Conveying device and article inspection device equipped with the conveying device

Abstract

When configuring a two-unit conveying system by arranging two conveying devices in parallel, there is a demand to minimize the distance between the two side-by-side conveying devices. This invention can meet that demand. [Solution] A two-unit conveying device having a first conveying section and a second conveying section arranged in parallel, wherein the first conveying section consists of two conveyors arranged in a vertical line, and the second conveying section also consists of two conveyors arranged in a vertical line. The first and second connecting members are arranged to close the gap between the two vertically arranged conveyors, the first connecting member is supported by a first support member extending from the side frame of the first downstream conveyor, and the second connecting member is supported by a second support member extending from the side frame of the second downstream conveyor, and furthermore, the mounting positions of the first and second support members are offset in parallel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dual conveying device in which two conveying units for conveying articles are arranged in parallel, and an article inspection apparatus provided with the conveying device. Background Art

[0002] In order to suppress vibration generated when articles transfer between two belt conveyors arranged in series, a transfer plate is sometimes arranged between the front and rear conveyors. To avoid contact with the conveying belt, this transfer plate is attached to a bracket (support member) protruding from the side frame of the conveyor and supported in a state of being suspended from the conveying belt, as disclosed in, for example, the following Patent Document 1.

[0003] When two such conveying devices are arranged in parallel to form a dual conveying device, there is a demand to narrow the interval between the two horizontally arranged conveying devices as much as possible, so as to obtain a compact conveying device as a whole. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0004] Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-73832 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a dual conveying device capable of meeting such demands, and an article inspection apparatus equipped with the conveying device. Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A conveying device according to an embodiment of the present invention is: a first conveying unit including a first upstream conveyor and a first downstream conveyor located downstream of the first upstream conveyor; A first connecting member that blocks the space between the first upstream conveyor and the first downstream conveyor, A first support member that supports the first transfer member from the first upstream conveyor or the first downstream conveyor, A second conveying section is arranged in parallel to the side of the first conveying section and consists of a second upstream conveyor and a second downstream conveyor located downstream of the second upstream conveyor, A second connecting member that blocks the space between the second upstream conveyor and the second downstream conveyor, The second connecting member is supported by a second support member that supports the second upstream conveyor or the second downstream conveyor, The first and second connecting members are arranged in a direction that intersects with the conveying direction. The key point is that the mounting position of the first support member at the boundary between the first transport section and the second transport section is parallel to the mounting position of the second support member with respect to the intersecting direction.

[0007] One embodiment of the conveying device is a two-unit conveying device having a first conveying section and a second conveying section arranged in parallel. The first conveying section consists of two conveyors arranged in tandem, and the second conveying section also consists of two conveyors arranged in tandem. The first and second connecting members are positioned to close the gap between the two tandem-arranged conveyors. The connecting members, positioned in the gap between the conveyors, are mounted so as to be floating above the conveying surfaces of the conveyors so as not to come into contact with the conveying surfaces of each conveyor. For this reason, the first connecting member is supported, for example, by a first support member that extends from the side frame of the first upstream conveyor or the first downstream conveyor. Similarly, the second connecting member is supported by a second support member that extends from the side frame of the second upstream conveyor or the second downstream conveyor.

[0008] The first and second support members, which are attached to the side frame of the conveyor so as to protrude from it, are located in positions that interfere with each other at the interface between the first and second conveying sections, since the first and second conveying sections are arranged side by side. Therefore, when attaching each support member to the side of the conveyor, the bolts and other fixing members are attached in positions that are offset horizontally and vertically so as not to interfere with each other.

[0009] This allows the distance between the first and second transport units, which are arranged side-by-side, to be brought as close as possible, by a distance equal to at least the thickness of two support members plus the height of the bolt heads. Furthermore, by providing counterbores in the bolt holes of the support members, the bolt heads protruding from the support members can be reduced to the thickness of the support members. This allows the distance to be reduced to approximately the thickness of two support members, thus further narrowing the distance between the first and second transport units, which are arranged in parallel.

[0010] An article inspection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is The aforementioned conveying device, The gist of the invention is that the conveying device includes an inspection unit that inspects the first item conveyed by the first conveying unit and the second item conveyed by the second conveying unit.

