Screw supply device and screw driving system

Abstract

To provide a screw supply device for supplying an adjusted number of screws.SOLUTION: The screw supply device includes: a first cylindrical body that stores screws inside; a second cylindrical body that covers the first cylindrical body and is connected to the first cylindrical body; a rotating shaft that is connected to the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body; and a drive unit that rotates the rotating shaft, the curved first side wall of the first cylindrical body including a first opening, the curved second side wall of the second cylindrical body including a second opening, the screws stored inside the first cylindrical body being released to the outside through the second opening via the first opening as the rotating shaft is rotated by the drive unit, and the second opening not overlapping with the first opening.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a screw supplying device that supplies screws. Also, an embodiment of the present invention relates to a screw driving system that uses the screw supplying device. [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 out screws supplied from the screw supply device. However, if the screw supply device becomes clogged with screws, the supply of screws to the screw driving device is stopped, and the screw driving device's continuous screw driving operation is interrupted. Unlike bolts, the screws used to attach gypsum boards have high threads, so if a large number of screws are stored in the screw supply device, screw clogging is likely to occur. Clearing the screw clogging requires manual work by the worker, which reduces the worker's work efficiency.

[0005] In view of the above problem, one object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a screw supply device that supplies a controlled number of screws. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A screw supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a first cylindrical body that stores screws inside, a second cylindrical body that covers the first cylindrical body and is connected to the first cylindrical body, a rotating shaft that is connected to the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body, and a drive unit that rotates the rotating shaft, wherein the first curved side wall of the first cylindrical body includes a first opening, and the second curved side wall of the second cylindrical body includes a second opening, and the screws stored inside the first cylindrical body are released to the outside through the second opening via the first opening as the rotating shaft is rotated by the drive unit, and the second opening does not overlap with the first opening.

[0007] The second opening may be opposite a first region of the first sidewall, the first region being located on an opposite side from the first opening.

[0008] The rotation axis may extend through the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body.

[0009] A plurality of first openings may be provided.

[0010] The first side wall may further include a first door that can be opened and closed, and the second side wall may further include a second door that can be opened and closed, the second door facing the first door.

[0011] The first side wall may further include a third opening, and the second side wall may further include an openable door, the opening of the door being connected to the third opening.

[0012] The screw supply device may further include a sensor that detects one rotation of the second cylindrical body.

[0013] A screw driving system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a screw driving device, a screw supply device that supplies screws to the screw driving device, and a screw supply device that is installed on the screw supply device so as to drop screws into the screw supply device.

[0014] The screw driving system may further include a control device that measures the number of screws driven by the screw driving device and controls the drive unit to rotate the rotation shaft based on the number of screws driven. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The screw supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention can periodically supply small amounts of screws. For example, by installing the screw supply device in a screw supply device and supplying small amounts of screws to the screw supply device, it is possible to prevent the screw supply device from becoming clogged. Furthermore, the screw driving system according to one embodiment of the present invention can prevent the screw supply device from becoming clogged, allowing for automated screw driving operations to be performed over long periods of time. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view showing the configuration of a screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration of a screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the configuration of a sensor in the screw supply device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration of a screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration of a screw supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a screw driving system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of a screw supply device of a screw driving system according to one embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] 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.

[0018] 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.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] First Embodiment A screw supply device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0022] Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 are respectively a perspective view, a side view, a cross-sectional view, and a cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration of a screw supplying device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the screw supplying device 100 taken along line A-A' shown in Figure 2. As will be described in detail later, the screw supplying device 100 is installed in a screw supplying device such as a parts feeder and can supply screws to the screw supplying device.

[0023] The screw supply device 100 includes a main body 110, a rotating shaft 120, a driving unit 130, and a sensor 140. The rotating shaft 120 is connected to the main body 110 and the driving unit 130. The driving unit 130 is installed so as to be able to rotate the main body 110 via the rotating shaft 120. The sensor 140 is installed so as to be able to detect the rotating main body 110.

[0024] The main body 110 includes a first cylindrical body 111 and a second cylindrical body 112. The second cylindrical body 112 covers the first cylindrical body 111 and is disposed on the outside of the first cylindrical body 111 so as to form the external appearance of the main body 110. The second cylindrical body 112 is disposed so that a second side wall 112a of the second cylindrical body 112 is spaced apart from a first side wall 111a of the first cylindrical body 111. The cylindrical direction of the first cylindrical body 111 and the cylindrical direction of the second cylindrical body 112 are the same. An end of the second cylindrical body 112 in the cylindrical direction is closed, and an end of the first cylindrical body 111 is connected to an end of the second cylindrical body 112. Therefore, the main body 110 has a first space 113 inside the first cylindrical body 111 and a second space 114 between the first side wall 111a of the first cylindrical body 111 and the second side wall 112a of the second cylindrical body 112.

