JP6995487B2 - Sorting equipment and article inspection system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sorting device and an article inspection system, and more particularly to a sorting device and an article inspection system that sorts articles being transported to a required transport destination according to a sorting control signal.

In an article inspection system that inspects the attributes and quality of various articles, it operates in response to a command signal from the inspection device on the upstream side, and while transporting the inspected articles on a conveyor, the inspection is performed by operating the distribution mechanism on the transport path. A sorting device for sorting and sorting in a direction according to a result, for example, a flipper type sorting device is known.

Such a sorting device is located on both sides of the conveyor that conveys the inspected articles and the conveyor path of the conveyor, and the articles being conveyed by the conveyor that have reached a predetermined distribution area are placed in one of a plurality of distribution directions. From the sorting mechanism having multiple sorting arms that rotate (swing) so as to sort, and from the inspection device according to the article inspection result while operating the conveyor in response to the operation start command from the inspection device requesting the start of transportation. It has a control means for controlling the operation of the distribution mechanism in response to the selection signal input of the above (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

In these sorting devices, a rotation operation lever is coupled to the rotatable support shaft of the sorting arm, and the sorting arm is rotationally driven from the linear actuator to the sorting position side via the lever. As a fluid pressure actuated type or electromagnetic type drive cylinder, for example, an air cylinder is used.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-238913 Japanese Patent No. 4478560

In the conventional sorting device and article inspection system as described above, it may be required that the manual rotation operation of each sorting arm can be easily performed while the sorting device is stopped. In that case, each sorting arm can be made rotatable, for example, by releasing the working fluid pressure of the air cylinder that drives each sorting arm to the atmosphere side while the operation of the sorting device is stopped.

However, if each sorting arm is made rotatable while the operation is stopped in this way, the stop positions of the sorting members such as the plurality of sorting arms become uncertain when the operation of the sorting device is started (restarted). Therefore, if the initial posture is set so that one of the sorting members diagonally crosses the transport path in the discharge direction so that defective products do not accidentally flow out to the downstream side at the start of operation accompanied by the start of transport, the operation is performed. At the start, the sorting members adjacent to each other across the transport path interfere with each other on the tip side thereof, causing problems such as damage to the sorting members such as the sorting arm or shortening of the life due to overload of the actuator.

The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and even if the stop positions of a plurality of distribution members are uncertain while the operation is stopped, mutual interference between the distribution members at the start of operation is surely avoided. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sorting device and an article inspection system capable of performing.

In order to achieve the above object, the sorting apparatus according to the present invention has a transport means having a transport path for transporting the articles to be loaded, and the articles carried into the transport path after a predetermined inspection in a plurality of distribution directions. The distribution means that operates so as to carry out in any of the distribution directions corresponding to the result of the inspection, and the transfer means are operated in response to the operation start command requesting the start of transfer, and the distribution control signal is input. A sorting device including a sorting control means for controlling the operation of the sorting means, wherein the sorting means are located on the side of the transport path and a predetermined sorting position on the transport path, respectively. The article that has reached the area can be moved to an inner standby position that guides the article out of the transport path in each distribution direction, and is an arbitrary stop position between the outer standby position and the inner standby position during operation stop. In addition to having a plurality of distribution members, the distribution operation is such that the movable areas of the plurality of distribution members in the distribution operation are exclusive to the area including the distribution area on the inner standby position side of each. The sorting control means is controlled , and when the transport start request is generated, the outer standby corresponding to one of the plurality of distribution members is made prior to the transport of the article by the transport means. After waiting at a position, one of the plurality of distribution members is controlled to move to the inner standby position corresponding to the other.

With this configuration, in the present invention, even if the stop positions of the plurality of distribution members are uncertain during the operation stop, when a transfer start request is generated, the plurality of distribution members are distributed prior to the start of transfer of the article by the transfer means. In a state where one of the members waits at the corresponding outer standby position, any one of the plurality of distribution members moves to the corresponding inner standby position. Therefore, the sorting members such as the sorting arm do not interfere with each other on the tip side thereof, and problems such as damage to the sorting member and shortening of the life due to the overload of the actuator can be solved. Moreover, since the article that has reached the predetermined sorting area is guided in the sorting direction out of the transport path by one of the plurality of sorting members located in the inner standby position, the defective product is erroneously flowed out to the downstream side. Can be reliably prevented.

It should be noted that the start of operation referred to here may be a reset process associated with turning on the power or turning on another power source.

The sorting apparatus of the present invention includes a stop position detecting means for detecting the stop position of each of the plurality of distribution members, and the sorting control means of the stop position detecting means when a transfer start request is generated. Based on the detection information, one of the plurality of distribution members to be made to stand by at the outer standby position may be selected.

