Parts supply apparatus

Abstract

To provide a parts supply apparatus capable of suppressing the use of a gas supply source.SOLUTION: A parts supply apparatus 1 includes a rod 10, a piston 20, a cylinder 30, a lid 40, an actuator 50, and a seal mechanism 80. The piston, the cylinder, and the lid define a gas chamber R. The rod includes: a gas outlet 14 provided on the outer periphery 17 of the front end 11 of the rod inserted into the through-hole N2 of the part N; a gas inlet 15; and a gas passage 16. The seal mechanism includes a cylindrical bush 81 arranged in the gas chamber and hung on the rod, and a biasing member 82 for biasing the bush forward to separate from the gas introduction port. The bush contacts the lid by following the forward movement of the rod, and closes the gas introduction port by moving rearward relative to the rod against a biasing force from the biasing member to the bush by a rearward pressing force from the lid to the bush.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The nut supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a rod having a small-diameter holding portion at its tip that is inserted into a threaded hole in a nut and that supplies the nut to a target position as it advances, and an air cylinder mechanism that drives the rod back and forth. The air cylinder includes a cylindrical cylinder with a bottom that is open on the rod advance side, and a piston that is inserted into the cylinder and defines a gas chamber on the side of the cylinder opposite the rod advance side. The rod is provided concentrically with the piston and protrudes toward the advance side. A gas outlet is opened on the outer periphery of the rod's holding portion so as to face the side opposite the rod advance side. A gas passage that connects the gas chamber and the gas outlet is formed on the central axis of the piston and rod. The gas chamber is connected to a gas supply source.

[0003] With this configuration, when gas is supplied from the gas supply source to the gas chamber, the piston is pressed toward the rod advancement side, causing the piston and the rod to advance. The rod holder is then inserted into the threaded hole of the nut. At this time, a portion of the gas supplied from the gas supply source to the gas chamber is blown out from the gas outlet through the gas passage toward the opposite side from the rod advancement side, i.e., toward the nut.

[0004] This allows the nut to be securely held by the holding portion of the rod. In this way, the forward movement of the rod and the blowing of gas from the gas outlet are synchronized with each other, making it easy to operate the nut supply device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-37125 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the nut supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a gas supply source such as a gas pump is essential to blow gas from the gas outlet. However, in recent years, from the viewpoint of environmental protection, factories have been required to avoid using such gas supply sources as much as possible.

[0007] The above-described problem also applies to other parts having through holes other than nuts, i.e., to part supply devices other than nut supply devices.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a component supply device that can reduce the use of a gas supply source. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A component supplying device according to the present disclosure includes a rod that supplies a component having a through hole by advancing and that extends back and forth, a piston coupled to the rod, a cylinder that houses the rod and the piston, a lid that closes the cylinder forward of the piston and through which the rod extending forward from the piston passes, an actuator that moves the piston and the rod back and forth, and a sealing mechanism provided on the rod, wherein the piston, the cylinder, and the lid define a gas chamber, and the rod has a gas outlet that is provided on the outer periphery of the front end of the rod that is inserted into the through hole of the component and through which gas is blown out, and a sealing mechanism provided on the rod behind the gas outlet. and a gas inlet port provided in the rod through which the gas is introduced from the gas chamber, and a gas passage extending back and forth inside the rod and through which the gas passes from the gas inlet port to the gas outlet port, the sealing mechanism including a cylindrical bushing disposed in the gas chamber and hung on the rod, and a biasing member that biases the bushing forward so as to move away from the gas inlet port, the bushing coming into contact with the lid by following the forward movement of the rod, and the bushing moving rearward relative to the rod against the biasing force of the biasing member on the bushing due to a rearward pressing force from the lid on the bushing, thereby closing the gas inlet port.

[0010] According to this configuration, as the rod advances, the front end of the rod is inserted into the through-hole of the part, and the part hung on the front end of the rod is fed by the advancement of the rod.

[0011] Gas is stored in a gas chamber defined by the piston, cylinder, and lid. When the piston moves forward, the gas in the gas chamber is compressed. The gas compressed in the gas chamber is introduced into the gas inlet of the rod. The gas introduced into the gas inlet passes through a gas passage inside the rod and is blown out from a gas outlet on the outer periphery of the front end of the rod.

[0012] The gas is blown out from the gas outlet on the outer periphery of the front end of the rod toward the component hung on the front end of the rod, thereby holding the component on the front end of the rod.

[0013] The bushing follows the advancement of the rod. As the rod advances further, the bushing comes into contact with the lid. The biasing member applies a forward biasing force to the bushing so that the bushing moves away from the gas inlet. When the bushing comes into contact with the lid, the lid applies a rearward pressing force to the bushing. Due to the rearward pressing force from the lid to the bushing, the bushing moves rearward relative to the rod against the forward biasing force from the biasing member to the bushing. The bushing then closes the gas inlet.

[0014] When the bushing closes the gas inlet, the gas in the gas chamber is no longer introduced into the gas inlet, and is no longer blown out of the gas outlet through the gas passage, causing the part to come off the front end of the rod.

[0015] Since the gas chamber defined by the piston, cylinder, and lid is utilized, the part can be held at the front end of the rod by blowing gas from the gas outlet without using a gas supply source.

[0016] The bush closes the gas inlet by utilizing the pressing force from the lid against the urging force from the urging member to the bush, so that the gas can be stopped from being blown out from the gas outlet without using a gas supply source.

[0017] As described above, it is possible to provide a component supply device that can reduce the use of a gas supply source.

[0018] In one embodiment, the biasing member is a coil spring wound around the rod rearward of the bushing.

[0019] According to this configuration, the bushing can be biased forward so as to move away from the gas inlet port with a simple configuration.

[0020] In one embodiment, the bushing is fitted onto the rod.

[0021] This configuration allows the bushing to more easily follow the forward movement of the rod.

[0022] In one embodiment, the bushing is made of resin.

[0023] With this configuration, the bushing can tightly close the gas inlet port.

[0024] In one embodiment, a check valve is provided that allows the gas to flow from the external space of the cylinder into the gas chamber, while restricting the gas from flowing out from the gas chamber to the external space.

[0025] With this configuration, gas does not flow out of the gas chamber into the external space when the piston moves forward, and gas can flow from the external space into the gas chamber when the piston moves backward.

[0026] In one embodiment, the actuator is an electric actuator.

