Screw driving device

Abstract

To provide a screw driving device equipped with dust control measures.SOLUTION: A screw driving device drives screws from an ejection port, and comprises: a screw ejection section that includes the ejection port and supports screws so that a screw tip protrudes from the ejection port; a sensor that detects screws supported by the screw ejection section; and an air blowing section that includes a blowing port and blows air toward the sensor from the blowing port. Furthermore, the screw driving device drives screws from the ejection port, and comprises: the screw ejection section that includes the ejection port and supports the screws so that the screw tip protrudes from the ejection port; an extendable cylinder section that contains a driver bit rotating the screws and is connected to the screw ejection section; and a sensor that detects a terminal end of the cylinder section's retraction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a screw driving device for driving out screws. [Background technology]

[0002] In interior construction work for buildings, work may be carried out to attach gypsum boards as wall materials to walls made of base materials such as steel frames. In recent years, automation has been promoted in such interior construction work to reduce the burden on workers. For example, Patent Documents 1 to 4 disclose automated board attaching devices that can attach gypsum boards to wall surfaces and drive screws. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-011666 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-163553 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-165264 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-165266 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In such automatic screw-driving robots, the screw-driving device continuously drives screws, but dust generated by the screw-driving operation itself and other dust generated by the construction site environment can cause various problems. For example, if dust generated by scraping plasterboard or driver bits covers a sensor installed for automated screw driving, the sensor's detection performance can be reduced.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, one object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a screw driving device that is dust-proof. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A screw driving device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a screw driving device that drives screws from an injection port, and includes a screw injection section that includes an injection port and supports the screw so that the tip of the screw protrudes from the injection port, a sensor that detects the screw supported in the screw injection section, and an air blowing section that includes an outlet and blows air from the outlet toward the sensor.

[0007] The air blowing section may further include a flow path connected to the air outlet and through which the air flows, the flow path having a tapered shape toward the air outlet.

[0008] In a plan view of the outlet, the outlet may overlap with the sensor.

[0009] The area of ​​the air outlet overlapping with the sensor may be 50% or less of the total area of ​​the air outlet.

[0010] When the screw is supplied to the screw injection section, air may be blown out from the outlet.

[0011] The screw driving device may further include a screw transport pipe connected to the screw injection section and the air blowing section and transporting screws using compressed air, and the screw transport pipe may supply the screws to the screw injection section and supply air to the air blowing section.

[0012] The sensor may be an optical sensor including a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion.

[0013] The air blowing section may include a first air blowing section that blows air toward the light projecting section and a second air blowing section that blows air toward the light receiving section.

[0014] A screw driving device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a screw driving device that drives screws from an injection port, and includes a screw injection section that includes the injection port and supports the screw so that the tip of the screw protrudes from the injection port, an extendable cylinder section that contains a driver bit that rotates the screw and is connected to the screw injection section, and a sensor that detects the end of the contraction of the cylinder section.

[0015] The sensor may detect contact with the surface of the screw injection portion opposite the injection port.

[0016] The sensor may be located on the opposite side of the cylinder portion from the connection side of the screw injection portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The screw driving device according to one embodiment of the present invention implements dust prevention measures to suppress the generation of dust or remove any dust that adheres, thereby eliminating various problems caused by dust. For example, dust is prevented from adhering to sensors installed for automating screw driving operations, so sensor operation is not hindered, allowing automated screw driving operations to be performed for long periods of time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a screw driving device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a screw driving device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a screw driving device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3A] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a screw injection section of a screw driving device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3B] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a screw injection section of a screw driving device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a plan view showing the configuration of a screw injection section of a screw driving device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a screw injection section of a screw driving device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples, and configurations that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art by making appropriate modifications while maintaining the gist of the invention are naturally included within the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, in order to clarify the explanation, the drawings may schematically depict the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each component compared to the actual embodiment. However, the shapes of the illustrated components are merely examples and do not limit the interpretation of the present invention.

[0020] In this specification, for the sake of convenience, the terms "above" or "upper" or "below" or "lower" are used, but these terms merely describe the hierarchical relationship of components.

[0021] In this specification, ordinal numbers such as "first" or "second" attached to elements are convenient expressions used to distinguish elements and have no other meaning unless otherwise specified.

