JP2019001591A - Article sorting device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an article sorting device which can easily manually rotate a sorting member while operation is stopped and avoid mutual interference between sorting members at a time of starting operation.SOLUTION: The article sorting device includes a sorting drive control unit 15 that selectively executes a first sorting operation in which sorting members 31, 32 are set in a passage allowable posture and second and third sorting operations for controlling one of the sorting members 31, 32 to the passage allowable posture and the other to a discharge guiding posture. The sorting drive control unit 15 includes: drive cylinders 51, 52 for independently driving the sorting members 31, 32; an urging mechanism unit 72 for urging one of the sorting members 31, 32 to the passage allowable posture; and an urging mechanism unit 71 for urging the other one of the sorting members 31, 32 to the discharge guiding posture. When power supply from the outside to the drive cylinders 51, 52 is stopped, both urging mechanism portions 71, 72 cause to return the sorting members 31, 32 to the passage allowable posture and the discharge guiding posture.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an article sorting apparatus, and more particularly to an article sorting apparatus that executes an operation of sorting an inspected transported article to a transport destination according to a sort control signal.

  In an article inspection system that inspects the attributes, quality, etc. of various articles, it operates in response to a command signal from an upstream article inspection apparatus, and the articles that are conveyed by the conveyor after the inspection are actuated on the conveyor conveying path. Therefore, a flipper-type article distribution device is known as a device that distributes the transfer destination according to the inspection result.

  As a conventional article sorting apparatus of this type, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, an arm portion 102 of a sorting member 101 that rotates on a conveyance path surface (not shown) is fastened to the upper end side of a drive shaft 103, and the drive shaft A drive cylinder 106 such as an air cylinder capable of reciprocatingly rotating the drive shaft 103 via a rotation lever 104 and a link 105 mounted on the lower end side of the 103, and bearings 107A and 107B at two positions in the axial direction of the drive shaft 103, respectively. The upper and lower shaft support plates 108A and 108B are supported at a predetermined height with respect to a housing (not shown) while being rotatably supported through the base, and a base for fixing the drive cylinder 106 to the housing. Some have a plate 109 (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 2000-238913 A JP 2002-114366 A

  In the conventional article sorting apparatus as described above, there is a case where it is required that the manual operation of each sorting member can be easily performed while the article sorting apparatus is stopped. For example, an article or the like may be unexpectedly sandwiched between the sorting member and the transport path, or the sorting member may be manually rotated when cleaning the transport surface (belt or the like). In that case, while the operation of the article sorting apparatus is stopped, each sorting member can be made rotatable by, for example, releasing the working fluid pressure of the air cylinder that drives each sorting member to the atmosphere side. ing.

  However, if each of the sorting members can be rotated while the operation is stopped, the stop positions of the sorting members such as a plurality of sorting arms may be indeterminate when the operation of the article sorting apparatus is started (resumed). there were.

  On the other hand, there is one that provides a weak return spring that returns the sorting member to the retracted position outside the conveyance path, but prevents defective products from flowing out to the downstream side at the start of operation accompanied by the conveyance start ( In some cases, so-called fail-safe) becomes difficult.

  In addition, by controlling an actuator such as an air cylinder, it may be possible to set the initial posture so that any of the sorting members has a sorting posture in the discharge direction that obliquely crosses the carrying path. The distributing members adjacent to each other interfere with each other on the leading end side, causing problems such as damage to the distributing members such as the distributing members or a decrease in the life due to overload of the actuator.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and it is possible to easily manually rotate each sorting member while the operation is stopped, and to ensure mutual interference between the sorting members at the start of operation. An object is to provide an article sorting apparatus that can be avoided.

  (1) An article distribution device according to the present invention is disposed on both sides of a conveyance path having a conveyance path for conveying an article in a predetermined conveyance direction and on both sides of the conveyance path in order to achieve the above-described object, A passing allowance posture extending in the transport direction so as to allow articles on the transport path to pass in the transport direction, and obliquely with respect to the transport direction so as to guide the articles on the transport path in the discharge direction to the outside of the transport path. The swingable first and second sorting members capable of taking the intersecting discharge guiding posture, and the first and second sorting members are driven independently, and both of the sorting members are allowed to pass through. A first distribution operation for passing an article on the conveyance path in the conveyance direction, and controlling either one of the two distribution members to the discharge guiding posture while either one of the distribution members is set to the passage allowable posture. A vibration for selectively executing the second distribution operation and the third distribution operation for controlling either one of the two distribution members to the discharge guiding posture while setting either one of the two distribution members to the passage allowance posture. A sorting drive mechanism unit that independently drives the first and second sorting members by being actuated by external power. And one urging mechanism for urging one of the first and second distribution members to the passage-permissible posture, and the other one of the first and second distribution members being discharged. And the other urging mechanism portion that urges the guiding posture, and the one urging mechanism portion and the other urging mechanism portion are connected to the distribution drive mechanism portion from the outside. When the supply of power is stopped, the first and first The distribution member, characterized in that to return to said discharge induced orientation and the passage allowable position.

