JPH06255750A - Article carrying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an article carrying device, which can prevent the detection error of a thin and irregular-shape material to be carried, by providing a detecting device for detecting a material to be carried placed on an endless rotating material and having a detection area in a predetermined range in the vertical direction in the side of a carrying passage of a conveyor device. CONSTITUTION:In the case where a material 5 to be carried does not exist on a belt 19, both of an upper and a lower optical axes 45a, 45b are received by an upper and a lower light receivers 44a, 44b. In the case where a thin and irregular-shape material 5 to be carried exists on the belt 19 and it is carried under the condition that an intermediate part thereof is floated from the belt 19, the optical axis 45b of the lower stage passes under the intermediate part of the material 5 to be carried, and received by the light receiver 44b of the lower stage, and the optical axis 45a of the upper stage is cut by the material 5 to be carried. In the case where any one of optical axes 45a, 45b is cut, existence of single material 5 to be carried is judged. In the case where both the upper and the lower optical axes 45a, 45b are received, non-existence of the material 5 to be carried is judged to prevent the detection error.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an article conveying device including, for example, a belt conveyor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of article conveying device has been
10 and Fig. 11 are available. That is, the article transfer device 70 is formed by the belt conveyor 71 and the support frame 72 that supports the belt conveyor 71. The belt conveyor 71 includes a frame body 83 and this frame body.
It is formed by a pair of rollers 73 pivotally supported at both ends of 83, a belt 74 wound between these rollers 73, and a drive device 75 for rotating the belt 74. Then, on the upper surface of the support frame 72, a photoelectric switch 77 for detecting the transported object 76 placed on the belt 74 is attached. The photoelectric switch 77 has one optical axis 78 and a transport path 79.
And a light receiver 81 that receives the optical axis 78.

According to this, when the object to be transferred 76 placed on the belt 74 is transferred along the transfer path 79, the object to be transferred is
The object 76 to be conveyed is detected by the passage of 76 between the light projector 80 and the light receiver 81 and blocking of the optical axis 78.

[0004]

However, in the above-described conventional type, as shown in FIG. 11, when the transported object 76 is a thin material such as vinyl and is an irregularly shaped product, the intermediate portion of the transported object 76 is a belt. Since it was transported in a state of being lifted from 74, the optical axis 78 was blocked at the front part of the transferred object 76, and then the optical axis 78 passed below the middle part of the transferred object 76 as shown by the dotted line (b). The light is sometimes received by the light receiver 81, and the optical axis 78 may be blocked again at the rear part of the transported object 76. In this way, since the optical axis 78 is blocked twice even though it is one conveyed object 76, the photoelectric switch 77 erroneously determines that there are two conveyed objects 76. . In addition, the belt 74 swings up and down due to vibration when the belt 74 rotates,
For this reason, it was easy to make an error in detecting the transported object 76 of a thin material such as vinyl.

The present invention solves the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an article transporting apparatus capable of preventing a detection error of a thin and irregularly shaped transported object.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, an article conveying apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a pair of rollers, an endless rotating body wound between these rollers, and the endless rotating body. A conveyor device is formed from a driving device that rotates, and a detection area of a predetermined upper and lower range for detecting a conveyed object placed on the endless rotating body is provided on the side of the conveyor path of the conveyor device. It is provided with the detecting device having.

The article transporting device according to the second aspect of the present invention is one in which the detecting portions of the detecting device are mounted in a vertically stacked manner. The article transporting device according to the third aspect of the present invention includes a detecting device,
It is formed by a light projecting unit that emits a light beam in a predetermined upper and lower range while intersecting the transport path, and a light receiving unit that receives this light beam.

The article transporting device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is provided with a rocking prevention plate for raising a part of the endless rotary member to a predetermined level by bringing the upper surface into surface contact with the back surface of the endless rotary member on the transport path side. The detection area is set above the endless rotary body lifted by the rocking prevention plate.

[0009]

According to the structure of the first aspect of the invention, when the transported object placed on the endless rotary body and transported on the transport path reaches the detection area, the transported object is detected by the detection device.
At this time, even if the transported object is a thin and irregularly shaped product and the intermediate portion of such a transported object is transported in a state of being lifted from the endless rotating body, the detection area is formed over a predetermined upper and lower range. Therefore, the transported object can be accurately detected.

According to the second aspect of the invention, even when the object to be conveyed is a thin product and has an irregular shape, and the intermediate portion of such an object to be conveyed is conveyed in a state of being lifted from the endless rotating body. The transported object is detected by at least one detection unit in the plurality of stages. Therefore, if at least one detection unit detects, it is determined that a single transported object exists, and if all detection units do not detect, it is determined that no transported object exists. As a result, it is possible to prevent the detection error of a thin and irregularly shaped conveyed object.