[0022] In this specification and drawings, identical or similar components are represented by the same reference numeral. However, when one component is divided into multiple components, each of the multiple components may be represented by adding a hyphen and a number to the reference numeral of the single component.

[0023] 1, 2A, and 2B are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of a screw driving device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The screw driving device 100 can be installed, for example, on an automatic screw driving robot, and can perform a screw driving operation in which screws are continuously driven out by controlling the automatic screw driving robot.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1, the screw driving device 100 includes a screw injection unit 110, a cylinder unit 120, and a drive unit 130. The cylinder unit 120 is retractable and is connected to the screw injection unit 110 and the drive unit 130. In other words, the screw injection unit 110 is connected to the drive unit 130 via the cylinder unit 120. The screw driving device 100 also includes a screw transport pipe 160. The screw transport pipe 160 is connected to the screw injection unit 110.

[0025] Although not shown, the screw transport pipe 160 is connected to a screw supply device and can transport screws sent out from the screw supply device. For example, compressed air is supplied to the screw transport pipe 160, and the screws are transported by the pressure of the compressed air. The screws transported through the screw transport pipe 160 are supplied to the screw injection unit 110. The screw injection unit 110 is provided with an injection port 111. The screws supplied to the screw injection unit 110 are arranged in the injection port 111 so that they can be ejected, and are ejected from the injection port 111.

[0026] FIG. 2A shows the screw driving device 100 with the cylinder 120 extended. FIG. 2B shows the screw driving device 100 with the cylinder 120 retracted. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the screw injection unit 110 can move in one axial direction when the cylinder 120 retracts. The cylinder 120 houses a driver bit 121 in a cylindrical housing. When the cylinder 120 retracts, the driver bit 121 moves in one axial direction inside the screw injection unit 110. While details are omitted, the driver bit 121 is connected to a driver bit rotation mechanism housed in a housing within the drive unit 130. The driver bit rotation mechanism can rotate the driver bit 121 around the axial direction along which the driver bit 121 moves.

[0027] FIG. 2B shows the configuration when the cylinder portion 120 is retracted when no screw is placed in the injection port 111. As shown in FIG. 2B, when the cylinder portion 120 retracts, the tip of the driver bit 121 protrudes from the injection port 111. When a screw is placed in the injection port 111, the head of the screw placed in the injection port 111 engages with the tip of the driver bit 121, and the driver bit 121 pushes out the screw while rotating. In other words, the screw driving operation is performed by the screw driving device 100. If a gypsum board is placed in front of the injection port 111, the screw can be driven into the gypsum board by the screw driving operation.

[0028] In a screw driving operation, once the retraction of the cylinder portion 120 is complete, the screw can be sufficiently driven into the gypsum board. However, in an automated, continuous screw driving operation, the driver bit 121 may continue to rotate even after the retraction of the cylinder portion 120 is complete, which is known as overrotation of the driver bit 121. Overrotation of the driver bit 121 generates friction between the head of the screw and the tip of the driver bit 121, which can cause the tip of the driver bit 121 to be worn away. In an automated, continuous screw driving operation, the wear of the tip of the driver bit 121 is more pronounced, and a large amount of dust is generated by the wear of the tip of the driver bit 121. Therefore, one way to prevent dust is to prevent overrotation of the driver bit 121 and suppress the dust generated by the wear of the tip of the driver bit 121.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, the screw driving device 100 is provided with a contraction end detection sensor 150 to suppress dust generated by scraping the tip of the driver bit 121. The contraction end detection sensor 150 is installed near the end of the cylinder 120 on the drive unit 130 side. That is, the contraction end detection sensor 150 is located on the opposite side of the cylinder 120 from the side connected to the screw injection unit 110. The contraction end detection sensor 150 detects the end of contraction of the cylinder 120 and generates a contraction end detection signal. The contraction end detection signal is sent to the drive unit 130, which stops the rotation of the driver bit rotation mechanism in the drive unit 130. That is, when the contraction end detection sensor 150 detects the end of contraction of the cylinder 120, the rotation of the driver bit 121 can be stopped. Therefore, when the cylinder 120 completes contraction, the rotation of the driver bit 121 is stopped, preventing the driver bit 121 from overrotating. For example, the contraction end detection sensor 150 may be a contact sensor (such as a limit switch or a push button type contact sensor) or a non-contact sensor (such as an optical sensor or a distance sensor).

