JP2018150130A - Sorting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sorting device capable of executing reliable sorting operation even when operation is stopped.SOLUTION: A sorting device includes: a sorting mechanism 28 that performs a sorting operation so that an article W delivered into a sorting conveyance section Z is conveyed out of the sorting conveyance section Z by selecting any sorting direction corresponding to an inspection result; and a sorting drive control section 41 for controlling the operation of the sorting mechanism 28 in accordance with a command signal from an upper weighing conveyor 1 and stopping the operation of the sorting mechanism 28 when a stop command requiring operation stop is input. The sorting mechanism 28 is configured to return to a stand-by posture in which the article W can be moved out in a specific sorting direction out of a plurality of sorting directions while the operation is stopped. The sorting drive control section 41 implements, when the stop command is input, a sorting direction maintaining operation in which a sorting direction selected for an article W to be moved out remaining in the sorting conveyance section Z is maintained for a predetermined period of time so that the article W to be moved out can be moved out of the sorting conveyance section Z in the selected sorting direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a sorting apparatus, and more particularly to a sorting apparatus suitable for performing an operation of sorting an inspected article on its transport path.

  Conventionally, the inspection of the weight, size, quality, etc. of each article being conveyed is carried out by the article inspection apparatus while sequentially conveying various articles along a predetermined conveyance path, and the inspected article (inspected) is determined according to the inspection result. Sorting devices are often used that selectively eject the product) to the downstream side while selectively transporting it to the downstream side, or distribute it to one of a plurality of downstream side conveyance paths corresponding to the inspection results.

  As this type of sorting device, for example, a sorting and conveying conveyor having an upstream end portion in which articles inspected by a preceding inspection device are sequentially carried in, and a downstream end portion that carries out each article downstream is configured. By performing a sorting operation for selectively lowering the downstream end of the sorting and conveying conveyor according to the sorting signal corresponding to the inspection result of the article, defective products can be discharged and dropped out of the conveying path in a predetermined sorting and conveying section. What was made is known (for example, refer patent document 1).

JP 2011-183272 A

  However, in the conventional sorting apparatus as described above, while the inspected article is being conveyed in the predetermined sorting and conveying section, a signal (hereinafter referred to as a command to stop operation of the sorting apparatus) from the preceding inspection apparatus. , A stop command), or a signal requesting sorting and transportation may be interrupted due to an emergency stop of the inspection device. There was a problem that the sorting operation could not be performed.

  Specifically, in the sorting apparatus described above, the sorting and conveying conveyor is controlled based on the sorting signal according to the inspection result at the timing when the inspected article enters a predetermined sorting and conveying section. Can be switched between a horizontal conveyance posture for discharging the product to a subsequent conveyance means and a discharge / falling posture inclined so that defective products are discharged and dropped out of the conveyance path.

  Therefore, if the sorting device stops due to a stop command or the like while the inspection object remains in the predetermined sorting and conveying section, the sorting and conveying conveyor stops operation from the discharge and drop posture corresponding to the inspection result of the inspection object, for example. Since the product is mechanically returned to the waiting position, and the sorting operation of the article that was being sorted and transported immediately before the operation is stopped cannot be performed, the worker is forced to take out the defective product or discard the non-defective product. There was a thing.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sorting apparatus that can perform a reliable sorting operation even when operation is stopped.

  In order to achieve the above object, the sorting device according to the present invention is configured to select one of the plurality of distribution directions corresponding to the inspection result for an article that has been subjected to a predetermined article inspection and is carried into the sorting conveyance section. A sorting mechanism that performs a sorting operation so as to be selected and carried out from the sorting conveyance section, and controls the operation of the sorting mechanism in accordance with a command signal from a higher-level article inspection device, and a stop command that requires an operation stop is input. And a controller that stops the operation of the distribution mechanism when the operation is stopped, and the distribution mechanism can carry out the article in a specific distribution direction among the plurality of distribution directions while the operation is stopped. When the stop command is input, the controller is configured to return to the unconveyed item in the sorting conveyance section. Said one of the distribution direction which have been selected for, and is characterized in performing a sorting direction holding control for holding a predetermined time so that the article yet-out is carried out outside the sorting transport section.

  With this configuration, in the present invention, when a stop command is input, any of the sorting directions selected for the undelivered articles in the sorting and conveying section is transferred to the outside of the sorting and conveying section. Until it is held. Therefore, when the sorting mechanism returns to the stand-by position at the time of stop according to the stop command, the article that was being sorted and transported immediately before that can be carried out of the sorting and transport section, and reliable sorting even when the operation is stopped. The sorting apparatus can execute the operation.

