Transport device

Abstract

A transport device (10) is provided with a transport body (20), a supply unit, a drive unit, a discharge unit, a downstream guide unit (110), and a removal unit (120). The discharge unit is located on the downstream side (C2) with respect to the supply unit on a circulation path (CR) and is capable of discharging an object being transported to the outside on the positive direction (R1) side of a placement surface (21). The downstream guide unit (110) is arranged so as to face the placement surface (21), and is located, on the circulation path (CR), on the downstream side (C2) with respect to the discharge unit and on the upstream side (C1) with respect to the supply unit. If the placement surface (21) is viewed in plan view, a downstream guide edge unit (DE) intersects the circulation path (CR) and extends so as to face farther towards the negative direction (R2) side the farther it moves in the traveling direction of the circulation path (CR). The removal unit (120) is capable of collecting the object being transported located at the end of the downstream guide edge unit (DE) on the negative direction (R2) side.

Description

Carrier device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a carrier device.

[0002] The carrier device described in Patent Document 1 includes a glass table, a supply unit, a drive unit, a plurality of recovery units, and a plurality of discharge units. The glass table is disk-shaped. A part of the main surface of the glass table is a placement surface on which the conveyed object can be placed. The supply unit can supply the conveyed object onto the placement surface of the glass table. The drive unit rotates the glass table around the central axis. As the glass table rotates, the conveyed object on the placement surface is conveyed along an annular circulation path. The plurality of recovery units are boxes located outside the glass table. Each discharge unit is located above the placement surface of the glass table. Each discharge unit blows out air to blow the conveyed object on the placement surface to the recovery unit corresponding to the discharge unit.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-192030

[0004] In a carrier device as described in Patent Document 1, the conveyed object may remain on the placement surface of the glass table without being discharged at the location where it should be discharged. If the conveyed object remaining in this way is conveyed back to the supply unit side again, there is a risk of malfunction in the carrier device.

[0005] To solve the above problems, this disclosure provides a conveyor having a mounting surface on which a conveyed object can be placed, a supply unit capable of placing the conveyed object at a specific location on the mounting surface, a drive unit capable of driving the conveyor so that the trajectory of the specific location is circular, a discharge unit located downstream of the supply unit on the circular path and capable of discharging the conveyed object to the outside of the mounting surface on the positive side, when the trajectory of the specific location is defined as a circular path, one of the directions perpendicular to the circular path is defined as the positive direction, and the direction opposite to the positive direction is defined as the negative direction, and a discharge unit arranged facing the mounting surface and on the circular path The conveying device comprises a guide section located downstream of the discharge section and upstream of the supply section, and a removal section capable of collecting the conveyed material on the conveying body, wherein when the ridge of the guide section formed by the surface facing the aforementioned placement surface and the surface facing the opposite direction of travel of the circulation path is defined as the guide edge, when the aforementioned placement surface is viewed in plan, the guide edge intersects the circulation path and extends toward the negative direction as it moves toward the direction of travel of the circulation path, and the removal section is capable of collecting the conveyed material located at the negative end of the guide edge.

[0006] This prevents the transported material from being transported back to the supply side.

[0007] Figure 1 is a top view of the conveying device of the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a partial side view of the conveying device of the first embodiment. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the upstream guide section of the first embodiment. Figure 4 is a top view of the upstream guide section of the first embodiment. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the upstream guide section of the first embodiment. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the downstream guide section of the first embodiment. Figure 7 is an enlarged side view of the downstream guide section of the first embodiment. Figure 8 is a top view of the downstream guide section of the first embodiment. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the suction machine of the first embodiment. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the suction machine of the first embodiment. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the porous blower of the second embodiment. Figure 12 is a side view of the porous blower of the second embodiment. Figure 13 is a top view of the conveying device of a modified example. Figure 14 is a perspective view of the upstream guide section of a modified example. Figure 15 is a top view of the conveying device of a modified example. Figure 16 is a top view of the downstream guide section of a modified example. Figure 17 is a side view of the downstream guide section of a modified example.

[0008] The first and second embodiments of the conveying device are described below. Note that the drawings are schematic diagrams for ease of understanding, and some components may be enlarged or omitted. Therefore, the dimensional ratios of the components may differ from those of the actual components.

[0009] <First Embodiment of the Conveying Device> (Overall Configuration) As shown in Figure 1, the conveying device 10 comprises a conveying body 20, a drive unit 30, a supply unit 40, and an alignment guide unit 50.

[0010] The conveyor body 20 is disc-shaped. In the following description, the largest surface area of ​​the outer surface of the conveyor body 20 will be referred to as the mounting surface 21. The axis of the conveyor body 20 passing through the center of gravity of the mounting surface 21 will be defined as the central axis CA. Of the two directions parallel to the central axis CA, the direction in which the mounting surface 21 faces will be defined as the upward direction. The conveyor body 20 is installed such that its central axis CA is parallel to the direction of gravity. The central axis CA may be inclined with respect to the direction of gravity, but in this case, the upward direction will not be parallel to the direction of gravity. The conveyor body 20 has a circular through hole centered on the central axis CA. Because the conveyor body 20 has a through hole, the mounting surface 21 is annular. The conveyed object W can be placed on the mounting surface 21.

[0011] The material of the transporter 20 is glass. Furthermore, the transporter 20 is transparent to visible light. Here, "transparent" means that the transmittance exceeds 50%. It is sufficient that the transmittance exceeds 50% across the entire visible light band; however, the transmittance may be 50% or less at specific wavelengths within the visible light band.

[0012] In this embodiment, the transported object W is a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped electronic component. The length of the longest side of the transported object W, i.e., the longitudinal dimension, is, for example, approximately 0.01 mm to 100 mm. Furthermore, a portion of the material of the transported object W is magnetic. In other words, the transported object W is magnetic.

[0013] The drive unit 30 is fitted into a through hole in the conveyor body 20. The drive unit 30 has a power mechanism such as a motor (not shown). The drive unit 30 is rotationally driven with the central axis CA of the conveyor body 20 as the axis of rotation. Specifically, when the conveyor body 20 is viewed from the mounting surface 21 side, the drive unit 30 rotates the conveyor body 20 clockwise. Therefore, the drive unit 30 can drive the conveyor body 20 so that the trajectory of a specific location 22 on the mounting surface 21 is cyclic. In this embodiment, the specific location 22 is a point near the outer edge of the mounting surface 21.

[0014] In the following, the trajectory of a specific point 22 when the drive unit 30 rotates the conveyor 20 is referred to as the circulation path CR. In this embodiment, since the mounting surface 21 is annular, the circulation path CR is a circle centered on the central axis CA. That is, the circulation path CR is endless. Of the directions along the circulation path CR, the clockwise direction is called the downstream direction C2. Of the directions along the circulation path CR, the counterclockwise direction is called the upstream direction C1. More specifically, the downstream direction C2 is the direction of travel of the specific point 22 along the tangent to the circulation path CR at a point on the circulation path CR. The upstream direction C1 is the direction along the tangent that is opposite to the downstream direction C2. Also, of the directions along the central axis CA of the conveyor 20, the direction that the mounting surface 21 faces is called the upward direction Z1. The direction opposite to the upward direction Z1 is called the downward direction Z2. The direction perpendicular to the central axis CA, that is, the radial direction of the conveyor 20 that points toward the central axis CA, is called the negative direction R2. The direction opposite to the negative direction R2 is called the positive direction R1. Both the positive direction R1 and the negative direction R2 are perpendicular to the central axis CA and the circulation path CR, which will be described later.

[0015] The supply unit 40 is a so-called vibrating linear feeder. Specifically, the supply unit 40 has a straight passage. A bowl feeder (not shown) is connected to the upstream end of the supply unit 40. The bowl feeder supplies the conveyed material W to the upstream end of the supply unit 40. The downstream end of the supply unit 40 is located on the upward Z1 side of a specific location 22 on the mounting surface 21. The supply unit 40 conveys the conveyed material W from the upstream end to the downstream end by vibration. The conveyed material W that reaches the downstream end of the supply unit 40 is transferred to a specific location 22 on the mounting surface 21. Therefore, the supply unit 40 can place the conveyed material W on the specific location 22 on the mounting surface 21. At this time, the supply unit 40 places the conveyed materials W at approximately constant intervals from each other. In this embodiment, the supply unit 40 is installed so that there is a gap between the downstream end of the supply unit 40 and the mounting surface 21. The size of this gap is, for example, 1 mm or less. In this embodiment, the specific location 22 to which the conveyed material W is supplied in the circulation path CR is defined as the upstream location, and the location immediately preceding the specific location 22 in the direction of travel of the circulation path CR is defined as the downstream location.

[0016] The alignment guide section 50 includes an alignment section 51 and a conductive plate 52. The alignment section 51 is substantially rectangular in shape. The alignment section 51 is installed such that there is a gap of 1 / 2 or less of the height dimension of the conveyed object W between the surface of the alignment section 51 facing downward Z2 and the mounting surface 21. The ridge formed by the surface of the alignment section 51 facing downward Z2 and the surface connected to it that faces the central axis CA of the conveying body 20 is defined as the alignment edge section 53. The alignment edge section 53 is aligned along the circulation path CR. Furthermore, the alignment edge section 53 is in contact with the downstream end of the supply section 40. Due to this positional relationship, the conveyed object W placed on the mounting surface 21 from the downstream end of the supply section 40 is pressed against the alignment edge section 53. As a result, the conveyed object W is aligned so that its longitudinal side is aligned along the circulation path CR. Furthermore, the outer surface with the largest area among the six outer surfaces of the conveyed object W is in contact with the mounting surface 21. Therefore, of the two sides perpendicular to the longest side of the conveyed object W, the longer side is parallel to the mounting surface 21, and the shorter side is perpendicular to the mounting surface 21. Hereafter, the length of the longer side may be referred to as the width dimension of the conveyed object W, and the length of the shorter side may be referred to as the height dimension of the conveyed object W.

[0017] The conductive plate 52 is located on the side of the conveyor 20 facing downward Z2, that is, on the back side of the mounting surface 21. When the mounting surface 21 is viewed from above, the conductive plate 52 is approximately rectangular. The longitudinal centerline of the conductive plate 52 is along the circulation path CR. The conductive plate 52 is connected to a power source (not shown). When a potential is applied from the power source, the conductive plate 52 can charge the downward Z2 side of the conveyor 20, causing it to become electrostatically charged. The magnitude of this electrostatic charge is sufficient to attract the conveyed object W to the mounting surface 21. In Figure 1, the conductive plate 52, which is located downward Z2 relative to the conveyor 20, is shown as a solid line, representing its visibility through the conveyor 20.

[0018] As shown in Figure 1, the conveying device 10 includes a first inspection unit 61, a second inspection unit 62, and a third inspection unit 63. In other words, the conveying device 10 functions as an appearance sorting device for the conveyed objects W. An appearance sorting device is a device that observes the presence or absence of appearance defects in the conveyed objects W while they are being conveyed using a camera or the like, and sorts them into conveyed objects W with defects and conveyed objects W without defects.

[0019] The first inspection unit 61 is located on the downstream C2 side of the alignment guide unit 50 on the circulation path CR. The first inspection unit 61 has a first camera 61A and a second camera 61B. Both the first camera 61A and the second camera 61B are full-color cameras capable of detecting visible light.

[0020] The first camera 61A is positioned on the positive R1 side with respect to the circulation path CR. Furthermore, the first camera 61A is positioned at a distance from the mounting surface 21 and on the upward Z1 side of the mounting surface 21. The lens of the first camera 61A is pointed towards the circulation path CR. The first camera 61A is capable of imaging the positive R1 side of the transported object W.

[0021] The second camera 61B is positioned on the negative R2 side with respect to the circulation path CR and the first camera 61A. Furthermore, the second camera 61B is positioned at a distance from the mounting surface 21 and on the upward Z1 side of the mounting surface 21. The lens of the second camera 61B is pointed towards the circulation path CR. The second camera 61B is capable of imaging the negative R2 side surface of the transported object W.

