Abnormality detection type component supply device

Abstract

This abnormality detection type component supply device comprises a device body, a transition passage, an advancing / retreating operation type pressing member, a feeding mechanism for holding and supplying a component to a target location, and a component detection sensor. The pressing member is configured to: move a component received in the transition passage to an end part of the transition passage by an advancing operation; sandwich the component between a pressing surface of the pressing member and an inner end surface of the end part of the transition passage to thereby place the component in a fixed state; and release the fixed state of the component by a retreating operation. The component detection sensor continuously transmits a signal indicating the presence of the component since when the component has reached the inner end surface of the transition passage and been placed in the fixed state. Upon the occurrence of an event in which the feeding mechanism moves to a target location in a state of having failed to hold the component, an abnormality detection signal detecting the component holding error is transmitted on the basis of the signal indicating the presence of a component continuously transmitted from the component detection sensor, and, due to the abnormality detection signal, the feeding mechanism returns to a position at which the component is to be held, and resumes a component holding operation.

Description

Abnormality detection type parts supply device

[0001] This invention relates to an abnormality detection type component supply device that holds a component that is waiting at a predetermined location and supplies it to a target location, and in particular to a countermeasure when the waiting component fails to be held.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-225369 describes a method in which parts sent from a parts supply source such as a parts feeder are kept waiting at a predetermined location, and these waiting parts are held by a robot device and supplied to a destination location.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-225369

[0004] The technology described in Patent Document 1 involves sorting incoming parts to the left or right and stopping them at predetermined locations, then using a robot device to hold the parts and deliver them to their destinations. This prior art does not describe any technology to deal with the situation when the robot device fails to hold a part, i.e., when a holding error occurs.

[0005] In the following description, a failure to hold a component is referred to as a holding error.

[0006] The present invention has been provided to solve the above problems, and has as its object to automatically and reliably detect holding errors and automatically perform correct component holding.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an abnormality detection type component supply device comprises: a device main body; a transition passage provided in the device main body for receiving components that have moved down a transfer passage by a feeding force; a pressing member that moves forward and backward and moves the components received in the transition passage to the end of the transition passage, where they are clamped and fixed between the pressing surface of the pressing member and the inner end face of the end of the transition passage, and is configured to release the fixed state by a retreating movement; a feeding mechanism that holds the components and supplies them to a destination; and a component detection sensor attached to the device main body for detecting the components that have reached the inner end face of the transition passage and emitting a signal indicating the presence of the components. The feed mechanism is configured to hold the held portion of the component protruding from the device body in the fixed state, and to move to the destination location and supply the component to the destination location after the fixed state is released, and the component detection sensor continues to emit the signal indicating the presence of the component from the time the component reaches the inner end surface of the transfer passage and enters the fixed state. When the feed mechanism moves to the destination location without holding the component, an abnormality detection signal is emitted based on the signal indicating the presence of the component that is continuously emitted from the component detection sensor, and the abnormality detection signal causes the feed mechanism to return to the position where it holds the component and resume its component holding operation.

[0008] Since the component detection sensor continuously transmits a signal from the time the component reaches the inner end face of the transfer path, it is possible to reliably and easily detect an abnormal state of remaining components due to a retention error based on this continuous signal. Various methods for detecting an abnormality can be used, including, for example, using a timer device to trigger a signal emitted when a predetermined period of continuous transmission has elapsed, or using a signal obtained from the operation of the feed mechanism as it moves to its destination without holding a component. The signal obtained from the abnormality detection triggers the feed mechanism to resume operation, thereby retaining the remaining component. Because the detection of a retention error and the re-retention of the remaining component are performed automatically as a series of operations, a highly reliable component supply device with anomaly detection is obtained.

[0009] In this way, the signal from the component detection sensor is continuously transmitted, so that an abnormal condition can be detected by a time-up signal from the timer device or an operation signal from the feed mechanism as described above. This abnormality detection signal enables the feed mechanism to resume component holding operation, thereby achieving highly reliable component supply.

