Conveyance device, and conveying method

Abstract

To provide a conveyance device capable of stably conveying components.SOLUTION: A conveyance device according to one embodiment is a conveyance device for conveying components by air. The conveyance device provided with a first end part and a second end part comprises: a conveyance tube for conveying the components toward the second end part from the first end part; and control means for controlling feeding the air fed from the first end part, and stopping of feeding the air to stop feeding the air at least once during conveyance of the components.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device and a conveying method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as one of the methods for conveying parts, conveying of parts using air is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an air-type spring supply device characterized by using compressed air to untangle the entanglement between a large number of coiled compression springs housed in a tank and taking out the coiled compression springs one by one through a pipe.

[0003] As another example, Patent Document 2 discloses a conveying device for conveying an object to be conveyed, which includes an air gun that sucks and discharges air using compressed air as a power source, and a conveying tube installed on the air discharge side of the air gun. The conveying tube is formed as a substantially cylindrical space with an open periphery by arranging a plurality of linear members so as to have a substantially circular cross section. The object to be conveyed is transferred along the longitudinal direction of the linear members within the space surrounded by the linear members by the inertial force caused by the suction of the air gun.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Even based on the devices disclosed in the above Patent Documents 1 and 2, there are various problems regarding the conveyance of components. For example, when a component is inserted into a jig provided at the conveyance destination, if the pressure of the supplied air is too high, the component bounces back from the jig and cannot be placed at a predetermined position, which is one of the problems.

[0006] Therefore, one of the objectives of the present invention is to provide a conveyance device and a conveyance method capable of stably conveying components.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A conveyance device according to an embodiment is a conveyance device that conveys components by air. The conveyance device has a first end and a second end, and a conveyance tube through which the component is conveyed from the first end toward the second end, and control means for controlling the supply and stop of the air supplied from the first end, and for stopping the supply of the air at least once while the component is being conveyed.

[0008] The control means may control the stop of the air supply such that the number of times the air is supplied is greater than the number of times the air supply is stopped while the component is being conveyed from the first end to the second end.

[0009] The control means may control the stop of the air supply such that the time for supplying the air each time is equal to the time for stopping the air supply each time. The control means may also control the stop of the air supply such that the time for supplying the air each time is shorter than the time for stopping the air supply each time.

[0010] The pressure of the air supplied may be equal to or higher than the pressure required for the component to start moving within the transfer tube. The transfer device may further include a table that is connected to the transfer tube and has pockets in which the components are arranged, and an air pipe that is connected to the table and supplies the air to the transfer tube via the pockets.

[0011] The control means may be installed in the air pipe and have an adjustment part for switching between the supply and the stop of the supply of the air to the transfer tube. The transfer device may further include a nozzle provided at the second end and having a smaller inner diameter toward the tip for discharging the component.

[0012] A transfer method according to an embodiment is a transfer method for transferring components by air. The transfer method includes controlling the supply and the stop of the supply of the air to a transfer tube through which the components are transferred. The controlling means stopping the supply of the air at least once while the component is being transferred through the transfer tube.

[0013] The controlling may mean stopping the supply of the air such that the number of times the air is supplied is greater than the number of times the supply of the air is stopped while the component is being transferred. The controlling may mean stopping the supply of the air such that the time for supplying the air per time is equal to the time for stopping the supply of the air per time. The controlling may mean stopping the supply of the air such that the time for supplying the air per time is shorter than the time for stopping the supply of the air per time.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a transfer device and a transfer method capable of stably transferring components.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. For the sake of clarity in the description, in the drawings, the size, shape, etc. of each part may be changed and schematically represented with respect to the actual embodiment.

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conveying device 100 according to the present embodiment. Figure 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the table 10 shown in Figure 1. In Figure 2, the vicinity of the pocket 13 where the air pipe 20 and the conveying tube 30 are connected is shown enlarged.

[0018] The conveying device 100 according to the present embodiment conveys parts by air. In Figures 1 and 2, a workpiece W is shown as an example of a part. Here, the workpiece W is a part conveyed by the conveying device 100. The workpiece W is, for example, a small part, but is not limited to this example. The workpiece W has, for example, a bar shape (a cylindrical shape in one example) extending along an axis. The diameter of the workpiece W is, for example, from 0.05 mm to 1.5 mm. The workpiece W is, in one example, a probe.

