JPS58113702A - Positioning device for vessel - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To position a vessel easily with high accuracy without receiving the influence of disturbing light by detecting only the light from the ordinary surface of the vessel by the light from a light projector with a photoelectric transducer, and rotating the vessel when the output signal thereof is on and stopping the same when the signal is off. CONSTITUTION:The plane 14b of the long axis of a cam 14 contacts with a follower 15, and at the point of the time when the distance between a pressing body 3 and a supporting plate 2 is larger than the length of a bottle 1, the bottom 1 is transferred to between the pressing body and the plate 2 where the bottle is stopped. As the cam 14 rotates, the bottle 1 is pressed strongly to the supporting plate by the body 3. At the same time, a signal is emitted from a proximity switch 20 facing a position detector 19, and a projected ray 22 is detected with a photodetector 5, which emits an on signal through a detecting circuit 24. Both signals are inputted to an AND circuit, the output whereof rotates the bottle 1 with a control circuit 25 and a motor 7. When the light 22 shines the recess 1b, the photodetector 5 does not receive light any more and the bottle 1 stops in the home position, whereby the bottle is positioned accurately.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 本発明は、印刷機等における容器の位置決め装置に関し
、さらに詳しくは、光学的非接触方式であって、確度の
極めて高い容器の位置決め装置に関する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a container positioning device in a printing press or the like, and more particularly to a highly accurate container positioning device that uses an optical non-contact system.

硝子びんやプラスチック容器及び金属缶等の容器は、そ
の表面に印刷、例えば多色ステンシルスクリーン印刷等
を行々うにさいして、その表面上の特定の位置に印刷を
行なう必要がある場合が多い。ところが印刷ステーショ
ンに送られてくる容器は、その円周方向に対して位置が
不定であるため、印刷前に円周方向上の特定位置が所定
の方向を向くように予め揃える、すなわち位置決めを行
なう必要がある。従来の位置決め方式には、接触式と非
接触式とがあり、そのうち光学的非接触方式としては、
次の２つの方式が提案されている。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Containers such as glass bottles, plastic containers, and metal cans often require printing, such as multicolor stencil screen printing, at specific locations on their surfaces. However, the positions of the containers sent to the printing station are not fixed in the circumferential direction, so before printing, the containers must be aligned in advance so that a specific position in the circumferential direction faces a predetermined direction, that is, positioning is performed. There is a need. Conventional positioning methods include contact and non-contact methods, of which optical non-contact methods include
The following two methods have been proposed.

第１の方式は、特公昭４０−２４３４１号に記載される
ような方式であって、遮光部の設けられた壜の両側に投
光管と受光管を設置して、投光管の光線が壜を透過して
、受光管が受光している間は壜が同転し、投光管の光線
が遮光部によって遮断されて、受光管への入党が止ると
壜の回転が止るように構成されている。この方式は透過
光を利用するため着色硝子びんや不透明プラスチック容
器外らびに金属缶等に適用することは不可能である。す
なわち透明な容器にしか適用できないという欠点を有す
る。また遮光部の大きさを設ける位置にデデイン上の制
約を受け、また遮光部を目立たないように小さくすると
検出能力が劣るという欠点を有する。The first method is as described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 40-24341, in which a light emitter and a light receiver are installed on both sides of a bottle provided with a light shielding part, so that the light beam from the light emitter tube is The bottle is configured so that the bottle rotates while the light passes through the bottle and is received by the light receiving tube, and the bottle stops rotating when the light beam from the light projecting tube is blocked by the light shielding part and stops entering the light receiving tube. has been done. Since this method uses transmitted light, it cannot be applied to colored glass bottles, opaque plastic containers, metal cans, etc. That is, it has the disadvantage that it can only be applied to transparent containers. In addition, the position where the size of the light shielding part is provided is subject to design restrictions, and if the light shielding part is made small enough to be inconspicuous, it has the disadvantage that the detection ability is inferior.

