Insert winding assistance device and insert insertion device

Abstract

To provide an insert winding assistance device which enables a male screw part of an insert insertion tool to wind an insert without fail and enables easy adjustment.SOLUTION: An insert winding assistance device 1A includes: a base 10; a plurality of sandwiching parts which are provided at the base 10 in an arrangement in which a gap G is formed therebetween, can at least partially move relative to the base 10, and sandwich the insert i placed in the gap G; and fixing parts 13 each of which fixes a movable sandwiching part 12, which may move relative to the base 10, of the sandwiching parts to the base 10 and keep the gap G to a predetermined length.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an insert winding assisting device for screwing a coiled insert onto a rotating male screw portion provided in an insert insertion tool, and an insert insertion device including the insert winding assisting device.

Background Art

[0002] When fastening a member to a base material having relatively low strength such as light metal or resin with a screw, by pre-attaching an insert to the female screw portion of the base material, the load on the base material during screw fastening can be reduced, damage to the base material can be prevented, and the fastening force can be increased. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an insert in which a steel wire having a diamond-shaped cross section is formed into a shape of a cylindrical compression coil spring, a male screw-shaped portion is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the coil, and a female screw-shaped portion is provided on the inner peripheral portion, and an insert insertion tool for inserting this insert into a base material (work) is shown.

[0003] In the step of inserting the insert into the work, first, the driver bit (male screw portion) located at the tip of the insertion tool and the female screw-shaped portion on the inner peripheral portion of the insert are screwed together to engage the driver bit and the insert. Then, in this state, the insertion tool is moved to the work, and while inserting the insert into the female screw portion provided in the work, the male screw portion of the insertion tool is rotated to engage the male screw-shaped portion on the outer peripheral portion of the insert with the female screw portion of the work. After that, the driver bit is rotated in the reverse direction to disengage the insertion tool from the insert, thereby completing the insertion of the insert into the work.

[0004] In the insert insertion process, first, an operator or a working robot rotates the driver bit of the insertion tool to approach and contact the insert, and then screws the two together. On the other hand, since the insert has the properties of both a screw and a spring, it may be deformed if excessive force is applied. In addition, there is a recess called a notch at the tip of the insert, and a convex portion called a hook at the tip of the driver bit. The winding of the insert onto the driver bit is completed when the hook engages with the notch. However, since the notch and the hook are fine, if excessive force acts, the hook may overcome the notch and cause a poor engagement.

[0005] To address such problems, Patent Document 2 proposes an insert supply device that can be switched between a pressing state and a separated state with respect to the outer peripheral portion of the insert, and can also adjust the pressing force. According to this device, force can be applied to the insert only when winding the insert onto the driver bit, and the magnitude of the force can be adjusted so that excessive force is not applied.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in the device of Patent Document 2, the pressing force is adjusted by changing the deformation amount of the elastic body 17, but it is adjusted in an indirect form of visually checking the deformation amount of the elastic body 17, rather than the magnitude of the force itself. In addition, since there are individual differences in the dimensions of the elastic body, the deformation amount of the elastic body does not directly correspond to the magnitude of the force. For this reason, the adjustment of the pressing force has to be carried out individually for each device, and there is room for improvement.

[0008] In view of such problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an insert winding assisting device and an insert inserting device that can surely wind an insert with a male screw portion (driver bit) of an insert insertion tool and can be easily adjusted.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The present invention is an insert winding assisting device that screws a coil-shaped insert onto a rotating male screw portion provided in an insert insertion tool, and includes a base, and is provided on the base with a gap therebetween, at least a part of which is movable relative to the base and sandwiches the insert located in the gap, and a fixing portion that fixes a movable clamping portion that is movable relative to the base among the plurality of clamping portions to maintain the gap at a predetermined length.

[0010] In such an insert winding assisting device, it is preferable that the plurality of clamping portions are a pair and are arranged opposite to each other.

[0011] Further, the insert winding assisting device is composed of a fixed clamping portion that is immovable relative to the base and the movable clamping portion among the plurality of clamping portions, and further includes an adjusting portion that connects the fixed clamping portion or the base and the movable clamping portion and moves the movable clamping portion relative to the fixed clamping portion, and it is preferable that the adjusting portion moves the movable clamping portion with a movement amount smaller than the operation amount operated by an operator.

