JP4264171B2 - Article branching device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an article branching technique for distributing or rejecting articles such as containers conveyed via a conveyor to a plurality of lanes. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved technique for improving control accuracy related to the operation timing of a pushing member that pushes an article at the time of branching.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As this type of article branching technology, a lane switching mechanism is provided for switching lanes by advancing and retracting a pushing member on the article conveyance path, and articles conveyed on the conveyor via the lane switching mechanism are divided into a plurality of lanes. Those that are switched continuously are known (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-9820, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-79380). In other words, an endless traveling means composed of a chain or the like is disposed in parallel with the transport conveyor for transporting articles, and a plurality of pushing members are disposed on the endless travel means so as to be able to advance and retreat, so that the transport conveyor and the endless travel are performed. An article that distributes the article being conveyed to a predetermined lane by sequentially moving the pushing member corresponding to the article on the conveyance path based on a detection signal of the article from the article detection sensor while driving in synchronization with the means. A branching device is known.
[0003]
FIGS. 7 and 8 show the advancement / retraction control mechanism of the pushing member in the article branching apparatus, FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing the overall arrangement relationship, and FIG. 8 shows the advance / retreat control mechanism of the pushing member. It is the block block diagram shown. As shown in FIG. 7, the branching device 1 is provided with endless traveling means including a conveyor 2 and a chain that is arranged in parallel with the conveyor 2 and configured to travel in synchronization therewith. The endless traveling means supports a large number of pushing members 3 aligned at a predetermined pitch. The pushing members 3 are advanced at a predetermined operation timing to convey the tip pushing portion. By projecting onto the transport path of the conveyor 2, the article 4 being transported is pushed and branched into, for example, a plurality of lanes 5 to 7. That is, when the forward movement operation by the operation mechanisms 9 and 10 is executed according to the operation command from the control device 8, the engaging portion 11 of the pushing member 3 is engaged with the guide means 12 and 13 including a guide member and a guide groove. The forward movement of the pushing member 3 is guided along the guide means 12 and 13 thereafter. As a result, the pushing member 3 gradually moves forward with respect to the carrying path while moving in synchronization with the carrying conveyor 2, and pushes the article 4 being carried by the tip pushing unit to move to a predetermined lane 5. A branching operation that distributes to? 7 or rejects to a predetermined place is executed.
[0004]
Regarding the operation timing control related to the forward movement of the pushing member 3, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the detection signal from the article sensor 14 for detecting the article 4 being conveyed to the control device 8 and From a driving angle from the encoder 15 disposed on the driving shaft portion of the pushing member 3, etc., that is, a pulse signal corresponding to the movement of the pushing member and a pushing member sensor for detecting the pushing member 3 itself (not shown). The data relating to the movement state of the pusher member 3 such as the detection result of this is input, and the pusher member 3 corresponding to the article 4 reaches the operating position of the actuating mechanisms 9 and 10 based on those input signals. The operation timing is calculated, and an operation command for forward movement is output to the operation mechanisms 9 and 10. In this case, as a method of calculating the operation timing at which the pressing member 3 reaches the operating position of the operating mechanisms 9 and 10, the pressing member 3 corresponding to the article 4 detected by the article sensor 14 is an operating mechanism. A method of using the number of detections of the pusher member 3 until reaching the operating positions 9 and 10 as a shift number is generally used, and the shift number is stored in the storage unit 16 of the control device 8, and the shift number is stored. The operation timing is calculated by the timing calculation unit 17 and is output to the operating mechanisms 9 and 10 via the command unit 18.
[0005]
By the way, the timing at which the articles 4 are introduced onto the conveyor 2 is not always constant. Therefore, the relative positional relationship between the article 4 being transported and the pushing member 3 that moves in synchronization with the transport conveyor 2 is not constant, but varies. FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view schematically illustrating the relationship between the relative positional relationship between the article 4 and the pushing member 3 and the pushing state of each pushing member 3 with respect to the article 4. Here, one article 4 is pushed by the two pushing members 3a and 3b, and the article 4 is detected until the pushing member 3 reaches the operating position of the operating mechanisms 9 and 10. The case where the predetermined number of shifts is set to 5 times by the number of detections of the pushing member 3 is illustrated. The number of detections of the pusher member 3 is configured to be counted at the time of detection, that is, when the signal A is input to the timing calculation unit 17. Below, it demonstrates paying attention to pushing member 3a.