[0022] The second inspection unit 62 is located on the downstream C2 side of the first inspection unit 61 on the circulation path CR. The second inspection unit 62 has a third camera 62A and a fourth camera 62B. Both the third camera 62A and the fourth camera 62B are full-color cameras capable of detecting visible light.

[0023] The third camera 62A is positioned on the circulation path CR at a distance from the mounting surface 21 and above the mounting surface 21 Z1. The lens of the third camera 62A is pointed downward Z2. A prism (not shown) is installed below the third camera 62A in the downward Z2 direction. The third camera 62A can image the end face of the transported object W on the mounting surface 21 facing upstream C1 via the prism.

[0024] The fourth camera 62B is positioned on the circulation path CR at a distance from the mounting surface 21 and above the mounting surface 21 Z1. Furthermore, the fourth camera 62B is positioned downstream C2 of the third camera 62A on the circulation path CR. The lens of the fourth camera 62B is pointed downward Z2. A prism (not shown) is installed below the fourth camera 62B in the downward Z2 direction. The fourth camera 62B can image the end face of the transported object W on the mounting surface 21 facing downstream C2 via the prism.

[0025] The third inspection unit 63 is located on the circulation path CR, on the downstream side C2 of the second inspection unit 62. The third inspection unit 63 has a fifth camera 63A and a sixth camera 63B. Both the fifth camera 63A and the sixth camera 63B are full-color cameras capable of detecting visible light.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, the fifth camera 63A is positioned at a distance from the transport body 20, on the side of the transport body 20 in the downward Z2 direction. That is, the fifth camera 63A is positioned on the opposite side of the transport body 20 from the mounting surface 21. The lens of the fifth camera 63A is facing upward Z1. As described above, since the transport body 20 is transparent to visible light, the fifth camera 63A can image the lower surface of the transported object W.

[0027] The sixth camera 63B is positioned at a distance from the transport body 20, and above Z1 of the transport body 20. The lens of the sixth camera 63B is pointed downward Z2. The sixth camera 63B is capable of imaging the upper surface of the transported object W. In Figure 1, the fifth camera 63A, which is positioned below Z2 relative to the transport body 20, is shown virtually superimposed on the sixth camera 63B.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the conveying device 10 includes a first discharge section 71, a second discharge section 72, a third discharge section 73, a first recovery container 74, a second recovery container 75, and a third recovery container 76.

[0029] The first discharge unit 71 is located on the circulation path CR on the downstream C2 side of the third inspection unit 63, that is, on the downstream C2 side of the supply unit 40. Furthermore, the first discharge unit 71 is located on the negative R2 side with respect to the circulation path CR and on the upward Z1 side with respect to the conveying body 20. The first discharge unit 71 is a so-called blower. That is, the first discharge unit 71 has a discharge hole from which air can be discharged. The discharge hole is directed toward the circulation path CR. The first discharge unit 71 can discharge the conveyed material W to the outside on the positive R1 side of the mounting surface 21 by the air discharged from the discharge hole.

[0030] The first recovery container 74 is box-shaped and opens upward Z1. The first recovery container 74 is located on the positive R1 side of the circulation path CR with respect to the first discharge unit 71. Furthermore, the first recovery container 74 is located outside the conveyor body 20 on the positive R1 side. The opening of the first recovery container 74 is located downward Z2 below the mounting surface 21. Therefore, the conveyed material W blown off the mounting surface 21 by the first discharge unit 71 is deposited into the first recovery container 74.

[0031] The second discharge unit 72 is located on the circulation path CR, downstream C2 from the first discharge unit 71, i.e., downstream C2 from the supply unit 40. Furthermore, the second discharge unit 72 is located on the negative R2 side with respect to the circulation path CR and upward Z1 side with respect to the conveying body 20. The second discharge unit 72 is a blower similar to the first discharge unit 71. That is, the second discharge unit 72 has a discharge hole from which air can be discharged. The discharge hole is directed toward the circulation path CR. The second discharge unit 72 can discharge the conveyed material W to the outside on the positive R1 side of the mounting surface 21 using the air discharged from the discharge hole.

[0032] The second recovery container 75 is box-shaped and opens upward Z1. The second recovery container 75 is located on the positive R1 side of the circulation path CR with respect to the second discharge section 72. Furthermore, the second recovery container 75 is located outside the conveyor body 20 on the positive R1 side. The opening of the second recovery container 75 is located downward Z2 below the mounting surface 21. Therefore, the conveyed material W blown off the mounting surface 21 by the second discharge section 72 is deposited into the second recovery container 75.

[0033] The third discharge section 73 is located on the circulation path CR, downstream C2 from the second discharge section 72, that is, downstream C2 from the supply section 40. Furthermore, the third discharge section 73 is located on the negative R2 side with respect to the circulation path CR and upward Z1 side with respect to the conveying body 20. The third discharge section 73 is a blower similar to the first discharge section 71. That is, the third discharge section 73 has a discharge hole from which air can be discharged. The discharge hole is directed toward the circulation path CR. The third discharge section 73 can discharge the conveyed material W to the outside on the positive R1 side of the mounting surface 21 by the air discharged from the discharge hole.

[0034] The third recovery container 76 is box-shaped and opens upward Z1. The third recovery container 76 is located on the positive R1 side of the circulation path CR with respect to the third discharge section 73. Furthermore, the third recovery container 76 is located outside the conveyor body 20 on the positive R1 side. The opening of the third recovery container 76 is located downward Z2 below the mounting surface 21. Therefore, the conveyed material W blown off the mounting surface 21 by the third discharge section 73 is deposited into the third recovery container 76.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1, the conveying device 10 is equipped with a post-processing unit 80. The post-processing unit 80 is located on the downstream C2 side of the third discharge unit 73 and on the upstream C1 side of the supply unit 40. The post-processing unit 80 consists of a static elimination brush and an ionizer, among other mechanisms. The post-processing unit 80 is capable of removing static electricity from the mounting surface 21 of the conveying body 20 and the opposite surface.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1, the transport device 10 includes a control unit 90. The control unit 90 can control the timing of air discharge from the discharge holes of the first discharge unit 71 to the third discharge unit 73 based on images captured by the first camera 61A to the sixth camera 63B. Specifically, first, the control unit 90 detects whether the transported object W, as captured by the first camera 61A to the sixth camera 63B, has scratches and cracks. If the control unit 90 determines that the transported object W does not have scratches and cracks, it discharges air from the first discharge unit 71 at the timing when the transported object W is positioned between the first discharge unit 71 and the first collection container 74. If the control unit 90 determines that a particular transported object W has scratches and cracks, it discharges air from the second discharge unit 72 at the timing when the transported object W is positioned between the second discharge unit 72 and the second collection container 75. The control unit 90 discharges air from the third discharge unit 73 so that the conveyed objects W for which it could not detect whether or not there were scratches or cracks, and the conveyed objects W that were not discharged by the first discharge unit 71 and the second discharge unit 72, are discharged.

[0037] (Regarding the upstream guide section) As shown in Figure 3, the conveying device 10 is equipped with an upstream guide section 100. The upstream guide section 100 is located on the circulation path CR, on the downstream side C2 relative to the supply section 40 and on the upstream side C1 relative to the downstream guide section 110, which will be described later. The upstream guide section 100 is attached to the third discharge section 73.

[0038] The upstream guide section 100 has a fixed section 101, a recovery and guidance section 102, and a path guidance section 103. The fixed section 101, the recovery and guidance section 102, and the path guidance section 103 are integrally molded. In Figure 3, the boundaries of the fixed section 101, the recovery and guidance section 102, and the path guidance section 103 on the surface of the upstream guide section 100 facing upward Z1 are virtually shown by dashed lines.

[0039] The fixed part 101 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape. The fixed part 101 is fixed to the downstream C2 side of the third discharge part 73. The recovery guide part 102 is also roughly rectangular parallelepiped. The recovery guide part 102 is connected to the positive R1 side of the fixed part 101. The recovery guide part 102 is located on the positive R1 side of the third discharge part 73 in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CA.

[0040] The outer surface of the retrieval guidance section 102 that faces the mounting surface 21 is designated as the first specific surface SA1. The distance between the first specific surface SA1 and the mounting surface 21 is approximately half or less of the dimension of the shortest side of the conveyed object W. The distance between the first specific surface SA1 and the mounting surface 21 is, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 2 mm or less. In this embodiment, the distance between the first specific surface SA1 and the mounting surface 21 is 0.1 mm. The distance between the first specific surface SA1 and the mounting surface 21 is approximately constant across the entire area of ​​the first specific surface SA1.

[0041] Of the outer surface of the recovery guidance section 102, the surface facing the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the circulation path CR, that is, the upstream direction C1, is called the second specific surface SA2. The ridge formed by the second specific surface SA2 and the first specific surface SA1 is called the first upstream guide edge UE1. In other words, the first upstream guide edge UE1 is the part of the recovery guidance section 102 whose height from the mounting surface 21 is less than or equal to the height dimension of the conveyed object W, and which faces the upstream direction C1. The first upstream guide edge UE1 is straight, and furthermore, when the mounting surface 21 is viewed in plan with the downward direction Z2, the first upstream guide edge UE1 intersects with the circulation path CR. In addition, the first upstream guide edge UE1 extends from the downstream C2 side end of the discharge hole of the third discharge section 73 toward the positive direction R1.

[0042] Due to this positional relationship, the third discharge section 73 can discharge the conveyed material W along the first upstream guide edge UE1 to the outside on the positive R1 side of the mounting surface 21. The minimum distance ML between the first upstream guide edge UE1 and the mounting surface 21 on the circulation path CR is larger than the minimum distance between the downstream guide edge DE of the downstream guide section 110 and the mounting surface 21 on the circulation path CR, which will be described later.

[0043] The path guiding portion 103 protrudes toward the upstream direction C1 side from the second specific surface SA2 of the recovery guiding portion 102. The path guiding portion 103 has a substantially triangular prism shape. The dimension of the path guiding portion 103 in the direction orthogonal to the central axis CA becomes smaller toward the upstream direction C1 of the circulation path CR from the connection location with the recovery guiding portion 102.

[0044] Of the outer surface of the path guiding portion 103, the surface facing the placement surface 21 side is defined as the third specific surface SA3. The distance between the third specific surface SA3 and the placement surface 21 is substantially constant over the entire area of the third specific surface SA3. The distance between the third specific surface SA3 and the placement surface 21 is the same as the distance between the first specific surface SA1 and the placement surface 21. That is, the distance is about 1 / 2 of the dimension of the shortest side of the conveyed object W.

[0045] Of the outer surface of the path guiding portion 103, the surface facing the positive direction R1 side is defined as the fourth specific surface SA4. The ridge line portion formed by the third specific surface SA3 and the fourth specific surface SA4 is defined as the second upstream guide edge UE2. The second upstream guide edge UE2 is linear. In other words, the second upstream guide edge UE2 is a portion of the path guiding portion 103 where the height position from the placement surface 21 is equal to or less than the height dimension of the conveyed object W and faces the upstream direction C1 side. As shown in FIG. 4, when the placement surface 21 is viewed in plan view facing the downward direction Z2, the second upstream guide edge UE2 extends so as to face more toward the positive direction R1 side toward the downstream direction C2 side of the circulation path CR. That is, the downstream direction C2 side end of the second upstream guide edge UE2 is located more in the positive direction R1 than the upstream direction C1 side end. Moreover, the downstream direction C2 side end of the second upstream guide edge UE2 is located on the negative direction R2 side with respect to the circulation path CR. In other words, the second upstream guide edge UE2 does not intersect the circulation path CR.

[0046] The upstream guide section 100 has a first recess 104 and a second recess 105. The first recess 104 is recessed from the surface facing the mounting surface 21 of the recovery guidance section 102, i.e., from the first specific surface SA1 toward the opposite side from the mounting surface 21. The first recess 104 is located in the upward direction Z1 of the circulation path CR. The first recess 104 extends from the upstream end C1 of the recovery guidance section 102 to the downstream end C2. That is, the first recess 104 is open on both sides in the direction in which the conveyed material W is conveyed. The width dimension of the first recess 104 in the direction perpendicular to the central axis CA is substantially constant throughout the first recess 104. The width dimension of the first recess 104 is, for example, 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less. In this embodiment, the width dimension of the first recess 104 is 3 mm. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the dimension 104L of the first recess 104 in the direction along the central axis CA is substantially constant throughout the entire first recess 104. The dimension 104L is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 5 mm or less. In this embodiment, the dimension 104L is 1 mm.

