JPH08157123A - Aligning stacking device for work body - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve manufacturing efficiency of a work body by reducing the cost of a device, and performing exchanging work of magazines in a short time. CONSTITUTION: In an aligning stacking device 20 for a work body, an air cylinder 33 capable of being selectively raised and lowered to two positions of the raising limit position P1 positioned in a housing chamber 21 for magazines M and the lowering limit position P2 retreated outside the housing chamber 21 is provided, and a plurality of magazines M are attached on a table 24 to be rotationally driven by an index unit 32. A spring 31 for downward pressing a suction part 27 and energizing it by the elastic bouncing force is provided. Even if the air cylinder 33 is moved to the either positions of the raising limit position P1 or the lowering limit position P2, the height of the dropping space can be set to the specified dimension wherein an IC card W can be stacked in the aligned state when dropping of the IC card W is started.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for aligning and stacking flat work pieces such as IC cards for stacking them.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the IC card manufacturing process, a work body is moved between each process in magazine units. That is, the supply of the work body to the device provided in each process and the discharge of the work body from each device are performed by exchanging each magazine. Therefore, in order to align and stack flat plate-like work bodies in a magazine, an aligning and laminating apparatus for work bodies has been conventionally used.

As such an aligning and laminating apparatus for workpieces, those shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B are conventionally known. The illustrated stacking and stacking apparatus 10 for work bodies is a storage chamber 1 for holding IC cards W in a state of being stacked in a substantially vertical direction.
The plurality of magazines M in which 1 is formed and the IC card W are suction-held by the suction plate 12 and conveyed to the magazine M, and the suction-holding state is released to store the IC card W
It has a workpiece conveying means 13 for dropping it inside and an elevating means 14 capable of moving up and down. The work body aligning and stacking apparatus 10 further includes a first transfer device 15 that supplies an empty magazine M that does not house the IC cards W toward the stacking position A, and a housed magazine M that houses the IC cards W. And a second transfer device 16 for discharging from the stacking position A.

The elevating means 14 is an elevator device 17 composed of a rack and pinion, a ball screw and the like.
Therefore, the elevation is controlled so that the height of the uppermost surface of the IC card is always maintained at the predetermined dimension H. Therefore, the height h of the space formed between the suction cup 12 and the IC card W, that is, the height h of the space in which the IC card W falls, is always constant, and this h is set to a value obtained by adding 1 to 2 mm to the thickness of one IC card. By IC
The cards can be reliably aligned and stacked in the magazine M without pressing them.

The work body aligning and laminating apparatus 10 operates as follows. When the empty magazine M is set at the stacking position A, the elevator device 17 is controlled to move up and down,
Rise to the height of H. Then, the work body transporting means 13 starts to operate, the IC card W is suction-held by the suction plate 12 and transported to the magazine M, then the suction-holding state is released and the IC card W is dropped into the accommodation chamber 11. The elevator device 17 descends by the thickness of one IC card and holds the height of the upper surface of the IC card at H. The IC cards W are stacked in the storage chamber 11 of the magazine M in a state of being stacked in a substantially vertical direction by repeating the transfer / drop of the IC card W by the work body transfer unit 13 and the lifting / lowering control of the elevator device 13. .

[0006]

In the above-described conventional apparatus 10 for aligning and stacking workpieces, the elevator device 17 is used as the elevating means 14, but this type of elevator device 17 includes a rack and pinion, a ball screw, and the like. Since it has to be moved up and down while controlling the moving distance, it is very slow and relatively expensive when moving up and down. For this reason, the work body aligning and laminating apparatus 1
There was a problem that the cost of 0 increased. Further, there is a problem that it takes a long time to replace the magazine M.
That is, when the magazine M set at the stacking position A becomes full, first, the elevator device 17 is lowered to retract it to the outside of the storage chamber 11 of the magazine M, and then the second transfer device 16 is driven. The filled stored magazine M is discharged from the stacking position A, then the first transfer device 15 is driven to supply a new empty magazine M to the stacking position A, and then the elevator device 17 is moved to a predetermined position. Unless it is raised, the replacement work of the magazine M is not completed. If it takes a long time to replace the magazine M in this way, the stacking of the IC cards W must be temporarily stopped, and the IC cards W cannot be efficiently manufactured.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to reduce the cost of the apparatus, and further to perform the work of exchanging the magazine in a short time so as to improve the manufacturing efficiency of the work body. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for aligning and stacking workpieces that can achieve the improvement of

