JPH07185474A - Classifying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To accurately weigh even a lightweight article by weighing an article with a certain wt. or less by a primary weighing conveyor and subsequently weighing the lightweight article by a secondary weighing conveyor good in measuring accuracy and forming wt. data on the basis of the weighing output thereof. CONSTITUTION:A heavy article exceeding the max. distribution reference value is sent to a direct sending conveyor line by the operation of a distribution control device 27 based on the output of a comparison means 32 and the weighing output of a primary weighing conveyor 8A is sent to a data processing means 17A. After a lightweight article is weighed by the primary weighing conveyor 8A, a distribution reference value equal to or more than but near to the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A and the lightweight article is sent to secondary weighing conveyors 30A, 30B to be weighed and the weighing output thereof is also sent to the data processing means 17A. The article feed time from the primary weighing conveyor 8A to a classifying conveyor 1 is made almost equal to that due to the direct sending conveyor line 25 and respective branch lines 26A, 26B and the classifying error on the classifying conveyor 1 is prevented.

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 weighing conveyor for weighing the weight of each article while transporting the articles is arranged upstream of the sorting conveyor, and more particularly to improvement of weighing accuracy.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 28 is a plan view showing an example of a conventional sorting apparatus having a weighing conveyor, FIG. 29 is a side view of the weighing conveyor and its front and rear portions, and FIG. FIG. 31 is a schematic block diagram of the control device, FIG. 31 is a schematic operation flowchart of the weight data creation in the sorting device of FIG. 28, FIG. 32 is a schematic block diagram of the sorting control device, and FIG. 33 is one use of the weight data. It is a schematic block diagram which shows an example.

In the figure, 1 is a belt type sorting conveyor, 2 is a large number of chutes arranged on both sides of the conveyor, and 3 is a swivel diverter arranged so as to face each of the chutes 2. The drive source reciprocates between a non-operating position indicated by a solid line and an operating position indicated by a virtual line. Then, when the article 4 is turned to the operating position, the article 4 is dispensed to a predetermined chute 2 as shown by an arrow 5. 6
Is a conveyer conveyor for sending the articles to be sorted to the sorting conveyor 1, and the articles are placed on the conveyer conveyor 6 by an operator, or transferred from the separate loading conveyor 7 to the conveyer conveyor 6.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a weighing conveyor arranged between the transporting conveyor 6 and the sorting conveyor 1 for weighing the weight of each article while transporting the article. An example of the weighing conveyor is shown in a side view in FIG. 29. The weighing conveyor includes rotating drums 801 and 802 at both ends and an endless belt 8 wound around these rotating drums 801 and 802.
03, a frame 804 that supports the rotating drums 801 and 802, and columns 805 that support the frame 804.
806 and a motor (not shown) that rotationally drives at least one of the rotary drums 801 and 802. The windows 807 and 80 are provided on the columns 805 and 806, respectively.
The thin deformed portion 809 is formed by 8 and the thin deformed portion 809 is configured to be distorted according to the weight of the article conveyed by the endless belt 803.

Reference numeral 810 denotes a strain gauge provided on the thin-wall deforming portion 809 of each of the columns 805 and 806. The four strain gauges 810 of each of the columns 805 and 806 form a bridge circuit as well known, and the thin-wall deforming is performed. Part 8
A strain of 09, and thus also forms a load cell which produces an electrical signal depending on the weight of the article. Then, the output electric signals from both load cells are processed to measure the weight of the article. The endless belt 803 is continuously driven at a constant speed.

In the sorting apparatus, the weighing conveyor 8 is generally used to create weight data for each sorting destination. For example, when the sorting device is used at a truck terminal, which is a cargo collection / delivery site, a cargo that is brought back to the truck terminal by the truck for a certain period of time is immediately shot by the long-distance truck 2 at the destination of each cargo.
It is sorted and accumulated into a long distance truck and transported to the intended transit point, but it is possible to prevent overloading of trucks, calculate the fare for each sorting destination, or regulate food items etc. Weighing conveyor 8 for various purposes, such as excluding items that do not meet the specified weight from each sorting destination.
The item is weighed with. Although such weight data is created for each sorting destination, the weighing conveyor 8 is used not only when the weight of each article is to be individually measured like the above-mentioned food products but also when the overload is prevented or the fare is calculated. Since the arrival destination of the articles is random, it is necessary to weigh the articles one by one.

Therefore, in order to send the articles to the weighing conveyor 8 at a distance interval required for weighing the articles one by one, an article loading control device for the weighing conveyor 8 is provided. The article loading control device will be described below with reference to FIG. For the sake of convenience of description, the preceding one of the two consecutive articles will be referred to as a preceding article, and the article immediately following this will be referred to as a succeeding article.

The article loading control device comprises a timing conveyor 601 which constitutes the downstream end of the conveyor 6 and is arranged immediately adjacent to the upstream side of the weighing conveyor 8 and a boundary between the timing conveyor 601 and the weighing conveyor 8. An article detection device including a light source 901 and a photocell 902 provided around the photodetector, and a distance interval necessary for weighing the articles one by one between the preceding article and the subsequent article connected to the output of the phototube 902. The timing conveyor controller 10 controls the speed of the drive motor 602 of the timing conveyor 601 so that the timing conveyor 601 is placed.

Therefore, the photoelectric conversion tube 902 is located at the rear end of the preceding article.
The output of the photoelectric tube 902 changes from OFF to ON after passing, and the timing conveyor control device 10 detects that the rear end of the preceding article has passed through the photoelectric tube 902 by this output change. Then, when the front end of the succeeding article reaches the phototube 902, the output of the phototube 902 changes from ON to OFF, and the timing conveyor control device 10 detects that the front end of the succeeding article has passed through the phototube 902 by this output change, and From a time when the trailing edge of the preceding article is detected to a time when the leading edge of the succeeding article is detected, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time corresponding to the distance interval required to weigh the articles one by one has elapsed, for example, using a timer. However, if the time has elapsed, the drive motor 602 sends the subsequent article to the weighing conveyor 8 without stopping or decelerating. On the other hand, if this predetermined time has not elapsed, the timing conveyor control device 10 immediately decelerates or stops the drive motor 602, and if necessary (for example, the degree of jamming of subsequent articles), the conveyor upstream of the timing conveyor 601 also decelerates. Alternatively, it is stopped to prevent the subsequent articles from being loaded on the weighing conveyor 8, and then the drive motor 602 is accelerated or started at an appropriate time point to send the subsequent articles to the weighing conveyor 8 when the predetermined time has elapsed. Then, the above operation is repeated for each article, and the articles are sent to the weighing conveyor 8 with a distance interval required for weighing the articles one by one between the consecutive articles.

Further, the weighing conveyor 8 is provided with a weighing control device for controlling its weighing operation, and this weighing control device will be described with reference to FIGS. 28, 29 and 30. As shown in FIG. 30, the weighing control device includes a load cell 11 including the strain gauge 810 described above, a second light detecting device 14 including a light source 12 and a photoelectric tube 13 provided near the downstream end of the weighing conveyor 8. Is connected to the output of the photocell 13 of the second article detection device 14, the front end of the article shades the photocell 13, and the output turns from ON to O.
It is connected to the front end determination means 15 for generating a front end detection signal (weighing command) of the article when it changes to FF and the output of the load cell 11 and the output of the front end determination means 15 to generate the front end detection signal from the front end determination means 15. When the output of the load cell 11 is detected, the detected output is converted into a weight value to generate a weighing output, and the weighing output is sent to the data processing means 17 composed of a microcomputer to be used for weight data creation. The detection and output means 16 is included. Therefore, the front end determination means 15 and the weight detection / output means 16 are configured by a separately provided microcomputer C mounted on the weighing conveyor 8.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a bar code reader as a sorting destination information output device, which is provided on the upstream side of the weighing conveyor 8. The barcode reader 18 is a sorting destination attached to or printed on each article (for example, Tokyo, (Osaka, Kobe, etc.)
Is read and output. On the other hand, the bar code reader 1 is provided in the memory (ROM) of the data processing means 17.
A comparison table between the sorting destination read in step 8 and the shoot number assigned to this sorting destination is written in advance. Then, the data processing means 17 is connected to the output of the bar code reader 18, and when an article passes through the bar code reader 18, the chute number for paying out the article in the passage order of the article is searched from the reference table and its memory ( RA
Write to the sorting buffer of M). In this way, the weight detection and the writing of the output from the output means 16 are performed in the order in which the articles pass in correspondence to the sorting destinations written in this way, and the weight data in which the sorting destinations and the weights of the respective articles are associated are processed. It is finally created by the means 17.

Next, the weight data creating operation in the sorting apparatus shown in FIG. 28 will be described with reference to the operation flowchart of FIG. The articles pass through the bar code reader 18 to be read by the sorting destination, and the output of the bar code reader 18 is sent to the data processing means 17 having a CPU, a RAM and a ROM (none of which is shown), as described above. It is converted into a shoot number corresponding to the sorting destination by referring to the comparison table and written in the sorting destination buffer of the RAM (step 101). Then, the article is transferred to the weighing conveyor 8, and when the front end of the article passes through the photocell 13 and shields it, the output of the photocell 13 changes from ON to OFF.
The front end judging means 15 judges that the front end of the article has passed through the photoelectric tube 13 (step 102) and generates a front end detection signal, that is, a weighing command.

This weighing command is sent to the weight detection and output means 16, and the output of the load cell 11 is detected by operating a relay forming a part thereof, for example, and the detected output (voltage, current, frequency, etc.) is detected. (Electrical signal of) is converted into a corresponding weighing value (digital signal) to generate a weighing output (step 103), which is sent to the data processing means 17 and RA
Write to the M weighing buffer (step 104). The sorting destination and the weighing value thus written in the sorting destination buffer and the weighing buffer in the passing order of the articles are appropriately processed by the CPU, and the sorting destination and the weighing output are made to correspond to each other to R.
Articles are written in the AM data area in the order in which they pass through the bar code reader 18, and weight data is created (step 105).

However, since the detection of the weight of the article is started when the tip of the article shields the photocell 13 from light, for accurate weighing, the article is transferred to the weighing conveyor 8 and then the article is transferred. When the front end reaches the position where the photoelectric tube 13 is shielded from light, the rear end of the article is moved to the timing conveyor 601.
Must be separated from (not in contact with), and the vibration of the weighing conveyor 8 at the time of transferring the article must be attenuated to a predetermined value or less. Therefore, the length of the weighing conveyor 8 and the position of the second article detection device 14 with respect to the weighing conveyor 8 are such that when the front end of an article of the maximum expected length shields the photocell 13 from light, the trailing edge of the article is the timing conveyor 601. , And the vibration of the weighing conveyor 8 is selected so that the vibration is damped to a predetermined value or less and stable at this time.

