Workpiece transport device

Abstract

To surely separate a workpiece and send it to an index table side without damaging the workpiece. A step 40 is provided on the bottom surface 35a of a communication passage 35 of a separation mechanism 30, and the workpiece W1 is stopped by this step 40. Air is ejected from an air ejection hole 25 to lift up the workpiece W1, and the workpiece W1 is sent into a workpiece storage groove 11a of an index table 11 by a suction hole 12.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a workpiece transport device that separates a plurality of continuously supplied workpieces one by one and transports them individually. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a work transport device for transporting workpieces such as chip components made by chipping electronic components has conventionally been known that includes a work feeder (also called a parts feeder) that supplies the workpieces, an index table having a work storage groove on its outer periphery for storing the workpieces, and a communicating passage having a separation mechanism provided between the work feeder and the index table.

[0003] In such a work transport device, a plurality of workpieces that are continuously supplied by a work feeder and come into contact with one another are separated one by one by a separation mechanism, and then stored in the workpiece storage groove of an index table and transported. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-145445 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2001-187634 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] As described above, since the workpieces continuously supplied by the work feeder are in contact with each other, it is necessary for the separation mechanism to reliably separate the workpieces one by one and store them in the workpiece storage grooves of the turntable.

[0006] However, so far, no workpiece transport device has been developed that can reliably separate the workpieces without damaging the workpieces using a separation mechanism.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide a work transport device that can reliably separate the workpieces without damaging the workpieces before sending them to the index table. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present disclosure provides a separation mechanism that includes a work feeder that supplies a plurality of workpieces, an index table that has a plurality of work storage grooves on its outer periphery for storing the workpieces and that is rotated by an index table drive mechanism, a separation mechanism that extends between the work feeder and the index table and has a communication passage for transporting the workpieces, and a control unit, wherein the index table rotates to place the work storage grooves at a receiving position facing the communication passage, and a suction hole that communicates with the work storage grooves at the receiving position and sucks the work in the communication passage into the work storage grooves at the receiving position. a step for stopping the workpiece is formed in a bottom surface of the communicating passage of the separation mechanism, an air opening is provided in the bottom surface of the communicating passage of the separation mechanism, upstream of the step in the workpiece transport direction, for injecting air upward at the workpiece stopped by the step, an air injection mechanism is connected to the air opening, and a workpiece detection unit is provided for detecting the presence or absence of the workpiece in the work storage groove at the receiving position, and the control unit drives the index table drive mechanism based on a signal from the work detection unit to rotate the index table.

[0009] The present disclosure relates to a workpiece transport device, wherein the air opening is connected to the air injection mechanism and the vacuum generation mechanism via a switching mechanism, and based on a signal from the workpiece detection unit, the control unit controls the switching mechanism to connect the air opening to the air injection mechanism or the vacuum generation mechanism.

[0010] The present disclosure relates to a workpiece transport device, in which an inclined surface is formed on the bottom surface of the communicating passage of the separation mechanism, the inclined surface rising from the step portion toward the upstream side in the workpiece transport direction.

[0011] The present disclosure is a workpiece transport device, in which when the vertical height of the workpiece in the communicating passage of the separation mechanism is H, the height H1 of the step portion is greater than or equal to 0.05 x H and less than or equal to 0.2 x H.

[0012] The present disclosure is a workpiece transport device, in which when the length of the workpiece in the communicating passage of the separation mechanism in the workpiece transport direction is L, the length L1 of the inclined surface is 0.8×L or more and 1.2L or less.

