Parts transport device

Abstract

To provide a component transfer device capable of transferring components supplied first before those supplied later.SOLUTION: A component transfer device 1 includes: a separation mechanism 3 that feeds out components 100 supplied to a retention part 2 in every several number thereof while keeping a horizontal attitude to a downstream side X2; a linear feeder mechanism 4 that conveys the components 100 fed from the separation mechanism 3 while keeping the horizontal attitude to the downstream side X2; a first pick-up mechanism 5 that conveys the components 100 conveyed by the linear feeder mechanism 4 while keeping the horizontal attitude to the downstream side X2; and a placing part 6 on which the components 100 conveyed by the first pick-up mechanism 5 are placed; a detection part 9 that detects whether a bottom 100a of the component 100 faces either an upstream side X1 or the downstream side X2; and a transport mechanism 7 that rotates the component from the horizontal attitude to a vertical attitude based on detection results of the detection part 9 so that the bottom 100a of the component 100 is downward Z2, and then the component is conveyed to the next process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a component transfer device for transferring cylindrical components.

Background Art

[0002] A component transfer device for transferring a cylindrical component having a bottom at one end in the axial direction and an open end at the other end is described in Patent Document 1. The component transfer device of this document is incorporated into a manufacturing system such as an electronic component. The component transfer device of this document includes a vibration parts feeder and a linear vibration parts feeder. The vibration parts feeder includes a bowl that accommodates a large number of components and aligns and discharges the components, and a drive unit that applies vibration to the bowl. The linear vibration parts feeder includes a linear trough that transfers the components discharged by the vibration parts feeder in a row, and a drive unit that applies linear vibration to the trough. Here, the components to be transferred are transferred in a state where the axial direction is horizontal in the upstream portion of the bowl, but the posture is changed so that the axial direction changes from the horizontal state to the vertical direction in the downstream portion of the bowl and the upstream portion of the trough. Then, the components with the posture changed are completely erected and transferred in the downstream portion of the trough.

[0003] Also, the components with the posture changed are checked for the up and down orientation of the components by an optical sensor on the transfer path of the trough. When the bottom of the component is upward, the component is returned from the transfer path of the trough to the bowl by the air ejected from the air ejection nozzle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the parts transport device of Patent Document 1, parts transported downstream of the trough are transported from the trough to the next process in an upright position by a pickup mechanism or the like. However, because the bottom is facing upwards, parts returned to the bowl from the transport path of the trough collide with other parts in the bowl, making the surface of the parts prone to scratches. Furthermore, when the surface of the parts is scratched, iron powder is generated, which can contaminate the parts. In addition, if parts supplied earlier are returned to the bowl from the transport path of the trough, there is a problem that parts supplied later will be transported to the next process before parts supplied earlier.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a parts transport device that can transport parts supplied earlier than parts supplied later. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a parts transport device for transporting cylindrical parts having a bottom at one end in the axial direction and an open end at the other, comprising: a retention section to which a plurality of the parts are supplied; a separation mechanism that sends out several of the parts supplied to the retention section downstream in a horizontal position; a linear feeder mechanism that transports the parts sent out from the separation mechanism downstream in a horizontal position with the axial direction aligned with the transport direction; a first pickup mechanism that lifts the parts transported by the linear feeder mechanism and transports them downstream in a horizontal position; a placement section on which the parts transported by the first pickup mechanism are placed in a horizontal position; and at the height position where the parts are lifted by the first pickup mechanism, the parts The device is characterized by comprising: a detection unit that detects whether the bottom is facing either the upstream or downstream direction; and a transport mechanism that, based on the detection result of the detection unit, rotates the component placed on the aforementioned mounting unit from a horizontal position to a vertical position so that the bottom is facing downwards, and then transports the component to the next process.

[0008] In the parts transport device according to the present invention, the linear feeder mechanism transports parts sent from the separation mechanism downstream in a horizontal position with their axial direction aligned with the transport direction. When the first pickup mechanism transports parts from the linear feeder mechanism to the placement section, the detection unit detects whether the bottom of the part is facing either upstream or downstream at the height at which the first pickup mechanism has lifted the part. Then, when the transport mechanism transports the part, which has been placed in a horizontal position on the placement section, to the next process, it rotates the part from a horizontal to a vertical position based on the detection result of the detection unit so that the bottom of the part faces downwards. Therefore, since the parts transport device transports the parts to the next process with the bottom facing downwards based on the detection result of the detection unit, it is possible to transport parts that were supplied earlier before parts that were supplied later, without damaging the surface of the parts, compared to conventional configurations that exclude parts with their bottoms facing upwards.

[0009] In the present invention, the transport mechanism includes a rotation mechanism that rotates the aforementioned placement section based on the detection result of the detection unit so that the bottom of the part placed on the aforementioned placement section faces a predetermined direction, and a second pickup mechanism that includes a gripping section for gripping the part placed on the aforementioned placement section and a rotation drive unit for rotating the gripping section within a 90° angular range. Preferably, when the second pickup mechanism transports the part from the aforementioned placement section to the next process, it drives the rotation drive unit to rotate the gripping section 90° to one side. Here, a cable for operating the gripping section is connected to the gripping section. In this case, if the rotation drive unit rotates the gripping section within a 180° angular range, the cable may become entangled depending on the layout of the part transport device. Therefore, with this configuration, based on the detection result of the detection unit, the bottom of the part placed on the placement section faces a predetermined direction, so the rotation drive unit can rotate the gripping section 90° to one side to face the bottom of the part downwards. Therefore, since the rotary drive unit rotates the gripping part within a 90° angular range, cable entanglement can be suppressed compared to when the gripping part is rotated within a 180° angular range.

