Locking mechanism for parts feeder

Abstract

To provide a locking mechanism for a parts feeder that prevents inappropriate parts from being supplied.SOLUTION: A locking mechanism 10 of a parts feeder 20 comprises: a first movable member 50 movable in a second direction relative to a housing 11; and a second movable member 60 movable in the second direction relative to the first movable member 50. A lock part 13 restricts movement of a latch part 12 from a latched position to an unlatched position when the first movable member 50 is in a position different from a first actuated position, or when the first movable member 50 is in the first actuated position but the second movable member 60 is in a position different from a second actuated position, and allows the movement of the latch part 12 from the latched position to the unlatched position when the first movable member 50 is positioned in the first actuated position and the second movable member 60 is positioned in the second actuated position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking mechanism for a parts feeder. [Background technology]

[0002] In assembly lines for various products, it is required that proper parts are supplied (put into) parts feeders. Methods for preventing the putting into of improper parts include, for example, a method in which a worker checks the part number of the part; a method in which a mold is used that can fit proper parts (parts with a predetermined size and shape) but cannot fit improper parts (parts that differ from the predetermined size and shape), and the worker actually fits the part into the shoulder to determine whether it is a proper part; and a method in which a worker visually compares a part that has already been supplied to the parts feeder with a part that is about to be supplied to determine whether it is a proper part. However, because all of these methods rely on the worker's visual inspection, there is a risk of improper parts being supplied due to human error.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a parts feeder that includes a stand on which parts can be placed and a control device that determines whether the parts placed on the stand are proper parts and unlocks the lid member of the parts feeder's hopper if it is determined that the parts are proper. According to the parts feeder disclosed in Patent Document 1, if an improper part is placed on the stand, the lid member of the hopper is not unlocked, preventing the supply of the improper part. However, the parts feeder disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires the stand and control device, which increases equipment costs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-71648 Summary of the Invention

[0005] (Problem to be solved by the invention) In view of the above circumstances, one object of the present invention is to provide a locking mechanism for a parts feeder that can prevent or suppress the supply (input) of inappropriate parts.

[0006] (Means for solving the problem) In order to achieve the above object, the locking mechanism of the parts feeder according to the present invention comprises: A locking mechanism for a parts feeder comprising: a container provided with an opening through which parts can be supplied; and a lid member movable between a closed position where the opening is blocked to prevent the parts from being supplied to the container and an open position where the opening is not blocked to allow the parts to be supplied to the container, wherein the parts are members having a base end and a rod-shaped portion protruding from the base end and having a predetermined length and predetermined cross-sectional dimensions, a latch portion including a latch configured to be movable in a first direction relative to the housing between a latched position that does not allow the lid member to move from the closed position to the open position and an unlatched position that allows the lid member to move from the closed position to the open position; The latch locking device includes a first movable member that is movable between a first operating position and a position different from the first operating position by moving in a second direction relative to the housing, and a second movable member that is movable between a second operating position and a position different from the second operating position by moving in the second direction relative to the first movable member, and a locking portion that restricts movement of the latch from the latched position to the unlatched position when the first movable member is located in a position different from the first operating position, or when the first movable member is located in the first operating position but the second movable member is located in a position different from the second operating position, and allows movement of the latch from the latched position to the unlatched position when the first movable member is located in the first operating position and the second movable member is located in the second operating position.

[0007] the first movable member includes a part insertion portion into which the rod-shaped portion of the part can be inserted in one of the second directions, and a first contact portion with which the base end portion of the part can come into contact when the rod-shaped portion is inserted into the part insertion portion, the second movable member includes a second contact portion that can come into contact with a tip end of the rod-shaped portion of the part inserted into the part insertion portion, when the rod-shaped portion of the part having the predetermined length is inserted into the part insertion portion and the base end of the part contacts the first contact portion of the first movable member in a state in which the part is pressed in one direction in the second direction, the second movable member is pressed by the rod-shaped portion, and the lock portion is positioned at the second operating position; When the part is pressed a predetermined amount in one of the second directions while the second movable member is positioned in the second operating position relative to the first movable member, the first movable member is configured to move to the first operating position while maintaining the second movable member positioned in the second operating position.

[0008] According to the present invention, when an improper rod-shaped part (i.e., a rod-shaped part having a length different from the predetermined length) is inserted into the part insertion portion, the second movable member does not move relative to the first movable member, or if it does move, it does not move to the second operating position. Therefore, even if the first movable member is in the first position when the second movable member is not in the second operating position (i.e., in a position different from the second operating position), the locking member does not allow the latch to move from the latched position to the unlatched position. Therefore, when an improper rod-shaped part is inserted into the part insertion portion, the lid member of the part container of the part feeder cannot be opened, thereby preventing or suppressing the supply of improper parts to the part container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a parts feeder. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the locking mechanism. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the locking mechanism. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the housing. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of each member other than the housing. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the dimensions of each member. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the operation of the locking device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the operation of the locking device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the operation of the locking device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation of the locking device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the operation of the locking device. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the operation of the locking device. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the operation of the locking device. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the operation of the locking device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the following description, the term "locking mechanism of a parts feeder" may be abbreviated to "locking mechanism."

[0011] <Parts> In this embodiment, a bolt is shown as an example of a part. The bolt may be either a bolt without a washer or a bolt with a washer. Although each figure shows an example of a bolt with a washer, the bolt may also be a bolt without a washer. When the part is a bolt with a washer, the head and washer of the bolt are an example of the base end of the present invention, and the part of the bolt shank that protrudes from the washer is an example of the rod-shaped part. When the part is a bolt without a washer, the shank of the bolt is an example of the present invention, and the shank of the bolt is an example of the present invention. In the following description, the "neck length" of a bolt with a washer means "the length from the end of the washer (the end closest to the tip of the shank) to the tip of the shank when the washer is not deformed and is in contact with the seating surface of the bolt head." In addition, the bolt to be fed to the part feeder (see FIG. 6) will be referred to as an "appropriate bolt 90." The appropriate bolt 90 has a predetermined nominal diameter and a predetermined neck length L C and a predetermined base end diameter (bearing surface diameter).

[0012] <Parts feeder configuration> FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the main parts of a parts feeder 20 to which a locking mechanism 10 is applied. The parts feeder 20 includes a parts container 201, a lid member 202, and the locking mechanism 10. The parts container 201 is an example of a container of the present invention and is a member configured to accommodate a plurality (a large number) of appropriate bolts 90. The parts container 201 is provided with an opening (insertion port) through which appropriate bolts 90 can be supplied. The lid member 202 is movably attached to the parts container 201 and configured to be openable and closable relative to the parts container 201 (specifically, movable between a closed position (shown by a dashed line in FIG. 1 ) that blocks the opening and an open position (shown by a solid line in FIG. 1 ) that does not block the opening). For example, the lid member 202 is rotatably attached to the parts container 201 by a hinge (not shown). The lid member 202 is configured to be openable and closable by rotating relative to the parts container 201. The cover member 202 is provided with a striker 203 that can engage and disengage a latch 702 of the locking mechanism 10, which will be described later. The cover member 202 is not allowed to open (move from the closed position to the open position) when the latch 702 of the locking mechanism 10, which will be described later, is in the latched position, but is allowed to open when the latch 702 is in the unlatched position. The latched position and unlatched position will be described later.

