JP2012240783A - Sorting conveying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sorting conveying apparatus which can timely control the conveyance and detention of an article and the conveying speed of the article by a plurality of conveyers.SOLUTION: The sorting conveying apparatus 1 stops a conveyer 13 by a controller 15 at the point of time when a distance in which one article 43 is conveyed by the conveyer 13 exceeds a length of the article 43 each time one article 43 is guided into one end 9 of the conveyer 13 based on an upper limit signal sent by an upper limit detector 51 and a sorting signal sent by a sorting detector 49. Thus, the article 43 is paused between the one end 9 and the other end 11 of the conveyer 13. Further, the conveyer 13 guides the article 43 from the other end 11 of the conveyer 13 at a rate slower than a rate of guiding the article 43 into one end 9 of the conveyer 13 based on a maximum volume signal sent by a maximum volume detector 57.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sorting and conveying apparatus that sorts and conveys a plurality of articles to a predetermined place.

  There is a sorting device that sorts a plurality of articles into a plurality of branch paths according to each type or destination. Articles sorted into individual branch paths are conveyed by a conveyor, and are transferred to a cart by an operator from the end of the conveyor or a chute connected thereto. For example, the number of articles sorted into some of the plurality of branches may increase significantly during a certain time period. In this case, the work for the operator to reload the goods on the carriage is not in time, and a plurality of articles stagnate at the end of the conveyor or at the chute.

  In order to suppress the stagnation of the article, when the number of articles sorted per predetermined time in a certain branch path is remarkably increased, the articles are sorted into other branch paths. Alternatively, the articles that have reached the conveyor or chute may be returned to the sorting device. These techniques are described in the following patent documents.

JP 2002-326720 A JP 2003-095424 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a sorting and conveying apparatus capable of controlling the conveyance, retention, and conveyance speed of articles by a plurality of conveyance means in a timely manner.

  The present invention relates to a sorting unit that sorts a plurality of articles conveyed by a conveyor into a plurality of branch paths adjacent to the conveyor, one end separated from each other by a length of a group of articles in which the plurality of articles are arranged in a row, and the like. A conveying means for conveying the articles sorted into the respective branch paths one by one from the one end and sequentially deriving from the other end, and sequentially deriving from the other end of the conveying means A guide path that guides the articles to be processed one by one and cascades them in the order in which the articles are guided, an upper limit detector that detects an upper limit of the length of the articles that are cascaded in the guide path and sends an upper limit signal; and the branch Sorting detection means for detecting an article sorted on the road and sending a sorting signal, wherein the control means supplies the article to the transport means based on the upper limit signal of the upper limit detection means and the sorting signal of the sorting detection means. Transport the Each time one of the articles sorted into the path is introduced into one end of the transport means, the distance for transporting the article in the transport means reaches the length of one article introduced into one end of the transport means. At this point, the article introduced from one end of the conveying means is stopped between one end and the other end of the conveying means by stopping the conveying means.

  Further, the present invention comprises a full amount detection means for detecting that the article has reached the other end of the transport means and sending a full signal, and when the number of articles in the guide path is less than the upper limit, The control means operates the conveying means based on a full signal of the full quantity detecting means, and guides an article between one end and the other end of the conveying means to the guide path.

  Further, the present invention provides the speed at which the control means derives the article from the other end of the conveying means on the basis of the full signal of the full quantity detecting means, and the article sorted into the branch path in addition to the conveying means. It is characterized by being set slower than the speed of introduction at the end.

  In addition, the present invention includes introduction detection means for detecting that one article introduced from one end of the conveyance means has been conveyed by the conveyance means for a distance equal to or longer than the length thereof, and sending an introduction signal, The control means stops the conveying means based on an introduction signal from the introduction detection means.

  In addition, the present invention includes a full release means for detecting that the number of articles cascading in the guide path is less than an upper limit and sending a release signal, and the control means uses the release signal of the full quantity release means as a release signal. Based on the above, the conveying means is operated until all articles stopped between one end and the other end of the conveying means are led out from the other end of the conveying means.

