JP2005219863A - Sorting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sorting device 12 capable of simplifying wiring between a main control part 41 and a branched control part 42 and performing stable branching operation without affected by conveyance speed of a sorting conveyor 21. <P>SOLUTION: This sorting conveyor 21 is provided with a conveyance belt for loading and conveying an article and a plurality of shoes moving in the direction crossing the conveyance belt for the direction F of conveyance. A shoe detection part 47 and a change-over driving part 48 are provided at each branch position 13, 14 of the sorting conveyor 21. A first connection wire 43 connected with the main control part 41 is wired with the sorting conveyor 21, each branched control part 42 is connected with the first connection wire 43 at each branch position 13, 14, and the shoe detection part 47 and the change-over driving part 48 are connected with each branched control part 42. Consequently, wiring between the main control part 41 and the branched control part 42 at each branch position 13, 14 can be simplified. The branched driving part 48 is changed over and controlled based on detection of shoe by the shoe detection part 47 connected with the branched control part 42 by a branch command from the main control part 41 to perform stable branch operation without affected by conveyance speed of the sorting conveyor 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sorting apparatus that transports articles in a transport direction and selectively branches and sorts articles from a predetermined branch position.

  Conventionally, in this type of sorting apparatus, an endless transport band configured by arranging a plurality of supports such as carrier rollers and slats in parallel between endless chains on both sides, and each support of the transport band It has a shoe that is attached to the body so as to be movable in a direction crossing the conveyance direction, and rotates the conveyance band to convey the article placed on the conveyance band in the conveyance direction. A sorting conveyor is used in which the shoe moves in the sorting direction by switching the moving direction of the shoe from the conveying direction to the sorting direction at each branching position that selectively branches (for example, a patent) References 1 and 2).

  At each branch position, a shoe detection unit that detects a shoe that reaches each branch position, and switches the movement direction of the extruded body that reaches each branch position based on detection by the shoe detection unit between a conveyance direction and a sorting direction. A switching drive unit having a cylinder and an electromagnetic valve for switching the operation of the air cylinder, and a branch guide rail for guiding the shoe switched in the sorting direction by the switching drive unit in the sorting direction are disposed.

  The sorting apparatus is centrally controlled by a control unit, and an encoder that outputs a pulse corresponding to the amount of revolving movement of the transport band is connected to the control unit, as well as a shoe detection unit and a switching drive at each branch position. The parts are connected by connecting lines wired along the branch conveyor.

Then, the control unit grasps the conveyance position of the article sent onto the conveyance band based on the number of pulses output from the encoder by the circulation of the conveyance band, and when the article reaches a predetermined branch position, the branch position The switch drive unit is operated in accordance with the timing at which the shoe detection unit detects the passage of the shoe, the shoe is moved in the sorting direction, and the articles are branched and sorted.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-193437 (page 2-3, FIG. 7-11) JP 2000-95339 A (page 4-5, FIG. 1-7)

  However, in the conventional branching device, since the control unit performs centralized control, the shoe detection units and the switching drive units at all branch positions must be connected to the control unit by connection lines, particularly the branch position. When there are many, there are many connection lines wired along a sorting conveyor, and there exists a problem which becomes a complicated wiring structure.

  In addition, a single control unit inputs detection signals detected by shoe detection units at all branch positions and drives and controls the switching drive units at all branch positions. There is a problem that the branching operation becomes unstable when the conveying speed of the conveyor is increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and provides a sorting device that can simplify the wiring between the main control unit and the branching position and can perform a stable branching operation without affecting the transport speed of the sorting conveyor. The purpose is to do.

  The sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a conveyance band for conveying an article, a plurality of extrudates provided on the conveyance band so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the conveyance direction, and the article is selectively branched from the conveyance band. And a switching drive unit that switches the moving direction of the extruded body between the conveying direction and the sorting direction at each branched position based on the detection of the extruded body detecting unit. A sorting conveyor, a main control unit that outputs a branch command when an article conveyed in the sorting belt is branched at a branch position, and a branch command that is wired to the sorting conveyor and that is output from the main control unit. 1 connecting line and the first connecting line at each branch position, and the pusher detection unit and the switching drive unit are connected to each other. The pusher detection unit receives a branch command from the main control unit. Based on detection The branch drive unit in which are provided a plurality of branch control unit for switching control.

  In this configuration, the first connection line for transmitting the branch command output from the main control unit is wired to the sorting conveyor, and each branch control unit is connected to the first connection line at each branch position, and each branch control is performed. Since the extrusion body detection unit and the switching drive unit are connected to the unit, wiring between the main control unit and the branch control unit at each branch position is simplified, and branch control that receives a branch command from the main control unit Since the branch drive unit is controlled to switch at the switching timing based on the detection of the extrusion body detection unit directly connected to the branch control unit, stable branching operation is possible without affecting the transport speed of the sorting conveyor. become.

