Workpiece separating and supplying device and workpiece separating and supplying method

Abstract

To provide a workpiece separation and supply apparatus capable of separating a plurality of workpieces at high speed and sequentially supplying the same to a next step.SOLUTION: A skewer portion 20 can hold a plurality of workpieces 10 in a skewered state while being connected in an axial direction. A pusher 30 can push the workpieces 10 held by the skewer portion 20 toward a tip side of the skewer portion 20. A chute 40 can guide the workpieces 10 that are pushed out from the tip of the skewer portion 20 by the pusher 30 and are separated to drop one by one. A conveyor 50 can transport and supply the workpieces 10 guided by the chute 40 to the next step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a workpiece separate supply device and a workpiece separate supply method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a workpiece separating and supplying device for separating and supplying workpieces to the next process. For example, the workpiece separating and supplying device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a chute that guides aligned and freely falling workpieces, a workpiece receiving lever that receives the first workpiece that falls, a workpiece stopper that holds the second workpiece that falls after the first workpiece in the chute, and a chuck that moves the first workpiece to the next process. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 62-9849 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the workpiece separating and supplying device of Patent Document 1, the chute, workpiece stopper, and second workpiece are lifted vertically upward while the second workpiece is held by the workpiece stopper, and in this state the first workpiece is moved to the next process by the chuck, after which the chute, workpiece stopper, and second workpiece are returned to their original positions, repeating this cycle.As a result, it may be difficult to separate multiple workpieces at high speed and supply them sequentially to the next process.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a workpiece separating and supplying device and a workpiece separating and supplying method that can separate a plurality of workpieces at high speed and supply them sequentially to the next process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The first aspect of the present invention is a work separation and supply device that separates a plurality of annular workpieces connected in an axial direction and supplies them to a next process, and includes a skewer, a pusher, a chute, a conveyor, and Robots and The skewer section can hold multiple workpieces skewered together in the axial direction. The pusher can push the workpieces held by the skewer section toward the tip of the skewer section. The chute can guide the workpieces that are pushed out from the tip of the skewer section by the pusher and fall one by one. The conveyor can transport and supply the workpieces guided by the chute to the next process. The robot can skewer multiple workpieces onto the skewer portion while holding them in a row in the axial direction.

[0007] In this embodiment, the workpieces held on the skewer while still connected in the axial direction are pushed out by the pusher, and the workpieces are separated one by one and guided to the conveyor, where they are sequentially supplied to the next process. Therefore, multiple workpieces can be separated at high speed and sequentially supplied to the next process. In this embodiment, the workpiece is made of metal. ,ring The skewer portion is formed in a cylindrical shape. The robot has a holding unit that can suck and hold the outer surfaces of multiple workpieces that are connected in the axial direction. .

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is a workpiece separating and supplying device that separates multiple annular workpieces connected in an axial direction and supplies them to a next process, and includes a first skewer, a first pusher, a first chute, a second skewer, a second pusher, a second chute, a conveyor, a robot, and a control unit. The first skewer can hold multiple workpieces connected in an axial direction and skewered together. The first pusher can push the workpieces held by the first skewer toward the tip of the first skewer. The first chute can guide the workpieces that are pushed from the tip of the first skewer by the first pusher and fall one by one.

[0009] The second skewer can hold multiple workpieces in a skewered state while they are connected in the axial direction. The second pusher can push the workpieces held by the second skewer toward the tip of the second skewer. The second chute can guide the workpieces that are pushed out from the tip of the second skewer by the second pusher and fall one by one.

[0010] The conveyor can transport and supply the workpieces guided by the first chute or the second chute to the next process. The robot can skewer multiple workpieces onto the first skewer or the second skewer while holding them connected in the axial direction. The control unit can control the operation of the robot, the first pusher, and the second pusher.