[0013] <Locking mechanism configuration> FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the locking mechanism 10. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the locking mechanism 10. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the locking mechanism 10 includes a housing 11, a latch portion 12, a lock portion 13, a first spring 14, a second spring 15, and a third spring 16. The latch portion 12 includes a shaft 40 and a latch mechanism 70. The lock portion 13 includes a first movable member 50 and a second movable member 60. In the following description, the three mutually orthogonal directions in the locking mechanism 10 are referred to as a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction. One side of the first direction is referred to as the "latch side," and the opposite side is referred to as the "unlatch side." Furthermore, one side of the second direction is referred to as the "lock side," and the opposite side is referred to as the "unlock side." In each figure, the latch side of the first direction is indicated by an arrow F. L The first direction of unlatching is indicated by arrow F. U The second locking direction is indicated by arrow S.L The second direction is indicated by the arrow S. U The third direction is indicated by an arrow T.

[0014] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the casing 11. The casing 11 includes a housing 30, a first cover 31, a second cover 32, and a third cover 33. The casing 11 is configured to accommodate the shaft 40 of the latch portion 12, the lock portion 13 (the first movable member 50 and the second movable member 60), the first spring 14, the second spring 15, and the third spring 16. The housing 30 is provided with a shaft accommodating portion 301 and a movable member accommodating portion 302. The shaft accommodating portion 301 is a through-hole whose center line C1 (hereinafter referred to as the first center line C1) is substantially parallel to the first direction. The movable member accommodating portion 302 is a bottomed hole whose center line C2 (hereinafter referred to as the second center line C2) is substantially parallel to the second direction, and whose one side (the lock side) is open and the opposite side (the unlock side) is closed. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the shaft accommodating portion 301 and the movable member accommodating portion 302 have a substantially circular cross section. The first center line C1 and the second center line C2 intersect at a substantially right angle, and the shaft accommodating portion 301 and the movable member accommodating portion 302 are connected to each other.

[0015] A third spring engagement portion 303 is provided in the shaft accommodating portion 301. The third spring engagement portion 303 is a portion with which one end of the third spring 16 comes into contact. The third spring engagement portion 303 is located closer to the unlatch side than the movable member accommodating portion 302, and is a flat surface that faces the movable member accommodating portion 302 at a substantially right angle to the first center line C1. For example, a portion having a smaller diameter than the other portions of the shaft accommodating portion 301 is provided near the end of the shaft accommodating portion 301 on the unlatch side in the first direction. The step surface between the small diameter portion and the other portions is the third spring engagement portion 303.

[0016] The movable member accommodating portion 302 includes a main accommodating portion 304, an auxiliary accommodating portion 305, and a second spring accommodating portion 306. The main accommodating portion 304 is located on the locking side, with its end on the locking side opening to the outside of the housing 11. The auxiliary accommodating portion 305 is located on the unlocking side of the main accommodating portion 304. The inner diameter of the auxiliary accommodating portion 305 is smaller than the inner diameter of the main accommodating portion 304 and larger than the outer diameter of a first spring 14, which will be described later. The second spring accommodating portion 306 is located on the unlocking side of the auxiliary accommodating portion 305. The inner diameter of the second spring accommodating portion 306 is smaller than the inner diameter of the auxiliary accommodating portion 305 and larger than the outer diameter of a second spring 15, which will be described later. The main accommodating portion 304, the auxiliary accommodating portion 305, and the second spring accommodating portion 306 are arranged coaxially.

[0017] A positioning portion 307 is provided at the unlocking side end of the main accommodating portion 304. The positioning portion 307 is a portion for positioning the first movable member 50, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the positioning portion 307 is a stepped surface between the main accommodating portion 304 and the sub-accommodating portion 305, and is a flat surface facing the locking side at approximately right angles to the second center line C2. A first spring engaging portion 308 is provided at the unlocking side end of the sub-accommodating portion 305. The first spring engaging portion 308 is a portion with which one end of the first spring 14 comes into contact. In this embodiment, the first spring engaging portion 308 is a stepped surface between the sub-accommodating portion 305 and the second spring accommodating portion 306, and is a flat surface facing the locking side at approximately right angles to the second center line C2.

[0018] A guide pin support portion 309 is provided on the inner circumferential surface of the main accommodating portion 304 of the housing 30. The guide pin support portion 309 is a groove-shaped portion parallel to the second center line C2, and is configured to be able to accommodate a part of the guide pin 52 therein.

[0019] The first cover 31 is a member attached (fixed) to the outer surface of the lock side of the housing 30, for example, by a bolt. The first cover 31 is provided with a part insertion hole 311. The part insertion hole 311 is a through-hole that penetrates in the direction of the second center line C2. The part insertion hole 311 can receive the head 901 and washer 903 (i.e., the base end) of the appropriate bolt 90 and has an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the main accommodating portion 304 of the movable member accommodating portion 302. The inner diameter of the part insertion hole 311 may be approximately the same as the inner diameter of the part head engaging portion 506 of the first movable member 50, which will be described later. The part insertion hole 311 is configured to be coaxial with the second center line C2 when the first cover 31 is attached to the housing 30. Therefore, when the first cover 31 is attached to the housing 30, the outer periphery of the opening of the movable member accommodating portion 302 of the housing 30 is partially blocked. At least a portion of the unlocking side surface of the first cover 31 that closes the outer periphery of the opening of the movable member accommodating portion 302 of the housing 30 is a flat surface that is approximately perpendicular to the second center line C2.

[0020] The second cover 32 is a member that is attached (fixed) by, for example, a bolt to a surface of the housing 30 on the unlatch side in the first direction. The third cover 33 is a member that is attached by, for example, a bolt to a surface of the housing 30 on the latch side in the first direction. The second cover 32 and the third cover 33 are provided with shaft insertion holes 321, 331 that are through holes that penetrate in the direction of the first center line C1 and are coaxial with the shaft accommodating portion 301 when attached to the housing 30.

[0021] 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the latch portion 12, the lock portion 13, the first spring 14, the second spring 15, and the third spring 16. The shaft 40 of the latch portion 12 is a member supported so as to be reciprocable relative to the housing 11 in the direction of the first center line C1. The shaft 40 has a long rod-like configuration, and is disposed with its longitudinal direction oriented approximately parallel to the first center line C1. The shaft 40 has a regulated portion 401, an opposing portion 402, a movable member relief portion 403, two supported portions 404, and a latch mechanism attachment portion 405. The regulated portion 401, the opposing portion 402, the movable member relief portion 403, and the two supported portions 404 are arranged coaxially.

[0022] The regulated portion 401 is a portion configured to be insertable into a first shaft hole 511 of the first movable member 50 and a second shaft hole 608 of the second movable member 60, which will be described later. The facing portion 402 is a portion provided at a position spaced apart from the unlatch side of the regulated portion 401. In this embodiment, the regulated portion 401 and the facing portion 402 are round bar-shaped portions of the same diameter. Furthermore, the mutually facing surfaces of the regulated portion 401 and the facing portion 402 are both flat surfaces that are approximately perpendicular to the first center line C1.

[0023] The movable member relief portion 403 is a portion provided between the regulated portion 401 and the opposing portion 402. The movable member relief portion 403 is configured so as not to hinder movement of the first movable member 50 and the second movable member 60 in the direction of the second center line C2 when inserted into a first shaft hole 511 of the first movable member 50 and a second shaft hole 608 of the second movable member 60 (when the first movable member 50 and the second movable member 60 are housed between the regulated portion 401 and the opposing portion 402). In this embodiment, the movable member relief portion 403 is coaxial with the regulated portion 401 and the opposing portion 402 and has a round bar-like configuration with a smaller diameter than the regulated portion 401 and the opposing portion 402. The specific dimensions and shape of the movable member relief portion 403 are set appropriately depending on the inner diameters of the first shaft hole 511 and the second shaft hole 608, the movable ranges (movable distances) of the first movable member 50 and the second movable member 60, and the like.