In this case, at the start of operation, one of the distribution members close to the outer standby position can be immediately made to stand by at the outer standby position, and then the other distribution member away from the outer standby position can be made to stand by at the inner standby position.

The sorting device of the present invention further includes a setting means for presetting any one of the plurality of sorting members to be moved to the inner standby position, and the sorting control means when the transport start request is generated. , Any one of the plurality of distribution members may be selected according to the setting state of the setting means.

With this configuration, one of the plurality of sorting members to be moved to the inner standby position at the start of operation can be set in advance according to the conditions such as the usage environment of the sorting device and the type of article, and the transfer can be started. It is possible to set suitable distribution conditions in advance.

The article inspection system according to the present invention includes a sorting device having any of the above configurations and an inspection device for executing the article inspection, and the inspection device is provided with respect to the sorting control means of the sorting device. It is characterized in that a signal corresponding to an operation start command requesting the start of transport and the distribution control signal are output.

Therefore, in the article inspection system of the present invention, when an operation start command is output from the inspection device and input to the sorting control means of the sorting device, a transport start request is generated to the sorting device by the operation start command, and the transport means causes the sorting device. Prior to the start of transportation of the article, one of the plurality of sorting members waits in the corresponding outer standby position, and one of the plurality of sorting members moves to the corresponding inner standby position. become.

Therefore, the sorting members such as a plurality of sorting arms do not interfere with each other on the tip side thereof, and the article that has reached the predetermined sorting area is located in the inner standby position, whichever is the other sorting member. Since the defective product is guided in the distribution direction that deviates from the transport path, it is possible to reliably prevent defective products from accidentally flowing out to the downstream side.

According to the present invention, there is a sorting device and an article inspection system capable of reliably avoiding mutual interference between sorting members at the start of operation even if the stop positions of a plurality of sorting members are uncertain while the operation is stopped. Can be provided.

It is a schematic block diagram of the article inspection system provided with the sorting apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the drive control system of the distribution mechanism of the sorting apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the sorting operation of the sorting apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart which illustrates the initialization process of the distribution mechanism at the start of operation of the sorting apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and the subsequent initial sorting operation. (A) to (d) are operation explanatory diagrams showing the operation state of the distribution mechanism at each of the timings [1] to [4] shown in the timing chart of FIG. (A) to (d) are operation explanatory diagrams showing other operation states of the distribution mechanism at each of the timings [1] to [4] shown in the timing chart of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 to 6 show a weight sorting device as an article inspection system including the sorting device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

First, the configuration will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the weight sorting device of the present embodiment, an article inspection device, a weighing device 1 having a run-up conveyor 4 and a weighing conveyor 12 functioning as a front-stage conveyor, and an article W that has been inspected from the weighing device 1 are carried in. An article W whose inspection result is OK is carried out to the conveyor 3 on the downstream side by providing a sorting device 2 with a conveyor.

Article W, which is an object to be inspected, is sequentially loaded into the measuring device 1 from an article loading means on the upstream side, for example, a filling / packaging machine (not shown).

The measuring device 1 can apply the weight of the article W to the measuring unit 11 as a load while transporting the article W and the measuring unit 11 composed of a load sensor such as a known load cell or an electromagnetic balance scale. It has a weighing conveyor 12 with a weighing table (not shown in detail) and a control unit 13 that generates an inspection result signal and a corresponding distribution control signal RJ based on a load signal from the weighing unit 11. The weight of the article W passing on the measuring conveyor 12 can be measured by the measuring unit 11.

Further, the control unit 13 of the weighing device 1 regards the article W having a normal weight within the permissible range as a non-defective product and the article W having an excess or deficiency as a defective product based on the load signal from the weighing unit 11. , It is designed to generate a sorting signal for sorting to different transport destinations (a plurality of kinds of sorting signals for ranking may be used).

Although the control unit 13 does not show a specific hardware configuration, the control unit 13 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input / output interface circuit, and the like, and is a predetermined measurement stored in the ROM or another memory device. The operation of the weighing device 1 is controlled and the operation of the sorting device 2 is controlled according to a (weighing) control program, a distribution control program for weight sorting, and the like.

The control unit 13 has an inspection control unit 13a that controls inspection by the weighing device 1 by executing various control programs as described above, and a sorting control unit that controls the sorting operation of the sorting device 2 by a command signal described later. The functions of the 13b and the storage unit 13c for storing various set values, inspection conditions, product type information, inspection results, history, etc. can be exhibited. Further, the control unit 13 includes a display unit 15 that displays inspection results and other various information, an input unit 16 that can input various set values and other manual operations, and an operation start for starting the operation of the weighing device 1. A button 17 and an operation stop button 18 for stopping the operation of the weighing device 1 are provided side by side.