  Further, according to the present invention, the conveying means, the guide path, the upper limit detecting means, and the sorting detecting means are provided in each of the plurality of branch paths, and the control means includes the plurality of conveying means. A switching function that causes a computer that controls overall operation to recognize a selection target branch path selected from the plurality of branch paths and a non-selected branch path that is not included in the selection, and a selection recognized by the computer Conveying means provided on the branch path to be selected based on the upper limit signal and the sorting signal sent when the upper limit detection means and the sorting detection means respectively detect articles to be sorted into the target branch path Each time one of the articles sorted into the selection target branch path is introduced into one end of the transport means provided in the branch path, the transport provided in the selection target branch path When the distance for conveying the article of the stage reaches the length of one article introduced to one end of the conveying means provided in the selection target branch path, the conveying means provided in the selection target branch path is A recording medium on which a program for realizing a filling function for stopping and a steady function for continuing conveyance of articles sorted into a non-selected branch recognized by the computer to a conveying means provided in the branch is recorded It is characterized by providing.

  Further, according to the present invention, the control unit displays a selection target branch path selected from the plurality of branch paths, and a non-selected branch path not included in the selection, and the plurality of branches. Input means for inputting a code corresponding to a path to a computer, and the computer recognizes the branch path to be selected based on the code.

  According to the sorting and conveying apparatus of the present invention, each time an article is sorted into the branch path of the sorting apparatus, the conveying means can convey the article one by one, and a plurality of articles can be arranged in the guide path in that order. Further, when the lengths of the plurality of articles tandem in the guide path reach a predetermined upper limit, the upper limit detection means sends an upper limit signal, and when the articles are sorted into the individual branch paths, the sorting detection means Send a sorting signal. Based on these sorting signals and the upper limit signal, the control means stops the articles sorted into the branch path between one end and the other end of the conveying means, and the conveying means guides the articles from the other end to the guide path. Can be delayed.

  In addition, the control unit causes the conveyance unit to repeat the above-described operation every time one of the articles sorted into the branch path is introduced into one end of the conveyance unit, and a plurality of items are provided between the one end and the other end of the conveyance unit. Articles can be retained. For this reason, the sorting and conveying apparatus of the present invention can prevent the articles sorted into this branch path from stagnating in the guide path during a time period when the number of articles sorted into a certain branch path is relatively large. it can.

  As described above, the sorting and conveying apparatus according to the present invention retains the article between the one end and the other end of the conveying means after the step of retaining the article in the guide path and the number of articles on the guide path reaches the upper limit. The process can be performed in two stages. For this reason, even if the number of articles sorted into a specific branch path among a plurality of branch paths tends to increase, the sorting and conveying device of the present invention sends articles to a guide path connected to the specific branch path. There is the advantage that it can continue or reduce the return of the article to the sorter.

  Furthermore, according to the sorting and conveying apparatus of the present invention, when an article reaches the other end of the conveying means by repeating the above-described operation, in other words, an article that can be retained between one end and the other end of the conveying means. Just before the number exceeds the limit, the full detection means sends a full signal. At this stage, if the number of articles tandem in the guide path does not reach the upper limit, the control means starts the operation of conveying the articles to the conveying means based on the full signal, and between the one end and the other end of the conveying means. It is possible to guide all the articles staying in the guide way.

  Furthermore, according to the sorting and conveying apparatus of the present invention, the speed at which the conveying means derives the article from the other end based on the full signal of the full quantity detecting means is such that the conveying means introduces the article sorted into the branch path into one end thereof. It is set slower than the speed you want. Thereby, the force at the time of the articles | goods derived | led-out from the other end of a conveyance means contact | abutting the articles | columns arranged in the guide path can be relieved.

  Further, according to the sorting and conveying apparatus of the present invention, when one article introduced from one end of the conveying means is conveyed by the conveying means for a distance equal to or longer than the length, the sorting and conveying apparatus is based on the introduction signal sent out by the introduction detecting means. The control means stops the conveying means. For this reason, the conveying means is stopped immediately after the article is introduced into one end of the conveying means or when the article moves slightly toward the other end, regardless of the inherent length of the article sorted into the branch path. Can do.

