JP5122145B2 - Sorting apparatus and article inspection system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sorting apparatus and an article inspection system, and more particularly to a sorting apparatus and an article inspection system suitable for selectively discharging articles on a conveyance path to the outside of the conveyance path in accordance with an article inspection result.

  Conventionally, the size, weight, quality, etc. of the article on the conveying means are inspected, and according to the inspection result, the conveying direction of the article is distributed by the distributing means, and selectively discharged out of the conveying path or the conveying path is An article inspection system that can be switched is often used.

In this article inspection system, articles that have been inspected by the preceding article inspection apparatus are sorted and sorted in a predetermined direction according to the inspection result by a sorting apparatus provided at the rear stage of the system. In response to a signal indicating the suitability of OK, NG, etc. output as an inspection result from the article inspection apparatus and a sorting control signal representing a rank such as rank I, II, III, etc., the sorting means for sorting is activated.

  The timing at which the sorting means of the sorting device is operated is generally controlled by a control unit equipped in the inspection device, and the shape of the article (for example, the length of the article in the conveyance direction) and the conveyance conditions (for example, the conveyance speed of the article and the input interval). , Calculated based on the line installation conditions (for example, the distance between the inspection device and the sorting device) and automatically set.

In addition, the sorting timing is collectively managed by the control unit of the article inspection apparatus together with the inspection conditions and the like. In addition to simplifying the configuration by using the article inspection apparatus as the main apparatus and the sorting apparatus as the slave apparatus, various parameters Can be collectively operated on the article inspection apparatus side, and there is an advantage that the production line can be managed efficiently (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP 2004-230376 A JP 2005-10341 A

  However, in the above conventional sorting apparatus and article inspection system, the sorting apparatus is not necessarily arranged immediately after the article inspection apparatus due to the configuration of the production line. For example, the articles are ranked for each predetermined weight range. When dividing, multiple sorting units (sorting means) or multiple sorting devices each having a sorting unit are arranged in series, so the last part of the entire article inspection system is located several meters away from the previous article inspection apparatus Thus, the articles conveyed from the article inspection apparatus to the sorting section or the sorting apparatus immediately after the article inspection apparatus are further transported to the sorting section or the sorting apparatus on the downstream side by a plurality of transport means.

  In such a case, variations and fluctuations in the conveyance speed, slipping of the articles to be conveyed, etc. are likely to occur, so whether the production line is operated under the actual conveyance conditions and whether the inspection and sorting of the articles are performed reliably. It is necessary for the operator to finely adjust the operation timing of the sorting unit of the sorting device after visual confirmation.

  However, the operator visually confirms the sorting operation in a plurality of sorting units and sorting devices up to the last part several meters away, while adopting a system configuration in which various parameter settings are collectively operated on the article inspection device side. Is not easy, and the above-described fine adjustment of the timing is difficult.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art as described above, and even when it is several meters or more away from a higher-level command device such as an article inspection position where the management operation is performed to a downstream distribution position, It is an object of the present invention to provide a sorting apparatus and an article inspection system that can easily finely adjust the operation timing of the distributing means.

In order to achieve the above object, the sorting apparatus of the present invention has (1) sorting means for distributing articles being conveyed along a conveyance path in a predetermined conveyance direction, and setting operation input for the articles being conveyed. sorting with and a sorting drive means for driving said distribution means on the basis of the distribution start signal and distribution end signal contained in the sorting instruction signal outputted from the command device of the upper at a predetermined timing with a possible operating unit In the apparatus, an operation input for requesting the change of the predetermined timing is made, and a parameter change request signal for requesting a change of a control parameter for determining the predetermined timing according to the operation input is sent to the higher order command device a parameter change request means for outputting includes the distributing unit, the operation unit, the control parameter, wherein the parameter change request means for requesting And sets switches the disabled mode to disable change of the effective mode and the control parameter to enable changes over data.

With this configuration, even when the distribution position of the distribution means is separated from the higher order command device, a parameter change request signal for requesting change of the output timing of the selection command signal is sent from the parameter change request means on the selection device side to the higher order command device. Therefore, the operator can make an adjustment while visually confirming the operation timing at the distribution position of the distribution means, and the operation timing of the distribution means can be easily finely adjusted. Further, when the invalid mode is set, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the control parameter is changed unexpectedly.

  Preferably, the sorting apparatus according to the present invention preferably includes (2) a pseudo command request means for outputting a signal requesting a pseudo sorting command signal corresponding to the sorting command signal to the higher-order command device in response to a manual operation input. It is provided.

  With this configuration, the operator can request a pseudo-selection command signal from a higher-level command device by manual operation input, and can immediately confirm the operation timing of the distribution unit when necessary.

In the sorting apparatus according to the present invention, (3) the mode change signal is received from the higher order command device , and only when the effective mode is set based on the signal , the parameter change request means It is preferable to provide a parameter change mode switching unit that allows the parameter change request signal to be output to the command device .

More this arrangement, is switched parameter change mode based on the mode setting signal from the command device of the upper, when it is set to disabled mode, such a situation that suddenly control parameter is changed from occurring Can be prevented.

  Furthermore, in the sorting apparatus according to the present invention, (4) a manual operation input for requesting that the parameter change request means change the output timing of at least one of the distribution start signal and the distribution end signal is performed. It is preferable to have a change request operation unit.

  With this configuration, at least one of the distribution start timing and the distribution end timing of the distribution unit can be adjusted while being visually observed at the distribution position of the distribution unit.

