CN110099754B

CN110099754B - Scraping mechanism of optical sorting machine

Info

Publication number: CN110099754B
Application number: CN201780080536.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 河村阳一
Original assignee: Satake Corp
Current assignee: Satake Corp
Priority date: 2016-12-27
Filing date: 2017-12-25
Publication date: 2021-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 2037-12-25
Also published as: GB2570615A; JP2018103126A; CN110099754A; JP6862824B2; GB201907774D0; KR20190102020A; GB2570615B; BR112019013395A2; KR102406359B1; WO2018123990A1

Abstract

The invention provides a wiping mechanism of an optical sorting machine, wherein a reciprocating driving mechanism of a wiper is not polluted by dust and the like and can clean a transparent plate of an optical part. The wiper mechanism of the optical portion of the optical sorting machine has a drop space in which sorted articles drop and a closed space in which an optical detection unit for detecting the sorted articles is disposed. The partition wall between the two spaces of the optical unit of the optical sorting machine has a transparent plate that allows the optical detection unit to detect the sorted objects. A wiper is disposed in the drop space of the optical unit so as to contact the transparent plate to clean the transparent plate, and a reciprocating drive mechanism is disposed in the sealed space so as to slide the wiper along the transparent plate. The wiper and the movable portion of the reciprocating drive mechanism are connected so as to be movable integrally by magnetic force via the partition wall between the two spaces.

Description

Scraping mechanism of optical sorting machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an optical sorting machine for sorting granular materials such as grains and resin particles or sheet-like materials such as sea sedge based on color or the like, and more particularly to a wiping mechanism for cleaning a transparent plate of an optical portion in the optical sorting machine.

Background

Nowadays, the following optical sorting machines are known: grains such as rice, wheat, beans and nuts, resin pieces such as granules and balls, pharmaceuticals, fine articles such as minerals and white sand, and raw materials composed of other granular materials and sheet-like materials are sorted into non-defective products and defective products based on color or the like, or foreign substances mixed in the raw materials are removed.

In the optical sorting machine, the optical detection device detects the granular objects falling from the lower end of the chute in the optical portion, determines the quality based on the detection signal, excludes the granular objects from the falling trajectory based on the result of the determination, sorts the granular objects, and discharges the sorted granular objects according to the quality.

In the optical sorting machine, a closed space is provided in the optical unit, a light source, a background, and a light receiving sensor that constitute the optical detection device are disposed in the closed space, and a transparent plate such as glass is attached to a partition wall on a side of the closed space where the granular objects are detected.

In this way, the optical sorting machine can prevent the optical detection device from being contaminated by dust or the like scattered as the granular objects or the like fall down, and can detect the granular objects by the optical detection device.

However, in the optical sorting machine, since the dust or the like adheres to the surface of the transparent plate on the space side where the granular material or the like falls, there is a problem that sorting accuracy is lowered.

Therefore, a wiper mechanism has been proposed which cleans one surface of the transparent plate on the side of the space where the particulate matter or the like falls by a wiper (see patent documents 1 to 3).

In the wiper mechanism described in patent document 1, a screw shaft is disposed in a space where particulate matter or the like falls, and the wiper is driven to and fro by the operation of the screw shaft.

In the wiper mechanism described in patent document 2, an annular line is disposed in a space where particulate matter or the like falls, and the wiper is driven to and fro by the movement of the annular line.

In the wiper mechanism described in patent document 3, a rodless cylinder is disposed in a space where particulate matter and the like fall, and the wiper is driven to and fro by the operation of the rodless cylinder.

According to the wiping mechanisms described in the patent documents 1 to 3, in the optical portion, one surface of the transparent plate on the space side where the particulate matter or the like falls can be cleaned by the wiper, and thus the sorting accuracy of the optical sorting machine can be prevented from being lowered.

However, the wiping mechanisms described in patent documents 1 to 3 each have a problem that a reciprocating drive mechanism of a wiper is disposed in a space where particulate matter or the like falls, and the reciprocating drive mechanism is contaminated by the dust or the like.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: microfilm of Japanese patent application No. 55-33089 (Japanese Kokai No. 56-137782)

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. Sho 58-17341

Patent document 3: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2-21980

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a wiper mechanism for an optical portion of an optical sorting machine, in which a reciprocating drive mechanism of a wiper for cleaning a transparent plate of the optical portion is not contaminated by dust or the like.