  With this configuration, it is possible to easily manually rotate each sorting member while the operation is stopped, and only by suppressing the urging force of one urging mechanism portion and the other urging mechanism portion to some extent. This is an article sorting apparatus that reliably avoids mutual interference between the sorting members at the start and prevents erroneous products from flowing out downstream.

  (2) In the present invention, the one urging mechanism portion and the other urging mechanism portion each take one of a pair of mounting postures with respect to the distribution drive mechanism portion of the distribution drive means. The mounting posture can be switched and detached as described above, and the one urging mechanism portion and the other urging mechanism portion of the first and second distributing members can be changed by switching the mounting posture. Of these, either one or the other may be returned to the passage-permitting posture and the other or one may be returned to the discharge guiding posture.

  That is, for each biasing mechanism, a pair of mounting portions that can be switched and attached / detached are provided, and each biasing mechanism is detachably mounted on one of the corresponding pair. The return position of the corresponding distribution member can also be switched.

  (3) In the present invention, the one urging mechanism portion includes one elastic member that urges one of the first and second distribution members to the passage allowable posture, and the other The urging mechanism section has the other elastic member that urges the other one of the first and second distributing members to the discharge guiding posture, and the one elastic member and the other elastic member The members have a common variation range of their respective mounting postures corresponding to the range of the amount of bending from the minimum bending to the maximum bending under the assembled state to the one biasing mechanism and the other biasing mechanism. On the other hand, the urging directions under the assembled state may be different from each other in opposite directions.

  In this way, the biasing directions of one biasing mechanism and the other biasing mechanism are different in the opposite direction, while making the shape of the mounting portion of each biasing mechanism relative to the distribution drive mechanism side common. In addition, the direction can be easily switched.

  (4) The one urging mechanism portion and the other urging mechanism portion are unitized via a unit substrate that couples the one elastic member and the other elastic member to each other. By reversing, the assembly position of the one urging mechanism portion and the other urging mechanism portion with respect to the distribution drive mechanism portion may be reversed.

  In this case, it is possible to easily reverse the arrangement of the one urging mechanism unit and the other urging mechanism unit that are unitized, and the one elastic member and the other elastic member are previously attached to the initial assembly by the unit substrate side. It is also possible to keep the attached shape.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to easily manually rotate each sorting member while the operation is stopped, and to reliably avoid mutual interference between the sorting members at the start of operation. Can be provided.

It is a schematic block diagram of the article distribution apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the distribution drive mechanism vicinity of the article distribution apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which compares and compares the free length and assembly | attachment length of one elastic member and the other elastic member in the article distribution apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the article distribution apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, and the one aspect | mode which makes the spring element of the one and the other urging | biasing mechanism part different is shown. It is a schematic block diagram of the article distribution apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, The one aspect which makes those arrangement | positioning different in a conveyance direction is shown, making the spring element of the one and the other urging | biasing mechanism part the same kind. . It is a principal part schematic block diagram of the article distribution apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the urging | biasing mechanism part unit which made the one and the other elastic member into a single unit corresponding to the distribution drive mechanism part of the inner arrangement | positioning in the article distribution apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention, (a ) Shows an embodiment using a cylindrical coil spring, and (b) shows an embodiment using a torsion coil spring. It is a principal part external appearance perspective view of the conventional distribution mechanism.

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

(First embodiment)
1 to 3 show an article sorting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the configuration will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the article sorting apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is equipped with a conveyor into which the inspected article W is carried from the preceding article inspection apparatus. It is designed to be carried out to the downstream conveyor.

  The preceding article inspection apparatus is, for example, a weighing device, and from the control unit, assigns an article W having a weight within an allowable range as a non-defective product, and assigns an article W having excessive or insufficient weight as a defective product to different transport destinations. A distribution control signal (a plurality of types of distribution control signals for ranking) may be output.

  The article distribution apparatus 10 executes a distribution operation for distributing, for example, a good product and a defective product to different transport destinations in accordance with the distribution control signal from the preceding article inspection apparatus.

  The article sorting apparatus 10 includes a housing 11, a belt conveyor 12 (conveying means) supported at a predetermined height position of the housing 11, and a flipper system provided in a predetermined sorting and conveying section of the belt conveyor 12. The distribution mechanism 13 and the distribution drive control unit 15 that drives and controls the distribution mechanism 13 are configured.