[0024] The two supported portions 404 are portions that are supported via the bushings 42 to be movable relative to the housing 11 in the direction of the first center line C1. The two supported portions 404 extend from the opposite sides of the regulated portion 401 and the opposing portion 402 from the sides that face each other (the sides that connect to the movable member escape portion 403), and have a round bar-like configuration with an outer diameter that is smaller than the outer diameters of the regulated portion 401 and the opposing portion 402.

[0025] A third spring engaging portion 406 is provided on the unlatch side of the facing portion 402. The third spring engaging portion 406 is a portion with which one end of the third spring 16 comes into contact. In this embodiment, the third spring engaging portion 406 is a flat surface that faces the unlatch side at a right angle to the first center line C1, and is a step surface between the facing portion 402 and the supported portion 404. The outer diameter of the facing portion 402 is larger than the outer diameter of the third spring 16, and the outer diameter of the supported portion 404, which is located on the unlatch side of the two, is smaller than the inner diameter of the third spring 16.

[0026] The latch mechanism mounting portion 405 is a portion to which the latch mechanism 70 is mounted. The latch mechanism mounting portion 405 has a rod-like configuration that extends toward the unlatched side from the end face of the supported portion 404, which is located on the unlatched side of the two portions.

[0027] The latch mechanism 70 of the latch section 12 is a mechanism attached (fixed) to the latch mechanism attachment portion 405 of the shaft 40, and moves back and forth together with the shaft 40 in the direction of the first center line C1 relative to the housing 11. The latch mechanism 70 includes a base member 701 and a latch 702. The latch 702 is constantly elastically biased toward the latch relative to the base member 701 by a biasing member (not shown) that is supported movably in the direction of the first center line C1 relative to the base member 701. The operation of the latch mechanism 70 will be described later.

[0028] The first movable member 50 of the locking unit 13 is insertable into the movable member accommodating portion 302 of the housing 11 and is configured to be movable inside the movable member accommodating portion 302 in the direction of the second center line C2. The first movable member 50 includes a main body portion 501, a pair of first restricting portions 502, and a pair of first spring engaging portions 503. The main body portion 501 is cylindrical and is disposed with its axis approximately parallel to the second center line C2. The outer diameter of the main body portion 501 is approximately the same as or slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the main accommodating portion 304 of the movable member accommodating portion 302 of the housing 30, and is larger than the inner diameter of the part insertion hole 311 of the first cover 31 and the inner diameter of the secondary accommodating portion 305 of the housing 11.

[0029] A part shank insertion hole 504 is provided in the main body 501. The part shank insertion hole 504 is an example of a part insertion portion of the present invention. The part shank insertion hole 504 is a through-hole with a substantially circular cross section that penetrates the main body 501 in the direction of the second center line C2. The inner diameter of the part shank insertion hole 504 is such that the shank 902 of the appropriate bolt 90 can be inserted therein, but the shank of a bolt with a larger nominal diameter than the appropriate bolt 90 cannot be inserted therein. Specifically, the inner diameter of the part shank insertion hole 504 is the same as or slightly larger than the nominal diameter of the appropriate bolt 90.

[0030] A part head engaging portion 506 is provided coaxially with the part shank insertion hole 504 on a first outer end surface 505, which is the end surface on the lock side of the main body 501 in the direction of the second center line C2. The part head engaging portion 506 has dimensions and a shape that allow the head 901 of the appropriate bolt 90 to be inserted therein. However, it is preferable that the part head engaging portion 506 has dimensions and a shape that prevent the head of a bolt with a nominal diameter larger than that of the appropriate bolt 90 from being inserted therein. The depth of the part head engaging portion 506 is not particularly limited. A first part contact surface 508, which is the bottom surface of the part head engaging portion 506, is an example of the first contact portion of the present invention. The first part contact surface 508 is configured to come into contact with the bearing surface of the head 901 of the appropriate bolt 90 when the shank 902 of the appropriate bolt 90 is inserted into the part shank insertion hole 504, and is a flat surface that is approximately perpendicular to the second center line C2 and faces the lock side.

[0031] A guide pin engaging portion 509 is provided on a side surface of the main body portion 501. The guide pin engaging portion 509 is a groove-shaped portion extending to the second center line C2, and is configured so that a part of the guide pin 52 supported by the guide pin support portion 309 of the housing 30 can be fitted into the guide pin engaging portion 509.

[0032] The pair of first restricting portions 502 are configured to restrict movement of the shaft 40 in the direction of the first center line C1 and to support (or clamp) a second movable member 60 (described later) so that the second movable member 60 can reciprocate in the direction of the second center line C2. The pair of first restricting portions 502 are provided on the unlock side of the main body 501. The pair of first restricting portions 502 have a flat plate-like configuration with both end faces in the direction of the first center line C1 being approximately perpendicular to the first center line C1. The pair of first restricting portions 502 have dimensions and a shape that allow them to be inserted into the main accommodating portion 304 of the movable member accommodating portion 302 of the housing 30 but not into the sub-accommodating portion 305. For example, both end faces in the third direction of the pair of first restricting portions 502 are arc-shaped curved surfaces that are integral with the side surfaces of the main body 501 (in other words, arc-shaped curved surfaces that are coaxial with and have the same diameter as the side surfaces of the main body 501). Furthermore, first inner end surfaces 510, which are end surfaces on the unlocking side in the direction of the second center line C2 of the pair of first restricting portions 502, are flat surfaces that are approximately perpendicular to the second center line C2.

[0033] The pair of first restricting portions 502 are spaced apart from each other in the direction of the first center line C1, sandwiching the part shank insertion hole 504. The pair of first restricting portions 502 are configured to be insertable between the opposing end faces of the regulated portion 401 and the opposing portion 402 of the shaft 40, and are configured to allow the second movable member 60 to be inserted therebetween. The pair of first restricting portions 502 are provided with first shaft holes 511. The first shaft holes 511 provided in each of the pair of first restricting portions 502 are coaxial. The first shaft holes 511 are through-holes that penetrate in a direction approximately parallel to the first center line C1, and have dimensions and a shape that allow the regulated portion 401 of the shaft 40, described below, to be inserted (slidably) through the first shaft hole 511. However, it is preferable that the inner diameter of the first shaft hole 511 be as small as possible as long as the regulated portion 401 of the shaft 40 can be inserted (slidably) through the first shaft hole 511.

[0034] The first spring engaging portion 503 is a portion configured to be insertable into the inner peripheral side of the first spring 14. The first spring engaging portion 503 has a protrusion-like configuration that protrudes from the first inner end surface 510 toward the unlock side. For example, the opposing surfaces of the first spring engaging portion 503 are flat surfaces (flush surfaces) that are integrally connected to the opposing surfaces of the first regulating portion 502 of the second movable member 60, but the other surfaces are arc-shaped surfaces that are coaxial with the main body portion 501 and have a diameter that is approximately the same as or smaller than the inner diameter of the first spring 14.

[0035] The second movable member 60 of the locking portion 13 includes a second restricting portion 601 , a pressed portion 602 , and a second spring engaging portion 603 .

[0036] The second restricting portion 601 is a portion configured to restrict movement of the shaft 40 in the direction of a first center line C1, which will be described later. The second restricting portion 601 is also a portion configured to be insertable between the pair of first restricting portions 502 of the first movable member 50. The second restricting portion 601 has a flat plate-like configuration extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the first center line C1.