[0047] As shown in Figure 5, the sum of the minimum distance ML between the first upstream guide edge UE1 and the mounting surface 21, and the dimension 104L of the first recess 104 in the direction along the central axis CA, is greater than the height dimension of the conveyed object W. Furthermore, the width dimension of the first recess 104 in the direction perpendicular to the central axis CA is greater than the width dimension of the conveyed object W. In addition, in a cross-sectional view of the upstream guide portion 100 at any point in the direction perpendicular to both the first specific surface SA1 and the circulation path CR, when a virtual perpendicular line 106 is drawn from the outer edge of the first recess 104 to the mounting surface 21, the area of ​​the region enclosed by the first specific surface SA1, the virtual perpendicular line 106, and the mounting surface 21 in that cross-sectional view is greater than the maximum cross-sectional area of ​​the conveyed object W.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the second recess 105 is recessed from the third specific surface SA3 toward the side opposite to the placement surface 21. The second recess 105 is located on the positive direction R1 side with respect to the discharge hole of the third discharge portion 73. The second recess 105 extends from the end in the negative direction R2 of the path guiding portion 103 to the end in the positive direction R1 side. The dimension in the direction along the circulation path CR of the second recess 105 is larger than the dimension of the discharge hole of the third discharge portion 73 in that direction. The dimension in the direction along the central axis CA of the second recess 105 is larger than the dimension of the discharge hole of the third discharge portion 73 in that direction. Therefore, the path guiding portion 103 is configured not to obstruct the flow of the air discharged from the discharge hole of the third discharge portion 73.

[0049] (Regarding the downstream guide portion and the removal portion) As shown in FIG. 6, the transport device 10 includes a downstream guide portion 110 and a removal portion 120. The downstream guide portion 110 is arranged to face the placement surface 21. The downstream guide portion 110 is located on the downstream direction C2 side with respect to the third discharge portion 73 and the upstream guide portion 100 on the circulation path CR, and on the upstream direction C1 side of the supply portion 40.

[0050] The downstream guide portion 110 has an installation member 111, a movable portion 112, a mounting portion 113, and a blade 114. The installation member 111 is in the shape of a substantially rectangular plate. The end on the positive direction R1 side of the installation member 111 is fixed to the floor surface of the factory or the like via various support members not shown. The end on the negative direction R2 side of the installation member 111 is located on the upper direction Z1 side of the placement surface 21 at a distance from the placement surface 21.

[0051] The movable portion 112 is substantially L-shaped and bends on the negative direction R2 side of the installation member 111. Specifically, one end of the movable portion 112 is connected to the end on the negative direction R2 side of the installation member 111 via a shaft portion SH. The other end of the movable portion 112 faces downward Z2 on the negative direction R2 side of the installation member 111. The movable portion 112 is rotatable on a plane substantially parallel to the placement surface 21 about the shaft portion SH.

[0052] The mounting portion 113 is a roughly rectangular plate. One end of the mounting portion 113 is fixed to the end of the movable portion 112 on the negative R2 side. That is, the mounting portion 113 is rotatable together with the movable portion 112 about the shaft portion SH as the axis of rotation. The mounting portion 113 is located below the installation member 111 in direction Z2.

[0053] The blade 114 is a roughly rectangular plate. The thickness of the blade 114 is less than the thickness of the mounting portion 113. The thickness of the blade 114 is, for example, 0.1 mm or more and 10 mm or less. In this embodiment, the thickness of the blade 114 is 0.2 mm. The long side of the blade 114 is attached to the long side of the mounting portion 113. Therefore, the blade 114 can rotate together with the movable portion 112 and the mounting portion 113 around the shaft portion SH as the axis of rotation. That is, the angle of the blade 114 with respect to the circulation path CR can be changed. The dimension of the long side of the blade 114 is, for example, 5 mm or more and 100 mm or less. In this embodiment, the dimension of the long side of the blade 114 is 48 mm.

[0054] As shown in Figure 7, the downstream guide section 110, the surface facing the mounting surface 21, is called the fifth specific surface SA5. The downstream guide section 110, the surface facing the opposite direction to the direction of travel of the circulation path CR, is called the sixth specific surface SA6. The ridge formed by the fifth specific surface SA5 and the sixth specific surface SA6 is called the downstream guide edge DE. The fifth specific surface SA5 is the surface facing downward Z2 of the blade 114. The sixth specific surface SA6 is the end surface of the blade 114 facing upstream C1. In other words, the downstream guide edge DE is the part of the downstream guide section 110 whose height from the mounting surface 21 is less than or equal to the height of the conveyed object W, and which faces upstream C1. The inclination of the blade 114 with respect to the mounting surface 21 is 10.23°.

[0055] The distance between the downstream guide edge DE of the downstream guide section 110 and the mounting surface 21 is less than the dimension of the shortest side of the conveyed object W. In this embodiment, the entire downstream guide edge DE is in contact with the mounting surface 21. Furthermore, the fifth specific surface SA5 is not in contact with the mounting surface 21 except for the downstream guide edge DE. In other words, the minimum distance between the downstream guide edge DE and the mounting surface 21 on the circulation path CR is zero. The elastic modulus of the downstream guide edge DE is smaller than that of the mounting surface 21. In other words, the downstream guide edge DE is softer than the mounting surface 21. Specifically, the material of the downstream guide edge DE is a synthetic resin, for example, a synthetic resin mainly composed of PET (polyethylene terephosphate).

[0056] As shown in Figure 8, when the mounting surface 21 is viewed from above with the direction Z2 downwards, the downstream guide edge DE intersects with the circulation path CR. Furthermore, the downstream guide edge DE extends toward the negative direction R2 as it moves toward the direction of travel of the circulation path CR. More specifically, in the state shown in Figure 8, when a virtual line segment 115 is drawn connecting the intersection point of the outer edge of the mounting surface 21 and the downstream guide edge DE in the above-mentioned plan view to the geometric center of the mounting surface 21, the acute angle between the downstream guide edge DE and the virtual line segment 115 is 29.05°. As mentioned above, the blade 114 is rotatable around the shaft SH as the axis of rotation. Therefore, the above acute angle is adjustable. For example, the above acute angle can be adjusted within the range of 10° to 80°.

[0057] As shown in Figure 6, the removal unit 120 comprises a removal unit body 121, a connecting pipe 125, and a removal pump 126 as a negative pressure source. The removal unit body 121 is a rectangular parallelepiped that is elongated in the direction along the central axis CA. The removal unit body 121 is integrally molded with the movable part 112. The removal unit body 121 is located on the upward Z1 side relative to the negative R2 side end of the blade 114.

[0058] The removal unit body 121 defines the inflow passage 122. The inflow passage 122 is a through-hole that penetrates from the surface of the removal unit body 121 facing the mounting surface 21 to the surface facing upward Z1. The diameter of the inflow passage 122 is larger than the longitudinal dimension of the conveyed object W. The opening at the first end of the inflow passage 122 is designated as the suction port 123, and the opening at the second end is designated as the discharge port 124. The suction port 123 faces the negative R2 side end of the downstream guide edge DE. The discharge port 124 faces upward Z1.

[0059] The connecting pipe 125 is a pipe that connects to the removal unit body 121. Specifically, one end of the connecting pipe 125 is connected to the discharge port 124 of the removal unit body 121. The other end of the connecting pipe 125 is connected to the removal pump 126. The diameter of the connecting pipe 125 is larger than the longitudinal dimension of the conveyed material W.

[0060] The removal pump 126 is connected to the outlet 124 of the inlet passage 122 via the connecting pipe 125. The removal pump 126 is a so-called vacuum pump. The removal pump 126 can draw air from the outlet 124 via the connecting pipe 125 and the inlet passage 122. Therefore, the removal unit 120 can collect the conveyed material W located at the negative R2 side end of the downstream guide edge DE.

[0061] (Regarding the suction device) As shown in Figure 9, the transport device 10 is equipped with a suction device 130. The suction device 130 is located on the circulation path CR, on the downstream C2 side of the third discharge section 73 and on the upstream C1 side of the supply section 40. The suction device 130 comprises a first leg 131A, a second leg 131B, a first housing 133, a second housing 134, a first tube 132A, a second tube 132B, and a vacuum pump 135 as a negative pressure source.

[0062] The first leg portion 131A and the second leg portion 131B are columnar. The first leg portion 131A and the second leg portion 131B are fixed to a support member, frame, etc. (not shown) on the positive direction R1 side of the conveyor body 20. The central axis of the first leg portion 131A and the central axis of the second leg portion 131B extend along the central axis CA of the conveyor body 20. The first leg portion 131A and the second leg portion 131B are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CA of the conveyor body 20.

[0063] The first housing 133 is substantially rectangular parallelepiped in shape. The first housing 133 is connected to the end faces of each leg on the upward Z1 side. The first housing 133 divides a plurality of connecting passages as passages through which air can flow. In this embodiment, the first housing 133 divides the first connecting passage CP1 and the second connecting passage CP2. The first connecting passage CP1 is open on the downward Z2 side and the upward Z1 side of the first housing 133. The second connecting passage CP2 is open on the downward Z2 side and the upward Z1 side of the first housing 133, downstream C2 of the first connecting passage CP1.

[0064] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the second housing 134 comprises a main body BD1, a first wall WA1, and a second wall WA2. In Figure 9, the second housing 134 is shown by a dashed line.

[0065] The main body BD1 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape. The longitudinal sides of the main body BD1 are perpendicular to the circulation path CR. Of the lower Z2 side surface of the main body BD1, approximately one-third of the area from the positive R1 side in the direction perpendicular to the central axis CA is connected to the upper Z1 side surface of the first housing 133. Of the lower Z2 side surface of the main body BD1, approximately two-thirds of the area in the direction perpendicular to the central axis CA is located on the upper Z1 side with respect to the mounting surface 21.

[0066] As shown in Figure 10, the first wall portion WA1 protrudes from the portion of the main body portion BD1 facing downward Z2 that is not covered by the first housing 133. The first wall portion WA1 is located in the central region when the surface of the main body portion BD1 facing downward Z2 is divided into approximately three equal regions in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CA. The dimensions of the first wall portion WA1 in the direction along the circulation path CR are approximately three-fifths of the dimensions of the main body portion BD1 in that direction. The first wall portion WA1 is located towards the downstream end C2 of the circulation path CR. Note that the first tube 132A, the second tube 132B, and the conveyor body 20 are not shown in Figure 10.

[0067] The second wall portion WA2 protrudes from the portion of the main body portion BD1 facing downward Z2 that is not covered by the first housing 133. The second wall portion WA2 is located in the negative direction R2 when the main body portion BD1 facing downward Z2 is divided into approximately three equal regions in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CA. The dimensions of the second wall portion WA2 in the direction along the circulation path CR are approximately one-fifth of the dimensions of the main body portion BD1 in that direction. The second wall portion WA2 is located towards the downstream end C2 of the circulation path CR.

[0068] The main body BD1, the first wall WA1, and the second wall WA2 are integrally molded. There is a gap between the first wall WA1 and the second wall WA2 and the mounting surface 21. The dimension of this gap in the direction along the central axis CA of the conveyor 20 is less than half the length of the shortest side of the conveyed object W.

[0069] The second housing 134 partitions a plurality of suction passages as passages through which air can flow. In this embodiment, the second housing 134 partitions the first suction passage SP1 and the second suction passage SP2. The shape of the first suction passage SP1 and the second suction passage SP2 is, for example, an elongated hole or a rectangular shape. In this embodiment, the shape of the first suction passage SP1 and the second suction passage SP2 is circular. Also in this embodiment, the diameter of the first suction passage SP1 and the second suction passage SP2 is, for example, 0.5 mm or more and 5 mm or less. In this embodiment, the diameter of the first suction passage SP1 and the second suction passage SP2 is 1 mm.

