JPS62244482A - Selection system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention automatically classifies workpieces of approximately the same planar shape, such as green asparagus, into grades of length, thickness, etc. Concerning a sorting system for sorting.

(Conventional technology) Recently, in response to consumer preferences, supermarkets]
At these stores, agricultural products such as green asparagus are sold in multiple packs of the same thickness and length. In this case, sorting is necessary to obtain products of the same thickness and length.

Here, if it is a spherical object, for example, a fruit fruit, it can be easily sorted by passing the object through a hole corresponding to the grade, and the spherical object can be easily configured as a sorting system because it is easy to handle. can. However, when it comes to handling long, curved, perishable items such as green asparagus, the above configuration cannot handle the handling. In other words, this type of sorting system requires smaller size, higher speed, and higher precision.In the case of fruit fruits, the fruit itself is hard enough to withstand high-speed processing, and the shape is also extremely difficult. Since there are no irregularly shaped objects, the above requirements can be achieved by increasing the conveyance speed or passing the material through a plurality of grade holes. On the other hand, long, curved products such as green asparagus are fresh products that are not hard enough to withstand high-speed processing, and some have irregular shapes. It doesn't work like that.

Therefore, at present, it is not possible to produce curved long objects such as green asparagus as mentioned above in order to save labor, increase speed,
There is no existing sorting system that can perform automatic sorting while achieving high accuracy, and the emergence of one has been strongly desired.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, with curved and long workpieces such as green asparagus, the workpiece itself is not hard enough to withstand high-speed processing because it is a perishable product. Since some of the materials have irregular shapes, it has been impossible to automatically sort them while saving labor, increasing speed, and increasing precision.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sorting system that can automatically sort curved and long workpieces such as green asparagus while saving labor, increasing speed, and increasing precision. The purpose is to

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention is characterized by taking the following measures in order to solve the above problems and achieve the object.

That is, there is a parallel device configured to line up a plurality of externally supplied workpieces having approximately the same planar shape one by one at a predetermined workpiece suction position with a distance therebetween, and a parallel device that communicates with a suction unit to suction the workpieces. A fixed shaft in which a valve groove for setting a section is formed in the circumferential direction, and a suction hole for workpiece suction that is provided concentrically with this fixed shaft, rotates by external power, and communicates with the valve groove of the fixed shaft. It consists of a cylindrical rotating body formed at equal intervals along the direction, and a discharge pipe whose pipe opening is set at a predetermined work separation position during rotation of the cylindrical rotary body and communicates with a high pressure section, and the discharge pipe is connected to a high pressure section. When the suction hole of the cylindrical rotary body is located at the suction position, the workpiece is sucked by the suction pressure supplied to the suction hole through the valve groove, and the workpiece is moved to a predetermined position by the rotation of the cylindrical rotary body. a transfer device configured to separate the workpiece from the suction hole by high pressure from the discharge pipe when the workpiece is transferred to the workpiece separation position; a first rotating body; a rotating second rotary body; one end is rotatably provided on the axial end surface of the second rotary body; the other end is formed in a substantially C-shape for separating the work; A pull-off bar with a groove formed along it.

a rod body, one end of which is rotatably provided on the axial end surface of the first rotating body, and the other end of which is slidably provided in the groove of the separation rod; Due to the rotational action of the second rotating body, the separation rod moves in an elliptical orbit, and the workpiece separated by the transfer device is held at the approximately C-shaped other end of the separation rod. The pull I! is configured to separate at a separation position set by the above-mentioned elliptical orbit. iIl\ device and
an endless power transmission mechanism; a workpiece storage pocket installed around the entire circumference of the endless power transmission mechanism; and a pocket provided at a predetermined position below the pocket of the endless power transmission mechanism and movable in the vertical direction. The workpiece storage pocket is composed of a push-up bar and a guide plate provided at a position above the push-up bar.

A shaft provided perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the endless power transmission mechanism, a fixing plate having one end fixed to the shaft and the other end facing downward, and a base part attached to the shaft. It is formed into one unit by an inverted V-shaped movable body consisting of an operating rod and a movable plate, which are rotatably provided and whose other ends are white at the bottom.

The workpiece is held and conveyed in the V-shaped part formed by two fixed plates and a movable plate of the workpiece storage pocket, and the actuation rod is rotated in the clockwise direction by the upward movement of the push-up rod. a sorting device configured to move the workpiece onto the guide plate and rotate the movable plate clockwise to drop the workpiece held in the V-shaped portion; an information input device that takes in planar information of a workpiece inside; an information processing device that determines the type of a corresponding workpiece based on the planar information of the workpiece obtained by the information input device and a preset reference pattern indicating the type of the workpiece; , characterized in that it is comprised of a system control device that applies operation commands to the actuating rod of the conveying device and gives control commands to at least each of the devices, based on the determination result of the information processing device, The transfer device has a fixed shaft in which a suction valve groove that communicates with the suction part and sets the workpiece suction section and a discharge valve groove that communicates with the high pressure part and sets the workpiece separation section are formed along the circumferential direction of the axial end surface. and a workpiece in which valve holes are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the axial end face opposite to the suction valve groove and discharge valve groove of the fixed shaft, and which is rotatably operated by external power and communicates with each of the valve holes. A rotating body with suction and discharge holes for suction and separation formed at equal intervals along the circumference.

The rotary body is composed of a bearing body that pivotally supports the fixed shaft in an airtight manner, and when the suction/discharge hole of the rotary body is located at the predetermined workpiece suction position, the suction is carried out through the suction valve groove. - The workpiece is sucked by the suction pressure supplied to the discharge hole, and when the workpiece is transferred to a predetermined workpiece separation position by the rotation of the rotating body, the workpiece is separated from the suction/discharge hole by the high pressure from the discharge valve groove. A transfer device configured to do so may be substituted.

