Part supply device

The component supply device addresses clogging by using a guide mechanism with a movable member and stop mechanism to guide and stop components one by one, effectively preventing components from getting stuck, particularly for components with larger heads.

JP2025114926AActive Publication Date: 2025-08-06SEKI IND CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024009169
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-01-25
Publication Date
2025-08-06
Estimated Expiration
2044-01-25

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Component supply devices experience clogging issues due to multiple components advancing through a slit, particularly the second component from the downstream side, which gets stuck, preventing smooth operation.

Method used

A component supply device with a guide mechanism and stop mechanism that guides components one by one, using a movable member with an introduction and blocking portion to prevent the second component from entering the slit, and a stop mechanism that stops the second component's progression.

Benefits of technology

Prevents clogging by guiding components one by one, ensuring smooth operation and reducing the likelihood of components becoming stuck, especially effective for components with larger head diameters.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To prevent clogging of parts in a part supply device.SOLUTION: A part supply device 1 of the present invention comprises: guide rails 10; an ejection mechanism 20; a guide mechanism 30; and a stop mechanism 40. The guide mechanism includes a moving member 31 that faces a discharge hole 22 from an upper side C1 at a downstream side A2 of a slit 50 in a first direction A and moves between a first position S1 and a second position S2 in a second direction B. The moving member is composed of: an introduction section 32, which is formed by a notch in a side face 31a of an upstream side A1 in the first direction and through which a first part P1 supplied from the slit 50 is introduced when the moving member is in the first position; a blocking portion 33 formed on the side face adjacent to the introduction portion in the second direction and blocking the slit when in the second position; and a hole section 34 composed of holes on the downstream side in the first direction rather than on the side, which causes the first part that has moved from the introduction section to fall into the discharge hole when it is in the second position. The stop mechanism stops the movement of a second part P2 at the slit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a component supply device. [Background technology]

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

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

[0004] This type of component supply device includes a pair of guide rails that extend parallel to each other and form a slit between them. The guide rails extend in a direction that includes a horizontal component. Multiple components, each consisting of a shaft and a head, continuously advance through the slit between the pair of guide rails. The shafts of the components are inserted into the slit from above downward, and the heads are caught on the upper edge of the guide rail. After advancing through the slit between the pair of guide rails, the components fall into a discharge hole and are discharged.

[0005] In this type of component supplying device, there have been cases where the components have become clogged while a plurality of components are continuously advancing through the slit, preventing the components from advancing through the slit.

[0006] In particular, when the component supply device is equipped with a mechanism that guides components one by one from the slit between a pair of guide rails to the discharge hole, the second component from the downstream side among multiple components traveling through the slit between the pair of guide rails is likely to become clogged.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to prevent clogging of components in a component supply device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A component supply device according to the present disclosure includes a pair of guide rails extending parallel to each other in a first direction to form a slit between them, and along which a plurality of components, each composed of a shaft portion and a head portion having a diameter larger than that of the shaft portion, travel through the slit in the first direction; a discharge mechanism disposed downstream of the slit in the first direction and having a discharge hole for discharging the components; a guide mechanism configured to guide the components one by one from the slit to the discharge hole; and a stop mechanism configured to stop the progression of the components at the slit, wherein the first direction includes a horizontal component, and the shaft portions of the components are inserted into the slit from above downward, and the head portions of the components are caught on an upper edge of the guide rail, and the guide mechanism is configured to face the discharge hole from above downstream of the slit in the first direction and to guide the components in a width direction of the slit. the moving member includes a movable member that moves between a first position and a second position in a second direction, the second direction being the direction of travel of the moving member; and the plurality of parts include a first part that is first from the downstream side in the first direction and a second part that is second from the downstream side in the first direction, the moving member including: an introduction portion configured as a notch formed in a side surface on the upstream side in the first direction, into which the first part supplied from the slit is introduced when the moving member is at the first position; a blocking portion configured on the side surface so as to be adjacent to the introduction portion in the second direction, which blocks the slit when the moving member is at the second position; and a hole portion configured as a hole formed downstream of the side surface in the first direction, which causes the first part that has moved from the introduction portion to drop into the discharge hole when the moving member is at the second position, and the stopping mechanism stops the progression of the second part at the slit.

[0009] With this configuration, when the movable member is in the first position, the first component is introduced from the slit in the guide rail into the introduction portion on the side of the movable member. When the movable member is in the second position, the first component moves from the introduction portion to the hole in the movable member and falls from the hole into the discharge hole. When the movable member is in the second position, the blocking portion on the side of the movable member blocks the slit in the guide rail. In this way, components (only the first component) are guided one by one from the slit into the discharge hole.

