Measuring device and measuring method

Abstract

To detect and measure a workpiece accurately, while shortening a length of a measuring device.SOLUTION: A measuring device 1 has: a first sensor 5 that detects a workpiece by an optical axis of detection light radiated onto a conveyance surface 30 for conveying a workpiece W; a belt conveyor 3 that is provided only downstream of the first sensor 5, and conveys the workpiece W; and an entrance roller 4 that is provided upstream of the first sensor 5, and limits interference with the optical axis.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for detecting a workpiece and measuring its size while the workpiece is being transported. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the use of home delivery services has increased sharply and redelivery has become a major problem. By measuring the size of packages quickly and accurately, this system can contribute to improving the efficiency and reducing costs at extremely busy logistics sites.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a dimension and weight measuring device equipped with an optical gate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5588153 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In this regard, a measuring device equipped with a gate sensor has a problem in that it is long and has significant installation limitations because belt conveyors are installed before and after it.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a measuring device and a measuring method that can accurately detect and measure a workpiece while shortening the length of the measuring device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the measuring device of the present invention has a first detection means for detecting the workpiece by the optical axis of detection light irradiated onto a transport surface that transports the workpiece, a transport means that is provided only downstream of the first detection means and transports the workpiece, and a limiting means that is provided upstream of the first detection means and limits interference with the optical axis.

[0008] The measuring device according to the present invention can also be configured as an invention relating to a method, system, or computer program having a similar configuration. The computer program can be provided by downloading via a network such as the Internet, or by recording it on various computer-readable recording media such as a CD-ROM. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the length of the measuring device can be shortened while detecting and measuring the workpiece with high accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of a measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view schematically showing the positional relationship between a first sensor and a second sensor included in the measurement device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the positional relationship of a first sensor included in the measurement device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing functions of a measurement device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a plan view of an upstream portion of the measurement device according to the embodiment of the present invention, viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 6] 2 is a view taken along the arrow AA showing a side cross section of the measurement device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing an example of a mechanism of a second sensor in a measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) the optical axis is inclined with respect to the conveying surface, and (b) the optical axis is parallel to the conveying surface. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing the arrangement of a measuring unit in the measurement device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining a measurement method according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing (a) a state in which a workpiece is moved in one direction and measured, and (b) a state in which a workpiece is moved back and forth and measured. [Figure 10] 1 is an external perspective view showing an example of a sorter used in connection with a measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for setting the sorter. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for setting the sorter. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for setting the sorter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A measuring device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. A measuring device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device that detects a workpiece W while transporting the workpiece W and measures its size based on the detected value. Fig. 1 shows the appearance of the measuring device 1, and Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 schematically show the positions of the first sensor 5 and the second sensor 6. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the measuring device 1 includes a gate 2, a belt conveyor 3, an entrance roller 4, a first sensor 5, a second sensor 6, a display unit 74, a weighing unit 81, an imaging unit 82, an alarm unit 83, and an emergency stop button 84.

[0012] 1, belt conveyors 91, 92, etc. can be appropriately provided upstream and downstream of the measuring device 1. For example, the belt conveyor 92 provided on the downstream side may be configured to sort the workpieces W measured by the measuring device 1 into a predetermined chute section (chute section 94 described later). However, when using the measuring device 1, it is not essential to provide belt conveyors 91, 92, etc. upstream and downstream.

[0013] 4, the measuring device 1 includes a control device 7 that controls the measuring device 1, which includes an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 71 for executing information processing, storage devices such as a flash memory 72 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 73, a display unit 74, and an I / O interface 75. The control device 7 is connected to the belt conveyor 3, the first sensor 5, the second sensor 6, a weighing unit 81, an imaging unit 82, and a notification unit 83 via the I / O interface 75.

[0014] As will be described later, in one embodiment, the inlet roller 4 is configured as a free roller or other component that is not controlled by the control device 7. On the other hand, in another embodiment, the inlet roller 4 is configured as a drive roller or other component that is controlled by the control device 7. In this case, the control device 7 is connected to the inlet roller 4 via an I / O interface 75.

[0015] The CPU 71 is a central processing unit that reads and executes programs stored in the flash memory 72 to control the overall operation of the measuring device 1. The flash memory 72 is an auxiliary storage device for the CPU 71, and stores various types of information used by the CPU 71, including programs. The RAM 73 is the main storage device for the CPU 71, and also serves as a work area for temporarily retrieving and processing data.

[0016] The measuring device 1 uses hardware resources such as a CPU 71, a flash memory 72, and a RAM 73 to configure functional units as software resources related to processing of the workpieces W. The functional units include, for example, a memory unit that stores information about the settings of the measuring device 1, such as the transport speed of the belt conveyor 3, and information for sorting the workpieces W, and a processing unit that inputs, outputs, and extracts various types of information and generates information necessary for executing the functions of each functional unit.

