Conveyance device and conveyance system

Abstract

To provide a conveyance device capable of surely conveying a coil spring in the standing state while simplifying a structure and control.SOLUTION: A conveyance device comprises a conveyor 3 for conveying a coil spring 15 in the standing state, and side guides 5 for guiding the coil spring 15, in the standing state on the conveyor 3, on both sides in a width direction crossing a conveying direction of the conveyor 3. The side guide 5 has a guide surface 5a in a meandering shape which displaces the coil spring 15 in the width direction in accordance with conveyance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a coil spring transport device and a coil spring transport system that transports coil springs in an upright state. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventional coil spring transport devices include those disclosed in Patent Document 1, which transport coil springs in an upright state using a conveyor.

[0003] In this conveying device, a plurality of inserts are inserted into the hollow portions of the corresponding upright coil springs, and the inserts are moved along the guide body, thereby enabling the coil springs to be conveyed while remaining in the upright state.

[0004] However, in conventional conveying devices, multiple inserts are inserted into the hollow portions of the coil springs, which causes a problem of complicated structure and control. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Publication number 3-41872 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The problem to be solved is that when a coil spring is transported in an upright state, the structure and control become complicated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a conveying device comprising a conveyor that conveys a coil spring in an upright state, and side guides that guide the coil spring in the upright state on the conveyor on both sides in a width direction that intersects with the conveying direction of the conveyor, wherein the side guides have serpentine-shaped guide surfaces that displace the coil spring in the width direction as it is conveyed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present invention can reliably transport a coil spring in an upright state while simplifying the structure and control. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a conveying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the conveying device of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing details of the serpentine shape of the side guide of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the side guide of FIG. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are schematic plan views showing modified examples of the guide surfaces of the side guides according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of the hopper according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing the hopper and the conveying device of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a conveying device according to a comparative example. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic side view showing the transport device of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a conveying device according to a second embodiment of the present invention together with a spring supplying device and a spring carrying-out device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view showing the transport device of FIG. [Figure 12] 12 is a front view of the transport device of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic side view showing a part of a conveyor of a transport device according to a modified example of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The goal of transporting the coil springs reliably in an upright position while simplifying the structure and control was achieved by providing serpentine guide surfaces on the side guides.

[0011] The conveying device 1 includes a conveyor 3 and a side guide 5. The conveyor 3 conveys the coil springs 15 in an upright state. The side guide 5 guides the upright coil springs 15 on the conveyor 3 on both sides in the width direction that intersects with the conveying direction of the conveyor 3. The side guide 5 has a serpentine guide surface 5a that displaces the coil springs 15 in the width direction as they are conveyed.

[0012] The meandering shape is not limited to a meandering shape with a constant period as a whole, but may also be a combination of meandering shapes with partially different periods. In any case, the meandering shape may be formed by only curved portions, only straight portions, or both curved and straight portions.

[0013] A top guide 25 may be provided at the top of the conveyor 3 to guide the upper end of the coil spring 15 along the conveying direction.

[0014] The coil springs 15 can be fed onto the conveyor 3 by dropping or sliding onto the conveyor 3.

[0015] When the coil springs 15 are supplied by dropping, the spring supply device 23 drops the coil springs 15 in an upright state onto the conveyor 3. In this case, the spring supply device 23 preferably includes a discharge tube portion 23b facing between the serpentine guide surfaces 5a.

[0016] When the coil spring 15 is supplied by sliding, the spring supply device 37 supplies the coil spring 15 by sliding it in an upright state onto the conveyor 3. In this case, it is preferable that the distance between the conveyor 3 and the spring supply device 37 in the sliding direction of the coil spring 15 is smaller than the diameter of the coil spring 15. The conveyor 3 may be a knife-edge conveyor. [Example]

[0017] Fig. 1 is a plan view of a conveying device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side view of the conveying device of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing details of the serpentine shape of side guide 5 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a rear view of side guide 5 of Fig. 1. In the following description, up and down refer to up and down in the direction of gravity.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the transport device 1 of this embodiment includes a conveyor 3 and a side guide 5.

[0019] The conveyor 3 conveys the coil springs 15 in an upright state. The upright state of the coil springs 15 refers to a state in which one axial end of the coil springs 15 is positioned downward and the other axial end is positioned upward. The conveyor 3 in this embodiment is configured as a belt conveyor, and for example, a belt 11 is wound between a drive roller 7 and a driven roller 9.

[0020] In this conveyor 3, when the drive roller 7 is rotated by an electric motor or the like, the belt 11 runs between the drive roller 7 and the driven roller 9. The coil springs 3 on the belt 11 are transported from upstream to downstream in the running direction of the belt 11. Therefore, in this embodiment, the running direction of the belt 11 is the transport direction of the coil springs 15.

