JP2020014985A - Egg treatment device and egg treatment method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an egg treatment device having a simple structure, capable of allowing an egg to land onto a target point, even if its size varies.SOLUTION: An egg treatment device includes a measurement part 1 for measuring the size of an egg, a holding part 2 for holding the egg and moving at travel speed in the horizontal direction, an acceptance part 3 provided on an acceptance position in the static state under the holding part 2, a discharge part 4 for allowing the egg to fall freely by releasing hold by the holding part 2 on a discharge position in the middle of movement, and a control part 5 for correcting the discharge position so that the egg falls to the acceptance position, based on the measured value by the measurement part 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an egg processing apparatus and an egg processing method.

  As an egg processing apparatus, an apparatus described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-16913) is known.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1), this conventional apparatus has a control device 1 having a CPU to control a station, and a single row of eggs E transported from a double row conveyor. A transfer device 2 for transferring to buckets provided at equal intervals on the conveyor 3, a main motor M for driving the single-row conveyor 3, an encoder 4 attached to a chain 31 of the single-row conveyor 3, a single-row A measuring device 5 for measuring the eggs E conveyed by the conveyor 3 one by one, and a plurality of rows of stations S1, S2, S3... SN arranged orthogonally to the conveying direction of the single-row conveyor 3. Become. The stations are separated by egg size (size, grade).

  Each of the stations S1, S2, S3,... SN is a transfer device 6 for releasing the eggs E released from the buckets of the single-row conveyor 3 after receiving them in the holder, and eggs released from the transfer devices 6. Equipped with a container conveyor 7 for transporting a container for receiving E, and a starter such as a solenoid, an air cylinder, a cam plank, a spring clamp, and an oil cylinder, for example, a rotary solenoid group 9 for discharging eggs from the buckets of the single-row conveyor 3. ing.

  The container conveyor 7 is disposed orthogonal to the single-row conveyor 3, and conveys the containers supplied from the container supply device. The container has a plurality of storage seats in a row (a row orthogonal to the direction of transport of the container), and a plurality of storage seats in the row are provided. The solenoid group 9 is installed above or beside each corresponding bucket and above the holder.

  Here, the egg E whose weight is measured by the weighing device 5 is allocated to each station (S size, M size, L size, etc.) according to the size, and is held in the bucket of the single-row conveyor 3 and designated by the designated stage. -When the designated solenoid of the transfer device 6 is reached, the solenoid is activated. Then, the bucket releases the holding of the eggs and releases the eggs E to the holder.

  That is, the operation is started, the egg weight is measured by the weighing device 5, and the control device 1 allocates to which of the stations S1 to SN the conveyer is to be conveyed. When the allocation is determined, the number of encoder pulse interruptions corresponding to the distance to the holder corresponding to the accommodation seat is set in the storage area. When the operation is started, the number of sets in the storage area is reduced at each interruption from the encoder pulse, and when the number of sets is reduced to zero, the solenoid corresponding to the allocated holder is activated by a command from the control device 1. Then, the eggs are released from the bucket to the holder.

  When the transfer device 6 receives a predetermined number of eggs E, the holder group descends and discharges the eggs E to the waiting container in accordance with the pitch of the rows of the container seats. The container receiving the egg E moves forward by the vertical pitch of the accommodation seat. The container that has received the predetermined number of eggs E is carried out.

  In such an egg processing apparatus, damage to the eggs must be prevented. Egg damage occurs during the process from bucket release to holder landing.

  The single row conveyor is moving at high speed, and the eggs released from the bucket are received by the holder in a falling parabola.

  Therefore, a chicken egg receiving mechanism disclosed in Patent Literature 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-278428) is known as one that receives eggs along a falling parabola and prevents the eggs from being damaged.

  In this conventional apparatus, a swing arm having a holder for receiving eggs at the tip thereof is supported so that the holder can swing in a manner similar to the latter half of the parabolic locus drawn by the eggs discharged from the single-row conveyor. Pressing means that pivotally attaches to the frame, stops the raised holder at the egg receiving position, and provides a stopper that horizontally stops the lowered holder after receiving the egg, and presses the holder upward and absorbs the kinetic energy of the egg. Is provided.