[0013] The present disclosure relates to a workpiece transport device, wherein the separation mechanism has a separation mechanism main body which forms the communicating passage, and a separation mechanism cover which covers the communicating passage, and a slit is provided on the lower surface of the separation mechanism cover to form a gap between the upper surface of the workpiece following the workpiece which is stopped by the step portion. Effect of the Invention

[0014] As described above, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to reliably separate a plurality of workpieces supplied from a work feeder without damaging them and to send the workpieces to the index table side. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a workpiece conveying device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a side view showing the operation of the workpiece transport device. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a side view showing the operation of the workpiece transport device. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2C is a side view showing the operation of the workpiece transport device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the workpiece transport device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the workpiece transport device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a step portion and an inclined surface formed in the communication passage. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 1, showing the relationship between the communication passages and the slits. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] 1 to 6 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a work transport device according to the present disclosure. First, an overview of the work transport device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the work transport device 10 includes a work feeder (also called a parts feeder) 23 that continuously supplies a plurality of workpieces W1, W2, ... such as chip components, a rotatable index table 11 having a plurality of work storage grooves 11a on its outer periphery for storing the workpieces W1, W2, ..., and a separation mechanism 30 provided between the work feeder 23 and the index table 11. Of these, the index table 11 is driven to rotate by an index table drive mechanism 11A.

[0018] 1 to 6, the work feeder 23 supplies the works W1, W2, ... in a continuous, linear manner while the works are in contact with each other. The work feeder 23 has a support table 23a that supports the works W1, W2, ..., and the support table 23a is covered with a cover 23b. The separation mechanism 30 has a communication passage 35 that extends between the work feeder 23 and the index table 11.

[0019] In this embodiment, the separation mechanism 30 has a separation mechanism body 31 that forms a communication passage 35, and a separation mechanism cover 32 that is attached to the upper surface of the separation mechanism body 31 and covers the communication passage 35.

[0020] The index table 11 is supported by a base (not shown).

[0021] Incidentally, the index table 11 has a plurality of workpiece storage grooves 11a on its outer periphery as described above, and as the index table 11 rotates, the workpiece storage grooves 11a are successively brought to receiving positions facing the communicating passages 35.

[0022] The index table 11 is supported by a base, and the above-mentioned separation mechanism 30 is also supported by the base. Furthermore, the separation mechanism cover 32 that covers the communication passage 35 also covers the workpiece storage groove 11a of the index table 11 that is in the receiving position (see FIG. 1).

[0023] In this embodiment, the terms "upper surface", "lower surface", "above" and "below" refer to the "upper surface", "lower surface", "above" and "below" when the workpiece transport device 10 is positioned as shown in Figure 1.

[0024] Next, the separation mechanism 30 will be further described with reference to FIGS.

[0025] First, the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position is connected to a suction hole 12 that sucks the workpieces W1, W2, ... in the communication passage 35 into the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position, and this suction hole 12 extends into the base that supports the index table 11. A step portion 40 that engages with the workpieces W1, W2, ... and stops the workpieces W1, W2, ... is formed on the bottom surface 35a of the communication passage 35 of the separation mechanism 30. Also, an inclined surface (tapered surface) 41 that rises from the step portion 40 toward the upstream side in the workpiece transport direction D is formed on the bottom surface 35a of the communication passage 35.

[0026] Furthermore, on the bottom surface 35a of the communication passage 35, and upstream of the step portion 40 in the work transport direction D, there is provided an air ejection hole (also called an air opening) 25 that ejects air upward toward the workpieces W1, W2, ... that are engaged and stopped by the step portion 40. The air ejection hole 25 ejects air upward toward the workpieces W1, W2, ... that are stopped on the step portion 40, thereby lifting the workpieces W1, W2, ... from the step portion 40, and sucks the workpieces W1, W2, ... into the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position using the suction force from the suction hole 12.

[0027] Next, we will describe the shapes of the step portion 40 and the inclined surface 41. In this embodiment, the workpieces W1, W2, ... have a length L in the workpiece transport direction D of, for example, 1 mm, a height H in the vertical direction of, for example, 0.5 mm, and a width perpendicular to the workpiece transport direction D of, for example, 0.5 mm.

[0028] The height H1 in the vertical direction of the step portion 40 formed on the bottom surface 35a of the communication passage 35 of the separation mechanism 30 is equal to or greater than 0.05×H and equal to or less than 0.2×H.