On the other hand, the article inspection system of the present invention has (5) an article inspection apparatus that has an operation unit capable of setting operation input, inspects an article conveyed along a conveyance path, and outputs a result of the inspection; Arranged on the downstream side of the article inspection apparatus in the conveyance path, the distribution means for selectively distributing the article being conveyed in a predetermined distribution direction, and receiving the inspection result and driving the distribution means, A distribution driving unit that sets the distribution direction when a predetermined distribution start time has elapsed from the reception time of the inspection result and cancels the setting of the distribution direction when a predetermined distribution end time has elapsed from the reception time of the inspection result When, in an article inspection system with a manual operation input to increase or decrease the distribution start time or the distribution end time is made, respond to該手dynamic operation input A parameter change request means for outputting a parameter change request signal requesting a change of control parameters for the distribution drive means for determining one of said distribution start time and the distribution end time Te, provided to said distributing means The operation unit switches between a valid mode for validating the change of the control parameter requested by the parameter change request means and an invalid mode for invalidating the change of the control parameter .

With this configuration, the parameter change request signal for requesting the change of the control parameter for determining either the distribution start time or the distribution end time is changed even when several meters away from the article inspection position to the downstream distribution position. Since it is sent from the request means to the distribution drive means, the operator can make an adjustment while visually confirming the operation timing at the distribution position of the downstream distribution means, and the operation timing of the distribution means can be easily finely adjusted. . In addition, it is possible to collectively manage various control parameters on the article inspection apparatus side during normal operation, and an article inspection system with a simple configuration of the distribution unit is obtained. Moreover, when the invalid mode is set, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the control parameter is changed unexpectedly.

In the article inspection system of the present invention, preferably, (6) a pseudo command requesting means for outputting a signal requesting a pseudo sorting command signal corresponding to the result of the inspection to the article inspection apparatus in response to a manual operation input. It is good to have.

  With this configuration, the operator can request a pseudo-sorting command signal from the article inspection apparatus by manual operation input, and can immediately confirm the operation timing of the distribution unit when necessary.

In the article inspection system of the present invention, (7) parameter change mode switching that allows output of the parameter change request signal from the parameter change request means to the distribution drive means only when the effective mode is set. It is preferable to provide a part (25).

With this configuration, when the parameter change mode is switched by the parameter change mode switching unit and the invalid mode is set, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the control parameter is changed unexpectedly. Furthermore, no matter how the parameter change requesting unit is operated in the valid mode, other control parameters relating to the inspection conditions and the transport conditions are not erroneously changed. In addition, the parameter change mode switching unit can be arranged at an arbitrary place, for example, one or both of the article inspection apparatus side and the distribution unit side.

Also, in the article inspection system of the present invention, (8) the article inspection apparatus, and sets the control parameter for determining at least one of the distribution start signal and the distribution end signal from the parameter change request means It is preferable to have a parameter setting means for receiving the parameter change request signal and updating the set value of the control parameter.

In this case, the article inspection apparatus only needs to be equipped with a control program to the extent that a function for updating the set value of the control parameter is added to the existing control program when the parameter change request signal is received from the parameter change request means. By using this article inspection apparatus together with the configuration on the distribution means side equipped with the parameter change request means, an article inspection system having a simple configuration can be constructed.

  Further, in the article inspection system of the present invention, (9) manual operation input for requesting that the parameter change request means change the output timing of at least one of the distribution start signal and the distribution end signal is performed. It is preferable to have a change request operation unit.

  With this configuration, at least one of the distribution start timing and the distribution end timing of the distribution unit can be adjusted while being visually observed at the distribution position of the distribution unit.

According to the sorting apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, even when the sorting position of the sorting means is separated from the higher order command device, the parameter change request signal for requesting the change of the output timing of the sorting command signal is sent from the parameter change request means to the higher order. Since it is sent to the command device, the operator can make an adjustment while visually checking the operation timing at the distribution position of the distribution means, and the operation timing of the distribution means can be easily finely adjusted. Moreover, when the invalid mode is set, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the control parameter is changed unexpectedly.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the operator can request a pseudo-selection command signal from a higher-level command device by manual operation input, and can immediately confirm the operation timing of the distribution means when necessary.

  According to the invention of claim 3, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the control parameter is changed unexpectedly when the parameter change mode is set to the invalid mode.

  According to the invention of claim 4, at least one of the distribution start timing and the distribution end timing of the distribution means can be adjusted while visually checking at the distribution position of the distribution means.

According to the article inspection system of the fifth aspect of the present invention, even when a distance of several meters from the article inspection position to the downstream distribution position is reached, the control parameter for determining either the distribution start time or the distribution end time is changed. Since the requested parameter change request signal is sent from the parameter change request means to the distribution drive means, the operator can make adjustments while visually confirming the operation timing at the distribution position of the downstream distribution means. The operation timing of the means can be easily finely adjusted. In addition, various control parameters can be collectively managed on the article inspection apparatus side during normal operation, and an article inspection system with a simple configuration of the distribution means can be obtained. Moreover, when the invalid mode is set, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the control parameter is changed unexpectedly.

  According to the invention of claim 6, the operator can request a pseudo sorting command signal to the article inspection apparatus by manual operation input, and can immediately confirm the operation timing of the distributing means when necessary.

