JP2001198531A - Weight sorting method and weight sorting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify a structure by eliminating a hopper, etc. of a weight sorting machine and to simplify work accompanying a change in the transporting speed of objects to be sorted. SOLUTION: The objects P to be sorted are transported by an endless belt 57 and when these objects are placed on balance plates 77a to 77c, the objects P to be sorted are sunk downward by the slack of the endless belt 57 by their own weights of the objects P to be sorted. When the weight of the objects P to be sorted are over a set value, a detector 76 is detected by weight discriminating sensors 8a to 8c (see Figure 10) and is kicked out to a Y direction. The objects to be sorted are then discharged to chutes 18a to 18c (see Figure 17). When the weights of the objects p to be sorted are less than the set value, the detector 76 is not detected by the sensors 8a to 8c (see Figure 11) and the discharging devices 11a to 11c do not operate. The objects to be sorted are then transported to the next weight sorting point and is subjected to similar sorting.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and a machine for weight sorting of fruits and vegetables.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a weight sorter for sorting weight of harvested fruits and vegetables is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-182302.
JP-A-3-46919, JP-A-1-124278.
2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a machine adopting a principle of placing a sorting object on a moving hopper, a tray or the like, and performing weight sorting while the moving object is in a moving state, as shown in a reference number.
That is, gravity and inertial force are applied to the sorting object placed on the hopper or the like, and the weight of the sorting object is weighed with reference to the resultant force. Therefore, when the transport speed of the hopper or the like changes, the inertia force also changes, and the weight of the sorting object to be determined also changes.

However, the above-mentioned conventional technology requires a hopper or the like and a structure accompanying the hopper or the like, and is often supplied to a hopper or the like of a weight sorter by a feeder or manually. Therefore, a hopper and the like and various structures (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
No. 7) is required, the structure of the whole machine becomes complicated, the size of the machine increases, and the cost increases. Also, since the sorting target is weighed in a moving state, if the transport speed of the hopper or the like is changed, the inertial force applied to the hopper or the like changes, and the reference amount of the weighing of the weight or the like must be changed. In addition, the sorting operation may be complicated.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above points, the first to third aspects of the present invention eliminate the hopper and the like of the weight sorter, simplify the structure, and accompany the change of the transport speed of the sorting object. The task is to simplify the work.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, instead of placing a sorting object on a hopper or the like and then weighing it in a moving state as in the related art, the slack of a transport belt is used. The present invention has been made by finding a technical principle of determining the weight by lowering the sorting object by its own weight. That is, the invention according to claim 1, the sorting object is transported by an endless transport device having a belt-shaped endless belt hung in a state of being loosened on a plurality of rotating members, the sorting object, At a predetermined weight discriminating place in the endless transporting device, while being conveyed by the endless belt, utilizing the slack of the endless belt, operating the weighing device provided at the weight discriminating place by the own weight of the sorting object. 1 step, a second step of determining the weight of the sorting object in the operating state, and a third step of sorting the sorting object based on the determination result. This is a weight sorting method. As a result, a slack is intentionally created in the conveyor belt, and the weight can be determined by using the slack, thereby eliminating the need for a hopper or the like.
The above problem can be suitably solved. The endless belt is preferably made of a flexible material (resin, rubber, or the like) that is loosened by the weight of the object to be sorted.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a belt-shaped endless belt is hung on a plurality of rotating members while being held down, and the endless belt is pressed from both front and back sides by a pressing rotary drive member provided on a supply side. An endless transport device for transporting the sorting target object, and a plurality of openings, provided in a predetermined location in an inner region of the endless belt in an upper region of the endless transport device to guide the endless belt. Guide plate, and a weighing plate capable of moving the opening up and down, the weighing plate forms a sorting path having a linear transport surface together with the guide plate, and the sorting object in the transport state is the When placed on a weighing plate, the weight of the sorting object is determined by lowering the weighing plate by its own weight due to the slack of the endless belt, and a weight determining unit that determines the weight of the sorting object. Selection A weight sorter, characterized in that it and a sorting unit for sorting objects. This achieves the same object as the first aspect of the present invention. Claim 1
The "endless transporting device" referred to above can be typically exemplified by a device in which an endless belt is wound around a pulley provided on a rotating shaft and the endless belt is driven by a rotation driving member, and a belt-like endless belt of the endless transporting device. The object to be sorted moves along.

The weight discriminating unit described in claim 2 is preferably of a mechanical type, but may include an electronic type or a combination of a mechanical type and an electric type. A typical example of the mechanical type is defined in claim 3. As an example of determining the weight of the sorting target object, there is a method of determining whether the weight is heavier or lighter than a set weight. In addition, as an example of the sorting unit, one that discharges a material that is heavier than the set weight may be discharged, but light that is lighter may be discharged.