[0017] Gate 2 The gate 2 is a generally U-shaped frame provided to straddle the conveying surface 30 of the belt conveyor 3, and includes a pair of support columns 21 extending vertically and a connecting portion 22 that connects the upper ends of the pair of support columns 21 in the horizontal direction. In addition, a horizontally leaning member 23 is disposed below the gap S, facing the connecting portion 22 in the vertical direction, so as to span between the pair of support columns 21. This gate 2 is disposed between the upstream end of the belt conveyor 3 and the entrance roller 4, spanning a gap S provided at this position. Strictly speaking, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , a first sensor 5 (described later) is provided inside a pair of support columns 21, a connecting portion 22, and a horizontally tilting member 23. The gate 2 is disposed so that the optical axis of the light-emitting portion 51 and the light-receiving portion 52 constituting the first sensor 5 is not blocked by the belt conveyor 3 or the entrance roller 4, and the detection light emitted from the light-emitting portion 51 is received by the light-receiving portion 52 through the gap S. This allows the first sensor 5 provided on the support column 21 to measure the height and length of the workpiece W, and the first sensors 5 provided on the connecting portion 22 and the horizontally tilting member 23 to measure the width, length, and tilt of the workpiece W. As a result, the first sensor 5 measures the size of the workpiece W in three directions.

[0018] ● Belt conveyor 3 The belt conveyor 3 constitutes a conveying means for conveying the workpiece W in a fixed direction. The belt conveyor 3 is provided only downstream of a first sensor 5, which will be described later and which constitutes the measuring device 1.

[0019] The belt conveyor 3 comprises at least an upstream roller 31 provided at the upstream end, a downstream roller 32 provided at the downstream end, and an endless belt 33 wound around the upstream roller 31 and the downstream roller 32. At least one of the upstream roller 31 and the downstream roller 32 is a drive roller that is driven under control of a predetermined control means to circulate the endless belt 33. The upper surface of the endless belt 33 forms the transport surface 30 for the workpiece W, and its movement direction is the transport direction of the workpiece W. The workpiece W placed on the transport surface 30 is transported from the upstream side to the downstream side along the transport direction.

[0020] On both sides of the conveying surface 30, first guide portions 34 are provided to guide the workpieces W on the conveying surface 30 in the conveying direction. The first guide portions 34 are made of elongated members having a length in the conveying direction, and their upper ends are located higher than the conveying surface 30. The first guide portions 34 allow the workpieces W on the conveying surface 30 to be conveyed along the conveying direction without falling off the sides of the conveying surface 30. 5, a taper is formed at the upstream ends of the pair of first guide portions 34 so that the width between the pair of first guide portions 34 narrows from the upstream side to the downstream side, and the portion where the taper is formed constitutes a first inclined portion 341. This first inclined portion 341 moves the workpiece W toward the center of the width direction of the conveying surface 30, even if the workpiece W is loaded onto the conveying surface 30 while being biased in the width direction of the conveying surface 30.

[0021] 2, second sensors 6, which will be described later, are attached to the first guide portion 34 on the upstream and downstream sides in the conveying direction. In this embodiment, a through hole 34a corresponding to the attachment position of the second sensor 6 is provided on the conveying surface 30 side of each of the pair of first guide portions 34. Detection light of the second sensor 6 attached inside the first guide portion 34 is irradiated to the outside through the through hole 34a.

[0022] ● Entrance roller 4 Further upstream of the upstream roller 31, an entrance roller 4 is provided with a gap S of a certain width in the conveying direction. The entrance roller 4 constitutes a conveying means for conveying the workpiece W introduced from the upstream side to the belt conveyor 3 side, and also constitutes a limiting means for limiting interference such as blocking of the optical axis of a first sensor 5 (described later) by a belt conveyor or the like connected further upstream of the entrance roller 4. The width of the gap S is such that the optical axis of the first sensor 5 described later is not interfered with by the upstream roller 31 and the entrance roller 4, and the work W moving between the entrance roller 4 and the conveying surface 30 of the belt conveyor 3 does not fall.

[0023] In this embodiment, the inlet roller 4 is a roller having the same diameter as the upstream roller 31 . A small gap S is provided between the upstream roller 31 and the entrance roller 4 so that the workpiece W does not fall in and does not block the optical axis of a first sensor 5, which will be described later. Furthermore, the upper surfaces of the entrance rollers 4 and the upstream rollers 31 are flush with each other. That is, the entrance rollers 4 and the belt conveyor 3 are arranged so that the height of the upper end of the entrance rollers 4 and the conveying surface 30 of the belt conveyor 3 are approximately the same. This prevents the workpiece W from climbing onto or falling off the upstream rollers 31 when it moves from the entrance rollers 4 to the upstream rollers 31, thereby preventing errors from occurring in the measurement of the workpiece W by the first sensor 5 and the second sensor 6.

