JP2889334B2 - Bucket conveyor article supply device - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a control device of an article supply apparatus that supplies articles to a feeder unit such as a combination weighing apparatus.

(Prior Art) The combination weighing device has a dispersion table at the top, and a radiation trough, a pool hopper, and a weighing hopper are arranged below the dispersion table in order from the top in a circular shape centering on the dispersion feeder. It is taller because it is arranged and configured.

For this reason, when transferring articles from the stock trough arranged on the floor to the dispersion feeder, a bucket conveyor in which adjacent buckets partially overlap in a horizontal state, and articles continuously supplied from the stock trough are transferred by the bucket. While receiving, it is supplied through a rising portion.

According to such a transfer device, articles can be continuously supplied, and work efficiency is high, but the number of buckets increases. Therefore, when changing products, it takes time to clean the buckets. There's a problem.

In order to solve such a problem, the number of buckets has been reduced as much as possible in the past, while a supply device in which articles are temporarily received by a timing hopper, the supply amount is controlled here, and then the buckets are discharged to the bucket is also known. Proposed. According to such an apparatus, since the number of buckets is small, there is an advantage that the cleaning operation can be performed extremely easily even when changing the product.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) However, since the supply amount to the timing hopper is detected based on the height of the articles put in here, not only the correspondence relationship with the weight differs for each product, but also ,
Even for the same article and the same weight, the bulk varies depending on the input condition.Therefore, setting the bulk as a control parameter requires experience and intuition, and furthermore, the accuracy of weight value conversion is low. is there.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an article supply device for a bucket conveyor that can control the input weight to a bucket with high accuracy. .

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve such a problem, in the present invention,
A timing hopper provided with a weight detection unit, which is arranged facing a supply port of the bucket conveyor, an article supply unit which is arranged facing the timing hopper and capable of adjusting a discharge flow rate, and a bucket of the bucket conveyor. A bucket detecting means for detecting a point in time when the bucket reaches the supply port, and discharging the articles from the timing hopper to the bucket with a timing signal from the bucket detecting means, based on a weight signal of the discharged articles, Control means is provided for controlling a discharge flow rate from the article supply means to the timing hopper such that a weight signal from the weight detection means becomes a target value within a movement period.

Further, a timing hopper provided with a weight detecting means disposed facing the supply port of the bucket conveyor, an article supply means provided with a discharge gate disposed facing the timing hopper, and a bucket of the bucket conveyor are provided. A bucket detecting means for detecting a point in time when the bucket reaches the supply port, and discharging the articles from the timing hopper to the bucket with a timing signal from the bucket detecting means, based on a weight signal of the discharged articles, Control means is provided for controlling the closing timing of the gate of the article supply means so that the weight signal from the weight detection means becomes a target value within the movement period.

(Operation of the Invention) By adjusting the supply speed of the articles according to the difference between the finally input weight and the target value, the quantity of the articles further input after closing the gate of the article supply means is taken into consideration. Control, which allows for the supply of articles with the correct weight.

(Embodiment) Therefore, the details of the present invention will be described below based on an illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a combination weighing system using an article supply device for a bucket conveyor according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a combination weighing device, which is provided with a dispersion feeder 2 at the top, Hoppers 4, 4 # which receive articles via troughs 3, 3 # arranged radially around the
However, the weighing hoppers 5, 5 # are disposed below the weighing hoppers 5, 5 #, which are selected to have a target weight.
‥ is opened, the articles are discharged to the collecting hopper 6 below, and supplied to the packaging machine 7.

Above the dispersion feeder 2, an auxiliary feeder 9 that receives articles from a bucket conveyor 8 described below and discharges the articles to the dispersion feeder is arranged.

8 is the bucket conveyor described above,
Multiple buckets 1 on an endless chain 13 stretched over 11 and 12
4, 14, and 14 mm are mounted at a fixed pitch, and a timing hopper to be described
It is arranged to connect the auxiliary supply device 9 to the auxiliary supply device 16.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a vibratory feeder for supplying the articles to the timing hopper 16, and the discharge speed of the articles, that is, the supply speed can be changed by adjusting the amplitude of the vibration mechanism 18, and a gate 19 for stopping the discharge is provided. .

