Screw Aligner

Abstract

To provide a screw aligner which can align screws simply by putting them into a container body in an inclined position, has a simple configuration that does not require special equipment such as a vibrator, and is suitable for single-pickup transport of screws using a robot hand or the like. [Solution] Between the container body 3 into which multiple screws 2 are inserted and multiple guide pillars 4 arranged parallel to the bottom of the frame that forms the outer shape of the container body 3, alignment grooves 5 are provided at predetermined intervals, with the curved surface that receives the screws 2 facing up, and each groove is larger than the outer diameter of the screw shank 2b but smaller than the outer diameter of the screw head 2a, and on the curved surfaces of the guide pillars 4 arranged on both sides of the longitudinal direction of the alignment grooves 5, protrusions 6 or cutouts 7 are arranged in a staggered pattern when the container body 3 is viewed in a plane.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a screw aligner that aligns screws in an aligned position with the screw head facing up while moving the screws within a container body. [Background technology]

[0002] When using a robotic hand to pick up and transport individual screws, it is necessary to use the robotic hand to pick up and transport a large number of screws stacked in a container one by one. In this case, it is necessary to either recognize the orientation of each screw using an imaging camera and have the robotic hand hold the screw in a predetermined orientation, or to recognize the orientation of the held screw using an imaging camera and control the operation of the robotic hand so that the screw is seated with its head facing up.

[0003] In this case, if the robot hand were to grasp each screw by image recognition, the control program would be complicated and the robot hand would also be subject to complex control operations. Therefore, after screws grasped in a random position are dropped into a container or the like, it is desirable to encourage the screws to change position as they slide down an inclined surface so that they are aligned with their heads facing up.

[0004] The following screw aligners have been proposed for aligning a large number of screws placed in a container or the like. Through holes with diameters larger than the diameter of the screw heads are provided in the vertical direction of the plate material surrounded by a frame, and a pair of lid members that fit into the frame are provided to prevent the screws that are fitted into the through holes from falling out. There are cases where the screws are aligned with their heads facing upward or downward relative to the through holes in the plate material (see Patent Document 1; JP 2019-172411 A).

[0005] Alternatively, a machine screw head aligner has been proposed in which a thick rectangular plate is drilled with a number of holes, the diameter of which is larger than the thread diameter of the machine screw to be used and the depth of which is deeper than the length of the threaded portion, at predetermined equal intervals in both the vertical and horizontal directions on the surface of the plate, and grooves, the width of which is the same as the diameter of the holes and the depth of which is about half the length of the threaded portion of the machine screw, are formed in the longitudinal direction on the drilled surface of the holes, and conical countersunk grooves are formed at the upper surface of the holes (see Patent Document 2; Utility Model Registration No. 3023650). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-172411 [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3023650 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The screw aligner disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires that the screw aligner be shaken after the screws are scattered on the plate in order to fit the screws into the through-holes in the plate. Therefore, a vibration device is required in the manufacturing process. Furthermore, the screws may be aligned with their heads facing upward or downward relative to the through-holes in the plate. Therefore, when removing the screws from the plate, it is necessary to turn the screw aligner upside down while one of the cover members is attached or detached. Therefore, this method is not suitable for automated manufacturing processes, except when performed manually by an operator.

[0008] The screw aligner disclosed in Patent Document 2 requires that machine screws be randomly placed on a thick rectangular plate and that the plate be subjected to impact vibration in the longitudinal direction, which requires a vibration device in the manufacturing process. Furthermore, as the machine screws on the surface of the plate move with their threads facing downwards, the threads loosely fit into the grooves, and then the tip of the screw enters the hole at the bottom of the groove, positioning the head in the countersunk groove and loosely locking it in a vertical position. However, because the countersunk grooves are formed on the plate, it is necessary to process the plate in advance to align individual screws, such as flat head machine screws, round head machine screws, and pan head machine screws. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and its purpose is to provide a screw aligner that can align screws simply by putting them into a container body that is in an inclined position, and that has a simple configuration that does not require special equipment such as a vibrator, and is suitable for single-pickup transport of screws using a robot hand or the like.

