 48 are movable magnets, but instead of this embodiment, fixed stirring magnets 48b may be provided as the stirring magnets 48 as in the first embodiment.

[0054] The constant volume supplying device 100 in the second embodiment has the following features similar to the constant volume supplying device 100 in the first embodiment. The movable stirring magnet 48a is attached to the rotor 40 so as to be movable in a direction having a radial component of the rotor 40 in response to the rotation of the rotor 40. The direction of movement of the movable stirring magnet 48a has a component perpendicular to the radial direction. The movable stirring magnet 48a can be disposed at a first position or a second position. The control unit 90 can rotate the rotor 40 in a backward direction, which is the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the rotor 40 . The distance between the first position and the center of the rotating body 40 is smaller than the distance between the extraction magnet 46 and the center of the rotating body 40 . The trajectory along which the movable stirring magnet 48a moves between the first position and the second position is curved and has a protruding shape toward the periphery of the rotor 40. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor 40, the movable stirring magnet 48a at the second position is disposed on a trajectory 200 of the center of the extraction magnet 46 that moves along with the rotor 40.

[0055] <Third embodiment> Fig. 9 is a front view showing an example of the rotating body 40 according to this embodiment. Fig. 9 shows only the rotating body 40 and magnets and the like attached to the rotating body 40. Members other than the rotating body 40 in this embodiment, as well as some of the magnets in the rotating body 40 and attachment holes such as the long groove 47, are similar to those in the first and second embodiments. First, an overview of the constant volume supply device 100 of this embodiment will be described.

[0056] The constant-quantity supply device 100 of this embodiment is characterized in that the removal magnet 46 is attached to the rotor 40 so as to be movable in a direction having a radial component of the rotor 40. This allows the removal magnet 46 to move in a direction having a radial component to remove small items from a wide range within the storage section 20a. Alternatively, even when the rotor 40 is rotating at high speed, the removal magnet 46 can adequately attract small items, and the removal magnet 46 can reliably attract and supply small items. As a result, small items are supplied stably.

[0057] Next, the constant volume supply device 100 of this embodiment will be described in detail. The constant volume supply device 100 of this embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the extraction magnet 46 is movable relatively to the rotor 40. The fact that the extraction magnet 46 is movable in a predetermined direction means that the extraction magnet 46 is movable in a predetermined direction relative to the rotating body 40. In this embodiment, the moving direction of the extraction magnet 46 also has a component in the rotation direction of the rotating body 40. The shape of the movement locus of the extraction magnet 46 is linear, but it may also be arc-shaped. In particular, the shape of the movement locus of the extraction magnet 46 may be curved, protruding toward the peripheral edge side of the rotating body 40. In this embodiment, the extraction magnet 46 is disposed in the second long groove 42x extending in an extension direction having a radial component, and the movable magnet is movable in the second long groove 42x according to gravity, inertia, or the like. That is, in this embodiment, the movement direction of the extraction magnet 46 coincides with the extension direction of the second long groove 42x. Instead of this embodiment, the extraction magnet 46 may be movably attached to the rotating body 40 by other methods. For example, the rotating body 40 may be provided with a path for the movement of the extraction magnet 46, and the extraction magnet 46 may be movable along the path by gravity or the like. An example of the path is a guide such as a rail through which the extraction magnet 46 passes. Alternatively, the extraction magnet 46 may have a driving unit that moves the extraction magnet 46 by pulling or biasing it, and the extraction magnet 46 may be movable against gravity, inertia, or the like by the driving unit. In this embodiment, the position of the extraction magnet 46 when it is disposed on the outer diameter side is further back in the rotational direction than the position of the extraction magnet 46 when it is disposed on the inner diameter side. As a result, when the extraction magnet 46 passes near the guide portion 60 (see FIG. 2), the extraction magnet 46 is disposed at a position on the outer diameter side due to gravity. As a result, small articles attracted to the extraction magnet 46 are prevented from being unnecessarily brushed off by the guide portion 60.

