JP3177217B2 - Elevator table lift control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for detecting a lifting state of a table of an elevator and controlling the lifting operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Elevators called lift tables or lifters are used in various industrial fields. There are various types of elevators ranging from large ones for lifting several tons or tens of tons of heavy objects to relatively small ones for workers to place and use predetermined materials.

The operation of the latter relatively small elevator will be described with reference to the configuration of the elevator shown in FIG. 1 showing the configuration of the present invention. Elevators are widely used in processes such as loading materials on a table by lifting and lowering an upper table (mounting table) by a drive device such as a hydraulic cylinder driven by a hydraulic motor, or sequentially removing previously loaded materials. Have been. In this case, the position of the table is moved up and down in accordance with the progress of the work of loading the material or taking out the loaded material, and the height of the loading or unloading, that is, the height of performing these operations, The work can be performed without difficulty by keeping it almost constant irrespective of the progress state.

[0004]

In the above work, the table is raised and lowered by an operator stepping on a foot switch arranged on the floor on which the elevator is installed. Naturally, this foot switch is composed of two kinds of switches, a switch for raising the table and a switch for lowering the table.

In such a conventional elevator, an operator controls the elevation of the table by stepping on the foot switch. Usually, the foot switch has an up switch and a down switch arranged adjacent to each other. It is formed as one foot switch unit.
For this reason, the switch is often erroneously depressed during the operation, and in each case, the position of the table must be readjusted by depressing another switch.

In order to solve the above problem, for example, a method of separately configuring an up switch and a down switch and disposing each switch separately so as to prevent a wrong step from being taken may be considered. Since the table is raised and lowered in parallel with the work, there is almost no room to see the foot switch. For this reason, depending on the position of each switch, the working efficiency is rather lowered. It is also conceivable that a single foot switch is used and the foot switch is used as an ascending switch in the ascending mode and as a descending switch in the ascending mode by switching between the ascending mode and the descending mode. In this way, the mistake of stepping can be prevented, but the restoration when the stepping time is inappropriate becomes troublesome. In other words, in this method, for example, if the table is raised too much due to the stepping time of the foot switch being too long in the ascending mode and it is desired to lower the table to a predetermined position, the mode is temporarily switched to the lowering mode and To lower the table to a predetermined position, and then switch to the ascending mode again, which also lowers the working efficiency.

For this reason, the arrangement height of the object is detected, and
Automatically raises the table in accordance with the progress of the
Work efficiency by always keeping the height of objects at the appropriate position
A high-Mel devices have been proposed, it has made certain achievements (real
No. 56-135998). But these devices
After completing the work, work to load a new object
It is necessary to lower the table again by the operator
Table automatically rises regardless of the speed of work
As a result, the worker is forced to work at a constant speed.
In particular, in terms of results,
There is a problem when performing the work manually.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a first structure is to automatically raise and lower a table of an elevator in accordance with the progress of work. A lifting control device that controls the elevator so that the work height at which the material is placed is always at the appropriate position.A detection unit that detects the position of the material placed on the table, and a signal from this detection unit A control unit for controlling a table elevating mechanism of the elevator, wherein a sensor for detecting an object on the table includes a unit for placing an object such as a table of the elevator.
A mechanism to detect the material is provided and rises to the sensor placement height
The control device is detected by detecting the
The main unit sends a signal to automatically lower the table.
It is a table lifting control device configured to output to a lifting mechanism .

[0009] A second configuration of the present invention is the above-mentioned table.
And a detector for detecting the position of the material placed on the
Control of the table lifting mechanism of the elevator by the signal of the
In a device having a control unit, an interface
Global setting section is provided, and a signal from the sensor is input.
After that, the time set in the interval setting section elapses.
After that, an operation signal is output to the table lifting mechanism.
Table lift control device for an elevator
It is .

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A control unit is arranged in a main body of an apparatus.
In addition, a sensor is arranged on the apparatus main body so that the height can be adjusted.
The sensor is set at a predetermined height, detects the presence or absence of an object at this height, and outputs a detection signal to the control unit. The control unit raises and lowers the table by issuing an operation signal to the table elevating mechanism of the elevator in response to this signal, so that the arrangement height of the materials on the table is always at the proper work height.

For example, considering a work in which a large number of papers are stacked in advance on a table as a material and the papers are sequentially taken out, first, the table has a height above the many stacked papers so that an operator can easily take out the papers. It is located at the lower position. When the operator removes the paper by a predetermined thickness, the sensor that has output a detection signal indicating that an object is present emits a signal indicating that there is no object. The control unit receives this signal and issues an operation signal to the table elevating mechanism of the elevator to raise the table. This ascending operation is performed until the sensor again emits a signal indicating that there is an object.
When the signal indicating the presence of the object is issued, the control unit issues a stop signal to the table elevating mechanism, and the ascent of the table stops.

