EP0620050A1 - Device and method for sorting products and articles according to quality and size - Google Patents

Device and method for sorting products and articles according to quality and size Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0620050A1
EP0620050A1 EP93106176A EP93106176A EP0620050A1 EP 0620050 A1 EP0620050 A1 EP 0620050A1 EP 93106176 A EP93106176 A EP 93106176A EP 93106176 A EP93106176 A EP 93106176A EP 0620050 A1 EP0620050 A1 EP 0620050A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
size
measuring chamber
products
sorting
quality
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP93106176A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0620050B1 (en
Inventor
Peter Liesske
Ullrich Riese
Dietmar Scholz
Siegfried Ullrich
Joachim Poller
Klaus Baganz
Andreas Osterer
Bernd Herold
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Select Ingenieurgesellschaft fur Optoelektronik
Original Assignee
SELECT INGENIEURGESELLSCHAFT fur OPTOELEKTRONIK BILDERKENNUNG und QUALITAETSPRUEFUNG MBH
WEIMAR WERK MASCHINENBAU GmbH
Weimar-Werk Maschinenbau GmbH
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Priority to DE4127903A priority Critical patent/DE4127903C2/en
Application filed by SELECT INGENIEURGESELLSCHAFT fur OPTOELEKTRONIK BILDERKENNUNG und QUALITAETSPRUEFUNG MBH, WEIMAR WERK MASCHINENBAU GmbH, Weimar-Werk Maschinenbau GmbH filed Critical SELECT INGENIEURGESELLSCHAFT fur OPTOELEKTRONIK BILDERKENNUNG und QUALITAETSPRUEFUNG MBH
Priority to DE59309083T priority patent/DE59309083D1/en
Priority to EP93106176A priority patent/EP0620050B1/en
Publication of EP0620050A1 publication Critical patent/EP0620050A1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C3/00—Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles
    • G07C3/14—Quality control systems
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/34—Sorting according to other particular properties
    • B07C5/342—Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an apparatus and a method for quality and size sorting, in particular for agricultural and natural products such as fruit, vegetables, root crops and other articles.
  • a device for sorting fruits is known, the photometric system of which has two photo receivers for two wavelengths.
  • the outputs of the photo receivers are connected to two identical amplifiers, the amplification of which can be regulated automatically.
  • the outputs of the amplifiers are connected to the inputs of two analog / digital converters via two delay lines, the outputs of which are connected to computing elements for determining the mean value, the amplitude, and the maximum and minimum values.
  • the outputs of the computing elements are connected to the inputs of two logical blocks for determining the end result for the quality and the outputs of these logical blocks and to the sorting elements via limit switches.
  • a device for automatic sorting of fruits, vegetables and root vegetables according to DE 38 42 098 contains a photometric camera with two photo receivers for two wavelengths. Their outputs are via amplifier with error corrector, high-frequency filter with peak detector, low-frequency filter, a logic OR gate, differential amplifier, a multiplier / divider, an analog-digital converter, an interface and a microcomputer with blocks for the Determination of the quality solution connected, while the outputs of these blocks are connected to the sorting elements via limit switches.
  • a method and arrangement for quality sorting of agricultural products which has become known according to DD 272 425, provides for a quality sorting, i.e. the classification according to degree of maturity, surface characteristics - such as damage, diseases, pressure points, abnormalities, malformations - and size to be made possible by means of an optical measuring device, if the piece-like goods have been adequately illuminated by means of optimally directed incident light and point across the object surface or the background and the damaged surface areas and / or between the background and the surface edge and / or in the spectral basic level to the reference object.
  • the remitted optical radiation exposes an arrangement of line-shaped or matrix-shaped optoelectronic elements in accordance with the punctual light intensity distribution present in each case.
  • the converted analog electrical image signal sequences are preprocessed in an evaluation circuit, stored digitally in a storage system, and then the characteristic classes required for quality sorting are assigned to the piece-like goods in an information processing system.
  • a downstream control circuit outputs the control signals required for the ejection devices.
  • a filter in front of the lens can be used to increase the contrast between the object surface background and the area of the menu.
  • the arrangement of optoelectronic elements is preferably to be implemented as a monolithically integrated circuit, and one or more special or microprocessors are to be used as the information processing system.
  • a special electronic control and processing for the signals from line sensors is used in particular to compare the gray values of size-adjustable pixels offset in the line direction and to evaluate the gray value differences as well as absolute gray values for error detection according to variably adjustable criteria. This comparison is made by forming the quotient of the signals from pixels which are not immediately adjacent but are separated by a whole number of n z intermediate points.
  • the known devices and methods only allow limited possibilities with regard to the features of the quality determination of the products and limited sorting options, and the irregular geometric shape of the products inevitably leads to errors due to light reflected in the photo receivers.
  • the structure of the opto-optoelectronic and electronic components and basic assemblies is very complex, and they do not work with sufficient certainty in the event of absolute fluctuations in the optical signal level. Furthermore, it can be noted that if several wavelengths are detected, a correspondingly high expenditure of energy is required to generate sufficient optical signal levels. Certain methods only allow a small number of quality classes to be recorded with a limited geometric resolution of the features and require a high degree of illumination and analog computing.
  • the invention seeks to remedy this.
  • the invention solves the problem of creating a device and a method for quality and size sorting, by means of which the products and articles are moved on a parabolic trajectory at high speed through a photometric measuring chamber which contains an illumination device for generating the incident light and several optoelectronic image converters for receiving the light remitted by the background of the photometric measuring chamber or by the products moving through the measuring chamber and via a electronic block provided with separating mechanisms and a collecting device is connected in such a way that there is exact separating accuracy, including careful sorting of the products according to size and quality.
  • the advantages achieved by the invention are essentially to be seen in the fact that the use of special fluorescent lamps means that hardly any disturbing infrared components occur and that their circular arrangement in the photometric measuring chamber ensures optimum illumination.
  • the fluorescent lamps and optoelectronic image converters, such as cameras, connected to the photometric measuring chamber are shielded from dirt, dust and splash water by special glass and allow the sorting device to be used under extreme conditions.
  • the special arrangement of the optoelectronic image converters results in a distortion-free recording of the surface of the goods to be sorted, and the use of a parabolic collecting device enables the products to be handled gently. Thanks to a special calculation algorithm, reliable error detection is possible despite fluctuating basic brightness of the measurement surface, and the size and shape of the measurement object are also evaluated at the same time.
  • the determined error and size classes can optionally be assigned to one or more separation mechanisms.
  • the figures show a device and a method for sorting the quality and size of products and articles, in particular potatoes, which have a feed device 1 with a downstream photometric measuring chamber 2.
  • the feed device 1 is expediently designed as a V-shaped belt on which the potatoes 3 are brought to a precisely defined speed and are fed individually to the photometric measuring chamber 2.
  • the photometric measuring chamber 2 is provided with a glass cylinder 4 and two lighting devices 5, one being expediently arranged in the upper and one in the lower region of the glass cylinder 4.
  • the glass cylinder 4 allows the light emitted by the lighting device 5 to pass through and at the same time seals off such that the lighting device 5 and the optoelectronic image converter 6 work under extreme conditions, especially in agriculture. are protected from dirt, dust and moisture.
  • the surface of the potatoes 3 is recorded line by line in the direction of the central optical axis 8 of the optoelectronic image converter 6.
  • an electronic block 10 assigned to the photometric measuring chamber 2 and connected to a separating mechanism 9 the evaluation and calculation of the results determined in the photometric measuring chamber 2 and the activation of the separating mechanism 9 take place, where by means of an air jet or water jet the sorted out bad goods over the separating edge a, for example, parabolic-shaped collecting device 11 is conveyed, just as the good goods reach belts 12 or other transport or discharge devices.
  • the parabolic collecting device 11 causes the potatoes 3 to be transferred gently to the belt 12.

