Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US6257392B1/en
Timestamp: 2020-06-05 13:59:43
Document Index: 589573078

Matched Legal Cases: ['arts 11', 'art 17', 'art 16', 'art 15', 'art 14', 'arts 11', 'arts 207', 'art 207', 'art 205', 'art 207', 'art 207', 'art 207', 'art 207', 'art 207', 'arts 310', 'arts 310', 'arts 315', 'arts 315', 'arts 404', 'arts 404', 'arts 205', 'art 207', 'arts 612', 'arts 610', 'arts 612', 'arts 612', 'arts 612', 'arts 612', 'arts 715', 'arts 715', 'arts 715', 'art 717', 'art 717', 'art 717', 'arts 980', 'arts 980', 'arts 980', 'art 980', 'art 980', 'arts 980']

US6257392B1 - Vibratory bowl and associated parts orienting tooling with pivotal top confinement - Google Patents
Vibratory bowl and associated parts orienting tooling with pivotal top confinement Download PDF
US6257392B1
US6257392B1 US09/281,148 US28114899A US6257392B1 US 6257392 B1 US6257392 B1 US 6257392B1 US 28114899 A US28114899 A US 28114899A US 6257392 B1 US6257392 B1 US 6257392B1
US09/281,148
1995-02-16 Priority to US08/389,241 priority Critical patent/US5630497A/en
1997-02-04 Priority to US08/800,652 priority patent/US5960929A/en
1997-07-31 Priority to US08/904,171 priority patent/US5913428A/en
1999-03-30 Application filed by S. Neal Graham filed Critical S. Neal Graham
1999-03-30 Priority to US09/281,148 priority patent/US6257392B1/en
2001-07-10 Publication of US6257392B1 publication Critical patent/US6257392B1/en
239000003822 epoxy resin Substances 0.000 claims 3
The present application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/904,171, filed Jul. 31, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,428 and entitled VIBRATORY BOWL AND ASSOCIATED PARTS ORIENTING TOOLING WITH PIVITOL TOP CONFINEMENT, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 08/800,652, filed Feb. 4, 1997, and entitled CONFINEMENT TOOLING FOR A VIBRATORY PARTS FEEDER, which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/389,241 filed Feb. 16, 1995 U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,497, issued May 20, 1997.
Vibratory parts feeders are commonly known apparatus for providing oriented parts from a mass of disoriented parts, or for transporting parts along a processing path. In providing oriented parts, a vibratory parts feeder typically includes a vibratory bowl which is driven by a vibratory drive unit. The bowl is internally configured, typically with a helically oriented path, to transport the parts under vibratory action to a bowl exit location near the top of the bowl.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a vibratory parts feeder comprises a vibratory bowl having a bottom and a side wall extending therefrom to an open top, a helical parts path formed adjacent an inner surface of the open top, wherein the helical parts path is configured to transport parts thereon from within the bowl to the parts discharge port under vibratory action, and wherein a portion of the inner surface of the bowl side wall extends partially into the helical parts path adjacent the parts discharge port to thereby create a bend in the helical parts path.
One object of the present invention is to provide a vibratory bowl defining a helical parts path therein for transporting parts thereon to a parts discharge port of the bowl, wherein a portion of the bowl's side wall extends into the helical parts path adjacent to the parts discharge port to thereby relieve back pressure of the parts advancing toward the discharge port.
FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the pivoting lever taken along section lines 3A—3A of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the inside parallel blade of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, taken along section lines 6A—6A of FIG. 6.
FIG. 14c is a cross-sectional view of the air supply unit of FIG. 14a taken along section lines 14 c—14 c thereof.
As is commonly known in the industry, vibratory bowl 20 is actuated by a vibratory drive unit (not shown) to thereby cause disoriented parts 11 contained within the bowl 20 to travel up the helical parts path 22, to a parts discharge port 22 a. In a preferred embodiment, vibratory bowl 20 is a polycast bowl, although the present invention contemplates that vibratory bowl 20 may be constructed from other suitable materials such as, for example, stainless steel. Polycast is a registered trademark of Vibromatic Company, Inc. of Noblesville, Ind., and is intended to generally refer to a material cast from a polymer. As is common with many vibratory bowls, the parts track 22 includes a sloped portion 24 located near the discharge port 22 a, so that certain disoriented parts, such as side-by-side or sideways parts, will slide back into the interior of the bowl 20. Additionally, the bowl 20 includes an upper rim 26 which is positioned sufficiently above the parts track 22 to keep the parts from being ejected from the bowl 20 under the vibratory action. Vibratory bowl 20 further defines a parts orientation member 25 extending from the discharge port 22 a. Parts orientation member 25 includes surfaces 28, 30, 34, and 36 for mounting the parts orientation unit 50 and pivotal top confinement apparatus 55 thereto.
Parts orientation unit 50 includes a pair of parallel blades 60 and 120 which define an adjustable-width channel 75 therebetween for orienting the headed parts in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter. Outside parallel blade 60 includes a pair of grooves 62 a and 62 b for adjustably securing the blade 60 to surface 28 of vibratory bowl 20 via threaded screws or bolts 64 a and 64 b. As most clearly shown in FIG. 2, polycast bowl 20 includes a pair of rigid threaded inserts 42 a and 42 b molded within the bowl 20 for receiving corresponding threaded screws 64 a and 64 b. Inserts 42 a and 42 b are an important aspect of the present invention in that they provide a secure threaded attachment for screws 64 a and 64 b, and at the same time provide a wear-resistant attachment mechanism for permitting multiple adjustments of blade 60. Preferably, inserts 42 a and 42 b are made of a wear-resistant metal such as, for example, steel. Parallel blade 60 can thus be adjustably positioned toward and away from parallel blade 120 by loosening screws 64 a and 64 b and manually adjusting the blade 60. Blade 60 can thereafter be secured to orientation member surface 28 by tightening screws 64 a and 64 b into threaded inserts 42 a and 42 b.
As most clearly shown in FIG. 3, parallel blade 120 includes corresponding channels 122 a and 122 b for receiving screws 124 a and 124 b. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, orientation member surface 30 includes rigid inserts 44 a and 44 b, identical to inserts 42 a and 42 b, molded therein for receiving screws 124 a and 124 b.
As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, blade 120 and bowl 20 are configured to provide an important aspect of the present invention. Bowl 20 defines a projection 38 which extends from bowl surfaces 30 and 34 and is configured to be received within channel 122 a. Bowl 20 further defines a recess 40 between the projection 38 and the bowl surface 30 for receiving a projection 132 of parallel blade 120. In operation, projection 132 cooperates with projection 38 and recess 40 to provide a continuous surface 33 for directing misoriented parts back into the interior of the bowl 20 regardless of the position of the blade 120. When the channel 75 is adjusted to maximum width, as shown in FIG. 6, projection 132 is received within recess 40 and projection 38 is fully received within channel 122 a. However, as channel 75 is decreased in width, pointed projection 132 moves toward channel 75 while maintaining contact with surface 33 of projection 38. Thus, regardless of the position of blade 120 relative to the bowl 20, a substantially continuous surface 33 is maintained between the projection 132 and projection 38. In the absence of such a projection 38 a recess or slot would exist, thereby providing a potential parts jamming location. The configuration of projections 38 and 132 overcome this potential problem by providing continuous bowl surface 33 regardless of the position of blade 120.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, blade 60 includes a sloped face 66 between screw 64 b and the parts discharge port 22 a, as most clearly shown in FIG. 2. Parallel blade 120 includes an identically sloped face 126 located adjacent sloped face 66. Sloped faces 66 and 126 provide a slight ramp to facilitate proper orientation of the headed parts. Although a ramp provided by sloped faces 66 and 126 may be unnecessary in certain applications, it has been found that such a ramp slows headed parts having long shafts sufficiently to permit the shafts to drop into the open channel 75 before reaching the top confinement blade 190. Preferably, faces 66 and 126 are sloped at approximately 10 degrees, although the present invention contemplates both greater and lesser slopes depending upon the shaft lengths of the parts being oriented, and on the corresponding desired degree of slowing of the parts.