[0010] The stop mechanism stops the progress of the second component at the slit of the guide rail, thereby preventing the second component from entering the introduction section when the moving member is in the first position. When the moving member is moved from the first position to the second position, the blocking section on the side of the moving member is prevented from coming into contact with the second component, thereby preventing the second component from becoming stuck.

[0011] As described above, clogging of the component supply device with components can be suppressed.

[0012] In one embodiment, the stop mechanism stops the advancement of the second part at the slit by pushing the second part in the second direction to press the second part against the guide rail.

[0013] According to this configuration, it becomes easy to stop the advancement of the second component at the slit.

[0014] In one embodiment, the stop mechanism presses the head of the second part in the second direction, thereby pressing the shaft part of the second part against the inner surface of the guide rail in the second direction.

[0015] According to this configuration, it is easier to hold the second component compared to when the shaft portion of the second component is directly held down.

[0016] In one embodiment, the stopping mechanism is configured with an actuator that moves a rod extending in the second direction in the second direction.

[0017] According to this configuration, the stopping mechanism can be easily configured.

[0018] In one embodiment, the stopping mechanism stops the second part in the slit when the moving member is in the first position, and does not stop the second part in the slit when the moving member is in the second position, and when the moving member is in the second position, the second part advances to the downstream end of the slit in the first direction, and the advancement of the second part is blocked by the blocking portion.

[0019] This configuration makes it easier to guide the components one by one from the slits to the discharge holes.

[0020] In one embodiment, the guide rail is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so as to go from the upper side to the lower side as it goes from the upstream side to the downstream side in the first direction.

[0021] If the guide rail is inclined relative to the horizontal direction, the second part is more likely to enter the introduction section when the movable member is in the first position. Even in such a case, the stop mechanism stops the progress of the second part at the slit, thereby preventing the second part from entering the introduction section when the movable member is in the first position.

[0022] In one embodiment, the part is a head bolt.

[0023] This configuration can prevent the headed bolt from becoming clogged. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present disclosure, clogging of components in a component supply device can be suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the bolt feeder in a first position, with the headed bolt removed. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the bolt feeder in the second position, with the headed bolt removed. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the bolt feeder in a first position, including a headed bolt. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a front cross-sectional view of the bolt supply device at the first position, taken along line IV, including a headed bolt. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the bolt feeder in the second position, including the headed bolt. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a front cross-sectional view taken along line VI of the bolt supply device in the second position, including a headed bolt. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026]

[0023] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or its uses.

[0027] (Bolt supply device) The bolt supply device 1 as a component supply device will be described. FIG. 1 shows a plan view of the bolt supply device at the first position S1 with the headed bolt P removed. FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the bolt supply device 1 at the second position S2 with the headed bolt P removed. FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the bolt supply device 1 at the first position S1 with the headed bolt P included. FIG. 4 shows a front cross-sectional view of the bolt supply device 1 at the first position S1 with the headed bolt P included, taken along line IV. FIG. 5 shows a plan view of the bolt supply device 1 at the second position S2 with the headed bolt P included. FIG. 6 shows a front cross-sectional view of the bolt supply device 1 at the second position S2 with the headed bolt P included, taken along line VI.

[0028] In the following description, with reference to Figure 1, the left-right direction is referred to as the front-back direction (denoted by A), the up-down direction is referred to as the left-right direction (denoted by B), and the direction perpendicular to the paper surface is referred to as the up-down direction (denoted by C). With reference to Figure 1, the front side of the paper surface is referred to as the upper side ( ), the back side of the paper surface is referred to as the lower side ( ), the left side is referred to as the front side ( ), the right side is referred to as the rear side ( ), the lower side is referred to as the left side ( ), and the upper side is referred to as the right side ( ). The front-back direction is an example of a first direction. The left-right direction is an example of a second direction.

[0029] The bolt supplying device 1 includes a pair of (two) guide rails 10, a discharge mechanism 20, a guide mechanism 30, and a stop mechanism 40.

[0030] (headed bolt) A bolt supplying device 1 as a component supplying device according to this embodiment supplies a plurality of headed bolts P as a plurality of components. The headed bolts P are mainly shown in Figures 4 and 6. The headed bolts P are, for example, welding bolts.

[0031] The headed bolt P is composed of a shank Pa and a head Pb. The shank Pa extends straight. The shank Pa is cylindrical. The outer periphery of the shank Pa is threaded. The head Pb is disk-shaped. The head Pb is provided at the base end of the shank Pa. The outer diameter of the head Pb is larger than the outer diameter of the shank Pa. Although not shown, a welding protrusion is provided on the top or bottom surface of the head Pb.