  The belt conveyor 12 is configured such that an endless belt 23 is stretched between a driving roller 21 and a driven roller 22 held in parallel by a frame (not shown), and a conveying path 12a corresponding to an upper feed section of the endless belt 23. have.

  The driving roller 21 is driven to rotate by a conveyance motor (not shown) supported by the housing 11, and the belt conveyor 12 operates according to a conveyance command signal from the preceding article inspection apparatus. At this time, the drive-side roller 21 is brought into a transport drive state in which the endless belt 23 travels and rotates.

  The belt conveyor 12 is configured to transfer the inspected article W that is carried in from the upstream side (the left end side in FIG. 1) of the conveyance path 12a after being inspected by the preceding article inspection apparatus during the conveyance driving described above. It can be transported in the predetermined transport direction at a predetermined speed.

  The preceding article inspection apparatus is provided with an article detection sensor for detecting the article W being conveyed, and the inspected article W is carried into the article distribution apparatus 10 based on the article detection signal from the article detection sensor. At this time, in addition to the above-described conveyance command signal, a distribution control signal corresponding to the article W is output from the control unit of the preceding article inspection apparatus to the distribution drive control unit 15.

  The distribution mechanism 13 directs the inspected article W carried into the conveyance path 12a to one of the plurality of distribution directions D1, D2, and D3 corresponding to the inspection result of the article W shown in FIG. The sorting operation for carrying out (including discharging out of the conveyance path) can be executed.

  The distribution directions D1 to D3 are, for example, the D1 direction, which is a passing direction of a good product in which the weight of the article W is within an allowable range with respect to the reference value, and the conveyance of an overweight product in which the weight of the article W exceeds the allowable range with respect to the reference value The direction D2 is a discharge direction to the outside of the path 12a, and the direction D3 is a discharge direction of an underweight product whose weight of the article W is below the allowable range with respect to the reference value.

  The distribution mechanism 13 has a plurality of, for example, a pair of arm-shaped distribution members 31 and 32 on both sides in the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 1) of the conveyance path 12 a of the belt conveyor 12.

  The first distribution member 31 located on the upper side in FIG. 1 is supported by the rotation support shaft 33 on the base end side, and can swing with respect to the housing 11 via the rotation support shaft 33. It is supported by. When the rotation support shaft 33 is rotated, the first distribution member 31 can be swung (angularly displaced) so as to move the tip side along the upper surface of the transport path 12a. When the support shaft 33 stops its rotation, the angular position of the first distribution member 31 is held constant.

  As a result, the first sorting member 31 is substantially parallel to the D1 direction as shown by a dotted line in the drawing, and allows the article W to pass in the D1 direction without coming into contact with the article W being conveyed. Allowable passage posture [P1] and discharge that changes the transport direction of the article W being transported from the D1 direction to the D2 direction by inclining in the width direction with respect to the transport direction on the transport path 12a as indicated by a solid line in FIG. The posture can be changed to the guiding posture [P2]. Then, the first distribution member 31 is engaged with the article W being conveyed in the discharge guiding posture [P2], whereby the article W receiving the conveyance force is guided or flipped by the first distribution member 31. Thus, it is discharged in the direction D2 out of the transport path 12a.

  Similarly, the second distributing member 32 positioned on the lower side in FIG. 1 is supported on the rotation support shaft 34 on the base end side, and is supported with respect to the housing 11 via the rotation support shaft 34. It is supported so that it can swing. Then, when the rotation support shaft 34 rotates, the second distributing member 32 can swing so as to move its tip side along the upper surface of the transport path 12a, and the rotation support shaft 34 is When stopped, the angular position is held constant.

  As a result, the second sorting member 32 is substantially parallel to the D1 direction as shown by a solid line in the drawing, and allows the article W to pass in the D1 direction without coming into contact with the article W being conveyed. The passage allowable posture [P3] and the conveyance direction of the article W being conveyed are changed from the D1 direction to the D3 direction by inclining in the width direction with respect to the conveyance direction on the conveyance path 12a as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. It is possible to change the posture to the discharge guiding posture [P4]. Then, the second distribution member 32 engages with the article W being conveyed in the discharge guiding posture [P4], whereby the article W receiving the conveyance force is guided or flipped by the second distribution member 32. Thus, it is discharged out of the transport path 12a in the direction D3.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the one rotation support shaft 33 is rotatably supported with respect to the housing 11 via bearings 35 and 36 at two locations separated in the axial direction, and the first distribution member 31. Is supported in a posture parallel to the upper surface of the transport path 12a. In addition, a rotating lever 37 having a connecting pin 37a on the front end side and a cylindrical portion 37b on the base end side is coupled to the rotating support shaft 33 by a rotation stop pin, a key, and the like, which are integrally formed in the rotation direction. Similarly, the other rotation support shaft 34 is rotatably supported with respect to the housing 11 via bearings 35 and 36 at two locations separated in the axial direction, and the second distribution member 32 is moved along the transport path 12a. A pivot lever 38 having a front end side connecting pin 38a and a base end side cylindrical portion 38b is provided on the pivot support shaft 34 by a non-rotating pin (not shown) or the like. They are coupled together in the rotational direction.

