Parts feeder and vibration damping method for parts feeder

Abstract

To provide a parts feeder capable of horizontally transporting easily rolling workpieces such as bolts and screws, and also capable of horizontally transporting heavy large-sized workpieces. [Solution] A drive unit 20 is provided at the base end side of a conveying path 10 on which the workpiece W is placed. The conveying path 10 moves back and forth horizontally from its original position. The workpiece W is conveyed in a straight line by setting the moving speed on the return path faster than the moving speed on the outward path. A buffer device 30 is provided at the base end side of the conveying path 10 via the drive unit 20. The buffer device 30 moves back and forth horizontally in the opposite direction to the conveying path 10. The impact of the conveying path 10 returning to its original position is counteracted by the returning impact of the buffer device 30.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a parts feeder that uses a transport path that moves horizontally back and forth and a vibration damping method for the parts feeder, and more particularly to a parts feeder that transports workpieces by changing the reciprocating speed of the transport path and a vibration damping method for the parts feeder. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an article transport device in a parts feeder that includes a reciprocating section that is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal when a transport path carrying an article moves back and forth.

[0003] This item conveying device comprises a reciprocating moving section 30 that moves back and forth by a cam device 20, and an item conveying section 10 supported by the reciprocating moving section 30, and changes the forward speed and return speed as the item conveying section 10 moves back and forth diagonally upward and downward.

[0004] That is, the time it takes for article conveying section 10 to move diagonally upward from the first position to proceed to the second position is set to be longer than the time it takes for article conveying section 10 to move diagonally downward from the second position to return to the first position.

[0005] As a result, when item W on item conveying section 10 moves diagonally upward, it moves together with item conveying section 10. When item conveying section 10 is moved diagonally downward from this state, item W on item conveying section 10 moves toward the tip of item conveying section 10, and item conveying section 10 returns to its original first position.

[0006] On the other hand, there is a conventional parts feeder that transports workpieces by changing the reciprocating speed of a horizontally transporting transport table (see Figure 4). That is, if the forward speed (A) of the horizontally moving transport table 100 is slowed down, the workpiece W moves forward together with the transport table 100, and if the backward speed (B) is increased, the workpiece W stays in the same position due to inertial force, and only the transport table 100 slides backward. In this case, the workpiece W remains toward the tip of the transport table 100, and by repeating this reciprocating motion, the mechanism sends the workpiece W toward the tip of the transport table 100.

[0007] This type of parts feeder is provided with a return spring 130 on a conveying table 100 that reciprocates horizontally, and a planar cam 110 at the rear end of the conveying table 100 (see FIG. 6). When the tip of the planar cam 110 presses the follower 120, the conveying table 100 gently moves forward (see FIG. 6(A)). When the planar cam 110 rotates and the follower 120 disengages from the tip of the planar cam 110, the elastic force of the return spring 130 returns the conveying table 100 to its original position (see FIG. 6(B)). As a result, the conveying table 100 reciprocates every time the planar cam 110 rotates. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4695784 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The article transport device of Patent Document 1 is configured to tilt article transport section 10 up and down to create differences in the reciprocating speed of the transport path. Therefore, with workpieces that tend to roll, such as bolts and screws, there is a risk of unexpected movement occurring every time article transport section 10 is tilted.

[0010] Furthermore, since a device is required to tilt article conveying section 10 up and down as article conveying section 10 moves, there is also the problem that the entire device becomes large and complex when conveying heavy, large workpieces.

[0011] On the other hand, in conventional parts feeders that transport workpieces horizontally, the transport table is gently advanced by the action of the flat cam of the drive unit (see Figure 6(A)), and then returned to its original position by a return spring (see Figure 6(B)). As a result, the transport table is rapidly retracted with a large acceleration due to the elastic force of the return spring (see Figure 5). However, when the transport table is rapidly retracted, it causes a strong impact in the direction of the drive unit (see Figure 6(B)).

