JPH0411272B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] A. Purpose of the Invention <Industrial Application Field> The present invention is an object of the present invention to automatically and uniformly and stably handle articles, especially articles whose surfaces are easily scratched, by improving precision by size and small capacity. The present invention relates to a device for sorting.

<Prior Art> Various techniques have been known in the past for automatically sorting articles of the same type with different capacities into categories based on their external size. In the case of powder and granular materials, for example, by using a sieve mesh, if the material is a sphere, the material is successively rolled into a sorting groove whose width gradually increases from a narrow width, and when the diameter of the sphere and the width of the groove match, the material is covered. The material to be sorted falls through the sorting groove,
Sort out whether the sphere is large or small. When sorting articles that are difficult to roll in the sorting groove, the side edge members forming the sorting groove are made into bars with a circular cross section, the distance between the pair of bars is widened toward the front, and the shaft is supported with a slight inclination. However, when the bar is rotated around its longitudinal axis, slipping or rolling occurs between the article placed on the sorting groove and the circumferential surface of the bar, causing the bar to gradually tilt in the longitudinal direction. Goods are moved to
When the material is transported to a position whose capacity matches or is smaller than the width of the sorting groove, it passes through the groove and is dropped and sorted.

In this case, when the items to be sorted are transported in the longitudinal direction over the long and narrow sorting groove, friction occurs between the items on the circumference of the bar, which damages the surface of the perishable items and reduces the product value. There are problems such as dropping the product, damaging the product, and shortening the shelf life.

An example of a device that has no friction between the articles to be sorted and the bars of the sorting device is to drive a conveyor mechanism in which a large number of bars are arranged side by side in a blind shape in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bars, and also to drive them in parallel. A sorting device is known in which the space between the provided bars is gradually widened as the conveyor advances, and articles to be sorted are carried in and placed on the screen-like bars.

However, this device has a complicated mechanism, requires a large investment in equipment, and also cannot perform stepless adjustment because it uses an eccentric gear mechanism as a means for changing the bar distance.

Also, to change the extent of bar spacing,
First, there are problems such as the need for adjustment such as replacing the mechanism.

A pair of belt conveyor mechanisms in which endless belts made of thick film or filament woven material are stretched are installed side by side, and the distance between the longitudinal side edges of the corresponding belts is set in a tapered manner. There is also a known device that conveys the sorted articles with a belt edge and sorts the sorted articles into large and small ones based on the belt edge spacing, but the shape of the belt side edges is uncertain and the mutual spacing tends to fluctuate, making it difficult to have a highly accurate shape. Not suitable for selection. In addition, the material may not be durable for long-term use, and its characteristics may lack stability.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> In view of the above-mentioned problems inherent in the prior art, the present invention requires relatively little initial investment, allows for stepless sorting of easily perishable items without damaging them, and increases the accuracy of sorting. It is an object of the present invention to provide a belt-type sorting device that enables high-level sorting.

In addition, we have developed a reliable and stable device for sorting vegetables, fruits, etc., which are particularly susceptible to damage, as well as for sorting living things, especially living things such as eels.

B. Structure of the Invention <Means for Solving the Problems> In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes the constituent elements as described below.

(1) A pair of chain transmission mechanisms of the same type in which an endless pitch chain is mounted between a set of sprocket wheels having an appropriate center distance, and the longitudinal direction of each corresponding pitch chain of the chain transmission mechanism is placed in the same plane. and are installed so as to be substantially parallel to each other, and while the opposing pitch chains are moved in the same direction at a constant speed, the mutual interval between them is set to be wider on the downstream end side than on the upstream end side, and
A chain supporting member is provided along the side surface of the endless pitch chain, and by attaching a unit of sorted article placement member forming a sorting groove above the chain element of the unit constituting the endless pitch chain, the upper side 1. A belt-type sorting device characterized by having an article storage space that expands toward the space, and a certain elongated sorting groove that widens in one direction on the side or bottom of the space.

