JP3593421B2

JP3593421B2 - Long material sorting apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: JP3593421B2
Application number: JP18915496A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 貴之永山
Original assignee: Hagiwara Industries Inc
Current assignee: Hagiwara Industries Inc
Priority date: 1996-07-18
Filing date: 1996-07-18
Publication date: 2004-11-24
Anticipated expiration: 2016-07-18
Also published as: JPH1035863A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、長尺材仕分装置および方法に関し、さらに詳しくは、長尺材をコンベア上で長手方向と直交方向に搬送する際に、特定の計数手段により所定本数ずつ正確に計数し、仕分けを行う長尺材仕分装置および方法に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
管材や棒材である長尺材は、出荷時の作業簡略化、輸送中の荷くずれ防止、保管中の損傷防止や管理上の利便等のために所定本数ずつ結束バンド等により結束されることが多い。
このような結束を行う前に、長尺材を所定本数ずつ仕分けを行う必要があるが、
コンベア上を搬送される長尺材を光電管等のセンサーを用いて計数し、計数値が所定の値になったならば長尺材の間に杆を介入させ、杆により長尺材を前記コンベアの搬送速度よりも大なる速度で送り出すことにより所定本数ずつの長尺材を仕分けする技術が開示されている（実公昭５１ー２１５０２号公報）。
しかしながら、コンベア上を搬送される長尺材を、センサー等を用いて連続的に計数しようとすると、長尺材が搬送方向に前後動したり、あるいは搬送方向に対して角度が変動すると長尺材の各端部が前後動し、１度計数した長尺材の端部が上流側に戻った後に、もう１度下流側に搬送されて再計数されるというように、計数誤差を生じるので、正しく計数することは困難であった。
また、センサーが所定本数を計数すると同時に、連接して搬送される長尺材同士間に迅速、正確に杆を介入させることは機構的に困難で、センサーで正確に長尺材の所定本数を計数したとしても、結果的に正確な所定本数毎に仕分けできないという問題があった。
さらにコンベア上に載置された長尺材は、搬送方向に対して斜めに載置されて搬送される場合が頻繁に生じるために、長尺材を両端部において独立して計数することにより正確に所定本数ずつ計数しようとしても、各端部において検知器に到達する長尺材の時間差が生じ、一端において所定本数に到達したときには、他端においてはすでに次の所定本数の計数を開始しており、この端部においては次の計数回に計数誤差が生じるなどの問題もあった。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
本発明は、長手方向と直交方向に１本ずつコンベアで搬送される長尺材が、搬送方向に前後動したり、搬送方向に対して角度が変動し長尺材の各端部が前後動した場合においてもセンサー等を用いて正しく計数し、また機構的にも正しく仕分することができ、さらにコンベア上に搬送方向に対して斜めに載置されて搬送される長尺材を正確に計数し、仕分け可能なる長尺材仕分装置および方法を提供することを目的とする。
【０００４】
【課題を解決する手段】
上記課題を解決するための手段として、本願の第１の発明は、長尺材Ａの両端部が連続する２ケの区画部材に支持されて載置され、隔離した状態を保持して搬送する複数のコンベアからなる搬送手段と、両端のコンベアの終端部から所定距離だけ下流位置の内側に設けられた長尺材Ａを検知する長尺材Ａ検知器の信号と、コンベアに取付られた区画部材を長尺材Ａ検知器の位置の前後で検知する区画部材検知器の信号とに基づいて、搬送されてくる長尺材Ａを支持する２ケの区画部材の前側の区画部材が長尺材Ａ検知器の直前の位置で区画部材検知器の出力がｏｎとなり、次いで、長尺材Ａが長尺材Ａ検知器を通過する位置で長尺材Ａ検知器の出力がｏｎとなったときに長尺材本数の計数を開始し、さらに長尺材Ａが長尺材Ａの直径長さの距離を搬送されて長尺材Ａ検知器の出力がｏｆｆとなり、次いで、前側の区画部材が区画部材間隔の距離を搬送されて区画部材検知器の出力がｏｆｆとなったときに合わせて長尺材本数１を計数する第１計数手段と、前記コンベア面に突没可能かつ長尺材の各端部に係合可能であって、前記第１計数手段の独立した計数結果に基づいて独立して駆動される一対の仕分杆により長尺材を所定本数毎にコンベア終端部から送出する仕分手段と、を備えた長尺材仕分装置、を要旨とする。
【０００５】
