JP2001091447A - Vegetable and fruit quality measurement device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To non-destructively measure quality such as a sugar content, acidity, a water content, freshness of vegetables and fruits such as an orange quickly and accurately without any complication in structure. SOLUTION: In this vegetable quality measurement device, measurement light is radiated toward the vegetable and fruit conveyed to an irradiation position by means of a conveying means 5, the measurement light moving downward from a clearance S formed in the conveying means 5 is received, and a spectrum of the received measurement light is analyzed for determining vegetable and fruit quality. The measurement device is provided with a stopping means preventing formation of a clearance in a contact part between a vegetable and fruit mounting part arranged continuously in the conveying direction of the conveying means 5 and the vegetable and fruit, and the stopping means deforms the vegetable and fruit mounting part because of the weight of the vegetable and fruit so as to serve as a means increasing adhesiveness between the vegetable and fruit mounting part and the vegetable and fruit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the sugar content, acidity, and the like of fruits and vegetables such as oranges, hassaku, pears, apples, and melons.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vegetable quality measuring device that determines quality such as moisture content and freshness by non-destructive measurement, and to a vegetable quality measuring device capable of determining the quality with high accuracy and high speed with little thermal damage to the vegetable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The above-mentioned fruit and vegetable quality measuring apparatus is, for example, arranged on one side in the horizontal direction of fruits and vegetables placed and conveyed on a belt conveyor having a flat belt, and on one side in the conveying width direction (left-right direction) of the belt conveyor. The measuring light is emitted from a single lamp provided, and the measuring light transmitted through the fruits and vegetables is received by light receiving means arranged on the other side of the lamp, that is, on the other side in the conveying width direction (left and right direction) of the belt conveyor. Generally, a quality measurement is performed. In the case of the above-mentioned device, since fruits and vegetables placed and conveyed at irregular intervals on the flat belt can be sequentially measured, it is easy and reasonable to handle the fruits and vegetables, that is, to move the fruits and vegetables on the flat belt. Not only that, it can be configured simply by adding a lamp and a light receiving means to the transport system used in the conventional fruit sorting plant, and has an advantage that it can be easily implemented, and has been quickly spread. However, in addition to the measurement light transmitted through the fruits and vegetables, a part of the reflected light reflected by the measurement light emitted from the lamp hitting another object may be mixed in the light receiving means. There is no practical problem in the measurement accuracy of small fruits and vegetables due to the mixing of the reflected light, but the measurement accuracy of large fruits and vegetables is slightly reduced.Therefore, accurate measurement may not be possible depending on the type of fruits and vegetables, and there is room for improvement. Was. FIG. 16 shows an example in which the measurement accuracy can be improved. In other words, a large number of trays 30 (only one is shown in the figure) for putting oranges M, which are examples of fruits and vegetables, one by one, are fixed to a pair of right and left fixing members 3 fixed to each chain 31 constituting a chain conveyor.
Lamps 3 fixed to the upper surfaces of the cigarettes 2 and 32 and irradiating the measuring light to the oranges M that are put in the tray 30 and conveyed.
3 are arranged on both sides in the conveying width direction of the chain conveyor, and the measuring light from the lamps 33, 33 passes through the orange M, and receives the measuring light moving downward through the opening 30A formed in the bottom plate of the tray 30. Optical fiber 34
Are arranged in such a manner that the tip thereof faces the opening 30A from below.

[0003]

