JP2551872B2 - Packing machine with small parts counter - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a packing machine with a small parts counting device for counting small parts such as screws, bolts, rivets or pins, and packing or packing the small parts counted by a predetermined number.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As described above, in the work of counting a predetermined number of small parts and packing them in a bag or a box, generally, the number of these parts is not counted, but the weight corresponding to the number of the parts is used as a reference. At present, the packaging is performed so that the required number of parts can be obtained at this weight. Specific examples of this are as follows. this is,
In the process of manufacturing a screw part, a predetermined amount of the screw part is stored in a case, and the amount stored in this case is 1
As a unit, the operator first measures a reference number of pieces (for example, 100 pieces) of weight. Based on this weight, a weight corresponding to the number of parts to be bagged or boxed is set in the machine, and the screw parts stored in the case are loaded into the hopper. Subsequently, when the operator switches on the machine, the feeder operates to feed the screw parts forward, so that the feeder operates until the set weight is reached. After that, when the predetermined weight is reached, the feeder stops, and the screw parts have been supplied by the estimated number corresponding to this weight.

[0003]

As described above, when the small parts are packed in the bag or box, the weight corresponding to the number of parts is weighed so that the estimated number can be obtained. If there is an error in the weight per hit, this error will increase or decrease as the number of pieces increases, so even if the set weight is accurately weighed, the actual number will be less than the specified number, or more However, the quality could not be guaranteed and reliability was reduced. The reason for this is that in the press forming of parts, the flow of material during forming of parts is slightly different each time, so there is an error in the weight, and when parts are subjected to surface treatment, plating The thickness of the parts did not become uniform for all parts, and this also caused the weight of the whole parts to differ. In particular, such a thing is conspicuously exhibited in so-called small parts, which are relatively small parts. For this reason, in the current situation where such parts are measured by their weight, extra parts are always added to perform bag or box packaging so that the number of parts does not fall below the specified number. There is a problem of high cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above problems and provide a machine for automatically bagging or boxing parts whose number is accurately measured.

[0005]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a small article part to the front below a discharge port formed in a hopper 3 for storing a large number of small article parts in a machine base 1. The first feed means 10 having the supply chute 11 for supplying to the above is arranged, and one or more unraveling chutes 21 each having a groove-shaped chute surface for loosening the overlap of small parts are formed at the tip of the supply chute 11. Second
The feed means 20 is connected to the second feed means 20, and a minute feed means 30 parallel to the second feed means 20 and having a supply amount smaller than the component supply amount is arranged. On the other hand, the loosening chute 21 has a light source body 51 at the lower end thereof. An image pickup device 54 is arranged facing the light source body 51 at a distance to sense the brightness of light blocked by small parts, and a packaging device for wrapping small parts from below under the loosening chute 21. 7
Is placed to enable a part of packaging work from counting of parts.

The first feed means 10 has a rear portion located at the discharge port of the hopper 3, is arranged substantially horizontally to the front, and has a supply chute 11 having a plurality of grooves having an acute-angled end bottom as it reaches the tip. And a first vibrating portion 12 fixed to the machine base 1 via a feeder base 6 and having the supply chute 11 attached thereto so that the small parts on the upper surface are supplied forward. Therefore, the supply of parts becomes smooth.

Further, for the second feeding means, the loosening chute 21 whose rear end is arranged immediately below the front end of the supply chute 11 and the loosening chute 21 fixed to the machine base 1 via the feeder base 40 are attached. 2nd vibrating section 2
2 and. Therefore, the component is supplied after the overlap with other components is loosened.

