FR2673164A1 - Device for dispensing components from a bulk store - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for dispensing components (2) from a bulk store, comprising means (5, 8) for continuously circulating components along a closed circuit, including a plurality of channels (3) of widths matching the said components, capable of channelling the latter, a gripping device (10) equipped directly above each channel (3) with a hollow telescopic end (11) capable of being displaced between high and low positions in which it forms projections of different heights under the said gripping device, means for placing each telescopic end (11) under vacuum (reduced pressure) which are capable of giving rise to a displacement of the said ends from their low position towards their high position when the latter are closed off, and means for horizontal displacement of the gripping device (10) which are capable of displacing it between a seizing position above the channels (3) and a position of depositing the components.

Description

DEVICE FOR DISPENSING PARTS FROM A BULK
The invention relates to a device for distributing parts from a bulk and applies in particular to the distribution of small parts, with a view to feeding an automatic machine.

 The distribution of small parts from a bulk conventionally uses the vibrating bowl technique. A drawback of this technique lies in the fact that when a machine requires, during each operating cycle, a simultaneous dispensing of a plurality of products, it is regularly necessary to set up several vibrating bowls because, in practice, the number of outputs from these is limited. Because of this multiplication, the level of reliability obtained is indeed relatively low. In addition, this technique has proved unsuitable for the distribution of pieces of particular shapes having for example a tendency to become entangled with one another.

 The present invention aims to overcome these drawbacks and has the main objective of providing a distribution device allowing simultaneous distribution from a bulk, of several pieces, without theoretical limit of this number of pieces.

 Another objective is to provide a dispensing device for dispensing pieces of various shapes incompatible with the conventional dispensing technique by vibrating bowls.

To this end, the invention relates to a device for distributing parts from a bulk, characterized in that it comprises in combination
means for continuously circulating the coins according to a closed circuit, comprising a plurality of corridors of combined widths of said coins, capable of channeling the latter,
- A gripper associated with displacement means able to move it vertically above the corridors, said gripper being provided at the base of each corridor with a telescopic hollow endpiece capable of moving between high and low positions in which it forms protrusions of different heights under the gripper,
means for depressurizing each telescopic end piece capable of causing said end pieces to move from their low position to their high position when the latter are closed,
- And means for horizontal movement of the gripper capable of moving it between a position of taking over the corridors and a position of depositing the parts.

 The operating principle of such a device is as follows: when gripping, the gripper is positioned above the corridors. Each telescopic end piece takes hold of a part of the flow by vacuum, and its end being thus closed, rises in the high position, which makes it possible to isolate the part retained from the impact of the following. The number of parts that can be entered simultaneously during each operating cycle depends only on the number of telescopic end pieces and is therefore in no way limited. In addition, the shape of the parts can be arbitrary, the only condition being that they are capable of closing off the telescopic end piece.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, each telescopic end piece consists of a fixed tube integrated in the gripper and connected to the means for applying vacuum, and of a mobile tube capable of sliding externally on the fixed tube, said mobile tube being provided with a stop capable of limiting its downward movement.

 In addition, according to a preferred embodiment, the means for circulating the coins comprise a plurality of parallel grooves forming the corridors, a grooved cylinder associated with means for rotating and disposed at the entrance to the grooves, and a vibrating rail capable of ensuring continuous recycling of the parts between the exit from the corridors and the grooved cylinder.

 Furthermore, this dispensing device preferably comprises a ramp arranged above the corridors and provided with a blowing nozzle at the base of each of the aisles, adapted to slow the advancement of the parts before moving the gripper down. .

 This ramp allows, thanks to a blowing actuated a brief moment, to block the circulation thus creating a continuous line freed then in order to carry out the gripping. This continuous line thus guarantees the presence of a part opposite each of the end pieces.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, and with a view to removing the parts, the dispensing device comprises means for supplying fluid to the telescopic nozzles arranged to supply said nozzles after the depression has stopped.