[0006]
States (i) to (c) in the figure indicate the timing at which the article 4 is detected by the article sensor 14, the pulse signal corresponding to the movement of the pushing member 3 from the encoder 15, and a pushing member (not shown) that detects the pushing member 3 itself. The specific example regarding the relative positional relationship with the detection signal A by the side of the pushing member 3, such as the detection result from a moving member sensor, is illustrated. In the case of the state A, since the timing at which the article 4 is detected by the article sensor 14 corresponds immediately after the previous detection signal A related to the pushing member 3, the timing calculating unit 17 performs the next pushing member. 3 is shifted from the detection signal A by 5 as a predetermined shift number, and when the last detection signal A for the fifth time is input, an operation command for the operation mechanisms 9 and 10 is output via the command unit 18. become. In this case, the detection timing of the article 4 by the article sensor 14 is immediately after the input of the previous detection signal A, and there is a large gap between the detection signal A and the next detection signal A. In addition, the pushing member 3a pushes a position greatly deviated with respect to the article 4, and even if the pushing member 3b is inserted, the pushing state is biased. For this reason, while the same branching state continues, there is not much problem because the adjacent pressing member is also adjacent to the pressing member 3b. There was also a problem that could cause trouble. In addition, when the pitch between the articles 4 being conveyed is set large in order to absorb the deviation of the operation timing of the pusher member 3, it is necessary to increase the conveyance speed in order to maintain work efficiency. There was also a problem of becoming an unstable factor.
[0007]
Next, in the state B, since the detection timing of the article 4 by the article sensor 14 corresponds immediately before the detection signal A related to the pushing member 3, the timing calculation unit 17 determines that the timing 1 is higher than that in the case of the above-described state A. An operation command for the operating mechanisms 9 and 10 is output via the command unit 18 when the last detection signal A is input five times from the immediately preceding detection signal A. Therefore, as shown in the drawing, since the pushing member 3 is pushed substantially one pitch forward with respect to the case of the state (a), a favorable pushing state can be obtained together with the pushing member 3b. . Similarly, in the state C, since the detection timing of the article 4 by the article sensor 14 corresponds to the middle of the detection signal A related to the pushing member 3, the timing calculation unit 17 performs five times from the next detection signal A. When the last fifth detection signal A is input, an operation command for the operation mechanisms 9 and 10 is output via the command unit 18. Therefore, as shown in the drawing, the intermediate pushing state described above is obtained, and a substantially good pushing state is obtained together with the pushing member 3b. As described above, in the state B and the state C, since the pushing state that is largely biased with respect to the article 4 as in the state A is not reached, there is little cause of trouble.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been developed in view of the above-described conventional technical circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to compare the timing at which an article is detected by the article sensor and the detection signal on the push member side. In order to provide an article branching device with less trouble by improving the control accuracy with respect to the operation timing of the pushing member so that a good pressing state that is almost stable at all times can be obtained in any state. is there.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the invention of claim 1, a transport conveyor for transporting articles, an endless travel means including a chain or the like arranged in parallel with the transport conveyor, and the endless travel means can be moved forward and backward. A plurality of disposed pushing members, a driving means for driving the conveyor and the endless running means in synchronization, an article sensor for detecting an article to be conveyed, and an operation timing for moving the pushing member forward A control device for controlling the article, and for each detection signal from the article sensor, the control device obtains an operation timing for advancing the pushing member corresponding to the article and pushes the article being conveyed to move the article. In the article branching device for branching, the article is provided with a main sensor for detecting the pushing member, and an auxiliary sensor installed by shifting from the main sensor within a range of a pitch between the pushing members. After the detection signal from the sensor is input, when the push member is first detected by the main sensor, the push member is detected when the number of detections by the main sensor reaches a preset shift number. When the pushing member is detected by the auxiliary sensor first after the detection signal from the article sensor is input, 1 is calculated from the predetermined shift number. The technical means of correcting the positional deviation between the article and the pushing member by subtracting and controlling the operation timing was adopted.