[0012] Such strong impacts not only cause cumulative damage to the drive unit but also generate loud impact noise. Furthermore, the heavier the load, the greater the impact, which leads to more severe damage and noise.

[0013] Moreover, this impact noise becomes an unpleasant noise that occurs continuously when the parts feeder is in operation, which causes a deterioration in the working environment.

[0014] The present invention was created to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a parts feeder and a vibration control method for a parts feeder that is highly durable and quiet, is capable of horizontally transporting workpieces that tend to roll, such as bolts and screws, and is capable of horizontally transporting even heavy, large workpieces. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first means of the present invention is a parts feeder that includes a drive unit 20 at the base end side of a conveying path 10 on which a workpiece W is placed, and that moves horizontally back and forth along the conveying path 10, and that linearly conveys the workpiece W by setting the moving speed on the return path faster than the moving speed on the forward path, and that includes a buffer unit 30 at the base end side of the conveying path 10 that moves horizontally back and forth via the drive unit 20 in the opposite direction to the conveying path 10, A shock absorber is disposed between the conveying path and the driving device, and a shock absorbing body is disposed between the buffer device and the driving device; The conveying path Shock absorber 40 The shock absorber absorbs the shock that returns to the position Buffer absorbent material 50 The reason is that it is designed to cancel out the impact of the return.

[0016] The second method is ,before When the transport path 10 returns to its original position, the transport path 10 abuts against the shock absorber 40 and the shock absorbing device 30 abuts against the shock absorbing material 50 at the same time.

[0017] The drive device 20 of the third means comprises a plate cam 21 installed on the base end side of the conveying path 10, a pair of followers 22 connected to the conveying path 10 and the buffer device 30, and a return spring 23 that pulls the conveying path 10 and the buffer device 30 back toward the drive device 20.

[0018] The fourth means is a vibration damping method for a parts feeder that includes a drive unit 20 at the base end side of a conveying path 10 on which a workpiece W is placed, the conveying path 10 reciprocating horizontally, and the return movement speed is set faster than the forward movement speed to linearly convey the workpiece W, and further includes a buffer unit 30 that reciprocates horizontally in a direction opposite to that of the conveying path 10 via the drive unit 20 at the base end side of the conveying path 10, A shock absorber is disposed between the conveying path and the driving device, and a shock absorbing body is disposed between the buffer device and the driving device; The conveying path Shock absorber 40 The shock absorber absorbs the shock that returns to the position Buffer absorbent material 50 This is a vibration damping method for parts feeders that cancels out the impact of the return shock. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] As in the present invention, the impact of the conveying path 10 is counteracted by the impact of the inertial body 30, which makes it possible to convey even heavy, large workpieces, and provides a parts feeder that is highly durable and quiet, which is a unique effect of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2]FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1A and 1B are schematic plan views showing an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the basic principle of horizontal friction conveyance. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a reference diagram showing the reciprocating speed of horizontal friction conveyance. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are schematic plan views showing a conventional parts feeder. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The parts feeder of the present invention is used to horizontally move workpieces W that tend to roll, such as bolts and screws. The main components of the present invention include a conveying path 10, a driving device 20, a shock absorber 30, a shock absorber 40, and a shock absorbing body 50 (see FIG. 1).

[0022] The conveying path 10 is a member that moves back and forth horizontally with the workpiece W placed on it. The conveying path 10 shown in the figure is one in which a glass plate 11 on which the workpiece W is placed moves back and forth, and the glass plate 11 moves back and forth together with frames 12 attached to the left and right sides of the glass plate 11 (see FIG. 2).

[0023] The drive unit 20 is a device installed at the base end side of the conveying path 10, which presses the base end of the conveying path 10 to move it horizontally from its original position on the conveying path 10 in the feed direction of the workpiece W (toward the tip end), and then returns the conveying path 10 to its original position (see Figure 2).

