JP3609528B2 - Down stacker - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a down stacker for forming a laminate of sheets such as cardboard sheets.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, there is a down stacker as an apparatus for stacking sheets cut into a certain width and length in the vertical direction to form a laminated body in the manufacturing process of corrugated cardboard sheets. In this method, a cut sheet supplied from above is laminated on a support table that is continuously or intermittently lowered to form a sheet laminate. When the laminated body is formed, the support table is lowered to the carrying-out position, and a predetermined carrying-out mechanism such as a conveyor moves the laminated body in the lateral direction and carries it out. And after carrying out, a support table raises again and the lamination | stacking of a sheet | seat is restarted.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, in the conventional down stacker, the lowering operation to the carry-out position of the support table and the discharge operation of the laminated body are sequentially performed so as to place importance on the reliability of the operation, There is a disadvantage that the cycle time of discharge becomes long. In the above-described down stacker, the sheet is often laminated on an underlay member such as a pallet or a plywood board in order to prevent damage to what is laminated at the bottom. In this case, after carrying out the laminated body together with the underlay member, it is necessary to carry in a new underlay member to a predetermined position on the support table, for example, a lamination preparation position set so as to substantially overlap the center line of the laminated body discharge path. . However, the carrying-in operation of the underlay member and the raising operation of the support table to the stacking start position are sequentially performed, and there is a disadvantage that the cycle time is similarly increased. In particular, when many types of sheet lots having different dimensions and the like are manufactured in small quantities on the same line, the increase in the cycle time has a problem of reducing the processing efficiency of the down stacker.
[0004]
An object of the present invention is to provide a down stacker that has a short cycle time required for stacking and discharging sheets, or mounting an underlay member, etc., and is excellent in sheet processing efficiency.
[0005]
[Means for solving the problems and actions / effects]
The present invention relates to a down stacker in which sheets such as cardboard sheets supplied from above are stacked on a sheet support that can be moved up and down by a lifting device to form a sheet stack, and to solve the above-described problems In the first configuration, a sheet stack that is laminated on the conveyor mechanism is provided integrally with the sheet support, and a conveyor mechanism that moves the sheet stack in the lateral direction while supporting the sheet stack from below. the supporting sheets laminate, while the lifting device is not subjected below for the discharge of the sheet stack, said to a position where the conveyor mechanism is disengaged from the central portion of the conveyor mechanism in a range of set values the sheet stack is lateral movement for the discharge of the sheet laminate, after the sheet stack has reached the lowered position, towards the conveyor mechanism further out of the sheet stack from a position off the center of the conveyor mechanism By lateral movement to, characterized by discharging the sheet stack from the sheet support. As a result, the lowering operation of the sheet support and the lateral movement operation for discharging the sheet stack are performed in parallel, so that the cycle time described above can be shortened, and the operation efficiency of the down stacker is improved.
[0006]
Next, the second configuration of the down stacker of the present invention is configured to have the following features. That is, the sheet is laminated on the underlay member, and the sheet support accepts the underlay member before the sheet is laminated in a state where the sheet is removed from the lamination preparation position for receiving the sheet. While being raised by the sheet support, the underlying member is moved laterally toward the stacking preparation position. As a result, the ascending operation of the seat support and the lateral movement operation for carrying in (or positioning) the underlay member are performed in parallel, so that the cycle time described above can be shortened, and the operation efficiency of the down stacker is improved. improves. In this second configuration as well, the requirements of the first configuration are such that the sheet stack is moved laterally for its discharge while being lowered by the sheet support. In addition, the cycle time can be further shortened.
[0007]
The sheet support may start to raise the underlay member in a state where a part of the received underlay member protrudes in the lateral direction of the seat support. As a result, the simultaneous operation time of the lateral movement of the underlay member and the raising of the seat support increases, and the cycle time is further shortened.
