JP2009160316A - Emergency stop device for rice cooking pot conveyor, continuous rice cooking machine having the same, and rice cooking system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an emergency stop device for a rice cooking pot conveyor, which is capable of quickly detecting the fall of a lid from a rice cooking pot or a large positional deviation of the lid and automatically stopping a conveyor before a damage occurs or becomes severe, and to provide a continuous rice cooking machine having the same, and a rice cooking system. <P>SOLUTION: The emergency stop device for the rice cooking pot conveyor includes: a conveyor for conveying the rice cooking pots; at least one linear member which is arranged above the rice cooking pots conveyed by the conveyor and is arranged along the conveying route of the conveyor; support members for slidably supporting the linear member in a direction along the conveying route; one or a plurality of detection projecting pieces attached to the linear member so as to project downward from the linear member; sliding detecting means for detecting the sliding of the linear member; and conveyor stop means for stopping the conveyor based on a sliding detection signal from the sliding detecting means. There are also provided the continuous rice cooking machine having the emergency stop device and the rice cooking system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an emergency stop device in a rice cooker transport device, a continuous rice cooker including the emergency stop device, and a rice cooking system.

  Conventionally, for example, as seen in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a rice cooking system that conveys a rice cooker with a conveyor and sequentially performs steps such as rice loading, rice washing, water immersion, rice cooking, and steaming necessary for rice cooking. Many have been proposed. In these rice cooking systems, the lid is removed from the rice cooker or, conversely, the lid is attached to the rice cooking kettle according to the necessity of processing in each step. Such attachment / detachment of the lid is usually performed automatically after accurately positioning the rice cooker and the lid attachment / detachment device. However, sometimes the position of the attachment lid is shifted. The lid that is mounted out of position impairs the sealing performance of the rice cooker, and in some cases, it may slip off the rice cooker and come into contact with surrounding equipment during transportation by the conveyor, If the conveyor continues to move in that state, it may be pushed by the rice cooker being transferred, causing damage to the conveyor and peripheral devices, or the lid itself may be deformed. is there.

In such a case, usually, an operator who hears an abnormal sound that the sliding lid comes into contact with the surrounding base material rushes to the site and presses the stop button of the conveyor to stop the conveyor, A considerable amount of time has passed since the abnormal sound was generated until the conveyor actually stopped, and damage to the conveyor, peripheral devices, or the lid itself may have occurred. There are many actual situations.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-267024 JP 2000-342446 A

  The present invention was made in order to solve the above problems in the conventional rice cooking system, and the lid is greatly displaced even if the lid has slipped from the rice cooker or even if it does not slide off. If there is a risk of contact with peripheral equipment, this will be detected immediately and the conveyor will automatically stop before damage occurs or before damage increases. It is an object of the present invention to provide an emergency stop device, a continuous rice cooker including the emergency stop device, and a rice cooking system.

  The present invention relates to the above problem, a conveyor that conveys the rice cooker, and at least one linear member disposed above the rice cooker that is conveyed by the conveyor along the conveyance path of the rice cooker by the conveyor, A support member that slidably supports the linear member in a direction along the conveyance path, and one or more detection protrusions attached to the linear member so as to protrude downward from the linear member; An emergency stop device for a rice cooker transport apparatus, comprising: a slide detection means for detecting the sliding of the linear member; and a conveyor stop means for stopping the conveyor based on a slide detection signal from the slide detection means. And it solves by providing the continuous-type rice cooker and rice cooking system provided with such an emergency stop apparatus.

  As described above, the emergency stop device of the present invention protrudes downward from at least one linear member supported slidably above the rice cooker conveyed by the conveyor. Since it is equipped with one or more detection protrusions attached to the linear member, the lid is transported in a state of sliding down from the rice cooker, or even if the lid is not displaced, When a part of the lid comes into contact with the detection protrusion, and the detection protrusion is pushed in the conveyor transfer direction by the transfer force of the conveyor, the linear member moves along with the conveyor. It will slide in the transport direction. When the sliding of the linear member is detected by the sliding detection means, the conveyor stop means stops the conveyor based on the detection signal, so that it is possible to quickly prevent the occurrence or expansion of damage. Become.

  In the emergency stop device of the present invention, the sliding detection means may be installed anywhere as long as it can detect sliding of the linear member, but the vicinity of the front end of the linear member in the rice cooker traveling direction and / or Alternatively, it is preferably provided near the rear end. Furthermore, in the emergency stop apparatus of this invention, it is desirable to provide the biasing means which urges | biases a linear member toward a rice cooker conveyance direction back.

