JPH11193128A - Sorting apparatus and sorting method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A sorting device and a sorting method using the same that can efficiently sort articles of various lengths without reducing the number of shoots. A plurality of slats (3) for conveying a loaded article (4), a chute (8) provided on a side of the slat (3),
When each of the slats 3 is movably provided along each slat 3 and moves in the article transport direction A, it moves toward one end of the slat 3 and presses the article 4 on the slat 3 to push each of the articles 4 into a chute 8. Moving shoe 5 for sorting into articles and an article length detecting sensor 9 for detecting the size of each article 4
And When the result obtained by the article length detection sensor 9 is equal to or less than a predetermined value, a predetermined number of the moving shoes 5 corresponding to each chute 8 are synchronously moved. If the result obtained by the article length detection sensor 9 is larger than a predetermined value, the moving shoes 5 located on the downstream side in the article conveying direction A among the predetermined number of moving shoes 5 corresponding to each chute 8 are moved in advance. .

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sorting apparatus for transporting articles on slats by moving a large number of slats and pressing the articles by moving shoes provided on each slat to sort the slats into predetermined chutes. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, as a sorter of this kind, a type in which a chute for receiving sorted articles is arranged obliquely to the article transport direction is known. In order to improve the sorting, storage efficiency, and the like, for example, the one shown in FIG. 9 has been proposed (for example, see JP-A-8-28230).

As shown in FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b), in this sorting apparatus 101, a moving shoe provided on each slat 103 is provided for each article placed and transported on a large number of slats 103. Of several moving shoes 105A ~
105D from the main rail 106 to the branch rails 107A-1
07D, and is synchronously moved along the longitudinal direction of each slat 103, so that a predetermined article 104 is sorted on a chute 108 on the side of the slat 103. Here, the chute 108 is in the article transport direction A
Are arranged in a direction substantially orthogonal to

According to the sorting apparatus 101 having such a configuration, the sorting can be performed smoothly because the side of the article 104 and the sorting direction coincide with each other, and especially when the long article 104 is sorted. A large number of sorted articles 104 can be efficiently placed on the chute 108.

[0005]

However, such a conventional sorting apparatus has the following problems. That is, in the case of the above-described conventional technology, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the article 104b to be conveyed is long,
It is difficult to move the article on the chute 108 with the posture as it is. Therefore, when a long article 104b is conveyed in the conventional apparatus, the article 104b is conveyed without any sorting, for example.

In order to solve such a problem, the shoot 10
It is conceivable to increase the opening of the nozzle 8 or to provide the article introduction part 108a. However, when such a configuration is adopted, many chutes 108 cannot be installed, and the sorting efficiency is reduced. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art, and has as its object to efficiently reduce the number of shoots and efficiently use them for articles of various lengths. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sorting apparatus capable of performing various sorts and a sorting method using the same.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a vehicle comprising a plurality of slats for transporting a mounted article by moving in a predetermined direction. 3), a chute (8) provided on the side of the slat (3) in the article conveying direction (A), and a chute (8) provided movably along each slat (3), together with each slat (3). When moving in the article transport direction (A),
A moving shoe (5) for moving toward one end of the slat (3) and pressing the articles (4) on the slat (3) to sort each article (4) into a predetermined chute (8);
Detecting means (9) for detecting the size of each article (4) to be sorted; and a predetermined number of said moving shoes (8) corresponding to each chute (8) based on the result obtained by said detecting means (9). 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D), and a predetermined number of the moving shoes corresponding to each chute (8) based on the result obtained by the detecting means (9). (5A, 5B, 5C, 5D), a control means (60) having a function of performing control to move one located downstream in the article transport direction (A) in advance. It is a sorting device.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, as in the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the result obtained by the detection means (9) is equal to or less than a predetermined value, each of the chutes (8) responds. While the predetermined number of the moving shoes (5A, 5B, 5C, 5D) are moved synchronously, if the result obtained by the detecting means (9) is larger than a predetermined value, each chute (8)
A predetermined number of the moving shoes (5A, 5B, 5C,
5D) that is located downstream of the article transport direction (A) may be moved in advance.

In the present invention, when the result obtained by the detecting means (9) is equal to or less than a predetermined value, each shot (8)
A predetermined number of moving shoes (5A, 5B, 5C, 5
D) is moved synchronously. Thus, the pressed article (4) is carried out from the slat (3) onto the predetermined chute (8) in the posture as it is, and parallel sorting is performed.

