JP2018048012A - Aligning and conveying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an aligning and conveying device capable of avoiding jamming of work-pieces, aligning the work-pieces in a row and in a same attitude, and conveying the work-pieces smoothly.SOLUTION: An aligning and conveying device 10 of the invention comprises: a first conveying surface 11; a first forward-moving feeder 12 exerting a forward moving force to a first direction d1 to the work-pieces W on the first conveying surface 11 by vibrating a member including the first conveying surface 11; and an attitude change part 15 adjacent to the first conveying surface 11 at a downstream end thereof, and changing vertical attitude of the work-pieces W conveyed from the first conveying surface 11, to a horizontal attitude. The first conveying surface 11 includes a valley-like inclined surface 23 with outer sides in a width direction higher than the middle of the width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an aligning and conveying apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for aligning and conveying a plurality of cylindrical workpieces in which a vertical attitude and a horizontal attitude are mixed.

  In the manufacturing process and assembling process of various mechanical parts having a cylindrical shape including bearing components such as rollers, a process of conveying a large number of parts (workpieces) in a single row and in the same posture may be required. As an aligning and conveying apparatus used in such a conveying process, there are known a vibration type parts feeder such as a bowl type and a straight type, and a belt conveyor type parts feeder.

  When the vibration type parts feeder is used, generally, the sliding of the workpiece and the conveying surface due to vibration is repeated over a long period of time, so that the surface of the workpiece tends to be easily rubbed. In addition, when taking a configuration in which the workpieces are aligned, only the workpiece in the correct posture is carried out from the exit of the vibrating container constituting the vibration type parts feeder, and the workpiece in the other posture is returned to the vibrating container and flows again. (Realigned in a vibrating container). Therefore, this also tends to cause scuffing on the surface of the workpiece.

  On the other hand, in a parts feeder having a conveyor belt as a conveying surface, the workpiece moves together with the conveying surface, so that the sliding between the conveying surface and the workpiece surface does not become a problem as in the case of the vibration type parts feeder. Therefore, it is suitable when aligning and transporting a workpiece such as a bearing component, the surface of which is desired to have as little rubbing as possible.

  Here, for example, in Patent Document 1, a pair of side guides are arranged on a conveyor for conveyance, and a pair of side guides is formed so as to form a so-called taper shape in which a gap between the pair of side guides narrows toward the downstream side. There has been proposed an aligning and conveying apparatus in which side guides are arranged.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, the separation conveyor is inclined and disposed above the conveyor so that the distance from the conveyor becomes smaller toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction, and a force opposite to the conveyance direction is applied. There has been proposed an aligning and conveying apparatus that aims to convey stacked workpieces while rotating the separating conveyor so as to be applied to the workpieces.

JP 62-42805 A JP-A-10-29720

  However, in the device described in Patent Document 1, two or more workpieces are sandwiched between a pair of side guides in the vicinity of the tip of the gap between the pair of side guides having a tapered shape. There is a risk of workpiece clogging in the vicinity. This obstructs the flow of subsequent workpieces, so it is difficult to achieve smooth alignment and conveyance. This point can also occur in the alignment transport device described in Patent Document 2.

  Further, in any of the alignment conveyance devices described in Patent Documents, the minimum width dimension of the tapered conveyance path (Minimum value of the gap between the side guides in Patent Document 1, and Conveyor and Separation Conveyor in Patent Document 2) The minimum value of the interval between the two is important for aligning the workpieces in a line. That is, the outer diameter dimension and the axial dimension of the workpiece (the axial direction of the workpiece here refers to a direction along the center line of the workpiece, which is the reference line of the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical workpiece. If the minimum width dimension of the transfer path on the transfer conveyor is set according to the larger value of the same in this specification, depending on the posture of the workpiece, two workpieces are cut out in parallel (unloading) May occur). On the other hand, if the minimum width dimension of the conveyance path is set according to the smaller one of the outer diameter dimension and the axial dimension of the workpiece, the workpiece is not cut out smoothly depending on the posture of the workpiece, and the above-mentioned clogging occurs. There is a fear. The above-mentioned problem appears remarkably when a cylindrical workpiece having a ratio of an axial dimension to an outer diameter dimension larger than 1 is conveyed.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present specification should solve the problem of providing an aligning and transporting apparatus that can avoid the clogging of workpieces and can smoothly convey the workpieces in a row and in the same posture. Technical issue.

  The solution to the above-described problem is achieved by the aligning and conveying apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention. That is, this alignment conveyance apparatus is an alignment conveyance apparatus that aligns a plurality of cylindrical workpieces in a row and conveys them in a first direction, and includes a first conveyance surface and a first conveyance surface. Is provided with a first linear feeder that imparts a linear force in the first direction to the workpiece on the first conveyance surface, adjacent to the first conveyance surface and its downstream end, The apparatus further includes a posture conversion unit that converts a vertical posture workpiece transferred from one conveyance surface into a horizontal posture, and the first conveyance surface has a valley shape so that the outer side in the width direction is higher than the center in the width direction. It is characterized by having a valley-like inclined surface that is inclined in the direction. The width direction here means a direction orthogonal to both the moving direction and the normal direction of the first conveying surface, which is the workpiece conveying direction (first direction). In addition, in this case, the straight force includes not only the “horizontal” component parallel to the first conveying surface, but also the “vertical” which is the normal direction of the conveying surface in addition to the component parallel to the conveying surface. Those having components are also included.

