Supply configuration and system
The supply arrangement with dual receiving tracks and a movable supply device addresses the complexity and slow feeding rates of existing systems, improving throughput and productivity by enabling simultaneous feeding from multiple tracks.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025077191
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-05-07
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing feeding arrangements for headed parts, such as screws, are either complex and require additional orientation information or have slow feeding rates, which are inadequate for high-cycle applications.
A supply arrangement with two receiving tracks and a movable supply device that can rotate or translate between input and output positions, allowing simultaneous feeding from both tracks without passing through each other, enhancing throughput and productivity.
The design increases the feeding rate and overall productivity by allowing simultaneous feeding from multiple tracks, reducing the risk of jamming and ensuring smooth operation.
Smart Images
Figure 2025170772000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a feeding arrangement, and more particularly to a feeding arrangement for feeding headed parts. [Background technology]
[0002] Power tools for tightening threaded fasteners are known for use in a variety of industries. Such power tools may be, for example, electric or pneumatic. To improve productivity, it is known to use a feed arrangement for feeding headed components, such as screws, to the power tool. Such a feed arrangement may, for example, be arranged to feed components individually to the tool.
[0003] Additionally, there are various types of automated or semi-automated screw driving applications, including those that include a robot carrying the tool and a feeding arrangement for feeding and / or orienting the parts or screws before they are installed by the robot.
[0004] Known feeding arrangements, for example, comprise a matrix plate that vibrates so that the screws fall into respective openings in the matrix plate and are correctly oriented, from which a tool and / or robot can pick up the screws. However, such feeding arrangements are known to be complicated, for example, because the tool and / or robot must be provided with information regarding which openings in the matrix plate contain correctly oriented screws.
[0005] Other feeding configurations include rails for feeding headed parts, where the parts are received and transported in an aligned manner within the rail. As with the matrix plate sorter described above, screws not properly received within the rail can be manually removed from the matrix plate or may fall by gravity. Such configurations allow for less complex designs, but the feeding rate may be too slow for applications with high cycle time requirements. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0006] Therefore, there is a need for an improved supply arrangement that can solve or at least mitigate the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] It would therefore be desirable to provide a feed arrangement that results in improved productivity. In particular, it would be desirable to provide such a feed arrangement that has a simple and robust design. In order to better address one or more of these problems, a feed arrangement and system are provided as defined in the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a supply arrangement for supplying headed parts, the supply arrangement comprising a first receiving track for receiving (a plurality of) parts and a supply device configured to supply a single part from the receiving track, the supply arrangement further comprising a second receiving track, the supply device being movably arranged to supply a single part from (either one of) the first receiving track and the second receiving track.
[0009] According to a first aspect, the supply arrangement provides an inventive solution to the above-mentioned problem by designing it with first and second receiving tracks from which the supply device can supply parts.
[0010] More specifically, because the feeder can feed parts from two tracks, the rate at which screws are fed into the feed tracks can be increased. Because more parts can be fed simultaneously, overall throughput increases, improving overall productivity as a result of the enhanced feeding capacity of the feed configuration.
[0011] The part can be, for example, a headed part, i.e. a part comprising a shaft and a head connected to the shaft, such as a screw.
[0012] In one embodiment, the feeder comprises a feed space or seat for receiving components from at least one of the first track and the second track, hi some embodiments, the feeder comprises a first feed space or seat for receiving components from the first receiving track and a second feed space or seat for receiving components from the second receiving track.
[0013] According to one embodiment, the supply arrangement is configured to move the supply device between a first input supply position and an output supply position for supplying parts from a first receiving track and between a second input supply position and an output supply position for supplying parts from a second receiving track. This allows screws to be conveniently supplied to the supply position from either one of the first and second receiving tracks. The first supply position can be a position where the supply device can receive parts from the first receiving track, the second supply position can be a position where the supply device can receive parts from the second receiving track, and the output position can be any position where the supply device can further supply, i.e., forward, parts. In some embodiments, the supply arrangement can include a single supply device.
[0014] According to one embodiment, the feeding arrangement is configured to rotate the feeding device between first input and output feeding positions and between second input and output feeding positions. Other embodiments can include the feeding device being configured to translate between the input positions.