On the other hand, if the result obtained by the detecting means (9) is larger than a predetermined value, the object is selected from a predetermined number of moving shoes (5A, 5B, 5C, 5D) corresponding to each chute (8). An object located on the downstream side in the transport direction (A) is moved first. As a result, the article (4) is pressed obliquely toward the chute (8) with respect to the article transport direction (A). As a result, the front part of the pressed article (4) is moved to a predetermined chute. The object (4) is turned to the direction of (8), and is carried out from the slat (3) to the chute (8) to perform skew sorting.

As described above, according to the present invention, since the long articles (4b) are sorted obliquely, it is not necessary to increase the width of the chute (8). ) Can reduce the installation area.

On the other hand, since the articles (4a) having a normal length are sorted in parallel, the efficiency of storing the articles (4) in the chute (8) can be maintained at a high level. Can be performed efficiently.

In this case, as in the invention according to claim 2,
The invention according to claim 1, wherein the chute (8).
However, it is also effective that they are disposed so as to extend in a direction inclined with respect to the article transport direction (A).

That is, according to the second aspect of the present invention,
The direction in which the article (4) is extruded and the direction of the chute (8) can be matched, and smooth sorting can be performed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the chute (8) is disposed so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the article conveying direction (A). Is also effective.

That is, according to the third aspect of the present invention,
It is possible to sort the articles (4a) having a normal length in the same posture, and it is possible to efficiently place a large number of sorted articles (4) on the chute (8). .

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a sorting apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1A is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a sorting apparatus according to the present embodiment, showing a case where so-called parallel sorting is performed.
FIG. 1B is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the sorting apparatus according to the embodiment, and shows a case where so-called skew sorting is performed.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in the sorting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, a large number of slats 3 are provided along a conveyor frame 2. Each slat 3
Both ends are connected to a chain (not shown) wound around a sprocket (not shown) driven by a motor 68 to be described later so that the sprocket can be moved in the direction of arrow A, which is the article transport direction, by rotation of each sprocket. It is configured. Thus, the article 4 transferred from the introduction conveyor (not shown) is placed on these slats 3 and transported in the direction of arrow A.

Each slat 3 is provided with a movable shoe 5 movable along its longitudinal direction. Each moving shoe 5 moves in the article transport direction A along the main rail 6 as described later, and further has a plurality of (four in the present embodiment) branch rails 7 branched from the main rail 6.
(7A, 7B, 7C, 7D) and is configured to move in an arrow B direction orthogonal to the article transport direction A.

On the other hand, a chute 8 for transporting the sorted articles 4 to a bucket or the like (not shown) is provided on the side of the slat 3 in the article transport direction A. FIG.
As shown in (a) and (b), in the case of the present embodiment, a chute 8A extending obliquely to the article transport direction A is used. The chute 8A having such a configuration can make the direction in which the article 4 is extruded coincide with the direction of the chute 8A, and can perform smooth sorting. Although not shown, the chutes 8 having such a configuration are arranged at predetermined intervals.

A pair of article length detection sensors (detection means) 9 for detecting the size (length) of the articles 4 to be sorted is provided upstream of the chute 8 in the article transport direction A. . The article length detection sensor 9 is composed of a light projector 9a and a light receiver b disposed on both sides of the conveyor frame 2, and outputs a detection signal to a CPU 60 which is control means to be described later, in accordance with light incident on the light receiver 9b. It is configured to send.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of the switching means in the present embodiment. FIG. 3A is a side view showing the appearance of the moving shoe of the present embodiment.
3B is a configuration diagram illustrating a guide pin of the moving shoe, and FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along a line II of FIG. 3B.

As shown in FIG. 2, the switching means 10A of the present embodiment comprises an upper base unit 11 and a lower base unit 12, and the upper base unit 11 and the lower base unit 12 are integrally formed. I have. Here, the upper base unit 11 includes a plurality of (four in the case of the present embodiment) branch guide members 15 (15A, 15B, 15C, 15) on the flat upper base plate 13.
D) is attached parallel to the main rail 6 so as to form a predetermined angle. These branch guide members 15A
15D have pin guide portions 151a to 154a for guiding a guide pin 54 of the moving shoe 5 described later, and bearing guide portions 151b to 154b for guiding a shoe bearing 53 of the moving shoe 5. .

On the other hand, the lower base unit 12 has a lower base plate 14 smaller than the upper base plate 11, and the lower base plate 14 has a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of switches 16 (16A, 16B). ,
16C, 16D) are arranged at predetermined intervals. Each of the switches 16A to 16D is provided with a swing rail 17 (17A, 17B, 17C, 17C) for changing the course of the moving shoe 5.
D), and each of the swing rails 17A to 17D is configured to protrude from a window 13 (13A, 13B, 13C, 13D) provided in the upper base plate 13 when the switching means 10A is assembled. . In addition, each swing rail 17
A to 17D are the shafts 1 on the lower base plate 14.
8 (18A, 18B, 18C, 18D) so as to be swingable about the center, and stoppers 19a, 19b (FIG. 2).
Are shown only with respect to the first switch 16A).