  In the present invention, the workpieces are aligned and conveyed by the linear feeder (first linear feeder), and in that case, the outer side in the width direction is higher on the conveying surface (first conveying surface) than the center in the width direction. A valley-shaped inclined surface that is inclined in a valley shape is provided. By comprising in this way, the workpiece | work carried in to the valley-shaped inclined surface is collected in the center of the width direction irrespective of the carrying-in position of the width direction. Therefore, it is possible to align a plurality of workpieces in a row relatively easily. In addition, in the present invention, a posture conversion unit that is adjacent to the first transport surface at the downstream end and converts the workpiece in the vertical posture transferred from the first transport surface into a horizontal posture is further provided. According to this configuration, a workpiece in a vertical posture that cannot be aligned in the same orientation in the horizontal posture on the first transport surface can be in a horizontal posture. Therefore, all the workpieces can be aligned in the same orientation in a horizontal posture. In addition, according to the aligning / conveying apparatus according to the above configuration, a plurality of works can be smoothly aligned and conveyed, so that clogging of works is eliminated as much as possible. Therefore, it is possible to reduce interference between workpieces and reduce rubbing due to interference. In addition, since it can be smoothly aligned and unloaded, the time for the work to stay on the transfer surface can be shortened. For this reason, even when the linear feeder is used, it is possible to reduce rubbing and the like accompanying sliding with the surroundings including the conveying surface to a level that does not cause a problem in terms of product quality.

  Further, in the aligning and conveying apparatus according to the present invention, the posture changing unit has a plurality of arm portions extending in the radial direction from the central axis along the first direction, and a transfer surface of the workpiece is provided on each arm portion, By rotating a plurality of arm parts around the central axis by a predetermined angle, the work transferred on the transfer surface is transferred from one arm part adjacent to the other in the circumferential direction to the other arm part. It may be a posture.

  As described above, the plurality of arm portions can be rotated around the central axis along the first direction as the transport direction, and by rotating this arm portion, one arm portion adjacent in the circumferential direction can be changed from the other arm portion. The work was transferred to the arm part. At this time, as shown in FIGS. 10a to 10c to be described later, when the workpiece W is transferred in a horizontal posture on the transfer surface of the arm unit 30, the other adjacent in the circumferential direction as the arm unit 30 rotates. Even if the workpiece W is transferred to the arm unit 30, the posture (horizontal posture) of the workpiece W does not change. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 11 a to 11 c described later, when the workpiece W is transferred in a vertical posture on the transfer surface 31 of the arm unit 30, the arm unit 30 moves to one arm unit 30 as the arm unit 30 rotates. The transferred workpiece W is lifted, tilted in the axial direction, and further rotated to transfer to the other arm portion 30 adjacent to one arm portion 30 in the circumferential direction (in the illustrated example, it is slanted). Transfer to the lower carry-out surface 32). At this time, the one arm part 30 has already been rotated to a predetermined angle (for example, 90 °), and accordingly, the workpiece W transferred to the one arm part 30 is also at the same angle as the one arm part 30. In the rotated state, the robot moves to another adjacent arm portion 30. Therefore, if the workpiece W is transferred in the vertical posture, the arm portion 30 is transferred to the other arm portion 30 while being rotated from the vertical posture to the horizontal posture. As described above, with the posture conversion unit according to the present configuration, even when a large number of workpieces in which a horizontal posture and a vertical posture are mixed are carried in, all of them are in a horizontal posture, and the next process is smoothly performed. It is possible to carry it out.

  Further, in the aligned transport device according to the present invention, the first transport surface is inclined in a mountain shape on the upstream side of the valley-shaped inclined surface so that the outer side in the width direction is lower than the center in the width direction. It may further have an inclined surface.

  In this manner, by arranging the mountain-shaped inclined surface upstream of the valley-shaped inclined surface, the plurality of workpieces loaded on the first conveying surface are divided into two hands, one side in the width direction and the other side. (Branch). Thereby, it becomes possible to carry in a plurality of workpieces smoothly while avoiding interference between workpieces with higher probability toward a valley-shaped inclined surface located on the downstream side of the mountain-shaped inclined surface.

  Further, in the aligning and conveying apparatus according to the present invention, the first conveying surface is inclined more gently than the valley-shaped inclined surface, and the axial direction of the workpiece in a horizontal posture among the workpieces loaded from the valley-shaped inclined surface May be further provided with a first horizontal posture alignment surface that aligns in the first direction.

  By providing the horizontal posture alignment surface in this manner, it is possible to align at least the axial directions of the workpieces in the horizontal posture among the workpieces loaded on the alignment surface. Therefore, by using it in combination with the valley-shaped inclined surface, it becomes possible to smoothly align the axial direction of most workpieces in the first direction.

