EP0080089A1 - Device for counting flat products moving over a conveyor path - Google Patents

Device for counting flat products moving over a conveyor path Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0080089A1
EP0080089A1 EP82110147A EP82110147A EP0080089A1 EP 0080089 A1 EP0080089 A1 EP 0080089A1 EP 82110147 A EP82110147 A EP 82110147A EP 82110147 A EP82110147 A EP 82110147A EP 0080089 A1 EP0080089 A1 EP 0080089A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sensor
products
product
counting device
resilient
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Granted
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EP82110147A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0080089B2 (en
EP0080089B1 (en
Inventor
Werner Honegger
Hanspeter Bürgi
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Ferag AG
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Ferag AG
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Priority to AT82110147T priority Critical patent/ATE30276T1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06M—COUNTING MECHANISMS; COUNTING OF OBJECTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06M7/00—Counting of objects carried by a conveyor
    • G06M7/08—Counting of objects carried by a conveyor wherein the direction of movement of the objects is changed at the station where they are sensed
    • G06M7/10—Counting of flat overlapped articles, e.g. of cards
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06M—COUNTING MECHANISMS; COUNTING OF OBJECTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06M2207/00—Indexing scheme relating to counting of objects carried by a conveyor
    • G06M2207/02—Counting of generally flat and overlapped articles, e.g. cards, newspapers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a counting device for counting flat products, preferably moving in a scale formation along a conveyor track, according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the sensor is arranged between two load disks resting on the product flow and has a nose fastened to a spring-elastic deflectable support arm.
  • the nose In the rest position of the sensor, in which the support arm rests on an inductive proximity switch, the nose protrudes beyond its circumference at a point that is higher than the lowest point of the load washers.
  • the support arm is deflected elastically in the conveying direction of the same by the leading edge of the products abutting the nose.
  • this product is deflected downwards by these loading disks.
  • the nose can come loose from the product and the support arm can spring back into its rest position against the proximity switch.
  • the count signal generated is fed to a counter.
  • a counting device in which the sensor is arranged to be pivotable about an axis running parallel to the plane of the products and is deflected by the leading edges of the products running towards it against the force of a spring (CH-PS 382,477 and corresponding US-PS 3,219,829 ). During this pivoting of the sensor, the light beam from a light barrier is interrupted and a counting pulse is generated which is fed to a counter.
  • the relatively large inertia proves to be disadvantageous, which leads to incorrect counts, in particular in the case of products with a small mutual distance and / or high conveying speeds.
  • this counting device is only suitable for products the thickness of which is not less than a minimum. This is because the swiveling-out movement of the sensor caused by, for example, one or two single sheets is not able to carry out the light beam. to interrupt the light barrier with certainty and then release this light beam again.
  • the sensor is connected to a piezoelectric transducer, which delivers a continuous signal according to the contour of the product flow and the unevenness of the individual products.
  • a piezoelectric transducer which delivers a continuous signal according to the contour of the product flow and the unevenness of the individual products.
  • those signals are used which are generated by the sensor when the trailing edge of the products is passed and which are of greater amplitude than the other signals. The latter must be filtered out in order to obtain an unadulterated count of the products.
  • this counting device is not readily suitable for counting the products due to the step which is formed by the leading edges of the products, since these steps are relatively high, especially in the case of thick products, and have a steep increase .
  • This counting device can therefore not be arranged on the top of a shingled stream in which the leading edges of the products lie at the top, as is normally the case with printed products.
  • the present invention has for its object to provide a counting device of the type mentioned, which is able to properly count products of different thicknesses, especially thin single sheets, even if these products with high speed and low mutual distance can be moved past.
  • the sensor is deflected by the product attacking it not only in the direction of movement of this product, but also pushed upwards. This allows the sensor to detach itself from the leading edge of the product and spring back into its starting position, in which it is ready for the detection of the next product. Because the sensor is raised against the action of resilient forces, the sensor remains in contact with the products, so that jumping off the products or even jumping over the leading edge of a product is avoided.
  • the senor is designed as a leaf spring, which is connected to a support which is likewise formed by a leaf spring and which can be deflected transversely to the plane of the products, a particularly low-inertia solution is obtained.
  • the sensor and the holder are preferably formed in one piece, the sensor and holder together forming an L-shaped component.
  • Figures 1 and 2 is a conveyor belt only schematically rer 1 shown, which forms a conveyor track for accumulating in scale formation 2 print products 3 and this print products 3 in the direction of arrow A.
  • the printed products 3 lie on top of one another like roof tiles, the leading edge 3a of the printed products 3 being exposed.
  • a counter is arranged above the product stream 2.
  • This has a support element 5, which is formed by a spring leaf.
  • This support element 5 is connected to a clamping device 6, with which the support element 5 is clamped on a bolt 7 of a stationary holder 8.
  • the free end 5a of the support element 5 is bent in the manner of a runner and rests on the printed products 3.
  • Two holding elements 9 and 10 are fastened to the supporting element 5 and are connected to one another by means of a connecting element 11.
  • An L-shaped spring element 13 is fastened to the holding element 9 by means of a screw connection 12, which in its rest position rests with its one leg 14 on the connecting element 11 and with the other leg 15 on the holding element 10, as shown in FIG. 1.
  • the leg 15 of the spring element 13 protrudes with its end 15a over the holding element 10 and the support element 5 and serves as a sensor for determining the individual printed products 3 moving past the counter 4 as a carrier of the sensor 15, which is also designed in the manner of a leaf spring.
  • An inductive proximity switch 16 which is of a known type, is held in the holding element 10.
  • the pulses generated by this proximity switch 16 in a manner yet to be described are transmitted via a connecting cable 17 Counter not shown supplied, which is also a known type.
  • the sensor 15 Since the sensor 15 is raised during its deflection against the spring action of the carrier 14, the sensor 15 remains in contact with this product 3 'even when it is released from the printed product 3'. A jumping off of the sensor 15 from the products 3 or even a jumping over of the leading edge 3a of the next product 3 is effectively avoided in this way. For this reason it is possible to use the counter 4 described both thick and thin products, i.e. also single sheets, count properly.
  • the support element 5 As a result of the resilient properties of the support element 5, its front end 5a can follow the contour of the scale stream 2 without the printed products 3 being damaged. In addition, this supporting element 5, which rests on the printed products 3 with a certain pressure, prevents the printed product 3 ′ which bumps against the sensor 15 from bending out. By means of the clamping device 6, the inclination of the support element 5 can be adjusted according to the thickness of the printed products 3 and the desired contact pressure.
  • the carrier 14 and the sensor 15 are made of leaf springs and in one piece with one another, a particularly simple and low-inertia construction is obtained. Under certain circumstances it may be advantageous to dampen the sensor 15 and / or the carrier 14. This can easily be done by gluing on a suitable material, e.g. a foam plastic, on the sensor 15 or the carrier 14.
  • a differently designed support for the counter 4 on the printed products 3 can also be used. In certain cases it is even possible to dispense with supporting the counter 14 at all and to arrange it firmly above the product stream 2. However, such a solution requires a height adjustment of the counter 4 if the thickness of the products to be counted changes.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Controlling Sheets Or Webs (AREA)
  • Inking, Control Or Cleaning Of Printing Machines (AREA)
  • Attitude Control For Articles On Conveyors (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
  • Length Measuring Devices With Unspecified Measuring Means (AREA)
  • Control Of Conveyors (AREA)
  • Feeding Of Articles By Means Other Than Belts Or Rollers (AREA)