[0024] The entrance roller 4 and the upstream roller 31 rotate so that the workpiece W introduced from the entrance roller 4 side is transported to the belt conveyor 3 side at a constant speed. 6, in this embodiment, the inlet roller 4 and the upstream roller 31 have the same diameter and are driven by the same drive source. That is, the inlet roller 4 and the upstream roller 31 are rotated by belts 421 and 422, respectively, which are wound around the same drive roller 42, so that the inlet roller 4 and the upstream roller 31 rotate at the same speed. Regardless of this embodiment, even if the inlet roller 4 and the upstream roller 31 are configured as drive rollers driven by independent drive sources, the inlet roller 4 and the upstream roller 331 can be controlled to rotate at the same speed, thereby rotating at the same speed.

[0025] A pair of second guide portions 41 that guide the workpiece W in the conveying direction are provided on both sides of the entrance rollers 4 at positions perpendicular to the conveying direction of the workpiece W. The second guide portions 41 are configured from a substantially rectangular parallelepiped member, and their upper ends are located higher than the conveying surface 30. These second guide portions 41 allow the workpiece W that is inserted from the upstream side of the entrance rollers 4 to be conveyed along the conveying direction without hitting the gate 2. Further, the pair of second guide portions 41 are tapered so that the width between the pair of second guide portions 41 narrows from the upstream side to the downstream side, and the portion where the tapered portion is formed constitutes a second inclined portion 411. Due to this second inclined portion 411, even if the workpiece W is loaded onto the conveying surface 30 unevenly in the width direction of the conveying surface 30, the workpiece W is moved to the center in the width direction of the conveying surface 30.

[0026] In particular, in this embodiment, the second sensor 6 is provided on the first inclined portion 341 near the upstream end of the belt conveyor 3, and the second inclined portion 411 is provided so that the first inclined portion 341 is hidden by the second inclined portion 411 when viewed from the upstream side in the conveying direction. As a result, the workpiece W introduced from the inlet roller 4 is guided toward the center of the conveying surface 30 by the second inclined portion 411, so that the workpiece W does not collide with or interfere with the second sensor 6 provided on the first inclined portion 341.

[0027] 2, a second sensor 6 is attached to the second guide portion 41. In this embodiment, a through hole 41a is provided on the inside of each of the pair of second guide portions 41 corresponding to the attachment position of the second sensor 6. Detection light from the second sensor 6 attached inside the second guide portion 41 is irradiated to the outside through the through hole 41a.

[0028] In this embodiment, the inlet roller 4 is configured as a driven roller, but this is not limited to this, and any roller that can limit interference with the optical axis of the first sensor 5 and send the workpiece W to the belt conveyor 3 at a constant speed can be used.

[0029] ●First sensor 5 The first sensor 5 and the second sensor 6 are sensors that detect the workpiece W that is inserted from the entrance roller 4 side and transported, using the optical axis of the detection light that is irradiated onto the transport surface 30 that transports the workpiece W, and respectively constitute a first detection means and a second detection means. Note that the first sensor 5 and the second sensor 6 also respectively constitute a first measurement means and a second measurement means that measure the size of the workpiece W when the size of the workpiece W is calculated based on the detection value.

[0030] The first sensor 5 is a sensor capable of detecting the dimensions and edges of the workpiece W inserted from the entrance roller 4 side, and is provided at the gate 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first sensor 5 is realized by an optical element consisting of a plurality of light-emitting units 51 and light-receiving units 52, and is a photosensor in this embodiment. The light-emitting unit 51 irradiates the light-receiving unit 52 with detection light for detecting the workpiece W, and the light-receiving unit 52 receives the detection light. For convenience in describing each of the plurality of light-emitting units 51 and light-receiving units 52 individually, the light-emitting unit 51 may be referred to separately as light-emitting unit 51-1 or light-emitting unit 51-2, and the light-receiving unit 52 may be referred to separately as light-receiving unit 52-1 or light-receiving unit 52-2.

[0031] A light-emitting unit 51-1 and a light-receiving unit 52-1 are disposed inside the pair of support columns 21, facing each other in the width direction of the conveying surface 30. A plurality of light-emitting units 51-1 and a plurality of light-receiving units 52-1 are provided, and are disposed side by side in the vertical direction on the support columns 21. The size of the workpiece W in the vertical direction can be measured by the light-emitting unit 51-1 and the light-receiving unit 52-1. Furthermore, a light-emitting unit 51-2 and a light-receiving unit 52-2 are also disposed facing each other in the vertical direction inside the connecting unit 22 and the horizontally-tilting member 23. A plurality of light-emitting units 51-2 and a plurality of light-receiving units 52-2 are provided, and are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction on the connecting unit 22 and the horizontally-tilting member 23. The horizontal size of the workpiece W can be measured using these light-emitting units 51-2 and light-receiving units 52-2.

