JP6635554B2 - Transfer device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a transport device that measures a transported article during transport. In particular, the present invention relates to a transfer device for measuring a box-shaped transfer object such as cardboard.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a transport device that transports a transported product packed in cardboard or the like to a shelf or the like in a warehouse is known. This transport device has a function of previously measuring the size of a transported object by human power in order to determine a place where the transported object is placed, and determining an optimal installation location according to the measured size.

  However, when an operator measures the size of a conveyed object, it is troublesome and there is a possibility that the measurement may be shifted. For this reason, some recent transport apparatuses have a function of automatically detecting the size of a transported object and determining an optimal installation location according to the size (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  Patent Literature 1 discloses a belt conveyor that captures a transported object by an imaging unit such as a camera and detects the size of the transported object by analyzing the captured image.

JP 2012-137304 A JP 2000-171215 A

However, the belt conveyor described in Patent Literature 1 requires a combination of photographing means such as a camera and expensive equipment such as software for analyzing images, and has a problem that equipment costs and introduction costs increase.
In addition, when measuring a conveyed object having a simple shape such as a cardboard, there is no complicated undulation in principle, and therefore, it is an excessive specification to use a conveying device equipped with such a device such as a camera. I was dissatisfied.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a transport device that can easily measure a transported article without using expensive equipment such as a camera.

  One aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems is a transport device that transports a transported object in a predetermined direction, an arrival detection unit that detects that the transported object that has been transported has reached a specific position, A first light emitting unit that irradiates a light beam in a direction intersecting at a first intersection angle with respect to the transport direction, a first light receiving unit that receives a light beam from the first light emitting unit, and the transported object is detected by the arrival detection unit. A position for detecting that a specific position has been reached, and a moving distance measuring means for detecting or calculating the moving distance of the conveyed material between positions where the first light receiving means detects that the conveyed product has blocked the light beam. A transport device that calculates at least one of a width and a height of the transported object from a relationship between the first intersection angle and a moving distance of the transported object.

  Here, the "moving distance of the conveyed object" is from a position where the arrival detecting means detects that the conveyed object has reached a specific position to a position where the first light receiving means detects that the conveyed object has blocked the light beam. And the distance from the position where the first light receiving unit detects that the conveyed object has blocked the light beam to the position where the arrival detecting unit detects that the conveyed object has reached a specific position.

According to this aspect, the position at which the transported object reaches the specific position is detected by the arrival detecting unit, and the position at which the transported object blocks the light beam is detected by the first light receiving unit. Then, the moving distance of the conveyed object is calculated by the moving distance measuring means from the distance between the specific position detected by the arrival detecting means and the light blocking position detected by the first light receiving means. Further, a width direction component and / or a height direction component of the light beam interrupted by the conveyed object is calculated from the first intersection angle, which is the irradiation angle of the light beam irradiated by the first light emitting unit, and combined with the calculated moving distance of the conveyed object. By doing so, it is possible to measure at least one of the width or height of the plane of the conveyed object that blocks the light beam or the plane that forms an angle.
As described above, the width or height of the conveyed object can be specified by the light shielding and the moving distance of the conveyed object, so that it is easy to measure the conveyed object during conveyance without using expensive equipment such as a camera. be able to. In addition, according to this aspect, since the measurement is performed by the light beam, the movement of the transported object is not interrupted by the measuring operation, and the measuring operation does not hinder the transporting operation of the transported object.

  In a preferred aspect, at least one of the width and the height of the article is calculated using a trigonometric function.

  According to this aspect, the moving distance detected or calculated by the moving distance measuring means as described above and the first intersection angle with respect to the direction in which the light beam from the first light emitting means is conveyed can be known. Therefore, for example, by using the tangent of the first intersection angle using a trigonometric function, it is possible to calculate the length (width or height) in the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the transported object.

  In a preferred aspect, the first light emitting means and the first light receiving means are arranged at a predetermined interval in a direction having at least a transport direction component and a height direction component, and the first intersection angle and the transport The height of the conveyed object is calculated from the relationship of the moving distance of the object.

  According to this aspect, the conveyed object passes between the first light emitting unit and the first light receiving unit that are displaced in the conveying direction and the height direction. That is, one of the first light emitting unit and the first light receiving unit is located above the transported object in the height direction, and the other is located below the transported object. Therefore, since the light beam has at least a component in the height direction and a component in the transport direction, the height of the transported object is calculated from the component in the height direction at the position where the transported object contacts the light beam. Can be.

  A preferred aspect is a second light emitting means for irradiating a second light ray in a direction intersecting at a second intersection angle with respect to the transport direction, and a second light receiving means for receiving a second light ray from the second light emitting means, The second light emitting means and the second light receiving means are arranged at a predetermined interval in a direction having at least a width direction component and a transport direction component, and the movement distance measuring means is provided by the arrival detecting means. It is possible to detect or calculate a second moving distance of the conveyed object between a position where the conveyed object reaches a specific position and a position where the second light receiving unit detects that the conveyed object has blocked the light beam. And calculating the width of the conveyed object from the relationship between the second intersection angle of the second light beam and the second moving distance of the conveyed object.

  According to this aspect, the transported object passes between the second light-emitting unit and the second light-receiving unit that are shifted in the transport direction and the width direction. That is, one of the second light emitting unit and the second light receiving unit is located closer to the outside of the conveyed object in the width direction, and the other is located closer to the outside of the conveyed object. Therefore, since the second light beam from the second light emitting means has at least a component in the width direction and a component in the transport direction, the width of the transported object is calculated from the relationship between the second movement distance and the component in the width direction. can do.

  In a preferred aspect, the arrival detecting means includes a third light emitting means for irradiating a third light ray in a direction intersecting with the transport direction, and a third light receiving means for receiving the third light ray from the third light emitting means. The third light receiving unit detects that the conveyed object has blocked the third light beam from the third light emitting unit, thereby detecting that the conveyed object has reached a specific position. .

  According to this aspect, it is possible to easily detect that the article has reached the specific position.

  A preferred aspect has a speed measuring means for measuring a transport speed of the transported object, and measures a light shielding time from a position at which the transported light shields the third ray to a position at which the transported light passes the third ray, The length of the transported object is calculated from the transport speed of the transported object and the light blocking time.

  According to this aspect, the length of the conveyed object (the length in the conveying direction) can be easily measured.

  In a preferred aspect, the speed measuring means has a fourth light emitting means for irradiating a fourth light ray, and a fourth light receiving means for receiving a fourth light ray from the fourth light emitting means, wherein the fourth light ray is The third light beam is parallel to the third light beam at a predetermined interval, and the first passage time from when the conveyed object blocks the third light beam to when the fourth light beam is blocked, and the third light beam Measure the second transit time after passing through the fourth light ray after passing through, the interval between the third light ray and the fourth light ray, the first transit time, and the second transit time Calculating the transport speed of the transported object.

