JPH06191630A - Accumulating conveyer and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To avoid complicated structure and to simplify the work of installing regulation and the like, by contacting a sensing bar to a conveyed article so as to detect the conveyed article, and operating an accumulating mechanism directly depending on the movement of the conveyed article. CONSTITUTION:When a conveyed article 8 is stopped at the front side and a following conveyed article 8 moves from the position a to b, the following article 8 passes while pressing downward a sensing bar 10b provided in the zone B. As a result, the sensing bar 10b fluctuates clockwise making the fulcrum of the fluctuation as the center, and its end opposite to the surface in contact with the conveyed article pushes the lever of a mechanical valve 11b. As a result, an actuator 13b is lowered to lower a belt 6, and the conveyed article 8 is stopped in the zone B. On the other hand, when the delay of the front side conveyed article is released, a solenoid valve 12 is operated by receiving a signal from the front side, so as to deliver the air to the mechanical valve 11b in the second zone B side. Consequently, the actuator 13b in the second zone B operates to raise the belt 6, and the conveyed article is delivered to the front side.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a conveyor which can be controlled such that an object being conveyed is stopped at a predetermined position or is appropriately sent out. It is related to the accumulator that is frequently used in.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various accumulators have been used for conveying various conveyed objects, and the accumulator 1 is constructed as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, for example.
Is used. The conveyor shown here has wheels 4, 3 at both ends of conveyor frames 2, 3 fixed at predetermined intervals.
5 is rotatably provided, and an endless conveyor belt 6 is wound around the wheels 4 and 5 at predetermined intervals. A plurality of accumulation rails 7 are fixed between the conveyor belts 6 so as not to come into contact with the conveyor belts 6.

The wheels 4 and 5 are configured to be appropriately rotated by a motor or the like.
When is rotated in the direction of arrow E (see FIG. 16), the transported object 8 placed on each transport belt 6 is transported in the direction of arrow D. When the conveyed object 8 is conveyed in the direction of arrow D, for example, the left side of FIG. 16, that is, the wheel 4 side is the upstream side, and the wheel 5 side is the downstream side.

Each of the conveyor belts 6 is wound around the wheels 4 and 5 so as to have a predetermined slack as a whole, and a belt up-and-down mechanism 9 (in the figure, it is shown in a circular shape, but in reality, the wheel or the wheels). Is a mechanism having a support member and an actuator for moving up and down) and is controlled to rise to a position (a position shown by an imaginary line in FIG. 16) over the upper surface of the accumulation rail 7, and is shown by a solid line when the conveyance is stopped. Thus, the descent is controlled to the lower position of the accumulation rail 7. The belt up-and-down mechanism 9 is composed of rollers and a roller elevating mechanism that conveys the conveyor belts 6 while supporting the conveyor belts 6, but is schematically shown for convenience of illustration.

The height of each accumulation rail 7 is positioned so as to be slightly below the position at which each conveyor belt 6 is controlled to be raised. When the conveyed object 8 is conveyed, the belt up-and-down mechanism 9 is driven to raise each conveyor belt 6 to the upper surface of each accumulation rail 7 as shown by an imaginary line in FIG. The raising control of the respective conveyor belts 6 may be performed while the respective conveyor belts 6 are running in the direction of arrow B, or may be performed after the conveyor belts 6 are raised. In any case, since each conveyor belt 6 is positioned on the upper surface of each accumulation rail 7, the conveyed object 8 on each conveyor belt 6 can be conveyed to each accumulation rail 7 in a non-contact state.

On the other hand, when it is desired to stop the conveyance of the conveyed object 8, the belt up-and-down mechanism 9 is driven to control the positioning of each conveyor belt 6 on the lower surface of each accumulation rail 7 as shown by the solid line in FIG. As a result, the conveyed article 8 placed on each conveyor belt 6 is transferred onto each accumulation rail 7, and the conveyed article 8 is stopped on the accumulation rail irrespective of the traveling of each conveyor belt 6.

