JP2551864B2 - Supply control device for small parts counter - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of application] The present invention counts the number of small parts to be put into a bag or a box of small parts such as screws, bolts, rivets or pins. The present invention relates to a small component supply control device for quickly and accurately obtaining the required number of machines.

[Conventional technology]

In this way, in the work of counting a predetermined number of small parts and packing or bagging them, generally, the number of these parts is not counted, but the weight corresponding to the number of the parts is used as a reference The current situation is that the required number of parts can be obtained. As a specific example of this, in the process of manufacturing a screw component, a predetermined amount of the screw component is stored in a case (not shown), and the amount stored in this case is set as one unit, and the The operator measures the reference number (for example, 100 pieces) of weight. Based on this weight, set a weight corresponding to the number of parts to be packed in a bag or box in this machine,
The screw parts stored in the case are put into a hopper.
Then, when the start signal is input, the feeder operates to feed the screw component forward, so that the screw component is fed forward and operates until the set weight is reached. After a while, when the predetermined weight is reached, the feeder stops. The screw parts thus supplied in the predetermined amount enter the packaging machine in an estimated number corresponding to this weight.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In this way, when packing small parts in a bag or box, the weight equivalent to the number is weighed so that the estimated number can be obtained, so if there is an error in the self-weight of each part, This error increases or decreases as the number of units increases, so even if the set weight is accurately reduced, the actual number will be less than or more than the required number, and quality can be guaranteed. The reliability was low. The reason for this is that in the forging and shaping of parts, the flow of material at the time of shaping the parts is
Since the weights are slightly different, there is an error in the weight, and when the parts are surface-treated, the plating thickness does not become uniform for all parts. The weights were different. In particular, such a thing is conspicuously exhibited in so-called small parts, which are relatively small parts. Therefore, in the current situation of measuring such parts by their weight, extra parts are always added to carry out bagging or boxing so that the number of parts does not fall below the required number. There is a problem of high cost. Further, since the quantity of parts is set by the weight corresponding to the required quantity, an error is apt to occur in the weight, and there is a problem that the speed cannot be made too high.

The present invention solves such a problem and makes it possible to measure the number of parts at high speed and accurately in operations such as bagging or boxing of parts. Particularly, the first invention is relatively small. Is to be used as a machine suitable for
The second and third inventions are intended to provide a suitable one for a large quantity and high speed counting work.

[Means for solving the problem]

The present invention is to achieve such an object, and the first invention is a hopper 3 for storing a large number of small parts, and at least one main feed for supplying the small parts from the hopper 3 to the front. Means 70, a small amount feed means 40 in parallel with the main feed means 70 for supplying the small parts aligned in a line and a counting device having an imager 62 for picking up an image of the small parts, The feed means 70 is connected to a main feed means control unit 68 for changing the main feed means 70 from a high speed to a low speed when a first approach set value smaller than the target set value of the small parts to be supplied by a predetermined number is reached, and a small amount of feed is performed. When the means 40 reaches the second approach set value which is larger than the first approach set value and is smaller than the target set value, the main feed means is stopped and only the minute feed means 40 is driven at a low speed. Connect the de means control unit 69,
The main feed means 70 and the minute amount feed means 40 are provided to the main feed means control part 68 and the minute amount feed means control part 69.
When the small parts supplied in step 1 reach the target set value, the main feed means 70 and the minute amount feed means 40 are all stopped and connected to the counting process control section 63, and the first approach set value, the second approach set value, and the target set value are set. The supply control device gradually reduces the supply amount of small parts in the order of values.

A second invention is a hopper 3, which stores a large number of small parts,
First, second and third main feed means 10, 20 and 30 for feeding the small parts from the hopper 3 forward, and a minute amount feeding means for parallelly feeding the small parts in a line parallel to the main feeding means. 40 and an imager that images this small part
In a small parts counter comprising a counter having 62, the first, second and third main feed means 10, 20,
When the number of small parts supplied to the small amount feeding means 40 and the small amount feeding means 40 reaches the first approach setting value smaller than the target setting value by a predetermined number, the first and second main feeding means 20 are stopped and the third main feeding means 30 is turned on. A main feed means control unit 68 for changing from high speed to low speed is connected to stop the third feed means 30 when the minute feed means 40 reaches a second approach set value that is larger than the first approach set value and smaller than the target set value. A minute feed means control section 69 for driving only the minute feed means 40 at a low speed is connected to the main feed means control section 68 and the minute feed means control section 69, and these first, second and third main feed means are connected.
When the small parts supplied by 10, 20, 30 and small amount feed means 40 reach the target set value, all main feed means 10, 2
The counting process control unit 63 for stopping the 0, 30 and the minute amount feeding means 40 is connected, and the first approach setting value, the second
The small component supply amount is gradually reduced in the order of the approach setting value and the target setting value.

