JP2000193060A - Slider unit with return spring and pick-and-place device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure a smooth operation by dividing a return spring fittedly inserted in a guide rod in its length direction and connecting them by a spring receiver fittedly inserted in the guide rod in a slider unit such as a linear guide suited to a pick-and-place device. SOLUTION: An X-axial slide mechanism 9 constituted of an X-axis slide guide 20 and an X-axis slider 21 and having the X-axis slide guide 20 of the X-axis slider 21 fitted to the bottom of a Z-axis slider 18 is mechanically integrated with a Z-axis slide mechanism 8, and a return spring 23 is fittedly inserted and arranged in the X-axis slider 21 between the X-axis slide guide 20 and an X-axis receiving board 22. In this case, the return spring 23 is longitudinally divided into three and then connected into one by two spring receivers 31. This constitution can make the axes of the respective divided-spring parts coincide with the axis of the guide rod and prevent the return spring from being inclined in compression and brought in contact with the guide rod.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a slider unit having a slide guide and a slider, and a pick-and-place apparatus (hereinafter, abbreviated as PPU) using the slider unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Sliders such as so-called linear guides
Units are used in a wide range of machinery and equipment. FIG.
The PPU shown in FIG. 1 is also used for a mechanism for providing the top block 1 with a moving component in the front-rear direction (X-axis component).

[0003] This PPU is a machine frame 3 erected from a base 2.
Of the vertical movement component (Z
A Z-axis cam plate 4 for providing an axial component) and an X-axis cam plate 5, a Z-axis lever 6, an X-axis lever 7, a Z-direction slide mechanism 8, and an X-direction slide mechanism 9 for providing a longitudinal movement component (described above). . The Z-axis cam plate 4 and the X-axis cam plate 5 are fixed to a common drive shaft 10 by setting an operational phase. The drive shaft 10 is driven and rotated by an induction motor 11 mounted on the back of the machine frame 3. The Z-axis lever 6 and the X-axis lever 7 are both rotatably supported on a shaft 12 whose base is disposed at the upper right of the machine frame 3. A cam follower 13 provided at an intermediate portion of the Z-axis lever 6 has a Z-axis cam plate. 4 in contact with the circumference
A cam follower 14 provided at one end of the shaft lever 7 is in contact with the peripheral surface of the X-axis cam plate 5. The tip of the Z-axis lever 6 has a Z
A shaft action roller 15 (broken line) is attached to the other end of the X axis lever 7, and an X axis action roller 16 is attached.

The Z-direction slide mechanism 8 and the X-direction slide mechanism 9 are arranged such that the Z-direction slide mechanism 8 is vertically extended along the front side of the machine frame 3 and the X-direction slide mechanism 9 is horizontally arranged along the lower side of the machine frame 3. It is mounted and arranged orthogonally. The Z-direction slide mechanism 8 includes a Z-axis slide guide 17 and a Z-axis slider 1
The Z-axis slider 18 is movable vertically with respect to a Z-axis slide guide 17 fixed to the machine frame 3, and a Z-axis action roller 15 provided at the upper end at the tip of the Z-axis lever 6. Is mounted on a Z bearing plate 19 which receives the bearing on the lower surface. The X-direction slide mechanism 9 similarly includes an X-axis slide guide 20 and an X-axis slider 21. The X-axis slider 21 can move in the front-rear direction with respect to the X-axis slide guide 20, and has an X-axis lever at the rear end. An X bearing plate 22 is attached to the X-axis action roller 16 provided on the other end of the X-ray 7 and receives the X-axis action roller 16 on the rear surface. X axis slide guide 2 of X direction slide mechanism 9
0 is fixed to the lower end of the Z-axis slider 18 of the Z-direction slide mechanism 8 so that the Z-direction slide mechanism 8
And the X-direction slide mechanism 9 are mechanically connected.

