Object supply system and control method thereof

Abstract

An object supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise: an object transfer unit provided to transfer an object to a standby position; a tray transfer unit provided to transfer a tray and disposed below the object transfer unit; an input platform provided so as to receive, from the object transfer unit, an object positioned at the standby position, and transfer the object toward the tray, and comprising a supply hole for inputting the object toward the tray; and an opening and closing part, installed in the input platform, for opening and closing the supply hole such that the object is inputted toward the tray.

Description

Object supply system and its control method

[0001] [Cross-citation with related applications]

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0150170, filed on November 2, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] [Technical Field]

[0004] The present invention relates to an object supply system for supplying an object to a tray and a control method thereof.

[0005] The object supply system may be a system for automatically supplying frozen blocks to trays. The object supply system may include a tray transport unit for transporting trays and an object transport unit for transporting frozen blocks.

[0006] Recently, with the growing consumer preference for frozen foods, systems are being developed to supply various ingredients on trays. Meanwhile, the speed at which multiple frozen blocks are supplied to trays can be related to productivity, and various methods have been applied to improve the productivity of the target material supply system.

[0007] Accordingly, the development of a system to automatically supply multiple frozen blocks to a tray at once is emerging to improve the productivity of the target material supply system.

[0008] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an object supply system and a control method thereof for automatically transporting objects and supplying them to a tray.

[0009] An object supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an object transfer unit configured to transfer an object to a standby position, a tray transfer unit configured to transfer a tray and disposed below the object transfer unit, an input platform configured to receive the object located at the standby position from the object transfer unit and transfer it to the tray, and forming a supply hole for inputting the object toward the tray, and an opening / closing unit mounted on the input platform for opening and closing the supply hole to input the object to the tray.

[0010] A control method of a target supply system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes receiving a target and transporting it to a standby position, moving the target transported to the standby position to an input position, opening an upper supply hole so that the target moves to a lower input position based on the target arriving at the upper input position, and opening a lower supply hole so that the target is fed into a tray based on the target arriving at the lower input position.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, objects can be automatically transported and supplied to a transporting tray, so that the productivity of the object supply system can be improved.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, since the operation of the object supply system can be operated without stopping, the production speed of the object supply system can be improved while the durability can be improved.

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a target supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a tray transport unit and an input platform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an object according to an embodiment of the present invention being moved from a standby position to a first input position.

[0016] Figure 4 is a side view of the object transfer unit, pusher unit, and input platform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an object being placed in a tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 6 is a block diagram of a target supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are flowcharts according to a control method of a target supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to exemplary drawings. When designating components in each drawing, it should be noted that, where possible, identical components are given the same reference numerals, even if they appear in different drawings. Furthermore, when describing embodiments of the present invention, detailed descriptions of known components or functions will be omitted if they are deemed to hinder understanding of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] In this specification, the forward / backward, left / right, and up / down directions are referred to for convenience of explanation and may be directions orthogonal to each other. The horizontal and vertical directions are referred to for convenience of explanation and may be directions orthogonal to each other. However, these directions are determined relative to the arrangement of the components of the target supply system, and the up / down direction may not necessarily mean the vertical direction.

[0022] Additionally, terms including ordinal numbers such as “first,” “second,” etc. used herein may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms, and the terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component. The term “and / or” includes any combination of a plurality of related listed items or any item among a plurality of related listed items.

[0023] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an object supply system (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a tray transport unit (30) and an input platform (50) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of an object (B) according to an embodiment of the present invention being moved from a standby position (WP) to a first input position (IP1). Fig. 4 is a side view of an object transport unit (30), a pusher unit (60), an input platform (50), etc. according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an object (B) being input onto a tray (T) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a block diagram of an object supply system (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, the object supply system (1) is a system for supplying an object (B) to a tray (T). Here, the object (B) may be a frozen block, but is not limited thereto. For example, the object supply system (1) may be a system for supplying frozen shrimp, frozen dumplings, etc. to a tray (T) containing noodles.

[0025] The object supply system (1) may include a sorting unit (2) for a user to sort out defective objects from among objects (B), a rotary feeder unit (20) for supplying objects (B) sorted by the sorting unit (2), and an object transport unit (30) for transporting objects (B) received from the rotary feeder unit (20).

[0026] The object supply system (1) may include a tray transfer unit (40) provided to transfer a tray (T) in a first direction (D1), an object transfer unit (30) provided to transfer an object in a second direction (D2), and an input platform (50) disposed on the upper side (opposite direction of D3) of the tray transfer unit (40) and supporting an object (B) fed into the tray (T). The object supply system (1) may include a pusher unit (60) provided to move an object (B) fed by the object transfer unit (30), and an opening / closing unit (70) mounted on the input platform (50).