A third aspect of the invention is a hopper 3 for storing a large number of small parts, a first part for supplying the small parts from the hopper 3 to the front,
The second and third main feed means 10, 20, 30 have a small amount feed means 40 that supplies the small parts in a line in parallel with the main feed means 10, 20, 30 and an image pickup device 62 for imaging the small parts. In a small parts counter composed of a counting device, the first, second and third main feed means 10,
When the small parts which are supplied to 20, 30 and the minute amount feeding means 40 reach the first approach setting value which is a predetermined number smaller than the target setting value, the first and second main feeding means 10, 20 and the minute amount feeding means 40 are stopped. Then, the main feed means control unit 68 for changing the third main feed means 30 from the high speed to the low speed is connected, and the minute feed means 40 is set to the second approach set value which is larger than the first approach set value and smaller than the target set value. When it reaches, the third main feed means 30 is stopped, and the minute feed means control section 69 for driving only the minute feed means 40 at a low speed is connected, and the main feed means control section 68 and the minute feed means control section 69 are connected to the first and the first feed means. 2, a counting process for stopping all the main feeding means 10, 20, 30 and the minute amount feeding means 40 when the small parts supplied by the third main feeding means 10, 20, 30 and the minute amount feeding means 40 reach the target set value Connect the control unit 63,
The control device is configured to gradually reduce the small component supply amount in the order of the first approach setting value, the second approach setting value, and the target setting value.

[Action]

The first, second, and third inventions basically operate as follows. When the start signal is input, all the feeding means 70, 40 are driven at high speed. This causes the small parts to move forward. After that, when the small parts reach the first approach set value set by the setting unit in advance, all the feed means 70, 40 are fed at low speed, and when the second approach set value is reached in this state, the small amount feed means 40. Stop except the slow feed of. Then, when the target value is reached by the operation of the minute amount feeding means 40, the minute amount feeding means 40 is also stopped and the supply of the predetermined amount is completed.

In the second invention, first, all the feed means 1
0, 20, 30, 40 are high speed feed. After that, when the first approach set value is reached among the set values preset by the first, second, and third setting sections, the third main feed means 30
Becomes a low-speed feed, and the minute feed means 40 remains a high-speed feed, and the first and second main feed means 10 and 20 stop. Next, when the second approach set value is reached, the third main feed means 30 is stopped and the small amount feed means 40 is fed at a low speed. Then, when the target value is reached by the operation of the minute amount feeding means 40, the minute amount feeding means 40 is also stopped and the supply of the predetermined amount is completed.

Furthermore, in the third invention, first, all the feed means 1
0, 20, 30, 40 are fed at high speed. After that, when the first approach set value is reached, the third main feed means 30 is fed at a low speed, and the first and second main feed means 10, 20 and the minute amount feed means 40 are stopped. Next, when the second approach set value is reached, the third main feed means 30 is stopped and the small amount feed means 40 starts low speed feed. When the target setting value is reached by the operation of the minute amount feeding means 40, the minute amount feeding means 40 also stops,
Supply of the specified quantity is completed.

With all of these first, second, and third inventions operating in this way, the number of small parts that fall from the tips of the chutes 21, 31, 41 is counted. In this way, by the operation of the first, second and third inventions, if a bag or box for packing small parts is arranged below the counter, the required number of parts can be put in. Therefore, it is possible to promptly provide an accurate number of small parts.

〔Example〕

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral 3 denotes a funnel-shaped hopper 3 attached to an upper portion of a frame 2 fixed to a machine base 1,
A vibrator 4 is fixed to the side surface of the hopper 3 in order to improve the flow of components from the hopper 3. Immediately below the discharge port at the bottom of the hopper 3, as shown in FIG. 3, there is a rear part of the supply chute 11 that constitutes the first main feed means 10, and the front chute surface of the chute 11 reaches the tip. Accordingly, the alignment groove 11a having an acute cross section, for example, a triangular shape is formed. The supply chute 11 is attached to a first drive unit 12, and the first drive unit 12 is the machine base 1
It is attached to a feeder base 6 fixed to a support base 5 supported by. Immediately below the tip of the supply chute 11, the loosening chutes 21 and 31 are positioned so that their rear parts overlap.
Are arranged in two rows in parallel, and this loosening chute 21, 31
Is supported by a second drive section 22 and a third drive section 32 which constitute the second main feed means 20 and the third main feed means 30, respectively. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a small amount chute 41 for feeding the screw parts 9 little by little between the first and second loosening chutes 21, 31 of the second main feeding means 20 and the third main feeding means 30. Are provided in parallel. This trace shoot
Reference numeral 41 is a structure that is driven by a minute amount driving unit 42 that constitutes the minute amount feeding means 40. These drive units 22, 32, 42 are attached to a feeder base 50 whose one end is supported by a spring member 51 on the support base 5, and the feeder base 50 is held substantially horizontally.

