JP2000309306A - Egg sucking device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an egg sucking device for increasing the processing capacity. SOLUTION: An egg sucking device 13 used for sucking chicken eggs E carried all together on one site and transferring them to a second site different from the first site is provided with a plurality of sucking units 13a and 13b for sucking a given plurality of numbers of eggs E, and the first state of arranging the sucking units 13a and 13b in one line along the given direction and can be changed over to the second state of arranging the sucking units 13a and 13b in a plurality of lines along the given direction or vice versa.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of adsorbing eggs gathered in a first location and a second different from the first location.
The present invention relates to an egg adsorbing device for transferring to an area.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a prior art of such an egg adsorbing apparatus, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-11826. This egg suction device is used in an automatic egg packaging device, which absorbs the egg transported by the transport device, transfers the egg to a packaging container transported by the packaging device, and stores it. The egg suction device is composed of five suction units arranged in a single row, and the spacing between the suction units is adjusted so that it can correspond to the transport pitch of the transported packaging containers and the size of the packaging containers. Make changes possible. Further, it is possible to adsorb 2 × 6 = 12 eggs with one adsorption unit, which corresponds to a standard packaging container.

[0003]

However, the egg adsorbing apparatus having the above-mentioned structure has a limit in the processing capacity (the number of eggs that can be processed per unit time), and an improvement has been desired. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an egg adsorbing apparatus capable of increasing the processing capacity.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an egg adsorbing apparatus for adsorbing eggs gathered at a first location and a second egg different from the first location. A first state in which a plurality of suction units capable of sucking a predetermined number of eggs are provided, and the suction units are arranged in a single row along a predetermined direction;
The suction unit is configured to be switchable between a second state in which the suction units are arranged in multiple rows along the predetermined direction.

[0005] By using the egg adsorbing apparatus having the above-described configuration, the eggs (one egg) can be transferred from the conveying apparatus to the packaging apparatus as in the prior art.
It is an example. ), The suction unit is set to the first state when the eggs are sucked from the transport device, and the suction units are moved to the second state when the eggs are transferred to the packaging device, that is, in a double row (two or more rows). ). Therefore, it is possible to provide at least two rows of packing devices and transfer the two rows at a time. In other words, transfer could only be performed to one row of packaging apparatus in the past, but transfer can be performed to two or more rows of packaging apparatuses. As a result, egg adsorption that can increase the processing capacity Equipment could be provided.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first
Among the suction units arranged in a single row in the state, the suction units of the first group continuously arranged and the suction units of the remaining second group are arranged in a double row in the second state. There is one that switches.

According to this configuration, when switching to the double row in the second state, the first group is arranged continuously and the remaining second group (which is also continuous). The switching mechanism can be simplified by configuring the switching mechanism. The reason for this is that it is necessary to provide a branch pipe for vacuum suction in order to perform egg suction, and to prevent problems such as entanglement of a large number of arranged branch pipes when the switching mechanism operates. is there.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the suction unit is provided with a large number of suckers for sucking eggs, and the interval between the suckers can be changed.

[0009] There are various types of packaging containers for transferring the adsorbed eggs, and the accommodation pitch of the eggs in the packaging containers also varies. Therefore, by making the interval between the suction cups changeable as in the above configuration, it is possible to cope with various types of packaging containers.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The egg adsorption apparatus according to the present invention and an automatic chicken egg sorting apparatus using the egg adsorption apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of an automatic egg sorting apparatus using an egg transporting apparatus. This device includes an egg washing unit 1, a drying unit 2, a direction alignment unit 3,
Egg inspection unit 4, weighing unit 5, first single-row transport unit 6, second single-row transport unit 7, egg transport device 8, pack transport unit 9, tray transport unit 1.
0, a pack supply unit 11, a tray supply unit 12, a chicken egg suction head 13 (corresponding to the egg suction device of the present invention), and a defective egg collection unit 14.

The eggs (equivalent to eggs) fed from the poultry house or the like are washed while being transported while being mounted on the conveyor in the egg washing section 1, and then are fed into the drying section 2 and are also mounted on the conveyor. It is dried while being transported in the state. After passing through the drying unit 2, the eggs are fed into the direction alignment unit 3 and are aligned so as to face the same direction as the acute end side and the blunt end side of the eggs. In the egg inspection unit 4, the egg E is photographed by a television camera, and defective eggs such as cracked eggs and blood eggs are automatically detected by a method such as image processing. In the direction alignment section 3, the eggs E
Is transported in a state of 12 rows, but in the egg inspection section 4, the first row of 6 rows
It is branched into a transport line 4a and six rows of second transport lines 4b. A measuring section 5 is provided at the most downstream of each of the lines 4a and 4b. The weighing data in the weighing section 5 is sent to the control device 15, and automatic sorting is performed by a computer. The sorting is, for example, classified into M class, S class, etc. according to the agricultural and forestry standards.