Means for solving the problems

In order to achieve the above object, in the wiper mechanism for an optical portion of an optical sorting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, the optical part of the optical sorting machine is provided with a falling space for falling the sorted objects and a closed space for arranging an optical detection unit for detecting the sorted objects, and a transparent plate for allowing the optical detection unit to detect the objects to be sorted is provided in the partition wall between the two spaces, and the optical part wiping means of the optical sorter is characterized in that, a wiper is disposed in the falling space of the optical part and is in contact with the transparent plate to clean the transparent plate, a reciprocating driving mechanism for sliding the wiper along the transparent plate is arranged in the closed space, the wiper and the movable portion of the reciprocating drive mechanism are connected so as to be movable integrally by magnetic force via the partition wall between the two spaces.

In the wiper mechanism for the optical portion of the optical sorting machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, the wiper that abuts the transparent plate to clean the transparent plate is disposed in the drop space of the optical portion, the reciprocating drive mechanism that slides the wiper along the transparent plate is disposed in the sealed space, and the wiper and the movable portion of the reciprocating drive mechanism are coupled to each other so as to be movable integrally by magnetic force via the partition wall between the two spaces, so that the reciprocating drive mechanism of the wiper is not contaminated by dust and the like.

In the optical portion wiping mechanism of an optical sorting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that magnets are attached to the wiper and the movable portion of the reciprocating drive mechanism, respectively, and the wiper and the movable portion of the reciprocating drive mechanism are coupled so as to be movable integrally by attracting the magnets via the transparent plate.

In the optical portion wiping mechanism of an optical sorting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the wiper that is reciprocating is blocked by a human hand, an obstacle, or the like and receives an assumed external force, the magnets provided in the movable portions of the wiper and the drive mechanism are separated, and only the movable portion of the drive mechanism moves, so that it is possible to prevent a human being from being injured by the wiper or the obstacle and the wiper from being damaged. Further, in a state where the member for blocking the movement of the wiper is lost, the movable portion of the driving mechanism is reciprocated again to attract the magnet attached to the wiper and the magnet attached to the movable portion of the driving mechanism, thereby self-repairing the separation of the wiper.

In the wiper mechanism for an optical portion of an optical sorting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that an engaging portion having a C-shaped cross section is provided at an upper portion of the wiper, a guide shaft for guiding the wiper to reciprocate is disposed in the dropping space, and the engaging portion of the wiper is detachably engaged with the guide shaft.

In the wiper mechanism for an optical portion of an optical sorting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, when an engaging portion having a C-shaped cross section is provided at an upper portion of the wiper, a guide shaft for guiding the wiper to reciprocate is disposed in the drop space, and the engaging portion of the wiper is detachably engaged with the guide shaft, the wiper can be easily replaced.

In the optical portion wiping mechanism of an optical sorting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that a contact portion that comes into contact with the partition wall is provided at a tip of the engaging portion of the wiper.

In the optical portion wiping mechanism of an optical sorter according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the abutting portion that abuts against the partition wall is provided at the tip of the engaging portion of the wiper, even when the optical portion is disposed in an inclined manner, the wiper does not rotate about the guide shaft due to the abutting portion abutting against the partition wall, and the wiper can be maintained in a state of abutting against the transparent plate. Further, even when a force acts on the wiper to separate the wiper from the transparent plate, the wiper and the movable portion of the reciprocating drive mechanism are connected so as to be movable integrally by a magnetic force via the partition wall of the two spaces, and therefore the wiper can be prevented from separating from the transparent plate.

In the wiping mechanism for an optical portion of an optical sorting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferable that the reciprocating drive mechanism includes a lead screw, a reflection plate and a second wiper abutting against the reflection plate are disposed on a side portion of the drop space, and rotation of the lead screw is transmitted to a swing shaft of the second wiper via a power transmission mechanism, so that the wiper and the second wiper can be driven integrally.