[0015] According to one embodiment, the feeding arrangement is configured to rotate the feeding device back and forth between a first input feed position and a second input feed position. In some embodiments, the feeding device is configured to rotate the feeding device back and forth between an output feed position and the first and second input feed positions, respectively. This can include moving back and forth between the first and second input feed positions. In some embodiments, movement can also be described as moving back and forth between the first and second input feed positions, passing through and / or stopping at the output position (feeding parts forward).
[0016] According to one embodiment, the feeder device comprises a rotatable circular plate having a first feed space for receiving components from a first track and a second feed space for receiving components from a second track. The first and / or second feed spaces can be, for example, recesses formed in the plate. According to one embodiment, the first feed space is aligned with the first feed track in the first feed position, and the second feed space is aligned with the second feed track in the second feed position.
[0017] According to one embodiment, the first and second feed spaces are arranged on the outer periphery of the plate, and the first and / or second feed positions are aligned with the output feed position. In other words, the first and second feed spaces can be arranged on the outer periphery of the plate, and the first feed space is aligned with the first rail when the second feed space is aligned with a position where the feed device can further feed components, and vice versa. This allows the plate to rotate back and forth between the first and second feed positions, eliminating the need for the feed spaces to pass through the track when not stopping to pick up screws. In other words, the first feed space does not need to pass through the second track, and vice versa, thereby avoiding component jamming and ensuring smooth and efficient operation. Furthermore, in such an embodiment, the first supply position as well as the second supply position coincide with the output position, thus resulting in one receiving space receiving screws from the receiving track while the other receiving space is able to further feed screws (previously received in the other track) at the same time that the plate stops.
[0018] In some embodiments, the supply configuration comprises exactly two tracks and exactly two supply spaces, which advantageously allows for a design that does not require the supply spaces to pass through the receiving track, thus providing the advantages described above.
[0019] According to one embodiment, the first and second feed spaces are arranged on the outer periphery C of the plate, and the angular distance between the first and second feed spaces is ≠180°. According to one embodiment, the first and second feed spaces are arranged on the outer periphery C of the plate, and the angular distance between the first and second feed spaces is equal to 180°±α, where α is half the center-to-center angular distance between the first and second tracks.
[0020] According to one embodiment, the first and second tracks extend parallel to one another. According to one embodiment, the first and second tracks each have a respective end, each having a curvature that matches the curvature of the circular plate, and the ends together form a shape adapted to at least partially accommodate the circular plate. The curvatures can, for example, correspond to the curvature of the circular plate, i.e., they can together form / have a congruent compound curvature around a portion of the circumference of the circular plate. This promotes a smooth transition between the parts.
[0021] According to one embodiment, the supply arrangement further comprises a motor for rotating the supply device. The motor may be, for example, a pneumatic motor or a stepper motor. The supply arrangement may further comprise a controller for controlling the operation of the motor.
[0022] The feeder may be configured, for example, to feed single parts at a particular rate, etc. Additionally, the feeder may be configured to feed single parts from the first and second receiving tracks to the downstream track in a predetermined manner / sequence or in a random manner / sequence.
[0023] In some embodiments, parts may be received and transported in an aligned manner by the first and second receiving tracks. Parts not properly received within the rails may be manually removed or may fall due to gravity. According to one embodiment, each of the first and / or second receiving tracks includes a receiving shape that allows parts to be transported in a single orientation, for example, only in a single orientation. The single orientation may be a head-up orientation. Additionally, the first and second receiving tracks may be positioned at an angle relative to the horizontal.
[0024] According to one embodiment, the supply configuration further comprises an input section capable of receiving parts in a plurality of different orientations for supplying the parts to the receiving truck. In some embodiments, the input section can be an input truck having an input shape capable of transporting parts in a plurality of different orientations. In some embodiments, the input section is an input tray capable of storing parts in a plurality of different orientations. A diversion section can be disposed between the input section and the first and second receiving trucks, and such diversion section can be configured to divert parts transported from the input section having an orientation that does not fit the shape of the receiving truck.
[0025] According to one embodiment, the feeding arrangement further comprises a downstream track, and the feeding device is configured to feed a single part from the receiving track to the downstream track. In other embodiments, the feeding arrangement can be configured to feed a single part from the receiving track to the power tool.
[0026] Additionally, the supply arrangement may be configured as a single unit.
