JP3411831B2 - Sorting method and 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 sorting method and apparatus applied to a stacking / arranging process for articles such as bottles and cans of a packaging machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional bottle sorting device is shown in FIG.
It will be described with reference to FIGS. When the round bottle 1a (see FIG. 14) and the square bottle 1b (see FIG. 15) are packed in a box, for example, the following method is used. That is, as shown in FIG. 16, a group of bottles 1 flowing in one row is sorted into a group of bottles 2 having a predetermined number of rows by a sorting device 10 and then accumulated in a group of bottles 3 of a predetermined number. After that, the bottle group 3 is filled in the box 6 by the filling device 5. Then, when the lid is closed, the boxed product 7 is completed.

As shown in FIG. 17, the sorting device 10 is a device mainly used for round bottles 1. A method in which the bottles 1 flowing in one row are introduced from the transport guide 11 to the loop portion 15 and sequentially regulated by the sorting guide 17 while being regulated by the fixed guide 16 and sorted into six rows such as rows 17a to 17f. Has been adopted.
In the case of such a system, relatively good distribution is possible with the round bottle 1a, but there is a drawback that the bottle 1b having a quadrangle other than the round shape or the polygonal bottle 1b tends to be clogged. Further, in the pool portion 15, the pressure (line pressure) of the bottle itself acts, so that in the case of a bottle manufactured from a soft material such as a PET bottle, the bottle may be deformed or damaged, which causes a problem. Occur.

As an example of a distribution device that solves this problem, there is a device called a star wheel system as shown in FIG. In this method, the transport guide 11
The bottles 1 flowing in a row by
When the (star wheel) rotates, it is sorted into two rows and transported to the transport guides 23 and 24. Each star wheel 20 has a pushing projection 21 and a receiving depression 2
2 and are provided. In the pair of star wheels 20, since the convex portions 21 and the concave portions 22 are arranged alternately, the convex and concave portions are divided into two rows. Further, as shown in FIG. 19, by arranging such star wheels in multiple stages and arranging the star wheels 20A and 20B, the bottles 1 in one row can be sorted into two rows and further into four rows. .

[0005]

In the case of this star wheel method, although the bottles can be distributed without being affected by the outer shape of the bottle 1, clogging or collapse due to deformation of the bottle due to line pressure occurs. easy. Therefore, it is necessary to separate the group of bottles 1 on the upstream side so that the line pressure does not act. In addition, the behavior of the bottle 1 to the left and right in the star wheel is severe, which makes it difficult to increase the speed. The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and even for plastic bottles that are easily deformed by line pressure or the like, or easily fallen down during transportation, by controlling the line pressure, stable distribution at high speed is possible. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a highly reliable distribution method and device.

[0006]

Sorting device according to the present invention SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION has been made to solve the above problems, distributed bottles flowing from upstream by the upstream supply conveyor, the articles such as cans in a plurality of rows Sorting section and objects
Consists of two sensors that are arranged offset in the product flow direction
A first count sensor, which counts the number of passing articles at a predetermined position of the upstream supply conveyor
And counting sensors, and staggered in the flow direction of the article
Is a second count sensor consisting of two sensors
The Te, a second count sensor for counting the number of the captured article in the sorting unit, together with the obtaining the number of articles between the first count sensor and said second count counting result from both the count sensors of the sensor The first count sensor is provided with a speed command calculation unit that calculates a distribution speed based on the number of pieces, a motor that drives the distribution unit, and a motor control unit that controls the motor according to the distribution speed. In the direction of flow
One of the above two sensors is not detected
The other sensor can detect
The upstream sensor of the above two sensors is ON.
When the downstream sensor changes from OFF to ON in the state
Adds 1 to the count value and the upstream sensor is ON.
In that state, the downstream sensor changes from ON to OFF.
If the count value is decreased by 1, the second count
The above two sensors that make up the sensor and are offset in the flow direction
Is an article that one sensor is detecting with the other sensor.
Of the above two sensors
When the upstream sensor is ON, the downstream sensor is
When changing from OFF to ON, add 1 to the count value.
If the upstream sensor is ON, the downstream
If the sensor changes from ON to OFF, from the count value
It is to reduce one .

The distribution device according to the present invention is arranged such that articles such as bottles and cans are arranged on the inlet side and the outlet side of a certain section of an upstream supply conveyor which flows from the upstream side, and counts the number of passing articles respectively. Sensor and second
Of the count sensor, speed command calculation means for calculating the number of articles in the certain section from the count result of the count sensor and calculating the speed of the upstream supply conveyor based on the number, and driving the upstream supply conveyor A motor and a motor control unit that controls the motor according to the speed, wherein the first count sensor is
It consists of two sensors that are staggered in the flow direction.
Two sensors are used to detect the articles detected by one sensor
One of the sensors can detect at the same time.
Downstream with one of the sensors on the upstream side is ON
Counts when the sensor on the side changes from OFF to ON
Add 1 to the value, and if the upstream sensor is ON,
If the sensor on the downstream side changes from ON to OFF,
The count value is decremented by 1, and the second count sensor is
It consists of two sensors that are arranged to be offset in the flow direction of the article.
The two sensors are the objects detected by one sensor
The other sensor can detect the product at the same time,
The upstream sensor of the above two sensors is ON
If the sensor on the downstream side changes from OFF to ON with
1 is added to the und value and the upstream sensor is ON
When the downstream sensor changes from ON to OFF
Also includes subtracting 1 from the count value .