[0025] The first cylindrical body 111 has a cylindrical shape including a curved first side wall 111a. The second cylindrical body 112 has a cylindrical shape including a curved second side wall 112a. However, the shapes of the first cylindrical body 111 and the second cylindrical body 112 are not limited to this. The shapes of the first cylindrical body 111 and the second cylindrical body 112 may also be polygonal prism shapes. The first cylindrical body 111 and the second cylindrical body 112 may have the same shape or different shapes.

[0026] A first opening 111b is provided in the first side wall 111a. A second opening 112b is provided in the second side wall 112a. The second opening 112b does not overlap with the first opening 111b. Specifically, the second opening 112b faces an area of ​​the first side wall 111a located on the opposite side from the first opening 111b.

[0027] The shape of each of the first opening 111b and the second opening 112b is rectangular with the long side in the cylindrical direction, but is not limited to this. The shape of each of the first opening 111b and the second opening 112b may be elliptical with the long axis in the cylindrical direction. Furthermore, the direction of the long side or the long axis may be different from the cylindrical direction. Furthermore, each of the first opening 111b and the second opening 112b may have multiple openings rather than just one opening.

[0028] Furthermore, the first cylindrical body 111 has a flat area connecting both ends of the curved first side wall 111a. Similarly, the second cylindrical body 112 has a flat area connecting both ends of the curved second side wall 112a. An openable and closable first door 111c is provided in the flat area connected to the first side wall 111a. An openable and closable second door 112c is provided in the flat area connected to the second side wall 112a. The second door 112c overlaps the first door 111c. In other words, when the first door 111c and the second door 112c are opened, the first space 113 is exposed to the outside through the opening of the second door 112c.

[0029] The rotating shaft 120 extends through the first cylindrical body 111 and the second cylindrical body 112. In a cross-sectional view, the distance from the center of the rotating shaft to the end (corner) of the flat region of the second cylindrical body 112 is greater than the distance from the center of the rotating shaft to the second side wall 112a. Note that the rotating shaft 120 may be connected only to the second cylindrical body 112 without passing through the first cylindrical body 111.

[0030] The drive unit 130 includes a first gear 131, a second gear 132, and a motor 133. The first gear 131 is connected to the rotating shaft 120. The second gear 132 is connected to the motor 133. The second gear 132 is engaged with the first gear 131. When the motor 133 is driven, the second gear 132 rotates, and the first gear 131 engaged with the second gear 132 also rotates. This causes the rotating shaft 120 connected to the first gear 131 to rotate. That is, the driving of the motor 133 causes the rotating shaft 120 to rotate. The main body 110 connected to the rotating shaft 120 also rotates.

[0031] The configuration of the driving unit 130 is not limited to the above, but may be any configuration that can rotate the rotation shaft 120.

[0032] The sensor 140 can detect one rotation of the main body 110. The sensor 140 may be a contact sensor or a non-contact sensor. FIG. 5 is a side view showing the configuration of the sensor 140 of the screw supply device 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a limit switch, which is an example of the sensor 140. The sensor 140, which is a limit switch, can detect contact with the main body 110. Specifically, when the main body 110 rotates, the edge (corner) of the flat region of the second side wall 112a comes into contact with the sensor 140. Because the sensor 140 comes into contact with the sensor 140 with each rotation of the main body 110, the sensor 140 can detect one rotation of the main body 110. In the screw supply device 100, the rotation of the main body 110 can be controlled by using the sensor 140 to detect one rotation of the main body 110. Specifically, when the sensor 140 detects contact with the main body 110, the motor 133 can be stopped.

[0033] The components of the screw supply device 100 have been described above, but the screw supply device 100 can release screws stored inside the main body 110 by rotating the main body 110, and supply screws to a screw supply device, etc. Below, a screw supply method using the screw supply device 100 will be described.

[0034] When second door 112c and first door 111c are opened, first space 113 is opened to the outside through the opening of second door 112c. Screws are inserted into first space 113 through the openings of open second door 112c and first door 111c. Then, first door 111c and second door 112c are closed. This allows a large number of screws to be stored in first space 113.

[0035] When motor 133 is driven to rotate main body 110, some of the screws stored in first space 113 move through first opening 111b into second space 114. When main body 110 is further rotated, the screws in second space 114 are ejected to the outside through second opening 112b. One rotation of main body 110 can be detected by sensor 140, so the drive of motor 133 can be controlled to periodically eject screws from main body 110.