Next, the sorting control device will be briefly described. Conventionally, various sort control devices have been proposed, and an example thereof is shown in a schematic block diagram in FIG. 32. In the figure, 19 is a sorting conveyor 1.
A pulse oscillator which operates in synchronism with the above and generates a pulse signal having a frequency proportional to the conveying speed of the sorting conveyor 1, 20
Is a light source 20 provided near the upstream end of the sorting conveyor 1.
A third article detection device (1 and 19) for setting a reference position for sorting (see also FIG. 28 for 19 and 20), 21 for data processing means 17, photocells 13, 202 and pulse oscillator 19 is connected to each output, and these outputs are used as the sorting chute 2 for each item.
It is a diverter control means for operating the diverter 3 combined with the above at a predetermined timing.

The diverter control means 21 has already been written from the data processing means 17 at that time by the output signal from the phototube 13 when the front end of the article has passed through the phototube 13 (written by the output of the bar code reader 18). Read the sorting chute number of the item. The diverter control means 21 stores a memory for storing the sorting destination chute number read for each article, and a pulse oscillator until each chute number and the article pass through the third article detection device 20 and reach the chute 2. There is provided a memory (ROM) in which a reference table corresponding to the number of pulses generated from 19 is pre-written, and a necessary number of counters for setting the number of pulses read from the reference table for each article. ing.

When the front end of the article passes through the phototube 13, however, as described above, the sorting chute number of the article is read from the data processing means 17 by the output signal from the photocell 13 and corresponds to the sorting chute number. The number of pulses is read from the reference table and set in the counter, and the shoot number of the sorting destination is stored in the memory (RA
M). When the article passes through the phototube 202, the counter is started by the output signal from the phototube 202, and when the counter counts down to zero, the diverter 3 associated with the sorting chute 2 stored in the memory is operated to operate the article. Pay out for that shoot. The sorting shoot number stored in the memory is erased by the operation of the corresponding diverter 3.

Next, an example of using the weight data created by the data processing means 17 will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 3
The example of 3 is to prevent overloading of trucks,
Reference numeral 22 is connected to the output of the data processing means 17, receives the latest weight data created by the data processing means 17 each time the article passes through the photoelectric tube 13, and accumulates and stores the weight of the article for each shoot number. Sorting-by-weight weight accumulating means provided with a memory, and 23 is sorting-by-sorting means connected to the output of the sorting-by-sort-by-weight weight accumulating means 22. The weight accumulated every time is received momentarily from the sorting destination weight accumulating means 22 and compared with the maximum load capacity of the chute, and when the accumulated weight reaches a predetermined weight range below the maximum load capacity, an output signal is output. The generated comparing means and the output of this comparing means are used to change the shoot number to another empty shoot number, and the changed shoot number and the shoot number before the change are recorded. After changing the shoot number in the comparison table of the sorting destination read by the barcode reader 18 and the shooting number assigned to this sorting destination, which is sent to the processing means 17 and is written in the ROM of the data processing means 17 in advance. And a shoot number changing means for rewriting the shoot number. A history of rewriting chute numbers is also written in this reference table. Reference numeral 24 is a host computer connected to the output of the sorting destination weight accumulating means 22, receives the sorting destination weight accumulating data from the sorting destination weight accumulating means 22, and records the chute number change history at the same sorting destination. The weight accumulating data of each chute is received from the data processing means 17 through the sorting destination-specific weight accumulating means 22 and stored.

If, for example, the N-th shoot is assigned to Tokyo, the sorting destination-specific weight accumulating means 22 accumulates the weight of the N-th chute every time an article to be delivered to the N-th shoot passes through the photocell 13. Then, the accumulated weight is sent to the comparison means of the sorting management means 23 every moment. When the cumulative weight of the Nth chute reaches a predetermined weight range equal to or less than the maximum load capacity of the chute, an output signal is generated from the comparison means, and the chute number changing means which has received the output signal changes the chute number assigned to Tokyo to the Nth chute. Change to another empty shoot number, for example M number, N number and M
No. is sent to the control table of the data processing means 17 and the N-th shoot in this table is rewritten to the M-th shoot. After that, the articles to be shipped to the Tokyo area are delivered to the M-th shoot, and the weight is accumulated in the M-th shoot.

[0020]

The conventional article sorting apparatus having the weighing conveyor is constructed as described above, and the weights of all articles, from the article having the maximum weight to the article having the minimum weight, can be handled by one weighing conveyor. It is designed to weigh. Therefore, the load bearing strength of the weighing conveyor must be matched to the maximum weight of the articles passing over it. If this is done, the weight of the weighing conveyor itself will increase, and the weight of both the article and the weighing conveyor itself will be applied to the load cell.Therefore, use a load cell with a maximum measurement range that combines the maximum weight of the article and the weight of the weighing conveyor. Will have to. Therefore, the accuracy of weight measurement in terms of the load cell% error (the ratio of the absolute error to the true weight of each item) is appropriate for heavy items, but is significantly inferior to lightweight items. There was a point. The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems of the conventional ones, and an object thereof is to provide a sorting device capable of accurately weighing lightweight articles.

[0021]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention corresponds to the conventional 8 as shown in FIG. 1 (the same parts as the conventional ones are designated by the same reference numerals). Between the primary weighing conveyor 8A and the sorting conveyor 1
The direct transfer conveyor line 25 and at least one branch conveyor line 26A, 26B parallel thereto are provided, and the direct transfer conveyor line 25 and the branch conveyor lines 26A, 26B are provided.
A distribution conveyor device 28 having a distribution control device 27 that distributes the articles sent from the primary weighing conveyor 8A to either the direct transfer conveyor line 25 or the branch conveyor lines 26A and 26B is provided at the branch portion with the 6B and the direct transfer conveyor line. 25 and branch conveyor line 26
A merging conveyor device 29 for merging and sending the articles sent from A and 26B to the sorting conveyor 1 is provided, and the respective branch conveyor lines 26A and 26B respectively have different weighing values lower than the weighing upper limit value of the primary weighing conveyor 8A. A secondary weighing conveyor 30A that has an upper limit value and has better measurement accuracy than the primary weighing conveyor and a lower weighing upper limit value has a higher measuring accuracy, and that weighs the article while conveying the article and generates a weighing output. 30B is provided, and a sorting standard value is set for each secondary weighing conveyor 30A, 30B, such that the lower the weighing upper limit value is, the lower the sorting upper limit value is and the lower upper weighing limit value is set. Sorting reference value setting means 3 for generating a value output
1 and the distribution reference value output and the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A are received to compare these two outputs, and a comparing means 32 is provided for generating an output indicating the comparison result.
Based on the output of the comparison means 32, the sorting control device 27 directs the articles whose weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A exceeds the maximum sorting reference value to the direct conveyor line 2
5 and items below that are sent to the branch conveyor line 26A or 26B equipped with the secondary weighing conveyor 30A or 30B having a sorting reference value which is equal to or greater than the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A and is closest to this weighing output. The distribution conveyor device 28 is controlled so that the data processing means 1
7A uses the output of the comparison means 32, the output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A, the outputs of the secondary weighing conveyors 30A and 30B, and the output of the sorting destination information output device 18, and the sorting destination for each article and the primary sorting. The weighing output of the weighing conveyor 8A and the weighing outputs of the secondary weighing conveyors 30A and 30B are made to correspond to each other in a desired form to create weight data, and further, the direct transfer conveyor line 25 and the branch conveyor lines 26A and 2A.
In 6B, the article transfer time from the primary weighing conveyor 8A to the sorting conveyor 1 is made substantially equal between the direct transfer conveyor line 25 and the branch conveyor lines 26A and 26B.

[0022]

In the sorting apparatus configured as described above, the articles of the weight class exceeding the maximum sorting reference value are sent to the direct conveyor line by the operation of the sorting control apparatus based on the output of the comparing means. The weighing output is sent only to the weighing conveyor and the weighing output is sent to the data processing means, and the lighter weight articles below that are once weighed on the primary weighing conveyor, and are more than the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor and most than this weighing output. It is sent to the secondary weighing conveyor to which the near distribution reference value is set and weighed there, and the weighing output of this secondary weighing conveyor is also sent to the data processing means. At that time, since the output of the comparison means is also sent to the data processing means, it is possible to know how many times the measurement output from the secondary measurement conveyor has passed through the primary measurement conveyor, and it is possible to create weight data. . In addition, since the article transfer time from the primary weighing conveyor to the sorting conveyor is almost the same on the direct transfer conveyor line and on each branch line, the articles are sent to the sorting conveyor in the same order as they passed through the primary weighing conveyor. Therefore, the sorting does not go wrong.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 is a plan view of a main part of a sorting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a sorting conveyor apparatus according to this embodiment, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a merging conveyor apparatus according to this embodiment. 5 is a partially cutaway enlarged plan view of the main part of the sorting conveyor device in this embodiment,
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between each upper limit of weighing and the distribution reference value of the primary weighing conveyor and the secondary weighing conveyor in this embodiment, FIG. 7 is a block diagram of this embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of the computer, FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of measurement accuracy characteristics of the primary weighing conveyor and the secondary weighing conveyor in this embodiment, and FIG.
0 and FIG. 11 are views showing two typical examples of weight data that can be created in the present embodiment, and the same parts as those of the conventional one or FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, one branch conveyor line 26A is provided for the direct transfer conveyor line 25, and 8A is a primary weighing conveyor having the same structure as the conventional weighing conveyor 8 and conveys articles. While measuring the weight. 25 is a direct transfer conveyor line disposed between the primary weighing conveyor 8A and the sorting conveyor 1, 26
Similarly, A is a branching conveyor line disposed in parallel with the direct-feeding conveyor line 25 between the primary weighing conveyor 8A and the sorting conveyor 1. In this embodiment, only one branching conveyor line is provided as described above. . 28A is arranged at a branch point between the direct conveyor line 25 and the branch conveyor line 26A, and the articles sent from the primary weighing conveyor 8A are branched to the direct conveyor line 25 as shown by arrow A or as shown by arrow B. The sorting conveyor device 29A sorts and sends the sorting line to the conveyor line 26A, and the joining conveyor device 29A joins and sends the articles sent from the direct-feeding conveyor line 25 and the branching conveyor line 26A to the sorting conveyor 1. Although 33 is a relay conveyor provided between the primary weighing conveyor 8A and the sorting conveyor device 28A, this may be omitted and the sorting conveyor device 28A may be arranged immediately following the primary weighing conveyor 8A.

Reference numeral 30A is a secondary weighing conveyor provided at the center of the branch conveyor line 26A, and its construction is similar to that of the primary weighing conveyor 8A.
The load cell 11A, the front end determination means 15A, and the weight detection / output means 16A similar to the above are provided, and the weight of the article is weighed while being conveyed, but it has a lower weighing upper limit value than the primary weighing conveyor 8A. The measurement accuracy (% error) for an article having a weight equal to or less than the weighing upper limit value is better than that of the primary weighing conveyor 8A. Here, the weighing upper limit value means the maximum weight that can be weighed within a predetermined accuracy, which means, for example, how many grams of the standard weight is passing over the weighing conveyor and the weighing output at that time deviates from the weight of the standard weight. It can be easily calculated by calculation. The term “direct delivery” of the direct delivery conveyor line 25 does not mean that the direct delivery conveyor line 25 is provided along a straight path, and the direct delivery conveyor line 25 is not provided with a secondary weighing conveyor, and the distribution conveyor device is provided. It means that the articles received from 28A are directly sent to the merge conveyor device 29A without further weighing. 27A is a distribution control device provided in the distribution conveyor device 28A. With this, as described below, each of the articles in the heavy weight class is transferred to the direct transfer conveyor line 25 in accordance with the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A. Are distributed to the branch conveyor line 26A and sent out.