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and method for sorting products and articles, especially chopped fruit, according to quality and size. In the case of the invention, a photometric measuring chamber (2) having a plurality of illuminating devices (5) which are arranged in a ring and optoelectronic imager converters (6) are assigned to a feeding device (1), the illuminating devices (5) advantageously being composed of gas discharge lamps, the light of which can be emitted at wavelengths of 450 nm, 550 nm and 620 nm and the infrared component of which preferably accounts for less than 2 % of total radiation output. The illuminating devices (5) are preferably mounted outside a measuring plane and the photometric measuring chamber (2), which forms a parabolic descending channel (7), is separated in a dust tight and splash tight manner, but optically connected, via an optically transparent prismatic body, such as a glass cylinder (4). The photometric measuring chamber (2) is connected via an electronic block (10), which is arranged downstream and moves one or more separating mechanisms (9), and a collecting device (11). <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung bezieht sich auf eine Vorrichtung und ein Verfahren zur Qualitäts- und Größensortierung, insbesondere für landwirtschaftliche und Naturprodukte wie Obst, Gemüse, Hackfrüchte sowie andere Artikel.
Aus der BG-A 30 805 ist eine Vorrichtung zum Sortieren von Früchten bekannt, deren fotometrisches System zwei Fotoempfänger für zwei Wellenlängen aufweist. Die Ausgänge der Fotoempfänger sind mit zwei identischen Verstärkern verbunden, deren Verstärkung automatisch regulierbar ist. Dabei sind die Ausgänge der Verstärker über zwei Verzögerungsleitungen mit den Eingängen von zwei Analog/Digital-Wandlern verbunden, deren Ausgänge mit Rechengliedern zur Ermittlung des Mittelwertes, der Amplitude sowie des Maximal- und des Minimalwertes verbunden sind. Die Ausgänge der Rechenglieder sind mit den Eingängen von zwei logischen Blöcken zum Ermitteln des Endergebnisses für die Güte und die Ausgänge dieser logischen Blöcke und über Endschalter mit den Sortiergliedern verbunden.
Desweiteren ist eine Vorrichtung zum automatischen Sortieren von Früchten, Gemüse und Wurzelgemüse nach DE 38 42 098 bekannt geworden, die eine fotometrische Kamera mit zwei Fotoempfängern für zwei Wellenlängen enthält. Deren Ausgänge sind über Verstärker mit Fehlerkorrektor, Hochfrequenzfilter mit Spitzendetektor, Niederfrequenzfilter, ein logisches ODER-Gatter, Differenzverstärker, ein Multiplizier-/Dividier-Glied, einen Analog-Digitalwandler, ein Interface und einen Mikrocomputer mit Blöcken für die Ermittlung der Gütelösung verbunden, während die Ausgänge dieser Blöcke über Endschalter mit den Sortiergliedern in Verbindung stehen.
Ein nach DD 272 425 bekannt gewordenes Verfahren und Anordnung zur Qualitätssortierung lanwirtschaftlicher Produkte sieht vor, mittels einer optischen Meßeinrichtung eine Qualitätssortierung, d.h. die Klassierung nach Reifegrad, Oberflächenmerkmalen - wie Beschädigungen, Erkrankungen, Druckstellen, Anormalitäten, Mißbildungen - und nach Größe zu ermöglichen, wenn die stückartigen Güter mittels optimal gerichteten Auflichts ausreichend beleuchtet wurden und über die von der Objektoberfläche bzw. dem Hintergrund und den beschädigten Oberflächenbezirken und/oder zwischen Hintergrund und Oberflächenrand und/oder im spektralen Grundniveau zum Vergleichsobjekt aufweist. Die remittierte optische Strahlung belichtet dabei entsprechend der jeweilig vorhandenen punktuellen Lichtintensitätsverteilung eine Anordnung zeilen- oder matrizenförmiger optoelektronischer Elemente. Die gewandelten analogen elektrischen Bildsignalfolgen werden in einer Auswerteschaltung vorverarbeitet, in einem Speichersystem digital abgelegt und anschließend in einem Informationsverarbeitungssystem die für die Qualitätssortierung erforderlichen Merkmalklassen den stückartigen Gütern zugeordnet. Eine nachgeordnete Ansteuerschaltung gibt die für die Auswurforgane benötigten Ansteuersignale aus. Durch einen Filter vor dem Objektiv kann der Kontrast zwischen Objektflächenhintergrund und dem Mengelbereich erhöht werden. Die Anordnung optoelektronischer Elemente ist vorzugsweise als monolithisch integrierte Schaltung auszuführen, und als Informationsverarbeitungssystem sind ein oder mehrere Spezial- oder Mikroprozessoren einzusetzen.
Bei einem weiteren bekannten Verfahren zur Unterscheidung bzw. Sortierung landwirtschaftlicher Produkte nach Oberflächenmerkmalen nach DD 255 594 erfolgt mittels einer speziellen elektronischen Steuerung und Verarbeitung für die Signale von Zeilensensoren insbesondere ein paarweiser Vergleich der Grauwerte von in Zeilenrichtung versetzt befindlichen größenverstellbaren Bildpunkten und eine Bewertung der Grauwertdifferenzen sowie auch von absoluten Grauwerten zur Fehlererkennung nach variabel einstellbaren Kriterien.
Dieser Vergleich wird durch Quotientenbildung der Signale von Bildpunkten vorgenommen, die nicht unmittelbar benachbart, sondern durch eine ganze Anzahl von nz Zwischenpunkten getrennt sind.
Die bekannten Vorrichtungen und Verfahren lassen lediglich begrenzte Möglichkeiten bzgl. der Merkmale der Gütebestimmung der Produkte sowie begrenzte Sortiermöglichkeiten zu, und infolge der unregelmäßigen geometrischen Form der Produkte entstehen zwangsläufig Fehler durch in die Fotoempfänger reflektiertes Licht. Der Aufbau der optischoptoelektronischen und elektronischen Bauelemente und Grundbaugruppen ist einmal sehr aufwendig, und bei absoluten Schwankungen im optischen Signalpegel arbeiten diese nicht genügend sicher. Desweiteren ist zu verzeichnen, daß bei einer Erfassung von mehreren Wellenlängen ein entsprechend hoher Energieaufwand zur Erzeugung ausreichender optischer Signalpegel erforderlich ist. Bestimmte Verfahren gestatten nur, eine geringe Anzahl von Qualitätsklassen bei begrenzter geometrischer Auflösung der Merkmale zu erfassen und erfordern einen hohen Ausleuchtungsgrad sowie analogen Rechenaufwand.The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for quality and size sorting, in particular for agricultural and natural products such as fruit, vegetables, root crops and other articles.
From BG-A 30 805 a device for sorting fruits is known, the photometric system of which has two photo receivers for two wavelengths. The outputs of the photo receivers are connected to two identical amplifiers, the amplification of which can be regulated automatically. The outputs of the amplifiers are connected to the inputs of two analog / digital converters via two delay lines, the outputs of which are connected to computing elements for determining the mean value, the amplitude, and the maximum and minimum values. The outputs of the computing elements are connected to the inputs of two logical blocks for determining the end result for the quality and the outputs of these logical blocks and to the sorting elements via limit switches.
Furthermore, a device for automatic sorting of fruits, vegetables and root vegetables according to DE 38 42 098 has become known, which contains a photometric camera with two photo receivers for two wavelengths. Their outputs are via amplifier with error corrector, high-frequency filter with peak detector, low-frequency filter, a logic OR gate, differential amplifier, a multiplier / divider, an analog-digital converter, an interface and a microcomputer with blocks for the Determination of the quality solution connected, while the outputs of these blocks are connected to the sorting elements via limit switches.
A method and arrangement for quality sorting of agricultural products, which has become known according to DD 272 425, provides for a quality sorting, i.e. the classification according to degree of maturity, surface characteristics - such as damage, diseases, pressure points, abnormalities, malformations - and size to be made possible by means of an optical measuring device, if the piece-like goods have been adequately illuminated by means of optimally directed incident light and point across the object surface or the background and the damaged surface areas and / or between the background and the surface edge and / or in the spectral basic level to the reference object. The remitted optical radiation exposes an arrangement of line-shaped or matrix-shaped optoelectronic elements in accordance with the punctual light intensity distribution present in each case. The converted analog electrical image signal sequences are preprocessed in an evaluation circuit, stored digitally in a storage system, and then the characteristic classes required for quality sorting are assigned to the piece-like goods in an information processing system. A downstream control circuit outputs the control signals required for the ejection devices. A filter in front of the lens can be used to increase the contrast between the object surface background and the area of the menu. The arrangement of optoelectronic elements is preferably to be implemented as a monolithically integrated circuit, and one or more special or microprocessors are to be used as the information processing system.
In another known method for differentiating or sorting agricultural products according to surface features According to DD 255 594, a special electronic control and processing for the signals from line sensors is used in particular to compare the gray values of size-adjustable pixels offset in the line direction and to evaluate the gray value differences as well as absolute gray values for error detection according to variably adjustable criteria.
This comparison is made by forming the quotient of the signals from pixels which are not immediately adjacent but are separated by a whole number of n z intermediate points.
The known devices and methods only allow limited possibilities with regard to the features of the quality determination of the products and limited sorting options, and the irregular geometric shape of the products inevitably leads to errors due to light reflected in the photo receivers. The structure of the opto-optoelectronic and electronic components and basic assemblies is very complex, and they do not work with sufficient certainty in the event of absolute fluctuations in the optical signal level. Furthermore, it can be noted that if several wavelengths are detected, a correspondingly high expenditure of energy is required to generate sufficient optical signal levels. Certain methods only allow a small number of quality classes to be recorded with a limited geometric resolution of the features and require a high degree of illumination and analog computing.