Abstract

A product counter apparatus is disclosed comprising a support element which bears against the products, typically printed products, which are to be counted. A holder device is mounted at the support element. Secured to such holder device is a substantially L-shaped spring or resilient element containing two leg members. The one leg member of such resilient or spring element extends substantially transversely with respect to a predetermined conveying direction of the printed products and protrudes by means of its free end past the holder device. The other leg member of the resilient or spring element is clamped at its end, and thus, can be elastically deflected transversely to a plane containing the printed products. Retained in the holder device is an inductive proximity switch. The printed products moving past the counter apparatus impact at their leading edge at the end of the one leg member which serves as a feeler or sensor and deflect the latter in their product conveying direction. At the same time the feeler is raised while there is deflected the other leg member of the resilient or spring element. Consequently, it is possible for the feeler to be released from the printed product engaging thereat and to resiliently return back into its starting position. During approach of the feeler at the proximity switch the latter generates a counting signal which is inputted to a counter mechanism.

Description

Die vorligende Erfindung betrifft eine Zähleinrichtung zum Zählen von vorzugsweise in Schuppenformation längs einer Förderbahn bewegten flächigen Erzeugnissen gemäss Oberbegriff des Anspruches 1.The present invention relates to a counting device for counting flat products, preferably moving in a scale formation along a conveyor track, according to the preamble of claim 1.

Bei einer derartigen, aus der DE-OS 24'46 184 bekannten Zähleinrichtung ist der Fühler zwischen zwei auf dem Produktestrom aufliegenden Belastungsscheiben angeordnet und weist eine an einem federelastisch auslenkbaren Tragarm befestigte Nase auf. In der Ruhestellung des Fühlers, in der der Tragarm an einem induktiven Näherungsschalter anliegt, steht die Nase an einer Stelle, die höher liegt als der tiefste Punkt der Belastungsscheiben, über deren Umfang vor. Der Tragarm wird durch die mit ihrer vorlaufenden Kante an der Nase anstossenden Erzeugnisse in Förderrichtung derselben elastisch ausgelenkt. Sobald die Nase durch das an ihr angreifende Erzeugnis soweit zurückgestossen worden ist, dass sie zwischen den Belastungsscheiben verschwindet, wird dieses Erzeugnis durch diese Belastungsscheiben nach unten umgelenkt. Das hat zur Folge, dass sich die Nase vom Erzeugnis lösen und der Tragarm in seine Ruhelage gegen den Näherungsschalter zurückfedern kann. Das dabei erzeugte Zählsignal wird einem Zählwerk zugeführt.In such a counting device known from DE-OS 24'46 184, the sensor is arranged between two load disks resting on the product flow and has a nose fastened to a spring-elastic deflectable support arm. In the rest position of the sensor, in which the support arm rests on an inductive proximity switch, the nose protrudes beyond its circumference at a point that is higher than the lowest point of the load washers. The support arm is deflected elastically in the conveying direction of the same by the leading edge of the products abutting the nose. As soon as the nose has been pushed back so far by the product attacking it that it disappears between the loading disks, this product is deflected downwards by these loading disks. As a result, the nose can come loose from the product and the support arm can spring back into its rest position against the proximity switch. The count signal generated is fed to a counter.

