JPH07277576A - Apparatus for sorting plate-like workpiece - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a sorted workpiece from damage by judging whether or not the sorting is needed from a pattern of a workpiece recorded in the passage through an inspection section and a reference pattern and jetting compressed air to the workpiece in a workpiece sorting section when the sorting is needed to separate the workpiece from a conveying path and receive it in a receiving section. CONSTITUTION:A pattern on the upper surface of a plate-like workpiece 6 passing through an upper surface inspecting region Q is read out by a camera 3(a). The read-out pattern data are converted converted to digital electric signals and inputted to a controller 10 which compares this pattern with a previously stored reference pattern to judge whether or not this pattern is accepted. Similarly, the lower surface pattern is detected in a lower surface inspecting region R to be processed similarly. When the workpiece is judged to need the sorting as the result of the judgement, compressed air is jetted from a compressed air jet nozzles provided on both sides of a chuck plate 14 in a workpiece sorting section 4 in synchronization with the passage through a workpiece receiving section 11 to sort and receive the workpiece in the receiving section 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a sorting apparatus for sorting a plate-shaped work according to its type, good or bad.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional plate-shaped work separating device (B) is shown in FIG.
As shown in Fig. 5, a large number of upper surface support rollers (51) are arranged immediately above the transport path (50), air below is sucked from between the upper surface support rollers (51), and the plate-shaped workpiece ( A chamber (53) for transferring by sucking and contacting the upper surface of 52) was installed. A work storage unit (54) is installed immediately below the transfer path (50), and when the plate-shaped work (52) is dropped into the work storage unit (54), an elevating frame member (provided between the upper support rollers (51) ( 55) is lowered according to the passage of the plate work (52), and the plate work (52)
Away from the upper support roller (51)
The plate-like work (52) was dropped into (54).

However, in this case, the lifting frame member (55) is placed on the upper surface of the plate-like work (52) which is sucked from between the upper surface support rollers (51) and is supported and transferred by the upper surface support rollers (51). Since it is mechanically pressed by the above to separate from the upper surface supporting roller (51), the lifting frame member (55) and the plate-like work (5
2) Depending on the state of contact with the contact surface of the plate-like work (52) (=
There was a problem that the upper surface could be scratched.

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and in the separating portion of the plate-like work, the upper surface of the plate-like work is conveyed without contact and at the time of separating. However, the purpose is to remove the plate-like work from the transport path without contacting the plate-like work and drop it into the work storage part so that the plate-like work is not scratched or soiled at the time of separation.

[0005]

A plate-like work separating apparatus (A) of the present invention is a separating device (1) for separating plate work (6) of one or a plurality of types according to the type, good or bad. In A), the work storage part (11) opened in the transport path of the plate-like work (6)
A transfer roller (8) for nipping and transferring the plate-like work (6) before and after the work storage section (11), and the transfer roller just above the opening of the work storage section (11).
Gas flows out from the chuck plate (14), which is arranged between (8) and sucks the upper surface of the plate-like work (6) that is being transferred in a non-contact manner with a space between the chuck plate and the lower surface of the chuck plate (14). Gas outflow nozzle (1
6) and on both sides of the chuck plate (14),
When the (6) is stored in the work storage part (11), the compressed gas is injected to the plate-like work (6) which is moving just below the chuck plate (14), and the plate-like work (6) is stored in the work storage part (6). 11), and conversely, when passing through the work storage section (11) without storing it in the work storage section (11), the plate-like work being passed
It is characterized by comprising a compressed gas injection nozzle (17) which is controlled so as not to inject compressed gas toward (6).

According to this, the pattern of the plate-like work (6) recorded when passing through the inspection section (3) and the reference pattern stored in the control device (10) are compared, Or, in the case of a plate-like work (6) to be classified and discriminated, compressed air is injected to the plate-like work (6) that has reached the work separation part (4) by the compressed gas injection nozzle (17). And to be stored in the work storage section (11) after being separated from the transport path (P).
On the other hand, in the case of the plate-like work (6) that should not be separated, the compressed air is not ejected from the compressed gas injection nozzle (17) and is passed as it is and stored in the work recovery section (5).

Here, since the chuck plate (14) utilizing the Bernoulli effect is used in the work accommodating portion (11), the plate-like work (6) is conveyed without contacting the chuck plate (14). Moreover, the plate-like work (6) can be detached without contact. This prevents the surface of the plate-like work (6) from being scratched or soiled during the sorting work.

[0008]

The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a front view of a work sorting apparatus (A) according to the present invention, which includes a work supply unit (1), a work transfer unit (2), an inspection unit (3),
It is composed of a work separation part (4) and a work recovery part (5).

