JP6219646B2 - Inspection sorting system and weight sorter - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention provides an inspection and sorting system including an inspection apparatus that inspects an article, and a sorting apparatus that sorts and sorts articles according to the inspection result, and inspects the weight of the article, and according to the inspection result. The present invention relates to a weight sorter that sorts and sorts articles.

  Such an inspection and sorting system includes various inspection apparatuses that inspect the quality of articles such as packaged foods, and the inspection apparatus is determined to be defective by being arranged on the downstream side of the conveyance path of the articles from the inspection apparatus. A sorting device for sorting the articles to be sorted.

  Examples of the inspection apparatus include a metal detector and an X-ray inspection apparatus that inspect whether foreign matters such as metal are mixed in the article, or a seal checker that inspects the packaging state of the article.

  In addition, there is a weight sorter that measures the weight of an article and sorts articles to be sorted out of the proper weight range.

  For the sorting of the inspection sorting system and the weight sorting machine, a sorting device using compressed air, for example, an air jet sorting device, an air arm (air flipper) sorting device, an air pusher sorting device, and an air swing sorting device. Each of them has a function of distributing an object to be distributed, which is a defective product, out of the conveyance path from the regular article conveyance path.

  As a prior art using such an air-type distribution device, for example, there are Patent Documents 1 to 3.

  In Patent Document 1, compressed air from a compressor is used to drive an accumulator device, and a conveyor transport facility that detects a decrease in compressor air pressure with a pressure switch and stops the accumulator device to display an abnormality is disclosed. It is disclosed.

  In Patent Document 2, a hanger conveyor system that uses an air cylinder discloses a transport system that displays a warning when the air cylinder air pressure drops due to an air compressor failure, piping damage, leakage from a connected portion, or the like. ing.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a sorting device that includes a cover that regulates the flow of air blown from a nozzle to an article, so that air can be blown appropriately to the article on the conveyance path and the article can be reliably sorted. Has been.

JP-A-4-121316 JP-A-5-294434 JP 2002-153822 A

  In the above air type distribution device, even when the distribution device, the air compressor that is the power source, or the piping connecting them is in a normal state, a large amount of air is used instantaneously at the time of distribution, In the case of continuous distribution, the air pressure may not recover to the original pressure, resulting in insufficient pressure, and distribution by the distribution device may not be performed normally, resulting in poor distribution.

  Also, the air compressor that is the power source is not dedicated to the sorting device such as the inspection and sorting system, but is also used as a power source for other air control devices. The air pressure at the air inlet is likely to fluctuate. For this reason, when distributing continuously, there exists a subject that it is easy to produce a pressure shortage and a distribution defect tends to arise.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 detect an abnormal state such as a pressure drop of the air compressor or a failure thereof, a pipe breakage, an air leak from a connection part, and the apparatus is stopped or the abnormality is displayed. The distribution failure in a normal state in which there is no abnormality in the air compressor, piping, etc. is not considered at all, and the above problem cannot be solved.

  Moreover, the said patent document 3 regulates the flow of the air which blows on articles | goods from a nozzle, Comprising: The air pressure supplied to a nozzle is not considered at all, and the said subject cannot be solved. .

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to prevent a distribution failure from occurring when the distribution is performed continuously by a distribution device that performs the distribution using compressed air.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is configured as follows.

(1) The inspection and sorting system according to the present invention is arranged on the downstream side of the conveyance path of the article from the inspection apparatus for inspecting the conveyed article, and according to the inspection result of the inspection apparatus. A sorting device that sorts using compressed air, and when the inspection result determines that the article is a sorting target article, the sorting apparatus has passed a predetermined time from a predetermined reference time point. An inspection and sorting system that distributes the distribution target articles at the time of distribution,
The distribution device includes a conveyance unit configured to convey the article, and when the distribution target article continues for a predetermined number of times, the distribution target article after the predetermined number of times and the distribution target article precede The distribution time point is adjusted by adjusting the conveyance speed of the conveyance means so that the distribution time interval with the distribution target article to be distributed is longer than the distribution time interval when the distribution is performed at the distribution time point when the predetermined time has passed. It is something that shifts.

  The preceding distribution target article refers to a distribution target article that is distributed first in front of the distribution target article when attention is paid to a certain distribution target article among consecutive distribution target articles.

  Shifting the distribution time point means that the distribution time point is advanced or delayed.

  The distribution time point is shifted so that the distribution time interval becomes longer. Therefore, if the distribution time interval can be increased, it is not necessary to shift the distribution time points of all distribution target articles.