[0027] The target supply system (1) may include a control unit (80) including a memory (81) and a processor (82), and a sensor unit (90) including a plurality of sensors mounted on each of the above-described components.

[0028] Objects (B) can be supplied in bulk to a sorting unit (2). A user can check the condition of objects (B) according to predetermined criteria in the sorting unit (2). Objects (B) that do not meet the predetermined criteria can be sorted in the sorting unit (2). Objects (B) that meet the predetermined criteria can be supplied to a rotary feeder unit (20) by the user.

[0029] A rotary feeder section (20) may be provided to supply an object (B) to an object transfer section (30). The rotary feeder section (20) may include a supply rail (21), a rotary feeder (22), and a transfer rail (23).

[0030] The supply rail (21) may be a rail for receiving the object (B) selected by the user in the selection section (2) and supplying the object (B) to the rotary feeder (22). The supply rail (21) may be provided as a conveyor belt, etc.

[0031] The rotary feeder (22) may be configured to rotate a plurality of objects (B) in order to separate them as a single object (B). The rotary feeder (22) may rotate a plurality of objects (B) so as to receive the objects (B) from the supply rail (21) and transfer them one by one to the transfer rail (23). That is, the rotary feeder (22) may rotate a plurality of objects (B) supplied in bulk by the supply rail (21) and discharge them one by one to the transfer rail (23).

[0032] The transfer rail (23) may be connected to the object transfer unit (30) to transfer the object (B) discharged from the rotary feeder (22) to the object transfer unit (30). The transfer rail (23) may be arranged on the lower side (in the D3 direction) of the rotary feeder (22). The transfer rail (23) may be a rail for receiving the object (B) one by one from the discharge port of the rotary feeder (22) and transferring it to the object transfer unit (30). The transfer rail (23) may be provided as a conveyor belt, etc.

[0033] If a certain amount of the object (B) is supplied to the rotary feeder (22), the rotary feeder (22) may not operate properly. To prevent this, the rotary feeder (22) may be provided with a feeder sensor (91) configured to detect the object (B).

[0034] The feeder sensor (91) can detect whether a predetermined first number or more of objects (B) have been supplied. When the feeder sensor (91) detects that a predetermined first number or more of objects (B) have been supplied to the rotary feeder (22), the feeder sensor (91) can transmit an electrical signal to the processor (82).

[0035] The feeder sensor (91) may include a first feeder sensor (91a) and a second feeder sensor (91b) provided radially inside the rotary feeder (22) from the first feeder sensor (91a). The second feeder sensor (91b) may be configured to detect whether a first or more predetermined number of objects (B) have been supplied to the rotary feeder (22) after the first feeder sensor (91a) detects that a first or more predetermined number of objects (B) have been supplied to the rotary feeder (22).

[0036] When the processor (82) receives an electrical signal from the first feeder sensor (91a) or the second feeder sensor (91b), it can control the supply rail (21) to stop the operation of the supply rail (21).

[0037] That is, the processor (82) can control the supply rail (21) to stop the operation of the supply rail (21) based on the detection of a number of objects (B) greater than a predetermined first number of objects (B) in the rotary feeder (22).

[0038] However, it is not limited thereto, and the feeder sensor (91) may be configured to detect that the object (B) is supplied to the rotary feeder (22) in a mass or volume greater than a predetermined standard and transmit this to the processor (82).

[0039] By this structure, the operation of the rotary feeder (22) can be performed smoothly without error, so the productivity of the target material supply system (1) can be improved.

[0040] When the object (B) is transferred to the object transfer unit (30) by the transfer rail (23), the object transfer unit (30) can transfer the object (B) to a waiting position (WP). At this time, the object transfer unit (30) can transfer a plurality of objects (B) to the waiting position (WP).

[0041] Meanwhile, the standby position (WP) may be a position where the object (B) is transported by the object transport unit (30). The standby position (WP) may be a position before the object (B) is moved to the upper input position (IP1) described later.

[0042] The tray transfer unit (40) may extend in the first direction (D1) to transfer the tray (T) in the first direction (D1). The tray transfer unit (40) may include a transfer rail that transfers the tray (T) in the first direction (D1).

[0043] The object transfer unit (30) may extend in a second direction (D2) to transfer the object (B) in a second direction (D2) that is perpendicular to the first direction (D1) from the rotary feeder unit (20) toward the tray transfer unit (40). The object transfer unit (30) may include a transfer rail (31) and a spacer (32).

[0044] The transport rail (31) may be positioned above the tray transport section (40) (in the opposite direction of D3) and may extend in the second direction (D2) to transport a plurality of objects (B) in the second direction (D2). A spacer (32) may be mounted on the transport rail (31) to support the plurality of objects (B) while spacing the plurality of objects (B) apart from each other.

