Michael Kelly Bednarz

US Patent:

61522813, Nov 28, 2000

Filed:

Sep 4, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/149071

Inventors:

Michael Bednarz - Canton MI
Lawrence Leroy Kneisel - Novi MI
Jay DeAvis Baker - W. Bloomfield MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B65G 4724

US Classification:

198381

Abstract:

There is disclosed herein an apparatus for bulk-feeding electronic components which utilizes magnetic force and a rotating feeder tube to properly orient the components for presentment to an automated pick-and-place machine. The apparatus comprises: (1) a generally straight tube 10 having a raised end 12, a lowered end 14, a longitudinal axis L--L, and a generally cylindrical interior passage 16 therethrough; (2) a generally straight bar magnet 20 arranged beneath and proximate the tube 10, wherein the bar magnet has a North pole-South pole axis N-S oriented generally parallel with the tube longitudinal axis L--L; (3) a receptacle 30 having first and second ends 32/34 and a tapered throat 36 running therethrough, wherein the throat extends from an enlarged inlet 38 defined in the first end to a constricted outlet 39 defined in the second end, the receptacle being disposed such that the inlet is elevated above the outlet, the second end 34 of the receptacle being disposed in rotatably slidable contact with the raised end 12 of the tube such that the constricted outlet 39 is placed in communication with the tube interior passage 16 thereat; and (4) a mechanism 40 for rotating the tube 10 about its longitudinal axis L--L.