JP3396424B2 - Article supply apparatus and grouping method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a supply device and a grouping method for aligned and continuously flowing articles.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIGS. 8 to 9 show a conventional article supply apparatus and its grouping method. FIG. 8 is a view (1) showing a conventional article supply apparatus, and FIG. 9 is a view (2) showing a conventional article supply apparatus.

8 to 9, 44 is a product conveyor which is supported by a chain rail 46 and is stretched around a drive sprocket 45 to move, 41 is a product continuously flowing on the product conveyor 44, and 42 is a predetermined product. Products grouped by number, 43, 43 'are drive sprockets 47
The fingers are attached to the chain 48 that is driven by.

The moving speed of the chain 48 is set lower than that of the product conveyor 44. These fingers 4
3, 43 'are sequentially inserted between the rows of the products 41 on the product conveyor 44 during the moving operation so that both fingers 43 and 4'
A predetermined number of products 42 are grouped between 3'and when the leading finger 43 descends past the drive sprocket 47 by the rotation of the chain 48, the row of subsequent products 41 is speed regulated by the trailing fingers 43 '. Then, by moving the group of the unregulated products 42 at the speed of the product conveyor 44, the product 42 is conveyed separately from the subsequent row of the products 41.

[0005]

The conventional techniques have the following problems. (1) In the conventional feeder, when the moving speed of the chain 48 to which the fingers 43 and 43 'are attached is constant, the diameter l of the product changes and the length l (FIG. 9) of the product group in the flow direction changes. It is necessary to replace the type of finger or the unit in which the finger is set according to the product size. (2) It takes a long time to replace the type of the finger or the unit in which the finger is set, and there is a problem that work efficiency is lowered because the apparatus is stopped during the replacement.

[0006] Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional feeder, the applicant can change the distance between the pair of fingers according to the diameter of the product to cope with different products without changing the size. A device that can be used, utility model 20th
Proposed in No. 97829. It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved device and a new grouping method.

[0007]