In the optical portion wiping mechanism of the optical sorting machine according to the embodiment of the present invention, if the following configuration is adopted: the reciprocating drive mechanism includes a lead screw, a reflection plate and a second wiper abutting against the reflection plate are disposed on a side portion of the drop space, and the rotation of the lead screw is transmitted to a swing shaft of the second wiper via a power transmission mechanism, so that the wiper and the second wiper can be integrally driven, and the reflection plate can be cleaned without providing a new drive source.

In the optical portion wiping mechanism of the optical sorter according to the embodiment of the present invention, if the optical portion includes a light source background module that irradiates light from above and below toward the sorted articles flowing at the detection position, the second wiper cleans the upper side and the lower side of the reflecting plate, and the effect of the reflecting plate can be maintained.

The effects of the invention are as follows.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wiper mechanism for an optical portion of an optical sorting machine, in which a reciprocating drive mechanism of a wiper for cleaning a transparent plate of the optical portion is not contaminated by dust or the like.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an optical sorting machine.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the optical unit.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the optical unit.

Fig. 4 is a sectional perspective view of the optical unit, and is an explanatory view within the drop space.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view B-B of fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the wiping mechanism.

Fig. 7 is an explanatory view of the lead screw.

Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the condition of wiper installation.

Fig. 9 is a right side view of the wiping mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the side wiper module.

Fig. 11 is an internal configuration diagram of the side wiper module.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

< optical sorting machine >

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an optical sorting machine.

The optical sorting machine 1 includes a granular material supply unit 2 for supplying granular materials, an optical unit 3 for sorting the granular materials, and a discharge unit 4 for discharging the sorted granular materials.

The granular material supply portion 2 includes a raw material container, not shown, and a chute 21 for supplying granular materials in the raw material container to the optical portion 3.

The optical unit 3 includes an optical unit 30 provided at a predetermined position of the optical sorting machine 1 and sorting the granular objects supplied from the granular object supply unit 2.

The discharge unit 4 includes a discharge hopper, not shown, that discharges the granular material sorted by the optical unit 3 according to the quality.

The optical unit 30 is formed by integrating the following devices with the case 31 to unitize the optical unit 3: an optical detection device for detecting the granular objects; a pushing device for removing the granular matters; a signal processing circuit board for processing the detection signal of the optical detection device and determining the quality of the granular object; and a push-out drive circuit board for driving the push-out device based on the result of the determination of the quality of the signal processing circuit board.

The determination of the quality of the granular material in the optical unit 3 is not limited to the determination of the pass or fail of the raw material as the granular material, and includes the determination of the raw material and foreign matter mixed in the raw material, the determination of the type of the raw material, and the like.

In the granular material supply unit 2, the granular material discharged from the material container flows down on the surface of the chute 21 and freely falls down along a predetermined trajectory from the lower end of the chute 21.

The free falling granular objects are detected by the optical detection device in the optical unit 3, and the detection signals of the optical detection device are processed by the signal processing circuit board to determine the quality. Then, based on the result of the quality determination, the pushing drive circuit board drives the pushing device, and the granular objects are removed from the falling trajectory by the pushing device to perform quality sorting.

The sorted good/bad granular materials are discharged from the discharge hopper in the discharge portion 4 according to the good/bad.

< optical part >

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the optical unit. Fig. 3 shows a top view of the optical unit.

The optical unit 30 includes a case 31 having a drop space S1 for the granular material at the center.

The box 31 is mainly composed of

side frames

32a, 32b, tubular covers 34a, 34b,

top plates

37a, 37b, and side covers 50, 50.

In the case 31, a pair of optical detection devices, not shown, are disposed in front of and behind the drop space S1, a push-out device is disposed on the rear side in the drop space S1, a signal processing circuit board, not shown, and a push-out drive circuit board are disposed on the side of the drop space S1, and the devices and components are integrally formed.

Fig. 4 is a sectional perspective view of the optical unit, showing an explanatory view within the falling space S1. Fig. 5 is a side sectional view of the optical unit, showing a B-B sectional view of fig. 3.

A pair of

side frames

32a, 32b are provided on both sides of the drop space S1 of the box body 31, and the

side frames

32a, 32b are connected by a plurality of shafts 33 to form a framework.

