Feeding device and arrangement

Abstract

The present specification relates to a feeding device (10) for feeding parts (P) comprising an input section (11), an output track (12) having an output track profile (12a), and a diverting section (20) arranged to divert parts having an orientation not fitting and admitting parts having an orientation fitting the output track profile, the feeding device further comprising a delivering device (60) having a delivering seat (70) arranged to receive a single part (P) from the output track (12) and movable from an input delivering position P1 for receiving the single part (P) to an output delivering position P2 and wherein the delivering device further comprises a vacuum holding arrangement arranged to hold the part in place in the delivering seat by means of sub atmospheric pressure. The present specification also relates to a feeding arrangement comprising a tool for handling the parts (P) and a feeding device (10).

Description

[0001] FEEDING DEVICE AND ARRANGEMENT

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to feeding devices, more particularly to feeding devices for feeding headed parts.

[0004] Background

[0005] Power tools for tightening of threaded fasteners are known to be used in various industries. Such power tools may for example be electrically or pneumatically powered. To improve productivity, feeding devices or arrangements for feeding headed parts, such as screws to the power tool, are known to be used for feeding parts automatically to the tool.

[0006] Known feeding arrangements may for example comprise a vibrating matrix plate arranged such that the screws fall into respective openings in the matrix plate to become correctly oriented, where a tool and / or a robot may pick up the screws. Other known feeding arrangements include rails for feeding the headed parts, wherein the parts may be received and conveyed in the rail in an aligned manner, and feeding arrangements relying on rotating discs or drums.

[0007] Regardless of the feeding principle used, challenges persist in properly presenting the screws to the tool, such as ensuring they are correctly oriented for easy pickup by the tool.

[0008] Further, in some assembly applications, particularly small and short screws are used. Examples of such applications comprise assembly of mobile phones and other small devices. Many prior art sorters rely on the screw comprising a relatively long shaft that prevents the screw from being positioned (oriented) incorrectly. However, this operational principle is not applicable for small and short screws, especially screws having a small ratio between a length of the shaft and the diameter of a head, which cannot be reliably oriented and / or presented with prior art sorters. Hence, there is a need for an improved feeding device that can solve or at least mitigate the above-mentioned problems.

[0009] Summary

[0010] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a feeding device capable of handling small and short screws more efficiently. In particular, it would be desirable to provide such a feeding device which can reliably convey and present parts of small dimensions in a correct orientation. To better address one or more of these concerns, a feeding device and an arrangement as defined in the independent claims are provided. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0011] According to a first aspect, a feeding device for feeding is provided, the feeding device comprising an input section, an output track having an output track profile, and a diverting section arranged between the input section and the output track, wherein the diverting section is arranged to divert parts having an orientation not fitting the output track profile and admitting parts having an orientation fitting the output track profile, the feeding device further comprising a delivering device downstream of the output track, the delivering device having a delivering seat arranged to receive a single part directly or indirectly from the output track, wherein the delivering device is configured to move the delivering seat from an input delivering position (input delivering location) for receiving the single part to an output delivering position (output delivering location) for delivering the single part to a tool, and wherein the delivering device further comprises a vacuum holding arrangement arranged to hold the single part in place in the delivering seat by means of sub-atmospheric pressure.

[0012] According to the first aspect, the feeding arrangement provides an inventive solution to the concerns described above by means of a design comprising a delivering device where parts may be held in place by means of sub atmospheric, or negative pressure, i.e. vacuum, or at least near vacuum (these terms are used interchangeably throughout the present specification).

[0013] More specifically, since the presenter relies not only on the shape of the delivering seat but also may utilize a vacuum, parts are held particularly securely in place. This ensures that the parts are not only held securely in the correct orientation but also reduces the risk of losing or dropping parts, regardless of the orientation of the feeding or delivering device.

[0014] As a result, disturbances to production may be reduced, increasing overall throughput and improving production productivity may.

[0015] By conveyed should be understood a part being transported or carried in any manner, for example a part travelling along the output track or a part travelling along any means of the diverting section when not positioned in the track.

[0016] Unless otherwise specified, the term "position” as used herein generally refers to the (spatial) location of an element.

[0017] The parts may be mounting parts, such as fasteners. Examples of fasteners comprise screws, nails, bolts, nuts, washers, anchors and rivets. The parts may be of uniform size and shape. The parts may for example be headed parts, i.e. parts comprising a shaft, and a head connected to the shaft such as a screw. The feeding device may be particularly advantageous for feeding small screws, e.g. with a small ratio between shaft length and head diameter. The length of the shaft may for example be shorter than a diameter of the head. In some embodiments, the device may be a device for feeding screws having a size less or equal to M5, such as less or equal to M2.

