JP2012254864A - Sorting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a sorting device for sorting many articles into a plurality of rows during conveyance, by a simple structure.SOLUTION: A central distribution part 30A in a chevron shape having a pair of inclined surfaces 30a provided at the center in the width direction for distributing respective articles from side to side, and a plurality of sorting parts 30B, 30C in a chevron shape which are for sorting respective articles into a plurality of rows, are asymmetric from side to side, and have first inclined surfaces 30b, 30cprovided respectively on both sides on the right and left of the central distribution part 30A and inclined in an upright state at a side close to the central distribution part 30A and have second inclined surfaces 30b, 30cobliquely inclined at a side away from the central distribution part 30A, are provided. Conveyance grooves for respective articles are formed by the inclined surface 30a of the central distribution part 30A and the first inclined surfaces 30b, 30cof the sorting parts 30B, 30C, and by the first inclined surfaces 30b, 30cof the sorting parts 30B, 30C and the second inclined surfaces 30b, 30c.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sorting apparatus for sorting a large number of articles to be supplied into a plurality of rows during conveyance.

  As a tablet transport device for transporting a large number of articles, for example, tablets one by one, a device as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-179466 has been proposed (see FIGS. 1 to 5 of the same publication). The tablet conveying device includes a trough having a plurality of V-shaped tablet conveying grooves, and a tablet passage control plate (or a tablet standing control plate having a contact protrusion) disposed above the trough and having a triangular notch. ).

  According to the description in the above publication, the tablets in the trough conveying groove stand up without overlapping with each other in the conveying groove by the action of the notch portion of the tablet passage control plate (or the contact protrusion of the tablet standing control plate). It is maintained in a state and is conveyed one by one.

  However, in the above conventional apparatus, in order to distribute a large number of tablets into a plurality of rows, a tablet passage control plate and a tablet standing control plate must be provided separately from the trough, and the structure is complicated. In addition, it is necessary to adjust the opening width and depth of the notch to appropriate dimensions, and it is also necessary to adjust the distance between the notch (or contact protrusion) and the conveyance groove to an appropriate dimension. Work is troublesome.

  The present invention has been made in view of such conventional circumstances, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is to realize a distribution device that can distribute a large number of articles into a plurality of rows during conveyance with a simple structure. There is to do. Furthermore, the present invention intends to realize a distribution device that can distribute a large number of randomly supplied articles into a plurality of rows during conveyance and arrange them in the next process with a simple structure.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a sorting apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a pair of inclined surfaces provided in the center of the apparatus in the width direction and extending in the article conveyance direction for dispersing the articles left and right. A central dispersion portion having a mountain shape and a left and right sides of the central dispersion portion, and a first inclined surface inclined in an upright state on the side close to the central dispersion portion and separated from the central dispersion portion A pair of left and right asymmetric inclined surfaces having a second inclined surface inclined obliquely on the side is extended in the article conveying direction, and a plurality of mountain-shaped distributing portions for distributing each article into a plurality of rows A conveyance groove for each article is formed by the inclined surface of the central dispersion portion and the first inclined surface of the distributing portion, and by the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface of the distributing portion. Item 1).

  In the first invention of the present invention, a large number of supplied articles are distributed to the left and right by the central dispersion unit and distributed by each distribution unit, whereby the inclined surface of the central distribution unit and the first of the distribution unit are distributed. Are respectively accommodated in the conveying groove formed by the inclined surface and the conveying groove formed by the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface of the distributing portion and conveyed downstream.

  In this case, the first inclined surface of the distributing portion is inclined in the upright state and the second inclined surface is inclined obliquely (that is, in a state closer to the horizontal than the first inclined surface), The conveyance groove has an asymmetric cross-sectional shape. For this reason, each article accommodated in the conveyance groove is more likely to be stably placed on the second inclined surface closer to the horizontal state than on the first inclined surface inclined in the upright state. As a result, the articles are sorted into a plurality of rows by being placed in alignment on the second inclined surface in each conveyance groove.

  On the other hand, when the transport groove has a bilaterally symmetric shape as in the conventional device, each tablet in the transport groove is placed on either side of each inclined surface of the transport groove. As a result, it is presumed that the tablets are likely to overlap each other. As a result, separate members such as a tablet passage control plate and a tablet standing control plate are required.