[0010] Furthermore, an abnormality can be reliably detected when a continuous signal from the component detection sensor and signals from the timer device and feed mechanism as described above are received. This detection signal enables the feed mechanism to resume component holding operation, achieving highly reliable component supply. Furthermore, because an abnormality is detected when a continuous signal from the component detection sensor and signals from the timer device and feed mechanism as described above are received, even if a component holding error occurs during normal, repeated operation, the holding error is automatically and reliably detected and the feed mechanism can be restarted, resulting in a highly reliable component supply device with abnormality detection that prevents component shortages on the production line.

[0011] Furthermore, since other signals are used in conjunction with the continuous signal from the component detection sensor to detect an abnormal condition such as a component not being held correctly, it is possible to utilize other signals, such as signals from the timer device described above, to ensure improved reliability in automatic detection and the operation of the feed mechanism.

[0012] By acquiring the anomaly detection type component supply device according to the present invention, it is possible to utilize signals obtained from existing equipment and detect an abnormal state from the continuous signal described above, thereby achieving highly versatile component supply. In other words, by acquiring an anomaly detection type component supply device that can continuously emit a component remaining signal from the component detection sensor as described above, it is possible to detect an abnormal state in a manner that is suited to the existing equipment circumstances, making it possible to provide a user-friendly anomaly detection type component supply device.

[0013] As described above, since continuous signals from the component detection sensors are utilized, there is no need to provide special functions to the component detection sensors themselves, which is advantageous in simplifying the device structure.

[0014] The present invention is an apparatus invention, namely, an abnormality detection type component supply device, but it can also exist as a method invention that focuses on the process of detecting holding errors by utilizing continuous signals from a component detection sensor.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the entire device. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line (2)-(2) of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line (3)-(3) of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an example of guiding other parts. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line (5)-(5) of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a plan view partially showing the end of the transfer passage. FIG. 7 is a side view showing the entire device including the feeding mechanism. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line (8)-(8) of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a vertical side view showing the case where the pressing member is advanced and retreated by an electric motor. FIG. 11 is a control operation system diagram of the device.

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the abnormality detection type component supply device of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] 1 to 10 show an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] First, the parts to be supplied will be described.

[0019] The parts that can be used in the present invention include various parts such as headed shaft parts, projection nuts, and bolts, but in this embodiment, a general bolt is the subject of the invention.

[0020] The shape of the bolt 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 3. The bolt 1 is composed of a hexagonal head 2, a circular flange 3 integrated with the head 2, and a male-threaded shank 4. The bolt 1 is made of iron, which is a magnetic material.

[0021] Next, the transfer passage will be described.

[0022] Bolts 1 moving in a suspended state from parts feeder 5 are transferred to linear feeder 6 and fed into device main body 7. Linear feeder 6 is a commonly used type, and bolts 1 are transferred in a suspended state (hanging state) on two parallel guide rails 8. The upper surfaces of guide rails 8 form slide surfaces 9, and the lower surfaces of flanges 3 slide on slide surfaces 9. As shown in Figure 3, the two guide rails 8 are integrated by connecting member 10 made of steel plate, and shaft 2 passes between both guide rails 8. The space between these guide rails 8 is transfer passage 8A.

[0023] A feeding force is applied to the bolt 1 to feed the bolt 1 into the device main body 7. A linear feeder 6 is installed for this purpose. The linear feeder 6 is placed on a base plate 12 fixed to a stationary member 11 such as the device frame. The upper ends of two leaf springs 13, which are placed in an inclined position, are fixed to a connecting member 10 that is part of the guide rail 8, and the lower ends of the leaf springs 13 are fixed to the base plate 12. An electromagnet 14 is placed on the base plate 12, and by turning on and off the current to this electromagnet 14, a composite vibration is applied to the guide rail 8 in the up and down directions and the forward and backward directions, and the feeding force is transmitted to the bolt 1.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, when the part to be fed is changed to a projection nut 32, the guide rail 8 is changed to a guide rail 37 having a guide groove 36.

[0025] The feeding force is generated by applying a composite vibration to the guide rail 8, but instead of this method, it is also possible to employ a mechanism such as a push rod operated by an air cylinder.

[0026] Next, the device body and the transfer passage will be described.