[0018] The input section (of the feeding device) may be an input section allowing parts to be accommodated in a plurality of different orientations.

[0019] The (headed) parts having a correct orientation may be received and conveyed further in the output track in an aligned manner, such as forming a queue. According to one embodiment, the output track comprises a profile allowing parts to be conveyed while having a single orientation, such as a single orientation only. The single orientation may be a head-up orientation. The output profile may for example be a T-shaped profile where the parts may be conveyed in a head-up manner. The output track may further be arranged inclined relative to a direction of gravity.

[0020] The vacuum holding arrangement may for example be an arrangement configured to generate and apply a sub-atmospheric pressure in order to hold the single part in place in the delivering seat.

[0021] In some embodiments, the feeding device may comprise a sub-atmospheric pressure source or be connectable to an external sub-atmospheric pressure source. The delivering device may comprise at least one vacuum channel for fluidly connecting the delivery seat to such a sub-atmospheric pressure (vacuum) source. The channel may be an integral or internal fluid channel extending through / formed in the delivering device.

[0022] The delivery position may be a position (location) aligned with a tool axis of a tool, thereby enabling feeding and positioning of parts in a correct orientation in front of the tool, for example adjacent to a tool bit of the tool arranged to engage the part.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the device further comprises a sensor arranged to sense the pressure in the vacuum holding arrangement and / or the delivering seat. The sensor may for example be a pressure sensor, e.g. a vacuum pressure sensor. The feeding device may further in some embodiments be configured to (or alternatively comprise or be connected to an external control device configured to) determine whether a screw is present in the delivery seat or not based on data from the sensor.

[0024] The delivering seat may be configured to hold the part in a distinct orientation. A correct orientation of the part can thereby be maintained when the feeding device holds the part and moves from the input feeding position (location) to the output feeding position (location). The feeding seat may for example be configured to prevent the part from tilting therein. According to one embodiment, the delivering seat has a shape matching the shape of the part. The delivering seat may for example be t-shaped, i.e. have a t-shaped cross section.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the delivering seat has a shape matching the output profile, such as a profile / shape adapted to receive at least a shaft portion of the parts. The seat may for example have the same, or substantially the same, cross-sectional shape as the output profile.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the delivering device is configured to selectively stop the delivering seat at an intermediate position (location) positioned between the input delivering position (location) and the output delivering position (location).

[0027] According to one embodiment, the feeding device comprises a supporting structure arranged to cooperate (or co-act) with the delivering device, the structure having a shape adapted to support a part positioned (located, present) in the delivering seat when the delivering seat is positioned at the intermediate position. By cooperating or co-acting should be understood that the part positioned in the delivery seat may be supported jointly by the delivering device and the supporting structure.

[0028] Hereby, a safe standby position (location) may be provided for the part, where the delivery seat and thus the parts can temporarily be held before arriving at the output delivering position, or whereto the delivery seat may even revert, without the risk of loosing the part. This may be of particular importance when handling small parts, such as small screws, during assembly of small products, where lost or dropped screws may be a particular concern.

[0029] For example, the delivery seat and thus the next part to be presented to the tool may be positioned in this ready position (location) to be able to speed up the presenting process. This may be of particular importance for mobile applications, such as robot applications where a robot carries the feeding device and / or tool, where the next screw to be presented can be positioned in this standby or pre-position, without the risk of loosing the screw. Another use case would be in the case of malfunction, where the delivering device carrying the part can move back to the standby position before attempting maintenance or repair to reduce the risk of losing the part.

[0030] In some embodiments, the feeding device may be configured to (briefly) release the vacuum / sub-atmospheric pressure in the delivery seat when the delivering seat is positioned at the intermediate position. Hereby, the position of the part may for example be adjusted as the part is jointly supported by the delivering device and the supporting structure without the risk of losing the screw. The feeding device may further be configured to re-apply the vacuum / sub-atmospheric pressure before the delivering seat leaves the intermediate position. In some embodiments, the feeding device maybe configured to revert to the intermediate position before allowing the vacuum to be released.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the supporting structure is arranged adjacent to the input delivery position. The supporting structure may for example be formed in a portion of a rail in which the output track is formed, such as in a portion of the rail next to the end of the output track (i.e. at the output delivering position).