(Means for Solving the Problems) (First Means) The article supply apparatus according to the present invention comprises a first chain 3 which is moved along a product conveyor 31 by driving means of variable speed.
And the second chain 3'are individually installed, and the preceding first finger 2 attached to the first chain 3 and the following second finger 2'attached to the second chain 3'are separated when the product is separated. The products are grouped and conveyed between the fingers 2 and 2'by sequentially inserting the products arranged on the product conveyor 31 moving at a speed higher than the moving speed of the chains 3 and 3 '. In the article supply device configured as described above, (A) first detecting the timing when the preceding first finger 2 that regulates the movement of the leading product on the product conveyor 31 reaches a predetermined point
A sensor 24 and a second sensor 5 for detecting a minute change amount of the length in the flow direction of a predetermined number of product groups according to the detection timing are provided, and (B) based on the detection value of the second sensor 5, It is characterized in that the moving speed of the first chain 3 or the second chain 3'is changed to adjust the distance between the fingers 2, 2 '. (Second Means) In the article supply apparatus according to the present invention, in the first means, the position of the second sensor 5 is configured to be movable, and when the length in the flow direction of the product group is largely changed. The amount of change is calculated in advance, and the mounting position of the second sensor 5 is moved based on the calculated value. (Third Means) In the article supply apparatus according to the present invention, in the first means or the second means, (A) a plurality of third sensors 6 for detecting the number of products on the product conveyor 31 are provided as the first means. Provided at the upstream position of the sensor 24 and the second sensor 5,
(B) The grouping operation by the preceding first finger 2 and the following second finger 2'is controlled by the specific detection position of the third sensor 6, and (C) is adjusted to the detection timing of the first sensor 24. The second sensor 5
The detection position of the third sensor 6 is selected so that the minute change amount of the flow direction length of the product group detected by is constant. (Fourth Means) In the article supply apparatus according to the present invention, in the third means, (A) the number of products detected by the third sensor 6 is used to judge whether or not more than the specified products are accumulated. , (B) If more than the specified products are accumulated,
By increasing the traveling speeds of the first chain 3 and the second chain 3'at the same ratio, the accumulated amount of articles can be returned to the specified position in a short time. (Fifth Means) A grouping method for an article supply apparatus according to the present invention is (A) the first chain 3 and the second chain 3'which are respectively moved along the product conveyor 31 by variable speed driving means individually. (B) The first finger 2 attached to the first chain 3 and the second finger 2'following attached to the second chain 3'are installed and (B) the two chains 3, The products are grouped and conveyed between the fingers 2 and 2'by sequentially inserting the products arranged on the product conveyor 31 moving at a speed faster than the moving speed of 3 ', and (C) the product. The first sensor 24 detects the timing at which the preceding first finger 2 that regulates the movement of the first product on the conveyor 31 reaches a predetermined point, and a predetermined number is detected according to the detection timing. A small amount of change in the flow direction length of the product group is detected by the second sensor 5, (D) the second
The distance between the fingers 2 and 2'is adjusted by changing the moving speed of the first chain 3 or the second chain 3'based on the detection value of the sensor 5 to group products. . (Sixth Means) In the article grouping method according to the present invention, in the fifth means, when the length of the product group in the flow direction greatly changes, the change amount is calculated in advance, and the calculation is performed. The second sensor 5 based on the value
It is characterized by moving the mounting position of and grouping products. (Seventh Means) The grouping method for the article supply apparatus according to the present invention is the sixth means, comprising: (A) a plurality of third sensors 6 for detecting the number of products on the product conveyor 31 and a first sensor 24; And provided at the upstream position of the second sensor 5,
(B) The grouping operation of the preceding first finger 2 and the following second finger 2'is controlled by the specific detection position of the third sensor 6, and (C) is adjusted to the detection timing of the first sensor 24. The second sensor 5
The detection position of the third sensor 6 is selected and the products are grouped so that the minute change amount of the length in the flow direction of the product group detected by is constant. (Eighth Means) The grouping method for the article supply apparatus according to the present invention is the seventh means, wherein in (A) the number of products detected by the third sensor 6 is higher than or equal to a predetermined value. (B) If more than the specified product is accumulated, the traveling speed of the first chain 3 and the second chain 3'is increased at the same ratio to shorten the accumulated amount of the product to the specified position. The feature is that the products are grouped in a timely manner.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 7 show a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a side view of the device according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device according to the first embodiment, FIG. 3 is a view taken along the line BB of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line CC of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a finger drive system, FIG. 6 is an explanatory view (1) of the control method of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram (2) of the control method of FIG.

1 to 7, 31 is a product conveyor which is supported by a chain rail 32 and is stretched around a drive sprocket 38 to move, 1 is a product which continuously flows on the product conveyor 31, 2, 2 '. Is a finger that groups the products 1 on the product conveyor 31 into a predetermined number of product groups 1a and 1b.

The product 1 on the product conveyor 31 flows while being aligned in a plurality of rows by a set of a plurality of product guides 33 and 34, and the space P ₀ between the product guides 33 and 34 (FIG. 2).
Is variably configured by another means (not shown) and can be adjusted according to the diameter of the product.

The fingers 2 and 2'are configured to be individually driven as shown in FIGS. In other words, the finger 2 is fixed to the angular bar 14 which is moved by the chain 3 which revolves through the sprocket 19 driven by the drive shaft 10 rotated by the sprocket 21 driven by another means, and the finger 2'is fixed. The drive shaft 10 is fixed to a square bar 17 attached to an attachment 3a 'of a chain 3'hanging on a sprocket 16 rotatably attached by a ball bearing.

The sprocket 16 is integrally provided with a sprocket 16 'which is driven by being transmitted to a sprocket 15 mounted on a drive shaft 11 rotated by a sprocket 20 driven by another means. The drive shaft 10 individually drives the fingers 2 via the square bar 14, and the drive shaft 11 individually drives the fingers 2 ′ via the square bar 17.