The parts orientation unit 50 further includes a guide block 80 attached to blade 60 via screws 70 a and 70 b. As most clearly shown in FIG. 2, blade 60 includes on its underside a recessed portion 68 which is sloped identically with surface 66. Such a sloped recess 68 permits the guide block 80 to be mounted flush with the sloped surface 66 via screws 70 a and 70 b into correspondingly threaded holes 82 a and 82 b of the guide block 80. As most clearly shown in FIG. 6, guide block 80 has a face 86 which is more or less vertically flush with surface 72 of parallel blade 60. Guide face 86 helps to maintain axial alignment of the headed parts with the longitudinal axis of the open channel 75. This feature will be illustrated for two separate cases. In the first case, a headed part, such as part 17 of FIG. 6, is advancing, shaft first, toward the discharge port 22 a. As the shaft continues to advance over open channel 75, guide face 86 maintains axial alignment of the shaft with the longitudinal axis of the channel 75 until a sufficient portion of the shaft has advanced over the channel 75 so that the weight of the shaft causes the shaft to drop into the channel 75, and the headed part assumes the position of screw 12 shown in FIG. 2. In a second case, a headed part, such as part 16 of FIG. 6, is advancing, head first, toward discharge port 22 a. In order for the shaft to drop into channel 75, as previously described, the part must advance over the channel 75 until the end of the shaft is free to drop within the slot 75. Guide face 86 maintains axial alignment of the headed part with the longitudinal axis of channel 75 until the end of the shaft can drop into the channel 75. In either case, guide face 86 keeps the headed part from moving transverse to the longitudinal axis of channel 75 until a properly oriented part can assume the position of, for example, screw 12 of FIG. 2. Misoriented parts traveling towards discharge port 22 a are returned to the interior of the vibratory bowl 20 in one of at least four ways to be fully described hereinafter.
Guide block 80 further includes a pair of threaded holes 88 a and 88 b for receiving screws 90 a and 90 b, respectively, for attaching air block 100 thereto. Air block 100 includes an open channel 102 for receiving screws 90 a and 90 b. Air block 100 may therefore be adjustably positioned along an axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of channel 75, by sliding screws 90 a and 90 b within channel 102. Air block 100 may thereafter be rigidly secured to guide block 80 by tightening screws 90 a and 90 b. Air block 100 further includes a nozzle portion 104 having a bore 106 defined partially therein for receiving an air source fitting 110. An air outlet passage 108 is connected to bore 106 and provides air supplied to air source nozzle 110 across channel 75. Another important aspect of the present invention is the positioning of the air nozzle 104 such that air is blown from air outlet 108 at an acute angle relative to an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of channel 75. Thus, air nozzle 104 provides a stream of air not directly transverse to channel 75, but in a direction slightly opposing the flow of headed parts through the parts orientation unit 50. Such a stream of air is one method of returning misoriented parts, such as headed part 15 standing on its head, into the vibratory bowl 20. It has been found that providing a transverse, and slightly upstream, flow of air relative to the flow of parts is more effective for rejecting misoriented parts back into the vibratory bowl 20 than by merely providing an air stream transverse to the flow of parts. Preferably, the acute angle is set at approximately 45 degrees, although the present invention contemplates acute angles of between approximately 10 degrees and just under 90 degrees. The height of air nozzle 104, and proximity of air nozzle 104 with respect to the guide block 80, is adjustable via screws 90 a and 90 b.
A second mechanism for returning misoriented parts, traveling toward discharge port 22 a, is provided by appropriately configuring a portion of the sloped face 126 of the parallel blade 120. As most clearly seen in FIGS. 1 and 6, sloped face 126 includes a second sloped face 128 which slopes downwardly toward the interior of the vibratory bowl 20. Headed parts, such as part 14, which are unable to maintain axial orientation with the longitudinal axis of channel 75 may, either on their own or under the influence of the air stream exiting outlet 108, slide down the sloped face 128 and back into the vibratory bowl 20.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the parts confinement unit 55 will now be described in detail. Confinement unit 55 includes a pivot support block 150 which has a bottom surface 152 adapted to rest on surface 36 of the vibratory bowl 20. Pivot support block 150 further includes a vertical surface 154 for engagement with a portion 142 of deflector 140. Portion 142 of deflector 140 is further in contact with vertical wall 34 of the vibratory bowl 20. Pivot support block 150 and deflector 140 have a pair of bores disposed therethrough (not shown) for receiving screws 156 a and 156 b. Although not shown in the figures, it is to be understood that vertical wall 34 of the vibratory bowl 20 includes threaded inserts, identical to inserts 42 a and 42 b, molded within the bowl 20 for receiving the screws 156 a and 156 b. Pivot support block 150 is thus mounted to the vibratory bowl 20 via screws 156 a and 156 b, received through correspondingly aligned bores in the pivot support block 150 and deflector 140, and secured to threaded inserts molded within the vertical wall 34 of the bowl 20.
Deflector 140 further includes an angle portion 144 which extends from portion 142 at an angle α and terminates at the channel 75. In accordance with another important aspect of the present invention, deflector 140 serves two purposes. First, the screws 156 a and 156 b, more so than screws 64 a, 64 b, 124 a, and 124 b, are under considerable force to draw the screws away from the vertical surface 34 of the bowl 20, during operation of the parts confinement unit 55, as will be more fully discussed hereinafter. To prevent screws 156 a and 156 b from extracting the threaded inserts molded into the vertical face 34 of the bowl 20 under such force, the deflector portion 142, positioned between the pivot support block 150 and the vertical bowl face 34, acts as a washer to retain the threaded inserts within the vertical wall 34. Secondly, deflector 140 includes an angled portion 144 extending from deflector portion 142 at an angle α, and terminating at the channel 75. Angled portion 144 includes a surface 141 which provides a third mechanism for directing misoriented screws, advancing toward the discharge port 22 a, back into the interior of the bowl 20. As most clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, a misoriented screw, such as screw 14, may be partially received within the channel 75, although incorrectly oriented, and may not be directed back into the interior of the bowl 20 by the air stream exiting outlet 108 or by the sloped surface 128 of parallel blade 120. Such a screw will be directed back into the interior of the bowl upon contact with the surface 141 of deflector 140. Preferably, α is set at approximately 140 degrees, although the present invention contemplates α angles of between just over 90 degrees and approximately 170 degrees.
Pivot support block 150 further includes a pair of projections 158 a and 158 b extending therefrom. Projection 158 a includes a groove 160 a therein having a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of channel 75. Projection 158 b includes a similar groove 160 b which is axially aligned with groove 160 a. One end of a locking lever 162 is received within the channel 160 b and is pivotably attached to pivot support block 150 thereat. The pivot support block 150 includes a bore 164 defined through projection 158 b, which bisects channel 160 b. Locking lever 162 includes a similar bore at one end thereof which, when received within channel 160 b, is axially aligned with bore 164. A pin 166 extends through the bore 164 and the bore defined within the locking lever 162 to thereby pivotably attach the locking lever 162 within the channel 160 b. As most clearly seen in cross-section in FIG. 3A, locking lever 162 has a rounded edge 163 which facilitates the entry of the locking lever 162 within grooves 160 a, 160 b, and groove 184 of pivot block 180 (FIG. 4).
Parts confining unit 55 further includes a pivot block 180 which is pivotably attached to pivot support block 150 via pin 170. As most clearly shown in FIG. 1, projection 158 a of the pivot support block 150 defines a bore 168 a therethrough which has a longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of channel 160 a. Similarly, projection 158 b includes a bore 168 b disposed therethrough which has a longitudinal axis parallel to the parallel axis of channel 160 b. Pivot block 180 includes a bore 182, identical to bores 168 a and 168 b, through one end thereof. Bore 182 becomes axially aligned with bores 168 a and 168 b when pivot block 180 is positioned between projections 158 a and 158 b of pivot support block 150 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4. Pin 170 extends through bores 168 a, 168 b and 182 to thereby pivotably attach pivot block 180 to pivot support block 150.