(2) A pair of identical chain transmission mechanisms in which an endless pitch chain is installed between a pair of sprocket wheels with an appropriate distance between the axes, with the longitudinal direction approximately horizontal, and each sprocket The transmission mechanisms are installed symmetrically with the rotational axes of the chain wheels orthogonal to each other, and the spacing between the sprocket wheels corresponding to each chain transmission mechanism is set wider at one end than at the other end. On the upper side of the chain element of the unit constituting the endless pitch chain, a unit article placement member having a flat surface that slopes inward to the inside of both mechanisms and whose lower bottom side edge forms a sorting groove is attached, and the article holding member is mounted almost continuously. 2. The belt type sorting device according to item 1 above, comprising an article storage space that expands toward the top, and a predetermined elongated sorting groove that widens in one direction at the bottom thereof.

(3) A pair of identical chain transmission mechanisms in which an endless pitch chain is mounted between sprocket wheels fixed to a pair of rotating shafts that are vertically bearing and have an appropriate distance between the shafts, and are specified by the chain. The chain transmission mechanism is set so that it fits within a common horizontal plane, and is arranged in plane symmetry with respect to the vertical plane, and is sandwiched between closely opposing pitch chains of each chain transmission mechanism. A space is provided so that the width thereof becomes gradually wider from one end to the other end, and a flat surface is provided above the chain element of the unit constituting the endless pitch chain, and a flat surface is provided below it. A unit for placing articles to be sorted whose bottom edge forms a sorting groove is attached, and the opposed members form an article storage space that expands upward in a substantially continuous manner, and a width extending in one direction at the bottom thereof. 2. The belt-type sorting device according to item 1 above, wherein the belt-type sorting device is formed by forming a certain elongated sorting groove that widens.

(4) The article placement member is a cylindrical body with a substantially circular cross section, and a morning glory-shaped article placement space is formed between the opposing member and the distance between the circumferential surfaces of the pair of cylindrical bodies is the narrowest. 4. The belt type sorting device according to any of the above items 1 to 3, wherein the bent portion is used as a sorting groove.

(5) The belt-type sorting device according to any one of the above items 1 to 3, wherein the inner surface of the article placement member is colored black or a color close to black, and water is sprinkled or sprayed from above.

<Function> The sorting device of the present invention connects the narrow side of the sorting groove to a plurality of article exit ports of the article accumulation section. When the articles in the stacking section are discharged in unit form from the output port to the article conveying surface of the belt-type sorting device or the storage space, they are conveyed by a chain (or belt) while being sandwiched between the loading sections, and are loaded at the same time. As the width of the sorting groove at the lower center of the (accommodating) section gradually increases, the diameter of the articles supported and conveyed by the sloped wall of the loading section becomes equal to or close to the width of the sorting groove. When the frictional force becomes unable to resist the weight, the article falls downward from the placement section through the groove.

In addition, the upper opening edge of the article mounting table is rounded to bring it into surface contact with the support part of the objects to be sorted, making it difficult to damage the surface of the mounting table, and the sorting grooves are formed with the narrowest distance between the opposing space walls of the loading section. It can also be used as a width. In this case, the stability of the sorting accuracy is closely related to the fact that the distance between the supporting parts of the objects to be sorted does not fluctuate or change due to bending, movement, or friction. By installing a support plate on the outside of the chain, the chain spacing can be prevented from expanding outward due to the objects to be sorted, and compared to the known flat belt type sorting device, the sorting accuracy can be improved. Stability of characteristics can be ensured.

As described above, since the falling position of an article changes according to its size, this means makes it possible to classify articles according to their capacity.

When transporting articles for sorting, the sliding contact between the articles and the wall surface of the placing section is negligible, if not zero, compared to conventional means, so it is easier to handle articles whose surfaces are easily damaged. In addition, even if the living thing were to move due to the stimulation caused by sliding contact during the sorting process, there is no risk of it flying out from the hopper-like mounting table. .

If the above-mentioned creature is an eel, for example, the stage should be painted black, the sorting area should be covered to make it darker, or the area should be sprinkled with water or sprayed to calm down the violent movement during eel sorting. Improves slippage and enables more accurate sorting.