Accordingly, when the induction motor 11 is driven, the Z-axis cam plate 4 and the X-axis cam plate 5 rotate, and the Z-axis lever 6 and the X-axis lever 7 rotate about the shaft 12 so that the top plate 1 Performs the pick and place motion (ppm) shown in FIG. During this movement, the self-weight acts on the Z-axis slider 18, so that the cam follower 13 does not separate from the peripheral surface of the Z-axis cam plate 4, but the X-axis slider 21 automatically returns when moved forward. Therefore, the return spring 23 is required so that the cam follower 14 does not separate from the peripheral surface of the X-axis cam plate 5.
Normally, the return spring 23 is fitted with one long spring 25 on a guide rod 24 arranged in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the X-axis slider 21, the front end of the spring 23 is connected to the X-axis slide guide 20, and the rear end of the X bearing plate 22. Is in contact with

That is, the X-axis slide guide 20, the X-axis slider 21, the guide rod 24 and the spring 25
The X-direction slide mechanism 9 is a kind of linear guide. However, in a linear guide using such a long spring, when the spring is compressed, undulation occurs in the longitudinal direction, and the spring contacts the guide rod partially and repeatedly at the same location. For this reason, the life of the spring is shortened and noise is generated.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a slider unit which requires a return spring. In the slider unit, even if the return spring is compressed, an intermediate portion between the spring which supports and guides the spring such as a guide rod and the spring is provided. It is an object to prevent contact and to provide a PPU using such a slider unit.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a slider unit requiring a return spring, attention is paid to the fact that when the return spring is compressed, undulation occurs when the spring is long. Split the spring of the slider unit to be shorter.
Therefore, the slider unit has the following configuration.

A return spring is inserted in the slide guide, the slider, the spring receiver, and the guide rod, and the return spring is divided in its length direction. A return spring is arranged between the slide guide and one end of the slider together with the guide rod. At this time, the split return springs are connected by a spring receiver movably fitted to the guide rod, and each is returned. It can be extended and contracted in the moving direction of the slider.

In some cases, spring receivers fitted to the slider are disposed at both ends of the return spring. Also,
The spring receiver may have a spacer function to prevent the return spring from contacting the guide rod. In some cases, the guide rod is used as the slider itself, and the return spring and the spring receiver are directly inserted into the slider. On the other hand, such a slider unit is employed in the linear guide of the PPU to improve its mechanism.

[0011]

FIG. 1 shows a PPU in which a top block 1 performs a gate motion of 20 mm up and down and 80 mm back and forth, and a Z-axis cam plate 4, an X-axis cam plate 5 and a Z-axis lever are provided in a machine frame 3. 6, an X-axis lever 7, a Z-direction slide mechanism 8, and an X-direction slide mechanism 9. The Z-axis cam plate 4 and the X-axis cam plate 5 set an operational phase and set a common drive shaft 1.
The cam followers 13 of the Z-axis lever 6 and the cam followers 14 of the X-axis lever 7 are in contact with these peripheral surfaces. The drive shaft 10 is driven and rotated by an induction motor 11 mounted on the upper surface of the machine frame 3, and both the Z-axis lever 6 and the X-axis lever 7 are rotatably supported by a shaft 12 whose base is disposed on the upper right of the machine frame 3. ing.

Then, the Z-axis action roller 15 of the Z-axis lever 6 comes into contact with the Z-axis receiving plate 19 (FIG. 2) located at the upper end of the Z-direction slide mechanism 8 from below, and the X-axis lever 7
The shaft action roller 16 is in contact with the rear surface of the X bearing plate 22. These structures are the same as the conventional one shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 26 denotes the induction motor 1.
This is a bevel gear for transmitting one rotation to the drive shaft 10. Accordingly, when the induction motor 11 is driven, the Z-axis cam plate 4 and the X-axis cam plate 5 rotate, the Z-axis lever 6 and the X-axis lever 7 rotate about the shaft 12, and the top plate 1 is picked by the gate motion. Perform an and place exercise.

