JP2001215196A - Method and apparatus for inspecting egg - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and apparatus for inspecting an egg, dispensing with an apparatus for detecting the judge timing of an optical sensor or the like and capable of inexpensively, and easily judging the presence of the internal abnormality of the egg. SOLUTION: A dummy egg 10 as a shading object is preliminarily fed by a feeder 25. An egg feed clock pulse outputted in synchronous relation to the feed speed of an egg and a counting clock pulse are taken in. A point of time when the signal value outputted by a light receiver 2 becomes a predetermined value α or less and a point of time when the signal value becomes the predetermined value αor more are detected, and the number of the counting clock pulses at the reference point of judge timing calculated based on the detected points of time is stored as the number P0 of judge reference pulses. An operation apparatus 4 sets the timing obtained by counting the number P0 of judge reference pulses to judge timing when inputting the egg feed clock pulse, and takes in the data of the intensity of the light which is projected from a floodlight projector 1 and transmitted through the egg E to be received by the light receiver 2 and judges the presence of the internal abnormality of the egg E based on the data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an egg inspection method for non-destructively inspecting an egg for internal abnormalities and an egg inspection apparatus used for carrying out the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Eggs produced in a poultry farm include abnormal eggs such as bloody eggs with small clots mixed in the eggshell, and eggs with meat spots floating in egg white or entangled with caraza. In order to ship normal eggs to be eaten, 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 determines 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 has been proposed.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a conventional egg inspection apparatus. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 25 denotes a transport apparatus for transporting eggs. A plurality of arms 26, 26,... Respectively suspended from a plurality of support members (not shown) are arranged in a row at a predetermined interval. At a lower end of each arm 26, 26,.
Are provided, and the eggs E, E,... Are held by the holding portions 27, 27,. Each of the support members described above is slidably supported back and forth by a horizontal rail (not shown), and each arm is moved in one direction by a driving device (not shown). ,…
And the eggs E, E,... Sandwiched by the sandwiching portions 27, 27,. The light-transmitting device 1 and the light-receiving device 2 are arranged so as to face each other with the conveyance paths of the eggs E, E,. An optical sensor 30 is arranged on the side of the light emitter 1.
When detecting that the egg E has been transported to the predetermined position, the optical sensor 30 outputs a signal to the arithmetic unit 4 described later. The light emitted from the light projector 1 irradiates the egg E, and the light transmitted through the egg E is received by the light receiver 2, and the intensity of a predetermined wavelength component of the received transmitted light is detected as described later. . The arithmetic unit 4 fetches the data of the intensity of the predetermined wavelength component at a time when a signal is input from the optical sensor 30 as a determination timing, and determines whether there is an internal abnormality of the egg E based on the data.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an optical system of a conventional egg testing apparatus. The light projector 1 includes a light source 5 having a halogen lamp 6, a reflector 7, and a heat ray cut filter 9 for cutting off heat rays (infrared rays) in a housing 8. The light emitted from the halogen lamp 6 is cut into a heat ray by the heat ray cut filter 9 and enters the optical fiber 11 connected to the housing 8. The incident light is guided to the emission end of the optical fiber 11, and is emitted from the emission end. Light is emitted to the egg E. The light transmitted through the egg E is condensed by the condenser lens 20 of the light receiver 2.

[0005] In the optical path of the light emitted from the condenser lens 20, first and second half mirrors 21 and 22 are disposed at an appropriate distance from each other and at a predetermined angle with respect to the optical path. The light reflected by the first half mirror 21 passes through the first band-pass filter 31 that passes light having a wavelength around 575 nm, which is largely absorbed by the blood clot, for example.
The light enters the photoelectric converter 51. The light passing through the first half mirror 21 and reflected by the second half mirror 22 passes through a second band-pass filter 32 that passes light having a wavelength of about 645 nm, whose absorption differs depending on the color of the eggshell, and then passes through the second photoelectric converter. The light incident on the converter 52 and passing through the first half mirror 21 and the second half mirror 22 has a large absorption by blood.
The light enters a third photoelectric converter 53 via a third bandpass filter 33 that allows light having a wavelength around 45 nm to pass.

The first to third photoelectric converters 51 to 53 convert the incident light into electric signals corresponding to the intensity of the incident light, and supply the obtained electric signals to the analog / digital (A / D) converter 3.
The arithmetic unit 4 captures the data given to the A / D converter 3 at the above-mentioned determination timing. The arithmetic unit 4 is
The value of the first signal given from the first photoelectric converter 51 is divided by the value of the second signal given from the second photoelectric converter 52, and the third signal given from the third photoelectric converter 53 Is divided by the value of the second signal given from the second photoelectric converter 52 to perform a normalization process for removing the influence of the eggshell, thereby obtaining a first normalized signal and a third normalized signal. A first threshold and a second threshold for determining the quality of the egg are preset in the arithmetic unit 4, and whether the value of the first normalized signal is smaller than the first threshold or the value of the third normalized signal is determined. Is smaller than the second threshold value, and if any of the signal values is smaller than the threshold value, it is determined that the egg is abnormal and the signal is output.

