JPH0679934B2 - Automatic container transfer device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial field of use]
The present invention relates to an automatic transfer device for enoki mushroom-cultivating containers, which automatically supplies the enoki mushroom-cultivating containers one by one to the automatic paper-wrapping device proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 55-42801 and 60-30619.

[Conventional technology]

Japanese Patent Publication No. 55-42801 discloses a type of this type in which cultivation containers arranged in a line from a supply chute are sequentially supplied to an automatic paper winding device one by one by the operation of a cylinder. However, this is complicated because it is necessary to continue to manually supply the cultivation container to the supply chute, and the work efficiency is low.

Therefore, just by supplying a large number of container groups, 1
You can carry them into the automatic paper winding machine one by one,
The same applicant has disclosed an automatic carry-in device for enoki mushroom cultivation containers that can be smoothly transferred from a container group of multiple rows to a container of a single row, such as JP-A-61-274624 and JP-A-62-3719. Is proposed in.

This is to provide a box for accommodating a group of containers for cultivating enoki mushrooms in a plurality of rows, and to incorporate the boxes into a predetermined position on the first conveyor for transferring the group of containers for a plurality of rows. A container group elevating mechanism is provided which clamps each mouth of the group by a clamping mechanism and ascends, and descends when an empty box is taken out of the above-mentioned predetermined position to remove the mouth, and intersects with the first conveyor. In the automatic carrying-in device of the enoki mushroom cultivating container, which is provided with a second conveyor for transferring a single row of containers in the direction of
Is provided on the second conveyor side in the traveling direction of
When the first container is detected on the second conveyor, the first
Is provided with a detection response device that reversely transfers the conveyor and operates the second conveyor, and carries out the containers sent one by one to the transfer section provided on the transfer end side of the second conveyor.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In the above, the container groups arranged in a plurality of rows in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are moved by the first conveyor, and when a single row of the container group reaches the second conveyor, the first group is detected based on the output of the detection responder. The second conveyor conveys containers in a single row while the conveyor conveys the containers backward, and the containers are transferred one by one by the operation of the transfer unit.

With the above-described structure, since the transfer directions of the first conveyor and the second conveyor intersect, the container transferred by the first conveyor is divided between the containers transferred by the second conveyor. It is expected that the transfer of the container by the second conveyor will be hindered. In addition, the above-mentioned container is a container in the next row until the first conveyor reversely transfers all the containers on the second conveyor to the transfer section side after the containers are transferred to the second conveyor. Is configured to stand by at the rear, and the container transferred by the second conveyor is transferred in an open state without any positional restriction on the side on the first conveyor side. The driving of the conveyor may disturb the rows of the containers and hinder the transfer of the containers.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the containers on the second conveyor can be sent to the transfer unit in an aligned state, and even when the interrupted state of the containers occurs, the containers can be accurately transferred one by one, and the first It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic container transfer device capable of favorably delivering a container on a second conveyor to a second conveyor.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention is directed to a first conveyor for transferring a plurality of rows of container groups to the front, and a fractional row of the above-mentioned conveyors provided at the front end of the first conveyor in a direction intersecting with the conveyor. A second conveyor for transferring the container in a direction intersecting with the transfer direction of the first conveyor, and a transfer end side of the second conveyor, which is transferred to the transfer end side by the second conveyor. A detection unit for detecting that the container has been transferred onto the second conveyor on the transfer direction side of the first conveyor of the second conveyor. When the means detection signal is issued, the first conveyor is moved in the opposite direction to the transfer direction until all the containers on the second conveyor are transferred to the transfer end side of the second conveyor. And repeatedly, and the first The second conveyor is configured to operate when the conveyor moves in the opposite direction.

