JP2009126681A - Container detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a container detecting device capable of stably detecting retention of containers. <P>SOLUTION: The container detecting device 1 is provided with a movable part 2 having a sensor bar 21 movable between a projecting position P projecting to a carrying route R of a bottle B and a retracting position Q retracted to outside of the carrying route R of the bottle B and with a sensor part 3 for detecting that the sensor bar 21 is located in the retracting position Q. The sensor bar 21 has length capable of contacting a plurality of containers in the carrying direction, and both end parts 21b gradually retracted from the carrying route R to outside of the carrying route R are provided at both ends of the sensor bar 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a container detection device that detects a container staying on a conveyance path.

Various detection devices for detecting a full state of containers staying on a conveyor are well known. For example, an apparatus (for example, refer to Patent Document 1) that detects using an ultrasonic sensor or a touch sensor, or an apparatus that includes contact-type detection means that returns to a detection position by biasing a spring after detection of a container (for example, Patent Document 2) is known.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-240239 No. 2-2457

  However, in the detection by the contact type detection means, there is a possibility that the detection means may be damaged, for example, the transported container is caught in a gap formed by the detection means.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the container detection apparatus which can detect the stay of a container stably.

  The container detection device of the present invention has a contact portion that is movable between a projecting position (P) projecting into the transport path (R) of the container (B) and a retracted position (Q) retreating out of the transport path of the container. A container detection device (1, 1A) comprising a movable member (2, 2A) having (21, 21A) and a detection means (3) for detecting that the contact portion is in the retracted position. The contact portion has a length that allows contact with a plurality of containers in the transport direction, and curved portions (21b) that gradually retreat from the transport path to the outside of the transport path are provided at both ends of the contact portion. It solves the above-mentioned problem.

  According to the container detection device of the present invention, since the contact portion has a length that allows contact with a plurality of containers, detection can be performed over a wide range, and erroneous detection can be prevented and reliability can be improved. . Furthermore, since both ends of the contact portion are gradually retracted, it is possible to prevent the container from being caught by the contact portion. Therefore, the stagnation of the container can be detected stably even after long-term use.

  One form of the container detection apparatus of this invention WHEREIN: The said contact part may be comprised with the linear member. According to this aspect, since the weight of the contact portion can be reduced, the malfunction of the movable member can be reduced.

  One form of the container detection apparatus of this invention WHEREIN: When the said contact part exists in the said protrusion position, both the front-end | tips (21c) of the said curved part may be located out of the said conveyance path | route. According to this embodiment, both ends of the curved portion do not catch the container, so that the container detection device can be prevented from being damaged or the container toppling over.

  In one form of the container detection device of the present invention, the movable member has a rotation shaft (24, 24A), and the center of gravity of the movable member is relative to the rotation shaft when the contact portion is in the retracted position. And may approach the protruding position. According to this aspect, the contact portion that has moved back to the retracted position returns to the protruding position due to its own weight. A simple configuration using gravity can be obtained.

  One form of the container detection apparatus of this invention WHEREIN: The non-contact-type sensor (31) which detects the displacement of the said movable member may be sufficient as the said detection means. By using a non-contact sensor, breakage and wear can be prevented.

  In addition, in the above description, in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, the reference sign of the accompanying drawing was attached in parenthesis, but this invention is not limited to the form of illustration by it.

  As described above, in the container detection device of the present invention, since the contact portion has a length that allows contact with a plurality of containers, detection can be performed over a wide range, thereby preventing erroneous detection and reliability. Can be improved. Furthermore, since both ends of the contact portion are gradually retracted, it is possible to prevent the container from being caught by the contact portion. Therefore, the stagnation of the container can be detected stably even after long-term use.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a side view of a container detection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a top view thereof, and FIG. 3 is a rear view thereof. For example, in a production line for beverages, foods, etc., containers, such as bottles and cans, are filled with contents, capped, heat sterilized, cooled, etc., and then labeled on the outer surface of the container with a labeler. Boxing is performed. Containers to be transported for a series of processes on such a production line transport a transport path R (see FIG. 4) surrounded by the conveyor 11 and the conveyor guides 12 provided on both sides of the conveyor 11. Is done. The container detection device 1 is a device that detects that the bottle B as a container has accumulated in the transport path R, and is installed in the conveyor guide 12. The container detection device 1 is installed particularly in an accumulation region of the conveyance path R, a region where the bottle B is easily clogged, or the like. The types of bottles B to be conveyed are classified into large bottles Bl, medium bottles Br, and small bottles Bs according to size, but the container detection device 1 can handle any size. In addition, when not distinguishing in particular about a bottle, it represents with the referential mark B.

