JPH10316231A - Goods separating/feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance an availability factor of a goods separating/feeding device by reasonably adjusting the delivery timing of goods to a bucket conveyor 4 even at the time when goods are supplied at high speed. SOLUTION: The goods being supplied from the upstream side in a pressed condition are introduced into an inlet conveyor 1, and are continuously conveyed while keeping them in a line. Separation conveyors 2, 3 are installed downstream of the inlet conveyor 1, and the spaces between goods are separated by the separation conveyors 2, 3 and the goods are placed on a bucket conveyor 4 in a given timing. The inlet conveyor 1, and the separation conveyors 2, 3 are driven at a given rate of speed. By adjusting together the respective moving velocities of the inlet conveyor 1 and separation conveyors 2, 3, the goods delivery timing to the bucket conveyor 4 is corrected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for separating and feeding continuously transferred articles in accordance with the timing of a main unit such as a packaging machine. The present invention relates to an article separation and supply device capable of coping with high-speed supply of more than pieces.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional article separation and supply apparatus, conveyors are arranged in three stages in series, and articles introduced into a first-stage conveyor in a so-called press-press state without any gaps.
2. Description of the Related Art There is known a structure in which after being separated at equal intervals by a middle-stage conveyor, they are placed one by one on a bucket conveyor provided at the last stage and supplied to a main unit.

[0003] This type of article separation and supply apparatus drives a final stage bucket conveyor at a constant speed, sends out articles at a constant timing from a first stage conveyor, and drives a subsequent middle stage conveyor at a higher speed than the first stage conveyor. When driven, the articles are separated at regular intervals and delivered to the bucket conveyor at the last stage. JP-A-54-2
No. 0567 (Japanese Patent Publication No. 55-50851) discloses an article separation and supply device having the above-described configuration, which corrects a deviation between the delivery timing of the first stage conveyor and the operation timing of the bucket conveyor due to long-time operation or the like. Means are disclosed.

That is, the automatic feeder disclosed in the above publication drives the first-stage conveyor at a speed slightly different from the speed at which the original conveyor is accurately synchronized with the constant speed of the conveyor with buckets (bucket conveyor). The placement timing of the articles on the placement-separated conveyor is intentionally shifted, and each time the timing is shifted by a predetermined interval or more, the first-stage conveyor is driven to change the speed to recover the difference in the placement timing. .

[0005]

The above-mentioned JP-A-54-2
In the automatic feeder disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 0567 (JP-B-55-50851), only the first-stage conveyor is driven to change the speed in order to correct a shift in the delivery timing of articles to the conveyor with buckets (bucket conveyor). I have.
The conveyor (separation conveyor) provided at the next stage is driven at a constant speed substantially equal to that of the conveyor with loading sections, and is not directly involved in adjusting the article delivery timing.

[0006] In an article separating and feeding apparatus for feeding articles at a relatively low speed, the speed of the first-stage conveyor may be changed over time, so that the speed ratio rapidly changes between the first-stage conveyor and the next-stage conveyor. Rarely occurs. However,
In the high-speed article separation and supply device that has been developed in recent years, the speed of the first-stage conveyor must be changed instantaneously, so a sudden change in the speed ratio occurs between the first-stage conveyor and the next-stage conveyor. Moreover, since the deviation of the delivery timing of the articles is corrected only by the first-stage conveyor, the speed ratio of the conveyor is also increased. For this reason, a large change in the speed ratio may occur suddenly between the first stage conveyor and the next stage conveyor. As a result, it is not possible to smoothly transfer the articles between the two conveyors, and there is a possibility that the operation rate may be reduced.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional situation, and in particular, even when supplying articles at a high speed, the delivery timing of articles to a bucket conveyor can be adjusted without difficulty, and the operating rate can be reduced. It aims at improvement.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an inlet conveyor for holding articles conveyed in a pressed state from the upstream side in a line without any gap, and conveying the articles.
In an article separation and supply apparatus comprising: a separation conveyor that receives articles from the inlet conveyor and conveys the articles at a higher speed than the inlet conveyor in the downstream direction; and a bucket conveyor that receives the articles from the separation conveyor. And drive the separation conveyor at a constant speed ratio,
The present invention is characterized in that the moving speeds of the entrance side conveyor and the separation conveyor are adjusted to adjust the timing of article delivery to the bucket conveyor.