[0027] The device body 7 is composed of a main member 16 and a cover member 19 (described below). The main member 16 is made of a rectangular parallelepiped member. The main member 16 is formed with an introduction groove 17 that receives the bolt 1 from the transfer path 8A and a transition path 18 that moves the bolt 1 to a predetermined location. The introduction groove 17 and the transition path 18 are connected in an L-shape so that the bolt 1 entering the introduction groove 17 can move to the end of the transition path 18. Furthermore, both the introduction groove 17 and the transition path 18 have a groove-shaped structure with a depth greater than the length of the shank 4 so that the bolt 1 can be transferred in a suspended state. The upper surface of the main member 16 is a flat surface 29, and the lower surface of the flange 3 slides on this flat surface 29.

[0028] The transition passage 18 is open at the end of the main member 16, so to close it, an end member 19 made of a thick plate is fixed to the main member 16. This fixing can be done by various methods such as bolting or welding, but here a fixing bolt 20 shown in Figure 6 is used. The main member 16 and the cover member 19 are made of a non-magnetic material such as stainless steel. This makes it possible for the attractive force of the permanent magnet, which will be described later, to act more strongly on the bolt 1.

[0029] A guide groove 21 is formed in a state continuous with the transition passage 18, into which a pressing member 22 of an advancing and retreating type is fitted. Various structures can be used to move the pressing member 22 back and forth, but here an air cylinder 23 is used. The air cylinder 23 is fixed to the end of the main member 16, and its piston rod 24 is connected to the pressing member 22. The main member 16 and air cylinder 23 are firmly fixed to the stationary member 11 via a connecting member 25.

[0030] The end face of the pressing member 22 is positioned so that its most retracted position does not protrude into the transition passage 18 so as not to obstruct the entry of the bolt 1. The end face of the pressing member 22 serves as a pressing surface 26 for moving the bolt 1 that has entered from the introduction groove 17 toward the end of the transition passage 18. This pressing surface 26 is a flat surface, and the line of movement of the pressing member 22 is perpendicular to the pressing surface 26.

[0031] When the pressing member 22 advances, it must not interfere with the shank 2 waiting in the lead-in groove 17, so the shank 2 must be stopped at the lead-in groove 17. For this reason, a permanent magnet 27 is disposed near the lead-in groove 17. In this example, it is embedded in the main member 16. The bolt 1 that enters the lead-in groove 17 is attracted by the permanent magnet 27 and receives a braking force. Instead of the permanent magnet 27, it is also possible to use an electromagnet or a vacuum for attraction, or to advance a long, thin restricting rod.

[0032] The inner end surface 28 of the transition passage 18 is formed by a part of the outer surface of the cover member 19. When the shank 4 of the bolt that has entered the transition passage 18 reaches the inner end surface 28 as the pressing member 22 advances, the shank 4 is sandwiched between the inner end surface 28 and the pressing surface 26 and becomes fixed.

[0033] As described above, the top surface 29 of the main member 16 is flat, and the head 2 and flange 3 of the suspended bolt 1 protrude from the top surface 29. This protruding portion is the retained portion 30 (see Figure 7), and the protruding length is indicated by the symbol L. In the case shown in Figure 4, the height of the retained portion is also indicated by the symbol L.

[0034] 2, a permanent magnet 31 is embedded in the main member 16 to draw the bolt 1 from the guide groove 17 into the transition passage 18. A start sensor 33 is embedded in the main member 16 to detect the shank 4 that has been drawn into the transition passage 18 and is in contact with the pressing surface 26 of the pressing member 22, and to cause the pressing member 22 to advance.

[0035] Next, the component detection sensor will be described.

[0036] The part detection sensor 34 is attached to the cover member 19 and detects the shank 4 when it reaches the inner end surface 28. To ensure that the shank 4 makes contact with the inner end surface 28, a permanent magnet 35 is embedded in the cover member 19, as shown in FIG. 5. The detection signal emitted from the part detection sensor 34 stops when the bolt 1 is held and extracted by a feed mechanism 100, such as a robot device, which will be described later. In other words, when the shank 4 moves away from the inner end surface 28, the emission of the detection signal indicating the presence of the bolt stops.

[0037] When a retention error occurs in the feed mechanism 100 and the bolt 1 is in contact with the inner end surface 28 or slightly separated from the inner end surface 28, the component detection sensor 34 continuously emits a signal indicating that a component remains. This signal is the component remaining signal.