 In addition, this device preferably comprises a receptacle for receiving the parts comprising housings of conjugate shapes of said parts arranged to be plumb with the telescopic end pieces in the position for removing the gripper, each of said housings being provided with a bottom. of a fluid passage connected to the means for placing under vacuum in order to maintain the parts in these housings.

 Furthermore, a vibrator is preferably arranged on the receptacle for receiving the parts and adapted to vibrate said receptacle horizontally when the parts are removed.

 In addition, the fluid supply means are advantageously adapted to supply each housing during the deposition of the parts and before the depression thereof, in order to create an air cushion in the bottom of said housing.

 Thus, after translation, the gripper deposits by stopping the vacuum then blowing, the non-oriented parts in the receptacle housings at the bottom of which an air cushion is produced. By means of a horizontal vibration and thanks to this air cushion, the rooms are then instantly oriented so as to conform to the shape of the housings. Therefore, a depression of these housings allows the use of parts for any subsequent operation.

 In view of this use, the dispensing device further comprises, preferably, longitudinal displacement means adapted to bring the receiving receptacle perpendicular to a tool for unloading said receptacle.

 In addition, it advantageously comprises aes means for centering the reception receptacle adapted to generate a 360 degree rotation of said receptacle during its longitudinal displacement.

 Thus, even if possibly, two entangled pieces for example, are gripped by the same telescopic end piece, the rotation of the receptacle makes it possible to eliminate the second piece.

Other characteristics, objects and advantages of the invention will emerge from the detailed description which follows with reference to the appended drawings which show by way of non-limiting example a preferred embodiment. On these drawings which form an integral part of this description:
- - Figure 1 is an overall side view along arrow A of a dispensing device according to the invention,
- Figure 2 is a top view,
FIG. 3 is a side view along arrow A on an enlarged scale and, with partial cutaway, showing the gripper and the means for circulating the parts of this device,
FIG. 4 is a front view thereof through a plane B, with partial cutaway,
FIG. 5 is a front view thereof through a plane C, with partial cutaway,
FIG. 6 is a partial side view thereof according to arrow D,
- And Figures 7a to 7m are diagrams illustrating the operation of a device according to the invention.

 The device shown in Figures 1 to 6 constitutes an anvil station comprising a unit for the simultaneous distribution, from a bulk, of anvils constituting one of the elements of a primer for cartridges. This device essentially consists of four sets of means for circulating and channeling the anvils, a gripper adapted to simultaneously grip several anvils, a receptacle provided with housings adapted to receive the seized anvils, and an anvil module.

The means for circulating and channeling the anvils comprise, firstly, a tank 1 of rectangular section intended to contain the bulk of anvils 2, this tank extending by a horizontal plane in which are formed a plurality of parallel grooves 3, in the example fourteen in number
At the entrance to these grooves 3 there is disposed a cylinder 4 provided with grooves 5 in the extension of said grooves. This cylinder 4 is driven in permanent rotation by means of a motor 6 and has the objective of channeling the anvils 2 in the grooves 3.

 In addition, a transverse wall 7 for retaining the parts, the lower end of which is at a distance from the bottom of the tank 1 adapted to allow the passage of a layer of anvils 2, is disposed in this tank near the cylinder. grooved 4.

 The actual placing of the anvils is ensured by a vibrating rail 8 forming a closed circuit with the tank 1 and ensuring recycling between the outlet of the grooves 3 and an opening made in said tank opposite said grooves.

 Finally, a ramp 9, comprising blowing nozzles perpendicular to each groove 3, is disposed above said grooves. This ramp 9 is supplied with compressed air and has the objective of creating an air blowing in each of the grooves 3 for a short time, so as to block the circulation of the anvils 2 and thus to create a continuous line then released in order to grip.

 This gripping is carried out by means of the second main assembly of the dispensing device, namely a gripper 1G adapted to simultaneously grip a row of anvils 2 aligned in the grooves 3.

