JPH0117942B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention involves peeling off a label with desired printing from a tape-like mount using a printer or the like, and temporarily holding the peeled label on a label holder. , when this is adsorbed by the suction cup of the automatic labeling machine and moved in a prescribed manner, the label is affixed to the object being transported by a conveyor or other conveyance device, whether or not the label is affixed to the object. The present invention relates to a device for detecting.

(Prior art) Conventionally, as a prior art related to the operation of the suction cup in this type of automatic label pasting machine, for example, (a)
Publication No. 53-46640 (full-scale automatic labeling device), etc., and this publication states that the suction cup that attracts labels and attaches them to objects is movable in three directions: vertically, horizontally, and rotating. Something has been disclosed.

In addition, after moving the label suction cup and checking the label adhesion to the object with a limit switch,
(b) Publication No. 37695/1983 can be mentioned as a prior art of a structure for controlling the label suction cup to move backward.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) In general, some kind of detection means is required to attach a label to an object by bringing a suction cup that has sucked a label into contact with the object, and to give control of the next stage of operation to this suction cup. It is.

In this regard, in the prior art (b), a position adjustment rod is attached to the substrate of a suction cup that is movable with respect to the casing, and the movable piece at the tip of this adjustment rod is connected to a detection switch set on the casing. A releasable configuration is disclosed. It is necessary to buffer and relieve the suction cup when it comes into contact with the object.

As this buffering means, in the prior art (b), the label suction surface of the suction cup is made of sponge to give it elasticity, and a compression spring is further inserted to absorb the contact energy during general label sticking. The resulting configuration is disclosed.

However, the problem is that, especially if more contact energy than necessary is generated due to stroke adjustment errors, etc., the movable piece may collide with the detection switch portion, causing damage to both members.

A measure to prevent damage to this member is to provide a complete buffer.

The present invention is basically a detection device when a label is pasted, but an additional object of the present invention is to provide sufficient buffering means for the safety and protection of this device.

(Means for solving the problem) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention includes the following steps:
The present invention provides a device that adds a double-configured buffer means to a label attachment detection device. Specifically, a detection rod 34 and a guide rod 35 that are synchronized with the operating rod 29 of the suction cup 15 that sucks the label and attaches the label to the object are attached to the support member 28, and the tip of the detection rod is attached to the support member 28. The label adhesion detection means facing the limit switch S-7 provided on the rotating air cylinder 13 is provided with a primary buffer section set at the suction cup 15 portion and an end of the air cylinder on which the suction cup slides. This is a configuration in which a double buffer label attachment buffer means with a secondary buffer section is added.

The first buffer section includes a flexible buffer material 26 attached to the suction cup 15 and the operating rod 2.
This is a three-member combination of a loosely wound spring 30 and a tightly wound spring 32 interposed in the spring 9.

Further, the second buffer section is a combination of a buffer adjustment member 40 consisting of a buffer material 43 and a piston rod 44 housed in a cylinder 42 disposed at the end of the air cylinder, and a contact section 45 of the main body 1. The structure is as follows.

(Function) The suction cup 15 that has adsorbed the label moves forward,
It comes into contact with the object 65, attaches this label to the object, and moves on to the next step of reversing operation, but whether or not this label is attached to the object is detected by the reaction at the time of contact. .

When the suction cup 15 comes into contact with the object 65, the label is affixed to the object 65, and the detection rod 34 along with the suction cup 15 is guided back to the guide rod 35 and smoothly returned by the reaction. The tip touches limit switch S-7. The recoil upon this contact is absorbed by the label adhesion buffering means, which is a double buffer of primary and secondary buffering. Specifically, the contact energy is absorbed by the flexible buffer material 26 as the primary buffer, followed by the loosely wound spring 30 and the tightly wound spring 32 in that order. Next, as a second buffer, the tip of the piston rod 44, which is elastically biased by the buffer material 43, comes into contact with the abutting portion 45 of the main body 1, and is absorbed by the compressive force of the buffer material 43.

