TW201335045A - Workpiece supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to provide a workpiece supply device, which has a high efficiency of supplying workpieces that are lined up in a predetermined posture. The solution of the present invention is a workpiece supply device (1), which is a workpiece supply device (1) that lines up workpieces (W) along a conveyance path (32) and at the same time conveys them to a site where the supply is made, comprising inspection means (6) that detects the status where the workpieces (W) exist in a forward direction and the status where the workpieces (W) exist in an opposite direction at an inspection site (6x) set in the conveyance path (32) and outputs inspection signals corresponding to the statuses; acceleration means (4) that is arranged nearby the inspection site (6x) to have the workpieces (W) temporarily accelerated; posture changing means (5) that is arranged nearby the inspection site (6x) to have a rear end of the workpieces (W) in a conveyance direction changed towards a front side of the conveyance direction and to rotate about an axis perpendicular to the conveyance direction so as to change the posture of the workpieces (6), and a control section (8) that controls the acceleration means (4) and the posture changing means (5). The control section (8) is constructed to control the acceleration means (4) and the posture changing means (5) according to the inspection signals of the inspection means (6). As such, when a workpiece (W) that arrives the inspection site (6x) is in a forward direction, the workpiece (W) is accelerated; and when it is in the opposite direction, the posture of the workpiece (W) is changed.

Description

Workpiece supply device

The present invention relates to a workpiece supply device for transporting a workpiece in a state of being aligned to a place to be supplied.

The conventional workpiece supply device includes a storage portion, a storage object such as an electronic component that stores a workpiece, and a conveyance path that is connected from the storage portion to the supply portion, and is supplied to the upstream storage portion by vibration or the like. The workpieces are transported in a row on the transport path while being transported to the downstream side for supply. Generally, the conveyance path is generally formed by a plane-shaped conveyance surface that is continuous in the conveyance direction, and a side wall that is slightly orthogonal to the conveyance surface so as to be positioned on the side to be side-by-side. V shape.

With such a workpiece supply device, it is possible to supply various workpieces. However, depending on the shape of the workpiece or the work to be supplied on the downstream side, it may be necessary to uniformly align the directions of the workpieces in the same direction. For example, in the case of a rectangular parallelepiped workpiece, a specific surface among the six faces is set as the front face, the front face is disposed toward the downstream side in the conveyance direction, and a specific face among the four faces that are in contact with the front face is set as When the direction in which the lower surface is placed in contact with the conveyance surface is the forward direction, it may be necessary to supply all the workpieces to the downstream side in a state where they are aligned in the forward direction.

Therefore, when the workpiece on the conveyance path is in a different direction from the positive direction, in order to perform the posture change for changing the direction of the workpiece, the design has been made in the past. Many posture changing means have also proposed a plurality of workpiece supply apparatuses having such means (see Patent Document 1).

Most of them are one of the two faces facing each other in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece, and one of the four faces adjacent thereto is set as the lower side, and is disposed so as to be first along the conveyance path. When the workpiece is conveyed, the longitudinal direction of the workpiece is directed to the conveyance direction, and then the position of the parallel shaft system is changed, and the workpiece is rotated as necessary around the axis parallel to the conveyance direction, thereby setting the lower surface to be abutted. The direction of the carrying surface. Further, as the vertical axis posture change, the posture is changed by rotating the workpiece as necessary around the axis perpendicular to the conveyance direction, so that the posture can be shifted forward when the front surface is set behind the conveyance direction.

In order to perform such a change in the posture of the workpiece, compressed air is widely used as the driving source, and the workpiece is moved to the predetermined position, and the air is ejected from the air ejecting portion to rotate the workpiece. By using such a posture changing means, the faces of the workpieces 6 having the rectangular parallelepiped shape can be aligned in the predetermined direction and aligned.

[Previous Technical Literature] [Patent Document]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 7-206143

However, in the process of the above vertical axis posture transformation, it may occur The following questions. The following description will be made using the drawings.

11(a) shows a cross section perpendicular to the workpiece conveyance direction, and in a state where the conveyance surface 932a and the side wall 932b are supported by the conveyance surface 932a, the workpiece W is conveyed while the lower surface side abuts the conveyance surface 932a, and it is assumed that it is provided by The posture changing air ejection portion 951 on the side wall 932b side injects the compressed air Ac to the side surface of the workpiece W. Moreover, the same figure is observed from the obliquely upper side orthogonal to the conveyance surface 932a, as shown in FIG. 11(b). With respect to the posture-changing air ejection portion 951, when the rear portion of the workpiece W is conveyed in the direction of the rear (X direction in the drawing), the compressed air Ac is ejected, and is in front of the workpiece W and perpendicular to the conveyance direction X. The axis (Y axis in the figure) rotates around the center.

As a result, the workpiece W is kept in contact with the conveyance surface 932a in the lower state, and the front surface and the rear surface are exchanged, and as the rotation progresses, the entire movement moves forward in the conveyance direction.

In order to increase the supply efficiency, it is preferable to carry the workpiece W in a tight and continuous state on the conveyance path 932. However, if the workpiece W in front of or behind the conveyance direction is too close to the workpiece W to be rotated, the workpiece may be subjected to front and rear workpieces. The influence of W cannot be smoothly rotated. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, even if the workpiece is located in front of the conveyance direction, if the distance S is small, the workpiece W that is rotated as the vertical axis posture is likely to straddle the front workpiece W. . When such a rotation failure occurs, the workpiece W may lose stability and roll off from the conveyance path 932, or may be excluded due to a poor posture problem in the subsequent inspection process, and the supply efficiency may be lowered.

An object of the present invention is to effectively solve such problems. Specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a workpiece supply device having high supply efficiency, which can stably align a workpiece in a forward direction.

In order to achieve the object, the present invention employs the following means.

In other words, the workpiece supply device of the present invention belongs to a workpiece supply device that transports a workpiece to a desired position along the conveyance path, and includes a detection means that is set in the conveyance path. a position, respectively detecting a state in which the workpiece is present in a positive direction, and a state in which the workpiece exists in an opposite direction, and outputting a detection signal corresponding to the states; and an acceleration means disposed near the detection position to temporarily temporarily And the posture changing means is provided in the vicinity of the detection position, and the rear portion of the workpiece in the conveyance direction is forward in the conveyance direction, and is rotated in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction to thereby change the posture of the workpiece; and the control portion controls the foregoing The acceleration means and the posture changing means are configured to control the acceleration means and the posture changing means based on the detection signal of the detecting means, whereby when the workpiece reaching the predetermined detection position is in the positive direction, The workpiece is accelerated, and when it is in a different direction, the workpiece posture is changed.

