JP2008302938A - Boxing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a boxing device having an excellent quantitative cut accuracy and capable of and continuously boxing articles of adequate amount. <P>SOLUTION: The boxing device 200 comprises feed units 2<SB>1</SB>-<SB>n</SB>for aligning a plurality of articles M in a plurality of rows and feeding them, a plurality of measuring units 7<SB>1</SB>-<SB>n</SB>arranged according to each row of the feed units 2<SB>1</SB>-<SB>n</SB>to measure the weight of articles discharged from each row, a control unit 150 for determining whether or not the weight of the articles M to be measured by the measuring units 7<SB>1</SB>-<SB>n</SB>is within the predetermined unit weight range, a plurality of sorting units 9<SB>1</SB>-<SB>n</SB>arranged according to the measuring units 7<SB>1</SB>-<SB>n</SB>to sort the articles M so as to exclude the articles M located outside the unit weight range from the result of determination by the control unit 150, a plurality of cut gates 11<SB>1</SB>-<SB>n</SB>arranged according to the sorting units 9<SB>1</SB>-<SB>n</SB>to adjust the passage of the articles M sorted as being within the unit weight range by the opening/closing operation, and a throw-in unit 12 for gathering the articles M passing through the cut gates 11<SB>1</SB>-<SB>n</SB>and throwing them in a storage box 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a boxing apparatus, and more particularly, to a boxing apparatus that is excellent in quantitative cut accuracy and can box articles at high speed and continuously.

  Items for packing such as fruits and vegetables and industrial parts are stored in a cardboard box when shipped from a processing facility. For this reason, various boxing techniques that can efficiently pack an article according to the shape of the article and the shipping form have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

  Patent Document 1 describes a conventional technique in which cardboard boxes filled with fruits and vegetables in a fixed amount box are sent out from a plurality of automatic boxing machines, and can be efficiently sealed with one automatic boxing machine.

  Patent Document 2 describes a conventional technique in which a storage box on a table to which fruits and vegetables are supplied is automatically weighed and a fixed amount of fruits and vegetables can be accurately and efficiently put into the storage box.

Patent Document 3 describes a conventional technique in which spheres automatically cut out by weight per carton can be properly aligned and filled into a carton automatically.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-46401 JP-A-8-40411 JP 2001-287712 A

  By the way, the inventors of the present invention have improved the accuracy of a boxing device that can pack an epoxy cylindrical tablet used as a sealing material for a semiconductor package at a high speed and continuously (improvement of quantitative cut accuracy). Are working on.

  The boxing process of the existing tablet is performed by, for example, continuously dropping and feeding from a feeder discharge port with a cut gate to a storage box loaded on a platform scale. In this case, when the total tablet weight weighed on the platform scale reaches the target value in anticipation of the number of tablets in the middle of falling due to the drop between the storage box and the discharge port, the feeder using the cut gate is used. The outlet is closed. Thereby, a fixed amount of tablets are packed in the storage box.

  However, there is an error in the estimated number of tablets being dropped due to a drop between the storage box and the outlet. This error is no longer negligible especially when tablets are ejected at high speed. That is, the above-described technique has a difficulty in the accuracy of quantitative cut.

  In addition, for accurate weight measurement with a platform balance, it is necessary to secure a balance stabilization time for the platform scale, which is an obstacle to high-speed packaging.

  Therefore, the inventors of the present invention believe that the above-mentioned problems can be overcome by incorporating a multiple-type weight selection function and a cut gate function into the boxing device. In this respect, there is nothing worth considering.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a boxing device that is excellent in quantitative cut accuracy and can box an appropriate amount of articles at high speed and continuously.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a supply unit that supplies a plurality of articles aligned in a plurality of rows;
A plurality of weighing units arranged corresponding to each row of the supply unit and measuring the weight of articles discharged from each row;
A control unit for determining whether the weight of the article weighed by each weighing unit is within a predetermined single weight range;
A plurality of sorting units that are arranged corresponding to each of the weighing units and sort the articles so as to exclude articles outside the single weight range based on a determination result by the control unit;
A plurality of cut gate portions that are arranged corresponding to the respective sorting portions and adjust the passage of articles distributed within the single weight range by opening and closing;
An input unit that collects articles that have passed through each of the cut gate units and inputs the collected items into a storage box;
There is provided a boxing device comprising transfer means for transferring the storage box.

  Here, as an example of the operation of the cut gate unit by the boxing device, the control unit, when the cut gate unit is open, when cumulatively adding the weight of the articles distributed within the single weight range, When the cumulative weight value of the article reaches the target weight range of the article to be put into the storage box, the cumulative weight value is reset to zero, and the cut gate portion is closed to move toward the feeding portion. Further, the passage of the article may be interrupted.

  In this case, the control unit starts the input of the article into the storage box by the input unit in a state where the cut gate unit is closed, and then, at the timing when the input is completed, The article may be stopped from being put into the storage box and the cut gate part may be opened to start passage of the article toward the feeding part.

  Furthermore, the control unit uses the transfer unit between the time when the loading of the article into the storage box by the loading unit is stopped and the time when the loading of the article into the storage box by the loading unit is started next time. Then, the storage box in which the article is placed may be switched to an empty storage box.

