JP2001165853A - Egg testing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an egg testing apparatus capable of dealing with a plurality of customers having different levels for abnormal eggs. SOLUTION: A computing unit 6 has a plurality of predetermined thresholds. and ranks quality of eggs E based upon a result comparing an inspected value a with each threshold. The computing unit 6 captures an output voltage value of a threshold selector switch 10, selects the threshold corresponding to the captured voltage value as a threshold for determining abnormality. The computing unit 6 compares the selected threshold for determining abnormality with the inspected value α and determines the egg as abnormal when the inspected value α is larger than the threshold for determining abnormality and as normal when smaller.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an egg inspection apparatus for inspecting the internal state of an egg based on transmitted light obtained by irradiating the egg with light.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Eggs produced in a poultry farm include abnormal eggs such as spotted eggs in which small clots are mixed in the eggshell, eggs mixed with meat spots in which meat substances are suspended in egg white, or entangled with karaza. In order to ship normal eggs, non-destructive inspection is performed to determine whether or not a plurality of collected eggs are abnormal eggs.

In order to non-destructively inspect an egg, an inspector holds the egg over light emitted from a light source such as a fluorescent lamp and visually judges whether or not the egg is abnormal. However, while such an inspection requires a skilled inspector, there is a problem that even an experienced inspector cannot perform inspection work for a long time. Therefore, the following egg testing device is disclosed.

FIG. 6 is a schematic side sectional view showing a main part of an egg test apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-735, in which reference numeral 60 denotes a projector. The light projector 60 incorporates a halogen lamp 61 and a reflector 62, and the light emitted from the halogen lamp 61 is directly or reflected by the reflector 62 and is incident on the light projecting lens 63. The light incident on the light projecting lens 63 is made into parallel light there, and is emitted from the light projecting lens 63. The parallel light emitted by the projection lens 63
The egg E is radiated through the egg 64 and transmitted through the egg E, and is incident on the condenser lens 75 of the light receiver 70.

On the light exit side of the condenser lens 75, two half mirrors 76 and 77 are separated by a predetermined distance in the direction of the optical axis so as to be at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the optical axis of the condenser lens 75. The light emitted from the condenser lens 75 is disposed at a first position reflected by one half mirror 76, and at a second position reflected by one half mirror 76 after passing through one half mirror 76. , And converges at a third position after passing through both half mirrors 76 and 77. Phototransistors 81, 82, and 83 are provided at the first to third positions, respectively.

The phototransistor 81 located at the first position
An optical filter 71 for transmitting light having a wavelength of 620 nm is disposed on the light incident side of the optical transistor 71. An optical filter for transmitting light having a wavelength of 575 nm is transmitted on the light incident side of the phototransistor 82 disposed at the second position. A filter 72 is provided, and 590n is provided on the light incident side of the phototransistor 83 arranged at the third position.
An optical filter 73 for transmitting light having a wavelength of m is provided. The phototransistors 81 to 83 arranged at the first to third positions photoelectrically convert the transmitted light of the corresponding optical filters 71 to 73, and convert the first to third signals into analog / digital devices (A / D converters). 85, 85, and 85 are output to the arithmetic unit 90.

The arithmetic unit 90 normalizes the second signal by dividing the given second signal by the third signal. If the level of the normalized signal is equal to or less than a predetermined level, it is a bloody egg. Is determined. If the given first signal is lower than a predetermined level, the arithmetic unit 90 determines that the egg is putrefactive. Thus, by the intensity of the transmitted light of 590 nm, which changes depending on the color of the eggshell, such as white or brown,
Since the intensity of the transmitted light at 575 nm absorbed by the clot is normalized, the influence of the color of the eggshell can be reduced.

In order to continuously inspect a plurality of eggs by such an apparatus, the above-mentioned light emitter 60 and light receiver 70 are arranged on both sides of a transport device for transporting a plurality of eggs in a line at a predetermined interval. At the same time, a sensor (not shown) for detecting the presence or absence of the egg E is provided slightly upstream of the light emitter 60 and the light receiver 70.
And a detection signal indicating that the sensor has detected the egg E is provided to the computing unit 90. The arithmetic unit 90 sets the A / D after a lapse of a predetermined time after the detection signal of the egg E is given from the sensor, that is, at the timing when the egg E exists in the optical path from the light projector 60 to the light receiver 70.
The signals supplied from the converters 85, 85, 85 are read as measurement signals.

