JP4555366B2 - Gas supply valve and parts transfer device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas supply valve and a component conveying device, and more particularly, to a structure of a gas supply valve suitable for controlling a gas supply state in order to selectively blow a gas for selecting a conveying component. .

  In general, a parts transporting device (part feeding device) such as a parts feeder requires a large number of parts to be transported at a high speed and in a controlled posture. In order to eliminate parts that are not in a normal posture or parts that are not in a normal posture, or in order to convert a part that is not in a normal posture into a normal posture, gas is selectively blown onto the parts on the part conveyance path. Yes.

When supplying gas to the component sorting unit in the component conveying apparatus as described above, a gas supply valve that operates at high speed is required to supply and stop the gas. Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).
JP 2003-10790 A

  However, in the gas supply valve driven by the piezoelectric actuator described above, if an attempt is made to quickly supply gas onto the component conveyance path, an air flow is generated at high speed from the valve inlet 9 to the valve outlet 10 through the opening / closing portion of the valve body. Since it is necessary to flow, the operation stroke of the piezoelectric actuator and the internal space of the valve are increased to ensure the flow cross-sectional area, or the gas supply side pressure is increased to increase the speed of the airflow passing through the internal space of the valve It is necessary to plan. However, when the operating stroke of the piezoelectric actuator and the cross-sectional area of the internal space of the valve are increased, the valve structure itself increases in size, and when the supply side pressure is increased, the internal space of the valve (the introduction opening and the outlet opening when the valve is opened) is increased. Since the negative pressure is generated in the space between the actuators and the driving load of the piezoelectric actuator increases, in any case, the gas supply valve increases in size and power consumption. There is a problem that a delay tends to occur in the start and stop of the airflow spray on the road.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and the problem is to reduce the delay in the start timing of airflow blowing while reducing the size of the gas supply valve.

  In view of such circumstances, the gas supply valve of the present invention includes a gas introduction path for introducing gas, a valve cylinder in which the introduction opening of the gas introduction path faces, and the introduction opening can be opened and closed inside the valve cylinder. A valve body having a closing portion configured in the above, a gas lead-out path having a lead-out opening facing the inside of the valve cylinder, and a piezoelectric actuator that drives the valve body to open and close the introduction opening. In the gas supply valve, a ventilation path that communicates the internal space between the introduction opening and the outlet opening to the outside when the valve is opened is provided separately from the gas introduction path and the gas outlet path. .

  According to this invention, when the valve is opened, the internal space communicates with the outside through the ventilation path, so even if the operation stroke of the piezoelectric actuator is small or the velocity of the airflow passing through the internal space is high, Since the generation of negative pressure in the internal space of the valve is suppressed and the driving load of the piezoelectric actuator can be reduced, it is possible to avoid an increase in the size of the gas supply valve and an increase in power consumption, and the ventilation resistance in the internal space is reduced. When the valve is opened, the delay in starting the gas supply at the supply destination can be reduced. In addition, when supplying airflow to the component sorting unit of the component transport device using a gas supply valve, it is possible to arrange the airflow near the component sorting unit that blows the airflow by downsizing the valve. The delay in starting and stopping can be reduced.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the ventilation path allows the internal space to communicate with the outside regardless of whether the valve is open or closed. According to this, since the internal space communicates with the outside regardless of the open / closed state of the valve, the residual pressure in the internal space escapes to the outside through the vent path when the valve is closed. It is possible to reduce the delay in the supply stop.

In another aspect of the present invention, in the valve cylinder, the closing portion protrudes in a form having a space from the inner peripheral surface of the valve cylinder toward the introduction opening, and the ventilation path is within the space. Is open. According to this, the closed portion of the valve body protrudes toward the introduction opening with a gap between at least a part of the inner peripheral surface of the valve cylinder, and the vent path opens within this gap, thereby Since the interval communicates with the internal space when the air gap is opened, the volume of the internal space is substantially enlarged even when the gap between the introduction opening and the closed portion is small, and outside air is introduced from the ventilation path via the interval. Therefore, the negative pressure generated in the internal space is effectively suppressed by the ventilation path. Moreover, since the outside air is introduced from the closed portion side toward the internal space by opening the ventilation path within the interval, the effect of reducing the suction force applied to the valve body due to the negative pressure is enhanced. Can do. Therefore, even if the operation stroke of the piezoelectric actuator is small, the driving load can be further reduced, and the enlargement of the gas supply valve and the increase in power consumption can be easily avoided .