[0032] In the first sensor 5, the light receiving unit 52 receives the detection light of the workpiece W irradiated from the light emitting unit 51 and converts it into a signal. Then, the change in the signal generated when the workpiece W being transported on the belt conveyor 3 interrupts the optical axis between the light emitting unit 51 and the light receiving unit 52 is read, and information for calculating the width, height, length, and inclination of the workpiece W can be detected.

[0033] The light-emitting unit 51 and the light-receiving unit 52 are arranged continuously in the vertical direction, and therefore can detect the height-wise end of the workpiece W. Information detected by the first sensor 5 is used to calculate or measure the size and shape of the workpiece W, such as its height. Furthermore, at their lowest positions, the light-emitting unit 51 and the light-receiving unit 52 are arranged below the conveying surface 30 of the workpiece W. Because the light-emitting unit 51 and the light-receiving unit 52 are arranged between the upstream roller 31 and the entrance roller 4, the detection light emitted from the light-emitting unit 51 can be received by the light-receiving unit 52 through the gap S even below the conveying surface 30, thereby enabling even a thin workpiece W to be reliably detected.

[0034] ●Second sensor 6 The second sensor 6 is a sensor that detects the movement of the workpiece W transported by the belt conveyor 3 on the transport surface 30 and detects the insertion of the workpiece W from the entrance roller 4 side, and is provided on the first guide portion 34 of the belt conveyor 3 and the second guide portion 41 beside the entrance roller 4, as shown in FIG. 2. Like the first sensor 5, this second sensor 6 is realized by an optical element consisting of a plurality of light-emitting portions 61 and light-receiving portions 62, and is a photosensor in this embodiment. The light-emitting portion 61 irradiates the light-receiving portion 62 with detection light that detects the workpiece W, and the light-receiving portion 62 receives the detection light.

[0035] The light-emitting unit 61 and the light-receiving unit 62 are disposed inside the pair of first guide unit 34 and second guide unit 41, facing each other in the width direction of the conveying surface 30 or the length direction of the inlet rollers 4. A plurality of light-emitting units 61 and a plurality of light-receiving units 62 are provided. The second sensor 6 detects the interruption of the optical axis formed between the light-emitting unit 61 and the light-receiving unit 62, thereby detecting the insertion of the workpiece W onto the inlet rollers 4 and the movement of the workpiece W at a predetermined position on the conveying surface 30. The information detected by the second sensor 6 is used to calculate or measure the size and shape of the workpiece W, as well as the location of the inlet rollers 4, the position and movement speed of the workpiece W on the conveying surface 30, and the timing of arrival at a belt conveyor or the like provided downstream. The outer size and conveying angle of the workpiece W are calculated taking into consideration all of the detection results of the first sensor 5 and the second sensor 6.

[0036] In addition, with regard to the second sensor 6 provided on the belt conveyor 3, one of the light-emitting unit 61 and the light-receiving unit 62 may be provided above the conveying surface 30, and the other may be provided below the conveying surface 30. That is, as shown in Figure 7(a), the light-emitting unit 61 and the light-receiving unit 62 may be provided at positions facing each other above and below the conveying surface 30 of the belt conveyor 3. In this way, the optical axis L1 of the detection light emitted from the light-emitting unit 61 is inclined with respect to the conveying surface 30, and the detection light is irradiated so as to cross the conveying surface 30 from above downward or from below upward. In the example of Figure 7(a), the light-emitting unit 61 is located above the conveying surface 30 and the light-receiving unit 62 is located below the conveying surface 30, but the light-emitting unit 61 may also be located below the conveying surface 30 and the light-receiving unit 62 may also be located above the conveying surface 30.

[0037] Here, the second sensor 6 detects the workpiece W by comparing the amount of shading of the optical axis L1 of the detection light emitted from the light-emitting unit 61 with a predetermined threshold. If the workpiece W is large enough that the amount of shading of the optical axis clearly exceeds the predetermined threshold, the workpiece W can be reliably detected. However, if the thickness of the workpiece W is very thin, for example, and the amount of shading of the optical axis by the workpiece W does not exceed the predetermined threshold, there is a possibility that the workpiece W cannot be fully detected.

[0038] However, if the optical axis L1 of the detection light emitted from the light-emitting unit 61 is configured to be inclined with respect to the conveying surface 30 as described above, the amount of shading of the optical axis by the workpiece W can be increased. That is, when the optical axis L1 is parallel to the conveying surface 30 as shown in FIG. 7(b), the amount of shading L3 of the optical axis L1 is only about the same as the thickness of the workpiece W, but when the optical axis L1 is inclined with respect to the conveying surface 30 as shown in FIG. 7(a), the amount of shading L2 of the optical axis L1 becomes larger than the thickness of the workpiece W depending on the degree of the inclination. As a result, the second sensor 6 can reliably detect the workpiece W even if the thickness of the workpiece W is very thin. Similarly, with regard to the second sensor 6 provided on the second guide portion 41 on both sides of the entrance roller 4, either the light-emitting portion 61 or the light-receiving portion 62 may be provided above the upper end surface of the entrance roller 4, and the other may be provided below the upper end surface.