[0021] The conveyor 3 is not limited to a belt conveyor. For example, the conveyor 3 may be a conveyor other than a belt conveyor, such as a roller conveyor. The conveyor 3 may also have an inclined surface that allows the coil spring 15 to slide. In this case, the sliding of the coil spring 15 may be promoted by vibration.

[0022] A guide panel 13 is disposed along the underside of the belt 11 on the conveying path 12 of the conveyor 3. The guide panel 13 is fixed to a guide base (not shown) (see Example 2). Note that rollers may be used instead of the guide panel 13.

[0023] The side guides 5 guide the coil springs 15 in an upright state on the conveyor 3 on both sides in the width direction that intersects with the conveying direction of the conveyor 3. The side guides 5 of this embodiment have serpentine guide surfaces 5a that displace the coil springs 15 in the width direction in response to conveyance.

[0024] The side guides 5 are located on both sides of the conveyor 3 in the width direction. In this embodiment, the side guide 5 is a plate in which only the guide surface 5a facing the conveying path 12, which is the inside in the width direction, is serpentine. The height H of the side guide 5 from the conveyor 3 is set lower than the height of the coil spring 15, so that the upper part of the coil spring 15 protrudes upward from the side guide 5.

[0025] The side guide 5 may be a plate having a meandering shape as a whole in accordance with the guide surface 5a. Therefore, the side guide 5 may have any overall shape as long as it has the guide surface 5a.

[0026] The guide surface 5a is formed only by curved portions in a plan view. The curved portions are portions that are curved in a plan view. The guide surface 5a has an overall meandering shape due to the alternating arrangement of curved portions that have concave and convex shapes in opposite directions in the width direction. As a result, the guide surface 5a has a waveform with a constant amplitude and wavelength when viewed from above.

[0027] In this embodiment, the guide surfaces 5a are arranged in parallel to each other, and define a wave-shaped conveying path 12 at regular intervals by adding a clearance to the outer diameter of the coil spring 15. The intervals of the conveying path 12 can also be made to vary in parts.

[0028] The guide surfaces 5a on both sides are arranged so that the phases of the waveforms match in the conveyance direction, so that the recessed portions 5aa and protruding portions 5ab of one guide surface 5a face the protruding portions 5ab and recessed portions 5aa of the other guide surface 5a in the width direction.

[0029] The recess 5aa of the guide surface 5a is formed with a relatively large radius R1, and the convex portion 5ab is formed with a relatively small radius R2 (<R1). The recess 5aa and the convex portion 5ab are connected on a common tangent line when viewed from the plane. The central angle 2θ of the arc of the recess 5aa is θ = (R1 - R2)°, and can be set within the range of 25° ≤ θ ≤ 45°.

[0030] Figs. 5(A) and (B) show modified examples of the guide surface 5a. The guide surface 5a can be set to a shape such as a triangular wave having only a straight portion as shown in Fig. 5(A). The straight portion is a portion that is linear in a plan view. Also, the guide surface 5a can be formed by combining a curved portion and a straight portion as shown in Fig. 5(B). Note that the straight portion and the curved portion may be applied only to portions where the coil spring 15 can abut. For example, in Fig. 5(A), the vicinity of the apex located outside the triangular wave shape may be formed into a curved shape. In Fig. 5(B), the portions where the coil spring 15 can abut are the straight portion and the curved portion. In the embodiment of Fig. 1, all the portions where the coil spring 15 can abut are curved portions.

[0031] Downstream of such a conveying device 1, a magazine index 17 is arranged as a spring unloading device. Upstream of the conveying device 1, a hopper 23 is arranged as a spring supply device. These conveying device 1, magazine index 17, and hopper 23 constitute a conveying system.

[0032] The magazine index 17 sequentially receives and unloads the coil springs 15 from the conveyor 3. The magazine index 17 includes a turntable 19. The turntable 19 is provided with recesses 19a at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. The magazine index 17 receives the coil springs 15 in the recesses 19a and unloads the received coil springs 15 by the rotation of the turntable 19.

[0033] Fig. 6 is a schematic side view of the hopper 23 of the present embodiment. Fig. 7 is a schematic plan view of the hopper 23 and the conveying device 1 of Fig. 6.

[0034] 6 and 7, the hopper 23 drops the coil spring 15 in an upright state onto the conveyor 3 of the conveying device 1. The hopper 23 includes a funnel-shaped hopper main body 23a and a cylindrical discharge portion 23b. The cylindrical discharge portion 23b is provided in communication with the lower part of the hopper main body 23a and faces the space between the guide surfaces 5a of the side guides 5 (conveying path 12) on the upstream side of the conveying path 12. The inner diameter of the cylindrical discharge portion 23b corresponds to the outer diameter of the coil spring 15, and the cylindrical discharge portion 23b is in an upright state when the coil spring 15 is inserted.

