Attitude change device

Abstract

To provide an attitude changing device capable of keeping the regular attitude of a conveying article, and capable of changing an irregular attitude of the conveying article.SOLUTION: An attitude changing device 50 loaded on a vibration type conveyance device 10 has an injection hole 50b opened at a bottom part of a conveying route 32 of the vibration type conveyance device 10 and air supplying means supplying compressed air to the injection hole 50b. Thus, the conveying article can be pushed out in the conveying direction by both of vibration of the vibration type conveyance device and the compressed air injected from the injection hole. The injection hole can be set nearer to the conveying article on the conveying route than the case of the injection hole arranged at an upper position of the conveying route, therefore, the compressed air can be hit to the desired conveying article in pin-point, and displacement of the injection hole direction can be prevented during use of the vibration type conveyance device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an attitude changing device used in a vibration type conveying device. That is, the present invention relates to an attitude changing device mounted on a vibration type conveying device that conveys a conveyed object (part) by vibration, so-called a parts feeder.

Background Art

[0002] Figs. 11(a) to (c) are explanatory views showing a state in which an object to be conveyed is conveyed by a vibration type conveying device. As shown in Figs. 11(a) to (c), generally, a vibration type conveying device 70 vibrates a conveying path 72 by a vibrator (not shown) with vibration V to convey a conveyed object CN in a conveying direction F. This vibration V reciprocates between the diagonally upper side on the downstream side and the diagonally lower side on the upstream side in the conveying direction F. Specifically, the conveyed object CN is ejected from the first position P1 on the conveying path 72 (Fig. 11(a)) by the vibration V to the ejection direction T which is diagonally above the conveying direction F from the conveying path 72 (Fig. 11(b)), and lands on the second position P2 of the conveying path 72 (Fig. 11(c)). Thereby, each time the conveyed object CN is ejected by the vibration V, it is conveyed in the conveying direction F by a distance d between the first position P1 and the second position P2.

[0003] Conventionally, as a conventional attitude changing device used in such a vibration type conveying device, compressed air is ejected obliquely downward from an upper position of the conveying path to the downstream side in the conveying direction, and an obstacle is attached to the wall surface of the conveying path, so that a propulsion force is applied to the conveyed object while the conveyed object is hooked on the obstacle and rotated to change the conveyed object from a defective attitude to a regular attitude. A vibration type conveying device configured as such has been devised, for example, as described in Patent Document 1.

[0004] In addition, a vibration type conveying device has been devised that is configured to eject air obliquely from both the left and right sides of the conveying path toward the center to the downstream side in the conveying direction to prevent cracking, chipping, stagnation, and clogging of the conveyed object and convey the conveyed object. For example, it is described in Patent Documents 2 to 3.

[0005] Furthermore, a conveying device has been devised which is configured to inject air obliquely upward from the bottom of the conveying path toward the downstream side in the conveying direction, so as to float the conveyed object on the conveying path and align it in a proper posture while conveying it. For example, it is described in Patent Documents 4 to 6.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Patent Document 6

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in the vibrating conveying device (component conveying device) described in Patent Document 1, compressed air is injected obliquely downward from a position above the conveying path toward the downstream side in the conveying direction. Since there is a predetermined distance from the air injection port to the conveying path, the compressed air diffuses before hitting the conveyed object from the air injection port, and it is difficult to pinpoint the compressed air onto the desired conveyed object. In addition, since the air injection port is arranged at a position above the conveying path, the direction of the air injection port can be changed. Therefore, if the direction of the air injection port deviates from the set posture, it is very difficult to return the direction of the air injection port to its original state.

[0008] The vibratory conveying devices (vibratory parts feeders, conveying devices) described in Patent Documents 2 to 3 inject compressed air obliquely from both the left and right sides of the conveying path toward the center in the downstream direction of the conveying direction. As a result, the structure around the conveying path becomes complex, leading to an increase in the size of the vibratory conveying device and an increase in manufacturing costs. In particular, when the conveyed object is an electronic component, since recent electronic components are becoming more miniaturized, the increase in the size of the vibratory conveying device goes against the trend of the times.

[0009] The conveying devices (airflow type attitude adjustment conveying device, airflow alignment cap feeder, container alignment method) described in Patent Documents 4 to 6 are conveying devices that convey an object to be conveyed by floating it with an air flow (airflow). Therefore, if this is directly applied to a vibratory conveying device that conveys an object to be conveyed by vibration as shown in FIGS. 11(a) to 11(c), there is a problem that the object to be conveyed may be lifted more than necessary and the normal attitude of the object to be conveyed may be disrupted.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention solves the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an attitude changing device that can change a defective attitude of an object to be conveyed to a normal attitude while maintaining the normal attitude of the object to be conveyed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is an attitude changing device mounted on a vibratory conveying device, comprising: injection holes that open at the bottom of a conveying path of the vibratory conveying device; and air supply means for supplying compressed air to the injection holes.

