JP2007261802A - Conveyor drive control device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make constant the supply amount of containers per unit time when the containers are supplied from an accumulator conveyor to a multi-row conveyor. <P>SOLUTION: Multiple rows of containers sent from a filler/capacity in a random state are conveyed by an accumulator conveyor part 110, a multi-row conveyor part 120, and a combiner 130, gradually reduced in row width, brought into a one series row state, and sent to a labeller 20 through a single row conveyor group 140. A photographing area S on the accumulator conveyor 112 is photographed by a photographing camera 210, the image taken is image-processed and calculated to calculate the number of containers in the photographing area S and the number of container groups in a measurement area K (= 2 x S). When each container group is carried out from the accumulator conveyor 112 into the multi-row conveyor 121, the speed of the accumulator conveyor is decreased if the number of containers is large. When the number of containers is less, the speed of the accumulator conveyor is increased. Consequently, the number of the containers per unit time conveyed to the multi-row conveyor 121 is uniformized. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a conveyor drive control device, which is devised so that the supply amount per unit time of containers supplied from an accumulation conveyor to a multi-row conveyor is uniform.

  In a liquid filling line for filling a container (such as a plastic bottle) with a liquid (beverage), a conveyor device is disposed between an upstream filler capper and a downstream labeler.

  In the filler capper, the container is filled with liquid and sealed. The sealed container is conveyed to the labeler by the conveyor device while standing in the vertical direction. In the labeler, a label is attached on the ring in a state of surrounding the container (the cylindrical part of the container) that has been transported.

  The conveyor device conveys containers that are sent out in a plurality of rows in a random distribution from the filler capper, and on the upstream side, conveys the containers in a wide plurality of rows, according to the conveyance, The number of rows of containers is narrowed down, and finally they are transported in a line in series and supplied to the labeler.

  Specifically, the conveyor apparatus is configured by sequentially arranging an accumulator conveyor, a multi-row conveyor, a combiner, and a single-row conveyor from the upstream side to the downstream side.

  The accumulator conveyor is a wide conveyor, and conveys containers delivered from the filler capper in a plurality of rows in a random distribution. Since this accumulation conveyor is wide, containers downstream from the filler capper can be accumulated and accumulated on the conveyor when the downstream labeler temporarily stops. For this reason, even if the labeler stops temporarily, the continuous operation of the filler / capper can be continued.

  A multi-row conveyor is a series of multi-row conveyors connected in series. The width of the multi-row conveyor is gradually reduced from the upstream side to the downstream side, and the number of rows of containers to be conveyed (flow direction) The number of containers lined up in an orthogonal direction along the line is reduced. In this case, the speed of each multi-row conveyor is set to increase stepwise as it proceeds from the upstream side to the downstream side.

  A combiner arranges a plurality of rows of containers sent from a multi-row conveyor in a single row state in a line while being conveyed.

  The single-line conveyor conveys containers arranged in series in a single row and supplies them to the labeler.

  In the conveyor apparatus described above, each conveyor is driven by a variable speed motor, and the speed of each conveyor is set so that it is slower in the upstream conveyor and faster in the downstream conveyor.

  Conventionally, the speed control of the accumulator conveyor, the multi-row conveyor, and the combiner of the conveyor device has been performed by feedback control.

In order to feedback control the speed of each conveyor of the conveyor device, the following method has been considered.
That is, the speed of the single-line conveyor is set to a speed synchronized with the labeler processing speed. Then, a container detection sensor (such as an optical sensor) for detecting the container is provided along the single-line conveyor. For example, along the single-line conveyor, the first container detection sensor is located at a downstream position (first position) near the labeler, and the second container detection sensor is located at a second position slightly upstream of the first position. A third container detection sensor is provided at a third position slightly upstream of the second position.

  Each container detection sensor detects the passage of the container being conveyed by the single-line conveyor, so that there is a gap between the container conveyed in advance and the container conveyed downstream. Thus, it is possible to detect whether or not the container being conveyed and the subsequent container are in contact with each other.