[0011] The inspections here involve checking the weight (mass) of the items being transported or checking the quality of the items. Therefore, when inspecting the mass of the items, the upstream or downstream conveyor of the first and second transport sections, preferably the downstream conveyor, is configured as a weighing conveyor. In this case, attaching a support member to the downstream weighing conveyor to support the transfer member speeds up weighing stabilization, thereby improving weighing accuracy.

[0012] Furthermore, when inspecting the quality of goods, the entirety of the first and second conveying sections, or either the upstream or downstream conveyor within both sections, is incorporated into the inspection section of the device. In the inspection section of the goods inspection device, each item transported on the two lines is simultaneously irradiated with X-rays or near-infrared light. Therefore, since each item transported on the two lines can be processed by a single goods inspection device, it becomes possible to introduce the goods inspection device into factories and other facilities with limited installation space.

[0013] The quality inspection of goods here includes checking for things like the presence of foreign objects, cracks or chips, missing contents, and the presence of additives or accessories. Furthermore, near-infrared inspection can capture images of the bag area even with thin, transparent packaging materials that X-rays can penetrate, allowing for inspection of things like items getting caught in the bag's seal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the conveying device of the present invention, the width of the parallel first conveying unit and second conveying unit can be made compact, and items from each line being conveyed on two lines can be processed by a single conveying device, thus providing a compact conveying device with a small installation area.

[0015] Furthermore, the article inspection device according to the present invention allows for the inspection of multiple inspection devices that would otherwise need to be placed on each line using a single inspection device. This makes it possible to install the device even in confined spaces on a factory line, providing a highly productive article inspection device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] External perspective view of a conveying device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an external perspective view of the main part (conveyor) of the conveying device. [Figure 3] Side view of the connecting member and support member that close the gap between conveyors arranged in a vertical column. [Figure 4]An enlarged external perspective view of the connecting portion between the conveyors in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] An external perspective view of the connecting members and support members of the first conveying unit and the second conveying unit, respectively. [Figure 6] A front view of an article inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] A side view of the article inspection apparatus shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] (A) is an external perspective view showing the mounting structure of a reflection plate that reflects irradiation light. (B) is an enlarged external perspective view of the main part of (A). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, this embodiment does not limit the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, in the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar parts. However, the drawings are schematic, and the ratio of each dimension and the like are different from actual ones. In addition, in the present specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and illustrations of elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

[0018] <Conveying Apparatus> FIG. 1 shows an external perspective view of a conveying apparatus 100 as an embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows an external perspective view of a conveyor portion of the conveying apparatus 100. In these figures, the conveying apparatus 100 includes a first conveying unit 10 and a second conveying unit 20 arranged in parallel, a weighing unit 30 for respectively weighing articles M on two lines conveyed by these units, and support legs 40.

[0019] The first conveying unit 10 includes a first upstream conveyor 11 that conveys the article M to the downstream side, and a first downstream conveyor 12 located on the downstream side thereof, and these conveyors 11 and 12 are each configured as a belt conveyor.

[0020] The second conveying section 20, like the first conveying section 10, is equipped with a second upstream conveyor 21 that transports the goods M downstream, and a second downstream conveyor 22 located downstream of it. These conveyors 21 and 22 are also each composed of belt conveyors.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, connecting members 13 and 23 are positioned to close the gaps (see Figure 3) between the upstream conveyors 11 and 21 and the downstream conveyors 12 and 22 of the first conveying section 10 and the second conveying section 20, respectively, in the gap G. As shown in Figure 3, these connecting members 13 and 23 are supported by support members S1 and S2 so as not to come into contact with the flat belts of the vertically arranged conveyors 11 and 12, and so as to be at approximately the same level as the conveying surface SF of the conveyors 11 and 12.

[0022] In Figures 1 and 2, these connecting members 13 and 23 have a length L that spans the width of the first conveying section 10 and the second conveying section 20, respectively. As shown in Figures 3 to 5, vertical support members S1 and S2, which have different horizontal lengths L1 and L2, are connected to both ends of the longitudinal direction of these members.

