Workpiece orientation alignment device

Abstract

To provide a workpiece orientation alignment device that can safely and reliably align workpieces brought in from an upstream conveying device to the desired direction and discharge them downstream, without generating noise during operation, and extending the service life of its components. [Solution] The direction alignment section 31 is equipped with two rows of direction alignment conveyors 32, each with a gap 33 between them so that a workpiece W to be conveyed can be suspended and placed on its upper surface, and both are capable of moving freely in forward and reverse directions, and a direction detection means 37 for detecting the orientation of the workpiece W placed on the direction alignment conveyor 32.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus that rotates a loaded workpiece about its own axis to align it in a desired direction and discharges it to the downstream side, and particularly to a workpiece orientation aligning apparatus suitable for cylindrical workpieces.

Background Art

[0002] In the filling and packaging industry, conventionally, a method and apparatus have been adopted in which various and necessary processing stations such as a filling section, a lid applying section, a printing section, an inspection section, etc. are arranged in the order of workpiece conveyance to perform filling and discharge to the next process.

[0003] When the workpiece is a container, for example, when filling a liquid substance into the container, when applying a lid to the container, when printing an exterior on the container, when packing a plurality of containers into one case, etc., it may be necessary to align the orientation of the container in one direction.

[0004] And when the workpiece is a cylindrical container such as a pail can or a drum can, a method of placing the container on a rotary table and rotating the rotary table to align the orientation of the cylindrical container in one direction is a common method (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, when transferring cylindrical containers like pails onto a rotary table using this common method, the heavy weight of the workpiece and the resulting heavy labor become problematic if the operator is required to slide or lift the container. Furthermore, if the container is filled with liquid but not yet sealed, vibrations during transport can cause leakage, increasing the difficulty and danger of the work. In addition, dragging the container on the rotary table can cause friction between the container and the table, resulting in noise and potentially damaging the surface of the rotary table.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a workpiece orientation alignment device that can safely and reliably align the orientation of workpieces brought in from an upstream conveying device to a desired direction and discharge them downstream, without generating noise during operation, and extending the service life of the component members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the aforementioned objectives, the present invention provides a workpiece orientation alignment device comprising a orientation alignment unit for aligning the orientation of workpieces to a desired direction, a loading unit for loading workpieces into the orientation alignment unit, and a loading unit for unloading workpieces from the orientation alignment unit, wherein the orientation alignment unit comprises two orientation alignment conveyors arranged in two rows with gaps between them so that workpieces to be transported can be suspended and placed on their upper surfaces, and controlled to move freely in forward and reverse directions, and a direction detection means for detecting the orientation of workpieces placed on the two orientation alignment conveyors, wherein the two orientation alignment conveyors are controlled to move in opposite directions to rotate the workpieces when aligning the orientation of the workpieces to a desired direction, until the direction detection means detects that the workpieces are facing the desired direction.

[0009] According to the workpiece orientation alignment device of the present invention, the control unit drives the two conveyors of the orientation alignment unit, causing them to travel together in the workpiece transport direction when receiving workpieces from the loading unit. Once the workpieces are suspended and placed on the two conveyors and transported to a position where they can be detected by the orientation detection means 37, the movement is stopped. Subsequently, the direction detection means 37 detects that the workpieces are facing the desired direction, causing them to rotate. Once the workpieces are aligned to the desired direction, the control unit controls the two conveyors of the orientation alignment unit to travel again in the workpiece transport direction, thereby enabling the workpieces to be handed over to the downstream loading unit while facing the desired direction.

[0010] In this way, the workpiece is transported by the movement of the conveyor, rotated to adjust its direction, and then transported again. As a result, the operation does not generate noise, and there is no need for workers to drag or lift heavy workpieces, making it safer, and the lifespan of the components used for rotating the workpiece can also be extended.

[0011] Furthermore, the direction alignment section is characterized by being equipped with a discharge stopper consisting of an actuator whose drive is controlled, which is arranged to move back and forth between a position that slides against the workpiece brought onto the direction alignment conveyor to stop the workpiece at a stopping position on the direction alignment conveyor and a position that is separated from the workpiece to allow the workpiece to be discharged from the direction alignment conveyor.