At the position where the lifting of the table is stopped, the paper on the table is again placed at an appropriate work position, and the operator performs the work of taking out the paper at the same work position as the previous time. By repeating this operation sequentially, all the paper on the table is removed . If the sensor detects the table, the control device
Issue a table lowering signal to lower the table and
Prepare for mounting .

[0013] Forklift with the table at the lowest position
In addition to placing paper all at once, for example, manually
In the case where is mounted several times, the operation reverse to the above is performed. That is, the sensor does not detect an object on the table at the ascending position and nothing is placed,
In this state, when a predetermined amount of paper (material) is placed on the table, the sensor sends a signal indicating that there is an object to the control unit. In response to this signal, the control unit issues an operation signal to the table elevating mechanism of the elevator to lower the table. This lowering operation is performed until the sensor issues a signal indicating that there is no object again. When a signal indicating that there is no object is issued, the control unit issues a stop signal to the table lifting / lowering mechanism to stop lowering the table. In this state, the height of the upper end of the paper placed on the table is a height suitable for the work of placing the next bundle of paper, so the worker must manually work at the same work position as the previous time.
More paper stacking work can be performed. By repeating this operation, a predetermined amount of paper is stacked on the table and the operation is completed.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an elevator operation control apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and an elevator connected to the control apparatus. First, the outline of the configuration of the elevator to be connected to this device will be described.
The elevator itself is not different from the conventional elevator.
That is, supporting arms 52a and 52b which are oscillated by a hydraulic cylinder 51 are provided for the base 50, and an elevating table (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "table") 53 is supported by the supporting arms. Reference numeral 54 denotes a hydraulic pump for supplying a hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic cylinder 51.

Arrow 1 indicates a lifting / lowering operation control device for controlling the lifting / lowering operation of the elevator. Reference numeral 2 denotes an apparatus main body that forms the main body of the lifting / lowering operation control apparatus 1, and reference numeral 3 denotes an object detection sensor (hereinafter, simply referred to as “sensor”) that detects an object 56 placed on the table 53. The supporting member 4 is vertically fixed to the supporting member 2 and is attached so as to be adjustable in height.

The sensor 3 is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of an object at a position indicated by an arrow A1, and uses, for example, a difference in luminance between an object 56 arranged on a table 53 and a background portion of the object 56. Then, the presence or absence of the target object 56 at the position of the arrow A1 is detected. If a member 55 having a different luminance from the object 56 is attached to the side edge of the table 53, it is determined whether the detection target at the position of the arrow A1 is the object 56 or the table 53 based on the difference in luminance. Can be.

Referring to FIG. 1, for example, the object 56 is a sheet, for example, and the table 53 is lowered in advance.
A case where the bundle of sheets is used in a process of sequentially removing the bundle from the top is as follows. That is, in the case of this use example, when the sensor 3 emits a signal indicating that there is no object by sequentially removing the sheets from above, the control device 1 operates the hydraulic cylinder 51 via the hydraulic pump 54 and the sensor 3 Raises the table 53 until a signal is issued again indicating that there is an object. With this configuration, the operator can always take out the sheet at the height of A1. Therefore 56
In the mode in which the elevator is controlled to be sequentially raised, the portion indicated by 'indicates a portion that has already been removed. As described above, since A1 is the height at which the worker performs the work, the height of the sensor 3 is adjusted so that A1 becomes the height at which the individual worker can work most easily according to the height and the like of the worker. Adjust. Reference numeral 6 denotes a thumb screw serving as height adjusting means for adjusting the height of the sensor 3.

[0018] for the table 53 which nothing is placed on the opposite, for example, the control device when placing the order object 56 by hand is set in the table descent mode, the sensor 53 is subject there to Table 5 if you decide
3 will be performed by the elevator.
In this case, the portion indicated by reference numeral 56 'is the object 5
6 will be shown below.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the above device. Reference numeral 10 denotes a control unit disposed in the apparatus main body 2, and a signal from the sensor 3 is input to the control unit 10. Reference numeral 11 denotes a start switch,
A switch for activating the control device, and 12 is an ascending / descending switch, for switching between control when the elevator table 53 is raised (up mode) and control when the table 53 is lowered (down mode). Switch.

Reference numeral 13 denotes an alarm . In the present invention, the tape
In addition to the step-down control of the nozzle 53, for example , taking out an object
The equipment is set to the ascending mode according to the work
In this state, when the object 56 placed on the table 53 runs out, it is configured to detect this and automatically lower the table 53 by detecting this. In this case, the alarm 13 is provided so that the worker does not know the lowering of the table 53 and an accident in which a foot or the like is caught by the elevating machine which is performing the lowering operation does not occur .