[0030] Here, as an example, a configuration will be described in which the contraction end detection sensor 150 is a pushbutton-type contact sensor. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, a plate-shaped member 180 is connected to the screw injection unit 110. The plate-shaped member 180 contacts the contraction end detection sensor 150 when the cylinder unit 120 contracts. Specifically, the plate-shaped member 180 is connected to the face of the screw injection unit 110 opposite the injection nozzle 111. When the cylinder unit 120 is extended, the plate-shaped member 180 does not contact the contraction end detection sensor 150. When the cylinder unit 120 contracts due to the screw driving operation, the plate-shaped member 180 contacts the contraction end detection sensor 150 at the end of the contraction of the cylinder unit 120. In other words, the contraction end detection sensor 150 does not directly contact the screw injection unit 110 but detects contact with the face of the screw injection unit 110 via the plate-shaped member 180. This stops the rotation of the driver bit 121, which prevents the tip of the driver bit 121 from being scraped, thereby reducing the generation of dust.

[0031] The member that comes into contact with the contraction end detection sensor 150 is not limited to the plate-shaped member 180. If the contraction end detection sensor 150 is a push-button type contact sensor, any member that can come into contact with the contraction end detection sensor 150 will do, and a block member or protruding member can be used instead of the plate-shaped member 180. A configuration in which the screw injection unit 110 comes into direct contact with the contraction end detection sensor 150 when the cylinder unit 120 contracts is also applicable, in which case the plate-shaped member 180 is not required. The contraction end detection sensor 150 may also be installed in the screw injection unit 110. In this case, the contraction end detection sensor 150 moves in accordance with the movement of the screw injection unit 110 as the cylinder unit 120 contracts.

[0032] Although the above description has been given of a configuration in which the rotation of the driver bit rotation mechanism is stopped in response to a contraction end detection signal from the contraction end detection sensor 150, the configuration of this embodiment is not limited to this. In the case of a screw driving device 100 installed in an automatic screw driving robot, an actuator may be installed in the screw driving device 100, and the screw driving device 100 may move closer to the plasterboard during the screw driving operation. In this case, the automatic screw driving robot may be controlled upon receiving the contraction end detection signal to move the screw driving device 100 away from the plasterboard. When the screw driving device 100 moves away from the plasterboard, the engagement between the head of the screw and the tip of the driver bit 121 is released, preventing overrotation that would scrape the tip of the driver bit 121, even if the driver bit 121 is rotating.

[0033] Figures 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of the screw injection unit 110 of the screw driving device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of the screw injection unit 110 of the screw driving device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the screw injection unit 110 of the screw driving device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 3A shows the screw injection unit 110 before the screw 500 is supplied. FIG. 3B shows the screw injection unit 110 after the screw 500 has been supplied. As shown in FIG. 3B, when the screw 500 is supplied from the screw transport pipe 160 to the screw injection unit 110, the screw 500 is fixed so that the tip 501 and threaded portion 502 of the screw 500 protrude from the injection port 111. In other words, the screw injection unit 110 supports the screw 500 so that the tip 501 and threaded portion 502 of the screw 500 protrude from the injection port 111. The screw detection sensor 140 detects whether the screw 500 supplied to the screw injection unit 110 has reached the injection port 111. For example, various sensors such as an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, a magnetic sensor, or a contact sensor can be used as the screw detection sensor 140.