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a screw aligner having the following configuration. This screw aligner aligns screws, each having a screw shank that is continuous with the screw head and has a smaller diameter, by moving the screws along an inclined surface inside a container that is in an inclined position, in an aligned position with the screw head facing up. The aligner is characterized in that it has a container body into which a plurality of screws are fed, and a plurality of guide pillars that are arranged parallel to the bottom of a frame that forms the outer shape of the container body, and between these guide pillars, alignment grooves are provided at predetermined intervals with the curved surfaces that receive the screws facing up, each larger than the outer diameter of the screw shank but smaller than the outer diameter of the screw head, and the curved surfaces of the guide pillars, which are located on both sides of the longitudinal direction of the alignment grooves, have protrusions or notches that are staggered when the container body is viewed in a plane.

[0011] With the screw aligner, when screws are dropped into the inclined container body, they flow down along the multiple guide posts provided at the bottom of the frame. If the screw shank is dropped into the container body with its shank aligned with the alignment groove, it will enter the groove and change to an aligned position with its head engaged by the guide posts on both sides. If the screw shank is dropped in a position that intersects with the alignment groove, the screw shank will, while still falling into the alignment groove, interfere with one of the protrusions arranged in a staggered pattern on the curved surface of the guide post, changing its position to follow the alignment groove, so that the screw shank enters the alignment groove and changes to an aligned position with its head engaged by the guide posts on both sides. Alternatively, when the screw shank is dropped into the container body in a position that intersects with the alignment groove, as the screw flows down along the guide pillar, the screw head falls into the notch provided in the alignment groove and the position of the screw shank is changed to be in line with the alignment groove, the screw shank enters the alignment groove and the screw head is changed to an aligned position where it is engaged with the guide pillars on both sides. Therefore, no matter what position the screw is dropped into the container body, which is in an inclined position, as it flows down along the guide pillars provided at the bottom of the frame, the screw shank enters the alignment groove and faces downward, and the screw head remains engaged with the guide pillars on both sides and faces upward, changing to an aligned position, and the screw is stored in an aligned position along the alignment groove within the container body. Therefore, the screws can be aligned simply by being placed into the container body, which is in an inclined position, and a screw aligner suitable for single-pickup transport of screws using a robot hand or the like can be provided, with a simple configuration that does not require special equipment such as a vibrating device.

[0012] The protrusions protruding from the curved surfaces of the guide posts on both sides of the alignment groove may be columnar protrusions provided on the curved surface of the guide posts closer to the alignment groove than the tops of the curved surfaces of the guide posts, and the columnar protrusions may be arranged in a staggered pattern when the container body is viewed from above, or may be abacus-bead-shaped protrusions provided on the tops of the curved surfaces of the guide posts, and the abacus-bead-shaped protrusions may be arranged in a staggered pattern when the container body is viewed from above. Note that the term "abacus-bead-shaped" refers to a protrusion shape formed by bonding the bases of a pair of cones together. As a result, when the screw shank is dropped into the container body with its shank intersecting the alignment groove, the screw head remains in the alignment groove while it flows down along the parallel guide pillars, and the shank interferes with the pillar-shaped protrusions or abacus bead-shaped protrusions, changing its position so that it is aligned with the alignment groove.As a result, the screw dropped into the container body is changed to an aligned position so that the shank enters the alignment groove and the screw head is facing up.