[0008]

[Operation] When a signal for starting work is input after a predetermined amount of small parts are put into the hopper 3, the first vibrating portion 12 of the first feeding means 10 is operated, whereby the re-feed chute 11 is supplied.
Vibrates and small parts move forward. Further, since the second feeding means 20 and the small amount feeding means 30 also start to operate at the same time, the small parts supplied on the supply chute 11 subsequently drop into the loosening chute 21 and the small amount chute 31. At this time, the small parts move forward while the parts overlapping each other on the loosening chute 21 are separated from each other, and thus the small parts are dispersed on the chute 21 without overlapping. The parts thus dispersed fall from the tip of the chute 21. On the other hand, a light source 51 and an image pickup device 54 are arranged below the tip of the loosening chute 21.
The small parts falling from the tip of the light block the light from the light source body 51. By detecting the brightness of this light with the image pickup device 54, the number of small parts falling from the tip of the chute 21 is counted. When the preset approaching number A before the specified number is reached, the first and second feeding means 1
0 and 20 are stopped, and only the trace amount feeding means 30 is operated. Thus, when the specified number of small parts B is reached, the supply of the small parts falling from the chute 21 is stopped, and the specified number of small parts are put in the packaging bag of the packaging device 7 arranged below this, and the packaging device is packed. 7 starts the packaging work. When this work is completed, the packaged small parts are discharged.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 3, reference numeral 3 denotes a funnel-shaped hopper attached to an upper part of a frame 2 fixed to a machine base 1, and a hopper 4 is provided in the hopper 3 in order to improve the flow of parts therein. Is fixed to the side. Immediately below the discharge port at the bottom of the hopper 3, the first feed means 1 is provided.
There is a rear part of the supply chute 11 which constitutes 0, and an alignment groove 11a having a sharp cross section, for example, a triangular shape, is formed on the front chute surface of the chute 11 as it reaches the tip. The supply chute 11 includes a first vibrating portion 12
The first vibrating portion 12 is attached to a feeder base 6 fixed to a support base 5 supported by the machine base 1. Immediately below the leading end of the supply chute 11, there is arranged a loosening chute 21 positioned so that the rear part thereof overlaps, and the loosening chute 21 is supported by a second vibrating part 22 constituting the second feeding means 20. ing. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the supply chute 11 and the loosening chute 21 of the first and second feeding means 10 and 20 are arranged in parallel in two rows, respectively, and a screw is provided between the two rows of the loosening chutes 21. A minute chute 31 for supplying the parts 9 little by little is provided in parallel. The minute amount chute 31 constitutes the third amount vibrating section 3 which constitutes the minute amount feeding means 30.
The configuration is driven by 2. These vibrating portions 22 and 32 are attached to a feeder base 40 whose one end is supported by a spring member 41 on the support base 5, and a support spring 42 is provided between the other end of the feeder base 40 and the support base 5. It is interposed and held almost horizontally. Further, a shock absorber 43 is mounted between the feeder base 40 and the support base 5, and in parallel with this, the disentangling chute 21 stores a screw component 9 of a predetermined amount or less or a predetermined amount or more. A sensor 44 is arranged to operate.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, the rear portion of the loosening chute 21 arranged to overlap the tip of the supply chute 11 is substantially horizontal and has a mountain below the apex angle of the triangular alignment groove 11a. A feeding groove 21a having an acute-angled shape, that is, a triangular cross-section, having a shape such that the ridge is positioned (that is, the screw part 9 that advances the alignment groove 11a of the supply chute 11 is distributed to both sides). Have
Further, in front of the adjusting groove 21a, there is provided an adjusting groove 23a having a shape in which a ridgeline of a mountain is located on an extension of a bottom apex angle of the adjusting groove 21a, and an inclination slightly inclined forward. A chute portion 23 and a deceleration chute portion 24, which is slightly inclined in a direction opposite to the chute portion 23 and has a feed groove 24a of the same shape, are continuously formed at the tip of the chute portion 23.
In front of the deceleration chute portion 24, there is provided a guide tube 8 fixedly mounted on the machine base 1 for guiding the screw component 9 protruding from here to the packaging device 7 arranged below the counting device. Is provided with a shutter 50 which operates to block the supply of the screw component 9 to the packaging device 7. The packaging device 7 is configured to operate by receiving a signal when the shutter 50 is closed.