[0019] The workpiece W may be composed of a single member or a plurality of members. The air for conveying the workpiece W is, for example, compressed air. The air is supplied from a supply source 1 such as a compressor.

[0020] The transfer device 100 transfers the workpiece W toward the jig 3 disposed on the stage 2 shown in FIG. 1. The stage 2 is configured to be movable, for example, in the X direction and the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction.

[0021] Accordingly, the jig 3 moves in the X direction and the Y direction together with the stage 2. The jig 3 has, for example, a flat plate shape. The jig 3 has a plurality of recesses 4 formed in a grid pattern in the X direction and the Y direction. The workpieces W are respectively loaded into the plurality of recesses 4 from the transfer device 100.

[0022] The transfer device 100 includes a table 10, an air pipe 20, a transfer tube 30, a discharging means 40, and a control means 50.

[0023] The table 10 is connected to the air pipe 20 and the transfer tube 30. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the table 10 has a disk shape. The table 10 is rotatably supported about a rotation axis C1 (shown in FIG. 1). The table 10 may be called an index table or the like. Here, a direction along the rotation axis C1 is defined as a direction D1 (shown in FIG. 2).

[0024] The table 10 has a first surface 11 and a second surface 12 on the opposite side of the first surface 11. The first surface 11 corresponds to the surface to which the air pipe 20 is connected, and the second surface 12 corresponds to the surface to which the transfer tube 30 is connected.

[0025] The table 10 further has pockets 13 in which the workpieces W are placed. A plurality (for example, two) of pockets 13 are formed, for example, in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis C1. Note that only one pocket 13 may be formed in the table 10, or three or more pockets 13 may be formed.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the pocket 13 has a shape that is long in the direction D1. The length of the pocket 13 in the direction D1 is larger than the length of the workpiece W. The pocket 13 opens toward the second surface 12.

[0027] Table 10 has a plurality (e.g., two) of flow paths 14 connecting the first surface 11 and the pocket 13. Note that only one flow path 14 may be formed, or three or more flow paths 14 may be formed. The plurality of flow paths 14 are formed along the direction D1. Air is supplied to the plurality of flow paths 14 from the air pipe 20. The flow path 14 is located inside the air pipe 20.

[0028] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the air pipe 20 is connected to the first surface 11, and the transport tube 30 is connected to the second surface 12. One end of the air pipe 20 is connected to a supply source 1 (e.g., a compressor) as shown in FIG. 1.

[0029] The pressure of the air supplied from the supply source 1 is, for example, constant. The pressure of the air is equal to the pressure supplied into the transport tube 30. The pressure of the air is not less than the pressure required for the work W to start moving in the transport tube 30.

[0030] The pressure of the air is, for example, equal to the pressure required for the work W to start moving in the transport tube 30, or a pressure with a slight margin over the pressure required for the work W to start moving. The pressure of the air is appropriately changed according to the work W to be transported, the material and size of the transport tube 30, etc. By appropriately adjusting the pressure of the air, the consumption of the air can be suppressed.

[0031] The air pipe 20 may be formed of a resin material or a metal material. The air supplied from the air pipe 20 is supplied to the transport tube 30 via the flow path 14 and the pocket 13. In FIG. 2, the flow of the air is indicated by arrows. The work W is placed in the pocket 13 from the second surface 12 side as indicated by the arrow A1 in FIG. 1.

[0032] The control means 50 controls the supply of air from the supply source 1 to the transport tube 30 and the stop of the supply of air. The control means 50 has an adjustment unit 51 and a control unit 52 that controls the adjustment unit 51.

[0033] The control unit 52 is configured to be able to control the adjustment unit 51. The control unit is, for example, a computer, but is not limited to this example. The control unit 52 is communicably connected to the adjustment unit 51. The adjustment unit 51 switches the supply and stop of air to the transfer tube 30. Specifically, the adjustment unit 51 switches the supply and stop of air according to a control signal from the control unit 52.

[0034] The adjustment unit 51 is installed in the air pipe 20. In other words, the air pipe 20 includes a pipe connecting the supply source 1 and the adjustment unit 51, and a pipe connecting the adjustment unit 51 and the table 10.

[0035] In one example, the adjustment unit 51 is a pneumatic regulator. In other examples, the adjustment unit 51 is an air valve, but is not limited to these examples. For example, if it is a pneumatic regulator, it can be switched accurately even when the interval between the supply and stop of air is short according to a control signal from the control unit 52.