[0008]

Further, a detection sensor for detecting the amount of articles accumulated on the upstream supply conveyor is provided in the first count sensor.
It provided between the support and the second count sensor, and based on the detection result of the detection sensor is configured to correct the article number between the first count sensor and the second count sensor Is also good.

The sorting method according to the present invention is one of the upstream supply conveyors for supplying articles from the upstream to the sorting section.
Install two sensors on the entry side of the fixed section in the flow direction of the article.
The sensor detected by one sensor to the other sensor
However, the first count cell configured to detect simultaneously
And place two sensors on the exit side of the above-mentioned fixed section.
One sensor detects by shifting the sensor in the flow direction of the article
The other sensor at the same time
The second count sensor configured in
One of the two sensors is ON and the other sensor is
When changing from OFF to ON, add 1 to the count value.
If the one sensor is ON, the other sensor is ON.
If changes from ON to OFF, increment the count value by 1.
Counting the number of passing items by reducing
Then, from the count result, the number of articles in the certain section
Determined, based on the number of the article, and calculates the distribution rate of the articles in the sorting unit, by controlling the motor for driving the distributing section from this calculation result, the number of the upstream side of the reservoir articles of the sorting unit Was kept below a predetermined value. With the configuration as this, the reliability of the distribution increases.

The distribution method according to the present invention is one of the upstream supply conveyors for supplying articles from the upstream to the distribution section.
Install two sensors on the entry side of the fixed section in the flow direction of the article.
The sensor detected by one sensor to the other sensor
However, the first count cell configured to detect simultaneously
And place two sensors on the exit side of the above-mentioned fixed section.
One sensor detects by shifting the sensor in the flow direction of the article
The other sensor at the same time
The second count sensor configured in
One of the two sensors is ON and the other sensor is
When changing from OFF to ON, add 1 to the count value.
If the one sensor is ON, the other sensor is ON.
If changes from ON to OFF, increment the count value by 1.
Counting the number of passing items by reducing
Then, from the count result, the number of articles in the certain section
Calculated flow based on the number of the article, and calculates the speed of the upstream feed conveyor, by controlling the motor for driving the upstream feed conveyor from the calculation result, the reservoir article and upstream on the upstream supply conveyor It also includes setting the speed difference with the incoming goods to be a predetermined value or less. With the configuration as this, the reliability of the distribution increases.

The present invention can be applied to the case where a plurality of upstream supply conveyors are configured.

The most preferable means is as follows. The numbers in parentheses correspond to the numbers shown in the attached FIGS. 1 to 13. That is, articles such as bottles and cans flowing from the upstream side are supplied to the sorting section by a plurality of variable-speed supply conveyors arranged from the upstream side to the sorting section, and the sorting section has two or more rows. In a sortable variable sorter, a count sensor (31) for counting the number of articles placed on the upstream supply conveyor and a count sensor (29) for counting the number of articles taken in the sorter
And the speed command calculation means (80) for calculating the number of articles between the two sensors from these two sets of sensor input values and calculating the speed of the sorting apparatus according to this number, and the calculated speed command value. The motor control means (81) for driving the motor and the motor (M1C) for driving the sorting device that can be driven by this motor control means are used, and the number of accumulated articles on the upstream side of the sorting device is within the specified value. To suppress line pressure.

Further, count sensors (27) and (28) arranged on the inlet side and the outlet side of a certain section on the upstream conveyor for counting the number of articles entering and exiting such as bottles and cans, and the sensor input values of these two sets. From the number of articles in the fixed section from, from the speed command calculation means (80) to calculate the speed of a plurality of upstream supply conveyor according to this number, and drive the motor according to the speed command value obtained A motor control means (81) and a plurality of variable speed upstream supply conveyors driven by the motor control means are provided, and articles flowing from the upstream side with respect to articles accumulated by pressing on the conveyor are The upstream supply conveyor speed is controlled so that the speed difference at the time of collision becomes a speed at which the articles do not fall.

In the case of the above construction, the count sensors (27) (28) (2) for counting the number of articles flowing on the conveyor.
9) In (31), two count sensors are arranged at the same place, and when one sensor A is ON and the other sensor B is changed from OFF to ON, the count value is increased by +1.
Similarly, when the sensor A is in the ON state and the sensor B is changed from the ON state to the OFF state, the count value is decremented by 1 to prevent the count error due to the chattering of the sensor or the shake of the article. good.

Further, in the case of the above construction, a plurality of article accumulation amount detection sensors are arranged on the upstream side of the sorting apparatus,
The count number of articles between the two sets of entering / leaving number counting sensors (31) (29) may be corrected according to the detection state of the accumulation amount detecting sensor.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, a first embodiment and a second embodiment of a distribution method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the distribution device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the upstream portion of the star wheel 30 and the downstream portion thereof (distribution device body 45).
We will explain each separately. In addition, the basic configuration of the present embodiment is separation by the star wheel 30 and a distribution device main body by a pusher, and line pressure control by speed control of the conveyor and the distribution device.