On the other hand, a dimming filter (not shown) for reducing the intensity of light emitted from the light projector 60 is disposed on the light exit side of the slit 64 so as to be able to advance and retreat in the optical path, and the plurality of eggs are detected by the sensor. Based on the timing of sequential detection, eggs E
Is made to enter the optical path after being carried out of the optical path, and before the next egg E is carried into the optical path, the neutral density filter is made to exit from the optical path.
Just before the egg E is conveyed into the optical path, the arithmetic unit 90 operates with the A / D converter 8 in a state where the neutral density filter has entered the optical path.
The signals given from 5, 85, and 85 are read as reference signals, and the value of each measurement signal described above is divided by the value of the corresponding reference signal to obtain a correction signal. The computing unit 90 has a preset threshold value for determining whether or not there is an abnormality. Each time a correction signal is obtained, the computing unit 90 determines whether the value of the correction signal is equal to or greater than the threshold value. However, when the value of the correction signal is equal to or more than the threshold value, it is determined that the egg is a normal egg, and when the value of the correction signal is less than the threshold value, it is determined that the egg is abnormal.

[0010]

The destinations of eggs to be shipped from an egg inspection station are roughly divided into an egg retail store and an egg processing plant. Egg
At the processing site, it may be determined that it is normal, and vice versa. However, a single egg inspection apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-735 cannot cope with both of these cases. There is a problem that the egg inspection apparatus has to be installed in an egg inspection place, and the equipment cost is high.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a structure in which an arbitrary threshold value is selected from a plurality of predetermined threshold values by a threshold value selecting means. An object of the present invention is to provide an egg inspection apparatus that can respond to a single egg even when inspecting eggs related to a plurality of shipping destinations having different levels of eggs.

[0012]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an egg test apparatus which irradiates an egg with light from a light projector, receives transmitted light with a light receiver, and obtains a signal relating to the intensity of a required wavelength of the obtained transmitted light. Get
In an egg inspection apparatus that compares an obtained signal value with a predetermined threshold and inspects an internal state of an egg based on the comparison result, a threshold selection unit that selects an arbitrary threshold from a plurality of predetermined thresholds It is characterized by having.

[0013] The egg inspection apparatus according to a second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, a threshold selection switch is provided as the threshold selection means.

The egg is irradiated with light from the light projector and the transmitted light is received by the light receiver. A signal obtained by making the transmitted light incident on an optical filter that allows light of a required wavelength to pass therethrough, and photoelectrically converting the transmitted light, or dispersing the transmitted light, and obtained by photoelectrically converting light of a required wavelength. Using the signal
A predetermined calculation process is performed, and the calculation result is obtained. On the other hand, a plurality of thresholds are determined in advance, and, for example, by operating a threshold selection switch such as a button, a slider, or a rotary knob, an appropriate threshold is selected from the respective thresholds according to the level of the abnormal egg. Keep it. Then, the selected threshold value is compared with the calculation result obtained as described above, and based on the comparison result, it is checked whether or not there is an abnormality inside the egg. Thereby, even when inspecting eggs related to a plurality of shipping destinations having different levels of abnormal eggs, one egg can be used.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the egg detecting apparatus according to the first or second aspect.
The invention is characterized in that it comprises means for comparing each of the thresholds with the value of the signal, and means for classifying the value of the signal based on the obtained comparison result.