The inspection control unit 13a of the control unit 13 controls the operation of the weighing device 1 according to the preset setting parameters for each product type and the specifications of the own machine, and the weighing unit 11 of the measuring device 1 calculates the weighing value. Or, the pass / fail judgment process of the weight value which is the inspection result is executed.

The sorting control unit 13b of the control unit 13 generates a transport drive request signal Mc for driving the transport motor 28 of the sorting device 2 and a distribution control signal RJ corresponding to the inspection result for each article W, and corresponds to the signal. The distribution control signal RJ is output to the sorting drive control unit 24 at the timing when the inspected article W reaches the predetermined distribution area Z, and the article W is carried into the predetermined distribution area Z before passing or passing through. Until the discharge, the operation of the distribution mechanism 23 can be controlled by the sorting drive control unit 24 according to the distribution control signal RJ.

The sorting device 2 is adapted to execute, for example, a sorting operation of sorting non-defective products and defective products to different transport destinations according to a command signal from the control unit 13 of the weighing device 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the sorting device 2 is provided in a housing 21, a belt conveyor 22 supported at a predetermined height position of the housing 21, and a predetermined sorting and transporting section of the belt conveyor 22. It is configured to include a flipper type sorting mechanism 23 (sorting means) and a sorting drive control unit 24 for controlling the operation of the sorting mechanism 23.

Although the details are not shown, the belt conveyor 22 has an endless belt 27 hung on the drive side roller 26a and the driven side roller 26b, and is conveyed and driven by a transfer motor 28 which is supported by the housing 21 and is driven and connected to the drive side roller 26a. It has become so.

When the belt conveyor 22 is conveyed and driven by the transfer motor 28, the inspected article W carried in from the upstream end of the transfer path 22a after the weight inspection (predetermined article inspection) is performed by the weighing device 1 is downstream. It can be transported to the side (right side in FIG. 3) at a predetermined speed.

An article detection sensor 29 for detecting an article W carried in from the weighing device 1 is provided near the upstream end of the belt conveyor 22.

The article detection sensor 29 is installed at a position where the article W is delivered from the weighing device 1 to the sorting device 2 and put into the sorting device 2, or on the upstream side thereof. The article detection signal of the article detection sensor 29 is taken into each of the control unit 13 and the sorting drive control unit 24, and the article W is placed on the sorting device 2 or the weighing device 1 by the control unit 13. It is possible to determine whether or not it exists.

On the other hand, in the distribution mechanism 23, the article W, which has been subjected to a weight inspection, which is a predetermined article inspection, on the weighing device 1 and is carried into the transport path 22a, is selected from among the plurality of distribution directions D1, D2, and D3 shown in FIG. A sorting operation is executed in which the article W is directed and carried out (including discharge to the outside of the transport path) in any direction corresponding to the inspection result of the article W. The distribution direction D1 referred to here is, for example, the carry-out direction of non-defective products in which the weight of the article W is within the allowable range with respect to the reference value, and the distribution direction D2 is the overweight product in which the weight of the article W exceeds the allowable range with respect to the reference value. The carry-out direction and the distribution direction D3 are the carry-out directions of the underweight goods whose weight of the article W is less than the allowable range with respect to the reference value.

The distribution mechanism 23 has a plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 arranged on both sides in the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) of the transport path 22a of the belt conveyor 22.

The sorting arm 31 is a first sorting member located on one side of the transport path 22a, and the sorting arm 32 is a second sorting member located on the other side of the transport path 22a. The first distribution member and the second distribution member referred to here are not limited to rotating arm type members such as the sorting arms 31 and 32, and the guide surfaces are inclined with respect to the transport path 22a, respectively. Can be displaced in the width direction of the transport path to change the distribution direction, and may approach and separate from each other when the distribution direction is changed. Further, the first distribution member and the second distribution member are not limited to those facing each other across the transport path as long as the movable region includes a region that is partially exclusive to each other, and are adjacent to each other in the transport direction. It may be the one that matches.

As shown in FIG. 2, the distribution mechanism 23 includes a plurality of air cylinders 33A and 33B that independently drive a plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 via operating levers 34 and links 35 corresponding to each, and an external compressed air source. It is configured to include a pipe 37 connected to 52.

Further, the air cylinders 33A and 33B have a pair of pressure chambers 33q and 33r partitioned by the piston 33p, respectively, and the pressure chambers 33q and 33r are compressed by a plurality of electromagnetic switching valves 41A and 41B (compressed air). By switching the supply and exhaust of, it is possible to switch between the extended state and the contracted state.

