JPH0682566U - Work transfer device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] The work is pushed back to a fixed position without being affected by the number of stocks, and the operation of the next process is reliably reproduced and a work supply error is avoided. A guide rail 20 is provided between a work transfer end portion and a transfer start end portion of the first and second transfer devices 6 and 9, and a work pushing means 21 is provided along the rail 20 so as to be capable of reciprocating. Further, a sensor 29 for detecting the work 5 at the transfer start end of the second transfer device 9 and the sensor 2
A control means 32 for returning and driving the pushing means 21 according to the work detection information from 9 and a spring 31 for returning the sensor 29 to the work detection standby position A are provided.
Further, a driving means 34 for forcibly returning the sensor 29 to the standby position A is provided so that it can be switched to a state in which the sensor 29 allows the workpiece detection.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a work transfer device configured to temporarily stock work during transfer.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 For example, in an analyzer for blood or the like, if the holding rack (hereinafter referred to as the “work”) of the test tube containing the sample is automatically loaded into the measuring device by the work transfer device, the number of samples supplied will always fluctuate. Therefore, in consideration of the sudden increase in the number of samples compared with the measuring capacity of the sample by the measuring device, the work transfer device must be able to receive the work and carry it out to the measuring device. However, it is necessary to have a function to temporarily stock the work during the transfer.

As a work transfer device capable of coping with this, a work transfer end part of the first transfer device and a work transfer start end part of the second transfer device having the same work transfer direction are spaced apart in a direction orthogonal to the work transfer direction. And a guide rail for stock of work is provided across the transfer end portion and the transfer start end portion, and a pushing means for pushing and conveying the work along the guide rail is provided so as to be reciprocally driveable, and the transfer start end portion is provided. A work detection sensor for detecting the conveyance of the work to the section and the pressing of the succeeding work against the work stocked at the beginning of the transfer, and a control means for returning the driving means based on the work detection information from this sensor, There is also a device provided with a spring for returning the sensor to a standby position for workpiece detection.

The control system for the pushing means among these is generally configured by using a micro switch. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the micro switch detects the work 53 conveyed to the transfer start end of the second transfer device 52 by the pushing means 51 (or the work subsequent to the work stocked at the transfer start end). Sensor 54 for detecting the pressing of the workpiece), control means (switch function section) 55 for driving the pushing means 51 back based on the workpiece detection information from this sensor 54, and the sensor 54 at the standby position for workpiece detection. It has a spring 56 for returning to.

The above-mentioned spring 56 reverses the direction in which the work 53 transported to the transfer start end or the work subsequently stocked on the guide rail is pushed while the pushing means 51 is being driven back. By pushing back in the direction, the sensor is returned to the standby position for workpiece detection. Returning the sensor to the standby position for workpiece detection in this way is the operation of the next process, that is, the workpiece 53 is at a predetermined start position of the transfer. Not only when the workpiece 53 is transported to the position, but also when the succeeding workpiece is pressed against this workpiece, no matter how many stocks there are in the workpiece 53, when the sensor 54 detects the workpiece 53, the pushing means 51 is pushed. This is to ensure that the operation of immediately returning the workpiece is performed, which is extremely important for preventing the workpiece 53 from being forcedly pushed by the pushing means 51. This is a necessary operation.

[0006]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, the spring 56 included in the micro switch originally has only an urging force to return the sensor 54, which is included in the micro switch, to the standby position for workpiece detection. In addition to uncertainties in the operation of the next process, the amount of pushing back is not fixed, which leads to an error in supplying workpieces to the measuring device.In particular, when the stock of workpieces increases, the pushing back of workpieces becomes impossible. It was also seen that

In view of such a situation, the present invention enables the work to be always pushed back to a fixed position regardless of the number of stocks, so that the operation of the next process can be performed with good reproducibility and reliably, and a work supply error can be made. The object is to provide a work transfer device that can be avoided.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 That is, in the present invention, in the above-mentioned work transfer device, the drive means for forcibly returning the work detection sensor, which is the control reference of the pushing means, to the initial standby position is switched to a state in which the detection of the work by the sensor is allowed. The feature of the configuration is that it is possible.

[0009]

[Action]

 According to such a characteristic configuration, the work is always pushed back to a fixed position without being influenced by the number of stocks by the forced return of the sensor to the standby position, and the sensor prepares for the next work detection.

