JPH0585437B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to rotary filling equipment. 2. Description of the Related Art Rotary filling machines are known as machines for filling containers with liquid. This filling machine takes an empty container into a rotating frame and fills it with liquid while rotating within a predetermined angle range. By the way, this rotating frame usually has a large number (for example, 30
It is designed to be able to hold up to 30 containers, and for this reason it is equipped with the same number of liquid filling valves (30). The filling machine is further provided with a control means for notifying the start and end of filling each container. That is, for each valve position on the rotating frame, a light receiving sensor, a limit switch, etc. were provided as many as the number of working positions, and on the ground side (position outside the rotating frame), a floodlight, a striker (for the limit switch), etc. were provided. According to this configuration, it is necessary to provide as many light receiving sensors or limit switches as (number of bulbs x working position) and their electrical wiring on the rotating frame, which poses problems in terms of cost and reliability. Also,
Conversely, if a light receiving sensor, limit switch, etc. are installed on the ground side, it is possible to decide when to perform the work, but the signal transmission means for sending signals from the ground side to the valve control means on the rotating frame side and the object of the work are required. Indexing means such as a counter is required to index valves, load cells, etc. By the way, the present inventors have already proposed a rotary filling machine that can solve the above problem. In other words, this rotary filling machine is equipped with a rotary frame in which a plurality of holding members for filling containers are provided at equal intervals around the circumference, and is rotatable in a horizontal plane. In addition to providing a filling valve for filling, a means for measuring the amount filled into each container, that is, a load cell, is provided.
A rotational position detection means for detecting the absolute rotational position of the rotational frame is provided, and an absolute rotational position signal from the rotational position detection means is inputted to the rotational frame to open a predetermined filling valve corresponding to the absolute rotational position. It is provided with arithmetic processing means that outputs a signal, inputs a signal from the load cell, and outputs a closing signal to a predetermined filling valve. In this configuration, when the rotating frame rotates and the filling valve comes to a predetermined working position, the processing calculation means outputs a predetermined signal to the filling valve, for example, an open signal if the liquid is in the liquid filling position, and When a predetermined amount of liquid is filled, a closing signal is output to the filling valve via the processing calculation means based on a signal from the load cell, and liquid filling is automatically performed. Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, according to the above configuration, a closing signal is output to the filling valve based on a signal from the load cell, but it is aimed at the load cell itself or the weight detection system including the load cell, amplifier, etc. If this occurs, there is no way to detect this, and therefore the product may be shipped without being filled to the correct amount, or if an attempt is made to check the filling amount in a later process to eliminate defective products. However, there is a problem that the filling liquid is discarded together with the container, making it uneconomical. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a rotary filling equipment that can solve the above problems. Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the rotary filling equipment of the present invention has a rotary frame in which a plurality of holding members for filling containers are provided at equal intervals around the circumference, which can be freely rotated in a horizontal plane. A filling valve for liquid filling is provided at a position corresponding to the container holding member of the rotating frame, and a filling weight measuring means for measuring the weight of liquid filled into each container via the holding member is provided. A rotational position detection means for detecting the absolute rotational position of the frame is provided, and a simulated load is applied to apply the simulated load to the filling weight measuring means in the section between the exit position of the container from the rotational frame and the entrance position of the container to the rotational frame. Additional means is provided to input an absolute rotational position signal from the rotational position detection means to the rotation frame, detect an open signal to a predetermined filling valve corresponding to the absolute rotational position, and detect an opening signal from the filling weight measurement means. A signal is input to output a close signal to a predetermined filling valve, and a simulated load signal from the simulated load adding means and a weight signal from the filling weight measuring means at the no-load position are input, and the weight difference between these two signals is calculated. Along with calculating,
By comparing this weight difference with the simulated load,
The apparatus is provided with arithmetic processing means that detects whether or not there is an abnormality in the filling weight measuring means and, in the case of an abnormality, continues to output a closing signal to the corresponding filling valve. Effect In the above configuration, by the simulated load adding means,
When a simulated load is applied to the filling weight measuring means and an abnormality is detected, the corresponding container is not filled with liquid according to a signal from the arithmetic processing means. Further, this container is removed from the product delivery route by container removal means operated by the arithmetic processing means. Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 4. 1 is a rotary filling equipment, which includes a filling machine 2, a carry-in conveyor (carry-in route) 5 for carrying empty containers 4 into the filling machine 2 via an inlet star wheel 3, and an outlet star wheel 6. An unloading conveyor (unloading route) 7 for unloading the filled containers (products) 4 from the filling machine 2 to a predetermined location via a It is composed of a container removing means 9 for discharging products, and a removing conveyor 10 for conveying the containers 4 removed by the container removing means 9 to a predetermined location. Above filling machine 2
is the first fixed frame 11 erected on the ground side.
