FR2695920A1 - Vibrating distributor for components - uses helical track located inside vibrating bowl to selectively deliver articles in a predetermined orientation - Google Patents

Abstract

The distributor has a carrying support (1) on which an open bowl (7) is mounted through an elastic system (8). A vibration generator (5) is positioned between the bowl and support. A helical track (24) is arranged inside the bowl to form a ramp leading from the base towards the open top. The bowl has an internal sidewall (22) with a vertical axis y-y' positioned above the floor (22) of the bowl. The helical track is located on the outside of this sidewall. Its high point leads onto a slideway exterior to the bowl. ADVANTAGE - Reduces problems of components jamming inside distributor.

Description

VIBRATING DEVICE FOR SELECTIVE DISTRIBUTION OF ELEMENTARY PARTS.

 The present invention relates to the field of presentation, at any pick-up station, of elementary parts, distributed one by one, while respecting a predetermined orientation as a function of the subsequent intervention phase which must intervene on each of the parts. elementary.

 In many fields, it is necessary, even imperative, to be able to present, at a fixed post, elementary parts, in the same predetermined orientation, so as to allow the continuous progress of an intervention phase on each of them. . This requirement is present in all automatic intervention processes, whether it is a manufacturing, assembly, assembly, processing, etc. process.

 The prior art has proposed several solutions to meet the above requirement and among these, one of them, more particularly suitable for elementary parts of small dimensions and bulk, consists in using means making it possible to sort, orient and route, individually, elementary pieces from a batch deposited in bulk.

 Among the solutions proposed, one of them consists in resorting to the intervention of a vibrating device in the form of a container or bowl, capable of containing the batch of elementary parts in bulk and capable, from vibrations applied to the parts. , to select them, to pre-orient them and to make them travel individually along a helical ramp leading them to a distribution station.

 Devices of this type generally include a base supporting the container by means of an elastic coupling system and a vibration generator. Such systems are widely known in the art and can involve different structures, all of which have the effect of applying oriented vibrations to the bowl.

 The container or bowl has an inverted cylindrical or frustoconical peripheral wall on the inner face of which is attached, formed or formed at least one helical inclination track rising from the bottom of the bowl to the top of the latter, from which a recovery of correctly oriented parts is ensured.

 Such devices certainly make it possible to respond at least in part to the problem posed, but experience limits of use and operation for the following reasons.

 The structure of such devices generally involves placing the vibration generator at the bottom of the bowl and coaxially with the axis of revolution of the wall of the latter. The generally flared or inverted frustoconical shape of the bowl means that the diameter of each turn of the track increases as it rises. n automatically results in a loss of control of the vibrations generated due to the increase in the radial distance between the axis of generation of the vibrations and the local part of the wall of the bowl supporting the track.

 As they ascend, the elementary parts are no longer subjected as effectively to the vibrations responsible for advancing them, maintaining their pre-orientation or possibly, ensuring their ejection in the event of incorrect orientation.

 Another drawback relating to the generally adopted structure lies in the flared shape which gives, to each turn considered, a diameter significantly greater than the immediately lower turn.

 This arrangement has the consequence that each elementary piece which, for whatever reason, is ejected from a turn, falls by gravity onto the elementary pieces of the immediately lower turn, disturbing their scheduling, their orientation, or even, causing the fall of 'some of these in the bottom of the bowl.

 The immediate consequence is of course, the resulting capacity limit for the device to supply the unit of time, a high and substantially constant number of elementary parts correctly oriented and presented.

 Another particularly important drawback of the selected structure lies in the so-called "closed" architecture which can qualify the helical track in the form of a ramp provided on the inner peripheral surface of the wall constituting the bowl.

 The consequence of such an arrangement, as can often be seen, is that an elementary part forming, for whatever reasons, a stop by jamming or stopping its path, introduced by the thrust of the elementary parts situated upstream in the direction progression, a tendency or a result directed radially outwards which leads to a jamming blocking the operation of the device despite the vibrations applied.

 The present invention aims to remedy the above drawbacks by proposing a new structure of a vibrating device for the selective distribution of pre-oriented elementary parts.