  According to this aspect, it is possible to accurately detect the transport speed of the transported object between the third light beam and the fourth light beam. Therefore, the moving distance of the transported object can be accurately calculated, and the length, width, and the like of the transported object can be measured more accurately.

  A preferred aspect has a transport path for transporting the transported article, and at least a part of the transport path is formed by a roller with a built-in motor, and the transported article is transported by rotating the roller with a built-in motor. There is provided a rotation speed detecting means for detecting the rotation speed of the motor of the motor built-in roller, by comparing the conveyance speed of the conveyed object and the rotation speed of the motor, to calculate the slip amount of the conveyed object is there.

  According to this aspect, since the slip amount of the transported object is calculated, it is easy to adjust the interval between the transported objects when transporting a plurality of transported objects.

  A preferred aspect has a transport path for transporting the transported article, and at least a part of the transport path is formed by a roller with a built-in motor, and the transported article is transported by rotating the roller with a built-in motor. A rotation detecting means for detecting the number of rotations of the motor of the roller with a built-in motor; and calculating the length of the conveyed article based on the number of rotations of the motor.

  According to this aspect, the length of the conveyed object can be directly measured from the number of rotations of the motor whose output is controlled.

  In a preferred aspect, the article is a box.

  The “box shape” referred to herein is a shape having a substantially hexahedral shape in appearance, and includes a hexahedral shape having negligible rounded corners, dents, protrusions, and the like.

  According to this aspect, a box-shaped article is conveyed, which is particularly effective.

  In the aspect described above, it is more preferable that the transported object is a cube or a rectangular parallelepiped.

  A preferable aspect is that the articles are conveyed on a straight line in the same posture.

  According to this aspect, the calculation of the dimension becomes easy.

A preferred aspect is a transport device capable of performing a correction operation by transporting a first box and a second box having different widths or heights, respectively, and in the correction operation, the arrival detection unit causes the first box to move. The movement distance of the first box from a position where it has reached a specific position to a position where the first light receiving means detects that the first box has blocked the light beam, and the movement distance of the first box by the arrival detecting means. Calculate the travel distance of the second box from the position where the two boxes reach a specific position to the position where the first light receiving means detects that the second box blocks the light beam, The first intersection angle is calculated based on the following relationship (a) or (b).
(A) Relationship between the difference between the movement distance of the first box and the movement distance of the second box, and the difference between the width of the first box and the width of the second box. (B) The movement distance of the first box And the difference between the movement distance of the second box and the difference between the height of the first box and the height of the second box.

  According to this aspect, since the first intersection angle is obtained by calculation by the correction operation, it is possible to correct the deviation of the first intersection angle due to aging or the like without directly measuring the first intersection angle.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION The conveyance apparatus of this invention can implement | achieve the measurement of the conveyed thing under conveyance easily, without using expensive equipment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a main part of the transport device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of the principal part of the conveyance apparatus of FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part of the transfer device of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device provided in the transfer device of FIG. 1. It is explanatory drawing of the speed detection operation | movement of 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (a)-(d) shows the time-dependent change of the position of the conveyance thing. It is explanatory drawing of the speed detection operation | movement of 1st Embodiment of this invention, (a), (b) represents the change of the position of the conveyed object, respectively. It is explanatory drawing of the length detection operation | movement of 1st embodiment of this invention, (a), (b) shows the time-dependent change of the position of the conveyance thing. It is explanatory drawing of the width | variety detection operation | movement of 1st Embodiment of this invention, (a), (b) shows the time-dependent change of the position of the conveyance thing. It is explanatory drawing of the height detection operation | movement of 1st Embodiment of this invention, (a), (b) shows the time-dependent change of the position of the conveyance thing. It is explanatory drawing of the correction | amendment operation | movement of 1st Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a figure showing immediately after a box cuts off a 1st detection light beam, (b) is just after a box cuts off a 2nd detection light beam. FIG. It is explanatory drawing of the width | variety detection operation when a conveyed object is large, and (a) and (b) show the secular change of the position of a conveyed object. It is explanatory drawing of the height detection operation | movement of 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (a), (b) shows the secular change of the position of the conveyed object. It is explanatory drawing of the 2nd detection light ray of other embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the 3rd detection light ray of other embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, the transport device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The transport device 1 of the first embodiment transports a box-shaped transport object 50 such as cardboard. The transport apparatus 1 is characterized in that it can execute a measuring operation for measuring the transported article 50 being transported.

  As can be read from FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the transport device 1 of the first embodiment includes a transport path 2, a control device 3 (moving distance measuring device), and a first light irradiation device 5 (an arrival detecting device, (Speed measuring means), a second light irradiating device 6, a third light irradiating device 7, and a fourth light irradiating device 8 (speed measuring means).

  The transport path 2 is a travel path on which the transported object 50 travels, and includes a plurality of drive rollers 10, a plurality of driven rollers 11, and a frame 12.

The drive roller 10 is a roller with a built-in motor, and can rotate at a predetermined rotation speed in accordance with a control pulse from the control device 3. In the present embodiment, a brushless motor is employed, and a pole detecting means (rotation detecting means) such as a Hall element is provided.
The drive roller 10 can rotate at a desired rotation speed and rotation speed by controlling the rotation speed of the motor in accordance with the control pulse.
The driven roller 11 is a roller that is connected to the driving roller 10 by a belt or the like and that rotates following the rotation of the driving roller 10.
The rollers 10 and 11 each have an elongated shape, and are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals in the transport direction X. That is, the rollers 10 and 11 are long and have a gap between the rollers 10 and 11 (the rollers 11 and 11) adjacent in the transport direction X.
The frame 12 prevents the transported article 50 from derailing from the rollers 10 and 11.

  The control device 3 is a device that can control the operations of the drive roller 10 and the light irradiation devices 5, 6, 7, and 8. The control device 3 includes an arithmetic unit 15, a storage unit 16, and a communication unit 17, as shown in FIG.

The calculation unit 15 is a unit that performs calculation processing based on a program or the like stored in the storage unit 16.
The storage unit 16 stores a preset program, a control pulse of the drive roller 10, the number of rotations of the drive roller 10, and detection light beams S1, S2, S3, and S4 from the light irradiation devices 5, 6, 7, and 8. Is a part that stores
The communication unit 17 is a portion that is connected to the driving roller 10 and the generation units 20, 25, 30, and 35 and the light receiving units 21, 26, 31, and 36 of the light irradiation devices 5, 6, 7, and 8 by wireless or wire. is there.

The first light irradiation device 5 is a photoelectric sensor, and includes a first generating unit 20 (third light emitting unit) and a first light receiving unit 21 (third light receiving unit) as shown in FIGS. Have been.
The first generation unit 20 is a part that generates the first detection light beam S1 (third light beam), and can irradiate the first light reception unit 21 with the first detection light beam S1 continuously or intermittently.
Here, the term “intermittent irradiation” includes not only a case where irradiation is performed at an irregular cycle but also a case where irradiation is performed at a constant cycle.
In the present embodiment, the second generating unit 25 can continuously irradiate the article 50 while the article 50 is being conveyed.
The first generator 20 is not particularly limited as long as it has a function as a light source. For example, an LED light source or a laser light source can be used.
In the present embodiment, an LED light source is used as the first generation unit 20.