[0039] ●Display section 74 The display unit 74 is a functional unit that inputs and outputs information about the workpiece W being transported or the settings and status of the measuring device 1, and is realized by a device that can input and output data, such as a touch panel display.

[0040] ●Measuring part 81 The weighing unit 81 weighs the weight of the workpiece W being transported. For example, the weighing unit 81 is disposed on the base 10 below the belt conveyor 3 so as to support the belt conveyor 3, entrance rollers 4, and gate 2 from below. The weighing unit 81 then weighs the weight of the workpiece W placed on the transport surface 30 together with the belt conveyor 3, entrance rollers 4, and gate 2. The weight of the belt conveyor 3, entrance rollers 4, and gate 2 is then subtracted from the measured value, and the measured value of the workpiece W is output.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 8, a support member 11 that rotatably supports the entrance roller 4 may be provided on the base 10, and the entrance roller 4 may be excluded from the objects to be weighed by the weighing unit 81. As a result, even if other devices or members come into contact with the entrance roller 4, the weight measured by the weighing unit 81 will not be affected, and the weight of the workpiece W can be accurately measured. Furthermore, the entrance roller 4, which constitutes the limiting means, has the effect of limiting interference with all of the first sensor 5, second sensor 6, and weighing unit 81 (load cell). In Fig. 8, the cover attached to the measuring device 1 is not shown, and the weighing unit 81 disposed inside the cover is shown so that it can be seen. The weight detection method used by the weighing unit 81 is not particularly limited, but may be realized by a weight detection method using a load cell, for example.

[0042] Imaging unit 82 The imaging unit 82 is provided above the belt conveyor 3 and captures an image of the workpiece W on the conveying surface 30 from above. This imaging unit 82 is realized by a CCD camera or the like, and by performing image recognition processing based on the captured image, it is possible to obtain information such as a barcode attached or printed on the workpiece W, as well as information regarding the shape and size of the workpiece W in a planar view and the orientation of the workpiece W on the conveying surface 30.

[0043] ● Notification Department 83 The notification unit 83 is a functional unit for notifying an operator or the like of a predetermined situation, such as the control content of the measuring device 1 or the occurrence of an error, etc. In this embodiment, the notification unit 83 is configured as a sign lamp equipped with LEDs of various colors, and emits light in a pattern or color according to the predetermined situation. The notification unit 83 is not limited to a sign lamp, but may be configured in other ways, such as a buzzer that emits a sound according to a predetermined situation.

[0044] In addition, the measuring device 1 is appropriately equipped with an emergency stop button 84 that stops the operation of the measuring device 1 in an emergency, an interface for connecting to other devices to enable data communication, a switch for turning on the power to the measuring device 1, a breaker for cutting off power, and the like.

[0045] Measurement method Next, an example of a method for measuring the workpiece W using the measuring device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. 9(a) schematically shows a first measurement method in which the workpiece W is measured by moving the workpiece W in one direction under the control of the belt conveyor 3. In the figure, the entrance roller 4 and the arrow on the conveying surface 30 indicate the movement path of the workpiece W.

[0046] In this example, the belt conveyor 3 is controlled so that the direction from the entrance roller 4 toward the belt conveyor 3 is the transport direction of the workpiece W. The workpiece W fed from the entrance roller 4 side is first detected by the second sensor 6 and the first sensor 5 provided on the second guide part 41. Then, when the workpiece W is transported onto the transport surface 30, it is detected by the second sensor 6 provided on the belt conveyor 3.

[0047] In this example, a further belt conveyor 92 is connected downstream of the belt conveyor 3, and the workpiece W is transported directly from the belt conveyor 3 to the belt conveyor 92. Because the belt conveyor 92 is connected, the second sensor 6, which is provided at the most downstream position of the belt conveyor 3, can detect up to the downstream end of the workpiece W, and as a result, the timing at which the workpiece W exits (descends) the measuring device 1 can be identified, and the weighing measurement result can be confirmed. Furthermore, based on this confirmation, the weighing measurement result can be sent to a sorter (sorter 93 described below) provided downstream, a label printer, a label application device, or a higher-level device such as a server or cloud.

[0048] FIG. 9(b) schematically shows a second measurement method in which the workpiece W is measured by moving the workpiece W back and forth under the control of the belt conveyor 3.