[0013] The notches provided on the curved surfaces of the guide pillars on both sides of the alignment groove may be round grooves or wedge-shaped grooves, and the round grooves or wedge-shaped grooves may be arranged in a staggered pattern when the container body is viewed in a plane. As a result, when the screw is dropped into the container body with its screw shank intersecting the alignment groove, as the screw flows down along the parallel guide posts, for example, in the case of pan head screws or truss screws, the screw head falls into the round groove with the expanded groove width of the alignment groove, or in the case of flat head screws, the screw head is engaged in a wedge-shaped groove, which encourages the screw shank to rotate around the screw head, changing its position so that it follows the alignment groove.As a result, the screw dropped into the container body is changed to an aligned position so that the screw shank enters the alignment groove and the screw head is facing up.

[0014] The curved surfaces of the guide posts on both sides of the alignment groove may have protrusions and notches arranged alternately in a staggered pattern along the longitudinal direction of the guide posts when the container body is viewed from above. As a result, when the screw is dropped into the container body with its screw shank in a position that intersects with the alignment groove, the screw head falls into a notch that widens the alignment groove as it flows down along the parallel guide posts, and the screw shank interferes with one of the protrusions, urging the screw shank to rotate around the screw head, changing its position so that it is aligned with the alignment groove.As a result, the screw dropped into the container body is changed to an aligned position so that the screw shank enters the alignment groove and the screw head is on top. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The screws can be aligned simply by being placed into the container body, which is in an inclined position, and a screw aligner suitable for single-pickup transport of screws using a robot hand or the like can be provided, with a simple configuration that does not require special equipment such as a vibrator. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a screw aligner according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a portion P in FIG. 2A. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are perspective explanatory views showing the flow of the screw and the behavior of the posture change. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a frame-by-frame explanatory diagram showing an example of the flow and alignment of the screws along the guide posts. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a pattern of protrusions and notches formed on the guide pillar of FIG. [Figure 6] 6A and 6B are a plan view and a front view of the container body of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a screw aligner according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] 8 is a plan view and a front view of the container body of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a screw aligner according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a plan view and a front view of the container body of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a screw aligner according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] 12 is a plan view and a front view of the container body of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a screw aligner according to the fifth embodiment. [Figure 14] 14 is a plan view and a front view of the container body of FIG. [Figure 15] 15A and 15B are explanatory diagrams showing other forms of protrusions provided on the guide posts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] [First Example] The general configuration of a screw aligner according to a first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In one example, the screw aligner uses a robot hand in a manufacturing factory to pick up and transport individual screws, and then changes the position of the screws placed in a container body that is in an inclined position to an aligned position and stores them therein.

[0018] 1, when a screw 2, which has a screw shank 2b with a smaller diameter connected to its head 2a, is inserted into a container body 3 in an inclined position, the screw aligner 1 moves the screw along an inclined surface and stores the screw in an aligned position with the screw shank 2b facing downward and the screw head 2a facing upward. The inclined position of the container body 3 may be achieved by a tilting support base, or various embodiments may be adopted, such as providing support legs that support the bottom of the container body 3 and making one longitudinal side higher than the other longitudinal side. The inclination angle of the container body 3 can be adjusted as desired, and must be at least large enough to allow the screw 2 inserted into the container body 3 to slide down the bottom of the container under its own weight.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2A, the container body 3 has multiple guide pillars 4 arranged parallel to the bottom of the frame that defines its exterior. The guide pillars 4 are arranged at predetermined intervals with their semi-cylindrical arc surfaces facing upward. The guide pillars 4 are not necessarily semi-cylindrical, but may be semi-cylindrical or have a semi-elliptical cross section, and are arranged so that the curved surface that receives the screws is the bottom of the container. Note that although a rectangular frame is shown as an example of the container body 3, the container body is not limited to this. Alignment grooves 5 are provided between the guide posts 4. As shown in Figure 2B, the groove width T of the alignment grooves 5 is a predetermined interval that is larger than the outer diameter t1 of the screw shank 2b but smaller than the outer diameter t2 of the screw head 2a. This allows the screw head 2a to be locked between the guide posts 4, and the screw 2 can be stored in the container body 3 in an aligned state with the screw shank 2b inserted into the alignment groove 5.