  In the sorting apparatus according to the present invention, the controller sets the predetermined time for holding one of the sorting directions when the stop command is input as the required transport time required for transporting the article in the sorting transport section. The article may be variably set based on at least one of the preset product information.

  In this case, the required transport time is in accordance with the length (transport distance) and transport speed of the sorting transport section, and more preferably in accordance with the required transport time, the product information such as the length in the transport direction of the article. In consideration of the other conditions specified in (1), the predetermined time for holding the selected distribution direction can be variably set.

  When the controller receives the stop command, the controller selects one of the distribution directions selected for the uncarried item and the specific distribution direction corresponding to the stand-by posture at the time of stoppage. The distribution direction holding control for holding any of the distribution directions when the stop command is input may be executed according to the determination result.

  If it does in this way, it can be set as the sorting device which can perform a reliable sorting operation at the time of operation stop, performing the distribution direction maintenance control only when necessary.

  Further, the controller shuts off a power source of an actuator for operating the distribution mechanism and returns the distribution mechanism to the stand-by posture at the stop when the predetermined time has elapsed after the stop command is input. It can be set as the structure made to do.

  In this case, according to the required operating conditions, for example, when the standby position during normal operation is different from the standby position at the time of stop, after stopping at the standby position during normal operation once at the time of stoppage and sorting according to the stop command, By shutting off the power source of the distribution mechanism after a predetermined time has elapsed, it can be returned to the standby position at the time of stop, and safety and fail-safe functions can be enhanced according to the required operating conditions.

  The controller, when the stop command is input, and when the preset immediate stop condition is satisfied, the immediate stop mode for immediately stopping the transport in the sorting transport section, and the stop command is input In this case, it is possible to switch to the final determination direction holding mode in which the distribution direction holding control is executed when the immediate stop condition is not satisfied.

  If it does in this way, mode switching can be carried out according to the articles to be sorted and transported and the sorting and transport conditions, and for example, the confirmation operation and test for each function can be performed using the immediate stop mode.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sorting device capable of performing a reliable sorting operation even when the operation is stopped.

It is a schematic front view which shows the conveyor arrangement | positioning in the weight selection system provided with the selection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a weight sorting system including a sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the distribution part and the selection drive part in the selection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the schematic procedure of the final determination direction holding | maintenance control at the time of the stop command input in the weight selection system provided with the selection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the schematic procedure of the final determination direction holding time setting process in the weight selection system provided with the selection apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart for demonstrating operation | movement at the time of setting both the basic operation position during driving | operation and the stand-by position at the time of a stop in the weight sorting system provided with the sorting device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention to the defective article discharge side. . FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining the operation when the basic operation position is set to the non-defective product delivery side and the standby position at the stop time is set to the defective product discharge side in the weight sorting system including the sorting device according to the embodiment of the present invention. It is. It is a timing chart of the comparative example which stops sorting conveyance immediately at the time of stop command input.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 to 6 show a weight sorting system including a sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the configuration will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the weight sorting system according to the present embodiment includes a weighing conveyor 1 that functions as an article inspection device and a front conveyor, and a down drop that constitutes a main part of the sorting device. It comprises a mold sorting and conveying conveyor 2, a post-conveyor 3 for carrying out inspected articles, and a support 4 (not shown in detail) for supporting them.

  Articles W as inspection objects are sequentially fed into the weighing conveyor 1 via an auxiliary conveyor 5 from an upstream article loading means, for example, a filling and packaging machine (not shown).

  The weighing conveyor 1 can apply the weight of the article W as a load to the weighing unit 11 configured with a load sensor such as a known load cell or an electromagnetic balance, and the weighing unit 11 while conveying the article W. A weighing conveyor main body 12 with a known weighing platform, and a control unit 13 that generates an inspection result signal and a selection signal RJ corresponding to the inspection result signal based on the load signal from the weighing unit 11, and a weighing conveyor main body The weight of the article W passing over the top 12 can be measured by the measuring unit 11.

  Further, the control unit 13 of the weighing conveyor 1 sets, for example, an article W having a normal weight within an allowable range as a non-defective product and an article W having an excess or deficiency as a defective product based on the load signal from the weighing unit 11. A sorting signal for distributing to different transport destinations (may be a plurality of types of sorting signals for ranking) is generated.

