JPH0434946Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] Industrial application field This invention relates to a small parts cleaning and sorting device that cleans small parts to remove oil and dirt, and further sorts the cleaned small parts according to purpose. It is.

BACKGROUND ART As is well known, parts to be assembled such as the base valve in a front shock absorber are cleaned prior to assembly because oil, minute foreign matter, dirt, and the like are major enemies in terms of functionality.

Recently, fluorocarbon cleaning machines that use ultrasonic waves have been used for this cleaning, and these fluorocarbon cleaning machines generally use a boiling tank, cold liquid tank (ultrasonic tank), steam tank,
It consists of a water separation tank, a distillation machine, and a cold water unit.

To explain the outline of this cleaning processing section, the boiling tank is a tank for preliminary cleaning of dirt attached to the objects to be cleaned.
This reduces the amount of dirt carried into the next cold liquid tank.
Dirt from the liquid overflows into the distiller.
Also, particulate dirt is filtered out with an attached filter.

The purpose of the cold liquid tank is to perform repeated cleaning in order to increase the cleaning effect, and it also has the function of lowering the temperature of the object to be cleaned so that the steam cleaning in the next step can be carried out effectively. Dirt in the liquid is purified by overflowing into the boiling tank. Note that dirt with particles should be filtered out using the included filter.

In the steam bath, when the workpiece, which has been cooled throughout the process, passes through the fluorocarbon vapor, the temperature difference between the fluorocarbon vapor and the workpiece washes the surface of the workpiece with pure fluorocarbons.

In the water separation tank, since the fluorocarbon is cooled by a cooling coil, moisture in the air is also mixed into the fluorocarbon liquid, and this moisture is separated in the water separation tank.

Dirty liquid flows into the distillation machine from the boiling tank, so it is heated with a heater and then cooled down to regenerate clean, uncontaminated Freon. The cleanliness of the entire device is maintained by returning this liquid to the main body cleaning tank.

Furthermore, since Freon has a low boiling point, low temperature cooling water is required to use it economically.
A cooling unit is used to maintain the temperature of this cooling water.

In this device, objects to be cleaned, such as small parts, are carried into the device and sequentially carried in and out of each tank through a conveyance path.In the first conventional example, a chain conveyor is used for this conveyance path. It is rotated by a drive motor via an intermediate gear. Further, a parts receiving shelf is provided for carrying small parts into the apparatus and placing the small parts on the chain conveyor.

Furthermore, in the second conventional example, as shown in Figures 5 to 8, a self-propelled chute 32 for transporting a net-like pallet 31 is disposed near the cleaning and sorting device 30, and a self-propelled steel plate chute 34 for feeding small parts 33 onto the pallet 31 is disposed adjacent to the self-propelled chute 32 at the side of the cleaning and sorting device 30.

A pallet dispensing device 35 is disposed below the self-propelled iron plate chute 34 for pushing the pallets 31 loaded with small parts 33 into the cleaning and sorting device 30. A conveyor 36 is provided. From the end of this chain conveyor 36 to a cleaning device 37 (to be described later), an elevating cylinder 3 is installed so as to be horizontally movable and vertically movable.
8a is fixed to a cylinder 38b that operates in a horizontal direction to constitute a loader 38.

Washed small parts 3 are placed on the other side of the washing device 37.
A self-propelled chute 39 is disposed for transferring 3, and a conveyor 40 is arranged in series at the tip of this self-propelled chute 39.A sorting cylinder 41 is arranged along the side of the conveyor 40. 3 so that it operates in the direction that intersects the conveyor.
A self-propelled chute 42 extending in the operating direction of the sorting cylinder 41 is disposed on the other side of the conveyor 40.

To explain the operation of the above-mentioned device, an empty pallet 31 is transported by the self-propelled chute 32,
A predetermined number of small parts 33, which are objects to be cleaned, are carried into the pallet 31 from a self-propelled iron plate chute 34 using a counter (not shown). The pallet 31 carrying the small parts 33 in this way is pushed out toward the chain conveyor 36 by the pallet discharging device 35, the pallet 31 is moved by the chain conveyor 36 toward the cleaning device 37, and the cylinder 38b is operated to move the pallet 31 to the loader 38. is moved horizontally to above the cleaning equipment.