Bei dieser Zähleinrichtung ist somit eine Auslenkung der Erzeugnisse aus ihrer Förderebene nötig, um eine Freigabe der Nase zu bewirken und ein Rückstellen des Tragarmes zu ermöglichen. Neben dem hiefür erforderlichen konstruktiven Aufwand hat diese Lösung den weitern Nachteil, dass dieses Auslenken vor allem bei dünnen Erzeugnissen zu Beschädigungen derselben führen kann.With this counting device, a deflection of the products from their conveying plane is necessary in order to release the nose and to enable the support arm to be reset. In addition to the design effort required for this, this solution has the further disadvantage that this deflection, particularly in the case of thin products, can damage the same.

Daneben ist eine Zähleinrichtung bekannt, bei der der Fühler um eine parallel zur Ebene der Erzeugnisse verlaufende Achse schwenkbar angeordnet ist und durch die vorlaufenden Kanten der auf ihn zulaufenden Erzeugnisse entgegen der Kraft einer Feder ausgelenkt wird (CH-PS 382,477 und entsprechende US-PS 3,219,829). Bei diesem Verschwenken des Fühlers wird der Lichtstrahl einer Lichtschranke unterbrochen und so ein Zählimpuls erzeugt, der einem Zählwerk zugeleitet wird. Bei dieser Ausführung erweist sich ausser der unvermeidlichen Reibung im Lager des Fühlers vor allem die verhältnismässig grosse Trägheit als nachteilig, was insbesondere bei in geringem gegenseitigem Abstand anfallenden Erzeugnissen und/oder grossen Fördergeschwindigkeiten zu Fehlzählungen führt. Im weitern eignet sich diese Zähleinrichtung nur für Erzeugnisse, deren Dicke ein Mindestmass nicht unterschreitet. Die durch beispielsweise ein oder zwei Einzelblätter hervorgerufene Ausschwenkbewegung des Fühlers ist nämlich nicht im Stande, den Lichtstrahl. der Lichtschranke mit Sicherheit zu unterbrechen und anschliessend diesen Lichtstrahl wieder freizugeben.In addition, a counting device is known in which the sensor is arranged to be pivotable about an axis running parallel to the plane of the products and is deflected by the leading edges of the products running towards it against the force of a spring (CH-PS 382,477 and corresponding US-PS 3,219,829 ). During this pivoting of the sensor, the light beam from a light barrier is interrupted and a counting pulse is generated which is fed to a counter. In this embodiment, in addition to the inevitable friction in the bearing of the sensor, the relatively large inertia proves to be disadvantageous, which leads to incorrect counts, in particular in the case of products with a small mutual distance and / or high conveying speeds. Furthermore, this counting device is only suitable for products the thickness of which is not less than a minimum. This is because the swiveling-out movement of the sensor caused by, for example, one or two single sheets is not able to carry out the light beam. to interrupt the light barrier with certainty and then release this light beam again.

Bei der in der CH-PS 600 446 bzw. der entsprechenden US-PS 4,139,765 beschriebenen Zähleinrichtung wird ein Fühler durch Federkraft von unten dauernd gegen die Produkte gedrückt, die in Schuppenformation so aufeinander liegen, dass jedes Produkt auf dem vorangehenden Produkt aufliegt. Somit liegen an der vom Fühler abgetasteten Unterseite des Produktestromes die nachlaufenden Kanten der Produkte frei. Oberhalb des Produktestromes muss dem Fühler gegenüberliegend eine Anpressrolle vorgesehen werden, um ein einwandfreies Anliegen des Fühlers an den Produkten sicherzustellen.In the counting device described in CH-PS 600 446 or the corresponding US Pat. No. 4,139,765, a sensor is continuously pressed by spring force from below against the products, which lie on one another in scale formation so that each product rests on the preceding product. Thus lie on the underside of the Product streams free the trailing edges of the products. A pressure roller must be provided opposite the sensor above the product flow in order to ensure that the sensor is in perfect contact with the products.

