Product charging device and product charging method

Abstract

To provide a product charging device and a product charging method which can be realized with a simple structure and allows the product to stably fall to a predetermined position on a conveyor or a bucket.SOLUTION: In a product charging device 10 for charging a product T located at a first position to a second position, the product charging device has a pair of claw parts 20 which harmonizingly open and close to support the product T, and a pressing part 34 for pressing the product T against the claw parts 20. A predetermined separated part X is disposed between the tips of the claw parts 20. A portion of the product T enters the separated part X or is pressed against it by pressing the product T by the pressing part 34, and the product is positioned. In that state, the tips of the claw parts 20 are separated from each other, causing the product T to fall.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a product supplying device and a product supplying method for supplying products such as processed foods. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a product inserting device has been used as a device for gripping a product (such as processed food) transported by a conveyor and transferring it onto a bucket.

[0003] The product insertion device has a pair of claws that support the product from the left and right. The pair of claws open to each other and are inserted between the product on the conveyor and the conveyor, and the claws close to each other and rise to lift and support the product, and move it above a bucket waiting near the conveyor. When the claws open to the left and right, the product supported by the claws falls into the bucket. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-47031 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2014-231403 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2014-25665 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when the claws open, the product is dragged along the claws due to the action of friction between the product and the claws and falls into the bucket. This causes the product to fall into an unstable position in the bucket. As a result, the product cannot be stably captured by a robot or other device prepared in the downstream process, which causes process defects.

[0006] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a product feeding device and a product feeding method that can be realized with a simple configuration and that allows products to be stably dropped to predetermined positions on a bucket. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first invention of the present application is a product feeding device that feeds a product from a first position to a second position, and has a claw portion that opens and closes relative to one another and supports the product, and a pressing portion that can press the product against the claw portion.

[0008] It is preferable that a predetermined space is provided between the tips of the claw portions, and that the pressing portion presses the product, thereby causing a part of the product to enter or be pressed into the space and positioned.

[0009] It is preferable that, with a part of the product entering or being pressed against the spaced apart portion and positioned, the tips of the claw portions move away from each other, causing the product to fall.

[0010] The pressing portion may have a tip end provided with an adsorption portion capable of adsorbing to the product.

[0011] The pressing portion is preferably provided on a support portion that can be raised and lowered.

[0012] The support portion may be movable up and down by an air cylinder.

[0013] The pressing portion may pass through a through hole formed in the support portion, and an elastic member capable of applying an elastic force to the tip portion of the pressing portion may be interposed between the tip portion of the pressing portion and the support portion.

[0014] The second invention of the present application is a product feeding method for feeding a product from a first position to a second position, which uses a claw portion that opens and closes relative to one another and supports the product, and a pressing portion that can press the product against the claw portion, and when the pressing portion presses the product in the direction of the claw portion, the claw portion opens and the product falls.

[0015] It is preferable that before the claw portions open and the product falls, a predetermined spacing portion is provided between the tips of the claw portions, and the pressing portion presses the product so that a part of the product enters or is pressed against the spacing portion to position it. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, the product can be dropped stably to a predetermined position on the bucket with a simple configuration. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 4A to 4C are front views showing the product feeding device of the present invention before and after operation. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the product injection device of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the product input device of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 is a process diagram showing a state in which a product is supported by the claw portion of the product feeding device of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 10 is a process diagram showing a state in which a product supported by the claw portion of the product feeding device of the present invention is pressed and positioned by the pressing portion. [Figure 6] 4 is a process diagram showing the state in which the claws of the product feeding device of the present invention are opened. [Figure 7] 13 is a process diagram showing the state in which the claw portion of the product feeding device of the present invention opens and the product falls into the product storage bucket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A product introduction device and a product introduction method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the product feeding device 10 has a base frame 12 and a product feeding device main body 14 provided on the base frame 12.

[0020] Conveyors for transporting products T (see FIG. 4) are arranged, for example, in two rows on the base frame 12. The product input device main body 14 picks up the products T transported from one conveyor and inputs them onto the other conveyor. The number of conveyors is not limited to two rows, and may be three, four or more rows.

[0021] The product T is, for example, a liquid or semi-liquid processed food, but is not particularly limited thereto.

[0022] The product inserting device main body 14 mainly includes a support frame 16 and a product gripping device 18 suspended from the support frame 16 .