In the present invention, as explained above, while the articles to be sorted are being conveyed and sorted, there is no sliding or friction between the articles and the support base, and therefore, the size of vegetables, fruits, etc. that are easily damaged on the surface is eliminated. It can be suitably used for grading based on quality.

In addition, it is easy to change the distance between the lower edges of the pair of belt widths or the distance between the sprocket wheels, and there is usually no need to replace the endless belt or endless pitch chain. It is very easy to adjust the characteristics of the device depending on the type.

<Example> (Part 1) Figures 1 to 3 are a plan view, a front view, and a side view of an embodiment of the sorting device of the present invention, and in the figures, 4 and 5 respectively indicate a pair of bearings. The rotating shafts are supported horizontally and parallel to each other at a distance l from each other, and normally the shaft 5 side is the driving shaft and the shaft 4 side is the driven shaft, and the shafts are rotated in the directions of arrows 6, respectively.

In Fig. 1, sprocket wheels (hereinafter referred to as sprockets) 7 and 7' of the same pitch are attached to the shaft 4 in line contrast with respect to the center line C-D which is perpendicular to the rotation axes of the shafts 4 and 5. Sprockets 8 and 8' of the same pitch are fixed to the shaft 5 with a spacing B between them. Sprocket 7
and 8 and sprockets 7' and 8', endless pitch chains 9 and 9' are stretched without slack, respectively. It is preferable that the chain is placed under appropriate tension in the longitudinal direction.

Furthermore, guides (supporting members), which will be described later, are placed along the outer sides of the chains 9 and 9' to minimize the amount of displacement at the chain positions.

FIGS. 4a and 4b are partially enlarged perspective views of the pitch chains 9 and 9'. On the outside of each unit of chain element 10 constituting the endless pitch chain, there is an attachment mounting member 11 whose upper end is bent horizontally. (See FIG. 5) are provided respectively, and required mounting holes 12 are bored at the ends of the members.

In addition, at the upper part of the endless pitch chain 9, there is a U-shaped or convex element guide member 13 formed of nylon or the like so that the movement position of the chain and the attitude of the element during movement do not change. , 13' are installed along the chains 9, 9'.

FIG. 5 shows a unit chain element 10 (hereinafter referred to as chain element 10) constituting the chains 9, 9, and a unit sorted article placement member or conveyance member 14 (hereinafter referred to as a placement member or conveyance member 14). This is a partial sectional view taken on a plane perpendicular to the feeding direction of the chain, showing the chain element 10 mounted thereon. The horizontal legs 15 are formed by bending them parallel to each other at an angle of ∠θ ₁ , and the legs 15 are placed on the attachment mounting member 11 of the element 10 and aligned so that the bending axis coincides with the moving direction of the chain. and fix both using the mounting hole 12. Of course, if there is a plan to change the shape of the conveying member 14 into various types, a detachable mechanism is adopted as the fixing means.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the endless pitch chains 9 and 9' form a pair of lines (planes) C-D.
Since each chain element 1
By installing loading (conveying) members 14, 14' of the same shape as shown in FIG. A gap S is formed, and the space and the gap constitute a continuous article storage space and a narrow groove with a V cross section in the longitudinal direction of the chain.

Therefore, referring to FIG. 1, when each shaft 4 and 5 rotates in the direction of arrow 6, by setting A<B, the width of the distance S shown in FIG. Therefore, if articles 16 of different sizes are fed into the storage space 15 formed by the article placement members 14, 14' from the shaft 4 side, they will gradually expand as the chains 9 and 9' move. While the article 18 is supported by the placement members 14, 14' and transferred in the direction of the arrow, when the size becomes equal to the width of the gap S, the support of the placement members 14, 14' stops. loses and falls downward.

〓The way the gap S spreads is determined by the lengths of A, B, and l, so if the object to be sorted 18 has a certain size,
The articles 18 fall when they are conveyed a certain distance from the shaft 4 side, and thereby it is possible to sort articles 18 of the same type according to size.