[0029] The length L1 in the workpiece conveying direction D of the inclined surface 41 formed on the bottom surface 35a of the communication passage 35 is not less than 0.8×L and not more than 1.2×L.

[0030] By setting the vertical height H1 of the step portion 40 to 0.05×H or more as described above, the workpieces W1, W2, ... transported through the communication passage 35 can be reliably stopped by the step portion 40. Furthermore, by setting the vertical height H1 of the step portion 40 to 0.2×H or less, the workpieces W1, W2, ... stopped by the step portion 40 can be lifted by air ejected upward from the air ejection holes 25, and can be easily released from engagement with the step portion 40.

[0031] Furthermore, by setting the length L1 of the inclined surface 41 in the work transport direction D to be 0.8×L or more, the workpieces W1, W2, ... transported by the communicating passage 35 can be smoothly guided to the step portion 40. Furthermore, by setting the length L1 of the inclined surface 41 in the work transport direction D to be 1.2×L or less, it is not necessary to make the height of the communicating passage 35 excessively high.

[0032] In this embodiment, the works W1, W2, ... may become clogged in the communication passage 35. In this case, the work transport device 10 may be stopped as a whole, and air may be ejected into the communication passage 35 using the suction hole 12. In this case, by providing the communication passage 35 with an inclined surface 41 that rises from the step portion 40 toward the upstream side in the work transport direction D, the works W1, W2, ... in the communication passage 35 can be blown toward the upstream side in the work transport direction D and discharged from the communication passage 35 to the outside on the work feeder side.

[0033] 1, air ejection hole 25 provided in bottom surface 35a of communication passage 35 is connected to air ejection mechanism 26. Therefore, as described above, air can be ejected upward from air ejection hole 25 to workpieces W1, W2, ... that engage with step 40 of communication passage 35 and stop. In this embodiment, air ejection hole 25 is connected to air ejection mechanism 26 via switching mechanism 28, and is also connected to vacuum generation mechanism 27 via switching mechanism 28.

[0034] 1, the separation mechanism cover 32 is provided with a light receiving unit 15a at a position corresponding to the work storage groove 11a at the receiving position, and the separation mechanism body 31 is provided with a light projecting unit 15b at a position facing the light receiving unit 15a, which projects light toward the light receiving unit 15a. The light receiving unit 15a and the light projecting unit 15b constitute a work detection unit 15 that detects the presence or absence of works W1, W2, ... in the work storage groove 11a at the receiving position.

[0035] The separation mechanism cover 32 is provided with a light receiving section 16a corresponding to the position between the workpiece W1, which engages with the step 40 and stops, and the workpiece in the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position, and the separation mechanism body 31 is provided with a light projecting section 16b, which projects light toward the light receiving section 16a, at a position opposite the light receiving section 16a. The light receiving section 16a and the light projecting section 16b constitute a separation detection section 16 that detects whether the workpiece W1, which engages with the step 40 and stops, has been separated from the workpiece in the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position.

[0036] Further, the above components are driven and controlled by a control unit 50.

[0037] Meanwhile, a slit 36 ​​is provided on the lower surface 35b (which also serves as the upper surface of the communication passage 35) of the separation mechanism cover 32 of the separation mechanism 30 to form a gap between the upper surface of the workpiece W2 following the workpiece W1 that engages with the step portion 40 and stops (see Figs. 1 and 6). This slit 36 ​​is formed on the lower surface 35b of the separation mechanism cover 32 so as to gradually rise toward the upstream side in the workpiece conveying direction D. When the workpiece W1 that engages with the step portion 40 and stops is sucked in by the suction hole 12 that communicates with the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position, the suction force from the suction hole 12 on the next workpiece W2 can be reduced by this slit 36.