According to the third aspect of the invention, even when the object to be conveyed is a thin product and has an irregular shape, and the intermediate portion of such an object is conveyed in a state of being lifted from the endless rotating body. A part or all of the light flux in a predetermined range above and below is blocked by the transported object, and the transported object is detected. Therefore, if a part or all of the light flux is blocked by the transported object, it is determined that there is a single transported object, and if the light flux is not blocked at all, it is determined that there is no transported object. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the detection error of the thin and irregularly shaped conveyed object.

According to the structure of the fourth invention, since the upper surface of the rocking preventive plate is in surface contact with the back surface of the rotating endless rotating body and lifts a part of the endless rotating body, it moves below the detection area. The vertical swing of the endless rotating body is prevented. As a result, the vertical distance between the endless rotary body and the detection device becomes constant, so that the detection accuracy is improved and it is possible to prevent the detection error of the conveyed object of the thin object.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, reference numeral 1 denotes a tray tumbling type sorting conveyor, which is a plurality of trays 2 that can be tumbled.
Is movably installed along the main transport path 3 by chain drive. Reference numeral 4 is a sub-conveying device that joins the sorting conveyor 1 obliquely. According to this, the transported object 5 that has been carried in is sent from the sub-transporting device 4 to the sorting conveyor 1 and is transported to the designated transport destination.

The sub-transport path 7 of the sub-transport apparatus 4 is inclined at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the main transport path 3. The sub-transport device 4 includes a frame-shaped support frame 8 and the support frame 8
Support legs 9 for supporting the feeding target, a loading side conveyor 10 into which the transported object 5 is loaded, an intermediate conveyor 11 adjacent to the loading side conveyor 10, and the transported material 5 being sorted adjacent to the intermediate conveyor 11 It is formed of a delivery side conveyor 12 that delivers it to the conveyor 1. On the starting end side of the loading-side conveyor 10, a mounting table 14 for mounting the transported object 5 is continuously provided on the support frame 8. The mounting table 14 is provided with a setting device 15 for designating a transfer destination of the transferred object 5.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, each of the above conveyors
Reference numerals 10, 11, and 12 respectively denote a plurality of frame bodies 16 supported by the support frame 8 and arranged side by side in the width direction, and a width direction axial center 17 attached to both ends of each frame body 16 (see FIG. 7). )
And a belt 19 (an example of an endless rotating body) wound between rollers 18 at both ends of each frame body 16. Also, as shown in FIG.
On the back side of the support frame 8, electric motors 21, 22, 23 for rotating the belts 19 via drive rollers 20 are provided on the conveyors.
It is provided for every 10, 11, and 12.

As shown in FIG. 5, the frame body 16 is an aluminum extruded material having a square cross section, and a guide groove 26 is formed on the upper surface in the longitudinal direction. Further, dovetail grooves 27, 28 are formed on the lower surface and both side surfaces in the lengthwise direction, and each adjacent frame body 16 is provided with a tap plate 29 and a bolt 30 inserted in the lower surface dovetail groove 27. They are connected to each other by a connecting plate 31. The plurality of frame bodies 16 connected by the connecting plate 31 are placed on a support plate 32 installed between the inner side surfaces of the support frame 8. Of these, the frame bodies 16 located at both ends are fixed to the support plate 32 by the tap plate 29 inserted in the side dovetail groove 28, the bolt 30 and the angle-shaped fixing plate 33. The support plate 32 is detachably attached to the support frame 8 side via bolts 34. In addition, the guide groove 26 and the bottom dovetail groove 27
Is a groove having the same shape and size.

As shown in FIG. 7, brackets 37 are attached to both end faces of each frame body 16 via bolts 36 screwed into screw holes 35 (see FIG. 5). Each bracket 37
A roller mounting shaft 38 is inserted in the widthwise direction at the tip of the roller mounting shaft 38, and the pair of rollers 18 made of ball bearings are externally fitted to both ends of the roller mounting shaft 38, respectively.

A guide protrusion is provided at the center of the back surface of the belt 19.
40 is formed over the length direction, and the belt 19 is
The guide protrusion 40 is wound while being fitted between the pair of rollers 18. The guide protrusion 40 is guided in the length direction by the guide groove 41 of the bracket 37 and the guide groove 26 of the frame body 16.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, at a predetermined position on the support frame 8 side, a photoelectric switch 42, which is an example of a detection device for detecting the transported object 5 placed on the belt 19, is shown. Is provided. As detectors of the photoelectric switch 42, light projectors 43a and 43b and light receivers 44a and 44b are provided on both sides of the sub-conveyance path 7 of the conveyors 10, 11 and 12, respectively. The light projectors 43a and 43b are mounted so as to be vertically stacked, and the optical axes 45a and 45b of the light projectors 43a and 43b intersect the sub-transport path 7. Further, the light receivers 44a and 44b are also mounted so as to be vertically stacked, and the light receivers 44a and 44b face the light projectors 43a and 43b. The light emitters 43a and 43b and the light receivers 44a and 44b which are vertically stacked in this manner are
Each of the loading side conveyor 10, the intermediate section conveyor 11 and the delivery side conveyor 12 is provided via a bracket 46 on the support frame 8 at the start side position and the end side position.