Hier will die Erfindung Abhilfe schaffen. Die Erfindung, wie sie in den Ansprüchen gekennzeichnet ist, löst die Aufgabe, eine Vorrichtung und ein Verfahren zur Qualitäts- und Größensortierung zu schaffen, mittels denen die Produkte und Artikel auf einer parabelförmigen Flugbahn mit hoher Geschwindigkeit durch eine fotometrische Meßkammer bewegt werden, die eine Beleuchtungseinrichtung zur Erzeugung des Auflichtes sowie mehrere optoelektronische Bildwandler zur Aufnahme des vom Hintergrund der fotometrischen Meßkammer oder von den sich durch die Meßkammer bewegenden Produkten remittierten Lichtes enthält und über einen mit Trennmechanismen versehenen Elektronikblock sowie einer Auffangvorrichtung derart verbunden ist, daß eine exakte Trenngenaugikeit einschließlich schonender Sortierung der Produkte nach Größe und Qualität gegeben ist.The invention seeks to remedy this. The invention, as characterized in the claims, solves the problem of creating a device and a method for quality and size sorting, by means of which the products and articles are moved on a parabolic trajectory at high speed through a photometric measuring chamber which contains an illumination device for generating the incident light and several optoelectronic image converters for receiving the light remitted by the background of the photometric measuring chamber or by the products moving through the measuring chamber and via a electronic block provided with separating mechanisms and a collecting device is connected in such a way that there is exact separating accuracy, including careful sorting of the products according to size and quality.

