Guide roller device and rod-shaped body manufacturing equipment

Abstract

To provide a simply structured guide roller device which can support rod-shaped bodies of various outer diameters by suppressing vertical vibration during movement in the longitudinal direction and maintaining them at predetermined vertical positions.SOLUTION: A slide body 4 connected to the central shaft 3 of a guide roller 2 is held by a slide guide 5 so as to be vertically slidable, a lower magnet 9 is arranged to vertically face an upper magnet 8 connected to the slide body 4 via a connecting member 7, while the guide roller 2 rotates about the central axis 3 while supporting a rod-shaped body 11 from below with the outer peripheral surface 2a formed in a V-shaped groove, thanks to the repulsive force F between the upper magnet 8 and the lower magnet 9, the upper magnet 8, the slide body 4 and the rotating guide roller 2 are integrally suspended in the air so as to be vertically movable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a guide roller device and manufacturing equipment for rod-shaped bodies and, more particularly, to a guide roller device having a simple structure that can suppress vertical vibration during longitudinal movement of rod-shaped bodies with various outer diameters with reduced variation and maintain and support them at a predetermined vertical position and manufacturing equipment for rod-shaped bodies is concerned.

Background Art

[0002] In processes such as manufacturing and inspecting various rod-shaped bodies and sheet-shaped bodies such as rubber hoses and resin rods, guide rollers are used to support the rod-shaped bodies and sheet-shaped bodies and move them in the target direction (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). Since the rod-shaped body moving in the longitudinal direction is placed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating guide roller, the rod-shaped body can be supported at a predetermined vertical position at the installation position of the guide roller. That is, depending on the vertical position where the guide roller is installed, the vertical position of the rod-shaped body supported by the guide roller is determined.

[0003] Therefore, when the guide roller is rotatably supported by a central axis simply fixed at a predetermined position, if the outer diameter of the rod-shaped body is different, the vertical position of each rod-shaped body (the axis of the rod-shaped body) supported by the guide roller changes. Therefore, when detecting a display or the like attached to the surface of the rod-shaped body supported by the guide roller and moving with a sensor or a camera, it may be necessary to change the setting of the sensor or the camera for each outer diameter of the rod-shaped body.

[0004] For example, it is conceivable to use a guide roller equipped with a spring damper to reduce the change in the vertical position of rod-shaped bodies with different outer diameters (i.e., different mass per unit length). However, since the support force of the spring changes linearly with respect to the mass of the rod-shaped body, it is difficult to obtain an appropriate support force according to the outer diameter (mass per unit length) of the rod-shaped body. In other words, the smaller the diameter of the rod-shaped body, the greater the contact pressure exerted on the extending rod-shaped body by the support force of the spring. As a result, variations in the suppression effect against vertical vibration when the rod-shaped body moves tend to occur due to differences in the outer diameter of the rod-shaped body. A complex mechanism is required to precisely control the vertical position and vertical vibration of the rod-shaped body. Therefore, there is room for improvement in a guide roller with a simple structure that can suppress vertical vibration with reduced variation when rod-shaped bodies of various outer diameters move in the longitudinal direction, and maintain them at a predetermined vertical position, while minimizing variations in vertical vibration when they move in the longitudinal direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-280322 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-189121 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The object of the present invention is a guide roller device with a simple structure that can suppress vertical vibrations with reduced variation when moving longitudinally for rod-shaped bodies of various outer diameters, and maintain and support them at predetermined vertical positions. and manufacturing equipment for rod-shaped bodies The objective is to provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a guide roller device having a guide roller that rotates around a central axis while supporting a rod-shaped body that moves in the longitudinal direction from below on its outer circumferential surface, the guide roller device comprising: a slide body connected to the central axis; a slide guide that holds the slide body so as to be slidable in the vertical direction; an upper magnet connected to the slide body; and a lower magnet positioned below the upper magnet, facing the upper magnet vertically. , a weight that applies a downward load to the upper magnet, The device is characterized in that the guide roller rotates around the central axis while supporting the rod-shaped body from below with its outer circumferential surface, and the upper magnet, the slide body, and the rotating guide roller are set to float in the air as a single unit so as to be movable in the vertical direction, due to the repulsive force between the upper magnet and the lower magnet. Furthermore, the rod-shaped body manufacturing equipment of the present invention comprises the above-mentioned guide roller device, an illumination means for irradiating the rod-shaped body with light, and a camera device for acquiring image data of the illuminated portion of the rod-shaped body by the illumination means, wherein the guide roller device is positioned near an image acquisition position where the image data of the surface of the rod-shaped body moving in the longitudinal direction is acquired. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The guide roller device of the present invention has a simple structure comprising the guide roller, the slide body, the slide guide, the upper magnet, and the lower magnet. By utilizing the repulsive force between the upper and lower magnets, it becomes easier to obtain an appropriate support force from the guide roller according to the outer diameter of the rod-shaped body. As a result, it is advantageous for suppressing vertical vibrations during longitudinal movement of rod-shaped bodies of various outer diameters by reducing variations with the guide roller, and for maintaining and supporting them at a predetermined vertical position. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an embodiment of a guide roller device in a plan view. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the guide roller device in a side view. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the guide roller device in a front view. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the guide roller device as seen from the rear. [Figure 5]Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a larger diameter rod-shaped body is supported by the guide roller device shown. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a guide roller device in a front view. [Figure 7] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an image acquisition process equipped with a guide roller device in a plan view. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view AA of Figure 7. It is an illustrative diagram. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The guide roller device of the present invention will be described below based on the embodiment shown in the figure.