他の方式は本発明者が特開昭５０−１４４０９号におい
て提案したものである。これは、凹部または凸部よりな
る被検出部分（びん位置決め用の特定位置を定めるだめ
の）が形成された回転する容器に光線を投射し、光線が
被検出部分に当って反射する光線を受光器内の光電変換
素子で受光して電気的信号に変換し、この電気的信号（
ＯＮ信号）によシびん回転駆動部のブレーキ機構が動作
して容器の回転を止める方式である。つまり投射光線が
被検出部分に当っていない時、すなわち電気的信号がＯ
ＦＦのときは、容器が回転し、電気的信号がＯＮとなる
と回転が停止する。本発明者の経験によれば、この方式
には次のような問題点があることがわかった。すなわち
、（１）勾配の変化の大きい凹部または凸部からの反射
光を面積の小さい光電変換素子受光面に受光させるため
の、投光器及び静電変換素子の取付は調節が困難で時間
がかかる、（なお投光器および受光器の光軸間の□角度
は４０〜４５度が最適である）　、（２）被検出部分で
ある凹部又は凸部の輪郭の異なる容器が混入してライン
を流れた場合、反射光が光電変換素子に受光されない場
合が多く、従って正しい位置決めが行なわれない、（３
）直射太陽光および容器表面や投光器、受光器等から反
射太陽光や照明光などの外乱光があると、これらの光線
が光電変換素子に受光されて、凹部又は凸部よシの反射
光を受光しなくとも、光電変換素子よシミ気的信号（Ｏ
Ｎ信号）が発せられる場合が多く、従って位置決めの信
頼性が極端に低下するか、場合によっては位置決め不可
能となる、（４）ステンシル印刷を行なう場合は、イン
クを硬化させないため、赤外線ランプをインクに照射す
ることが望ましいが、（３）と同じ理由により赤外線ラ
ンプを使用できない。そのため作業員に危険な抵抗ヒー
タ等を使用しなければならず、そのためスクリーンの構
造が複雑となる。そしてこの方式の場合の検出ミスは約
３チもしくはそれ以上であった。Another method was proposed by the present inventor in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 14409/1983. This system projects a light beam onto a rotating container that has a detection area (for determining a specific position for bottle positioning) made of concave or convex parts, and receives the reflected light beam when it hits the detection area. A photoelectric conversion element inside the device receives the light and converts it into an electrical signal, and this electrical signal (
This is a method in which the brake mechanism of the bottle rotation drive unit is activated by the ON signal) to stop the rotation of the container. In other words, when the projected light beam does not hit the detected part, that is, the electrical signal is O.
When the FF is on, the container rotates, and when the electrical signal is turned on, the rotation stops. According to the experience of the present inventor, it has been found that this method has the following problems. That is, (1) it is difficult and time-consuming to adjust the installation of the projector and the electrostatic conversion element so that the light reflected from a concave or convex part with a large change in slope is received by the light-receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion element, which has a small area; (Note that the optimum angle between the optical axes of the emitter and receiver is 40 to 45 degrees.) (2) When a container with a different contour of the concave or convex part that is the detected part mixes and flows through the line. , the reflected light is often not received by the photoelectric conversion element, and therefore correct positioning is not performed. (3)
) When there is disturbance light such as direct sunlight or reflected sunlight or illumination light from the container surface, projector, receiver, etc., these light rays are received by the photoelectric conversion element, and the reflected light from the concave or convex parts is Even if it does not receive light, the photoelectric conversion element receives a stain-like signal (O
(4) When performing stencil printing, use an infrared lamp to prevent the ink from curing. Although it is desirable to irradiate the ink, an infrared lamp cannot be used for the same reason as (3). This requires the use of resistance heaters and the like that are dangerous to workers, which complicates the structure of the screen. In the case of this method, the detection error was about 3 or more.

本発明は以上のような従来技術の問題点の解消を図ろう
とするものである・。すなわち本発明の第１の目的は、
容器デザインに悪影響を及ぼさない被検出部分の設けら
れた容器の確度の高い位置決め装置を提供することであ
る。第２の目的は投光器及び受光器の取付は調節の容易
々光学式容器位置決め装置を提供することで゛ある。第
３の目的は、外乱光による悪影響のない、すなわち太陽
光線とか場内照明等の印刷作業環境上塗じる適当表外乱
光の存在でも検出の精度に何らの影響も受けない容器位
置決め装置を提供することである。第４の目的は、近傍
でステンシルスクリーン印刷インク加温用の赤外線ラン
プの使用可能な容器位置決め装置を提供することである
。第５の目的は、異種輪郭の被検出部分をもつ容器に対
しても、正しく位置決めを行なうことができる容器位置
決め装置を提供することである。The present invention aims to solve the problems of the prior art as described above. That is, the first object of the present invention is to
It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly accurate positioning device for a container provided with a detected portion that does not adversely affect the container design. A second object is to provide an optical container positioning system in which the mounting of the emitter and receiver can be easily adjusted. The third objective is to provide a container positioning device that is free from the adverse effects of ambient light, that is, the detection accuracy is not affected in any way by the presence of ambient light such as sunlight or indoor lighting in the printing work environment. That's true. A fourth object is to provide a container positioning device that allows the use of an infrared lamp for warming stencil screen printing ink in the vicinity. A fifth object is to provide a container positioning device that can correctly position containers even if they have detected portions with different contours.

本発明者は、容器位置決め装置における投光器と受光器
（光電変換素子）の光軸と容器表面の相対的位置関係を
、容器の通常面よりの反射光を光電変換素子が受光し、
凹部又は凸部よシなる被検出部分よりの反射光を光電変
換素子が受光しないように定め、かつ光電変換素子よシ
の電気的信号がＯＮのとき、容器が回転し、電気的信号
がＯＦＦとなると回転が停止するよう駆動機構を構成す
ることによって、上記の目的が達成されることを見出し
た。The present inventor determined the relative positional relationship between the optical axis of a light projector and a light receiver (photoelectric conversion element) and the container surface in a container positioning device by using a photoelectric conversion element that receives reflected light from a normal surface of the container.
When the photoelectric conversion element is set so that it does not receive reflected light from the detected portion such as a concave or convex part, and the electric signal from the photoelectric conversion element is ON, the container rotates and the electric signal is turned OFF. It has been found that the above object can be achieved by configuring the drive mechanism so that the rotation stops.

以下、本発明の一実施例を示す図面によって本発明の詳
細な説明する。Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to drawings showing one embodiment of the present invention.

第１図は硝子びんにステンシルスクリーン印刷を行なう
場合の位置決め装置の説明図を示す。FIG. 1 shows an explanatory diagram of a positioning device for performing stencil screen printing on glass bottles.