[0024] This drive device 20 is set so that the speed of movement of the conveying path 10 on the return path is faster than the speed of movement on the outward path (see Figure 4). In this way, on the outward path (A), the workpiece W moves in the feed direction together with the conveying path 10, and on the return path (B), slippage occurs between the workpiece W on the conveying path 10 and the conveying path 10, so only the conveying path 10 returns to its original position. If the loading surface of the conveying path 10 is formed from a glass plate 11, it becomes slippery, and the workpiece W on the glass plate 11 moves reliably in the feed direction.

[0025] The illustrated driving device 20 includes a plate cam 21, a follower 22, and a return spring 23 (see FIG. 3). The plate cam 21 is installed on the base end side of the conveying path 10. The follower 22 is a pair of pressing members connected to the conveying path 10 and the buffer device 30, and the return spring 23 is an elastic member connected to the pushed-out conveying path 10 and the buffer device 30.

[0026] In the illustrated example, when a roughly cross-shaped plate cam 21 rotates and the apex of the plate cam 21 presses against the left and right followers 22, the rotational force of one of the followers 22 pushes the conveying path 10 in the direction in which the workpiece W is fed. At the same time, the other follower 22 pushes the buffer device 30 in the opposite direction (see FIG. 3(A)). The left and right pushing speeds are adjusted by the rotation speed of the plate cam 21.

[0027] A return spring 23 is used to return the conveying path 10 and the buffer device 30 to their original positions (see FIG. 3). That is, the elastic force of the return spring 23 simultaneously returns the pushed-out conveying path 10 and the buffer device 30 to the drive device 20 side (see FIG. 3(b)). At this time, the follower 22 moves to the valley portion of the plate cam 21. The speed at which the conveying path 10 and the buffer device 30 return to their original positions is accompanied by acceleration due to the elastic force of the return spring 23, so the conveying path 10 and the buffer device 30 return at a speed that is instantaneous. The return spring 23 shown in the figure is provided so as to connect the conveying path 10 and the buffer device 30 with the same return spring 23, but it is also possible to connect them to separate return springs 23.

[0028] 5 shows the forward and backward speeds of the conveying path 10 as travel distances. The vertical axis (L) represents travel distance, and the horizontal axis (T) represents time. The circle on the horizontal axis indicates the position where the conveying path 10 returns to its original position, and this is the position where the impact occurs.

[0029] The buffer device 30 is a device for canceling out the shock of the conveying path 10 returning to its original position by the shock of the buffer device 30 returning to the drive device 20 side. This buffer device 30 is disposed at the base end side of the conveying path 10, in a position directly opposite the conveying path 10 via the drive device 20 (see FIG. 3). In the illustrated example, a balance table 31 with the same mass as the conveying path 10 is disposed so as to move back and forth horizontally in the opposite direction to the conveying path 10.

[0030] By synchronizing the timing at which the transport path 10 and the buffer device 30 return to the drive device 20 side, the impact that has hitherto been applied from one direction when the transport path 10 returns to its original position is eliminated. In other words, the impact of the transport path 10 returning to its original position is cancelled out by the impact of the buffer device 30 returning to the drive device 20 side.

[0031] The shock absorbers 40 and shock absorbing bodies 50 are arranged as buffers to prevent the follower 22 from directly colliding with the plate cam 21 when the conveying path 10 and the buffer device 30 return to their original positions (see FIG. 3(b)). This arrangement absorbs not only the shock but also the impact noise, resulting in excellent quietness.

[0032] The shock absorber 40 is arranged and fixed between the conveying path 10 and the drive unit 20. The shock absorbing body 50 is arranged and fixed between the shock absorbing unit 30 and the drive unit 20. Suitable materials for the shock absorbing body 40 and the shock absorbing body 50 include felt, special synthetic rubber, and sponge, for example.

