Poles curvature correction device

Abstract

To provide a rod curvature correction device which determines the curvature of a rod using a simple structure and is capable of correcting the curvature of a rod.SOLUTION: A rod curvature correction device comprises: a curvature detection part 10; a central push-up part 20; a rod holding part 30; and a rod correction part 40. The curvature detection part 10 includes: a both-end push-up part 11 for pushing-up both ends of a rod 1; and a multi-point sensor part 12 for detecting positions of multiple points in a longer direction of the rod 1. The central push-up part 20 causes a curved rod 1 to rotate about its axis so as to be arched and pushes up a site between the left end and a central part of the rod 1 so that the right end is lower than the left end of the rod 1. The rod holding part 30 holds the right end of the rod 1 so that the rod 1 does not rotate about is axis, and holds the rod 1 in a slidable manner in a left end direction of the rod 1. The rod correction part 40 applies force in a direction opposite to a curved direction of the rod 1 to be input, in order to correct the curvature of the curved rod 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a rod curvature correction device, and more particularly to a rod curvature correction device for correcting the curvature of a rod for suspending food. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in sausage production lines, poles are used to suspend a chain of sausages. The poles are made of cylindrical or cylindrical metal. Since heavy sausages are suspended from such poles, there is a risk that the poles may bend when suspended or moved. Specifically, because both ends of the pole are held and the chain of sausages is suspended near the center, the poles often bend in a bow shape.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a rod supplying device that detects and rejects such bent rods. The rod supplying device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with rod bend amount measuring means that measures the amount of bend in the rod near both ends of a horizontally supported rod, and by rotating the rod bend amount measuring means in a vertical plane, the amount of bend in the rod is measured and the bent rod is rejected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-019542 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the rod supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not have a rod bending amount measuring means. VerticalThe device rotates the rod within a plane using a motor or the like, making the device itself complex and expensive. Furthermore, since the device simply detects and rejects bent rods, previously rejected rods had to be manually corrected, or severely bent rods were discarded. Therefore, there was a need for the development of a device that can easily determine whether a rod is bent with a simple structure and correct the curvature of bent rods.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a rod curvature correction device that has a simple structure and is capable of determining the curvature of a rod and correcting the curvature of a curved rod. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object of the present invention, the rod curvature correction device of the present invention is a curvature detection unit that detects the curvature of the rod, and has a both end push-up unit that pushes up both ends of the rod to rotate the curved rod around its axis so that it becomes a valley bow, and a multi-point sensor unit that detects the positions of multiple points in the longitudinal direction of the rod that are pushed up by the both end push-up units, and after the multiple point sensor unit detects the positions of multiple points in the longitudinal direction of the rod, the both end push-up units lower the pushed-up of both ends of the rod, and when the curvature of the rod detected by the curvature detection unit is greater than a predetermined threshold value, The device comprises a central push-up section that rotates the rod being pushed up on its axis so that it becomes like a mountain bow, and pushes up the section between one end and the central section of the rod so that the other end of the rod is lower than the one end of the rod; a rod holding section that holds the other end of the rod so that the rod pushed up by the central push-up section does not rotate on its axis, and holds the rod so that it can slide in the direction of one end of the rod; and a rod correction section that applies a force in the opposite direction to the curved direction of the rod being inserted, and corrects the curvature of the curved rod.

[0008] Furthermore, the rod curvature correction device may be equipped with a normal rod ejection section that ejects the rod when the curvature of the rod detected by the curvature detection section is smaller than a predetermined threshold value.

[0009] Furthermore, the rod correction unit may include a guide roller unit that transports the rod in the longitudinal direction without rotating around its axis when the rod is inserted by the rod holding unit, and a correction roller unit that applies force in the direction opposite to the curved direction of the rod. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The rod curvature correction device of the present invention has the advantage that it is possible to determine the curvature of a rod with a simple structure and correct the curvature of a curved rod. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view for explaining the overall configuration of a rod curvature correcting device of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view for explaining the details of the curvature detection unit of the rod curvature correction device of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view for explaining the state of the rod being pushed up by the central pushing part of the rod curvature correcting device of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view for explaining the details of the rod holding section and rod correcting section of the rod curvature correcting device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The rod curvature correction device of the present invention is used to correct the curvature of a rod for suspending food. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating the overall configuration of the rod curvature correction device of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the rod curvature correction device of the present invention is mainly composed of a curvature detection unit 10, a central push-up unit 20, a rod holding unit 30, and a rod correction unit 40. Note that this specification describes an example in which the rod holding unit 30 is located on one side of the rod 1, specifically the right side, and the rod correction unit 40 is located on the other side of the rod 1, specifically the left side. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and conversely, an example in which the rod holding unit 30 is located on the left side of the rod 1 and the rod correction unit 40 is located on the right side of the rod 1 may also be used.