(Effect) By taking such measures, the parallel device
A plurality of workpieces supplied from the outside and having substantially the same planar shape are arranged one by one at a predetermined workpiece suction position with a distance therebetween.

The paralleled workpieces from the parallel device are sucked by the suction hole (or suction/discharge hole) of the cylindrical rotating body at the predetermined workpiece suction position by the transfer device, and in this state, the cylindrical rotating body The rotation of the body moves the workpiece to a predetermined separation position, and the high pressure from the discharge pipe (or suction/discharge hole) causes the workpiece to separate from the suction hole (or suction/discharge hole).

The above 1st. The second rotating body rotates at the same rotational speed, and due to this rotational movement, the separation rod moves in an elliptical orbit. It is held at the other end of the letter shape and separated at the separation position set by the elliptical orbit.

While the endless power transmission mechanism is operated by the sorting device, the work separated by the separating device is held and conveyed by the V-shaped portion, and the operating rod is moved clockwise by the upward movement of the push-up rod. The movable plate rotates clockwise to fall onto the guide plate, and the workpiece held by the V-shaped portion falls.

The information input device takes in the plane information of the workpiece being transported by the sorting device, and the information processing device selects the applicable one based on the plane information of the workpiece from the information input device and a preset reference pattern indicating the type of the workpiece. The type of work to be carried out is determined, and the system control device, based on the above-mentioned judgment result, gives an operation command to the actuating rod of the above-mentioned conveyance device, and also gives a control command to at least one of the above-mentioned devices.

Through this series of operations, even curved and long workpieces such as green asparagus can be automatically sorted while saving labor, increasing speed, and increasing precision.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the sorting system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The system of this embodiment has a configuration that is applied to green asparagus as a workpiece.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the system of this embodiment, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main parts of the system of this embodiment, FIGS. 3 and 4 show the configuration of the transfer device in the system of this embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an axial cross-sectional view, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the axial direction, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the operation of the sorting device in the same embodiment system.

That is, the system of this embodiment is configured as shown in FIG.

The parallel device 1 consists of a hopper la, a diaphragm 1b, and an alternating stopper 1c, and is configured to suck a plurality of green asparagus (hereinafter referred to as "works") P supplied from the outside and having approximately the same planar shape at a predetermined work suction position. They are arranged so that they are arranged in parallel with each other at a distance from A.

The transfer device 2 uses the parallel device 1 to suction the workpiece to a predetermined position! A
The workpieces P arranged in parallel with each other are transferred to a predetermined workpiece separation position @B by rotational operation.

The separation device 3 is moved to a predetermined work separation position B by the transfer device 2.
The workpiece P transferred to is received by a separation rod 3a which draws an elliptical orbit, and is separated from the workpiece P at a separation position C set by the elliptical trajectory.

The distribution device 4 includes a chain 4a as an endless power transmission mechanism.
The chain 4a is provided with a workpiece storage pocket which can be opened/closed over the entire circumference of the chain 4a.

The information input device 5 receives planar information of the work being transported by the sorting device 4, for example, from a TV camera 5a.

It is configured to capture images using illumination lights 5b, 5c, etc.

The information processing device 6 uses an image processing method to determine the type of the work P based on the plane information of the work P provided by the information input device 5 and a preset reference pattern indicating the type of the work P. It is composed of

The system control device 7 gives operation commands to the transport device 4 based on the determination result of the information processing device 6, and also provides operation commands to each device 1, 2, 3.
.

Here, the chain 4a of the sorting device 4 is strung around a gear 4b, and is driven by an electric motor 4d controlled by an inverter 4C.

Further, a frame 4e is provided on the base so as to surround the entire circumference of the chain 4a, and furthermore, hoppers by grade = 21-4f1.4f2, 4f3 are provided, and the hoppers by grade 4fl, 4f2.4f3 are Each push-up bar 4 (1
1,4Q2.4Q3 and guide plate 4h1゜4h2,4h3
A hopper 41 for storing non-sorted workpieces is provided at the end of the chain 4a. Further, the inverter 4c and the push-up rods 4o1, 4Q2, and 4Q3 are operated by commands from the system control device 7. Further, the electric motor 4d and the transfer device 2 are driven synchronously by a belt or the like.

Next, details of each of the above devices will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

In FIG. 2, a hopper 1a in the parallel apparatus 1 accommodates a plurality of works P that have been roughly sorted by a worker (not shown).

The diaphragm 1b causes the workpieces P discharged from the hopper 1a to be arranged flatly one by one by electromagnetically vibrating the plate.

The alternate stopper 1C is a plate body 1C1 connected to the diaphragm 1b.
First and second collar plates 1c2 and 1c3 facing each other at a distance are provided so as to be movable up and down.
．． There is an oblong hole I in the lower part of the second stopper plate 1C2゜1c3.
C4, 105 is formed, and this oblong hole 1c4. The first. Second eccentric cam 1c6, 1c
7 and shafts 1c8 and 1c9. and,
A bevel gear 1C10 for obtaining rotational force from the transfer device H2 is provided on the shaft 1c9.

