Component separation device

Abstract

To separate components into components normal in a size and components very small in a size.SOLUTION: A headed bolt separation device 1 comprises a pair of guide rails 10 extending in parallel so as to form a slit 50 therebetween. A headed bolt P including a shaft Pa and a head Pb advances through the slits along the guide rails. The guide rails include a separation part 22 that extends in an advancing direction A. The slits of the separation part include an upper slit 55 and a narrow lower slit 54. Lower slit wall surfaces 56 including the inner surfaces 11 of the guide rails are provided on both sides of the lower slit in a width direction B. Upper slit upper edges 57 including the upper surfaces 12 of the guide rails are provided on both sides of the upper slit in the width direction. The shaft is inserted vertically downward through the upper slit into the lower slit, and positioned on the lower slit wall surface in the width direction. The headed bolt advances through the separation part in the state where the shaft is positioned on the lower slit wall surface in the width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a parts sorting device. [Background technology]

[0002] The device for separately supplying fastening members disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a transport groove for fastening members at the outlet of a feeder, and a sorting groove is formed connected to the transport groove, the groove width of which gradually increases in the direction of travel of the members depending on the diameter of the members. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 59-142082 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In this type of sorting device, for example, the shaft of the headed bolt is inserted into the sorting groove and the head of the headed bolt is caught on the upper edge of the sorting groove, and the headed bolt advances along the sorting groove, where the groove width expands midway along the direction in which the headed bolt advances.

[0005] The head of a regular-sized headed bolt remains caught in the upper edge of the sorting groove even if the groove width of the sorting groove expands midway through the direction of travel, allowing the regular-sized headed bolt to pass through the sorting groove.

[0006] On the other hand, the head of a headed bolt that is smaller than the standard size falls off the upper edge of the sorting groove due to the groove width expanding midway in the direction of travel. As a result, the headed bolt that is smaller than the standard size cannot pass through the sorting groove and is removed.

[0007] In this manner, regular size headed bolts and undersized headed bolts are separated.

[0008] However, there are cases where the size of the head of a regular-sized headed bolt and the size of the head of an undersized headed bolt are almost the same, with the head of the undersized headed bolt only being slightly smaller than the head of a regular-sized headed bolt.

[0009] In such a case, in the above-mentioned sorting device, even though the groove width of the sorting groove expands halfway through the direction in which the headed bolt travels, the head of the undersized headed bolt does not successfully fall off the upper edge of the sorting groove and remains caught on the upper edge of the sorting groove, which can cause the undersized headed bolt to pass through the sorting groove without being removed by it.

[0010] This is problematic because if an undersized headed bolt passes through the sorting groove, the wrong size headed bolt will be sent to a later process.

[0011] The above problem also applies to headed parts other than headed bolts.

[0012] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above points, and has an object to accurately separate regular-sized parts from undersized parts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] A part sorting device according to the present disclosure includes a pair of guide rails extending parallel to each other to form a slit between them, and a part constituted by a shaft portion and a head portion having a diameter larger than that of the shaft portion progresses through the slit along the guide rails, the direction in which the part progresses includes a horizontal component, the guide rail includes a sorting section extending in the direction of progress, the slits in the sorting section include an upper slit and a lower slit that is lower than the upper slit and narrower than the upper slit, and on both sides of the lower slit in the width direction, a lower slit wall surface formed by an inner surface facing the upper slit and for positioning the shaft portion in the width direction, and an upper slit upper edge portion formed by the upper surface of the guide rail and for hooking the head portion is provided on both sides of the upper slit in the width direction, the shaft portion is inserted from above into the lower slit through the upper slit from above and is positioned in the width direction by the lower slit wall surface, and the part proceeds through the lower slit and the upper slit in the sorting section with the shaft portion positioned in the width direction by the lower slit wall surface.

[0014] According to this configuration, in the sorting section, the shafts of the components are positioned in the width direction by the wall surface of the lower slit, so that the heads of the components are prevented from moving unsteadily in the width direction. This makes it possible to position the heads of the components in the width direction relative to the upper slit.

[0015] A regular-sized part whose head has an outer diameter larger than the width dimension of the upper slit can pass through the lower slit and upper slit in the sorting section with its shaft portion positioned widthwise by the wall surface of the lower slit and its head portion hooked on the upper edge of the upper slit.

[0016] On the other hand, in the case of an undersized part whose head has an outer diameter smaller than the width dimension of the upper slit, the head is also positioned in the width direction relative to the upper slit because the shaft portion is positioned in the width direction by the wall surface of the lower slit.