A pair of bent cylindrical covers 34a and 34b made of a composite plate of resin and metal are disposed in front of and behind the drop space S1 between the side frames 32a and 32 b.

The components of the optical detection device, such as the

camera modules

35a and 35b and the light

source background modules

36a and 36b, are disposed in the cylindrical covers 34a and 34b, respectively. Openings for arranging the

camera modules

35a and 35b and the like in the cylindrical covers 34a and 34b are provided in the upper portions of the cylindrical covers 34a and 34b, and the openings are closed by

top plates

37a and 37 b. The side frames 32a and 32b are provided with openings for disposing the light

source background modules

36a and 36b and the like in the cylindrical covers 34a and 34b, respectively, and the openings are closed by side covers 50 and 50.

Here, the

camera modules

35a and 35b function as light receiving sensors for detecting the particulate matter.

The openings of the cylindrical covers 34a and 34b, that is, the connection portions to be connected to other members are sealed, and the inside becomes a sealed space S2.

Openings are provided in the tubular covers 34a and 34b on the side of the drop space S1, and

transparent glass plates

38a and 38b constituting the front wall and the rear wall of the drop space S1 are attached to the openings. Further,

front wipers

61, 61 described below are provided on the surfaces of the

glass plates

38a, 38b on the side of the drop space S1.

In place of the

glass plates

38a and 38b, transparent plates made of other materials may be attached to the openings provided on the drop space S1 side of the cylindrical covers 34a and 34 b.

The side frames 32a and 32b integrally include

end plates

41 and 41 that form both side walls of the drop space S1, and a pair of

mirrors

42 and 42 for securing light quantities at both side portions of the drop space S1 are attached to the inner surfaces of the upper portions of the

end plates

41 and 41 on the drop space S1 side. The below-described

side wipers

81 and 81 are provided on the front surfaces of the

mirrors

42 and 42, and the below-described side wiper modules for operating the

side wipers

81 and 81 are provided on the outer sides of the

end plates

41 and 41.

A reflecting plate made of another material may be attached to the inner surface of the upper portion of each of the

end plates

41 and 41 on the side of the drop space S1, instead of the reflecting mirrors 42 and 42.

A valve block 45 including a nozzle, a valve, and a manifold is disposed on the rear side in the drop space S1. Further, a scattering prevention plate 46 is disposed on the front side in the drop space S1 so as to face the valve block 45.

The valve module 45 constitutes the pushing device, and is connected to an air pipe 47 in the cylindrical cover 34b disposed behind the drop space S1.

A signal processing circuit board 48 that processes the detection signal of the optical detection device and determines the quality of the particulate matter, and a push-out drive circuit board 49 that drives the push-out device based on the result of the determination of the quality of the signal processing circuit board 48 are disposed outside the

end plates

41, 41 and below the wiper modules.

Side covers 50, 50 are attached to outer ends of the

side frames

32a, 32b outside the signal processing circuit board 48 and the push-out drive circuit board 49, respectively.

< wiping mechanism >

Fig. 6 is an explanatory view of the wiper mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view seen from the front right side. Fig. 7 is an explanatory view of the lead screw and the movable portion thereof. Fig. 8 shows an explanatory diagram of a condition in which the wiper is mounted. Fig. 9 shows a right side view of the wiping mechanism. FIG. 10 shows a top view of the side wiper module. Fig. 11 shows an internal configuration diagram of the side wiper module.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the optical portion 3 includes a pair of wiper mechanisms 60 disposed on the front and rear sides of the drop space S1 to clean the

glass plates

38a and 38 b.

Since the pair of wiper mechanisms 60 have substantially the same configuration, the wiper mechanism 60 disposed on the rear side of the drop space S1 will be described as an example.

The wiper mechanism 60 includes a front wiper 61 disposed on the falling space S1 side of the optical portion 3 and abutting against the glass plate 38b, and a front wiper module 71 disposed in the sealed space S2, which is the interior of the cylindrical cover 34b of the optical portion 3, and reciprocally drives the front wiper 61.