[0045] As the transport rail (31) transports the plurality of objects (B) in the second direction (D2), the plurality of objects (B) can arrive at the waiting position (WP). At this time, the plurality of objects (B) can be transported by the transport rail (31) at once so that eight objects (B) can be fed into the tray (T) at once. For this structure, a plurality of spacers (32) can be provided at a predetermined distance apart from each other so that the eight objects (B) are arranged corresponding to the predetermined distance.

[0046] A plurality of objects (B) can be transported to first to eighth waiting positions (WP-1, WP-2, WP-3, WP-4, WP-5, WP-6, WP-7, WP-8) spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance by a spacer (32). The plurality of objects (B) that have arrived at the first to eighth waiting positions (WP-1, WP-2, WP-3, WP-4, WP-5, WP-6, WP-7, WP-8) can be moved to the input platform (50). At this time, the waiting positions (WP) can be provided as the first to eighth waiting positions (WP-1, WP-2, WP-3, WP-4, WP-5, WP-6, WP-7, WP-8).

[0047] The input platform (50) may be arranged on the upper side (in the opposite direction to the D3 direction) of the tray transfer unit (40) to receive a plurality of objects (B) located at a standby position (WP) from the object transfer unit (30) and transfer them to the tray (T). The input platform (50) may form a supply hole (51a, 56a) for inputting a plurality of objects (B) toward the tray (T).

[0048] In more detail, the input platform (50) may include an upper input platform (51) and a lower input platform (56). The lower input platform (56) may be arranged in a third direction (D3) that is perpendicular to the first direction (D1) and the second direction (D2) of the upper input platform (51).

[0049] The upper input platform (51) may be a platform connected to the object transfer unit (30) to support a plurality of objects (B) positioned at each of the first to eighth waiting positions (WP-1, WP-2, WP-3, WP-4, WP-5, WP-6, WP-7, WP-8) after they are pushed.

[0050] The upper input platform (51) may include a sliding surface (52) provided so that each of a plurality of objects (B) is pushed and slid by a pusher (60) from a waiting position (WP), and a stopper (53) formed on the opposite side of the object transfer section (30) of the sliding surface (52).

[0051] The sliding surface (52) can be connected to the object transfer unit (30). The sliding surface (52) can be formed to be inclined in a third direction (D3) toward the tray transfer unit (40) in the first direction (D1) from the object transfer unit (30). However, the sliding surface (52) is not limited thereto and may also extend parallel to the first direction (D1) from the object transfer unit (30).

[0052] The stopper (53) can be understood as a configuration formed on the opposite side of one side of the sliding surface (52) connected to the object transfer section (30) to fix the positions of a plurality of objects (B) sliding on the sliding surface (52). The plurality of objects (B) are prevented from moving by the stopper (53) and stopped at the upper input position (IP1), so that the positions of the plurality of objects (B) can be fixed. The stopper (53) can be arranged on the first direction (D1) side of the sliding surface (52) so that the plurality of objects (B) are caught and can extend upward (in the opposite direction of D3).

[0053] Meanwhile, the upper injection platform (51) may include an upper supply hole (51a) for dropping a plurality of objects (B) located at the upper injection position (IP) in a third direction (D3). The upper injection position (IP1) may include first to eighth upper injection positions (IP1-1, IP1-2, IP1-3, IP1-4, IP1-5, IP1-6, IP1-7, IP1-8) in which each of the plurality of objects (B) located at the first to eighth waiting positions (WP-1, WP-2, WP-3, WP-4, WP-5, WP-6, WP-7, WP-8) slides and the positions are fixed.

[0054] The upper input platform (51) may include an upper supply hole (51a) for feeding a plurality of objects (B) from the first to eighth upper input positions (IP1-1, IP1-2, IP1-3, IP1-4, IP1-5, IP1-6, IP1-7, IP1-8) into the lower input platform (56). Accordingly, eight upper supply holes (51a) may be provided at positions corresponding to each of the first to eighth upper input positions (IP1-1, IP1-2, IP1-3, IP1-4, IP1-5, IP1-6, IP1-7, IP1-8).

[0055] A lower input platform (56) may be provided on the lower side (in the D3 direction) of the upper input platform (51). The lower input platform (56) is arranged between the upper input platform (51) and the tray transfer unit (40) and may form a lower supply hole (56a) through which a plurality of objects (B) dropped through the upper supply hole (51a) are fed into the tray (T). When viewed in the third direction (D3), the lower supply hole (56a) may be arranged to correspond to the upper input position (IP1). The lower injection position (IP2) may be provided with second to eighth lower injection positions (IP2-1, IP2-2, IP2-3, IP2-4, IP2-5, IP2-6, IP2-7, IP2-8) corresponding to each of the first to eighth upper injection positions (IP1-1, IP1-2, IP1-3, IP1-4, IP1-5, IP1-6, IP1-7, IP1-8).