本願の第２の発明は、長尺材Ａの両端部が連続する２ケの区画部材に支持されて載置され、隔離した状態を保持して搬送する複数のコンベアからなる搬送手段と、両端のコンベアの終端部から所定距離だけ下流位置の内側に設けられた長尺材Ａを検知する第１検知器の信号と、第１検知器からコンベアの終端部の方向に向けて長尺材Ａの半径長さの距離に設けられた長尺材Ａを検知する第２検知器の信号とに基づいて、長尺材Ａが第１検知器を通過する位置で第１検知器の出力がｏｎとなり、次いで長尺材Ａが長尺材Ａの半径の距離を搬送された位置で第２検知器の出力がｏｎとなったときに長尺材本数の計数を開始し、さらに長尺材Ａが長尺材Ａの半径の距離を搬送された位置で第１検知器の出力がｏｆｆとなり、次いで長尺材Ａが長尺材Ａの半径の距離を搬送された位置で第２検知器の出力がｏｆｆとなったときに長尺材本数１を計数する第２計数手段と、前記コンベア面に突没可能かつ長尺材の各端部に係合可能であって、前記第２計数手段の独立した計数結果に基づいて独立して駆動される一対の仕分杆により長尺材を所定本数毎にコンベア終端部から送出する仕分手段と、を備えた長尺材仕分装置、を要旨とする。
【０００６】
本願の第３の発明は、長尺材Ａの両端部が連続する２ケの区画部材に支持されて載置され、隔離した状態を保持して搬送する複数のコンベアからなる搬送手段と、長尺材の両端部において独立して、長尺材を検知して長尺材本数を計数する計数手段と、前記コンベア面に突没可能かつ長尺材の各端部に係合可能であって、前記計数手段の独立した計数結果に基づいて独立して駆動される一対の仕分杆により長尺材を所定本数毎にコンベア終端部から送出する仕分手段とを備え、各端部において所定本数ずつの送出が終了した後、一端側の計数結果が０で、他端側の計数結果が少なくとも１であるときは、コンベアを逆回転し、少なくとも１を計数している端側の長尺材を計数手段の計数位置より上流側に逆搬送することを特徴とする長尺材仕分方法を要旨とする。
【０００７】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の一実施例を添付図面を参照して説明する。
図１は、本発明に係る長尺材仕分装置（以下、仕分装置と略す。）の設置例を示す側面図である。
この仕分装置は、本発明における搬送手段を構成するチェーンコンベア１と、第１計数手段を構成する長尺材の検知器３および区画部材検知器４と、第２計数手段を構成する長尺材Ａの検知器３および検知器４と、仕分手段を構成する仕分杆２とを備えている。
このうち、チェーンコンベアは２系列、仕分杆は２基、長尺材の検知器は４基、区画部材検知器は１基が設置されている。
【０００８】
図２に示すように、長尺材Ａを長手方向と直交方向に搬送する経路の両端部に各１系列のチェーンコンベア１が設置されている。
長尺材Ａの検知器３、４はチェーンコンベア１の内側で、チェーンコンベア１の終端部から所定距離だけ上流位置に２基連設され、それらが両端部２箇所で計４基が設けられている。
区画部材検知器５は、１系列のチェーンコンベア１終端部下方に設置されている。
仕分杆２はチェーンコンベア１の外側で、チェーンコンベア１の終端部から所定距離だけ上流位置に各１基が設けられている。
なお、経路の両端部に設けられたチェーンコンベア１の中間部には、長尺材Ａを中間で支持するためにベルトコンベア６が４系列設置されているが、これはベルトコンベア、ローラコンベア、チェーンコンベア等の任意のコンベアを任意の系列使用して差し支えない。
【０００９】
以下、各手段について順次詳述する。
搬送手段としては、長尺材Ａを長手方向と直交方向に横置して搬送することが可能な幅を有している搬送経路の両端部において、区画部材７が一定間隔に取付けられたチェーンコンベア１各１系列が互いに平行に間隔をおいて並設されている。また、チェーンコンベア１の上面は同一高さを保って水平に設置され、同期して同速度で駆動されている。チェーンコンベア１の中間域に設置されているベルトコンベア６もチェーンコンベア１と同速度で、同方向に駆動される。
チェーンコンベア１およびベルトコンベア６は搬送方向および逆方向へも駆動可能となされている。
【００１０】
１系列のチェーンコンベア１は、図３に示すように、２本のチェーンコンベア１ａ、１ｂが１組となって構成されており、区画部材７を挟持して取付けられている。
区画部材７は一定間隔に取付けられており、安定的に長尺材Ａが載置可能となされている。
区画部材７の大きさは、搬送される長尺材Ａの径に対応して、２０〜１００ｍｍの内から適切な外径Ｒ、および区画部材７同士間の距離Ｈが選択されるのが好ましい。
区画部材７の形状は、円形のロール、多角形などいずれの形状であっても、長尺材Ａを安定的に区画し載置する目的を逸脱しないものであれば差し支えない。区画部材７の材質としては、長尺材Ａと当接して傷つけないように長尺材Ａより軟質の材料が好ましいが、具体的にはナイロンが好ましい。
【００１１】
このようになるチェーンコンベア１は、１本の長尺材Ａの両端部が連続する２ケの区画部材７に支持されて載置されるので、１本ずつ隔離した状態を保持したまま搬送される。また、長尺材Ａが搬送中に振動等により区画部材７を超えて前後にずれを生じたり、その結果長尺材Ａが搬送方向に対して斜行したり、あるいは前後の長尺材Ａと交差することなどを防止している。
【００１２】
長尺材Ａの検知器３、４は、チェーンコンベア１上を搬送される長尺材Ａを検知することができるものであって、光電管、超音波検知器等特に限定するものではないが、発信器と受信器が分割されてなる一対の透過型の検知器が好ましい。長尺材Ａの検知器３、４はチェーンコンベア１の内側で、チェーンコンベア１の終端部から所定距離だけ上流位置に２基連設され、それらが両端部２箇所で計４基が設けられている。
【００１３】
区画部材検知器５は、チェーンコンベア１の駆動軸１０と連動してなり、区画部材７間の距離と対応なさしめて設けた回転翼の切欠部１１を光電管等の検知器１２で検知することにより、区画部材７を検知するように構成されているものである。
【００１４】