硝子びん１は円形の回転支持板２と抑圧体３によって、
それぞれ底部および口部を挾持されて、水平状態に保持
される。硝子びん１の底部近傍の円筒状部１ａの所定位
置には被検出部分を構成する小凹部１ｂが設けられてい
る。円筒状部１ａの高さｔ（第２図）は、被検出部分１
ｂのびん軸方向の長さｈとほぼ等しいか、それ以上あれ
ばよく、また必ずしも直筒状である必要はなく、本発明
の目的を達成しうる範囲内で高さ方向に若干の丸みやテ
ーパがついていても差支えない。円筒状でない場合、例
えば多角形の場合は、凹部１ｂ以外の位置に投射光線が
当っても、受光・器５内に設けられた光電変換素子５ａ
には反射光が来なくなるため電気的信号はＯＦＦに近く
なり、凹部１ｂを利用した位置決めを行なうことはむづ
かしい。従って円筒状９１ｍの凹部１ｂ以外の部分は検
出確度に悪影響を与えない程度の若干の起伏はあっても
差支えないが、できるだけ真円に近いことが好ましい。The glass bottle 1 is supported by a circular rotating support plate 2 and a suppressor 3.
The bottom and mouth of each are held in a horizontal position. At a predetermined position of the cylindrical portion 1a near the bottom of the glass bottle 1, there is provided a small recess 1b constituting a detected portion. The height t (Fig. 2) of the cylindrical portion 1a is equal to the height t of the detected portion 1.
It is sufficient that it is approximately equal to or longer than the length h in the axial direction of the bottle, and it does not necessarily have to be straight cylindrical, but may be slightly rounded or tapered in the height direction within the range that can achieve the purpose of the present invention. There is no problem even if there is a . If the shape is not cylindrical, for example if it is polygonal, even if the projected light beam hits a position other than the recess 1b, the photoelectric conversion element 5a provided in the light receiving device 5
Since the reflected light no longer comes to , the electrical signal becomes close to OFF, making it difficult to perform positioning using the recess 1b. Therefore, the portion of the cylindrical shape 91m other than the concave portion 1b may have slight undulations as long as it does not adversely affect the detection accuracy, but it is preferable that the portion be as close to a perfect circle as possible.

検出確度を上げるためには、凹部１ｂの輪郭は円筒状部
１ａのそれに対して急激な変化があることが望ましい。In order to increase detection accuracy, it is desirable that the contour of the recessed portion 1b has a sharp change from that of the cylindrical portion 1a.

そのびんの軸方向に対する長さｈは投射光線のほぼ直径
またはそれ以上あればよく、例えば直径約５ＩＩｔｌＩ
＋１深さ０．５〜２．０露程度の円錐形又は截頭円錐形
状凹部の場合には、容器デザインや強度にも悪影響する
ことなく、好適な結果を得ることができる。勿論被検出
部分の形状や寸法によって本発明は制限を受けるもので
なく、本発明の目的を達成しうる範囲内で、凸部、平坦
部（凹部の１種とみなされる）を含めて任意の形状・寸
法をとりうるものである。これらの被検出部分は成形用
型内面に予め対応する凸部又は凹部を設置１１ けておくことによって、容器成形工程のさい自動的に形
成され、特別の工程を必要としない。The length h of the bottle in the axial direction may be approximately the diameter of the projected light beam or greater, for example, approximately 5 IItlI in diameter.
+1 In the case of a conical or frustoconical recess with a depth of about 0.5 to 2.0 dews, suitable results can be obtained without adversely affecting the container design or strength. Of course, the present invention is not limited by the shape or size of the detected portion, and any arbitrary shape including convex portions and flat portions (considered as a type of concave portion) may be used within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention. It can take any shape or size. These detected portions are automatically formed during the container molding process by previously providing corresponding protrusions or recesses on the inner surface of the mold, and do not require any special process.

支持板２は軸受台６に回転自在に軸架されており、直流
サーブモータ７によって歯車８および９を介して回転さ
れる。The support plate 2 is rotatably supported by a shaft on a bearing stand 6, and is rotated by a DC serve motor 7 via gears 8 and 9.

抑圧体３は支持体１０の上端部に回転自在に軸架されて
おり（但し、支持体１０に対する軸線方向の相対移動が
行なわれないように）、−刃支持体ｌＯの左端部は摺動
体１１によってブッシング１’ｌ　ａを介して支承され
ている。摺動体１１は案内溝１２に沿って、びん１の軸
線方向に摺動可能であって、摺動体１１の摺動に伴って
、支持体１０及び抑圧体３も軸線方向に移行する。そし
て、抑圧体３が右方に移行して、びんの口部と接触する
と、抑圧体３の移行は停止するが、摺動体１１はブッシ
ング１１息の面に沿い支持体１０の左端部面上を、ばね
１３の力に抗して移動して、ばね１３による押圧力を押
圧体３に加える。The suppressor 3 is rotatably mounted on the upper end of the support 10 (however, so as not to move relative to the support 10 in the axial direction), and the left end of the blade support 10 is a sliding member. 11 via the bushing 1'la. The sliding body 11 is slidable along the guide groove 12 in the axial direction of the bottle 1, and as the sliding body 11 slides, the support body 10 and the suppressing body 3 also move in the axial direction. Then, when the suppressor 3 moves to the right and comes into contact with the mouth of the bottle, the movement of the suppressor 3 is stopped, but the slider 11 moves along the surface of the bushing 11 and on the left end surface of the support 10. is moved against the force of the spring 13 to apply a pressing force by the spring 13 to the pressing body 3.

