JPS6146577A - Counter for transported article - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To count transported articles without error by arranging detecting holes at intervals of a prescribed length in the lengthwise direction of a carrier and counting the first and the second pulses corresponding to a certain number of transported articles by a rotating body rotated by these detecting holes. CONSTITUTION:Detecting holes 12-1, 12-2... are arranged at invervals of a prescribed length in the lengthwise direction of a carrier 11, and transported articles 13-1, 13-2... are attached in accordance with these detecting holes and are moved in the direction of an arrow X by a carrier driving device. A sprocket 14 which is engaged with detecting holes 12-1, 12-2... of the carrier 11 and is rotated is provided as the rotating body and is rotated in the direction of an arrow theta to rotate a cam 15 at the same angle. Projecting pieces 18-1-18-8 are formed at equal intervals on the peripheral surface of the cam 15, and sensors 16 and 18 arranged with a prescribed phase difference generate the first and the second pulses. These pulses are supplied to a counting pulse signal generating means 21 using a D-type flip-flop; and thus, accurate counting pulses are sent to a counting means 25 to prevent erroneous counting even if articles are transported interruptedly or there is play in a mechanical system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION "Field of Industrial Application" The present invention relates to a transferred item counting device that counts transferred items that are intermittently transferred.

``Prior Art'' Conventionally, there has been used a transfer item counting device that is incorporated into the production process at a production site and automatically counts transferred items that are successively transferred at the production site.

FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the main parts of an example of a conventionally proposed counting device for transferred items, in which a belt-shaped carrier 11
Pilot holes 12-1, 12-2...
are formed, and the transferred items 13-1, 13-2, etc. are positioned in these pilot holes respectively to the carrier 1.
1 in parallel to each other on the same side. The carrier 11 is moved by the arrow X in FIG.
In this transport state, the transported goods 1.3-
1°13-2... is counted.

- A sprocket 14 that rotates while engaging with the mother pilot hole is provided, and a cam 15 that is coaxially connected to this sprocket 14 and rotates as the sprocket rotates is provided. A plurality of detection pieces 10-1.10- are provided on the circumferential surface of the cam 150.
2... are formed protrudingly.

A sensor 9 is fixedly provided near the detection piece, and
A light signal obtained by detecting a detection piece passing in front of the detection surface of the counter 9 by, for example, an optical means is photoelectrically converted and inputted to the counter 8 as a detection signal. The counter 8 counts the input detection signal A1, and the transferred items are automatically counted based on the counted value.

``Problems to be Solved by the Invention'' This conventionally proposed counting device for transferred items may cause counting errors during intermittent transfer of transferred items.

That is, since the transferred items are transferred intermittently, the cam 15 rotates and the sensor 17 detects the detection pieces 16-1, 16-'2, etc., and the transferred items are counted. There are cases where the transport is stopped and then the transmission is started again.

At this time, the carrier 11 and the transferred items 13-1 and 1.3- attached to the carrier 11 are in a state where the transfer of the transferred items is stopped.
2...The mechanical raft of the entire system may cause the carrier 11 to be slightly deviated from the stopped position in the direction opposite to the transport direction.

When the carrier 11 is displaced in the opposite direction, the sprocket 14 rotates by a small angle in the opposite direction, and the rotation of the sprocket 14 also causes the cam 15 to rotate by a small angle in the opposite direction. Therefore, when the transfer of the transferred items is resumed from this position, the transferred items that have already been counted may be counted again, resulting in an erroneous counting operation. Alternatively, the cam 15 may stop at a position just below the detection sensitivity threshold of the sensor 17. In this case, the sensor 17 may perform an erroneous detection operation due to disturbance or the like, resulting in erroneous counting.

This invention solves the various problems in the conventional transfer item counting device described above, prevents malfunctions caused by mechanical rafts in the transfer system that occur when stopping and starting during intermittent transfer operations, and malfunctions due to disturbances, and always avoids erroneous counts. An object of the present invention is to provide a transfer item counting device capable of counting transfer items.

"Structure of the Invention" In this invention, detection holes are arranged at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the carrier, and as the carrier moves in the longitudinal direction driven by a carrier drive device, the detection holes correspond to the carrier. The transferred items attached to the
The transferred items are counted sequentially.