According to the present invention, the transfer speed of the articles including not only the inlet side conveyor but also the separation conveyor is changed, so that the timing of transferring the articles to the bucket conveyor is adjusted. I'm done.
In addition, since the speed ratio between the inlet side conveyor and the separation conveyor is fixed, there is no sudden change in the speed ratio between the two conveyors. Therefore, smooth delivery of articles between the two conveyors is always compensated.

The present invention also provides an inlet conveyor for holding articles conveyed in a pressed state from the upstream side in a line without any gap, and conveys articles from the inlet conveyor, and a speed higher than that of the inlet conveyor. And a bucket for receiving articles from the separation conveyor in an article delivery section set in advance, having a separation conveyor that conveys the articles in the downstream direction, and conveyance claws for pressing and conveying the articles continuously at equal intervals. In an article separation and supply device provided with a conveyor, the inlet side conveyor and the separation conveyor are driven at a constant speed ratio, and a reference position for receiving articles between the conveying claws of the bucket conveyor is set; and A configuration can also be provided.

First article detecting means for detecting a first article located at the head of a group of articles conveyed by the entrance conveyor without a gap at a first article detection position set near an exit of the entrance conveyor. The first detecting means detects the first article.
Based on the article detection timing and the reference position passing timing when the reference position set on the bucket conveyor passes on the article delivery section, the article passing through the first article detection position is substantially synchronized with the reference position passing timing. Transport timing synchronization means for initially adjusting the transport speeds of the entrance side conveyor and the separation conveyor so that they are transported to the article delivery section

[0012] A group of articles is pressed into the inlet side conveyor from the upstream side in a press-pressed state and is conveyed continuously without gaps. Then, focusing on the head (first article) of the group of articles introduced into the entrance-side conveyor without any gap in the state of pressing and holding, the timing at which the first article passes the first article detection position (first article) (Detection timing) is detected by the first article detection means.

Subsequently, the transport timing synchronizing means determines the first article detection timing based on the detected first article and the reference position passing timing when the reference position set on the bucket conveyor passes over the article delivery section. Initially adjust the transport speed of the conveyor and the separation conveyor. By this initial adjustment, the articles passing through the first article detection position are conveyed to the article delivery section almost in synchronization with the reference position passing timing. This makes it possible to automatically perform initial settings relating to the timing of delivery of articles to the bucket conveyor.

Further, the present invention may include the following configuration in addition to the above configuration. Subsequent article detection means for detecting an arbitrary article supplied to the separation conveyor after the first article at a predetermined subsequent article detection position set on the separation conveyor. The article when the subsequent article detection means detects the article. Based on the detection timing and the reference position passing timing when the reference position set on the bucket conveyor passes on the article delivery section, the articles passing the succeeding article detection position are delivered almost in synchronization with the reference position passing timing. Transport timing correction means for adjusting the transport speed of the entrance side conveyor and the separation conveyor so that the section is transported to the section

This configuration is for correcting a timing deviation due to continuous driving of the apparatus. That is, the succeeding article detection means detects an arbitrary article (following article) supplied to the separation conveyor after the first article at the succeeding article detecting position. The transport timing correction means is based on the timing (article detection timing) when the succeeding article detection means detects the succeeding article and the reference position passing timing when the reference position set on the bucket conveyor passes over the article delivery section. Then, the transport speeds of the entrance side conveyor and the separation conveyor are adjusted.