[0012] And it is preferable that the pair of clamping portions is composed of two of the movable clamping portions, and further includes a turnbuckle adjusting portion that connects the two movable clamping portions and, when actuated, moves both of them closer to each other or moves both of them away from each other simultaneously.

[0013] Furthermore, it further includes a motor for moving at least a part of the plurality of clamping portions, and it is preferable that the motor functions as the fixing portion by fixing the rotation axis of the motor.

[0014] And at least a part of the plurality of clamping portions preferably has an inclined portion for guiding the insert into the gap when the insert is placed in the gap.

[0015] The present invention is also an insert insertion device including the above-described insert insertion tool and an insert winding assisting device.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] In the insert winding assisting device of the present invention, among the plurality of clamping portions provided on the base in an arrangement with a gap, at least a part is a movable clamping portion movable with respect to the base, and this movable clamping portion can be fixed to the base by a fixing portion. That is, by loosening the fixing portion, the length of the gap located between the movable clamping portion and the clamping portion facing the movable clamping portion can be easily changed, and after adjusting the length of the gap, the gap can be maintained at a predetermined length by fixing the movable clamping portion with the fixing portion. Here, if the length (distance) of the gap is set so that the insert located in the gap is clamped (contacts the clamping portion) without a large load on the clamping portion, a resistance force acts between the clamping portion and the insert. Therefore, when the male screw portion of the insert insertion tool is rotated, the rotation of the male screw portion with respect to the insert relatively progresses, and the insert can be wound up to the end by the male screw portion. That is, the insert winding assisting device of the present invention can be easily adjusted to apply an appropriate resistance force to the insert, and the structure is also simple.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, an embodiment of the insert winding assisting device and the insert insertion device according to the present invention will be described. In the following description, for convenience, the right, left, front, rear, upper, lower, and X, Y, Z directions shown in the drawings will be used for the description.

[0019] FIGS. 1 to 5 show an insert insertion device 2 including a first embodiment (insert winding assisting device 1A) of the insert winding assisting device according to the present invention. The insert insertion device 2 includes, in addition to the insert winding assisting device 1A, an insert supply pallet 3 for supplying an insert i (see FIG. 5), an insert insertion tool 4, a floating portion 5 to which the insert insertion tool 4 is attached, and a robot 6 to which the floating portion 5 is attached and which moves the insert insertion tool 4 three-dimensionally with respect to the work W and moves the insert supply pallet 3 to a predetermined position.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the insert winding assisting device 1A includes a base 10 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape in this embodiment. On the upper surface of the base 10, a plurality of clamping portions (in this embodiment, one fixed clamping portion 11 and one movable clamping portion 12) are provided. The insert winding assisting device 1A also includes a fixing screw 13 for fixing the movable clamping portion 12 to the base 10.

[0021] The fixed clamping portion 11 is provided so as not to be movable relative to the base 10. In this embodiment, the fixed clamping portion 11 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape is integrally provided with the base 10. The fixed clamping portion 11 of this embodiment includes a left clamping portion 11a formed so as to protrude toward the right on the rear side surface thereof.

[0022] The movable clamping portion 12 is provided so as to be movable relative to the base 10 (movable in the left - right direction in this embodiment). The movable clamping portion 12 of this embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and on its rear side surface, it includes a right clamping portion 12a formed so as to protrude toward the left. As shown in the drawing, the fixed clamping portion 11 and the movable clamping portion 12 are arranged relative to the base 10 such that the left clamping portion 11a and the right clamping portion 12a face each other. Here, the gap provided between the left clamping portion 11a and the right clamping portion 12a is referred to as gap G. Also, the length (distance) of the gap G is referred to as distance Dx. Further, two through - long holes 12b that penetrate the movable clamping portion 12 in the vertical direction and extend long in the horizontal direction are provided at intervals in the front - rear direction. The base 10 has a female screw portion (not shown) directly below the through - long holes 12b.

[0023] The fixing screw 13 includes a screw portion 13a and a head portion 13b, and can fix the movable clamping portion 12 to the base 10 by being inserted through the through long hole 12b and screwed into the female screw portion of the base 10. Also, by loosening the screw portion 13a, the movable clamping portion 12 can be moved in the left - right direction along the through long hole 12b, and the distance Dx of the gap G can be changed. The distance Dx of the gap G in the present embodiment is slightly larger than the outer diameter φα of the insert i shown in Fig. 5(a). Note that the fixing screw 13 of the present embodiment corresponds to the "fixing portion" in this specification.