As shown in FIG. 3A, the swing rail 17
A guide wall 17a facing both edges in the longitudinal direction;
A rail groove 17c is formed in the center of the swing rail 17 in the longitudinal direction.

The swing rails 17A to 17D are
Each of the air cylinders 20 is connected to the air cylinder 20 (only the one connected to the first swing rail 17A is shown in FIG. 2). ) And a non-branch position (corresponding to the swing rails 17A, 17C, 17D in FIG. 2).

A moving shoe detecting sensor 21 for detecting the moving shoe 5 passing therethrough is provided upstream of the first swing rail 17A in the article conveying direction A. The moving shoe detection sensor 21 includes a light projector 21a and a light receiver 21b, and is configured to transmit a detection signal thereof to a CPU 60, which will be described later, according to light incident on the light receiver 21b.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the moving shoe 5 according to the present embodiment is provided with a slide portion 50 which engages with the slat 3 and is movable in the longitudinal direction thereof, and is mounted on an upper portion of the slide portion 50. And a cover 51 that is provided. The slide portion 50 and the cover portion 51 are made of, for example, resin, and a cushion member 52 made of an elastic material such as synthetic rubber is attached to a side of the cover portion 51 that comes into contact with the article 4. On the other hand, a shoe bearing 53 and a guide pin 54 for guiding the moving shoe 5 are attached to a lower portion of the slide portion 50.

In the present embodiment, FIG.
As shown in (b), a cylindrical support member 55 is fixed to a lower portion of the slide portion 50 of the moving shoe 5, and a shoe bearing 53 is mounted around the support member 55. On the other hand, the guide pin 54 has a diameter smaller than the width of the rail groove 17 c formed in the swing rail 17, penetrates the support member 55, and is rotatable in a hole 50 a formed in the lower part of the slide part 50. Inserted in the correct state. Then, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, rigid balls 56 are inserted into a plurality of holes 55 a formed in the support member 55, and these rigid balls 56 form guide grooves 54 a formed around the guide pins 54. The engagement of the guide pin 54
Is rotatably supported without falling off from the support member 55.

In the present embodiment, by using the switching means 10A which is integrally formed as described above, the work for installing the switching means 10A can be greatly simplified.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a control system according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, in this control system, a bus 61 composed of an address, data, and a control bus is connected to a CPU 60, and an RO is connected to the bus 61.
M62, RAM 63, drive circuits 65 and 66, article length detection sensor 9, and moving shoe detection sensor 67 are connected via interface 64. Here, the drive circuit 65 is connected to the above-described switching means 10A, and the drive circuit 66 is connected to a motor 68 composed of a stepping motor for moving the slats 3.

On the other hand, the detection discriminating means 60a and the position detecting means 60 shown in the area surrounded by the chain line in FIG.
b, the switching control means 60c is stored in the ROM 62 in advance, and is loaded with the program data into the RAM 63 when the sorting apparatus 1 is powered on, so that the CPU
60 shows the functions that the device 60 has.

Here, the detection judging means 60a has a function of recognizing the detection result of the article length detection sensor 9 and judging the length of each article 4 based on this recognition. Position detecting means 60b
Is the detection result of the article length detection sensor 9 and the motor 68
Is a function of detecting the position of each article 4 based on the number of steps. The switching control means 60c includes the moving shoe detection sensor 6
7 is a function of controlling the drive of the air cylinder 20 of the switching means 10A via the drive circuit 65 based on the detection result by the switch 7.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a main control operation sequence in the control system of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, first, in step S1,
The length of the conveyed article 4 is detected based on a signal from the article length detection sensor 9. Further, in step S2, based on the detection result, whether the length of the article 4 is equal to or less than a predetermined value is determined. If “YES”, the process proceeds to step S3 assuming that the product is a normal-length product 4a, and if “NO”, the process proceeds to step S4 as a long product 4b.

In step S3, the moving shoe 5 that passes is detected based on the signal from the moving shoe detection sensor 67. Then, in step S5, a predetermined number (four in the present embodiment) of moving shoes 5 (5A, 5B, 5) are set.
C, 55), in step S6, the air cylinders 20 of the switching means 10A are driven to simultaneously move the swing rails 17A to 17D of the switches 16A to 16D from the non-branch position to the branch position. The path of each of the moving shoes 5A to 5D on the main rail 6 is changed to branch rail 7
A to 7D, and then each swing rail 17A to 17D
D is returned from the branch position to the non-branch position.