  In accordance with a sorting signal from the control unit 13 of the weighing conveyor 1, the sorting / conveying conveyor 2 executes a sorting operation for distributing, for example, a good product and a defective product to different transport destinations.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sorting and conveying conveyor 2 includes a conveying motor 21, a driving shaft 22, a driving pulley 23, a driven pulley 24, a conveying belt 25 (an endless conveying member), and a shaft support frame 26. ing. Further, the sorting and conveying conveyor 2 is provided with a sorting mechanism 28 having a sorting driving actuator 27 and an article detection sensor 29.

  The conveyance motor 21 is supported by the support 4 and is connected to the drive shaft 22 via a rotary transmission element 21a such as a transmission belt so as to be capable of rotational transmission, and a drive pulley 23 integrally coupled to the drive shaft 22 is provided. The conveyor belt 25 can be driven via

  A shaft support frame 26 is interposed between the drive shaft 22 and the driven pulley 24, and the shaft support frame 26 allows the transport belt 25 to be separated from the drive shaft 22 in parallel with the shaft. It is supported so that it can run in the circumferential direction.

  Further, the shaft support frame 26 is supported so as to be swingable in the vertical vertical direction with respect to the drive shaft 22 using the end portion on the drive shaft 22 side as a swing fulcrum. A sorting drive actuator 27 that swings the shaft support frame 26 in the vertical direction is interposed between the intermediate portion of the shaft support frame 26 and the support 4.

  The sorting drive actuator 27 is composed of, for example, an air cylinder supported so as to be swingable in the left-right direction in FIG. 3 with respect to the support 4, and supply / discharge of air as the working fluid (supply of compressed air and supply of compressed air) By controlling (discharge), extension and contraction operations are possible. The sorting drive actuator 27 is controlled by the sorting drive control unit 41 to supply and discharge air from the compressed air source 42 (power source).

  The shaft support frame 26 and the sorting drive actuator 27 constitute a sorting mechanism 28 that performs a sorting operation of the transport destination for sorting according to the inspection result of the article W.

  This distribution mechanism 28 is an inspection result of a plurality of distribution directions D1 and D2 shown in FIG. 1 for an article W that has been subjected to weight measurement as a predetermined article inspection on the weighing conveyor 1 and carried into the sorting and conveying section Z. A sorting operation for carrying out (including discharging out of the conveyance path) from the sorting conveyance section Z is performed in one direction corresponding to the above.

  Further, the distribution mechanism 28 is at least under its own weight at the time of standby during the operation waiting for the selection signal input from the weighing conveyor 1 side and when the operation of the selection conveying conveyor 2 is stopped (operation stop), and further, a spring (not shown), etc. The urging means urges the article W to be distributed in a specific distribution direction among a plurality of distribution directions, and is configured to take a stand-by posture capable of discharging and dropping defective products, for example.

  In the sorting and conveying conveyor 2, it goes without saying that the sorting drive actuator 27 is not limited to the fluid pressure operation type, and the sorting drive control unit 41 selectively supplies and stops the energy for operating the sorting drive actuator 27. If possible, it is not limited to a specific method. Further, the sorting drive actuator 27 may have a means for biasing the sorting transport conveyor 2 to the standby position at the time of stop, for example, a return spring. The stop standby position here is a standby position of the distribution mechanism 28 during operation stop when the conveyance drive source of the sorting conveyor 2 and the compressed air source 42 to the distribution mechanism 28 are stopped.

  Specifically, the sorting drive control unit 41 of the sorting conveyor 2 is, for example, from a non-illustrated pressure air source to the inside of the sorting drive actuator 27 that is an air cylinder (one and the other working fluid chambers partitioned by a piston (not shown)). It includes an electromagnetic switching valve 41a for controlling the supply and discharge of air, a programmable controller 41b for controlling the operation of the electromagnetic switching valve, and the like, and a selection signal RJ from the control unit 13 of the weighing conveyor 1 is set in advance. In accordance with the selected sorting drive condition, the sorting drive actuator 27 has a first posture capable of carrying out and discharging the non-defective product indicated by the solid line and the D1 direction in FIG. 3, and a second posture capable of discharging the defective product indicated by the virtual line and the D2 direction in FIG. By changing to the posture, it is possible to sort the transport destination.

