KR20070057588A - Conveyor system and the method controlling it - Google Patents

Abstract

A conveyor system and a method for controlling the same are provided to efficiently manage the conveyor system by operating only the conveyor belt. A conveyor system includes at least two conveyors(110), a detection unit(112a,112b), and a drive unit(113). The conveyors sequentially convey workpieces on a belt. The detection unit detects existence of the workpieces. The drive unit drives the conveyors. The drive unit individually drives only the conveyor on which the workpiece exists or drives the conveyor on which the workpiece exists or at least one conveyor adjacent in the conveyance direction of the workpiece by using a signal received from the detection unit.

Description

CONVEYOR SYSTEM AND THE METHOD CONTROLLING IT

1 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a conveyor system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a conveyor provided in the conveyor system of FIG.

3 is a conceptual view illustrating a state in which the optical sensors of the conveyor system of FIG. 1 are provided at both ends of the conveyor.

4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state in which a plurality of conveyors of FIG. 1 are set in a conveyor group.

5 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a conveyor system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a flow chart sequentially illustrating a method of controlling the conveyor system of FIG. 1 or 4.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an additional step of controlling a driving speed to the control method of FIG. 6.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

100, 200: conveyor system 110: conveyor

111 belt 112 light sensor

113: motor 114: control device

212: pressure sensor

The present invention relates to a conveyor system capable of efficient operation and a control method of the conveyor system.

Conveyor system is a system for transporting a workpiece at a constant speed, and generally works in conjunction with the automation system of a large factory. By such a conveyor system, the worker continuously works at a specific location, and the workpiece is transferred between the workers at a constant speed, so that a more convenient, systematic and efficient process can be achieved.

However, the conventional conveyor system is a continuous and one-sided operation regardless of the presence of the workpiece, the waste of unnecessary energy is generated.

In addition, mechanical wear and defects of the conveyor system will shorten the lifespan, and the frequent cost of parts replacement will inevitably waste additional costs. The fine dust generated by the wear, which is such a mechanism, pollutes the environment of the workplace and has a fatal effect on the health of workers.

Above all, due to the operation of the unilateral and uniform conveyor system, there is a big problem that an inefficient working process is made.

In recent years, efforts have been made to reduce the manufacturing cost of products by operating the automation system of the factory more efficiently. Therefore, there is a great need for the operation of an efficient conveyor system.

The present invention allows only the conveyor belt with the workpiece to be operated to enable efficient operation of the conveyor system, thereby preventing waste of energy and additional costs due to mechanical wear or defects of the system, It is an object of the present invention to provide a conveyor system capable of minimizing the generation of fine dust and a method of controlling the conveyor system.

In order to achieve the object as described above, the present invention comprises two or more conveyors for sequentially conveying the workpiece placed on the belt; A sensing device for sensing the presence or absence of the workpiece; A drive device for driving the conveyor; The drive system includes a conveyor system that drives, by signals received from a sensing device, only the conveyor with the workpiece individually or together with the conveyor with the workpiece and one or more conveyors adjacent in the conveying direction of the workpiece.

This is to drive the conveyor with the workpiece alone or the conveyor adjacent to the conveyor together, thereby preventing unnecessary operation of the conveyor to enable efficient operation of the conveyor system.

Here, the conveyor system may further include a speed control device that can control the speed of the conveyor. This is to make it possible to freely control the speed of the conveyor so as to differentiate the speed of the conveyor with a long working time and the conveyor with a short working time to further increase its efficiency.

In this case, the drive device includes a motor; A driving roller which receives a rotational force of the motor and transfers the belt in close contact with the outer circumferential surface; It may be configured to include, if the length of the belt is very long may be further provided with a support roller for supporting the belt and at the same time transported in the horizontal direction.