JP-A-10-16913 JP-A-11-278428

  In the device described in Patent Document 1, the conveyance speed of the single-row conveyor is not constant but fluctuates. Therefore, the correction of the falling parabola, that is, the correction of the ejection position of the bucket is performed based on the conveyance speed. There have been various techniques for correcting the discharge position based on the transport speed (hereinafter referred to as “speed correction”).

  By the way, the vertical holding position in the bucket differs depending on the size of the egg, so that the locus of the falling parabola differs between the one released from a high position and the one released from a low position. . Therefore, when the discharge position in the transport direction is the same, the landing point is different.

  However, in the prior art, although the classification is performed according to the size according to the size, the correction of the falling parabola according to the size, that is, the correction of the ejection position in the transport direction of the bucket is not performed. The falling distance was set for eggs of a standard size (hereinafter, referred to as "standard eggs"), and the falling parabola was constant. For this reason, there is a possibility that the position of the landing point may be displaced due to a vertical difference between the holding position of the actual egg and the standard egg, and the egg may be damaged.

  In particular, in recent years, as a retail pack, in addition to packs of large, medium, and small sizes (grades), a distribution form (fixed weight pack) in which chicken eggs (MS to LL) of different standards are packed at a predetermined weight for each pack. Is increasing.

  In such a fixed weight pack, since the size of the egg varies, the holding height varies depending on the size of the egg, and the falling parabola varies. Therefore, the correction of the discharge position in the transport direction according to the size (hereinafter, referred to as “ "Size correction" cannot be ignored.

  In addition, the chicken egg receiving mechanism described in Patent Document 2 has a complicated structure, so that the cost is high.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an egg processing apparatus that has a simple structure and has “size correction” so that the egg can land on a target point even when the size of the egg varies.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has taken the following measures. That is, the egg processing apparatus of the present invention has a measuring unit that measures the size of an egg, a holding unit that holds the egg and moves at a horizontal moving speed, and a receiving position in a stationary state below the holding unit. A receiving unit provided, a release unit for releasing the holding of the holding unit at the release position in the middle of the movement and free-falling the egg, and the egg falling to the receiving position based on the measurement value by the measuring unit. And a control unit for correcting the release position.

  Further, in the egg processing method of the present invention, the eggs held and conveyed by the holding units provided at equal intervals on the single-row conveyor, the holding of the holding units is released at the discharge position, and the eggs are disposed below. In an egg processing method in which an egg is released to a receiving portion, the size of the egg is measured, and the release position is corrected based on the measured value.

  According to the present invention, since “size correction” is performed, the egg can be reliably dropped to the target drop point regardless of the size of the egg, so that damage to the egg is prevented.

It is a front view showing the outline of an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of FIG. 1. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of embodiment (Large egg) of this invention. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of embodiment (small egg) of this invention. It is a front view showing the prior art quoted from patent document 1.

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

  The egg processing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a measuring unit 1, a holding unit 2, a receiving unit 3, a discharging unit 4, and a control unit 5.

  The measuring unit 1 measures the size of an egg. The holding unit 2 holds the egg in a fixed posture and moves at a moving speed in the horizontal direction. The receiving section 3 is provided at a stationary receiving position below the holding section 2. The release unit 4 releases the egg from the holding unit 2 at the release position in the middle of movement and allows the egg to freely fall. The control unit 5 has a function of correcting the release position so that the egg falls to the receiving position based on the measurement value of the measurement unit 1.

  The egg processing device has a single-row conveyor 6 that moves in the horizontal direction A. On the upstream side of the single-row conveyor 6, there is a supply conveyor 7 that moves in a horizontal direction B perpendicular to the moving direction A of the single-row conveyor 6. On the downstream side of the single-row conveyor 6, there is provided a discharge conveyor 8 that moves in a horizontal direction C perpendicular to the moving direction A of the single-row conveyor 6.