[0049] In this example, the belt conveyor 3 is first controlled so that the direction from the entrance roller 4 toward the belt conveyor 3 is the transport direction of the workpiece W, and when the workpiece W passes the first sensor 5 and reaches the transport surface 30, the belt conveyor 3 is controlled so that the direction from the belt conveyor 3 toward the entrance roller 4 is the transport direction of the workpiece W. The workpiece W fed from the entrance roller 4 side is first detected by the second sensor 6 and the first sensor 5 provided on the second guide portion 41. Then, when it is transported onto the transport surface 30, it is detected by the second sensor 6 provided on the belt conveyor 3. Furthermore, the workpiece W is transported in the reverse direction and is again detected by the second sensor 6 and the first sensor 5 provided on the second guide portion 41.

[0050] 9(a), the end of the workpiece W can be reliably detected and the size of the workpiece W can be measured with high accuracy without connecting a belt conveyor 92 downstream of the belt conveyor 3. Furthermore, by performing measurements by reciprocating in this manner, the size of the workpiece W can be measured entirely by the measuring device 1 alone, even for large-sized workpieces W. In this example, it is also possible to perform detection and size measurement of the workpiece W only by the first sensor 5 without performing detection by the second sensor 6.

[0051] The first and second measurement methods described above can be selectively performed depending on the type of workpiece W or the location and circumstances in which the measuring device 1 is used. However, it is also possible to apply these two measurement methods sequentially to the same workpiece W.

[0052] According to the measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment and the measuring method using the measuring device 1, the length of the measuring device 1 can be shortened and the workpiece W can be detected and measured with high accuracy. In particular, by providing the inlet rollers 4, components or devices provided upstream of the inlet rollers 4 do not interfere with the first sensor 5 and prevent the first sensor 5 from interrupting its processing. Furthermore, since the workpieces W can be sent from the inlet rollers 4 to the belt conveyor 3 at a constant speed and transported as is, the first sensor 5 can detect the workpieces W moving at a constant speed. As a result, the accuracy of the detection and measurement of the workpieces W can be ensured. Furthermore, even thin workpieces W can be reliably detected by the first sensor 5, which is provided below the transport surface 30, and the second sensor 6, which has a light-emitting unit 61 or a light-receiving unit 62 provided below the transport surface 30.

[0053] Sorter 93 10, a sorter 93 may be provided downstream of the measuring device 1 according to this embodiment, and chute conditions for sorting the workpieces W into chute sections 94 may be set appropriately. Note that a plurality of sorters 93 may be provided, and the workpieces W may be sorted into appropriate chute sections 94 according to the chute conditions.

[0054] FIG. 10 shows an example of the sorter 93. The sorter 93 is provided with a plurality of rollers 931 that rotate in the transport direction of the workpieces W. Each roller 931 has a length in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction, and is arranged along the transport direction. A small gap 931a is provided between adjacent rollers 931 along the length of the rollers 931, and a slide shoe 932 can protrude from this gap 931a below the conveying surface.

[0055] The slide shoe 932 is a member that pushes the workpiece W from the side and sends it out to the chute section 94, and is normally hidden below the conveying surface and protrudes above the conveying surface in response to control that requests the operation of sending the workpiece W to the chute section 95. When the workpiece W reaches the conveying surface of the sorter 93, the slide shoe 932 slides toward the chute section 94 along the gap 931a between the adjacent rollers 931 and sends the workpiece W to the chute section 94. When the operation of sending the workpiece W to the chute section 94 is completed, the slide shoe 932 is hidden below the conveying surface again and waits to receive control to sort the next workpiece W.

[0056] 11 shows an example of a setting screen for the sorter 93. On this screen, it is possible to check the chute conditions for all sorters 93 at once (in the following explanation referring to the screen, the sorters 93 are distinguished and referred to as S1, S2, S3, etc.). In the illustrated example, the number of digits in the barcode is shown as a chute condition. In this case, for example, a camera that reads the barcode attached or printed on the workpiece W is provided in the measuring device 1, and a predetermined sorter 93 can be set to operate according to the number of digits in the read barcode. In addition to this, appropriate items such as the weight and size (length, width, height) of the workpiece W can be selected and set as chute conditions.

[0057] In addition, the chute conditions (settings) for each sorter 93 can be easily exchanged. For example, if sorter 93 (S2) breaks down for some reason and becomes unusable, the work W that was scheduled to be assigned to sorter 93 (S2) can be assigned to sorter 93 (S5) by reflecting the chute conditions of sorter 93 (S2) in sorter 93 (S5). On the screen, by setting "S2⇔S5" in the "Chute No. Setting Exchange" field, the chute conditions that were set for sorter 93 (S2) can be assigned to sorter 93 (S5). This eliminates the need to set the chute conditions for sorter 93 (S5) from scratch, thereby reducing downtime. It should be noted that errors in the sorter 93 can be automatically detected by a determination process such as detecting whether the slide shoe 932 is on the conveying surface, and the chute conditions can be switched depending on the determination result.