[0070] The first suction passage SP1 has a first main passage MP1 and nine first branch passages BP1. One end of the first main passage MP1 opens downward in Z2 at the positive R1 side end of the second housing 134. Hereinafter, this opening will be referred to as the first outlet E1 of the first suction passage SP1. The first outlet E1 is connected to the upward Z1 side opening of the first connecting passage CP1. That is, the first outlet E1 is connected to the first connecting passage CP1 of the first housing 133. The other end of the first main passage MP1 opens downward in R2 at the negative R2 side end of the second housing 134.

[0071] One end of each first branch passage BP1 is connected to the first main passage MP1. The other end of each first branch passage BP1 is an opening on the side of the second housing 134 facing downward Z2. Hereinafter, this opening will be referred to as the first inlet A1 of the first suction passage SP1. The central axis of each first branch passage BP1 is approximately parallel to the central axis CA of the conveyor body 20. As shown in Figure 10, when viewing the first inlet A1 of each first branch passage BP1 facing upward Z1, the geometric centers of the opening edges of the first inlet A1 are aligned in a direction intersecting the circulation path CR. Furthermore, each first inlet A1 is located on the upstream side C1 of the first wall WA1.

[0072] As shown in Figure 9, the second suction passage SP2 has a second main passage MP2 and nine second branch passages BP2. The second main passage MP2 is located downstream of the first main passage MP1. The central axis of the second main passage MP2 is approximately parallel to the central axis of the first main passage MP1. One end of the second main passage MP2 opens downward in Z2 at the positive R1 side end of the second housing 134. Hereinafter, this opening will be referred to as the second outlet E2 of the second suction passage SP2. The second outlet E2 is connected to the upward Z1 side opening of the second connecting passage CP2. That is, the second outlet E2 is connected to the second connecting passage CP2 of the first housing 133. The other end of the second main passage MP2 opens downward in R2 at the negative R2 side end of the second housing 134.

[0073] One end of each second branch passage BP2 is connected to the second main passage MP2. The other end of each second branch passage BP2 is an opening on the side of the second housing 134 facing downward Z2. Hereinafter, this opening will be referred to as the second inlet A2 of the second suction passage SP2. The central axis of each second branch passage BP2 is approximately parallel to the central axis CA of the conveyor body 20. As shown in Figure 10, when viewing the second inlet A2 of each first branch passage BP1 facing upward Z1, the geometric centers of the opening edges of the second inlet A2 are aligned in a direction intersecting the circulation path CR. Furthermore, each second inlet A2 is located on the upstream side C1 of the second wall WA2.

[0074] Furthermore, in the direction intersecting the circulation path CR, all second branch passages BP2 are located on the negative R2 side of all first branch passages BP1. Therefore, the position of the second inlet A2 of the second suction passage SP2 is different from that of the first inlet A1 of the first suction passage SP1 in the direction intersecting the circulation path CR.

[0075] The first tube 132A is a pipe connected to the first housing 133. Specifically, the first end of the first tube 132A is connected to the opening on the downward Z2 side of the first connecting flow path CP1. The second end of the first tube 132A is connected to the vacuum pump 135.

[0076] The second tube 132B is a pipe connected to the second housing 134. Specifically, the first end of the second tube 132B is connected to the opening on the downward Z2 side of the second connecting flow path CP2. The second end of the second tube 132B is connected to the vacuum pump 135.

[0077] The vacuum pump 135 is connected to the first outlet E1 via the first tube 132A. The vacuum pump 135 is connected to the second outlet E2 via the second tube 132B. The vacuum pump 135 is a so-called vacuum pump. The vacuum pump 135 can draw air from the first outlet E1 and the second outlet E2 via the first tube 132A, the second tube 132B, the first connecting channel CP1, and the second connecting channel CP2. The vacuum pump 135 can draw air from the conveyed material W located near the first inlet A1 and the second inlet A2 of the second housing 134.

[0078] (Regarding the operation of this embodiment) In the above embodiment, the drive unit 30 drives a specific location 22 on the mounting surface 21 to circulate in an annular manner. The conveyed object W on the mounting surface 21 moves along the circulating path CR with the mounting surface 21 as the conveyor body 20 rotates. If the upstream guide unit 100 does not have the first recess 104, the conveyed object W may get stuck between the first specific surface SA1 and the mounting surface 21. According to the above embodiment, the upstream guide unit 100 has a first recess 104 that is large enough for the conveyed object W to pass through. Therefore, the possibility of the conveyed object W passing between the first recess 104 and the mounting surface 21 without contacting the upstream guide unit 100 is increased.

[0079] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, most of the conveyed material W is discharged from the mounting surface 21 to each collection container by the first discharge section 71 to the third discharge section 73. However, some of the conveyed material W may not be discharged by the air discharge from the third discharge section 73. In this configuration, the downstream guide section 110 is located on the downstream C2 side of the third discharge section 73 and on the upstream C1 side of the supply section 40. The distance between the downstream guide edge DE of the downstream guide section 110 and the mounting surface 21 is less than the minimum dimension of the conveyed material W. In addition, the downstream guide edge DE of the downstream guide section 110 intersects the circulation path CR, and the negative R2 side end of the downstream guide edge DE is located on the downstream C2 side than the positive R1 side end. Therefore, the conveyed object W, which is transported downstream C2 of the upstream guide section 100, is pressed against the downstream guide edge DE of the downstream guide section 110, causing it to move towards the negative R2 side end of the downstream guide edge DE.

[0080] (Effects of this embodiment) (1-1) In the above embodiment, the conveying device 10 is equipped with a downstream guide section 110 and a removal section 120. As described above, the conveyed material W is conveyed along the downstream guide edge DE to the end on the negative direction R2 side. The conveyed material W is collected by the removal section 120 located at the end on the negative direction R2 side of the downstream guide edge DE. Therefore, there is a high possibility that some of the conveyed material W that was not discharged at the third discharge section 73 can be recovered. And if the conveyed material W that was not discharged at the third discharge section 73 can be recovered, it is possible to prevent the conveyed material W from returning to the supply section 40 and causing malfunctions in the conveying device 10.

[0081] (1-2) In the above embodiment, the negative R2 side end of the downstream guide edge DE is located further downstream C2 than the positive R1 side end. That is, the conveyed material W moved by the downstream guide section 110 is carried in the opposite direction to the positive R1 where each collection container is located. As a result, the conveyed material W collected by the removal section 120 is less likely to get mixed into each collection container.

[0082] (1-3) In the above embodiment, the removal unit 120 has a removal pump 126 capable of sucking air from the inflow passage 122. The suction port 123 of the removal unit 120 faces the negative R2 side end of the downstream guide edge DE. With this configuration of the removal unit 120, the conveyed object W can be removed in a general manner regardless of the shape of the conveyed object W.

[0083] (1-4) In the above embodiment, the entire downstream guide edge DE of the downstream guide section 110 is in contact with the mounting surface 21. That is, there is no gap between the downstream guide edge DE and the mounting surface 21. This makes it easy to recover the conveyed material W. In addition, broken fragments of the conveyed material W and foreign matter mixed in during the manufacturing process of the conveyed material W may be present on the conveying body 20. With this configuration, these objects can also be easily recovered.

[0084] (1-5) In the above embodiment, the elastic modulus of the downstream guide edge DE is smaller than that of the mounting surface 21. As a result, even if the downstream guide edge DE is in contact with the mounting surface 21, the downstream guide edge DE is less likely to damage the mounting surface 21. In particular, in the above embodiment, the transported object W is imaged from the downward Z2 side with the fifth camera 63A relative to the transporter 20. If the mounting surface 21 is scratched in such a configuration, the light will be scattered by the scratch, which may adversely affect the inspection by the fifth camera 63A. It is also effective that the mounting surface 21 is less likely to be scratched, as this allows for a suitable inspection by the fifth camera 63A.

[0085] (1-6) In the above embodiment, the mounting surface 21 is disc-shaped. Therefore, the conveyed object W is guided towards the central axis CA of the circle by the downstream guide section 110. This makes it easier to prevent the conveyed object W guided by the downstream guide section 110 from falling off the mounting surface 21 or adhering to the sides of the conveyor body 20 due to static electricity.

[0086] (1-7) In the above embodiment, the conveying device 10 has an upstream guide section 100. The first upstream guide edge UE1 intersects with the circulation path CR. The conveyed object W conveyed along the circulation path CR is moved toward the positive direction R1 by the third discharge section 73. At this time, the conveyed object W may be displaced toward the positive direction R1 from the circulation path CR but remain on the mounting surface 21. The conveyed object W that has been displaced toward the positive direction R1 in this way is blocked by the first upstream guide edge UE1. The blocked conveyed object W is then exposed again to the pressurized air discharged from the third discharge section 73. Therefore, even if the conveyed object W is displaced toward the positive direction R1, the presence of the upstream guide section 100 increases the certainty that the conveyed object W can be discharged.

[0087] (1-8) In the above embodiment, the upstream guide portion 100 has a second upstream guide edge portion UE2. The downstream end of the second upstream guide edge portion UE2 on the C2 side is located on the positive R1 side than the upstream end on the C1 side. During transport, the transported object W may shift position from the circulation path CR to the negative R2 side. Such transported object W is transported to the downstream C2 side and then pressed against the second upstream guide edge portion UE2, moving it back onto the circulation path CR. Therefore, even if the transported object W shifts position to the negative R2 side, the presence of the second upstream guide edge portion UE2 increases the certainty that the transported object W can be discharged.

[0088] (1-9) In the above embodiment, the upstream guide portion 100 has a first recess 104. As described above, with this configuration, the conveyed material W on the circulation path CR that cannot be discharged by the air from the third discharge portion 73 and does not move toward the positive direction R1 is more likely to pass through the first recess 104 in the downward direction Z2. Therefore, the conveyed material W is less likely to get stuck between the first specific surface SA1 and the mounting surface 21.

[0089] (1-10) In the above embodiment, the conveying device 10 is equipped with a suction device 130. The suction device 130 has a plurality of inlets. Each inlet faces the mounting surface 21 and is arranged in a direction intersecting the circulation path CR. This makes it possible to suction a wide area in the direction intersecting the circulation path CR of some of the conveyed material W and foreign matter that were not discharged at each discharge section.

[0090] (1-11) In the above embodiment, the second housing 134 of the suction machine 130 is divided into a first suction passage SP1 and a second suction passage SP2 as a plurality of suction passages. The position of the second inlet A2 is different from that of the first inlet A1 in the direction intersecting the circulation path CR. When there are many first inlet A1s, the suction force per first inlet A1 tends to decrease. With this configuration, even if the range of suction possible on the mounting surface 21 is widened by increasing the number of suction passages and inlets, it is easy to prevent a decrease in the suction force at each inlet.

[0091] (1-12) In the above embodiment, the second housing 134 includes a first wall portion WA1 and a second wall portion WA2 that protrude from the lower Z2 side surface of the main body portion BD1. The first wall portion WA1 and the second wall portion WA2 are located on the downstream C2 side with respect to the first inlet A1 and the second inlet A2. When the conveyed object W is conveyed to the downstream guide portion 110, even if it takes time for the conveyed object W to be sucked from the inlet, the conveyed object W will be blocked by the wall portion. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the conveyed object W can be sucked up by the suction device 130.

[0092] <Regarding the Second Embodiment of the Conveying Device> Next, a second embodiment of the conveying device will be described. The conveying device 200 according to the second embodiment does not have a suction device 130 compared to the conveying device 200 according to the first embodiment. Instead of the suction device 130, the conveying device 200 has a porous blower 230. In the following, the configuration of the conveying device 200 according to the second embodiment, other than the porous blower 230, is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, so its description will be omitted.