The first light receiving unit 21 is a part that receives the first detection light beam S1 (third light beam) generated by the first generation unit 20. The first light receiving unit 21 can detect whether or not the first detection light beam S1 is received.
The first light receiving unit 21 is connected to the communication unit 17 of the control device 3 wirelessly or by wire, and can transmit information on whether or not the first detection light beam S1 is received to the control device 3.

The second light irradiation device 6 is a photoelectric sensor, and includes a second generating unit 25 (second light emitting unit) and a second light receiving unit 26 (second light receiving unit).
The second generation unit 25 is a part that generates the second detection light beam S2 (second light beam), and is capable of continuously or intermittently irradiating the second detection light beam S2 to the second light receiving unit 26. .
In the present embodiment, the second generating unit 25 can continuously irradiate the article 50 while the article 50 is being conveyed.
The second generator 25 is not particularly limited as long as it has a function as a light source. For example, an LED light source or a laser light source can be used.
In the present embodiment, an LED light source is used as the second generation unit 25.

  The second light receiving unit 26 is a part that receives the second detection light beam S2 generated by the second generation unit 25. The second light receiving unit 26 can detect whether or not the second detection light beam S2 is received. The second light receiving unit 26 is connected to the communication unit 17 of the control device 3 wirelessly or by wire, and can transmit information on the presence or absence of the reception of the second detection light beam S2 to the control device 3.

The third light irradiation device 7 is a photoelectric sensor, and includes a third generating unit 30 (first light emitting unit) and a third light receiving unit 31 (first light receiving unit), as shown in FIG. .
The third generation unit 30 is a part that generates the third detection light beam S3 (light beam), and is capable of continuously or intermittently irradiating the third detection light beam S3 to the third light receiving unit 31.
In the present embodiment, the third generator 30 can continuously irradiate the article 50 while the article 50 is being conveyed.
The third generator 30 is not particularly limited as long as it has a function as a light source. For example, an LED light source or a laser light source can be used.
In the present embodiment, an LED light source is used as the third generator 30.

  The third light receiving unit 31 is a part that receives the third detection light beam S3 generated by the third generation unit 30. The third light receiving unit 31 can detect whether or not the third detection light beam S3 is received. The third light receiving unit 31 is connected to the communication unit 17 of the control device 3 wirelessly or by wire, and can transmit information on whether or not the third detection light beam S3 is received to the control device 3.

The fourth light irradiation device 8 is a photoelectric sensor, and includes a fourth generation unit 35 (fourth light emitting unit) and a fourth light receiving unit 36 (fourth light receiving unit), as shown in FIG. .
The fourth generation unit 35 is a part that generates the fourth detection light beam S4 (fourth light beam), and is capable of continuously or intermittently irradiating the fourth detection light beam S4 to the fourth light receiving unit 36.
In the present embodiment, the fourth generator 35 is capable of continuously irradiating the conveyed object 50 during conveyance.
The fourth generator 35 is not particularly limited as long as it has a function as a light source. For example, an LED light source or a laser light source can be used.
In the present embodiment, an LED light source is used as the fourth generator 35.

  The fourth light receiving unit 36 is a part that receives the fourth detection light beam S4 generated by the fourth generating unit 35. The fourth light receiving unit 36 can detect whether or not the fourth detection light beam S4 is received. The fourth light receiving unit 36 is connected to the communication unit 17 of the control device 3 wirelessly or by wire, and can transmit information on whether or not the fourth detection light beam S4 is received to the control device 3.

  Subsequently, the positional relationship of each member of the transport device 1 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first generating unit 20 and the first light receiving unit 21 are separated from each other, and are arranged to be opposed to each other across the rollers 10 and 11 in the width direction Y. That is, the first generating unit 20 and the first light receiving unit 21 are located on both outer sides of the transport path 2 in the width direction Y.
The first generating unit 20 and the first light receiving unit 21 are arranged in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the rollers 10 and 11.

The second generating unit 25 and the second light receiving unit 26 are separated from each other across the transport path 2 in the width direction Y, and are disposed at positions facing each other in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the rollers 10 and 11. ing. That is, the second generating unit 25 and the second light receiving unit 26 are located on both outer sides of the transport path 2 in the width direction Y.
The second generating section 25 and the second light receiving section 26 are arranged at positions shifted in the transport direction X (the direction in which the rollers 10 and 11 are arranged in parallel), and are arranged so that the transported object 50 passes therebetween. I have.

As shown in FIG. 2, the third generating unit 30 and the third light receiving unit 31 are separated from each other across the transport path 2 in the height direction Z and intersect with the longitudinal direction of the rollers 10 and 11. Are arranged at positions facing each other.
The third generator 30 is located below the rollers 10 and 11 in the height direction Z, and is installed at a position lower than the bottom surface of the conveyed object 50.
The third light receiving unit 31 is located above the rollers 10 and 11 and is installed at a position higher than the top surface of the conveyed object 50.
The third generating unit 30 and the third light receiving unit 31 are disposed at positions shifted in the transport direction X, and are disposed so that the transported object 50 passes therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fourth generating unit 35 and the fourth light receiving unit 36 are separated from each other across the rollers 10 and 11 in the width direction Y, and are arranged at positions facing each other. That is, the fourth generating unit 35 and the fourth light receiving unit 36 are located on both outer sides of the transport path 2 in the width direction Y.
The fourth generator 35 and the fourth light receiver 36 are arranged in a straight line in the longitudinal direction of the rollers 10 and 11. That is, the fourth generating unit 35 and the fourth light receiving unit 36 are parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the rollers 10 and 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first generation unit 20, the second generation unit 25, and the fourth generation unit 35 are all disposed on one side of the transport path 2, and the first light receiving unit 21 and the second The light receiving section 26 and the fourth light receiving section 36 are both arranged on the opposite side of the transport path 2.

The fourth generator 35 and the fourth light receiver 36 are located downstream of the first generator 20 and the first light receiver 21 in the moving direction X of the article 50.
The second generating unit 25 is located downstream of the fourth generating unit 35 in the moving direction X of the transported object 50, and the second light receiving unit 26 is located upstream of the first light receiving unit 21. I have.