On the other hand, the rear portion of the loosening chute 21 arranged so as to overlap with the tip of the supply chute 11 is substantially horizontal, and has a shape of an acute angle such that the ridgeline of the mountain is located below the apex angle of the triangular alignment groove 11a. The feeding grooves 21a and 31a having a triangular cross section are provided. Further, in front of the adjusting grooves 21a, 31a, there are adjusting grooves 23a, 33a having a shape in which a ridgeline of a mountain is located on an extension of the bottom apex angle of the adjusting grooves 21a, 31a. Inclined chute portions 23 and 33 that are slightly inclined forward are continuously formed. Also, in front of this, screw parts 9 protruding from here
Is fixedly provided on the machine base 1 to guide the packaging machine 7 disposed under the machine to the packaging machine 7, and the guide cylinder 8 operates so as to prevent the screw component 9 from being supplied to the packaging machine 7. The shutter 60 is provided.

Further, a light source body 61 is provided in front of the tips of the loosening chutes 21 and 31, and an image pickup device 62 for detecting the light is provided in the lower portion. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, the image pickup device 62 has a counting processing control unit 63 for converting the optical signal into an electric signal.
The counting processing control unit 63 is a signal processing unit 64 that processes the signal from the image pickup device 62, a counting unit 65 that counts the signals processed by the signal processing unit 64, and a display unit that displays this. 66, a signal from the counting unit 65 is input, and is composed of a comparing unit 67 and first, second, and third setting units that set values in advance. The first, second, and third setting units are connected to this. Main and small amount feed means control units 68, 69 having a comparison unit 67
And the counting process control unit 63 uses a first approach set value (a predetermined number less than the target set value), a second approach set value (a value greater than the first approach set value and less than the target set value), a target set value (requested value). In the above, the signals are compared with the respective values within the allowable upper limit value, and the signals are compared with the respective driving units 12, 22, 32 of the first, second and third main feed means 10, 20, 30 and the minute amount feed means 40. , 42 to be sent.

It should be noted that the signal reaching the first approach set value is sent to the hopper 3
It has been sent to, and the supply has been stopped. on the other hand,
Separately from this, a supply amount detection sensor 3a is provided for adjusting the supply amount of the screw parts to the second and third main feed means 20 and 30. Further, in this embodiment, the first, second, and third main feed means 10, 20, 30 are installed, but the main feed means 10, 20, 30 are combined into one main feed means 70. As a result, the first invention can be implemented. By doing so, the screw parts 9 falling from the tips of the loosening chutes 21, 31 are counted by the signal from the image pickup device 62. And the main feed means 10, 2
The operation of each of the drive units 12, 22, and 32 of 0 and 30 is controlled.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, the operation of the basic structure will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7 after a predetermined amount has been charged into the hopper 3, the drive unit 71 of the main feed means 70 is operated, whereby the chute vibrates and is fed at high speed, The part 9 moves forward. At this time, the minute amount feeding means 40 is also feeding at high speed. Thereafter, when the first approach set value is reached, a signal is input and the main feed means 70 and the minute amount feed means 40 are changed from high speed to low speed. Second
When the signal from the approach set value is input, the main feed means 70 is stopped, and the low speed minute feed means 40 alone sends the signal until the next target set value is reached. When the supply quantities match in this way, a stop signal is input and all supply operations are completed.

Further, FIG. 6 shows the first, second and third main feed means 10,
20 is a system diagram using 20 and 30, and FIG. 8 shows a work flow according to the diagram, which is the main feed means.
10, 20 and 30 are operated independently. This will be described below.