[0093] (Regarding the porous blower) As shown in Figure 11, the conveying device 200 is equipped with a porous blower 230. The porous blower 230 is located on the circulation path CR on the downstream C2 side of the third discharge section 73 and on the upstream C1 side of the supply section 40. The porous blower 230 comprises a third leg section 231A, a fourth leg section 231B, a third housing 233, a fourth housing 234, a third tube 232A, a fourth tube 232B, and a blower 235 as a positive pressure source.

[0094] The third leg portion 231A and the fourth leg portion 231B are columnar. The third leg portion 231A and the fourth leg portion 231B are fixed to the factory floor or the like on the positive direction R1 side of the conveyor body 20. The central axis of the third leg portion 231A and the central axis of the fourth leg portion 231B extend along the central axis CA of the conveyor body 20. The third leg portion 231A and the fourth leg portion 231B are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CA.

[0095] The third housing 233 is substantially rectangular parallelepiped in shape. The third housing 233 is connected to the end faces of each leg on the upward Z1 side. The third housing 233 divides a plurality of connecting passages as passages through which air can flow. In this embodiment, the third housing 233 divides the third connecting passage CP3 and the fourth connecting passage CP4. The third connecting passage CP3 is open on the downward Z2 side and the upward Z1 side of the third housing 233. The fourth connecting passage CP4 is open on the downward Z2 side and the upward Z1 side of the third housing 233, downstream C2 of the third connecting passage CP3.

[0096] The fourth housing 234 comprises a main body BD2, a third wall WA3, and a fourth wall WA4. In Figures 11 and 12, the fourth housing 234 is shown by a dashed line.

[0097] The main body BD2 has a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape. The main body BD2 is positioned such that its longitudinal sides are perpendicular to the circulation path CR. Approximately one-third of the surface of the main body BD2 on the downward Z2 side, in the direction perpendicular to the central axis CA, is connected to the surface of the third housing 233 on the upward Z1 side. Approximately two-thirds of the surface of the main body BD2 on the downward Z2 side, in the direction perpendicular to the central axis CA, is located on the upward Z1 side with respect to the mounting surface 21.

[0098] As shown in Figure 12, the third wall portion WA3 protrudes from the portion of the main body portion BD2 facing downward Z2 that is not covered by the third housing 233. The third wall portion WA3 is located in the approximately central region when the surface of the main body portion BD2 facing downward Z2 is divided into roughly three equal regions in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CA. The dimensions of the third wall portion WA3 in the direction along the circulation path CR are approximately three-fifths of the dimensions of the main body portion BD2 in that direction. The third wall portion WA3 is located towards the downstream end C2 side of the circulation path CR.

[0099] The fourth wall portion WA4 protrudes from the portion of the main body portion BD2 facing downward Z2 that is not covered by the third housing 233. The fourth wall portion WA4 is located in the negative direction R2 region when the main body portion BD2 facing downward Z2 is divided into approximately three equal regions in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CA. The dimensions of the fourth wall portion WA4 in the direction along the circulation path CR are approximately one-fifth of the dimensions of the main body portion BD2 in that direction. The fourth wall portion WA4 is located towards the downstream end C2 of the circulation path CR.

[0100] The main body BD2, the third wall WA3, and the fourth wall WA4 are integrally molded. Furthermore, there is a gap between the first wall WA1 and the second wall WA2 and the mounting surface 21. The dimension of this gap in the direction along the central axis CA of the conveyor 20 is less than half the length of the shortest side of the conveyed object W.

[0101] As shown in Figure 11, the fourth housing 234 partitions a plurality of air passages as passages through which air can flow. In this embodiment, the fourth housing 234 partitions the first air passage VP1 and the second air passage VP2.

[0102] The first air supply passage VP1 has a third main passage MP3 and nine third branch passages BP3. One end of the third main passage MP3 is open at the end of the fourth housing 234 on the positive direction R1 side, facing downward Z2. Hereinafter, this opening will be referred to as the third inlet A3 of the first air supply passage VP1. The third inlet A3 is connected to the opening of the third connecting passage CP3 on the upward Z1 side. That is, the third inlet A3 is connected to the third connecting passage CP3 of the third housing 233. The other end of the third main passage MP3 is closed.

[0103] As shown in Figure 12, one end of each third branch passage BP3 is connected to the third main passage MP3. The other end of each third branch passage BP3 opens on the surface of the fourth housing 234 facing downward Z2. Hereinafter, this opening will be referred to as the third outlet E3 of the first air supply passage VP1. Each third outlet E3 is located on the upstream C1 side of the third wall WA3. Furthermore, the geometric centers of the opening edges of each third outlet E3 are aligned in a direction intersecting the circulation path CR. The central axis of each third branch passage BP3 is inclined with respect to the central axis CA of the transport body 20. Specifically, the connection end of each third branch passage BP3 to the third main passage MP3 is located on the negative R2 side of the third outlet E3. In this way, the third branch passage BP3 is inclined to be located in the positive R1 direction as it approaches the third inlet A3. Therefore, the third outlet E3 is oriented toward the mounting surface 21 and in the positive direction R1.

[0104] As shown in Figure 11, the second air supply passage VP2 has a fourth main passage MP4 and nine fourth branch passages BP4. The fourth main passage MP4 is located downstream of the third main passage MP3. The central axis of the fourth main passage MP4 is approximately parallel to the central axis of the third main passage MP3. One end of the fourth main passage MP4 opens downward Z2 at the positive R1 side end of the fourth housing 234. Hereinafter, this opening will be referred to as the fourth inlet A4 of the second air supply passage VP2. The fourth inlet A4 is connected to the upward Z1 side opening of the fourth connecting passage CP4. That is, the fourth inlet A4 is connected to the fourth connecting passage CP4 of the third housing 233. The other end of the fourth main passage MP4 is closed.

[0105] As shown in Figure 12, one end of each fourth branch passage BP4 is connected to the fourth main passage MP4. Note that in Figure 12, the fourth main passage MP4 is overlapping with the third main passage MP3 and is not visible. The other end of each fourth branch passage BP4 opens on the surface of the fourth housing 234 facing downward Z2. Hereafter, this opening will be referred to as the fourth outlet E4 of the second air supply passage VP2. Each fourth outlet E4 is located on the upstream C1 side of the fourth wall WA4. The geometric centers of the opening edges of each fourth outlet E4 are aligned in a direction intersecting the circulation path CR. The central axis of each fourth branch passage BP4 is inclined with respect to the central axis CA of the transport body 20. Specifically, the connection end of each fourth branch passage BP4 to the fourth main passage MP4 is located on the negative R2 side of the fourth outlet E4. Thus, the fourth branch passage BP4 is inclined so that it is positioned in the positive direction R1 as it approaches the fourth inlet A4. Therefore, the fourth outlet E4 is oriented toward the mounting surface 21 and toward the positive direction R1.

[0106] As shown in Figure 11, each fourth branch passage BP4 is located on the negative R2 side of all third branch passages BP3 in the direction intersecting the circulation path CR. Therefore, the position of the fourth outlet E4 of the second air supply passage VP2 is different from that of the third outlet E3 of the first air supply passage VP1 in the direction intersecting the circulation path CR.

[0107] The third tube 232A is a pipe connected to the third housing 233. Specifically, the first end of the third tube 232A is connected to the opening on the downward Z2 side of the third connecting flow path CP3. The second end of the third tube 232A is connected to the blower 235.

[0108] The fourth tube 232B is a pipe connected to the fourth housing 234. Specifically, the first end of the fourth tube 232B is connected to the opening on the downward Z2 side of the fourth connecting flow path CP4. The second end of the fourth tube 232B is connected to the blower 235.

[0109] The blower 235 is connected to the third inlet A3 via the third tube 232A. The blower 235 is connected to the fourth inlet A4 via the fourth tube 232B. The blower 235 can pump air to the third inlet A3 and the fourth inlet A4 via the third tube 232A, the fourth tube 232B, the third connecting channel CP3, and the fourth connecting channel CP4. Therefore, the blower 235 can pump air onto the mounting surface 21 of the third outlet E3 and the fourth outlet E4.

[0110] (Regarding the effects of the second embodiment) In addition to the effects of (1-1) to (1-10) described above, the second embodiment provides the following effects.

[0111] (2-1) In the above embodiment, the conveying device 200 is equipped with a porous blower 230. The porous blower 230 partitions the first air supply passage VP1 and the second air supply passage VP2. The porous blower 230 can pump air from a plurality of third outlets E3 and a plurality of fourth outlets E4. In addition, each third outlet E3 and each fourth outlet E4 is directed toward the mounting surface 21 side and the positive direction R1 side. This makes it easier to discharge some of the conveyed material W and foreign matter that were not discharged at each discharge section to the outside on the positive direction R1 side of the mounting surface 21.

[0112] (2-2) In the above embodiment, the porous blower 230 divides a plurality of air supply passages. The position of the third outlet E3 is different from that of the fourth outlet E4 in the direction intersecting the circulation path CR. When there are many outlets, the pressure of the air discharged from each outlet tends to decrease. With this configuration, even if the range over which air can be pressurized and supplied to the mounting surface 21 is widened by increasing the number of air supply passages and outlets, it is easier to prevent a decrease in air pressure at each inlet and outlet.

[0113] (2-3) In the above embodiment, the fourth housing 234 includes a third wall portion WA3 and a fourth wall portion WA4 that protrude from the lower Z2 side surface of the main body portion BD2. The third wall portion WA3 and the fourth wall portion WA4 are located on the downstream C2 side with respect to the third outlet E3 and the fourth outlet E4. Even if it takes time for the conveyed material W to be discharged to the outside of the mounting surface 21 by the discharge of air from the porous blower 230, the conveyed material W will be blocked by each wall portion. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the conveyed material W can be discharged to the outside of the mounting surface 21.

[0114] <Examples of Modifications> Each of the above embodiments can be implemented with the following modifications. Each of the above embodiments and the following examples of modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0115] The shape of the conveying body 20 is not limited to a disc shape. For example, the conveying body 20 may be an endless belt that is three-dimensional in the height direction, like a belt conveyor. In this case, the mounting surface 21 is the outer surface of the main surface of the belt. In this modified example, the mounting surface 21 may face in various directions, but at any point on the mounting surface 21, the direction that is perpendicular to the mounting surface 21 and points outward can be considered as the upward direction Z1 at that point, and the opposite direction can be considered as the downward direction at that point.

[0116] The material of the transporter 20 is not limited to glass. For example, the material of the transporter 20 may be PET resin. Also, the transmittance of the transporter 20 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. For example, the transporter 20 only needs to be transparent to the wavelength detected by the fifth camera 63A. Furthermore, if the fifth camera 63A is omitted, the transporter 20 may be opaque.

[0117] - The type, size, and shape of the transported object W transported by the transporter 20 are not limited to the examples of the above embodiment. For example, the transported object W may be a printed circuit board or the like. - The configuration of the drive unit 30 is not limited to the examples of the above embodiment. For example, the drive unit 30 may not be fitted into the through hole, but may be fixed to the surface of the disc-shaped transporter 20 facing downward Z2. In this case, the central part of the disc to which the drive unit 30 is connected does not substantially function as the mounting surface 21. Therefore, even in this case, the mounting surface 21 is annular.

[0118] The shape of the circulation pathway CR can be endless and is not limited to a circle. For example, the shape of the circulation pathway CR may be elliptical or quadrilateral. Also, there is not limited to one circulation pathway CR; there may be two or more.

[0119] The configuration of the supply unit 40 is not limited to the examples of the above embodiment. For example, the supply unit 40 may be a rotary parts feeder, an air-operated parts feeder, a belt conveyor type parts feeder, etc. Also, the conveying device 10 may be equipped with multiple supply units 40.

[0120] - The alignment guide section 50 does not necessarily have to include a conductive plate 52. The alignment edge section 53 does not necessarily have to be straight. The transport device 10 does not necessarily have to include an alignment guide section 50. - The specific configurations of the first inspection section 61 to the third inspection section 63 are not limited to the examples of the above embodiment. For example, the cameras in each inspection section are not limited to those that detect visible light, but may also be capable of detecting infrared light and ultraviolet light. In addition, the cameras in each inspection section may be area cameras or line scanner cameras. Furthermore, the cameras in each inspection section may be capable of detecting only specific wavelengths.