According to the alternating shaft IG of this configuration, the shafts 1c8 and 1c9 rotate in synchronization with the rotation of the transfer device 2, thereby causing the first... The second eccentric cams 1c6 and 1c7 rotate eccentrically at different positions, so that the second eccentric cams 1c6 and 1c7 rotate eccentrically at different positions.
2 and 1c3 are moved up and down alternately. As a result, the workpieces P, which are arranged flatly one by one on the diaphragm 1b and which are subjected to a pressing force determined by the movement of the diaphragm 1b in this state, are prevented from advancing by the upwardly moved first stopper plate 1c2. Then, as the first stopper plate 1c2 moves downward, it passes through the first stopper plate 1C2, and the second stopper plate 1c3 moves upward simultaneously with the downward movement of the first stopper plate ic2. Its progress is blocked, and the above-mentioned diaphragm 1
The second stopper plate 1 is removed by eliminating the pressing force caused by b.
The downward movement of C3 causes the workpiece to pass through this second stopper plate 1c3 and reach the predetermined workpiece suction position A shown in the figure.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the fixed shaft 2a in the transfer device 2 has a valve groove 281 that communicates with a suction section (not shown) (vacuum pump or vacuum section) and sets a workpiece suction section. are formed in the circumferential direction, communicate with the valve groove 281, and lead out to both axial ends of the fixed shaft side suction hole 2a2. The discharge hole 2a3 is configured to penetrate in the axial direction. Bearings 2bl and 2b2 are installed on the fixed shaft 2a, and a cylindrical rotating body 2C is rotatably provided via the bearings 2bl and 2b2. In addition, the fixed shaft 2a and the cylindrical rotating body 2C
A plurality of O-rings 21) 3 are provided along the axial direction in order to seal the suction pressure and high pressure even during high-speed rotation.

This cylindrical rotating body 2C has a gear 20 meshing with the gear 2d on its periphery so that it is rotated by the gear 2d as external power.
1 is formed. In addition, two rows of eight rotating body side suction holes 2C2 for work suction communicating with the valve groove 2b1 of the fixed shaft 2b are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction (45° intervals). Here, a curved surface 2C3 is formed on the end surface of the rotating body side suction hole 2C2 so that the work P can be easily sucked. Furthermore, a gear 2 meshing with the bevel gear 1C10 on the outer periphery in order to transmit rotation to the bevel gear 1C10 of the alternate stopper 1G.
c4 is formed.

The discharge pipe 2e is located at a predetermined work separation position B during the rotation of the cylindrical rotary body 2C, and its pipe opening is set at the end face of the rotary body side suction hole 2C2, and the discharge pipe 2e is a fixed shaft led out to an end in the direction of both wheels of the fixed shaft 2a. It communicates with the side discharge hole two a3.

According to the transfer device 2 having this configuration, the predetermined workpiece suction position 11
When the suction hole 202 of the cylindrical rotating body 2G is located at A, the work P is sucked by the suction pressure applied to the suction hole 2C2 via the valve groove 2a1.

When this work P is transferred to a predetermined work separation position B by the rotation of the cylindrical rotating body 2C, the work P is separated from the suction hole 2c2 by high pressure from the discharge pipe 2e.

The pulling device 3 includes a pulling rod 3a and a first rotating body 3b.

It has a second rotating body 3c and a rod 3d.

Here, the second rotating body 3C rotates at the same number of rotations as the first rotating body 3b, and one end of the pulling rod 3a is rotated on the axial end surface of the second rotating body 3C. It is set up so that it can move freely. The other end of this separation rod 3a is formed as a substantially C-shaped portion 3al for separating the workpiece, and a long groove 3a2 is formed along the longitudinal direction. The rod 3d is
One end is rotatably provided on the axial end surface of the first rotating body 3b, and the other end is slidably provided in the long groove 3a2 of the separation rod 3a.

According to the pulling device 3 having this configuration, the first. Due to the rotational movement of the second rotating bodies 3b and 3c, the separation rod 3a moves in an elliptical orbit as shown in the figure, and the separation rod 3a moves the separated work P at a predetermined work separation position B by the transfer device 2. It is held by the approximately C-shaped portion 3al of 3a and turned to a separation position C'T:11 set by an elliptical orbit.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the workpiece storage pocket WP in the sorting device 4 is provided at right angles to the traveling direction of the chain 4a (which is installed in parallel on both sides c). A shaft 4j, a fixing plate 4 with one end fixed to the shaft 4j and the other end facing downward, and a base 4n1 rotatably provided on the shaft 4j and the other ends of each One unit is made up of an inverted V-shaped movable body 4n consisting of an actuating rod 4λ with a roller 41 with the part facing downward and a movable plate 4m, and two units of this unit are attached to a fixed plate 4 in front and a fixed plate 4 in the rear. It is constituted by a V-shaped portion formed by a movable plate 4m.

As shown in FIG. 5, according to the workpiece storage pocket WP, the workpiece P is held in the V-shaped part and conveyed as the chain 4a advances, and the push-up rod 4f (4, fl, 4f2.4
f3 ) upward movement causes the roller 4β1 of the operating rod to move at 4°C.
rotates clockwise and the guide plate 4h (4hl, 4h2
．． 4h3), and at the same time, the movable plate 4m rotates clockwise to open the V-shaped part, allowing the workpiece P held by this V-shaped part to fall. When the roller 4λ1 falls from the guide plate 4h, the original V
It begins to form a letter-shaped part.

Next, the functions of the system of this embodiment will be listed and explained.

(2) Each device of the system of this embodiment is constructed and operates as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

Therefore, the hopper 1a and the diaphragm 1b.

A parallel device 1 consisting of alternate stoppers 1C allows the workpiece P to
The workpieces P are arranged in parallel at a predetermined workpiece suction position one by one with a distance between them, and the workpieces P arranged in parallel at the predetermined workpiece suction position A are transferred to a predetermined workpiece separation position B by a rotational operation by the transfer device 2. I come to do it. continue,
The workpiece P transferred to a predetermined workpiece separation position B by the separation device 3 is picked up by a separation rod 3a that draws an elliptical orbit, and is separated by natural fall at a separation position C on this elliptical trajectory and transferred to the sorting device. It will be placed in the work storage pocket WP of No. 4. Here, the workpiece WP placed in the workpiece storage pocket WP of the sorting device 4 is transferred as the chain 4a advances, and an image is input by the information input device 5 using planar information. The information processing device 6 determines the type of the applicable workpiece P based on the plane information of the workpiece P and a preset reference pattern indicating the type of workpiece, and based on this determination result, the system control device 7 An operation command is given to the corresponding push-up rod 4q of No. 4, the workpiece storage pocket WP is opened, and the workpiece P is stored in the corresponding station-specific hopper 4f. Through this series of operations, even a curved and long work P such as green asparagus can be automatically sorted while saving labor, increasing speed, and increasing precision.