  The sorting apparatus according to claim 2 is the sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the encoder outputs a pulse corresponding to the amount of movement of the transport band, and the second connection is connected to the sorting conveyor and transmits a pulse output from the encoder. And an extrudate missing detection means for detecting the extrudate that moves together with the transport band, and the branch control unit is connected to the second connection line and is connected to the extrudate missing detection means. When the missing body is detected by the missing piece detecting means and the next extruded body is not detected within a predetermined pulse output from the encoder, the missing portion of the extruded body is detected, and the missing control signal is sent to the main control section through the first connection line. Is output.

  In this configuration, the second connection line for transmitting the pulse output from the encoder is wired to the sorting conveyor, the branch control unit is connected to the second connection line at the branch position, and the extruded body is missing from the branch control unit. Since the detection means is connected, the wiring between the main control section and the branch control section at the branch position is simplified, and the branch control section detects the extruded body by the extruded body missing detection means and then outputs the encoder. When there is no detection of the next extruded body within the predetermined pulse, the missing part of the extruded body is detected, and the missing part detection signal is output to the main controller through the first connection line, so it is stable without affecting the transport speed of the sorting conveyor. Missing missing detection operation becomes possible.

  The sorting apparatus according to claim 3 is the sorting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the extrudate missing detection means is connected to the branch control section and detects the extruded body on one side of the sorting conveyor and the branch control section. And an extrudate missing detector that detects the extrudate on the other side of the sorting conveyor.

  In this configuration, the extrudate is detected by an extrudate detection unit having an extrudate detection unit that detects the extrudate on one side of the sorting conveyor and an extrudate detection unit that detects the extrudate on the other side of the sorting conveyor. Detection of missing parts is ensured.

  The sorting apparatus according to claim 4 is the sorting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the extrudate missing detection means is configured to selectively branch the articles in the sorting direction on both sides of the sorting conveyor at the branching position. It has a transmission line that connects two branch control units for the sorting direction and transmits the detection information of the extruded body, and an extruded body detection unit that is connected to each branch control unit.

  In this configuration, when the articles can be selectively branched in the sorting direction on both sides of the sorting conveyor at the branching position, the two branch control units for each sorting direction are connected to detect the detection information of the extruded body. The extrusion missing part detection means having the transmission line to be transmitted and the extrusion detection part connected to each branch control part ensures the detection of the missing extrusion.

  The sorting apparatus according to claim 5 is the sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the branch control unit has a selection means for selecting valid / invalid of missing detection.

  In this configuration, the validity / invalidity of missing detection can be arbitrarily selected by the selection means of the branch control unit.

  The sorting apparatus according to claim 6 is the sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the branch control unit sets a predetermined number of pulses of the encoder for judging the missing of the extruded body from the detection of the extruded body missing detection means. It has a setting means.

  In this configuration, the setting means of the branch control unit can arbitrarily set the predetermined number of pulses of the encoder that determines the absence of the extruded body from the detection of the extruded body missing detection means.

  The sorting device according to claim 7 is the sorting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the branch control unit extends the pulse width of the detection signal for detecting the extruded body by the extruded body detection unit, and the first connecting line. Output to the main control unit.

  In this configuration, the branch control unit extends the pulse width of the detection signal for detecting the extruded body by the extruded body detection unit and outputs it to the main control unit through the first connection line. Even so, the detection of the detection signal is ensured in the main control unit.

  The sorting apparatus according to claim 8 is the sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the branch control unit has a manual operation unit for manually operating the switching drive unit.

  In this configuration, the switching controller can be manually operated by the manual controller of the branch controller, and the operation of the switching driver can be checked.

  According to the sorting apparatus of the first aspect, the first connection line for transmitting the branch command output from the main control unit is wired to the sorting conveyor, and each branch control unit is connected to the first connection line at each branch position. Since the push body detection unit and the switching drive unit are connected to each branch control unit, the wiring between the main control unit and the branch control unit at each branch position can be simplified, and the branch command from the main control unit can be simplified. The branch control unit that has received the control can switch the branch drive unit at the same timing based on the detection of the extrusion body detection unit directly connected to the branch control unit, so it is stable without affecting the transport speed of the sorting conveyor. Branch operation.

  According to the sorting apparatus of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the sorting apparatus of the first aspect, the second connection line for transmitting the pulse output from the encoder is wired to the sorting conveyor, and the second connecting line is transmitted at the branch position. Since the branch control unit is connected to the connection line, and the extruded body missing detection means is connected to the branch control unit, the wiring between the main control unit and the branch control unit at the branch position can be simplified. Then, after detecting the extruded body by the extruded body missing detection means, the missing of the extruded body is detected when the next extruded body is not detected within the predetermined pulse output from the encoder, and the missing detection signal is sent to the first connection line. Since the output to the main control unit is through, a stable missing detection operation can be performed without affecting the transport speed of the sorting conveyor.