[0011] The embodiment of the guide roller device 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 supports a rod-shaped body R that moves in the longitudinal direction from below. The rod-shaped body R is made of known materials such as resin, rubber, or metal, and may be a solid body (cylinder) or a hollow body (cylindrical). The cross-sectional outer shape of the rod-shaped body R is basically circular, but may be elliptical or polygonal depending on the circumstances. Typical examples of rod-shaped body R include various hoses such as rubber hoses and resin hoses, and resin mandrels used in hose manufacturing. The outer diameter of the rod-shaped body R is not particularly limited, but in the case of hoses and mandrels, it is for example 3 mm to 30 mm.

[0012] The guide roller device 1 includes a guide roller 2, a slide body 4, a slide guide 5, an upper magnet 8, and a lower magnet 9 as essential components. In this embodiment, the guide roller device 1 further includes a base 6, a connecting member 7, and a weight 10. The guide roller device 1 may be equipped with other components as appropriate, but complex components are not required.

[0013] The guide roller 2 is pivotally supported on the central axis 3 and rotates freely about the central axis 3. A rod-shaped body R is placed on the outer peripheral surface 2a of the guide roller 2. In this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface 2a of the guide roller 2 is formed in a V-groove shape. Therefore, in a cross-sectional view, the rod-shaped body R is in a state of contacting the outer peripheral surface 2a at two points. The cross-sectional view of the outer peripheral surface 2a is not limited to the V-groove shape, and for example, it can also be a U-groove shape.

[0014] The slide body 4 is directly or indirectly connected to the central axis 3. In this embodiment, the slide body 4 is a rectangular parallelepiped, but its shape is not particularly limited. The central axis 3 is connected orthogonally to the connection surface of the slide body 4. Since it is preferable that the slide body 4 is lightweight, for example, it is made of resin.

[0015] The slide guide 5 is erected on a flat plate-shaped base 6 and holds the slide body 4 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. To describe the slide guide 5 in detail, protruding portions 5b are provided at both ends in the width direction of the flat plate portion 5a. The interval between the protruding portions 5b is set to be equal to (slightly larger than) the width of the slide body 4. Then, the slide body 4 is arranged between the respective protruding portions 5b such that both ends in the width direction of the slide body 4 face the respective protruding portions 5b. The slide body 4 is restricted in its movement in the width direction by the respective protruding portions 5b, but is held by the slide guide 5 without being restricted in its vertical movement.