  Subsequently, the positional relationship between the light beams from the light irradiation devices will be described.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the first detection light beam S <b> 1 emitted from the first generator 20 travels in a horizontal direction and in a direction intersecting the transport direction X of the transported object 50, The light is received by the first light receiving unit 21.
In the present embodiment, the first detection light beam S <b> 1 emitted from the first generation unit 20 travels in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the transported object 50 and is received by the first light receiving unit 21.
In other words, the first detection light beam S <b> 1 travels straight in the longitudinal direction of the rollers 10 and 11 and is irradiated so as to pass above the transport path 2. That is, the irradiation direction of the first detection light beam S1 has at least the width direction component, and in the present embodiment, the irradiation direction of the first detection light beam S1 has only the width direction component.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the second detection light beam S2 emitted from the second generation unit 25 is horizontal and at a specific angle θ (second angle) with respect to the transport direction X of the transported object 50. It travels straight above the transport path 2 in a direction intersecting at an intersection angle) and is received by the second light receiving unit 26. In other words, the light receiving angle of the second detection light beam S2 of the second light receiving unit 26 (the incident angle to the opening of the second light receiving unit 26) is a specific angle θ.
The specific angle θ is preferably 20 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less from the viewpoint of accurately calculating the moving distance of the transported object 50.
If the specific angle θ is too small, a measurement error in measurement may occur depending on the shape and size of the conveyed object 50. If the specific angle θ is too large, the moving distance of the conveyed object 50 may be too short to accurately calculate the moving distance of the conveyed object 50.

From another viewpoint, the second detection light beam S2 is emitted so as to intersect the longitudinal direction of the rollers 10 and 11 at the second intersection angle θ.
That is, the irradiation direction of the second detection light beam S2 has at least a width direction component and a conveyance direction component, and in the present embodiment, the irradiation direction of the second detection light beam S2 includes only the width direction component and the conveyance direction component. .

As shown in FIG. 2, the third detection light beam S <b> 3 emitted from the third generator 30 has a vertical component and has a specific angle δ (first intersection angle) with respect to the moving direction X of the transported object 50. ), Travels straight above the transport path 2 in the direction intersecting with each other, and is received by the third light receiving unit 31. In other words, the light receiving angle of the third detection light beam S3 of the third light receiving unit 31 (the incident angle to the opening of the third light receiving unit 31) is a specific angle δ.
The specific angle δ is preferably not less than 20 degrees and not more than 45 degrees from the viewpoint of accurately calculating the moving distance of the transported object 50.
If the specific angle δ is too small, a measurement error in measurement may occur depending on the shape and size of the conveyed article 50. If the specific angle δ is too large, the moving distance of the conveyed object 50 may be too short to calculate the moving distance of the conveyed object 50 accurately.
From another viewpoint, the third detection light beam S3 is emitted so as to intersect the horizontal direction at the first intersection angle δ. That is, the irradiation direction of the third detection light beam S3 has at least the conveyance direction component and the height direction component. In the present embodiment, the irradiation direction of the third detection light beam S3 is only the conveyance direction component and the height direction component. Consists of

  The fourth detection light beam S4 emitted from the fourth generator 35 is emitted in a horizontal direction and parallel to the first detection light beam S1, as can be read from FIGS. That is, the fourth detection light beam S <b> 4 travels straight in the longitudinal direction of the rollers 10 and 11 and is irradiated so as to pass above the transport path 2. That is, the irradiation direction of the fourth detection light beam S4 has at least a width direction component, similarly to the first detection light beam S1, and in the present embodiment, the irradiation direction of the fourth detection light beam S4 has only the width direction component.

  The first detection light beam S1, the second detection light beam S2, and the fourth detection light beam S4 are emitted so as to pass on the same horizontal plane as can be read from FIG. That is, the heights of the first detection light beam S1, the second detection light beam S2, and the fourth detection light beam S4 from the transport path 2 are all equal.

The first detection light beam S1, the second detection light beam S2, and the fourth detection light beam S4 are all on the first generation unit 20 side in the width direction of the transport path 2 when the transport path 2 is viewed in plan as shown in FIG. Respectively intersects with a plane W passing through the end face of.
The first intersection 22 which is an intersection between the first detection light beam S1 and a plane W passing through one end surface of the transport path 2 and the fourth intersection 37 which is an intersection between the fourth detection light beam S4 and the plane W The interval A1 is larger than the length of the transported object 50.
An interval B1 between the second intersection 27, which is an intersection of the second detection light beam S2 and the plane W, and the first intersection 22 is larger than an interval A1 between the first intersection 22 and the fourth intersection 37. .
As described above, since the second detection light beam S2 is incident on the transport path 2 at the intersection angle θ, the intersection angle between the end face of the transport path 2 at the second intersection 27 and the second detection light beam S2 is also a specific angle θ. Become.

Further, the third detection light beam S3 intersects with a plane H through which the first detection light beam S1, the second detection light beam S2, and the fourth detection light beam S4 pass when the transport path 2 is viewed from the side as shown in FIG. ing.
The distance C1 between the first intersection 22 and the third intersection 32, which is the intersection of the third detection light beam S3 and the plane H, is greater than the length of the transported object 50.
As described above, since the third detection light beam S3 enters the transport path 2 at the intersection angle δ, the intersection angle between the plane H at the third intersection 32 and the third detection light beam S3 also becomes the specific angle δ.

  Here, the transport device 1 of the present embodiment transports the transported object 50 by the rollers 10 and 11 with the respective light irradiation devices 5, 6, 7, and 8 being driven. As described above, one of the features of the transport apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is that a measuring operation can be performed on the transported article 50 being transported.

  The measuring operation is to perform a speed detecting operation, a length detecting operation, a width detecting operation, and a height detecting operation, respectively, and is simultaneously performed on the conveyed article 50 being conveyed.

Hereinafter, the measuring operation of the transport device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described, but each operation will be described separately for easy understanding.
The storage unit 16 of the control device 3 stores in advance the interval A1 between the first intersection 22 and the fourth intersection 37, the interval B1 between the first intersection 22 and the second intersection 27, and the first intersection 22. C1, the intersection angle θ of the second detection light beam S2, the intersection angle δ of the third detection light beam S3, the height from the plane I to the plane H passing through the top surfaces of the rollers 10, 11 H1 is stored.
In addition, it is assumed that the conveyed article 50 to be conveyed is moved closer to the end face (plane W) of the conveyance path 2 on the first generation unit 20 side and conveyed. That is, the transported object 50 does not shift in the width direction Y during the transport, and is transported linearly in the same orientation in the transport direction X.

  First, a speed detection operation for detecting the transport speed of the transported object 50 will be described.

This speed detection operation is performed in a normal transport process, and is performed in a process in which the transported object 50 is transported in one direction by the rollers 10 and 11.
Specifically, when the transported object 50 is transported and reaches the passing position of the first detection light beam S1 emitted from the first generator 20 as illustrated in FIG. One detection light beam S1 is blocked. Therefore, the first light receiving unit 21 cannot detect the first detection light beam S1, or the amount of received light is small.
Then, the first light receiving unit 21 detects that the conveyed object 50 has reached the passage position of the first detection light beam S1 due to the decrease in the amount of received light, and transmits a detection signal (ON signal) to the control device 3. .
At this time, in the control device 3, when the detection signal (ON signal) is received from the first light receiving unit 21, the storage unit 16 stores the time when the transmission is received (the time when the conveyed object 50 reaches the passing position).