このようになる長尺材Ａの検知器３および区画部材検知器５からなる第１計数手段は、図４のタイミングチャートに示すように、区画部材検知器５出力がｏｎとなり（ａ１点）、次に検知器３により長尺材Ａ１が検知されてｏｎとなった（ａ１’点）ときに計数を開始し、長尺材Ａ１がＬ１の搬送をされてＡ１’の位置にきて検知器３による信号がｏｆｆになり（ｂ１点）、次に区画部材検知器５出力がｏｆｆになった（ｂ１’点）ときに長尺材１を計数する。
【００１５】
上記第１計数手段は、両端のコンベアの終端部から所定距離だけ下流位置の内側に設けられた長尺材Ａを検知する長尺材Ａ検知器３の信号と、コンベアに取付られた区画部材を長尺材Ａ検知器３の位置の前後で検知する区画部材検知器５の信号とに基づいて、搬送されてくる長尺材Ａを支持する２ケの区画部材の前側の区画部材が長尺材Ａ検知器３の直前の位置で区画部材検知器５の出力がｏｎとなり、次いで、長尺材Ａが長尺材Ａ検知器３を通過する位置で長尺材Ａ検知器３の出力がｏｎとなったときに長尺材本数の計数を開始し、さらに長尺材Ａが長尺材Ａの直径長さの距離を搬送されて長尺材Ａ検知器３の出力がｏｆｆとなり、次いで、前側の区画部材が区画部材間隔の距離を搬送されて区画部材検知器５の出力がｏｆｆとなったときに合わせて長尺材本数１を計数するものである。長尺材Ａ検知器３の出力のみで計数を行うと、長尺材Ａ端部が区画部材７上で微小に前後動して、１度計数した長尺材Ａの端部が上流側に戻った後に、もう１度下流側に搬送されて再計数されるなどの問題を生じるが、本発明の第１計数手段で計数することにより、上記のような誤計数を防止することができる。第１計数手段は、長尺材Ａの直径が略２００ｍｍ以下の場合に効果的に用いられる。
【００１６】
長尺材Ａの検知器３および検知器４からなる第２計数手段は、図５のタイミングチャートに示すように、検知器３が長尺材Ａ２を検知して出力ｏｎとなり（ａ２点）、次に長尺材Ａ２がＬ２の搬送をされて長尺材Ａ３の位置に到達し、検知器４が長尺材Ａ３を検知して出力ｏｎとなった（ａ３点）ときに計数を開始し、さらに長尺材Ａ３がＬ３の搬送をされて長尺材Ａ２’の位置に到達し、検知器３の出力がｏｆｆになり（ｂ２点）、次に長尺材Ａ２’がＬ４の搬送をされて長尺材Ａ３’の位置に到達し、検出器４の出力がｏｆｆになった（ｂ３点）ときに長尺材１を計数する。
【００１７】
上記第２計数手段は、長尺材Ａ2の位置、即ち、長尺材Ａが第１検知器を通過する位置で第１検知器３出力がｏｎとなり、次に長尺材Ａ3の位置、即ち、長尺材Ａが長尺材Ａの半径の距離を搬送された位置で第２検知器４の出力がｏｎとなったときに長尺材本数の計数を開始し、さらに長尺材Ａ2’の位置、即ち、長尺材Ａが長尺材Ａの半径の距離をさらに搬送された位置で第１検知器３の出力がｏｆｆとなり、次に長尺材Ａ3’の位置、すなわち、長尺材Ａが長尺材Ａの半径の距離をさらに搬送された位置で第２検知器４の出力がｏｆｆとなったときに長尺材本数１を計数するものである。長尺材Ａ検知器３の出力のみで計数を行うと、長尺材Ａ端部が区画部材７上で微小に前後動して、１度計数した長尺材Ａの端部が上流側に戻った後に、もう１度下流側に搬送されて再計数されるなどの問題を生じるが、本発明の第２計数手段で計数することにより、上記のような誤計数を防止することができる。第１検知器３と第２検知器４の間隔は、長尺材Ａの直径未満の距離に設置されるが、好ましくは５０〜１００ｍｍである。第２計数手段は、長尺材Ａの直径が略２００ｍｍ以上の場合に効果的に用いられる。
【００１８】
仕分杆２は上下動する昇降シリンダー８に連結しており、かつ仕分杆２および昇降シリンダー８は一体として搬送方向に往復動する駆動シリンダー９に載設されている。
仕分杆２は、チェーンコンベア１の外側で、チェーンコンベア１の終端部から所定距離だけ上流位置にそれぞれ各１基が立設されている。
【００１９】
このようになる仕分杆２は、昇降シリンダー８によりチェーンコンベア１面上へ上昇して長尺材Ａ同士の間に介入するが、長尺材Ａは区画部材７に載置され隔離して搬送されるので、仕分杆２は長尺材Ａ同士の間に正確に介入することが可能なようになされている。
仕分杆２が長尺材Ａ同士の間に介入後、仕分杆は搬送方向に往復動する駆動シリンダー９により搬送方向下流側へ往動して仕分杆２で仕分した長尺材Ａをチェーンコンベア１の終端部から後工程へ送出するものである。送出後は昇降シリンダー８により仕分杆２が降下し、ついで仕分杆２がチェーンコンベア１面上から退没したまま駆動シリンダー９により搬送方向上流側へ復動するようになされている。
【００２０】
前記第１計数手段または第２計数手段を用いて長尺材Ａの各端部において所定本数の長尺材Ａが正確に計数されると、各端部の計数結果に基づいて各端部の仕分杆２は独立して駆動するようになっている。
【００２１】
先ず、一端側で長尺材Ａの所定本数が計数され、仕分杆２が駆動して所定本数の長尺材Ａが送出される。ついで他端側で長尺材Ａの所定本数が計数され、仕分杆２が駆動して所定本数の長尺材Ａが送出される。
こうして各端部において独立して計数し、その結果に基づいて各端部の仕分杆２が独立して仕分することにより、斜行してチェーンコンベア１終端部まで搬送された長尺材Ａを正確に計数することができる。
【００２２】
次に、以上説明した仕分装置の動作について、図６、図７を参照して説明する。
チェーンコンベア１上に送出された長尺材Ａは、チェーンコンベア１の区画部材７上に１本ずつ隔離して載置され、搬送中の振動等により搬送方向に対して区画部材７を超えてずれたり、その結果前後の長尺材Ａが交差することなく搬送される。（図１参照）
【００２３】