Next, the loader 38 carries it into the cleaning device 37 by operating the lifting cylinder 38a. Cleaning device 37
The small parts 33 carried into the pallet 31 are stacked inside the pallet 31 and transported by a loader 38 and cleaned, and after cleaning, the loader 38 transfers them to the pallet 31.
The entire cleaning device 37 is carried out to the self-propelled chute 3.
9, is pushed laterally by a sorting cylinder 41 on a delivery conveyor 40 according to purpose, and is moved on each self-propelled chute 42 to be sorted.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the first example of conventional cleaning and sorting equipment, small parts are loaded and transported based on a synchronized structure, so the chain length and synchronization are poor. There are problems such as small parts getting stuck during loading or falling in the cleaning tank due to twisting, and when using fluorocarbon solvents, the entire chain should be made of highly corrosion-resistant stainless steel parts to prevent corrosion. There is also a problem in that it is necessary to use the same equipment, which increases the equipment cost.

In addition, in the second conventional example, the conveyance path is installed outside the cleaning device, and small parts are carried into the cleaning device using a large loader, which results in a large device and requires a large space. The amount of work in progress for processing is large, and the work of putting the pallets back together and the dirt inside the pallets pose problems, making it unsuitable for small-lot production of many car models and small lots, such as the recent production of small parts for automobiles. Moreover, since the cleaning is carried out by stacking small parts, there is a problem that the cleaning effect differs depending on the part, making it impossible to obtain a good cleaning effect.

The basic purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to provide a small parts cleaning and sorting device that takes up less space, reduces equipment costs, and is suitable for small-volume production of a wide variety of products.

Means for Solving the Problems In other words, the small parts cleaning and sorting device of this invention transports the small parts to the sorting section via the cleaning processing section, and in the sorting section, the cleaning is completed and the small parts are sent for a predetermined purpose. The cleaning and sorting device for small parts is arranged so that the small parts are moved forward by rolling under their own weight, and the conveyance path is inclined downward from a position above the cleaning processing section toward the sorting section. The transport path is divided such that a portion of the conveyance path located above the cleaning processing section can be selectively connected to other portions and can be raised and lowered relative to the cleaning processing section by an elevating mechanism. A transfer chute is formed as an elevating conveyance path, and a transfer chute for receiving small parts from the transfer path is movably arranged at the tip of the conveyance path, and a plurality of The present invention is characterized in that a moving mechanism is provided for moving the transfer chute with respect to the entrance portion of the stock chute.

Function: In the cleaning and sorting device of this invention, the target small parts roll through the conveyance path, the transfer chute, and the stock chute by their own weight. During this time, first, in the elevator conveyance path,
Since this moves up and down with respect to the cleaning processing section, the small parts placed here are cleaned in the cleaning processing section while being placed on the up/down conveyance path. When the lifting conveyance path returns to the same path line as the conveyance path after cleaning,
The small parts that have been cleaned roll on the conveyance path toward the sorting section. In that case, at the tip of the transport path, the transfer chute enters and is received there, and the transfer chute is moved by the moving mechanism to the entrance of a predetermined stock chute and connected thereto. As a result, the small parts roll under their own weight from the transfer chute to the stock chute, and are thus distributed to the selected stock chute. Therefore, in this idea,
Each transport path and each chute can be of the same standard and structure, and small parts can be transferred between them by connecting them so that their path lines match. Therefore, the structure is simple and can be miniaturized, and distribution is easy, so it is suitable for high-variety, low-volume production.

Embodiment Next, an embodiment of this invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 3.

In the small parts cleaning and sorting device 1, a steam tank 2 and a boiling tank 3 are arranged above and below, and in parallel with this, a steam tank 4 and an ultrasonic tank 5 are also arranged above and below, and further in parallel with this. A water separation tank 6 is provided, and a distiller and a chilled water unit (not shown) are also provided to constitute a cleaning treatment tank.

