JP2013181860A - Weight selection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a weight selection device whose installation space is hardly limited and which is at low cost and can perform measurement with high accuracy.SOLUTION: A plurality of carrying forks 5 having comb teeth 10a to 10d with an object 3 to be mounted thereon is made to go around along a carrying path circular in a planar view by rotating a rotating disk 4 around a vertical shaft x, and the postures of the carrying forks 5 are controlled in accordance with a carrying position through a guide roller 13 engaged in a cam groove of a guide rail 6. In a measurement conveyor 7, the object 3 to be measured mounted on the comb teeth 10a to 10d is moved to the measurement conveyor 7 supporting between respective teeth of the comb teeth 10a to 10d, the object 3 to be measured from the measurement conveyor 7 is mounted on the comb teeth again for carrying after finishing measurement, and an ejection chute 8 of a corresponding weight rank ejects the object to be measured from the comb teeth 10a to 10d on the basis of a measurement value of the measurement conveyor 7.

Description

  The present invention relates to a weight sorting apparatus that measures the weight of an object to be weighed such as agricultural products and marine products such as fruits and seafood, and sorts them into a plurality of weight ranks set in advance according to the measured values.

  As this kind of weight sorting apparatus, for example, in Patent Document 1, an object to be weighed is placed on a plurality of conveying claws arranged at intervals, and conveyed along a circulation path by an endless circular body such as a chain. During measurement, the object to be weighed is weighed by tilting the conveying pawl to the measurement tilting position, the mounting tilting position, and the discharge tilting position, and the weight is measured at the position of the weight rank corresponding to the measured value. A weight sorting device for discharging an object is disclosed.

  This weight sorter places the object to be weighed on the conveying claw in the mounting tilt position and conveys it. In the weighing platform, the conveying claw is tilted to the measurement tilting position and the object to be weighed is transferred to the weighing table. The weighed object is weighed and placed on the transporting claw again by tilting the transporting claw to the mounting tilt position, and based on the measured value by the weighing table, Of the plurality of discharge chutes corresponding to the plurality of weight ranks arranged along the path, the conveyance claw is tilted to the discharge tilt position at the position of the discharge chutes of the corresponding weight rank, and the object to be weighed is discharged. It is discharged and sorted by weight.

  In this weight sorter, the object to be weighed is placed on the conveying claw and conveyed along a straight linear path parallel to the installation surface, and the forward path for weighing and discharging, and the empty conveyance after discharging the object to be weighed A return path that returns the claw with its nails completely downward and transported along a straight linear path with respect to the installation surface, and both ends of the forward path and both ends of the return path are perpendicular to the installation surface. It is comprised so that it may continue in the circular arc-shaped return path | route.

  For this reason, when trying to increase the number of weight ranks to be sorted and sorted, it is necessary to extend the forward path and increase the number of discharge chutes respectively arranged along the forward path, while extending the linear forward path, Accordingly, the return path needs to be extended.

  However, if the outgoing route and return route of the weight sorting device are extended linearly in one direction, the length of the weight sorting device becomes longer in the one direction. It may not be possible to increase. In addition, the return path is a path that simply returns the empty transport claws, and does not use space effectively, and does not use many transport claws effectively, and is a redundant configuration. It has become.

  On the other hand, there is also a rotary weight sorter that transports each container that accommodates an object to be weighed along a horizontal circumference (see, for example, Patent Document 2). This weight sorter supplies the objects to be weighed to the containers at a predetermined supply position of the circulation path while circulating the containers each containing the objects to be weighed on the horizontal circumference. Weighing the objects to be weighed within the weighing range, and discharging and distributing the objects to be weighed at each discharge position corresponding to each weight rank within the predetermined discharge range of the circulation path based on the measured value .

  In this rotary type weight sorter, when increasing the number of weight ranks to be sorted and sorted, it is only necessary to increase the radius of the circumference that is the circulation path. Compared to the conventional example in which the route is extended by extending the route, there are fewer restrictions on the installation space, there is no need for a return route for simply returning the container, and the utilization efficiency of the space and the container is high.

  However, in this rotary type weight sorter, the weight of the objects to be weighed is measured for each of a number of containers each containing the objects to be weighed, and the objects to be weighed are discharged and sorted for each container. In addition, it is necessary to provide weighing means and distribution means using load sensors, and measurement circuits and wirings corresponding to the respective load sensors are also required, so that the configuration becomes complicated and the cost increases accordingly. .

