Machine

Abstract

To acquire a predetermined amount of material piece.SOLUTION: A machine includes: a supporting surface for supporting an assembly of material piece; a partition part for separating a predetermined amount of material piece from the assembly of material piece; and a drive mechanism for positioning the partition part in a partition position that is input for separation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a machine for processing pieces of material.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a cutting device for cutting a pre-formed lateral seal seam of a plastic film tube filled with food.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] A mechanism for obtaining a predetermined amount of pieces of material is desired.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a support surface that supports a collection of pieces of material, a partition portion that separates a predetermined amount of pieces of material from the collection of pieces of material, and a drive mechanism that positions the partition portion at a partition position input for separation.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a predetermined amount of pieces of material can be obtained.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

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Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments in the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

[0009] The machine 1 according to the embodiment is a device for separating a predetermined amount of material pieces from a collection of material pieces. The material pieces refer to individual materials formed relatively small. For example, the material pieces are used to manufacture a given product. In one example, the machine 1 separates a predetermined amount of material pieces from a collection of material pieces managed by mass. The "material pieces managed by mass" refer to material pieces managed by mass because it is very difficult or practically impossible to manage them by count. Examples of material pieces managed by mass include, but are not limited to, granular or powdered materials, finely cut materials, and materials provided as dough. In one example, the material pieces are foods quantitatively managed by mass. Examples of the management of the material pieces include, but are not limited to, storage, measurement, separation, and use. Hereinafter, the "material pieces managed by mass" will also be simply referred to as "material pieces". The machine 1 operates to separate a predetermined amount of material pieces from such a collection of material pieces. In the present disclosure, the position where a predetermined amount of material pieces are separated is also referred to as the "partition position". For the material pieces managed by mass, due to the nature of the material pieces described above, it is very difficult or practically impossible to obtain a predetermined amount of material pieces by the number of the material pieces. In one example, the machine 1 enables such material pieces to be easily separated. The machine 1 may perform separation for material pieces managed by matters other than mass. For example, it may be used to separate material pieces managed by count.

[0010] The configuration of machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of machine 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the drive mechanism of machine 1. In one example, machine 1 includes a support surface 10, a rail 20, an arm 30, a partition portion 40, and a drive mechanism 50. The support surface 10 is a surface that supports a collection of material pieces. The rail 20 is a guide path that extends along the support surface 10 above the support surface 10. The arm 30 is a component that is fitted into the rail 20 and is movable along the rail 20. The partition portion 40 is a component that separates a predetermined amount of material pieces from the collection of material pieces and is supported by the arm 30. The drive mechanism 50 is a device that controls at least a part of these components. In one example, at least a part of the drive mechanism 50 is configured using a circuit including a processor, a memory, and a storage, and an actuator. Alternatively, at least a part of the drive mechanism 50 may be configured to include a logic circuit specialized for its function, or may be configured to include an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) in which the logic circuit is integrated.

[0011] In the example shown in FIG. 1, the support surface 10 is formed in the shape of a semi-cylindrical groove extending in one direction. Therefore, the cross-sectional shape of the support surface 10 is an arc. The rail 20 extends along the longitudinal direction of the support surface 10. The arm 30 has an L shape. The first end of the arm 30 is fitted into the rail 20, and the second end of the arm 30 supports the partition portion 40. The rail 20 and the arm 30 are arranged such that the partition portion 40 can pass through the groove forming the support surface 10.

[0012] The partition part 40 is constituted by, for example, a plate-like member, and thus can also be called a partition plate. In one example, the partition part 40 has a main outer edge 41 corresponding to the shape of the support surface 10. The partition part 40 may further have an auxiliary outer edge 42 for leveling the set of material pieces placed on the support surface 10. The partition part 40 is fixed to the arm 30 such that the main outer edge 41 is parallel or substantially parallel to the cross-section of the support surface 10. In one example, the partition part 40 is rotatable in the circumferential direction, and the rotation center of the partition part 40 is defined by the arm 30. For example, the main outer edge 41 is formed in an arc shape conforming to the shape of the support surface, and the auxiliary outer edge 42 is formed in a straight line shape. In this case, the partition part 40 generally presents a substantially semi-circular shape. In one example, the main outer edge 41 is formed so that no gap is generated between the main outer edge 41 and the support surface 10. The auxiliary outer edge 42 may have a fork-shaped portion for loosening the set of material pieces on the support surface 10.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 2, in one example, the drive mechanism 50 is electrically connected to each of the support surface 10, the arm 30, and the partition part 40, and controls these components. For example, the drive mechanism 50 controls the support surface 10 to place the set of material pieces on the support surface 10. Alternatively, the drive mechanism 50 controls the arm 30 on the rail 20 to move the partition part 40 along the support surface 10. For example, the drive mechanism 50 positions the partition part 40 at the partition position input to the machine 1 in order to separate a predetermined amount of material pieces. Alternatively, the drive mechanism 50 controls the partition part 40 to switch the outer edge facing the support surface 10 between the main outer edge 41 and the auxiliary outer edge 42. For example, the drive mechanism 50 rotates the partition part 40 to perform the switching.