First, the downstream portion of the star wheel 30 (sorting device body 45) will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 1, the bottle 1 flows from the star wheel 30 in the direction of arrow A. As shown in FIG. 1, on the downstream side of the star wheel 30, a bottle carrying conveyor 35 is arranged. Two pusher drive conveyors 4 are installed side by side with the bottle transfer conveyor 35.
2 are provided. Each pusher drive conveyor 42
The pusher driving gears 40 are wound around each. The bottle transporting conveyor 35 and each pusher driving conveyor 42 are arranged such that the transporting directions are parallel to each other. The bottle transporting conveyor 35 and the two pusher driving conveyors 42 both rotate at the same speed. A plurality of pushers 41 are provided at predetermined intervals on the conveyor 42 so as to pass between the two pusher drive conveyors 42. The sorting pusher 41 is configured to be able to project in the direction of the bottle transporting conveyor 35 (the depth direction in the drawing). Then, as it goes to the downstream side (right side in the drawing), the distribution pusher 41 that has come to the upper surface side gradually projects, and when it passes a certain point, it is buried in reverse. On the lower surface side, the distribution pusher 41 does not project. The star wheel 30, the bottle transporting conveyor 35, and the pusher driving gear 40 are driven by the motor M1C.

With such a structure, the distribution device main body 45 functions as follows. The continuously flowing bottles 1 are separated by the star wheel 30 at a predetermined pitch P as shown in FIG. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 1, the sorting pushers 41 sort the sheets from one row to two rows. The distribution pusher 41 is a pusher rail guide (not shown).
Slide out, push out bottle 1, and then move backward.

Next, the first part of the present invention, which is the main part of the present invention,
The upstream side portion of the star wheel 30 in the distribution device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 11. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the bottle 1 is indicated by an arrow A.
Direction, that is, from the right side to the left side in the figure.
Vc is the conveyor speed. As shown in FIG. 4, an upstream conveyor 49 is arranged on the upstream side of the bottle carrying conveyor 35. This upstream conveyor 49
Between the bottle transporting conveyor 35 and the bottle transporting conveyor 35, the supply speed control conveyors 50, 51, 52, 5 are sequentially arranged from the upstream side to the downstream side.
3, 54, 55 are arranged. These conveyors 4
Each of 9 to 55 is provided so as to be shifted so as to be partially adjacent to another conveyor arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the conveyor. That is, the downstream end of the upstream conveyor 49 is arranged adjacent to the upstream end of the supply speed control conveyor 50. This supply speed control conveyor 50
The downstream end of the feed speed control conveyor 51 is arranged adjacent to the upstream end of the feed speed control conveyor 51. This supply speed control conveyor 5
The downstream end of No. 1 is arranged adjacent to the upstream end of the supply speed control conveyor 52. The downstream end of the supply speed control conveyor 52 is arranged adjacent to the upstream end of the supply speed control conveyor 53. The downstream end of the supply speed control conveyor 53 is arranged adjacent to the upstream end of the supply speed control conveyor 54. The downstream end of the supply speed control conveyor 54 is arranged adjacent to the upstream end of the supply speed control conveyor 55. The downstream side end of the supply speed control conveyor 55 has a bottle conveying conveyor 35.
It is located adjacent to.

A guide 60 is provided downstream from the upstream conveyor 49. The guide 60 is composed of a pair of parallel plates. The guide 60 has, on each conveyor, a portion parallel to the conveyor conveying direction. Also,
It also has a portion (connection portion) that is inclined with respect to each conveyor transport direction. By this connecting portion, a bottle carrying path is formed between the conveyors arranged so as to be offset with respect to the respective conveyor carrying directions. Therefore, the bottle 1 is supplied from the upstream conveyor 49 to the adjacent supply speed control conveyors 5
0 to 55, and can transfer to the bottle transfer conveyor 35 one after another. In this way, the bottle 1 is conveyed from the upstream conveyor 49 to the star wheel 30 along the guide 60.

The upstream conveyor 49 is driven by a motor M10F. The supply speed control conveyor 50 is driven by a motor M6F. The supply speed control conveyor 51 is driven by the motor M5F. The supply speed control conveyor 52 is driven by a motor M4F. The supply speed control conveyor 53 is driven by the motor M3F. The supply speed control conveyor 54 is driven by the motor M2F. The supply speed control conveyor 55 is driven by the motor M1F. The bottle carrying conveyor 35 is driven by a motor M1C (see FIG. 2). In this way, each conveyor 49-55, 3
5 are motors M1F to M6F and M10 which are independent from each other.
It is driven by F and M1C. That is, each conveyor 4
The driving sources of 9 to 55 and 35 are separate and independent.

Next, various sensors will be described with reference to FIGS.
Will be explained. The sensors are count sensors 27, 28, 29, 31 for counting the number of bottles 1 and detection sensors 61, 62, 63, 6 for detecting the presence / absence of the bottle 1.
It can be roughly divided into four. First, the former (count sensor 27-
29, 31) will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the count sensor 27 is provided on the transport surface of the upstream conveyor 49 and detects the bottle 1 flowing along the guide 60. The count sensor 28 is a supply speed control conveyor 51.
The bottle 1 is provided on the conveyance surface of and detects the bottle 1 flowing along the guide 60. The count sensor 29 is provided in the vicinity of the star wheel 30, and detects the bottle 1 separated by the star wheel 30. FIG. 3 (a) or FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the count sensor 31 is provided on the conveyance surface of the supply speed control conveyor 50 at a position separated from the star wheel 30 by a distance L1 on the upstream side, and the guide 60 is provided.
The bottle 1 flowing along is detected. Each of these count sensors 27 to 29, 31 is an optical sensor and is composed of a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion for receiving the light. Each of the count sensors 27 to 29, 31 is provided with two sets of these light emitting section and light receiving section (see A and B at the end of each reference numeral in FIGS. 3 and 4). Each count sensor 27-2
The light emitting surfaces of the light emitting portions 9 and 31 and the light receiving surface of the light receiving portion are arranged so as to face each other with each conveyor interposed therebetween. The light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are arranged so that the light from the light emitting unit is orthogonal to the conveyor conveying direction.

