Penicillin bottle feeding star wheel and photoelectric switch combined counting device

Abstract

A combined counting device of a penicillin bottle feeding star wheel and a photoelectric switch comprises bottle feeding barriers, a first gap is formed by the two bottle feeding barriers, a bottle conveying belt is arranged in the first gap, the bottle feeding star wheel is arranged at the end, close to a bottle outlet, of the first gap, and a waste kicking part is arranged on the first bottle feeding gap. A bottle clamping neck structure is arranged on a section of first gap from the waste kicking part to the bottle feeding star wheel, a first small bottle detection device is installed on the bottle feeding barrier between a bottle inlet of the first gap and the waste kicking part, and a second small bottle detection device is installed on the bottle feeding barrier between the waste kicking part and the bottle feeding star wheel. And a third small bottle detection device is mounted on the bottle feeding barrier on one side of the bottle feeding star wheel. The counter is used for solving the problem that counting is inaccurate due to the fact that penicillin bottles continuously pass through the counter and reaction is not timely.

Description

A combined counting device of vial inlet star wheel and photoelectric switch Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a combined counting device of a vial feed star wheel and a photoelectric switch. Background Technology

[0002] The current method of counting vials used on freeze-dried powder injection production lines mainly involves a combination of a counter at the bottom of the vial outlet star wheel and a photoelectric switch. During operation, the vial outlet star wheel moves the counter, and the photoelectric switch counts via a sensing signal. The drawback is that the speed may be too fast, which may cause the vial to pass through continuously and the counter may not respond in time, resulting in inaccurate counting. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a combined counting device of vial feed star wheel and photoelectric switch to solve the problem of inaccurate counting caused by the counter not responding in time when vials pass through continuously.

[0004] To solve the above problems, the technical solution of this utility model is as follows:

[0005] A combined counting device for vials and a photoelectric switch includes a vial inlet gate, with a first gap created by two inlet gates. A vial conveyor belt is provided within the first gap. An inlet gate is located near the outlet end of the first gap. A waste removal section is provided on the first inlet gap. A bottle neck clamping structure is provided on a section of the first gap from the waste removal section to the inlet gate. A first vial detection device is installed on the inlet gate between the inlet and the waste removal section of the first gap. A second vial detection device is installed on the inlet gate between the waste removal section and the inlet gate. A third vial detection device is installed on the inlet gate on one side of the inlet gate.

[0006] Furthermore, the waste removal section includes a bend protruding from the first gap, and an outlet with a size larger than a vial is provided below the bend.

[0007] Furthermore, the bottle neck clamping structure includes two baffles connected to the bottle inlet grilles on both sides of the first gap, with a second gap smaller than the width of the first gap separated by the two baffles. When the bottle conveyor belt carrying the vial moves in the first gap, the baffles clamp onto the neck of the vial.

[0008] Furthermore, the first vial detection device, the second vial detection device, and the third vial detection device are all photoelectric switches.

[0009] Furthermore, it also includes a controller, with the first, second, and third bottle detection devices connected to the controller input, and the motor that drives the bottle-feeding star wheel connected to the controller output.

[0010] Furthermore, the motor that drives the bottle-feeding star wheel to rotate is a stepper motor.

[0011] Furthermore, the first gap between the waste removal section and the bottle inlet is L-shaped.

[0012] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0013] 1. A segmented detection system is formed by setting first, second, and third vial detection devices at different positions within the first gap. The first and second detection devices monitor the continuity of vials within the first gap in real time. When an empty vial is created due to a bottle tipping or interruption in the bottle supply, a difference in signals from the two detection devices occurs. The controller immediately stops the bottle-feeding star wheel to avoid the problem of the counter not responding in time due to excessive speed. After subsequent vials fill the empty space and the signals from the two detection devices synchronize, the star wheel restarts, ensuring that each discharged vial is a single, orderly arrangement, significantly improving counting accuracy.

[0014] 2. During the star wheel startup process, the third detection device accurately counts the passing vials. Combined with the precise control of the controller and stepper motor, it realizes the "detection-control-counting" closed loop, which eliminates the phenomenon of missed counting and miscounting caused by the continuous passing of vials in the traditional single counter + photoelectric switch combination.

[0015] 3. The waste removal section includes a curved section protruding from the first gap and a bottle outlet below. When a vial tipps over during transport, the overturned vial, being too long to pass through the curved section within the gap, eventually falls into the collection bin from the outlet. This design requires no manual intervention, automatically rejecting defective vials, preventing them from entering subsequent processes and interfering with counting, while also preventing them from clogging the first gap, ensuring the continuity and stability of the transport process.