[0024] In the present embodiment, the insert supply pallet 3 includes a pallet main body portion 3a that is rectangular in plan view, a pallet outer edge portion 3b that surrounds the periphery of the pallet main body portion 3a, and a plurality of hole portions 3c that are provided on the surface of the pallet main body portion 3a and are circular in plan view. Each of the plurality of hole portions 3c houses an insert i. As shown in Fig. 5(a), the inner diameter φ0 of the hole portion 3c is slightly larger than the outer diameter φα of the insert i.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 2, the insert insertion tool 4 includes a rotation driver portion 14 incorporating a rotation driver motor (not shown) and a driver bit (male screw portion) 15 that is rotated by the rotation driver motor. As shown in Fig. 5(a), the driver bit 15 has a male screw shape that conforms to the female screw - shaped portion provided inside the insert i. Also, at the tip of the driver bit 15, a hook 15a that engages with the concave notch N provided inside the insert i is provided. The hook 15a is movable toward the inner and outer sides in the radial direction with respect to the driver bit 15 and is biased toward the outer side in the radial direction.

[0026] The floating part 5 includes a base 16 that is attached to the Z unit 26 of the robot 6, which will be described later. The base 16 of this embodiment is plate-shaped, and a circular through-hole 16a is provided at the center in the left-right direction as shown in the figure. Further, the base 16 has circular holes on both the left and right sides sandwiching the through-hole 16a, and cylindrical slide shafts 17 are attached to these holes in a state where they are directed in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the slide shaft 17 is held by the base 16 with a set screw S1.

[0027] The floating part 5 also includes coiled compression springs 18 that are respectively inserted into the two slide shafts 17.

[0028] Furthermore, the floating part 5 has two holes through which the two slide shafts 17 are respectively inserted, and includes a movable plate 19 that is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the slide shafts 17. As shown in the figure, the movable plate 19 is inserted into the slide shaft 17 with the compression spring 18 interposed between it and the base 16. That is, the movable plate 19 is supported in a state of being biased upward by the compression spring 18.

[0029] The movable plate 19 of this embodiment also has a hole at the center in the left-right direction, and a rotary driver part 14 is inserted into this hole with the driver bit 15 directed downward. By tightening the rotary driver part 14 inserted into this hole with the set screw S1, the insert insertion tool 4 is held by the movable plate 19. As shown in the figure, the insert insertion tool 4 held by the movable plate 19 is inserted into the through-hole 16a of the base 16.

[0030] As described above, the movable plate 19 is movable in the vertical direction relative to the slide shaft 17. In other words, the movable plate 19 to which the insert insertion tool 4 is attached is not fixed in the vertical direction, but is stationary at a position where the weight of the movable plate 19, the insert insertion tool 4, etc., is balanced with the biasing force of the compression spring 18, so that it is kept in a floating state, so to speak. Therefore, when an upward or downward force is applied to the insert insertion tool 4 in this state, even if the magnitude of the force is minute, the insert insertion tool 4 moves upward or downward relative to the base 16, and therefore the applied force can be absorbed.

[0031] Next, the robot 6 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the robot 6 of this embodiment includes a robot base 20, a pair of columns 21 provided on the left and right sides of the robot base 20, and an arm 22 suspended over the columns 21. The robot base 20 is provided with a teaching / operation device 23 that is used when an operator inputs teaching data or performs various operations. The robot 6 also includes a left X-table 24 provided on the upper surface of the robot base 20 and moves the workpiece W in the X-axis direction, and a right X-table 25 provided on the right side of the left X-table 24 and moves the insert supply pallet 3 in the X-axis direction. The robot 6 also includes a Z-unit 26 to which the base 16 of the insert insertion tool 4 is attached and which moves the insert insertion tool 4 in the Z-axis direction, and a Y-unit 27 that holds the Z-unit 26 and is movable in the Y-axis direction relative to the arm 22.