[0037] The second restricting portion 601 has a wide portion 604 and a narrow portion 605 located on the unlock side of the wide portion 604. The wide portion 604 of the second restricting portion 601 has a substantially quadrilateral shape when viewed from the direction of the first center line C1. A second outer end surface 606, which is the lock side end surface of the wide portion 604 of the second restricting portion 601, is a flat surface substantially perpendicular to the second center line C2. The dimension in the third direction of the wide portion 604 is larger than the outer diameter of the first spring 14. For example, both end surfaces in the third direction of the wide portion 604 of the second restricting portion 601 are arc-shaped curved surfaces that are coaxial with each other and have substantially the same diameter as the side surface of the main body portion 501 of the first movable member 50. The dimension in the third direction of the narrow portion 605 of the second restricting portion 601 is smaller than the inner diameters of the wide portion 604 and the first spring 14, and larger than the outer diameter of the second spring 15. For example, both end faces in the third direction of the narrow width portion 605 of the second restricting portion 601 are arc-shaped curved surfaces that are integrally connected to the side faces of the first spring engaging portion 503 of the first movable member 50 when the second movable member 60 is inserted into the first movable member 50 (in other words, arc-shaped curved surfaces that are coaxial with each other and have approximately the same diameter as the side faces of the first spring engaging portion 503). A second inner end face 607, which is the end face on the unlocking side of the narrow width portion 605, is a flat surface that is perpendicular to the second center line C2.

[0038] The second restricting portion 601 is provided with a second shaft hole 608. The second shaft hole 608 is a through-hole that penetrates in a direction approximately parallel to the first center line C1, and has a size and shape that allows the restricted portion 401 of the shaft 40, which will be described later, to be inserted therethrough. However, similar to the first shaft hole 511, it is preferable that the inner diameter of the second shaft hole 608 is as small as possible as long as the restricted portion 401 of the shaft 40 can be inserted (slidably moved) therethrough. Note that the inner diameter of the second shaft hole 608 may be the same as the inner diameter of the first shaft hole 511.

[0039] The pressed portion 602 has a rod-like configuration that protrudes from the second outer end surface 606 toward the lock side. The pressed portion 602 has a shape and dimensions that allow it to be inserted into the part shank insertion hole 504 of the first movable member 50. A second part contact surface 609, which is the lock side end surface of the pressed portion 602, is an example of a second contact portion of the present invention. The second part contact surface 609 is a flat surface that faces the lock side and is approximately perpendicular to the second center line C2. A part relief portion 610 is provided on the second part contact surface 609. The part relief portion 610 is an example of a recess of the present invention, and is a recess that opens to the lock side. The part relief portion 610 has dimensions that prevent the shank 902 of the appropriate bolt 90 from being inserted therein, but allow the shank of a bolt with a smaller nominal diameter than the appropriate bolt 90 to be inserted therein. The depth of the part relief portion 610 is not particularly limited.

[0040] The second spring engaging portion 603 is a portion configured to be able to engage with the second spring 15. The second spring engaging portion 603 has a cylindrical configuration that protrudes from the second inner end surface 607 toward the unlock side. The second spring engaging portion 603 has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the second spring 15 so that it can be inserted into the inner circumferential side of the second spring 15 (i.e., so that it can engage with the second spring 15). The second spring engaging portion 603 is provided coaxially with the pressed portion 602.

[0041] The first spring 14 is an example of a first biasing member of the present invention. The first spring 14 is a member that constantly elastically biases the first movable member 50 toward the locking side relative to the housing 11. The second spring 15 is an example of a second biasing member of the present invention. The second spring 15 is a member that constantly elastically biases the second movable member 60 toward the locking side relative to the housing 11 and the first movable member 50. The third spring 16 is an example of a third biasing member of the present invention. The third spring 16 is a member that constantly elastically biases the shaft 40 toward the latching side relative to the housing 11. In this embodiment, the first spring 14, the second spring 15, and the third spring 16 are all coil springs that are elastically compressible and deformable in the axial direction (i.e., compression coil springs). The second spring 15 has a size that allows it to be coaxially housed on the inner circumferential side of the first spring 14.

[0042] <Locking mechanism assembly structure> Next, the assembly structure of the locking mechanism 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3 , the first movable member 50, the second movable member 60, the first spring 14, and the second spring 15 are accommodated in the movable member accommodating portion 302 of the housing 30. Specifically, the second movable member 60 is accommodated between the pair of first restricting portions 502 of the first movable member 50. The first spring 14 is arranged so that both ends thereof contact the first inner end surface 510 of the first movable member 50 and the first spring engaging portion 308 of the housing 30, respectively. The second spring 15 is arranged so that both ends thereof contact the second inner end surface 607 of the second movable member 60 and the bottom surface of the second spring accommodating portion 306 of the housing 30, respectively. The first cover 31 is attached to the lock-side surface of the housing 30. The guide pin 52 is supported by the guide pin support portion 309 of the housing 30 and is arranged to fit into the guide pin engaging portion 509 of the first movable member 50.

[0043] The shaft 40 is accommodated in the shaft accommodating portion 301 of the housing 30. The third spring 16 is disposed between the third spring engaging portion 406 of the shaft 40 and the third spring engaging portion 303 of the housing 30. The second cover 32 is attached to the unlatch side end face of the housing 30, for example, by a bolt. In this state, the latch mechanism attaching portion 405 of the shaft 40 protrudes outside the second cover 32. The latch mechanism 70 is attached to the latch mechanism attaching portion 405 of the shaft 40. The third cover 33 is attached to the latch side end face of the housing 30, for example, by a bolt. In this state, the end of the latch side supported portion 404 of the shaft 40 protrudes outside the third cover 33. The grip 41 is attached to the supported portion 404 of the shaft 40 protruding from the third cover 33, for example, by a bolt.

[0044] Here, the dimensions of each member will be described. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of each member cut along a plane perpendicular to the first center line C1 and including the second center line C2.

[0045] A distance L1 from the first outer end surface 505 to the first inner end surface 510 of the first movable member 50 is smaller than a distance L2 from the unlock-side surface of the first cover 31 attached to the housing 30 to the positioning portion 307 of the movable member accommodating portion 302. Therefore, the first movable member 50 is capable of reciprocating movement in the direction of the second center line C2 while being accommodated inside the movable member accommodating portion 302 of the housing 30. Note that the position of the first movable member 50 when the first outer end surface 505 comes into contact with the unlock-side surface of the first cover 31 (in other words, the position of the lock-side end of the movable range of the first movable member 50) is referred to as a first initial position, and the position of the first movable member 50 when the first inner end surface 510 comes into contact with the positioning portion 307 (in other words, the position of the unlock-side end of the movable range of the first movable member 50) is referred to as a first actuated position.

[0046] A distance L3 from the first inner end surface 510 of the first movable member 50 to the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511 is the same as a distance L4 from the positioning portion 307 of the housing 30 to the first center line C1 (i.e., the center line of the shaft 40). Therefore, when the first movable member 50 is located in the first initial position, the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511 of the first movable member 50 is located closer to the lock side than the first center line C1. That is, the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511 and the first center line C1 are shifted from each other toward the second center line C2. On the other hand, when the first movable member 50 is located in the first operating position, the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511 of the first movable member 50 coincides with (is coaxial with) the first center line C1.

[0047] A distance L5 from the second outer end surface 606 of the second movable member 60 to the center line E2 of the second shaft hole 608 is smaller than a distance L6 from a main body inner end surface 507, which is the end surface on the unlock side of the main body 501 of the first movable member 50, to the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511. Also, a distance L7 from the first part contact surface 508 of the first movable member 50 to the main body inner end surface 507 is larger than a distance L8 from the second outer end surface 606 of the second movable member 60 to the second part contact surface 609 (i.e., the dimension in the second center line C2 direction of the pressed portion 602), but the distance L8 from the second outer end surface 606 to the second part contact surface 609 and the appropriate under-neck length LC " is smaller than the distance obtained by adding " and ".