[0017] As a result, the head of an undersized part is positioned in the center of the upper slit in the width direction, making it less likely to get caught on the upper edges of the upper slit on both sides of the upper slit in the width direction, and more likely to fall off from the upper edges. Then, the head of an undersized part falls off from the upper edges of the upper slit before passing through the lower and upper slits in the sorting section. In other words, an undersized part cannot pass through the lower and upper slits in the sorting section.

[0018] In this manner, parts are separated into regular-sized parts and undersized parts depending on whether or not the parts can pass through the separating section. By positioning the shaft of the part in the width direction on the lower slit wall surface in the separating section, parts of regular size and undersized parts can be accurately separated.

[0019] In one embodiment, the parts include a first part and a second part, a first head outer diameter of the first head as the head in the first part is larger than a width dimension of the upper slit, and a second head outer diameter of the second head as the head in the second part is smaller than a width dimension of the upper slit, the first part passes through the lower slit and the upper slit in the sorting section with the shaft portion positioned in the width direction by the lower slit wall surface and the first head caught on the upper edge portion of the upper slit, and the second part has the shaft portion positioned in the width direction by the lower slit wall surface while the second head falls off from the upper edge portion of the upper slit.

[0020] According to this configuration, the first parts of the regular size and the second parts of the undersized size can be accurately separated.

[0021] In one embodiment, a lower slit upper edge portion formed by a step portion between the lower slit and the upper slit is provided on both sides of the lower slit in the width direction, and the second head portion that falls off from the upper edge portion of the upper slit is caught on the lower slit upper edge portion.

[0022] According to this configuration, the second head of the undersized second part that has fallen off the upper edge portion of the upper slit can be hooked on the upper edge portion of the lower slit, making it easier to handle the second part.

[0023] In one embodiment, the guide rail includes a discharge section arranged downstream of the sorting section in the traveling direction, and the slit in the discharge section forms a discharge hole that is larger than the second head outer diameter and opens downward, and the second part sent from the sorting section to the discharge section falls into the discharge hole.

[0024] According to this configuration, the second part having an undersized size that has been sent from the sorting section to the discharge section can be easily discharged by the discharge hole.

[0025] In one embodiment, the part is a head bolt.

[0026] According to this configuration, headed bolts of the correct size can be accurately separated from headed bolts of an undersized size. Effect of the Invention

[0027] According to the present disclosure, properly sized parts can be accurately separated from undersized parts. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a head bolt. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the headed bolt sorting device as seen from above. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a front cross-sectional view of the headed bolt sorting device taken along line III as viewed from the right. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a side cross-sectional view of the introduction portion of the headed bolt sorting device taken along line IV as viewed from the front. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 shows a side cross-sectional view of the sorting section of the headed bolt sorting device taken along line V as viewed from the front. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 shows a side cross-sectional view of the supply section of the headed bolt sorting device taken along line VI as viewed from the front. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line VII as viewed from the front of the discharge portion of the headed bolt sorting device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or its uses.

[0030] (Head bolt) A headed bolt sorting device 1 serving as a part sorting device according to this embodiment sorts headed bolts P serving as parts having different sizes.

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a headed bolt P. In this example, the headed bolt P is a welded bolt. The headed bolt P is composed of a shank Pa and a head Pb. The shank Pa extends straight. The shank Pa is cylindrical. The outer periphery of the shank Pa is threaded. The head Pb is disk-shaped. The head Pb is provided at the base end of the shank Pa. The outer diameter of the head Pb is larger than the outer diameter of the shank Pa. Although not shown, a welded protrusion is provided on the upper or lower surface of the head Pb.

[0032] The headed bolt P includes a first headed bolt P1 as a first part and a second headed bolt P2 as a second part. The first headed bolt P1 is a regular size. The second headed bolt P2 is an undersized bolt smaller than the regular size.

[0033] The first outer shank diameter d1 of the first shank portion P1a serving as the shank portion Pa of the first headed bolt P1 is larger than the second outer shank diameter d2 of the second shank portion P2a serving as the shank portion Pa of the second headed bolt P2. Conversely, the second outer shank diameter d2 of the second shank portion P2a serving as the shank portion Pa of the second headed bolt P2 is smaller than the first outer shank diameter d1 of the first shank portion P1a serving as the shank portion Pa of the first headed bolt P1.