[0032] Furthermore, the robot 6 is equipped with a robot control unit (not shown) for controlling each unit equipped in the insert insertion device 2. The robot control unit is electrically connected to the above-mentioned rotation driver motors as well as the left X drive motor, right X drive motor, Z drive motor, and Y drive motor provided on the left X table 24, right X table 25, Z unit 26, and Y unit 27. The robot control unit is also electrically connected to the above-mentioned teaching / operation device 23 and a program / teaching data storage unit (not shown) that stores a program for operating the robot 6 and teaching data input from the teaching / operation device 23, etc.

[0033] Such an insert insertion device 2 can wind the insert i with the driver bit 15 according to the procedures shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0034] Based on the control by the robot control unit, the insert insertion tool 4 is moved to the position P1 in FIG. 4 by the insert insertion device 2. At this position, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the insert i is stored in the hole 3c of the insert supply pallet 3. Also at this position, the driver bit 15 is located directly above the hole 3c.

[0035] Next, the robot control unit rotates the rotary driver motor and lowers the Z unit 26. As a result, the driver bit 15 contacts the upper part of the insert i while rotating. Since the insert insertion device 2 of the present embodiment includes the floating part 5 as described above, most of the pressing force of the driver bit 15 against the insert i is absorbed by the floating part 5. However, since a minute pressing force is generated, the female screw-shaped part in the inner peripheral part of the insert i is wound around the driver bit 15 several times by the force and the rotational force of the driver bit 15. FIG. 5(b) shows a state where a length hα from the upper end of the insert i is wound around the driver bit 15. As described above, the pressing force of the driver bit 15 after being absorbed by the floating part 5 is minute, and the insert i is simply accommodated in the hole 3c and not held. Therefore, even if the driver bit 15 further rotates in the state of FIG. 5(b), the winding amount of the length hα hardly increases, and the driver bit 15 and the insert i rotate idly with respect to the hole 3c.

[0036] Thereafter, when the robot control unit raises the Z unit 26, the insert i wound by the length hα rises together with the driver bit 15 (see FIG. 5(c)).

[0037] Next, the robot control unit moves the insert insertion tool 4 to the position P2 in FIG. 4. At this position, the insert i wound around the driver bit 15 by a length hα is behind the left clamping portion 11a and the right clamping portion 12a in the insert winding assisting device 1A and is located substantially at the center in the left-right direction of the gap G.

[0038] Thereafter, the robot control unit moves the insert insertion tool 4 to the position P3 in FIG. 4 and also rotates the rotary driver motor (see FIG. 5(d)). The position P3 is in front of the position P2 and has the same left-right direction as the position P2. As described above, the distance Dx of the gap G is slightly larger than the outer diameter φα of the insert i. Therefore, when the driver bit 15 rotates, a part of the insert i comes into contact with the left clamping portion 11a and the right clamping portion 12a due to the rotation-induced blur and vibration, and a minute resistance force is generated between the left clamping portion 11a, etc. and the insert i. That is, when the driver bit 15 rotates with a minute resistance force acting on the insert i, the rotation of the driver bit 15 with respect to the insert i relatively progresses, and the insert i can be wound up by the driver bit 15. Since the resistance force acting on the insert i is minute, the winding of the insert i by the driver bit 15 ends when the hook 15a of the driver bit 15 engages with the notch N of the insert i, and thereafter, the driver bit 15 and the insert i rotate together in a free-running state. Therefore, the insert i can be wound up to the end by the driver bit 15 without the hook 15a overcoming the notch N (see FIG. 5(e)).

[0039] After the insert i is wound up to the end by the driver bit 15, the robot control unit moves the insert insertion tool 4 to the position where the driver bit 15 is located directly above the screw hole for inserting the insert i provided in the workpiece W. Then, while rotating the driver bit 15, it is lowered to screw the male screw-shaped portion provided on the outer peripheral portion of the insert i into the screw hole. Thereafter, when the driver bit 15 is rotated in the reverse direction, the driver bit 15 is detached from the insert i, so that the insert i can be inserted into the workpiece W.

[0040] Thus, according to the insert winding assisting device 1A of this embodiment, while preventing the deformation of the insert i, the insert i can be wound to the end by the driver bit 15. In addition, adjustment for applying an appropriate resistance force to the insert i can be easily performed, and the structure is also simple. Further, since the distance Dx of the gap G is configured to be adjustable, for example, when using an insert i with an outer diameter of X mm, the distance Dx of the gap G can be set to Y mm, and even an operator without special skills can easily perform the adjustment.

