JP2006032048A - Floating unit and floating mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a floating unit and a floating mechanism in which centripetal force to a movable member can be increased, handling can be improved, and a sufficient centripetal force can be obtained even in the case arranged in slanted state or arranged perpendicularly. <P>SOLUTION: The floating unit comprises a fixed member 3, a movable member 4, and rolling members 10 provided capable of rolling between the both 3, 4. Magnets 7, 8 having different magnetic poles are arranged on the fixed member 3 and the movable member 4 at locations mutually facing each other. The rolling members 10 are formed of a ferromagnet and are interposed so as to face the respective magnets 7, 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention aligns connector fitting and probe contact to electronic parts, printed circuit boards, mechanical parts, etc. that require fitting and alignment between surface mount connectors according to the amount of workpiece displacement. The present invention relates to a floating unit and a floating mechanism suitable for performing.

  In recent years, a floating unit including a movable member and a fixed member may be used as an apparatus for inspecting electronic components that require fitting and alignment between surface mount connectors. In this type of floating unit, the member on which the connector for inspection is formed is arranged on the movable member, and the connector for inspection to be inspected is fitted into the connector for inspection, thereby conducting the connector for inspection. Performance etc. can be inspected.

For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a floating unit in which a hard ball is placed on a fixed plate (fixed member) and a movable plate (movable member) is stacked thereon. The movable plate can be moved smoothly by hard balls and is separated from the fixed platen. A permanent magnet is fixed to the upper surface of the fixed platen, and a permanent magnet is also fixed to the lower surface of the movable platen. A space is provided between the permanent magnets so that they are not in contact with each other and exert a magnetic attractive force on each other. By adopting such a configuration, the generation of dust is suppressed to increase the cleanliness, and the durability is also improved.
JP-A-11-172534

  By the way, if there is a mounting deviation in the connector to be inspected, it is necessary to allow the mounting deviation of the connector to be inspected to prevent the connector to be inspected from being damaged during fitting. It is necessary to move the connectors quickly and fit the connectors with a small load. Further, when the inspection of the connector to be inspected is completed and the mating state between the connectors is released, the position of the floating unit is accurately returned to the origin in preparation for mating with another connector to be inspected. It will be necessary.

  However, in the prior art, since the magnets of the movable platen (movable member) and the fixed platen (fixed member) are spaced apart from each other, the centripetal force on the movable member is weakened. As a result, it is difficult to control a small amount of movement of the movable member, and the magnet size and thickness are limited in order to secure a centripetal force above a certain level, resulting in a decrease in handling performance. In particular, there is a problem that it is very difficult to obtain a sufficient centripetal force when the floating unit is arranged in an inclined state or arranged vertically.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a floating unit and a floating mechanism that can control a small amount of movement of the movable member and can improve handling properties.

  The invention according to claim 1 includes a fixed member, a movable member, and a rolling member provided so as to be able to roll between the two, and the fixed member and the movable member have different magnetic poles at positions facing each other. A magnet is provided, and the rolling member is formed of a ferromagnetic material and is interposed so as to face the magnets.

  According to the present invention, the rolling members formed of the ferromagnetic material are magnetized by the opposing magnets and can increase the magnetic flux, so that the size and thickness of the magnet need not be increased. The centripetal force on the movable member can be increased. Accordingly, it is possible to control a small amount of movement of the movable member, and it is possible to widen restrictions on the size and thickness of the magnet, so that handling properties can be improved. Furthermore, sufficient centripetal force can be obtained even when the floating unit is arranged in an inclined state or arranged vertically.

  In the invention according to claim 2, the magnet provided on the fixed member side and the magnet provided on the movable member side are arranged opposite to each other with different magnetic poles, and are interposed so as to be able to roll between them. The rolling member is formed of a ferromagnetic material.

  According to the present invention, the rolling members formed of the ferromagnetic material are magnetized by the opposing magnets and can increase the magnetic flux, so that the size and thickness of the magnet need not be increased. The centripetal force on the movable member can be increased, and a minute amount of movement of the movable member can be controlled. Moreover, since the magnet on the fixed member side and the magnet on the movable member side are arranged to face the rolling member, the rolling member and the magnet are configured to be detachable independently of other parts. Thus, handling properties can be improved and maintenance can be easily performed.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, it is possible to control a small amount of movement of the movable member, and it is possible to improve handling. Furthermore, even when the floating unit is arranged in an inclined state or arranged vertically, a sufficient centripetal force can be obtained, and convenience can be improved.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to control a small amount of movement of the movable member and improve handling properties. In addition, maintenance can be easily performed.