The Z-direction slide mechanism 8 and the X-direction slide mechanism 9 are arranged so that the Z-direction slide mechanism 8 extends vertically along the front side of the machine frame 3 and the X-direction slide mechanism 9 extends horizontally along the lower side of the machine frame 3. It is mounted and arranged orthogonally. The Z-direction slide mechanism 8 includes a Z-axis slide guide 17 and a Z-axis slider 1
8 (FIGS. 3 and 4), and the Z-axis slide guide 17 is fixed to the machine frame 3. The Z-axis slider 18 is vertically movable with respect to the Z-axis slide guide 17, and has a Z bearing plate 19 attached to the upper end thereof, which receives the Z-axis action roller 15 provided at the tip of the Z-axis lever 6 on the lower surface. is there. Actually, the adjusting bolt 2 penetrating the Z bearing plate 19 from above to below.
7, the lower end surface of the adjustment bolt 27 is in contact with the Z-axis action roller 15. The downward projecting amount of the adjustment bolt 27 can be performed by a driver or the like with the cover 28 (FIG. 1) provided on the upper surface of the machine frame 3 opened. This is convenient for setting the initial position of the top block 1. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 29 denotes a return spring for assisting the return of the Z-axis lever 6. An X-axis slide guide 20 is fixed to a lower end of the Z-axis slider 18.

The X-direction slide mechanism 9 comprises an X-axis slide guide 20 and an X-axis slider 21. The X-axis slider 21 can move in the front-rear direction with respect to the X-axis slide guide 20. The top block 1 is attached to the front end of a portion protruding from the window 30 provided at the front end, and the X bearing plate 22 is attached to the rear end located inside the machine frame 3. X bearing plate 2
An X-axis action roller 16 provided at the other end of the X-axis lever 7 is in contact with the rear surface of the X-axis lever 7 (FIGS. 1 and 2). X axis slider 2
The first X-axis slide guide 20 is fixed to the lower end of the Z-axis slider 18 so that the Z-direction slide mechanism 8
And the X-direction slide mechanism 9 are mechanically connected.
As is apparent from FIG.
The combination of the slider and the Z-axis slider 18 and the combination of the X-axis slide guide 20 and the X-axis slider 21 use a commercially available linear guide, and the slider moves with respect to the slide guide via a ball.

An X-axis slide guide 20 and an X-axis bearing plate 22 provided at the rear end of the X-axis slider
A return spring 23 for returning the shaft slider 21 to the rear original position is arranged. The return spring 23 is directly fitted and attached to the X-axis slider 21, that is, the slider of the linear guide. However, the return spring 23 is not divided into one long one, but is divided into three parts in the longitudinal direction. Linked to a book. The spring receiver 31 has a cylindrical shape made of a synthetic resin and has an inner diameter that can be freely moved by being inserted into the X-axis slider 21 and an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the return spring 23, and is provided annularly at the rear part. The groove 32 is provided.

A snap ring 33 is attached to the concave groove 32 of the spring receiver 31, and then the rear part of the split front spring and the front part of the split rear spring are inserted into the spring receiver 31 so that each end is snap ring 33. To connect. In this embodiment, spring receivers 34 and 35 are also used at both ends of the return spring 23 connected to one piece. Rear spring receiver 35
Has the same structure as the intermediate spring receiver 31, but the front spring receiver 34 has an L-shape as a whole to be screwed to the front of the X-axis slide guide 20 (FIG. 2), and is located on the rear side. The portion has an annular ridge 36 having the same inner diameter and outer shape as the intermediate spring receiver 31.

When the return spring 23 is divided in this way and mounted via the intermediate spring receiver 31 and the front and rear spring receivers 34 and 35, the spring receiver 3
By the positioning function of 1, 34, 35, the spring receivers 31, 34, 35 act as spacers between the X-axis slider 21 and the return spring 23, and guide the axis of each part of the divided return spring. The axis of the rod can be made to coincide with the axis, and there is no danger that the return spring will tilt and come into contact with the guide rod during compression. Also, since the divided portions of the return spring 23 are short, they are not compressed and cause undulation, and the return spring 31 does not come into contact with any portion of the X-axis slider 21.

When the induction motor 11 is driven, the Z-axis cam plate 4 and the X-axis cam plate 5 rotate, and the Z-axis lever 6 and the X-axis lever 7 rotate about the shaft 12 as in the prior art. The plate 1 performs the pick and place movement (ppm) shown in FIG. During this movement, the return spring 23 repeatedly expands and contracts with the forward and backward movement of the X-axis slider 21. Do not touch. As a result, the return spring 23 and the X-axis slider 21 are not damaged, and no unpleasant noise is generated. As described above, the slider unit of the present invention is referred to as P
Although the embodiment using the PU X-direction slide mechanism 9 has been described, the technical idea of the present invention can be generally used for a slider unit including a so-called linear guide. Further, the number of divisions of the return spring is not limited to three.