  On the other hand, the distribution drive control unit 15 includes first and second drive cylinders 51 and 52 capable of independently driving the first and second distribution members 31 and 32, and expansion and contraction of the drive cylinders 51 and 52. This is a distribution drive unit including a distribution control unit 53 that controls the contraction operation.

  The first and second drive cylinders 51, 52 are connected to the connecting pins 37a, 38a of the corresponding rotating levers 37, 38 via the intermediate links 51b, 52b, respectively, with the output rod portions 51a, 52a being connected to each other. The first and second distribution members 31 and 32 are rotationally displaced and held at predetermined angular positions via the rotation levers 37 and 38 and the rotation support shafts 33 and 34.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each drive cylinder 51, 52 is configured as an air cylinder that is operated by compressed air (fluid pressure) from an external fluid pressure source 60, for example, and fluid is supplied to each drive cylinder 51, 52. The electromagnetic switching valves 54 and 55 can switch between expansion and contraction operations by supplying and discharging pressure and a substantially non-resistance open state in which the fluid pressure chambers in the drive cylinders 51 and 52 are opened to the atmosphere. ing.

  Further, the first and second drive cylinders 51 and 52 are mounted in such a manner that their respective axial directions are parallel to the article conveyance direction by the conveyance path 12a, and the casings 11 via the corresponding base plates 56A and 56B. It is supported by. In this case, the distribution control unit 53 is configured to include the electromagnetic switching valves 54 and 55 and their controllers. The drive cylinders 51 and 52 are not limited to fluid pressure operation cylinders such as air cylinders, but may be other actuators, for example, electric actuators such as solenoids. The distribution control unit 53 is connected to the drive cylinders 51 and 52. It only needs to have a configuration as a corresponding control means.

  The first and second drive cylinders 51 and 52 are operated by power from an external fluid pressure source 60 (or an external power source or other power source) to independently operate the first and second distribution members 31 and 32. The distribution drive mechanism part to drive is comprised.

  The distribution control unit 53 controls the expansion and contraction operations of the first and second drive cylinders 51 and 52 independently, so that the combination of their postures differs depending on the first and second distribution members 31 and 32. The first to third distribution operations can be executed.

  Specifically, the distribution control unit 53 passes the article W on the conveyance path 12a in the conveyance direction with both the first and second distribution members 31 and 32 as their passage allowable postures [P1] and [P3]. The first distribution operation to be performed and one of the two distribution members 31 and 32, for example, the second distribution member 32 is set to the passage allowable posture [P3], and the other of the two distribution members 31 and 32, for example, the first The second distribution operation for controlling the distribution member 31 to the discharge guidance posture [P2], and the second distribution member 32 to the discharge guidance posture [P4] while setting the first distribution member 31 to the passage allowable posture [P1]. The third sorting operation can be executed alternatively.

  The distribution drive control unit 15 also has one of the above-described first and second drive cylinders 51 and 52 that are operated by power from the external fluid pressure source 60, and The urging mechanism 71 and the other urging mechanism 72 are included.

  Here, one biasing mechanism 71 attaches one of the first and second distribution members 31 and 32 (the other one), for example, the first distribution member 31 to the discharge guiding posture [P2]. The other urging mechanism 72 has the remaining one of the first and second allocating members 31, 32, for example, the second allocating member 32 in the passage allowable posture [P3]. It comes to be energized. Then, as shown in FIG. 2, the supply of compressed air (power) from the external fluid pressure source 60 to the distribution drive mechanism is stopped in one urging mechanism 71 and the other urging mechanism 72. 1, as indicated by a solid line in FIG. 1, one second distribution member 32 is returned to the passage allowable posture [P3], and the other first distribution member 31 is returned to the discharge guiding posture [P2]. It can be made to.