Die durch die Erfindung erreichten Vorteile sind im wesentlichen darin zu sehen, daß durch die Verwendung spezieller Leuchtstofflampen kaum störende Infrarotanteile auftreten und daß durch deren ringförmige Anordnung in der fotometrischen Meßkammer eine optimale Ausleuchtung erreicht wird. Die mit der fotometrischen Meßkammer in Verbindung stehenden Leuchtstofflampen und optoelektronischen Bildwandler, wie Kameras, sind durch Spezialglas gegen Verschmutzung, Staub und Spritzwasser abgeschirmt und lassen einen Einsatz der Sortiervorrichtung unter extremen Bedingungen zu. Durch die besondere Anordnung der optoelektronischen Bildwandler ist eine verzerrungsarme Aufnahme der Sortiergutoberfläche gegeben, und die Verwendung einer parabelförmig gestalteten Auffangvorrichtung ermöglicht eine schonende Behandlung der Produkte.
Durch einen speziellen Berechnungsalgorithmus ist trotz schwankender Grundhelligkeit der Meßoberfläche eine sichere Fehlererkennung möglich, und außerdem erfolgt gleichzeitig eine Größen- und Formbewertung des Meßobjektes. Die ermittelten Fehler- und Größenklassen können wahlweise ein oder mehreren Trennmechanismen zugeordnet werden.The advantages achieved by the invention are essentially to be seen in the fact that the use of special fluorescent lamps means that hardly any disturbing infrared components occur and that their circular arrangement in the photometric measuring chamber ensures optimum illumination. The fluorescent lamps and optoelectronic image converters, such as cameras, connected to the photometric measuring chamber are shielded from dirt, dust and splash water by special glass and allow the sorting device to be used under extreme conditions. The special arrangement of the optoelectronic image converters results in a distortion-free recording of the surface of the goods to be sorted, and the use of a parabolic collecting device enables the products to be handled gently.
Thanks to a special calculation algorithm, reliable error detection is possible despite fluctuating basic brightness of the measurement surface, and the size and shape of the measurement object are also evaluated at the same time. The determined error and size classes can optionally be assigned to one or more separation mechanisms.