[0027] With this configuration, it is not necessary to use a gas supply source not only for blowing gas from the gas outlet, but also for moving the rod back and forth by the actuator.

[0028] In one embodiment, the rod advances to deliver the part to a target position, while the bushing closes the gas inlet.

[0029] With this configuration, gas is no longer blown out from the gas outlet as soon as the component is supplied to the target position, so the component can be removed from the front end of the rod immediately after being supplied to the target position.

[0030] In one embodiment, the rod includes a front end portion having a smaller diameter than the through hole of the part, and a rear portion continuing rearward of the front end portion and having a larger diameter than the through hole of the part, and the gas blown out from the gas outlet at the front end portion presses the part against the step surface between the front end portion and the rear portion.

[0031] This arrangement allows the component to be securely held at the front end of the rod.

[0032] In one embodiment, the part is a nut.

[0033] According to this configuration, the nuts can be supplied by the rod while reducing the use of the gas supply source. [Effects of the Invention]

[0034] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a component supply device that can reduce the use of a gas supply source. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a front view of the nut feeder before the rod is inserted into the threaded hole of the nut. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the nut feeder after the rod has been inserted into the threaded hole of the nut. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the nut feeding device at the moment when the rod feeds the nut to the target position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a front view of the nut feeder after the rod has retracted from its destination position. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the nut. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the rod in plan view. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the nut receiver. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows the sealing mechanism in side view. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a front view of the sealing mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its applications, or its uses.

[0037] In the following description, the left-right direction in FIG. 1 is the front-rear direction (indicated by X), the up-down direction in FIG. 1 is the up-down direction (indicated by Z), and the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 1 is the left-right direction (indicated by Y). The left in FIG. 1 is the front (indicated by X1), and the right in FIG. 1 is the rear (indicated by X2). The top in FIG. 1 is the top (indicated by Z1), and the bottom in FIG. 1 is the bottom (indicated by Z2). The front of the plane of the paper in FIG. 1 is the left, and the back of the plane of the paper in FIG. 1 is the right. In reality, the front-rear direction is inclined relative to the horizontal plane, from top to bottom as it goes from rear to front.

[0038] (nut supply device) 1 to 4 show a front view (partial cross section) of a nut supplying device 1 as a component supplying device, as seen from the left. As will be described in detail later, FIGS. 1 to 4 show different states of the nut supplying device 1. The nut supplying device 1 supplies a nut N as a component to a target position T (for example, between a pair of welding electrodes in a resistance welding machine). The target position T does not represent a single point, but has a certain width (approximately 0 mm to 100 mm) in the axial direction (front-rear direction) of a rod 10 (described later), as shown in FIG.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the nut N. The nut N is a square weld nut. The nut N has a main body N1, a screw hole N2 as a through hole, and four welding projections N3. The main body N1 is formed in the shape of a regular square prism. The screw hole N2 is provided in the center of the main body N1 and penetrates through the center of the main body N1. The four welding projections N3 are provided at the four corners of the bottom surface of the main body N1.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the nut supplying device 1 includes a rod 10, a piston 20, a cylinder 30, a lid 40, an actuator 50, a nut receiver 60, a check valve 70, a sealing mechanism 80, and a connecting member 90.

[0041] Fig. 6 shows a plan view of the rod 10 as seen from above. As shown in Fig. 6, the rod 10 is formed in a rod shape. The axial direction of the axis of the rod 10 extends from front to back. The rod 10 includes a front end portion 11 and a rear portion 12.

[0042] The front end portion 11 constitutes the front end of the rod 10 and a portion slightly rearward from the front end. In the rod 10, the rear portion 12 continues rearward from the front end portion 11. The rear portion 12 extends rearward from the front end portion 11. The rear portion 12 constitutes the rear portion of the rod 10 other than the front end portion 11. The outer diameter of the front end portion 11 is smaller than the outer diameter of the rear portion 12. Conversely, the outer diameter of the rear portion 12 is larger than the outer diameter of the front end portion 11.

[0043] The rod 10 has a stepped surface 13 formed between the front end 11 and the rear end 12. The stepped surface 13 faces forward. The outer diameter of the front end 11 is smaller than the inner diameter of the screw hole N2 of the nut N. The outer diameter of the rear end 12 is larger than the inner diameter of the screw hole N2 of the nut N.

[0044] The rod 10 includes an air outlet 14 as a gas outlet, an air inlet 15 as a gas inlet, and an air passage 16 as a gas passage.

[0045] The air outlet 14 is provided on the outer periphery 17 of the front end 11 of the rod 10. There may be multiple air outlets 14. The air outlets 14 face outward and rearward, i.e., diagonally rearward. It is preferable that the air outlets 14 face upward and rearward. The air outlets 14 face the step surface 13.

[0046] The air inlet 15 is provided on the outer periphery 17 of the rod 10, rearward of the air outlet 14. The air inlet 15 is positioned rearward of the air outlet 14. The air inlet 15 is provided on the outer periphery 17 at the rear end of the rear part 12 of the rod 10. The air inlet 15 faces the outer periphery side. In this example, the air inlet 15 faces upward.

[0047] The air passage 16 is provided in the interior 10a of the rod 10. The air passage 16 extends in the front-rear direction within the interior 10a of the rod 10. The air passage 16 extends in the front-rear direction within the interiors 10a of the front end portion 11 and the rear portion 12 of the rod 10. The air passage 16 connects the air outlet 14 and the air inlet 15 to each other.

[0048] As the rod 10 advances in the axial direction (lengthwise direction), the front end 11 of the rod 10 is inserted into the threaded hole N2 of the nut N. This causes the nut N to be hung on the front end 11 of the rod 10. As the rod 10 advances further, the nut N hung on the front end 11 of the rod 10 is supplied to the destination position T. In summary, the rod 10 supplies the nut N having the threaded hole N2 to the destination position T by advancing.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 1 , the piston 20 is connected to the rear end (of the rear portion 12) of the rod 10 via a connecting member 90, which will be described later. The piston 20 is formed in a substantially disk shape. The axis of the piston 20 extends in the front-to-rear direction. The piston 20 is concentric with the rod 10. The rod 10 extends forward from the piston 20. The rod 10 and the piston 20 move forward and backward together. The outer diameter of the piston 20 is equal to the inner diameter of the cylinder 30.