[0056] To this end, the lower injection platform (56) can form a support surface (57) that supports a plurality of objects (B) dropped in the third direction (D3) from each of the first to eighth upper injection positions (IP1-1, IP1-2, IP1-3, IP1-4, IP1-5, IP1-6, IP1-7, IP1-8).

[0057] In addition, a support member (58) capable of fixing the positions of a plurality of dropped objects (B) may be provided on one side of the support surface (57) in the first direction (D1). The support member (58) is configured to prevent the plurality of objects (B) from sliding and falling in the first direction (D1) as they are fed into the lower input platform (56). The support member (58) may correspond to the structure of the stopper (53), but is not limited thereto, and may have differences in size or shape. It is sufficient to fix the positions of the plurality of objects (B) fed into the lower input platform (56).

[0058] The lower input platform (50) is arranged to correspond to each first input position (IP1) and may include a lower supply hole (56a) formed in each of the first to eighth lower input positions (IP2-1, IP2-2, IP2-3, IP2-4, IP2-5, IP2-6, IP2-7, IP2-8). The lower supply hole (56a) may also be provided with eight holes.

[0059] That is, through the lower supply hole (56a), a plurality of objects (B) can be dropped toward the tray (T) placed on the third direction (D3) side of the lower input platform (56) and fed into each tray (T).

[0060] As described above, the reason why the lower input platform (56) is provided may be that, while a plurality of objects (B) are input from the upper input platform (51) to the lower input platform (56) and are thereafter supplied to the tray (T) through the lower supply hole (56a), the object transfer unit (30) sequentially transfers the plurality of objects (B) back to the waiting position (WP) so that the next plurality of objects (B) are immediately supplied to the tray (T).

[0061] In other words, according to the structure in which a plurality of objects (B) are supplied directly to the tray (T) through the upper input platform (51) without the configuration of the lower input platform (56), the production speed of the object supply system (1) may be lowered because the plurality of objects (B) that are sequentially transported thereafter may be delayed by the time it takes to supply them and then supplied to the upper input platform (51).

[0062] On the other hand, according to an embodiment of the present invention, while a plurality of objects (B) are supported by the lower input platform (56) and fall again, a plurality of objects (B) of the next sequence can be transported to the waiting position (WP) and slid to the upper input platform (51), thereby enabling optimization of the production speed of the object supply system (1).

[0063] In this way, the upper input platform (51) can be positioned on the first direction (D1) side of the object transfer unit (30). The upper input platform (51) can support a plurality of objects (B) positioned at the waiting position (WP) while the objects (B) slide. At this time, the plurality of objects (B) positioned at the waiting position (WP) can be moved to the upper input position (IP1) by the pusher unit (60).

[0064] The pusher unit (60) may be configured to simultaneously push a plurality of objects (B) positioned at the standby position (WP) to move the objects (B) to the upper input position (IP1). The pusher unit (60) may be positioned above the object transfer unit (30) and the input platform (50) (in the opposite direction of D3).

[0065] The pusher unit (60) may include a pusher (61) for pushing a plurality of objects (B) located at a standby position (WP) in a first direction (D1), and a pusher operating device (65).

[0066] For example, a pusher (61) disposed in the opposite direction of the first direction (D1) from the object transfer unit (30) can be moved in the first direction (D1) to move a plurality of objects (B) that have arrived at the first eighth waiting positions (WP-1, WP-2, WP-3, WP-4, WP-5, WP-6, WP-7, WP-8) to the first to eighth upper input positions (IP1-1, IP1-2, IP1-3, IP1-4, IP1-5, IP1-6, IP1-7, IP1-8).

[0067] The pusher operating device (65) may be a device for operating the pusher (61). The pusher operating device (65) may be configured to move in a first direction (D1) and lift the pusher (61) that has pushed a plurality of objects (B) to move in a direction opposite to the first direction (D1).

[0068] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, after the pusher (61) pushes the object (B) located at the standby position (WP) to the upper input platform (51), the pusher operating device (65) can pull the pusher connection part (62) to lift the pusher (61) in the opposite direction of the third direction (D3). Thereafter, the pusher (61) can be moved in the opposite direction of the first direction (D1) to push the pusher connection part (62) toward the third direction (D3) again. In this way, the reason why the pusher operating device (65) lifts or lowers the pusher (61) may be to prevent interference with the objects (B) located at the next sequential standby position (WP) after the pusher (61) pushes the objects (B).

