JP2006298523A - Ball transporting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a ball transporting device capable of preventing a ball from being damaged during transportation and capable of transporting a wide range of balls in diameter. <P>SOLUTION: A flexible first belt 1 is wrapped around between a first pulley 3 and a second pulley 4, and a flexible second belt 2 is wrapped around between a third pulley 17 and a fourth pulley 8. The surface of the second belt 2 in one part thereof is inclined against the surface of the first belt 1 to form a transportation space having a nearly V-shaped cross section between the surface of the first belt 1 and the surface of the second belt 2. The surface of the first belt 1 is formed with a plurality of teeth 11 extended in the cross direction of the first belt 1 with an equal interval in the longitudinal direction of the first belt 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball conveying device, and more particularly to a ball conveying device suitable for use in conveying a ball after inspection of a ball bearing.

  FIG. 5 is a view showing a ball conveying device conventionally used for conveying a ball after inspection of a ball bearing.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the ball conveying apparatus includes a first rotating shaft 51 and a second rotating shaft 52 that is threaded. The second rotation shaft 52 is substantially parallel to the first rotation shaft 51. The ball conveying device is configured such that the first rotary shaft 51 is indicated by an arrow H in a state where the ball is sandwiched between the cylindrical surface of the first rotary shaft 51 and the thread groove of the second rotary shaft 52. And the second rotating shaft 52 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow I, and the ball 53 is moved along the screw groove of the second rotating shaft 52 in the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 51. Is conveyed in the direction shown in FIG.

  However, in the conventional ball conveying apparatus, the first rotating shaft 51 and the ball 53 are sandwiched between the cylindrical surface of the first rotating shaft 51 and the thread groove of the second rotating shaft 52. Since the second rotating shaft 52 is rotated and the balls 53 are conveyed in the axial direction of the first rotating shaft 51, the contact with the first rotating shaft 51 and the second rotating shaft 52, There is a problem that the surface of the ball 53 is rubbed and the surface of the ball 53 after the inspection may be damaged depending on the contact condition.

In the conventional ball conveying device, only the ball 53 having a ball diameter substantially the same as the width of the thread groove formed on the second rotating shaft 52 can be conveyed, and the ball 53 that can be conveyed by this ball conveying device. There is a problem that the range of the ball diameter is small.
JP-A-11-235441

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a ball conveying device in which a ball is not easily damaged during conveyance and the ball diameter range of the ball that can be conveyed is wide.

In order to solve the above problems, the ball conveying device of the present invention is:
A first belt wound between first pulleys;
A second belt wound between the second pulleys and having a surface inclined and opposed to the surface of the first belt,
A conveyance space having a substantially V-shaped cross section is formed between the surface of the first belt and the surface of the second belt.

  According to the present invention, a conveying space having a substantially V-shaped cross section is formed between the surface of the first belt and the surface of the second belt. The width of the transport space in the normal direction of the plane that bisects the transport space having a substantially V-shaped cross section can be greatly varied depending on the position in the width direction of the first belt. Therefore, in this conveyance space, since the ball diameter (in this specification, the ball diameter is defined as the diameter of the ball) can be locked in the range of the above-mentioned width, the range of the ball diameter of the ball that can be conveyed is conventionally set. Compared to other devices, it can be greatly expanded.

  In one embodiment, the ball conveying device has a plurality of teeth extending in the width direction of the first belt at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the first belt on the surface of the first belt. Has been.

  According to the embodiment, a plurality of teeth extending in the width direction of the first belt are formed on the surface of the first belt at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the first belt. It is possible to prevent a ball on one side of the tooth and a ball on the other side of the tooth from colliding during conveyance. Therefore, by accommodating the balls one by one between the adjacent teeth in the conveyance space, it is possible to prevent the balls from colliding with each other during the conveyance of the balls, and the balls collide with each other. It can prevent the resulting scratch.

  In one embodiment, the ball conveying device is substantially the same as the moving speed of the first belt by rotating the first pulley driving device that rotates the first pulley and rotating the second pulley. And a second pulley driving device for moving the second belt at a moving speed.

  According to the embodiment, since the moving speed of the first belt and the moving speed of the second belt are substantially the same, the ball does not rotate during the conveyance of the ball, and the ball is damaged. Can be further suppressed.

  According to the ball conveying device of the present invention, since the conveying space having a substantially V-shaped cross section is formed between the surface of the first belt and the surface of the second belt, the length of the first belt The width of the transport space in the normal direction of the plane that bisects the transport space having the substantially V-shaped cross section in the direction can be greatly varied depending on the position in the width direction of the first belt. Therefore, the range of ball diameters of the balls that can be conveyed can be greatly expanded.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a ball transport device according to an embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above.