  According to the invention of claim 7, there is a situation in which the parameter change mode is set to the invalid mode when necessary by operating the parameter change mode switching unit installed at an arbitrary place, and the control parameter is unexpectedly changed. It can be prevented from occurring. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent other control parameters relating to inspection conditions and transport conditions from being changed by mistake.

  According to the invention of claim 8, the article inspection apparatus can be configured by adding a function of updating the set value of the control parameter when receiving the parameter change request signal to the existing control program. By using the inspection apparatus together with the configuration on the distribution means side equipped with the parameter change request means, an article inspection system with a simple configuration can be constructed.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, at least one of the distribution start timing and the distribution end timing of the distribution means can be adjusted while visually checking at the distribution position of the distribution means.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
1 to 5 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of a sorting apparatus and an article inspection system according to the present invention.

  First, the configuration will be described.

  In FIG. 1, a belt conveyor 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as a conveyor) is a conveying means that conveys an article W along a predetermined conveyor conveyance path 1 a, and inspection of the article inspection apparatus 10 is performed at a predetermined position in the conveying direction of the conveyor 1. The sorting unit 21 of the sorting device 20 is arranged on the downstream side of the part 11.

  The article inspection apparatus 10 performs a predetermined inspection (for example, metal detection, X-ray inspection, weight selection, size detection, etc.) on each article W conveyed by the conveyor 1, and the inspection result (for example, the article W) For example, rank I, II, or III corresponding to the rank I of the higher rank, the rank II of the middle rank, the rank III of the lower rank, or OK (good product) or NG (defective product) that is a quality condition. The sorting control signal (predetermined input signal) is generated and output to the sorting device 20.

  The sorting device 20 distributes articles W being conveyed along the conveyor conveyance path 1a in a predetermined conveyance direction, and an article that is a higher-level command device for each article W being conveyed. A drive unit 22 (distribution drive means) that inputs a sorting command signal output from the inspection apparatus 10 at a predetermined timing and drives the sorting unit 21 based on a sorting start signal and a sorting end signal included in the sorting command signal; It is equipped with.

  The distribution unit 21 is not shown in detail, but is a known dropper type, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a movable conveyor 21a corresponding to a dropper, an air cylinder for rotating the movable conveyor 21a in the vertical direction, etc. The actuator 21b is driven on the basis of the distribution start signal and the distribution end signal by the drive unit 22, so that the article W being conveyed that is conveyed along the conveyor conveyance path 1a. First moving operation of the movable conveyor 21a that allows the article W to pass on the conveyor conveyance path 1a on the downstream side of the position when the position reaches the vicinity of the sorting position Prj that is a predetermined position in the conveyance direction (Operation state indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2) and when the article W being conveyed reaches a predetermined position on the conveyor conveyance path 1a, the article W is conveyed to the conveyor. Second distribution operation (operation state indicated by the phantom line in FIG. 2) Tonouchi any distribution operation of the movable conveyor 21a is moved in a direction deviating from the sending passage 1a is enabled.

  That is, the movable conveyor 21a can swing the downstream end in the vertical direction with the upstream end as the rotation center, and swing the downstream end 62b downward when a predetermined inspection result is obtained. Then, the articles W are distributed and conveyed to the outside of the conveyor conveyance path 1a. Since such a dropper type distributing means itself is publicly known, although not described in detail, the movable conveyor 21a has, for example, a rotating frame that rotatably supports a plurality of rollers therein and swings in the vertical direction. The frame is driven by the drive unit 22 in the up and down rotation direction. Needless to say, the distribution unit 21 may be a mechanical distribution unit of another system such as a so-called flipper system or a pusher system.

  Although not shown in detail, the drive unit 22 is supported by a support frame (not shown) of the conveyor 1 so as to be swingable, for example, to the air cylinder that drives or holds the rotary frame of the movable conveyor 21a in the vertical rotation direction. 2 has an expansion / contraction control unit that controls the supply and discharge of compressed air (working fluid) to expand and contract the air cylinder, and the movable conveyor 21a is shown in a horizontal position shown by a solid line in FIG. 2 and a virtual line in FIG. It can be positioned alternatively to the drop posture position shown. If the distribution unit 21 is a so-called flipper system, the drive unit 22 may include, for example, a rotary solenoid or an air cylinder so that the flipper rotation shaft can be reciprocally rotated within a predetermined angle range. Good.

In the vicinity of the entrance of the sorting unit 21 of the sorting device 20, an article detection sensor 26 including a known photoelectric sensor that is shielded from light when the article W enters the sorting unit 21 is provided. The article detection sensor 26 detects that the article W being conveyed has reached a predetermined position Prj on the conveyor conveyance path 1a, and outputs an article detection signal to be taken into the sorting control unit 12 on the article inspection apparatus 10 side. It is like that.

  The sorting control unit 12 functions as a distribution control unit that controls the sorting device 20 based on the inspection result signal from the inspection unit 11, and the inspection result signal from the inspection unit 11 and the article detection information from the article detection sensor 26. The sorting command signal including the sorting start signal and the sorting end signal is sent to the driving unit 22 of the sorting device 20 so that each inspected article W is sorted in the sorting direction corresponding to the inspection result signal based on the predetermined timing. The distribution direction of the distribution unit 21 and the switching timing thereof are controlled.