[0012] Furthermore, the direction alignment section is characterized by being equipped with a rotary guide consisting of an actuator whose drive is controlled, which is arranged to move back and forth between a position that slides against and supports a workpiece stationary at a stop position on the direction alignment conveyor and a position that is spaced away from the workpiece and allows the workpiece to be transported on the direction alignment conveyor.

[0013] This allows the rotation of the workpiece to be stabilized during rotation, even if the workpiece is a cylindrical container such as a pail or drum, or other items, because the rotation is guided by sliding the rotation guide and discharge stopper against the rotating workpiece. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] Thus, the workpiece orientation alignment device of the present invention can safely and reliably align the orientation of workpieces transported from the upstream conveying device in one direction, or align front and rear workpieces in alternating directions, or otherwise arrange them in a desired direction before transporting them downstream. Furthermore, it offers excellent advantages such as no noise generation during operation and an extended service life for the component parts. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] Plan view illustrating one embodiment of the workpiece alignment device of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory diagram showing the workpiece placement state in the workpiece orientation alignment device. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating the loading of workpieces in the workpiece alignment device. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating the positioning of a workpiece in a workpiece orientation alignment device. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating the orientation alignment of workpieces in the workpiece orientation alignment device. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating the workpiece feeding process in the workpiece alignment device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] First, an embodiment of the workpiece orientation alignment device 1 of the present invention will be described. As shown in Figure 1, the workpiece orientation alignment device 1 of this embodiment is a device that connects a direction alignment unit 31 that aligns the orientation of workpieces to a desired direction (one direction in this embodiment), a loading unit 21 equipped with a loading conveyor 22 for loading workpieces into the direction alignment unit 31, and a loading unit 41 equipped with a loading conveyor for loading workpieces out of the direction alignment unit 31 to form a transport path for the workpieces.

[0017] The work orientation aligning device 1 of the present embodiment is an optimal device for aligning the orientation of a work having an outer peripheral wall portion with a circular horizontal cross-section or a work having a circular main body outer shape in a plan view. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the outer shape of the main body is cylindrical, and a 20L pail can W with both ends of a handle H rotatably fixed at opposing positions on the outer peripheral wall is used as the work.

[0018] The carry-in conveyor 22 disposed in the carry-in section 21 and the carry-out conveyor 42 disposed in the carry-out section 41 employ roller conveyors with a known configuration having a width capable of conveying the pail cans W in a single row, and the upper surfaces on which the respective pail cans W are placed are disposed so as to be adjacent to the placement surface of the pail cans W in the orientation alignment section 31 and be transferable.

[0019] The orientation alignment section 31 is provided with two orientation alignment conveyors 32 arranged in two rows so that the bottom of the pail can W to be conveyed can be suspended and placed on the upper surface, and each is capable of traveling in both forward and reverse directions. In the present embodiment, the orientation alignment conveyor 32 employs a short belt conveyor capable of placing the pail can W, and is disposed via a gap 33 so that the bottom of the pail can W is placed substantially evenly on each upper surface. Specifically, the gap 33 has a dimension width of about 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the diameter of the pail can W. Each of the orientation alignment conveyors 32 is controlled in terms of driving such as the traveling direction and speed by a control section (not shown). The details of the control will be described later.

[0020] Also, at the most downstream end of the orientation alignment section 31, a pair of carry-out stoppers 34 whose driving is controlled in accordance with the carry-in and carry-out of the pail cans W on the orientation alignment conveyor 32 are disposed opposite each other across the conveyance path. Each carry-out stopper 34 is composed of an actuator that is disposed so as to be able to advance and retreat between a position where the pail can W carried onto the orientation alignment conveyor 32 abuts and stops the pail can W at a stop position on the orientation alignment conveyor 32 and a position where it is separated from the pail can W and allows the carry-out of the pail can W on the orientation alignment conveyor 32.