As shown in FIG. 3, the distribution conveyor device 28A is rotatably supported by a frame 281 and a slight branch conveyor line 26A on the frame 281, so that the articles can be biased toward the branch conveyor line 26A. The gathering roller 282, the sorting roller 283 provided at the downstream end thereof, and the frame 284 provided at the entrance of the branch conveyor line 26A following the frame 281.
And a roller 285 rotatably supported on the frame 284 in the article conveying direction B of the branch conveyor line. The rollers 282 and 285 are rotationally driven to convey the article by an appropriate driving source. To be done. The distribution roller 283 may be a freely rotating roller or may be rotationally driven by an appropriate driving source.

The distribution roller 283 is directed to the direct-feeding conveyor line 25 as shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 to feed the article to the direct-feeding conveyor line 25, and is branched to the branching conveyor line 26A as shown by the phantom line. It is supported so as to be capable of reciprocating rotation with respect to the position where it is fed to the conveyor line 26A, and a distribution control device 27A (FIG. 2) is provided to control such reciprocating motion according to the weight of the article. However, an example of this distribution control device 27A is shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the distribution rollers 283 are supported by an upward U-shaped frame 286 by a shaft 287 so as to freely rotate to a position slightly higher than the width-adjusting roller 282. Each frame 286 has a vertical axis 28
The vertical shaft 288 is supported by a support base (not shown) so that the vertical shaft 288 can rotate about its central axis.

The distribution control device 27A includes the vertical shafts 288.
To the air pressure source 274 via an electromagnetic valve 273, and an arm 271 fixed in the same direction as above, a connecting bar 272 pivotally supported by the free ends of these arms 271 to connect the arms 271 to each other. An air cylinder 276 whose one end is pivotally supported by the frame 281 by a pin 275;
One end is fixed to the vertical shaft 288 closest to the air cylinder 276, and the other end is fixed to the piston rod 2 of the air cylinder 276.
And an actuating arm 278 pivotally supported by 77. In addition,
Reference numeral 279 is a solenoid of the solenoid valve 273, and the energization and deenergization of the solenoid 279 are controlled based on the output of the comparison means described later. Reference numeral 270 is a spring that presses the solenoid valve 273 to the position shown in FIG. 5, and when the solenoid 279 is not energized, the solenoid valve 273 occupies the position shown in FIG. , When it is urged, it moves downward against the spring 270 as seen in FIG.
Can be switched.

However, when the solenoid valve 273 is in the position shown in the figure, the piston rod 277 is projected and the distribution roller 283 is in the position facing the direct-feeding conveyor line 25. It is sent to the direct transfer conveyor line 25. When the solenoid 279 is energized, the solenoid valve 273 switches against the force of the spring 270, the piston rod 277 is retracted, and the operating arm 278 is moved.
Is rotated to the position of an imaginary line and is connected to the vertical shaft 28.
8, is rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined angle. As a result, the frame 286, and therefore the distribution roller 283, is rotated about the respective vertical shafts 288 in the counterclockwise direction by the above-described predetermined angle and is directed to the branch conveyor line 26A as shown by the phantom line in FIG. And feeds the article to the branch conveyor line 26A. As described above, since the articles are sent to the distribution roller 283 while being shifted toward the branch conveyor line 26A, the articles can be smoothly transferred to the branch conveyor line 26A.
When the solenoid 279 is deenergized, the solenoid valve 273 causes the spring 2
It is pushed back by 70 to the position of FIG. If the next item is to be sent to the direct conveyor line 25,
Solenoid 279 remains de-energized, but solenoid 279 is re-energized if it should be fed to branch conveyor line 26A. The energizing time of the solenoid 279 can be set in advance to the time required for the longest expected article to pass through the sorting roller 283, or the length can be measured for each article and set to that length. It can be set according to the time, but the point is that the branch conveyor line 2
This means that the solenoid 279 is energized to ensure that the article to be sent to the 6A passes through the sorting roller 283 and is reliably sent to the branch conveyor line 26A. As a result, the articles are smoothly transferred to the branch conveyor line 26A.

As shown in FIG. 4, the merging / conveying device 29A is arranged so that the articles sent from the frame 291, the direct conveyor line 25 and the branch conveyor line 26A in the directions of the arrows in FIG. Rollers 292, 2 rotatably supported by the frame 291
93 and rollers 294 and 295 rotatably supported by the frame 291 with a slight inward inclination, following these rollers 292 and 293.
92-295 are also rotatably driven by a suitable drive source to convey the article forward. Then, both the articles sent from the direct conveyor line 25 and the articles sent from the branch conveyor line 26A go straight by the rollers 292, 293, then are brought to the center by the rollers 294, 295, and are merged into a sorting conveyor. Sent to 1.

In this embodiment, the direct transfer conveyor line 25 is divided from the sorting conveyor device 28A to the merging conveyor device 29A.
The branch conveyor line 26A is provided along an arcuately curved path. The secondary measuring conveyor 30A is provided at the center of the branch conveyor line 26A as described above.

As shown in FIG. 2, the branching conveyor line 26A includes a secondary weighing conveyor 30A, a branching conveyor apparatus 261 on the side of the sorting conveyor apparatus 28A from the secondary weighing conveyor 30A, and a joining side conveyor on the side of the joining conveyor apparatus 29A. The branch side conveyor device 261 is constituted by a plurality of conveyors 263, 264, 265 and the rollers 285 of the distribution conveyor device 28A (therefore, the roller 285 is composed of the distribution conveyor device 28A and the branch conveyor line 26A). And the merging side conveyor device 262 includes a plurality of conveyors 266, 267,
268 and the roller 293 of the merging conveyor device 29A (thus, the roller 293 is shared by the merging conveyor device 29A and the branch conveyor line 26A). In addition, the direct transfer conveyor line 25 is a conveyor 251.
(For example, an endless belt conveyor) and a merging conveyor device 29
A roller 292 of A. Thus, these conveyors 30A, 251, and 263-2
By appropriately selecting the speeds of the rollers 68, rollers 285, 292 and 293, the article transfer time from the primary weighing conveyor 8A to the sorting conveyor 1 is made substantially equal between the direct transfer conveyor line 25 and the branch conveyor line 26A. By making the article transportation time equal in this way,
There is no deviation between the article passing order in the barcode reader 18 and the primary weighing conveyor 8A and the article passing order to the sorting conveyor 1, and the articles are delivered to a predetermined chute (not shown in FIG. 2) without error. It is possible.

In the vicinity of the downstream end of the secondary weighing conveyor 30A, a light source 341 and a photoelectric tube 34 provided opposite to the light source 341 are provided.
A fourth article detection device 34, which is composed of 2 and 3, is provided. The function of the article detection device 34 is the same as that of the second article detection device 14, and detects that the front end of the article has arrived,
This is for detecting the output of the load cell 11A of the secondary weighing conveyor 30A.

Now, the sorting control device 27A is controlled according to the weight of the articles to sort the articles of heavy weight into the sorting conveyor device 2
A distribution reference value setting means 31 and a comparison means 32 are provided for sending from 8A to the direct transfer conveyor line 25, and for sending lightweight articles to the branch conveyor line 26A.

As described above, the primary weighing conveyor 8A and the secondary weighing conveyor 30A each have a weighing upper limit, and the secondary weighing conveyor 30A has a lower weighing upper limit than the primary weighing conveyor 8A and its measurement accuracy. Is better than the primary weighing conveyor 8A for articles weighing less than the weighing upper limit. Then, the primary weighing conveyor 8A
For this, a weighing conveyor having a weighing upper limit value that matches the maximum weight desired to be weighed within a predetermined accuracy is used. For example, when operating for 12 hours a day, most of articles are 100 kg or less, and when there are few articles having weights more than 100 kg, a weighing conveyor having a weighing upper limit value of about 100 kg is used as the primary weighing conveyor 8A. Will be economically advantageous. However, in this example, the expected maximum weight is 120 kg, and if the weight of such an article is to be weighed within the predetermined accuracy, the weighing conveyor having the weighing upper limit value of about 120 kg is used as the primary weighing conveyor 8A. Can be used as That is, after considering various conditions, it is sufficient to use a weighing conveyor having a weighing upper limit value that matches the maximum weight desired to be weighed within a predetermined accuracy.

All the articles pass through the primary weighing conveyor 8A and are first weighed here. As can be seen from the section of the problem to be solved by the invention, a lightweight article is used. The lower the weight measurement accuracy (% error) is. For example, if the weighing upper limit value is 100 Kg and 50
Absolute error in Kg is 100 g (0.2% in% error) Even if the absolute error when weighing 1 Kg of articles by the primary weighing conveyor 8A is much lower than 100 g, the% error is 0.8%. turn into. Therefore, articles weighing less than a certain weight are accurately weighed by the secondary weighing conveyor 30A having a lower weighing upper limit value and better measurement accuracy (% error) than the primary weighing conveyor 8A. It is an object of the present invention to accurately measure the. As described above, the secondary weighing conveyor 30A, which has better measurement accuracy than the primary weighing conveyor 8A, is smaller and lighter in weight than the primary weighing conveyor 8A due to its lower upper limit of measurement. It can be easily manufactured. Therefore, how much or less the weight of the articles is to be weighed again by the secondary weighing conveyor 30A is determined based on the required weight measurement accuracy, the expected weight distribution of the articles to be sorted by the sorting device, and the like. Let's do it.

By the way, the distribution reference value setting means 31 determines the measured output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A based on the upper weighing value of the primary weighing conveyor 8A and the upper weighing value of the secondary weighing conveyor 30A as described above. Items weighing less than gram are distributed to the branch conveyor line 26A and the secondary weighing conveyor 30
The distribution reference value indicating whether or not to measure again at A is set, and an output indicating the distribution reference value (distribution reference value output) is generated. However, this distribution reference value should not be more than the upper limit value of the primary weighing conveyor 8A. That is, if the distribution reference value is set to be equal to or higher than the upper limit of weighing of the primary weighing conveyor 8A, all the articles will flow to the secondary weighing conveyor 30A having a mechanical strength lower than that of the primary weighing conveyor 8A, and particularly the heavy-weight articles. This is because the passage of the secondary weighing conveyor 30A causes mechanical fatigue of the secondary weighing conveyor 30A to be overlapped, which causes a failure, and the measurement accuracy deteriorates with time. Therefore, the distribution reference value is lower than the upper limit of weighing of the primary weighing conveyor 8A, preferably the secondary weighing conveyor 30.
It is set near the upper limit of measurement of A, most preferably slightly lower than it.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the upper limit of weighing and the distribution reference value of the primary weighing conveyor 8A and the secondary weighing conveyor 30A. In this example, the primary weighing conveyor 8A has a weighing upper limit value of 100 kg (indicated by a double circle in FIG. 6), and the secondary weighing conveyor 30A has a weighing upper limit value of 10K.
g (indicated by a single circle). The distribution reference value is indicated by a triangle, and is set to 11 Kg, which is slightly higher than the upper limit measurement value of the secondary measurement conveyor 30A.