A rotating body is disposed at a predetermined position in the moving direction of the carrier, and rotates according to the number of detection holes passing through the predetermined position as the carrier moves. - A pulse generating means is provided, and this pulse generating means generates first and second pulses corresponding to a fixed number of transferred items with a predetermined phase difference in the rotational direction of the rotating body due to the rotation of the rotating body.

These first and second pulses are given to a counting pulse signal generating means, and the counting pulse signal generating means determines the fluctuating state of the first and second pulses and does not fluctuate in the fluctuating state. Generates a counting pulse signal. By counting this counting pulse signal, the transferred items are counted. In this invention, the phase difference between the first and second pulses is set to be larger than the mechanical play of the rotating body, so there is no miscounting due to mechanical looseness of the rotating body or external noise. It is possible to count the number of items.

``Example'' Hereinafter, the transferred goods counting device of the present invention will be described in detail based on an example thereof using the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an embodiment of the transferred goods counting device of the present invention, in which detection holes 12-1, 12-2, . . . are arranged at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of a carrier 11. The embodiment is an example in which detection holes are formed at regular intervals in the longitudinal direction of the carrier 11.

Transfer items are attached to the carrier in correspondence with the detection holes.

In the embodiment, the articles 13-1 are transferred parallel to each other on the same side of the carrier 11 at each detection hole position.

13-2...Contacts are formed on the carrier 11 so as to protrude parallel to each other. The carrier 11 is moved in the direction of arrow X in FIG. 1 by a carrier drive device (not shown).

A rotary body is provided at a predetermined position in the moving direction of the carrier and rotates in accordance with the number of detection holes passed by the moving carrier.

In the embodiment, at a predetermined position in the moving direction of the carrier 11, the detection holes 12-1.
A sprocket 14 that rotates while engaging with 12-2 is provided. Carrier 1 by carrier drive device
When sprocket 1 moves, sprocket 1 engaged with the detection hole
4 rotates in the direction of arrow θ. The rotation angle of the sprocket 14 corresponds to the number of detection holes through which the carrier 11 moves.

The rotation of the rotating body corresponds to a fixed number of transferred items, and the first and second
A pulse generating means is provided for generating a pulse of .

In the embodiment, the sprocket 14 and the rotation axis are shared, and the pulse generating means is constituted by the cam 15 that rotates as the sprocket 14 rotates, and the first and second sensors i 6 and 17.

Projections 18-1 to 1 are arranged at equal intervals on the circumferential surface of the disc-shaped cam 15.
8-8 is formed protrudingly. The first sensor 16 and the second sensor
The sensor 17 is arranged with a predetermined phase difference with respect to the rotational direction of the cam 5. The first sensor 16 is the cam 1
Projecting pieces 18-1, 18-2, which pass by the rotation of 5.
. . , and sequentially generates the first pulse as shown in FIG. 2(A). The second sensor 17 is connected to a protrusion 18-1 which passes with a delay of a predetermined phase difference θ with respect to this first /4′ pulse.
．． 18-2... are detected and second pulses as shown in FIG. 2(B) are sequentially generated.

The generation of pulses by the first and second sensors 16 and 17 by detecting the protrusion is constituted by, for example, photoelectric conversion means. In this case, a state in which detected light from a light source (not shown) is blocked by a protrusion passing through the light-receiving surface of the sensor is detected, and the detected optical signal is photoelectrically converted by the sensor to correspond to each protrusion. /Gurus electrical signal is obtained.

The rotation of the cam 15 is performed via the sprocket 14, and the rotation angle is determined by the detection hole 12-1°12-2 of the carrier 11.
It corresponds to the number of passes. Also, since the transferred items 13-1, 13-2,... are attached to the carrier 11 in correspondence with these detection holes, the first and second noculus are transferred items 13-1, 13-2... Occurs in response to a certain number of.

A counting pulse signal generating means 21 is provided, and the first and second pulses are supplied to the counting pulse signal generating means. - The pulse signal generating means determines the fluctuating state of the first or second pulse, and the noyal pulse signal generating means emits a counting pulse signal that does not fluctuate depending on the fluctuating state of the first or second pulse; It will be done.