[0048] The position of the second movable member 60 relative to the first movable member 50 when the pressed portion 602 is inserted into the part shaft portion insertion hole 504 of the first movable member 50 from the unlock side and the second outer end surface 606 contacts the main body portion inner end surface 507 of the first movable member 50 is referred to as a second initial position. The second initial position is the position of the lock side end of the movable range of the second movable member 60 relative to the first movable member 50. When the second movable member 60 is located at the second initial position, the center line E2 of the second shaft hole 608 of the second movable member 60 is located closer to the lock side than the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511 of the first movable member 50. In other words, the center line E2 of the second shaft hole 608 of the second movable member 60 and the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511 of the first movable member 50 do not coincide with each other but are shifted from each other. When the second movable member 60 is located at the second initial position, the distance L9 from the first part contact surface 508 of the first movable member 50 to the second part contact surface 609 of the second movable member 60 is equal to the length L of the bolt 90 under the head. C is smaller than.

[0049] Appropriate bolt 90 neck length L C and the difference distance L 10 is the difference distance L between the distance L6 and the distance L5. 11 Therefore, from a state in which the second outer end surface 606 of the second movable member 60 is in contact with the main body inner end surface 507 of the first movable member 50, the second movable member 60 is moved by a distance L 10 (=distance L 11 ) to the unlock side, and the distance from the first part contact surface 508 of the first movable member 50 to the second part contact surface 609 of the second movable member 60 becomes equal to the appropriate under-neck length L C When the distance is equal to the distance between the first shaft hole 511 of the first movable member 50 and the second shaft hole 608 of the second movable member 60, the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511 of the first movable member 50 and the center line E2 of the second shaft hole 608 of the second movable member 60 coincide with each other. CThe sum of "the distance L5 from the second outer end surface 606 of the second movable member 60 to the center line E2 of the second shaft hole 608" and "the distance L8 from the second outer end surface 606 of the second movable member 60 to the second part contact surface 609" is the same as the sum of "the distance L6 from the main body inner end surface 507 of the first movable member 50 to the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511" and "the distance L7 from the first part contact surface 508 of the first movable member 50 to the main body inner end surface 507."

[0050] The position of the second movable member 60 relative to the first movable member 50 when the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511 of the first movable member 50 and the center line E2 of the second shaft hole 608 of the second movable member 60 coincide with each other is referred to as a second operating position. 10 The second operating position is a position biased toward the unlock side by only 1.0 mm. The second operating position is an intermediate position in the movable range of the second movable member 60, and the second movable member 60 can move toward the unlock side further than the second operating position.

[0051] <Locking mechanism operation> (Operation of the locking mechanism when the correct bolt is inserted) Next, the operation of the locking mechanism 10 will be described. Figures 7 to 14 are diagrams showing the operation of the locking mechanism 10. Figure 7 is a diagram showing the initial state of the locking mechanism 10. In the initial state of the locking mechanism 10, the first movable member 50 is located in the first initial position, the second movable member 60 is located in the second initial position, and the shaft 40 is located at the end of the movable range on the latch side (this position will be referred to as the third initial position). The shaft 40 is constantly elastically biased toward the third initial position by the third spring 16.

[0052] 7, when the shaft 40 is located in the third initial position, the pair of first restricting portions 502 of the first movable member 50 and the second restricting portion 601 of the second movable member 60 are located between the restricted portion 401 and the opposing portion 402 of the shaft 40. Therefore, the first movable member 50 and the second movable member 60 can move toward the first operating position and the second operating position (unlock side), respectively, without interfering with either the restricted portion 401 or the opposing portion 402 of the shaft 40. Furthermore, the guide pin 52 fits into the guide pin engaging portion 509, thereby restricting rotation of the first movable member 50 about the second center line C2 relative to the housing 30.

[0053] The first movable member 50 is constantly elastically biased toward the first initial position by the first spring 14. The second movable member 60 is constantly elastically biased toward the second initial position by the second spring 15. When the first movable member 50 is positioned at the first initial position, the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511 of the first movable member 50 does not coincide with the first center line C1 and is positioned closer to the lock side than the first center line C1. In this state, a portion of the end face of the regulated portion 401 of the shaft 40 and a portion of the first regulating surface, which is the end face of the first regulating portion 502 of the first movable member 50, face each other (they overlap each other when viewed from the direction of the first center line C1). Therefore, the end face of the regulated portion 401 comes into contact with (interferes with) the first regulating surface of the first movable member 50, preventing the shaft 40 from moving toward the unlatched side from the third initial position. In this way, when no external force is applied to the locking mechanism 10, the first movable member 50 is held in the first initial position and the second movable member 60 is held in the second initial position, so that the shaft 40 is held in a state where it cannot move from the third initial position to the unlatched side.

[0054] Note that a distance L5 from the second outer end surface 606 of the second movable member 60 to the center line E2 of the second shaft hole 608 is smaller than a distance L6 from the main body inner end surface 507 of the first movable member 50 to the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511. Therefore, when the second movable member 60 is positioned in the second initial position by the biasing force of the second spring 15, the center line E2 of the second shaft hole 608 of the second movable member 60 does not coincide with the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511 of the first movable member 50, and is positioned on the lock side of the first center line C1.

[0055] 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the shaft portion 902 of the appropriate bolt 90 is inserted into the part shaft portion insertion hole 504 of the first movable member 50. When the shaft portion 902 of the appropriate bolt 90 is inserted into the part shaft portion insertion hole 504 of the first movable member 50, the tip end of the shaft portion 902 of the appropriate bolt 90 comes into contact with the pressed portion 602 of the second movable member 60. However, the neck length L of the appropriate bolt 90 C 6 (the distance from the first part contact surface 508 of the first movable member 50 to the second part contact surface 609 of the second movable member 60 when the second movable member 60 is located at the second initial position). Therefore, the washer 903 (the base end of the part) of the adjustment bolt 90 does not contact the first part contact surface 508 of the first movable member 50, and is spaced further toward the lock side than the first part contact surface 508.

[0056] 8 , when the head 901 of the appropriate bolt 90 is pressed toward the unlock side, the tip of the shaft 902 of the appropriate bolt 90 presses the pressed portion 602 of the second movable member 60 toward the unlock side. Therefore, with the first movable member 50 located at the first initial position, the second movable member 60 moves from the second initial position toward the unlock side. That is, the second movable member 60 moves toward the unlock side relative to the first movable member 50.

[0057] When the appropriate bolt 90 is pushed toward the unlock side, as shown in FIG. 9, the washer 903 of the appropriate bolt 90 contacts the first part contact surface 508 of the first movable member 50. In this state, the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511 of the first movable member 50 and the center line E2 of the second shaft hole 608 of the second movable member 60 coincide with each other. However, when the first movable member 50 is positioned in the first initial position, the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511 and the center line E2 of the second shaft hole 608 of the second movable member 60 are positioned closer to the lock side than the first center line C1. In this state, similar to the states shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the end face of the regulated portion 401 of the shaft 40 contacts (interferes with) the end face of the first movable member 50, preventing the shaft 40 from moving toward the unlatched side from the third initial position.

[0058] When the bolt is further pushed toward the unlock side from the state shown in FIG. 9 , the second movable member 60 is pushed by the tip of the shaft portion 902 of the appropriate bolt 90 and moves further toward the unlock side. The first movable member 50 is also pushed by the washer 903 of the appropriate bolt 90 and moves from the first initial position toward the unlock side. The biasing force of the first spring 14 is sufficiently smaller than the biasing force of the washer 903 so that the washer 903 does not deform. Therefore, the relative positional relationship between the first movable member 50 and the second movable member 60 does not change. Therefore, the first movable member 50 and the second movable member 60 move together toward the unlock side while maintaining the positional relationship in which the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511 of the first movable member 50 and the center line E2 of the second shaft hole 608 of the second movable member 60 coincide with each other.