Therefore, the reaction against the detection rod 34 is also alleviated, and the contact pressure between this tip and the limit switch S-7 is also reduced.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the adsorption detection device in an automatic label pasting machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the overall configuration of an example of an automatic label pasting machine. This automatic label pasting machine uses compressed air from an air compressor 53 to vertically raise, vertically lower (vertical direction Y), horizontally advance, and horizontally retreat ( Lateral direction (X) and 90° rotation (Z
It allows reciprocating motion and turning motion in each direction (direction).

Specifically, the reciprocating motion in the vertical direction 1 is such that the main body 1, which moves in conjunction with the operating rod 3 of the piston, is moved up and down by the action of supplying and discharging air from the connection and discharge ports 2a and 2b of the vertical air cylinder 2. . Further, a pair of guide rods 5, 5, which are arranged in parallel with this operating rod 3, are held by a base 4a and an upper support portion 4b, and are attached to the main body 1.
A vertical stroke adjustment member 6 is provided at the center of the base 4a and the upper support portion 4b. The compressed air to the vertical air cylinder 2 is supplied to the sequence controller 50.
By transmitting a control signal from the air compressor 53 to the air control box 51, the air is sent from the air compressor 53 through the air passage A.

The reciprocating motion in the lateral direction X causes the arm 10a connected to the actuating rod 8 of the piston to move laterally by supplying and discharging air through the air passage B communicating with the supply and discharge ports 7a and 7b of the lateral air cylinder 7. It is something. Furthermore, a pair of guide rods 11, 1 are slidably fitted to the main body 1 on the forward arm 10a.
1 is fixed, and a head block 12 of a rotary air cylinder 13 is fixed to the tip of the guide rod 11.

The rotational movement in the Z direction is performed by the rotating air cylinder 13.
By supplying and discharging air through an air passage C that communicates with supply and discharge ports 13a and 13b, the rotary air cylinder 13 is rotated through 90 degrees about the rotation shaft 14. A suction cup 15 made of a lightweight aluminum material and corresponding to the head of an automatic label pasting machine is attached to the tip of the rotating air cylinder 13 via an operating rod 29. Further, this suction cup 15 is connected to an air control box 51 in which a vacuum switch 52 is installed via a suction passage D communicating with an air pipe 24 (described later).
The suction cup 15 has a label suction effect by making the air pressure inside the suction cup negative through the suction passage D.

Next, in FIG. 6, which shows the main part of the label adhesion detection device of the present invention, the suction cup 15 is connected to a metal plate 26b that is joined to a cushioning material 26 made of a rubber material attached to a support member 28. Connection board 27 between
It is installed to hold the Further, this cushioning material 26 has hollow portions 26a formed at appropriate locations in order to increase its cushioning force.

The support member 28 has an operating rod 29 in which a loosely wound spring 30 is interposed in the center thereof, and a detection rod 34 and a guide rod 35 on the left and right sides thereof.
The end of the loosely wound spring 30 of this operating rod 29 is held by a spring receiver 31.
1 is elastically supported by a tightly wound spring 32. This tightly wound spring 32 is fitted in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the sleeve 33 that contacts the spring receiver 31, and the end of the operating rod 29 on the opposite side from the support member 28 is supported by a fastening body 36. There is.

Further, the leg portion 37 of this sleeve 33 is provided with a guide hole 38 for the detection rod 34, making the detection rod 34 slidable, and a limit switch S-7 that abuts on the end of the detection rod 34 so as to be removable. is provided. The switch is connected to a sequence controller 50 via electrical wiring g, which will be described later. Further, a guide hole 39 for the guide rod 35 is provided above the sleeve 33, so that the operating rod 29 can be pushed out and retracted smoothly.

Next, as shown in FIG. 1, the stroke of the head (suction cup 15) of the automatic label pasting machine in the lateral direction Buffer adjustment member 4 that measures
0 is attached to a support arm 10b held by a pair of guide rods 11 of the main body 1.