  One biasing mechanism 71 is an elastic member, for example, a substantially T-shaped or substantially L-shaped (longitudinal sectional shape) mounting plate 73a, 73b with mounting holes at both ends of a coil spring 73s serving as a push spring (compression spring). And a pivoting bracket 75 for pivotally coupling (rotatably coupling) the base plate 73b of the first spring element 73 to the housing 11. . Then, the attachment hole portion of the attachment plate 73a on the distal end side of the first spring element 73 is used for the connection pin 37a of the rotation lever 37, and the attachment hole portion of the attachment plate 73b on the proximal end side of the first spring element 73 is used for pivoting. The pin portions 75p of the bracket 75 are respectively fitted and pivoted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the attachment plate 73 b on the proximal end side of the first spring element 73 is coupled to the pivoting bracket 75, the first spring element 73 includes the rotation lever 37 and the rotation support shaft 33. The first sorting member 31 can be urged counterclockwise in FIG. The first spring element 73 may be a push / pull spring in which a tension jig is incorporated in the push spring, or another conventionally known push / pull spring element (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-082426). Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-130240).

  In the other urging mechanism 72, mounting plates 74a and 74b having mounting holes of approximately T-shape or substantially L-shape are fixed to both ends of an elastic member, for example, a coil spring 74s serving as a tension spring (tensile spring). A second spring element 74 and a pivoting bracket 76 for pivotally attaching a mounting plate 74b on the proximal end side of the second spring element 74 to the housing 11, and a tip of the second spring element 74. The mounting hole portion of the mounting plate 74a on the side is fitted to the connecting pin 38a of the rotation lever 38 so as to be pivoted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, when the attachment plate 74 b on the proximal end side of the second spring element 74 is coupled to the pivot bracket 76, the second spring element 74 includes the rotation lever 38 and the rotation support shaft 34. The second distributing member 32 is biased counterclockwise in FIG. 4 while the base plate side mounting plate 74b of the second spring element 74 is attached to the second distributing member 32 as shown in FIG. When the left and right pivot brackets 76L and 76R are coupled to the left pivot bracket 76L in the same figure, the second spring element 74 is secondly distributed via the pivot lever 38 and the pivot support shaft 34. The member 32 is urged clockwise in FIG.

  The first spring element 73 and the second spring element 74 correspond to a deflection amount range from the minimum deflection to the maximum deflection under the assembled state to the one biasing mechanism portion 71 and the other biasing mechanism portion 72. While the variation ranges of the respective assembly postures are common to each other, the urging directions with respect to the drive cylinders 51 and 52 in the assembled state are the one and the other elastic members that are different in opposite directions.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), the first spring element 73 has a center-to-center distance (hereinafter referred to as the following) of a free shape in which a coil spring 73s serving as a push spring has a natural length (free length). The mounting length in the non-assembled state (referred to here as the mounting length) is La1, which is the maximum length, whereas the mounting length in the return state (at the time of the minimum deflection) shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 is Lf11. The mounting length in the state where the drive cylinder 51 is extended and the first distribution member 31 is in the passage allowable posture [P1] indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 1 (at the time of maximum deflection) is Lf12, which is the minimum.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the second spring element 74 has a minimum length of La2 in a free shape in which the coil spring 74s serving as a tension spring has a natural length (free length). On the other hand, the installation length in the return state (at the time of the minimum deflection) indicated by the solid line in FIG. 1 is Lf21, the drive cylinder 51 is contracted, and the second distribution member 32 is the discharge guiding posture indicated by the phantom line in FIG. The attachment length in the state of [P4] (at the time of maximum deflection) is Lf22, which is the maximum.

  Here, the attachment length Lf11 at the time of the minimum (compression) deflection of the first spring element 73 and the attachment length Lf22 at the time of the maximum (tensile) deflection of the second spring element 74 are set to be substantially the same. The attachment length Lf12 at the time of the maximum deflection and the attachment length Lf21 at the time of the minimum deflection of the second spring element 74 are set to be substantially the same.

  Accordingly, in the present embodiment, one urging mechanism portion 71 and the other urging mechanism portion 72 are arranged such that the first spring element 73 and the second spring element 74 are exchanged so as to be reversed up and down in FIG. 1, the posture in the return state of the first distribution member 31 becomes the passage allowable posture [P1], contrary to the discharge direction in the return state shown in FIG. 1, and the return state of the second distribution member 32 The discharging direction in the return state can be reversed so that the posture at is the discharge guiding posture [P4]. When the urging mechanism for returning to the initial position is built in the actuator itself that drives the distributing members 31 and 32, the elastic force sufficient to resist the urging force of the built-in urging mechanism is sufficient. Therefore, it is preferable to select the coil springs 73s and 74s (elastic members) of the spring elements 73 and 74, so that even if an unexpected abnormality occurs in the energy source for driving the actuator, the fail-safe is more reliably ensured. Can be realized.