A swing bearing 12 is mounted on this first fixed frame 11.
The rotary frame 13 is rotatably supported in a horizontal plane via a rotary frame 13, and a rotation drive device 14 that rotates the rotary frame 13 via the swivel bearing 12. This rotational drive device 14 includes an electric motor (not shown) that rotates internal teeth 15 provided on the inner surface of the inner ring 12a of the swing bearing 12 and a pinion 16 that meshes with the internal teeth 15 via a reduction gear 17.
It is composed of. The rotating frame 13 also includes a support cylinder part 18 that is directly supported by the inner ring 12a of the swing bearing 12, an outer cylinder part 19 fixed to the upper end of this support cylinder part 18, and a support cylinder from this outer cylinder part 19. It is composed of a hanging shaft body 20 which is provided to hang down from the center within the portion 18. On the lower flange 19a of the outer cylindrical portion 19, holding stands (container holding members) 22 for the containers 4 are arranged at predetermined angle intervals via load cells (filling weight measuring means) 23, and each of these holding stands (container holding members) A filling nozzle 24 is located at a predetermined position of the outer cylinder portion 19 above the stand 22.
A filling valve (hereinafter simply referred to as a valve) 25 for filling liquid is attached to each of the valves. Furthermore, an absolute rotational position detector (rotational position detection means) 26 for detecting the absolute rotational position of the rotational frame 13 is provided in the rotating frame 13, and an absolute rotational position signal from the absolute rotational position detector 26 is provided. A microcomputer (arithmetic processing unit) 27 is provided which inputs the weight signal from the load cell 23 and outputs an opening/closing signal to each valve 25. The absolute rotational position detector 26 is a first
Ring gear 28 fixed to the fixed frame 11 side
and an absolute encoder (hereinafter simply referred to as encoder) 29 attached to the hanging shaft body 20 on the rotating frame 13 side, and an interposed device between the input side toothed pulley 30 of this encoder 29 and the ring gear 28. It is composed of interlocking means 31. This interlocking means 31 has a bearing 3 on the hanging shaft body 20.
2, a gear 34 that is attached to the lower end of this rotating shaft 33 and meshes with the ring gear 28, and a gear 34 that is also attached to the upper end of this rotating shaft 33 and has teeth. It is composed of a small toothed pulley 36 which is interlocked with a large pulley 30 via a toothed belt 35. Therefore, when the rotating frame 13 rotates, the bearing 32 revolves around the ring gear 28, and the ring gear 28
Since the gear 34 that is meshed with rotates, the input shaft of the encoder 29 rotates. Note that the rotation speed of the encoder 29 is determined so that the input shaft of the encoder 29 rotates exactly once when the rotating frame 13 rotates once. Of course, the output from the encoder 29 is input to the computer 27 to read the absolute rotational position. Further, an analog signal from the load cell 23 is also input to the computer 27, and is read by the computer 27 as a numerical value proportional to the weight. In addition, encoder 2
9 is connected to the hanging shaft body 2 via the bearing 32 of the interlocking means 31.