This buffer adjustment member 40 is a secondary means of the label adhesion detection device of the present invention, and its details are as shown in FIG. The end of the buffer material 43 is fixed to a cylindrical adjustment screw 41, and the piston rod 4 is attached to the tip of the adjustment screw 41.
4 is in contact. The tip of this piston rod 44 is connected to a contact portion 45 made of an elastic material of the main body 1.
It's set up for you.

Next, returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, each limit switch S-
1 to S-7 are connected to a sequence controller 50.

For details, please refer to each limit switch S-1 to S-
7 is structured as follows. The lower limit switch S-1 at the lower limit position of the main body 1 is connected to the lower limit switch S-1 at the lower limit position by electrical wiring a.
-2 is the electric wiring b, and the push-out (advance) limit switch S-5 is located at the forward movement limit position of the forward arm 10a.
The reverse limit switch S-6 at the reverse limit position is connected to the electric wire f, and the elevation angle limit switch S-3 at the rotation limit position of the rotary air cylinder 13 is connected to the electric wire c. ) Limit switch S-4 is connected to electrical wiring d.
Each is connected to a sequence controller 50. Further, a limit switch S-7 is connected to the sequence controller 50 by an electric wiring g for checking the adhesion of a label on the suction cup 15 connected to the rotating air cylinder 13.

Next, the operation of sucking a desired label using the suction device in the automatic label pasting machine of the present invention and pasting the label onto a desired object will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

Prior to explaining this operation, the label used in the present invention is, for example, a label 62 as shown in FIG.
This is a composite label 60 which has an adhesive surface 62b on the back side and is temporarily attached onto a tape-like mount 61.

Thus, on the printed surface 62a of this label 62,
For example, if you have a printing machine such as a printer, you can display coded information such as part number, serial number, shipping address, etc.
A barcode display is printed. Next, after transferring and turning the tape-shaped mount 61,
The printed label is placed on a label holder 63 (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

The printing machine (not shown) is connected to a sequence controller 50, and an output signal indicating the end of printing is sent to the sequence controller 50.
Then, the sequence controller 50 transmits an instruction to the air control box 51 to operate the air compressor 53.

In this way, the compressed air of the air compressor 53 is transmitted to each air passage A, B, and C, and each air cylinder moves vertically upward, downward, horizontally forward (pushing), and
Each operation of retreating or turning is performed, and the suction action is performed by making the inside of the suction cup 15 a negative pressure.

Note that before each operation of the main body 1 starts,
Each stroke adjustment below is completed.

In detail, first, as shown in FIG. 2, the conveyor 64 installed in front of the automatic label pasting machine of the present invention.
The height of the object 65, which is the object to be labeled, which is placed on the
The vertical stroke and lateral stroke of the main body 1 are adjusted in accordance with the distance.

The height stroke of the main body 1 is adjusted by a stroke adjustment member 6, and a height limit limit switch S-2 is activated at the upper limit of the adjusted stroke. Further, the forward stroke is adjusted so that the forward limit is regulated by a limit switch S-6. It is assumed that the limit of the downward stroke to the label holder 63 on which the label 62 is placed has already been adjusted for the limit switch S-1.

Thus, the operation of the automatic labeling machine will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4.

First, compressed air from the air compressor 53 is supplied to the vertical air cylinder 2 from the air passage A via the air control box 51, and the downward stroke of the main body 1 is started. In synchronization with this vertical descent of the main body 1, the support arm 10a and the rotating air cylinder 1
3 and the suction cup 15, which is the head, respectively operate,
It descends toward the label 62 waiting on the label holder 63. Then, the lower limit switch S-1
When the suction pad 20 is turned on, the lowering of the suction cup 15 is stopped, and then the suction passage D is turned on, and the suction action by the suction cup 15 starts, and the label 62 is suctioned by the suction force of the suction pad 20. At this time, the suction pad 20 that has suctioned the label is attached to the suction cup 15 before suction.
After being adsorbed, it is deformed from a state in which it protrudes from the plane of the surface to a state in which it does not protrude.