[Operation] With the above configuration, when the containers in the front row are transferred to the second conveyor, the first conveyor is operated until all the containers on the second conveyor are transferred to the transfer end side of the second conveyor. Repeats the movement in the transfer direction and the movement in the opposite direction.
The containers on the first conveyor hit the containers on the first conveyor, the containers on the second conveyor are sent to the transfer section in an aligned state, and the containers on the second conveyor are moved between the containers. Even if a container on one conveyor interrupts, the interrupted container gradually becomes the first due to the repetitive motion of the first conveyor and the movement of the second conveyor during the reverse movement of the first conveyor. On the first conveyor, and because the movement of the first conveyor is repetitive, the next row of containers on the first conveyor will be waiting in place.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 show an embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is mounted on a machine frame A having a width for transferring a plurality of groups 2 of enoki mushroom cultivation containers. First slat type
It is a conveyor, and a large number of slats 3 are fixed to a chain 4, and one of front and rear sprockets 5 around which the chain 4 is hooked is connected to a forward / reverse rotation motor 6. Reference numeral 7 denotes an integral guide rail that faces the machine frames A on both sides of the starting end side of the center of the width of the first conveyor 1 in the traveling direction. Guide rail 7
It is mounted so that it can be moved up and down along the. Reference numeral 9 designates five sets of hanging rods that hang down swingably on the frame 8 and form one set, and each set of hanging rods 9 has a sandwiching rod 10 having a U-shaped cross section horizontally in the front-rear direction. It is fixed. Reference numeral 11 denotes a stopper provided on the machine frame A side so that the frame 8 is clamped at a predetermined height, that is, at a height at which the rod 10 is positioned at the height of the mouth 2a of the cultivation container 2, and each clip is provided. The attachment rods 10 are arranged at intervals substantially equal to the width of the mouth 2a. Leaf springs 12, which are elastic members, are provided on both sides of the sandwiching rod 10 at each sandwiching position of the mouth 2a. 13 moves up and down along a pair of guide rails 7
It is a cam plate that integrally raises and lowers the frame 8 via 14, and is connected to a crank 16a connected to a motor 15 via a connecting rod 16. In that case, the rising height of the frame 8 is set by the length of the crank 16a, and the height may be equal to or higher than the height of the box body 17 in which a large number of groups of two containers are aligned and stored. Reference numeral 18 denotes a connecting portion that connects the hanging rods 9a of the two pairs of the five hanging rods 9 with each other, and engages with the cam surface 13a of the cam plate 13 so that the sandwiching rods 10 on both sides are directed inward. A tilting roller 19 is pivotally attached. Reference numeral 20 is a limit switch for detecting the upper point of the cam plate 13 when the frame 8 is moved up and down, and 21 is a limit switch for detecting the lower point.

Reference numerals 22 and 22a denote guide rails of a box body 17 provided on both sides of the first conveyor 1 on the side of the machine frame A in parallel with the sandwiching rod 10 and are provided so as to match the width of the box body 17. 22,2
Limit switches 23, 23a, which are a pair of left and right box body detection switches, are provided electrically connected in series at a predetermined position where the box body 17 is supplied to the inside of 2a and located at the supply start end of the box body 17. Further, a limit switch 23b is provided on one of the guide rails 22 located at the end of the supply of the box body 17 at the predetermined position. 24 is at the end of the first conveyor 1
This is a slat-shaped second conveyor provided on the frame A so as to move in the crossing direction, and a large number of slats 25 having a width for transferring one container 2 are fixed to the chain 26. One of the front and rear sprockets 27 around which 26 is wound is connected to the motor 28. Reference numeral 29 denotes a first backing plate of the container 2 provided on the machine frame A, which is located on the side of the second conveyor 24 on the traveling direction side of the first conveyor 1, and has the container 2 on the rear surface thereof. A limit switch 30 for detecting the transfer onto the second conveyor 24 is provided, and a spring 31 built in the limit switch 30 inclines backward and oscillates so as to swing freely. The detecting means B is constituted by 29 and the limit switch 30, and while the limit switch 30 is closed, the operation of the first conveyor 1 moving forward for a predetermined time and then moving backward for a predetermined time is repeated. There is.