  The measuring section 1 is provided on the supply conveyor 7 side. More precisely, the measuring unit 1 is arranged at a transfer unit between the supply conveyor 7 and the single-row conveyor 6. The holding units 2 are provided at equal intervals on a single-row conveyor 6. The receiving section 3 is provided on the discharge conveyor 8 side.

  The supply conveyor 7 transports eggs in a double row toward the single row conveyor 6. The measuring unit 1 measures the weight of an egg as the size of the egg. The measuring unit 1 measures the weight of a plurality of eggs simultaneously and individually. In this embodiment, six eggs are weighed simultaneously and individually. The measuring unit 1 is electrically connected to the control unit 5, and the measured value of the weight of each egg is stored in the storage unit of the control unit 5.

  The six eggs measured by the measuring unit 1 are respectively held by the holding units 2 of the single-row conveyor, and are transported downstream. The control unit 5 stores the measured value and information indicating which holding unit holds the measured egg in association with each other.

  The single row conveyor 6 goes around the conveyor chain endlessly. A drive section 9 for driving the conveyor chain is provided. The drive unit 9 is configured by a variable speed motor.

  The holding parts 2 are provided at equal intervals on the conveyor chain of the single-row conveyor 6. The holding section 2 has at least a pair of bucket pieces 10 each of which holds an egg whose blunt end and sharp end have a vertical axis posture. The pair of bucket pieces 10 are arranged so that the upper side is largely open and the lower side is narrowed to hold the side of the egg from below. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the lower end position of the egg in the holding state is different between the large egg and the small egg.

  The holding unit 2 includes a release mechanism 11 that releases the egg from the bucket piece 10 and releases the egg downward. The discharge mechanism 11 expands the lower ends of the pair of bucket pieces 10 by the action of the discharge unit 4. When the lower end of the bucket piece 10 spreads, the holding of the egg is released, and the egg falls downward.

  A speed detecting unit 12 that detects a moving speed of the holding unit 2 is provided. The speed detecting unit 12 detects the transport speed of the single-row conveyor 6. The speed detector 12 is configured by a pulse encoder that detects the number of rotations of a sprocket that engages with the conveyor chain.

  The measuring unit 1, the discharging unit 4, and the speed detecting unit 12 are electrically connected to the control unit 5.

  The discharge section 4 has an operating section 13 acting on the discharge mechanism 11. The operating unit 13 has a solenoid, and acts on the release mechanism 11 of the holding unit 2 by operating the solenoid to release the holding of the holding unit 2 and release the egg. The operating unit 13 includes a portion (shutter) that has a length along the moving direction of the holding unit 2 and that comes into contact with the release mechanism 11. In this embodiment, six operating parts 13 are provided at equal intervals. The operation of the operation unit 13 is operated by a command from the control unit 5. The discharge unit 4 having the six operating units 13 is provided so as to be movable in the moving direction of the holding unit 2 as a whole of the discharge unit 4. The movement of the discharge unit 4 is also performed according to a command from the control unit 5.

  The receiving section 3 has a holder 14 provided below the holding section 2. A plurality of holders 14 are provided at equal intervals along the moving direction of the holding unit 2 so that the blunt end and the sharp end released from the holding unit 2 receive the eggs in the vertical axis posture. In this embodiment, six are provided. The discharge unit 4 is located above the holder 14.

  A storage container 15 for storing the eggs of the holder 14 is arranged in the receiving section 3. The storage container 15 is placed on the discharge conveyor 8. In this embodiment, the storage container 15 is a tray capable of storing, for example, 30 eggs, and stores 6 eggs in the A direction and 5 eggs in the C direction. The transfer of the eggs from the holder 14 to the container is performed by a transfer device (not shown).

  The correction performed by the control unit 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

The falling parabola of the egg is represented by the following equation, assuming that the horizontal distance X, the falling distance Y, the transport speed V, and the gravitational acceleration g.

  The control unit 5 corrects the release position (size correction) based on the fact that the horizontal distance X from the release position to the reception position is obtained from the drop distance Y based on the measured value and the speed V detected by the speed detection unit. Is what you do.