Reference numeral 16 denotes a timing hopper, and a gate 20 is provided by an electric signal.
A hopper 21 that opens and closes is attached to a weight detector 22 such as a load cell, receives an article discharged from the vibratory feeder 17, opens a gate 20 by a discharge signal from a control device described later, and opens the gate 20 to the bucket 14. Release.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the above-described control device. In the figure, reference numeral 25 denotes a control device comprising a microcomputer, which receives a signal from the weight detector 22 and a signal from a bucket arrival timing detection sensor 26. And the set value from the set value input circuit 27 are input, and the opening and closing operation of the gate 19 of the vibratory feeder 17 and the amplitude are controlled via the amplitude adjustment circuit 28 based on the flowchart described later. Has been prammed. Reference numeral 29 in the figure is a weight detector.
A weight signal processing circuit which amplifies the weight signal from 22 and converts it into a digital signal to gravity is provided. Reference numerals 30 and 31 denote gate opening / closing mechanisms provided in the vibratory feeder 17 and the timing hopper 16, respectively.

Next, the operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

The value W−ΔW = S obtained by subtracting the amount ΔW that is additionally supplied from the time point when the gate 19 of the vibrating feeder 17 is closed from the target value W as the set value at the time of closing the gate 19 is input to the set value input circuit 27. input. When the power is turned on in this state, a conveyor driving motor (not shown) operates, and the buckets 14, 14, 14 # start moving at a predetermined speed. The amplitude of the vibratory feeder 17 is set to be small because the discharge amount of articles per unit time is unknown at the beginning (Step A).

When the articles to be weighed are supplied to the vibratory feeder 17 in this state, the control device 25 opens the gate 19 of the vibratory feeder 17 to supply the articles to the timing hopper 16 at a discharge speed proportional to the amplitude ( Step b),
The weight signal from the weight detector 22 is monitored to check whether or not the weight value has reached the set value S (step c).

When one of the buckets 14, 14 # which moves in parallel with the supply operation while being less than the set value S is located below the timing hopper 16, the bucket arrival timing detection sensor
26 outputs a signal. When the signal from the sensor 26 is input (step d), the control device 25 closes the gate 19 of the vibratory feeder 17 to stop discharging the articles to the timing hopper 16, and at the same time, the gate of the timing hopper 16
20 is opened to discharge the articles to the bucket 14 (Step E). At this time, since the discharge speed of the vibratory feeder 17 is kept low, the supply of the articles is stopped below the set value, and the gate 20 of the timing hopper 16 is opened (FIG. 4). I).

When the articles are discharged from the timing hopper 16 and the gate 20 of the timing hopper 16 is closed (step
F), the control device 25 operates the vibrating feeder 17 with an amplitude larger than the amplitude at the time of the previous supply operation to set a higher discharge speed (step T), and opens the gate 19 (step T). As a result, articles are started to be supplied from the vibrating feeder 17 at a high discharge speed. In this way, the weight signal from the weight detector 22 is monitored, and when the value matches the set value S (step ri), the control device 25 closes the gate 19 of the vibratory feeder 17 and stops the supply of articles. (Step No). However, an article that has not yet been stored in the timing hopper 16 after exiting the gate 19 falls onto the timing hopper 16, and the weight of the article in the timing hopper 16 exceeds the target value W. Then, when the bucket is positioned below the timing hopper and a timing signal is output from the sensor 26 (step), the control device 25 takes in the weight signal from the weight detector 22 immediately before discharging, and then, The gate 20 is opened, and articles are put into the bucket 14 (step o) (FIG. 4, II).