Der Fühler ist mit einem piezoelektrischen Wandler verbunden, welcher der Kontur des Produktestromes und den Unebenheiten der einzelnen Produkte entsprechend ein kontinuierliches Signal liefert. Zum Zählen der Produkte werden diejenigen Signale verwertet, die beim Ueberfahren der nachlaufenden Kante der Produkte durch den Fühler erzeugt werden und von grösserer Amplitude sind als die übrigen Signale. Letztere müssen ausfiltriert werden, um eine unverfälschte Zählung der Produkte zu erhalten.The sensor is connected to a piezoelectric transducer, which delivers a continuous signal according to the contour of the product flow and the unevenness of the individual products. To count the products, those signals are used which are generated by the sensor when the trailing edge of the products is passed and which are of greater amplitude than the other signals. The latter must be filtered out in order to obtain an unadulterated count of the products.

Wegen der in der Grösse begrenzten Auslenkamplitude des Fühlers eignet sich diese Zähleinrichtung nicht ohne weiteres zum Zählen der Produkte aufgrund der Stufe, welche durch die vorlaufenden Kanten der Produkte gebildet sind, da diese Stufen vor allem bei dicken Produkten verhältnismässig hoch sind und einen steilen Anstieg aufweisen. Diese Zähleinrichtung lässt sich somit nicht auf der Oberseite eines Schuppenstromes anordnen, in welchem die vorlaufenden Kanten der Produkte oben liegen, wie das bei Druckprodukten normalerweise der Fall ist.Because of the limited deflection amplitude of the sensor, this counting device is not readily suitable for counting the products due to the step which is formed by the leading edges of the products, since these steps are relatively high, especially in the case of thick products, and have a steep increase . This counting device can therefore not be arranged on the top of a shingled stream in which the leading edges of the products lie at the top, as is normally the case with printed products.

Der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt nun die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Zähleinrichtung der eingangs genannten Art zu schaffen, die in der Lage ist, Erzeugnisse unterschiedlicher Dicke, insbesondere auch dünne Einzelblätter, einwandfrei zu zählen, und zwar auch dann, wenn diese Erzeugnisse mit grosser Geschwindigkeit und geringem gegenseitigem Abstand vorbeibewegt werden.The present invention has for its object to provide a counting device of the type mentioned, which is able to properly count products of different thicknesses, especially thin single sheets, even if these products with high speed and low mutual distance can be moved past.

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäss durch die Merkmale des kennzeichnenden Teils des Anspruches 1 gelöst.According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

Der Fühler wird jeweils durch das an ihm angreifende Erzeugnis nicht nur in der Bewegungsrichtung dieses Erzeugnisses ausgelenkt, sondern auch nach oben abgedrängt. Dadurch kann sich der Fühler von der vorlaufenden Kante des Erzeugnisses lösen und wieder in seine Ausgangsstellung zurückfedern, in der er zur Erfassung des nächsten Erzeugnisses bereit ist. Dadurch, dass das Anheben des Fühlers gegen die Wirkung von federelastischen Kräften erfolgt, bleibt der Fühler mit den Erzeugnissen in Berührung, so dass ein Abspringen von den Erzeugnissen oder gar ein Ueberspringen der vorlaufenden Kante eines Erzeugnisses vermieden wird.The sensor is deflected by the product attacking it not only in the direction of movement of this product, but also pushed upwards. This allows the sensor to detach itself from the leading edge of the product and spring back into its starting position, in which it is ready for the detection of the next product. Because the sensor is raised against the action of resilient forces, the sensor remains in contact with the products, so that jumping off the products or even jumping over the leading edge of a product is avoided.

Wird der Fühler als Blattfeder ausgebildet, welche mit einem ebenfalls durch eine Blattfeder gebildeten Träger verbunden ist, der quer zur Ebene der Erzeugnisse auslenkbar ist, so wird eine besonders trägheitsarme Lösung erhalten. Vorzugsweise wird der Fühler und der Halter einstückig ausgebildet, wobei Fühler und Halter zusammen einen L-förmigen Bauteil bilden.If the sensor is designed as a leaf spring, which is connected to a support which is likewise formed by a leaf spring and which can be deflected transversely to the plane of the products, a particularly low-inertia solution is obtained. The sensor and the holder are preferably formed in one piece, the sensor and holder together forming an L-shaped component.

Im Folgenden wird anhand der Zeichnung ein Ausführungsbeispiel des Erfindungsgegenstandes näher erläutert. Es zeigt rein schematisch und in Seitenansicht:

  • Figur 1 eine Zähleinrichtung, und
  • Figur 2 im gegenüber Figur 1 vergrössertem Massstab den vordern Teil der Zähleinrichtung gemäss Figur 1.
An exemplary embodiment of the subject matter of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. It shows purely schematically and in side view:
  • Figure 1 is a counter, and
  • FIG. 2 on an enlarged scale compared to FIG. 1, the front part of the counting device according to FIG. 1.