[0032] (guide rail) The pair of guide rails 10 extend parallel (more specifically, geometrically parallel) in the front-rear direction with a gap (gap) between them in the left-right direction. That is, the pair of guide rails 10 extend parallel to each other in the front-rear direction so as to form a slit 50 (having a width in the left-right direction) between them.

[0033] The guide rail 10 is formed in a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with the longitudinal direction being the front-rear direction and the transverse directions being the left-right and up-down directions. The front-rear direction corresponds to the length direction of the slit 50. The left-right direction corresponds to the width direction of the slit 50.

[0034] The multiple headed bolts P advance forward in the front-to-rear direction through the slits 50 along the guide rail 10 (see Figures 3 to 6). The front-to-rear direction in which the headed bolts P advance includes a horizontal component (indicated by H). The front-to-rear direction in which the headed bolts P advance is from the rear to the front. The upstream side in the front-to-rear direction in which the headed bolts P advance is the rear (indicated by A1). The downstream side in the front-to-rear direction in which the headed bolts P advance is the front (indicated by A2).

[0035] 4 and 6, the guide rail 10 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction from the upstream side (rear) to the downstream side (front) in the front-rear direction and from the upper side (indicated by C1) to the lower side (indicated by C2) in the up-down direction. The inclination angle of the guide rail 10 relative to the horizontal direction is preferably 10° or more.

[0036] The headed bolt P is suspended in the slit 50 between the pair of guide rails 10 by inserting the shank Pa from above into the slit 50 and the head Pb getting caught on the upper edge 13 of the guide rail 10 (see Figures 4 and 6). The headed bolt P is suspended in the slit 50 between the pair of guide rails 10 by inserting the shank Pa from above into the slit 50 and the head Pb getting caught on the upper edge 13 of the guide rail 10.

[0037] The headed bolt P advances through the slit 50 from rear to front, diagonally downward relative to the horizontal direction, along the guide rail 10 due to its own weight.

[0038] The pair of guide rails 10 includes a pair of main guide rails 11 located upstream (rear) in the front-to-rear direction, and a pair of sub-guide rails 12 provided at downstream ends (front ends) in the front-to-rear direction of the main guide rails 11. The left and right outer ends (left and right ends) of the sub-guide rails 12 are located outward (left and right) from the left and right outer ends (left and right ends) of the main guide rails 11.

[0039] Headed bolts P are fed to the upstream end (rear end) of the slit 50 of the guide rail 10 from a bolt shooter (not shown) or a bolt sorter (not shown) in a previous process.

[0040] (ejection mechanism) The discharge mechanism 20 is disposed downstream (forward) of the downstream end (front end) 51 of the slit 50 of the guide rail 10 in the front-rear direction.

[0041] 4 and 6, the discharge member 21 is disposed downstream (forward) of the front end of the guide rail 10 in the front-rear direction, with a gap between them. The discharge member 21 is formed in a substantially L-shape when viewed in the left-right direction.

[0042] The discharge member 21 includes a first portion 21a and a second portion 21b. The first portion 21a is formed in a generally rectangular plate shape with its thickness in the front-rear direction and extending in the left-right and up-down directions. The first portion 21a faces the front end of the guide rail 10. A space is formed between the rear surface of the first portion 21a of the discharge member 21 and the front surface of the guide rail 10.

[0043] The second portion 21b is formed in a generally rectangular plate shape with its thickness in the up-down direction and extending in the left-right and front-rear directions. The second portion 21b is connected to the lower end of the first portion 21a and extends upstream (rearward) from the lower end of the first portion 21a in the front-rear direction.

[0044] A discharge hole 22 is formed in the second portion 21b of the discharge member 21 of the discharge mechanism 20. In other words, the second portion 21b of the discharge member 21 of the discharge mechanism 20 has the discharge hole 22. The discharge hole 22 passes through the second portion 21b of the discharge member 21 in the vertical direction. The inner diameter of the discharge hole 22 is larger than the outer diameter of the head Pb of the headed bolt P.

[0045] The discharge hole 22 discharges the headed bolt P to the outside. The headed bolt P discharged by the discharge hole 22 is sent to the next process (for example, a bolt feeding mechanism for feeding the headed bolt P to a resistance welding device) via a tube or the like (not shown).

[0046] A discharge chamber is formed in an area surrounded by the discharge member (first portion a and second portion b) of the discharge mechanism 20 and the guide rail 10. The discharge hole 22 faces the discharge chamber .

[0047] (Guide mechanism) The guide mechanism 30 includes a moving member 31 and an actuator 36. The moving member 31 is basically formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with its thickness in the up-down direction and extending in the left-right and front-rear directions. The left-right dimension of the moving member 31 is greater than its front-rear dimension.