[0010] In the present invention, the transport mechanism includes a second pickup mechanism comprising a gripping unit for gripping the part placed on the aforementioned placement unit and a rotational drive unit for rotating the gripping unit within an angular range of 180°. Preferably, when the second pickup mechanism transports the part from the aforementioned placement unit to the next process, it drives the rotational drive unit based on the detection result of the detection unit to rotate the gripping unit by 90° to one side or 90° to the other side. In this way, the bottom of the part can be directed downward Z2 by rotating the gripping unit within an angular range of 180° based on the detection result of the detection unit, thus simplifying the configuration of the transport mechanism.

[0011] In the present invention, it is preferable that the detection unit is an optical sensor that detects which direction the bottom of the component is facing by irradiating the component with a light ray from the upstream side along the transport direction at the height position where the first pickup mechanism has lifted the component. In this way, the optical sensor can easily detect the direction the bottom of the component is facing in the path along which the first pickup mechanism transports the component from the linear feeder mechanism to the mounting unit.

[0012] In the present invention, the separation mechanism comprises an inclined wall tilted diagonally upward, a first fixed plate that forms the retention portion between itself and the inclined wall and extends vertically, a second fixed plate that faces the first fixed plate on the opposite side from the retention portion, a first movable plate that moves vertically along the surface of the first fixed plate on the side of the retention portion, a second movable plate that moves vertically between the first fixed plate and the second fixed plate, and a vibrating part. The upper ends of the first movable plate and the second movable plate are each inclined diagonally upward toward the side of the retention area, and when the first movable plate moves upward, it scoops up some of the multiple parts that are retained in the retention area with the upper end of the first movable plate, keeping them in a horizontal position, up to the upper end of the first fixed plate, and when the second movable plate moves upward, the upper end of the first movable plate moves up to the upper end of the first fixed plate, thereby moving from the first movable plate to the Preferably, the part that has moved over the first fixed plate to the upper end of the second movable plate is scooped up by the upper end of the second movable plate while maintaining a horizontal position relative to the upper end of the second fixed plate, and the vibrating part applies vibration to the second fixed plate that moves the part that has moved from the upper end of the second movable plate to the upper end of the second fixed plate in the direction of the axis of the part, as the upper end of the second movable plate moves upward relative to the upper end of the second fixed plate.

[0013] In this way, the parts picked up by the first movable plate can be further lifted by the second movable plate and moved to the upper end of the second fixed plate. As a result, the separation mechanism reliably supplies a small number of parts to the linear feeder mechanism in a horizontal position, making it less likely for parts to fall out of the transport path between the separation mechanism and the linear feeder mechanism. Therefore, parts that are fed in earlier can be transported downstream before parts that are fed in later.

[0014] In the present invention, it is preferable that the upper end of the second fixed plate has an inclined surface on the side of the retention area that is tilted diagonally upward, and a guide surface located on the opposite side of the inclined surface from the side of the retention area that, together with the inclined surface, forms a guide groove that guides the part. In this way, since the inclined surface is tilted diagonally upward on the side of the retention area, the part can easily move from the upper end of the second movable plate to the upper end of the second fixed plate. In addition, since a guide groove is formed by the inclined surface and the guide surface, the part that has moved to the upper end of the second fixed plate is less likely to fall from the upper end of the second fixed plate.

[0015] In the present invention, it is preferable that the linear feeder mechanism comprises a slit member having a slit-shaped transport path that extends in the transport direction of the component and transports the component in a horizontal position with its axial direction aligned with the transport direction, and a transport belt mechanism located below the slit member that transports the component along the transport path. In this way, the component can be transported along the transport path while being aligned in a horizontal position along the transport path.

[0016] In the present invention, the linear feeder mechanism is provided with a position detection unit that detects whether the part has reached the downstream end of the transport path, and the transport belt mechanism is preferably configured to stop transporting the part when the position detection unit detects that the part has reached the downstream end of the transport path. In this way, the linear feeder mechanism can reliably transport the part to the downstream end of the transport path. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] In the parts transport device according to the present invention, the parts are transported to the next process with their bottoms facing downwards based on the detection result of the detection unit, so that parts supplied earlier can be transported before parts supplied later without damaging the surface of the parts. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the parts transport device according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating the retention section and separation mechanism. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view illustrating a linear feeder mechanism. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the first pickup mechanism, mounting section, and transport mechanism from one side. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the first pickup mechanism, mounting section, and transport mechanism from the other side. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating the operation of the separation mechanism. [Figure 7]This is a diagram for explaining the operation of the separation mechanism. [Figure 8] This is a diagram for explaining the operations of the first pickup mechanism and the transfer mechanism. [Figure 9] This is a diagram for explaining the operations of the first pickup mechanism and the transfer mechanism. [Figure 10] This is a diagram for explaining the operations of the first pickup mechanism and the transfer mechanism. [Figure 11] This is a diagram for explaining the operations of the first pickup mechanism and the transfer mechanism. [Figure 12] This is a diagram for explaining the operations of the first pickup mechanism and the transfer mechanism. [Figure 13] This is a diagram for explaining the transfer mechanism in the component transfer device of Embodiment 2.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Referring to the drawings, the component transfer device 1 to which the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the component transfer device 1 of Embodiment 1.

[0020] (Overall Configuration of the Transfer System) The component transfer device 1 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is incorporated and used in the manufacturing line of electrolytic capacitors. The component transfer device 1 aligns the components 100 from the upstream side to the downstream side and then transfers them to the insertion device 10 in the next process. The component 100 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom 100a at one end in the axial direction and an open end at the other end. The component 100 is made of aluminum. Inside the component 100, a capacitor element and a rubber cap are inserted in the insertion device 10 in the next process.