In the embodiment, a D-type Frizzo Frozzo is used as the counting pulse signal generating means, and as shown in FIG.
It is connected to the terminal tD and simultaneously connected to the clock terminal tc1. On the other hand, if the output terminal of the second sensor 17 is D type,
Zofrono 22 clock terminal t. connected to k.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, at time τ1, the D terminal to
When the logic value of the signal at the clock terminal tck becomes "1" at time τ2, the logic value of the signal at the output terminal tθ of the D-type flip-flop 22 becomes "1". Next, at time τ3, when the logical value of the signal at the O terminal tD becomes 0, the logical value of the signal at the output terminal tθ of the D-type frizzo frozzo 22 becomes “0”.

Therefore, if the waveforms of the first pulse applied to the D terminal tD and the second pulse applied to the clock terminal tck of the D-type flip-flop 22 are as shown in FIG. 5(4) CB+, the D-type flip-flop 22 Output terminal t
The counting pulse signal obtained at θ has a waveform as shown in FIG. 5 (0).

The counting pulse signal obtained as such a waveform is obtained by determining the fluctuation state of the first or second pulse, and does not fluctuate in that fluctuation state. In other words, so as not to fluctuate due to the fluctuation state of the first or second zorus,
The count pulse signal rises at the front edge of the second pulse and falls at the trailing edge of the first pulse. In this type of transferred goods counting device, mechanical rattling of the rotating body or external noise causes the first
Alternatively, waveform fluctuations may exist at the edge of the second pulse signal, so the D-type Frizzoflossop 22 as a counting pulse signal generation means is provided with the following conditions: These waveform fluctuations do not cause fluctuations. Several Norris signals like this are being emitted from the D-type Furi, Zofro, and Pu22.

Each time the D-type frizzo 22 emits a counting pulse signal as shown in FIG. 5(C), it is cleared at the trailing edge of the first pulse. Similarly, time τ5,
At τ8, a counting pulse signal is generated from the D-type flip-flop 22 as counting pulse signal generating means.

The counting pulse signal from the counting pulse signal generating means is given to the counting means 25 and counted. In this way, the counting signal generating means 21 generates the counting signal 13-1, 13-2, 13-1, 13-2,
Since the counting pulse signal is generated corresponding to a fixed number of transferred articles, the counting pulse signal is generated corresponding to a fixed number of transferred articles.By counting the counting pulse signal, the number of transferred articles can be counted.

The predetermined phase difference between the first and second pulses is also set to a large mechanical ladder of the rotating body, and the first and second pulses are used as counting pulse signals.
Alternatively, a second signal that does not fluctuate in the fluctuating state can be obtained from the D-type flip-flop 22 as counting pulse signal generating means. In this invention, the predetermined phase difference between the first and second pulses is set to be larger than the mechanical play of the rotating body.

"Effects of the Invention" Generally, in this type of transfer item counting device, the carrier moves and stops repeatedly, and the transfer items are transferred intermittently. Therefore, the sprocket 4, which is a rotating body, also repeats starting and stopping intermittently.

For example, the cam 15 may stop just before or immediately after the first sensor 16 changes its operation from the OFF state to the ON state. In this case, for example, the Suge rocket 14 may move slightly due to mechanical play. first sensor 1
6 faithfully detects the light shielding state of the protrusion due to the deviation of the cam 15 caused by the rattling of the sprocket 14, so the first i4 pulse obtained as a result has a waveform as shown in, for example, Fig. 6 @). .

This state also exists when the cam 15 stops at a position just below the threshold value of the first sensor 16. In this case, even if the sprocket 14 does not crack, the first sensor 16 may oscillate due to external noise, resulting in a similar output waveform.

In this invention, the predetermined phase difference θ between the first and second pulses is set to a value larger than the mechanical play of the rotating body, and therefore, the phase difference θ is set larger than the mechanical play of the sprocket 14. As shown in FIG. 6(B), the second sensor 1
7, the logic value of the signal is '0' within the range τ2 to τ1 in which the Sugerocket 14 may cause mechanical rattling.

Therefore, in this range 'τ2 to 'τ1, the D-type frizz-free sofa 22 is not set, and the logic value of the signal at the output terminal tθ is maintained at "0".

It is not until time τ2 in FIG. 6 that the logic value of the signal at the output terminal tθ of the D-type flip-flop 22 becomes “1”, and at time τ3, the logic value of the signal at the output terminal tθ is at the trailing edge of the first pulse. becomes “0”. Therefore, in this case, the counting pulse signal obtained at the output terminal tθ of the D-type Frizzo Frozzo 22 has a waveform as shown in FIG. do not have.