A third aspect of the present invention is a further embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention, in which a belt-like endless belt is hung on a plurality of pulleys and provided on a supply side. An endless conveying device that conveys the sorting object by pressing the endless belt from both front and back sides by driving a pair of pressing pulleys with a motor, a lever that can swing around a swing shaft, and one of the levers Side, and a weighing plate on which the sorting object can be placed, and a weight plate disposed on the other side of the lever, a mechanical weigher, and a restricting unit that restricts the movement of the lever. A lever detection unit that detects a predetermined movement of the lever, a selection target detection unit that detects passage of the selection target, a discharge unit that forcibly discharges the selection target from the endless belt, Opening, above the endless transport device In the area, a guide plate provided at a predetermined position in the inner area of the endless belt and supporting the endless belt to guide the endless belt, and a scale plate capable of moving the opening portion up and down, the scale plate is provided with the guide Forming a sorting path with a linear transport surface together with the plate, and when the sorting object in the transport state is placed on the weighing plate, the weighing plate is lowered by its own weight due to the slack of the endless belt. A control unit that determines the weight of the sorting target object based on the detection of the lever detecting unit, and controls the discharge unit to drive and discharge the sorting target object in response to the determination result. ,
A weight sorter comprising: This achieves the same objects as the first and second aspects of the invention. Further, there is an advantage that the apparatus can be simplified.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the scale is a mechanical scale, even if it is installed in a poor environment, such as a farmhouse, where there is much humidity and dust, there is a risk of failure due to the influence of dust, humidity, etc., as compared with the electronic type. There are fewer advantages. The “lever detection unit” is, for example, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, or the like, which detects a predetermined movement of the lever, for example, when the sorting target object is lighter than a set weight, the lever shakes at a predetermined level or more. it can. The “selection target detecting unit” includes a sensor that optically detects the selection target, a sensor that detects electromagnetically, a sensor that detects mechanically, and the like. "The discharge unit"
As an example, there can be exemplified one in which the sorting object is forcibly discharged from the endless member by electromagnetic force or mechanical force (for example, hydraulic pressure, pneumatic pressure, or the like). The “control unit” includes any of mechanical control, electronic control, and a combination of both. In the case of electronic control, there are software control, hardware control, a combination thereof, and the like. As a device for determining the weight, a weight determination sensor can be used.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A weight sorter 1 according to a preferred embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the weight sorter 1 executes the weight sorting of a sorting object P (in this embodiment, an example is a pepper: see FIG. 16). The size of the body and the weighing range can be set in an appropriate range depending on the type of the sorting target. At the upstream position of the sorting path L (see FIG. 5), as shown in FIG.
The sorting object P is supplied from the hopper H to the feeder 2, and the sorting object P is further supplied to the weight sorter 1. The body 3 is provided with a pulley drive system 5, a chain drive system 4, and a pneumatic drive system 6 (see FIG. 2 and the like) shown in FIG. Pulley drive system 5 and chain drive system 4
Transports the sorting object P along the circling direction M (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The fuselage 3 is obtained by cutting an angle material and joining it by welding. A sorting path L (see FIG. 5 and the like) is set so as to transport the sorting object P in the circumferential direction M. This sorting path L (constituting the measurement span) uses the upper region side of the machine body 3 and moves the sorting object P linearly from the upstream side to the downstream side. The pneumatic drive system 6 discharges the sorting object P in the lateral direction. Although the weight sorting accuracy is approximately ± 2.5 g, the sorting accuracy can be increased by designing.

Along the sorting path L, three weight sorting places S
1, S2, and S3 (see FIG. 3B) are provided.
The mechanical scales 7a to 7c are sequentially installed at the respective weight sorting locations S1 to S3, and the set weights are sequentially increased toward the downstream side along the sorting route L, and the sorting target objects P are classified into four weight classes. It can be sorted out.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the mechanical scales 7a to 7c is provided with a weight discriminating sensor 8a to 8c (see FIGS. 1 and 11), and passes to the downstream side of the mechanical scales 7a to 7c. The detection sensors 9a to 9c (see FIG. 2, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10, etc.), and the discharge devices 11a to 11c (see FIG. 3) further downstream thereof are sequentially provided. An electronic control unit 12 for controlling weight selection is provided on a side surface of the body 3. Display device 1 showing the state of weight selection and the like by image
3. A speaker 14 (see FIG. 1) for informing the operating state and the like by voice is provided. The motor 15 (see FIG. 7) is of a variable speed type, and has a speed controller 22 (see FIG. 1).
) Can change the speed. The chutes 18a to 18c, which receive the sorting object P from the discharging devices 11a to 11c and have concave surfaces, are provided at the lateral positions of the respective weight sorting places S1, S2 and S3 (FIG. 3A).
) And a chute 18d at the end of the weight sorter 1.
(See FIG. 1 and FIG. 3A). A start switch 20 and a stop switch 21 are provided on a surface of the electronic control device 12. Hereinafter, the configuration of each unit will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 18, the upper portion of the feeder 2 is provided with a long recess in the center to supply the sorting object P. The upper portion is bent upward in a triangular shape and has a predetermined interval. Top plate 26 and top plate 27 separated by a gap
And a drive unit 28 including a pulley, a belt and the like provided between them.