Ein Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung ist in den Zeichnungen dargestellt und wird im folgenden näher beschrieben. Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
die schematische Darstellung der Zuführeinrichtung mit nachgeordneter fotometrischer Meßkammer, Elektronikblock, Trennmechanismus, Auffangvorrichtung und Abführeinrichtung,
Fig. 2
die fotometrische Meßkammer im Schnitt,
Fig. 3
eine Seitenansicht nach Fig. 2 und
Fig. 4
eine Seitenansicht der fotometrischen Meßkammer mit kegelförmiger Anordnung der mittleren optischen Achsen der optoelektronischen Bildwandler.
An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. Show it:
Fig. 1
the schematic representation of the feed device with a downstream photometric measuring chamber, electronics block, separating mechanism, collecting device and discharge device,
Fig. 2
the photometric measuring chamber in section,
Fig. 3
a side view of FIGS. 2 and
Fig. 4
a side view of the photometric measuring chamber with a conical arrangement of the central optical axes of the optoelectronic image converter.

In den Figuren sind eine Vorrichtung und ein Verfahren zur Qualitäts- und Größensortierung von Produkten und Artikeln, insbesondere Kartoffeln dargestellt, die eine Zuführeinrichtung 1 mit einer nachgeordneten fotometrischen Meßkammer 2 aufweisen. Die Zuführeinrichtung 1 ist zweckmäßigerweise als V-förmiges Band gestaltet, auf dem die Kartoffeln 3 auf eine genau definierte Geschwindgkeit gebracht und vereinzelt der fotometrischen Meßkammeer 2 zugeführt werden. Die fotometrische Meßkammer 2 ist mit einem Glaszylinder 4 sowie zwei Beleuchtungseinrichtungen 5 versehen, wobei zweckmäßigerweise eine im oberen und eine im unteren Bereich des Glaszylinders 4 angebracht ist. Am Umfang der fotometrischen Meßkammer 2 befinden sich mehrere Bildwandler 6. Der Glaszylinder 4 läßt das von der Beleuchtungseinrichtung 5 ausgestrahlte Licht durch und dichtet gleichzeitig so ab, daß die Beleuchtungseinrichtung 5 und der optoelektronische Bildwandler 6 bei Arbeiten unter extremen Einsatzbedingungen, speziell in der Landwirtschaft, vor Schmutz, Staub und Nässe geschützt sind.The figures show a device and a method for sorting the quality and size of products and articles, in particular potatoes, which have a feed device 1 with a downstream photometric measuring chamber 2. The feed device 1 is expediently designed as a V-shaped belt on which the potatoes 3 are brought to a precisely defined speed and are fed individually to the photometric measuring chamber 2. The photometric measuring chamber 2 is provided with a glass cylinder 4 and two lighting devices 5, one being expediently arranged in the upper and one in the lower region of the glass cylinder 4. On the periphery of the photometric measuring chamber 2 there are several image converters 6. The glass cylinder 4 allows the light emitted by the lighting device 5 to pass through and at the same time seals off such that the lighting device 5 and the optoelectronic image converter 6 work under extreme conditions, especially in agriculture. are protected from dirt, dust and moisture.

