JP6995486B2 - Sorting device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sorting device, and particularly to a sorting device suitable for performing an operation of sorting inspected articles on a transport path thereof.

Conventionally, the weight, size, quality, and other inspections of each article being transported are inspected by an article inspection device while sequentially transporting various articles by a predetermined transport route, and the inspected articles (inspected) are inspected according to the inspection results. Sorting devices are often used that transport the object) further to the downstream side and selectively discharge it to the outside of the transport path, or sort it into one of a plurality of downstream transport paths corresponding to the inspection results.

As this type of sorting device, for example, a sorting and transporting conveyor having an upstream end portion in which articles inspected by the inspection device in the previous stage are sequentially carried in and a downstream end portion in which each article is carried out to the downstream side is configured. By performing a sorting operation that selectively lowers the downstream end of the sorting and transporting conveyor according to the sorting signal according to the inspection result of the article, the defective product can be discharged and dropped out of the transport path in the predetermined sorting and transporting section. (For example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-183272

However, in the conventional sorting device as described above, a signal (hereinafter referred to as a signal) instructing the operation of the sorting device to be stopped from the inspection device in the previous stage while the inspected article is being transported in the predetermined sorting and transporting section. , Stop command) may be issued, or the signal requesting sorting and transport may be interrupted due to an emergency stop of the inspection device, etc. There was a problem that the sorting operation could not be performed.

Specifically, in the above-mentioned sorting device, the sorting and transporting conveyor is controlled based on the sorting signal according to the inspection result at the timing when the inspected article enters a predetermined sorting and transporting section, and the sorting and transporting conveyor is a non-defective product. It is switched between a horizontal transport posture in which the defective product is carried out to the transport means in the subsequent stage and a discharge drop posture in which the defective product is tilted so as to be discharged and dropped out of the transport path.

Therefore, if the sorting device is stopped by a stop command or the like while the inspected object remains in the predetermined sorting and transporting section, the sorting and transporting conveyor is stopped from the discharge drop posture corresponding to the inspection result of the inspected object, for example. Since it mechanically returns to the standby posture inside and it is not possible to perform a reliable sorting operation of the goods that were being sorted and transported immediately before the operation was stopped, the operator is forced to take out defective products and dispose of non-defective products. There was something.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sorting device capable of performing a reliable sorting operation even when the operation is stopped.

In order to achieve the above object, the sorting apparatus according to the present invention selects, among a plurality of sorting directions, one of the sorting directions corresponding to the inspection result, the articles carried into the sorting and transporting section after being inspected for the predetermined articles. A sorting mechanism that is selected and sorted so as to be carried out from the sorting and transporting section, and a stop command that requires the operation to be stopped are input while controlling the operation of the sorting mechanism according to a command signal from a higher-level article inspection device. A sorting device including a controller for stopping the operation of the sorting mechanism when the operation is stopped, and the sorting mechanism can carry out the article in a specific sorting direction among the plurality of sorting directions while the operation is stopped. The controller is configured to return to the standby posture when stopped, and when the stop command is input, the controller is selected according to the inspection result for the undelivered article in the sorting and transporting section. It is characterized in that the distribution mechanism is held in any one of the distribution directions for a predetermined time so that the undelivered article is carried out of the sorting and transporting section, and the distribution direction holding control is executed.

With this configuration, in the present invention, when the stop command is input, any of the sorting directions selected for the undelivered articles in the sorting and transporting section is such that the undelivered articles are carried out of the sorting and transporting section. Will be retained until. Therefore, when the sorting mechanism returns to the standby posture at the time of stopping in response to the stop command, the articles that were being sorted and transported immediately before that can be carried out of the sorting and transporting section, and the sorting can be performed reliably even when the operation is stopped. It will be a sorting device that can perform operations.

In the sorting apparatus of the present invention, the controller sets the predetermined time for holding one of the distribution directions when the stop command is input as the required transport time required for transporting the article in the sorting and transporting section. It is possible to make a variable setting based on at least one of the product type information preset for the article.

In this case, the required transport time depends on the length (transport distance), transport speed, etc. of the sorting and transport section, and more preferably, the product type information such as the length in the transport direction of the article, etc., according to the required transport time. The predetermined time for holding the selected distribution direction can be variably set in consideration of other conditions specified in.