  The container detection device 1 includes a movable part 2 as a movable member that comes into contact with the bottle B, a sensor part 3 as detection means for detecting the movable part 2 that has moved in contact with the staying bottle B, the movable part 2 and the sensor. The support part 4 which supports the part 3 and the fixing | fixed part 5 which fixes the support part 4 to the conveyor guide 12 are provided. In the movable part 2, the sensor bar 21 as a contact part that can enter the transport path R of the conveyor 11 and come into contact with the bottle B, the detection plate 22 interlocked with the sensor bar 21, and the conveyor guide 12 of the conveyor 11 are in contact with each other. Thus, a stopper 23 for restricting movement is provided.

  The sensor bar 21 is a linear member extending in the conveying direction of the conveyor 11 and is fixed to the upper end of the detection plate 22 at the center. The sensor bar 21 is installed so that the central portion 21a is linear and parallel to the conveyor guide 12, and both end portions 21b as curved portions are each gradually retracted toward the detection plate 22 side. . In this embodiment, the sensor bar 21 is formed in an arc shape as a whole as shown in FIG. In addition, it does not need to be curving and may be bent in trapezoid shape. The length of the central portion 21a of the sensor bar 21 is about three times the diameter of the bottle B. The length of the sensor bar 21 may be appropriately changed according to the design as long as it can contact a plurality of containers.

  The detection plate 22 is a plate-like member and is supported by a bolt 24 so as to be rotatable with respect to the support portion 4. The bolt 24 functions as a rotating shaft. Further, the detection plate 22 is provided with a small piece 25 perpendicular to the detection plate 22 above the rotation position, and this small piece 25 is supported by a bolt 26 while having some play with respect to the conveyor guide 12. Has been. The position of the sensor bar 21 is adjusted by adjusting the bolt 26. Since the position of the detection plate 22 differs between when the bottle B is detected by the sensor bar 21 and when it is not detected, the stay of the bottle B is detected using this difference. The stopper 23 is provided so as to come into surface contact when the detection plate 22 rotates and its lower part comes into contact with the conveyor guide 12.

  The sensor unit 3 includes a proximity sensor 31 that detects the rotating detection plate 22. The proximity sensor 31 detects a detection object in a non-contact manner, and various known techniques may be used. The proximity sensor 31 detects the detection plate 22 as a detection object. For this reason, for example, a magnetic metal such as iron may be used as the material of the detection plate 22. Instead of the proximity sensor 31, the detection plate 22 may be detected using various non-contact sensors such as a photoelectric sensor. Alternatively, the detection plate 22 may be detected using a contact type sensor. The support unit 4 is an integral member that supports the movable unit 2 and the sensor unit 3. The fixing unit 5 fixes the support unit 4 to the conveyor guide 12.

  With reference to FIG.1 and FIG.4, operation | movement of the container detection apparatus 1 is demonstrated. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the main part of the container detection device 1. In the non-detection state of the container detection device 1, the sensor bar 21 falls due to its own weight and is located at the protruding position P, and enters the conveyor 11 with the central portion 21a inclined downward and the tips 21c inclined upward. ing. This is because the center of gravity of the movable portion 2 is closer to the protruding position P with respect to the bolt 24 of the sensor bar 21. Each tip 21 c is located above the conveyor guide 12 and does not enter the transport path R of the bottle B of the conveyor 11. This prevents the bottle B from being caught by the tip 21c coming out of the conveyor 11. Further, since the small pieces 25 of the detection plate 22 are supported by the bolts 26 while having some play with respect to the conveyor guide 12, it is possible to prevent the rotation failure of the detection plate 22 due to dirt or the like. Even if the bottle B to be transported is sandwiched between the sensor bar 21 and the conveyor guide 12, there is play, so that it is possible to prevent the movable part 2 from being damaged due to excessive force.

  When the bottle B stays on the conveyor 11, the transport path R becomes full with the bottle B, and the stayed bottle B pushes up the sensor bar 21. That is, the sensor bar 21 rotates around the bolt 24 that fastens the detection plate 22, moves above the conveyor guide 12, and moves to the retreat position Q. As shown in FIG. 1, the detection plate 22 of the sensor bar 21 q pushed up by the bottle B approaches the proximity sensor 31. When the proximity sensor 31 detects the detection plate 22, the retention of the bottle B is detected. In order to prevent erroneous detection, the retention of the bottle B may be detected when the proximity sensor 31 has detected for a predetermined time or more. The sensor bar 21q in the pushed-up state drops by its own weight and returns to the protruding position P when the staying bottle B is removed. In addition, the bottle B which is normally conveyed contacts the both ends 21b of the sensor bar 21, and is pushed toward the center of the conveyor 11, or the sensor bar 21 is pushed up. Even when the sensor bar 21 is pushed up, if the bottle B passes, the sensor bar 21 returns to the protruding position P by its own weight, so that it can be distinguished from the retention of the container.