[0020] Furthermore, protrusions 6 and notches 7 are arranged in a staggered pattern when the container body 3 is viewed from above on the curved surface of the guide pillar 4 that serves as a guide surface for the screw (see FIG. 6A). The protrusions 6 are, for example, columnar protrusions arranged in a staggered pattern on the curved surface of the guide pillar 4 on both sides of the alignment groove 5. The protrusions 6 are provided so that when the screw 2 is inserted into the container body 3 in a position that intersects with the alignment groove 5 (see FIG. 2A), they interfere with the screw shank 2b, changing the position of the screw shank 2b to be aligned with the alignment groove 5 (see FIG. 2B).

[0021] Furthermore, the notches 7 are, for example, round recessed grooves, and are arranged in a staggered pattern on the curved surfaces of the guide columns 4 on both sides of the alignment groove 5. The notches 7 make it easier for the screw heads 2a, such as pan head screws or truss screws, to drop into the notches 7 when the screws 2 are inserted into the container body 3 in a position that intersects with the alignment groove 5, and allow the screw shank 2b to rotate around the screw head 2a, facilitating a change in the position of the screws 2. Note that the notches 7 are not provided on both sides of the alignment groove 5. This is to prevent the screw heads 2a from falling out of the alignment groove 5.

[0022] Furthermore, the protrusions 6 and the notches 7 are arranged alternately along the longitudinal direction of the alignment groove 5 (see FIGS. 5 and 6A). Specifically, in the longitudinal direction of the guide pillars 4 along which the screws 2 flow down, the notches 7 and the protrusions 6 are arranged alternately on the curved surfaces of the guide pillars 4 arranged on either side of the alignment groove 5. With this arrangement, while the screws 2 flow down along the parallel guide pillars 4, the screw heads 2a remain in the notches 7 and the screw shanks 2b interfere with the protrusions 6, changing their position so that they are aligned with the alignment groove 5 (see FIGS. 3A and 3B).

[0023] The screw aligner 1 may be made of metal, resin, or a hybrid (such as a metal frame with resin guide posts) as long as it is suitable for mass production. In addition, if it is made of metal, iron, stainless steel, aluminum, etc. are preferably used, and if it is made of resin, PP (polypropylene) resin, PA (polyamide) resin, etc. are preferably used.

[0024] 4A to 4F, an example of the operation of aligning the screws 2 using the screw aligner 1 will be described. The screw 2 will be described as an example of a pan head screw or a truss screw with a rounded screw head 2a. In Figure 4A, when multiple screws 2 are dropped into the container body 3 in an inclined position, each screw 2 flows down along multiple guide columns 4 provided at the bottom of the frame. When the screw shank 2b is dropped into the container body 3 in an orientation along the alignment groove 5, the screw shank 2b enters the groove and the screw head 2a is changed to an aligned orientation in which it is engaged with the guide columns 4 on both sides (see Figure 2B).

[0025] Furthermore, when the screw shank 2b is dropped in a position intersecting the alignment groove 5, as shown in FIG. 4B, the screw head 2a remains in the alignment groove 5 with the notch 7, and the screw shank 2b interferes with one of the protrusions 6 arranged in a staggered pattern on the curved surface of the guide column 4. As shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, the screw 2 flows down the length of the guide column 4 due to its own weight, causing the screw shank 2b to change its position so that it follows the alignment groove 5. Then, as shown in FIG. 4E, the screw shank 2b enters the alignment groove 5, and the screw head 2a is changed to an aligned position in which it is engaged with the guide columns 4 on both sides. As shown in FIG. 4F, the screw 2 is changed to an aligned position in which the screw shank 2b enters the alignment groove 5 and faces downward, and the screw head 2a faces upward while still engaged with the guide columns 4 on both sides, and is stored in the container body 3 in an aligned position along the alignment groove 5.