  On the other hand, in Patent Document 3, a load cell is mounted while each container that accommodates an object to be weighed is transported on a stationary rail and a measuring rail arranged along a horizontal circumference. Disclosed is a weight selection device that performs weighing when passing on the weighing rail and discharges an object to be weighed by tilting the container with a guide device when passing a predetermined discharge position based on the measured value. Has been.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-16978 JP-A-5-31464 JP 58-52522 A

  In the weight sorting apparatus of Patent Document 3, since the container is circulated on the rail arranged along the circumference, as in the weight sorter of Patent Document 2, the number of weight ranks to be sorted is increased. In addition, there are few restrictions on the installation space, there is no need for a return path for simply returning the container, and the utilization efficiency of the space and the container is high. In addition, unlike the weight sorter disclosed in Patent Document 2, it is not necessary to provide a weighing unit and a distribution unit for each container.

  However, in the weight sorting apparatus of Patent Document 3, each container is coupled to each of a plurality of arms extending radially from a rotating drive turret, and the container is used when weighing is performed while passing over a weighing rail. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to measure with high accuracy because the container is affected by vibration and friction from the fixed portion and the arm.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described points, and has an object to provide a weight sorting device with less installation space, relatively low cost, and high weighing accuracy. .

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

  (1) A weight selection device according to the present invention includes a circulating means for rotating a plurality of transfer forks having comb teeth on which an object to be weighed is placed along a circular transfer path in plan view, The posture control means for controlling the posture of the comb teeth according to the transport position in the transport path, and the object to be weighed that is arranged in the transport path and is transferred from the comb teeth of the transport fork. A measuring unit that supports the comb teeth while measuring so that the object to be weighed conveys a circular arc in a plan view, and the posture control unit includes: The comb teeth are changed over a conveying posture for placing an object to be weighed and transferring, a transfer posture for transferring the object to be weighed to the weighing means, and a discharging posture for discharging the object to be weighed. Measured by the weighing means Based on the metric values of the object, the one in which is discharged at a discharge position corresponding to the relevant weight categories of a plurality of weight ranks the objects to be weighed.

  The number of teeth, tooth length, tooth spacing, tooth shape, etc. of the comb teeth are not particularly limited, and the object to be weighed is placed and conveyed, and the object to be weighed is transferred to the weighing means. It is only necessary to discharge the object to be weighed at the discharge position.

  According to the weight sorting apparatus of the present invention, the plurality of transport forks having comb teeth on which the objects to be weighed are placed are circulated in the circular transport path in plan view by the circulator and the transport position is controlled by the attitude controller. Accordingly, the posture of the comb teeth is controlled to a transport posture for placing and transporting the object to be measured, a transfer posture for transferring the object to be weighed to the weighing means, and a discharge posture for discharging the object to be weighed. Is done.

  That is, in the weighing means arranged in the conveyance path, the object to be weighed is transferred from the comb teeth of the conveying fork to the weighing means, and the weighing means supports the object to be weighed from between the teeth of the comb teeth and is flat. Weighing while conveying in a circular arc-shaped path, and based on this measured value, the comb teeth are controlled to the discharge posture at the discharge position corresponding to the corresponding weight rank of the plurality of weight ranks, and the object to be weighed In order to increase the number of weight ranks to be distributed, the radius of the circular transport path can be increased, and the forward and return paths can be extended linearly in one direction so that the captain can move in one direction. Compared with the conventional example which becomes longer, there are fewer restrictions due to the installation space.

  In addition, the objects to be weighed are weighed by the weighing means, and the posture of the comb teeth of the transport fork is controlled to the discharge posture and distributed to the respective weight ranks. Therefore, a large number of containers each accommodating the objects to be weighed are required. In addition, the configuration is simplified and the cost can be reduced as compared with the conventional example in which the weighing unit and the distribution unit are provided for each container.

  Moreover, in the weighing means, the object to be weighed is transferred from the comb teeth of the transport fork controlled to the transfer posture to the weighing means, and the weighing means supports the object to be weighed between the teeth of the comb teeth. Since measurement is performed, the measurement is performed in a state where the transport fork and the object to be weighed are completely separated, and without being affected by vibration or friction from the circulating means side that rotates the transport fork. It is possible to measure the weight of only the weighing object with high accuracy.

  (2) In a preferred embodiment of the weight sorting apparatus of the present invention, the plurality of transport forks have a support shaft in which a plurality of teeth constituting the comb teeth are provided at intervals along the axial direction. The rotating means has rotating bodies that respectively support one ends of the support shafts of the plurality of transport forks and rotate the plurality of transport forks about a vertical axis. The posture of the comb teeth is controlled by controlling the rotation of the transport fork about the axis of the support shaft.

  According to this embodiment, the objects to be weighed are transported along the circular transport path in plan view by the plurality of transport forks that rotate about the vertical axis integrally with the rotating body, and the transport forks are supported according to the transport position. By controlling the rotation about the axis of the shaft, the posture of the comb teeth provided on the support shaft can be controlled to the transport posture, the transfer posture, and the discharge posture.