[0038] As described later, the workpiece W1, which engages with the step 40 and stops, is temporarily raised by ejecting air from the air ejection holes 25, and is then sucked into the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position by the suction force from the suction holes 12. In this case, by providing the slits 36, the suction force from the suction holes 12 on the next workpiece W2 can be reduced, thereby preventing the next workpiece W2 from entering the workpiece storage groove 11a together with the workpiece W1.

[0039] As described above, the index table 11 rotates to place the work storage groove 11a at the receiving position facing the communicating passage 24a. The works W1, W2, ... stored in the work storage groove 11a at the receiving position are transported in the circumferential direction with the rotation of the index table 11, and an inspection mechanism (not shown) provided on the outer periphery of the index table 11 performs electrical inspection, appearance inspection, etc. on the works W1, W2, ....

[0040] As described above, the workpiece storage groove 11a located at the receiving position communicates with the suction hole 12, which extends through the base supporting the index table 11 and is sucked by a vacuum generating device (not shown).

[0041] In order to detect the workpieces W1, W2, ... stored in the work storage groove 11a at the receiving position, a work detection unit 15 consisting of a light receiving unit 15a and a light projecting unit 15b is provided, and the light receiving unit 15a of the work detection unit 15 is provided on the wall surface of the work storage groove 11a on the separation mechanism cover 32 side. Also, the light projecting unit 15b is provided on the wall surface of the work storage groove 11a on the separation mechanism main body 31 side. Since both the light receiving unit 15a and the light projecting unit 15b are provided on the same plane as the wall surface without protruding from the wall surface of the work storage groove 11a, the light receiving unit 15a and the light projecting unit 15b do not hinder the progress of the workpieces W1, W2, ... in the work storage groove 11a.

[0042] Similarly, the light receiving portion 16a of the separation detection unit 16 is provided on the wall surface on the separation mechanism cover 32 side, and the light projecting portion 16b is provided on the wall surface on the separation mechanism main body 31 side. Both the light receiving portion 15a and the light projecting portion 15b are provided on the same plane as the wall surface of the communicating passage 35 without protruding from the wall surface. Therefore, the light receiving portion 16a and the light projecting portion 16b do not obstruct the progress of the workpieces W1, W2, W3, ... in the communicating passage 35. The light receiving portion 15a and the light projecting portion 15b of the work detection unit 15 described above, and the light receiving portion 16a and the light projecting portion 16b of the separation detection unit 16 are all connected to the control portion 50.

[0043] Next, the operation of this embodiment having such a configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2B and FIG.

[0044] First, the workpieces W1, W2, ... are continuously supplied by the workpiece feeder 23 while being in contact with each other, and are sent into the communication passage 35 of the separation mechanism 30. When the workpieces W1, W2, ... are sent into the communication passage 35 of the separation mechanism 30, the leading workpiece W1 first engages with the step 40 of the communication passage 35 and stops.

[0045] During this time, the control unit 50 drives the switching mechanism 28, and the air ejection holes (also called air openings) 25 are connected to the vacuum generating mechanism 27. As a result, the leading workpiece W1 engages with the step 40 and stops, and at the same time, since the air ejection holes 25 have an adsorption function, the leading workpiece W1 is adsorbed by the air ejection holes 25 with this adsorption function, and the leading workpiece W1 stops reliably at the position of the step 40 (see FIG. 2A).

[0046] Furthermore, if the workpiece W1 in the communicating passage 35 can be reliably stopped at the position of the step portion 40 by the step portion 40 alone, there is no need to switch the switching mechanism 28 so that the air outlet 25 has an adsorption function and adsorb the workpiece W1 by the air outlet 25.

[0047] Next, the control unit 50 confirms that there are no works W1, W2, ... in the work storage groove 11a at the receiving position based on a signal from the work detection unit 15, and then switches the switching mechanism 28 to connect the air ejection hole 25 to the air ejection mechanism 26. At this time, air is ejected upward from the air ejection hole 25, lifting up the work W1 stopped by the step 40 (see FIG. 2B).