  The emergency stop device in the rice cooker transport device of the present invention is preferably provided with a heating means for heating the rice cooker transported by the conveyor, and installed in a continuous rice cooker that cooks rice while transporting the rice cooker. However, it can be installed in any process in the rice cooking system in which the steps required for rice cooking, rice washing, water soaking, rice cooking, steaming, etc. are sequentially performed while the rice cooking pot is conveyed by a conveyor. .

  According to the emergency stop device in the rice cooker transport device of the present invention, and the continuous rice cooker and the rice cooking system provided with the emergency stop device, there is a possibility that the lid of the rice cooker falls or contacts with peripheral devices with a simple structure. Because it is possible to quickly detect an abnormality such as a positional deviation of the lid and automatically stop the conveyor, it is possible to prevent damage or expansion of damage to the conveyor, peripheral devices, lid and rice cooker. Excellent advantages are obtained. Further, since the linear member sliding detection means may be provided at the front end and / or the rear end of the linear member in the rice cooker traveling direction, the conveyor transport path is long, and the length of the linear member accordingly. Even when the length is unavoidable, the number of sliding detection means to be installed is small and economical. In addition, for example, even when the conveyor conveyance path is present inside the continuous rice cooker provided with the heating means, the sliding detection means can be provided outside the continuous rice cooker. There is an advantage that it is not necessary to consider deterioration and damage due to heat. Furthermore, in the case where the linear member is provided with an urging means that urges the linear member toward the rear in the rice cooker conveyance direction, the linear member is prevented from inadvertently sliding due to vibrations or other disturbances. There is also an advantage that malfunction of the emergency stop device in the rice cooker transport device can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the illustrated one. Moreover, in the following description, the present invention will be described by taking the case where the emergency stop device in the rice cooker transport device of the present invention is applied to a continuous rice cooker in the rice cooking system, but in the rice cooker transport device of the present invention. Needless to say, the application target of the emergency stop device is not limited to the continuous rice cooker.

  FIG. 1 is a side view of a continuous rice cooker in a rice cooking system, and FIG. 2 is a front view seen from the position A-A ′ in FIG. 1. 1 and 2, 1 is a continuous rice cooker, 2 is a chain roller conveyor, 3 is a driving roller thereof, 4, 4 and 4 are driven rollers, and 5 is a drive for driving the driving roller 4 to rotate. It is a motor. 6, 6, 6 ... are rice cookers, and 7, 7, 7 ... are the lids. 8 is a heating burner installed on the lower side of the conveying surface of the chain roller 2, and 9, 9, 9... Are exhaust ducts for exhausting combustion gas to the outside. The transport surface of the chain roller conveyor 2 is a surface on which the rice cookers 6, 6, 6... To be transported are placed and transported while being in contact with the rollers of the chain roller conveyor 2. .

  In the continuous rice cooker 1 shown in FIG. 1, the rice cooker 6 which accommodated the rice and the rice cooking water in the inside is shown in the continuous rice cooker 1 from the upstream conveying apparatus 10 as shown by the arrow in the figure. When it is carried in, the rice cooker 6 is heated by the heating burner 8 from below, and is continuously conveyed by the chain roller conveyor 2 while being conveyed through the continuous rice cooker 1. It will be carried out to the transport device 11 on the side.

  In the illustrated example, a chain roller conveyor is used as a conveyor for conveying the rice cookers 6, 6, 6..., But the conveyor that can be used is not limited to the chain roller conveyor. The rice cooking pots 6, 6, 6... Can be transported, can withstand the heat from the heating burner 8, and the heat from the heating burner 8 is transmitted to the rice cooking pots 6, 6, 6. As long as it is a conveyor that does not hinder the process, a conveyor having any structure may be used. For example, a simple roller conveyor may be used, and rice cookers 6, 6, 6. In this case, it may be a chain conveyor that conveys the rice cooker in contact with the lower surface of the bowl. In addition, the emergency stop device in the rice cooker transport device of the present invention is a case where it is used in a place other than the continuous rice cooker, and the conveyor that transports the rice cooker has a special requirement that it is heat-resistant. If the requirement that the heat from the rice cooker is not impeded to be transmitted to the rice cooker is not imposed, the conveyor for conveying the rice cookers 6, 6, 6. As long as it can transport 6, 6,..., A conveyor having any structure may be used. In addition to the chain roller conveyor and the roller conveyor, for example, a belt conveyor, a mesh belt conveyor, A chain conveyor or the like can also be used.