[0007]

This type of conventional accumulator conveyor uses a detecting means such as a photoelectric tube,
The position of the conveyed product 8 is detected, and when there is a delay or stagnation of the conveyed product 8 on the downstream side, the next conveyed product 8 is stopped immediately before the preceding conveyed product 8, and this is carried out in sequence to thereby make it on the conveyor This is a structure for accumulating the conveyed product 8. However, in the case of such a structure, there were the following problems.

First, for example, a photoelectric tube which is a detection means for detecting a conveyed article is preferably brought close to the conveyed article 8 in order to enhance its detection ability. Then, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are projected to both ends of the upper surface of the conveyer. There is a high risk that the object 8 will come into contact with it during its movement, and the detection means will often be damaged or undetectable. As a result, there was a limit to the improvement of the detection ability.

Further, in addition to various electric parts such as a phototube, an amplifier and a solenoid valve, a pneumatic operating device such as a belt lifting mechanism 9 is also used. For this reason, electrical wiring and air piping are also required, and the structure is inevitable. At the present time, a wide range of maintenance is required for each system. From this, not only the cost of the device itself is high, but also the running cost tends to be high.

Further, the electric wiring work is carried out at the conveyor installation site due to restrictions such as safety standards, so that it is possible to carry out a collective assembly.
Adjustments can only be made at the installation site, which is an inefficient work form from the overall viewpoint of assembly and installation. As a result, since the installation and adjustment work requires a lot of manpower and time, the current situation is that there is a problem with low cost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is possible to more accurately accumulate a conveyed product than ever before.
Avoiding complicated structure and complicated maintenance,
Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide an accumulator which is easy to perform work such as installation and adjustment and whose cost is improved.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above object of the present invention is to provide a conveyor belt movably between a plurality of accumulator rails, the conveyor belt being a conveyor surface above the conveyor object holding surface of the accumulator rail. In the accumulator configured to move and stop the transported object by controlling the position of or below, a plurality of accumulative zones arranged in series in the transport direction are formed, and the accumulative zone is formed in accordance with the accumulative zone. A rotatable or swingable sensing bar is provided so as to come into contact with the conveyed object, and a mechanical valve connected to the sensing bar and at least one solenoid valve connected to the mechanical valve are provided, and the mechanical valve or the An air-operated actuator paired with the solenoid valve is provided in each accumulation zone, and the solenoid valve and the mechanism are connected. A cull valve and the actuator are connected by an air pipe, and the actuator is configured to move the conveyor belt up and down based on the detection operation of the sensing bar to convey and stop the conveyed object. This is achieved by the characteristic accumulation conveyor. Further, the above-mentioned object of the present invention is such that a conveyor belt is movably provided between a plurality of accumulation rails, and the conveyor belt is located at a position on a conveyor surface above or below a conveyor object holding surface of the accumulation rail. In a control method of an accumulator that moves and stops a conveyed object by controlling, a piping system in which a plurality of mechanical valves connected to a sensing bar arranged in an accumulation zone are connected in series, and the piping system is This can be achieved by a method of controlling the accumulator by displacing the air supply part to the one side of the piping system and operating the actuators connected to the mechanical valves in the order closer to the air supply part. Furthermore, in this control method, by changing the pressure of the air supplied to the piping system or the effective cross-sectional area of the pipe diameter of the piping system, the control method for adjusting the operation timing of the actuator connected to the mechanical valve is used. Can also be achieved.

[0013]

[Operation] As described above, the sensing bar comes into contact with (engages with) the conveyed object to move the bar to detect the conveyed object, and the movement of the sensing bar at this time directly operates the accumulation mechanism. Therefore, it is possible not only to eliminate the relatively complicated electric-related parts such as the photoelectric tube, the amplifier and the solenoid valve for the accumulator operation for detecting the conveyed object, but also each of these parts and the air piping and the air actuating device. Since it is not necessary to use it together, it is possible to avoid complication of the device,
In addition, maintenance becomes easy. With such an accumulator that does not require special electrical wiring, there is no need for electrical work at the installation site, and installation adjustments can be made at locations other than the installation site, improving installation work efficiency. .