[0011] In this embodiment, the robot has two skewer sections, two pushers, and two chutes, and holds multiple workpieces connected in the axial direction while skewering them into the two skewer sections, and a control unit controls the operation of the robot and the two pushers.

[0012] Therefore, by controlling the operation of the robot and the two pushers with a control unit, it is possible to continuously push out multiple workpieces held by the two skewers, which makes it possible to separate multiple workpieces at high speed and supply them to the next process in sequence, more efficiently. In this embodiment, the workpiece is made of metal. ,ring The first skewer portion and the second skewer portion are formed in a cylindrical shape. The robot has a holding unit that can suck and hold the outer surfaces of multiple workpieces that are connected in the axial direction. .

[0013] A third aspect of the present invention is a workpiece separating and supplying method for separating multiple annular workpieces connected in an axial direction and supplying them to a next process, and includes a skewering step, a pushing-out step, a guiding step, and a supplying step. In the skewering step, the multiple workpieces are skewered onto a skewer section while being held connected in the axial direction. In the pushing-out step, the workpieces held on the skewer section are pushed out toward the tip of the skewer section. In the guiding step, the workpieces pushed out from the tip of the skewer section, separated and falling one by one, are guided by a chute. In the supplying step, the workpieces guided by the chute are transported by a conveyor to the next process and supplied.

[0014] In this embodiment, by pushing out the multiple workpieces held on the skewer while still connected in the axial direction in the pushing-out step, the workpieces can be separated one by one and guided to the conveyor, and sequentially supplied to the next process. Therefore, multiple workpieces can be separated at high speed and sequentially supplied to the next process. In this embodiment, the workpiece is made of metal. ,ring The skewer portion is formed in a cylindrical shape. In the skewering step, a robot having a holding part capable of suction-holding the outer peripheral surfaces of a plurality of workpieces connected in the axial direction skewer the plurality of workpieces while holding them connected in the axial direction. . [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a workpiece separating and feeding device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of a workpiece separating and supplying device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the workpiece separating and supplying device according to the embodiment takes out the workpiece from the box. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the workpiece separating and feeding device according to the embodiment skeweres the workpieces onto the skewer portion. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the workpiece separating and feeding device according to the embodiment skeweres the workpieces onto the skewer portion. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the workpiece separating and feeding device according to the embodiment skeweres the workpieces onto the skewer portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a workpiece separating and supplying device according to an embodiment pushes out a workpiece. [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart showing steps of a workpiece separating and feeding method. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a workpiece separating and feeding device according to a comparative example. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a workpiece separating and supplying device according to a comparative example takes out a workpiece from a box. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a comparative example of a workpiece separating and supplying device placing a workpiece on a conveyor. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which a workpiece separating and supplying device according to a comparative example takes out another workpiece from a box. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the time required to remove a workpiece from a box and supply it to the next process, where (A) is a diagram for a comparative example, and (B) is a diagram for one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, a workpiece separate supply device and a workpiece separate supply method according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] (One embodiment) An embodiment of the workpiece separating and feeding device is shown in FIGS.

[0018] The workpiece separating and supplying device 1 is a device that separates a plurality of annular workpieces 10 that are connected in the axial direction and supplies them to the next process. Here, the workpieces 10 are, for example, pulleys attached to a magnetic clutch of a vehicle air conditioner, and are made of an iron-based metal and have an annular shape. The workpiece separating and supplying device 1 separates the plurality of workpieces 10 that are connected in the axial direction and stored in a box 4 one by one, and supplies them to the next process.

[0019] <1> The workpiece separating and supplying device 1 includes a skewer unit 20, a pusher 30, a chute 40, a conveyor 50, etc. The skewer unit 20 can hold a plurality of workpieces 10 in a skewered state while they are connected in the axial direction. The pusher 30 can push the workpieces 10 held by the skewer unit 20 toward the tip side of the skewer unit 20. The chute 40 can guide the workpieces 10 that are pushed out from the tip of the skewer unit 20 by the pusher 30 and separated and fall one by one. The conveyor 50 can transport and supply the workpieces 10 guided by the chute 40 to the next process.