Reference numeral 32 is a second receiving plate provided on the machine frame A on the terminal side of the second conveyor 24, and is provided with a limit switch 33 for detecting that the container 2 has reached the terminal end. Reference numeral 34 is a sliding rod provided on the frame A so as to be slidable in the direction orthogonal to the conveyor 24 at the terminal side of the second conveyor 24,
A movable plate 35 is provided at the tip of the movable plate 35, which presses and supplies the container 2 stopped by the second receiving plate 32 to an automatic paper winding device (not shown). The sliding rod 34 is a link arm 37 connected to a motor 36.
Are connected to each other, and a limit switch 38 for detecting one reciprocation of the sliding rod 34 is provided to constitute the transfer section C. A box body in which a large number of groups of two containers are arranged and stored in a plurality of rows
17 guide rails 22 and 22a to predetermined places on the first conveyor 1.
When installed along with, the mouth of the container 2 between each sandwiching rod 10
2a is inserted and the box 17 limits the
23, 23a and 23b operate and the motor 15 operates.

As a result, the cam plate 13 ascends along the guide rail 7 via the crank 16a and the connecting rod 16. Then, as the cam plate 13 rises, the roller 19 engages with the cam surface 13a, and the sandwiching rods 10 of both sides tilt inward, so that the sandwiching rods 10 each have a leaf spring 12 that is an elastic member. Through the mouth of each container 2
2a is pressed and pinched. When the cam plate 13 further rises in this state, the cam plate 13 engages with the locking rod 14 and the frame 8
The container 2 group is a box because the container 2 is raised along the guide rail 7.
When the body to be lifted above the height of 17 rises to the highest point, the limit switch 20 operates and the motor 15 stops. Next, when the empty box body 17 is pulled out from the first conveyor 1 along the guide rails 22 and 22a, the limit switches 23, 23a and 23b are actuated and the motor 15 is actuated so that the crank 16a is further extended. It operates and the cam plate 13 and the frame 8 descend. When the frame 8 is further lowered, the frame 8 is locked by the stopper 11 and the cam plate 13 is further lowered.
The engagement between the roller 19 and the roller 19 is released, and each sandwiching rod 10 returns to its original position. The mouth 2a of each container 2 is released. When the cam plate 13 reaches the lowest point, the limit switch 21 operates and the motor 15 stops. On the other hand, since the forward / reverse rotation motor 6 is in the operating state, the containers 2 arranged in four rows are sent toward the second conveyor 24, and the four containers 2 in the front row are transferred to the second conveyor 24.
After reaching 24, the first receiving plate 29 is pressed. Then, the limit switch 30 operates, the first conveyor 1 moves forward for a predetermined time, then the first conveyor 1 reverses and moves backward for a predetermined time, and at the same time the second conveyor 24 operates. As a result, the four containers 2 on the second conveyor 24 are placed on the second receiving plate 32.
When the container 2 reaches the second receiving plate 32, the limit switch 33 is actuated and the first and second conveyors 1 and 24 are stopped. At the same time, the motor 36 operates and the sliding rod 34 slides via the link arm 37 so that the movable plate 35 pushes out one container 2 into an automatic paper winding device (not shown). And the sliding rod 34
When is restored, the limit switch 38 operates and the motor 36 stops. After the operation of the transfer section C, the first conveyor 1 performs normal rotation and reverse rotation for a predetermined time as described above, and thus the first conveyor 1 is carried out every time one container 2 is sequentially pushed out. Is moved forward for a predetermined time and then backward for a predetermined time. The operation of moving in the transfer direction and moving in the reverse direction is repeated, and the second conveyor 24 is operated when the first conveyor 1 moves in the reverse direction. It is configured to do.

Next, when all the containers 2 on the second conveyor 24 have been sent out, the first receiving plate 29 is restored, the limit switch 30 is operated, the first conveyor 1 is operated, and at the same time, the first conveyor 1 is moved. The four containers 2 in the front row are sent onto the second conveyor 24, and the same operation as described above is sequentially repeated.

In this way, the container 2 group arranged in a plurality of rows by only incorporating the box body 17 in which the container 2 groups are arranged and stored in a plurality of rows into the first conveyor 1 is moved by the first conveyor 1 to the second conveyor. The single row of containers 2 sent on the second conveyor 24 and sent by the second conveyor 24 are automatically supplied one by one by the movable plate 35, and the containers 2 are automatically unloaded by a series of operations. ing.