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the invention, in the article branching device, pulse generating means for generating a pulse signal is provided each time the conveying conveyor or the endless traveling means moves by a predetermined amount, and the detection signal from the article sensor is input. The operation timing of the push member is controlled based on the number of times of the pushable timing in the pulse signal that passes, and the number of passes of the pushable timing when the detection signal from the article sensor is input The technical means of correcting the positional deviation between the article and the pushing member by controlling the operation timing of the pushing member by increasing / decreasing according to the relative positional relationship with the pulse signal was adopted. The pushable timing in the pulse signal is provided by, for example, providing a reference position sensor for detecting the passage of a push member serving as a preset reference, and the correspondence between the detection timing and the pulse signal and the reference position sensor Based on the distance to the push position, etc., the operation timing at which the push member can move forward at the push position, that is, the reference pushable timing is calculated, and the reference push timing and the push member Based on the pitch, it can be easily obtained by calculating each pushable timing that arrives at a predetermined interval.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention can be widely applied as a branching means for distributing appropriate articles such as containers transported by a transport conveyor to a plurality of lanes or rejecting them to a predetermined place. In addition, the present invention can be applied as long as it is provided with a pushing member that pushes and forwards an article by moving the pushing member forward and backward on the conveyance path. Is possible. For example, as in the example of FIG. 7 described above, the engaging portion provided on the pushing member is engaged with a guide member having an inclined guide surface, and is gradually advanced along the inclined surface, Instead of the guide member, it is possible to form a guide groove in which an engaging portion provided on the pushing member can be loosely fitted, and to gradually advance along the guide groove. Further, the forward movement of the pushing member by the operating mechanism may be performed by directly pushing and guiding the engaging portions provided in the pushing members as shown in FIG. It may be configured to be loaded in the cover so as to be urged in the forward direction by a spring or the like, and to perform the forward movement operation by releasing the trigger means for holding the biased state. Furthermore, with respect to the number of pressing members to be associated with each other for pressing one article, one or a plurality of pressing members can be selected, and the number of shifts and the like are set accordingly. Further, it is possible to change the magnitude of the relative installation position deviation between the main sensor and the auxiliary sensor, that is, the magnitude of the detection phase deviation, and the pitch of the pulse signal, and further adjustable. Is possible. Needless to say, the number of shifts varies depending on the positional relationship between the installation position of each sensor and the pushing operation unit, the size of the pitch between the pushing members, and the like.
[0012]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a forward / backward control mechanism for a pushing member according to an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, in the following description, the same code | symbol is used for the component similar to the basic composition of the goods branching apparatus shown in above-mentioned FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, a detection signal related to the article 4 from the article sensor 14 via the positional relationship recognition section 22 is sent to the timing calculation section 21 constituting the control device 20 of the present embodiment. The detection signal regarding the pushing member 3 from the sensor 23 and the auxiliary sensor 24 is input. Then, after the detection signal from the article sensor 14 is input in the positional relationship recognition unit 22, the article 4 depends on whether the detection signal of the push member 3 is input first from the main sensor 23 or the auxiliary sensor 24. A relative positional relationship with the pushing member 3 at the time of detection is recognized, and the result is input to the timing calculation unit 21. The timing calculation unit 21 is connected to a storage unit 25 and is configured to receive a predetermined number of shifts set in advance. The detection signal A from the main sensor 23 is counted at the time of input, According to the recognition result of the positional relationship recognition unit 22, an operation command is output to the operating mechanisms 9 and 10 via the command unit 26 when the predetermined shift number or a shift number obtained by subtracting 1 from the predetermined shift number is reached. It is configured as follows.
[0013]
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view illustrating the installation state of the main sensor 23 and the auxiliary sensor 24. As shown in the drawing, the pushing member 3 is mounted in an aligned state with an endless traveling means 27 made of a chain or the like, and is configured to be able to advance and retreat in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface. The main sensor 23 and the auxiliary sensor 24, which are non-contact type proximity switches or the like, are shifted from each other at a position facing the position where the 3 passes. In this embodiment, the displacement of the installation positions of the main sensor 23 and the auxiliary sensor 24 is set to a half pitch of the pitch P between the respective push members 3 and actually surrounds each push member 3. The cover portion is configured to be detected.