[0034] The first head outer diameter D1 of the first head P1b as the head Pb of the first headed bolt P1 is larger than the second head outer diameter D2 of the second head P2b as the head Pb of the second headed bolt P2. Conversely, the second head outer diameter D2 of the second head P2b as the head Pb of the second headed bolt P2 is smaller than the first head outer diameter D1 of the first head P1b as the head Pb of the first headed bolt P1.

[0035] An example is as follows. The first headed bolt P1 is an M6 welded bolt. The first shank outer diameter d1 of the first shank portion P1a of the first headed bolt P1 is 6 mm. The first head outer diameter D1 of the first head P1b of the first headed bolt P1 is 14 mm. The second headed bolt P2 is an M5 welded bolt. The second shank outer diameter d2 of the second shank portion P2a of the second headed bolt P2 is 5 mm. The second head outer diameter D2 of the second head P2b of the second headed bolt P2 is 12 mm.

[0036] (Headed bolt sorting device) The headed bolt separating device 1 will be described. In the following description, with reference to Fig. 2, the front side of the paper is referred to as the upper side, the back side of the paper is referred to as the lower side, the left side is referred to as the front side, the right side is referred to as the rear side, the upper side is referred to as the left side, and the lower side is referred to as the right side. Fig. 2 shows the headed bolt separating device 1 in a plan view seen from above. Fig. 3 shows the headed bolt separating device in a front cross-sectional view taken along line III as seen from the right.

[0037] 2 and 3, the headed bolt separating device 1 includes a pair (two) of guide rails 10. The pair of guide rails 10 extend parallel to each other with a gap (gap, space) between them. That is, the pair of guide rails 10 extend parallel to each other so as to form a slit 50 between them.

[0038] The headed bolt P advances through the slit 50 along the guide rail 10. The traveling direction A in which the headed bolt P advances includes a horizontal direction H component. The traveling direction A in which the headed bolt P advances is a direction from the rear side to the front side. The upstream side in the traveling direction A in which the headed bolt P advances is the rear side. The downstream side in the traveling direction A in which the headed bolt P advances is the front side.

[0039] In this example, the guide rail 10 extends from the rear side to the front side, diagonally downward with respect to the horizontal direction H. The guide rail 10 is substantially rectangular. The headed bolt P advances by its own weight from the rear side to the front side, diagonally downward with respect to the horizontal direction H, along the guide rail 10. In FIG. 3, the up-down direction is indicated by V.

[0040] The pair of guide rails 10 includes an introduction section 21, a sorting section 22, a supply section 23, and a discharge section 24.

[0041] The introduction section 21 is disposed at the most upstream side in the traveling direction A in which the headed bolt P advances. The separation section 22 is disposed downstream of the introduction section 21 in the traveling direction A in which the headed bolt P advances. The supply section 23 is disposed downstream of the separation section 22 in the traveling direction A in which the headed bolt P advances. Similar to the supply section 23, the discharge section 24 is disposed downstream of the separation section 22 in the traveling direction A in which the headed bolt P advances.

[0042] Although details will be described later, the supply unit 23 is located above the discharge unit 24. The discharge unit 24 is located below the supply unit 23.

[0043] (Introduction) 4 shows the introduction section 21 of the headed bolt sorting device 1 in a side cross-sectional view taken along line IV as viewed from the front. The introduction section 21 is disposed on the most upstream side in the traveling direction A in which the headed bolts P advance. The introduction section 21 extends a predetermined length in the traveling direction A in which the headed bolts P advance. Headed bolts P are sent to the introduction section 21 from a bolt shooter (not shown) or a bolt sorter (not shown) in a previous process. The slits 50 in the introduction section 21 include introduction section slits 51.

[0044] The introduction portion width dimension E of the introduction portion slit 51 as the width dimension in the width direction B is uniform across the vertical direction. The width direction B corresponds to the left-right direction. As an example, the introduction portion width dimension E of the introduction portion slit 51 is 6.5 mm.

[0045] The outer diameter of the shank Pa of the headed bolt P is smaller than the introduction width dimension E of the introduction slit 51. The first shank outer diameter d1 of the first shank P1a of the first headed bolt P1 is smaller than the introduction width dimension E of the introduction slit 51. The second shank outer diameter d2 of the second shank P2a of the second headed bolt P2 is smaller than the introduction width dimension E of the introduction slit 51.

[0046] The outer diameter of the head Pb of the headed bolt P is larger than the introduction width dimension E of the introduction slit 51. The first head outer diameter D1 of the first head P1b of the first headed bolt P1 is larger than the introduction width dimension E of the introduction slit 51. The second head outer diameter D2 of the second head P2b of the second headed bolt P2 is larger than the introduction width dimension E of the introduction slit 51.