  Although a specific hardware configuration is not illustrated, the selection control unit 12 includes an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) as a nonvolatile memory in addition to a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an input / output interface circuit. In accordance with a predetermined distribution control and determination program stored in the ROM, hard disk or the like, the hard disk or the like is included, setting value information held in the EEPROM, detection information from the article detection sensor 26, and determination result from the inspection unit 11 Based on the information or the like, it functions as a means for controlling the distribution direction of the article W. The sorting control unit 12 may be configured by a common controller together with a control unit that executes control of inspection in the inspection unit 11 and statistical processing of inspection data.

  On the other hand, the sorting control unit 12 determines a sorting start timing and a sorting end timing specified by the elapsed time from the article detection by the article detection sensor 26, and generates a sorting command signal including the sorting start signal and the sorting end signal. And a parameter setting unit 15 (parameter setting means) for setting the control parameter on the basis of setting input information from the operation unit 14. At least one of the distribution start timing and the distribution end timing corresponding to the operation timing, for example, both can be variably set.

  Specifically, the parameter storage unit 13 corresponds to the delay time tn from when the drive unit 22 activates the sorting unit 21 until the article detection sensor 26 activates the sorting unit 21 and the drive unit 22 receives the sorting command signal. Among the sorting operation holding time hn for continuing the first or second sorting operation of the sorting unit 21, for example, a delay time storage unit 13 a and a sorting operation holding time storage for storing both of them in a rewritable manner. The storage section 13a, 13b is constituted by a memory area corresponding to one part of the EEPROM of the selection control section 12, for example.

  Further, on the sorting device 20 side, a parameter change request unit 24 (parameter change request means) for outputting a parameter change request signal for requesting a change of a predetermined timing for outputting the sorting command signal to the article inspection device 10. A pseudo command request unit 23 (pseudo command requesting means) is provided for outputting a signal requesting a pseudo sorting command signal corresponding to the sorting command signal to the article inspection apparatus 10 in response to a manual operation input by the operator. Yes.

  The parameter change request unit 24 (change request operation unit) is a manual operation input for increasing or decreasing any one of the delay time tn and the sorting operation holding time hn (hereinafter simply referred to as any one of the above times). In response to the operation, the parameter change request signal is output as a signal for requesting the article inspection apparatus 10 to change the control parameter for specifying any one of the times. Each pair includes a parameter selection request operation unit 24a and a set value addition / subtraction request operation unit 24b, each of which includes switches that are switched ON and OFF by an operation.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the parameter selection request operation unit 24a is composed of a pair of left and right arrow keys, and the function of switching the types of a plurality of control parameters sequentially in ascending order, one in descending order. have. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, the setting operation unit 24b for adjusting the set value is composed of a pair of upside down arrow keys, and the control parameter selected by the request operation unit 24a for parameter selection is The set value is increased with the up key and decreased with the down key. It should be noted that the parameter selection request operation unit 24a and the set value adjustment request operation unit 24b may be integrally formed as a single joystick key, or may be pushed to the center of the request operation units 24a and 24b. It is needless to say that a confirmation key for confirming the selection contents by operation may be arranged, and the form of the input operation unit of the parameter change request unit 24 is not particularly limited.

  The parameter setting unit 15 on the side of the article inspection apparatus 10 is operated by any of the operation units 24a and 24b of the parameter change request unit 24. For example, the operation (pressing) time of the request operation unit 24b for adjusting the set value is a predetermined time. A new time obtained by adding the control parameter stored in the parameter storage unit 13, for example, the current delay time tn, to the adjustment time ta (a positive time for an increase request and a negative time for a decrease request). (= Tn + ta) or a new holding time (= hn + ha) obtained by adding the current sorting operation holding time hn to this and a new adjustment time ha (a positive time for an increase request and a negative time for a decrease request). ) Is executed.

  That is, the parameter setting unit 15 can receive a signal for requesting a change in the control parameter for specifying any one of the times, and can update the setting values tn and hn of the control parameter. It has a parameter setting processing program stored in the ROM of the controller and a working memory area which is a part of the RAM.

  On the other hand, the sorting control unit 12 rises when the delay time tn elapses from the article detection time by the article detection sensor 26 based on the latest delay time tn and the sorting operation holding time hn stored in the parameter storage unit 13. A sorting control signal RJ that falls when the sorting operation holding time hn elapses from the rising point is generated and output to the drive unit 22 of the sorting device 20. Here, the rising edge of the sorting control signal RJ corresponds to the sorting start signal, and the falling edge of the sorting control signal RJ corresponds to the sorting end signal.

  The selection control unit 12 invalidates the parameter change request from the parameter change request unit 24 to the article inspection apparatus 10 and the parameter change request from the parameter change request unit 24 to the article inspection apparatus 10. It also has a function of request mode switching means for switching between the invalid mode and a parameter change mode switching signal can be output to the parameter change request unit 24, and the function is input to mode setting input from the operation unit 14. Accordingly, it is variably set to either the valid mode or the invalid mode.

  Further, the parameter change request unit 24 receives the parameter change mode switching signal from the article inspection apparatus 10 and is set to switch to either the valid mode or the invalid mode. When the invalid mode is set, the output of the parameter change request signal is always stopped regardless of the operation of the operation units 24a and 24b.

  In addition, on the configuration of the production line including the above-described article inspection system, the sorting apparatus 20 is not arranged immediately after the article inspection apparatus 10. For example, in order to rank the articles W for each predetermined weight range, a plurality of sorting apparatuses 20 are arranged. The sorting unit or a plurality of other sorting devices each having a sorting unit are located at the last part after being arranged in series, and the sorting device 20 is installed at a position several meters away from the preceding article inspection device 10 Yes. Accordingly, the article W conveyed from the article inspection apparatus 10 to the sorting section or the sorting apparatus immediately after the article inspection apparatus 10 is further conveyed to the downstream sorting apparatus 20 by a plurality of conveying means.