  In this way, the boxing device of the present invention has a multiple-type weight selection function and a cut gate function, and allows the passage of articles selected as being within a single weight range to have multiple cuts with excellent quantitative cut accuracy. Since the adjustment is appropriately performed by the type of cut gate, the articles can be packed in the storage box with high accuracy so that the total weight of the articles falls within the target weight range.

  In addition, when an article is put into the storage box by the input unit, the subsequent article that reaches the cut gate must be put into the storage box at the time of next packing without being put into the storage box that is currently waiting. There is. For this reason, the article can be temporarily stored in the cut gate by closing the cut gate. By such an action of adjusting the passage of the cut gate article, the article can be packed at a high speed and continuously.

  Further, as another example of the operation of the cut gate unit by the boxing device, the control unit, when the cut gate unit is open, when accumulating the number of articles distributed within the single weight range When the cumulative number of articles reaches the target number of articles to be put into the storage box, the cumulative number is reset to zero, and the cut gate part is closed, so that the The passage of the article may be interrupted.

  In this case, the control unit starts the input of the article into the storage box by the input unit in a state where the cut gate unit is closed, and then, at the timing when the input is completed, The article may be stopped from being put into the storage box and the cut gate part may be opened to start passage of the article toward the feeding part.

  Furthermore, the control unit uses the transfer unit between the time when the loading of the article into the storage box by the loading unit is stopped and the time when the loading of the article into the storage box by the loading unit is started next time. Then, the storage box in which the article is placed may be switched to an empty storage box.

  In this way, the boxing device of the present invention has a multiple weight selection function and a cut gate function, and the multiple cut gates are suitable for passing articles selected within the single weight range. Therefore, the articles can be easily packed in the storage box so that the total number of articles becomes the target number.

  In addition, when an article is put into the storage box by the input unit, the subsequent article that reaches the cut gate must be put into the storage box at the time of next packing without being put into the storage box that is currently waiting. There is. For this reason, the article can be temporarily stored in the cut gate by closing the cut gate. By such an action of adjusting the passage of the cut gate article, the article can be packed into the storage box at high speed and continuously.

As another processing example of the boxing device, the control unit cumulatively adds the weight and the number of articles distributed within the single weight range, and calculates the cumulative weight value of the articles as the cumulative number of articles. Obtain the average unit weight of the article divided by
Obtaining a prospective additional weight value obtained by multiplying the number obtained by subtracting the cumulative number from the target number of articles to be put into the storage box by the average unit weight value;
A predetermined warning may be issued when the sum of the estimated added weight value and the accumulated weight value deviates from the target weight range of the article to be put into the storage box.

  As described above, the control unit calculates and obtains the “average unit weight value” and the “predicted additional weight value”, so that the operator can obtain an appropriate amount of the article before the boxing apparatus completes packing the article into the storage box. It can be detected whether or not can be packed in a storage box.

  As a result, when it is predicted that an appropriate amount of articles cannot be packed in the storage box, the operator can save labor for collecting and reprocessing the articles in the storage box, and thus returning the boxing apparatus to the storage box. Appropriate responses such as actions can be taken quickly.

  For example, when the weight of a large number of articles is biased to the lower limit or upper limit within the single weight range, if a target number of articles is put into the storage box, it may deviate from the target weight range. The above warning will be useful.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a boxing device that has excellent quantitative cut accuracy and can pack an appropriate amount of articles at high speed and continuously.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a configuration example of a boxing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a view of the boxing device viewed from the side.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example related to signal processing of the boxing device according to the present embodiment.

In FIG. 1, for convenience of the following description, the direction of gravity in the boxing device 200 is referred to as “downward”, and the opposite direction is referred to as “upward”. Further, the conveying direction of the article M in V-type vibrating feeder 2 ₁ ~ _n below referred to as "backward direction", and the opposite direction referred to as "forward direction". Furthermore, a direction perpendicular to the above-mentioned “vertical direction” and “front-rear direction” is referred to as a “width direction”.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the boxing device 200 includes a supply function unit 100 that functions as a supply source of the article M, a weighing function unit 110 that measures the weight of the article M, and the weight of the article M based on the weight of the article M. A sorting function unit 120 that sorts the articles M so as to perform sorting, a cut gate function unit 130 that adjusts the passage of the articles M, and a loading function unit 140 that loads and packs the articles M in the storage box 13. A storage box switching conveyor 14 (transfer means) for transferring the storage box 13, and a control unit 150.

The supply function unit 100 includes a distributed supply feeder 1 and V-type vibration feeders 2 ₁ to _n arranged in a plurality of rows (here, n rows; n> 1).

V-type vibrating feeder 2 ₁ ~ _n has a function of the article M of the cylindrical shape, such as a mini-tablet, its longitudinal allowed suited in the longitudinal direction is aligned in n rows. That, V-type vibrating feeder 2 ₁ ~ _n is a known conveying apparatus using the vibration energy as a conveying force of the article M. In addition, each V-type vibrating feeders 2 ₁ ~ _n, is V-shaped groove extending in the longitudinal direction (not shown) is formed, thereby, so that the longitudinal direction of the article M is oriented in the longitudinal direction, each the article M is arranged fitted in the V grooves of the V-type vibrating feeder 2 ₁ ~ _n. Then, the article M on the V-type vibration feeder 2 ₁ ~ _n are aligned conveyed one by one, and is discharged to the metering function unit 110 described later.