■ Parallel devices that operate synchronously1. According to the transfer device 2, the workpieces P are rapidly supplied to the predetermined workpiece separation position B one by one at a speed determined by the rotational speed of the cylindrical rotating body 2C without clogging. in this case,
With the alternate stoppers 1C of the alignment device 1, the workpieces P can be fed one by one to the transfer device 2 without being subjected to pressing force from the upstream side, so that the operation of the transfer device 2 can be ensured.

According to the transfer device 2, while the cylindrical rotating body 2G rotates at high speed, the two rows of suction holes 2G2 are under pressure at the work suction position A, so the work P can be reliably suctioned. Then, the workpiece P is rotated while maintaining this suction, and since the discharge pipe 2e is in a high pressure state at the predetermined workpiece separation position B, the workpiece P can be forcibly separated. The operation of the sorting device 4 can be ensured.

- According to the separating device 3, the workpiece P separated from the cylindrical rotating body 2C at the predetermined workpiece position B is reliably caught by the separating rod 3a without scattering outward due to centrifugal force. Work storage pocket WP while maintaining the same state
Since the holding is released by natural fall at the separation position C where the workpiece is located, it is possible to reliably accommodate the workpiece in the workpiece storage pocket WP, and the operation of the sorting @4 can be ensured. In addition, the transfer device H2 and the separating device 3 catch the work P at the work suction position A, rotate and transport it to a predetermined work separation position B, and then catch the work P at the separation position flfc. However, this series of operations is a transfer operation that is very similar to manual work that does not utilize the weight of the workpiece P at all. The workpiece P will not be damaged unnecessarily.

According to the sorting device 4, the workpiece storage pocket WP, which is in high-speed movement 1, can be opened by simply moving upward the push-up rod 4g, which operates according to a command from the system control device 7. can be reliably stored in the hopper 4f directly below the push-up rod 4Ω. in this case,
Since the guide plate 4h is provided along the traveling direction, the opening operation of the workpiece storage pocket WP can be maintained for a certain period of time. Therefore, even if the work P gets caught in the inverted V-shaped movable body 4n for some reason, the vibrations caused by the operation will act on the work P during this holding period, so that it will still be reliably caught in the hopper 71f. can be accommodated.

■ Information input device5. According to the information processing device @6, the TV camera 5a can input images at a maximum of 30 images per second, so the rotation speed of the transfer device 2 and the chain 4a of the sorting device 4 are adjusted in accordance with this image input speed. The progress speed can be set, realizing extremely high-speed sorting and sorting processing.

■ The transfer device 2 and the sorting device 4 are synchronously driven by belts, and the sorting device 4 and the information input device 5 are operated in correspondence via the system control device 7, so that the transfer and sorting can be easily performed. This ensures consistency in operation, thereby ensuring operational reliability even at high speeds.

■ In the above embodiment, the power source for the tearing and tearing 3 is not shown or explained, but the power source for the tearing device 3 is obtained from the sorting device 4 (N drive 14a) like the transfer device 2. For example, the mechanical system and the information processing system can be centrally controlled by the system control device 7, achieving further automation and labor savings. On the contrary, even if separate power sources are provided for each of the devices 1, 2, and 3.4, and each power source is controlled by the system control device 7, the same automation and labor savings as described above can be achieved. transformation is something that is realized.

Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be explained for each device.

FIG. 6 is an axial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the transfer device.

In FIG. 6, the same parts as in FIGS. 3 and 4 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted. That is, the sixth
The embodiment shown in the figure is basically the same as the structure shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, but has a different structure in the following points.

That is, each end face of the suction hole 2c2 of the cylindrical rotating body 2C is made of a soft member such as rubber, and has a curved surface as necessary, in order to easily hold the workpiece P and prevent damage to the workpiece P. The holding member 2c5 is provided with a holding member 2c5 formed thereon.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view perpendicular to the axial direction of another embodiment of the transfer device. In FIG. 7, the same parts as in FIGS. 3 and 4 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanation will be omitted. That is, the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is basically the same as the structure shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, but has a different structure in the following points.

That is, a claw 2c6 is provided on each end face of the suction hole 2c2 of the cylindrical rotating body 2C in order to facilitate the holding of the workpiece P.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the alternating stopper in the parallel monkey gyrus 1. The alternating switch 1 header 1d of this embodiment is constructed as follows. That is, the first stopper plate 1d3 has a plate body 1dl connected to the diaphragm 1b, has a groove 1d2 in its lower part, and is movable up and down. It has a second stopper plate 1d5 which is opposed to each other at a distance at the top and is provided with an oblong hole 1d4 at the bottom and is movable up and down. A first eccentric cam 1d6 is slidably arranged in the oblong hole 1d4 of the second stopper plate 1d5,
A second eccentric cam 1d7 is fixed to the first eccentric cam 166. One end of the first shaft 1d8 is fixed to the second eccentric cam 1d7, and the other end is slidably provided in the groove 1d2 of the first stopper plate 1d3. The second shaft 1d9 has one end fixed to the first eccentric cam 1d6 and the other end rotated by the bevel gear 1d1 by the gear 2C4 of the cylindrical rotating body 2G of the transfer device 2.
0 is set. With this configuration, the second shaft 1d9 rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the transfer device 2, similar to the alternating stopper 1C in FIG. The second stopper plates 1d3 and 1d5 are configured to move up and down alternately.