[0058] The constant volume supplying device 100 in the third embodiment has the following features, similar to the constant volume supplying device 100 in the first or second embodiment. The movable stirring magnet 48a is attached to the rotor 40 so as to be movable in a direction having a radial component of the rotor 40 in response to the rotation of the rotor 40. The direction of movement of the movable stirring magnet 48a has a component perpendicular to the radial direction. The movable stirring magnet 48a can be disposed at a first position or a second position. The control unit 90 can rotate the rotor 40 in a backward direction, which is the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the rotor 40 . The distance between the first position and the center of the rotating body 40 is smaller than the distance between the extraction magnet 46 and the center of the rotating body 40 . The trajectory along which the movable stirring magnet 48a moves between the first position and the second position is curved and has a protruding shape toward the periphery of the rotor 40. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotor 40, the movable stirring magnet 48a at the second position is disposed on a trajectory 200 of the center of the extraction magnet 46 that moves along with the rotor 40. When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the distance L1 between the position where one movable stirring magnet 48a1 is positioned closest to the center of the rotating body 40 and the center of the rotating body 40 is smaller than the distance L2 between the position where the other movable stirring magnet 48a2 is positioned closest to the center of the rotating body 40 and the center of the rotating body 40.

[0059] The present invention is not limited to the first to third embodiments described above, and includes various modifications and improvements as long as the object of the present invention is achieved. The following modifications can be combined as appropriate. In the first embodiment, the movable stirring magnet 48a, which is a part of the stirring magnet 48, is a movable magnet, but this is not limited to this. Both the stirring magnet 48 and the extraction magnet 46 may be movable as in the second embodiment. Alternatively, the stirring magnet 48 may not be provided or may be fixed to the rotating body 40, and the extraction magnet 46 may be a movable magnet that can move in a direction having a radial component of the rotating body 40. In order to sufficiently stir the inside of the storage section 20a by the extraction magnet 46, a second long groove 42x in which the extraction magnet 46 is accommodated may be formed so that the extraction magnet 46 moves sufficiently to the center side of the rotating body 40. In this case, the position of the capture portion 83 may be changed to a lower position or to the inner diameter side of the rotating body 40 compared to the position of the capture portion 83 in the first embodiment, etc., in order to capture small items attracted to the extraction magnet 46. The rotation speed of the rotating body 40 may be changed depending on the position of the extraction magnet 46, and the position of the extraction magnet 46 may be adjusted depending on the magnitude of the inertial force, etc. so that small items attracted to the extraction magnet 46 can be captured by the capture portion 83.

[0060] 10(a) and 10(b) are front views showing an example of a rotor 40 in a constant volume feeder 100 according to a modified example. The movement locus of the movable magnet (movable stirring magnet 48a) is not limited to the shape in the above-mentioned first embodiment and the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the movement locus of the movable stirring magnet 48a may be linear. More specifically, the shape of the long groove 47 to which the movable stirring magnet 48a is attached as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis may be linear. Instead of such a modified example, the shape of the long groove 47 as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis may be a curved shape protruding toward the center of the rotor 40, and the movement locus of the movable stirring magnet 48a may be a curved shape protruding toward the center of the rotor 40. In the first embodiment, the number of movable magnets was two, but the number of movable magnets (movable stirring magnets 48a) is not limited to this. The number of movable magnets for one rotating body 40 may be one, or may be two or more. Fig. 10(b) shows a case where the number of movable magnets is the same as the number of extraction magnets 46 or the number of fixed stirring magnets 48b.