[0023] The connecting member 13(23) and the support members S1 and S2 are formed by bending stainless steel plates. As shown in Figure 3, the connecting member 13(23) is bent into a V-shape in side view to reinforce it against bending, and the support members S1 and S2, which extend vertically from both ends of the connecting member 13(23), are provided with elongated holes H through which bolts B pass, as shown in Figures 3 and 5. These elongated holes H allow the support members S1 and S2 to move up and down, and once the level position of the connecting member 13(23) is determined by moving them up and down, the support members S1 and S2 are fixed to the side frame 16F(26F) by screwing in the bolts B.

[0024] As shown in Figure 5, the positions of the elongated holes H in the support members S1 and S2 on both sides of the connecting member 13(23) are formed at horizontally offset positions. In this case, as shown in Figure 4, the amount of offset is such that the heads of the bolts B that fix the support member S2 of one connecting member 13 and the heads of the bolts B that fix the support member S1 of the other connecting member 23 do not come into contact with each other at the boundary between the first conveying section 10 and the second conveying section 20. As a result, the mounting positions (elongated holes H) of the support members S1 and S2 formed at both ends of each connecting member 13(23) are not coaxial, which not only prevents the connecting member 13(23) from rotating but also avoids interference between adjacent bolts B at the boundary.

[0025] Furthermore, by preparing two sets of support members S1 and S2 with different horizontal lengths L1 and L2 for the support members at both ends of a single transfer member 13, and attaching them to the first transport unit 10 and the second transport unit 20, the mounting positions of one adjacent support member S1 and the other support member S2 can be shifted horizontally at the boundary where the first transport unit 10 and the second transport unit 20 are adjacent, thus enabling the commonality of parts.

[0026] Furthermore, the bolts B that secure the support members S1 and S2 are screwed into the side of the rotation axis adjustment member T, as shown in Figure 4. This rotation axis adjustment member T horizontally moves the rotation axis of the pulley on which the flat belt is attached, and an adjustment screw (not shown) for horizontally moving the rotation axis of the pulley is provided on the portion that protrudes laterally from the side frame 16F (26F) of the downstream conveyor 12 (22). Note that in Figure 3, the position of the rotation axis adjustment member T is indicated by a dashed line.

[0027] The first conveying section 10 and the second conveying section 20 are arranged symmetrically at their interface, except for the connecting member 13 (23) and the support members S1 and S2 on both sides. Specifically, in Figures 1 and 2, the upstream conveyor 11 and the downstream conveyor 12 of the first conveying section 10 have a drive pulley DP positioned downstream in the conveying direction F, and a driven pulley SP positioned upstream. An endless flat belt is also placed between the drive pulley DP and the driven pulley SP of each conveyor 11 and 12. The upstream conveyor 21 and the downstream conveyor 22 of the second conveying section 20 have a similar configuration. Furthermore, the motor DM that rotates the drive pulley DP and the timing belt TB stretched between the motor DM and the drive pulley DP are positioned symmetrically at their interface with respect to the first conveying section 10 and the second conveying section 20.

[0028] <Item inspection device> When inspecting the mass of an item, the upstream conveyor 11(21) or the downstream conveyor 12(22) of the first conveying section 10 and the second conveying section 20 can be configured as weighing conveyors, but in this embodiment, the downstream conveyor 12(22) is configured as a weighing conveyor.

[0029] Figure 1 shows the downstream conveyor 12(22) of the transport device 100 configured as a weighing conveyor. Therefore, the weighing unit 30 houses a load sensor that supports the downstream conveyor 12(22), and a circuit board that amplifies the output of the load sensor, converts it into a digital quantity, converts that digital quantity into the mass of the item M, and outputs it to a display unit (not shown). In this case, the weighing unit 30 becomes an inspection unit that checks the weight of the item M.

[0030] Although the display and operation units are omitted here, the display unit is provided with a display field for displaying the mass of the item M being transported by the first transport unit 10, and a display field for displaying the mass of the item M being transported by the second transport unit 20. The operation unit is provided with selection keys to choose whether to operate the first transport unit 10 or the second transport unit, as well as function keys necessary for a weighing device. By operating these keys, the specified transport unit 10 (20) can be operated to make various adjustments and settings.