[0026] Therefore, for example, when screws 2 stored in a container in advance are picked up one by one by a robot hand and dropped into the container body 3, which is in an inclined position, in any position the screws 2 are stored in an aligned position along the alignment groove 5 within the container body 3, as they flow down along the guide pillars 4 provided at the bottom of the frame, the screw shank 2b enters the alignment groove 5 and faces downward, and the screw head 2a remains engaged with the guide pillars 4 on both sides and faces upward. Therefore, the screws 2 can be aligned simply by being dropped into the container body 3, which is in an inclined position, and a screw aligner 1 suitable for single-pickup transport of the screws 2 using a robot hand can be provided with a simple configuration that does not require special equipment such as a vibration device.

[0027] [Second Example] Next, another example of the screw aligner 1 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. The same members as those in the first embodiment will be given the same numbers and will be described by citing the same explanations to avoid repetition, with the focus on different configurations. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 7, only a plurality of protrusions 6 are arranged in a staggered pattern when the container body 3 is viewed from above on the curved surface that serves as a guide surface for the screws of the guide pillar 4 provided at the bottom of the container body 3. The protrusions 6 are cylindrical and are provided along the longitudinal direction of the guide pillar 4. Also, as shown in Figs. 8A and 8B, the cylindrical protrusions 6 are provided on the curved surface that is lower than the top of the curved surface of the guide pillar 4 toward the alignment groove 5. The groove width T of the alignment groove 5 is a predetermined interval that is larger than the outer diameter t1 of the screw shank 2b but smaller than the outer diameter t2 of the screw head 2a.

[0028] As a result, when the screw shank 2b is dropped into the container body 3 in a position where it intersects with the alignment groove 5, as the screw 2 flows down along the parallel guide pillars 4, the screw shank 2b interferes with one of the cylindrical protrusions 6 while the screw head 2a remains in the alignment groove 5, changing its position so that it is aligned with the alignment groove 5. Therefore, the screw 2 dropped into the container body 3 is changed to an aligned position so that the screw shank 2b enters the alignment groove 5 and the screw head 2a is on top. The notch 7 shown in the first embodiment makes it easier to drop the screw head 2a and allows the screw shank 2b to rotate around the screw head 2a, facilitating a change in the posture of the screw 2, but it can be omitted depending on the type of screw.

[0029] [Third Example] Next, another example of the screw aligner 1 will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. The same members as those in the first embodiment will be given the same numbers and the same explanations will be used to omit redundant explanations, with the focus on different configurations being described. As shown in FIG. 9, this embodiment is similar to the second embodiment in that the curved surface of the guide column 4 at the bottom of the container body 3, which serves as a guide surface for the screw, has only a plurality of protrusions 6 arranged in a staggered pattern when viewed from above. However, the arrangement and shape of the plurality of protrusions 6 differ from those of the second embodiment. Specifically, the protrusions 6 are shaped like abacus beads and are arranged at the top of the curved surface of the guide column 4. The abacus bead shape refers to a protrusion formed by bonding the bottom surfaces of a pair of cones together. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the abacus bead-shaped protrusions 6 are arranged in a staggered pattern on the top of the curved surface of the guide column 4 when viewed from above. The groove width T of the alignment grooves 5 is a predetermined interval that is greater than the outer diameter t1 of the screw shank 2b but smaller than the outer diameter t2 of the screw head 2a.

[0030] As a result, when the screw shank 2b is dropped into the container body 3 in a position where it intersects with the alignment groove 5, as the screw 2 flows down along the parallel guide pillars 4, the screw head 2a remains in the alignment groove 5 and the screw shank 2b interferes with one of the abacus bead-shaped protrusions 6, changing its position so that it is aligned with the alignment groove 5. Therefore, the screw 2 dropped into the container body 3 is changed to an aligned position so that the screw shank 2b enters the alignment groove 5 and the screw head 2a is on top.