[0035] Therefore, the coil springs 15 placed in the hopper 23 by the worker are in an upright state when discharged from the discharge tube portion 23b and fall between the guide surfaces 5a. As a result, in this embodiment, the coil springs 15 can be easily supplied in an upright state onto the belt 11 of the conveyor 3 of the transport device 1.

[0036] The coil springs 15 that have fallen onto the conveyor 3 are transported downstream of the transport device 1 by the running belt 11, as shown in Figure 3. During this transport, the coil springs 15 are guided between the guide surfaces 5a of the side guides 5 and snake around. That is, the coil springs 15 are displaced in the width direction as they are transported. This snake-like movement of the coil springs 15 prevents the coil springs 15 from becoming jammed or tipping over.

[0037] Fig. 8 is a schematic plan view showing a conveying device according to a comparative example, and Fig. 9 is a schematic side view of the same. In the comparative example of Figs. 8 and 9, unlike Example 1, the guide surface 5a of the side guide 5 is a flat surface along the conveying direction. In other respects, the comparative example is the same as Example 1.

[0038] In the comparative example of Figures 8 and 9, multiple coil springs 15 may become jammed during transport. This jamming occurs due to differences in transport speed between the coil springs 15 when they come into contact with the side guide 5 or when they are handed over to the downstream device, the magazine index 17. Furthermore, in the comparative example, the coil springs 15 may tip over during transport. When this jamming or tipping occurs, the coil springs 15 cannot be properly handed over to the downstream device, resulting in a shutdown of the equipment.

[0039] In contrast, in this embodiment, even if the coil springs 15 tend to tilt in the conveying direction of the conveyor 1 in accordance with the movement of the belt 11, they are supported in the conveying direction by the meandering guide surface 5a, and thus are prevented from tilting in the conveying direction. Furthermore, even if a difference in conveying speed occurs due to contact with the side guide 5 or the like, the coil springs 15 are separated from each other by meandering along the guide surface 5a, and clogging is prevented.

[0040] In this way, the coil springs 15 are smoothly transported while preventing clogging and tipping. Therefore, the transport device 1 of this embodiment can reliably transport the coil springs 15 in an upright state while simplifying the structure and control. The coil springs 15 supplied to the magazine index 17 by this transport are smoothly transferred to the recessed portion 19a of the turntable 19 of the magazine index 17 and smoothly transported out. [Example]

[0041] Fig. 10 is a plan view showing a conveying device according to Example 2 of the present invention. Fig. 11 is a side view showing the conveying device of Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a front view of the conveying device of Fig. 10. Since Example 2 has a basic configuration in common with Example 1, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or corresponding components as Example 1, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0042] 10 to 12, the conveying device 1 of this embodiment is provided with a top guide 25 that guides the upper ends of the coil springs 15 above the conveyor 3. In this embodiment, the spring supplying device is a rotary feeder 37 that supplies the coil springs 15 in an upright state by sliding them.

[0043] In this embodiment, the top guide 25 is formed of a round bar and extends over the entire area from upstream to downstream of the conveyor 3. At the downstream end, the end of the top guide 25 is positioned so as to overlap the recess 19a of the turntable 19. Note that the top guide 25 is not limited to a round bar as long as it can guide the upper end of the coil spring 3. The top guide 25 is positioned with a predetermined clearance from the upper end of the coil spring 3.

[0044] Top guide 25 is configured to be able to be flipped up to a non-guiding position where it does not guide the upper end of coil spring 3. Specifically, top guide 25 is supported by base 27, and base 27 is supported rotatably with respect to stay 29. Therefore, top guide 25 can be flipped up upward with respect to stay 29 via base 27.

[0045] The stay 29 is supported by a holder 31 so that it can be raised and lowered. Specifically, the stay 29 is provided with a rotatable adjustment screw 35, which is threadedly engaged with the holder 31. The holder 31 is supported on a guide base 36. Therefore, the height of the top guide 25 can be adjusted by rotating the adjustment screw 35. A side guide 5 is supported on the guide base 36. The top guide 25 can also be applied to Example 1.

[0046] In addition, in the conveyor 3, the driven roller 9 is rotatably supported on the guide base 36 and is disposed at the upstream end of the conveyor 3. The upstream end of the belt 11 wound around the driven roller 9 is substantially aligned with the upstream end of the side guide 5 in the conveying direction of the coil spring 15.