摺動体１１の摺動は、カム１４、カム従動子１５、レバ
ー１６及びばね１７によって行なわれる。レバー１６は
支軸１８によりて回動自在に支持され、そのカム従動子
１５と対向する端部は摺動体１１と回動可能に取付けら
れている。すなわち図示のように、カム１４の短軸面（
円弧）１４＆が従動子１５と接触しているときは、ばね
１７によって従動子１５が左方に保持され、従って摺動
体１１は右方に移動していて、押圧体３はびん１の口部
を押圧している。カム１４が回転してその長軸面（円弧
）１４ｂが従動子１５と接触しているときは、摺動体１
１は左方に移動して、押圧体３とびんｌの口部の係合が
解かれている。The sliding movement of the sliding body 11 is performed by a cam 14, a cam follower 15, a lever 16, and a spring 17. The lever 16 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 18, and its end facing the cam follower 15 is rotatably attached to the slider 11. That is, as shown in the figure, the short axis surface of the cam 14 (
When the arc) 14& is in contact with the follower 15, the follower 15 is held to the left by the spring 17, the slider 11 is moving to the right, and the presser 3 is pressed against the mouth of the bottle 1. is being pressed. When the cam 14 rotates and its long axis surface (arc) 14b is in contact with the follower 15, the slider 1
1 has moved to the left, and the engagement between the pressing body 3 and the mouth of the bottle L has been released.

カム１４と同軸に位置検出子１９が設けられている。位
置検出子１９には、カム１４の短軸面１４ａとほぼ対応
する位置に凹部１９ａが設けられ、との凹部１９ｍを検
出してＯＮ信号を発する近接スイッチ２０が、位置検出
子１９に対向して設けられている。すなわち近接スイッ
チ２０は、位置検出子１９が回転して、凹部１９ｍの一
端１９ｂと対向することによりＯＮ信号を発し、さらに
回転して他端１９ｃと対向するとＯＦＦ信号を発する。A position detector 19 is provided coaxially with the cam 14. The position detector 19 is provided with a recess 19a at a position substantially corresponding to the short axis surface 14a of the cam 14, and a proximity switch 20 that detects the recess 19m and issues an ON signal faces the position detector 19. It is provided. That is, the proximity switch 20 issues an ON signal when the position detector 19 rotates and faces one end 19b of the recess 19m, and issues an OFF signal when it further rotates and faces the other end 19c.

近接スイッテ２０がＯＮ信号を発している期間は、摺動
体１１が最古位置にあって、押圧体３が十分な圧力でび
ん１０口部を押圧している期間と一致するよう、端部１
９　、ｂ及び１９ｃの位置は定められる。近接スイッチ
２０の信号はＡＮＤ回路２１に入力する。The period in which the proximity switch 20 is emitting the ON signal coincides with the period in which the sliding body 11 is in the oldest position and the pressing body 3 is pressing the mouth of the bottle 10 with sufficient pressure.
The positions of 9, b and 19c are determined. The signal from the proximity switch 20 is input to an AND circuit 21 .

凹部１ｂの回転軌跡上の所定の位置ｐ（第３図）に投射
光線２２を投射する投光器４と反射光線２３を受光する
受光器５は、第３図に示されるようにプラスチックモー
ルド４ａ（アルミニウム等の金属製ケース等であっても
よい）の中に固定されている。投光器４と受光器５は、
上記回転軌跡によって形成される面上、またはこの面と
若干の角度をなす面上に、投光器４の光軸４ｃと受光器
５の光軸５ｃが所定の角度θをなして、かつ上記回転軌
跡の中心Ｏと所定の位置ｐを結ぶ直線の延長線と各光軸
とのなす角度がθ／２（第４−ａ図）をなして位置する
ように取付けられている。光軸４ｃと光軸５ｃは夫々、
レンズ４ｂ及び５ｂによって定められ、光軸４ｃと投射
光線＼２２は一致し、また通常面に投射されるときは、
光軸５ｃと反射光線２３は一致する。As shown in FIG. 3, a light emitter 4 that projects a projected light beam 22 to a predetermined position p (FIG. 3) on the rotation locus of the recess 1b and a light receiver 5 that receives a reflected light beam 23 are made of a plastic mold 4a (aluminum). It may be a metal case such as The emitter 4 and the receiver 5 are
The optical axis 4c of the emitter 4 and the optical axis 5c of the light receiver 5 form a predetermined angle θ on the plane formed by the above-mentioned rotation trajectory or on a plane forming a slight angle with this plane, and the above-mentioned rotation trajectory They are mounted so that the angle between each optical axis and the extension of the straight line connecting the center O of the optical system and the predetermined position p is θ/2 (FIG. 4-a). The optical axis 4c and the optical axis 5c are respectively
Defined by lenses 4b and 5b, when the optical axis 4c and the projected light beam \22 coincide, and when projected onto a normal surface,
The optical axis 5c and the reflected light beam 23 coincide.