  According to the first invention, in order to sort the articles into a plurality of rows, a separate member from the sorting device such as the tablet passage control plate and the tablet standing control plate in the conventional device is not required. Can be simplified. Further, according to the first invention, even when the type of article to be supplied is different, it is only necessary to replace it with a sorting apparatus having a conveying groove corresponding to the size and shape of the article, and a member separate from the sorting apparatus. Therefore, it is easy to switch the entire apparatus in response to a change in the type of article.

  Moreover, in this invention, the cross-sectional shape of a conveyance groove | channel has an unusual V-shaped cross-sectional shape (refer Claim 2).

  In the present invention, each of the sorting units of the multi-row sorting unit gradually increases in height from the sorting unit closer to the central dispersing unit in order from the downstream side in the article transport direction. (See claim 3). As a result, even when the articles overlap vertically on the inclined surface, the upper article slides down on the lower article and moves onto the adjacent inclined surface as it goes downstream in the transport direction. Therefore, each article can be reliably dispersed on each inclined surface without overlapping in the vertical direction.

  In the present invention, the first inclined surface of the distribution unit has a part of an overhanging portion that protrudes toward the conveyance groove formed by the first inclined surface on the downstream side in the article conveyance direction ( (See claim 4). In this case, when the article in the conveyance groove is not standing on the second inclined surface but is standing on the first inclined surface side, the article is By being brought back to the side of the conveying groove by coming into contact with the projecting portion of the surface, it is placed on the second inclined surface in a supine state.

  In the present invention, the articles are transferred so that the respective inclined surfaces of the central dispersion portion and the respective second inclined surfaces of the distribution portions are delivered to the next step of the distribution device at the downstream end in the article conveyance direction. The inclination angle changes as it goes downstream in the transport direction (see claim 5).

  A sorting device according to a second invention of the present invention is arranged at the center in the width direction and for distributing each article to the left and right, and for each article arranged in a plurality of rows arranged on both the left and right sides respectively. And a distribution trough having a first conveying groove that conveys the article while being accommodated (see claim 6).

  In the second invention of the present invention, a large number of supplied articles are distributed to the left and right by the central distribution portion of the distribution trough, and are distributed in the first conveyance groove by being distributed by each distribution portion. And then conveyed downstream.

  In this case, since the distribution part has a left-right asymmetric mountain shape, each article accommodated in the first conveyance groove is inclined on the more inclined side of the mountain-shaped inclined surfaces. As a result, each article is arranged in a plurality of rows by being aligned and placed on an inclined surface that is more inclined in the first conveying groove. Will be.

  On the other hand, when the transport groove has a bilaterally symmetric shape as in the conventional device, each tablet in the transport groove is placed on either side of each inclined surface of the transport groove. As a result, it is presumed that the tablets are likely to overlap each other. As a result, separate members such as a tablet passage control plate and a tablet standing control plate are required.

  According to the second invention, in order to distribute the articles into a plurality of rows, a separate member from the distribution device such as the tablet passage control plate and the tablet standing control plate in the conventional device is not required. Can be simplified. Further, according to the second invention, even when the type of article to be supplied is different, it is only necessary to replace it with a sorting trough having a first conveying groove corresponding to the size and shape of the article. Since adjustment of a separate member becomes unnecessary, switching of the whole apparatus with respect to the change of the kind of goods is easy.

  Further, in the present invention, the central dispersion part is configured by extending a pair of inclined surfaces in the article conveyance direction, and the distribution part is a first part inclined in an upright state on the side close to the central dispersion part. An inclined surface is provided on the side away from the central dispersion portion, and an inclined second inclined surface is provided, and the first and second inclined surfaces are extended in the article conveying direction. (See claim 7). In this case, the first inclined surface of the distributing portion is inclined in the upright state and the second inclined surface is inclined obliquely (that is, in a state closer to the horizontal than the first inclined surface), Each article accommodated in the first conveying groove is more stably placed on the second inclined surface closer to the horizontal state than on the first inclined surface inclined in the upright state. As a result, the articles are distributed in a plurality of rows by being aligned and placed on the second inclined surface in the first conveying groove.