  (3) In an embodiment of the weight sorting apparatus of the present invention, the weighing means are parallel to each other and run linearly between the comb teeth of the transport fork for transferring the object to be weighed. A plurality of endless running bodies, and the weighing objects on the endless running bodies have different traveling speeds of the plurality of endless running bodies such that the objects to be weighed have a circular arc shape in plan view. It is.

  According to this embodiment, the objects to be weighed are supported by a plurality of endless traveling bodies such as chains that travel linearly between the teeth of the comb teeth of the transport fork for transferring the objects to be weighed. By moving multiple endless traveling bodies so that their traveling speeds are different from each other so that the object to be weighed has a horizontal arc-shaped track, the influence of vibration, friction, etc. from the transportation fork side It is possible to weigh the weight of only the object to be weighed with high accuracy.

  (4) In another embodiment of the weight selection apparatus of the present invention, the weighing means has a circular arc shape in plan view between the comb teeth of the transport fork for transferring the object to be weighed. Weighing that has a plurality of endless traveling bodies that run, and that the objects to be weighed on the endless traveling body have different traveling speeds of the plurality of endless traveling bodies so as to draw a circular arc in plan view. It is a conveyor.

  According to this embodiment, the objects to be weighed are supported by a plurality of endless traveling bodies such as wires that travel in an arc shape between the teeth of the comb teeth of the conveying fork to which the objects to be weighed are transferred. By moving multiple endless traveling bodies so that their traveling speeds are different from each other so that the object to be weighed has a horizontal arc-shaped track, the influence of vibration, friction, etc. from the transportation fork side It is possible to weigh the weight of only the object to be weighed with high accuracy.

  (5) In the embodiment of the above (3) or (4), each tooth of the comb teeth of the transport fork extends in a circular arc shape in plan view along the circular transport path in plan view, and the measuring means Has a plurality of placement portions formed with traveling grooves for traveling each intangible traveling body, and each placement portion extends in a circular arc shape in plan view along the transport path that is circular in plan view. Also good.

  According to this embodiment, each of the comb teeth of the transport fork and each of the plurality of mounting portions each having a travel groove in which each endless travel body of the weighing unit travels are planar along the circular transport path in plan view. Since it is formed in a circular arc shape, even if long comb teeth are used, the endless traveling body travels in an arc shape between the comb teeth extending in the arc shape of the conveying fork for transferring the object to be weighed. Each extending mounting portion can be easily arranged without contacting each tooth, and even an object to be weighed that is wide in the conveying direction (rotating direction) extends along the conveying path. It can be placed on the comb teeth.

  According to the present invention, when increasing the number of weight ranks to which the objects to be weighed are distributed, it is only necessary to increase the radius of the circular transport path in plan view, and the conventional way of extending the forward path and the return path linearly in one direction. Compared to the example, there are fewer restrictions due to the installation space, and for transporting the objects to be weighed compared to the conventional example in which weighing means and sorting means need to be provided for each of the many containers in which the objects to be weighed are stored Only the number of forks may be increased, and the configuration can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

  Moreover, when weighing the object to be weighed while being transported by the weighing means, the object to be weighed is supported between the teeth of the comb teeth of the fork for transportation, and the weighing fork and the object to be weighed are therefore measured. Can be weighed in a completely separated state, and the weight of the object to be weighed is increased without being affected by the transport fork side, that is, the circulator means side for rotating the transport fork. Can be measured with accuracy.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a weight sorting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the conveying fork. FIG. 3 is a view showing the posture of the cam groove and the comb teeth of the transport fork at the main transport position of the guide rail. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a disc attached to the rotating shaft. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a detection pulse of the photo interrupter. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the weighing conveyor. FIG. 7 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the weighing conveyor. 8 is a cross-sectional view seen from the direction of arrows DD in FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which an object to be weighed is delivered by a transport fork before and after the weighing conveyor. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the weight sorting apparatus. FIG. 11 is a plan view of a weighing conveyor according to another embodiment. 12 is a cross-sectional view seen from the direction of arrows EE in FIG. FIG. 13 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of the weighing conveyor. FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a main part of a weight sorting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a weight sorting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The weight sorting apparatus 1 of this embodiment measures agricultural and marine products such as seafood and fruits, for example, fish and other objects to be weighed 3 supplied from a supply conveyor 2, and sorts and sorts them into a plurality of weight ranks according to the weight. To do.

  The weight sorting apparatus 1 includes a rotating disk 4 that rotates in the direction of arrow A around a vertical axis x, and a plurality of, in this example, twelve, rollers 12 that are rotatably supported on the outer peripheral edge of the rotating disk 4. Fork 5, a weighing conveyor 7 installed in the middle of a circular transport path in plan view, a circular guide rail 6 in plan view extending along the transport path, and a plurality of weight ranks. And a plurality of discharge chutes 8 respectively arranged at corresponding positions.