The plate-like work (6) is, for example, a resin plate-like body such as a telephone card or a cash card, or a packaging container formed of cardboard, and has characters and patterns on both front and back surfaces or only on the surface. It is described. Separation methods include the case where the plate-like work (6) is made into a plurality of types, and the plate-like works (6) are classified into one or a plurality of types.
There is a case where the surface state of is checked and the quality is selected.

The work supply section (1) is of an elevator type, for example, and lifts a plate-like work (6) laminated on a lift plate (7a) along a guide (7) with a pitch feed. It is like this. The uppermost plate-shaped works (6) reaching the upper end of the work supply unit (1) are picked up one by one by the work transfer unit (2).

The work transfer section (2) is a pair of upper and lower transfer rollers.
(8) and the reference roller (2
1) and a pair of upper and lower transfer rollers (8) hold the end of the work supply section (1) and hold the plate-shaped work (6).
One side edge is guided by the reference roller (21) and is transported in the downstream direction. (P) is a transport path located between the pair of upper and lower transport rollers (8), and the plate-like work (6) is transported along the transport path (P).

(3) is an inspection unit, which is a plate-like work (6) in the embodiment.
It is installed on the upper and lower sides so that the upper and lower sides of can be inspected at the same time. Therefore, if the surface to be inspected of the plate-like work (6) is only the front surface side, only one inspection unit (3) is required. If the work is three-dimensional and inspection of 3 to 4 surfaces is required, the inspection unit (3) will be installed on the side surface. Here, (3a) is the upper surface inspection unit, and (3b) is the lower surface inspection unit. The inspection section (3) is a camera (3a) and lighting equipment (3b)
The inspection area of the camera (3b) is
It is supposed to irradiate in (b).

Cameras provided above and below the transfer roller (8)
(3a) is focused on the upper surface inspection area (Q) and the lower surface inspection area (r) provided in the space between the transfer rollers (8), respectively. Was recorded,
The image is converted into a digital signal and input to the control device (10).

The control device (10) compares the digital signals of the front and back images of the plate-like work (6) input from the camera (3) with the standard pattern signal that has been input in advance to determine the plate-like shape. The quality of the front surface (and / or the back surface) of the work (6) is determined.

(4) is a work sorting section, and a work storage section (11) opening to the transport path (P) is provided immediately below the transport path (P). The work storage part (11) is, for example, a lifter that descends along the guide (12), and is a stacking stand of the work storage part (11).
The plate-like work (6) is laminated on (13).
A chuck plate (14) is installed directly above the stacking table (13).

Here, the lower transfer roller (8b) is not provided in conformity with the opening of the work storage part (11), and this part is provided with a pair of upper transfer roller (8a) and a reference roller (8b). 21) only. The upper transfer rollers (8a) are arranged on both sides of the chuck plate (14), and are attached to the drive shaft (8b) arranged along the groove (14a) formed in the upper surface of the chuck plate (14). Both upper transfer rollers (8a) are driven. A gas outflow nozzle (15) is installed on the upper surface of the chuck plate (14), and the gas is allowed to flow out from a gas outflow hole (16) formed in the lower surface of the chuck plate (14).

On both sides of the chuck plate (14), compressed gas jet nozzles (17) having lower openings are installed so that downward compressed air is jetted from between the adjacent upper transfer rollers (8a). The compressed gas is ejected toward the plate-like work (6) which moves just below the chuck plate (14). The gas used here is generally air.

Reference numeral (20) is a mounting column mounted on the mounting plate (19), and the chuck plate (14) is mounted on the lower end thereof. The mounting plate (19) is fixed to the pedestal (18), and the height of the chuck plate (14) can be adjusted by moving the mounting screw (20a) of the mounting column (20) up and down. .

(8c) is a drive pulley provided at the end of the drive shaft (8b), and the endless timing belt (8d) is engaged with the drive pulley to rotate the drive shaft (8b). A urethane outer ring (8a) is wound around the outer periphery of the upper transfer roller (8a) so as not to scratch the surface of the plate-like work (6).

Reference numeral (21) is a reference roller, which is rotatably installed on a pedestal (18) in a horizontal plane, and is nipped and transferred by an upper transfer roller (8a) and a lower transfer roller (8b). The plate-like work (6) is in contact with one side edge of the plate-like work (6) and guides the plate-like work (6) being transferred so as not to shift.

Therefore, a large number of plate-like works (6) are laminated on the lift plate (7a), and the lift plate (7a) is raised by pitch feed while being guided by the guide (7). The uppermost work supply part (1) of the plate-shaped works (6) stacked on the lift plate (7a) is sent to the work transfer part (2) one by one,
Directly below the upper surface inspection section (3a).

The control device (10) stores reference patterns on both front (and / or back) sides of the plate-like work (6) as electric signals, and the plate-like work (Q) passing through the upper surface inspection area (Q) is stored. 6)
The pattern on the upper surface of (1) is read by the camera (3), converted into a digital electric signal, and compared with a reference pattern previously input to the control device (10) to judge the quality.