In den Figuren 1 und 2 ist nur schematisch ein Bandförderer 1 dargestellt, der eine Förderbahn für in Schuppenformation 2 anfallende Druckprodukte 3 bildet und diese Druckprodukte 3 in Richtung des Pfeiles A bewegt. Die Druckprodukte 3 liegen dachziegelartig aufeinander, wobei die vorlaufende Kante 3a der Druckprodukte 3 frei liegt.In Figures 1 and 2 is a conveyor belt only schematically rer 1 shown, which forms a conveyor track for accumulating in scale formation 2 print products 3 and this print products 3 in the direction of arrow A. The printed products 3 lie on top of one another like roof tiles, the leading edge 3a of the printed products 3 being exposed.

Oberhalb des Produktestromes 2 ist ein allgemein mit 4 bezeichneter Zähler angeordnet. Dieser weist ein Abstützelement 5 auf, das durch ein Federblatt gebildet ist. Dieses Abstützelement 5 ist mit einer Klemmvorrichtung 6 verbunden, mit welcher das Abstützelement 5 auf einem Bolzen 7 einer ortsfesten Halterung 8 festgeklemmt ist. Das freie Ende 5a des Abstützelementes 5 ist in der Art einer Kufe abgebogen und liegt auf den Druckprodukten 3 auf. Am Abstützelement 5 sind zwei Halteelemente 9 und 10 befestigt, die mittels eines Verbindungselementes 11 miteinander verbunden sind. Am Halteelement 9 ist mittels einer Schraubverbindung 12 ein L-förmiges Federelement 13 befestigt, das in seiner Ruhestellung mit seinem einen Schenkel 14 am Verbindungselement 11 und mit dem andern Schenkel 15 am Halteelement 10 anliegt, wie das die Figur 1 zeigt. Der Schenkel 15 des Federelementes 13 steht mit seinem Ende 15a über das Halteelement 10 und das Abstützelement 5 vor und dient als Fühler zum Feststellen der einzelnen am Zähler 4 vorbeibewegten Druckprodukte 3. Der in der Art einer einseitig eingespannten Blattfeder wirkende Schenkel 14 des Federelementes 13 dient als Träger des Fühlers 15, der ebenfalls in der Art einer Blattfeder ausgebildet ist.A counter, generally designated 4, is arranged above the product stream 2. This has a support element 5, which is formed by a spring leaf. This support element 5 is connected to a clamping device 6, with which the support element 5 is clamped on a bolt 7 of a stationary holder 8. The free end 5a of the support element 5 is bent in the manner of a runner and rests on the printed products 3. Two holding elements 9 and 10 are fastened to the supporting element 5 and are connected to one another by means of a connecting element 11. An L-shaped spring element 13 is fastened to the holding element 9 by means of a screw connection 12, which in its rest position rests with its one leg 14 on the connecting element 11 and with the other leg 15 on the holding element 10, as shown in FIG. 1. The leg 15 of the spring element 13 protrudes with its end 15a over the holding element 10 and the support element 5 and serves as a sensor for determining the individual printed products 3 moving past the counter 4 as a carrier of the sensor 15, which is also designed in the manner of a leaf spring.

Im Halteelement 10 ist ein induktiver Näherungsschalter 16 gehalten, der von bekannter Bauart ist. Die auf noch zu beschreibende Weise durch diesen Näherungsschalter 16 erzeugten Impulse werden über ein Verbindungskabel 17 einem nicht näher dargestellten Zählwerk zugeführt, das ebenfalls bekannter Bauart ist.An inductive proximity switch 16, which is of a known type, is held in the holding element 10. The pulses generated by this proximity switch 16 in a manner yet to be described are transmitted via a connecting cable 17 Counter not shown supplied, which is also a known type.

Die Wirkungsweise des Zählers 4 ist wie folgt:

  • Die am Zähler 4 in Richtung des Pfeiles A vorbeibewegten Druckprodukte 3 stossen mit ihrer vorlaufenden Kante 3a am Ende 15a des Fühlers an, wie das in den Figuren anhand des mit 3' bezeichneten Produktes dargestellt ist. Dieses Ende 15a des Fühlers 15, das in Ruhestellung des letzteren etwa rechtwinklig zur Ebene der Produkte 3 steht, wird durch das an ihm angreifende Druckprodukt 3' mitgenommen, was eine Auslenkung des Fühlers 15 in Bewegungsrichtung A der Druckprodukte 3 zur Folge hat, wie das aus Figur 2 hervorgeht. Dabei verkleinert sich der Winkel α zwischen dem Fühlerende 15a und der Ebene des Produktes 3, d.h. dieser WinkelJ: wird kleiner als 900. Auf den Fühler 15 wirkt somit nun eine nach oben gerichtete Kraftkomponente, durch welche der Fühler 15 nach oben angehoben wird. Da der Fühler 15 mit einem Träger 14 verbunden ist, der quer zur Ebene der Druckprodukte 3, d.h. in Richtung des Pfeiles B, elastisch auslenkbar ist, wird der Träger 14 bei diesem Anheben des Fühlers 15 ausgebogen. Nach Zurücklegung eines bestimmten Auslenkweges löst sich der Fühler 15 von der Vorderkante 3a des Druckproduktes 3' und federt infolge seiner federelastischen Eigenschaften in seine Ausgangslage zurück, in der er am Halteelement 10 anliegt. In Figur 2 ist gestrichelt der Fühler 15 und der Träger 14 während dieses Zurückfederns dargestellt. Bei der Annäherung des metallischen Fühlers 15 an den induktiven Näherungsschalter 16 erzeugt dieser ein Zählsignal, das über das Verbindungskabel 17 dem Zählwerk zur Verarbeitung zugeführt wird. Der sich in seiner Ausgangsstellung befindliche Fühler 15 ist nun zur Zählung des nächsten Druckproudktes 3 bereit, durch welches er auf die beschriebene Weise erneut ausgelenkt wird.
The operation of counter 4 is as follows:
  • The printed products 3 moved past the counter 4 in the direction of the arrow A abut with their leading edge 3a at the end 15a of the sensor, as is shown in the figures with the product denoted by 3 '. This end 15a of the sensor 15, which in the rest position of the latter is approximately at right angles to the level of the products 3, is taken along by the printed product 3 'engaging on it, which results in a deflection of the sensor 15 in the direction of movement A of the printed products 3, such as that emerges from Figure 2. The angle α between the sensor end 15a and the plane of the product 3 decreases, ie this angle J: becomes smaller than 900. The sensor 15 is now acted upon by an upward force component, by means of which the sensor 15 is raised upwards. Since the sensor 15 is connected to a support 14 which can be deflected elastically transversely to the plane of the printed products 3, ie in the direction of the arrow B, the support 14 is bent out when the sensor 15 is lifted. After covering a certain deflection path, the sensor 15 detaches itself from the front edge 3a of the printed product 3 'and springs back into its starting position due to its resilient properties, in which it rests on the holding element 10. In Figure 2, the sensor 15 and the carrier 14 is shown in dashed lines during this spring back. When the metallic sensor 15 approaches the inductive proximity switch 16, the latter generates a counting signal which is fed to the counter for processing via the connecting cable 17. The sensor 15 in its starting position is now ready to count the next printing product 3, by means of which it is deflected again in the manner described.

Da der Fühler 15 während seiner Auslenkung entgegen der Federwirkung des Trägers 14 angehoben wird, bleibt der Fühler 15 auch während seines Lösens vom Druckprodukt 3' mit diesem Produkt 3' in Berührung. Ein Abspringen des Fühlers 15 von den Produkten 3 oder gar ein Ueberspringen der vorlaufenden Kante 3a des nächstfolgenden Produktes 3 wird auf diese Weise wirkungsvoll vermieden. Aus diesem Grunde ist es möglich, mit dem beschriebenen Zähler 4 sowohl dicke wie auch dünne Produkte, d.h. auch Einzelblätter, einwandfrei zu zählen.Since the sensor 15 is raised during its deflection against the spring action of the carrier 14, the sensor 15 remains in contact with this product 3 'even when it is released from the printed product 3'. A jumping off of the sensor 15 from the products 3 or even a jumping over of the leading edge 3a of the next product 3 is effectively avoided in this way. For this reason it is possible to use the counter 4 described both thick and thin products, i.e. also single sheets, count properly.

Infolge der federelastischen Eigenschaften des Abstützelementes 5 kann dessen vorderes Ende 5a der Kontur des Schuppenstromes 2 folgen, ohne dass die Druckprodukte 3 beschädigt werden. Zudem verhindert dieses mit einem gewissen Druck auf den Druckprodukten 3 aufliegende Abstützelement 5 ein Ausbiegen des an den Fühler 15 anstossenden Druckproduktes 3'. Mittels der Klemmvorrichtung 6 kann die Neigung des Abstützelementes 5 der Dicke der Druckprodukte 3 und dem gewünschten Auflagedruck entsprechend eingestellt werden.As a result of the resilient properties of the support element 5, its front end 5a can follow the contour of the scale stream 2 without the printed products 3 being damaged. In addition, this supporting element 5, which rests on the printed products 3 with a certain pressure, prevents the printed product 3 ′ which bumps against the sensor 15 from bending out. By means of the clamping device 6, the inclination of the support element 5 can be adjusted according to the thickness of the printed products 3 and the desired contact pressure.

Dadurch, dass der Träger 14 und der Fühler 15 aus Blattfedern und miteinander einstückig ausgebildet sind, wird eine besonders einfache und trägheitsarme Konstruktion erhalten. Unter Umständen kann es von Vorteil sein, den Fühler 15 und/oder den Träger 14 zu dämpfen. Dies kann auf einfache Weise durch Aufkleben eines geeigneten Werkstoffes, z.B. eines Schaumkunststoffes, auf den Fühler 15 bzw. den Träger 14 erfolgen.Due to the fact that the carrier 14 and the sensor 15 are made of leaf springs and in one piece with one another, a particularly simple and low-inertia construction is obtained. Under certain circumstances it may be advantageous to dampen the sensor 15 and / or the carrier 14. This can easily be done by gluing on a suitable material, e.g. a foam plastic, on the sensor 15 or the carrier 14.