[0047] On both sides of the introduction slit 51 in the width direction B, there are introduction slit walls 52 formed by the inner surface 11 of the guide rail 10 in the width direction B and for positioning the shank Pa of the headed bolt P in the width direction B. The inner surface 11 of the guide rail 10 faces inward in the width direction B. The introduction slit walls 52 extend in the vertical direction and in the traveling direction A. The shank Pa of the headed bolt P is inserted into the introduction slit 51 from above downward, and is positioned in the width direction B by the introduction slit walls 52 on both sides of the introduction slit 51 in the width direction B.

[0048] "Positioning" means suppressing (restricting) the movement of the shank Pa of the headed bolt P in the width direction B. The shank Pa of the headed bolt P positioned in the width direction B can only move a small amount in the width direction B.

[0049] The first shank P1a of the first headed bolt P1 is inserted from above into the introduction slit 51 and is positioned in the width direction B by the introduction slit wall surfaces 52 on both sides of the introduction slit 51 in the width direction B (see the upper diagram in FIG. 4). The second shank P2a of the second headed bolt P2 is inserted from above into the introduction slit 51 and is positioned in the width direction B by the introduction slit wall surfaces 52 on both sides of the introduction slit 51 in the width direction B (see the lower diagram in FIG. 4).

[0050] On both sides of the introduction slit 51 in the width direction B, there are introduction slit upper edges 53 formed by the upper surface 12 of the guide rail 10 and for hooking the head Pb of the headed bolt P. The upper surface of the guide rail 10 faces upward. The introduction slit upper edges 53 extend in the width direction B and the traveling direction A. The lower surface of the head Pb of the headed bolt P hooks onto the introduction slit upper edges 53 on both sides of the introduction slit 51 in the width direction B.

[0051] The underside of the first head P1b of the first headed bolt P1 hooks onto the leading slit upper edge parts 53 on both sides of the leading slit 51 in the width direction B (see the upper diagram in FIG. 4). The underside of the second head P2b of the second headed bolt P2 hooks onto the leading slit upper edge parts 53 on both sides of the leading slit 51 in the width direction B (see the lower diagram in FIG. 4).

[0052] The headed bolt P (first headed bolt P1, second headed bolt P2) passes through the introduction slit 51 of the introduction section 21 with its shank Pa (first shank P1a, second shank P2a) positioned in the width direction B by the introduction slit wall surface 52 and its head Pb (first head P1b, second head P2b) caught on the introduction slit upper edge 53. The headed bolt P that has passed through the introduction slit 51 of the introduction section 21 is sent to a lower slit 54 and an upper slit 55 in the sorting section 22, which will be described later.

[0053] (Separation department) 5 shows the separating section 22 of the headed bolt separating device 1 in a side cross-sectional view taken along line V as viewed from the front. The separating section 22 extends a predetermined length in the traveling direction A in which the headed bolts P advance. The separating section 22 is disposed downstream of the introduction section 21 in the traveling direction A in which the headed bolts P advance. The slits 50 in the separating section 22 include a lower slit 54 and an upper slit 55. The lower slit 54 and the upper slit 55 communicate with the introduction section slit 51.

[0054] The lower slit 54 and the upper slit 55 are continuous with each other in the up-down direction. The lower slit 54 is located lower than the upper slit 55. The upper slit 55 is located higher than the lower slit 54.

[0055] The lower slit 54 is narrower than the upper slit 55. A lower width dimension Fd as a width dimension in the width direction B of the lower slit 54 is smaller than an upper width dimension Fu as a width dimension in the width direction B of the upper slit 55. The upper slit 55 is wider than the lower slit 54. An upper width dimension Fu as a width dimension in the width direction B of the upper slit 55 is larger than a lower width dimension Fd as a width dimension in the width direction B of the lower slit 54.

[0056] As an example, the lower width dimension Fd of the lower slit 54 is 6.5 mm, which is the same as the introduction portion width dimension E of the introduction portion slit 51. The upper width dimension Fu of the upper slit 55 is 12.5 mm.

[0057] The outer diameter of the shank Pa of the headed bolt P is smaller than the lower width dimension Fd of the lower slit 54. The first outer shank diameter d1 of the first shank P1a of the first headed bolt P1 is smaller than the lower width dimension Fd of the lower slit 54. The second outer shank diameter d2 of the second shank P2a of the second headed bolt P2 is smaller than the lower width dimension Fd of the lower slit 54.