(Structure of Airframe 3) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the airframe 3 has a structure 30 in which a plurality of angles are welded, and a horizontally mounted balance support plate 31 for supporting mechanical balances 7a to 7c.
And a plurality of wall plates 32 erected at predetermined intervals facing the transport area and to which a cushion is attached, an angle member 33 for fixing the wall plates 32, bearings 50c to 55c, and the like. Further, a guide plate 34 with a flange to which a friction reducing sheet made of Teflon resin or the like is attached is provided at a lower portion at the center of the machine body 3 to prevent yawing or rolling of the endless belt 57 and to improve transport stability. .

(Configuration of Chain Drive System 4) The chain drive system 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. The chain drive system 4 transmits the driving force of the motor 15 to the pulley drive system 5. A gear 42 is fixed to a rotating shaft 41 of the motor 15 at a lower portion on the supply side of the machine body 3, that is, a lower portion of the machine body to which the feeder 2 is connected, and a gear 43 is fixed to a rotating shaft 50b to which a driving pulley 50a described later is fixed. A chain 44 is hung on the gears 42 and 43.
Thus, the driving force of the motor 15 is transmitted to the pulley drive system 5 via the chain drive system 4.

(Configuration of Pulley Drive System 5) The pulley drive system 5 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 will be described. Feeder 2
A rotary shaft 50b to which a plurality of (here, four) drive pulleys 50a are attached at the lower part of the body 3 on the side (upstream side).
Are supported by the bearing 50c. Drive pulley 50a
Is a pulley for a V-belt, and an elastic ring 50d having a circular cross section is fitted in a groove of the pulley. The ring 50d is made of an elastic resin, rubber, or the like. A rotating shaft 51b having a flanged driven pulley 51a sandwiching the endless belt 57 from both front and back together with the elastic ring 50d is supported by a bearing 51c. It is supported by a bearing 52c. In the upper part of the body 3 on the feeder 2 side, a rotating shaft 53b to which a flanged driven pulley 53a is mounted is supported by a bearing 53c. A rotating shaft 54b to which a flanged driven pulley 54a is attached at the upper portion on the downstream side of the body 3
Are supported by the bearing 54c. In the lower part on the downstream side of the body 3, a rotary shaft 55b to which a driven pulley with flange 55a is attached is supported by a bearing 55c. As shown in FIG. 8, the position of the bearing 55c can be adjusted in the front-rear direction by screws 56. Driven pulley 55a
In order to properly adjust the degree of slack of the endless belt 57. And the belt-shaped endless belt 57
However, the driven pulleys 51a, 52a, 53a, 54 described above
a and 55a are hung with slack, and are sandwiched between the ring 50d and the driven pulley 51a. The reason for sandwiching and sending out by the ring 50d is that the pressure becomes more appropriate when sandwiched between the elastic members. This is because one endless belt 57 usually has a seam formed by sewing and is not completely equal in thickness.
This is to feed the endless belt 57 without being affected by the thickness of about 0. It is more preferable than a sandwich between metals. In this way, the sorting object P is automatically sent out to the sorting path L side by the pulley drive system 5, and there is no conventional hopper or the like, and the sorting object P is made to correspond to the type of the sorting object P as before. No special feeding machine is required.

(Configuration of Guide Plate 58 and the Like) Followed Pulley 53a
And 54a, the endless belt 5 as shown in FIG.
7 to prevent the guide plates 5 from dripping.
8a to 58d are formed at predetermined intervals, and the scale support plate 3
1 are supported by threaded legs 58H (see FIG. 1) which are erected at predetermined intervals. Openings 59a-
59c is formed, and weighing plates 77a to 77c described below are located in the openings 59a to 59c, and the guide plates 58a to 58d and the weighing plates 77a to 77c are flush with each other, and the gap between them is as small as possible. It is set as follows. Guide plate 58
The transport surface K (see FIG. 3B) for horizontally supporting the endless belt 57 is constituted by the a-58d and the weighing plates 77a-77c. Of course, if the sorting object P is loaded, the weighing plates 77a to 77
c is made to fall by its own weight. Here, the guide plate 58
A frictional resistance reducing sheet such as a Teflon resin sheet is adhered to the surfaces of a to 58d and weighing plates 77a to 77c. The resin is used to ensure the safety of food and the like when transporting the food and the like. According to this, the endless belt 57
Can also be provided with a friction reducing sheet made of Teflon resin or the like having flexibility, and the guide plates 58a to 58d can be provided.
Further, the coefficient of friction with the weighing plates 77a to 77c can be further reduced. The reason for considering the reduction of friction is that the endless belt 57 is intentionally loosened and has no tension. If the friction coefficient increases, the endless belt 57 undulates at the sorting object P, and the measurement is performed. Because the weight changes.
Therefore, the tension of the endless belt 57 is kept as small as possible. The thinner the endless belt 57 is, the better. Here, 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm is preferable.

(Configuration of Pneumatic Drive System 6) Pneumatic Drive System 6
As shown in FIG. 2, a compressor (not shown), an electromagnetic valve (not shown) which is supplied with air pressure and controls the supply and discharge of air in accordance with a command from the electronic control unit 12, and a solenoid valve and an air tube (not shown) Double-acting air cylinders 62a to 62c (two air tubes are connected to each cylinder) connected to each other via a not-shown) and an air pressure gauge (not shown) for measuring air pressure from a compressor (not shown) (Abbreviation).