And
(1) When the first container detection sensor detects contact and the second and third container detection sensors detect gaps, it is determined that the conveyor speed is optimum,
(2) When the first and second container detection sensors detect contact and the third container detection sensor detects a gap, it is determined that the amount of containers supplied to the labeler has increased, and each conveyor (single (Excluding the row conveyor)
(3) When the first to third container detection sensors detect contact, the container supply amount to the labeler is determined to be excessive, and the speed of each conveyor (excluding the single-line conveyor) is further reduced.
(4) When the first to third container detection sensors detect the gap, it is determined that the container supply amount to the labeler has become too small, and the speed of each conveyor (except for the single-line conveyor) is increased. Control.

  By appropriately controlling the speed of each conveyor of the conveyor device in this way, the containers are in close contact with each other in a pressurized state due to a large amount of containers remaining on the conveyor device, and the containers are deformed or damaged. The container can be appropriately supplied to the labeler in synchronization with the processing speed of the labeler.

When the labeler processing speed can be varied, it has been considered to control the speed of the single-line conveyor according to the labeler processing speed.
Also in this case, the above-described feedback control can be applied.

  After all, in the prior art, the conveyance amount of the container is determined by detecting the contact / non-contact state of the container in the downstream area of the conveyor device, and the speed of each conveyor arranged upstream of the single row conveyor is determined. I was in control.

JP 5-51087 JP2000-7134

The reason why the supply amount of the container to the labeler fluctuates is that the supply amount (container supply amount per unit time) of the container supplied from the accumulation conveyor on the upstream line to the multi-row conveyor changes.
However, in the prior art, feedback control for controlling the supply amount of the container to the labeler is only performed by controlling the speed of the upstream conveyor from the supply state of the container of the single-line conveyor immediately before the labeler. .
As a result, when the supply amount (container supply amount per unit time) of the containers supplied from the accumulation conveyor to the multi-row conveyor fluctuates, the above-described feedback control cannot keep up, and the supply of containers to the labeler becomes excessive. There was a problem of becoming too small.

  In view of the above prior art, the present invention can uniformly control the supply amount (container supply amount per unit time) of containers supplied from an accumulation conveyor to a multi-row conveyor, thereby supplying the containers to the labeler. It aims at providing the conveyor drive control apparatus which can control quantity appropriately.

The configuration of the present invention for solving the above problems is as follows.
An upstream conveyor that transports containers sent from the upstream device in a plurality of rows in a random distribution;
While driving the upstream conveyor, an upstream conveyor motor that can vary the conveyor speed of the upstream conveyor,
A downstream conveyor that receives containers from the most downstream portion of the upstream conveyor and conveys the received containers toward a downstream machine;
Of the region on the conveyor surface of the upstream conveyor, the transport direction of the upstream conveyor has a length that is a fraction of the length of the upstream conveyor, and the width of the upstream conveyor. Regarding the direction, photographing means for photographing a photographing region that is shortened with respect to the width of the upstream conveyor at every intermittent time;
The number of containers existing in the imaging area is measured by performing image processing on the image captured by the imaging means, and the width direction of the imaging area is determined based on the measured number of containers in the width direction of the upstream conveyor. A container number calculating means for calculating the number of a group of containers existing in the measurement area, which is an area expanded to the full width of
Each group of containers for which the number of containers is measured is sequentially transported by the upstream conveyor, and the first container among the group of containers reaches the most downstream portion of the upstream conveyor, and then the group. The number of the containers in the group in which the speed of the upstream conveyor is calculated by the container number calculation means in the period until the container existing at the rearmost among the containers reaches the most downstream part of the upstream conveyor is large. Motor speed control means for controlling the speed of the upstream conveyor motor so as to decelerate and increase the speed when the number of containers of the group calculated by the container number calculation means decreases,
It is characterized by having.