With such a configuration, it is possible to detect whether or not the workpiece has reached the detection position and the posture at this time. For the workpiece in the different direction, the front side is rotated centrally so as to be changed in the positive direction posture, and is separated from the subsequent workpiece, and the workpiece in the positive direction is Accelerate it to isolate it from subsequent workpieces. As a result, It is possible to ensure that there is always space in the front to allow the workpieces in different directions to rotate. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the workpieces from overlapping each other and perform appropriate posture change, thereby improving the supply efficiency of the workpiece aligned in the forward direction.

In addition, in order to easily configure the sensor for discriminating the posture of the workpiece to reduce the cost of the device, and to ensure the correctness of the state of the workpiece to perform appropriate actions, the detecting means is a single sensor, corresponding to the absence of the workpiece In the state of the detection position, the detection signal is output at a low level or a high level; and the detection signal is output at a corresponding level for the state in which the workpiece exists in the positive direction and the state existing in the different direction. Therefore, according to the state of the workpiece, the same detection signal is changed and outputted by at least three different output levels such as a high level, a low level, and a middle level; and the control unit is configured to determine the middle level. When the state corresponding to the detection signal is recognized, it is determined that the middle level is maintained and a certain time is passed after the level has been reached; and when the state corresponding to the low level or the high level is determined, it is only recognized It has been more appropriate to have reached this level as a condition.

Further, in order to realize the above configuration in a simpler form, the detecting means is a transmissive photodetector including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit, and the signal corresponding to the amount of light detected by the light receiving unit is used as the aforementioned The detection signal is output, and the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit are disposed to face each other across a conveyance path of the workpiece, and the workpiece passing through the conveyance path is configured to reach the light receiving unit from the light projecting unit. It is more appropriate to detect at least a portion of the light to be shielded.

In addition, when the side of one side of the workpiece side is opened in the up and down direction When the opening portion is placed, in order to grasp such a shape characteristic, an output level corresponding to the direction of the workpiece can be more appropriately obtained. When the workpiece is placed on the lower side or the upper side of the workpiece, the two sides of the opposite sides are An opening portion that opens upward and downward is formed on one side, and the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion are disposed so as to have a positional relationship in which the specific surface abuts the conveying surface and the workpiece is in a positive direction When the detection position is reached, a part of the detection light from the light projecting portion passes through the opening to reach the light receiving unit, and when the specific surface abuts the conveying surface and reaches the detection position in an outward direction. The detection light from the light projecting portion is preferably shielded from the light receiving portion by almost the entire amount.

Further, in order to realize the acceleration means and the posture changing means in a simpler form, and to improve the controllability and more appropriately perform the desired operation of the workpiece, the acceleration means includes an acceleration air ejection portion for the workpiece at the detection position. The compressed air is discharged from the rear toward the front in the conveyance direction, and the compressed air is supplied to the first air supply source, and the first electromagnetic valve switches the communication or non-connection between the accelerated air discharge portion and the first air supply source. The posture changing means includes: a posture changing air ejecting unit provided on a side wall side slightly orthogonal to the conveying surface, and discharges compressed air to a rear side surface of the workpiece at the detection position; and a second air supply source and supply The compressed air and the second electromagnetic valve are suitable for switching the communication or non-communication state between the posture change air ejection portion and the second air supply source.

Moreover, in order to prevent the subsequent workpiece from being affected, the workpiece at the detection position is more accurately subjected to the posture change or the acceleration operation, so that the detection bit is made. The speed of the workpiece is increased, and is effectively isolated from the subsequent workpiece. As a means for achieving the same, the climb gradient of the transport path near the detection position is at least the transport path upstream of the transport direction than the vicinity of the detection position. The climbing gradient is set to be gentler and more suitable.

According to the invention as described above, it is possible to provide a workpiece supply device having a high supply efficiency, and it is possible to stably align the workpiece in the forward direction.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the workpiece supply device 1 of the present embodiment has a conveyance path 32 for conveying the workpiece W to the bowl 3 constituting the main body portion 1a, and is provided with a posture for changing the workpiece W in the middle of the conveyance path. The first to third posture changing units R1 to R3 and the posture of the workpiece W are inspected, and the first to third inspection and elimination units E1 to E3 of the person who does not conform to the posture are excluded.

Among the posture changing units R1 to R3, the first posture converting unit R1 and the second posture converting unit R2 which are the parallel axis posture changing units rotate the workpiece W in a direction parallel to the conveying direction (X direction in the drawing). , thereby performing a posture change. On the other hand, the third posture converting unit R3, which is the vertical axis posture changing unit, embodies an important part of the present invention, and rotates the workpiece W in a shaft system perpendicular to the conveying direction, thereby performing posture change.

The third posture converting unit R3 includes a penetrating photodetector 6 as a detecting means for detecting the workpiece W at a specific detecting position 6x on the transport path 32, and an accelerating means 4 for temporarily making the workpiece W The posture changing means 5 rotates the workpiece W toward the axis perpendicular to the conveyance direction; and the control unit 8 operates the above. Here, the detection position 6x herein refers to a position where the workpiece W corresponds to a detection area LA to be described later, and the detection area LA is for detecting the workpiece W.

The bowl 3 is formed in a mortar shape in a plan view, and the inner side is formed as a storage portion 31, and the workpiece W to be supplied can be inserted, and a spiral conveyance path 32 is provided from the storage portion 31 in the outer circumferential direction, and the conveyance path 32 is provided. The downstream side is configured to be connected to a place to be supplied (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyance path 32 is a planar conveying surface 32a which is provided at a predetermined angle from the horizontal plane, and a side wall 32b which intersects with respect to the side orthogonally orthogonally, and forms a substantially V-shaped cross section, and the workpiece W It is conveyed while being supported by both the conveyance surface 32a and the side wall 32b.

The bowl 3 is vibrated while being supported on the vibrator portion 2 as shown in Fig. 2 in a partial cross section. The vibrator portion 2 is provided on the ground by the fixed block 21 through the anti-vibration springs 21a to 21a, and the movable block 22 is disposed above the fixed block 21, and the bowl 3 is attached thereto; and the leaf spring 23~ 23, the movable block 22 is elastically connected with respect to the fixed block 21 in an isolated state; and the electromagnet 24 is fixed on the fixed block 21, and magnetically attracts the movable block 22 to be displaced to form a displacement; .