  If the distribution device performs continuous distribution, the compressed air pressure does not recover to the original pressure, and a distribution failure may occur.However, according to the inspection identification system of the present invention, the distribution of the distribution target articles is performed in advance. When the predetermined number of times continues, the time interval of distribution between the distribution target article after the predetermined number of times and the distribution target article preceding the distribution target article is distributed at the distribution time point when the predetermined time has elapsed. Since the distribution time is shifted by adjusting the conveyance speed of the conveying means so that it becomes longer than the regular distribution time interval, i.e., the regular distribution time interval, the compressed air flow is reduced within the longer distribution time interval. Pressure can be restored. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a distribution failure due to insufficient pressure of the compressed air of the distribution device.

  (2) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the distribution target article continues for the predetermined number of times or more, the transfer speed of the transfer means is reduced to reduce the distribution target article after the predetermined number of times. Delay the distribution time.

  According to this embodiment, when the distribution of the distribution target articles continues for a predetermined number of times or more, the transfer speed of the transfer means of the distribution device is decreased to delay the distribution time of the distribution target articles after the predetermined number of times. Since the distribution time interval is longer than the normal distribution time interval, the pressure of the compressed air can be recovered within the longer distribution time interval. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a distribution failure due to insufficient pressure of the compressed air of the distribution device.

( 3 ) The weight sorter according to the present invention is arranged on the downstream side of the article conveyance path with respect to the weight inspection apparatus for measuring the weight of the article by weighing the article while conveying the article. A distribution device that performs distribution using compressed air according to the inspection result of the weight inspection device, and when the inspection result determines that the article is an article to be distributed, A weight sorter that sorts the articles to be sorted at a sorting time after a predetermined time has elapsed from a predetermined reference time,
The distribution device includes a conveyance unit configured to convey the article, and when the distribution target article continues for a predetermined number of times, the distribution target article after the predetermined number of times and the distribution target article precede The transfer time of the transfer means is adjusted to shift the distribution time so that the time interval of distribution with the distribution target article is longer than the time interval when the distribution is performed at the distribution time after the fixed time has elapsed. Is.

  According to the weight sorter of the present invention, when the distribution of the distribution target article continues for a predetermined number of times or more, the distribution target article after the predetermined number of times and the distribution target article preceding the distribution target article are distributed. Since the time interval is adjusted to be longer than the normal distribution time interval, the transfer speed of the transfer means is adjusted to shift the distribution time, so that the compressed air pressure is recovered within the longer distribution time interval. be able to. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a distribution failure due to insufficient pressure of the compressed air of the distribution device.

( 4 ) In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the distribution target article continues for the predetermined number of times or more, the transfer speed of the transfer means is decreased, and the distribution target articles after the predetermined number of times are reduced. Delay the time of distribution.

  According to this embodiment, when the distribution of the distribution target articles continues for a predetermined number of times or more, the transfer speed of the transfer means of the distribution device is decreased to delay the distribution time of the distribution target articles after the predetermined number of times. Since the distribution time interval is longer than the normal distribution time interval, the pressure of the compressed air can be recovered within the longer distribution time interval. Thereby, it is possible to prevent a distribution failure due to insufficient pressure of the compressed air of the distribution device.

According to the present invention, the distribution of the allocation target article, sometimes more consecutive a predetermined number of times, by adjusting the conveying speed of the conveying means of the distribution device, the distribution of the allocation target object, longer than normal distribution time interval Since the distribution is performed at intervals, the compressed air pressure can be recovered within the longer distribution time interval, which prevents the distribution failure due to insufficient compressed air pressure even if the distribution continues. can do.

It is a schematic structure figure of a weight sorter concerning an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the weight sorter of FIG. 2 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the weight sorter in FIG. 1. It is a schematic block diagram of the weight sorter of a reference example . 5 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the weight sorter in FIG. 4. It is a schematic block diagram of the weight sorter which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the weight sorter of FIG. It is a top view which shows the modification of the weight sorter of FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an inspection sorting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the test | inspection selection system of FIG. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the modification of the test | inspection selection system of FIG. It is a timing chart corresponding to FIG. 3 of further another embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a weight sorter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the weight sorter of FIG.

  The weight sorter 100 according to this embodiment includes a weight inspection apparatus 101 that inspects the weight of the article 5 to be conveyed, and a distribution apparatus 102 that uses compressed air.

  The weight inspection apparatus 101 includes a feed conveyor 1, a weighing conveyor 2, a weight sensor 9 such as a load cell that detects the weight of an article 5 conveyed by the weighing conveyor 2, and a control box 19. The conveyors 1 and 2 are driven by motors 61 and 62 connected to their drive wheels.

  The sorting device 102 is disposed downstream of the weight inspection device 101 in the conveyance direction of the article 5 (right direction in the drawing). The distribution device 102 is a pusher-type distribution device including a distribution conveyor 3 as a conveying unit and a pusher 6 that distributes articles 5 on the distribution conveyor 3 using compressed air as power. The sorting conveyor 3 is driven by a motor 63 connected to the driving wheel.

