JP3717295B2

JP3717295B2 - Noodle transfer equipment

Info

Publication number: JP3717295B2
Application number: JP34628597A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 文男中岡
Original assignee: 有限会社マルブン
Priority date: 1997-12-16
Filing date: 1997-12-16
Publication date: 2005-11-16
Anticipated expiration: 2017-12-16
Also published as: JPH11169060A

Description

【０００１】
【産業上の利用分野】
本発明は、室で熟成させた麺を麺延伸装置に自動的に掛け込む麺移載装置に関し、特に、麺延伸装置への掛け込みの前に麺を所定の長さに延伸できるようにした麺移載装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
例えば素麺の製造工程では、原料粉を捏ねて生地を造り、この生地を例えば直径５ｃｍ程度の太い紐状に形成し、更に１ｃｍ程度の太さの紐状に練り伸ばして１対の管に８字状に多数回巻き掛けてから熟成させ、この後、１対の管のうちの一方を上管として上管受けに支持させ、他方を下管として上管受けの下方に配置された下管受けに支持させて、上下両管受けの間隔を段階的に拡大することにより麺を延伸している。
【０００３】
熟成が終わる前の麺は延伸すると切れてしまうので、熟成時には、１対の管を例えば前後方向に並べて室（むろ）に設けた管受け枠に支持させ、両管の間に麺が垂れ下がるようにして、麺に自重以外の荷重が掛からないようにしている。
【０００４】
熟成が終了すると、両管を管受けから手作業で掛け外し、次段の処理装置、即ち、麺延伸装置に手作業で掛け込んでいる。
麺延伸装置には、上管が掛け込まれる上管取り枠と、上管取り枠に上管及び麺を介して懸垂支持された下管を押し下げる下管取り枠と、これらの間隔を拡縮する拡縮手段が設けられ、必要に応じ、上管取り枠に上管を搬入する搬入コンベアが設けられ、熟成させた麺は順にその上管を麺延伸装置の搬入コンベアあるいは上管取り枠に掛け込まれる。
【０００５】
ところで、一般に、室には例えば前後方向に延びる管受け枠が上下に５〜７段に、かつ、前後対をなして設けられ、前後対をなす管受け枠にはそれぞれ４０〜８０の麺が掛け込まれる。又、麺延伸装置に掛け替える作業は作業員が入れ替わり立ち替わり室の中に入ることができないので、１回に１組の上下両管とこれらに巻き掛けられた麺を掛け替えることができるに過ぎない。従って、上述のように室に掛けられた多量の麺を麺延伸装置に移載する作業は非常に多くの労力と時間とを必要とする。
【０００６】
このため、この室から麺延伸装置への麺の掛け替え作業を機械化することが切望されているのであるが、この作業は微妙で複雑なために手作業でもかなりの熟練を要する作業であり、この作業の勘所として次のような問題がある。
【０００７】
即ち、前後に並べて支持されている上管と下管とをそのまま麺延伸装置に搬入することができず、その中の上管だけを選別して麺延伸装置の搬入コンベアあるいは上管取り枠に掛け込む必要があるという問題、上管に巻き掛けられた麺に急激に下管の重量が作用すると麺が千切れることを防止するため、麺に自重以外の重量が作用しないように室の管受け枠から上管と下管とを取り上げる必要があるという問題、室から麺延伸装置に掛け込むまでに麺が密着することを防止するために上管と下管との間に適当な間隔を保持しなければならないという問題などがある。
【０００８】
しかしながら、これらの勘所となる問題を有効に、かつ、一挙に解決することは非常に困難であると考えられ、この室から麺延伸装置への麺の掛け替え作業を処理する麺移載装置（以下、先願発明という。）を本発明者が提案するまではこの種の機械装置は全く提案されていなかったのである。
【０００９】
この先願発明に係る麺移載装置は、室から麺延伸装置への麺の掛け替え作業を処理する機械装置を提供するという目的を達成するため、まず、室１内に前後に並べて掛け込んだ上下両管Ａ，Ｂをその前後間隔を維持したまま上下２段の高さに支持して持ち上げた後、室１から引き出す掛け外し機構２を備えている。
【００１０】
この掛け外し機構２によれば、麺Ｃが巻き掛けられた上下両管Ａ，Ｂを室１の中で所定の前後間隔を置いて支持する管受手段１１から、その前後間隔を維持したまま上下２段の高さに支持して持ち上げられるので、麺Ｃに自重以外の重量を作用させずに上下両管Ａ，Ｂを取り上げることができる。
【００１１】
又、麺Ｃが巻き掛けられた上下両管Ａ，Ｂがその前後関係及び上下関係を維持したまま室１の外に引き出されるので、管受手段１１から上下両管Ａ，Ｂを掛け外して室１外に引き出す際に麺Ｃどうしが密着するおそれはない。
【００１２】
更に、先願発明に係る麺移載装置は、室１から引き出された上下両管Ａ，Ｂのうち、掛け外し機構２に高く支持させた上管Ａを掛け外し機構２から受け取り、この後、掛け外し機構２を下降させて前記上管Ａに麺Ｃを介して下管Ｂを懸垂支持させてから、上管Ａを麺延伸装置４の搬入コンベア４１に掛け込む掛け込み機構３を備える。
【００１３】
この掛け込み機構３によれば、掛け外し機構２から上管Ａのみを受け取り、この上管Ａに麺Ｃを介して下管Ｂを懸垂支持させるので、前後に並べて支持されている上下両管Ａ，Ｂの中の上管Ａだけを選別して麺延伸装置４に掛け込むことができるようになる。
【００１４】
又、この掛け込み機構によれば、上管Ａを掛け外し機構２から受け取った後に掛け外し機構２を下降させることにより上管Ａに麺Ｃを介して下管Ｂを懸垂支持させるので、下管Ｂが麺Ｃを介して上管Ａに懸垂支持されるまでは麺Ｃに自重以外の力が作用せず、上管Ａに巻き掛けられた麺Ｃに急激に下管Ｂの重量が作用して麺Ｃが千切れることを防止できる上、麺Ｃどうしを密着させることなく、麺Ｃ及び下管Ｂを上管Ａに懸垂支持させることができる。
【００１５】
ところで、この先願に係る麺移載装置によれば、室１から麺延伸装置４に麺Ｃを移載する間に、麺Ｃには麺Ｃと下管Ｂとの自重以外の荷重がかからないので、麺Ｃが延伸されることはなく、後続の麺延伸装置４のみにおいて麺Ｃが所定の長さに延伸されることになっている。
【００１６】
しかしながら、未延伸の麺Ｃを一挙に所定の長さまで延伸すると、麺Ｃの張力が麺Ｃの粘りを越えて一挙に大きくなり、麺が切断してしまう。この麺の切断を防止するために、従来では麺延伸装置４においては麺Ｃを数段階にわたって段階的に延伸するか、長時間をかけて連続的に延伸するかしている。
【００１７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
このように、麺延伸装置４における麺Ｃの延伸を段階的に行うことや、連続延伸に時間をかけることは、明らかに、製麺工程全体の工程時間を短縮する上で不利になる。
【００１８】
しかし、この麺延伸装置４における麺Ｃの延伸の段階を減らしたり、連続延伸の時間を短縮することは麺Ｃの切断を防止するために限界がある。
一方、室１から出された麺Ｃは延伸可能な程度に熟成されているにもかかわらず、麺移載装置においては全く延伸されないので、この麺移載装置により麺Ｃを室１から麺延伸装置４に移載する間の時間は麺Ｃの延伸を行う工程時間という観点からは利用可能であるにかかわらず利用されないロスタイムとなっている。
【００１９】
本発明は、上記の事情を考慮してなされたものであり、室１から麺延伸装置４への麺Ｃの移載の間に麺Ｃをある程度延伸でき、もって、延伸工程における麺Ｃの切断を防止すると同時に、製麺工程全体の工程時間の短縮を図ることができる麺移載装置を提供することを目的とする。
【００２０】
【課題を解決するための手段】
この目的を達成するため、本発明は、室１内に前後に並べて掛け込んだ上下両管Ａ、Ｂをその前後間隔を維持したまま上下２段の高さに支持して持ち上げた後、室１から引き出す掛け外し機構２と、室１から引き出された上下両管Ａ、Ｂのうち、掛け外し機構２に高く支持させた上管Ａを掛け外し機構２から受け取り、この後、前記掛け外し機構２を下降させて前記上管Ａに麺Ｃを介して下管Ｂを懸垂支持させてから、上管Ａを麺延伸装置４に掛け込む掛け込み機構３とを備える麺移載装置において、以下のような技術的手段を採用する。
【００２１】
即ち、前記掛け外し機構２は、上向きのくし歯状に形成された管取り枠２１と、この管取り枠２１を室１の内外にわたって往復させる進退機構２２と、前記管取り枠２１を上下に往復させる昇降機構２３とを備え、前記管取り枠２１は各くし歯の上端に形成された上管受部２１ａと各くし歯の間の溝底に形成された下管受部２１ｂと、各下管受部２１ｂに支持された下管Ｂの上方に出没する管押さえ２７と、この管押さえ２７を駆動する管押さえ駆動手段２８とを備え、前記管取り枠２１を下降させる際に前記管押さえ２７を下管Ｂの上方に進出させて下管Ｂを上側から受け止め、下管Ｂを前記管取り枠２１とともに下降させることにより麺Ｃを延伸する、という手段を講じている。