It is attached to 0. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the simulated load applying means 8 is located within the section between the container inlet position (51 to be described later) of the rotating frame 13 and the container outlet position (to be described later) 57, and also to the holding table 22. An air nozzle 39 supported by a support arm 38 (which may be supported by the first fixed frame 11) erected on the second fixed frame 37 on the ground side on the center movement trajectory.
and an air source 41 that supplies air at a predetermined pressure to the air nozzle 39 via an air pipe 40.
and a regulator 42 provided midway through the air piping 40. Since the difference in height between the tip of the air nozzle 39 and the top surface of the holding stand 22 is constant, when the rotating frame 13 rotates and the center of the air nozzle 39 coincides with the center of the holding stand 22, the holding stand 22 It is possible to receive a constant pressure and apply a constant simulated load to the load cell 23. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the container removing means 9 is connected to a removing lever 43 that is swingably supported in a horizontal plane at a side position of the carrying out conveyor 7, and near the tip of the removing lever 43. and a cylinder device 44 which is controlled by the computer 27 mentioned above. When a rejection signal is output from the computer 27, the cylinder device 44 swings the rejection lever 43 onto the discharge conveyor 7 as shown by the imaginary line to prevent the container 4 from being discharged from the exit side star wheel 6. This container 4 is guided onto a rejection conveyor 10. This container 4 is therefore discharged from the outlet starwheel 6 on the rejection conveyor 10. Note that the signal from the computer 27 on the rotating frame 13 is
The signal is transmitted to each device on the ground side (for example, a cylinder device) via a slip ring 45 attached to the lower end of the hanging shaft 20. Next, the liquid filling operation will be explained. FIG. 3 shows the relationship between position codes (indicated by numbers 0 to 255) indicating the absolute rotational position of the rotating frame 13 and valve numbers (indicated by 30). In FIG. 3, 51 indicates a line connecting the center of the rotating frame 13 and the center of the entrance star wheel 3, and this position is called the entrance position. 52 is a valve number indicating the position and number of one set of valve 25, holding table 22, and load cell 23 in rotary frame 13 (30 sets in this embodiment). 53 is a position code, with the entrance position 51 being "0" and the circumference centered around the axis of the rotating frame 13 being 256
The number is divided and each increment is set to "1" and the number increases clockwise. The position code 53 indicates the position on the ground side about the axis of the rotating frame 13, and is also a code output by the encoder 29 when the rotating frame 13 is rotated. The encoder 29 is installed so as to output "0" when the numbered valve 25 is at the inlet position 51. In this way, the code output by the encoder 29 will represent the position where the numbered valve 25 is located. Reference numeral 54 indicates a filling start position (position α ₁ degree from the entrance position 51), and is stored as PA=15 in the storage device of the computer 27, for example. 55 is the filling completion confirmation position (from the entrance position 51 to α ₁
+α ₂ degree position), and is stored as PC=218 in the storage device of the computer 27, for example. Reference numeral 56 indicates the filling amount inspection position (from the inlet position 51 to α ₁
+α ₂ +α ₃ degrees), and is stored as PC=218 in the storage device of the computer 27, for example. 57 is the outlet position of the container (from the inlet position 51 to α ₁ +
α ₂ + α ₃ + α ₄ degree position). 58 is the simulated load confirmation position (α ₁ from the entrance position 51
+α ₂ +α ₃ +α ₄ +α ₅ degree position), that is, the holding base 22
computer 2 shows the position where a simulated load is applied to
For example, PD=238 is stored in the storage device No. 7. 59 is the zero point confirmation position of the load cell 23 (in the no-load position, α ₁ + α ₂ + α ₃ + α ₄ + α ₅ + α ₆ from the entrance position 51
PE=245, for example, is stored in the storage device of the computer 27. Reference numeral 60 indicates a rejection signal ON position for swinging the rejection lever 43 to the rejection position when a defective product is moved. This exclusion signal ON position is the rotating frame 1
3 and the exit star wheel 6 are rotating in synchronization (with the same circumferential speed), the position can be expressed using the position code 53 of the rotating frame 13, and in the storage device of the computer 27, for example, PF = 5. I remember that. Reference numeral 61 is a position where the movement of the defective product onto the rejection conveyor 10 is completed, and is a rejection signal OFF position which swings the rejection lever 43 to its original non-removal position. Like the exclusion signal on position, this exclusion signal OFF position can also be expressed using a position code 53, and is stored as PG=13 in the storage device of the computer 27, for example. Table 1 shows the valve number table stored in the storage device of the computer 27. The position code 53 is stored in the valve number table (VA,
VB, VC, VD, VE, VF, VG), and takes a value from 0 to 255. Table VA, (row of VA) shows the filling start position (PA=
15) Indicates the number of the valve 25 located at 38. The column of the position code 53 where the valve 25 is not located at the filling start position (PA=15) 54 is stored as "0". Table VB, VC, VD, VE,
The same applies to VF and VG. This table is
They are determined automatically once PA, PB, PC, PD, PE, PF, and PG are determined, and are automatically created by a computer.