When the bottle 1 is not on the optical path of each count sensor 27-29, 31 that crosses over each conveyor 49-51, the light of the light emitting portion is directly received by the light receiving portion.
When the bottle 1 is on the optical path, the light of the light emitting portion is blocked by the bottle 1 and is not received by the light receiving portion. In this way, the number of bottles 1 supplied is counted. As shown in FIG. 3B, FIG. 5 or FIG. 7B, the count sensors 27 to 29, 31 are located slightly above and count by the neck portion of the bottle 1. Since the detection is performed with a narrow neck, it is possible to count the number of bottles more accurately.

As described above, each count sensor 27-
Two sets of 29 and 31 are provided (see FIG. 7). That is, the count sensor 27 is the sensor 27A.
The count sensor 28 includes a sensor 28A and a sensor 28B, the count sensor 29 includes a sensor 29A and a sensor 29B, and the count sensor 31 includes a sensor 31A and a sensor 31B. As a representative of the count sensors 27 to 29 and 31, the count sensor 27 will be described below with reference to FIG.
As shown in, after the sensor 27A detects the bottle 1,
The sensor 27B detects the bottle 1. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8, in chattering (contact jump) when the sensor 27B rises, increment (+1) and decrement (-1) are repeated, but only +1 is finally counted. When chattering occurs when the sensor 27B falls, the sensor 27A turns off.
Since it is FF, the count value does not change. Further, for example, when the bottle 1 hits another bottle 1 located in the front in the transport direction and rebounds, the sensor 27A and the sensor 2
It will make a round trip between 7B. Normally (at the time of forward), the sensor 27A detects the bottle 1, and then the sensor 27B detects the bottle 1, but at the time of rebound (return), the sensor 27B detects the bottle 1, and then the sensor 27A Detect bottle 1. Observing the sensor waveform in this case, when the sensor normally passes (forward), the count is incremented (+) as shown in (a) of FIG.
1) is performed, but the count is decremented (-1) as shown in (b) of FIG.
And keeps the normal count value. As described above, when one sensor (for example, the sensor 27A) is in the ON state and the other sensor (for example, the sensor 27B) is ON, the count value is increased / decreased by the count sensor 27 to A count error due to chattering of 29 and 31 or bouncing of the bottle 1 is prevented.

Each count sensor 27-29, 31
In the above, the two light emitting units are arranged on the right side in the conveyor carrying direction at predetermined intervals, and the two light receiving units are arranged on the left side in the conveyor carrying direction at the predetermined intervals. Further, the two light emitting portions of each of the count sensors 27 to 29, 31 are not arranged alternately, but are arranged on the same side, and the two light receiving portions corresponding thereto are arranged on the opposite side. Has been done.

Next, the latter (detection sensors 61 to 64) will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the detection sensors 61 to 6
4 are provided on the transport surfaces of the supply speed control conveyors 52 to 54, respectively. The detection sensors 61 to 64 are provided along the guide 60 from the upstream side to the downstream side in this order at predetermined substantially equal intervals. The detection sensors 61 to 64 detect the bottle 1 flowing along the guide 60. The detection sensors 61 to 64 are arranged below the count sensors 27 to 29, 31 and detect the body of the bottle 1 (see (b) of FIG. 3). This can be performed more accurately because the amount of accumulation is detected at the thickest body of the bottle 1. Each of the detection sensors 61 to 64 is an optical sensor, and is composed of a light emitting / receiving unit that has both a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and a reflecting unit that reflects the light. Each of the detection sensors 61 to 64 includes a pair of a light emitting / receiving unit and a reflecting unit. The light emitting / receiving surface of the light emitting / receiving section and the reflecting surface of the reflecting section are arranged to face each other with the supply speed control conveyors 52 to 54 interposed therebetween.
As the light of the light emitting and receiving section is orthogonal to the conveyor conveying direction,
A light emitting / receiving section and a reflecting section are arranged. Each detection sensor 6 that the bottle 1 crosses over the supply speed control conveyors 52 to 54
When not on the optical path of 1 to 64, the light of the light emitting / receiving unit is
The light is reflected by the reflecting section and received by the light emitting / receiving section. When the bottle 1 is on the optical path, the light of the light emitting / receiving unit is reflected by the side surface of the bottle 1 instead of the reflecting unit. In this way, the detection sensors 61 to 64 detect the presence or absence of the bottle 1 on the supply speed control conveyors 52 to 54. This detection sensor 61-
Utilizing the detection result of 64, the supply speed control conveyor 52
It is possible to confirm the amount of the bottle 1 accumulated above 54.
It should be noted that the light emitting / receiving sections of the respective detection sensors 61 to 64 are all arranged on the same side (right side in the conveyer transport direction), and the reflecting section corresponding thereto is arranged on the opposite side.