[0058] The relationship between the outer diameter of the head Pb of the headed bolt P and the upper width dimension Fu of the upper slit 55 is different between the first headed bolt P1 and the second headed bolt P2. The first head outer diameter D1 of the first head P1b of the first headed bolt P1 is larger than the upper width dimension Fu of the upper slit 55. The second head outer diameter D2 of the second head P2b of the second headed bolt P2 is smaller than the upper width dimension Fu of the upper slit 55.

[0059] On both sides of the lower slit 54 in the width direction B, there are provided lower slit wall surfaces 56 which are formed by the inner surface 11 of the guide rail 10 in the width direction B and which position the shank Pa of the headed bolt P in the width direction B. The lower slit wall surfaces 56 extend in the vertical direction and in the traveling direction A. The shank Pa of the headed bolt P is inserted from above downward into the lower slit 54 via the upper slit 55, and is positioned in the width direction B by the lower slit wall surfaces 56 on both sides of the lower slit 54 in the width direction B.

[0060] The first shank P1a of the first headed bolt P1 is inserted from above into the lower slit 54 through the upper slit 55 and is positioned in the width direction B by the lower slit wall surfaces 56 on both sides of the lower slit 54 in the width direction B (see the upper diagram in FIG. 5). The second shank P2a of the second headed bolt P2 is inserted from above into the lower slit 54 through the upper slit 55 and is positioned in the width direction B by the lower slit wall surfaces 56 on both sides of the lower slit 54 in the width direction B (see the lower diagram in FIG. 5).

[0061] On both sides of the upper slit 55 in the width direction B, there are provided upper slit upper edges 57 which are formed by the upper surface 12 of the guide rail 10 and for hooking the head Pb of the headed bolt P. The upper slit upper edges 57 extend in the width direction B and the traveling direction A. The lower surface of the head Pb of the headed bolt P hooks onto the upper slit upper edges 57 on both sides of the upper slit 55 in the width direction B.

[0062] The underside of the first head P1b of the first headed bolt P1 catches on upper edge portions 57 of the upper slit 55 on both sides in the width direction B (see the upper diagram in FIG. 5). The underside of the second head P2b of the second headed bolt P2 does not catch on upper edge portions 57 of the upper slit 55 on both sides in the width direction B (see the solid line in the lower diagram in FIG. 5).

[0063] The headed bolt P (first headed bolt P1, second headed bolt P2) advances through the lower slit 54 and upper slit 55 in the sorting section 22 in the traveling direction A with the shank Pa (first shank P1a, second shank P2a) positioned in the width direction B by the lower slit wall surface 56.

[0064] 5, the first headed bolt P1 passes through the lower slit 54 and the upper slit 55 in the sorting section 22 in the traveling direction A with the first shaft portion P1a positioned in the width direction B by the lower slit wall surface 56 and the first head portion P1b caught on the upper slit upper edge portion 57. "Passing through" means passing through the sorting section 22 in the traveling direction A to reach the supply section 23 downstream of the sorting section 22.

[0065] As shown by the two-dot chain line in the lower diagram of Figure 5, before the second headed bolt P2 passes through the lower slit 54 and upper slit 55 in the sorting section 22, the second shank P2a is positioned in the width direction B by the lower slit wall surface 56, while the second head P2b falls off downward from the upper edge portion 57 of the upper slit. The second headed bolt P2 does not pass through the lower slit 54 and upper slit 55 in the sorting section 22 in the traveling direction A. "Does not pass through" means that it cannot pass through the sorting section 22 in the traveling direction A and cannot reach the supply section 23 downstream of the sorting section 22.

[0066] On both sides of the lower slit 54 in the width direction B, there are provided lower slit upper edge portions 59 constituted by step portions 58 between the upper end portion of the lower slit 54 and the lower end portion of the upper slit 55. The step surface of the step portion 58 faces upward. The lower slit upper edge portions 59 extend in the width direction B and the traveling direction A.

[0067] As shown by the dotted line in the lower diagram of Figure 5, the second head P2b of the second headed bolt P2, which has fallen downward from the upper edge portion 57 of the upper slit, gets caught on the upper edge portions 59 of the lower slit 54 on both sides in the width direction B.

[0068] The first headed bolts P1 pass through the sorting section 22. The second headed bolts P2 do not pass through the sorting section 22. In the sorting section 22, the first headed bolts P1 of the regular size and the second headed bolts P2 of the undersized size are separated.