[0020] <2> The workpiece separating and supplying device 1 includes a plurality of skewers 20, a plurality of pushers 30 corresponding to the plurality of skewers 20, and a plurality of chutes 40 corresponding to the plurality of skewers 20.

[0021] More specifically, the workpiece separating and supplying device 1 has two skewers 20, two pushers 30, and two chutes 40. One of the two skewer sections 20 is referred to as a first skewer section 21, and the other is referred to as a second skewer section 22. One of the two pushers 30 is referred to as a first pusher 31, and the other is referred to as a second pusher 32. One of the two chutes 40 is referred to as a first chute 41, and the other is referred to as a second chute 42.

[0022] 2, the first skewer portion 21 and the second skewer portion 22 are formed, for example, in a cylindrical shape and are arranged parallel to each other. The first skewer portion 21 and the second skewer portion 22 are arranged perpendicular to the vertical direction, i.e., along the horizontal direction.

[0023] The first pusher 31 is provided at the base end of the first skewer portion 21 and is capable of reciprocating along the axial direction of the first skewer portion 21 between the base end and the tip end of the first skewer portion 21. The second pusher 32 is provided at the base end of the second skewer portion 22 and is capable of reciprocating along the axial direction of the second skewer portion 22 between the base end and the tip end of the second skewer portion 22.

[0024] The chute 40 has an upper chute 401, a middle chute 402, and a lower chute 403. The upper chute 401 of the first chute 41 is provided vertically below the tip of the first skewer 21, with its flat surface inclined. The lower chute 403 is provided on the opposite side of the upper chute 401 from the first skewer 21, with its flat surface inclined. The middle chute 402 is provided between the upper chute 401 and the lower chute 403. The angle of inclination of the flat surface of the upper chute 401 relative to the horizontal plane is greater than the angle of inclination of the flat surface of the lower chute 403 relative to the horizontal plane. When viewed vertically, the first skewer 21, the upper chute 401, the middle chute 402, and the lower chute 403 of the first chute 41 are arranged in a straight line. The upper chute 401, the middle chute 402, and the lower chute 403 of the second chute 42 have the same configuration as the first chute 41, and therefore their description will be omitted.

[0025] Conveyor 50 is provided on the opposite side of first skewer 21 and second skewer 22 with respect to first chute 41 and second chute 42. Conveyor 50 has rails 51, plates 52, etc. Rail 51 is provided so as to extend from a position corresponding to lower chute 403 of first chute 41 and second chute 42 at least to the work area for the next process. Multiple plates 52 are connected in a ring shape and are driven by, for example, a chain or the like, to move along rail 51 on the upper and lower sides thereof.

[0026] In this embodiment, the workpiece separating and supplying device 1 further includes an auxiliary plate portion 80. Two auxiliary plate portions 80 are provided. One of the two auxiliary plate portions 80 is a first auxiliary plate portion 81, and the other is a second auxiliary plate portion 82. The first auxiliary plate portion 81 is provided so as to be able to move back and forth horizontally between a position that is a predetermined distance away from the tip end of the first skewer portion 21 in the axial direction and a position that corresponds to the space between the first skewer portion 21 and the second skewer portion 22. The second auxiliary plate portion 82 is provided so as to be able to move back and forth horizontally between a position that is a predetermined distance away from the tip end of the second skewer portion 22 in the axial direction and a position that corresponds to the space between the second skewer portion 22 and the first skewer portion 21.

[0027] <3> The workpiece separating and supplying device 1 further includes a robot 60 and a control unit 70. The robot 60 is capable of skewering a plurality of workpieces 10 into the skewer portion 20 while holding them in a row in the axial direction. The control unit 70 is capable of controlling the operation of the robot 60 and the pusher 30. The control unit controls the operation of the robot 60 so as to skewer a plurality of workpieces 10 into the skewer portion 20 while holding them in a row in the axial direction, and then controls the operation of the pusher 30 so as to push the workpieces 10 held by the skewer portion 20 toward the tip side of the skewer portion 20.

