JPS62228151A - Method and apparatus for detecting buckling of can - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable automatic detection with high accuracy, by detecting the blocking of the incidence of laser beam and the re-incidence of laser beam at the time of the passage of a can by the beam receiver faced to a laser beam emitter across a can transfer passage and discriminating the buckling of the can on the basis of the count value between the blocking time and the re- incident time. CONSTITUTION:Cans 1 are sent in the pockets 10a of a turret 10 one at a time by a pre-stage turret 11 to be transferred to an inspection station A. The blocking of the incidence of laser beam and the re-incidence of said beam at the time of the passage of each can 1 are detected by beam receivers 14a, 14b, 14c faced to laser beam emitters 13a, 13b, 13c across the transfer passage of the can 1 and the number of pulse signals sent from a pulse generator 21 during the blocking time and the re-incident time are counted by a control part 20 and, on the basis of the count number, it is discriminated whether the can 1 has buckling and, further, a buckled can is discharged by the operation of a solenoid valve 32 when transferred to a discharge position B. By this method, automatic detection can be performed with high accuracy.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial use! ? ] The present invention solves buckling cans that occur during the manufacturing process of canned goods,
How to automatically detect buckled cans? About the company.

[Prior art] In the manufacturing process of canned goods, there is a process of wrapping one lid around the body of a can, a process of forming a flange on the mouth of an empty can with a lid wrapped tightly, or a process of wrapping one lid. In the process of performing neck-in processing and seven-lunge processing on the mouth of the DI can, which has an integrally formed can body, and in the process of tightening the other lid after filling these empty cans with contents, A large load may be applied in the axial direction of the can.

That is, in the step of winding the lid onto the can body, the lid is compressed and fixed to the can body using a chuck or the like, and the edges of the lid are rolled up using a seaming roll. In addition, in the neck-in processing of DI cans, the mouth of the can is squeezed inward while applying a load in the axial direction using a drawing machine, and furthermore, in the 7-lung processing process, a load is applied in the axial direction by a flange machine. At the same time, the mouth of the can is opened outward.

For this reason, in the manufacturing process of canned goods, buckling of the can body often occurs. 6 Canned goods with buckling of the can body have poor aesthetic appearance, significantly impairing the product value, and can also lead to poor tightening of the first roll. This was a major cause of poor sealing. In addition, due to the phenomenon in which a portion of the can body protrudes due to buckling, there is a problem in that cans can become stuck during transportation during one can production process.

Therefore, it is necessary to detect buckled cans and sort them according to their length, but it is important to understand that the biggest drawback of buckled cans, the loss of aesthetics, is an intuitive one, and that there is no automatic detection means. Since there is no suitable method for detecting buckled cans, buckled cans have conventionally been detected by human visual inspection.

[Problems to be Solved] As described above, conventional buckled can detection was performed by human visual inspection. This causes variations in the criteria for determining whether or not a can is buckled, and it is impossible to avoid human detection errors due to worker fatigue or carelessness, making it impossible to achieve high-accuracy detection. Ta. In addition, visual inspection by one worker makes it difficult to speed up the inspection and poses a major problem when attempting to automate the inspection and, by extension, automate the can manufacturing process.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and
The present invention aims to improve detection accuracy by detecting buckled cans using a laser sensor, and to provide a method and device for detecting buckled cans that enables faster and automated inspection.

[Means for solving the problem] In order to achieve the above object, the buckled can detection method of the present invention includes the following steps:
A laser emitter emits laser light toward the can that has been transported to the inspection position by the transport means, and a receiver that faces the laser emitter across the can transport path detects the laser light as it passes through the can. Detecting the interruption of the laser beam entrance and the re-entry of the laser beam, and counting the number of pulse signals sent from the pulse generator between the interruption of the entrance of the laser beam and the time of the re-entry of the laser beam, and then calculating the number of counts in advance. This method determines whether or not the can is buckled by comparing it with a preset number of pulse signals, and further outputs a signal according to the result of this determination.

The buckled can detection device of the present invention also includes a means for transporting a can along a transport path, a laser emitter that emits a laser beam toward one can, and a laser emitting unit located across the can transport path. A light receiver that detects the blocking and re-entering of the laser beam when it passes through one can, and a counter that counts the pulse signals input from the time the laser light enters the receiver until the light enters the receiver again. and a determination unit that compares the number of pulse signals counted by the counter with a preset number of pulse signals to determine whether or not the can is buckled, and outputs a signal based on the determination result. , and a processing section that performs predetermined processing based on the output from the discrimination section.