To achieve the above objectives, the vibrating device for the selective distribution of coins, of the type comprising a support base, a bowl open on the top and mounted on the base via an elastic system, a generator of oriented vibrations interposed between the base and the bowl and at least one track provided on the bowl to constitute a helical routing ramp rising from the base to the open top,
is characterized in that: - the bowl internally comprises at least one wall of revolution whose vertical axis
rises from the bottom of the bowl; - the wall is provided on its outer peripheral surface with at least one
ramp; - the ramp is connected in the upper part of the wall to a slide leading to
the outside of the bowl.

 Various other characteristics will emerge from the description given below with reference to the appended drawings which show, by way of nonlimiting examples, embodiments of the subject of the invention.

 Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a vibrating device according to the invention.

 Fig. 2 is an elevation illustrating more precisely the object of the invention.

 Fig. 3 is a plan view taken along the line ffi-III of FIG. 1.

 Figs. 4 to 6 are views similar to FIG. 2 illustrating three alternative embodiments of the same constituent element.

 Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation similar to FIG. 1 and illustrating a variant.

 Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation similar to FIGS. 1 and 7 but illustrating another alternative embodiment.

 Fig. 9 is a plan view taken substantially along the line Ix - IX of FIG. 8.

 Fig. 10 is a partial section taken substantially along the line X - X in FIG. 3.

 Fig. 1 shows a vibrating device for selective distribution of oriented elementary parts to be supplied to an automatic intervention station. Such a device comprises a solid base 1, capable of resting by feet and / or buffers 2 of damping nature on a support 3. The base 1 preferably delimits, from its top, a compartment 4 from the bottom of which s 'raises, on a reference axis x-x', a vibration generator 5 for example of the electromagnet type, capable of being supplied from a connection socket 6 opening for example on the outer periphery of the base 1.

 The base 1 supports a container 7 intended to receive a bulk batch of elementary parts to be distributed selectively at an intervention station. The container 7 is normally carried by the base 1 by a system 8 of elastic coupling, involving bars 9 in the form of inclined blades having the same orientation and connecting the base 1 to the container 7, allowing to remain, in the illustrated embodiment , a gap or a small gap between the generator S and a counter-mass 10 carried or formed by the bottom of the container 7.

 According to the invention, the container 7 is constituted by a bowl 20 preferably, of generally cylindrical shape with an axis y-y ', coaxial with the axis x-x'. The bowl 20 has a bottom 21 which forms or comprises the counterpart 10 complementary to the electromagnet 5.

 According to the invention, the bowl 20 has internally and rising from the bottom 21, a wall 22 of revolution whose vertical axis coincides with the alignment of the axes y- y 'and x-x'. In the exemplary embodiment, the wall 22 is of cylindrical shape and can be made in any suitable way and of any material and possibly include a closed top. It should be considered that the wall 22 could be replaced by a body of the same shape and massive. Preferably, the wall 22 is removably mounted on the bottom 21 which is linked to the base 1 by the means 5 and 8 described above.

 According to a constructive arrangement of the invention, the wall 22 or the similar body has in its outer peripheral surface 23 at least one continuous helical track 24 originating from the bottom 21 to rise in an ascending spiral of slight inclination in the direction from the top 25 of the wall. Fig. 2 shows that the track 24 comprises a primer 26 developing in the top plane 21 to constitute an entry section from which the ascending spiral develops, the cross section of which is chosen, as is widely known in the art vibrating bowls, to be combined and correspond to that at least partial of the elementary pieces to be sorted, selected, oriented and distributed.

 It must of course be remembered that the external peripheral surface 23 may comprise several helical tracks 24 which are then all nested without crossing each other, developing over the entire height of the wall 22, in order to open on the top 25 in relation to a slide 27. As illustrated in fig. 3, the slide 27 terminates outside the bowl 20 to allow an appropriate connection with a conveyor 28 responsible for routing the elementary parts oriented towards the subsequent intervention station, not shown in the drawing.