[0121] Each inspection unit may have, in place of or in addition to, the prisms exemplified in the above embodiment, an illumination device and a mirror. The appropriateness of adopting these accessories should be considered in light of the arrangement of each camera, the size and color of the transported object W, etc.

[0122] The transport device 10 does not have to have one or more inspection units selected from the first inspection unit 61 to the third inspection unit 63, or it may have four or more inspection units. Each inspection unit may perform inspection by a method other than imaging. Also, the transport device 10 does not have to have any of the first inspection unit 61 to the third inspection unit 63.

[0123] The specific configurations of the first discharge section 71 to the third discharge section 73 and the first to third recovery containers 74 to the third recovery containers 76 are not limited to the examples of the above embodiment. Each discharge section only needs to be capable of discharging the conveyed material W to the outside on the positive R1 side of the mounting surface 21. Furthermore, the conveying device 10 only needs to have at least one discharge section, and the number of discharge sections may be two or four or more.

[0124] The specific configuration of the post-processing unit 80 is not limited to the examples of the above embodiment. The transport device 10 does not need to include a post-processing unit 80. Furthermore, the transport device 10 does not need to include other components such as cleaning brushes instead of the post-processing unit 80 that removes static electricity.

[0125] The functions of the control unit 90 are not limited to the examples of the above embodiment. For example, the control unit 90 may be able to control the rotational speed of the drive unit 30, etc. Also, the conveying device 10 does not have to have a control unit 90 that controls each discharge unit collectively; for example, a control unit 90 that controls each discharge unit may be mounted on each discharge unit.

[0126] As shown in Figure 13, the conveying device 10 may be equipped with a magnetic recovery unit CM. The material of the magnetic recovery unit CM is a magnet such as a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. The shape of the magnetic recovery unit CM is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped plate. The long side of the magnetic recovery unit CM may extend in a direction intersecting the central axis CA. The magnetic recovery unit CM may be located on the circulation path CR, for example, on the downstream C2 side of the third discharge unit 73 and on the upstream C1 side of the downstream guide unit 110. Note that, as shown in Figure 13, this magnetic recovery unit CM may be provided in place of the suction machine 130 of the first embodiment and the porous blower 230 of the second embodiment, or two or more selected from the magnetic recovery unit CM, suction machine 130, and porous blower 230 may be provided. In this modified example, the conveyed object W is assumed to be a magnetic material as in the above embodiment. The magnetic recovery unit CM can attract the conveyed object W having a magnetic material by the magnetism of the magnet.

[0127] The position of the upstream guide section 100 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. The upstream guide section 100 does not have to be attached to the third discharge section 73, and may be installed independently, for example, in the downstream direction C2 of the third discharge section 73.

[0128] The configuration and shape of the upstream guide section 100 are not limited to the examples of the above embodiment. For example, the path guidance section 103 may be rectangular parallelepiped, and the upstream guide section 100 does not have to include the path guidance section 103. Also, the conveying device 10 does not have to include the upstream guide section 100.

[0129] - The first upstream guide edge UE1 does not have to extend in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CA. The first upstream guide edge UE1 does not have to be straight; it may be curved. Also, the point where the first specific surface SA1 and the second specific surface SA2 connect may be curved. In this case as well, the point where the ridge line formed by the second specific surface SA2 and the first specific surface SA1 can be identified as the first upstream guide edge UE1.

[0130] - The second upstream guide edge UE2 does not have to extend in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CA. The second upstream guide edge UE2 does not have to be straight; it may be curved. Also, the point where the third specific surface SA3 and the fourth specific surface SA4 connect may be curved. In this case as well, the point where the ridge line formed by the third specific surface SA3 and the fourth specific surface SA4 can be identified as the second upstream guide edge UE2.

[0131] The shape of the first recess 104 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. That is, when viewed from a direction along the circulation path CR, the outer edge shape of the first recess 104 does not have to be rectangular. For example, the shape may be semicircular or trapezoidal. As shown in Figure 14, the upstream guide section 100 does not have to have the first recess 104. Even in this case, the third discharge section 73 can discharge the conveyed material W along the first upstream guide edge UE1 towards the positive direction R1 side of the mounting surface 21.

[0132] The specific form of the installation member 111 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. The method of installation of the downstream guide section 110 is not limited as long as the mounting surface 21 can move relative to the downstream guide section 110. Also, the conveying device 10 does not need to be equipped with the downstream guide section 110.

[0133] The shape and configuration of the movable part 112 are not limited to the examples of the above embodiment. Furthermore, the downstream guide part 110 does not necessarily have a movable part 112, and the position of the downstream guide edge DE of the blade 114 with respect to the mounting surface 21 may be fixed. Also, for example, the downstream guide part 110 does not necessarily have a movable part 112 or a mounting part 113, and the blade 114 may be directly attached to the mounting member 111.

[0134] The shape of the blade 114 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. That is, the downstream guide section 110 does not have to be equipped with a blade 114. For example, the downstream guide section 110 may be equipped with a rectangular prism-shaped member instead of a plate-shaped blade. Furthermore, the central axis of the member may be configured to intersect the central axis CA of the conveyor 20. Even in this case, the ridge formed by the surface of the downstream guide section 110 facing the mounting surface 21 and the surface facing the opposite direction of travel of the circulation path CR can be identified as the downstream guide edge DE.

[0135] - The blade 114 may have an edge separate from the downstream guide edge DE. For example, the blade 114 may have a folded edge that extends from the negative R2 side end of the downstream guide edge DE so that it moves further upstream towards the C1 side as it moves toward the negative R2 side. In this case, the conveyed material W that moves along the downstream guide edge DE will accumulate in the portion between the downstream guide edge DE and the folded edge. As a result, it is possible to prevent any missed removal of the conveyed material W in the removal section 120.

[0136] The downstream guide edge DE intersects the circulation path CR when the mounting surface 21 is viewed from above, and extends toward the negative direction R2 as it moves toward the direction of travel of the circulation path CR. The angle between the downstream guide edge DE and the imaginary line segment 115 is not limited to the example of the above embodiment.

[0137] The material of the downstream guide edge DE is not limited to the example of the above embodiment. The elastic modulus of the downstream guide edge DE may be greater than or equal to that of the mounting surface 21. In other words, the downstream guide edge DE may be harder than the mounting surface 21. In this case, the portion of the downstream guide edge DE of the downstream guide section 110 is less likely to bend, preventing the conveyed object W from passing through.

[0138] - The downstream guide edge DE does not have to be in contact with the mounting surface 21. At least a part of the downstream guide edge DE may be in contact with the mounting surface 21, or there may be a gap between the downstream guide edge DE and the mounting surface 21. In this case, the dimension of the gap should be at least less than the height dimension of the conveyed object W. For example, the dimension of the gap is 0.01 mm or more and 0.02 mm or less.

[0139] The specific form of the removal unit 120 is not limited to the examples of the above embodiment. For example, if the conveyed object W is a ferromagnetic material, the removal unit 120 may be a magnet. Alternatively, the removal unit 120 may be a mechanism that attracts and holds the conveyed object 20 and conveys it to the outside of the mounting surface 21.

[0140] The removal pump 126 does not have to be specific to the conveying device 10. For example, it may be a negative pressure source shared by multiple devices within the factory. In this case, a valve for opening and closing the passage connecting the negative pressure source and the discharge port 124, a regulator for adjusting the pressure in the passage, etc., may be provided. The same applies to the vacuum pump 135.

[0141] - The suction machine 130 does not necessarily have to be equipped with a first leg portion 131A and a second leg portion 131B. The method of installation of the suction machine 130 is not limited as long as the mounting surface 21 is movable relative to the suction machine 130. The same applies to the third leg portion 231A and the fourth leg portion 231B of the porous blower 230.

[0142] The first housing 133 is not limited to the examples of the above embodiment. The first housing 133 may include, for example, a mechanism for adjusting the height of the second housing 134 relative to the mounting surface 21. Also, the suction machine 130 does not have to include the first housing 133. The same applies to the third housing 233 of the porous blower 230.

[0143] The second housing 134 only needs to partition at least one suction passage, and may partition three or more suction passages. The same applies to the air passage of the porous blower 230.

[0144] The configuration and shape of the first wall portion WA1 and the second wall portion WA2 are not limited to the examples of the above embodiment. For example, the first wall portion WA1 may be in contact with the mounting surface 21. Also, the second housing 134 does not have to be provided with the first wall portion WA1 and the second wall portion WA2. The same applies to the third wall portion WA3 and the fourth wall portion WA4 of the porous blower 230.

[0145] - The first inlet A1 of the first suction passage SP1 may be two or more but eight or fewer, or it may be ten or more. The number of first inlet A1 of the first suction passage SP1 may be different from the number of first inlet A1 of the second suction passage SP2. The same applies to the second inlet A2 and the third outlet E3 and fourth outlet E4 of the porous blower 230.

[0146] The position of the suction device 130 may be on the downstream side C2 from the discharge section. The suction device 130 may be located, for example, on the upstream side C1 of the downstream guide section 110. Alternatively, the suction device 130 may be located near the end on the negative side R2 of the downstream guide section 110. In this case, the suction device 130 functions as the removal section 120. The same applies to the position of the porous blower 230.

[0147] - The blower 235 does not have to be specific to the conveying device 200. For example, it may be a positive pressure source shared by multiple devices within the factory. In this case, a valve for opening and closing the passage connecting the positive pressure source and the third inlet A3, a regulator for adjusting the pressure in the passage, etc., may be provided.

[0148] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the conveying device 10 may further include a downstream guide section 110 and a removal section 120 on the back surface 23, which is the surface opposite to the mounting surface 21, in addition to the downstream guide section 110 and removal section 120 on the mounting surface 21 side of the conveying body 20.

[0149] In the following description, the downstream guide section 110 positioned facing the mounting surface 21 will be referred to as the first guide section 110A. The downstream guide section 110 positioned facing the back surface 23 will be referred to as the second guide section 110B. The removal section 120 positioned facing the mounting surface 21 will be referred to as the first removal section 120A. The removal section 120 positioned facing the back surface 23 will be referred to as the second removal section 120B. Furthermore, the downstream guide edge DE of the first guide section 110A will be referred to as the first guide edge DEA. Of the second guide section 110B, the ridge formed by the surface facing the back surface 23 and the surface facing the opposite direction of travel of the circulation path CR will be referred to as the second guide edge DEB. In Figure 16, the first guide section 110A and the first removal section 120A are not shown. Also, in Figure 17, the installation member 111 and the removal section 120 are not shown.

[0150] As shown in Figure 16, the second guide section 110B has the same configuration as the first guide section 110A. However, the second guide section 110B has a shape that is vertically symmetrical with respect to the first guide section 110A. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 15, the second guide section 110B is positioned so as to overlap the first guide section 110A vertically with respect to the conveyor 20. Note that the configurations of the first guide section 110A and the second guide section 110B may be different. The first guide section 110A and the second guide section 110B are not positioned to overlap vertically, but may be positioned at different vertical positions. As shown in Figure 16, the second removal section 120B has the same configuration as the first removal section 120A. However, the second removal section 120B has a shape that is vertically symmetrical with respect to the first removal section 120A. As shown in Figure 15, the second removal unit 120B is positioned so as to overlap the first removal unit 120A vertically with the conveyor body 20 in between. Note that the configurations of the first removal unit 120A and the second removal unit 120B may be different. The first removal unit 120A and the second removal unit 120B are not positioned to overlap vertically, but may be positioned vertically at different positions.

[0151] Note that in Figure 15, the first guide section 110A and the second guide section 110B overlap, making it appear as if only the first guide section 110A exists. For convenience, in Figure 15, the same location as the first guide section 110A is also referred to as the second guide section 110B. The same applies to the second removal section 120B.

