JPH08217235A - Sorting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To send out an object smoothly to a branch transport path with no shocks by furnishing an air blowout means on a main transport path at a point near the place where the branch transport path is in contact, and providing an air jetting means at the side of the main transport path, wherein the means jets the air to the object so that it is sent out from there toward the branch transport path. CONSTITUTION: When the object classification information transported from upstream of the main transport path 1 is identified by a bar-code reader 12, the identified information is supplied to a solenoid valve control part, which is followed by determination of a chuter 2 (2a-2f) for which the object is to be destined upon assortment. For example if it is a chuter 2a, the applicable solenoid valve is opened when passage of the object is sensed by a photo-sensor 13, and a compressed air is emitted blowing over from an air piping installed on the bottom surface of the transport path provided at the branching point where the chuter 2a branches from the main transport path 1 so that the object is levitated. Then compressed air is jetted out of a nozzle 17a of an air jetting machine 16a, and the object is pushed out toward the chuter 2a as sorted.

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 automatically sorting conveyed articles on the basis of desired classification information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a factory or the like, it is necessary to sort conveyed products such as manufactured products based on desired classification information (for example, information on delivery destinations or information on product types).
Therefore, a sorting device has been used conventionally. The sorting device performs classification by branching a transported object transported on a main transport path such as a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor into a branch transport path that is connected to a plurality of branches on a side of the main transport path. Is. In the conventional sorting device, a conveyed product identification means such as a bar code reader is arranged on the upstream side of the main conveyance path, and a branch conveyance path for sending out the conveyed product is determined based on the recognition result. According to the method, the main conveyance path is branched into the branch conveyance path. As such a branching method, a tilt tray type, a slide shoe type, a belt carrier type, a pusher type and the like have been conventionally used.

Of these, the tilt tray type places a conveyed product on the tray, inclines the tray at the time of reaching the branch point, and sends the conveyed product from the main conveying path to the branch conveying path. In the slide shoe type, a desired conveyed product is sent to the branch conveyance path side by controlling a slide shoe provided at a branch point. In the belt carrier type, a powered carriage and a non-powered carriage on which a belt conveyor is mounted are connected endlessly to run on a rail, and the conveyor on the carriage is pulled in and out by controlling the on / off of the belt conveyor. In the pusher type, when a conveyed product reaches a branch point using a pin or a cylinder, the conveyed product is pushed out to a branching conveyance path side to be branched in a desired direction.

[0004]

However, in the tilt tray system described above, it is difficult to reduce the size of the tray, and since the fall of the tray causes the conveyed object to change its course to the side of the branched conveying path, the conveyed object is impacted. However, there is a drawback that it may cause damage due to the addition of heat. Also, a lot of equipment costs are required. The slide shoe type is not suitable for small items because of slats. The belt carrier type is disadvantageous in that it costs a lot of equipment and, at the same time, it is caught or impacted at a branch point. In the pusher type, since the stroke of the pin or the cylinder collides with the conveyed object, there is also a drawback that it is bitten or impacted. The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to smoothly convey an article from a main conveyance path to a branch conveyance path without giving an impact. The object is to provide a sorting device that can do this.

[0005]

In the first invention of the present application constructed as described above, in the sorting apparatus for sorting the conveyed objects conveyed on the main conveying path into a plurality of branch conveying paths based on predetermined sorting data. A first air blowing means mounted on the main transport path near a branch transport path contact point and blowing air upward from a lower surface of the main transport path; and a main transport path mounted on a side portion of the main transport path. Air injecting means for injecting air to a conveyed object conveyed on the road to send the conveyed object from the main conveying path to the branch conveying path side.

The second invention of the present application is a sorting apparatus for sorting a conveyed product conveyed on a main conveying path into a plurality of branch conveying paths based on predetermined sorting data. First air blowing means mounted in the vicinity of the road contact point and blowing air upward from the lower surface of the main transport path, and installed in the vicinity of the main transport path contact point on the branch transport path, from the lower surface upward The second which blows out air
And an air ejecting means attached to a side portion of the main transport path, for injecting air to the transport object transported on the main transport path and sending the transport object from the main transport path to the branch transport path side. , Are included.