  According to the sorting apparatus according to claim 3, in addition to the effect of the sorting apparatus according to claim 2, the extruded body detection unit for detecting the extruded body on one side of the sorting conveyor and the extruded body on the other side of the sorting conveyor are detected. The missing part of the extruded body can be reliably detected by the extruded body missing part detecting means having the extruded body missing part detecting unit.

  According to the sorting device according to claim 4, in addition to the effect of the sorting device according to claim 2, each sorting can be performed when an article can be selectively branched in the sorting direction on both sides of the sorting conveyor at the branching position. Extrusion missing by means of a transmission line that connects two branch control units for direction and transmits the detection information of the extruded body, and an extrusion missing detection means that has an extrusion detection unit connected to each branch control. Can be detected reliably.

  According to the sorting apparatus of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect of the sorting apparatus according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the validity of the missing detection can be arbitrarily selected by the selection means of the branch control unit.

  According to the sorting apparatus according to claim 6, in addition to the effects of the sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, the setting means of the branch control unit determines the missing of the extruded body from the detection of the extruded body missing detection means. The predetermined number of pulses of the encoder can be set arbitrarily.

  According to the sorting apparatus of the seventh aspect, in addition to the effect of the sorting apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the pulse width of the detection signal for detecting the extruded body by the extruded body detecting section is extended from the branch control section. Therefore, even if the conveying speed of the sorting conveyor is increased, the detection signal can be reliably confirmed in the main control unit.

  According to the sorting apparatus according to claim 8, in addition to the effects of the sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the switching drive unit can be manually operated by the manual control unit of the branch control unit, and the operation of the switching drive unit You can check it.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  3 and 4, reference numeral 11 denotes a carry-in conveyor for carrying articles W, and a sorting device 12 is installed on the downstream side in the transport direction F of the carry-in conveyor 11, and a sorting device is provided on one side of the sorting device 12. A plurality of sorting lanes 15 and 16 for selectively branching and sorting the articles W from the respective branch positions 13, 14... Set along a plurality of twelve transport directions F are installed, respectively. On the downstream side of F, a delivery-side conveyor (not shown) for sending the article W to the downstream side in the transport direction F without branching to any of the sorting lanes 15 and 16 is installed as necessary.

  The sorting apparatus 12 includes a sorting conveyor 21 that receives articles W carried by the carry-in conveyor 11 and conveys the articles W in the carrying direction F. The sorting conveyor 21 includes an endless chain 23 along both sides of the conveyor frame 22. Are arranged so as to rotate integrally, and a plurality of support bodies 24 such as carrier rollers and slats are arranged in parallel between the chains 23 on both sides, and the chain 23 and the plurality of support bodies 24 on both sides are arranged side by side. An endless transport band 25 is provided for carrying and transporting the article W.

  Each support 24 is provided with a shoe 26 as an extruded body that is movable along the support 24 in the conveyor width direction intersecting the transport direction F. On the back side of each shoe 26, an engaging portion 27 such as a pin or a roller protrudes.

  The conveyor frame 22 of the sorting conveyor 21 is provided with a guide mechanism 28 that guides the position of the shoe 26 that moves together with the support 24 in the conveyor width direction through the engaging portion 27 of the shoe 26. This guide mechanism 28 is provided via an engaging portion 27 so that the shoe 26 moves along one side opposite to the sorting lanes 15 and 16 of the sorting conveyor 21 in the upper turning area facing the upper side of the transport band 25. A branch unit 30, which has a transport guide rail 29 for guiding, and selectively switches the moving direction of the shoe 26 from the transport direction F to the sorting directions S1, S2 from the transport direction F to the sorting lanes 15, 16 at the branch positions 13, 14. 31 and a return guide rail (not shown) for returning the shoe 26 approaching the other side to the other side by the branch units 30 and 31 in the lower turning region facing the lower side of the transport belt 25. .

  Each of the branch units 30 and 31 has switching means 32 for switching the moving direction of the shoe 26 that moves in the transport direction F together with the support 24 by the switching operation toward the sorting directions S1 and S2, and sorting by the switching operation of the switching means 32. A branch guide rail 33 is provided for guiding the shoe 26 switched in the directions S1 and S2 to the sorting directions S1 and S2 through the engaging portion 27.