[0048] In this case, the workpiece W1 is sucked at high speed by the suction holes 12 connected to a vacuum generating device (not shown) and stored in the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position. At this time, a suction force is also applied from the suction holes 12 to the workpiece W2 next to the workpiece W1 that stops at the step 40, but since the suction force from the suction holes 12 is weakened by the leading workpiece W1, the next workpiece W2 is not sucked into the workpiece storage groove 11a.

[0049] Furthermore, since the slits 36 are provided in the separation mechanism cover 32 of the separation mechanism 30, the suction force applied to the next workpiece W2 from the suction holes 12 can be further weakened.

[0050] In this way, the leading workpiece W1, which is stopped by the step 40, reaches inside the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position (see FIG. 2C).

[0051] At this time, the work detection unit 15 can detect that the leading work W1 has been stored in the work storage groove 11a at the receiving position. Next, a signal from the work detection unit 15 is sent to the control unit 50, which switches the switching mechanism 28 to connect the air ejection hole 25 to the vacuum generation mechanism 27.

[0052] The suction force from the suction hole 12 connected to a vacuum generating device (not shown) is quite strong, so when the work detection unit 15 confirms that the leading work W1 has been stored in the work storage groove 11a at the receiving position, the next work W2 is still in the connecting passage 35, at a position upstream from the step portion 40.

[0053] Thereafter, the separation detection unit 16 confirms that the leading workpiece W1 in the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position and the next workpiece W2 are securely separated. Next, assuming that the leading workpiece W1 has been stored in the workpiece storage groove 11a at the receiving position by the work detection unit 15, the control unit 50 drives the index table drive mechanism 11A based on a signal from the separation detection unit 16 to intermittently rotate the index table 11 by one pitch, returning from the state in FIG. 2C to the state in FIG. 2A.

[0054] Incidentally, this separation detection unit 16 does not necessarily have to be provided, and the index table 11 may be rotated intermittently immediately after the work detection unit 15 confirms that the leading work W1 has been stored in the work storage groove 11a at the receiving position.

[0055] As described above, according to this embodiment, a step 40 is formed on the bottom surface of the communication passage 35 of the separation mechanism 30, and an inclined surface 41 is provided upstream of the step 40 in the work transport direction D. This allows the leading work W1 sent from the work feeder 23 and passing through the communication passage 35 to be engaged with the step 40 and stopped (see FIG. 2A). In this case, the inclined surface 41 provided upstream of the step 40 in the work transport direction D allows the work W1 to be smoothly guided to the step 40 and reliably stopped by the step 40.

[0056] Furthermore, by connecting the air outlet hole 25 provided on the upstream side of the step portion 40 in the work transport direction D to the vacuum generating mechanism 27 via the switching mechanism 28, the work W1 stopped by the step portion 40 can be more reliably stopped in position at the step portion 40.

[0057] Since the workpiece W1 can be reliably stopped at the position of the step 40 in this manner, the distance L2 from the step 40 to the radial inner end of the workpiece storage groove 11a of the index table 11 can be made extremely short, at least 1.2×L and no more than 1.5×L (where L is the length of the workpiece in the connecting passage 35 in the workpiece transport direction).

[0058] In this way, the distance L2 between the step 40 and the radially inner end of the work storage groove 11a of the index table 11 can be shortened, so that the time required to supply the work W1 stopped at the step 40 into the work storage groove 11a can be extremely shortened. This improves the operating efficiency of the work transport device 10.

[0059] Furthermore, when the workpiece W1, which engages and stops at the step 40 of the communication passage 35, is sent into the workpiece storage groove 11a of the index table 11, the air ejection hole 25 is connected to the air ejection mechanism 26 via the switching mechanism 28. This causes the workpiece W1 to float up and release the engagement between the step 40 and the workpiece W1. This allows the workpiece W1 to be easily and reliably supplied into the workpiece storage groove 11a by the suction force of the suction hole 12 on the workpiece storage groove 11a side.