  Further, in this case, the aligning and conveying apparatus according to the present invention may be configured such that a groove extending along the first direction is formed in the valley bottom of the first horizontal posture aligning surface.

  By providing the groove in this way, the horizontal posture workpiece once moved to the valley bottom of the first horizontal posture alignment surface is the posture at the time of movement, that is, the posture in which the axial direction is directed to the first direction as the workpiece conveyance direction. It is conveyed to the downstream side while maintaining Therefore, it is possible to reliably carry out a large number of workpieces from the first transport surface (first horizontal posture alignment surface) in a state where they are aligned in the same direction.

  Moreover, the alignment conveyance apparatus which concerns on this invention vibrates the member which has the 2nd conveyance surface adjacent to an attitude | position conversion part, and a 2nd conveyance surface, and is a 2nd direction to the workpiece | work on a 2nd conveyance surface. A second rectilinear feeder that imparts a rectilinear force, and the second transport surface has a second horizontal posture alignment surface that aligns all the workpieces transferred from the posture converting section in the same direction in the axial direction. It may be a thing.

  In this way, by further including the second transport surface and the second rectilinear feeder, and by providing the second horizontal posture alignment surface on the second transport surface, the posture conversion unit is separated from the first transport surface. Even in this state, the workpiece whose posture has been converted by the posture conversion unit can be conveyed in a predetermined direction while being aligned in the same direction again. Therefore, it becomes possible to carry out one by one from the second carry-out surface (alignment conveyance device) in a state where all the workpieces are in a horizontal posture and are aligned in the same direction.

  In this case, the alignment transport apparatus according to the present invention may be provided with a second transport surface so that the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction. In this case, the transfer surface may further include an extrusion device that pushes the workpiece toward the second transport surface at a position where the posture of the workpiece is converted into a horizontal posture.

  For example, when the posture of the workpiece is converted by the posture conversion unit as described above, the position after the posture conversion of the workpiece is likely to be a position deviated from the extended line of the first transport surface due to the operation. Therefore, by placing the second transfer surface, which is the work carry-out destination from the posture conversion unit, in a direction orthogonal to the first transfer surface, the workpiece is transferred from the posture conversion unit to the second transfer surface without difficulty in layout. It becomes possible to transfer. At this time, the transfer surface provided on the arm portion of the posture conversion unit moves the workpiece to the second transfer surface at a position where the workpiece posture is converted into a horizontal posture (a position rotated by a predetermined angle from the workpiece receiving position). By further providing an extruding device that extrudes toward the surface, it is possible to transfer the workpiece from the posture changing unit to the second transport surface very smoothly.

  Moreover, the alignment conveyance apparatus which concerns on this invention WHEREIN: The inclination angle of a valley-shaped inclined surface may become large as it goes to the downstream of a 1st conveyance surface.

  Thus, in the present invention, by increasing the inclination angle of the valley-shaped inclined surface toward the downstream side of the first conveying surface, for example, the work carried into the valley-shaped inclined surface at a position outside in the width direction is Immediately after the start of loading, the sheet is conveyed in the first direction while remaining on the outer side in the width direction of the valley-shaped inclined surface. Since the inclination angle of the valley-shaped inclined surface increases as it proceeds to the downstream side of the valley-shaped inclined surface, the work carried into the position on the outer side in the width direction gradually moves to the lower position in the center in the width direction. Therefore, the work carried into the valley-shaped inclined surface at a position near the center in the width direction moves to a lower position in the center in the width direction, and the work carried into the valley-shaped inclined surface at a position near the outside in the width direction. A time difference can be provided by moving to a lower position. Therefore, it is possible to avoid a situation where these workpieces interfere with each other as much as possible, and to smoothly align a plurality of workpieces in a row.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to avoid clogging of workpieces and to smoothly convey the workpieces in a row and in the same posture.

It is a top view which shows the whole structure of the alignment conveyance apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the alignment transport device shown in FIG. 1 viewed from the direction of arrow A. It is a principal part perspective view of the 1st conveyance surface shown in FIG. It is a principal part top view of the 1st conveyance surface shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view of the main part of the first transport surface shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part CC of the first transport surface shown in FIG. 4. It is principal part DD sectional drawing of the 1st conveyance surface shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view of the main part of the first transport surface shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of the main part of the posture conversion unit shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st effect | action of the attitude | position conversion part shown in FIG. 9, Comprising: It is a side view which shows the state by which the workpiece | work was transferred to the transfer surface by the horizontal attitude | position. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st effect | action of the attitude | position conversion part shown in FIG. 9, Comprising: It is a side view which shows the state in the middle of the workpiece | work rotating with a some arm part. It is a figure for demonstrating the 1st effect | action of the attitude | position conversion part shown in FIG. 9, Comprising: It is a side view which shows the state which the workpiece | work transferred to the other arm part which adjoins. It is a figure for demonstrating the 2nd effect | action of the attitude | position conversion part shown in FIG. 9, Comprising: It is a side view which shows the state by which the workpiece | work was transferred to the transfer surface by the vertical attitude | position. It is a figure for demonstrating the 2nd effect | action of the attitude | position conversion part shown in FIG. 9, Comprising: It is a side view which shows the state in the middle of the workpiece | work rotating with a some arm part. It is a figure for demonstrating the 2nd effect | action of the attitude | position conversion part shown in FIG. 9, Comprising: It is a side view which shows the state which the workpiece | work transferred to the other arm part which adjoins.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, examples of the workpiece to be aligned and conveyed include rollers that are bearing components.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view of an aligning and conveying apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the aligning and conveying apparatus 10 viewed from the direction of arrow A in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the aligning and conveying apparatus 10 includes a first conveying surface 11, a first rectilinear feeder 12, a second conveying surface 13, a second rectilinear feeder 14, An attitude conversion unit 15 is mainly provided. In the present embodiment, the first transport surface 11 includes the upper surface of the first jig 16, the upper surface of the second jig 17, and the third surface installed above the base plate 12 a of the first linear feeder 12. The upper surface of the jig 18 and the upper surface of the fourth jig 19 are configured. The second transport surface 13 is configured by the upper surface of a fifth jig 20 installed above the base plate 14 a of the second linear feeder 14.