A self-propelled reversing chute 8 for feeding small parts 7 is provided on the side of the device 1, and the self-propelled reversing chute 8 has a cylindrical shape with open upper and lower ends as shown in FIG. The tube is twisted by 1/4 turn and is fixed to the device 1 so as to be inclined downward from the inlet to the outlet. A cylindrical lifter 9 is connected to the outlet at the lower end of the self-propelled reversing chute 8, and this lifter 9 has four proximity switches 1 for detecting component insertion.
0 is arranged, and the lifter 9 is connected to the lifting cylinder 1.
1 and is able to move up and down. Furthermore, a fixed plate 9a is suspended along the right end of the lifter 9. At the upward movement position of the lifter 9, a rail 12, which is a front conveyance path that slopes downward toward the right in the figure, is arranged. is formed into a square shape, through which the small parts 7 roll and pass. Rails 12a and 12b, which are elevating conveyance paths that are inclined in the same direction as the rail 12 and are connected to elevating cylinders 13 and 13b and can be moved up and down, are arranged at the upper part of the cleaning treatment tank. A slide shutter (not shown) is provided at the right end of the rails 12a, 12b, and a partition wall of a cleaning tank is located below the slide shutter and below the left end of the rails 12a, 12b. Small parts 7 can be accommodated within 12b.

The rail 12 is continuous with the rail 12a, and a rail 12d, which is a forward conveyance path inclined downward toward the steam tank 4, is provided on the partition wall between the steam tanks 2 and 4, so that the rails 12a and 12b are continuous. ing. Furthermore, the right side of the rail 12b is continuous with the rail 12c, which is a front conveyance path. rail 12c
extends to the sorting device 14, and a proximity switch (not shown) for confirming passage of small parts is arranged within the rail 12c.

In the sorting device 14, a transfer chute 15 for transferring small parts from the rail 12c is provided on a rodless cylinder 16, and this rodless cylinder 16 is moved horizontally by a recording signal or the like and is sorted to a predetermined position. The rodless cylinder 16 is provided with a positioning stopper 16a so that the mini pusher 17 is brought into contact with and positioned at the distribution position.

The rodless cylinder 16 is provided on a movable base 18 that can be moved up and down by a lifter 19, and guides 18a, 18a are provided at both ends of the movable base 18.
is suspended, and this guide 18a is slidably supported by the sorting device 14.

At a position where the transfer chute 15 is moved upward by the lifter 19, a plurality of gutter-shaped stock chutes 20 are extended for each vehicle type so as to receive small parts 7 from an outlet 15a formed in the transfer chute. The stock chute 20 is arranged so as to be inclined downward in the direction of extension, and a transparent cover 20a is provided on the upper surface of the stock chute 20 to prevent dust and foreign matter floating on the cleaned small parts 7 from adhering to the stock chute 20. A removable stopper 21 for stopping the self-propelled small parts 7 is arranged at the tip of the chute 20, and for the same reason as mentioned above, a transparent cover is provided to cover the top and tip surfaces of the chute 20. 20b is provided, and this cover 2
0b is opened manually or by an unillustrated in-process signal, and a small parts box 22 for storing small parts is arranged at the lower part of the tip of the chute 20 as desired.