[0059] 10 , when the first movable member 50 is positioned in the first operating position (i.e., when the first inner end surface 510 contacts the positioning portion 307 of the housing 30), the first movable member 50 and the second movable member 60 cannot move further toward the unlocked side. Therefore, if the pressing force on the appropriate bolt 90 continues in this state, the first movable member 50 is maintained in the first operating position. In this state, the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511 of the first movable member 50 and the center line E2 of the second shaft hole 608 of the second movable member 60 coincide with the first center line C1 of the housing 30. In other words, the regulated portion 401 of the shaft 40 can be inserted into the first shaft hole 511 of the first movable member 50 and the second shaft hole 608 of the second movable member 60.

[0060] In this state, when the grip 41 is pressed toward the unlatch side, the shaft 40 moves from the third initial position toward the unlatch side against the biasing force of the third spring 16, as shown in FIG.

[0061] Thereafter, when the pressing force on the grip 41 is released, the shaft 40 moves to the third initial position due to the biasing force of the third spring 16. Then, when the shaft 40 is located at the third initial position, the first movable member 50 and the second movable member 60 become movable relative to the shaft 40 in the direction of the second center line C2. Therefore, the first movable member 50 moves to the first initial position due to the biasing force of the first spring 14, and the second movable member 60 moves to the second initial position due to the biasing force of the second spring 15. Therefore, the locking mechanism 10 returns to its initial state.

[0062] The locking mechanism 10 is attached to the parts container 201 so that when the latch portion 12 (shaft 40 and latch mechanism 70) is positioned on the latch side of a predetermined position in the middle of its movable range (in other words, at or near the third initial position), the latch 702 of the latch mechanism 70 is positioned on the opening and closing movement trajectory of the striker 203 of the lid member 202, and when it is positioned at the end of its movable range on the unlatched side of the predetermined position, the latch 702 is positioned outside the opening and closing movement trajectory. The locking mechanism 10 is in a latched state when the latch 702 of the latch portion 12 is positioned within the opening and closing movement trajectory of the striker 203 of the lid member 202, and the position of the latch portion 12 where the locking mechanism 10 is in the latched state is the latched position. The third initial position is included in the latched position. In addition, the state in which the latch 702 of the latch portion 12 is positioned outside the movement trajectory of the striker 203 of the cover member 202 from the closed position to the open position is the unlatched state of the locking mechanism 10, and the position of the latch portion 12 in which the locking mechanism 10 is in the unlatched state is the unlatched position.

[0063] When the latch section 12 is in the latched position, the striker 203 of the cover member 202 interferes with the latch 702 of the latch mechanism 70, restricting the opening of the cover member 202. On the other hand, when the latch section 12 is in the unlatched position, the striker 203 of the cover member 202 does not interfere with the latch 702 of the latch mechanism 70, allowing the cover member 202 to open. Note that the latch mechanism 70 is configured to allow the cover member 202 to move from the open position to the closed position even when the latch 702 is located within the movement trajectory of the cover member 202 when opening or closing. The configuration of the latch mechanism 70 is not particularly limited, and various conventionally known configurations can be applied.

[0064] When latch portion 12 moves in the direction of first center line C1, locking mechanism 10 switches between a latched state and an unlatched state at a predetermined position in the middle of the movable range in the direction of first center line C1. In this way, locking mechanism 10 is configured to be switchable between a latched state that restricts (does not allow) opening of cover member 202 (movement from the closed position to the open position), and an unlatched state that allows opening of cover member 202.

[0065] Furthermore, when the locking mechanism 10 is in the latched state, if the first movable member 50 of the locking unit 13 is not located in the first operating position, or if the first movable member 50 is located in the first operating position but the second movable member 60 is located in a position other than the second operating position (including the second initial position), the shaft 40 cannot move from the third initial position to the unlatched side. Therefore, in this state, the locking mechanism 10 is restricted from switching from the latched state to the unlatched state. This state is the locked state of the locking mechanism 10. On the other hand, when the locking mechanism 10 is in the latched state, if the first movable member 50 of the locking unit 13 is located in the first operating position and the second movable member 60 is located in the second operating position, the shaft 40 can move from the third initial position to the unlatched side. Therefore, in this state, the locking mechanism 10 is allowed to switch from the latched state to the unlatched state. This state is the unlocked state of the locking mechanism 10. The locking mechanism 10 is configured to be held in a locked state when the proper bolt 90 is not inserted, and to be switched to an unlocked state when the proper bolt 90 is inserted.

[0066] Therefore, a user of the parts feeder 20 can switch the locking mechanism 10 from the locked state to the unlocked state by inserting and pressing the proper bolt 90 into the locking mechanism 10. Then, in this state, the user of the parts feeder 20 can switch the locking mechanism 10 from the latched state to the unlatched state by pressing the grip 41 (shaft 40) toward the unlatch side. Therefore, the user can open the lid member 202 of the parts feeder 20 and supply (input) the proper bolt 90 into the parts container 201. In other words, the user of the parts feeder 20 can recognize that the bolt inserted into the locking mechanism 10 is the proper bolt 90.

[0067] (Operation of the locking mechanism when an incorrect bolt is inserted) Next, we will explain the operation of the locking mechanism 10 when an improper bolt is inserted. An improper bolt is a bolt whose under-neck length or nominal diameter is different from that of the proper bolt 90. In addition, a bolt whose under-neck length and nominal diameter are the same as those of the proper bolt 90 but whose head or washer outer diameter (outer diameter of the base end) is larger than that of the proper bolt 90 is also an improper bolt.

[0068] FIG. 12 illustrates the operation when an improper bolt 91, whose under-head length is shorter than that of the proper bolt 90, is inserted, and illustrates the state corresponding to FIG. 10 . As shown in FIG. 12 , when the shaft of the improper bolt 91 is inserted, the second movable member 60 is not positioned in the second operating position, and the center line E2 of the second shaft hole 608 is positioned closer to the locking position than the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511. Therefore, even when the improper bolt 91 is pressed and the first movable member 50 is positioned in the first operating position (even when the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511 coincides with the first center line C1), the center line E2 of the second shaft hole 608 does not coincide with the first center line C1 and is positioned closer to the locking position than the first center line C1. In this state, the restricted portion 401 of the shaft 40 can enter the first shaft hole 511 of one of the first restricting portions 502 of the first movable member 50, but cannot enter the second shaft hole 608 of the second movable member 60. Therefore, the locking mechanism 10 is maintained in the locked state.

[0069] Strictly speaking, the shaft 40 can move from the third initial position to a position where the end face of the regulated portion 401 contacts the end face of the second regulating portion 601 of the second movable member 60. Therefore, in order to prevent the locking mechanism 10 from switching from the latched state to the unlatched state in this case, the locking mechanism 10 is attached to the parts feeder 20 so as to maintain the latched state at the position where the end face of the regulated portion 401 contacts the end face of the second regulating portion 601 of the second movable member 60 (the latch 702 of the latch mechanism 70 is located within the movement trajectory of the cover member 202 from the open position to the closed position).