  A gear 15 is fixed to the rotating shaft 14 of the rotating disk 4, and the gear 15 meshes with a gear 17 coupled to a driving motor 16. The rotating disk 4 is moved by an arrow A by the driving motor 16. It is rotationally driven at a predetermined rotational speed in the clockwise direction shown. The rotary shaft 14 is rotatably supported by a fixed portion (not shown) such as a frame, and the drive motor 16 and the like are also supported by the fixed portion.

  Each fork 5 for conveyance provided at equal intervals on the outer peripheral edge of the rotating disk 4 conveys the object 3 to be measured and circulates around the vertical axis x integrally with the rotating disk 4 constituting the rotating means. To do. Each transport fork 5 has a support shaft 9 extending horizontally from the rotary disk 4 and a plurality of, in this example, four combs, extending from the support shaft 9 to the rear side (opposite to the rotation direction). Teeth 10a to 10d and a guide portion 11 for guiding the rotation of the support shaft 9 about the axis p are provided.

  One end (base end) side of the support shaft 9 is rotatably supported by the rotating disk 4, and a guide bar 12 and a guide roller 13 constituting the guide portion 11 are provided on the other end (free end) side. It has been. The guide bar 12 extends from the free end of the support shaft 9 to the rear side, and a guide roller 13 is provided at the tip of the guide bar 12 so as to roll freely. The guide roller 13 is engaged with a cam groove, which will be described later, formed on the outer peripheral surface of the guide rail 6 that extends circularly along the conveyance path. The guide roller 13 is guided by the cam groove, thereby conveying the guide roller 13. The rotational position of the support shaft 9 of the fork 5 is guided as described later, and the postures of the comb teeth 10a to 10d of the transport fork 5 are controlled according to the transport position.

  The teeth of the comb teeth 10a to 10d extending from the support shaft 9 of the transport fork 5 are longer toward the outer peripheral side, and are bent in an arc shape along a circular transport path in plan view. Further, each tooth of the comb teeth 10a to 10d is bent in a substantially V shape as shown in the side view of FIG. 2, and one end side of the V shape is integrally attached to the support shaft 9, The posture changes according to the rotation around the axis p of 9.

  The object to be weighed 3 is placed on the comb teeth 10a to 10d of the transport fork 5, and these comb teeth 10a to 10d are integrated with the support shaft 9, and according to the rotation of the support shaft 9 about the axis p. And the inclination angle of the comb teeth 10a to 10d, that is, the posture changes.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the guide bar 12 of the guide portion 11 is formed in a circular arc shape in plan view along the guide rail 6 extending in a circular shape, and the guide roller 13 at the tip thereof is as described above. The guide rail 6 engages with a cam groove formed along the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface of the guide rail 6.

  When the transport fork 5 is moved along the transport path by the rotation of the rotating disk 4, the guide roller 13 of the transport fork 5 is guided along the cam groove so that the transport fork 5 is rotated around the axis p of the support shaft 9. As a result, the posture of the substantially V-shaped comb teeth 10a to 10d of the transport fork 5 changes according to the transport position.

  3 shows the cam groove 18 on the outer peripheral surface of the guide rail 6 extending circularly along the conveying direction at the main conveying position, and the comb teeth 10a of the conveying fork 5 with which the guide roller 13 is engaged with the cam groove 18. It is a figure which shows the attitude | position of 10d.

  FIG. 3A shows a first conveying posture in which the object 3 supplied from the supply conveyor 2 is placed and conveyed to the weighing conveyor 7, and FIG. 3B shows that the object 3 is transferred to the weighing conveyor 7. FIG. 3C shows a second transfer posture in which the object to be weighed 3 weighed by the weighing conveyor 7 is again placed on the transfer fork 5 and transferred, and FIG. Based on the measured values measured by the conveyor 7, each of the discharge postures is shown in which the object 3 is slid down and discharged to the discharge chute 8 corresponding to the corresponding weight rank among the plurality of weight ranks. The change of the attitude | position of the conveyance fork 5 which moves along is shown.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D, the cam groove 18 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the guide rail 6 is formed so that the height position gradually changes along the conveyance path. The rotation position of the support shaft 9 of the conveying fork 5 is changed by the guide roller 13 engaged with the cam groove 18, and the postures of the comb teeth 10a to 10d are changed.

  When the conveyance fork 5 moves along the conveyance path by the rotation of the rotating disk 4 and the guide roller 13 is engaged with the cam groove 18 of the first conveyance level L1 shown in FIG. The first conveying posture in which the free end side of the substantially V-shaped comb teeth 10a to 10d is inclined upward, the object to be weighed 3 supplied from the supply conveyor 2 is placed on the comb teeth 10a to 10d, and the weighing conveyor 7 Transport to.