  Next, the operation will be described.

  In the article distribution apparatus 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the first and second distribution members are configured to suppress the urging force of one urging mechanism 71 and the other urging mechanism 72 to some extent. In the return state of 31 and 32, the first spring element 73 and the second spring element 74 are in the minimum bending state, and the urging force of the first spring element 73 and the second spring element 74 is the maximum bending required. In addition, the urging force of the second distribution members 31 and 32 can be suppressed to some extent, and the respective distribution members 31 and 32 that are in a return state during operation stop can be easily manually rotated, and the operation can be started. It is possible to reliably avoid mutual interference between the sorting members 31 and 32 at the time, and to prevent a defective product from flowing out to the downstream side by mistake.

  In the present embodiment, one urging mechanism portion 71 and the other urging mechanism portion 72 include the first and second drive cylinders 51 and 52 of the distribution drive control unit 15 and the rotation levers 37 and 38. Since the mounting posture can be switched and attached to and removed from the rotation support shafts 33 and 34 so as to take one of the pair of arrangement locations, the first and second distribution members 31, Either one or the other of 32 is returned to the passage allowable posture [P3] or [P1], and either one or the other of the first and second distribution members 31, 32 is set to the discharge guiding posture [P2] or [P4] can be restored.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the one spring element 73 and the other spring element 74 are arranged from the minimum deflection to the maximum deflection under the assembled state to the one biasing mechanism portion 71 and the other biasing mechanism portion 72. While the variation ranges of the respective assembly postures corresponding to the deflection amount range are common to each other, the urging directions in the assembled state are different from each other in opposite directions. Accordingly, while the shapes of the urging mechanism portions 71 and 72 with respect to the distribution drive mechanism portion (drive cylinders 51 and 52) of the distribution drive control unit 15 are made common, one urging mechanism portion 71 and the other urging force are applied. The urging direction of the mechanism part 72 is made different in the opposite direction, and the switching of the direction can be facilitated.

  In this embodiment, the manual operation of each of the distribution members 31 and 32 can be easily performed while the operation is stopped, and the mutual interference between the distribution members 31 and 32 at the start of operation is ensured. It can be avoided.

(Second Embodiment)
4 and 5 show an article sorting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Each embodiment described below has the same main configuration as that of the first embodiment described above, and therefore, in the following embodiments, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the article sorting apparatus 20 of the present embodiment, a pair of pivot plates for switching the base plate side attachment plate 73 b of the first spring element 73 to the housing 11 is switchable. A pair of pivot brackets 76L and 76R for pivotably coupling the mounting plate 74b on the proximal end side of the second spring element 74 to the housing 11 is provided. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the attachment plate 73b on the proximal end side of the first spring element 73 is coupled to the left pivoting bracket 75L in FIG. The first sorting member 31 can be urged clockwise through the dynamic support shaft 33 in FIG.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, when the attachment plate 73b on the proximal end side of the first spring element 73 is coupled to the right pivoting bracket 75R in the same drawing, as in the case of the first embodiment, The spring element 73 can urge the first distributing member 31 in the counterclockwise direction in the drawing via the rotation lever 37 and the rotation support shaft 33.

  Further, when the attachment plate 74b on the proximal end side of the second spring element 74 is coupled to the left-hand pivot bracket 76L in the drawing, the second spring element 74 causes the turning lever 38 and the turning support shaft 34 to move. The second distributing member 32 can be urged clockwise in FIG.

  When the attachment plate 74b on the proximal end side of the second spring element 74 is coupled to the right pivoting bracket 76R in FIG. 4, the second spring element 74 is rotated as in the case of the first embodiment. The second distributing member 32 can be urged counterclockwise in the figure via the lever 38 and the rotation support shaft 34.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, one urging mechanism portion 71 and the other urging mechanism portion 72 are connected to one side and the other side in the transport direction with respect to the rotating levers 37 and 38 (in the same figure). The first spring element 73, which is a push spring, can be provided on each of the urging mechanism portions 71 and 72, respectively. Of course, one urging mechanism portion 71 and the other urging mechanism portion 72 are arranged on one side and the other side in the transport direction with respect to the rotation levers 37 and 38, and are pulled by both the urging mechanism portions 71 and 72, respectively. You may make it provide the 2nd spring element 74 which is a spring. In either case, the gate elements of the first and second allocating members 31 and 32 by the one urging mechanism 71 and the other urging mechanism 72 are reversed while the spring element has a common specification. Can do.