Subsequently, the lower surface inspection region (r) is reached, the pattern of the lower surface of the plate-like work (6) is sampled by the lower camera (3a), and the plate shape is formed by the control unit (10) as described above. The quality is determined by comparison with the reference pattern on the lower surface of the work (6). In addition, the reference pattern is input to the control device (10) by passing a reference plate-shaped work free from scratches and dirt, and the front surface (and / or back surface) pattern of the upper (and lower) camera (3).
A), read the digital electric signal and control device (10)
By typing in.

The plate-like work (6) which has passed through the upper surface inspection area (Q) and the lower surface inspection area (r) reaches the work separating section (4), and the plate-like work judged to be a good product by the control device (10). The work (6) passes through as it is and is stored in the work collecting unit (5).

[0025] A plate-like work (6) which is judged to be a non-defective product because at least one of the front and back has scratches or dirt.
When it reaches the work separation part (4), air is blown from the compressed gas ejection nozzle (17) toward the plate-like work (6) as the plate-like work (6) passes through the work storage part (11). , The plate-like work (6) is released from the adsorption of the chuck plate (14) and dropped into the work storage section (11). As a result, the defective product is stored in the work storage unit (11), and the non-defective product is not stored in the work storage unit (11) but is passed therethrough and stored there.

The operation of the chuck plate (14) will now be described. As described above, the work storage part (11) with an upper surface opening is installed just below the chuck plate (14), and the defective plate-shaped work (6) is dropped into this work storage part (11). The lower transfer roller (8B) is not installed in this part because it is inserted.

Therefore, here, the chuck plate (14) utilizing the Benouloi principle is used. That is, the gas outflow nozzle (15) installed on the chuck plate (14)
Gas is supplied from the gas outlet and flows out downward through the gas outlet hole (16). Below this chuck plate (14) is a plate-like work (6).
When the upper transfer roller (8a) and the lower transfer roller (8b) have their side edges sandwiched and are transferred, the chuck plate
The gas blown from the bottom surface of (14) is the chuck plate.
Flowing between the plate (14) and the plate-like work (6), the plate-like work (6) is sucked without contacting the chuck plate (14) by the Benouloi's principle. At this time, the upper surfaces of both ends of the plate-like work (6) are in contact with the upper transfer roller (8a), and the plate-like work (6) is conveyed as it is by rotating the upper transfer roller (8a). Will be

Plate-shaped work by the chuck plate (14)
Since the suction force of (6) is relatively weak, even if the plate-shaped work (6) comes into contact with the upper transfer roller (8a) and rotates, the surface of the plate-shaped work (6) will be scratched. And does not get dirty. In addition, the chuck plate (1
Since the plate-like work (6) and the plate-like work (6) are not in contact with each other, the plate-like work (6) is not scratched or soiled.

Further, when compressed air is blown from the compressed gas jet nozzle (17) onto the plate-like work (6), the plate-like work (6) is easily separated from the chuck plate (14) by suction, and the work storage ( 11) will be depressed. In this way, the plate-like work (6) is sorted into a good product and a defective product, and only the good product is taken into the work collecting section (5).

[0030]

According to the present invention, when it is necessary to convey a plate-like work by non-contact suction utilizing the Benouloi's principle and separate the plate-like work, the plate-like work passing through the work separating section is provided. It can be easily desorbed by blowing compressed air toward. Therefore, it is possible to sort the plate-shaped workpieces without contact,
It is possible to prevent scratches and dirt from being attached when separating plate-like works.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a plate-shaped work separating apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a work separation part of the work separation device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view in the direction perpendicular to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a partially omitted perspective view of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (A) ... Sorting device (6) ... Plate work (8) ... Transfer roller (11) ... Work storage (14) ... Chuck plate (16) ... Gas outflow nozzle (17) ... Compressed gas injection nozzle

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. One to a plurality of types of plate-shaped workpieces,
In a sorting device that sorts by type or good or bad, a work storage unit that is opened in a transport path for plate-shaped works, a transfer roller that holds and transports plate-shaped works before and after the work storage unit, and a work storage unit Of the chuck plate disposed between the transfer rollers directly above the opening of the chuck plate for sucking the upper surface of the plate-like work being transferred in a non-contact manner with a gap, so that the gas flows out from the lower surface of the chuck plate. The gas outflow nozzles installed on the chuck plate and the plate-like workpieces installed on both sides of the chuck plate that are directly below the chuck plate when the plate-like workpieces are stored in the work storage part. When a flat work is dropped into the work storage part and, conversely, it is allowed to pass through the work storage part without being stored in the work storage part, compressed gas is directed toward the plate-like work being passed. A plate-like work separation device, which is configured with a compressed gas injection nozzle that is controlled so as not to eject.