More specifically, the fixed block 21 and the movable block 22 are formed in a substantially circular shape in plan view, and are disposed so that the center is almost at the same position. And in them In the heart system, the four leaf springs 23 to 23 are arranged to be equally distributed and inclined in the same direction. As a result, when the electromagnet 24 is pulled toward the fixed block 21 side, the movable block 22 is displaced in the downward direction, and the center system is twisted. In the electromagnet 24, a current is supplied while repeatedly turning ON/OFF at a predetermined frequency by a power source (not shown), and a vibration including a component in the vertical direction and a component in the torsional direction can be generated in the bowl 3. By controlling this vibration, the workpiece W on the conveyance path 32 is conveyed.

Here, an example of the workpiece W to be supplied as the workpiece supply apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is disclosed in FIG. 3(a), (b), and (c) respectively show a side view, a plan view, and a perspective view of the workpiece W. The workpiece W has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an E-face We and a F-plane Wf are formed to face each other in the longitudinal direction, and A side Wa, B surface Wb, C surface Wc, and D surface Wd are sequentially formed as side surfaces adjacent thereto. 4 faces. Further, the direction orthogonal to the A surface Wa is configured to be the flattest. That is, the interval between the A face Wa and the C face Wc facing each other is formed to be smaller than the interval between the B face Wb and the D face Wd which are orthogonal to each other and face each other. Further, between the side of the Wa side of the A side and the side of the C surface Wc opposed thereto, the shape, the reflectance, the color, and the like are different, so that they can be easily distinguished. The A face Wa is also referred to as a specific face hereinafter, and is used as a reference for performing posture change. In addition, three opening portions W1 to W1 are formed in the D surface Wd, and when the A surface Wa side of the specific surface is located on the upper side or the lower side, the opening portion is continuously opened in the vertical direction.

In this manner, the workpiece W is formed such that the A side Wa and the C side Wc facing each other among the four side faces, and the B side Wb and the D side Wd are respectively separable. do not. Therefore, when transporting the workpiece W, it is important to correspond to which of the front-back direction or the up-and-down direction with respect to the conveyance direction. In this case, as an example, the A surface Wa of the specific surface abuts against the conveying surface 32a, and the posture of the F surface Wf toward the front in the conveying direction is used as a reference, and the direction is referred to as a positive direction, and the remaining directions are referred to as a different direction. .

The workpiece supply device 1 of the present embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is configured such that the posture of the workpiece W is restricted to the positive direction and is aligned.

First, the workpiece W is conveyed from the storage portion 31 along the conveyance path 32, so that the longitudinal direction of the workpiece 9 is aligned in the conveyance direction. In other words, either one of the E surface We and the F surface Wf (see FIG. 3) of the workpiece W is the front side in the conveyance direction, and the other is the direction on the rear side. Further, the flattest direction is oriented in a direction orthogonal to the conveying surface 32a. In other words, one of the A surface Wa and the C surface Wc of the workpiece W is brought into contact with the conveying surface 32a. Hereinafter, the direction orthogonal to the A surface Wa and the C surface Wc is referred to as the flat direction of the workpiece.

The direction of the workpiece W described above is the most stable posture of the workpiece W during the conveyance process. However, in order to improve the supply efficiency in the correct posture, various means can be applied. For example, the means for locally narrowing the width of the transport path 32, or the means for setting the height difference in the middle, or the workpiece W directed to different directions only for the longitudinal direction and the transport direction, are set at the position where the air can be hit. Air ejection means, etc., can be suitably used.

In the state in which the direction of the workpiece W is uniform to a certain extent by the above-described means, in principle, one of the E-face We and the F-face Wf (see FIG. 3) faces the front side in the conveyance direction, and the A-side Wa and the C-face Wc one of The person will abut the transport surface 32a. On the premise of the state, the first posture converting unit R1 and the second posture converting unit R2 rotate the workpiece W in a direction parallel to the appropriate conveying direction (X direction in the drawing) while detecting the posture of the workpiece W. The posture change is performed so that the A surface Wa of the specific surface can be uniformly brought into contact with the conveyance surface 32a. In such a workpiece W posture detection, a detection means using a photodetector or an image processing means based on imaging may be used, and in the posture change, a means for causing compressed air to be ejected from the side of the workpiece 9 may be used. Wait.

As a vertical axis posture changing unit which is an important part of the invention, the third posture converting unit R3 includes a penetrating photodetector 6 provided at the detecting position 6x for detecting the workpiece W as described above. And the acceleration means 4; and the posture changing means 5 to rotate the workpiece W to the axis perpendicular to the conveyance direction; and the control unit 8 to operate the above; and to specify each of the above on the conveyance path 32 Position to constitute.

Further, the specific configuration is such that the acceleration means 4 is provided by the acceleration air discharge unit 41, the conveyance path 32, and the first air supply source 43 for supplying compressed air, and the first electromagnetic valve 42 for switching the acceleration. The air ejecting portion 41 and the first air supply source 43 are connected or disconnected; Further, the posture changing means 5 is provided with the posture changing air ejection portion 51 provided in the conveyance path 32, and the second air supply source 53 to supply compressed air, and the second electromagnetic valve 52 to switch the posture change air. The communication portion 51 and the second air supply source 53 are connected or disconnected; Here, the first air supply source 43 and the second air supply source 53 are capable of independently finely adjusting the compressed air supplied thereto. Although it is configured to be separated, it may be configured as the same air supply source in order to simplify the configuration of the device.

Further, according to the workpiece detection signal of the detecting means 6, the control unit 8 sends a control signal to the first electromagnetic valve 42 and the second electromagnetic valve 52, and the first electromagnetic valve 42 and the second electromagnetic valve 52 are configured to be respectively configured. Switch the above connected or non-connected state. That is, the control unit 8 is configured to control the operation of the acceleration means 4 and the operation of the posture changing means 5 in accordance with the workpiece detection signal of the detecting means 6.

After the first to third posture changing portions R1 to R3 which are formed along the conveyance path 32 as described above, in order to check whether or not the workpiece W is in the forward direction posture and exclude the workpiece W in the different direction, the first inspection and exclusion are set. Part E1, third inspection and elimination unit E3, and second inspection and elimination unit E2. The first to third inspection and elimination units E1 to E3 detect the posture of the workpiece W corresponding to the first to third posture changing units R1 to R3, respectively. If the posture is not in the predetermined posture, the air is directed from the side wall 32b side. The inside is ejected, and the workpiece W is removed from the conveyance path 32 and returned to the storage portion 31.

In the following, the third posture changing unit R3, which is a vertical axis posture changing unit which is an important part of the present invention, will be described in detail with respect to the acceleration means 4, the posture changing means 5, and the detecting means 6. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the third posture changing unit R3 as viewed from the upper side of the inner circumference side of the bowl 3, and the positional relationship of each unit will be described using the drawing.