9 and 10 show the structure of another embodiment of the transfer device, with FIG. 9 being an axial sectional view and FIG. 10 being a perspective view of the main parts. The transfer device 8 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is constructed as follows. That is, the fixed shaft 8a communicates with a suction pressure section (vacuum pump or vacuum section) (not shown) via a suction pipe 8a1, and a suction valve groove 8a2 that sets a workpiece suction section, and a high pressure section (not shown) via a discharge pipe 3a3. A discharge valve groove 884 that communicates and sets a work separation section is formed along the circumferential direction of the axial end face, and a convex portion 8a5 that separates the suction valve ff18a2 from the discharge valve groove 8a4 is formed on the end face.

The bearing body 8b has an O-ring 8b1 and rotatably supports the rotating body 8C and the fixed shaft 8a in an airtight manner.

The rotating body 8G has valve holes 8C1 formed on its axial end face at equal intervals (in the figure, 8 holes at 45° intervals), facing the suction valve groove 8a2 and the discharge valve groove 8a4 of the fixed shaft 8a, and extending in the circumferential direction. has been done. Further, this rotating body 8G has a valve hole 8c1.
Suction/discharge holes 3c2 for workpiece suction/separation, which communicate with the
It is formed in two rows at intervals), and a gear 8d is installed around the circumference as a power source.
A gear 8c3 that meshes with is formed on the outermost periphery, and a bevel gear 1clO (
or 1clO) is formed.

According to this configuration, the valve holes 8+, 1 of the rotary body 8G and the suction valve groove 8a2 and the discharge valve groove 8a4 of the fixed shaft 8a rotate in opposition to each other, so that the rotary body 8C and When the suction/discharge hole 8C2 is located, the suction valve groove 8a
2, a workpiece P (not shown) is sucked by the suction pressure supplied to the suction/discharge hole 8c2, and when the workpiece P is transferred to a predetermined workpiece separation position B by the rotation of the rotary body 8C, the workpiece P is released from the discharge valve groove 8a4. The high pressure causes the workpiece P to be separated from this suction/discharge hole 8c2. In this case, the suction/separation hole 8C2 is for sucking or separating the workpiece P in a section determined by the rotating position of the rotating body 8C, so the formation positions of the suction valve groove 8a2 and the discharge valve groove 8a4 of the fixed shaft 8a By changing the position of the valve hole 8C1 or the position where the valve hole 8C1 is formed, the suction start position and separation start position of the workpiece P can be changed.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and described above. For example, the parallel system H1 is configured to line up and supply workpieces P one by one using the combination of the diaphragm 1b and the alternating stoppers 1G, but depending on the type of target workpiece P, it may be possible to use the diaphragm 1b without using the diaphragm 1b. , or other means may be used.

The transfer device 8 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 may be provided with the holding member (2c5) shown in FIG. 6, or the claw (206) shown in FIG.
).

In addition, the number of holes 2G2.81 in the transfer devices 2 and 8 is
Any number other than eight may be used as long as they are equally spaced. Further, the power source for the alternate stoppers 1c and 1d may be obtained not only from the transfer device 2 but also from another power source synchronized with the rotation of the transfer device 2. Further, the power for the rotating bodies 2c, 8c in the transfer device 2.8 is obtained by meshing gears 2d, 8d with a gear 2G4.803 provided on the outer periphery of the rotating bodies 2.8. Axis 8a
A rotational force may be obtained by providing a through hole in the center of the rotor and a rotation transmission rod having one end connected to the power source and the other end connected to the rotating body 8C. . Furthermore, the suction hole 2C in the transfer device 2 (or 8)
2 (or suction/discharge holes 8C2) are arranged in two rows, but they may be arranged in one row or in three or more rows.In other words, the structure is such that the work P can be reliably sucked, and the hole shape is also an ellipse in the illustration. It is not particularly limited to this shape.

Depending on the type of workpiece P, it is possible to reliably transfer the workpiece P between the transfer device 2 and the sorter N4 without using the transfer device 3, so in this case, the transfer device M3 can be omitted. It's okay. In addition, in FIG. 1, for aligning and supplying the work P! ! Parallel device with structure 1. Transfer device 2. Although one set of phases of the separating device 3 is arranged, a plurality of sets may be arranged depending on the conveyance capacity of the sorting device 4 and the sorting processing capacity.

The distribution device 4 may use an endless power transmission body other than the chain 4a, and may be arranged in one row or in three or more rows. The workpiece storage pocket WP may have a structure other than that shown in FIG. 2, as long as it forms a V-shaped part by a fixed plate and an inverted V-shaped movable body. In addition, grade hopper 4f (
4f1.4f2.

4f3), push-up bar 4g (4g1.4CI2).

4 to 13), information board 4h (4hl, 4h2.4.h
The group 3) is made of 3 silks and is configured to be able to sort 3 grades, but in order to sort 2 and 4 grades, a grade hopper 4f and a push-up bar 40. A corresponding number of guide plates 4h may be prepared.The hopper 41 is arranged to accommodate defective products that are not sorted, but it may be omitted. A switch or the like may be provided to monitor the quantity of sorted workpieces P, for example, by the system control device 7.Thereby,
Further automation will be achieved.

The information input device M5 and the image processing device 6 use a TV camera 5a and are configured to use TV images as objects to be sorted, but they also use a line sensor or the like to collect plane image information of the workpiece P, and use this information and grade classification. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments as long as it is configured and used to compare patterns. In addition, a plurality of information input devices 5 may be provided depending on the processing capacity of the image processing device 6.
may be connected.

System system t[I The control target of device 7 is mechanical device 1
．． 2.3.4 and electrical devices 5 and 6, or only a certain device may be targeted. In other words, it does not specifically specify the controlled object, but can be set as appropriate depending on the processing capacity of the system control device 7 or the characteristics of the controlled object.