[0010]

【Example】

 Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a work transfer device 1, which is disposed between a pretreatment device 2 for a sample such as blood and a measuring device 3, and transfers a holding rack (work) 5 of a test tube 4 containing a sample. It has the function of temporarily stocking on the way.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 6 in the drawing denotes a first transfer device for transferring the work 5 carried out from the pretreatment device 2 toward the measuring device 3 side, and by an endless belt conveyor 8 driven by a motor 7. It is configured. Reference numeral 9 denotes a second transfer device that carries the work 5 into the measuring device 3 in the same direction as the first transfer device 6, and is spaced apart from the first transfer device 6 in a direction orthogonal to the work transfer direction. The work transfer starting end is arranged so as to face the work transferring end of the first transfer device 6, and the second transfer device 9 is also composed of an endless belt conveyor 11 driven by a motor 10. There is.

Reference numeral 12 is a first transfer device for returning the work 5 transferred from the measuring device 3 toward the pretreatment device 2 side, which is arranged along the second transfer device 9 and The 1 transfer device 12 is also constituted by an endless belt conveyor 14 driven by a motor 13. Reference numeral 15 is a second transfer device for returning the work 5 that carries the work 5 into the pretreatment device 2 in the same direction as the first transfer device 12, and the work transfer start end thereof is the work of the first transfer device 12. The second transfer device 15 is also arranged by an endless belt conveyor 17 driven by a motor 16 in such a manner that the second transfer device 15 is disposed so as to face the transfer end portion.

Reference numerals 18 and 19 denote first and second work pushing devices, and the first work pushing device 18 is arranged between the transfer end portion of the first transfer device 6 and the transfer start end portion of the second transfer device 9. The second work pushing device 19 is arranged between the transfer end part of the first transfer device 12 for returning the work and the transfer start end part of the second transfer device 15.

The first and second work pushing devices 18, 19 have the same structure, and the details of the first work pushing device 18 among them are shown in FIGS. In these drawings, reference numeral 20 in the drawings denotes a guide rail provided over the transfer end portion and the transfer start end portion of the first and second transfer devices 6 and 9, and is provided on the support wall 20a supporting both sides of the work and the work bottom. The locking wall 20b which locks is provided. Reference numeral 21 denotes a reciprocatingly-movable work pushing means for pushing and carrying the work 5 along the guide rail 20. Based on the detection information that the work 5 is present at the transfer end portion of the first transfer device 6, the first work is carried out. The work 5 is conveyed from the transfer end portion of the transfer device 6 through the guide rail 20 to the transfer start end portion of the second transfer device 9.

Specifically, two pulleys 23, one of which is driven by a motor 22, are provided on the lateral outer sides of the first and second transfer devices 6 and 9, and are arranged along the guide rail 20. As described above, the endless timing belt 24 is wound around the two pulleys 23, and the slide block 26 is provided on the guide rod 25 arranged in parallel with the belt 24, and the slide block 26 is fixed to the belt 24. Further, a bracket 27 is erected and continuously provided on the slide block 26, and a push bar 28 that pushes and conveys the work 5 is provided on the bracket 27.

Reference numeral 29 is a swing lever type work detection sensor that is pressed and driven by the work 5 conveyed to the transfer start end of the second transfer device 9, and is a stopper member 30 provided along the second transfer device 9. Through the opening, a spring 31 that causes the free end workpiece detecting portion a to project into the transfer path of the second transfer device 9, that is, a spring 31 that returns the sensor 29 to the standby position for detecting the workpiece is connected.

Reference numeral 32 denotes a control unit which is composed of, for example, a photo sensor for stopping and returning the work pushing force of the work pushing unit 21 based on the work detection information from the sensor 29. As shown in FIG. When the sensor 29 is in the standby position A for detecting the work, the light path is blocked by the light blocking member b that is connected to the sensor 29, so that the work pushing means 21 can electrically drive the work 5 to be pushed backward. The work 5 is conveyed to the transfer start end of the second transfer device 9 and the sensor 29 swings to the work detection position, or, as shown in FIG. 5, the work 5 stocked at the transfer start end has the succeeding work 5 When the sensor 29 is pushed and swings to the workpiece detection position B, and the light-shielding member b is deviated from the optical path as a result, the push bar is detected based on the optical signal. The motor 22 is driven in the reverse direction so that the motor 28 is returned to the initial position of the backward driving (the starting position for pushing the workpiece 5 located at the transfer end portion of the first transfer device 6), and the push bar 28 is returned to the initial position. When this is detected by the detection means 33, the drive of the motor 22 is stopped.