  The ball conveying device includes a urethane rubber first belt 1, a urethane rubber second belt 2 having substantially the same width as the first belt, a first pulley 3, and a first pulley 3. 2 pulley 4, 3rd pulley 7, 4th pulley 8, 1st speed control motor (not shown) as an example of the 1st pulley drive device, and 2nd speed as an example of the 2nd pulley drive device A control motor (not shown). The first pulley 3 and the second pulley 4 constitute a first pulley, and the third pulley 7 and the fourth pulley 8 constitute a second pulley.

  The first belt 1 is wound around a first pulley, that is, a first pulley 3 and a second pulley 4. The first belt 1 has a plurality of teeth 10 extending in the width direction of the first belt 1 at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the first belt 1 on the surface on the pulley contact side. The first belt 1 has teeth 11 extending in the width direction of the first belt 1 on the surface on the pulley non-contact side in the longitudinal direction of the first belt 1 at regular intervals as an example of a predetermined interval. Have more than one. The interval between adjacent teeth 10 is shorter than the interval between adjacent teeth 11.

  On the other hand, the second belt 2 is wound around a second pulley, that is, a third pulley 7 and a fourth pulley 8. The second belt 2 has a plurality of teeth 13 extending in the width direction of the second belt 2 at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the second belt 2 only on the pulley contact surface. That is, the surface on the pulley contact side of the second belt 2 has irregularities, while the surface on the pulley non-contact side of the second belt 2 is a smooth surface without irregularities. As shown in FIG. 1, the interval between adjacent teeth 13 is substantially the same as the interval between adjacent teeth 10. The first belt 1 and the second belt 2 are spaced apart so as not to contact each other.

  The first, second, third and fourth pulleys 3, 4, 7, and 8 have substantially the same shape. The center points of the first, second, third, and fourth pulleys 3, 4, 7, and 8 (points that are the axial and radial centers of the pulleys) are all located on substantially the same plane. Yes. This plane has an angle of approximately 60 ° with respect to the horizontal plane. The vertical height of the first pulley 3 is higher than the vertical height of the second pulley 4, and the vertical height of the third pulley 7 is the vertical height of the fourth pulley 8. It is higher than that.

  The first pulley 3 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow A in FIG. 1 by the first speed control motor. The rotational speed of the first pulley 3 can be freely changed by the first speed control motor. The third pulley 7 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 1 by the second speed control motor. The rotational speed of the third pulley 7 can be freely changed by the second speed control motor.

  On the other hand, the second pulley 4 and the fourth pulley 8 do not have a function as a power source for moving the belts 1 and 2 and rotate at a rotational speed corresponding to the moving speed of the belts 1 and 2. It has become.

  The first speed control motor adjusts the rotational speed of the first pulley 3 to a predetermined rotational speed, and the second speed control motor adjusts the rotational speed of the third pulley 7 to a predetermined rotational speed. The movement speed when the first belt 1 moves between the first pulley 3 and the second pulley 4 in the direction indicated by the arrow C, and the second belt 2 is connected between the third pulley 7 and the fourth pulley 8. The gap is adjusted so that the moving speed when moving in the direction indicated by arrow D is substantially the same. The first and second speed control motors may be those that change in speed according to the number of pulses, those that change in speed according to voltage, and the like. Moreover, in order to make the rotational speed of the 1st pulley 3 and the 3rd pulley 7 substantially the same, you may connect them mechanically with a gear mechanism, a chain, etc.

  On the outer peripheral surface of each of the first, second, third and fourth pulleys 3, 4, 7, and 8, grooves extending in the axial direction of the pulleys 3, 4, 7, and 8 are provided. , 7 and 8 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. The grooves 15 of the first and second pulleys 3 and 4 are adapted to engage with the teeth 10, and the grooves 16 of the third and fourth pulleys 7 and 8 are adapted to engage with the teeth 13. Yes. Accordingly, the rotational power of the first pulley 3 is reliably transmitted to the first belt 1 and the rotational power of the third pulley 7 is reliably transmitted to the second belt 2.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF when the transport device of this embodiment is viewed from the direction indicated by arrow E in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the central axis p of the first pulley 3 and the central axis q of the third pulley 7 form an angle of 15 °, and the surface of the first belt 1 and the second belt 2 A conveying space 28 having a substantially V-shaped cross section is formed on the surface. The axial dimensions of the first and third pulleys 3 and 7 are set to be substantially the same as the widths of the first and second belts 1 and 2. Although not shown, similarly, the central axis of the second pulley 4 and the central axis of the fourth pulley 8 form an angle of 15 °, and the axial directions of the second and fourth pulleys 4 and 8 are the same. The dimensions are set to be substantially the same as the widths of the first and second belts 1 and 2.