Next, the electrical connection between the above-mentioned components will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure,
Count sensors 27 to 29, 31 and detection sensor 61
To 64 are electrically connected to the speed command calculation means 80 (the count sensor 26 will be described in a second embodiment described later). Also, the motors M1C, M1F to M6
F and M10F are electrically connected to the motor control means 81, respectively. The motor control means 81 is electrically connected to the speed command calculation means 80. The detection results of the count sensors 27 to 29, 31 and the detection sensors 61 to 64 are transmitted to the speed command calculation means 80, respectively.
The speed command calculation means 80 calculates a speed command value by a predetermined method (described later) based on the received detection result. The speed command calculation means 80 outputs the calculation result as an analog signal to the motor control means 81 for the motor M1C. Further, motor control means 81 for the motors M1F to M6F and M10F.
Then, the calculation result is passed as a digital signal. Based on this, each motor control means 81 uses the motors M1C, M1F to M6.
F and M10F are controlled respectively. In this way, the rotation speeds of the star wheel 30, the bottle conveying conveyor 35, the pusher driving gear 40, and the conveyors 49 to 55, 35 are controlled.

Next, a control method for sorting bottles will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. This control method will be described separately for the distribution device speed calculation logic (see FIG. 10) and the upstream conveyor speed calculation logic (see FIG. 11) during automatic operation. First, the former (sorting device speed calculation logic) will be described with reference to FIG. Count value of the count sensor 31 (CNT1
f) is read (step 101). Then, the count value (CNT2f) of the count sensor 29 is read (step 102). From these count values, the number X1 (t) of bottles 1 being conveyed by the conveyor (distance L1) on the upstream side of the sorting apparatus main body 45 is calculated. That is, X1 (t) = CNT1f−CNT2f is obtained (step 103). The correct number X1 (t) of bottles on the conveyor is confirmed by the cooperation of the count sensors 29 and 31. The distribution device speed (speed of the star wheel 30) Vf1 (t) is calculated from the value of X1 (t). That is, Vf1 (t) = k1 × (X1 (t) −X
p1) (step 104). Distributor main body 45 drive motor M according to the number of bottles counted
Calculate the speed command for 1C. Here, k1 is a predetermined coefficient, and Xp1 (see (a) of FIG. 3) is the target number of pools. The calculated Vf1 (t) value is used as the motor control means 81.
To the speed command value (step 105),
It returns to step 101 again. This process is performed every sampling time. Thus, the speed command value is updated in real time, and the distribution device speed is controlled so that the pool length Lp1 of the bottle 1 within the distance L1 is always constant (see (a) of FIG. 3 or FIG. 5). It is possible to keep the sorting device at a high speed.

Next, the latter (upstream conveyor speed calculation logic) will be described with reference to FIG. The count value (CNT1c) of the count sensor 27 is read (step 111). Then, the count value (CNT2c) of the count sensor 28 is read (step 112). From these count values, the number Xc (t) of bottles 1 conveyed between the count sensors is calculated. That is,
Xc (t) = CNT1c-CNT2c is calculated (step 113). The conveyor reference speed Vccmd (t) is calculated from the value of Xc (t). That is, Vcc
It is determined by md (t) = kc × Xc (t) (step 114). Here, the conveyor reference speed Vccmd (t)
Is 100 when bottle 1 flows at the theoretical maximum capacity.
It is what kc is a predetermined coefficient. Based on the calculated value of Vccmd (t) and the speed table shown in Table 1, the upstream conveyor 49 and the supply speed control conveyor 5
A speed of 0 to 55 is obtained (step 115). Speed command values for the drive motors M1F to M6F and M10F of the conveyors 49 to 55 are calculated according to the number of bottles counted.

[Table 1] Each value of the obtained speed is output to the motor control means 81 as a speed command value (step 116), and the process returns to step 111 again. This process is performed every sampling time. In this way, the speed command value is updated in real time, and each conveyor 49 to 55 can be maintained at the optimum speed. Note that V1, V2, V3, V4, and V5 in Table 1 are parameters.

Further, during operation, the count value for distribution control may not match the actual value due to an erroneous count. In this case, when the specified time elapses after the distribution count does not change, 4 A method of correcting the count value can be adopted depending on the detection states of the individual bottle accumulation amount detection sensors 61 to 64. In the present embodiment, the four detection sensors 61 to 6
Although 4 is used, this number can be changed if necessary. Further, the installation position can be appropriately set to an optimum place.

In this way, the number of bottles flowing on the upstream conveyor is counted, the amount of bottles accumulated on the conveyor is grasped, and the speed control of the distribution device main body 45 and the plurality of conveyors 49 to 55 on the upstream side is performed, respectively. The number Xp1 of bottles 1 in the pool length Lp1, which is stored by being pushed to the upstream side of the star wheel 30 during the distribution operation, is regulated. Therefore, the speed at the time of bottle collision can be controlled to a speed that does not cause the bottle to fall, the smooth flow of the bottle 1 can be maintained, stable distribution can be performed, and high speed can be achieved. By the control method as described above, the supply amount of the bottle 1 and the speed at the time of collision of the bottle 1 can be controlled, and the pool length Lp1 of the bottle 1 stopped by the star wheel 30 can be constantly controlled to a constant value. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the bottle from being deformed or tilted due to the line pressure, and to prevent clogging or falling. here,
In the distribution device main body 45 having the above-described configuration, when high-speed distribution of a pet bottle or the like is performed, the line pressure of the bottle 1 accumulated by pressing the upstream of the distribution device causes
Clogging in the sorting device due to bottle deformation, tilt, etc.
Problems such as falls occur. However, if a plastic bottle containing 500 ml is distributed as the bottle 1 using this control method, it becomes possible to operate at a high speed of 1200 or more per minute. Although the bottle 1 is described in the present embodiment, this control method can also be applied to other items flowing on the conveyor, such as cans, boxes, and cups.