[0152] As shown in Figure 15, when viewed through in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 21, the second guide portion 110B is located on the circulation path CR on the downstream C2 side relative to the third discharge portion 73 and the upstream guide portion 100, and on the upstream C1 side relative to the supply portion 40. Also, as shown in Figure 16, when viewed through in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 21, the second guide edge portion DEB intersects with the circulation path CR. Furthermore, the second guide edge portion DEB extends toward the negative R2 side as it moves toward the direction of travel of the circulation path CR. More specifically, when viewed through in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 21, if a virtual line segment 116 is drawn connecting the intersection point of the outer edge of the mounting surface 21 and the second guide edge portion DEB to the geometric center of the mounting surface 21, the acute angle between the second guide edge portion DEB and the virtual line segment 116 is approximately 30°.

[0153] As described above, the transporter 20 is charged so that it can electrically attract the transported object W. Therefore, when the transported object W falls off the mounting surface 21, the fallen object W may be attracted to the back surface 23. The transported object W attracted to the back surface 23 may be carried along by the rotation of the transporter 20 and may fall off the transporter 20 at an unintended location.

[0154] According to the above modification example, the second guide portion 110B can also recover the conveyed material W and foreign matter that have adhered to the back surface 23. Although not shown in the figures, instead of the second removal portion 120B, or in addition to the second removal portion 120B, a box-shaped recovery container may be provided that opens upward Z1 on the downward Z2 side relative to the conveyor body 20. In this case, it is preferable that the recovery container is located directly below the second guide edge portion DEB. In this example, the conveyed material W and foreign matter adhering to the back surface 23 are recovered by falling into the recovery container.

[0155] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 17, the conveying device 10 may also be equipped with an end face guide portion 140. The shape of the end face guide portion 140 is, for example, a rectangular plate. As shown in Figure 16, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 21, the end face guide portion 140 is located on the downstream C2 side relative to the upstream guide portion 100 and on the upstream C1 side relative to the downstream guide portion 110. The end face guide portion 140 also faces the end face 24, which is the surface of the outer surface of the conveying body 20 between the mounting surface 21 and the back surface 23. As mentioned above, the conveying body 20 is disc-shaped. Therefore, even if the conveying body 20 rotates around the rotation axis 82, the positional relationship between the circulation path CR and the end face 24, and the positional relationship between the end face guide portion 140 and the end face 24 are kept substantially constant.

[0156] Specifically, when one of the four straight edges of the end face guide portion 140 is designated as the end face guide edge portion EE, the end face guide edge portion EE faces the end face 24. Furthermore, the end face guide edge portion EE extends parallel to the end face 24, leaving a small gap between it and the end face 24. Moreover, as the end face guide edge portion EE moves toward the direction of travel of the circulation path CR, i.e., toward the downstream direction C2, it extends toward the direction that the mounting surface 21 faces, i.e., toward the upward direction Z1.

[0157] The end face guide portion 140 moves the conveyed material W and foreign matter attached to the end face 24 side to the mounting surface 21 side. As described above, the end face guide portion 140 is located on the upstream C1 side of the downstream guide portion 110. Therefore, the conveyed material W and foreign matter guided to the mounting surface 21 side by the end face guide edge EE of the end face guide portion 140 are ultimately recovered by the downstream guide portion 110.

[0158] Furthermore, the end face guide portion 140 may be approximately L-shaped such that, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 21, the end on the side of the direction of travel of the circulation path CR overlaps with the mounting surface 21. With such a shape, it is easier to guide the conveyed object W, etc., which is guided upward Z1 side according to the end face guide edge EE of the end face guide portion 140, onto the mounting surface 21.

[0159] Furthermore, the end face guide portion 140 may be roughly U-shaped such that, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 21, the end on the side of the direction of travel of the circulation path CR overlaps the mounting surface 21, and the end on the opposite side of the direction of travel of the circulation path CR overlaps below the mounting surface 21. With such a shape, it is easier to guide the conveyed object W, etc., near the end face 24 on the back surface 23 onto the mounting surface 21 via the end face guide edge portion EE.

[0160] As shown in Figure 17, the conveying device 10 may also be equipped with a fourth discharge section 77 and a cleaning roller 81 on the mounting surface 21. The fourth discharge section 77 is a blower similar to the first discharge section 71. That is, the fourth discharge section 77 has a discharge hole from which air can be discharged. As shown in Figure 15, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 21, the fourth discharge section 77 is located on the circulation path CR, downstream C2 side from the suction machine 130 and upstream C1 side from the post-processing section 80. Therefore, the fourth discharge section 77 can remove conveyed material W and foreign matter that could not be completely removed by the suction machine 130.

[0161] As shown in Figure 16, the cleaning roller 81 comprises a rotatable rotating shaft 82 and a cleaning body 83 attached to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 82. The rotating shaft 82 is located on the circulation path CR. The central axis of the rotating shaft 82 intersects the circulation path CR when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 21. The shape of the rotating shaft 82 is approximately cylindrical. The diameter of the rotating shaft 82 is, for example, 4 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The length of the rotating shaft 82 is, for example, 20 mm or more and 80 mm or less. The material of the rotating shaft 82 is, for example, aluminum, stainless steel, or resin.

[0162] A motor (not shown) is connected to the end of the rotating shaft 82. In other words, the cleaning body 83 can rotate around the rotating shaft 82 by the drive of the motor. The shape of the cleaning body 83 is approximately cylindrical. The diameter of the cleaning body 83 is larger than the diameter of the rotating shaft 82, for example, between 10 mm and 80 mm. The length of the cleaning body 83 is for example between 20 mm and 80 mm. The material of the cleaning body 83 is a sponge made of polyurethane resin or the like. Therefore, the hardness of the cleaning body 83 is less than the hardness of the conveying body 20. The hardness referred to here is the so-called scratch hardness. The magnitude of the scratch hardness can be compared, for example, using the Mohs hardness scale. The material of the cleaning body 83 may also be a cloth-like rag, a brush made of bundled fibers, rubber, or adhesive tape. In addition, a disc-shaped cover (not shown) is attached to the rotating shaft 82. One of the largest outer surfaces of the cover is attached to the end of the rotating shaft 82 that is opposite to the end to which the motor is connected.

[0163] The cleaning body 83 is movable up and down by an up and down mechanism (not shown). By moving up and down, the cleaning body 83 can come into contact with the mounting surface 21. The distance the cleaning body 83 moves up and down is 10 mm to 50 mm. The contact pressure of the cleaning body 83 against the mounting surface 21 is such that it does not reduce the rotation of the conveyor 20 to a predetermined speed. For example, the contact pressure of the cleaning body 83 against the mounting surface 21 is greater than 0 N and 6 N or less. The rotation direction of the cleaning roller 81 is set so that the surface of the cleaning body 83 facing the mounting surface 21 travels in the upstream direction C1. This allows the dirt adhering to the mounting surface 21 to be removed without moving in a direction that rubs against the mounting surface 21. The rotation speed of the cleaning body 83, which is driven by a motor (not shown), is 100 rpm to 3000 rpm. The torque at this time is 0.1 N to 3 N.

[0164] The conveying device 10 may have a cleaning roller 81 not only on the mounting surface 21 but also under the back surface 23. Having a cleaning roller 81 under the back surface 23 allows dirt adhering to the back surface 23 to be wiped away by the cleaning roller 81. This maintains the transparency of the conveyed body 20. Maintaining the transparency of the conveyed body 20 is important for ensuring the accuracy of inspections in each inspection unit.

[0165] When viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface 21, the cleaning roller 81 is located on the circulation path CR, downstream C2 from the suction machine 130 and upstream C1 from the post-processing unit 80. The cleaning roller 81 is located downstream of the fourth discharge unit 77 on the circulation path CR. Therefore, after the conveyed material W and foreign matter are removed in the fourth discharge unit 77, any dirt adhering to the mounting surface 21 can be further removed. At this time, because the conveyed material W and foreign matter are removed in the fourth discharge unit 77, even if the mounting surface 21 is pressed by the cleaning body 83, scratches are less likely to adhere to the mounting surface 21.

[0166] Furthermore, in addition to the cleaning roller 81, the conveying device 10 may also be equipped with a suction device (not shown) located upstream C1 of the cleaning roller 81 on the circulation path CR. This suction device could be, for example, a device that can draw in air from a suction port, such as the removal unit 120.

[0167] The suction device is preferably located, for example, on the circulation path CR, downstream C2 from the fourth discharge section 77. As described above, the rotation direction of the cleaning roller 81 is set so that the surface of the cleaning body 83 facing the mounting surface 21 travels in the upstream direction C1. In this case, the conveyed material W on the mounting surface 21 may be rolled up by the cleaning roller 81 toward the upstream direction C1 and upward direction Z1. The suction device can suck up and collect the conveyed material W that has been rolled up in this way. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the conveyed material W from scattering due to the rotation of the cleaning roller 81. This suction device may be configured as an integrated device with the fourth discharge section 77, for example.

[0168] Furthermore, the rotation direction of the cleaning roller 81 may be set so that the surface of the cleaning body 83 facing the mounting surface 21 travels in the downstream direction C2. In this case, when the cleaning roller 81 is pressed against the mounting surface 21, the rotating cleaning body 83 is less likely to obstruct the rotation of the conveyor 20. Therefore, the rotation speed of the conveyor 20 tends to stabilize.

[0169] <Note> The technical concept that can be understood from the above embodiments and modified examples is described below. [1] A conveying body having a mounting surface on which conveyed material can be placed, a supply unit capable of placing the conveyed material at a specific location on the mounting surface, a drive unit capable of driving the conveying body so that the trajectory of the specific location is circular, and when the trajectory of the specific location is defined as a circular path, with one of the directions perpendicular to the circular path defined as the positive direction and the direction opposite to the positive direction defined as the negative direction, a discharge unit located downstream of the supply unit on the circular path and capable of discharging the conveyed material to the outside on the positive side of the mounting surface, and arranged facing the mounting surface, and on the circular path, A conveying device comprising: a guide section located downstream of the discharge section and upstream of the supply section; and a removal section capable of collecting the conveyed material on the conveying body, wherein when the ridge of the guide section formed by the surface facing the aforementioned placement surface and the surface facing the opposite direction of travel of the circulation path is defined as the guide edge, when the aforementioned placement surface is viewed from above, the guide edge intersects with the circulation path and extends toward the negative direction as it moves toward the direction of travel of the circulation path, and the removal section is capable of collecting the conveyed material located at the negative end of the guide edge.

[0170] [2] The transport device according to [1], wherein the removal unit comprises a removal unit body that partitions the inflow passage, the discharge port which is an opening at the first end of the inflow passage is connectable to a negative pressure source, and the suction port which is an opening at the second end of the inflow passage faces the negative direction end of the guide edge.

[0171] [3] The conveying device according to [1] or [2], wherein part or all of the guide edge of the guide portion is in contact with the surface to be placed as described above. [4] The conveying device according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the elastic modulus of the guide edge of the guide portion is smaller than the elastic modulus of the surface to be placed as described above.

[0172] [5] The conveying device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the conveying body is plate-shaped, the mounting surface described above is annular with respect to the central axis of the conveying body, and the drive unit rotates the conveying body with respect to its central axis as the axis of rotation.

[0173] [6] When the guide portion is defined as a downstream guide portion and the guide edge portion is defined as a downstream guide edge portion, an upstream guide portion is further provided on the circulation path downstream of the supply portion and upstream of the downstream guide portion, and the portion of the upstream guide portion where the ridge line formed by the surface facing the aforementioned surface and the surface facing the opposite direction of travel of the circulation path is defined as the upstream guide edge portion, the minimum distance between the upstream guide edge portion and the aforementioned surface on the circulation path is greater than the minimum distance between the downstream guide edge portion and the aforementioned surface on the circulation path, when the aforementioned surface is viewed in plan, the upstream guide edge portion intersects the circulation path, and the discharge portion is capable of discharging the conveyed material to the outside on the positive side of the aforementioned surface along the upstream guide edge portion. The conveying device according to any one of [1] to [5].

[0174] [7] The conveying device according to [6], wherein the upstream guide portion is recessed from the surface facing the aforementioned surface toward the opposite side of the aforementioned surface, and has recesses that are open on both sides in the direction in which the conveyed object is conveyed.