Further, by biasing the air supply portion to one end side of a piping system in which mechanical valves are connected in series, a difference in operating time of the mechanical valves can be generated,
Further, by changing the pressure of the air supplied to this piping system or the effective cross-sectional area of the diameter of the pipeline of the piping, including the inside of the valve body, an effective time difference of pressure propagation can be generated, and the simultaneous payout is performed. Even with the circuit configuration of the piping system, it is possible to partially operate in a substantially sequential manner.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 12 will be described below. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the main part of the accumulation conveyor of this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a side view of the main parts of the accumulation conveyor, and FIGS. 3 to 12 are operating system diagrams for explaining the operation of this embodiment. Is. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the basic structure of the accumulator 100 of this embodiment is such that a conveyor belt 6 is provided between a plurality of accumulator rails 7 so that the conveyor belt 6 can travel freely. The rail 7 is controlled to a position on the carrying surface above or below the carrying object holding surface.
By moving the conveyor belt 6 up and down, the conveyed object 8 is moved and stopped. The accumulation conveyor 10
On the downstream side of 0, for example, a conveyor 110 which is the next conveying system for receiving the conveyed articles discharged from the conveyor 100.
Are arranged.

The characteristic structure of the conveyor 100 is that the sensing bar 10 extending in the passage area of the conveyed product 8.
(Only shown in FIGS. 10b and 10c), the sensing bar 10 is operated when the sensing bar 10 comes into contact with the conveyed object 8,
For example, when swinging, the mechanical valve 11 (only 11b and 11c shown in the figure) provided on the other end side of the sensing bar 10 is automatically operated. This mechanical valve 11 has an actuator 13 inside an air pipe 15.
When the mechanical valve 11 is appropriately operated, the actuator 13 (only 13a, 13b and 13c shown in the figure) is activated to move a predetermined belt up-and-down mechanism 9 (only the rollers are shown) to convey the belt. Up and down movement control of 6 can be performed.

1 and 2, the connecting structure between the actuator 13 and the belt up / down mechanism 9 is not shown for the sake of convenience, but it goes without saying that, for example, the belt up / down mechanism 9 is a frame body that rotatably supports rollers or A structure in which a support member such as a shaft is provided so as to be vertically movable and the actuator 13 appropriately supports the support member from below is adopted. Further, in the present embodiment, the stop area of the conveyed product 8 is divided into the first zone A, the second zone B and the third zone C. The first zone A has a sensor 11 which will be described later.
1 and 112 is a piping system combining an electromagnetic valve 12 and an actuator 13a, and a second zone B
In the third zone C, the mechanical valves 11b, 11
c has a structure in which the actuators 13b and 13c are combined. Then, these zones A, B, C are connected so as to form one connected air piping system. The solenoid valve 12 includes a sensor 112 installed on the payout side of the accumulation conveyor 100 and the next conveyor 1.
It is activated by a signal from the sensor 111 arranged on the article input side of the device 10. That is, both sensors 11 such as a photoelectric tube
1 and 112 detect the presence or absence of the transported objects 8a and 8b, and when the presence of both of the transported objects 8a and 8b is detected, the solenoid valve 12 is actuated to operate the actuator so as to accumulate the transported objects 8a in the first zone A. Lower 13a.

The operation of the above accumulator 100 will be described below. In FIG. 2, when air enters the actuator 13, the conveyor belt 6 is lifted, the belt up / down mechanism 9 is lifted, and the conveyor belt 6 is placed at the position of the conveyor surface X. In this state, the conveyed article 8 is continuously conveyed by the conveyor belt 6. Here, the belt elevating mechanism 9 is appropriately arranged in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor to form the three zones A, B and C as described above. When the conveyed object 8 is stagnant in front of the first zone A, the sensor 1
11 sends the detection signal of the conveyed object 8b to the electromagnetic valve 12 installed in the first zone A, and the sensor 112 sends the detected signal of the conveyed object 8a to operate the electromagnetic valve 12 to lower the actuator 13a. The belt up / down mechanism 9 in zone A is lowered. Along with this, the conveyor belt 6
Is lowered and the transported object 8 is parked on the accumulation rail 7.