When the stop command is input, the controller coincides with any of the distribution directions selected for the undelivered article and the specific distribution direction corresponding to the stop standby posture. It may be determined whether or not, and depending on the determination result, the distribution direction holding control for holding any of the distribution directions when the stop command is input may be executed.

By doing so, it is possible to provide a sorting device capable of performing a reliable sorting operation when the operation is stopped while executing the sorting direction holding control only when necessary.

Further, when the predetermined time elapses after the stop command is input, the controller shuts off the power source of the actuator for operating the distribution mechanism, and returns the distribution mechanism to the stop standby posture. It can be configured to be.

In this case, according to the required operating conditions, for example, when the standby position during normal operation is different from the standby position at the time of stop, when the sorting and transport according to the stop command is stopped, the machine is temporarily stopped at the standby position during normal operation, and then stopped. By shutting off the power source of the distribution mechanism after a lapse of a predetermined time, it is possible to return to the standby position side at the time of stop, and the safety and fail-safe function can be enhanced according to the required operating conditions.

In the controller, when the stop command is input and the preset immediate stop condition is satisfied, the immediate stop mode for immediately stopping the transport in the sorting and transport section and the stop command are input. In some cases, the configuration can be switched to the final determination direction holding mode in which the distribution direction holding control is executed when the immediate stop condition is not satisfied.

In this way, the mode can be switched according to the articles to be sorted and transported and the sorting and transport conditions thereof, and for example, the immediate stop mode can be used to perform a confirmation operation or a test for each function.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a sorting device capable of performing a reliable sorting operation even when the operation is stopped.

It is a schematic front view which shows the conveyor arrangement in the weight sorting system provided with the sorting apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the weight sorting system provided with the sorting apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the schematic structure of the sorting part and the sorting drive part in the sorting apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the schematic procedure of the final determination direction holding control at the time of inputting the stop command in the weight sorting system provided with the sorting apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the schematic procedure of the final determination direction holding time setting process in the weight sorting system provided with the sorting apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing chart for demonstrating the operation when both the basic operation position during operation and the standby position at the time of stop are set to the defective product discharge side in the weight sorting system provided with the sorting device according to the embodiment of the present invention. .. A timing chart for explaining the operation when the basic operation position is set to the non-defective product carry-out side and the stop standby position is set to the defective product discharge side in the weight sorting system provided with the sorting device according to the embodiment of the present invention. Is. It is a timing chart of a comparative example which stops sorting and transporting immediately when a stop command is input.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 to 6 show a weight sorting system including a sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the configuration thereof will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the weight sorting system of the present embodiment includes a measuring conveyor 1 that functions as an article inspection device and a front-stage conveyor, and a down drop that forms a main part of the sorting device. It includes a type sorting and transporting conveyor 2, a rear-stage conveyor 3 for carrying out inspected articles, and a support 4 (not shown in detail) that supports them.

Article W, which is an object to be inspected, is sequentially loaded into the measuring conveyor 1 from an article loading means on the upstream side, for example, a filling / packaging machine (not shown) via the approach conveyor 5.

The measuring conveyor 1 can apply the weight of the article W to the measuring unit 11 as a load while transporting the article W and the measuring unit 11 composed of a load sensor such as a known load cell or an electromagnetic balance scale. It has a measuring conveyor main body 12 with a known weighing table, and a control unit 13 that generates an inspection result signal and a corresponding sorting signal RJ based on a load signal from the weighing unit 11. The weight of the article W passing over the 12 can be measured by the measuring unit 11.

Further, the control unit 13 of the measuring conveyor 1 regards the article W having a normal weight within the permissible range as a non-defective product and the article W having an excess or deficiency as a defective product based on the load signal from the measuring unit 11. , It is designed to generate a sorting signal for sorting to different transport destinations (a plurality of kinds of sorting signals for ranking may be used).

The sorting and transporting conveyor 2 is adapted to execute, for example, a sorting operation of sorting non-defective products and defective products to different transport destinations according to a sorting signal from the control unit 13 of the measuring conveyor 1.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sorting and transporting conveyor 2 includes a transport motor 21, a drive shaft 22, a drive pulley 23, a driven pulley 24, a transport belt 25 (endless transport member), and a shaft support frame 26. ing. Further, the sorting / conveying conveyor 2 is provided with a sorting mechanism 28 having a sorting drive actuator 27 and an article detection sensor 29.