Each electromagnetic switching valve 41A, 41B has a pair of cylinder ports connected by piping to a pair of pressure chambers 33q, 33r of the corresponding air cylinder 33A or 33B, a supply pressure port connected to a compressed air source 52, and an atmosphere into the atmosphere. It has 4 ports (unsigned) with an exhaust port that is open or connected to a back pressure circuit.

Further, each of the electromagnetic switching valves 41A and 41B can be switched to three positions of the extension side supply / discharge position [I], the contraction side supply / discharge position [II], and the non-supply / discharge position [III] with respect to the four ports. A pair of valve springs 41k and a pair of valve springs 41k that open the valve body 41v to the atmosphere (release pressure into the atmosphere) while communicating the valve body 41v to the non-supply / discharge position [III] side with a pair of urging cylinder ports. It has a pair of solenoids 41s that can operate the valve body 41v to either the extension side supply / discharge position [I] or the contraction side supply / discharge position [II]. Here, a pair of valve springs 41k are used for centering, and the valve body urging directions of the pair of solenoids 41s are different for switching between the extension side supply / discharge position [I] and the contraction side supply / discharge position [II]. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a pilot or a detent may be used in combination. Of course, each of the electromagnetic switching valves 41A and 41B is a supply / discharge control valve capable of switching between the extension side supply / discharge position [I] and the contraction side supply / discharge position [II], and the atmosphere is between it and the air cylinder 33A or 33B. It may be configured to provide an electromagnetic switching valve for opening.

The sorting drive control unit 24, which controls the operation of the distribution mechanism 23, is connected to the control unit 13 of the weighing device 1, and is a transfer drive request signal Mc which is a command signal from the control unit 13 of the weighing device 1. According to the distribution control signal RJ, and based on the detection information of the article detection sensor 29, the transfer motor 28 controls the condition such as the presence / absence of article transfer by the belt conveyor 22 and its speed, and the electromagnetic switching valves 41A and 41B. By switching the above, the expansion / contraction state of the air cylinder 33A or 33B can be controlled so that the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 of the distribution mechanism 23 can be independently driven.

The sorting drive control unit 24 operates the transfer motor 28 in response to an operation start command requesting the start of transfer of the article W by the belt conveyor 22, for example, the rise of the transfer drive request signal Mc, and the distribution control signal RJ. It is a sorting control means that controls the operation of the distribution mechanism 23 according to the input.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sorting arm 31 on one side of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 located on one side (upper side in FIG. 3) of the transport path 22a is one side of the transport path 22a. An arrow that deviates from the transport path 22a when the article W reaches a predetermined distribution region Z on the transport path 22a as shown by hatching in FIG. 3 and the outer standby position [P1] that takes a posture along the direction. It is possible to move to the inner standby position [P3] that guides in the D2 direction, and it is possible to take an arbitrary stop position between the outer standby position [P1] and the inner standby position [P3] while the operation is stopped. There is.

Further, the sorting arm 32 on the other side of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 located on the other side of the transport path 22a is the other outer standby position [P2] that takes a posture along the other side of the transport path 22a. And, when the article W reaches a predetermined distribution area Z on the transport path 22a, it can be moved to the inner standby position [P4] that guides the article W in the direction of the arrow D3 that deviates from the transport path 22a, and is outside while the operation is stopped. It is possible to take an arbitrary stop position between the standby position [P2] and the inner standby position [P4].

Further, the movable regions Z1 and Z2 of the sorting arms 31 and 32 on one side and the other side are exclusive regions including a predetermined distribution region Z on the inner standby positions [P3] and [P4], respectively. When any one of the sorting arms 31 and 32 takes the inner standby position [P3] or [P4] in the movable area Z1 or Z2, the other of the sorting arms 31 and 32 has the movable area. It is not possible to take the inner standby position [P4] or [P3] in Z2 or Z1.

Specifically, the sorting drive control unit 24 has a motor drive circuit 42 that drives a transfer motor 28 based on electric power from an external power source, for example, a power source 51, and an external compressed air source 52 to air cylinders 33A and 33B. It is configured to include the above-mentioned electromagnetic switching valves 41A and 41B for controlling the supply and discharge of air, a programmable controller 43 for controlling the operation of the electromagnetic switching valves 41A and 41B, an operation start button 44, an operation stop button 45 and the like. ing. Then, the sorting drive control unit 24 has the transfer motor 28 and the electromagnetic switching valve 41A according to the transfer drive request signal Mc and the distribution control signal RJ from the control unit 13 of the weighing device 1 and other preset operating conditions. By controlling the operation of 41B, a plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 can be carried out as a non-defective product as shown by a solid line in FIG. As shown, it is possible to change the discharge posture so that defective products can be discharged.