During the sorting operation, the weight of the articles 18 placed in the article storage space 16 of the loading section biases the chains 9 and 9' in a direction that increases the distance between them, resulting in a predetermined sorting process. Since the width of the interval S may become inaccurate, guides 13 and 1 are installed to prevent the span of each chain from being displaced from its predetermined position.
3' is provided. [See FIGS. 4a and 4b and FIG. 5] Furthermore, if it is desired to sort finely, it is preferable to appropriately lengthen the distance l between the rotating shafts 4 and 5.

Furthermore, depending on the shape and size of the articles to be sorted, the bending angle of the mounting member legs is adjusted to ∠ as shown in Fig. 7.
It is also possible to set θ ₂ and widen the hopper-shaped opening further in the upper direction.

The feature of this embodiment is that the articles to be sorted can be sorted without coming into sliding contact with each chain element or the hopper-shaped article accommodating portion during transportation.

However, it is difficult to avoid some sliding contact with the falling direction of the article.

Therefore, if this embodiment is used to sort fish by size, such as eel, which dislikes having other objects come into contact with its body during handling, it will be possible to Eel exercise (abarekoto)
There is relatively little damage to the fish during sorting, and accurate selection by thickness is possible, and combined with the configuration of the hopper-like conveyor, there is no risk of the fish breaking open and flying out of the equipment. There is no.

Furthermore, in order to calm down the movement of the eels during the sorting process, the front side of the conveyor belt is painted black or similar to the color of the fish, and the conveyor mechanism is covered to darken the sorting section. , by applying various calming methods such as showering or spraying the fish during transport,
In addition, fish bodies can be efficiently separated according to their size (thickness).

If this were to be sorted manually, even by an expert, the number would be 1,300 to 2,500 per day, and since the selection criteria is based on visual judgment, it is inevitable that errors will occur within a certain range, but this method If the example device is used, it will be more accurate, and since multiple devices can be installed as needed, it will be extremely easy to increase the number of individuals to be sorted/day.

This does not mean that the apparatus of this embodiment is not suitable for sorting fruits and vegetables based on their size, but rather that, as mentioned above, even in the case of objects to be sorted, the conveyor belt and the objects may come into contact with each other during the sorting operation. This does not mean that you will lose any benefits that may arise.

In the case of this embodiment, in order to change the shape of the hopper-shaped part by the belt conveyor mechanism depending on the type, size, shape, etc. of the articles to be sorted, the size of ∠θ ₁ and the width S of the sorting groove is adjusted. Therefore, it goes without saying that the taper in the groove direction can be changed.

Regarding the present embodiment, other functions and effects are as explained in the section <Operations> above, so please refer to them.

(Part 2) Fig. 9 shows an embodiment in which the conveying member itself has a cylindrical shape. In this case, the shortest distance S between the opposing circumferential surfaces of a pair of cylinders with a diameter R ₂ becomes the sorting groove, and from that position the upper The peripheral surface forms a space 16 having a morning glory-shaped cross section, and this space is used as an article storage section.

In the case of this embodiment, all the article supporting surfaces come into surface contact and there is no risk of damaging the surface of the articles to be sorted, but there is a drawback that the volume of the article accommodating space 16 is relatively small. An embodiment of a belt type sorting device in which a cylindrical article placement member is attached to a pitch chain is as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

The functions and effects of each of these embodiments are as explained in the <Operations> section and Example (Part 1) above, so description thereof will be omitted.

(Part 3) FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the article conveying member 14 in the apparatus of the present invention, and the article sorting gap S formed by the pair of conveying members 14, 14' is Its width is regulated by mutually parallel wall surfaces 17. This allows the connection angle between the hopper slope and the sorting groove S to be gentle, so when the articles are sorted or dropped, there is no risk of them being squeezed by the edge of the groove, and the surface of the articles to be sorted is not damaged. There is no.