When the next conveyed product 8 moves from the position a to the position b (moves to the position of the conveyed product 8a in the figure), it passes the sensing bar 10b provided in the second zone B while pushing it downward. As a result, the sensing bar 10b swings clockwise around the swinging fulcrum 10a, and the end of the sensing bar 10b opposite to the side in contact with the conveyed object is mechanical valve 1b.
Push the lever of 1b. By the operation of this lever, the actuator 13b is lowered and the conveyed article 8 is parked in the second zone B (or in the vicinity thereof) in the same manner as in the first zone A. Further, when the next conveyed product 8 arrives, the conveyed product 8 can be parked in the third zone C (or in the vicinity thereof) in the same manner as the second zone B. Even when a number of zones for holding the conveyed objects 8 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor more than those shown in the drawing, this can be repeated sequentially and a large number of conveyed objects 8 can be accumulated on the conveyor one after another.

On the other hand, for example, when the stagnation of the transported object in front of the first zone A is resolved even in the accumulating state of the transported object 8 or during the accumulation, an operation signal indicating that the stagnation is resolved is sent to the solenoid valve 12. The solenoid valve 12 is fed to operate the accumulator state, but at this time, the procedure opposite to the case of lowering the conveyor belt 6 described above is performed, that is, the belt up-and-down mechanism 9 is raised by the actuator 13a and the conveyed object 8 is accumulated. Lift from rail 7 and convey belt 6
Is returned to the position of the transport surface X, and the transported product 8 is transported downstream.

When the solenoid valve 12 in the first zone A receives a signal from the front and operates, it sends air to the mechanical valve 11b on the second zone B side. As a result, the actuator 13b in the second zone B rises, which raises the belt up-and-down mechanism 9 and the conveyor belt 6 in this zone. By such an operation, the conveyed product 8 in the second zone B can be conveyed forward substantially simultaneously with the conveyed product 8 on the first zone A side. Further, at this time, the mechanical valve 11b of the second zone B sends air to the third zone C, and the air carries the article 8 of the third zone C to the second zone B in the same manner. When the conveyed product 8 passes through the sensing bars 10b and 10c in each zone, the downward pressing force due to the weight of the conveyed product 8 is released, and the sensing bars 10b and 10c return to the initial state (not pressed). By performing the above movements arbitrarily continuously, the conveyed articles 8 are accumulated and conveyed on the belt-type accumulation conveyor 100 at any time, and smooth article conveyance is possible without line pressure such that the conveyed articles are pressed against each other. Possible transport paths can be formed.

Hereinafter, an example of the relationship between the solenoid valve 12 and the mechanical valve 11 and the operating structure and principle of the mechanical valve 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 12. First, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7, the case of simultaneous delivery of conveyed articles will be described in detail. 3 zones A, B,
The connection conceptual diagram about C is shown. In this conceptual diagram, the brake pads P1 and P2 capable of braking the conveying force on the accumulation conveyor 100 are provided at appropriate places. First, when a signal is input to the solenoid valve 12 provided in the first zone A and the switching valve 18 is switched from the state shown in FIG. 3 to the state shown in FIG. 4, the actuator 13a in the first zone A is connected to the exhaust port 16a. Communication pipe 15c-
The air in 1 is also discharged (the path portion in the exhaust state is shown by a dotted line). As a result, the actuator 13a in the first zone A goes down, and the conveyed article 8 located there is released from the drive of the conveyor and is parked on the first zone A.

At this time, in the mechanical valve 11b in the second zone B, the communication pipe 15c-1 is opened, and the exhaust port 16b of the mechanical valve 11b is connected to the actuator 13b.
Line 15g-2. However, at this time, the sensing bar 10b is not actuated and the mechanical valve 11b itself in the second zone B is open, and therefore the air in the actuator 13b is not discharged to the exhaust port 16b. On the other hand, the brake pad P1 in this zone B is switched to a state in which it can be connected to the air supply line 15i-2 at the same time, but because of the internal pressure in the line 15g-2, it is kept open by the action of the pilot PD. Therefore, air does not enter the brake pad P1 (state of FIG. 4). or,
In the case of simultaneous payout, the switching valve 19i is closed and the communication pipe 15c system and mechanical valves (11b, 11c ...
() Is not directly connected to the air supply line 15i system, while the other switching valves (19k-2, 19k-3 ...) Are opened.