By the way, the electromagnetic switching valves 41A and 41B that control the distribution positions of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 by the air cylinders 33A and 33B are not supported by the valve springs 41k while the operation of the sorting device 2 is shut off. It is urged to the supply / discharge position [III], and the air cylinders 33A and 33B are put into a state of substantially no resistance to an external force. Therefore, while the sorting device 2 is stopped or the entire article inspection system is stopped, the sorting arms 31 and 32 are between the outer standby positions [P1] and [P2] and the inner standby positions [P3] and [P4]. It is possible to take an arbitrary stop position within the movable range of the air cylinders 33A and 33B wider than the arbitrary stop position of the above, and the stop positions of both sorting arms 31 and 32 are uncertain.

Therefore, when the transfer drive request signal Mc requesting the start of transfer is input from the control unit 13 of the weighing device 1 and the transfer drive request signal Mc rises up, the sorting drive control unit 24 of the sorting device 2 When the operation start request of the sorting device 2 corresponding to the input of the transport drive request signal Mc is made by the operation of the operation start button 44, the sorting arms 31 and 32 of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 prior to the start of transporting the article W by the belt conveyor 22. With one of them waiting at the corresponding outer standby position [P1] or [P2], any one of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 is placed at the corresponding inner standby position [P4] or [P3]. It is designed to be moved.

The selection of either one or the other of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 is stored and stored in the setting storage unit 43a (setting means) provided in the sorting drive control unit 24, and is stored in the setting storage unit. For example, 43a should be made to stand by at the outer standby position [P1] or [P2] among the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 based on the setting information input (setting state) from the control unit 13, and the inner standby position [ It is stored so that one of the other that should be made to wait can be selected in [P4] or [P3].

Further, in the present embodiment, the linear scales 36A and 36B (stop position detecting means) that detect the stop positions (angle positions) of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 based on the positions (axial positions) of the respective pistons 33p. ) Is built in the air cylinders 33A and 33B.

Then, the sorting drive control unit 24 detects the linear scales 36A and 36B when the transfer start request signal Mc is input from the control unit 13 of the weighing device 1 or the transfer start request is generated by operating the operation start button 44. In cooperation with or independently of the control unit 13 of the weighing device 1, one of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 that should be made to stand by [P1] or [P2] at the outer standby position and the inner standby position. At [P4] or [P3], it is possible to execute a process of selecting either one to be made to wait.

The control program and set value information for that purpose are stored and stored in at least the sorting drive control unit 24 side of the sorting drive control unit 24 and the control unit 13.

In the present embodiment, the actuators for driving the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 of the sorting device 2 are the air cylinders 33A and 33B, but it goes without saying that the actuators are not limited to the fluid pressure actuated type. Alternatively, an electromagnetic drive cylinder or solenoid may be used. Further, instead of a linear actuator such as a drive cylinder, a motor or other actuator that also uses a transmission mechanism such as a gear or a link may be used.

Next, the action will be described.

In the article inspection system of the present embodiment configured as described above, the article W to be inspected is sequentially put into the measuring device 1 from the approach conveyor 4 at predetermined intervals, and the weight of each article W in the weighing device 1 is weighted. The inspected article W is carried from the weighing device 1 to the belt conveyor 22 of the sorting device 2.

In this state, the sorting device 2 is carried in from the weighing device 1 in the previous stage when it takes the above-mentioned pass allowable posture substantially parallel to each other as shown by a solid line in FIG. 3 in response to the sorting signal from the control unit 13. The article W can be conveyed in the same D1 direction as the carry-in direction and delivered to the subsequent conveyor 3 side. Further, when the above-mentioned discharge posture is taken as shown by a virtual line (two-dot chain line or dotted line virtual line) in FIG. 1 in response to a sorting signal from the control unit 13 of the measuring device 1, the sorting device 2 is set to the previous stage. The article W carried in from the weighing device 1 can be discharged in the direction of D2 or D3, which deviates from the normal transport path to the subsequent conveyor 3 side.

When any of the plurality of electromagnetic switching valves 41A and 41B is switched to operate the corresponding air cylinder 33A or 33B, and the sorting arm 31 or 32 driven and connected to the air cylinder 33A or 33B rotates, the rotation speeds thereof are compared. Due to the high speed, the overweight or underweight article W transported on the transport path 22a of the belt conveyor 22 is transported by the sorting arm 31 or 32, for example, by the other sorting arm 32 as shown in FIG. It will be ejected from the road 22a to the side.

When a predetermined number of articles have been inspected by the weighing device 1 or when the operation stop button 18 of the weighing device 1 is pressed, the operation of the weighing device 1 is stopped and the sorting device is sorted from the control unit 13 of the weighing device 1. The operation (conveyance drive) of the sorting device 2 is stopped due to the interruption of the transfer drive request signal Mc to 2, and the power supply is interrupted, and the operation of the sorting device 2 is completely stopped. Of course, when the operation stop button 45 provided on the sorting device 2 itself is pressed, the operation of the sorting device 2 is also stopped.