After that, the conveyed object 50 advances, and when the conveyed object 50 passes through the first detection light beam S1 as shown in FIG. 5B, the first detection light beam S1 is not blocked by the conveyed object 50, so that The received light amount of the first detection light beam S1 at the time is restored.
Then, the first light receiving unit 21 detects that the conveyed object 50 has passed the first detection light beam S <b> 1 by the recovery of the received light amount, and transmits a detection signal (OFF signal) to the control device 3.
In the control device 3, when receiving the detection signal (OFF signal) from the first light receiving unit 21, the storage unit 16 stores the time at which the transmission was received (the time at which the conveyed object 50 passed the line of the first detection light beam S <b> 1). .

Thereafter, the conveyed object 50 further advances, and when the conveyed object 50 reaches the passing position of the fourth detection light beam S4 emitted from the fourth generator 35 as shown in FIG. The light beam S4 is blocked. Therefore, the fourth light receiving unit 36 cannot detect the fourth detection light beam S4 or the amount of received light is small.
Then, the fourth light receiving unit 36 detects that the conveyed object 50 has reached the passage position of the fourth detection light beam S4 due to the decrease in the amount of received light, and transmits the detection signal (ON signal) to the control device 3. .
At this time, in the control device 3, when the detection signal (ON signal) is received from the fourth light receiving unit 36, the storage unit 16 stores the time when the transmission is received (the time when the conveyed object 50 reaches the passing position).

Thereafter, the conveyed object 50 further advances, and when the conveyed object 50 passes through the fourth detection light beam S4 as shown in FIG. 5D, the fourth detection light beam S4 is not blocked by the conveyed object 50, so the fourth light receiving unit The light reception amount of the fourth detection light beam S4 at 36 is restored.
The fourth light receiving unit 36 detects that the conveyed object 50 has passed the fourth detection light beam S4 by the recovery of the received light amount, and transmits a detection signal (OFF signal) to the control device 3.
In the control device 3, when the detection signal (OFF signal) is received from the fourth light receiving unit 36, the storage unit 16 stores the time when the transmission is received (the time when the conveyed object 50 passes through the line of the fourth detection light beam S4). .

According to the above operation, the arithmetic unit 15 detects, based on the information stored in the storage unit 16, that the first light receiving unit 21 blocks the first detection light beam S <b> 1 by the conveyed object 50 as shown in FIG. Then, an elapsed time T1 (first passage time) from when the fourth light receiving unit 36 detects the shielding of the fourth detection light beam S4 by the conveyed object 50 is calculated.
Then, the distance A1 (the distance between the first intersection 22 and the fourth intersection 37) in the transport direction X between the first detection light beam S1 and the fourth detection light beam S4 measured in advance is divided by the elapsed time T1. The speed V1 (= A1 / T1) is calculated.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the calculation unit 15 performs the fourth operation after the amount of light received by the first light receiving unit 21 is recovered and the conveyance object 50 is detected to have passed the first detection light beam S1. The elapsed time T2 (second passage time) until the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 36 recovers and the conveyance object 50 is detected to have passed the fourth detection light beam S4 is calculated.
The distance A1 (the distance from the first intersection 22 to the fourth intersection 37) in the transport direction X between the first detection light S1 and the fourth detection light S4 is divided by the elapsed time T2, and the velocity V2 (= A1 / T2) is calculated.
Then, the average speed Va is calculated from the speeds V1 and V2 calculated by the above-described calculation. That is, the speed V1 and the speed V2 are added, and the sum is divided by 2 to calculate an average speed Va (= (V1 + V2) / 2).

  Subsequently, a length detecting operation for detecting the length of the transported object 50 will be described.

This length detecting operation is performed in a normal transporting process similarly to the above-described speed detecting operation, and is performed in a process in which the transported object 50 is transported in one direction by the rollers 10 and 11.
Specifically, when the transported object 50 is transported and reaches the passing position of the first detection light beam S1 emitted from the first generator 20 as shown in FIG. Detects that the conveyed object 50 has reached the passage position of the first detection light beam S <b> 1, and transmits a detection signal (ON signal) to the control device 3.
At this time, in the control device 3, when the detection signal (ON signal) is received from the first light receiving unit 21, the storage unit 16 stores the time when the transmission is received (the time when the conveyed object 50 reaches the passing position).

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the conveyed object 50 is further conveyed and the conveyed object 50 passes through the first detection light beam S1, the first light receiving unit 21 causes the conveyed object 50 to transmit the first detection light beam S1. It detects the passage and transmits a detection signal (OFF signal) to the control device 3.
At this time, when the control device 3 receives the detection signal (OFF signal) from the first light receiving unit 21, the control unit 3 stores the transmission time (the time when the conveyed object 50 has passed the line of the first detection light beam S <b> 1) in the storage unit 16. Remembers.

Then, based on the information stored in the storage unit 16, the calculating unit 15 detects that the first light receiving unit 21 shown in FIG. ) Is calculated until the first light receiving section 21 detects the recovery of the first detection light beam S1.
Then, the length Q1 (= Va × T3) (the length in the moving direction) of the transported object 50 is calculated by multiplying the average speed Va calculated by the above-described speed detection operation by the elapsed time T3.

  Subsequently, a width detecting operation for detecting the width of the transported object 50 will be described.

This width detection operation is performed in a normal transporting process similarly to the above-described speed detection operation, and is performed in a process in which the transported object 50 is transported in one direction by the rollers 10 and 11.
Specifically, when the conveyed object 50 is conveyed and reaches the passing position of the first detection light beam S1 emitted from the first generation unit 20 as shown in FIG. Detects that the conveyed object 50 has reached the passage position of the first detection light beam S <b> 1, and transmits a detection signal (ON signal) to the control device 3.
At this time, in the control device 3, when the detection signal (ON signal) is received from the first light receiving unit 21, the storage unit 16 stores the time when the transmission is received (the time when the conveyed object 50 reaches the passing position).

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the conveyed object 50 is further conveyed and reaches the passing position of the second detection light beam S2 emitted from the second generation unit 25, the second detection light beam S2 Will be blocked. Therefore, the second light receiving unit 26 cannot detect the second detection light beam S2, or the amount of received light is small.
The second light receiving unit 26 detects that the conveyed object 50 has reached the passing position of the second detection light beam S2 based on the decrease in the amount of received light, and transmits a detection signal (ON signal) to the control device 3.
At this time, in the control device 3, when the detection signal (ON signal) is received from the second light receiving unit 26, the storage unit 16 stores the time when the transmission is received (the time when the conveyed object 50 reaches the passing position).