[0008]
The sheet support may be configured such that the sheets are stacked while being sequentially received from above, and can be continuously or intermittently lowered in response to an increase in the stacked thickness. In this case, the sheet support is further lowered to the unloading position of the sheet laminate with the lateral movement of the sheet laminate after the lamination of the sheets. In the down stacker, there are many accessory arrangements such as a sheet stopper in the vicinity of the upper part of the sheet laminated body in the middle of lamination. Can be avoided.
[0009]
Further, the sheet stack can be configured to be moved laterally to a position where a part of the sheet stack protrudes from the sheet support, and to be delivered to the sheet unloading means provided at the unloading position in that state. As a result, the amount of lateral movement when the sheet stack is transferred to the sheet carry-out means is reduced, and the cycle time is further shortened.
[0010]
Here, as the lateral movement mechanism of the sheet stack, a conveyor mechanism that is provided integrally with the sheet support and moves the sheet stack in the horizontal direction while supporting the sheet stack from below can be employed. Thereby, the whole structure of a down stacker becomes simple and compact. In this case, the conveyor mechanism can receive the next underlay member from the side opposite to the discharged underlay member using the discharge operation of the underlay member on which the sheets are stacked. As a result, the horizontal movement mechanism and the carrying-in mechanism for the underlaying member are combined with one conveyor, so that the overall configuration of the down stacker is further simplified and compact, and the stack discharge operation and the underlaying member carrying-in operation are performed. Since the processes are performed simultaneously, there is an advantage that the cycle time is further shortened.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to examples shown in the drawings.
FIG. 1A shows an outline of a corrugated cardboard production line (hereinafter simply referred to as a line) including a down stacker according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the line 100, the cardboard sheet C supplied in a continuous form from a corrugator line (not shown) is cut into a predetermined length by the cutter 101. The cut corrugated cardboard sheet (hereinafter simply referred to as “sheet”) S is discharged from the cutter 101 at a high speed (for example, 300 m / min) corresponding to the set speed on the corrugator line side, but this is first introduced into the sandwich conveyor 102. Thus, a gap is formed between adjacent sheets. Subsequently, this is decelerated by the suction conveyor 103 configured to suck and hold the sheet S on the conveying surface, and sequentially introduced into a single ring conveyor 104 provided with an upward slope on the exit side. The single ring conveyor 104 has an inlet positioned below the outlet of the suction conveyor 103 and is driven at a lower speed than the suction conveyor 103. Then, the sheet S discharged from the suction conveyor 103 is received by the shingling conveyor 104 in a partially overlapped state, and is conveyed as it is along the upward gradient of the conveyor 104.
[0012]
A down stacker 1 is provided corresponding to the outlet of the single ring conveyor 104. The down stacker 1 is provided with a lifter table 3 as a sheet support provided so as to be able to move up and down in the frame 2, and the sheets S discharged from the shingling conveyor 104 while sequentially lowering the lifter table 3 By receiving it, the sheet S is laminated on the pallet B as an underlay member arranged on the table 3, and the laminated body P is formed. Further, below the exit of the single ring conveyor 104, at a position corresponding to a predetermined height of the frame 2 (unloading position), as shown in FIG. An unloading conveyor (sheet unloading means) 105 for unloading the formed laminate P together with the pallet B in the horizontal direction is arranged. Further, on the side opposite to the carry-out conveyor 105 across the frame 2, a carry-in conveyor 106 for carrying a new pallet B from the lateral direction on the lifter table 3 is arranged at substantially the same height as the carry-out conveyor 105.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 2, the lifter table 3 is supported in a suspended state by, for example, a plurality of chains 4 each having one end coupled thereto. The other ends of these chains 4 are turned downward by a sprocket 5 fixed to the frame 2 and connected to a piston 6, and the piston 6 is expanded and contracted by a fluid pressure cylinder 7 such as a hydraulic cylinder. The lifter table 3 is raised and lowered. In addition, a lifter pulse generator 8 (hereinafter abbreviated as “PG1”) for detecting the rotation of the sprocket 5 is provided in order to detect the lift amount and the position of the lifter table 3. In addition, you may comprise the lifter table 3 so that it may raise / lower by winding or unwinding the wire or chain which suspends this with a motor.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 5, a lifter conveyor 9 as a conveyor mechanism is incorporated in the lifter table 3, and the pallet B is placed on the transfer surface of the lifter conveyor 9. The lifter conveyor 9 is configured as, for example, a roller conveyor having a plurality of conveying rollers 9 a arranged side by side in the width direction of the lifter table 3, and at least some of the conveying rollers 9 a are rotationally driven by the lifter conveyor driving motor 10. Thus, the placed pallet B (or the pallet B and sheet laminate P) is moved in the lateral direction by friction from below. Further, in order to detect the feed amount of the pallet B (or laminate P) in the lateral direction by the lifter conveyor 9, a lifter conveyor pulse generator 11 (hereinafter referred to as "the lifter conveyor drive motor 10" or the rotation of the transport roller 9a) is detected. Abbreviated as “PG2”). The carry-out conveyor 105 and the carry-in conveyor 106 are also configured as roller conveyors, and are driven by a carry-out conveyor drive motor 107 and a carry-in conveyor drive motor 108, respectively. In place of the roller conveyor, a belt conveyor or the like may be used.