  When the transport fork 5 further moves along the transport path and the guide roller 13 is engaged with the cam groove 18 of the transfer level L3 shown in FIG. 3B, the comb teeth 10a to 10d of the transport fork 5 are engaged. The free end side has a substantially horizontal transfer posture, and the object 3 is transferred from the comb teeth 10 a to 10 d to the weighing conveyor 7.

   When the conveying fork 5 further moves along the conveying path and the guide roller 13 is engaged with the cam groove 18 of the second conveying level L2 shown in FIG. 3C, the comb teeth 10a to 10d of the conveying fork 5 are engaged. The free end side is in a second transport posture inclined slightly upward, and the object to be weighed 3 that has been weighed by the weighing conveyor 7 is placed again on the comb teeth 10a to 10d and conveyed.

  When the transport fork 5 further moves along the transport path and the guide roller 13 is engaged with the cam groove 18 of the discharge level L4 shown in FIG. 3D, the free ends of the comb teeth 10a to 10d of the transport fork 5 The discharge posture is inclined downward, and the object 3 is slid down and discharged to the discharge chute 8 of the corresponding weight rank. The discharge level L4 is formed at a plurality of locations corresponding to each of the plurality of weight ranks, and a control device described later is provided at a branch portion of the cam groove 18 on the upstream side (left side in FIG. 3) in the transport direction. When the branch gates 20 that are controlled to open and close are installed, and the weighing object 3 has a corresponding weight rank, the branch gate 20 is opened and guided to the discharge level L4 to the discharge chute 8. 3 is discharged, the branch gate 20 remains closed when it is not the object 3 to be weighed in the corresponding weight rank, and is guided downstream with the second transfer level L2. As shown in FIG. 1, each discharge chute 8 extends while inclining toward the outer periphery of the circular conveyance path, and the object 3 slid down from the conveyance fork 5 slides in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 1. Is discharged.

  The transport fork 5 that has discharged the object to be weighed 3 moves in the discharge posture, returns to the first transport posture of FIG. 3A in the previous stage of the supply conveyor 2, and repeats the above-described operation.

  In this embodiment, the posture control means for controlling the posture of the transport fork 5 according to the transport position by the guide rail 6 in which the cam groove 18 is formed, the guide portion 11 of the transport fork 5 and the control device described later. Composed.

  As another embodiment of the present invention, the cam groove 18 may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the guide rail 6 and the guide roller 13 and the like may be disposed on the inner peripheral side.

  As shown in the plan view of FIG. 4, a disk 45 that rotates integrally with the rotating shaft 14 is attached to the rotating shaft 14 of the rotating disk 4. Twelve through holes 46 are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, and one notch wider than the through hole 46 is formed on an extension line connecting the center of the disk 45 and one through hole 46. 47 is formed.

  Two sets of photo-interrupters (not shown) composed of light projecting and receiving elements for detecting the through holes 46 and the notches 47 of the disk 45 are fixedly installed so as to face the outer peripheral edge of the disk 45. Has been. The two sets of photo interrupters detect the cutout 47 and the twelve through holes 46 of the disk 45 passing through the installation position, respectively, and the transport fork 5 rotates once around the vertical axis x. Along with this, the photo interrupter that detects the notch 47 of the disk 45 by rotating the disk 45 once also outputs the detection pulse Rp shown in FIG. 5A once, and passes through the through hole 46 of the disk 45. From the detected photo interrupter, the detection pulse Tp shown in FIG. 5B is output 12 times corresponding to each transport fork 5.

  Based on this detection pulse, the control device described later identifies the transport fork 5 each time the twelve transport forks 5 arrive at a predetermined position in accordance with the rotational operation of the rotating disk 4.

  The comb teeth 10a to 10d of the respective transport forks 5 have the objects 3 to be weighed in the direction indicated by the arrow B before the weighing conveyor 7 shown in FIG. One metering unit is supplied from the supply conveyor 2 driven intermittently or continuously. That is, every time the comb teeth 10a to 10d of the transport fork 5 reach the lower end of the transport of the supply conveyor 2, the supply conveyor 2 is driven to supply the comb teeth 10a to 10d of the transport arm 5. An object 3 is supplied from 2.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the weighing conveyor 7 of this embodiment includes a plurality of chains 7 a, 7 b, 7 c as endless traveling bodies in this example, and comb teeth 10 a to 10 d of the transport fork 5. The objects to be weighed 3 are linearly moved at different traveling speeds and the objects to be weighed 3 are transferred from the transport fork 5 so that the objects to be weighed 3 have a circular arc orbit in plan view. Transport.

  As shown in the enlarged plan view of FIG. 6 and the schematic side view of FIG. 7, the weighing conveyor 7 includes linear running grooves 51 a to 51 c in which three chains 7 a to 7 c having different lengths travel, respectively. There are two mounting portions 50a to 50c, and each of the mounting portions 50a to 50c is supported by a common weighing table 19 via a pair of support frames 54a to 54c. It is supported by the fixed part.