  Furthermore, according to the sorting and conveying apparatus of the present invention, when the number of articles lining up in the guide path is less than the upper limit, the full quantity releasing means sends a release signal. The control means continues the operation of conveying the article to the conveying means based on the release signal. For this reason, the sorting and conveying apparatus of the present invention allows the articles sorted into this branch path to be placed between one end and the other end of the conveying means in a time zone when the number of articles sorted into a certain branch path is relatively small. Without being retained, it can be immediately cascaded in the guide path.

  Furthermore, the sorting and conveying apparatus according to the present invention provides a computer that performs overall control of the operations of a plurality of conveying means, a selection target branch path selected from among a plurality of branch paths, and a non-selected branch not included in the selection. The road can be recognized. On the other hand, the administrator who manages the sorting and conveying apparatus of the present invention, for example, only looks at the computer display or the monitor screen of the programmable controller, and all the conveying means are either the fill function or the steady function of the computer. It can be easily confirmed whether it is controlled by.

  In addition, the manager can arbitrarily select some branches from all the branches displayed on the display or the monitor screen, or cancel the selection. For this reason, in view of the state of sorting of articles by the sorting and conveying apparatus of the present invention, the administrator can control the conveying means provided in any branch path of all the conveying means by the fill function of the computer. It is possible to manage in a unified manner whether to be controlled by a steady function.

  Further, when the control means includes a display for displaying the branch path to be selected and the non-selected branch path, and an input means for inputting codes corresponding to the plurality of branch paths to the computer, the selection of the branch path or its The administrator can easily confirm the release simply by looking at the display. For example, a code corresponding to a plurality of branch paths or a plurality of transport means may be displayed as an icon on the display. If the input means clicks on the icon and the mouse can directly input the code to the computer, the administrator Can perform the above management more easily.

The top view which shows the outline of the sorting conveyance apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the control means applied to the sorting conveyance apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The side view which shows the outline of the branch path applied to the sorting conveyance apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, a conveyance means, and a guide path. The top view which shows the 1st operation example of the principal part of the sorting conveyance apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the 2nd operation example of the principal part of the sorting conveyance apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the 3rd operation example of the principal part of the sorting conveyance apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the 4th operation example of the principal part of the sorting conveyance apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the 5th operation example of the principal part of the sorting conveyance apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. The top view which shows the 6th operation example of the principal part of the sorting conveyance apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a sorting and conveying apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention sorts articles conveyed by a conveyor 3 into a plurality of branch paths 5, and sorts into individual branch paths 5. A plurality of conveying means 13 for conveying the articles to be carried one by one from one end 9 to the other end 11, a control means 15 for controlling the operation of conveying the articles by the plurality of conveying means 13, and a plurality of conveying means 13 And a plurality of guide paths 17 for guiding articles sequentially led out from the respective other ends 11 one by one.

  The control means 15 includes a computer 19, a display 21, an input means 23 such as a mouse, a changeover switch described later, and a recording medium 25 such as a RAM. FIG. 1 is an image displayed on the display 21 of FIG. 2 and shows the entire sorting and conveying apparatus 1 installed on the premises of the distribution facility. The numbers “1” to “39” displayed on the icon 27 correspond to the 39 branch paths 5, the transport means 13, and the guide path 17. Arrows a and b mean that an article such as a baggage carried into the start end 31 of the carry-in conveyor 29 is conveyed to the carry-in conveyor 29 and the relay conveyor 33 and reaches the conveyor 3.

  The sorting means 7 may be anything as long as it can lead articles to a plurality of branch paths 5 assigned by type, class, or destination. For example, it is common to operate a pusher that pushes the article into the branch path 5 when the article conveyed by the conveyor 3 passes through the front of the predetermined branch path 5. The branch path 5 is provided with a free roller conveyor that slides articles down to one end 9 of the conveying means 13 by its own weight. FIG. 3 shows a plurality of rollers 35 arranged in parallel with each other as an example of a main part of the branch path 5. The plurality of rollers 35 are rotatably supported by a frame or the like inclined at an angle of 7 ° or more with respect to the horizontal plane so that the height decreases in the order in which they are arranged close to the one end 9 of the conveying means 13.