The transfer motor 21 is supported by the support body 4 and is rotationally transmitted to the drive shaft 22 via a rotary transmission element 21a such as a transmission belt. The drive pulley 23 integrally connected to the drive shaft 22 is connected. The conveyor belt 25 can be driven via the transfer belt 25.

A shaft support frame 26 is interposed between the drive shaft 22 and the driven pulley 24, and the shaft support frame 26 holds the transport belt 25 while keeping the driven pulley 24 axially parallel to the drive shaft 22. It supports it so that it can run in the circumferential direction.

Further, the shaft support frame 26 is supported with respect to the drive shaft 22 so as to be swingable in the vertical vertical direction with the end portion on the drive shaft 22 side as a swing fulcrum. A sorting drive actuator 27 that swings the shaft support frame 26 in the vertical direction is interposed between the intermediate portion of the shaft support frame 26 and the support body 4.

The sorting drive actuator 27 is composed of, for example, an air cylinder that is swingably supported in the left-right direction in FIG. 3 with respect to the support 4, and is supplied with and discharged air (supplied air and compressed air) as a working fluid thereof. By controlling the discharge), expansion and contraction operations are possible. Further, the sorting drive actuator 27 is configured to control the supply and discharge of air from the compressed air source 42 (power source) by the sorting drive control unit 41.

The shaft support frame 26 and the sorting drive actuator 27 constitute a sorting mechanism 28 that performs a sorting operation of the transport destination for sorting according to the inspection result of the article W.

The distribution mechanism 28 is an inspection result of the plurality of distribution directions D1 and D2 shown in FIG. The sorting operation of carrying out from the sorting and transporting section Z (including discharging to the outside of the transporting path) is executed by directing in any direction corresponding to the above.

Further, the distribution mechanism 28 has at least its own weight at least at the time of standby during operation waiting for the input of the sorting signal from the measuring conveyor 1 side and at the time of stopping the operation (operation stop) of the sorting and transporting conveyor 2, and further, a spring or the like (not shown). The article W is urged to be distributed in a specific distribution direction among a plurality of distribution directions by the urging means of the above, and is configured to take a standby posture in which defective products can be discharged and dropped, for example.

Needless to say, in the sorting and conveying conveyor 2, the sorting drive actuator 27 is not limited to the fluid pressure actuated type, and the sorting drive control unit 41 selectively supplies and stops the energy for operating the sorting drive actuator 27. It is not limited to a specific method as long as it can be done. Further, the sorting drive actuator 27 may have a means for urging the sorting and transporting conveyor 2 to the stop standby position, for example, a return spring. The stop standby position here is a standby position of the distribution mechanism 28 during operation stop when the transfer drive source of the sorting and transfer conveyor 2 and the compressed air source 42 to the distribution mechanism 28 are stopped.

Specifically, the sorting drive control unit 41 of the sorting transfer conveyor 2 is, for example, from a compressed air source (not shown) into the sorting drive actuator 27 (one and the other working fluid chamber partitioned by a piston (not shown)) which is an air cylinder. It is configured to include an electromagnetic switching valve 41a that controls the supply and discharge of air, a programmable controller 41b that controls the operation of the electromagnetic switching valve, and the like, and is preset with a sorting signal RJ from the control unit 13 of the measuring conveyor 1. According to the sorting drive conditions, the sorting drive actuator 27 is shown in the solid line in FIG. 3 in the solid line and the D1 direction, and the good product can be carried out and discharged. It is possible to sort the destination by changing the posture.

When the sorting and transporting conveyor 2 takes the first posture, the article W carried in from the measuring conveyor 1 in the front stage can be conveyed in the same D1 direction as the carrying in direction and delivered to the rear stage conveyor 3 side. Further, when the sorting and transporting conveyor 2 takes the second posture, the article W carried in from the measuring conveyor 1 in the front stage is directed to the lower side in FIG. 3 toward the D2 direction which deviates from the normal transport path to the rear stage conveyor 3 side. It can be discharged and stored in a receiving box or the like (not shown).

That is, the sorting drive control unit 41 controls the operation of the sorting mechanism 28 according to the command signal from the control unit 13 (upper article inspection device) of the weighing conveyor 1, and also receives a stop command requesting the stop of the sorting and transport operation. It is a controller capable of stop control that stops the operation of the distribution mechanism 28 under a predetermined stop condition when input is input (this point will be described later).