[0050] The connecting member 90 is also referred to as a joint. The connecting member 90 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The outer diameter of the connecting member 90 is smaller than the outer diameter of the piston 20 (the inner diameter of the cylinder 30). The outer diameter of the connecting member 90 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rod 10 (at the rear portion 12). The connecting member 90 is disposed between the rod 10 and the piston 20, i.e., behind the rod 10 and in front of the piston 20. The connecting member 90 connects the rod 10 and the piston 20 to each other. The connecting member 90 moves back and forth integrally with the rod 10 and the piston 20.

[0051] The cylinder 30 is substantially cylindrical. The axis of the cylinder 30 extends in the front-to-rear direction. The cylinder 30 accommodates the rod 10 and the piston 20 inside. The cylinder 30 is concentric with the rod 10 and the piston 20. The front end of the cylinder 30 is open. The rear end of the cylinder 30 is open.

[0052] The lid 40 includes a main body portion 41 and a fitting portion 42. The main body portion 41 forms the front portion of the lid 40. The main body portion 41 is approximately cylindrical. The fitting portion 42 forms the rear portion of the lid 40. The fitting portion 42 is approximately cylindrical. The outer diameter of the fitting portion 42 is smaller than the outer diameter of the main body portion 41. The fitting portion 42 protrudes rearward from the rear end surface of the main body portion 41. In the lid 40, the main body portion 41 and the fitting portion 42 are concentric with each other.

[0053] The outer diameter of the main body 41 of the lid 40 is equal to the outer diameter of the cylinder 30. The outer diameter of the fitting portion 42 of the lid 40 is equal to the inner diameter of the cylinder 30. The fitting portion 42 of the lid 40 is fitted into the inner diameter of the front end of the cylinder 30. The fitting portion 42 of the lid 40 is fitted into the interior of the front end of the cylinder 30 through the front end opening of the cylinder 30. A male thread is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 42 of the lid 40. A female thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the front end of the cylinder 30.

[0054] The rear end surface of the main body 41 of the lid 40 contacts the front end surface of the cylinder 30. The fitting portion 42 of the lid 40 forms a wall portion that covers the front end opening of the cylinder 30. The fitting portion 42 of the lid 40 closes the front end portion of the cylinder 30.

[0055] The lid 40 is concentric with the rod 10, the piston 20, and the cylinder 30. The lid 40 is disposed forward of the piston 20. The lid 40 closes the cylinder 30 forward of the piston 20.

[0056] A hole 43 is provided in the center of the lid 40. The hole 43 is located at the axis of the lid 40. The hole 43 penetrates the lid 40 from front to back (across the main body portion 41 and the fitting portion 42). The diameter of the hole 43 is slightly larger than the rear portion 12 of the rod 10. The rod 10, which extends forward from the piston 20, penetrates the hole 43 in the lid 40 from front to back. The gap between the lid 40 and the rod 10 is sealed so that air A does not leak from the air chamber R in the cylinder 30 through the hole 43 into the external space E outside the cylinder 30.

[0057] The actuator 50 is a known electric actuator. The actuator 50 is driven electrically. The actuator 50 is configured with, for example, an electromagnetic solenoid, a ball screw mechanism, a linear motor, a servo motor, a stepping motor, or a rack gear motor. The actuator 50 includes an electric mechanism 51 and a drive rod 52.

[0058] The electric mechanism 51 has a cylindrical housing. The axis of the electric mechanism 51 (of the housing) extends in the front-to-rear direction. The electric mechanism 51 is connected to the rear end of the cylinder 30. It can be said that the electric mechanism 51 covers the rear end opening of the cylinder 30. The electric mechanism 51 is connected to an external power source.

[0059] The drive rod 52 extends in the front-rear direction. The drive rod 52 protrudes forward from the front end surface of the housing of the electric mechanism 51. The drive rod 52 is housed inside the cylinder 30. The drive rod 52 is inserted into the cylinder 30 through the rear end opening of the cylinder 30. The drive rod 52 is moved forward and backward by the electrical action of the electric mechanism 51.

[0060] The front end of the drive rod 52 is connected to the rear surface of the piston 20. The actuator 50 causes the piston 20 and the rod 10 (connected to the piston 20) to move back and forth as the electric mechanism 51 moves the drive rod 52 back and forth.

[0061] 7 is a perspective view of a nut receiver 60 serving as a parts receiver. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the nut receiver 60 includes a holder 61, a receiver 62, and a door 63. Note that the door 63 is not shown in FIG. 7. The nut receiver 60 is disposed forward of the lid 40 and the cylinder 30.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 1, the holder 61 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The holder 61 is concentric with the lid 40 and the cylinder 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the holder 61 includes a main body portion 61a and a fitting portion 61b. The main body portion 61a constitutes the portion of the holder 61 other than the rear end portion. The fitting portion 61b constitutes the rear end portion of the holder 61. The outer diameter of the fitting portion 61b is smaller than the outer diameter of the main body portion 61a.

[0063] The outer diameter of the main body 61a of the holder 61 is equal to the outer diameter of the main body 41 of the lid 40. The outer diameter of the fitting portion 61b of the holder 61 is equal to the inner diameter of the front end portion of the main body 41 of the lid 40. The fitting portion 61b of the holder 61 is fitted into the inner diameter of the front end portion of the main body 41 of the lid 40. A male thread is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the fitting portion 61b of the holder 61. A female thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the front end portion of the main body 41 of the lid 40.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 7, the receiving portion 62 includes a rear wall 62a and left and right (two) side walls 62b. The rear wall 62a is plate-shaped with thickness in the front-to-rear direction and extends up and down and left and right. The left and right side walls 62b are plate-shaped with thickness in the left and right directions and extend up and down and front and back. The left and right side walls 62b protrude forward from both left and right ends of the rear wall 62a.

[0065] A rod through-hole 64 is provided in the rear wall 62a. The rod through-hole 64 penetrates the rear wall 62a in the front-rear direction. The inner diameter of the rod through-hole 64 is larger than the outer diameter of the rod 10 (the rear portion 12 thereof). The rod through-hole 64 is concentric with the rod 10. The rod 10 passes through the rod through-hole 64 when moving forward and backward.

[0066] In the nut receiver 60, the lower portions of the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls 62b protrude inward more than the upper portions, forming step stoppers 65. In the nut receiver 60, a nut receiving chamber 66 is formed in the space surrounded by the inner surfaces of the rear wall 62a and the left and right side walls 62b.