[Table] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of the program to be stored in the computer. As you can see from the flowchart, this program becomes an infinite loop that never stops once it starts running. That is,
When the computer 27 is turned on, this program is executed and continues to be executed unless the power is turned off. Note that the time for executing this loop once is sufficiently shorter than the interval at which the rotating frame 13 rotates and the output code of the encoder 29 changes. In addition, this program has two types of work areas, one is to display the corresponding valve 25 when an abnormality is detected in the load cell 23.
This is an area for remembering that the valve should always be in the closed state (hereinafter referred to as the locked state), and has an area for the number of valves 25, and is expressed as a variable LK(n) with an appendix (n) indicating the valve number. . When LK(n) is "1", it is in the locked state, and when it is "0", it is in the non-locked state. The other is an area for temporarily storing the inspection results (pass/fail) of the filling weight, and has an area for the number of valves 25, and a variable with a subscript (n) indicating the valve number.
Represented by RE(n). When RE(n) is “1”, it is abnormal.
When it is “0”, it is considered normal. The control procedure will be explained below based on a flowchart. At the beginning of process 101, that is, the infinite loop, a command is issued to read the signal of the encoder 29, and the rotational position of the rotating frame 13 is input as a position code. Let the input value at this time be E. In judgment 102, it is determined whether the value (VA(E)) at position code E is "0" with reference to table VA in Table 1. If the value of VA(E) is not "0", it means that the valve with number VA(E) is located at the filling start position PA54, so the process moves to judgment 103. “0”
If so, since the valve 25 is not present, the process moves to step 105. In judgment 103, it is determined whether the value (LK(VA(E))) at the valve number VA(E) is "1" with reference to the table LK that stores the lock state.
If the value of LK(E)) is "0", there is no need to lock it, and the process moves to step 104. If it is "1", the valve 25 with number VA(E) needs to be in the locked state, so the process moves to step 105. At step 104, an open signal is issued to the valve 25 with number VA(E), and the valve 25 is opened, and the process moves to step 105. In judgment 105, table VB of Table 1 is referred to using position code E to judge whether VB(E) is "0". If the value of VB(E) is not "0", it means that the valve 25 with number VB(E) is located at the filling completion confirmation position (PB) 55, so the process moves to step 106 and the value is "0".
If so, the process moves to judgment 108. In judgment 106, it is judged whether or not the valve 25 with the number VB(E) is closed. At this position, filling has already been completed and the valve 25 must be closed, so if it is not closed, in 107, the valve 25 with the number VB(E) is closed. The valve 25 is closed and the process moves to the judgment in step 108. In judgment 108, table VC in Table 1 is referred to using position code E to judge whether VC(E) is "0". If the value of VC(E) is not "0", it means that the valve 25 with number VC(E) is located at the inspection position (PC) 56, so if the value of VC(E) is "0", then the process from 109 to 111, that is, inspection is performed. Proceed to judgment 112. In step 109, the signal of the code cell 23 with number VC(E) is input, and in judgment 110, the input value is compared with the upper and lower limit values of the filling amount to determine whether the filling amount is acceptable or not.