  The weight sorter 100 conveys the articles 5 to be inspected one by one to the weighing conveyor 2 by the feeding conveyor 1 of the weight inspection apparatus 101, and measures the weight of the articles 5 on the weighing conveyor 2 to inspect the weight. Then, the distribution device 102 distributes the articles 5 according to the inspection result.

  The control box 19 of the weight inspection apparatus 101 is provided with an operation setting display unit 8 on the front surface thereof. The operation setting display unit 8 is, for example, a touch panel type and pushes a display button or the like on the display screen. Thus, various displays and operations such as start / stop of operation of the weight sorter 100, setting of operation parameters, display of operation results, and the like are performed.

  The control box 19 includes an A / D conversion unit 10 that converts an analog load signal from the weight sensor 9 into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to the calculation control unit 17, and is controlled by the calculation control unit 17. 1 to 3, the conveyor drive circuit unit 7 that drives the motors 61 to 63, and the drive circuit unit 12 that is controlled by the arithmetic control unit 17 to drive the distribution device 102. The arithmetic control unit 17 includes a CPU unit 13, an I / O unit (input / output interface unit) 15, and a memory unit 16. The I / O unit 15 is supplied with the detection output of the article detector 4 including the projector 4-1 and the light receiver 4-2 for detecting the article 5 sent to the weighing conveyor 2.

  The memory unit 16 is a program memory for storing a control program, data necessary for calculation, speed control data for each conveyor 1 to 3, data set by operation of the operation setting display unit 8, and data for storing other data It is composed of a memory and other memories.

  The CPU unit 13 controls the operation of the weight sorter 100 according to a control program stored in the memory unit 16. The CPU unit 13 calculates the weight value of the article 5 on the weighing conveyor 2 based on the digital load signal from the A / D conversion unit 10, and the calculated weight value is within a preset appropriate amount weight range. Whether it is a non-defective product or not. The CPU 13 makes the above-mentioned determination by using the detection output of the article detection sensor 4 that detects the delivery of the article 5 to the weighing conveyor 2 as a predetermined reference time, and determines that the article is not a non-defective product, that is, a defective product to be distributed. In such a case, a sorting command is output to the drive circuit unit 12 so that the defective product can be sorted when it reaches the sorting position of the sorting conveyor 3. As a result, when the defective product reaches the distribution position on the distribution conveyor 3, the distribution device 102 pushes out the distribution path by the pusher 6. Further, when the product is a non-defective product, there is no need for distribution, so that a distribution command is not output to the drive circuit unit 12, and the non-defective product is conveyed downstream without being distributed by the distribution device 102.

  The CPU unit 13 drives and controls the feeding conveyor 1 and the weighing conveyor 2 at a constant and uniform conveying speed V via the conveyor drive circuit unit 7, and conveys the sorting conveyor 3 slightly faster than the conveying speed V. Drive control is performed at a speed V1 (V1> V).

  The distribution device 102 is controlled to be driven via the drive circuit unit 12 of the arithmetic control unit 17 of the weight inspection device 101. The distribution device 102 is arranged on one side of the distribution conveyor 3 in the width direction. This sorter 102 has a pusher 6 that can be moved on and off the sorter conveyor 3, and when the defective product reaches the sort position on the sorter conveyor 3, the pusher 6 advances onto the sorter conveyor 3 and is defective. Is pushed out of the sorting conveyor 3 and sorted. The pusher 6 of the distribution device 102 is driven by compressed air from an air compressor (not shown) that is a power source.

  The sorter 102 uses a large amount of air instantaneously when the pusher 6 is moved forward in order to sort out defective products that are the articles to be sorted. Therefore, if the sort of defective products continues, In some cases, the pressure does not recover to the original pressure, the pressure is insufficient, the pusher 6 does not move forward normally, and defective products cannot be distributed.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when the distribution of defective products by the distribution device 102 continues for a predetermined number of times, the distribution target article after the predetermined number of times, and the distribution target article preceding the distribution target article, The distribution speed of the distribution conveyor 3 is adjusted so that the distribution time of the distribution target articles is shifted so that the distribution time interval is longer than the normal distribution time interval described later.

  Specifically, when the distribution of defective products continues for a predetermined number of times or more, the transport speed of the transport conveyor 3 is decreased, and among the continuous distribution target products, the distribution target products after the predetermined number of times are selected. The distribution is performed at a time later than the normal distribution time, thereby making the distribution time interval longer than the normal distribution time interval.

  Since the time interval for distribution becomes longer in this way, the time interval that precedes, that is, within the longer time interval from the distribution time point of the preceding distribution target article to the distribution time point of the next distribution target article. The pressure of the compressed air of the sorting device 102 that has decreased due to the sorting of the articles to be sorted is recovered.

  In this embodiment, when the distribution of defective products continues two or more times, the distribution time of defective products for the second and subsequent times is delayed from the normal distribution time, and the distribution target articles for the second and subsequent times are preceded. The time interval for distribution with the distribution target article is longer than the time interval for normal distribution.