Further, a light source body 51 which is longer than the loosening chute 21 in the width direction of the chute 21 is attached to the lower portion of the tip end of the loosening chute 21, and the light does not diffuse forward in front of the light source body 51. The shielding member 53 having the slit 52 formed therein is attached. Moreover, in front of the light source body 51, an image pickup device 54 for detecting light and darkness of light is arranged. As shown in FIG. 5, the image pickup device 54 is provided in an image processing unit 55 for converting the optical signal into an electric signal. The screw components 9 that are connected and that fall from the tip of the loosening chute 21 are counted by the signal of the processing unit 55. The light source body 51 and the image pickup device 54 have the same operation even if their positions are changed. Then, the operation of each of the first and second vibrating portions 12, 22 and the third vibrating portion 32 of the first and second feeding means 10, 20 is controlled.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, when a small amount of small parts is loaded into the hopper 3 and a signal for starting work is input, the first feed means 10
The first vibrating portion 12 of the
1 vibrates and the screw component 9 moves forward. Further, since the second feed means 20 arranged in front of this also starts to operate at the same time, the screw component 9 supplied on the supply chute 11 is loosened from the alignment groove 11a at the tip as shown in FIG. It falls on the chute 21. This time,
The screw part 9 is a triangular alignment groove 11 of the supply chute 21.
a and the triangular top of the loosening chute 21 (ridgeline of the mountain)
7, as shown in FIG. 7, overlaps with the bottom of the alignment groove 11a, so that the screw component 9 is properly separated into the feeding grooves 21a on both sides of the loosening chute 21. In this way, the screw parts 9 which are separated and supplied to the front are gradually loosened from each other. The threaded component 9 subsequently enters the front inclined chute portion 23, further enters the feeding groove 23a of the inclined chute portion 23, and the edge between the threaded component 9 and the threaded component 9 is cut off. There are no parts that overlap each other on the top, and the screw parts 9 are distributed on the chute 21 without overlapping.

The screw parts 9 thus dispersed fall from the tip of the chute 21. on the other hand,
The screw part 9 falling from the tip of the chute 21 blocks the light from the light source 51 from the image pickup device 54. The brightness of the light is sensed by the front imager 54, and this signal is sent to the image processing unit 55, whereby the number of screw parts 9 falling from the tip of the chute 21 is counted. Then, when the approach value A set to a number smaller than the preset specified number B is reached, the supply chute 11 and the loosening chute 21 are stopped, and the minute amount chute 3
Since only 1 is continued to operate, a small number until the prescribed number B is reached is supplied by the minute amount chute 31, and the supplied number becomes reliable.

When the count reaches the prescribed number B in this way, the screw parts 9 supplied from the minute amount chute 31.
Supply is stopped. Then, simultaneously with this, the shutter 50
Closes. After that, the packaging device arranged below the counting device is activated, and the screw components contained in the packaging bag or the packaging box are packaged and discharged to the outside. This makes it possible to provide an accurate number of parts. Then, after the next bag or box is prepared, the shutter 50 is opened again, and a predetermined amount is supplied while being counted.

Further, there is no problem if the screw parts 9 are always supplied uniformly, but if the amount of the screw parts 9 accumulated in the second feed means 20 is larger than a predetermined amount, the sensor 44 is activated, so that the first feed means 10 operates. Also, since the small amount feed means 30 stops operating and only the second feed means 20 continues to operate, the screw component 9 stored on the loosening chute 21 is supplied to the front, so that the screw component 9 on the loosening chute 21 is supplied. Decreases, the sensor 44 operates again, and the first feed means 10 which has been stopped until then operates again to perform the supply operation.

In this embodiment, the loosening chute 21
A deceleration chute portion 24 is formed at the tip of the screw part 9 so that the screw component 9 can be dropped and supplied from here. As shown in FIG. By providing the oblique chute 60 having grooves of the same shape and arranging the light source body 51 at the lower end thereof, it is possible to count small parts with higher counting accuracy. Further, in this embodiment, only one second feed means 20 having the loosening chute 21 is provided next to the supply chute 11, but if necessary, the second feed means 20 is further added to the second feed means 20. By connecting a plurality of second feed means 20, it is possible to completely disperse and supply screw parts. On the other hand, the alignment groove and the feeding groove of these examples do not have to have an acute angle such as a triangular shape, as long as they have peaks and valleys.