[0031] On the other hand, when inspecting the quality of goods, the first conveying section 10 and the second conveying section 20 in Figure 2, or their upstream conveyor 11(21) or downstream conveyor 12(22), are incorporated into the inspection section of the goods inspection device.

[0032] Figures 6 and 7 show an example of an article inspection device 200 when configured as an X-ray inspection device. In these figures, the inspection section 50 of the X-ray inspection device (article inspection device) 200 incorporates the downstream conveyors 12 (22) of the first transport section 10 and the second transport section 20, respectively.

[0033] An X-ray irradiation unit 51 is located above the inspection unit 50, and the X-rays emitted from it irradiate the articles M being transported by the downstream conveyor 12 of the first transport unit 10 and the downstream conveyor 22 of the second transport unit 20, respectively. The irradiated X-rays pass through the articles M and are input to the X-ray detection unit 52, which is a line sensor. The X-ray detection unit 52 is positioned below the downstream conveyor 12(22), or between the upper and lower surfaces on which the belt of the downstream conveyor 12(22) runs, so as to traverse the adjacent first downstream conveyor 12 and second downstream conveyor 22. The transmitted X-rays input to the X-ray detection unit 52 are converted into electrical signals and output to the image processing unit inside the device.

[0034] The image processing unit checks the quality of item M. For example, it inspects for the presence of foreign matter in item M, cracks or chips in item M, missing contents, and the presence of additives or accessories. The inspection results and the X-ray transmission image of item M are displayed on the display unit 53. At this time, the display area is divided to show items M transported by the first transport unit 10 and items M transported by the second transport unit 20. If there is a problem with the quality of item M, a sorting signal is output to the respective sorting devices located downstream of the first transport unit 10 or the second transport unit 20 that is transporting that item M. This allows each item M transported on the two lines to be inspected by a single item inspection device 200.

[0035] In the above embodiments, the case in which the article inspection device 200 is configured as an X-ray inspection device has been described, but near-infrared light may be used instead of X-rays. Alternatively, near-infrared light may be irradiated onto the article M along with X-rays. In this case, in addition to the line sensor 52 that detects X-rays, a line sensor that detects near-infrared light is used in combination.

[0036] When goods M are transported from upstream to the first transport section 10 and the second transport section 20, respectively, photoelectric sensors may be needed to detect the arrival and passage of each goods M. Therefore, in Figure 1, a photoelectric sensor 41 consisting of a light emitter and a light receiver is attached to the horizontal frames 42 of the support legs 40, respectively, and a reflector 43 is attached at a distance of half the distance between the photoelectric sensors 41, that is, at the boundary position between the first transport section 10 and the second transport section 20.

[0037] Figure 8(A) is an external perspective view showing the mounting structure of the reflector 43, and Figure 8(B) is an enlarged perspective view of the anti-rotation portion 60 of the pole 44 supporting the reflector 43. In these figures, The reflectors 43 are arranged on both sides of a single plate 46, and these reflectors 43 on both sides are mounted to reflect the light emitted from each opposing photoelectric sensor 41 and return it to the same photoelectric sensor 41. Specifically, the reflectors 43 are mounted at the same level so that they are perpendicular to the optical axis of the light emitted from the opposing photoelectric sensors 41.

[0038] Therefore, the anti-rotation portion 60 of the pole 44 comprises a rectangular column member 61 fixed so as to protrude horizontally from the support column 47, and a gate-shaped block member 62 fitted from above so as to straddle the rectangular column member 61. Through holes for inserting the pole 44 are formed vertically in the central portions of the gate-shaped block member 62 and the rectangular column member 61, which are fitted vertically. Screw holes are formed horizontally on the side of the block 62, and by screwing set screws 63 into these screw holes and pressing the pole 44 into place, the pole 44 and the block member 62 are integrated. Therefore, the reflector 43 can be adjusted vertically by adjusting the fixing position of the pole 44 relative to the block member 62.