  In the present invention, the height of the inclined surface is gradually increased in order from the distribution unit closer to the central dispersion unit as the distribution units move downstream in the article conveyance direction (see claim 8). . As a result, even when the articles overlap vertically on the inclined surface, the upper article slides down on the lower article and moves onto the adjacent inclined surface as it goes downstream in the transport direction. Therefore, each article can be reliably dispersed on each inclined surface without overlapping in the vertical direction.

  In the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the first conveying groove has an irregular V-shaped cross-sectional shape (see claim 9).

  In the present invention, an alignment trough having a second conveying groove corresponding to the first conveying groove is provided on the downstream side of the sorting trough in the article conveying direction, and the second conveying groove is downstream in the article conveying direction. The inclination angle changes as it goes downstream in the article conveyance direction so that the article is delivered to the next process of the sorting apparatus at the end (see claim 10).

  In the present invention, an inclination correction trough is further provided between the distribution trough and the alignment trough, and the inclination correction trough determines the inclination of the article conveyed while standing in the first conveyance groove of the distribution trough. It has the 3rd conveyance groove for correction (refer to Claim 11). In this case, if the article is transported in an upright state in the first transport groove of the sorting trough, the article will be moved as it passes through the third transport groove of the tilt correction trough. Tilt is corrected.

  In the present invention, the third conveying groove has an overhang portion that gradually protrudes toward the third conveying groove side as it goes downstream in the article conveying direction (see claim 12). ). In this case, if the article is transported in an upright state in the first transport groove of the sorting trough, the article comes into contact with the overhanging portion of the third transport groove so that the third It is pushed back to the side of the conveying groove and shifts from the standing state to the supine state.

  In the present invention, since the apparatus is constituted by a vibration feeder (see claim 13), a large number of articles to be supplied can be sequentially conveyed to the downstream side, and each article can be reliably prevented from overlapping during conveyance. it can.

  As described above, according to the distribution device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the mountain-shaped central dispersion portion having a pair of inclined surfaces, and the left and right sides thereof are inclined in an upright state on the side close to the central dispersion portion. A plurality of bilaterally asymmetrical mountain-shaped distribution portions having a second inclined surface inclined obliquely on the side having the first inclined surface and away from the central dispersion portion. Are distributed to the left and right by the central dispersion unit, and are distributed by the respective distribution units, so that the conveyance groove by the inclined surface of the central distribution unit and the first inclined surface of the distribution unit, and the first of the distribution unit It is accommodated in the conveyance groove | channel by an inclined surface and a 2nd inclined surface, respectively, and is conveyed downstream. In this case, the first inclined surface of the distribution unit is inclined in an upright state and the second inclined surface is inclined obliquely (that is, closer to a horizontal state), whereby each article in the conveying groove. Is more stably placed on the second inclined surface closer to the horizontal state than on the first inclined surface inclined in the upright state. By being placed in alignment on the second inclined surface in the groove, it is sorted into a plurality of rows.

  Moreover, according to the distribution apparatus which concerns on 2nd invention of this invention, the distribution which has the 1st conveyance groove | channel which consists of a center dispersion | distribution part and the several asymmetrical mountain-shaped distribution part arrange | positioned at the right-and-left both sides Since the trough is provided, a large number of supplied articles are distributed to the left and right by the central distribution part of the distribution trough, and distributed by each distribution part, so that they are respectively accommodated in the first conveying groove and downstream. Be transported. In this case, since the distribution part has a left-right asymmetric mountain shape, each article accommodated in the first conveyance groove is inclined on the more inclined side of the mountain-shaped inclined surfaces. As a result, each article is arranged in a plurality of rows by being aligned and placed on an inclined surface that is more inclined in the first conveying groove. Will be.

  According to the present invention, in order to distribute the articles into a plurality of rows, a separate member from the distribution device is not required, so that the entire structure can be simplified.