[0021] The parts transport device 1 includes a retention section 2 into which multiple parts are supplied, a separation mechanism 3 that separates and sends out the parts 100 supplied to the retention section 2, and a linear feeder mechanism 4 that transports the parts 100 sent out from the separation mechanism 3 in a linear direction. The separation mechanism 3 sends out the parts 100 supplied to the retention section 2 several at a time to the downstream side in a horizontal position. The linear feeder mechanism 4 transports the parts 100 sent out from the separation mechanism 3 to the downstream side in a horizontal position with its axial direction aligned with the transport direction. Here, in the following description, the three mutually orthogonal directions will be referred to as the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction, respectively. The X-axis direction is the direction along the transport direction in which the linear feeder mechanism 4 transports the parts 100, with the upstream side being X1 and the downstream side being X2. The Z-axis direction is the vertical direction, with the upper side being Z1 and the lower side being Z2.

[0022] The parts transport device 1 includes a first pickup mechanism 5 that transports parts 100 transported by the linear feeder mechanism 4 to the downstream side X2, and a mounting section 6 on which the parts 100 transported by the first pickup mechanism 5 are placed. The first pickup mechanism 5 lifts the parts 100 and places them on the mounting section 6 while maintaining a horizontal position.

[0023] The parts transport device 1 includes a detection unit 9 that detects whether the bottom 100a of the parts 100 is facing either the upstream side X1 or the downstream side X2 at the height position where the first pickup mechanism 5 has lifted the parts 100, and a transport mechanism 7 that, based on the detection result of the detection unit 9, rotates the parts 100 placed on the placement unit 6 from a horizontal position to a vertical position so that the bottom 100a of the parts 100 is facing downwards Z2, and then transports the parts 100 to the insertion device 10.

[0024] (retention part) Figure 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view illustrating the retention section 2 and the separation mechanism 3. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the retention section 2 is located on the Y1 side of the separation mechanism 3. As shown in Figure 2, the retention section 2 is formed in the internal space of a box 20 that houses multiple parts 100. The box 20 is open at the top Z1. The bottom 21 of the box 20 is inclined upward Z1 on the Y1 side. The Y2 side of the box 20 is connected to the separation mechanism 3.

[0025] (separation mechanism) As shown in Figure 2, the separation mechanism 3 consists of an inclined wall 31 that is tilted diagonally upward and the inclined wall 31 The structure includes a first fixing plate 32 that forms a retention area 2 and extends in the Z-axis direction, and a second fixing plate 33 that faces the first fixing plate 32 on the opposite side from the retention area 2. The inclined wall 31 is formed at the upper end of the base plate portion 310. The inclined wall 31 is formed continuously with the bottom portion 21 of the box 20, and the Y1 side is inclined upward Z1.

[0026] The separation mechanism 3 includes a first movable plate 34 that moves in the Z-axis direction along the surface 320 of the first fixed plate 32 on the side of the retention area 2, a second movable plate 35 that moves in the Z-axis direction between the first fixed plate 32 and the second fixed plate 33, and a vibrating part 36. The upper end 321 of the first fixed plate 32, the upper end 341 of the first movable plate 34, and the upper end 351 of the second movable plate 35 are each inclined diagonally upward on the side of the retention area 2.

[0027] The upper end portion 331 of the second fixing plate 33 includes an inclined surface 332 that is angled upward on the side facing the retention portion 2, and a guide surface 333 located on the opposite side from the retention portion 2 relative to the inclined surface 332. The inclined surface 332 and the guide surface 333 form a guide groove 334 that guides the part 100. In this example, the guide groove 334 has a V-shaped cross-section. In this example, the guide surface 333 is provided on the Y1 side surface of a plate member 335 attached to the Y2 side surface of the upper end portion 331.

[0028] The first movable plate 34 is connected to the transmission mechanism 39 and the linear guide 37 via a connecting member 342. The second movable plate 35 is connected to the transmission mechanism 39 and the linear guide 37 via a connecting member 352. The driving force of the motor 38 is transmitted to the transmission mechanism 39. Therefore, the first movable plate 34 and the second movable plate 35 move in the Z-axis direction as the driving force of the motor 38 is transmitted to the connecting members 342 and 352 via the transmission mechanism 39. The vibrating part 36 is located on the Y2 side of the second fixed plate 33 and vibrates the second fixed plate 33.

[0029] (Linear feeder mechanism) Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the linear feeder mechanism 4. As shown in Figure 3, the linear feeder mechanism 4 comprises a slit member 41 that forms a transport path 40, and a transport belt mechanism 42 located below the slit member 41 Z2 and transporting parts 100 along the transport path 40. The slit member 41 is composed of two plate members 411 extending in the X-axis direction. The two plate members 411 are arranged side by side in the Y-axis direction, and a slit-shaped transport path 40 is formed between the two plate members 411. The transport path 40 extends in the X-axis direction, which is the transport direction of the parts 100, and is formed to transport the parts 100 in a horizontal position with the axial direction of the parts 100 aligned with the X-axis direction. The transport belt mechanism 42 comprises a transport belt 43 and a drive unit 44 that drives the transport belt 43. The transport belt 43 is located below the slit member 41 Z2 and is transported along the transport path 40 toward the X2 side by the driving force of the drive unit 44.

[0030] The linear feeder mechanism 4 includes a position detection unit 45 that detects whether the part 100 has reached the downstream end 40a of the transport path 40 X2. In this example, the position detection unit 45 is an optical sensor. When the position detection unit 45 detects that the part 100 has reached the downstream end 40a of the transport path 40 X2, the transport belt mechanism 42 stops driving the drive unit 44 and stops transporting the part 100. Also, when the part 100 is transported by the first pickup mechanism 5, the transport belt mechanism 42 drives the drive unit 44 to transport the part 100 until the position detection unit 45 detects the part.