[0021] Further, in the direction alignment unit 31, a pair of rotary guides 35 are provided which are arranged to face each other across the conveyance path on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the pallet can W stopped at the stop position and which are slidably contacted with the outer peripheral wall portion of the pallet can W to support the pallet can W. The pair of rotary guides 35 are configured to be composed of an actuator that is disposed so as to be able to advance and retreat by expansion and contraction between a position where it is in slidable contact with the outer peripheral wall portion of the pallet can W to support the pallet can W and a position where it is separated from the pallet can W to allow the conveyance of the pallet can W on the direction alignment conveyor 32. In the present embodiment, the driving of the actuator is also controlled for the pair of rotary guides 35 in accordance with the loading and unloading of the pallet can W on the direction alignment conveyor 32.

[0022] In the present embodiment, a roller member 36 that rotates itself by slidable contact with the outer peripheral wall portion having a circular cross-sectional shape of the rotating pallet can W or the conveyed pallet can W is provided at the tip of each actuator. By this roller member 36, it is possible to prevent the pallet can W from being damaged when the actuator extends and comes into slidable contact with the rotating pallet can W.

[0023] Then, a sensor as direction detection means 37 for detecting the orientation of the pallet can W placed on the direction alignment conveyor 32 is provided in the direction alignment unit 31. The sensor may be any sensor that can determine the orientation of the pallet can W, for example, by using determination marks such as components, handles, or shapes of the pallet can W. In each figure, a state is shown in which the sensor is arranged so as to be able to detect a determination mark (not shown) for determining the direction of the pallet can W to be conveyed from one side of the direction alignment conveyor 32. As the determination mark, for example, in the case of a pre-printed exterior work, one icon or barcode of the printed portion may be used, or in the case of the pallet can W as in the present embodiment, the handle portion at the center of the handle H may be used.

[0024] Furthermore, the direction alignment section 31 is equipped with a rotary guide 35 which consists of an actuator that is arranged to move back and forth by extension between a position that slides against the outer peripheral wall portion of the pail can W stationary at the stop position to support the pail can W, and a position that is spaced away from the pail can W to allow the pail can W to be transported on the direction alignment conveyor 32. The rotary guide 35 controls the movement of the actuator in accordance with the loading and unloading of the pail can W on the direction alignment conveyor 32.

[0025] Furthermore, at the connection point between the input conveyor 22 and the direction alignment conveyor 32, an input stopper 23 is provided to open and close the transport path and control the loading of the pail cans W onto the direction alignment conveyor 32. In this embodiment, the input stopper 23 is configured as a pair, and each input stopper 23 is arranged facing each other across the transport path consisting of the input conveyor 22. It is composed of an actuator that is arranged to move back and forth by extension and retraction between a position that extends directly downstream of the pail can W to be loaded into the direction alignment section 31 in the next drive to stop the pail can W, and a position that retracts from the position directly downstream of the pail can W to allow the loading of the pail can W.

[0026] Furthermore, a separation stopper 24 is provided on the transport path upstream of the transport stopper 23 on the transport conveyor 22 to separate the pail cans W that are being transported to the direction alignment conveyor 32. In this embodiment, the separation stopper 24 is also configured as a pair and is arranged opposite each other on the transport path consisting of the transport conveyor 22. It is composed of an actuator that is arranged to extend and retract so as to move back and forth between a position that holds the transported pail cans W in place by extending the transport path between the pail cans W before and after being transported, and a position that moves away from between the front and rear pail cans W to allow the transport of the pail cans W.

[0027] In this embodiment, the actuators constituting the discharge stopper 34, the rotation guide 35, the loading stopper 23, and the detachment stopper 24 can utilize air cylinders or the like, which extend and retract and whose drive is controlled by a control unit (not shown). Furthermore, a roller member 36 is provided at the tip of each actuator, which rotates itself by sliding contact with the rotating pail can W, thereby preventing damage to the pail can W through contact.