[0027] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system comprising a power tool for handling parts and a supply arrangement according to any of the above-described embodiments. The power tool may be, for example, an electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic power tool. Alternatively or additionally, the tool may be, for example, a tightening tool for tightening nuts on threaded members. The supply device may be located adjacent to the tool. Furthermore, the system may include a robot.
[0028] According to a third aspect, there is provided a kit of parts comprising a supply arrangement according to the first aspect or a system according to the second aspect and a plurality of headed parts, such as screws.
[0029] The objects, advantages and features contemplated within the scope of the second and third aspects of the present invention are readily apparent from the above description referring to the first and second aspects of the present invention.
[0030] Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the following detailed disclosure, drawings, and appended claims. Those skilled in the art will recognize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described below.
[0031] The present invention will be described in the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0032] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary supply configuration according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of an exemplary supply configuration according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0033] All drawings are schematic, not necessarily to scale, and generally show only those parts necessary to clarify the invention, other parts being omitted or merely suggested.
[0034] In FIG. 1 a supply arrangement 1 for supplying headed parts P, such as screws P, is shown in a perspective view.
[0035] The supply arrangement 1 comprises a first receiving truck 10a and a second receiving truck 10b for receiving a plurality of parts P, for example in an aligned manner. The parts P can be supplied to the trucks 10a, 10b from an input section (not shown), such as a storage bin or an input truck.
[0036] The supply arrangement further comprises a supply device 20 configured to supply a single part P from any one of the receiving trucks 10a, 10b. The supply device 20 is movably arranged to supply a single part P from the first and / or second receiving trucks 10a, 10b.
[0037] The feeder 20 may include one or more feed spaces or seats 22, 23 for receiving parts P from the first and second trucks 10 a, 10 b. The feed arrangement 1 may be configured to move the feeder 20 between a first input feed position and an output feed position for feeding parts from the first receiving truck 10 a, and between a second input feed position and an output feed position for feeding parts from the second receiving truck 10 b. The first feed position is a position where the feed space or seat(s) 22, 23 can receive parts P from the first receiving truck 10 a, the second feed position is a position where the feed space or seat(s) 22, 23 can receive parts P from the second receiving truck 10 b, and the output position is any position where the feeder 20 can deliver further parts P from any one of the feed spaces or seats 22, 23.
[0038] At the output location, the parts can be further transported, for example, they can be picked up by a power tool (not shown) or they can be fed to a downstream track (not shown) arranged to transport the parts further.
[0039] The feeder 20 can be configured to rotate between a first input feed position and a second input feed position, for example, and can be configured as a rotatable circular plate 20 having a first feed space 22 for receiving components from the first track 10a and a second feed space 23 for receiving components from the second track 10b.
[0040] The spaces 22, 23 may be, for example, recesses formed or disposed in the outer periphery C of the plate 20. Furthermore, the spaces 22, 23 may be disposed such that in the first feed position the first feed space 22 is aligned with the first feed track, and in the second feed position the second feed space 23 is aligned with the second feed track. This may be achieved by rotating the plate 20. In such an embodiment, the output position may be a position where one of the first and second feed spaces 22, 23 is disposed in a position where the part P can be further fed and / or picked up by a tool.
[0041] FIG. 2 shows in detail the arrangement of the spaces 22, 23 in the illustrated embodiment. More specifically, it can be seen that the spaces 22, 23 are arranged on the periphery C of the plate 20 such that the angular distance between the first and second feed spaces is ≠180°. Furthermore, the angular distance is selected such that the first feed space 22 is aligned with the first rail 10a when the second feed space 23 is aligned with a position where the part P can be further fed and / or picked up by a tool, and vice versa. Thus, in FIG. 2, the plate 20 is shown in the second feed position (the second feed space 23 is aligned with the second track 10b), which, for the illustrated embodiment, corresponds to the output position where the first receiving space 22 is positioned with a position where the part can be further fed and / or picked up by a tool (not shown).