By this adjustment, the succeeding article that has passed the detection position thereafter can be conveyed to the article delivery section almost in synchronization with the reference position passing timing. Thereby, the delivery timing of the articles to the bucket conveyor can be automatically corrected in a timely manner.

In these constructions as well, the transfer speed of the articles including not only the inlet side conveyor but also the separation conveyor is adjusted, so that the timing of transferring the articles to the bucket conveyor is adjusted. I can do it. In addition, since the speed ratio between the inlet side conveyor and the separation conveyor is fixed, there is no sudden change in the speed ratio between the two conveyors. Therefore, smooth delivery of articles between the two conveyors is always compensated.

In the above configuration, if the succeeding article detection position is set in the vicinity of the article delivery section, the article serving as a reference for correction can be obtained regardless of various disturbances in the article conveying process by the separation conveyor. The detection timing can be accurately detected, and highly accurate correction can be realized. The separation conveyor is constituted by a plurality of conveyors connected in series, and by driving each of these conveyors at a constant speed ratio, when adjusting the delivery timing of articles to the bucket conveyor, the entrance side conveyor is adjusted. In addition, the speed of the separation conveyor can be changed without abrupt speed change, that is, the speed can be changed more gradually.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. 1 to 4 illustrate an article separation and supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of the device.
2 is a timing chart for explaining a control operation of the apparatus, FIG. 3 is a front sectional view showing an article transport mechanism of the apparatus, and FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view of the same.

First, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, an article transport mechanism of the article separating and supplying apparatus according to this embodiment will be outlined. The article separating / supplying apparatus has one inlet side conveyor 1 and one bucket conveyor 4, and two separating conveyors (first and second separating conveyors) 2 and 3 are provided at an intermediate portion thereof. These conveyors 1, 2, 3, and 4 are arranged in series along the article conveyance path, and the entrance side conveyor 1
Is introduced into the first and second separation conveyors 2, 3
And is delivered to the bucket conveyor 4 via the.

The inlet side conveyor 1 transports the articles A in the leftward direction at the conveying speed V _1. The article A to be supplied is introduced into the inlet side conveyor 1 from the upstream (to the right in the figure) in a pressed state (so-called press-down state). The entrance-side conveyor 1 conveys the group of introduced articles without any gaps.

The first separation conveyor 2 includes an inlet-side conveyor 1
Are driven at a higher conveying speed V ₂ , and the articles A transferred from the entrance side conveyor 1 due to the difference in the conveying speed.
Is separated from the rear group of articles, and the articles are conveyed with a certain interval formed therebetween. The second separation conveyor 3 is driven at a higher conveyance speed V ₃ than the first separation conveyor 2, and further increases the interval between articles formed by the first separation conveyor 2 and conveys the articles to the bucket conveyor 4. Go. In this way, the distance between articles is gradually increased by the first and second separation conveyors 2 and 3 and finally the bucket conveyor 4
To form a delivery interval.

The bucket conveyor 4 is provided with transport claws 5 at regular intervals, and the articles A delivered from the second separation conveyor 3 are pressed by the transport claws 5 to provide articles (not shown) provided downstream. It is transported to the supply position. The article receiving part of the bucket conveyor 4 overlaps with the rear part of the second separation conveyor 3, and an article delivery section D is set in the overlapping part within a certain range. The article A is delivered to the bucket conveyor 4 in the article delivery section D. Bucket conveyor 4 is driven at a constant transport speed V _4.

The article separating and feeding apparatus of this embodiment has feed rollers 6 and 7 between the inlet side conveyor 1 and the first separating conveyor 2 and between the first separating conveyor 2 and the second separating conveyor 3 respectively. Is provided. These feed rollers 6 and 7 are provided on the conveyors 1 and
2 is driven to rotate at the same peripheral speed as the transport speed. These feed rollers 6, 7 are for smoothly transferring articles between the conveyors 1, 2, or 2, 3.