FIG. 5 shows the structure of the finger drive system. The sprocket 20, which rotates the drive shafts 10 and 11,
Reference numeral 21 is driven by motors (for example, AC servomotors) 27 and 27 'whose speed can be controlled. That is, the rotation of the motors 27, 27 'is controlled by the timing belt
6, 26 'and the timing pulleys 25, 25', and transmitted to the speed reducers 28, 28 '.
8'is transmitted from the sprockets 22, 22 'mounted on the 8'through the chains 29, 29' to the sprockets 20, 21 to rotate the drive shafts 10, 11 to rotate the fingers 2,
It is designed to move 2 '.

The fingers 2 and 2'are square bars 14 and 1, respectively.
A plurality of chains 3 and 3'are installed at predetermined intervals via the chain 7, and the moving speed of the fingers 2 and 2'when the product 1 is cut off is the product conveyor 3
It is set later than 1 and is inserted from below between the products 1 aligned and flowing on the product conveyor 31 and is grouped by sandwiching a predetermined number of products 1 between the preceding finger 2 and the following finger 2 '. It is supposed to do.

In the present invention, in order to accurately and smoothly perform the grouping of the products, the sensors (rotary encoders) 24, 24 'for detecting the positions of the respective moving fingers 2, 2'are provided with the speed reducer 28. Two
Provided on the drive shaft of 8 '(Fig. 5) and also fingers 2, 2'
A sensor (such as a light-reflective sensor) 5 that detects the length 1 in the flow direction of the product group 1b grouped by 1. 6b are provided respectively.

6 and 7 show how these sensors are installed and how they are detected. The sensor 5 is installed at a position where the following finger 2'is inserted between the products, and when the preceding finger 2 reaches a predetermined position (detected by the sensor 24), the change amount Δ of the product group length l between both fingers Δ l
The sensors 6a and 6b are installed at positions separated from the installation position of the sensor 5 by predetermined distances L ₁ and L ₂ , and detect the number of products on the subsequent product conveyor 31.

The sensor 5 has a plurality of detectors 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e as shown in FIG. 7, and the preceding fingers 2 and 2'for speed-regulating the tip of the product group 1b reach a predetermined position. Sensor 24, 2
4 ′, and at the same time as the detection timing, the amount of change in the product group length 1 (for example, by the detector that detects the rear end of the product group 1b flowing in the direction of the arrow) (for example,
If the detector 5b is l- ₁ , if the detector 5c is l-1
₂ ) can be detected.

Further, the sensor 5 is installed so as to be movable in the flow direction via a known moving means (for example, a rack and pinion mechanism) 9, and when the diameter of the product changes significantly or the number of groupings changes. In some cases,
The mounting means can be moved by driving the moving means 9.

Therefore, it operates as follows. 6-
As shown in FIG. 7, in the article supply apparatus of FIG. 1, in order to separate the products, the moving speeds of the fingers 2 and 2 ′ are set to be slower than the moving speed of the product conveyor 31, and the products are aligned on the product conveyor 31. After inserting the following fingers into the narrow gap between the adjacent products from below at a proper timing and grouping them into a predetermined number of product groups 1b, the leading fingers 2 of the product groups 1b regulate the speed. When transported and when the fingers 2 have passed past the sprocket 19, the deregulated product group 1a is rapidly transported at the speed of the product conveyor 31 and is separated from the subsequent product row.

In the above grouping method, it is necessary to insert the following finger 2'into the product gap at an appropriate timing according to the moving speed of the product conveyor 31. However, the inter-product gap differs depending on the cross-sectional shape and dimensions of the product 1.

When the product 1 is made of a material such as a PET bottle (made of plastic) which is easily deformed, the product 1 is deformed by the line pressure of the subsequent product row, the space between the product gaps and the length in the flow direction of the product group 1b. Sa changes.