  Hereinafter, a floating unit and a floating mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a floating unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. As shown in these drawings, the floating unit 1 includes a fixed plate 3 and a movable plate 4. A ball bearing 10 is provided as a rolling member provided between the plates 3 and 4 so as to be capable of rolling.

  The fixed plate 3 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A through hole is formed in the central portion of the fixed plate 3. On the other hand, the movable plate 4 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape smaller in size than the fixed plate 3. A through hole having the same size as that formed in the fixed plate 3 is formed in the central portion of the movable plate 4.

  Magnet insertion holes 5 and 6 are formed in the fixed plate 3 and the movable plate 4 at positions facing each other, and permanent magnets 7 and 8 having different magnetic poles are provided in the respective magnet insertion holes 5 and 6. . The magnets 7 and 8 are provided at substantially equal intervals so as to equally divide the substantially elliptical peripheral surface in plan view.

The ball bearing 10 is interposed so as to face the magnets 7 and 8. Thus, the movable plate 4 is disposed on the upper side of the fixed plate 3 so as to be horizontally displaceable via the ball bearing 10. Further, the movable plate 4 is arranged so as to have a certain gap from the jig body 2 to which the fixed plate 3 is attached.
The ball bearing 10 is made of a ferromagnetic material such as iron, nickel, or cobalt. Details will be described later.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of the bearing 10 and the magnet 8 shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, a SUS plate 11 is interposed between the magnet 8 and the bearing 10, and a stepped portion 17 is formed on the lower surface of the movable plate 4. As a result, the movement of the bearing 10 is restricted within a range in contact with the magnet 8 while allowing the movement of the bearing 10 in the horizontal direction. Further, a SUS plate is similarly interposed between the magnet 7 and the bearing 10 to form a stepped portion.

  An inspection board 12 is placed on the upper surface of the movable plate 4. A convex connector 13 having a convex cross section is formed on the upper surface of the inspection substrate 12. A wiring 14 is connected to the lower surface of the inspection board 12. The inspection board 12 is supplied with power from a power source (not shown) through the wiring 14.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the inspected substrate 15 is disposed so as to face the inspection substrate 12. A concave connector 16 having a concave cross section is formed on the inspected substrate 15, and the inspected substrate 15 is electrically connected to the inspecting substrate 12 by fitting the concave connector 16 to the convex connector 13. Ensure continuity.

  Here, a magnetic shield plate 9 is interposed between the inspection substrate 12 and the wiring 14 and the movable plate 4 and the fixed plate 3. The magnetic shield plate 9 is formed in a substantially square shape in cross section and protects the inspection substrate 12 and the wiring 14 from a magnetic field generated by the permanent magnets 7 and 8.

  Even when a mounting shift occurs in the concave connector 16 formed on the board to be inspected 15, the convex connector 13 formed on the test board 12 can be quickly moved so as to allow the mounting shift. Connectors can be fitted with a small load.

  As described above, since the ball bearing 10 is made of a ferromagnetic material, it is magnetized by the opposing magnets 7 and 8, respectively. As a result, the ball bearing 10 receives a magnetic attractive force from the magnets 7 and 8, so that the centripetal force on the movable plate 4 can be increased without increasing the size and thickness of the magnets 7 and 8. it can.

  Accordingly, it is possible to control a small amount of movement of the movable plate 4, and it is possible to widen restrictions on the size and thickness of the magnets 7 and 8, so that the handling property can be improved. Furthermore, sufficient centripetal force can be obtained even when the floating unit 1 is arranged in an inclined state or arranged vertically. This will be described later again with reference to FIG.

  Further, since the magnet 7 on the fixed plate 3 side and the magnet 8 on the movable plate 4 side are arranged opposite to the ball bearing 10, the ball bearing 10 and the magnets 7 and 8 are made independent of other parts. It becomes possible to configure so that it can be attached and detached, so that handling can be improved and maintenance can be easily performed.