 To this end, this gripper 1G comprises a plurality of telescopic end pieces 11 arranged so as to each come directly above a groove S.

 As shown in FIG. 3, this gripper comprises a body of rectangular parallelepiped shape having in the lower part a hollow internal volume 12 delimited by a horizontal lower wall 13.

Each telescopic end piece 11 comprises, for its part, firstly, a fixed tube 14 with a thin wall extending vertically in the hollow volume 12 of the gripper 10 and emerging at the level of the lower wall 13 of the latter.
Each end piece 11 further comprises a second movable tube 15 disposed so as to slide outwardly along the fixed tube 14 and arranged to come partially projecting under the bottom wall 13 of the gripper 10 through an orifice formed in the latter . This movable tube 15 is, moreover, provided with an external flange 16 intended to come into abutment on the lower wall 13 of the gripper 10, in order to limit the downward movement of said tube.

 The fixed tube 14 of each of these nozzles 11 is arranged to be connected either to a vacuum pump for the purpose of gripping and transporting the anvils 2, or after switching, to a source of compressed air for the purpose of removal of these anvils.

 Thus, during the gripping of an anvil 2, when the gripper 10 is at the base of the grooves 3, each movable tube 15 grasps by vacuum an anvil 2 of the flow and, its end being thus closed, this movable tube goes back to the high position, which isolates the part seized from the shock of the following. By cons, when removing the anvils 2, the vacuum is stopped and the latter are ejected by blowing.

 The gripping assembly also comprises means for vertical and transverse movement of the gripper 10 able to move it respectively, vertically in line with the grooves 3 for gripping the anvils 2, and transversely so as to bring it to plumb with the receptacle.

 To this end, this gripping assembly comprises a gantry 17 suspended from the rod of a vertical jack 18 whose body is fixed to a frame 19, the guiding of this gantry during its vertical movements being provided by two guide pins 20 extending over said gantry and sliding in guide bodies 21 integral with the frame 19.

 In addition, between the uprights of this gantry 17, is arranged a horizontal jack 22 on the rod of which is fixed a plate 23 on which is secured the end of a horizontal crosspiece 24 arranged to extend under this horizontal jack 22.

 The gripper 10 is carried by a support block 25 disposed towards the end of the crosspiece 24 opposite the plate 23, this support block further forming a guide body sliding along a rod horizontal guide 26 integral with the gantry 17.

 The vertical movements of the gripper 10 are therefore generated by the vertical jack 18 in a retracted position of the horizontal jack 22 corresponding to a position of said grip where the latter is in line with the grooves 3.

 The transverse displacements of p. gripper 10 are generated by the horizontal cylinder 22 in a retracted position of the vertical cylinder 18 and allow to translate this gripper between a gripping position above the grooves 3 and a depositing position above the receptacle for receiving parts seized.

 This reception receptacle, constituting the third set of the device according to the invention, comprises a shuttle 27 intended to transport the anvils 2 to the anvil module. This shuttle 27 comprises, firstly, a plurality of aligned housings 28, in example fourteen, arranged so as to be each plumb with a telescopic end piece 11 of the gripper 10 in the position of removal of the latter .

 Each of these housings 28 has a conjugate shape of the shape of the anvils 2 and has a bottom provided with a fluid passage arranged to be connected either to a source of compressed air for the removal of the anvils 2, or after switching, to a vacuum pump for the transport of these anvils.

 This shuttle 27 is, moreover, provided with a vibrator 29 adapted to make it vibrate horizontally during the removal of the anvils 2.

 Thus, during the removal of the anvils 2 in the housings 28 of the shuttle 27, an air cushion is formed in the bottom of these housings. By a horizontal vibration, and thanks to this air cushion, the anvils then orient themselves instantly with the tip down. When the blowing stops and the vacuum is put, they therefore fit perfectly in the housings 28 and can then be transferred to the anvil module, their maintenance being ensured by vacuum.

