Airflow control system for conveying objects and conveying device using the system

Abstract

The present invention accurately and reproducibly controls the pressure and flow rate of the airflow according to the type of conveyed material and the conveying conditions, thereby preventing poor screening of the conveyed material and a decrease in supply efficiency. The present invention is an airflow control system for a conveyed material (P) conveyed along a conveying path (121), comprising: a jet nozzle (122) connected to an airflow path connected to an airflow source (101) and facing the conveying path; a switch valve (104) for opening or closing the airflow path; a conveyed material judgment unit (115) for judging the detection pattern of a conveyed material detector (109) that detects the conveyed material near the jet nozzle on the conveying path; a switch valve drive unit (116) for controlling the switch valve to open or close according to the judgment result of the conveyed material judgment unit; an airflow adjustment mechanism (105) that is provided separately from the switch valve on the airflow path and can adjust the airflow pattern in the airflow path; a control unit (111) for outputting airflow adjustment data corresponding to the conveyed material, conveying conditions, etc.; and an airflow adjustment setting unit (113) for setting the airflow adjustment pattern of the airflow adjustment mechanism according to the airflow adjustment data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an airflow control system for conveyed materials and a conveying device using the system. Background Technology

[0002] Traditionally, during the transport of goods on conveyor paths such as feeders, airflow, or other air currents are sometimes blown onto the goods to remove them from the conveyor path if they are misaligned or to reverse their orientation. Air jets are provided on the conveyor surface of the conveyor path to eject these airflows, and the positional relationship between these jets and the goods is used to blow the goods away from the conveyor path or to rotate the goods on the conveyor path. As an airflow control system or conveying device that applies airflow to the goods, the type described in Patent Document 1 is known.

[0003] In the aforementioned conveying device, the airflow path from an air supply source such as an air compressor or air cylinder, which supplies airflow to the aforementioned jet port via a switching valve, is typically formed by a resin tube or the like. At this time, a needle valve (throttle valve) is installed on the front side of the switching valve (the air supply source side). This needle valve is configured to control the air pressure via a needle and can also be used as a speed controller. The air pressure supplied to the switching valve or the airflow rate when the valve is opened is adjusted by manually setting the amount of needle screwed into the needle.

[0004] [Existing Technical Documents]

[0005] [Patent Documents]

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-335487 Summary of the Invention

[0007] However, in recent years, there have been situations requiring the transport of tiny electronic components at the millimeter or micrometer scale, or situations demanding high-speed delivery of conveyed materials. Therefore, adjusting the pressure or flow rate of the airflow from the nozzle in existing conveying devices has become difficult. For example, insufficient airflow pressure or flow rate can lead to poor material screening due to incomplete removal or overturning of conveyed materials. Conversely, excessive airflow pressure or flow rate can sometimes blow away or overturn materials that do not require airflow, reducing the efficiency of material delivery. This is especially true when the conveying device is a vibrating conveyor such as a feeder, where the conveyed materials are transported under vibration, resulting in an unstable state and increasing the likelihood of problems arising from the setting of airflow pressure or flow rate.

[0008] On the other hand, adjusting the opening mode of the switching valve can also be considered to adjust the airflow control mode of the conveyed material. However, since high-speed screening of the aforementioned small conveyed materials requires a switching valve that can open and close at high speed, such high-speed switching valves are usually inaccurate and lack reproducibility in adjusting the airflow mode. Therefore, there is a problem that it is impossible to achieve an accurate and reproducible airflow control mode for the conveyed material. For example, although piezoelectric valves operate at high speed, most of them have poor temperature characteristics and hysteresis characteristics, so they cannot achieve a high-precision and reproducible airflow control mode for the conveyed material.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned problems. Its objective is to prevent poor screening of conveyed materials and reduced supply efficiency by accurately and reproducibly controlling the shape of airflow pressure and flow rate according to the type of conveyed material and conveying conditions.

[0010] To address the aforementioned issues, the airflow control system for the conveyed object of the present invention is a system that utilizes airflow control to convey an object along a conveying path. It comprises: a jet nozzle, a switching valve, a conveyed object determination unit, a switching valve drive unit, an airflow adjustment mechanism, a control unit, and an airflow adjustment setting unit. The jet nozzle is connected to an airflow path connected to an airflow source and faces the conveying path. The switching valve opens or closes the airflow path. The conveyed object determination unit determines the conveyed object based on the detection pattern of a conveyed object detector that detects the object near the jet nozzle on the conveying path. The switching valve drive unit controls the switching valve to open or close based on the determination result of the conveyed object determination unit when the object faces the jet nozzle. The airflow adjustment mechanism is separately provided from the switching valve on the airflow path and is capable of adjusting the airflow pattern in the airflow path when the switching valve is open. The control unit outputs airflow adjustment data corresponding to the conveyed object, conveying conditions, conveying path structure, or type of airflow control. The airflow adjustment setting unit sets the airflow adjustment pattern of the airflow adjustment mechanism based on the airflow adjustment data. Therefore, by setting the airflow adjustment mode in the airflow adjustment mechanism, which is separate from the switching valve, according to the airflow adjustment data corresponding to the airflow control mode of the conveyed material, the mode of the airflow supplied along the airflow path can be adjusted accurately and with good reproducibility.

[0011] In this invention, the airflow adjustment mechanism is preferably configured to adjust the shape of the airflow between the switching valve and the jet nozzle in the airflow path. Therefore, since the airflow shape in the airflow path is adjusted closer to the jet nozzle than the switching valve, the airflow control of the conveyed material can be achieved more accurately and with better reproducibility. However, the airflow adjustment mechanism may also be configured to adjust the shape of the airflow between the airflow source and the switching valve in the airflow path.