[0038] Various types of sensors can be used for the start sensor 33 and component detection sensor 34 mentioned above, but here a type (proximity sensor) that transmits a signal when a magnetic body is present in a magnetic field is used.

[0039] Next, the feeding mechanism will be described.

[0040] The feed mechanism holds the retained portion 30 protruding from the top surface of the device body 7 and serves to feed the bolt 1 to a screw tightening device (not shown) or, if the bolt 1 is a projection bolt, to an electric resistance welding electrode (not shown), and is subject to various modifications depending on the product being manufactured. The entire feed mechanism is designated by the reference numeral 100.

[0041] The feed mechanism 100 has a handling function similar to that of a robot device, and here, as shown in Figure 7, is configured to operate in both vertical and horizontal directions. A long, rod-shaped retractable arm 39 is moved horizontally by a horizontal air cylinder 40. A lifting air cylinder 41 is provided to move the retractable arm 39 and the horizontal air cylinder 40 up and down, and this lifting air cylinder 41 is firmly fixed to the stationary member 11 via a connecting member 25.

[0042] An electric motor 42 is fixed near the end of the retractable arm 39, and the axis of its output rotation shaft 43 is set in the vertical direction. The retaining member 44 is a cup-shaped member that opens downward and is provided with a hexagonal retaining hole 45. The hexagonal head 2 of the bolt 1 can fit relatively into the retaining hole 45. This fit ensures that the head 2 fits snugly within the retaining hole 45 and cannot rotate within the retaining hole 45. This is what is known as coupling. A permanent magnet 46 is fitted deep within the retaining hole 45, and its magnetic force prevents the coupled bolt 1 from slipping out of the retaining hole 45.

[0043] The holding member 44 is rotated by an electric motor 42. To this end, an output rotary shaft 43 and the holding member 44 are connected via a coupling unit 47. In the coupling unit 47, a piston 49 is slidably inserted into a cylindrical member 48 connected to the output rotary shaft 43, and a piston rod 50 of the piston 49 protrudes downward and is connected to the holding member 44. A compression coil spring 51 is disposed between the cylindrical member 48 and the holding member 44, and its tension acts in a direction that moves the holding member 44 downward.

[0044] As is clear from FIG. 7, the output rotary shaft 43, the cylindrical member 48, the piston rod 50, the compression coil spring 51, the holding member 44 and the waiting held portion 30 are aligned on the central axis OO.

[0045] The forward and backward movement of the horizontal air cylinder 40 and the up and down movement of the lifting air cylinder cause the holding member 44 to rotate and descend by the electric motor 42, and when the hexagonal hole (holding hole 45) of the holding member 44 and the hexagonal head (head 2) of the held part 30 mate, the compression coil spring 51 does not contract and head 2 moves relatively into the holding hole 45, establishing a so-called coupling. Thereafter, by operation of the lifting air cylinder 41 and the horizontal air cylinder 40, the bolt 1, while held by the holding member 44, is supplied to a position that matches the threaded hole of the mating member (not shown), and the electric motor 42 rotates to screw it into the threaded hole of the mating member.

[0046] A rotation prevention structure is employed to transmit the rotation of the electric motor 42 to the holding member 44. This is shown in Figure 8, in which the cross section of the piston rod 50 is hexagonal and the through-hole 52 on the cylindrical member 48 side is also hexagonal, thereby preventing relative rotation between the piston rod 50 and the cylindrical member 48.

[0047] Next, a case where the bolt is not properly held (holding error) will be described.

[0048] Failure to hold the bolt 1 occurs when the retaining hole 45 of the retaining member 44 is misaligned from the central axis O-O for some reason. Alternatively, it may occur when there is insufficient tension in the compression coil spring 51. Even if the retaining member 44 rotates and descends, the bottom surface of the retaining member 44 rubs against the top surface of the head 2, causing the compression coil spring 51 to contract, and coupling will not be established.

[0049] Next, a modified example of the air cylinder 23 will be described.

[0050] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, a linear actuator operated by an electric motor 54 such as a servo motor is used instead of the air cylinder 23 .

