JPH08143133A - Transfer device control method and transfer device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a transfer device control method and a transfer device capable of controlling individual units by one control means, reducing the wiring works by various working terminals, dispensing with special operators for the electric wiring works, simplifying the installation work of the transfer equipment, and saving the space. CONSTITUTION: A sensing means 4 which is an actuating terminal provided on a conveyor 1 to carry an article W in the prescribed direction, an actuator 7 and control terminals 38a, 38b capable of address setting to a motor 30 are provided, and the control terminals are controlled by a control means provided on one end of main control wirings 41, 42.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transfer device control method and a transfer device such as a conveyor for moving various articles or a sorting device for sorting in a physical distribution process such as a factory or a distribution center.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a factory or a distribution center for distribution, various kinds of conveyors and transfer devices such as a sorting device have been used in a wide range of fields for conveying and sorting articles. Then, in this transfer device, for example, an interval for conveying the articles is appropriately maintained, or an accumulation operation is performed on the articles to control the timing of sending the articles to a predetermined location, and further, the articles are detected. Various operations such as identification are required. In many cases, although this type of transfer device is large and small, a plurality of units of appropriate size are connected to form a transfer facility capable of performing the above work.

[0003]

In a transfer device of this type, for example, in a device using a centralized control system, if the number of power sources and various sensors for driving each transfer device increases, As a result of an increase in the amount of external wiring, which is power wiring and control wiring, there is a problem that the construction period of the site when laying the above-mentioned transfer equipment becomes long and the cost of the equipment increases. In addition, each time the equipment design is changed, power supply wiring and the like have to be done, which causes a problem of extremely troublesome work. Under these circumstances,
For example, a conveyor device as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-125219 has been proposed.

This apparatus is provided with an operating means for inputting to the control means a code indicating the constitution of the conveyor main body, a code of the equipment for carrying the article into the conveyor main body, and a code of the equipment for carrying out the article from the conveyor main body. Is configured to control each conveyor control device by selecting a control block stored in advance by the input code signal of the operating means. However, in the configuration disclosed in this publication, the control means does not have to be redesigned each time and a design error can be prevented, but this control method controls the central control means for each conveyor device. It is a so-called star-shaped configuration that is provided with a box (provided with a programmable controller, etc.) and that not only has a problem in cost reduction of each conveyor device, but also exchanges signals radially around the central control means. It is a connection method. Therefore, at present, the problems such as the increase in wiring and the complication of connection work accompanying the enlargement of the equipment as described above have not been solved at all. In particular, recent transfer devices are often provided with, for example, detection sensors and switches for articles, drive systems, display systems, and the like due to the complexity of control, and the wiring of these devices is only becoming more complicated. There is a long-felt need for technology related to the easiness of laying in the field.

An object of the present invention is that not only can individual units be controlled by one control means, but also the work of wiring various operating terminals can be reduced, and in particular, a specialized worker for electric wiring is required. It is an object of the present invention to provide a transfer device control method and a transfer device capable of simplifying the laying work of transfer equipment.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above object of the present invention is to provide an addressable control terminal at each operating terminal provided in a transfer device for conveying articles in a predetermined direction, and branch the control terminal to a control main wiring. The transfer device control method is characterized in that the control device is connected and the control terminal is controlled by a control means provided at one end of the control main wiring.

Further, an addressable control terminal is provided in each operating terminal provided in a transfer device for transporting articles in a predetermined direction, the operating terminal is branched and connected to a power source main wiring, and the control terminal is connected to the control main wiring. This can also be achieved by a transfer device control method, which is branched and connected, and the control terminal is controlled by a control means provided at one end of the control main wiring.

A similar object of the present invention is to provide a main body of a transfer device, which is supported by a gantry and has at least a transfer system for carrying articles in a predetermined direction, and which is involved in the operation of the transfer system and main power wiring. And a working terminal to which power is supplied in a branch connection from the power supply device.

Further, a transfer device main body having at least a transfer system for supporting an article in a predetermined direction and supported by a gantry, and an operating terminal which is involved in the operation of the transfer system and which is supplied with electric power from a power source main wiring. And a control terminal connected to each of the operating terminals to enable at least address setting of the operating terminals and connected to the control means by a bus.