At an end opposite to the pivotable attachment to pivot support block 150, pivot block 180 defines a pair of projections 185 a and 185 b extending laterally therefrom in opposite directions. Projection 185 a defines a bore 188 a therethrough for threadingly receiving a screw 189 a . Similarly, projection 185 b defines a bore 188 b therethrough for threadingly receiving a screw 189 b. Parts confining unit 55 further includes a parts confining member 190, or top confinement blade, which is attached to pivot block 180 via screws 189 a and 189 b. As most clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, top confinement blade 190 includes a pair of slots 192 a and 192 b for receiving screws 189 a and 189 b, respectively. The position of top confinement blade 190 relative to the pivot block 180, corresponding to the height of the top confinement blade 190 above the channel 75 as show in FIGS. 2 and 4, is therefore adjustable through appropriate positioning of screws 189 a and 189 b within slots 192 a and 192 b, respectively. Finally, top confinement blade 190 includes an angled edge 194 which, when disposed in the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, is adjacent to the parts discharge port 22 a. The purpose of angled portion 194 is two-fold. First, a screw, such as screw 15 of FIG. 6, may be received within the channel 75 head-first. If the air stream exiting outlet 108 does not direct the screw 15 back into the interior of the bowl 20, the sloped edge 194 of top confinement blade 190 is intended to topple the screw forward so that its shaft may be received within the channel 75. Secondly, a screw, such as screw 14 of FIG. 6, may not be directed back into the interior of the bowl 20 by either the air stream exiting outlet 108 or the sloped face 128 of the parallel blade 120. The sloped edge 194 of the top confinement blade 190 is further intended to provide a fourth mechanism for returning misoriented screws back into the interior of the bowl 20 by allowing such screws, such as screw 14, to continue traveling along the channel 75 until the deflecting surface 141 of the deflector 140 can direct the screw back into the interior of the bowl 20.
In order to rigidly secure the top confinement blade 190 and the pivot block 180 in their second position as shown in FIG. 4, pivot block 180 further includes a projection 186 disposed within bore 187 of pivot block 180 and extending from its underside as shown in FIG. 3. Pivot support block 150 includes an inclined surface 172 which contacts the projection as the top confinement blade 190 is pivoted to its second position. Preferably, projection 186 is configured such that the top confinement blade 190 is positioned just above its second position when the projection 186 is in contact with surface 172 and the locking lever 162 is in its unlocked position as shown in FIG. 3. As most clearly shown in FIG. 4, pivot block 180 further includes a channel 184 which is identical in dimension to channels 160 a and 160 b. When projection 186 is in contact with surface 172 under the action of gravity, the top confinement blade 190 is positioned just above its second position of FIG. 4. In this position, channel 184 is not quite axially aligned with channels 160 a and 160 b. As locking lever 162 is pivoted toward channel 160 a, the rounded edge 163 contacts one edge of the channel 184, forcing the channel 184 into axial alignment with channels 160 a and 160 b. Further pivoting of locking level 162 permits the lever 162 to be received within channel 160 a as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. When locking lever 162 is completely received within channel 160 a, locking lever 162 is in its locked position. This sequence of pivoting the top confinement blade 190 and pivot block 150 to just above the second position such that the projection 186 contacts the surface 172 under the action of gravity and thereafter pivoting the locking lever 162 from its unlocked position to its locked position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, simulatenously forces the top confinement blade 190 and pivot block 180 into the second position and rigidly forces extension 186 against surface 172 so that the entire parts confining unit 55 is locked in a secure position. This ensures that none of the top confinement components will rattle under vibratory operation. Such a locking force can be put substantial pressure on screws 156 a and 156 b, tending to force them outwardly toward the channel 75. Without some mechanism to maintain the threaded inserts within the vertical wall 34 of the polycast bowl 20, such a substantial force could result in the extraction of the threaded inserts from the bowl wall 34. The importance of the deflector portion 142 is thus immediately recognized in that it provides a counter force, under the pressure of screws 156 a and 156 b, to retain the threaded inserts within the bowl wall 34. Although similar threaded inserts are incorporated within other areas of the polycast bowl 20, none are generally subject to such forces that require the inclusion of counter force plates or washers.
In operation, the top confinement bar 190 is pivoted to its first position, as shown in FIG. 3, and the various components of the parts orientation unit 50 are adjusted, as previously described, to suit the dimensions of the particular parts being oriented. Such adjustments include, for example, positioning the top confinement bar 190 relative to the pivot block 180, adjusting the parallel blades 60 and 120 to thereby set the channel width 75, and adjusting the position of the air block 100. Once the set up procedure is completed, the top confinement bar 190 is pivoted to just above its second position, so that projection 186 contacts surface 172. Top confinement blade 190 is thereafter forced into its second position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, by pivoting the locking lever 162 from its unlocked position, shown in FIG. 3, to its locked position, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. With all of the components of the parts orientation unit 50 adjusted and solidly secured, the vibratory bowl 20 and parts orientation unit 50 may be vibrated, under the action of a vibratory drive unit, (not shown), so that a disoriented mass of parts 11 contained within the bowl 20 are transported, in a circumferential manner, along the parts track 22 toward the discharge port 22 a. Parts having certain orientations, as previously discussed, will be oriented within the channel 75, and serially provided from the channel 75 in this oriented fashion. Parts traveling towards discharge port 22 a that have orientations other than the number of orientations permitted in order for the parts to be received within the channel 75 are directed back into the interior of the bowl 22 by any of a combination of the downwardly sloped surface 128 of the parallel blade 120, the air jet stream exiting orifice 108 of the air block 100, the deflector surface 141 of deflector 140, and the angled edge 194 of the top confinement blade 190.
Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, an alternative parts feeding apparatus embodiment 200 is shown. Generally, parts feeding apparatus 200 is useful for orienting non-elongated parts such as threaded nuts, washers, coins, and the like, as well as certain compact assemblies and sub-assemblies. The parts feeding apparatus 200 utilizes a parts confining unit 55′ which is identical in most respects to the parts confining unit 55 described with respect to FIGS. 1-6, and will therefore not be discussed further. The sole difference between parts confining unit 55′ and the parts confining unit 55 is the configuration of top confinement blade 202. As shown in FIG. 7, top confinement blade 202 lacks the angled edge 194 of top confinement blade 190 and instead includes a right-angled edge 204 in place thereof.
Parts feeding apparatus 200 includes a vibratory bowl 210 which is similar in many respects to the vibratory bowl 20 as described with respect to FIGS. 1-6. For example, vibratory bowl 210 includes a parts transportation track 212 defined therein which terminates at a discharge portion 212 a. Similarly, bowl 210 includes an upper rim 214 for preventing the parts from escaping therefrom under vibratory action. However, since the parts feeding apparatus 200 is not intended for use with elongated parts, the parts orientation unit support 215 need not be bifurcated as with the previous embodiment, but may be a solid construction as shown in FIG. 7.
An outside parallel blade 260, similar to parallel blade 60 of the previous embodiment, includes grooves 262 and 264 for receiving screws 236 a and 236 b. As with the previous embodiment, the parts orientation unit support 215 includes threaded inserts molded therein for threadingly receiving screws, such as screw 236 a. Outside parallel blade 260 is positioned on top of the base plate 230, and may be laterally adjusted relative to screws 236 a and 236 b to provide a desired channel width 225. An inside parallel blade 270 is also included and has grooves 272 and 274 for receiving screws 236 c and 236 d, respectively. As with outside parallel blade 260, inside parallel blade 270 may be laterally adjusted to provide a desired channel width 225 therebetween. As with the previous embodiment, vibratory bowl 210 includes a projection 216, and inside parallel blade 270 includes a projection 276 which are correspondingly configured to provide a non-jamming surface regardless of the lateral position of the inside parallel blade 270.
Parts feeding apparatus 200 further includes an entrance mount 240 having an entrance block 250 attached thereto. As most clearly shown in FIG. 8, base plate 230 includes a pair of slots 238 a and 238 b therethrough, a pair of bores are correspondingly defined within the entrance mount 240 which are axially aligned with slots 238 a and 238 b. Screws 242 a and 242 b are provided therethrough for attaching the entrance mount 240 to the base plate 230. Due to the slots 238 a and 238 b, the entrance mount 240 may be adjusted perpendicularly toward and away from the longitudinal axis of channel 225. Entrance mount 240 may therefore be adjusted so that surface 241 is flush with edge 268 of outside parallel blade 260.
Entrance mount 240 further includes a vertical portion 244 having slots 246 a and 246 b disposed therethrough. Entrance block 250 includes corresponding threaded bores 252 a and 252 b for receiving screws 248 a and 248 b as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. The height of entrance block 250 above the channel 225 may thereby be adjusted to accommodate parts having different heights.