According to the above construction, for example, since it is necessary to put the oranges M in the tray 30 one by one, it is not only disadvantageous in the above-mentioned handling, but also has a larger size than the oranges. When measuring fruits and vegetables of different sizes, the trays currently installed had to be replaced with other trays of different sizes one by one. It is conceivable to provide a machine for automatically placing the oranges M on the tray 30. However, fruits and vegetables often have different shapes, hardness of skin, coefficient of friction, degree of unevenness, etc. Tray 30 moving at intervals
It is not easy to put it on a stable. Furthermore, it is very difficult to place fruits and vegetables in the same direction so that no gap is formed in the lower opening 30A, and it has to rely on manual work, which is inefficient. Further, although the fruits and vegetables placed on the tray and conveyed and received by the optical fiber 34 located below can prevent the reflection light and the like from being mixed as described above, the size and the size of the fruits and vegetables placed on the tray can be prevented. Due to differences in shape and the like, a gap is easily generated between the tray and the fruit and vegetable, and the reflected light or the like leaks out of the generated gap and is received by the optical fiber 34 in some cases. Incidentally, a device in which a circular tray is formed from a sucker-like rubber or the like so as to avoid occurrence of the gap has been proposed, but in this case as well as above, fruits and vegetables are placed on the tray one by one in a predetermined posture. It had to be mounted and there was room for improvement. Further, there has been proposed a device which can surely prevent the generation of the gap by pushing down the fruits and vegetables placed on the tray made of the sucker-like rubber from the upper side to the lower side. In addition, the cost was high and the practicality was low.

[0004] In view of the above situation, the present invention seeks to solve the problems of nondestructive qualities such as sugar content, acidity, moisture content and freshness of fruits and vegetables such as oranges while avoiding complication of the structure. The point is that the measurement can be performed quickly and with high accuracy.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the fruit and vegetable quality measuring apparatus of the present invention comprises: an irradiating means for irradiating a fruit or vegetable to be measured with measuring light; and an irradiation position of the irradiating means. Transport means for placing and transporting the fruits and vegetables, which are radiated toward the fruits and vegetables which have been placed and transported to the irradiation position by the transport means, and formed at the intermediate portion in the transport width direction of the transport means among the measurement light transmitted through the fruits and vegetables. Light receiving means for receiving the measurement light that has moved downward from the gap of, the sugar content, acidity by analyzing the spectrum of the measurement light received by the light receiving means,
Quality determination means for determining quality such as moisture content, freshness, etc.,
A fruit and vegetable placing part continuously provided in the carrying direction of the carrying means and a blocking means for preventing a gap from being generated in a contact portion between the fruits and vegetables, wherein the blocking means comprises the fruits and vegetables by the weight of the fruits and vegetables. It is constituted by means for increasing the adhesion between the fruits and vegetables mounting portion and the fruits and vegetables by deforming the mounting portion. The inventor of the present application has proposed that, in order to establish an apparatus for measuring the quality of fruits and vegetables which does not need to move the fruits and vegetables in a predetermined posture, and which is excellent in terms of light shielding, the concept of the tray as in the related art is stopped while the light shielding means is not blocked. We came up with a breakthrough that can reasonably utilize the weight of fruits and vegetables. In other words, the measuring light from the irradiating unit is irradiated on the fruits and vegetables in the same posture that has been placed and conveyed at irregular intervals to the irradiation position by the conveying unit, and the measuring light transmitted through the fruits and vegetables is included in the conveying width direction of the conveying unit. The measuring light that has moved downward from the gap formed in the intermediate portion is received by the light receiving means, and the quality of the quality is determined by analyzing the spectrum of the received measuring light. And, by continuously providing in the transport direction a loading section for fruits and vegetables that can be deformed by the weight of the fruits and vegetables being transported, while being able to continuously transport fruits and vegetables in the same manner as a conventional flat belt, Since a part of the transport mounting part is deformed by the weight of the fruits and vegetables, the adhesive force between the vegetable mounting part and the fruits and vegetables can be increased, and there is no gap between the two. Measurement light from the light source or light such as reflected light obtained by reflecting the measurement light on another object does not enter the light receiving means particularly from both sides in the conveyance width direction, so that the measurement accuracy can be improved accordingly. Moreover, the measuring light from the irradiating means or the light such as the reflected light of the measuring light reflected on another object is transmitted to the light receiving means through the gap formed at the middle part in the conveying width direction of the conveying means from the conveying direction (front-back direction). Fruits and vegetables can be prevented from entering by blocking them, but unnecessary by providing blocking means for blocking the entry of light such as measurement light or reflected light to the light receiving means from both front and rear sides. It is possible to more reliably prevent unnecessary light from entering the light receiving means.