It goes without saying that the present invention can also be implemented to detect cans that have irregularities on their outer circumferential surface due to causes other than buckling, and therefore, in the present invention, these cans are collectively referred to as buckled cans.

[Examples] Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment in which the detection device is installed during the lid tightening process, Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the detection state, Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the circuit configuration of the discriminator, and Fig. 4 is a diagram of the device. It is a waveform diagram of each part showing an operating state.

In these drawings, reference numeral 1 denotes a can to be inspected for the presence or absence of buckling, and in the case of this example, the can was filled with contents and the lid was tightened. The test targets so-called real cans. In FIG. 1, numeral 10 is a turret used in the process of tightening the lid 1, and a plurality of turrets 10a are arranged at equal intervals on the outer periphery for transporting the can 1 which is filled with contents and the lid is tightened. It rotates at a predetermined speed.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a pre-stage auxiliary turret, which sends the can 1 whose lid is to be tightened, which has been sent from the filling process, into the pocket loa of the turret 10. Reference numeral 12 denotes a first pulse generator provided in the pre-stage auxiliary turret 11. As the front auxiliary turret 11 rotates, it generates a large number of pulse signals (approximately 100 to 500 pulses per rotation).

Reference numeral 13 denotes a light emitter that emits a laser beam, which is located at an inspection position iA in the transfer path downstream from the Ml tightening roll (not shown).
It is located near the. 14 is a light receiver, and inspection position 1
It is disposed facing the laser emitter 13 across 1A. In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, three sets of laser emitters 13 and light receivers 14 are arranged in parallel corresponding to the ruled direction, with first and second sets respectively.

Third loser light emitters 13a, 13b, 13c, and first, second, and third light receivers 14a, 14b.

It is 14c. These laser emitters 13a.

13b, 13c and the light receivers L4a, 14b, L4c are arranged so as to inspect a plurality of locations, for example, a portion of the can L where buckling is most likely to occur (usually the central portion fL of the can body).

15 is a turntable, and each pocket 10 of the turret 10
It is located at the bottom of a, for example.

The turret 10 is connected to rotation means (not shown) for rotation. That is, the rotary table 15 rotates on its axis at the same time as the turret 10 revolves. 16 is a rear auxiliary turret, and the can 1 transferred from the inspection position A by the turret 10 is transferred from the pocket 10a of the turret 10 to the downstream process. 17 is a second pulse generator that sends out an inspection command signal, a counter reset signal, and a delivery multiple count signal.When the rear auxiliary turret 16 rotates once, it generates one pulse signal each. Occur.

20 is a control section, which includes first, second, and third gate circuits 2;
1a, 21b, 21c, first and second.

Third counters 22a, 22b, 22c, and fourth, fifth, and sixth gate circuits 23a, 23b.

23c, and first, second, and third comparison circuits 25a.

25b, 25c, a setting circuit 26, and a determining section 24 consisting of a determining circuit z7.

First, second, and third gate circuits 21a.

21b and 21C are first, second, and third light receivers L4a,
During the period from the time when the laser light entering 14b and 14c is blocked by the can L until the time when the laser light enters again through the passage of one can L, that is, while the laser light is blocked by the can L, the first pulse The pulse signals from the generator 12 are first and second.

It is sent to third counters 22a, 22b, and 22c.

Therefore, if the can l is not in the pocket lOa of the turret 10 and the laser beam is not blocked at the inspection position SIA, the control unit does not perform the determination operation.

First, second, and third counters 22a, 22b.

22c counts the number of pulse signals sent while the laser beam is cut off;

It is sent to the fifth and sixth gate circuits 23a, 23b, and 23c. These fourth, fifth and ninth gate circuits 23a, 23b,
23c, for example, when an inspection command signal is sent from the second pulse generator 17, the first, second, and third counters 22
a, 22b.

The first and second circuits 24 discriminate signals from the signals 22c.

In each of the comparison circuits 25a, 25b, 25c, which output to the third comparison circuits 25a, 25b, 25c, the number of pulse signals preset by the setting circuit 26 and each counter 22a, 2
The numbers of pulse signals sent from 2b and 22c are compared. And each counter 22a, 22b, '22
A high level signal is output when the number of pulse signals sent from c is greater or less than a preset allowable range of the number of pulse signals due to buckling of one can 1.