[0028] Next, the operation of the workpiece orientation alignment device 1 of the above embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a state where multiple pails W, facing in various directions, are lined up on the input conveyor 22 in a waiting state for workpiece alignment. At this time, the input conveyor 22 and the output conveyor 42 are driven by their respective drive units to transport the pails W toward the downstream side in the transport direction to the right in the figure.

[0030] At this time, under the control of a control unit (not shown), the actuator of the loading stopper 23 is extended to the immediate downstream of the leading pail can W that will be loaded into the direction alignment section 31 in the next drive, so as to obstruct the transport of one pail can W positioned between it and the detachment stopper 24, and the actuator of the detachment stopper 24 is extended to enter between the pail can W at the foremost position and the pail can W immediately following it. In the direction alignment section 31, under the control of a control unit (not shown), the actuator of the loading stopper 34 is extended into the transport path to stop the loaded pail can W at the stopping position, and the rotating guide 35 is extended and retracted to retract from the transport path to allow transport to the direction alignment section 31.

[0031] Figure 3 shows the loading of the leading pail can W into the direction alignment section 31. When loading the pail can W into the direction regulating section, the control unit (not shown) controls both direction alignment conveyors 32 to move downstream of the transport path (forward movement). Then, the control unit shortens the actuator of the loading stopper 23, causing it to retract from the transport path. This opens the transport path leading to the direction alignment section 31, allowing the pail can W, positioned between the detachment stopper 24 and the conveyor, to be loaded into the direction alignment section 31.

[0032] At this time, the pail cans W are transferred from the input conveyor 22 by being suspended onto two directional alignment conveyors 32, as shown in Figure 2, and are fed in by the forward transport of the two directional alignment conveyors 32.

[0033] Figure 4 shows the positioning of the pail can W in the direction regulating section. When a sensor (not shown) detects that the pail can W, which has been loaded into the direction regulating section, has reached a stopping position where it contacts the actuator of the discharge stopper 34 that extends into the transport path, the control unit (not shown) extends the actuator of the rotation guide 35, causing the roller to contact the outer peripheral wall portion of the pail can W in the stopping position, which has a horizontal cross-section.

[0034] At the same time, on the loading conveyor 22, the control of a control unit (not shown) extends the actuator of the loading stopper 23 to directly downstream of the leading pail can W that will be loaded into the direction alignment section 31 in the next drive, thereby preventing the transport of one pail can W positioned between it and the detachment stopper 24.

[0035] Figure 5 shows the direction alignment in the direction regulating section. When the pail can W is set to the stopping position of the direction regulating section 31, the control unit (not shown) causes the two direction alignment conveyors 32 to run in opposite directions (simultaneous forward and reverse running). At this time, either of the two direction alignment conveyors 32 may be running in the forward direction. As a result, the pail can W suspended on the two direction alignment conveyors 32 is subjected to opposing forces at both positions with a gap between them, and is guided by the actuators of the pair of discharge stoppers 34 and the pair of rotation guides, causing it to rotate around its axis at the stopping position. The control unit determines that the rotating pail can W has rotated in a predetermined direction by detecting a determination target mark (not shown) by the sensor, which serves as the direction detection means 37, and stops the simultaneous forward and reverse running of the two direction alignment conveyors 32.

[0036] At the same time, the actuator of the detachment stopper 24 is extended and inserted between the leading pail can W and the pail can W immediately following it, thereby detaching the pail can W.

[0037] Figure 6 shows the unloading from the direction regulating section to the unloading conveyor 42. When the sensor determines that the rotating pail can W has rotated in a predetermined direction by detecting a determination target mark (not shown), the control unit (not shown) shortens the actuator of the unloading stopper 34, moving it away from the pail can W to a position that allows the workpiece to be unloaded onto the direction alignment conveyor 32. At the same time, the actuator of the rotation guide 35 is also driven to shorten it, moving it away from the pail can W to a position that allows the pail can W to be transported onto the direction alignment conveyor 32.