It is a schematic block diagram of the tablet conveying apparatus with which the distribution apparatus by one Example of this invention was applied. It is a plane schematic diagram of a distribution device (Drawing 1). It is a top view of the distribution trough which comprises a distribution apparatus. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3. It is the VV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the VI-VI sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the VII-VII sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a top view of the alignment trough which comprises a distribution apparatus. It is the IX-IX sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the XX sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the XI-XI sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is the XII-XII sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a top view of the inclination correction trough arrange | positioned between the distribution apparatus and the alignment apparatus. It is the XIV-XIV line arrow directional view of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect | action of an inclination correction trough (FIG. 13).

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a tablet conveying apparatus employing a sorting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the tablet conveying device 1 includes a hopper 2 that stores a large number of tablets, and a distribution unit (distribution device) 3 that distributes a large number of tablets supplied from the hopper 2 via a feeder 20 into a plurality of rows. And a conveyor 4 that conveys each tablet distributed by the distribution unit 3 in the direction of the arrow.

  The feeder 20 has a vibrator 20a. The distribution unit 3 is disposed obliquely downward and similarly has a vibrator 33 to constitute a vibration feeder. The upstream end of the conveyor 4 is wound around a timing pulley 40, and the downstream end is wound around a timing pulley (not shown).

2 to 15 are diagrams for explaining the distribution unit.
As shown in FIG. 2, the distribution unit 3 includes a distribution trough 30, an alignment trough 31 disposed on the downstream side thereof, and an inclination correction trough 32 disposed therebetween.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 which are cross-sectional views in the width direction, the distribution trough 30 includes a mountain-shaped central dispersion portion 30A disposed at the center in the width direction, and both left and right sides of the central dispersion portion 30A. And a plurality of mountain-shaped distribution portions 30B, 30C.

  The central dispersing portion 30A is for dispersing a large number of tablets T supplied from the feeder 20 (FIG. 1) to the left and right, and is a pair of inclined lines extending in the tablet conveying direction (right direction in FIG. 3). It has a surface 30a. Each inclined surface 30a is preferably symmetric in the left-right direction, but not necessarily left-right symmetric.

The distributing units 30B and 30C are for distributing the tablets T dispersed left and right by the central dispersing unit 30A into a plurality of rows in the width direction, and are a pair of left and right asymmetric inclined surfaces extending in the tablet conveying direction. 30b _1, 30b ₂ and _30c 1, 30c ₂ and respectively have. The first inclined surfaces 30b ₁ and 30c ₁ are disposed on the side close to the central dispersion portion 30A, and the second inclined surfaces 30b ₂ and 30c ₂ are disposed on the side away from the central dispersion portion 30A. . The first inclined surfaces 30b ₁ , 30c ₁ are arranged in an upright state or a state close thereto, whereas the second inclined surfaces 30b ₂ , 30c ₂ are the first inclined surfaces 30b ₁ , 30c ₁ , compared to 30c _1, being disposed more inclined state.

  Further, as the distribution units 30B and 30C are directed downstream from FIG. 4 to FIG. 5 to FIG. 6 to FIG. 7, the height of the mountain shape is increased in order from the distribution units 30B and 30C on the side closer to the central dispersion unit 30A. Is gradually getting higher. The reason for this configuration is as follows.

When there is a tablet that is transported in a state where it overlaps with another tablet T like a tablet T ″ in FIG. 4, the inclined surface 30c ₂ on which these tablets T and T ″ are arranged is in the tablet transport direction. As the height gradually rises as it goes downstream, the tablet T ″ slides down from the top of the tablet T during transportation, as shown in FIGS. It moves onto the outer inclined surface 30c _2. This prevents the tablets from overlapping on the inclined surface 30c _{2. In} this case, the inclined surfaces 30b ₂ and 30c ₂ of the sorting portions 30B and 30C are also provided. Is gradually increased from the side closer to the central dispersion portion 30A, so that if the tablets overlap on the inclined surfaces 30b ₂ and 30c ₂ on the side closer to the central dispersion portion 30A, tablets, the one at the outer during transport inclined surface 30b ₂ Hovers over the 30c _2, the final downstream end in the conveyance direction, on each inclined surface 30b _2, 30c _2, without tablet overlap vertically, would be disposed one by one. Thus Thus, a large number of tablets are dispersed on the inclined surfaces 30a, 30b ₂ , 30c ₂ of the central dispersion portion 30A and the distribution portions 30B, 30C without any vertical overlap.