[0048] The moving member 31 is disposed downstream (forward) of the guide rail 10 in the front-to-rear direction and upstream (rear) of the first portion 21a of the discharge member 21 of the discharge mechanism 20 in the front-to-rear direction. The moving member 31 is disposed at the same height as the upper end of the guide rail 10 (and the discharge member 21 of the discharge mechanism 20) in the up-down direction.

[0049] 4 and 6, the moving member 31 faces the discharge hole 22 from above, downstream (forward) of the slit 50 of the guide rail 10 in the front-rear direction. The moving member 31 can also be said to constitute the upper wall of the discharge chamber 23.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the moving member 31 moves in a sliding manner in the left-right direction between a first position S1 on the right (indicated by B1) and a second position S2 on the left (indicated by B2).

[0051] The moving member 31 includes an introduction portion 32, a blocking portion 33, a hole portion 34, and a connection portion 35. The introduction portion 32 is configured as a notch formed in a rear side surface 31a, which is the side surface of the moving member 31 on the upstream side (rear) in the front-to-rear direction.

[0052] The introduction portion 32 extends from the rear side surface 31a of the moving member 31 toward the downstream side (forward) in the front-to-rear direction. The introduction portion 32 passes through the moving member 31 from top to bottom. The width of the introduction portion 32 is larger than the outer diameter of the shank Pa of the headed bolt P and smaller than the outer diameter of the head Pb of the headed bolt P.

[0053] The blocking portion 33 is also called a closing portion. The blocking portion 33 is configured on the rear side surface 31a of the movable member 31 on the upstream side (rear) in the front-to-rear direction. The blocking portion 33 is adjacent to the introduction portion 32 in the left-to-right direction. No notch is formed in the blocking portion 33 on the rear side surface 31a of the movable member 31. The blocking portion 33 extends downward below the introduction portion 32 on the rear side surface 31a of the movable member 31. On the rear side surface 31a of the movable member 31, the lower end of the blocking portion 33 is located below the introduction portion 32. The blocking portion 33 extends straight in the left-to-right and up-to-down directions. The up-to-down dimension of the blocking portion 33 is greater than the left-to-right dimension. The blocking portion 33 is located to the right of the introduction portion 32 in the left-to-right direction (closer to the first position S1).

[0054] In the moving member 31, the hole 34 is configured as a hole formed downstream (forward) of the rear side surface 31a in the front-rear direction. The hole 34 is arranged downstream (forward) of the rear side surface 31a (the introduction portion 32 and the blocking portion 33) in the front-rear direction. The hole 34 is arranged to the right of the introduction portion 32 (closer to the first position S1) in the left-right direction. The hole 34 is arranged at approximately the same position as the blocking portion 33 in the left-right direction.

[0055] The hole 34 passes through the moving member 31 from top to bottom. The hole 34 has a substantially circular shape. The inner diameter of the hole 34 is larger than the outer diameter of the head Pb of the headed bolt P.

[0056] In the moving member 31, the connecting portion 35 connects the front end of the introduction portion 32 and the left end of the hole portion 34. The connecting portion 35 extends diagonally from the rear to the front, then from left to right. The connecting portion 35 penetrates the moving member 31 from top to bottom. The width of the connecting portion 35 is greater than the outer diameter of the shank Pa of the headed bolt P and smaller than the outer diameter of the head Pb of the headed bolt P.

[0057] The actuator 36 is configured with an air cylinder mechanism. The actuator 36 is disposed to the right of the moving member 31 in the left-right direction. The actuator 36 is disposed at approximately the same position as the moving member 31 in the front-rear direction. The actuator 36 includes a cylinder 37, a piston 38, and a rod 39.

[0058] The cylinder 37 extends in the left-right direction. The piston 38 is disposed inside the cylinder 37. The rod 39 is connected to the left surface of the piston 38 and extends in the left-right direction. The rod 39 extends leftward from the left surface of the piston 38, penetrates the tip wall of the cylinder 37, and protrudes leftward outside the cylinder 37. The tip (left end) of the rod 39 is connected to the right surface of the moving member 31.

[0059] A first air chamber 37a is formed inside the cylinder 37 to the left of the piston 38 (towards the rod 39). A second air chamber 37b is formed inside the cylinder 37 to the right of the piston 38 (on the opposite side from the rod 39).

[0060] A first port 37c communicating with the first air chamber 37a and a second port 37d communicating with the second air chamber 37b are provided on the outer wall of the cylinder 37. The first port 37c and the second port 37d are connected to an air source (not shown) such as an air pump. Air (indicated by black arrows) is supplied from the air pump to the first air chamber 37a and the second air chamber 37b via the first port 37c and the second port 37d.