Next, this suction cup 15 that has attracted the label is raised again by the action of the vertical air cylinder 2, and the rise limit switch S-2 is turned on to stop the suction cup 15 from rising. Next, the label adsorption confirmation is performed by a vacuum switch 52 that detects the degree of vacuum of the adsorption cup 15.
made by.

If this re-label adsorption is defective, the operation is repeated three times, and if the defective state is still not corrected, an alarm is issued. In this way, if the label suction is defective, the system is configured to return to the step before the vertical lowering operation (printing end).

Next, if the label suction to the suction cup 15 is normal, the stroke moves to the next stage. That is, compressed air is supplied to the rotary air cylinder 13, and the suction cup 15 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise until the elevation angle limit switch S-3 is turned on.
With this rotation, the suction cup 15 turns sideways, and the object 6
You will be able to face 5.

Next, in FIGS. 2 to 4, the object 65
When the object 65 arrives at a predetermined position, a sensor (not shown) set on the side of the conveyor 64 detects the object 65 and outputs this detection signal to the sequence controller 50, thereby detecting the object. It is preferable to have a circuit configuration that transmits this signal to the printing machine and starts printing on the next label.

Now, after detecting this object, the extrusion (advance) operation of the suction cup 15 is started. That is, compressed air is supplied to the horizontal air cylinder 7, and the support arm 10a, the support arm 10b, and the suction cup 15 are horizontally advanced in the direction of the object 65.

Next, the label adhesion detection device of the present invention is activated.
Specifically, the label 62 is sucked with its printed surface 62a in contact with the suction pad 20 of the suction cup 15.
The adhesive surface 62b is directed toward the object 65 and is brought into contact with and adhered to the object. Almost simultaneously with this operation, the extrusion limit switch S-6 and the limit switch S-7 for confirming label adhesion are turned on.

In particular, when the suction cup 15 comes into contact with the object 65, a reaction occurs, but as shown in FIG.
The tightly wound springs 30 and 32 are compressed and the detection rod 3
4 will move back slightly. The detection rod 34 is guided by the guide rod 35 arranged in parallel and smoothly retreats, and its tip contacts the limit switch S-7 to control the next stage of the suction cup 15.

Also, if the impact energy is large, it will be absorbed by the secondary buffer. This second shock absorber is the shock absorber adjustment member 40 shown in detail in FIG. It is absorbed by the compressive force of the buffer material 43.

Note that, due to the order of operation explanation, the explanation has been made separately as a primary buffer section and a secondary buffer section, but the structure is such that both of these buffer sections receive the contact energy at the same time.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, a suction cup 15 is used as a first buffer part in this contact energy buffer part.
buffer adjustment member 4 as a secondary buffer section.
0, and an example of the relaxation of contact in the lateral direction (X direction) of the suction cup 15 is shown as a combination of the member 40 and the contact portion 45 of the main body 1 at the end of the horizontal air cylinder 7. However, if the buffer adjustment member 40 as a secondary buffer is provided at the upper end of the vertical air cylinder 2, it is possible to cope with the contact of the suction cup 15 with the article in the vertical direction (Y direction).

In addition, if the limit switch S-7 is not operated in the above-mentioned label pasting confirmation, the horizontal extrusion operation to the pasting confirmation operation are repeated twice, and if it is still not possible, an alarm is issued. In this way, when label attachment is not possible, the system configuration is such that the process returns to the step before the horizontal extrusion operation (object detection).

Next, if this label attachment confirmation is YES, suction by the suction cup 15 is stopped. After this suction is stopped, compressed air is supplied to the horizontal air cylinder 7, and the suction cup 15 is horizontally retracted, and the horizontal air cylinder 7 is retracted until the retraction limit switch S-5 is turned on.

Next, compressed air is supplied to the rotating air cylinder 13, and the suction cup is rotated 90 degrees clockwise. This rotation causes the suction cup 15 to face downward, returning to the starting state, and returning to the original position when the stop (depression angle) limit switch S-4 is turned on.