[0012] According to the present invention, there is provided an attitude changing device mounted on a vibrating conveyor, comprising an injection hole opening at the bottom of a conveying path of the vibrating conveyor and air supply means for supplying compressed air to the injection hole. By this, it is possible to push a conveyed object in the conveying direction by both the vibration of the vibrating conveyor and the compressed air injected from the injection hole. Also, compared with the case where the injection hole is disposed at a position above the conveying path, since the injection hole and the conveyed object on the conveying path approach each other, the compressed air can be pinpointed onto a desired conveyed object, and it is possible to prevent the orientation of the injection hole from changing during the use of the vibrating conveyor.

[0013] In the present invention, when the conveyed object conveyed by the vibrating conveyor is substantially a rectangular parallelepiped, the posture in which the longitudinal direction extends in the conveying direction is defined as the normal posture, and the posture in which the longitudinal direction extends in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction is defined as the defective posture. If the length in the longitudinal direction of the conveyed object is L and the inclination angle of the conveyed object is αt, it is preferable that compressed air is injected from the injection hole so that the distance between the conveyed objects consecutive in the conveying direction becomes larger than L / 2·sinαt.

[0014] According to the present invention, when the conveyed object conveyed by the vibrating conveyor is substantially a rectangular parallelepiped, the posture in which the longitudinal direction extends in the conveying direction is defined as the normal posture, and the posture in which the longitudinal direction extends in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction is defined as the defective posture. If the length in the longitudinal direction of the conveyed object is L and the inclination angle of the conveyed object is αt, by injecting compressed air from the injection hole so that the distance between the conveyed objects consecutive in the conveying direction becomes larger than L / 2·sinαt, it is possible to rotate the conveyed object in the defective posture without hitting the conveyed objects before and after in the conveying direction. Note that the inclination angle αt and the distance L / 2·sinαt change with time t.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferable that the injection hole extends from the lower side to the bottom of the conveyance path at an inclination angle within an angle range of 15° to 25° from below, with the upstream side in the conveyance direction being 0°. According to this invention, since the injection hole extends from the lower side to the bottom of the conveyance path at an inclination angle within an angle range of 15° to 25° from below, with the upstream side in the conveyance direction being 0°, compressed air is injected through the injection hole at an inclination angle within an angle range of 15° to 25° upward from the bottom of the conveyance path with the downstream side in the conveyance direction being 0°. Therefore, the compressed air can be injected at an acute angle toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction, suppressing the conveyance object from being launched upward above the conveyance path, while being able to extrude the conveyance object in the conveyance direction while maintaining the normal posture, and widening the interval between the conveyance object extruded by the compressed air and the subsequent conveyance object.

[0016] In the present invention, it is preferable that compressed air is constantly injected from the injection hole. According to this invention, since compressed air is constantly injected from the injection hole, the conveyance object reaching above the opening of the injection hole can be continuously extruded in the conveyance direction.

[0017] In the present invention, it is preferable that a plurality of the injection holes are provided at a predetermined interval in the conveyance direction at the bottom of the conveyance path. According to this invention, since a plurality of the injection holes are provided at a predetermined interval in the conveyance direction at the bottom of the conveyance path, a plurality of opportunities for changing the posture can be given to the same conveyance object.

[0018] In the present invention, the injection hole is formed by butting a feed member and a counter member in which a concave groove is formed, and it is preferable that the injection hole is surrounded by the bottom surface and the inner surface of the concave groove and the surface of the counter member that abuts against the feed member.

[0019] According to the present invention, the injection hole is formed by abutting a feed member having a concave groove and an opposing member, and the injection hole is surrounded by the bottom surface and the inner surface of the concave groove in the feed member and the surface of the opposing member that abuts the feed member. Therefore, the injection hole can be easily formed as compared with the case of forming the injection hole by drilling a member consisting of one lump, and the inclination angle and the size of the injection hole can be easily set.