  The conveying means 13 is a belt conveyor that wraps an endless belt 37 around rollers 39 and 41 that are rotatably supported by a frame or the like. The roller 41 is rotated by an electric motor, and the article 43 received by the endless belt 37 is conveyed toward the guide path 17. The distance [L] from the one end 9 to the other end 11 of the conveying means 13 corresponds to a length that allows a plurality of articles 43 to be arranged at equal intervals. The guide path 17 is a series of two free roller conveyors that receive articles 43 by a plurality of rollers 45 and 47, respectively. The plurality of rollers 45 are rotatably supported by a frame or the like inclined at an angle of 7 ° or more with respect to the horizontal plane so that the height decreases in the order in which they are arranged away from the other end 11 of the conveying means 13. The plurality of rollers 47 are parallel to each other in the horizontal direction and are rotatably supported by a frame or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a stopper 44 for positioning the article 43 is provided at the end of the guide path 17. Sorting detection means 49 and upper limit detection means 51 are respectively installed on the branch path 5 and the guide path 17. The sorting detection means 49 is provided with a reflective photoelectric sensor 53 having a light emitting part and a light receiving part, and a reflecting material 55 on both sides of the branch path 5, and the light beam emitted from the light emitting part slides down the branch path 5. An upper limit signal is sent when the article 43 is blocked. A one-dot chain line in the figure represents a light beam. The upper limit detection means 51 sends out a sorting signal when the light beam emitted from the reflective photoelectric sensor 53 is blocked by the article 43 arranged in the guide path 17.

  Further, the sorting and conveying apparatus 1 detects that the article 43 has reached the other end 11 of the conveying means 13 and sends out a full signal, and one of the one introduced from one end 9 of the conveying means 13. Detects that the article 43 has been transported by the conveying means 13 for a distance longer than the length of the article 43 and sends an introduction signal, and detects that the number of articles 43 arranged in the guide path 17 is less than the upper limit. It is preferable that a full release means 61 for sending a release signal is provided. FIG. 4 illustrates that the element described here is a reflective photoelectric sensor 53.

  Next, the operation of the sorting and conveying apparatus 1 will be described. The drawings refer to FIGS. 1 to 3 unless otherwise specified. Further, it is assumed that the control means 15 records a program for causing the computer 19 to realize the steady function, fill function, and switching function described below on the recording medium 25.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the articles 43 sorted into the individual branch paths 5 slide down toward the one end 9 of the conveying means 13. Then, the article 43 that has reached one end 9 of the conveying means 13 is transferred to the endless belt 37, conveyed at a constant speed of about 80 m / min as the endless belt 37 travels, and led out from the other end 11 of the conveying means 13. . This is the steady function of the computer 19. Further, the article 43 slides down along the guide path 17 and stops by hitting the stopper 44. Each time one article 43 is sorted into the branch path 5, the steps up to here are repeated, whereby a plurality of articles 43 are arranged in the guide path 17.

  The articles 43 arranged in the guide path 17 in this way are transshipped to a carriage or the like by the operator. Further, as the number of articles 43 arranged in the guide path 17 increases, the force with which the adjacent articles 43 press against each other increases, preventing the operator's hand or fingers from being inserted between these articles 43. . The manager who monitors the sorting and conveying apparatus 1 with the display 21 operates the computer 19 as follows so that this does not contribute to delaying the reloading work of the articles 43.

  For example, it is assumed that a significant increase in the number of articles 43 sorted into the branch path 5 corresponding to the number “23” shown in the icon 27 is predicted. At this stage, the manager clicks the icon 27 representing the number “23” using the mouse of the input means 23 or the like, and the branch path 5 corresponding to the number “23” is the branch path 5 to be selected. This is recognized by the computer 19. The double-framed icon 27 means that the color of the clicked icon 27 has changed. The click means that the code corresponding to the number represented by the icon 27 is input from the input unit 23 to the computer 19 based on the operation of the input unit 23 by the administrator.