[0013] The curvature detection unit 10 consists of both end push-up units 11 and a multi-point sensor unit 12. The curvature detection unit 10 detects the curvature of the rod 1 pushed up by the both end push-up units 11. The curvature detection unit 10 may be any unit that can distinguish between a curved rod and a non-bent rod. Furthermore, the curvature detection unit 10 detects the positions of multiple points in the longitudinal direction of the rod 1 using the multi-point sensor unit 12, and then lowers the both end push-up units 11 that have pushed up both ends of the rod 1. In other words, the both end push-up units 11 push up the rod 1 in order to detect the curvature using the multi-point sensor unit 12, and then lowers the rod 1 after the curvature has been detected.

[0014] The end push-up parts 11 push up both ends of the rod 1. By pushing up both ends of the rod 1, the curved rod 1 rotates on its axis so that it forms a bow. In other words, the end push-up parts 11 push up both ends of the rod 1 in order to rotate the curved rod 1 on its axis so that it forms a bow. When the end push-up parts 11 push up both ends of the rod 1, an uncurved rod 1 is lifted horizontally without rotating on its axis. However, if the rod 1 is curved, the center of the rod 1 rotates on its axis so that it is bent downward. In this specification, this state in which the center of the rod 1 is bent downward is referred to as a bow.

[0015] The rods 1 pushed up by the both end push-up units 11 are placed one by one in order on the rod tray 13 provided between the two push-up units of the both end push-up units 11. The rod tray 13 may have, for example, a V-shaped groove on its upper surface so that the longitudinal axis of the rod 1 is positioned. The both end push-up units 11 may push up both ends of the rod 1 placed on the rod tray 13.

[0016] The end push-up unit 11 in the illustrated example is shown as consisting of two push-up units arranged at both ends of the rod tray 13 to push up both ends of the rod 1. The end push-up units 11 move up and down to push up both ends of the rod 1 from below. Since the curved rod 1 rotates on its axis, the push-up surfaces of the end push-up units 11 may be appropriately configured in a U-shape to prevent the rod 1 from falling to the side. The end push-up units 11 may be configured with actuators such as air cylinders or hydraulic cylinders. Furthermore, they are not limited to actuators and may have any configuration, such as those using a rack and pinion gear and a motor, or those using a ball screw, etc.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating the details of the curvature detection unit of the rod curvature correction device of the present invention. In the figure, parts with the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 represent the same objects. Also, only the area around the curvature detection unit 10 is shown; other parts are omitted. The rod 1, whose both ends are pushed up by the both-end push-up units 11, floats above the rod tray 13. As described above, if the rod 1 is not curved, the rod 1 will not rotate around its longitudinal axis and will remain parallel to the rod tray 13 (as shown by the dashed line in the figure). However, as shown in the figure, if the rod 1 is curved in a bow shape, the both-end push-up units 11 will rotate the rod 1 around its axis, causing a downward bow, and the center area will bend downward. In other words, the rod 1 will rotate around its axis due to its own weight, while the center area will bend downward. The multi-point sensor unit 12 of the curvature detection unit 10 detects this bowed portion of the rod 1.

[0018] The illustrated multi-point sensor unit 12 is configured to detect the position of multiple points along the longitudinal direction of the fishing rod 1. Specifically, the multi-point sensor unit 12 is, for example, configured with multiple laser sensors arranged in a straight line along the top end of the fishing rod 1 for non-contact detection. The multi-point sensor unit 12 is configured to detect that the fishing rod 1 is not curved by receiving reflected laser light from an unbent fishing rod 1. When a curved fishing rod 1 is pushed up by the end push-up units 11, rotates around its axis, and forms a curved arc, the reflected laser light from the multi-point sensor unit 12 is no longer received, making it possible to detect that the fishing rod 1 is curved. In this way, the bend detection unit 10 detects position changes of the fishing rod 1 at multiple points using the multi-point sensor unit 12. Since fishing rods 1 are usually curved to some extent, the bend detection unit 10 only needs to determine that the fishing rod is curved if the bend is greater than a predetermined threshold. This threshold may be determined, for example, based on how many of the laser sensors in the multi-point sensor unit 12 receive reflected light.