  Specifically, when the distribution of defective products continues two or more times, the transport speed of the distribution conveyor 3 for transporting defective products after the second time is slightly lower than the normal transport speed V1, and In response to this, the timing at which the pusher 6 is advanced is delayed until a defective product conveyed by the conveyor 3 reaches the distribution position.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of a timing chart for explaining the operation of the weight sorter 100.

  4A shows the detection output from the article detector 4, FIG. 4B shows the load signal from the weight sensor 9, and FIG. 3C shows the measurement timing for obtaining the weight value from the load signal. (D) shows the determination timing of defective products, (e) shows the drive timing of the sorting apparatus 102, and (f) shows the change in the conveying speed of the sorting conveyor 3.

  FIG. 3 shows an example in which a defective product continues twice, which is a predetermined number of times.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6A, the article detector 4 detects the first article 5 (hereinafter referred to as “first article”) being carried into the weighing conveyor 2, and as shown in FIG. A load signal corresponding to the first article 5 is output from the weight sensor 9. The weight value is acquired from the load signal of the first article 5 at the time when the load signal is stabilized after a certain time t1 has elapsed from the detection of the first article 5, that is, at the measurement timing in FIG. Based on the acquired weight value, it is determined whether the first article 5 is a non-defective product within an appropriate weight range or a defective product outside the proper weight range, and the first article 5 is a defective product. A defective product is determined at the timing shown in FIG.

  Since it is determined to be defective, as shown in FIG. 5E, the pusher 6 of the distribution device 102 is driven at the time when the predetermined time t2 has elapsed from the time determined to be defective, and the defective products are distributed. It is removed from the conveyor 3 and distributed.

  A certain time t2 has elapsed from the time when the product is determined to be defective until the time when the pusher 6 of the distribution device 6 is driven, and the time when the weight value for determining the defective product is acquired is the article detection. A certain time t1 has elapsed since the time when the container 4 detected the delivery of the article 5 to the weighing conveyor 2.

  Therefore, the elapsed time from the predetermined reference time point when the article detector 4 detects the carry-in of the article 5 to the weighing conveyor 2 to the distribution time point when the pusher 6 of the distribution device 102 is driven is constant.

  The article 5 carried into the weighing conveyor 2 at this fixed elapsed time is measured on the weighing conveyor 2 to determine whether the weight value is good or not, transferred to the sorting conveyor 3 and corresponds to the pusher 6. Reach the distribution position. If it is a defective product, it is sorted by the pusher 6 at the sorting position, and if it is a non-defective product, it is conveyed downstream.

  Since the first article 5 which is the first defective product is not continuously defective twice or more, the conveying speed of the sorting conveyor 3 is constant at a normal conveying speed V1 as shown in FIG. Remains.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6A, the article detector 4 detects the second article 5 (hereinafter referred to as “second article”) being carried into the weighing conveyor 2 and is shown in FIG. As described above, the load signal corresponding to the second article 5 is output from the weight sensor 9. The weight value is acquired from the load signal of the second article 5 at the time when the load signal is stabilized after a certain time t1 has elapsed from the detection of the second article 5, that is, at the measurement timing in FIG. Based on the acquired weight value, it is determined whether the second article 5 is a non-defective product within the appropriate weight range or a defective product outside the proper weight range. It is determined that the product is defective at the timing shown in FIG.

  Since the second article 5 is a defective article that is continuously defective twice or more and is defective for the second and subsequent times, as shown in FIG. The conveyance speed V2 is slightly lower than the conveyance speed V1. Further, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 5E, the distribution is not performed at a normal distribution time when a certain time t2 has elapsed from the time when the product is determined to be defective, but as shown by a solid line, the time α The pusher 6 of the sorting device 102 is driven when a certain time (t2 + α) has elapsed from the time when it is determined as a defective product, and the defective product is removed from the sorting conveyor 3 and sorted.

  When this distribution is completed, the conveyance speed V2 of the distribution conveyor 3 is returned to the original normal conveyance speed V1, as shown in FIG. Note that the timing for returning to the normal conveyance speed V1 is from the time when it is determined that the next article 5 is not defective, and when the next article 5 is also defective, without returning to the normal conveyance speed V1, It is good also as the conveyance speed V2 as it is.

  Thus, since the distribution time of the second article 5 is delayed by the time α from the normal distribution time, the time interval T1 for distributing the second article 5 and the preceding first article 5 is the same as that of the second article. It becomes longer by the time α than the time interval T of the normal distribution when the distribution is performed at the normal distribution time point indicated by the broken line in FIG.