Next, the operation of this apparatus will be described. Small parts 7, which are objects to be cleaned, are fed into the inlet of the self-propelled reversing chute 8 at a constant tact. This small part 7
has a rotating body shape and is 1/4 in the reversing chute 8.
By being rotated, it moves by gravity while rolling on its circumferential surface. In this way, the small parts 7 that are self-propelled while rolling are sent into the lifter 9, and the placement of the four small parts in the lifter 9 is detected by the operation of the proximity switch 10 for detecting part insertion. Afterwards, it is moved upward by the lifting cylinder 11.
When the lifting cylinder 11 reaches the upper end, the small parts 7
transfers to rail 12 and moves to rail 12 due to gravity.
It moves on the rail 12a, operates a proximity switch (not shown), stops at a slide shutter (not shown), and is housed in the rail 12a, and the proximity switch removes the four small parts. After it is detected that the small parts 7 are accommodated in the rail 12a, the small parts 7 are lowered into the boiling tank 3 by the lifting cylinder 13a, and the dirt adhering to the small parts 7 is preliminarily cleaned. At this time, since both ends of the rail 12a are closed with partition walls, the small parts 7 remain within the rail 12a. Then, controlled by a timer or the like, after a certain period of time has elapsed, it is raised to the steam tank 2 by the lifting cylinder 13a, further lowered by the rail 12d to the end position of the rail 12d, and transferred to the rail 12b, and the lifting cylinder 13b is moved to the steam tank 2. The small parts 7, which are lowered and placed on the rail 12b, are hammered in an ultrasonic bath 5, and fine dust attached to the small parts 7 is suspended and removed by the impact. At this time as well, the small parts 7 of the rail 12b stop the rail 12b at the bulkhead, and then, using a timer, the elevating cylinder 13b lifts the cold liquid tank 5.
and the steam tank 4 several times to wash away oil and dirt from the small parts 7 with the fluorocarbon solution. After the time has elapsed under timer control, it is allowed to dry naturally, and the elevating cylinder 13b is raised to raise a slide shutter (not shown), and the small part 7 is transferred from the right end of the rail 12b to the rail 12c by its own weight. On this rail 12c, the small parts 7 are rotated by their own weight, and for example, a proximity switch (not shown)
After confirming the passage of the bag, the bag is transferred to the sorting device 14.

In the sorting device 14, the small parts 7 are transferred from the rail 12c to the transfer chute 15, and the rodless cylinder 16 is moved horizontally in response to a not-illustrated sorting signal and stopped at a predetermined position, and then the mini pusher 17 is pressed against the stopper 16a. The position of the transfer chute is determined by contact. Next, the rodless cylinder 16 supported by the guide 18a is raised by the lifter 19, and the small parts are transferred to the stock chute 20. The small parts 7 that have been moved to the chute 20 travel by themselves within the chute and are stopped at a stopper 21. Thereafter, the cover 20b is opened manually or by an in-process signal, and the small parts are taken out from the chute 20. Further, if it is desired to store the small parts 7 as inventory, the lower end of the chute 20 opens by removing the stopper 21, and the small parts 7 fall into the small parts box 2.
It is stored in 2.

In this embodiment, a conveyance path is provided within the device, and furthermore, a horizontal conveyance path in which small parts move by themselves and a vertical conveyance path in which they can move up and down are provided, so that the space of the device can be minimized. Since distribution is performed using a rodless cylinder, there is also the effect of reducing the space required for the distribution mechanism. Moreover, since the small parts are cleaned while being arranged horizontally on the rails 12a or 12b, the cleaning effect is improved.

In order to confirm this improvement in the cleaning effect, an experiment was conducted to compare the cleaning effects of the conventional example and the example.

In this experiment, a base valve was used as a sample, and the weight of the sample before and after cleaning was measured using the steam residue method, and the amount of residual adhesion was determined from the sample after cleaning.

The result was 40 in conventional Freon cleaning in which small parts were washed in a stacked state, assuming the unwashed residual adhesion was 100, and 75 in Tri-Clean cleaning in a cold bath in the same stacked state. It was found that the cleaning effect was significantly improved.

Furthermore, FIG. 4 shows another embodiment, in which the elevating conveyance path 23 is configured such that a sawtooth movable conveying member 25 consisting of a plurality of teeth inclined downward toward the right in the figure is provided at the tip of the elevating cylinder 24. Further, a serrated fixed conveying member 26, which is a forward conveying path whose teeth are horizontally shifted by a certain distance from the movable conveying member 25, is fixed to the main body of the apparatus.