  In this case, the gas introduction part provided with the introduction opening at the tip protrudes toward the valve body in a mode having a space between the valve cylinder and the inner peripheral surface, and the tip of the gas introduction part is tapered. Preferably it is comprised. According to this, since the opposing area between the gas introduction part and the closing part can be reduced, the generation of negative pressure in the internal space is suppressed, so that the driving load can be further reduced even if the operation stroke of the piezoelectric actuator is small. Can do. Therefore, an increase in the size of the gas supply valve and an increase in power consumption can be avoided more easily.

In another aspect of the present invention, an opening position relative to the inner space of the derived opening, compared open position of the inlet opening Ru is arranged in the direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the occlusion. According to this, since the opening position of the lead-out opening with respect to the internal space is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the closing portion with respect to the opening position of the introducing opening, the movement stroke of the closing portion with respect to the introducing opening when the valve is opened is Even if it is small, the gas can flow directly from the introduction opening to the outlet opening without being blocked by the blocking portion or the like, so that the ventilation resistance is reduced and the gas supply rate can be increased.

  In a different aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises a housing that accommodates the valve cylinder, and the ventilation path is formed in the valve cylinder, and an inner through hole that communicates the inside and the outside, the outer surface of the valve cylinder, or the housing An intermediate concave groove formed on the inner surface and communicating with the inner through hole, and an outer through hole formed in the housing and communicating between the inside and the outside and communicating with the intermediate concave groove. According to this, since the ventilation path includes the inner through hole, the intermediate concave groove, and the outer through hole, the ventilation path can be reliably secured even if the ease of assembly and the degree of freedom of the structure are increased. it can. Further, by changing the positional relationship between the inner through hole and the outer through hole, it is possible to easily adjust the ventilation resistance of the ventilation path. In this case, as in an embodiment to be described later, both the outer surface of the valve cylinder and the inner surface of the housing are formed of a cylindrical surface, and the intermediate groove is formed into a groove (for example, an annular groove) extending around the axis. Thus, the valve cylinder can be accommodated at an arbitrary angle in the housing, so that the angle posture around the axis of the valve cylinder having the inner through hole is changed in the housing having the outer through hole. Thus, it becomes easier to adjust the ventilation resistance by changing the length of the ventilation path.

  In the present invention, the closing portion may be opened and closed only by the operation of the piezoelectric actuator. For example, when the closing portion further includes a biasing means that biases the valve body in a direction to close the introduction opening. There is. In this case, since the valve is closed using at least a part of the biasing action of the biasing means, the load on the piezoelectric actuator can be reduced even if the supply side pressure is high. Further, there may be a case where the urging means for urging the valve body in the direction in which the closing portion opens the introduction opening is further provided. In this case, since the valve is opened using at least a part of the urging action of the urging means, the valve can be opened quickly, and the delay in starting the gas supply to the supply destination can be further reduced. .

In this invention, it is preferable to have a valve body control means which sets the movement limit of the said valve body in the direction in which the said obstruction | occlusion part leaves | separates from the said introduction opening. By providing this valve body restricting means, the movement limit at the time of the opening operation of the valve body is provided, so the valve body is excessively operated by the urging action of the urging means, the supply side pressure, etc., and the piezoelectric actuator is damaged. Is prevented.