[0012] In this invention, it is preferable to further include an airflow pattern detector that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the airflow pattern, and the airflow adjustment setting unit resets the airflow adjustment mechanism based on the detection signal when the switch valve is in the open state. In this case, it is preferable that the airflow adjustment setting unit performs feedback control on the airflow adjustment mechanism to make the detection signal approach the target value corresponding to the airflow adjustment data. Furthermore, it is preferable that the airflow adjustment setting unit performs the reset each time the switch valve becomes open. Alternatively, instead of the aforementioned airflow adjustment data, the airflow adjustment mechanism can also be set based on the detection signal when the switch valve is open using various methods such as using any target value as a reference.

[0013] In this invention, preferably, when new airflow adjustment data is output from the control unit, the following airflow adjustment process is performed regardless of whether there is a conveying object on the conveying path: the airflow adjustment setting unit sets the airflow adjustment mechanism according to the airflow adjustment data, and re-sets the airflow adjustment mechanism according to the detection signal of the airflow pattern detector when the switch valve is in the open state.

[0014] In this invention, it is preferable to further include an airflow control pattern discrimination unit that detects and determines the airflow control pattern of the conveyed object on the conveying path caused by the blowing of airflow from the jet nozzle, and the airflow adjustment setting unit re-sets the airflow adjustment mechanism based on the discrimination result of the airflow control pattern discrimination unit. In this case, it is preferable that the airflow adjustment setting unit performs feedback control on the airflow adjustment mechanism so that the discrimination result is close to the target result corresponding to the airflow adjustment data. In addition, it is preferable that the airflow adjustment setting unit performs the re-setting each time the switch valve becomes open. Alternatively, instead of the airflow adjustment data described above, the airflow adjustment mechanism can also be set based on the discrimination result of the airflow control pattern discrimination unit using various methods such as using an arbitrary target value as a reference.

[0015] In this invention, preferably, when new airflow adjustment data is output from the control unit, the following airflow adjustment process is performed regardless of whether the conveying object is on the conveying path: the airflow adjustment setting unit sets the airflow adjustment mechanism according to the airflow adjustment data, and re-sets the airflow adjustment mechanism according to the discrimination result of the airflow control mode discrimination unit.

[0016] In this invention, the airflow adjustment mechanism preferably includes an airflow adjustment valve for adjusting the shape of the airflow, and the airflow adjustment setting unit includes an adjustment drive unit for driving the adjustment structure of the airflow adjustment valve. The airflow adjustment valve is preferably a throttling valve such as a needle valve.

[0017] In this invention, the switching valve is preferably a piezoelectric valve.

[0018] Secondly, the conveying device of the present invention preferably includes an airflow control system for the conveyed object and a conveying mechanism for conveying the conveyed object along the conveying path. In this case, the conveying mechanism preferably conveys the conveyed object by vibrating the conveying path.

[0019] (Invention Effects)

[0020] According to the present invention, by appropriately controlling the pressure and flow rate of the airflow based on the conveyed material and conveying conditions, it is possible to prevent poor screening of the conveyed material and a reduction in supply efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a first embodiment of the airflow control system and conveying device for conveying materials according to the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration example of the second embodiment.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the overall configuration example of the third embodiment.

[0024] Figure 4 It is a general flowchart showing the general flow of the action procedures used in each implementation.

[0025] Figure 5 It means Figure 4 A simplified flowchart of a variation of a portion of the action procedure shown.

[0026] Figure 6 It means Figure 4 A simplified flowchart of a variation of another part of the action procedure shown.

[0027] Figure 7 It means Figure 4 A schematic flowchart of other variations of a portion of the action procedure shown.

[0028] Figure 8 It means Figure 4 A schematic flowchart of another variation of the action procedure shown.

[0029] Figure 9 (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a piezoelectric valve suitable as a switching valve, and (b) is its side view.

[0030] Figure 10 (a) is a diagram showing an example of a throttle valve suitable as an airflow regulating mechanism, and (b) is a diagram showing the appearance of an example of a throttle valve.

[0031] (Symbol Explanation)

[0032] 100… Conveying device (airflow control system for conveyed materials)

[0033] 101…Airflow supply source

[0034] 102… Regulator

[0035] 103…manifold

[0036] 104…Switch Valve

[0037] 105, 105', 107... airflow adjustment mechanism

[0038] 106, 106', 108... airflow pattern detectors

[0039] 109…Image Acquisition Device

[0040] 111…Control Department

[0041] 112… Storage Department

[0042] 113, 114… Airflow adjustment setting section

[0043] 115…Conveyor Detection Unit (Airflow Control Pattern Recognition Unit)

[0044] AJS…Airflow Adjustment Section

[0045] 115a…Image Processing Unit

[0046] 115b…Determine the output unit (identify the output unit)

[0047] 116… Switch valve drive unit Detailed Implementation

[0048] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, referring to... Figure 1 and Figure 4 This invention describes a first embodiment of the airflow control system and conveying device for conveying materials according to the present invention. Here, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a general configuration example of the first embodiment. Figure 4 This is a simplified flowchart illustrating the operation flow of the first embodiment.

[0049] The conveying device 100 of this embodiment has an airflow control system for the conveyed object in the conveying mechanism 120, wherein the conveying mechanism 120 is configured to convey the conveyed object P along the conveying path 121 (121a, 121b). Although the conveying mechanism 120 is not shown in the figure, it is configured, for example, by a feeder or a linear feeder known as a vibrating conveying device. In the example shown in the figure, air jets 122 and 123 are opened on a portion of the conveying surface at different locations 121a and 121b in a conveying path 121, and the conveying position and conveying posture of the conveyed object P are controlled by the airflow blown from these air jets 122 and 123.