[0069] At this time, while the pusher (61) is lifted by the pusher operating device (65) and returns to the position for pushing the objects (B) again, the object transfer unit (30) can transfer a plurality of objects (B) to the waiting position (WP), and the upper input platform (51) and the lower input platform (56) can sequentially drop the objects (B) and supply them to the tray (T).

[0070] In this way, according to the structure according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to optimize the production speed of the object supply system by supplying a plurality of objects (B) to the tray (T) within the shortest possible cycle.

[0071] Meanwhile, a structure may be required for the object (B) to be fed in a third direction (D3) from the upper input platform (51) and the lower input platform (56). To this end, the object supply system (1) may include an opening / closing unit (70) mounted on the input platform (50) to open / close the supply holes (51a, 56a) so that the object (B) is fed into the tray (T).

[0072] In more detail, the opening / closing part (70) may include an upper opening / closing part (71) mounted on the upper input platform (51) to drop the object (B) located at the upper input position (IP1) to the lower input position (IP2).

[0073] The upper opening / closing part (71) may include a first upper opening / closing door (71a) and a second upper opening / closing door (71b) that are mounted on the upper input platform (51) and rotate in opposite directions. The first upper opening / closing door (71a) and the second upper opening / closing door (71b) may rotate in opposite directions to open or close the upper supply hole (51a).

[0074] The opening / closing unit (70) may include a lower opening / closing unit (76) mounted on the lower input platform (56) to input an object (B) located at the lower input position (IP2) into a tray (T) located at the receiving position (SP). The lower opening / closing unit (76) may include a first lower opening / closing door (76a) and a second lower opening / closing door (76b) mounted on the lower input platform (56) and rotating in opposite directions. The first lower opening / closing door (76a) and the second lower opening / closing door (76b) may rotate in opposite directions to open or close the lower supply hole (56a).

[0075] Below, the principle by which the processor (72) operates the pusher unit (60) and the opening / closing unit (70) will be described in detail.

[0076] A first object detection sensor (92) may be provided on one side of the object transfer unit (30) to detect a plurality of objects (B) that have arrived at the first to eighth waiting positions (WP-1, WP-2, WP-3, WP-4, WP-5, WP-6, WP-7, WP-8).

[0077] The first target detection sensor (92) can detect the arrival of each of the plurality of targets (B) at the first eighth waiting positions (WP-1, WP-2, WP-3, WP-4, WP-5, WP-6, WP-7, WP-8) and transmit an electrical signal to the processor (82).

[0078] The processor (82) can receive an electrical signal from the first object detection sensor (92) and operate the pusher operation device (65) of the pusher unit (60). In other words, the processor (82) can control the pusher unit (60) to push the object (B) located at the standby position (WP) to the upper input position (IP1) based on the detection by the first object detection sensor (92) that the object (B) is located at the standby position (WP).

[0079] Meanwhile, a second object detection sensor (93) may be provided adjacent to the stopper (33) of the upper input platform (51) to detect a plurality of objects (B) that have arrived at the first to eighth upper input positions (IP1-1, IP1-2, IP1-3, IP1-4, IP1-5, IP1-6, IP1-7, IP1-8).

[0080] The second target detection sensor (93) can detect the arrival of each of the plurality of targets (B) at the first to eighth upper input positions (IP1-1, IP1-2, IP1-3, IP1-4, IP1-5, IP1-6, IP1-7, IP1-8) and transmit an electrical signal to the processor (82).

[0081] The processor (82) can operate the upper opening / closing part (71) by receiving an electrical signal from the second object detection sensor (93). In other words, the processor (82) can operate the upper opening / closing door (71a, 71b) to open the upper supply hole (51a) so that the object (B) is dropped to the lower input position (IP2) of the lower input platform (56) based on the object (B) being located at the upper input position (IP1).

[0082] A third object detection sensor (94) may be provided adjacent to the support member (58) of the lower injection platform (56) to detect a plurality of objects (B) that have arrived at the first to eighth lower injection positions (IP2-1, IP2-2, IP2-3, IP2-4, IP2-5, IP2-6, IP2-7, IP2-8).

[0083] The third target detection sensor (94) can detect the arrival of each of the plurality of targets (B) at the first to eighth lower input positions (IP2-1, IP2-2, IP2-3, IP2-4, IP2-5, IP2-6, IP2-7, IP2-8) and transmit an electrical signal to the processor (82).

[0084] The processor (82) can operate the lower opening / closing part (76) by receiving an electrical signal from the third object detection sensor (94). In other words, the processor (82) can operate the lower opening / closing door (76a, 76b) to open the lower supply hole (56a) to feed the object (B) into the tray (T) based on the object (B) being located at the empty input position (IP2).