  The switching means 32 is formed with a guide groove 34 having a wide width on the inlet side where the engaging portion 27 of the shoe 26 enters from the upstream side in the conveying direction F and a narrow width on the outlet side where the engaging portion 27 retracts downstream. The switching member 35 is disposed at a position upstream of the branch guide rail 33 in a notch 36 formed in the conveyance guide rail 29 so as to be movable in the conveyor width direction. Is switched by the air cylinder 37 in the conveyor width direction. The switching member 35 is normally in a straight-ahead position for guiding the engaging portion 27 of the shoe 26 received from the upstream conveyance guide rail 29 to the downstream conveyance guide rail 29, and during the switching operation for branching the article W, The operation of the air cylinder 37 switches the engaging portion 27 of the shoe 26 received from the upstream conveyance guide rail 29 to the branch switching position for guiding the branch guide rail 33 to the branch guide rail 33. By the operation, the engaging portion 27 of the shoe 26 received from the upstream side conveyance guide rail 29 is returned to the linear movement position where it guides to the downstream side conveyance guide rail 29.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sorting device 12 includes a main control unit 41 that controls the entire sorting operation, and a plurality of branch control units that are provided at the branch positions 13 and 14 and individually control the branch units 30 and 31. 42. A first connection line 43 connected to the main control unit 41 and a second connection line 44 connected as necessary are wired along the conveyor frame 22 of the sorting conveyor 21, and the first connection line 43 and A branch control unit 42 is connected to the second connection line 44 at each branch position 13, 14.

  Connected to the main control unit 41 are an article detection unit 45 for detecting an article W carried into the sorting conveyor 21 of the sorting device 12 from the carry-in conveyor 11 and an encoder 46 for outputting a pulse corresponding to the amount of rotation of the transport band 25. The sorting information of the article W is input from the upper computer of the sorting system. Then, the main control unit 41 is mounted on the transport band 25 by a pulse tracking function for tracking the position of the article W to be transported on the transport band 25 from the detection by the article detection unit 45 and the pulse output of the encoder 46. The function of outputting a branch command to the corresponding branch control unit 42 when the article W to be conveyed is branched at the predetermined branch positions 13 and 14 and detecting the missing of the shoe 26 and outputting the missing detection signal It has a function of outputting a reset signal to the branch control unit.

  Each branch control unit 42 includes a shoe detection unit 47 as an extruded body detection unit such as a photoelectric switch that detects an engagement part 27 of the shoe 26 that moves along one side of the sorting conveyor 21 at the branch positions 13 and 14; Based on the detection of the shoe detection unit 47, a switching drive unit 48 such as an electromagnetic valve for switching the operation of the air cylinder 37 in order to switch the movement direction of the shoe 26 between the conveyance direction F and the sorting directions S1, S2, a branch position 13, 14 is connected to a shoe missing detecting section 49 as an extruded body missing detecting section such as a photoelectric switch for detecting the engaging section 27 of the shoe 26 moving along the other side of the sorting conveyor 21.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the branch control unit 42 includes a branch unit board 51, and the branch unit board 51 includes a first connection line 43, a first branch line 52, and a second branch line 53. A first connector CN1 and a second connector CN2 connected to each other, and a third connector CN3 connected to the second connection line 44 by a third branch line 54 are provided.

  The same four-wire cable is used for each connection line 43, 44 and each branch line 52, 53, 54. In the first connection line 43 and each of the branch lines 52 and 53, two lines are used as power lines for supplying, for example, 24V power from the main control unit 41 side to the branch control unit 42, and from the main control unit 41 to the branch control unit. Two signal lines (DB) for outputting a branch command and reset signal to 42 and two signal lines (DA) for outputting a detection signal and a missing detection signal from the shoe detection unit 47 to the main control unit 41 from the branch control unit 42 It is used. In the second connection line 44 and the third branch line 54, two lines are used as power lines for supplying, for example, 24V power from the main control unit 41 side to the branch control unit 42. One line is used as a signal line for outputting the pulse signal of the encoder 46 to 42. Each branch line 52, 53, 54 can be connected to an arbitrary position with respect to each connection line 43, 44 by a connector 55.

  The branch unit substrate 51 is provided with a terminal block 56. The terminal block 56 includes an SOV terminal to which wiring from the switching drive unit 48 is connected, a PH1 terminal to which wiring from the shoe detection unit 47 is connected, and shoe missing detection. PH2 terminal to connect the wiring from the section 49, the opposite side to connect the branch unit board 51 used for branching on the opposite side in the case of the double branch type branching to both sides at the same branch position 13, 14 by the transmission line 57 It has a terminal. Each terminal uses a screwless terminal that allows the wiring to be attached and detached without using a screw.

  The branch unit substrate 51 is provided with a switch SW1 for turning on a branch command signal by an on operation and a switch SW2 for turning on a reset signal by an on operation as a manual operation unit 58 for manually operating the switching drive unit.

  The branch unit board 51 is provided with a dip switch DS1, and the dip switch DS1 has first to fourth switch parts, and the first to third switch parts detect a missing shoe 26. It is configured as setting means 59 for setting detection judgment criteria, and the fourth switch unit is configured as selection means 60 for selecting validity / invalidity of missing detection of the shoe 26.

  The branch unit board 51 includes an LED 1 that lights up when the switching drive unit 48 is on, an LED 2 that lights up when the shoe detection unit 47 is on, an LED 3 that lights up when the shoe missing detection unit 49 is on, and a branch command LED4 that lights when input, LED5 that lights when detection signal is output from shoe detector 47, LED6 that lights when output of missing detection signal, LED7 that lights when reset signal is on, and encoder 46 pulse is on Indicators that display various operations, such as LED8 that lights up, are provided.