The configuration of the present invention is as follows.
An accumulator that transports containers delivered from the filler capacities in a plurality of rows in a random distribution;
An accumulator motor that drives the accumulator and can vary the conveyor speed of the accumulator;
A multi-row conveyor that receives containers from the most downstream portion of the accumulation conveyor and conveys the received containers toward a labeler;
Of the area on the conveyor surface of the accumulator conveyor, the accumulator conveyor direction is a fraction of the length of the accumulator conveyor, and with respect to the accumulator conveyor width direction, An imaging means for imaging an imaging area that is shorter than the width of the accumulator at every intermittent time;
The number of containers existing in the imaging region is measured by performing image processing on the image captured by the imaging unit, and the width direction of the imaging region is set in the width direction of the accumulator conveyor based on the measured number of containers. A container number calculating means for calculating the number of a group of containers existing in the measurement area which is an area widened to the full width;
Each group of containers in which the number of containers is measured is sequentially transported by the accumulation conveyor, and the container existing at the top of the group of containers reaches the most downstream portion of the accumulation conveyor, and then the group of containers. The speed of the accumulator in the period until the container existing at the rearmost reaches the most downstream part of the accumulator, the speed of the group of containers calculated by the container number calculating means is reduced, Motor speed control means for controlling the speed of the accumulator motor so as to increase the speed when the number of containers of the group calculated by the container number calculation means decreases;
It is characterized by having.

The configuration of the present invention is as follows.
The photographing unit is characterized in that the next photographing is performed when the photographed group of containers is transported and no longer exists from the photographing region.

The configuration of the present invention is as follows.
Container detecting means for detecting the number of containers arranged in a row in contact with each other immediately before the labeler;
When the number of containers that are in line with each other detected by the container detection means increases, the processing speed of the labelers is increased, and when the number of containers that are in line with each other decreases, Labeler processing speed control means for slowing the processing speed;
It is characterized by having.

In the present invention, on the surface of the accumulator, measure the number of each container group,
(I) When the number of each container group conveyed from the most downstream part of the accumulation conveyor to the multi-row conveyor is large, the containers are carried out from the accumulation conveyor to the multi-row conveyor at a slow speed corresponding to the number (for example, inversely proportional). ,
(Ii) When the number of each container group conveyed from the most downstream part of the accumulation conveyor to the multi-row conveyor is small, the containers are carried out from the accumulation conveyor to the multi-row conveyor at a high speed corresponding to the number (for example, inversely proportional). As a result,
The supply amount (supply amount per unit time) of the containers carried out from the accumulation conveyor to the multi-row conveyor can be made uniform.
In this way, since the supply amount (supply amount per unit time) of containers carried out from the accumulation conveyor to the multi-row conveyor can be made uniform, the supply amount of containers to the labeler can be made uniform. Can ensure efficient driving operation

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below in detail based on examples.

A conveyor drive control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in the figure, in a liquid filling line for filling a container (such as a plastic bottle) with a liquid (beverage), a conveyor device 100 is disposed between an upstream filler capper 10 and a downstream labeler 20. ing.

  The conveyor apparatus 100 arranges the accumulation conveyor part 110, the multi-row conveyor part 120, the combiner 130, and the single row conveyor part 140 in order from the upstream side (filler / capacitor side) to the downstream side (labeler side). Configured.

  The accumulation conveyor unit 110 is configured by connecting an upstream wide accumulation conveyor 111 and a downstream wide accumulation conveyor 112 in series. The speeds of the respective accumulators 111 and 112 are defined by the rotational speeds of the variable speed motors 111M and 112M. The accumulator 110 conveys containers sent from the filler capacity 10 in a plurality of rows in a random distribution state.

  Further, as will be described in detail later, the supply amount per unit time of containers supplied from the accumulation conveyor 112 to the multi-row conveyor group 120 on the downstream side by controlling the rotational speed of the variable speed motor 112M by the control unit 200. The control operation is performed so as to make uniform.

The multi-row conveyor unit 120 is configured by connecting three multi-row conveyors 121, 122, and 123 in series from the upstream side to the downstream side. The speed of each multi-row conveyor 121, 122, 123 is defined by the rotational speed of the variable speed motors 121M, 122M, 123M. In addition, as it goes from the upstream multi-row conveyor 121 to the downstream multi-row conveyor 123, the conveyor width is gradually reduced and the conveyor speed is increased stepwise.
In addition, 124, 125, 126, 127 are guide members, and the containers to be conveyed are guided by these guide members 124, 125, 126, 127 and flow downstream, and the number of rows of containers (flow direction) The number of containers lined up in the direction perpendicular to

  The multi-row conveyor unit 120 receives containers from the most downstream portion of the accumulator 112 and conveys the received containers toward the labeler 20 via the downstream-side combiner 130 and the single-row conveyor unit 140. is there.