(Part 4) FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the sorted article conveying member, in which the upper edge of each conveying member is adjusted so that the upper edge of the hopper-shaped opening 16 does not damage the sorted articles. It is molded into a cylindrical shape with a diameter of R ₁ , so even if the items to be sorted are fed off-center to the device, they will not be damaged as they will come into surface contact with the placement member, and the item storage space will be reduced. Even when the articles stored in the space 16 try to jump out of the space 16, the cylindrical peripheral surface acts to prevent this.

(Part 5) Figures 10 and 11 are a plan view and a side view of other embodiments of the device of the present invention, in which 4 and 5 and 4' and 5' respectively represent a pair of bearings. Rotation axes, usually shafts 5, are thus pivoted vertically and parallel to each other at a distance l.
The shafts 4 and 5' are drive shafts, and the shafts 4 and 4' are driven shafts, and are rotated at a constant speed in the direction of the arrow 6, respectively.

One sprocket having the same diameter and the same pitch is fixed to each of the shafts, and the sprockets are arranged so as to be included in a common horizontal plane,
Endless pitch chains 9 and 9' are installed without slack between the sprocket 7 of the shaft 4 and the sprocket 8 of the shaft 5, and between the sprocket 7' of the shaft 4' and the sprocket 8' of the shaft 5', respectively. While forming a chain transmission mechanism, appropriate tension is applied in the longitudinal direction of the chain. If the distance between the rotational axes 4 and 4' is A, and the distance between the axes 5 and 5' is B, then A<B, and the path passes between the axes 4 and 4' and between the axes 5 and 5'. The pair of chain transmission mechanisms are arranged line (plane) symmetrically with respect to the center line CD.

Each element of the endless chains 9, 9' of the pair of chain transmission mechanisms configured in this manner is approximately the same as that shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, and the extension direction of the attachment mounting member differs depending on the chain direction. The only difference is the mounting direction of the chain element guide.

Of the above-mentioned endless pitch chains, the portions of the endless pitch chain that are arranged substantially parallel to each other and move at a constant speed in the same direction are particularly susceptible to changes in the moving position of the chain and the posture of the chain elements due to the weight of the articles to be sorted. Chain element guides 13 and 1 as shown in FIG.
Apply 3'. Each element constituting the endless pitch chain is equipped with the same type of article placement member or conveyance member as explained in the embodiment (part 1), for example, the same type of conveyance member as shown in Figure 5 and Figures 9 to 9. A member is attached, thereby forming an upwardly opened article storage space between a pair of parallel chains, and a space with a predetermined width at the bottom bottom of the space, and the space and space extend along the length of the chains. It extends in the direction to form an elongated space and a sorting groove. Since the distance A between the shafts 4 and 4' is smaller than the distance B between the shafts 5 and 5', the width of the selection groove increases as it goes forward, and its selection action and effect are Example (Part 1) As described below.

As mentioned earlier, the conveyance member of this example is as follows.
As explained in the second embodiment, article mounting tables of various shapes can be adopted depending on the purpose.

C. Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the apparatus of the present invention, (1) When the articles to be sorted are moved together with the mounting table, the contact surface between the surface of the articles and the wall of the conveyor table is Since the surfaces are in contact and the objects do not rub or move against other surfaces when they are moved, they are less likely to be scratched.

Therefore, it can be effectively used for sorting articles with soft surfaces.

(2) By placing a guide member along the tension span of each endless pitch chain from the outside to ensure the mutual width of the pitch chains, the causes of fluctuations in the sorting grade of the items to be sorted can be eliminated, and Enables stable and highly accurate sorting.

(3) If the objects to be sorted are transported quietly on a mounting table with a wide surface area, there is no risk that the organisms to be sorted will get caught and jump out of the device even if it is used for size separation of rapidly moving organisms.

(4) By arbitrarily changing the shape of the article placement member, it becomes possible to prepare and sort a loading table that corresponds to the characteristics of the articles to be sorted.

(5) It is easy to adjust the interval between each pair of conveyor belts or sprockets, and the device can be easily adjusted depending on the type of articles to be sorted.

(6) This type of sorting mechanism allows the sorting length to be made sufficiently long as necessary, and it is possible to sort with the specified accuracy.