At such an operation stop, in the sorting drive control unit 24, the solenoid 41s of the electromagnetic switching valves 41A and 41B are in a non-excited state, so that the valve body 41v is switched to the non-supply / discharge position [III], which corresponds to the situation. Since the pair of cylinder ports connected to the air cylinders 33A or 33B communicate with each other and are opened to the atmosphere, the air cylinders 33A and 33B are in a state of being substantially non-resistive to external force. Therefore, after the operation is stopped, cleaning or the like may be performed and an external force may be applied, and the stop positions of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 become uncertain.

Now, the stop positions of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 are in the state as shown in FIG. 5A, and in that state, the operation start button 17 of the weighing device 1 is operated to set the transport drive request signal Mc. It is assumed that the sorting device 2 is raised or the operation start button 44 of the sorting device 2 is operated to issue a transport start request corresponding to the transport drive request signal Mc.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the operation of the article inspection system at this time.

As shown in the figure, first, after the timing [1] when the operation start button 17 is operated on the weighing device 1 side, the control unit 13 of the weighing device 1 sends the power supply 51 and the pressure source 52 to the sorting device 2. Is input, and further, the transfer drive request signal Mc rises, so that an operation start command requesting the start of the transfer drive is input. Alternatively, when the power supply 51 and the pressure source 52 are turned on to the sorting device 2 after the timing [1] when the operation start button 44 of the sorting device 2 is operated, the sorting drive control unit 24 corresponds to the transfer drive request signal Mc. A request to start operation is generated.

At this time, the sorting drive control unit 24 of the sorting device 2 starts the reset process in response to the operation start command input accompanied by the transport start request by the transport drive request signal Mc or the like, or when the power supply 51 is turned on. ..

In this reset process, as shown in FIG. 4, first, prior to the start of the transport drive of the belt conveyor 22, the programmable controller 43 of the sorting drive control unit 24 to one of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32. For example, the first distribution control signal RJ1 for controlling one of the sorting arms 31 is output as a control signal R0 for making the sorting arm 31 stand by at the outer standby position [P1], and the electromagnetic switching valve 41A is shown in the figure. As shown in FIG. 2, the position is switched to the extension side supply / discharge position [I], and as shown in FIG. 5 (b), one of the sorting arms 31 shifts to the state of waiting at the outer standby position [P1].

Next, from the programmable controller 43 of the sorting drive control unit 24, the second distribution control signal RJ2 for controlling the other sorting arm 32 causes the other sorting arm 32 to stand by at its inner standby position [P4]. The electromagnetic switching valve 41B is switched to the contraction side supply / discharge position [II] as shown in FIG. 2, and the other sorting arm 32 is switched to the contraction side supply / discharge position [II] as shown by the solid line in FIG. 5 (c). The state shifts to the state of waiting at the inner standby position [P4], and the initial state is set so that defective products can be discharged and transported.

Next, upon receiving the transfer drive request signal Mc from the control unit 13 of the weighing device 1, the sorting drive control unit 24 receives a transfer drive request signal Mc at a predetermined time t1 necessary and sufficient for the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 to be in the initial state. The transfer motor 28 is driven by the programmable controller 43 via the motor drive circuit 42, and the transfer drive of the belt conveyor 22 is started. If the sorting arms 31 and 32 are in the regular standby positions when the transfer drive request signal Mc is received, the transfer motor 28 is driven at the time t1 when the transfer drive request signal Mc is received.

After that, for example, according to the distribution control signal RJ corresponding to the inspection signals "OK", "NG1", and "NG2" which are the inspection results for each article W from the control unit 13 of the weighing device 1, for example, the inspection signal. At the time t2 when "OK" is generated, the distribution control signal RJ2 for controlling the other sorting arm 32 is output as a control signal R0 for making the sorting arm 32 stand by at the outer standby position [P2], and electromagnetic waves are generated. The switching valve 41B is switched to the extension side supply / discharge position [I] shown in FIG. 2 for the four ports, and the other sorting arm 32 stands by at the outer standby position [P2] as shown in FIG. 5 (d). It becomes possible to carry out the non-defective article W in the D1 direction, which is the carry-out direction.

Next, for example, when the article W becomes the inspection signal "NG1" due to overweight, the distribution control signal RJ1 for controlling one of the sorting arms 31 controls the sorting arm 31 to stand by at the inner standby position [P3]. The distribution control signal RJ1 is output again as the control signal R0 (timing) after being output as the signal R1 (timing t3) and after the lapse of the required sufficient passage time Tc necessary and sufficient for the article W to pass through the predetermined distribution region Z. t4), the sorting arm 31 is returned to the outer standby position [P1].