Reference numerals 14 and 14a denote safety switches, which are provided to more thoroughly prevent the above-described accident. That is, FIG.
Is provided on the lower surface of the table 53, and when a foot of an operator comes in contact with the object or there is a foreign substance on the descending path of the table 53, the safety switch 14 operates to operate the hydraulic pump 54. It is configured to stop and prevent accidents from occurring. The safety switch denoted by reference numeral 14a has the same configuration as the safety switch described above, but is arranged on the floor surface corresponding to the lowered position of the table 53. When the operator steps on the safety switch 14a, the switch is activated and The table 53 is configured to stop descending. In the illustrated configuration, the safety switch 14 is connected to the table 5
3 are individually arranged on a part of the lower surface. For example, if a pressure-sensitive switch formed in a tape shape is continuously attached to the lower surface of the table, a wide pressure-sensitive portion is provided to further enhance safety. be able to. Reference 14a
The safety switch on the floor side indicated by is arranged continuously with respect to the floor surface, for example, at a position corresponding to the peripheral portion of the table 53.

Reference numeral 15 denotes an interval setting unit. The interval setting unit 15 is for setting an interval for issuing a descending or rising signal of the table 53 after a lapse of a predetermined time (interval) after receiving a signal from the sensor 3. For example, if the sensor 3 receives the signal indicating the presence of the object 56 on the table 53 and immediately lowers the table 53 during the control of the table lowering mode, the table 53 may be lowered during the removal of the object 56 in some cases. Inconvenience such as may occur. In this case, if the interval is set to, for example, 3 seconds or 5 seconds, the table 53 does not descend during this interval, so that there is no inconvenience in work. Reference numeral 16 denotes a clock circuit which issues a signal to a pump operation switch described later at intervals set by the interval setting unit 15. Further, a delay circuit may be used instead of the clock circuit.

Reference numeral 54S denotes a switch for operating a hydraulic pump 54 for supplying hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic cylinder 51.
The signal of the safety switch 14 acts to cut off the operation signal output from the pump operation switch 54S.

Next, an operation state of the control device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. First, FIG. 3 shows an operation state in a rising mode in which work is performed while sequentially raising the table 53. When the ascending mode is used, it is used for, for example, an operation of sequentially removing a large number of stacked sheets from above.

The table 53 has been lowered in advance, and an object is loaded and placed on the table 53 in the lowered state.
After turning on the start switch 11 in this state, the ascending mode is set by the ascending / decreasing switch 12 (S
A1). When the sensor 3 does not detect the target 56 on the table, the sensor 53 raises the table 53 until the target 56 is detected (SA2, SA3). When the table 53 is stopped, the interval that allows for the working time is set in advance by the interval setting unit 15, so that the table 53 is stopped during this time regardless of the presence or absence of the detection signal of the sensor 3 (SA4, SA5). .

Normally, the take-out work is completed within this interval, but the work may be stopped for some reason. Therefore, if the sensor 3 detects the target object 56 even after the elapse of the interval, the table maintains the stopped state (SA6, SA4). If the sensor 3 emits a signal indicating that the target 56 is not detected, the table 53 is raised (SA7), and the process is repeated by performing a take-out operation (SA8).

On the other hand, if the sensor 3 detects the table 53 , this means that the object 56 has disappeared from the table 53. Therefore, after an alarm is issued by the alarm 13 to notify that the elevator is going down. Table 53 at the bottom
To prepare for the next sheet loading operation. By providing the above-mentioned safety switch 14, it is possible to more reliably prevent an accident when the table 53 is automatically lowered.

FIG. 4 shows an operation state in a lowering mode in which the work is performed while the table 53 is sequentially lowered. When the descending mode is used, for example, it is used for the operation of sequentially stacking sheets on the table 53.

The lowering mode is set by the raising / lowering switch 12 (SB1). The table 53 is set in advance at a height at which an object can be easily placed, that is, near the height of A1 in FIG. 1 (SB2). In this state, the loading operation of the object to the table 53 is started. When the sensor 3 detects the target 56 on the table 53, the target 5
The table 53 is stopped at the ascending position until SB 6 is no longer detected (SB2, SB3). Since the interval in which the loading work time is estimated in advance is set by the interval setting unit 15, the table 53 is stopped during this time regardless of the presence or absence of the detection signal of the sensor 3 (SB4, SB4).
SB2).