A part of the conveyance path 32 formed in the bowl 3 is formed with a cut-out notch 33 on both the conveyance surface 32a and the side wall 32b, and is provided with an additional member, that is, a flat-shaped conveyance surface flat plate 71 and a side wall block 72, Accommodate The notch portion 33. Specifically, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6, the transport surface flat plate 71 is provided on the installation surface 33a formed on the cutout portion 33, and the side wall block 72 is provided on the upper portion of the transport surface flat plate 71. Moreover, referring back to FIG. 4, the upper surface 71a of the conveyance surface flat plate 71 and the conveyance surface 32a formed in the bowl 3 are provided in the smooth connection without the height difference of the upstream side and the downstream side, and they are integrated. One conveying surface 32a is formed. Similarly, the side surface 72b of the side wall block 72 and the side wall 32b formed in the bowl 3 are provided so as to be smoothly connected without any difference in height between the upstream side and the downstream side, and they are integrally formed to constitute one side wall 32b.

Further, as shown in the model of FIG. 5, the climbing gradient θ1 of the conveying surface 71a (32a) formed on the conveying surface flat plate 71 is configured to be gentler than the climbing gradient θ0 of the bowl 3 before and after the conveying surface flat plate 71. In this manner, the workpiece W conveyed from the upstream side along the conveyance path 32 increases the speed on the conveyance surface flat plate 71, and even when a plurality of workpieces W are conveyed to the detection position 6x in an approaching state, Temporarily, they are separated on the conveyance surface flat plate 71 in the conveyance direction, and an effect of facilitating the detection of the workpiece or the posture change described later is exhibited. In addition, in order to isolate the workpiece W on the conveyance surface flat plate 71 as described above, it is only necessary to make the climb gradient θ1 of the conveyance surface flat plate 71 gentle with respect to the upstream side, but it is not necessary to reduce the conveyance speed of the entire conveyance path 32. In addition, it is preferable that the climbing gradient of the conveying surface 32a is made the same as possible, so that the upstream side and the downstream side of the conveying surface plate 71 are formed in the same climbing gradient in advance, and the climbing gradient of the conveying surface plate 71 is formed with respect to them. More gentle is appropriate. Further, from the viewpoint of easiness of production, the upstream side and the downstream side are formed to have almost the same climbing gradient. It can be said that it is ideal.

The conveyance surface flat plate 71 is formed with a long hole 71b corresponding to the position of the workpiece W passing through the conveyance path 32, and its longitudinal direction is disposed in the conveyance direction of the workpiece W. As shown in FIG. 6, an opening hole 33b is formed in the notch portion 33 of the bowl 3 at a position corresponding to the long hole 71b. The light-emitting portion 61 is disposed on the lower side and the light-receiving portion 62 is disposed on the lower side of the long hole 71b, the opening hole 33b, and the conveyance path 32, and the light-emitting portion 61 and the light-receiving portion 62 are formed one by one. Penetrating photo-electrical sensor. The light projecting portion 61 is inclined on the outer circumferential surface of the bowl 3, and the light receiving portion 62 is obliquely provided on the side wall block 72. Both of them are connected to a controller (not shown), and a detection signal is transmitted through the controller. The light projecting portion 61 emits detection light that is slightly perpendicular to the conveyance surface 32a through the opening hole 33b and the long hole 71b, and the light receiving portion 62 detects the detection light, and changes the detection signal according to the ratio of the workpiece W to block the detection signal. Output.

Referring back to FIG. 4, the accelerating air ejecting portion 41 constituting the accelerating means 4 is configured as an air nozzle, and is fixed to the bowl 3 through the support block 44. The air nozzle 41 has a tip end injection hole 41a disposed so as to be rearward in the conveyance direction of the workpiece W located near the detection position 6x, from which compressed air is discharged to give a pressure to the workpiece W from the rear, and can be temporarily accelerated toward the front. A communication hole (not shown) is formed in the support block 44 to introduce compressed air into the air nozzle 41, and is connected to the first electromagnetic valve 42 (see Fig. 1).

Further, the posture changing air ejection portion 51 constituting the posture changing means 5 is configured as an air ejection hole and is provided near the detection position 6x. The side wall 32b of the transport path 32, that is, the side surface 72a of the side wall block 72. Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view through which the air ejection hole 51 passes. The air ejection hole 51 is formed in a direction orthogonal to the side surface 72b of the side wall block 72, and a communication hole 72a provided inside the side wall block 72 is connected to the air ejection hole 51. Further, the communication hole 72a can introduce the compressed air Ac from the second electromagnetic valve 52 (see FIG. 1) through the joint 54 and the internal space 54a. As shown in FIG. 4, the air ejection hole 51 is slightly behind the long hole 72 for detecting the workpiece W, and is disposed in the following positional relationship: when the workpiece W reaches the position where the long hole 72 is shielded, When the compressed air is ejected from the air ejection hole 51, the compressed air will hit the rear of the workpiece W in the conveying direction, and the rear portion of the workpiece W may be directed forward, to be perpendicular to the conveying direction, more specifically perpendicular to The shaft of the conveying surface 32a is rotated.

Here, the detection signal obtained by the penetration type photodetector 6 for detecting the workpiece W described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6 will be described. As described above, the light projecting unit 61 emits detection light through the long hole 71b that is opened in the conveyance surface flat plate 71, and the detection light is captured by the light receiving unit 62, and is transmitted through a controller (not shown) in accordance with the detected light. The output is emitted by the amount of light. That is, as shown in the model of Fig. 8, the area opened by the long hole 71b is the workpiece detection area LA described above, and it is possible to determine whether or not the workpiece W exists at the detection position 6x in accordance with the ratio in which the workpiece W exists in the area. And its direction.

As described above, when the workpiece W reaches the detection position 6x, the longitudinal direction of the workpiece W becomes the conveyance direction (X direction), and the A side of the specific surface Wa (see FIG. 3) will be in a direction in which it contacts the conveyance surface 32a. Therefore, one of the B surface Wb and the D surface Wd of the workpiece W abuts against the side wall 32b, and the other side becomes the opposite side. In the two directions, as shown in FIG. 8(a), when the D surface Wd in which the opening W1 is formed is in contact with the side wall 32b, it is a positive direction, and as shown in FIG. 8(b), the B surface Wb. When it abuts against the side wall 32b, it is an opposite direction.