  Each mounting part 50a-50c is spaced apart from each other, extends in a circular arc shape in plan view along a circular transport path in plan view, and transports the object 3 to be transferred to each mounting part 50a-50c. The comb teeth 10a to 10d of the fork 5 are configured so that the object to be weighed 3 can be smoothly transferred without contacting the mounting parts 50a to 50c.

  The travel grooves 51a to 51c of the mounting portions 50a to 50c are formed in a straight line so as to be parallel to each other, and the chains 7a to 7c respectively traveling in the travel grooves 51a to 51c are provided on the inner peripheral side. The length of the chain is shorter.

  As representatively shown in FIG. 8 which is a cross-sectional view as viewed from the direction of arrows DD in FIG. 6, each running groove 51a to 51c is slightly wider than the width of each chain 7a to 7c. It is formed slightly shallower than the height of 7a-7c, and is conveyed in a state where the object 3 is placed on the chains 7a-7c protruding from the running grooves 51a-51c.

Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the length of the part on which the object to be weighed 3 is placed on the conveyance surface on each placement part 50 a to 50 c of the three chains 7 a to 7 c is set to La to Lc, Assuming that the traveling speeds of the chains 7a to 7c are Va to Vc, if the stay times T of the objects 3 to be weighed on the chains 7a, 7b, and 7c at the upper end, the center, and the lower end of the objects to be weighed 3 are equal. So good
T = La / Va = Lb / Vb = Lc / Vc
Travel speeds Va, Vb, and Vc are set so that Note that Va>Vb> Vc.

  Motors for driving the chains 7a, 7b, and 7c may be provided individually, and the ratio of the rotational speeds of the motors may be adjusted to be La: Lb: Lc. In this embodiment, the chains 7a to 7c As shown in FIG. 7, 7 c is wound around sprockets 52 a to 52 c that are driven coaxially by a motor (not shown), and the tension is adjusted by a chain tensioner 53.

  The sprockets 52a to 52c have the same pitch, and the number of teeth is (1 / La) :( 1 / Lb) :( 1 / Lc).

As shown in FIG. 9, the support shaft 9 of the transport fork 5 has an Lc ₁ point on one end side of the length Lc of the portion on the transport surface on the mounting portion 50c where the object 3 is placed or The rotation radius from the vertical axis x in FIG. 1 which is the rotation center when reaching the Lc ₂ point on the other end side is R, and the angle formed by the Lc ₁ point and the Lc ₂ point with respect to the rotation center is α (rad) Then, since the distance on the circular orbit from the point Lc _{1 to the} point Lc ₂ is α · R, the rotational speed of the rotating disk 4 is α · R / T.

  As shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 6, the object 3 transferred to the weighing conveyor 7 is conveyed on the weighing conveyor 7 so that the outer circumference side is fast and the inner circumference side is slow. It is transported to measure and weighed. After passing through the weighing conveyor 7, it is again placed on the comb teeth 10a to 10d of each transport fork 5 and transported while drawing a horizontal arcuate track.

  Note that the endless traveling body is not limited to a chain, and may be a wire, a string, or the like.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the weight sorting apparatus 1 of this embodiment.

  The weight sorting apparatus 1 includes a control device 34. The control device 34 stores a control unit 35 composed of a CPU and set values such as a control program and boundary values that define a plurality of weight ranks. And a storage unit 36 including a ROM, a RAM and the like for temporarily storing data at the time of calculation.

  The control unit 35 receives detection outputs of the two sets of photo interrupters 37 described above, and also receives a load signal from the load cell 26 of the weighing conveyor 7 via an A / D converter 38.

  In addition, information necessary for operation and operation of the weight sorting apparatus 1, for example, information such as the boundary value that defines the weight rank described above, is set and input to the control unit 35 by an operation indicator 39 including, for example, a touch panel display. can do. The operation indicator 39 can display a set value, a weight value of the object 3 to be measured, total data, and the like.

  The first to third motor driving circuits 40 to 42 drive the motor 16 of the rotating disk 4, the motor of the weighing conveyor 7, and the motor of the supply conveyor 2, respectively. These motor driving circuits 40 to 42 are control units. 35.

  The plurality of gate driving portions 43 drive the respective branch gates 20 at the plurality of branch portions of the cam groove 18 of the guide rail 6.

  The control unit 35 determines the weight rank to which the weight of the object 3 belongs based on the load signal from the load cell 26 input via the A / D converter 38 and the detection pulse of the photo interrupter 37, and the weight The opening and closing of the branch gate 20 is controlled so that the object 3 can be discharged by the discharge chute 8 corresponding to the rank, and the object 3 is discharged to the discharge chute 8 with the attitude of the transport fork 5 set as the discharge attitude.