Next, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 (A) to (G) and FIG.

As shown in the operation diagrams of FIGS. 4 (A) to 4 (B), four groups of containers 2 in four rows sent by the first conveyor 1 reach the second conveyor 24 in a non-aligned state and the four rows in the front row When the container 2 is fed onto the second conveyor 24, at least one container 2 presses the first backing plate 29 to activate the limit switch 30. The operation of the limit switch 30 causes the first conveyor 1 to move forward as shown in FIG. 4 (C), so that the four containers 2 in the second row collide with the four containers 2 in the front row in a non-aligned state. , The container 2 in the front row is
Along the receiving plate 29 of the first conveyor 1 and then the first conveyor 1 reverses backward as shown in FIG. 4 (D), at the same time the second conveyor 24 is activated, and the container 2 receives the second receiving plate 29. 32 is pressed to operate the limit switch 33. Here, the first and second conveyors 1 and 24 are stopped as shown in FIG.
Works. By the operation of the transfer section C, one container 2 is pushed and carried in by the movable plate 5, and thereafter, FIG. 4 (F).
Thus, the first conveyor 1 moves forward and the three containers 2 in the front row collide with the four containers 2 in the second row and the three containers 2 in the front row collide with each other.
The individual containers 2 are aligned, and then the first conveyor 1 is retracted as shown in FIG. 4 (G), and at the same time, the second conveyor 24 is operated, and such operations are repeated.
The containers 2 on the second conveyor 24 are sequentially sent to the transfer section C while being aligned by the collision of the containers 2 in the subsequent row. In the figure, D is a sandwiching mechanism formed by a sandwiching rod 10, elastic members such as leaf springs 12 and the frame 8 and the like, and E is an elevating unit including a motor 15, a crank 16a, a connecting rod 16, a cam plate 13, rollers 19 and the like. In the above-described embodiment, the clamping mechanism is formed such that the cam surface 13a and the roller 19 are engaged to release the pinch when the elevator mechanism E moves up and down. However, the cylinder mechanism operates independently of each other. You may form in.

By the way, in the operating state of FIG. 4 (C) to FIG. 4 (F), as shown in FIG. 6 (A), the container 2 on the first conveyor 1 at the corner portion on the loading section C side, For example, due to the curved shape of the transfer end of the first conveyor 1 or the slid state of the slat surface of the first conveyor 1, the interruption between the containers 2 on the second conveyor 24 causes the interrupted container 2A to be interrupted. It is expected that a state in which the movement of the container 2 which is about to be transferred to the transfer section C by the two conveyors 24 is blocked occurs.

In such a case, since the limit switch 33 does not operate, the first conveyor keeps repeating forward and reverse rotations for a predetermined time as shown in the time chart of FIG. When the first conveyor 1 repeats normal rotation and reverse rotation, and the second conveyor 24 operates during this reverse rotation, the containers in the interrupted state as shown in FIGS. 6 (B) to 6 (E). 2A is gradually moved rearward by the impact of the reverse of the conveyor 1 and the operation of the second conveyor 24, and the interrupted state is released. As a result, the container 2 is sent to the transfer section C by the second conveyor 24 and the limit switch 33 is set. It operates and the series of operations described above is performed. In this case, the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the first conveyor 1 are repeated in the order of forward movement and backward movement, and thus the movement of the first conveyor in the transfer direction and the movement in the reverse direction are repeated. With this, the containers 2 sent by the second conveyor 24 can be aligned as described above, and since the containers 2 in the next row on the first conveyor 1 are repeated in the second direction because of the repetition in the direction opposite to the transfer direction. The container 2 in the next row can be satisfactorily transferred to the second conveyor 24 without waiting for a large distance from the conveyor 24 and moving backward, so that the container 2 in the next row can be transferred well. Since the second conveyor 24 is operated when moving in the opposite direction, by pulling back the container 2A interrupted by the first conveyor 1 and pushing the container 2A interrupted by the container 2 on the second conveyor 24, Make sure that the interrupted container 2A is the first conveyor 1 Can be removed over. Further, it is preferable to set the retreat time longer than the forward time, but the time may be appropriately selected.