Reference numeral 32 (FIG. 2) is a distribution reference value setting means 31.
Of the distribution reference value and the output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A (weight detection, output of the output means 16), and the distribution reference value output from the distribution reference value setting means 31 and the weighing output from the primary weighing conveyor 8A. It is a comparison means that receives both of these outputs and compares them to generate an output indicating the comparison result. That is, in the case of the example in FIG. 6, the comparison means 32 uses the weighing output from the primary weighing conveyor 8A as the distribution reference value 1
When the measured output exceeds 11 Kg as compared with 1 Kg, an output indicating that (hereinafter, this output will be referred to as "heavy").
If the metering output is 11 kg or less, an output indicating that (hereinafter, this output is referred to as "light" output) is generated.

The output of the comparison means 32 is passed through the timer means T with an appropriate time delay, which will be described later, and the distribution control device 27 is provided.
The energization of the solenoid 279 of the A solenoid valve 273 is controlled. If this output is a "heavy" output, the solenoid 279 remains de-energized to position the actuating arm 278 in the solid line position of FIG.
Send to 5. On the other hand, when the output is "light", the solenoid 279 is urged to position the actuating arm 278 at the position indicated by the phantom line in FIG.
It is sent to A and the secondary weighing conveyor 30A again weighs it with high accuracy.

Since the article shields the photoelectric tube 13 from light, the article is detected from the time when the weight detection of the primary weighing conveyor 8A and the weighing output of the output means 16 are input to the comparison means 32 and an output is generated from the comparison means 32. It takes a certain time t to reach the distribution roller 283 of the distribution conveyor device 28A, but depending on the length of the relay conveyor 33 or the distribution conveyor device 28A and the transport speed, the time t is long, and this time t It may happen that the preceding article has not yet reached the sorting roller 283 before the passage. In that case, if the solenoid 279 of the solenoid valve 273 is energized at the same time when the "light" output is generated from the comparison means 32, the preceding article is a heavy article to be sent to the direct conveyor line 25. However, it will be sent to the branch conveyor line 26A. The timer means T is provided to prevent such an inconvenience, and delays the "light" output generated from the comparing means 32 by the time t or a time slightly shorter than t so that the preceding article is distributed by the distribution roller 283. The solenoid 279 is energized after passing through. However, if the time t is short and the preceding article has not passed the sorting roller 283 until the output from the comparison means 32 is generated for the next article, the timer means T may be omitted. In the case of "heavy" output, the solenoid 279 is not energized, so the timer means T is not operated.

Reference numeral 17A is a data processing means for creating weight data in which the sorting destination of each article is associated with the weight.
Similar to the conventional one, the weight detection of the primary weighing conveyor 8A,
In addition to being connected to the output of the output means 16 and the output of the sorting destination information output device 18, the secondary weighing conveyor 30A
Weight detection, output of output means 16A and comparison means 32
Is also connected to the output of.

A block diagram of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, MC is a microcomputer, and this microcomputer MC has an input side interface 171, a CPU 172, and an output side interface 173. , ROM 174 and RAM 175, and functions as the data processing means 17A, the distribution reference value setting means 31, the comparing means 32 and the timer means T. Input side interface 171
Like the conventional one, the weight detection of the primary weighing conveyor 8A, the output of the output means 16 and the sorting destination information output device 1
8 outputs are connected, in addition to the secondary weighing conveyor 3
The weight detection of 0A and the output of the output means 16A are also connected. Reference numeral 35 is a relay coil connected to the output 36 of the output side interface 173, 37 is a normally open contact of the relay, 38 is an AC power supply, and the solenoid 279 and the relay contact 37 of the distribution control device 27A are in series with each other. 38. Then, the comparison means 32
When a "light" output is generated from the above, the timer means T generates an output for energizing the relay coil 35 from the output 36 at an appropriate timing adapted to the movement of the article. Then, when the output of the comparison means 32 is a "light" output, the relay coil 35 is energized, the relay contact 37 is closed and the solenoid 279 is energized, and the operating arm 278 is moved to the position of the phantom line in FIG. Then, the article is sent to the branch conveyor line 26A. In the case of a "heavy" output, no output signal is produced at output 36, solenoid 279 remains de-energized, and actuating arm 278 remains in the solid line position of FIG. 5 to deliver the article to direct conveyor line 25. In addition, R
In the OM 174, in addition to the reference table of the sorting destination read by the sorting destination information output device (bar code reader) 18 and the chute number assigned to this sorting destination, the sorting reference value for the secondary weighing conveyor 30A and the setting of the timer means T are set. The time t and the operation program of the CPU 172 are written in advance.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the operation flow chart shown in FIG. 8, the graph of FIG. 9 and the prepared weight data shown in FIG. The curve X in FIG. 9 shows the measurement accuracy characteristic of the primary weighing conveyor, and the curve Y shows the measurement accuracy characteristic of the secondary weighing conveyor. Further, in FIG. 10, “actual weight” means the actual weight of the article, but the column of “actual weight” is not actually included in the weight data, which facilitates understanding of the present embodiment. It was added to do so. After the sorting destinations of the articles are read by the bar code reader 18, by the operations of the first article detection device 9, the timing conveyor control device 10 and the drive motor 602,
In the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 28, the primary weighing conveyor 8 is provided at intervals necessary for weighing the articles one by one.
Transferred to A.

First, focusing on the first article (the article in the passing order 1), when this article passes through the bar code reader 18, the sorting destination of the article is read by the bar code reader 18 and the microcomputer MC stores The shoot number corresponding to the sorting destination of this article is read from the comparison table which is input to the input side interface 171 and written in the ROM 174 in advance, and the shooting number (5 in the case of FIG. 10 in the sorting buffer of the RAM 175 is read first). No.) is written (step 106). The article is conveyed forward by the primary weighing conveyor 8A, and when the front end shields the photocell 13 from light, a front end detection signal (weighing command) is generated from the front end determination means 15, and the weight detection and output means 1 is provided.
6 receives the measurement command and detects the output of the load cell 11, and the detected output (electrical signal such as voltage, current, frequency)
Is converted into a corresponding weighing value (for example, a digital signal) to generate a weighing output.

This measurement output (in the example of FIGS. 9 and 10, 90.39 Kg for 90 Kg of actual weight ... Measurement accuracy of 0.43)
%) Is also input to the input side interface 171 and RA
Written to the primary weighing buffer of M175 (step 1
07). The weighing output from the weight detecting and outputting means 16 is lower than the sorting reference value (lower than the weighing upper limit value (100 Kg) of the primary weighing conveyor 8A in this embodiment, which is written in advance in the ROM 174 by the comparing means 32, and the secondary weighing conveyor. Thirty
11 Kg) which is slightly higher than the upper limit of measurement (10 Kg) of A). That is, it is determined whether the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A exceeds or is less than the distribution reference value for the secondary weighing conveyor 30A (step 108), and the comparison result is written in the determination buffer of the RAM 175. In this case, the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A is 90.3.
Since it is 9 kg, the comparison means 3 in step 108
Under the NO condition 2 (“heavy” output), this comparison result, that is, a heavy weight article is written in the determination buffer of the RAM 175 (step 109). In the case of "heavy" output, the sorting rollers 283 will have already reached the direct conveyor line 2 when this article arrives there, as explained above.
5 and no output is produced at output 36. Also, the timer means T does not operate. Therefore, this article is sent to the direct transfer conveyor line 25, is sent to the sorting conveyor 1 via the merging conveyor device 29A, and is sorted by the sorting control device described with reference to FIG. Be sorted.

Next, focusing on the second article, as in the case of the first article, the sorting destination shoot number 121 (FIG. 10) is written in the sorting destination buffer of the RAM 175 (step 106), and the The weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A is 5.03 kg (actual weight 5 kg ...
Measurement accuracy of 0.64% is written (step 10)
7). In this case, 5.03 Kg <11 Kg, so the comparison means 32 generates a "light" output in step 108, the comparison result is written in the judgment buffer (step 110), and the process moves to step 111 and the timer is started. Means T
An output signal is generated at the output 36 of the output-side interface 173 when the time t set to is passed, the relay coil 35 is energized by this output signal, the relay contact 37 is closed, and the solenoid 279 of the distribution control device 27A.
(Step 112), and the sorting conveyor device 28 is activated.
The distribution roller 283 of A is driven to the position of the phantom line in FIG. 3, that is, the position facing the branch conveyor line 26A. As a result, the second article is transferred to the branch conveyor line 26A and then transferred to the secondary weighing conveyor 30A.

When the tip of the article transferred to the secondary weighing conveyor 30A shields the photoelectric tube 342 of the fourth article detection device 34, a front end detection signal (weighing command) is generated from the front end determination means 15A of the secondary weighing conveyor 30A. Then, the weight detection / output means 16A of the secondary weighing conveyor 30A receives the weighing command, detects the output of the load cell 11A, and converts the detected output into a weighing value corresponding to the output to generate a weighing output. This measurement output is the input side interface 171.
Is input to the secondary weighing buffer of the RAM 175, and the weighing output of the secondary weighing conveyor 30A of 5.01 Kg (measurement accuracy 0.2%) is written (step 113).

As described above, the data written in the sorting buffer, the primary weighing buffer, the determination buffer, and the secondary weighing buffer in the passing order of the articles are processed by the CPU 172 based on the program written in the ROM 174. Then, the weight data as shown in FIG. 10 is created (step 114). When organizing the data in this way, it is determined by the comparison means 32 written in the determination buffer which order in the passing order each of the weighing outputs of the secondary weighing conveyor 30A written in the secondary weighing buffer corresponds to. This can be done by associating the order in which the “light” output is seen among the comparison results with the order written in the secondary weighing buffer.

The weight data created as described above is sent from the output of the output side interface 173 to a printer (not shown) for sequential printing, or as shown in FIG. It can be sent to help prevent overload.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A and the secondary weighing conveyor 3 for all the articles weighed by the secondary weighing conveyor 30A.
Although the weight data is created in a state where the weighing output of 0A is also shown, when the weight data is created by the CPU 172, only the weighing output of the secondary weighing conveyor 30A is used for all the items weighed by the secondary weighing conveyor 30A. By writing a program to be adopted in the ROM 174, it is possible to create weight data as shown in FIG. 11 (compare the passage order columns 2, 4 and 5 in FIGS. 10 and 11). This is effective when the measurement output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A exceeds the weighing upper limit of the secondary weighing conveyor 30A by 1 kg and the measurement accuracy is better than that of the primary weighing conveyor 8A. In this embodiment, in addition to the data processing means 17A, the distribution reference value setting means 31 and the comparison means 32 are provided.
Also, the timer means T is also constituted by the microcomputer MC, but these means 31, 32 and T may be constituted by hardware and provided separately from the microcomputer MC.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 is a plan view of the main part of the sorting apparatus according to this embodiment, FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view of the sorting conveyor apparatus according to this embodiment, FIG. 14 is an enlarged plan view of the merge conveyor apparatus according to this embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 16 is a partially cutaway enlarged plan view of the main part of the sorting conveyor device in the embodiment, and FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the relationship between the weighing upper limit value and the sorting reference value of the primary weighing conveyor and two secondary weighing conveyors in this embodiment. FIG. 17 is a block diagram of this embodiment,
FIG. 18 is a flow chart of the operation of the microcomputer in this embodiment, and FIGS. 19 and 20 are views showing two typical examples of weight data that can be created in this embodiment. The same parts as those in FIG.