  When the sorting and conveying conveyor 2 takes the first posture, it can convey the article W carried in from the preceding weighing conveyor 1 in the same D1 direction as the loading direction and deliver it to the subsequent conveyor 3 side. Further, when the sorting and conveying conveyor 2 takes the second posture, the article W carried in from the preceding weighing conveyor 1 is directed downward in FIG. 3 in the direction D2 that deviates from the normal conveying path toward the latter conveyor 3 side. It can be discharged and stored in a receiving box (not shown).

  That is, the sorting drive control unit 41 controls the operation of the sorting mechanism 28 in accordance with a command signal from the control unit 13 (upper article inspection apparatus) of the weighing conveyor 1 and also issues a stop command for requesting the shutdown of sorting conveyance. When input, the controller is capable of stop control that stops the operation of the distribution mechanism 28 under a predetermined stop condition (this point will be described later).

  The article detection sensor 29 is installed, for example, at a position where the article W is delivered from the weighing conveyor 1 to the sorting and conveying conveyor 2 and is put into the sorting and conveying conveyor 2 or upstream thereof. The article detection signal of the article detection sensor 29 is taken into the control unit 13, and the control unit 13 determines whether or not the article W exists on the sorting and conveying conveyor 2 or on the weighing conveyor 1. can do.

  The control unit 13 of the weighing conveyor 1 is not shown in a specific hardware configuration, but includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input / output interface circuit, and the like, and is stored in the ROM or other memory device. The operation of the weighing conveyor 1 and the operation of the sorting and conveying conveyor 2 are controlled according to a predetermined weighing (weighing) control program, a distribution control program for weight selection, and the like.

  The control unit 13 executes the above-described various control programs to thereby control the inspection control unit 31 that controls the inspection by the weighing conveyor 1, the sorting control unit 32 that controls the sorting operation of the sorting and conveying conveyor 2 by a command signal, It is configured to exhibit the function of the storage unit 33 that stores various set values, inspection conditions, product type information, inspection results, history, and the like. Further, the control unit 13 includes a display unit 35 for displaying inspection results and other various information, an input unit 36 for inputting various setting values and other manual operations, and an emergency for stopping the operation of the weighing conveyor 1 in an emergency manner. A stop button 37 is also provided.

  The inspection control unit 31 controls the operation of the weighing conveyor 1 according to the preset setting parameters for each product type and the specifications of the own machine (for example, the machine length corresponding to the length of the sorting and conveying section Z), and the weighing conveyor 1 The measurement value calculation process by the weighing unit 11 and the weight value pass / fail determination process as the inspection result are executed.

  The sorting control unit 32 generates a sorting signal corresponding to the inspection driving result for each article W and a conveyance driving signal for driving the conveyance motor 21 of the sorting conveyance conveyor 2, and the inspected article W corresponding to the sorting signal is sorted and conveyed. The sorting signal is output to the sorting drive control unit 41 at the timing of reaching the zone Z, and the sorting drive actuator is used during the period from when the article W is carried into the sorting and conveying zone Z until it is delivered to the subsequent conveyor 3. 27 can be controlled by the sorting drive control unit 41 in accordance with the sorting signal.

  The storage unit 33 is composed of the above-mentioned ROM or other memory device, and stores, for example, fixed setting parameters determined from the specifications of the machine itself, and also the production speed (conveying speed) for each type of article W to be inspected. ), Allowable weight range, and other inspection conditions are set, the set value information is stored. Further, in addition to storing the setting value information, the storage unit 33 can store a program for executing a holding time setting process in the final determination direction, which will be described later, when the conveyance direction length of the article W is set and input. It has become.

  As described above, the sorting mechanism 28 of the sorting / conveying conveyor 2 is configured to stand by in the second posture toward the defective product discharge direction in the standby state during operation waiting for the input of the sorting signal RJ from the weighing conveyor 1 side. Has been. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the control unit 13, when the inspection result signal is an OK signal and the distribution mechanism 28 needs to be shifted from the second posture to the first posture (for example, in FIG. It starts to stand up (at time t1).

  However, in this embodiment, since power from the outside is not required to return to the standby position during operation, the selection signal is only for shifting from the second posture to the first posture, but from the first posture to the second posture. Generate a sorting signal for shifting to a posture to drive a bi-directional sorting operation by an actuator, or generate multiple types of sorting signals to perform a multi-directional sorting operation corresponding to three or more transport destinations Is possible.

