Workpiece transport device

Abstract

To transport a workpiece to an index table side while surely separating the workpiece without damaging the workpiece.SOLUTION: A step part 40 is provided on a bottom surface 35a of a communication passage 35 of a separation mechanism 30, which stops a workpiece W1 by the step part 40. Air is ejected from an air ejection hole 25 to lift the workpiece W1, and the workpiece W1 is transported into a workpiece storage groove 11a of an indexing table 11 through a suction hole 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a work transfer device that separates a plurality of continuously supplied workpieces one by one and conveys them individually.

Background Art

[0002] For example, as a work transfer device for transferring workpieces such as chip components obtained by chipping electronic components, a work feeder (also called a parts feeder) for supplying workpieces, an index table provided with a work storage groove for storing workpieces on the outer periphery, and a separation mechanism provided between the work feeder and the index table are known.

[0003] In such a work transfer device, a plurality of workpieces continuously supplied by the work feeder and contacting each other are separated one by one in the separation mechanism and then stored and conveyed in the work storage groove of the index table.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] As described above, since the workpieces continuously supplied by the work feeder are in contact with each other, it is necessary to reliably separate the workpieces one by one in the separation mechanism and store them in the work storage groove of the turntable.

[0006] However, conventionally, a work transfer device that can reliably separate workpieces without damaging them by the separation mechanism has not been developed.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such points, and an object thereof is to provide a work transfer device that can transfer a work without damaging the work before sending it to an index table and can surely separate the work.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The present disclosure includes a work feeder that supplies a plurality of works, an index table that is provided with a plurality of work storage grooves for storing the works on its outer periphery and rotates by an index table drive mechanism, a separation mechanism that extends between the work feeder and the index table and has a communication path for transferring the work, and a control unit. The index table rotates to arrange the work storage groove facing the communication path at an acceptance position, and is provided with a suction hole that communicates with the work storage groove at the acceptance position and sucks the work in the communication path into the work storage groove at the acceptance position. A step portion for stopping the work is formed on the bottom surface of the communication path of the separation mechanism, and an air opening for performing air injection upward with respect to the work stopped by the step portion is provided on the bottom surface of the communication path of the separation mechanism on the upstream side in the work transfer direction from the step portion. An air injection mechanism is connected to the air opening, and a work detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of the work in the work storage groove at the acceptance position is provided. The control unit drives the index table drive mechanism based on a signal from the work detection unit to rotate the index table, which is a work transfer device.

[0009] In the present disclosure, the air opening is connected to the air injection mechanism and a vacuum generation mechanism via a switching mechanism, and based on a signal from the work detection unit, the control unit controls the switching mechanism to connect the air opening to the air injection mechanism or the vacuum generation mechanism, which is a work transfer device.

[0010] The present disclosure relates to a work transfer device in which an inclined surface that rises from the stepped portion toward the upstream side in the work transfer direction is formed on the bottom surface of the communication path of the separation mechanism.

[0011] The present disclosure relates to a work transfer device in which, when the vertical height of the work in the communication path of the separation mechanism is H, the height H1 of the stepped portion is 0.05×H or more and 0.2×H or less.

[0012] The present disclosure relates to a work transfer device in which, when the length of the work in the work transfer direction in the communication path of the separation mechanism is L, the length L1 of the inclined surface is 0.8×L or more and 1.2L or less.

[0013] The present disclosure relates to a work transfer device in which the separation mechanism includes a separation mechanism main body that forms the communication path and a separation mechanism cover that covers the communication path, and a slit that forms a gap is provided on the lower surface of the separation mechanism cover between the upper surface of the next work that is stopped by the stepped portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] As described above, according to the present disclosure, a plurality of works supplied from a work feeder can be sent to the index table side without damaging the works and while reliably separating the works from each other.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 2C