[0085] When the first target detection sensor (92) detects the target (B) located at the standby position (WP), the processor (82) can control the pusher operating device (65) to move the pusher (61) in the first direction (D1) and then lift the pusher (61) to return it to the position for pushing the target located at the standby position (WP).

[0086] When the second target detection sensor (93) detects at least one target (B) located at the upper input position (IP1), the processor (82) can control the upper opening / closing door (71a, 71b) to open the upper supply hole (51a), and then, after a predetermined period of time, control the upper opening / closing door (71a, 71b) to close the upper supply hole (51a) again.

[0087] When the third object detection sensor (94) detects at least one object (B) located at the lower input position (IP2), the processor (82) can control the lower opening / closing door (76a, 76b) to open the lower supply hole (56a), and then, after a predetermined period of time, control the lower opening / closing door (76a, 76b) to close the lower supply hole (56a) again.

[0088] In FIG. 5, one object (B) is shown as being fed into one tray (T), but it can be understood that in the upper feeding platform (51) and the lower feeding platform (56) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of upper opening / closing parts (71) are mounted on each of the plurality of upper supply holes (51a), and a lower opening / closing part (76) is mounted on each of the plurality of lower supply holes (56a), so that a plurality of objects (B) are fed into a plurality of trays (T) at the same time.

[0089] When a plurality of objects (B) are each placed in a plurality of trays (T) located at a supply position (SP), the plurality of trays (T) can be transported by a tray transport unit (40) along a first direction (D1). At this time, the tray transport unit (40) can also be controlled by a processor (82).

[0090] Accordingly, all of the above-described processes can be repeated. That is, when a plurality of trays (T) are transported in the first direction (D1), another plurality of trays (T) can be transported to the supply position (SP) and a plurality of objects (B) can be input again.

[0091] As illustrated in Fig. 1, a plurality of trays (T) supplied with a plurality of objects (B) can be transported in a first direction (D1) and transported through a first transport line (L1). A second transport line (L2) can transport a plurality of trays (T) arranged in connection with the first transport line (L1), and the plurality of trays (T) transported through the second transport line (L2) can be sorted by a weight unit (3) according to predetermined criteria such as weight.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 6, the control unit (80) can send and receive electrical signals from the feeder sensor (91), the first object detection sensor (92), the second object detection sensor (93), and the third object detection sensor (94) of the sensor unit (90).

[0093] The control unit (80) can exchange electrical signals with the rotary feeder unit (20), the object transfer unit (30), the tray transfer unit (40), the input platform (50), the pusher unit (60), and the opening / closing unit (70).

[0094] The control unit (80) may include a memory (81) and a processor (82). The memory (81) may include volatile memory such as Static Random Access Memory (S-RAM) and Dynamic Random Access (D-RAM) for temporarily storing data while power is supplied, and non-volatile memory such as Read Only Memory (ROM) and Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM) for preserving data even when power is cut off.

[0095] The processor (82) may include various logic circuits and operation circuits, process data according to a program provided from the memory (81), and generate a control signal according to the processing result.

[0096] The processor (82) can receive an electrical signal from the feeder sensor (91) and control the operation of the rotary feeder (20). More specifically, when the feeder sensor (91) detects that more than a predetermined first number of objects (B) are supplied to the rotary feeder (22), the processor (82) can stop the operation of the supply rail (21).

[0097] The processor (82) can control the operation of the transport rail (31). When the processor (82) receives an electrical signal from the first object detection sensor (92) that detects that a plurality of objects (B) have arrived at the waiting position (WP), the processor (82) can stop the operation of the transport rail (31) for a predetermined period of time. Alternatively, when the processor (82) receives an electrical signal from the first object detection sensor (92) that detects that a plurality of objects (B) have arrived at the waiting position (WP), the processor (82) can slow down the speed of the transport rail (31). When the processor (82) receives an electrical signal from the first object detection sensor (92), the processor (82) can operate the pusher operation device (65) of the pusher unit (60).

[0098] The control method of the target supply system (1) through the above-described structure will be described later.

[0099] Figures 7 and 8 are flowcharts according to a control method of a target supply system (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figures 1 to 8, the target supply system (1) can be powered on and start operating (S10).

[0100] When the object supply system (1) starts operating, objects (B) can be supplied in large quantities to the supply rail (21) (S20). When objects (B) are supplied in large quantities to the supply rail (21), the supply rail (21) can be operated to supply the objects (B) to the rotary feeder (22) (S30). The rotary feeder (22) can transfer the objects (B) from the supply rail (21) to the transfer rail (23), and the transfer rail (23) can be operated to transfer the objects (B) one by one to the object transfer unit (30) (S40).

[0101] At this time, whether the number of objects (B) provided to the rotary feeder (22) is greater than the first predetermined number can be detected by the feeder sensor (91) (S50). If the number of objects (B) provided to the rotary feeder (22) is greater than the first predetermined number (example of S50), the operation of the supply rail (21) can be stopped and interrupted (S60).