  The branch control unit 42 receives a branch command from the main control unit 41, performs a switching control of the switching drive unit 48 based on the detection of the shoe detection unit 47, and a shoe missing detection unit 61 as an extruded body missing detection unit. A function of detecting a missing shoe 26 and detecting a missing detection signal to the main control unit 41 when the next shoe 26 is not detected within a predetermined pulse output from the encoder 46 after detecting the shoe 26, a shoe detecting unit 47 has a function of extending the pulse width of the detection signal for detecting the shoe 26 and outputting it to the main control unit 41.

  The shoe missing detection means 61 is connected to the branch control unit 42 and detects the shoe 26 on one side of the sorting conveyor 21 and the shoe detection unit 47 connected to the branch control unit 42 and detects the shoe 26 on the other side of the sorting conveyor 21. In the case of the combination with the missing shoe detection unit 49 or the bifurcation type in which the articles W are selectively branched to both sides of the sorting conveyor 21 at the branch positions 13 and 14, two branch control units 42 for each direction are used. And a transmission line 57 for transmitting the detection information of the shoe 26 and a combination of a shoe detection unit 47 connected to each branch control unit 42, respectively.

  The number of pulses of the encoder 46 which is a missing detection judgment standard for detecting the missing of the shoe 26 from the detection of the shoe missing detecting means 61 is arbitrarily set by 1 to 3 switch units configured as the setting means 59 of the dip switch DS1. The

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 7, a case where the missing of the shoe 26 is not detected in the case of the one-branch type in which the article W is branched to one side at the branching position 13 of the sorting conveyor 21 will be described. In this case, the first connector CN1 of the branch control unit 42 is connected to the first connection line 43 wired to the sorting conveyor 21 by the first branch line 52, and the switching drive unit 48 is connected to the SOV terminal of the branch control unit 42. Is connected, and the shoe detector 47 is connected to the PH1 terminal. The fourth switch part of the dip switch DS1 of the branch control part 42 is set to OFF.

  Each shoe 26 that moves along one side of the sorting conveyor 21 is detected by the shoe detection unit 47 by rotating the transport belt 25 of the sorting conveyor 21, and as shown in FIG. The pulse of the detection signal is input to the branch control unit. The branch control unit 42 extends the pulse width at the time of detecting the shoe 26 of the detection signal input from the shoe detection unit 47 and outputs the pulse to the main control unit 41. The main control unit 41 checks the detection state of the shoe 26 based on the pulse output corresponding to the detection signal of the shoe 26 input from the branch control unit 42.

  Articles W to be carried into the sorting conveyor 21 from the carry-in conveyor 11 are placed on the carrying belt 25 that rotates, and are carried in the carrying direction F. When the article W is carried into the sorting conveyor 21 from the carry-in conveyor 11, the article W is detected by the article detection unit 45, and the main control unit 41 detects the sorting conveyor based on the detection of the article detection unit 45 and the pulse output of the encoder 46. 21 detects the position of the article W to be conveyed in the conveying direction F.

  When the front end of the article W reaches a predetermined branch position 13, the main control unit 41 outputs a branch command to the branch control unit 42. The branch control unit 42 receives the branch command ON, and the shoe detection unit 47 The switching drive unit 48 is turned on at the fall timing of the pulse that detects the passage of the shoe 26. As a result, the switching member 35 is moved from the straight travel position to the branch switching position by the air cylinder 37 of the switching means 32, and the engaging portion 27 of each shoe 26 of each support 24 on which the article W is placed is branched by the switching member 35. Each shoe 26 is sequentially moved along the branch guide rail 33 in the sorting direction S1. Therefore, the movement of these shoes 26 in the sorting direction S1 pushes the article W to the sorting lane 15 in the sorting direction S1, and branches from the sorting conveyor 21 to the sorting lane 15.

  When the rear end of the article W reaches the predetermined branch position 13, the branch command output from the main control unit 41 to the branch control unit 42 is turned off, and the branch control unit 42 receives the branch command off, The switching drive unit 48 is turned off at the falling timing of the pulse for detecting the passage of the shoe 26 by the detection unit 47. Thus, the switching member 35 is returned from the branch switching position to the straight traveling position by the air cylinder 37 of the switching means 32, and the switching member 35 guides the engaging portion 27 of the shoe 26 to the downstream conveyance guide rail 29, thereby conveying the shoe 26. Move in direction F.