チェーンコンベア１は、搬送経路の両端部にそれぞれ少なくとも１系列が配設されており、搬送経路の終端部から所定距離だけ上流位置において、長尺材Ａの両端部に仕分杆２がそれぞれ立設されている。（図２参照）
【００２４】
チェーンコンベア１の終端部に配設された、一端側の仕分杆２は、計数手段により所定数の長尺材Ａが計数されたという計数結果を受けて、昇降シリンダー８により上昇して所定数の長尺材Ａの上流側に介入する。（図６（イ）参照）
【００２５】
ついで、仕分杆２は駆動シリンダー９によりチェーンコンベア１の終端部まで往動して所定数までの長尺材Ａをチェーンコンベア１の終端部から受台（図示せず）に送出する。（図６（ロ）参照）
【００２６】
送出を終了した仕分杆２は、昇降シリンダー８の駆動により降下して搬送経路面から退没し、駆動シリンダー９により搬送方向上流側へ復動し、もとの位置に復旧する。（図６（ハ）（ニ）参照）
【００２７】
同様にして、他端側においても計数手段により所定数の長尺材Ａが計数されたという計数結果を受けて、仕分杆２が駆動して仕分動作が行われる。
【００２８】
長尺材Ａは、図７に示すように、コンベア上において長尺材Ａの長手方向が搬送方向に対して斜めに載置されて搬送される場合がある。
先行する一端側において独立して計数手段による計数が行われ、その計数結果に基づいて独立して仕分杆２が駆動して仕分動作が行われる。
ついで後行する他端側で独立して計数手段による計数が行われ、その計数結果が所定本数を計数すると、チェーンコンベア１は停止して、独立して仕分杆２が駆動して仕分動作が終了するのを待機している。
【００２９】
チェーンコンベア１が停止して待機している状態において、図７の長尺材Ｂの状態が発生することがある。つまり、後行する一端側（図７においては上方）の長尺材Ｂの検知器３は計数が終了してリセットされて０を計数しているが、先行する他端側（図７においては下方）の長尺材Ｂの計数は、すでに次の所定本数の内の１を計数してしまっている。このような状態から再スタートすると計数誤差を生じるので、これをを修正するために、チェーンコンベア１およびベルトコンベア６を逆回転して長尺材Ｂを長尺材Ｂ’の位置に移動し、各端部の計数手段の計数結果を０に修正してからスタートすることにより、計数誤差を防止することができる。
長尺材Ｂが長尺材Ｂ’の位置に移動し、各端部の計数手段の計数結果が０に修正されると、チェーンコンベア１は再び駆動開始し、以後上記作業を繰り返し行う。
上記計数手段としては、前記第１計数手段および第２計数手段を包含するが、これらに限定されるものではない。
【００３０】
本発明による長尺材仕分装置および方法で処理できる長尺材Ａとしては、丸棒鋼、圧延棒鋼、合成樹脂棒、合成樹脂製パイプ、金属管、木材等である。
口径としては、直径が１０〜４００ｍｍであっても処理は可能であるが、直径が１０〜４０ｍｍ程度の小径の長尺材Ａで長さが４〜５ｍ前後、かつ可撓性を有するものに特に好適である。
【００３１】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明による長尺材仕分装置および方法は、コンベア上を１本ずつ隔離して搬送している長尺材Ａを、所定本数毎に正確に計数し、効率的な結束作業を可能とする。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】長尺材仕分装置の全体側面図である。
【図２】長尺材仕分装置の平面図である。
【図３】区画部材取付図である。
【図４】第１計数手段のタイミングチャートである。
【図５】第２計数手段のタイミングチャートである。
【図６】仕分杆動作説明図である。
【図７】チェーンコンベア動作説明図である。
【符号の説明】
１チェーンコンベア
２仕分杆
３長尺材第１検知器
４長尺材第２検知器
５区画部材検知器
７区画部材
Ａ長尺材
Ｂチェーンコンベア停止時の長尺材
Ｂ’位置修正後の長尺材
Ｈ区画部材中心部間距離
Ｒ区画部材直径[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a long material sorting apparatus and method, and more specifically, when transporting a long material on a conveyor in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, by counting accurately by a predetermined number by a specific counting means, sorting. The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for sorting long materials.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Long materials such as pipes and rods must be bound by a predetermined number of straps to simplify work at the time of shipment, prevent collapse of cargo during transportation, prevent damage during storage, and facilitate management. There are many.