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] FIGS. 1 to 6 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a work transfer device according to the present disclosure. First, the outline of the work transfer device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the work transfer device 10 includes a work feeder (also referred to as a parts feeder) 23 that continuously supplies a plurality of works W1, W2,... such as chip components, and a rotatable index table 11 having a plurality of work storage grooves 11a for storing the works W1, W2,... provided on the outer periphery, and a separation mechanism 30 provided between the work feeder 23 and the index table 11. Among these, the index table 11 is driven to rotate by an index table drive mechanism 11A.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the work feeder 23 supplies the works W1, W2,... in a state where they are continuously in contact with each other and linearly. The work feeder 23 has a support base 23a for supporting the works W1, W2,..., and this support base 23a is covered by a cover 23b. The separation mechanism 30 has a communication path 35 extending between the work feeder 23 and the index table 11.

[0019] In the present embodiment, the separation mechanism 30 has a separation mechanism main body 31 that forms the communication path 35, and a separation mechanism cover 32 that is attached to the upper surface of the separation mechanism main body 31 and covers the communication path 35.

[0020] The index table 11 is supported by a base (not shown).

[0021] Incidentally, as described above, the index table 11 has a plurality of work storage grooves 11a on its outer periphery, and as the index table 11 rotates, the work storage grooves 11a come to the receiving positions facing the communication path 35 in sequence.

[0022] The index table 11 is supported by the base, and the above-described separation mechanism 30 is also supported by the base. Further, a separation mechanism cover 32 covering the communication path 35 also covers the work storage groove 11a of the index table 11 at the receiving position (see FIG. 1).

[0023] In the present embodiment, the "upper surface", "lower surface", "above", and "below" refer to the "upper surface", "lower surface", "above", and "below" when the work transfer device 10 is arranged in the state of FIG. 1.

[0024] Next, the separation mechanism 30 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

[0025] First, suction holes 12 for sucking the workpieces W1, W2,... in the communication path 35 into the work storage groove 11a at the receiving position communicate with the work storage groove 11a at the receiving position, and these suction holes 12 extend into the base supporting the index table 11. A stepped portion 40 that engages with the workpieces W1, W2,... and stops these workpieces W1, W2,... is formed on the bottom surface 35a of the communication path 35 of the separation mechanism 30. Further, an inclined surface (tapered surface) 41 that rises from the stepped portion 40 toward the upstream side in the workpiece transfer direction D is formed on the bottom surface 35a of the communication path 35.

[0026] Furthermore, on the bottom surface 35a of the communication passage 35, on the upstream side of the stepped portion 40 in the workpiece conveyance direction D, there are provided air ejection holes (also referred to as air openings) 25 that eject air upward with respect to the workpieces W1, W2,... that engage with and stop at the stepped portion 40. By ejecting air upward with respect to the workpieces W1, W2,... that stop at the stepped portion 40, these air ejection holes 25 lift the workpieces W1, W2,... from the stepped portion 40, and use the suction force from the suction holes 12 to suck the workpieces W1, W2,... into the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position.

[0027] Next, the shapes of the stepped portion 40 and the inclined surface 41 will be described. In the present embodiment, the length L of the workpieces W1, W2,... in the workpiece conveyance direction D is, for example, 1 mm, the height H in the vertical direction is, for example, 0.5 mm, and the width orthogonal to the workpiece conveyance direction D is 0.5 mm.

[0028] The vertical height H1 of the stepped portion 40 formed on the bottom surface 35a of the communication passage 35 of the separation mechanism 30 is 0.05×H or more and 0.2×H or less.

[0029] The length L1 of the inclined surface 41 formed on the bottom surface 35a of the communication passage 35 in the workpiece conveyance direction D is 0.8×L or more and 1.2×L or less.

[0030] By setting the vertical height H1 of the stepped portion 40 to 0.05×H or more as described above, the workpieces W1, W2,... conveyed by the communication passage 35 can be reliably stopped by this stepped portion 40. Also, by setting the vertical height H1 of the stepped portion 40 to 0.2×H or less, the workpieces W1, W2,... that stop at the stepped portion 40 can be lifted by the air ejected upward from the air ejection holes 25, and the engagement with the stepped portion 40 can be easily released.