受光器５内に設けられた光電変換素子（例えばフォト・
トランジスター）５ａより発せられる電気的信号は検出
回路２４を通ってＡＮＤ回路２１の入力側に送られる。A photoelectric conversion element (for example, a photoelectric conversion element) provided in the light receiver 5
The electrical signal emitted from the transistor 5a is sent to the input side of the AND circuit 21 through the detection circuit 24.

ＡＮＤ回路２１の出力は直流サーｙｌ？モータ７の制卸
回路２５に入力し、出力がＯＮのときサーブモータ７を
駆動する。Is the output of the AND circuit 21 a DC circuit? It is input to the control circuit 25 of the motor 7, and drives the serve motor 7 when the output is ON.

びん１の上部には印刷用のステンシルスクリーン２６、
その上に供給されるインク２７を加温するだめの赤外線
ランプ２８が設けられている。At the top of the bottle 1 is a stencil screen 26 for printing,
An infrared lamp 28 for heating the ink 27 supplied thereon is provided.

次に以上の装置の動作について説明する。カム１４の長
軸面１４ｂが従動子１５と接触している時点、すなわち
押圧体３の先端面と支持板２間の距離が、びん１の長さ
よシ大きい時点において、びん１は水平状態で、図示さ
れない移送装置によって、印刷用位置決めステーション
に移送され、該ステーションの抑圧体３及び支持板２の
間に静止される。カム１４の回転に伴ない、短軸面１４
１が従動子１５との接触を始めると、びん１は押圧体３
および支持板２″の間に十分な圧力で挾持される。同時
に位置検出子１９の端部１９ｍが近接スイッチ２０と対
向するので、ＡＮＤ回路２１にＯＮ信号が入力する。一
方この時点で、凹部１ｂが投射光線２２に当っていない
場合は、第４−ａ図に示されるように受光器５は受光す
るので、光電変換素子５ａより検出回路２４を経てＯＮ
信号がＡＮＤ回路１１の入力端に送られる。従ってＡＮ
Ｄ回路り１の出力端よりＯＮ信号がサーボモータ制御回
路２５に送られ、モータ７が駆動し、びん１が回転する
。びん１の回転速度は通常的３００回／分程度である。Next, the operation of the above device will be explained. At the time when the long axis surface 14b of the cam 14 is in contact with the follower 15, that is, at the time when the distance between the tip end surface of the pressing body 3 and the support plate 2 is larger than the length of the bottle 1, the bottle 1 is in a horizontal state. , is transported by a transport device (not shown) to a printing positioning station and is stopped between the suppressor 3 and the support plate 2 of the station. As the cam 14 rotates, the short axis surface 14
1 starts contact with the follower 15, the bottle 1 starts contacting the pusher 3
and the support plate 2'' with sufficient pressure. At the same time, the end 19m of the position detector 19 faces the proximity switch 20, so an ON signal is input to the AND circuit 21. On the other hand, at this point, the recess 1b is not hit by the projected light beam 22, the light receiver 5 receives the light as shown in FIG.
The signal is sent to the input end of AND circuit 11. Therefore, AN
An ON signal is sent from the output end of the D circuit 1 to the servo motor control circuit 25, the motor 7 is driven, and the bottle 1 is rotated. The rotational speed of the bottle 1 is typically about 300 rotations/minute.

投光器４の光源が断線等でＯＦＦの場合は、モータ７は
回転しない。びん１の回転によって、第４−ｂ図に示さ
れるように、凹部１ｂが投射光線２２に当ると、反射光
線２３の反射角度が急激に変化して、受光器５は受光し
なく々る・従ってＡＮＤ回路２１への入力はＯＦＦとな
るため、ＡＮＤ回路の出力もＯＦＦとなって慣性の小さ
いサーブモータ７は急速に停止する。従ってびん１も定
位置に停止して位置決めが行なわれたことになる。If the light source of the projector 4 is turned off due to a disconnection or the like, the motor 7 will not rotate. As the bottle 1 rotates, as shown in Fig. 4-b, when the concave portion 1b hits the projected light beam 22, the reflection angle of the reflected light beam 23 changes rapidly, and the light receiver 5 no longer receives the light. Therefore, since the input to the AND circuit 21 is turned OFF, the output of the AND circuit is also turned OFF, and the serve motor 7, which has a small inertia, rapidly stops. Therefore, the bottle 1 is also stopped at a fixed position and positioning is performed.

引続いて他の駆動軸によシ、びん１の所定位置にステン
シルスクリーン印刷が行なわれる。Subsequently, a stencil screen print is carried out at a predetermined position on the bottle 1 using the other drive shaft.

印刷終了後、カム短軸面１４ａは従動子１５から離れて
、押圧体３は左方に移動し、カム長細面１４ｂが従動子
１５と接触後、びん１は移送装置によって、次工程へ搬
送される。After printing is completed, the cam short axis surface 14a separates from the follower 15, the pressing body 3 moves to the left, and after the cam elongated surface 14b comes into contact with the follower 15, the bottle 1 is transported to the next process by the transfer device. be done.