Then, based on the information stored in the storage unit 16, the calculating unit 15 detects that the first light receiving unit 21 has blocked the first detection light beam S1 and then sets the second light reception unit 26 to detect the second detection light beam S2. An elapsed time T4 until light shielding is detected is calculated.
By multiplying the average speed Va calculated by the above-described speed detection operation by the elapsed time T4, the passing length D1 (= Va × T4) from the first detection light beam S1 (the moving distance of the conveyed object 50, Two moving distances).
Then, the moving distance D1 of the article 50 is subtracted from the preset distance B1 between the first intersection 22 of the first detection light S1 and the second intersection 27 of the second detection light S2, and the second intersection 27 , The distance E1 (= B1−D1) from the front end of the conveyed object 50 in the conveying direction X is calculated.
From the relationship between the distance E1 thus obtained and the intersection angle θ of the second detection light beam S2, the width direction component is calculated, and the width of the conveyed object 50 is calculated.
Specifically, the width Q2 (= E1 × tan θ) of the transported object 50 is calculated by multiplying the distance E1 and the tangent (tan θ) of the intersection angle θ using a trigonometric function.

  Subsequently, a height detection operation for detecting the height of the transported object 50 will be described.

This height detection operation is performed in a normal transport process, similarly to the above-described speed detection operation, and is performed in a process in which the transported object 50 is transported in one direction by the rollers 10 and 11.
Specifically, when the transported object 50 is transported and reaches the passing position of the first detection light beam S1 emitted from the first generator 20 as shown in FIG. Detects that the conveyed object 50 has reached the passage position of the first detection light beam S <b> 1, and transmits a detection signal (ON signal) to the control device 3.
At this time, in the control device 3, when the detection signal (ON signal) is received from the first light receiving unit 21, the storage unit 16 stores the time when the transmission is received (the time when the conveyed object 50 reaches the passing position).

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the conveyed object 50 is further conveyed and reaches the passing position of the third detection light beam S3 emitted from the third generation unit 30, the third detection light beam S3 , The third light receiving unit 31 cannot detect the third detection light beam S3, or the amount of received light decreases.
The third light receiving unit 31 detects that the conveyed object 50 has reached the passage position of the third detection light beam S3 based on the decrease in the amount of received light, and transmits a detection signal (ON signal) to the control device 3.
At this time, in the control device 3, when the detection signal (ON signal) is received from the third light receiving unit 31, the storage unit 16 stores the time when the transmission is received (the time when the conveyed object 50 reaches the passing position).

The calculating unit 15 determines that the first light receiving unit 21 detects the light blocking of the first detection light beam S1 based on the information stored in the storage unit 16, and then the third light receiving unit 31 performs the light blocking of the third detection light beam S3. The elapsed time T5 until the detection is calculated.
Further, by multiplying the average speed Va calculated by the above-described speed detection operation by the elapsed time T5, the passing length F1 (= Va × T5) from the first detection light beam S1 (moving distance of the conveyed object 50) is obtained. calculate.
Then, the moving distance F1 of the article 50 is subtracted from the preset distance C1 between the first intersection 22 of the first detection light S1 and the third intersection 32 of the third detection light S3, and the third intersection 32 , A distance G1 (= C1−F1) from the front end of the conveyed object 50 in the conveying direction X is calculated.
Further, the height direction component is calculated from the relationship between the distance G1 thus obtained and the intersection angle δ of the third detection light beam S3, and the height Q3 of the transported object 50 is calculated.
Specifically, by multiplying the distance G1 by the tangent (tan δ) of the intersection angle δ using a trigonometric function and further adding the height H1 of the plane H from the plane I, the height Q3 of the conveyed object 50 is obtained. (= G1 × tan δ + H1) is calculated.

As described above, in the transport apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, for the transported article 50 being transported, the length detection operation detects the length of the transported article 50, the width detection operation determines the width of the transported article 50, and the height detection operation. Thus, the height of the transported object 50 can be calculated.
In addition, since the measurement of the transported object 50 can be automatically performed along with the transport operation, it is not necessary to perform the measurement manually, and the measurement can be easily performed.
Furthermore, since the measurement is performed by the detection light beams S1, S2, S3, and S4 from the generating units 20, 25, 30, and 35, expensive equipment such as a camera is not required, and the measurement can be performed at a lower cost than before. it can.

  Further, in the transport device 1 of the present embodiment, the transport speed of the transported object 50 can be accurately detected by the speed detection operation, so that more accurate measurement can be performed.

  Further, in the transport device 1 of the present embodiment, the control device 3 (rotation speed detection means) calculates the rotation speed of the motor from the control pulse to the motor built in the drive roller 10 and the rotation speed of the motor. By comparing the transport speed calculated by the speed detection operation with the rotation speed of the motor, the slip amount of the transported object 50 on the transport path 2 can be detected. In this way, even when a plurality of articles 50 are conveyed, it is possible to accurately adjust the distance between the articles 50 and the like.

Incidentally, as described above, when calculating the width and the height, the transport device 1 of the present embodiment uses the irradiation angles of the detection light beams S2 and S3 with respect to the moving direction. Therefore, it is necessary to set the irradiation angles of the detection light beams S2 and S3 to an accurate angle.
However, when used for a long time, the irradiation angles of the detection light beams S2 and S3 may be shifted due to the vibration of the transported object 50 or the like. Further, the positions of the light irradiation devices 5, 6, 7, and 8 may be shifted.

  Therefore, the transport device 1 can also perform the following correction operation and check the deviation between the preset angle and distance and the actually measured angle and distance. In this regard, a case where the second detection light beam S2 is corrected will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the transport device 1 can also perform the correction of the third detection light beam S3, but the description thereof will be omitted because the description is the same as the correction of the second detection light beam S2.

  First, two types of boxes having different widths are prepared. That is, a first box M1 having a width of M mm and a second box N1 having a width of N mm are prepared (Mmm> Nmm). Each of the boxes M1 and N1 is a box whose width is measured in advance, and is a cubic box.

The boxes M1 and N1 are transported by the rollers 10 and 11, respectively, and the distances Lm and Ln from the position of the first detection light beam S1 (the first intersection 22) to the interruption of the second detection light beam S2 are determined for the boxes M1 and N1.
Specifically, after the first light receiving unit 21 detects that the first detection light beam S1 is blocked by the boxes M1 and N1, the second light reception unit 26 changes the second detection light beam S2 by the boxes M1 and N1. The elapsed times Tm and Tn until the detection of the blockage are detected.
By multiplying the average speeds Vm and Vn of the boxes M1 and N1 calculated by the speed detection operation by the elapsed times Tm and Tn, the passing length Lm (= Vm × Tm), Ln from the first detection light beam S1 is obtained. (= Vn × Tn) is calculated.
Then, the passage length Lm of the first box M1 is subtracted from the passage length Ln of the second box N1, and the position where the second box N1 blocks the second detection beam S2 and the first box M1 are the second detection beam The distance R (= Ln−Lm) from the position where S2 is blocked is calculated.