  Further, on the upstream side of the first transfer surface 11, a standby area 21 for workpieces W to be aligned and transferred is installed. A number of workpieces W in the standby area 21 are pushed out toward the first transport surface 11 by a cylinder or the like (not shown). Note that the loading speed (pushing speed) of the work W at this time is preferably set to be equal to or slower than the speed of the work W moving on the first transport surface 11. The smaller the number of workpieces W moving on the first transfer surface 11 (the smaller the density of the workpieces W), the more space is created around the individual workpieces W, and the workpieces W can be easily rotated. The ability to align the workpieces W by the conveyance surface 11 (a mountain-shaped inclined surface 22, a first valley-shaped inclined surface 23, and a first horizontal posture alignment surface 24 described later) is enhanced.

  The 1st conveyance surface 11 is a surface for conveying many workpiece | work W in the 1st direction d1 along the longitudinal direction. Moreover, the 1st linear feeder 12 installed under the 1st conveyance surface 11 is on the 1st-4th jigs 16-19 installed via the base board 12a, ie, the 1st conveyance surface. 11, a linear force in the first direction d <b> 1 is applied to the workpiece W located on the top 11. Hereinafter, details of the first transport surface 11 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a mountain-shaped inclined surface 22 is provided on the upper surface of the first jig 16 positioned on the most upstream side of the first transport surface 11. This mountain-shaped inclined surface 22 is mountain-shaped so that the outer side in the width direction is lower than the center in the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) of the mountain-shaped inclined surface 22 forming a part of the first conveying surface 11. The surface shape is slanted. This mountain-shaped inclined surface 22 has the effect | action which divides many input workpiece | work W into the width direction one hand and the other two hands. At this time, the height difference h (see FIG. 5) of the mountain-shaped inclined surface 22 is, for example, a smaller one of the outer diameter dimension L1 and the axial dimension L2 (both see FIG. 1) of the workpiece W, for example, 0. Set to 5 times or less. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the outer side in the width direction is the center side in the width direction for the purpose of avoiding excessive interference between the side guide 25 and the workpiece W on both sides in the width direction of the mountain-shaped inclined surface 22. An interference suppression surface 26 that is gently inclined as compared with the mountain-shaped inclined surface 22 is provided so as to be higher than the angled surface. The inclination angle θ1 (see FIG. 5) of the interference suppression surface 26 is set within a range of 0.5 ° to 2.0 °, for example. Moreover, the width direction dimension of the mountain-shaped inclined surface 22 is set to 2.0 times or more of the larger value of the outer diameter dimension L1 and the axial direction dimension L2 of the workpiece W, for example. Thereby, since the workpiece | work W in a horizontal attitude | position can rotate freely, the effect that the workpiece | work W is smoothly carried in to the mountain-shaped inclined surface 22 can be anticipated avoiding interference with workpiece | work W with high probability.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a first valley-shaped inclined surface 23 is provided on the upper surface of the second jig 17, which is inclined in a valley shape so that the center in the width direction is lower than the outside in the width direction. . The first valley-shaped inclined surface 23 is located on the downstream side of the mountain-shaped inclined surface 22, and a large number of workpieces W divided into two at the mountain-shaped inclined surface 22 are collected in the center in the width direction to obtain the first direction. There exists an effect | action which aligns in the direction along d1. More specifically, the inclination angle of the valley-like inclined surface 23 continuously (smoothly) increases toward the downstream side in the transport direction. Referring to the drawings, on the relatively upstream side of the first valley-like inclined surface 23, as shown in FIG. 6, the inclination angle θ2 of the first valley-like inclined surface 23 is several degrees (for example, 5 ° to 10 °). However, on the relatively downstream side of the first valley-like inclined surface 23, the inclination angle θ3 of the first valley-like inclined surface 23 is on the order of several tens of degrees (for example, 30 ° to 50 °), as shown in FIG. ). From the above, it can be said that the first valley-shaped inclined surface 23 is an inclined angle increasing surface. Moreover, the width direction dimension of the 1st valley-shaped inclined surface 23 is set to 2.0 times or more of the larger value of the outer diameter dimension L1 and the axial direction dimension L2 of the workpiece | work W, for example. Thereby, the workpiece W in a horizontal posture can be freely rotated, and an effect that the workpiece W is smoothly carried into the first valley-shaped inclined surface 23 while avoiding interference between the workpieces W with high probability can be expected.