The distributed supply feeder 1 is, for example, a known convolution conveyor, and is configured to swing around the front end of the distributed supply feeder 1 when viewed from above and below. Thereby, the article M is supplied uniformly from the rear end of the dispersion supply feeder 1 to each V-type vibrating feeders 2 ₁ ~ _n.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 2, CPU 28 (described later) is, V-type vibratory feeder driving circuit for applying a driving signal for vibrating the vibration unit (not shown) incorporated in the V-type vibrating feeders 2 ₁ ~ _n controls the supply operation of the article M by the V-type vibrating feeders 2 ₁ ~ _n with 22. Further, the CPU 28 controls the supply operation of the article M by the distributed supply feeder 1 using the distributed supply feeder drive circuit 21 that supplies a drive signal to the distributed supply feeder 1.

Weighing function unit 110, as shown in FIG. 1, the transfer conveyor 4 ₁ ~ _n which is disposed corresponding to each column of V-type vibrating feeder 2 ₁ ~ _n, each column of V-type vibrating feeder 2 ₁ ~ _n A plurality (n pieces) of weighing hoppers 7 ₁ to _n (weighing units) arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of (n pieces) weighing sensors 6 arranged corresponding to the respective weighing hoppers 7 ₁ to _{n. 1} to _n and a plurality (n pieces) of article detection sensors 5 ₁ to _n arranged corresponding to the respective weighing hoppers 7 ₁ to _n .

Transfer conveyor 4 ₁ ~ _n, like that can put articles M to be conveyed from the rear end of the V-type vibrating feeder 2 ₁ ~ _n, is disposed near the rear end of the V-type vibrating feeder 2 ₁ ~ _n belt Type conveyor. By these transfer conveyors 4 ₁ to _n , the articles M are conveyed while being aligned so as to be continuous in the front-rear direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 28 controls the transfer operation of the article M by the transfer conveyors 4 ₁ to _n using the first conveyor drive circuit 23.

Each weighing hopper 7 ₁ ~ _n, as can store articles M which is naturally falling from the rear end of the transfer conveyor 4 ₁ ~ _n, the transfer conveyor 4 ₁ ~ _n the rear end funnel-shaped disposed below and in the vicinity of It is a member.

Whether introduction of the article M to the weigh hoppers ₇₁ - _n is detected by each of the weighing hoppers 7 ₁ upwards arranged article detection sensors 5 _{1 n} of _n. As an article detection sensor 5 ₁ ~ _n, for example, can be used photoelectric sensor.

Further, each of the weighing hoppers 7 _{1 n} is the measuring sensor 6 _1-n, and is supported so as to be capable of measuring the weight of the articles M in the weigh hoppers ₇₁ - the _n. For example, a load cell can be used as each of the weighing sensors 6 ₁ to _n .

Further, each weighing hopper 7 ₁ to _n has shutter gates 8 ₁ to _n , and each time the measurement of the weight of the article M in each weighing hopper 7 ₁ to _n is completed, each weighing hopper 7 ₁ to _n The shutter gates 8 ₁ to _n are configured to be openable and closable so that the articles M stored therein can be discharged to the outside. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the shutter gates 8 ₁ to _n are formed of swing plates that are supported so as to be swingable around the fulcrums 8A ₁ to _n, and are based on the control signal output from the CPU 28. The swing plate is driven to swing by the second gate drive circuit 26 (swing is moved to a position indicated by a solid line and a dotted line in FIG. 1), whereby the shutter gates 8 ₁ to _n are opened and closed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the output side of each article detection sensor 5 ₁ to _n is connected to the CPU 28 via the I / O circuit 24. Then, CPU 28 on the basis of the output signal detected by the article detection sensor 5 ₁ ~ _n, starts the metering of the articles M by means of a metering sensors 6 ₁ ~ _n, is detected by the weighing sensor 6 ₁ ~ _n It is determined whether the weight of the article M is within a predetermined single weight range. The output side of each weighing sensor 6 ₁ to _n is connected to the input side of an A / D (analog / digital) conversion circuit 25 through an amplifier (not shown), and the output side of the A / D conversion circuit 25 is connected to the CPU 28. It is connected.

  Note that the predetermined single weight range is an operation parameter that serves as a reference for selecting the weight of each article M. If the weight of the article M is within the single weight range, the article M is processed as a non-defective product. If the weight is outside the single weight range, the article M is processed as a defective product.

As shown in FIG. 1, the distribution function unit 120 includes a plurality of distribution gates 9 ₁ to _n (distribution units) arranged corresponding to the respective weighing hoppers 7 ₁ to _n , and each weighing sensor 6 based on the weight of the weighed articles M in ₁ ~ _n, the switching operation of the sorting gates 9 ₁ ~ _n, distributes an article M of the individual articles M in the article M and the single weight range outside the single weight range . That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the distribution gates 9 ₁ to _n are formed of swing plates supported so as to be swingable around the fulcrums 9A ₁ to _n , and based on the control signal output from the CPU 28, This swing plate is swing-driven by the gate drive circuit 26 of FIG.