In a separate step, the width N of the second box N1 is subtracted from the width M of the first box M1, and a difference S (= M−N) between the width of the first box M1 and the width of the second box N1 is calculated.
Then, the intersection angle θ (= tan ⁻¹ S ÷ R) of the second detection light beam S2 is calculated from the difference S between the interval R and the width.
In this way, the crossing angle θ can be calculated by the actual measurement, and the deviation between the crossing angle θ stored in the storage unit 16 and used for the calculation in the measuring operation and the actually measured crossing angle θ obtained by the correction operation is confirmed. It can be corrected to the actually measured intersection angle θ.

Further, since the actually measured intersection angle θ can be calculated as described above, the distance B1 from the first intersection 22 to the second intersection 27 can be calculated. Therefore, it is also possible to confirm a deviation between the distance B1 used for calculation in the measuring operation and the actually measured distance B1 obtained by the correction operation.
Specifically, by dividing the width N of the second box N1 by the tangent (tan θ) of the intersection angle θ, the distance between the second intersection 27 and the position where the second box N1 blocks the second detection light beam S2 is obtained. P (= N / tan θ) is calculated. Then, by adding the passing length Lm, the interval R, and the interval P of the first box M1, the distance B1 (= Lm + R + P) from the first intersection 22 to the second intersection 27 can be calculated by actual measurement. .
In this way, the distance B1 from the first intersection 22 to the second intersection 27 can be calculated by the actual measurement, so that the difference between the distance B1 stored in the storage unit 16 and used for the calculation and the actually measured distance B1 is calculated. It can be checked and corrected to the actual measurement position.
In this embodiment, the storage unit 16 overwrites or newly stores the intersection angle θ and the distance B1 calculated in the correction operation, and stores the intersection angle θ and the distance B1 calculated in the correction operation in the subsequent measurement operation. use.

  In the above description, when performing the correction of the second detection light beam S2, the correction operation is performed using two types of boxes having different widths. However, when performing the correction of the third detection light beam S3, The correction operation is performed using two types of boxes having different heights.

By the way, in the width detection operation, after the first light receiving unit 21 detects the shielding of the first detection light beam S1 by the conveyed object 50, the second light receiving unit 26 detects the light shielding of the second detection light beam S2 by the conveyed object 50. However, depending on the intersection angle θ of the second detection light beam S2 (the light reception angle θ of the second light receiving unit 26) and the width of the conveyed object 50, the second detection light beam S2 is located upstream of the first detection light beam S1. The transported object 50 may be shielded from light.
In such a case, as shown in FIG. 11, the elapsed time T5 from when it is detected that the conveyed object 50 blocks the second detection light beam S2 to when it is detected that the conveyance object 50 has blocked the first detection light beam S1 is calculated. The moving distance D2 is obtained from the elapsed time T5 and the average speed Va. Other than that, the width Q2 of the conveyed article 50 is calculated in the same manner.
Similarly, also in the height detection operation, depending on the intersection angle δ of the third detection light beam S3 (the light reception angle δ of the third light receiving unit 31) and the size of the conveyed object 50, the height detection operation is performed upstream of the first detection light beam S1. There is a case where the transported object 50 blocks the third detection light beam S3.
In such a case, similarly, the elapsed time from when it is detected that the conveyed object 50 blocks the third detection light beam S3 to when it is detected that the first detection light beam S1 is blocked is calculated, and the elapsed time and the average speed Va are calculated. From the distance. Other than that, the height Q3 of the transported object 50 is calculated in the same manner.

  Next, a transport device according to a second embodiment will be described. Note that the same components as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

The transfer device of the second embodiment differs from the measuring operation of the first embodiment in the method of calculating the height detection operation.
Specifically, first, in the storage unit 16 of the control device 3, a portion where the first intersection 22 of the first detection light beam S1 shown in FIG. The distance C2 to the fifth intersection 81 is stored.
As in the first embodiment, the calculation unit 15 performs a process from when the first light receiving unit 21 detects light blocking of the first detection light beam S1 to when the third light receiving unit 31 detects light blocking of the third detection light beam S3. The time T6 is calculated. Further, by multiplying the average speed Va by the elapsed time T6, a passing length F1 (= Va × T6) from the first detection light beam S1 (moving distance of the conveyed object 50) is calculated.
Then, the moving distance F1 of the article 50 is subtracted from the distance C2 between the first intersection 22 and the fifth intersection 81 in advance, and the distance G2 from the fifth intersection 81 to the end face of the article 50 in the conveyance direction X is obtained. (= C2-F1) is calculated.
Further, the height direction component is calculated from the relationship between the distance G2 obtained in this way and the intersection angle δ of the third detection light beam S3, and the height Q3 of the transported object 50 is calculated.
Specifically, the height Q3 (= G2 × tan δ) of the transported object 50 is calculated by multiplying the distance G2 by the tangent (tan δ) of the intersection angle δ using a trigonometric function.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first detection light beam S1 emitted from the first generator 20 is emitted in the longitudinal direction of the rollers 10 and 11, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It suffices if the irradiation can be performed in a direction intersecting the 50 transport directions X.

In the above-described embodiment, the moving distance D1 until the conveyed object 50 blocks the second detection light beam S2 from the first intersection 22 is obtained from the average speed and the elapsed time of the conveyed object 50, but the present invention is not limited to this. Not something. For example, the moving distance D1 until the conveyed object 50 blocks the second detection light beam S2 from the first intersection 22 may be obtained from a control pulse of a driving motor built in the driving roller 10. That is, the moving time of the transported object 50 may be replaced with a motor pulse (control pulse).
Similarly, the moving distance F1 until the conveyed object 50 blocks the third detection light beam S3 from the first intersection 22 may be obtained from a control pulse of a driving motor built in the driving roller 10.
Specifically, as in the first embodiment, when the driving roller 10 is a roller with a built-in motor and employs a brushless motor, a pole detection unit (for example, a Hall element) built in the brushless motor is used. The distance may be detected by detecting the number of rotations from the signal of (rotation detecting means). Alternatively, a rotary encoder may be separately attached to the outer periphery of the motor or the motor-equipped roller to detect the number of rotations and detect the moving distance F1.

In the above-described embodiment, the conveyance object 50 detects that the conveyance object 50 has reached the first intersection 22 by blocking the first detection light beam S1, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a contact sensor such as a limit switch or a non-contact sensor may be used to detect that the article 50 has reached the first intersection 22.
Alternatively, a number of sensors may be arranged below the transport path 2 to detect that the transported object 50 has reached the reference position based on the detection position of the detected sensor.

  In the above-described embodiment, the conveyed article 50 is conveyed while being shifted to the plane W side, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the conveyed object 50 may be shifted to a plane passing through the end face of the conveying path 2 on the first light receiving unit 21 side, or the conveyed object 50 may be conveyed if it is not displaced in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction X. It may be transported so as to pass through the center of the road 2.

  In the above-described embodiment, in the width direction Y, the first generation unit 20, the second generation unit 25, and the fourth generation unit 35 are installed on one side of the transport path 2, and the first light reception unit 21 and the second light reception Although the unit 26 and the fourth light receiving unit 36 are provided, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if the first generating unit 20 and the first light receiving unit 21 are paired, the second generating unit 25 and the second light receiving unit 26 are paired, and the fourth generating unit 35 and the fourth light receiving unit 36 are paired. The positional relationship does not matter.