[0007]

According to the first invention of the present application configured as described above, when the conveyed article reaches the predetermined branch point on the main conveying path, the first
The air is blown out from the lower surface of the main transport path by the air blowing means, so that the transported object floats upward. afterwards,
Lateral air is blown from the air jetting means to send the conveyed product to the branched conveying path side, so that the conveyed product is branched to the branched conveying path side. At this time, the conveyed product receives only the pressure of the air from the lower surface of the main conveyance path and the pressure of the ejected air from the air ejecting means, so that the conveyed product is not subjected to a large impact and the conveyed product is not damaged.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a sorting apparatus to which the present invention is applied, in which a main transport path 1 for transporting an article is divided into 6 branch transport paths (hereinafter referred to as shooters) 2 (2a to 2).
f) is connected at an obtuse angle with respect to the traveling direction of the main transport path 1. The main transport path 1 has a transport belt 6,
The conveyor belt 6 is driven in the direction of the arrow in the figure by using a drive system including a drive motor 3, a pulley 4 and a pulley belt 5. Further, a bar code reader 12 for reading a bar code printed or affixed to the conveyed object is disposed on the upstream side of the main conveyance path 1 in the vicinity of the conveyed object. Further, in the vicinity of the branch point between the main transport path 1 and each shooter 2 (2a to 2f), photodetectors 13 to 15 for detecting the passage of the transported object, and to send the transported object to the shooter 2 side. Air injector 16 (only the air injector 16a of the shooter 2a is shown in the drawing for simplification, but in reality, there is an air injector for each of the shooters 2a to 2f. It is the same.) Is installed. The air jetting machine 16 has a jetting nozzle 17, and compressed air is jetted from the jetting nozzle 17 to push out a conveyed object to each shooter 2 side.

The shooter 2 is a transport path for transporting the objects to be sorted, and the punch plate 1 is connected to the main transport path 1.
1 is attached. Further, it has a conveyor belt 10 for conveying an object to be conveyed, and the conveyor belt 10 has a drive system including a drive motor 7, a pulley 8 and a pulley belt 9 as in the case of the main conveyor path 1. It is designed to drive. 2 is an X- of the sorting apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an X section, and FIG. 3 is a view of the base 27 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the main transport path 1 is framed by a base 27 and a frame 23, and the air ejector 16 is fixed to the frame 23 with bolts, nuts and the like. Further, a crosspiece 21 projects from the lateral lower part of the conveyor belt 6, and the crosspiece 21 is fitted in a groove 22 of the base 27 so as to slide.

An air pipe 24 for blowing out compressed air is buried in the base 27, and as shown in FIG. 3, the end portion of the air pipe 24 has a long hole shape and has a main transport path. The opening 25 is opened in the vicinity of the connection between the 1 and the shooter 2. Therefore, the compressed air supplied from the air pipe 24 is blown out from the opening 25. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a detailed configuration of the conveyor belt 6,
As shown in the figure, a large number of holes 26 are formed on the surface of the belt, and the compressed air is blown upward through the holes 26. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the compressed air supplied through the air pipe 24 is blown upward through the opening 25 and the hole 26 of the conveyor belt 6. Also, the system for supplying compressed air to the punch plate 11 on the shooter 2 side shown in FIG. 1 is almost the same, and in this case, since it does not move like the conveyor belt 6, compressed air is simply provided below the punch plate 11 with holes. Should be supplied.

FIG. 6 shows the air pipe 24 and the injection nozzle 1.
7 is a flow chart showing a system for supplying compressed air to No. 7, the compressed air output from the compressor 35 is branched into two systems, one of which is adjusted to a desired air pressure by the regulator 33. After that, it is branched into multiple systems. Then, it is guided to the air pipe 24 via each solenoid valve 31. The other system separated from the compressor 35 is branched into a plurality of systems via the regulator 34,
It is supplied to the injection nozzle 17 via each electromagnetic valve 32. At this time, the adjusting pressure of the regulator 34 is preferably set to be larger than the pressure of the regulator 33 described above. The solenoid valves 31 and 32 operate under the control of a solenoid valve control unit (control means) 36.
Include photodetectors 13 to 15 and a bar code reader 12.
Detection signal is supplied.