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a work body aligning and laminating apparatus for stacking flat plate-like work bodies, the work bodies being held in a state of being stacked substantially vertically. A frame body in which a storage chamber for
Workpiece conveying means for holding the workpiece and conveying it to the frame and releasing the held state to drop the workpiece into the accommodating chamber, an ascending limit position in the accommodating chamber and the accommodating chamber. 2 with the lower limit position retracted to the outside
Elevating means that can be selectively moved up and down to one position, a rotatable table having a plurality of the frame bodies mounted on the upper surface, a driving means that rotationally drives the table, and the work body transporting means downward. And a resilient means for urging a resilient force to push toward, when the lifting means moves to any position of the ascending limit position or the descending limit position, when starting to drop the work body, In the apparatus for aligning and stacking work bodies, the height of the space in which the work bodies fall is set to a predetermined dimension that allows the work bodies to be stacked in an aligned state when the work bodies are dropped.

[0009]

According to the present invention, after the elevating means has moved to the upper limit position, the work body conveying means holds the work body and conveys it to the frame body, and releases the holding state to move the work body body to the frame body. Drop into containment chamber. When starting dropping of the work bodies, the height of the space where the work bodies fall is set to a predetermined dimension within the maximum dimension that can be aligned and stacked, so that even if the work bodies are dropped, the work bodies are aligned. It is held in the housing chamber of the frame body in this state. By repeatedly carrying and dropping the work bodies by the work body carrying means, the work bodies are sequentially aligned and stacked in a state of being stacked in a substantially vertical direction, and the height of the top surface of the work bodies gradually rises. When the stack height of the work bodies becomes equal to or larger than the predetermined size, the work body transporting means moves upward against the elastic force of the elastic means, so that the aligning and stacking operation of the work bodies is continued. It should be noted that this elastic force is sufficient as a weak force that does not damage the work body. Even if the elevating means is moved to the lower limit position because the work bodies are stacked by a predetermined amount, when the work bodies start to drop at this position, the space height in which the work bodies fall is set to a predetermined dimension. Therefore, the work stacking and stacking operation is continued.

Since the elevating means can be selectively moved up and down between two positions, an ascending limit position and a descending limit position,
An elevating means such as an air cylinder can also be used, and when elevating, an extremely high speed and relatively inexpensive one can be used, and the device cost can be reduced. Further, in order to replace the full frame body, it is sufficient to rotate the table by the drive means so that a new empty frame body faces the predetermined position and move the elevating means to the ascent limit position. Therefore, the replacement operation of the frame is simplified, and the time required for the replacement operation is shortened.

[0011]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 (a) and 1 (b) are a plan view and a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a work body aligning and laminating apparatus according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2 (a), 2 (b), 2 (c) and 2 (d) are the same. It is a principal part expanded sectional view which shows the operation state of an Example.

As shown in FIG. 1, a work body aligning and laminating apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment has a frame body in which a storage chamber 21 for holding IC cards W as work bodies in a state of being stacked in a substantially vertical direction is formed. A plurality of magazines M, a work body conveying means 22 for holding the IC card W and conveying it to the magazine M, releasing the holding state and dropping the IC card W into the accommodation chamber 21, It has a lifting means 23. The work body aligning and laminating apparatus 20 further includes a rotatable table 24 having a plurality of magazines M mounted on the upper surface thereof, and a drive unit 25 for rotationally driving the table 24.

More specifically, the magazine M is in the shape of a prism whose upper and lower surfaces are open. In this embodiment, eight magazines M (generally M1 to M8) are fixed on the table 24 at equal intervals. There is.

The workpiece transfer means 22 is an arm portion 26 which is movable in the XZ direction of the coordinate system set in the figure.
And an adsorption section 27 for adsorbing and holding the IC card W and releasing the holding state. The suction unit 27 is the shaft 2
It has a suction plate 29 attached to the lower end of 8, and a negative pressure circuit (not shown) for making the suction plate 29 a negative pressure is connected to the other end of the shaft 28. The shaft 28 is inserted through the through hole 26a of the arm portion 26 so as to be vertically movable (Z direction). Between the ring portion 30 fixed to the shaft 28 and the arm portion 26, elastic means 31 for urging an elastic force that pushes the suction disk 29 downward is provided. Repulsion means 3
1 may be an elastic body such as rubber in addition to the illustrated spring.