[0031] (First pickup mechanism) Figure 4 is a perspective view of the first pickup mechanism 5, the mounting section 6, and the transport mechanism 7 from one side. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the first pickup mechanism 5, the mounting section 6, and the transport mechanism 7 from the other side. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first pickup mechanism 5 is located on the transport path 40. The downstream end 40a of X2 includes a gripping portion 51 for gripping the part 100, a support member 52 for supporting the gripping portion 51, a base member 81 to which the support member 52 is fixed, a first drive unit 82 for moving the base member 81 in the Z-axis direction, a connecting member 83 to which the first drive unit 82 is fixed, and a second drive unit 84 for moving the connecting member 83 in the X-axis direction. The gripping portion 51 includes a gripping member 511 for gripping the part 100 and a drive unit 512 for moving the gripping member 511 in the Y-axis direction. The drive unit 512 consists of an electric actuator or the like. The gripping portion 51 grips the part 100 by moving the gripping member 511 with the drive unit 512.

[0032] The first drive unit 82 consists of an electric cylinder. The first drive unit 82 moves the gripping unit 51 in the Z-axis direction via the support member 52 and the base member 81. The second drive unit 84 consists of an electric cylinder. The second drive unit 84 moves the gripping unit 51 in the X-axis direction via the support member 52, the base member 81, the first drive unit 82, and the connecting member 83.

[0033] (Mounting section) As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the mounting section 6 includes a pair of support members 61 that support both ends of the part 100, and a pair of positioning members 62 that position both ends of the part 100 in the X-axis direction. The support members 61 face each other in the X-axis direction and support the lower Z2 side of the part 100. The positioning members 62 face each other in the X-axis direction and position both ends of the part 100 in the X-axis direction. The spacing of the positioning members 62 in the X-axis direction is variable by the drive unit 63. Therefore, the spacing of the positioning members 62 in the X-axis direction is changed according to the length dimension of the part 100 being transported.

[0034] (Detection unit) As shown in Figure 4, the detection unit 9 is located upstream X1 from the gripping unit 51 and above Z1 from the linear feeder mechanism 4. The detection unit 9 is an optical sensor that detects objects by irradiating them with a light beam. In this example, a laser displacement meter is used as the optical sensor. At the height position where the first pickup mechanism 5 has lifted the part 100, the detection unit 9 irradiates the part 100 from the upstream side X1 to detect whether the bottom 100a of the part 100 is facing either the upstream side X1 or the downstream side X2.

[0035] (Conveying mechanism) As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the transport mechanism 7 includes a rotating mechanism 70 that rotates the mounting section 6, and a second pickup mechanism 71 that rotates the part 100 placed on the mounting section 6 by 90° to one side before transporting the part 100 to the insertion device 10. The rotating mechanism 70 is composed of an air cylinder or the like and is located below the mounting section 6 in Z2. Based on the detection result of the detection unit 9, the rotating mechanism 70 rotates the mounting section 6 by 180° around the Z-axis direction.

[0036] The second pickup mechanism 71 includes a gripping portion 72 for gripping the component 100 placed on the mounting portion 6, a support member 73 for rotatably supporting the gripping portion 72, a base member 81 to which the support member 73 is fixed, a first drive unit 82 for moving the base member 81 in the Z-axis direction, a connecting member 83 to which the first drive unit 82 is fixed, and a second drive unit 84 for moving the connecting member 83 in the X-axis direction.

[0037] The gripping unit 72 comprises a pair of gripping members 721 for gripping the part 100, and a drive unit 722 for opening and closing the gripping members 721. The drive unit 722 consists of an electric actuator or the like. A cable 723 for supplying power to the drive unit 722 is connected to the side of the drive unit 722. The gripping unit 722 grips the part 100 by opening and closing the gripping members 721 with the drive unit 722.

[0038] In this example, the base member 81, the first drive unit 82, and the connecting member 83 of the second pickup mechanism 71 The first drive unit 82 and the second drive unit 84 are common to the first pickup mechanism 5. The first drive unit 82 moves the gripping unit 72 in the Z-axis direction via the support member 73 and the base member 81. The second drive unit 84 consists of an electric cylinder. The second drive unit 84 moves the gripping unit 72 in the X-axis direction via the support member 73, the base member 81, the first drive unit 82 and the connecting member 83. Thus, the first drive unit 82 and the second drive unit 84 move the gripping unit 51 and the gripping unit 72 simultaneously in the X-axis and Z-axis directions.

[0039] The second pickup mechanism 71 includes a rotary drive unit 74 that rotates the gripping portion 72 about the Y-axis relative to the support member 73. The rotary drive unit 74 includes a drive unit 75 consisting of a motor and a belt 76 that transmits the driving force of the drive unit 75 to the gripping portion 72. The belt 76 is located inside the support member 73. The belt 76 is stretched between the gripping portion 72 and the output unit of the drive unit 75. In this example, the drive unit 75 rotates the gripping portion 72 within a 90° angular range via the belt 76.

[0040] (Insertion device) As shown in Figure 1, the insertion device 10 is located downstream X2 of the parts transport device 1. The insertion device 10 comprises a plurality of chucks 11 for chucking parts 100, a base 12 on which the plurality of chucks 11 are arranged, a drive unit 13 for rotating the base unit 12, a pushing mechanism 14 for pushing parts 100 into the chucks 11, and an element insertion unit (not shown). The drive unit 13 consists of a motor or the like. The pushing mechanism 14 comprises a pushing member 15 and a drive unit 16 for moving the pushing member 15 in the Z-axis direction. The drive unit 16 consists of an electric cylinder.