Next, the operation of the embodiment thus constructed will be described. Now, when a conveyed product is conveyed from the upstream side of the main conveying path 1 of the sorting apparatus shown in FIG. 1, this conveyed product passes near the barcode reader 12, and the barcode reader 12 displays the classification information of the conveyed product. To be identified. Then, this identification information is supplied to the solenoid valve control unit 36 shown in FIG. 6 to determine which shooter 2 should be transported. For example,
When the determined shooter is the shooter 2a, the electromagnetic valve control unit 36 recognizes this when the photodetector 13 detects the passage of the conveyed object, and the branch point between the main conveyance path 1 and the shooter 2a. Air pipe 24 and punch plate 11a
The solenoid valve 31 connected to the lower air pipe (not shown) is opened. Thereby, the main transport path 1 and the shooter 2a
Compressed air is blown upward from the bottom surface side of the conveyance path at the connection portion with and the conveyed object floats upward. After that, the electromagnetic valve control unit 36 causes the electromagnetic valve 32 connected to the nozzle 17 of the air ejector 16a to be “open”, and causes compressed air to be ejected from the ejection nozzle 17a. As a result, the conveyed object is the shooter 2a.
The levitation is maintained by the compressed air that is pushed out to the side and blown from the lower surface side of the punch plate 11a,
It is placed on a and conveyed. Thus, the items to be conveyed are sorted.

In this way, in this embodiment, the bar code reader 12 reads the classification information of the conveyed objects conveyed on the main conveying path 1, and based on this information, the branch point with the shooter 2 which is the classification destination. The compressed air is blown from the bottom surface side of the main conveyance path 1 to float the conveyed object, and the compressed air is ejected from the injection nozzle 17 to send the conveyed object to the shooter 2 side. Therefore, it is possible to sort the conveyed objects without giving a large force or impact, and the compressor 35 and the solenoid valve 3 can be sorted.
Since the control of 1, 32 and the attachment of the air pipe 24, the injection nozzle 17, etc. do not require complicated control and equipment configuration,
Cost can be reduced and there are few failures.

[0014]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The articles conveyed on the main conveyance path are sent to the branch conveyance path side by the pressure of compressed air. Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem of damaging the conveyed product without giving a great impact to the conveyed product. In addition, installation of piping for supplying compressed air, control of solenoid valves, compressors, etc. can be configured with simple equipment, so cost can be reduced, and failures and troubles can be reduced. The effect that can be obtained is obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a sorting apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an XX cross-sectional view of the main transport path.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a base arranged below a conveyor belt and an opening formed in the base.

FIG. 4 is a detailed configuration diagram of a conveyor belt.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view seen from the side of the main conveyance path.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a piping system and a control system of this embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 main conveyance path 2 shooter 3,7 (7a-7f) drive motor 4,8a pulley 5,9a pulley belt 6,10a conveyance belt 11 punch plate 12 bar code reader 13-15 photodetector 16a air injection machine 17a injection nozzle 21 Crosspiece 22 Groove 23 Frame 24 Air Piping 25 Opening 26 Hole 27 Base 31, 32 Solenoid Valve 33, 34 Regulator 35 Compressor

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 9, 1995

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0002

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a factory or the like, it is necessary to sort conveyed products such as manufactured products based on desired classification information (for example, information on delivery destinations or information on product types).
Therefore, a sorting device has been used conventionally. The sorting device performs classification by branching a transported object transported on a main transport path such as a roller conveyor or a belt conveyor into a branch transport path that is connected to a plurality of branches on a side of the main transport path. Is. In the conventional sorting device, a conveyed product identification means such as a bar code reader is arranged on the upstream side of the main conveyance path, and a branch conveyance path for sending out the conveyed product is determined based on the recognition result. According to the method, the main conveyance path is branched into the branch conveyance path. Such branching method, conventionally tilt tray type, sliding shoe, a belt carrier type, and Pusshi turbocharger type or the like is used.