Next, a distribution device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, one distribution device body 45 and two distribution device bodies 46 are provided on the downstream side. Star wheels 30 and 30 ′ are arranged on the upstream sides of the distribution device bodies 45 and 46, respectively. In the distribution device main body 45, the bottles 1 sequentially supplied from the star wheel 30 are distributed from one row to two rows. The distributed bottles 1 are separated by the star wheel 30 at a predetermined pitch (see FIG. 2). In each of the parallel sorting device main bodies 46, each of the one row that has been sorted into two rows is sorted into three rows. In this way, the sorting device main bodies 45 and 46 perform sorting from one row to two rows and further from two rows to six rows (a, b, c, d, e, f). The distribution device main body 46 employs a pusher system (see FIG. 1), and can be distributed from one row to three rows by changing the slide amount of the pusher. Here, the distribution speed of the distribution device main body 46 is half the value of the distribution device main body 45.

In this embodiment, the distribution device main body 46 is provided on the downstream side of the distribution device main body 45 in the first embodiment.
It has a configuration in which, etc. are added. Hereinafter, this added configuration will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the bottle 1 flows in the direction of arrow A, that is, from right to left in the figure. Vc is the conveyor speed. As shown in (a) of the figure, on the downstream side of the distribution device main body 45, a bottle supply conveyor 70 is provided following the bottle transfer conveyor 35. Bottle conveyor 3
The downstream end of 5 is connected to the upstream end of the bottle supply conveyor 70. The bottles 1 (see (b) in the figure) sorted by the sorting apparatus main body 45 are transported from the bottle transport conveyor 35 to the bottle supply conveyor 70, and are supplied to the sorting apparatus main body 46. As shown in FIG.
The bottle supply conveyor 70 is driven by motors M7F and M8F. The distribution device body 46 is a motor M.
It is driven by 2C. The star wheel 30 ′ of the distribution device body 46 is arranged so as to be separated from the star wheel 30 of the distribution device body 45 by a distance L2. That is, the distance between the star wheels is L2.

A count sensor 26 is provided near the star wheel 30 of the distribution device body 46.
The count sensor 26 detects the bottle 1 separated by the star wheel 30. Count sensor 26
Like the count sensors 27 to 29, 31, is an optical sensor and includes two sets of sensors. Note that the count sensor 29 is the same as in the first embodiment, so description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIG. 6, the count sensor 2
6 is electrically connected to the speed command calculation means 80. Further, the motors M7F, M8F and M2C are
Similar to 1C and the like, it is electrically connected to the speed command calculation means 80 via the motor control means 81.

The detection result of the count sensor 26 is transmitted to the speed command calculation means 80. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, the detection result of the count sensor 29 is also transmitted to the speed command calculation means 80. Speed command calculation means 80
Calculates the difference X2 (t) between the detection results of the count sensor 26 and the count sensor 29. This X2 (t) is the number of bottles from the count sensor 29 to immediately before the distribution device main body 46. From the value of this X2 (t), the distribution device speed (speed of the star wheel 30 ') Vf
Calculate 2 (t). That is, Vf2 (t) = k2 ×
It is calculated by (X2 (t) -Xp2). According to the number of bottles to be counted, the motor M
Calculate the speed command for 2C. Here, k2 is a predetermined coefficient, and Xp2 is a target number of pools. Calculated Vf2
The value of (t) is output as an analog signal to the motor control unit 81 for the motor M2C. The motor control means 81
Controls the motor M2C based on this. In this way, the rotation speeds of the star wheels 30 'and the like are controlled.

Since this control method is performed in accordance with the flow chart of FIG. 10, the speed command value is updated in real time, and the distribution device speed is adjusted so that the pool length Lp2 of the bottle 1 within the distance L2 is always constant. Can be controlled to maintain the optimum distribution device speed. With such a method, the pool length Lp2 of the bottles 1 can be constantly controlled to be constant even when sorting from one row to a plurality of rows, and the deformation of the bottles due to line pressure can be prevented. The distribution device body 4
On the downstream side of 6, there are provided conveyors 49 for transporting bottles sorted in six rows.

[0038]

According to the distribution apparatus of the present invention, the first
The two sensors that make up the count sensor are staggered in the flow direction.
The sensor detects an item detected by one sensor from the other sensor.
The sensor can detect the
Sensor on the upstream side is ON and the sensor on the downstream side is
If the counter changes from OFF to ON, add 1 to the count value.
In addition, when the sensor on the upstream side is ON, the sensor on the downstream side is
If the sensor changes from ON to OFF, is it a count value?
And the second count sensor.
The two sensors that are staggered in the flow direction
The article detected by the sensor is also detected by the other sensor at the same time.
Known, upstream of the above two sensors
When the sensor on the side is ON, the sensor on the downstream side is OFF
If it changes to ON, add 1 to the count value and
Whether the sensor on the downstream side is ON while the sensor on the side is ON
If it changes from OFF to OFF, the count value may be decreased by 1.
Since it is a, the counting sensor chattering or
Preventing counting mistakes due to bouncing of goods
it can. Therefore, the number of accumulated articles on the upstream side of the distribution unit can be suppressed within a specified value, line pressure can be suppressed, and stable distribution can be performed even at high speed operation.