As a result, each of the moving shoes 5A to 5D moves in the direction of arrow B in synchronization with the slats 3 in FIG.
As shown in (a), while the moving shoes 5A to 5D are arranged in a line in the article transport direction A, the articles 4a having a normal length are simultaneously pressed from the side in a direction orthogonal to the article transport direction A. As a result, the pressed article 4a is carried out from the slat 3 onto the predetermined chute 8 with the posture as it is, and the parallel sorting is performed (step S7).

On the other hand, in step S4, based on the signal from the moving shoe detection sensor 67, the moving shoe 5
Is detected. Then, in step S8, for example, the air cylinder 20 of the switching means 10A is driven to move the first swing rail 17A from the non-branch position to the branch position,
As shown in FIG. 1 (b), the course of each of the moving shoes 51 to 54 on the main rail 6 is changed and the first branch rail 7A is changed.
After detecting a predetermined number (four in the present embodiment) of the moving shoes 51 to 54 in step S9, the first swing rail 17A is returned from the branch position to the non-branch position.

As a result, each moving shoe 5 is
Move in the direction of arrow B along
As shown in (b), one of the moving shoes 5A to 5D on the downstream side in the article transport direction A sequentially moves ahead, and
Long articles 4b lined up along the branch rail 7A
Press. As a result, the front part of the pressed article 4b is directed in the direction of the predetermined chute 8A, and the article 4b is carried out from the slat 3 onto the chute 8 and skew-sorted (step S10).

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
Since the length of the conveyed articles 4 is detected and the long articles 4b are sorted obliquely, it is not necessary to increase the width of the chute 8A, and the installation area of the chute 8A is reduced. Can be done. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, there is an advantage that a large number of chutes 8A can be provided even in a narrow place.

On the other hand, since the articles 4a of normal length are sorted in parallel, the storage efficiency of the articles 4 in the chute 8A can be kept high, and the subsequent work can be performed efficiently. it can.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a front view of a switch in the switching means of the embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the switching means.

The switching means 10B of this embodiment changes the course of the moving shoe 5 by means of an electromagnet, and is constructed integrally with the switching means 10A described above.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the switch 80 of the present embodiment, a coil 82 connected to a power supply (not shown) is wound around a bobbin 81 made of a non-magnetic material, and an iron core 83 is provided inside the coil 82. Will be arranged. Then, yokes 84 and 8 made of a magnetic material are brought into close contact with both ends of the bobbin 81.
5 are provided. In this case, the yoke 84 located on one side (the lower side in FIG. 6) of the bobbin 81 is formed so as to extend toward the other side (the upper side in FIG. 6) of the bobbin 81, and the tip end thereof is on the bobbin 81 side. And the suction portion 84a is formed.

On a yoke 85 on the other side (upper side in FIG. 6) of the bobbin 81, a suction member 86 made of a magnetic material is fixed at a position on the yoke 84 side. And a non-magnetic material 87 is disposed between them. With such a configuration, a magnetic circuit is formed when the coil 82 is energized, and the guide pin 54 of the moving shoe 5 can be attracted to the attracting member 86 and the attracting portion 84 a of the yoke 84.

As shown in FIG. 7, the suction portion 8 of the yoke 84
4a is formed in an arc shape, and in the present embodiment, a plurality of arc portions 84b of the suction portion 84a of the yoke 84 are opposed to the main rail 6 at predetermined intervals (in the case of this embodiment, Four switches 80 (80A, 80B, 80)
C, 80D). A branch guide member 88 is provided near each of the switches 80A to 80D. Each of the branch guide members 88 has a pin guide portion 88a for guiding the guide pin 54 of the moving shoe 5 and a bearing guide portion 88b for guiding the shoe bearing 53 of the moving shoe 5. Guide part 8
8a and the bearing guide portion 88b are inclined by a predetermined angle with respect to the main rail 6. Then, with such a configuration, four branch rails 7A to 7D branching from the main rail 6 are formed.

The switching means 10B of the present embodiment has a bearing guide portion 89 for guiding the shoe bearing 53 of the moving shoe 5 moving in the article conveying direction A.
Are provided along the article transport direction A.

A moving shoe detection sensor 90 for detecting the moving shoe 5 is provided upstream of the first switch 80A in the article conveying direction A. The article length detection sensor 90 includes a light emitter 90a and a light receiver 90b, and is configured to transmit a detection signal to the CPU 60 in accordance with light incident on the light receiver 90b.