Effect of the Invention

[0020] As described above, according to the present invention, compressed air is supplied to the injection hole that opens at the bottom of the transport path of the vibratory transport device by the air supply means. Therefore, both the vibration of the vibratory transport device and the compressed air from the injection hole can achieve the excellent effect of being able to change the posture of the transported object in an incorrect posture while maintaining the posture of the transported object in a proper posture.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, the posture changing device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view schematically showing a vibrating conveyor equipped with the posture changing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a vibrating conveyor with the hopper omitted. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vibrating conveyor 10 is a circulating conveyor, and includes a first linear feeder 20, a second linear feeder 30, and a hopper 40. The first linear feeder 20 includes a carrier 21 extending in one direction, and this carrier 21 has two linearly extending parallel conveying paths 22, 23. The second linear feeder 30 includes a carrier 31 extending in one direction, and this carrier 31 has one linear conveying path 32. The first linear feeder 20 and the second linear feeder 30 are adjacently arranged so that their conveying directions F and R are opposite to each other. One of the conveying paths 22 in the first linear feeder 20 extends in the longitudinal direction of the carrier 21, and the downstream end 22a is configured to be able to transfer the conveyed object in the normal posture to another device. The other conveying path 23 extends parallel to one conveying path 22, and conveys the conveyed object excluded due to poor posture from one conveying path 22 in the same conveying direction F as one conveying path 22. The downstream end of the other conveying path 23 of the first linear feeder 20 and the upstream end of the conveying path 32 of the second linear feeder 30 are connected so as to be able to transfer the conveyed object. The downstream end of the conveying path 32 of the second linear feeder 30 and the upstream end of one of the conveying paths 22 of the first linear feeder 20 are connected so as to be able to transfer the conveyed object. Thereby, the conveyed object is configured to circulate between the first linear feeder 20 and the second linear feeder 30. The hopper 40 stores the conveyed object and gradually feeds the conveyed object into the conveying path 32 of the second linear feeder 30.

[0023] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view schematically showing the area surrounded by the dashed-dotted line A in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the conveyed object CN is conveyed over the conveying paths 22, 23, 32 of the vibratory conveying device 10. This conveyed object CN is not particularly limited, but is assumed to be a rectangular parallelepiped with rounded corners, and the length L in the longitudinal direction is larger than the width W and the thickness in the short side direction (L>W). As an example, the conveyed object CN is an electronic component such as an electric resistor, a multilayer ceramic capacitor, an inductor, a diode, a transistor, etc., and electrodes are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction. The dimensions of this conveyed object CN are not particularly limited, and may be 0603 (L = 0.6 mm × W = 0.3 mm), 0402 (L = 0.4 mm × W = 0.2 mm), or 0201 (L = 0.25 mm × W = 0.125).

[0024] Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the posture changing device 50 of the present embodiment is provided at a position surrounded by the dashed-dotted line A of the vibratory conveying device 10. Specifically, the posture changing device 50 is mounted on the carrier 21 of the first linear feeder 20 and is disposed at the center of the conveying path 22 of the first linear feeder 20.

[0025] FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a part of the carrier of the first linear feeder in the B-B cross-section of FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional arrow view schematically showing the carrier of the first linear feeder in the C-C range of FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the posture changing device 50 has a feeding member 51, a facing member 52, and an air supply means (not shown).

[0026] Here, in FIGS. 3 to 7, the direction indicated by arrow Up is defined as the upper side. (In FIG. 3, it is the front side of the paper plane, and in FIGS. 4 to 7, it is the upper side of the paper plane.) The direction indicated by arrow Dw is defined as the lower side. (In FIG. 3, it is the back side of the paper plane, and in FIGS. 4 to 7, it is the lower side of the paper plane.) The directions indicated by arrow Up and arrow Dw are defined as the vertical direction. The direction indicated by arrow In is defined as the back side. (In FIG. 3, it is the upper side of the paper plane, in FIG. 4, it is the left side of the paper plane, in FIG. 5, it is the back side of the paper plane, and in FIGS. 6 and 7, it is the upper left side of the paper plane.) The direction indicated by arrow Ot is defined as the front side. (In FIG. 3, it is the lower side of the paper plane, in FIG. 4, it is the right side of the paper plane, in FIG. 5, it is the front side of the paper plane, and in FIGS. 6 and 7, it is the lower right side of the paper plane.) The directions indicated by arrow In and arrow Ot are defined as the width direction. The direction indicated by arrow Us is defined as one end side. (In FIGS. 3 and 5, it is the left side of the paper plane, in FIG. 4, it is the front side of the paper plane, and in FIGS. 6 and 7, it is the lower left side of the paper plane.) The direction indicated by arrow Ds is defined as the other end side. (In FIGS. 3 and 5, it is the right side of the paper plane, in FIG. 4, it is the back side of the paper plane, and in FIGS. 6 and 7, it is the upper right side of the paper plane.) The directions indicated by arrow Us and arrow Ds are defined as the longitudinal direction. These directions indicate relative positional relationships and do not indicate absolute positional relationships with respect to the direction of gravity.