Finally, parts feeding apparatus 200 includes a sweep 220 attached to the vibratory bowl 210 above the parts track 212 and remote from the discharge port 212 a. Sweep 220 defines a pair of bores therethrough for receiving screws 222 a and 222 b. As with all other screw-type attachments to bowl 210, a pair of threaded inserts, identical to those described with respect to the previous embodiment, are cast within the bowl 210 for receiving screws 222 a and 222 b. Sweep 220 includes a sloped surface 224 which slopes generally downwardly in the direction of parts movement along parts track 212. In feeding parts having flat surfaces, such as washers and threaded nuts, it is possible that parts may be fed along parts track 212 in a stacked or piggy-back fashion as shown in FIG. 7. The purpose of sweep 220 is to separate such a stack and provide separate or discrete parts to discharge port 212 a. Sweep 220 is thus positioned so that its lowest portion of surface 224 permits passage of a single, and properly oriented, part therethrough. The surface 224 is sloped to a sufficient degree to permit a stack of parts to be separated while maintaining the separated parts on the parts track 212. Preferably, surface 224 is sloped at an angle of approximately 20 degrees, although the present invention contemplates slopes of between 5 degrees and 70 degrees.
In operation, a disoriented mass of parts, such as washers, threaded nuts, and the like, are provided within the vibratory bowl 210 as partially shown in FIG. 8. Under vibratory action, provided by a vibratory drive unit (not shown), the parts 207 travel, in a circumferential manner, along the parts track 212 toward the discharge port 212 a. If parts become stacked or piggy-backed along the way, sweep 220 separates the stacks into individual or discrete parts for further transportation toward discharge port 212 a. Upon reaching discharge port 212 a, properly oriented parts, such as part 207 a, will pass under the entrance block 250 and be received and oriented within the channel 225, such as part 205 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Parts having orientations other than those permitted to be received within the channel 225 are directed back into the vibratory bowl 210. One mechanism for directing parts back into the bowl 210 is the angled surface 254 of entrance block 250. If a part has been turned on its edge, such as part 207 b, the part will not be permitted to pass under the entrance block 250, and the angled surface 254 of the entrance block 250 will direct the part back into the vibratory bowl 210. A second mechanism for directing parts back into the vibratory bowl 210 is the edge 278 of inside parallel blade 270. If a part, such as part 207 c, is not close enough to the surface 241 of the entrance mount 240, the angled edge 278 of the inside parallel blade 270 will direct the part back into the vibratory bowl 210. If part 207 c is located too close to the interior of bowl 210, and does not contact surface 278 of blade 270, it may continue along the top surface of base plate 203 as shown by part 207 d in FIG. 8. In such a case, surface 217 of projection 216 will direct the part 207 d back into the vibratory bowl 210.
Referring now to FIG. 10, vibratory bowl 20 is shown having only parts confinement apparatus, or pivotal top confinement apparatus, 55 attached thereto via fasteners 156 a and 156 b as discussed hereinabove. As used hereinafter, the term “pivotal top confinement apparatus 55” is defined as including all parts of apparatus 55 discussed hereinabove with respect to FIGS. 1-4, with the exception of deflector 140 and top confinement blade 190. As discussed hereinabove, bowl 20 preferably includes a helical parts path 22 terminating at a discharge port 22 a. Parts orientation, or feeding, member 25 extends from discharge port 22 a to parts orientation member wall 25 a and defines a hollow recess 27 between parts orientation unit mounting surfaces 28 and 30. Upper rim 26 terminates at wall 26 a, thus defining rim edge 26 b thereat. Wall 26 a extends downwardly toward parts orientation unit mounting surface 28 and defines a scrap chute 32 therebetween. Parts orientation unit mounting surfaces 28 and 30 each include a number of threaded inserts therein at predefined locations. Preferably, surface 28 includes two such inserts 42 a and 42 b therein and surface 30 similarly includes two such inserts 44 a and 44 b therein, although it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates providing any number of inserts within parts orientations mounting surface 28 and 30 at predefined locations.
Referring now to FIG. 11, another embodiment of a parts orientation unit 300 for use with the vibratory bowl 20 and pivotal top confinement apparatus 55, in accordance with the present invention, is shown. Parts orientation unit 300 is similar in many respects to parts orientation unit 50 of FIGS. 1-4 in that it is intended to feed and orient headed parts such as screws 310. Parts orientation unit 300 includes a pair of parallel blades 302 and 304 which are sloped downwardly at the parts exiting end thereof. Outer blade 302 includes a pair of bores 302 a and 302 b therethrough which, when blade 302 is mounted to surface 28, are aligned with inserts 42 a and 42 b respectively. Fastener 64 a is received within bore 302 a and insert 42 a, and fastener 64 b is received within bore 302 b and insert 42 b, to secure blade 302 to surface 28 of parts orientation number 25. Blade 304 includes a bore 304 a and channel 304 b which, when blade 304 is mounted to surface 30, are aligned with inserts 44 b and 44 a respectively. Fastener 124 a is received within bore 304 a and insert 44 b, and fastener 124 b is received within channel 304 b and insert 44 a, to secure blade 304 to surface 30 of parts orientation number 25. As with blades 60 and 120, FIGS. 1-4, blades 302 and 304 are adjustably positionable with respect to each other to provide a gap G therebetween of desired width. Headed parts 310 are directed to bowl discharge port 22 a, under suitable vibratory action, along helical parts path 22 for eventual orientation within gap G of parts orientation unit 300 as discussed hereinabove.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a top confinement blade 306 includes a parts confinement surface 308 that is configured complimentarily with the shape of blades 302 and 304. Blade 306 includes a pair of grooves 306 a and 306 b through which fasteners 189 a and 189 b extend to secure blade 306 to pivot block 180 of pivotal top confinement apparatus 55. Via fasteners 189 a and 189 b, and slots 306 a and 306 b, confinement blade 306 may be adjusted, as may any of the top confinement blades discussed herein, to any desired height above the gap G defined between blades 302 and 304 to confine headed parts 310 therein. Preferably, the curved portions of blades 302, 304 and 306 slope downwardly away from mounting surfaces 28 and 30 at the wall 25 a of parts orientation member 25 at an angle at approximately 35° from a horizontal plane defined by surfaces 28 and 30, although the present invention contemplates providing such curved portions having any desired angle from the plane defined by surfaces 28 and 30.
Referring specifically to FIGS. 13-15b, parts entrance unit 320 includes an air supply unit 322 connected to an improved guide block 370 which is attached to the parts orientation unit adjacent to the discharge port 22 a of vibratory bowl 20. Although FIGS. 13, 15 a and 15 b show the parts entrance unit 320 as being connected to parts orientation unit 50 of FIGS. 1-4, it is to be understood that entrance unit 320 may be attached to parts orientation unit 300 in a manner identically to that described hereinafter. It should also be understood that air supply unit 322 is shown, and will be described hereinafter, as being used in conjunction with a parts orientation unit (50 or 300) operable to feed and orient elongated and headed parts as is known in the art, although the present invention contemplates utilizing air supply unit 322 with parts orientation unit configurations operable to feed and orient parts having configurations other than headed parts having elongated shafts extending therefrom. In any event, as most clearly shown in FIGS. 14a and 15 a, guide block 370 includes a bottom surface 376 having a number of bores, preferably threaded, defined therein. In one embodiment, bottom surface 376 defines two such bores therein; bore 376 a and bore 376 b. Outer blade 60 of parts orientation unit 50 (alternatively, outer blade 302 of parts orientation unit 300) defines a pair of matching bores 312 a and 312 b therethrough. A pair of fasteners 378 a and 378 b extend through bores 312 a and 376 a, and 312 b and 376 b respectively, to attached guide block 370 to blade 60 (alternatively, to blade 302) adjacent parts discharge port 22 a.