Next, the floating unit in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated using FIG. 4, FIG. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the floating unit 20 is mounted on an apparatus that holds the workpiece 41 and performs alignment.
FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the floating unit 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a BB cross-sectional view showing the main part of FIG.

  As shown in these drawings, a fixed portion 22 having a C-shaped cross section is provided on the lower surface of the robot shaft 21. The fixing portion 22 includes an upper fixing plate 22a, a lower fixing plate 22b, and a side surface portion 22c. The upper fixed plate 22 a is formed in a substantially disk shape, and its upper surface is connected to the lower surface of the robot shaft 21. The lower fixed platen 22b has an outer shape that is substantially the same size as the upper fixed platen 22a, and has a through hole at the center. The side surface portion 22c is formed in a cylindrical shape, and integrally connects the upper fixed platen 22a and the lower fixed platen 22b on the inner peripheral side thereof.

  A movable platen 24 is disposed between the upper fixed platen 22a and the lower fixed platen 22b so as to be surrounded by the fixed portion 22. A work hand 37 is attached to the lower surface of the movable platen 24 via a work hand attachment portion 36. Accordingly, the work hand 37 moves integrally with the movable platen 24.

  Magnet insertion holes 25 to 27 are formed in the fixed plates 22a and 22b and the movable plate 24 at positions facing each other, and permanent magnets 28 to 30 are inserted into the insertion holes 25 to 27, respectively. And each permanent magnet 28-30 is inserted so that a mutually different magnetic pole may oppose. Thereby, the attractive force (return force) by magnetic force acts on each magnet 28-30.

  Further, ball bearings 31 and 32 are interposed in the fixed plates 22a and 22b and the movable plate 24 so as to face the magnets 28 to 30 so as to roll. With this configuration, it is possible to control a small amount of movement of the movable platen 24 as well as the first embodiment, and it is possible to handle handling performance. In addition, the restoring force for the movable platen 24 can be applied not only in the horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction.

FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an apparatus for determining the centripetal force of the floating unit in the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the dial 53 is rotated as indicated by an arrow C in a state where the connecting member 51 provided on one end side of the measuring instrument 54 is connected to the movable plate 4. Thus, the centripetal force acting on the movable plate 4 as indicated by the arrow E was measured by the measurement instrument 54 by sliding the measuring instrument 54 as indicated by the arrow D by the slider mechanism 55.
Moreover, the same measurement was performed also about the floating unit (structure corresponded to a prior art) which formed the space between the magnets 7 and 8 and has arrange | positioned the rolling member in the other site | part.

  As a result, when the bearing 10 is arranged between the magnets 7 and 8, the bearing 10 is not arranged between the magnets 7 and 8, and the space is formed several times compared to the case where a space is formed (a configuration corresponding to the prior art). It was found that centripetal force was strengthened.

  Of course, the contents of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments. For example, in the embodiment, a permanent magnet is used as a magnet, but an electromagnet may be used.

It is a schematic plan view of the floating unit 1 in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. It is a principal part enlarged view of the bearing 10 and the magnet 8 which were shown in FIG. It is a schematic perspective view of the floating unit 20 in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is BB sectional drawing which shows the principal part of FIG. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the apparatus which measures the centripetal force of the floating unit 1 in the 1st Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 20 ... Floating unit 3 ... Fixed plate (fixed member)
4 ... Movable plate (movable member)
7, 8, 28-30 ... Permanent magnet (magnet)
10, 31, 32 ... Ball bearing (rolling member)
22a ... Upper fixed platen (fixing member)
22b ... Lower fixed platen (fixing member)
24 ... Movable platen (movable member)

Claims (2)

A fixed member, a movable member, and a rolling member provided so as to be able to roll between both;
The fixed member and the movable member are provided with magnets having different magnetic poles at positions facing each other,
The floating unit, wherein the rolling member is formed of a ferromagnetic material and is interposed so as to face the magnets. A magnet provided on the fixed member side and a magnet provided on the movable member side are arranged opposite to each other with their magnetic poles different from each other, and the rolling member interposed so as to be able to roll between the two is made of a ferromagnetic material. A floating mechanism characterized by being formed.

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