Further, the group length 1 naturally changes greatly when the number of products to be grouped changes or when the diameter of the products changes. Therefore, when the group length 1 slightly changes due to line pressure or the like, when the sensor 24 detects that the tip of the product group has reached a predetermined position, the sensor 5 detects the end of the product group at the detection timing. The end portion is detected to detect the change amount Δl of the group length l, and the speed of the motor 27 '(or motor 27) is changed based on the detected value Δl to appropriately adjust the distance between the fingers 2 and 2'. Adjust to.

By doing so, the succeeding fingers 2'can be smoothly inserted into the inter-product gap to perform accurate grouping. Further, when the group length l greatly changes due to a change in the number of products, the amount of change is calculated in advance, the moving means 9 is driven based on the calculated value, and the position of the sensor 5 is moved. Detects the minute change amount Δl of the group length l by the above means and adjusts the finger gap.

This makes it possible to shorten the control time and perform accurate grouping. Furthermore, the sensor 6a,
When the subsequent product number is obtained by 6b, the line pressure applied to the product group is substantially proportional to the product number, and the change amount Δl of the product group is substantially proportional to this line pressure. Therefore, the sensors 6a, 6b (3 (There may be more than one), the predicted change amount Δl ′ predicted from each detected value is program selected as a control factor, and based on the selected value, the grouping operation by the fingers 2, 2 ′, that is, the succeeding finger 2 ′. It is possible to perform accurate grouping by controlling the insertion timing, the product separation timing by the preceding finger 2 (acceleration timing of the chain 3), and the like.

At this time, the detected value of the sensor 6a or 6b (that is, the predicted change amount Δ) is set so that the change amount Δl of the product group detected by the sensor 5 becomes constant in accordance with the detection timing of the sensors 24 and 24 '. By selecting l ') appropriately, more accurate grouping can be performed.

[0026]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects. (1) Change in line pressure of subsequent products, product material, shape,
By detecting a minute change amount Δl of the flow direction length l of the product group caused by a change in dimension and the like, and appropriately adjusting the interval between the leading and trailing fingers based on the detected value, The insertion can be performed smoothly. (2) In addition, a large amount of change in the product group length caused by changes in the number of products to be grouped, changes in product diameter, etc. is calculated in advance, and the mounting position of the sensor for detecting the group length based on the calculated value is calculated. After the movement, by adjusting the distance between both fingers according to the above procedure, it is possible to perform appropriate and accurate grouping in a short time. (3) Further, a plurality of sensors for detecting the number of succeeding products are provided upstream from the sensor for detecting the timing when the preceding finger arrives at a predetermined position and the sensor for detecting the minute change amount of the product group, and identification of the sensors is performed. Since the grouping operation is controlled by the detection value of, and the detection values of the plurality of sensors are selected so that the minute change amount of the product group becomes constant,
More appropriate and accurate grouping can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of an apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view on arrow BB in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line CC of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a finger drive system.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram (1) of the control method of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram (2) of the control method of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view (1) of a conventional article supply device.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view (2) of a conventional article supply device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1 '... product 1a, 1b ... Product group 2 ... fingers 2 ... 1st finger 2 '... second finger 2 ″ ... third finger 3 ... 1st chain 3 '... second chain 3a, 3a '... Attachment 5… Sensor 6 ... Sensor 6a, 6b ... Sensor 9… Means of transportation 10, 11 ... Drive shaft 14 ... Corner bar 15 ... Sprocket 16, 16 '... Sprocket 17 ... Corner bar 19, 20, 21 ... Sprocket 22, 22 '... Sprocket 24, 24 '... Sensor 25, 25 '... Timing pulley 26, 26 '... Timing belt 27, 27 '... Motor capable of speed control 28, 28 '... Reducer 29, 29 '... Chain 31 ... Product conveyor 32 ... Chain rail 33, 34 ... Product guide 38 ... Drive sprocket 41 ... Products that flow continuously 42 ... Grouped products 43, 43 '... finger 44 ... Product conveyor 45 ... Drive sprocket 46 ... Chain rail 47 ... Drive sprocket 48 ... Chain

