Vibratory feeding system
First Claim
1. A vibratory feeding system for feeding a plurality of components, comprising:
- a tray for receiving a plurality of components, the tray comprising a first inclined section comprising a groove;
a second inclined section comprising a groove and being mounted to the first section so that there is a step between the first section and the second section; and
a vibrator coupled to the tray, the vibrator providing the impetus to vibrate the first and section tray sections so that the plurality of components flow along the groove of the first inclined tray section, down the step and along the groove of the second inclined second tray section.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vibratory feeding system includes a hopper, a tray and a vibrator. The hopper is disposed above the tray so that components can flow from the hopper to the tray. The vibrator is mounted to the tray, so that the tray can be vibrated to move components along the tray. The tray can have a v-groove along which the plurality of components can flow. The tray can also have a plurality of sections that are separated by steps. The plurality of components flow down the steps as they move along the tray. The vibration, the v-groove and the steps cause the components to be singulated as they flow along the tray. A plurality of shedders can be mounted to the tray to create a path through which the components flow. The shedders can regulate the flow of components from the hopper and/or assist in singulating the components.
14 Citations
50 Claims
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1. A vibratory feeding system for feeding a plurality of components, comprising:
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a tray for receiving a plurality of components, the tray comprising a first inclined section comprising a groove;
a second inclined section comprising a groove and being mounted to the first section so that there is a step between the first section and the second section; and
a vibrator coupled to the tray, the vibrator providing the impetus to vibrate the first and section tray sections so that the plurality of components flow along the groove of the first inclined tray section, down the step and along the groove of the second inclined second tray section. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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14. A vibratory feed system, comprising:
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a hopper for holding a plurality of components;
a tray disposed beneath the hopper so that the plurality of components can flow from the hopper to the tray;
a plurality of relatively rigid shedders mounted to the tray that extend at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the tray, the plurality of components contacting and bouncing off of the plurality of shedders as the plurality of components flow along the tray and thereby causing the plurality of components to separate from each other; and
a vibrator mounted to the tray, the vibrator providing the impetus to vibrate the tray so that the plurality of components are fed along the inclined tray.
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25. A vibratory feeding system, comprising:
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a hopper for holding a plurality of components;
a tray disposed beneath the hopper so that the plurality of components can flow from the hopper to the tray, the tray comprising a first inclined section comprising a groove;
a second inclined section comprising a groove mounted to the first inclined section, so that there is a first step between the first section and the second section;
a third inclined section comprising a groove mounted to the second inclined section so that there is a second step between the second and the third inclined sections;
a vibrator mounted to the first and the second inclined tray sections the vibrator providing the impetus to vibrate the first and section tray sections so that the plurality of components flow down the incline of the first tray section down the first step, down the inclined second section, down the second step and down the inclined third tray section.
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33. A method of feeding and singulating a plurality of components, comprising:
vibrating a tray with a vibrator so that the plurality of components flow along a v-groove in a first inclined tray section, down a step and to a second inclined tray section and along a v-groove in the second inclined tray section. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 48, 49, 50)
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37. A vibratory feeding system, comprising:
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a hopper for holding a plurality of components;
a tray mounted to a rail with at least one vibratory sandwich mount and being disposed beneath the hopper so that the plurality of components can flow from the hopper to the tray; and
a vibrator which is adjustably mounted to the rail, the vibrator providing the impetus to vibrate the tray and being adjustably mounted so that the angle at which the vibrator is mounted can be adjusted to thereby adjust a horizontal and vertical vibrational amplitude produced by the vibrator.
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39. A parts singulator comprising:
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a singulation channel comprising a plurality of elongated, substantially v-shaped sections arranged in series and in cascade to define at least in part a serpentine path downwardly inclined from a receiving location to a discharge location; and
a vibrator coupled to the singulation channel to vibrate the singulation channel.
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47. A vibratory feed system, comprising:
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a hopper for holding a plurality of components;
a tray which defines at least in part a downwardly inclined path which extends from a receiving location to a discharge location, the hopper being disposed above the receiving location so that the plurality of components flow from the hopper to the tray receiving location;
a plurality of shedders mounted to tray proximal to the receiving location so that the plurality of components flow from the receiving location and between the plurality of shedders, the plurality of shedders creating a back pressure as the flow of plurality of components increases from the hopper to the tray receiving location, the back pressure limiting the flow of the plurality of components from the hopper to the tray receiving location; and
a vibrator mounted to the tray, the vibrator providing the impetus to vibrate the tray so that the plurality of components are fed along the inclined tray.
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Specification