The drive means 25 comprises a known index unit 32 for index-feeding the table. The elevating means 23 is, for example, an air cylinder 33.
And the ascending limit position P1 located inside the accommodation chamber 21.
And a lower limit position P2 retracted to the outside of the storage chamber 21 are selectively movable up and down. A mounting plate 35 is attached to the tip of the advancing / retreating rod 34 of the air cylinder 33 in order to receive the IC card W which is released when the suction holding state by the suction plate 29 is released.

As shown in FIG. 2A, when the air cylinder 33 moves to the ascending limit position P1, the mounting plate 3
When the height of the storage chamber 21 of the magazine M is L, the upper surface of 5 is arranged at a position of L / 2. Further, in a state where the suction portion 27 of the work body transporting means 22 suction-holds the IC card W and the IC card W is carried into the accommodation chamber 21 of the magazine M, the suction force is exerted by the elastic force of the spring 31. The board 29 is in the lowest position. At this time, the space formed between the suction plate 29 and the mounting plate 35, that is, I
The height of the space in which the C card W falls is set to the dimension h. Here, the dimension h is a height dimension with which the IC card W can be surely aligned without dropping when the IC card W is dropped and without being inverted, and in the IC card W,
It is about 50 mm.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2C, when the air cylinder 33 moves to the lower limit position P2, the mounting plate 35 is also retracted to the outside of the accommodation chamber 21 and placed on the mounting plate 35. The stacked IC cards W are held by the support portion 36 formed on the lower edge of the magazine M. In order to detect that a predetermined number of IC cards W are stacked and the storage chamber 21 of the magazine M is full, the work body alignment stacking device 2
At 0, a light transmission type detection sensor 38 is provided.
A pair of sensor transmission holes 39 and 40 are formed near the upper end of the side wall of the magazine M, one light transmission element 39 is provided with a light emitting element 41 adjacent thereto, and the other light transmission element 40 is provided with a light emitting element 41. Light receiving element 4 for receiving the light emitted from
2 are provided close to each other. As a means for detecting that the storage chamber 21 of the magazine M is full, various modes are possible such as counting the number of workpieces without providing a sensor.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the empty magazine M1 is set in the stacking position A, FIG.
As shown in (a), the air cylinder 33 is moved to the rising limit position P1 and the mounting plate 35 is arranged at the position of L / 2. Further, the work body transporting means 22 also starts to operate,
After the IC card W is suction-held by the suction disk 29 and conveyed to above the magazine M, the arm portion 26 is lowered, and the suction disk 29 is lowered into the accommodation chamber 21 of the magazine M while holding the IC card W. Then, the suction holding state is released and the IC card W is dropped into the accommodation chamber 21. At this time,
Since the height of the space in which the IC card W drops is a predetermined dimension h, even if the IC card W is dropped, the IC card W is held in the magazine storage chamber in an aligned state.

By repeatedly carrying and dropping the IC cards by the work body carrying means 22, the IC cards W are sequentially stacked on the placing plate 35 in a state of being stacked in a substantially vertical direction. The stacking height of the IC cards W on the mounting plate 35 is h
In the above case, as shown in FIG. 2B, when the arm portion 26 of the work body transporting means 22 is lowered to a predetermined position, the suction portion 27 is moved upward against the elastic force of the spring 31. Move to. Then, when the suction holding of the IC card W is released, the IC card W is stacked without dropping. Dimension (L / 2) -h shown in FIG.
As described above, the stacking of the IC card W on the area is repeated by the elastic deformation of the spring 31 and the upward movement of the suction portion 27.