[0032] According to one embodiment, the supporting structure is arranged adjacent the output delivering position. Hereby, the intermediate position may be a position closer to the tool position (tool location).

[0033] According to one embodiment, the support structure has a shape adapted to secure a part positioned in the delivering seat in a radial direction. According to one embodiment, the support structure has a shape adapted to secure a part P positioned in the delivering seat in an axial direction. The support structure may for example have a shape adapted to support a headed part from under the head in an axial and / or radial direction.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the diverting section comprises a wheel arranged to be driven in rotation for conveying parts, the wheel comprising at least one feeding track arranged to receive and convey the parts, a stationary lid arranged to partially cover the feeding track, wherein the lid is arranged to block parts having an orientation not fitting the output track profile and admitting parts having an orientation fitting the output track profile.

[0035] The lid may for example be arranged adjacent to the wheel and / or arranged to at least partially cover the at least one track and comprising and / or constituting a blocking structure for diverting parts having an orientation not fitting the output track profile. For example, such that a gap (or space) is formed between the wheel and the lid, wherein the gap is so narrow that parts having an orientation not fitting the output track profile are diverted by the lid from entering the gap.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the diverting section comprises a diverting gap arranged to divert parts conveyed from the input track having an orientation not fitting the output track profile. The diverting gap may for example be an air gap. The feeding arrangement may for example be arranged such that correctly oriented parts fly one by one over the diverting gap, and into the output track such that only parts that are correctly oriented in the air will enter the output track. The diverting section may further comprise a blocking structure arranged to block parts from having an orientation not fitting the output track profile.

[0037] According to a second aspect, a feeding arrangement (or feeding system) comprising a tool for handling the parts and a feeding device according to any one of the embodiments described in the foregoing is provided. The tool may for example be an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic power tool. Alternatively, or in addition, the tool may be a tightening tool, e.g. for tightening a nut on a threaded member. The feeding device may be positioned immediately adjacent to the tool.

[0038] The feeding arrangement may further comprise a supply device arranged to supply parts from the storage to the input section.

[0039] The feeding arrangement may be composed as a single unit. The feeding arrangement may further comprise a robot. The robot may carry the feeding arrangement and the tool. Thus, the entire feeding arrangement may be carried by and moved by (move together with) the tool.

[0040] Objectives, advantages and features conceivable within the scope of the second aspect of the invention are readily understood by the foregoing discussion referring to the first and second aspect of the invention.

[0041] Further objectives of, features of and advantages of the present invention will also become apparent when studying the following detailed disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. Those skilled in the art realize that different features of the present invention can be combined to create embodiments other than those described in the following.

[0042] Brief description of the drawing

[0043] The invention will be described in the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawing, on which

[0044] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary feeding device according to one embodiment.

[0045] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary feeding device according to one embodiment.

[0046] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of an exemplary feeding device according to one embodiment.

[0047] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary feeding device according to one embodiment.

[0048] All figures are schematic, not necessarily to scale and generally only show parts which are necessary in order to elucidate the invention, wherein other parts may be omitted or merely suggested. Detailed description

[0049] In fig. 1, a feeding device 10 for feeding parts P, e.g. parts having a head and shaft such as screws P, is shown in a perspective view. The feeding device 10 may comprise an input section 11, an output track 12 having an output track profile 12a, and a diverting section 20 arranged between the input section 11 and the output track 12. The diverting section 20 is arranged to divert parts P having an orientation not fitting the output track profile 12a and admitting parts P having an orientation fittingthe output track profile 12a.

[0050] As illustrated in figure 2, the diverting section 20 may for example comprise a wheel 100 arranged to be driven in rotation by a motor (not shown) for conveying the parts P, the wheel 100 may comprise one or more feeding tracks 101 arranged to receive and convey the parts P and a lid 102 arranged to partially cover the feeding track. The lid 102 may be arranged to block parts P having an orientation not fitting the output track profile 12a and admitting parts P having an orientation fitting the output track profile 12a. The lid 102 may to this end be arranged such that a gap 50, or space 50, is formed between the wheel 100 and the lid 102. This gap 50 may for example be designed being so narrow that parts P having an orientation not fitting the output track profile 12a are diverted by the lid 102 from entering the gap 50. For example, only parts P travelling head up such that the body or shaft portion of the part P is accommodated in the track 101, are oriented such that part head fits the narrow gap 50. Other parts P, such as for example parts P oriented shaft up and head down or parts travelling in a tilted manner are diverted at the gap 50.