[0051] In this embodiment, a cylindrical advancing / retreating member 56 that is slidable in the advancing / retreating direction is fitted inside a cylindrical main body 55 that is fixed to the stationary member 11. Rotation of an electric motor 54 is transmitted to a rotating shaft 58 via a transmission belt 57. The rotating shaft 58 passes through the advancing / retreating member 56, and a ball screw unit 59 is disposed in the through-hole structure. This ball screw unit 59 is a commonly used type that has a number of steel balls interposed between a spiral groove formed on the inner surface of the advancing / retreating member 56 and a spiral groove formed on the outer surface of the rotating shaft 58. The advancing / retreating member 56 advances and retreats as the rotating shaft 58 rotates forward and backward. A pressing member 22 is connected to the advancing / retreating member 56 via a rod 24.

[0052] Next, the operation will be described.

[0053] First, a normal case where no retention error occurs will be described.

[0054] The operation of the device will be explained mainly with reference to the control operation system diagram in Figure 10. In this figure, thin arrows indicate signal transmission paths, and thick lines indicate the intake and exhaust pipes for operating air to and from the air cylinder.

[0055] Before the device is started, as shown in Figure 1, the bolts 1 that have entered the guide groove 17 from the transfer path 8A due to the operation of the linear feeder 6 are braked by the permanent magnet 27. The linear feeder 6 is then stopped.

[0056] When an operator operates the start switch 60, a start signal is sent. Various signals are transmitted to a control device 61, which is composed of a simple computer device or sequence circuit, and processed here to operate an air selector valve 62.

[0057] When the operator operates the start switch 60, the start signal sent thereby is transmitted to the control device 61. This activates the linear feeder 6, and the leading bolt 1 stopped in the guide groove 17 enters the transition passage 18 as the feeding force of the linear feeder 6 overcomes the attractive force of the permanent magnet 27. When the bolt 1 enters the transition passage 18, the start sensor 33 detects this and sends a signal to the control device 61. This signal stops the operation of the linear feeder 6, and at the same time, a signal sent from the control device 61 switches the air switching valve 62.

[0058] Next, the piston rod 24 advances due to the operating air supplied from the air selector valve 62 to the air cylinder 23, and the pressing surface 26 of the pressing member 22 pushes out the bolt 1. As a result, the bolt 1 passes through the transition passage 18 and is pressed against the inner end surface 28, and the shank 4 is clamped between the pressing surface 26 and the inner end surface 28, resulting in a fixed state.

[0059] At the same time as the shaft 4 is clamped, a signal is sent from the part detection sensor 34 to the control device 61, which in turn sends a signal to the air switching valve 62 to start the feed mechanism 100, which then starts the horizontal air cylinder 40 and the lifting air cylinder 41, bringing the holding member 44 closer to the held part 30. The signal from the control device 61 starting the horizontal air cylinder 40 and the lifting air cylinder 41 also starts rotating the electric motor 42 attached to the retractable arm 39. When the lower surface of the holding member 44 comes into contact with the upper surface of the head 2 as the retractable arm 39 moves, the hexagonal shapes of the head 2 and the holding hole 45 fit snugly together as the holding member 44 rotates, forming a coupling of the head 2 into the holding hole 45. At this time, the compression coil spring 51 is not compressed.

[0060] Once the coupling is established as described above, a signal is sent from the feed mechanism 100, causing the air cylinder 23 to retract and return to its original position, thereby releasing the clamped state of the shank 4. Even after the clamped state of the shank 4 is released, the part detection sensor 34 continues to emit a detection signal for the bolt 1 as long as the shank 4 is in contact with or close to the inner end surface 28, i.e., as long as the bolt 1 is at the end of the transition passage 18. After the pressing surface 26 retracts, a signal from the retraction sensor 63 attached to the air cylinder 23 is sent to the control device 61, which operates the lifting air cylinder 41 and then the horizontal air cylinder 40. The bolt 1, attracted by the permanent magnet 46, is fed to the target location, such as a screw hole in the mating member. The part detection sensor 34 stops emitting a detection signal when the bolt 1 is removed from the end of the transition passage 18 by the feed mechanism 100. The above series of operations constitutes a normal feeding operation without any retention errors.