With respect to the workpiece detecting area LA formed by the long hole 71b, when the workpiece W is not present in the dry position, a detection signal corresponding to a high level of the entire area of the workpiece detecting area LA is emitted. As shown in FIG. 8(a), when the workpiece W is in the positive direction and exists in the detection position 6x, the positional relationship becomes such that the workpiece detection area LA overlaps with the partial area of the opening W1, so that the light projecting section 31 is received by the light projecting section 31. In the portion 32 (see Fig. 6), only a part of the detection light arrives, and a detection signal corresponding to the level of the light amount is emitted. Further, as shown in FIG. 8(b), when the workpiece W exists in the different direction in the detection position 6x, the positional relationship becomes such that the entire area of the workpiece detection area LA is shielded by the workpiece W, so that it is reached from the light projecting portion 31. The light receiving unit 32 (see FIG. 6) has almost no light amount, and a low level detection signal is emitted.

The positional relationship between the workpiece detection area LA and the opening W1 of the workpiece W is such that the above-described detection signal output level change can be obtained. Therefore, as the workpiece W is conveyed, it has the upper sections as shown in Figs. 9(a) and (b). The output changes shown. 9(a) and 9(b) are diagrams showing changes in the sensor detection signal and the first solenoid valve 42 and the second accompanying sensor W when the workpiece W passes through the sensor detection area LA in the forward direction or the different direction. Solenoid valve 52 The model diagram is shown in Figure 1). The control unit 8 (see FIG. 1) stores the two threshold values Lt1 and Lt2 therein, and performs the presence or absence of the workpiece W at the detection position 6x based on the magnitude relationship of the detection signals with respect to the threshold values Lt1 and Lt2. In the direction/differential posture determination, the first electromagnetic valve 42 and the second electromagnetic valve 52 (see FIG. 1) are operated.

First, with reference to Fig. 9(a), the detection signal change when the workpiece W passes through the workpiece detection area LA in the forward direction will be described, and the operation of each of the electromagnetic valves 42, 52 (see Fig. 1) by the control unit 8 will be described.

When the workpiece W does not exist in the range of the workpiece detection area LA, the amount of detection light reaching from the light projecting section 61 to the light receiving section 62 is almost the maximum value, so that the detection signal of the high level L1 corresponding thereto is output. At this time, since the detection signal is not in the state of the thresholds Lt1 and Lt2, it is determined that the workpiece W does not exist at the detection position 6x.

From this state, when the workpiece W passes through the workpiece detecting area LA at a constant speed, the detection signal changes as shown. When the workpiece W approaches the workpiece detection area LA, the detection light is gradually blocked, and the level of the detection signal is lowered. Then, at a point where the center of the workpiece detection area LA overlaps with the center position of the workpiece W in the conveyance direction, the portion of the detection light passes through the opening portion W1, and the rest is shielded, so that the detection signal is lowered to the middle level L2. Then, as the workpiece W is transported, the amount of detected light is gradually recovered, and when the workpiece W leaves the workpiece detecting area LA, the detection signal is restored to the high level L1.

The first threshold value Lt1 is set to be large with respect to the above-described middle level L2, and the second threshold value Lt2 is set to be small. In terms of control, the condition is set as the slave detection When the signal is lower than the first threshold value Lt1, the time T1 is elapsed while the state is maintained, and it is determined that the workpiece W exists in the detection position 6x and is in the positive direction posture. When the detection signal returns to the level above the first threshold Lt1 or more during the period from the time T1 elapses, it is determined that the workpiece W does not exist at the detection position 6x.

When it is determined that the workpiece W exists in the detection position 6x and is in the positive direction posture, the first electromagnetic valve 42 (refer to FIG. 1) is opened, that is, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the compressed air Ac is ejected from the air nozzle 41. The workpiece W located at the detection position 6x is temporarily accelerated, and is moved forward in the conveyance direction along the conveyance surface 32a and the side wall 32b, and is moved away from the subsequent workpiece W. Next, as shown in FIG. 9(a), after the elapse of time Tc1, the first electromagnetic valve 42 is closed and the discharge of the compressed air Ac is stopped.

In this way, if the workpiece W is caused by the ejection of the compressed air Ac for acceleration, the workpiece W will be quickly detached from the workpiece detection area LA at the time when the compressed air Ac is ejected, so the actual detection signal waveform is shown in the figure. As shown in the P1 line segment, it will change rapidly to the high level L1.

Next, the detection signal change when the workpiece W passes through the workpiece detection area LA in the different direction will be described with reference to FIG. 9(b), and the operation of each of the electromagnetic valves 42, 52 (see FIG. 1) by the control unit 8 will be described.

When the workpiece W does not exist in the range of the workpiece detection area LA, the detection signal of the high level L1 is output. From this state, when the workpiece W passes through the workpiece detecting area LA at a constant speed, the detection signal changes as shown. When the workpiece W approaches the workpiece detection area LA, the detection light is blocked The level of the detection signal will decrease. Then, at the point where the center of the workpiece detection area LA coincides with the center position of the conveyance direction of the workpiece W, the detection light is almost completely blocked, and the detection signal is lowered to the low level L0. Then, as the workpiece W is transported, the amount of detected light is gradually recovered, and when the workpiece W leaves the workpiece detecting area LA, the detection signal is restored to the high level L1.

The first threshold LT1 and the second threshold Lt2 are both set to be much larger than the above-described lowest level L0. In the control, when the detection signal is lower than the second threshold Lt2, it is determined that the workpiece W exists at the detection position 6x and is in a different direction. Immediately thereafter, the second electromagnetic valve 52 (see FIG. 1) is opened, that is, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the compressed air Ac is ejected from the air ejection hole 51 at the rear portion of the workpiece W in the conveyance direction, so that the workpiece W is kept in the conveyance. The surface 32a is rotated forward from the rear portion in the conveyance direction toward the conveyance direction and on the axis perpendicular to the conveyance direction (the Y-axis in the drawing). Next, as shown in FIG. 9(b), after the elapse of time Tc2, the second electromagnetic valve 52 is closed and the discharge of the compressed air Ac is stopped.

In this way, if the workpiece W is caused by the ejection of the compressed air Ac for the posture change, the workpiece W will be quickly separated from the workpiece detection area LA at the time when the compressed air Ac is ejected, so the actual detection signal waveform is In the figure, as shown by the P2 line segment, it will rapidly change to the high level L1. Therefore, the time from the detection signal being lower than the first threshold value Lt1 to the time T2 until the first threshold value Lt1 or more is restored can be relatively short, and is much smaller than the above-described time T1. Therefore, even if the same detection signal is used, a complicated control program is not required, and it is possible to determine that the workpiece W is positive. The direction exists or exists in a different direction.

The acceleration means 4 and the posture changing means 5 for controlling the above-described posture changing unit R3 will be described again with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 10.

First, the control unit 8 (see FIG. 1) determines, as a first step, whether or not the sensor detection signal is less than the first threshold value Lt1 (ST1). When the first threshold value Lt1 is not reached, that is, the workpiece W does not exist in the detection position 6x, the workpiece W waits for the standby state of the workpiece W, and the determination is repeated.