 Fig. 3 shows that it may be advantageous, if necessary, to open the slide 27 in an annular track 29 responsible for driving the elementary parts towards the conveyor 28. Such an arrangement is particularly favorable when the wall 22 comprises several helical tracks 24 , as shown in fig. 3 showing, in phantom, the existence of three tracks each leading to an upper slide 27l, 272 and 273.

 The vibrating device described above has the particularity of delimiting, inside the bowl 20 and through the wall 22, an annular volume 30 defined at the bottom by the bottom 21 and intended to receive, as as temporary storage, the elementary parts dumped in bulk that should be sorted, selected, oriented and distributed.

 When such parts have been spilled, the generator 5 is supplied so as to subject the container 7 to oriented vibrations which have the effect of driving the elementary parts resting on the bottom 21 in a centripetal radial direction, so as to automatically cause the successive engagement of each piece in the inlet (s) 26 leading to the ramp (s) 24.

 The oriented vibrations then impose on the elementary parts an ascending path along the ramp (s) 24 until the arrival in the slide 27.

 Such a structural arrangement makes it possible, because of the relatively small radius of the wall 22 relative to the bowl 7, to have a more controlled application of the ordered vibrations, and, consequently, to more effectively control the selection of the elementary parts in the entry 26 and their progression along the track 24 which behaves like a lifting ramp up to the slide 27.

 A more precise pre-selection can therefore take place by controlling the vibrations generated which are applied more constantly than with known devices in which the central vibration generator must transmit vibrations to a peripheral wall relatively distant in radial distance.

 Another important element of the above structure resides in the fact that the volume 30 is of the annular type, which makes it possible to better distribute the elementary parts in a sheet less compact than the mass resulting from the spillage of a batch of parts. in the center of the bottom of a bowl of traditional structure in which the elevation track or tracks are formed on the internal surface of a peripheral wall.

 Furthermore, the delimitation of the track 24 at the external surface of the wall 22 makes it possible to have a structure angularly open towards the outside by considering an observer occupying the axis x-x'-y-y '.

 In this way, even if the effective length of the helical track 24 is occupied by the elementary parts, no risk of jamming or blocking can occur in the case where, for one reason or another, a part is immobilized. Indeed, in such a case, the pushing of the parts located upstream in the direction of progression, gives rise to a radial resultant directed towards the outside which causes the automatic evacuation of one or more of the elementary parts which fall naturally by gravity in the annular volume 30.

 Fig. 4 shows an alternative embodiment in which the wall 22 has an outer surface 231 in the form of a frustoconical volume, normally oriented so that the small base is directed upwards.

 Fig. 5 shows the same arrangement but from an inverted truncpyramidal surface 23, so that the small base is located in the plane of the bottom 21. Such an arrangement makes it possible, if necessary, to ensure the fall of the poorly oriented elementary parts or naturally discharged directly into the annular volume 30 without risk of interference on the elementary parts traveling along the immediately lower turn (s).

 Fig. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment according to which the external surface 233 represents a hyperboloidal volume of revolution centered on the axis y-y'-x-x '.

Such a surface 233 can of course also include one or more tracks 24.

 Fig. 7 shows a variant construction in which the bottom 21 comprises a central part 40 supporting the wall 22 while being linked to the base 1 as said previously. The bottom 21 also includes an annular part 41 carried directly by the base 1, with or without connection with the central part 40. The annular part is intended to receive the batch of pieces deposited in bulk and to be sorted and selected by the ramp or track 24 of wall 22.

 According to this variant, the bottom 21 also comprises an outer annular part 42 concentric and without contact with the part 41. The part 42 is linked to the base by an elastic coupling system 43 involving inclined blades 44 or, in a known manner, horizontal rods. The part 42 is also linked to the base 1 by at least one vibration generator which can be the same as the generator 5 or one or more different members 45. The annular part 42 supports, near its inner edge, a wall 46, for example cylindrical, tubular, coaxial with the wall 22 which it surrounds at a distance. The wall 46 comprises, on its outer peripheral surface, at least one helical track 47 of a type identical or different from that of the track 24. The part 42 is bordered by an envelope 48 which defines an annular reception volume capable of receiving on the part 42 a batch of loose parts to be selected by the track 47 which is subjected to its own vibrations.