[0015]
On the other hand, the following sensors are provided at various locations on the frame 2 (see FIG. 6).
(1) Stack height sensor 19 (FIG. 2; hereinafter abbreviated as “SE1”): detects the sheet S stacked on the lifter table 3 that is stacked on the uppermost layer (FIG. 2).
(2) Separation confirmation sensor 20 (FIGS. 2 and 3; hereinafter abbreviated as “SE2”): provided near the outlet of the shingling conveyor 104 and supplied by the shingling conveyor 104 as shown in FIG. A break (gap) associated with the separation process (described later) is detected.
[0016]
(3) Lifter lower limit sensor 21 (FIG. 2; hereinafter abbreviated as “SE3”): Specifies the lower limit position of the lifter table 3.
(4) Lifter upper limit sensor 22 (FIG. 2; hereinafter abbreviated as “SE4”): Defines the lift limit position of the lifter table 3.
(5) Unloading-side pallet sensor 23 (FIG. 5; hereinafter abbreviated as “SE5”): It is provided corresponding to the entrance of the unloading conveyor 105 and detects the unloaded pallet B (or laminate P).
(6) Carry-in side pallet sensor 24 (FIG. 5; hereinafter abbreviated as “SE6”): It is provided corresponding to the outlet of the carry-in conveyor 106 and detects the pallet B (or laminate P) carried in.
[0017]
Note that various sensors such as an optical sensor (reflection type or transmission type), a magnetic sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or an image sensor such as a television camera can be used as the above-described sensors. For example, in the present embodiment, the separation confirmation sensor 20, the carry-out pallet sensor 23, and the carry-in pallet sensor 24, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, from the light projecting units 20a, 23a, 24a to the light receiving units 20b, 23b. , 24b is configured as a transmission type optical sensor that detects the detection light directed to the sheet S or the pallet B based on the fact that the detection light is blocked by the sheet S or the pallet B.
[0018]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, at the position corresponding to the exit of the shingling conveyor 104 in the height direction of the frame 2, a sheet stopper 12 faces the front end of the sheet S to be supplied facing the shingling conveyor 104. It is provided in a state of being positioned so as to stop the side. Further, behind the sheet stopper 12, as shown in FIG. 4, a sheet holder 13 having a support claw 13a formed at the lower end portion toward the front end side of the sheet S is formed around a rotation axis provided on the upper end side. It is provided so as to be able to turn back and forth, and is driven to turn by a rotary actuator 14 so that its support claw 13a enters and exits a notch 12a formed on the lower edge side of the sheet stopper 12.