When the conveyed product 8 comes from the upstream in this state and touches the sensing bar 10b in the second zone B, the state of the mechanical valve 11b is switched and the exhaust port 1
6b and line 15g-2 are connected (state of FIG. 5),
Air in the actuator 13b and the line of the system is discharged from the exhaust port 16b, the actuator 13b goes down (shown by a dotted line), the driving force of the conveying force is cut off, and the conveyed object 8
Are parked in the second zone B (or in the vicinity thereof). On the other hand, in the line of the brake pad P1, the mechanical valve 11b switches, and the line 1 of the actuator 13b.
The control of the pilot PD is cut off due to the decrease of the internal pressure of 5g-2, and the brake pad P1 is connected to the air supply line 15i-2 and the air pressure is applied to the brake pad P1 to operate (raise) to apply an appropriate brake to the conveyor ( (State of FIG. 5).

The above operation is performed by the following mechanical valve 11c.
The same operation is performed for the (third zone C), and this operation is propagated to the upstream side of the conveyor, and the conveyed objects 8 sequentially conveyed on the conveyor are accumulated. Next, the transported material 8 on the downstream side is discharged (or removed), and for example, the communication pipe 15c-1 of the mechanical valve 11 (or the electromagnetic valve 12) on the downstream side is discharged.
When air is supplied to the communication pipe (15c-
2) and so on (actually almost at the same time), the air is supplied (the brake pad is in the released state in the state shown in FIG. 6), and the actuators 13a, 13b, 13c of the respective valves are raised all at once and on the conveyor. The transported object 8 is transported. When the article 8 passes through the sensing bars 10b and 10c in that zone, the sensing bars 10c and 10b return to their original positions and the actuators are switched to return to the initial state (state of FIG. 7). Incidentally, the first zone A can be provided with a brake pad like the other zones if the solenoid valve is of a 5-port type.

Next, the case of sequential payout will be described with reference to FIGS. The structure and operating principle in this case are substantially the same as those in the case of the structure shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, but the switching valve 19i is opened to open the communication pipes (15c-1, 1c).
5c-2, ...) and mechanical valves (11b, 11)
c ...) air supply lines (15i-2, 15i-3)
..) is connected in a direct connection state, while the switching valve (19k-2, 19k-3 ...) Is closed and switched to the communication pipe. The reference numerals and the like of the same components in FIGS. 8 to 12 are the same as those shown in FIG.

First, the state of FIG. 8 is the same as the case of FIG. 3 and the conveyed article 8 is conveyed, and the state of FIG. 9 is the same as the state of FIG. 4 and the conveyed article 8 comes from the upstream. 2 is the state before touching the sensing bar 10b in the zone B, and FIG. 10 is the same as the state of FIG.
Is touched and the mechanical valve 11b is in a state when the state is switched. In FIGS. 8 to 10, the conveyed product 8 is accumulated on the conveyor by the same movement as in the case of the simultaneous dispensing described above, and therefore the description thereof is omitted to avoid redundant description. When the conveyed product 8 is discharged (or removed) from the accumulated condition of the conveyed product 8 and air is supplied to the communication pipe, for example, 15c-1, the actuator 13b and its line 1 are fed as shown in FIG.
When air enters 5g-2 and the actuator 13b is raised to drive the conveyor, the brake pad P1 and the exhaust port 16b are connected and switched by the pilot PD-2, the brake pad P1 is released from the brake, and the second zone B is conveyed. The article 8 is transported. Conveyed goods 8 is the second zone B
After passing through the sensing bar 10b, the mechanical valve 11b is switched, the communication pipe 15c-2 and the air supply line are connected, and air is supplied into the communication pipe 15c-2 (state of FIG. 12). When air enters the communication pipe 15c-2, air is also supplied to the actuator 13c of the mechanical valve 11c in the third zone C and the line thereof to raise the actuator 13c and drive the conveyor, and at the same time, to the brake pad P2 by the pilot PD-3. Exhaust port 16
c is connected / switched, the brake pad P2 is lowered, the brake is released, and the conveyed product 8 in the third zone C is conveyed. This operation is repeated in exactly the same manner, and the conveyed product 8 on the conveyor sequentially discharges the conveyed product 8 in the next zone every time it passes the sensing bar in each zone.