  Next, the component transport device of the present invention includes a gas supply valve according to any one of the above, a component selection unit that performs selection by selectively blowing the gas supplied through the gas supply valve to the component, And a parts conveyance path that passes through the parts selection unit. According to this, the enlargement of the gas supply valve and the increase in power consumption can be avoided, and the ventilation resistance in the internal space is reduced, so that the delay in starting the gas supply in the component selection unit can be reduced. In particular, if the internal space communicates with the outside regardless of whether the ventilation path is open or closed, the residual pressure in the internal space escapes to the outside via the ventilation path when the valve is closed. The delay in stopping can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described together with illustrated examples. FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the first embodiment of the gas supply valve according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a cross section perpendicular to FIG. 1 of the first embodiment (of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first embodiment (a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1).

  The gas supply valve 10 includes a housing 11 made of metal, synthetic resin, or the like. The housing 11 includes a main structure portion 11A having a cylindrical recessed hole 11a therein, and the main structure portion 11A. An extension portion 11B having a fixing portion 11b configured to fix a piezoelectric actuator (to be described later) to a distal end portion is provided. A gas introduction path 11c communicating with the recessed hole 11a is formed at the bottom of the main structure 11A. The gas introduction path 11c includes an introduction opening 11e that passes through the inside of the gas introduction portion 11d that protrudes upward from the bottom surface of the concave hole 11a and opens at the tip (upper end in the drawing) of the gas introduction portion 11d. The tip of the gas introduction part 11d is formed in a tapered shape (tapered shape). In the illustrated example, the gas introduction part 11d has a columnar shape (the tip is a cone or a truncated cone shape), but is not particularly limited, and may have an arbitrary shape such as a prismatic shape.

  A cylindrical valve cylinder 12 having a shaft hole 12a penetrating in the vertical direction in the figure is accommodated in the recessed hole 11a, and the valve cylinder 12 has a main structure by a sealing material 13 such as an O-ring accommodated in the upper annular groove. The space between the portions 11A is airtight. In addition, a concave portion (or a concave groove) 12b is provided on the outer surface of the valve cylinder 12, and the main structure portion 11A is inserted into the main structure portion 11A by a set screw 14 screwed into a side screw hole 11f formed through the side portion of the main structure portion 11A. It is held and fixed against. The lower end of the shaft hole 12a of the valve cylinder 12 accepts the gas introduction part 11d with a margin, whereby a space over the entire circumference is provided between the gas introduction part 11d and the inner peripheral surface of the shaft hole 12a.

  Further, the valve cylinder 12 is provided with a lateral hole 12c that communicates with the shaft hole 12a and penetrates inside and outside, and this lateral hole 12c communicates with the gas outlet hole 11g provided in the main structure portion 11A, and thereby the gas A lead-out path is configured. The lead-out opening 12 d of the gas lead-out path is configured by an internal opening of the lateral hole 12 c of the valve cylinder 12.

The lead-out opening 12d opens at a position in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the closing portion 15a (the axial direction of the valve cylinder 12) with respect to the opening position of the introduction opening 11e. In the case of the illustrated example, the opening position of the introduction opening 11e seen in the movement direction and the outer edge position of the lead-out opening 12d seen in the movement direction coincide (refer to the dotted line in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 also). However, it suffices if the position of the introduction opening 11e seen in the moving direction is within the opening range of the lead-out opening 12d seen in the moving direction. According to this, since the opening position of the lead-out opening with respect to the internal space is arranged in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the closing portion with respect to the opening position of the introducing opening, the movement stroke of the closing portion with respect to the introducing opening when the valve is opened is Even if it is small, the gas can flow directly from the introduction opening to the outlet opening without being blocked by the blocking portion or the like, so that the ventilation resistance is reduced and the gas supply start timing can be advanced.

  A valve body 15 is inserted into the shaft hole 12a, and the valve body 15 is slidably disposed in the shaft hole 12a while ensuring airtightness with the valve cylinder 12. In the illustrated example, a sheet material 15 x made of a soft resin material or the like is fixed to the inner end portion of the valve body 15 in the main body of the valve body 15 in the illustrated example. The inner end portion constitutes a closing portion 15a that closes the valve by contacting the introduction opening 11e. The valve body 15 is disposed so as to be slidable in close contact with the shaft hole 12a of the valve cylinder 12 and ensuring airtightness. However, the closed portion 15a at the inner end thereof is reduced in diameter to be connected to the shaft hole 12a. It is comprised so that it may protrude toward the introduction opening 11e in the aspect which has a space | interval. In the case of the illustrated example, the closing portion 15a is spaced from the inner peripheral surface of the shaft hole 12a of the valve cylinder 12 over the entire circumference.