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, a second valley-shaped inclined surface 27 is provided on the upper surface of the third jig 18 located on the downstream side of the second jig 17. The valley-like inclined surface 27 is disposed between the first valley-like inclined surface 23 and a first horizontal posture alignment surface 24 described later. Accordingly, the second valley-shaped inclined surface 27 connects the first valley-shaped inclined surface 23 having a relatively large inclination angle and the first horizontal posture alignment surface 24 having a relatively small inclination angle as smoothly as possible. In addition, the shape is such that the inclination angle decreases as it goes downstream in the transport direction. From the above, it can be said that the second valley-shaped inclined surface 27 is an inclined angle decreasing surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a first horizontal posture alignment surface 24 is provided on the upper surface of the fourth jig 19 located on the most downstream side of the first transport surface 11. The first horizontal posture alignment surface 24 has an effect of aligning the axial direction of all the workpieces W in the horizontal posture with the first direction d1 that is the conveying direction, and the center in the width direction is lower than the outer side in the width direction. Inclined in a valley shape. As shown in FIG. 8, the inclination angle θ4 at this time is equal to or gentler than the inclination angle θ2 (FIG. 6) on the upstream side of the first valley-like inclined surface 23, and is set to about 3 ° to 5 °, for example. Yes.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a groove 28 extending along the first direction d <b> 1 is formed in the valley bottom (the center in the width direction) of the first horizontal posture alignment surface 24. The grooves 28 serve to maintain the postures of a large number of workpieces W whose axial directions are aligned along the first direction d1. Therefore, the dimension in the width direction of the groove 28 is preferably set to an appropriate size mainly according to the outer diameter L1 (see FIG. 1) of the workpiece W. If the dimension in the width direction of the groove 28 is too large with respect to the outer diameter L1 of the workpiece W, the workpiece W is fitted in the groove 28 and is smoothly conveyed to the next process (posture changing portion 15). This is because there is a risk of being disturbed. Further, if the width dimension of the groove 28 is too small with respect to the outer diameter L1 of the work W, the holding ability of the work W by the groove 28 is remarkably lowered, and it becomes difficult to achieve the original action of the groove 28. . In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the groove 28 having a so-called V-shaped cross section is illustrated. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other shapes such as a U-shaped cross section may be applied to the groove 28. Is also possible.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the posture conversion unit 15 can convert the posture of a workpiece W in a vertical posture among a number of workpieces W carried out from the first transport surface 11 into a horizontal posture. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, it has the some arm part 30 extended in the radial direction from the central axis 29 along the 1st direction d1. Each arm unit 30 is provided with a transfer surface 31 on which the workpiece W is transferred from the first transfer surface 11 and an unloading surface 32 on which the workpiece W is transferred to the second transfer surface 13. Therefore, the plurality of arm portions 30 are adjacent to the first transport surface 11 at the downstream end thereof, and are adjacent to the second transport surface 13 at the upstream end thereof (see both FIG. 1).

  In the present embodiment, four arm portions 30 are provided around the central shaft 29, and each arm portion 30 is driven by driving a driving device 33 (see FIG. 1) such as a motor connected to the central shaft 29. Can rotate at a predetermined angle and stop at a predetermined circumferential position. In the present embodiment, when the workpiece W is transferred along with the rotation of the arm unit 30, the unloading surface 32 that is the transfer destination surface of the workpiece W is used as the tip of the arm unit 30 for the purpose of preventing the workpiece W from jumping out. The base end side is inclined so as to be lower than the side. The inclination angle of the carry-out surface at this time is several degrees (for example, 3 ° to 5 °) with respect to the transfer surface 31. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, a restricting portion 34 that restricts the protrusion of the workpiece W may be provided at the tip of the arm portion 30.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a workpiece detection unit 35 (see FIG. 1) such as a proximity sensor is provided on the extension line of the first conveyance surface 11, and the arm unit 30 is moved from the first conveyance surface 11. Only when it is detected that the workpiece W has been transferred onto the mounting surface 31, the drive device 33 can be driven to rotate the plurality of arm units 30.

  In a position adjacent to the posture conversion unit 15, the fifth jig 20 as a member having the second conveyance surface 13 and the second straight advance formed by installing the fifth jig 20 on the base plate 14 a. A feeder 14 is provided. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the second transport surface 13 is arranged so that the transport direction (second direction d2) of the second transport surface 13 is orthogonal to the first direction d1. Has been.

  The second transport surface 13 has a second horizontal posture alignment surface 36 that aligns all the workpieces W transferred from the posture conversion unit 15 in the same direction in the axial direction. Similar to the first horizontal posture alignment surface 24, the second horizontal posture alignment surface 36 is inclined in a valley shape so that the center in the width direction is lower than the outer side in the width direction. Further, a groove 37 extending along the first direction d2 is formed in the bottom of the second horizontal posture alignment surface 36 (the center in the width direction) (see FIG. 2).