[0006] At least at two positions on the right and left sides of the conveying surface of the conveying means, there are provided a large number of plate-like bodies which are continuous with no gap in the left-right direction over substantially the entire area in the conveying direction of the conveying means. The fruit and vegetable placing part for placing and transporting fruits and vegetables on the body is constituted. By providing a large number of plate-like body groups in at least two rows as described above, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a gap between the surface of the fruit and vegetable and the contact surface of the plate-like body that comes into contact therewith,
The fruits and vegetables can be satisfactorily conveyed while the measurement light from both sides in the conveying width direction can be reliably shielded. Moreover, by being composed of many plate-like bodies,
For example, when only some of the plate members are damaged, it is only necessary to replace some of the plate members.

[0007] By forming the plate-like body to have an outwardly expanding shape located on the outer side in the transport width direction of the transport means toward the upper end side, it is possible to increase the contact area with the fruits and vegetables placed on the plate-like body. Not only can the vegetables and fruits be stably placed and supported.

[0008] The conveying means may be constituted by providing at least one set of left and right endless track conveyors comprising a single or a plurality of masses having a mounting portion which can be deformed by the weight of the fruits and vegetables.

In the case where the plate group is provided in four rows,
Increasing the height of the upper end of the two rows of plate-shaped groups located outside in the transport width direction is higher than the height of the upper ends of the remaining two rows of plate-shaped groups located inside, thereby enhancing the light shielding effect. be able to. Also, when measuring the quality of small fruits and vegetables such as those located inside the outer two rows of plate-like bodies, the amount of irradiation light is larger than that of large fruits and vegetables because the measurement light is easily transmitted due to the difference in skin thickness and the like. It is preferable to reduce this, and light can be shielded on the fruits and vegetables by the outer two rows of plate-like bodies.

[0010] Of the four rows of plate-like bodies, in each of the two rows of plate-like bodies located on the outer side in the transport width direction, the boundary between the adjacent plate-like bodies in the transport direction of the transport means and the transport width direction. In each of the remaining two rows of plate-shaped bodies located inside, by setting the boundary between the plate-shaped bodies adjacent to each other in the transfer direction of the transfer means in the transfer width direction so as not to overlap, for example, in the transfer width direction Even if light leaks from the gap at the boundary between the plate members located outside, the light can be shielded by the plate member located inside in the transport width direction.