[0061] When air is supplied to the first air chamber 37a, the piston 38 and rod 39 move to the right (retract), and the movable member 31 is positioned at a first position S1 on the right (white arrow). When air is supplied to the second air chamber 37b, the piston 38 and rod 39 move to the left (protrude), and the movable member 31 is positioned at a second position S2 on the left (white arrow).

[0062] (stopping mechanism) The stop mechanism 40 is disposed to the left of the guide rail 10 in the left-right direction. The stop mechanism 40 is disposed near the front end (downstream end) of the guide rail 10 in the front-rear direction. The stop mechanism 40 is disposed behind (upstream) the moving member 31 in the front-rear direction. The stop mechanism 40 is constituted by an actuator 41. The actuator 41 is constituted by an air cylinder mechanism. The actuator 41 includes a cylinder 42, a piston 43, and a rod 44.

[0063] The cylinder 42 extends in the left-right direction. The piston 43 is disposed inside the cylinder 42. The rod 44 is connected to the right surface of the piston 43 and extends in the left-right direction. The rod 44 extends rightward from the right surface of the piston 43, penetrates the tip wall of the cylinder 42, and protrudes rightward outside the cylinder 42. The tip (right end) of the rod 44 moves left-right so as to cover a portion of the guide rail 10 from above.

[0064] A first air chamber 42a is formed inside the cylinder 42 to the left of the piston 43 (opposite the rod 44). A second air chamber 42b is formed inside the cylinder 42 to the right of the piston 43 (towards the rod 44).

[0065] A first port 42c communicating with the first air chamber 42a and a second port 42d communicating with the second air chamber 42b are provided on the outer wall of the cylinder 42. The first port 42c and the second port 42d are connected to an air source (not shown) such as an air pump. Air (indicated by black arrows) is supplied from the air pump to the first air chamber 42a and the second air chamber 42b via the first port 42c and the second port 42d.

[0066] When air is supplied to the first air chamber 42a, the piston 43 and rod 44 move to the right (protrude), and the tip of the rod 44 is positioned to the right (white arrow) and above the guide rail 10. When air is supplied to the second air chamber 42b, the piston 43 and rod 44 move to the left (retract), and the tip of the rod 44 is positioned to the left (white arrow) and moves away to the left from the guide rail 10. In this way, the actuator 41 moves the rod 44 in the left-right direction by air drive.

[0067] (head bolt supply) The supply of headed bolts P by the bolt supply device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 3 to 6. A plurality of headed bolts P are continuously fed from a bolt shooter (not shown) or a bolt sorter (not shown) in a previous process to the upstream end (rear end) of the slit 50 of the guide rail 10. The headed bolts P move through the slit 50 from rear to front, diagonally downward relative to the horizontal, under their own weight, along the guide rail 10.

[0068] The shaft portion Pa of the headed bolt P is inserted from above into the slit 50, and the head portion Pb is caught on the upper edge portion 13 of the guide rail 10 (see Figures 4 and 6). As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the heads Pb of multiple headed bolts P tend to overlap one another vertically.

[0069] The multiple headed bolts P include a first headed bolt P1, which is the first part from the downstream side (front) in the fore-and-aft direction, and a second headed bolt P2, which is the second part from the downstream side (front) in the fore-and-aft direction. The first headed bolt P1 is at the front (forefront). The second headed bolt P2 is next (rear) to the first headed bolt P1.

[0070] 3 and 4, in the actuator 36 of the guide mechanism 30, air is supplied to the first air chamber 37a, causing the rod 39 to move to the right (retract), thereby positioning the moving member 31 at the first position S1 on the right.

[0071] When the moving member 31 is in the first position S1, the introduction portion 32 of the rear side surface 31a of the moving member 31 faces and communicates with the downstream end 51 of the slit 50 in the guide rail 10.

[0072] When the moving member 31 is at the first position S1, the first headed bolt P1 fed through the slit 50 in the guide rail 10 is introduced into the introduction portion 32 on the rear side surface 31a of the moving member 31.

[0073] When the moving member 31 is in the first position S1, the blocking portion 33 on the rear side surface 31a of the moving member 31 is positioned shifted to the right with respect to the downstream end 51 of the slit 50 in the guide rail 10 and does not face the downstream end 51 of the slit 50.

[0074] When the moving member 31 is in the first position S1, the hole 34 of the moving member 31 is positioned shifted to the right with respect to the discharge hole 22 of the discharge mechanism 20 and does not face the discharge hole 22.

[0075] The stop mechanism 40 stops the advancement of the headed bolt P in the slit 50 of the guide rail 10. In particular, when the moving member 31 is in the first position S1, the stop mechanism 40 stops the advancement of the second headed bolt P2 in the slit 50 of the guide rail 10.