In this embodiment, a driving force from a servomotor (drive source) 8 is transmitted via a power transmission mechanism 9 to an inlet-side conveyor 1, first and second separation conveyors 2, 3, and feed rollers 6,7. To communicate. As the power transmission mechanism 9, for example, a timing belt mechanism that gives a constant speed ratio to each conveyor is used. Conveying speed V ₁ of the inlet side conveyor 1, the speed ratio between the conveying speed V ₃ of the first conveying speed V ₂ of the separating conveyor 2, and the second separation conveyor 3 is set constant by the power transmission mechanism 9 . Therefore, the transport speeds V ₁ , V ₂ , V ₃ increase or decrease while maintaining a constant speed ratio even during a gear shift. Incidentally, a bucket conveyor 4, with the driving force from the main body apparatus such as a not shown packaging machine (article supply destination), operating at a constant speed V _4.

Next, a control system of the article separating and supplying apparatus according to this embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the article separation and supply device of this embodiment includes a control main body 20 including a high-speed counter 21, a central control unit (CPU) 22, and a D / A converter 23, and a high-speed sequencer 24. . The control main body 20 and the high-speed sequencer 24 function as a transport timing synchronizing unit for determining the timing of delivery of articles to the bucket conveyor 4 and a transport timing correcting unit for correcting a subsequent timing deviation.

In the vicinity of the outlet of the inlet side conveyor 1,
A first article detection position set in advance is set, and a first article detection sensor (first article detection means) 25 is provided at the detection position. Further, in the vicinity of the article delivery section D with respect to the bucket conveyor 4, a succeeding article detecting position is set in advance, and a succeeding article detecting sensor (following article detecting means) 26 is provided at the detecting position (see FIGS. 2 to 2). 4).

The first article detection sensor 25 is a sensor for initial setting the article delivery timing to the bucket conveyor 4 when the apparatus is started. The first article detection sensor 25 outputs a first article detection signal when detecting a first article. Here, the first article refers to an article located at the head of an article group conveyed without a gap by the entrance-side conveyor 1 (same in the present specification).

On the other hand, the succeeding article detection sensor 26 is for correcting a timing deviation occurring after the initial setting, and detects an arbitrary article (following article) conveyed after the first article. A subsequent article detection signal is output.
The detection signals of these sensors are input to the high-speed sequencer 24 as shown in FIG.

The rotary drive shaft 4 of the bucket conveyor 4
a is provided with an encoder 27 serving as a rotation angle detecting means, and outputs a pulse as the rotation drive shaft 4a rotates. The output pulse from the encoder 27 is input to the high-speed counter 21. Furthermore, the article separation and supply device of this embodiment includes an origin sensor 28 that detects the origin of the rotary drive shaft 4a. The origin of the rotary drive shaft 4a is detected by the origin sensor 28 each time the rotary drive shaft 4a makes one rotation. The origin sensor 28 outputs an origin signal to the high-speed sequencer 24 and the central control unit 22 each time the origin is detected.

In this embodiment, for example, a reference position for receiving an article is set at a central position between the transport claws 5 and 5 in the bucket conveyor 4. Then, the second position with respect to this reference position is substantially at the center of the article delivery section D.
Adjust the timing so that the separating conveyor delivers the goods. Here bucket conveyor 4, for example, counted from the origin detection time point of the rotation drive shaft 4a by the origin sensor 28 at the timing when the encoder 27 has output a pulse only T ₁ (reference position passing timing), the reference position It is adjusted so as to be arranged substantially at the center of the article delivery section D.

Further, in order to deliver the article to the reference position of the bucket conveyor 4 substantially at the center of the article delivery section D, as shown in FIG. 2A, the origin sensor 28 detects the origin of the rotary drive shaft 4a. From the point of time (the point of output of the origin signal), in accordance with the timing (T ₀ + T ₀ + T ₁ ) at which the rotary drive shaft 4 a makes two rotations and the pulse corresponding to the reference position passing timing T ₁ is output from the encoder 27. In this case, it is necessary to transport the article from the first article detection position to almost the center of the article delivery section D.