[0023] The support frame 16 supports the product gripping device 18 and is configured to be movable up and down (vertical direction, gravity direction) or left and right (horizontal direction). This allows the product gripping device 18 to move up and down (vertical direction, gravity direction) or left and right (horizontal direction) together with the support frame 16. As a result, in a configuration in which multiple conveyors are arranged on the base frame 12, the support frame 16 can move up and down (vertical direction, gravity direction) or left and right (horizontal direction) together with the product gripping device 18 to be positioned above both conveyors.

[0024] The left-right (horizontal) movement of the support frame 16 is achieved by moving it along a rail in the up-down direction (vertical direction, gravity direction) or left-right direction (horizontal direction) using a drive motor (servo motor) not shown, but the movement mechanism is not limited to this.

[0025] As shown in Figs. 4 to 7, the product gripping device 18 is provided so as to be movable in the up-down direction (vertical direction, gravity direction) relative to the support frame 16. The product gripping device 18 has a pair of claw portions 20. The pair of claw portions 20 can be opened and closed relative to each other in the left-right direction, and are arranged to face each other. The claw portions 20 are for supporting the product from below. In detail, the claw portion 20 has a rectangular parallelepiped claw fixing portion 22, an L-shaped claw tip portion 24, and a claw driving portion 26 that opens and closes the claw fixing portion 22.

[0026] The movement of the product gripping device 18 in the up-down direction (vertical direction, gravity direction) relative to the support frame 16 can be realized by the expansion and contraction of an expansion member (not shown). As the expansion member, for example, an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder is used.

[0027] The claw fixing portion 22 is formed of, for example, a plate-shaped plate member. The claw fixing portion 22 is made of metal (for example, iron, aluminum, etc.).

[0028] The claw tip portion 24 is inserted into the underside of the product T on the conveyor and lifts and supports the product T from below. The claw tip portion 24 is composed of a claw vertical portion 24A and a claw horizontal portion 24B. The claw vertical portion 24A is attached to the claw fixing portion 22 by fasteners (bolts, nuts, etc.). The claw horizontal portion 24B is where the product T is placed.

[0029] Here, the claw horizontal portion 24B is formed with an incline so as to slope downward from the connection portion with the claw vertical portion 24A. This makes it easier for the claw horizontal portion 24B to be inserted into the underside of the product T on the conveyor, and also reduces the frictional force between the claw horizontal portion 24B and the product T when the claw horizontal portions 24B separate to drop the product T onto the conveyor, making it difficult for the product T to be dragged by the upper surface of the claw horizontal portion 24B.

[0030] Although the claw tip portion 24 is formed by bending the claw vertical portion 24A and the claw horizontal portion 24B, they may be formed separately and fixed by fasteners (bolts and nuts, etc.) The claw tip portion 24 is formed from metal (for example, iron, aluminum, etc.).

[0031] The claw drive unit 26 applies opening and closing drive to the claw fixing units 22 in directions to move them closer to or away from each other. The claw drive unit 26 includes a drive source 28 and a drive gear unit 30 that is mechanically connected to the drive source 28 and is rotationally driven by the drive force of the drive source 28. The drive source 28 is provided, for example, on the support frame 16 side. The drive gear unit 30 is provided, for example, so as to be located on the product gripping device 18 side.

[0032] As the driving source 28, for example, a servo motor is used.

[0033] A linearly extending transmission gear portion 32 (e.g., a rack) is fixed to each of the claw fixing portions 22 in order to receive a driving force from the driving source 28 and drive the claw fixing portions 22 to open and close. The transmission gear portion 32 meshes with a driving gear portion (e.g., a pinion gear) 30 that is mechanically connected to the driving source 28, and moves leftward or rightward upon receiving a rotational driving force from the driving source 28.

[0034] Here, the transmission gear portion 32 fixed to one of the claw fixing portions 22 meshes with the drive gear portion 30 at the bottom position of the drive gear portion 30, and the transmission gear portion 30 fixed to the other claw fixing portion 22 meshes with the drive gear portion 30 at the top position of the drive gear portion 30. Therefore, when the drive gear portion 30 rotates in the forward direction, the claw fixing portions 22 move closer to each other so as to approach the drive source side. On the other hand, when the drive gear portion 30 rotates in the reverse direction, the claw fixing portions 22 move away from the drive source side so as to move away from each other so as to increase the distance between them.