[0019]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the return spring is divided and each part is short and compressed, the return spring contacts the guide rod and is mutually damaged. There is no noise. According to the configuration of the second aspect, by disposing the spring receivers at both ends of the return spring, it is easy to align the axis of each part of the divided return spring with the axis of the guide rod.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the return spring always keeps an interval with the guide rod by the spacer function of the spring receiver, the inconvenience of the return spring contacting the guide rod during compression can be avoided. be able to. According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, since the spring receivers are also arranged at both ends of the return spring, the axis of each portion of the divided return spring can be made to coincide with the axis of the guide rod, It is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the axis of each part of the return spring is inclined during compression and comes into contact with the guide rod.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the return spring is directly fitted into the slider of the slider unit, so that the guide rod for the return spring is omitted and the whole structure is made compact. Can be.
Further, the axis of the biasing force of the return spring coincides with the axis of the slider, and the moment of the return spring does not act on the mechanism of the slider unit, so that the slider can move smoothly. The effect of the configuration of claim 6 is the same as that of the configuration of claim 3. Claim 7
The effect obtained by the configuration described in (1) is the same as that obtained by the configuration described in claim 4. According to the configuration of the eighth aspect, the X-direction slide mechanism of the pick-and-place device can be simply structured to prevent damage to the return spring and the slider.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the whole (the front wall is removed).

FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing an operating state of a lever.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a slide mechanism in a Z direction and an X direction.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the Z-direction slide mechanism as viewed from the front.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a spring receiver and a snap ring.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a front spring receiver.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a conventional structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Top block 2 Base 3 Machine frame 4 Z-axis cam plate 5 X-axis cam plate 6 Z-axis lever 7 X-axis lever 8 Z-direction slide mechanism 9 X-direction slide mechanism 10 Drive shaft 11 Induction motor 12 Axis 13 Cam follower 14 Cam follower 15 Z Shaft action roller 16 X-axis action roller 17 Z-axis slide guide 18 Z-axis slider 19 Z bearing plate 20 X-axis slide guide 21 X-axis slider 22 X bearing plate 23 Return spring 24 Guide rod 25 Spring 26 Bevel gear 27 Adjustment bolt 28 Cover 29 return spring 30 window 31 spring receiver 32 concave groove 33 snap ring 34 front spring receiver 35 rear spring receiver 36 annular ridge

Claims (8)

[Claims] A return spring is inserted into a slide guide, a slider, a spring receiver, and a guide rod. The return spring is divided by a length direction thereof and is a spring receiver movably inserted into the guide rod. A slider unit provided with a return spring, wherein the return spring is connected between the slide guide and one end of the slider so as to be expandable and contractible in the moving direction of the slider. 2. The slider unit having a return spring according to claim 1, wherein spring receivers fitted to the guide rods are arranged at both ends of the return spring. 3. The return spring according to claim 1, wherein the spring receiver has a function of a spacer that prevents the return spring fitted and inserted into the guide rod from coming into contact with the guide rod. Slider unit. 4. The slider unit provided with a return spring according to claim 3, wherein spring receivers fitted to the guide rods are arranged at both ends of the return spring. 5. A return spring having a slide guide and a slider, a spring receiver, and a return spring. The return spring is divided in a length direction thereof, and a return spring is provided between the slide guide and one end of the slider. A slider unit comprising a return spring, which is connected to a spring receiver movably inserted into the slider and is inserted into the slider so as to be expandable and contractible in the direction of movement of the slider. 6. The slider unit according to claim 5, wherein the spring receiver functions as a spacer for preventing the return spring fitted and inserted into the slider from contacting the slider. 7. The slider unit provided with a return spring according to claim 6, wherein spring receivers fitted to the slider are arranged at both ends of the return spring. 8. A pick and place device for moving a top block back and forth and up and down with respect to an airframe,
8. The slider unit according to claim 7, wherein a mechanism for giving a front-rear direction component (X-axis component) to the movement of the top block is a slider unit using a slide guide or a linear guide in which the slider is guided along a straight line. A pick and place device, characterized in that a top block is attached to the tip of a slider, with the device fixed to the body.