  Next, the operation will be described.

  In the present embodiment, each article W conveyed on the conveyor 1 is inspected by the inspection unit 11 of the article inspection apparatus 10 on the upstream side, and the inspection result signal is input to the selection control unit 12. At the same time, the inspected article W is sequentially conveyed to the downstream side by the conveyor 1, and the article detection sensor 26 detects that the article W has reached the article detection position in the vicinity of the sorting position Prj.

  FIG. 4 shows an inspection result signal output from the inspection unit 11 (see FIG. 4A) and the conveyance distance L until the article W corresponding to the inspection result signal reaches the article detection position in such a state. The effective arrival period Pw (see FIG. 5B) set based on the transport time Tc (= L / Vc) calculated from [m] and the transport speed Vc [m / sec] of the conveyor 1, and the article The article detection signal of the detection sensor 26 (see FIG. 8C; for convenience, the light-inverted signal is turned on when the article W is shielded) and the inspection result signal (for example, higher rank I, middle rank) Selection control signal that changes in accordance with rank II or lower rank III, or quality status OK, NG) and becomes HIGH level (ON) when the inspection result is, for example, lower rank III (or defective NG) RJ (Figure (d) Irradiation; indicates the RJ signal hereinafter) and.

  In the sorting control unit 12, when the inspection result signal from the inspection unit 11 is, for example, the lower rank III based on the inspection result signal from the inspection unit 11 and the article detection signal from the article detection sensor 26. As shown in FIGS. 4C and 4D, when the preset delay time tn elapses from the rise time to of the article detection signal, the selection operation holding time hn set in advance from the rise time is shown. The sorting control signal RJ that falls at the time when (the delay time tn + the sorting operation holding time hn elapses from the rise time to of the article detection signal) is output.

  Then, the drive unit 22 of the sorting device 20 inputs the sorting command signal RJ output from the testing unit 11 of the article inspection device 10 at a predetermined timing after the inspection, and the rising timing of the sorting command signal RJ (start of sorting) Signal) and the fall timing (distribution end signal), the distribution unit 21 is driven.

  That is, first, at the rise timing of the sorting command signal RJ, the distribution unit 21 changes from the first distribution operation (operation state indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2) to the second distribution operation (indicated by a virtual line in FIG. 2). The sorting unit 21 is held in the state of the second sorting operation during the sorting operation holding time hn when the sorting command signal RJ is held ON, and the sorting command signal RJ is held in the second sorting operation state. At the fall timing of RJ, the distribution unit 21 is switched from the second distribution operation state to the first distribution operation state. Thereby, only during the period when the sorting command signal RJ is ON, the article W whose inspection result corresponding to the sorting command signal RJ is the lower rank III is on the conveyor transport path 1a at the sorting position Prj on the conveyor transport path 1a. It is sorted in the direction of sorting and discharging that is out of the range.

  Note that when the inspection result signal from the inspection unit 11 is, for example, a rank classification signal representing the upper rank I or the middle rank II, a preset delay time tn has elapsed from the rising point to of the article detection signal. In this case, the sorting command signal RJ remains OFF (LOW level), and the sorting unit 21 of the sorting device 20 is maintained in the state of the first sorting operation. Further, even when the delay time tn + the sorting operation holding time hn elapses from the rise time to of the article detection signal, the sorting unit 21 remains in the state of the first sorting operation and the sorting unit 21 sorts out defective products. Switching to the state of the second distribution operation for discharging is not driven. As a result, during the period in which the sorting command signal RJ is OFF, the article W having a good inspection result passes through the sorting position Prj on the conveyor transport path 1a as it is, and further downstream on the conveyor transport path 1a. Be transported.

  By the way, in this embodiment, because of the configuration of the production line, the sorting apparatus 20 is not arranged immediately after the article inspection apparatus 10 but is installed at a position several meters away from the article inspection apparatus 10. Variations and fluctuations in the conveyance speed of the plurality of conveyor units occur, and slips or the like on the conveyor 1 of the article W to be conveyed, for example, at a transfer portion between the plurality of conveyor units, are likely to occur. , And the operator visually confirms whether or not the inspection and sorting of the article W are reliably performed, and it may be necessary to finely adjust the operation timing of the sorting unit 21 of the sorting device 20.

  At this time, the article inspection apparatus 10 side adopts a system configuration in which various parameter settings are collectively operated by the operation unit 14, and distribution by a plurality of distribution units up to the last part several meters away, sorting by the sorting device 20, and the like. It may be necessary for the operator to visually check the operation and finely adjust the operation timing.

  In such a case, in this embodiment, when it is necessary to finely adjust the operation timing, the parameter change request unit 24 of the sorting device 20 is operated, and the sorting command from the sorting control unit 12 is operated according to the operation content. A parameter change request signal R1 for requesting a change in the output timing of the signal RJ is sent from the parameter change request unit 24 to the article inspection apparatus 10.