[0016] The upper magnet 8 is connected to the slide body 4. In this embodiment, the upper magnet 8 is connected to the slide body 4 via a connecting member 7. The connecting member 7 extends from the front side to the back side of the slide guide 5 and extends in the vertical direction on the back side to and extends. One end portion (front side of the slide guide 5) of the connecting member 7 is connected to the slide body 4, and the other end portion (lower end of the extending portion extending downward on the back side of the slide guide 5) is connected to the upper magnet 8. The shape of the connecting member 7 is not particularly limited.

[0017] The lower magnet 9 is positioned below the upper magnet 8, facing it vertically. The lower magnet 9 is fixed in a predetermined position. In this embodiment, the base 6 has a spacer 6a that protrudes upward, and the lower magnet 9 is fixed on top of the spacer 6a.

[0018] The upper magnet 8 and the lower magnet 9 can each be made of various known types of magnets, such as ferrite magnets and neodymium magnets. Neodymium magnets are inexpensive and have strong magnetic force, making them suitable for use in the upper magnet 8 and the lower magnet 9. The upper magnet 8 and the lower magnet 9 are positioned with the same magnetic poles facing each other. Therefore, a magnetic repulsive force F acts between the opposing upper magnet 8 and lower magnet 9, causing them to be separated by a vertical distance g.

[0019] The magnitude of this repulsive force F is not simply proportional to the vertical distance g between the upper magnet 8 and the lower magnet 9 (it does not change linearly), but rather changes quadratically. Therefore, if the decrease in the vertical distance g is small, a small repulsive force F acts relative to that decrease, and if the decrease in the vertical distance g is large, a large repulsive force F acts relative to that decrease.

[0020] The number of upper magnets 8 and lower magnets 9 can be one or more. For example, multiple identical upper magnets 8 and lower magnets 9 can be placed in parallel, with one of each facing the other. The upper magnets 8 and lower magnets 9 may be the same in number, shape, and size, or they may be different, and their magnetic forces may also be different.

[0021] The lower magnet 9 is fixed in a predetermined position, while the upper magnet 8 is movable up and down. Therefore, due to the repulsive force F, the upper magnet 8 is suspended in mid-air. Since the upper magnet 8, the sliding body 4, and the central shaft 3 are connected, this repulsive force F causes the upper magnet 8, the sliding body 4, and the guide roller 2 to be suspended in mid-air and movable in the vertical direction as a single unit.

[0022] Weight 10 is placed above the upper magnet 8. Weight 10 applies a downward load to the upper magnet 8. Therefore, the vertical separation distance g between the upper magnet 8 and the lower magnet 9, which are separated vertically by the repulsive force F, can be changed by changing the mass of weight 10. In other words, by adjusting the mass of weight 10, the initial setting of the magnitude of the repulsive force F can be changed.

[0023] The weight 10 is configured to have, for example, a holding shaft 10a that is erected vertically, an annular body 10b that is inserted through the holding shaft 10a, and a nut portion 10c that is screwed onto the holding shaft 10a. Then, with an annular body 10b of the desired mass inserted through the holding shaft 10a, the holding shaft 10a and the nut portion 10c are screwed together to integrate the holding shaft 10a, the annular body 10b, and the nut portion 10c and make them function as the weight 10. With this configuration, the weight 10 can be easily adjusted to the desired mass by using annular bodies 10b of different masses or by changing the number of annular bodies 10b used. As a result, the initial setting of the magnitude of the repulsive force F can be easily adjusted.

[0024] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the height position of the central axis 3 (guide roller 2) can be changed by varying the height of the spacers 6a. Therefore, for example, by using detachable spacers 6a of different heights or by varying the number of spacers 6a used, the vertical position of the guide roller 2 can be easily adjusted to a desired position.

[0025] Next, we will explain an example of how to use this guide roller device 1.