[0036] The transfer tube 30 transfers the workpiece W from the table 10 toward the jig 3. The transfer tube 30 is formed of, for example, PEEK, but may be formed of other resin materials or metal materials.

[0037] The transfer tube 30 is formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape. The size of the transfer tube 30 is appropriately changed according to the size of the workpiece W and the like. The length of the transfer tube 30 is appropriately changed according to the distance between the table 10 and the stage 2 and the like.

[0038] The transfer tube 30 has a first end 31 (shown in FIG. 2) and a second end 32 (shown in FIG. 1) located on the opposite side of the first end 31. The first end 31 is connected to the table 10. The workpiece W is conveyed through the transfer tube 30 from the first end 31 toward the second end 32 by air.

[0039] The discharging means 40 is provided at the second end portion 32. The discharging means 40 has a nozzle 42. The nozzle 42 is connected to the second end portion 32 by any means. The workpiece W is conveyed from the second end portion 32 of the conveying tube 30 to the nozzle 42.

[0040] The nozzle 42 has a cylindrical shape. The nozzle 42 is, for example, a capillary. The nozzle 42 is formed of, for example, ceramic or the like. The nozzle 42 has a proximal end 421 connected to the second end portion 32 and a distal end 423 for discharging the workpiece W.

[0041] The inner peripheral surface of the nozzle 42 has a straight portion 431 provided on the proximal end 421 side and a tapered portion 433 provided on the distal end 423 side. The straight portion 431 has a uniform inner diameter.

[0042] The tapered portion 433 is formed such that the inner diameter becomes smaller toward the distal end 423. The inner diameter of the proximal end 421 of the nozzle 42 is larger than the inner diameter of the conveying tube 30, for example. The inner diameter of the proximal end 421 of the nozzle 42 is 0.7 mm, and the inner diameter of the distal end 423 is 0.16 mm. Note that the size of the nozzle 42 is appropriately changed according to the size of the workpiece W and the like.

[0043] Subsequently, the conveyance of the workpiece W by air will be described. Here, the conveyance of one workpiece W will be described.

[0044] First, the workpiece W is inserted into the pocket 13 of the table 10 from the second surface 12 side. When the workpiece W is inserted into the pocket 13, the table 10 rotates 180 degrees about the rotation axis C1. Then, the air pipe 20 and the conveying tube 30 are respectively connected to the pocket 13 into which the workpiece W is inserted. At this time, the workpiece W may be inserted into the other pocket 13.

[0045] Subsequently, air is supplied from the supply source 1 to the table 10 through the air pipe 20. Specifically, the supplied air is supplied to the pocket 13 via the adjustment unit 51. When air is supplied to the pocket 13, the workpiece W starts to move by the air and is conveyed together with the air from the first end 31 to the second end 32 of the conveyance tube 30. At this time, there is only one workpiece W in the conveyance tube 30.

[0046] When the workpiece W is conveyed to the second end 32, the workpiece W passes through the nozzle 42 and is discharged together with the air from the tip 423 of the nozzle 42.

[0047] Then, the workpiece W is put into the recess 4 of the jig 3 located below the nozzle 42. The workpiece W put into the recess 4 is upside down compared to the workpiece W arranged in the pocket 13.

[0048] When the input of the workpiece W into the jig 3 is completed, next, positioning of the stage 2 is executed according to the recess 4 into which the workpiece W is to be input. Then, the table 10 rotates and the next workpiece W is conveyed.

[0049] The above series of processes takes less than 1 second per workpiece W, for example. Here, an example of positioning by moving the stage 2 has been described, but positioning may be performed by moving the discharge means 40 according to the recess 4 into which the workpiece W is to be input.

[0050] Subsequently, a control example of the control unit 52 while one workpiece W is being conveyed from the first end 31 to the second end 32 will be described.

[0051] FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing an example of control by the control unit 52. The control unit 52 stops the supply of air to the conveyance tube 30 at least once while the workpiece W is being conveyed from the first end 31 to the second end 32.

[0052] In other words, the control unit 52 controls the adjustment unit 51 so as to stop the supply of air to the conveyance tube 30 at least once. Focusing on the conveyance tube 30, the air pressure is intermittently applied.

[0053] While the workpiece W is being conveyed, there are a timing 71 (blow ON) for supplying air and a timing 72 (blow OFF) for stopping the supply of air. The time for supplying air per occurrence of timing 71 is defined as a first time 81, and the time for stopping the supply of air per occurrence of timing 72 is defined as a second time 82.