[0070] FIG. 13 illustrates the operation when an improper bolt 92, whose under-head length is longer than that of the proper bolt 90, is inserted, and illustrates the state corresponding to FIG. 10 . As shown in FIG. 13 , when the shaft of the improper bolt 92 is inserted, the second movable member 60 is positioned closer to the unlocked side than the second operating position. Therefore, even if the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511 coincides with the first center line C1 in this state, the center line E2 of the second shaft hole 608 does not coincide with the first center line C1 and is positioned closer to the unlocked side than the first center line C1. Therefore, as in the case where an improper bolt 91 with a short under-head length is inserted, the restricted portion 401 of the shaft 40 can enter the first shaft hole 511 of one of the first restricting portions 502 of the first movable member 50 but cannot enter the second shaft hole 608 of the second movable member 60. Therefore, the locking mechanism 10 remains in the locked state.

[0071] 14 is a diagram showing the operation when an improper bolt 93 having the same under-head length as the proper bolt 90 but a smaller nominal diameter than the proper bolt 90 is inserted. As shown in FIG. 14, when such an improper bolt 93 is inserted, the tip of the shank of the improper bolt 93 enters the part release portion 610 of the pressed portion 602. Therefore, just as when an improper bolt 91 having a short under-head length is inserted, the center line E2 of the second shaft hole 608 of the second movable member 60 is positioned closer to the lock side than the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511 of the first movable member 50. Therefore, the locking mechanism 10 is maintained in the locked state.

[0072] An improper bolt having a nominal diameter larger than that of the proper bolt 90 cannot be inserted into the part shaft insertion hole 504 of the first movable member 50. For this reason, even if such an improper bolt is pushed into the unlock side, the center line E2 of the second shaft hole 608 of the second movable member 60 is positioned closer to the lock side than the center line E1 of the first shaft hole 511 of the first movable member 50. Therefore, the locking mechanism 10 is maintained in the locked state, just as when an improper bolt 91 with a short under-neck length is inserted. The same applies when an improper bolt having a head diameter or washer diameter larger than that of the proper bolt 90 is inserted.

[0073] As described above, according to this embodiment, when an appropriate bolt 90 having the appropriate under-neck length and nominal diameter is inserted, the latch mechanism 70 can be switched from the locked state to the unlocked state, but when an improper bolt 91, 92, 93 having an improper under-neck length or nominal diameter is inserted, the latch mechanism 70 cannot be switched from the locked state to the unlocked state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress the supply of improper bolts 91, 92, 93 to the parts feeder 20.

[0074] <Summary of the embodiment> The locking mechanism 10 of the parts feeder 20 according to this embodiment is A locking mechanism (10) for a parts feeder (20) comprising: a container (201) provided with an opening through which a part (property bolt (90)) can be supplied; and a cover member (202) movable between a closed position that closes the opening to prevent the part (property bolt (90)) from being supplied to the container (201) and an open position that does not close the opening to allow the part (property bolt (90)) to be supplied to the container, wherein the part (property bolt (90)) is a member having a base end (head (901) and washer (903)) and a rod-shaped portion (shaft (902)) protruding from the base end and having a predetermined length and predetermined cross-sectional dimensions, a latch unit (12) including a latch (702) configured to be movable in a first direction relative to the housing (11) between a latched position that does not allow the cover member (202) to move from the closed position to the open position and an unlatched position that allows the cover member (202) to move from the closed position to the open position; The latch 702 is provided with a locking portion 13 that restricts movement of the latch 702 from the latched position to the unlatched position when the first movable member 50 is located at a position other than the first operating position, or when the first movable member 50 is located at the first operating position but the second movable member 60 is located at a position other than the second operating position, and that allows movement of the latch 702 from the latched position to the unlatched position when the first movable member 50 is located at the first operating position and the second movable member 60 is located at the second operating position.

[0075] The first movable member 50 includes a part insertion portion (part shaft insertion hole 504) into which the rod-shaped portion of the part (adjustment bolt 90) can be inserted in one direction (unlock side) in the second direction, and a first contact portion (first part contact surface 508) with which the base end portion of the part (adjustment bolt 90) can come into contact when the rod-shaped portion (shaft 902) is inserted into the part insertion portion (part shaft insertion hole 504), the second movable member 60 includes a second contact portion (second part contact surface 609) that can come into contact with the tip end of the rod-shaped portion (shaft 902) of the part (appropriate bolt 90) inserted into the part insertion portion (part shaft insertion hole 504), The locking portion 13 is when the rod-shaped portion (shaft portion 902) of the part having the predetermined length is inserted into the part insertion portion (part shaft portion insertion hole 504) and the part (appropriate bolt 90) is pressed in one direction (unlock side) in the second direction, and the base end portion of the part (appropriate bolt 90) comes into contact with the first contact portion (first part contact surface 508) of the first movable member 50, the second movable member 60 is pressed by the rod-shaped portion (shaft portion 902) and is positioned at the second operating position, When the part (appropriate bolt 90) is pressed a predetermined amount in one direction (unlock side) in the second direction while the second movable member 60 is positioned in the second operating position relative to the first movable member 50, the first movable member 50 is configured to move to the first operating position while maintaining the second movable member 60 positioned in the second operating position.

[0076] According to this embodiment, when the rod-shaped portion (shank) of an improper part (improper bolt 91, 92, 93) is inserted into the part insertion portion (part shank insertion hole 504), the second movable member 60 does not move to the second operating position. Therefore, even if the first movable member 50 is in the first operating position when the second movable member 60 is not in the second operating position (when the second movable member 60 is in a position different from the second operating position), the locking unit 13 does not allow the latch 702 to move from the latched position to the unlatched position. Therefore, when the rod-shaped portion of an improper part is inserted into the part insertion portion, the lid member 202 of the part container 201 of the part feeder 20 cannot be opened, thereby preventing or suppressing the supply of an improper part to the part container 201.

[0077] The locking mechanism 10 of the parts feeder 20 according to this embodiment is a first biasing member (first spring 14) that elastically biases the first movable member 50 toward the other side (lock side) of the second direction; and a second biasing member (second spring 15) that elastically biases the second movable member 60 toward the other side (lock side) in the second direction.

[0078] With a configuration in which the first movable member 50 is constantly elastically biased toward the first initial position by the biasing force of the first biasing member (first spring 14) and the second movable member 60 is constantly elastically biased toward the second initial position by the biasing force of the second biasing member, the locking mechanism 10 is maintained in a locked state when no force is applied to the first movable member 50 and the second movable member 60 from outside the locking mechanism 10. Therefore, when the proper bolt 90 is not inserted, the lid member 202 of the parts container 201 is maintained in an unopenable state, thereby preventing or suppressing the supply of improper parts to the parts container 201.

[0079] The locking mechanism 10 of the parts feeder 20 according to this embodiment is the latch portion 12 supports the latch 702 and includes a rod-shaped third movable member (shaft 40) that is movable integrally with the latch 702 between the unlatched position and the latched position; The third movable member (shaft 40) is provided with a restricted portion 401 having a predetermined shape when viewed in the first direction, The first movable member 50 of the locking portion 13 is provided with a first restricted portion insertion hole (first shaft hole 511) that penetrates in the first direction and through which the restricted portion 401 of the third movable member can be inserted, The second movable member 60 of the locking portion 13 is provided with a second restricted portion insertion hole (second shaft hole 608) that penetrates in the first direction and through which the restricted portion 401 of the third movable member (shaft 40) can be inserted, The locking portion 13 is When the third movable member (shaft 40) is positioned at the latched position, if the first movable member 50 is positioned at a position different from the first operating position, the first restricted portion insertion hole (first shaft hole 511) is displaced in the second direction relative to the restricted portion 401, thereby restricting movement of the third movable member (shaft 40) from the latched position to the unlatched position, When the third movable member (shaft 40) is located at the latched position, the first movable member 50 is located at the first operating position, but if the second movable member 60 is located at a position different from the second operating position, the second restricted portion insertion hole (second shaft hole 608) is shifted in the second direction relative to the restricted portion 401, thereby restricting movement of the third movable member (shaft 40) from the latched position to the unlatched position, When the third movable member (shaft 40) is located at the latched position, the first movable member 50 is located at the first operating position, and the second movable member 60 is located at the second operating position, the positions of the first regulated portion insertion hole (first shaft hole 511) and the second regulated portion insertion hole (second shaft hole 608) and the position of the regulated portion 401 coincide with each other, thereby allowing the third movable member (shaft 40) to move from the latched position to the unlatched position.