[0014]
Next, the pushing operation of the pushing member 3 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 shows the relative positional relationship between the article 4 and the pushing member 3, that is, the detection timing of the article 4 by the article sensor 14 and the detection signals A and B relating to the pushing member 3 from the main sensor 23 or the auxiliary sensor 24. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the relationship between the relative relationship between the push member 3 and the push state of the push member 3 with respect to the article 4. In the present embodiment, similarly to the example of FIG. 9 described above, one article 4 is pushed by the two pushing members 3a and 3b, and the article 4 is detected by the article sensor 14. The case where the predetermined number of shifts until the corresponding pressing member 3 reaches the operating position of the operating mechanism 9, 10 after being set to 5 at the time of input of the detection signal A from the main sensor 23 is illustrated. Is. Below, it demonstrates paying attention to pushing member 3a. In the figure, A indicates the detection signal of the push member 3 from the main sensor 23, and B indicates the detection signal of the push member 3 from the auxiliary sensor 24.
[0015]
States i to c are specific examples of the relative positional relationship between the timing at which the article 4 is detected by the article sensor 14 and the detection signals A and B relating to the push member 3 from the main sensor 23 and the auxiliary sensor 24. This is just an example. For example, in the case of the state A, the timing at which the article 4 is detected by the article sensor 14 corresponds to immediately after the previous detection signal A related to the pushing member 3, and in this case, the next pushing member 3 is detected. Since the detection signal B is the detection signal B from the auxiliary sensor 24, the positional relationship recognition unit 22 recognizes that the detection signal B from the auxiliary sensor 24 is first and outputs it to the timing calculation unit 21. . As a result, in the timing calculation unit 21, as described above, the number of detections relating to the pusher member 3 from the main sensor 23 thereafter is four times that is obtained by subtracting 1 from 5 of the predetermined shift number stored in the storage unit 25. At this point, an operation command is output to the operation mechanisms 9 and 10 via the command unit 26. Therefore, in this case, as shown in the drawing, the pushing operation is performed on the pushing member 3 one piece before compared to the case of the state A shown in FIG. Since a biased pushing state in which the pushing member 3 is largely deviated from the article 4 as in the prior art is avoided, a very good pushing state can be obtained together with the pushing member 3b. That is, it is possible to halve the influence caused by the large distance between the detection signal A and the next detection signal A that has conventionally occurred in the above-described state (a).
[0016]
Next, in state b, the detection timing of the article 4 by the article sensor 14 corresponds immediately before the detection signal A related to the push member 3, and in this case, the detection signal related to the next push member 3 is the main sensor. 23, the positional relationship recognition unit 22 recognizes that the detection signal A from the main sensor 24 is first, and outputs it to the timing calculation unit 21. Thereby, in the timing calculation unit 21, the number of detections related to the pressing member 3 from the main sensor 23 including the detection signal A immediately before it reaches the predetermined number of shifts stored in the storage unit 25. At that time, an operation command is output to the operation mechanisms 9 and 10 via the command unit 26. Accordingly, in this case as well, as shown in the figure, a good pushing state almost the same as the state a can be obtained.
[0017]
Similarly, in the state C, the detection timing of the article 4 by the article sensor 14 corresponds to the middle of the detection signal A immediately after the detection signal B related to the pushing member 3, and in this case, the next pushing action is performed. Since the detection signal related to the member 3 is the detection signal A from the main sensor 23, the positional relationship recognition unit 22 recognizes that the detection signal A from the main sensor 24 is first and outputs it to the timing calculation unit 21. The Therefore, the timing calculation unit 21 operates via the command unit 26 when the number of subsequent detections regarding the pusher member 3 from the main sensor 23 reaches the predetermined number of shifts 5 stored in the storage unit 25. An operation command is output to the mechanisms 9 and 10. In the case of this state C, as shown in the figure, the push member 3 is moved by an amount corresponding to the interval between the detection timing of the article 4 by the article sensor 14 and the next detection signal A from the main sensor 23. Although the pushing operation is delayed, the amount of the delay is not so large, so that it is unlikely to cause troubles such as the fall of the article 4 as in the case of the conventional state C shown in FIG. .
[0018]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a pushing member advance / retreat control mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, a detection signal related to the article 4 from the article sensor 14 via the positional relationship recognition section 30 and the endless traveling are sent to the timing calculation section 29 constituting the control device 28 according to the present embodiment. A pulse signal C from a pulse transmission means 31 composed of an encoder or the like disposed on the drive shaft portion of the means 27 or the conveyor 2 and a detection signal D relating to the reference position of the pushing member 3 from the reference position sensor 32 are input. It is configured to be. Then, in the positional relationship recognition unit 30, the correspondence between the pulse signal C from the pulse generating means 31 and the detection signal D from the reference position sensor 32, the pressing position of the reference position sensor 32 and the pressing member 3, and The reference pushable timing in the pulse signal C is obtained from the distance relationship, etc., and each pushable timing T that arrives at a predetermined interval is calculated based on the reference push timing and the pitch between the push members. The relative positional relationship between the article 4 and the pushing member 3 is recognized based on the relationship between each pushable timing T and the detection timing from the article sensor 14.