At this time, for example, as shown in FIG. 5A, the parameter setting unit 15 rises when the initial delay time tn has elapsed from the article detection time of the article detection sensor 26, and retains the initial sorting operation from the rise time. As shown in FIG. 5B, for example, in response to a change request operation of the delay time tn in the parameter change request unit 24 from the initial state in which the selection control signal RJ that falls when the time hn has elapsed has been output. In addition, a sorting control signal RJ that rises when a new delay time (tn + ta) has elapsed from the article detection time of the article detection sensor 26 and falls when the initial sorting operation holding time hn has elapsed from the rising time is output. Transition to the state. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), when the initial delay time tn has elapsed from the article detection time point of the article detection sensor 26, a new sorting operation holding time (hn + ha) has elapsed from the rising time point. Rises when a sorting control signal RJ that falls at the time of output or when a new delay time (tn + ta) elapses from the article detection time of the article detection sensor 26, and starts a new sorting operation holding time (hn + ha) from the rise time. ) Transitions to a state in which the selection control signal RJ that falls at the time point elapses.
Therefore, the operator visually checks the operation timing at the distribution position of the distribution unit 21, selects the operation units 24a, 24b, etc. of the parameter change request unit 24 as necessary, and operates the operation for the time required to increase or decrease. By continuing or repeating the above, it is possible to adjust the operation timing of the sorting unit 21 as the rise timing and fall timing change of the sorting control signal RJ with reference to the article detection time of the article detection sensor 26, respectively. The operation timing of the distribution unit 21 can be easily finely adjusted.

  Moreover, since the operator can request a pseudo sorting command signal from the article inspection apparatus 10 by manual operation input of the pseudo command requesting unit 23, the operator can immediately confirm the operation timing of the sorting unit 21 when necessary. Can do. For example, when the distribution unit 21 is set to discharge defective products, the distribution unit 21 is operated regardless of the inspection result on the article inspection apparatus 10 side, so that the next defective product is conveyed. You can check the driving timing instantly without waiting.

  Further, when the parameter change mode is set to the invalid mode in the operation unit 14 of the article inspection apparatus 10, the parameter change request signal R1 is a valid signal for the parameter setting unit 15 even if the parameter change request unit 24 is operated. As a result, a situation in which the control parameter is unexpectedly changed is prevented. Furthermore, even if the parameter change request unit 24 is operated, it is possible to suppress the possibility that other control parameters related to the inspection conditions and the conveyance conditions are erroneously changed.

  As a result, the operation timing of the sorting unit 21 can be easily finely adjusted even when the inspection position of the article inspection device 10 where the management operation is performed is several meters or more away from the sorting unit 21 of the sorting device 20 on the downstream side. A sorting device and an article inspection system can be provided.

  In the present embodiment, the article inspection device 10 is used as a higher order command device of the sorting device 20, and the sorting control unit 12, the parameter storage unit 13, the operation unit 14, and the parameter setting unit 15 are provided on the higher order item inspection device 10 side. However, in the sorting apparatus according to the present invention, the sorting control unit 12, the parameter storage unit 13, the operation unit 14, and the parameter setting unit 15 are controlled independently from the article inspection apparatus. For example, the inspection result signal from the inspection unit 11 can be taken into the selection control unit in the selection device to execute the selection control. In that case, the parameter change request signal from the parameter change request unit 24 is taken into the sorting control unit in the sorting apparatus. However, it is preferable to send the output of the pseudo command request unit 23 to the control unit on the inspection unit 11 side to generate a pseudo command signal. Further, although the reference for setting the timing of rising and falling of the sorting control signal RJ is based on the detection timing of the article detection sensor 26, the rising and falling of the sorting control signal RJ with reference to the rising time of the inspection result signal (NG signal). The fall timing can also be set.

[Second Embodiment]
6 and 7 are diagrams showing a second embodiment of the sorting apparatus and the article inspection system according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the same or similar components as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 5 in FIGS. 6 and 7, and particularly different points will be described below. .

  In the article inspection system according to the present embodiment, the sorting control unit 12, the parameter storage unit 13, the parameter setting unit 15, and the driving unit 22 constitute a sorting driving unit 30, and the sorting driving unit 30 sorts the sorting control signal. RJ rise and fall timings are set based on the rise time of an inspection result signal output from the inspection unit 11 of the article inspection apparatus 10, for example, an NG signal.

  Specifically, the sorting control unit 12 and the drive unit 22 constituting the distribution drive means 30 receive the inspection result of the article inspection apparatus 10 and drive the distribution unit 21, and receive the inspection result tr (see FIG. 7), when a predetermined distribution start time tn has elapsed, the distribution direction of the distribution unit 21 is indicated as a first distribution operation (indicated as “normal” in FIG. 7D; corresponding to the solid line position in FIG. 2). Set to one of the direction and the direction of the second distribution operation (indicated as “discharge” in FIG. 7D; corresponding to the phantom line position in FIG. 2), and the time when the inspection result is received The setting of the distribution direction in the distribution unit 21 is canceled when a predetermined distribution end time (tn + hn) has elapsed from tr.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7A, when, for example, an NG signal is output from the inspection unit 11 of the article inspection apparatus 10, the rising point of the defective inspection result signal is based on the rising point tr. It rises when a preset delay time tn elapses from tr, and when a preset sorting operation holding time hn elapses from the rise time (that is, the distribution end time (from the rise time tr of the defective inspection result signal) The sorting control signal RJ that falls at the time when (tn + hn) elapses) is output, and the sorting direction of the movable conveyor 21a of the sorting unit 21 in accordance with this sorting control signal RJ is the same as the direction of the first sorting operation and the second sorting operation. The direction of the sorting operation is switched. That is, a parameter change request signal for requesting a change of a control parameter for determining either the distribution start time tn or the distribution end time (tn + hn) indicates the distribution start time tn or the distribution end time (tn + hn). The parameter change request unit 24 to which manual operation input for increasing or decreasing is made is sent to the parameter setting unit 15 constituting a part of the distribution driving unit 30.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a parameter change mode switching unit 25 that switches between an effective mode that enables the change of the control parameter and an invalid mode that disables the change of the control parameter is provided on the sorting device 20 side. I have. Then, the parameter change request unit 24 is switched from one of the valid mode and the invalid mode to the other according to the setting state of the parameter change mode switching unit 25, and when the parameter change request is set to the valid mode, the parameter change request The signal can be output to the parameter setting unit 15 side. The parameter change mode switching unit 25 can be arranged at an arbitrary place and can be arranged on either one or both of the article inspection device 10 side and the sorting device 20 side. There should be. Further, the parameter change mode switching unit 25 is constituted by a switch for manually turning on / off the switching operation input unit 25a, for example.