  Further, in the present embodiment, an extrusion device 38 that pushes the workpiece W toward the second conveyance surface 13 is disposed on the side opposite to the second conveyance surface 13 via the arm unit 30 of the posture conversion unit 15. (See FIG. 1).

  Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the above-arranged conveying apparatus 10 will be described together with the effects of the present invention.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, the workpiece W to be aligned and transported is pushed out from the standby area 21 located on the upstream side of the first transport surface 11, and is positioned on the most upstream side of the first transport surface 11. The workpiece W is introduced into the mountain-shaped inclined surface 22. In addition, the first linear feeder 12 is driven to vibrate the jigs 16 to 19 constituting the base plate 12 a and the first transport surface 11, so that a large number introduced on the first transport surface 11. A straight running force in the first direction d1 is applied to the workpiece W. Thereby, all the workpiece | work W introduced on the 1st conveyance surface 11 starts a movement toward the 1st direction d1, sliding. It should be noted that the horizontal workpiece W and the vertical workpiece W are mixed in the large number of workpieces W introduced on the first transfer surface 11, and the axial direction of the horizontal workpiece W is also the axial direction. Is in a non-constant state.

  The large number of workpieces W introduced on the first transfer surface 11 in this way first pass through the mountain-shaped inclined surface 22 located on the most upstream side of the first transfer surface 11. Here, since the mountain-shaped inclined surface 22 is inclined in a mountain shape so that the outer side in the width direction is lower than the center in the width direction, all the workpieces W introduced into the mountain-shaped inclined surface 22 have the width It moves toward the downstream side on the mountain-shaped inclined surface 22 while being divided into two hands on the one side and the other side in the width direction, avoiding the mountain portion (higher portion) in the center in the direction. The workpiece W in the horizontal posture and the workpiece W in the vertical posture are mixed in the workpiece W while passing on the mountain-shaped inclined surface 22, and the axial direction of the workpiece W in the horizontal posture is also mixed. Is in a non-constant state.

  A large number of workpieces W that have passed through the mountain-shaped inclined surface 22 are carried into a first valley-shaped inclined surface 23 (an inclined angle increasing surface) located on the downstream side of the mountain-shaped inclined surface 22. As shown in FIG. 3, the valley-shaped inclined surface 23 is inclined in a valley shape so that the center in the width direction is lower than the outside in the width direction. Thereby, since the work W carried into the first valley-shaped inclined surface 23 is collected at the center in the width direction regardless of the loading position in the width direction, the direction in which the valley bottom extends, that is, the first direction d1 (FIGS. 1 and 1). 4)). Further, the inclination angle of the first valley-like inclined surface 23 has a shape that increases toward the downstream side (see FIGS. 6 and 7). Thereby, a time difference is added between the workpiece W carried into the first valley-shaped inclined surface 23 at a position near the center in the width direction and the workpiece W carried into the first valley-shaped inclined surface 23 at a position near the outside in the width direction. Thus, the large number of workpieces W can be collected at a low position in the center in the width direction. Accordingly, it becomes possible to avoid the interference between the workpieces W as much as possible and to smoothly align the plurality of workpieces W in a line. Of course, by reducing the interference between the workpieces W, it is possible to reduce scuffing due to the interference.

  In this way, a large number of workpieces W that have passed through the first valley-shaped inclined surface 23 are carried into the first horizontal posture alignment surface 24 through the second valley-shaped inclined surface 27. Here, since the first horizontal posture alignment surface 24 is inclined more gently than the first and second valley-shaped inclined surfaces 23 and 27, the workpiece W is moved toward the first direction d1 while sliding. Is moved, the axial direction of the workpiece W in the horizontal posture is aligned in the first direction d1 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, by arranging the first horizontal posture alignment surface 24 in combination on the downstream side of the first valley-shaped inclined surface 23, the axial direction of most of the workpieces W is smoothly aligned in the first direction d1. It becomes possible to carry out to a process.

  Further, as in the present embodiment, by forming a groove 28 extending along the first direction d1 in the valley bottom of the first horizontal posture alignment surface 24 (see FIGS. 4 and 8), the first The horizontal posture workpiece W moved to the valley bottom of the horizontal posture alignment surface 24 is conveyed downstream in a state in which the posture in which the axial direction is directed to the first direction d1 is maintained. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably carry out a large number of workpieces W from the first transport surface 11 in a state where they are aligned in the same direction. In addition, even in the workpiece W immediately after passing through the first horizontal posture alignment surface 24, the workpiece W in the horizontal posture and the workpiece W in the vertical posture are mixed, but the axial direction of the workpiece W in the horizontal posture is almost the same. They are in the same direction (first direction d1).