  Thereafter, the transport fork 5 returns to the first transport posture before the supply conveyor 2, and when the transport fork 5 reaches the lower end of the transport of the supply conveyor 2, the control unit 35 moves to the third motor drive circuit. The supply conveyor 2 is driven via 42 to supply the object to be weighed 3 to the conveying fork 5.

  In this embodiment, in the weighing conveyor 7, the placement portions 50 a to 50 c on which the chains 7 a to 7 c travel extend in a circular arc shape in plan view, and the comb teeth 10 a to the conveying fork 5 of the object to be weighed 3 to. As shown in FIG. 1, each tooth of 10d can move smoothly without contacting between the placement portions 50a to 50c. Moreover, the to-be-measured object 3 mounted on the comb teeth 10a to 10d of the transport fork 5 in the first transport posture is changed to the transfer posture by the transport fork 5 so that each of the mounting portions 50a to 50c. Transferred onto the chains 7a to 7c. As a result, the transport fork 5 and the object to be weighed 3 are completely separated from each other, do not receive interference from the transport fork 5 side, and do not need a container for storing the object to be weighed. Only the weight of the object to be weighed 3 can be measured with high accuracy by the conveyor 7.

  Next, operation | movement of the weight selection apparatus 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated. First, as shown in FIG. 1, when the transport fork 5 is transported to the supply position of the object to be weighed 3, that is, below the transport end of the supply conveyor 2, the transport fork 5 is connected to the guide rail 6. The guide roller 13 engaged with the cam groove 18 is in the first transport posture. The objects to be weighed 3 are supplied to the transport fork 5 in one weighing unit, for example, one by one. And if the fork 5 for conveyance moves to the position of the measurement conveyor 7, each tooth 10a-10d of the fork 5 for conveyance will move smoothly, without contacting between each mounting part 50a-50c of the measurement conveyor 7 At the same time, the guide roller 13 engaged with the cam groove 18 of the guide rail 6 shifts to the transfer posture. As a result, the object to be weighed 3 is transferred from the comb teeth 10a to 10d of the transport fork 5 to the chains 7a to 7c of the mounting portions 50a to 50c of the weighing conveyor 7 so as to draw an arc-shaped track in plan view. The weight of the object to be weighed 3 is weighed while being conveyed.

  At this time, the object to be weighed 3 conveyed by the conveying fork 5 is conveyed on the weighing conveyor 7 while maintaining an arcuate path in the same posture as before, so that the object to be weighed 3 is transferred to the weighing conveyor 7. There is no loss of time only on the top. Moreover, since each mounting part 50a-50c of the measurement conveyor 7 is arrange | positioned so that it may be located between each tooth of the comb teeth 10a-10d of the fork 5 for conveyance, without contacting the fork 5 for conveyance In addition, since the object 3 is completely transferred from the transfer fork 5 in the transfer posture onto the chains 7a to 7c of the mounting portions 50a to 50c, the transfer fork 5 side, that is, the transfer The weight of the object to be weighed 3 can be measured with high accuracy by the weighing conveyor 7 without being affected by the rotating disk 4 side on which the fork 5 is moved.

  In addition, the object to be weighed 3 sent out from the weighing conveyor 7 after the weighing is finished is placed on the conveying fork 5 which has shifted to the second conveying posture by the guide roller 13 engaged with the cam groove 18 of the guide rail 6. Are transported.

  Next, based on the weight of the object 3 weighed by the weighing conveyor 7, the weight rank to which the weight belongs is determined, and the branch gate 20 before reaching the discharge chute 8 corresponding to the weight rank is opened. Thus, the guide roller 13 of the transport fork 5 is guided to the cam groove 18 of the discharge level L4, the transport fork 5 is in the discharge posture, and discharges the object 3 to the discharge chute 8.

  The transport fork 5 that has discharged the object to be weighed 3 moves in the discharge posture, returns to the first transport posture again before the supply position of the object to be weighed 3 by the supply conveyor 2, and is removed from the supply conveyor 2. The above operation is repeated with the supply of the weighing item 3.

(Embodiment 2)
11 is a plan view of a weighing conveyor according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view seen from the direction of arrows EE in FIG.

  The weighing conveyor 60 of this embodiment includes metal traveling rails 62a to 62c in which a plurality of, in this example, three, metal wires 61a to 61c as endless traveling bodies respectively travel in an arc shape in plan view. Each of the traveling rails 62a to 62c is supported by the common weighing platform 19 via the support frames 63a to 63c, respectively, and the weighing platform 19 is fixed to the fixed portion via the load cell 26. It is supported by.

  As shown in FIG. 12, each of the wires 61a to 61c partially protrudes from the running grooves of the running rails 62a to 62c, and the object to be weighed 3 is placed on the projected wires 61a to 61ac and is flat. It is conveyed in a visual arc shape.