In this elevating conveyance path 23, when a rod-shaped small part 27 is carried in from the vertical conveyance path 28 with the movable conveyance member 25 and the fixed conveyance member 26 vertically overlapping each other, the small part 27 is moved by the teeth 26a of the fixed conveyance member 26,
When the movable conveyance member 25 is raised by the elevating cylinder 24, the small parts 27 are accommodated in the grooves 26b between the movable conveyance members 26a and 26a.
When the movable conveying member 25 is further lowered to overlap with the fixed conveying member 26 in the vertical position, the small parts 27 are pushed up by the teeth 26a of the fixed conveying member 26 and placed in the hollow 25a.
5a is released, it moves to the right under its own weight on the teeth 26a, and hangs in the recess 26b of the fixed conveying member 26. When the movable conveying member 25 is further raised, the small parts 27 are pushed up by the teeth 25a of the movable conveying member 25, and the small parts 27 are hung in the hollow and the hollow 25b on the right side, and by repeating this, the small parts 27 are moved one after another. It is moved to the right and transferred to the next conveyance process.

In this embodiment, a partition is provided in the self-propelled section of the horizontal conveyance path, and the conveyance of small parts can be controlled by the vertical movement of the lifting cylinder, and it can also be applied to long rod-shaped small parts.

Effects of the invention As explained above, according to this invention, small parts are conveyed to a sorting section through a cleaning processing section, and in the sorting section, after cleaning is completed, the small parts are sorted according to predetermined purposes. cleaning/
In the sorting device, a conveyance path for advancing the small parts by rolling them under their own weight is arranged to be inclined downward from a position above the cleaning processing section toward the sorting section, and the cleaning section of the conveyance path The upper part of the processing section is formed as a divided lifting and lowering conveyance path that can be selectively connected to other parts and moved up and down with respect to the cleaning processing section by a lifting mechanism, and A transfer chute that receives small parts from the transfer path is movably arranged at the tip of the transfer path, and a transfer chute that rolls and receives the small parts from the transfer chute. Since a moving mechanism for moving the transfer chute is provided, small parts can be transported using the most efficient space, eliminating the need for a chain conveyor or large loader, and reducing the space of the device. This has the effect of reducing equipment costs because it can be transported with a simple structure, and the cleaning effect is improved because small parts are cleaned horizontally rather than stacked.

In addition, the small parts may be structurally rotatable along the front conveyance path, and the shape of the small parts is not particularly limited, so it is suitable for production in small lots of various types, and is suitable for flexible production with small inventories.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a partial perspective view showing a self-propelled inverting chute, Fig. 3 shows a sorting device, where A is a front cross-sectional view, B is a side cross-sectional view, Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment, Figs. 5 to 8 are cross-sectional views showing conventional cleaning devices, Fig. 5 is a plan view, Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view, Fig. 7 is a front cross-sectional view, and Fig. 8 is a partial perspective view of the sorting device. 1: Small parts cleaning and sorting device, 2: Steam tank, 3: Boiling tank, 4: Steam tank, 5: Ultrasonic tank, 6: Water separation tank, 7: Small parts, 9: Lifter, 11: Lifting cylinder, 12: Rails,
12a, 12b, 12c ... rails, 13a, 1
3b: Lifting cylinder; 14: Device; 15:
Transfer shuttle, 16...rotorless cylinder, 20...stock shuttle.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] A small parts washing and sorting device that transports small parts through a cleaning processing section to a sorting section, and in the sorting section, the cleaning is finished and the small parts are sorted for each predetermined purpose, A conveyance path that causes the small parts to roll and advance under their own weight is arranged to be inclined downward from a position above the cleaning processing section toward the sorting section, and is located above the cleaning processing section of the transportation path. It is formed as a divided lifting conveyance path so that a part to be removed can be selectively connected to other parts and can be raised and lowered with respect to the cleaning processing section by a lifting mechanism, and furthermore, a part at the tip of the conveyance path is A transfer chute is movably arranged to receive small parts from the transfer path, and the transfer chute is moved to an entrance of a plurality of stock chute which rolls and receives the small parts from the transfer chute. A small parts cleaning and sorting device characterized by being equipped with a moving mechanism.