[0041] (Operation of the separation mechanism) The operation of the separation mechanism 3 will now be explained. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate the operation of the separation mechanism 3. When the separation mechanism 3 operates from the state shown in Figure 6 to the state shown in Figure 7, as the first movable plate 34 moves upward Z1, it scoops up some of the multiple parts 100 that are accumulated in the accumulation section 2, keeping them in a horizontal position, to the upper end 321 of the first fixed plate 32 by the upper end 341 of the first movable plate 34, up to Z1. After that, since the upper end 341 of the first movable plate 34 is tilted diagonally upward on the side of the accumulation section 2, the parts 100 move to the upper end 321 of the first fixed plate 32. Similarly, as the second movable plate 35 moves upward Z1, the upper end 341 of the first movable plate 34 moves upward relative to the upper end 321 of the first fixed plate 32. As a result, the part 100 that has moved from the first movable plate 34 over the first fixed plate 32 to the upper end 351 of the second movable plate 35 is scooped up upward Z1 relative to the upper end 331 of the second fixed plate 33 by the upper end 351 of the second movable plate 35 while maintaining a horizontal position. Subsequently, since the upper end 351 of the second movable plate 35 is tilted diagonally upward on the side of the retention section 2, the part 100 moves to the upper end 331 of the second fixed plate 33.

[0042] As shown in Figure 6, when the first movable plate 34 and the second movable plate 35 move downward Z2, the part 100 located on the inclined wall 31 moves to the upper end 341 of the first movable plate 34. Also, the part 100 located on the upper end 321 of the first fixed plate 32 moves to the upper end 351 of the second movable plate 35. While the first movable plate 34 and the second movable plate 35 move in the Z-axis direction, the vibrating unit 36 ​​applies vibrations to the second fixed plate 33 that cause the part 100 that has moved to the upper end 331 of the second fixed plate 33 to move in the axial direction of the part 100. As a result, the part 100 is sent from the upper end 331 of the second fixed plate 33 to the transport path 40 of the linear feeder mechanism 4.

[0043] In this way, the separation mechanism 3 reliably supplies the small number of parts 100 to the linear feeder mechanism 4 in a horizontal position, making it unlikely that the parts 100 will fall off outside the transport path between the separation mechanism 3 and the linear feeder mechanism 4.

[0044] (Operation of the first pickup mechanism and transport mechanism) The operation of the first pickup mechanism 5 and the transport mechanism 7 will now be described. Figures 8 to 12 illustrate the operation of the first pickup mechanism 5 and the transport mechanism 7. In this explanation, we will start from the state in which the part 100 is placed on the mounting section 6. As shown in Figure 8, the first pickup mechanism 5 is waiting with its gripping member 511 open. The second pickup mechanism 71 is also waiting with its gripping member 721 open. When the part 100 is transported by the transport belt 43 to the downstream side X2 of the transport path 40, the position detection unit 45 detects that the part 100 has reached the end 40a of the downstream side X2 of the transport path 40, and the transport belt mechanism 42 stops driving the drive unit 44 and stops transporting the part 100.

[0045] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 9, the first pickup mechanism 5 drives its drive unit 512 to grip the part 100 that has been transported to the downstream end X2 40a of the transport path 40 with its gripping member 511. The second pickup mechanism 71 drives its drive unit 722 to grip the part 100 that has been placed on the mounting section 6 with its gripping member 721. Next, as shown in Figure 10, the first drive unit 82 is driven to move the gripping section 51 of the first pickup mechanism 5 and the gripping section 72 of the second pickup mechanism 71 upward Z1. The detection unit 9 detects which direction the bottom 100a of the part 100 is facing by irradiating the part 100 with a light ray L from the upstream side X1 at the height position where the first pickup mechanism 5 has lifted the part 100.

[0046] Next, as shown in Figure 11, the first pickup mechanism 5 and the second pickup mechanism 71 drive the second drive unit 84 to move the gripping unit 51 and the gripping unit 72 downstream X2. As a result, the gripping unit 51 moves to above Z1 the mounting unit 6. The gripping unit 72 also moves to above Z1 the chuck unit 11. At this point, when the gripping unit 72 lifts the part 100 from the mounting unit 6 and transports it to the insertion device 10, the drive unit 75 rotates the gripping unit 72 90° to one side CCW. As will be described later, the bottom 100a of the part 100 placed on the mounting unit 6 is facing a predetermined direction, so by rotating the gripping unit 72 90° to one side CCW, the drive unit 75 can orient the bottom 100a of the part 100 downward Z2.

[0047] Next, the first pickup mechanism 5 drives the first drive unit 82 to move the gripping unit 51 downward Z2, placing the part 100 on the mounting unit while maintaining a horizontal position. The second pickup mechanism 71 also drives the first drive unit 82 to move the gripping unit 72 downward Z2, inserting the part 100 into the chuck unit 11. At this time, the pushing mechanism 14 works in conjunction with the second pickup mechanism 71 to move the pushing member 15 downward Z2, pushing the part 100 into the chuck unit 11.

[0048] Here, when the component 100 is pushed into the chuck portion 11, the insertion device 10 retracts the pushing member 15 upward Z1 and drives the drive unit 13 to rotate the base portion 12. Subsequently, the component 100 inserted into the chuck portion 11 is fitted with a capacitor element and a rubber cap by the element insertion portion. The component 100 with the capacitor element and other components inserted is removed from the chuck portion 11 by a pickup mechanism or the like and transported to the next process.

[0049] As shown in Figure 12, when the part 100 is placed on the mounting section 6 and the part 100 is pushed into the chuck section, the first pickup mechanism 5 and the second pickup mechanism 71 drive the first drive unit 82 to move the gripping section 51 and the gripping section 72 upwards to Z1. Next, the first pickup mechanism 5 and the second pickup mechanism 71 drive the first drive unit 82 to move the gripping section 51 of the first pickup mechanism 5 and the gripping section 72 of the second pickup mechanism 71 in the X1 direction, and then, as shown in Figure 8, the gripping section 51 and the gripping section 72 are put into a standby state. At this point, when the gripping section 72 moves in the X1 direction, the second pickup mechanism 71 drives the drive unit 75 to rotate the gripping section 72 90° to the other side CW, and puts the gripping section 72 into a standby state. This is the state.