[0027] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the feed member. As shown in FIG. 6, the feed member 51 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped extending in one direction and extending in the longitudinal direction indicated by arrow Us and arrow Ds. On the front side indicated by arrow Ot of this feed member 51, a slope 51A and a front surface 51B are provided. This slope 51A is an inclined flat surface that gradually inclines from the lower side indicated by arrow Dw to the upper side indicated by arrow Up and from the front side to the back side indicated by arrow In. The front surface 51B is a flat surface and extends in the vertical direction indicated by arrow Up and arrow Dw. The slope 51A and the front surface 51B are formed over the entire longitudinal length from the end 51C on the one end side indicated by arrow Us to the end 51D on the other end side indicated by arrow Ds of the feed member 51. The slope 51A and the front surface 51B are arranged adjacent to each other vertically in the vertical direction and are connected in the vertical direction. In other words, the slope 51A is connected to the upper side of the front surface 51B, and the front surface 51B is connected to the lower side of the slope 51A.

[0028] The feed member 51 is provided with a recess 51a, a concave groove 51b, and a fastening hole 51p. The recess 51a is a substantially rectangular recess that extends upward from the bottom surface 51E of the feed member 51 and is recessed from the front surface 51B of the feed member 51 toward the back side. The upper side of this recess 51a is curved in an arc shape, and the lower side is open to the bottom surface 51E of the feed member 51. Also, the front side of the recess 51a is open to the front surface 51B of the feed member 51.

[0029] The concave groove 51b is a groove extending in one direction, obliquely extending from the upper part of the recess 51a to the lower part of the inclined surface 51A, and is recessed from the front surface 51B toward the back side. That is, the front side of the concave groove 51b is open from the front surface 51B of the feed member 51 to the inclined surface 51A. This concave groove 51b and the recess 51a communicate with each other. Also, the concave groove 51b extends obliquely upward in the longitudinal direction of the feed member 51. The inclination angle θ of the concave groove 51b is within an angle range of 15° to 25° (15° ≤ θ ≤ 25°), more preferably about 20° (θ ≈ 20°), with the other end side of the feed member 51 indicated by the arrow Ds being 0°.

[0030] The fastening hole 51p is circular and is configured to be able to insert a fastener Bt such as a screw or a bolt. This fastening hole 51p penetrates from the front surface 51B of the feed member 51 to the back surface 51F on the back side. In the illustrated example, there are three fastening holes 51p, which are arranged at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the feed member 51. Thereby, the feed member 51 can be fixed by screwing the fastener Bt into the fastening hole 51p (see FIG. 5).

[0031] Returning to FIG. 4, the opposing member 52 is substantially a rectangular parallelepiped like the feeding member 51 and extends in the longitudinal direction. On this opposing member 52, an inclined surface 52A and a rear surface 52B are provided on the back side. The inclined surface 52A is an inclined flat surface and gradually inclines from the lower side to the upper side from the back side to the front side. The rear surface 52B is a flat surface and extends in the vertical direction. The inclined surface 52A and the rear surface 52B are formed over the entire longitudinal length from one end side (not shown) to the other end side of the opposing member 52. The inclined surface 52A and the rear surface 52B are arranged adjacent to each other vertically in the vertical direction and are connected in the vertical direction. In other words, the inclined surface 52A is connected above the rear surface 52B, and the rear surface 52B is connected below the inclined surface 52A.

[0032] The feeding member 51 and the opposing member 52 have the same length in the longitudinal direction. For this reason, the inclined surface 51A of the feeding member 51 and the inclined surface 52A of the opposing member 52 have the same length in the longitudinal direction, and the front surface 51B of the feeding member 51 and the rear surface 52B of the opposing member 52 have the same length in the longitudinal direction. The height H1 of the front surface 51B of the feeding member 51 and the height H2 of the rear surface 52B of the opposing member 52 are the same (H1 = H2) (see FIGS. 4 and 6). Thereby, when the front surface 51B of the feeding member 51 and the rear surface 52B of the opposing member 52 are abutted, the front surface 51B of the feeding member 51 and the rear surface 52B of the opposing member 52 are in contact over the entire surface, and the inclined surface 51A of the feeding member 51 and the inclined surface 52A of the opposing member 52 are arranged to face each other in a V shape that opens upward. That is, a V-shaped groove is formed by the inclined surface 51A of the feeding member 51 and the inclined surface 52A of the opposing member 52 (see FIG. 4). This groove extends in the longitudinal direction of the feeding member 51 and the opposing member 52.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the feed member 51 and the opposing member 52 are mounted on the carrier 21 of the first linear feeder 20. At this time, the feed member 51 and the opposing member 52 are arranged adjacent to each other on the back side and the front side and are connected in the width direction, and the front surface 51B of the feed member 51 and the back surface 52B of the opposing member 52 are abutted against each other. For this reason, a V-shaped groove composed of the respective inclined surfaces 51A and 52A is formed between the feed member 51 and the opposing member 52. This groove extends in the transport direction F and constitutes a part of the transport path 22 of the first linear feeder 20. In other words, the inclined surface 51A of the feed member 51 and the inclined surface 52A of the opposing member 52 constitute a part of the transport path 22. Therefore, when the conveyed object CN is conveyed on the transport path 22, it passes over the groove composed of the inclined surface 51A and the inclined surface 52A.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6, in this state, an introduction hole 50a and an injection hole 50b are formed between the feed member 51 and the opposing member 52. This introduction hole 50a is surrounded by the inner surface and the bottom surface of the concave portion 51a of the feed member 51 and the back surface 52B of the opposing member 52, and is configured to be airtight. The injection hole 50b is surrounded by the inner surface and the bottom surface of the concave groove 51b of the feed member 51 and the back surface 52B of the opposing member 52, and is configured to be airtight. The back surface 52B of the opposing member 52 corresponds to the surface that abuts against the above feed member.