  In this way, when the distribution of defective products continues two or more times, which is a predetermined number of times, the timing of the distribution of consecutive defective products after the second time is delayed, and the distribution time interval T1 is set to the normal distribution time. Since it is longer than the interval T, the pressure of the compressed air for driving the pusher 6 of the distribution device 102 can be recovered within the lengthened time interval T1, and this allows continuous defective products after the second time. Can be accurately performed.

  In addition, since the pressure of compressed air recovers in an extremely short time such as several milliseconds, for example, the conveying speed of the sorting conveyor 3 may be slightly lowered, and the influence on the production line can be ignored.

  In the above, although the predetermined number of times is set to 2 times, it is not limited to 2 times, but it is arbitrary. However, when a defective product continues many times, some abnormality has occurred in the production line of the article 5. It is necessary to stop manufacturing the article 5, investigate the cause of the abnormality, and take appropriate measures.

  In addition, the predetermined number of times may be determined on a trial basis with an actual apparatus, and it is preferable that the predetermined number of times can be set on the operation setting display unit 8.

In the above embodiment, when defective products continue for a predetermined number of times or more, the time of distribution by the distribution device 102 is delayed. As a reference example of the present invention , compressed air for driving the pusher 6 of the distribution device 102 is used. It is also possible to detect the decrease in pressure and delay the distribution timing.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 of the weight sorter 100a that detects a decrease in the pressure of the compressed air and delays the distribution timing, and parts corresponding to the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Attached.

In this reference example , a pressure sensor 11 for detecting the pressure of compressed air in the inlet 41 of compressed air in the distribution device 102 or the pipe 41 in the vicinity thereof is provided, and the detected output of the pressure sensor 11 is the weight inspection device 101a. To the CPU unit 13a via the I / O unit 14 of the arithmetic control unit 17a. The pressure sensor 11 may be installed at a location where a decrease in the pressure of the compressed air can be detected by the sorting operation by the sorting device 102.

  FIG. 5 is a timing chart corresponding to FIG. 3 for explaining the operation of the weight sorter 100a of FIG. 4, and shows an example in which defective products are consecutive twice as in FIG. .

  FIGS. 5A to 5E correspond to FIGS. 3A to 3F, respectively, and FIG. 5F shows a change in air pressure detected by the pressure sensor 11. FIG. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 5, since the first article 5 is a defective product, as shown in FIG. 5E, the pusher 6 of the sorting device 102 is driven to perform sorting. By this distribution, the air pressure of the compressed air detected by the pressure sensor 11 decreases as shown in FIG. 8F, and the next second article is determined to be a defective product shown in FIG. When the pressure is below the predetermined pressure P1, the distribution speed of the distribution conveyor 3 is set to the normal transfer as shown in FIG. From the speed V1, the transport speed V2 is set to a slightly lower speed, and as shown in FIG. 5E, not the normal distribution time when the fixed time t2 has elapsed from the time when the product is determined to be defective, but only the time α. The pusher 6 of the distribution device 102 is driven when a certain time (t2 + α) has elapsed from the time when the product is determined to be defective, and the defective product is removed from the distribution conveyor 3 and distributed.

  As described above, when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 11 is equal to or lower than the predetermined pressure P1 when the article 5 is determined to be defective, the distribution time of the defective product is delayed from the normal distribution time. In the delayed time, the pressure of the compressed air for driving the pusher 6 of the distribution device 102 can be recovered, whereby the defective product can be distributed accurately. The predetermined pressure P1 can be set by operating the operation setting display unit 8.

  Other configurations are the same as those in the above embodiment.

In this reference example , the pressure of the compressed air of the distribution device 102 is detected by the pressure sensor 11, and it is determined whether or not the pressure is equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure P1, but as another reference example , based on the detection output of the pressure sensor 11. Depending on whether the pressure of the compressed air is in a pressure range defined by a plurality of set pressures, different control such as an alarm may be performed.

That is, on the operation setting display unit 8, for example, three first to third set pressures P _H , P _M , P _L (P _H > P _M > P _L ) are set. Here, it is assumed that the second set pressure P _M is equal to the predetermined pressure P1 (P _M = P1).

When the pressure sorter 100a is stopped and the pressure P of the compressed air detected by the pressure sensor 11 is _lower than the highest first set pressure P _H (P _H > P), basically the compressed air is compressed. Insufficient pressure is reported from an alarm device such as a lamp or a speaker provided at an appropriate location on the operation setting display unit 8 or the weight sorter 100a.

Further, during the operation of the weight sorter 100a, when it is judged as defective, the pressure P of the compressed air that is detected by the pressure sensor 11, be less than the first set pressure P _H, the second set When the pressure P _M (= P1) is exceeded (P _H >P> P _M ), since the predetermined pressure P _M (= P1) is exceeded, the distribution can be performed normally at the time of distribution.