[0050] The airflow control system for the conveyed material in this embodiment includes: an airflow supply source (airflow source) 101 for supplying compressed air, such as an air compressor or an air storage cylinder; a regulator 102 for controlling the airflow pressure; and a manifold 103 configured to branch the airflow path. In the illustrated example, two airflow paths extend from the manifold 103 to the conveying path 121 of the conveying mechanism 120. A switching valve 104 is connected to one airflow path, and an airflow adjustment unit AJS is provided downstream of it. The other airflow path has an airflow adjustment unit AJS without a switching valve. The airflow adjustment unit AJS includes airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107 for adjusting the shape of the airflow in the airflow path, and airflow shape detectors 106 and 108 for detecting the shape of the airflow in the airflow path. Here, the shape of the airflow in the airflow path refers to the airflow pressure, airflow flow rate, airflow velocity, etc.

[0051] On the other hand, at the transport item detection section adjacent to the upstream side of the aforementioned portion 121b where the air jet 122 is provided on the transport path 121, an image acquisition device 109, such as a camera, is provided. The image acquisition device 109 takes a picture of the transport item P at the transport item detection section and outputs the image to the transport item judgment unit 115. In the transport item judgment unit 115, the image processing unit 115a performs image processing on the image to determine whether the transport item P is good or bad, its transport posture, etc. Image processing includes, for example, image binarization, edge extraction, and pattern processing. The judgment output unit 115b outputs a judgment result based on the information obtained through the image processing. This judgment result indicates information such as whether the transport item P is a good or bad product, whether it is in a normal or abnormal transport posture, or whether it is any of multiple transport postures. The judgment result is sent to the switch valve drive unit 116, which sends a drive signal corresponding to the judgment result to the switch valve 104, thereby enabling switch control to make the switch valve 104 form an open valve mode corresponding to the judgment result. The open valve mode referred to here is the valve opening degree and valve opening time of the switch valve 104. In addition, in this embodiment, the switch valve drive unit 116 may also be configured to send a fixed drive signal (a signal that generates a fixed valve opening degree and a fixed valve opening time) to the switch valve 104 when airflow should be blown onto the conveyed material P according to the above judgment result. This is because, in this embodiment, the airflow pattern in the airflow path has been appropriately adjusted by setting the above-mentioned airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107, so it is not necessary to adjust the airflow pattern in the airflow path by means of the switch valve 104.

[0052] As for the aforementioned switching valve 104, a switching valve capable of high-speed switching operation is preferred, and a piezoelectric valve that utilizes the deformation of a piezoelectric element to open or close the airflow path is particularly preferred. For example, in Figure 9 In the piezoelectric valve 134 shown, a piezoelectric element 134f is provided within a housing 134a. The two ends of the piezoelectric element 134f are connected to a support 134d and a pair of tilting arms 134e, which are housed and fixed in an internal space 134c communicating with an inlet 134b. The tilting arms 134e are tiltably movably supported on the piezoelectric element 134f and the support 134d, respectively. The pair of tilting arms 134e hold the valve body 134h via an elastic body 134g. The tilting arms 134e and the elastic body 134g constitute a displacement amplification mechanism for the piezoelectric element 134f and drive the valve body 134h. The pair of tilting arms 134e tilt inward or outward due to the stretching or contraction of the piezoelectric element 134f caused by the voltage applied by the drive unit 134DR, thereby moving the valve body 134h via the elastic body 134g, thus opening or closing the outlet 134i of the internal space 134c.

[0053] As the control device of this embodiment, it includes: a control unit 111 equipped with an arithmetic processing unit such as an MPU (microprocessor unit), a storage unit 112 storing various airflow adjustment data described later, and airflow adjustment setting units 113 and 114. The control unit 111 manages the airflow control system for the entire conveyed object. This control unit 111 can be configured to also control the conveying mechanism 120 as needed. The storage unit 112 is composed of various memory devices, etc., and stores airflow adjustment data representing the type of conveyed object, conveying conditions, conveying path structure, or airflow control. More specifically, the airflow adjustment data includes, for example, control data corresponding to the type of conveyed object P (representing product number, size, shape, weight, density, etc.), conveying conditions (driving frequency, driving voltage, conveying speed, conveying density, etc. of the conveying mechanism 120), the form of airflow control for the conveyed object P (changes in conveying posture such as removal of the conveyed object P from the conveying path 121, and flipping of the conveyed object P (including changes in angle), etc.), and the blowing conditions of the airflow for the conveyed object P (the size, shape, position, height, and direction of the nozzle of the conveyed object P on the conveying path).

[0054] The airflow adjustment setting units 113 and 114 receive airflow adjustment data stored in the storage unit 112 from the control unit 111, and set the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107 of the airflow adjustment unit AJS according to the airflow adjustment data. That is, the airflow adjustment mechanism 105 and 107 is set in a way that makes the airflow pattern of the airflow path conform to a predetermined adjustment pattern. Examples of the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107 include those that... Figure 10 The configuration shown in (a) involves the connection of a throttle valve and a check valve. This configuration can, for example, be made by... Figure 10 The needle valve 135 shown in (b) is configured as follows. Figure 10 The needle valve 135 shown in (b) can precisely adjust the flow rate via a drive motor (adjustment drive unit) 135c, which is composed of a stepper motor or the like. The drive motor 135c is configured to drive the needle shaft (adjustment structure) 135b, which is screwed into the valve body 135a, to rotate. As for the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107, mechanisms like the needle valve 135 described above, which can accurately and reproducibly adjust the airflow path and airflow pattern, are preferred, even if setting the adjustment pattern itself takes some time. Generally, mechanisms suitable for use as flow adjustment valves are preferred.