  Moreover, in the example of illustration, although the heating burner 8 which burns combustion gas is used as a means to heat the rice cooking pots 6, 6, 6 ..., a heating means is not restricted to the heating burner 8, Rice cooking. Any heating means may be used as long as it can be performed. For example, an appropriate heating means such as electromagnetic induction heating, electric resistance heating using nichrome wire, superheated steam heating, or the like can be used. Further, in the illustrated example, the heating burner 8 is installed below the conveying surface of the chain roller conveyor 2, but the heating means effectively heats the rice cookers 6, 6, 6. As long as it can perform, it may be installed in any position. For example, it may be installed above the rice cookers 6, 6, 6... To be transported, or may be installed on the side, and further, lower and upper, lower and side, upper and side, etc. You may install in the position combined variously.

  12 is a linear member, and the linear member 12 is disposed above the rice cookers 6, 6, 6... Transported by the chain roller conveyor 2. In the illustrated example, the front end and the rear end are arranged with a length that slightly protrudes forward and backward of the continuous rice cooker 1 along the path from the entrance to the exit of the continuous rice cooker 1. 13, 13, 13... Are support members for the linear member 12, and support the linear member 12 so as to be slidable in the direction along the conveyance path. 14, 14, 14... Are detection protrusions attached to the linear member 12 at regular intervals so as to protrude downward from the linear member 12.

  The linear member 12 is a conveyance path provided with an emergency stop device in the rice cooker conveyance apparatus of the present invention (in the illustrated example, the conveyance path of the rice cookers 6, 6, 6... Passing through the continuous rice cooker 1). ) Is not particularly limited as long as it is a member having a length sufficient to cover), but when it is arranged in the continuous rice cooker 1, it is made of a material having heat resistance. For example, metals such as stainless steel, iron, copper, and aluminum are preferable. The cross-sectional shape of the linear member 12 is not particularly limited, but is preferably a shape that is slidably supported by the support members 13, 13, 13,..., For example, has a cross-sectional shape such as a circle or an ellipse. It is preferable.

  In the illustrated continuous rice cooker 1, the conveyance path of the rice cookers 6, 6, 6... Is linear, but the emergency stop device in the rice cooker conveyance apparatus of the present invention has a linear conveyance path. The present invention is not limited only to the transfer device as described above, and can also be applied to a transfer device having a curved transfer path. When the conveyance path is curved, the linear member 12 is preferably made of a flexible material that can be bent along the conveyance path. As such a material, for example, even a metal material as described above may be formed into a thin plate shape, or may be bundled as a thin wire to form a linear member 12, or may be a flexible synthetic material. Resins, plastics and the like can be mentioned.

  The supporting members 13, 13, 13... Need only be able to support the linear member 12 so as to be slidable in the direction along the transport path, and there are no particular limitations on the number and structure of the supporting members 13, 13, 13. For example, in the illustrated example, the support members 13, 13, 13... Are configured from plate-like members having holes through which the linear members 12 can pass. In order to make the linear member 12 slide smoothly, for example, a sliding bearing mechanism may be provided in the through hole of the linear member 12 in the support members 13, 13, 13.

  As long as the detection protrusions 14, 14, 14... Can be attached to the linear member 12 so as to protrude downward from the linear member 12, there is no particular limitation on the shape or material thereof. In the illustrated example, the detection protrusions 14, 14, 14... Have a plate-like rectangular shape, but the horizontal cross-sectional shape is not limited to a quadrangle, and may be an elliptical shape even if it is a cylindrical shape. However, it may be a triangle or other polygonal shape, and in some cases, a vertical portion protruding downward from the linear member 12 and a horizontal portion protruding from the vertical portion toward the rear of the conveying path of the rice cooker. The provided shape may be sufficient. However, as will be described later, when the lid 7 of the rice cooker 6 abuts, the detection protrusions 14, 14, 14... Receive the force and transmit it to the linear member 12. Since it is necessary to slide the member 12, it is necessary to be a member having rigidity in the direction along the conveying path of at least the rice cookers 6, 6, 6.