Guide block 370 defines a guide block body 372 having a bowl clamp member 374 extending from one side 378 thereof. Bowl clamp member 374 defines a bottom surface 380 which, when guide block 370 is attached to blade 60 (alternatively, blade 302) as described hereinabove, is in contact with a portion of upper rim 26 of bowl 20 adjacent edge 26 b thereof. Preferably, the distance along side 378 between bottom surface 376 and bottom surface 380 of guide block 370 is sized slightly smaller than the distance between the top surface of blade 60 (alternatively blade 302) and upper rim 26 of vibratory bowl 20. As guide block 370 is attached to blade 60 (alternatively blade 302), bottom surface 380 thus forms a press fit against the upper rim 26 of bowl 20. This configuration permits the end of blade 60 (alternatively blade 302) adjacent to parts discharge port 22 a to be rigidly clamped to the vibratory bowl 20 adjacent thereto. Preferably, bores 312 a, 376 a, 312 b and 376 b are positioned so that side 378 of guide block 370 contacts wall 26 a of bowl 20 as bottom surface 380 of guide block 370 contacts upper rim 26 as discussed hereinabove. Since the end of blade 60 (alternatively, blade 302) adjacent to parts discharge port 22 a is not otherwise attached to bowl 20 due to the presence of scrap shoot 32, such a clamping arrangement insures that the end of blade 60 (alternatively, blade 302) adjacent to parts discharge port 22 a moves only under the direction of vibratory bowl 20, and does not vibrate separately therefrom.
Guide block 370 further defines a back surface 386 in which a number of bores, preferably threaded, are defined therein. In one embodiment, back surface 386 of guide block 370 defines two such bores therein; a first bore 384 a and a second bore 384 b. Air supply block 322 defines a back surface 326 and an opposite front surface 328 through which a number of slots are defined. In one embodiment, two such slots, slot 324 a and 324 b, are defined through block 322. Face 328 of air supply block 322 terminates at face 327 of air supply housing 332, which face 327 extends perpendicularly away from face 328. A pair of fasteners 330 a and 330 b extend through slots 324 a and 324 b respectively, and into bores 384 a and 384 b respectively, to secure air supply block 322 to guide block 370. In so doing, surface 328 of air supply block 322 is in contact with back surface 386 of guide block 370, and surface 327 of guide block 322 is in contact with surface 382 of guide block 370. Slots 324 a and 324 b provide for the ability to adjust air supply block 322 vertically with respect to guide block 37.
In any case, air supply block 322 defines an end face 365 opposite face 327 which defines a number of bores therein. In one embodiment, face 365 defines two such bores, bore 356 a and 356 b. A stop member, or plate, 390 defines a pair of slots 392 a and 392 b therethrough, and is attached to face 365 of air supply block 322 via a pair of fasteners 398 a and 398 b extending through slots 392 a and 392 b into bores 356 a and 356 b respectively. Stop member 390 defines a front edge 395 which, when stop member 390 is attached to air supply block 322, faces channel 75 of parts orientation unit 50 (alternatively, gap G of parts orientation unit 300). Slots 392 a and 392 b permit adjustable positioning of edge 395 toward and away the channel 75 (or gap G).
In the operation of air supply block 322, an air supply fitting 366 is connected at one end to bore 338 of air turret 336, and at an opposite end to a source of pressurized air via some type of conduit such as a hose 368. As most clearly shown in FIG. 15b, air turret 336 is slidably positionable within bore 334 such that air supply bore 340 is aligned with either groove 350, as shown, or with groove 348 as shown in phantom. The air turret 336 may further be rotatably positioned within bore 334 so that air supply bore 340 is positioned at any desired angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of channel 75 of parts orientation unit 50 (alternatively, gap G of parts orientation unit 300). It is to be understood that air supply bore 340 may be positioned at any angle between that directly opposing parts 315 supplied to parts orientation unit 50 via discharge port 22 a as shown in FIG. 15b, and the direction of parts advancing along channel 75 downstream of air supply block 33 as shown in FIG. 15b, thereby encompassing approximately 180° of adjustability. Face 346 of air supply housing 332 is recessed from face 342 in order to decrease the likelihood of parts jamming within the parts orientation unit, as well as the likelihood of parts escaping therefrom. By recessing face 346 within air supply housing 332, and by providing for the attachment of stop plate 390 at end face 365 thereof, an area of air turbulence is created between face 346 and surface 394 of stop plate 390 (see FIG. 14c). Thus, any improperly oriented parts 315 (FIG. 15b) or 317 (FIG. 14c), such as those extending across channel 75, will be directed back into vibratory bowl 20 via such air turbulence.
From the foregoing, it should now be apparent that the air supply block 322 of the present invention provides for a high degree of adjustability of air supply direction. For example, two separate mechanisms are provided for adjusting the height above parts orientation unit 50 (alternatively parts orientation unit 300) at which pressurized air is provided there across. First, air turret 336 may be adjustably positioned within bore 334 to align air supply bore 340 within either of groves 348 or 350. It is to be understood that the present invention contemplates providing any number of such groves within face 346 to provide for either greater or lesser capability for longitudinal adjustment of air supply bore 340 within bore 334. Secondly, the entire air supply block 322 may be adjustably positioned relative to guide block 370 by adjusting the position of fasteners 330 a and 330 b within elongated slots 324 a and 324 b of air supply block 322. By either of the foregoing mechanisms or a combination of the two, air supply block 322 may be suitably manipulated to provide a supply of pressurized air across parts orientation unit 50 (alternatively, parts orientation unit 300) at any desired height there above. Moreover, one or more air turrets 336 may be rotationally positioned and secured within its corresponding bore to supply the pressurized air at any angle between approximately zero and 180° relative to the longitudinal axis of channel 75 (or gap G).
Referring now to FIGS. 17-18, a modification of pivotal top confinement apparatus 55 is shown which illustrates a technique for providing top confinement at a location other than centrally over the parts orientation channel. Such a technique is particularly well suited for confining parts 404 described hereinabove which have a flange portion 408 radially extending therefrom. In such a case, pivotal top confinement apparatus 55 includes an extension block 414 provided between pivot block 180 and top confinement blade 416. Extension block 414 has sufficient thickness such that the parts confining surface 420 of top confinement blade 416 is disposed over the flange portion 408 of parts 404 with the cap portions 410 positioned between the pivotal top confinement apparatus 55 and the top confinement blade 416. The top confinement blade 416 defines a pair of elongated slots 422 a and 422 b therethrough and fasteners 189 a and 189 b extend therethrough, as well as through extension block 414, into engagement with pivoting block 180. The height of confining surface 420 of top confinement blade 416 relative to parts orientation unit 50 (alternatively, parts orientation unit 300) can thus be adjusted by suitably positioning fasteners 189 a and 189 b within elongated slots 422 a and 422 b respectively.
Referring now to FIG. 19, another embodiment of a parts orientation unit 500 for use in conjunction with vibratory bowl 20 and pivotal top confinement apparatus 55 of FIG. 10, is shown. Parts orientation unit 500 includes a substantially flat parts orientation tooling unit 502 defining bores 506 a, 506 b and 508 a, as well as channel 508 b, therethrough. Bore 506 a is aligned with insert 42 a, bore 506 b is aligned with insert 42 b, bore 508 a is aligned with insert 44 b, and channel 508 b is configured to receive projection 38 therein while aligning with insert 44 a. Parts orientation tooling unit 502 may thus be attached to surfaces 28 and 30 of parts orientation member 25 via fasteners 64 a, 64 b, 124 a and 124 b as discussed hereinabove. Parts orientation tooling unit 502 defines a rectangular channel 504 longitudinally therethrough having a predefined depth and width. The width and depth of channel 504 are appropriately sized to feed and orient low profile parts such as threaded nuts 205, washers, and the like. The remaining components illustrated in FIG. 19 are identical to those previously discussed with respect to FIGS. 7-9, and include top confinement blade 204, sweep 220 and entrance mount 240.
Referring now to FIG. 20, a modification 550 of the parts orientation unit 500 is shown which includes a parts orientation tooling unit 552 defining bores 556 a, 556 b, 558 a and channel 558 b therethrough identical to bores 506 a, 506 b, 508 a and channel 508 b of tooling unit 502 respectively. As with tooling unit 502, tooling unit 552 is thus attachable to inserts 42 a, 42 b, 44 a and 44 b via fasteners 64 a, 64 b, 124 a and 124 b respectively. Tooling unit 552 further defines a rectangular channel 554 longitudinal therethrough having a desired depth and width as discussed hereinabove with respect to channel 504 of FIG. 19. Unlike tooling unit 502, however, tooling unit 552 provides a portion thereof beyond end wall 25 a of parts orientation member 25 that is generally curved downwardly with a predefined slope and tapered inwardly toward channel 554. Preferably, tooling unit 552 slopes away from a plane defined by surfaces 28 and 30 of bowl 20 at an angle of approximately 35°, although the present invention contemplates providing the sloped portion of tooling unit 552 at other angles. As with parts orientation unit 300 of FIGS. 11-12, pivotal top confinement apparatus 55 is provided with a top confinement blade 560 having a parts confining surface 562 that is sloped complimentarily to that of tooling unit 552.