[0055] After setting the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107, the airflow adjustment setting units 113 and 114 compare the detected values ​​of airflow patterns, such as airflow pressure, flow rate, and flow velocity, detected by the airflow pattern detectors 106 and 108 with the set values ​​or target values ​​corresponding to the current airflow adjustment data, as needed. If the difference between the detected value and the set value or target value is large enough, it is necessary to correct the set value or target value, or to re-set the airflow adjustment data, and to perform the correction or re-setting to reduce the difference. For example, in this embodiment, the airflow adjustment setting units 113 and 114 perform feedback control on the set values ​​of the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107 based on the detection signals from the airflow pattern detectors 106 and 108. At this time, the airflow adjustment setting units 113 and 114 read the detection signals from the airflow pattern detectors 106 and 108 when the switch valve 104 is in the open state, based on the judgment result output from the conveying judgment unit 115, and perform the correction, re-setting, or feedback control. In this example, the airflow adjustment setting units 113 and 114 are configured to receive a judgment result or a timing signal from the conveying material judgment unit 115 via the control unit 111. However, they may also be configured to receive a drive signal or a timing signal from the switch valve drive unit 116. In addition, the airflow pattern detectors 106 and 108 may be configured as various pressure sensors or flow (velocity) sensors.

[0056] In addition, Figure 1 In the schematic diagram shown, at the aforementioned portion 121a of the conveyor path 121, airflow is continuously blown from the jet nozzle 123 to exclude all other conveyed items that overlap with the conveyed items P. Furthermore, at the aforementioned portion 121b, on the one hand, normal conveyed items P are allowed to pass directly, while on the other hand, abnormal conveyed items P are excluded from the conveyor path 121; or, on the other hand, conveyed items P in a normal conveying posture are allowed to pass directly, while conveyed items P in an abnormal conveying posture are flipped. At this time, multiple conveying postures can be identified, and the intensity or duration of the airflow can be increased or decreased according to the conveying posture to switch the angle of change of the conveying posture. The combination of airflow control for various conveyed items P at the multiple portions 121a and 121b of the conveyor path 121 is arbitrary, and the content of the airflow adjustment data or the control mode of the airflow adjustment setting units 113 and 114 are appropriately set according to the airflow control mode of the conveyed items at each portion. In addition, the function or operation mode of the airflow adjustment setting unit 114 can be configured in the same way as the airflow adjustment setting unit 113.

[0057] Figure 4This is a simplified flowchart illustrating the processing flow of the action procedure executed by the control unit 111. Furthermore, the control unit 111 is not limited to the configuration of using an MPU as the processing unit as in this embodiment; various hardware configurations can be employed. It should be understood that regardless of the hardware configuration, Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the general operating flow of the control unit 111.

[0058] First, the control unit 111 remains on standby until an input is received from an operation unit (operation panel or other input unit, not shown) (step 141). If an operation input is received related to the conveyed object, conveying conditions, the structure of the conveying path 121, or the type of airflow control, i.e., the type of conveyed object, the conveying conditions of the conveyed object, the airflow control mode of the conveyed object, or the blowing conditions of the airflow for the conveyed object (step 142), then the airflow adjustment data corresponding to the operation input is retrieved from the storage unit 112 and output to the airflow adjustment setting units 113 and 114 (step 143). At this time, the control unit 111 can also automatically select airflow adjustment data (automatically input the input signal corresponding to the operation input) based on the pre-registered configuration conditions of the airflow adjustment setting units 113 and 114 as output targets (e.g., the airflow control mode of the conveyed object or the blowing conditions of the airflow for the conveyed object).

[0059] Next, the airflow adjustment setting units 113 and 114 set the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107 according to the aforementioned airflow adjustment data, adjusting them to form an airflow pattern corresponding to the airflow adjustment data (step 144). Then, a standby state is entered until the conveying process of the conveyed object begins according to the linkage signal or operation input signal output from the conveying mechanism 120 (step 145). When the conveying process begins, the image captured by the image acquisition device 109 (step 146) is processed in the conveyed object judgment unit 115, and a judgment result is output through the conveyed object judgment process (step 147). Here, when the judgment result is that the airflow control of the conveyed object is required (step 148), the switch valve drive unit 116, which receives the judgment result, outputs a drive signal (step 149) to open the switch valve 104. As long as the conveying process of the conveyed object is not finished, the same judgment process is repeated for the next conveyed object. When the judgment result is that the airflow control of the conveyed object is not required, the same judgment process is directly repeated for the next conveyed object as long as the conveying process of the conveyed object is not finished. When the conveying process is completed (step 150), the system returns to the standby state of the aforementioned operation input unless a stop signal or stop operation input is received from the conveying mechanism 120. Furthermore, the above process is performed similarly even without the aforementioned airflow pattern detectors 106 and 108. If the system is eventually stopped (step 151), the process ends. On the other hand, if the system is not stopped, it returns to the initial standby state again (step 141).

[0060] Next, refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The processing flow for correcting the airflow adjustment data or resetting the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107 using the airflow pattern detectors 106 and 108 in this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 In the above Figure 4 In the illustrated processing flow, instead of the setting process (steps 142, 143) of the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105, 107 performed before the transport process (steps 141-147), the setting process of the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105, 107 is performed using the detection signals of the airflow pattern detectors 106, 108. Furthermore, in the following description, the case where the airflow adjustment data is corrected and then the airflow adjustment mechanism is reset based on the corrected airflow adjustment data will be explained. However, it is also possible to configure the airflow adjustment mechanism to be reset based on the detection signals of the airflow pattern detectors 106, 108 without correcting the airflow adjustment data.