  In addition, when the lid | cover 7 of the rice cooker 6 contact | abuts, the detection protrusions 14, 14, 14 ... can transmit the force to the linear member 12, and can make the linear member 12 slide. As long as it is attached to the linear member 12 as described above, for example, it may be detachably attached to the linear member 12 by screws or fitting. When the detection protrusions 14, 14, 14,... Are detachably attached to the linear member 12, the position of the detection protrusions 14, 14, 14,. There is an advantage that the length of the portion protruding downward can be easily changed.

  There are no particular restrictions on the position and number of detection protrusions 14, 14, 14 ... attached to the linear member 12, but the shorter the attachment interval between the detection protrusions 14, 14, 14 ... 7 can be detected promptly, that is, during the short conveying distance of the chain roller conveyor 2. Further, the lower end of the detection protrusions 14, 14, 14... And the upper end of the rice cooker 6 conveyed below by the chain roller conveyor 2, that is, the rice cooker 6 with the lid 7 properly mounted. By setting the distance to the upper end of the whole including the lid 7 to an appropriate length, the degree of positional deviation of the lid 7 detected can be adjusted. Depending on the size of the rice cooker 6, 6, 6... Being conveyed, the lower end of the detection protrusions 14, 14, 14. The distance to the upper end is usually set to about 2 to 6 cm, preferably about 3 to 5 cm.

  15a is a sliding detection means provided near the front end of the linear member 12 in the rice cooker traveling direction, and 15b is a sliding detection means provided near the rear end of the linear member 12 in the rice cooker traveling direction. The sliding detection means 15a and 15b may be detection means based on any mechanism as long as the sliding of the linear member 12 in the direction along the rice cooker transport path can be detected. In the illustrated example, the sliding detection means 15a is constituted by a limit switch, and mechanically detects the sliding of the linear member 12. Moreover, the sliding detection means 15b is comprised with the proximity sensor, and detects the sliding of the linear member 12 as a change of an electrostatic capacitance. In addition to these, for example, sliding of the linear member 12 may be detected photoelectrically, magnetically, or electromagnetically, or may be detected as a change in pressure.

  Further, in the illustrated example, the sliding detection means 15a, 15b are provided in both the vicinity of the front end and the vicinity of the rear end of the linear member 12 in the rice cooker traveling direction, but it may be provided only in one of them, Moreover, you may make it provide in the middle of the rice cooker advancing direction of the linear member 12. FIG. However, when the continuous rice cooker 1 is targeted as in the illustrated example, the inside of the continuous rice cooker 1 is exposed to high temperatures, so it is usually difficult to provide a sliding detection means inside the rice cooker 1. Therefore, the length of the linear member 12 is a length that slightly protrudes forward and / or rearward of the conveying path from the continuous rice cooker 1, and the end of the front portion and / or the rear portion that protrudes to the outside thereof. It is preferable to provide the sliding detection means 15a and / or 15b in the vicinity.

  Reference numeral 16 denotes a spring which is an urging means for urging the linear member 12 rearward in the rice cooker conveyance direction. In the illustrated example, a flange portion attached to the rear end portion of the linear member 12 and It is inserted between the support member 13 attached to the entrance portion of the continuous rice cooker 1. By this urging means 16, the linear member 12 is always urged rearward in the rice cooker transport direction, so that it is prevented from inadvertently sliding due to vibrations or other disturbances, and the rice cooking of the present invention. It is possible to prevent malfunction of the emergency stop device in the hook conveying device.

  17 is a stopping means for the chain roller conveyor 2, and upon receiving a sliding detection signal from the sliding detection means 15a and / or 15b, the drive motor 5 is stopped on the basis of it and the chain roller conveyor 2 is stopped. It is. At this time, the conveyor stop means 17 issues an appropriate alarm audibly and / or visually, alerts the operator, and is necessary for the controller of the rice cooking system in which the continuous rice cooker 1 is incorporated. In response, an abnormal signal is transmitted.

  3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the emergency stop device in the rice cooker transport device of the present invention as described above. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the lid 7 has dropped from the rice cooker 6 during the conveyance of the rice cooker 6. In this state, when the rice cooker 6 is still conveyed in the direction of the arrow in the figure by the chain roller conveyor 2, a part of the dropped lid 7 comes into contact with the detection protrusion 14 located closest to the conveying direction. The force is transmitted to the linear member 12, and the linear member 12 slides forward in the conveying direction. This sliding is detected by the sliding detection means 15a, the conveyor stop means 17 (not shown) is operated, and the chain roller conveyor 2 is immediately stopped immediately. As a result, the dropped lid 7 is conveyed while being sandwiched between the rollers of the chain roller conveyor 2, and damage to the chain roller conveyor 2 or damage to other peripheral devices is minimized.