[0061] The above embodiment encompasses the following technical ideas. (1) A fixed-volume feeder that feeds a fixed amount of small items, A storage section for storing a plurality of the small items; A rotating body that rotates around a horizontal axis; a movable magnet that attracts the stored small objects and thereby changes the position of the small objects in the storage section as the rotating body rotates; A constant quantity supply device, wherein the movable magnet is attached to the rotating body so as to be movable in a direction having a radial component of the rotating body in response to rotation of the rotating body. (1-1) A constant quantity supply device in which the adhesive force of the movable stirring magnet and the adhesive force of the fixed stirring magnet are approximately the same. (2) the moving direction of the movable magnet has a component in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction, A quantitative supply device as described in (1), wherein a first position where the movable magnet is positioned on the retreating side in the rotational direction of the rotating body is closer to the center of the rotating body than a second position where the movable magnet is positioned on the advancing side in the rotational direction. (2-1) A constant-volume supplying device according to (1), wherein a radial component of the moving direction of the movable magnet with respect to the rotating body is greater or smaller than a rotational component of the moving direction of the movable magnet with respect to the rotating body. (3) Further comprising a control unit for controlling the rotational operation of the rotating body, The control unit rotates the rotating body in a backward direction opposite to the rotation direction, The constant-quantity supply device according to (2), wherein if the small objects are not supplied while the rotating body is rotating, the control unit causes the rotating body to start rotating in the backward direction. (3-1) the rotor rotates in the backward direction during a predetermined non-supply time, When a predetermined total non-supply time has elapsed without any small objects being supplied, the rotating body stops rotating. In this quantitative supply device, a predetermined total no-supply time until the rotor stops rotating because no small articles are supplied is greater than the sum of a predetermined no-supply time until the rotor starts reverse rotation because no small articles are supplied, and a predetermined reverse rotation time during which the rotor rotates reversely. (3-2) A constant-volume feeder in which the speed at which the rotor rotates in the reverse direction is greater or less than the speed at which the rotor rotates in the forward direction. (4) Further comprising an extraction magnet different from the movable magnet; the removal magnet is attached to the rotating body and attracts the small object, thereby moving the small object in the rotation direction of the rotating body in accordance with the rotation of the rotating body; The constant-volume supply device according to (3), wherein the distance between the first position and the center of the rotating body is smaller than the distance between the removal magnet and the center of the rotating body. (4-1) A constant volume supply device, wherein the distance between the first position and the center of the rotating body is greater than the distance between the removal magnet and the first position. (5) Further comprising a fixed stirring magnet different from the movable magnet and the extraction magnet; The stationary stirring magnet is A rotating member is fixedly attached to the rotating body. By suctioning the stored small object, the position of the small object in the storage portion is changed in accordance with the rotation of the rotating body; a distance between the first position and the center of the rotor is smaller than a distance between the fixed stirring magnet and the center of the rotor; The constant-volume supply device according to (4), wherein the distance between the second position and the center of the rotating body is greater than the distance between the fixed stirring magnet and the center of the rotating body. (5-1) A quantitative supply device, in which the distance between a movable magnet and a fixed stirring magnet that is arranged closest to the movable magnet when the movable magnet is arranged in the second position is smaller than the distance between the fixed stirring magnet and the center of a rotating body. (6) A constant-volume supplying device according to (5), wherein the trajectory along which the movable magnet moves between the first position and the second position is curved and has a protruding shape toward the periphery of the rotating body. (6-1) A constant volume supply device, in which the moving trajectory of the movable magnet is arc-shaped, and the radius of curvature of the moving trajectory is equal to or smaller than the radius of curvature of the trajectory of the movement of the removal magnet. (6-2) A quantitative supply device, in which the radius of curvature of the moving trajectory of the movable magnet is larger than the radius of curvature of the moving trajectory of the fixed stirring magnet arranged at the first position. (6-3) A constant volume supply device, in which the length of the movement path of the movable stirring magnet is shorter than the distance from the center of the rotor to the periphery of the rotor. (6-4) A constant volume supply device, in which the length of the movement trajectory of the movable stirring magnet or the shortest distance between the first position and the second position of the movable stirring magnet is greater than the distance between the fixed stirring magnet and the center of the rotor. (7) The constant-volume supply device according to (6), wherein the distance between the first position and the removal magnet is greater than the distance between the second position and the fixed stirring magnet. (7-1) A quantitative supply device in which the distance between the movable magnet and the removal magnet when the movable magnet is closest to the removal magnet is greater or smaller than the distance between the movable magnet and the fixed stirring magnet when the movable magnet is closest to the fixed stirring magnet. (7-2) A quantitative supply device, in which the distance between the removal magnet and a fixed stirring magnet that is positioned closer to the removal magnet in the direction of rotation than the removal magnet and is closest to the removal magnet is greater than the distance between the second position and the removal magnet. (8) A quantitative supply device as described in (7), wherein, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating body, the movable magnet at the second position is arranged on the locus of the center of the removal magnet that moves along with the rotating body. (8-1) A constant volume supply device, wherein the center of a movable magnet arranged at a second position as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of a rotating body is arranged closer to the center or periphery of the rotating body than the locus of the removal magnet. (9) Having two or more movable magnets, A quantitative supply device as described in (8), wherein, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the distance between the position where one movable magnet is positioned closest to the center of the rotating body and the center of the rotating body is smaller than the distance between the position where another movable magnet is positioned closest to the center of the rotating body and the center of the rotating body. (9-1) A constant-volume supply device, in which the difference in distance between the position where one movable magnet is positioned closest to the center of the rotating body and the center of the rotating body, as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, and the difference in distance between the position where another movable magnet is positioned closest to the center of the rotating body and the center of the rotating body, is greater than the width of the movable magnets as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis. (9-2) A constant quantity supply device in which, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the distance between the position of one movable stirring magnet when it is positioned farthest from the center of the rotor and the center of the rotor is greater than the distance between the position of another movable stirring magnet when it is positioned farthest from the center of the rotor and the center of the rotor. (10) A constant volume supply device according to any one of (4) to (9), wherein the removal magnet is attached to the rotor so as to be movable in a direction having a radial component. (10-1) A constant quantity supply device, wherein the position of the removal magnet when arranged on the outer diameter side is further backward in the rotation direction than the position of the removal magnet when arranged on the inner diameter side. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 10. Chassis 12 Front wall 13 Rear wall 15 Side wall 16 side wall 18 Placement area 19 Cover part 20 Storage Container 20a Storage section 21 First storage area 22 Second storage area 25 Side Wall 26 Rear part 27 Bottom 27a First slope 27b Second slope 27c Third slope 28 Aperture 30 Partition Wall 31 Part 1 32 Eaves 36 Second part 40 Rotating Body 41 Support 42 Retaining hole 42x second long groove 43, 49 Sleeve 44 Second holding hole 46 Extraction magnet 47 Nagamizo 48 Stirring magnet 48a Movable stirring magnet 48b Fixed stirring magnet 50 Rotating body for sending 51 Rotation axis 53 Rotor blade 56 Motor case 60 Guide part 60a first guide member 60b second guide member 60b1 Overhang 60b2 long hole 60c third guide member 60e collision surface 61,61x Brushing part 61a,61ax center 61b Proximal end 61c Termination section 61d space 62 Guide surface 63, 63a, 63b Second brushing section 63a1,63b1 Front page 63a2,63b2 Second side 63c Tip 70 Removal section 78 Support member 83 Capture unit 84 Through Hole 91 First Rotating Motor 93 Second Rotation Motor 94 Belt 100 Quantitative feeding device 110 Small items, screws 110,110x,110y,110z,110 screws 200 trajectory 201 Upstream area 202 Downstream area AX1 Rotation axis