In this embodiment having such a configuration, the switches 80A to 80D of the switching means 10B are operated in the same sequence as in the above embodiment to change the course of the moving shoe 5, and The sorting of the articles 4 as described above is performed.

In the case of the present embodiment, since the reaction speed of the switching means 10B is high, the sorting ability can be improved. There is also an advantage that the sorting device 1 with low noise during operation can be obtained. The other configuration and operation and effect are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 8A is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of still another embodiment of the sorting apparatus according to the present invention, in which a so-called parallel sorting is performed. FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the embodiment, and shows a case where so-called skew sorting is performed.

The sorting apparatus 1A according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as the sorting apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment except that a chute 8B extending in a direction perpendicular to the article conveying direction A is provided. The sorting sequence is also as described above.

According to the present embodiment having such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 8A, it is possible to sort the articles 4 having a normal length while keeping the articles 4 in the horizontal direction. Can be efficiently placed on the chute 8B.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified. For example,
In the above-described embodiment, the four moving shoes are moved as a set. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an arbitrary number of moving shoes are moved according to the size of articles to be sorted. You can also.

When skew sorting is performed, the path of the moving shoe is changed by operating an arbitrary switch of a set of switches in accordance with the positional relationship with the chute and the like. It can also be introduced from the main rail to the branch rail.

Further, in the above-described embodiment,
Although each switching device and the like use switching means integrally configured,
The present invention is not limited to this, and each switch can be individually provided at a predetermined position.

Further, in the present invention, in addition to the mechanical switching means shown in FIG. 2 or the magnet switching means shown in FIG. 6, for example, a secondary conductor is provided on the moving shoe to branch the thrust of the linear motor. It is also possible to use switching means for generating the moving shoe in the direction of the rail to guide the moving shoe toward the branch rail.

[0058]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to increase the width of the chute, and the installation area of the chute can be reduced.
Many chutes can be provided. Further, according to the present invention, since the storage efficiency of the articles in the chute can be maintained at a high level, the work after sorting the articles of various lengths can be performed efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a sorting apparatus according to the present invention, showing a case where so-called parallel sorting is performed. (B): A plan view showing a schematic configuration of the sorting apparatus of the embodiment, showing a case where so-called skew sorting is performed.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of a switching unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a side view showing the appearance of the moving shoe of the embodiment. (B): It is a block diagram showing the guide pin of the moving shoe. FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining a control system of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a sequence of a main control operation in the control system of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing a switch in a switching unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a configuration of a switching unit of the embodiment.

FIG. 8A is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of still another embodiment of the present invention, showing a case where so-called parallel sorting is performed. (B): A plan view showing a schematic configuration of the embodiment, showing a case where so-called skew sorting is performed.

FIG. 9 (a) is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional sorting apparatus, showing a case where so-called parallel sorting is performed. (B): It is a figure for explaining the problem in the conventional sorting device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 sorting device 3 slat 4 article 5 moving shoe 6 main rail 7 branch rail 8 chute 9 article length detection sensor (detection means) 10A, 10B switching means 16 switch 60 CPU (control means) A article transport direction

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of slats (3) for transporting a placed article (4) by moving in a predetermined direction, and provided on the side of the slat (3) in the article transport direction (A). The chutes (8) and the slats (3) are provided so as to be movable along the slats (3), respectively. A moving shoe (5) for moving and pressing the article (4) on the slat (3) to sort each article (4) into a predetermined chute (8); and the size of each article (4) to be sorted. Detecting means (9) for detecting the number of moving shoes (5A, 5A, 5A,
B, 5C, 5D) and a predetermined number of the moving shoes (5A) corresponding to each chute (8) based on the result obtained by the detecting means (9). , 5B, 5C, 5D) in the article transport direction (A)
A control means (60) having a function of controlling an object located downstream of the apparatus to move in advance. 2. The sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chute is arranged so as to extend in a direction inclined with respect to the article conveying direction. 3. The sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the chute is disposed so as to extend in a direction orthogonal to the article conveying direction. 4. A sorting method using the sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the chutes (8) is provided when a result obtained by the detecting means (9) is equal to or less than a predetermined value. While the predetermined number of the moving shoes (5A, 5B, 5C, 5D) corresponding to the above are moved synchronously, if the result obtained by the detection means (9) is larger than a predetermined value, each of the chutes (5 8) A sorting method characterized in that, out of a predetermined number of the moving shoes (5A, 5B, 5C, 5D) according to (8), the one located on the downstream side in the article transport direction (A) is moved in advance.