[0017]

As is apparent from the embodiments described above, the present invention has the first supply chute 11 for supplying the small parts forward from the hopper 3 which stores a large number of small parts.
The feed means 10 is arranged, and one or more second feed means 20 having an unraveling chute 21 in which a groove-shaped chute surface for unraveling the overlap of small parts is formed at the tip of the supply chute 11 are connected to each other, and A small amount feed means 30 parallel to the second feed means 20 and having a smaller component supply amount is arranged, while the light source body 51 is provided below the tip of the loosening chute 21 with an interval between the light source body 51 and the light source body 51. Then, the image pickup device 54 that senses the brightness of the light that is blocked by the falling small parts is arranged, and the packaging device that wraps the small parts is arranged below the loosening chute.

Therefore, even if there is an error due to the weight of each component, it is possible to count the number regardless of the weight, so that the specified number can be reliably obtained, the quality can be guaranteed, and the reliability is high. improves. In addition, it is not necessary to add an extra number of small parts at the time of packing in a bag or a box, and the cost can be reduced. Further, since the first feeding means 10 vibrates the supply chute 11 having the groove whose end face has an acute angle by the first vibrating portion 12, the small parts generated when the small parts are discharged from the hopper. Since the lumps are supplied while being loosened, the supply of the parts becomes smooth with respect to the counting of the parts. Further, in the second feed means 20, the loosening chute 21 whose rear end is arranged immediately below the front end of the supply chute 11 is vibrated by the second vibrating portion 22, so that the parts are further loosened when the parts are dropped. Therefore, the connection between the parts is completely eliminated, and more stable and accurate counting work can be obtained. Moreover, since the device for wrapping the specified number of small parts by the specified number is arranged below the counting device, the counted small parts are automatically packaged immediately, which can greatly contribute to the automation of the packaging work. A remarkable effect is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic overall front view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of a main part having a partial cross section.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of an essential part of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of an essential part showing a loosened state of small parts.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing control according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a loosened state of this embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a main portion showing another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 machine stand 2 frame 3 hopper 4 vibrator 5 support stand 6 feeder stand 7 packaging device 8 guide tube 9 screw part 10 first feed means 11 supply chute 11a alignment groove 12 first vibrating section 20 second feed means 21 loosening chute 21a adjustment Feeding groove 22 Second vibrating portion 23 Inclined chute portion 23a Feeding groove 24 Decelerating chute portion 24a Feeding groove 30 Small amount chute means 31 Small amount chute 32 Third vibrating portion 40 Feeder base 41 Spring member 42 Support spring 43 Shock absorber 44 Sensor 50 Shutter 51 Light source 52 Slit 53 Shielding member 54 Imager 55 Image processing unit 60 Oblique chute

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first feed having a supply chute (11) for supplying small parts from now on below a discharge port formed in a hopper (3) for storing a large number of small parts mounted on a machine base (1). One or more second feed means (20) having means (10) arranged and having a loosening chute (21) at the tip of this supply chute (11) having a groove-shaped chute surface for loosening the overlap of small parts. And a minute feed means (30) which is connected to the second feed means (20) and is parallel to the second feed means (20) and has a supply amount smaller than the component supply amount. The light source body (51) and the image pickup device (54) facing the light source body (51) with a space therebetween facing the light source and the darkness of the light interrupted by the small parts are arranged.
A packing machine with a small parts counting device, characterized in that a packing device (7) for packing small future parts is arranged below 1). 2. The first feeding means has a rear portion located at the discharge port of the hopper (3), is disposed substantially horizontally to the front, and has a plurality of grooves having an acute-angled end face as it reaches the front end. ) And a first vibrating part (12) fixed to the machine base (1) via a feeder base (6) and having the chute (11) attached so that small parts on the upper surface are supplied to the front. ) And a packaging machine with a small parts counting device according to claim 1. 3. A second feed means is provided for said supply chute (1).
A loosening chute (2) with its rear end just below the front end of (1)
1) and a second fixed to the machine base (1) through the feeder base (40) and attached with a loosening chute (21)
The packaging machine with a small parts counting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the packaging machine comprises a vibrating part (22).