Next, the above operation will be described with reference to an example of the circuit diagram shown in FIG.

When the start switch 41 is turned on and the box 17 is supplied to a predetermined position on the first conveyor 1 along the guide rails 22 and 22a, the limit switch 23b is closed and the limit switch 2 is closed.
3,23a is opened. When the limit switch 23b is closed, the first relay 42 is energized and the first and second contacts 42a,
Since 42b is closed, the motor 15 having a closed circuit formed between the bus bar 43, the first contact 42a, the limit switch 20, the motor 15 and the bus bar 44 operates. By operating this motor 15, the container 2
The group is raised by the mouth mechanism 2a being sandwiched by the sandwiching mechanism D. When the upper limit position is reached, the limit switch 20 opens and the motor 15 stops. Next, when the box 17 is emptied from a predetermined place, first the limit switch 23b is opened and then the limit switches 23, 23a are closed. In this case the first relay
Since 42 is self-held by the second contact 42b, the bus bar 4
3, first contact 42a, limit switches 23, 23a, and motor 15
A closed circuit of the bus bar 44 is formed, the motor 15 is operated, and the container 2 group descends. When the container group 2 reaches the lower limit position, the normally closed limit switch 21 is opened and the motor 15 is stopped.

Since the forward / reverse rotation motor 6 of the first conveyor 1 is activated when the start switch 41 is activated, the first conveyor 1
The group of containers 2 that have been lowered upwards and the clamping of the clamping mechanism D has been released are transferred forward by the first conveyor 1 and the four containers 2 in the front row are placed on the second conveyor 24 and The normally-open limit switch 30 is closed via the receiving plate 29 of. By closing the switch 30, the bus bar 43, the starting switch 41, the limit switch 30, the contact 45a of the second timer 45, and the first timer 4
A closed circuit is formed by 6 and the bus bar 44, and the first timer 46 is energized, and the first conveyor 1 further moves forward by the set time of the first timer 46 and moves to the second conveyor 24.
The four containers 2 in the subsequent row collide with the four containers 2 in the upper row to align the containers 2 in the front row. After the set time, the first timer 46
Since the contact 46a of the first relay 47 is opened, the second relay 47 is cut off, the first point 47a of the second relay 47 is opened, and the second contact 47b is closed, so that the second relay 47 is closed and the second relay 47 is closed. The motor 6 rotates in the reverse direction. At the same time, the third contact 47c of the second relay 47 is closed, and the bus bar 43, the limit switch 33 and the third contact 47c are closed.
The contact 47c, the first contact 49a of the third relay 49, which will be described later, the condenser 50, the motor 28 of the second conveyor 24, and the closed circuit of the busbar 44 are formed, and the second conveyor 24 operates. This second
By the operation of the conveyor 24, the containers 2 in the front row are transferred to the transfer section C.
The second switch is transferred to the motor 36 side of the transfer section C by operating the limit switch 33 via the receiving plate 32. As a result, the motor 36 operates, and at the same time, the limit switch 33 deenergizes the motor 28 to stop the second conveyor 24 and energizes the fourth relay 51 to close the contact 51a of the fourth relay 51. And the fifth relay 52 is energized. As a result, the first of the relay 52
The contact 52a is closed and the second contact 52b is opened so that the motor 6 of the first conveyor 1 is de-energized and the first conveyor 1 is stopped. In this case, the container 2 is pushed and transferred by the movable plate 35 to separate the container 2 from the second receiving plate 32 and the limit switch.
Even if 33 is turned off, the second contact is turned on by energizing the third relay 49.
The motor 36 continues to operate because 49b is closed, while the limit switch 33 is connected to the motor 28 side of the second conveyor 24, but the first contact 49a is open so that the second conveyor 24 is open. Keeps stopped. Thereafter, the sliding rod 34 reciprocates once to open the normally closed limit switch 38, and the motor 36 stops. On the other hand, almost simultaneously with this, the set time of the second timer 45 has elapsed and the contact 45a of the second timer 45 is opened and the fifth relay 52 is cut off, so that the second contact 52b of the fifth relay 52 is closed. The motor 6 of the first conveyor 1 rotates in the normal direction and repeats a series of operations in this manner.