As shown in FIG. 7, on the downstream end side of the distribution trough 30, each inclined surface 30a of the central dispersion unit 30A, the first inclined surfaces 30b ₁ and 30c _{1 of} the distribution units 30B and 30C, and the distribution units 30B and 30C. 7 first conveying grooves each having an irregular V-shaped cross-sectional shape formed by the first inclined surfaces 30b ₁ and 30c ₁ and the second inclined surfaces 30b ₂ and 30c ₂ are formed in the width direction. Has been. The tablets T distributed by the distribution trough 30 and distributed to the left and right are the inclined surfaces 30a of the central dispersion portion 30A and the second inclined surfaces 30b ₂ and 30c ₂ of the distribution portions 30B and 30C. It is placed on the upper surface and held in an oblique state, and its side surfaces are supported by _first inclined surfaces 30b ₁ and 30c ₁ (see FIG. 7). Each tablet T is transported downstream while being supported on the _second inclined surfaces 30b ₂ and 30c ₂ .

  On the other hand, when seven grooves having a simple rectangular cross section are formed from the upstream end to the downstream end of the distribution trough 30, the tablets are stacked vertically in the rectangular cross section grooves, Problems such as tablets standing up tend to occur, and it is difficult to distribute each tablet into a plurality of rows.

In FIG. 7, the tablet T ′ is inclined in the opposite direction to the tablet T, the side surface is supported by the _second inclined surface 30 b ₂ , and either the front surface or the back surface is the first inclined surface. Although it is supported by the surface 30b ₁ and is in an upright state as compared with the tablet T, this will be described later.

  Further, in this example, the central dispersion unit 30A is not disposed at the exact center in the width direction of the distribution trough 30, but this is because the number of distribution units 30B is two and the number of distribution units 30C is three. This is because it is different from the individual. If the number of the distribution units 30B and 30C is the same, the central dispersion unit 30A is accurately positioned at the center of the distribution trough 30 in the width direction. 5 and 6, the tablet T is omitted for convenience of illustration.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the alignment trough 31 has a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape (see FIG. 7) at the downstream end of the distribution trough 30 at the upstream end. That is, the alignment trough 31 includes a pair of inclined surfaces 31a corresponding to the inclined surfaces 30a of the central dispersion portion 30A in the distribution trough 30, and the inclined surfaces 30b ₁ , 30b ₂ and 30c ₁ , 30c _{2 of the} distribution portions 30B and 30C. And a plurality of asymmetrical inclined surfaces 31b ₁ , 31b ₂ and 31c ₁ , 31c ₂ respectively corresponding to the left and right. These inclined surfaces form a second conveying groove having an irregular V-shaped cross section, and the second conveying groove has a shape corresponding to the first conveying groove of the sorting trough 30. is doing.

Among these inclined surfaces, some of the inclined surfaces 31a, 31b ₂ and 31c _{2 on which} the front surface or the back surface of each tablet T is placed are located downstream of FIG. 9 → FIG. 10 → FIG. 11 → FIG. As we headed, the tilt angle changed. This is to smoothly deliver each tablet from the distribution unit 3 to the next process side at the downstream end in the tablet conveyance direction. In this example, the inclined surface 31a, the portion of 31b ₂ and 31c _2, are moving gradually horizontal state from the inclined state. That is, the second conveying groove having an irregular V-shaped cross-sectional shape gradually changes to a groove having a rectangular cross-section, and accordingly, at the downstream end of the alignment trough 31, each tablet T is accommodated in each corresponding groove 31g having a rectangular cross section and is maintained in a horizontal state (see FIG. 12).

  The bottom 31d of each groove 31g is not provided at the downstream end of the alignment trough 31, and each groove 31g penetrates vertically at the downstream end of the alignment trough 31 (see FIG. 8). Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, on the upstream side of the alignment trough 31, powder generated due to contact between tablets, contact between tablets and trough, and missing tablets and fragments mixed in the previous process are downward. A long hole 31e is formed through to discharge. In addition, in FIG. 9 thru | or FIG. 11, the tablet T is abbreviate | omitted and shown for convenience of illustration.