  In the above-described valve structure, the internal space formed between the introduction opening 11e and the lead-out opening 12d is the distance between the gas introduction part 11d and the inner peripheral surface of the shaft hole 12a of the valve cylinder 12, and the closing part 15a of the valve body 15. And the space between the inner periphery of the shaft hole 12a of the valve cylinder 12 and the inner surface of the valve cylinder 12 are in communication with each other. The volume of the internal space increases or decreases depending on the opening / closing of the valve, but the space itself always exists regardless of the opening / closing of the valve.

  The valve cylinder 12 is formed with an inner through hole 12e that allows the shaft hole 12a to communicate with the outside, and an outer circumferential groove 12f that opens the inner through hole 12e is formed on the outer periphery thereof. In the illustrated example, the intermediate concave groove 12f is an annular concave groove that makes one round of the outer peripheral surface around the axis. The main structure portion 11A is formed with an outer through hole 11j (see FIG. 2) that communicates the inside and outside of the recessed hole 11a. The outer through hole 11j communicates with the intermediate recessed groove 12f. Thus, the internal space communicates with the outside through a ventilation path including the inner through hole 12e, the intermediate concave groove 12f, and the outer through hole 11j. In configuring the ventilation path, instead of the intermediate concave groove 12f formed in the valve cylinder 12, another intermediate concave groove communicating with the inner through hole 12e may be formed on the inner surface of the concave hole 11a. Good.

Here, the inner through-hole 12e is opened within a space provided between the blocking portion 15a and the inner peripheral surface of the valve cylinder 12. Therefore, the internal space communicates with the outside through the ventilation path opened at the interval.

The valve body 15 extends upward in the figure from the inside of the valve cylinder 12, and a holding portion 16 is provided at an intermediate portion so as to project outward. The holding portion 16 is not particularly limited, but is formed by attaching another member such as a retaining ring in the illustrated example. In addition, an overhanging portion 17 (a separate overhanging member in the illustrated example) projecting from the side into the recessed hole 11a is provided on the upper portion of the main structure portion 11A, and between the holding portion 16 and the overhanging portion 17. An elastic member 18 such as a coil spring is disposed on the surface. The elastic member 18 is a biasing means that biases the valve body 15 in a direction in which the valve closes (downward in the drawing, that is, a direction in which the closing portion 15a closes the introduction opening 11e). The outer end portion 15 b of the valve body 15 passes through an opening portion 17 a provided in the overhang portion 17 and protrudes upward. A driving portion 19a of a piezoelectric actuator 19 extending from the side is engaged with the outer end portion 15b.

  The piezoelectric actuator 19 includes an elastic plate 19A made of metal or the like and piezoelectric layers 19B and 19C joined to the front and back surfaces of the elastic plate 19A. The piezoelectric layers 19B and 19C apply a voltage to front and back electrodes (not shown). When applied, the elastic plate 19A and the elastic plate 19A are configured to bend in the vertical direction in the figure. In the illustrated example, the piezoelectric actuator 19 has a bimorph type plate-like structure. However, the piezoelectric actuator 19 may have a unimorph type plate-like structure having only one of the piezoelectric layers 19B and 19C, and further includes a piezoelectric layer and an electrode layer. It is good also as what has the laminated type structure which laminated | stacked alternately.