After the screw parts are put into the hopper 3 by a predetermined amount, the first
The setting unit, the second setting unit, and the third setting unit respectively set the first approach setting value, the second approach setting value, and the target setting value. After this, as shown in FIG. 8, when a start signal is input, the first, second and third main feed means 10, 20, 30 and the minute feed means 40 arranged in front of the hopper 3 are simultaneously operated. As shown in FIG. 4, the screw component 9 supplied on the supply chute 11 starts the aligning machine 11a for the tip.
It falls on the loosening shoots 21 and 31. At this time, in the screw part 9, the triangular alignment groove 11a of the supply chute 11 and the triangular tops (ridge lines of the mountains) of the loosening chutes 21 and 31 overlap with the bottom of the alignment groove 11a. 9
The loosening chutes 21 and 31 are appropriately separated into the feeding grooves 21a and 31a on both sides. In this way, the screw parts 9 which are separated and supplied to the front are gradually loosened from each other. The threaded part 9 subsequently enters the front tilted chute parts 23, 33, and further this threaded part 9 enters the feed grooves 23a, 33a of the tilted chute parts 23, 33 and between them. Since the edges are cut off, there are no overlapping parts on the loosening chutes 21 and 31, and the screw parts 9
Are distributed on shoots 21 and 31 without overlapping.

The screw parts 9 dispersed in this way are
It comes to fall from the tips of 21, 31 and the minute chute 41. On the other hand, the screw part 9 falling from the tips of the chutes 21, 31, 41 blocks the light from the light source 61 from the image pickup device 62. The light and dark of this light is detected by the image pickup device 62, and this signal is sent to the counting process control unit 63, whereby the number of screw parts 9 falling from the tips of the chutes 21, 31, 41 is counted. Then, when the preset first approach set value is reached, a signal is input to the first, second and third feed means 10, 20, 30 and the first and second drive sections 12, 22 are stopped, Third drive unit 32
Changes from fast feed to slow feed. At this time, since the hopper 3 is supplied with a sufficient amount of screw parts 9 for the subsequent supply, this signal is also input to this, and the screw parts 9 from the hopper 3 are supplied.
Supply stops. On the other hand, since the screw parts 9 supplied from the third main feed means 30 are continuously counted, the second approach set value is reached and when the signal is input, the third drive section 32 of the third feed means 30 is stopped. At the same time, the minute amount driving unit 42 of the minute amount feeding means 40 is fed at a low speed. After that, when the target set value is reached, the trace amount feeding means 40 is stopped, and a reliable supply number can be obtained.

If a bag or box for packing the screw parts 9 is arranged below the counter, it means that the target number of parts has been put in, and an accurate number of parts can be provided.
Then, after the next bag or box is prepared, the shutter 60 is opened again, and the first, second and third main feed means 10, 20,
The drive parts 12, 22, 32, 42 of the 30 and the minute amount feeding means 40 are operated and the screw parts 9 are counted again and supplied by a predetermined amount.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of another embodiment,
This will be explained next. Since this is basically the same as the operation of the above-described embodiment, the operation from the signal from the first approach set value will be explained. When this first approach set value is reached and this signal is received, the first approach , Second main feed means 1
The 0, 20 and the minute amount feeding means 40 are stopped, and the third main feeding means 30 is changed from the high speed feeding to the low speed feeding. When the second approach set value is reached in this state, the third main feed means 30 is stopped and the small amount feed means 40 starts low-speed feed. Then, when the target set value is reached as in the case of the above embodiment, the minute amount feeding means is also stopped and the predetermined work is completed.

〔The invention's effect〕

The present invention, as is clear from the embodiments described above,
1st invention arrange | positions the main feed means 70 which has the supply chute 11 which supplies a small component to the front from the hopper 3 which stores many small components, and a small amount feed means in parallel with this.
40 is also arranged and the first approach setting value, the second approach setting value and the target setting value are set in advance by the first setting section, the second setting section and the third setting section, and when these values are reached, respectively, these feed means When 70 and 40 are all fed at low speed and subsequently reach the second approach set value, the main feed means 70 is stopped and the minute feed means 40 is fed at low speed. When the count reaches the target set value, the minute feed means 40 is also fed. It is supposed to stop.

Therefore, even if there is an error due to the weight of each component, the number can be counted regardless of the weight, so that the required number can be reliably obtained, quality can be guaranteed, and reliability is improved. In addition, it is not necessary to add an extra number of small parts when packing in a bag or box, and the cost can be reduced.