Each threshold value is compared with the value of the signal.
And classifying the value of the signal based on the obtained comparison result.
I do. For example, seven thresholds (SH₁~ SH₇: SH₁<
SH_Two<SH_Three<SH_Four<SH_Five<SH₆<SH₇)
A signal that is set in advance and is related to the intensity of the required wavelength of transmitted light
Is the threshold SH₁If less than, run to first level
And the threshold SH₁Above threshold SH_TwoIf less than,
Rank at the second level, threshold SH_TwoAbove threshold SH_Three
If less than, rank to third level and threshold SH
_ThreeAbove threshold SH_FourIf less then rank 4th
And the threshold SH _FourAbove threshold SH_FiveIf less than
Rank 5 levels, threshold SH_FiveAbove threshold SH₆Not yet
If so, rank at 6th level, threshold SH₆
Above threshold SH₇If less than, rank at 7th level
Barrier SH₇If above, rank 8th
Attach. This allows the determination of normal and abnormal eggs
In addition, the internal state of the egg can be objectively determined.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. 1, 2 and 3 are:
FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view, a front cross-sectional view, and a plan cross-sectional view illustrating a main part configuration of the egg test apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a signal processing system of the egg test apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the apparatus together with the configuration. Rectangular openings are respectively provided on the front and back of the light-shielding housing 4. A transfer device 3 for transferring the egg E in the direction of the arrow is provided in both openings, and a rail 31 having a flat bottom U-shape when viewed from the front is inserted so as to penetrate the housing 4. It is fixed to the housing 4 by fixtures 47,47.

On the rail 31, an annular conveyor 33 formed by rotatably connecting both ends of a plurality of drum-shaped rollers 32, 32,... Arranged in parallel with each other so as to rotate in one direction. The conveyor 33 and each roller 32, 32,
Are rotationally driven individually by a rotational drive mechanism (not shown).

At the approximate center of the portion of the rail 31 inserted into the housing 4, a rectangular opening is provided.
In the case of cracking, in order to prevent the shell and contents of the egg E from falling into the opening, the opening is made of a colorless and transparent glass or synthetic resin, and a protective plate 51 for transmitting visible light. Are detachably fitted.

A rectangular vertical plate 42 is disposed at an appropriate distance from one side surface of the rail 31 in parallel with the rail 31, and the vertical plate 42 is attached to a support block 41 fixed to the bottom of the housing 4. Screwed. Below the protection plate 51, a light projecting unit 1 for emitting light of a predetermined wavelength to the egg E is provided. Above the protection plate 51 and the rail 31, light emitted from the light projecting unit 1 is provided. The light receiving sections 2 to which the light enters are arranged.

The light projecting section 1 includes first, second and third light projectors 11, 12, and 13 for emitting lights having different wavelengths. The first projector 11 includes, for example, a plurality of light emitting elements 11 a, in which a plurality of LEDs that emit light having a peak at 626 nm are embedded in a lens formed by molding a synthetic resin into a bullet shape.
Are arranged in a matrix (for example, 3 rows × 4 columns) in a predetermined area on the substrate.
A plurality of light emitting elements 12a, 12a,... buried in the lens unit are a plurality of LEDs that emit light having a peak at nm.
Are arranged in a matrix in a predetermined area on the substrate.
The third projector 13 has a plurality of light emitting elements 13a, 13a,... Formed by embedding a plurality of LEDs that emit light having a peak at 575 nm in the lens unit in a predetermined area on the substrate in a matrix. I have.

Below the above-mentioned rail 31, there are four lower support arms 44, 4 in the form of a strip reaching near the other side of the rail 31.
4, 44, 44 are fixed at right angles to the vertical plate 42 at appropriate distances on a circle of a diameter, and above the rail 31 are the lower support arms 44, 44, 44, 44. 4 of the same size as
The upper support arms 43, 43, 43, 43 of the book are fixed at a right angle to the vertical plate 42 at a distance on the circle.

Three adjacent lower support arms 44, 44, 44
In addition, the first to third light emitters 11 to 13 are located at substantially the center of the protection plate 51 and adjacent rollers located on the protection plate 51.
The light that passes through the gap between 32 and 32 and is emitted from all the light projectors 11 to 13 is attached so that the center of the egg E passes at one point. Further, the remaining lower support arm 44 is provided with the egg detection light receiver 37 of the optical sensor 35 for detecting the presence or absence of the egg E as described above.
It is attached at a position on the optical path passing through a point where the light emitted from the third projectors 11 to 13 intersects.

On the other hand, the three upper support arms 43, 43, 43 opposed to the lower support arms 44, 44, 44 to which the first to third projectors 11 to 13 are attached, respectively. First to third light receivers 21 to 23 to which the light emitted from the light sources 13 to 13 are incident are attached. In addition, the remaining upper support arm 43 is provided with an egg detecting light emitter 36 for emitting light to the egg detecting light receiver 37.