The front wiper 61 includes a wiper frame 62, a wiper blade 63 made of rubber, for example, is fixed to the wiper frame 62, and the wiper blade 63 abuts against the glass plate 38 b. A magnet attachment portion 64 is formed above the wiper frame 62 at a position for fixing the wiper blade 63, and a magnet 65 is attached to the magnet attachment portion 64.

An engaging portion 66 having a C-shaped cross section is provided at an upper portion of the wiper frame 62, and a contact portion 67 is provided at a tip of the engaging portion 66.

A guide shaft 68 for guiding the movement of the front wiper 61 is disposed on the upper front surface of the glass plate 38b in the drop space S1. The engaging portion 66 of the front wiper 61 is detachably engaged with the guide shaft 68.

The tip of the contact portion 67 of the front wiper 61 contacts the cylindrical cover 34b located above the glass plate 38 b.

The front wiper module 71 includes a lead screw 72, a motor 73 that rotationally drives the lead screw 72, a nut 74 that is attached to the lead screw 72 and reciprocates with the rotation of the lead screw 72, and a guide shaft 75 that guides the movement of the nut 74.

A magnet holder 76 that abuts against the glass plate 38b is integrally formed on the nut 74, and a magnet 77 is attached to the magnet holder 76.

In the wiper mechanism 60, the magnet 65 attached to the magnet attachment portion 64 of the front wiper 61 and the magnet 77 attached to the magnet holder 76 integrally formed with the nut 74 are attracted to each other via the glass plate 38b, and the front wiper 61 and the nut 74 are integrally movably coupled to each other.

In the wiper mechanism 60 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the front wiper 61 that abuts against the glass plate 38b is disposed on the side of the drop space S1 of the optical portion 3, the front wiper module 71 that reciprocally drives the front wiper 61 is disposed in the sealed space S2, and the magnet 65 on the side of the front wiper 61 and the magnet 77 on the side of the front wiper module 71 are attracted by the glass plate 38b, so that the front wiper 61 and the nut 74 of the front wiper module 71 are integrally movably coupled to each other, and therefore the reciprocal driving mechanism of the front wiper 61 is not contaminated with dust or the like.

Further, in the wiper mechanism 60 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the engaging portion 66 having a C-shaped cross section is provided at the upper portion of the wiper frame 62, the guide shaft 68 for guiding the movement of the front wiper 61 is disposed on the upper front surface of the glass plate 38b in the dropping space S1, and the engaging portion 66 of the front wiper 61 is detachably engaged with the guide shaft 68, so that the replacement work of the front wiper 61 is facilitated.

In the wiper mechanism 60 according to the embodiment of the present invention, since the contact portion 67 that contacts the cylindrical cover 34b positioned above the glass plate 38b is provided at the tip of the engagement portion 66 of the wiper frame 62, even when the optical unit 30 is disposed in an inclined manner, the front wiper 61 does not rotate about the guide shaft 68 (engagement portion 66) because the contact portion 67 contacts the cylindrical cover 34b, and can maintain the contact state with the glass plate 38 b. Even when a force acts on the front wiper 61 to separate the front wiper 61 from the glass plate 38b, the front wiper 61 can be prevented from separating from the glass plate 38b because the magnet 65 on the front wiper 61 side and the magnet 77 on the front wiper module 71 side are attracted via the glass plate 38 b.

In the wiper mechanism 60 according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the reciprocating front wiper 61 is blocked by a human hand, an obstacle, or the like and receives an assumed external force, the magnet 65 on the front wiper 61 side is separated from the magnet 77 on the front wiper module 71 side, and only the movable portion such as the nut 74 of the front wiper module 71 moves, so that it is possible to prevent a human being from being injured by the front wiper 61 or the obstacle and the front wiper 61 from being damaged. In a state where the member for blocking the movement of the front wiper 61 is removed, the movable portion such as the nut 74 is reciprocated again to attract the magnet 65 on the front wiper 61 side and the magnet 77 on the front wiper module 71 side, thereby self-repairing the separation of the front wiper 61.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the magnet 65 on the front wiper 61 side and the magnet 77 on the front wiper module 71 side are configured to be attracted via the glass plate 38b, but may be attracted via another partition wall portion that separates the falling space S1 from the sealed space S2, for example, via the cylindrical cover 34 b.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the wiper mechanism 60 further includes the side wiper 81 that abuts the reflecting mirrors 42 attached to both side portions of the inner surface of the drop space S1, and the side wiper module 91 that is attached to the outside of the drop space S1.