[0026] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, in this guide roller device 1, a rod-shaped body R that moves in the longitudinal direction is placed on the outer surface of the guide roller 2, and the rod-shaped body R is supported from below. As the rod-shaped body R moves in the longitudinal direction, the guide roller 2 rotates around the central axis 3. Due to the repulsive force F between the upper magnet 8 and the lower magnet 9, the upper magnet 8, the sliding body 4, and the rotating guide roller 2 are set to float in the air as a single unit, allowing for vertical movement.

[0027] The upper magnet 8 and the lower magnet 9 are separated vertically by the repulsive force F, and the central axis 3 is movable vertically. Therefore, when the outer diameter of the rod-shaped body R supported by the guide roller 2 changes (the mass per unit length changes), the magnitude of the vertical separation distance g changes. More specifically, when the outer diameter of the rod-shaped body R increases, the vertical separation distance g decreases, and when the outer diameter of the rod-shaped body R decreases, the vertical separation distance g increases. Therefore, unlike when the central axis 3 is fixed in the vertical direction, this guide roller device 1 makes it possible to maintain and support the rod-shaped body R (the axis of the rod-shaped body R) at a predetermined vertical position for rod-shaped bodies R of various outer diameters.

[0028] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, in a line where a rod-shaped body R extends, the smaller the outer diameter of the rod-shaped body R, the smaller the tension acting on it, and the larger the outer diameter, the greater the tension acting on it. As mentioned above, the magnitude of the repulsive force F changes quadratically with respect to the magnitude of the vertical separation distance g. When a small-diameter rod-shaped body R is supported by a guide roller 2, the decrease in the vertical separation distance g is small, and the vertical separation distance g remains relatively large. Therefore, the supporting force (repulsive force F) acting on the rod-shaped body R becomes very small, and excessive contact pressure between the rod-shaped body R and the guide roller 2 can be avoided. As a result, vertical vibrations of the moving rod-shaped body R can be smoothly absorbed and suppressed.

[0029] As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, when a rod-shaped body R with a larger diameter than the rod-shaped body R illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 is supported by the guide roller 2, the decrease in the vertical separation distance g is greater, and the vertical separation distance g becomes relatively small. Therefore, the supporting force (rebound force F) acting on the rod-shaped body R becomes considerably larger, but the tension acting on the rod-shaped body R is also large. As a result, the vertical vibration of the moving rod-shaped body R can be smoothly absorbed and suppressed.

[0030] If the elastic force of a spring, which changes simply in proportion to the magnitude of the vertical separation distance g, is used, then in the case of a small-diameter rod-shaped body R, excessive contact pressure is generated between it and the guide roller 2, making it difficult to smoothly absorb vertical vibrations. In this guide roller device 1, by utilizing the repulsive force F due to magnetism, it is possible to suppress vertical vibrations by the guide roller 2 without variation when various rod-shaped bodies R with different outer diameters move in the longitudinal direction. It is also advantageous for maintaining and supporting the rod-shaped body R at a predetermined vertical position.

[0031] Moreover, this guide roller device 1 has a simple structure in which the guide roller 2, slide body 4, slide guide 5, upper magnet 8, and lower magnet 9 are the essential components. Despite its simple structure, the guide roller device 1 exhibits excellent effects as described above.

[0032] In this embodiment, since the outer circumferential surface 2a of the guide roller 2 is formed in a V-groove shape, the rod-shaped body R makes two-point contact with the outer circumferential surface 2a in cross-sectional view. Therefore, even when supporting various rod-shaped bodies R with different outer diameters, the lateral sway (sway of the guide roller 2 in the width direction) when the rod-shaped body R moves in the longitudinal direction can be effectively suppressed by the guide roller 2 (outer circumferential surface 2a).

[0033] In this embodiment, the initial setting of the magnitude of the repulsive force F can be easily set to a desired magnitude by adjusting the mass of the weight 10 to change the vertical separation distance g. In addition, the initial setting of the height position of the guide roller 2 can be easily set to a desired height position by adjusting the height of the spacer 6a.