Of course, the work P is not limited to green asparagus, and preferable workpieces include long ones, and are not particularly limited to agricultural products.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, the sorting system according to the present invention arranges a plurality of externally supplied works having approximately the same planar shape one by one at a predetermined work suction position with a distance between them. A parallel device configured as follows; a fixed shaft in which a valve groove is formed in the circumferential direction and communicates with the suction part to set a workpiece suction section; A cylindrical rotating body in which suction holes for workpiece suction that communicate with the valve groove of the fixed shaft are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, and a pipe opening is located at a predetermined workpiece separation position as the cylindrical rotating body rotates. and a discharge pipe communicating with the high pressure section, and when the suction hole of the cylindrical rotating body is located at the predetermined workpiece suction position, suction pressure is supplied to the suction hole through the valve groove. a transfer device configured to suck a workpiece and, when the workpiece is transferred to a predetermined workpiece separation position by rotation of the cylindrical rotating body, cause the workpiece to be separated from the suction hole by high pressure from the discharge pipe; a second rotating body that rotates at the same rotation speed as the first rotating body, one end rotatably provided on an axial end surface of the second rotating body, and the other end is formed into a substantially C-shape for separating the workpieces, and has a groove formed along the longitudinal direction.

a rod body, one end of which is rotatably provided on the axial end surface of the first rotating body, and the other end of which is slidably provided in the groove of the separation rod; Due to the rotational action of the second rotating body, the separation rod moves in an elliptical orbit, and the work separated by the transfer device is held at the other end of the C-shape of the separation bar. A separating device configured to separate the workpieces at a separation position set by the elliptical orbit, an endless power transmission mechanism, and a workpiece storage pocket provided around the entire circumference of the endless power transmission mechanism. , a push-up bar provided at a position below a predetermined pocket of the endless power transmission mechanism and movable in the vertical direction, and a guide plate provided corresponding to the upper position of the push-up bar; teeth.

A shaft provided at right angles to the traveling direction of the endless folding saw transmission mechanism, a fixing plate having one end fixed to the shaft and the other end facing downward, and a root portion attached to the shaft. One unit is formed by an inverted V-shaped movable body consisting of an actuating rod and a movable plate, which are rotatably provided and whose other ends face downward.

The workpiece is held and conveyed in the V-shaped part formed by two fixed plates and a movable plate of the workpiece storage pocket, and the actuation rod is rotated clockwise by the upward movement of the push-up rod. a sorting device configured to drop the workpiece held in the V-shaped portion by climbing onto the guide plate and rotating the movable plate in a clockwise direction; an information input device that inputs planar information of the workpiece; an information processing device that determines the type of the corresponding workpiece based on the planar information of the workpiece obtained by the information input device and a preset reference pattern indicating the type of the workpiece; and a system control device that gives operation commands to the actuating rod of the transfer device based on the determination result of the information processing device, and a system control device that gives control instructions to at least each of the devices, the transfer device having the above configuration , a fixed shaft in which a suction valve groove that communicates with the suction part and sets a work suction section, and a discharge valve groove that communicates with the high pressure part and sets a work separation section are formed along the circumferential direction of the axial end surface; Valve holes are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the axial end face facing the suction valve groove and discharge valve groove of the shaft, and are rotatably operated by external power and communicated with the valve holes for work suction and separation. A rotating body with suction and discharge holes formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction.

The rotary body is composed of a bearing body that pivotally supports the fixed shaft in an airtight manner, and when the suction/discharge hole of the rotary body is located at the predetermined workpiece suction position, the suction is carried out through the suction valve groove.・The workpiece is sucked by the suction pressure supplied to the discharge hole, and when the workpiece is transferred to a predetermined workpiece separation position by the rotation of the rotating body, the workpiece is sucked through the suction/discharge hole by the high pressure from the upper discharge valve. The configuration is such that a transfer device configured to separate them is used instead.

According to this configuration, the paralleling device lines up a plurality of works that are supplied from the outside and have substantially the same planar shape one by one at a predetermined work suction position with a distance therebetween.

The paralleled workpieces from the parallel device are sucked by the suction hole (or suction/discharge hole) of the cylindrical rotating body at the predetermined workpiece suction position by the transfer device, and in this state, the cylindrical rotating body The rotation of the body moves the workpiece to a predetermined separation position, and the high pressure from the discharge pipe (or suction/discharge hole) causes the workpiece to separate from the suction hole (or suction/discharge hole).

With the separating device, the above-mentioned 1. The second rotating body rotates at the same rotational speed, and due to this rotational movement, the separation rod moves in an elliptical orbit, and the separation rod moves the work separated by the transfer device into an approximately C-shape of the separation rod. It is held at the other end of the shape and separated at a separation position set by the elliptical orbit.

While the endless power transmission mechanism is in operation, the sorting device holds and conveys the workpiece separated by the separating device in the V-shaped portion, and the upward movement of the push-up rod causes the operating rod to move clockwise. The movable plate rotates in a clockwise direction to ride on the guide plate, and the movable plate rotates clockwise to cause the workpiece held in the V-shaped portion to fall.

The information input device takes in the plane information of the workpiece being conveyed from the sorting device, and the information processing device calculates -46==the plane information of the workpiece from the information input device and a reference pattern indicating the type of the workpiece set in advance. The type of the applicable workpiece is determined based on the determination result, and the system control device gives an operation command to the operating rod of the transport device and a control command to at least one of the devices.