[0102] However, here, the number of objects (B) is not limited, and the feeder sensor (91) can detect the objects (B) and transmit an electrical signal to the processor (82) to compare the size of the volume or mass of the objects (B) supplied to the rotary feeder (22). At this time, the processor (82) can stop the operation of the supply rail (21) if the volume or mass of the objects (B) supplied to the rotary feeder (22) becomes larger than a predetermined standard based on the electrical signal received by the feeder sensor (91).

[0103] If the number of objects (B) provided in the rotary feeder (22) is less than the first predetermined number (NO in S50), the object transport unit (30) can operate to move a plurality of objects (B) to their respective waiting positions (WP) (S70).

[0104] The object transport unit (30) can transport a plurality of objects (B) in a single row through a transport rail (31) in a second direction (D2). The object transport unit (30) can transport the objects (B) to a waiting position (WP). At this time, if a separate object detection sensor is provided to detect whether a predetermined second number of objects has been transported (example of S80), the speed of the object transport unit (30) can be controlled (S90). Here, the predetermined second number can be 8.

[0105] If the target object has not been transported by the second predetermined number (NO of S80), the speed of the rotary feeder (22) and the transport rail (31) can be maintained.

[0106] At this time, when eight objects (B) are transported by the object transport unit (30), the distance between the ninth object (B) and the eighth object (B) can be adjusted to be greater than the distance between the eight objects (B) on the transport rail (21).

[0107] In other words, the processor (82) can adjust the spacing between the first object (B) to the eighth object (B) that are arranged to be simultaneously introduced into the tray (T) on the transport rail (31), and the spacing between the ninth object (B) and the eighth object (B) that are arranged to be introduced into the tray (T) after the eighth object (B) to be different.

[0108] The eight objects (B) may be transferred to the object transfer unit (30) so that the eight objects (B) can be supplied to the tray (T) at the same time. However, the ninth object (B) is supplied to the tray (T) later than the previous eight objects (B), and since it takes time for the previous eight objects (B) to be input, the distance between the eighth object (B) and the ninth object (B) may be provided to be greater than the distance between the previous eight objects (B). For this purpose, the speed of the transfer rail (31) of the object transfer unit (30) may be controlled (S90).

[0109] Thereafter, whether a plurality of objects (B) have arrived at each waiting position (WP) by the object transfer unit (30) can be detected by the first object detection sensor (92) (S100).

[0110] Thereafter, when a plurality of objects (B) arrive at the waiting position (WP) by the object transfer unit (30) (example of S100), the pusher unit (60) can be operated to move the plurality of objects (B) from the waiting position (WP) to the upper input position (IP1) (S110). In other words, the plurality of objects (B) transferred to the waiting position (WP) can be moved to the upper input position (IP1) to be dropped onto the lower input platform (56).

[0111] If the plurality of objects (B) do not arrive at the waiting position (WP) (NO of S100), the operation of the object transport unit (30) can be maintained until the plurality of objects (B) arrive at the waiting position (WP).

[0112] Thereafter, whether at least one object (B) has arrived at the upper input position (IP1) by the pusher unit (60) can be detected by the second object detection sensor (93) (S120). Based on the arrival of at least one object (B) at the upper input position (IP1) (example of S120), the upper opening / closing unit (71) can be operated to open the upper supply hole (51a) (S130). Thereafter, after a predetermined period of time, the upper opening / closing unit (71) can close the upper supply hole (51a).

[0113] If at least one object (B) does not arrive at the upper input position (IP1) (NO of S120), the upper opening / closing part (71) can be maintained so as not to open the upper supply hole (51a) until at least one object (B) arrives at the upper input position (IP1).

[0114] Thereafter, whether at least one object (B) has arrived at the lower input position (IP2) can be detected by the third object detection sensor (94) (S140). Based on the arrival of at least one object (B) at the lower input position (IP2) (example of S140), the lower opening / closing unit (76) can be operated to open the lower supply hole (56a) (S150). Thereafter, after a predetermined period of time, the lower opening / closing unit (76) can be operated to close the lower supply hole (56a).

[0115] If at least one object (B) does not arrive at the lower input position (IP2) (NO of S140), the lower opening / closing part (76) may be maintained so as not to open the lower supply hole (56a) until at least one object (B) arrives at the lower input position (IP2).

[0116] After the lower opening / closing part (76) is operated to open the lower supply hole (56a), the tray transfer part (40) can transfer a plurality of trays (T) located at the supply position (SP) in the first direction (D1) and simultaneously transfer a new plurality of trays (T) to the supply position (SP).