The light incident on the shell of the egg E from the first to third light projectors 11 to 13 is scattered in the shell and propagates, and is emitted from the portion facing the incident portion of the shell to the light receiving section 2. Each is incident. In the light receiving unit 2, first, second and third light receivers 21, 22, and 23, which will be described later, are disposed opposite to the first to third light projectors 11 to 13, and emitted from each of the light projectors 11 to 13 The transmitted light transmitted through E is received by the corresponding first to third light receivers 21 to 23, respectively.

In this embodiment, a plurality of light emitting elements
, 12a, 12a, ..., 13a, 13a, ..., the first to third light emitters 11 to 13 are arranged to face the first, second and third light receivers 21, 22, 23. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a halogen lamp, a condenser lens, and the like are built in and opposed to the first, second, and third light receivers 21, 22, and 23, and a light beam having a required diameter is provided. May be arranged respectively.

The first to third light receivers 21 to 23 correspond to the first to third light emitters 11 to 13 at an intermediate portion of the cylindrical holder.
Optical filter that allows light of 626 nm to pass, 582 nm
An optical filter that transmits light of 575 nm or an optical filter that transmits light of 575 nm is fitted, and a light receiving element having a built-in phototransistor is provided at the bottom of the holder. Each of the above-mentioned transmitted lights is incident on an optical filter in each holder of each of the first to third light receivers 21 to 23, and the passing light is converted by the light receiving element into an electric signal corresponding to the intensity.

The state of the light incident on the egg detecting light receiver 37 from the egg detecting light emitter 36 described above is provided from the egg detecting light receiver 37 to the arithmetic unit 6. Arithmetic unit 6
In advance, the nominal diameter of the egg E, the transfer speed of the egg E by the transfer device 3 and the like are set in advance, and the arithmetic unit 6 sends the egg E to the optical path between the egg detecting light emitter 36 and the egg detecting light receiver 37. When a predetermined time has elapsed since the output level of the egg detecting light receiver 37 was reduced due to the intrusion of the egg E, the transmitted light emitted from the first to third projectors 11 to 13 and transmitted through the center of the egg E was At the timing when the light is received by the first to third light receivers 21 to 23, calculation and determination described later are executed.

The first to third light receivers 21 to 23 convert the incident light into electric signals corresponding to the intensities thereof, and supply the electric signals to the analog / digital (A / D) converter 5, respectively. The A / D converter 5 converts the electric signals supplied from the first to third light receivers 21 to 23 into digital signals and supplies them to the arithmetic unit 6. The following formula (1) created using, for example, a statistical analysis method is set in the arithmetic device 6 in advance, and the arithmetic device 6 converts the signals given from the A / D converters 5, 5, and 5 into The test value α is calculated by applying the equation (1). α = A + B × Abs (λ ₁ ) + C × Abs (λ ₂ ) + D × Abs (λ ₃ ) (1) where A: 0.36 B: -1.4 C: 7.4 D: -6. 2 Abs (λ ₁ ): Absorbance at 626 nm Abs (λ ₂ ): Absorbance at 582 nm Abs (λ ₃ ): Absorbance at 575 nm

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the determination procedure of the arithmetic unit 6 shown in FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows an order. The arithmetic unit 6 includes a plurality of
(E.g., seven) thresholds (SH₁~ SH₇: SH₁<SH
_Two<SH_Three<SH_Four<SH_Five<SH₆<SH₇)
It has been set. The arithmetic unit 6 calculates the test value obtained by the calculation.
α is compared with each threshold value (step S1).
Ranking indicating the quality of egg E based on the comparison results
Is performed (step S2). For example, when the test value α is the threshold S
H₁If less than, rank to first level and threshold
SH₁Above threshold SH_TwoIf it is less than
Link, threshold SH_TwoAbove threshold SH_ThreePlace that is less than
Is ranked at the third level and the threshold SH _ThreeAbove threshold S
H_FourIf less than, rank to 4th level and threshold
SH_FourAbove threshold SH_FiveIf it is less than
Link, threshold SH_FiveAbove threshold SH₆Place that is less than
Rank at the 6th level and the threshold SH₆Above threshold S
H₇If less than, rank to 7th level and threshold
SH₇If so, rank the eighth level.