[0031] Further, by setting the length L1 of the inclined surface 41 in the workpiece conveyance direction D to be 0.8×L or more, the workpieces W1, W2, … conveyed by the communication path 35 can be smoothly guided to the stepped portion 40. Also, by setting the length L1 of the inclined surface 41 in the workpiece conveyance direction D to be 1.2×L or less, it is not necessary to excessively increase the height of the communication path 35.

[0032] In addition, in the present embodiment, the workpieces W1, W2, … may become jammed in the communication path 35. In this case, the workpiece conveyance device 10 as a whole may be stopped, and air may be ejected into the communication path 35 using the suction holes 12. In this case, by providing an inclined surface 41 that rises from the stepped portion 40 toward the upstream side in the workpiece conveyance direction D in the communication path 35, the workpieces W1, W2, … in the communication path 35 can be blown upstream in the workpiece conveyance direction D and discharged outside the communication path 35 toward the workpiece feeder side.

[0033] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the air ejection holes 25 provided in the bottom surface 35a of the communication path 35 are connected to the air ejection mechanism 26. Therefore, as described above, air can be ejected upward from the air ejection holes 25 toward the workpieces W1, W2, … that engage and stop at the stepped portion 40 of the communication path 35. In the present embodiment, the air ejection holes 25 are connected to the air ejection mechanism 26 via the switching mechanism 28, and are similarly connected to the vacuum generation mechanism 27 via the switching mechanism 28.

[0034] Also, as shown in FIG. 1, a light receiving portion 15a is provided in the separation mechanism cover 32 at a position corresponding to the workpiece storage groove 11a in the receiving position, and a light projecting portion 15b that projects light toward the light receiving portion 15a is provided in the separation mechanism main body 31 at a position facing the light receiving portion 15a. The light receiving portion 15a and the light projecting portion 15b constitute a workpiece detection portion 15 that detects the presence or absence of the workpieces W1, W2, … in the workpiece storage groove 11a in the receiving position.

[0035] In addition, a light receiving portion 16a is provided in the separating mechanism cover 32 corresponding to the space between the work W1 that engages with and stops at the stepped portion 40 and the work in the work storage groove 11a at the receiving position. A light projecting portion 16b that projects light toward the light receiving portion 16a is provided in the separating mechanism main body 31 at a position facing the light receiving portion 16a. The light receiving portion 16a and the light projecting portion 16b constitute a separation detection portion 16 that detects whether the work W1 that engages with and stops at the stepped portion 40 is separated from the work in the work storage groove 11a at the receiving position.

[0036] Also, each of the above components is driven and controlled by the control unit 50.

[0037] By the way, a slit 36 that forms a gap between the lower surface (which also serves as the upper surface of the communication passage 35) 35b of the separating mechanism cover 32 of the separating mechanism 30 and the upper surface of the next work W2 that engages with and stops at the stepped portion 40 is provided (see FIGS. 1 and 6). This slit 36 is formed on the lower surface 35b of the separating mechanism cover 32 so as to gradually rise toward the upstream side in the work conveyance direction D. Then, when sucking the work W1 that engages with and stops at the stepped portion 40 through the suction hole 12 communicating with the work storage groove 11a at the receiving position, the slit 36 can reduce the suction force from the suction hole 12 on the next work W2.

[0038] As will be described later, after the work W1 that engages with and stops at the stepped portion 40 is once lifted by ejecting air from the air ejection hole 25, it is sucked into the work storage groove 11a at the receiving position by the suction force from the suction hole 12. In this case, by providing the slit 36, the suction force from the suction hole 12 on the next work W2 can be reduced, and it is possible to prevent the next work W2 from entering the work storage groove 11a together with the work W1.