Referring now to FIGS. 19-21, either of the parts orientation units 500 or 550 may include an alternate entrance block 564 attached thereto. Preferably, tooling units 500 and 552 each define a pair of bores therethrough (not shown) which align with bores 556 a and 566 b defined in a bottom surface 568 of entrance block 564. Fasteners 570 a and 570 b thus extend through tooling unit 500 or 550 into bores 566 a and 566 b respectively to thereby attach entrance block 564 to tooling unit 500 or 550. As most clearly shown in FIG. 21, entrance block 564 preferably includes a clamp member 565 extending therefrom which defines a bottom surface 572 that forms a press fit with upper rim 26 of vibratory bowl 20 when entrance unit 564 is attached to tooling unit 500 or 550. As discussed hereinabove, such a feature insures that the end of tooling unit 500 or 550 extending over scrap chute 32 adjacent to discharge port 22 a is secured to vibratory bowl 20.
Entrance unit 564 further includes a projection 574 extending over channel 504 which defines a generally concave vertical face 576 between entrance unit 564 and the end of projection 574. The top surface 580 of tooling unit 500 or 550 between discharge port 22 a and protrusion 574 is configured to be level approximately with the bottom of channel 504, and a portion 582 of tooling unit 500 or 550 adjacent to protrusion 574 has been removed. As most clearly illustrated in FIG. 21, parts 205 having orientations other than those aligned with channel 504 are directed back into the vibratory bowl 20. For example, parts standing on end, such as part 207, are directed by concave face 76 into the cutout portion 582 of the tooling unit and back into the interior of vibratory bowl 20. Similarly, flat parts that are not aligned with channel 504 are directed onto surface 580 and into the cutout portion 582 which are thereby directed back into the interior of vibratory bowl 20.
Referring now to FIG. 22, yet another parts orientation unit 600 for use in conjunction with the vibratory bowl 20 and pivotal top confinement apparatus 55 of FIG. 10 is shown. Parts orientation unit 600 includes a substantially flat parts orientation tooling unit 602 defining bores 606 a, 606 b, 608 a, as well as channel 608 b therethrough, which align with inserts 42 a, 42 b, 44 a, and 44 b respectively. Tooling unit 602 may thus be detachably mounted to surfaces 28 and 30 of parts orientation member 25 via fasteners 64 a, 64 b, 124 a and 124 b as discussed hereinabove. Tooling unit 602 defines a generally concave channel 610 longitudinally therethrough for feeding and orienting correspondingly configured parts 612. Concave channel 610 may be symmetrical about a center axis thereof, and may be sized to have a predefined radius. As such, parts 610 may be cylindrical or tubular in shape, with an outer radius complimentary to the radius of channel 610.
Referring now to FIG. 23, a modification 650 of the parts orientation unit 600 is shown which includes a parts orientation tooling unit 652 defining bores 656 a, 656 b, 658 a, as well as channel 658 b therethrough. As with tooling unit 600, the bores and channel align with inserts 42 a, 42 b, 44 a and 44 b such that tooling unit 650 may be attached to surfaces 28 and 30 of parts orientation member 25 via fasteners 64 a, 64 b, 124 a and 124 b. Tooling unit 652 further defines channel 610 longitudinally therethrough, identical to channel 610 of tooling unit 600, for feeding and orienting parts 612. Unlike tooling unit 602, however, tooling unit 652 includes a portion thereof extending beyond end wall 25 a of parts orientation member 25 that is sloped generally downwardly away from surfaces 28 and 30 and tapered inwardly toward channel 610. Preferably, this curved portion is sloped at an angle of approximately 35° downwardly from a plane defined by surfaces 28 and 30 of parts orientation member 25, although the present invention contemplates providing this curved portion with other desired angles. As discussed with reference to FIGS. 11-12 and 20, pivotal top confinement apparatus 55 includes a top confinement blade 654 attached thereto which has a parts confining surface configured complimentarily to the curved surface of tooling unit 652.
Parts orientation unit 600 and 650 each define a pair of bores therethrough (not shown) which align with bores 616 a and 616 b defined in a bottom surface 618 of entrance block 614. A pair of fasteners 620 a and 620 b extend through tooling unit 602 or 652 into engagement with bores 616 a and 616 b of entrance unit 614 to thereby attach entrance unit 614 to either of tooling units 602 or 652.
Referring now to FIG. 24, entrance unit 614 includes a clamp member 624 extending therefrom defining a bottom surface 626 forming a press fit with upper rim 26 of vibratory bowl 20 as entrance unit 614 is attached to tooling unit 602 or 652. In this manner, the end of tooling unit 602 or 652 positioned above scrap chute 32 and adjacent to discharge port 22 a is secured to vibratory bowl 20 as discussed hereinabove. Entrance block 614 further includes a projection 628 extending over channel 610 which defines a generally concave surface 630 extending in front of channel 610 adjacent to parts discharge port 22 a. Over channel 610, projection 628 defines a recess 632 having a generally concave profile that is shaped complimentarily to the outer surface of parts 612. As discussed with respect to FIG. 21, tooling units 602 and 652 define a surface 634 between discharge port 22 a and protrusion 628 that is approximately level with the bottom of channel 610, and further includes a cutout portion 636 adjacent to protrusion 628. As discussed with respect to FIG. 21, the concave surface 630 of protrusion 628, as well as surfaces 634 and cutout portion 636 are operable to direct parts 612 having orientations other than those directly aligned with channel 610, back into the interior of vibratory bowl 20.
Channel 610 further defines a scrap port 638 therethrough adjacent to discharge port 22 a that is open to scrap chute 32. Scrap port 638 is operable to direct small scrap particles from parts 612 into scrap chute 32 in order to reduce the presence of scrap particles in and around the parts orientation unit. Although scrap port 638 is shown and described only with respect to channel 610 of FIG. 24, it is to be understood that such a scrap port may be provided within the parts orientation channels of any of the closed channel embodiments discussed herein. Moreover, such a scrap port need not be positioned directly adjacent to discharge port 22 a, but may be positioned anywhere along the parts orientation channel so long as such a scrap port is in communication with the scrap chute 32 of vibratory bowl 20.
Referring now to FIG. 25, still another embodiment of a parts orientation unit 700, for use in conjunction with the vibratory bowl 20 and pivotal top confinement apparatus 55 of FIG. 10 is shown. Parts orientation unit 700 includes a substantially flat parts orientation tooling unit 702 defining bores 708 a, 708 b, 710 a, as well as channel 710 b, therethrough, which align with inserts 42 a, 42 b, 44 a and 44 b of surfaces 28 and 30 respectively of parts orientation member 25. Fasteners 64 a, 64 b, 124 a and 124 b are thus used to attach tooling unit 702 to parts orientation member 25 of vibratory bowl 20 as discussed hereinabove. Tooling unit 702 defines a rectangular channel 704 longitudinally therethrough having a predetermined depth and width. Channel 704 defines a first channel surface 706 a at one end of tooling unit 702 adjacent discharge port 22 a and a second channel surface 706 b at an opposite end thereof. A diagonal line 712 extends across channel 704 and defines channel surfaces 706 a and 706 b on either side thereof. Preferably, channel surface 706 a is sloped away from pivotal top confinement apparatus 55 in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of channel 704, and channel surface 706 b is generally parallel with a plane defined by surfaces 28 and 30 of vibratory bowl 20. In one embodiment, channel surface 706 a is sloped downwardly away from channel surface 706 b at an angle of approximately 10° relative thereto, although the present invention contemplates sloping channel surface 706 a downwardly away from channel surface 706 b at any desired angle. The end of tooling unit 702 adjacent to channel surface 706 b is tapered inwardly toward channel 704.