The optical axes 45a and 45b of the photoelectric switch 42 at the terminal side position of the delivery side conveyor 12 intersect the sub-conveyance path 7 at an angle of 45 ° so as to be parallel to the main conveyance path 3. . Further, the optical axes 45 a and 45 b of the photoelectric switch 42 at the starting end side position of the loading side conveyor 10 are 60 ° with respect to the sub transport path 7.
The optical axes of the other photoelectric switches 42 intersect at the angle of
45a and 45b are orthogonal to the sub transport path 7.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, each conveyor 10,
A swing prevention plate 49 that prevents the belt 19 from swinging up and down is attached to a predetermined position on the upper surface of each frame body 16 of the members 11 and 12. That is, these rocking prevention plates 49 are distributed to both sides of the guide groove 26 and are fixed by the countersunk bolts 50. These rocking prevention plates 49 are thin plates made of resin having a predetermined thickness, and upwardly inclined surfaces 51 are formed at both ends in the direction of the sub transport path 7. In this way, the sub transport path 7
The rocking prevention plate 49 is provided between each belt 19 on the side and each frame body 16.
By interposing the
A part of the belt 19 is lifted to a predetermined level by making surface contact with the back surface of the belt 19. These rocking prevention plates 49 are respectively located below the optical axes 45a and 45b of the photoelectric switches 42, and the respective detection areas are set above the belt 19 lifted by the rocking prevention plates 49. The guide protrusion 40 of the belt 19 is fitted between both rocking prevention plates 49 above the guide groove 26 and guided in the length direction.

The operation of the above structure will be described below.
As shown in FIG. 2, the transported object 5 is once placed on the placing table 14 and then transferred to the starting end portion of the loading side conveyor 10 by an operator. As a result, the transported object 5 is transferred from the loading side conveyor 10 to the intermediate section conveyor 11 and the delivery side conveyor 12
After that, it is delivered to a predetermined tray 2 of the sorting conveyor 1. At this time, in each photoelectric switch 42, whether the transported object 5 is placed on the starting end portion of the loading conveyor 10, or whether the transported object 5 is transported from the loading conveyor 10 to the intermediate conveyor 11,
The transferred object 5 is transferred from the intermediate conveyor 11 to the delivery side conveyor 12
It is detected whether or not the object 5 has been conveyed to the sorting conveyor 1 side, or the transported object 5 has passed the terminal end of the delivery side conveyor 12 to the sorting conveyor 1 side.

That is, when the object 5 is not present on the belt 19, the upper and lower optical axes 45a and 45b are received by the upper and lower photodetectors 44a and 44b, respectively. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, for example, the transported object 5 is a thin product such as vinyl and is an irregular shaped product, and the intermediate portion of the transported object 5 is the belt 19.
When it is conveyed in a state of being lifted from above, both the upper and lower optical axes 45a and 45b are blocked at the front part of the conveyed object 5, and thereafter,
As shown by the dotted line (a), the lower optical axis 45b passes below the intermediate portion of the transported object 5 and is received by the lower photodetector 44b, but the upper optical axis 45a is blocked by the transported object 5. It Then, both the upper and lower optical axes 45a and 45b are blocked again at the rear portion of the transported object 5. Therefore, when at least one of the upper and lower optical axes 45a and 45b is blocked, it is determined that the single transported object 5 exists, and the upper and lower optical axes 45a and 45b are When both 45b are received, it is judged that there is no object 5 to be conveyed, so that it is possible to prevent the detection error of the object 5 to be conveyed, which is a thin object such as vinyl and has an irregular shape.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, since the upper surface of the rocking preventive plate 49 is in surface contact with the back surface of the rotating belt 19 and lifts a part of the belt 19, the detection area of the photoelectric switch 42 is Vertical swing of the belt 19 that moves downward is prevented.
As a result, the vertical distance between the upper surface of the belt 19 and the optical axes 45a and 45b becomes constant, so that the detection accuracy is improved and it is possible to prevent the detection error of the thin transported object 5 such as vinyl.