[0019] The curvature detection unit 10 can correct the curvature of the rod 1 if the degree of curvature is greater than a predetermined threshold, and determine that the rod 1 is normal if the degree of curvature is less than the predetermined threshold. If the rod 1 is determined to be normal, curvature correction is not necessary, and the rod 1 can simply be ejected from the curvature correction device. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a normal rod ejection unit 50 is provided for ejecting normal rods 1. The normal rod ejection unit 50 ejects the rod 1 if the curvature of the rod 1 detected by the curvature detection unit 10 is less than a predetermined threshold. After the multiple-point sensor unit 12 detects the positions of multiple points in the longitudinal direction of the rod 1, the end push-up unit 11 lowers the lifted ends of the rod 1, and the rod 1 is placed on the rod tray 13. Therefore, if the curvature of the rod 1 detected by the curvature detection unit 10 is less than the predetermined threshold, i.e., if no curvature of the rod 1 is detected, the normal rod ejection unit 50 pushes the rod 1 placed on the rod tray 13, for example, from the side, to drop the rod 1 from the rod tray 13 and store it in a rod stock unit (not shown) or the like.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view illustrating the state of a rod being pushed up by the central push-up unit of the rod curvature correction device of the present invention. In the figure, parts with the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 represent the same objects. Also, only the area around the central push-up unit 20 is shown; other parts are omitted. The rod tray 13 is also shown in cross section. The central push-up unit 20 pushes up the portion of the rod 1 between the left end and center when the curvature of the rod 1 detected by the curvature detection unit 10 is greater than a predetermined threshold. That is, the central push-up unit 20 pushes up the portion of the rod 1 closer to the rod correction unit 40 than the center of the rod 1. As shown in the figure, the central push-up unit 20 only needs to be positioned between the left end and center of the rod tray 13. When the portion of the rod 1 between the left end and center is pushed up, the rod 1 rotates around its axis due to its own weight, causing both ends to drop downward. In this specification, this state in which both ends of the rod 1 are lowered downward is referred to as a "mountain bow" state. At this time, the portion of the rod 1 between the left end and the center is pushed up by the central push-up part 20, so the right end of the rod 1 is lower than the left end. In other words, the central push-up part 20 rotates the curved rod 1 on its axis so that it forms a mountain bow, and also pushes up the left side of the center of the rod 1 so that the right end of the rod 1 lowers. This makes it possible for the right end of the rod 1 to be clamped from above by the rod holding part 30, which will be described later.

[0021] The lifting surface of the central lifting part 20 may be configured in an appropriate U-shape to prevent the curved rod 1 from falling to the side as the rod 1 rotates about its axis. The central lifting part 20 may be configured with an actuator such as an air cylinder or hydraulic cylinder. Furthermore, it is not limited to an actuator and may be configured in any way, such as one using a rack and pinion gear and a motor, or one using a ball screw.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view illustrating the details of the rod holding unit and rod correction unit of the rod bend correction device of the present invention. In the figure, parts with the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 represent the same items. Also, only the rod holding unit 30 and the rod correction unit 40 and their surroundings are shown; the rest are omitted. As shown, the rod holding unit 30 holds the right end of the rod 1 so that the rod 1, pushed up by the central push-up unit 20, does not rotate about its axis, and also holds the rod 1 so that it can slide toward the left end of the rod 1. That is, the rod holding unit 30 holds the rod 1 in a state where the curve of the rod 1, as determined to be curved by the curvature detection unit 10, faces a predetermined direction. As shown, the rod holding unit 30 slides the rod 1 toward the rod correction unit 40 while holding the rod 1 in its arched state.

[0023] When sliding the rod 1 toward the rod correction unit 40 using the rod holding unit 30, the central push-up unit 20 only needs to be lowered. In other words, when holding the rod 1 with the rod holding unit 30, the central push-up unit 20 should be pushed up, and then the central push-up unit 20 should be lowered while the rod is still held by the rod holding unit 30, and the rod should then be slid toward the rod correction unit 40. In this way, the rod 1 is always inserted into the rod correction unit 40, which will be described later, in a straight line.

[0024] Specifically, the rod holding unit 30 may have, for example, a clamp that presses down and holds the right end of the rod 1 from above. As described above, the curved rod 1 is pushed up by the central push-up unit 20, with the right end lower than the left end, so this lowered right end is pressed down and held down by the clamp from above, preventing the rod 1 from rotating around its axis. Then, while the clamp presses down and holds the rod 1 from above, the rod can be slid toward the rod correction unit 40. Note that the rod holding unit 30 will not slide beyond the central push-up unit 20 toward the rod correction unit 40.

[0025] In this way, in the rod curvature correction device of the present invention, first, the end push-up units 11 push up both ends of the rod 1, and the curved rod 1 rotates around its axis so that it forms a convex bow, allowing it to be detected by the curvature detection unit 10. Then, when the curvature of the rod 1 is detected by the curvature detection unit 10, the end push-up units 11 lower the push-up on both ends of the rod 1, and the center push-up unit 20 pushes up the left side of the center of the rod 1, causing the curved rod 1 to rotate around its axis so that it forms a convex bow, and the right end of the rod 1 is lowered than the left end. Furthermore, the rod 1 in its convex bow state is held by the rod holding unit 30. In this state, the rod 1 can be inserted into the rod correction unit 40, which will be described later.