In the side wiper 81, a side wiper blade 83 made of rubber, for example, is fixed to the side wiper frame 82, and the side wiper blade 83 abuts on the reflecting mirror 42.

The side wiper module 91 includes a power transmission mechanism such as a gear train as shown in fig. 11, and transmits the rotation of the lead screw 72 to the

wiper shafts

104a and 104b of the side wiper 81 via the power transmission mechanism to swing and drive the side wiper 81.

In the course of the moving part of the front wiper module 71 (in fig. 8, a path along which the moving part such as the nut 74 of the front wiper module 71 moves in the left direction), the lead screw 72 and the pinion gear 78 shown in fig. 11 rotate counterclockwise, and the rocking gear 98 rotates via the two-stage idler gear 94, the idler gear 95, and the idler gear 96. At this time, the rocking gear 98 meshes with the link drive gear 99, the link drive gear 99 rotates clockwise, and the lever transmission gear 102 repeats normal rotation and reverse rotation via the link 100 and the link arm 101. Then, the wiper gear 103a and the wiper gear 103b rotate in the normal and reverse directions by the rotation of the lever transmission gear 102, and the wiper gear 103a and the

side wipers

81 and 81 attached to the wiper gear 103b swing up and down.

In the movable portion circuit of the front wiper module 71, the lead screw 72 and the pinion gear 78 shown in fig. 11 rotate clockwise, and the swing gear 98 rotates via the two-stage idler gear 94, the idler gear 95, and the idler gear 96. At this time, the rocking gear 98 does not mesh with the link drive gear 99, the link drive gear 99 is stopped, and when the

side wipers

81 and 81 are not in the horizontal state as shown in fig. 11, the

side wipers

81 and 81 are pulled back to the horizontal position by the force of the spring 108.

Assuming that the protrusion provided at the center of the fixed plate 109 serves as a stopper for the spring arm 107b and the protrusion provided at the lower portion of the centering gear 105 is in a state of pushing the spring arm 107a leftward when the

side wipers

81 and 81 are positioned at the upper side, the spring arm 107a pulls back the protrusion of the centering gear 105 by the force of the spring 108 and returns the

side wipers

81 and 81 to a horizontal state when the rocking gear 98 and the link driving gear 99 are disengaged.

When the

side wipers

81 and 81 are positioned at the lower side, the protrusion provided at the center of the fixing plate 109 serves as a stopper for the spring arm 107a, the protrusion provided at the lower portion of the centering gear 105 serves as a state in which the spring arm 107b is pushed out rightward, and when the rocking gear 98 and the link driving gear 99 are disengaged, the spring arm 107b pulls back the protrusion of the centering gear 105 by the force of the spring 108, and the

side wipers

81 and 81 are returned to the horizontal state.

Therefore, in the wiper mechanism 60 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the

side wipers

81 and 81 perform the swinging movement to clean the upper and lower portions of the mirror 42 in the movable portion path of the front wiper module 71, and the

side wipers

81 and 81 stop at the horizontal position where the light to the mirror 42 is small in the movable portion circuit of the front wiper module 71.

According to the wiper mechanism 60 of the embodiment of the present invention, since the optical unit 3 includes the light source for irradiating light from above and below toward the particulate matter flowing at the detection position and the

background modules

36a and 36b, the upper and lower sides of the reflecting mirror 42 are cleaned by the

side wipers

81 and 81, and the effect of the reflecting mirror 42 can be maintained.

In the wiper mechanism 60 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the front wiper module 71 includes the lead screw 72, the reflecting mirror 42 and the side wiper 81 in contact with the reflecting mirror 42 are disposed on the side portion in the dropping space S1, and the rotation of the lead screw 72 is transmitted to the swing shaft 84 of the side wiper 81 via the power transmission mechanism, so that the front wiper 61 and the side wiper 81 can be driven integrally, and the reflecting mirror 42 can be cleaned without providing a new drive source.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the case where the wiper mechanism 60 is disposed in the unitized optical portion 3 is taken as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to an optical portion 3 that is not unitized.