In the distribution device according to the present invention , the first cow
Within a certain interval by the counter sensor and the second count sensor
The upstream supply conveyor based on the number of
If the speed is controlled, the speed difference when the articles flowing from the upstream collide with the articles accumulated by pushing on the upstream supply conveyor is adjusted so that the articles do not fall over. The conveyor speed can be controlled, and stable distribution can be performed even at high speed operation.

[0040]

Further, a detection sensor for detecting the amount of articles accumulated on the upstream supply conveyor is provided in the first count sensor.
Provided between the support and the second count sensor and based on the detection result of the detection sensor configured to correct the article number between the first count sensor and the second count sensor, An error in the number of articles can be prevented, and highly reliable sorting can be performed.

The sorting method according to the present invention is one of the upstream supply conveyors for supplying articles from the upstream to the sorting section.
Install two sensors on the entry side of the fixed section in the flow direction of the article.
The sensor detected by one sensor to the other sensor
However, the first count cell configured to detect simultaneously
And place two sensors on the exit side of the above-mentioned fixed section.
One sensor detects by shifting the sensor in the flow direction of the article
The other sensor at the same time
The second count sensor configured in
One of the two sensors is ON and the other sensor is
When changing from OFF to ON, add 1 to the count value.
If the one sensor is ON, the other sensor is ON.
If changes from ON to OFF, increment the count value by 1.
Counting the number of passing items by reducing
Then, from the count result, the number of articles in the certain section
The number of accumulated articles on the upstream side of the sorting section is calculated by calculating the sorting speed of the articles in the sorting section based on the number of the obtained articles and controlling the motor that drives the sorting section from the calculation result. Is kept below a predetermined value, so chattering of the count sensor or
It is possible to prevent counting mistakes due to bouncing etc.
It Therefore, line pressure can be suppressed, and stable distribution can be performed even at high speed operation.

In the distribution method according to the present invention , the first cow
Within a certain interval by the counter sensor and the second count sensor
The upstream supply conveyor based on the number of
If the speed is controlled, the speed difference when the articles flowing from the upstream collide with the articles accumulated by pushing on the upstream supply conveyor is adjusted so that the articles do not fall over. The conveyor speed can be controlled, and stable distribution can be performed even at high speed operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a distribution device main body (two-row distribution by a pusher method) arranged on a downstream side in a distribution device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view partially showing the vicinity of the star wheel of FIG.

3A and 3B are diagrams showing a bottle transport unit arranged on the upstream side of FIG. 1, in which FIG. 3A is a plan view thereof and FIG. 3B is a front view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing a bottle transport unit arranged on the upstream side of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a front view schematically showing a bottle transport unit arranged on the upstream side of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for controlling the bottle transport unit in FIG.

7A and 7B are diagrams showing a positional relationship between the count sensor of FIGS. 3 and 4 and a flowing bottle, wherein FIG. 7A is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 7B is a front view thereof.

FIG. 8 is a waveform diagram showing a signal waveform of the count sensor in FIG.

9A and 9B are waveform diagrams showing signal waveforms of the count sensor in FIG. 7, where FIG. 9A is a normal case, and FIG. 9B is a bound case.

10 is a flowchart showing a speed calculation logic of the distribution apparatus main body of FIG.

11 is a flowchart showing a speed calculation logic of each conveyor in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a plan view generally showing a distribution device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

13A and 13B are diagrams showing the vicinity of an intermediate portion between a distribution device main body 45 and a distribution device main body 46 in the distribution device of FIG. 12, FIG. 13A being a plan view thereof, and FIG. 13B being a front view thereof.

14A and 14B are projection views of a round bottle, in which FIG. 14A is a plan view and FIG. 14B is a side view.

15A and 15B are projection views of a rectangular bottle, in which FIG. 15A is a plan view and FIG. 15B is a side view.

FIG. 16 is a plan view schematically showing the procedure for packing bottles in a packaging machine in order.

FIG. 17 is a plan view schematically showing an example of a conventional bottle sorting device.

FIG. 18 is a plan view partially showing a distribution unit of a conventional bottle distribution device (star wheel system).

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a case where the star wheel system of FIG. 15 is used to sort into six rows.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 bottle 27, 28, 29, 31 count sensor 30, 30 'star wheel 35 bottle transporting conveyor 40 drive gear 41 distribution pusher 42 pusher drive conveyor 45, 46 distribution device main body 49 upstream conveyor 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55 Supply speed control conveyor 60 Guide 61, 62, 63, 64 Detection sensor 70 Bottle supply conveyor 80 Speed command calculation means 81 Motor control means M1C, M2C Motor M1F, M2F, M3F, M4F, M5F, M6F, M
7F, M8F, M10 F Motor L1, L2 Distance Lp1, Lp2 Pool length X1, X2, Xc Number of bottles on the conveyor (calculated value) Xp1, Xp2 Target pool number CNT1f, CNT2f, CNT1c, CNT2c Count value Vf1, Vf2 Sorting Device speed (star wheel speed) Vc Conveyor speed Vccmd Conveyor reference speed k1, k2, kc Coefficient P Pitch