(Structure of Mechanical Scales 7a to 7c) Scale Support Plate 31
The structure of the mechanical balances 7a to 7c fixed at predetermined intervals on the upper surface of will be described with reference to FIGS. A plurality (three in this case) of weight selection places S1 to S3 on the scale support plate 31
The mechanical balances 7a to 7c are fixed to the endless belt 57.
Mechanical balance 7 from the upstream side to the downstream side when viewed from
The set weights of a to 7c are sequentially increased. Although three mechanical balances 7a to 7c are installed, since they have the same structure, the mechanical balance 7a will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the installation number can be set to an appropriate number.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, levers 70a,
70b is a fixed bracket 71 swingably around the axis X1.
It is supported by. Vertical frames 72a, 72b are rotatably mounted on the left and right ends of the levers 70a, 70b by their respective shaft cores X2 to form a parallel crank mechanism. The vertical frames 72a, 72b are always held in a vertical posture. ing.
A weight plate 74 that can receive a weight 73 (see FIG. 9) is provided at the upper end of the vertical frame 72a. Mechanical balance 7a
By changing the weight 73, the set weight can be adjusted. The transport speed is independent of the weight. That is, since the sorting object P is instantaneously settled by its own weight using the slack of the endless belt 57, even if the sorting object P is in the transporting state, the influence of the rotation speed of the endless belt 57 in the weight sorting. Can be eliminated.

The zero point adjusting section 75 includes a screw shaft 75a, a tone ball 75b screwed to the screw shaft 75a, and a fixture 75c for fixing the screw shaft 75a to the fixing bracket 71. The zero point adjusting section 75 is for initially adjusting the balance by rotating the tone ball 75b so as to balance the hollow state.

A detector 76 extends forward from the lever 70b. The weighing plate 77a is a thin plate set to have the same thickness as the guide plate 58a, and the entire length and width are set to dimensions on which the sorting object P can be stably placed. A rectangular fixed frame 77K is fixed to the back surface of the weighing plate 77a, and the fixed frame 77K is fixed to an upper portion of the vertical frame 72b.

An upper limit stopper 78 (see FIG. 9) for regulating the upper limit position of the weighing plate 77a is provided at the rear end of the mechanical weigher 7a. Lower limit stopper 79 that regulates the lower limit position of weighing plate 77a
Are provided at the lower end of the vertical frame 72b (see FIG. 11).
The upper limit stopper 78 prevents the weighing plate 77a from rising above the horizontal state and pushing up the endless belt 57. The lower limit stopper 79 prevents the impact load from being applied because the weighing plate 77a is lowered too much.

As the weight 73 used for the weight plate 74, a weight whose weight can be set so as to conform to the agricultural and forestry standards is employed. The sorting target objects P are determined by the standards of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry so that the number of the objects to be sorted is 150 g or more per bag. That is, it is stipulated that the weight of one bag must be at least 150 g. Therefore, a farmer strives to approach 150g without limit, but since it is divided into four classes, the bagging operation is easy and the loss is almost eliminated compared to manual operation. Sorting object P
Usually, the weight different from the set weight is almost the same, and it can be accurately determined whether the weight is heavy or light. It is considered rare that the sorting object P has the same weight as the set weight, but in that case, it is determined that the sorting object P is light or heavy depending on how the sorting object P rides on the weighing plates 77a to 77c. Although it is not clear which one depends on the situation at that time, it is considered that there is no problem in accuracy.

A spring balance may be used in place of the mechanical balance,
Alternatively, an electronic balance may be used. However, in the case of an electronic balance, conditions are poor in a place where the dust is placed, dust, humidity, and the like.Therefore, employing a mechanical balance as in the present embodiment has a simpler structure and better accuracy. It is also suitable in terms of cost and maintenance. There is nothing that can not be applied even with electronic, but dust,
This embodiment is sometimes affected by water, temperature change, humidity, lightning surge and the like, and may be broken down. The mechanical balances 7a to 7c are arranged perpendicular to the direction of the sorting path L, but can be changed so that they can be arranged in parallel with the direction.

(Structure of Sensor) FIGS. 1, 10 and 11
The weight discriminating sensors 8a to 8c shown in FIG. 1 are each composed of a magnetic proximity switch (for example, a proximity sensor or the like), and are fixed at a predetermined position of a fixture 81 that can detect the detector 76 above the detector 76, and When the weight of the object P is smaller than the set weight, the detector 76 (see FIG. 11) is close to the sensor and the switch is turned on. Sorting object P
If the weight of the object is not less than the set weight, the sinking of the weighing plates 77a to 77c becomes more than a predetermined level due to the own weight of the sorting object P on which the endless belt 57 is placed, and the descending of the detector 76 becomes larger than a predetermined level. Thus, the switch is turned off (see FIG. 10). When the switch is on, the operation is unstable when emitting red light, the operation is stable when emitting green light, and is turned off when the switch is off. The switch clearance is 2mm
It is set to about 8 mm. Weight discriminating sensors 8a-
The provision of 8c in front of the mechanical scales 7a to 7c increases the clearance and increases the front swing (stroke) of the detector 76.