When the sensor detection signal is less than the first threshold value Lt1, it is determined whether or not the time T1 has elapsed from the state (ST2). When the time T1 has elapsed, it is determined that the workpiece W exists in the positive direction at the detection position 6x, and jumps to the right side of the figure, so that the first electromagnetic valve 42 (refer to FIG. 1) is turned on (ST7), waiting for a certain period of time. After the time Tc1 (ST8), the first electromagnetic valve is closed (ST9), whereby a series of operations is completed.

When it is determined that the time T1 has not elapsed in the determination step (ST2) of the above-described time T1, the process proceeds to a step (ST3) of determining that the sensor detection signal is less than the second threshold value Lt2. Here, when it is not less than the second threshold value Lt2, it is returned to the determination step (ST2) of the elapsed time T1. When the second threshold value Lt2 is not satisfied, it is determined that the workpiece W exists in the detection position 6x in the different direction, and jumps to the lower step in the figure, and the second electromagnetic valve 52 (refer to FIG. 1) is turned on (ST4), and waits After a certain period of time Tc2 (ST5) has elapsed, the second electromagnetic valve is closed (ST6), whereby a series of operations is completed.

The control unit 8 (see FIG. 1) is configured to include the following processes. Although one control program is shown, it may be configured to perform the same operation only by a combination of a relay circuit or a timer circuit. Further, the controller for operating the transmissive photodetector 6 and outputting the detection signal may be included as a function of the control unit 8.

The workpiece supply device 1 configured as described above can be used as follows. Description will be made based on Fig. 1 .

First, the workpiece W to be supplied is loaded into the storage unit 31, and a voltage of a predetermined frequency is applied to the vibrator unit 2 (see FIG. 2). As a result, vibration is generated in the bowl 3 including the components in the vertical direction and the torsional direction. The vibration of the workpiece W in the storage portion 31 moves in the outer circumferential direction of the bowl 3, and enters the conveyance path 32 along the conveyance. Path 32 begins to be carried.

When the workpiece W advances on the conveyance path 32, the posture thereof is corrected so that the longitudinal direction becomes the direction in which the conveyance direction coincides, and the flat direction becomes the direction perpendicular to the conveyance surface 32a. By the first posture converting unit R1 and the second posture converting unit R2, the workpiece W is unified in the direction in which the A surface Wa (see FIG. 3) abuts on the conveying surface 32a. When these functions are all correctly operated, in this state, there are two cases in which the side wall 32b abuts against the D surface Wd and the opposite direction to the B surface Wb.

When the workpiece W reaches the detection position 6x of the third posture conversion unit R3, the climb gradient of the conveyance surface flat plate 71 (see FIG. 5) is set to be gentler than the upstream side, and the workpiece W is isolated from the subsequent one. State.

In addition, at the detection position 6x, when the workpiece W is in the positive direction, The detection signal of the middle level L2 is emitted by the penetrating photodetector 6. According to the detection signal, specifically, when the detection signal is lower than the first threshold value Lt1 and the time T1 elapses from the state (see FIG. 9), the control unit 8 determines that the workpiece W exists in the positive direction at the detection position. 6x, during the elapse of time Tc1, the first solenoid valve 42 is commanded to open. As a result, the compressed air from the first air supply source 42 is ejected from the air nozzle 41 as the accelerating air ejecting portion in a short time, and the workpiece W is temporarily accelerated. At this time, the climbing gradient of the conveyance surface flat plate 71 (see FIG. 5) is relatively gentle, and by the effect thereof, the compressed air Ac can be appropriately injected to the rear surface of the workpiece W, and can be efficiently accelerated. It is isolated from the subsequent workpiece W. In this manner, the workpiece W in the forward direction is temporarily accelerated, whereby the workpiece W can be largely isolated from the subsequent workpiece W, and a space can be obtained for the subsequent workpiece W to rotate in a different direction.

At the detection position 6x, when the workpiece W is in a different direction, the detection signal of the low level L0 is emitted by the penetrating photodetector 6. According to the detection signal, specifically, under the condition that the detection signal is lower than the second threshold value Lt2 (see FIG. 9), the control unit 8 determines that the workpiece W exists in the different direction at the detection position 6x, and elapses from the time Tc2. During this period, an instruction to open the second solenoid valve 52 is issued. As a result, the compressed air from the second air supply source 52 is ejected from the air ejection hole 51 in a short time, and the rear portion of the workpiece W in the conveyance direction is rotated forward in the conveyance direction. At this time, the climbing gradient of the conveyance surface flat plate 71 (refer to FIG. 5) is relatively gentle, and by the effect thereof, it does not follow the subsequent workpiece W when rotated. The dryness is performed, and the posture change can be smoothly performed so as to be in an isolated state from the subsequent workpiece W. Further, the workpiece W that has passed through the detection position 6x first moves forward due to the acceleration means 4 in the positive direction, and moves forward as the posture changing means 5 rotates in the opposite direction; Furthermore, there is also a effect that the climbing gradient of the transporting surface plate 71 (refer to FIG. 5) is relatively gentle. When the two effects are multiplied, the distance is further enlarged, and the space can be formed at the rear regardless of the posture. For subsequent workpiece W rotation. Therefore, when the workpiece W in the different direction is to be changed in posture, the workpiece W does not overlap with the workpiece W in the front direction, and the posture can be appropriately changed to become the positive direction.

As described above, the workpieces W of the third posture changing unit R3 are detected by the first to third inspection and elimination units E1 to E3, and whether or not they are in a predetermined posture, and if the posture is determined to be different, the conveyance path is determined. 32 is excluded and returned to the storage portion 31. By the first to third inspection and elimination units E1 to E3, it is confirmed that the workpiece W having the predetermined forward posture is supplied to the supply portion.

As described above, the workpiece supply device 1 of the present embodiment belongs to the workpiece supply device 1 that transports the workpiece W to the supply path along the conveyance path 32, and includes the detection means 6 that is set in the conveyance path. The detection position 6x of 32 detects the state in which the workpiece W exists in the positive direction and the state in which the workpiece W exists in the different direction, and outputs detection signals corresponding to the respective states; and the acceleration means 4 is provided in the above detection The workpiece W is temporarily accelerated near the position 6x, and the posture changing means 5 is provided near the detection position 6x to transport the workpiece W. The rear portion is moved forward in the conveying direction, and is rotated by a shaft perpendicular to the conveying direction to thereby change the posture of the workpiece W. The control unit 8 controls the acceleration means 4 and the posture changing means 5, and the control unit 8 is configured. In accordance with the detection signal of the detecting means 6, the acceleration means 4 and the posture changing means 5 are controlled, whereby when the workpiece W that reaches the predetermined detection position 6x is in the positive direction, the workpiece W is accelerated. When the direction is different, the workpiece W posture is changed.