Front page continuation (72) Inventor Tetsuya Goto 6-22 Kannon-shinmachi, Nishi-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. Hiroshima Works (72) Inventor Junichi Ibushi 4-6-kannon, Nishi-ku, Hiroshima-shi, Hiroshima No. 22 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. Hiroshima Research Laboratory (56) Reference JP-A-60-161822 (JP, A) JP-A-10-194233 (JP, A) JP-A-3-288715 (JP, A) 64-16248 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B65G 43/00 B65G 47/00

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A and distributing unit for distributing <br/> coming article flows from the upstream by the upstream supply conveyor in a plurality of rows, the flow of articles
The first sensor, which consists of two sensors staggered in the
A count sensor, which is a first count sensor that counts the number of passing articles at a predetermined position of the upstream supply conveyor, and two sensors that are staggered in the flow direction of the articles.
And a second count sensor for counting the number of articles taken into the sorting unit, and a count result of the first count sensor and the second count sensor. Speed command calculation means for obtaining the number of articles between the count sensors and calculating a distribution speed based on the number, a motor for driving the distribution part, and a motor control means for controlling the motor according to the distribution speed. with a shift in the direction of flow constituting the first count sensor
The above two sensors are the objects detected by one sensor
The other sensor can detect the product at the same time,
The upstream sensor of the above two sensors is ON
If the sensor on the downstream side changes from OFF to ON with
1 is added to the und value and the upstream sensor is ON
When the downstream sensor changes from ON to OFF
Decrements the count value by 1 and shifts in the flow direction that constitutes the second count sensor.
The above two sensors are the objects detected by one sensor
The other sensor can detect the product at the same time,
The upstream sensor of the above two sensors is ON
If the sensor on the downstream side changes from OFF to ON with
1 is added to the und value and the upstream sensor is ON
When the downstream sensor changes from ON to OFF
Is a sorting device characterized by decrementing 1 from the count value . 2. A first count sensor and a second count sensor, which are arranged on the entrance side and the exit side of a certain section of an upstream supply conveyor for flowing an article from the upstream side to count the number of passing articles, respectively, and the count. A speed command calculation unit that calculates the number of articles in the certain section from the count result of the sensor and calculates the speed of the upstream supply conveyor based on the number, a motor that drives the upstream supply conveyor, and the motor and a motor control means for controlling the speed, the first count sensor, shifting the flow direction of the article
Consisting of two sensors arranged in a
An article detected by one sensor is also the same for the other sensor.
Of the above two sensors, which can be sometimes detected
The sensor on the downstream side is OF while the sensor on the upstream side is ON.
When changing from F to ON, add 1 to the count value and
When the upstream sensor is ON, the downstream sensor is
Decrement 1 from the count value when changing from ON to OFF
Rashi, the second count sensors are shifted in the flow direction of the article
Consisting of two sensors arranged in a
An article detected by one sensor is also the same for the other sensor.
Of the above two sensors, which can be sometimes detected
The sensor on the downstream side is OF while the sensor on the upstream side is ON.
When changing from F to ON, add 1 to the count value and
When the upstream sensor is ON, the downstream sensor is
Decrement 1 from the count value when changing from ON to OFF
Sorting and wherein the lath. 3. A pool of articles on the upstream supply conveyor.
The detection sensor that detects the amount is the first count sensor described above.
The detection sensor is provided between the second count sensor and
Based on the detection result of the
Serial sorter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in the this <br/> correcting the article number between the second count sensor. 4. For supplying articles from the upstream to the sorting section
On the inlet side of a certain section of the flow supply conveyor,
Sensor in one direction and the other sensor detects it.
The same sensor with the other sensor at the same time
In addition to arranging the configured first count sensor,
Install two sensors in the flow direction of the article on the exit side of a certain section.
The sensor detected by one sensor to the other sensor
However, the second count cell configured to detect simultaneously
Sensor and one of the count sensors is O
When the other sensor changes from OFF to ON in the N state
In this case, 1 is added to the count value and one of the sensors is ON.
When the other sensor changes from ON to OFF in the state
If the count value is decreased by 1, the passing of the article
Count the number of each, and from the counting result,
Calculate the number of items in a fixed section and based on the number of items
Calculate the sorting speed of the goods in the sorting section
Then, based on this calculation result, the motor that drives the distribution unit
By controlling the
Distribution characterized by keeping the number of goods to or less than a predetermined value
Way . 5. Two sewers are provided on the entry side of a certain section in an upstream supply conveyor that supplies articles from the upstream to the sorting section.
Sensor in one direction and the other sensor detects it.
The same sensor with the other sensor at the same time
In addition to arranging the configured first count sensor,
Install two sensors in the flow direction of the article on the exit side of a certain section.
The sensor detected by one sensor to the other sensor
However, the second count cell configured to detect simultaneously
Sensor and one of the count sensors is O
When the other sensor changes from OFF to ON in the N state
In this case, 1 is added to the count value and one of the sensors is ON.
When the other sensor changes from ON to OFF in the state
If the count value is decreased by 1, the passing of the article
Count the number of each, and from the counting result,
Obtains the number of articles in a constant interval, based on the number of the article, and calculates the speed of the upstream feed conveyor, by controlling the motor for driving the upstream feed conveyor from the calculation result, the upstream feed conveyor Upper pool and upstream
A method of sorting, characterized in that the speed difference with the article flowing from is set to a predetermined value or less.