The objects P to be sorted shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 9, FIG.
Passage detection sensors 9a to 9c that detect the passage of the object P are photoelectric switches (for example, infrared reflection type sensors) that optically detect the presence or absence of the passage of the sorting object P, and the weighing plate 77a
Slightly downstream of the motor controller 77-77c, each is fixed to an angle member 33 (see FIG. 9) disposed on the body 3 in parallel with the circling direction M, and the detection signal is transmitted by an optical fiber to the electronic control unit 12.
Output to

(Structure of Discharge Devices 11a to 11c) The discharge device 11a will be described with reference to FIGS.
The description of the discharge devices 11b and 11c is referred to. Discharge device 1
1a is provided slightly downstream of the passage detection sensor 9a,
A sponge that protects the sorting object P is attached to the springing side, and a bounce plate 110 provided orthogonal to the circling direction M;
It extends laterally from the back surface of the bounce plate 110 and extends in the Y direction (FIG. 1).
7) is driven. The double-acting air cylinder 62 a is fixed to the lower surface of the angle member 32, and its cylinder rod is fixed to the rod 111.

When it is determined that the sorting object P is heavier than the set weight, the signal from the weight determining sensor 8a is referred to,
In response to a command from the electronic control device 12, the discharge device 11a pops out the sorting object P. That is, with the extension of the air cylinder 62a, the rod 11
1 is driven in the Y direction to be extended, and the sorting object P is rejected from the circulating direction M in the discharging direction Q to be forcibly ejected from the sorting path L, and then is moved to the normal position with the retraction of the air cylinder 62a. The rod 111 is retracted up to that point. On the other hand, if it is determined that the sorting object P is lighter than the set weight, the discharging device 11a does not operate and the sorting object P
Is conveyed by the endless belt 57 toward the next weight selection point or the end without being jumped out. That is, the discharging device 11a does not normally perform the discharging operation, but when the predetermined discharging processing condition is satisfied, the sorting target object P is discharged.
Is discharged laterally.

The double-acting air cylinder 62a is mounted on the chute 18
The reason why the sorting object P is arranged at the front side end of a is that the sorting object P is ejected in a diagonal direction by the ejecting force and the inertia force because the sorting object P is ejected in the transported state. (See FIG. 17).

The discharging device 11a may discharge the sorting object P by a timer operation. However, since the distance becomes unstable and there is a possibility that the sorting object P may be missed, the discharging device 11a detects the existence of the sorting object P and discharges it. It is something to do.

(Configuration of Electronic Control Unit 12) Weight Sorting Machine 1
The electronic control unit 12 that controls the above will be described with reference to FIG. The electronic control unit 12 includes a CPU 120, RA
The M121, the ROM 122, the counter 123, the audio controller 125, and the input / output interface 126 are interconnected by a bus 127. I / O interface 1
26, pass detection sensors 9a to 9c, weight discrimination sensors 8a to 8c, display device 13, speaker 14, motor 1
5. The speed controller 22, the electromagnetic valve 60, and the like are connected so that various input signals and output signals are input and output. Then, the CPU 120 performs a predetermined operation or the like in response to an initial setting or an input signal, and supplies a command signal to each of the above-described units. The RAM 121 is for temporarily reading and writing various data. The ROM 122 stores a weight selection program for reading only. The control by the electronic control unit 12 mainly determines whether the weight of the sorting target object P is heavier or lighter than the set weight based on the detection of the weight determination sensors 8a to 8c, stores the determination result, and stores the determination result. In this case, when the sorting object P is heavier than the set load, the sorting object P that has passed through the passage detection sensors 9a to 9c is discharged by driving the discharging devices 11a to 11c.

The display device 13 is a known device including an image processing device and a liquid crystal display panel, and is disposed adjacent to the electronic control device 12. The display device 13 displays various messages, symbols, and the like regarding weight selection. Instead of the display device 13, another type of display device such as an LED or a CRT may be used. The speaker 14 outputs various messages regarding weight selection by voice. The display device 13 and the speaker 14 are not always necessary, and may be omitted as appropriate to reduce costs.

Next, the counter 123 will be described.
This functions as a selection number counting counter. After the power is turned on, the initial value of the selection number count value C of the counter 123 is set to “0”, and signals from the passage detection sensors 9a to 9c or the weight determination sensors 8a to 8c are output. See
At each sorting place, each time the sorting object P is discharged, the sorting object is incremented in ascending order and repeatedly,
The selected number count value C is displayed on the display device 13 or can be output as sound from the speaker 14.

When the predetermined condition is satisfied, the CPU 120
One count value of the discrimination number count value C is read and stored in the RAM 121. Also,
Predetermined data is stored in ROM corresponding to each of these count values.
122 in a predetermined area.