In the above embodiment, the light projectors 43a and 43b and the light receivers 44a and 44b are respectively stacked in two upper and lower stages, but they may be stacked in three or more upper and lower stages. Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

That is, as another example of the detecting device, a light projecting portion 61 for emitting a laser light beam 60 in a predetermined upper and lower range H and a light receiving portion 62 for receiving the light beam 60 are used. The light projecting section 61 and the light receiving section 62 are similar to those described above, and are similar to those of the loading side conveyor.
They are provided on both sides of the sub-transportation path 7 of the intermediate conveyor 11, the intermediate conveyor 11, and the delivery-side conveyor 12, respectively. The lower limit of the luminous flux 60 is set slightly lower than the upper surface of the belt 19.

According to this, when the transported object 5 does not exist on the belt 19, only the lower end portion of the light beam 60 is conveyed to the belt 19.
The light is blocked by the light receiving section 62 and all other light is received by the light receiving section 62. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, when the transported object 5 is a thin product such as vinyl and is an irregularly shaped product, and the intermediate portion of the transported object 5 is transported while being lifted from the belt 19. A part (or the whole) of the light flux 60 in the upper and lower predetermined range H is further blocked even in areas other than the belt 19. Therefore, when part or all of the light flux 60 within the upper and lower predetermined range H is further blocked even in the area other than the belt 19, it is determined that the single transported object 5 exists, and the light flux 60 other than the belt 19 is present. When all the light is received from above and below, it is determined that there is no object 5 to be conveyed, and thus it is possible to prevent the detection error of the object 5 to be conveyed that is a thin object such as vinyl and has an irregular shape.

[0028]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the transported object is a thin product and has an irregular shape, and the intermediate portion of the transported object is transported in a state of being lifted from the endless rotating body. Even in this case, since the detection area is formed over a predetermined upper and lower range, it is possible to accurately detect the transported object.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, even if the object to be conveyed is a thin product and has an irregular shape, and the intermediate portion of such an object to be conveyed is lifted from the endless rotating body, The conveyed product is detected by at least one detection unit in the plurality of stages. Therefore, if at least one detection unit detects, it is determined that a single transported object exists, and if all detection units do not detect, it is determined that no transported object exists. As a result, it is possible to prevent the detection error of a thin and irregularly shaped conveyed object.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, even when the transported object is a thin product and has an irregular shape and the intermediate portion of the transported object is transported in a state of being lifted from the endless rotating body, Part or all of the light flux in a predetermined range is blocked by the transported object, and the transported object is detected. Therefore, if a part or all of the light flux is blocked by the transported object, it is determined that there is a single transported object, and if the light flux is not blocked at all, it is determined that there is no transported object. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the detection error of the thin and irregularly shaped conveyed object.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the upper surface of the rocking preventive plate is in surface contact with the back surface of the rotating endless rotating body to lift a part of the endless rotating body, so that the endless rotation moving below the detection area is performed. Vertical swing of the moving body is prevented. As a result, the vertical distance between the endless rotary body and the detection device becomes constant, so that the detection accuracy is improved and it is possible to prevent the detection error of the conveyed object of the thin object.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a sub-transport device.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a sub-transport device.

FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view of a frame body.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of mounting the detection device.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a frame body.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a roller mounting portion.

FIG. 8 is a detailed mounting view of a detection device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a detection device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a transfer device in a conventional example.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a detection device in a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 Sub-conveying device 5 Conveyed object 7 Sub-conveying route 10, 11, 12 Conveyor 18 Roller 19 Belt (endless rotating body) 21, 22, 23 Electric motor (driving device) 42 Photoelectric switch (detecting device) 43a, 43b Projector (detection) Part) 44a, 44b Light receiver (detection part) 49 Anti-rocking plate 60 Luminous flux 61 Light emitting part 62 Light receiving part H Upper and lower predetermined range

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A conveyor device is formed from a pair of rollers, an endless rotary body wound between the rollers, and a drive device for rotating the endless rotary body, and a conveyor path side of the conveyor device. On one side, there is provided an article transporting device, which is provided with a detection device having a detection area in a predetermined upper and lower range for detecting the transported object placed on the endless rotating body. 2. The article transporting device according to claim 1, wherein the detecting portions of the detecting device are attached so as to be vertically stacked. 3. The article according to claim 1, wherein the detection device is formed by a light projecting portion that emits a light beam in a predetermined upper and lower range while intersecting the transport path, and a light receiving portion that receives this light beam. Transport device. 4. A rocking preventive plate, whose upper surface is in surface contact with the back surface of the endless rotary member on the side of the conveyance path, to lift a part of the endless rotary member to a predetermined level, and the detection area of the detection device is formed by the rocking preventive plate. The article conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the article conveying apparatus is set above the lifted endless rotating body.