 The same device thus involves two sorting, selection and distribution systems, both implementing a track provided according to the invention on the outer peripheral face of a load-bearing wall.

 When the part 42 is linked to the base by its own elastic coupling system, provision may be made to make it in such a way that it makes it possible to orient the track 47 in the opposite direction to the track 24 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

 It can also be envisaged to use a single vibration generator assigned to one of the coupling systems and indirectly transmitting vibrations by the base 1 to the other system.

 Fig. 8 shows that the means according to the invention can advantageously involve a combination of traditional structures by producing a device for the selective distribution of pre-oriented elementary parts comprising the wall 22 described above, as well as the bowl 20 which would then be designed or produced for include on its inner peripheral surface one or more tracks 50 terminating, as illustrated in FIG. 9, by a slide 51 in the track 29 into which also open the slide (s) 27. Could also be chosen to make a peripheral envelope include both an outer track and an inner track.

 Although this is not described, it is obvious that it is possible to provide, along the path of the track (s) 24, known means, capable of ensuring a control of orientation of the elementary parts or even a dimensional control. when necessary.

 The selection accuracy provided by the above structure makes it possible to envisage transferring, on the external segment of the ramp 24 and for example prior to the conveyor-conveyor 28, a dimensional calibration station 60 responsible for measuring the pieces suitably oriented for select and refuse those that present one or more measurements exceeding the parameters selected. In such a case, provision may be made to adapt, under or laterally to the calibration station 60, a conveyor or take-up belt 61 responsible for evacuating the discarded parts to an external circuit.

 The calibration station 60 may be located differently from the example shown in FIG. 3 and for example upstream of each branch between the slide 27 and the ramp 29.

 Figs. 3 and 10 show by way of example a calibration station 601 comprising a receptacle 62 of any suitable shape, adapted to the outside or inside of the bowl 20 which has, in relation to the receptacle, an opening 64 opening in the ramp 29. A feeler 65 is arranged in the ramp 29 for ejecting, in the direction of the arrow fi and through the opening 64, all the bodies which do not correspond to a simple elementary part. The ejected bodies are received in the receptacle 62 which is extended by a conduit 66 recycling said bodies inside the volume 30. To promote the separation of parts which remain linked to each other by their form factor, provision may be made in the receptacle a shock generator, such as a rotating mobile 70, placed on the path of the ejected bodies which are thus projected, either against the walls, or against a specific obstacle to cause their separation. A compressed air inlet 71 can also be provided to promote recycling of the separate parts and / or cause the mobile 70 to rotate.

 The invention is not limited to the examples described and shown since various modifications can be made thereto without departing from its scope.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS:  1 - Vibrating device for selective distribution of pre-oriented parts, of the type  comprising a support base (1), a bowl (7) open on the top and mounted on the  base via an elastic system (8), a vibration generator  oriented (5) interposed between the base and the bowl and at least one track (24) provided on  the bowl to form a helical path ramp rising from the base  upward open  characterized in that:  - the bowl has internally at least one wall of revolution  (22) whose vertical axis y-y 'rises from the bottom of the bowl (21),  - the wall is provided on its outer peripheral surface with at least  less one ramp (24),  - the ramp is connected in the upper part of the wall to a slide  (27) leading to the outside of the bowl.  2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall (22) defines a cylindrical volume.  3 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall defines a frustoconical volume.  4 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall defines a hyperboloidal volume of revolution.  5 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the bottom (21) supports several walls (22, 46) each provided with at least one helical track (24, 47).  6 - Device according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises an elastic coupling system (8, 43) and a vibration generator (5, 45) specific to each wall which is associated with a specific external annular bottom (41 , 42).  7 - Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the bottom (21) supports a wall having a track (50) formed on its inner face.  8 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each track passes, directly or indirectly, a calibration station (60) located externally or on the bowl.  9 - Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the calibration station (60) comprises a discharge window (64) opening above a receptacle (62) whose bottom is connected to a recirculation tube ( 66) opening in the bowl above the whipping tray.  10 - Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the calibration station internally comprises a shock generator (70) disposed upstream of a recirculation tube.