After the discharge of articles from the timing hopper 16 is completed, the gate
When the shutter 20 is closed (step w), the controller 25 calculates the difference between the weight W 'of the article input immediately before ejection and the target value W. If the input amount exceeds the target value W (step f), the amplitude of the vibratory feeder 17 is changed slightly lower (step y), and the process returns to step (h) to open the gate 19. If the actual input amount is less than the target value W (step ta), the amplitude of the vibratory feeder 17 is increased in step (g), and
G) Supply the goods.

When the article is supplied from the vibratory feeder 17 by such control and the weight signal from the weight detector 22 reaches the set value S (steply), even if the gate 19 of the vibratory feeder 17 is closed. (Step nu), the part that has already exited the gate falls into the timing hopper 16, and an article matching the target value W is loaded into the timing hopper 16.

In this way, if the weight W 'at the time when the discharge of the articles from the vibratory feeder 17 is completely stopped coincides with the target value W (step ta), the vibration is performed so as to maintain the current amplitude. The expression feeder 17 is controlled (step).
As a result, articles having a weight corresponding to the target value W
Can be supplied to

The buckets 14, 14 which have received the articles are carried by the chain 13 and reach the auxiliary feeder 9, where they are turned over by the change of direction and discharge the articles to the auxiliary feeder 9. The articles discharged to the auxiliary feeder 9 are discharged to the dispersion feeder 2 and are arranged radially in the supply hopper 4.
4 °, and then to the weighing hoppers 5 and 5 °. Among the articles stored in the plurality of weighing hoppers 5,5 ‥‥, the weighing hoppers 5,5 in which the added value of each weight matches the target value
5 is selected, and only the gates of the selected weighing hoppers 5 and 5 are opened to discharge a specified amount of articles to the packaging machine 7.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
In the figure, reference numeral 40 denotes a control device including a microcomputer, to which a signal from the weight detector 22, a signal from the bucket arrival timing detection sensor 26, and a set value from the set value input circuit 41 are input. The opening and closing operation of the gate 19 of the vibratory feeder 17 and the change of the set value are programmed based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the device configured as described above will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

A value W−ΔW = S, which is obtained by subtracting the amount ΔW that is further supplied from the time when the gate 19 of the vibrating feeder 17 is closed from the target value W, as a set value, is input to the set value input circuit 41 and the bucket 14. The amplitude of the vibratory feeder 17 is fixed so that the amount that can be supplied during the moving cycle of the period exceeds the target value W.

When the articles to be weighed are supplied to the vibratory feeder 17 in this state, the control device 40 opens the gate 19 of the vibratory feeder 17 and supplies the articles to the timing hopper 16 at a discharge speed proportional to the amplitude (step I).

Then, the weight signal from the weight detector 22 is monitored, and when the value matches the set value S (step b), the control device 40 closes the gate 19 of the vibratory feeder 17 and stops the supply of the articles (step b). Step c). However, the gate
19, the articles not yet contained in the timing hopper 16 fall into the timing hopper 16 and
The weight W ′ of the articles in 16 may exceed the target value W. However, even in that case, the bucket is a timing hopper.
When a timing signal is output from the sensor 26 located below the sensor 16 (step d), the control signal 40 receives the weight signal from the weight detector 22 immediately before discharging, and then opens the gate 20 of the timing hopper 16. Then, the articles are put into the bucket 14 (step E) (FIG. 7I).

After the discharge of articles from the timing hopper 16 is completed, the gate
When step 20 is closed (step f), the control device 40 calculates the difference between the weight W 'of the actually inserted article and the target value W, and when the input amount exceeds the target value W (step t). ),
The set value S is changed to a lower value by ΔS, that is, the closing timing of the gate 19 is advanced (step). Step (a)
Return to and open the gate 19. Also, the vibration feeder 17
If the weight W 'at the time when the discharge of the articles from the apparatus completely stops is equal to the target value W (step), the vibration type feeder 17 is maintained to maintain the current target value S-ΔS.
Maintain the closing timing of the gate 19 (step
Nu). Thus, an article having a weight equal to the target value W can be supplied to the bucket 14. Further, when the actual input amount is lower than the target value W (step re) (FIG. 7 II)
I), the target value is raised by ΔS ′, that is, the closing timing of the gate 19 is delayed (stepping) to supply the articles.