On the other hand, the present invention and two or more conveyors for sequentially transporting the workpiece placed on the belt; An optical sensor which emits or receives light in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the belt to detect the presence or absence of the workpiece; A drive device which drives, by means of a signal received from an optical sensor, only the conveyor with the workpiece individually or together with the conveyor with the workpiece and at least one conveyor adjacent in the conveying direction of the workpiece; It provides a conveyor system comprising a.

This is to provide a configuration that can detect the workpiece using the light sensor.

On the other hand, the present invention and two or more conveyors for sequentially transporting the workpiece placed on the belt; A decompression sensor formed on the belt to sense a pressure of the workpiece; A drive device which drives, by means of a signal received from a pressure sensitive sensor, only the conveyor with the workpiece individually or together with the conveyor with the workpiece and at least one conveyor adjacent in the conveying direction of the workpiece; It provides a conveyor system comprising a.

This is to make it possible to detect whether the workpiece is placed on the belt by using the pressure sensor.

On the other hand, the present invention comprises the steps of detecting the presence of the workpiece on the belt of the two or more conveyors in the stopped state; Driving a conveyor with a workpiece; Stopping the drive of the conveyor from which the workpiece is transported so that the workpiece is missing on the belt; It provides a control method of a conveyor system to be repeatedly performed.

This allows the conveyor with the workpiece to be driven so that after the workpiece is transferred to the next conveyor, the previous conveyor stops driving again and the conveyor with the workpiece is driven to efficiently control the conveyor system. To do so.

In this case, the step of driving the conveyor with the workpiece is preferably such that the drive speed can be varied by the speed control device.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

However, in describing the present invention, description of already known functions or configurations will be omitted to clarify the gist of the present invention.

1 is a conceptual view schematically showing a conveyor system according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a conveyor provided in the conveyor system of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a view of the conveyor system of Figure 1 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state in which an optical sensor is provided at both ends of a conveyor, and FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state in which a plurality of conveyors of FIG. 1 are set to a conveyor group, and FIG. 5 is another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a conveyor system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart sequentially illustrating a method of controlling the conveyor system of FIG. 1 or 4, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a driving speed of the control method of FIG. 6. It is a flowchart shown by adding.

1 and 2, the conveyor system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, two or more conveyors 110a for conveying the workpiece in one direction by rotating the belt 111 along the infinite track. To 110d).

Here, the conveyor 110 drives the conveyor belt 111 on which the workpiece is placed, the optical sensor 112 for detecting whether the workpiece is placed on the conveyor belt 111, and the belt 111 of the conveyor. The drive device 113 which rotates the belt 111 along a caterpillar, and the control device 114 electrically connected to the drive device 113 so that the drive degree of the drive device 113 can be properly controlled.

Here, the belt 111 is bonded to a plurality of woven fabrics in a multi-layer bonded body to ensure the mechanical strength to withstand the load of the work, and a roller for transporting the belt 111 by adhering the outer rubber layer on both sides thereof; Although preferably configured to ensure the static frictional force of the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 2, the belt 111 is continuously rotated along an endless track formed by the driving roller 115 and the plurality of supporting rollers 116, and thus, the upper surface of the conveyor 110. The exposed belt 111 is configured to be horizontally conveyed in one direction.

The conveyor system 100 is shown in Figure 1 such that the four conveyors (110a to 110d) are arranged in a line so that the workpiece is transferred only in a straight direction, the number of conveyors can be changed appropriately, a plurality of conveyors The shape in which they are arranged is also not limited to the straight direction and may be configured to form a circle so that the workpiece is returned to its original position. That is, the number and position of the conveyor 110 can be appropriately designed and changed as necessary to operate the conveyor system 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyor 110 is disposed in parallel with the driving roller 115 and the driving roller 115 for transferring the belt 111 in contact with the outer circumferential surface by rotating by the rotational force of the driving motor 113. And a plurality of support rollers 116 for supporting deflection of the belt 111 and for conveying the belt 111, and a control device connected to the driving motor 113 to control the rotational speed of the driving motor 113 ( 114).