[0038] At the same time, the control unit causes the two direction-aligning conveyors 32 to move again toward the downstream side of the transport path (forward movement). This opens the transport path to the discharge conveyor 42, allowing the aligned pails W to be discharged to the discharge conveyor 42. By repeatedly performing the control shown in Figures 3 to 6, it becomes possible to efficiently align the direction of the pails W.

[0039] Thus, in this embodiment, the workpiece orientation alignment device 1 drives the two conveyors of the orientation alignment unit 31 in the direction of transport of the pail cans W when receiving the pail cans W from the input conveyor 22. Once the pail cans W are suspended and placed on the two orientation alignment conveyors 32 and transported to a position where they can be detected by the orientation detection means 37, the movement is stopped. Subsequently, the conveyors are driven in opposite directions until the orientation detection means 37 detects that the workpieces are facing the desired direction. Once the orientation of the workpieces is correct, the two conveyors of the orientation alignment unit 31 can be driven again in the direction of transport of the workpieces.

[0040] During rotation, the rotation guide 35 and the discharge stopper 34 are brought into sliding contact with the pail can W, thereby guiding its rotation and stabilizing the position of the pail can W during rotation.

[0041] Since the pail cans W are transported by the movement of the two conveyors in the direction alignment section 31, rotated to adjust their direction, and then transported again, the operation does not generate noise, and there is no need for workers to drag or lift heavy workpieces, making it safe. Furthermore, the service life of the conveyors can be extended.

[0042] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0043] For example, the workpiece is not limited to cylindrical containers such as pails W or drums. For instance, even if it has a gourd-like shape with an upper spherical body and a lower spherical body connected by a horizontal circular cross-section, as long as the workpiece body has a circular cross-section, the rotational position can be stabilized by sliding the rotation guide 35 or the discharge stopper 34 against that circular cross-section.

[0044] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the direction alignment unit 31, which detects the orientation of the workpiece and aligns it to the desired orientation before transporting it downstream, had only one desired direction for alignment. However, for example, by providing sensors in two locations to detect the orientation of the workpiece, the control unit can control the incoming workpieces to be transported downstream in two alternating directions. This enables effective direction alignment and transport, especially when workpieces are combined in a nested manner for subsequent boxing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1. Workpiece orientation alignment device 21 Loading Section 22. Incoming conveyor 23 Loading stopper 24. Disconnection stopper 31 Directional alignment section 32 Directional alignment conveyor 33 Gap 34. Discharge stopper 35 Rotation Guide 36 Roller Member 37 Direction detection means 41 Loading section 42. Discharge conveyor W pail can H handle

Claims

1. A workpiece orientation alignment device comprising a direction alignment unit for aligning the orientation of workpieces to a desired direction, a loading unit for loading workpieces into the direction alignment unit, and a loading unit for unloading workpieces from the direction alignment unit, wherein the device comprises these units in a connected manner to form a transport path for the workpieces, The aforementioned directional alignment section is Two directional alignment conveyors are arranged in two rows with gaps between them, allowing workpieces to be suspended and placed on the upper surface, and are controlled to move freely in both forward and reverse directions. Direction detection means for detecting the orientation of workpieces placed on the two direction alignment conveyors, Equipped with, The two direction-aligning conveyors are controlled to rotate the workpieces by traveling in opposite directions until the direction detection means detects that the workpieces are facing the desired direction. A workpiece orientation alignment device characterized by the following.

2. The direction alignment section includes a discharge stopper, which is an actuator whose drive is controlled and is arranged to move back and forth between a position that slides against a workpiece placed on the direction alignment conveyor to stop the workpiece at a stopping position on the direction alignment conveyor, and a position that is separated from the workpiece to allow the workpiece to be discharged from the direction alignment conveyor. The workpiece orientation alignment device according to feature 1.

3. The direction alignment section includes a rotary guide, which is an actuator whose drive is controlled and which is arranged to move back and forth between a position that slides against and supports a workpiece stationary at a stop position on the direction alignment conveyor, and a position that is separated from the workpiece and allows the workpiece to be transported on the direction alignment conveyor. A workpiece orientation alignment device according to claim 1 or 2.

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