The article detection sensor 29 is installed at a position where the article W is delivered from the measuring conveyor 1 to the sorting and transporting conveyor 2 and is put into the sorting and transporting conveyor 2, or on the upstream side thereof. The article detection signal of the article detection sensor 29 is taken in by the control unit 13, and the control unit 13 determines whether or not the article W is present on the sorting conveyor 2 or the measuring conveyor 1. can do.

Although the specific hardware configuration is not shown, the control unit 13 of the metering conveyor 1 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, an input / output interface circuit, and the like, and is stored in a ROM or another memory device. The operation of the weighing conveyor 1 is controlled and the operation of the sorting and transporting conveyor 2 is controlled according to a predetermined weighing (weighing) control program, a distribution control program for weight sorting, and the like.

The control unit 13 includes an inspection control unit 31 that controls inspection by the measuring conveyor 1 by executing the above-mentioned various control programs, and a sorting control unit 32 that controls the sorting operation of the sorting conveyor 2 by a command signal. It is configured to exert a function with a storage unit 33 that stores various set values, inspection conditions, product type information, inspection results, history, and the like. Further, the control unit 13 includes a display unit 35 that displays inspection results and other various information, an input unit 36 that allows manual operation input such as various set values, and an emergency for emergency stopping the operation of the measuring conveyor 1. A stop button 37 is attached.

The inspection control unit 31 controls the operation of the measuring conveyor 1 according to the preset setting parameters for each product type and the specifications of the own machine (for example, the machine length corresponding to the length of the sorting and transporting section Z), and also controls the operation of the measuring conveyor 1. The measuring unit 11 of the above-mentioned measuring unit 11 executes a measurement process of calculating a measured value, a pass / fail determination process of a weight value as an inspection result, and the like.

The sorting control unit 32 generates a transport drive signal for driving the transport motor 21 of the sorting and transport conveyor 2 and a sorting signal corresponding to the inspection result for each article W, and the inspected article W corresponding to the sorting signal is sorted and transported. The sorting signal is output to the sorting drive control unit 41 at the timing of reaching the section Z, and the sorting drive actuator is used during the period from when the article W is carried into the sorting and transporting section Z until it is delivered to the subsequent conveyor 3. The operation of 27 can be controlled by the sorting drive control unit 41 according to the sorting signal.

The storage unit 33 is composed of the above-mentioned ROM and other memory devices, and stores, for example, fixed setting parameters determined from the specifications of the own machine, and also stores the production speed (transport speed) for each type of the article W to be inspected. ), Allowable weight range, and other inspection conditions are set, and the set value information is stored. Further, in addition to storing the set value information, the storage unit 33 can store a program for executing the holding time setting process in the final determination direction, which will be described later, when the transport direction length of the article W is set and input. It has become.

As described above, the sorting mechanism 28 of the sorting and transporting conveyor 2 is configured to stand by in the second posture toward the defective product discharge direction in the standby state during operation waiting for the input of the sorting signal RJ from the measuring conveyor 1 side. Has been done. Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the control unit 13, when the inspection result signal is an OK signal and the distribution mechanism 28 needs to be shifted from the second posture to the first posture (for example, in FIG. 6). It is designed to stand up (at time t1).

However, in the present embodiment, since external power is not required to return to the standby position during operation, the sorting signal is only for shifting from the second posture to the first posture, but the first posture to the second posture are used. It is also possible to generate a sorting signal to shift to the posture to drive a bidirectional sorting operation by an actuator, or to generate multiple types of sorting signals to perform a multidirectional sorting operation corresponding to three or more transport destinations. It is possible.

On the other hand, the sorting drive control unit 41 executes a distribution direction holding control described later by the above-mentioned controller function, and when a stop command is input from the control unit 13 of the measuring conveyor 1, or when a stop command is input. When the equivalent sorting and transport request signal Mc and sorting signal RJ are stopped or interrupted (hereinafter, referred to as when a stop command is input for any of these meanings), the sorting and transporting section Z on the sorting and transporting conveyor 2 The distribution direction already selected according to the inspection result for the undelivered article W in the inside is held for a predetermined time so that the undelivered article W is surely carried out of the sorting and transporting section Z. ing.