  On the other hand, the sorting drive control unit 41 executes the distribution direction holding control described later by the above-described controller function, so that when the stop command is input from the control unit 13 of the weighing conveyor 1 or when the stop command is input. When the equivalent sorting request signal Mc or sorting signal RJ is stopped or interrupted (hereinafter, when a stop command is input in any of these ways), the sorting and conveying section Z on the sorting and conveying conveyor 2 The sorting direction that has already been selected according to the inspection result for the unconveyed article W is held for a predetermined time so that the unconveyed article W is reliably carried out of the sorting conveyance section Z. ing.

  Specifically, the sorting drive control unit 41 first sorts the required transport time Td from when the article W is carried into the sorting and transport zone Z of the sorting and transporting conveyor 2 until the unloading is completed, based on the center of gravity of the article W. It is set based on the basic transport time Ta required to pass the transport zone Z and at least the correction time Tb required for transport of the article W in the transport direction length (work length). This required transport time Td is used to determine a holding time Tg in the final determination direction, which will be described later.

  The sorting drive control unit 41 also has a function of a final determination direction holding timer 41c that counts the required transport time Td from the rising point when a sorting signal is input. In the present embodiment, since the article detection sensor 29 is provided on the sorting conveyor 2, the article W corresponding to the article W by the article detection sensor 29 within an expected arrival period when the sorting signal is output from the control unit 13. The final determination direction holding timer 41c may be activated at the time when is detected.

  The sorting drive control unit 41 further determines the required transport time Td based on known information such as product type information set in advance for the article W, for example, the length of the article W in the transport direction, the ease of delay of unloading timing due to slip, and the like. It is designed to be variably set.

  In addition, the sorting drive control unit 41 immediately stops the transport in the sorting transport zone Z when a stop command is input from the control unit 13 of the weighing conveyor 1 and a preset immediate stop condition is satisfied. The mode can be switched between an immediate stop mode to be executed and a final determination direction hold mode for executing the distribution direction hold control when the stop command is input and the immediate stop condition is not satisfied.

  The immediate stop condition here refers to, for example, a stop of conveyance immediately upon input of a stop command due to a safety requirement in the installation environment of the weight sorting system or a requirement from the quality aspect of the article W as an inspection object. When the stop command is input, for example, when the article W is required, or even when the conveyance motor 21 is stopped immediately, it is possible to make the article W not remain in the sorting conveyance section Z only by the distribution control. This is a condition set in advance as a condition corresponding to the case where the problem that the article W remains in the sorting conveyance section Z or other safety problems and fail-safe problems does not occur.

  In the case where the above-described immediate stop condition is not satisfied and the final determination direction holding mode is entered, the sorting drive control unit 41 first determines the final determination that is the distribution direction selected according to the inspection result for the unloaded article W. It is determined whether or not the direction and a specific distribution direction corresponding to the stand-by posture at the time of stop coincide with each other, and distribution direction holding control is executed according to the determination result.

  For example, when the final determination direction does not match the specific distribution direction, the sorting drive control unit 41 sets the final determination direction for a predetermined time until the required transport time Td elapses when a stop command is input. On the other hand, when the final determination direction matches the specific distribution direction, the control of the distribution direction can be stopped immediately when a stop command is input.

  Further, the sorting drive control unit 41 shuts off the compressed air source 42 for operating the distribution mechanism 28 from the sorting drive actuator 27 when a predetermined time has elapsed after the stop command is input from the control unit 13 of the weighing conveyor 1. Thus, the distribution mechanism 28 can be mechanically returned to the standby position when stopped.

  Next, the operation will be described.

  In the weight sorting system including the sorting device of the present embodiment configured as described above, the control unit 13 transports the weighing conveyor 1 based on an inspection start signal from the upstream side or from an operation button (not shown). A drive signal is generated, and a sorting / conveying request signal Mc requesting the sorting / driving control unit 41 of the sorting / conveying conveyor 2 to be driven by the carrying motor 21 is output.

  Then, the articles W sequentially put into the weighing conveyor 1 are weighed by a predetermined inspection method to inspect whether or not the weight of each article W is within an allowable range, and the sorting signal RJ corresponding to the inspection result is controlled. Generated by the unit 13.

  At this time, in the control unit 13 of the weighing conveyor 1, an inspection result signal indicating the pass / fail judgment result of the weight for each article W is generated in a signal form as shown as an OK or NG signal in FIG. 6, for example. When the article W corresponding to the inspection result signal reaches the sorting conveyance section Z, the sorting signal RJ is generated selectively and timely so that the sorting mechanism 28 is directed in the sorting direction corresponding to the inspection result signal. It is output to the drive control unit 41.