  If an operator cannot keep up with the work of reloading the article 43 on the guide path 17 connected to the branch path 5 to be selected and the article 43 starts to stagnate in the guide path 17, as shown in FIG. The upper limit detecting means 51 detects the article 43 that is finally derived from the other end 11 of the conveying means 13 among the plurality of articles 43 that are arranged in parallel. In this state, the upper limit detection means 51 continues to send an upper limit signal.

  The computer 19 of the control unit 15 controls the operation of the transport unit 13 as follows based on the recognition of the upper limit signal of the upper limit detection unit 51 for 1 second. That is, the first article 43 sorted into the branch path 5 to be selected slides down toward the one end 9 of the conveying means 13. In this process, the sorting detection means 49 detects the article 43 immediately before reaching the one end 9 of the transport means 13 and sends a sorting signal.

  Subsequently, the article 43 is transferred to the endless belt 37 and blocks the light beam from the introduction detection means 59. The article 43 is conveyed according to the travel of the endless belt 37, and when the article 43 is introduced inward from the one end 9 of the conveying means 13 as shown in FIG. At this time, since the computer 19 stops the conveying means 13 based on the introduction signal sent from the introduction detecting means 59, the conveying means 13 of the conveying means 13 regardless of the inherent length of the article 43 sorted into the branch path 5. The one article 43 introduced from the one end 9 stops at a position where it has advanced inward to the one end 9 of the conveying means 13 for a distance slightly longer than the length.

  Assume that the second article following the article 43 shown in FIG. 6 is newly sorted into the branch path 5 to be selected in a state where the article 43 cascading in the guide path 17 is detected by the upper limit detecting means 51. Based on the sorting signal sent out by the sorting detection means 49 detecting the second article, the computer 19 restarts the operation of the transport means 13. Thus, the second article is conveyed according to the travel of the endless belt 37, and when the second article 43 is introduced into the one end 9 of the conveying means 13 as shown in FIG. Is sent out. The computer 19 stops the conveying means 13 based on the introduction signal and causes the two articles 43 to stay between the one end 9 and the other end 11 of the conveying means 13. This is the fill function of the computer 19.

  As described above, each time a new article 43 is sorted in the branch path 5 to be selected, the conveying means 13 repeats the operation and the stop so that it stays between the one end 9 and the other end 11 of the conveying means 13. The number of articles to be increased increases. In FIG. 8, the first article 43 sorted into the branch path 5 to be selected reaches the other end 11 of the conveying means 13, and the five articles 43 are between the one end 9 and the other end 11 of the conveying means 13. Represents a staying state.

  According to the sorting and conveying apparatus 1 described above, the conveying means 13 transfers the article 43 sorted into the branch path 5 to the other end 11 in a time zone in which the number of articles 43 sorted into a certain branch path 5 is relatively large. It is possible to delay the time until the lead is guided to the guide path 17 and to retain the plurality of articles 43 between the one end 9 and the other end 11 of the conveying means 13. For this reason, the sorting and conveying apparatus 1 can suppress the article 43 from stagnating in the guide path 17.

  In addition, the sorting and conveying apparatus 1 is configured to retain the article 43 in the guide path 17 and between the one end 9 and the other end 11 of the conveying means 13 after the number of articles 43 in the guide path 17 reaches the upper limit. And the step of retaining the article 43 in two stages. For this reason, even if the number of articles 43 sorted into the branch path 17 to be selected tends to increase, the sorting and conveying apparatus 1 continues to send articles to the guide path 17 connected to the branch path 17 to be selected. Or has the advantage of reducing the return of the article 43 to the sorting means 7.

  In addition, when the transfer of the articles 43 by the worker proceeds and the number of articles 43 in the guide path 17 falls below the upper limit, the upper limit signal of the upper limit detecting means 51 is cut off, and the full quantity releasing means 61 outputs a release signal. Send it out. In this situation, it is assumed that the article 43 reaches the other end 11 of the conveying means 13 as shown in FIG. In other words, the full amount detection means 57 sends out a full signal immediately before the number of articles 43 that can be retained between the one end 9 and the other end 11 of the transport means 13 exceeds the limit.