[0014] In one example, the machine 1 further includes a camera 60. The camera 60 is an imaging device that photographs the set of material pieces on the support surface 10. The camera 60 may be controlled by the drive mechanism 50 or may be controlled by another control device.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the application of machine 1. In this example, machine 1 is attached to robot 2 as an end effector. In this case, robot 2 may function as at least a part of machine 1, for example, may play the role of at least a part of drive mechanism 50. Machine 1 may be constructed as a standalone device without depending on robot 2.

[0016] Machine 1 separates a predetermined amount of material pieces from a set of material pieces placed on support surface 10. For this separation, the set of material pieces is placed on support surface 10 by machine 1 or another device.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a mechanism for obtaining a set of material pieces. In this example, machine 1 is attached to robot 2 as an end effector. Robot 2 functions as at least a part of drive mechanism 50. Drive mechanism 50 moves support surface 10 to a group of material pieces 90 accumulated in a given area 3 such as a container, and scoops up a set of material pieces 91 by support surface 10 from the group of material pieces 90.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another example of a mechanism for obtaining a set of material pieces. In this example, support surface 10A is shown as a modified example of support surface 10. Support surface 10A has a structure such as a gripper or a bucket. Support surface 10A is formed by a pair of shells 11 that can be opened and closed. Before scooping up the set of material pieces, drive mechanism 50 opens the pair of shells 11 and moves the open support surface 10A to the group of material pieces accumulated in a given area. Drive mechanism 50 closes the pair of shells 11 that have entered the group of material pieces and moves the closed support surface 10A upward. By this control, drive mechanism 50 scoops up the set of material pieces by support surface 10A from the group of material pieces.

[0019] In one example, machine 1 levels the top of a set of pieces of material placed on support surface 10. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of the mechanism. In this example, drive mechanism 50 rotates partition 40 so that auxiliary outer edge 42 faces support surface 10. Subsequently, drive mechanism 50 controls arm 30 on rail 20 to move partition 40, with auxiliary outer edge 42 facing support surface 10, along that support surface 10. For example, drive mechanism 50 moves partition 40 from a first end to a second end of support surface 10. By this control, the top of set 91 of pieces of material is leveled. Drive mechanism 50 may reciprocate partition 40 along support surface 10 to level set 91 of pieces of material, or may move partition 40 once along one direction to finish leveling it.

[0020] In one example, after leveling the set of pieces of material, machine 1 positions partition 40 at a partition position input into machine 1. The partition position may be obtained by a machine learning model that estimates the partition position based on an image of the set of pieces of material captured by an imaging device such as camera 60. In one example, a given computing device uses the machine learning model to estimate the partition position, and machine 1 receives the partition position from the computing device. After machine 1 positions partition 40 at the partition position, machine 1 may move partition 40 from that partition position along support surface 10 to automatically separate a predetermined amount of pieces of material from the set of pieces of material.

[0021] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the control of partition 40. In this example, the control procedure is shown by steps S1 to S6. That is, machine 1 executes steps S1 to S6. It should be noted that steps S1 to S6 are executed with the set of pieces of material placed on support surface 10, but the set of pieces of material is not shown in FIG. 7 for the sake of explanation.

[0022] In step S1, to level the set of pieces of material, drive mechanism 50 rotates partition 40 so that auxiliary outer edge 42 faces support surface 10 and positions partition 40 at the first end of support surface 10.

[0023] In step S2, the drive mechanism 50 controls the arm 30 on the rail 20 to move the partition part 40 along the support surface 10. In one example, the drive mechanism 50 moves the partition part 40 from the first end to the second end of the support surface 10, that is, across the entire support surface 10. Since the auxiliary outer edge 42 faces the support surface 10, the upper part of the set of material pieces is leveled by the auxiliary outer edge 42.

[0024] In step S3, after leveling the set of material pieces, the drive mechanism 50 positions the partition part 40 at the partitioning position. In one example, based on the partitioning position estimated based on the set of material pieces with the upper part leveled and input into the machine 1, the drive mechanism 50 controls the arm 30 on the rail 20 and moves the partition part 40 to the partitioning position.

[0025] In step S4, the drive mechanism 50 rotates the partition part 40 at the partitioning position to start facing the main outer edge 41 towards the support surface. By this control, the main outer edge 41 starts to enter the set of material pieces.

[0026] In step S5, the drive mechanism 50 rotates the partition part 40 until the main outer edge 41 corresponds to the entire support surface 10, in other words, until the entire support surface 10 comes into contact with the main outer edge 41. As a result, the gap between the support surface 10 and the partition part 40 is filled or almost filled, and the set of material pieces is divided into a predetermined amount of part and the remaining part.