【００２２】
これにより、室１から麺延伸装置４に麺Ｃを自動的に移載する間に、その移載の工程時間を延長することなく麺Ｃを所定の長さに延伸することができ、その結果、麺延伸装置４において麺Ｃを延伸する際に麺が切断することを防止できると共に、麺延伸装置４における延伸の段階数や連続延伸の時間を削減して、製麺工程全体の工程時間を短縮することができる。
【００２３】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明の実施例を図面に基づいて具体的に説明すれば、以下の通りである。
図２の側面図に示すように、本発明の一実施例に係る麺移載装置は、室１内に設けた管受手段１１に前後に並べて掛け込んだ上下両管Ａ，Ｂをその前後間隔を維持したまま上下２段の高さに支持して持ち上げた後、室１から引き出す掛け外し機構２と、室１から引き出された上下両管Ａ，Ｂのうち、掛け外し機構２に高く支持させた上管Ａを掛け外し機構２から受け取り、この後、この上管Ａに麺Ｃを介して下管Ｂを懸垂支持させてから上管Ａ、下管Ｂ及びこれらに巻き掛けられた麺Ｃを麺延伸装置４に掛け込む掛け込み機構３とを備えている。
【００２４】
前記管受手段１１は室１内の左右両側部に上下多段（ここでは７段）に設けられ、互いに同期運転されるチェーンコンベアで構成されている。各管受手段１１を同期させる方法は特に限定されず、例えば各管受手段１１にそれぞれモータを設け、これらモータを電気的に同期制御する方法を採ることも可能であるが、この実施例では、図３の側面図に示すように、１台のモータ１４に同期伝動機構１３を介して各管受手段１１のコンベアチェーン１１ｃを連動連結させることにより機械的に同期させている。
【００２５】
即ち、室１のフレーム１２の前後にはそれぞれ左右に適当な間隔を置いて隅柱１２ａが立設され、各隅柱１２ａに上下方向に適当な間隔を置いて各管受手段１１の端部回転軸１１ａが回転自在に支持される。
【００２６】
後側（図３上、右側）の隅柱１２ａに支持させた各端部回転軸１１ａの外端部には前記同期伝動機構１３のファイナルスプロケット１３ａが固定され、各隅柱１２ａのすべてのファイナルスプロケット１３ａにわたってファイナルチェーン１３ｂが巻き掛けられる。又、各ファイナルスプロケット１３ａとファイナルチェーン１３ｂとの噛み合いを確実にするために、各隅柱１２ａにはファイナルチェーン１３ｂを案内する多数のアイドラ１３ｃ（スプロケットでもよい。）と、ドライブスプロケット１３ｄをそれぞれ回転自在に支持させている。
【００２７】
これにより、後側の隅柱１２ａに支持させた各回転軸１１ａが互いに機械的に同期することになるが、この実施例では、更に、前側の隅柱１２ａに支持させた各回転軸１１ａどうしも同様にして互いに同期させている。
【００２８】
後側の隅柱１２ａに支持された端部回転軸１１ａの後方に配置された左右１対の前記ドライブスプロケット１３ｄは共通の同期伝動軸１３ｅの前後両端部に固定され、この同期伝動軸１３ｅをイニシャルチェーン１３ｆを介して１台のモータ１４に連動させることにより、前後左右の全ての端部軸１１ａが前記モータ１４に同期することになる。
【００２９】
図８の側面図に示すように、前記管受手段１１は、各端部回転軸１１ａの両端部に固定されたスプロケット１１ｂと前後に対をなすスプロケット１１ｂに巻き掛けられたコンベアチェーン１１ｃを備え、コンベアチェ−ン１１ｃには適当な間隔を置いて外向きに突出するラグ１１ｄが設けられる。そして、このコンベアチェーン１１ｃの上周部の１つのラグ１１ｄの両側に、麺Ｃを巻き掛けた１対の上管Ａと下管Ｂとが手作業で掛け込まれ、この上下両管Ａ，Ｂの両外側のラグ１１ｄの更に両外側に別の麺Ｃを巻き掛けた下管Ｂ又は上管Ａが掛け込まれる。
【００３０】
なお、コンベアチェーン１１ｃの上周部は上管Ａ、下管Ｂ及び麺Ｃの重量及びこのコンベアチェーン１１ｃの自重によって下方に湾曲しないように、図示しないチェーンガイドで下側から受け止められている。
【００３１】
この室１によれば、前面で各段の管受手段１１に上から下、あるいは下から上に順に、麺Ｃが巻き掛けられた上管両管Ａ，Ｂを前後に並べて乗せ、フレームの前面に設けたインチング操作ボタン１５（図２に示す。）を押すことにより前記モータ１３を作動させて管受手段１１をその上周部が前から後に進む方向に適当なピッチだけ回動させ、この後、同じようにして各段の管受手段１１に上から下、あるいは下から上に順に、麺Ｃが巻き掛けられた上管Ａ及び下管を前後に並べて乗せ、管受手段１１を所定のピッチだけ回動させるというように、上管両管Ａ，Ｂ及び麺Ｃの掛け込みと、管受手段１１のインチング操作という手順を繰り返すことにより多量の麺Ｃを能率良く掛け込むことができる。
【００３２】
前記掛け外し機構２は、例えば図１に示すように、左右１対の管取り枠２１と、これを支持するフレーム２４とを備える。このフレーム２４はガイドバー２５が付設され、このフレーム２４及びガイドバー２５を案内にして昇降可能に設けられた昇降枠２６に各管取り枠２１が前後方向に進退可能に支持させてある。
【００３３】
前記管取り枠２１は、図４及び図５に模式的に示し、又、図１、図６ないし図１２に具体的に示すように、上向きのくし歯状に形成され、各くし歯の上端に形成され、上管Ａを下側から受け止める上管受部２１ａと、各くし歯の間の溝底に形成され、この上管受部２１ａから前後方向に前記管掛け枠１１に支持させた上下両管Ａ，Ｂと同じ間隔だけ後方に離れて上管受部２１ａよりも低い位置で下管Ｂを下側から受け止める下管受部２１ｂとを有している。
【００３４】
この上管受部２１ａ及び下管受部２１ｂの数は特に限定されず、例えば麺延伸装置４の処理能力、室１、麺移載装置及び麺延伸装置４の設置スペースなどを考慮して設定すればよく、この実施例では、例えば図１に示すように、８つの上管受部２１ａ及び下管受部２１ｂが形成されている。
【００３５】
又、これらの上管受部２１１ａ及び下管受部２１ｂは上管Ａ及び下管Ｂを位置決めして支持できるようにＵ字溝形（Ｖ字溝形でもよい。）に形成される。
前記掛け外し機構２は、管取り枠２１、フレーム２４、ガイドバー２５及び昇降枠２６の他に、各管取り枠２１を室１の内外にわたって往復させる左右１対の進退機構２２と、各管取り枠２１を昇降させる昇降機構２３とを備えている。
【００３６】
前記各進退機構２２は、対応する管取り枠２１を室１の内外にわたって往復させるように構成してあればよく、例えば油圧、空気圧あるいは電動のシリンダ、スクリュー及びナット、ラック及びピニオン、チェーンなど任意の公知の直線往復駆動機構や、ピン・レバーなどの往復揺動駆動機構を用いればよい。
【００３７】
この実施例では、例えば図１に示すように、前記進退機構２２は、前記管取り枠２１に固定したラック２２ａと、前記ガイドバー２５に昇降摺動可能に、かつ、回転自在に支持させたピニオン２２ｂと、前記昇降枠２６に支持され、前記ピニオン２２ｂを駆動するモータ２２ｃとよって構成される。
【００３８】
左右の両管取り枠２１は、同期して移動させることが必要であり、例えばこれらを連結枠で連結して機械的に同期させることも可能であるが、この場合には、上、下両管Ａ、Ｂ及びこれに巻き掛けた麺線Ｃ、並びに室１の管受手段１１と連結枠とが干渉しないように連結枠の形状を設計する必要がある。又、この連結枠の移動空間を確保するために、室１の管受手段１１の上下間隔を大きくする必要があるので、室１の麺収納容量が小さくなるという問題もある。
【００３９】
この実施例では、連結枠の形状設計の煩雑さや、室１の麺収納容量の減少を避けるために、連結枠を用いずに、左右の進退機構２２のモータ２２ｃを電気的に同期させることにより、両管取り枠２１が同期して進退するようにしている。
【００４０】
前記昇降機構２３は、対応する管取り枠２１及びこれを支持する昇降枠２６を所定の範囲にわたって上下に同期して往復させるように構成してあればよく、例えば油圧、空気圧あるいは電動のシリンダ、スクリュー及びナット、ラック及びピニオン、チェーン、ワイヤー、ピン・レバー機構、スライダー・クランク機構などを用いればよい。
【００４１】
この実施例では、例えば図２に示すように、フレーム２４の上下に左右軸の回りに回転自在に支持させた左右各１対のスプロケット２３ａ，２３ｂと、これら上下対をなすスプロケット２３ａ，２３ｂに巻き掛けられ、前記昇降枠２６に連結された各チェーン２３ｃと、上側のスプロケット２３ｂに連動連結されたモータ２３ｄとで構成され、左右のチェーン２３ｃの同期は上側のスプロケット２３ｂを同期伝動軸２３ｅで機械的に連動させることにより得られている。
【００４２】
前記掛け外し機構２には、先端がその摺動方向の一方に鉤状に曲げられた、下管受部２１ｂと同数の歯を備え、各歯の鉤先が各下管受部２１に支持された下管Ｂの上方に出没するように各管取り枠２１に前後方向に摺動可能に支持される管押さえ２７と、この管押さえ２７を往復駆動する、例えばソレノイドからなる管押さえ駆動手段２８とが設けられる。
【００４３】
次にこの掛け外し機構２が上下両管Ａ、Ｂ及び麺Ｃを室１から取り出す掛け外し動作の動作プログラムを図面に基づき具体的に説明する。