  After a large number of workpieces W have passed in a state where they are aligned in a row on the first conveyance surface 11 as described above, the large number of workpieces W are placed on the first conveyance surface 11 one by one (or two or more). Transferred to the transfer surface 31 of the posture conversion unit 15 adjacent to the downstream end. When the workpiece detection unit 35 detects that the workpiece W has been transferred to the transfer surface 31, the driving device 33 (see FIG. 1) is driven, and the plurality of arm units 30 around the central axis 29 have a predetermined angle ( Here, it is rotated about 90 °). Thereby, only the workpiece W in the vertical posture among the workpieces W transferred to the transfer surface 31 is converted into a horizontal posture and carried out to the second transfer surface 13. Hereinafter, details of the posture change operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

  First, as shown in FIG. 10 a, when a workpiece W in a horizontal posture is transferred onto the transfer surface 31 of the arm unit 30, the drive unit 33 moves the plurality of arm units 30 in a predetermined direction (on the transfer surface 31. Rotate in the direction in which the workpiece W rises). Thereby, the workpiece | work W on the transfer surface 31 starts rotation around the central axis 29 (refer FIG. 10b). Then, by rotating the plurality of arm portions 30 to a certain angle, the workpiece W on the transfer surface 31 is adjacent in the circumferential direction (located obliquely below the workpiece W) on the carry-out surface 32 of the arm portion 30 (See FIG. 10c). Since the axial direction of the workpiece W is parallel to the central axis 29 before and after the transfer, the posture of the workpiece W remains horizontal even after rotating around the central axis 29 (after transfer).

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11 a, when the workpiece W in the vertical posture is transferred onto the transfer surface 31 of the arm unit 30, the drive unit 33 moves the plurality of arm units 30 in a predetermined direction (also in this case). The workpiece W on the mounting surface 31 is rotated in the upward direction). Thereby, the workpiece | work W on the transfer surface 31 starts rotation around the central axis 29 (refer FIG. 11b). Then, by rotating the plurality of arm portions 30 to a certain angle, the workpiece W on the transfer surface 31 is adjacent in the circumferential direction (located obliquely below the workpiece W) on the carry-out surface 32 of the arm portion 30 (See FIG. 11c). Since the axial direction of the workpiece W is the normal direction of the transfer surface 31 before this transfer, the axial direction of the workpiece W is changed to the unloading surface by rotating around the central axis 29 and transferring to the unloading surface 32. The direction along 32. Here, since the posture of the carry-out surface 32 at the time of transfer is substantially horizontal, the workpiece W is converted from a vertical posture to a horizontal posture as a result of the transfer. As described above, with the posture conversion unit 15 according to the above configuration, even when a large number of workpieces W in which a horizontal posture and a vertical posture are mixed are carried in, all of them are set in a horizontal posture, and the following is performed smoothly. It becomes possible to carry out to the process (2nd conveyance surface 13).

  Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an extrusion device 38 disposed on the opposite side of the second conveyance surface 13 via the arm portion 30 is used to raise the height substantially the same as that of the second conveyance surface 13. The workpiece W on the carry-out surface 32 (see FIG. 11 c) located at the upper level is pushed out toward the second transfer surface 13. Thereby, the workpiece | work W by which attitude | position change was made or the horizontal attitude | position was maintained is sequentially carried in on the 2nd conveyance surface 13. FIG.

  Here, the second rectilinear feeder 14 is driven to vibrate the base plate 14 a and the fifth jig 20 constituting the second transport surface 13, thereby being introduced onto the second transport surface 13. A straight running force in the second direction d2 is applied to a number of workpieces W. Thereby, all the workpiece | work W introduced on the 2nd conveyance surface 13 starts a movement toward the 2nd direction d2 (refer FIG. 1), sliding. The many workpieces W introduced on the second transfer surface 13 are all horizontal workpieces W.

  A second horizontal posture alignment surface 36 is provided over the entire area of the second transport surface 13. Since the second horizontal posture alignment surface 36 is gently inclined in a valley shape as compared with the first and second valley-like inclined surfaces 23, 27, the second horizontal posture alignment surface 36 is slid by receiving the above-mentioned straight running force and sliding. As the workpieces W move in the direction d2, the axial directions of all the workpieces W in the horizontal posture are aligned in the second direction d2 (see FIG. 1). Accordingly, it is possible to carry out all the workpieces W to the next process (outside of the aligning and conveying apparatus 10) in a state in which the axial directions of all the workpieces W are smoothly aligned in the second direction d2.

  As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present invention was described, of course, the alignment conveyance device 10 can take other forms within the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the first transport surface 11 has the first valley-shaped inclined surface 23 that is inclined in a valley shape so that the outer side in the width direction is higher than the center in the width direction. Although the case where the inclination angle of the inclined surface 23 becomes larger toward the downstream side of the first conveyance surface 11 (which is a so-called inclination angle increasing surface) has been illustrated, the alignment conveyance device according to the present invention includes this. Is not limited.

  For example, although illustration is omitted, if the first transport surface 11 has the first valley-shaped inclined surface 23 and the mountain-shaped inclined surface 22 located on the upstream side of the first valley-shaped inclined surface 23, the first valley The inclined surface 23 may not increase as the inclination angle goes downstream (for example, it may be a valley-like inclined surface having a constant inclination angle).