If the input value is not within the acceptable range, the flag “1” indicating that the filling is abnormal is stored temporarily to indicate the quality of the filling amount.The position of the valve number VC(E) in the table RE (RE(VC(E))) The process moves to judgment 112. In judgment 112, table VD in Table 1 is referred to using position code E, and it is determined whether VD(E) is "0". If the value of VD(E) is "0", the valve 25 with the number VD(E) is located at the simulated load confirmation position (PD) 57, so the process of steps 113 to 115, that is, the check of the load cell 23 using the simulated load, is performed. is performed, and if it is "0", the process moves to step 116. In step 113, the signal from the load cell 23 with number VD(E) is input, and in step 114, it is determined whether the input value matches (or approximately matches) the value representing the weight being applied to the load cell 23 in a simulated manner. judge whether In other words, load cell 2 is simulated.
The difference between the weight added to 3 and the weight measured under no load is determined, and if the difference between these two weights matches the simulated load, it is determined that the load cell 23 is normal. be judged. Furthermore, if the input value does not match the value of the simulated weight, it is determined that the load cell 23 is abnormal, and the flag "1" for locking the valve number VD(E) is set in the table LK indicating the lock state. Write in the position (LK (VD(E)) of valve number VD(E) and move to judgment 116. From judgment 116 to process 119, valve 25 with number VE(E) is located at zero point confirmation position (PE) 58. It checks whether the load cell 23 is emitting a no-load signal "0" when the load cell 23 is loaded, and is the same as the above-mentioned processes 112 to 115. In the judgment 120, table VF in Table 1 is referred to by the position code E, Determine whether VF(E) is “0”. If the value of VF(E) is “0” (although it is not on the rotation frame circumference), the exclusion signal on position (PF)
Since the container discharged from the holding table 22 with the number VF(E) is located at 59, the process moves to steps 121 to 124. If it is "0", the process moves to step 125. In judgment 121, the position of valve number VF(E) (RE(VF(E))) is determined by referring to the filling amount pass/fail table RE.
is “1”. If RE(VF(E)) is "1", the filling amount inspected at inspection position 56 is abnormal, and the process moves to steps 123 and 124.
If it is "0", it is normal and the process moves to step 125. At decision 122, a table indicating the lock status is
Referring to LK, locate the valve number VF(E) (LK(VF
(E)) is “1”. LK (VF(E))
If is "1", it has been locked based on the test results of the load cell 23 conducted at the simulated load confirmation position 57 and the zero point confirmation position 58, and the number VF(E)
Since the container 4 discharged from the holding table 22 has not been filled, 123, 12
Proceed to step 4. If it is "0", the lock has not been created and the process moves to step 125. In process 123, the exclusion signal is turned on and the exclusion lever 43 is swung to the exclusion position. By this operation, the container discharged from the holding table 22 numbered VF(E) and not filled due to a filling error or lock is transferred to the rejection conveyor 10. In process 124, the flag "1" written at the inspection position 56 and indicating the filling amount abnormality is cleared. That is, the position of VF(E) in the filling quantity quality table RE is set to "0". In judgment 125, table VG in Table 1 is referred to using position code E, and it is determined whether VG(E) is "0". If the value of VG(E) is “0” (not on the circumference of the rotating frame), the exclusion signal off position (PG)
Since the container 4 with the number VG(E) that was removed from the 22nd storage is located at 60, the process moves to step 126. If it is "0", the process moves to 127 and subsequent steps. In process 126, the exclusion signal is turned off and the exclusion lever 43 is returned to its original non-exclusion position. Processes 127 to 132 are processing routines that are performed without referring to the table in Table 1, and determine whether the filling weight has reached the set value by inputting the signals of all load cells 23, and if it has reached the set value. This closes the corresponding valve 25. In process 127, the subscript n for inputting and making judgments for all load cells 23 is set to "1".
At step 128, the signal from the load cell 23 with number n is input, and at step 129, it is determined whether the input value is greater than or equal to the set value of the filling weight. If the value exceeds the set value, the process moves to 130 and the valve 25 with number n is closed. In judgment 131, it is determined whether the subscript n matches the total number of valves, and if they do not match, "1" is added to the subscript n and the process returns to process 128. Therefore, in the processes 128 to 130, the subscript n is increased by "1" and the corresponding valve 25 can be closed if the filling weight for all load cells 23 has reached the set value. Note that in the above program, since the container 4 placed on the holding table 22 corresponding to the locked valve 25 is not actually filled, the judgment exclusion signal based on the filling quality table RE is output, and the judgment based on the lock state table is output. 122 is invalid, but it is left as is in consideration of the case where an indication of exclusion factors is added. In addition, the program of this embodiment always uses the input of the encoder 29 and the load cell 23 in an infinite loop.