The irradiating means comprises a plurality of lamps for irradiating fruits and vegetables from a substantially horizontal direction, and the plurality of lamps are configured to be capable of adjusting a position change in a vertical direction.
The irradiation position can be changed and adjusted favorably according to the type of fruits and vegetables.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a fruit and vegetable quality measuring apparatus according to the present invention. This fruit and vegetable quality measuring device has a movable base body 2 provided with casters 1 at four lower corners (only two places are shown in the figure), and a state in which external light is blocked by a casing 3 at the upper end of the base body 2. The measuring unit 4 disposed inside for performing the quality measurement at the inside, the fruits and vegetables are conveyed to the measuring unit 4 through an opening (not shown) formed at one end of the casing 3, and the fruits and vegetables after the measurement are removed from the casing 3. A transport means 5 for transporting the casing 3 to the outside through an opening (not shown) formed at the other end of the casing 3.
An installation body 6 for supporting the floor is provided near each of the casters 1, and the caster 1 is floated from the floor so that the position can be fixed, and the caster 1 can be moved upward by retracting above the caster 1. The state can be switched to. At the openings formed at both ends of the casing 3, curtains (not shown) for blocking external light are attached. Reference numeral 7 shown in the figure is a monitor for displaying the measurement results and the like from the measuring section 4 and 8.
Is a printer for printing display information and the like on the monitor 7, and 9 is a patellite for notifying an abnormality of the apparatus, etc., and omitting these 7 to 9 or installing a substitute in another place. It can also be implemented. In addition, the casters 1 and the installation body 6 may be omitted, or the stand main body 2 may be omitted, and the specific configuration of the fruit and vegetable quality measuring device can be freely changed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the measuring section 4 irradiates an irradiating unit 10 with a measuring light to irradiate a fruit or vegetable to be measured with the measuring unit 4, and transfers the fruits and vegetables to an irradiation position of the irradiating unit 10. The transport means 5 and, among the measurement light transmitted through the fruits and vegetables radiated toward the fruits and vegetables placed and transported to the irradiation position by the transport means 5, move downward from the gap formed in the transport means 5. A light receiving unit 11 for receiving the measured light; a quality determining unit for analyzing a spectrum of the measurement light received by the light receiving unit 11 to determine qualities such as sugar content, acidity, moisture content, freshness, and the like; And a blocking means 12 for preventing light such as measurement light or reflected light from entering the light receiving means 11 from both right and left sides of the means 5.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the transfer means 5 comprises a belt conveyor.
A pair of left and right drive pulleys 13 and 1 arranged at the end in the transport direction
3, a pair of left and right driven pulleys (not shown) arranged at the start end in the transport direction, an endless timing belt 14 wound between these pulleys,
Horizontal plate 15 for slidingly guiding the inner surface of the fruit and vegetable transport side
A and a pair of right and left guide members 15, 15 each having a pair of right and left cross-sectional shapes each including A and a vertical portion 15B for blocking light coming from the lower surface (back surface) side of the belt. The drive pulleys 13, 13 are linked by driving a drive rotary shaft 16 that rotatably supports the drive pulleys 13, 13 with a drive shaft of an electric motor (not shown) by a chain-type or gear-type electric mechanism (not shown) or the like. Is driven to rotate the timing belt 14. In the figure, a belt conveyor is shown as the conveying means 5, but a chain conveyor or a roller conveyor composed of a number of rollers 5A, which will be described later, as shown in FIG. 9, may be used as the conveying means. It is not something to be done.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the irradiating means 10 is provided on both sides in the conveying width direction of the conveying means 5 with a circle centered substantially at the center of the timing belt 14 of the conveying means 5 in the left and right width direction. It consists of ten (five left and right) bulged lamps 17 arranged in an arc. And
The all lamps 17 are provided so as to be changeable in the vertical direction. In the case of the orange M shown in FIG.
In the case of Hassaku H shown in FIG. 3, in the case of Hassaku H shown in FIG. 3, by arranging all the lamps 17 at the uppermost position, the irradiation amount to the fruits and vegetables depends on the type and size of the fruits and vegetables. So that all lamps 17 can be positioned at the optimum height. The upper and lower adjustment width of the lamp 17 is specifically 35 mm, but can be appropriately changed depending on the fruits and vegetables to be handled.
In addition, when the oranges M are irradiated as shown in FIG. 4, the plate-like bodies 21 and 21 located on the outside, which will be described later, shield the measurement light from the lamp 17 to some extent, and the irradiation amount is small. In FIG. 2, data is obtained by turning off a total of four lamps 17 located on both sides in the transport direction on the right and left sides and turning on only the remaining six lamps 17 to further reduce the irradiation amount to the orange M. It is ensured that the level is not saturated. In addition, although the lamp 17 irradiates the fruits and vegetables in the horizontal direction, the lamp 17 may irradiate the light in a substantially horizontal direction, for example, obliquely downward from above, or downward from above. Irradiation may be performed. Further, since most of the fruits and vegetables are spherical, the lamps 17 are arranged in an arc shape. However, the lamps 17 may not be arranged in an arc shape depending on the shape of the fruits and vegetables. The height adjustment of the lamp 17 may be performed by a manual force, or may be performed by using an electric force of an electric motor or the like. When the height of the lamp 17 is adjusted by electric power, a sensor or the like for detecting the type and size of the fruits and vegetables is provided, and an electric motor or the like is automatically driven based on the detection information of the sensor. The height can be adjusted at a time. Further, the number and specific configuration of the lamps 17 are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the light receiving means 11 includes the timing belts 1 arranged in the two right and left rows.
Optical fiber 1 arranged in gap S formed between 4 and 14
8 and a cover member 19 for protecting the optical fiber 18
It consists of The cover member 19 is attached and fixed to a fixing portion T on the base body 2 side. At the upper end of the cover member 19, a transparent cover 20 made of glass, plastic, or the like, which closes the opening formed, is provided so that dust, dust, fruit juice, or the like does not adhere to the tip of the optical fiber 18. However, when dust or dirt or juice of fruits and vegetables adheres to the lid 20, the lid 20 can be easily wiped off. The optical fiber 1
8 is connected to a control device (not shown) so that the detection information from the optical fiber 18 can be converted into data to calculate a sugar content and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the blocking means 12 is a timing belt 1 which constitutes the transport means 5.
A large number of rectangular and vertically oriented plate-like members 21 and 22 are provided at two positions on the left and right sides of each of the transfer surfaces 14A and 14A in the transfer direction over the entire area in the transfer direction. , And also serves as a fruit and vegetable mounting part that is continuous in the transport direction.