  The computer 19 causes the conveying means 13 to start the operation of conveying the article 43 based on the fact that the full quantity detecting means 57 sends a full signal and the full quantity releasing means 61 sends a release signal continuously for 2 seconds. The operation of the conveying means 13 is continued until all articles 43 staying between the one end 9 and the other end 11 of the conveying means 13 are led out to the guide path 17. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, the worker may actively pay out the article 43 from the guide path 17. As a result, the upper limit signal of the upper limit detecting means 51 is cut off, and further, based on the release signal that the full quantity releasing means 61 sends out continuously for 2 seconds, the computer 19 sends the transfer means 13 between its one end 9 and the other end 11. The staying five articles 43 may be led out to the guide path 17.

  Further, in the sorting and conveying apparatus 1, the speed at which the computer 19 causes the conveying means 13 to lead the article 43 from the other end 11 based on the full signal of the full quantity detecting means 57 is preferably about 50 m / min. This is slower than the speed at which the transport means 13 controlled by the steady function of the computer 19 transports the article 43, or the speed at which the transport means 13 controlled by the fill function of the computer 19 introduces the article 43 into one end 9 thereof. Is set. Thereby, the force when the article 43 led out from the other end 11 of the conveying means 13 comes into contact with the article 43 arranged in the guide path 17 can be reduced.

  In addition, when the manager determines that the above-mentioned time zone has passed in light of the state of the sorting of the articles 43 by the sorting and conveying apparatus 1 and clicks again on the icon 27 representing the number “23”, the number “23”. The computer 19 recognizes that the branch path 5 corresponding to is switched to the non-selected branch path 5, and the operation of the transport means 13 corresponding to the number “23” is controlled by the steady function of the computer 19. In this way, the administrator centrally manages whether the transfer means 13 provided in which branch path 5 is controlled by the fill function of the computer 19 or by the steady function. can do.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the sorting / conveying device 1 is provided with the changeover switch 24 in the plurality of guide paths 17 or in the vicinity thereof. In this case, when an operator who reloads the article 43 on the guide path 17 into the carriage operates the changeover switch 24, the computer 19 selects the selection target or non-selection branch path based on the changeover signal sent out by the changeover switch 24. 5 can be recognized. For this reason, switching between whether the individual conveying means 13 is controlled by the fill function of the computer 19 or by the steady function is also performed based on a judgment in view of the worker's field situation. be able to.

  It should be noted that the present invention can be carried out in a mode in which various improvements, modifications, or variations are added based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The branch path 5 may be a belt conveyor similar to the conveying means 13, or the article may be conveyed by such a belt conveyor, and then the article may be slid down by the above-described free roller conveyor. The conveying means 13 may be a roller conveyor that rotates rollers with an electric motor. Instead of the computer 19, a programmable controller that performs sequence control of the transport unit 13 may be applied as the control unit 15 so that an administrator can monitor the operation of the transport unit 13 on the monitor screen.

  Even if the full amount detecting means 57, the introduction detecting means 59, and the full amount releasing means 61 are omitted, the implementation of the present invention is not hindered. That is, when the introduction detection means 59 detects the fifth article 43 sorted into the branch path 5 to be selected, the computer 19 indicates that the first article 43 reaches the other end 11 of the transport means 13. You may make it recognize. An article 43 is introduced from one end 9 of the conveying means 13, and the computer 19 measures the time required for the article 13 to be conveyed by a distance equal to or longer than the length of the article. 13 may be stopped.

  Further, as an explanation of the steady-state function of the computer 19, it is assumed that the transport means 13 operates continuously. However, even if the transport means 13 is stopped when the article 43 is not sorted in the non-selected branch path 5, good. In this case, each time the article 43 is sorted into the non-selected branch path 5, the computer activates the conveying means 13 based on the sorting signal sent out by the sorting detecting means 49 detecting the article 43, and the conveying means 13 The conveying means 13 may be stopped when the article 43 is led out from the other end 11. The recording medium 25 may be a ROM, a CD, or a hard disk.