  In FIG. 2, 11 indicates teeth formed on the surface of the first belt 1 on the pulley non-contact side, 21 indicates a first speed control motor, and 22 indicates a second speed control motor. , 29 indicate planes including the vertical direction. The plane including the surface portion forming the conveyance space 28 in the first belt 1 and the plane including the surface portion forming the conveyance space 28 in the second belt 2 are planes including the vertical direction. 29 is plane-symmetric.

  This ball conveying apparatus conveys the ball 18 of the ball bearing after the inspection with the same ball diameter by the method as described below. First, the first pulley 3 is rotated by the first speed control motor 21 and, at the same time, the third pulley 7 is rotated by the second speed control motor 22. In this manner, the first pulley 1 wound around the first pulley 3 and the second pulley 4 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the first belt 1, and at the same time, the third pulley 7 and the fourth pulley. The second belt 2 wound around the belt 8 is moved in the longitudinal direction of the second belt 2.

  In this state, the ball 18 after inspection of the ball bearing is moved from the second pulley 4 and the fourth pulley 8 to the second pulley 4 in the conveying space 28 having a substantially V-shaped cross section from a hopper or the like positioned above the second pulley 4 and the fourth pulley 8. In addition, it falls at predetermined intervals (for example, every 0.5 sec) so that one ball 18 is accommodated between adjacent teeth 11 of the first belt 1 in a region sandwiched between the fourth pulleys 8. Let In this way, the ball 18 after inspection is conveyed from the second pulley 4 and the fourth pulley 8 side to the first pulley 3 and the third pulley 7 side. According to the ball conveying apparatus of the present invention, the moving speed of the first and second belts 1 and 2 and the interval between the teeth 11 formed on the conveying space 28 side of the first belt 1 are appropriately set. Thus, the throwing interval of the balls can be set to a very short time of about 0.5 sec, and the number of balls transported per unit time can be remarkably increased as compared with the conventional apparatus.

  According to the ball bearing conveyance device of the above embodiment, the substantially V-shaped conveyance space 28 is formed between the surface of the first belt 1 and the surface of the second belt 1. The width of the conveyance space 28 in the normal direction of the plane that bisects the conveyance space 28 in the longitudinal direction of one belt 1 can be greatly varied depending on the position in the width direction of the first belt 1. Therefore, since the ball 18 whose ball diameter is substantially in the above range can be locked in the transport space 28, the range of the ball diameter of the ball 18 that can be transported can be greatly expanded as compared with the conventional apparatus.

  Further, according to the ball bearing conveyance device of the above embodiment, the teeth 11 extending in the width direction of the first belt 1 are formed on the surface of the first belt 1 on the conveyance space 28 side. The balls 18 can be accommodated one by one between the adjacent teeth 11 in the conveying space 28. Therefore, the balls 18 can be prevented from colliding with each other while the balls 18 are being conveyed, and the balls 18 can be prevented from being damaged due to the balls 18 colliding with each other.

  Further, according to the ball transport device of the above embodiment, the first belt 1 and the second belt 2 are belts made of a material that is flexible and does not damage the ball (a belt made of urethane rubber). ) Is used, the ball 18 is not damaged due to the ball 18 coming into contact with the first and second belts 1 and 2. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the ball from being damaged during the conveyance of the ball 18.

  Moreover, according to the ball conveying apparatus of the above embodiment, the moving speed of the first belt 1 and the moving speed of the second belt 2 during driving of the apparatus are substantially the same, and the first belt Since the first belt 2 and the second belt 2 are driven synchronously, the ball 18 does not rotate during the conveyance of the ball 18, and the ball 18 is rubbed against the belts 1 and 2 during the conveyance of the ball 18. There is nothing. Accordingly, it is possible to further suppress the ball 18 from being damaged.

  In the ball conveying device of the above embodiment, the central axis q of the third pulley 7 is inclined with respect to the central axis p of the first pulley 3, and the fourth pulley 8 of the second pulley 4 is inclined with respect to the central axis of the second pulley 4. The conveyance space 28 having a substantially V-shaped cross section is formed by inclining the central axis. In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the central axis of the first pulley 33 and the central axis of the third pulley 37 are parallel to each other. In addition, the central axis of the second pulley (not shown) and the central axis of the fourth pulley (not shown) may be made parallel. In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the thicknesses of the first and second belts 31 and 32 in the radial direction of the pulleys 33 and 37 vary in a linear function at the positions of the pulleys 33 and 37 in the axial direction. As a result, a conveyance space 38 having a substantially V-shaped cross section is formed.