More specifically, if the weight of the article M is within the single weight range, the sorting gates 9 ₁ to _n swing to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1, and are thus distributed within the single weight range. The article M is transferred to the cut gate function unit 130 described later. On the other hand, if the weight of the article M is out of the single weight range, the sorting gates 9 ₁ to _n swing to the position indicated by the dotted line in FIG. M is transferred to the conveyor 10 described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the transport conveyor 10 is a belt-type conveyor disposed below the weighing hoppers 7 ₁ to _n . The transport conveyor 10 can transport the articles M sorted out of the single weight range by the sorting gates 9 ₁ to _n so as to be excluded from the boxing device 200.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 28 controls the conveyance operation of the article M by the conveyance conveyor 10 using the second conveyor driving circuit 27.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cut gate function unit 130 has a plurality of cut gates 11 ₁ to _n (cut gate units) arranged corresponding to the respective distribution gates 9 ₁ to _n , and the cut gate 11 _1. the opening and closing of the ~ _n, passing through can be adjusted towards the set conveyor 12 of the article M which is distributed as a single weight range (described later). That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n are formed of swing plates that are supported so as to be swingable around the fulcrums 11A ₁ to _n, and are based on the control signal output from the CPU 28. The swing plate is driven to swing by the two gate drive circuits 26.

The details of the opening and closing operations of the cut gate 11 ₁ ~ _n (pass adjustment operation of the article M by the cut gate 11 ₁ ~ _n), described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the collective transfer conveyor 12 of the loading function unit 140 is a belt-type conveyor disposed below each of the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n . This collective transport conveyor 12 can transport the articles M that are sorted within the single weight range by the sorting gates 9 ₁ to _n to be put into the storage box 13.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 28 uses the second conveyor drive circuit 27 to control the conveyance operation of the article M by the collective conveyance conveyor 12.

  In addition, the storage box switching conveyor 14 of the boxing device 200 can transfer the storage box 13 so that the storage box 13 in which the packing of the article M is completed is switched to the empty storage box 13.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 28 uses the second conveyor drive circuit 27 to control the switching operation of the storage box 13 by the storage box switching conveyor 14.

  The control unit 150 includes a CPU 28 including a microprocessor, a memory unit 29 including a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an operation setting display unit 30.

  The CPU 28 operates according to a control program stored in advance in the memory unit 29 and controls the boxing operation of the article M by the boxing device 200.

  The memory unit 29 is connected to the CPU 28 and stores the above-described control program and various operation parameters (for example, the above-described single weight range and a target weight range described later) necessary for the boxing operation of the article M.

  The operation setting display unit 30 displays an operation setting unit (for example, a keyboard; not shown) provided with the above-described operation parameter input setting buttons, a message output from the CPU 28, an operation status of the boxing device 200, and the like. A display unit (for example, a liquid crystal panel; not shown).

  Note that the control unit 150 may include a notification device (for example, a speaker; not shown) that allows a worker to recognize a predetermined warning (described later).

  Further, the control unit 150 described in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is not necessarily configured by a single CPU, and a plurality of CPUs are arranged in a distributed manner. It may be configured to control.

Next, an example of opening and closing operations of the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n of the boxing device 200 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of opening / closing operation of the cut gate of the boxing device according to the present embodiment.

  When the operation start switch of the operation setting display unit 30 connected to the CPU 28 is pressed, a plurality of measurement menus are displayed on the display screen, and the following processing can be started by operating the operation setting display unit 30.

  In executing this processing as follows, instructions of various input procedures performed by the operator are displayed as messages on the display unit. Further, the control program is read from the memory unit 29 into the CPU 28. And this control program performs this process, controlling the various apparatuses of the boxing apparatus 200. FIG.

  Note that, here, one cycle of boxing from the start to the completion of loading of the article M into the storage box 13 is shown, but actually the boxing of the article M into the plurality of storage boxes 13 by the boxing apparatus 200 is performed. As it is assumed, the boxing cycle shown in FIG. 3 is continuously repeated.

First, the process (A) in a state where the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n are opened will be described.

When the CPU 28 cumulatively adds the weights of the articles M distributed within the single weight range by the sorting gates 9 ₁ to _n (step S301), the accumulated weight value of the articles M has reached a predetermined target weight range. It is determined whether or not (step S302). The predetermined target weight range is a target range of the total weight of the articles M to be put into the storage box 13 and is stored in the memory unit 29 in advance.

At the timing when the accumulated weight value of the article M reaches the target weight range (“YES” in step S302), the CPU 28 resets the above-described accumulated weight value to “0 (zero)” and at the same time a multiple cut gate. By closing 11 ₁ to _n , the passage of the articles M toward the collective transport conveyor 12 is interrupted (step S303). However, the cumulative addition of the weight of the article M is continued.

Thus, since the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n are configured in a multiple manner and have excellent quantitative cut accuracy, the accumulated weight value of the article M can be adjusted with high accuracy. That is, it is preferable that the accumulated weight value of the article M can be surely put in the target weight range by individually adjusting the timing of closing the swing plates of the multiple cut gates 11 ₁ to _n. .