  Thus, in this embodiment, one urging mechanism part 71 and the other urging mechanism part 72 are the distribution drive mechanism part of the distribution drive control part 15 (the drive cylinder 51, 52) These mounting postures can be switched and detached so as to take one of a pair of postures symmetrical to each other.

  One urging mechanism portion 71 and the other urging mechanism portion 72 of the present embodiment are configured so that either one of the first and second distributing members 31 and 32 or the other is switched by switching the respective mounting postures. Is returned to the passage allowable posture [P3] or [P1], and one or the other of the first and second distribution members 31 and 32 is returned to the discharge guiding posture [P2] or [P4]. it can.

  Further, the first spring element 73 and the second spring element 74 correspond to a deflection amount range from the minimum deflection to the maximum deflection under the assembled state to the one biasing mechanism portion 71 and the other biasing mechanism portion 72. While the variation ranges of the respective assembly postures are common to each other, the urging directions under the assembled state are different from each other in the opposite directions, so that the reverse arrangement similar to the first embodiment is also possible. is there.

  Also in this embodiment, it is possible to easily rotate the distribution members 31 and 32 manually while the operation is stopped, and to reliably avoid mutual interference between the distribution members 31 and 32 at the start of operation. It is possible to prevent defective products from flowing out downstream by mistake.

(Third embodiment)
6 and 7 show an article sorting apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the article distribution device 30 according to the present embodiment, the distribution drive control unit 15 that drives and controls the distribution mechanism 13 is disposed on the inner side so as to be positioned below the belt conveyor 12. Yes.

  The distribution drive control unit 15 is a distribution drive unit that includes first and second drive cylinders 51 and 52 and a distribution control unit 53 that controls expansion and contraction operations of the drive cylinders 51 and 52. ing.

  The first and second drive cylinders 51 and 52 are coupled with the respective output rod portions 51a and 52a to corresponding rotating levers 37 and 38 (inverted inward and outward with respect to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1). In this state, the first and second distribution members 31 and 32 are rotated and displaced at the predetermined angular positions via the rotation levers 37 and 38 and the rotation support shafts 33 and 34. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, one urging mechanism 71 and the other urging mechanism 72 in the present embodiment are configured such that one spring element 73 and the other spring element 74 are attached to the base end side mounting plate 73b. , 73b are connected to the unit substrate 81 and connected to each other via the unit substrate 81 to form a unit.

  Therefore, by reversing the unit substrate 81, the assembly position of the one urging mechanism portion 71 and the other urging mechanism portion 72 with respect to the first and second drive cylinders 51 and 52 constituting the distribution drive mechanism portion. Can be reversed.

  Of course, in order to limit the connection posture of the one spring element 73 and the other spring element 74 with respect to the unit substrate 81 within a certain range, a guide by unevenness or notch may be provided.

  As shown in FIG. 7B, the one urging mechanism 71 and the other urging mechanism 72 are not one spring element 73 and the other spring element 74 that serve as a push spring or a tension spring, but a torsion spring. For example, one spring element 83 and the other spring element 84 which are torsion coil springs may be formed as a single unit via a unit substrate 82 which is held by support shaft portions 82a and 82b and coupled to each other. . Also in this case, by inverting the unit substrate 81, a set of one urging mechanism portion 71 and the other urging mechanism portion 72 with respect to the first and second drive cylinders 51 and 52 constituting the distribution drive mechanism portion. The attachment position can be easily reversed.

  Also in this embodiment, it is possible to easily rotate the distribution members 31 and 32 manually while the operation is stopped, and to reliably avoid mutual interference between the distribution members 31 and 32 at the start of operation. It is possible to prevent defective products from flowing out downstream by mistake.

  In addition, in this embodiment, the urging directions of the one urging mechanism 71 and the other urging mechanism 72 that are unitized are easily reversed by reversing the mounting posture of the unit substrate 81 (or 82). Can be different.

  In the first embodiment described above, the first distribution member 31 and the second distribution member 32 are straight arm-shaped members. However, the first distribution member 31 and the second distribution member 32 have a plate-like shape, a bottom plate, or a distribution member. It may be combined with a member that reciprocates in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction in accordance with the rotation of.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the base end sides of the one spring element 73 and the other spring element 74 are pivotally connected to the brackets 75 and 76 on the housing 11 side, and both the spring elements 73 and 74 can be swung. In addition, the angle between the spring elements 73 and 74 and the rotation levers 37 and 38 in the return state is reduced to reduce the operation of the first and second distribution members 31 and 32 in the return state. Although the resistance is suppressed, a method for reducing the spring constant by combining with such an attachment portion or another attachment plate is arbitrary. It goes without saying that the spring portions of the one and the other spring elements 73 and 74 can be constituted by any conventionally known spring.