The plate-like members 21 and 22 differ only in the vertical height so that the plate-like member 21 located on the outer side in the transport width direction is higher than the plate-like member 22 located on the inner side in the transport width direction.
The material is made of synthetic resin such as urethane, etc., and as shown in FIG. 3, depending on the weight of the fruits and vegetables H to be placed, the upper end thereof is closer to the outer side in the conveying width direction of the conveying means. It can be deformed to the shape located at. Therefore, the outer surface of the fruits and vegetables H and the upper inner surface 2 of the plate-like bodies 21 and 21
1A and 21A can be brought into contact with each other without generating a gap. In the figure, a plate-like body 22 with a short vertical height is arranged at the inner end of the timing belt 14 in the conveyance width direction, and a plate-like body 21 with a long vertical height is substantially at the center of the timing belt 14 in the conveyance width direction. However, the positions of the plate-like bodies 21 and 22 may be appropriately changed depending on the fruits and vegetables to be measured. In addition, although the case where two sets of plate-like bodies 21, 21, 22, 22 and 22 having different vertical heights are provided has been described, even if two sets (four) of plate-like bodies having the same height are provided, the embodiment is carried out. Good. In addition, only a pair of left and right (two) plate members are provided, or three or more (six) plate members are provided, or
It is also possible to provide three or more odd plate-like members. FIG. 10 shows a case where nine plate-like bodies 23 having the same height are provided on one side (18 are provided on both sides). Also, in the figure, the plate-like body 21 or 22 is disposed in such a manner that its plane direction is along the transport direction, and the front and back surfaces of the plate-like body adjacent in the transport direction are flush, As shown in FIG.
The plate bodies 21, 21, 22, 22 adjacent in the transport direction may be displaced from each other in the transport width direction, and may be disposed such that both ends in the transport direction overlap (in the figure, one of the timing belts 14). Only shown). As shown in FIG. 7, in the four rows of plate-like bodies 21 and 22, two rows of plate-like bodies 21 and 21 located on the outer side in the transport width direction in the transport direction of the transport unit 5. Adjacent plate-like bodies 21,
21 and a boundary K2 between the adjacent plate-like bodies 22, 22 in the conveying direction of the conveying means 5 in each of the remaining two rows of plate-like bodies 22, 22 located inside the conveying width direction. May not be overlapped in the transport width direction. The dimensions in the transport direction of the two plate-like members 21 and 22 are made different. Specifically, the dimensions in the transport direction of the plate-like members 21 and 21 located on the outer side in the transport width direction are located on the inner side in the transport width direction. The boundary portions K1 and K2 are made not to overlap in the transport width direction by making them longer than the dimensions in the transport direction of the plate-like bodies 22 and 22 to be transported. By making the dimensions the same and shifting the position in the transport direction, the boundary portions K1 and K2 may be made not to overlap in the transport width direction. The plate-like bodies 21 and 22 are
The timing belt 14 may be fixed to the timing belt 14 by an adhesive, heat fusion, or the like. Alternatively, when the timing belt 14 is formed, two belts are integrally formed on the belt surface, and the belts are spaced at a set interval. A large number of plate-like bodies 21 and 22 may be formed by cutting the sheet. Further, by providing a blocking means for blocking the light entering from the gap S from entering the light receiving means 11 from the front-rear direction in the transport direction, the light can be more reliably prevented from entering. it can. The blocking means 12
By providing a large number of rectangular plate-like bodies 21 and 22 that are continuous with no gap in the left-right direction over the entire area in the transport direction at two places on the left and right sides of the mounting surfaces 14A and 14A of the timing belts 14 and 14, respectively. In the rotating portions at both ends in the transport direction of the timing belts 14, 14, gaps are generated between the plate-like bodies 21, 21, 22, 22 adjacent in the transport direction, and the respective plate-like bodies 21, 22 rotate smoothly. To be able to move.