前記管取り枠２１は、初期状態では、麺Ｃを巻き掛けた上下両管Ａ，Ｂの室１内への掛け込みを妨げないようにするため、図１、図３（ａ）及び図５に示すように、室１の後外側に位置させてあり、又、ここでは、最上段の管掛け枠１１からの上下両管Ａ，Ｂの掛け外しに備えて、最上段の管掛け枠１１に支持された上下両管Ａ，Ｂよりも低く位置させてある。
【００４４】
この状態で、前記掛け外し機構２を始動すると、先ず、進退機構２２が作動して、図４（ｂ）及び図６の実線で示すように、上管受部２１ａが上管Ａの真下に、下管受部２１ｂが下管Ｂの真下にそれぞれ位置する位置まで、管取り枠２１を室１内に進入させる。
【００４５】
前記昇降枠２６には、管取り枠２１の位置を検出するために、例えばホトインタラプタからなる進退センサＳ１が設けられ、管取り枠２１が前記の位置まで室１内に進入すると、管取り枠２１の後端に設けた進入端インタラプタＰ１がこの進退センサＳ１を駆動し、前記進退機構２２を停止させると共に、前記昇降機構２３を作動させる。
【００４６】
昇降機構２３の作動により、図４（ｃ）、図６の仮想線及び図７の実線で示すように、下管受部２１ｂが下管Ｂを管掛け枠１１の上側の所定の高さに持ち上げるまで管取り枠２１を上昇させる。これにより、管掛け枠１１に前後に並べて掛け込んだ上下両管Ａ，Ｂが、管取り枠２１によって、その前後間隔を維持したまま上下２段の高さに支持して持ち上げられることになる。
【００４７】
管取り枠２１がこの高さまで上昇すると、前記昇降枠２６に支持させた、例えばホトインタラプタからなる昇降センサＳ２がフレーム２４に固定した上昇インタラプタＰ２によって駆動され、前記昇降機構２３の作動が停止されると共に、前記進退機構２２の逆作動が開始される。
【００４８】
この進退機構２２の逆作動により、管取り枠２１が室１外まで退行し、上下両管Ａ，Ｂ及びこれらに巻き掛けられた麺Ｃが室１から引き出される。
次に、前記掛け込み機構３は、図７に示すように、上管受け３１を所定の間隔を置いて連鎖させた左右１対のチェーン３２と、両チェーン３２の下周部が前後方向に位置するように両チェーン３２が巻き掛けられる前後対をなすスプロケット３３と、両チェーン３２を同期伝動機構３４を介して同期駆動するモータ３５とを備える。
【００４９】
前記上管受け３１の前後間隔は管取り枠２１に支持された上管Ａ又は下管Ｂの前後間隔と同じにしてあり、各上管受け３１の間には少なくとも上管Ａの直径よりも幅が大きい間隙が形成される。又、各上管受け３１はチェーン３２の外側に突出させてあり、その先端部にははチェーン３２の下周部に位置するときに上側が開かれる逆ハ字形（Ｖ字形、Ｕ字形あるいはＪ字形でもよい。）に形成された小片３１ａ（図１参照）が設けられる。
【００５０】
前記掛け外し機構２からこの掛け込み機構３への上下両管Ａ、Ｂ及び麺Ｃの移載は、以下のようにして行われる。
即ち、前記進退機構２２の逆作動により、図５（ａ）に、又、図７に仮想線で、図８に実線で示すように、管取り枠２１がこれに支持した上管Ａが上管受け３１の間の間隙の下方に位置する位置まで退出すると、進退センサＳ１が管取り枠２１に設けた後退端インタラプタＰ４によって駆動され、進退機構２２が停止されると共に、昇降機構２３が更に作動する。
【００５１】
この昇降機構２３の作動により、図５（ｂ）に、又、図８に仮想線で、図９に実線で示すように、管取り枠２１が、上管Ａが高く、下管Ｂが上管受け３１よりも低くなるまで上昇すると、フレーム２４に設けた上限インタラプタＰ３により昇降センサＳ２が駆動され、昇降機構２３が停止される。
【００５２】
この昇降機構２３の停止と同時に、両チェーン３２をその下周部が後方に移動するように回動させ、図９に仮想線で示すように、各上管Ａの真下に各上管受け３１の小片３１ａを移動させる。
【００５３】
この後、前記昇降機構２３が逆作動され、これにより、管取り枠２１が下降して、図５（ｃ）に、又、図１０に示すように、上管Ａが管取り枠２１の上管受部２１ａから上管受け３１に乗せ替えられる。
【００５４】
一方、この昇降機構２３の逆作動の開始と同時に管押さえ駆動手段２８を作動させ、管押さえ２７の鉤先を各下管Ｂの上側に進出させ、この管押さえ２７の鉤先で各下管Ｂを上側から受け止めることにより、管取り枠２１の下降と共に下管Ｂを下降させる。
【００５５】
図５（ｄ）及び図１１に示すように、管取り枠２１が下降するに連れて、上下両管Ａ、Ｂの間隔が拡大され、麺Ｃが上下両管Ａ、Ｂ間で緊張される。
管取り枠２１が更に下降して、昇降センサＳ２が原点インタラプタＰ０により駆動されると、管押さえ駆動手段２８の作動が停止され、管押さえ２７の鉤先が各下管Ｂの上側から退出し、これよも管取り枠２１が下降し続けると下管Ｂが下管受部２１ｂから浮上する。即ち、麺Ｃは昇降センサＳ２が原点インタラプタＰ０を通過するまで延伸されることになる。
【００５６】
ところで、前記昇降枠２６には管受手段１１の最後部の管を検出する管検出センサＳ３が設けてあり、昇降枠２６及び管取り枠２１が上限の位置から下降する間に、昇降枠２６に支持させた管検出センサＳ３が上から２段目の管受手段１１に支持された最後部の管を検出し、更にこの後にフレーム２４に固定した第２段インタラプタＰ６が昇降センサＳ２を駆動すると昇降機構２３の逆作動が停止される。
【００５７】
管取り枠２１がこの位置まで下降すると、下管Ｂは管取り枠２よりも高く位置して、麺Ｃを介して上管Ａに懸垂支持される。
昇降機構２３の逆作動を停止させるタイミングは、特に限定されないが、この実施例では、前記第２段インタラプタＰ６を上昇インタラプタＰ２から管受手段１１の上下ピッチ分低く位置させて、第２段インタラプタＰ６が昇降センサＳ２を駆動し、管取り枠２１が上から２段目の管受手段１１の下側に進入する高さで昇降機構２３が停止され同時に進退機構２２を作動させるようにしいる。これにより、昇降機構２３の停止と同時に次の段、即ち、この場合には上から２段目の管受手段１１からの麺Ｃの取り出し作業が開始されるので、作業時間を短縮することがてきる。
【００５８】
そして、最上位の管受手段１１からの麺Ｃの取り出し作業と同様の手順で上から２段目の麺Ｃの取り出しが行われ、これと並行して最上位の管受手段１１から掛け込み機構３に乗せ替えられた麺Ｃが次のようにして麺延伸装置４の搬入手段４１に掛け込まれる。
【００５９】
即ち、上管受け３１に支持された上管Ａに下管Ｂが麺Ｃを介して懸垂支持され、昇降センサＳ２が第２段インタラプタＰ６を検出すると（或いは管検出センサＳ３が上から２段目の管受手段１１に支持された管を検出すると）、駆動機構３４がチェーン３２をその下周部が後方に移動するように駆動する。各上管受け３１は、麺延伸装置４の搬入コンベア４１の始端部の上方で１８０°反転し、この反転によって上管Ａが上管受け３１から搬入コンベア４１に落下することにより、順に上管Ａが麺延伸装置４に乗せ替えられ、図１２に示すように麺Ｃの麺延伸装置４への掛け込みが終了する。
【００６０】
なお、この実施例では、搬入コンベア４１は管受手段１１と同様のラグ付きコンベアチェーンを有し、隣合うラグの間に１本の上管Ａが落下するようにチェーン３２の搬送速度と搬入コンベア４１の搬送速度とを調和させるために、搬入コンベア４１を前記同期伝動機構３４を介してモータ３５で駆動している。
【００６１】
もっとも、上管受け３１から搬入コンベア４１の始端部への上管Ａの乗せ替えは、前述したように上管受け３１からの上管Ａの落下によることは必要ではなく、例えば搬入コンベア４１の搬送ラインを掛け込み機構３１の搬送ラインよりも高く位置させると共に掛け込み機構３１の搬送先端部に搬入コンベア４１の搬送元端部を重複させることにより、搬入コンベア４１で上管Ａを上管受け３１から持ち上げるようにしたり、又、周囲部に所定の間隔を置いて上管Ａが嵌まり込む溝を形成した回転板によって上管受け３１から上管Ａを持ち上げ、この回転板から上管Ａを搬入コンベア４１に乗せ替えるようにしたりしてもよい。
【００６２】
ところで、既に２段目の管受手段１１の後端側の所定数の上下両管Ａ，Ｂ及びこれらに巻き掛けられた麺Ｃが既に掛け込み機構３に乗せ替えられた後であれば、上限位置から昇降枠２６及び管取り枠２１が下降する時に、前記管検出センサＳ３が第２段の管受手段１１の最後部の管を検出することはない。
【００６３】
この場合には、この直後の昇降センサＳ２による第２段インタラプタＰ６の検出が無効とされ、昇降センサＳ３が第２段インタラプタＰ６を検出する高さから更に下方に昇降枠２６の下降が続けられる。そして、上から３段目以下で、管検出センサＳ３が上から３段目以下の管受手段１１の最後端の管を検出し、この直後に昇降センサＳ２が第３段ないし第７段のインタラプタＰ７〜Ｐ１１を検出した時に昇降枠２６が停止され、その段の麺Ｃの取り出しが開始される。
【００６４】
第７段までのすべての段の麺Ｃが取り出され、管取り枠２１から掛け込み機構３に乗せ替えられた後に、管取り枠２１及び昇降枠２６が第７段の麺Ｃを取り出す高さ、即ち、下限位置まで下降し、昇降センサＳ２が第７段インタラプタＰ１１を検出すると、昇降機構２３の作動方向が反転され、昇降センサＳ２が初期高さインタラプタＰ０を検出すると、昇降枠２６及び管取り枠２１の上昇が停止され、初期位置に戻ることになる。