[0041] Next, a second embodiment (insert winding assisting device 1B) of the insert winding assisting device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 6. The insert winding assisting device 1B can be attached to the insert insertion device 2 instead of the above-described insert winding assisting device 1A (the same applies to the insert winding assisting device 1C of the third embodiment and the insert winding assisting device 1D of the fourth embodiment described below).

[0042] The insert winding assisting device 1B includes a base 30 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape in this embodiment. A plurality of sandwiching portions (one fixed sandwiching portion 31 and one movable sandwiching portion 32 in this embodiment) are provided on the upper surface of the base 30. The insert winding assisting device 1B also includes a fixing screw 13 for fixing the movable sandwiching portion 12 to the base 10, an adjustment screw 34 for adjusting the position of the movable sandwiching portion 32 with respect to the fixed sandwiching portion 31, and an E-ring 35 for attaching the adjustment screw 34. Since the fixing screw 13 used in the insert winding assisting device 1B is the same as that used in the insert winding assisting device 1A, a detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

[0043] The fixed clamping part 31 is provided immovably with respect to the base 30. In this embodiment, a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped fixed clamping part 31 is integrally provided with respect to the base 30. The fixed clamping part 31 of this embodiment includes a left clamping part 31a formed to protrude toward the right on its rear side surface. Further, a through hole 31b penetrating the fixed clamping part 31 in the left-right direction is provided at the front part of the fixed clamping part 31.

[0044] The movable clamping part 32 is provided movably with respect to the base 30 (movable in the left-right direction in this embodiment). The movable clamping part 32 of this embodiment is rectangular parallelepiped-shaped, and its rear side surface is provided with a right clamping part 32a formed to protrude toward the left. As shown in the drawing, with respect to the base 30, the fixed clamping part 31 and the movable clamping part 32 are arranged such that the left clamping part 31a and the right clamping part 32a face each other. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the gap between the left clamping part 31a and the right clamping part 32a is referred to as a gap G, and the length (distance) of the gap G is referred to as a distance Dx. A through long hole 32b that penetrates the movable clamping part 32 in the up-down direction and extends long in the left-right direction is provided on the upper surface of the rear part of the movable clamping part 32. The base 30 is provided with a female screw part directly below the through long hole 32b. And on the front side surface of the movable clamping part 32, a female screw-shaped adjustment female screw part 32c that penetrates the movable clamping part 32 in the left-right direction is provided.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6(b), the adjustment screw 34 has a columnar shaft part 34a on the left side part and a male screw-shaped adjustment male screw part 34b on the right side part. An annular groove for attaching an E-ring 35 is provided at the end of the shaft part 34a. Between the shaft part 34a and the adjustment male screw part 34b, a dial part 34c having a diameter larger than that of the shaft part 34a and the adjustment male screw part 34b and having a slip prevention process (for example, knurling) applied to its surface is provided. The adjustment screw 34 corresponds to the "adjustment part" in this specification.

[0046] When assembling the insert winding assist device 1B composed of such members, as shown in Fig. 6(b), the shaft portion 34a is inserted into the through hole 31b, and the E-ring 35 is attached to the shaft portion 34a. Further, the adjusting male screw portion 34b is screwed into the adjusting female screw portion 32c, and the screw portion 13a of the fixing screw 13 is inserted into the through long hole 32b, and the screw portion 13a is loosely screwed into the female screw portion of the base 30. In this state, when an operator rotates the dial portion 34c, the movable clamping portion 32 provided with the adjusting female screw portion 32c moves left and right by the rotating adjusting male screw portion 34b. According to this mechanism, since the movable clamping portion 32 can be moved with a movement amount smaller than the rotation amount (operation amount) by which the operator operates the dial portion 34c, the distance Dx of the gap G located between the left clamping portion 31a and the right clamping portion 32a can be easily and precisely adjusted. After adjusting the distance Dx, the movable clamping portion 32 can be fixed to the base 30 by rotating the fixing screw 13 in the direction in which the screw portion 13a is tightened to the female screw portion of the base 30.

[0047] Fig. 7 is a view showing a third embodiment (insert winding assist device 1C) of the insert winding assist device according to the present invention.