[0035] Here, as an example, a configuration will be described in which the screw detection sensor 140 is an optical sensor including a light-projecting unit 140-1 and a light-receiving unit 140-2. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the light-projecting unit 140-1 and the light-receiving unit 140-2 are mounted on a sensor support member 170 connected to the screw emission unit 110. The sensor support member 170 has a U-shape that surrounds the outside of the screw emission unit 110. The light-projecting unit 140-1 and the light-receiving unit 140-2 are mounted opposite each other with the emission port 111 located between them. In an optical sensor including the light-projecting unit 140-1 and the light-receiving unit 140-2, laser light is emitted from the light-projecting unit 140-1 to the light-receiving unit 140-2.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3A, when the screw 500 is not protruding from the outlet 111, the laser light emitted from the light-emitting unit 140-1 is not blocked and enters the light-receiving unit 140-2. That is, the light-receiving unit 140-2 detects the laser light and generates a detection signal indicating that the screw 500 is not being supplied to the screw output unit 110. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the screw 500 is protruding from the outlet 111, the laser light emitted from the light-emitting unit 140-1 is blocked by the screw 500. Therefore, the light-receiving unit 140-2 cannot detect the laser light. In this case, the light-receiving unit 140-2 generates a detection signal indicating that the screw 500 is being supplied to the screw output unit 110. Therefore, the screw driving device 100 can drive screws based on the detection signal generated by the screw detection sensor 140.

[0037] When a screw 500 is driven into a plasterboard, the rotation of the screw 500 scrapes the plasterboard, generating dust. Automated, continuous screw driving operations generate even more dust. In this case, if dust continues to adhere to the screw detection sensor 140, the detection performance of the screw detection sensor 140 decreases, and the screw detection sensor 140 may erroneously detect the supply of a screw 500. For example, if dust adheres to the light-projecting unit 140-1, the dust may block the laser light, preventing the light-projecting unit 140-1 from emitting the laser light. Furthermore, if dust adheres to the light-receiving unit 140-2, the dust may block the laser light, preventing the laser light from entering the light-receiving unit 140-2. In either case, the light-receiving unit 140-2 cannot detect the laser light, and the light-receiving unit 140-2 generates a detection signal indicating that the screw 500 is being supplied to the screw ejection unit 110. Therefore, the screw driving operation is performed even though the screw 500 is not supplied to the screw injection part 110. Therefore, one measure to prevent dust is to remove the dust that is generated and adheres when the screw is driven.

[0038] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the screw driving device 100 is provided with an air blowing unit 190 to remove adhering dust. The air blowing unit 190 includes an air outlet 191 and a flow path 192. The air supplied to the air blowing unit 190 flows through the flow path 192 and is blown out from the air outlet 191 toward the screw detection sensor 140. For this reason, the air blowing unit 190 is provided near the screw detection sensor 140. For example, a first air blowing unit 190-1 is provided near the light projector 140-1 to remove dust adhering to the light projector 140-1, and air is blown out from a first air outlet 191-1 of the first air blowing unit 190-1 toward the light projector 140-1. A second air blowing section 190-2 is provided near the light receiving section 140-2 to remove dust adhering to the light receiving section 140-2, and air is blown out from a second air outlet 191-2 of the second air blowing section 190-2 toward the light receiving section 140-2. The air blowing section 190 may be provided connected to a sensor support member 170 to which the screw detection sensor 140 is connected.

[0039] Fig. 4 is a plan view seen from the outlet 111, and as shown in Fig. 4, it is preferable that the air outlet 191 overlaps with the screw detection sensor 140. By overlapping the air outlet 191 with the screw detection sensor 140, dust adhering to the screw detection sensor 140 can be efficiently blown away and removed. However, if the air outlet 191 overlaps the screw detection sensor 140 too much, there will be an increasing number of cases where the air blown out from the air outlet 191 does not hit the dust adhering to the screw detection sensor 140. For this reason, for example, the area of ​​the air outlet 191 that overlaps with the screw detection sensor 140 is 50% or less of the total area of ​​the air outlet 191, preferably 40% or less, and more preferably 30% or less.

[0040] 5, it is preferable that the flow path 192 has a tapered shape toward the air outlet 191. In this case, the air pressure increases at the air outlet 191, which is the air outlet, and the flow rate of the air blown out from the air outlet 191 can be increased. As a result, dust adhering to the screw detection sensor 140 can be blown away and removed more efficiently.

[0041] It is preferable that air be blown from the air outlet 191 while the screw 500 is being supplied to the screw injection unit 110, that is, at least from the time the screw 500 is supplied to the screw transport pipe 160 until the screw 500 protrudes from the injection port 111. For example, after a screw is driven, the screw detection sensor 140 may detect the presence or absence of the screw 500 at the injection port 111 to confirm that the screw 500 was properly driven out of the injection port 111. In this case, if dust adheres to the screw detection sensor 140, the screw detection sensor 140 may detect the presence of the screw 500 at the injection port 111, even though the screw 500 was properly driven out. In other words, a false detection occurs. In this case, the screw driving operation will be repeated even though there is no screw at the injection port 111. In contrast, blowing air toward the screw detection sensor 140 prevents dust from adhering to the screw detection sensor 140, thereby preventing the screw driving operation from being repeated.