[0010]

According to the present invention as described above, each operating terminal provided in the transfer device is provided with a control terminal capable of setting an address, and the power source main wiring or the control power source main wiring is connected to this operating terminal. Since the control terminal is controlled by the control means at one end through the minimum control main wiring by the bus-like connection, even if the number of operating terminals controlled by the control means becomes large, The power supply main wiring, the control power supply main wiring, and the control main wiring can be configured with a minimum of main wiring. Further, when the power supply main wiring, the control power main wiring connecting terminals and the control main wiring connecting terminals are arranged on both ends of the transfer apparatus main body in the article transport direction, a plurality of transfer main bodies can be connected. Wiring can be completed only by connecting the connection terminals of the transfer devices adjacent to each other. In addition, a branch line is drawn out in the middle of the power supply main wiring, the control power supply main wiring, and the control main wiring,
The end of the branch line is provided with a terminal connector for connecting the operating terminal with one touch, so that the connecting of the operating terminal can be performed very easily. The bus-like connection which constitutes the invention of the present application is a connection form in which a plurality of terminals are branched and connected to a control main wiring, which is a common transmission line, and the terminals are composed of an input terminal for supplying data to the control means and a control means. It is composed of an output terminal to which data is supplied, and exchanges control signals in both directions.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an accumulation conveyor which is a part of a transfer device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part thereof, FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the entire transfer device, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a wiring system, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the control means shown in FIG. 4. In FIG. 1, a conveyor 1 includes a frame 2 (see FIG. 2) provided to face each other along a conveyance path, a device main body 20 including a pedestal equipped with legs 21 and other supporting members, and above the frame 2. Frame 2
A conveyor surface for conveying the article W in a predetermined direction is constituted by a conveyor roller 3 rotatably provided in a direction perpendicular to the direction. Further, for example, a photoelectric type sensing means 4 provided on the upper end surface of the frame 2 in which the conveyor rollers 3 are arranged side by side, and the conveyor rollers 3 installed below the conveyor rollers 3 for rotating the conveyor rollers 3 in a predetermined direction. The driving endless belt 5 is provided.

The endless belt 5 is stretched by a bridging roller 23 arranged at the front and rear ends of the apparatus main body 20 of the conveyor, and one roller 23 thereof is used as the motor 3
Driven by 0. Further, as a structure for bringing the driving endless belt 5 into contact with and separating from the conveyor roller 3, for example, a swing support member 6 which is swingable around a shaft pin 10 serving as a swing fulcrum is provided. An actuator 7, such as an electromagnetic valve, which can move in the vertical direction for swinging 6 on the basis of the detection signal of the sensing means 4, is further provided.
The elastic support member 8 such as a tension spring for urging in the clockwise direction is provided. The operation terminals 38a and 38b involved in the operation of the transfer system such as the above-mentioned motor, actuator 7, and sensing means 4 are two control power supply main wirings 3.
Control power and AC power source 70 from 1, 32:71, 72
Is configured to be supplied with motive power, and a plurality of motive powers are provided as needed. That is, these operating terminals are connected to each of the terminals so that at least the address of the operating terminal can be set, and the control terminal 38a is connected to the control means 50 described later by the control main wirings 41 and 42 in the form of a bus. 38b is adapted to operate appropriately. Control power supply main wiring 31, 32, control main wiring 41,
42 and power supply main wirings 71 and 72 are provided along the conveyor frame 2 by a saddle 33. The operation terminal 38a connected to the motor 30 may be provided in the middle of the power supply main wirings 71 and 72, instead of being branched from the power supply main wirings 71 and 72.

Further, in the conveyor 1, the connection terminals of the control power source main wirings 31 and 32 and the control main wirings 41 and 42 are provided on both end sides of the apparatus main body 20 in the article transport direction (sides on which the bridging rollers are arranged). The machine body end connector 35 in which the connection terminals are integrally arranged is arranged, and the machine body end connector 75 including the connection terminals of the power supply main wirings 71 and 72 is arranged. Therefore, this device body 20
When a plurality of apparatus main bodies 20 are connected to each other, wiring of the apparatus main bodies is completed by connecting the machine body end connectors 35 and 75 of the adjacent apparatus main bodies 20. Further, a branch line 45 is drawn out to the control power source main line and the control main line, and the number of terminal connectors 36 capable of connecting operating terminals with one touch is greater than the number initially required at the end of the branch line. It is provided in advance. Similarly, a branch line 85 is provided in the main wiring of the power source.
, And a terminal connector 76 is provided at the end of this branch line. Therefore, when the function of the conveyor 1 is added later, it can be added very easily by the remaining terminal connectors 36 and 76. On the other hand, it is not necessary to provide the terminal connectors 36 and 76 in the apparatus body which does not require the branch connection of the operating terminals.

The frame 2 has a collar portion 9 on both upper and lower sides.
C channel member or the like having, and are laid along the transport path with the flange portions 9 facing outward with a predetermined interval therebetween. At a predetermined position of the collar portion 9, for example, a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2) of the sensing means 4 are provided so as to face each other. In addition to the detection, the distance between the articles can also be detected. A plurality of conveyor rollers 3 are rotatably installed in the upper part of the facing surface of the frame 2 in a direction perpendicular to the laying direction of the frame 2, and articles placed on these conveyor rollers 3 are fixed. It is configured to be conveyed at a constant speed in the direction. This conveyance is performed by a driving endless belt 5 which is stretched along the frame 2 with a slight gap below the conveyor roller 3. The driving force is transmitted only when the driving endless belt 5 comes into contact with the conveyor roller 3, and the stationary state is maintained when the driving endless belt 5 is separated from the conveyor roller 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the swing support member 6 is a plate-like member which is swingably supported by the shaft pin 10 and is provided with a belt pressing roller 14 at one end thereof. A suitable structure is provided around the shaft pin so that it can easily rotate. The pressing roller 14 is a roller having a sheave-shaped circumferential portion for accommodating the driving endless belt 5, and the driving endless belt 5 does not deviate from the outer peripheral surface of the pressing roller 14. . Then, the endless belt 5 moves up and down so as to come into contact with the conveyor roller 3 as the actuator 7 arranged so as to come into contact with the lower end side of the swing support member 6 expands and contracts. If necessary, a brake device for braking the rotation of the conveyor roller 3 may be provided.

The transfer device is controlled by the control system shown in FIG. That is, the control means 50 provided at one end of the control and control power supply main wiring, and the control terminal 38a such as the sensing means 4 which is supplied with power via the control power supply main wiring and is controlled via the control main wiring. 38b
It is composed of The control means connected via both main wirings includes an output terminal controlled by the control means and an input terminal for supplying external information to the control means in order to control the output terminal. The address is set. The control means 50 is the control terminal 38a.
Programmable controller 5 for sequence control
4, I / O connector unit 5 with input / output calculation function
6 and a control unit 58. Further, the control unit 58 has a power supply unit 60 that supplies a DC 24V power supply, a clock generation unit 62, a shift register 64, and a diagnosis unit 66 that diagnoses the control line and the control unit.

The operation will be described below. First, the address of the photoelectric type sensing means as an input terminal is set to 0 and the control unit 58 is made to recognize it. After the control unit 58 recognizes the sensing means as one input terminal, the control unit 58
The data of the start bit, the address bit of one channel (1ch) and the data of the end bit are sequentially transmitted to the control main wiring according to the internal clock. Each bit data is pulse width modulated, and the high level (H) is set to the voltage 12V and the low level (L) is set to the voltage 0V with reference to the voltage 24V.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show timing charts when the sensing means emits light and when the light is shielded, respectively. That is, at the time of light incidence, after the start bit is generated, the initial bit of the address bit is set to the high level and the end bit is added. In the case of light shielding, after the start bit is generated, the initial bit of the address bit is set to low level and the end bit is added. It should be noted that the data consisting of the start bit, the address bit and the end bit makes one cycle at a voltage of 0V. The connector unit 56 having an input / output calculation function distinguishes the light entering and the light blocking of the sensing means by using the bit set to the voltage of 0 V as a count. That is, the connector unit 56 generates a trigger signal when a total of two times, a bit having a voltage of 0 V in the preceding stage of the start bit and a bit having a voltage of 0 V as an initial bit of the address bit, are counted,
The programmable controller 54 is operated. on the other hand,
The output terminal controlled by the control means is accessed based on the self-address designated by the connector unit 56. Examples of the input terminal include a beam sensor, a fiber sensor, a limit switch, a proximity switch, a push button, and the like, in addition to the above-mentioned sensing means. Also,
Output terminals include magnet switches, solenoids,
A manifold, a solenoid valve, a cylinder, a lamp, etc. are illustrated.

In the above embodiments, the case where the present invention is applied to an accumulation conveyor using rollers has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and is applied to transfer devices such as various other conveyors. It is possible.

[0020]

As described above, according to the control method of the present invention, the power source main wiring and the control power source main wiring of the operating terminal of the transfer device (conveyor) and the control main wiring from one control means are minimized. Since it can be carried out with limited wiring, it is possible to provide a transfer device capable of avoiding the complication of the structure of the transfer device and the laying work. Further, the transfer device according to the present invention has a configuration in which an addressable control terminal is provided in each operation terminal provided in the transfer device, and a power supply main wiring or a control power supply main wiring is connected to the operation terminal. Since the control terminal is controlled by the control means at one end through the minimum control main wiring by the bus-like connection, even if there are a large number of operating terminals controlled by the control means, the main power source for each terminal The wiring and the control main wiring can be configured with a minimum of main wiring. Furthermore, connecting terminals of the power supply main wiring and the control power supply main wiring and connecting terminals of the control main wiring are arranged at both ends of the transfer apparatus main body in the article conveying direction, so that the plurality of transfer apparatus main bodies are connected. Wiring can be completed by simply connecting the connection terminals of the adjoining transfer devices, so not only can individual units be controlled by a single control means, but wiring work for various operating terminals can be reduced. The work time can be shortened by simplifying the laying work of the transfer facility. In addition, a branch line is drawn out in the middle of the power supply main wiring, the control power supply main wiring, and the control main wiring, and a terminal connector that allows one-touch connection of operating terminals is provided at the end of this branch line. , It is extremely easy to connect terminals, and if, for example, more terminals are provided in advance than the initially required number, it will be extremely simple due to the remaining terminals when the function of the transfer device is added later. It is extremely easy to change the specifications of the equipment such as the addition to the above. Further, since the power supply main wiring, the control power supply main wiring, and the control main wiring of the transfer device of the present invention have the number of wires determined from the beginning, the electrical connection such as the connection between the transfer devices and the connection of the operating terminals, etc. With regard to wiring, it is possible to easily connect without requiring a worker specializing in electrical instrumentation work, and it is possible to exert a remarkable effect in shortening the construction period of the transfer facility.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a main part of a transfer device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the entire transfer device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a control means and its wiring system according to the present invention.

5 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the control means shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the control means shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Conveyor 2 Conveyor Frame 3 Conveyor Roller 4 Sensing Means 6 Swing Support Means 7 Actuator 10 Axis Pin 20 Device Main Body 21 Leg 23 Stretching Roller 30 Motor 31, 32 Control Power Main Wiring 33 Saddle 35, 75 Machine End Connector 36, 76 Terminal Connector 38a, 38b Control Terminal 41, 42 Control Main Wiring 50 Control Means 54 Programmable Controller 56 Connector Unit 58 Control Unit 60 Power Supply Section 62 Clock Generation Section 64 Shift Register 66 Diagnostic Section 71, 72 Power Power Main Wiring

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An addressable control terminal (38b: 38a) is provided to each operating terminal (4, 7:30) provided in a transfer device (1) for conveying an article (W) in a predetermined direction, and the control is performed. A transfer device control method comprising branching and connecting a terminal to a control main wiring (41, 42), and controlling the control terminal by a control means (50) provided at one end of the control main wiring. 2. An addressable control terminal (38b: 38a) is provided at each operating terminal (4, 7:30) provided in a transfer device (1) for transporting an article (W) in a predetermined direction, and the operation is performed. The terminal is branched and connected to the power supply main wiring (31, 32: 71, 72) and the control terminal is connected to the control main wiring (41,
42) is branched and connected, and the control terminal is controlled by a control means (50) provided at one end of the control main wiring. 3. A transfer device main body (20) having at least a transfer system for supporting an article (W) in a predetermined direction and supported by a gantry, and a main power supply wiring (31) involved in the operation of the transfer system. Three
2:71, 72) and an operating terminal (4, 7:30) to which power is supplied by branch connection. 4. A transfer device main body (20) having at least a transfer system for supporting an article (W) in a predetermined direction, which is supported by a gantry, and a power supply main wiring (31) involved in the operation of the transfer system. Three
2:71, 72) to which the operating terminals (4,
7:30), and a control terminal (38b: 38a) connected to each of the operating terminals to enable at least address setting of the operating terminals and connected to the control means (50) by a bus. A transfer device characterized by the above.