[0050] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12, when the component 100 is placed on the mounting section 6, the rotation mechanism 70 rotates the mounting section 6 by 180° based on the detection result of the detection unit 9. More specifically, if the detection unit 9 detects that the bottom 100a of the component 100 is facing upstream X1, the rotation mechanism 70 does not rotate the mounting section 6. On the other hand, if the detection unit 9 detects that the bottom 100a of the component 100 is facing downstream X2, after the first pickup mechanism 5 places the component 100 on the mounting section 6, the rotation mechanism 70 rotates the mounting section 6 by 180° so that the bottom 100a of the placed component 100 faces upstream X1. As a result, the bottom 100a of the component 100 placed on the mounting section 6 faces the predetermined direction.

[0051] (Effects and Benefits) In the component transport device 1 according to this embodiment, the linear feeder mechanism 4 transports the component 100 sent from the separation mechanism 3 downstream X2 in a horizontal position with its axial direction aligned with the transport direction. When the first pickup mechanism 5 transports the component 100 from the linear feeder mechanism 4 to the mounting section 6, the detection unit 9 detects whether the bottom 100a of the component 100 is facing either the upstream side X1 or the downstream side X2 at the height position when the first pickup mechanism 5 lifts the component 100. Then, when the transport mechanism 7 transports the component 100, which is placed in a horizontal position on the mounting section 6, to the insertion device 10, it rotates the component from a horizontal position to a vertical position based on the detection result of the detection unit 9, so that the bottom 100a of the component 100 is facing downwards Z2. Therefore, based on the detection result of the detection unit 9, the parts transport device 1 transports the parts 100 to the insertion device 10 with the bottom 100a facing downwards Z2. Compared to the conventional configuration which excludes parts 100 with the bottom 100a facing upwards Z1, this configuration allows parts 100 supplied earlier to be transported before parts 100 supplied later, without damaging the surface of the parts 100.

[0052] In this embodiment, the transport mechanism 7 includes a rotation mechanism 70 that rotates the mounting section 6 so that the bottom 100a of the component 100 placed on the mounting section 6 faces a predetermined direction based on the detection result of the detection unit 9, and a second pickup mechanism 71 that includes a gripping section 72 for gripping the component 100 placed on the mounting section 6 and a rotation drive unit 74 for rotating the gripping section 72 within a 90° angular range. When the second pickup mechanism 71 transports the component 100 from the mounting section 6 to the insertion device 10, it drives the rotation drive unit 74 to rotate the gripping section 72 90° to one side. Here, if the bottom 100a of the component 100 placed on the mounting section 6 is not facing the predetermined direction, the rotation drive unit 74 must rotate the gripping section 72 90° to one side or the other side based on the detection result of the detection unit 9 in order to orient the bottom 100a of the component 100 downward Z2. In contrast, in this embodiment, based on the detection result of the detection unit 9, the bottom 100a of the component 100 placed on the mounting unit 6 is facing a predetermined direction. Therefore, the rotary drive unit 74 can rotate the gripping unit 72 90° to one side to orient the bottom 100a of the component 100 downward Z2. Thus, compared to the case where the rotary drive unit 74 rotates the gripping unit 72 within a 180° angular range, the rotary drive unit 74 rotates the gripping unit 72 within a 90° angular range, thereby suppressing entanglement of the cable 723.

[0053] In this embodiment, the detection unit 9 is an optical sensor that detects which direction the bottom 100a of the part 100 is facing by irradiating the part 100 with a light ray L from the upstream side along the transport direction at the height position where the first pickup mechanism 5 has lifted the part 100. Therefore, the detection unit 9 can easily detect the direction the bottom 100a of the part 100 is facing along the path in which the first pickup mechanism 5 transports the part 100.

[0054] In this embodiment, the separation mechanism 3 comprises an inclined wall 31 tilted diagonally upward, a first fixing plate 32 that forms a retention area 2 between itself and the inclined wall 31 and extends in the Z-axis direction, a second fixing plate 33 that faces the first fixing plate 32 on the opposite side from the retention area 2, and the side of the first fixing plate 32 that faces the retention area 2 The device comprises a first movable plate 34 that moves in the Z-axis direction along the surface 320, a second movable plate 35 that moves in the Z-axis direction between the first fixed plate 32 and the second fixed plate 33, and a vibrating part 36. The upper end 321 of the first fixed plate 32, the upper end 341 of the first movable plate 34, and the upper end 351 of the second movable plate 35 are each tilted diagonally upward on the side facing the retention area 2. When the first movable plate 34 moves upward Z1, it scoops up some of the multiple parts 100 that are retained in the retention area 2 to the upper end 321 of the first fixed plate 32 while maintaining a horizontal position, using the upper end 341 of the first movable plate 34 to move upward Z1. As a result, the parts 100 move from the upper end 341 of the first movable plate 34 to the upper end 321 of the first fixed plate 32 while maintaining a horizontal position. Furthermore, as the second movable plate 35 moves upward Z1, it scoops up the part 100, which has moved from the first movable plate 34 over the first fixed plate 32 to the upper end 351 of the second movable plate 35, while maintaining a horizontal position, up to Z1 relative to the upper end 331 of the second fixed plate 33. As a result, the part 100 moves from the upper end 351 of the second movable plate 35 to the upper end 331 of the second fixed plate 33 while maintaining a horizontal position. The vibrating unit 36 ​​applies vibrations to the second fixed plate 33 that cause the part 100, which has moved from the upper end 351 of the second movable plate 35 to the upper end 331 of the second fixed plate 33, to move in the axial direction of the part 100.