[0034] Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a guide roller device 1 used in the manufacturing lines for various types of hoses, such as rubber hoses, and in the manufacturing lines for mandrels used in hose manufacturing. In Figure 8, only the guide roller 2 of the guide roller device 1 is shown with a dashed line. Such manufacturing lines have an image acquisition process for detecting identification marks on the surface of the rod-shaped hose R, and for internal inspection (checking for the presence or absence of voids) of the resin mandrel, which is also a rod-shaped body R.

[0035] In this image acquisition process, the aforementioned rod-shaped body R, which is moving in the longitudinal direction, is illuminated with light by the illumination means 12, and image data of the illuminated portion is acquired by the camera device 11 and sensors. In this embodiment, an annular illumination means 12 surrounding the photographic lens section 11a is used. In addition, to prevent unwanted noise from being introduced into the acquired image data, a back plate is placed opposite the camera device 11 with the rod-shaped body R in between. 13 It is positioned there.

[0036] Guide roller 2 The guide roller 2 supports the moving rod-shaped body R from below while rotating. The rod-shaped body R moves forward with vertical vibration and meandering suppressed by the outer surface 2a of the guide roller 2. The guide roller 2 is preferably installed on the downstream side in the direction of movement of the rod-shaped body R, near the image acquisition position where image data is acquired by the camera device 11. Installing the guide roller 2 in this position is effective in suppressing vertical vibration and meandering of the rod-shaped body R when acquiring image data. The guide roller 2 can also be installed with a gap between it on the downstream and upstream sides in the direction of movement of the rod-shaped body R, with the shooting position in between.

[0037] When performing internal inspections of a resin mandrel, which is a rod-shaped body R, the shooting position is precisely set to acquire image data focused on a predetermined height position of the mandrel supported by the guide roller 2. Despite its simple structure, this guide roller device 1 can suppress vertical vibrations during longitudinal movement and maintain and support the mandrel at a predetermined vertical position for mandrels of various outer diameters. Therefore, it is highly desirable to use this guide roller device 1 for accurate internal inspections of mandrels (such as checking for the presence or absence of voids). [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 Guide roller device 2 Guide rollers 2a Outer surface (V groove shape) 3 center axis 4 slides 5 Slide Guide 5a Flat plate part 5b Protrusion 6 Base 6a Spacer 7 Connecting members 8. Upper magnet 9 Lower magnet 10 weights 10a holding shaft 10b Ring-shaped body 10c Nut part 11 Camera equipment 11a Shooting lens section 12 Lighting means 13 Back plate R rod-shaped body

Claims

1. In a guide roller device having a guide roller that rotates around a central axis while supporting a rod-shaped body moving in the longitudinal direction from below on its outer circumferential surface, The device comprises a sliding body connected to the central axis, a slide guide that holds the sliding body so that it can slide vertically, an upper magnet connected to the sliding body, a lower magnet positioned below the upper magnet and facing it vertically, and a weight that applies a downward load to the upper magnet. A guide roller device in which the guide roller rotates about the central axis while supporting the rod-shaped body from below with its outer circumferential surface, and the upper magnet, the sliding body, and the rotating guide roller are set to float in the air and be movable vertically as a single unit due to the repulsive force between the upper magnet and the lower magnet.

2. The upper magnet is connected to the sliding body via a connecting member, The guide roller device according to claim 1, wherein the weight installed above the upper magnet has a holding shaft that is connected to the connecting member and extends vertically, an annular body inserted through the holding shaft, and a nut portion that screws onto the holding shaft.

3. The guide roller device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer circumferential surface of the guide roller is formed in a V-groove shape.

4. The guide roller device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rod-shaped body is a resin mandrel used in hose manufacturing.

5. The device comprises a guide roller device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, an illumination means for irradiating the rod-shaped body with light, and a camera device for acquiring image data of the portion of the rod-shaped body irradiated by the illumination means, A rod-shaped body manufacturing facility in which the guide roller device is positioned near an image acquisition position where the image data of the surface of the rod-shaped body moving in the longitudinal direction is acquired.

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