  In the article inspection system of this embodiment configured as described above, the operator can adjust the operation timing while visually confirming the operation timing at the distribution position of the distribution unit 21 on the downstream side, and the operation timing of the distribution unit 21 can be easily performed. Fine adjustment is possible. In addition, various control parameters can be collectively managed on the article inspection apparatus 10 side during normal operation, and the article inspection system with a simple configuration of the sorting apparatus 20 is obtained.

  Further, when the parameter change mode is switched to the valid mode or the invalid mode according to the setting state of the parameter change mode switching unit 25 and is set to the invalid mode as shown in the left half of FIG. Output of the parameter change request signal from the parameter change request unit 24 to the parameter setting unit 15 is not permitted. On the other hand, when the parameter change request unit 24 is operated in the effective mode as shown in the right half of FIG. 7B, for example, when a new delay time tn + ta elapses from the rise time tr of the test result signal. And a sorting control signal RJ that falls when a new sorting operation holding time hn + ha elapses from the rising point.

  Therefore, when the parameter change mode is set to the invalid mode, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the control parameter is changed unexpectedly.

[Third embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the sorting apparatus according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the same or similar components as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS.

  The sorting device 120 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the sorting unit 21 that sorts the articles W being conveyed, which are conveyed along the conveyor conveyance path 1a, in a predetermined conveyance direction, and a predetermined command device 82 for the articles W being conveyed from The pulsed sorting command signal RJ output at the timing is input, and based on the rising timing (sorting start signal) and falling timing (sorting end signal) of the sorting command signal RJ, or a certain time width A drive unit 22 that drives the distribution unit 21 based on a plurality of sorting command signals RJ (distribution start signal and distribution end signal) that are held back and forth is provided.

  Furthermore, the sorting device 120 outputs a parameter change request signal 24 for requesting a change of a predetermined timing to the higher order command device 82, and to the higher order command device 82 in response to a manual operation input. A pseudo command requesting unit 23 that outputs a signal requesting a pseudo sorting command signal corresponding to the sorting command signal, and a receiving unit 85a that receives the mode setting signal SL from the higher order command device 82, and the mode setting signal A parameter change mode switching unit 85 including, for example, a relay switch is provided to switch and set between an effective mode for validating control parameter changes and an invalid mode for invalidating control parameter changes based on SL.

  The upper order command device 82 is similar to the sorting control unit 12 in the above-described embodiment, for example, but takes in distribution request new signals C from other systems such as a plurality of inspection devices and packaging devices and performs distribution control. It may be executed.

  In the higher order command device 82, the rising and falling timings of the sorting control signal RJ are set based on the rising time of the distribution request signal C according to the distribution request signal C from another system. When the pseudo sorting command signal is received from the pseudo command requesting unit 23, the higher order command device 82 uses the pseudo sorting command signal as the distribution request signal C, and the sorting control signal RJ based on the rise time. Is output. Further, a changeover switch 82a for setting the mode setting signal to the effective mode or the invalid mode is provided on the higher order command device 82 side, and when the changeover switch 82a is operated to switch the parameter A mode setting signal is transmitted to the change mode switching unit 85. When the parameter change mode switching unit 85 is set to the valid mode, the parameter change request signal can be output from the parameter change request unit 24 to the higher order command device 82.

  In the sorting apparatus of the present embodiment configured as described above, it is possible to set the mode from the higher order command device 82 side with respect to the parameter change mode. If the parameter change mode is the valid mode, the operator can perform the downstream assignment. The operation timing can be adjusted while visually confirming the operation timing at the distribution position of the section 21, and the operation timing of the distribution section 21 can be easily finely adjusted. Further, when the parameter change mode is set to the invalid mode, the parameter change request signal from the parameter change request unit 24 to the higher order command device 82 is not allowed to be output, so that the control parameter is unexpectedly changed due to an erroneous operation or the like. Such a situation can be prevented from occurring.

  In this embodiment, in addition to setting the rising and falling timings of the sorting control signal RJ with reference to the rising time of the distribution request signal C from another system, the sorting control signal is sent to the drive unit 22. By providing adjustment means that can adjust the delay time when responding to the rise of RJ, coarse adjustment and fine adjustment can be performed, and the adjustment range can be expanded.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the operator can make an adjustment while visually confirming the operation timing at the distribution position of the distribution means on the downstream side, and can easily finely adjust the operation timing of the distribution means. In addition, there is an effect that it is possible to provide an article inspection system in which various control parameters can be collectively managed on the article inspection apparatus side during normal operation and the configuration of the distribution means is simple. The present invention is useful for an article inspection system, in particular, a sorting apparatus and an article inspection system that are suitable for selectively discharging articles on a conveyance path to the outside of the conveyance path in accordance with an article inspection result.