  As described above, the article sorting apparatus of the present invention can easily rotate each sorting member manually during operation stop by using a spring element as an elastic body that does not require an energy source. In addition, it is possible to provide an article sorting apparatus that can reliably avoid mutual interference between the sorting members at the start of operation and prevent erroneous products from flowing out to the downstream side. The present invention is useful for all article distribution apparatuses that execute an operation of distributing an inspected transported article to a transport destination according to a distribution control signal.

10, 20, 30 Item distribution device 11 Housing 12 Belt conveyor (conveying means)
12a Conveyance path 13 Distribution mechanism 15 Distribution drive control unit (distribution drive means)
21 driving side roller 22 driven side roller 23 endless belt 31 first distributing member (arm-shaped distributing member)
32 Second distribution member (arm-shaped distribution member)
33, 34 Rotating support shaft 35, 36 Bearing 37, 38 Rotating lever 37a, 38a Connecting pin 37b, 38b Cylindrical part 51, 52 Drive cylinder (distribution drive mechanism part)
51a, 52a Output rod part 53 Distribution control part 54, 55 Electromagnetic switching valve 56A, 56B Base plate 60 Fluid pressure source (power source)
71 One biasing mechanism (the other biasing mechanism)
72 The other urging mechanism (one urging mechanism)
73, 74, 83, 84 Spring element 73a, 73b, 74a, 74b Mounting plate 73s, 74s Coil spring (elastic member)
75, 76, 75L, 75R, 76L, 76R Pivoting bracket 81, 82 Unit board D1 Distribution direction (transport direction)
D2, D3 Sorting direction (discharge direction)
La1, La2 Natural length (free length)
Lf11 installation length (minimum (compression) when bending)
Lf12 installation length (at maximum (compression) deflection)
Lf21 installation length (at the time of minimum (tensile) deflection)
Lf22 installation length (at maximum (tensile) deflection)
W article (inspected article)
[P1], [P3] Allowable passing posture [P2], [P4] Discharge guiding posture

Claims (4)

Conveying means having a conveying path for conveying the article in a predetermined conveying direction;
Arranged on both sides of the conveyance path in the width direction, and allowing the articles on the conveyance path to extend in the conveyance direction to allow articles on the conveyance path and articles on the conveyance path to the outside of the conveyance path, respectively. Swingable first and second sorting members that can take a discharge guiding posture that obliquely intersects the transport direction so as to guide in the discharge direction,
The first and second distributing members are driven independently, and both of the distributing members are configured to pass both articles in the conveying direction in the conveying direction with both of the distributing members in the passage-permissible posture; A second distributing operation for controlling either one of the two sorting members to the discharge guiding posture while setting one of the two members to be the passing permissible posture; An article distribution apparatus comprising: a distribution drive unit that selectively executes a third distribution operation for controlling either one of the discharge guide postures;
One of the distribution drive mechanism unit that operates with external power and independently drives the first and second distribution members, and the first and second distribution members. One urging mechanism portion that urges the passage permitting posture to the passage permitting posture, and the other urging mechanism portion that urges the other one of the first and second distributing members to the discharge guiding posture. Consists of
The one urging mechanism portion and the other urging mechanism portion pass through the first and second distribution members when the external power supply to the distribution drive mechanism portion is stopped. An article distribution device that returns to an allowable posture and the discharge guiding posture. The one urging mechanism unit and the other urging mechanism unit switch the mounting postures so as to take one of a pair of mounting postures with respect to the distribution driving mechanism unit of the distribution driving unit, respectively. It can be detached
The one urging mechanism portion and the other urging mechanism portion return either one or the other of the first and second distribution members to the passage-permitting posture by switching the mounting postures. The article sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein either one or the other is returned to the discharge guiding posture. The one urging mechanism portion has one elastic member that urges one of the first and second distributing members to the passage allowable posture,
The other urging mechanism portion has the other elastic member that urges the other one of the first and second distributing members to the discharge guiding posture,
The one elastic member and the other elastic member respectively correspond to a deflection amount range from a minimum deflection to a maximum deflection under an assembled state to the one biasing mechanism portion and the other biasing mechanism portion. 2. The article sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the variation ranges of the assembly postures are common to each other, but the urging directions in the assembled state are different from each other in opposite directions.   The one urging mechanism portion and the other urging mechanism portion are unitized via a unit substrate that couples the one elastic member and the other elastic member to each other, and reverses the unit substrate. The article sorting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an assembly position of the one biasing mechanism part and the other biasing mechanism part with respect to the sorting drive mechanism part can be reversed.

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