[0042] Furthermore, the feed device 20 can be configured to rotate the feed plate 20 back and forth between a first input feed position and a second input feed position. That is, the feed plate 20 can alternate between feed positions, and thus feed from the first and second tracks 10a, 10b. For example, referring to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, starting from the illustrated situation in which the second receiving space 23 is positioned at the opening or end of the second track 10b (i.e., the second feed position), the plate 20 rotates clockwise until the second space 23 reaches the output feed position, which simultaneously brings the first feed space 22 into the first track 10a (i.e., the first feed position), and then rotates counterclockwise until the first feed space 22 reaches a position where it can further feed screws (coinciding with the second feed position). This ensures that the first feed space 22 does not need to pass through the second feed track 10b, and vice versa, thus avoiding jamming of parts and ensuring smooth and efficient operation. To this end, the supply arrangement may comprise a motor, such as a pneumatic motor or an electric stepping motor, for rotating the plate and, optionally, a control unit for controlling the motor to achieve the aforementioned rotational movement.
[0043] Furthermore, the receiving track may have a receiving geometry that allows parts P to be transported with only a single orientation, such as, for example, a head-up orientation for headed parts P.
[0044] The first and second receiving tracks 10a, 10b can be arranged, for example, to extend parallel to one another. Additionally, each of the tracks 10a, 10b can include a respective end 100a, 100b having a curvature that matches the curvature of the circular plate 20. As can be seen, for example, in FIG. 2, these ends 100a, 100b can together form a shape adapted to at least partially accommodate the circular plate 20, where, in the illustrated case, the combined shape of the ends is that of a circular arc having a radius that matches the plate 20. Such a design can also contribute to efficient operation by avoiding jamming of parts, etc.
[0045] While the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive, and the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Those skilled in the art will understand that many modifications, variations, and changes are possible within the scope defined by the appended claims. In addition, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, in practicing the claimed invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A supply arrangement (1) for supplying headed parts (P), comprising: a first receiving truck (10a) for receiving the part(s); a feeding device (20) configured to feed a single part from said receiving truck (10); Equipped with The supply arrangement (1) further comprises a second receiving truck (10b), and the supply device (20) is movably arranged to supply single parts from the first receiving truck and the second receiving truck.
2. 2. The supply arrangement of claim 1, wherein the supply arrangement is configured to move the supply device (20) between a first input supply position and an output supply position for supplying parts from the first receiving truck (10a) and between a second input supply position and an output supply position for supplying parts from the second receiving truck (10b).
3. 3. The supply arrangement of claim 2, wherein the supply arrangement is configured to rotate the supply device (20) between the first input supply position and the output supply position and between the second input supply position and the output supply position.
4. 4. The supply arrangement of claim 3, wherein the supply arrangement is configured to rotate the supply device (20) back and forth between the first input supply position and the second input supply position.
5. 5. A supply arrangement according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the supply device comprises a rotatable circular plate (20) defining a first supply space (22) for receiving components from the first track (10a) and a second supply space (23) for receiving components from the second track (10b).
6. 6. The supply arrangement of claim 5, wherein the first supply space (22) is aligned with the first supply track in the first supply position, and the second supply space (23) is aligned with the second supply track in the second supply position.
7. 7. A supply arrangement according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first supply space and the second supply space are arranged on the outer periphery C of the plate (20), and the angular distance between the first supply space and the second supply space is ≠ 180°.
8. 8. The supply arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the first supply space and the second supply space are arranged on the outer periphery of the plate (20), and the first supply position and / or the second supply position coincide with the output supply position.
9. 9. The supply arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the first and second supply spaces are arranged on the periphery of the plate (20), and the angular distance between the first and second supply spaces is equal to 180°±α, where α is half the center-to-center angular distance between the first track and the second track.
10. 10. A supply arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second tracks (10a, 10b) extend parallel to each other.
11. 11. The supply arrangement of claim 10, wherein each of the first and second tracks (10a, 10b) comprises a respective end (100a, 100b) having a curvature that matches the curvature of the circular plate (20), the ends (100a, 100b) together forming a shape adapted to at least partially accommodate the circular plate (20).
12. 12. The feeding arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a motor for rotating the feeding device.
13. 13. A supply arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each of the first and / or second receiving tracks comprises a receiving geometry that allows parts to be transported while having a single orientation.
14. 14. The supply arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising an input section that allows receiving parts (P) in a number of different orientations for supplying the parts to the receiving trucks (10a, 10b).
15. 15. The supply arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a downstream track, the supply device (20) being configured to supply single parts (P) from the receiving track (10a, 10b) to the downstream track.
16. A system comprising a tool for handling parts (P) and a supply arrangement (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15.