[0028] More specifically, the robot 60 is, for example, a vertical articulated robot, and has an arm 61, a holder 62, etc. (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The robot 60 can freely move the arm 61 around the skewer 20. The holder 62 is provided at the tip of the arm 61. The holder 62 has an electromagnet (not shown). Therefore, the holder 62 can collectively suck and hold a plurality of workpieces 10 that are lined up in the axial direction. In this embodiment, the holder 62 can collectively suck and hold five workpieces 10 that are lined up in the axial direction (see FIG. 3).

[0029] The control unit 70 is a computer serving as a controller, and is capable of controlling the operation of the robot 60 and the pusher 30 in accordance with a stored program. In this embodiment, the control unit 70 is also capable of controlling the operation of the conveyor 50 and the auxiliary plate unit 80.

[0030] Next, an example of the operation of the workpiece separating and supplying device 1 will be described.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 1, a box 4 containing two sets of five workpieces 10 lined up in the axial direction, i.e., a total of ten workpieces 10, flows along the box lane 2 and is carried to the vicinity of the workpiece separating and supplying device 1. The control unit 70 controls the robot 60 to suck and hold the five workpieces 10 contained in the box 4 by the holding unit 62 while keeping them lined up in the axial direction, and to remove them from the box 4 (see Fig. 3).

[0032] Next, the control unit 70 controls the robot 60 to skewer the five workpieces 10 held by the holder 62 onto the first skewer 21 (see FIGS. 4 to 6). At this time, the first auxiliary plate 81 is located in a position corresponding to the space between the first skewer 21 and the second skewer 22. In other words, the first auxiliary plate 81 is not located opposite the tip of the first skewer 21. Therefore, the first auxiliary plate 81 does not interfere with the robot 60's operation of skewering the workpieces 10 onto the first skewer 21.

[0033] Next, the control unit 70 controls the first auxiliary plate portion 81 so that the first auxiliary plate portion 81 moves to a position that is a predetermined distance axially away from the tip end of the first skewer portion 21. Next, the control unit 70 controls the first pusher 31 so that the first pusher 31 pushes the workpiece 10 held by the first skewer portion 21 toward the tip end of the first skewer portion 21.

[0034] When the first pusher 31 pushes the five workpieces 10 connected in the axial direction toward the tip of the first skewer portion 21, the workpieces 10 hit the first auxiliary plate portion 81, separate one by one, and fall into the first chute 41 (see Figure 7).

[0035] The workpiece 10 that has fallen onto the first chute 41 slides down the first chute 41 and is guided to the conveyor 50. The workpiece 10 that has been guided to the conveyor 50 is supplied to the next process by the conveyor 50.

[0036] Next, the control unit 70 controls the robot 60 to suck and hold the remaining five workpieces 10 contained in the box 4 while they are still connected in the axial direction by the holding unit 62 and remove them from the box 4.

[0037] Next, the control unit 70 controls the robot 60 to skewer the five workpieces 10 held by the holding unit 62 onto the second skewer unit 22. At this time, the second auxiliary plate unit 82 is located at a position corresponding to the space between the second skewer unit 22 and the first skewer unit 21. Therefore, the second auxiliary plate unit 82 does not interfere with the robot 60's operation of skewering the workpieces 10 onto the second skewer unit 22.

[0038] Next, the control unit 70 controls the second auxiliary plate 82 so that the second auxiliary plate 82 moves to a position that is a predetermined distance axially away from the tip of the second skewer 22. Next, the control unit 70 controls the second pusher 32 so that the second pusher 32 pushes the workpiece 10 held by the second skewer 22 toward the tip of the second skewer 22.