  Now, for example, a non-defective article W whose inspection result signal is an OK signal is detected by the article detection sensor 29 within an arrival period assumed from the generation of the OK signal, and the distribution mechanism 28 is set to the second operating position. Suppose that it is necessary to shift from the posture to the first posture where the non-defective product can be taken out.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the sorting signal rises at time t1, and the sorting drive control unit 41 controls the supply and discharge of air from the compressed air source 42 (power source) to the sorting drive actuator 27. The sorting operation by the sorting operation from the second posture to the first posture of the sorting mechanism 28 is executed. Accordingly, the non-defective article W is carried out from the sorting and conveying conveyor 2 to the rear conveyor 3 side.

  On the other hand, when the article detection sensor 29 detects the article W whose inspection result signal is an NG signal within the arrival period assumed from the generation of the NG signal, for example, the article detection signal that rises at time t0 in FIG. On the other hand, since there is no need to shift the distribution mechanism 28 from the second position to the first position, the selection signal does not rise and the distribution mechanism 28 is held in the second position. Therefore, the defective article W is discharged and dropped from the sorting and conveying conveyor 2 to the outside of the conveying path.

  Thus, in this embodiment, the sorting and conveying operation by the sorting and conveying conveyor 2 is executed in accordance with the inspection result by the weighing conveyor 1.

  By the way, an abnormality may occur in the weighing conveyor 1 or on the upstream side thereof, and the weighing conveyor 1 may be brought to an emergency stop when the emergency stop button 37 is pressed. In that case, the control unit 13 of the weighing conveyor 1 generates a stop command signal for stopping the sorting and conveying conveyor 2. Alternatively, the output of the sorting / conveying request signal Mc requesting the conveyance driving by the conveying motor 21 is stopped, and a request for stopping the sorting / conveying conveyor 2 is made (time t3 in FIG. 6).

  At this time, the control unit 13 executes an interrupt process when a stop command is input as shown in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, first, the processing mode at the time of stopping the selective transport is a preliminary stop mode in which the sorting mechanism 28 is immediately returned to the standby position at the stop when a stop command is input, or is assigned when a stop command is input. The mechanism 28 is not immediately returned to the standby position at the time of stop, but the distribution mechanism 28 is stopped after confirming a state in which the articles W existing in the sorting conveyance section Z can be carried out, discharged or dropped out of the sorting conveyance section Z when a stop command is input. It is determined whether or not a predetermined stop mode for returning to the hour standby position (step S11). Note that the preliminary stop mode may be, for example, a test stop mode for confirming the basic operation of the sorting and conveying conveyor 2, and if this stop mode is not set in advance, it is substantially only a standard predetermined stop mode.

  If the predetermined stop mode is set in advance as a result of the determination, it is then determined whether or not the aforementioned immediate stop condition is satisfied (step S12).

  At this time, if the immediate stop condition is not satisfied (NO in step S12), the final determination direction and the specific distribution direction of the distribution mechanism 28 corresponding to the inspection result of the articles W existing in the sorting conveyance section Z are determined. Will not match.

  In this case, output of the sorting transport request signal Mc and the sorting signal RJ from the control unit 13 is stopped, whereas the sorting drive control unit 41 continues to perform control for maintaining the final determination direction of the distribution mechanism 28. (Step S13).

  Next, it is repeatedly determined whether or not the measurement time of the final determination direction holding timer 41c exceeds the required transport time Td (step S14, NO in the same step).

  Then, when the required transport time Td has passed (in the case of YES in step S14), or when the preset processing mode at the time of stopping the sorting transport is the preliminary stop mode (in the case of NO in step S11), Next, the distribution mechanism 28 is returned to the standby position at the stop, and the sorting and conveying drive is stopped, and the operation of the sorting and conveying conveyor 2 is stopped (step S15), and the current process is terminated.

  Specifically, every time the selection drive control unit 41 receives a selection signal from the control unit 13, the selection drive control unit 41 starts the final determination direction holding timer 41c from the rising time, and a stop command is input during the predetermined timer operation period. Even so, until the required transport time Td elapses, the distribution operation direction of the distribution mechanism 28 is held in the final determination direction that has already been selected when the stop command is input.

  Therefore, even if there is a stop command input immediately after the rising time t2 of the sorting signal for the unconveyed article W, the sorting drive control unit 41 continues until the required transport time Td during the timer count elapses from that time t2. The supply / discharge of air from the compressed air source 42 to the sorting drive actuator 27 is controlled, and is continued until the required transport time Td elapses.