  In the above-described embodiment, in the height direction Z, the third generating unit 30 is provided below the transport path 2 and the third light receiving unit 31 is provided above the transport path 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. is not. For example, a third generation unit 30 may be provided above the transport path 2 and a third light receiving unit 31 may be provided below the transport path 2.

  In the above-described embodiment, the irradiation direction of the second detection light beam S2 is composed of the transport direction component and the width direction component. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The irradiation direction may have at least a component in the transport direction and a component in the width direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, a height direction component may be provided in addition to the transport direction component and the width direction component.

  In the above-described embodiment, the irradiation direction of the third detection light beam S3 includes the transport direction component and the height direction component. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May have at least a component in the transport direction and a component in the height direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, a width direction component may be provided in addition to the transport direction component and the height direction component.

1,80 Transport device 3 Control device (moving distance measuring means, rotation speed detecting means)
5 First light irradiation device (arrival detection means, speed measurement means)
8 Fourth light irradiation device (speed measurement means)
20 First generator (third light emitting means)
21 First light emitting unit (third light receiving means)
25 Second generator (second light emitting means, first light emitting means)
26 second light emitting unit (second light receiving means, first light receiving means)
30 Third generator (first light emitting means)
31 third light emitting unit (first light receiving means)
25 Fourth generator (fourth light emitting means)
26 fourth light emitting unit (fourth light receiving means)
D1 Passing length (second moving distance, moving distance)
F1 Passing length (moving distance)
S1 First detection ray (third ray)
S2 Second detection ray (second ray, ray)
S3 Third detection light beam (light beam)
S4 Fourth detection light beam (fourth light beam)

Claims (10)

In a transport device having a transport path for transporting a transported object in a predetermined direction,
Arrival detection means for detecting that the conveyed article during conveyance has reached a specific position,
First light emitting means for irradiating a first light beam in a direction intersecting at a first intersection angle with respect to the transport direction,
First light receiving means for receiving a first light beam from the first light emitting means,
Movement of the transported object between a position where the arrival detecting unit detects that the transported object has reached a specific position and a position where the first light receiving unit detects that the transported object has blocked the first light beam. Moving distance measuring means for detecting or calculating the distance,
A third light emitting unit that irradiates a third light beam in a direction that is horizontal and crosses the transport direction, and a third light receiving unit that receives a third light beam from the third light emitting unit Means,
The arrival detecting means detects that the conveyed object has reached a specific position by the third light receiving means detecting that the conveyed object has blocked the third light beam from the third light emitting means. And
The first light-emitting means and the first light-receiving means are arranged at a predetermined interval in a direction having at least a transport direction component and a height direction component,
The first ray intersects a horizontal plane of a predetermined height through which the third ray passes,
When the first light receiving unit detects that the conveyed object blocks the first light beam, the first intersection angle, the moving distance of the conveyed object, the specific position, and the plane of the first light beam Calculating the height of the conveyed object from the plane from the relationship between the intersection and the intersection, and further calculating the height of the conveyed object by adding the height from the conveyance path to the plane. A conveying device characterized by the above-mentioned.   The transport apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the height of the transported object is calculated using a trigonometric function. A second light emitting unit that emits a second light beam in a direction intersecting at a second intersection angle with respect to the transport direction,
It comprises a second light receiving means for receiving a second light beam from the second light emitting means,
The second light emitting unit and the second light receiving unit are arranged at a predetermined interval in a direction having at least a width direction component and a transport direction component,
The moving distance measuring unit is a position where the arrival detecting unit detects that the conveyed object has reached a specific position, and a position where the second light receiving unit detects that the conveyed object blocks the second light beam. It is possible to detect or calculate the second moving distance of the conveyed object between,
The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the width of the transported object is calculated from a relationship between a second intersection angle of the second light beam and a second moving distance of the transported object. Having a speed measuring means for measuring the transport speed of the transported object,
Measure the light-shielding time from the position where the conveyed object blocks the third light beam to the position where the third light beam passes,
The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the transported object is calculated from a transport speed of the transported object and the light blocking time. The speed measuring unit has a fourth light emitting unit that emits a fourth light beam, and a fourth light receiving unit that receives a fourth light beam from the fourth light emitting unit,
The fourth light ray is one that is parallel to the third light ray at a predetermined interval in the transport direction,
The first transit time until the conveyed object blocks the third ray after blocking the third ray, and the second transit time from passing the third ray to passing the fourth ray, respectively. Measure,
The transport apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a transport speed of the transported article is calculated based on an interval between the third light ray and the fourth light ray, the first transit time, and the second transit time. . A transport path for transporting the transported object,
At least a part of the transport path is formed by a motor-equipped roller, and the transported object is transported by rotation of the motor-equipped roller,
Having a rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the motor of the motor built-in roller,
The transport device according to claim 4, wherein the transport speed of the transported object is compared with a rotation speed of the motor to calculate a slip amount of the transported object. A transport path for transporting the transported object,
At least a part of the transport path is formed by a motor-equipped roller, and the transported object is transported by rotation of the motor-equipped roller,
It has a rotation detecting means for detecting the number of rotations of the motor of the motor built-in roller,
The transport device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the transported object is calculated based on a rotation speed of a motor.   The said conveyance thing is a box-shaped body, The conveyance apparatus in any one of Claims 1-7 characterized by the above-mentioned.   The transport apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the transported articles are transported on a straight line in the same posture. In a transport device that transports a transported object in a predetermined direction,
Arrival detection means for detecting that the conveyed article during conveyance has reached a specific position,
First light emitting means for irradiating a light beam in a direction intersecting at a first intersection angle with respect to the transport direction,
First light receiving means for receiving a light beam from the first light emitting means,
The movement distance of the transported object between the position where the arrival detection unit detects that the transported object has reached a specific position and the position where the first light receiving unit detects that the transported object has blocked the light beam. Moving distance measuring means for detecting or calculating,
From the relationship between the first intersection angle and the moving distance of the transported object, to calculate at least one of the width and height of the transported object,
Correction operation can be performed by transporting the first box and the second box having different widths or heights, respectively.
In the correction operation, from the position where the arrival detecting means detects that the first box has reached a specific position, to the position where the first light receiving means detects that the first box has blocked the light beam. The position at which the first light receiving means detects that the second box has blocked the light beam from the movement distance of the first box and the position at which the arrival detecting means detects that the second box has reached a specific position. And a moving distance of the second box until the first intersection angle is calculated by the following relationship (a) or (b).
(A) Relationship between the difference between the movement distance of the first box and the movement distance of the second box, and the difference between the width of the first box and the width of the second box. (B) The movement distance of the first box And the difference between the moving distance of the second box and the difference between the height of the first box and the height of the second box.

Images