[0117] The above-described process can be repeated and then terminated (S180).

[0118] The above description is merely an illustrative illustration of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to illustrate rather than limit the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the rights of the present invention.

Claims

1. An object transfer unit provided to transfer the object to a waiting position; A tray transfer unit arranged to transfer trays and disposed on the lower side of the object transfer unit; An input platform configured to receive the object located at the waiting position from the object transfer unit and to transfer it to the tray, and to form a supply hole for the object to be input toward the tray; and An object supply system including an opening / closing unit mounted on the input platform, which opens / closes the supply hole to allow the object to be fed into the tray.

2. In paragraph 1, The above-mentioned investment platform is, An upper input platform connected to the above object transfer unit and forming an upper supply hole for dropping the object; and An object supply system comprising a lower input platform disposed between the upper input platform and the tray transfer unit, the lower input platform forming a lower input hole for feeding the object dropped through the upper input hole into the tray.

3. In paragraph 2, The object supply system in which the lower supply hole is positioned corresponding to the position of the upper supply hole.

4. In paragraph 2, The object transfer unit extends in the first direction to transfer the object in the first direction, An object supply system in which the upper input platform is connected to the object transfer unit and includes a sliding surface formed to be inclined toward the tray transfer unit in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction.

5. In paragraph 4, The above upper input platform is formed on the opposite side of the object transfer portion of the sliding surface and includes a stopper for fixing the position of the object sliding on the sliding surface.

6. In paragraph 2, The above opening and closing part is, An upper opening / closing part mounted on the upper input platform and provided to open / close the upper supply hole; and A target supply system including a lower opening / closing part mounted on the lower input platform and arranged to open / close the lower supply hole.

7. In paragraph 6, The upper opening / closing part opens the upper supply hole based on the detection by the first object detection sensor that the object is located at the upper input position corresponding to the upper supply hole, The lower opening / closing part is an object supply system provided to open the lower supply hole based on the detection by the second object detection sensor that the object is located at the lower input position corresponding to the lower supply hole.

8. In paragraph 2, An object supply system further comprising a pusher unit configured to push the object so as to move the object located at the waiting position to the upper input position corresponding to the upper supply hole.

9. In paragraph 8, The object transfer unit extends in the first direction to transfer the object in the first direction, An object supply system, wherein the pusher unit includes a pusher that moves in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction to push the object located at the waiting position to the upper input position.

10. In paragraph 9, An object supply system further comprising a pusher operating device configured to move the pusher, which has moved in the second direction and pushed the object, and to lift the pusher and move it in a direction opposite to the second direction.

11. In paragraph 8, An object supply system in which the pusher unit is configured to push the object located at the waiting position based on the object being detected as being located at the waiting position by the first object detection sensor.

12. In paragraph 1, An object supply system comprising: a transfer rail connected to the object transfer section and configured to transfer the object to the object transfer section; and a rotary feeder section including a rotary feeder that rotates a plurality of objects to receive a plurality of objects and transfer them to the transfer rail one by one.

13. In paragraph 12, The above rotary feeder section further includes a supply rail provided to supply the object to the rotary feeder, The above supply rail is provided with an object supply system that is provided to stop operation based on the detection of a number of objects greater than a predetermined number on the rotary feeder by a feeder sensor that is provided to detect objects on the rotary feeder.

14. In paragraph 1, The above object transfer unit is an object supply system including a transfer rail for transferring a plurality of objects, and a spacer mounted on the transfer rail for spacing out the plurality of objects.

15. Supplying the target object and transporting it to the waiting location; Moving the object transferred to the above waiting position to the upper input position; Opening the upper supply hole so that the object moves to the lower input position based on the object arriving at the upper input position; and A control method for an object supply system, comprising: opening a lower supply hole so that the object is fed into a tray based on the object arriving at the lower input position; 16. In paragraph 15, A control method of a target material supply system further comprising: closing the upper supply hole after opening the upper supply hole; 17. In paragraph 15, A control method of a target material supply system further comprising: closing the lower supply hole after opening the lower supply hole; 18. In paragraph 15, A control method for a target material supply system, further comprising: transporting the tray after opening the lower supply hole; 19. In paragraph 15, Based on the fact that more than a predetermined number of objects are supplied to the rotary feeder for supplying objects to the object transport section provided to transport the objects to the waiting position, A control method of an object supply system further comprising: controlling to stop the operation of a supply rail that supplies the object to the rotary feeder; 20. In paragraph 15, A control method for an object supply system, further comprising: adjusting the spacing between a first object and a second object, which are provided to be simultaneously fed into the tray, and between a third object and the second object, which are supplied to the transport rail after the second object, to be different from each other on a transport rail of an object transport unit, which is provided to transport the object to the waiting position;

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