Specifically, in the sorting drive control unit 41, first, the center of gravity of the article W selects the required transport time Td from the time the article W is carried into the sorting and transport section Z of the sorting and transport conveyor 2 until the delivery is completed. It is set based on the basic transport time Ta required to pass through the transport section Z and the correction time Tb required to transport at least the length of the article W in the transport direction (work length). This required transport time Td is used to determine the holding time Tg in the final determination direction, which will be described later.

The sorting drive control unit 41 also has a function of a final determination direction holding timer 41c that counts the required transport time Td from the rising point when the sorting signal is input. In this embodiment, since the article detection sensor 29 is provided on the sorting and conveying conveyor 2, the article W corresponding to the article W by the article detection sensor 29 within the expected arrival period assumed at the time of the sorting signal output by the control unit 13. When is detected, the timer 41c for holding the final determination direction may be activated.

The sorting drive control unit 41 further sets the required transport time Td based on the product type information preset for the article W, for example, known information such as the transport direction length of the article W and the easiness of delay in the carry-out timing due to slipping or the like. It is designed to be variable.

In addition, the sorting drive control unit 41 immediately stops the transfer of the sorting transfer section Z when the stop command is input from the control unit 13 of the weighing conveyor 1 and the preset immediate stop condition is satisfied. The mode can be switched between the immediate stop mode in which the distribution direction is held and the final determination direction holding mode in which the distribution direction holding control is executed when the stop command is input and the immediate stop condition is not satisfied.

The immediate stop condition referred to here is, for example, a requirement from the safety aspect in the installation environment of the weight sorting system, a requirement from the quality aspect of the article W to be inspected, etc., to immediately stop the transportation when the stop command is input. Is required, or even if the transport motor 21 is stopped immediately, the transport can be stopped immediately when the stop command is input, such as when the article W can be left in the sorting transport section Z only by the sorting control. This is a preset condition as a condition corresponding to the case where the problem that the article W remains in the sorting and transporting section Z or other safety or fail-safe problems do not occur.

When the above-mentioned immediate stop condition is not satisfied and the sorting drive control unit 41 enters the final determination direction holding mode, the sorting drive control unit 41 first determines the distribution direction selected according to the inspection result for the undelivered article W. It is determined whether or not the direction and the specific distribution direction corresponding to the standby posture at the time of stop match, and the distribution direction holding control is executed according to the determination result.

Then, for example, when the final determination direction and the specific distribution direction do not match, the sorting drive control unit 41 sets the final determination direction for a predetermined time until the required transport time Td elapses when the stop command is input. On the other hand, when the final determination direction and the specific distribution direction match, the control of the distribution direction can be stopped immediately when the stop command is input.

Further, the sorting drive control unit 41 shuts off the compressed air source 42 for operating the distribution mechanism 28 from the sorting drive actuator 27 when a predetermined time elapses after the stop command is input from the control unit 13 of the weighing conveyor 1. Therefore, the distribution mechanism 28 can be mechanically returned to the standby posture when stopped.

Next, the operation will be described.

In the weight sorting system provided with the sorting device of the present embodiment configured as described above, the control unit 13 transfers the measuring conveyor 1 based on the inspection start signal from the upstream side or from the operation button (not shown). A drive signal is generated, and a sorting / transport request signal Mc that requests the sorting / transporting drive by the transporting motor 21 to the sorting / transporting control unit 41 of the sorting / transporting conveyor 2 is output.

Then, the articles W sequentially put into the measuring conveyor 1 are weighed by a predetermined inspection method, and it is inspected whether or not the weight of each article W is within the allowable range, and the sorting signal RJ according to the inspection result is controlled. Generated by part 13.

At this time, the control unit 13 of the measuring conveyor 1 generates an inspection result signal indicating a weight pass / fail determination result for each article W in a signal form as shown in FIG. 6, for example, as an OK or NG signal, and the inspection result signal thereof is generated. A sorting signal RJ is selectively and timely generated so that the sorting mechanism 28 is directed to the sorting direction corresponding to the inspection result signal when the article W corresponding to the inspection result signal reaches the sorting and transporting section Z, and sorting is performed. It is output to the drive control unit 41.