[0076] Specifically, when the movable member 31 is at the first position S1, air is supplied to the first air chamber 42a in the actuator 41 of the stopping mechanism 40, causing the rod 44 to move (protrude) to the right. The tip of the rod 44 is positioned to the right and above the guide rail 10.

[0077] When the movable member 31 is in the first position S1, the rod 44 of the actuator 41 in the stopping mechanism 40 pushes the second headed bolt P2 to the right in the left-right direction, thereby pressing the second headed bolt P2 against the guide rail 10, thereby stopping the progress of the second headed bolt P2 at the slit 50 in the guide rail 10.

[0078] In other words, when the movable member 31 is in the first position S1, the rod 44 of the actuator 41 in the stopping mechanism 40 pushes the second headed bolt P2 to the right in the left-right direction, causing the second headed bolt P2 to be pressed against the guide rail 10, and the progress of the second headed bolt P2 is stopped at the slit 50 in the guide rail 10.

[0079] More specifically, when the movable member 31 is in the first position S1, the rod 44 of the actuator 41 in the stopping mechanism 40 pushes the head Pb of the second headed bolt P2 to the right in the left-right direction, thereby pressing the shaft Pa of the second headed bolt P2 against the inner surface 14 (see Figure 4) on the left side in the left-right direction of the guide rail 10.

[0080] The advancement of the second headed bolt P2 is stopped at the slit 50 of the guide rail 10, so that the second headed bolt P2 is prevented from entering the introduction portion 32 of the rear side surface 31a of the moving member 31 of the guide mechanism 30.

[0081] 5 and 6, in the actuator 36 of the guide mechanism 30, air is supplied to the second air chamber 37b, causing the rod 39 to move (protrude) to the left, thereby positioning the moving member 31 at the second position S2 on the left.

[0082] When the movable member 31 is in the second position S2, the introduction portion 32 of the rear side surface 31a of the movable member 31 is positioned shifted to the left of the downstream end 51 of the slit 50 in the guide rail 10, and does not face the downstream end 51 of the slit 50 and is not connected to it.

[0083] When the moving member 31 is in the second position S2, the blocking portion 33 on the rear side surface 31a of the moving member 31 faces the downstream end 51 of the slit 50 in the guide rail 10 and blocks the downstream end 51 of the slit 50.

[0084] When the moving member 31 is in the second position S2, the hole 34 of the moving member 31 faces the discharge hole 22 of the discharge mechanism 20.

[0085] When the moving member 31 is in the second position S2, the first headed bolt P1 moves in the moving member 31 from the introduction portion 32 to the hole portion 34 via the connection portion 35.

[0086] When the moving member 31 is at the second position S2, the first headed bolt P1 that has moved from the introduction portion 32 to the hole portion 34 via the connection portion 35 drops downward from the hole portion 34 toward the discharge hole 22 (see the arrow in FIG. 6). In other words, the hole portion 34 allows the first headed bolt P1 that has moved from the introduction portion 32 (via the connection portion 35) to drop into the discharge hole 22 when at the second position S2.

[0087] The first headed bolt P1 is discharged to the outside through the discharge hole 22. The first headed bolt P1 discharged through the discharge hole 22 is sent to the next process (for example, a bolt feeding mechanism for feeding the headed bolt P to a resistance welding device) via a tube or the like (not shown).

[0088] When the movable member 31 is in the second position S2, air is supplied to the second air chamber 42b in the actuator 41 of the stop mechanism 40, causing the rod 44 to move leftward (retract). The tip of the rod 44 is positioned leftward and moves away from the guide rail 10.

[0089] When the movable member 31 is in the second position S2, the rod 44 of the actuator 41 in the stop mechanism 40 does not push the second headed bolt P2 in the left-right direction. As a result, the second headed bolt P2 advances to the downstream end (front end) 51 in the front-rear direction of the slit 50 in the guide rail 10. The advancement of the second headed bolt P2 is then obstructed (blocked) by the obstructing portion 33 on the rear side surface 31a of the movable member 31.

[0090] In summary, when the moving member 31 is in the first position S1, the stop mechanism 40 stops the second headed bolt P2 in the slit 50, and when the moving member 31 is in the second position S2, the stop mechanism 40 does not stop the second headed bolt P2 in the slit 50. When the moving member 31 is in the second position S2, the second headed bolt P2 advances to the downstream end (front end) 51 of the slit 50 in the front-to-rear direction, and the advancement of the second headed bolt P2 is obstructed (blocked) by the obstructing portion 33.

[0091] The stop mechanism 40 stops the advancement of the second headed bolt P2 in the slit 50 of the guide rail 10, and the guide mechanism 30 guides only the first headed bolt P1 from the slit 50 of the guide rail 10 to the discharge hole 22.