In this embodiment, two branch conveyor lines 26A and 26B are provided for the direct transfer conveyor line 25. 26B is provided in addition to 26A in FIG. 2 and has a primary weighing conveyor 8A and a sorting conveyor 1. It is a second branch conveyor line disposed in parallel with the direct transfer conveyor line 25. Reference numeral 40 denotes a sorting conveyor device corresponding to 28A in the first embodiment described above, and the articles sent out from the primary weighing conveyor 8A are shown to the direct conveyer conveyor line 25 as shown by arrow A, or shown by arrow B. A distribution conveyor device for distributing and sending to the first branch conveyor line 26A or to the second branch conveyor line 26B as indicated by arrow C, 41 is a direct transfer conveyor line 25 and branch conveyor lines 26A and 26B.
It is a merging conveyor device for merging and sending the articles sent from the sorting conveyor 1.

30A is the same first secondary weighing conveyor as 30A in the previous embodiment. 30B is a second secondary weighing conveyor provided in the central portion of the second branch conveyor line 26B, and its configuration is the primary weighing conveyor 8A.
And similar to the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A
1, 15 and 16 and a load cell 11B similar to 11A, 15A and 16A, a front end determination means 15B and a weight detection and output means 16B are provided to measure the weight of an article while transporting it. The secondary weighing conveyor 30A has a lower upper limit of weighing, and the measurement accuracy (% error) for an article having a weight less than the upper limit of weighing is better than that of the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A. That is, the secondary weighing conveyors 30A and 30B are claimed in claim 1.
As described above, each having a different upper measurement limit value lower than the upper measurement limit value of the primary measurement conveyor 8A and having a measurement accuracy better than the primary measurement conveyor 8A and a lower measurement upper limit value (secondary secondary measurement conveyor 30B). The better the measurement accuracy. Reference numeral 42 denotes a distribution control device provided in the distribution conveyor device 40. With this, each article is supplied in accordance with the measurement output of the primary measurement conveyor 8A as described later.
The heavy weight grades are distributed to the direct transfer conveyor line 25, the medium weight grades are distributed to the first branch conveyor line 26A, and the light weight grades are distributed to the second branch conveyor line 26B.

As shown in FIG. 13, the distribution conveyor device 40 is rotatably supported by a frame 401 and an upstream portion of the frame 401, which is slightly inclined inward, and is rotatably supported by the frame 401. The centering rollers 402 and 403 that move toward the center in the direction, the deflecting roller 404 provided on the downstream side, and the deflecting roller 4
On the downstream side of 04, the width-adjusting rollers 405 and 406 rotatably supported with a slight outward inclination, the sorting roller 407 provided at the downstream end thereof, and the frame 401, followed by the first branch conveyor line 26A. Of a frame 408 provided at the entrance of the second branch conveyor line 26B, a roller 409 rotatably supported by the frame 408 in the article conveying direction B of the branch conveyor line 26A, and a frame 401. The roller 410 includes a frame 410 provided at the entrance and a roller 411 rotatably supported by the frame 410 in the article conveying direction C of the branch conveyor line 26B.
2, 403, 405, 406, 409 and 411 are rotationally driven by a suitable driving source so as to convey the article.
The diverting roller 404 and the distribution roller 407 may be freely rotating rollers, or may be rotationally driven by a driving source.

The deflecting roller 404 is reciprocated between a position facing the roller 405 to feed the article toward the roller 405 and a position facing the roller 406 to feed the article toward the roller 406. It is movably supported. Then, the deflecting roller 404 is directed to the front when the article is to be sent to the direct conveyor line 25, and is directed to the roller 405 when it is to be sent to the first branch conveyor line 26A, and the second branch is performed. A deflection controller 43 is provided to control the roller 406 so that it is directed to the conveyor line 26B.

The distribution roller 407 also faces the roller 409 to feed the article to the first branch conveyor line 26A and the position to face the roller 411 to feed the article to the second branch conveyor line 26B. It is supported so that it can be reciprocally rotated. When the articles are to be sent to the direct conveyor line 25, the sorting roller 407 is directed to the front (to the direct conveyor line 25), and when the articles are to be sent to the first branch conveyor line 26A, the roller 409 is used.
The distribution control device 42 is provided so that the distribution control device 42 is directed toward the roller 411 when it is fed to the second branch conveyor line 26B. An example of the distribution control device 42 is shown in FIG. It is shown in 15.

The distribution rollers 407 are supported by the upward U-shaped frame 412 so as to freely rotate by the shaft 413, as in the previous embodiment.
Each frame 412 is fixed to a vertical shaft 414, and the vertical shaft 414 is supported by a support base (not shown) so as to be rotatable about its central axis.

The distribution control device 42 includes arms 420 fixed to respective vertical shafts 414 in the same direction, a connecting bar 421 pivotally supported by free ends of the arms 420 to connect the arms 420 to each other, and a solenoid valve. And an air cylinder 423 connected to a pressurized air source AS (for example, a pump) via 422A and 422B. The inside of the air cylinder 423 is divided into two chambers 423A and 423B which are isolated from each other, and pistons 424A and 424B are provided in the chambers 423A and 423B, respectively.
22A, and the chamber 423B is connected to the pressurized air source AS via a solenoid valve 422B. 425
A and 425B are piston rods of pistons 424A and 424B, respectively, and an outer end of the piston rod 425A is pivotally supported by an operating arm 426 fixed to a vertical shaft 414 closest to the air cylinder 423.
The outer end of 25B is pivotally supported on the frame 401 by a pin 427. 428A and 428B are solenoids of solenoid valves 422A and 422B, 429A and 429, respectively.
Reference numeral 29B is a spring that presses the solenoid valves 422A and 422B to the positions shown in the drawing. The solenoid valves 422A and 422B occupy the positions shown in FIG. 15 by the pressing force of the springs 429A and 429B when the solenoids 428A and 428B are not energized.
When is biased, the springs 429A and 429B are moved and switched upward as viewed in FIG. 15 against the pressing forces of the springs 429A and 429B. Energization and deenergization of the solenoids 428A and 428B are controlled based on the output of the comparison means described later.

When the solenoid valves 422A and 422B are in the positions shown in the figure, the sorting roller 407 is in the position facing the direct transfer conveyor line 25, and the primary measuring conveyor 8
The articles sent from A are sent to the direct transfer conveyor line 25. When the solenoid 428A is energized, its position is switched against the pressing force of the spring 429A and the piston 424A is switched.
15 moves upward in the chamber 423A as seen in FIG. 15, the piston rod 425A retracts and rotates the operating arm 426 counterclockwise, directs the sorting roller 407 to the first branch conveyor line 26A, and moves the article to the first position. It is sent to one branch conveyor line 26A. On the other hand, when the solenoid 428B is energized, the position of the solenoid valve 422B is switched, and the piston rod 425B is projected. As a result, the operation arm 426 is rotated clockwise from the position shown in the drawing to move the distributing roller 407 to the second branch. The articles sent from the primary weighing conveyor 8A are sent to the second branch conveyor line 26B toward the conveyor line 26B. The energizing time of the solenoids 428A and 428B is determined similarly to the energizing time of the solenoid 279 in the previous embodiment.

Since the turning control device 43 can also have the same structure as the above-mentioned distribution control device 42, the details thereof are omitted in the drawing, but the articles are directly transferred to the conveyor line 25.
If it is to be fed to the first branch conveyor line 26A, the deflecting roller 404 should be positioned in the position facing the front, that is, to the direct feed conveyor line 25. To the left (toward the first branch conveyor line 26A) and to the right when it should be fed to the second branch conveyor line 26B. Therefore, the deflecting roller 404 faces the same direction as the sorting roller 407. Then, the article is the centering roller 4
02, 403 is once moved to the center in the width direction,
When it should be fed to the direct-feeding conveyor line 25, the diverting roller 404 and the sorting roller 407 are both positioned to face the front side, and the article goes straight on the width-adjusting rollers 405 and 406 toward the direct-feeding conveyor line 25. When it should be sent to the first branch conveyor line 26A, the diverting roller 40
4 and the distribution roller 407 are both positioned to the left, and the article that is once centered in the width direction is sent to the width-adjustment roller 405 by the diverting roller 404 and left-right-aligned by the distribution roller 407. It is transferred smoothly to the branch conveyor line 26A. If it is to be sent to the second branch conveyor line 26B, the reverse operation is performed.

As shown in FIG. 14, the merging conveyor device 41 is fed from the frame 411, the direct conveyor line 25, the first branch conveyor line 26A and the second branch conveyor line 26B in the direction of the arrow in FIG. A frame 411 for moving the articles straight in that direction.
Rollers 412, 413, 414 rotatably supported on
And, following these rollers 412, 413, 414,
It consists of rollers 415 and 416, which are rotatably supported on the frame 411 with a slight inclination inward, and these rollers 412 to 416 are also rotatably driven by a suitable drive source so as to convey the article forward. . Therefore, both the articles sent from the direct conveyer line 25 and the article sent from the branch conveyor lines 26A and 26B are fed by the roller 41.
After going straight by 2, 413, 414, the roller 41
5, 416, they are brought to the center, merge, and are sent to the sorting conveyor 1.

The configuration of the second branch conveyor line 26B is exactly the same as that of the first branch conveyor line 26A. The reference numeral B is added to each component of the first branch conveyor line 26A and the description thereof is omitted. . Then, the conveyors 251, 263 to 268, 263B to 268B, 30
By appropriately selecting the speeds of A, 30B and rollers 412 to 414, the article transfer time from the primary weighing conveyor 8A to the sorting conveyor 1 is made substantially equal between the direct transfer conveyor line 25 and the branch conveyor lines 26A, 26B. .

Near the downstream end of the second secondary weighing conveyor 30B, there is provided a fifth article detection device 44 including a light source 441 and a photoelectric tube 442 provided corresponding to the light source 441. The function of the article detection device 44 is the same as that of the second and fourth article detection devices 14 and 34, and is for detecting the arrival of the front end of the article and detecting the output of the load cell 11B of the secondary weighing conveyor 30B. belongs to.