Now, for example, a non-defective article W whose inspection result signal is an OK signal is detected by the article detection sensor 29 within the arrival period assumed from the generation of the OK signal, and the distribution mechanism 28 is the second basic operating position. It is assumed that it is necessary to shift from the posture to the first posture in which good products can be carried out.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the sorting signal rises at time t1, and the sorting drive control unit 41 controls the supply and discharge of air from the compressed air source 42 (power source) to the sorting drive actuator 27. The sorting operation by the distribution operation from the second posture to the first posture of the distribution mechanism 28 is executed. Therefore, the non-defective article W is carried out from the sorting and transporting conveyor 2 to the subsequent conveyor 3 side.

On the other hand, when the article W whose inspection result signal is an NG signal is detected by the article detection sensor 29 within the arrival period assumed from the generation of the NG signal, for example, the article detection signal rising at time t0 in FIG. On the other hand, since it is not necessary to shift the distribution mechanism 28 from the second posture to the first posture, the sorting signal does not rise and the distribution mechanism 28 is held in the second posture. Therefore, the defective article W is discharged and dropped from the sorting and conveying conveyor 2 to the outside of the conveying path.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the operation of sorting and transporting by the sorting and transporting conveyor 2 is executed according to the inspection result by the measuring conveyor 1.

By the way, some abnormality may occur in the measuring conveyor 1 or on the upstream side thereof, and the measuring conveyor 1 may be stopped in an emergency by pressing the emergency stop button 37. In that case, the control unit 13 of the measuring conveyor 1 generates a stop command signal for stopping the sorting conveyor 2. Alternatively, the output of the sorting and transporting request signal Mc requesting the transporting drive by the transporting motor 21 is stopped, and a request is made to stop the sorting and transporting conveyor 2 (time t3 in FIG. 6).

At this time, the control unit 13 executes the interrupt processing at the time of inputting the stop command shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, first, the preset processing mode at the time of sorting and transport stop is the preliminary stop mode in which the distribution mechanism 28 is immediately returned to the stop standby position when the stop command is input, or the distribution is performed when the stop command is input. The sorting mechanism 28 is stopped after confirming a state in which the article W existing in the sorting and transporting section Z can be carried out or discharged and dropped outside the sorting and transporting section Z when the stop command is input without immediately returning the mechanism 28 to the standby position at the time of stopping. It is determined whether or not the predetermined stop mode for returning to the hourly standby position is set (step S11). The preliminary stop mode may be, for example, a test stop mode for confirming the basic operation of the sorting and transporting conveyor 2, and if this stop mode is not set in advance, it is substantially only a standard predetermined stop mode.

As a result of the determination, when a predetermined stop mode is set in advance, it is then determined whether or not the above-mentioned immediate stop condition is satisfied (step S12).

At this time, if the immediate stop condition is not satisfied (NO in step S12), the final determination direction and the specific distribution direction of the distribution mechanism 28 corresponding to the inspection result of the article W existing in the sorting and transport section Z are set. It will not match.

In this case, the output of the sorting / transport request signal Mc and the sorting signal RJ from the control unit 13 is stopped, whereas the sorting drive control unit 41 continuously executes control for holding the final determination direction of the sorting mechanism 28. (Step S13).

Next, whether or not the measurement time of the final determination direction holding timer 41c exceeds the required transport time Td is repeatedly determined until it is exceeded (step S14, in the case of NO in the same step).

Then, when the required transport time Td has elapsed (YES in step S14), or when the preset processing mode at the time of sorting transport stop is the preliminary stop mode (NO in step S11). Next, the sorting mechanism 28 is returned to the standby position at the time of stop, the sorting and transporting drive is stopped, the operation of the sorting and transporting conveyor 2 is stopped (step S15), and the current process is completed.

Specifically, each time the sorting drive control unit 41 receives a sorting signal from the control unit 13, the final determination direction holding timer 41c is started from the rising point, and a stop command is input during the predetermined timer operation period. Even so, until the required transport time Td elapses, the distribution operation direction of the distribution mechanism 28 is held in the final determination direction already selected when the stop command is input.

Therefore, even if a stop command is input immediately after the rising point t2 of the sorting signal for the undelivered article W, the sorting drive control unit 41 waits until the required transport time Td during the timer count elapses from that time t2. The supply and discharge of air from the compressed air source 42 to the sorting drive actuator 27 is controlled, and the operation is continuously executed until the required transfer time Td elapses.