The drive roller 115 is connected to the rotation axis of the drive motor 113 is rotated, the outer peripheral surface is in surface contact with the belt 111 to transmit the rotational force to the belt 111. In particular, as described above, when the contact surface of the belt 111 is made of a material having a large coefficient of friction such as rubber, the driving roller 115 may rotate the belt 111 well without turning.

The support roller 116 prevents sagging of the belt 111, and the number of the support rollers 116 increases as the length of the belt 111 increases. In FIG. 2, the diameter of the support roller 116 is shown to be the same as the diameter of the drive roller 116, but only if the belt 111 can form a caterpillar to which the belt 111 is conveyed and can prevent the belt 111 from sagging. It is not limited to.

The control device 114 controls the speed of the drive motor 113, but may be implemented as an open-loop control circuit to unilaterally control the speed of the drive motor 113 in response to a command signal from the operator. In addition, a closed-loop control circuit may be implemented to control the speed of the driving motor 113 by receiving the feedback signal by sensing the speed of the driving motor 113.

The optical sensor 112 detects whether a workpiece is placed on the upper surface of the conveyor belt 111. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the optical sensor 112 includes a light emitting unit 112a for emitting light and a light receiving unit 112b for receiving the emitted light.

When a workpiece is placed between the light emitting unit 112a and the light receiving unit 112b, a signal is generated because light emitted from the light emitting unit 112a is not received by the light receiving unit 112b, and thus a signal is generated on the upper surface of the conveyor belt 111. It will be appreciated that the workpiece lies, thus driving the conveyor 110 on which the workpiece lies.

In FIG. 1, light emitting parts 112a and light receiving parts 112b are provided at both sides of starting ends of the respective conveyors 110a to 110d. Therefore, when the workpiece is placed at the beginning of the first conveyor 110a, a signal is generated from the optical sensor 112, and the conveyor 110a on which the workpiece is placed is driven. When the workpiece is transported and placed at the beginning of the next conveyor 110b, a signal is generated from the optical sensor 112 of the conveyor 110b to which the workpiece is transferred, and the conveyor 110b is driven.

In FIG. 1, the optical sensors 112 are installed only at both sides of the start end of each conveyor 110a to 110d. However, as shown in FIG. 3, not only the start end of each conveyor 110a to 110d, but also the termination end. It can also be installed on both sides. That is, the number of the optical sensors 112 installed on one conveyor 110 can be increased or decreased as needed. As the number of the optical sensors 112 increases, the control efficiency of the conveyor 110 becomes higher. .

In addition, as shown in Figure 4, a plurality of conveyors (110a, 110b) is set to one conveyor group (110A), the light sensor only on the first conveyor (110a) of the conveyor group (110A) 112 can also be provided. That is, when a signal is generated from the light sensor 112 of the first conveyor 110a, one conveyor group 110A is simultaneously driven, and once the workpiece is transferred to the next conveyor group 110B. It may be configured to stop driving at the same time.

Referring to the principle of operation of the conveyor system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

When the worker puts the workpiece on the start end of the first conveyor 110a, the light emitted from the light emitting portion 112a installed at one side of the start end is blocked by the workpiece and is not received by the light receiving portion 112b installed at the other side. As a result, a signal is generated from the optical sensor 112. This signal is input to the drive motor 113 so that the drive motor 113 rotates.

Accordingly, the driving roller 115 connected to the rotation shaft of the driving motor 113 rotates, so that the belt 111 in surface contact with the outer circumferential surface of the driving roller 115 is perpendicular to the rotation of the driving roller 115. Is conveyed in the direction.

In this case, since the plurality of support rollers 116 support the belt 111, not only the sagging of the belt 111 is prevented, but also the belt 111 is driven by the drive roller 115 and the plurality of support rollers 116. It will rotate along the caterpillar formed by).