[0048] The insert winding assist device 1C includes a base 40 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape in this embodiment. A plurality of clamping portions (the left movable clamping portion 41 and the right movable clamping portion 42 in this embodiment) are provided on the upper surface of the base 40. The insert winding assist device 1C also includes a fixing screw 13 for fixing the left movable clamping portion 41 and the right movable clamping portion 42 to the base 40, and a turnbuckle adjusting screw 44 attached to the left movable clamping portion 41 and the right movable clamping portion 42.

[0049] The left movable clamping part 41 and the right movable clamping part 42 are provided so as to be movable with respect to the base 40 (in the left - right direction in this embodiment). The left movable clamping part 41 of this embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and on its rear side surface, it is provided with a left clamping part 41a formed to protrude toward the left. And on the upper surface of the rear part of the left movable clamping part 41, a through - long hole 41b that penetrates the left movable clamping part 41 in the vertical direction and extends long in the left - right direction is provided. On the front side surface of the left movable clamping part 41, a female - screw - shaped left adjustment female screw part 41c that penetrates the left movable clamping part 41 in the left - right direction is provided. Further, at the rear part of the left clamping part 41a, a left inclined part 41d that inclines so as to gradually approach the left from the front side to the rear side is provided. The right movable clamping part 42 has a shape symmetrical to the left movable clamping part 41 with respect to the left - right direction. As shown in FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), it includes a right clamping part 42a, a through - long hole 42b, a right adjustment female screw part 42c, and a right inclined part 42d. The base 40 is provided with female screw parts directly below the through - long holes 41b and 42b. And the left movable clamping part 41 and the right movable clamping part 42 are arranged such that the left clamping part 41a and the right clamping part 42a face each other. As shown in FIG. 7(a), the gap between the left clamping part 41a and the right clamping part 42a is referred to as a gap G, and the length (distance) of the gap G is referred to as a distance Dx.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 7(b), the turnbuckle adjustment screw 44 is provided with a left adjustment male screw part 44a formed as a left - hand screw on the left side and a right adjustment male screw part 44b formed as a right - hand screw on the right side. Between the left adjustment male screw part 44a and the right adjustment male screw part 44b, a dial part 44c whose surface is subjected to an anti - slip process (for example, knurling) is provided. The turnbuckle adjustment screw 44 corresponds to the "turnbuckle adjustment part" in this specification.

[0051] When assembling the insert winding assist device 1C composed of such members, as shown in Fig. 7(b), the left adjustment male screw portion 44a is screwed into the left adjustment female screw portion 41c, and the right adjustment male screw portion 44b is screwed into the right adjustment female screw portion 42c. Also, the screw portion 13a of the fixing screw 13 is inserted through the through long holes 41b and 42b, and the screw portion 13a is loosely screwed into the female screw portion of the base 40. In this state, when the operator rotates the dial portion 44c clockwise (in the R direction shown in Fig. 7(b)), the left movable clamping portion 41 provided with the left adjustment female screw portion 41c moves to the left by the rotating left adjustment male screw portion 44a, and the right movable clamping portion 42 provided with the right adjustment female screw portion 42c moves to the right by the rotating right adjustment male screw portion 44b. On the other hand, when the dial portion 44c is rotated counterclockwise (in the L direction shown in Fig. 7(b)), the left movable clamping portion 41 provided with the left adjustment female screw portion 41c moves to the right by the rotating left adjustment male screw portion 44a, and the right movable clamping portion 42 provided with the right adjustment female screw portion 42c moves to the left by the rotating right adjustment male screw portion 44b. Also in this mechanism, since the left movable clamping portion 41 and the right movable clamping portion 42 can be moved by a moving amount smaller than the rotation amount (operation amount) by which the operator operates the dial portion 44c, the distance Dx of the gap G located between the left clamping portion 41a and the right clamping portion 42a can be adjusted easily and precisely. Further, in this mechanism, when the dial portion 44c is rotated, the left movable clamping portion 41 and the right movable clamping portion 42 move simultaneously, so the position of the midpoint CP of the gap G is always constant. Therefore, even when changing the distance Dx when using inserts i with different outer diameters, the position of the position P3 shown in Fig. 4 (the position where the insert i is wound by the driver bit 15) does not change. That is, even when using inserts i with different outer diameters, it is not necessary to change the coordinate information in the drive program (teaching content) for the robot 6, so there is no need for troublesome changes.