[0031] [Fourth Example] Next, another example of the screw aligner 1 will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 12. The same members as those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same numbers, and the same explanations will be used to omit redundant explanations, with the focus on different configurations being described. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 , the curved surface of the guide column 4 at the bottom of the container body 3, which serves as a guide surface for the screws, has only a plurality of notches 7 arranged in a staggered pattern in a plan view of the container body 3, and the protrusions 6 are omitted. Also, as shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B , the notches 7 are round grooves arranged in a staggered pattern on the curved surface of the guide column 4 on both sides of the alignment groove 5. When the screw 2 is inserted into the container body 3 in a position intersecting the alignment groove 5, the notches 7 facilitate the insertion of the screw head 2a, such as a pan head screw or truss screw, into the notches 7, allowing the screw shank 2b to rotate around the screw head 2a, thereby facilitating a change in the position of the screw 2. The notches 7 are not provided on both sides of the alignment groove 5. This is to prevent the screw head 2a from falling out of the alignment groove 5. The groove width T of the alignment groove 5 is a predetermined distance greater than the outer diameter t1 of the screw shank 2b but smaller than the outer diameter t2 of the screw head 2a.

[0032] As a result, when the screw 2 is dropped into the container body 3 with the screw shank 2b in a position where it intersects with the alignment groove 5, while the screw 2 flows down along the guide pillars 4 provided in parallel, the screw head 2a falls into one of the notches 7 (round concave grooves) where the groove width of the alignment groove 5 is enlarged, which encourages the screw shank 2b to rotate around the screw head 2a, changing the position of the screw shank 2b so that it is aligned with the alignment groove 5. Therefore, the screw 2 dropped into the container body 3 is changed to an aligned position so that the screw shank 2b enters the alignment groove 5 and the screw head 2a is on top.

[0033] [Fifth Example] Next, another example of the screw aligner 1 will be described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. The same members as those in the first embodiment will be given the same numbers and will be described by citing the same explanations to avoid repetition, with the focus on different configurations. As shown in FIG. 14 , this embodiment is similar to the fourth embodiment in that the curved surface of the guide column 4 at the bottom of the container body 3, which serves as a guide surface for the screws, has only a plurality of notches 7 arranged in a staggered pattern in a plan view of the container body 3, and the protrusions 6 are omitted. However, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B , the notches 7 are wedge-shaped grooves and are arranged in a staggered pattern on the curved surface of the guide column 4 on both sides of the alignment groove 5. As shown in FIG. 14A , the wedge-shaped grooves have an opening that widens toward the downstream side of the guide column 4 in the longitudinal direction along which the screw 2 flows. When the screw 2 is inserted into the container body 3 in a position intersecting the alignment groove 5, screws with relatively flat screw heads 2a, such as flat head screws, are easily engaged in the notches 7, allowing the screw shank 2b to rotate around the screw head 2a, thereby changing the position of the screw 2. It should be noted that the notches 7 are not provided on both sides of the alignment groove 5. This is to prevent the screw head 2a from falling off from the alignment groove 5. The groove width T of the alignment groove 5 is a predetermined interval that is larger than the outer diameter t1 of the screw shank 2b but smaller than the outer diameter t2 of the screw head 2a.

[0034] As a result, when the screw 2 is dropped into the container body 3 with the screw shank 2b in a position where it intersects with the alignment groove 5, as the screw 2 flows down along the guide pillars 4 provided in parallel, the screw head 2a is engaged with one of the notches 7 (wedge-shaped grooves) where the groove width of the alignment groove 5 is enlarged, which encourages the screw shank 2b to rotate around the screw head 2a, changing the position of the screw shank 2b so that it is aligned with the alignment groove 5. Therefore, the screw 2 dropped into the container body 3 is changed to an aligned position so that the screw shank 2b enters the alignment groove 5 and the screw head 2a is on top.