In addition, even if the limit switch 30 is opened while the containers 2 are transferred to the second conveyor 24 in a non-uniform state and sequentially carried out by the operation of the carry-out section C,
Since the first conveyor 1 moves forward, the limit switch 30 is closed again, and the first conveyor 1 repeats forward and backward movements.

Next, when the container 2A is interrupted as shown in FIG. 6 and the container 2 is not sent to the transfer section C, and therefore the limit switch 33 does not operate, for example, the above-mentioned first first In the forward / reverse rotation of the conveyor 1 of the above, after the set time of the first timer 46, the forward rotation is changed to the reverse rotation similarly to the above,
After operating for the set time of the second timer 45,
The contact 45a of the timer 45 is opened, which causes the first contact 47a.
Is closed and the second contact 47b is opened, and the motor 6 rotates in the normal direction. In this way, the forward movement and the backward movement of the first conveyor 1 are repeated at the time set by the first timer 46 and the second timer 45 until the interrupt state is released and the limit switch 33 is activated. is there.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, by appropriately selecting the transfer direction moving time and the reverse direction moving time of the first conveyor, it is possible to transfer the interrupted container to the second conveyor side by repeating the forward rotation and the reverse rotation of the first conveyor. You may

〔The invention's effect〕

The present invention is directed to a first conveyor for transferring a plurality of rows of container groups to the front, and a single row of the containers provided at a front end of the first conveyor in a direction intersecting with the conveyor, in a transfer direction of the first conveyor. A second conveyor for transferring in a direction intersecting with the second conveyor, and a transfer section provided on the transfer end side of the second conveyor for carrying out the containers transferred by the second conveyor to the transfer end side one by one. And a detection means for detecting that the container has been transferred onto the second conveyor on the transfer direction side of the first conveyor of the second conveyor, and when the detection signal of this detection means is issued, Until all the containers on the second conveyor are transferred to the transfer end side of the second conveyor, the first conveyor is repeatedly moved in the transfer direction and the reverse direction, and the first conveyor is moved. Above when moving the conveyor in the opposite direction The second conveyor is configured to operate, and since the first conveyor repeats the movement in the direction opposite to the transfer direction, the next row of containers on the first conveyor waits at a predetermined position, Containers are satisfactorily delivered from the conveyor to the second conveyor, and the containers on the second conveyor can be sent to the transfer section in an aligned state, and even if an interrupted state of the container occurs, It is possible to provide an automatic container transfer device capable of transferring one by one.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall plan view showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the same, and FIG.
(A) to (G) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation sequence, FIG. 5 is a time chart diagram, FIGS. 6 (A) to (E) are explanatory diagrams showing the operation sequence, and FIG. 7 is a time chart diagram, FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram. 1 ... First conveyor 2 ... Container 2a ... Port 24 ... Second conveyor B ... Detection means C ... Incoming section

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A first conveyor for transferring a plurality of rows of container groups to the front, and a single row of the containers provided at the front end of the first conveyor in a direction intersecting with the conveyor.
A second conveyor that moves in a direction intersecting the transfer direction of the second conveyor, and a container that is provided on the transfer end side of the second conveyor and that is transferred to the transfer end side by the second conveyor one by one. And a detection unit for detecting that the container has been transferred onto the second conveyor on the transfer direction side of the first conveyor of the second conveyor. When it is discharged, the movement of the first conveyor in the transfer direction and the movement in the opposite direction are repeatedly performed until all the containers on the second conveyor are transferred to the transfer end side of the second conveyor. An automatic container transfer device characterized in that the second conveyor is operated when the first conveyor moves in the opposite direction.