  The base end portion 19b of the piezoelectric actuator 19 is fixed on the fixing member 21 attached to the fixing portion 11b of the extension portion 11B. In the illustrated example, the fixing member 21 is fixed to the fixing portion 11 b by a bolt 22. The fixing member 21 is fixed in such a manner that the fixing member 21 protrudes from the attachment portion with respect to the fixing portion 11b onto the concave portion 11h formed on the surface of the fixing portion 11b, and between the attachment member 23 at the portion protruding on the concave groove 11h. The proximal end portion 19b is sandwiched. The fixing member 21 and the attachment member 23 are clamped by the bolt 24 and fixed. The fixing portion 11b has a through screw hole 11i communicating with the concave groove 11h. A set screw 25 is screwed into the through screw hole 11i, and the tip of the set screw 25 pushes the fixing member 21 downward (recess 11b). It protrudes inward and supports it. By adjusting the position of the set screw 25, the vertical position of the fixing member 21 can be adjusted on the concave groove 11h. Therefore, the vertical mounting position of the piezoelectric actuator 19 (precisely, the vertical direction) The mounting position and the mounting angle) can be adjusted.

  The piezoelectric actuator 19 has a proximal end portion 19b fixed to the fixed portion 11b, the distal end drive portion 19a is connected to the valve body 15, and the drive portion 19a and the proximal end portion 19b are bent and deformed. It is comprised so that the valve body 15 can be driven to the axial direction.

  In the present embodiment configured as described above, in a state where the piezoelectric actuator 19 does not operate (a state where current is not energized), the valve body 15 moves downward by the elastic force of the elastic member 18, and the closing portion 15a is introduced. In order to close the opening 11e, the valve is closed. On the other hand, when the piezoelectric actuator 19 operates (energized) and bends upward, the valve body 15 moves upward against the elastic force of the elastic member 18 and the valve is opened. Therefore, by supplying pressurized gas such as compressed air to the gas introduction path 11c, the pressurized gas can be discharged from the gas outlet hole 11g (that is, the gas outlet path) when the valve is opened. .

  By the way, when the valve body 15 moves upward and the valve is in an open state, the gas flowing in from the introduction opening 11e goes out from the outlet opening 12d through the internal space, but the airflow in the internal space Since the negative pressure is generated when the speed increases, the valve body 15 is attracted downward, and a load may be applied to the piezoelectric actuator 19. However, in this embodiment, since the internal space communicates with the outside through the ventilation path in the open state of the valve, the negative pressure generated in the internal space is relieved by the outside air flowing in through the ventilation path, and the piezoelectric actuator 19 Such a load can be reduced. Therefore, even when the supply side pressure is increased to increase the amount of gas released from the valve, it is possible to prevent supply failure due to the negative pressure or damage to the piezoelectric actuator 19.

  In addition, since the negative pressure is reduced, the load on the piezoelectric actuator is reduced, so that the piezoelectric actuator can be prevented from being enlarged, and the amount of gas released from the valve can be increased. Since it is possible to avoid an increase in the valve structure by enlarging the flow cross section, the gas supply valve can be reduced in size, and as a result, the valve can be arranged at a position closer to the gas supply destination. As a result, the delay in starting and stopping the gas supply can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, in particular, the closing portion 15a of the valve body 15 is brought into contact with the introduction opening 11e by the elastic force of the elastic member 18 so that the valve is closed. Therefore, damage to the piezoelectric actuator 19 can be prevented, and an increase in size of the piezoelectric actuator 19 can be avoided.

  In the present embodiment, the ventilation path is configured to always communicate the internal space with the outside regardless of whether the valve is open or closed. As a result, the negative pressure in the internal space can be relieved when the valve is in the open state as described above, and not only the start of gas supply can be accelerated, but also the pressure on the internal space and the outlet opening 12d side can be reduced when the valve is closed. Since the gas can be released to the outside through the ventilation path, the gas supply can be stopped more quickly.