(7) Since a plurality of this type of sorting mechanism can be installed in the article accumulation section, the overall sorting efficiency can be improved as necessary and sufficiently.

(8) The main part of the device can be constructed simply by assembling the sorted article placement member of the desired shape of the unit element of the chain with existing attachments.
A relatively inexpensive sorting device can be provided.

These and other special functions and effects cannot be expected from conventional article sorting devices.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 3 are a plan view, a front view, a side view, and a fourth embodiment of the belt-type sorting device of the present invention.
Figures a and b are partially enlarged perspective views of the endless pit chain constituting the sorting device of the present invention, Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the chain element equipped with a member for placing or conveying articles to be sorted, and Figure 6 is FIGS. 7 to 9 are cross-sectional views of other embodiments of the conveying member, and FIGS. 10 and 11 are plan views of other embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention. It shows a side view. Explanation of symbols, 4, 5... Rotating shaft, 7, 8... Sprocket wheel, 9... Endless pitch chain, 10... Chain element, 11... Attachment mounting member, 13... Chain guide,
14... Sorted article placement or conveyance member, 16...
...Article storage space, l... Distance between shafts, S... Sorting groove width, A, B... Distance between sprocket wheels.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1 A pair of chain transmission mechanisms of the same type in which an endless pitch chain is mounted between a set of sprocket wheels having an appropriate center distance, and a longitudinal direction of each corresponding pitch chain of the chain transmission mechanism. are installed in the same plane so as to be substantially parallel to each other, and while the opposing pitch chains are moved in the same direction at a constant speed, the mutual interval between them is set to be wider on the downstream end side than on the upstream end side. , and a unit to be sorted article mounting member having a chain support member along its side surface and forming a sorting groove on the upper side of the unit chain element constituting the endless pit chain;
A belt-type sorting device characterized in that, by attaching each, an article storage space that expands substantially continuously toward the top and a certain elongated sorting groove that widens in one direction on the side or bottom of the article storage space are formed. . 2 A pair of identical chain transmission mechanisms each having an endless pitch chain mounted between a pair of sprocket wheels having an appropriate distance between the axes, the longitudinal direction of which is approximately horizontal, and each sprocket wheel with respect to the vertical plane. The transmission mechanisms are installed symmetrically with the rotating axes of the chain transmission mechanisms perpendicular to each other, and the spacing between the sprocket wheels of each chain transmission mechanism is set wider at one end than at the other end. On the upper side of the chain element of the unit constituting the chain, a unit for placing articles to be sorted, which has a plane that slopes inward of both mechanisms and whose lower bottom side edge forms a sorting groove, is attached, and the member is placed almost continuously on the upper side. 2. A belt type sorting device according to claim 1, comprising an article storage space that expands toward the article storage space, and a predetermined elongated sorting groove that widens in one direction at the bottom thereof. 3. A pair of identical chain transmission mechanisms in which an endless pitch chain is installed between sprocket wheels fixed to a set of rotating shafts that are vertically supported and have an appropriate distance between the shafts, and the plane specified by the chain. are set so that they fit within an approximately horizontal common plane, and are arranged so that they are plane symmetrical with respect to the vertical plane, so that the air space sandwiched between the closely opposing pitch chains of each chain transmission mechanism is of,
The width of the chain element is gradually increased from one end to the other end, and a flat surface is provided on the upper side of the chain element of the unit constituting the endless pit chain, and the lower bottom side edge of the chain element is A unit of sorted article placement member forming a sorting groove is attached, and the opposing members form an article storage space that expands upward in a substantially continuous manner, and a fixed space that expands in width in one direction at the bottom. A belt-type sorting device according to claim 1, comprising an elongated sorting groove. 4 The article placement member is a cylindrical body with a substantially circular cross section, and a morning glory-shaped article placement space is formed between the opposing member and the distance between the circumferential surfaces of the pair of cylindrical bodies is the narrowest. A belt-type sorting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the portion is a sorting groove. 5. The belt-type sorting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inner surface of the article placement member is colored black or a color close to black, and water is sprinkled or sprayed from above.