After passing through the first measuring section 5a, the eggs E are transported in a single row by the first single row transport section 6. After passing through the second weighing section 5b, the eggs E are transported in a single row by the second single row transport section 7. Here, the first single-row transport unit 6
Is set at a position where the height is higher than that of the second single-row transport unit 7. Eight egg transport devices 8 are provided so as to be orthogonal to the transport lines of the single-row transport units 6 and 7. As will be described in detail later, the egg transport device 8 is a charger 2 that can accommodate the eggs E released from the single row transport units 6 and 7.
0 (corresponding to a storage container) can be circulated and conveyed along the circulation path. The eight egg transporting devices 8 are provided for sorting according to grades. For example, the egg transporting device 8 that receives only the M-class egg E, the egg transporting device 8 that receives only the L-class chicken E,・ ・ I use them properly. In FIG. 1, for convenience of illustration, the charger 20 is 1
Although only a single piece is shown, a large number of pieces are actually circulated and transported in each egg transport device 8.

Between the egg transporting devices 8, two rows of pack transporting sections 9 and two rows of tray transporting sections 10 are provided. In the pack transport section 9, packaging containers called packs are sequentially sent out from the pack supply section 11. The tray transport section 10
Packaging containers called trays are sequentially sent out from the tray supply unit 11.

The egg suction head 13 transfers a predetermined number of eggs E charged in the egg transporting device 8 to the pack transporting section 9.
Or a tray of the tray transport unit 10. The chicken egg suction head 13 has a number of suction cups, can slide along a guide rail 16, and is provided with a suction air source 17 for driving.

A collection line for the defective egg collection unit 14 and a collection container supply unit 18 are provided so as to be orthogonal to the single-row conveyance units 6 and 7. The egg E detected as a defective egg in the egg inspection unit 4 is collected in this part.

<Structure of Egg Suction Head> Next, FIG.
The configuration of the egg suction head 13 will be described with reference to FIG. This chicken egg suction head 13 has ten suction units 13a and 13b capable of sucking a maximum of 2 × 6 = 12 chicken eggs E arranged in a single row. It can be divided into three suction units 13a and five continuous suction units 13b belonging to the remaining second group.

A first frame (not shown) for supporting the first group of suction units 13a and a second frame (not shown) for supporting the second group of suction units 13b are provided. Further, the first frame and the second
An overall frame (not shown) for supporting the frames is provided. As shown in FIG. 2, the entire frame includes a lateral movement pinion 21, a first lateral movement rack 22a attached to the first frame, and a second lateral movement rack 22b attached to the second frame. .

The suction unit 13a located in the middle of the first group is provided with a first vertical movement pinion 23a, which comprises a large diameter pinion and a small diameter pinion. The vertical moving rack 24a,
25a are engaged with each other and attached to the second and fourth suction units 13a from the top in FIG. 2A, respectively. The vertical moving racks 26a and 27a
And are attached to the first and fifth suction units 13a from the top, respectively. The ratio of the number of teeth between the large-diameter pinion and the small-diameter pinion of the first vertical movement pinion 23a is set to 2: 1.

Similarly, the suction unit 13b located at the center of the second group is provided with a second vertical movement pinion 23.
b is provided and is composed of a large-diameter pinion and a small-diameter pinion. Vertical movement rack 2 for small diameter pinion
4b and 25b are engaged with each other, and are attached to the second and fourth suction units 13b from the bottom in FIG. 2A, respectively. The vertical moving rack 26b,
27b are engaged with each other and attached to the first and fifth suction units 13b from the bottom, respectively. Also,
The ratio of the number of teeth between the large-diameter pinion and the small-diameter pinion of the second vertical movement pinion 23b is set to 2: 1.

FIG. 2B shows a state in which exactly 20 chargers 20 are waiting in the egg carrier 8 (first place). In the charger 20, six eggs E are stored in one row at the maximum. Chicken egg suction head 13
One of the suction units 13a and 13b corresponds to two chargers 20.

<Structure of suction cup drive section> Next, the structure of the suction cup drive section will be described with reference to FIGS. Sucker drive part is sucker 3
This is for changing the interval between zeros. When the eggs E are stored in the pack or the tray, the storage pitch varies depending on the type of the container. Therefore, by making the interval of the suction cups 30 changeable, the operation of storing (packing) in a pack or a tray can be performed without any trouble.

As shown in FIG. 3, there are provided a pinion 460 provided at the upper center of the base plate 40, an upper rack member 461 meshing with the pinion 460, and a lower rack member 462. The upper rack member 461 is
A rack gear 461 a meshing with the pinion 460, a base end 461 b fixed to the fixed shaft 45, an engagement pin 461 c engaging with an oval guide groove 462 d formed in the lower rack member 462, and a lower rack member 462. An oval guide groove 461d for guiding the provided engagement pin 462c is provided. Similarly, the lower rack member 462 includes a rack gear 462a and a base end 462b. In the middle of the pinion 460, a square pipe 4
63 penetrates. The square pipe 463 is provided so as to penetrate the suction unit 13a (13b), and a pinion drive motor is provided at an end thereof (not shown).

