Parts supply device

Abstract

To realize a parts supply device with a simple structure that can supply parts to a predetermined position even when the parts to be cut are different. [Solution] The parts supply device comprises a device body (10) that aligns and transports parts (P1, P2), and cutting units (11, 12) that cut out the parts (P1, P2) transported by the device body (10) one by one and supply them to predetermined positions (L2, L4). The cutting units (11, 12) are detachably attached to the device body (10), and one cutting unit (11) attached to the device body (10) can be replaced with another cutting unit (12) that cuts out different parts (P1, P2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a component supply device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a component supply device that aligns and arranges components that are input while facing various directions, and cuts out these components one by one and supplies them to a predetermined position (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). In the structure of Patent Document 1, screws are aligned and conveyed by an alignment rail, and the screws are cut out one by one by a cutting device (rotating disk) that rotates in the horizontal direction and supplied to a predetermined position. By the way, when supplying components such as screws, considering the workability after supply, it is desirable to supply the screws in a standing posture (a posture in which the longitudinal direction of the component is in the vertical direction). For this reason, in Patent Document 1, grooves and cutouts having a width through which the screw portion of the screw can pass and through which the head of the screw cannot pass are provided in the alignment rail and the rotating disk, enabling the supply of stepped rod-shaped members such as screws to a predetermined position in a standing posture. Also, in the structure of Patent Document 2 for supplying components that are cylindrical members (for example, straight pins) without steps or screw heads, due to their shape, they can be more stably conveyed in a horizontal posture (a posture in which the longitudinal direction of the component is in the horizontal direction). Therefore, in Patent Document 2, by using a cutting device (rotating shaft) that rotates in the vertical direction, the straight pins conveyed in the horizontal posture are cut out and supplied to a predetermined position, and at the same time, the posture of the straight pins is changed to a standing state.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, parts supply devices are used to supply different types of parts, such as screws and straight pins, to predetermined positions. However, due to factors such as the method of transporting the parts and whether or not their orientation is changed, it is necessary to use different cutting devices, and multiple parts supply devices equipped with different cutting devices had to be prepared.

[0005] In view of these points, the present invention aims to realize a parts supply device with a simple structure that can supply parts to a predetermined position even when the parts to be cut are different. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The parts supply device comprises a device body for aligning and transporting parts, and a cutting unit for cutting out the parts transported by the device body one by one and supplying them to a predetermined position, wherein the cutting unit is detachably provided to the device body, and one cutting unit attached to the device body can be replaced with another cutting unit that cuts out different parts. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a parts supply device capable of supplying parts to predetermined positions, even when the parts to be cut are different, can be realized with a simple structure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a parts supply device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] This is a perspective view showing the state after one cut-out unit has been attached to the unit mounting section. [Figure 2B] This is a perspective view showing the unit mounting section with other cutting units attached. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing one cutting unit. [Figure 4]This is a perspective view showing other cutting units. [Figure 5] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit. [Figure 6A] This is a cross-sectional view of the vibrating rail transporting screws, viewed in the transport direction. [Figure 6B] This is a perspective view showing a screw being transported by a vibrating rail towards a horizontal rotating escapement. [Figure 6C] This is a perspective view showing the leading screw being fed into the notch. [Figure 6D] This is a perspective view showing the state after the horizontal rotation escapement has been rotated 90° from the state shown in Figure 6C. [Figure 6E] This is a perspective view showing the state after the horizontal rotation escapement has been rotated 90° from the state shown in Figure 6D. [Figure 7A] This is a cross-sectional view of the vibrating rail that is transporting the pins, viewed in the transport direction. [Figure 7B] This is a perspective view showing a pin being transported by a vibrating rail towards a vertical rotating escapement. [Figure 7C] This is a perspective view showing the leading pin being supplied to the retaining recess located at the receiving position. [Figure 7D] This is a perspective view showing the state after the vertical rotation escapement has been rotated 90° upwards from the state shown in Figure 7C. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing a parts supply device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the parts supply device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For convenience, the following description will refer to the right, left, front, rear, up, down, and X, Y, and Z directions shown in the drawings.

[0010] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a component supply device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, for the sake of explanation, some components, covers, etc. are simplified and shown in a perspective and cutaway view.

[0011] The component supply device 1 includes a device body 10 for aligning and conveying components, and a cutting unit for cutting out the components conveyed by the device body 10 one by one and supplying them to a predetermined position. This cutting unit includes one cutting unit 11 for cutting out a screw P1 (see FIG. 6A) as the first component, and another cutting unit 12 for cutting out a pin P2 (see FIG. 7A) as the second component.

[0012] The device body 10 includes a base 13 constituting the bottom surface portion of the device body 10, a vibration rail 14 for conveying components by vibration, a lifting block 15 for lifting components and supplying them to the vibration rail 14, an alignment and conveyance motor 16 for driving the vibration rail 14 and the lifting block 15, a vibration transmission mechanism 17 for transmitting the power of the alignment and conveyance motor 16 to the vibration rail 14, and a transmission mechanism 18 for transmitting the power of the alignment and conveyance motor 16 to the lifting block 15.

[0013] Furthermore, the device body 10 includes a main body cover 19 attached to the base 13 for housing the vibration rail 14, etc., a front cover 20 attached to the base 13 in front of the main body cover 19, an operation unit 21 for switching on and off the power of the component supply device 1, and a control unit 22 (see FIG. 5) for electrically controlling the component supply device 1.

[0014] The base 13 is a plate-like member arranged horizontally. The main body cover 19 is attached to the upper surface of the base 13. The main body cover 19 is arranged closer to the rear side of the base 13. The main body cover 19 surrounds the vibration rail 14, the lifting block 15, the alignment and conveyance motor 16, the vibration transmission mechanism 17, and the transmission mechanism 18 from the periphery and houses them inside. A parts storage section 19a for storing cut-out parts is formed in the upper part of the main body cover 19. The opening on the top surface of the parts storage section 19a is a parts input port 19b for inserting parts into the parts storage section 19a. The front of the main body cover 19 is provided with a cover opening 19c that exposes the vibration rail 14 to the front. The vibrating rail 14 is a rail that extends in the front-rear direction. A groove 14a extending in the front-rear direction is formed on the upper surface of the vibrating rail 14 along its entire length. The component discharge section 14b provided at the front end of the vibrating rail 14 protrudes outward from the cover opening 19c.

[0015] The alignment and conveying motor 16 is positioned below the vibrating rail 14. An output gear 16a is provided on the rotating shaft of the alignment and conveying motor 16.

[0016] The vibration transmission mechanism 17 includes a vibration cam 17a that is rotationally driven by an output gear 16a, and a vibration transmission arm 17b that connects the vibration cam 17a to the vibration rail 14. The vibrating cam 17a is a gear-shaped member that meshes with the output gear 16a. Multiple cam lobes 17c are provided on the front surface of the output gear 16a, arranged in the circumferential direction of the output gear 16a. The vibration transmission arm 17b is positioned so that one end contacts the cam lobe 17c, and the other end is connected to the vibration rail 14. When the vibration cam 17a is rotated via the output gear 16a by the drive of the alignment and transport motor 16, the vibration transmission arm 17b vibrates back and forth due to contact with the cam lobe 17c, and this vibration is transmitted from the vibration transmission arm 17b to the vibration rail 14, causing the vibration rail 14 to vibrate in the back and forth direction.