Now, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, after the origin sensor 28 outputs the origin signal, T ₂
Assuming that the first article detection signal is output from the first article detection sensor 25 at the timing (first article detection timing) at which only the pulse is output from the encoder 27,
The entrance side conveyor 1 and the first and second separation conveyors 2 and 3 are adjusted so that the timing is corrected by the difference (T ₁ −T ₂ ) between the reference position passing timing T ₁ and the first article detection timing T ₂ . The transport speeds V ₁ , V ₂ , and V ₃ may be initially adjusted. At this time, the speed ratio between the transport speeds V ₁ , V ₂ , and V ₃ is kept constant.

If this difference (T ₁ -T ₂ ) is a negative value,
Since the difference is behind the proper timing (T ₀ + T ₀ + T ₁ ), the transport speeds V ₁ , V ₂ , and V ₃ of the conveyors ₁ , ₂ , and ₃ are increased. Conversely, the difference (T ₁ −T ₂ )
Is a positive value, the appropriate timing (T
₀ + T ₀ + T ₁ ).
A few transport speeds V ₁ , V ₂ and V ₃ may be reduced.

In order to transfer the article passing through the succeeding article detection position provided in the vicinity of the article delivery section D to the reference position of the bucket conveyor 4 substantially at the center of the article delivery section D, the origin sensor 28 is rotated. from the time of detecting the origin of the axes 4a, a pulse of only a reference position passing timing T ₁ is in accordance with a timing output from the encoder 27,
It is necessary to transport the article from the subsequent article detection position to almost the center of the article transfer section D.

Now, as shown in FIGS. 2D and 2E, after an origin signal is output from the origin sensor 28, T ₃
At the timing when only the pulse is output from the encoder 27 (article detection timing), the subsequent article detection sensor 26
Assuming that an article detection signal is output from the above, the timing is corrected by the difference (T ₁ −T ₃ ) between the reference position passing timing T ₁ and the article detection timing T ₃ .
The conveying speeds V ₁ , V ₂ and V ₃ of the inlet side conveyor 1 and the first and second separation conveyors ₂ and ₃ may be adjusted.

In this case as well, if the difference (T ₁ -T ₃ ) is a negative value, the difference is delayed from the proper timing T ₁ by the difference, so that each conveyor 1, 2, 3 increasing the conveyance speed _{V 1, V 2, V 3} . Conversely, the difference (T ₁ −T ₃ )
Is a positive value, the appropriate timing T _{1 by the} difference
Therefore, the conveyor speeds V ₁ , V ₂ , and V ₃ of the conveyors ₁ , ₂ , and ₃ may be reduced.

Based on the above control principle, the control system of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 executes the following control operation. That is, an origin signal is output from the origin sensor 28 every time the origin of the bucket conveyor 4 is detected, and the origin signal is input to the high-speed sequencer 24.

The high-speed sequencer 24 outputs a count start command to the high-speed counter 21 in response to the input of the origin signal. The high-speed counter 21 receives the output pulse of the encoder 27, and resets the past count value and newly counts the output pulse of the encoder 27 in response to the count start command from the high-speed sequencer 24.

After the apparatus is started, a group of articles is introduced into the entrance conveyor 1 in a pressed state, and the entrance conveyor 1 starts conveying the articles while holding the group of articles in a line without any gap. Thus, the article (first article) located at the head of the article group reaches the first article detection position. At this time, a first article detection signal is output from the first article detection sensor 25 to the high-speed sequencer 24.

Upon receiving the first article detection signal, the high-speed sequencer 24 outputs a count stop command to the high-speed counter 21. At this point, the high-speed counter 21 stops counting. Next, the central control unit 22 outputs a readout command of the count value to the high-speed counter 21, and the count value of the high-speed counter 21, that is, the count value is output from the encoder 27 from the input of the origin signal to the input of the first article detection signal. Read the number of pulses. Count from the high-speed counter 21 read in this manner, the first article detection timing T ₂ mentioned above.