Pivotal top confinement apparatus 55 includes a top confinement blade 714 attached thereto which defines a first parts confining surface 716 adjacent one end thereof, a second parts confining surface 718 adjacent an opposite end thereof, and a diagonal line 720 extending across the parts confining surface of top confinement blade 714 to define surfaces 716 and 718 therebetween. Preferably, parts confining surfaces 716 and 718 of top confinement blade 714 are configured complimentarily to channel surfaces 706 a and 706 b respectively. Thus, parts confining surface 718 is preferably substantially flat, whereas parts confining surface 716 slopes away from surface 718 at an angle of approximately 10°. An alternative embodiment of top confinement blade 722 is shown in FIG. 25a, which defines a parts confining surface 724 that is sloped perpendicularly away from a longitudinal axis thereof. In one embodiment, parts confining surface 724 is sloped away from pivot block 180 at an angle of approximately 5°. In either case, top confinement blade 714 or 722 define a pair of elongated slots 726 and 728 therethrough for attachment to pivot block 180 as described hereinabove.
Referring now to FIG. 27, a modification 750 of the parts orientation unit 700 of FIG. 25 is shown. Parts orientation unit 750 includes a parts orientation tooling unit 752 defining bores 754 a, 754 b, 756 a, and slot 756 b, therethrough which align with inserts 42 a, 42 b, 44 a and 44 b respectively of vibratory bowl 20. As with tooling unit 702, tooling unit 752 is similarly attachable to surfaces 28 and 30 of parts orientation member 25 via fasteners 64 a, 64 b, 124 a and 124 b. Tooling unit 752 further defines a channel 704, identical to channel 704 of tooling unit 702, longitudinally therethrough. Unlike tooling unit 702, however, tooling unit 752 includes a curved portion thereof extending away from end surface 25 a of parts orientation member 25 that is sloped generally downwardly at a predefined angle away from a plane defined by a surfaces 28 and 30 of parts orientation member 25 and is tapered inwardly toward channel 704 curved. Preferably, this portion of tooling unit 752 is sloped downwardly at an angle of approximately 35° relative to surfaces 28 and 30, although the present invention contemplates providing such a slope at any desired angle relative to surfaces 28 and 30. Pivotal top confinement apparatus 55 includes a top confinement blade 756 having parts confining surfaces 758 and 760 configured identically to surfaces 716 and 718 respectively of top confinement blade 714 (FIG. 25), wherein surface 760 is further configured complimentarily to the curved surface of tooling unit 752. Alternatively, top confinement blade 762 of FIG. 27A may be attached to pivot block 180 wherein blade 762 defines a parts confining surface 764 configured identically to parts confining surface 724 of top confinement blades 722, yet surface 764 is sloped complimentarily to the top surface of tooling unit 752. In either case, top confinement blade 756 or 764 define a pair of elongated slots 766 and 768 therethrough for adjustable attachment to pivot block 180 as described hereinabove.
Parts orientation units 700 and 750 each include an entrance block 729 attached thereto. Tooling units 702 and 752 each define a pair of bores therethrough (not shown) which align with bores 730 a and 730 b defined in a bottom surface 732 of entrance block 729. Fasteners 734 a and 734 b extend through tooling unit 702 or 752 into engagement with bores 730 a and 730 b respectively to attach entrance block 729 to tooling unit 702 or 752.
Referring now to FIG. 26, entrance block 729 includes a clamp member 738 extending therefrom which defines a bottom surface 740 forming a press fit with upper rim 26 of vibratory bowl 20 as entrance block 729 is attached to tooling unit 702 or 752. In this manner, the end of tooling unit 702 or 752 adjacent to parts discharge port 22 a is rigidly secured to vibratory bowl 20 as discussed hereinabove.
Entrance block 729 further includes a projection 742 extending therefrom across channel 704 which defines a generally concave vertical surface 744 extending between discharge port 22 a and the end of protrusion 742. Tooling unit 702 or 752 further defines a surface 746 adjacent discharge port 22 a that is approximately flat, or parallel to channel surface 706 b, and further defines a cutout portion 750 adjacent to protrusion 742 of entrance block 729.
Tooling units 702 and 752 are intended to feed and orient parts having a generally flat and rectangular or square configuration such as, for example, chip resistors 715, chip capacitors and the like. As discussed hereinabove with respect to earlier embodiments, flat surface 746 of tooling units 702 and 752, and concave surface 744 of entrance block 729, are each operable to direct misoriented parts 715 back into the interior of vibratory bowl 20. With the tooling unit 702 or 752, parts that are longitudinally aligned with channel 704 are directed by the vibratory action of vibratory bowl 20 onto sloped channel surface 706 a. Sloped surface 706 a forces properly aligned parts 715, under the action of gravity, against entrance block 729 as the parts 715 are fed deeper into channel 704. Once past projection 742 of entrance block 729, the channel surface 706 a slowly transitions to channel surface 706 b that is generally parallel to a plane defined by surfaces 28 and 30 of parts orientation member 25.
In the feeding of parts toward channel 704 from discharge port 22 a of vibratory bowl 20, it is possible that parts may orient themselves sideways and yet be forced by channel surface 706 a against entrance block 729 as illustrated by part 717. In order that such parts do not cause jams, tooling units 702 and 752 include a cutout area 748 from channel surface 706 a adjacent to projection 742. Preferably, cutout 748 is configured in a half-moon shape and extends into channel surface 706 a only sufficiently to cause a misoriented part such as part 717 to fall, under the action of gravity, back into vibratory bowl 20. Half-moon cutout 748 is thus operable to remove just enough channel surface 706 a so that the weight of a misoriented part 717 causes the part to fall back into the interior vibratory bowl 20.
Within support surface 812, bowl 800 defines a bore 820, which is preferably provided by a threaded insert, such as insert 42 a, 42 b, 44 a or 44 b shown and described with respect to FIG. 10, which is molded into surface 812. Plate mounting surface 814 similarly defines a number of bores 822 therein, which are also preferably provided by threaded inserts as discussed hereinabove. While the present invention contemplates that plate mounting surface 814 may define any number of bores 822 therein, four such bores 822 are provided in one preferred embodiment of bowl 800 as shown in FIG. 28. Adjacent to discharge port 810 and below rim 806, bowl 800 defines a projection 824 which extends generally perpendicularly away from vertical surface 828 of bowl 800.
Blade 950 defines a first pair of channels 952 therethrough which align with corresponding bores 925 defined in edge surface 924 of support plate 918. Fasteners 936 extend through channels 952 and into bores 952 to thereby detachably mount blade 950 to edge surface 924 of support plate 918. Blade 950 further defines a second pair of channels 962 therethrough which align with a corresponding pair of bores 376 a and 376 b (FIG. 14a) defined in air supply block 322 forming part of parts entrance unit 320. A pair of fasteners 964 extend through bores 962 and into bores 376 a and 376 b to thereby detachably mount air supply block 322 (and the parts receiving unit 320) to blade 950. When detachably mounted to support plate 918, blade 950 defines a first end 954 positioned adjacent to parts discharge port 810 and a second end 956 extending away from parts discharge port 810. A bottom surface 960 of blade 950 adjacent to first end 954 is, in assembly (FIG. 31), supported by projection 824 of bowl 800.
Parts entrance unit 320 is identical to that described hereinabove with respect to FIGS. 13-16, and includes air supply block 322 detachably mounted to guide block 370 via fasteners 330 a and 330 b, and stop plate 390 detachably mounted to air supply block 322 via fasteners 398 a and 398 b. In a preferred embodiment, of parts orientation unit 900, air supply block includes two air turrets 336 and 360 detachably secured within air supply block 322 via fasteners 364, although the present invention contemplates providing air supply block 322 with only a single air turret or more than two air turrets as described hereinabove with respect to FIG. 14a.
Parts orientation unit 900 further includes a pivotal top confinement apparatus 55, as described hereinabove, detachably mountable to support plate 902 via attachment plate 968. Plate 968 defines a first set of bores 970 a-c therethrough adjacent to a lower end thereof, wherein bores 970 b and 970 c align with bores 966 a and 966 b defined in support plate 902. Fasteners 972 extend through bores 970 b and 970 c and into bores 966 a and 966 b respectively to thereby detachably mount attachment plate 968 to support plate 902. Attachment plate 968 further defines a second set of bores 970 d and 970 e therethrough adjacent to an upper end thereof, wherein bores 970 d and 970 e are aligned with corresponding bores defined through deflector 140 and pivot support block 150. A pair of fasteners 972 extend through bores 970 d and 970 e, through the corresponding bores defined through deflector 140 and into engagement within the corresponding bores defined in pivot support block 150 to thereby detachably mount pivotal top confinement apparatus 55 to attachment plate 968.