[0061] Although not shown, the signal transmitted from the feeding mechanism 100 is a signal extracted from the piston operating position of the lifting air cylinder 41. Alternatively, the lifting position detection sensor 64 attached to the stationary member 11 can be made to respond to the end of the advancing / retracting arm 39 as it descends and transmit the signal as a signal transmitted from the feeding mechanism 100. Since the lifting position detection sensor 64 transmits the signal in response to the end of the advancing / retracting arm 39 as it descends, the advancing / retracting arm 39 or its end is made of a magnetic material.

[0062] Next, an abnormal case where a retention error occurs will be described.

[0063] If the head 2 of the bolt 1 does not fully enter the retaining hole 45 due to reasons such as the retaining member 44 being misaligned from the central axis O-O, the retractable arm 39 descends further, causing the piston 49 to rise within the cylindrical member 48 while compressing the compression coil spring 51.

[0064] As the retractable arm 39 descends, a signal sent from the feed mechanism 100 or a signal from the elevation position detection sensor 64 becomes a trigger signal, and the signal that continues to be sent from the part detection sensor 34 is converted into a part remaining signal in the control device 61, which becomes a signal that detects a failure to hold the bolt 1. This part remaining signal is the abnormality detection signal.

[0065] As another operation, the control device 61 can perform AND processing on the component remaining signal that the feed mechanism 100 continues to send from the component detection sensor 34 for bolt 1 retention failure, and the signal sent from the feed mechanism 100 or the signal sent from the lift position detection sensor 64. By performing this AND processing, it is detected that the bolt 1 remains. This detection signal is the abnormality detection signal.

[0066] When the abnormality detection signal is sent from the control device 61, the air switching valve 62 operates to operate the air cylinder 23 again, causing the pressing member 22 to advance. When the pressing member 22 advances again, the abnormality detection signal keeps the linear feeder 6 stopped, and the attractive force of the permanent magnet 27 brakes the next bolt 1, so as to prevent the next bolt 1 (second bolt 1) from entering the transition passage 18.

[0067] As the pressing member 22 re-advances, the remaining bolt 1 is once again clamped and fixed. When the pressing member 22 re-advances, the signal transmission from the retraction sensor 63 of the air cylinder 23 stops, and this stopped state is detected by the control device 61, which uses this detection signal as a trigger signal to restart the operation of the feed mechanism 100. This causes the operation of the feed mechanism 100 to resume in the same manner as in the normal state described above, and the held portion 30 is held. In this way, when a holding error occurs, the holding error is automatically detected, and the held portion 30 is automatically held by the feed mechanism 100.

[0068] It is also possible to use an electric linear actuator instead of the various air cylinders described above, and to use an electromagnet instead of a permanent magnet.

[0069] The effects of the embodiment described above are as follows.

[0070] Because the signal from the component detection sensor 34 is continuously transmitted from the time the bolt 1 reaches the inner end surface 28 of the transfer passage 18, it is possible to reliably and easily detect an abnormal state of a remaining bolt due to a retention error based on this continuous signal. Various methods for detecting an abnormality can be used. For example, a timer device can be used to determine an abnormality by triggering a signal (time-up signal) emitted when a predetermined period of continuous transmission has elapsed, or by triggering a signal obtained from the operation of the feed mechanism 100, which moves to the destination without holding the bolt 1. The signal obtained from the abnormality determination is used as a trigger signal to reactivate the feed mechanism 100, thereby holding the remaining bolt 1. Because the detection of a retention error and the operation of re-holding the remaining component are performed automatically as a series of operations, a highly reliable component supply device with anomaly detection is obtained.

[0071] In this way, the signal from the component detection sensor 34 is continuously transmitted, so that an abnormal condition can be detected by a time-up signal from the timer device or an operation signal from the feed mechanism 100 as described above, and this abnormality detection signal makes it possible to cause the feed mechanism 100 to perform the component holding operation again, thereby realizing highly reliable bolt supply.