[0058] FIG. 12 shows an example of a screen for individually setting each sorter 93. In FIG. In the "Shoot No." field, the sorter 93 for which the shooting conditions are to be set can be determined. In the "Chute Conditions" field, specific settings for the chute conditions can be made. There are different types of sorters 93, and here, the chute conditions can be set appropriately depending on the size of the workpieces W that the sorter 93 can handle, the mechanism of the slide shoe 932, etc.

[0059] In the "nail speed" field, the speed of the slide shoe 932 (referred to as "nail" in the drawing) that pops out from the sorter 93 when sorting the workpieces W can be set. The speed of this slide shoe 932 is available in various types, such as high speed, medium speed, low speed, bag, and arrange. "High speed" means that the slide shoe 932 is moved at high speed, and is suitable for use when the intervals between the workpieces W are narrow and the conveying speed is fast. "Medium speed" moves the slide shoe 932 at a medium speed, and is suitable for use under conditions intermediate between high and low speeds. "Low speed" moves the slide shoe 932 at a low speed, and is suitable for use when the intervals between the workpieces W are wide and the conveying speed is slow.

[0060] "Bag" is a control suitable for bag-shaped (bag-like) workpieces W, and by bringing the slide shoe 932 into contact with the workpieces W at high speed and momentarily stopping the movement of the slide shoe 932 at a predetermined position, the workpieces W can be sorted by being ejected into the chute section 94. As a result, when the slide shoe 932 retreats below the conveying surface after sending out the workpieces W, it is possible to prevent problems from occurring such as getting wrapped around or caught on the bag. "Arrange" allows for detailed settings to be made by selectively using the above-mentioned "high speed," "medium speed," "low speed," or "bag" controls based on the weighing measurement values ​​of the workpiece W calculated by the measuring device 1, its inclination, and the type of workpiece identified from the barcode.

[0061] FIG. 13 shows a setting screen for inputting the distance from the measuring device 1 to the sorter 93. By setting the distance from the measuring device 1 to the sorter 93 in advance, it is possible to check whether the workpiece W reaches each sorter 93 at the correct timing. In this case, for example, a detection sensor for the workpiece W is provided at the entrance (upstream end) of each sorter 93 so that it can detect that the workpiece W has entered the sorter 93. Here, for example, suppose the "distance between measuring device and sorter" of the sorter 93 (S1) is set to "10 m." Under this condition, the conveying speed of the measuring device 1 is set to "1 m / sec." Based on the "distance between measuring device and sorter" of "10 m" and the conveying speed of the measuring device 1 of "1 m / sec," the measuring device 1 predicts that the work W that has left the measuring device 1 will arrive at the sorter 93 (S1) in 10 seconds. On the other hand, if the work W is detected by the detection sensor installed at the entrance of the sorter 93 (S1) 10 seconds after leaving the measuring device 1, the measuring device 1 determines that the work W has been conveyed as predicted and is in a normal state, and controls the slide shoe 932 of the sorter 93 (S1) to sort the work W.

[0062] On the other hand, if the detection sensor detects the workpiece W 9 seconds after the workpiece W leaves the measuring device 1, the measuring device 1 will recognize that the workpiece W has arrived earlier than expected, and will determine that the conveying speed of the measuring device 1 or the belt conveyor 3 between the measuring device 1 and the sorter 93 (S1) is not set to 1 m / sec, or that external interference has occurred (such as a person touching the workpiece W, a person moving the workpiece W, a person removing the workpiece W, or a person adding a workpiece W). In this case, it is advisable to issue an error or stop the operation.

[0063] Furthermore, if the detection sensor detects the workpiece W 11 seconds after the workpiece W leaves the measuring device 1, the measuring device 1 can determine that the workpiece W has arrived later than expected, and can issue an error alert or stop operation as described above.

[0064] The software resources that make up the measurement device 1 can be distributed or consolidated into any of the hardware resources by appropriate design, and the hardware resources can also be configured as physically integrated or separate devices. As a result, for example, some or all of the software resources can be configured to be held in a centralized upper device or controller, or they can be held in an external server connected via a specified network.

[0065] ● Overview of implementation The present invention relates to a technique for detecting a workpiece and measuring its size while the workpiece is being transported.

[0066] In recent years, the use of home delivery services has increased sharply and redelivery has become a major problem. By measuring the size of packages quickly and accurately, this system can contribute to improving the efficiency and reducing costs at extremely busy logistics sites.