The discrimination circuit 27 includes first, second, and third comparison circuits 25a,
The comparator circuits 25a, 25b, 25 determine whether or not there is buckling in the can l based on the signals from the comparator circuits 25b, 25c.
A buckling detection signal is output when the output of at least one circuit c becomes high level.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a device for displaying the determination result, and based on the signal from the determination circuit 27, it displays whether the inspected can l is a long can or a buckled can. Reference numeral 32 denotes a solenoid valve provided in the discharge air pipe 33, which is activated when the buckled can is discharged from the conveyance line, and blows air from the discharge air pipe 33 toward the discharge position, IB. To this solenoid/help 32, the operation (
The M number is stored in the shift 1 register 34, and the number of buckled cans detected at the inspection position A to be sent to the discharge position B is determined in advance. Generator 17
The shift register 34 is configured to output the pulse signal when the number of pulse signals from the shift register 34 is counted.

Next, an embodiment of the method of the present invention will be described.

The cans 1 whose lids are to be tightened, which have been sent sequentially from the filling process, are fed one by one into the pockets lOa of the turret 10 by the front-stage auxiliary turret (11) and placed on the rotary table 15 (a). As a result, each can 1 revolves and rotates on its axis, and is transported to the inspection position 2iA after the lid is tightened by a tightening roll (not shown). The front side of the can 1 that has been transferred to the inspection position A is the first and second.

When the laser beams emitted from the third laser emitters 13a, 13b, and 13c are blocked, each of the corresponding light receivers W14
a, 14b, 14c are respective gate circuits 2La, 2
Output signals to 1b and 2Lc. As a result, each gate circuit 21a, 21b, 21c is
The pulse signal sent to each counter 22a, 2
2b.

22c.

A pulse signal is output to each counter 22a, 22b, 22c when the rear side of the can 1 passes through the inspection position ilA, and the laser beam enters each light receiver L41L, 14b, L4c again. From L4b, 14c to each gate circuit 21a
, 21b, and 21c stop.

That is, the can 1 allows the laser emitters 13a, 13b,
The pulse signals from the first pulse generator 12 are counted by each counter 22a, 22b, 22c only while the laser beam from the first pulse generator 13c is blocked. Therefore, if there are irregularities on the side surface like a buckled can, the laser beam cut-off time will become shorter or longer, and each counter 2
The number of pulse signals counted at 2a, 22b, and 22c also changes accordingly.

The inspection command signal from the second pulse generator 17 is transmitted to the fourth, fifth,
Sixth gate turn jIg23a, 23b.

23c, it is sent to the 1 discriminator 24.

The second and third comparison circuits 25a, 25b, and 25c correspond to the first, second, and third counters 22a.

The number of pulse signals counted by 22b and 22c is compared with the number of pulse signals that should be counted when one can l is normal, which is preset in the setting circuit 26, and if the difference exceeds the allowable range. outputs a high level signal when the

The comparison circuits 25a, 25b, and 25c are the first, second, and third comparison circuits 25a in the 0 discrimination circuit 27 that outputs the comparison results to the discrimination circuit 27.

high from at least one comparison circuit of 25b and 25c.
Which of the comparison circuits 25a and 25b outputs a buckling detection signal when the h level signal is sent.

When no high level signal is sent from 25c, a buckling non-detection signal is output.

The discrimination signal from the discrimination circuit 27 is displayed '! ! :, is sent to position 31, where the result based on the signal is displayed.

At the same time, if the first discrimination result is post-buckling detection, the discrimination signal is stored in the shift register 34.

Note that, as described above, each counter 22a.

Since 22b and 22C send a number of pulse signals proportional to the can diameter, the present invention can be easily applied to the inspection of cans with different diameters by simply changing the set value in the setting circuit 26.

When the inspection is completed in this way, the second pulse generator 17 outputs the first, second, third counters 22a, 22b,
A reset signal is sent to counter 22c, and each counter 22a, 22
Clear the counts in b and 22c. At the same time, the cans 1 that have been inspected are sequentially transferred by the turret 10 and sent to the next process conveyance line by the rear auxiliary turret 16. If the inspection result is that after buckling is detected, the cans 1 are transferred to the discharge position B. The number of cans sent to the second pulse generator 17 is counted by the shift register 34 using the pulse signal from the second pulse generator 17. When the buckled material reaches the discharge position B of the conveyor line, an activation signal is sent to the solenoid/help 32, air is blown out from the discharge F pipe 33, and the buckled material is removed from the line. do.