[0017] The transmission mechanism 18 includes a gear 18a that is rotationally driven by an output gear 16a, and a link 18b that connects the gear 18a to the scooping block 15. Gear 18a is positioned to mesh with output gear 16a. Link 18b connects the outer portion of gear 18a relative to the center of rotation with the scooping block 15. When the gear 18a is rotated via the output gear 16a by the drive of the alignment and transport motor 16, the rotational motion of the gear 18a is converted into reciprocating motion by the link 18b and transmitted to the scooping block 15, causing the scooping block 15 to reciprocate up and down.

[0018] Parts such as screws P1 are inserted into the parts storage section 19a from the parts input opening 19b, and numerous parts are stored in the parts storage section 19a facing in different directions. When the operation unit 21 is turned ON and the alignment and transport motor 16 is driven, the parts in the parts storage unit 19a are supplied onto the vibrating rail 14 by the scooping block 15 and held in the groove 14a, and are transported forward along the groove 14a by the vibration of the vibrating rail 14 to reach the parts discharge unit 14b. In detail, the parts in the parts storage section 19a are scooped up onto the vibrating rail 14 by the reciprocating motion of the scooping block 15 and held in the groove 14a of the vibrating rail 14. Parts that are not held in the groove 14a fall back into the parts storage section 19a due to the vibration of the vibrating rail 14 and are supplied onto the vibrating rail 14 by the reciprocating motion of the scooping block 15.

[0019] The base 13 has a unit mounting portion 13a in front of the main body cover 19 to which one cutting unit 11 or another cutting unit 12 is attached. One cutting unit 11 and the other cutting unit 12 are selectively attached to the unit mounting portion 13a.

[0020] Figure 2A is a perspective view showing one cutting unit 11 attached to the unit mounting section 13a. When a cutting unit 11 is attached to the unit mounting section 13a as shown in Figure 2A, the parts supply device 1 becomes a screw supply device that supplies screws P1 (Figure 6A) to predetermined positions.

[0021] Figure 2B is a perspective view showing another cutting unit 12 attached to the unit mounting section 13a. As shown in Figure 2B, when another cutting unit 12 is attached to the unit mounting section 13a, the component supply device 1 becomes a pin supply device that supplies pins P2 (Figure 7A) to predetermined positions.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, the unit mounting portion 13a is provided with fixing portions 13b for fixing one cutting unit 11 and the other cutting unit 12 to the unit mounting portion 13a. In this embodiment, the fixing portions 13b are a plurality of fixing holes that penetrate vertically through the front part of the base 13. In detail, one cutting unit 11 is placed on the unit mounting portion 13a and fixed to the unit mounting portion 13a by a unit fixing device 23 that is inserted from below into the fixing portion 13b. Furthermore, other cutting units 12 are placed on the unit mounting portion 13a and fixed to the unit mounting portion 13a by unit fasteners 23 that are inserted from below into the fixing portion 13b. In other words, one cutting unit 11 and the other cutting unit 12 are fixed to the unit mounting part 13a by the same fixing part 13b and unit fixing device 23. Here, as an example, the unit fixing device 23 is a bolt. Thus, the first cutting unit 11 and the other cutting unit 12 are fixed to the unit mounting portion 13a by the unit fixing device 23, and can be attached to and detached from the device body 10 by switching between the fixed state and the released state by the unit fixing device 23.

[0023] At the front of the base 13, multiple front cover fixing holes 13c are provided on the left and right outer sides relative to the fixing portion 13b for fixing the front cover 20. The front cover 20 is fixed to the front of the base 13 by front cover fasteners 24 that are inserted from below into the front cover fixing holes 13c and engage with the lower end of the front cover 20. The front cover fasteners 24 are, for example, bolts.

[0024] In the state shown in Figure 2A, the front cover 20 covers one cutting unit 11 from the front and the left and right sides. In the state shown in Figure 2B, the front cover 20 covers the other cutting units 12 from the front and the left and right sides. The upper surface of the front cover 20 is provided with an upper opening 20a that exposes one cutting unit 11 and the other cutting unit 12 upwards. The control unit 21 is mounted on the upper surface of the front cover 20.

[0025] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing one cutting unit 11. The cutting unit 11 includes a frame 30, a horizontal rotating escaper 31 that holds and rotates a screw P1 (Figure 6A) to transport the screw P1, an escaper rotation shaft 32 that rotatably supports the horizontal rotating escaper 31, an escaper motor 33 that drives the horizontal rotating escaper 31, a rotating member 34 that rotates in conjunction with the horizontal rotating escaper 31, a phase sensor 35 that detects the rotational position of the rotating member 34, and a reach sensor 36 that detects the screw P1 held by the horizontal rotating escaper 31.

[0026] The frame 30 comprises a lower wall portion 30a, a vertical wall portion 30b extending upward from the rear edge of the lower wall portion 30a, an intermediate wall portion 30c extending forward from the upper edge of the vertical wall portion 30b and facing the lower wall portion 30a, a plurality of support columns 30d erected upward from the upper surface of the intermediate wall portion 30c, and an upper wall portion 30e connected to the upper surface of the support columns 30d.

[0027] Multiple unit-side fixing portions 30f are provided on the lower wall portion 30a, into which the unit fixing device 23 (Figure 1) engages. The unit-side fixing portions 30f are, for example, screw holes into which the unit fixing device 23 is screwed. The upper wall portion 30e is provided with a circular escaper housing hole 30g for housing the horizontal rotating escaper 31. At the rear end of the upper wall portion 30e, a transfer passage 30h is formed that connects the rear end of the escaper housing hole 30g to the rear outside.

[0028] The escaper rotating shaft 32 is a shaft that extends vertically through the intermediate wall portion 30c and is rotatably supported by the lower wall portion 30a and the intermediate wall portion 30c. The escaper rotating shaft 32 is rotatably supported, for example, via bearings. The escaper rotating shaft 32 also includes a driven gear portion 32a in the portion between the intermediate wall portion 30c and the lower wall portion 30a. The horizontal rotating escapeper 31 is fixed to the upper end of the escapeper rotation shaft 32 and housed in the escapeper housing hole 30g. The horizontal rotating escapeper 31 rotates horizontally in conjunction with the escapeper rotation shaft 32, which extends vertically, as its center of rotation.

[0029] The horizontal rotation escaper 31 is disc-shaped in plan view. Multiple notches 31a (holding portions) are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer circumference of the horizontal rotation escaper 31, by cutting out the outer surface of the horizontal rotation escaper 31 from the radially outer side. In this embodiment, four notches 31a are provided at 90° intervals (predetermined angular intervals) in the circumferential direction.