【００６５】
昇降枠２６及び管取り枠２１が下限位置から初期状態に復帰する間に、室１の各管受手段１１が駆動され、この後、最後端の管が所定の位置に位置すると各管受手段１１が停止され、同時に、麺移載装置の初期状態以後の動作が繰り返され、この繰り返しの結果室１内の上下両上管Ａ，Ｂ及びこれらに巻き掛けられた麺Ｃが全て取り出された後、管取り枠２１及び昇降枠２６が初期状態に戻ると、麺移載装置の動作プログラムが終了される。
【００６６】
なお、本発明において、前記管取り枠２１の上管受部２１ａと下管受部２１ａとの上下間隔を十分に大きくした場合には、掛け込み機構３のチェーン３２を室１の管受手段１１と同様のラグ付きチェーンで構成し、このチェーン３２の上周部に上管Ａの端部を乗せるように構成することができるが、麺移載装置の高さを低くするためには、前記の一実施例のように掛け込み機構３がチェーン３２の下周部で上管Ａの左右両端部を吊り込むようにすることが有利である。
【００６７】
又、前記一実施例においては、掛け込み機構３の構成及びその制御を簡単にするために、掛け込み機構３に上管受け３１を連鎖させた左右１対のチェーン３２と、これらをスプロケット３３及び同期伝動軸３４を介して駆動するモータ３５とを設けているが、この構成に代えて、上縁に上管を位置決めして支持する上管受部を有する板状又は棒状の上管受けと、所定の初期位置に位置する上管受けに管取り枠２１から上管Ａを受け取らせた後、上管受けを搬入コンベア４１の始端部上に移動させてから下降させ、更にこの後、所定の初期位置に復帰させる駆動手段とを設け、初期位置で上管受けに乗せられた上管Ａを上管受けから搬入コンベア４１の始端部に乗せ替えるように構成することもできる。
【００６８】
更に、前記一実施例では、管押さえ駆動手段２８が管取り枠２１が下降を開始下時から管取り枠２１が原点高さに下降するまでの間作動するように構成しているが、前記管押さえ駆動手段２８は、前記室１内で前記掛け外し機構２の各下管受部２１ａに下管Ｂが受け止められてから、上管Ａを掛け外し機構２より掛け込み機構３に受け取らせた後、上管Ａに麺Ｃ及び下管Ｂが自然に懸垂支持される高さまで管取り枠２１を下降させるまでの間に、前記管押さえ２７を各下管受部２１ｂに支持された下管Ｂの上方に進出させ、この後、管取り枠２１を上管Ａに麺Ｃ及び下管Ｂが自然に懸垂支持される高さよりも低い所定の高さに下降させた時に管押さえ２７を各下管受部２１ｂに支持された下管Ｂの上方から退出させるように構成してあればよい。
【００６９】
【発明の効果】
以上に説明したように、本発明は室内に前後に並べて掛け込んだ上下両管をその前後間隔を維持したまま上下２段の高さに支持して持ち上げた後、室から引き出す掛け外し機構を備えるので、麺を巻き掛けられた上下両管が、室の中でこれらを所定の前後間隔を置いて支持する管受手段から、その前後間隔を維持したまま上下２段の高さに支持して持ち上げられ、麺に自重以外の重量が作用しないように室の管受手段から上下両管を取り上げることができる。
【００７０】
又、麺が巻き掛けられた上下両管がその前後関係及び上下関係を維持したまま室の外に引き出されるので、管受手段から上下両管を掛け外して室外に引き出す際に麺どうしが密着するおそれはない。
【００７１】
本発明は、更に、室から引き出された上下両管のうち、掛け外し機構に高く支持させた上管のみを掛け外し機構から受け取り、この後、掛け外し機構を下降させて前記上管に麺を介して下管を懸垂支持させてから、上管を麺延伸装置に掛け込む掛け込み機構を備えるので、掛け外し機構から上管のみを受け取り、この上管に麺を介して下管を懸垂支持させて、前後に並べて支持されていた上下両管の中の上管だけを選別して麺延伸装置に掛け込むことができる。
【００７２】
又、上管を掛け外し機構から受け取った後に掛け外し機構の管取り枠を下降させる時に、管押さえを下管の上側に進出させ、この管押さえで下管を上側から受け止めながら管取り枠を下降させることにより、麺が延伸される。これにより、予め一定量延伸された麺が麺延伸装置に送り込まれることになり、延伸工程において麺が切断され難くなると共に、延伸工程における延伸の段数を削減したり、連続延伸時間を短縮したりすることができ、製麺工程全体の工程時間を短縮できる。
【００７３】
又、上管を掛け外し機構から受け取った後に掛け外し機構を下降させることにより上管に麺を介して下管を懸垂支持させるので、下管が麺を介して上管に懸垂支持されるまでは麺に自重以外の力が作用せず、上管に巻き掛けられた麺に急激に下管の重量が作用して麺が千切れることを防止できる上、麺どうしを密着させることなく、麺及び下管を上管に懸垂支持させることができる。
【００７４】
要するに、本発明によれば、熟練者が行うのと同様にして室から麺延伸装置への麺の掛け替えが自動的にでき、室から麺移載装置への麺の掛け替えに要していた多大の労力が不要になる効果が得られる上、延伸工程における麺の切断を防止できると共に、製麺工程全体の工程時間を短縮できるのである。
【００７５】
本発明において、特に前記管押さえが、前記管取り枠に摺動可能に支持されると共に、先端をその摺動方向の一方に鉤状に曲げた所定数の歯を備え、各歯の鉤先が各下管受部に支持された下管の上方に出没するように管押さえ駆動手段で駆動されると、単一の管押さえで所定数の下管を上側から受け止められるので部品点数の削減を図ることができると共に、構成を簡単にできる効果が得られる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】初期状態における本発明の要部の側面図である。
【図２】本発明の側面図である。
【図３】本発明に連繋させる室の側面図である。
【図４】本発明の管取り枠の室からの掛け外す動作の動作説明図である。
【図５】本発明の掛け外し機構から掛け込み機構への掛け替えの動作説明図である。
【図６】室内で管取り枠が上下両管を取る直前の本発明の要部の側面図である。
【図７】室内で管取り枠が上下両管を取った直後の本発明の要部の側面図である。
【図８】管取り枠が後退位置に後退した時の本発明の要部の側面図である。
【図９】管取り枠が後退位置で上限位置まで上昇した時の本発明の側面図である。
【図１０】掛け込み装置の上管受けが管取り枠に支持された上管の下側に移動した時の本発明の側面図である。
【図１１】上管が掛け込み装置の上管受けに移された後、管取り枠が初期高さまで下降した時の本発明の側面図である。
【図１２】管取り枠が上から２段目の管受手段に対応する位置に下降した時の本発明の側面図である。
【符号の説明】
１室
２掛け外し機構
３掛け込み機構
４麺延伸装置
２１管取り枠
２１ａ上管受部
２１ｂ下管受部
２２進退機構
２３昇降機構
２７管押さえ
２８管押さえ駆動手段[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a noodle transfer device that automatically rips noodles aged in a room into a noodle stretching device, and in particular, the noodles can be stretched to a predetermined length before squeezing into the noodle stretching device. The present invention relates to a noodle transfer device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For example, in the production process of raw noodles, a dough is made by kneading raw material powder, this dough is formed into a thick string shape having a diameter of, for example, about 5 cm, and further kneaded into a string shape with a thickness of about 1 cm to form a pair of tubes. After wrapping many times in a letter shape and aging, one of a pair of tubes is supported by the upper tube receiver as the upper tube, and the other tube is disposed below the upper tube receiver as the lower tube The noodles are stretched by increasing the distance between the upper and lower tube receivers stepwise by supporting the receiver.