Before performing such binding, it is necessary to sort long materials by a predetermined number,
The long material conveyed on the conveyor is counted using a sensor such as a photoelectric tube, and when the counted value reaches a predetermined value, a rod is interposed between the long materials, and the long material is conveyed by the rod to the conveyor. (Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 51-21502).
However, when continuously counting long materials conveyed on the conveyor using a sensor or the like, if the long materials move back and forth in the transport direction, or if the angle changes with respect to the transport direction, the long materials will be counted. Each end of the material moves back and forth, causing a counting error such that once the counted end of the long material returns to the upstream side, it is conveyed again to the downstream side and recounted, and so on. It was difficult to count correctly.
In addition, at the same time as the sensor counts the predetermined number, it is mechanically difficult to quickly and accurately interpose the rod between the long members conveyed and conveyed, and the sensor accurately counts the predetermined number of long members. Even if the counting is performed, there is a problem that as a result, it is not possible to sort by an exact predetermined number.
In addition, long materials placed on the conveyor are often placed obliquely to the transport direction and transported.Therefore, accurate counting is performed by counting the long materials independently at both ends. Even when trying to count by a predetermined number, the time difference of the long material reaching the detector occurs at each end, and when the predetermined number is reached at one end, the counting of the next predetermined number has already started at the other end. At this end, there is a problem that a counting error occurs in the next counting operation.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
According to the present invention, the long material conveyed one by one in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction moves back and forth in the conveyance direction, or the angle changes with respect to the conveyance direction, and each end of the long material moves back and forth. In this case, it is possible to count correctly using a sensor or the like, and to sort correctly also mechanically, and to accurately count long materials conveyed while being placed on the conveyor at an angle to the conveyance direction. It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for sorting long materials that can be sorted.
[0004]
[Means to solve the problem]
As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, a first invention of the present application is a method in which both ends of a long material A are placed and supported by two continuous partition members, and are transported while maintaining an isolated state. A conveying means comprising a plurality of conveyors, a signal from a long material A detector for detecting a long material A provided inside a downstream position by a predetermined distance from a terminal end of the conveyor at both ends, and a section attached to the conveyor. Based on a signal from a partition member detector that detects the member before and after the position of the long material A detector, the partition member on the front side of the two partition members that support the long material A being conveyed is long. The output of the partition member detector was turned on at the position immediately before the material A detector, and then the output of the long material A detector was turned on at the position where the long material A passed the long material A detector. Occasionally, counting of the number of long members starts, and the long member A is further moved to the distance of the diameter of the long member A. And the output of the long member A detector is turned off, and then the long member is conveyed when the front partition member is conveyed the distance of the partition member interval and the output of the partition member detector becomes off. A first counting means for counting the number of pieces, and being capable of protruding and retracting on the conveyor surface and being engageable with each end of the long material, independently based on an independent counting result of the first counting means. A long material sorting apparatus comprising: sorting means for sending out a long number of long materials from the end of the conveyor at predetermined intervals by a pair of driven sorting rods.
[0005]
The second invention of the present application is directed to a conveying means comprising a plurality of conveyors which are supported and mounted on two continuous partition members at both ends of the long material A, and convey while maintaining an isolated state; And a signal from the first detector for detecting the long material A provided inside the downstream position by a predetermined distance from the end of the conveyor, and the long material A from the first detector toward the end of the conveyor. The output of the first detector is turned on at the position where the long material A passes through the first detector, based on the signal of the second detector that detects the long material A provided at a distance of the radius length of Then, when the output of the second detector is turned on at the position where the long material A has been conveyed the distance of the radius of the long material A, the counting of the number of long materials is started. Is turned off at the position where the long material A is conveyed, and then the long material A is turned into the long material. A second counting means for counting a long material number 1 when the output of the second detector at the position transported a distance radius becomes off of each of the project and retract possible and long material on the conveyor surface Sorting means which can be engaged with the ends and which sends out the long material from the end of the conveyor by a predetermined number by a pair of sorting rods which are independently driven based on the independent counting results of the second counting means. And a long material sorting apparatus comprising:
[0006]
The third invention of the present application is directed to a conveying means comprising a plurality of conveyors which are supported and mounted on two continuous partition members at both ends of a long material A, and convey while maintaining an isolated state ; Counting means for detecting the long material and counting the number of the long material independently at both ends of the long material, and capable of protruding and retracting on the conveyor surface and engaging with each end of the long material; Sorting means for sending out the long material from the end of the conveyor for each predetermined number by a pair of sorting rods independently driven based on the independent counting results of the counting means, and a predetermined number at each end. When the counting result at one end is 0 and the counting result at the other end is at least 1 after the end of sending out, the conveyor is reversely rotated to remove the long material at the end at which at least 1 is counted. A long material finishing device that is transported backward from the counting position of the counting means to the upstream side. How to the gist.
