Automatic fastening machine SEMS screw set jig and parts feeder

Abstract

This invention provides a SEMS screw set jig and parts feeder for an automatic fastening machine, which allow the driver bit of the automatic fastening machine to be easily fitted onto the SEMS screw. [Solution] The SEMS screw setting jig 20 includes a setting surface 21 that shows the surface for supporting the SEMS screw 50 having a spring washer 53, and a hole 22 into which the SEMS screw 50 is inserted. The setting surface 21 has an inclination θ that cancels out the inclination of the SEMS screw 50 caused by the spring washer 53.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a SEMS screw setting jig and a parts feeder for an automatic tightening machine.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 (Abstract) states that "even if a bolt is supplied to a bolt setting jig in a largely inclined state, the lower end of the screw portion always rests on a floating mechanism provided in the hole portion of the jig and is elastically supported. Even if the automatic bolt tightening machine initially only abuts against the head of the bolt, by pressing, an elastic repulsive force of the floating mechanism is generated to instantaneously lift the bolt, and the head is guided by a funnel-shaped guide portion and the posture is correctly corrected, and the automatic bolt tightening machine can be fitted to and removed from the head of the bolt."

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technique described in Patent Document 1, the posture of the bolt is corrected by a funnel-shaped guide portion, but the inclination caused by the spring washer cannot be completely corrected.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a SEMS screw setting jig and a parts feeder for an automatic tightening machine in which a driver bit of the automatic tightening machine can be easily fitted to a SEMS screw.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above objective, an example of a SEMS screw setting jig for an automatic fastening machine of the present invention comprises a setting surface that shows a surface for supporting a SEMS screw having a spring washer, and a hole into which the SEMS screw is inserted, wherein the setting surface has an inclination that compensates for the inclination of the SEMS screw caused by the spring washer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the driver bit of an automatic tightening machine can be easily fitted onto a SEMS screw. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the following description of embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This flowchart shows the workflow for attaching SEMS screws to a product using an automatic fastening machine. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the configuration of a SEMS screw set jig according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the method for deriving the inclination of the setting surface. [Figure 4] This is a view of the holes and washers of a SEMS screw set jig, seen from the direction normal to the setting surface. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating the characteristic operation of a parts feeder. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The configuration of the SEMS screw set jig for an automatic fastening machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that SEMS screws are screws with washers pre-assembled.

[0010] Figure 1 is a flowchart showing the workflow for attaching a SEMS screw 50 to a product 40 using an automatic fastening machine 30. The parts feeder 10 supplies the SEMS screws 50 to the SEMS screw setting jig 20. As will be described in detail later, the SEMS screw setting jig 20 supports the SEMS screws 50 so that they are vertical. The automatic fastening machine 30 attracts the SEMS screws 50 using magnetic force, air pressure (negative pressure), etc., and removes the SEMS screws 50 from the SEMS screw setting jig 20. The automatic fastening machine 30 transports the SEMS screws 50 to the part of the product 40 that will be screwed into the SEMS screws 50, and fastens the SEMS screws 50.

[0011] Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a SEMS screw set jig 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that Figure 2 also shows the driver bit 31 of the automatic tightening machine and the SEMS screw 50.

[0012] (Construction of SEMS screw) The SEMS screw 50 of this embodiment comprises a screw drive unit 51, a screw head 52, a spring washer 53, a flat washer 54, and a male threaded portion 55. The screw drive unit 51 is a recess formed in the screw head 52 and engages with the driver bit 31.

[0013] (Configuration of the SEMS screw set jig) As shown in Figure 2, the SEMS screw setting jig 20 comprises a setting surface 21 that supports the SEMS screw 50 having a spring washer 53, and a hole 22 into which the SEMS screw 50 is inserted. The setting surface 21 has an inclination θ that cancels out the inclination of the SEMS screw 50 caused by the spring washer 53. By canceling out the inclination of the SEMS screw 50 caused by the spring washer 53, the axis of the SEMS screw 50 and the axis of the driver bit 31 become parallel. As a result, the driver bit 31 can be easily fitted into the screw drive unit 51. The SEMS screw setting jig 20 is preferably made of metal, for example, and is harder than the SEMS screw 50. The shape of the SEMS screw setting jig 20 when viewed from above is, for example, a rectangle, but is not limited to this.