Further, when it is determined that the weight sorter 100a is defective during operation of the weight sorter 100a, the pressure P of the compressed air detected by the pressure sensor 11 is equal to or lower than the second set pressure P _M (= P1). When the pressure is equal to or higher than the lowest third set pressure P _L (P _M ≧ P ≧ P _L ), since the pressure is equal to or lower than the predetermined pressure P1, the distribution timing is delayed as described above.

Further, when the pressure P detected by the pressure sensor 11 is less than the third set pressure P _L when it is determined as a defective product during the operation of the weight sorter 100a (P _L > In P), it is basically informed that the compressed air pressure is insufficient, the alarm device notifies the pressure shortage, and the device is stopped if normal distribution cannot be performed.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 of still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a plan view of the weight sorter of FIG.

  The weight sorter 200 according to this embodiment includes a weight inspection device 201 that inspects the weight of the article 5 to be conveyed, and a sorting device 202 that uses compressed air. This weight sorter 200 is a weight sorter with a metal detector, and the metal is mixed into the article 5 at the front stage thereof, that is, the upstream side in the conveying direction of the article 5 (left side in the figure). A metal detector 203 is disposed as an inspection device for inspecting whether or not the metal is detected. When metal contamination is detected, a detection signal is output to the weight inspection device 201.

  The metal detector 203 is an oscillation circuit that outputs an AC signal for generating an alternating magnetic field in the detection head 30 provided in the middle of the feeding conveyor 1 that conveys the article 5 and a transmission coil that constitutes the detection head 30. Unit 31, a detection / filter circuit unit 32 that differentially amplifies the outputs of the two receiving coils constituting the detection head 30, and performs detection and filtering, and A / D conversion of the output of the detection / filter circuit unit 32 The A / D conversion unit 33 that performs the determination, and a CPU unit that determines whether or not metal is mixed in the article 5 passing through the detection head 30 based on the output of the A / D conversion unit 33 and controls each unit 34, a memory unit 35, an I / O unit (input / output interface unit) 36, and an operation setting display unit 37.

  The weight inspection apparatus 201 is basically the same as the weight inspection apparatus 101 of the above embodiment, but I for communicating between the CPU section 23 of the calculation control section 27 and the CPU section 34 of the metal detector 203. / O section 18 is provided.

  The weight inspection device 201 of the weight sorter 200 measures the weight value of the article 5 on the weighing conveyor 2 in the same manner as the weight inspection device 101 of the above-described embodiment, and when the weight value is not within the appropriate weight range, the distribution is performed. The distribution device 202 is controlled so as to distribute the defective product as the target article. Furthermore, the weight inspection apparatus 201 according to this embodiment is configured so that, based on the detection signal from the metal detector 203, the distribution apparatus 202 distributes the article 5 in which the metal contamination is detected as a defective article that is the distribution target article. To control.

  The distribution device 202 of the weight sorter 200 is an arm-type distribution device, unlike the pusher-type distribution device 102 of the above-described embodiment, and uses the distribution conveyor 3 and the articles 5 on the distribution conveyor 3 using compressed air as power. A pair of sorting arms 26a and 26b for sorting is provided. As indicated by the arrows in FIG. 7, by rotating one distribution arm 26a to the other side, the articles 5 on the distribution conveyor 3 are distributed to the metal-mixed defective product storage box 42a, and the other distribution arm 26b. Is rotated to one side to distribute the articles 5 on the distribution conveyor 3 to the defective weight accommodation box 42b.

  The weight inspection device 201 controls the sorting device 202 for the article 5 to which the metal detection signal is input from the metal detector 203, that is, the defective product in which the metal contamination is detected, to control the metal contamination defective product storage box 42a. On the other hand, for a defective product in which the metal contamination is not detected and the weight is outside the proper weight range, the metal is distributed to the defective product storage box 42b side, the metal contamination is not detected, and the weight is Non-defective products within an appropriate weight range are allowed to pass through the sorting device 202 without being sorted.

  The control of the sorting device 202 by the weight inspection device 201 is performed using the timing at which the article detector 4 detects the carry-in of the article 5 to the weighing conveyor 2 as a predetermined reference time, as in the above embodiments. The defective product in which the metal 203 is detected by the machine 203 is distributed by the distribution arm 26a when it reaches the distribution position of the distribution conveyor 3 after a lapse of a certain time from the timing.

  In addition, as in the above-described embodiments, the article in which the metal contamination is not detected is the time when the load signal is stabilized after a certain time t1 has elapsed from the timing at which the article 5 is carried into the weighing conveyor 2. The weight value is acquired, and based on the acquired weight value, it is determined whether or not it is a non-defective product within an appropriate weight range, and when it is determined to be defective, when a certain time t2 has elapsed from the determined time Thus, the sorting is performed by the sorting arm 26b of the sorting device 202.

  The distribution arms 26a and 26b of the distribution device 202 are driven by compressed air from an air compressor (not shown), which is a power source, as in the above embodiment.