The combiner 130 includes a plurality of conveyors 131 to 136 arranged in parallel, and the speeds of the conveyors 131 to 136 are defined by the rotational speeds of the variable speed motors 131M to 136M.
The guide member 137 is disposed obliquely from the multi-row conveyor 123 toward the conveyors 131 and 136 on the downstream side of the conveyors 131 to 136.
Further, the speed of the conveyor is increased from the conveyor 131 toward the conveyor 136.
For this reason, the container carried out from the combiner 130 will be in the state located in a line in series.

The single row conveyor unit 140 is configured by connecting an upstream single row conveyor 141 and a downstream single row conveyor 142 in series. The speed of each single row conveyor 141, 142 is defined by the rotational speed of the variable speed motors 141M, 142M.
By this single row conveyor section 140, containers arranged in a series in a single row can be transported and supplied to the labeler 20.

  Along with the single-line conveyor 142 on the most downstream side, container detection sensors (such as optical sensors) 151 to 153 for detecting containers are provided. Specifically, the first container detection sensor 151 is positioned at the downstream position (first position) close to the labeler 20 along the single-line conveyor 142, and the second container position is slightly upstream of the first position. The second container detection sensor 152 is provided with a third container detection sensor 153 at a third position slightly upstream of the second position.

  Each of the container detection sensors 151 to 153 detects the passage of the container being conveyed by the single-line conveyor 142, so that there is a gap between the container that is conveyed in advance and the container that is conveyed downstream. Alternatively, it is possible to detect whether the container transported in advance is in contact with the subsequent container. The detection result detected in this way is sent to the control unit 200.

The control unit 200
(1) When the first container detection sensor 151 detects contact and the second and third container detection sensors 152 and 153 detect a gap, the containers are arranged in contact with each other on the single-line conveyor 142 Is determined to be too small, and the processing speed of the labeler 20 is set to a low speed.
(2) When the first and second container detection sensors 151 and 152 detect contact and the third container detection sensor 153 detects a gap, the containers arranged in contact with each other on the single-line conveyor 141 Is determined to be appropriate, and the processing speed of the labeler 20 is set to a medium speed.
(3) When the first to third container detection sensors 151 to 153 detect contact, it is determined that the number of containers arranged in contact with each other on the single-line conveyor 141 is excessive, and the labeler 20 Set the processing speed to high speed.
(4) When the first to third container detection sensors 151 to 153 detect the gap, it is determined that the number of containers arranged in contact with each other on the single-line conveyor 142 is extremely small, and the labeler 20 Set the processing speed of to very low.
In this way, the processing speed of the labeler 20 is controlled by the control device 200.

On the conveyor surface of the accumulator 112 described above, an imaging area S and a measurement area K are set in advance.
The imaging region S is a region indicated by cross-hatching in FIG. 1, and the measurement region K is a region obtained by combining the region indicated by cross-hatching and the region indicated by hatching in FIG.

More specifically, the length of the accumulation conveyor 112 in the transport direction is A, and the length in the width direction is B. And if the length of 1/3 of A is a and the length of half of B is b,
The imaging region S has a length in the conveyance direction a, a length in the width direction b,
The measurement area K has a length in the transport direction and a length in the width direction of 2b (= B).
Both the imaging region S and the measurement region K are set on the upstream side of the surface of the accumulator 112 with respect to the conveyance direction of the accumulator 112. In this example, the area of the imaging region S is half that of the measurement region K.

  In addition, the area | region downstream from the measurement area | region K among the surfaces of the accumulation conveyor 112 is 2a in the conveyance direction, and is 2b (= B) in the width direction.

  A photographic camera (photographing means) 210 constituted by a CCD or the like shoots the photographic area S on the surface of the accumulator 112 every intermittent time. A method for setting the shooting interval by the shooting camera 210 will be described later.

An image photographed by the photographing camera 210 (an image obtained by photographing a container present in the photographing region S) is sent to the control unit 200. The image processing unit built in the control unit 200 measures the number of containers present in the imaging region S by performing image processing on the captured image.
Further, the container number calculation unit built in the control unit 200 doubles the “number of containers existing in the imaging region S” measured by the image processing unit, thereby obtaining the number of containers existing in the measurement region K. Calculate.