[0014] The diameter of the hole 22 decreases as the depth of the hole 22 increases. The Sems screw setting jig 20 is equipped with a guide wall portion 23 that guides the tip of the Sems screw 50 towards the center of the hole 22 when it comes into contact with the hole 22. Even if the Sems screw 50 is not inserted perpendicularly into the hole 22 from the parts feeder 10, the guide wall portion 23 corrects the orientation of the Sems screw 50 so that it is perpendicular.

[0015] The guide wall portion 23 is bowl-shaped (conical). The hole 22 passes through the SEMS screw set jig 20 so that contaminants (shavings, chips, etc.) can drain out.

[0016] The SEMS screw 50 is, for example, an M3 screw. In this case, the inclination θ of the setting surface 21 corresponds to 6.76°. This makes the axis of the M3 SEMS screw 50 and the axis of the driver bit 31 parallel. As a result, the driver bit 31 easily fits into the screw drive part 51 of the M3 screw. The M3 screw has a flat washer with an inner diameter of 3.1 mm, an outer diameter of 5.9 mm, a cross-sectional dimension of 1.1 mm, and a thickness of 0.7 mm. The M3 screw is used, for example, in products 40 such as stereo cameras.

[0017] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the derivation method for the inclination θ of the setting surface. As shown in Figure 3, the inclination θ of the setting surface 21 is arctan(thickness t of the spring washer 53 / outer diameter φ of the spring washer 53). This allows the axis of the SEMS screw 50 of various dimensions to be parallel to the axis of the driver bit 31. As a result, the driver bit 31 can be easily fitted into the screw drive portion 51 of the SEMS screw 50 of various dimensions.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a view of the hole 22 of the SEMS screw setting jig 20 and the flat washer 54 as seen from the normal direction of the setting surface 21. In FIG. 4, for ease of viewing the drawing, the components of the SEMS screw 50 other than the flat washer 54 are not shown. As shown in FIG. 4, the major or minor diameter of the open end (ellipse) of the hole 22 on the side of the setting surface 21 is larger than the inner diameter of the flat washer 54 and smaller than the outer diameter of the flat washer 54. Thereby, the setting surface can firmly support the SEMS screw 50 via the flat washer 54. Also, since the open end of the hole 22 on the side of the setting surface 21 can be enlarged, the parts feeder 10 can easily insert the male screw portion 55 of the SEMS screw 50 into the hole 22.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the characteristic operation of the parts feeder 10. In FIG. 5, for ease of viewing the drawing, the components of the SEMS screw 50 other than the spring washer 53 are not shown.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 5, the parts feeder 10 rotates the spring washer 53 and aligns the direction of the notch of the spring washer 53 with the inclination direction (maximum inclination direction) of the setting surface 21. Then, the parts feeder 10 inserts the male screw portion 55 into the hole 22. The parts feeder 10 rotates the spring washer 53, for example, by vibration, air pressure, or the like. Thereby, the inclination θ of the setting surface 21 can surely cancel out the inclination of the SEMS screw 50 caused by the spring washer 53.

[0021] In this embodiment, the parts feeder 10 rotates the spring washer 53, but a device for rotating the spring washer 53 by vibration, air pressure, or the like and aligning the direction of the notch of the spring washer 53 with the inclination direction (maximum inclination direction) of the setting surface 21 may be provided in the SEMS screw setting jig 20.

[0022] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are included. For example, the embodiments described above are described in detail to make the present invention easier to understand, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Furthermore, it is possible to replace parts of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add configurations from other embodiments to the configuration of one embodiment. In addition, it is possible to add, delete, or replace parts of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations.

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention may also be as follows.

[0024] (background) In the current equipment, when a SEMS screw is picked up by suction, the bit fails to engage with the screw drive mechanism due to an axial tilt caused by the spring washer, resulting in occasional equipment shutdowns. This project aims to improve this issue and increase equipment utilization.

[0025] (the purpose) Because the screw's setting surface is flat, when a SEMS screw makes contact with the ground, the screw tilts to match the shape of the spring washer, causing the axis of the screw and the driver bit to be misaligned, making it difficult to engage. Therefore, this corrects the tilt of the SEMS screw relative to the axial direction caused by the spring washer.

[0026] (1) A screw setting jig for an automatic screw tightening machine for SEMS screws, which supports SEMS screws supplied with the threaded portion facing downwards and the head facing upwards, wherein the automatic screw tightening machine for SEMS screws takes out the SEMS screws supported by the screw setting jig, transports them to a predetermined location, and performs automatic tightening, and is characterized in that it has a setting surface that has an inclination corresponding to the inclination of the SEMS screw with respect to the axial direction caused by the spring washer.