That is, the sorting drive control unit 41 sets the remaining time after the stop command input in the required transport time Td during the timer count as the predetermined time Tg, and sets the final determination direction of the distribution mechanism 28 that has already been selected when the stop command is input. The undelivered article W remaining in the sorting and transporting section Z is carried out of the sorting and transporting section Z by holding the Tg for a predetermined time until the required transporting time Td elapses.

As a result, when the sorting mechanism 28 returns to the stop standby posture in response to the stop command, the article W that was being sorted and transported immediately before that does not remain in the sorting and transporting section Z, and even when the operation is stopped. It is a sorting device that can execute a reliable sorting operation.

Further, in the present embodiment, the above-mentioned required transport time Td is a correction time Tb determined from the basic transport time Ta required for the center of gravity of the article W to pass through the sorting and transport section Z and the product type information such as the work length of the article W. Since it is variably set based on the above, it is possible to set a necessary and sufficient time for carrying out the undelivered article W remaining in the sorting and transporting section Z at the time of inputting the stop command.

The above-mentioned setting of the stop mode is executed, for example, by the procedure shown in FIG. In this process, when the product type is set in advance in the control unit 13, or after that, the required transport time Td is automatically set, for example, based on the product type setting information, the transport speed during operation, the article detection time, and the like. , A command is output to the sorting drive control unit 41 at the start of operation or at the output of the sorting signal RJ.

As shown in FIG. 5, specifically, first, a variety of the article W to be sorted is selected according to the current operating condition already set by the control unit 13 (step S21), and then the variety is selected. The transport speed and the work length of the work are set based on the transport speed and the article detection time during operation of the product type, respectively (steps S22 and S23).

Next, the required transport time Td is calculated based on the machine length corresponding to the transport distance of the sorting transport section Z previously stored in the storage unit 33, the transport speed, and the work length (step S24). Of course, the required transport time Td may be adjusted based on other product type information and transport conditions. Further, it is also possible to set an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the required transport time Td.

In the present embodiment, when a stop command is input to the sorting drive control unit 41, the sorting direction for the undelivered article W in the sorting and transporting section Z and the specific sorting direction corresponding to the standby posture at the time of stopping are one. It is determined whether or not the operation is performed, and according to the determination result, the distribution direction holding control that holds the selected distribution direction for a predetermined time Tg until the required transfer time Td elapses when the stop command is input is performed. It is executed selectively. Therefore, it is possible to provide a sorting device capable of performing a reliable sorting operation when the operation is stopped while executing the sorting direction holding control only when necessary.

Further, in the present embodiment, apart from the final determination direction holding mode as described above, when a stop command is input to the sorting drive control unit 41 and a preset immediate stop condition is satisfied, sorting and transporting is performed. Since it is possible to switch to the immediate stop mode in which the transport in the section Z is stopped immediately, sorting is performed when the operation is stopped due to the input of the stop command according to the article W to be sorted and transported and the sorting and transport conditions (including the difference in the sorting method). The immediate stop mode can be selectively used within a range in which the adverse effect due to the remaining article W remaining in the transport section Z does not occur, and for example, confirmation and testing for each function such as transport and distribution can be performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, when a predetermined time Tg has elapsed after the input of the stop command, the compressed air source 42, which is the power source of the sorting drive actuator 27 for operating the sorting mechanism 28, is cut off from the sorting drive actuator 27. , The distribution mechanism 28 can be returned to the standby posture when stopped.

Therefore, according to the required operating conditions, for example, when the stop command is input even when the standby position during normal operation is on the non-defective product transport side (OK position) different from the stop standby position as shown in FIG. When the sorting and transporting according to the stop command is stopped, the Tg is temporarily held at the standby position during normal operation for a predetermined time, and after the predetermined time Tg has elapsed, the compressed air source 42, which is the power source of the distribution mechanism 28, is shut off. It is also possible to return to the stop standby position (NG position) side, and the safety and fail-safe function can be enhanced according to the required operating conditions.

Regarding the activation of the timer 41c for holding the final determination direction, the corresponding article W is detected by the article detection sensor 29 within the expected arrival period to the sorting transfer section Z assumed at the time of the sorting signal output by the control unit 13. Although it has been described above that it can be activated at a certain time, FIG. 7 illustrates this case. In this case, regardless of whether the sorting signal is an OK signal or an NG signal, the final determination direction holding timer 41c is activated every time the article W is detected by the article detection sensor 29, as shown in the figure. In addition, even when the standby position during normal operation, which is the final determination direction held when the stop command is input, is different from the stop standby position, the predetermined time Tg can be accurately set.