[0069] (Supply Department) 6 shows the supply unit 23 of the headed bolt sorting device 1 in a side cross-sectional view taken along line VI as viewed from the front. The supply unit 23 extends a predetermined length in the traveling direction A in which the headed bolts P advance. The supply unit 23 is disposed downstream of the sorting unit 22 in the traveling direction A in which the headed bolts P advance. The supply unit 23 is disposed at the most downstream side in the traveling direction A in which the headed bolts P advance. The downstream end of the supply unit 23 is located at the front end of the guide rail 10.

[0070] The supply section 23 corresponds to the first headed bolt P1 that has passed through the sorting section 22. The supply section 23 corresponding to the first headed bolt P1 is located above the discharge section 24 corresponding to the second headed bolt P2. The slits 50 in the supply section 23 include a supply section slit 60. The supply section slit 60 communicates with a lower slit 54 and an upper slit 55.

[0071] The supply section width dimension G of the supply section slit 60 as the width dimension in the width direction B is uniform across the vertical direction. The supply section width dimension G of the supply section slit 60 is equal to the introduction section width dimension E of the introduction section slit 51. As an example, the supply section width dimension G of the supply section slit 60 is 6.5 mm.

[0072] A first shaft outer diameter d1 of the first shaft portion P1a of the first headed bolt P1 is smaller than the supply portion width dimension G of the supply portion slit 60. A first head outer diameter D1 of the first head P1b of the first headed bolt P1 is larger than the supply portion width dimension G of the supply portion slit 60.

[0073] On both sides of the supply section slit 60 in the width direction B, there are provided supply section slit wall surfaces 61 which are formed by the inner surface 11 of the guide rail 10 in the width direction B and serve to position the shank Pa of the headed bolt P in the width direction B. The supply section slit wall surfaces 61 extend in the vertical direction and in the traveling direction A. The first shank P1a of the first headed bolt P1 is inserted into the supply section slit 60 from above downward, and is positioned in the width direction B by the supply section slit wall surfaces 61 on both sides of the supply section slit 60 in the width direction B.

[0074] On both sides of the supply section slit 60 in the width direction B, there are provided supply section slit upper edges 62 formed by the upper surface 12 of the guide rail 10 and for hooking the head Pb of the headed bolt P. The supply section slit upper edges 62 extend in the width direction B and the traveling direction A. The underside of the first head P1b of the first headed bolt P1 hooks onto the supply section slit upper edges 62 on both sides of the supply section slit 60 in the width direction B.

[0075] The first headed bolt P1, which has passed through the sorting section 22 in the traveling direction A and been sent to the supply section 23, travels through the supply section slit 60 of the supply section 23 with the first shaft portion P1a positioned in the width direction B by the supply section slit wall surface 61 and the first head portion P1b caught on the supply section slit upper edge portion 62. The first headed bolt P1 that has passed through the supply section 23 is sent and supplied to a subsequent process (for example, a bolt feeder or welding machine, not shown) as a non-defective product of the regular size.

[0076] (Discharge section) FIG. 7 shows the discharge section 24 of the headed bolt separating device in a side cross-sectional view taken along line VII as viewed from the front. The discharge section 24 extends a predetermined length in the traveling direction A in which the headed bolts P advance. The discharge section 24 corresponds to the second headed bolts P2 that have not passed through the separating section 22. The discharge section 24 is disposed downstream of the separating section 22 in the traveling direction A in which the second headed bolts P2 advance. The discharge section 24 corresponding to the second headed bolts P2 is located lower than the supply section 23 corresponding to the first headed bolts P1. The downstream end of the discharge section 24 is located in the middle of the guide rail 10. The discharge section 24 overlaps the upstream end of the supply section 23 in the traveling direction A.

[0077] The slit 50 in the discharge portion 24 forms a discharge hole 63. The discharge hole 63 communicates with the lower slit 54. The discharge hole 63 is open downward. An outlet (discharge port) at the lower end of the discharge hole 63 is located at the lower end of the guide rail 10 and faces downward.

[0078] As an example, the discharge hole width dimension H as the width dimension in the width direction B of the discharge hole 63 is 12.5 mm.

[0079] The second head outer diameter D2 of the second head P2b of the second headed bolt P2 is smaller than the discharge hole width dimension K of the discharge hole 63. The discharge hole width dimension K of the discharge hole 63 is larger than the second head outer diameter D2 of the second head P2b of the second headed bolt P2.