When the pressing of the sensor 29 is released by the return driving of the work pushing means 21, the work 5 is pushed back in the direction opposite to the pushing direction by the urging force of the spring 31, as shown in FIG. The sensor 29 is returned to the standby position A for the next work detection.

However, the return of the sensor 29 to the standby position A by the spring 31 has a problem in that reproducibility is lacking. That is, as in the conventional case where the sensor is returned to the standby position by the spring provided in the micro switch, when the stock number of the works 5 increases, the sensor 29 can be reliably moved to the standby position by the urging force of the spring 31. However, if the urging force of the spring 31 is increased, it is necessary to increase the driving force of the work pushing means 21 (output of the motor 22), which only leads to cost increase. In addition, there is a concern that the work 5 will be damaged due to a strong load on the work 5.

In order to surely return the sensor 29 to the standby position A without such inconvenience, a driving means 34 for forcibly returning the sensor 29 to the standby position A is provided. The drive means 34 receives a signal from the control means 32 for driving the work pushing means 21 back, and if necessary, is connected to a motor 35 which is driven once with a time lag and an output shaft of the motor 35. The eccentric rotor 36 is provided.

The eccentric rotor 36 has a long-diameter rotor portion R1 for forcibly switching the sensor 29 located at the workpiece detection position B to the standby position A, and the workpiece detection position of the sensor 29 located at the standby position A. A rotor portion R2 having a short diameter that allows swinging to B is provided. Normally, as shown in FIG. 5, the sensor 29 is forced to operate in response to a signal from the control means 32 in a state in which the sensor 29 is allowed to detect a workpiece. It is configured so that it is switched to the standby position A, and then to the original state in which the work detection of the sensor 29 is allowed.

By forcibly switching the sensor 29 to the standby position A, the work 5 can be always pushed back to a fixed position without being influenced by the number of stocks of the work, and thereby the work can be pushed. The operation of the means 21 in the next step is reliably reproduced, and the supply of the work 5 to the measuring device 3 (in the case of the second work pushing device 19, the supply of the work 5 to the pretreatment device 2 side) is also performed in a predetermined manner. Is achieved.

In the above embodiment, the sensor 29 is forcibly switched to the standby position A by the eccentric rotor 36, but as shown in FIG. 6, the sensor 29 is provided with a flexible portion c which allows the workpiece detection. In this state, the sensor 29 can be changed to a configuration in which the solenoid 37 is forcibly switched to the standby position A, for example. Further, although the control means 32 is constituted by the photosensor which is more reproducible than the microswitch, there is no problem even if the control means 32 is constituted by using the microswitch.

[0024]

[Effect of device]

 As described above, in the present invention, the sensor is forcibly returned to the standby position, so that the work is always pushed back to a fixed position regardless of the number of stocks. At the same time as reliably reproducing the operation of the next process, it became possible to reliably avoid a situation such as a work supply error.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a work transfer device.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a work pushing device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the work pushing device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a state in which the sensor is forcibly returned to a standby position for workpiece detection.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of switching of a sensor to a work detection position.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of the driving means.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of a micro switch used in a configuration of a control system for a pushing unit of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

6 ... 1st transfer apparatus, 9 ... 2nd transfer apparatus, 20 ... Guide rail, 21 ... Work pushing means, 29 ... Work detection sensor, 31 ... Spring, 32 ... Control means, 34 ... Driving means, A ... Standby position.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A work transfer start end of a second transfer device having the same work transfer direction is arranged at a work transfer end of the first transfer device at a distance in a direction orthogonal to the work transfer direction, and the transfer is performed. A guide rail for work stock is provided between the terminal end portion and the transfer start end portion, and a pushing means for pushing and conveying the work piece along the guide rail is provided so as to be reciprocally driveable, and the work piece is conveyed to the transfer start end portion and the transfer. A work detection sensor that detects the pressing of a succeeding work against the work stocked at the start end, a control means that drives the feeding means back based on the work detection information from this sensor, and a standby for the work detection of the sensor. In a work transfer device provided with a spring for returning to a position, drive means for forcibly returning the sensor to a standby position Is provided so that it can be switched to a state in which the workpiece detection by the sensor is allowed.