[0036] The number of screws dispensed from the screw supply device 100 with one rotation of the main body 110 can be adjusted by the distance between the first cylindrical body 111 and the second cylindrical body 112, the size of the first opening 111b, and the size of the second opening 112b. The number of screws dispensed from the screw supply device 100 can also be adjusted by changing the rotation speed of the main body 110. Therefore, the screw supply device 100 can dispense the adjusted number of screws.

[0037] According to the screw supply device 100 of this embodiment, by providing a second space 114 between the first side wall 111a of the first cylindrical body 111 and the second side wall 112a of the second cylindrical body 112, it is possible to adjust the number of screws that move from the first space 113 containing screws to the second space 114 during one rotation of the main body 110. Therefore, by installing the screw supply device 100 in a screw supply device, it is possible to supply small amounts of screws to the screw supply device. By using the screw supply device 100, small amounts of screws are periodically supplied to the screw supply device, which prevents the screw supply device from becoming clogged with screws.

[0038] <Variation 1> 6, a description will be given of a screw supplying device 100A, which is a modified example of the screw supplying device 100. Note that when the configuration of the screw supplying device 100A according to this modified example is the same as the configuration described above, the description of that configuration will be omitted.

[0039] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration of a screw supplying device 100A according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] As shown in Figure 6, the main body 110A of the screw supply device 100A does not include a first door 111c. The opening of the second door 112c is connected to the opening of the first side wall 111a of the first cylindrical body 111 by a connecting member 115A. Therefore, in the main body 110A, simply opening the second door 112c opens the first space 113 to the outside through the opening of the second door 112c. On the other hand, the second space 114 is not opened to the outside through the opening of the second door 112c.

[0041] In screw supply device 100A, simply opening second door 112c opens first space 113 to the outside through the opening of second door 112c, making it easy to put a large amount of screws into first space 113 through the opening of second door 112c. Furthermore, even when second door 112c is opened, second space 114 is not opened to the outside through the opening of second door 112c, preventing screws from being put into second space 114 by mistake.

[0042] <Variation 2> 7, a description will be given of a screw supplying device 100B, which is another modified example of the screw supplying device 100. Note that when the configuration of the screw supplying device 100B according to this modified example is the same as the configuration described above, the description of that configuration will be omitted.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing the configuration of a screw supplying device 100B according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] 7, in main body 110B of screw supply device 100B, the upper and lower portions of first door 111c are connected to second side wall 112a by connecting members 116B. That is, second space 114 is isolated by connecting member 116B, and third space 117B is provided between first door 111c and second door 112c. In main body 110B, even when first door 111c and second door 112c are opened, second space 114 is not exposed to the outside through the opening of second door 112c.

[0045] Connecting member 116B may be arranged to connect first side wall 111a and second side wall 112a on the first door 111c side of first opening 111b and on the second door 112c side of second opening 112b. By arranging connecting member 116B in this manner, the screws stored in first space 113 can move through first opening 111b to second space 114 and be released from second opening 112b.

[0046] In the screw supply device 100B, even if the first door 111c and the second door 112c are opened, the second space 114 is not exposed to the outside through the opening of the second door 112c. This prevents screws from being accidentally inserted into the second space 114.

[0047] Second Embodiment A screw driving system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. The screw driving system 10 uses a screw supply device 100.

[0048] Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a screw driving system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of a screw supply device 100 of the screw driving system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 8, the screw driving system 10 includes a screw replenishing device 100, a screw supplying device 200, a screw driving device 300, and a control device 400. Each of the screw replenishing device 100, the screw supplying device 200, and the screw driving device 300 is communicatively connected to the control device 400. As shown in Fig. 9, the screw replenishing device 100 is placed on top of the screw supplying device 200. When the main body 110 of the screw replenishing device 100 rotates, the adjusted number of screws falls from the second opening 112b into the screw supplying device 200.

[0050] The screw supply device 200 supplies screws one by one to the screw driving device 300. The screw supply device 200 includes a screw detection sensor 210 that detects when a screw has been sent to the screw driving device 300. The screw driving device 300 rotates the screw while pressing a screwdriver against the head of the screw supplied from the screw supply device 200, and drives the screw out of the injection port. The screw driving device 300 includes a screw driving count counter that measures the number of times the screw is driven. The screw driving count counter may measure the number of times a screw is set in the injection port, or may measure the number of times the screwdriver is moved.

