JPH0814496A - Gas charger device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatize a properly paired operation, properly arranging the center of a charge vessel and a direction of a charge port, and to attain improving efficiency of charging work. CONSTITUTION:A turn table 5 is provided between a supply conveyer 2 of a charge vessel 1 and a gas charger machine 4. Back-to-back paired struts 6, 6 and a mover 61 moving the strut in a diametric direction of the turn table are provided on the turn table 5. Each strut 6 comprises a vessel receiving base capable of moving vertically and in a horizontal direction by mounting the charge vessel l, centering device 8 of the charge vessel and valve holding fitting enaged with a valve in a charge vessel upper part on the vessel receiving base to properly arrange a direction of a charge port of the valve. In this way, when the charge vessel is supplied to the gas charger machine by the one strut, the next charge vessel is received by the other strut, to perform a properly paired operation during the time turned to a side of the gas charger machine 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas filling device for filling a filling container (cylinder) with LP gas, propane gas, etc., and automates the operation of feeding a filling container received from a supply conveyor to a gas filling machine. The present invention relates to a gas filling device capable of smoothing the supply to a gas filling machine and improving the efficiency of filling work.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional gas filling apparatus, an empty filling container transferred on a supply conveyor is manually moved to a gas filling machine at a filling position, and the filling container has a filling port of a valve which is a nozzle of the gas filling machine. The nozzle is connected so that it fits in the same direction, the valve is opened for filling, and when filling is completed, the nozzle is removed and the filling container is returned to the conveyor for discharge, which requires a great deal of labor and time. There is.

In order to save such filling work,
An apparatus for automating the connection between the filling port of the valve and the nozzle and the opening / closing operation of the connected valve is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
-67214 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-71598.

However, even if the connection work between the filling port of the filling container and the nozzle of the gas filling machine is automated in this way, the empty filling container sent from the supply conveyor does not have the same valve direction. The operation of aligning the position of the filling container and the direction of the valve according to the nozzle position of the gas filling machine is difficult because automation is difficult because the filling conveyor sends mixed filling containers of different sizes and the shape of the valve is not constant. It was In addition, since workers are assigned to the filling work for monitoring, the work of aligning the direction of the valves also serves as monitoring without automating like the work of sending the filling container to the gas filling machine. The current situation is that it is done manually by staff.

In order to fill a plurality of filling containers with gas at the same time, a plurality of gas filling machines are radially provided on a rotating table that rotates at a low speed, and the filling is fed from a feeding conveyor at a feeding position of the filling containers. Transfer the container to a moving gas filling machine by hand, adjust the position of the filling container so that the valve matches the position of the filling nozzle, connect the filling nozzle to the valve, and fill the gas while the rotating table is rotating. However, it is proposed that the filling nozzle be removed and then taken out after the filled container is rotated to the discharging position.

In this apparatus, the filling container can be supplied to the sequentially rotating gas filling machine to perform a plurality of gas fillings at the same time. However, as described above, the feeding and the position of the filling container are changed. Adjustments, nozzle connections, and removal of the filled container after filling are done manually, and because it is performed while rotating the rotating table, the work is difficult and dangerous, and there is no accident such as accidentally falling the filling container. Therefore, the labor of the worker is great, and the efficiency of the filling work cannot be improved. Further, the manual work has a sanitary problem because the worker may inhale gas leaking from the valve or the nozzle of the filling machine when the nozzle is attached or detached.

Therefore, the present applicant has previously filed Japanese Patent Application No. 6-
According to No. 19003, a centering device that has a rotating base that moves intermittently and is provided at the supply end of a supply conveyor that is provided at a stop position of the gas filling machine is provided with a centering device that centers the body of the filling container to be supplied. The center of the filling container is aligned and the filling container is lifted from below the container, and it is equipped with a feed manipulator that aligns the direction of the valve with sandwiching arms that sandwich both sides of the valve. Therefore, we proposed an automatic filling device that moves to the rotary table and feeds it to the gas filling machine without manpower.

[0008]

However, in the case where the filling container is manually supplied to the gas filling machine as described above, not only the labor is great but also there is a danger and there is a sanitary problem.
Further, in the rotary table that intermittently rotates with a plurality of gas filling machine, in the one that feeds the gas filling machine by sandwiching the filling container with the feed manipulator provided at the stop position, the position of the filling container and the direction of the valve, It is necessary to supply the gas to the gas filling machine on the rotating table after aligning it so that it is correctly opposed to the filling nozzle of the gas filling machine, and stop the rotating table during this operation, and after the supply operation is completed. Since intermittent rotation is performed by rotating the rotary table by a predetermined angle, not only is the stop time of the rotary table long and the work efficiency is low, but intermittent rotation of a heavy rotary table causes troublesome control of the stop position, which makes it difficult to start and stop. It has the drawback of requiring large amounts of energy.

[0009]

Therefore, according to the present invention, a turntable is provided between an end of a conveyor for supplying a filling container and a gas filling machine which faces the end of the conveyor, and a pair of support columns are provided on the turntable. Back-to-back, place the bottom of the filling container on each column and move it up and down, and sandwich the body of the filling container with the container cradle that allows the filling container to move horizontally and rotationally. Centering device that aligns the center position with, a valve retainer that engages with the valve of the filling container to hold the upper part of the filling container, and aligns the direction of the filling port by rotating the filling container, and the column with the diameter of the turntable. And a moving device for moving in a direction, the turntable receives the filled container received from the supply conveyor on the container pedestal of one of the columns, while rotating the column toward the gas filling machine, Hama operation for aligning the direction of the center and the valve of the container (referred confronting operation.) To perform the, when supplying to the gas filling machine, the other post, it is so as to receive the next filled container.

Further, in a filling device in which a plurality of gas filling machines are installed side by side and a supply conveyor is provided facing each gas filling machine position, between the gas filling machine and the supply end of the supply conveyor, A common turntable that moves to the position of each gas filling machine is provided, and an even number of columns are provided back to back on this turntable, and the bottom of the filling container supplied from the supply conveyor is placed on each column. A container cradle that moves up and down and holds the filling container so that it can move horizontally and rotationally, a centering device that aligns the center positions with the body of the filling container sandwiched, and engages with the valve of the filling container. Holds the upper part of the filling container and aligns it in the direction of the filling port by rotating the filling container and a moving device that moves the column in the radial direction of the turntable. While turning the scrapped filling container to the gas filling machine side, make the center of the filling container and the direction of the valve aligned, and move this turntable to the position of the gas filling machine where filling is completed. At the same time as supplying the filling container, the other supporting column receives the next filling container.

Further, in a filling device provided with a rotary table having a plurality of gas filling machines in a radial pattern, a turntable is provided between the rotary table and the supply end of the supply conveyor, and the turntable is provided along the outside of the rotary table. On this turntable, an even number of columns are installed back to back, and the bottom of the filling container supplied from the supply conveyor is placed on each column and moved up and down. , A container cradle that holds the filling container so that it can move horizontally and rotationally, a centering device that aligns the center positions with the body of the filling container sandwiched, and an upper portion of the filling container that engages with the valve of the filling container And a moving device for moving the support column in the radial direction of the turntable while rotating the filling container. The filling container received in a square posts,
Perform a facing operation to align the center position and the direction of the valve on the pillar, and make this turntable face the gas filling machine of the rotating table and move synchronously in the rotation direction at an angle smaller than the installation angle of the gas filling machine. During the movement, the filling container that has finished the facing operation by the moving device of the support column is supplied to the opposing gas filling machine, and the next filling container received by the other support column at the supply conveyor position while reciprocating is corrected. Perform pair operation and turntable rotation.

It should be noted that N columns are provided on the turntable, and the columns may be rotated 360 ° / N each while the turntable travels, but normally two columns are provided back to back and the columns are identical 180 °. Direction or repetitive direction.

Further, the valve holder is provided with an elevating plate that moves in the vertical direction of the column and a supporting frame that moves laterally on the elevating plate, and the supporting frame is engaged with the handle of the valve to fill the container. It has a cap that supports the upper part of the container and a sensor that detects the direction of the filling port of the valve.The lift plate moves in the vertical direction of the column to engage the cap with the valve of the filling container, and use the cap to lift the upper part of the filling container. When the gas is supplied to the gas filling machine and the filling nozzle is connected to the gas filling machine, the support frame is placed horizontally so that it does not obstruct the connection. It is made to move in the direction.

Further, in a filling device provided with a turntable, the turntable is made to move synchronously and return along the outer circumference of the turntable, and during this reciprocating rotation, the filling container received on one of the columns. Centering and aligning the valves in the same direction, and when returning to the return position, the other support may receive the next filling container from the supply conveyor. The filling container is supplied to the gas filling machine while moving synchronously.

It should be noted that, on a support plate that supports the container pedestal so as to move up and down, a container receiver on which a filled container is placed is supported via support balls, and a guide is pressed against the outer circumference of the container receiver by a spring. By holding the balls in contact with each other, the container receiver can be moved vertically and lightly in the horizontal direction, and the rotation of the cap engaged with the valve handle rotates the filling container during the facing operation. Can be made.

[0016]

Therefore, when an empty filling container is received from the supply conveyor on one of the columns, the turntable rotates to make the filling container face the gas filling machine, and during this rotation, the centering device moves on the container receiving surface. With the body of the filling container in between, the center of the filling container is aligned with the center position of the valve holder by the horizontal movement of the container cradle, and the valve holder descends to engage and hold the cap on the valve. The container is rotated in the direction in which the filling port correctly faces the filling nozzle to perform the facing operation.

As described above, the turntable is rotated while the facing operation of the filling container received by the pair of columns is performed, and the filling container whose direction is changed to the gas filling machine side is supplied to the gas filling machine. At the same time, the other filling column receives the next filling container and the facing operation is performed. Therefore, the supply to the gas filling machine, the reception of the next filling container, the rotation of the turntable and the facing operation of the filling container are simultaneously performed.

Further, in a filling apparatus in which a plurality of gas filling machines and supply conveyors facing each gas filling machine position are installed side by side, and a common turntable for moving to each gas filling machine position is provided between them, At the same time as supplying the filling container to the gas filling machine, receiving the next filling container and supplying the next filling container according to the filling state of the plurality of gas filling machines in the order in which the filling is completed to improve the efficiency of the filling work. .

Further, a rotary table provided with a plurality of gas filling machines in a radial pattern is provided, and a turntable provided between the rotary table and the supply end of the supply conveyor is synchronized with a predetermined angle along the outside of the rotary table. By moving the turntable continuously, the rotating table is continuously rotated to supply the filling container, and during the reciprocating rotation of the turntable, the filling container received on one of the columns is aligned and the facing operation is performed to align the valve direction. Then, when returning to the return position, the other supporting column may receive the next filling container from the supply conveyor.
The container moves synchronously in the rotating direction of the rotary table and returns at a speed faster than the synchronous speed to reliably and efficiently supply the filling container.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, 1 is a filling container, 2 is a supply conveyor, 3 is a discharge conveyor, 4 is a gas filling machine, 5 is a turntable provided between the supply end of the supply conveyor 2 and the gas filling machine 4. Then, it is rotated by a drive device, for example, a drive gear 52 connected to a drive motor 51 (FIG. 2) via a gear 53 on the lower surface of the turntable. A plurality of 6 are provided on the upper surface of the turntable 5 (two in the embodiment).
Each of the columns has a container pedestal 7, a centering device 8, a valve holder 9, and a moving device 61. Valve 1
As shown in FIG. 6, 1 has a handle 12 at the upper part, a filling port 13 opening in the lateral direction, and a safety valve 14 at the opposite side.
Is provided.

The container cradle 7 is mounted below the support column 6 via a support arm, and has an actuator for moving the container receiver 71 up and down and a drive device for rotating the container receiver 71. Reference numeral 70 designates rollers provided on the turntable 5 on both sides of the container receiving stand 7 for receiving the filled container from the supply conveyor 2 so that the upper surface of the roller is slightly lower than the upper surface when the container receiving 71 is raised. is there.

As shown clearly in FIG. 4, the centering device 8 has a pair of centering arms 81, 81 opposed to each other and a centering roller 82 on the opposed surfaces. 83
Is a turnbuckle shaft that is inserted through the supporting end of the centering arm, and is divided into a left screw and a right screw from the center, and the centering arms 81 and 81 are screwed into the respective screws, and the turnbuckle by the servomotor 84 is used. The rotation of the shaft opens and closes the interval between the centering arms, sandwiches the filling container on each container support 7 from both sides, and aligns the center of the filling container with the center position of the centering rollers. Reference numeral 85 denotes a guide rail provided on the support column 6, which engages a guide piece provided on the lower surface of the centering arm to hold the centering arm 81 horizontally and move it.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a valve holder attached to the upper part of the column 6, and the elevating plate 91 is inserted into the screw bar 92 and the guide bar 93 attached to the column 6, and is moved up and down along the column by the rotation of the servo motor 94. Reference numeral 95 denotes a support frame that is screwed into a screw bar 96 that is horizontally attached to the elevating plate 91, and is inserted into a guide bar 97. The support frame 95 is moved laterally by a servomotor 98 and is vertically attached to the support frame 95 via a bearing. The rotary shaft 99 provided in the direction is provided, and the cap 100 is attached to the lower end of the rotary shaft 99.
Is installed. In the cap 100, the handle 12 of the valve 11 is fitted into the inner hole having the vertical groove, and the protrusion around the handle engages with the vertical groove to support the upper portion of the filling container. A servo motor 101 is provided on the rotary shaft 99 to rotate the cap 100 to a position where the vertical groove of the cap 100 fits into the protrusion of the handle 12. Reference numeral 102 denotes a support base operation arm that projects from the upper part of the lift plate 91, and is provided on one side or both sides of the lift plate to push down the support base to which the filling nozzle of the gas filling machine 4 is attached.

The moving device 61 moves the column 6 in the radial direction of the turntable. In this embodiment, the ear piece 62 (see FIG. 4) projecting from the lower portion of the column has a fluid or electric actuator 63. The operation shaft 64 is connected, and the operation shaft 64 is moved in and out by operating the actuator 63, and is linearly moved in the radial direction of the turntable along the guide rail 65 on the turntable 5. In addition,
The moving device 61 is not limited to the one in the embodiment shown in the figure, traveling by wheels in place of operation by the actuator 63, gear drive for rotating a pinion having a guide rail made of a rack and attached to a column by a servo motor, and the like. A conventionally known moving device can be used.

A sensor 103 detects the filling port 13 of the valve, detects both side edges of the filling port, and aligns the position of the filling port in a predetermined direction. In the case of this embodiment, it is arranged so as to be aligned with the central direction of the column 6.

The gas filling machine 4 has a base 4 as shown in FIG.
On a support table 43 that moves up and down along the first guide rod 42, a valve switch 45 that is rotated by a servo motor 44 and a filling nozzle 46 that is operated by an actuator (not shown) are suspended by a cable 47. Reference numeral 48 is a balancer roller that is provided at the bottom of the base to place and weigh the filling container, and to provide a gap 49 into which the container receiving stand 7 is inserted by dividing it in the roller axis direction (thickness direction with respect to the paper surface). There is.

Next, the filling operation of this embodiment will be described.
When the filling container 1 sent from the supply conveyor 2 is sent to the container receiving roller 70 of one of the columns 6 on the turntable 5, the container receiver 71 of the container receiving stand 7 is lifted by an actuator to support the bottom surface of the filling container. Then, the filling container 1 is held so as to be slightly separated from the upper surface of the container receiving roller 70.

The filling container 1 may be fed from the feeding conveyor 2 onto the turntable 5 by an arm (not shown) or the like, and the roller at the end of the feeding conveyor 2 may be replaced with the weighing roller 48 of the gas filling machine. Similarly, it is divided into both sides to provide a space for inserting the container cradle 7, the support 6 is moved to the supply conveyor 2 side on the turntable 5 by the moving device 61, and the container cradle 7 is projected from the turntable. It can be carried out by an appropriate method such as inserting the support container into the gap of the supply conveyor, holding the filling container on the gap with a container receiving stand, and retracting the support column to the center of the turntable.

When the filled container 1 is held on the container pedestal 7, the centering arms 81, 81 of the centering device 8 are rotated by the servomotor 84 and are interlocked with each other via the turnbuckle shaft 83 (see FIG. 4). It moves so as to narrow the interval, sandwiches both sides of the body of the filling container 1, supports the centering roller 82 in contact with the outer periphery of the filling container 1, and horizontally positions the filling container at the center position between the centering rollers 82. Move in the direction.

When the filling container 1 is held at the center position, the centering arms 81, 81 are slightly loosened, and the valve holder 9
Causes the servo motor 94 to rotate the screw bar 92 to lower the elevating plate 91 according to the height of the filling container 1. The cap 100 is placed over the handle 12 of the valve 11 by the lowering of the lifting plate 91, and the servo motor 101 rotates the cap 100 so that the protrusion around the handle and the vertical groove (not shown) inside the cap match each other. 100 is fitted to the handle 12 to support the top of the filling container. Even if the center of the filling container aligned with the center of the centering arm by the centering device 8 and the valve center are slightly deviated due to an error or the inclination of the filling container, the centering arms 81 and 81 are loosened. The fitting of the handle can be smoothly performed.

When the upper part of the filling container 1 is supported by the cap 100, the container receiver 71 of the container receiving stand 7 is rotated to rotate the filling container 1, and the light beam emitted from the sensor 103 to the side surface of the valve is changed. Both side edges of the filling port 13 of the valve 11 are detected, and the filling container is rotated and stopped until the filling port 13 correctly faces the center position. Since the cap 100 is fitted to the valve 11, the filling container is preferably rotated in the opening direction.

In this way, the columns 6 on the turntable 5 are
In addition, since the container cradle 7, the centering device 8 and the valve holder 9 are respectively provided so that the filling container 1 can be held and rotated on the container cradle 7, the center of the filling container 1 on the support column 6 can be rotated. The facing operation in which the positions are aligned and the filling port 13 of the valve 11 is correctly opposed in a predetermined direction (inside in this embodiment) is automatically performed by the centering device 8, the valve holder 9 and the container cradle 7. It can be performed even when the turntable 5 is rotating.

As described above, the facing operation for holding the valve 11 of the filling container 1 held on the support column 6 in the correct position and direction should be performed immediately after receiving the filling container 1 on the container receiving stand 7 of the support column 6. During this facing operation, the drive gear 51 is provided by the drive motor 51 provided below the turntable.
The turntable 5 is rotated 180 ° via the gear 53 and the support column 6 is directed toward the gas filling machine 4 side. The turntable may be rotated after the filling container is received and the facing operation is completed, but in order to shorten the filling time, the turntable is rotated while the facing operation is performed, and the column 6 is rotated. It is desirable that the facing operation be finished when the gas filling machine is stopped.

When the turntable 5 rotates the filling container, which has finished the facing operation, to the gas filling machine side and stops, the moving device 61 pushes the pillar 6 by the actuator 63,
The container holder 7 is inserted into the gap 49 of the weighing roller 48 of the gas filling machine 4 and the container receiver 71 is lowered to fill the container 1
Is fed onto the weigher roller 48. Weigher roller 4
The filling container 1 that has been laid down on 8 is raised by raising and lowering the plate 91 while holding the filling container 1 by the centering device 8 and pulling up the cap 100, and moving the support frame 95 laterally by the servo motor 98. , The support 43 of the gas filling machine is moved to a position where it does not hinder the operation.

Lifting plate 9 with the support frame 95 moved laterally
1 to lower the support base operation arm 102 to the gas filling machine 4
Of the filling container 46 is engaged with the supporting base 43 to lower the supporting base 43 according to the height of the filling container, the valve switch 45 is fitted to the handle 12 of the valve, and the filling nozzle 46 is not shown. Is connected to the filling port 13. When the filling container 1 is held on the gas filling machine 4 by the valve switch 45 and the filling nozzle 46, the support 6 raises the support base operating arm 102, opens the centering arm 81, and opens the center of the turntable 5 with the actuator 63. Retreat back to the side. As mentioned above,
While the turntable 5 is stopped and the filling container 1 is supplied from one of the columns 6 to the gas filling machine 4, the other column 6 on the turntable receives the next filling container 1 from the supply conveyor 2, The facing operation is started in the same manner as above.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the filling nozzle 46 of the gas filling machine 4 is connected to the filling port 13 from the turntable 5 side has been described, but from the lateral direction of the filling container to which the filling nozzle 46 is supplied. When connecting, the direction of the filling port in the facing operation may be changed to the lateral direction for adjustment.

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show another structure of the container receiving stand 7. The raising / lowering actuator 7 in the casing 72 is shown in FIGS.
A holding plate 76, which is provided by way of supporting balls 75, like a ball bearing, on a supporting plate 74 that moves up and down by 3.
The container receiver 71 is attached to the holding plate. A U-shaped portion is formed around the support plate 74 so as to be bent over the outer peripheral edge of the holding plate 76, and the outer peripheral upper surface of the holding plate 76 protruding from below the container receiver 71 is pressed in the U-shaped portion. It is held by a ball 77, and the outer peripheral surface of the container receiver 71 is held by a guide ball 79 which is pressed by a spring 78 so that the container receiver 71 can be moved lightly in the horizontal direction and the rotation direction.

Therefore, in the container receiving stand 7 in the above-mentioned embodiment, when the direction of the filling port 13 of the valve is adjusted, the container receiving 71 is rotated so that the filled container 1 placed on the container receiving together with the container receiving 71. Although the direction of the valve is rotated to change the direction of the valve, when the container pedestal shown in FIG. 7 is used, the cap 100 is fitted to the handle 12 of the valve 11 to support the filling container, and the servo motor is used. By rotating the cap 100 in the direction in which the valve is closed at 101 and further rotating the valve from the closed state, the container receiver 71 on which the filling container 1 is mounted is lightly moved in the rotational direction by the support balls 75. Can be rotated together with the container receiver to adjust the direction of the filling port 13 of the valve. Even when the center of the filling container 1 is aligned with the center of the centering arm in the centering device 8, the container receiver 71 on which the filling container 1 is placed moves lightly in the horizontal direction,
It is possible to align them.

FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show the second embodiment, in which a plurality of supply conveyors are provided with gas filling machines opposed to each other at the same intervals, and a common turntable is provided. In this example, the filling containers sent from the supply conveyor are sequentially supplied to the gas filling machine which has finished filling.

The same parts as those in FIGS. 1 to 5 are designated by the same reference numerals, 1 is a filling container, 2A, 2B and 2C are supply conveyors, 3A, 3B and 3C are discharge conveyors, 4A and 4A.
B and 4C are gas filling machines, 5 is a turntable provided between the supply end of the supply conveyor 2 and the gas filling machine 4, and FIG.
As shown in the side view of FIG. 4, the propellers 6, 6 are provided back to back, and the mechanism on the turntable 5 has the same structure as that of the previous embodiment shown in FIG. It has 110 units. 4 is used for the top view of the turntable 5, and FIG. 5 is used for the gas filling machine.

The traveling device 110 includes wheels 112 on a base 111 on which the turntable 5 is mounted, and the drive motor 1
It is driven from 13 via a chain 114. A traveling rail 115 is provided between the supply conveyors 2A, 2B, 2C and the gas filling machines 4A, 4B, 4C. In this embodiment, the three gas filling machines are linearly arranged and the traveling rail 115 is also linear, but the traveling rail may be curved depending on the arrangement of the gas filling machines.

The turntable 5 is one of the supply conveyors,
When the filling container 1 is received from the supply conveyor 2A on one of the columns 6 by stopping at the position of 2A, the turntable 5 is rotated 180 ° so that the one column is on the gas filling machine side, and this rotation is performed. The facing operation is performed in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment.

The filling state of each gas filling machine by the weighing roller 48 of the gas filling machines 4A, 4B, and 4C is sent to a control device (not shown), and the control device has the smallest filling remaining amount, for example, 4C. Is selected to instruct the traveling device 110 to move the turntable 5 to the position of the gas filling machine 4C while performing the turning and the facing operation.

When the filling container filled with the gas filling machine 4C has finished filling and is discharged to the discharge conveyor 3, the filling container on the turntable 5 is operated by the same operation as in the embodiment of FIG. 4C, the next filling container 1 is received from the supply conveyor 2C at the same time as this supply, and when both columns 6 are drawn into the center of the turntable, the drive motor 51 rotates the turntable 5 and the supply conveyor The filling container received from 2C is directly faced, and at the same time, it is moved to the position of the gas filling machine which finishes filling the gas in response to a command from the control device.

FIG. 11 shows the third embodiment.
A plurality of gas filling machines are radially arranged at equal intervals on a turntable that rotates in one direction, and between one feed conveyor and the turntable, the gas conveyors are arranged along the outer side of the turntable from the end position of the feed conveyor to the turntable. A turntable that moves back and forth by a predetermined angle in the moving direction is provided, and the filling container is supplied to the gas filling machine while continuously rotating the turntable. The top view of the turntable 5 is the same as FIG. 4, the side view is the same as FIG. 10, and the front view is the same as FIG. 11, and these figures are used.

In the figure, 1 is a filling container, 2 is a supply conveyor, 16 is a turntable, and a plurality (six in this embodiment) of gas filling machines 4 are provided at the same intervals. Reference numeral 5 is a turntable provided between the supply end of the supply conveyor 2 and the turntable 3. The turntable 5 is provided with back-to-back supports 6 and 6 provided with a container receiving stand 7, a centering device 8 and a valve holder 9. The moving device 61 is provided. A pusher 410 pushes the filled container, which has been filled with gas, to the discharge conveyor 120 while the rotary table 16 is rotating. It should be noted that the filling container can be discharged by sandwiching the filling container with a discharging arm on a discharging conveyor. The traveling rail 115 is provided along the outer periphery of the turntable 16 with a length corresponding to a predetermined angle.

Next, the filling operation of this embodiment will be described.
At the position of the supply conveyor 2, the filling container 1 sent from the supply conveyor 2 is sent to one of the columns 6 on the turntable 5 and is sent to the container cradle 7 of the column 6 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment, and the turntable is turned. During the rotation of 5, the face-up operation is performed to face the turntable 16 side.

The rotary table 16 is rotating in the direction of the arrow at a constant speed while filling the filling container supplied to the gas filling machine 4 with gas, and the filling container 1 that has been filled is discharged by the pusher 410 to the discharge conveyor 120. Sent to.

When the gas filling machine 4 which has discharged the filling container is rotated to the position of the supply conveyor 2, the facing operation is completed on one of the columns and the filling container 1 facing the rotary table 16 is held, and the other column is held. The turntable 5 which has received the next filling container from the supply conveyor 2 is waiting at the position of the supply conveyor, and when the gas filling machine 4 comes to a position facing this turntable, a limit switch or turntable (not shown) is displayed. The turntable 5 activates the traveling device 110 to detect it with an optical sensor provided and the traveling rail 115.
It moves at the same speed as the rotary table 16 facing the top. With this synchronous movement, the actuator 63 of the moving device 61 pushes out the support column 6, inserts the container receiving stand 7 into the gap 49 of the weighing roller 48 of the gas filling machine 4, and supplies the filling container 1 to the gas filling machine 4.

When the filling container 1 is supplied to the gas filling machine 4, as in the previous embodiment, the elevating plate 91 of the column 6 is lifted to remove the cap 100 from the valve 11 and the supporting frame 95.
Is moved laterally along the screw bar 96, the elevating plate 91 is lowered again, the support base 43 of the gas filling machine 4 is pushed down by the support base operation arm 102, and the valve switch 45 is fitted to the valve handle 12. And the filling nozzle 46
Is connected to the filling port 13. When the gas filling machine 4 holds the upper portion of the filling container by fitting the valve switch 45 and connecting the filling nozzle 46, the support column 6 opens the centering arms 81, 81 and returns to the turntable 5 by the moving device 61. Then, the servo motor 44 turns the valve opening / closing device 45 to open the valve for filling.

The filling container 1 supplied to the gas filling machine 4 is
The gas is filled while rotating together with the turntable 16.

The operation of supplying the filling container from the column 6 to the gas filling machine 4 is performed by the turntable 5 and the turntable 1 as described above.
While 6 is moving synchronously, it is finished at a moving angle smaller than the installation angle (60 ° in this embodiment) between the gas filling machines, for example, the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. When the supply is completed and the support column is restored, the turntable 5 is moved to the traveling device 110.
As a result, the turntable 5 is returned to the position of the supply conveyor 2 along the traveling rail 115, and the turntable 5 is rotated during the return traveling as described above (in the embodiment, since two columns are provided,
It moves on the traveling rail 115 in the opposite direction while rotating it by 80 °), and the prop that has sent out the filling container is positioned on the side of the supply conveyor 2 and returns to the position of the supply conveyor 2, and when stopped at the return position, the supply conveyor 2 starts to move. The next filling container 1 is received.

In this way, one column moves while supplying the filling container to the gas filling machine 4, and the other column supports the normal filling of the filling container 1 received from the supply conveyor while finishing the supply and returning. While performing the pair operation, the turntable is rotated during the return operation, and when returning to the position of the supply conveyor, the filling container that has finished the facing operation is directed to the gas filler side, and the next gas filler is on standby. During this waiting, the next filling container is received in the one column on the supply conveyor side.

The moving angle required to supply the filling container 1 to the gas filling machine 4 is smaller than the installation angle between the gas filling machines 4, and while the rotary table 16 rotates by the remaining angle,
Since the turntable is returned to the position of the supply conveyor and the next filling container is received, if the turntable return speed is increased, the movement angle is increased within the range of the installation angle of the gas filling machine to the gas filling machine. It is possible to lengthen the time of the supply operation to ensure the supply operation, or it is possible to lengthen the waiting time of the gas filling machine at the return position and to easily receive the filled container.

When the turntable 5 is moved in synchronism with the turntable 16, the turntable 5 returns from the turntable 5 to the standby state regardless of the contactless detection device described above. The arm is projected onto the turntable, and when the turntable reaches the position of the turntable, the arm is engaged with an engaging piece or a gas filling machine provided on the turntable, and the arm is moved synchronously while pushing the arm. Alternatively, the arm may be retracted when the supply to the gas filling machine is completed and the support column returns.

In any of the embodiments, if, for example, four columns are provided on the turntable, the facing operation may be performed while the gas is supplied to the gas filling machine twice.
Since the structure on the turntable becomes complicated, the structure on the turntable can be simplified by providing the two columns back to back, and the turntable can be rotated in the same direction or the repetitive direction. Two stanchions are enough.

In each of the embodiments, the valve holder is
Although the cap 100 to be fitted to the handle is provided, a sandwich plate sandwiching both sides of the valve may be provided, and the direction of the filling port is not limited to the sensor 103.
Further, the moving operation using the screw and the guide bar, the moving of the support column, and the traveling device of the turntable are not limited to those shown in the embodiments, and can be replaced with a known technique such as a gear mechanism or a transmission device using a chain.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, the turntable is provided between the gas filling machine and the feed conveyor end of the filling container to receive the filling container from the feeding conveyor and feed it to the gas filling machine. There is a back-to-back support on each support, and each support supports a container pedestal that holds the filling container received from the supply conveyor up and down and that can move the filling container horizontally and rotationally. Centering device that aligns the center positions with the parts sandwiched between them, a valve retainer that engages with the valve of the filling container to hold the upper part of the filling container, and rotates the filling container to align the filling ports in a certain direction, and a column And a moving device for moving the filling container in the radial direction of the turntable.While rotating the filling container received by one of the columns toward the gas filling machine, When the gas is supplied to the gas filling machine, the next support container is received on the other support at the same time as the gas supply machine is supplied. The center position and valve direction can be adjusted so that the gas can be supplied to the gas filling machine efficiently, no labor is required, and the problem of hygiene is solved. Since it is supplied to the same time, there is an effect that work efficiency can be improved.

Further, a plurality of supply conveyors and a gas filling machine are provided, and a turntable that moves to the position of each gas filling machine is provided between the gas filling machine and the supply end of the supply conveyor. , By providing a column similar to the one described above, the turntable is common, and when the filling container that has been face-to-face with one of the columns back to back is supplied to the gas filling machine, the next column of the other column is filled. It is possible to select a gas filling machine that has completed the filling process, move it to the gas filling machine, and supply the gas. Even when mixed filling containers with different capacities are supplied, one turntable It is possible to supply the gas to a plurality of gas filling machines, eliminate the waiting time of the gas filling machines, and perform efficient work.

Further, between the supply conveyor and the rotary table having a plurality of gas filling machines arranged in a radial direction and rotating in one direction, a predetermined angle from the position of the supply conveyor to the moving direction of the rotary table along the outside of the rotary table. A turntable that reciprocates is provided, and a plurality of struts are provided back to back on this turntable, and the filling container that has been face-to-face on the struts is moved synchronously with the rotating table and supplied to the gas filling machine to rotate. The gas can be supplied to the gas filling machine safely and reliably while the table is continuously rotated, and there is no downtime of the rotating table during work,
Since the filling container supplied to the turntable is directly faced and supplied to the gas filling machine at the same time, the efficiency of the work is improved and it is not necessary to intermittently operate a heavy turntable, resulting in energy loss. Since this eliminates the shock to the gas filling machine due to the start and stop, the holding of the filling container can be simplified, and the filling can be smoothly performed.

Further, the valve holder is provided with an elevating plate that moves in the vertical direction of the column and a support frame that moves laterally on the elevating plate, and the support frame is fitted to the handle of the valve to rotate the cap. And a sensor that detects the direction of the filling port of the valve, and the cap can move vertically and laterally of the column, so that the upper part of the filling container is held securely during the facing operation, and the direction of the filling port In addition to accurately adjusting the above, it is possible to move the nozzles laterally after feeding the gas filling machine and separate them from the position of the filling nozzle so that the nozzles can be easily connected.

The valve holder is provided with a support base operating arm, and the support base of the gas filling machine is pushed down to the position where the filling nozzle is connected to the valve of the filling container by lowering the valve holder so that the filling nozzle is attached. The operation of the support base can be made simple and reliable, and the mechanism for lowering the support base on the gas filling machine can be omitted.

Further, the container pedestal is provided with a container receiver which can be lightly moved in a horizontal direction and a rotation direction through a support ball on a support plate which moves up and down, and a guide ball which presses the outer circumference of the container receiver through a spring. The smooth movement of the filling container held in the container cradle facilitates position adjustment,
The facing operation can be efficiently performed.

When the turntable is moved along the turntable, if the turntable is returned at a speed faster than the moving speed of the turntable, the moving angle required to supply the filling container to the gas filling machine is increased. Therefore, the time for supplying the filling container to the gas filling machine becomes long and the operation is facilitated, or the speed of the rotary table is increased to improve the efficiency of the filling work.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the turntable in the embodiment, showing a state in which the supply to the gas filling machine is finished.

FIG. 3 is a front view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the embodiment of the gas filling machine showing a state when the filling container is supplied.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the valve.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing an embodiment of the container pedestal.

8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a top view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the turntable according to the second embodiment, showing a state in which gas filling is completed.

11 is a front view of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a top view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the gas filling machine according to the third embodiment, showing a state when a filling container is supplied.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Filling Container 2 Supply Conveyor 3 Discharging Conveyor 4 Gas Filling Machine 5 Turntable 6 Strut 7 Container Holder 8 Centering Device 9 Valve Holder 11 Valve 13 Filling Port 16 Rotating Table 45 Valve Switch 46 Filling Nozzle 61 Moving Device 71 Container Receiver 73 Lifting actuator 75 Supporting ball 77 Pressing ball 79 Guide ball 81 Centering arm 91 Lifting plate 95 Supporting frame 100 Cap 102 Support base operating arm 103 Sensor 110 Traveling device 115 Traveling rail

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A gas filling machine and a supply conveyor end of a filling container are provided to face each other, and a filling container is received from the supply conveyor and supplied to the gas filling machine between the gas filling machine and the supply end of the supply conveyor. A turntable is provided, and on this turntable, a pair of columns are placed back to back, and the bottom of the filling container received from the supply conveyor is placed on each column and moved up and down, and the horizontal direction of the filling container is set. A container cradle that can move in the rotational direction, a centering device that aligns the center position with the body of the filling container in between, a valve of the filling container that holds the top of the filling container, and the rotation of the filling container It has a valve retainer that aligns the filling ports in a certain direction and a moving device that moves the support column in the radial direction of the turntable. While turning to the gas filling machine side, the front of the filling container is aligned with the center of the filling container on the column, and the other column is filled with the next filling material at the supply position to the gas filling machine. A gas filling device characterized by receiving a container. 2. A plurality of gas filling machines and a feeding conveyor for filling containers provided so as to face the gas filling machines, respectively, and between the gas filling machine and the feeding end of the feeding conveyor,
A turntable that can be moved to the position of each gas filling machine is provided, and a pair of columns are provided back to back on this turntable. The bottom of the filling container received from the supply conveyor is placed on each column and moved vertically. A container pedestal that can move the filling container in the horizontal direction and the rotation direction, a centering device that aligns the center position with the body of the filling container sandwiched, and holds the filling container upper part by engaging with the valve of the filling container, It is equipped with a valve holder that aligns the filling port of the valve in a certain direction by rotating the filling container, and a moving device that moves the support column in the radial direction of the turntable. While rotating to the filling machine side, it moves to the position of the gas filling machine where filling is completed, and during this rotation and movement, the center of the filling container and the direction of the valve are aligned on the column. That confronting to perform the operation, at the same time supplying the filled container to a gas filling machine, the gas filling device, characterized in that to receive the next filled container to another strut. 3. A gas filling device, wherein a plurality of gas filling machines are radially provided on a turntable that rotates in one direction, and gas is filled while the turntable is rotating. In the gas filling device, between the turntable and a supply end of a supply conveyor. On the turntable, a turntable that reciprocates a predetermined angle from the position of the supply conveyor to the direction of movement of the turntable along the outside of the turntable is provided. A container pedestal that allows the bottom of the filling container to be placed and moved up and down, and that can move the filling container in the horizontal and rotational directions, a centering device that aligns the center positions with the body of the filling container sandwiched, and the filling container The valve holder that holds the upper part of the filling container by engaging with the valve of the above and aligns the filling port in a certain direction by the rotation of the filling container, and the support that moves the column in the radial direction of the turntable. And a moving device, and the column of the turntable is opposed to the gas filling machine of the rotary table to move synchronously in the rotating direction of the rotary table. A gas filling device, characterized in that the gas is supplied to the machine, and during reciprocating movement, a facing operation is performed to align the direction of the valve with the center of the filled container received by another column at the position of the supply conveyor. 4. The gas filling device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein two columns are provided back to back on the turntable, and the turntable is rotated by 180 ° in the same direction or in the opposite direction. 5. The valve holder comprises an elevating plate that moves in the vertical direction of a column, and a support frame that moves laterally on the elevating plate, and a cap that engages with the handle of the valve on the support frame. 4. The gas filling device according to claim 1, further comprising a sensor for detecting the direction of the filling port of the valve. 6. The valve holder is provided with a support base operation arm for pushing down a support base of the gas filling machine, and the support base is moved to a position where the filling nozzle is connected to the valve of the filling container by lowering the valve holder. Item 1 or 2 or 3
The gas filling device described. 7. A support plate for moving the container pedestal up and down,
The container plate which is movable in the horizontal direction via the support ball and the guide ball which presses the outer circumference of the container plate via a spring is provided on the support plate.
The gas filling device described. 8. The turntable is synchronously moved in a rotation direction of a rotary table while supplying the filling container to the gas filling machine,
The gas filling device according to claim 3, wherein when the supply is completed, the gas filling device moves back at a speed faster than the synchronous speed. 9. The gas filling device according to claim 3, wherein the turntable reciprocates at an angle smaller than the angle between the gas filling machines provided on the turntable.