[0019]
Next, FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the control device 30 of the down stacker 1. The control device 30 is provided with a central control unit 51 including an I / O port 31 and a CPU 32, ROM 33, RAM 34, and the like connected thereto. Of the sensors SE <b> 1 to SE <b> 6 described above, SE <b> 1 is connected to the I / O port 31 via the A / D converter 35. SE2 to SE6 are directly connected to the I / O port 31. On the other hand, the pulse generators PG1 and PG2 are directly connected to the I / O port 31. Further, the lifter conveyor drive motor 12, the carry-out conveyor drive motor 107, and the carry-in conveyor drive motor 108 are connected to the I / O port 31 via motor drivers 41 to 43, respectively. In addition, the I / O port 31 includes a drive device 44 for the fluid cylinder 7 that moves the lifter table 3 up and down (for example, it can be configured to include a proportional solenoid valve that controls the flow rate of fluid flowing into or out of the cylinder). Are connected through a drive control unit 45. Further, an input unit 45 and a timer 46 for inputting various control set values are also connected to the I / O port 31.
[0020]
The ROM 33 stores a control program 33a for controlling the entire down stacker 1. Further, the RAM 34 has a pallet unloading limit setting memory 34a, a pallet unloading limit setting memory 34b, a lifter conveyor pulse counter 34c (stores the pulse count number of PG2), and a lifter pulse counter 34d (stores the pulse count number of PG1). Further, a palette width memory 34e (input from the input unit 45) is formed.
[0021]
Hereinafter, the operation of the down stacker 1 will be described. First, on the line 100 side, processing (separation processing) is performed for separating the continuously conveyed sheets S into a predetermined number corresponding to the number of stacked sheets in the down stacker 1. As shown in FIG. 7A, the sandwich conveyor 102, the suction conveyor 103, and the shingling conveyor 104 are driven at different speeds V3, V2, and V1 (for example, V1 << V2, V2> V3, respectively), Here, in order to divide the predetermined number of sheets S on the preceding side from the succeeding sheet S ′, for example, as follows: That is, as shown in FIG. When the SL at the end of the sheet S is transferred to the single ring conveyor 104, the single ring conveyor 104 is accelerated to V1 + α, and the suction conveyor 103 is decelerated to V2-β. A gap G having a predetermined length L1 is formed between the last sheet SL on the preceding side and the first one on the succeeding side as shown in FIG. It is disconnected from the sheet S '. The value of L1 is set in consideration of the stack unloading cycle length of S down stacker 1.
[0022]
14 and 15 show the flow of processing in the down stacker 1. First, the lifter table (hereinafter simply referred to as lifter) 3 is moved to the reception start position of the sheet S in S1. For example, the reception start position is set to a position where the sheet S is detected by SE1 when the first sheet S is placed on the pallet B on the lifter 3 as shown in FIG. be able to. Next, in S2, acceptance of the sheet S from the single ring conveyor 104 is started. If SE1 detects a sheet in S3, the lifter 3 is lowered by an amount corresponding to the thickness of one sheet in S5 to S7, and returns to S3 from S8 and SE1 detects the next sheet S. Thus, the lifter 3 is further lowered by one sheet. By repeating this, the sheets S are gradually stacked on the pallet B (FIGS. 8B to 8E).
[0023]
Here, as shown in FIG. 4, when the first sheet is supplied to the down stacker 1, the sheet holder 13 pivots forward to greet the edge of the sheet S from the lower side by the holding claw 13 a. So hold this. As a result, the edge of the first sheet is less likely to be damaged. Thereafter, the sheet holder 13 is retracted rearward. Note that the amount by which the lifter 3 is lowered once can also be set to an amount corresponding to the thickness of a plurality of sheets S, and the reception start position correspondingly corresponds to the number of sheets on the pallet B. When the sheets S are stacked, the uppermost layer is set at a position where it is detected by SE1.
[0024]
Next, as shown in FIG. 9A, when SE2 no longer detects the sheet S, it corresponds to the fact that the last SL of the sheet S related to the lamination has passed SE2, This means that the stacking of the sheet S on is completed. In this case, the process proceeds from S8 to S9 in FIG. 14, and the lifter 3 starts to descend toward the unloading position together with the pallet B and the laminated body P (FIG. 9B). At the same time, the lifter conveyor 3 starts the lateral movement of the pallet B in the direction relating to the carry-out (or discharge) as shown in FIGS. 10 (a) to 10 (d) (S10). When the lateral movement amount reaches the set value, the lifter conveyor 9 stops (S11).