[0080] The second headed bolt P2 sent from the sorting section 22 to the discharge section 24 drops into the discharge hole 63. In detail, the second headed bolt P2 advances in the traveling direction A with the second head P2b caught on the upper edge portion 59 of the lower slit in the sorting section 22, and is sent from the sorting section 22 to the discharge section 24, and drops downward into the discharge hole 63 in the discharge section 24.

[0081] The second headed bolt P2 that has fallen into the discharge hole 63 in the discharge section 24 is received in a receiving box or the like (not shown) as a defective product that is too small.

[0082] (Action and effect) In the sorting section 22, the shaft portion Pa of the headed bolt P is positioned in the width direction B by the lower slit wall surface 56, so that the head Pb of the headed bolt P is prevented from moving unsteadily in the width direction B. This allows the head Pb of the headed bolt P to be positioned in the center of the width direction B with respect to the upper slit 55.

[0083] A first headed bolt P of regular size, in which the first head outer diameter D1 of the first head P1b is larger than the upper width dimension Fu of the upper slit 55, can pass through the lower slit 54 and the upper slit 55 in the sorting section 22 with the first shaft portion P1a positioned in the width direction B by the lower slit wall surface 56 and the first head P1b caught on the upper edge portion 57 of the upper slit.

[0084] On the other hand, in the case of an undersized second head bolt P2 in which the second head outer diameter D2 of the second head P2b is smaller than the upper width dimension Fu of the upper slit 55, the second head P2b is also positioned in the width direction B relative to the upper slit 55 because the second shank P2a is positioned in the width direction B by the lower slit wall surface 56.

[0085] As a result, the second head P2b of the undersized second headed bolt P2 is positioned in the center of the upper slit 55 in the width direction B, making it less likely to get caught on the upper slit upper edge 57 on both sides of the upper slit 55 in the width direction B, and more likely to fall off from the upper slit upper edge 57.

[0086] Then, the second head P2b of the undersized second headed bolt P2 falls off from the upper edge 57 of the upper slit before passing through the lower slit 54 and the upper slit 55 in the sorting section 22. In other words, the undersized second headed bolt P2 cannot pass through the lower slit 54 and the upper slit 55 in the sorting section 22.

[0087] In this way, depending on whether the headed bolts P (first headed bolt P1, second headed bolt P2) can pass through the sorting section 22, the first headed bolts P1 of the regular size and the second headed bolts P2 of an undersized size are sorted.

[0088] By positioning the shank Pa (first shank P1a, second shank P2a) of the headed bolt P (first headed bolt P1, second headed bolt P2) in the width direction B at the lower slit wall surface 56 in the sorting section 22, it is possible to accurately separate the regular size first headed bolt P1 from the undersized second headed bolt P2.

[0089] By hooking the second head P2b of the undersized second headed bolt P2 that has fallen off from the upper slit upper edge 57 on the lower slit upper edge 59, the undersized second headed bolt P2 becomes easier to handle. For example, it becomes easier to send the undersized second headed bolt P2 to the discharge section 24 in the subsequent process.

[0090] The undersized second headed bolts P2 sent from the sorting section 22 to the discharge section 24 can be easily discharged from the guide rail 10 by the discharge hole 63.

[0091] However, if the second shaft portion P2a of the second headed bolt P2 is not positioned in the width direction B by the lower slit wall surface 56 (if the lower slit wall surface 56 does not exist), the second head P2b of the second headed bolt P2 may be biased to one side in the width direction B.

[0092] In this case, the second head P2b of the second headed bolt P2 remains caught on the upper edge 57 of the upper slit on either side of the width direction B and is unlikely to fall off, so that an undersized second headed bolt P2 may pass through the lower slit 54 and the upper slit 55 in the sorting section 22.

[0093] In this embodiment, the second shaft portion P2a of the second headed bolt P2 is positioned in the width direction B by the lower slit wall surface 56, which prevents the second head P2b of the second headed bolt P2 from being shifted to either side in the width direction B. This makes it easier for the second head P2b of the second headed bolt P2 to fall off the upper slit upper edge portion 57, which prevents the second headed bolt P2 from passing through the lower slit 54 and the upper slit 55 in the sorting section 22.

[0094] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the first shaft portion P1a of the first headed bolt P1 is positioned in the width direction B by the lower slit wall surface 56, it is possible to prevent the first head P1b of the first headed bolt P1 from shifting to either side in the width direction B. It is also possible to prevent the first head P1b of the first headed bolt P1 from remaining caught on the upper slit upper edge portion 57 on either side in the width direction B, causing the first headed bolt P1 to become stuck and clogged midway through the sorting section 22.