  Further, in this embodiment, the ventilation path is opened at a distance between the closed portion 15a of the valve body 15 and the inner peripheral surface of the valve cylinder 12, so that the ventilation path is always routed through the ventilation path regardless of the open / closed state of the valve. The inside of the valve communicates with the outside. Further, when a negative pressure is generated in the internal space formed between the inlet opening 11e and the outlet opening 12d when the valve is opened, outside air is supplied to the inner space from the side of the closed portion 15a (around). Therefore, there is an advantage that the suction force of the valve body 15 due to the negative pressure can be effectively reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the elastic member 18 biases the valve body 15 in the direction in which the valve is closed, so that the piezoelectric actuator 19 is closed when it does not operate, that is, a normally closed type valve. It is comprised so that. This is because the initial state is preferably the closed state in a normal use mode, and the load on the piezoelectric actuator 19 can be reduced by pressing the supply side pressure with the elastic force of the elastic member 18 as described above. It is also from. Further, by adopting the normally closed type, the valve body can be quickly operated by the elastic force of the elastic member 18 when the valve is in a closed state, so that the responsiveness of stopping the gas supply is made extremely high. There is also an advantage of being able to. However, if various disadvantages are acceptable, the initial position of the piezoelectric actuator 19 (the position when not energized) is set so that the valve is opened against the elastic force of the elastic member 18, and energization is performed. It is not impossible to make it a normally open valve by sometimes configuring the valve to be closed.

  Although not particularly intended in the present embodiment, it is also possible to configure the angle around the axis between the main structure portion 11A and the valve cylinder 12 to be changed. In this case, since the distance along the concave groove 12f between the outer opening of the inner through hole 12e and the inner opening of the outer through hole 11j changes and the path length of the ventilation path changes, the ventilation resistance can be easily adjusted. it can. Here, the valve cylinder 12 can be fixed at an arbitrary angular position by the set screw 14 by making the concave portion 12b into a concave groove shape or the like.

  Next, a gas supply valve 10 'according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the second embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a cross section orthogonal to FIG. 4 of the second embodiment (a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 4). ). The schematic cross-sectional view of the second embodiment is substantially the same as FIG. Moreover, in 2nd Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the part which is common in 1st Embodiment, and those description is abbreviate | omitted.

In the gas supply valve 10 'according to the second embodiment, instead of the elastic member 18 according to the first embodiment, an elastic member 18' that is an urging means that urges the valve body 15 'in a direction in which the valve is opened. Is provided. This elastic member 18 'is disposed between the bottom of the concave hole 11a of the main structure portion 11A and the closing portion 15a' of the valve body 15 ', and acts to push the valve body 15' upward in the figure. Therefore, in the second embodiment, when the piezoelectric actuator 19 is not operated, the valve body 15 'is pushed up by the elastic force of the elastic member 18' and the valve is opened, so that the valve is normally open. In this embodiment, the valve is closed against the elastic force of the elastic member 18 ′ by the operation of the piezoelectric actuator 19. However, when the valve is opened, the valve is quickly turned on by the elastic force of the elastic member 18 ′. Since the gas supply is started, there is an advantage that the response speed at the start of the gas supply can be made extremely high.

  In the second embodiment, the drive portion 19a of the piezoelectric actuator 19 is brought into contact with the end surface (upper surface in the drawing) of the outer end portion 15b ′ of the valve body 15 ′. In the present embodiment, as described above, the valve member 15 'is urged by the elastic member 18' in the direction in which the valve is opened, so that the driving portion 19a of the piezoelectric actuator 19 is moved upward in the figure by the valve member 15 '. It is because it is not necessary to fix the drive part 19a to the valve body 15 'by setting it as the state which always receives stress. However, the drive part 19a may be fixed to the valve body 15 'by adhesion or the like. In this way, by simply abutting the driving portion 19a against the valve body 15 ', it is possible to prevent the piezoelectric actuator 19 from being subjected to stress in a direction other than the axial direction from the valve body 15.

  In the present embodiment, a restricting portion (a restricting member in the illustrated example) 16 'that is a valve element restricting means projects over the outer periphery of the valve element 15'. The restricting portion 16 ′ is for preventing the valve body 15 ′ from projecting upward in the drawing more than necessary and damaging the piezoelectric actuator 19.