[0072] Furthermore, an abnormality can be reliably detected when a continuous signal from the component detection sensor 34 and signals from the timer device and feed mechanism 100 as described above are received together. This detection signal enables the feed mechanism 100 to resume bolt holding operation, thereby achieving highly reliable bolt supply. Furthermore, because an abnormality is detected when a continuous signal from the component detection sensor 34 and signals from the timer device and feed mechanism 100 as described above are received together, even if a holding error occurs during normal repeated operation, the holding error is automatically and reliably detected and the feed mechanism 100 can be restarted, thereby providing a highly reliable component supply device with abnormality detection that prevents bolt shortages and the like on the production line.

[0073] Furthermore, since other signals are used in conjunction with the continuous signal from the part detection sensor 34 to detect an abnormal condition such as a bolt not being held properly, it is possible to utilize other signals, such as signals from the timer device described above, to ensure improved reliability in automatic detection and the operation of the feed mechanism.

[0074] By acquiring the anomaly detection type component feeder according to this embodiment and utilizing signals obtained from existing equipment, it is possible to detect an abnormal condition from the continuous signal described above, thereby achieving highly versatile bolt supply. In other words, by acquiring an anomaly detection type component feeder that can continuously emit a bolt remaining signal from the component detection sensor 34 as described above, it is possible to detect an abnormal condition in a manner that is suited to the existing equipment circumstances, making it possible to provide a user-friendly anomaly detection type component feeder.

[0075] As described above, since continuous signals from the component detection sensor 34 are utilized, there is no need to add special functions to the component detection sensor 34 itself, which is advantageous in simplifying the device structure.

[0076] As described above, the component supply device with abnormality detection of the present invention detects a component retention error and performs re-retention by combining the component remaining signal continuously transmitted from the component detection sensor with the signal transmitted from the feed mechanism. Therefore, it can be used in a wide range of industrial fields, such as various bolt tightening processes and automobile body assembly processes.

[0077] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Bolt, part 2 Head 3 Flange 4 Shaft 6 Linear feeder 7 Device body 8 Guide rail 8A Transfer path 9 Slide surface 16 Main member 17 Introduction groove 18 Transition path 19 End member 21 Guide groove 22 Pressing member 23 Air cylinder 26 Pressing surface 28 Inner end surface 30 Helded portion 33 Start sensor 34 Part detection sensor 39 Advance / retract arm 40 Horizontal air cylinder 41 Lift / lower air cylinder 42 Electric motor 44 Holding member 45 Holding hole 46 Permanent magnet 60 Start switch 61 Control device 62 Air switching valve 63 Advance / retract sensor 64 Lift / lower position detection sensor 100 Feeding mechanism

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: an apparatus main body; a transition passage provided in the apparatus main body for receiving parts that have moved through a transfer passage by a feeding force; a pressing member of an advancing / retreating type, configured to move the part received in the transition passage to the end of the transition passage by an advancing action, clamp the part between the pressing surface of the pressing member and the inner end face of the end of the transition passage to hold it in a fixed state, and to retract the pressing member configured to release the fixed state by a retreating action; a feeding mechanism for holding the part and supplying it to a destination; and a part detection sensor attached to the apparatus main body for detecting the part that has reached the inner end face of the transition passage and emitting a signal indicating the presence of the part, wherein the feeding mechanism is configured to hold the held portion of the part protruding from the apparatus main body in the fixed state, and to move to the destination after the fixed state is released and supply the part to the destination, and the part detection sensor continues to emit the signal indicating the presence of the part from the time the part reaches the inner end face of the transition passage and enters the fixed state, When the feeding mechanism moves to the destination location while failing to hold the component, an abnormality detection signal is transmitted to detect the component mis-holding based on the signal indicating the presence of the component that is continuously transmitted from the component detection sensor, and the abnormality detection signal causes the feeding mechanism to return to the position where it holds the component and resume the component holding operation.

2. An abnormality detection type component supply device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the abnormality detection signal is transmitted when the transmission time of the signal continuously transmitted from the component detection sensor reaches a predetermined time.

3. An abnormality detection type component supply device as described in claim 1, wherein the abnormality detection signal is transmitted based on the signal continuously transmitted from the component detection sensor and a signal transmitted by the operation of the feed mechanism as it moves to the destination location while failing to hold the component.

4. An abnormality detection type component supply device as described in claim 1, wherein when the feeding mechanism resumes the component holding operation, the pressing member returns the fixed state from the released state to the fixed state.

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