[0035] The introduction hole 50a and the injection hole 50b communicate with each other. Specifically, the upper part of the introduction hole 50a and the lower end of the injection hole 50b communicate with each other, the lower end part of the introduction hole 50a opens to the bottom surface 51E of the feed member 51, and the upper end part of the injection hole 50b opens to the lower part of the inclined surface 51A, that is, the bottom of the transport path 22 (see FIG. 3). For this reason, when compressed air is introduced into the introduction hole 50a from the bottom surface 51E of the feed member 51, the compressed air is supplied to the injection hole 50b through the introduction hole 50a and is ejected from the bottom of the transport path 22.

[0036] This injection hole 50b is narrower than the introduction hole 50a and is formed to be more elongated. Therefore, the injection hole 50b can accelerate the flow velocity of the compressed air introduced into the introduction hole 50a. Further, the injection hole 50b extends obliquely upward in the conveying direction F. The inclination angle of this injection hole 50b is the same as the inclination angle θ of the concave groove 51b, and is within an angle range of 15° to 25° above the conveying direction F (horizontal direction) set as 0°, and more preferably about 20°. In other words, the injection hole 50b extends downward from the bottom of the conveying path 22 at an inclination angle within an angle range of 15° to 25° downward with the upstream side of the conveying direction F as 0°. Therefore, compressed air can be injected obliquely upward at an acute angle from the bottom of the conveying path 22 in the conveying direction F. By this compressed air, it is possible to prevent the normal posture of the conveyed object CN from being disrupted, and the conveyed object CN can be pushed out in the conveying direction F while maintaining the normal posture of the conveyed object CN.

[0037] The air supply means includes an air supply device such as a supply pipe, a hose, and a compressor (not shown). One end of this supply pipe is inserted into the introduction hole 50a from the bottom surface 51E of the feed member 51. The other end of the supply pipe is connected to the hose. This hose is connected to the air supply device. Therefore, the introduction hole 50a, the supply pipe, the hose, and the air supply device are in communication. That is, when the air supply device is driven, compressed air is introduced into the introduction hole 50a through the hose and the supply pipe in sequence from the air supply device, and is supplied from the introduction hole 50a to the injection hole 50b. This air supply device is configured to constantly supply compressed air. Thereby, compressed air is constantly injected from the injection hole 50b. Note that a solenoid valve capable of adjusting the flow rate of compressed air may be provided between any of these supply pipe, hose, and air supply device. The air supply means corresponds to a concept including the introduction hole 50a, the supply pipe, the hose, the air supply device, and the solenoid valve.

[0038] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view showing another feed member. As shown in FIG. 7, the other feed member 61 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped extending in the longitudinal direction and has the same dimensions as the feed member 51. The feed member 51 is provided with a set of a recess 51a and a groove 51b, while this other feed member 61 is provided with two sets of recesses 61a, 61a' and grooves 61b, 61b'. One set of the recess 61a and the groove 61b and the other set of the recess 61a' and the groove 61b' are provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction on the front side of the other feed member 61. The recesses 61a, 61a' of the other feed member 61 are the same as the recess 51a of the feed member 51, and the grooves 61b, 61b' of the other feed member 61 are the same as the groove 51b of the feed member 51. The same reference numerals are given to the same parts of the other feed member 61 as those of the feed member 51, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0039] This other feed member 61 is mounted on the carrier 21 of the first linear feeder 20 in a state where the back surface 52B of the opposing member 52 is abutted against the front surface 61B thereof, similarly to the feed member 51. At this time, two sets of introduction holes 60a, 60a' and injection holes 60b, 60b' are formed between the other feed member 61 and the opposing member 52. One set of the introduction hole 60a and the injection hole 60b and the other set of the introduction hole 60a' and the injection hole 60b' are arranged at intervals in the conveying direction F of the first linear feeder 20. The introduction holes 60a, 60a' are the same as the above-described introduction hole 50a, and the injection holes 60b, 60b' are the same as the above-described injection hole 50b.