なお、たまたま検出部分１ｂが設けられていなかったび
ん１が送られてきた場合など、光電変換素子５ａがＯＦ
Ｆ信号を発しないで、引続いてＯＮ信号を発している場
合には、位置検出子１９の端部１９ｃが近接スイッチ２
０と対向した時点で、ＡＮＤ回路２１にＯＦＦ信号が入
力するので、サーがモータ７は停止し、以下前述と同様
にしてびんｌは次工程へ搬送される。In addition, if by chance a bottle 1 is sent that is not provided with the detection portion 1b, the photoelectric conversion element 5a may be OF.
If the F signal is not emitted but the ON signal is emitted, the end 19c of the position detector 19 is connected to the proximity switch 2.
0, an OFF signal is input to the AND circuit 21, so the motor 7 stops, and the bottle l is transported to the next process in the same manner as described above.

検出回路２４は、第５図に示されるように、バッファー
回路２４１Ｌ、演算増巾器２４ｂおよび電圧比較回路２
４ｅおよびインバーター回路２４ｄによって構成されて
いる。演算増巾器２４ｂは抵抗Ｒ１を変化させることに
よって利得調整が可能であって、飽和増巾特性を利用す
ることによって、第６−ａ図及び第６−ｂ図の信号波形
図に例示されるように、凹部１ｂにもとづく信号電圧ｖ
Ｉ（殆んど０？ルト）を殆んど変化させることなく、凹
部１ｂ以外の部分にもとづく信号電圧υ２の振巾変動を
減少せしめて、検出確度を上げることができる。すなわ
ち第６−ａ図および第６−ｂ図は、夫々第５図のａ点及
びｂ点におけ込電圧の時間的変化（すなわちびん１の回
転に伴なう変化、但し光軸４ｃと光軸５Ｃのなす角度が
６０度の場合）を示す。As shown in FIG. 5, the detection circuit 24 includes a buffer circuit 241L, an operational amplifier 24b, and a voltage comparison circuit 2.
4e and an inverter circuit 24d. The gain of the operational amplifier 24b can be adjusted by changing the resistor R1, and by utilizing the saturation amplification characteristic, the gain can be adjusted as illustrated in the signal waveform diagrams of FIGS. 6-a and 6-b. , the signal voltage v based on the recess 1b
It is possible to increase the detection accuracy by reducing amplitude fluctuations of the signal voltage υ2 based on portions other than the recessed portion 1b without changing I (almost 0?). That is, FIGS. 6-a and 6-b show the temporal changes in the injected voltage at points a and b in FIG. (when the angle formed by the axis 5C is 60 degrees) is shown.

第６−ａ図において、凹部１ｂ以外の部分よシの反射に
もとづく信号電圧υ２の変動は、びん表面の微小な凹凸
（びんの溶融プロー成形時に自然形成された）、擦痕（
特に白色の）、鋳型継目痕等にもとづく。この変動が電
圧比較回路２４ｃの検出レベル調整抵抗Ｒ２で設定され
た検出レベル■を超えて低くなると、ＱＦＦ信号が発せ
られてサーケモータ７を停止して、位置決めの誤動作を
生ずる。利得調整抵抗Ｒ１を調節して、例えばダーンを
２５倍とすると、第６−ｂ図に示されるような、はぼ平
坦なり２線が得られる。ので、このような誤動作は防止
できる。すなわち飽和増巾特性のため、第６−ａ図のｖ
２部の信号電圧は飽和電圧まで増巾されるので、第６−
ｂ図にみられるように、その変動が殆んど消失するが、
１＋、信号電圧は飽和電圧より遥かに低く、＃１ぼ０ボ
ルトに止まって込る。この検出回路を併用することによ
って、以下に述べるように投光器４と受光器５の光軸の
なす角度θを一定範囲内の角度に設定した場合の位置決
め誤動作のＯチを確保することが一層容易となる。In Fig. 6-a, fluctuations in the signal voltage υ2 due to reflections from parts other than the concave portion 1b are caused by minute irregularities on the bottle surface (naturally formed during melt blow molding of the bottle), scratches (
(especially white), based on mold seam marks, etc. When this fluctuation becomes lower than the detection level (2) set by the detection level adjustment resistor R2 of the voltage comparison circuit 24c, a QFF signal is generated to stop the servo motor 7, causing a positioning error. If the gain adjustment resistor R1 is adjusted to make Dern 25 times, for example, two substantially flat lines as shown in FIG. 6-b are obtained. Therefore, such malfunctions can be prevented. In other words, due to the saturation amplification characteristic, v in Figure 6-a
Since the signal voltage of the second part is amplified to the saturation voltage, the signal voltage of the sixth part is amplified to the saturation voltage.
As seen in figure b, most of the fluctuations disappear, but
1+, the signal voltage is much lower than the saturation voltage, and #1 stops at 0 volts. By using this detection circuit in combination, it is easier to ensure that positioning errors occur when the angle θ between the optical axes of the emitter 4 and receiver 5 is set within a certain range, as described below. becomes.

投光器４と受光器５の光軸のなす角度θが、信号電圧に
及はす影響を増巾器２４ｂの入力側（ａ点）において測
定した結果を第１表に示す。Table 1 shows the influence of the angle θ between the optical axes of the emitter 4 and the receiver 5 on the signal voltage, measured at the input side (point a) of the amplifier 24b.