The operation of the weight sorter 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, zero point adjustment is performed. That is, with the weighing plate 74a empty, the weighing plate 77a
The tone ball 75b is adjusted so that ~ 77c is in the horizontal position, and the ball is made hollow (balanced state). Next, the weight 73 for the set load is placed on each weighing dish 74. When the weight sorter 1 is connected to a power supply and power is supplied to each circuit from a power supply unit (not shown), the CPU 120 performs a series of initial settings such as resetting a counter and a flag. Here, the initial values of the sorting number count value C and the weight discrimination flag F1 are both “0”. Here, the weight discrimination flag F1 is
When the condition that the weight of the sorting target object P is heavier than the set weight is established, it is set to “1”, and when the discharging process is completed,
It is reset to "0". In the following flowcharts and their descriptions, "steps"
Is simply abbreviated as “S”.

The characteristic weight selection control program of this embodiment is stored in the ROM 122, read out and executed in accordance with a command from the CPU 120. The CPU 120 starts the main process shown in FIG. 13 every time the reset is started by the hardware interrupt during the operation of the weight sorter 1. First, when the process is started, a motor driving process is performed (S1), a sorting object discriminating process is performed (S2), a weight sorting process is performed (S3), and other processes (subroutines are not shown) are performed (S4). ), And waits until the main routine is started next time (subroutine is not shown) (S5). The main feature of this routine lies in the sorting target object discriminating process (S2) and the weight sorting process (S3). In the present embodiment, the motor driving process (S1) and the other processes (S4) among the processes shown in FIG.
Since the standby and the waiting (S5) are performed in the same manner as the general technique, the description will be appropriately omitted.

In the motor driving process S1 shown in FIG. 13, the motor 15 is driven at the same time when the start switch 20 is turned on.
The motor 15 is always in a driving state, and the motor 15 is stopped in response to turning on of the stop switch 21.

FIG. 1 shows the sorting object discriminating process (S2).
This will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, each weight selection point S
In 1 to S3, the endless belt 57 is connected to the guide plates 58a to 58a.
The sorting object P supplied from the feeder 2 is transported by the endless belt 57 while traveling on the transport surface K composed of 8c and weighing plates 77a to 77c. The sorting object P is a weighing plate 7
The weight of the sorting object P is determined each time the sheet passes through 7a to 77c. When the mechanical balances 7a to 7c are rotated and the sorting objects P are placed on the weighing plates 77a to 77c, the sorting objects P are determined to be heavy by using the slack of the endless belt 57.
The weighing plates 77a to 77c sink according to the load (see FIG. 16). When the sorting object P has passed through the weighing plates 77a to 77c, it is conveyed toward the next guide plate 58b to 58d or the terminal end. Therefore, it is determined whether the detection signals of the respective weight determination sensors 8a to 8c are on or off. If the determination is negative, that is, if the weight determination sensors 8a to 8c are on, the load of the sorting target object P is lighter than the set weight. On the other hand, when the determination is affirmative, that is, when the weight determination sensors 8a to 8c are off, it is determined that the load of the sorting target object P is heavy. S2
If affirmative determination (Yes) is made in step S21, it is determined in step S21 that the precondition for discharging is satisfied, and the weight determination flag F is determined.
1 is set to "1". Then, in S22, the location of each of the weight discriminating sensors 8a to 8c is stored in a memory, and the process returns to the return. On the other hand, if a negative determination (No) is made in S20, the process returns to the return.

The weight selection process (S3) in FIG. 15 will be described. First, it is determined whether or not the passage detection sensors 9a to 9c have detected the sorting target object P with reference to the signals from the passage detection sensors 9a to 9c (S30). In S30, an affirmative determination (Yes), that is, when it is determined that each of the sensors 9a to 9c is turned on and the sorting object P has passed, and in S31, the determination result of each of the weight determination sensors 8a to 8c is F1 = 1.
If (the respective weight discriminating sensors 8a to 8c are off), it is determined that the discharge execution condition is satisfied, and the sorting target object P is determined in S32.
Are ejected by the discharge devices 11a to 11c.
c. After the process in S32, or after a negative determination in S30 or S31, the contents of the memory are cleared in S33 and the process returns to the return.

With reference to the above flowchart, the operation of the weight sorter 1 when weight sorting is performed will be described in chronological order. The objects P to be sorted are discharged from the lighter ones, and the heavier ones are discharged downstream. The sorting object P is transported to the endless belt 57 (see FIG. 17),
When moving to any one of the three weight sorting places S1 to S3, the sorting object P is placed on the weighing plates 77a to 77c and temporarily sinks, and the weight set on the mechanical scales 7a to 7c and the sorting object are set. The levers 70a and 70b are swung according to the weight of the object P, and the following two states are taken. That is, when the weight of the sorting object P is equal to or more than the set value, the first load state is established, the levers 70a and 70b are excessively rotated clockwise, and the detector 76 is moved by the weight determination sensors 8a to 8c.
Is detected. Then, the ejecting devices 11a to 11c bounce out in the Y direction, and the corresponding chutes 18a to 18c
(See FIG. 17). When the weight of the sorting object P is less than the set value, the second load state is established, the clockwise rotation of the levers 70a, 70b is suppressed, and the detector 76 is moved by the weight discriminating sensors 8a to 8c.
Will not be detected. The discharge devices 11a to 11c do not operate, and are conveyed to the next weight sorting location, where the same sorting is performed. If the weight is lighter than the set weight at the last weight selection point S3, the weight is discharged to the chute 18d at the end, and the conveyance of the selection target P is completed.