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-60-52407 (JP, A) Actual exploitation Sho-54-153685 (JP, U) JP-B 7-18653 (JP, B2) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65G 47/22-47/32 B65B 35/30

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first first chain and a second chain, each of which is moved along a product conveyor by a variable speed driving means, are individually installed, and the first chain is attached to the first chain.
By sequentially inserting the fingers and the second fingers following the second chain attached to the second chain between the products arranged on the product conveyor moving at a speed higher than the moving speed of the both chains when separating the products. In an article supply device in which products are grouped and conveyed between the two fingers, (A) the preceding first finger that regulates the movement of the first product on the product conveyor reaches a predetermined point. And a second sensor for detecting a minute change amount in the length in the flow direction of a predetermined number of product groups in accordance with the detection timing, and (B) a detection value of the second sensor. Based on the above, the moving speed of the first chain or the second chain is changed to adjust the distance between the both fingers. Apparatus. 2. The position of the second sensor is configured to be movable, and when the length of the product group in the flow direction greatly changes, the change amount is calculated in advance, and the change amount is calculated based on the calculated value. The article supply device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting positions of the two sensors are moved. 3. (A) A plurality of third sensors for detecting the number of products on the product conveyor are provided upstream of the first and second sensors, and (B) a specific detection position of the third sensor. To control the grouping operation by the preceding first finger and the following second finger by (C)
According to the detection timing of the first sensor, the second sensor
3. The detection position of the third sensor is selected so that the minute change amount of the length in the flow direction of the product group detected by the sensor is constant.
The device for supplying articles according to item 1. 4. (A) It is determined whether or not more than the specified products are accumulated based on the number of products detected by the third sensor, and (B) if more than the specified products are accumulated, the 4. The article supply apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the accumulated amount of articles is returned to the specified position in a short time by increasing the traveling speeds of the first chain and the second chain at the same ratio. 5. (A) A first chain and a second chain, each of which is moved by a variable speed driving means along the product conveyor, are separately installed, and (B) the preceding first finger attached to the first chain. And by inserting the subsequent second fingers attached to the second chain one after another between the products arranged on the product conveyor moving at a speed higher than the moving speed of the two chains when the products are separated. , The product is grouped and conveyed between the both fingers, and (C) the first sensor detects the timing when the preceding first finger that regulates the movement of the leading product on the product conveyor reaches a predetermined point. Then, a minute change amount of the length in the flow direction of a predetermined number of product groups is detected by the second sensor according to the detection timing, and (D) the second sensor is detected. Based on the first said by changing the moving speed of the chain or the second chain to adjust the spacing of both the fingers, a method of grouping feeder of articles, characterized by grouping the products. 6. When the length of the product group in the flow direction greatly changes, the amount of change is calculated in advance, and the mounting position of the second sensor is moved based on the calculated value to group the products. The grouping method for the article supply apparatus according to claim 5, wherein. 7. (A) A plurality of third sensors for detecting the number of products on the product conveyor are provided upstream of the first sensor and the second sensor, and (B) by a specific detection position of the third sensor. Controlling the grouping operation by the preceding first finger and the following second finger, and (C) a minute change amount of the flow direction length of the product group detected by the second sensor in synchronization with the detection timing of the first sensor. 7. The grouping method for the article supply apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the detection position of the third sensor is selected so that the product becomes constant. 8. (A) It is determined whether or not more than the specified products are accumulated based on the number of products detected by the third sensor, and (B) if more than the specified products are accumulated, the The article supply apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the accumulated amount of the products is returned to a specified position in a short time by grouping the products by increasing the traveling speeds of the first chain and the second chain at the same ratio. Grouping method.