  Then, the CPU 28 turns on the ON of the collective transport conveyor 12 using the second conveyor drive circuit 27, thereby starting the loading of the article M placed on the collective transport conveyor 12 into the storage box 13 (step). S303).

Next, the process (B) in a state where the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n are closed will be described.

  When accumulating and adding the weights of the articles M distributed within the single weight range (step S304), the CPU 28 determines whether or not the insertion of the articles M placed on the collective transfer conveyor 12 into the storage box 13 is completed. (Step S305). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the accumulated weight value of the article M does not reach the above-described target weight range again during this determination operation.

At the timing when the loading of the articles M into the storage box 13 is completed (“YES” in step S305), the CPU 28 opens the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n to start the passage of the articles M toward the collective transport conveyor 12. Then, by turning off the operation of the collective transport conveyor 12 using the second conveyor drive circuit 27, the loading of the articles M placed on the collective transport conveyor 12 into the storage box 13 is stopped (step S306). However, the cumulative addition of the weight of the article M is continued. Note that the CPU 28 can estimate the above-described charging completion timing based on the transport length of the collective transport conveyor 12 and the conveyor transport speed.

In this way, the CPU 28 completes one cycle of packing the articles M from the start to the end of the storage box 13 and completes the next processing (A) in a state where the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n are open. Transition.

  Further, in preparation for the next boxing cycle, the CPU 28 uses the second conveyor drive circuit 27 to turn on the next operation (next time) after the operation of the collective transport conveyor 12 is stopped (when the loading of the articles M into the storage box 13 is stopped). The storage box 13 in which the packing of the articles M has been completed is switched to an empty storage box 13 by using the storage box switching conveyor 14 until the article M is put into the storage box 13. Thereby, the switching operation of the storage box 13 can be performed efficiently.

Packing device 200 of this embodiment, as described above, corresponding to each column of the V-type vibrating feeder 2 ₁ ~ _n supplies aligning the articles M in a plurality of rows, V-type vibrating feeder 2 ₁ ~ _n The weighing hoppers 7 ₁ to _n for measuring the weight of the articles discharged from each row and whether the weight of the article M to be weighed by the weighing hoppers 7 ₁ to _n is within a predetermined single weight range is determined. a control unit 150 which, weighing hoppers 7 arranged to correspond to ₁ ~ _n, the control unit 150 based on a determination result of to eliminate the single weight range of the article M, sorting gate distributes the articles M 9 ₁ and ~ _n, arranged in correspondence with the sorting gate 9 ₁ ~ _n, and the cut gate 11 ₁ ~ _n be adjusted by opening and closing the passage of the article M which is distributed as a single weight range, the cut gate 11 ₁ ~ _n The articles M that have passed are gathered and loaded (conveyed) into the storage box 13. It includes a case conveyor 12, the storage box 13 that packing of the article M has been completed, to switch an empty storage box 13, the storage box switching conveyor 14 for transporting the storage box 13, the.

When the control unit 150 cumulatively adds the weights of the articles M distributed within the single weight range in a state where the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n are open, the accumulated weight value of the articles M is stored in the storage box 13. The accumulated weight value is reset to zero at the timing when the target weight range of the articles M to be put into the machine reaches, and the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n are closed, thereby interrupting the passage of the articles M toward the collective transport conveyor 12. It is configured to let you.

In addition, the control unit 150 starts the loading of the articles M into the storage box 13 by the collective transport conveyor 12 in a state where the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n are closed, and then collects and transports at the timing when the throwing is completed. By stopping the input of the articles M into the storage box 13 by the conveyor 12 and opening the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n , the passage of the articles M toward the collective transport conveyor 12 is started.

In this way, the boxing device 200 of this embodiment has a multiple weight selection function and a cut gate function, and is excellent in quantitative cut accuracy for passing an article M selected as being within a single weight range. Since the multiple cut gates 11 ₁ to _n are appropriately adjusted, the articles M can be packed in the storage box 13 with high accuracy so that the total weight of the articles M falls within the target weight range.

  Here, according to the boxing device 200 of the present embodiment, it can be estimated that high-precision boxing of the articles M is possible as follows.

The total variation in a plurality of aggregates having individual variations is statistically expressed by the following formula (1).
(Total variation) = √ (A ₁ ² + A ₂ ² + A ₃ ² +... A _n ² ) (1)
In formula (1), “A ₁ ”, “A ₂ ”, and “A ₃ ” represent individual variations.

The variation (error) of the boxing device 200 of the present embodiment is ± 20 mg (3σ). For example, when a 20-kg box of 1.4 g of articles M is used, if the total number of articles M is 14286, the total variation Is √ (0.02 ² × 14286) = ± 2.39 g (3σ).

The relationship between the weight of the article M, the total number of articles M equivalent to 20 kg, total variation, and number conversion variation (MAX number) is shown in Table 1 below.