According to this embodiment having the above-described configuration, the sorting object P is set with the set weight value of the mechanical balances 7a to 7c as the threshold value.
Can be sorted in order of weight. In this way, the sorting object P can be sorted by weight into the number of weight sorting places S1 to S3 plus one weight division. That is, for example, when there are three weight sorting locations, the first, second,
The setting values of the third and third weight sorting points are
Assuming the set value, the second set value, and the third set value, those having a weight less than the first set value, those having a weight not less than the first set value and less than the second set value, and those having not less than the second set value and less than the third set value The objects to be sorted P can be weight-sorted (classified) in ascending order of weight in the four stages of those having a weight equal to or greater than the third set value, and are separately discharged from the chutes 18a and the like.

(Effects of the Embodiment) (1) Conventionally, the load of the selection object P can be measured directly, although the selection object plus the bucket is measured. Therefore,
The hopper, bucket, etc. provided in the conventional weight sorter are no longer required, which greatly simplifies the structure of the weight sorter itself, reduces errors, and requires manual or automatic operation for putting one piece into the hopper. No feeder is required. Therefore, the structure is simplified, the manufacturing cost or the work amount is considerably reduced, and accurate weight sorting can be performed.

(2) The change in the transport speed of the sorting object P, that is, the circling speed of the endless belt 57 does not affect the weight to be determined. That is, even if the circulating speed changes, the weight of the sorting object P does not change. That is, at the time of sorting, the load of the sorting object P causes the endless belt 57 to temporarily sink while keeping the sorting object P in a transport state, so that the inertial force of the endless belt 57 does not act on the sorting object P. Because there is. Such a sorting principle is fundamentally different from the conventional one. Conventionally, when the orbiting speed is changed, there is a strong demand that complicated work such as zero adjustment be eliminated. According to the present embodiment, this can be met and the zero point of the reference balance of the mechanical balances 7a to 7c can be satisfied. This leads to the necessity of matching and the like. That is, the required processing capacity generally differs depending on the size of the sorting target object P. For example, if an example of vegetables other than the sorting object P is described, in the case of a normal tomato, a circling speed set to a normal level may be used, but in the case of a mini tomato, a small number of vegetables can be sorted. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the number of discriminations per unit time, and to increase the circling speed of the endless belt 57. In addition, it is necessary to be able to set a circling speed suitable for a worker.
For example, since the amount of work is different between one person and two people, the orbiting speed can be set variously. Therefore, there is an advantage that workability suitable for the situation can be set. When the transport speed is specifically changed, adjustment by the above-described speed controller 22 is possible, and the weight 73 placed in the weight plate 74 does not need to be changed, so that the operation is extremely simplified.

(3) In the present embodiment, the sorting object P that is heavier than the set weight is bounced, but as a modification, the sorting object P that is lighter than the set weight is bounced, and the sorting object P that is heavier is set.
Can be prevented from bouncing. That is, it can be changed so that any one of them can be selected. In the present embodiment, sorting is performed sequentially from large to small. However, sorting can be performed sequentially from small to large. Plummet 74 of the mechanical scales 7a to 7c
It is obvious that the change can be made by a simple modification, such as changing the weight 73 placed on the device, or changing the program for discharging the sorting object P if the weight discriminating sensors 8a to 8c are not cut. . In the conventional apparatus, a plurality of sorting points are provided along a sorting path, and the set weight of these sorting points is gradually reduced toward the downstream side along the sorting path, thereby sorting the sorting target object P in multiple stages. That is, the sorting object P can be sorted only from a heavy thing, and cannot be sorted from a small thing. If the size of the sorting object P is larger than the smaller one, the price is higher. However, in the case of the sorting object P, the smaller one is more expensive than the larger one, the sorting of the small one is performed later. Because
A small object must be put on the belt for a long time, and the probability that the sorting object P will be damaged increases. The present embodiment can solve this.

(4) When an electronic balance is adopted, maintenance is difficult for a failure or the like due to a black box inside. However, in this embodiment, the mechanical balances 7a to 7c are employed, so that a failure is visually observed. In many cases, this is an advantage in terms of maintenance.

(5) Further, in the case of certain objects such as the object P to be sorted, for example, peppers, there has been no inexpensive weight sorter applicable to it, which is inconvenient.
According to the present embodiment, sorting by a weight sorter becomes possible.

(6) The electronic control unit 12 includes a display unit 13
In addition, the display of various messages to the user, the output of sound effects from the speaker 14, and the like are also performed, so that further usability can be provided.