[0019]
Similarly to the above embodiment, the timing calculator 29 is connected to the storage unit 33 and is configured to receive a predetermined number of shifts, and the pulse signal C from the pulse generator 31 is inputted. The predetermined number of shifts or the predetermined number of shifts is counted according to the comparison result between the detection timing of the article sensor 14 in the positional relationship recognition unit 30 and the pushable timing T. The operation command is output to the operating mechanisms 9 and 10 via the command unit 34 when the shift number obtained by subtracting 1 from the value is reached. Specifically, the timing calculation unit 29 counts the number of pulses related to the pulse signal C, and outputs an operation command when the number of pulses corresponding to the predetermined shift number or a shift number obtained by subtracting 1 from the predetermined shift number passes. The method of doing will be taken. The detection of the detection signal D related to the reference position of the pushing member 3 by the reference position sensor 32 is performed by passing the reference position member 35 installed on an appropriate pushing member 3 as a reference, for example, as shown in FIG. This is possible by detecting the timing. Further, based on the correspondence relationship between the rotation angle of the drive shaft of the endless traveling means 27 and the conveyor 2 and the position of the pushing member 3, detection from the encoder itself corresponding to the position of the pushing member 3 as a reference. It is also possible to use the detection signal D with an angle.
[0020]
Next, the pushing operation of the pushing member 3 in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory diagram schematically illustrating the relative relationship between the detection timing of the article 4 by the article sensor 14, the pulse signal C from the pulse generating means 31, and the detection signal D from the reference position sensor 32. . Here, on the basis of the detection timing of the detection signal D related to the position of the reference pushing member 3 from the reference position sensor 32, the pushable timing T is repeated every 1000 pulses of the pulse signal C from the pulse generating means 31. The case where it is set to be described will be described. In other words, in this example, every time the pulse signal C of 1000 pulses passes with the detection timing of the detection signal D as a reference, one pushable timing T passes. States (i) to (c) in the figure are shown with respect to the case where the cases are classified into the same positional relationship as in the above embodiment from the convenience of explanation. That is, various conditions such as the installation position of the reference position sensor 32 are set so that the rising edge of the detection signal D from the reference position sensor 32 coincides with any rising edge of the detection signal A from the main sensor 23. The case 4 is divided into cases so that the detection timing of the article 4 coincides with the case of the above embodiment. Further, in this embodiment, as in the above embodiment, the detection signal A from the main sensor 23 is divided into two by the detection signal B from the auxiliary sensor 24, and the pushable timing T in the pulse signal C is divided into two. A case will be described in which the preceding 500 pulses are set in the region E according to the predetermined shift number, and the subsequent 500 pulses are set in the region F in which 1 is subtracted from the predetermined shift number, centering on the pushable timing T.
[0021]
In the state a, the positional relationship recognition unit 30 determines the detection timing of the article 4 from the relationship between the detection timing of the article 4 by the article sensor 14 and the pushable timing T in the pulse signal C from the pulse generating means 31. Immediately after the movable timing T, it is recognized that it corresponds to the region F, and is output to the timing calculation unit 29. The timing calculation unit 29 counts the number of times that the pushable timing T is passed from the next time, and reaches the fourth time obtained by subtracting 1 from 5 which is the predetermined shift number input from the storage unit 33. An operation command is output to the operating mechanisms 9 and 10 via 34. Actually, when the remaining number of pulses until the next pushable timing T and 3000 pulses until the moment when the number of passages reaches the fourth time based on the next pushable timing T are passed, Operation commands for the operation mechanisms 9 and 10 are output. Thus, the pushing state of the article 4 by the pushing member 3 in the state A becomes the same pushing state as in the case of the state A in FIG.