[0061] In this setting process, firstly, when an input signal is received (step 152), the control unit 111 retrieves airflow adjustment data from the storage unit 112 (step 153) and outputs it to the airflow adjustment setting units 113 and 114. The airflow adjustment setting units 113 and 114 then set the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107 to the state corresponding to the aforementioned airflow adjustment data (step 154). Next, the control unit 111 sends a command to the conveying material judgment unit 115 or the switch valve drive unit 116, causing a virtual drive signal to be output to the switch valve 104, thereby opening the switch valve 104 (step 155). Then, the detection signal of the airflow pattern detector 106 when the switching valve 104 is in the open state is acquired (step 156), and the detection signal of the airflow pattern detector 108 is acquired at any time. These detection values ​​are compared with the target values ​​of the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107 to identify the airflow adjustment mechanism (step 157). If resetting is required, the airflow adjustment data is corrected (step 158), and the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107 are re-set (step 154). Afterwards, the same process is repeated as needed. The setting ends when the state no longer requires correction of the airflow adjustment data or resetting of the airflow adjustment mechanism is achieved. Alternatively, instead of the virtual drive signal, the detection signals of the airflow pattern detectors 106 and 108 can be acquired at the output time of the actual drive signal to set the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107.

[0062] Figure 6 Indicates that it can be replaced Figure 4This is a process flow that includes additional airflow control processing (steps 161-169) of the transported material, performed in addition to the airflow control processing (steps 146-150) of the above-described processing flow. This process flow is also related to... Figure 5 Similarly, in this embodiment, the processing flow is used when the airflow pattern detectors 106 and 108 are used to correct the airflow adjustment data or reset the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107.

[0063] In this process, the image acquired by the image acquisition device 109 is processed by the transport object determination unit 115 (step 161) (step 162), and when airflow control of the transport object is required (step 163), a drive signal is output from the switch valve drive unit 116 (step 164) to open the switch valve 104. Then, the detection signal of the airflow pattern detector 106 when the switch valve 104 is in the open state is acquired (step 165), and the detection signal of the airflow pattern detector 108 is acquired at any time. These detection values ​​are compared with the target value. If the airflow adjustment data correction is required (step 166), the airflow adjustment data is corrected (step 167), and the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107 are reset according to the corrected airflow adjustment data (step 168). In addition, if the airflow adjustment data correction is not required in step 166, the process ends, or the process directly proceeds to the airflow control process of the next transport object.

[0064] Next, refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 The process of correcting the airflow adjustment data or resetting the airflow adjustment mechanism 105, 107 when the airflow control pattern discrimination unit is provided in this embodiment will be described. The airflow control pattern discrimination unit distinguishes the airflow control pattern result when the airflow of the conveyed object P on the conveying path 121 is controlled by the airflow from the jet nozzles 122, 123. Figure 7 In the above Figure 4 In the processing flow shown, instead of the setting process (steps 142 and 143) of the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107 performed before the transport process (steps 141 to 147), the setting process of the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107 is performed using the detection signals of the airflow control pattern recognition unit and the airflow pattern detectors 106 and 108. Furthermore, in the following description, the case where the airflow adjustment data is corrected and then the airflow adjustment mechanism is reset based on the corrected airflow adjustment data will be explained. However, it is also possible to configure the airflow adjustment mechanism to be reset based on the detection signals of the airflow pattern detectors 106 and 108 without correcting the airflow adjustment data.

[0065] Here, the airflow control pattern discrimination unit detects the airflow control pattern result of the conveyed object P, such as the result corresponding to the controlled state of the conveyed object P caused by the blowing of airflow towards the conveyed object P (whether the airflow properly removes the conveyed object P, whether the conveyed object P is properly flipped, whether the posture of the conveyed object P is appropriate, whether the conveyed objects in front and behind are entrained by the airflow, etc.), and determines whether the airflow-controlled pattern (removal, flipping, etc.) of the conveyed object P is normal or abnormal based on the detected pattern. As long as the discrimination result can be output, there is no particular limitation. For example, in this embodiment, the airflow control pattern discrimination unit can be composed of the conveyed object judgment unit 115 described above. In this case, the conveyed object judgment unit 115 judges the conveyed object P... Figure 1 The image acquired by the image acquisition device 109, specifically the portion of the image surrounding the aforementioned location 121b, and not the aforementioned transport object detection location, undergoes image processing. This allows it to determine how the transport object P moves or rotates due to the airflow blown from the jet nozzle 122, thereby identifying the airflow control pattern, i.e., whether the transport object P has been properly removed or flipped. Alternatively, the airflow control pattern identification unit can be separated from the transport object determination unit 115.

[0066] In this setting process, firstly, when an input signal is received (step 172), the control unit 111 retrieves airflow adjustment data from the storage unit 112 (step 173) and outputs it to the airflow adjustment setting units 113 and 114. The airflow adjustment setting units 113 and 114 set the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107 to the state corresponding to the aforementioned airflow adjustment data (step 174). Next, the control unit 111 sends a command to the conveyor judgment unit 115 or the switch valve drive unit 116, thereby detecting the arrival time of the conveyor P through image processing performed by the conveyor judgment unit 115 (175a), and outputs a drive signal to the switch valve 104 according to the timing signal (175b), thereby opening the switch valve 104 (step 175). Then, the airflow control pattern recognition process identifies the airflow control pattern caused by the airflow blown from the jet nozzle 122 to the conveyor P, i.e., the state of movement or rotation of the conveyor P (step 176), and determines whether the airflow adjustment data correction or the airflow adjustment mechanism reset is required based on the recognition result (step 177). If the airflow adjustment data correction is required, the airflow adjustment data is corrected (step 178), and the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107 are reset (step 174). Afterward, the same process as above is repeated as needed, and the setting ends when the state changes to one where the airflow adjustment data correction or the airflow adjustment mechanism reset is no longer required. Alternatively, the conveyor determination process (steps 147 and 148) can be performed instead of step 175, and the airflow control pattern recognition process is performed when a drive signal is output from the switch valve drive unit 116.