[0095] (Other embodiments) Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the preferred embodiments, such description is not limiting, and it goes without saying that various modifications, substitutions, or combinations are possible.

[0096] The above dimensions are merely examples, and other dimensions may be used.

[0097] A hexagonal bolt may be used as the headed bolt P (first headed bolt P1, second headed bolt P2). In this case, the two-face width or diagonal width may be applied as the outer diameter (first head outer diameter D1, second head outer diameter D2) of the head Pb (first head P1b, second head P2b).

[0098] The guide rail 10 is not limited to extending diagonally downward from the rear side to the front side with respect to the horizontal direction H, but may extend diagonally upward from the rear side to the front side with respect to the horizontal direction H, or may extend straight in the horizontal direction H.

[0099] The lower end of the slit 50 between the pair of guide rails 10 may be covered with a lid.

[0100] The first outer shank diameter d1 of the first shank portion P1a of the first headed bolt P1 and the second outer shank diameter d2 of the second shank portion P2a of the second headed bolt P2 may be the same.

[0101] The part P is not limited to a headed bolt, but may be another headed part (for example, a headed pin or a headed rivet). [Industrial Applicability]

[0102] Since the present disclosure can be applied to part sorting devices, it is extremely useful and has high industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] A Direction of travel H horizontal direction V vertical direction B Width direction P Head bolt (parts) Pa shaft Pb head P1 First head bolt (first part) P1a First shaft P1b 1st head P2 Second head bolt (second part) P2a 2nd shaft part P2b 2nd head d1 First shaft outer diameter d2 2nd axis outer diameter D1 First head outer diameter D2 2nd head outer diameter E Introduction width Fd Lower width dimension (width dimension) Fu Upper width dimension (width dimension) G Supply section width K Discharge hole width dimension 1 Head bolt sorting device (parts sorting device) 10 Guide rail 11. Inside 12 Top side 21 Introduction 22 Sorting section 23 Supply section 24 Discharge section 50 Slit 51 Introduction slit 52 Introduction slit wall 53 Upper edge of introduction slit 54 Lower slit 55 Upper slit 56 Lower slit wall 57 Upper edge of upper slit 58 Step 59 Upper edge of lower slit 60 Supply section slit 61 Supply section slit wall 62 Supply section slit upper edge 63 Discharge hole

Claims

1. A pair of guide rails extending parallel to each other to form a slit therebetween, A part including a shaft portion and a head portion having a diameter larger than that of the shaft portion advances through the slit along the guide rail, The direction of travel of the part includes a horizontal component, The guide rail includes a separating portion extending in the traveling direction, The slits in the sorting section include an upper slit and a lower slit that is below the upper slit and has a narrower width than the upper slit, a lower slit wall surface is provided on each side of the lower slit in the width direction, the lower slit wall surface being configured by an inner surface of the guide rail in the width direction and for positioning the shaft portion in the width direction; an upper edge portion of the upper slit for hooking the head portion is provided on both sides of the upper slit in the width direction and is formed by the upper surface of the guide rail; The shaft portion is inserted from above into the lower slit through the upper slit and is positioned in the width direction by a wall surface of the lower slit, The part proceeds through the lower slit and the upper slit in the sorting section with the shaft portion positioned in the width direction by the lower slit wall surface.

2. The parts include a first part and a second part, a first head outer diameter of the first head portion as the head portion of the first component is larger than a width dimension of the upper slit, a second head outer diameter of the second head as the head of the second component is smaller than a width dimension of the upper slit, the first part passes through the lower slit and the upper slit in the sorting section with the shaft portion positioned in the width direction by the lower slit wall surface and the first head portion hooked on an upper edge portion of the upper slit; The part sorting device according to claim 1 , wherein the second head of the second part falls off from an upper edge of the upper slit while the shaft part is positioned in the width direction by the lower slit wall surface.

3. a lower slit upper edge portion formed by a step portion between the lower slit and the upper slit is provided on both sides of the lower slit in the width direction, The part sorting device according to claim 2 , wherein the second head portion that has fallen off from the upper edge portion of the upper slit is caught on the upper edge portion of the lower slit.

4. The guide rail includes a discharge section disposed downstream of the sorting section in the traveling direction, The slit in the discharge portion forms a discharge hole that is larger than the second head outer diameter and opens downward, The part sorting device according to claim 3 , wherein the second part sent from the sorting section to the discharge section falls into the discharge hole.

5. The part sorting device according to claim 1 , wherein the part is a head bolt.

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