Es ist denkbar, den Träger 14 anders als wie gezeigt auszubilden, um den Finger 15 in Richtung des Pfeiles B elastisch bewegbar zu halten. Solche Lösungen hätten jedoch gegenüber der gezeigten Ausführungsform den Nachteil einer aufwendigeren Konstruktion, die unter Umständen auch eine grössere Trägheit aufweist, was an sich nicht erwünscht ist.It is conceivable to design the carrier 14 differently than shown in order to keep the finger 15 elastically movable in the direction of the arrow B. However, compared to the embodiment shown, such solutions would have the disadvantage of a more complex construction, which under certain circumstances also has a greater inertia, which in itself is not desirable.

Anstelle des Abstützelementes 5 kann auch eine anders ausgebildete Abstützung für den Zähler 4 auf den Druckprodukten 3 verwendet werden. In gewissen Fällen ist es sogar möglich, auf eine solche Abstützung des Zählers 14 überhaupt zu verzichten und diesen fest oberhalb des Produktestromes 2 anzuordnen. Eine derartige Lösung verlangt jedoch eine Höhenanpassung des Zählers 4, falls sich die Dicke der zu zählenden Produkte ändert.Instead of the support element 5, a differently designed support for the counter 4 on the printed products 3 can also be used. In certain cases it is even possible to dispense with supporting the counter 14 at all and to arrange it firmly above the product stream 2. However, such a solution requires a height adjustment of the counter 4 if the thickness of the products to be counted changes.

Es versteht sich, dass mit dem beschriebenen Zähler 4 auch andere flächige Erzeugnisse als Druckprodukte gezählt werden können. Im weitern ist es nicht unbedingt erforderlich, dass die zu zählenden Produkte in Schuppenformation 2 am Zähler 4 vorbeigeführt werden.It goes without saying that with the counter 4 described, other flat products can also be counted as printed products. Furthermore, it is not absolutely necessary for the products to be counted to be passed past counter 4 in scale formation 2.

Claims (9)

1. Zähleinrichtung zum Zählen von vorzugsweise in Schuppenformation längs einer Förderbahn bewegten flächigen Erzeugnissen, insbesondere Druckprodukten, mit einem in Förderrichtung der Erzeugnisse durch deren vorlaufendes Ende elastisch auslenkbaren Fühler, der mit einem auf dessen Auslenkung ansprechenden elektrischen Signalgeber zusammenwirkt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Fühler (15) jeweils durch das ihn auslenkende Erzeugnis (3') quer zu dessen Ebene elastisch zurückdrängbar ist.1.Counting device for counting flat products, in particular printed products, which preferably move in a scale formation along a conveyor path, with a sensor which can be deflected elastically in the direction of conveyance of the products by its leading end and which interacts with an electrical signal transmitter which responds to its deflection, characterized in that the sensor (15) can be elastically pushed back transversely to its plane by the product (3 ') which deflects it. 2. Zähleinrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Fühler (15) an einem Träger (14) abgestützt ist, der als in Querrichtung (B) zur Ebene der Erzeugnisse (3) auslenkbare Biegefeder ausgebildet ist.2. Counting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (15) is supported on a support (14) which is designed as a bending spring deflectable in the transverse direction (B) to the level of the products (3). 3. Zähleinrichtung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Träger (14) als einseitig eingespannte Blattfeder ausgebildet ist.3. Counting device according to claim 2, characterized in that the carrier (14) is designed as a leaf spring clamped on one side. 4. Zähleinrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Fühler (15) als Blattfeder ausgebildet ist.4. Counting device according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the sensor (15) is designed as a leaf spring. 5. Zähleinrichtung nach den Ansprüchen 3 und 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Fühler (15) und der Träger (14) je einen Schenkel eines L-förmigen Federelementes (13) bilden.5. Counting device according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the sensor (15) and the carrier (14) each form a leg of an L-shaped spring element (13). 6. Zähleinrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Fühler (15) und der Signalgeber (16) mit einer Abstützeinrichtung (5) verbunden sind, welche auf den Erzeugnissen (3) zur Auflage kommt.6. Counting device according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the sensor (15) and the signal transmitter (16) are connected to a support device (5) which comes to rest on the products (3). 7. Zähleinrichtung nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Abstützeinrichtung ein an seinem einen Ende eingespanntes Federelement (5) aufweist, das im Bereich des andern Endes auf den Erzeugnissen (3) zur Auflage kommt.7. Counting device according to claim 6, characterized in that the supporting device has a spring element (5) clamped at one end which comes to rest on the products (3) in the region of the other end. 8. Zähleinrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Signalgeber (16) als induktiver Näherungsschalter ausgebildet ist.8. Counting device according to one of claims 1-7, characterized in that the signal transmitter (16) is designed as an inductive proximity switch. 9. Zähleinrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 - 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Fühler (15) derart ausgebildet bzw. angeordnet ist, dass der Winkel (α) zwischen dem durch ein Erzeugnis (3) erfassten Ende (15a) des ausgelenkten Fühlers (15) und der Ebene dieses Erzeugnisses (3) kleiner als 900 ist.9. Counting device according to one of claims 1-8, characterized in that the sensor (15) is designed or arranged such that the angle (α) between the end (15a) of a product (3) of the deflected sensor ( 15) and the level of this product (3) is less than 90 0 .
EP82110147A 1981-11-10 1982-11-04 Device for counting flat products moving over a conveyor path Expired - Lifetime EP0080089B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT82110147T ATE30276T1 (en) 1981-11-10 1982-11-04 COUNTING DEVICE FOR COUNTING FLAT PRODUCTS MOVED ALONG A CONVEYOR.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH7203/81 1981-11-10
CH7203/81A CH652993A5 (en) 1981-11-10 1981-11-10 COUNTING DEVICE FOR NUMBERING LENGTHS OF A FLAT MOVING PRODUCTS.