Die der fotometrischen Meßkammer 2 vereinzelt zugeführten Kartoffeln 3 fallen im freien Fall durch den Fallkanal 7 der fotometrischen Meßkammer 2, wo mittels der Beleuchtungseinrichtungen 5, die Licht mit Wellenlängen von 450 nm, 550 nm und 620 nm ausstrahlen, einmal die gesamte Oberfläche der Kartoffeln 3 und infolge der Anordnung mehrerer optoelektronischer Bildwandler 6 im bestimmten Winkel zur fotometrischen Meßkammer 2 beim Eintreten und Verlassen derselben auch die Polkappen der Kartoffeln 3 erfaßt werden. In Richtung der mittleren optischen Achse 8 der optoelektronischen Bildwandler 6 erfolgt eine zeilenweise Erfassung der Oberfläche der Kartoffeln 3.The potatoes 3, which are supplied individually to the photometric measuring chamber 2, fall in free fall through the drop channel 7 of the photometric measuring chamber 2, where, by means of the lighting devices 5, which emit light with wavelengths of 450 nm, 550 nm and 620 nm, the entire surface of the potatoes 3 and as a result of the arrangement of a plurality of optoelectronic image converters 6 at a specific angle to the photometric measuring chamber 2, the polar caps of the potatoes 3 are also detected when entering and leaving the same. The surface of the potatoes 3 is recorded line by line in the direction of the central optical axis 8 of the optoelectronic image converter 6.

In einem der fotometrischen Meßkammer 2 zugeordneten und mit einem Trennmechanismus 9 in Verbindung stehenden Elektronikblock 10 erfolgt die Bewertung und Berechnung der in der fotometrischen Meßkammer 2 ermittelten Ergebnisse und die Ansteuerung des Trennmechanismus 9, wo mittels eines Luftstrahles oder Wasserstrahles die aussortierte schlechte Ware über die Trennkante einer bspw. parabelförmig gestalteten Auffangeinrichtung 11 gefördert wird, ebenso wie die gute Ware auf Bänder 12 oder andere Transport-, respektive Austrageeinrichtungen gelangt. Die parabelförmig gestaltete Auffangeinrichtung 11 bewirkt eine schonende Übergabe der Kartoffeln 3 auf das Band 12.In an electronic block 10 assigned to the photometric measuring chamber 2 and connected to a separating mechanism 9, the evaluation and calculation of the results determined in the photometric measuring chamber 2 and the activation of the separating mechanism 9 take place, where by means of an air jet or water jet the sorted out bad goods over the separating edge a, for example, parabolic-shaped collecting device 11 is conveyed, just as the good goods reach belts 12 or other transport or discharge devices. The parabolic collecting device 11 causes the potatoes 3 to be transferred gently to the belt 12.

Claims (6)