[0092] The guide mechanism 30 guides the headed bolts P one by one from the slits 50 of the guide rail 10 to the discharge holes 22 while the moving member 31 moves from the first position S1 to the second position S2.

[0093] (Action and effect) According to this embodiment, when the movable member 31 is at the first position S1, the first headed bolt P1 is introduced from the slit 50 of the guide rail 10 into the introduction portion 32 on the rear side surface 31a of the movable member 31. When the movable member 31 is at the second position S2, the first headed bolt P1 moves from the introduction portion 32 to the hole portion 34 on the movable member 31 and drops from the hole portion 34 into the discharge hole 22. When the movable member 31 is at the second position S2, the closing portion 33 on the rear side surface 31a of the movable member 31 closes the slit 50 of the guide rail 10. In this way, only the first headed bolts P1 are guided one by one from the slit 50 into the discharge hole 22.

[0094] The stop mechanism 40 stops the advancement of the second-headed bolt P2 at the slit 50 of the guide rail 10, thereby preventing the second-headed bolt P2 from entering the introduction portion 32 when the moving member 31 is at the first position S1. When the moving member 31 is moved from the first position S1 to the second position S2, the blocking portion 33 on the rear side surface 31a of the moving member 31 is prevented from coming into contact with the second-headed bolt P2, thereby preventing the second-headed bolt P2 from becoming clogged.

[0095] As described above, clogging of the headed bolts P in the bolt supply device 1 can be suppressed.

[0096] This is particularly effective when the shank Pa of the headed bolt P is long (easy to get caught).

[0097] The stop mechanism 40 pushes the second headed bolt P2 in the left-right direction, thereby pressing the second headed bolt P2 against the guide rail 10, thereby stopping the advancement of the second headed bolt P2 at the slit 50. With this configuration, it is easier to stop the advancement of the second headed bolt P2 at the slit 50 compared to when the stop mechanism 40 pushes the second headed bolt P2 in the up-down or back-and-forth direction.

[0098] 4 and 6, the heads Pb of the multiple headed bolts P tend to overlap one another vertically. For this reason, the above-described configuration in which the stop mechanism 40 pushes the second headed bolt P2 in the left-right direction is advantageous over a configuration in which the stop mechanism 40 pushes the second headed bolt P2 in the up-down direction.

[0099] The stop mechanism 40 presses the head Pb of the second headed bolt P2 in the left-right direction, thereby pressing the shank Pa of the second headed bolt P2 against the inner surface 14 in the left-right direction of the guide rail 10. This configuration makes it easier to press the second headed bolt P2 compared to when the shank Pa of the second headed bolt P2 is pressed directly.

[0100] The stop mechanism 40 is made up of an actuator 41 that moves a rod 44 extending in the left-right direction in the left-right direction. With this configuration, the stop mechanism 40 can be easily configured.

[0101] The stop mechanism 40 stops the second headed bolt P2 in the slit 50 when the moving member 31 is at the first position S1, and does not stop the second headed bolt P2 in the slit 50 when the moving member 31 is at the second position S2. When the moving member 31 is at the second position S2, the second headed bolt P2 advances to the downstream end (front end) 51 of the slit 50 in the front-to-rear direction, and the advancement of the second headed bolt P2 is blocked by the blocking portion 33. This configuration makes it easier to guide the headed bolts P one by one from the slit 50 to the discharge hole 22.

[0102] The guide rail 10 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction from the upstream side (rear) to the downstream side (front) in the front-to-rear direction, from top to bottom. When the guide rail 10 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction, the second headed bolt P2 is more likely to enter the introduction portion 32 when the moving member 31 is in the first position S1. Even in such a case, the stop mechanism 40 stops the advancement of the second headed bolt P2 at the slit 50, thereby preventing the second headed bolt P2 from entering the introduction portion 32 when the moving member 31 is in the first position S1.

[0103] Since the guide rail 10 is inclined relative to the horizontal direction, the headed bolt P can be smoothly advanced by its own weight.

[0104] (Other embodiments) Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, such description is not limiting, and it goes without saying that various modifications, substitutions, or combinations are possible.

[0105] On the rear side surface 31a of the moving member 31, the introduction portion 32 and the blocking portion 33 do not have to be completely adjacent to each other, but may be adjacent to each other with another portion sandwiched (intervening) between them. The blocking portion 33 does not have to extend straight.

[0106] The actuator 41 of the stopping mechanism 40 may stop the second headed bolt P2 in the slit 50 by extending the rod 44 between the first headed bolt P1 and the second headed bolt P2.

[0107] The stop mechanism 40 may directly press the shank Pa of the second headed bolt P2. In this case, the guide rail 10 is preferably provided with a hole that passes through the guide rail 10 in the left-right direction and through which the rod 44 passes.