Referring now to FIG. 30, parts orientation unit 900 is shown detachably mounted, as described above, to vibratory bowl 800 with pivotal top confinement apparatus 55 shown pivoted away from its parts confining position. Parts orientation unit 900 receives headed parts 980 from discharge port 810, and parallel blades 930 and 950 define an adjustable width parts orienting channel therebetween which is operable to orient the parts 980 as shown. Parts 980 having orientations other than that which allows receipt within the parts orientation channel as shown are directed by various components of parts orientation unit 900 back into the vibratory bowl as described hereinabove.
Parts sweep plate 994 further defines a sweep edge 997 which serves at least two functions. One function of sweep edge is to knock over headed parts standing on edge, such as part 980 a of FIG. 32B, so that the headed parts are transported along helical parts path 808 toward parts discharge port 810 on their side, such as part 980 b of FIG. 32B. Another function of sweep edge 997 is to ensure that parts 980 are provided along helical parts path 808 in serial fashion, and is thereby operable to direct at least one of two side-by-side headed parts standing on edge back into the vibratory bowl 800. While sweep edge 997 is shown in FIGS. 32A and 32B as generally angled upwardly from edge 993, those skilled in the art will recognize that sweep edge 997 may be designed to have any desired configuration that is operable to fulfill the parts sweeping functions just described.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 33, bores 970 a and 970 c of attachment plate 968 align with corresponding bores 1022 a and 1022 b defined within receiving unit mounting plate 1020. Fasteners 972 extend through bores 970 a and 970 c and into engagement within bores 1022 a and 1022 b to thereby detachably mount attachment plate 968 to receiving unit mounting plate 1020. It bears pointing out that by providing attachment plate 968 with three suitably positioned bores 970 a-c, plate 968 may advantageously be used with both parts orientation units 900 and 1000, thereby reducing the number of unique components required by each.
Referring now to FIG. 38, an alternate embodiment of a vibratory bowl 800′, in accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, is shown. Vibratory bowl 800′ is identical in many respects to vibratory bowl 800, and differs only in that a portion 802′ of outer surface 802 diametrically opposite to the parts orientation unit attachment location is extended outwardly and a counterweight 1104 is positioned therein. Preferably, vibratory bowl 800′ is a polycast bowl and counterweight 1104 is cast therein as bowl 800′ is formed. The positioning and weight of counterweight 1104 are selected according to the same criteria as discussed hereinabove. It is to be understood that either of the counterweight embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 37 and 38, while described with respect to vibratory bowls 800 and 800′, may alternatively be attached to, or cast within, vibratory bowl 20 of FIGS. 1-27, wherein such counterweight(s) must be suitably sized and located along the outer bowl surface to take into account the total weight and positioning of all components of the parts orientation unit.
Referring now to FIG. 39, another alternate embodiment of a vibratory bowl 800″, in accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, is shown. Bowl 800″ is identical in most respects to bowl 800, and differs only in that the helical parts track 808 is reconfigured near the parts discharge port 810. Specifically, a portion 852 of the sidewall 804 near the discharge port 810 protrudes into the helical parts path 808 to thereby create a bend 808′ therein. Preferably, the bend portion 808′ of the helical parts path 808 is reduced in width, and a portion of the bowl sidewall 804 beyond and before the bend 808′ is configured to slope away from the parts path 808 toward bowl bottom 830.
In the operation of vibratory bowls, it is known that parts may typically be provided to the discharge port 810 of the vibratory bowl at a faster rate than parts are processed through a parts orientation unit, such as unit 900 of FIG. 39. As a result, parts tend to arrange themselves along the parts path 808 adjacent to discharge port 810 in contacting relationship, thereby creating what is known in the art as “back pressure” on the parts being transported through the parts orientation unit and beyond. Such back pressure is undesirable and tends to facilitate formation of parts jams at the exit location of the parts orientation unit and downstream therefrom, as well as creating an opportunity for parts to climb on top of each other and over the top edge 806 of the bowl adjacent to the discharge port 810. The bend 808′ formed in parts path 808 and illustrated in FIG. 39 addresses this back pressure concern by diverting some of the parts traveling along path 808 adjacent to the discharge port 810 back into the vibratory bowl 800″, thereby relieving some of the back pressure. In general, the number of parts diverted back into the bowl relative to the number of parts continuing toward parts discharge port 810 is dictated by the severity and size of the bend portion 808′ of parts path 808, and such a bend 808′ may be sized accordingly.
1. A vibratory parts feeder, comprising:
a vibratory bowl having a bottom and a sidewall extending therefrom to an open top;
a helical parts path formed adjacent an inner surface of said bowl sidewall;
a parts discharge port formed adjacent said open top, said helical parts path configured to transport parts thereon from within said bowl to said parts discharge port under vibratory action;
wherein a portion of said inner surface of said bowl sidewall extends partially into said helical parts path adjacent said parts discharge port to thereby create a bend in said helical parts path.
2. The vibratory parts feeder of claim 1 wherein said bowl is cast from an epoxy resin material.
a parts receiving unit receiving parts from said discharge port and orienting said received parts according to said predetermined orientation; and
a parts confining unit operable to confine said parts within said parts receiving unit.
5. The vibratory parts feeder of claim 4 wherein said parts confining unit is pivotable between a first position adjacent said parts receiving unit for confining parts therein and a second position remote from said parts receiving unit.
8. The vibratory parts feeder of claim 7 wherein said bowl sidewall on both sides of said bend is configured to slope away from said helical parts path toward said bottom of said bowl.
9. The vibratory parts feeder of claim 2 wherein said helical parts path is formed integral with said inner surface of said bowl sidewall.
10. A parts feeding apparatus for providing oriented parts having common configuration, comprising:
a vibratory bowl configured to receive a disoriented mass of parts therein and transport said parts on a helical parts path toward a discharge port under vibratory action; and
wherein a portion of said bowl projects into said discharge port to thereby create a bend in said helical parts path.
11. The parts feeding apparatus of claim 10 wherein said bowl is cast from an epoxy resin material.
12. The parts feeding apparatus of claim 11 wherein said helical parts path is formed integral with an inner surface of said bowl.
13. The parts feeding apparatus of claim 10 wherein another portion of said bowl adjacent said bend is configured to slope away from said helical parts path toward a bottom of said bowl.
14. The parts feeding apparatus of claim 13 wherein said bowl on both sides of said bend is configured to slope away from said helical parts path toward said bottom of said bowl.
15. A vibratory parts feeder, comprising:
a vibratory bowl having a sidewall defining a parts transportation path configured to transfer parts thereon toward a parts discharge port under vibratory action, said sidewall defining a protruding portion extending partially into said parts transportation path adjacent said parts discharge port; and
wherein said protruding portion creates a bend in said parts transportation path.
16. The vibratory parts feeder of claim 15 wherein said bowl is cast from an epoxy resin material; and
wherein said parts transportation path is integrally formed with said sidewall of said bowl.
17. The vibratory parts feeder of claim 15 wherein said parts transportation path defines a reduced path width at said bend.
18. The vibratory parts feeder of claim 15 wherein another portion of said sidewall is configured to slope away from said parts transportation path toward a bottom of said bowl on both sides of said bend.
19. The vibratory parts feeder of claim 15 wherein said parts transportation path is helical-shaped.
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US08/904,171 Division US5913428A (en) 1995-02-16 1997-07-31 Vibratory bowl and associated parts orienting tooling with pivotal top confinement
US6257392B1 true US6257392B1 (en) 2001-07-10
ID=27409888
US08/904,171 Expired - Fee Related US5913428A (en) 1995-02-16 1997-07-31 Vibratory bowl and associated parts orienting tooling with pivotal top confinement
US09/281,148 Expired - Fee Related US6257392B1 (en) 1995-02-16 1999-03-30 Vibratory bowl and associated parts orienting tooling with pivotal top confinement
US09/281,149 Expired - Fee Related US6161675A (en) 1995-02-16 1999-03-30 Vibratory bowl and associated parts orienting tooling with pivotal top confinement
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