  In the sorting device 202, when any of the sorting arms 26a and 26b is rotated in order to sort the defective product as the sorting target article, since a large amount of air is used instantaneously, the sorting of the defective products continues. In this case, the air pressure may not recover to the original pressure, resulting in insufficient pressure, the distribution arms 26a and 26b may not operate normally, and defective products may not be distributed.

  Also in the weight sorter 200 of this embodiment, as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the defective product is determined in advance regardless of whether the defective device is sorted by the sorting device 202, the metal is mixed, or the weight is defective. The distribution of the distribution target articles after the predetermined number of times among the continuous distribution target articles is performed at a time delayed from the normal distribution time, and the distribution target articles are preceded by The time interval of distribution with the distribution target article is set longer than the time interval of normal distribution.

  Thus, by reducing the time of distribution and increasing the time interval of distribution, the reduced pressure of compressed air can be recovered.

  Other configurations are the same as those in the embodiment of FIG.

  Also in this embodiment, similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 4 described above, the pressure sensor 11 is added to detect a decrease in the pressure of the compressed air for driving the distribution arms 26a and 26b of the distribution device 202, and the distribution timing is detected. May be delayed.

  Instead of the arm type sorting apparatus 202, as shown in FIG. 8, defective products may be sorted by an air jet type sorting apparatus 302. The distribution device 302 includes air nozzles 36a and 36b instead of the distribution arms 26a and 26b.

  Further, instead of the metal detector 203, an X-ray foreign substance inspection device may be provided, and the article 5 in which the foreign substance is detected may be distributed as a defective article that is a distribution target article. In addition, a plurality of inspection devices, for example, a metal detector and an X-ray foreign matter inspection device are provided, and the distribution target articles determined as defective by any of the inspection devices and the distribution determined as a weight defect by the weight inspection device 201 The target article may be distributed.

  Although each said embodiment was a weight sorter provided with a weight inspection apparatus and a distribution apparatus, this invention is applicable to the inspection selection system provided with inspection apparatuses other than a weight inspection apparatus, and a distribution apparatus.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of an inspection sorting system 400 including a metal detector 401 that inspects metal contamination and a sorting device 402, and FIG. 10 is a plan view of the inspection sorting system 400 of FIG.

  The metal detector 401 is basically the same as the metal detector 203 of FIG. 6 described above, and the detection head 30 provided in the middle of the transport conveyor 50 for transporting the article 5 and the transmission coil constituting the detection head 30 An oscillation circuit unit 31 that outputs an alternating current signal for generating an alternating magnetic field, and a detection / filter circuit unit 32 that differentially amplifies the outputs of the two receiving coils constituting the detection head 30, and performs detection and filtering. Then, based on the output of the A / D converter 33 for A / D converting the output of the detection / filter circuit unit 32 and the output of the A / D converter 33, metal is mixed into the article 5 passing through the detection head 30. A CPU unit 44 that controls each unit, a memory unit 35, and an operation setting display unit 37.

  Further, the metal detector 401 includes an I / O unit 38 to which a detection output of the article detector 4 is given, a motor 51 that drives the transfer conveyor 50, and a conveyor drive circuit unit 39 that drives the motor 31 that drives the sorting conveyor 3. And a drive circuit unit 51 that drives the distribution device 402. The article detector 4 detects an article passing through the end of the transport conveyor 50.

  The CPU 44 of the metal detector 401 of this embodiment determines whether or not metal is mixed in the article 5 passing through the detection head 30 based on the output of the A / D converter 33, and the metal is mixed. When the determination is made, the detection output of the article detection sensor 4 that detects that the end of the conveyor 50 has passed is set as a predetermined reference time point, and in order to distribute it as a defective product, a certain amount of time has passed since the reference time point. The distribution device 402 is controlled via the drive circuit unit 51 so that the non-defective product is distributed when the distribution reaches the distribution position of the distribution conveyor 3.

  As in the weight inspection apparatus 101 of FIG. 1, the metal detector 401 has a predetermined number of times after a predetermined number of consecutive distribution target articles when a defective product mixed with metal continues for a predetermined number of times. The distribution of articles to be distributed is performed at a time later than the normal time of distribution, and the pressure of the compressed air that has decreased can be recovered by delaying the time of distribution in this way.

  Also in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the pressure sensor 11 is added, the detection output of the pressure sensor 11 is taken into the CPU unit 44 a via the I / O unit 52, and the pusher 6 of the distribution device 402 is installed. A decrease in the pressure of compressed air for driving may be detected to delay the distribution time.

  Further, instead of the metal detectors 401 and 401a, an X-ray foreign substance inspection apparatus may be provided, and the article 5 in which the foreign substance is detected may be distributed as a defective article that is the distribution target article.