[0108] The stop mechanism 40 may push the second headed bolt P2 in the vertical direction or the front-rear direction.

[0109] The actuator 41 of the stopping mechanism 40 is not limited to an air cylinder mechanism, and may be, for example, a gas cylinder mechanism (using a gas other than air), a hydraulic cylinder mechanism, an electric cylinder mechanism, a ball screw mechanism, etc. The same applies to the actuator 36 of the guide mechanism 30.

[0110] The stop mechanism 40 may be of any type as long as it stops the advancement of the second headed bolt P2 in the slit 50.

[0111] The guide rail 10 may extend obliquely upward from the rear to the front with respect to the horizontal direction, or may extend straight in the horizontal direction.

[0112] The lower end of the slit 50 between the pair of guide rails 10 may be covered with a lid.

[0113] The part P is not limited to a headed bolt, but may be other headed parts (for example, a headed pin or a headed rivet). [Industrial Applicability]

[0114] The present disclosure is applicable to component supply devices and is therefore extremely useful and has high industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 1 Bolt supply device (parts supply device) S1 1st position S2 2nd position A Anteroposterior direction (first direction) A1 Upstream side (rear) A2 downstream (front) B Left / right direction (second direction) B1 Right side B2 left C Vertical direction C1 upper C2 downward H horizontal direction P Headed Bolt (Part) Pa shaft Pb head P1 First headed bolt (first part) P2 Second headed bolt (second part) 10 Guide rail 11 Main guide rail 12 sub guide rails 13 Upper edge 14 Inner 20 Ejection mechanism 21 Discharge member 21a Part 1 21b Part 2 22 Discharge hole 23 Discharge chamber 30 Guide mechanism 31 Moving parts 31a Rear side (side) 32 Introduction 33 Obstruction 34 Hole 35 Connection 36 Actuator 37 cylinders 37a First air chamber 37b Second air chamber 37c Port 1 37d Second Port 38 Piston 39 Rod 40 Stopping mechanism 41 Actuator 42 cylinders 42a First air chamber 42b Second air chamber 42c Port 1 42d Second Port 43 Piston 44 Rod 50 slits 51 Downstream end (front end)

Claims

1. a pair of guide rails extending parallel to each other in a first direction to form a slit therebetween, and a plurality of components each composed of a shaft portion and a head portion having a diameter larger than that of the shaft portion travel along the slit in the first direction; a discharge mechanism that is disposed downstream of the slit in the first direction and has a discharge hole that discharges the component; a guide mechanism that guides the components from the slits one by one into the discharge holes; a stop mechanism that stops the advancement of the part at the slit, the first direction includes a horizontal component; The shaft portion of the part is inserted into the slit from above downward, and the head portion is caught on the upper edge of the guide rail, the plurality of components include a first component that is first from the downstream side in the first direction and a second component that is second from the downstream side in the first direction, the guide mechanism includes a movable member that faces the discharge hole from above downstream of the slit in the first direction and that moves between a first position and a second position in a second direction that is a width direction of the slit, The moving member is an introduction portion configured by a notch formed in a side surface on the upstream side in the first direction, into which the first component supplied through the slit is introduced when the nozzle is at the first position; a closing portion that is configured on the side surface so as to be adjacent to the introduction portion in the second direction and that closes the slit when the nozzle is in the second position; a hole portion formed downstream of the side surface in the first direction, the hole portion causing the first component moved from the introduction portion to drop into the discharge hole when the first component is at the second position, The component supply device, wherein the stopping mechanism stops the advancement of the second component at the slit.

2. The component supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the stopping mechanism stops the advancement of the second component at the slit by pushing the second component in the second direction to press the second component against the guide rail.

3. The component supply device according to claim 2 , wherein the stopping mechanism presses the head of the second component in the second direction, thereby pressing the shaft of the second component against an inner surface of the guide rail in the second direction.

4. 4. The component supply device according to claim 2, wherein the stopping mechanism is configured by an actuator that moves a rod extending in the second direction in the second direction.

5. the stopping mechanism stops the second component at the slit when the moving member is at the first position, and does not stop the second component at the slit when the moving member is at the second position; 4. The component supply device according to claim 1, wherein when the movable member is in the second position, the second component advances to the downstream end of the slit in the first direction, and the advancement of the second component is blocked by the blocking portion.

6. 4. The component supply device according to claim 1, wherein the guide rail is inclined relative to the horizontal direction so as to be inclined from the upper side to the lower side as it moves from the upstream side to the downstream side in the first direction.

7. 4. The component supply device according to claim 1, wherein the component is a headed bolt.

Citation Information

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