Patent Application
20090188841
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to automatic materials sorting devices and, more particularly, to an automatic materials sorting device for sorting materials by moving them along two or more different directions.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In the process of making products, materials generally need to be sorted and moved along different directions. A typical materials sorting device includes an input belt and two output belts formed on an end of the input belt. The input belt and the output belts are configured to transport materials. When materials are being separated, sorted materials are moved from one input belt to selected input belts manually. However, such a method to manually sort materials has low efficiency and high cost. The method also easily leads the operators to be tired out.
Therefore, a materials sorting device which can automatically separate materials is desired.
An automatic materials sorting device includes an input belt for transporting materials, a materials sorting mechanism, and a control system. The materials sorting mechanism is connected to the input belt, and includes two output belts. The input belt and the output belts are configured to transport materials. The control system includes a controller and two acting mechanisms. The controller is configured to control the acting mechanisms. The acting mechanisms are capable of creating a force to push the materials to the output belts.
Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present automatic materials sorting device. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
Referring to
Referring also to
The air nozzles 14, 15 are disposed on opposite sides of the materials sorting mechanism 12 correspondingly, and are adjacent to the end of the input belt 11. The air nozzles 14, 15 are configured for spraying compressed air, and controlled by the controller 16.
When a half-finished product P1 is transported to the end of the input belt 11, the sensor 13 detects the half-finished product P1, and a switch of the sensor 13 sends a signal to an input interface X0 of the controller 16. Then, the controller 16 sends a signal to the electromagnetic valve EV1 via the output interface Y0. The electromagnetic valve EV1 is opened, and controls the air nozzle 14 to spray compressed air for three seconds. The compressed air creates a force that pushes the half-finished product P1 to the output belt 121.
When a half-finished product P2 is transported to the end of the input belt 11, the sensor 13 detects the half-finished product P2, and the switch of the sensor 13 sends a signal to an input interface X0 of the controller 16. Then, the controller 16 sends a signal to the electromagnetic valve EV2 via the output interface Y1. The electromagnetic valve EV2 is opened, and controls the air nozzle 15 to spray compressed air for three seconds. The compressed air creates a force to push the half-finished product P2 to the output belt 122.
It should be understood that, the angle between the output belts 121, 122 may be adjusted, such as 180 degrees, that is, the output belts 121, 122 are aligned in a same line. The time of spraying compressed air via air nozzles 14, 15 is changeable.
Referring to
When a half-finished product P1 is transported to an end of an input belt 21, a sensor 23 detects the half-finished product P1, and a switch of the sensor 23 sends a signal to an input interface X0 of the controller 16. Then, the controller 16 creates a signal for controlling the movable arm 24 to push the half-finished product P1 to an output belt 221. When a half-finished product P2 is transported to an end of an input belt 21, the sensor 23 detects the half-finished product P2, and a switch of the sensor 23 sends a signal to an input interface X0 of the controller 16. Then, the controller 16 creates a signal, and the signal controls the movable arm 25 to push the half-finished product P2 to an output belt 222.
In alternative embodiments, the automatic materials sorting device may include a plurality of the materials sorting mechanisms 12 connected to each other. Referring to
Alternatively, the air nozzles 14, 15, 332, 333 and the movable arms 24, 25 may be replaced by other acting mechanisms, such as manipulators. Each of the materials sorting mechanisms 12, 22, the first materials sorting mechanism 32, and the second materials sorting mechanism 35 may include more than two output belts. In such cases, an amount of the acting mechanisms corresponds to the amount of the output belts.
It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200810300249.9 | Jan 2008 | CN | national |