Table 1 Table showing accuracy (error) evaluation results of the boxing device 200 of the present embodiment

表１から理解されるように、１．４ｇの物品Ｍの場合、総合ばらつきが約±２．４ｇであることにより、０〜４．８ｇの誤差が生じ、これを、個数換算ばらつき（ＭＡＸ個数）で表すと、物品Ｍの個数は４個に相当する。同様に、表１に示すように、２．０ｇの物品Ｍの場合には、物品Ｍの総個数は１００００個であり、物品Ｍの個数換算ばらつきは、最大でも２個である。また、４．０ｇの物品Ｍの場合には、物品Ｍの総個数は５０００個であり、物品Ｍの個数換算ばらつきは、最大でも１個である。

As understood from Table 1, in the case of an article M of 1.4 g, an error of 0 to 4.8 g is generated because the total variation is about ± 2.4 g. ), The number of articles M corresponds to four. Similarly, as shown in Table 1, in the case of a 2.0 g article M, the total number of articles M is 10,000, and the number conversion variation of the article M is two at the maximum. Further, in the case of 4.0 g of articles M, the total number of articles M is 5000, and the number conversion variation of the articles M is at most one.

  From the above accuracy evaluation, it is expected that the boxing device 200 of the present embodiment can pack the articles M with high accuracy.

Further, at the time of introduction into the storage box 13 of the article M by the set conveyor 12, the subsequent article M to reach the cut gate 11 ₁ ~ _n are currently without put into storage box 13 in the waiting, the next It is necessary to put in the storage box 13 at the time of boxing. For this reason, in this embodiment, the article M can be temporarily stored in the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n by closing the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n . By such an action of adjusting the passage of the articles M through the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n , the articles M can be packed in the storage box 13 continuously at high speed.
(Modification 1)
In the boxing device 200 of the present embodiment, an example has been described in which the total weight of the articles M put into the storage box 13 is adjusted within the target weight range. Instead of this, like the boxing device 200 of this modification, the control unit 150 (CPU 28) may adjust the total number of articles M to be put into the storage box 13 so as to become the target number. That is, in this modification, a situation is assumed in which the boxing device 200 packs a target number of articles M in the storage box 13.

In this case, CPU 28, since to obtain the weight of the detected article M by the weighing sensors 6 ₁ ~ _n, based on the weight of the data, the sorting gate 9 ₁ ~ _n as the single weight range The number of distributed articles M can be counted, and as a result, the number of articles M put into the storage box 13 can be grasped.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing another opening / closing operation example of the cut gate of the boxing device according to the present modification.

  When an operation start switch of the operation setting display unit 30 connected to the CPU 28 is pressed, a plurality of measurement menus are displayed on the display unit, and the following processing can be started by operating the operation setting display unit 30.

  In executing this processing as follows, instructions of various input procedures performed by the operator are displayed as messages on the display unit. Further, the control program is read from the memory unit 29 into the CPU 28. And this control program performs this process, controlling the various apparatuses of the boxing apparatus 200. FIG.

  Note that, here, one cycle of boxing from the start to the completion of loading of the article M into the storage box 13 is shown, but actually, boxing into a plurality of storage boxes 13 by the boxing apparatus 200 is assumed. As a result, the boxing cycle shown in FIG. 4 is continuously repeated.

First, the process (A) in a state where the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n are opened will be described.

When the CPU 28 cumulatively adds the number of articles M distributed within the single weight range by the distribution gates 9 ₁ to _n (step S401), whether or not the cumulative number of articles M has reached a predetermined target number. Is determined (step S402). The predetermined target number is a target value of the total number of articles M to be put into the storage box 13 and is stored in the memory unit 29 in advance.

At the timing when the accumulated number of articles M reaches the target number (“YES” in step S402), the CPU 28 resets the above-mentioned accumulated number to “0 (zero)” and also sets multiple cut gates 11 ₁ to 11-. By closing _n , the passage of the articles M toward the collective transport conveyor 12 is interrupted (step S403). However, the cumulative addition of the number of articles M is continued.

By closing the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n in this way, the cumulative number of articles M can be easily adjusted.

  Then, the CPU 28 turns on the ON of the collective transport conveyor 12 using the second conveyor drive circuit 27, thereby starting the loading of the article M placed on the collective transport conveyor 12 into the storage box 13 (step). S403).

Next, the process (B) in a state where the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n are closed will be described.

  When accumulating and adding the number of articles M distributed as being within the single weight range (step S404), the CPU 28 determines whether or not the articles M placed on the collective transfer conveyor 12 have been put into the storage box 13. (Step S405). In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the cumulative number of articles M does not reach the above-mentioned target number again during this determination operation.

At the timing when the loading of the articles M into the storage box 13 is completed (“YES” in step S405), the CPU 28 opens the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n to start the passage of the articles M toward the collective transport conveyor 12. Then, by turning off the operation of the collective transport conveyor 12 using the second conveyor drive circuit 27, the loading of the articles M placed on the collective transport conveyor 12 into the storage box 13 is stopped (step S406). However, the cumulative addition of the number of articles M is continued. Note that the CPU 28 can estimate the above-described charging completion timing based on the transport length of the collective transport conveyor 12 and the conveyor transport speed.

In this way, the CPU 28 completes one cycle of packing the articles M from the start to the end of the storage box 13 and completes the next processing (A) in a state where the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n are open. Transition.