 Furthermore, this shuttle 27 is carried by means of a rotation shaft 30 in a support block 31 forming a yoke between the wings of which extends said shuttle. This rotation shaft 30 carries towards one of its ends a toothed wheel 32 arranged to cooperate with a horizontal rack 33 arranged longitudinally so as to cause a 360-degree rotation of the shuttle 27 during movements of the latter between the anvil module and the gripper 10.

 This rotation allows, on the one hand, if two anvils have been gripped simultaneously by the same tip 11, to eliminate the second anvil which is not held by vacuum and, on the other hand, as will be better understood further on, put the series of anvils to rest if an error is detected in the anvil module.

 The anvils 2 thus rejected during the rotation of the shuttle 27 are, in addition, received in a bucket 34 disposed below this shuttle.

 The longitudinal movements of the receiving receptacle are finally generated by a horizontal jack 35 on the rod of which the support block 31 of the shuttle 27 is fixed, and the body of which is secured to a fixed frame 36.

In addition, two guide axes 37 integral with the support block 31 and sliding in two guide bodies 38 integral with the frame 36, provide guidance during these movements.

 The anvil module is for its part intended to grip the anvils 2 arranged in the housings 20 of the shuttle 27, then to force-press these anvils into cells filled with a sensitive pyrotechnic composition and constituting cartridge primers.

 This anvil module comprises a plurality of aligned pneumatic vacuum grippers 48, in example fourteen, adapted to be each in line with a housing 28 of the shuttle 27.

 It firstly comprises a horizontal plate 39a on which are fixed two guide pins 40 sliding in guide bodies 41 integral with the support frame 19. In addition, this plate 39a is fixed to the rod of a vertical cylinder 42 whose body is integral with the support frame 19.

 The anvil module further comprises an anvil block 39b carrying the grippers 48. This anvil block 39b is disposed under the plate 39a and carried by the rod of two jacks 47 arranged vertically, the body of which is fixed on said deck.

 This module also comprises two fixed centering pins 43 arranged under the plate 39a and extending through openings made in the anvil block 39b so as to project under said block. These centering pins 43 are intended to come to cooperate with centering orifices 44 formed in a "vehicle" 45 carrying the cells. For the description of this vehicle 45, reference should be made to the patent application filed simultaneously with the present application by the applicant.

 The anvil module comprises, finally, two stops 46 projecting under the anvil block 39a and intended to press the vehicle 45 during the retraction of the main jack 42.

 It should be noted, moreover, that the anvil block 39b comprises a pneumatic control device making it possible to control the scrapping of a series of anvils, if an anvil 2 is missing in a housing 28 of the shuttle 27 or if an anvil 2 is incorrectly oriented in its housing 28.

 This control device consists of the generation of a pneumatic signal directed axially with respect to the row of grippers, this signal being authorized by an identical positioning of the fourteen grippers 48 at the same driving depth.

 The operation of the device according to the invention is explained below with reference to Figures 7a to 7m.

 First, the gripper 10 is brought into line with the grooves 3, the vertical cylinder 18 being retracted (FIG. 7a). After actuation of the blowing for a brief instant of the ramp 9, the jack 18 is deployed and the gripper 10 lowered above the anvils 2, the telescopic ends 11 being placed in depression (FIG. 7b). In contact with an anvil 2, each end piece It is closed and the movable tube 15 rises to the high position, isolating the part gripped from the impact of the following.

 After a time delay, the jack 18 is retracted and the horizontal jack 22 deployed so as to bring the gripper 10 to the right of the shuttle 27 (FIG. 7c). The anvils 2 are then released by stopping the vacuum then blowing and come to deposit with a correct orientation in the housings 28 of the shuttle 27 thanks to the air cushion formed in the bottom of these housings and to the vibrations imposed on this shuttle ( Figure 7d to 7g). The blowing is then stopped and the housings 28 placed under vacuum (FIG. 7h).