In FIG. 3, when the pinion gear 460 is rotated counterclockwise, the upper rack member 461 is symmetrically translated from right to left in FIG. 3, and the lower rack portion 462 is symmetrically translated from left to right in FIG. Thereby, the pantograph 44
(See FIG. 4) is driven in the contracting direction. Due to the configuration of the engagement pin and the guide groove, upper and lower rack portions 461 and 462 are provided.
Is driven smoothly. As the pantograph 44 shrinks, the moving plates 42 at both ends are moved so as to be moved inward, and the moving plate 43 on the inside is also moved inward in conjunction with the movement.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the base plate 40, the movable plates 42 and 43, and the pantograph 44 are overlaid. The base plate 40 is shown by a dashed line in FIG. 4 and has inclined guide holes 40a, 40b, and 40c formed therein, and a branch pipe 57 connected to the suction cup 30 is fitted therein, and these guide holes 40a, 40b, It is possible to move the suction cup 30 along 40c. Guide holes 42a, 43a are also formed in the moving plates 42, 43.

FIG. 4A shows a state in which the distance between the suction cups 30 is the largest. FIG. 4B shows a state in which the interval between the suction cups 30 is the narrowest. Of course, FIG.
An intermediate position of (b) can be taken. For example, an encoder (not shown) that rotates in conjunction with a pinion drive motor is provided, and the amount of rotation of the pinion 460 is controlled by detecting the position of a slit hole formed in the encoder using an optical sensor. be able to. As described above, even if the interval between the suction cups 30 is changed, the operation of the branch pipe 57 is not hindered because the branch pipe 57 has flexibility.

<Description of Operation> Next, the operation of the egg adsorption apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view, and FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a pack transport section (corresponding to a second location) to which the eggs E are to be transferred. First, when the laterally moving pinion 21 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 5, the first laterally moving rack 22a moves to the left and the second laterally moving rack 22b moves to the right. Thus, the five suction units 13a of the first group move to the left collectively, and the suction units 13b of the second group move to the right collectively. FIG. 5A shows the state of the completion of the movement.

Next, the first vertical pinion 23a and the second vertical pinion 23b are each rotated clockwise. Thereby, the suction units 13a of the first and second groups,
13b is changed from a state of being in close contact to a state of being separated by a predetermined distance. FIG. 6 shows a plan view of the pack transport unit 9. The packs 19 are transported at a predetermined pitch from the pack supply unit 11.
The interval between the suction units 13a and 13b is changed. The pack 19 includes a chicken egg storage section 19a and a lid 19b, and is transported with the lid 19b opened. The egg E adsorbed from the charger 20 is transferred to the pack 19 by the egg adsorption head 13. Eggs E adsorbed on the adsorption unit 13a of the first group
The chicken eggs E adsorbed on the pack transport unit 9 on the left side of FIG. 6 and the chicken eggs E adsorbed on the suction units 13b of the second group are transferred to the pack transport unit 9 on the right side of FIG.

As shown in FIG.
A state in which a and 13b are arranged in one row is defined as a first state, and a state in which two rows (multiple rows) are arranged as in FIGS. 5A and 5B is defined as a second state. In this way, by switching to the double row, the processing capacity of the eggs E (capability of packing the eggs E per unit time) can be increased as compared with the conventional case.

<Another Embodiment> FIG. 7 shows an egg adsorption apparatus according to another embodiment. FIG. 7A shows a first state, in which a single group of suction units 13a and 13b constitutes a first group and a second group, and the second state is shown in FIG. 7B. In the present embodiment, the data is divided into the first and second groups. However, the data may be further divided into three or more groups.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the present embodiment, the egg washing unit 1, the drying unit 2, the direction alignment unit 3, and the egg inspection unit 4 are arranged side by side on the right side of the figure, but the invention is not limited to this. Instead, they may be arranged side by side in the vertical direction so as to be parallel to the egg carrier 8.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing the entire automatic egg sorting apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a chicken egg suction head.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an internal structure of the suction unit.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a suction driving unit.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an egg adsorption device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a pack transport unit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a chicken egg suction head according to another embodiment.

[Description of Signs] 8 Egg transporter 9 Pack transporter 13 Chicken egg suction head (egg suction device) 30 Suckers 13a, 13b Suction unit E Chicken egg

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 3E054 AA09 CA08 DC02 DC13 EA02 FA05 FA07 GA01 GA06 GB01 GB02 GC02 GC03 3F061 AA03 CA01 CB03 CC00 DB00 DB03 3F072 AA11 GB06 GB10 GC03 GD01 GE03 GG04 HA05 KD03 KD13 KD22KD27

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An egg adsorbing device for adsorbing eggs collected at a first location and transferring the eggs to a second location different from the first location, wherein a predetermined number of eggs can be attracted. A first state in which all the suction units are arranged in a single row along a predetermined direction, and a second state in which a plurality of suction units are arranged in a plurality of rows along the predetermined direction.
An egg adsorption device characterized by being configured to be switchable between a state and a state. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein, among the suction units arranged in a single row in the first state, the suction units of the first group and the suction units of the remaining second group are continuously arranged. 2. The egg adsorption device according to claim 1, wherein switching is performed in a double row in the second state. 3. The egg suction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the suction unit is provided with a plurality of suction cups for sucking eggs, and is configured to be able to change an interval between the suction cups. apparatus.