The mechanical valve 1 according to the present invention has been described above.
1 has been described in detail, but in the actual application, in the case of simultaneous payout, in the case of sequential payout, selection is performed by switching the switching valves 19i and 19k. Even in combination, it is extremely convenient because it can be freely and conveniently performed locally without any other material.

Also, the accumulation conveyor 100 of the present invention.
The piping system of the mechanical valve in is not limited to the configurations of FIGS. 3 to 12 described above, and may be configured as the mechanical valves 11m and 11n shown in FIG. 13, for example. The configuration of each mechanical valve shown in FIG. 13 has switching valves 18m and 18m operated by sensing bars 10b and 10n in zones M and N, respectively.
n, check valves 21m and 21n, and manual valves 19m and 19n installed in a piping system provided in parallel with the pipe in which the check valve is arranged, and another one arranged in series with the check valve. Two manual valves 20m, 20n
It is equipped with. And the manual valve 19
While the m and 19n are opened, the other manual valves 20m and 20n are closed so that the payout can be sequentially performed. In addition, manual valves 19m, 19
n is closed, while the other manual valve 20
You can pay all at once by opening m and 20n.

Here, for example, when the air supplied to the communication pipe 15m is stopped (according to the operation of the zone L, the zone L may have the same structure as the zone M or the solenoid valve structure).
The check valve 21m closes the lower side thereof. Then, when the conveyed article 8 moves to the zone M and pushes the sensing bar 10b, the switching valve 18m is switched and the exhaust port 16
Air is discharged from b. Due to this exhaust, air is released from the actuator 13b to accumulate the conveyed material in the zone M, and along with this, the manual valve 19
The air in the portion where the m is arranged and the portion through the communication pipe 15n escape, the preparation for the accumulation operation of the zone N is completed, and the next accumulation is sequentially performed.

When air is supplied to the communication pipe 15m,
This air reaches the actuator 13b, and the actuator moves up to send out the conveyed object. By this sending out, the sensing bar 10b returns to the original position, air is sent to the actuator side c, and this is repeated sequentially to pay out sequentially. On the other hand, in the case of simultaneous dispensing, since the opening / closing relationship of the above manual valve is the opposite opening / closing relationship to the case of sequential dispensing, for example,
When paying out the conveyed goods already accumulated in each zone, by supplying air to the communication pipe 15m,
Air can be supplied to all the actuators at once, and the articles can be discharged almost at the same time. Furthermore, in the piping system shown in FIG. 13, valves 19m, 19n and 2
The payout is switched all at once by switching between 0 m and 20 n, but the switching operation becomes simpler by, for example, providing a three-way valve at the intersection Y of the illustrated piping path.

Next, another embodiment in which the simultaneous payout piping structure enables the payout will be described below with reference to FIG. 14 which is a conceptual diagram thereof. It should be noted that the conceptual diagram shown in FIG. 14 corresponds to each actuator (13i, 1
3j, ...) and exhaust port (16i, 16j, ...)
Each mechanical valve (11i, 11j, ...
.) Is a structure in which two systems of air pipes, such as the communication pipe 15 system and the communication pipe 15c system, are connected as shown in FIG. 3, and the pipe route is the same as the above-mentioned batch delivery. With respect to the structure of the route, the pipe line can be provided with a sequential payout function by the following configuration. In the mechanical valves connected as shown in the drawing, the air amount Vi and the air pressure Pi are supplied from the air supply portion that is biased toward the left side in the figure, that is, one end side in the series piping system.
Assuming that the air is supplied, the valves at the arbitrary positions are set to i, j, k ... N from the left in order.