The tilt-correcting trough 32 is a tablet T ′ in FIG. 7 that is a tablet placed upright in a direction opposite to that of the other tablets T during conveyance by the sorting trough 30. It is a trough for correcting the tilt by tilting in the normal direction. As shown in FIG. 13 which is a plan view and FIG. 14 which is a view taken along the line XIV-XIV, the inclination correction trough 32 is a pair of inclined surfaces arranged at positions corresponding to the central dispersion portion 30A of the distribution trough 30. 32a, and a pair of left and right asymmetrical inclined surfaces 32b ₁ , 32b ₂ and 32c ₁ , 32c ₂ disposed at positions corresponding to the distribution portions 30B, 30C of the distribution trough 30 on both left and right sides thereof. Any inclined surface is extended in the tablet conveyance direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 13 and the vertical direction in FIG. 14). By these inclined surfaces, seven odd-shaped V-shaped third conveyance grooves each extending in the tablet conveyance direction are formed in the width direction. In addition, each inclined surface 32a is formed in the shape corresponding to each inclined surface 30a of the center dispersion | distribution part 30A of the distribution trough 30, Preferably it is bilaterally symmetrical.

The inclined surfaces 32b ₁ and 32c ₁ are disposed on the side close to the inclined surface 32a, and the inclined surfaces 32b ₂ and 32c ₂ are disposed on the side away from the inclined surface 32a. The inclined surfaces 32b ₁ and 32c ₁ are arranged in an upright state or a state close to this, whereas the inclined surfaces 32b ₂ and 32c ₂ are more horizontal than the inclined surfaces 32b ₁ and 32c _1. It is arranged so as to be inclined in a close state.

The inclined surface 32 b ₁ is disposed on the upstream end (Fig. 13 bottom), and the first inclined surface 30b inclined surface 32 b ₁ which is connected to the ₁ 'at the downstream end of the distribution portion 30B of the distribution trough 30, the downstream side ( In the same manner, the inclined surface 32c ₁ is formed at the upstream end (lower end in FIG. 13), and is formed from the inclined surface 32b ₁ ″ connected to the inclined surface 32b ₁ ′. An inclined surface 32c ₁ ′ connected to the _first inclined surface 30c ₁ at the downstream end of the distribution portion 30C of the distribution trough 30, and is extended to the downstream side (upper side in the figure) and connected to the inclined surface 32c ₁ ′. And an inclined surface 32c ₁ ″. When viewed from the upper surface, the inclined surfaces 32b ₁ ′ and 32c ₁ ′ are arranged so as to be inclined by an angle (acute angle) α with respect to the inclined surfaces 32b ₁ ″ and 32c ₁ ″, respectively.

The inclined surfaces 32b ₁ ″ and 32c ₁ ″ extend flatly upward (upward in FIG. 14) from the bottom portion 32d of the groove, but are perpendicular to the bottom surface 32A of the inclination correcting trough 32 and are perpendicular to the bottom portion 32d of the groove. Rather than be inclined to the groove side (that is, overhang). The inclined surfaces 32b ₁ ′ and 32c ₁ ′ extend linearly upward (upward in FIG. 13) from the bottom 32d of the groove at the upstream end (lower end in FIG. 13), and are perpendicular to the bottom 32d of the groove. Although it is arranged along the PL, it extends flatly upward from the bottom 32d of the groove and extends to the connecting portion between the upstream end and the second inclined surfaces 32b ₁ ″ and 32c ₁ ″, and the bottom 32d of the groove It is arranged so as to be inclined (that is, overhang) to the groove side from the perpendicular line PL.

In the distribution unit 3 configured as described above, a large number of tablets randomly supplied from the hopper 2 via the feeder 20 are distributed to the left and right by the central distribution unit 30A of the distribution trough 30, and each distribution unit By being distributed by 30B and 30C, the first conveying groove by the inclined surface 30a of the central dispersion unit 30A and the first inclined surfaces 30b ₁ and 30c ₁ of the distributing units 30B and 30C, and the first of the distributing units 30B and 30C Are accommodated in first conveying grooves formed by the inclined surfaces 30b ₁ and 30c ₁ and the second inclined surfaces 30b ₂ and 30c ₂ , respectively, and conveyed downstream.