According to this configuration, it is possible to detect whether or not the workpiece W has reached the predetermined detection position 6x and the posture at this time, and the workpiece W in the different direction is rotated forward in the conveyance direction so as to be forwardly shifted in the forward direction, and the subsequent workpiece is changed. W is isolated, and the workpiece W for the positive direction is accelerated to be isolated from the subsequent workpiece W. In this way, when the workpiece W in the different direction is changed in posture, it is possible to ensure that there is always room for the rotation of the workpiece W. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the workpieces W from overlapping each other and efficiently perform the posture change, and the workpiece W can be raised in the positive direction. Supply efficiency when supplied in a row.

Further, the detecting means 6 is a single sensor, and outputs the detection signal at a high level L1 corresponding to a state in which the workpiece W does not exist in the detection position 6x; and a state in which the workpiece W exists in a positive direction, and In the state in which the different directions exist, the detection signals are respectively output at the corresponding levels, thereby making the same detection signal at least three different according to the state of the workpiece W, such as the high level L1, the low level L0, and the middle level L2. The output level is changed and outputted; and the control unit 8 is configured to determine the state corresponding to the detection signal of the middle level L2. After it is recognized that the level L2 has been reached, the middle level L2 is maintained and a certain time T1 is passed as a condition; and when the state corresponding to the low level L0 is determined, only the condition that the level L0 has been reached is recognized as a condition, The output of the single sensor 6 can be used to determine the three states and can be easily controlled, and the device cost can be reduced, and since the state corresponding to the level L2 is determined, it is based on the lapse of a certain time T1. Therefore, it is not confused with the state corresponding to the low level L0, and the state of the workpiece W can be accurately determined to be appropriately operated.

Further, the detecting means 6 is a transmissive photodetector including the light projecting unit 61 and the light receiving unit 62, and the signal corresponding to the amount of light detected by the light receiving unit 62 is output as the detection signal. The light portion 61 and the light receiving portion 62 are disposed to face each other with the conveyance path 32 of the workpiece W interposed therebetween, and the workpiece W passing through the conveyance path 32 is configured to reach the light receiving portion 62 from the light projecting portion 61. At least a part of the detection light is shielded, so that the detection signal of the output level change can be obtained in accordance with the position and shape of the workpiece W, and the above configuration can be easily realized.

Further, when the workpiece W has the specific surface Wa disposed on the lower side or the upper side, an opening portion W1 that opens upward and downward is formed on one of the two side surfaces facing each other, and the light projecting portion 61 and the light receiving portion 62 are formed. The positional relationship is such that when the specific surface Wa abuts on the conveyance surface 32a and the workpiece W reaches the detection position 6x in the forward direction, a part of the detection light from the light projection unit 61 The light receiving portion 62 is passed through the opening portion W1, and the specific surface Wa is brought into contact with the conveying surface 32a, and reaches the detecting position 6x in a different direction. When the detection light from the light projecting unit 61 is almost completely shielded from the light receiving unit 62, the light projecting unit 61 and the light receiving unit 62 are disposed such that a part of the detection light passes through the side of the workpiece W. The positional relationship of the one opening portion W1 allows the detection signal of the output level change to be favorably obtained in accordance with the direction of the workpiece W.

The acceleration means 4 includes an acceleration air discharge unit 41 that discharges the compressed air Ac from the rear of the conveyance direction toward the front side of the workpiece W at the detection position 6x, and the compressed air Ac by the first air supply source 43; The first electromagnetic valve 42 switches between a communication state and a non-communication state between the acceleration air ejection portion 41 and the first air supply source 42. The posture changing device 5 includes a posture change air ejection portion 51 provided on the conveying surface. 32a is slightly orthogonal to the side wall 32b side, and the compressed air Ac is discharged to the rear side surface of the workpiece W at the detection position 6x; and the second air supply source 53 supplies the compressed air Ac; and the second electromagnetic valve 52 to switch the posture Since the switching air blowing unit 51 and the second air supply source 53 are in a communication or non-communication state, the acceleration means 4 and the posture changing means 5 can be realized by a simple configuration using the compressed air Ac and the electromagnetic valves 42 and 52. Moreover, the control can be performed with high precision and goodness, so that the workpiece W can be subjected to a desired acceleration or posture changing operation.

The climb gradient θ1 of the conveyance path 32a in the vicinity of the detection position 6x is set to be gentler than the climb gradient θ0 of the conveyance path 32a on the upstream side in the conveyance direction from the vicinity of the detection position 6x, so that the detection position 6x is In the vicinity, the conveyance speed of the workpiece W increases, and the interval of the workpiece W that is continuously conveyed becomes large, and is not affected by the subsequent workpiece W. The sound is changed, and the posture change or the acceleration action can be performed more correctly.

Further, the specific configuration of each unit is not limited to the above embodiment.

For example, the above-described embodiment is configured as a bowl-feed type workpiece supply device in which the movement path of the workpiece W is spiral, but a linear feed type supply device in which the conveyance path of the workpiece W is formed in a straight line may be employed.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, in order to change the posture of the workpiece W, the rear portion in the conveyance direction is rotated forward in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance surface 32a; however, the workpiece W posture or the supply target at the detection position 6x is reached. The posture may be such that the air ejection hole 51 as the posture-changing air ejection portion is provided on the conveying surface 32a, and is rotated about the axis perpendicular to the side wall 32b. Further, if both the conveyance surface 32a and the side wall 32b are provided in advance, and the workpiece W is used separately, it is possible to process the workpiece W of a different type by one workpiece supply device.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the penetrating photodetector 6 is used as the detecting means of the workpiece W. However, the reflective photodetector can also be used to obtain the detection signal which changes depending on the posture of the workpiece W. Use as appropriate. Moreover, the position of the workpiece W can be detected, and the posture can be detected by grasping the surface features of the workpiece W, and is not limited to the photodetector, even if a fiber sensor, a proximity sensor, or a laser sensor is used. Various sensors can be used to make the same composition. Furthermore, the imaging means and the image recognition processing may be combined as a detection means for the transmissive photodetector 6, and the same configuration may be applied.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the electromagnet 24 is used as the driving source for vibrating the vibrator portion 2. However, the driving source is not limited to this embodiment. For example, a piezoelectric element is attached to the surface of the leaf springs 23, 23, and a sinusoidal voltage is applied to the piezoelectric element to cause it to periodically elongate, whereby the vibrator stage 2 can also be vibrated.