  That is, the sorting drive control unit 41 sets the remaining time after the stop command input during the required transport time Td during the timer count as the predetermined time Tg, and sets the final determination direction of the distribution mechanism 28 that has already been selected when the stop command is input, Holding for a predetermined time Tg until the required transport time Td elapses, the unloaded article W remaining in the sorting transport zone Z is carried out of the sorting transport zone Z.

  As a result, when the sorting mechanism 28 returns to the standby position at the time of stop in response to the stop command, the article W that was being sorted and transported immediately before that does not remain in the sorting and transport zone Z, and even when the operation is stopped. A sorting apparatus capable of performing a reliable sorting operation.

  In the present embodiment, the above-described required transport time Td is a correction time Tb determined from product information such as the basic transport time Ta required for the center of gravity of the article W to pass through the sorting transport zone Z and the workpiece length of the article W. Therefore, it is possible to set a necessary and sufficient time for carrying out the uncarried article W remaining in the sorting and conveying zone Z when the stop command is input.

  The setting of the above-described stop mode is executed by a procedure as shown in FIG. 5, for example. In this processing, when the product type is set in advance in the control unit 13, or thereafter, the required transport time Td is automatically set based on the product type setting information, the transport speed during operation, the article detection time, and the like. A command is output to the sorting drive control unit 41 at the start of operation or at the output of the sorting signal RJ.

  As shown in FIG. 5, specifically, first, the type of the article W to be selected is selected according to the current operating condition already set by the control unit 13 (step S21), and then the type is selected. Are set based on the conveyance speed and the article detection time during operation of the product type (steps S22 and S23), respectively.

  Next, the required transport time Td is calculated based on the machine length corresponding to the transport distance of the sorting transport zone Z that has been stored in the storage unit 33 in advance, the transport speed, and the work length (step S24). Of course, correction for adjusting the required transport time Td may be performed based on other product information and transport conditions. In addition, an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the required transport time Td can be set.

  In the present embodiment, when a stop command is input to the sorting drive control unit 41, the sorting direction for the undelivered articles W in the sorting transport zone Z and the specific sorting direction corresponding to the stand-by posture at the time of stop are one. In accordance with the determination result, the distribution direction holding control for holding the selected distribution direction for a predetermined time Tg until the required transport time Td elapses when a stop command is input. Performed selectively. Therefore, it is possible to provide a sorting apparatus capable of performing a reliable sorting operation when the operation is stopped while performing the distribution direction holding control only when necessary.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in addition to the final determination direction holding mode as described above, when the stop command is input to the sorting drive control unit 41 and the preset immediate stop condition is satisfied, the sorting transport is performed. Since it is possible to switch to the immediate stop mode that immediately stops the transport in the zone Z, the sorting is performed when the operation is stopped due to the stop command input according to the articles W to be sorted and the sorting and conveying conditions (including differences in the sorting method). The immediate stop mode can be selectively used within a range in which the adverse effect due to the article W remaining in the conveyance section Z does not occur. For example, confirmation or test for each function such as conveyance and distribution can be performed.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the predetermined time Tg after the stop command is input, the compressed air source 42 that is the power source of the sorting drive actuator 27 for operating the distribution mechanism 28 is disconnected from the sorting drive actuator 27. The distribution mechanism 28 can be returned to the stand-by posture when stopped.

  Therefore, when the stop command is input even when the standby position during normal operation is on the non-defective product transfer side (OK position) different from the standby position at the stop as shown in FIG. When the sorting conveyance according to the stop command is stopped, it is held for a predetermined time Tg once at the standby position during normal operation, and after the predetermined time Tg has elapsed, the compressed air source 42 that is the power source of the distribution mechanism 28 is shut off, It can also be returned to the stand-by position (NG position) when stopped, and safety and fail-safe functions can be enhanced according to the required operating conditions.

  Regarding the activation of the final determination direction holding timer 41c, the corresponding article W is detected by the article detection sensor 29 within the expected arrival period to the sorting conveyance section Z assumed when the sorting signal is output from the control unit 13. As described above, it can be activated at that time, but FIG. 7 illustrates such a case. In this case, regardless of whether the selection signal is an OK signal or an NG signal, the final determination direction holding timer 41c is activated every time the article W is detected by the article detection sensor 29, as shown in FIG. In addition, even when the standby position during normal operation, which is the final determination direction held when the stop command is input, is different from the standby position during stop, the predetermined time Tg can be set accurately.