As in the case of the unloading operation, the loading operation is usually completed within this interval, but the operation may be stopped for some reason. In the case of the descending mode, first, it is determined whether or not a set time (interval) has elapsed, and then, after the set time has elapsed, it is determined again whether the table operation (ascending) operation is appropriate based on the detection signal of the sensor. ing. In the descent mode, it is possible to perform the descent operation of the table by the same flow, but in the flow of FIG. 4, another flow is shown in this respect.

That is, first, the determination of the presence or absence of the object 56 is preceded by the sensor 3, and if there is no object 56, the table is stopped as it is (SB2). If the sensor 3 has issued a signal for detecting the object 56, the elapse of the interval is determined at this time (SB4). If the interval has elapsed, the table 53 is kept until the sensor 3 issues a signal indicating that the object 56 has not been detected. Descend (SB5, SB6, SB
7). This operation is repeated until, for example, the table 53 is at the lowest position (SB8). When the table 53 is located at the lowest position, the alarm device 13 prevents the above-mentioned accident from occurring.
(SB9). When the table raising mode and the lowering mode are viewed in the bookbinding process, it can be used when sequentially printing a large number of pages called printing paper on a sheet of paper in the next cutting process or folding process,
Further, in the table lowering mode, booklets called signatures, which have completed the folding process, can be sequentially stacked on the table and used for a process of sending out to the next collating process.

[0032]

As described above, the present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically raising and lowering a table in response to the detection of an object on the table by a sensor .
When the object is gone, the table automatically lowers and the object
Can be handled next loading.

In addition, the sensor signal is set in advance.
The rise and fall of the table with a fixed interval
Especially for manual removal of objects or
When loading, the worker is forced to
Work at your own working speed
It works.

Further, since the table elevating mechanism of the elevator is operated by the signal output from the apparatus, the elevator can be controlled only by connecting the signal output means of the apparatus such as a cable to the table elevating mechanism. Therefore, it can be easily connected to an existing elevator as well as an elevator that is newly shipped from a factory, and can be widely used regardless of whether the elevator is new or old.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a lift and a device of the present invention showing a connection state of the device of the present invention to the lift.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation state of the present invention and showing an operation state of the apparatus of the present invention in a table ascending mode.

FIG. 4 shows another example of the operation state of the present invention,
It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement state of this invention apparatus in the descent mode of a table.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Table lifting control device of elevator 2 Device main body 3 Sensor 4 Support member 10 Control unit 11 Start switch 12 Up / down switching switch 13 Alarm 14 Safety switch (table side installation) 14a Safety switch (floor side installation) 15 Interval setting unit 16 Clock 51 Hydraulic cylinder 53 (for mounting object) Table 54 Hydraulic pump 56 Object

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A table on which an object is placed is moved up and down.
Controls the table lifting mechanism of the elevator configured to move
And an object detection sensor that is
Means for issuing a command signal to the table elevating mechanism of the disembarkation
The presence or absence of the object placed on the table
Sensors detect objects on the table
The height of the table so that the working height
Control device that automatically adjusts
The connected sensor has a mechanism to detect objects on the table
In addition, a mechanism for detecting the table of the elevator is provided, and by detecting the table that has risen to the height at which the sensor is disposed, the control device body automatically sends a signal for automatically lowering the table.
Elevator table elevation control apparatus characterized by being configured to output the table lifting mechanism. 2. A table on which an object is placed is moved up and down.
Controls the table lifting mechanism of the elevator configured to move
And an object detection sensor that is
Means for issuing a command signal to the table elevating mechanism of the disembarkation
The presence or absence of the object placed on the table
Sensors detect objects on the table
The height of the table so that the working height
In the control device that automatically adjusts, the control device main body is provided with an interval setting unit, and after the signal from the sensor is input, the table elevating mechanism operates after the time set by the interval setting unit elapses A table lift control device for an elevator, wherein a signal is output. 3. A drive source of the elevator table lifting mechanism is a hydraulic mechanism, a command signal of the elevator is characterized by being configured so as to be fed to the hydraulic pump for supplying hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic cylinder according to claim 1 or 2 A table elevating control device for the elevator according to the above. Wherein the apparatus body is alarm connected, the temperature according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by being configured to emit an alarm when the automatic lifting of the table after the end of work <br / > Elevating table elevating control device. 5. The apparatus main body is provided with an ascending / descending switching means for switching between an ascending mode and a descending mode, and configured to control the table to descend or ascend sequentially according to the type of work. The table lift control device for an elevator according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein: 6. A circuit configuration in which a safety switch is provided on at least one of the lower surface of the table of the elevator and the floor surface corresponding to the lowered position of the table, and when the switch is operated when the table is lowered, the lowering of the table is stopped. The table lift control device for an elevator according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein: