JPH10212019A - Distributing feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To vary the article feed quantity without changing vibration of rectilinear feeders in a distributing feeder. SOLUTION: A distributing feeder 11 vibrates a receiving plate 12 and conveys articles to a peripheral edge part 12b. Each rectilinear feedler 15 receiving the article from the peripheral edge part 12b feeds the articles to a weighing part 2. A cylindrical body 21 is arranged above the receiving plate 12. The cylindrical body 21 is elevated by elevating devices 30, 50 to adjust the layer thickness of the articles conveyed out to the rectilinear feeder 15 from the receiving plate 12. The cylindrical body 21 is vertically provided with two sets of light projector-receivers 24-27. A feed conveyor 80 starts feeding the articles when the lower edge of the cylindrical body is in a lower limit position of coming in contact with the receiving plate 12, and feeds the articles at the time of the height of the articles becoming lower than the height of one light receiver when the cylindrical body 21 is in a higher position than the lower limit position.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dispersing and supplying apparatus for dispersing articles on a plurality of transport paths.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art From among articles weighed by a plurality of weighing units, a combination in which the combined weight of the weighed values is close to a target weight is selected, and the articles selected in this combination are collectively discharged. A weighing device has been practically used.

In this type of weighing device, in order to increase the combination accuracy, an article is supplied to a plurality of weighing sections by an almost integral number of a target weight by using a distributed supply device.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a conventional dispersion feeding device used in a combination weighing device, and FIG.
It is a line sectional view.

[0005] As shown in these figures, the dispersion supply device 10 is provided on the upper surface 1a of the casing 1 of the combination weighing device.

[0006] The dispersion feeding device 10 includes a dispersion feeder 11 for dispersing and discharging the articles dropped and supplied from above to the outside,
It comprises a plurality of linear feeders 15, 15, ..., 15 radially arranged around the dispersion feeder 11.

The dispersion feeder 11 has a circular umbrella-shaped receiving plate 1.
2 is vibrated up and down by vibrator 13,
The article W supplied to the top 12a is conveyed to the peripheral edge 12b side of the receiving plate 12 while being radially dispersed.

Each of the straight feeders 15 vibrates the conveying surface 17a of the conveying table 17 in the direction of arrow B by means of the respective vibrator 16 and guides the articles received from the dispersion feeder 11 from both sides by the guide portions 17b, Conveyed horizontally.

The articles discharged from the straight feeder 15 are:
As shown in FIG. 14, it is supplied to weighing units 2, 2,...

The amount of articles supplied to the weighing section 2 each time is determined by the vibration time and the vibration intensity of the linear feeder 15.
Feedback control of the vibration time and vibration intensity of the straight feeder 15 is performed so that the supply amount each time approaches a predetermined amount.

[0011]

However, in order to combine articles having a large target weight with this type of weighing device, the vibration time and vibration intensity of the linear feeder 15 of the dispersion feeding device 10 must be greatly increased. No.

However, if the vibration time is greatly increased, the time for supplying each article becomes longer, and the weighing efficiency of the entire weighing device is greatly reduced. Further, when the vibration intensity is greatly increased, the life of the feeder is significantly shortened, and the influence of the vibration on the weighing section cannot be neglected.

Due to such a limitation, it has been extremely difficult for the conventional distributed supply apparatus to greatly change the article supply amount without adversely affecting the weighing apparatus side.

Further, in the conventional dispersion feeding apparatus, when an easily bouncing article is supplied from above without any article on the receiving plate of the dispersion feeder, most of the article hits the receiving plate and scatters outside the weighing device. There was a problem.

An object of the present invention is to solve this problem and to provide a dispersing and supplying apparatus capable of changing an article supply amount without adversely affecting a weighing machine side.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above object, a dispersion feeding apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a dispersion feeder for vibrating a receiving plate to convey articles on the receiving plate toward a peripheral portion; A plurality of rectilinear feeders that receive the articles carried out from the peripheral edge of the receiving plate of the dispersion feeder on their respective conveying surfaces and convey the articles in a predetermined direction, and are arranged above the receiving plate of the dispersion feeder and supplied from above. A cylinder for passing the article through the receiving plate, a supply device for supplying the article from above the cylinder, an elevating device for elevating and lowering the cylinder, and an elevating and lowering device mounted together with the cylinder, A sensor that detects the height of the article on the receiving plate, the supply device starts supplying the article when the lower edge of the cylindrical body is at a lower limit position where the lower edge substantially contacts the receiving plate, The cylinder is from the lower limit position When have in position is designed so as to supply the article when the height of the articles on the receiving plate is lower than the detection height of the sensor.

With such a configuration, in the dispersion supply device of the present invention, the supply of the articles is started from the supply device when the lower edge of the cylindrical body is at the lower limit position where it is substantially in contact with the receiving plate. , And is supplied to the receiving plate of the dispersion feeder through the cylindrical body. When the cylinder rises, the articles on the receiving plate are conveyed to the peripheral edge of the receiving plate and carried into the respective linear feeders while being regulated by the distance between the lower edge of the cylindrical body and the receiving plate. When the height of the cylinder is changed, the layer thickness of the article regulated by the distance between the lower edge of the cylinder and the receiving plate changes, and the amount of the article discharged from the straight feeder changes. When the height of the article becomes lower than the detection height of the sensor when the cylinder is at a position higher than the lower limit position, the article is supplied from the supply device.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a dispersing and feeding device 20 according to an embodiment provided on the housing 1 of the combination weighing device in the same manner as described above, and FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part.

In these figures, the distributed feeder 11 and the straight feeder 15 are the same as those of the above-described conventional apparatus, and therefore, are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

The dispersion feeder 11 of the dispersion supply device 20
A hollow cylindrical body 21 formed of a lightweight material such as plastic is disposed concentrically with the receiving plate 12 above.

An inverted conical guide portion 22 for guiding articles supplied from above in the center direction is formed on the upper portion of the cylindrical body 21. Two light projectors 24 are formed on the outer periphery of the lower cylindrical portion 23. , 25 are mounted vertically at predetermined intervals.

The lights of the light projectors 24 and 25 pass through the center of the cylindrical portion 23 and are received by light receivers 26 and 27 mounted on the opposite sides, respectively.

A plurality of pressure sensors 2 are provided on the lower edge of the cylinder 21.
, 28 are attached along the circumference at predetermined intervals.

The cylindrical body 21 is supported from both sides by elevating devices 30 and 50 formed symmetrically in FIG.

That is, the straight feeder 15 extends from the upper surface 1a of the housing.
Columns 31 and 3 erected so as to sandwich the transfer table 17
Elevating device mounting plates 32 and 52 are fixed to 1, 51 and 51, respectively.

Motor mounting plates 33 and 53 are fixed above the lifting device mounting plates 32 and 52, and bearing plates 34 and 54 are fixed below the motor mounting plates 33 and 53.

Stepping motors (hereinafter, referred to as motors) 35, 55 are fixed to the motor mounting plates 33, 53, and one ends of screw shafts 36, 56 are connected to their motor shafts.

The other ends of the screw shafts 36 and 56 are supported by bearings 37 and 57 of bearing plates 34 and 54, respectively. Motor mounting plates 33 and 53 and bearing plates 34 and 5
The lifting plates 38 and 58 are arranged between the four.

The elevating plates 38 and 58 are connected to the left and right guide plates 3.
Only movement in the vertical direction is possible by the regulation of 9, 39, 59, 59, and the screw shafts 36, 56 are screwed to the elevating plates 38, 58 so as to penetrate.

Therefore, when the motors 35 and 55 rotate in the same direction, the lift plates 38 and 58 move upward or downward depending on the rotation direction.

Main arms 40, 60 extending in the direction of the cylinder 21 and reinforcing arms 41, 61 are fixed to the elevating plates 38, 58.

The main arms 40, 6 of the lifting devices 30, 50
The zero end is fixed to a support ring 45 having an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 23 of the cylindrical body 21.

The cylindrical body 21 is mounted so as to be inserted into the support ring 45 from above, and moves upward from the support ring 42 when subjected to a force from below.

The bearing plate 54 of the lifting device 50
Is mounted with a lower limit switch 62 which is turned on by contacting the elevating plate 58 lowered to the lowermost position.

The motors 35, 5 of the lifting devices 30, 50
5 are simultaneously driven by the elevation control device 70, as shown in FIG.

That is, when the lift switch 71 is turned on, the lift controller 70 simultaneously drives the motors 35 and 55 in a direction to raise the lift plates 38 and 58, and when the lower switch 72 is turned on, The motors 35 and 55 are simultaneously driven in the direction in which the elevating plates 38 and 58 are lowered.

When the lower limit switch 62 is turned on, the lifting control device 70 stops the lowering of the lifting plate by the motors 35 and 55, sets this stop position to the origin position of the lifting and lowering, and thereafter the lifting plates 38 and 58 Height of the motor 35, 5
Calculated from the number of pulses sent to 5 and the pitch of the screw shaft, and displayed on the display 73.

The outputs of the plurality of pressure sensors 28 of the cylinder 21 are input to a pressure determination circuit 74. The pressure determination circuit 74 sends an abnormal signal to the elevation control device 70 when any of the outputs of the pressure sensors 28 exceeds a predetermined value. Upon receiving this abnormal signal, the elevation control device 70 sends a pulse signal for elevating the cylinder 21 to the predetermined distance to the motors 35 and 55, and then lowers the cylinder 21 to the original position.

Preset data for each type, a sensor selection signal, and an excess / deficiency signal are input to the elevation control device 70 from the weighing device side.

The preset data is a value indicating the height of the cylinder so that the amount of articles supplied from the straight-ahead feeder 15 becomes a predetermined supply amount depending on the type. In addition, the sensor selection signal indicates that the two light receivers 26, 27 during normal operation
Of which, based on the light receiving signal of which of the light receivers, to specify whether to supply the article from the supply conveyor 80,
It is determined by the type of the article together with the preset data. The excess / deficiency signal is input from the weighing device when the average value of the weighing results of the weighing unit 2 exceeds a predetermined range. When the average value is smaller than the predetermined range, the cylinder 21 is moved by a predetermined distance. When an insufficiency signal for ascending is input, and when the average value is larger than a predetermined range, an excess signal for lowering the cylinder 21 by a predetermined distance is input.

Next, the operation of the dispersion supply device 20 will be described.

For example, when weighing of a new type of article is started, the article is supplied from the supply conveyor 80 from a state where there is no article on the receiving plate 12 of the dispersion feeder 11. In this case, the lowering switch 72 is turned on to send a pulse for lowering the lifting plates 38, 58 to the motors 35, 55 of the lifting devices 30, 50, and as shown in FIG. It is lowered to a position where 62 is turned on, that is, a position where the pressure sensor 28 at the lower edge of the cylinder 21 substantially contacts the inclined surface of the receiving plate 12.

This lowering sets the origin of the elevating controller 70 and outputs an article request signal to the supply conveyor 80.

For this reason, the receiving plate 1
2 is supplied with the articles by dropping. The first supplied article collides with the receiving plate 12 and bounces. You.

Assuming that preset data and a selection signal for designating the light receiver 26 have been input from the weighing device side to this article, the article is supplied from the supply conveyor 80 as follows:
The operation is continued until the light receiver 26 enters the non-light receiving state.

When the articles in the cylinder 21 are supplied to the height of the light receiver 26, the motors 35, 55 of the lifting devices 30, 50 are supplied.
In response, a pulse for raising the cylinder 21 by a distance corresponding to the preset data is input.
Rises by a predetermined distance as shown in FIG. 6 as the lift plates 38, 58 rise.

With this rise, the vibrator 13 of the dispersion feeder 11 and the vibrator 16 of each straight feeder 15 are simultaneously driven.

Due to this vibration, the articles accumulated in the cylindrical body 21 are conveyed on the respective linear feeders 15 in a state where the layer thickness is uniformly regulated by the lower edge of the cylindrical body 21, and each of the articles is measured. It is supplied to the section 2. In each weighing unit 2, the articles to be supplied are weighed, a combination is selected based on the weighing result, and the selected articles are discharged from the weighing unit 2.

The rectilinear feeder 15 corresponding to the empty measuring section 2 is driven to vibrate for a certain period of time, and a new article is supplied to the empty measuring section 2.

In the same manner, articles are supplied to the respective weighing sections 2. However, if a shortage signal is input from the weighing device while the weighing operation is continued, the cylinder 21 is raised by a predetermined distance. As a result, the thickness of the article layer on the receiving plate 12 increases, and the amount of articles supplied to the measuring section 2 increases. Conversely, when an excessive signal is input from the weighing device side, the cylinder 21 descends by a predetermined distance, the thickness of the article layer on the receiving plate 12 decreases, and the amount of articles supplied to the weighing unit 2 decreases.

As shown in FIG. 7, when large preset data is input by switching the type, or when the ascent switch 71 is turned on to significantly change the combination target weight of the same type, 21 rises to a higher position. For this reason, the thickness of the article layer on the receiving plate 12 is greatly increased, and the amount of articles supplied to the measuring section 2 is also greatly increased.

During this supply, the top 1 of the receiving plate 12
When the height of the article on 2a falls below the light receiver 26, a new article is supplied from the supply conveyor 80.
In a state where the height of 1 does not change, the layer thickness of the article on each of the straight-ahead feeders 15 hardly changes, and the amount of the article supplied to the weighing unit 2 becomes substantially constant by the vibration for a certain time. Further, as the cylindrical body 21 rises, the light emitting and receiving devices 24 to 2
7, the article amount in the cylindrical body 21 becomes substantially constant, and the state in which the layer thickness of the dispersion feeder 11 is regulated by the lower edge stably continues.

Also, during operation, as shown in FIG.
If an article is caught between the lower edge 1 and the receiving plate 12, an abnormal signal due to a signal change of the pressure sensor 28 in the caught portion is input to the elevating control device 70. Pulses for raising the cylinder 21 by a predetermined distance are input to the cylinders 30 and 50.
After a predetermined distance as shown in (1), it returns to the original height again.

As a result, the article caught between the lower edge of the cylindrical body 21 and the receiving plate 12 is conveyed toward the straight feeder 15.

When the cylinder 21 is lowered, the signal from the pressure sensor 28 is applied so that the entire load of the cylinder 12 is not applied to the article between the lower edge of the cylinder 21 and the receiving plate 12 at one time. Is made gradually based on

In the above description, the case where the upper light receiver 26 is specified has been described. However, when the lower light receiver 27 of the cylindrical body 21 is specified, as shown in FIG. If the height of the article on the top 12a of the 12 is maintained substantially equal to the height of the light receiver 27, the articles are dispersed and supplied, and the cylinder 21 is further raised as shown in FIG. In the same manner as described above, the thickness of the article layer on the receiving plate 12 increases, and the amount of articles supplied to the measuring section 2 can be greatly increased.

In the above-described embodiment, the cylinder 21 is supported and lifted from both sides by the two lifting devices 30 and 50. However, the lifting and lowering may be performed by only one lifting device. As for the mechanism, not only the elevating mechanism using a screw shaft but also an elevating mechanism using a chain or the like may be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the origin position of the cylinder is set by the lower limit switch 62 provided in the elevating device 50. However, a switch is provided at the upper limit position of the cylinder, and the upper limit position is set. The origin position may be set, or the origin position may be set in the middle.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the occurrence of the catch of the article at the lower edge of the cylindrical body 21 is detected by the change in the signal of the pressure sensor 28. Since it can also be detected by a large decrease change, the rise of the cylinder when the article is caught is performed in response to a signal from the weighing device side, and this is only to prevent the load on the article when the cylinder is lowered. The pressure sensor 28 may be used.

In the above embodiment, the cylindrical body 21 is formed of a lightweight material such as plastic, and when the cylindrical body 21 is lowered, a force greater than the weight of the cylindrical body 21 is not applied to the article. Although the cylindrical body 21 is supported by the support ring 45, it may be supported as shown in FIG.

That is, one end of the main arm 40 'is fixed to the cylinder 21, and the balance weight 81 is attached to the other end of the main arm 40'.
And a fulcrum P position where the clockwise moment of the main arm 40 'is slightly larger than the counterclockwise moment is configured to be moved up and down by an elevating device (not shown). It is regulated by the regulating member 82.

With this configuration, even if the cylindrical body 21 is formed of metal or the like, the load on the article at the time of lowering can be reduced. The same effect can be obtained even if the cylindrical body 21 is supported via a spring material or the like.

[0064]

As described above, the dispersion feeding apparatus according to the present invention is configured so that the cylinder disposed above the receiving plate of the dispersion feeder can be moved up and down by the elevating device, and the lower edge of the cylinder is provided. When the cylinder is at the lower limit position where it is almost in contact with the receiving plate, supply of the article is started from the supply device. When the cylinder is at a position higher than the lower limit position, the height of the article on the receiving plate is detected by the sensor. Since the supply from the supply device is performed when the height is lower than the height, the height of the cylindrical body can be changed only by the control signal, and the height of the cylinder can be changed without affecting the weighing machine side. The layer thickness of the article can be stably and largely varied, and the article can be prevented from scattering outside the machine.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line CC of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part for describing an operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part for explaining the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a conventional device.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Dispersion feeder 12 Receiving plate 13 Vibrator 15 Straight feeder 17 Carrier 17a Conveying surface 20 Dispersion supply device 21 Cylindrical body 24, 25 Projector 26, 27 Light receiver 28 Pressure sensor 30, 50 Elevating device 31, 51 Column 32, 52 Elevation Device mounting plate 33, 53 Motor mounting plate 34, 54 Bearing plate 35, 55 Stepping motor 36, 56 Screw shaft 38, 58 Lifting plate 39, 59 Guide plate 40, 60 Main arm 41, 61 Reinforcement arm 45 Support ring 62 Lower limit switch Reference Signs List 70 Elevation control device 71 Elevation switch 72 Descent switch 74 Pressure judgment circuit 80 Supply conveyor

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A dispersing feeder for vibrating a receiving plate to convey articles on the receiving plate toward a peripheral portion thereof, and an article carried out from the peripheral portion of the receiving plate of the dispersing feeder for conveying the respective products. A plurality of rectilinear feeders for receiving and transporting in a predetermined direction, a cylinder disposed above the receiving plate of the dispersion feeder, and passing articles supplied from above onto the receiving plate, and a cylinder from above the cylinder. A supply device for supplying the article, an elevating device for elevating and lowering the cylindrical body, and a sensor attached to move up and down with the cylindrical body and detecting a height of the article on the receiving plate; When the lower edge of the cylindrical body is at the lower limit position where the lower edge is substantially in contact with the receiving plate, the supply of the article is started, and when the cylindrical body is at a position higher than the lower limit position, the supply of the article on the receiving plate is started. The height of the sensor Dispersing supply device, characterized in that for supplying the article when it is lower than Dedaka of.