Vorrichtung zur Qualitäts- und Größensortierung von Produkten und Artikeln bestehend aus einer Zuführeinrichtung, einer fotometrischen Meßkammer mit Beleuchtungseinrichtungen und optoelektronischen Bildwandlern sowie einem Elektronikblock mit zugeordneten Trennmechanismen sowie Austrage- und Auffangeinrichtungen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die fotometrische Meßkammer (2) mit mehreren, vorzugsweise ringförmig angeordneten Beleuchtungseinrichtungen (5) und optoelektronischen Bildwandlern (6) versehen ist, daß die Beleuchtungseinrichtungen (5) aus Gasentladungslampen bestehen, deren Licht mit Wellenlängen von 450 nm, 550 nm und 620 nm ausstrahlbar und dessen Infrarotanteil vorzugsweise kleiner als 2% der Gesamtstrahlungsleistung ist, und daß die Beleuchtungseinrichtungen (5) außerhalb einer Meßebene angebracht sind und die einen parabelförmigen Fallkanal (7) bildende fotometrische Meßkammer (2) über einen optisch transparenten prismatischen Körper, wahlweise Glaszylinder (4), staub- und spritzwasserdicht getrennt, aber optisch verbunden ist, und daß die fotometrische Meßkammer (2) über einen nachgeordneten, einen oder mehrere Trennmechanismen (9) bewegenden Elektronikblock (10) und einer Auffangeinrichtung (11) in Verbindung steht.Device for sorting the quality and size of products and articles consisting of a feed device, a photometric measuring chamber with lighting devices and optoelectronic image converters as well as an electronic block with assigned separation mechanisms as well as discharge and collecting devices, characterized in that the photometric measuring chamber (2) has several, preferably ring-shaped arranged lighting devices (5) and optoelectronic image converters (6) is provided that the lighting devices (5) consist of gas discharge lamps whose light can be emitted with wavelengths of 450 nm, 550 nm and 620 nm and whose infrared component is preferably less than 2% of the total radiation power, and that the lighting devices (5) are mounted outside a measuring plane and the photometric measuring chamber (2) forming a parabolic drop channel (7) via an optically transparent prismatic body, optionally glass cylinder (4), separated from dust and splash water, but is optically connected, and that the photometric measuring chamber (2) is connected via a downstream, one or more separating mechanisms (9) moving electronic block (10) and a collecting device (11). Vorrichtung zur Qualitäts- und Größensortierung von Produkten und Artikeln nach Anspruch 1., dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der oder die Trennmechanismen (9) entgegen der Flugbahn der zu trennenden Produkte angeordnet sind und daß die Auffangeinrichtung (11) bspw. parabelförmig gestaltet ist, aus einer passiven Fläche, wahlweise einer bogenförmigen Platte, einem oder mehreren Bändern, Walzen, respektive einer Band-Walzen-Kombination (12) besteht.Device for sorting the quality and size of products and articles according to claim 1, characterized in that the separating mechanism or mechanisms (9) are arranged against the trajectory of the products to be separated and that the collecting device (11) is, for example, parabolic, consists of a passive surface, optionally an arcuate plate, one or more belts, rollers, or a belt-roller combination (12) . Verfahren zur Qualitäts- und Größensortierung von Produkten und Artikeln, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die optoelektronischen Bildwandler (6) so in der fotometrischen Meßkammer (2) angeordnet sind, daß ihre mittleren optischen Achsen den Mantelflächen zweier im Fallkanal (7) spitz aufeinander stehender Kegel angehören, die eine verzerrungsarme Projektion der Polkappen der druchfallenden Produkte ermöglichen, und auf die optoelektronischen Bildwandler (6) im Ruhezustand ein Abbild des hellen Hintergrundes der fotometrischen Meßkammer (2) projiziert wird und daß die Teilflächen des optisch transparenten prismatischen Glaszylinders (4) und der Hintergrund der fotometrischen Meßkammer (2) in den Meßebenen, die nicht auf die optoelektronischen Bildwandler projiziert werden sollen, geometrisch und/oder farblich so gestaltet sind, daß das von ihnen reflektierte Licht, das gebrochen über den Grenzwinkel der Totalreflexion von weiteren Einrichtungen innerhalb der fotometrischen Meßkammer (2) unerwünscht auf die optoelektronischen Bidwandler (6) gelangt, vorzugsweise weniger als 2% des mittleren Meßwertes des den Fallkanal passierenden Produktes beträgt.Process for sorting the quality and size of products and articles, characterized in that the optoelectronic image converters (6) are arranged in the photometric measuring chamber (2) in such a way that their central optical axes belong to the lateral surfaces of two cones which are pointed to one another in the drop channel (7) , which enable a low-distortion projection of the polar caps of the falling products, and an image of the bright background of the photometric measuring chamber (2) is projected onto the optoelectronic image converter (6) in the idle state and that the partial surfaces of the optically transparent prismatic glass cylinder (4) and the background the photometric measuring chamber (2) in the measuring planes, which are not to be projected onto the optoelectronic image converter, are designed geometrically and / or in color in such a way that the light reflected by them, which is refracted by the critical angle of total reflection from other devices within the photometric M Eßkammer (2) undesirably reaches the optoelectronic Bidwandler (6), preferably less than 2% of the average measured value of the product passing through the drop channel. Verfahren zur Qualitäts- und Größensortierung von Produkten und Artikeln nach Anspruch 3., dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die von den optoelektronischen Bildwandlern (6) erzeugten Datenströme zeilenweise seriellisiert werden, sich ein Datenstrom für die gesamte Meßoberfläche ergibt, eine weitere Schaltung die Referenzwerte einzelner Zeilen miteinander vergleicht und bei entsprechend zu definierender Abweichung eine weitere Fehlerklasse liefert und daß aus dem Datenstrom automatisch für jede Zeile ein Referenzwert gebildet wird, der der Helligkeit der gesunden Meßoberfläche des Produktes entspricht und ein Vergleich zwischen aktuellen Bildpunkten sowie Referenzwerten der vorangegangenen Zeile vorgenommen und eine Kennzeichnung bei Erfüllung des Fehlerkriteriums ermöglicht wird.Method for sorting the quality and size of products and articles according to claim 3, characterized in that the data streams generated by the optoelectronic image converters (6) are serialized line by line, a data stream results for the entire measuring surface, a further circuit connects the reference values of individual lines to one another compares and, in the event of a deviation to be defined accordingly, provides a further error class and that a reference value is automatically generated for each line from the data stream, which corresponds to the brightness of the healthy measuring surface of the product, and a comparison between current pixels and reference values of the previous line is carried out and an identification is made with Fulfillment of the error criterion is made possible. Verfahren zur Qualitäts- und Größensortierung von Produkten und Artikeln nach den Ansprüchen 3. und 4., dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eine Auswerteschaltung die Anzahl sowie die Ausdehnung in horizontaler und vertikaler Richtung der gekennzeichneten Fehlerflächen ermittelt und verschiedenen Fehlerklassen zuordnet und daß ausgehend vom Datenumfang, der von den optoelektronischen Bildwandlern (6) erzeugten Datenströme sowie deren Vergleich zwischen einzelnen Zeilen eine Formbewertung des Meßprodukts gegeben ist und entsprechend der Anzahl der von den optoelektronischen Bildwandlern (6) erzeugten Datenströme pro Meßprodukt ein größenproportionales Datenwort erzeugt wird, welches eine Größensortierung gewährleistet.Process for quality and size sorting of products and articles according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that an evaluation circuit determines the number and the extent in the horizontal and vertical direction of the marked defect areas and assigns them to different defect classes and that based on the data volume, the data streams generated by the optoelectronic image transducers (6) and their comparison between individual lines provide a shape evaluation of the measurement product and, in accordance with the number of data streams generated by the optoelectronic image transducers (6), a data word proportional to the size is generated per measurement product, which ensures a size sorting. Verfahren zur Qualitäts- und Größensortierung von Produkten und Artikeln nach den Ansprüchen 3. bis 5., dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß durch die wahlweise Zuordnung einzelner Fehler- und/oder Größenklassen von Meßprodukten zu einer oder mehreren Austrageeinrichtungen zwei, respektive mehrere unterschiedlich zusammengesetzte Fraktionen von Sortiergut trennbar sind und daß mittels einer weiteren, nicht linear arbeitenden Schaltung der Zeitpunkt sowie die Dauer der Ansteuerung der Austrageeinrichtungen in Abhängigkeit von der Größe des auszutragenden Meßproduktes bestimmbar sind.Method for sorting the quality and size of products and articles according to claims 3 to 5, characterized in that two or more differently composed fractions of the sorted goods are selected by assigning individual error and / or size classes of measurement products to one or more discharge devices are separable and that the time and the duration of the activation of the discharge devices can be determined as a function of the size of the measurement product to be discharged by means of a further, non-linear circuit.
EP93106176A 1991-08-22 1993-04-15 Device and method for sorting products and articles according to quality and size Expired - Lifetime EP0620050B1 (en)