Here, for example, in the section a to b of the communication pipe 15c, the diameter of the communication pipe 15c is d, the pressure loss of the air passing through the valve is ΔP _V , and the pressure loss Δ to the piping systems i to j.
Letting P _{i be} the amount of air consumed between the valves (the amount required to hold the pressure) be ΔV, the pressure P _{n in} the n-th communication pipe 15c when n valves are connected is P _n = P _i − (ΔPv _i + ... + ΔPv _n−1 ) − (Δ
P _i + ΔP _j + ... + ΔP _n-1 ) Now, _assuming that the pressure required to effectively operate the actuator 13 is Po, the actuators after n do not operate unless P _n-1 ≧ Po. That is, even with the piping configuration of the simultaneous piping system path, there is a time delay until P _n ≧ Po, without simultaneous operation.

On the other hand, as a phenomenon occurring at the same time, the supply air amount V _n becomes V _n = V _i − (ΔV _i + ΔV _j + ... + ΔV _n-1 ) and when V _n ≧ ΔV It has no simultaneous function. In this way, theoretically, in order for a piping system having a simultaneous function to have a sequential function, it is not particularly limited whether the influence by the pressure or the necessary air amount comes first. It depends on conditions such as the size of ΔV and the size of the pipe diameter d, which are represented by the effective cross-sectional area and the like. That is, ΔV, P _n , and d have a relationship of P _n = K · [ΔV / d] ² (K = constant) within a fixed time. Note that the effective cross-sectional area means that the pressure and air amount obtained at the end of the pipeline, including the loss due to cross-sectional changes in pipeline systems with different actual cross-sectional areas, are placed in pipelines with the same cross-section throughout the pipeline. It refers to the cross-sectional area of a virtual pipeline when replaced. From this, by appropriately selecting the effective cross-sectional area of the pressure or the pipe diameter, even if the circuit configuration of the simultaneous delivery pipe system can be partially and substantially sequentially operated. Therefore, for example, it is possible to perform a combined operation in which a simultaneous region in which several valves are operated in a block manner and a sequential operation in which each block is sequentially operated are completely integrated. The substantial configuration for performing such an operation is such that a difference in the operating time of the mechanical valve can be generated by biasing the air supply part to one end side of the piping system in which the mechanical valve is connected in series. As an actual control element for effectively performing this valve differential, the pressure of the air supplied to this piping system or the effective cross-sectional area of the diameter of the pipe line including inside the valve body is changed. It is possible to generate an effective time difference in pressure propagation, and even in the circuit configuration of the pipe system for simultaneous delivery, simultaneous mixing operation or sequential operation can be performed.

As in the present embodiment, since the piping of the simultaneous delivery pipes can be made substantially differential, not only separate piping systems for simultaneous and sequential are not required but, for example, simultaneous delivery. At this time, it is possible to avoid applying a shocking load to the drive system (motor, belt, pulley, etc.) of the accumulator, and the capacity of the drive system can be efficiently minimized. In addition, it is possible to easily create an extremely small differential even at the time of simultaneous payout, which enables smooth conveyance with less vibration and noise. Furthermore, compared to the sequential payout method, a sequential differential timing circuit is provided. Compared with the case where the system is used, it can be made to be several times faster, and the carrying capacity can be remarkably improved.

Further, in the present invention, also in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, various components such as the shape and number of the sensing bar, etc., and the shape and structure of each member shown in FIGS. The present invention is not limited to the above and can be variously changed.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, the sensing bar contacts (engages) with the conveyed object in the accumulation conveyor to move the bar and detect the conveyed object.
Since the accumulator mechanism is directly operated by the movement of the sensing bar at this time, there is no need to remove the relatively complicated electric-related parts such as the conventional photocells for accumulator operation for detection of conveyed objects, amplifiers and solenoid valves. In addition to the above, it is not necessary to use each of these parts with air piping and air actuating equipment, and it becomes a mechanical actuation system, so it is possible to avoid complication of the device and it is a simple air piping system. , Maintenance and inspection is much easier than before. Furthermore, since the accumulator of the present invention does not require any special electrical wiring work, no electrical work is required at the installation site, and installation adjustment can be performed at places other than the installation site, improving installation work efficiency. Can be made.