[0067] A nut shooter 2 serving as a component feeding mechanism is connected above the nut receiver 60 via a connecting pipe 3. The nut shooter 2 is tubular with a square cross section. The nut shooter 2 is made of a soft material such as resin. Nuts N aligned by a nut alignment device (not shown) serving as a component alignment device so that the protrusions N3 face a predetermined direction are introduced into the upstream end of the nut shooter 2.

[0068] The downstream end of the nut chute 2 communicates with the nut receiving chamber 66 of the nut receiver 60 via the connecting pipe 3. The connecting pipe 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a square cross section. The connecting pipe 3 extends vertically. The lower end of the connecting pipe 3 is connected to the upper end of the rear wall 62a and the upper ends of the left and right side walls 62b of the receiver 62. The downstream end of the nut chute 2 fits into the inner diameter of the upper end of the connecting pipe 3.

[0069] The connecting pipe 3 includes a groove-shaped groove portion 3a that opens forward, and a lid portion 3b that covers the front opening of the groove portion 3a. The lid portion 3b of the connecting pipe 3 is located forward of the front ends of the left and right side walls 62b of the receiving portion 62.

[0070] The nut receiver 60 receives the nut N, which has been sent from the nut chute 2 to the nut receiving chamber 66 via the connecting pipe 3, with the stopper 65 in a state in which the protrusion N3 faces forward. The stopper 65 receives the nut N that has dropped into the nut receiving chamber 66 from the chute 3 (via the connecting pipe 5). The screw hole N2 of the nut N received by the stopper 65 becomes concentric with the rod through-hole 64 (i.e., with the rod 10).

[0071] A discharge hole 67 is provided below the stopper 65 (between the lower portions of the left and right side walls 62b). The discharge hole 67 is provided to discharge a nut N that is smaller (has a smaller diameter) than a nut N of the regular size to the outside when the nut N is mistakenly sent to the nut receiving chamber 66.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 1, in the nut receiver 60, the door 63 is disposed in front of the nut receiving chamber 66. The door 63 is a plate-like member having a thickness in the front and rear directions, and extends vertically and horizontally. The door 63 covers the nut receiving chamber 66 from the front. Both left and right ends of the lower end of the door 63 are attached to the lower ends of the left and right side walls 62b by hinges (not shown). A spring (not shown) is provided in the hinge. The spring biases the door 63 rearward (in the closing direction). The spring is, for example, a coil spring or a leaf spring.

[0073] When no forward pressing force is applied to the door 63, the door 63 is closed backward by the restoring force of the spring. When a forward pressing force is applied to the door 63, the door 63 is opened forward against the rearward restoring force (in the closing direction) of the spring.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 1, the piston 20, the cylinder 30, and the lid 40 define an air chamber R as a gas chamber. Air A as a gas is stored in the air chamber R. When the piston 20 moves forward, the volume of the air chamber R decreases, and the air A in the air chamber R is compressed. When the piston 20 moves backward, the volume of the air chamber R increases, and the air A in the air chamber R expands.

[0075] The air inlet 15 of the rod 10 faces the air chamber R. The air inlet 15 is disposed inside the air chamber R. Air A is introduced from the air chamber R into the air inlet 15.

[0076] The air passage 16 of the rod 10 extends in the front-rear direction inside the rod 10 and connects the air outlet 14 and the air inlet 15. Air A passes through the air passage 16 from the air inlet 15 to the air outlet 14.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 6, the air outlet 14 of the rod 10 does not face the air chamber R. The air outlet 14 is located outside the air chamber R. The air outlet 14 is located forward of the lid 40. The air outlet 14 is provided on the outer periphery 17 of the front end portion 11 of the rod 10. The air outlet 14 faces the outer periphery and rearward, i.e., diagonally rearward. The air outlet 14 faces a step surface 13 between the front end portion 11 and the rear portion 12 of the rod 10.

[0078] The front-to-rear length of the front end portion 11 of the rod 10 is greater than the front-to-rear width of the nut N. Specifically, the front-to-rear distance from the air outlet 14 to the step surface 13 at the front end portion 11 of the rod 10 is greater than the front-to-rear width of the nut N.

[0079] Air A is blown out from the air outlet 14. The air A is blown out from the air outlet 14 toward the outer periphery and rearward, i.e., diagonally rearward. The air A is blown out from the air outlet 14 toward the step surface 13 between the front end 11 and the rear end 12 of the rod 10.

[0080] As will be described in more detail later, the air A blown out from the air outlet 14 at the front end 11 of the rod 10 presses the nut N (hanging on the front end 11 of the rod 10) against the step surface 13 between the front end 11 and the rear portion 12 of the rod 10.

[0081] Returning to FIG. 1 , the check valve 70 is also called a check valve. As described above, the piston 20, the cylinder 30, and the lid 40 define the air chamber R. The air chamber R is disposed within the cylinder 30. A communication passage (not shown) is provided in the cylindrical wall of the cylinder 30, connecting the air chamber R within the cylinder 30 with the external space E outside the cylinder 30. The check valve 70 controls the flow of air A between the air chamber R within the cylinder 30 and the external space E outside the cylinder 30 (communication passage).

[0082] The check valve 70 allows air A to flow from the external space E outside the cylinder 30 into the air chamber R inside the cylinder 30, while restricting the outflow of air A from the air chamber R inside the cylinder 30 to the external space E outside the cylinder 30. Air A can flow from the external space E into the air chamber R through the check valve 70. Air A cannot flow from the air chamber R to the external space E through the check valve 70.

[0083] 1, the sealing mechanism 80 is provided on the rod 10. The sealing mechanism 80 includes a bushing 81 and a coil spring 82 as a biasing member. The sealing mechanism 80 is disposed in the air chamber R.

[0084] FIG. 8 shows the sealing mechanism 80 in a side view. FIG. 9 shows the sealing mechanism 80 in a front view (partial cross section). The bushing 81 is made of resin. In particular, the bushing 81 is made of, for example, polyacetal. The bushing 81 is made of a wear-resistant material. The bushing 81 is softer than the rod 10, piston 20, and cylinder 40, which are made of metal. As shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 8, and 9, the bushing 81 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The axis of the bushing 81 extends in the front-rear direction. The bushing 81 is hung on the rod 10. More specifically, the bushing 81 is hung on the outer periphery 17 of the rear portion 12 of the rod 10. The bushing 81 is concentric with the rod 10.