  Next, FIG. 8 shows a case where the missing of the shoe 26 is detected in the case of the one-branch type in which the article W is branched to one side at the branching position 14 of the sorting conveyor 21, for example. In this case, the first connector CN1 of the branch control unit 42 is connected to the first connection line 43 wired to the sorting conveyor 21 by the first branch line 52, and the second branch line is connected to the first connection line 43. 53, the second connector CN2 of the branch control unit 42 is connected, the third connector CN3 of the branch control unit 42 is connected to the second connection line 44 by the third branch line 54, and the branch control unit 42 The switching drive unit 48 is connected to the SOV terminal, the shoe detection unit 47 is connected to the PH1 terminal, and the shoe missing detection unit 49 is connected to the PH2 terminal. As the shoe loss detection means 61, a combination of a shoe detection unit 47 that detects the shoe 26 on one side of the sorting conveyor 21 and a shoe loss detection unit 49 that detects the shoe 26 on the other side of the sorting conveyor 21 is used. The fourth switch unit of the dip switch DS1 of the branch control unit 42 is set to ON, and the number of pulses serving as a missing detection criterion is set by the first to third switch units.

  The branching operation of the article W in this case is the same as the branching operation described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 7 described above, and here, detection of the missing of the shoe 26 will be described.

  By moving the transport belt 25 of the sorting conveyor 21, the shoe 26 moving along one side of the sorting conveyor 21 is detected by the shoe detecting unit 47. For example, the shoe 26 is separated by a branching operation at the upstream sorting position 13. Since the shoe 26 is moved in the sorting direction S1, the shoe 26 moving along the other side of the sorting conveyor 21 is detected by the shoe missing detector 49, and as shown in FIG. 6, these shoe detector 47 and shoe missing detector 49 are detected. Is input to the branch control unit 42 as a detection signal of the shoe 26 by the shoe loss detection means 61.

  The branch control unit 42 receives the detection signal of the shoe 26 and the pulse signal of the encoder 46, detects one shoe 26, and then detects the next shoe 26 within a predetermined pulse output by the encoder 46 ( It is determined whether or not there is any one of the shoe detecting unit 47 and the shoe missing detecting unit 49). When the next pulse 26 is detected within the predetermined pulse output from the encoder 46 after the shoe 26 is detected, it is determined to be normal, and within the predetermined pulse output from the encoder 46 after the shoe 26 is detected. If the next shoe 26 is not detected, it is determined that the shoe 26 is missing, and a missing detection signal is output to the main control unit 41. Thereafter, even if the shoe 26 is detected, the missing detection signal is continuously output without being reset.

  The main control unit 41 inputs the missing detection signal from the branch control unit 42 and performs a predetermined measure such as abnormally stopping the sorting device 12. Then, after a predetermined countermeasure, the main control unit 41 outputs a reset signal to the branch control unit 42, and the branch control unit 42 stops outputting the missing detection signal by the reset signal. Alternatively, the reset signal is turned on by turning on the switch SW2 of the branch control unit 42, and the output of the missing detection signal is stopped.

  Next, FIG. 9 shows a case where the missing of the shoe 26 is not detected in the case of the double branch type in which the article W is branched to both sides at the branch position 13 of the sorting conveyor 21, for example. In this case, branch units 30 and 30 for branching the article W in the sorting directions S1 (1) and S1 (2) on both sides are symmetrically arranged at the branch position 13, and each of the branch units 30 and 30 is provided. Branch control units 42 and 42 are used. Each of the branch control units 42 and 42 is connected to the first connection line 43 wired to the sorting conveyor 21 by the first branch lines 52 and 52 and the first connectors CN1 and CN1 of the branch control units 42 and 42, The switching drive units 48, 48 are connected to the SOV terminals of the branch control units 42, 42, and the shoe detection units 47, 47 are connected to the PH1 terminals. The 4th switch part of each dip switch DS1 of branch control parts 42 and 42 is set off, respectively.

  The branching operation of the article W in the sorting direction S1 (1) in this case is the same as the branching operation described with reference to FIGS. As for the branching operation of the article W in the sorting direction S1 (2), the shoe 26 is moved along the other side of the sorting conveyor 21 by the guide mechanism 28, and the shoe 26 is directed in the sorting direction S1 (2). By switching and moving, the article W can be branched in the sorting direction S1 (2), and is the same as the branching operation of the article W in the sorting direction S1-1 except that the branching direction is different.