As described above, in this embodiment, two branch conveyor lines 26A and 26B are provided, and as described above, the second secondary weighing conveyor 30B is the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A. It has a lower upper weighing limit and the measurement accuracy for articles weighing less than this upper weighing limit is better than the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A. Then, the distribution reference value setting means 31 is the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A.
Distribution reference value for the second secondary weighing conveyor 30
The distribution reference value for B is set, and a distribution reference value output indicating each distribution reference value is generated. Then, for the reason described in the description of the previous embodiment, these distribution reference values are set lower than the upper limit measurement value of the primary measurement conveyor 8A. The sorting reference value for the second secondary weighing conveyor 30B is lower than the sorting reference value for the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A, and the first secondary weighing conveyor 3
It is set lower than the upper limit value of 0A. That is, the distribution reference value for each of the secondary weighing conveyors 30A and 30B is set to be lower as the weighing upper limit value is lower and is immediately lower than the upper weighing upper limit value. If it is set to be higher than the upper limit weighing upper limit value, the articles to be weighed by the immediately upper weighing conveyor (first secondary weighing conveyor 30A) should be transferred to the lower weighing conveyor (second secondary weighing conveyor 30B). This is because they will be transported.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the weighing upper limit value and the distribution reference value of the primary weighing conveyor 8A and the first and second weighing conveyors 30A and 30B in this embodiment. In FIG. 16, the double circle indicates the upper limit value (100 kg) of the primary weighing conveyor 8A, and the single circle indicates the upper limit value (20 kg) of the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A.
, And the black circles indicate the upper limit value (4 kg) of the second secondary weighing conveyor 30B, and the white triangles indicate the distribution reference value (21 kg) for the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A.
, And the black triangle indicates the distribution reference value (4.1 Kg) for the second secondary weighing conveyor 30B.

In the present embodiment, the comparison means 32 is the distribution reference value output from the distribution reference value setting means 31 to the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A, the distribution reference value output to the second secondary weighing conveyor 30B, and the primary weighing conveyor. 8A
When the weighing output from the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A exceeds the sorting reference value for the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A, an output indicating that the article is of a heavy weight class (hereinafter referred to as "heavy" output), Below the sorting reference value for the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A, the second secondary weighing conveyor 30B
If the distribution reference value for the second secondary weighing conveyor 30B is less than the distribution reference value for the second secondary weighing conveyor 30B, the output indicating the medium weight class is output (hereinafter referred to as "medium" output). An output indicating that there is (hereinafter referred to as a "light" output) is generated.

When the output from the comparison means 32 is a "heavy" output, the solenoids 428A and 428B are kept deenergized (therefore, the solenoid valves 422A and 422B occupy the positions shown in FIG. 15), and the distribution roller 407 is directly fed. Directly conveys heavy goods to the conveyor line 407 Conveyor line 2
Send to 5. In the case of "medium" output, only the solenoid 428A is energized to switch the solenoid valve 422A, the piston rod 425A is retracted, and the sorting roller 407 is directed to the first branch conveyor line 26A. It is sent to one branch conveyor line 26A and accurately weighed by the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A. In the case of "light" output, only the solenoid 428B is energized and the distribution roller 40
7 is directed to the second branch conveyor line 26B, and the lightweight articles are sent to the second branch conveyor line 26B, and are accurately weighed by the second secondary weighing conveyor 30B.

Each of the "heavy", "medium", and "light" outputs of the comparison means 32 also controls the deflection control device 43, and when the output is "heavy", the deflection roller 404 is directed to the front to load the article. When the output is "medium", the deflection roller 404 is directed to the left side so that the article is biased to the left side, that is, the first branch conveyor line 26A side, and when the output is "light", the deflection roller 404 is directed to the right side. The article is biased to the right side, that is, the side of the second branch conveyor line 26B. Therefore, the timer means T delays the “medium” output and the “light” output of the comparing means 32 with respect to the deflection control device 43 of the deflection roller 404 by the time t ₁ , and causes the distribution control device 42 of the distribution roller 407 to transmit the same. On the other hand, after the lapse of t _{1, the} time is further delayed by t _{2 so} that the deflecting roller 404 and the distributing roller 407 are operated at the operation timing for the medium-weight and light-weight articles.

The structure itself of the microcomputer MC (FIG. 17) is the same as that shown in FIG. 7 in the previous embodiment, but the input side interface 171 is provided with means for detecting and outputting the weight of the second secondary weighing conveyor 30B. 16B output is connected, and output side interface 173
Outputs 45A and 45B from the distribution control device 42
8 solenoid valves 422A, 422B solenoid 428A,
It controls the energization and deenergization of 428B. Although not shown, the deflection control device 43 can be similarly controlled by the output from the output side interface 173.

In FIG. 17, 46A and 46B are outputs 45A and 45B of the output side interface 173, respectively.
Connected to the relay coils, 47A and 47B are normally open relay contacts of the relay coils 46A and 46B, respectively.
A and 48B are AC power sources, respectively, and solenoid 4
28A and the relay contact 47A are connected to the AC power supply 48A in series with each other, and the solenoid 428B and the relay contact 47B are connected to the AC power supply 48B in series with each other.

When the output of the comparison means 32 is the "heavy" output, the output 4 of the output side interface 173 is 4
No output signal appears on either 5A or 45B, without energizing either solenoid 428A or 428B.
The sorting roller 407 faces the direct-feeding conveyor line 25 and sends the article to the direct-feeding conveyor line 25. At this time, the diverting roller 404 of the sorting conveyor device 40 also faces the front to move the article straight. When the output of the comparison means 32 is a "medium" output, an output signal is issued to the output 45A of the output side interface 173, only the relay coil 46A is energized, and the relay contact 47A is closed and the solenoid 428A.
Energize. Then, the solenoid valve 422A has a spring 429A.
15, the position is switched upward in FIG. 15, the piston rod 425A is retracted, the operating arm 426 is rotated counterclockwise from the position of FIG.
The article is transferred to the first branch conveyor line 26A by turning 07 to the left. When the output of the comparison means 32 is a "light" output, an output signal is issued to the output 45B of the output side interface 173, only the relay coil 46B is energized, the relay contact 47B is closed, and the solenoid 428B is energized. To do. Then, the solenoid valve 422B has the spring 4
The position is switched upward in FIG. 15 against the force of 29B, and the piston rod 425B projects, so the air cylinder 423 is pressed downward in FIG. 15, and the operating arm 426 is rotated clockwise from the position in FIG. Then, the sorting roller 407 is turned rightward to transfer the article to the second branch conveyor line 26B. In this embodiment, the ROM has a comparison table of the sorting destination read by the bar code reader 18 and the shoot number assigned to the sorting destination, the sorting reference value for each of the secondary weighing conveyors 30A and 30B, and the timer means. The above-mentioned two set times t ₁ and t ₂ of T and the operation program of the CPU 172 are written in advance.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the operation flowchart shown in FIG. 18 and the prepared weight data shown in FIG. It should be noted that although the column of “actual weight” is omitted in FIG. 19, it is assumed to be the same as that of FIG. 10 for comparison. In this embodiment, the distribution reference value setting means 3
1 is 21 Kg, which is slightly higher than the upper limit of weighing as a distribution reference value for the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A,
The distribution reference value for the second secondary weighing conveyor 30B is set to 4.1 Kg, which is slightly higher than the weighing upper limit value. Then, the weight detection of the primary weighing conveyor 8A and the weighing output from the output means 16 are input to one input of the comparison means 32, and the other two inputs indicate the above-mentioned two distribution reference values from the distribution reference value setting means 31. The distribution reference value output is input.

The actual weight of the first article is 90 kg, and RA is carried out by steps 106 to 109 similar to the case of FIG.
The shoot number "5" is written in the sorting buffer of M175 (step 106), the weighing output 90.39 kg of the primary weighing conveyor 8A is written in the primary weighing buffer (step 107), and 90.39 kg is the comparison means 32. Is compared with the distribution reference value of 21 kg for the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A (step 108), and the comparison means 3
YES condition in step 108 of 2 ("heavy" output)
Then, the process proceeds to step 109 and the comparison result is RA.
It is written in the judgment buffer of M175. Then, in this case, as described above, the output side interface 173 is used.
Since no output signal is generated at the outputs 45A and 45B, the articles are directly sent to the sorting conveyor 1 via the direct-feeding conveyor line 25 and sorted to the sorting target, the No. 5 chute.

Also for the next article, steps 106 to 1
08 is repeated, but since the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A is 5.03 Kg, the routine proceeds from step 108 to step 115, and this weighing output is sent to the second secondary weighing conveyor 8B by the comparing means 32. Compared with 4.1Kg (step 115), 5.03K
Since g> 4.1 Kg, step 1 of the comparison means 32
By the YES condition (“medium” output) in 15, the comparison result is written in the judgment buffer of the RAM 175 (step 116), and when the time t ₁ set in the timer means T elapses, that is, When this article reaches the deflection roller 404, an output signal is generated from the output side interface 173 to operate the deflection control device 43 of the deflection roller 404 to turn the deflection roller 404 leftward (step 118). Then step 119
And the time t ₂ (this time is equal to or slightly shorter than the time when the article is conveyed from the deflecting roller 404 to the sorting roller 407) has elapsed after the time t ₁ has elapsed. When it is determined that the output is generated at the output 45A of the output side interface 173, the solenoid 428A is energized (step 120),
The articles are sent to the first branch conveyor line 26A. Then, the second secondary weighing conveyor 30A again weighs,
The weighing result of 5.01 Kg is written in the first secondary weighing buffer (step 121).

Since the primary weighing outputs of the third and fourth articles are 11.05 Kg and 10.55 Kg, respectively, the second article
1st secondary weighing conveyor 30A through steps 106 to 108 and steps 115 to 121 in the same manner as the article of FIG.
Are weighed (the weighing outputs of the third and fourth articles are 11.03 Kg and 10.53 Kg, respectively), data is written to the sorting buffer, the primary weighing buffer, the judgment buffer, and the first secondary weighing buffer. Be done.

Also for the fifth article, steps 106-10.
8 is repeated to write the data corresponding to the sorting destination buffer and the primary weighing buffer. Then step 11
5 and N in step 115 of the comparison means 32
The comparison result is written in the determination buffer according to the O condition (“light” output) (step 122). Then, steps 123 to 120 corresponding to steps 117 to 120 described above.
After 126, the article is sent to the second secondary weighing conveyor 30B where it is weighed and its weighing output is 3.005 Kg.
Is written into the second secondary weighing buffer.

As described above, the data written in the sorting buffer, the primary weighing buffer, the determination buffer, and the first and second secondary weighing buffers in the order in which the articles pass are the ROM1.
CPU 17 based on the program written in 74
2 to produce weight data as shown in FIG. 19 (step 128). For the articles weighed by the secondary weighing conveyors 30A and 30B, the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A is erased and the weighing output of each of the secondary weighing conveyors 30A and 30B is used instead. In other words, the weight data shown in FIG. 20 can be created. Such weight data can be used in the same manner as in the previous embodiment. Also, the respective means 31, 32 and T can be provided separately from the microcomputer MC, as in the previous embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the main part of the sorting apparatus in which the embodiment of FIG. 12 is partially modified.
The difference from the second embodiment is that the first branch conveyor line 2
6A and the second branch conveyor line 26B are arranged in a staggered manner in front of and behind each other. Therefore, in this embodiment, the distribution conveyor device 28 shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 is provided for the first branch conveyor line 26A.
A and a merging conveyor device 29A are provided, and a distribution conveyor device 28B and a merging conveyor device 29B that are configured in the left-right direction opposite to 28A and 29A are provided for the second branch conveyor line 26B.
8B has a distribution control device 2 similar to 27A described above.
7B is provided. Since the distance from the primary weighing conveyor 8A to the distribution rollers of the distribution conveyor devices 28A and 28B is different, the timer means T differs in the distance depending on whether the output of the comparison means 32 is "medium" output or "light" output. The respective distribution control devices 27A and 27B are operated with a time delay corresponding to.
Everything else is the same as in the embodiment of FIG. This embodiment is different from the embodiment of FIG.
8B, the merging conveyor devices 29A and 29B, and the distribution control devices 27A and 27B are all simple in structure.