[0003]
Since the noodles before ripening are cut when they are stretched, at the time of ripening, a pair of tubes are lined up in the front-and-rear direction, for example, and supported by a tube receiving frame provided in the chamber (muro), so that the noodles hang down between the two tubes Thus, no load other than its own weight is applied to the noodles.
[0004]
When ripening is completed, both tubes are manually detached from the tube receiver, and manually hung on the next processing apparatus, that is, the noodle stretching apparatus.
The noodle stretcher includes an upper tube frame on which the upper tube is hung, a lower tube frame that pushes down the lower tube supported by the upper tube frame via the upper tube and the noodles, and a space between these tubes. Expanding / contracting means is provided, and if necessary, a carry-in conveyor for carrying the upper pipe into the upper pipe-drawing frame is provided, and the noodles that have been aged are sequentially placed on the carry-in conveyor of the noodle stretcher or the upper pipe-drawing frame. It is.
[0005]
By the way, in general, the chamber is provided with, for example, a tube receiving frame extending in the front-rear direction in 5 to 7 stages and forming a pair of front and rear, and each tube receiving frame forming the front and rear pair has 40 to 80 noodles. It is multiplied. In addition, the work of changing over to the noodle stretching device can be changed between the upper and lower pipes and the noodles wrapped around them at one time because the worker is changed and cannot enter the changing room. Not too much. Therefore, the operation of transferring a large amount of noodles hung in the chamber to the noodle stretching apparatus as described above requires a great deal of labor and time.
[0006]
For this reason, there is a keen desire to mechanize the work of changing the noodles from the chamber to the noodle drawing apparatus, but this work is delicate and complicated and requires considerable skill even by hand. There are the following problems as a point of work.
[0007]
That is, the upper tube and the lower tube supported side by side cannot be carried into the noodle stretching apparatus as they are, and only the upper tube in the noodle stretching apparatus is selected and placed on the carry-in conveyor or upper tube frame of the noodle stretching apparatus. In order to prevent the noodles from being broken when the weight of the lower tube suddenly acts on the noodles wrapped around the upper tube, the tube of the chamber should be used so that no weight other than its own weight acts on the noodles. The problem that it is necessary to pick up the upper and lower tubes from the receiving frame, and an appropriate gap between the upper and lower tubes in order to prevent the noodles from coming into close contact with the noodle stretching device from the chamber. There is a problem that it must be retained.
[0008]
However, it is considered that it is very difficult to effectively solve these problems that are the key points at once, and the noodle transfer device (hereinafter referred to as “noodle transfer device”) that processes the noodle changing work from this chamber to the noodle stretching device. This kind of mechanical device was not proposed at all until the inventor proposed the invention of the prior application.
[0009]
In order to achieve the object of providing a machine device for processing the noodle changing operation from the chamber to the noodle stretching device, the noodle transfer device according to the prior invention is firstly arranged in the chamber 1 in the vertical direction. An unloading mechanism 2 for pulling out the tube 1 from the chamber 1 is provided after the pipes A and B are lifted by supporting the pipes A and B at a height of two upper and lower levels while maintaining the distance therebetween.
[0010]
According to this detaching mechanism 2, the pipe receiving means 11 that supports the upper and lower pipes A and B around which the noodles C are wound in the chamber 1 with a predetermined front-rear spacing is maintained while maintaining the front-rear spacing. The upper and lower tubes A and B can be taken up without causing any weight other than their own weight to act on the noodles C because the noodles C are lifted while being supported at two upper and lower levels.
[0011]
Further, since the upper and lower tubes A and B around which the noodles C are wound are pulled out of the chamber 1 while maintaining the front-rear relationship and the vertical relationship, the upper and lower tubes A and B are detached from the tube receiving means 11. There is no risk that the noodles C will be in close contact when being pulled out of the chamber 1.
[0012]
Further, the noodle transfer device according to the invention of the prior application receives from the detaching mechanism 2 the upper tube A supported by the detaching mechanism 2 out of the upper and lower tubes A and B drawn from the chamber 1, and thereafter And a hooking mechanism 3 for lowering the unloading mechanism 2 to suspend and support the lower pipe B via the noodle C on the upper pipe A and then hooking the upper pipe A onto the carry-in conveyor 41 of the noodle stretching apparatus 4. .
[0013]
According to this hooking mechanism 3, since only the upper pipe A is received from the hooking mechanism 2, and the lower pipe B is suspended and supported by the upper pipe A via the noodles C, both the upper and lower pipes supported side by side are supported. Only the upper tube A in A and B can be selected and placed in the noodle stretcher 4.
[0014]
Further, according to this hooking mechanism, the lower pipe B is suspended and supported by the upper pipe A via the noodles C by lowering the hooking mechanism 2 after the upper pipe A is received from the hooking mechanism 2. Until the tube B is suspended and supported by the upper tube A via the noodle C, no force other than its own weight acts on the noodle C, and the weight of the lower tube B acts abruptly on the noodle C wrapped around the upper tube A. The noodles C and the lower tube B can be suspended and supported on the upper tube A without causing the noodles C to adhere to each other.
[0015]
By the way, according to the noodle transfer device according to this prior application, while the noodle C is transferred from the chamber 1 to the noodle stretching device 4, no load other than the weight of the noodle C and the lower tube B is applied to the noodle C. The noodles C are not stretched, and the noodles C are stretched to a predetermined length only in the subsequent noodle stretching device 4.
[0016]
However, when the unstretched noodles C are stretched to a predetermined length all at once, the tension of the noodles C exceeds the viscosity of the noodles C, and the noodles are cut. In order to prevent the noodles from being cut, the noodle stretching apparatus 4 conventionally stretches the noodles C in stages over several stages or continuously over a long time.
[0017]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Thus, performing the stretching of the noodles C in the noodle stretching apparatus 4 in stages and taking time for continuous stretching is obviously disadvantageous in reducing the process time of the whole noodle making process.
[0018]
However, reducing the stage of stretching the noodle C in the noodle stretching apparatus 4 or shortening the continuous stretching time is limited in order to prevent the noodle C from being cut.
On the other hand, although the noodle C discharged from the chamber 1 is matured to such an extent that it can be stretched, it is not stretched at all in the noodle transfer device. The time during the transfer to the apparatus 4 is a loss time that is not used in spite of being usable from the viewpoint of the process time for stretching the noodle C.
[0019]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and the noodle C can be stretched to some extent during the transfer of the noodle C from the chamber 1 to the noodle stretching device 4, so that the noodle C is cut in the stretching process. An object of the present invention is to provide a noodle transfer apparatus capable of preventing the noodle making process and shortening the process time of the whole noodle making process.
[0020]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve this object, the present invention supports the upper and lower pipes A and B, which are hung side by side in the chamber 1 while supporting the two upper and lower heights while maintaining the longitudinal interval, The unloading mechanism 2 pulled out from 1 and the upper and lower pipes A and B pulled out from the chamber 1 receive from the unloading mechanism 2 the upper tube A supported by the unloading mechanism 2, and then the unloading mechanism 2 In a noodle transfer device comprising a mechanism 2 that lowers the mechanism 2 to suspend and support the lower tube B via the noodle C on the upper tube A and then hangs the upper tube A into the noodle stretching device 4. The following technical means are adopted.
[0021]
That is, the detaching mechanism 2 includes a tube-drawing frame 21 formed in an upward comb-tooth shape, an advancing / retracting mechanism 22 for reciprocating the tube-drawing frame 21 in and out of the chamber 1, and the tube-drawing frame 21 up and down. And an elevating mechanism 23 that reciprocates, and the tube frame 21 includes an upper tube receiving portion 21a formed at an upper end of each comb tooth, a lower tube receiving portion 21b formed at a groove bottom between the comb teeth, A pipe presser 27 protruding and projecting above the lower pipe B supported by the lower pipe receiving part 21b and a pipe presser driving means 28 for driving the pipe presser 27 are provided. The press 27 is advanced above the lower pipe B to receive the lower pipe B from above, and the noodle C is stretched by lowering the lower pipe B together with the pipe frame 21.
[0022]
Thereby, while the noodle C is automatically transferred from the chamber 1 to the noodle stretching apparatus 4, the noodle C can be stretched to a predetermined length without extending the transfer process time. In addition, the noodle stretching device 4 can prevent the noodles from being cut when stretching the noodle C, and the number of stretching stages and the continuous stretching time in the noodle stretching device 4 can be reduced to reduce the process time of the whole noodle making process. It can be shortened.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings as follows.
As shown in the side view of FIG. 2, the noodle transfer device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes both upper and lower pipes A and B hung side by side on the pipe receiving means 11 provided in the chamber 1. After supporting and lifting at a two-step height while maintaining the interval, the unloading mechanism 2 to be pulled out from the chamber 1 and the unloading mechanism 2 among the upper and lower pipes A and B pulled out from the chamber 1 are higher. The supported upper pipe A is received from the detaching mechanism 2, and then the lower pipe B is suspended from the upper pipe A via the noodles C, and is then wound around the upper pipe A, the lower pipe B, and these. And a loading mechanism 3 for loading the noodle C into the noodle stretching device 4.