[0039] Incidentally, as described above, the index table 11 rotates and is arranged at the receiving position where the work storage groove 11a faces the communication path 24a. Then, the workpieces W1, W2, … stored in the work storage groove 11a at the receiving position are conveyed in the circumferential direction as the index table 11 rotates, and electrical inspections, appearance inspections, etc. are performed on the workpieces W1, W2, … by an inspection mechanism (not shown) provided on the outer periphery of the index table 11.

[0040] As described above, the suction hole 12 communicates with the work storage groove 11a at the receiving position. This suction hole 12 extends inside the base that supports the index table 11 and is suctioned by a vacuum generator (not shown).

[0041] Incidentally, in order to detect the workpieces W1, W2, … stored in the work storage groove 11a at the receiving position, a workpiece detection unit 15 composed of a light receiving unit 15a and a light projecting unit 15b is provided. The light receiving unit 15a of the workpiece detection unit 15 is provided on the wall surface on the side of the separation mechanism cover 32 of the work storage groove 11a. Further, the light projecting unit 15b is provided on the wall surface on the side of the separation mechanism main body 31 of the work storage groove 11a. Since both the light receiving unit 15a and the light projecting unit 15b are provided on the same surface as the wall surface without protruding from the wall surface of the work storage groove 11a, the light receiving unit 15a and the light projecting unit 15b do not hinder the progress of the workpieces W1, W2, … in the work storage groove 11a.

[0042] Similarly, the light receiving unit 16a of the separation detection unit 16 is provided on the wall surface on the side of the separation mechanism cover 32, and the light projecting unit 16b is provided on the wall surface on the side of the separation mechanism main body 31. Both the light receiving unit 15a and the light projecting unit 15b are provided on the same surface as the wall surface without protruding from the wall surface of the communication path 35. Therefore, the light receiving unit 16a and the light projecting unit 16b do not hinder the progress of the workpieces W1, W2, W3, … in the communication path 35. The light receiving unit 15a and the light projecting unit 15b of the workpiece detection unit 15 described above and the light receiving unit 16a and the light projecting unit 16b of the separation detection unit 16 are all connected to the control unit 50.

[0043] Next, the operation of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2B and FIG. 3.

[0044] First, workpieces W1, W2,... are continuously supplied while being in contact with each other by the workpiece feeder 23 and sent into the communication passage 35 of the separating mechanism 30. When the workpieces W1, W2,... are sent into the communication passage 35 of the separating mechanism 30, first, the leading workpiece W1 engages with the stepped portion 40 of the communication passage 35 and stops.

[0045] During this time, the control unit 50 drives the switching mechanism 28 so that the air ejection holes (also referred to as air openings) 25 are connected to the vacuum generating mechanism 27. For this reason, when the leading workpiece W1 engages with the stepped portion 40 and stops, at the same time, since the air ejection holes 25 have an adsorption function, the leading workpiece W1 is adsorbed by the air ejection holes 25 having this adsorption function, and the leading workpiece W1 surely stops at the position of the stepped portion 40 (see FIG. 2A).

[0046] In addition, if the workpiece W1 in the communication passage 35 can surely stop only by the stepped portion 40 at the position of the stepped portion 40, it is not necessary to switch the switching mechanism 28 so that the air ejection holes 25 have an adsorption function and adsorb the workpiece W1 by the air ejection holes 25.

[0047] Next, after the control unit 50 confirms from the signal from the workpiece detection unit 15 that there are no workpieces W1, W2,... in the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position, the control unit 50 switches the switching mechanism 28 to connect the air ejection holes 25 to the air ejection mechanism 26. At this time, air is ejected upward from the air ejection holes 25 to lift the workpiece W1 stopped by the stepped portion 40 (see FIG. 2B).

[0048] In this case, the workpiece W1 is rapidly sucked by the suction hole 12 connected to a vacuum generating device (not shown) and stored in the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position. At this time, although the suction force acts on the next workpiece W2 of the workpiece W1 stopped at the stepped portion 40 from the suction hole 12, since the suction force from the suction hole 12 is weakened by the leading workpiece W1 getting in the way, the next workpiece W2 is not sucked toward the workpiece storage groove 11a side.