[0030] The escape motor 33 is fixed to the vertical wall 30b with its motor rotation shaft oriented in the vertical direction. A gear 33a is provided on the motor rotation shaft of the escape motor 33. Gear 33a meshes with the driven gear portion 32a of the escaper rotation shaft 32. When the escaper motor 33 is driven, the escaper rotation shaft 32 rotates via gear 33a and the driven gear portion 32a, causing the horizontal rotation escaper 31 to rotate.

[0031] The rotating member 34 comprises a shaft portion 34a arranged parallel to the escaper rotation axis 32, a second driven gear portion 34b provided on the shaft portion 34a, and a rotating disc 34c provided on the shaft portion 34a and integrally with the shaft portion 34a. The shaft portion 34a is rotatably supported by the lower wall portion 30a and the intermediate wall portion 30c. The rotating disk 34c has a single radially extending slit 34d formed in it. The second driven gear section 34b meshes with the driven gear section 32a. When the escape motor 33 is driven, the shaft 34a rotates via the gear 33a, the driven gear section 32a, and the second driven gear section 34b, causing the rotating disc 34c to rotate. In detail, the rotating disk 34c is configured to rotate once when the horizontal rotation escapeper 31 rotates 90°, depending on the reduction ratio setting of the driven gear section 32a and the second driven gear section 34b. In other words, when the horizontal rotation escapeper 31 rotates once, the rotating disk 34c rotates four times.

[0032] The phase sensor 35 is a photosensor comprising a light-emitting unit 35a and a light-receiving unit 35b. The phase sensor 35 detects the presence or absence of an intervening object between the light-emitting unit 35a and the light-receiving unit 35b by determining whether or not the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 35a is received by the light-receiving unit 35b. The phase sensor 35 is positioned so that the rotating disc 34c is sandwiched between the light-emitting part 35a and the light-receiving part 35b.

[0033] When the rotation position of the rotating disk 34c reaches a position where the slit 34d overlaps with the phase sensor 35, as shown in Figure 3, the light from the light-emitting unit 35a passes through the slit 34d and is received by the light-receiving unit 35b. Conversely, when the rotation position of the rotating disk 34c moves away from the position where the slit 34d overlaps with the phase sensor 35, the light from the light-emitting unit 35a is blocked by the rotating disk 34c and is not received by the light-receiving unit 35b. As described above, when the horizontal rotation escaper 31 rotates 90°, the rotating disk 34c rotates once. Therefore, by detecting one rotation of the rotating disk 34c based on the detection of the slit 34d by the phase sensor 35, it is possible to detect the rotation of the horizontal rotation escaper 31 every 90°.

[0034] In the state shown in Figure 3, one of the four notches 31a of the horizontal rotation escaper 31 is located at the receiving position L1. The notch 31a located on the opposite side (180° different position) from the notch 31a located at the receiving position L1 is located at the predetermined position L2. The predetermined position L2 is the destination for the transport of the screw P1 by the cutting unit 11. The notch 31a located at the predetermined position L2 is located on the front end side of the upper wall portion 30e. The notch 31a located at the receiving position L1 is in communication with the transfer passage 30h and is located on the rear end side of the upper wall portion 30e.

[0035] The screw P1 (Figure 6A), transported by the vibrating rail 14, is transferred to the horizontal rotating escapeper 31 via the transfer passage 30h. The horizontal rotating escapeper 31 holds the screw P1 with its notch 31a and transports the screw P1 from the receiving position L1 to a predetermined position L2 by rotating. The receiving position L1 and the predetermined position L2 are located 180° apart in the circumferential direction of the horizontal rotating escapeper 31. The horizontal rotation escaper 31 is installed such that when the slit 34d of the rotating disk 34c is detected by the phase sensor 35, as shown in Figure 3, one of the four notches 31a is positioned at a predetermined position L2.

[0036] The arrival sensor 36 is a photosensor similar to the phase sensor 35, and comprises a light-emitting section 36a and a light-receiving section 36b. The arrival sensor 36 is attached to the upper wall section 30e. The arrival sensor 36 is positioned so as to sandwich a predetermined position L2 in the left-right direction between the light-emitting part 36a and the light-receiving part 36b. The arrival sensor 36 detects whether or not a screw P1 is held in the notch 31a located at the predetermined position L2. In detail, if the screw P1 is not held in the notch 31a located at the predetermined position L2, the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 36a passes above the notch 31a at the predetermined position L2 and is received by the light-receiving unit 36b. When the screw P1 is held in the notch 31a located at a predetermined position L2, the light from the light-emitting part 35a is blocked by the screw P1 and is not received by the light-receiving part 36b.

[0037] Figure 4 is a perspective view showing another cutting unit 12. In Figure 4, parts of the side wall 40a and front wall 40b of the frame 40 are cut out so that the internal structure of the other cutting unit 12 can be seen. The other cutting unit 12 includes a frame 40, a vertical rotating escaper 41 that holds and rotates a pin P2 (Figure 7A) to transport the pin P2, an escaper rotation shaft 42 that rotatably supports the vertical rotating escaper 41, an escaper motor 43 that drives the vertical rotating escaper 41, a rotating member 44 that rotates in conjunction with the vertical rotating escaper 41, a phase sensor 45 that detects the rotational position of the rotating member 44, and a reach sensor 46 that detects the pin P2 held by the vertical rotating escaper 41.

[0038] The frame 40 comprises a pair of left and right side wall portions 40a extending in the vertical direction, a front wall portion 40b connecting the front edges of the side wall portions 40a from left to right, a top wall portion 40c covering the space between the left and right side wall portions 40a from above, and a pair of left and right mounting pieces 40d (the right mounting piece 40d is not shown) extending inward from the lower ends of each side wall portion 40a.

[0039] The mounting piece 40d is provided with a unit-side fixing portion 40e into which the unit fixing device 23 (Figure 1) engages. The unit-side fixing portion 40e is, for example, a screw hole into which the unit fixing device 23 is screwed. The top wall section 40c is provided with a top opening 40f that exposes the upper part of the vertical rotation escaper 41 upwards. The rear of the top opening 40f is open to the rear of the top wall section 40c.

[0040] The escaper rotating shaft 42 is a shaft that extends horizontally in the left-right direction at the top of the frame 40, and both ends are rotatably supported by the left and right side walls 40a. The escaper rotating shaft 42 also includes a driven gear section 42a.

[0041] The vertical rotation escaper 41 is a disc-shaped member that is positioned coaxially with the escaper rotation axis 42 on the escaper rotation axis 42. The vertical rotation escaper 41 rotates vertically in conjunction with the escaper rotation axis 42, which extends horizontally, with the escaper rotation axis 42 as its center of rotation. The vertical rotation escaper 41 is positioned in the axial direction of the escaper rotation shaft 42 relative to the driven gear portion 42a. The driven gear portion 42a may be integrally formed with the vertical rotation escaper 41. The upper part of the vertical rotation escaper 41 and the upper part of the driven gear section 42a are arranged to pass through the top opening 40f and extend above the top wall section 40c.