[0055] Therefore, the parts 100 picked up by the first movable plate 34 can be further lifted by the second movable plate 35 and transferred to the upper end 331 of the second fixed plate 33. As a result, the separation mechanism 3 reliably supplies a small number of parts 100 to the linear feeder mechanism 4 in a horizontal position, making it less likely for parts 100 to fall out of the transport path between the separation mechanism 3 and the linear feeder mechanism 4. Therefore, parts 100 that are fed in earlier can be transported to the downstream side X2 before parts 100 that are fed in later.

[0056] In this embodiment, the upper end portion 331 of the second fixed plate 33 includes an inclined surface 332 that is tilted diagonally upward on the side facing the retention portion 2, and a guide surface 333 that is located on the opposite side of the inclined surface 332 from the side facing the retention portion 2 and forms a guide groove 334 that guides the part together with the inclined surface 332. Therefore, since the inclined surface 332 is tilted diagonally upward on the side facing the retention portion 2, the part 100 can easily move from the upper end portion 351 of the second movable plate 35 to the upper end portion 331 of the second fixed plate 33. In addition, since the guide groove 334 is formed by the inclined surface 332 and the guide surface 333, the part 100 that has moved to the upper end portion 331 of the second fixed plate 33 is less likely to fall from the upper end portion 331 of the second fixed plate 33.

[0057] In this embodiment, the linear feeder mechanism 4 includes a slit member 41 having a slit-shaped transport path 40 that extends in the transport direction of the parts 100 and transports the parts 100 in a horizontal position with its axial direction aligned with the transport direction, and a transport belt mechanism 42 located below the slit member 41 that transports the parts along the transport path 40. Therefore, the parts 100 can be transported along the transport path 40 while being aligned in a horizontal position along the transport path 40.

[0058] In this embodiment, the linear feeder mechanism 4 includes a position detection unit 45 that detects whether the part 100 has reached the downstream end X2 40a of the transport path 40. When the position detection unit 45 detects that the part 100 has reached the downstream end X2 of the transport path 40, the transport belt mechanism 42 stops transporting the part 100. Therefore, the linear feeder mechanism 4 can reliably transport the part to the downstream end X2 40a of the transport path 40. be.

[0059] (Embodiment 2) Next, the parts transport device 1A of Embodiment 2 will be described. The parts transport device 1A of Embodiment 2 differs in the configuration of the transport mechanism 7 from the transport mechanism 7 of the parts transport device 1 of Embodiment 1. Therefore, in Embodiment 2, the same reference numerals are used for components identical to those in Embodiment 1, and their descriptions are omitted. Figure 13 illustrates the transport mechanism 7 in the parts transport device 1A of Embodiment 2.

[0060] (Conveying mechanism) As shown in Figure 13, the transport mechanism 7 includes a second pickup mechanism 71. The second pickup mechanism 71 includes a gripping part 72 for gripping the part 100 placed on the mounting part 6, a support member 73 for supporting the gripping part 72, a base member 81 to which the support member 73 is fixed, a first drive unit 82 for moving the base member 81 in the Z-axis direction, a connecting member 83 to which the first drive unit 82 is fixed, and a second drive unit 84 for moving the connecting member 83 in the X-axis direction. The gripping part 72 includes a gripping member 721 for gripping the part 100 and a drive unit 722 for moving the gripping member 721 in the Y-axis direction.

[0061] The second pickup mechanism 71 includes a rotary drive unit 74 that rotates the gripping portion 72 about the Y-axis direction relative to the support member 73. The rotary drive unit 74 includes a drive unit 75 consisting of a motor and a belt 76 that transmits the driving force of the drive unit 75 to the gripping portion 72. The belt 76 is located inside the support member 73. The drive unit 75 rotates the gripping portion 72 within an angular range of 180° via the belt 76.

[0062] In this example, the second pickup mechanism 71 rotates the part 100 90° to one side CCW or the other side CW based on the detection result of the detection unit 9 before transporting the part 100 to the insertion device 10. More specifically, when the detection unit 9 detects that the bottom 100a of the part 100 lifted by the first pickup mechanism 5 is facing upstream X1, the second pickup mechanism 71, when lifting the part 100 from the mounting unit 6 with the gripping unit 72 and transporting it to the insertion device 10, rotates the gripping unit 72 90° to one side CCW so that the bottom 100a of the part 100 faces downward Z2 before transporting the part 100 to the chuck unit 11 of the insertion device 10. On the other hand, when the detection unit 9 detects that the bottom 100a of the part 100 lifted by the first pickup mechanism 5 is facing downstream X2, the second pickup mechanism 71, when lifting the part 100 from the mounting unit 6 with the gripping unit 72 and then transporting it to the insertion device 10, rotates the gripping unit 72 90° to the other side CW so that the bottom 100a of the part 100 faces downward Z2 before transporting the part 100 to the chuck unit 11 of the insertion device 10.