  In this example, since only the image of the imaging area S with a small area is image-processed, the calculation load of the image processing calculation can be reduced compared to the image processing of the entire imaging area K. it can. Thereby, the manufacturing cost of the whole apparatus can be reduced.

  Further, the motor speed control unit built in the control unit 200 controls the speed of the variable speed motor 112M and changes the conveyor speed of the accumulator conveyor 112 based on the number of containers existing in the imaging region K.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 200 is preset with a relational characteristic between “the number of containers present in the measurement region K obtained by calculation” and “the conveyor speed of the accumulator 112”.

  In the example of FIG. 2, “the number of containers existing in the measurement region K obtained by calculation” and “the conveyor speed of the accumulator 112” are in an inversely proportional relationship.

  The relationship between the two is not limited to an inversely proportional relationship. When the “number of containers existing in the measurement region K obtained by calculation” exceeds the reference number N0, the “conveyor speed of the accumulator 112” is set to be higher than the reference speed v0. When the speed is reduced and the “number of containers existing in the measurement region K obtained by calculation” is less than the reference number N0, the “conveyor speed of the accumulator 112” increases with a reference speed v0. There may be.

  Next, a method for controlling the conveyor speed of the accumulator 112 performed by the motor speed controller of the controller 200 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the liquid filling line is started and containers are started to be fed from the filler capacity 10, the conveyor speed of the accumulator conveyors 111 and 112 is a predetermined reference speed v0.

When the top of the container delivered from the filler capacity 10 reaches the most downstream portion of the measurement region K at time t1, the first photographing is performed by the photographing camera 210.
The control unit 200 performs image processing and calculation processing on the captured image to obtain the number N1 of containers present in the measurement region K. Furthermore, the conveyor speed v1 corresponding to the number of containers N1 is obtained using the characteristics of FIG.
At this time, a group of containers existing in the measurement region K when the first imaging is performed is defined as a first container group.

  At time t2 when a / v0 time has elapsed from time t1, the first container group is all transferred downstream from the measurement region K, and the next container group (this is the second container group) is transferred to the measurement region K. It will be. At time t2, the second shooting is performed by the shooting camera 210, and image processing and calculation processing of the shot image are performed to obtain the number N2 of containers present in the measurement region K. Furthermore, the conveyor speed v2 corresponding to the number of containers N2 is obtained using the characteristics shown in FIG.

  At time t3 when a / v0 time has elapsed from time t2, the second container group is all transferred downstream from the measurement region K, and the next container group (this is the third container group) is transferred to the measurement region K. It will be. At time t3, the third shooting is performed by the shooting camera 210, and the image processing and calculation processing of the captured image are performed to obtain the number N3 of containers present in the measurement region K. Further, a conveyor speed v3 corresponding to the number of containers N3 is obtained using the characteristics shown in FIG.

  At time t <b> 3, the first container in the first container group reaches the most downstream portion of the accumulation conveyor 112. Therefore, the control unit 200 controls the speed of the variable speed motor 112M so that the speed of the accumulation conveyor 112 changes from v0 to v1 at time t3. From time t3 to time t4 when a / v1 elapses, the speed of the variable speed motor 112M is controlled so that the speed of the accumulator 112 becomes v1. At time t <b> 4, the rearmost container in the first container group is conveyed from the accumulation conveyor 112 to the multi-row conveyor 121.

  Eventually, the number of containers N1 in the first container group is slightly larger than the standard number of containers N0. Therefore, from time t3 to time t4, the containers are increased from the accumulator 112 at a speed v1 that is slightly slower than the reference speed V0. It is carried out to the row conveyor 121.

  At time t4 when a / v1 time has elapsed from time t3, the third container group is all transferred downstream from the measurement region K, and the next container group (this is the fourth container group) is transferred to the measurement region K. It will be. At the time t4, the fourth shooting is performed by the shooting camera 210, and the captured image is subjected to image processing and calculation processing to obtain the number N4 of containers present in the measurement region K. Furthermore, the conveyor speed v4 corresponding to the number of containers N4 is obtained using the characteristics shown in FIG.