[0049] Moreover, since the separation mechanism cover 32 of the separation mechanism 30 is provided with the slit 36, the suction force applied to the next workpiece W2 from the suction hole 12 can be further weakened.

[0050] In this way, the leading workpiece W1 stopped by the stepped portion 40 reaches the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position (see FIG. 2C).

[0051] At this time, the workpiece detection unit 15 can detect that the leading workpiece W1 has been stored in the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position. Next, a signal from the workpiece detection unit 15 is sent to the control unit 50, and the control unit 50 switches the switching mechanism 28 to connect the air ejection hole 25 to the vacuum generation mechanism 27.

[0052] Since the suction force by the suction hole 12 connected to a vacuum generator (not shown) is quite strong, when the workpiece detection unit 15 confirms that the leading workpiece W1 has been stored in the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position, the next workpiece W2 is still in the communication path 35 at a position away from the upstream side of the stepped portion 40.

[0053] Thereafter, the separation detection unit 16 confirms that the leading workpiece W1 in the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position and the next workpiece W2 are surely separated. Next, on the premise that the workpiece detection unit 15 has confirmed that the leading workpiece W1 has been stored in the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position, based on the signal from the separation detection unit 16, the control unit 50 drives the index table drive mechanism 11A to intermittently rotate the index table 11 by one pitch and return from the state of FIG. 2C to the state of FIG. 2A.

[0054] Note that this separation detection unit 16 is not necessarily provided. After the workpiece detection unit 15 has confirmed that the leading workpiece W1 has been stored in the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position, the index table 11 may be intermittently rotated immediately.

[0055] As described above, according to the present embodiment, a stepped portion 40 is formed on the bottom surface of the communication passage 35 of the separation mechanism 30, and an inclined surface 41 is provided on the upstream side in the workpiece conveyance direction D from this stepped portion 40. As a result, the leading workpiece W1 sent from the workpiece feeder 23 and passing through the communication passage 35 can be engaged with the stepped portion 40 and stopped (see FIG. 2A). In this case, the inclined surface 41 provided on the upstream side in the workpiece conveyance direction D from the stepped portion 40 smoothly guides the workpiece W1 to the stepped portion 40, and the workpiece W1 can be surely stopped by the stepped portion 40.

[0056] Furthermore, by connecting the air ejection hole 25 provided on the upstream side in the workpiece conveyance direction D of the stepped portion 40 to the vacuum generation mechanism 27 via the switching mechanism 28, the workpiece W1 stopped by the stepped portion 40 can be more surely stopped at the position of the stepped portion 40.

[0057] Since the workpiece W1 can be surely stopped at the position of the stepped portion 40 in this way, the distance L2 between the stepped portion 40 and the radially inner end of the workpiece storage groove 11a of the index table 11 can be made extremely short, such as 1.2×L or more and 1.5×L or less (where L is the length of the workpiece in the workpiece conveyance direction in the communication passage 35).

[0058] Since the distance L2 between the stepped portion 40 and the radially inner end of the workpiece storage groove 11a of the index table 11 can be shortened in this way, the supply time for supplying the workpiece W1 stopped at the stepped portion 40 into the workpiece storage groove 11a can be made extremely short. As a result, the working efficiency of the workpiece conveyance device 10 can be improved.

[0059] When sending the workpiece W1 that engages with and stops at the stepped portion 40 of the communication passage 35 into the workpiece storage groove 11a of the index table 11, the air ejection hole 25 is connected to the air ejection mechanism 26 via the switching mechanism 28. As a result, the workpiece W1 is lifted to release the engagement between the stepped portion 40 and the workpiece W1. Thus, the workpiece W1 can be easily and surely supplied into the workpiece storage groove 11a by the suction force of the suction hole 12 on the workpiece storage groove 11a side.