第　　１　　表 備考＝１）びんの種類：清涼飲料用１１びんびんの直径
：１００ｍ 凹部の形状：円錐状であって直径３１１１１１深さ１箇
投射光線の径：３ｍｍＸ５ｍ（楕円） 光電変換素子二フォトトランジスター びんの回転速度：　３００回／分 電圧測定二才シロスコーゾによる。Table 1 Notes = 1) Type of bottle: 11 bottles for soft drinks Bottle diameter: 100 m Shape of recess: Conical, 311111 mm in diameter, 1 depth Diameter of projected light beam: 3 mm x 5 m (ellipse) Photoelectric conversion element 2 photo Rotation speed of transistor bottle: 300 times/min Voltage measurement by two-year-old Siroscoso.

２）太陽光線、写真電球光等の直流光線の照射なし。2) No irradiation with direct current light such as sunlight or photographic light bulb light.

３）びんの検出部分（凹部）を含む円周面上に、顕著な
凹凸（被検出部分以外の）や白色の擦痕は認められなか
った。3) No significant irregularities (other than the detected area) or white scratches were observed on the circumferential surface of the bottle, including the detection area (recess).

木表よシ明らかのように角度θが５０度よシ小さい場合
は、凹部以外の部分よシの反射にもとづ＜Ｖｚの最低電
圧と、凹部よシの反射にもとづくｖｌの電圧との差が僅
少で、検出レベル調整を行なうことが困難であって、誤
信号の出る確率が高く、確度の高い位置決めを行なうこ
とは不可能に近い。しかし角度θが５０度以上、好まし
くは６０度以上においては、他の条件さえ整えば、誤動
作は実質的に０チとすることができ、極めて信頼性の高
い位置決めを行なうことができる。なお角度θが７０度
を超えて大きくなるに従い乱反射の影響が加わり、受光
量が減少して、Ｓ／Ｎ比が悪化すること、及び投受光器
の取付けが困難となるので１角度θが８０度より大きく
なることは好ましくない。As is clear from the wooden surface, if the angle θ is smaller than 50 degrees, the minimum voltage of If the difference is small, it is difficult to adjust the detection level, the probability of generating an erroneous signal is high, and it is almost impossible to perform highly accurate positioning. However, when the angle θ is 50 degrees or more, preferably 60 degrees or more, as long as other conditions are met, malfunctions can be virtually eliminated, and extremely reliable positioning can be achieved. Note that as the angle θ increases beyond 70 degrees, the influence of diffuse reflection increases, the amount of received light decreases, the S/N ratio worsens, and it becomes difficult to install the emitter and receiver, so one angle θ should be set at 80 degrees. It is undesirable for it to be larger than 100%.

第２表には、びん１に写真電球光（５００Ｗ白熱燈）を
直射せしめた以外は、第１表と同一条件で測定した結果
を示す＠ 第　　２　　表 備考：１５？ルトは飽和電圧。すなわち第６−ｂ図のｖ
２（？ルト）に相当する。Table 2 shows the results measured under the same conditions as Table 1, except that bottle 1 was directly exposed to photographic light bulb light (500W incandescent light) @Table 2 Notes: 15? The root is the saturation voltage. That is, v in Figure 6-b
Corresponds to 2 (?root).

木表より明らかのように、υ１とυ２の差が第１表の場
合よりも一層大きいので、正確な位置決めが一層容易と
なるえとが分る。赤外線の場合も同様な結果が得られた
。従来技術である特開昭５０−１４４０９号に記載の方
式の場合は、反対に太陽光線の直射によって、誤動作率
が極めて高くなる。これらの理由については、必ずしも
明らかでないが、本発明の場合は、直射光の照射は、第
５図の検出回路における増巾度の上昇と同様な効果があ
るが、従来技術の“場合は、被検出部分（凹部等）以外
の位置からの直射光の反射を受けて、光電変換素子がＯ
Ｎ信号を発する頻度が極めて多いことにもとづくものと
考えられる。As is clear from the tree table, the difference between υ1 and υ2 is even larger than in Table 1, making accurate positioning easier. Similar results were obtained for infrared light. In contrast, in the case of the method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 50-14409, which is a conventional technique, the malfunction rate becomes extremely high due to direct sunlight. The reasons for these are not necessarily clear, but in the case of the present invention, direct light irradiation has the same effect as the increase in amplification in the detection circuit shown in FIG. 5, but in the case of the prior art, When the photoelectric conversion element receives the reflection of direct light from a position other than the detected part (such as a recess), the photoelectric conversion element becomes
This is thought to be due to the extremely high frequency of emitting the N signal.

以上のように、本発明によれば、被検出部分として、容
器成形時に形成される小凹部又は小凸部を使用すること
ができるので、容器のデザインや強度に殆んど悪影響を
及ぼさない。また輪郭の急激な変化の々い通常部よシの
反射光線を受光器が受光するので、投光器および受光器
の取付けが極めて容易かつ正確に行える。さらに外乱光
の影響は検出確度、に好ましい影響を与えるので、近傍
でステンシルスクリーン・インク（硬化防止のための）
加温用の赤外線ランプの使用が可能である。As described above, according to the present invention, since the small recesses or small protrusions formed during container molding can be used as the detection target portion, the design and strength of the container are hardly affected. Further, since the light receiver receives the reflected light beam from the normal portion, which has a sharp change in outline, the light projector and the light receiver can be attached extremely easily and accurately. Furthermore, since the influence of ambient light has a positive effect on detection accuracy, stencil screen ink (to prevent hardening) should be used nearby.
It is possible to use an infrared lamp for heating.