[0067] Figure 8 Indicates that it can be replaced Figure 4 This is a process flow that includes additional airflow control processing (steps 181-189) of the transported material, performed in addition to the airflow control processing (steps 146-150) of the above-described processing flow. This process flow is also related to... Figure 7 Similarly, in this embodiment, the processing flow is used when the airflow pattern detectors 106 and 108 are used to correct the airflow adjustment data or reset the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107.

[0068] In this process, the image acquired by the image acquisition device 109 is processed by the transport object determination unit 115 (step 181) (step 182), and when airflow control of the transport object is required (step 183), a drive signal is output from the switch valve drive unit 116 (step 184) to open the switch valve 104. Then, the airflow control mode discrimination unit determines the discrimination result of the airflow control mode of the transport object (step 185). If the airflow adjustment data needs to be corrected according to the discrimination result (step 186), the airflow adjustment data is corrected (step 187), and the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107 are reset according to the corrected airflow adjustment data (step 188). Alternatively, if the airflow adjustment data correction is not required in step 186, the process ends, or the process directly proceeds to the airflow control process of the next transport object.

[0069] According to the embodiment described above, the airflow adjustment data retrieved from the storage unit 112 by the control unit 111 is output to the airflow adjustment setting unit 113, and the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107 are set in the airflow adjustment setting unit 113 based on the airflow adjustment data. Thus, the airflow pattern of the airflow path is automatically adjusted according to various airflow adjustment data corresponding to the type of conveyed object, the conveying conditions of the conveyed object, the airflow control mode of the conveyed object, and the airflow blowing conditions for the conveyed object. Since the airflow pattern can be adjusted by the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107, which are separate from the switching valve 104, even if a high-speed and fast-response valve structure is used as the switching valve 104, the airflow pattern blown from the jet nozzle 122 to the conveyed object P, i.e., the airflow pressure, flow rate, and velocity, can be accurately and reproducibly configured. In particular, while the high-speed response piezoelectric valve can handle the high-speed and high-density conveying mechanism 120, there is a problem that the airflow pattern for airflow control of the conveyed material is difficult to set accurately and reproducibly due to the poor temperature and hysteresis characteristics of ordinary piezoelectric valves. However, this embodiment can solve such a problem and also has the advantage of simplifying the previously complex adjustment operation.

[0070] In particular, by resetting the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107 based on the detection signals from the airflow pattern detectors 106 and 108 in this embodiment, more accurate and reproducible airflow control of the conveyed material can be achieved. Furthermore, in this embodiment, by providing the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107 and the airflow pattern detectors 106 and 108 as an airflow adjustment unit AJS, the configuration of the airflow path is simplified, as is the connection with the airflow adjustment setting units 113 and 114. Moreover, the accuracy and reproducibility of the opening state of the switching valve 104 can sometimes be affected by the airflow pattern (pressure and flow rate), temperature, and the shape of the drive signal adjusted by the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107. Especially in high-speed switching valves such as piezoelectric valves, the opening area in the open state varies due to factors such as airflow pressure, flow rate, ambient temperature, drive voltage, drive current, and switching speed. Therefore, even with high-precision control of the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107, it is sometimes impossible to achieve the desired airflow pattern from the jet nozzles 122 and 123 with sufficient accuracy and reproducibility. Even in this case, the influence of the switching valve can be eliminated by correcting, setting, and resetting the airflow adjustment mechanisms 105 and 107 based on the detection signals from the airflow pattern detectors 106 and 108 or the discrimination results from the airflow control pattern discrimination unit, as described above.

[0071] Next, refer to Figure 2 The second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Unlike the first embodiment described above, where the airflow adjustment mechanism 105 has an airflow adjustment section AJS located downstream of the switching valve 104 in the airflow path, in this second embodiment, the airflow adjustment mechanism 105' has the airflow adjustment section AJS located upstream of the switching valve 104 in the airflow path. Furthermore, the airflow pattern detector 106' of the airflow adjustment section AJS is also provided upstream of the switching valve 104.

[0072] In this embodiment, because the airflow adjustment mechanism 105' is located upstream of the switching valve 104, it can be configured so that the switching action of the switching valve 104 is performed closer to the jet nozzle 122. Therefore, since the on-off state of the airflow acting on the conveyed material P from the jet nozzle 122 can be switched more accurately and quickly, it becomes easier to handle high-speed or high-density conveying of the conveyed material P on the conveying path 121. For example, it is easy to prevent airflow control errors such as mistakenly rejecting or flipping conveyed materials P that are conveyed consecutively. In addition, since the pressure, flow rate, velocity, etc. of the airflow applied from upstream of the switching valve 104 can be adjusted in advance by the airflow adjustment mechanism 105', even when a piezoelectric valve whose switching action is easily affected by the airflow pattern and its changes is used as the switching valve 104, the switching action of the switching valve 104 can be stabilized, thereby achieving the effect of easily ensuring stable switching action and reproducibility of the open state.