[0025]
The lateral movement amount is set (the set value is stored in the pallet unloading limit setting memory 34a (FIG. 6)). As shown in FIG. 10A, the pallet B with the width WB is the lifter 3 with the width WL. When the end of the pallet B on the discharge side reaches the end of the lifter 3, it is necessary to move by (WL−WB) × 0.5. After that, the pallet B moves out of the end of the lifter 3, but in order for the pallet B not to fall off the lifter 3, the amount of protrusion needs to be 0.5 WB or less, for example. Therefore, the lateral movement amount may be set within a range of (WL−WB) × 0.5 + 0.5WB = 0.5 WL or less. The palette width WB is stored in the palette width memory 34e (FIG. 6). This lateral movement amount is controlled based on the pulse count value of PG2, but a sensor for detecting the start of movement of the pallet tip is provided, and the rotation of the motor 10 is assumed to be constant, and the time measurement by the timer 46 is performed. You may make it control.
[0026]
If the amount of lateral movement has reached the set value, the lifter conveyor 9 is stopped in S12, but if the set value is not reached, the operation of the conveyor 9 is continued as it is. Next, the process proceeds to S13 in FIG. 15, and if the lifter 3 reaches the unloading position, the process proceeds to S15 to stop the lowering, and as shown in FIGS. The three conveyors, the lifter conveyor 9, the carry-out conveyor 105, and the carry-in conveyor 106, which are flush with each other, are simultaneously operated at the same speed (S16 to S18). As a result, the old pallet B loaded with the stacked body P is discharged, and the new pallet B ′ is carried onto the lifter 3. Then, the process proceeds to S19 in FIG. 15, and the completion of the unloading of the old pallet B from the lifter 3 is confirmed by SE5 (the unloading side pallet sensor 23), and the amount of entry of the new pallet B 'onto the lifter 3 is set in S20. If the value is reached, the lifter 3 starts to rise while continuing the lateral movement of the new pallet B ′ on the lifter conveyor 9 (see FIG. 12).
[0027]
Note that the setting of the entry amount of the new pallet B ′ (the set value is stored in the pallet carry-in limit setting memory 34b (FIG. 6)) is 0 in order to avoid dropping from the lifter 3 in the case of the pallet B having the width WB. Must be set to 5 WB or more. The entry amount is controlled based on the pulse count value of PG2 or the time measurement by the timer 46 after the SE 6 (loading side pallet sensor 24) detects the tip of the pallet B ′.
[0028]
Next, the process proceeds to S21, and the operation of the lifter conveyor 9 is stopped when the pallet B 'reaches a predetermined position on the lifter 3, for example, a stacking preparation position set so as to substantially overlap the center line of the stack discharge path. When the lifter 3 reaches the reception start position again, the lifter 3 stops ascending (S27), returns to S2, and starts receiving the next sheet. The following processing is the same.
[0029]
In the above-described embodiment, the sensor SE2 detects and confirms that the gap G formed between the sheets S has arrived at the down stacker 1 due to the separation process, and then descends for discharging the stacked body P. In addition, the stack discharge from the down stacker 1 is controlled in conjunction with the separation process, but a configuration in which this is not necessarily linked is also possible. It is. For example, as long as the timing when the gap G arrives at the down stacker 1 and the timing of the lateral movement start of the stacked body P substantially coincide with each other, the separation process and the discharging process of the stacked body P are performed independently of each other. It is possible to control. In this case, the sensor SE2 can be omitted.
[0030]
Specifically, for example, the following is performed. That is, if the lifter 3 is lowered to a predetermined position as the sheets S are stacked, the lifter 3 is moved to a predetermined position (for example, even if the sheet S is being supplied from the single conveyor 104 to the down stacker 1). The upper part of the sheet laminate is lowered to a position where it does not interfere with the attached arrangement such as the sheet stopper 12, and after reaching the predetermined position, the lateral movement of the laminate P is started while the lifter 3 is further lowered. To do. Before the lateral movement starts, the gap G arrives at the down stacker 1 and the supply of the sheet S for forming the laminated body P is completed. The timing of performing the separation process in is adjusted.