  At time t <b> 4, the first container in the second container group reaches the most downstream portion of the accumulation conveyor 112. Therefore, at time t4, the control unit 200 controls the speed of the variable speed motor 112M so that the speed of the accumulator 112 changes from v1 to v2. From time t4 to time t5 when a / v2 elapses, the speed of the variable speed motor 112M is controlled so that the speed of the accumulator 112 becomes v2. At time t <b> 5, the rearmost container in the second container group is carried out from the accumulation conveyor 112 to the multi-row conveyor 121.

  Eventually, the number of containers N2 in the second container group is slightly smaller than the standard number of containers N0, so that the second conveyor group is transported from the accumulation conveyor 112 to the multi-row conveyor 121 at a speed v2 that is slightly faster than the reference speed V0.

  At time t5 when a / v2 hours have elapsed from time t4, the fourth container group is all transferred downstream from the measurement region K, and the next container group (this is the fifth container group) is transferred to the measurement region K. It will be. At time t5, the fifth shooting is performed by the shooting camera 210, and image processing and calculation processing of the shot image are performed to obtain the number N5 of containers present in the measurement region K. Furthermore, the conveyor speed v5 corresponding to the number of containers N5 is obtained using the characteristics shown in FIG.

  At time t <b> 5, the first container in the third container group reaches the most downstream portion of the accumulation conveyor 112. Therefore, at time t5, the control unit 200 controls the speed of the variable speed motor 112M so that the speed of the accumulator 112 changes from v2 to v3. From time t5 to time t6 when a / v3 elapses, the speed of the variable speed motor 112M is controlled so that the speed of the accumulator 112 becomes v3. At time t <b> 6, the rearmost container in the third container group is carried out from the accumulation conveyor 112 to the multi-row conveyor 121.

  Eventually, since the number of containers N3 in the third container group is larger than the standard number of containers N0, from time t5 to time t6, the containers are moved from the accumulator conveyor 112 to the multi-row conveyor at a speed v3 slower than the reference speed V0. It is conveyed to 121.

  At time t6 when a / v3 time has elapsed from time t5, the fifth container group is all transferred downstream from the measurement region K, and the next container group (this is the sixth container group) is transferred to the measurement region K. It will be. Then, at time t6, the sixth shooting is performed by the shooting camera 210, and image processing and calculation processing of the captured image are performed to obtain the number N6 of containers existing in the measurement region K. Furthermore, the conveyor speed v6 corresponding to the number of containers N6 is obtained using the characteristics shown in FIG.

  At time t <b> 6, the container present at the top of the fourth container group reaches the most downstream portion of the accumulation conveyor 112. Therefore, the control unit 200 controls the speed of the variable speed motor 112M so that the speed of the accumulation conveyor 112 changes from v3 to v4 at time t6. From time t6 to time t7 when a / v4 elapses, the speed of the variable speed motor 112M is controlled so that the speed of the accumulation conveyor 112 becomes v4. At time t <b> 7, the container existing at the rearmost among the fourth container group is carried out from the accumulation conveyor 112 to the multi-row conveyor 121.

  Eventually, since the number of containers N4 in the fourth container group is smaller than the standard number of containers N0, from time t6 to time t7, the containers are moved from the accumulator conveyor 112 to the multi-row conveyor at a speed v4 faster than the reference speed V0. It is carried out to 121.

in this way,
(I) When the number of each container group conveyed from the most downstream part of the accumulation conveyor 112 to the multi-row conveyor 121 is large, the containers are transferred from the accumulation conveyor 112 to the multi-row conveyor at a slow speed corresponding to the number (for example, inversely proportional). To 121,
(Ii) When the number of container groups transported from the most downstream portion of the accumulation conveyor 112 to the multi-row conveyor 121 is small, the containers are transferred from the accumulation conveyor 112 to the multi-row conveyor at a high speed corresponding to the number (for example, inversely proportional). As a result of being carried out to 121,
The supply amount (supply amount per unit time) of containers carried out from the accumulation conveyor 112 to the multi-row conveyor 121 can be made uniform.

  Thus, since the supply amount (supply amount per unit time) of the containers carried out from the accumulation conveyor 112 to the multi-row conveyor 121 can be made uniform, the supply amount of the containers to the labeler 20 is made uniform. Can ensure efficient driving operation

  The present invention can be applied not only to liquid filling lines but also to various conveyor devices.