[0007]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a side view showing an installation example of a long material sorting device (hereinafter, abbreviated as a sorting device) according to the present invention.
The sorting device includes a chain conveyor 1 constituting a conveying means in the present invention, a long material detector 3 and a partition member detector 4 constituting a first counting means, and a long material constituting a second counting means. An A detector 3 and a detector 4 are provided, and a sorting rod 2 constituting sorting means.
Among them, there are two chain conveyors, two sorting rods, four long material detectors, and one partition member detector.
[0008]
As shown in FIG. 2, one chain conveyor 1 is installed at each end of a path for transporting the long material A in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.
Two detectors 3 and 4 of the long material A are continuously installed inside the chain conveyor 1 at a predetermined distance upstream from the terminal end of the chain conveyor 1, and a total of four detectors are provided at two places at both ends. ing.
The partition member detector 5 is installed below the end of one chain conveyor 1.
One sorting rod 2 is provided outside the chain conveyor 1 at a predetermined distance upstream from the end of the chain conveyor 1.
In the middle part of the chain conveyor 1 provided at both ends of the path, four belt conveyors 6 are installed in order to support the long material A in the middle, which is a belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, Any conveyer such as a chain conveyer may be used in any series.
[0009]
Hereinafter, each means will be sequentially described in detail.
As the conveying means, a chain in which partition members 7 are attached at regular intervals at both ends of a conveying path having a width capable of conveying the long material A in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction and conveying the long material A Each of the conveyors 1 is arranged in parallel at intervals. Further, the upper surface of the chain conveyor 1 is horizontally installed while maintaining the same height, and is driven at the same speed in synchronization. The belt conveyor 6 installed in the middle area of the chain conveyor 1 is also driven in the same direction at the same speed as the chain conveyor 1.
The chain conveyor 1 and the belt conveyor 6 can be driven in the conveying direction and also in the opposite direction.
[0010]
As shown in FIG. 3, one chain conveyor 1 is composed of a pair of two chain conveyors 1 a and 1 b, and is attached so as to sandwich the partition member 7.
The partition members 7 are attached at regular intervals so that the long material A can be stably placed thereon.
As for the size of the partition member 7, it is preferable that an appropriate outer diameter R and a distance H between the partition members 7 be selected from 20 to 100 mm corresponding to the diameter of the long material A to be conveyed. .
The shape of the partition member 7 may be any shape such as a circular roll or a polygon as long as it does not deviate from the purpose of stably partitioning and placing the long material A. As a material of the partition member 7, a material softer than the long material A is preferable so as not to be damaged by contact with the long material A, and specifically, nylon is preferable.
[0011]
Since the chain conveyor 1 thus configured is placed with two ends of one long material A supported by two continuous partition members 7, the chain conveyor 1 is conveyed while maintaining the isolated state one by one. You. In addition, the long material A is shifted back and forth across the partition member 7 due to vibrations or the like during the conveyance, and as a result, the long material A is skewed with respect to the conveyance direction, or the long material A before and after. To prevent crossing.
[0012]
The detectors 3 and 4 of the long material A can detect the long material A conveyed on the chain conveyor 1, and are not particularly limited, such as a photoelectric tube and an ultrasonic detector. A pair of transmission-type detectors in which a transmitter and a receiver are divided is preferable. Two detectors 3 and 4 of the long material A are continuously installed inside the chain conveyor 1 at a predetermined distance upstream from the terminal end of the chain conveyor 1, and a total of four detectors are provided at two places at both ends. ing.
[0013]
The partition member detector 5 is interlocked with the drive shaft 10 of the chain conveyor 1, and detects a notch 11 of a rotating wing provided in correspondence with the distance between the partition members 7 by a detector 12 such as a photoelectric tube. , The partition member 7 is detected.
[0014]
As shown in the timing chart of FIG. 4, the first counting means including the detector 3 of the long material A and the partitioning member detector 5 as described above turns on the output of the partitioning member detector 5 (point a1). Next, when the long material A1 is detected by the detector 3 and turned on (point a1 '), counting is started, and the long material A1 is conveyed by L1 and comes to the position of A1'. The long material 1 is counted when the signal by 3 becomes off (point b1), and then the output of the partition member detector 5 becomes off (point b1 ').
[0015]
The first counting means includes a signal from a long material A detector 3 that detects a long material A provided at a predetermined distance downstream of the end of the conveyor at both ends and a partition member attached to the conveyor. Is detected before and after the position of the long material A detector 3, the front partition member of the two partition members that support the long material A being conveyed is long. The output of the partition member detector 5 is turned on at a position immediately before the long material A detector 3, and then the output of the long material A detector 3 at a position where the long material A passes through the long material A detector 3. Is turned on, counting of the number of long members is started, and the long member A is further conveyed the distance of the diameter of the long member A, and the output of the long member A detector 3 is turned off. Next, when the front partition member is transported the distance of the partition member interval and the output of the partition member detector 5 becomes off. Together they are, the number of long material number 1. When counting is performed only with the output of the long material A detector 3, the end of the long material A moves slightly back and forth on the partition member 7, and the end of the long material A counted once is located on the upstream side. After returning, there is a problem that the sheet is conveyed to the downstream side again and counted again. However, counting by the first counting means of the present invention can prevent the erroneous counting as described above. The first counting means is effectively used when the diameter of the long material A is approximately 200 mm or less.