[0024]
The pipe receiving means 11 is provided with a plurality of upper and lower stages (here, seven stages) on both left and right sides in the chamber 1, and is constituted by chain conveyors that are operated synchronously with each other. A method for synchronizing the tube receiving means 11 is not particularly limited. For example, a motor may be provided for each tube receiving means 11 and the motors may be electrically controlled synchronously. As shown in the side view of FIG. 3, mechanical synchronization is achieved by interlockingly connecting a conveyor chain 11 c of each tube receiving means 11 to one motor 14 via a synchronous transmission mechanism 13.
[0025]
That is, corner pillars 12a are erected on the front and rear sides of the frame 12 of the chamber 1 with appropriate intervals on the left and right sides, and end portions of the tube receiving means 11 with appropriate intervals in the vertical direction on the respective corner pillars 12a. The rotating shaft 11a is rotatably supported.
[0026]
The final sprocket 13a of the synchronous transmission mechanism 13 is fixed to the outer end portion of each end rotating shaft 11a supported by the rear side (upper right side, FIG. 3) corner column 12a, and all finals of each corner column 12a are fixed. A final chain 13b is wound around the sprocket 13a. Further, in order to ensure the engagement between each final sprocket 13a and the final chain 13b, each corner post 12a rotates a number of idlers 13c (which may be sprockets) for guiding the final chain 13b and a drive sprocket 13d. It is supported freely.
[0027]
As a result, the rotating shafts 11a supported by the rear corner column 12a are mechanically synchronized with each other. In this embodiment, the rotating shafts 11a supported by the front corner column 12a are further connected to each other. Are synchronized with each other in the same manner.
[0028]
The pair of left and right drive sprockets 13d disposed behind the end rotary shaft 11a supported by the rear corner column 12a are fixed to both front and rear ends of a common synchronous transmission shaft 13e. By interlocking with one motor 14 via the initial chain 13f, all the end shafts 11a on the front, rear, left and right are synchronized with the motor 14.
[0029]
As shown in the side view of FIG. 8, the tube receiving means 11 includes a sprocket 11b fixed to both ends of each end rotating shaft 11a and a conveyor chain 11c wound around the sprocket 11b paired in the front and rear direction. The conveyor chain 11c is provided with a lug 11d protruding outward at an appropriate interval. A pair of upper pipe A and lower pipe B around which noodles C are wound are manually hung on both sides of one lug 11d on the upper peripheral portion of the conveyor chain 11c. A lower pipe B or an upper pipe A around which another noodle C is wound is hung on both outer sides of the outer lugs 11d of B.
[0030]
The upper peripheral portion of the conveyor chain 11c is received from the lower side by a chain guide (not shown) so as not to bend downward due to the weight of the upper tube A, the lower tube B and the noodle C and the weight of the conveyor chain 11c.
[0031]
According to this chamber 1, the upper pipes A and B around which the noodles C are wound are placed one after the other on the tube receiving means 11 of each stage on the front surface in order from the top to the bottom or from the bottom to the top. By pressing an inching operation button 15 (shown in FIG. 2) provided on the front surface, the motor 13 is operated to rotate the tube receiving means 11 by an appropriate pitch in the direction in which the upper peripheral portion advances from the front to the rear. Thereafter, in the same manner, the upper tube A and the lower tube around which the noodles C are wound are placed on the tube receiving means 11 of each stage in order from top to bottom or from bottom to top. A large amount of noodles C can be efficiently put in by repeating the procedures of hooking the upper pipes A and B and the noodles C and inching operation of the tube receiving means 11 so as to rotate by a predetermined pitch. it can.
[0032]
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the detaching mechanism 2 includes a pair of left and right tube-mounting frames 21 and a frame 24 that supports them. The frame 24 is provided with a guide bar 25, and each tube-mounting frame 21 is supported by an elevating frame 26 that can be moved up and down with the frame 24 and the guide bar 25 as a guide.
[0033]
4 and 5 and, as specifically shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 to 12, the tube frame 21 is formed in an upward comb shape, and the upper end of each comb tooth. The upper tube receiving portion 21a for receiving the upper tube A from the lower side and the groove bottom between the comb teeth are formed and supported by the tube frame 11 in the front-rear direction from the upper tube receiving portion 21a. A lower tube receiving portion 21b that receives the lower tube B from the lower side at a position lower than the upper tube receiving portion 21a and spaced rearward by the same interval as the upper and lower tubes A and B is provided.
[0034]
The number of the upper tube receiving portion 21a and the lower tube receiving portion 21b is not particularly limited, and is set in consideration of, for example, the processing capacity of the noodle stretching device 4, the installation space of the chamber 1, the noodle transfer device, and the noodle stretching device 4. In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, eight upper tube receiving portions 21a and lower tube receiving portions 21b are formed.
[0035]
The upper tube receiving portion 211a and the lower tube receiving portion 21b are formed in a U-shaped groove shape (may be a V-shaped groove shape) so that the upper tube A and the lower tube B can be positioned and supported.
The detaching mechanism 2 includes a pair of left and right advancing / retracting mechanisms 22 for reciprocating the tube removing frames 21 in and out of the chamber 1 in addition to the tube collecting frame 21, the frame 24, the guide bar 25, and the lifting frame 26, and each tube. An elevating mechanism 23 for elevating the take-up frame 21 is provided.
[0036]
Each advance / retreat mechanism 22 only needs to be configured to reciprocate the corresponding frame 21 inside and outside the chamber 1. For example, hydraulic, pneumatic or electric cylinders, screws and nuts, racks and pinions, chains, etc. A known linear reciprocating drive mechanism or a reciprocating swing driving mechanism such as a pin / lever may be used.
[0037]
In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, the advance / retreat mechanism 22 is supported by a rack 22a fixed to the tube frame 21 and a guide bar 25 so as to be slidable and rotatable. The pinion 22b is constituted by a motor 22c supported by the elevating frame 26 and driving the pinion 22b.
[0038]
It is necessary to move both the left and right tube-mounting frames 21 synchronously. For example, they can be mechanically synchronized by connecting them with a connecting frame. It is necessary to design the shape of the connecting frame so that the tubes A and B, the noodle strings C wound around the tubes A, B, and the tube receiving means 11 of the chamber 1 do not interfere with the connecting frame. In addition, in order to secure the space for moving the connecting frame, it is necessary to increase the vertical distance between the tube receiving means 11 of the chamber 1.
[0039]
In this embodiment, in order to avoid the complicated design of the connecting frame and the decrease in the noodle storage capacity of the chamber 1, the motors 22c of the left and right advancing / retracting mechanisms 22 are electrically synchronized without using the connecting frame. Both pipe-mounting frames 21 advance and retract in synchronization.
[0040]
The elevating mechanism 23 only needs to be configured to reciprocate the corresponding pipe frame 21 and the elevating frame 26 supporting the same in a vertical range in a vertical range, for example, a hydraulic, pneumatic or electric cylinder, A screw and nut, a rack and pinion, a chain, a wire, a pin / lever mechanism, a slider / crank mechanism, and the like may be used.
[0041]
In this embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a pair of left and right sprockets 23a and 23b supported on the upper and lower sides of the frame 24 so as to be rotatable around the left and right axes, and the pair of sprockets 23a and 23b. Each chain 23c is wound and connected to the lifting frame 26 and a motor 23d linked to the upper sprocket 23b. The left and right chains 23c are synchronized with the upper sprocket 23b by a synchronous transmission shaft 23e. It is obtained by mechanically interlocking.
[0042]
The unloading mechanism 2 is provided with the same number of teeth as the lower tube receiving portion 21b, the tip of which is bent in one shape in the sliding direction, and the tip of each tooth is supported by each lower tube receiving portion 21. A pipe presser 27 that is supported by each pipe frame 21 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction so as to protrude above and below the lower pipe B, and a pipe presser drive means comprising, for example, a solenoid that reciprocally drives the pipe presser 27. 28 are provided.
[0043]
Next, an operation program of the unloading operation in which the unloading mechanism 2 takes out the upper and lower tubes A and B and the noodle C from the chamber 1 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
In the initial state, the tube-capturing frame 21 does not hinder the upper and lower tubes A and B around which the noodles C are wrapped from entering the chamber 1, so that FIGS. As shown in FIG. 4, the uppermost tube hanging frame 11 is provided on the rear outer side of the chamber 1, and here, in preparation for detaching the upper and lower tubes A and B from the uppermost tube hanging frame 11. It is positioned lower than the upper and lower pipes A and B supported by each other.
[0044]
When the unloading mechanism 2 is started in this state, first, the advance / retreat mechanism 22 is activated, and the upper tube receiving portion 21a is directly below the upper tube A as shown by the solid line in FIG. 4 (b) and FIG. The tube receiving frame 21 is caused to enter the chamber 1 until the lower tube receiving portion 21b is positioned directly below the lower tube B.
[0045]
The elevating frame 26 is provided with an advance / retreat sensor S1 made of, for example, a photo interrupter in order to detect the position of the tube mounting frame 21, and when the tube mounting frame 21 enters the chamber 1 to the above position, the tube mounting frame An approach end interrupter P1 provided at the rear end of 21 drives the advance / retreat sensor S1, stops the advance / retreat mechanism 22, and operates the elevating mechanism 23.