[0060] Further, a slit 36 is provided on the lower surface 35b of the separation mechanism cover 32 to form a gap between the stepped portion 40 and the upper surface of the next workpiece W2 that engages and stops with the workpiece W1. Therefore, together with the workpiece W1 stopped by the stepped portion 40 due to the suction force from the suction holes, it is possible to prevent the next workpiece W2 from being fed toward the workpiece storage groove 11a side.

[0061] In this embodiment, the air ejection hole 25 is connected to either the air ejection mechanism 26 or the vacuum generation mechanism 27 via the switching mechanism 28. In this case, the air ejection from the air ejection hole 25 is for lifting the workpiece W1 that engages with the stepped portion 40, and it is not necessary to increase the air ejection force from the air ejection hole 25, nor is fine adjustment required.

[0062] Also, when connecting the air ejection hole 25 to the vacuum generation mechanism 27, since the air ejection hole 25 surely stops the workpiece W1 stopped by the stepped portion 40, it is not necessary to increase the suction force from the air ejection hole 25, nor is fine adjustment required.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0063] 10 Work transfer device 11 Index table 11a Work storage groove 11A Index table drive mechanism 12 Suction holes 15 Work detection unit 15a Light receiving unit 15b Light projecting unit 16 Separation detection unit 16a Light receiving unit 16b Light projecting unit 23 Work feeder (parts feeder) 25 Air ejection hole (air opening) 26 Air ejection mechanism 27 Vacuum generation mechanism 28 Switching mechanism 30 Separation mechanism 31 Separation mechanism body 32 Separation mechanism cover 35 Communication path 35a Bottom surface 35b Lower surface of the separation mechanism cover 36 Slit 40 Step portion 41 Inclined surface 50 Control unit W1, W2, Workpiece

Claims

1. A work feeder for supplying a plurality of workpieces, An index table provided with a plurality of workpiece storage grooves for storing the workpieces on its outer periphery and rotated by an index table drive mechanism, A separation mechanism extending between the work feeder and the index table and having a communication path for conveying the workpieces, A control unit, The index table rotates to position the workpiece storage groove at a receiving position facing the communication path, A suction hole is provided which communicates with the workpiece storage groove at the receiving position and sucks the workpiece in the communication path into the workpiece storage groove at the receiving position, A step portion for stopping the workpiece is formed on the bottom surface of the communication path of the separation mechanism, An air opening for performing air injection upward with respect to the workpiece stopped by the step portion is provided on the bottom surface of the communication path of the separation mechanism upstream of the step portion in the workpiece conveyance direction, and an air injection mechanism is connected to the air opening, A workpiece detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of the workpiece in the workpiece storage groove at the receiving position is provided, The control unit drives the index table drive mechanism to rotate the index table based on a signal from the workpiece detection unit, a workpiece conveyance device.

2. The air opening is connected to the air injection mechanism and a vacuum generation mechanism via a switching mechanism, Based on a signal from the workpiece detection unit, the control unit controls the switching mechanism to connect the air opening to the air injection mechanism or the vacuum generation mechanism, the workpiece conveyance device according to Claim 1.

3. The workpiece conveyance device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein an inclined surface rising upstream in the workpiece conveyance direction from the step portion is formed on the bottom surface of the communication path of the separation mechanism.

4. When the vertical height of the workpiece in the communication path of the separation mechanism is H, the height H1 of the step portion is 0.05×H or more and 0.2×H or less, the workpiece conveyance device according to Claim 1.

5. When the length of the workpiece in the workpiece conveyance direction in the communication path of the separation mechanism is L, the length L1 of the inclined surface is 0.8×L or more and 1.2L or less, the workpiece conveyance device according to Claim 3.

6. The separation mechanism has a separation mechanism main body forming the communication path and a separation mechanism cover covering the communication path, The workpiece transfer device according to claim 1, wherein a slit is provided on the lower surface of the separation mechanism cover to form a gap between the upper surface of the next workpiece that is stopped by the stepped portion and the upper surface of the workpiece.

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