[0073] Next, refer to Figure 3 The third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this third embodiment, as in the second embodiment described above, an airflow adjustment mechanism 105' of an airflow adjustment unit AJS is provided upstream of the switching valve 104 in the airflow path. However, the airflow pattern detector 106" of the airflow adjustment unit AJS is provided downstream of the switching valve 104. Thus, the airflow pattern detector 106" does not necessarily have to be provided on the same side as the airflow adjustment mechanism 105' relative to the switching valve 104, and can be provided on either side of the airflow path. However, by providing the airflow pattern detectors 106' and 106" near the jet nozzle 122, it is easy to detect a state that is close to the airflow pattern blown from the jet nozzle 122 and actually received by the transported object P. Therefore, it is possible to improve the airflow adjustment effect of the airflow adjustment mechanism 105' when correcting the airflow adjustment data or resetting the airflow adjustment mechanism 105' using the detection signals of the airflow pattern detectors 106' and 106". The airflow pattern detector 106” is connected midway in the piping between the switching valve 104 and the jet port 122 in the example shown in the figure, but it is more preferably provided, for example, in a manner that can detect the pattern of airflow within the ventilation path 120a, wherein the ventilation path 120a is formed inside the conveying section of the conveying path 121 constituting the conveying mechanism 120. In addition, these aspects can also be achieved in the first and second embodiments.

[0074] Furthermore, the airflow control system and conveying device for transporting materials involved in this invention are not limited to the examples shown in the figures above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the various features of the above embodiments can be combined with each other in any way, provided there are no obstacles. Additionally, Figure 4The action procedure or processing flow shown can be achieved by... Figures 5-8 The processes shown can be arbitrarily rearranged to form a structure; alternatively, they can also be... Figures 5-8 The processes shown can be arbitrarily combined to form the system.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the airflow adjustment mechanism is sometimes set according to the detection signal of the airflow pattern detector and / or the discrimination result of the airflow control pattern discrimination unit. However, instead of these, the airflow adjustment data corresponding to the detection signal or the discrimination result can be prepared in advance, and the data can be read as needed to set the airflow adjustment mechanism according to the airflow adjustment data.

[0076] Incidentally, in this specification, the airflow morphology refers to the shape, state, and appearance of the airflow in the airflow path, including pressure, flow rate, and velocity. Additionally, the airflow adjustment morphology refers to the morphology of adjusting the airflow in the airflow path through an airflow adjustment mechanism, i.e., the shape, state, and appearance of the airflow adjustment performed by the airflow adjustment mechanism. Furthermore, the airflow control morphology refers to the morphology of controlling the conveyed object through the blowing of airflow from the nozzle, i.e., the shape, state, and appearance of controlling the conveyed object using airflow. Here, the control of the conveyed object refers to moving or changing the posture of the conveyed object through processes such as expulsion or tumbling.

[0077] Furthermore, although all the inventions described in this specification involve the installation of a switching valve in the airflow path, the following inventions can also be applied to airflow paths that do not have a switching valve, such as the airflow path of the airflow adjustment setting unit 114, airflow adjustment mechanism 107, and airflow pattern detector 108 in the above embodiments.

[0078] An airflow control system for a conveyor is provided, which uses airflow to control the conveyor conveyed along a conveying path. The airflow control system includes: a jet nozzle, an airflow adjustment mechanism, a control unit, and an airflow adjustment setting unit. The jet nozzle is connected to an airflow path connected to an airflow source and faces the conveying path. The airflow adjustment mechanism can adjust the airflow pattern in the airflow path. The control unit outputs airflow adjustment data corresponding to the conveyor, conveying conditions, conveying path structure, or airflow control type. The airflow adjustment setting unit sets the airflow adjustment pattern of the airflow adjustment mechanism according to the airflow adjustment data.

[0079] An airflow control system for a conveyor is provided, which uses airflow to control the conveyor conveyed along a conveying path. The airflow control system includes: a jet nozzle, an airflow adjustment mechanism, an airflow pattern detector, and an airflow adjustment setting unit. The jet nozzle is connected to an airflow path connected to an airflow source and faces the conveying path. The airflow adjustment mechanism can adjust the airflow pattern in the airflow path. The airflow pattern detector outputs a detection signal corresponding to the airflow pattern. The airflow adjustment setting unit sets the airflow adjustment pattern of the airflow adjustment mechanism according to the detection signal.

[0080] An airflow control system for a conveyor is provided, which uses airflow to control the conveyor conveyed along a conveying path. The airflow control system includes: a jet nozzle, an airflow adjustment mechanism, an airflow control mode recognition unit, and an airflow adjustment setting unit. The jet nozzle is connected to an airflow path connected to an airflow source and faces the conveying path. The airflow adjustment mechanism can adjust the mode of the airflow in the airflow path. The airflow control mode recognition unit recognizes the mode of airflow control of the conveyor on the conveying path by the blowing of the airflow from the jet nozzle. The airflow adjustment setting unit sets the mode of airflow adjustment of the airflow adjustment mechanism according to the recognition result of the airflow control mode recognition unit.

Claims

1. An airflow control system for conveying materials, which controls the conveying posture of each conveyed material by the presence or absence of airflow during the sequential conveying of multiple conveyed materials along a conveying path, characterized in that it comprises: An air jet nozzle is connected to an airflow path connected to an airflow source and faces the delivery path; A switching valve that opens or closes the airflow path; The conveyor determination unit makes a determination based on the detection pattern of the conveyor detector that detects the conveyor near the jet nozzle on the conveying path; A valve driving unit that controls the switching valve to open or close based on the judgment result of the conveying material judgment unit when the conveying material faces the jet nozzle. An airflow adjustment mechanism is provided separately from the switching valve on the airflow path and is capable of adjusting the airflow pattern in the airflow path when the switching valve is in the open state. A control unit that outputs airflow adjustment data corresponding to the type of conveyed material, conveying conditions, conveying path structure, or airflow control; an airflow adjustment setting unit that sets the airflow adjustment mode of the airflow adjustment mechanism based on the airflow adjustment data; and An airflow pattern detector that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the pattern of the airflow; The airflow adjustment setting unit resets the airflow adjustment mechanism based on the detection signal when the switch valve is in the open state.