In the present invention, for example, each of the above-mentioned operations is considered as one cycle, and when a label with a desired print is adsorbed and the label is attached to a desired object in sequence, the content of printing on the label, the label The size, type, and object can be changed as appropriate.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, in the device of the present invention, the detection rod 34 and the guide rod 35 which are synchronized with the operating rod 29 of the suction cup 15 are arranged side by side and mounted on the support member 28 of the suction cup. 34 facing the limit switch S-7 set in the rotating air cylinder 13, a label attachment detection means consisting of a double buffer consisting of a primary buffer section and a secondary buffer section is attached. This is a configuration in which an adhesive cushioning means is added. A combination of three members: a flexible buffer material 26 attached to the suction cup 15 as a primary buffer part of this buffer means, and a loosely wound spring 30 and a tightly wound spring 32 interposed in the operating rod 29. A contact portion between the main body 1 and a buffer adjustment member 40 consisting of a shock absorber 43 and a piston rod 44 housed in a cylinder 42 provided at the end of an air cylinder on which a suction cup 15 slides as a secondary shock absorber. 45, the suction cup comes into contact with the object when attaching the label, thereby alleviating the contact energy when attaching the label. In other words, since the contact reaction to the detection rod is relaxed, the contact pressure between the tip of the detection rod and the limit switch is also reduced, and failures or poor contact caused by sudden reaction of the detection rod are avoided. This brings about effects such as reliable operation control of the next stage.

Furthermore, since the detection rod 34, which comes into contact with and separates from the limit switch of the label adhesion detection means, is arranged in parallel with the guide rod 35, when the detection rod 34 slides, it is guided by the guide rod 35. Its sliding is smooth.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 and 2 show the overall configuration of an automatic label pasting machine equipped with the label pasting detection device of the present invention. Figure 2 shows the state in which the suction cup that has absorbed the label is pasting the label on the object, Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operating order of the automatic label pasting machine, and Figure 4 is the same, showing the operating order. Explanatory diagram, 5th
The figure is a perspective view of a composite label, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the label adhesion detection device of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. In the figure, A to C...Air passage, D...Adsorption passage, a to g...Electrical wiring, S-1 to S-7...Limit switches, 1...Main body of automatic label pasting machine, 2... Vertical air cylinder, 7... Horizontal air cylinder, 13... Rotating air cylinder, 15...
Suction cup, 20... Suction pad, 26... Cushioning material,
28... Support member, 29... Operating rod, 30... Loosely wound spring, 32... Closely wound spring, 34...
...Detection rod, 35...Guide rod, 40...Buffer adjustment member, 42...Cylinder, 43...Buffer material, 44...
... Piston rod, 45 ... Contact portion, 50 ... Sequence controller, 51 ... Air control box, 53 ... Air compressor, 62 ... Label, 65 ... Object.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A label adhesion detection device in an automatic label applicator that detects whether a label adsorbed on a suction cup is attached to an object, comprising: a detection rod synchronized with an operating rod of the suction cup; A guide rod is attached to the support member of the suction cup in a parallel manner, and a label adhesion detecting means is provided with a label adhesion detection means, which has a guide rod arranged side by side on the support member of the suction cup, and the tip of the detection rod faces a limit switch set on a rotating air cylinder. It has a configuration in which a label adhesion buffer means consisting of a double buffer of a primary buffer part and a secondary buffer part is added, and as the primary buffer part of the label adhesion buffer means, the above-mentioned A combination of three members: a flexible cushioning material attached to a suction cup, a loosely wound spring interposed in the operating rod attached to the cushioning material via a support member, and a tightly wound spring. The second shock absorbing section includes a shock adjusting member consisting of a shock absorbing material and a piston rod installed in a cylinder attached to a support arm of a guide rod of an air cylinder that moves the suction cup, and a contact section of the main body. A label adhesion detection device for an automatic label applicator, characterized by a configuration in combination with.