[0039] When the second pusher 32 pushes the five workpieces 10 connected in the axial direction toward the tip side of the second skewer portion 22, the workpieces 10 hit the second auxiliary plate portion 82, separate one by one, and fall into the second chute 42.

[0040] The workpiece 10 that has fallen onto the second chute 42 slides down the second chute 42 and is guided to the conveyor 50. The workpiece 10 that has been guided to the conveyor 50 is supplied to the next process by the conveyor 50.

[0041] Empty boxes 4 flow through empty box lane 3 (see Figure 1).

[0042] Next, a method for separating and supplying the workpieces will be described.

[0043] The workpiece separating and supplying method of this embodiment is a method for separating and supplying a plurality of annular workpieces 10 connected in the axial direction to the next process, and includes a skewering step S101, a pushing-out step S102, a guiding step S103, and a supplying step S104. In the skewering step S101, the plurality of workpieces 10 are skewered onto the skewer section 20 while being held connected in the axial direction. In the pushing-out step S102, the workpieces 10 held by the skewer section 20 are pushed out toward the tip of the skewer section 20. In the guiding step S103, the workpieces 10 that are pushed out from the tip of the skewer section 20 and fall one by one are guided by the chute 40. In the supplying step S104, the workpieces 10 guided by the chute 40 are transported and supplied to the next process by the conveyor 50 (see FIG. 8).

[0044] Next, a comparative example of a workpiece separating and supplying device will be described.

[0045] 9, the comparative workpiece separating and supplying device 5 includes a conveyor 91, a robot 92, etc. The conveyor 91 is, for example, a belt conveyor, and is provided so as to extend from the vicinity of the box lane 2 to the work location for the next process.

[0046] The robot 92 is, for example, a vertical articulated robot, and has an arm 93, a holder 94, etc. (see Figures 9 and 10). The operation of the robot 92 is controlled by a control unit (not shown). The robot 92 can freely move the arm 93 around the conveyor 91. The holder 94 is provided at the tip of the arm 93. The holder 94 has an electromagnet (not shown). Therefore, the holder 94 can suction and hold the workpiece 10. In a comparative embodiment, the holder 94 can suction and hold one workpiece 10 at a time (see Figures 10 and 11).

[0047] Next, an example of the operation of the comparative workpiece separating and supplying device 5 will be described.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 9, a box 4 containing two sets of five workpieces 10 connected in the axial direction, i.e., a total of ten workpieces 10, flows along the box lane 2 and is carried to the vicinity of the workpiece separating and supplying device 5. The control unit controls the robot 92 to suck and hold one of the ten workpieces 10 contained in the box 4 with the holding unit 94 and remove it from the box 4 (see Fig. 10).

[0049] Next, the control unit controls the robot 92 to place one workpiece 10 held by the holder 94 onto the conveyor 91 (see FIG. 11).

[0050] Next, the control unit controls the robot 92 to suck and hold one of the remaining nine workpieces 10 contained in the box 4 by the holder 94 and remove it from the box 4 (see FIG. 12).

[0051] Next, the control unit controls the robot 92 to place one workpiece 10 held by the holder 94 on the conveyor 91.

[0052] Thereafter, the robot 92 repeats the same operation, separating the workpieces 10 lined up in the axial direction in the box 4 one by one, and placing them on the conveyor 91.

[0053] Empty boxes 4 flow through empty box lane 3 (see Figure 9).

[0054] As described above, in the comparative workpiece separating and supplying device 5, the workpieces 10 lined up in the axial direction in the box 4 are separated and removed one by one (see FIG. 13(A)), so it may take a very long time to remove all of the workpieces 10 in the box 4 and supply them to the next process. For example, the cycle time required to remove one workpiece 10 from the box 4 and place it on the conveyor 91 is approximately 7.5 seconds per workpiece.