[0085] The bushing 81 is disposed inside the cylinder 30. The bushing 81 is disposed forward of the piston 20. The bushing 81 is disposed rearward of the lid 40. The bushing 81 is disposed in the air chamber R.

[0086] The bushing 81 is fitted onto the rod 10 (at its rear portion 12). The inner diameter of the bushing 81 is fitted onto the outer diameter of the rod 10 (at its rear portion 12). The inner diameter of the bushing 81 is slightly smaller than, approximately equal to, or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rod 10 (at its rear portion 12). The outer diameter of the bushing 81 is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylinder 30.

[0087] When no forward or backward pressing force is applied to the bush 81, the bush 81 moves forward or backward integrally with the rod 10. When a forward or backward pressing force is applied to the bush 81, the bush 81 can move forward or backward relative to the rod 10.

[0088] The coil spring 82 is in the form of a coil. The outer shape of the coil spring 82 is cylindrical. The coil spring 82 is wound around the rod 10. Specifically, the coil spring 82 is wound around the outer periphery 17 of the rear portion 12 of the rod 10. The coil spring 82 extends in the front-to-rear direction. The coil spring 82 is concentric with the rod 10. The diameter of the coil spring 82 is larger than the inner diameter of the bushing 81 and smaller than the outer diameter of the bushing 81.

[0089] The coil spring 82 is disposed rearward of the bushing 81. The coil spring 82 is wound around the rod 10 rearward of the bushing 81.

[0090] The coil spring 82 is disposed forward of the connecting member 90 (disposed forward of the piston 20). The coil spring 82 is wound around the rod 10 forward of the piston 20. More specifically, the coil spring 82 is wound around the rod 10 forward of the connecting member 90 (disposed forward of the piston 20).

[0091] The front end of the coil spring 82 is connected to the rear end surface of the bushing 81. The rear end of the coil spring 82 is connected to the front end surface of the connecting member 90. The coil spring 82 connects the bushing 81 and the connecting member 90 in the front-rear direction.

[0092] The coil spring 82 holds the bushing 81 on (the rear portion 12 of) the rod 10 via a connecting member 90. When the coil spring 82 is at its natural length, the front end of the coil spring 82 is located forward of the air inlet port 15. In other words, when the coil spring 82 is at its natural length, the bushing 81 is located forward of the air inlet port 15. At this time, the air inlet port 15 is open.

[0093] The coil spring 82 exerts a restoring force F as a biasing force on the bushing 81 in a forward direction (see FIG. 9). The coil spring 82 biases the bushing 81 forward so as to move away from the air inlet port 15. The forward restoring force F acting on the bushing 81 from the coil spring 82 causes the bushing 81 to move forward relative to the rod 40. When the coil spring 82 is at its natural length, the forward restoring force F is zero.

[0094] As will be described in detail later, bushing 81 comes into contact with lid 40 by following the forward movement of rod 10. After coming into contact with lid 40, bushing 81 moves rearward relative to rod 10 against forward restoring force F from coil spring 82 to bushing 81 due to rearward pressing force P from lid 40 to bushing 81, thereby closing air inlet 15.

[0095] As will be described in detail later, the rod 10 advances to supply the nut N to the target position T, and at the same time, the bush 81 closes the air inlet port 15 .

[0096] In order to simultaneously achieve the operation of supplying the nut N to the target position T and the operation of the bush 81 blocking the air inlet 15, the front-to-rear dimension of the rod 10, the position of the air inlet 15 on the rod 10, the front-to-rear dimension of the bush 81, the front-to-rear dimension of the coil spring 82, the positional relationship between the bush 81 and the air inlet 15 when the coil spring 82 is at its natural length, the spring constant of the coil spring 82, etc. are appropriately set.

[0097] (Nut supply by nut supply device) The supply of nuts N by the nut supplying device 1 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 shows a front view (partially in cross section) of the nut supplying device 1 before the rod 10 is inserted into the screw hole N2 of the nut N. Figure 2 shows a front view (partially in cross section) of the nut supplying device 1 after the rod 10 has been inserted into the screw hole N2 of the nut N. Figure 3 shows a front view (partially in cross section) of the nut supplying device 1 at the moment when the rod 10 supplies the nut N to the target position T. Figure 4 shows a front view (partially in cross section) of the nut supplying device 1 after the rod 10 has retracted from the target position T.

[0098] 1 shows the state before the front end portion 11 of the rod 10 is inserted into the threaded hole N2 of the nut N. At this time, the actuator 50 retracts the drive rod 52 to the rear as far as possible by the electrical action of the electric mechanism 51. The piston 20, the connecting member 90, and the rod 10 are all retracted to the rear as far as possible.

[0099] The front end portion 11 of the rod 10 is disposed within the holder 61 of the nut receiver 60. The front end portion 11 of the rod 10 is disposed rearward of the nut receiving chamber 66 of the receiving portion 62 of the nut receiver 60. In detail, the front end portion 11 of the rod 10 is disposed rearward of the rod through-hole 64 in the rear wall 62a of the receiving portion 62 of the nut receiver 60.

[0100] The nut N sent from the nut shooter 2 to the nut receiving chamber 66 via the connecting pipe 3 is caught (received) by the stopper 65 of the receiving portion 62 of the nut receiver 60. The nut N is placed in the nut receiving chamber 66 so that the protrusion N3 faces forward and is caught by the stopper 65.

[0101] The door 63 is closed rearward by the restoring force of a spring attached to the hinge, and covers the nut receiving chamber 66 from the front.

[0102] The volume of the air chamber R defined by the piston 20, the cylinder 30, and the lid 40 is maximized. The air chamber R is filled with air A. The air A in the air chamber R is expanded to its maximum. The air inlet 15 (in the rear part 12) of the rod 10 faces the air chamber R (is disposed within the air chamber R). The air A still remains in the air chamber R and has not yet been introduced into the air inlet 15.

[0103] As described above, the sealing mechanism 80 is provided on the rod 10 in the air chamber R. The sealing mechanism 80 includes a bushing 81 and a coil spring 82. The coil spring 82 is at its natural length. The bushing 81 (connected to the front end of the coil spring 82) is located forward of the air inlet port 15 of the rod 10. The coil spring 82 urges the bushing 81 forward by a restoring force F so as to move the bushing 81 away from the air inlet port 15. However, because the coil spring 82 is at its natural length, the forward restoring force F from the coil spring 82 to the bushing 81 is zero. The bushing 81 is fitted into the rod 10. The bushing 81 also moves forward in response to the forward movement of the rod 10.