[0016] 4. The L-shaped first gap between the waste removal section and the inlet effectively slows down the movement of the vials by changing the direction of the vial's movement, thus reducing the probability of collisions between vials. This design not only reduces vial damage or positional displacement caused by collisions but also provides more reaction time for the detection device, further improving the reliability of the system. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure at point AA in Figure 1.

[0020] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure at point BB in Figure 1.

[0021] Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of this utility model.

[0022] In the diagram: 1. First bottle detection device; 2. First gap; 3. Bottle inlet gate; 4. Bottle conveyor belt; 5. Curve; 6. Baffle; 7. Bottle inlet star wheel; 8. Third bottle detection device; 9. Second bottle detection device; 10. Bottle outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0024] A combined counting device for vials and a photoelectric switch includes a vial inlet star wheel 7 and an inlet gate 3. Two inlet gates 3 separate a first gap 2. A vial conveyor belt 4 (the dashed line segment drawn along the first gap 2 in Figure 1 represents the vial conveyor belt 4) is installed within the first gap 2. An inlet star wheel 7 is located near the outlet 10 of the first gap 2. Vials entering the first gap 2 are moved towards the inlet star wheel 7 by the conveyor belt 4. A waste-kicking section is provided on the first inlet gap 2 to kick back the vials. The waste removal section is kicked out of the first gap 2 of the bottle inlet. A bottle neck clamping structure is provided on the first gap 2 from the waste removal section to the bottle inlet star wheel 7. The vials entering the bottle neck clamping structure will not fall over during the transport in the first gap 2. A first vial detection device 1 is installed on the bottle inlet gate 3 between the bottle inlet of the first gap 2 and the waste removal section. A second vial detection device 9 is installed on the bottle inlet gate 3 between the waste removal section and the bottle inlet star wheel 7. A third vial detection device 8 is installed on the bottle inlet gate 3 on one side of the bottle inlet star wheel 7.

[0025] Furthermore, the waste-kicking section includes a bend 5 protruding from the first gap 2, with an outlet 10, larger than the vial, located below the bend 5. When the vial is conveyed by the conveyor belt 4 in the first gap 2, if a bottle tipps over, because the length of the tipped bottle is greater than the width of the gap 2, it cannot turn at the bend 5 along the gap 2 and will directly enter the collection bin from the outlet 10. This effectively kicks the tipped bottle out of the first gap 2, preventing it from accumulating or interfering with the normal conveying of vials, thus ensuring the continuity and stability of the production line.

[0026] Furthermore, the bottle neck clamping structure includes two baffles 6 connected to the bottle inlet grilles 3 on both sides of the first gap 2. The two baffles 6 separate a second gap with a width smaller than that of the first gap 2. When the bottle conveyor belt 4 carries the vial and moves in the first gap 2, the baffles 6 clamp the bottle neck, which can effectively prevent the vial from shaking and tipping over when passing through the waste removal section bend 5 during transportation, further improving the stability of the conveying.

[0027] Furthermore, the first vial detection device 1, the second vial detection device 9, and the third vial detection device 8 are all photoelectric switches. Using photoelectric switches as vial detection devices enables high-precision and rapid-response detection. Photoelectric switches have high sensitivity for vial detection, accurately identifying the position and state of the vials, further improving the accuracy of counting.

[0028] Furthermore, the system also includes a controller. The first bottle detection device 1, the second bottle detection device 9, and the third bottle detection device 8 are connected to the controller's input terminal, and the motor driving the bottle-feeding star wheel 7 is connected to the controller's output terminal. The controller is a PLC controller. The first bottle detection device 1, the second bottle detection device 9, and the third bottle detection device 8 transmit the detected model information to the controller, which then controls the start and stop of the bottle-feeding star wheel 7. This controller enables automated control of the bottle-feeding star wheel 7, dynamically adjusting its start / stop and speed based on signals detected by the photoelectric switch, thus improving the automation and flexibility of production.

[0029] Furthermore, the motor driving the bottle-feeding star wheel 7 to rotate is a stepper motor. This method is low-cost, simple to install, highly adaptable, and can meet the requirements for retrofitting the old first gap 2.

[0030] Furthermore, the first gap 2 between the waste removal section and the inlet is L-shaped. This structure slows down the movement speed of the vial, preventing collisions caused by excessive speed.

[0031] The working process and principle of this utility model are as follows:

[0032] Under normal conditions, the bottle conveyor belt 4 operates continuously, feeding the vials through the inlet of the first gap 2, and the vials move along the first gap 2 towards the inlet star wheel 7. During this process:

[0033] 1. Initial Bottle Position Screening: The first bottle detection device 1 (photoelectric switch) between the bottle inlet of the first gap 2 and the waste removal section monitors the continuity of bottle feeding in real time, while the second bottle detection device 9 between the waste removal section and the bottle feeding star wheel 7 simultaneously monitors the bottle status in this interval. When the vials are being transported vertically normally, both detection devices detect the bottle signal, and the controller (such as a PLC) controls the stepper motor to drive the bottle feeding star wheel 7 to rotate continuously at a set speed, orderly arranging the bottles into subsequent processes.