[0055] Furthermore, since the weight of the workpiece 10 is relatively heavy, it is difficult to shorten the cycle time by increasing the speed of the robot 92 in terms of the operation time and the load on the robot 92.

[0056] On the other hand, in the workpiece separating and supplying device 1 of this embodiment, five workpieces 10 lined up in the axial direction in the box 4 are taken out at once, and then the workpieces 10 lined up in the axial direction are pushed out by the pusher 30 to be separated one by one and supplied to the next process (see FIG. 13(B)), which significantly reduces the time required to take out all of the workpieces 10 in the box 4 and supply them to the next process. For example, the cycle time required to take out five workpieces 10 at once from the box 4 and place them on the conveyor 50 is approximately 2.0 seconds per workpiece.

[0057] As explained above, <1> In this embodiment, the skewer portion 20 can hold multiple workpieces 10 in a skewered state while they are connected in the axial direction. The pusher 30 can push the workpieces 10 held by the skewer portion 20 toward the tip side of the skewer portion 20. The chute 40 can guide the workpieces 10 that are pushed out from the tip of the skewer portion 20 by the pusher 30 and fall one by one. The conveyor 50 can transport and supply the workpieces 10 guided by the chute 40 to the next process.

[0058] In this embodiment, the workpieces 10 held by the skewer 20 while being connected in the axial direction are pushed out by the pusher 30, whereby the workpieces 10 are separated one by one and guided to the conveyor 50, and can be sequentially supplied to the next process. Therefore, the workpieces 10 can be separated at high speed and sequentially supplied to the next process.

[0059] Also, <2> In this embodiment, the workpiece separating and supplying device 1 includes a plurality of skewers 20, a plurality of pushers 30 corresponding to the plurality of skewers 20, and a plurality of chutes 40 corresponding to the plurality of skewers 20.

[0060] Also, <3> The workpiece separating and supplying device 1 of this embodiment further includes a robot 60 and a control unit 70. The robot 60 is capable of skewering a plurality of workpieces 10 into the skewer portion 20 while holding them in a row in the axial direction. The control unit 70 is capable of controlling the operation of the robot 60 and the pusher 30. The control unit controls the operation of the robot 60 so as to skewer a plurality of workpieces 10 into the skewer portion 20 while holding them in a row in the axial direction, and then controls the operation of the pusher 30 so as to push the workpieces 10 held by the skewer portion 20 toward the tip side of the skewer portion 20.

[0061] Also, <4> In this embodiment, the first skewer portion 21 can hold a plurality of workpieces 10 in a skewered state while they are connected in the axial direction. The first pusher 31 can push the workpieces 10 held by the first skewer portion 21 toward the tip side of the first skewer portion 21. The first chute 41 can guide the workpieces 10 that are pushed out from the tip of the first skewer portion 21 by the first pusher 31 and fall one by one after separation.

[0062] The second skewer portion 22 can hold a plurality of workpieces 10 in a skewered state while they are connected in the axial direction. The second pusher 32 can push the workpieces 10 held by the second skewer portion 22 toward the tip side of the second skewer portion 22. The second chute 42 can guide the workpieces 10 that are pushed out from the tip of the second skewer portion 22 by the second pusher 32 and fall one by one after being separated.

[0063] The conveyor 50 can transport and supply the workpieces 10 guided by the first chute 41 or the second chute 42 to the next process. The robot 60 can skewer multiple workpieces 10 onto the first skewer 21 or the second skewer 22 while holding them connected in the axial direction. The control unit 70 can control the operation of the robot 60, the first pusher 31, and the second pusher 32.

[0064] In this embodiment, the system is equipped with two skewer portions 20, two pushers 30, and two chutes 40, a robot 60 that holds multiple workpieces 10 connected in the axial direction and skeweres them onto the two skewer portions 20, and a control unit 70 that controls the operation of the robot 60 and the two pushers 30.