Also, fluctuations in the first pulse due to external noise may cause Sugerocket 14
The inventors have confirmed that if the predetermined phase difference θ is set larger than the range in which mechanical cracks may occur, mechanical cracks will not occur beyond the phase difference range.

) in FIG. 6 indicates that the mechanical raft of the Sugerocket 14 is activated when the protrusion is in another position, that is, when the cam 15 stops just before or immediately after the first sensor 16 changes its operation from the ON state to the OFF state. is the waveform of the first i4 pulse obtained when the first sensor 16 is activated due to the occurrence of external noise.

In this case, at time τ4, D-type Frisopfrozzo 2
Since the logical value of the signal at the output terminal tθ of No. 2 is “0”, the D-type frizzo float 7'22 will not make an erroneous count.

FIG. 6 (g)) shows that the second sensor 17 changes from the OFF state to the
The waveform of the second pulse is shown in the case where the cam 15 stops just before or immediately after the operation changes to the N state, and a malfunction occurs due to the mechanical raft of the sprocket 14 or external noise occurring at time τ5. .

In this case, the logical value of the signal at the output terminal tθ of the D-type frizzofloat 7°22 is '1' at the leading edge of the second ·gus at time τ6, and the logic value of the signal at the output terminal tθ of the D-type frizzofloat 7°22 is '1', and at the time 'τ3, the logic value of the signal at the output terminal tθ of the Since the logic value of the signal at the output terminal tθ is maintained at 1 until the logic value of the pulse becomes "O", erroneous counting will not occur.

In Figure 7, (A) and (B) are the first and second
Assuming the output signal waveforms of sensors 1.6 and 17, as mentioned above, at any time between τ and τ4, cam 15
Even if the sprocket 14 stops, the counting/gurus signal generating means will not erroneously count due to the mechanical raft of the sprocket 14 or the generation of external noise. Here, τ1 and τ3 in Fig. 7 are the positions to which the operation of the first sensor changes, and τ2 and f4 are the positions at which the operation of the first sensor changes.
is the position that the sensor's operation transforms.

External noise is transmitted to the first and second sensors 16 and 17 as shown in FIG.
If the signal is superimposed at the timing shown in A), this external noise will cause the signal generating means to make an erroneous count. However, the probability that external noise will be superimposed at such timing is extremely small, and the present invention has excellent noise resistance against external noise.

As explained in detail above, according to the present invention, there is no possibility of erroneous counting due to mechanical damage of the rotating body or external noise caused by intermittent transfer of transferred items, and the transferred items can always be accurately counted. It is possible to provide a transport item counting device that can perform the following tasks.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the transferred goods counting device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 (A) and CB) are waveform diagrams of the output signals of the first and second sensors in the embodiment of the present invention, respectively. , FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventionally used transfer item counting device, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of counting pulse signal regeneration means in an embodiment of the transfer item counting device of the present invention, and FIG. Figures (A), CB) and (C) are signal waveform diagrams of each part of the counting/seven pulse signal generation means in Figure 4, and Figures 6 (A) to C) are diagrams showing the backlash of the rotating body in the embodiment of this invention. 7 is a signal waveform diagram of each part of the counting/gurus signal generating means in the presence of external noise, and FIG. 7 is a signal waveform diagram showing the operation of the present invention. 11: carrier, 12-1.12-2...: detection hole,
13-1.13-2...: Transferred item, 14: Sprocket, 15゛cam, 16. 1st sensor, 17: second sensor, 18-1 to 18-8: protrusion, 21: counting signal generation means, 22: D-type flip flop, 25: counting means.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Detection holes are arranged and formed at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the carrier, and objects to be transferred are attached to the carrier in correspondence with the detection holes, and the carrier is moved in the longitudinal direction by a carrier drive device while being transferred. A transfer item counting device that sequentially counts items includes a rotating body that rotates according to the number of passages through the detection holes caused by the movement of the carrier at a predetermined position in the moving direction of the carrier; pulse generating means for generating first and second pulses corresponding to a certain number of transferred items with a predetermined phase difference in the rotating direction of the apparatus;
counting pulse signal generating means for determining the fluctuation state of the first or second pulse and emitting a counting pulse signal that does not fluctuate in the fluctuation state; and a counting pulse signal from the counting pulse signal generating means. 1. A transfer item counting device comprising: a counting means for counting the number of transferred items, wherein the predetermined phase difference is set to be larger than the mechanical play of the rotating body.