[0063] In the parts transport device 1A of this embodiment, when the second pickup mechanism 71 transports the parts 100 from the mounting section 6 to the insertion device 10, it rotates the gripping section 72 by 90° to one side CCW or 90° to the other side CW based on the detection result of the detection section 9, thereby orienting the bottom 100a of the parts 100 downward Z2. Therefore, compared to the configuration in Embodiment 1 in which the mounting section 6 is rotated by the rotation mechanism 70 based on the detection result of the detection section 9, the parts transport device 1A of this embodiment can simplify the configuration of the transport mechanism 7. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0064] 1...Parts transport device, 1A...Parts transport device, 2...Storage section, 3...Separation mechanism, 4...Linear feeder mechanism, 5...First pickup mechanism, 6...Placement section, 7...Transportation mechanism, 9...Detection section, 10...Insertion device, 11...Chuck section, 12...Base section, 13...Drive section, 14...Pushing mechanism, 15...Pushing member, 16...Drive section, 20...Box, 21...Bottom section, 31...Inclined wall, 32...First fixed plate, 33...Second fixed plate, 34...First movable plate, 35...Second movable plate, 36...Vibration section, 37...Linear guide, 38...Motor, 39...Transmitter Structure, 40...Conveyor path, 41...Slit member, 42...Conveyor belt mechanism, 43...Conveyor belt, 44...Drive unit, 45...Position detection unit, 51...Gripping unit, 52...Support member, 61...Support member, 62...Positioning member, 63...Drive unit, 70...Rotation mechanism, 71...Second pickup mechanism, 72...Gripping unit, 73...Support member, 74...Rotation drive unit, 75...Drive unit, 76...Belt, 81...Base member, 82...First drive unit, 83...Connecting member, 84...Second drive unit, 100...Part, 100a...Bottom, 310...Base plate, 320...Surface 321...Upper end, 331...Upper end, 332...Inclined surface, 333...Guide surface, 334...Guide groove, 341...Upper end, 342...Connecting member, 351...Upper end, 352...Connecting member, 411...Plate member, 511...Gripping member, 512...Drive unit, 721...Gripping member, 722...Drive unit, 723...Cable, L...Light ray

Claims

1. In a parts transport device that transports cylindrical parts having a bottom at one end in the axial direction and an open end at the other, A retention section to which multiple of the aforementioned parts are supplied, A separation mechanism that sends out several of the components supplied to the retention section to the downstream side while maintaining a horizontal position, A linear feeder mechanism that transports the parts discharged from the separation mechanism downstream in a horizontal position with the axial direction aligned with the transport direction, A first pickup mechanism that lifts the parts transported by the linear feeder mechanism and transports them downstream while maintaining a horizontal position, A mounting section on which the part transported by the first pickup mechanism is placed while maintaining a horizontal orientation, A detection unit that detects whether the bottom of the component is facing either the upstream or downstream direction at the height position where the first pickup mechanism has lifted the component, A parts transport device characterized by having a transport mechanism that, based on the detection result of the detection unit, rotates the parts placed on the aforementioned placement unit from a horizontal position to a vertical position so that the bottom of the parts faces downward, and then transports them to the next process.

2. The transport mechanism includes a rotation mechanism that rotates the aforementioned placement portion so that the bottom of the component placed on the aforementioned placement portion faces a predetermined direction, based on the detection result of the detection unit, and a second pickup mechanism that includes a gripping portion for gripping the component placed on the aforementioned placement portion and a rotation drive unit for rotating the gripping portion within a 90° angular range. The parts transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second pickup mechanism drives a rotational drive unit to rotate the gripping unit 90° to one side when transporting the parts from the previously described placement unit to the next process.

3. The transport mechanism includes a second pickup mechanism which comprises a gripping unit for gripping the part placed on the aforementioned mounting unit and a rotational drive unit for rotating the gripping unit within an angular range of 180°. The parts transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second pickup mechanism, when transporting the parts from the previously described placement section to the next process, drives the rotation drive section based on the detection result of the detection section to rotate the gripping section by 90° to one side or 90° to the other side.

4. The component transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection unit is an optical sensor that detects whether the bottom of the component is facing any direction by irradiating the component with a light ray from the upstream side along the transport direction at the height position where the first pickup mechanism has lifted the component.

5. The separation mechanism comprises an inclined wall tilted diagonally upward, a first fixed plate that forms the retention area between itself and the inclined wall and extends vertically, a second fixed plate that faces the first fixed plate on the side opposite to the retention area, a first movable plate that moves vertically along the surface of the first fixed plate on the side of the retention area, a second movable plate that moves vertically between the first fixed plate and the second fixed plate, and a vibrating part. The upper ends of the first fixed plate, the first movable plate, and the second movable plate are each inclined diagonally upward on the side of the retention area. As the first movable plate moves upward, it scoops up some of the multiple parts that are stuck in the retention area, while keeping them in a horizontal position, with the upper end of the first movable plate, up to the upper end of the first fixed plate. As the second movable plate moves upward, the upper end of the first movable plate moves above the upper end of the first fixed plate, thereby moving the part that has moved from the first movable plate, over the first fixed plate, to the upper end of the second movable plate, to the second movable plate. With the aforementioned upper end still in a horizontal position, it is scooped up upward relative to the upper end of the second fixing plate, The part transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the vibrating part applies vibration to the second fixed plate, causing the part that has moved from the upper end of the second movable plate to the upper end of the second fixed plate to move in the direction of the axis of the part, by moving the upper end of the second movable plate to an upper position relative to the upper end of the second fixed plate.

6. The parts transport device according to claim 5, characterized in that the upper end of the second fixing plate is provided with an inclined surface on the side of the retention portion that is tilted diagonally upward, and a guide surface located on the opposite side of the inclined surface from the side of the retention portion that, together with the inclined surface, constitutes a guide groove for guiding the parts.

7. The component transport device according to claim 1, characterized in that the linear feeder mechanism comprises a slit member having a slit-shaped transport path that extends in the transport direction of the component and transports the component in a horizontal position with its axial direction aligned with the transport direction, and a transport belt mechanism located below the slit member that transports the component along the transport path.

8. The linear feeder mechanism includes a position detection unit that detects whether the component has reached the downstream end of the transport path. The parts transport device according to claim 7, characterized in that the transport belt mechanism stops transporting the parts when the position detection unit detects that the parts have reached the downstream end of the transport path.

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