[0042] As described above, compressed air is supplied to the screw transport pipe 160 to transport the screw 500. Therefore, the air blowing unit 190 may be connected to the screw transport pipe 160, and some of the compressed air flowing through the screw transport pipe 160 may be diverted to the flow path 192 to blow out the air from the blowing outlet 191. In this case, the screw 500 may be supplied to the screw injection unit 110 while the air is blown out from the blowing outlet 191.

[0043] As described above, the screw driving device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention uses the contraction end detection sensor 150 to prevent over-rotation of the driver bit 121 and suppress the generation of dust. Furthermore, the air outlet 190 can be used to remove dust. By incorporating dust prevention measures into the screw driving device 100, continuous screw driving operations can be stabilized. For example, by preventing dust from adhering to a sensor installed for automating screw driving operations, the sensor's operation is not hindered, allowing for automated screw driving operations to be performed over long periods of time.

[0044] The embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by appropriately combining configurations as long as they are not mutually contradictory. Furthermore, even if a person skilled in the art appropriately adds or deletes configurations or modifies designs based on the embodiments, or adds or omits processes or modifies conditions, such additions or deletions are included in the scope of the present invention as long as they include the gist of the present invention.

[0045] Even if there are other effects and advantages different from those brought about by the above-described embodiments, those that are clear from the description in this specification or that can be easily predicted by a person skilled in the art are naturally understood to be brought about by the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 100: screw driving device, 110: screw injection part, 111: injection port, 120: cylinder part, 121: driver bit, 130: drive part, 140: screw detection sensor, 140-1: light emitting part, 140-2: light receiving part, 150: contraction end detection sensor, 160: screw transport pipe, 170: sensor support member, 180: plate-shaped member, 190: air blowing part, 190-1: first air blowing part, 190-2: second air blowing part, 191: blowing port, 191-1: first blowing port, 191-2: second blowing port, 192: flow path, 500: screw, 501: tip part, 502: threaded part

Claims

1. A screw driving device that drives screws from an injection port, a screw injection section that includes the injection port and supports the screw so that a tip end of the screw protrudes from the injection port; a sensor for detecting the screw supported by the screw injection unit; An air blowing unit that includes an air outlet and blows air from the air outlet toward the sensor.

2. the air blowing section further includes a flow path connected to the air outlet and through which the air flows, The screw driving device according to claim 1 , wherein the flow path has a tapered shape toward the outlet.

3. The screw driving device according to claim 1 , wherein the air outlet overlaps the sensor in a plan view of the injection port.

4. The screw driving device according to claim 3 , wherein an area of ​​the air outlet overlapping with the sensor is 50% or less of a total area of ​​the air outlet.

5. The screw driving device according to claim 1 , wherein the air is blown out from the air outlet when the screw is supplied to the screw injection section.

6. The screw injection device further includes a screw transport pipe connected to the screw injection unit and the air blowing unit, and transporting the screw by compressed air. The screw driving device according to claim 1 , wherein the screw transport pipe supplies the screws to the screw injection section and the air to the air blowing section.

7. The screw driving device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an optical sensor including a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion.

8. The screw driving device according to claim 7 , wherein the air blowing section includes a first air blowing section that blows the air toward the light projecting section and a second air blowing section that blows the air toward the light receiving section.

9. A screw driving device that drives screws from an injection port, a screw injection section that includes the injection port and supports the screw so that a tip end of the screw protrudes from the injection port; a cylinder portion that contains a driver bit that rotates the screw and is freely extendable and connected to the screw injection portion; and a sensor that detects the end of contraction of the cylinder portion.

10. The screw driving device according to claim 9 , wherein the sensor detects contact with a surface of the screw injection portion opposite the injection port.

11. The screw driving device according to claim 9 , wherein the sensor is located on the side of the cylinder portion opposite the connection side of the screw injection portion.

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