  Alternatively, a plurality of inspection devices may be combined, for example, a metal detector and an X-ray foreign material inspection may be combined, and a distribution target article determined to be defective by any of the inspection devices may be distributed by the distribution device. That is, the inspection sorting system may be configured to include a plurality of inspection devices and a distribution device.

  In addition, the sorting device that performs the sorting using the compressed air is not limited to the above, and may be an air swing (drop belt) type or another type.

  In the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 11, the distribution device 402 is controlled on the metal detectors 401 and 401a side which are inspection devices, but may be performed on the distribution device 402 side. You may add and control.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the distribution time of the distribution target article is delayed so that the time interval for distribution with the preceding distribution target article is longer than the normal distribution time interval. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the time interval of distribution may be lengthened by advancing the distribution time point of the distribution target article.

  FIG. 12 is a timing chart corresponding to FIG. 3 of the above embodiment, and shows an example in which defective products are continuous twice.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 3, as described above, the distribution time of the second article is delayed by a time α from the normal distribution time, and is distributed when a certain time (t2 + α) has elapsed from the time when it is determined as a defective product. As a result, the time interval T1 for distributing the first article and the second article is made longer than the time interval T for normal distribution.

  On the other hand, in the embodiment of FIG. 12, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 12 (e), the distribution time of the first article that is the preceding distribution target article is a certain time t2 from the time when it is determined as defective. Instead of allocating at the normal distribution time that has elapsed, as shown by the solid line, the distribution is performed when a certain time (t2-β) has elapsed from the time when the product is determined to be defective, earlier than the time β. The second article is distributed at the normal distribution time. In this way, in order to advance the distribution time of the first article, the transfer speed of the distribution conveyor 3 is set to a transfer speed V3 higher than the normal transfer speed V1, as shown in FIG. At this point, the original normal conveyance speed V1 is restored.

  In this way, by distributing the first article at a time earlier by time β, the time interval T2 for distributing the first article that is the preceding distribution target article and the subsequent second article is changed to the time interval for normal distribution. Since it can be longer than T, it is possible to recover the pressure of the compressed air that has decreased due to the distribution of the first article within this longer time interval T2, and the distribution of the second article can be performed accurately. .

  Although the distribution time of the subsequent second article is the normal distribution time, the distribution time of the second article may be delayed.

  In addition, when the distribution target article continues after the second article, the distribution time point may be delayed from the normal distribution time point.

  The inspection apparatus of the present invention is not limited to the above, and may be a seal checker or other inspection apparatus, or a combination of a plurality of inspection apparatuses.

  Moreover, you may combine the structure of said each embodiment.

100, 100a, 200, 300 Weight sorter 101, 101a, 201 Weight inspection device 102, 202, 302, 402 Sorting device 1 Feeding conveyor 2 Weighing conveyor 3 Sorting conveyor 4 Article detector 5 Article 9 Weight sensor 11 Pressure sensor 400, 400a Inspection and sorting system 401, 401a Metal detector

Claims (4)

An inspection device for inspecting an article to be conveyed;
A distribution device that is arranged on the downstream side of the conveyance path of the article from the inspection device, and performs distribution using compressed air according to the inspection result of the inspection device;
When the inspection result determines that the article is a distribution target article, the distribution device distributes the distribution target article at a distribution time after a predetermined time has elapsed from a predetermined reference time. There,
The sorting apparatus has a transport means for transporting the article,
When the distribution target article continues for a predetermined number of times or more, the time interval of distribution between the distribution target article after the predetermined number of times and the distribution target article preceding the distribution target article is equal to the predetermined time. Adjusting the transport speed of the transport means to shift the sorting time so as to be longer than the sorting time interval when sorting is performed at the sorting time that has passed.
Inspection sorting system characterized by that. When the distribution target article continues for the predetermined number of times or more, the transfer speed of the transfer means is decreased to delay the distribution time of the distribution target article after the predetermined number of times.
The inspection selection system according to claim 1. A weight inspection apparatus for measuring the weight of the article by weighing while conveying the article ;
While being disposed on the downstream side of the conveying path of the article than the weight inspection apparatus, based on the detection result of the weight inspection apparatus, and a sorting apparatus for performing sorting by using compressed air,
When the inspection result determines that the article is a distribution target article, the distribution device is a weight sorter that distributes the distribution target article at a distribution time after a predetermined time has elapsed from a predetermined reference time. There,
The sorting apparatus has a transport means for transporting the article,
When the distribution target article continues for a predetermined number of times or more, the time interval of distribution between the distribution target article after the predetermined number of times and the distribution target article preceding the distribution target article is equal to the predetermined time. Adjusting the transport speed of the transport means to shift the sorting time so as to be longer than the time interval at the time when the sorting has passed.
A weight sorter characterized by that. When the distribution target article continues for the predetermined number of times or more, the transfer speed of the transfer means is decreased to delay the distribution time of the distribution target article after the predetermined number of times.
The weight sorter according to claim 3 .

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