[0175] [8] A conveying device according to any one of [1] to [7], further comprising a suction machine located downstream of the discharge section and upstream of the supply section on the circulation path, wherein the suction machine comprises a housing that partitions a suction passage, the outlet which is the opening at the first end of the suction passage is connectable to a negative pressure source, the suction passage has a plurality of inlets separate from the outlet, each of the inlets faces the surface described above and is arranged in a direction intersecting the circulation path.

[0176] [9] The transport device according to [8], wherein the housing of the suction machine partitions a plurality of suction passages, the plurality of suction passages are arranged in the direction of travel of the circulation path, and when one of the plurality of suction passages is designated as a first suction passage and the other one as a second suction passage, the position of the inlet of the second suction passage is different from the inlet of the first suction passage in a direction intersecting the circulation path.

[0177]

[10] A conveying device according to any one of [1] to [7], further comprising a porous blower located downstream of the discharge section and upstream of the supply section on the circulation path, wherein the porous blower comprises a housing that partitions the air passage, the inlet which is the opening at the first end of the air passage is connectable to a positive pressure source, the air passage has a plurality of outlets separate from the inlet of the air passage, each of the outlets is directed toward the surface side and the positive direction described above and is arranged in a direction intersecting the circulation path.

[0178]

[11] The transport device according to

[10] , wherein the housing of the porous blower partitions a plurality of air passages, the plurality of air passages are arranged in the direction of travel of the circulation path, and when one of the plurality of air passages is designated as a first air passage and the other as a second air passage, the position of the outlet of the first air passage is different from the position of the outlet of the second air passage in a direction intersecting the circulation path.

[0179]

[12] A transport device according to any one of [1] to

[11] , further comprising a camera capable of imaging the transported object on the surface described above.

[13] The conveying device according to

[12] , wherein the conveying body is transparent to light of wavelengths detectable by the camera, and the camera is located on the opposite side of the conveying body from the surface described above.

[14] The conveying device according to any one of [1] to

[13] , wherein the conveying body is plate-shaped, and the surface of the conveying body opposite to the surface described above is the back surface, and when the guide portion is designated as the first guide portion and the guide edge portion as the first guide edge portion, the second guide portion is arranged to face the back surface and is located downstream of the discharge portion and upstream of the supply portion on the circulation path, and when the portion of the second guide portion that faces the back surface and the surface that faces the opposite side of the direction of travel of the circulation path is designated as the second guide edge portion, when viewed through in a direction perpendicular to the surface described above, the second guide edge portion intersects the circulation path and extends toward the negative direction as it moves toward the direction of travel of the circulation path.

[0180]

[15] The conveying device according to any one of [1] to

[14] , wherein the conveying body is disc-shaped, the side of the conveying body opposite to the aforementioned surface is the back surface, and the side between the aforementioned surface and the back surface is the end surface, and the conveying body is arranged to face the end surface, and is provided with an end surface guide portion located downstream of the discharge portion and upstream of the supply portion on the circulation path, and the edge of the end surface guide portion closest to the end surface is designated as the end surface guide edge, and the end surface guide edge extends toward the direction in which the aforementioned surface faces as it moves toward the direction of travel of the circulation path.

[0181]

[16] A conveying device according to any one of [1] to

[15] , comprising a rotatable rotating shaft and a cleaning roller including a cleaning body attached to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft, wherein the hardness of the cleaning body is less than the hardness of the conveying body, the cleaning body is in contact with the aforementioned surface, and the central axis of the rotating shaft intersects the circulation path when viewed through in a direction perpendicular to the aforementioned surface.

[0182]

[17] The conveying device according to

[16] , wherein the cleaning roller is located downstream of the guide section and upstream of the supply section on the circulation path.

[18] A conveying device comprising: a conveying body having a mounting surface on which conveyed material can be placed; a supply unit capable of placing the conveyed material at a specific location on the mounting surface; a drive unit capable of driving the conveying body so that the trajectory of the specific location is circular; a discharge unit located downstream of the supply unit on the circular path when the trajectory of the specific location is defined as a circular path, and capable of discharging the conveyed material to the outside of the mounting surface; and a guide unit located downstream of the discharge unit and upstream of the supply unit on the circular path, wherein, when the mounting surface is viewed from above, the guide edge is defined as the ridge formed by the surface facing the mounting surface and the surface facing the opposite direction of travel of the circular path, the guide edge intersects with the circular path, the guide unit has a recess that extends from the surface facing the mounting surface toward the opposite side of the mounting surface, and the recess is located on the circular path when the mounting surface is viewed from above.

[0183]

[19] The conveying device according to

[14] , wherein the discharge section is capable of discharging the conveyed material to the outside of the surface described above along the guide edge.

[20] The conveying device according to

[14] or

[15] , further comprising a magnetic recovery section located downstream of the guide section and upstream of the supply section on the circulation path, wherein the magnetic recovery section is capable of attracting the conveyed material having a magnetic body by the magnetism of a magnet.

[0184] W...Conveyed object 10...Conveying device 20...Conveying body 21...Placement surface 22...Specific location CR...Circulation path CA...Central axis C1...Upstream direction C2...Downstream direction R1...Positive direction R2...Negative direction Z1...Upward direction Z2...Downward direction 30...Drive unit 40...Supply unit 50...Alignment guide unit 71...First discharge unit 72...Second discharge unit 73...Third discharge unit 100...Upstream guide unit SA1...First specific surface SA2...Second specific surface UE1...First upstream guide edge UE2...Second upstream guide edge 104...First recess 105...Second recess ML...Minimum spacing 110...Downstream guide unit SA5...Fifth specific surface SA6...Sixth specific surface DE...Downstream guide edge 120...Removal unit 121...Removal unit body 122...Inlet passage 123...Suction port 124...Discharge port 125...Connecting pipe 126...Removal pump 130...Suction machine 133...First housing 134...Second housing SP1...First suction passage A1...First inlet E1...First outlet SP2...Second suction passage A2...Second inlet E2...Second outlet 135...Vacuum pump 200...Conveying device 230...Porous blower 234...Fourth housing VP1...First air supply passage A3...Third inlet E3...Third outlet VP2...Second air supply passage A4...Fourth inlet E4...Fourth outlet 235...Blower

Claims

1. A conveying body having a mounting surface on which conveyed material can be placed; a supply unit capable of placing the conveyed material at a specific location on the mounting surface; a drive unit capable of driving the conveying body so that the trajectory of the specific location is circular; a discharge unit located downstream of the supply unit on the circular path, with the trajectory of the specific location as the circular path, one of the directions perpendicular to the circular path being the positive direction, and the direction opposite to the positive direction being the negative direction, and capable of discharging the conveyed material to the outside of the mounting surface on the positive side; a guide unit arranged facing the mounting surface and located downstream of the discharge unit and upstream of the supply unit on the circular path; and a removal unit capable of collecting the conveyed material on the mounting surface, wherein the ridge formed by the surface of the guide unit facing the mounting surface and the surface facing the opposite direction of travel of the circular path is defined as the guide edge. When the mounting surface is viewed from above, the guide edge intersects with the circulation path and extends toward the negative direction as it moves toward the direction of travel of the circulation path, and the removal section is a conveying device capable of collecting the conveyed material located at the negative end of the guide edge.

2. The conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the removal unit comprises a removal unit body that partitions the inflow passage, the discharge port which is an opening at the first end of the inflow passage is connectable to a negative pressure source, and the suction port which is an opening at the second end of the inflow passage faces the negative direction end of the guide edge.

3. The conveying device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein part or all of the guide edge of the guide portion is in contact with the surface described above.

4. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the elastic modulus of the guide edge of the guide portion is smaller than the elastic modulus of the surface to be placed.

5. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the conveying body is plate-shaped, the mounting surface is annular with respect to the central axis of the conveying body, and the drive unit rotates the conveying body with respect to its central axis as the axis of rotation.

6. When the guide portion is defined as a downstream guide portion and the guide edge portion is defined as a downstream guide edge portion, the conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the conveying device further comprises an upstream guide portion on the circulation path, downstream of the supply portion and upstream of the downstream guide portion, wherein the portion of the upstream guide portion where the surface facing the aforementioned placement surface and the surface facing the opposite direction of travel of the circulation path form a ridge, the minimum distance between the upstream guide edge portion and the aforementioned placement surface on the circulation path is greater than the minimum distance between the downstream guide edge portion and the aforementioned placement surface on the circulation path, the upstream guide edge portion intersects the circulation path when the placement surface is viewed from above, and the discharge portion is capable of discharging the conveyed material to the outside on the positive side of the aforementioned placement surface along the upstream guide edge portion.

7. The conveying device according to claim 6, wherein the upstream guide portion is recessed from the surface facing the aforementioned surface toward the opposite side of the aforementioned surface, and has recesses that are open on both sides in the direction in which the conveyed object is conveyed.

8. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a suction device located downstream of the discharge section and upstream of the supply section on the circulation path, wherein the suction device comprises a housing that partitions a suction passage, the outlet which is the opening at the first end of the suction passage is connectable to a negative pressure source, the suction passage has a plurality of inlets separate from the outlet, and each of the inlets faces the aforementioned surface and is arranged in a direction intersecting the circulation path.

9. The transport device according to claim 8, wherein the housing of the suction machine partitions a plurality of suction passages, the plurality of suction passages are arranged in the direction of travel of the circulation path, and when one of the plurality of suction passages is designated as a first suction passage and the other one as a second suction passage, the position of the inlet of the second suction passage is different from the inlet of the first suction passage in a direction intersecting the circulation path.

10. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a porous blower located downstream of the discharge section and upstream of the supply section on the circulation path, wherein the porous blower comprises a housing that partitions the air supply passage, the inlet which is the opening at the first end of the air supply passage is connectable to a positive pressure source, the air supply passage has a plurality of outlets separate from the inlet of the air supply passage, and each of the outlets is directed toward the surface side and the positive direction as described above and is arranged in a direction intersecting the circulation path.

11. The conveying device according to claim 10, wherein the housing of the porous blower partitions a plurality of air passages, the plurality of air passages are arranged in the direction of travel of the circulation path, and when one of the plurality of air passages is designated as a first air passage and the other as a second air passage, the position of the outlet of the first air passage is different from the position of the outlet of the second air passage in a direction intersecting the circulation path.

12. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a camera capable of imaging the conveyed object on the mounting surface.

13. The transporter according to claim 12, wherein the transporter is transparent to light of wavelengths detectable by the camera, and the camera is located on the opposite side of the transporter from the surface described above.

14. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the conveying body is plate-shaped, the side of the conveying body opposite to the previously described mounting surface is the back surface, and when the guide portion is designated as the first guide portion and the guide edge portion as the first guide edge portion, the conveying device comprises a second guide portion which is positioned facing the back surface and is located downstream of the discharge portion and upstream of the supply portion on the circulation path, and when the portion of the second guide portion which is positioned on the ridge line formed by the side facing the back surface and the side facing the opposite direction of travel of the circulation path is designated as the second guide edge portion, when viewed through in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, the second guide edge portion intersects the circulation path and extends toward the negative direction as it moves toward the direction of travel of the circulation path.

15. The conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the conveying body is disc-shaped, the side of the conveying body opposite to the aforementioned surface is the back surface, and the side between the aforementioned surface and the back surface is the end surface, and the conveying body is provided with an end surface guide portion that is positioned facing the end surface and is located downstream of the discharge portion and upstream of the supply portion, and the edge of the end surface guide portion that is closest to the end surface is designated as the end surface guide edge, and the end surface guide edge extends toward the direction in which the aforementioned surface faces as it moves toward the direction of travel of the circulation path.

16. A conveying device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising a rotatable rotating shaft and a cleaning roller including a cleaning body attached to the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft, wherein the hardness of the cleaning body is less than the hardness of the conveying body, the cleaning body is in contact with the aforementioned surface, and the central axis of the rotating shaft intersects the circulation path when viewed through in a direction perpendicular to the aforementioned surface.

17. The conveying device according to claim 16, wherein the cleaning roller is located downstream of the guide section and upstream of the supply section on the circulation path.

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