[0026] The rod correction unit 40 corrects the curvature of a curved rod 1. As explained above, the rod 1, which is slid by the rod holding unit 30 without rotating around its axis, is inserted into the rod correction unit 40. Therefore, the curved rod 1 is always inserted into the rod correction unit 40 with the curve always pointing in the same direction, i.e., in a mountain bow shape. For this reason, the rod correction unit 40 only needs to correct the curvature in the same direction so as to return the rod to a straight shape. Therefore, the rod correction unit 40 only needs to be configured to apply a force in the opposite direction to the curve of the rod 1, specifically, downward.

[0027] The illustrated rod correction unit 40 includes a guide roller unit 41 and a correction roller unit 42. The guide roller unit 41 is composed of multiple rollers and transports the rod 1, which has been slid longitudinally by the rod holding unit 30, longitudinally without rotating around its axis. The rod 1, clamped by the rod holding unit 30, slides toward the rod correction unit 40 and is inserted into the guide roller unit 41. The rod holding unit 30 then releases the clamped rod 1. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 , the rod holding unit 30 stops sliding and releases the rod 1 when the rod 1 is retracted to a predetermined roller position on the guide roller unit 41. As a result, the rod 1 is transported toward the correction roller unit 42 while the guide roller unit 41 keeps the rod 1 curved in a straight arc. The guide roller unit 41 does not apply any force to the rod 1 to correct its position. The correction roller unit 42, on the other hand, is configured to apply a force in the opposite direction to the curve of the rod 1. Since the fishing rod 1 is curved like a mountain bow with the center bent upward, the correction roller unit 42 has multiple rollers arranged to apply a downward force to the fishing rod 1. The arrangement positions of the multiple rollers in the correction roller unit 42 can be configured to be freely changeable. That is, the degree of curvature and the amount of correction of the curved fishing rod can be determined in advance, and the arrangement positions of the multiple rollers can be determined based on this. The arrangement positions and number of the guide roller unit 41 and the correction roller unit 42 are not limited to those in the illustrated example, and the fishing rod correction unit 40 can be configured to apply a force in the direction opposite to the direction of the fishing rod 1's curvature.

[0028] Furthermore, a rod 1 whose curvature could not be corrected the first time can simply be fed back into the rod curvature correction device. That is, a rod 1 whose curvature is determined by the curvature detection unit 10 to be greater than a predetermined threshold value will have its curvature corrected by the rod correction unit 40, but the rod that has passed through the rod correction unit 40 may be sent back to the both end push-up units 11 of the rod curvature correction device of the present invention, and its curvature may be repeatedly corrected by the rod correction unit 40 until the curvature detection unit 10 determines that it is not curved.

[0029] In this way, the rod curvature correction device of the present invention makes it possible to determine the curvature of a rod and correct the curvature of a curved rod with a simple structure.

[0030] The rod curvature correction device of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned illustrated example, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1 rod 10 Curvature detection unit 11 Push-up section on both ends 12 Multiple-point sensor section 13 Rod Tray 20 Central push-up section 30 Rod holder 40 Rod compensation section 41 Guide roller part 42 Correction roller section 50 Normal rod discharge part

Claims

1. A rod curvature correction device for correcting the curvature of a rod for suspending food, the rod curvature correction device comprising: a curvature detection unit that detects the curvature of the rod, the curvature detection unit having a double-end push-up unit that pushes up both ends of the rod to rotate the curved rod around its axis so that it forms a valley bow, and a multiple-point sensor unit that detects multiple positions in the longitudinal direction of the rod that are pushed up by the double-end push-up unit, and after the multiple-point sensor unit detects the multiple positions in the longitudinal direction of the rod, the double-end push-up unit lowers the pushed-up ends of the rod; a central push-up section that, when the curvature of the rod detected by the curvature detection section is greater than a predetermined threshold, rotates the curved rod around its axis so that it becomes a mountain arch, and pushes up a section between one end and the central section of the rod so that the other end is lower than the one end of the rod; a rod holding portion that holds the other end of the rod so that the rod pushed up by the central push-up portion does not rotate around its axis, and that holds the rod slidably toward the one end of the rod; a rod correction unit that applies a force in the direction opposite to the curve of the rod being inserted when the rod is slid by the rod holding unit without rotating on its axis, and corrects the curvature of the curved rod; A rod curvature correction device comprising:

2. 2. The rod curvature correction device according to claim 1, further comprising a normal rod discharge unit that discharges the rod when the curvature of the rod detected by the curvature detection unit is smaller than a predetermined threshold value.

3. 3. A rod curvature correction device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the rod correction unit has a guide roller unit that transports the rod in the longitudinal direction without rotating around its axis when the rod is inserted by the rod holding unit, and a correction roller unit that applies a force in the direction opposite to the curved direction of the rod.

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