[0060] Further, a slit 36 ​​is provided on the lower surface 35b of the separation mechanism cover 32 to form a gap between the upper surface of the workpiece W2 following the workpiece W1 that is stopped by engaging with the step portion 40. This makes it possible to prevent the next workpiece W2 from being sent into the workpiece storage groove 11a together with the workpiece W1 that is stopped by the step portion 40 due to the suction force from the suction hole.

[0061] In this embodiment, the air ejection hole 25 is connected to either the air ejection mechanism 26 or the vacuum generating mechanism 27 via the switching mechanism 28. In this case, the air ejection from the air ejection hole 25 is for lifting the workpiece W1 engaged with the step portion 40, so there is no need to increase the air ejection force from the air ejection hole 25, and fine adjustment of the force is also not required.

[0062] Furthermore, when connecting the air outlet 25 to the vacuum generating mechanism 27, the air outlet 25 reliably stops the workpiece W1 that stops due to the step 40, so there is no need to increase the suction force from the air outlet 25, and fine adjustment of the force is also not required. [Explanation of symbols]

[0063] 10 Work transport device 11 Index Table 11a Work storage groove 11A Index table drive mechanism 12 Suction hole 15 Work detection unit 15a Light receiving part 15b Light projecting section 16 Separation detection unit 16a Light receiving part 16b Light projecting section 23 Work feeder (parts feeder) 25 Air outlet (air hole) 26 Air ejection mechanism 27 Vacuum generation mechanism 28 Switching mechanism 30 Separation mechanism 31 Separation mechanism body 32 Separation mechanism cover 35 Communication path 35a Bottom 35b Underside of separation mechanism cover 36 Slit 40 step part 41 Slope 50 Control section W1, W2, Work

Claims

1. A work feeder for supplying a plurality of works; an index table having a plurality of workpiece storage grooves on its outer periphery and rotated by an index table drive mechanism; a separation mechanism extending between the work feeder and the index table and having a communication passage for transporting the work; A control unit. The index table rotates to place the work storage groove at a receiving position facing the communication passage, a suction hole is provided which communicates with the work storage groove at the receiving position and sucks the work in the communication passage into the work storage groove at the receiving position; A step portion for stopping the workpiece is formed on a bottom surface of the communication passage of the separation mechanism, An air hole is provided in a bottom surface of the communication passage of the separation mechanism, on the upstream side of the step in the workpiece conveying direction, for injecting air upward against the workpiece stopped by the step, and an air injection mechanism is connected to the air hole; a work detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of the work in the work storage groove at the receiving position; The control unit drives the index table drive mechanism to rotate the index table based on a signal from the work detection unit.

2. The air hole is connected to the air injection mechanism and the vacuum generating mechanism via a switching mechanism; 2. The workpiece transport device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the switching mechanism based on a signal from the workpiece detection unit to connect the air hole to the air injection mechanism or the vacuum generation mechanism.

3. 3. The workpiece transport device according to claim 1, wherein a sloping surface rising from the step portion toward the upstream side in the workpiece transport direction is formed on a bottom surface of the communication passage of the separation mechanism.

4. 2. The work transport device according to claim 1, wherein when the vertical height of the work in the communicating passage of the separation mechanism is H, the height H1 of the step portion is 0.05×H or more and 0.2×H or less.

5. 4. The work transport device according to claim 3, wherein when a length of the work in the communicating passage of the separation mechanism in the work transport direction is L, a length L1 of the inclined surface is 0.8×L or more and 1.2L or less.

6. the separation mechanism includes a separation mechanism body that defines the communication passage and a separation mechanism cover that covers the communication passage, 2. The workpiece transport device according to claim 1, wherein a slit is provided on a lower surface of said separation mechanism cover to form a gap between said separation mechanism cover and an upper surface of a workpiece following said workpiece stopped by said step portion.

Images