[0016]
As shown in the timing chart of FIG. 5, the second counting means including the detector 3 and the detector 4 of the long material A turns on when the detector 3 detects the long material A2 (point a2). Next, when the long material A2 is conveyed by L2 and reaches the position of the long material A3, and the detector 4 detects the long material A3 and turns on the output (point a3), counting is started. Further, the long material A3 is transported L3 and reaches the position of the long material A2 ', the output of the detector 3 is turned off (point b2), and then the long material A2' transports L4. When the output reaches the position of the long material A3 'and the output of the detector 4 is turned off (point b3), the long material 1 is counted.
[0017]
The second counting means turns on the output of the first detector 3 at the position of the long material A2, that is, at the position where the long material A passes through the first detector, and then at the position of the long material A3, When the output of the second detector 4 is turned on at a position where the long material A has been conveyed the distance of the radius of the long material A, the counting of the number of long materials is started, and further, the long material A2 ' , That is, at the position where the long material A is further conveyed by the radius of the long material A, the output of the first detector 3 becomes off, and then the position of the long material A3 ', that is, the long material When the output of the second detector 4 is turned off at a position where the material A is further conveyed by the distance of the radius of the long material A, the number of long materials 1 is counted. When counting is performed only with the output of the long material A detector 3, the end of the long material A moves slightly back and forth on the partition member 7, and the end of the long material A counted once is located on the upstream side. After returning, there is a problem that the sheet is conveyed again to the downstream side and is counted again. However, counting by the second counting means of the present invention can prevent the erroneous counting as described above. The distance between the first detector 3 and the second detector 4 is set at a distance less than the diameter of the long material A, and is preferably 50 to 100 mm. The second counting means is used effectively when the diameter of the long material A is approximately 200 mm or more.
[0018]
The sorting rod 2 is connected to an elevating cylinder 8 that moves up and down, and the sorting rod 2 and the elevating cylinder 8 are integrally mounted on a drive cylinder 9 that reciprocates in the transport direction.
One sorting rod 2 is provided outside the chain conveyor 1 at a predetermined distance upstream from the end of the chain conveyor 1.
[0019]
The sorting rod 2 thus formed is lifted on the surface of the chain conveyor 1 by the lifting cylinder 8 and intervenes between the long members A. The long member A is placed on the partition member 7 and separated and transported. Therefore, the sorting rod 2 can accurately intervene between the long members A.
After the sorting rod 2 intervenes between the long materials A, the sorting rod moves forward in the transport direction downstream by the drive cylinder 9 reciprocating in the transport direction, and the long material A sorted by the sorting rod 2 is conveyed to the chain conveyor. 1 is sent to a subsequent process from the terminal end. After the delivery, the sorting rod 2 is lowered by the elevating cylinder 8, and then the sorting rod 2 is returned to the upstream side in the transport direction by the drive cylinder 9 while being retracted from the surface of the chain conveyor 1.
[0020]
When a predetermined number of long materials A are accurately counted at each end of the long material A using the first counting means or the second counting means, each end is counted based on the counting result of each end. The sorting rod 2 is driven independently.
[0021]
First, a predetermined number of long materials A is counted at one end side, and the sorting rod 2 is driven to send out a predetermined number of long materials A. Next, the predetermined number of the long members A is counted at the other end side, and the sorting rod 2 is driven to send out the predetermined number of the long members A.
In this way, counting is performed independently at each end, and the sorting rods 2 at each end are independently sorted based on the result, whereby the long material A that is skewed and conveyed to the end of the chain conveyor 1 is separated. Accurate counting is possible.
[0022]
Next, the operation of the sorting apparatus described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
The long material A sent out on the chain conveyor 1 is separated and placed one by one on the partitioning member 7 of the chain conveyor 1, and exceeds the partitioning member 7 in the transport direction due to vibration or the like during transport. As a result, the long material A before and after is conveyed without intersecting. (See Fig. 1)
[0023]
In the chain conveyor 1, at least one line is disposed at each end of the transport path, and sorting rods 2 are erected at both ends of the long material A at a predetermined distance upstream from the end of the transport path. Have been. (See Fig. 2)
[0024]
The sorting rod 2 at one end, which is disposed at the end of the chain conveyor 1, receives a counting result indicating that a predetermined number of long materials A have been counted by the counting means, and is raised by the lifting cylinder 8 to a predetermined number. Intervenes upstream of the long material A. (See Fig. 6 (a))
[0025]
Next, the sorting rod 2 moves forward to the end of the chain conveyor 1 by the drive cylinder 9 and sends out a predetermined number of long materials A from the end of the chain conveyor 1 to a receiving stand (not shown). (See Fig. 6 (b))
[0026]
The sorting rod 2 that has finished sending out moves down by the driving of the lifting cylinder 8 and retreats from the surface of the transport path, moves back to the upstream side in the transport direction by the drive cylinder 9, and returns to the original position. (See Fig. 6 (c) and (d))
[0027]
Similarly, on the other end side, the sorting rod 2 is driven in response to the count result indicating that the predetermined number of the long materials A have been counted by the counting means, and the sorting operation is performed.