[0022]
In both state B and state C, since the detection timing of the article 4 by the article sensor 14 corresponds to the region E, an operation command is output based on the predetermined shift number. The timing calculation unit 29 counts the number of passages of the operable timing T from the next time, and when the fifth shift which is the predetermined shift number input from the storage unit 33 is reached, the operating mechanism 9 is connected via the command unit 34. , 10 is output to the operation command. That is, when the remaining number of pulses until the next pushable timing T and 4000 pulses until the moment when the number of passages reaches the fifth time on the basis of the next pushable timing T are passed, the operation mechanism The operation command for 9, 10 is output. As described above, also in the case of the state B and the state C, the same pushing state as that in the case of the state B and the state C in FIG.
[0023]
As described above, in this embodiment, in any of the above states A to C, a very good pushing state similar to that in the embodiment can be obtained. In the case of this embodiment, the degree of freedom of setting regarding the frequency of the pulse signal C is large, and it is possible to finely set the region division of the pulse signal C to increase or decrease the number of shifts. Changes regarding are also possible.
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, with respect to fluctuations in the relative positional relationship between the detection timing of the article by the article sensor and the detection signal on the pushing member, which is caused by fluctuations in the relative positional relation of the article with respect to the conveyor, In any case, an almost stable and good pressing state can be obtained at all times, so that troubles such as a fall caused by a biased pressing state can be greatly reduced. Therefore, it is not necessary to widen the conveyance pitch between the articles, and a stable and very good branching operation of the articles can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a push-back member advance / retreat control mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view illustrating an installation state of a main sensor and an auxiliary sensor.
FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view schematically showing the operation of the pressing member in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a push member advance / retreat control mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view illustrating the installation state of the reference position sensor in the same embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view schematically showing the operation of the pushing member in the same embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing the overall arrangement relationship of the branching device.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a conventional push-back member advance / retreat control mechanism.
FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view schematically showing the operation of a conventional pushing member.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 20 ... Control apparatus, 21 ... Timing calculating part, 22 ... Position relationship recognition part, 23 ... Main sensor, 24 ... Auxiliary sensor, 25 ... Memory | storage part, 26 ... Command part, 27 ... Endless traveling means, 28 ... Control apparatus, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 29 ... Timing calculating part, 30 ... Position relationship recognition part, 31 ... Pulse transmission means, 32 ... Reference position sensor, 33 ... Memory | storage part, 34 ... Command part, 35 ... Reference position member

Claims (2)

A transport conveyor for transporting articles, an endless traveling means composed of a chain or the like arranged in parallel with the transport conveyor, a plurality of pushing members arranged to be able to advance and retreat in the endless travel means, and the transport conveyor Driving means for synchronously driving the endless traveling means, an article sensor for detecting an article to be conveyed, and a control device for controlling the operation timing of advancing the pushing member. For each detection signal from the article sensor, the pushing member is detected in an article branching device that branches the article by pushing the article being conveyed by obtaining an operation timing to advance the pushing member corresponding to the article. A main sensor, and an auxiliary sensor installed by shifting within the range of the pitch between the pressing members from the main sensor, and after the detection signal from the article sensor is input, When the material is first detected by the main sensor, the operation timing is controlled so that the pushing member is advanced when the number of times of detection by the main sensor reaches a predetermined shift number set in advance, and the article After the detection signal from the sensor is input, when the pusher member is detected by the auxiliary sensor first, 1 is subtracted from the predetermined shift number, and the operation timing is controlled to control the pusher and the article. An article branching device configured to correct a positional deviation from a moving member. A transport conveyor for transporting articles, an endless traveling means composed of a chain or the like arranged in parallel with the transport conveyor, a plurality of pushing members arranged to be able to advance and retreat in the endless travel means, and the transport conveyor Driving means for synchronously driving the endless traveling means, an article sensor for detecting an article to be conveyed, and a control device for controlling the operation timing of advancing the pushing member. In the article branching device for branching the article by pushing the article being conveyed in response to the detection timing from the article sensor to advance the pushing member corresponding to the article, the conveyor or the endless running The pulse signal is provided to generate a pulse signal every time the means moves by a predetermined amount, and the pulse signal that passes after the detection signal from the article sensor is inputted. The operation timing of the pressing member is controlled based on the number of times that the pushable timing is passed, and the number of passes of the pushable timing is relative to the pulse signal when the detection signal is input from the article sensor. An article branching apparatus configured to correct a positional deviation between the article and the pushing member by controlling the operation timing of the pushing member by increasing / decreasing in accordance with a general positional relationship.

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