1 is a schematic block diagram showing a first embodiment of a sorting apparatus and an article inspection system according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the article inspection system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the operation method of the operation part which requests | requires the parameter change in the article inspection system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a timing chart which shows the generation timing of the inspection result signal in the article inspection system concerning a 1st embodiment, the article arrival period, the article detection signal, and the selection control signal. It is explanatory drawing of the adjustment process which variably sets the rise and fall timing of the selection control signal in the article inspection system according to the first embodiment. It is the schematic block block diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment of the selection apparatus and article inspection system which concern on this invention. It is a timing chart which shows the change of the inspection result signal in the article inspection system concerning a 2nd embodiment, the mode change signal, the generation timing of a selection control signal, and the distribution direction of a distribution part. It is the schematic block block diagram which shows 3rd Embodiment of the sorting device based on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Belt conveyor (conveying means)
1a Conveyor conveyance path (conveyance path)
10 Goods inspection device (upper command device)
11 Inspection Department (Inspection Equipment)
12 Selection Control Unit 13 Parameter Storage Unit 13a Delay Time Storage Unit 13b Selection Operation Holding Time Storage Unit 14 Operation Unit (Setting Input Unit)
15 Parameter setting section (parameter setting means)
20, 120 Sorting device 21 Sorting unit (sorting means)
21a Movable conveyor 22 Drive unit (distribution drive means)
23 Pseudo command request part (pseudo command request means, selection command request means)
24 Parameter change request section (parameter change request means, change request operation section)
24a A pair of request operation units for parameter selection 24b A pair of request operation units for adjusting a set value 25 A parameter change mode switching unit (parameter change mode switching means)
26 Article detection sensor (article detection means)
30 Distribution drive means 82 Higher order command device 85 Parameter change mode switching unit hn Selection operation holding time R1 Parameter change request signal tn Delay time, predetermined distribution start time tn + hn Predetermined distribution end time

Claims (9)

A distribution means (21) for distributing the article (W) being conveyed along the conveyance path (1a) in a predetermined conveyance direction;
For the article being conveyed, the distribution means is driven based on a distribution start signal and a distribution end signal included in a selection command signal output at a predetermined timing from an upper command device having an operation unit capable of setting operation input. And a sorting drive means (22) for performing sorting,
A parameter for performing an operation input for requesting a change in the predetermined timing and outputting a parameter change request signal for requesting a change in a control parameter for determining the predetermined timing in accordance with the operation input to the higher order command device A change request means (24) is provided in the distribution means,
The selection device, wherein the operation unit switches between an effective mode for validating the change of the control parameter requested by the parameter change request means and an invalid mode for invalidating the change of the control parameter.   2. A pseudo command requesting means (23) for outputting a signal requesting a pseudo sorting command signal corresponding to the sorting command signal to the host command device in response to a manual operation input. Sorting device according to.   The parameter change request signal is output from the parameter change request means to the upper command device only when the mode setting signal is received from the higher command device and the effective mode is set based on the signal. The selection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a parameter change mode switching unit (85) that permits   The parameter change request means has a change request operation unit (24a, 24b) to which a manual operation input for requesting to change the output timing of at least one of the distribution start signal and the distribution end signal is made. The sorting device according to claim 1. An article inspection apparatus (10) having an operation section (14) capable of setting operation input, inspecting an article conveyed along a conveyance path and outputting a result of the inspection;
Distributing means (21) disposed on the downstream side of the article inspection apparatus in the transport path, and selectively distributes the article being transported in a predetermined sorting direction;
The inspection result is received and the distribution unit is driven, and the distribution direction is set when a predetermined distribution start time (tn) has elapsed from the time when the inspection result is received. In an article inspection system comprising: a distribution drive unit (30) that cancels the setting of the distribution direction when a distribution end time (tn + hn) has elapsed.
A manual operation input for increasing or decreasing the distribution start time or the distribution end time is made, and a control parameter change for determining either the distribution start time or the distribution end time according to the manual operation input A parameter change request means (24) for outputting a parameter change request signal for requesting the distribution drive means to the distribution means,
The article inspection system, wherein the operation unit switches between an effective mode for validating the change of the control parameter requested by the parameter change requesting unit and an invalid mode for invalidating the change of the control parameter.   6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising pseudo command requesting means (23) for outputting a signal requesting a pseudo sorting command signal corresponding to the result of the inspection to the article inspection apparatus in response to a manual operation input. The article inspection system described. A parameter change mode switching unit (25) that allows an output of the parameter change request signal from the parameter change request means to the distribution drive means only when the effective mode is set. Item inspection system of item 5. The article inspection apparatus sets the control parameter for determining at least one of the distribution start time and the distribution end time , receives the parameter change request signal from the parameter change request means, 6. The article inspection system according to claim 5, further comprising parameter setting means (15) for updating the set value. The parameter change requesting unit has a change request operation unit (24a, 24b) to which a manual operation input for requesting to change the output timing of at least one of the distribution start time and the distribution end time is performed. The article inspection system according to claim 5.

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