[0042] Multiple retaining recesses 41a (retaining parts) are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on the outer circumference of the vertical rotation escaper 41, by recessing the outer surface of the vertical rotation escaper 41 radially inward. In this embodiment, four retaining recesses 41a are provided at 90° intervals (predetermined angular intervals) in the circumferential direction. The retaining recesses 41a are circular holes provided on the outer surface of the vertical rotation escaper 41.

[0043] The escape motor 43 is fixed to one side wall portion 40a with its motor rotation shaft oriented horizontally. A gear 43a is provided on the motor rotation shaft of the escape motor 43. Gear 43a meshes with the driven gear portion 42a of the escaper rotation shaft 42. When the escaper motor 43 is driven, the escaper rotation shaft 42 rotates via gear 43a and the driven gear portion 42a, causing the vertical rotation escaper 41 to rotate.

[0044] The rotating member 44 comprises a shaft portion 44a arranged parallel to the escaper rotation axis 42, a second driven gear portion 44b provided on the shaft portion 44a, and a rotating disc 44c provided on the shaft portion 44a and integrally with the shaft portion 44a. The shaft portion 44a is rotatably supported at both ends by a pair of side wall portions 40a and is located below the vertical rotation escaper 41. The rotating disk 44c has a single radially extending slit 44d formed in it. The second driven gear section 44b meshes with the driven gear section 42a. When the escape motor 43 is driven, the shaft 44a rotates via the gear 43a, the driven gear section 42a, and the second driven gear section 44b, causing the rotating disc 44c to rotate. In detail, the rotating disk 44c is configured to rotate once when the vertical rotation escaper 41 rotates 90°, depending on the reduction ratio setting of the driven gear section 42a and the second driven gear section 44b. In other words, when the vertical rotation escaper 41 rotates once, the rotating disk 44c rotates four times.

[0045] The phase sensor 45 is a photosensor comprising a light-emitting section 45a and a light-receiving section 45b. The phase sensor 45 is positioned so that the rotating disc 44c is sandwiched between the light-emitting part 45a and the light-receiving part 45b.

[0046] When the rotation position of the rotating disk 44c reaches a position where the slit 44d overlaps with the phase sensor 45, as shown in Figure 4, the light from the light-emitting unit 45a passes through the slit 44d and is received by the light-receiving unit 45b. Conversely, when the rotation position of the rotating disk 44c moves away from the position where the slit 44d overlaps with the phase sensor 45, the light from the light-emitting unit 45a is blocked by the rotating disk 44c and is not received by the light-receiving unit 45b. As described above, when the vertical rotation escaper 41 rotates 90°, the rotating disk 44c rotates once. Therefore, by detecting one rotation of the rotating disk 44c based on the detection of the slit 44d by the phase sensor 45, the rotation of the vertical rotation escaper 41 every 90° can be detected.

[0047] In the state shown in Figure 4, one of the four retaining recesses 41a of the vertical rotation escaper 41 is located at the receiving position L3. In addition, the retaining recess 41a located 90° in the circumferential direction, forward and upward of the retaining recess 41a located at the receiving position L3, is located at the predetermined position L4. The predetermined position L4 is the destination for the transport of the pin P2 by the other cutting unit 12. The retaining recess 41a located at the predetermined position L4 is located at the upper end of the vertical rotating escaper 41. The retaining recess 41a located at the receiving position L3 is located at the rear end of the vertical rotation escaper 41.

[0048] The pin P2 (Figure 7A), transported by the vibrating rail 14, is handed over to the vertical rotating escapeper 41 at the receiving position L3. The vertical rotating escapeper 41 holds the pin P2 with its holding recess 41a and rotates to change the orientation of the pin P2, while also transporting it from the receiving position L3 to a predetermined position L4. The receiving position L3 and the predetermined position L4 are located at positions 90° apart in the circumferential direction of the vertical rotating escapeper 41. The vertical rotation escaper 41 is installed such that when the slit 44d of the rotating disk 44c is detected by the phase sensor 45, as shown in Figure 4, one of the four holding recesses 41a is positioned at a predetermined position L4.

[0049] The arrival sensor 46 is a photosensor similar to the phase sensor 45, and comprises a light-emitting section 46a and a light-receiving section 46b. The arrival sensor 46 is mounted on the top wall section 40c. The arrival sensor 46 is positioned so as to sandwich a predetermined position L4 in the left-right direction between the light-emitting part 46a and the light-receiving part 46b. The arrival sensor 46 detects whether or not the pin P2 is held in the retaining recess 41a located at the predetermined position L4. In detail, if the pin P2 is not held in the retaining recess 41a located at a predetermined position L4, the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 46a passes above the retaining recess 41a at the predetermined position L4 and is received by the light-receiving unit 46b. When the pin P2 is held in the retaining recess 41a located at a predetermined position L4, the light from the light-emitting unit 45a is blocked by the pin P2 and is not received by the light-receiving unit 46b.

[0050] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 22. The control unit 22 is located in the main body 10 and is housed inside the main body cover 19. The control unit 22 is electrically connected to the operating unit 21 and the alignment / transport motor 16. Furthermore, the main body 10 is equipped with a main body-side connector 25 that is electrically connected to the control unit 22.

[0051] The control unit 22 has the function of causing the parts supply device 1 to transport parts by controlling the operation of the alignment / transport motor 16 and the escape motors 33, 43, etc. In addition, the control unit 22 is connected to a storage unit (not shown) that stores programs for causing the control unit 22 to perform various controls and various information.

[0052] The cutting unit 11 includes a unit-side connector 37 electrically connected to an escape motor 33, a phase sensor 35, and a reach sensor 36. In the first cutting unit 11, the unit-side connector 37 is connected to the main body-side connector 25, thereby connecting the escape motor 33, the phase sensor 35, and the arrival sensor 36 to the control unit 22.

[0053] The other cutting unit 12 includes a unit-side connector 47 electrically connected to an escape motor 43, a phase sensor 45, and a reach sensor 46. In the other cutting unit 12, the unit-side connector 47 is connected to the main unit-side connector 25, and the escape motor 43, phase sensor 45, and reach sensor 46 are connected to the control unit 22. Unit-side connector 47 and unit-side connector 37 are connectors of the same shape.

[0054] Figures 6A to 6E show a state in which, as shown in Figure 2A, one cutting unit 11 is attached to the unit mounting part 13a (Figure 1) and the parts supply device 1 is used as a screw supply device that supplies screws P1 to a predetermined position L2. Figure 6A is a cross-sectional view of the vibrating rail 14, which is transporting the screw P1, as seen in the transport direction. Figures 6B to 6E are schematic diagrams illustrating the flow from when the screw P1 is transferred from the vibrating rail 14 to the horizontal rotating escapement 31 and then moved to a predetermined position L2. The screw P1 has a shaft-shaped threaded portion P1a and a head P1b formed at one end of the threaded portion P1a, which has a larger diameter than the threaded portion P1a.