Claims

1. A fixed quantity supply device that supplies a fixed amount of small items, A storage section for storing a plurality of the small items; A rotating body that rotates around a horizontal axis; a movable magnet that attracts the stored small objects and thereby changes the position of the small objects in the storage section as the rotating body rotates; A constant quantity supply device, wherein the movable magnet is attached to the rotating body so as to be movable in a direction having a radial component of the rotating body in response to rotation of the rotating body.

2. The moving direction of the movable magnet has a component in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction, 2. The quantitative supply device according to claim 1, wherein a first position in which the movable magnet is positioned on the retreating side in the rotational direction of the rotating body is closer to the center of the rotating body than a second position in which the movable magnet is positioned on the advancing side in the rotational direction.

3. A control unit for controlling a rotational operation of the rotating body is further provided. The control unit rotates the rotating body in a backward direction opposite to the rotation direction, The constant quantity supply device according to claim 2 , wherein if the small object is not supplied while the rotating body is rotating, the control unit causes the rotating body to start rotating in the backward direction.

4. Further comprising an extracting magnet different from the movable magnet; the removal magnet is attached to the rotating body and attracts the small object, thereby moving the small object in the rotation direction of the rotating body in accordance with the rotation of the rotating body; 4. The constant volume supply device according to claim 3, wherein a distance between the first position and a center of the rotating body is smaller than a distance between the removal magnet and a center of the rotating body.

5. The magnet further includes a fixed stirring magnet different from the movable magnet and the extraction magnet, The stationary stirring magnet is A rotating member is fixedly attached to the rotating body. By suctioning the stored small object, the position of the small object in the storage portion is changed in accordance with the rotation of the rotating body; a distance between the first position and the center of the rotor is smaller than a distance between the fixed stirring magnet and the center of the rotor; 5. The constant volume supply device according to claim 4, wherein a distance between the second position and a center of the rotor is greater than a distance between the fixed stirring magnet and a center of the rotor.

6. 6. The constant volume supply device according to claim 5, wherein a trajectory along which the movable magnet moves between the first position and the second position is curved and has a protruding shape toward a periphery of the rotor.

7. 7. The constant volume supply device according to claim 6, wherein a distance between the first position and the removal magnet is greater than a distance between the second position and the fixed stirring magnet.

8. 8. The constant-volume supply device according to claim 7, wherein, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the rotating body, the movable magnet at the second position is disposed on a trajectory of the center of the removal magnet that moves along with the rotating body.

9. A magnet having two or more movable magnets, 9. A quantitative supply device as described in claim 8, wherein, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis, the distance between the position where one movable magnet is positioned closest to the center of the rotating body and the center of the rotating body is smaller than the distance between the position where another movable magnet is positioned closest to the center of the rotating body and the center of the rotating body.

10. 10. The constant quantity supply device according to claim 4, wherein the removal magnet is attached to the rotor so as to be movable in a direction having a radial component.

Images