In the above embodiment, three stages of laser emitters 13 and light receivers 14 are arranged at one location in the rotational direction of the turret 10 to detect buckling of the can, but if the rotational speed of the turret 10 is In the case of high speed, in order to improve detection accuracy, a plurality of laser sensors 13 may be arranged at different intervals in the rotational direction of the turret 10 to closely inspect buckling on the circumferential line of the outer periphery of one can. Furthermore, in order to improve the detection accuracy on the longitudinal direction of the outer periphery of the can, it is also possible to change the longitudinal position of the laser sensor 13 and arrange a plurality of laser sensors 13 at different positions in the rotational direction of the turret 10.

As mentioned above, if post-buckling detection is performed at the same time as the lid tightening process, a separate post-buckling detection process becomes unnecessary, and the post-buckling detection device also uses the lid tightening device. This makes it possible to simplify the apparatus and shorten the time of the detection process.

It is also possible to inspect the actual cans filled with contents and with the lids tightened in a separate and independent post-buckling detection process. In this case, as a transfer device for one can, a device similar to the transfer device used in the lid tightening process can be used.

Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but also includes modifications such as first order.

(D. When used as a method and device for detecting buckling of empty cans.

■ A method and device for detecting after buckling by arranging one or two sets of laser emitters and light receivers, or four or more sets for more accurate detection vertically.

(2) A method and device in which a prism or the like is provided on the laser emitter side, and a plurality of laser beams corresponding to each receiver are emitted from one laser emitter to detect post-buckling.

■ After drying the liquid adhering to the outer circumferential surface of the can with air or using a dryer with heater 1, method and device for detecting post-buckling.

(2) A method and apparatus for detecting buckling by transporting cans by a rotational transport means other than a turret, or by a linear transport means such as a belt conveyor.

(2) A method and apparatus for detecting post-buckling by rotating the can using a rotating means other than a rotating table, such as a belt or roll.

(2) A method and apparatus for detecting post-buckling using a circuit other than the above as a constituent circuit of the discriminator.

■ A method and device for detecting post-buckling by sounding an alarm or flashing an indicator light as a predetermined process for detecting post-buckling.

■ Use a device other than the air exclusion type as the removal device after buckling,
Also, a method and apparatus for detecting buckled cans by providing a removal device near each detection position as necessary.

dφ A method and an apparatus for detecting buckled cans around the entire circumference of the can by rotating the can one or more north at the inspection position (the turret rotates intermittently).

■ A method and device for detecting buckled cans in plastic cans other than metal cans, paper cans, etc.

0 A method and apparatus for detecting a buckled can by appropriately combining the above embodiments and modifications.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, by detecting buckled cans using a laser emitter and a light receiver, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy and speed up and automate the inspection if possible. Close. Another advantage is that it can be easily applied to cans with different diameters.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings relate to embodiments of the present invention; Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of the embodiment in which the detection device is installed during the seaming process in step 4, Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the detection state, and Fig. 3 is the circuit configuration of the control section. The block diagram and FIG. 4 are waveform diagrams of various parts showing the operating state of the device. l: Can 10: Turret 11
: Front stage auxiliary turret 12: First pulse generator

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A laser emitter emits laser light toward the can that has been transported to the inspection position by the transport means, and a light receiver that faces the laser emitter across the can transport path emits laser light when the can passes. The number of pulse signals sent from the pulse generator between the time when the laser light is cut off and the time when the laser light is re-entered is counted. This buckling can is characterized in that it determines whether or not the can is buckled by comparing the number with a preset number of pulse signals, and further outputs a signal according to the result of this determination. Detection method. (2) The method for detecting a buckled can according to claim 1, wherein the signal corresponding to the determination result that the can has buckling is a signal for activating a device for removing a buckled can. (3) means for transporting the can along the transport path; a laser emitter that emits laser light toward the can; A light receiver that detects when light is cut off and re-entered, a counter that counts the pulse signals input from the time when light is cut off to the time when light is re-entered, and the pulse signals counted by this counter. and a preset number of pulse signals to determine whether or not the can is buckled, and a determination section that outputs a signal based on the determination result; A detection device for a buckled can, comprising processing means for performing processing. (4) The buckled can detection device according to claim 3, wherein the means for performing the predetermined process is a device for removing buckled cans.