  The traveling rails 62a to 62c on which the wires 61a to 61c on which the tension is applied travel are made of, for example, Al, and the traveling grooves are provided to increase hardness, improve wear resistance, and reduce the friction coefficient. A hard film, such as a diamond-like carbon (DLC) film, is coated.

  As shown in the schematic side view of FIG. 13, the wires 61 a to 61 c are respectively wound around drive pulleys 63 a to 63 c that are driven coaxially by a motor (not shown), and adjusted so that a tension is always applied by the wire tensioner 64. Yes.

  The winding surfaces of the wires 61a to 61c of the drive pulleys 63a to 63c are rubber-lined or roughened so that the wires 61a to 61c do not slip.

  Similarly to the above-described embodiment, each wire 61a to 61c travels at different traveling speeds so that the stay times T of the objects to be weighed 3 placed thereon are equal to each other. Convey in an arc.

  The traveling rails 62a to 62c are spaced apart from each other and extend in a circular arc shape in plan view. The comb of the transport fork 5 that transfers the object 3 to the traveling rails 62a to 62c serving as a placement portion. The to-be-measured object 3 can be smoothly transferred, without the teeth 10a-10d contacting each traveling rail 62a-62c.

  The wires 61a to 61c are not limited to metal but may be made of resin.

  Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

(Embodiment 3)
In each of the above-described embodiments, the guide roller 13 of the transport fork 5 is engaged with the cam groove 18 of the guide rail 6, thereby rotating the support shaft 9 of the transport fork 5 about its axis p. Although controlled the posture of the comb teeth 10a~10d Te, as another embodiment of the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, the proximal end of the transporting fork 5 ₁ of the support shaft 9, the drive such as a stepping motor The control unit 34 controls the rotation angle of the support shaft 9 by the driving unit 27 according to the rotation position of the rotary disk 4, that is, according to the transfer position of the transfer path, and is used for transfer. may control the attitude of the forks 5 ₁ comb 10 a to 10 d.

  According to this embodiment, the guide rail 6 and the guide part 11 can be omitted. Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Weight sorter 2 Supply conveyor 3 Object to be measured 4 Rotating disk 5,5 ₁ Fork for conveyance 6 Guide rail 7, 60 Weighing conveyor 7a-7c Chain 8 Discharge chute 9 Support shaft 10a-10d Comb tooth 11 Guide part 13 Guide roller 18 Cam Groove 19 Weighing Platform 20 Branch Gate 26 Load Cell 34 Control Device 50a-50c Placement Unit 61a-61c Wire 62a-62c Traveling Rail

Claims (5)

A revolving means for revolving a plurality of conveying forks having comb teeth on which an object to be weighed is placed, along a circular conveying path in plan view;
Attitude control means for controlling the attitude of the comb teeth of the conveying fork according to the conveying position in the conveying path;
The object to be weighed, which is arranged in the transport path and is transferred from the comb teeth of the transport fork, is supported from between the teeth of the comb teeth, and the object to be weighed has an arc shape in plan view. A weighing means for weighing while transporting in a trajectory,
The posture control means includes a conveying posture for placing the object to be weighed and conveying the comb teeth of the conveying fork, a transfer posture for transferring the object to be weighed to the weighing means, and the weighing object A discharge posture for discharging the object, and the weight of the object to be weighed among a plurality of weight ranks based on a measurement value of the object to be weighed measured by the weighing means. Discharge at the discharge position corresponding to
A weight sorter characterized by that. The plurality of transport forks have a support shaft in which a plurality of teeth constituting the comb teeth are provided at intervals along the axial direction,
The circling means includes a rotating body that supports one ends of the support shafts of the plurality of transport forks, and rotates the plurality of transport forks around a vertical axis,
The posture control means controls the posture of the comb teeth by controlling the rotation of the conveying fork about the axis of the support shaft;
The weight selection apparatus according to claim 1. The weighing means includes a plurality of endless running bodies that are parallel to each other and run linearly between the teeth of the comb teeth of the transport fork for transferring the object to be weighed. The weighing object on the body is a weighing conveyor that makes the traveling speeds of the plurality of endless traveling bodies different from each other so as to draw a circular arc orbit in plan view.
The weight selection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The weighing means has a plurality of endless traveling bodies that respectively travel in a circular arc shape in plan view between the comb teeth of the conveying fork for transferring the object to be weighed. The weighing object above is a weighing conveyor that makes the traveling speeds of the plurality of endless traveling bodies different from each other so as to draw an arc-shaped track in plan view.
The weight selection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. Each of the comb teeth of the transport fork extends in a circular arc shape in plan view along the circular transport path of the plan view,
The weighing means has a plurality of placement portions formed with traveling grooves in which each intangible traveling body travels, and each placement portion has an arcuate shape in plan view along the transport path that is circular in plan view. Extend,
The weight selection apparatus according to claim 3 or 4.

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