[0035] The product gripping device 18 includes a pressing rod 34. The pressing rod 34 is attached to a rod mounting plate 36. In detail, a through hole (not shown) penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the rod mounting plate 36. The pressing rod 34 is arranged by being inserted through the through hole of the rod mounting plate 36. The tip of the pressing rod 34 includes an expanded diameter portion 34A formed with a large diameter. A coil spring 38 is arranged between the expanded diameter portion 34A of the pressing rod 34 and the lower surface of the rod mounting plate 36. In other words, the coil spring 38 is arranged on the radially outer side of the pressing rod.

[0036] When the pressing rod 34 is hanging down from the rod mounting plate 36 without contacting the product T, the coil spring 38 is at its natural length. When the pressing rod 34 descends to press the product T, the pressing rod 34 receives a reaction force from the product T and moves upward through the through-hole of the rod mounting plate 36, and the coil spring 38 resists with its elastic force and contracts by a predetermined length. As a result, a predetermined pressing force is applied from the pressing rod 34 to the product T.

[0037] In this embodiment, a plurality of pressing rods 34 are arranged, but the number is not limited. In particular, by providing a plurality of pressing rods 34, a plurality of products T can be simultaneously pressed and dropped onto the conveyor, improving the efficiency of transferring the products T.

[0038] A suction pad 40 is attached to the enlarged diameter portion 34A of the pressing rod 34. The suction pad 40 is connected to a suction device (not shown) and functions to suck in air when the suction device is activated. The suction pad 40 presses the product T and at the same time, the product T is sucked in by the suction effect, so that the product T can be reliably positioned on the claw horizontal portion 24B.

[0039] Although it is optimal that the suction pad 40 is attached to the pressing rod 34, the configuration may be such that the suction pad 40 is not provided. In this configuration, an elastic member such as rubber (not shown) may be attached to the enlarged diameter portion 34A of the pressing rod 34, and the product T may be pressed via the elastic member.

[0040] The rod mounting plate 36 is provided so as to be movable in the up-down direction (vertical direction, gravity direction). Specifically, an expandable member 42 that expands and contracts in the up-down direction (vertical direction, gravity direction) is connected to the rod mounting plate 36. An air cylinder, for example, is used as the expandable member 42, but other alternative means such as a hydraulic cylinder may also be used.

[0041] The elastic member 42 is provided on the support frame 16 side, for example.

[0042] As a result, the rod mounting plate 36 can move up and down by the expansion and contraction action of the expansion member 42, independently of the claw fixing part 22. In other words, the pressing rod 34 can move relative to the claw fixing part 22 in the up and down direction.

[0043] Next, the operation of the product input device and the product input method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 4, by driving the drive source 28, the claw fixing parts 22 that are spaced apart from each other are brought closer to each other, and the claw horizontal part 24B of the claw tip part 24 is inserted between the conveyor and the underside of the product T being transported on one of the conveyors. As a result, the product T is placed on the claw horizontal part 24B. In this state, the product gripping device 18 moves upward together with the product T. Thereafter, the product gripping device 18, together with the support frame 16, moves left and right (horizontally) onto the other conveyor.

[0045] In this state, a separation portion X is provided between the claw horizontal portions 24B of the opposing claw tip portions 24. The size (large or small) of the separation portion X is determined by the separation distance between the claw horizontal portions 24B of the claw tip portions 24, and can be adjusted by changing the movement distance of the claw portion 20 along the horizontal direction.

[0046] At the same time, when the product T is placed on the claw horizontal portion 24B, the pressing rod 34 hangs down from the rod mounting plate 36, but the suction pad 40 provided on the enlarged diameter portion 34A of the pressing rod 34 does not contact the product T. Therefore, a predetermined gap is present between the product T and the suction pad 40. At this time, the coil spring 38 is at its natural length.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 5, the pressing rod 34 is lowered a predetermined distance by the driving of the expanding member 42. The suction pad 40 provided on the enlarged diameter portion 34A of the pressing rod 34 descends and eventually comes into contact with the upper surface of the product T placed on the claw horizontal portion 24B. At this time, if the pressing rod 34 continues to descend together with the suction pad 40, the suction pad 40 receives a reaction force from the product T and moves upward through the through hole of the rod mounting plate 36, and the coil spring 38 contracts by a predetermined length while resisting with its elastic force. At this time, an elastic force that tends to extend the coil spring 38 is generated, and the pressing rod, in other words the suction pad 40, presses the product T with a predetermined pressure.

[0048] In this state, a part of the product T enters the space X between the claw horizontal portions 24B of the opposing claw tips 24, or even if the product T does not enter the space X, it is pressed against the space and positioned. Therefore, the product T does not move on the claw horizontal portions 24B.