[0040] In this state, the inclined surface 61A of the other feed member 61 and the inclined surface 52A of the opposing member 52 are arranged to face each other in a V shape, forming a V-shaped groove. This groove constitutes a part of the conveying path 22' of the first linear feeder 20. At the bottom of this groove, that is, at the bottom of the conveying path 22', two injection holes 60b, 60b' are opened at intervals in the conveying direction F. Thereby, compressed air can be applied to the same conveyed object CN twice.

[0041] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram when rotating the conveyed object. As shown in FIG. 8, in the vibratory conveying device 10, the conveyed objects CN are conveyed continuously on the conveying path. At this time, if there is no gap before and after the conveyed object CN, the conveyed object CN cannot be rotated. Here, the normal posture of the conveyed object CN is a posture in which the longitudinal direction of the conveyed object CN extends in the conveying direction F (horizontal direction), and the defective posture of the conveyed object CN is a posture in which the longitudinal direction of the conveyed object CN extends in a direction (vertical direction) orthogonal to the conveying direction F. In FIG. 8, among the three conveyed objects CN, the postures of the two conveyed objects CN, CN on both sides are the normal postures, and the posture of the middle conveyed object CN is the defective posture.

[0042] When rotating the conveyed object CN from the defective posture to the normal posture, assuming the length in the longitudinal direction of the conveyed object CN is L, the inclination angle of the conveyed object CN is αt, and the distances of the gaps before and after the conveyed object CN are Fr and Bk, then this distance Fr, Bk is L / 2·sinαt (Fr = L / 2·sinαt, Bk = L / 2·sinαt). The distance Fr of the gap on the front side of the conveyed object CN and the distance Bk of the gap on the rear side of the conveyed object CN are the same (Fr = Bk). If this front and rear distance Fr, Bk is smaller than L / 2·sinαt, the conveyed object CN will collide with the conveyed objects CN, CN that are continuous before and after, so the conveyed object CN cannot be rotated. Therefore, it is necessary to make the distances of the gaps before and after the conveyed object CN larger than L / 2·sinαt (Fr ≧ L / 2·sinαt, Bk ≧ L / 2·sinαt). Here, the inclination angle αt of the conveyed object CN changes with time t. Therefore, the distances of the gaps before and after the conveyed object CN change with time t.

[0043] More specifically, when the conveyed object CN is rotated from an improper posture to a normal posture, the inclination angle αt of the conveyed object CN changes from 0° to 90°. When the inclination angle αt of the conveyed object CN is 0°, the distances Fr and Bk of the gaps before and after the conveyed object CN become 0 (Fr = 0, Bk = 0). When the inclination angle αt of the conveyed object CN is 30°, the distances Fr and Br of the gaps before and after the conveyed object CN become L / 4 (Fr = L / 4, Bk = L / 4). When the inclination angle αt of the conveyed object CN is 45°, the distances Fr and Bk before and after the conveyed object CN become √2 / 4·L (Fr = √2 / 4·L, Bk = √2 / 4·L). When the inclination angle αt of the conveyed object CN is 60°, the distances Fr and Bk before and after the conveyed object CN become √3 / 4·L (Fr = √3 / 4·L, Bk = √3 / 4·L). When the inclination angle αt of the conveyed object CN is 90°, the distances Fr and Bk before and after the conveyed object CN become L / 2 (Fr = L / 2, Bk = L / 2). Therefore, as the inclination angle αt of the conveyed object CN gradually changes from 0° to 90°, the distances Fr and Bk of the gaps before and after the conveyed object CN gradually increase. Thus, in order to smoothly rotate the conveyed object CN, it is necessary to increase the distances Fr and Br of the gaps before and after the conveyed object CN as it rotates around the center Q of the conveyed object CN. In other words, it is necessary to widen the interval before and after the conveyed object CN as it rotates around the center Q of the conveyed object CN.

[0044] Figs. 9(a) to 9(c) are explanatory diagrams showing a state in which an object to be conveyed in a normal posture is conveyed by the posture changing device of the present embodiment. As shown in Figs. 9(a) to 9(c), in a state where three objects to be conveyed CN1, CN2, and CN3 are continuously conveyed on the conveying path 22 of the vibrating conveying device 10, when the object to be conveyed CN1 in the normal posture reaches above the opening of the injection hole 50b (Fig. 9(a)), the object to be conveyed CN1 is blown obliquely upward in the conveying direction F from above the conveying path 22 by both the vibration V and the compressed air Ar (Fig. 9(b)), and lands on the conveying path 32 while maintaining the normal posture (Fig. 9(c)). As a result, since the object to be conveyed CN1 is pushed out in the conveying direction F by both the vibration V and the compressed air Ar of the vibrating conveying device 10, the distance between the object to be conveyed CN1 and the subsequent object to be conveyed CN2 can be widened. In Fig. 9, the distance between the object to be conveyed CN1 and the object to be conveyed CN2 changes from the distance Fr1 to the distance Fr2. When viewed from the middle object to be conveyed CN2 among the three objects to be conveyed CN1, CN2, and CN3, the distance of the gap on the front side in the conveying direction of the object to be conveyed CN2 becomes larger.