[0080] According to this embodiment, even if the first movable member 50 is located in the first operating position, the third movable member (shaft 40) cannot move from the latched position to the unlatched position unless the second movable member 60 is located in the second operating position. Furthermore, if a rod-shaped portion (the shaft of the improper bolts 91, 92) having a length different from the predetermined length is inserted, the second movable member 60 will not be located in the second operating position. Therefore, if an improper part (the improper bolts 91, 92) having a rod-shaped portion (shaft) of a length different from the predetermined length is inserted, the locking unit 13 cannot be switched from the locked state to the unlocked state, and therefore the locking mechanism 10 cannot be switched from the latched state to the unlatched state.

[0081] The housing 11 is provided with a positioning portion 307 that engages with the first movable member 50 to position the first movable member 50 at the first operating position.

[0082] According to this configuration, when the appropriate part (appropriate bolt 90) is pushed in and engaged with the first movable member 50, the first movable member 50 is positioned at the first operating position, so the user only needs to push in the part, making operation easy.

[0083] The second contact portion (second part contact surface 609) of the second movable member 60 is provided with a recess (part escape portion 610) into which the rod-shaped portion (shaft 902) of the part (proper bolt 90) having the specified cross-sectional dimension cannot be inserted, but into which the rod-shaped portion (shaft) of the part (improper bolt 93) having a cross-sectional dimension smaller than the specified cross-sectional dimension can be inserted.

[0084] With this configuration, when an improper part (improper bolt 93) whose rod-shaped portion has an outer diameter (nominal diameter) smaller than that of the proper part is inserted, the tip of the rod-shaped portion (shaft) of the improper part (improper bolt 93) enters the recess (part escape portion 610). In this case, the movement distance of the second movable member 60 relative to the first movable member 50 is shorter than the movement distance caused by the second movable member 60 being pushed by the rod-shaped portion (shaft 902) of the proper part (proper bolt 90). Therefore, the second movable member 60 does not reach the second operating position. Therefore, the locking mechanism 10 does not switch to the unlocked state.

[0085] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and such modifications are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0086] For example, in the above embodiment, bolts were used as parts, but the parts are not limited to bolts. For example, rivets, pins with heads, and the like can also be used. Furthermore, the configurations of the part container 201 and the cover member 202 of the part feeder 20 are not particularly limited. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the shaft 40 and the first movable member 50 have a substantially circular cross section, but the cross-sectional shapes of these members are not particularly limited. For example, the shaft 40 and the first movable member 50 may be members with a substantially polygonal cross section. In this case, the shaft accommodating portion 301 and the movable member accommodating portion 302 of the housing 30 may have shapes corresponding to the cross-sectional shapes of the shaft 40 and the first movable member 50. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 10...locking mechanism, 20...parts feeder, 11...casing, 12...latch portion, 13...lock portion, 40...shaft, 50...first movable member, 60...second movable member, 70...latch mechanism, 90...adjustment bolt, 201...parts container of parts feeder, 202...lid member of parts feeder, 504...parts shaft insertion hole of first movable member

Claims

1. A locking mechanism for a part feeder comprising: a container having an opening through which parts can be fed; and a cover member movable between a closed position that blocks the opening to prevent the parts from being fed to the container and an open position that does not block the opening to allow the parts to be fed to the container, wherein the part is a member having a base end and a rod-shaped portion protruding from the base end and having a predetermined length and a predetermined cross-sectional dimension, a latch portion including a latch configured to be movable in a first direction relative to the housing to a latched position that does not allow the lid member to move from the closed position to the open position and an unlatched position that allows the lid member to move from the closed position to the open position; a first movable member movable between a first operating position and a position different from the first operating position by moving in a second direction relative to the housing, and a second movable member movable between a second operating position and a position different from the second operating position by moving in the second direction relative to the first movable member, wherein a lock portion restricts movement of the latch from the latched position to the unlatched position when the first movable member is located at a position different from the first operating position, or when the first movable member is located at the first operating position but the second movable member is located at a position different from the second operating position, and allows movement of the latch from the latched position to the unlatched position when the first movable member is located at the first operating position and the second movable member is located at the second operating position; Equipped with the first movable member includes a part insertion portion into which the rod-shaped portion of the part can be inserted in one direction of the second direction, and a first contact portion into which the base end portion of the part can come into contact when the rod-shaped portion is inserted into the part insertion portion, the second movable member includes a second contact portion that can come into contact with a tip end of the rod-shaped portion of the part inserted into the part insertion portion, The lock portion is when the rod-shaped portion of the part having the predetermined length is inserted into the part insertion portion of the first movable member and the base end of the part contacts the first contact portion of the first movable member in a state in which the part is pressed in the one direction of the second direction, the second movable member is pressed against the rod-shaped portion to be positioned at the second operating position, when the part is pressed by a predetermined amount in one of the second directions with the second movable member being positioned at the second operating position relative to the first movable member, the first movable member moves to the first operating position while maintaining the second movable member positioned at the second operating position; The locking mechanism of the parts feeder is configured as follows.

2. 2. A locking mechanism for a parts feeder according to claim 1, a first biasing member that elastically biases the first movable member toward the other of the second directions; a second biasing member that elastically biases the second movable member toward the other of the second directions; The parts feeder has a locking mechanism.

3. 2. A locking mechanism for a parts feeder according to claim 1, the latch portion includes a rod-shaped third movable member that supports the latch and is movable integrally with the latch between the unlatched position and the latched position, the third movable member is provided with a regulated portion having a predetermined shape when viewed in the first direction, a first restricted portion insertion hole penetrating the first movable member of the locking portion in the first direction and into which the restricted portion of the third movable member can be inserted; a second restricted portion insertion hole penetrating the second movable member of the locking portion in the first direction and into which the restricted portion of the third movable member can be inserted; The lock portion is when the third movable member is located at the latched position and the first movable member is located at a position different from the first operating position, the first restricted portion insertion hole is shifted in the second direction relative to the restricted portion, thereby restricting movement of the third movable member from the latched position to the unlatched position, when the third movable member is located at the latched position, if the first movable member is located at the first operating position but the second movable member is located at a position different from the second operating position, the second restricted portion insertion hole is shifted in the second direction relative to the restricted portion, thereby restricting movement of the third movable member from the latched position to the unlatched position, A locking mechanism for a part feeder that is configured such that when the third movable member is located at the latched position, the first movable member is located at the first operating position, and the second movable member is located at the second operating position, the positions of the first regulated portion insertion hole and the second regulated portion insertion hole and the position of the regulated portion coincide with each other, thereby allowing the third movable member to move from the latched position to the unlatched position.

4. 2. The parts feeder locking mechanism according to claim 1, The locking mechanism of a part feeder, wherein the housing is provided with a positioning portion that engages with the first movable member to position the first movable member at the first operating position.

5. 2. A locking mechanism for a parts feeder according to claim 1, The second contact portion of the second movable member has a recess into which the rod-shaped portion of the part having the specified cross-sectional dimension cannot be inserted, but into which the rod-shaped portion of the part having a cross-sectional dimension smaller than the specified cross-sectional dimension can be inserted.

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