(7) For example, an accuracy of ± 2.5 g can be secured, and the processing capacity is practically sufficient.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be made without departing from the technical idea of the present invention. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that many changes and the like can be made. (1) In the present embodiment, the weight selection control is executed by the CPU 120 by program control. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A part or all of the weight selection control is formed by CMOS or TTL LSI logic or the like (so-called hardware). May be. (2) In the present embodiment, the mechanical balances 7a to 7c are arranged orthogonally along the sorting path L, but they may be arranged in parallel to the sorting path L. (3) In the present embodiment, the endless belt 57 is employed.
The size, length and the like can be changed as appropriate, and the tune drive system 4 and the pulley drive system 5 can be variously modified, such as a chain or a chain with an attachment, or a chain with a transport member attached to the surface. (4) In the above embodiment, the levers 70a and 70b are:
Although the one for the upper plate mechanical balance is shown, the one for the upper plate rod balance or the spring balance may be used. (5) It can be applied to vegetables such as potatoes and peppers, fruits such as figs and persimmons, and various sorts P, but the sorts P are not limited at all. Appropriate design changes are required.

[0051]

According to the first to third aspects of the present invention,
It is possible to simplify the structure by eliminating the hopper and the like of the weight sorter, and to simplify the work associated with the change of the transport speed of the sorting object, and the industrial application value of the present invention is extremely large.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a weight sorter of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the weight sorter.

FIG. 3 (a) is a plan view of the same weight sorter, and FIG. 3 (b) is a plan view showing the interior of the same weight sorter after removing the endless belt.

FIG. 4A is a left side view of the weight sorter, and FIG. 4B is a right side view of the same.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory front view showing a pulley drive system and a chain drive system of the weight sorter.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pressing drive pulley of the pulley drive system.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the pressing drive pulley as viewed from the opposite side.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a pulley on the downstream side of the weight sorter.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the vicinity of a mechanical balance.

FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the mechanical balance as viewed from the side opposite to FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of an electronic control unit of the weight sorter.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of “main processing” executed in the electronic control device.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of “selection target object determination processing” executed in the electronic control device.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of “weight selection processing” executed in the electronic control device.

16 (a) to (c) are explanatory rear views showing the sorting operation of the weight sorter.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory plan view showing a discharging operation of the weight sorter.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a hopper and a feeder.

[Explanation of symbols]

P: Sorting target, M: Circumferential direction, L: Sorting path, S1 to S3: Weight sorting location, 1 ... Weight sorter, 2 ... Feeder, 3 ... Airframe, 4 ... Chain drive system, 5 ... Pulley drive system, 6 ... Pneumatic drive system, 7a-7c ... Mechanical scale, 8a-8c ... Weight discriminating sensor, 9a-9c ... .Passage detection sensor, 11a
11c: discharging device, 12: electronic control device, 1
5 ... motor, 18a-18d ... chute, 50
a to 55a: pulley, 50b to 55b, rotating shaft,
50c to 55c: bearing, 50d: ring, 57
... Endless belt, 58a to 58d ... Induction plate, 58
H: legs, 59a to 59c: openings, 62a to 6
2c ・ ・ ・ Double acting air cylinder

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An object to be sorted is transported by an endless transport device having a belt-shaped endless belt hung in a state of being loosened by a plurality of rotating members, and the selected object is moved to a predetermined state in the endless transport device. A first step of operating the weighing device provided at the weight determination location by the weight of the sorting target object by utilizing the slack of the endless belt while being conveyed by the endless belt at the weight determination location; A second step of determining the weight of the sorting object in the state; and a third step of sorting the sorting object based on the determination result.
A weight sorting method, comprising: a step; 2. A belt-like endless belt is hung on a plurality of rotating members, and the object to be sorted is conveyed by pressing the endless belt from both front and back sides by a pressing rotary drive member provided on a supply side. An endless transport device, a guide plate provided with a plurality of openings, provided at a predetermined position in an inner region of the endless belt in an upper region of the endless transport device, for guiding the endless belt by supporting the endless belt; A weighing plate capable of moving the part up and down, the weighing plate forms a sorting path having a linear transport surface together with the guide plate, and when the sorting object in the transported state is placed on the weighing plate,
A weight discriminating unit that discriminates the weight of the sorting object by lowering the weighing plate by its own weight due to the slack of the endless belt, and sorts the sorting object based on the discrimination result. A weight sorting machine comprising: a sorting unit; 3. A belt-shaped endless belt is hung on a plurality of pulleys, and a pair of pressing pulleys provided on a supply side are driven by a motor to hold the endless belt from both front and back surfaces. An endless transport device that transports the sorting object, a lever that can swing around a swing axis, a weighing plate that is disposed on one side of the lever, and on which the sorting object can be placed,
A mechanical weigher including: a weight plate disposed on the other side of the lever; a regulating unit that regulates the movement of the lever; a lever detecting unit that detects a predetermined movement of the lever; A sorting object detecting unit that detects passage, a discharging unit that forcibly discharges the sorting object from the endless belt, a plurality of openings, and an inner side of the endless belt in an upper region of the endless conveying device. A guide plate provided at a predetermined location in the area to guide the endless belt by supporting the endless belt; and a weighing plate capable of moving the opening up and down, the weighing plate having a linear transport surface together with the guide plate. Forming a sorting path provided, when the sorting object in the transport state is placed on the scale plate,
The scale plate is lowered by its own weight due to the slack of the endless belt, the weight of the sorting object is determined based on the detection of the lever detection unit, and the discharge is performed in response to the determination result. And a control unit that controls the unit to drive to discharge the object to be sorted.