[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Name of item to be corrected] 0003

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

Of these, the tilt tray type places a conveyed product on the tray, inclines the tray at the time of reaching the branch point, and sends the conveyed product from the main conveying path to the branch conveying path. In the slide shoe type, a desired conveyed product is sent to the branch conveyance path side by controlling a slide shoe provided at a branch point. In the belt carrier type, a powered carriage and a non-powered carriage on which a belt conveyor is mounted are connected endlessly to run on a rail, and the conveyor on the carriage is pulled in and out by controlling the on / off of the belt conveyor. Pusshi catcher expression conveyed using a pin or cylinder is branched in a desired direction by extruding the branch conveying path of the conveyed object when came to the branch point.

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0004

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned tilt tray system, it is difficult to reduce the size of the tray, and since the conveyed articles are diverted to the branch conveyance path side by the free fall due to the inclination, the conveyed articles are There is a drawback in that it may be damaged by being applied with impact. Also, a lot of equipment costs are required. The slide shoe type is not suitable for small items because of slats. The belt carrier type is disadvantageous in that it costs a lot of equipment and, at the same time, it is caught or impacted at a branch point. Pusshi turbocharger
In the formula , since the stroke of the pin or the cylinder collides with the conveyed object, there is a drawback in that it is also bitten or impacted. The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to smoothly convey an article from a main conveyance path to a branch conveyance path without giving an impact. The object is to provide a sorting device that can do this.

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0008

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a sorting apparatus to which the present invention is applied, in which a main transport path 1 for transporting an article is divided into 6 branch transport paths (hereinafter referred to as shooters) 2 (2a to 2).
f) is connected at an obtuse angle with respect to the traveling direction of the main transport path 1. The main transport path 1 has a transport belt 6,
The conveyor belt 6 is driven in the direction of the arrow in the figure by using a drive system including a drive motor 3, a pulley 4 and a pulley belt 5. Further, a bar code reader 12 for reading a bar code printed or affixed to the conveyed object is disposed on the upstream side of the main conveyance path 1 in the vicinity of the conveyed object. Further, in the vicinity of the branch point between the main transport path 1 and each shooter 2 (2a to 2f), photodetectors 13 to 15 for detecting the passage of the transported object, and to send the transported object to the shooter 2 side. Although the air injector 16 (FIG describes only the sign air injector 16a of chute 2a for simplicity, in practice the air injector for each shooter 2a~2f exists. hereinafter, each air injection The machines 16a to 16f are collectively referred to as air.
It is called the injector 16. In addition, other reference numerals 7, 8, 9, 1
The same applies to 0, 11 , and 17 . ) Is installed. The air ejector 16 has an injection nozzle 17,
Compressed air is jetted from the jet nozzle 17 to push out the conveyed object toward each shooter 2.

[Procedure Amendment 5]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 5

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 5]

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A sorting device for sorting a transported material transported on a main transport path into a plurality of branch transport paths based on predetermined sorting data, wherein the sort device is mounted on the main transport path near a branch transport path contact point, First blows air upward from the lower surface of the main transport path
And an air ejecting unit attached to a side portion of the main transport path, for injecting air to a transport object transported on the main transport path and sending the transport object from the main transport path to the branch transport path side. And a sorting device. 2. A sorting device for sorting a transported material transported on a main transport path into a plurality of branch transport paths based on predetermined sorting data, wherein the sort device is mounted on the main transport path in the vicinity of a branch transport path contact point, First blows air upward from the lower surface of the main transport path
An air blowing means, a second air blowing means attached to the branch conveying path in the vicinity of the main conveying path contact point and blowing air upward from a lower surface, and attached to a side portion of the main conveying path. An air injecting means for injecting air to a conveyed object conveyed on the main conveying path to send out the conveyed object from the main conveying path to the branch conveying path side. 3. A classification information recognizing unit which is attached near a side portion upstream of the main conveyance path and recognizes classification information of a conveyance object conveyed on the conveyance path, and a branch between the main conveyance path and a branch conveyance path. And a control means for controlling the operation of the air injecting means based on the classification information and the conveyed object detection information. The sorting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.