JPH0527838A - Automatically setting method for sorting reference value of sorting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a method which can automatically set the number of mobile pulses among those pulses that are generated while one of plural transfer carts connected in a loop moves to each sorting chute from a prescribed reference point. CONSTITUTION:A sorting device contains a controller which produces the sorting signals to the transfer carts based on the number of mobile pulses. A detector 6 is attached to at least one of the transfer carts. At the ground side, the sensors P1-P6 which detect the pass of the detector 6 are provided at the positions corresponding to a reference point and the 1st and final sorting chutes respectively. Then the carts are driven with the normal operation of the sorting device and the number of pulses are counted in response to the detection signals sent from the sensors P1-P6 and while the cart having the detector 6 moves over a fixed section. Then the number of mobile pulses are calculated from the number of those counted pulses and then set to the controller.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sorting apparatus in which a plurality of transport carriages are connected in a loop, and more particularly to a method for automatically setting a sort timing for sending packages from a transport carriage to a sorting chute. It is a thing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a sorting device for automatically sorting irregularly shaped packages, one schematically shown in FIG. 2 is known. The sorting apparatus 1 of FIG. 2 includes a plurality of transport carriages 3 connected in a loop by a connecting member 2 such as a chain or a link, and these transport carriages 3 are circulated along a predetermined traveling path 4. To be done. Although not shown in the figure, each of the transport carriages 3 has a luggage placement surface made of a belt, a roller, a pan, or the like, and the luggage placed there is substantially perpendicular to the traveling direction of the transport carriage 3. Can be sent in any direction. At least one (three in the figure) chute units A, B, and C are installed on the ground side along the travel route 4 of the transport vehicle 3 so as to receive the cargo from the transport vehicle 3. Each chute units A, B, C, a plurality of sorting chutes, which are juxtaposed at regular intervals a _n, b _n, and a c _n.

Each of the carrier vehicles 3 receives a sorting signal from a control device (not shown) and sorts the cargo into predetermined sorting chutes a _n , b.
_n, it is controlled so as to be sent out to c _n, the timing for emitting sorting signal is determined based on the number of pulses set in advance in the control device. That is, in the conventional shot each sorting one transport carriage 3 from a predetermined reference point 5 a _n, b
_n, the pulse count value generated by the pulse generator during the move to c _n (hereinafter, referred to as "the number of mobile pulse") is set in the control device as the sorting reference value, specific transport carriage from the mobile number of pulses 3 is each sorting chute a _n , b _n ,
and determining when reaching the side of c _n, so that emit in the transport vehicle 3 a sorting signal in a timely manner.

[0004]

However, as described above, in the conventional sorting apparatus, after the coordinator tentatively sets the number of movement pulses from the reference point to each sorting chute, the sorting apparatus is actually operated and each sorting apparatus is operated. The operation was checked with a sorting chute, and if there was a discrepancy in the sorting timing, the temporarily set number of moving pulses was corrected. Therefore, the result varies depending on the skill level of the coordinator and the adjustment period, and it is difficult to set the best sorting timing.

In addition, when the connecting member between the carriages is stretched and the sorting operation is defective, the coordinator must correct the set value.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for automatically setting a sorting reference value of a sorting device, which automatically obtains the number of moving pulses from a reference point to each sorting chute and sets it as a sorting reference value in a control device. I am trying.

[0007]

According to an automatic sorting reference value setting method of the present invention, in the sorting apparatus of the above-mentioned type, at least one carrier is provided with a detection body, and on the ground side,
Sensors for detecting passage of the detection body are installed at positions corresponding to a predetermined reference point and positions corresponding to the first sorting chute and the last sorting chute in each chute unit, and the sorting device is normally operated. Then, the carrier truck is run, and the number of pulses during which the carrier truck having the detection body moves in a certain section is measured according to the detection signal from each sensor, and the detection is performed from the measured pulse number. Calculating the number of pulses while the carriage having a body moves from the reference point to each sorting chute, and setting the calculated number of pulses in the control device as a sorting reference value for issuing a sorting signal, It has a feature.

[0008]

According to the above method, the number of movement pulses from the reference point to each sorting chute can be automatically set only by rotating the carrier truck at least once in the normal operation state.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 1. In the drawing, the same reference numerals are used for the same or corresponding portions as those of the conventional configuration described above.

FIG. 1 shows a sorting apparatus 1 to which the present invention is applied, and is connected in a loop shape by a connecting member 2 in the same manner as the conventional structure described with reference to FIG. On the other hand, it is provided with a plurality of transport carriages 3 capable of sending loads at right angles. In the illustrated sorting apparatus 1, three chute units A, B, C are installed along the traveling route 4 of the carrier vehicle 3, and the sorting chutes a _n , b _n in each chute unit A, B, C are installed. , c _n are juxtaposed at regular intervals. Further, the control device (not shown) of the sorting device 1 issues a sorting signal to the transport carriage 3 based on the number of moving pulses set as the sorting reference value,
Luggage predetermined sorting chute a _n, b _n, so that can be fed to c _n.