[0033] When the conveying path 10 is moving in the direction in which the workpiece W is fed, the conveying path 10 and the shock absorbing body 40, and the shock absorbing device 30 and the shock absorbing body 50 are located at positions separated from each other (see FIG. 3(A)). When the conveying path 10 returns to its original position, the conveying path 10 abuts against the shock absorbing body 40, and at the same time, the shock absorbing device 30 abuts against the shock absorbing body 50 (see FIG. 3(B)).

[0034] In the illustrated example, shock absorbers 40 and shock absorbing bodies 50 are used to prevent the follower 22 from directly colliding with the plate cam 21, but it is also possible to avoid collision between the follower 22 and the plate cam 21 by providing a deceleration curve section to prevent strong impacts from occurring on the cam curve of the plate cam 21 (not shown).

[0035] The vibration control method of the present invention uses the parts feeder of the present invention, and is a vibration control method in which a buffer device 30 that moves back and forth horizontally in the opposite direction to the conveying path 10 via a drive device 20 is placed at the base end side of the conveying path 10, and the impact of the conveying path 10 returning to its original position is canceled out by the impact of the buffer device 30 returning to the drive device 20 side.

[0036] At this time, when the conveying path 10 and the buffer device 30 return simultaneously, by arranging a shock absorber 40 that abuts on the conveying path 10 and a shock absorbing body 50 that abuts on the buffer device 30, it is possible to avoid a collision between the follower 22 and the plate cam 21 and further reduce the impact when the conveying path 10 and the buffer device 30 return. Also, instead of the shock absorbing body 40 and the shock absorbing body 50, it is possible to provide a deceleration curve portion in the cam curve of the plate cam 21 to prevent a strong impact from occurring.

[0037] The workpieces W conveyed by the parts feeder of the present invention are not limited to parts such as bolts, and can be used in other fields as long as the workpieces W can be placed on the conveying path 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] double work 10 Conveyor path 11 Glass Plate 12 Frame 20 Drive unit 21 Plate Cam 22 dependent clause 23 Return spring 30 Shock absorber 31 Balance Table 40 Shock absorber 50 Buffer absorbent material 100 Conveyor path 110 Plate Cam 120 dependent clause 130 Return spring

Claims

1. A parts feeder that includes a drive unit at the base end of a conveying path on which workpieces are placed, the conveying path moves horizontally back and forth, and the return movement speed is set faster than the forward movement speed to linearly convey the workpieces, a buffer device that reciprocates horizontally in a direction opposite to the conveying path via the drive device, at a base end side of the conveying path; a shock absorbing body is disposed between the conveying path and the driving device, and a shock absorbing body is disposed between the buffer device and the driving device; A parts feeder characterized in that the shock caused by the return of the transport path to the shock absorbing body is counteracted by the shock caused by the return of the buffer device to the shock absorbing body.

2. 2. The parts feeder according to claim 1, wherein when said conveying path returns to its original position, said conveying path abuts on a shock absorbing body and at the same time said buffer device abuts on a shock absorbing body.

3. 3. A parts feeder as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive device comprises a plate cam installed on the base end side of the conveying path, a pair of followers connected to the conveying path and the buffer device, and a return spring that pulls the conveying path and the buffer device back toward the drive device.

4. A vibration damping method for a parts feeder that is provided with a drive unit at the base end of a conveying path on which workpieces are placed, the conveying path reciprocating horizontally, and that linearly conveys workpieces by setting the moving speed on the return path faster than the moving speed on the forward path, a buffer device that moves horizontally back and forth in a direction opposite to the conveying path via the drive device is disposed on the base end side of the conveying path; a shock absorbing body is disposed between the conveying path and the driving device, and a shock absorbing body is disposed between the buffer device and the driving device; A vibration damping method for a parts feeder, characterized in that the shock caused by the return of the transport path to the shock absorbing body is cancelled out by the shock caused by the return of the buffer device to the shock absorbing body.

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