In this case, the first inclined surfaces 30b ₁ and 30c ₁ of the distributing units 30B and 30C are inclined in an upright state, and the second inclined surfaces 30b ₂ and 30c ₂ are inclined (that is, in a state that is closer to the horizontal). By being inclined, the first conveying groove has a laterally asymmetric cross-sectional shape. For this reason, each tablet T accommodated in the first transport groove has a second inclined surface 30b ₂ closer to a horizontal state than on the _first inclined surfaces 30b ₁ and 30c ₁ inclined in the upright state. , 30c ₂ , and as a result, each tablet T is placed in alignment on the _second inclined surfaces 30b ₂ , 30c ₂ in the first conveying groove. By doing so, it will be distributed to a plurality of columns.

  In this way, in order to distribute a large number of tablets into a plurality of rows, a separate member from the distribution trough such as the tablet passage control plate and tablet standing control plate in the above-described conventional apparatus is not required. Can be simplified. Moreover, even when the types of tablets to be supplied are different, it is only necessary to replace with a sorting trough having a first conveying groove corresponding to the size and shape of the tablet, and adjustment of a member separate from the sorting trough is unnecessary. Therefore, it is easy to switch the entire unit with respect to the change of the tablet type.

The third conveying grooves in inclination correcting trough 32 disposed on the downstream side of the distributing trough 30, protrude gradually to the side of the third conveying groove toward the downstream side inclined surface 32 b ₁ ' 32c ₁ ′, the tablet T ′ (FIG. 7) in the state where it is tilted in the direction opposite to the tablet T in the sorting trough 30 is introduced into the tilt correcting trough 32. As shown in FIG. 15, either the front surface or the back surface of the tablet T ′ comes into contact with the inclined surface 32 b ₁ ′ of the inclination correcting trough 32.

At this time, since the inclined surface 32b ₁ ′ gradually protrudes into the groove, the tablet T ′ further rises when the tablet T ′ moves along the inclined surface 32b ₁ ′. While T ′ moves to the inclined surface 32 b ₁ ″, the amount of protrusion of the inclined surface 32 b ₁ ′ further increases in the groove, so that the tablet T ′ is in a direction opposite to that when it is introduced into the inclination correcting trough 32. As a result, the tablet T ′ is placed in a supine state on the inclined surface 32b ₂ of the groove (see FIG. 15).

The tablet T ′ is conveyed downstream in that state. On the other hand, each tablet T placed on the _second inclined surfaces 30a, 30b ₂ , 30c ₂ and introduced into the inclination correcting trough 32 in the distribution trough 30 has inclined surfaces 32a, 32b ₂ , 32c _{2 respectively} . It is conveyed downstream in a state of being placed on the top.

Subsequently, the tablets T and T ′ are introduced into the second conveyance groove of the alignment trough 31 from the inclined surfaces 32a, 32b ₂ , and 32c ₂ of the inclination correction trough 32, and in the conveyance direction in the second conveyance groove. As it goes downstream, it gradually shifts from an inclined state to a horizontal state (see FIGS. 9 to 12).

  In this distribution unit 3, as described above, the vibrator 33 is provided, and the distribution unit itself constitutes a vibration feeder, so that it is possible to reliably prevent the tablets from overlapping during the conveyance of the tablets. Has been.

  Further, the surface of the sorting trough 30, the alignment trough 31, and the inclination correcting trough 32 is subjected to a surface treatment such as a tuffram treatment in order to improve the sliding of the tablets T and T 'in each groove.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the sorting device according to the present invention is applied to sorting of tablets has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to tablets, but sorting of button batteries, IC chips, tool bite chips, and other mechanical parts. It is also applicable to.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for a sorting device that sorts a large number of articles to be supplied into a plurality of rows.