[0055] When transporting the screw P1, the width W1 of the groove 14a of the vibrating rail 14 is formed to be larger than the diameter of the screw portion P1a and smaller than the diameter of the head P1b. Furthermore, the depth of the groove 14a is set such that the lower end of the threaded portion P1a is spaced upward from the bottom surface of the groove 14a. The vibrating rail 14 holds the screw P1 with the groove 14a and the upper surface of the vibrating rail 14, and transports the screw P1 forward while maintaining a predetermined position. Here, the predetermined position of the screw P1 is a state in which the threaded portion P1a is located in the groove 14a and the head P1b rests on the upper surface of the vibrating rail 14. In the predetermined position, the screw P1 is in a vertical position with the threaded portion P1a extending downward from the head P1b.

[0056] When the operation unit 21 (Figure 5) is turned ON and power is supplied to the main body 10 of the device, the control unit 22 drives the alignment and transport motor 16 to start transporting the screws P1 by the vibrating rail 14, and drives the escape motor 33 to rotate the horizontal rotation escaper 31. In detail, the control unit 22 performs intermittent rotation control to rotate the horizontal rotation escaper 31 intermittently. In intermittent rotation control, the control unit 22 detects the rotation of the horizontal rotation escaper 31 every 90° based on the detection by the phase sensor 35, and after each 90° rotation of the horizontal rotation escaper 31, it stops the horizontal rotation escaper 31 for a certain period of time, and then rotates the horizontal rotation escaper 31 again by 90°, repeating this operation.

[0057] In the state shown in Figure 6B, multiple screws P1 are held in groove 14a and aligned in a straight line in the front-rear direction. The screws P1 are transported forward toward the horizontal rotating escapement 31 in the predetermined position by the vibration of the vibrating rail 14. Furthermore, in the state shown in Figure 6B, the notch 31a located at the receiving position L1 is stopped for a certain period of time at a position facing the component discharge section 14b of the vibrating rail 14 from the front. The upper surface of the vibrating rail 14 and the upper surface of the notch 31a are set to be substantially flush with each other so that the screw P1 can be passed from the vibrating rail 14 to the notch 31a.

[0058] Figure 6C is a perspective view showing the state in which the leading screw P1 is supplied to the notch 31a located at the receiving position L1. In Figure 6C, the screw P1 at the front of the row is pushed forward from the part discharge section 14b by the screw P1 behind it and is passed to the notch section 31a, which is stopped for a certain period of time. Here, the width of the notch 31a in the circumferential direction of the horizontal rotation escaper 31 is set to be greater than the diameter of the threaded portion P1a and smaller than the diameter of the head P1b. In addition, the depth of the notch 31a in the radial direction of the horizontal rotation escaper 31 is set to be equal to the diameter of the threaded portion P1a, or slightly larger than the diameter of the threaded portion P1a. Therefore, the screw P1 is held in the notch 31a with the threaded portion P1a housed in the notch 31a and the head P1b resting on the upper surface of the horizontal rotation escaper 31. In other words, the screw P1 is held in the notch 31a in a vertical position with the threaded portion P1a extending downward from the head P1b, similar to the predetermined position by the vibrating rail 14.

[0059] Figure 6D is a perspective view showing the state after the horizontal rotation escaper 31 has been rotated 90° from the state shown in Figure 6C. Figure 6D shows the state after the horizontal rotation escaper 31 has rotated 90° from the state in Figure 6C and has stopped again for a certain period of time. In Figure 6D, the screw P1 that was at the front in Figure 6C has been transported 90° toward the predetermined position L2. Also in Figure 6D, the screw P1 that was in the second position in Figure 6C has been handed over to the notch 31a located at the receiving position L1.

[0060] Figure 6E is a perspective view showing the state after the horizontal rotation escaper 31 has been rotated 90° from the state shown in Figure 6D. In Figure 6E, the screw P1, which was at the front in Figure 6C, has reached the predetermined position L2. In this state, the screw P1 is held in the notch 31a located at the predetermined position L2, and the screw P1 is in a vertical position. In other words, the horizontal rotating escapeper 31 cuts out the screws P1 one by one from the vibrating rail 14 that is transporting the screws P1 in a vertical position, and supplies the screws P1 to a predetermined position L2 while maintaining their orientation in a vertical position. Furthermore, in Figure 6E, the screw P1, which was in the third position in Figure 6C, is being passed to the notch 31a located at the receiving position L1.

[0061] In the state shown in Figure 6E, the light from the light-emitting part 36a is blocked by the head P1b of the screw P1, which has reached the predetermined position L2 and is held in the notch 31a, and the light from the light-emitting part 36a is not received by the light-receiving part 36b. Furthermore, in the state shown in Figures 6B to 6D, the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 36a is received by the light-receiving unit 36b.

[0062] When the control unit 22 detects that the screw P1 has reached a predetermined position L2 based on the detection of the head P1b by the arrival sensor 36, it stops driving the alignment / transport motor 16 and the escape motor 33, stops the intermittent rotation control, and enters a standby state.

[0063] In the standby state described above, when the screw P1 located at a predetermined position L2 is removed by a worker or a work robot, the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 36a is received by the light-receiving unit 36b. When the control unit 22 detects, in standby mode, that the screw P1 has been removed from the predetermined position L2 based on the detection by the arrival sensor 36, it drives the alignment / transport motor 16 and the escape motor 33 to resume transporting the screw P1.

[0064] Figure 7A is a cross-sectional view of the vibrating rail 14 that is transporting the pin P2, viewed in the transport direction. Figure 7B is a perspective view showing the state in which the pin P2 is being transported by the vibrating rail 14 toward the vertical rotating escapement 41. Figures 7A and 7B show a state in which another cutting unit 12 is attached to the unit mounting portion 13a (Figure 1), as shown in Figure 2B, and the component supply device 1 is used as a pin supply device that supplies pins P2 to a predetermined position L4. In this first embodiment, the pin P2 is a cylindrical member formed with a uniform diameter along its entire length.

[0065] Figures 7A to 7D show a state in which another cutting unit 12 is attached to the unit mounting part 13a (Figure 1), as shown in Figure 2B, and the component supply device 1 is used as a pin supply device that supplies pins P2 to a predetermined position L4. Figure 7A is a cross-sectional view of the vibrating rail 14 that is transporting the pin P2, as seen in the transport direction. Figures 7B to 7D are schematic diagrams illustrating the process from when pin P2 is transferred from the vibrating rail 14 to the vertical rotation escaper 41, where its orientation is changed, and then transported to a predetermined position L4. When transporting the pin P2, the width W2 of the groove 14a of the vibrating rail 14 is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the pin P2. The vibrating rail 14 transports the pin P2 forward in a predetermined orientation in which the axial direction of the pin P2 coincides with the transport direction of the pin P2 by the vibrating rail 14. That is, the pin P2 is transported forward along the vibrating rail 14 in a predetermined orientation lying on its side. Since the width W2 of the vibrating rail 14 is smaller than the diameter of the pin P2, the pair of upper edges of the groove 14a abut against the lower surface of the pin P2 in a predetermined position and hold the pin P2. In this state, the lower end of the pin P2 in the predetermined position is inserted into the groove 14a. Furthermore, the depth of the groove 14a is set such that the lower end of the pin P2 in a predetermined position is spaced upward from the bottom surface of the groove 14a.