[0027] By pre-equipping the screw setting surface with an inclination corresponding to the axial tilt caused by the spring washer of the SEMS screw, the SEMS screw can be held upright, making it easier to engage the driver bit and the screw drive unit. The shafts of the driver bit and the screw align, and the driver bit can be smoothly inserted into the screw drive unit (fitting hole) in the axial direction, thus facilitating engagement.

[0028] (2) The set jig described in (1) is formed in a bowl shape with an open upper end and a diameter that decreases towards the bottom, and is equipped with a guide wall that guides the tip of a screw that has come down from above toward the center when it comes into contact with the jig.

[0029] When the tip of a screw descending from above contacts the guide wall, the screw tip is guided toward the center, correcting the screw's tilt and misalignment of its central axis, so that the driver bit and the screw's axis align and make fitting easier.

[0030] (3) In the setting jig described in (1) or (2), the threaded portion is an M3 thread, and the inclination of the setting surface is approximately 6.76°.

[0031] By pre-shaping the setting surface with the inclination caused by the shape of the spring washer, the screw will stand upright, allowing the driver bit and the screw shaft to align and making fitting easier. The inclination of the screw caused by the spring washer varies depending on the size of the SEMS screw used. In the case of the SEMS screw used in the study (spring washer No. 2 M3), the inclination is set to 6.76° based on the spring washer dimensions (outer diameter 5.9 mm, thickness t=0.7 mm). By pre-shaping the setting surface with the inclination caused by the spring washer, the screw will stand upright.

[0032] When a SEMS screw with a spring washer is pressed against a funnel-shaped or bowl-shaped guide, the shape of the spring washer causes the screw to tilt in the axial direction, making it difficult for the bit and screw drive unit to engage, or even if they do engage, the screw will retain a tilt corresponding to the clearance between the bit and the screw drive unit.

[0033] This allows the SEMS screw to be held upright, enabling the bit and the screw drive unit to engage.

[0034] According to (1)-(3), equipment shutdowns due to abnormalities in the removal of SEMS screws can be suppressed. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0035] 10... Parts feeder 20... SEMS screw set jig 21…Styling area 22...hole 23... Guide wall section 30... Automatic fastening machine 31... Driver Bit 40…Products 50... SEMS screw 51...Screw drive unit 52... Screw head 53... Spring washer 54… Flat washer 55...Male threaded section

Claims

1. A set surface showing the surface that supports a SEMS screw with a spring washer, The system comprises a hole into which the aforementioned Sem's screw is inserted, The setting surface has an inclination that compensates for the inclination of the Sems screw caused by the spring washer. A self-tightening machine SEMS screw set jig characterized by the following features.

2. A SEMS screw set jig for an automatic fastening machine according to claim 1, The diameter of the hole decreases as the depth of the hole increases. The hole includes a guide wall portion that, when the tip of the Sem's screw inserted into the hole comes into contact with it, guides the tip toward the center of the hole. A self-tightening machine SEMS screw set jig characterized by the following features.

3. A SEMS screw set jig for an automatic fastening machine according to claim 1, The aforementioned SEMS screw is an M3 screw. The inclination of the setting surface corresponds to 6.76°. A self-tightening machine SEMS screw set jig characterized by the following features.

4. A SEMS screw set jig for an automatic fastening machine according to claim 1, The inclination of the aforementioned setting surface is, arctan(thickness of the spring washer / outer diameter of the spring washer) A self-tightening machine SEMS screw set jig characterized by the following features.

5. A SEMS screw set jig for an automatic fastening machine according to claim 1, The aforementioned SEMS screw has a flat washer, The major or minor diameter of the opening end of the hole on the setting surface side is greater than the inner diameter of the flat washer and smaller than the outer diameter of the flat washer. A self-tightening machine SEMS screw set jig characterized by the following features.

6. A parts feeder comprising a SEMS screw set jig for an automatic fastening machine as described in claim 1, The aforementioned SEMS screw has a male threaded portion, The aforementioned parts feeder is The spring washer is rotated so that the direction of the cut in the spring washer is aligned with the inclination direction of the set surface, and the male threaded portion is inserted into the hole. A parts feeder characterized by the following features.

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