[0051] The feeding tracks 101 may for example extend in a direction from the center of the rotatable wheel 100 and radially outwards and having an at least partly curved shape. The lid 102 may for example be a stationary lid 102 arranged to at least partially cover the feeding tracks 101 (and hence the wheel 100), for example arranged adjacent and / or extending in parallel to the wheel 10. The lid 102 may further for example comprise an axially extending central cylindrical portion 103 at least partly defining an input section formed between the cylindrical section 103 and the wheel 100 allowing parts P to be accommodated in a plurality of different orientations. As illustrated in Figure 1, the feeding device 1 may further comprise a base member 40 arranged to support the wheel 100, for example in an inclined manner with respect to a direction of gravity (such as a vertical direction), and to which the lid 102 may be attached, as illustrated in fig, 1. The base member 40 may also house the motor.

[0052] The output track 12 may be arranged to extend in an inclined manner with respect to a direction of gravity, possibly at an angle matching that of the angle of the wheel 100 and may be supported by the base member 40. At the end of the output track 12, parts P may be conveyed further.

[0053] The feeding device 10 may for example further comprise a delivering device 60 arranged downstream of the output track 12, one example is shown in more detail in fig. 3. The delivering device 60, which may also be referred to as a presenter 60, may comprise a delivering seat 70 arranged to receive a single part P directly or indirectly from the output track 12, wherein the delivering device 60 is configured to move the delivering seat 70 from an input delivering position (location) Pl for receiving the single part P to an output delivering position (location) P2 (not shown) for example aligned with a tool axis of a tool. The presenter 60 is shown in the input delivering position Pl in fig. 1.

[0054] The delivering seat 70 may be configured to hold the part P in a distinct orientation. The delivering seat 70 may for example have a shape matching the shape of the part P, such as a t-shape for a headed part or screw P. This shape may match the profile 12a of the output track 12.

[0055] The delivering device 60 may further comprise a vacuum holding arrangement arranged to hold the single part P in place in the delivering seat 70 by means of sub atmospheric pressure, such as a vacuum. In some embodiments, the feeding device 10 may comprise or be connectable to an external sub-atmospheric pressure source (not shown) and the delivering device 60 may comprise at least one vacuum channel 61 for fluidly connecting the delivery seat 70 to such a sub-atmospheric pressure (vacuum) source, such as one or more integrated or internal vacuum channels 61 formed in / extending through the presenter body. The delivering device 10 may further be configured to selectively stop the delivering seat 60 at an intermediate position (location) positioned between the input delivering position and the output delivering position. The delivering device 60 is shown positioned in the intermediate position in fig. 3.

[0056] In order to further support a part P in this intermediate position P3, the feeding device 10 may comprise a supporting structure 80 arranged to cooperate, or co-act, with the delivering device 60. The structure 80 may have a shape adapted to support a part P positioned in the delivering seat 70 when the delivering seat 70 is positioned at the intermediate position P3.

[0057] The supporting structure 80 may for example be arranged adjacent to the input delivery position, such as in a portion 91 of a rail 90 in which the output track 12 is formed, such as in a portion 91 of the rail 90 adjacent or next to the end of the output track 12.

[0058] The supporting structure 80 may have a shape adapted to secure the part P positioned in the delivering seat 70 in a radial direction and / or an axial direction. The support structure 80 may for example have a shape adapted to support a headed part P from under the head in an axial and / or radial direction. The supporting structure may for example comprise a recess or notch 81 formed in the rail 90.

[0059] Another example of a feeding device 10 for feeding parts is shown in fig. 4. The same or similar reference numerals will be used to denote the same or similar structural features.

[0060] The feeding device 10 comprises an input section in the form of an input track 38 for conveying screws P, an output track 12 for further conveying parts P positioned downstream of the input track 38, and a diverting section 20 positioned between the input track 38 and the output track 12.

[0061] The input track 38, the output track 12 and the diverting section 20 are further fixed with respect to a base member 40, the input track 38 and the output track 12 may further be inclined with respect to a direction of gravity. The diverting section 20 of the illustrated example comprises a blocking structure and a diverting gap 26, here exemplified as an air gap, between the input track 38 and the output track 12. As the parts / screws P move downwards along the input track 38 by gravity due to the inclination of the input track 38, the length and inclination of the input track 38 generate a predetermined speed of the screws P ata downstream end of the input track 38. At the downstream end of the input track 38, the screws P fly out from the input track 38 and to the diverting gap 26. In the diverting gap 26, screws P that are not in an orientation fitting the output track profile will bump into the blocking structure. The screws P that are oriented correctly to fit the output track profile 12a will fly one by one through the diverting gap 26 and into the output track 12 where they may be lined up correctly oriented in a queue.