Next, for example, when the article W is insufficient and the inspection signal is "NG2", the distribution control signal RJ2 for controlling the other sorting arm 32 causes the sorting arm 32 to stand by at the inner standby position [P4]. Is output as the control signal R1 (timing t5), and the distribution control signal RJ2 is output again as the control signal R0 after the lapse of the required sufficient passage time Tc necessary and sufficient for the article W to pass through the predetermined distribution region Z. (Timing t6), the sorting arm 32 is returned to the outer standby position [P2].

As described above, in the present embodiment, even if the stop positions of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 are uncertain while the sorting device 2 is stopped, when a transfer start request for commanding the start of operation is generated, the belt Prior to the start of the transfer drive of the conveyor 22, the plurality of sorting arms 31, 32 are in a state where one of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 stands by at the corresponding outer standby position [P1] or [P2]. Either one of them moves to the corresponding inner standby position [P4] or [P3].

Therefore, a plurality of sorting members such as sorting arms 31 and 32 adjacent to each other across the transport path 22a do not interfere with each other on the tip side thereof, and the sorting members are damaged or the air cylinders 33A and 33B are damaged. Problems such as shortened life due to load will also be solved.

Moreover, the article W that has reached the predetermined distribution area Z is guided in the distribution direction away from the transport path 22a by any one of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 located at the inner standby position [P4] or [P3]. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent defective products from accidentally flowing out to the downstream side, and it is possible to respond to requests from the fail-safe aspect and the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, linear scales 36A and 36B are mounted on the air cylinders 33A and 33B as stop position detecting means for detecting the stop positions of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32, respectively. Therefore, when the sorting start request is generated by the sorting drive control unit 24 on the sorting device 2 side or the sorting control unit 13b of the control unit 13 on the measuring device 1 side, based on the detection information of the linear scales 36A and 36B, One of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 to be made to stand by at the outer standby position [P1] or [P2] can be selected.

Specifically, the sorting arm 31 which is close to the outer standby position [P1] or [P2] at the start of operation, for example, which is closer to the outer standby position [P1] as shown in FIG. 6A, is shown in FIG. After immediately moving to the outer standby position [P1] shown in 6 (b), the other sorting arm 32 separated from the outer standby position [P2] is moved to the inner standby position [P4] as shown in FIG. 6 (c). ], It is possible to shift to the standby state and set it to the initial state.

Further, in the present embodiment, one of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 to be moved to the inner standby position [P4] or [P3], for example, the sorting arm 32 is set by the control unit 13 of the weighing device 1. The sorting drive control unit 24 can store the setting information in advance, or the sorting drive control unit 24 can be operated according to the switching state of the initial state switching setting means 43b provided in the sorting device 2.

Therefore, when the transfer start request is generated, the control unit 13 and the sorting drive control unit 24 including such a setting means are described above among the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 according to the setting state of the setting means. Either one can be selected, and as a result, the inner standby position [P4] or [P3] of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 at the start of operation is selected according to the usage environment of the sorting device 2 and the type of the article W. ] Can be set in advance, and suitable distribution conditions can be set prior to the start of transportation.

The article inspection system according to the present invention includes a sorting device 2 having the above configuration and a weighing device 1 as an article inspection device, and the weighing device 1 is used in the sorting drive control unit 24 of the sorting device 2. On the other hand, the transport drive request signal Mc corresponding to the operation start command and the distribution control signal RJ are output.

Therefore, in the article inspection system of the present embodiment, the sorting drive control unit 24 of the sorting device 2 is operated in response to the rise of the transport drive request signal Mc from the weighing device 1 or the operation of the operation start button 44 instead. When the start command is input, a transfer start request is generated in the sorting device 2, and prior to the start of transporting the article W by the belt conveyor 22, one of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 waits outside corresponding to the request. While waiting at the position [P1] or [P2], any one of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 moves to the corresponding inner waiting position [P4] or [P3].

Therefore, the sorting members such as the sorting arms 31 and 32 that are adjacent to each other across the transport path 22a do not interfere with each other on the tip side thereof, and the article W that has reached the predetermined sorting region Z is inside. Since the sorting arm 32 or 31 located at the standby position [P4] or [P3] guides the defective product in the D3 or D2 direction, which is the distribution direction deviating from the transport path 22a, the defective product erroneously flows out to the downstream side. It can be surely prevented from doing so.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if the stop positions of the plurality of sorting arms 31 and 32 are uncertain during the operation stop, the sorting members such as the sorting arms 31 and 32 at the start of the operation are mutually distributed. It is possible to provide a sorting device 2 and an article inspection system capable of reliably avoiding interference.