[0045] Figs. 10(a) to 10(c) are explanatory diagrams showing a state in which a conveyed object in an incorrect posture is changed in posture by the posture changing device of the present embodiment. As shown in Figs. 10(a) to 10(c), in a state where three conveyed objects CN1, CN2, and CN3 are continuously conveyed on the conveyance path 22 of the vibratory conveyance device 10, the middle conveyed object CN2 is in an incorrect posture. When this conveyed object CN2 reaches above the opening of the injection hole 50b (Fig. 10(a)), the conveyed object CN2 is blown obliquely upward in the conveyance direction F from above the conveyance path 22 by both the vibration V and the compressed air Ar, and is rotated around the center Q of the conveyed object CN2 by the compressed air Ar (Fig. 10(b)), and lands on the conveyance path 22 in a state of being in a normal posture (Fig. 10(c)). Thereby, compared with the case where the conveyed object CN2 is conveyed only by the vibration V, the propulsion force in the conveyance direction by the compressed air Ar and the rotational force for rotating around the center Q are applied, so that the distance between the conveyed object CN2 and the subsequent conveyed object CN3 can be widened, and the posture of the conveyed object CN2 can be changed. In Fig. 10, the distance between the conveyed object CN2 and the conveyed object CN3 changes from the distance Bk1 to the distance Bk3 via the distance Bk2. That is, the distance of the gap on the rear side in the conveyance direction of the conveyed object CN2 becomes larger.

[0046] When the posture changing device 50 configured as described above supplies compressed air from the air supply device, the compressed air sequentially passes through the hose, the introduction pipe, the introduction hole 50a, and the injection hole 50b and is injected obliquely upward in the conveyance direction F from the bottom of the conveyance path 22.

[0047] In the present embodiment, by having the injection hole 50b that opens at the bottom of the conveyance path 22 of the vibratory conveyance device 10 and the air supply means for supplying compressed air to the injection hole 50b, the conveyed object CN can be pushed out in the conveyance direction F by both the vibration of the vibratory conveyance device 10 and the compressed air injected from the injection hole 50b.

[0048] In this embodiment, the conveyed object CN conveyed by the vibratory conveying device 10 is substantially a rectangular parallelepiped. When the posture in which the longitudinal direction extends in the conveying direction F is defined as the normal posture and the posture in which the longitudinal direction extends in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction F is defined as the defective posture, if the length of the conveyed object CN in the longitudinal direction is L and the inclination angle of the conveyed object CN is αt, compressed air Ar is jetted from the jet hole 50b so that the distance Fr,Bk between the conveyed objects CN continuous in the conveying direction F becomes larger than L / 2·sinαt. By expanding the distance Fr,Bk between the conveyed objects CN continuous in the conveying direction F with the compressed air Ar, the conveyed object CN in the defective posture can be rotated without any trouble.

[0049] In this embodiment, since the jet hole 50b extends from the lower side to the bottom of the conveying path 22 at an inclination angle θ within the angle range of 15° to 25° from below with the conveying direction F being 0°, compressed air Ar can be jetted from the bottom of the conveying path 22 at an inclination angle θ within the angle range of 15° to 25° upward with the conveying direction F being 0°. Therefore, without lifting the conveyed object CN more than necessary, the conveyed object CN in the normal posture can be pushed out in the conveying direction F while maintaining the normal posture of the conveyed object CN, and the conveyed object CN in the defective posture can be rotated.

[0050] In this embodiment, since compressed air Ar is constantly jetted from the jet hole 50b, the conveyed object CN that has reached above the jet hole 50b can be continuously pushed out in the conveying direction F by the compressed air Ar.

[0051] In this embodiment, the jet hole 50b is formed by butting the feed member 51 formed with the concave groove 51b and the opposing member 52. The jet hole 50b is surrounded by the bottom surface and the inner surface of the concave groove 51b and the back surface 52B of the opposing member 52. Compared with the case where the jet hole 50b is formed by perforating a member composed of one lump, the jet hole 50b can be easily formed.