The plate-like members 21 and 22 are formed as shown in FIG.
It may be configured as shown in (b) and (c). That is,
In the figure, the plate-like bodies 21 and 21 located on both sides in the conveyance width direction,
Each of 22, 22 has an outwardly expanding shape that is located closer to the outer side in the transport width direction toward the upper end side. With this configuration, not only can the contact area between the plate-like bodies 21, 21, 22, and 22 when the large and small fruits and vegetables M and H are placed be increased, but also the fruits and vegetables M and H are placed at the center. It can be placed and transported in a stable manner. Although the upper ends 21A, 21A of the plate-like bodies 21, 21 located on the outside are further inclined outward in the drawing, they may be configured to have the same inclination angle as the lower side. FIG. 12 shows a case where nine inclined plate-like bodies 24 having the same height are provided on one side (18 are provided on both sides), and the number and height of the plate-like bodies are as shown in the figure. It is not limited.

FIG. 13 (a) is a perspective view of the transfer means 5 shown in FIG.
(B) to (a) and (b) shown in FIGS. That is, in FIGS. 13A and 13B, a large number of blocks 25 having a rectangular cross section made of a synthetic resin such as urethane or the like having a mounting portion that can be deformed by the weight of the fruits and vegetables H.
And a pair of conveyors in the form of an endless track, which are attached to the surface of the timing belt 14, are arranged. By using the block 25 shown in FIG.
The contact area with the fruits and vegetables can be increased as compared with the case where the mounting portion 22 is used as the mounting portion. In FIGS. 14A and 14B,
13 (a) and 13 (b), the tapered surfaces 25A, 25A can be formed by eliminating the inner corners of the masses 25, 25 in the conveying width direction, so that the contact area with the fruits and vegetables H can be increased. It is like that. In FIGS. 15A and 15B, the lump 25 is made of a hard material, and the mounting portion 26 of the lump 25 is made of a synthetic resin such as urethane that can be deformed by the weight of the fruits and vegetables H. Things. Also in this case, by configuring the surface of the mounting portion 26 to form a tapered surface, the contact area with the fruits and vegetables H can be increased. The endless track conveyor may be configured by attaching a large number of masses 25 to the surface of the timing belt 14, or by constructing the mass 25 into a single endless shape. When the block 25 is formed into a single endless body, the timing belt 14 may be omitted. Further, in addition to providing two endless track conveyors on the left and right as described above, three or more conveyors may be provided.

A description will be given of the case of measuring the quality of fruits and vegetables using the fruit and vegetables quality measuring apparatus having the above-mentioned configuration. First, in FIG. The fruits and vegetables are supplied, and the fruits and vegetables are continuously conveyed to the measuring section 4. Then, the measuring unit receives the measurement light emitted from the lamp 17 and transmitted through the fruits and vegetables by the optical fiber 18, stores the received measurement light as data, corrects the waveform based on the data, and performs a numerical operation. By performing the processing, the acidity, the sugar content, and the like are calculated and output, and for example, they are displayed on the monitor 7 or printed on the printer 8. The fruits and vegetables measured by the measuring section 4 in this way are transferred to the transporting means 5.
Is continuously transported to the transport end portion, and is automatically or artificially selected using another sorting device based on the measured values.

Instead of the belt conveyor 5, a roller conveyor may be used as shown in FIG. That is,
A large number of drive-rotatable rollers 5A are disposed such that their rotation axes are along the conveyance width direction. 23A and 23B are adjacent to each other in the transport direction.
The rotating bodies 23A, 23B, 23B are alternately arranged in a state where the rotating bodies 23A, 23B, 23B partially overlap in the conveying width direction.
A pair of left and right plate-like rotators 23C and 23D having a diameter larger than the rotators 23A and 23B is disposed adjacent to each other in the transport direction at two positions of each of the rollers 5A closer to both ends in the left and right width direction of B. 23C, 23D, and 23D are alternately arranged in a state where they partially overlap in the transport width direction. In this case, the optical fiber 18 is disposed in a gap between the rollers 5A.