  Further, in preparation for the next boxing cycle, the CPU 28 uses the second conveyor drive circuit 27 to turn on the operation from the operation of the collective transport conveyor 12 (when the articles M are stopped to be put into the storage box 13) from the operation on (the next product). The storage box 13 in which the packing of the articles M has been completed is switched to the empty storage box 13 by the storage box switching conveyor 14 until the start of the insertion of the M into the storage box 13. Thereby, the switching operation of the storage box 13 can be performed efficiently.

In the boxing device 200 of the present modification, the control unit 150 accumulates the number of articles M when the number of articles M distributed as being within the single weight range is cumulatively added in a state where the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n are open. When the number reaches the target number of articles M to be put into the storage box 13, the accumulated number is reset to zero and the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n are closed, thereby passing the articles M toward the collective transport conveyor 12. Is configured to interrupt.

In addition, the control unit 150 starts the loading of the articles M into the storage box 13 by the collective transport conveyor 12 in a state where the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n are closed, and then collects and transports at the timing when the throwing is completed. By stopping the input of the articles M into the storage box 13 by the conveyor 12 and opening the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n , the passage of the articles M toward the collective transport conveyor 12 is started.

In this way, the boxing device 200 according to the present modification has a multiple-type weight selection function and a cut gate function. Since the gates 11 ₁ to _n are appropriately adjusted, the articles M can be easily packed in the storage box 13 so that the total number of articles M becomes the target number.

Furthermore, when the articles M are put into the storage box 13 by the collective transport conveyor 12, the subsequent articles M that reach the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n are not put into the storage box 13 that is currently on standby, but next time. It is necessary to put in the storage box 13 at the time of boxing. For this reason, in this modification, the articles M can be temporarily stored in the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n by closing the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n . By such an action of adjusting the passage of the articles M through the cut gates 11 ₁ to _n , the articles M can be packed in the storage box 13 continuously at high speed.
(Modification 2)
In the boxing device 200 of this embodiment, the control unit 150 (CPU 28) cumulatively adds the weight of the article M, and compares this cumulative weight value with the target weight range as the total weight of the article M to be put into the storage box 13. An example to do.

  In the boxing device 200 of this modification, the control unit 150 (CPU 28) cumulatively adds both the weight and the number of the articles M, and processes these numerical values as follows. That is, in the present modification, a situation is assumed in which the boxing device 200 packs the storage box 13 in the storage box 13 so that the target number of articles M is within the target weight range.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing routine of the boxing device according to this modification.

  When the operation start switch of the operation setting display unit 30 connected to the CPU 28 is pressed, a plurality of measurement menus are displayed on the display screen, and the following processing can be started by operating the operation setting display unit 30.

  In executing this processing as follows, instructions of various input procedures performed by the operator are displayed as messages on the display unit. Further, the control program is read from the memory unit 29 into the CPU 28. And this control program performs this process, controlling the various apparatuses of the boxing apparatus 200. FIG.

First, the CPU 28 accumulates and adds the weight and the number of articles M distributed within the single weight range by the distribution gates 9 ₁ to _n (step S501). Note that the cumulative addition is continuously performed.

  Next, the CPU 28 calculates and obtains an “average unit weight value” of the article M obtained by dividing the cumulative weight value of the article M by the cumulative number of articles M (step S502).

  Next, the CPU 28 calculates and obtains a “probable added weight value” obtained by multiplying the number obtained by subtracting the cumulative number from the predetermined target number of the article M by the “average unit weight value” obtained in step S502. (Step S503).

  The predetermined target number is a target value of the total number of articles M to be put into the storage box 13 and is stored in the memory unit 29 in advance.

  Here, the CPU 28 determines whether or not the sum of the “probable added weight value” obtained in step S503 and the accumulated weight value of the article M obtained in step S501 is within a predetermined target weight range of the article M ( Step S504).

  The predetermined target weight range is a target range of the total weight of the articles M to be put into the storage box 13 and is stored in the memory unit 29 in advance.

  When the sum of the two deviates from the target weight range of the article M (in the case of “NO” in step S504), the CPU 28 uses a speaker (not shown) and the operation setting display unit 30 to “make the box work as it is” Even if the user continues, there is a high possibility that an appropriate amount of goods cannot be stored in the storage box.

  On the other hand, when the sum of the two is within the target weight range of the article M (in the case of “YES” in step S504), the CPU 28 ends this process without issuing any warning.

  In the boxing device 200 of the present modification, the control unit 150 cumulatively adds the weight and the number of articles M distributed as being within the single weight range, and divides the cumulative weight value of the article M by the cumulative number of articles M. The “estimated weight value” obtained by obtaining the “average unit weight value” of the article M and multiplying the number obtained by subtracting the cumulative number from the target number of articles M to be put into the storage box 13 by the above “average unit weight value”. The value is acquired, and a predetermined warning is issued when the sum of the above-mentioned “expected additional weight value” and the accumulated weight value of the article M deviates from the target weight range of the article M to be put into the storage box 13. Has been.