[0046]
By the operation of the elevating mechanism 23, the lower pipe receiving portion 21b causes the lower pipe B to reach a predetermined height above the pipe hanging frame 11 as shown by the phantom lines in FIG. The tube collecting frame 21 is raised until it is lifted. As a result, the upper and lower pipes A and B hung side by side on the pipe frame 11 are lifted by the pipe frame 21 while being supported at a height of two levels in the vertical direction while maintaining the distance between the front and rear. .
[0047]
When the tubular frame 21 is raised to this height, the lift sensor S2 made of, for example, a photo interrupter supported by the lift frame 26 is driven by the lift interrupter P2 fixed to the frame 24, and the operation of the lift mechanism 23 is stopped. At the same time, the reverse operation of the advance / retreat mechanism 22 is started.
[0048]
Due to the reverse operation of the advance / retreat mechanism 22, the tube collection frame 21 is retracted to the outside of the chamber 1, and the upper and lower tubes A and B and the noodle C wrapped around them are drawn out of the chamber 1.
Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the hooking mechanism 3 includes a pair of left and right chains 32 in which upper tube receivers 31 are chained at a predetermined interval, and a lower peripheral portion of both chains 32 in the front-rear direction. A sprocket 33 that forms a pair of front and rear around which both chains 32 are wound so as to be positioned, and a motor 35 that synchronously drives both chains 32 via a synchronous transmission mechanism 34 are provided.
[0049]
The front-rear spacing of the upper tube receiver 31 is the same as the front-rear spacing of the upper tube A or the lower tube B supported by the tube-capturing frame 21, and at least the diameter of the upper tube A is between each upper tube receiver 31. A gap having a large width is formed. Each upper tube receiver 31 is protruded to the outside of the chain 32, and its tip portion is an inverted C shape (V-shaped, U-shaped or J-shaped) whose upper side is opened when it is located on the lower peripheral portion of the chain 32. The small piece 31a (refer FIG. 1) formed in the shape may be provided.
[0050]
The upper and lower pipes A and B and the noodles C are transferred from the unloading mechanism 2 to the hanging mechanism 3 as follows.
That is, by the reverse operation of the advancing / retracting mechanism 22, the upper tube A supported by the tube frame 21 as shown in FIG. 5 (a), in FIG. 7 by a phantom line, and in FIG. When retreating to a position located below the gap between the tube receivers 31, the advance / retreat sensor S1 is driven by the retracted end interrupter P4 provided on the tube receiving frame 21, the advance / retreat mechanism 22 is stopped, and the elevating mechanism 23 is further moved. Operate.
[0051]
By the operation of the lifting mechanism 23, as shown in FIG. 5B, FIG. 8 by a phantom line, and FIG. 9 by a solid line, the pipe frame 21 is higher in the upper pipe A and the lower pipe B is higher. If it raises until it becomes lower than the pipe receiver 31, the raising / lowering sensor S2 will be driven by the upper limit interrupter P3 provided in the flame | frame 24, and the raising / lowering mechanism 23 will be stopped.
[0052]
Simultaneously with the stop of the elevating mechanism 23, both chains 32 are rotated so that the lower peripheral portion thereof moves rearward, and each upper tube receiver 31 is directly below each upper tube A as indicated by a virtual line in FIG. The small piece 31a is moved.
[0053]
Thereafter, the elevating mechanism 23 is reversely operated, so that the tube-drawing frame 21 is lowered, and the upper tube A is placed on the tube-drawing frame 21 as shown in FIG. 5C and FIG. It is transferred from the tube receiving portion 21a to the upper tube receiving portion 31.
[0054]
On the other hand, simultaneously with the start of the reverse operation of the elevating mechanism 23, the tube pressing drive means 28 is operated, and the tip of the tube pressing member 27 is advanced to the upper side of each lower tube B. By receiving B from the upper side, the lower pipe B is lowered together with the lowering of the pipe collecting frame 21.
[0055]
As shown in FIGS. 5D and 11, as the tube holder 21 descends, the distance between the upper and lower tubes A and B is increased, and the noodle C is strained between the upper and lower tubes A and B. .
When the tubular frame 21 is further lowered and the lift sensor S2 is driven by the origin interrupter P0, the operation of the tube pressing drive means 28 is stopped, and the tip of the tube pressing member 27 is retracted from the upper side of each lower tube B. In this way, the lower pipe B rises from the lower pipe receiving portion 21b when the pipe-drawing frame 21 continues to descend. That is, the noodle C is stretched until the lift sensor S2 passes through the origin interrupter P0.
[0056]
By the way, the elevating frame 26 is provided with a tube detecting sensor S3 for detecting the rearmost tube of the tube receiving means 11, and the elevating frame 26 is moved while the elevating frame 26 and the tube mounting frame 21 are lowered from the upper limit position. The tube detection sensor S3 supported by the second stage detects the rearmost tube supported by the second-stage tube receiving means 11, and then the second-stage interrupter P6 fixed to the frame 24 drives the lift sensor S2. Then, the reverse operation of the lifting mechanism 23 is stopped.
[0057]
When the tube take-up frame 21 is lowered to this position, the lower tube B is positioned higher than the tube take-up frame 2 and is suspended and supported by the upper tube A through the noodles C.
The timing for stopping the reverse operation of the elevating mechanism 23 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, the second stage interrupter P6 is positioned lower than the rising interrupter P2 by the vertical pitch of the tube receiving means 11, and the second stage interrupter. P6 drives the raising / lowering sensor S2, and the raising / lowering mechanism 23 is stopped and the advancing / retreating mechanism 22 is simultaneously activated at a height at which the tube-mounting frame 21 enters the lower side of the tube receiving means 11 at the second stage from above. As a result, the operation of taking out the noodle C from the tube receiving means 11 at the next stage, that is, the second stage from the top in this case, is started simultaneously with the stop of the elevating mechanism 23, so that the work time can be shortened. Come.
[0058]
Then, the noodle C in the second stage is taken out from the top in the same procedure as the take-out operation of the noodle C from the uppermost tube receiving means 11, and in parallel with this, the noodle C is pulled from the uppermost tube receiving means 11. The noodles C that have been transferred to the mechanism 3 are loaded on the carry-in means 41 of the noodle stretcher 4 as follows.
[0059]
That is, when the lower tube B is suspended and supported by the upper tube A supported by the upper tube receiver 31 via the noodles C, and the lift sensor S2 detects the second-stage interrupter P6 (or the tube detection sensor S3 has two steps from the top). When a tube supported by the eye tube receiving means 11 is detected), the drive mechanism 34 drives the chain 32 so that its lower peripheral portion moves rearward. Each upper tube receiver 31 is inverted 180 ° above the start end of the carry-in conveyor 41 of the noodle stretching apparatus 4, and the upper tube A falls from the upper tube receiver 31 to the carry-in conveyor 41 by this reversal, so that A is transferred to the noodle stretcher 4, and the noodle C is completely put into the noodle stretcher 4 as shown in FIG.
[0060]
In this embodiment, the carry-in conveyor 41 has a lug-like conveyor chain similar to the tube receiving means 11, and the conveyance speed and carry-in of the chain 32 so that one upper pipe A falls between adjacent lugs. In order to harmonize the conveyance speed of the conveyor 41, the carry-in conveyor 41 is driven by the motor 35 via the synchronous transmission mechanism 34.
[0061]
However, the transfer of the upper pipe A from the upper pipe receiver 31 to the starting end of the carry-in conveyor 41 is not required to be caused by the drop of the upper pipe A from the upper pipe holder 31 as described above. The upper pipe A is received by the carry-in conveyor 41 by positioning the carry line higher than the carry line of the catching mechanism 31 and by overlapping the transporting end of the carry-in conveyor 41 with the leading end of the catching mechanism 31. The upper tube A is lifted from the upper tube receiver 31 by a rotating plate in which a groove in which the upper tube A is fitted is formed at a predetermined interval around the periphery, and the upper tube A is lifted from the rotating plate. May be transferred to the carry-in conveyor 41.
[0062]
By the way, if the predetermined number of the upper and lower pipes A and B on the rear end side of the second-stage tube receiving means 11 and the noodles C wound around these have already been transferred to the hooking mechanism 3, When the elevating frame 26 and the tube collecting frame 21 descend from the upper limit position, the tube detection sensor S3 does not detect the last tube of the second stage tube receiving means 11.
[0063]
In this case, the detection of the second-stage interrupter P6 by the raising / lowering sensor S2 immediately after this is invalidated, and the raising / lowering frame 26 continues to descend further from the height at which the raising / lowering sensor S3 detects the second-stage interrupter P6. . The tube detection sensor S3 detects the tube at the rearmost end of the tube receiving means 11 at the third or lower level from the top, and immediately thereafter, the lift sensor S2 is at the third to seventh level. When the interrupters P7 to P11 are detected, the elevating frame 26 is stopped, and the takeout of the noodles C at that stage is started.
[0064]
After all the noodles C up to the seventh stage are taken out and transferred to the loading mechanism 3 from the tube take-up frame 21, the height at which the tube take-up frame 21 and the lifting frame 26 take out the seventh stage noodle C That is, when the lift sensor S2 detects the seventh stage interrupter P11, the operating direction of the lift mechanism 23 is reversed, and when the lift sensor S2 detects the initial height interrupter P0, the lift frame 26 and the pipe The raising of the picking frame 21 is stopped, and it returns to the initial position.