  In each of the above embodiments, an elastic member (spring) that biases the valve body 15 in its moving direction (valve opening / closing direction) is provided, but it is also possible to configure without providing the elastic member. For example, in the first embodiment, the elastic member 18 may be omitted, and instead, the operation unit 19a of the piezoelectric actuator 19 may press the valve body downward when the valve is closed. In this case, for example, the operation unit 19a can press the valve body 15 downward to close the valve when the piezoelectric actuator 19 is not driven, and the piezoelectric actuator 19 is energized to drive it. It can also comprise so that the action | operation part 19a may press the valve body 15 with force. In any case, by releasing the pressure state on the valve body 15, the valve body 15 is moved by the gas supply pressure, and the valve is opened. At this time, the operating portion 19a is deformed in the valve opening direction by the driving force of the piezoelectric actuator 19 to open the valve, so that higher-speed gas supply is possible and the gas supply start timing can be advanced.

  Next, an example in which each of the above embodiments is used for a component sorting unit of a component transport apparatus will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic partial explanatory view of the component conveying apparatus 1 including the gas supply valves 10 and 10 ′ of the above embodiments. In the component conveying apparatus 1, the conveying body 4 including the component conveying path 4 a is fixed to the vibrating body 3 fixed on the vibration mechanism 2. As the vibration mechanism 2, an electromagnetic vibrator using an electromagnetic solenoid, a piezoelectric vibrator using a piezoelectric actuator, or the like, a small frequency object (such as an electronic component) is used in a conveying direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 6). In the case of carrying, it is not particularly limited as long as it generates reciprocal vibrations (generally about 50 to 300 Hz).

  A sensor (such as a photodetector) 4c for determining the presence / absence, quality, posture, etc. of the component P on the component transport path 4a is installed in the component selection unit 4X, and the determination is made based on the detection signal of the sensor 4c. A determination unit 4d to perform is provided. The discriminating unit 4d controls the gas supply valves 10, 10 ′ by discriminating whether or not the air flow is blown to the component P on the component conveying path 4a in the component selecting unit 4X and whether or not the blowing timing is appropriate. Specifically, the contents of the control determine whether or not to send a drive signal to the above-described piezoelectric actuator 19 or what kind of drive signal to send. The blowing of the air current can be performed by removing the component P from the component conveyance path 4a, inverting the component P on the component conveyance path 4a to change the posture, or placing the component P on the component conveyance path 4a on another conveyance path. This is done for the purpose of moving.

  The component conveying device 1 is supplied with compressed air from the compressor 5 or the like via the air supply pipe 6, and this is supplied to the gas introduction part of the gas supply valves 10 and 10 ′ via the flow rate regulator 7. The gas outlets of the gas supply valves 10 and 10 ′ are connected to an air supply path 4 b provided in the carrier 4 through an air supply pipe 8. The air supply path 4b opens at a part of the conveying surface of the component conveying path 4a in the component sorting section 4X through which the component conveying path 4a passes. Then, by opening the gas supply valves 10 and 10 ', an air flow can be blown onto the component P that has been transported on the component transport path 4a.

  When parts are transported at a high speed on the parts transport path 4a, a large number of parts P are transported in a row, so the parts sorting unit 4X starts and stops the above-mentioned air flow at a high speed and has a high response. Need to do at speed. For example, if the start of the airflow is delayed, the airflow cannot be sprayed on the specific part P, and if the stop of the airflow is stopped, the airflow is also sprayed on other parts P other than the specific part P. In addition to the deterioration of parts sorting accuracy, it will cause a fatal hindrance to the parts supply, and the transport efficiency will also be reduced.

  In the gas supply valves 10, 10 ′ of the above embodiments, as the structure of the gas supply valves 10, 10 ′ itself, the internal space communicates with the outside through the ventilation path in the open state of the valve. Generation of pressure can be mitigated, gas supply efficiency can be improved, the valve structure can be miniaturized, and air flow can be started quickly. Therefore, the valve structure can be reduced in size and can be installed in a location close to the component sorting unit 4X, and the valve function can be improved, so that the start and stop of the air flow blowing on the component conveying path 4a can be delayed. It can be reduced and high responsiveness to the selection of the parts P can be secured.