[0067] For example, Japanese Patent No. 5588153 proposes a dimension and weight measuring device that measures the dimensions and weight of cargo moving on a conveying path, and that includes an optical gate in which a plurality of light-receiving sensors are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of conveyance of the cargo, and the light-receiving sensors receive a parallel beam of light projected onto the cargo from the orthogonal direction and detect the position of the light-blocked light-receiving sensors that cannot receive light because the light is blocked by the cargo; a conveying distance detection means that detects the conveying distance of the cargo on the conveying path; a memory means that stores all positions of the light-blocked light-receiving sensors of the optical gate in association with the conveying distance each time the conveying distance increases by a certain amount, and repeats this operation until the cargo passes through the optical gate; a dimension measuring means that, after the cargo has passed through the optical gate, calculates the dimensions of the cargo by finding the shape with the smallest area among the shapes that surround all the positions of the light-blocked light-receiving sensors stored in the memory means; and a weight measuring means that measures the weight of the cargo as it moves on the conveying path.

[0068] In this regard, sites that use measuring devices equipped with gate sensors require devices with short machine lengths, and in some cases, a belt conveyor is installed upstream of the short measuring device. However, in this case, it is difficult to maintain a constant distance and conveying speed between the upstream belt conveyor and the measuring device, and if the distance and conveying speed cannot be maintained constant, the accuracy of workpiece detection or measurement will be affected.

[0069] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a measuring device and a measuring method that can accurately detect and measure a workpiece while shortening the length of the measuring device.

[0070] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a measuring device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a first detection means for detecting the workpiece by the optical axis of detection light irradiated onto a transport surface along which the workpiece is transported, a transport means provided only downstream of the first detection means for transporting the workpiece, and a limiting means provided upstream of the first detection means for limiting interference with the optical axis.

[0071] The limiting means may be a roller, the upper end of which may be at substantially the same height as the conveying surface along which the workpiece is conveyed.

[0072] The limiting means may be driven to rotate at the same speed as the transporting means by the same drive source as the transporting means.

[0073] The first detection means may be made up of a plurality of optical elements arranged in a vertical direction, some of the optical elements being provided below a conveying surface along which the workpiece is conveyed.

[0074] The device may further include a second detection means for detecting the work on the conveying surface along which the work is conveyed, the second detection means being composed of an emitting unit that irradiates detection light to detect the work and a receiving unit that receives the detection light, wherein either the emitting unit or the receiving unit is located below the conveying surface, and the optical axis of the detection light is inclined relative to the conveying surface.

[0075] A measurement method according to another aspect of the present invention is a measurement method using the above-mentioned measurement device, in which the measurement device alternatively performs a first measurement method in which the workpiece is moved in one direction to the first detection means under the control of the conveying means to measure the workpiece, and a second measurement method in which the workpiece is moved back and forth to the first detection means under the control of the conveying means to measure the workpiece.

[0076] According to the present invention, the length of the measuring device can be shortened while detecting and measuring the workpiece with high accuracy. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1: Measuring equipment 2: Gate 21: Strut part 22:Connection part 3: Belt conveyor 30: Conveying surface 31: Upstream roller 32: Downstream roller 33: Endless belt 34: First guide part 34a: Through hole 341 :First slope part 4: Entrance roller 41: Second guide part 411:Second slope part 5: First sensor 51: Light-emitting part 52: Light receiving part 6: Second sensor 61: Light-emitting part 62: Light receiving part 7: Control device 71: CPU 72: Flash memory 73:RAM 74:Display section 75: I / O interface 81:Measuring section 82: Imaging unit 83: Information Department S: Gap W: Work

Claims

1. a first detection means for detecting the width of the workpiece by optical axes of a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion of detection light irradiated onto a conveying surface that conveys the workpiece, the optical axes being received by the light receiving portion and the optical axes not being received by the light receiving portion; a conveying means provided only downstream of the first detecting means and configured to convey the workpiece; and a limiting means provided upstream of the first detecting means and configured to limit interference of the conveyor connected to the first detecting means with the optical axis. Measuring equipment.

2. The limiting means is a roller, and the upper end thereof is substantially the same height as the conveying surface that conveys the workpiece. The measuring device according to claim 1.

3. the limiting means is driven to rotate at the same speed as the conveying means by the same driving source as the conveying means; The measuring device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first detection means is composed of a plurality of optical elements arranged in a vertical direction, and some of the optical elements are provided below a conveying surface along which the work is conveyed. The measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The device further includes a second detection means for detecting the workpiece on the conveying surface, the second detection means being configured with a light emitting unit for irradiating detection light to detect the workpiece and a light receiving unit for receiving the detection light, Either the light-emitting unit or the light-receiving unit is provided below the conveying surface, and the optical axis of the detection light is inclined with respect to the conveying surface. The measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A measurement method using the measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The measuring device a first measurement method in which the workpiece is moved in one direction to the first detection means by controlling the conveying means, and measurement of the workpiece is performed; a second measurement method in which the workpiece is measured by moving it back and forth to the first detection means by controlling the conveying means; Measurement method.

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