Subsequently, the central control unit 22 calculates required timing correction data based on the first article detection timing T ₂ . That is, the reference position passing timing T ₁ and the appropriate timing (T ₀ + T ₀ + T ₁ ) for transporting the article from the first article detection position to substantially the center of the article delivery section D are set in the central control unit 22 in advance. ing. Then, the reference position passing timing T ₁ and the first
The difference (T ₁ −T ₂ ) from the article detection timing T ₂ is calculated, and the timing correction data is output. The timing correction data is outputted to the servo motor 8 via the D / A converter 23, an inlet side conveyor 1 and the first conveyance speed V _1, V _2, V ₃ of the second separation conveyor 2 initial Adjusted.

Even if the transport speeds V ₁ , V ₂ , V ₃ of the conveyors ₁ , ₂ , ₃ are initially adjusted in this way, various disturbances, vibrations of the apparatus, and slippage of the articles will continue as the transport operation continues. The transport timing of each of the conveyors 1, 2, 3 (T ₀
+ T ₀ + T ₁ ) is inevitable. Therefore, in this embodiment, the following article detection sensor 2 is provided at appropriate intervals.
6 is output to the high-speed counter 21 to detect the article detection timing T ₃ , and based on the article detection timing T ₃ , each transport speed V of the entrance side conveyor 1 and the first and second separation conveyors. ₁ , V ₂ and V ₃ are corrected.

That is, the succeeding article detection sensor 26 detects articles passing the succeeding article detection position, for example, every two or more articles, and outputs an article detection signal to the high-speed sequencer 24. The high-speed sequencer 24 outputs a count command to the high-speed counter 21 every time an origin signal is input from the origin sensor 28. The high-speed counter 21 receives the output pulse of the encoder 27 and resets the past count value in response to the count command from the high-speed sequencer 24, and at the same time, newly counts the output pulse of the encoder 27.

Subsequently, when the high-speed sequencer 24 receives the article detection signal from the subsequent article detection sensor 26, it outputs a count stop command to the high-speed counter 21. At this point, the high-speed counter 21 stops counting.
Next, the central control unit 22 outputs a read command of the count value to the high-speed counter 21, and the count value of the high-speed counter 21, that is, the count value output from the encoder 27 from the input of the origin signal to the input of the subsequent article detection signal. Read the number of pulses. Count from the high-speed counter 21 read in this manner is an article detection timing T ₃ as described above.

As described above, the reference position passing timing T ₁ is set in the central control unit 22 in advance.
The central control unit 22 calculates a difference (T ₁ −T ₃ ) between the reference position passing timing T ₁ and the article detection timing T _3, and corrects the timing by the difference (T ₁ −T ₃ ). Inlet side conveyor 1 and first and second separation conveyors 2
The transport speeds V ₁ , V ₂ , and V ₃ are adjusted.

By the control operation described above, the transport speeds V ₁ , V ₁ , and V 2 of the entrance side conveyor 1 and the first and second separation conveyors 2 and 3 are determined.
By adjusting V ₂ and V ₃ , the delivery timing of the article to the bucket conveyor is corrected. The transport speeds V ₁ , V ₂ , and V ₃ of the conveyors ₁ , ₂ , and ₃ maintain a constant speed ratio even after being adjusted in this manner.
There is no sharp change in the speed ratio between the three.
Therefore, smooth delivery of articles between the conveyors 1, 2, 3 is always compensated.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various other modifications and applications are possible. For example, a conveyance claw detection sensor is provided in the article delivery section, and various timings such as a reference position passage timing, a first article detection timing, an article detection timing, and the like are set with the time point at which the detection sensor detects the conveyance claw as an origin. Is also good.