  The control unit 5 moves the entire release unit 4 along the moving direction of the holding unit 2 based on the speed detected by the speed detection unit 12 so that the egg falls to the receiving position when the standard egg is assumed. It has. In addition, since the deviation α of the landing point occurs between the large egg and the small egg, in the “size correction” of the present invention, the deviation α is corrected by the discharge unit 4.

  In this embodiment, the size correction is performed using a “size correction table” stored in the control unit 5.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the falling distance from the lower end to the landing point differs between the large egg and the small egg. The size of the egg is obtained from the measured value of the weight in the measuring unit 1. A correction value corresponding to this measurement value is stored in the control unit 5 in advance as a size correction table.

  The control unit 5 corrects the operation timing of the operation unit 13 of the discharge unit 4 based on the speed detected by the speed detection unit 12 and the size correction table. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the discharge unit 4 includes a plurality of operating units 13 extending in parallel to the transport direction A, and the control unit 5 controls the speed and the size of the egg. Accordingly, it is determined which position of each operating section 13 comes into contact with the release mechanism 11. That is, the timing of switching the holding unit 2 from the holding state to the opening state is adjusted using the operating unit 13 having a predetermined size in order to cope with the difference between the speed and the size of the egg. For example, if the egg is larger than the standard egg, the timing is adjusted so that the release mechanism 11 abuts on the upstream side of the operating unit 13 in the direction A. If the egg is smaller than the standard egg, the release mechanism 11 is set to the operating unit. The timing is adjusted so as to abut on the downstream side in the direction A of FIG. Due to this release position correction, the landing position of the receiving section 3 is landed regardless of the size of the egg.

  In the egg processing method, the eggs held and conveyed by the holding units 2 provided at equal intervals on the single-row conveyor 6 are released from the holding unit 2 at the release position, and the receiving unit disposed below When the egg is released to the third sample, the size of the egg is measured, and the release position is corrected based on the measured value.

  According to the above-described embodiment, when storing eggs in the “fixed weight pack” provided in the receiving unit 3, “size correction” is performed for each holding unit 2 even if the size of the eggs varies. Therefore, the transfer of the egg from the holding unit 2 to the receiving unit 3 is performed smoothly, and the egg is prevented from being damaged.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the discharge unit 4 may not include a mechanism that moves the holding unit 2 in the transport direction. Instead of forming a portion extending in parallel with the transport direction on the side of the operation unit 13, it may be formed on the release mechanism 11 of the holding unit 2 so that the position of contact with the operation unit 13 can be adjusted.

  The measuring unit 1 is not limited to the one that measures the weight, and may be one that measures any one of the projected area of the egg, the body diameter, or the lower end position of the egg held by the holding unit.

  In the case where the lower end position of the egg held by the holding unit is measured, the release position can be corrected by calculation based on the mathematical expression of “Equation 1” without using the correction table.

  The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description of the embodiments, and includes all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION This invention can be utilized for the processing apparatus of an egg.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Measuring part 2 Holding part 3 Receiving part 4 Discharge part 5 Control device 6 Single-row conveyor 7 Supply conveyor 8 Discharge conveyor 9 Drive part 10 Bucket piece 11 Release mechanism 12 Speed detection part 13 Operating part 14 Holder 15 Storage container

Claims (3)

A measuring unit for measuring the size of the egg,
A holding unit that holds an egg and moves at a horizontal moving speed,
A receiving unit provided at a stationary receiving position below the holding unit,
A discharge unit that releases the egg by dropping the holding of the holding unit at the discharge position in the middle of the movement,
An egg processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that corrects the release position so that the egg falls to the receiving position based on a measurement value of the measurement unit.   The egg processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit measures any one of a weight, a projected area, a body diameter, and a lower end position of the egg held by the holding unit. Eggs held and transported by holding units provided at equal intervals on a single-row conveyor are released from the holding unit at the discharge position, and the eggs are discharged to the receiving unit disposed below. In the egg processing method,
An egg processing method which measures the size of an egg and corrects the release position based on the measured value.

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