The rest of the configuration can be variously modified without departing from the gist of the invention.

1‧‧‧ workpiece supply device

2‧‧‧ vibrator

3‧‧‧ bowl

4‧‧‧Acceleration means

5‧‧‧Vertical axis posture transformation unit (posture transformation means)

6‧‧‧Transmission type optical inductance detector (detection means)

8‧‧‧Control Department

32‧‧‧Transportation path

32a‧‧‧Transport surface

32b‧‧‧ side wall

41‧‧‧Air nozzle (acceleration air ejection unit)

41a‧‧‧Air venting holes

42‧‧‧1st solenoid valve

43‧‧‧1st air supply source

51‧‧‧Air ejection hole (air ejection unit for posture change)

52‧‧‧2nd solenoid valve

53‧‧‧2nd air supply source

61‧‧‧Projecting Department

62‧‧‧Receiving Department

Ac‧‧‧Compressed air

Low level of L0‧‧‧ (detection signal)

L1‧‧‧ (detection signal) high standard

L2‧‧‧ (detection signal) median

W‧‧‧Workpiece

W1‧‧‧ openings

X‧‧‧Transportation direction

Θ0‧‧‧ (the surface of the transport surface on the upstream side of the detection position)

Θ1‧‧‧ (measurement of the transport surface of the detection location)

Fig. 1 is a schematic model diagram showing a configuration of a workpiece supply device system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the main body portion of the workpiece supply device.

[Fig. 3] A schematic explanatory view of an example of a workpiece to be supplied to the workpiece supply device.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a vertical axis posture changing unit of the workpiece supply device.

Fig. 5 is a schematic side view showing the vertical axis system posture changing unit model of the workpiece supply device.

[Fig. 6] A cross-sectional view taken along the detection light passage path with the vertical axis posture posture changing portion of the workpiece supply device.

[Fig. 7] A cross-sectional view of the vertical axis system posture changing portion of the workpiece supply device taken along the passage of the compressed air.

Fig. 8 is a model diagram for explaining the operation of the vertical axis system posture changing unit of the workpiece supply device.

Fig. 9 is a schematic explanatory view showing the relationship between the detected waveform of the penetrating photodetector and the timing of each air ejection with the workpiece supply device.

Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing the control flow of the control unit of the workpiece supply device.

Fig. 11 is a model diagram of a vertical axis system posture changing unit of a conventional workpiece supply device.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a problem of a vertical axis system posture changing unit of a conventional workpiece supply device.

1‧‧‧ workpiece supply device

1a‧‧‧ Body Department

3‧‧‧ bowl

4‧‧‧Acceleration means

5‧‧‧Vertical axis posture transformation unit (posture transformation means)

6‧‧‧Transmission type optical inductance detector (detection means)

8‧‧‧Control Department

31‧‧‧Storage Department

32‧‧‧Transportation path

32a‧‧‧Transport surface

32b‧‧‧ side wall

41‧‧‧Air nozzle (acceleration air ejection unit)

42‧‧‧1st solenoid valve

43‧‧‧1st air supply source

51‧‧‧Air ejection hole (air ejection unit for posture change)

52‧‧‧2nd solenoid valve

53‧‧‧2nd air supply source

R1‧‧‧1st posture transformation unit

R2‧‧‧2nd posture transformation unit

R3‧‧‧3rd posture transformation unit

E1~E3‧‧‧1st to 3rd Inspection and Exclusion Department

W‧‧‧Workpiece

X‧‧‧Transportation direction

Claims (6)

A workpiece supply device is a workpiece supply device that transports a workpiece to a supply point along a conveyance path, and includes a detection means that detects a workpiece at a detection position set in the conveyance path a state in which the positive direction exists and a state in which the workpiece exists in an opposite direction, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to each of the states; an acceleration means is provided near the detection position to temporarily accelerate the workpiece; Provided in the vicinity of the detection position, the rear portion of the workpiece in the conveyance direction is forward in the conveyance direction, and rotated in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction to thereby change the posture of the workpiece; and the control unit controls the acceleration means and the posture changing means The control unit is configured to control the acceleration means and the posture changing means according to the detection signal of the detecting means, whereby when the workpiece reaching the predetermined detection position is in the positive direction, the workpiece is accelerated. When the direction is different, the posture of the workpiece is changed. The workpiece supply device of claim 1, wherein the detecting means is a single sensor, and the detecting signal is output at a low level or a high level corresponding to a state in which the workpiece does not exist in the detecting position; The detection signal is output at a corresponding level for the state in which the workpiece exists in the positive direction and the state existing in the different direction, thereby making the same detection signal high, low, and neutral according to the state of the workpiece. Wait for at least 3 different output levels to change and output them; And the control unit is configured to determine, in the state corresponding to the detection signal of the middle level, that after the level has been reached, the medium level is maintained and a certain time is passed as a condition; and the low level or In the state corresponding to the high level, it is only conditiond that the level has been reached. The workpiece supply device according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein the detecting means is a penetrating photodetector comprising a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit, and the signal corresponding to the amount of light detected by the light receiving unit is used as The light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion are disposed to face each other across a conveyance path of the workpiece, and the workpiece is conveyed from the light-projecting portion to the light-receiving portion. At least a portion of the detected light is shielded. The workpiece supply device according to claim 3, wherein when the workpiece has a specific surface disposed on the lower side or the upper side, an opening portion that opens upward and downward is formed on one of the two side surfaces facing each other, and the The light projecting unit and the light receiving unit are disposed in such a positional relationship that when the specific surface abuts on the conveyance surface and the workpiece reaches the detection position in the forward direction, the detection light from the light projecting unit A part of the light reaches the light receiving unit through the opening; and when the specific surface abuts on the transport surface and reaches the detection position in an outward direction, the detection light from the light projecting unit is in the light receiving unit. It will be almost completely obscured. The workpiece supply device of claim 4, wherein The acceleration means includes: an acceleration air ejecting unit that ejects compressed air toward the front from the conveyance direction to the workpiece at the detection position; and supplies compressed air to the first air supply source; and the first electromagnetic valve switches the a state in which the air ejecting portion and the first air supply source are in a non-communicating state, and the posture changing means includes: a posture changing air ejecting unit provided on a side wall side orthogonal to the conveying surface, and the detecting position a compressed air is blown from a rear side surface of the workpiece; a compressed air is supplied to the second air supply source; and a second electromagnetic valve is used to switch the communication or non-connected state between the posture change air discharge unit and the second air supply source. . The workpiece supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the climb gradient of the conveyance path in the vicinity of the detection position is at least a climb of the conveyance path on the upstream side in the conveyance direction from the vicinity of the detection position. The gradient is set to be gentler.