[0031]
In this case, as shown in FIG. 13, the height position of the lifter 3 for starting the lateral movement of the laminate (hereinafter referred to as the lateral movement start position) is detected by a sensor 50 arranged corresponding thereto. Can do. Here, when the lateral movement start position is set so as to avoid interference between the upper part of the sheet laminate and the above-mentioned accessory, the accessory, etc. can be changed by changing the height of the laminate. Since the position in the height direction is fixed, the lateral movement start position must be changed accordingly. In this case, by providing the sensor 50 so that the position can be changed in the height direction, or by providing a plurality of sensors 50 at different heights, and selectively using one of the sensors 50, The lateral movement start position can be changed / adjusted.
[0032]
The sheet S may be directly laminated on the lifter 3 without using the pallet B. In this case, it is not necessary to perform the lateral movement operation of the lifter conveyor 9 when the lifter 3 is raised. Further, even when the pallet B is used, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which any of the lateral movement operations of the pallet when the lifter 3 is lowered and when it is raised is not performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a corrugated sheet production line including a down stacker according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual front view of a down stacker.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual plan view.
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a sheet stopper.
FIG. 5 is a plan view and a side view of a lifter table.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control device.
FIG. 7 is a process explanatory diagram of sheet separation processing.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a sheet stacking process.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the separation confirmation sensor.
FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram of the lifter conveyor when the lifter is lowered.
FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram of a lifter conveyor when carrying out an old pallet and carrying in a new pallet.
FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory diagram of the lifter conveyor when the lifter is raised.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing another control method when the lifter is lowered.
FIG. 14 is an operation flowchart of the down stacker.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart following FIG. 14;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Down stacker B Pallet (underlay material)
S Corrugated cardboard sheet P Laminate 3 Lifter table (sheet support)
9 Lifter conveyor (conveyor mechanism)

Claims (7)

In a down stacker in which a sheet such as a corrugated cardboard sheet supplied from above is laminated on a sheet support that can be moved up and down by a lifting device to form a sheet stack,
A conveyor mechanism for moving the sheet stack from the lower side while supporting the sheet stack from the lower side is provided integrally with the sheet support.
Said sheet support supporting the sheet stack stacked on the conveyor mechanism, while subjected under for discharging the lifting device of the sheet stack, the range wherein the conveyor mechanism setting the sheet stack In order to move the sheet stack to a position deviated from the center of the conveyor mechanism
After the sheet stack reaches the lowered position, the conveyor mechanism laterally moves the sheet stack in a direction further away from the position deviated from the center of the conveyor mechanism , and discharges the sheet stack from the sheet support. A down stacker characterized by In a down stacker in which sheets such as cardboard sheets supplied from above are stacked on a sheet support that can be raised and lowered to form a sheet stack,
The sheet is laminated on the underlay member,
The sheet support receives the underlaying member before sheet lamination in a state where the sheet member is separated from the lamination preparation position for receiving the sheet for its ascent.
A down stacker wherein the underlay member is moved laterally toward the stacking preparation position while being raised by the sheet support. The down stacker according to claim 2, wherein the sheet stack is moved laterally for discharging the sheet stack while being lowered by the sheet support. The down stacker according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the seat support starts to raise the underlay member in a state where a part of the received underlay member protrudes in the lateral direction. Said sheet support, said sheet sequentially so stacked while receiving from above, claims have become Let 's you continuously or intermittently descend in response to increases in the lamination thickness 1,3,4 The down stacker according to any one of the above. The sheet stack is moved laterally to a position where a part of the sheet stack protrudes from the sheet support, and is transferred to a sheet unloading means provided at the unloading position in that state. Down stacker. 7. The conveyor mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor mechanism receives a next underlay member from a side opposite to the discharged underlay member by using a discharge operation of the underlay member on which the sheets are stacked. The down stacker according to crab.

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