[0104] 2 shows the state after the front end portion 11 of the rod 10 has been inserted into the threaded hole N2 of the nut N. At this time, the actuator 50 pushes the drive rod 52 forward by the electrical action of the electric mechanism 51. The piston 20, the connecting member 90, and the rod 10 move forward.

[0105] The front end 11 of the rod 10 is positioned in the nut receiving chamber 66 of the receiving portion 62 of the nut receiver 60. The front end 11 of the rod 10 enters the nut receiving chamber 66 through the rod through-hole 64 in the rear wall 62a. The front end 11 of the rod 10 is inserted into the threaded hole N2 of the nut N (which is hooked on the stopper 65 in the nut receiving chamber 66). The nut N is hung on the front end 11 of the rod 10.

[0106] When the rod 10 moves forward, a step surface 13 between the front end 11 and rear end 12 of the rod 10 comes into contact with the rear end surface of the nut N. An air outlet 14 on the outer periphery 17 of the front end 11 of the rod 10 is located forward of the front end surface of the nut N.

[0107] With the nut N engaged, the front end 11 of the rod 10 pushes the door 63 forward. The front end 11 of the rod 10 applies a forward pressing force to the door 63, causing the door to open forward against the rearward restoring force (in the closing direction) of the spring.

[0108] A part of the rear portion 12 of the rod 10 is located forward of the rod through-hole 64 and is positioned in the nut receiving chamber 66. The next nut N to be sent from the nut shooter 2 through the connecting pipe 3 to the nut receiving chamber 66 is placed on the upper part of the rear portion 12 of the rod 10 located in the nut receiving chamber 66.

[0109] As the piston 20 advances, the volume of the air chamber R decreases. The air A in the air chamber R is compressed. The compressed air A is introduced from the air chamber R into the air inlet 15 on the outer periphery 17 of the rear part 12 of the rod 10.

[0110] Air A introduced into air inlet 15 moves from rear to front through air passage 16 in interior 10a of rod 10 and is blown out from air outlet 14. Specifically, air A is blown out from air outlet 14 toward the outer periphery and rear, i.e., diagonally rearward. More specifically, air A is blown out from air outlet 14 toward step surface 13 between front end 11 and rear portion 12 of rod 10. As described above, air outlet 14 is located forward of the front end face of nut N.

[0111] Air A blown out from air outlet 14 at front end 11 of rod 10 presses nut N (hanging on front end 11 of rod 10) against step surface 13 between front end 11 and rear portion 12 of rod 10. As a result, nut N is firmly held on front end 11 of rod 10.

[0112] The nut N hung on the front end portion 11 of the rod 10 has not yet been supplied to (reached) the target position T.

[0113] A communication passage (not shown) is provided in the cylindrical wall of the cylinder 30, connecting the air chamber R inside the cylinder 30 with the external space E outside the cylinder 30. The check valve 70 controls the flow of air A between the air chamber R inside the cylinder 30 and the external space E outside the cylinder 30 (communication passage).

[0114] The check valve 70 regulates (blocks or inhibits) the outflow of air A from the air chamber R inside the cylinder 30 to the external space E outside the cylinder 30. The air A compressed in the air chamber R does not flow out into the external space E outside the cylinder 30 via the check valve 70.

[0115] The coil spring 82 is still at its natural length. The forward restoring force F from the coil spring 82 to the bushing 81 is still zero. The bushing 81 is located forward of the air inlet port 15. The bushing 81 moves forward in response to the forward movement of the rod 10.

[0116] Fig. 3 shows the state at the moment when the rod 10 supplies the nut N to the destination position T. Fig. 9 shows the seal mechanism 80 at the moment when the rod 10 supplies the nut N to the destination position T. The actuator 50 pushes the drive rod 52 further forward by the electrical action of the electric mechanism 51. The piston 20, the connecting member 90, and the rod 10 move further forward.

[0117] The nut N hung on the front end 11 of the rod 10 is supplied (reaches) the target position T.

[0118] The bushing 81 attempts to move forward by itself, following the forward movement of the rod 10. However, the lid 40 is disposed in front of the bushing 81. By following the forward movement of the rod 10, the bushing 81 comes into contact with the rear end surface of the lid 40. In detail, the bushing 81 moves forward by itself, following the forward movement of the rod 10, and comes into contact with the rear end surface of the lid 40.

[0119] After the bushing 81 comes into contact with the lid 40, a rearward pressing force P acts from the lid 40 on the bushing 81. As the rearward pressing force P acts from the lid 40 on the bushing 81, the coil spring 82 (connected to the bushing 81) contracts from its natural length. A forward restoring force F acts from the coil spring 82 on the bushing 81. Due to the rearward pressing force P from the lid 40 on the bushing 81, the bushing 81 moves rearward relative to the rod 10 against the forward restoring force F from the coil spring 82 on the bushing 81. In other words, the bushing 81 that has come into contact with the lid 40 does not move forward, but the rod 10 moves forward. The bushing 81 that moves rearward relative to the rod 10 blocks the air inlet port 15.

[0120] The bushing 81 of the sealing mechanism 80 blocks the air inlet 15 of the rod 10, thereby sealing the flow of air A from the air chamber R to the air inlet 15. The air A does not move through the air passage 46 and is not blown out from the air outlet 44.

[0121] In summary, after the bushing 81 comes into contact with the lid 40, the rearward pressing force P from the lid 40 on the bushing 81 causes the bushing 81 to move rearward relative to the rod 10 against the forward restoring force F from the coil spring 82 on the bushing 81, thereby blocking the air inlet 15.

[0122] As the rod 10 advances, it supplies the nut N to the target position T, and at the same time, the bush 81 closes the air inlet 15 .

[0123] As the piston 20 advances further, the volume of the air chamber R becomes smaller. The air A in the air chamber R is further compressed. However, the bushing 81 blocks the air inlet 15. Therefore, the compressed air A is not introduced from the air chamber R into the air inlet 15.

[0124] Since air A is no longer introduced into air inlet 15, air A no longer moves through air passage 16 and is no longer blown out from air outlet 14. Air A is no longer blown out from air outlet 14 toward nut N hung on front end 11 of rod 10. Nut N hung on front end 11 of rod 10 is no longer pressed against step surface 13 of rod 10. The hold of nut N by front end 11 of rod 10 is released.