  Similarly, FIG. 4 shows a state in which the lid 7 is largely displaced during the conveyance of the rice cooker 6, and in this state, there is a possibility that the lid 7 may come into contact with a peripheral device and be damaged. In this state, when the rice cooker 6 is still transported by the chain roller conveyor 2 in the direction of the arrow in the figure, a part of the lid 7 that is displaced is brought into contact with the detection protrusion 14 that is closest to the transport direction. The force is transmitted to the linear member 12, and the linear member 12 slides forward in the conveying direction. This sliding is detected by the sliding detection means 15a, the conveyor stop means 17 (not shown) is operated, and the chain roller conveyor 2 is immediately stopped immediately. As a result, it is possible to minimize the positional displacement of the lid 7 that is transported while being displaced and causing damage to peripheral devices.

  In the above description, only one linear member 12 is installed in the central portion of the conveying path along the conveying path of the rice cookers 6, 6, 6... The installation position is not limited to the central portion of the transport path. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, one linear member 12a, 12b may be provided on the left and right sides of the transport path instead of the central portion of the transport path, or as shown in FIG. In addition to the central portion, a total of three linear members 12a, 12b, and 12c may be provided, one on each side.

  In the above example, the case where the emergency stop device in the rice cooker transport device of the present invention is applied to a continuous rice cooker has been described, but the emergency stop device in the rice cooker transport device of the present invention is a continuous rice cooker. If it is a location provided with the conveyor which conveys a rice cooking pot, it is possible to apply also to the other location of a rice cooking system. For example, in an immersion line, a steaming line, and other transfer lines that connect each process, the emergency stop device in the rice cooker transfer device of the present invention is used to detect the fall or misalignment of the lid, and It is possible to stop and effectively prevent the occurrence or expansion of damage.

  As described above, according to the emergency stop device in the rice cooker transport device of the present invention, the conveyor can be stopped in an emergency by detecting the falling or displacement of the lid with a simple structure. Even if the lid is not sufficiently attached, the occurrence or expansion of damage can be minimized. Therefore, the emergency stop device in the rice cooker conveying device of the present invention is extremely useful for enhancing the safety of the rice cooking system including the continuous rice cooker and carrying the rice cooker by the conveyor and performing each process associated with rice cooking. And its industrial applicability is very large.

It is a side view which shows an example of the emergency stop apparatus in the rice cooker conveyance apparatus of this invention. It is A-A 'sectional drawing of FIG. It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the emergency stop apparatus in the rice cooker conveyance apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of operation | movement of the emergency stop apparatus in the rice cooker conveyance apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the emergency stop apparatus in the rice cooker conveyance apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows another example of the emergency stop apparatus in the rice cooker conveying apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Continuous rice cooker 2 Chain roller conveyor 3 Drive roller 4 Driven roller 5 Drive motor 6 Rice cooker 7 Lid 8 Heating burner 9 Exhaust duct 10 Upstream side conveyance apparatus 11 Downstream side conveyance apparatus 12 Linear member 13 Support member 14 Detection protrusion 15a, 15b Sliding detection means 16 Biasing means 17 Conveyor stop means

Claims (5)

  At least one linear member arranged along the conveying path of the rice cooker by the conveyor above the rice cooking pot conveyed by the conveyer that conveys the rice cooking pot, and the linear member as a conveying path A support member that is slidably supported in the direction along the line, one or more detection protrusions attached to the linear member so as to protrude downward from the linear member, and detection of sliding of the linear member An emergency stop device for a rice cooker transport apparatus, comprising: a sliding detection unit that performs the operation and a conveyor stop unit that stops the conveyor based on a sliding detection signal from the sliding detection unit.   The emergency stop device in the rice cooker transport device according to claim 1, wherein the sliding detection means is provided near the front end and / or near the rear end of the linear member in the rice cooker transport direction.   The emergency stop device in the rice cooker transport apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising biasing means for biasing the linear member toward the rear in the rice cooker transport direction.   The continuous rice cooker provided with the emergency stop apparatus in the rice cooker conveyance apparatus in any one of Claims 1-3, and the heating means which heats the rice cooker conveyed by the conveyor which comprises the said emergency stop apparatus.   The rice cooking system provided with the emergency stop apparatus in the rice cooker conveyance apparatus in any one of Claims 1-3, and / or the continuous-type rice cooker of Claim 4.

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