[0065] Therefore, by controlling the operation of the robot 60 and the two pushers 30 with the control unit 70, it is possible to continuously push out the multiple workpieces 10 held by the two skewers 20. This makes it possible to separate the multiple workpieces 10 at high speed and supply them to the next process in sequence more efficiently.

[0066] Also, <5> The workpiece separating and feeding method of this embodiment includes a skewering step S101, a push-out step S102, a guiding step S103, and a feeding step S104. In the skewering step S101, a plurality of workpieces 10 are skewered onto the skewer section 20 while being held in a row in the axial direction. In the push-out step S102, the workpieces 10 held by the skewer section 20 are pushed out toward the tip of the skewer section 20. In the guiding step S103, the workpieces 10 that are pushed out from the tip of the skewer section 20 and fall one by one are guided by the chute 40. In the feeding step S104, the workpieces 10 guided by the chute 40 are transported and fed to the next process by the conveyor 50.

[0067] In this embodiment, the plurality of workpieces 10 held by the skewer portion 20 while being connected in the axial direction are pushed out in the pushing-out step S102, whereby the workpieces 10 are separated one by one and guided to the conveyor 50, and can be sequentially supplied to the next process. Therefore, the plurality of workpieces 10 can be separated at high speed and sequentially supplied to the next process.

[0068] (Other embodiments) In the above-described embodiment, The control unit After controlling the operation of the robot so as to skewer the plurality of workpieces into the first skewer portion while holding them in a row in the axial direction, controlling the operation of the first pusher so as to push the work held by the first skewer portion toward a tip end side of the first skewer portion; After controlling the operation of the robot so as to skewer the plurality of workpieces into the second skewer portion while holding them in a row in the axial direction, An example has been shown in which the operation of the second pusher is controlled so as to push the workpiece held by the second skewer portion toward the tip end side of the second skewer portion.

[0069] In contrast to this, in another embodiment, The control unit After controlling the operation of the robot so as to skewer the plurality of workpieces into the first skewer portion while holding them in a row in the axial direction, Controlling the operation of the robot so that the plurality of workpieces are skewered into the second skewer portion while being held in a line in the axial direction; After controlling the operation of the first pusher so as to push the work held by the first skewer portion toward the tip side of the first skewer portion, The operation of the second pusher may be controlled so as to push the workpiece held by the second skewer portion toward the tip end side of the second skewer portion.

[0070] In another embodiment, The control unit After controlling the operation of the robot so as to skewer the plurality of workpieces into the first skewer portion while holding them in a row in the axial direction, Controlling the operation of the robot so that the plurality of workpieces are skewered into the second skewer portion while being held in a line in the axial direction; After controlling the operation of the second pusher so as to push the work held by the second skewer portion toward the tip side of the second skewer portion, The operation of the first pusher may be controlled so as to push the workpiece held by the first skewer portion toward the tip end side of the first skewer portion.

[0071] In this way, the order in which the plurality of workpieces are skewered into the first skewer portion or the second skewer portion, and the order in which the plurality of workpieces are pushed out from the first skewer portion or the second skewer portion may be set in any order.

[0072] In another embodiment, The control unit While controlling the operation of the first pusher so as to push the work held by the first skewer portion toward the tip side of the first skewer portion, The operation of the robot may be controlled so that the plurality of workpieces are skewered into the second skewer portion while being held in a line in the axial direction.

[0073] In this case, a plurality of workpieces can be separated at high speed and sequentially supplied to the next process more efficiently.

[0074] In other embodiments, one skewer, one pusher, and one chute may be provided, or three or more skewer, pushers, and three or more chutes may be provided.

[0075] The present invention is not limited to a workpiece such as a pulley attached to a magnetic clutch of a vehicle air conditioner, but can be applied to any workpiece as long as it is annular.