[0125] At the target position T, the nut N is removed from the front end portion 11 of the rod 10. The removed nut N is placed, for example, between a pair of electrodes of a resistance welding machine.

[0126] The air A compressed in the air chamber R does not flow out into the external space E outside the cylinder 30 through the check valve 70.

[0127] 4 shows the state after the rod 10 has retreated (retracted) from the target position T. The actuator 50 retracts the drive rod 52 rearward by the electrical action of the electric mechanism 51. The piston 20, the connecting member 90, and the rod 10 retreat.

[0128] The front end 11 of the rod 10, from which the nut N has been removed at the target position T, retreats (retracts) from the target position T.

[0129] As the rod 10 moves backward, the rearward pressing force P from the lid 40 on the bushing 81 decreases, and the coil spring 82 (connected to the bushing 81) stretches. The forward restoring force F from the coil spring 82 on the bushing 81 causes the bushing 81 to move forward relative to the rod 10. In other words, even though the rod 10 moves backward, the bushing 81 does not move backward. As a result, the bushing 81 moves forward relative to the air inlet 15. The blockage of the air inlet 15 by the bushing 81 is released, and the air inlet 15 becomes open.

[0130] As the rod 10 moves further backward, the bushing 81 is released from contact with the lid 40, the rearward pressing force P from the lid 40 on the bushing 81 becomes zero, and the coil spring 82 extends to its natural length (returns to its original state). At this time, the forward restoring force F from the coil spring 82 on the bushing 81 becomes zero. The bushing 81 then returns to its original position and is positioned forward of the air inlet port 15. The blockage of the air inlet port 15 by the bushing 81 is fully released, and the air inlet port 15 is fully opened.

[0131] After the coil spring 82 reaches its natural length, the bushing 81 moves backward by itself, following the backward movement of the rod 10 (the bushing 81 moves backward integrally with the rod 10).

[0132] As piston 20 moves backward, the volume of air chamber R increases. Air A in air chamber R expands. Although air inlet 15 is open, the expanded air A is not introduced into air inlet 15. Air A no longer moves through air passage 16 and is not blown out from air outlet 14.

[0133] The check valve 70 allows (opens) the inflow of air A from the external space E outside the cylinder 30 into the air chamber R inside the cylinder 30. As the volume of the air chamber R increases (as the air A in the air chamber R expands), the air A (atmosphere) in the external space E flows into the air chamber R from the external space E via the check valve 70.

[0134] Returning to Figure 1, the front end 11 of the rod 10 is positioned rearward of the nut receiving chamber 66 (rearward of the rod through-hole 64). The next nut N sent from the nut shooter 2 to the nut receiving chamber 66 via the connecting pipe 3 is received and caught by the stopper 65. The door 63 is closed rearward by the restoring force of the spring provided on the hinge.

[0135] Thereafter, the above-mentioned process is repeated.

[0136] (Action and effect) According to this embodiment, as the rod 10 moves forward, the front end portion 11 of the rod 10 is inserted into the screw hole N2 of the nut N. The nut N hung on the front end portion 11 of the rod 10 is fed as the rod 10 moves forward.

[0137] Air A is stored in air chamber R, which is defined by piston 20, cylinder 30, and lid 40. When piston 20 moves forward, air A in air chamber R is compressed. The air A compressed in air chamber R is introduced into air inlet 15 of rod 10. Air A introduced into air inlet 15 passes through air passage 16 in interior 10a of rod 10 and is blown out from air outlet 14 on outer periphery 17 of front end 11 of rod 10.

[0138] Air A is blown out from air outlets 14 on the outer periphery 17 of the front end 11 of the rod 10 toward the nut N hung on the front end 11 of the rod 10. As a result, the nut N is held on the front end 11 of the rod 10.

[0139] The bushing 81 follows the forward movement of the rod 10. As the rod 10 moves further forward, the bushing 81 comes into contact with the lid 40. The coil spring 82 exerts a forward restoring force F on the bushing 81 so that the bushing 81 moves away from the air inlet 15. When the bushing 81 comes into contact with the lid 40, the lid 40 exerts a rearward pressing force P on the bushing 81. Due to the rearward pressing force P from the lid 40 on the bushing 81, the bushing 81 moves rearward relative to the rod 10 against the forward restoring force F from the coil spring 82 on the bushing 81. The bushing 81 then closes the air inlet 15.

[0140] When the bushing 81 closes the air inlet 15, the air A in the air chamber R is no longer introduced into the air inlet 15, and is no longer blown out of the air outlet 14 via the air passage 16. This causes the nut N to come off the front end 11 of the rod 10.

[0141] Since the air chamber R partitioned by the piston 20, the cylinder 30, and the lid 40 is utilized, the air A can be blown out from the air outlet 14 to hold the nut N at the front end 11 of the rod 10 without using an air supply source (such as an air pump as a gas pump).

[0142] The bush 81 closes the air inlet 15 by utilizing the pressing force P from the lid 40 to the bush 81 against the restoring force F from the coil spring 82 to the bush 81, so that the blowing of air A from the air outlet 14 can be stopped without using an air supply source.

[0143] As described above, it is possible to provide a nut supplying device that can reduce the use of an air supply source.

[0144] By using the coil spring 82 as the biasing member, the bushing 81 can be biased forward so as to move away from the air inlet 15 with a simple configuration.

[0145] Since the bushing 81 is fitted onto the rod 10, the bushing 81 can easily follow the forward movement of the rod 10.

[0146] Since the bushing 81 is made of resin, the bushing 81 can close the air inlet 15 securely.

[0147] The check valve 70 prevents air A from flowing out from the air chamber R to the external space E when the piston 20 advances, and allows air A to flow from the external space E into the air chamber R when the piston 20 retreats.

[0148] Since the actuator 50 is an electric actuator, it is not necessary to use an air supply source not only for blowing out the air A from the air outlet 14 but also for moving the rod 10 back and forth by the actuator 50. In particular, in this example, a completely airless system without an air supply source can be realized.

[0149] As the rod 10 advances, the nut N is supplied to the target position T, and at the same time, the bushing 81 closes the air inlet 15. This prevents air A from being blown out from the air outlet 14 as soon as the nut N is supplied to the target position T, so that the nut N can be removed from the front end 11 of the rod 10 immediately after it is supplied to the target position T.