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DE4127903A DE4127903C2 (en) 1991-08-22 1991-08-22 Arrangement and procedure for sorting the quality and size of products and articles
DE59309083T DE59309083D1 (en) 1993-04-15 1993-04-15 Device and method for sorting the quality and size of products and articles
EP93106176A EP0620050B1 (en) 1991-08-22 1993-04-15 Device and method for sorting products and articles according to quality and size

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DE4127903A DE4127903C2 (en) 1991-08-22 1991-08-22 Arrangement and procedure for sorting the quality and size of products and articles
EP93106176A EP0620050B1 (en) 1991-08-22 1993-04-15 Device and method for sorting products and articles according to quality and size

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CN102421540A (en) * 2009-03-26 2012-04-18 贝斯特第二股份有限公司 Method for sorting potato products and sorting apparatus for potato products
RU2621485C2 (en) * 2012-09-07 2017-06-06 Томра Сортинг Лимитед Method and device for processing harvested root crops
CN110963271A (en) * 2019-11-21 2020-04-07 深圳市东研磨料磨具有限公司 A sieving mechanism for sponge sand production

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CN110963271B (en) * 2019-11-21 2021-09-07 深圳市东研磨料磨具有限公司 A sieving mechanism for sponge sand production

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DE4127903A1 (en) 1993-04-22
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