  Next, FIG. 10 shows a case where the missing of the shoe 26 is detected in the case of the double branch type in which the article W is branched on both sides at the branch position 14 of the sorting conveyor 21, for example. In this case, branching units 30 and 30 for branching the article W in the sorting directions S2 (1) and S2 (2) on both sides are symmetrically arranged at the branching position 14, and each branching unit 30 and 30 is provided. Branch control units 42 and 42 are used. Each of the branch control units 42 and 42 is connected to the first connection line 43 wired to the sorting conveyor 21 by the first branch lines 52 and 52 and the first connectors CN1 and CN1 of the branch control units 42 and 42, The switching drive units 48, 48 are connected to the SOV terminals of the branch control units 42, 42, and the shoe detection units 47, 47 are connected to the PH1 terminals. For one branch control unit 42, the second connector CN 2 is connected to the first connection line 43 by the second branch line 53, and the third connector is connected to the second connection line 44 by the third branch line 54. CN3 is connected. Opposite terminals of both branch control units 42 and 42 are connected by a transmission line 57. The shoe missing detection means 61 includes a shoe detection unit 47 of one branch control unit 42 that detects the shoe 26 on one side of the sorting conveyor 21, and another branch control unit that detects the shoe 26 on the other side of the sorting conveyor 21. A combination of 42 shoe detection units 47 and a transmission line 57 that transmits the detection signal of the shoe detection unit 47 of the other branch control unit 42 to one branch control unit 42 is used. The fourth switch unit of the dip switch DS1 of one branch control unit 42 is set to ON, the number of pulses that is a missing detection determination reference is set by the first to third switch units, and the other branch control unit The fourth switch part of 42 dip switches DS1 is set off.

  The branching operation of the article W in this case is the same as the branching operation described with reference to FIG. 9 described above, and here, detection of the missing shoe 26 will be described.

  By moving the transport belt 25 of the sorting conveyor 21, the shoe 26 moving along one side of the sorting conveyor 21 is detected by the shoe detecting unit 47 connected to one branch control unit 42, for example, on the upstream side The shoe 26 that moves along the other side of the sorting conveyor 21 because the shoe 26 is moved in the sorting direction S1 by the branching operation at the sorting position 13 is detected by the shoe detecting unit 47 connected to the other branching control unit 42. The detection signal is transmitted from the other branch control unit 42 to the one branch control unit 42 through the transmission line 57.

  In one branch control unit 42, the detection signals of both shoe detection units 47, 47 are input, and the pulse signal of the encoder 46 is input, and one shoe 26 is detected, and then within a predetermined pulse output by the encoder 46. It is determined whether or not the next shoe 26 is detected (one of the shoe detectors 47 and 47). When the next pulse 26 is detected within the predetermined pulse output from the encoder 46 after the shoe 26 is detected, it is determined to be normal, and within the predetermined pulse output from the encoder 46 after the shoe 26 is detected. If the next shoe 26 is not detected, it is determined that the shoe 26 is missing, and a missing detection signal is output to the main control unit 41. Thereafter, even if the shoe 26 is detected, the missing detection signal is continuously output without being reset.

  The main control unit 41 inputs the missing detection signal from the branch control unit 42 and performs a predetermined measure such as abnormally stopping the sorting device 12. Then, after a predetermined countermeasure, the main control unit 41 outputs a reset signal to the branch control unit 42, and the branch control unit 42 stops outputting the missing detection signal by the reset signal. Alternatively, the reset signal is turned on by turning on the switch SW2 of the branch control unit 42, and the output of the missing detection signal is stopped.

  As described above, the first connection line 43 that transmits the branch command output from the main control unit 41 is wired to the sorting conveyor 21, and the branch control units 42 are connected to the first connection line 43 at the branch positions 13 and 14, respectively. And connecting the shoe detection unit 47 and the switching drive unit 48 to each branch control unit 42, the wiring between the main control unit 41 and the branch control unit 42 at each branch position 13, 14 can be simplified, Further, the branch control unit 42 that has received a branch command from the main control unit 41 switches the branch drive unit 48 in accordance with the switching timing based on the detection of the shoe detection unit 47 directly connected to the branch control unit 42. Since it can be controlled, a stable branching operation can be performed without affecting the transport speed of the sorting conveyor 21.

  In addition, when the missing of the shoe 26 is detected, the second connection line 44 that transmits the pulse output from the encoder 46 is wired to the sorting conveyor 21, and the branch control unit is connected to the second connection line 44 at the branch positions 13 and 14. 42 is connected, and the missing shoe detecting means 61 is connected to the branch control unit 42, so that the wiring between the main control unit 41 and the branch control unit 42 at the branch positions 13 and 14 can be simplified. The unit 42 detects the missing of the shoe 26 when the next shoe 26 is not detected within a predetermined pulse output from the encoder 46 after the shoe 26 is detected by the shoe missing detecting means 61, and the missing detection signal is sent to the first detection signal. Since this is output to the main control unit 41 through the connection line 43, a stable missing detection operation can be performed without affecting the transport speed of the sorting conveyor 21.

  This shoe missing detection means 61 is a combination of a shoe detection unit 47 that detects the shoe 26 on one side of the sorting conveyor 21 and a shoe missing detection unit 49 that detects the shoe 26 on the other side of the sorting conveyor 21, and a branch position. When the goods W can be selectively branched into the sorting directions S1-1, S1-2, S2-1, S2-2 on both sides of the sorting conveyor 21 at 13, 14, two branches for each sorting direction By combining the control units 42 and 42 to transmit the detection information of the shoe 26 and the shoe detection units 47 and 47 connected to the branch control units 42 and 42, respectively, 26 missing can be detected reliably.