[0034] 2. Automatic rejection of overturned bottles: If a vial is overturned during transmission, it cannot pass through the bend 5 because the length of the overturned bottle is greater than the width of the gap 2. The overturned bottle will fall into the collection bucket from the bottle outlet 10 below the bend 5, thus achieving automatic rejection and avoiding clogging of the first gap 2 or interference with counting.

[0035] 3. Empty Bottle Detection and Pause Control: When the bottle supply at the front end of the bottle inlet is untimely or a bottle is rejected by tilting, an empty bottle position will appear in the L-shaped first gap 2 area between the waste removal section and the bottle inlet. At this time, the first small bottle detection device 1 will still detect subsequent bottles being continuously conveyed, while the second small bottle detection device 9 will not detect any bottles due to the presence of empty bottles, resulting in a signal difference between the two. After receiving the signal difference, the controller immediately controls the stepper motor to pause driving the bottle feeding star wheel 7, preventing subsequent bottles from continuing to enter the star wheel 7 area and avoiding counting confusion caused by empty bottles.

[0036] 4. Filling and Restarting: After subsequent bottles fill empty positions, the first and second detection devices synchronously detect the bottle signal again, and the controller triggers the stepper motor to restart, causing the bottle-feeding star wheel 7 to rotate again. At this time, the third small bottle detection device 8 (located on one side of the star wheel 7) counts the bottles passing through the star wheel 7. Since the bottles have been properly positioned by the bottle neck clamping structure, inverted bottles have been removed, and empty positions have been filled, they are finally discharged in an orderly manner, ensuring that downstream equipment such as the capping machine connected to the star wheel 7 operates accurately and avoiding empty or incorrect capping.

[0037] Core principle: Through three-stage photoelectric switch detection (the first and second detection devices monitor the continuity of transmission, and the third detection device counts), mechanical structure limit rejection (the bottle neck structure fixes the bottle body, and the waste kicking part removes overturned bottles), and PLC controller closed-loop control (dynamically starting and stopping star wheel 7 according to the detection signal), a complete process of "detection-rejection-limiting-control-counting" is formed. It solves the counting error problem caused by the continuous passage and abnormal posture of bottles in traditional counting devices from both physical and logical levels, and achieves high-precision and high-stability vial counting.

[0038] The embodiments described in this specification are merely examples of implementations of the inventive concept. The scope of protection of this utility model should not be considered as limited to the specific forms described in the embodiments. The scope of protection of this utility model also extends to equivalent technical means that can be conceived by those skilled in the art based on the inventive concept.

Claims

1. A combined counting device for vials and a photoelectric switch, characterized in that: The device includes a bottle inlet grid, with two inlet grids separating a first gap. A bottle conveyor belt is installed within the first gap. A bottle inlet star wheel is installed at one end of the first gap near the bottle outlet. A waste removal section is installed on the first inlet gap. A bottle neck clamping structure is installed on the section of the first gap from the waste removal section to the bottle inlet star wheel. A first bottle detection device is installed on the inlet grid between the bottle inlet and the waste removal section in the first gap. A second bottle detection device is installed on the inlet grid between the waste removal section and the bottle inlet star wheel. A third bottle detection device is installed on the inlet grid on one side of the bottle inlet star wheel.

2. The combined counting device of vial inlet star wheel and photoelectric switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The waste removal section includes a bend protruding from the first gap, and a bottle outlet larger than a vial is opened below the bend.

3. The combined counting device of vial feed star wheel and photoelectric switch according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottle neck clamping structure includes two baffles connected to the bottle inlet grilles on both sides of the first gap. The two baffles create a second gap with a width smaller than the width of the first gap. When the bottle conveyor belt carrying the vial moves in the first gap, the baffles clamp onto the neck of the vial.

4. A combined counting device of vial feed star wheel and photoelectric switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first, second, and third vials detection devices are all photoelectric switches.

5. The combined counting device of vial inlet star wheel and photoelectric switch according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a controller, a first bottle detection device, a second bottle detection device and a third bottle detection device connected to the controller input terminal, and a motor that drives the bottle-feeding star wheel to rotate connected to the controller output terminal.

6. The combined counting device of vial inlet star wheel and photoelectric switch according to claim 5, characterized in that: The motor that drives the bottle-feeding star wheel to rotate is a stepper motor.

7. A combined counting device of vial feed star wheel and photoelectric switch according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first gap between the waste removal section and the inlet is L-shaped.

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