This series of operations makes it possible to automatically sort even curved and long workpieces such as green asparagus while saving labor, increasing speed, and increasing precision. It becomes possible to provide a sorting system with extremely high quality.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a sorting system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the main parts of the system of the embodiment, and FIG.
4 and 4 show the configuration of the transfer device in the same embodiment system, FIG. 3 is an axial cross-sectional view, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the same embodiment system. 6 and 7 show the structure of another embodiment of the transfer device according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a sectional view in the axial direction, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view in the axial direction. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the structure of another embodiment of the alternating stopper of the parallel device according to the invention, and FIGS. 9 and 10 show the structure of other embodiments of the transfer device according to the invention. FIG. 9 is an axial sectional view, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the main parts. 1...Parallel device, 1a...Hopper, 1b...Vibration plate, 1C...Alternate stopper, 1c1...Plate body, 1c
2゜103...1st. Second stopper plate, 1c4゜1
c5...Oval hole, 1c6, 1c7...1st. Second eccentric cam, lc8, 1c'9...shaft, 1c10...
Bevel gear, 1d...alternate stopper, 1dl...plate,
1d2...Groove 1d2.1d3...First stopper plate, 1d4...Oval hole, 1d5...Second stopper plate, ld6...First eccentric cam, 1d7...No. No. 2 eccentric cam, 168...first shaft, 169...second shaft, 1d10...bevel gear, 2...transfer device, 2a...
・Fixed shaft, 2al...valve groove, 2a2...fixed shaft side suction hole, 2a3...discharge hole, 2b1, 2b2...bearing, 2b3...O ring, 2c...cylindrical rotating body, 2CI・
...Gear, 2c2...Rotating body side suction hole, 2c3...
Curved surface, 2c4... Gear, 2C5... Holding member, 2c
6...claw, 2d...gear, 2e...discharge pipe, 3.
... Separation device, 3a... Pulling, 3a1... Approximately C-shaped part, 3a2... Rod body, 3b... First rotating body, 3
C... Second rotating body, 3d... Rod, 4... Sorting device, 4a... Chain, 4b... Gear, 4C...
・Inverter, 4 d ・=-Electric motor, 4 e-...Frame, 4f (4fl, 4f2. 4, f 3)-...etc. Hopper by station, 4C] (4g
1, '12. 403)... Push-up bar, 4h (4hl, 4.h2
. 4h3)...Guide plate, 4i...Hopper, 4j center shaft, 4k...fixing plate, 4I2...operating rod, 4β1.
...Roller, 4m...Movable plate, 4n...Inverted V-shaped movable body, 4nl...Root, WP...Pocket for workpiece storage, 5...Information input device, 5a... TV camera, 5b, 5c... Lighting lamp, 6... Information processing device, 7
...System control device, 8...Transfer device, 8a...
・Fixed shaft, 8a1...Suction pipe, 8a2...Suction valve groove, 8a4...Discharge valve groove, 8a5...Protrusion, 8b...
・Bearing body, 8b1...0 ring, 8c...rotating body,
8c1...Valve hole, 8c2...Suction/discharge hole, 8C3
...Gear, 8c4...Bevel gear, gear for 8d. Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 6 Figure 7