The article is supplied from the vibratory feeder 17 by such control, and the weight signal from the weight detector 22 is set to the set value S-Δ
When it reaches S (step b), the vibratory feeder
Even if the gate 19 of 17 is closed (step c), an article that matches the target value W is supplied to the timing hopper 16. In this state, when a signal is output from the sensor 26 (step d), the gate 20 is opened and the article is discharged to the bucket 14 (step e) (FIG. 7, II).

In this embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a bucket conveyor for supplying articles to a combination weighing apparatus has been described as an example. However, it is apparent that a similar effect can be obtained by using a bucket conveyor in general.

In this embodiment, a position detector is provided near the timing hopper to detect the arrival time of the bucket at the timing hopper. However, the same operation can be performed by calculating based on the moving speed of the bucket. Obviously,

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, a timing hopper provided with a weight detecting means and arranged facing a supply port of a bucket conveyor and a timing hopper is arranged facing a timing hopper. Adjustable article supply means, bucket detection means for detecting when the bucket of the bucket conveyor reaches the supply port, and ejecting articles from the timing hopper to the bucket by a timing signal from the bucket detection means, Control means for controlling the discharge flow rate from the article supply means to the timing hopper so that the weight signal from the weight detection means becomes a target value within the movement period of the bucket based on the weight signal of the article. In addition to accurately controlling the discharge flow rate of the specified weight of articles to the timing hopper regardless of height, Further, the operation can be simplified by eliminating the need to determine the set value based on experience or intuition.

Further, a timing hopper provided with a weight detecting means disposed facing the supply port of the bucket conveyor, an article supply means provided with a discharge gate disposed facing the timing hopper, and a bucket of the bucket conveyor are provided. A bucket detecting means for detecting a point in time when the bucket reaches the supply port, and discharging the articles from the timing hopper to the bucket with a timing signal from the bucket detecting means, based on a weight signal of the discharged articles, Since control means for controlling the closing timing of the gate of the article supply means is provided so that the weight signal from the weight detection means becomes a target value within the movement period, supply of articles from the article supply means to the timing hopper is performed. Accurate control can be performed by the gate closing timing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an article supply device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a control device used in the same device, and FIGS. 3 and 4 show the operation of the same device. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the control device of the present invention, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are a flowchart and a timing diagram showing the operation of the device shown in FIG. 1 ... combination weighing device, 8 ... bucket conveyor 14 ... bucket 16 ... timing hopper, 17 ... vibrating feeder 19, 20 ... gate, 22 ... weight detector

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ identification symbol FI // G01G 19/387 G01G 19/387 C (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B65G 43/08 B65G 47/18 B65G 47/58 B65G 43/00

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A timing hopper provided with a weight detecting means disposed facing a supply port of a bucket conveyor; an article supply means disposed facing the timing hopper and capable of adjusting a discharge flow rate; A bucket detecting means for detecting when the bucket of the bucket conveyor reaches the supply port, and discharging the articles from the timing hopper to the bucket by a timing signal from the bucket detecting means, based on a weight signal of the discharged articles. An article for bucket conveyor, comprising: control means for controlling a discharge flow rate from the article supply means to the timing hopper so that a weight signal from the weight detection means becomes a target value within a movement period of the bucket. Feeding device. 2. A bucket conveyor having a timing hopper provided with a weight detecting means disposed facing a supply port of the bucket conveyor, an article supply means having a discharge gate disposed facing the timing hopper, and the bucket conveyor. Bucket detecting means for detecting the time when the bucket reaches the supply port, and discharge the articles from the timing hopper to the bucket with a timing signal from the bucket detecting means, based on a weight signal of the discharged articles, An article supply apparatus for a bucket conveyor, comprising: control means for controlling a closing timing of a gate of the article supply means so that a weight signal from the weight detection means becomes a target value within a movement cycle of the bucket.