 The shuttle 27 is then transferred directly above the anvil module by deployment of the jack 35, transfer during which it undergoes a rotation of 360 degrees (FIG. 7i).

 After the depression in the housings 28 has stopped, the pneumatic grippers 48 are actuated so as to grip the anvils 2 (FIG. 7j).

 The shuttle 27 is then brought back to the gripper 10 by retraction of the jack 35 (FIG. 7k). During this return, it undergoes a new rotation of 360 degrees, and if the pneumatic control device of the anvil block 39b has detected an error, the anvils remaining in the housings 28 are poured into the bucket 34.

 The anvil module is then moved to the Das by actuation of the jack 42, so as to force the anvils 2 into force in the cells (FIG. 71), then rises to its waiting position (FIG. 7m), the cylinders 47 being actuated at the start of this ascent causing the stripping thanks to the stops 46.

 Although the parts distribution device has been described above integrated into an anvil station, the latter can also be used for many applications requiring the simultaneous distribution of several parts.

Claims (10)

 1 / - Device for distributing parts (2) from a bulk, characterized in that it comprises in combination  means (1, 3-8) for continuously circulating the coins according to a closed circuit, comprising a plurality of corridors (3) of combined widths of said coins, capable of channeling the latter,  - a gripper (10) associated with displacement means (18) able to move it vertically above the corridors (3), said gripper being provided directly above each corridor with a telescopic hollow endpiece (11) suitable to move between high and low positions in which it forms projections of different heights under the gripper,  means for depressurizing each telescopic end piece (11) capable of causing a displacement of said end pieces from their low position to their high position when the latter are closed,  - And means for horizontal movement (22) of the gripper (10) able to move it between a position of engagement above the corridors (3) and a position of removal of the parts.  2 / - Dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that each telescopic end piece (11) consists of a fixed tube (14) integrated in the gripper (10) and connected to the means for placing under vacuum, and a movable tube (15) capable of sliding externally on the fixed tube (14), said movable tube being provided with a stop (16) capable of limiting its displacement downwards.  3 / - Dispensing device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the means for circulating the coins comprise a plurality of parallel grooves (3) forming the corridors, a cylinder (4) with grooves (5 ) associated with rotation means (6) and arranged at the entry of the grooves (3), and a vibrating rail (8) capable of ensuring continuous recycling of the parts between the exit from the corridors and the grooved cylinder .  4 / - Distribution device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a ramp (9) disposed above the corridors (3) and provided with a blowing nozzle directly above each of said corridors, suitable for slowing the advancement of the parts (2) before the downward movement of the gripper (10).  5 / - Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for supplying fluid to the telescopic nozzles (11) arranged to supply said nozzles after stopping the vacuum with a view to removing the rooms.  6 / - Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a receptacle (27) for receiving the parts (2) comprising housings (28) of conjugate shapes of said parts arranged to be at the plumb of the telescopic ends (11) in the position for removing the gripper (1 O), each of said housings being provided with a bottom provided with a fluid passage connected to the means of depression in order to ensure the maintenance parts in these housings (28).  7 / - Dispensing device according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a vibrator (29) arranged on the receptacle (27) for receiving the parts (2) and adapted to vibrate said receptacle horizontally during the removal of the rooms.  8 / - Dispensing device according to claim 7, characterized in that the fluid supply means are adapted to supply each housing (28) when the parts (2) are removed and before the latter are placed under vacuum, in order to create an air cushion in the bottom of said housings.  9 / - Distribution device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that it comprises longitudinal displacement means (35) adapted to bring the receiving receptacle perpendicular to an unloading tool (39 ) of said receptacle.  10 / - Dispensing device according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises drive means (30, 32, 33) of the receiving receptacle (27) adapted to generate a 360-degree rotation of said receptacle during its longitudinal displacement.