[0035] 15A and 15B are explanatory diagrams showing other forms of protrusions 6 provided on the guide column 4. As shown in FIG. 15A, the protrusions 6 protruding from the curved surface that serves as the guide surface of the guide column 4 may be cylindrical and stand upright relative to the curved surface. The protrusions 6 are arranged in a staggered pattern on the curved surface below the top of the curved surface of the guide column 4 (between the top of the curved surface and the flat bottom). In addition, notches 7 may also be arranged in a staggered pattern, alternating with the protrusions 6. As shown in Figure 15B, the protrusions 6 protruding from the curved surface that serves as the guide surface of the guide column 4 may be in the form of square pillars that stand upright relative to the curved surface. In either case, the protrusions 6 are arranged in a staggered pattern on the curved surface that extends downward from the top of the curved surface of the guide column 4 toward the alignment groove 5. In addition to the protrusions 6, notches 7 may also be arranged in a staggered pattern.

[0036] As explained above, the screws 2 can be aligned simply by being dropped into the container body 3, which is in an inclined position, and a screw aligner 1 can be provided that has a simple configuration that does not require special equipment such as a vibrator and is suitable for single-pickup transport of screws using a robot hand or the like. The container body 3 may be formed in an inclined position beforehand, or may be in either of the flat container positions that is changed to an inclined position when in use. Furthermore, the shapes of the protrusions and notches on the guide column are arbitrary, and the screws 2 that are not inserted into the container body 3 with the screw head 2a at the top are encouraged to change their posture by the protrusions 6 or notches 7 on the curved surface of the guide column 3, and the screw heads 2a are aligned along the alignment groove 5 with the screw heads 2a at the top, so the shapes of the protrusions 6 and notches 7 can be modified in various ways. Furthermore, although the screw aligner 1 is suitable for single pickup and transport of the screws 2 using a robot hand, the means for transporting the screws 2 is not limited to a robot hand, and it is also useful when the screws 2 are sequentially fed into the container body 3 in an inclined position by manual work, belt transport, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0037] 1 screw aligner 2 screw 2a screw head 2b screw shaft 3 container body 4 guide column 5 alignment groove 6 protrusion 7 notch

Claims

1. A screw aligner that aligns screws, each having a screw shank with a smaller diameter that is continuous with the screw head, in an alignment position with the screw head facing up while moving the screws along an inclined surface in a container that is in an inclined position, a container body that stores a plurality of screws in an aligned position with the screw heads facing upward; Between a plurality of guide posts provided in parallel on the bottom of a frame that forms the outer shape of the container body, alignment grooves are provided at predetermined intervals with the curved surface that receives the screw facing up, the alignment grooves being larger than the outer diameter of the screw shank but smaller than the outer diameter of the screw head, A screw aligner characterized in that the curved surfaces of the guide posts arranged on both sides of the alignment groove have protrusions or notches arranged in a staggered pattern when the container body is viewed from above.

2. The screw alignment device according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions protruding from the curved surfaces of the guide pillars on both sides of the alignment groove are columnar protrusions provided on the curved surface of the guide pillars on the alignment groove side from the top of the curved surface of the guide pillars, and the columnar protrusions are each staggered when the container body is viewed in a plan view.

3. 2. The screw aligner according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions provided on the curved surfaces of the guide pillars on both sides of the alignment groove are abacus bead-shaped protrusions provided on the tops of the curved surfaces of the guide pillars, and the abacus bead-shaped protrusions are each arranged in a staggered pattern when the container body is viewed from above.

4. The screw aligner of claim 1, wherein the notches provided on the curved surfaces of the guide posts on both sides of the alignment groove are round grooves or wedge-shaped grooves, and the round grooves or wedge-shaped grooves are each staggered when the container body is viewed in a plane.

5. 2. The screw aligner according to claim 1, wherein protrusions and notches are alternately arranged in a staggered pattern on the curved surfaces of the guide posts on both sides of the alignment groove along the longitudinal direction of the guide posts when the container body is viewed in plan.

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