[0065]
Each tube receiving means 11 of the chamber 1 is driven while the elevating frame 26 and the tube receiving frame 21 return to the initial state from the lower limit position, and then each tube receiving means when the rearmost tube is located at a predetermined position. 11 is stopped, and at the same time, the operation after the initial state of the noodle transfer device is repeated, and as a result of this repetition, the upper and lower upper tubes A and B in the chamber 1 and the noodle C wound around them are all taken out. Thereafter, when the tube take-up frame 21 and the elevating frame 26 return to the initial state, the operation program of the noodle transfer device is ended.
[0066]
In the present invention, when the vertical space between the upper tube receiving portion 21a and the lower tube receiving portion 21a of the tube frame 21 is sufficiently large, the chain 32 of the hooking mechanism 3 is connected to the tube receiving means of the chamber 1. 11 is configured with a chain with lugs similar to 11 and can be configured so that the end of the upper tube A is placed on the upper peripheral portion of the chain 32. In order to reduce the height of the noodle transfer device, It is advantageous that the hooking mechanism 3 hangs the left and right ends of the upper tube A at the lower peripheral portion of the chain 32 as in the above-described embodiment.
[0067]
In the embodiment, in order to simplify the configuration of the hooking mechanism 3 and its control, a pair of left and right chains 32 in which the upper tube receiver 31 is linked to the hooking mechanism 3 and these are connected to the sprocket 33. And a motor 35 that is driven via the synchronous transmission shaft 34. Instead of this configuration, a plate-shaped or bar-shaped upper tube receiver having an upper tube receiving portion that positions and supports the upper tube on the upper edge. And the upper tube receiver positioned at a predetermined initial position after receiving the upper tube A from the tube collection frame 21, the upper tube receiver is moved onto the start end portion of the carry-in conveyor 41 and then lowered. Drive means for returning to a predetermined initial position may be provided, and the upper pipe A placed on the upper pipe receiver at the initial position may be transferred from the upper pipe receiver to the starting end portion of the carry-in conveyor 41.
[0068]
Further, in the embodiment, the tube pressing drive means 28 is configured to operate from the time when the tube take-up frame 21 starts to descend until the tube take-up frame 21 is lowered to the origin height. In the chamber 1, the pipe holding drive means 28 is received by the hook mechanism 3 from the hook mechanism 2 after the lower pipe B is received by the lower pipe receiving portions 21 a of the hook mechanism 2. After the pipe holder 27 is lowered to the height at which the noodles C and the lower pipe B are naturally suspended and supported by the upper pipe A, the pipe holder 27 is supported by the lower pipe receiving portions 21b. The tube holder 27 is moved upward when the tube holder 21 is lowered to a predetermined height lower than the height at which the noodles C and the lower tube B are naturally suspended and supported by the upper tube A. What is necessary is just to have comprised so that it may withdraw from the upper direction of the lower pipe B supported by each lower pipe receiving part 21b. .
[0069]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention provides an unloading mechanism for pulling out from the chamber after lifting the upper and lower pipes lined up side by side in the room while supporting the upper and lower two levels while maintaining the distance between them. Since the upper and lower tubes around which noodles are wrapped are provided in the chamber, the upper and lower tubes are supported at a height of two levels while maintaining the front-rear interval from the tube receiving means for supporting them at a predetermined front-rear interval. The upper and lower tubes can be picked up from the tube receiving means of the chamber so that no weight other than its own weight acts on the noodles.
[0070]
In addition, the upper and lower tubes wrapped with noodles are pulled out of the chamber while maintaining the front-rear relationship and the vertical relationship, so the noodles are in close contact when the upper and lower tubes are pulled out of the tube receiving means and pulled out of the chamber. There is no risk.
[0071]
The present invention further receives, from the detachment mechanism, only the upper tube that is supported by the detachment mechanism, of the upper and lower tubes drawn out from the chamber, and then lowers the detachment mechanism to bring the noodles into the upper tube. Since the lower pipe is suspended and supported through the noodle stretching device, the upper pipe is hung on the noodle stretcher, so that only the upper pipe is received from the detachment mechanism, and the lower pipe is suspended from the upper pipe via the noodle. Only the upper tube in the upper and lower tubes that are supported side by side can be selected and placed in the noodle stretcher.
[0072]
In addition, when the pipe holder of the detachment mechanism is lowered after the upper pipe is received from the hook mechanism, the pipe holder is advanced to the upper side of the lower pipe, and the pipe holder frame is moved while receiving the lower pipe from the upper side with this pipe holder. The noodles are stretched by being lowered. As a result, noodles stretched by a certain amount in advance will be sent to the noodle stretching device, making it difficult for the noodles to be cut in the stretching process, reducing the number of stretching stages in the stretching process, and shortening the continuous stretching time. The process time of the whole noodle making process can be shortened.
[0073]
Moreover, since the lower pipe is suspended and supported by the upper pipe via the noodles by lowering the hanging mechanism after the upper pipe is received from the hanging mechanism, the lower pipe is suspended and supported by the upper pipe via the noodles. The noodles do not act on the noodles other than their own weight, and the noodles wrapped around the upper tube can be prevented from abruptly acting on the weight of the lower tube, and the noodles can be prevented from being shredded. And the lower pipe can be suspended from the upper pipe.
[0074]
In short, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically change the noodles from the chamber to the noodle stretcher in the same manner as a skilled person performs, and it is necessary to change the noodles from the chamber to the noodle transfer device. In addition to the effect that the labor required is not required, cutting of the noodles in the stretching process can be prevented, and the process time of the whole noodle making process can be shortened.
[0075]
In the present invention, in particular, the tube presser is slidably supported by the tube-capturing frame, and has a predetermined number of teeth whose tips are bent in a hook shape in one of the sliding directions. When driven by the pipe presser drive means so that it protrudes and descends above the lower pipe supported by each lower pipe receiving part, a predetermined number of lower pipes can be received from the upper side with a single pipe presser, reducing the number of parts In addition, an effect of simplifying the configuration can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a main part of the present invention in an initial state.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a side view of a chamber linked to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an operation explanatory view of the operation of detaching the tube-taking frame from the chamber according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an operation of switching from the detaching mechanism to the suspending mechanism according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the main part of the present invention immediately before the tube-taking frame takes both the upper and lower tubes indoors.
FIG. 7 is a side view of the main part of the present invention immediately after the pipe frame has taken both the upper and lower pipes indoors.
FIG. 8 is a side view of the main part of the present invention when the tube-drawing frame is retracted to the retracted position.
FIG. 9 is a side view of the present invention when the tube take-up frame is raised to the upper limit position in the retracted position.
FIG. 10 is a side view of the present invention when the upper tube receiver of the hooking device is moved to the lower side of the upper tube supported by the tube frame.
FIG. 11 is a side view of the present invention when the tube collecting frame is lowered to the initial height after the upper tube is transferred to the upper tube receiver of the placing device.
FIG. 12 is a side view of the present invention when the tube collecting frame is lowered to a position corresponding to the second-stage tube receiving means from the top.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Chamber 2 Unloading mechanism 3 Entrapment mechanism 4 Noodle extending | stretching apparatus 21 Tube take-up frame 21a Upper tube receiving part 21b Lower tube receiving part 22 Advance / Retreat mechanism 23 Lifting mechanism 27 Tube presser 28 Tube presser drive means

Claims

The upper and lower pipes hung side by side in the interior of the room are lifted by supporting the two upper and lower levels while maintaining the distance between the front and rear, and an unloading mechanism for pulling out from the room and the upper and lower pipes drawn from the room. Among them, the upper tube that is highly supported by the unloading mechanism is received from the unloading mechanism, and then the unloading mechanism is lowered and the lower tube is suspended and supported by the upper tube via noodles, and then the upper tube is removed. In a noodle transfer device provided with a loading mechanism for hooking into a noodle stretching device,
The unloading mechanism includes a tube collecting frame formed in an upward comb-like shape, an advancing / retracting mechanism for reciprocating the tube collecting frame across the inside and outside of the chamber, and an elevating mechanism for reciprocating the tube collecting frame up and down, The tube frame includes an upper tube receiving portion formed at the upper end of each comb tooth, a lower tube receiving portion formed at a groove bottom between the comb teeth, and an upper portion of the lower tube supported by each lower tube receiving portion. A pipe presser and a pipe presser driving means for driving the pipe presser, and when lowering the pipe holder frame, the pipe presser is advanced above the lower pipe to receive the lower pipe from the upper side. A noodle transfer device characterized in that the noodles are stretched by lowering the tube together with the tube frame.

The tube retainer is slidably supported by the tube frame, and has a predetermined number of teeth whose tips are bent in one direction in the sliding direction, and the tip of each tooth receives each lower tube holder. The noodle transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the noodle transfer device is driven by a tube pressing drive means so as to appear and appear above the lower tube supported by the portion.

After the lower pipe is received by each lower pipe receiving portion of the detaching mechanism in the room, the pipe holding drive means receives the upper pipe from the detaching mechanism and then the receiving mechanism receives the noodle and noodles on the upper pipe. The pipe retainer is advanced above the lower pipe supported by each lower pipe receiving part until the lower pipe is lowered to a height at which the lower pipe is naturally suspended and supported. The pipe holder is withdrawn from above the lower pipe supported by each lower pipe receiving portion when the noodle and the lower pipe are lowered to a predetermined height lower than the height at which the upper pipe is naturally suspended and supported. 2. The noodle transfer device according to 2.