Although we have shown a method for monitoring the input of , similar operations can be performed using other flows. By the way, in the above example, a simulated load is applied in a section where no container is placed on the holding table, and containers newly placed on the holding table with an abnormal load cell are not filled and are discharged empty. However, as shown in FIG.
It is also possible to provide a stopper 46 (for example, constituted by a cylinder device) that can move upwardly and retractably to prevent a new container from being placed on a holding table in which a load cell is malfunctioning. However, in this case, the prerequisite is that the container placed on the holding table with the abnormal load cell be located in front of the stopper 46 at the time of detection of the abnormality. Further, in the above embodiment, the simulated load was applied using air, but the simulated load may also be applied using, for example, magnetic force or a spring and roller. Effects of the Invention According to the above configuration of the present invention, a simulated load adding means for applying a simulated load to the filling weight measuring means is provided, and weight signals from the simulated load applying means and the filling weight measuring means at the no-load position are inputted to fill the filling weight. We have provided arithmetic processing means that detects whether or not there is an abnormality in the weight measuring means, and if there is an abnormality, continues to output a close signal to the corresponding filling valve. The container is not filled with liquid, and therefore the filled liquid is not discarded as in the conventional method, which is economical. In addition, by providing a container removal means operated by the arithmetic processing means in the middle of the container removal route, defective products can be easily removed.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a filling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view of a simulated load applying means, and Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a filling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The figure is a plan view of main parts showing each control position of the valve.
The figure is a flowchart showing the control procedure, and FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing a modification of the container removing means. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Rotary filling equipment, 2... Filling machine, 3... Inlet side star wheel, 4... Container, 6... Outlet side star wheel, 7... Carrying out conveyor, 8... Simulated load adding means, 9... Container removing means, 10... Removal conveyor, 13... rotating frame, 22... holding stand, 23...
Load cell, 25... Filling valve, 26... Absolute rotational position detector, 27... Microcomputer, 29
...Absolute encoder, 39...Air nozzle, 40...Air piping, 43...Exclusion lever, 44
...Cylinder device, 51...Inlet position, 57...Exit position, 58...Simulated load confirmation position, 59...Zero point confirmation position, 60...Exclusion signal ON position, 61...Exclusion signal OFF position.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A rotating frame in which a plurality of holding members for filling containers are provided at equal intervals around the circumference is provided rotatably in a horizontal plane, and a liquid filling container is provided at a position of the rotating frame corresponding to the container holding members. A filling valve is provided, a filling weight measuring means is provided for measuring the weight of liquid filled into each container via the holding member, and a rotational position detecting means is provided for detecting the absolute rotational position of the rotating frame. A simulated load applying means for applying a simulated load to the filling weight measuring means is provided in a section between the exit position from the frame and the entrance position of the container to the rotating frame, and the simulated load applying means applies a simulated load to the filling weight measuring means, and the inputting an absolute rotational position signal and outputting an open signal to a predetermined filling valve corresponding to the absolute rotational position, inputting a signal from the filling weight measuring means and outputting a closing signal to a predetermined filling valve, and By inputting the simulated load signal from the simulated load adding means and the weight signal from the filling weight measuring means at the no-load position, detecting the weight difference between these two signals, and comparing this weight difference with the simulated load, A rotary filling equipment characterized by being provided with arithmetic processing means that detects the presence or absence of an abnormality in the filling weight measuring means and, in the case of an abnormality, continues to output a closing signal to the corresponding filling valve. 2. During the transport route for transporting containers from the filling machine,
Claim 1 characterized in that a container removing means operated by a calculation processing means is provided.
Rotary filling equipment as described in section.