Further, in the present invention, the mechanical valves can be made differential by virtue of the structure in which the mechanical valves are connected in series and the air supply portion is biased, and in particular, the effective cross-sectional area of the pressure or the pipe diameter of the pipe system. By selecting appropriately, even if the circuit configuration of the simultaneous delivery pipe system can be partially operated sequentially, simultaneous and sequential separate pipe systems are not required. Not only is it possible to avoid applying a shocking load to the drive system of the accumulator at the time of simultaneous delivery, the capacity of the drive system can be efficiently minimized, and even at the time of simultaneous delivery Since a slight differential can be easily created, smooth transfer with less vibration and noise is possible, and the sequential differential timing is sequentially turned on compared to the sequential payout method. Can be increased degree fraction of as compared with the case of using the system, it is possible to greatly improve the conveyance capability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a main part of an accumulation conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of essential parts of the accumulation conveyor shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing an air piping system and an operation system for explaining the operation in one embodiment of the accumulation conveyor of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an air piping system and an operation system for explaining the operation in one embodiment of the accumulation conveyor of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an air piping system and an operation system for explaining the operation in one embodiment of the accumulation conveyor of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an air piping system and an operation system for explaining the operation in one embodiment of the accumulation conveyor of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing an air piping system and an operating system for explaining the operation in one embodiment of the accumulation conveyor of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an air piping system and an operating system for explaining the operation in one embodiment of the accumulation conveyor of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an air piping system and an operation system for explaining the operation in one embodiment of the accumulation conveyor of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an air piping system and an operating system for explaining the operation in one embodiment of the accumulation conveyor of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an air piping system and an operation system for explaining the operation in one embodiment of the accumulation conveyor of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing an air piping system and an operation system for explaining the operation in one embodiment of the accumulation conveyor of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of an air piping system for explaining the operation of the mechanical valve in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram of a piping system for explaining the control method of the accumulation conveyor according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a partial plan view of a conventional accumulation conveyor.

FIG. 16 is a partial side view of a conventional accumulation conveyor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 100 Accumulator 2 Conveyor frame 3 Conveyor frame 4, 5 Wheel 6 Conveyor belt 7 Accum rail 8 Conveyed object 9 Belt up / down mechanism 10 Sensing bar 11 Mechanical valve 12 Solenoid valve 13 Actuator 15 Air pipe A First zone B No. 1 Zone 2 C Zone 3

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A conveyor belt is movably provided between a plurality of accumulation rails, and the conveyor belt is controlled to a position on a conveyor surface above or below a conveyor object holding surface of the accumulation rail. In an accumulator configured to move and stop goods,
A plurality of accumulation zones that are arranged in series in the conveyance direction are formed, and a sensing bar that is rotatable or swingable according to the accumulation zones is provided so as to contact the conveyed object, and a mechanical valve connected to the sensing bar and At least one solenoid valve connected to the mechanical valve is provided, and the mechanical valve or an air-operated actuator paired with the solenoid valve is provided in each accumulation zone, and the solenoid valve, the mechanical valve, and the The actuator is connected by air piping,
An accumulator characterized in that it is configured such that the conveyor belt can be moved up and down by the actuator based on a detection operation of the sensing bar to convey and stop the conveyed object. 2. A conveyor belt is movably provided between a plurality of accumulation rails, and the conveyor belt is controlled to a position of a conveyor surface above or below a conveyor object holding surface of the accumulation rail. In a method of controlling an accumulator for moving and stopping a conveyed object, a pipe system in which a plurality of mechanical valves connected to a sensing bar arranged in an accumulator zone are connected in series, and air is supplied to the pipe system. A method for controlling an accumulator, wherein a part is biased to one side of the piping system and actuators connected to the mechanical valves are operated in order from the air supply part. 3. The operation timing of an actuator connected to the mechanical valve is adjusted by changing the pressure of air supplied to the piping system or the effective cross-sectional area of the conduit diameter of the piping system. Control method for accumulation conveyor.