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) A parallel device configured to line up a plurality of externally supplied workpieces with substantially the same shape in plan at a predetermined workpiece suction position one by one with a distance between them, and a workpiece connected to a suction part. A fixed shaft in which a valve groove for setting a suction section is formed in the circumferential direction, and a suction hole for workpiece suction that is provided concentrically with this fixed shaft, rotates by external power, and communicates with the valve groove of the fixed shaft. It consists of a cylindrical rotating body formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction, and a discharge pipe whose pipe opening is set at a predetermined work separation position as the cylindrical rotating body rotates and communicates with the high pressure section, and the discharge pipe is connected to the high pressure section. When one suction hole of the cylindrical rotating body is located at the workpiece suction position, the suction pressure supplied to the suction hole through the valve groove sucks the workpiece, and the workpiece is moved by the rotation of the cylindrical rotating body. a transfer device configured to separate the workpiece from the suction hole by high pressure from the discharge pipe when the workpiece is transferred to a predetermined workpiece separation position; a first rotating body; and a rotation speed that is the same as that of the first rotating body. a second rotary body that rotates at the axial end of the second rotary body; one end is rotatably provided on the axial end surface of the second rotary body; the other end is formed in a substantially C-shape for separating the workpiece; a separation rod having a groove formed along the direction; one end rotatably provided on the axial end surface of the first rotating body, and the other end slidably in the groove of the separation rod; and a rod provided with the above-mentioned first,
Due to the rotational action of the second rotating body, the separation rod moves in an elliptical orbit, and the work separated by the transfer device is held at the other end of the separation rod, which is approximately C-shaped, and A separating device configured to separate the workpieces at a separation position set by an elliptical orbit, an endless power transmission mechanism, and a workpiece storage pocket provided around the entire circumference of the endless power transmission mechanism; The workpiece storage pocket is composed of a push-up bar that is provided at a position below a predetermined pocket of the endless power transmission mechanism and is movable in the vertical direction, and a guide plate that is provided corresponding to the upper position of this push-up bar. , a shaft provided perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the endless power transmission mechanism, a fixing plate having one end fixed to the shaft and the other end facing downward, and a root portion attached to the shaft. The actuating rod is rotatably provided, and the other end of each is provided facing downward.
One unit is formed by the letter-shaped movable body, and the workpiece is held and conveyed in the V-shaped part formed by the fixed plate and the movable plate of the two units of the workpiece storage pocket, and by the upward movement of the push-up bar. A sorting device configured such that the operating rod rotates clockwise to ride on the guide plate, and the movable plate rotates clockwise to drop the workpiece held in the V-shaped portion. and an information input device that takes in the plane information of the work being transported by the sorting device, and an information input device that inputs the plane information of the workpiece being transported by the sorting device. comprising an information processing device that determines the type; and a system control device that gives an operation command to the operating rod of the conveying device and a control command to at least one of the devices based on the determination result of the information processing device. A sorting system featuring (2) The parallel device includes a means for arranging the workpieces supplied from the outside one by one, a plate body into which the workpieces sent from this means are introduced, and a plate body that faces each other with a distance between them. First and second stopper plates are provided with an oblong hole in the lower part thereof and are movable up and down, and a first stopper plate that is slidably disposed in the oblong holes of the first and second stopper plates. , a second eccentric cam, and first and second shafts provided to eccentrically rotate the first and second eccentric cams, and the second shaft receives rotational force by a transfer device. It is characterized by comprising an alternating stopper configured such that the first and second stopper plates alternately move up and down as the first and second shafts rotate in synchronization with the rotation of the receiving and transferring device. A sorting system according to claim 1. (3) The parallel device has a means for aligning the workpieces supplied from the outside one by one, a plate body into which the workpieces sent from this means are introduced, and a groove provided at the bottom that is movable up and down. a first stopper plate, and a second stopper plate that faces each other at a distance from each other on the plate, has an oblong hole in its lower part, and is movable up and down. a first eccentric cam slidably disposed in the oblong hole of the second stopper plate; a second eccentric cam fixed to the first eccentric cam;
A first shaft having one end fixed to the second eccentric cam and the other end slidable in the groove of the first stopper plate; and a second shaft which is fixed and whose other end is rotated by the transfer device, and when this second shaft rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the transfer device, the first and second stopper plates are alternately moved. 2. The sorting system according to claim 1, further comprising an alternating stopper configured to move up and down. (4) A parallel device configured to line up a plurality of externally supplied workpieces having approximately the same planar shape one by one at a predetermined workpiece suction position with a distance therebetween, and a workpiece connected to a suction part. A fixed shaft in which a suction valve groove that sets a suction section and a discharge valve groove that communicates with the high pressure section and sets a work separation section are formed along the circumferential direction of an axial end surface, and the suction valve groove and the discharge valve of this fixed shaft. Valve holes are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the axial end face facing the groove, and suction and discharge holes for work suction and separation are formed in the circumferential direction and are rotatably operated by external power and communicated with the valve holes, respectively. It consists of a rotating body formed at equal intervals along the axis, and a bearing body that pivotally supports the rotating body and the fixed shaft in an airtight manner, and one suction/discharge hole of the rotating body is located at the predetermined workpiece suction position. When the suction valve groove is located, the workpiece is sucked by the suction pressure supplied to the suction/discharge hole through the suction valve groove, and when the workpiece is transferred to a predetermined work separation position by the rotation of the rotary body, the discharge valve groove a transfer device configured to move the workpiece away from the suction/discharge hole by high pressure from the suction/discharge hole; a first rotating body; a second rotating body rotating at the same number of rotations as the first rotating body; One end is rotatably provided on the axial end surface of the second rotating body, and the other end is formed into a substantially C-shape for separating the workpiece and has a groove formed along the longitudinal direction. It consists of a separating rod and a rod body, one end of which is rotatably provided on the axial end surface of the first rotary body and the other end of which is slidably provided in the groove of the separating rod; First,
Due to the rotational action of the second rotating body, the separation rod moves in an elliptical orbit, and the work separated by the transfer device is held at the other end of the separation rod, which is approximately C-shaped, and A separating device configured to separate the workpieces at a separation position set by an elliptical orbit, an endless power transmission mechanism, and a workpiece storage pocket provided around the entire circumference of the endless power transmission mechanism; The workpiece storage pocket is composed of a push-up bar that is provided at a position below a predetermined pocket of the endless power transmission mechanism and is movable in the vertical direction, and a guide plate that is provided corresponding to the upper position of this push-up bar. , a shaft provided perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the endless power transmission mechanism, a fixing plate having one end fixed to the shaft and the other end facing downward, and a root portion attached to the shaft. The actuating rod is rotatably provided, and the other end of each is provided facing downward.
The workpiece is conveyed as one unit by the letter-shaped movable body, held in the V-shaped part formed by the fixed plate and the movable plate of the two units of the workpiece storage pocket, and is conveyed by the upward movement of the push-up rod. A sorting device configured such that the operating rod rotates clockwise to ride on the guide plate, and the movable plate rotates clockwise to drop the workpiece held in the V-shaped portion. and an information input device that receives plane information of the work being transported by the sorting device; and an information input device that inputs plane information of the workpiece being transported by the sorting device; The system is comprised of an information processing device that determines the type, and a system control device that gives an operation command to the operating rod of the transport device and a control command to at least one of the devices based on the determination result of the information processing device. A sorting system featuring (5) The parallel device includes a means for arranging the workpieces supplied from the outside one by one, a plate body into which the workpieces sent from the means are introduced, and a plate body that faces each other with a distance between them and First and second stopper plates are provided with an oblong hole in the lower part thereof and are movable up and down, and a first stopper plate that is slidably disposed in the oblong holes of the first and second stopper plates. , a second eccentric cam, and first and second shafts provided to eccentrically rotate the first and second eccentric cams, and the second shaft receives rotational force by a transfer device. It is characterized by comprising an alternating stopper configured such that the first and second stopper plates alternately move up and down as the first and second shafts rotate in synchronization with the rotation of the receiving and transferring device. A sorting system according to claim 4. (6) The parallel device has a means for arranging the workpieces supplied from the outside one by one, a plate body for introducing the workpieces sent from this means, and a groove provided at the bottom so that the workpieces can be moved up and down. a first stopper plate, and a second stopper plate that faces each other at a distance from each other on the plate, has an oblong hole in its lower part, and is movable up and down. a first eccentric cam slidably disposed in the oblong hole of the second stopper plate; a second eccentric cam fixed to the first eccentric cam;
A first shaft having one end fixed to the second eccentric cam and the other end slidable in the groove of the first stopper plate; and a second shaft which is fixed and whose other end is rotated by the transfer device, and when this second shaft rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the transfer device, the first and second stopper plates are alternately moved. 5. The sorting system according to claim 4, further comprising alternating stoppers configured to move up and down.