The block diagram which shows the conveyor drive control apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. The characteristic view which shows the relationship between the number of containers of a measurement area | region, and the speed of an accumulation conveyor. Explanatory drawing which shows the control method of the conveyor belt speed in the Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Filler capacity 20 Labeler 100 Conveyor apparatus 110 Accumulated conveyor part 111,112 Accumulated conveyor 120 Multi-row conveyor part 121,122,123 Multi-row conveyor 124-127 Guide member 130 Combiner 131-136 Conveyor 137 Guide member 140 Single-row conveyor part 141, 142 Single-row conveyor 151, 152, 153 Container detection sensor 200 Controller 210 Photo camera

Claims (4)

An upstream conveyor that transports containers sent from the upstream device in a plurality of rows in a random distribution;
While driving the upstream conveyor, an upstream conveyor motor that can vary the conveyor speed of the upstream conveyor,
A downstream conveyor that receives containers from the most downstream portion of the upstream conveyor and conveys the received containers toward a downstream machine;
Of the region on the conveyor surface of the upstream conveyor, the transport direction of the upstream conveyor has a length that is a fraction of the length of the upstream conveyor, and the width of the upstream conveyor. Regarding the direction, photographing means for photographing a photographing region that is shortened with respect to the width of the upstream conveyor at every intermittent time;
The number of containers existing in the imaging area is measured by performing image processing on the image captured by the imaging means, and the width direction of the imaging area is determined based on the measured number of containers in the width direction of the upstream conveyor. A container number calculating means for calculating the number of a group of containers existing in the measurement area, which is an area expanded to the full width of
Each group of containers for which the number of containers is measured is sequentially transported by the upstream conveyor, and the first container among the group of containers reaches the most downstream portion of the upstream conveyor, and then the group. The number of the containers in the group in which the speed of the upstream conveyor is calculated by the container number calculation means in the period until the container existing at the rearmost among the containers reaches the most downstream part of the upstream conveyor is large. Motor speed control means for controlling the speed of the upstream conveyor motor so as to decelerate and increase the speed when the number of containers of the group calculated by the container number calculation means decreases,
A conveyor drive control device comprising: An accumulator that transports containers delivered from the filler capacities in a plurality of rows in a random distribution;
An accumulator motor that drives the accumulator and can vary the conveyor speed of the accumulator;
A multi-row conveyor that receives containers from the most downstream portion of the accumulation conveyor and conveys the received containers toward a labeler;
Of the area on the conveyor surface of the accumulator conveyor, the accumulator conveyor direction is a fraction of the length of the accumulator conveyor, and with respect to the accumulator conveyor width direction, An imaging means for imaging an imaging area that is shorter than the width of the accumulator at every intermittent time;
The number of containers existing in the imaging region is measured by performing image processing on the image captured by the imaging unit, and the width direction of the imaging region is set in the width direction of the accumulator conveyor based on the measured number of containers. A container number calculating means for calculating the number of a group of containers existing in the measurement area which is an area widened to the full width;
Each group of containers in which the number of containers is measured is sequentially transported by the accumulation conveyor, and the container existing at the top of the group of containers reaches the most downstream portion of the accumulation conveyor, and then the group of containers. The speed of the accumulator in the period until the container existing at the rearmost reaches the most downstream part of the accumulator, the speed of the group of containers calculated by the container number calculating means is reduced, Motor speed control means for controlling the speed of the accumulator motor so as to increase the speed when the number of containers of the group calculated by the container number calculation means decreases;
A conveyor drive control device comprising: In claim 1 or claim 2,
The conveyor drive control device according to claim 1, wherein the photographing unit performs the next photographing when the photographed group of containers is transported and no longer exists from the photographing region. In claim 2 or claim 3,
Container detecting means for detecting the number of containers arranged in a row in contact with each other immediately before the labeler;
When the number of containers that are in line with each other detected by the container detection means increases, the processing speed of the labelers is increased, and when the number of containers that are in line with each other decreases, Labeler processing speed control means for slowing the processing speed;
A conveyor drive control device comprising:

Images