[0028]
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the long material A may be conveyed on the conveyor with the long direction of the long material A being placed obliquely to the conveyance direction.
The counting by the counting means is independently performed on the preceding one end side, and the sorting rod 2 is independently driven based on the counting result to perform the sorting operation.
Then, counting by the counting means is performed independently on the other end side that follows, and when the counting result counts a predetermined number, the chain conveyor 1 stops and the sorting rod 2 is driven independently to perform the sorting operation. Waiting to finish.
[0029]
In the state where the chain conveyor 1 is stopped and in a standby state, the state of the long material B in FIG. 7 may occur. That is, the detector 3 of the long material B on the one end side (the upper side in FIG. 7) that has been counted is reset after counting is completed, and counts 0. In the counting of the long material B (below), one of the following predetermined number has already been counted. Since restarting from such a state causes a counting error, in order to correct this, the chain conveyor 1 and the belt conveyor 6 are rotated in reverse to move the long material B to the position of the long material B ′, By correcting the counting result of the counting means at each end to 0 and starting the operation, a counting error can be prevented.
When the long material B moves to the position of the long material B 'and the counting result of the counting means at each end is corrected to 0, the chain conveyor 1 starts driving again, and thereafter the above operation is repeated.
The counting means includes, but is not limited to, the first counting means and the second counting means.
[0030]
Examples of the long material A that can be processed by the long material sorting apparatus and method according to the present invention include round steel bars, rolled steel bars, synthetic resin bars, synthetic resin pipes, metal tubes, and wood.
As the caliber, even if the diameter is 10 to 400 mm, the treatment is possible, but the long material A having a small diameter of about 10 to 40 mm and a length of about 4 to 5 m and having flexibility Particularly preferred.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the long material sorting apparatus and method according to the present invention accurately counts the long materials A that are conveyed one by one on a conveyor for each predetermined number, and efficiently ties them. Enable work.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall side view of a long material sorting apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a long material sorting apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a sectional member mounting diagram.
FIG. 4 is a timing chart of the first counting means.
FIG. 5 is a timing chart of the second counting means.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a sorting rod operation.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a chain conveyor operation.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Chain conveyor 2 Sorting rod 3 Long material 1st detector 4 Long material 2nd detector 5 Partition member detector 7 Partition member A Long material B Dimensional material H Distance between center parts of partition members R Diameter of partition members

Claims

Conveying means consisting of a plurality of conveyors, both end portions of which are supported and mounted on two continuous partition members, holding and conveying in an isolated state, and a predetermined distance from the end portions of the conveyors at both ends The signal of the long material A detector that detects the long material A provided only inside the downstream position and the partition member detection that detects the partition member attached to the conveyor before and after the position of the long material A detector Based on the signal from the container , the output of the partition member detector is turned on at a position immediately before the two long partition members for supporting the long material A being conveyed, at the position immediately before the long member A detector. Then, when the output of the long material A detector is turned on at a position where the long material A passes through the long material A detector, counting of the number of long materials is started, and the long material A The output of the long material A detector is turned off after being conveyed the distance of the diameter of the long material A, and then First counting means for counting the number of long members 1 when the output of the partition member detector is turned off when the partition member on the front side is conveyed the distance of the partition member interval, and is capable of protruding and retracting on the conveyor surface. In addition, a pair of sorting rods which can be engaged with each end of the long material and are independently driven based on the independent counting results of the first counting means, terminate the long material at a predetermined number of conveyor ends. And a sorting means for sending out from the section.

Conveying means composed of a plurality of conveyors, both ends of which are supported and mounted on two continuous partition members, and which maintain and convey an isolated state, and a predetermined distance from the end of the conveyor at both ends A signal of the first detector for detecting the long material A provided only on the inner side of the downstream position and a distance from the first detector toward the terminal end of the conveyor at a radius of the long material A. The output of the first detector is turned on at a position where the long material A passes through the first detector, based on the signal of the second detector that detects the long material A, and then the long material A becomes long. When the output of the second detector is turned on at a position further conveyed by the radius of the long material A, counting of the number of the long materials is started, and further, the long material A becomes the radius of the long material A. The output of the first detector is turned off at a position further conveyed by a distance, and then the long material A has a radius of the long material A. Second counting means for counting the number of long members 1 when the output of the second detector is turned off at the position where the separation is further conveyed, and each end of the long members protruding and retractable on the conveyor surface Sorting means that can be engaged with the second counting means and sends out the long material from the end of the conveyor every predetermined number by a pair of sorting rods independently driven based on the independent counting result of the second counting means; A long material sorting device equipped with:

Both ends of the long material A are supported and placed by two continuous partition members, and a conveying means including a plurality of conveyors for conveying while maintaining an isolated state is independent at both ends of the long material. A counting means for detecting the long material and counting the number of the long material; and an independent counting means capable of protruding and retracting on the conveyor surface and engaging with each end of the long material. Sorting means for sending out the long material from the end of the conveyor for each predetermined number by a pair of sorting rods independently driven based on the result, and after the predetermined number of pieces have been sent out at each end, one end When the counting result on the side is 0 and the counting result on the other end is at least 1, the conveyor is rotated in the reverse direction, and the long material on the end on which at least 1 is counted is located upstream of the counting position of the counting means. A long material sorting method, wherein the long material is reversely conveyed.