  Or although illustration is abbreviate | omitted, for example, the alignment conveyance apparatus 10 has the 1st conveyance surface 11 which has the 1st trough-shaped inclined surface 23, and the attitude | position change part 15 which adjoins the 1st conveyance surface 11 and its downstream end. If provided, the first valley-shaped inclined surface 23 may have a constant inclination angle.

  Moreover, regarding the attitude | position conversion part 15, in the said embodiment, it has the several arm part 30 extended in the radial direction from the central axis 29 along the 1st direction d1, and the transfer surface 31 of the workpiece | work W is set to each arm part 30. The plurality of arm portions 30 are rotated by a predetermined angle around the central axis 29, and the workpiece W transferred onto the transfer surface 31 moves from one arm portion 30 adjacent to the other in the circumferential direction to the other arm portion 30. Although the example in which the workpiece W that has been transferred is set in a horizontal posture by changing is illustrated, it is of course possible to take other forms.

  That is, it has the transfer surface 31 and the carrying-out surface 32 which were separated from the 1st and 2nd conveyance surfaces 11 and 13 and adjoined, and the workpiece | work W transferred to this transfer surface 31 is made into 1st direction d1, for example. Rotating around the center line along the axis, only the workpiece W in a vertical posture is rotated and converted to a horizontal posture when transferring to the carry-out surface 32. Not limited to this, it can take various configurations.

  In the above description, bearing components such as rollers are exemplified as the workpiece W to be aligned and conveyed. However, the present invention is applied as long as the workpiece is a cylindrical workpiece such as a mechanical component other than the bearing components. It is possible. The cylindrical shape here includes not only a solid cylindrical shape (columnar shape) but also a hollow cylindrical shape. In addition, the outer peripheral surface is not necessarily limited to a perfect circular cylinder having a constant outer diameter, but a partial conical surface shape in which the outer diameter increases or decreases from one side to the other in the axial direction, and the outer diameter dimension is an axis. A cylindrical surface having a known shape such as a so-called drum shape that increases from the direction end portion toward the center in the axial direction is included (to be subjected to alignment conveyance according to the present invention).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Alignment conveyance apparatus 11 1st conveyance surface 12 1st rectilinear feeder 12a Base plate 13 2nd conveyance surface 14 2nd rectilinear feeder 14a Base plate 15 Posture change part 16-20 Jig 21 Waiting area 22 Mountain-shaped inclination Surface 23 First valley-shaped inclined surface (inclination angle increasing surface)
24, 36 Horizontal posture alignment surface 25 Side guide 27 Second valley-shaped inclined surface (inclination angle decreasing surface)
29 Central shaft 30 Arm 31 Transfer surface 32 Unloading surface 33 Drive device 35 Work detection unit 38 Extruding device

Claims (8)

An alignment transport apparatus that aligns a plurality of cylindrical workpieces in a row and transports them in a first direction,
A first conveying surface, and a first linear feeder that vibrates a member having the first conveying surface and applies a linear force in the first direction to the workpiece on the first conveying surface. In what we have,
The apparatus further includes a posture conversion unit that is adjacent to the first conveyance surface at the downstream end thereof and converts a vertical posture workpiece transferred from the first conveyance surface into a horizontal posture,
The aligning and conveying apparatus, wherein the first conveying surface has a valley-shaped inclined surface that is inclined in a valley shape so that the outer side in the width direction is higher than the center in the width direction. The posture changing portion has a plurality of arm portions extending radially from a central axis along the first direction, and each arm portion is provided with a transfer surface of the workpiece,
The plurality of arm portions are rotated by a predetermined angle around the central axis, and the workpiece transferred to the transfer surface is transferred from one arm portion adjacent to the other in the circumferential direction to the other arm portion, The aligning and conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transferred workpiece is set in a horizontal posture.   The first conveying surface further has a mountain-shaped inclined surface that is inclined in a mountain shape on the upstream side of the valley-shaped inclined surface so that the outer side in the width direction is lower than the center in the width direction. 3. The alignment conveyance device according to 2.   The first conveying surface is inclined more gently than the valley-like inclined surface, and the axial direction of the workpiece in a horizontal posture among the workpieces carried from the valley-like inclined surface is set to the first direction. The aligning and conveying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first horizontal posture aligning surface that aligns.   The alignment conveyance apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a groove extending along the first direction is formed in a valley bottom of the first horizontal posture alignment surface. A second conveying surface that is adjacent to the posture changing portion and a member having the second conveying surface are vibrated to impart a straight force in the second direction to the workpiece on the second conveying surface. And a linear feeder
The said 2nd conveyance surface has a 2nd horizontal attitude | position alignment surface which aligns all the said workpieces which have transferred from the said attitude | position conversion part in the same direction in an axial direction. Alignment transport device. The second transport surface is provided so that the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction, and
The aligning and conveying apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an extruding device that extrudes the workpiece toward the second conveying surface at a position where the transfer surface converts the posture of the workpiece into a horizontal posture.   The alignment conveyance device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an inclination angle of the valley-shaped inclined surface increases toward a downstream side of the first conveyance surface.

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