[0027] In step S6, after the main outer edge 41 faces the support surface 10, the drive mechanism 50 moves the partition part 40 from the partitioning position along the support surface 10. The drive mechanism 50 moves the partition part 40 in the direction where a predetermined amount of material pieces exist, whereby a predetermined amount of material pieces are more clearly separated from the set of material pieces. In one example, the drive mechanism 50 may move the partition part 40 to the end of the support surface 10 to transfer a predetermined amount of material pieces from the support surface 10 to other parts such as a predetermined container.

[0028] [Effect] As described above, the machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a support surface that supports a collection of material pieces, a partition portion that separates a predetermined amount of material pieces from the collection of material pieces, and a drive mechanism that positions the partition portion at a partition position input for separation.

[0029] In such an aspect, since the partition portion is automatically arranged at the partition position by the drive mechanism, a predetermined amount of material pieces can be obtained based on the partition portion.

[0030] In the machine according to another aspect, the support surface may be semi-cylindrical. With this configuration, the structure of the support surface can be simplified. Also, it becomes possible to easily separate a predetermined amount of material pieces from the collection of material pieces.

[0031] In the machine according to another aspect, the drive mechanism may further move the partition portion along the support surface from the partition position to separate a predetermined amount of material pieces from the collection of material pieces. Since the partition portion itself moves to separate a predetermined amount of material pieces, there is no need to introduce an additional structure for that separation. The structure of the machine can be simplified by that much.

[0032] In the machine according to another aspect, the drive mechanism may further move the support surface to a group of material pieces accumulated in a given area and scoop up a collection of material pieces by the support surface from the accumulated group of material pieces. Since the collection of material pieces can be placed on the support surface by moving the support surface itself, there is no need to introduce an additional structure for preparing that collection. The structure of the machine can be simplified by that much.

[0033] In the machine according to another aspect, the partition portion may have a main outer edge corresponding to the shape of the support surface. By making the shape of the main outer edge correspond to the support surface, a predetermined amount of material pieces can be reliably separated from the collection of material pieces.

[0034] In machines related to other aspects, the partition may further have an auxiliary outer edge for leveling the collection of material pieces on the support surface. By providing the auxiliary outer edge on the partition separately from the main outer edge, it is not necessary to introduce additional structures for leveling the collection of material pieces. The structure of the machine can be simplified accordingly.

[0035] In machines related to other aspects, the drive mechanism may move a partition with the auxiliary outer edge facing the support surface along the support surface. By this control, the upper part of the collection of material pieces can be reliably leveled.

[0036] In machines related to other aspects, the auxiliary outer edge may have a fork-shaped portion. The fork-shaped portion can loosen the material pieces.

[0037] In machines related to other aspects, the drive mechanism may rotate the partition to face the main outer edge towards the support surface. With this configuration, while minimizing the operation of the partition, a predetermined amount of material pieces can be separated from the collection of material pieces.

[0038] In machines related to other aspects, after leveling the upper part of the collection, the drive mechanism may face the main outer edge towards the support surface at the partition position, and after the main outer edge faces the support surface, move the partition along the support surface from the partition position input based on the collection with the upper part leveled. Since the upper part of the material pieces is leveled, it becomes easier to set the partition position. In addition, by moving the partition from that partition position, a desired amount of material pieces can be more reliably separated.

[0039] [Modification Example] As described in detail above based on the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples. The present disclosure can be variously modified without departing from its gist.

[0040] After the partition part is in the partition position, other mechanisms may be employed to clearly separate a predetermined amount of material pieces from the collection of material pieces. For example, the drive mechanism may clearly separate a predetermined amount of material pieces from the collection of material pieces by another component without moving the partition part from the partition position. Alternatively, a predetermined amount of material pieces may be taken out manually.

Explanation of Signs

[0041] 1…Machine, 2…Robot, 10, 10A…Support surface, 20…Rail, 30…Arm, 40…Partition part, 41…Main outer edge, 42…Auxiliary outer edge, 50…Drive mechanism, 60…Camera, 90…Group of material pieces, 91…Collection.

Claims

1. a support surface for supporting the collection of material pieces; a partition portion for separating a predetermined amount of the material pieces from the collection of material pieces; A drive mechanism for positioning the partition unit at a partition position input for the separation; Equipped with The partition has a main outer edge corresponding to the shape of the support surface and an auxiliary outer edge for leveling the collection of the material pieces on the support surface. machine.

2. The support surface is semi-cylindrical.

2. The machine of claim 1.

3. The drive mechanism further moves the separator from the separator position along the support surface to separate the predetermined amount of the material pieces from the collection of material pieces. A machine according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The drive mechanism further moves the support surface to the pile of material pieces accumulated in a given area, and scoops up the collection of material pieces from the pile of material pieces with the support surface. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The drive mechanism moves the partition portion, with the auxiliary outer edge facing the support surface, along the support surface. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The auxiliary outer edge has a fork-shaped portion. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The drive mechanism rotates the partition so that the main outer edge faces the support surface. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The drive mechanism includes: After leveling the upper portion of the group, the main outer edge is directed toward the support surface at the partition position; After the main outer edge faces the support surface, the partition portion is moved along the support surface from the partition position input based on the set whose upper portion is leveled.

8. The machine of claim 7.

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