Further, the main feed means is divided into a plurality of first, second, and third main feed means 10, 20, 30. Further, the small amount feed means 40 are adapted to independently operate at low speed and high speed. Therefore, it is possible to supply a large amount at the beginning,
The supply quantity can be gradually reduced as the required quantity is reached, which allows a quick and accurate counting operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a schematic overall front view showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of an essential part of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part showing a loosened state of small parts, FIG. Is a block diagram showing a control system of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a work system as an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a work system as an embodiment of the present invention. , FIG. 7 shows the fifth
The flowchart of the embodiment shown in the figure, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are the flowcharts of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6. The control method is slightly different from FIGS. 8 and 9. 1 is a machine stand, 2 is a frame, 3 is a hopper, 3a is a supply amount detection sensor, 4 is a vibrator, 5 is a support stand, 6 is a feeder stand, 7 is a packaging machine, 8 is a guide tube, 9 is a screw part, 10 Is the first
Main feed means, 11 is a supply chute, 11a is an alignment groove, 12
Is a first drive unit, 20 is a second main feed means, 21 is a loosening chute, 21a is a feed groove, 22 is a second drive unit, 23 is an inclined chute portion, 23a is a feed groove, and 30 is a third main feed Means, 31 is a loosening chute, 31a is a feeding groove, 32 is a third driving unit, 33 is an inclined chute unit, 33a is a feeding groove, 40 is a minute feeding means, 41 is a minute chute, 42 is a minute driving unit, 50 Is a feeder stand, 51 is a spring member, 60 is a shutter, 61 is a light source, 62 is an imager, 63 is a counting processing control unit, 64 is a signal processing unit, 65 is a counting unit, 66 is a display unit, and 67 is a comparison unit. , 68 is a main feed means control unit, 69 is a minute feed means control unit, 70 is a main feed means, 71 is a drive unit,

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A hopper for storing a large number of small parts, and at least one for feeding the small parts from the hopper forward.
In a small part counter comprising one or more main feed means, a small amount feed means for parallelly supplying the small parts in a line parallel to the main feed means, and a counting device having an imager for imaging the small parts, A main feed means control unit for changing the main feed means from a high speed to a low speed when a first approach set value smaller than a target set value of small parts supplied by the main feed means is reached, and more than the first approach set value. Second less than target set value
When the approach set value is reached, the main feed means stops, and the minute feed means control unit that drives only the minute feed means at low speed, and the main feed means and the small parts supplied by the minute feed means reach the target set value. Means and a counting processing control section for stopping all of the minute amount feeding means, characterized in that the supply amount of the small parts is gradually reduced in the order of the first approach setting value, the second approach setting value and the target setting value. apparatus. 2. A hopper for storing a large number of small parts, and first, second, and forward feeding the small parts from the hopper.
A small part counter comprising: a third main feed means; a minute feed means parallel to the main feed means for supplying the small parts in a line; and a counting device having an imager for picking up an image of the small parts. When the small parts supplied by the first, second and third main feed means and the minute amount feed means reach the first approach set value which is a predetermined number smaller than the target set value, the first and second main feed means are stopped, and 3 main feed means control section for changing the main feed means from high speed to low speed, and a second quantity larger than the first approach set value and smaller than the target set value
When the approach set value is reached, the third main feed means is stopped,
A minute feed means control unit that drives only the minute feed means at a low speed, and all the main feed means and the minute quantity when the small parts supplied by the first, second, third main feed means and the minute feed means reach the target set value. A supply control device comprising a counting processing control unit for stopping the feeding means, and gradually decreasing the small component supply amount in the order of the first approach setting value, the second approach setting value, and the target setting value. 3. A hopper for storing a large number of small parts, and first, second, and forward feeding the small parts from the hopper.
A small part counter comprising: a third main feed means; a minute feed means that supplies the small parts in parallel in a row parallel to the main feed means; and a counting device having an imager for picking up an image of the small parts. When the small parts supplied by the first, second and third main feed means and the small amount feed means reach the first approach set value which is a predetermined number smaller than the target set value, the first, second main feed means and the small amount feed means are activated. A main feed means control unit for stopping and changing the third main feed means from a high speed to a low speed; and a second quantity that is larger than the first approach set value and smaller than the target set value.
When the approach set value is reached, the third main feed means is stopped,
A minute feed means control unit that drives only the minute feed means at a low speed, and all the main feed means and the minute quantity when the small parts supplied by the first, second, third main feed means and the minute feed means reach the target set value. A supply control device comprising a counting processing control unit for stopping the feeding means, and gradually decreasing the small component supply amount in the order of the first approach setting value, the second approach setting value, and the target setting value.