[0052] Furthermore, the posture changing device 50 of the present embodiment is not limited to the above-described illustrated examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the present embodiment, the injection holes 50b, 60b, 60b' are constantly ejecting compressed air Ar, but the injection holes 50b, 60b, 60b' may not constantly eject compressed air Ar, and the solenoid valve of the air supply means is controlled based on the signal of the detector that detects the defective posture of the conveyed object CN, so that the compressed air Ar can be appropriately ejected from the injection holes 50b, 60b, 60b'.

[0053] Also, in the present embodiment, one or two injection holes 50b, 60b, 60b' are provided at the bottom of the conveying paths 22, 22' of the vibrating conveying device 10, but three or more injection holes may be provided at intervals in the conveying direction F.

[0054] Note that the feeding members 51 and the other feeding members 61 of the present embodiment are respectively formed with recesses 51a, 61a, 61a' and concave grooves 51b, 61b, 61b', but only the concave grooves 51b, 61b, 61b' may be formed respectively.

[0055] In addition, the posture changing device 50 of the present embodiment is mounted on the carrier 21 of the first linear feeder 20 of the circulating conveying device 10, but it may be mounted on the carrier 31 of the second linear feeder 30, or may be provided in the linear feeder of a vibrating conveying device having a bowl feeder and a linear feeder instead of the circulating conveying device 10, or may be provided in the linear feeder of a vibrating conveying device consisting only of a linear feeder.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0056] 10,70... Vibration conveyor, 20... First linear feeder, 21, 31... Carriers, 22, 22', 23, 32, 72... Conveyor paths, 22a... Downstream end, 30... Second linear feeder, 40... Hopper, 50... Posture changing device, 50a, 60a, 60a'... Introduction holes, 50b, 60b, 60b'... Injection holes, 51, 61... Feeding members, 51a, 61a, 61a'... Recesses, 51b, 61b, 61b'... Recess grooves, 51p... Fastening holes, 51A, 52A, 61A... Inclined surfaces, 51B, 61B... Front surfaces, 51C, 51D... Ends, 51E... Bottom surfaces, 51F, 52B... Rear surfaces, 52... Opposing member, A... Dashed line, Ar... Compressed air, CN, CN1, CN2, CN3... Articles to be conveyed, d, Fr, Fr1, Fr2, Bk, Bk1, Bk2, Bk3... Distances, F, R... Conveying directions, H1, H2... Heights, L... Lengths, P1... First position, P2... Second position, Q... Center, V... Vibration, W... Widths, Up, Dw, In, Ot, Us, Ds... Arrows, θ, αt... Tilt angles, t... Time.

Claims

1. A posture changing device mounted on a vibration-type conveying device, An injection hole opening at a bottom of the conveying path of the vibration type conveying device; an introduction hole communicating with the injection hole; and an air supply means for supplying compressed air to the injection hole, Regarding a dimension of the injection hole in an axial direction and a dimension in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, the dimension of the injection hole in the axial direction is longer than the dimension of the introduction hole in the axial direction, and the dimension of the injection hole in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction is smaller than the dimension of the introduction hole in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction, The injection hole extends obliquely upward in the conveying direction, the introduction hole and the injection hole are provided between the feed member and the opposing member, the feed member has a front surface, and is provided with a recess and a groove recessed from the front surface, the recess is substantially rectangular, the groove is a groove extending in one direction, and the recess and the groove are in communication with each other, The opposing member has a back surface which is a flat surface, The front surface of the feed member and the back surface of the opposing member are butted against each other, the introduction hole is surrounded by an inner surface and a bottom surface of the recess of the feed member and the back surface of the opposing member, the injection hole is surrounded by an inner surface and a bottom surface of the groove of the feed member and the back surface of the opposing member, When compressed air is injected into the introduction hole by the air supply means, the compressed air is supplied through the introduction hole to the injection hole and is injected at an acute angle diagonally upward from the bottom of the conveying path toward the conveying direction.

2. A slope is connected to the upper side of the front surface of the feed member, A slope is connected to the upper side of the back surface of the opposing member, When the front surface of the feed member and the back surface of the opposing member are butted against each other, a V-shaped groove is formed by the inclined surface of the feed member and the inclined surface of the opposing member, the groove extends in the conveying direction and constitutes a part of the conveying path. The attitude changing device according to claim 1 .

3. 3. The attitude changing device according to claim 1, wherein the injection holes extend from below the transport path to the bottom at an inclination angle within an angle range of 15° to 25° from below, with the upstream side in the transport direction being 0°.

4. 3. The attitude changing device according to claim 1, wherein the injection hole constantly injects compressed air.

5. 3. The attitude changing device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of sets of the introduction holes and the injection holes are provided at the bottom of the transport path at predetermined intervals in the transport direction.

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