[0066] Here, the same vibrating rail 14 can be used in Figure 7A and Figure 6A if the required size of the vibrating rail 14 is equivalent. Factors affecting the size of the vibrating rail 14 include the width of the groove 14a, the depth of the groove 14a, and the height of the top surface of the vibrating rail 14. For example, if the widths W2 and W1 are different due to differences in the sizes of the pin P2 and screw P1, a vibration rail 14 having width W2 and another vibration rail 14 having width W1 can be provided separately, and these vibration rails 14 can be replaced as needed. The vibration rail 14 is detachably attached to the main body 10 of the device by fasteners such as bolts, and can be easily replaced.

[0067] When the operation unit 21 (Figure 5) is turned ON and power is supplied to the main unit 10 of the device, the control unit 22 drives the alignment and transport motor 16 to start transporting the pins P2 by the vibrating rail 14, and drives the escape motor 43 to rotate the vertical rotation escaper 41. In detail, the control unit 22 performs intermittent rotation control to rotate the vertical rotation escaper 41 intermittently. In intermittent rotation control, the control unit 22 detects the rotation of the vertical rotation escaper 41 every 90° based on the detection by the phase sensor 45 (Figure 4), and each time the vertical rotation escaper 41 rotates 90°, the control unit 22 stops the vertical rotation escaper 41 for a certain period of time, and then rotates the vertical rotation escaper 41 again by 90°, repeating this operation.

[0068] In the state shown in Figure 7B, multiple pins P2 are held in groove 14a and aligned in a straight line in the front-rear direction. The pins P2 are transported forward toward the vertical rotation escaper 41 in the predetermined position by the vibration of the vibrating rail 14. Furthermore, in the state shown in Figure 7B, the retaining recess 41a located at the receiving position L3 is stopped for a certain period of time at a position facing the component discharge section 14b of the vibrating rail 14 from the front. In detail, the retaining recess 41a at the receiving position L3 is positioned such that the round-shaped retaining recess 41a and the transported pin P2 are in a coaxial positional relationship, so that the pin P2 can be transferred from the vibrating rail 14 to the retaining recess 41a.

[0069] Figure 7C is a perspective view showing the state in which the leading pin P2 is supplied to the retaining recess 41a located at the receiving position L3. In Figure 7C, the leading pin P2 in the row is pushed forward from the component ejection section 14b by the pin P2 behind it and is transferred to the holding recess 41a, which is held in place for a certain period of time. Here, the diameter of the retaining recess 41a is slightly larger than the diameter of the pin P2, and the depth of the retaining recess 41a is set to be smaller than the total length (axial length) of the pin P2. Therefore, when the pin P2 is fully inserted into the retaining recess 41a and held in place, the end P2a of the pin P2 protrudes radially outward from the retaining recess 41a relative to the vertical rotation escaper 41.

[0070] Figure 7D is a perspective view showing the state after the vertical rotation escaper 41 has been rotated 90° upward from the state shown in Figure 7C. In Figure 7D, the pin P2, which was at the front in Figure 7C, has reached the predetermined position L4. In this state, the pin P2 is held in the retaining recess 41a located at the predetermined position L4. When the pin P2 reaches the predetermined position L4, it is held in the retaining recess 41a with its axial direction pointing vertically (vertically). In other words, the vertical rotation escaper 41 can cut out the pins P2 one by one from the vibrating rail 14 that is transporting the pins P2 in a lateral position, change the orientation of the pins P2 to a vertical position, and supply them to a predetermined position L4. Furthermore, in Figure 7D, pin P2, which was the second pin in Figure 7C, is being transferred to the retaining recess 41a located at the receiving position L3.

[0071] In the state shown in Figure 7D, the end P2a of the pin P2, which has reached the predetermined position L4 and is held in the retaining recess 41a, protrudes upward from the retaining recess 41a. In this state, the light from the light-emitting part 46a is blocked by the end P2a, and the light from the light-emitting part 46a is not received by the light-receiving part 46b. Furthermore, in the state shown in Figures 7B to 7C, the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 46a is received by the light-receiving unit 46b.

[0072] When the control unit 22 detects that the pin P2 has reached a predetermined position L4 based on the detection of the end P2a by the arrival sensor 46, it stops driving the alignment / transport motor 16 and the escape motor 43, stops the intermittent rotation control, and enters a standby state.

[0073] In the standby state described above, when the pin P2 located at the predetermined position L4 is removed by an operator or a robot, the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 46a is received by the light-receiving unit 46b. In this first embodiment, since the pin P2 is supplied to the predetermined position L4 in a vertical orientation, operators and robots can easily remove the pin P2 by accessing it from above. Furthermore, since the vibrating rail 14 transports the straight-shaped pin P2 in a horizontal orientation, the pin P2 can be transported stably and efficiently. When the control unit 22 detects, in standby mode, that the pin P2 has been removed from the predetermined position L4 based on the detection by the arrival sensor 46, it drives the alignment / transport motor 16 and the escape motor 43 to resume transporting the pin P2.

[0074] Here, we will describe an example of the procedure for replacing one cutting unit 11 with the other cutting unit 12. In Figure 2A, one cutting unit 11 is attached to the main body 10 of the device, and the parts supply device 1 is used as a screw supply device that supplies screws P1 to a predetermined position L2. When changing the parts supply device 1 from the state shown in Figure 2A to the pin supply device shown in Figure 2B, the user releases the fastenings of the front cover fastener 24 (Figure 1) and the unit fastener 23 (Figure 1), and removes the front cover 20 and the first cutting unit 11 from the base 13 (Figure 1).

[0075] Referring to Figure 5, the user disconnects the main unit connector 25 from the unit-side connector 37 of one cutting unit 11, and connects the unit-side connector 47 of the other cutting unit 12 to the main unit connector 25.

[0076] Next, the user sets the other cutting unit 12 onto the unit mounting portion 13a and fastens the unit fixing device 23, which is inserted into the fixing portion 13b, to the unit-side fixing portion 40e (Figure 4) of the frame 40. Once the other cutting unit 12 is fixed to the fixing portion 13b by the unit fixing device 23, it is positioned in a receiving-ready position where the retaining recess 41a (Figure 7B) located at the receiving position L3 and the part discharge portion 14b (Figures 1 and 7B) of the vibrating rail 14 face each other. When the other cutting unit 12 is positioned in the receiving-ready position, the retaining recess 41a located at the receiving position L3 can receive the pin P2 from the part discharge portion 14b.

[0077] Furthermore, when the cutting unit 11 is attached to the main body 10 of the device as shown in Figure 2A, the cutting unit 11 is fixed to the fixing part 13b by the unit fixing device 23, thereby positioning it in a receiving-capable position where the notch 31a (Figure 6B) of the receiving position L1 and the part discharge part 14b (Figures 1 and 6B) of the vibrating rail 14 face each other. When the cutting unit 11 is positioned in the receiving-capable position, the notch 31a of the receiving position L1 can receive the screw P1 from the part discharge part 14b.