  In this way, the control unit 150 calculates and obtains the “average unit weight value” and the “predicted additional weight value”, so that the worker completes the boxing of the articles M into the storage box 13 by the boxing apparatus 200. Before, it can be detected whether or not an appropriate amount of the article M can be packed in the storage box 13.

  As a result, when it is predicted that an appropriate amount of articles M cannot be packed in the storage box 13, the operator can save labor for collecting and reprocessing the articles M in the storage box 13. Appropriate measures such as the return operation of the boxing device 200 can be taken quickly.

  For example, when the weights of a large number of articles M are biased to the lower limit value or the upper limit value within the single weight range, if a target number of articles M is put into the storage box 13, it may deviate from the target weight range. In such cases, the above warning is useful.

  The boxing device of the present invention is useful as an automatic boxing device or the like that has excellent quantitative cut accuracy, can pack an appropriate amount of articles at high speed and continuously, and can pack articles with high precision and efficiency.

It is the schematic which showed the example of 1 structure of the boxing apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed the hardware structural example regarding the signal processing of the boxing apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the example of opening / closing operation | movement of the cut gate of the boxing apparatus by embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the other opening / closing operation | movement example of the cut gate of the boxing apparatus of the boxing apparatus by the modification 1 of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the processing routine example of the boxing apparatus by the modification 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 dispersion supply feeder 2 ₁ ~ _n V-type vibrating feeder 4 ₁ ~ _n transfer conveyor 5 ₁ ~ _n article detection sensor 6 ₁ ~ _n Weighing sensors 7 ₁ ~ _n weighing hoppers 8 ₁ ~ _n shutter gate 9 ₁ ~ _n sorting gate 10 carrying conveyor 11 ₁ ~ _n cut gate _{8A 1 ~ n, 9A 1 ~} n, 11A 1 ~ n fulcrum 12 set conveyors 13 storage box 14 housing box switching conveyor 21 distributed supply feeder driving circuit 22 V-type vibratory feeder drive Circuit 23 First conveyor drive circuit 24 I / O circuit 25 A / D conversion circuit 26 Gate drive circuit 27 Second conveyor drive circuit 28 CPU
29 Memory unit 30 Operation setting display unit 100 Supply function unit 110 Weighing function unit 120 Distribution function unit 130 Cut gate function unit 140 Input function unit 150 Control unit 200 Box filling device M Article

Claims (8)

A supply unit configured to supply a plurality of articles in a plurality of rows;
A plurality of weighing units arranged corresponding to each row of the supply unit and measuring the weight of articles discharged from each row;
A control unit for determining whether the weight of the article weighed by each weighing unit is within a predetermined single weight range;
A plurality of sorting units that are arranged corresponding to each of the weighing units and sort the articles so as to exclude articles outside the single weight range based on a determination result by the control unit;
A plurality of cut gate portions that are arranged corresponding to the respective sorting portions and adjust the passage of articles distributed within the single weight range by opening and closing;
An input unit that collects articles that have passed through each of the cut gate units and inputs the collected items into a storage box;
Transfer means for transferring the storage box;
A boxing device comprising:   When the control unit cumulatively adds the weights of the articles distributed within the single weight range in a state where the cut gate portion is open, the cumulative weight value of the articles is put into the storage box. 2. The boxing according to claim 1, wherein the accumulated weight value is reset to zero at a timing when the target weight range is reached, and the cut gate portion is closed to interrupt the passage of the article toward the input portion. apparatus. The control unit, in a state where the cut gate unit is closed, starts the input of the article into the storage box by the input unit,
Thereafter, at the timing when the loading is completed, the loading of the article into the storage box by the loading unit is stopped, and the passage of the article toward the loading unit is started by opening the cut gate unit. The boxing device according to claim 2.   The control unit uses the transfer means between the time when the charging unit stops loading the article into the storage box and the next time when the charging unit starts loading the article into the storage box. The boxing device according to claim 3, wherein the storage box in which the article is placed is switched to an empty storage box.   When the control unit cumulatively adds the number of articles distributed as being within the single weight range in a state where the cut gate portion is open, the cumulative number of articles is the number of articles to be put into the storage box. The boxing device according to claim 1, wherein when the target number is reached, the accumulated number is reset to zero and the cut gate portion is closed to interrupt the passage of the article toward the input portion. The control unit, in a state where the cut gate unit is closed, starts the input of the article into the storage box by the input unit,
Thereafter, at the timing when the loading is completed, the loading of the article into the storage box by the loading unit is stopped, and the passage of the article toward the loading unit is started by opening the cut gate unit. The boxing device according to claim 5.   The control unit uses the transfer means between the time when the charging unit stops loading the article into the storage box and the next time when the charging unit starts loading the article into the storage box. The boxing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the storage box in which the article is placed is switched to an empty storage box. The control unit cumulatively adds the weight and the number of articles distributed within the unit weight range, and obtains the average unit weight value of the article by dividing the cumulative weight value of the article by the cumulative number of articles. And
Obtaining a prospective additional weight value obtained by multiplying the number obtained by subtracting the cumulative number from the target number of articles to be put into the storage box by the average unit weight value;
The boxing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined warning is issued when a sum of the estimated added weight value and the accumulated weight value deviates from a target weight range of an article to be put into the storage box.

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