  The selection means 60 of the branch control section 42, that is, the fourth switch section of the dip switch DS1, can arbitrarily select the validity of the missing detection, and the setting means 59, that is, the first to third switch sections of the dip switch DS1. The predetermined number of pulses of the encoder 46 for determining the missing of the shoe 26 from the detection of the shoe missing detecting means 61 can be arbitrarily set.

  Further, since the branch control unit 42 extends the pulse width of the detection signal for detecting the shoe 26 by the shoe detection unit 47 and outputs it to the main control unit 41 through the first connection line 43, the conveying speed of the sorting conveyor 21 is increased. Even in this case, the main control unit 41 can reliably check the detection signal.

  Further, the switching drive unit 48 can be manually operated by the manual control unit 58 of the branch control unit 42, that is, the switch SW1, and the operation of the switching drive unit 48 can be checked. Moreover, the reset for turning off the output of the missing detection signal can be manually operated by the switch SW2.

  When connecting a plurality of branch control units 42 to the main control unit 41, a unique address is set for each of the main control unit 41 and each branch control unit 42, and a signal is output together with this address, Input an address signal.

  In addition, when missing detection is performed only at one side of the sorting conveyor 21 at the branch position where the shoe 26 moves, the missing detection can be performed only by the shoe detection unit 47, and the shoe missing detection unit 49 can be omitted.

It is explanatory drawing of the sorting apparatus which shows one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the branch control part of a sorting apparatus same as the above. It is a top view of a sorting apparatus same as the above. It is a side view of a sorting apparatus same as the above. It is a timing chart of the branch operation | movement of a sorting apparatus same as the above. It is a timing chart of the missing detection operation of the sorting apparatus same as above. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of installation without missing detection by the one branch of a sorting apparatus same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of installation with missing detection by the one branch of a sorting apparatus same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of installation without a missing detection in both branches of a sorting apparatus same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of installation with missing detection in both branches of the sorting apparatus same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

12 Sorting device
13, 14 Branch position
21 Sorting conveyor
25 Transport belt
26 Shoe as an extruded body
41 Main control unit
42 Branch control unit
43 First connection line
44 Second connection line
46 Encoder
47 Shoe detector as an extruded body detector
48 Switching drive
49 Shoe missing detection part as the extrusion missing part detection part
57 Transmission line
58 Manual override
59 Setting method
60 means of selection
61 Shoe missing detection means as extruded body missing detection means F Conveying direction
S1, S2 Sorting direction W Goods

Claims (8)

Conveying zone for conveying articles, a plurality of extrudates provided so as to be movable in a direction intersecting the conveying direction in the conveying zones, and extrudates at a plurality of branch positions for selectively branching the articles from the conveying zone And a sorting conveyor having a switching drive unit for switching the moving direction of the extruded body between the conveying direction and the sorting direction at each branch position based on the detection of the extruded body detecting unit,
A main control unit that outputs a branch command when an article transported in the transport belt of the sorting conveyor is branched at a branch position;
A first connection line that is wired to the sorting conveyor and transmits a branch command output from the main control unit;
Connected to the first connection line at each branch position and connected to the pusher detection unit and the switching drive unit, receives a branch command from the main control unit, and branches based on the detection of the pusher detection unit A sorting apparatus comprising: a plurality of branch control units that perform switching control of the units. An encoder that outputs a pulse corresponding to the amount of movement of the transport band;
A second connection line for transmitting pulses output from the encoder wired to the sorting conveyor;
An extruded body missing detection means for detecting an extruded body that moves together with the transport band, and
The branch control unit is connected to the second connection line and connected to the extruded body missing detection means, and after detecting the extruded body by the extruded body missing detection means, the next extrusion is performed within a predetermined pulse output by the encoder. The sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when no body is detected, missing of the extruded body is detected, and a missing detection signal is output to the main control unit through the first connection line. Extruder missing detection means is connected to the branching control unit and detects the extruded body on one side of the sorting conveyor, and the extruded body missing detection is connected to the branching control unit and detects the extruded body on the other side of the sorting conveyor. The sorting apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: Extruder missing detection means connects the two branch control units for each sorting direction when the articles can be selectively branched in the sorting direction on both sides of the sorting conveyor at the branching position. The sorting apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a transmission line that transmits the water and an extrusion body detection unit connected to each branch control unit. The sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the branch control unit includes selection means for selecting validity / invalidity of missing detection. The sorting control unit according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the branching control unit includes a setting unit that sets a predetermined number of pulses of an encoder that determines the missing of the extruded body from the detection of the extruded body missing detection means. apparatus. 7. The sorting according to claim 1, wherein the branch control unit extends a pulse width of a detection signal for detecting the extruded body by the extruded body detection unit and outputs the detection signal to the main control unit through the first connection line. apparatus. The sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the branch control unit includes a manual operation unit that manually operates the switching drive unit.

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