[0078] In the parts supply device 1, one cutting unit 11 and the other cutting unit 12 are fixed to the same fixing part 13b, thereby positioning them in a receiving position. That is, the fixing part 13b and the unit fixing device 23 are shared by one cutting unit 11 and the other cutting unit 12.

[0079] Next, the user secures the front cover 20 to the front cover fixing hole 13c using the front cover fastener 24, and covers the other cutting unit 12 with the front cover 20. This completes the exchange from one cutting unit 11 to the other cutting unit 12. Furthermore, the same procedure as described above can be used to replace one cutting unit 11 with another cutting unit 12.

[0080] Thus, in the parts supply device 1, one cutting unit 11 and another cutting unit 12 can be replaced on the device body 10, depending on the type of part to be cut, such as screws P1 and pins P2. Therefore, even if the parts to be cut are different, a parts supply device 1 capable of supplying parts to predetermined positions L2 and L4 can be realized with a simple structure.

[0081] Furthermore, by swapping one cutting unit 11 with the other cutting unit 12 on the main body 10 of the device, both the horizontal rotating escapeper 31 and the vertical rotating escapeper 41 can be used, allowing for effective handling of different parts such as screws P1 and pins P2, and supplying the parts to predetermined positions L2 and L4.

[0082] Referring to Figure 5, the electronic components (sensors and motors) provided in one cutting unit 11 and the electronic components (sensors and motors) provided in the other cutting unit 12 are of the same type and in the same number. In detail, the cutting unit 11 is equipped with a phase sensor 35 and an arrival sensor 36 as sensors for detecting the state of the cutting unit 11, and the cutting unit 11 is equipped with two sensors in total. The other cutting unit 12 is equipped with a phase sensor 45 and a reach sensor 46 as sensors for detecting the state of the other cutting unit 12, so the number of sensors equipped in the other cutting unit 12 is two. In other words, the number of sensors in one cutting unit 11 is the same as the number of sensors in the other cutting units 12. Furthermore, phase sensor 35 and phase sensor 45 are sensors with identical specifications. Furthermore, the arrival sensor 36 and the arrival sensor 46 are sensors with identical specifications.

[0083] Referring to Figure 5, the cutting unit 11 is equipped with one escape motor 33 as a motor that drives the screw P1 to a predetermined position L2. The other cutting unit 12 includes one escape motor 43 as a motor that drives the pin P2 to a predetermined position L4. In other words, the number of motors in one cutting unit 11 is the same as the number of motors in the other cutting units 12. Furthermore, the escape motor 33 and the escape motor 43 are motors with identical specifications.

[0084] The control unit 22 controls one cutting unit 11 and the other cutting unit 12 with the same settings. In detail, the control unit 22 performs the detection of rotation of the horizontal rotation escaper 31 based on the detection of the phase sensor 35 and the detection of rotation of the vertical rotation escaper 41 based on the detection of the phase sensor 45 using the same process. Furthermore, the control unit 22 performs the detection of the screw P1 based on the detection of the reach sensor 36 and the detection of the pin P2 based on the detection of the reach sensor 46 using the same process. Thus, since the number of sensors in one cutting unit 11 is the same as the number of sensors in the other cutting unit 12, and the processing of the control unit 22 regarding the sensors is also the same, there is no need to change the settings of the main device regarding the sensors when the cutting unit is replaced.

[0085] In the control unit 22, the rotation direction and rotation speed of the escape motor 33 when one cutting unit 11 transports a screw P1 are set to be the same as the rotation direction and rotation speed of the escape motor 43 when the other cutting unit 12 transports a pin P2. Thus, since the number of motors in one cutting unit 11 is the same as the number of motors in the other cutting unit 12, and the processing of the motor control unit 22 is also the same, there is no need to change the settings of the main unit of the device regarding the motor when the cutting unit is replaced.

[0086] Furthermore, the intermittent rotation control of the horizontal rotation escaper 31 and the intermittent rotation control of the vertical rotation escaper 41 are identical. In other words, the horizontal rotation escaper 31 and the vertical rotation escaper 41 rotate intermittently at the same timing.

[0087] As described above, since the control unit 22 controls one cutting unit 11 and the other cutting unit 12 with the same settings, there is no need to change the program or detailed program settings of the control unit 22 even if one cutting unit 11 and the other cutting unit 12 are swapped. Furthermore, in the parts supply device 1, one cutting unit 11 and the other cutting unit 12 can be easily exchanged with the control unit 22 simply by changing the connection of the unit-side connectors 37 and 47 to the main body-side connector 25.

[0088] [Second Embodiment] A second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described below with reference to Figure 8. In this second embodiment, parts configured in the same way as in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a parts supply device 201 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0089] This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the cutting unit includes a slide escaper 231 that slides horizontally in the left-right direction. The parts supply device 201 has another cutting unit 212 attached to the unit mounting section 13a (Figure 1). Other cutting units 212 are detachably attached to the main body 10 of the device and can be replaced with the cutting unit 11 of the first embodiment and the other cutting units 12.

[0090] The cutting unit 212 includes a frame 230 fixed to the unit mounting portion 13a, a slide escaper 231 that slides horizontally in the left-right direction in Figure 8, an escaper motor (not shown) that drives the slide escaper 231, a rotating member (not shown) that rotates in conjunction with the slide escaper 231, a phase sensor (not shown) that detects the rotation of the rotating member, and a reach sensor 236 that detects the part held by the slide escaper 231.

[0091] The slide escaper 231 is positioned on the top surface of the frame 230 and slides back and forth in the left-right direction. The slide escaper 231 is equipped with a notch 231a (holding portion) that faces the part discharge portion 14b of the vibrating rail 14 from the front. The slide escaper 231 receives the part discharged from the part discharge portion 14b at the receiving position L21 using the notch 231a, slides to the left in Figure 8 to supply the part to a predetermined position L22, and when the arrival sensor 236 detects that the part has been removed, slides back to the receiving position L21.

[0092] The first embodiment of the parts supply device 1 and the second embodiment of the parts supply device 201, which embody the present invention, have been described above, but these embodiments can be modified as appropriate.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the vibrating rail 14 is configured as a single member with an integral groove 14a, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the vibrating rail 14 may be composed of multiple divided members, and the width of the groove 14a may be adjusted by changing and fixing the distance between each member. Alternatively, multiple types of vibrating rails 14 with different groove widths and shapes may be provided, and the vibrating rails 14 may be replaced depending on the parts being transported.

[0094] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a screw P1 was used as an example of a stepped rod-shaped part transported to one cutting unit 11, but a rod-shaped part having a stepped portion (head), such as a stepped pin, may also be transported by one cutting unit 11. Furthermore, although we have used pin P2 as an example of a straight-shaped rod-shaped part that is transported to another cutting unit 12, other straight-shaped cylindrical parts or screw parts such as spacers, collars, inserts, and set screws (grub screws) may also be transported by other cutting units 12.

[0095] Furthermore, when attaching the first cutting unit 11 and the other cutting unit 12 to the unit mounting section 13a, an adjustment mechanism may be provided that allows the position of the first cutting unit 11 and the other cutting unit 12 to be adjusted in at least one of the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-and-down directions. In this case, by adjusting the position using the adjustment mechanism, the first cutting unit 11 and the other cutting unit 12 can be appropriately positioned in the receiving position.