[0052] Furthermore, in the insert winding assisting device 1C, the left movable clamping part 41 and the right movable clamping part 42 are provided with a left inclined part 41d and a right inclined part 42d. That is, when moving the insert insertion tool 4 from the position P2 shown in FIG. 4 toward the position P3, the left inclined part 41d and the right inclined part 42d act to guide (guide) the insert i into the gap G, so that the insert i can be smoothly moved into the gap G.

[0053] FIG. 8 is a view showing a fourth embodiment (insert winding assisting device 1D) of the insert winding assisting device according to the present invention.

[0054] The insert winding assisting device 1D includes a base 50 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape in this embodiment. A plurality of clamping parts (one fixed clamping part 51 and one movable clamping part 52 in this embodiment) are provided on the upper surface of the base 50. The insert winding assisting device 1D also includes an adjustment screw 54 for adjusting the position of the movable clamping part 52 with respect to the fixed clamping part 51, a motor 56 with a brake for rotating the adjustment screw 54, and a columnar slide pin 57 attached to the upper surface of the base 50.

[0055] The fixed clamping part 51 is provided immovably with respect to the base 50. In this embodiment, a fixed clamping part 51 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape is integrally provided with respect to the base 50. The fixed clamping part 51 of this embodiment includes a left clamping part 51a formed to protrude toward the right on the rear side surface thereof. A through hole 51b penetrating the fixed clamping part 51 in the left - right direction is provided at the front part of the fixed clamping part 51.

[0056] The movable clamping part 52 is provided so as to be movable with respect to the base 50 (in the left - right direction in this embodiment). The movable clamping part 52 of this embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and on its rear side surface, it is provided with a right - side clamping part 52a formed to protrude toward the left. As shown in the figure, the fixed clamping part 51 and the movable clamping part 52 are arranged with respect to the base 50 such that the left - side clamping part 51a and the right - side clamping part 52a face each other. As shown in FIG. 8, the gap between the left - side clamping part 51a and the right - side clamping part 52a is referred to as gap G, and the length (distance) of the gap G is referred to as distance Dx. On the upper surface of the rear part of the movable clamping part 52, a through - long hole 52b that penetrates the movable clamping part 52 in the vertical direction and extends long in the left - right direction is provided. As shown in the figure, a slide pin 57 is inserted into the through - long hole 52b. And on the front side surface of the movable clamping part 32, a female - screw - shaped adjustment female - screw part 52c that penetrates the movable clamping part 52 in the left - right direction is provided.

[0057] The adjustment screw 54 has a left - hand part formed as a shaft part that is cylindrical and inserted into the through - hole 51b, and a right - hand part formed as a male - screw - shaped adjustment male - screw part 54b. The adjustment male - screw part 54b is screwed into the adjustment female - screw part 52c of the movable clamping part 52. The adjustment screw 54 corresponds to the "adjustment part" in this specification.

[0058] The motor with brake 56 is held by the base 50 and the fixed clamping part 51. The rotation shaft (not shown) provided in the motor with brake 56 is located coaxially with the shaft part of the adjustment screw 54, and the rotation shaft and the shaft part are connected by a coupling or the like. The motor with brake 56 can fix the rotation shaft to be non - rotatable by the action of the brake function. The motor with brake 56 of this embodiment is connected to a motor control part (not shown), rotates according to a command from the motor control part, and the brake function acts. The control of the motor with brake 56 may be performed by the above - described robot control part.

[0059] Such an insert winding assisting device 1D can adjust the distance Dx of the gap G by rotating the rotating shaft of the motor 56 with a brake. Also, by actuating the brake function of the motor 56 with a brake, the movable clamping portion 52 can be fixed to the base 50. That is, the motor 56 with a brake in the present embodiment functions as the "fixing portion" in this specification.

[0060] As described above, embodiments embodying the present invention have been exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims, unless otherwise particularly limited in the above description. For example, the configuration of the above-described embodiments can be appropriately added or deleted, and the configuration of one embodiment can also be provided in other embodiments. Also, the effects in the above embodiments are merely examples of the effects resulting from the present invention, and it does not mean that the effects of the present invention are limited to the above effects.