When the workpiece is transported in the conveying direction of the belt 111 and arrives at the start end of the second conveyor 110b, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 112a installed at one side of the start end of the second conveyor 110b is Since the light is blocked by the workpiece and not received by the light receiving unit 112b installed on the other side, a signal is generated from the optical sensor 112. This signal is input to the drive motor 113 of the second conveyor 110b so that the belt 111 of the second conveyor 110b is transferred.

In this case, if there are no more workpieces on the belt 111 of the first conveyor 110a, the driving of the first conveyor 110a is stopped by using the signal of the optical sensor 112 of the second conveyor 110b. The circuit can be implemented. Of course, such a signal of the optical sensor 112 of the second conveyor (110b), by implementing a circuit so as not to be superior to the signal of the optical sensor 112 of the first conveyor (110a), of the second conveyor (110b) Even if a signal of the optical sensor 112 is generated, when a new workpiece is placed on the first conveyor 110a and a signal is generated from the optical sensor 112 of the first conveyor 110a, the driving of the first conveyor 110a is stopped. You can prevent it.

When this process is repeated, the workpiece is sequentially moved from the first conveyor 110a to the fourth conveyor 110d, and the conveyors 110 on which the workpiece is placed are repeatedly driven and stopped.

Therefore, only the conveyor 110 on which the workpiece is placed is driven, thereby preventing waste of energy and increasing operating efficiency of the conveyor.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, when the signal of the optical sensor 112 of the first conveyor 110a is generated, the second conveyor 110b is not limited to driving only the first conveyor 110a. It can be implemented to run together. That is, if necessary, one or more conveyors 110a and 110b are set to one conveyor group 110A, and the light sensor 112 is applied only to the first conveyor 110a among the conveyor groups 110A. When installed, the conveyor group 110A is simultaneously driven when a signal is generated by the optical sensor 112, and the workpiece is moved to the next conveyor group 110B. 110A may be implemented to stop driving.

On the other hand, the configuration and operation principle of the conveyor system 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, the same reference numerals are assigned to components that perform the same function as described in the embodiment of the present invention, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the conveyor system 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention, the pressure reduction sensor 212 may be used instead of an optical sensor to determine whether a workpiece is placed on the upper surface of the conveyor belt 111. Detect.

The pressure sensor 212 may be installed on the upper surface of the belt 111 or the inside of the belt, it is preferable to use a piezoelectric element, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

The pressure sensor 212 may be provided in plural numbers spaced apart from the belt 111 by a predetermined distance. When pressure is applied by the weight of the workpiece placed on the upper portion, electricity is generated to input a signal to the driving motor 113. do.

The operation principle of the conveyor system 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention configured as described above applies mutatis mutandis as described in the embodiment of the present invention, except that the pressure-sensitive sensor 212 is responsible for detecting the workpiece. The only difference is that.

Referring to the control method of the conveyor system (100, 200) according to an embodiment or another embodiment of the present invention as described above are as follows.

As shown in FIG. 6, the control method of the conveyor system includes a step S1 of detecting whether there is a workpiece on the upper surface of the conveyor belt, and a step S2 of driving the conveyor having the workpiece. .

Whether there is a workpiece on the upper surface of the conveyor belt, as described above, can be detected using an optical sensor or a pressure sensor.

In this way, if it detects the presence of the workpiece and determines that the workpiece is present (Y), the drive motor of the conveyor with the workpiece is driven (S2) to transfer the belt. Thus, the workpiece is conveyed (S3) along the conveying direction of the belt toward the next conveyor.

When the workpiece is transferred to the next conveyor (S3), the next conveyor is driven (S2) because it detects whether there is a workpiece on the next conveyor (S1).

In this case, the workpiece is transferred to the next conveyor so that the conveyor on which the workpiece is no longer placed stops driving (S4).