[0049] In particular, when the suction force of the suction pad 40 is acting, the product T is attracted to the suction pad 40 by the suction force of the suction pad 40. This strengthens the positioning of the product T on the claw horizontal portion 24B, and prevents the product T from moving on the claw horizontal portion 24B.

[0050] 6, the pair of claw fixing parts 22 move in directions away from each other, and the separation distance increases. At the same time, the separation part X formed between the claw horizontal parts 24B also increases, and eventually the product T that was positioned by the pressing rod 34 falls downward from the gap part X of the claw horizontal part 24B without being dragged by the claw horizontal part 24B due to the frictional force with the claw horizontal part 24B. As a result, the product T falls to a predetermined position on the other conveyor.

[0051] As described above, the pressing rod 34 presses the product T before the claw horizontal portion 24B opens, so that the product T is fixed by being sandwiched between the pressing rod 34 and the claw horizontal portion 24B. In this state, a part of the product T enters the space X between the claw horizontal portions 24B, or even if the product T does not enter the space X, it is pressed against the space and positioned. In addition, the suction function of the suction pad 40 is activated, so that the product T is firmly positioned on the claw horizontal portion 24B.

[0052] As shown in Fig. 7, when the opposing claw fixing parts 22 open from each other and the separation part X between the claw horizontal parts 24B becomes wider, the product T falls downward as it is without being dragged by the frictional force generated between the claw horizontal parts 24B because it is positioned by the pressing rod 34 or the suction pad 40. As a result, the product T falls to a predetermined position on, for example, the product storage bucket C (see Fig. 7) that was waiting on the conveyor. As a result, the position on the product storage bucket C where the product T falls does not shift significantly back and forth or left and right due to the product T, and the falling position of the product T is stable.

[0053] A coil spring 38 is disposed radially outward of the pressing rod 34, with the lower end of the coil spring 38 abutting against the expanded diameter portion and the upper end of the coil spring 38 abutting against the lower surface of the rod mounting plate 36, so that when the pressing rod 34 descends and contacts the product T, the pressing rod receives a reaction force from the product and moves upward through the through-hole of the rod mounting plate 36, while the coil spring 38 contracts by a predetermined length against the elastic force. Therefore, the pressing force of the pressing rod 34 against the product T does not become too large, and the product T can be protected. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 10 Product loading device 12 Base frame 14 Product loading device main body 16 Support frame 18 Product gripping device 20 Claw part 22 Claw fixing part 24 Claw tip 24A Claw vertical part 24B Claw horizontal part 26 Claw drive unit 28 Power Source 30 Drive gear section 32 Transmission gear section 34 Pressing rod (pressing part) 34A Expanded diameter part 36 Rod mounting plate (support part) 38 Coil spring (elastic member) 40 Suction pad (suction part) 42 Elastic member C Product Storage Bucket X Separation part T products

Claims

1. 1. A product insertion device for inserting a product at a first location into a second location, comprising: A claw portion that opens and closes relative to one another and supports the product; a pressing portion capable of pressing the product against the claw portion; The product injection device has

2. 2. The product inserting device according to claim 1, wherein the tips of the claw portions are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and the pressing portion presses the product, causing a portion of the product to enter or be pressed against the spaced apart portion and positioned.

3. The product input device according to claim 2 , wherein when a part of the product has entered or been pressed against the separation portion and is positioned therein, the tips of the claw portions move away from each other, causing the product to fall.

4. The product input device according to claim 1 , further comprising an adsorption portion at a tip end of the pressing portion, the adsorption portion being capable of adsorbing the product.

5. The product input device according to claim 1 , wherein the pressing portion is provided on a support portion that can be raised and lowered.

6. The product input device according to claim 5 , wherein the support portion is movable up and down by an air cylinder.

7. The pressing portion penetrates a through hole formed in the support portion, The product input device according to claim 5 , wherein an elastic member capable of applying an elastic force to the tip of the pressing portion is interposed between the tip of the pressing portion and the support portion.

8. 1. A method of inserting a product at a first location into a second location, comprising the steps of: A claw portion that opens and closes relative to one another and supports the product; a pressing portion capable of pressing the product against the claw portion; Using A product insertion method, in which the claws open and the product falls while the pressing portion presses the product in the direction of the claws.

9. 9. The product insertion method according to claim 8, wherein before the claw portions open and the product falls, a predetermined separation portion is provided between the tips of the claw portions, and the pressing portion presses the product, causing a portion of the product to enter or be pressed against the separation portion and positioned.

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