[0051] The control device 400 controls the rotation of the main body 110 of the screw supply device 100 based on signals or data transmitted from the screw supply device 100, the screw supply device 200, and the screw driving device 300. The control device 400 may be an IC chip that executes a control sequence or a computer that executes a control program. The control device 400 includes a rotation control unit 410 and a memory unit 420. The memory unit 420 pre-stores the number of screws inserted into the first space 113 of the main body 110 of the screw supply device 100 (hereinafter referred to as the "initial number"), the number of screws to be supplied, and a set value. The supply number is the number of screws dispensed from the screw supply device 100. The number of screws dispensed per one rotation of the main body 110 is measured in advance and registered as the supply number. The rotation control unit 410 receives data on the number of screws driven by the screw driving count counter 310. If the number of screws driven is equal to or greater than the set value, the rotation control unit 410 starts driving the motor 133. Furthermore, rotation control unit 410 receives a detection signal from sensor 140 and stops driving motor 133. As a result, when the number of screws in screw supply device 200 decreases, main body 110 of screw supply device 100 is rotated once, allowing the adjusted number of screws to be supplied to screw supply device 200. As a result, screws are periodically replenished from screw supply device 100 to screw supply device 200, and the number of screws in screw supply device 200 can be kept roughly constant. Therefore, there is no need to store a large number of screws in screw supply device 200, and the rate at which screws become tangled is reduced, thereby preventing screw clogging in screw supply device 200.

[0052] The above describes the rotation process of main body 110 using data from screw driving count unit 310, but it is also possible to perform rotation process of main body 110 using detection signals from screw detection sensor 210. In this case, rotation control unit 410 measures the number of detections based on the detection signals from screw detection sensor 210. When the measured number of detections is equal to or greater than a set value, rotation control unit 410 starts driving motor 133.

[0053] The rotation control unit 410 may also calculate a value by subtracting the accumulated number of screw driving times from the initial number. The calculated value is the number of screws remaining in the main body 110 of the screw supply device 100. In this way, the rotation control unit 410 can also manage the number of screws in the screw supply device 100.

[0054] According to the screw driving system 10 of this embodiment, by using the screw supply device 100, it is possible to periodically supply small amounts of screws to the screw supply device 200. This makes it possible to maintain a roughly constant number of screws in the screw supply device 200 and prevent the screw supply device 200 from becoming clogged with screws. This allows for automated screw driving operations to be performed over long periods of time.

[0055] 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.

[0056] 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]

[0057] 10: screw driving system, 100, 100A, 100B: screw supply device, 110, 110A, 110B: main body, 111: first cylindrical body, 111a: first side wall, 111b: first opening, 111c: first door, 112: second cylindrical body, 112a: second side wall, 112b: second opening, 112c: second door, 113: first space, 114: second space, 115A: connecting member, 116B: connecting member, 117B: third space, 120: rotating shaft, 130: driving unit, 131: first gear, 132: second gear, 133: motor, 140: sensor, 200: screw supply device, 210: screw detection sensor, 300: screw driving device, 310: screw driving count counting unit, 400: control device, 410: rotation control unit, 420: memory unit

Claims

1. a first cylindrical body that accommodates a screw therein; a second cylindrical body that covers the first cylindrical body and is connected to the first cylindrical body; a rotating shaft connected to the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body; a drive unit that rotates the rotation shaft, a first curved sidewall of the first cylindrical body including a first opening; the curved second sidewall of the second cylindrical body includes a second opening; The screw housed inside the first cylindrical body is configured to be ejected from the second opening to the outside via the first opening when the drive unit rotates the rotation shaft, The second opening does not overlap with the first opening.

2. the second opening faces a first region of the first sidewall; The screw supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the first region is located on an opposite side to the first opening.

3. The screw supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the rotation shaft extends through the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body.

4. The screw supply device according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the first openings are provided.

5. the first side wall further includes a first door that can be opened and closed; the second side wall further includes a second door that can be opened and closed; The screw supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the second door faces the first door.

6. the first sidewall further includes a third opening; the second side wall further includes an openable and closable door; The screw supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the door opening is connected to the third opening.

7. 2. The screw supplying device according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor for detecting one rotation of the second cylindrical body.

8. A screw driving device, a screw supply device that supplies the screws to the screw driving device; A screw driving system comprising: a screw supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is installed on the screw supply device so as to drop the screws into the screw supply device.

9. The screw driving system according to claim 8, further comprising a control device that measures the number of screws driven by the screw driving device and controls the drive unit to rotate the rotation shaft based on the number of screws driven.

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