[Second form]
FIG. 5 is a side view of a container detection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the sensor bar 21 is fixed to the lower end of the detection plate and the movable portion is configured so that the sensor bar 21 moves below the conveyor guide 12. In FIG. 5, the same parts as those in FIG. The container detection device 1A in the second embodiment includes a movable part 2A that comes into contact with the bottle B, a sensor part 3 that detects the movable part 2A that has moved in contact with the staying bottle B, and the movable part 2A and the sensor part 3. Each includes a fixing portion 4 </ b> A that is fixed to the conveyor guide 12. The movable portion 2A is provided with a sensor bar 21A that can enter the transport path R of the conveyor 11 and come into contact with the bottle B, and a detection plate 22A that is interlocked with the sensor bar 21A.

  The sensor bar 21A is a linear member extending in the transport direction of the conveyor 11, and is fixed to the lower end of the detection plate 22A at the center. The sensor bar 21A is installed so that the central portion is linear and parallel to the conveyor guide 12, and both end portions are each bent toward the detection plate 22A. That is, the sensor bar 21A is configured in a bow shape as a whole, as in FIG. The length of the central portion of the sensor bar 21A is about three times the diameter of the bottle B. The length of the sensor bar 21A may be appropriately changed according to the design as long as it can contact a plurality of containers. The detection plate 22A is a plate-like member and is supported by the bolt 24A so that the upper portion of the detection plate 22A can be rotated with respect to the fixed portion 4A. The fixed portion 4A is provided to be fixed to the conveyor guide 12, supports the movable portion 2A via the bolt 24A, and fixes the proximity sensor 31.

  The operation of the container detection device 1A is as follows. The sensor bar 21A, which enters the transport path R of the conveyor 11 by its own weight in the non-detected state and is located at the protruding position P, is pushed by the staying bottle B and retracts to the retreat position Q By doing so, the detection plate 22A is similar to the first embodiment in that the stay is detected by approaching the proximity sensor 31. In the second embodiment, the bolt 24A for fastening the detection plate 22A is positioned above the sensor bar 21A, and the sensor bar 21A is provided below the conveyor guide 12. Each tip of the sensor bar 21A is located below the conveyor guide 12 and does not enter the transport path R. As in the first embodiment, the bottle B is prevented from being caught by the leading ends entering the transport path R.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described form and can be implemented in various forms. For example, although it demonstrated by the example installed in the conveyor 11 which can convey the some bottle B to the width direction, you may install not only in this but in the conveyor 11 which conveys the bottle B of 1 row. Also in this case, the stagnation of the bottle B can be detected as in the above-described embodiment. Moreover, although the sensor bar 21 was demonstrated as a linear member, it is not restricted to this, For example, plate shape may be sufficient.

The side view of the container detection apparatus which concerns on the 1st form of this invention. The top view of FIG. The rear view of FIG. The perspective view which shows the principal part of the container detection apparatus which concerns on a 1st form. The side view of the container detection apparatus which concerns on the 2nd form of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Container detection apparatus 2 Movable part 3 Sensor part (detection means)
21 Sensor bar (contact part)
21b Both ends (curved part)
22 Detection plate 31 Proximity sensor B Bottle (container)
P Projection position Q Retraction position R Transport path

Claims (5)

A movable member having a contact portion movable between a protruding position protruding into the container transport path and a retracted position retracting out of the container transport path; and detecting that the contact section is in the retracted position A container detection device comprising:
The contact portion has a length that allows contact with a plurality of containers in the transport direction, and curved portions that gradually retreat from the transport path to the outside of the transport path are provided at both ends of the contact portion. A container detection device characterized by that.   The container detection device according to claim 1, wherein the contact portion includes a linear member.   3. The container detection device according to claim 1, wherein when the contact portion is in the protruding position, both ends of the curved portion are located outside the conveyance path.   The movable member has a rotating shaft, and the center of gravity of the movable member is closer to the protruding position than the rotating shaft when the contact portion is in the retracted position. The container detection apparatus as described in any one of 1-3.   The container detection device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is a non-contact sensor that detects a displacement of the movable member.

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