[0023]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the fruits and vegetables can be deformed according to the weight of the fruits and vegetables by providing them continuously in the transport direction. While being able to continuously place and convey at irregular intervals to the irradiation position of the irradiating means in the received posture, use the weight of the fruits and vegetables to increase the adhesion force to the vegetables and fruits mounting part By using a simple configuration, it is possible to prevent the measurement light from the irradiation unit or the measurement light such as the reflected light reflected from another object from entering the light reception unit from both sides in the conveyance width direction without using a special device. Can be prevented, and the measurement accuracy can be increased accordingly. Therefore, there is provided a fruit and vegetable quality measuring device capable of nondestructively, quickly and highly accurately measuring the quality of the fruit and vegetable such as sugar content, acidity, moisture content, freshness, etc., while avoiding complication of the structure. can do.

According to the second aspect, by providing at least two rows of left and right plate groups, it is possible to avoid the occurrence of a gap between the surface of the fruit and vegetable and the contact surface of the plate members in contact therewith. Therefore, while having a function of reliably blocking measurement light from both sides in the conveyance width direction, it can be provided with a function of conveying fruits and vegetables well, and these two functions can be provided. Are more advantageous in terms of cost than when separately provided. In addition, by configuring a large number of plate-like members, for example, when only some plate-like members are damaged, it is only necessary to replace only some of the plate-like members, which is more advantageous in terms of cost. It is.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the contact area with the fruits and vegetables placed on the plate-like body is formed by forming the plate-like body into an outwardly expanding shape which is located on the outer side in the conveying width direction of the conveying means toward the upper end side. Not only can be increased, but also the fruits and vegetables can be stably placed and supported, which can be advantageous on both the measurement surface and the use surface.

According to the fifth aspect, when four rows of plate-like bodies are provided, the height of the upper end of the two rows of plate-like bodies located on the outer side in the transport width direction is set to the remaining height on the inner side. By making the height higher than the height of the upper end of the two rows of plate-like bodies, the light shielding effect can be enhanced. Further, when measuring the quality of small fruits and vegetables located inside the outer two rows of plate-like bodies, the irradiation light amount is larger than that of large fruits and vegetables because the measurement light is easily transmitted due to the difference in skin thickness and the like. It is preferable to reduce this, and there is an advantage that it is possible to shield the fruits and vegetables with the two outer rows of plate-like bodies, thereby avoiding a trouble that the data level is saturated.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, of the four rows of plate-like bodies, the two rows of plate-like bodies located on the outer side in the transport width direction are each formed of adjacent plate-like bodies in the transport direction of the transport means. In each of the remaining two rows of plate-shaped members located inside the boundary portion and the transfer width direction, the boundary between the plate-shaped members adjacent in the transfer direction of the transfer means is set so as not to overlap in the transfer width direction. Therefore, even if light leaks from the gap at the boundary between the plate-shaped bodies located outside in the transport width direction,
This light can be shielded by the plate-shaped body located on the inner side in the transport width direction, and the light can be made highly reliable.

According to the seventh aspect, the irradiating means is composed of a plurality of lamps for irradiating fruits and vegetables from a substantially horizontal direction, and the plurality of lamps are configured so as to be capable of adjusting the position in the vertical direction, so that the type of the fruits and vegetables can be adjusted. Thus, the irradiation position can be changed and adjusted favorably, and the device can be used in a wide range of use.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a fruit and vegetable quality measuring device.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a measurement unit.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional front view of the measuring unit, showing a state where a lamp is moved upward.

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional front view of the measurement unit, showing a state where the lamp has been moved downward.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of an optical fiber.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram for processing measurement light.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing another transport unit.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another transport unit.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing another transport unit.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional front view showing another conveying means.

FIG. 11 shows a vertical cross-sectional front view of another conveying means, (a) shows a state where fruits and vegetables are not placed, (b) shows a state where oranges are placed, and a state where Hasaku is placed. Is shown.

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional front view showing another transport unit.

13A and 13B are vertical front views of another transporting means, wherein FIG. 13A shows a state where fruits and vegetables are not placed, and FIG. 13B shows a state where Hassaku is placed.