2. The airflow control system for conveying materials as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The airflow adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the shape of the airflow between the switching valve and the jet nozzle in the airflow path.

3. The airflow control system for conveying materials as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The airflow adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the shape of the airflow between the airflow source and the switching valve in the airflow path.

4. The airflow control system for the conveyed material as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, When new airflow adjustment data is output from the control unit, the following airflow adjustment process is performed: the airflow adjustment setting unit sets the airflow adjustment mechanism according to the airflow adjustment data, and re-sets the airflow adjustment mechanism according to the detection signal of the airflow pattern detector when the switch valve is in the open state.

5. The airflow control system for the conveyed material as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, It also includes an airflow control pattern recognition unit that detects and determines the airflow control pattern of the conveyed object on the conveying path by the blowing of the airflow from the jet nozzle; The airflow adjustment setting unit resets the airflow adjustment mechanism based on the recognition result of the airflow control mode recognition unit.

6. The airflow control system for the conveyed material as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, It also includes an airflow control pattern recognition unit that detects and determines the airflow control pattern of the conveyed object on the conveying path by the blowing of the airflow from the jet nozzle; When new airflow adjustment data is output from the control unit, the following airflow adjustment process is performed: the airflow adjustment setting unit sets the airflow adjustment mechanism according to the airflow adjustment data, and then re-sets the airflow adjustment mechanism according to the recognition result of the airflow control mode recognition unit.

7. The airflow control system for conveying materials as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The airflow adjustment mechanism includes an airflow adjustment valve for adjusting the shape of the airflow; The airflow adjustment setting unit includes an adjustment drive unit that drives the adjustment structure of the airflow adjustment valve.

8. The airflow control system for conveying materials as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The airflow regulating valve is a needle valve.

9. The airflow control system for conveying materials as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The switching valve is a piezoelectric valve.

10. An airflow control system for conveying materials, which controls the conveying posture of each conveyed material by the presence or absence of airflow during the sequential conveying of multiple conveyed materials along a conveying path, characterized in that it comprises: An air jet nozzle is connected to an airflow path connected to an airflow source and faces the delivery path; A switching valve that opens or closes the airflow path; The conveyor determination unit makes a determination based on the detection pattern of the conveyor detector that detects the conveyor near the jet nozzle on the conveying path; A valve driving unit that controls the switching valve to open or close based on the judgment result of the conveying material judgment unit when the conveying material faces the jet nozzle. An airflow adjustment mechanism is provided separately from the switching valve on the airflow path and is capable of adjusting the shape of the airflow in the airflow path when the switching valve is in the open state. An airflow pattern detector that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the pattern of the airflow; and An airflow adjustment setting unit sets the airflow adjustment mode of the airflow adjustment mechanism according to the detection signal, and resets the airflow adjustment mechanism according to the detection signal when the switch valve is in the open state.

11. The airflow control system for conveying materials as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The airflow adjustment mechanism includes an airflow adjustment valve for adjusting the shape of the airflow; The airflow adjustment setting unit includes an adjustment drive unit that drives the adjustment structure of the airflow adjustment valve.

12. The airflow control system for conveying materials as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The airflow regulating valve is a needle valve.

13. The airflow control system for conveying materials as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The switching valve is a piezoelectric valve.

14. An airflow control system for conveying materials, which controls the conveying posture of each conveyed material by the presence or absence of airflow during the sequential conveying of multiple conveyed materials along a conveying path, characterized in that it comprises: An air jet nozzle is connected to an airflow path connected to an airflow source and faces the delivery path; A switching valve that opens or closes the airflow path; The conveyor determination unit makes a determination based on the detection pattern of the conveyor detector that detects the conveyor near the jet nozzle on the conveying path; A valve driving unit that controls the switching valve to open or close based on the judgment result of the conveying material judgment unit when the conveying material faces the jet nozzle. An airflow adjustment mechanism is provided separately from the switching valve on the airflow path and is capable of adjusting the airflow pattern in the airflow path when the switching valve is in the open state. An airflow pattern detector that outputs a detection signal corresponding to the pattern of the airflow; An airflow control pattern recognition unit that recognizes the pattern of airflow control of the conveyed object on the conveying path caused by the blowing of airflow from the jet nozzle; and The airflow adjustment setting unit sets the airflow adjustment mode of the airflow adjustment mechanism according to the recognition result of the airflow control mode recognition unit, and resets the airflow adjustment mechanism according to the detection signal when the switch valve is in the open state.

15. The airflow control system for conveying materials as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The airflow adjustment mechanism includes an airflow adjustment valve for adjusting the shape of the airflow; The airflow adjustment setting unit includes an adjustment drive unit that drives the adjustment structure of the airflow adjustment valve.

16. The airflow control system for conveying materials as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The airflow regulating valve is a needle valve.

17. The airflow control system for conveying materials as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The switching valve is a piezoelectric valve.

18. A delivery device characterized by, have: The airflow control system for the conveyed material according to any one of claims 1, 10, and 14, and A conveying mechanism that transports the transported items along a conveying path.

19. The conveying device as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that, The conveying mechanism conveys the transported object by vibrating the conveying path.

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