The arithmetic unit 6 determines that the egg E is abnormal.
The thresholds for abnormality determination for performing
₁~ SH₇Switch 10 for selecting the threshold
It is attached. Connected in series to threshold selection switch 10
6 resistive elements R₁~ R ₆And both ends of each resistance element R
₁~ R₆7 taps T provided between₁~ T₇To
Outputs different voltage values by switching connections
The output of the voltage divider circuit is
Arithmetic unit via an analog / digital (A / D) converter 7
6 given. The output of the voltage divider, ie, each tap T₁~
T₇The value of each voltage determined by connection to
SH₁~ SH₇Is a one-to-one correspondence, and the arithmetic unit
6 selects an abnormality determination threshold value as follows.

The arithmetic unit 6 captures the value of the output voltage of the threshold selection switch 10, and selects a threshold value corresponding to the captured voltage value as an abnormality determination threshold value (steps S3 and S3).
4). The arithmetic unit 6 compares the selected abnormality determination threshold value with the test value α (step S5), and if the test value α is larger than the abnormality determination threshold value, determines that the egg is abnormal (step S6), and determines the test value. If α is smaller than the abnormality determination threshold, it is determined that the egg is a normal egg (step S7). Then, the arithmetic unit 6 outputs the result of determining whether the egg is an abnormal egg or a normal egg, and the result of the ranking described above (step S8).

In the claims, reference numerals are provided for convenience of comparison with the drawings, but the description does not limit the present invention to the structure of the accompanying drawings.

[0034]

As described above in detail, in the egg inspection apparatus according to the first invention, even when inspecting eggs related to a plurality of shipping destinations having different abnormal egg levels, one egg inspection apparatus can cope with the inspection. can do. Further, since the threshold value for detecting an abnormal egg is selected from a plurality of threshold values set in advance, the threshold value for detecting an abnormal egg can be easily determined and changed.

In the egg inspection apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, an arbitrary threshold value is selected from a plurality of threshold values set in advance by using a threshold value selection switch. The operation can be easily performed.
In addition, since the threshold value selection switch is provided, an increase in device cost can be suppressed as much as possible.

In the egg inspection apparatus according to the third invention, the present invention has excellent effects such that the internal state of the egg can be objectively determined together with the determination of the normal egg and the abnormal egg.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of an egg test apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of the egg test apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan cross-sectional view showing a main configuration of the egg test apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a signal processing system of the egg testing apparatus according to the present invention, together with a main configuration of the egg testing apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

5 is a flowchart illustrating a determination procedure of the arithmetic device illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of an egg testing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-735.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 light emitting unit 2 light receiving unit 3 transfer device 10 threshold value selecting switch 11 first light emitting device 12 second light emitting device 13 third light emitting device 11a light emitting element 12a light emitting element 13a light emitting element 21 first light receiving device 22 second light receiving device 23 third light receiving Container 31 Rail 32 Roller 33 Conveyor 35 Optical sensor 51 Protection plate R Resistance element T Tap E Egg

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Keiichi Nariyama, 2-35 Jinbucho, Yao-shi, Osaka Prefecture Inside Kubota Electronics Technology Center Co., Ltd. (72) Kazushige Ikeda 2-35, Jinbucho, Yao-shi, Osaka No. F-term in Kubota Electronic Technology Center Co., Ltd. (reference) 2G059 AA05 BB11 CC20 DD12 EE01 EE11 FF06 GG02 GG03 HH02 HH06 JJ02 JJ11 KK01 KK03 MM01 MM05 MM09

Claims (3)

[Claims] An egg is irradiated with light from a light emitter (11, 12, 13), a transmitted light is received by a light receiver (21, 22, 23), and a signal related to the intensity of a required wavelength of the obtained transmitted light is received. In the egg test apparatus for comparing the obtained signal value with a predetermined threshold value and inspecting the internal state of the egg based on the comparison result, a threshold value for selecting an arbitrary threshold value from a plurality of predetermined threshold values An egg inspection apparatus comprising selection means. 2. The egg inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a threshold selection switch (10) is provided as said threshold selection means. 3. The egg inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for comparing each of the thresholds with the value of the signal; and means for classifying the value of the signal based on an obtained comparison result. apparatus.