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0080089A1 true EP0080089A1 (en) 1983-06-01
EP0080089B1 EP0080089B1 (en) 1987-10-14
EP0080089B2 EP0080089B2 (en) 1992-01-08

Family

ID=4321481

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP82110147A Expired - Lifetime EP0080089B2 (en) 1981-11-10 1982-11-04 Device for counting flat products moving over a conveyor path

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US4539470A (en)
EP (1) EP0080089B2 (en)
JP (1) JPS5887684A (en)
AT (1) ATE30276T1 (en)
CH (1) CH652993A5 (en)
DE (1) DE3277474D1 (en)

Cited By (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2165676A (en) * 1984-10-12 1986-04-16 Bobst Sa Device for counting flat objects
AU599655B2 (en) * 1986-06-20 1990-07-26 Eds Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for detecting and counting articles
FR2648935A1 (en) * 1989-06-23 1990-12-28 Tokai Carbon Kk DEVICE FOR COUNTING SMALL PROJECTIONS OR DEPRESSIONS ON SURFACES OF OBJECTS

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US4974237A (en) * 1989-03-13 1990-11-27 Hall Processing Systems Contact type paper counter
US5084906A (en) * 1989-07-10 1992-01-28 Ferag Ag Process and apparatus for counting printed products
DE4125450C2 (en) * 1991-08-01 1995-08-10 Kodak Ag Device for determining the thickness of sheets of paper
EP0886842A4 (en) * 1996-03-12 2001-01-03 Tecnetics Ind Inc Apparatus and method for detecting sizing or gradation changes on a conveyer
EP1018704B1 (en) * 1999-01-05 2007-09-12 Ferag AG Detecting device
CN112140721A (en) * 2020-09-27 2020-12-29 湖北泰友纸业有限公司 Printing quantity self-adjusting counting system for corrugated board printing

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CH600446A5 (en) * 1976-10-28 1978-06-15 Ferag Ag
DE2446184B2 (en) * 1974-09-27 1979-04-19 Guenther Dr.-Ing. 4793 Bueren Schick Scanning device for counting material transported like scales

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CH382477A (en) * 1961-03-30 1964-09-30 Ferag Ag Counting device
DE1807665A1 (en) * 1968-06-19 1970-02-19 Palmer Charles Guy Scanning device for discontinuities
DE2446184B2 (en) * 1974-09-27 1979-04-19 Guenther Dr.-Ing. 4793 Bueren Schick Scanning device for counting material transported like scales
CH600446A5 (en) * 1976-10-28 1978-06-15 Ferag Ag

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2165676A (en) * 1984-10-12 1986-04-16 Bobst Sa Device for counting flat objects
FR2571874A1 (en) * 1984-10-12 1986-04-18 Bobst Sa COUNTING METHOD AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE METHOD
GB2165676B (en) * 1984-10-12 1989-05-24 Bobst Sa Device for counting flat objects
AU599655B2 (en) * 1986-06-20 1990-07-26 Eds Technologies, Inc. Method and apparatus for detecting and counting articles
FR2648935A1 (en) * 1989-06-23 1990-12-28 Tokai Carbon Kk DEVICE FOR COUNTING SMALL PROJECTIONS OR DEPRESSIONS ON SURFACES OF OBJECTS

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0080089B2 (en) 1992-01-08
DE3277474D1 (en) 1987-11-19
EP0080089B1 (en) 1987-10-14
JPS5887684A (en) 1983-05-25
JPH0445876B2 (en) 1992-07-28
ATE30276T1 (en) 1987-10-15
CH652993A5 (en) 1985-12-13
US4539470A (en) 1985-09-03

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