[0062] The feeding device 10 of this example further comprises a delivering device 60 positioned downstream of the output track 12 and configured to deliver screws P, one at a time, to a tool (not shown).

[0063] The delivering device 60, which may also be referred to as a presenter 60, comprises a delivering seat 70 arranged to receive a single part P (e.g. indirectly via device 64 and track 13) from the output track 12, wherein the delivering device 60 is configured to move the delivering seat 70 from an input delivering position Pl (shown in fig. 4) for receiving the single part P to an output delivering position P2 for example aligned with a tool axis of the tool (not shown).

[0064] The delivering device 60 may further comprise a vacuum holding arrangement (not shown) arranged to hold the single part P in place in the delivering seat 70 by means of sub atmospheric pressure, e.g. vacuum.

[0065] The feeding device 10 may further be configured to selectively stop the delivering seat 70 at an intermediate position positioned between the input delivering position and the output delivering position. In order to support a part P in this intermediate position, the feeding device 10 may comprise a supporting structure arranged to cooperate, or co-act, with the delivering device 60. The supporting structure may for example be arranged in a separate structure (not shown) adjacent to the input delivery position

[0066] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment.

[0067] The skilled person understands that many modifications, variations and alterations are conceivable within the scope as defined in the appended claims. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims. In the claims, the word "comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps and the indefinite article "a” or "an” does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A feeding device (10) for feeding parts (P), the feeding device (10) comprising:- an input section (11);-an output track (12) having an output track profile (12a), and- a diverting section (20) arranged between the input section (11) and the output track (12), wherein said diverting section is arranged to divert parts having an orientation not fitting the output track profile and admitting parts having an orientation fitting the output track profile, the feeding device further comprising a delivering device (60) downstream of the output track (12), the delivering device (60) having a delivering seat (70) arranged to receive a single part (P) directly or indirectly from the output track (12), wherein the delivering device (60) is configured to move the delivering seat (70) from an input delivering position Pl for receiving the single part (P) to an output delivering position P2 for delivering the part to a tool, and wherein the delivering device further comprises a vacuum holding arrangement arranged to hold the single part in place in the delivering seat by means of sub atmospheric pressure.

2. Feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a (vacuum) sensor arranged to sense the pressure in the vacuum holding arrangement and / or the delivering seat.

3. Feeding device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the delivering seat has a shape matching the shape of the part.

4. Feeding device according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the delivering seat has a shape matching the output profile.

5. Feeding device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the delivering device (60) is configured to selectively stop the delivering seat at an intermediate position (P3) positioned between the input delivering position (Pl) and the output delivering position.

6. Feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the feeding device comprises a supporting structure (80) arranged to cooperate with said delivering device, said structure having a shape adapted to support a part P positioned in the delivering seat (70) when the delivering seat is positioned at the intermediate position P3.

7. Feeding device according to claim 6, wherein said supporting structure is arranged adjacent to the input delivery position.

8. Feeding device according to claim 6, wherein said supporting structure is arranged adjacent the output delivering position.

9. Feeding device according to any one of the preceding claims 6-8, wherein said support structure has a shape adapted to secure a part (P) positioned in the delivering seat in a radial direction.

10. Feeding device according to any one of the preceding claims 6-9, wherein said support structure has a shape adapted to secure a part P positioned in the delivering seat in an axial direction.1611. Feeding device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said diverting section comprises- a wheel (100) arranged to be driven in rotation for conveying parts, said wheel comprising at least one feeding track (101) arranged to receive and convey the parts;- a lid (102) arranged to partially cover said feeding track; wherein said lid (102) is arranged to block parts having an orientation not fitting the output track profile (12a) and admitting parts having an orientation fitting the output track profile (12a).

12. Feeding device according to any one of the preceding claims 1-10, wherein said diverting section comprises a diverting gap (26) arranged to divert parts conveyed from the input track having an orientation not fitting the output track profile.

13. Feeding arrangement comprising a tool for handling the parts (P) and a feeding device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

14. Feeding arrangement according to claim 13, further comprising a robot for carrying the feeding device and the tool.

Images