[0054] For example, the first time 81 corresponds to the time during which the pneumatic regulator is open, and the second time 82 corresponds to the time during which the pneumatic regulator is closed. In FIG. 3, the first time 81 is indicated by a solid line, and the second time 82 is indicated by a broken line.

[0055] The control unit 52 controls the timings 71 and 72, the first time 81, and the second time 82 by the adjustment unit 51. The control unit 52 may also control other elements such as the pressure of the supplied air.

[0056] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 52 controls the stop of the air supply so that the number of occurrences of timing 71 is greater than the number of occurrences of timing 72. Specifically, the timing 71 is three times, and the timing 72 is two times. Further, the control unit 52 controls the stop of the air supply so that the first time 81 and the second time 82 are equal.

[0057] When the supply of air to the conveyance tube 30 is stopped, the pressure of the air in the conveyance tube 30 decreases. As a result, the speed of the workpiece W during conveyance decreases. By thus switching between the supply of air and the stop of the supply of air by the control unit 52, the speed of the workpiece W during conveyance can be controlled.

[0058] In other words, the control unit 52 can control so that the speed of the workpiece W during conveyance does not exceed a predetermined speed. As a result, the workpiece W can be reliably conveyed. The reliable conveyance of the workpiece W means that the workpiece W does not bounce back, pop out, or break down during conveyance in the jig 3.

[0059] Specifically, by controlling the speed of the workpiece W during conveyance, for example, when the workpiece W collides with the concave portion 4 of the jig 3 or the tapered portion 433 of the nozzle 42, it is possible to suppress the workpiece W from being deformed, broken down, or misaligned in the concave portion 4 of the jig 3.

[0060] The control unit 52 controls the adjustment unit 51 to supply air to the conveyance tube 30, for example, before the pressure (residual pressure) of the air in the conveyance tube 30 becomes zero when the supply of air is stopped.

[0061] In other words, the control unit 52 controls the adjustment unit 51 to supply air at intervals such that the residual pressure does not become zero. In such a case, even when the supply of air is stopped, since the residual pressure acts on the workpiece W, the workpiece W moves in the conveyance tube 30 without stopping.

[0062] If the air pressure is made smaller than the pressure required for the workpiece W to move out of the conveyance tube 30, the workpiece W may stop in the conveyance tube 30. This can cause the workpiece W to jam in the conveyance tube 30. In such a case of the pressure, even if air is supplied again, the workpiece W does not move out.

[0063] In the present embodiment, since the air pressure is set to be equal to or higher than the pressure required for the workpiece W to move out of the conveyance tube 30, even if the workpiece W stops in the conveyance tube 30, the workpiece W can move out again by supplying air. Thereby, the occurrence of jamming of the workpiece W in the conveyance tube 30 can be suppressed.

[0064] By setting the air pressure, for example, to be equivalent to the pressure required for the workpiece W to start moving within the conveying tube 30 or to have a slight margin over the pressure required for starting movement, it is possible to suppress the increase in the speed of the workpiece W while suppressing the air pressure.

[0065] Also, when switching the supply and stop of air by the adjustment unit 51 (for example, an electro-pneumatic regulator), since fine adjustments such as adjusting the opening degree are not required, the control by the control unit 52 is easy.

[0066] Here, the results of the conveyance test of the workpiece W will be described. The conditions in the conveyance test are as follows. The diameter of the workpiece W is 0.13 mm, and the mass of the workpiece W is 0.02 g. The inner diameter of the conveying tube 30 is 0.5 mm, the outer diameter is 1.59 mm, and the length of the conveying tube 30 is 1.1 m.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 3, the timing 71 is three times, and the timing 72 is two times. For example, each first time 81 of the timing 71 is equal, and each second time 82 of the timing 72 is equal.

[0068] Under the above conditions, when the pressure of the supplied air is 0.3 MPa and the first time 81 and the second time 82 are 0.05 seconds (sec), it was confirmed that the workpiece W could be reliably conveyed. In this case, the time taken for the conveyance of the workpiece W (from the start of the first timing 71 to the end of the third timing 71) is 0.25 seconds. Under the above conditions, the speed at which the workpiece W is discharged from the nozzle 42 was about 70 km / h. The said speed can be measured by a high-speed camera or the like.