[0096] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, one cutting unit 11 and the other cutting unit 12 were each provided with an escape motor and two sensors, but other configurations are also possible. For example, as proposed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-2987, a structure may be adopted in which the escapers, such as the horizontally rotating escaper 31, are also rotated by the power of the alignment / conveying motor 16. In this case, it is not necessary to provide an escape motor 33, and instead, a power transmission mechanism capable of transmitting and interrupting the power of the alignment / conveying motor 16 to the escapers should be provided.

[0097] Furthermore, as proposed in Utility Model Registration No. 3208354, if the escaper employs an intermittent rotation mechanism in which it rotates and pauses repeatedly at predetermined angles (e.g., 90°), then the phase sensors 35 and 45 do not need to be provided. Furthermore, as proposed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-8619, a transfer sensor may be provided to detect that the part has been reliably transferred from the vibrating rail to the rotating escapement. Furthermore, the escape motors 33 and 43 can be, for example, DC motors, stepping motors, and AC motors. In the above embodiment, when the unit-side connectors 37 and 47 are connected to the main body-side connector 25, the rotation direction of the escape motors 33 and 43 is the same. However, if, for example, the rotation direction of the escape motor 33 is to be changed to the opposite direction, the rotation direction of the escape motor 33 can be easily changed by rewiring the connection of the escape motor 33 so that the direction of the current flowing through the escape motor 33 is reversed.

[0098] (Note) This specification discloses the following technologies in one aspect. The reference numerals listed below correspond to those used in the accompanying drawings, but are provided as examples only and are not intended to limit the inventions of this application.

[0099] (Technology 1) A parts supply device (1) comprises a main body (10) for aligning and transporting parts (P1, P2), and cutting units (11, 12) for cutting out the parts (P1, P2) transported by the main body (10) one by one and supplying them to predetermined positions (L2, L4), The cutting units (11, 12) are detachably provided with respect to the main body of the device (10), and the parts supply device (1) is capable of replacing one of the cutting units (11) attached to the main body of the device (10) with another cutting unit (12) that cuts out different parts (P1, P2).

[0100] This technology allows for the exchange of one cutting unit with another on the main body of the device that aligns and transports parts, depending on the type of part to be cut. Therefore, a parts supply device that can supply parts to predetermined positions even when different parts are being cut can be realized with a simple structure.

[0101] (Technology 2) The cutting unit (11, 12) is a component supply device (1) according to Technology 1, which includes a rotary escaper (31, 41) that holds and rotates the component (P1, P2) and supplies the component to the predetermined position (L2, L4).

[0102] In this technology, the cutting unit is equipped with a rotary escaper that holds and rotates the part to supply the part to a predetermined position, allowing for high-precision supply of the part to a predetermined position with a simple structure.

[0103] (Technology 3) The component supply device (1) according to Art 2, wherein the rotary escapeper of one of the cutting units (11) is a horizontally rotating escapeper (31) that rotates in the horizontal direction, and the rotary escapeper of the other cutting unit (12) is a vertically rotating escapeper (12) that rotates in the vertical direction.

[0104] This technology allows for the use of both horizontal and vertical rotary escapepers by replacing the cutting unit on the main body of the device, thus enabling effective handling of different parts and supplying them to their designated positions.

[0105] (Technology 4) The apparatus body (10) has a vibrating rail (14) for transporting the parts (P1, P2), The parts supply device (1) according to Technology 1, wherein one of the cutting units (11) and the other cutting unit (12) each have holding units (31a, 41a) that receive the parts (P1, P2) from the parts discharge section (14b) of the vibrating rail (14).

[0106] In this technology, regardless of whether one cutting unit or another is attached to the main body of the device, the holding unit can receive parts from the discharge section of the vibrating rail. Therefore, even when the cutting unit is replaced, parts can be easily supplied to the predetermined position.

[0107] (Technology 5) The cutting units (11, 12) are equipped with sensors (35, 36, 45, 46) that detect the state of the cutting units (11, 12), The component supply device (1) according to Technology 1, wherein the number of sensors (35, 36) in the first cutting unit (11) is the same as the number of sensors (45, 46) in the other cutting unit (12).

[0108] In this technology, since the number of sensors in one cutting unit is the same as the number of sensors in other cutting units, the need to change the settings of the main device regarding sensors when a cutting unit is replaced can be reduced.

[0109] (Technology 6) The apparatus body (10) has a vibrating rail (14) for transporting the parts (P1, P2), The vibrating rail (14) is a component supply device (1) according to Technology 1 that is detachable from the main body (10) of the device.

[0110] In this technology, the vibrating rail that transports the parts is detachable from the main body of the device, allowing the vibrating rail to be changed according to the type of part, and the parts to be transported appropriately to the cutting unit.

[0111] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments, and unless otherwise specifically limited in the above description, various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the spirit of the present invention as described in the claims. For example, the configuration of the above-described embodiment can be added or deleted as appropriate, and the configuration of one embodiment can be provided in other embodiments. Furthermore, the effects in the above-described embodiment are merely illustrative of the effects that may result from the present invention. In other words, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects, and additional effects may also be produced in addition to the above-described effects. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0112] 1: Parts supply device 10: Device body 11: One cutting unit (cutting unit) 12, 212: Other cutting units (cutting units) 14: Vibration rail 14b: Part ejection section 31: Horizontal rotating escapement (rotating escapement) 31a, 231a: Notch section (holding section) 35,45: Phase sensor (sensor) 36,46: Arrival sensor (sensor) 41: Vertical rotation escaper (rotation escaper) 41a: Retaining recess (retaining part) L2, L4: Designated positions P1: Screw (part) P2: Pin (part)

Claims

1. A parts supply device comprising a main body for aligning and transporting parts, and a cutting unit for cutting out the parts transported by the main body one by one and supplying them to a predetermined position, The cutting unit is detachably provided with respect to the main body of the device, and the parts supply device is such that one cutting unit attached to the main body of the device can be replaced with another cutting unit that cuts out different parts.

2. The part supply device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting unit comprises a rotary escapeper that holds and rotates the part to supply the part to the predetermined position.

3. The parts supply device according to claim 2, wherein the rotary escapeper of one of the cutting units is a horizontally rotating escapeper that rotates in the horizontal direction, and the rotary escapeper of the other cutting unit is a vertically rotating escapeper that rotates in the vertical direction.

4. The main body of the apparatus has a vibrating rail for transporting the parts, The parts supply device according to claim 1, wherein one of the cutting units and the other cutting unit each comprises a holding unit for receiving the parts from the parts discharge section of the vibrating rail.

5. The cutting unit is equipped with a sensor that detects the state of the cutting unit, The component supply device according to claim 1, wherein the number of sensors in the first cutting unit is the same as the number of sensors in the other cutting unit.

6. The main body of the apparatus has a vibrating rail for transporting the parts, The component supply device according to claim 1, wherein the vibrating rail is detachable from the main body of the device.

Images