  The present invention is a technique useful for transporting or sorting articles in any package.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Sorting and conveying apparatus, 3 ... Conveyor, 5 ... Branching path, 7 ... Sorting means, 9 ... One end, 11 ... Other end, 13 ... Conveying means, 15. ..Control means, 17 ... guide route, 19 ... computer, 21 ... display, 23 ... input means, 24 ... switch, 25 ... recording medium, 27 ... icon , 29 ... carry-in conveyor, 31 ... start end, 33 ... relay conveyor, 35, 39, 41, 45, 47 ... roller, 37 ... endless belt, 43 ... article, 44. .. Stopper, 49 ... Sorting detection means, 51 ... Upper limit detection means, 53 ... Reflective photoelectric sensor, 55 ... Reflective material, 57 ... Full detection means, 59 ... Introduction Detection means, 61... Full release means.

Claims (7)

A sorting means for sorting a plurality of articles conveyed by the conveyor into a plurality of branch paths adjacent to the conveyor;
One end and the other end of the group of articles in which the plurality of articles are arranged in series are separated from each other, and the articles sorted into the individual branch paths are introduced from the one end one by one. Transport means for transporting them sequentially, and
A guide path that guides the articles sequentially led out from the other end of the conveying means one by one, and causes them to be arranged in the order in which they are guided;
Upper limit detection means for detecting an upper limit of the length of the article tandem in the guide path and sending an upper limit signal;
Sorting detection means for detecting articles sorted into the branch path and sending a sorting signal;
The control means causes the conveying means to convey the article based on the upper limit signal of the upper limit detecting means and the sorting signal of the sorting detecting means, and one of the articles sorted into the branch path is at one end of the conveying means. When the distance for conveying the article of the conveying means reaches the length of one article introduced to one end of the conveying means each time the conveying means is introduced, the conveying means is stopped to stop the conveying means. The sorting and conveying apparatus characterized in that the article introduced from one end is stopped between one end and the other end of the conveying means. A full amount detecting means for detecting that an article has reached the other end of the conveying means and sending a full signal;
When the number of articles tandem in the guide path is less than the upper limit, the control means operates the conveying means based on a full signal of the full quantity detecting means, and between the one end and the other end of the conveying means. The sorting and conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the article is led out to the guide path.   The control means determines the speed at which the article is led out from the other end of the conveying means based on the full signal of the full quantity detecting means, and the speed at which the article sorted into the branch path is introduced into the other end of the conveying means. The sorting / conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sorting / conveying apparatus is set later. One article introduced from one end of the conveying means is provided with introduction detecting means for detecting that a distance equal to or longer than the article has been conveyed by the conveying means and sending an introduction signal,
4. The sorting and conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means stops the conveying means based on an introduction signal from the introduction detecting means. A full amount release means for detecting that the number of articles lining up in the guide path is less than the upper limit and sending a release signal;
Based on the release signal of the full release means, the control means moves the conveying means until all articles stopped between one end and the other end of the conveying means are led out from the other end of the conveying means. The sorting and conveying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sorting and conveying apparatus is operated. The transport means, the guide path, the upper limit detection means, and the sorting detection means are respectively provided in the plurality of branch paths,
The control means recognizes a selection target branch path selected from the plurality of branch paths and a non-selected branch path not included in the selection in a computer that controls the operations of the plurality of transport means. Switching function
The selection target branch based on the upper limit signal and the sorting signal sent when the upper limit detection unit and the classification detection unit respectively detect articles to be sorted into the selection target branch path recognized by the computer. Each time the article is conveyed to a conveying means provided in a path and one of the articles sorted into the branch path to be selected is introduced into one end of the conveying means provided in the branch path, the branch path to be selected is selected. Provided at the branch path of the selection target when the distance of transporting the article of the transport means provided at the end of the length of one article introduced at one end of the transport means provided at the branch path of the selection target Fill function to stop the transporting means,
A normal function of continuing the conveyance of the articles sorted into the non-selected branch recognized by the computer to the conveying means provided in the branch;
6. The sorting and conveying apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a recording medium on which a program for realizing the above is recorded.   The control means includes a display that displays a selection target branch path selected from the plurality of branch paths, a non-selected branch path that is not included in the selection, and a code corresponding to the plurality of branch paths. The sorting and conveying apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an input unit configured to input to a computer, wherein the computer recognizes the branch path to be selected based on the code.

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