As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a sorting device and a weight sorting system capable of performing a reliable sorting operation even when the operation is stopped.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 8 as a comparative example, when the sorting and transporting is stopped immediately when the stop command is input, the operation is stopped while the articles that were being sorted and transported immediately before the operation stop remains in the sorting and transporting section. At the time of the stop, the product suddenly returns to the standby position at the time of stop, so that there is a concern that the article may be caught or flipped up to the rear-stage conveyor side, and the reliable sorting operation may not be possible.

In this embodiment, the above-mentioned concerns in the comparative example will be dispelled.

In one embodiment described above, the sorting mechanism 28 of the sorting and transporting conveyor 2 is a so-called dropout type (vertical rotation method), but the present invention takes a certain period of time to sort the articles. The method of the distribution mechanism may be different as long as it distributes the transfer destinations, and may be, for example, a pusher method, a flipper method (sorting by arm swing), an air jet method, or any other method.

However, the present invention is suitable for the dropout type when the distribution direction of the standby position at the time of stop is the NG discharge direction of the defective product.

As described above, the present invention can be applied even when the standby state waiting for the sorting signal during operation is set to the normal delivery direction of the non-defective product, but in that case, the article by the article detection sensor 29 at the time of restarting is applicable. Based on the article detection signal and sorting signal from the detection and weighing conveyor 1 and other upstream article inspection devices, the sorting mechanism is returned to the standby position during normal operation, for example, at time t4 in FIG. You may do so.

As described above, the sorting device of the present invention can provide a sorting device capable of performing a reliable sorting operation even when the operation is stopped, and an operation of sorting the inspected articles on the transport path. It is useful for all sorters suitable for performing the above.

1 Weighing conveyor (weighing device)
2 Sorting conveyor (sorting device)
3 Post-stage conveyor 11 Weighing unit 12 Weighing conveyor body 13 Control unit 21 Conveyor motor 21a Rotational transmission element 22 Drive shaft 25 Conveyor belt 27 Sorting drive actuator (actuator)
28 Sorting mechanism 29 Goods detection sensor 31 Inspection control unit 32 Sorting control unit 33 Storage unit 37 Emergency stop button 41 Sorting drive control unit (controller)
41a Electromagnetic switching valve 41b Programmable controller 41c Timer for holding the final judgment direction 42 Compressed air source (drive source)
Ta Basic transport time Tb Correction time Td Required transport time Tg Prescribed time W Article (inspected object)
Z Sorting and transporting section

Claims (5)

The article (W) carried into the sorting and transporting section (Z) after being inspected for the predetermined article is selected from the sorting and transporting section by selecting one of the sorting directions corresponding to the inspection result from the plurality of sorting directions. The sorting mechanism (28), which sorts to be carried out, controls the operation of the sorting mechanism according to a command signal from a higher-level article inspection device, and when a stop command requesting stop operation is input, the sorting is performed. A sorting device including a controller (41) for stopping the operation of the mechanism.
The sorting mechanism is configured to return to the stopped standby posture in which the article can be carried out in a specific sorting direction among the plurality of sorting directions during the operation stop.
When the stop command is input, the controller sets the sorting mechanism in any of the sorting directions selected in accordance with the inspection result for the undelivered article in the sorting and transporting section. A sorting device characterized by executing a distribution direction holding control for holding the article to be carried out for a predetermined time so that the article is carried out of the sorting and transporting section. The controller presets the predetermined time for holding any of the distribution directions when the stop command is input, the required transport time required for transporting the article in the sort and transport section, and the article. The sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the sorting device is variably set based on at least one of the product type information. When the stop command is input, the controller coincides with any of the distribution directions selected for the undelivered article and the specific distribution direction corresponding to the stop standby posture. 1. The sorting device described in. When the predetermined time elapses after the stop command is input, the controller shuts off the power source of the actuator for operating the distribution mechanism and returns the distribution mechanism to the stop standby posture. The sorting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. In the controller, when the stop command is input and the preset immediate stop condition is satisfied, the immediate stop mode for immediately stopping the transport in the sorting and transport section and the stop command are input. The invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mode can be switched to the final determination direction holding mode in which the distribution direction holding control is executed when the immediate stop condition is not satisfied. Sorting device.

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