In one embodiment described above, the first sorting member and the second sorting member are of the rotary arm type such as the sorting arms 31 and 32, but the transport direction of the transport path 22a is D1. Anything may be used as long as it has a guide surface inserted obliquely with respect to the direction and can switch the carry-out direction of the article W by performing an operation of entering and exiting the article transport space on the transport path 22a.

Further, although the actuator for driving the sorting arms 31 and 32 is an air cylinder 33A or 33B, the actuator may be an electromagnetic drive cylinder or a solenoid instead of the fluid pressure actuated type. Further, instead of a linear actuator, a motor or the like may be used, or a gear, a link or other transmission mechanism may be used in combination.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the article inspection device in the article inspection system is the measuring device 1, but it goes without saying that an X-ray inspection device, a metal detector, and various other article inspection devices may be used.

As described above, the sorting device and the article inspection system of the present invention reliably avoid mutual interference between the sorting members at the start of operation even if the stop positions of the plurality of sorting members are uncertain while the operation is stopped. It is possible to provide a sorting device and an article inspection system that can be used. The present invention is useful for a sorting device and an article inspection system in general, which distributes an article being conveyed to a required transfer destination according to a distribution control signal.

1 Weighing device 2 Sorting device 3 Post-stage conveyor 4 Approaching conveyor 11 Weighing section 12 Weighing conveyor 13 Control section (sorting control means)
17, 44 Operation start button 22 Belt conveyor (conveyor means)
22a Transport path 23 Sorting mechanism (sorting means)
24 Sorting drive control unit (sorting control means)
28 Conveyor motor 29 Article detection sensor 31 Sorting arm (first sorting member)
32 Sorting arm (second sorting member)
33A, 33B Air cylinder 33p Piston 34 Operation lever 35 Link 36A, 36B Linear scale (stop position detection means)
41A, 41B Electromagnetic switching valve 41s Solenoid 41v Valve body 42 Motor drive circuit 43 Programmable controller (control means)
43a Setting storage unit (setting means)
43b Switching setting means (setting means)
D1, D2, D3 Sorting direction NG1 Inspection signal (Inspection result of defective product with excessive weight)
NG2 inspection signal (inspection result of defective product with insufficient weight)
OK inspection signal (inspection result of non-defective product)
[P1], [P2] Outer standby position [P3], [P4] Inner standby position R0 Control signal for waiting at the outer standby position R1 Control signal for waiting at the inner standby position RJ1 Distribution control signal (1st) Distribution control signal)
RJ2 distribution control signal (second distribution control signal)
t1 When a transport drive request signal is received (when a predetermined time has elapsed)
t2 When the inspection signal is generated t3, t4, t5, t6 Timing Z Predetermined distribution area Z1, Z2 Movable area

Claims (4)

A transport means having a transport path for transporting the goods to be loaded,
A sorting means that sorts articles carried into the transport path after a predetermined inspection so as to be carried out in one of a plurality of sorting directions corresponding to the result of the inspection.
A sorting device including a sorting control means for operating the transport means in response to an operation start command requesting the start of transport and controlling the operation of the sorting means in response to an input of a distribution control signal.
The sorting means has an outer standby position located on the side of the transport path and an inner standby position for guiding the article that has reached a predetermined distribution area on the transport path in each distribution direction away from the transport path. It has a plurality of distribution members that are movable and can take an arbitrary stop position between the outer standby position and the inner standby position while the operation is stopped, and the movable area of the plurality of distribution members in the distribution operation is , The distribution operation is controlled so as to be exclusive in the area including the distribution area on the inner standby position side.
When the transfer start request is generated, the sorting control means causes one of the plurality of distribution members to stand by at the outer standby position corresponding to the one, prior to the transfer of the article by the transfer means. Later , a sorting device characterized in that any one of the plurality of sorting members is controlled to be moved to the inner standby position corresponding to the other. A stop position detecting means for detecting the stop position of each of the plurality of distribution members is included.
When the transfer start request is generated, the sorting control means selects one of the plurality of distribution members to be made to stand by at the outer standby position based on the detection information of the stop position detecting means. The sorting apparatus according to claim 1. Further including a setting means for presetting any one of the plurality of distribution members to be moved to the inner standby position.
According to claim 1 or 2, the sorting control means selects any one of the plurality of distribution members according to the setting state of the setting means when the transport start request is generated. The sorting device described. The sorting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and the sorting device.
The inspection device for performing the article inspection is provided.
An article inspection system, wherein the inspection device outputs a signal corresponding to an operation start command requesting the start of transportation and the distribution control signal to the sorting control means of the sorting device.

Images