  In the present invention, by using a piezoelectric actuator, a high-speed response of one-tenth or less (several msec or less) can be achieved with respect to a conventional electromagnetic valve and the like, and gas is supplied based on a valve structure having a ventilation path. Since delays in starting and stopping of supply can be reduced, a remarkably high substantial response can be realized at the time of gas supply switching, and it is extremely suitable as a gas supply valve for supplying gas to the component sorting unit of the component conveying apparatus.

  In addition, the gas supply valve and the component conveying apparatus of the present invention are not limited to the above-described illustrated examples, and various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the piezoelectric actuator 19 has a plate-like structure and is configured to bend and deform in the extending direction and drive the valve body 15 in the axial direction by the driving portion 19a at the tip. Not limited to the above structure, various structures may be employed such as a structure in which the block-shaped piezoelectric body is deformed in the thickness direction and the valve body 15 is pressed in the axial direction.

The schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of 1st Embodiment of a gas supply valve. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional arrow view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional arrow view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. The schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of 2nd Embodiment of a gas supply valve. The schematic sectional arrow directional view along the VV line | wire of FIG. 4 in 2nd Embodiment. Schematic structure explanatory drawing which shows the structure of a components conveying apparatus typically.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Component conveyance apparatus, 2 ... Excitation mechanism, 3 ... Vibrating body, 4 ... Conveyance body, 4a ... Component conveyance path, 4b ... Air supply path, 4c ... Sensor, 4d ... Discriminating part, 4X ... Component selection part, 5 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS Compressor 6, 8 ... Supply pipe, 7 ... Flow regulator 10, 10 '... Gas supply valve, 11 ... Housing, 11A ... Main structure part, 11B ... Extension part, 11a ... Recessed hole, 11b ... Fixed part, 11c ... Gas introduction path, 11d ... Gas introduction part, 11e ... Introduction opening, 11j ... Outer through hole, 12 ... Valve cylinder, 12a ... Shaft hole, 12d ... Outlet opening, 12e ... Inner through hole, 12f ... Intermediate concave groove, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Valve body, 15a ... Closure part, 18 ... Elastic member, 19 ... Piezoelectric actuator, 19a ... Drive part, 19b ... Base end part, 19A ... Elastic plate, 19B, 19C ... Piezoelectric layer, 21 ... Fixing member, 23 ... Mounting member, P ... Part

Claims (6)

A gas introduction path for introducing gas; a valve cylinder in which an introduction opening of the gas introduction path faces; a valve body including a closing portion configured to open and close the introduction opening inside the valve cylinder; and the valve In a gas supply valve comprising a gas lead-out path having a lead-out opening facing the inside of a cylinder, and a piezoelectric actuator that drives the valve body to open and close the introduction opening,
A gas supply valve, wherein a vent path that communicates the internal space between the inlet opening and the outlet opening to the outside when the valve is opened is provided separately from the gas inlet path and the gas outlet path.   In the valve cylinder, the closing portion protrudes in a form having a space between the valve cylinder and an inner surface surrounding the valve cylinder toward the introduction opening, and the ventilation path opens in the space. The gas supply valve according to claim 1.   The gas introduction part provided with the introduction opening at the tip protrudes toward the valve body in a manner having a space between the valve cylinder and the inner peripheral surface, and the tip of the gas introduction part is tapered. The gas supply valve according to claim 2. 4. The opening position of the lead-out opening with respect to the internal space is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the closing portion with respect to the opening position of the introduction opening. 5. The gas supply valve described. 5. The gas supply valve according to claim 1, further comprising a valve body regulating unit that sets a movement limit of the valve body in a direction in which the closing portion is separated from the introduction opening. 6.   A gas supply valve according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a component selection unit that performs selection by selectively blowing a gas supplied through the gas supply valve to the component, and the component selection unit. A component conveying apparatus comprising: a component conveying path that passes therethrough.

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