Further, in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the case where the wiping mechanism 60 is disposed in the optical portion of the optical sorting machine that is the object of sorting, the granular material flowing down the surface of the chute, is exemplified, but the wiping mechanism 60 may be disposed in the optical portion of the optical sorting machine that is the object of sorting, such as the granular material, the sheet-like material, and the film-like material conveyed on the conveyor, for example.

The wiper mechanism of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is needless to say that the configuration thereof can be appropriately modified within a range not departing from the scope of the present invention.

Industrial applicability of the invention

The reciprocating drive mechanism of the wiper of the wiping mechanism of the present invention is extremely useful because it can clean the transparent plate of the optical unit without being contaminated by dust or the like.

Description of the symbols

1-optical sorter, 2-granular material supply section, 3-optical section, 4-discharge section, 21-chute, 30-optical unit, 31-box, 32a, 32 b-side frame, 33-shaft, 34a, 34 b-cylindrical cover, 35a, 35 b-camera module, 36a, 36 b-light source background module, 37a, 37 b-top plate, 38a, 38 b-glass plate (transparent plate), 41-end plate, 42-reflector (reflective plate), 45-valve module, 46-anti-scattering plate, 47-air piping, 48-signal processing circuit substrate, 49-push-out drive circuit substrate, 50-side cover, 60-wiper mechanism, 61-front wiper, 62-wiper frame, 63-wiper blade, 64-magnet assembly section, 65-magnet, 66-magnet, 67-abutment section, 68-guide shaft, 71-front wiper module, 72-lead screw, 73-motor, 74-nut, 75-guide shaft, 76-magnet holder, 77-magnet, 78-pinion, 81-side wiper, 82-side wiper frame, 83-side wiper blade, 91-side wiper module, 92-housing, 93-cover, 94-idle two-stage gear, 95-idle gear, 96-idle gear, 97-rocking plate, 98-rocking gear, 99-link drive gear, 100-link, 101-link arm, 102-lever drive gear, 103a, 103 b-wiper gear, 104a, 104 b-wiper shaft, 105-centering gear, 106-bearing plate, 107a, 107 b-spring arm, 108-spring, 109-fixing plate, S1-drop space, S2-enclosed space.

Claims

1. A wiping mechanism for an optical unit of an optical sorting machine, the optical unit of the optical sorting machine having a dropping space where sorted articles drop and a closed space where an optical detection unit for detecting the sorted articles is disposed, and a transparent plate for allowing the optical detection unit to detect the sorted articles is provided in a partition wall between the two spaces,

the above-mentioned optical part wiping mechanism of the optical sorting machine is characterized in that,

a wiper which is brought into contact with the transparent plate to clean the transparent plate is disposed in the falling space of the optical unit, a reciprocating drive mechanism which slides the wiper along the transparent plate is disposed in the sealed space, the wiper and a movable portion of the reciprocating drive mechanism are connected to each other so as to be movable integrally by magnetic force via a partition wall between the two spaces,

the reciprocating drive mechanism includes a lead screw, a reflection plate and a second wiper abutting against the reflection plate are disposed on a side portion of the drop space, and rotation of the lead screw is transmitted to a swing shaft of the second wiper via a power transmission mechanism, so that the wiper and the second wiper can be driven integrally.

2. The optical portion scraping mechanism of an optical sorting machine according to claim 1,

magnets are attached to the wiper and the movable portion of the reciprocating drive mechanism, respectively, and the two magnets are attracted to each other through the transparent plate, so that the wiper and the movable portion of the reciprocating drive mechanism are connected so as to be movable integrally.

3. The wiper mechanism for the optical portion of an optical sorting machine according to claim 1 or 2,

an engaging portion having a C-shaped cross section is provided at an upper portion of the wiper, a guide shaft for guiding the wiper to reciprocate is disposed in the drop space, and the engaging portion of the wiper is detachably engaged with the guide shaft.

4. The optical portion scraping mechanism of an optical sorting machine according to claim 3,

an abutting portion that abuts against the partition wall is provided at a tip of the engaging portion of the wiper.