14A and 14B are longitudinal front views of another transporting means, wherein FIG. 14A shows a state where fruits and vegetables are not placed, and FIG. 14B shows a state where Hassaku is placed.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are longitudinal front views of another conveying means, in which FIG. 15A shows a state where fruits and vegetables are not placed, and FIG. 15B shows a state where Hassaku is placed.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing a measuring unit of a conventional fruit and vegetable quality measuring device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 casters 3 Casing 4 Measuring part 5 Conveying means 5A Roller 6 Installation body 7 Monitor 8 Printer 9 Patlite 10 Irradiating means 11 Light receiving means 12 Inhibiting means 13 Drive pulley 14 Timing belt 14A Conveying surface 15 Guide member 15A Horizontal plate section 15B Vertical section 16 Drive rotation axis 17 Shaded lamp 18 Optical fiber 19 Cover member 20 Lid 21,22,23,24 Plate 23A, 23B, 23C, 23D Rotator 21A Upper end 25 Lump 30 Tray 30A Opening 31 Chain 32 Fixing member 33 Lamp 34 Optical fiber H Hassaku M Orange T Fixing part

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G01N 33/02 G01N 33/02 F-term (Reference) 2G059 AA01 BB08 BB11 CC20 DD12 EE01 EE12 FF06 GG03 GG10 JJ17 KK01 LL04 MM01 MM10 PP04 3F079 AC21 CA23 CA34 CB25 CB34 DA12 DA13 DA16

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An irradiation means for irradiating a measuring object to fruits and vegetables as an object to be measured, a conveying means for mounting and conveying to an irradiation position of the irradiation means, and a conveying means for mounting and conveying to an irradiation position by the conveying means. Light-receiving means for receiving measurement light which has moved downward from a gap formed at a middle portion in the conveyance width direction of the conveyance means, of the measurement light transmitted to the fruits and vegetables radiated toward the fruits and vegetables; Quality determination means for analyzing the spectrum of the measurement light received by the means to determine the quality of sugar content, acidity, water content, freshness, etc., and a mounting portion for fruits and vegetables provided continuously in the transport direction of the transport means And a blocking means for preventing a gap from being generated in a contact portion between the fruit and vegetable and the fruit and vegetable mounting part, wherein the blocking means deforms the fruit and vegetable mounting part by the weight of the fruit and vegetable. It's a way to increase the adhesion Fruit and vegetable quality measuring device. 2. A large number of plate-like bodies continuous with no gap in the left-right direction over substantially the entire area in the transport direction of the transport means at at least two places on the right and left sides of the transport surface of the transport means. The fruit and vegetable quality measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the fruit and vegetable placing part for placing and transporting the fruit and vegetable on a plate-like body is configured. 3. The fruit and vegetable quality measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the plate-like body is formed to have an outwardly expanding shape that is located on the outer side in the transport width direction of the transport unit toward the upper end side. 4. The fruit and vegetable quality according to claim 1, wherein said transport means is provided with at least one set of left and right endless track conveyors comprising a single or a plurality of lump bodies having a mounting portion deformable by the weight of the fruit and vegetable. measuring device. 5. In a case where four rows of plate-like bodies are provided, the remaining two rows of plate-like bodies located at the inside of the upper ends of the two rows of plate-like bodies located outside in the conveying width direction. The fruit and vegetable quality measuring device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the height of the fruit and vegetable is higher than the height of the upper end of the body group. 6. In each of the four rows of plate-like body groups, two rows of plate-like body groups located on the outer side in the transport width direction are transported to the boundary between adjacent plate-like bodies in the transport direction of the transport unit. 2. A state in which, in each of the remaining two rows of plate-shaped bodies located on the inner side in the width direction, a boundary portion between adjacent plate-shaped bodies in the transfer direction of the transfer means does not overlap in the transfer width direction. Or the fruit and vegetable quality measuring device according to 2 or 3 or 5. 7. The illuminating means comprises a plurality of lamps for irradiating fruits and vegetables from a substantially horizontal direction, and the plurality of lamps are configured to be capable of adjusting a position change in a vertical direction.
7. The fruit and vegetable quality measuring device according to any one of items 6 to 6.