[0061] For example, the above-described fixed clamping portion 11 or the like may be a member different from the base 10 or the like and may be attached to the base 10 or the like in a non-movable manner (for example, it may be fixed immovably by an adhesive or welding, or it may not move from a predetermined position by positioning provided on the base 10 or the like). Also, the left clamping portion 11a or the like and the right clamping portion 12a or the like are not limited to being integrally provided on the fixed clamping portion 11 or the like and the movable clamping portion 12 or the like, and may be separate members. When the fixed clamping portion 11 or the like and the movable clamping portion 12 or the like are configured as separate members, the base 10 or the like is preferably made of metal in consideration of durability, and the fixed clamping portion 11 or the like and the movable clamping portion 12 or the like are preferably made of an elastic member such as rubber or sponge in order to exhibit an appropriate resistance to the contacting insert i.

[0062] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the distance Dx of the gap G was set to be slightly larger than the outer diameter φα of the insert i. However, when a minute resistance force can be generated between the left clamping portion 11a or the like and the insert i, the distance Dx may be the same as the outer diameter φα or smaller than the outer diameter φα. For example, when the fixed clamping portion 11 or the like is formed of a material that is easily deformable like a sponge, even if the distance Dx is made the same as the outer diameter φα or smaller than the outer diameter φα, it is possible to suppress the resistance force against the insert i to a targeted value.

[0063] And in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the "fixing portion" was embodied by the fixing screw 13, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the "fixing portion" may be provided with a magnetic force generation switching mechanism in the movable clamping portion 12, and when magnetic force is generated, it may be magnetically fixed to the base 10 which is a magnetic body. Further, a clamping mechanism (spring mechanism) may be provided in the base 10, and the movable clamping portion 12 may be pressed against and fixed to the base 10 by this clamping mechanism.

[0064] Also, in the above-described embodiment, the fixed clamping portion 11 and the movable clamping portion 12 were each one, but it is not limited thereto. For example, one fixed clamping portion 11 having a triangular shape in plan view may be provided, and three movable clamping portions 12 may be provided so as to face each side of the fixed clamping portion 11. The fixed clamping portion 11 and the movable clamping portion 12 can be appropriately changed.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0065] 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D: Insert winding assisting device 2: Insert insertion device 4: Insert insertion tool 10, 30, 40, 50: Base 11, 31, 51: Fixed clamping portion 12, 32, 52: Movable clamping portion 13: Fixed screw (fixing portion) 30: Base 31: Fixed clamping portion 34, 54: Adjusting screw (adjusting portion) 41: Left movable clamping portion (movable clamping portion) 42: Right movable clamping part (movable clamping part) 41d: Left inclined part (inclined part) 42d: Right inclined part (inclined part) 44: Turnbuckle adjustment screw (turnbuckle adjustment part) 54: Adjustment screw (adjustment part) 56: Motor with brake G: Gap

Claims

1. An insert winding assisting device that screws a coil-shaped insert into a rotating male screw portion of an insert insertion tool, With the base, a plurality of clamping portions provided on the base with gaps therebetween, at least a portion of which is movable relative to the base, and which clamp the insert positioned in the gaps; a fixing section that fixes a movable clamping section, which is movable relative to the base among the plurality of clamping sections, to the base to maintain the gap at a predetermined length.

2. The insert winding assisting device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of clamping portions are arranged in pairs facing each other.

3. The plurality of clamping units are composed of a stationary clamping unit that cannot move relative to the base and the movable clamping unit, an adjustment unit that connects the stationary clamping unit or the base to the movable clamping unit and moves the movable clamping unit relative to the stationary clamping unit or the base; The insert winding assisting device according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment section moves the movable clamping section by an amount of movement that is smaller than an amount of operation performed by an operator.

4. The pair of clamping parts is composed of two of the movable clamping parts, 3. The insert winding assisting device according to claim 2, further comprising a turnbuckle adjustment section for connecting the two movable clamping sections to each other and for simultaneously moving the two sections closer to each other or moving the two sections apart when actuated.

5. Further comprising a motor for moving at least a part of the plurality of clamping units, The insert winding assist device according to claim 1 , wherein the motor functions as the fixed portion by fixing a rotation shaft of the motor.

6. The insert winding assist device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of clamping portions has an inclined portion that guides the insert into the gap when the insert is placed in the gap.

7. An insert insertion device comprising the insert insertion tool and the insert winding assist device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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