[0039] Then, when the pole 44 is lifted, the block member 62 comes out of the rectangular column member 61, and when the pole 44 is passed through the through hole in the rectangular column member 62 in the reverse procedure and the block member 62 is fitted into the rectangular column member 61, the raised portion 64 at the end of the rectangular column member 61 presses against the side of the block member 62, thereby suppressing rattling of the block member 62.

[0040] <Examples of Modifications> Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. For example, in the above embodiment, two sets of support members S1 and S2 with different horizontal lengths L1 and L2 are prepared for each end of a single transfer member 13, and these are attached to the first transport unit 10 and the second transport unit 20, thereby allowing the mounting position of one adjacent support member S1 and the mounting position of the other support member S2 to be shifted horizontally at the boundary where the first transport unit 10 and the second transport unit 20 are adjacent. Alternatively, the support members at both ends of the transfer member 13 for the first transport unit 10 may be made shorter support members S1 with a horizontal length L1, and the support members at both ends of the transfer member 13 for the second transport unit 20 may be made longer support members S2 with a horizontal length L2, thereby allowing the mounting position of one adjacent support member S1 and the mounting position of the other support member S2 to be shifted horizontally at the boundary where the first transport unit 10 and the second transport unit 20 are adjacent.

[0041] Furthermore, the parts consisting of the transfer member 13 and support members S1 and S2 may be placed at the article input port of the conveying device 100, that is, at the upstream end of the upstream conveyor 11(21), or at the article discharge port of the conveying device 100, that is, at the downstream end of the downstream conveyor 12(22). In addition, if the downstream conveyor 12(22) is configured as a weighing conveyor, a two-story weighing device or weight checker can be configured with the upstream conveyor 11(21) as the input conveyor.

[0042] Furthermore, a metal detector can be attached to the conveying device 100 to create a two-stage metal detection device. In this case, the first conveying section 10 and the second conveying section are inserted into the search coil. Alternatively, either the upstream conveyor 11(21) or the downstream conveyor 12(22) may be inserted into the search coil. In addition, the entry timing of each item M from the two lines may be staggered so that each item M from the two lines does not enter the search coil at the same time. In this way, each item M from the two lines can be distinguished and inspected. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0043] 100 Conveying device 10. First Conveyor Unit 11. First upstream conveyor 12. First downstream conveyor 13. First connecting member 20 Second Conveyor Unit 21. Second upstream conveyor 22 Second downstream conveyor 23. Second connecting member S1 Support member (first support member) S2 Support member (second support member) 30 Weighing Unit (Inspection Section) 50 Inspection Department M 1st article (2nd article)

Claims

1. A first conveying section consisting of a first upstream conveyor and a first downstream conveyor located downstream of the first upstream conveyor, A first connecting member that closes the space between the first upstream conveyor and the first downstream conveyor, A first support member that supports the first connecting member from the first upstream conveyor or the first downstream conveyor, A second conveying section is arranged in parallel to the side of the first conveying section and consists of a second upstream conveyor and a second downstream conveyor located downstream of the second upstream conveyor, A second connecting member that closes the space between the second upstream conveyor and the second downstream conveyor, The second connecting member is supported by a second support member that supports the second upstream conveyor or the second downstream conveyor, The first connecting member and the second connecting member are arranged in a direction that intersects with the conveying direction. The mounting position of the first support member at the boundary between the first transport section and the second transport section is parallel to the mounting position of the second support member with respect to the intersecting direction. Conveying device.

2. Two sets of the aforementioned connecting member are prepared, each having support members of different horizontal lengths at both ends. One set is designated as the first connecting member, and the other set as the second connecting member, with the first and second connecting members arranged in parallel. The conveying device according to claim 1.

3. A conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, The conveying device comprises an inspection unit that inspects the first article conveyed by the first conveying unit and the second article conveyed by the second conveying unit, respectively. Product inspection device.

4. The inspection unit inspects the weight of the first article and the second article, The article inspection apparatus as described in claim 3.

5. An X-ray irradiation unit for irradiating the first article and the second article with X-rays, The system includes an X-ray detection unit that detects the amount of X-rays transmitted through the first article and the second article, respectively. The inspection unit inspects the first article and the second article based on the X-ray dose detected by the X-ray detection unit. The article inspection apparatus according to claim 3.

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