[0069] Also, when the pressure of the supplied air is 0.25 MPa and the first time 81 and the second time 82 are 0.05 seconds (sec), it was similarly confirmed that the workpiece W could be reliably conveyed.

[0070] Next, another example of the control by the control unit 52 will be described. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing another example of the control by the control unit 52. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 52 controls the stop of the air supply so that the first time 81 is shorter than the second time 82.

[0071] When the pressure of the supplied air is 0.3 MPa, the first time 81 is 0.05 seconds, and the second time 82 is 1.0 second, it was confirmed that the work W could be reliably conveyed. Other conditions are the same as those described above.

[0072] Since the pressure of the air is equal to or higher than the pressure required for the work W to start moving in the conveyance tube 30, even if the second time 82 is lengthened and the work W stops in the conveyance tube 30, the work W can be conveyed.

[0073] Even when the pressure of the supplied air is 0.3 MPa, the first time 81 is 0.03 seconds, and the second time 82 is 0.05 seconds, it was confirmed that the work W could be reliably conveyed.

[0074] With the transfer device 100 and the transfer method configured as described above, the work W can be stably transferred. In addition to what has been described above, various favorable effects can be obtained from this embodiment.

[0075] During the conveyance of the work W, when there are a plurality of timings 71 and 72, the lengths of the first time 81 and the second time 82 may be different from each other. The transfer device 100 may further include other elements. Other elements are, for example, means for arranging the work W on the table 10, means for monitoring the work W, and the like.

[0076] The means for monitoring the workpiece W are, for example, a sensor for monitoring the speed of the workpiece W during conveyance, a sensor for monitoring that the workpiece W has passed through a predetermined position, a camera for confirming that the workpiece W has been inserted into the recess 4 of the jig 3, and the like. The control unit 52 may, for example, acquire information from the means for monitoring the workpiece W described above and control the stop of the supply of air by the adjustment unit 51 based on the information.

Explanation of Signs

[0077] 1... supply source, 10... table, 13... pocket, 14... flow path, 20... air pipe, 30... conveyance tube, 31... first end, 32... second end, 40... discharge means, 42... nozzle, 50... control means, 51... adjustment unit, 52... control unit, 71... timing, 72... timing, 81... first time, 82... second time, 100... conveyance device, W... workpiece.

Claims

1. A conveying device for conveying parts by air, comprising: a conveying tube having a first end and a second end, with the part being conveyed from the first end toward the second end; control means for controlling the supply and stop of the air supplied from the first end, and stopping the supply of the air at least once while the part is being conveyed. A conveying device.

2. The control means controls the stop of the air supply such that the number of times the air is supplied is greater than the number of times the air supply is stopped while the part is being conveyed from the first end to the second end. The conveying device according to Claim 1.

3. The control means controls the stop of the air supply such that the time for supplying the air each time is equal to the time for stopping the air supply each time. The conveying device according to Claim 2.

4. The control means controls the stop of the air supply such that the time for supplying the air each time is shorter than the time for stopping the air supply each time. The conveying device according to Claim 2.

5. The pressure of the supplied air is equal to or higher than the pressure required for the part to start moving in the conveying tube. The conveying device according to Claim 2.

6. A table connected to the conveying tube and having pockets in which the parts are arranged; an air pipe connected to the table and supplying the air to the conveying tube via the pockets. The conveying device according to Claim 1.

7. The control means has an adjustment part installed in the air pipe for switching the supply and stop of the air supplied to the conveying tube. The conveying device according to Claim 6.

8. The device further includes a nozzle provided at the second end and having a smaller inner diameter toward the tip for discharging the part. The conveying device according to Claim 7.

9. A conveying method for conveying parts by air, comprising: controlling the supply and stop of the air supplied to a conveying tube through which the part is conveyed; wherein the controlling includes stopping the supply of the air at least once while the part is being conveyed through the conveying tube. A conveying method.

10. The "controlling" means stopping the supply of the air such that the number of times the air is supplied is greater than the number of times the supply of the air is stopped while the component is being conveyed. The conveying method according to claim 9.

11. The "controlling" means stopping the supply of the air such that the time for supplying the air per time is equal to the time for stopping the supply of the air per time. The conveying method according to claim 10.

12. The "controlling" means stopping the supply of the air such that the time for supplying the air per time is shorter than the time for stopping the supply of the air per time. The conveying method according to claim 10.

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