Further, the reference position of the bucket conveyor can be arbitrarily set at an intermediate portion of the transport claw. further,
The transfer timing (T ₀ + T ₀ +) shown in FIG.
T ₁ ) is an example, and can be set as appropriate according to the specifications of the device, the operation details, and the like. Furthermore, each conveyor can be directly driven by an independent drive source without using a power transmission mechanism, and each drive source can be controlled such that each conveyor has a constant speed ratio.

[0050]

As described above, according to the present invention, the inlet conveyor and the separation conveyor are driven at a constant speed ratio, and the moving speeds of the inlet conveyor and the separation conveyor are adjusted to transfer the bucket conveyor to the bucket conveyor. Since the article delivery timing is always adjusted to a suitable state, even when articles are supplied at high speed, the delivery timing of articles to the bucket conveyor can be adjusted without difficulty, and the operating rate can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a control system of an article separation and supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart for explaining a control operation of the device.

FIG. 3 is a front sectional view showing an article transport mechanism of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a plan sectional view of the same.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Inlet side conveyor 2: First separation conveyor 3: Second separation conveyor 4: Bucket conveyor 5: Conveyor claw 8: Servo motor 21: High speed counter 22: Central control unit 23: D / A converter 24: High speed sequencer 25 : First article detection sensor 26: Subsequent article detection sensor 27: Encoder 28: Origin sensor

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An inlet-side conveyor for holding articles conveyed in a pressed state from an upstream side in a line without any gap, and conveying the articles.
An article separation and supply device comprising: a separation conveyor that receives articles from the inlet conveyor and conveys the articles at a higher speed than the inlet conveyor in the downstream direction; and a bucket conveyor that receives the articles from the separation conveyor. An article separation and supply device which drives a conveyor and a separation conveyor at a constant speed ratio, and adjusts a moving speed of the inlet side conveyor and the separation conveyor to adjust an article delivery timing to the bucket conveyor. 2. An inlet-side conveyor for holding articles conveyed in a pressed state from the upstream side in a line without any gap, and conveying the articles.
It has a separation conveyor that receives articles from this entrance side conveyor and conveys them at a higher speed than the entrance side conveyor in the downstream direction, and a conveyance claw for pressing and conveying the articles at regular intervals, and An article separation and supply device comprising a bucket conveyor for receiving articles from the separation conveyor in a set article delivery section, wherein the inlet side conveyor and the separation conveyor are driven at a constant speed ratio, and the transport claw of the bucket conveyor A first position in which a reference position for receiving an article is set in between, and a first article located at the head of an article group conveyed without a gap by the entrance-side conveyor is set near an exit of the entrance-side conveyor. First article detection means for detecting at the article detection position; first article detection timing when the first article detection means detects the first article; Based on the reference position passing timing when the reference position set on the bucket conveyor passes on the article delivery section, the article that has passed the first article detection position is substantially synchronized with the reference position passing timing. An article separation and supply device, comprising: transport timing synchronization means for initially adjusting the transport speed of the entrance side conveyor and the separation conveyor so that the article is transported to an article delivery section. 3. The article separation and supply device according to claim 2, wherein an arbitrary article supplied to the separation conveyor after the first article is detected at a predetermined succeeding article detection position set on the separation conveyor. A subsequent article detection unit, based on an article detection timing when the subsequent article detection unit detects the article, and a reference position passing timing when a reference position set on the bucket conveyor passes over the article delivery section. Transport timing correction means for adjusting the transport speed of the entrance-side conveyor and the separation conveyor so that the article that has passed the succeeding article detection position is transported to the article delivery section substantially in synchronization with the reference position passage timing. And an article separation and supply device. 4. The article separation and supply device according to claim 3, wherein the subsequent article detection position is set near the article delivery section. 5. The article separation and supply device according to claim 1, wherein the separation conveyor is constituted by a plurality of conveyors connected in series, and each of the conveyors is fixed at a constant speed ratio. An article separation and supply device that is driven.