  Further, in the ball conveying device of the above embodiment, urethane rubber belts are employed as the first and second belts 1 and 2, but in the present invention, the first and second belts are made of chloroprene rubber. Further, a flexible rubber belt other than a urethane rubber belt such as a butadiene rubber, a butyl rubber, a silicon rubber, a fluoro rubber, an acrylic rubber, or a nitrile rubber may be used. Further, as the first and second belts, flexible resin belts such as epoxy resin and methacrylic resin may be employed. The material of the first belt and the second belt may be any material as long as it is flexible and does not easily damage the ball.

  Further, in the ball conveying apparatus of the above embodiment, the moving speed of the first belt 1 is substantially the same as the moving speed of the second belt 2 when the apparatus is driven. When the apparatus is driven, the moving speed of the first belt may be different from the moving speed of the second belt.

  In the ball conveying device of the above embodiment, the first belt 1 is wound around two pulleys and the second belt 2 is wound around two pulleys. Then, at least one of the first belt and the second belt may be wound around three or more pulleys.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the ball conveying apparatus was used in order to convey the ball | bowl 18 of a ball bearing, the ball conveying apparatus of this invention is other than the ball | bowl of a ball bearing, such as a pachinko ball and a glass marble. It may be used to carry balls.

  In the above embodiment, a case where one kind of ball 18 having the same ball diameter is conveyed has been described. However, the device of the present invention has a special feature that a plurality of types of balls having different ball diameters can be simultaneously conveyed in a non-contact state. FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 when two kinds of balls 48 and 49 having different ball diameters are being conveyed. First, after the ball 48 having the smaller ball diameter is first inserted into the conveying space 28 having a substantially V-shaped cross section by dropping or the like, the ball 49 having the larger ball diameter is first transported having a substantially V-shaped cross section. Insert into 28 by dropping or the like. In this way, as shown in FIG. 4, two kinds of balls 48 and 49 are accommodated in the conveyance space 28 having a substantially V-shaped cross section. In this case, the smaller diameter between the teeth 11 formed at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the first belt 1 on the surface of the first belt 1 on the side of the conveying space 48 having a substantially V-shaped cross section. Of course, the balls 48 and the balls 49 having larger diameters are inserted one by one. This is because, in this way, two types of balls 48 and 49 having different ball diameters can be conveyed in a non-contact state.

  FIG. 4 shows a case where two types of balls having different ball diameters are conveyed as an example. However, if a plurality of types of balls are accommodated in the order of the balls having the smallest ball diameter to the larger balls in the conveyance space 28 having a substantially V-shaped cross section, three or more types of balls having different ball diameters are conveyed. Of course, it can be done.

It is a mimetic diagram when the ball transportation device of one embodiment of the present invention is seen from the top. It is FF sectional view taken on the line when seeing the conveying apparatus of this embodiment from the direction shown by arrow E in FIG. It is a figure which shows a part of ball | bowl conveying apparatus of embodiment different from embodiment shown in FIG. It is a figure corresponding to Drawing 2 at the time of conveying two kinds of balls from which a ball diameter differs. It is a figure which shows the ball | bowl conveying apparatus conventionally used for conveying the ball | bowl after the test | inspection of a ball bearing.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,31 1st belt 2,32 2nd belt 3,33 1st pulley 4 2nd pulley 7,37 3rd pulley 8 4th pulley 11 Teeth 18, 48, 49 Ball 21 1st speed control motor 22 1st 2-speed control motor 28,38 Transport space

Claims (3)

A first belt wound between first pulleys;
A second belt wound between the second pulleys and having a surface inclined and opposed to the surface of the first belt,
A ball conveying apparatus characterized in that a conveying space having a substantially V-shaped cross section is formed between the surface of the first belt and the surface of the second belt. The ball conveying apparatus according to claim 1,
A ball conveying apparatus, wherein a plurality of teeth extending in the width direction of the first belt are formed on the surface of the first belt at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the first belt. . In the ball conveying apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A first pulley driving device for rotating the first pulley;
A ball conveying device comprising: a second pulley driving device that rotates the second pulley to move the second belt at a movement speed substantially the same as the movement speed of the first belt. .

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