[0076] As such, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 Work separation and supply device, 10 Work, 20 Skewer section, 21 First skewer section (skewer section), 22 Second skewer section (skewer section), 30 Pusher, 31 First pusher (pusher), 32 Second pusher (pusher), 40 Chute, 41 First chute (chute), 42 Second chute (chute), 50 Conveyor

Claims

1. A workpiece separating and supplying device that separates a plurality of annular workpieces (10) connected in an axial direction and supplies them to a next process, A skewer portion (20, 21, 22) capable of holding a plurality of the workpieces in a skewered state while being connected in the axial direction; a pusher (30, 31, 32) capable of pushing the work held in the skewer portion toward the tip side of the skewer portion; a chute (40, 41, 42) capable of guiding the workpieces that are pushed out from the tip of the skewer by the pusher and separated and dropped one by one; a conveyor (50) capable of transporting and supplying the work guided by the chute to a next process; a robot (60) capable of skewering the plurality of workpieces while holding them in a line in the axial direction, The workpiece is made of metal and has an annular shape, The skewer portion is formed in a cylindrical shape, The robot is a workpiece separating and supplying device having a holding section (62) capable of suction-holding the outer peripheral surfaces of a plurality of the workpieces connected in the axial direction.

2. A plurality of the skewer portions are provided, a plurality of the pushers are provided to correspond to the plurality of skewer portions; The workpiece separating and supplying device according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of the chutes corresponding to a plurality of the skewers.

3. Further comprising: a control unit (70) capable of controlling the operation of the robot and the pusher; The control unit After controlling the operation of the robot so as to skewer the plurality of workpieces while holding them in a row in the axial direction, 3. The workpiece separating and feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the operation of the pusher is controlled so as to push the workpiece held by the skewer portion toward the tip end of the skewer portion.

4. A workpiece separating and supplying device that separates a plurality of annular workpieces (10) connected in an axial direction and supplies them to a next process, a first skewer portion (21) capable of holding a plurality of the workpieces in a skewered state while being connected in the axial direction; a first pusher (31) capable of pushing the work held by the first skewer portion toward the tip end side of the first skewer portion; a first chute (41) capable of guiding the works that are pushed out from the tip of the first skewer by the first pusher and separated and fall one by one; a second skewer portion (22) capable of holding a plurality of the workpieces in a skewered state while being connected in the axial direction; a second pusher (32) capable of pushing the work held by the second skewer portion toward the tip end side of the second skewer portion; a second chute (42) capable of guiding the works that are pushed out from the tip of the second skewer by the second pusher and separated and fall one by one; a conveyor (50) capable of transporting and supplying the work guided by the first chute or the second chute to a next process; a robot (60) capable of skewering a plurality of the workpieces into the first skewer portion or the second skewer portion while holding the workpieces in a row in the axial direction; a control unit (70) capable of controlling the operation of the robot, the first pusher, and the second pusher; The workpiece is made of metal and has an annular shape, The first skewer portion and the second skewer portion are formed in a cylindrical shape, The robot is a workpiece separating and supplying device having a holding section (62) capable of suction-holding the outer peripheral surfaces of a plurality of the workpieces connected in the axial direction.

5. A workpiece separating and supplying method for separating a plurality of annular workpieces (10) connected in an axial direction and supplying them to a next process, comprising: a skewering step of skewering the plurality of workpieces onto a skewer portion (20) while holding the workpieces in a row in the axial direction; a pushing step of pushing the workpiece held by the skewer portion toward the tip side of the skewer portion; a guiding step of guiding the workpieces, which are pushed out from the tip of the skewer and separated and fall one by one, by a chute (40); a supply step of conveying and supplying the work guided by the chute to a next process by a conveyor (50), The workpiece is made of metal and has an annular shape, The skewer portion is formed in a cylindrical shape, In the skewering step, a robot (60) having a holding section (62) capable of suction-holding the outer peripheral surfaces of the plurality of workpieces connected in the axial direction is used to skewer the plurality of workpieces while holding them in the axially connected state. This is a workpiece separation and supply method.

Images