Here, as shown in FIG. 7, when it is determined that there is a workpiece Y on the upper surface of the conveyor belt, the method may further include controlling a driving speed of the conveyor (S2 ′). This is because, depending on the needs of the operator can increase the drive speed of the conveyor to move the workpiece quickly, because the drive speed of the conveyor can be reduced to increase the working time.

In the above described exemplary embodiments of the present invention by way of example, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as described above, the patent of the present invention by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs Changes may be made as appropriate within the scope of the claims.

As described above, according to at least one embodiment of the present invention, only the conveyor belt can be operated to enable efficient operation of the conveyor system, thereby preventing waste of energy and causing mechanical wear or defect of the system. It is possible to prevent additional waste of costs and to minimize the generation of fine dust.

However, the present invention is not established only when all of the above effects are exerted.

Claims (16)

Two or more conveyors for sequentially conveying the workpieces placed on the belt; A sensing device for sensing the presence or absence of the workpiece; A drive device for driving the conveyor; Including, The drive system according to the signal received from the sensing device, the conveyor system, characterized in that to drive only the conveyor with the workpiece individually or one or more conveyors adjacent in the conveying direction of the workpiece with the workpiece. . The method of claim 1, A speed control device for controlling a drive speed of the drive device; Conveyor system, characterized in that further comprises. The method of claim 1, The sensing device, Conveyor system, characterized in that consisting of an optical sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the workpiece by emitting or receiving in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the belt. The method of claim 1, The sensing device, Conveyor system, characterized in that formed in the belt consisting of a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure of the workpiece. The method of claim 1, The drive device, A motor; A driving roller which receives the rotational force of the motor and transfers the belt in close contact with an outer circumferential surface; Conveyor system, characterized in that comprising a. The method of claim 5, The drive device, A support roller which prevents the sag of the belt and at the same time assists and conveys the belt in a conveying direction; Conveyor system, characterized in that further comprises. Two or more conveyors for sequentially conveying the workpieces placed on the belt; An optical sensor which detects the presence or absence of the workpiece by emitting or receiving light in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the belt; A drive device for driving only the conveyor with the workpiece or the conveyor with the workpiece together with one or more conveyors adjacent in the conveying direction of the workpiece by signals received from the optical sensor; Conveyor system, characterized in that comprising a. The method of claim 7, wherein A speed control device for controlling a drive speed of the drive device; Conveyor system, characterized in that further comprises. The method of claim 7, wherein The drive device, A motor; A driving roller which receives the rotational force of the motor and transfers the belt in close contact with an outer circumferential surface; Conveyor system, characterized in that comprising a. The method of claim 7, wherein The drive device, A support roller which prevents the sag of the belt and at the same time assists and conveys the belt in a conveying direction; Conveyor system, characterized in that further comprises. Two or more conveyors for sequentially conveying the workpieces placed on the belt; A pressure sensor formed on the belt to sense a pressure of the workpiece; A drive device for driving only the conveyor with the workpiece or the conveyor with the workpiece together with one or more conveyors adjacent in the conveying direction of the workpiece by signals received from the pressure sensor; Conveyor system, characterized in that comprising a. The method of claim 11, A speed control device for controlling a drive speed of the drive device; Conveyor system, characterized in that further comprises. The method of claim 11, The drive device, A motor; A driving roller which receives the rotational force of the motor and transfers the belt in close contact with an outer circumferential surface; Conveyor system, characterized in that comprising a. The method of claim 11, The drive device, A support roller which prevents the sag of the belt and at the same time assists and conveys the belt in a conveying direction; Conveyor system, characterized in that further comprises. Detecting the presence or absence of a workpiece on the belts of two or more conveyors in a stationary state; Driving a conveyor with the workpiece; Stopping the drive of the conveyor from which the workpiece is removed and the workpiece is missing on the belt; Control method of the conveyor system, characterized in that carried out repeatedly. The method of claim 15, Driving the conveyor with the workpiece, The control method of the conveyor system, characterized in that the drive speed is variable by the speed control device.

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