[0150] The air A blown out from the air outlet 14 presses the nut N against the step surface 13 between the front end 11 and the rear end 12 of the rod 10. This allows the nut N to be firmly held on the front end 11 of the rod 10.

[0151] By applying the nut N as a part, the nut N can be supplied by the rod 10 while suppressing the use of an air supply source.

[0152] Because the bushing 81 is hung on the rod 10, removing the rod 10 from the cylinder 30 also allows the bushing 81 to be removed from the cylinder 30 at the same time. This is advantageous in terms of maintenance of the bushing 81. For example, the bushing 81 is made of resin and must be replaced periodically, but this makes the replacement of the bushing 81 easier. The configuration according to this embodiment in which the bushing 81 is hung on the rod 10 is advantageous in that the replacement of the bushing 81 is easier than in a configuration in which the bushing is fitted into the inner diameter of the cylinder 30.

[0153] (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.

[0154] A connecting member may be interposed between the drive rod 52 of the actuator 50 and the piston 20. The piston 20 and the rod 10 may be directly connected to each other without the connecting member 90 being interposed between them.

[0155] The term "tubular" is not limited to cylindrical shapes, but may also include rectangular shapes.

[0156] The lid 40 may not be disposed at the front end of the cylinder 30, but may be disposed at an intermediate portion of the cylinder 30 that is rearward of the front end. The cylinder 30 and the lid 40 may be integrally formed as a single member.

[0157] The air inlet 45 may be provided at the rear end of the rod 40 instead of on the outer periphery 47 of the rod 40 .

[0158] The rod 10 may have a portion rearward of the rear portion 12 that is smaller in diameter than the rear portion 12 (and further a portion smaller in diameter than the front end portion 11). An air inlet 15 may be provided in the portion with a smaller diameter.

[0159] The bushing 81 is not limited to polyacetal and may be made of other resins (including rubber). The bushing 81 may be made of a material other than resin, such as metal. The bushing 81 may simply be hung on the rod 10 instead of being fitted onto the rod 10.

[0160] The coil spring 82 may not be connected to the connecting member 90, but may be connected directly to the rod 10 or to the piston 20, for example.

[0161] The biasing member is not limited to the coil spring 82, but may be, for example, a leaf spring or a rubber spring.

[0162] The check valve 70 may not be provided on the cylindrical wall of the cylinder 30, but may be provided outside the cylinder 30 via a communication pipe, for example. It is acceptable for a small amount of air A to flow from the air chamber R to the external space E via the check valve 70.

[0163] The actuator 50 does not have to be an electric actuator, but may be a hydraulic actuator (hydraulic cylinder mechanism) or a pneumatic actuator (air cylinder mechanism).

[0164] As the gas, instead of air A, for example, nitrogen gas or the like may be used.

[0165] The application field of the nut supplying device 1 is not limited to resistance welding machines.

[0166] The part is not limited to the nut N, but may be, for example, a washer with a through hole, a bolt, or a sleeve. [Industrial Applicability]

[0167] The present disclosure is applicable to component supply devices and is therefore extremely useful and has high industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0168] X Anteroposterior direction X1 forward X2 rear Y left / right direction Z vertical direction Z1 upper Z2 downward T Target position N Nut (part) N1 main body N2 screw hole (through hole) N3 Welding protrusion A. Air (gas) R Air chamber (gas chamber) E. Exterior space F restoring force (biasing force) P Pressure force 1 Nut supply device (parts supply device) 2 Nut shooter (parts feed mechanism) 3 Connecting pipe 3a Groove 3b Lid 10 rods 10a internal 11 Front end 12 Rear part 13 Step surface 14 Air outlet (gas outlet) 15 Air inlet (gas inlet) 16 Air passage (gas passage) 17 Outer perimeter 20 pistons 30 cylinders 40 Lid 41 Main body 42 Fitting 43 holes 50 Actuator 51 Electric mechanism 52 Drive rod 60 Nut holder 61 Holder 61a Main body 61b fitting part 62 Receiving part 62a back wall 62b side wall 63 Door 64 Rod through hole 65 Stopper 66 Nut receiving chamber 67 Discharge hole 70 Check valve 80 Sealing mechanism 81 Bush 82 Coil spring (biasing member) 90 Connecting member

Claims

1. a rod that advances and supplies a part having a through hole and extends back and forth; a piston coupled to the rod; a cylinder that accommodates the rod and the piston; a lid that closes the cylinder forward of the piston and through which the rod extending forward from the piston passes; an actuator that moves the piston and the rod back and forth; a sealing mechanism provided on the rod, the piston, the cylinder, and the lid define a gas chamber; The rod is a gas outlet provided on an outer periphery of a front end portion of the rod inserted into the through hole of the component, the gas outlet outlet blowing out a gas; a gas inlet port provided rearward of the gas outlet and through which the gas is introduced from the gas chamber; a gas passage extending forward and backward inside the rod and through which the gas passes from the gas inlet to the gas outlet, The sealing mechanism includes: a cylindrical bushing disposed in the gas chamber and hung on the rod; a biasing member that biases the bushing forward so as to move away from the gas inlet, The bushing contacts the lid by following the advancement of the rod, The bushing moves rearward relative to the rod against the biasing force of the biasing member against the bushing due to the rearward pressing force of the lid against the bushing, thereby blocking the gas inlet port.

2. 2. The component supply device according to claim 1, wherein the biasing member is a coil spring wound around the rod behind the bush.

3. 3. The component supply device according to claim 1, wherein the bush is fitted onto the rod.

4. 3. The component supply device according to claim 1, wherein the bushing is made of resin.

5. 3. The component supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a check valve that allows the gas to flow into the gas chamber from an external space of the cylinder, while restricting the gas from flowing out from the gas chamber to the external space.

6. 3. The component supply device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is an electric actuator.

7. 3. The component supplying device according to claim 1, wherein the bush closes the gas inlet port at the same time that the rod advances to supply the component to the target position.

8. The rod is the front end portion having a diameter smaller than the through hole of the component; a rear portion that continues rearward from the front end portion and has a diameter larger than the through hole of the part, 3. The component supply device according to claim 1, wherein the gas blown out from the gas outlet at the front end presses the component against a step surface between the front end and the rear portion.

9. 3. The component supply device according to claim 1, wherein the component is a nut.

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