In each of the above embodiments, the distribution reference value for each secondary weighing conveyor is set higher than the upper limit of weighing for that secondary weighing conveyor. However, as shown in the diagram of FIG. As described, the distribution reference value for each secondary weighing conveyor 30A, 30B is set to be equal to or lower than the upper limit of weighing of each secondary weighing conveyor 30A, 30B and higher than the upper limit of weighing immediately below, and If the weight of the weighed article is the weight output of the secondary weighing conveyor, and the weight of the article weighed only by the primary weighing conveyor is the weight output of the primary weighing conveyor, the weight data can be created to ensure the reliability of the weighing data. Will increase.

That is, as shown in FIG. 16, if the distribution reference value for each of the secondary weighing conveyors 30A and 30B is set higher than the upper limit of weighing of the secondary weighing conveyor, the articles having a weight greater than the upper limit of weighing will also be affected. Since it is weighed by the secondary weighing conveyor, there is a problem in the reliability of the secondary weighing output, but the sorting reference value for each secondary weighing conveyor is below the weighing upper limit value of the secondary weighing conveyor and immediately below it. If it is set higher than the upper limit of weighing, the weight of the articles weighed by each secondary weighing conveyor becomes at least the articles below the upper limit of weighing of each secondary weighing conveyor as seen from the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A The reliability of the weighing output is enhanced, and the weighing range of each secondary weighing conveyor can be effectively used, and the measurement accuracy is improved.

An embodiment in which the reliability of the weight data is further improved as compared with the above embodiment is shown in FIGS. 23 to 25.
FIG. 23 is a plan view of the main part of the sorting apparatus, FIG. 24 is a block diagram of this embodiment, and FIG. 25 is an operation flowchart of the microcomputer in this embodiment. Also, FIG.
6 and FIG. 27 show examples of weight data created in this example. Note that the "real weight" column is described in FIG. 26 for the same purpose as that in FIG. 10, that is, for easy understanding.

As described above, each secondary weighing conveyor 30A,
Even if the distribution reference value for 30B is set below the measurement upper limit value of the secondary weighing conveyor and higher than the measurement upper limit value immediately below, respectively, if the distribution reference value is set near the measurement upper limit value of the secondary weighing conveyor, An unreliable weighing output that exceeds the weighing upper limit of the next weighing conveyor may occur. For example, the weighing error appears on the negative side of the primary weighing conveyor 8A (that is, generates a weighing output lower than the actual weight), and the secondary weighing conveyors 30A and 30B appears on the positive side (that is, a weighing output higher than the actual weight). This is the case when the measurement accuracy of the secondary weighing conveyors 30A and 30B deteriorates significantly with respect to the actual weight of the secondary weighing conveyors that exceeds the upper limit of weighing. That is,
As far as the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor is concerned, it is less than or equal to the upper limit of weighing of the secondary weighing conveyor, but the actual weight may exceed the upper limit of weighing, and articles may arrive at the secondary weighing conveyor. In that case, if the weighing output of the secondary weighing conveyor is extremely poor as described above, the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor is more reliable than this weighing output (measurement accuracy is good). In such a case, it is better to adopt the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor rather than the weighing output of the secondary weighing conveyor.

Therefore, in this embodiment, as described in claim 3, the upper limit of measurement of each of the secondary weighing conveyors 30A and 30B (for example, in the case of FIG. 22, the upper limit of weighing of the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A). The value is 20 Kg, and the second secondary weighing conveyor 30B has a weighing upper limit value generating means 49 for generating 4 kg), and the weighing output of each of the secondary weighing conveyors 30A and 30B is the secondary from the weighing upper limit value generating means 49. Second comparing means 50A, 50B are provided for comparing with the upper limit of weighing of the weighing conveyor and generating an output indicating the comparison result. That is, the second comparing means 50A compares the weighing output of the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A with the weighing upper limit value (20 Kg) of the secondary weighing conveyor 30A from the weighing upper limit value generating means 49, and the comparison result. Is generated. Also,
The second comparison means 50B is the second secondary weighing conveyor 30B.
Of the secondary weighing conveyor 30B from the weighing upper limit value generating means 49 is compared, and a signal indicating the comparison result is generated. First comparison means 32
Is the same as the comparison means 32 in the previous embodiment.
In this embodiment as well, it will be explained again that the article transfer time from the primary weighing conveyor 8A to the sorting conveyor 1 is made substantially equal between the direct transfer conveyor line 25 and the respective branch conveyor lines 26A and 26B. There is no end.

The data processing means 17A, in this embodiment,
For articles whose weighing output of the secondary weighing conveyors 30A and 30B is less than or equal to the weighing upper limit value of the secondary weighing conveyor, the output of the first comparing means 32 and the second comparing means 50A and 50B causes the secondary weighing conveyors to output. The weighing output is adopted, and for other articles, the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A is adopted to create weight data. By doing so, the unreliable data from the secondary weighing conveyors 30A and 30B is erased and the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A is adopted instead, and the reliability of the weight data is improved.

A block diagram of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 24, which has the same configuration as that of FIG. 17, except that the microcomputer MC allows the data processing means 17A, the distribution reference value setting means 31, and the first In addition to achieving the functions of the comparing means 32 and the timer means T, the difference is that the functions of the measurement upper limit value generating means 49 and the second comparing means 50A and 50B are also achieved. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the upper limit weighing values of the secondary weighing conveyors 30A and 30B are also written in the ROM 174 in advance.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 25 and the prepared weight data of FIG. Since each step shown in FIG. 25 is almost the same as that in FIG. 18, the same step as shown in FIG.
The same reference numerals as those in FIG. In addition,
In this embodiment, the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A
Upper limit of 20kg, second secondary weighing conveyor 30
The upper limit of weighing of B is 4 kg, and the distribution reference value is 19.8 kg for the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A.
But also for the second secondary weighing conveyor 30B.
It is assumed that 95 kg is set.

The first article (the article in the passing order 1) has an actual weight of 80 kg and the primary weighing conveyor 8A has a weighing output of 79.0.
Since it is Kg, steps 106 to 109 are executed. The actual weight of the second article is 20.2 Kg, which exceeds the weighing upper limit value (20 Kg) of the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A, but the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A is 19.7 K.
g and 3.95 Kg <19.7 Kg <19.8 K
Since it is g, it is weighed by the first secondary weighing conveyor 30A through steps 106 to 108 and steps 115 to 120. The measured output is 21.5 Kg as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 26, and this measured output is compared with the upper limit measurement value 20 Kg of the first secondary measuring conveyor 30A by the second comparing means 50A (( Step 129).
However, since 21.5 Kg> 20 Kg, the NO condition in step 129 of the comparison means 50A causes the process to proceed to step 130, and the second secondary weighing buffer 2
Overflow (OF) is entered instead of 1.5 kg. The dotted line of 21.5 Kg in FIG. 26 is for the sake of understanding and does not appear in the actual weight data.

The actual weight of the third article is 8.0 kg,
Since the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A is 7.8 Kg and 3.95 Kg <7.8 Kg <19.8 Kg, steps 106 to 108 and steps 115 to 1 are performed.
After 20 minutes, due to the YES condition of the output of the second comparing means 50A in step 129, 8.1 kg is written in the first secondary weighing buffer following the OF (step 121).

The actual weight of the fourth article is 4.1 kg, and the weighing upper limit value of the second secondary weighing conveyor 30B (4 K
g) is exceeded, but the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A is 3.9 Kg and 3.9 Kg <3.95 Kg, so the NO condition output (step 115) of the first comparing means 32 causes Proceeding to steps 122 to 126, the second secondary weighing conveyor 30B weighs. The weighing output of the secondary weighing conveyor 30B is 4.6 Kg as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. Then, the measured output of 4.6 Kg is sent to the second comparing means 50 in step 131.
B is compared with 4 Kg, which is the upper limit of weighing of the second secondary weighing conveyor 30B. Then 4.6Kg> 4
Since it is Kg, the second comparison means 50B becomes a NO condition output, and the routine proceeds to step 132, where an overflow (OF) is written in the second secondary weighing buffer.

The actual weight of the fifth article is 2.0 kg,
Since the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A is 1.9 kg, the second secondary weighing conveyor 3 is subjected to steps 106 to 108, 115 and 122 to 126.
Measured at 0B. Then, the weighing output of 2.1 kg is compared with the weighing upper limit value of 4 kg by the second comparing means 50B (step 131), and YES of the comparing means 50B.
By the condition output, the above-mentioned OF is sent to the second secondary weighing buffer.
Then, 2.1 Kg is written.

As described above, the weighing output of each secondary weighing conveyor exceeds the weighing upper limit value of the secondary weighing conveyor (21.5 Kg and 4.6 K shown by the dotted line in FIG. 26).
g) is not used for creating weight data, but instead, the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor 8A is used.

In the case of FIG. 26, when the weighing output of the secondary weighing conveyor is adopted (8.1 Kg and 2.1 Kg)
Also, the weighing output of the first weighing conveyor 8A is also shown, but when the weighing output of the secondary weighing conveyors 30A and 30B is adopted, the writing of the primary weighing output is stopped and the secondary weighing output is exclusively used. Then, the program can be written in the ROM 175 so as to create the weight data as shown in FIG. Also in this embodiment, the distribution reference value setting means 31, the first comparing means 32, the timer means T, the weighing upper limit value generating means 49, and the second comparing means 50A, 5 are used.
OB may be configured by a device separate from the microcomputer MC.

In the above embodiment, one or two branch conveyor lines are provided, but three or more branch conveyor lines may be provided. Although the microcomputer C of the weighing conveyor and the microcomputer MC constituting the data processing means 17A have been described as being separately provided, the microcomputer C may be incorporated in the microcomputer MC to be integrated. The diverter control means 21 of the sorting control device of FIG. 32 can also be integrated into the microcomputer MC. Further, the sorting conveyor 1 is also shown as a belt type, but a large number of trays are run along a predetermined track, the trays are tilted at a predetermined chute, and the articles placed on the trays are discharged to the chute. Alternatively, or instead of the tray, a large number of carriers each having a belt driven in a direction perpendicular to the track are run along the track, and the belt is driven at a predetermined chute. Various types of articles can be used, such as the article placed on the chute, and the like. In the above explanation,
For example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 11, articles whose primary weighing conveyor 8A has a weighing output of "equal or less" to the secondary weighing conveyor 30A are sent to the secondary weighing conveyor 30A and "exceed" this sorting reference value. The articles are sent to the direct transfer conveyor line 25 as they are. Then,
If "exceeds" and "exceeds" here are defined as "exceeds", "exceeds" is only to eliminate the contradiction that is included in both "exceeding" and "below". Since the reference value is only one value indicating the boundary of distribution, when the present invention is carried out, the above “below” is “less than”
However, there is no practical problem even if "exceeds" is "above", and the present invention naturally includes such cases. This also applies to the other embodiments.