  Thus, in this embodiment, it is possible to provide a sorting apparatus and a weight sorting system that can execute a reliable sorting operation even when operation is stopped.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 8 as a comparative example, when the sorting conveyance is stopped immediately when the stop command is input, the operation is stopped while the articles that were being sorted and transported immediately before the operation stop remain in the sorting and conveyance section. When the vehicle stops, it suddenly returns to the stand-by position at the time of stoppage, so that there is a concern that an article may be caught or jumped up to the rear conveyor side and a reliable sorting operation cannot be performed.

  In this embodiment, the above-mentioned concern in the comparative example is wiped out.

  In the above-described embodiment, the sorting mechanism 28 of the sorting / conveying conveyor 2 is of a so-called dropout type (vertical rotation type). As long as the transport destination is sorted, the sorting mechanism may be different, for example, a pusher method, a flipper method (sorting by arm swinging), an air jet method, or other methods.

  However, the present invention is suitable for the dropout type when the direction of allocation of the standby position at the time of stop is the direction of NG discharge of defective products.

  As described above, the present invention can also be applied to the case where the standby state for waiting for the sorting signal during operation is set to the normal carry-out direction of the non-defective product. Based on the article detection signal and the sorting signal from the detection, weighing conveyor 1 and other upstream upstream article inspection apparatuses, for example, at time t4 in FIG. 7, the sorting mechanism is returned to the standby position during normal operation. You may do it.

  As described above, the sorting apparatus according to the present invention can provide a sorting apparatus capable of performing a reliable sorting operation even when the operation is stopped, and the operation for sorting the inspected articles on the transport path. It is useful for all sorters suitable for performing the above.

1 Weighing conveyor (weighing device)
2 Sorting conveyor (sorting device)
3 Subsequent conveyor 11 Weighing section 12 Weighing conveyor main body section 13 Control section 21 Conveyance motor 21a Rotation transmission element 22 Drive shaft 25 Conveyance belt 27 Sorting drive actuator (actuator)
28 Sorting mechanism 29 Article detection sensor 31 Inspection control unit 32 Sorting control unit 33 Storage unit 37 Emergency stop button 41 Sorting drive control unit (controller)
41a Electromagnetic switching valve 41b Programmable controller 41c Timer for holding the final judgment direction 42 Air pressure source (drive source)
Ta Basic transport time Tb Correction time Td Required transport time Tg Predetermined time W Article (inspection object)
Z sorting section

Claims (5)

An article (W) that has been subjected to a predetermined article inspection and carried into the sorting and conveying section (Z) is selected from the sorting and conveying section by selecting one of the plurality of sorting directions corresponding to the inspection result. A distribution mechanism (28) that performs a distribution operation so as to carry out, and controls the operation of the distribution mechanism according to a command signal from a host article inspection apparatus, and the distribution when a stop command that requires an operation stop is input A controller (41) for stopping the operation of the mechanism,
The distribution mechanism is configured to return to a stand-by posture at the time of stoppage during which the article can be carried out in a specific distribution direction among the plurality of distribution directions during the operation stop.
When the stop command is input, the controller sets the one of the sorting directions selected for the unconveyed article in the sorting and conveying section, and the unconveyed article is outside the sorting and conveying section. A sorting apparatus that performs sorting direction holding control for holding for a predetermined time so as to be carried out.   The controller presets the predetermined time for holding any one of the sorting directions when the stop command is input, with respect to the required transport time required for transporting the article in the sorting transport section and the article. 2. The sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selection device is variably set based on at least one of the product type information.   When the controller receives the stop command, the controller selects one of the distribution directions selected for the uncarried item and the specific distribution direction corresponding to the stand-by posture at the time of stoppage. 3. The distribution direction holding control for holding any one of the distribution directions when the stop command is input is executed according to the determination result, according to the determination result. Sorting device according to.   The controller shuts off a power source of an actuator for operating the distribution mechanism and returns the distribution mechanism to the stand-by posture at the stop when the predetermined time has elapsed after the stop command is input. The sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein   The controller, when the stop command is input, and when the preset immediate stop condition is satisfied, the immediate stop mode for immediately stopping the transport in the sorting transport section, and the stop command is input 5. It is possible to switch to a final determination direction holding mode in which the distribution direction holding control is executed when the immediate stop condition is not satisfied. 5. Sorting device.

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