As shown in FIG. 2B, when the stacked IC cards W reach the position where the sensor transmission holes 39 and 40 are closed, the light from the light emitting element 41 is blocked by the stacked IC cards W. Therefore, the light receiving element 42 is not reached. The detection signal of the light receiving element 42 at this time is analyzed by a control system (not shown), and it is detected that the upper half of the storage chamber 21 is full. Then, as shown in FIG. 2C, the air cylinder 33 moves to the lower limit position P2. By this movement, the mounting plate 35 is also retracted to the outside of the accommodation chamber 21, and the IC card W stacked on the mounting plate 35 is held by the support portion 36 at the lower edge of the magazine. At this time, the upper surface of the uppermost IC card W held by the support portion 36 is
Since it is arranged at the position of L / 2, the state becomes the same as the state shown in FIG. That is, even if the air cylinder 33 moves to the lower limit position P2, the height of the space for dropping the IC card W starts again from the predetermined dimension h, and even if the IC card W is dropped, the IC card W is dropped.
Are held in the storage chamber 21 of the magazine M in an aligned state.

After that, as described above, the IC card W is repeatedly conveyed and dropped by the workpiece conveying means 22,
Further, by repeatedly carrying and releasing the holding against the elastic force of the spring 31, as shown in FIG. 2D, the stacked IC cards W again reach the position where the sensor transmission holes 39 and 40 are closed. . This allows a certain number of ICs
It is detected that the cards W are lined up and stacked, and the storage chamber 21 of the magazine M is full. One magazine M
When the stacking of the IC cards W to the
Of the stored magazine M1 is discharged from the stacking position A and a new empty magazine M2 is supplied to the stacking position A. This magazine M replacement work is performed by the index unit 32 on the table 24.
Is index-fed and the air cylinder 33 is moved to the ascending limit position P1.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since the air cylinder 33, which is less expensive than the elevator device 17, is used as the elevating means 23, the cost of the aligning and laminating device 20 can be reduced. Further, when exchanging the magazine M, the table 24 is index-fed and the air cylinder 33 is moved to one of the two positions P1 and P2.
All you have to do is move to 1.
Therefore, since the replacement work of the magazine M can be performed in a short time, the situation in which the transportation system of the IC card W is temporarily stopped does not occur, and the efficiency of manufacturing the IC card W can be improved. In particular, it is advantageous when packing the IC cards W in small units of about 50 to 100. Also,
It is sufficient that the stroke of the air cylinder 33 in the Z direction is L / 2, and the installation space for the elevating means 23 can be reduced.

Although the IC card W has been described as an example of the work body, the present invention is not limited to this case and can be applied to various work bodies W. Further, the work body transporting means 22 is not limited to the suction method.

[0024]

As described above, according to the apparatus for aligning and stacking work bodies of the present invention, since the inexpensive lifting means can be used, the cost of the apparatus can be reduced, and furthermore, the magazine replacement work can be performed. The work efficiency can be improved in a short time.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A and 1B are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a schematic configuration of a work body aligning and laminating apparatus according to the present invention.

2 (a), (b), (c) and (d) are enlarged cross-sectional views of essential parts showing an operating state of the embodiment.

3 (a) and 3 (b) are a plan view and a cross-sectional view of an essential part showing a schematic configuration of a conventional apparatus for aligning and stacking work bodies.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference numeral 20 ... Work body aligning / stacking device 21 ... Storage chamber 22 ... Work body transporting means 23 ... Elevating means 24 ... Table 25 ... Driving means 31 ... Spring (springing means) 32 ... Index unit (driving means) 33 ... Air cylinder ( Elevating means) M ... Magazine (frame) P1 ... Ascent limit position P2 ... Descent limit position W ... IC card (workpiece)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A device for aligning and stacking work bodies for stacking flat work bodies, comprising: a frame body having a storage chamber for holding the work bodies stacked in a substantially vertical direction; and the work body. Workpiece conveying means that holds and conveys the workpiece to the frame and releases the held state to drop the workpiece into the accommodating chamber, an ascending limit position located in the accommodating chamber, and retracted to the outside of the accommodating chamber. Elevating means capable of selectively moving up and down in two positions of a lower limit position, a rotatable table having a plurality of the frame bodies mounted on the upper surface, a driving means for rotationally driving the table, and the work. And the elastic means for urging the elastic force to push the body conveying means downward, and whether the elevating means moves to either the ascending limit position or the descending limit position, the workpiece body Start falling Sometimes, the space height the workpiece body is falling, aligned stacking device of a work body, characterized in that it is set to a predetermined sized for stacking the work member in an aligned state when dropped the workpiece body.