3: Sorting unit (sorting device)

30: distribution trough 30A: central distribution unit 30a: inclined surface 30B: sorting unit 30b _1: the first inclined surface 30b _2: second inclined surface 30C: sorting unit 30c _1: the first inclined surface 30c _2: second Inclined surface

31: Alignment trough

32: Inclination correction troughs 32b ₁ ′, 32c ₁ ′: Inclined surface (projected part)

33: Vibrator

T, T ': Tablet

JP 2008-179466 A (see FIGS. 1 to 5)

Claims (13)

A sorting device for sorting a large number of supplied articles into a plurality of rows during transportation,
A mountain-shaped central dispersion portion that is provided at the center in the width direction of the apparatus and is formed by extending a pair of inclined surfaces for dispersing the articles to the left and right in the article conveyance direction;
A first inclined surface provided on each of the left and right sides of the central dispersion portion, having a first inclined surface inclined in an upright state on a side close to the central dispersion portion, and inclined obliquely on a side away from the central dispersion portion A pair of left and right asymmetric inclined surfaces having two inclined surfaces extending in the article conveyance direction, and including a plurality of mountain-shaped distribution portions for distributing each article into a plurality of rows,
A conveyance groove for each article is formed by the inclined surface of the central dispersion portion and the first inclined surface of the distribution portion, and by the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface of the distribution portion. Yes,
A sorting apparatus characterized by that. In claim 1,
The cross-sectional shape of the conveying groove has an irregular V-shaped cross-sectional shape,
A sorting apparatus characterized by that. In claim 1,
Each of the distribution units is gradually increased in height from the distribution unit on the side closer to the central dispersion unit in order toward the downstream side in the article conveyance direction.
A sorting apparatus characterized by that. In claim 1,
The first inclined surface of the distribution unit has, in part, an overhanging portion that protrudes toward the conveying groove formed by the first inclined surface on the downstream side in the article conveying direction.
A sorting apparatus characterized by that. In claim 1,
Each of the inclined surfaces of the central dispersion unit and each of the second inclined surfaces of each of the distribution units conveys the article to the next step of the distribution device at the downstream end in the article conveyance direction. As it goes to the downstream side, the inclination angle changes,
A sorting apparatus characterized by that. In a sorting device for sorting a large number of supplied articles into a plurality of rows during transportation,
A central dispersion part that is arranged in the center in the width direction and distributes each article to the left and right, and a plurality of bilaterally asymmetric mountain-shaped distribution parts that are arranged on both the left and right sides and distribute each article into a plurality of rows A sorting trough having a first conveying groove configured to convey an article while being accommodated is provided.
A sorting apparatus characterized by that. In claim 6,
The central dispersion unit is configured by extending a pair of inclined surfaces in the article conveyance direction, and the distribution unit has a first inclined surface inclined in an upright state on a side close to the central dispersion unit. And on the side away from the central dispersion portion, there is a second inclined surface inclined obliquely, and the first and second inclined surfaces are configured to extend in the article conveying direction.
A sorting apparatus characterized by that. In claim 7,
Each of the distribution units is gradually increased in height from the distribution unit on the side closer to the central dispersion unit in order toward the downstream side in the article conveyance direction.
A sorting apparatus characterized by that. In claim 6,
The cross-sectional shape of the first conveying groove has an irregular V-shaped cross-sectional shape.
A sorting apparatus characterized by that. In claim 6,
An alignment trough having a second conveying groove corresponding to the first conveying groove is provided on the downstream side of the sorting trough in the article conveying direction, and the second conveying groove is at the downstream end in the article conveying direction. As the article is delivered to the next process of the distribution device, the inclination angle changes as it goes downstream in the article conveyance direction.
A sorting apparatus characterized by that. In claim 6,
Between the distribution trough and the alignment trough, there is an inclination correction trough having a third conveyance groove for correcting the inclination of an article conveyed while standing in the first conveyance groove of the distribution trough. Provided,
A sorting apparatus characterized by that. In claim 11,
As the third conveying groove is directed toward the downstream side in the article conveying direction, the third conveying groove partially includes an overhanging portion that gradually protrudes toward the third conveying groove.
A sorting apparatus characterized by that. In claim 1 or 6,
The apparatus is constituted by a vibration feeder,
A sorting apparatus characterized by that.

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