According to the present invention, in the sorting apparatus 1 having such a structure, the detecting body 6 is attached to any one of the plurality of transport carriages 3, and the chute units A, B and C are attached.
First sorting chute a ₁ in, b _1, on the ground position corresponding to c ₁ and final sorting chute _{a 19, b 9, c 9} , sensor P ₁ for detecting the passage of the detector 6, P _2, P ₃ , P ₄ , P ₅ , and P ₆ are arranged. Here, the ground position corresponding to the first sorting chutes a ₁ , b ₁ , c ₁ means that the sensors P ₁ , P ₃ , P ₅ installed at the positions detect the passage of the detection body 6. , When the control device receiving the detection signals from the sensors P ₁ , P ₃ , P ₅ issues a sorting signal to the carrier vehicle 3 ′ having the detection body 6 immediately or after a certain time has elapsed, the carrier vehicle 3 ′. Needless to say, it means the position where the parcel is reliably fed into the first sorting chutes a ₁ , b ₁ , c ₁ and is not limited to the illustrated position. Similarly, the ground positions corresponding to the final assortment chutes a ₁₉ , b ₉ , c ₉ are also detected when the sensors P ₂ , P ₄ , P ₆ installed at the positions detect the passage of the detector 6. transport vehicle 3 having a detector 6 'refers to a location that can be passed reliably receive the load in the final sorting chute _{a 19, b 9, c 9} .

The sensor P ₁ of the first sorting chute a ₁ in the chute unit A also functions as a sensor at a position corresponding to the reference point 5 of the sorting device 1, and the detection body 6 passes through it. It is possible to judge that the carriage 3'has made one round each time.

[0013] The transport carriage 3, 3 'is traveling at a constant speed the sorting device 1 as normal operation, each sensor P ₁ during at least one _{revolution, P 2, P 3, P} 4, P 5, P ₆ is the detector 6
Is detected and the detection signal is input to the control device. As a result, in the control device, from the sensor P ₁ of the chute unit A serving as the reference point 5, the carrier 3 ′ having the detection body 6 changes to each of the other sensors P ₂ , P ₃ , P ₄ , P ₅ , P ₆ . The number of moving pulses until moving is measured. Further, in the control device, each sorting chute a from the reference point 5 based on each moving pulse number thus measured.
_n, b _n, the number of mobile pulses up c _n is calculated by the following equation.

First, the number of moving pulses Na _n from the reference point 5 to each sorting chute a _n in the chute unit A is
It is as follows. However, in the formula, the sorting chute No. is the number of the subscript n of the sorting chute.

[Equation 1]

The following equation shows the number Nb _n of moving pulses to each sorting chute b _n in the chute unit B.

[Equation 2]

Further, the number Nc _n of moving pulses to each sorting chute c _n in the chute unit C can be obtained by the following equation as in the equation (2).

[Equation 3]

Since the number of moving pulses set in the control device is limited to an integer, the number of moving pulses Na _n , Nb _n , Nc _n calculated from the above equation is rounded off to the decimal point.

[0018] In this way each mobile number of pulses Na _n obtained, Nb _n, by setting the control device Nc _n, and capable of emitting sorting signal the setting value as the sorting reference value exactly Become.

When the actual number of movement pulses is within a certain allowable range with respect to the number of movement pulses once set, there is no risk of malfunction, but the connecting member 2 for connecting the carriages 3 is When the actual number of movement pulses deviates from the permissible range due to factors such as overall elongation, a new number of movement pulses can be calculated in accordance with the above steps and reset in the control device.

In the above embodiment, the sensor P ₁ for the chute unit A is used as the reference point 5, but the reference point may be set at the position 5'in FIG. 1, and the sensor may be provided at that position. In that case, it will be easily understood that, for example, the equation (1) is modified as follows.

[0021]

[Equation 4]

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically and accurately set the number of moving pulses, which is the reference value of the timing of issuing the sorting signal, so that the operation by a trained coordinator is possible. No confirmation is required, and the adjustment time of the sorting device can be greatly shortened.

Further, even if the sorting operation is defective due to the extension of the connecting members between the carriages, the adjustment by the coordinator is unnecessary, and the sorting timing is automatically adjusted without stopping the operation of the sorting apparatus. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing a sorting device to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing a conventional sorting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 sorting device 2 connecting members 3 transport carriage 4 running path 5, 5 'reference point 6 detector A, B, C chute unit a _n, b _n, c _n sorting chute P ₁ to P ₆ sensor

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G05D 1/02 J 7828-3H P 7828-3H

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. A plurality of transport carriages connected in a loop, each of which is capable of delivering a load in a predetermined direction, and a load delivered from the transport carriage. At least one consisting of a plurality of sorting chutes juxtaposed at regular intervals along the traveling path of the carrier vehicle
A sorting unit including a base chute unit and a control device that issues a sorting signal to the transporting vehicle based on the number of pulses generated while one transporting vehicle moves from a predetermined reference point to each sorting chute. In the device, a detection body is attached to at least one of the transport carriages, and on the ground side, a position corresponding to the reference point and a position corresponding to the first sorting chute and the last sorting chute in each chute unit, respectively. A sensor that detects the passage of the detection object is installed, the sorting device is normally operated to run the transport vehicle, and the transport vehicle having the detection object moves in a certain section according to the detection signal from each sensor. The number of pulses during measurement is measured, and from the measured number of pulses, the number of pulses during which the carriage having the detection body moves from the reference point to each sorting chute. Calculated, the number of the calculated pulse, is set to the controller as the sorting reference value for emitting a sorting signal, sorting the reference value automatic setting methods sorting apparatus characterized by.