[0047] A driven roller 43 is also disposed at the downstream end of the conveyor 3. The drive roller 7 is disposed below the guide base 36. A tension roller 45 and a driven roller 47 are also disposed below the guide base 36. The belt 11 is wound around the drive roller 7, tension roller 45, and driven rollers 43 and 47. The configuration of the conveyor 3 in the second embodiment may be applied to the first embodiment.

[0048] The rotary feeder 37 of this embodiment includes a rotating panel 41 and a curved guide 39. The rotating panel 41 rotates with a plurality of coil springs 15 placed thereon in an upright position. Due to this rotation, the coil springs 15 are guided by the curved guide 39 and slid to be supplied to the conveying device 1.

[0049] The curved guides 39 are formed of plates or the like and are connected by butting against the side guides 5 in the conveying direction. Due to this connection, the inner surface of one curved guide 39 is continuous without a step with the bottom of the recessed portion 5aa of the guide surface 5a in a plan view. The inner surface of the other curved guide 39 is continuous without a step with the top of the protruding portion 5ab of the guide surface 5a in a plan view.

[0050] In the second embodiment, the rotary panel 41 rotates, and the coil spring 15 guided by the curved guide 39 slides upright onto the conveyor 3 of the transport device 1 and is then transferred.

[0051] 10 and 11, the transferred coil springs 15 are guided by the side guides 5 and also by the top guide 25 at their upper ends. As a result, the top guide 25 prevents the coil springs 15 from tipping over when transported by the conveyor 3. Furthermore, even if a difference in transport speed occurs due to the coil springs 15 contacting the side guides 5 or the like, the top guide 25 prevents adjacent coil springs 15 from climbing up and becoming tangled. Therefore, the coil springs 15 can be transported smoothly.

[0052] When the coil spring 15 is carried out of the transport device 1, the top guide 25 also guides the coil spring 15, so that the coil spring 15 can be carried out smoothly.

[0053] In addition, the second embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment.

[0054] [Variations] FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a part of a conveyor of a transport device according to a modified example.

[0055] In the modified transport device 1, the gap between the rotary feeder 37 and the transport device 1 in the sliding direction of the coil spring 15 is smaller than the diameter of the coil spring 15. Specifically, the conveyor 3 is a knife-edge conveyor.

[0056] In this conveyor 3, the diameter of the driven roller 9 at the upstream end is smaller than that in Example 2. The diameter of this driven roller 9 is smaller than the diameters of other driven rollers 47 and the like closer to the center in the conveying direction, and the rotation axis is biased to the upper surface of the conveyor 3. As a result, in the conveyor 3, the upstream end of the belt 11 forms an acute angle.

[0057] The conveyor 3 makes the distance (gap) between the rotary feeder 37 and the transport device 1 in the sliding direction of the coil spring 15 smaller than the diameter of the coil spring 15. A bridge plate 49 is attached between the transport device 1 and the rotary feeder 37. The bridge plate 49 may also be provided in the second embodiment.

[0058] In this modified example, when the coil springs 15 are transferred from the rotary feeder 37 to the conveying device 1, the coil springs 15 do not stagnate between the rotary feeder 37 and the conveying device 1, and the coil springs 15 can be smoothly supplied to the conveying device 1. In addition, the modified example can also achieve the same effects as those of the second embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1. Conveyor device 3 Conveyor 5 Side guide 5a Guide surface 5aa recess 5ab convex part 15 Coil spring 23 Hopper (spring supply device) 23a Discharge cylinder part 25 Top Guide 37 Rotary feeder (spring supply device)

Claims

1. a conveyor that transports the coil springs in an upright state; and side guides that guide the coil spring in the upright state on the conveyor on both sides in a width direction that intersects with a conveying direction of the conveyor, the side guide has a serpentine guide surface that displaces the coil spring in the width direction in response to transport; Conveying device.

2. The conveying device of claim 1, The meandering shape of the guide surface is formed by only curved portions, only straight portions, or curved portions and straight portions in a plan view. Conveying device.

3. The conveying device of claim 1, A top guide is provided at an upper portion of the conveyor to guide the upper end of the coil spring. Conveyor

4. A conveying system using the conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a spring supply device that drops the coil springs in an upright state onto the conveyor, The spring supply device includes a discharge tube portion facing between the serpentine guide surfaces. Conveying system.

5. A conveying system using the conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a spring supply device that supplies the coil spring to the conveyor by sliding the coil spring in an upright state; a gap between the conveyor and the spring supply device in the sliding direction of the coil spring being smaller than a diameter of the coil spring; Conveying system.

6. The transport system of claim 5, The conveyor is a knife-edge conveyor. Conveying system.

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