さらに、容器の形状やサイズ、特に円筒状部１ａの形状
やサイズは同様であるが、被検出部分ｌｂ（凹部等の）
の・輪郭の形状やサイズの異なる容器がラインの中を流
れても（リターナプルびんを扱う場合は、屡々このよう
表ことが起る）、これを正しく位置決めできる。従って
本発明の装置は、容器位置決めミス発生率が実質的にＯ
チであるという、すぐれた効果を有する。Furthermore, although the shape and size of the container, especially the shape and size of the cylindrical portion 1a, are the same, the detected portion lb (such as a recess)
Even when containers with different contours and sizes flow through the line (this often happens when handling returnable bottles), they can be positioned correctly. Therefore, the apparatus of the present invention has a container positioning error rate of substantially 0.
It has an excellent effect of being effective.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of the drawing]

第１図は、本発明の装置を用いて容器位置決めを行なう
場合の説明図を、第２図は第１図の被検出部分附近の拡
大正面図を、第３図は本発明の光学装置部と容器との相
対的位置関係を示す説明図を、第４−１図及び第４−ｂ
図は、第１図の■−■線に沿った断面図の略図であって
、夫々投射光線が正常部に当った場合と被検出部分に当
った場合の反射光線の方向を示す説明図を、第５図は、
本装置に用いられる光電変換素子よシの電気的信号の検
出回路の一実施例を示す回路図を、第６−１図、第６−
ｂ図は、夫々、第５図の８点及びｂ点における電圧の容
器回転に伴なう変化を示す線図である。 ｌ・・・容器、ｌａ・・・円筒状部、１ｂ・・・凹部（
被検出部分）、４・・・投光器、４Ｃ・・・光軸、５・
・・受光器、５ａ・・・光電変換素子、５Ｃ・・・光軸
、７・・・サーゲモータ（駆動装置１）、２２・・・投
射光線、２３・・・反射光線。 特許出願人　東洋ガラス株式会社 蕩１図 Ｎ ｙ １１ｚ謡　　　　　隻３謂 箋ｑ−ａ閲　　　　　算、２−２図FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram when positioning a container using the apparatus of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the vicinity of the detected part in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an optical device section of the present invention. 4-1 and 4-b are explanatory diagrams showing the relative positional relationship between the container and the container.
The figure is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line ■-■ in Figure 1, and is an explanatory diagram showing the direction of the reflected light beam when the projected light beam hits a normal part and when it hits a detected part, respectively. , Figure 5 is
The circuit diagrams showing an example of the detection circuit of the electrical signal of the photoelectric conversion element used in this device are shown in Fig. 6-1 and Fig. 6-
Figure b is a diagram showing changes in voltage at points 8 and b in Figure 5 as the container rotates, respectively. l... Container, la... Cylindrical part, 1b... Concave part (
(portion to be detected), 4... Emitter, 4C... Optical axis, 5.
... Light receiver, 5a... Photoelectric conversion element, 5C... Optical axis, 7... Sarge motor (drive device 1), 22... Projected light beam, 23... Reflected light beam. Patent applicant: Toyo Glass Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] （１）１個の凹部または凸部よシなる被検出部分が形成
された表面反射性の円筒状部を有する容器を、その中心
軸の周シに回転させる駆動装置と、該被検出部分の回転
軌跡上の所定位置を通る投射光線を投射する投光器と、
該投射光線の該円筒状部よりの反射光線を受光して電気
的信号に変換する光電変換素子を有する受光器を備え、
該被検出部分が上記所定位置に達すると、該駆動装置が
該容器の回転を停止させるようにした容器の位置決め装
置において、該光電変換素子が、該被検出部分以外の円
筒状部よりの反射光線を受光して、その電気的信号がＯ
Ｎとなり、該被検出部分が上記所定位置に達したときの
み反射光線を受光することなく、その電気的信号がＯＦ
Ｆとなるように、該投光器及び受光器の光軸と円筒状部
の相対的位置が定められており、該駆動装ｍは、該電気
的信号がＯＮのとき容器を回転し、該電気的信号がＯＦ
Ｆのとき容器の回転を停止することを特徴とする容器の
位置決め装置。(1) A drive device that rotates a container having a cylindrical portion with a reflective surface on which a detected portion such as a recess or a convex portion is formed around its central axis; a projector that projects a projection light beam passing through a predetermined position on a rotation trajectory;
comprising a light receiver having a photoelectric conversion element that receives reflected light from the cylindrical portion of the projected light and converts it into an electrical signal;
In a container positioning device in which the drive device stops rotation of the container when the detected portion reaches the predetermined position, the photoelectric conversion element detects reflection from a cylindrical portion other than the detected portion. When the light beam is received, the electrical signal is O
N, and only when the detected part reaches the above predetermined position does the electrical signal become OF without receiving the reflected light beam.
The relative positions of the optical axes of the projector and receiver and the cylindrical part are determined so that F, and the driving device m rotates the container when the electrical signal is ON, and signal is off
A container positioning device characterized by stopping rotation of the container when F. （２）投光器の光軸と受光器の光軸のなす角度が５０度
以上である特許請求の範囲第１項記載の容器の位置決め
装置。(2) The container positioning device according to claim 1, wherein the angle between the optical axis of the projector and the optical axis of the light receiver is 50 degrees or more.