[0096]

As described above, according to the present invention, for an article having a weight less than a certain value, after being weighed by the primary weighing conveyor, it is weighed by the secondary weighing conveyor having higher measurement accuracy and the weighing output is adopted. Since the weight data is created in this manner, it is possible to obtain the effect that the weight data with improved accuracy can be created as compared with the case where the weight data is created by weighing with one conventional weighing conveyor.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of a sorting apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a main part of a sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a distribution conveyor device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the merging conveyor device in the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway enlarged plan view of a main part of the sorting conveyor device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between each upper measurement limit and a distribution reference value of the primary measurement conveyor and the secondary measurement conveyor in the present embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of the microcomputer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of measurement accuracy characteristics of the primary weighing conveyor and the secondary weighing conveyor in the present embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of weight data that can be created in the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of weight data that can be created in the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a main part of a sorting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged plan view of the distribution conveyor device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged plan view of the merging conveyor device in the present embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a partially cutaway enlarged plan view of a main part of the distribution conveyor device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a relationship between a weighing upper limit value and a distribution reference value of the primary weighing conveyor and two secondary weighing conveyors in the present embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of the present embodiment.

FIG. 18 is an operation flowchart of the microcomputer according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of weight data that can be created in the present embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing another example of weight data that can be created in the present embodiment.

21 is a plan view of the main part of the sorting apparatus in which the embodiment of FIG. 12 is partially modified.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a relationship between a weighing upper limit value of a primary weighing conveyor and two secondary weighing conveyors and a distribution reference value for each secondary weighing conveyor in yet another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of a main part of a sorting device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of the present embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing the operation of the microcomputer in this embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of weight data that can be created in the present embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing another example of weight data that can be created in the present embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a plan view showing an example of a conventional sorting device including a weighing conveyor.

29 is a side view of the weighing conveyor and the front and rear portions thereof in FIG. 28. FIG.

FIG. 30 is a schematic block diagram of a weighing control device that controls the weighing operation of the weighing conveyor.

FIG. 31 is a schematic operation flowchart for creating weight data in the sorting apparatus of FIG. 28.

FIG. 32 is a schematic block diagram of a sorting control device.

FIG. 33 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of use of weight data.

[Explanation of Codes] 1 Sorting Conveyor 6 Conveying Conveyor 8A Primary Weighing Conveyor 17A Data Processing Means 18 Sorting Destination Information Output Device (Bar Code Reader) 25 Direct Transfer Conveyor Line 26A First Branch Conveyor Line 26B Second Branch Conveyor Line 27, 27A, 42 Sorting control device 28, 28A, 28B, 40 Sorting conveyor device 29, 29A, 29B, 41 Merging conveyor device 30A First secondary weighing conveyor 30B Second secondary weighing conveyor 31 Sorting reference value setting means 32 Comparison Means (First Comparing Means) 49 Means Upper Limit Value Generating Means 50A, 50B Second Comparing Means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A sorting conveyor that sorts articles to their sorting destinations while transporting the articles, a transport conveyor for sending the articles to be sorted to the sorting conveyor, and a article disposed between the transport conveyor and the sorting conveyor to transport the articles. While measuring the weight of each article while generating a weighing output, a primary weighing conveyor, a sorting destination information output device that outputs sorting destination information of each article in the order of sending the articles to the primary weighing conveyor, and the primary weighing conveyor In the sorting device, which is connected to the output and the output of the sorting destination information output device and has a data processing means for creating weight data in which the sorting destination and the weight of each article are associated, the primary weighing conveyor and the sorting conveyor A direct conveyor line arranged between the two, and at least one branching conveyor line parallel to the direct conveyor line; Distribution conveyor device having a distribution control device arranged at a branching portion between the branch conveyor line and the branch conveyor line and distributing the articles sent from the primary weighing conveyor to the direct transfer conveyor line or any of the branch conveyor lines, and the direct transfer conveyor. Merging conveyor device for merging and sending the articles sent from the line and the branch conveyor line to the sorting conveyor, different measurement upper limits provided in each of the branch conveyor lines and lower than the measurement upper limit value of the primary measurement conveyor. A secondary weighing conveyor that has a value and a measurement accuracy that is better than that of the primary weighing conveyor and that has a lower weighing upper limit value, that is, a secondary weighing conveyor that weighs the article while transporting the article and generates a weighing output. The lower the upper limit of weighing for the next weighing conveyor, the lower and immediately above it. A distribution reference value setting means for generating a distribution reference value output indicating each distribution reference value by setting a distribution reference value lower than the quantity upper limit value, and receiving the distribution reference value output and the measurement output of the primary weighing conveyor Comparing both outputs of the above, and providing a comparison means for generating an output showing the comparison result, the distribution control device, based on the output of the comparison means, the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor is the maximum of the distribution reference value. Articles exceeding the above-mentioned ones are sent to the direct conveyor line, and articles below the one are provided with a secondary weighing conveyor having a sorting reference value which is equal to or greater than the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor and is closest to this weighing output. Send it to the line,
The data processing means, the output of the comparison means, the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor, the weighing output of the secondary weighing conveyor, and the output of the sorting destination information output device, the sorting destination for each article, Weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor,
The weight data is created in correspondence with the weighing output of the secondary weighing conveyor, and the direct conveying conveyor line and the branching conveyor line are configured such that the article conveying time from the primary weighing conveyor to the sorting conveyor is through the direct conveying conveyor line. The sorting device is characterized in that it is almost equal between the branch conveyor line and each branch conveyor line. 2. A sorting conveyor for transporting articles while sorting them to their sorting destinations, a transport conveyor for sending the articles to be sorted to the sorting conveyor, and a article disposed between the transport conveyor and the sorting conveyor to transport the articles. While measuring the weight of each article while generating a weighing output, a primary weighing conveyor, a sorting destination information output device for outputting sorting information of each article in the order of sending the articles to the primary weighing conveyor, and the primary weighing conveyor. In the sorting device, which is connected to the output and the output of the sorting destination information output device and has a data processing means for creating weight data in which the sorting destination and the weight of each article are associated with each other, the primary weighing conveyor and the sorting conveyor are provided. A direct conveyor line arranged between the two, and at least one branching conveyor line parallel to the direct conveyor line; Distribution conveyor device having a distribution control device arranged at a branch portion between the branch conveyor line and the branch conveyor line, and distributing the articles sent from the primary weighing conveyor to the direct transfer conveyor line or any of the branch conveyor lines, and the direct transfer conveyor. A merging conveyor device for merging and sending the articles sent from the line and the branch conveyor line to the sorting conveyor, different measurement upper limits provided in each of the branch conveyor lines and lower than the measurement upper limit values of the primary measurement conveyors. A secondary weighing conveyor that has a value and a measurement accuracy that is better than that of the primary weighing conveyor and has a lower weighing upper limit value, that is, a secondary weighing conveyor that weighs the article while conveying the article and generates a weighing output. Immediately below the upper weighing limit of the secondary weighing conveyor for each secondary weighing conveyor Distribution reference value setting means for high distribution reference value from position of the weighing upper limit generates a distribution reference value output indicating the set each distribution reference value,
And comparing means for receiving both the sorting reference value output and the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor, comparing the two outputs, and providing a comparing means for generating an output indicating the comparison result. On the basis of the output, the articles whose weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor exceeds the maximum of the distribution reference value are sent to the direct-feeding conveyor line, and articles less than that are more than the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor and this weighing output. To a branching conveyor line equipped with a secondary weighing conveyor having a distribution reference value closest to, and the data processing means determines the weight of the articles weighed by the secondary weighing conveyor based on the output of the comparing means. The weight output of the secondary weighing conveyor and the weight of the articles weighed only by the primary weighing conveyor are calculated using the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor. Quantity data is created, and the direct conveyor line and the branch conveyor line are configured such that the article transfer time from the primary weighing conveyor to the sorting conveyor is substantially equal between the direct conveyor line and each branch conveyor line. Sorting device characterized by having done. 3. A sorting conveyor for transporting articles while sorting them to their sorting destinations, a transport conveyor for sending the articles to be sorted to the sorting conveyor, and an article disposed between the transport conveyor and the sorting conveyor to transport the articles. While measuring the weight of each article while generating a weighing output, a primary weighing conveyor, a sorting destination information output device for outputting sorting information of each article in the order of sending the articles to the primary weighing conveyor, and the primary weighing conveyor. In the sorting device, which is connected to the output and the output of the sorting destination information output device and has a data processing means for creating weight data in which the sorting destination and the weight of each article are associated with each other, the primary weighing conveyor and the sorting conveyor are provided. A direct conveyor line arranged between the two, and at least one branching conveyor line parallel to the direct conveyor line; Distribution conveyor device having a distribution control device arranged at a branch portion between the branch conveyor line and the branch conveyor line, and distributing the articles sent from the primary weighing conveyor to the direct transfer conveyor line or any of the branch conveyor lines, and the direct transfer conveyor. A merging conveyor device for merging and sending the articles sent from the line and the branch conveyor line to the sorting conveyor, different measurement upper limits provided in each of the branch conveyor lines and lower than the measurement upper limit values of the primary measurement conveyors. A secondary weighing conveyor that has a value and a measurement accuracy that is better than that of the primary weighing conveyor and has a lower weighing upper limit value, that is, a secondary weighing conveyor that weighs the article while conveying the article and generates a weighing output. Immediately below the upper weighing limit of the secondary weighing conveyor for each secondary weighing conveyor Distribution reference value setting means for high distribution reference value from position of the weighing upper limit generates a distribution reference value output indicating the set each distribution reference value,
First comparison means for receiving the distribution reference value output and the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor and comparing the two outputs, and generating an output signal indicating the result of the comparison, the weighing upper limit value of each secondary weighing conveyor And a weighing upper limit value generating means for generating the upper limit value, and comparing the weighing output of each secondary weighing conveyor with the upper weighing limit value of the secondary weighing conveyor from the weighing upper limit value generating means to generate an output indicating the comparison result. According to the output signal of the first comparing means, the sorting control device is provided with two comparing means, and the articles whose weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor exceeds the maximum of the sorting reference value is the direct transfer conveyor line. For the articles below that, the branch conveyor line equipped with the secondary weighing conveyor having the sorting reference value which is equal to or greater than the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor and is closest to this weighing output. And the data processing means uses the output of the first comparison means and the second comparison means to output the articles whose weighing output of the secondary weighing conveyor is less than or equal to the weighing upper limit value of the secondary weighing conveyor. The weighing output of the secondary weighing conveyor is adopted, and the weighing output of the primary weighing conveyor is used for other articles to create the weight data, and the direct transfer conveyor line and the branch conveyor line are connected from the primary weighing conveyor. The sorting device is characterized in that the article transport time to the sorting conveyor is made substantially equal between the direct conveyor line and each branch conveyor line.