[0007]

In the conventional egg inspection apparatus, as described above, the arithmetic unit 4 captures the output signal value of the light receiver 2 via the A / D converter 3 at the judgment timing, and Although the presence or absence of an internal abnormality of the egg is determined based on this, there is a problem that a device such as the optical sensor 30 must be separately installed in order to detect the determination timing.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and detects a point in time when a signal value output from a light receiver becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value and a time when a signal value output from a light receiver becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value. Then, by detecting the reference point of the judgment timing based on these time points, the judgment timing can be automatically obtained without using a device for detecting the judgment timing such as an optical sensor, and the internal inspection of the egg can be easily performed. An object of the present invention is to provide an egg-testing method capable of implementing the method and an egg-testing apparatus used for the execution.

Further, the present invention uses a light shield provided with a hole in the center thereof through which the projected light passes, thereby easily detecting the reference point of the judgment timing and obtaining the judgment timing. It is an object of the present invention to provide an egg test method capable of judging the presence or absence of an internal abnormality of an egg based on the method and an egg test apparatus used for carrying out the method.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for detecting eggs, wherein the eggs are sequentially transmitted to the eggs by a light emitter, the light transmitted through the eggs is detected by a light receiver, and the eggs are transported to a predetermined position. In the egg detection method of determining the presence or absence of an internal abnormality of the egg based on the value of the signal output by the light receiver at the determination timing, the light shielding body is transported in advance, and the transport speed of the egg is determined. The egg transport clock pulse and the counting clock pulse output every time the egg is transported in synchronization are taken in, and the pulse number of the counting clock pulse is counted from the time when the egg transport clock pulse based on the transport of the light shielding body is taken in. Detecting a time point when the signal value output by the photodetector is equal to or less than a predetermined value and a time point when the signal value is equal to or more than the predetermined value, and based on the detected time point, Detecting a point, storing the number of pulses of the counting clock pulse at the reference point as a judgment reference pulse number, and thereafter, counting the number of the judgment reference pulses when capturing the egg transport clock pulse, It is characterized by the judgment timing.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an egg inspection method, in which a light is emitted from a light emitter to a sequentially transported egg, the light transmitted through the egg is detected by a light receiver, and the time at which the egg is transported to a predetermined position is determined as a determination timing. In the egg detection method of determining the presence or absence of an internal abnormality of the egg based on the value of the signal output by the light receiver at the determination timing, a light through hole through which light emitted by the light projector is provided is provided in the center in advance. Transporting the shaded body, and capturing the egg transport clock pulse and the count clock pulse output every time the egg is transported in synchronization with the transport speed of the egg,
Count the number of pulses of the counting clock pulse from the time of capturing the egg transport clock pulse based on the transport of the light shielding body, based on the time of detecting the light through hole, detect the reference point of the determination timing, The number of pulses of the counting clock pulse at a reference point is stored as a determination reference pulse number, and thereafter, the time obtained by counting the number of the determination reference pulses when the egg transport clock pulse is captured is defined as the determination timing. Features.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the egg inspection apparatus emits light to the eggs that are sequentially conveyed by a light emitter, detects the light transmitted through the eggs by a light receiver, and determines the time when the egg is conveyed to a predetermined position as a determination timing. Means for generating an egg transport clock pulse and a count clock pulse synchronized with the egg transport speed in an egg inspection apparatus that determines the presence or absence of an internal abnormality based on the value of the signal output by the light receiver at the determination timing. ,
A counter that counts the number of clock pulses for counting from the time when the egg transport clock pulse is captured; and a first pulse that counts the number of pulses measured by the counter when the signal value output by the light receiver falls below a predetermined value. A first register that stores the number of pulses, a second register that stores the number of pulses measured by the counter when the signal value output by the light receiver becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, as a second pulse number, Means for obtaining a reference pulse number from the number and the second pulse number, and thereafter, the photodetector outputs the judgment timing obtained by counting the reference pulse number when the egg transport clock pulse number is captured. Means for taking in a signal.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an egg inspection apparatus that emits light to a sequentially transported egg with a light emitter, detects light transmitted through the egg with a light receiver, and determines a point in time when the egg is transported to a predetermined position as a determination timing. Means for generating an egg transport clock pulse and a count clock pulse synchronized with the egg transport speed in an egg inspection apparatus that determines the presence or absence of an internal abnormality based on the value of the signal output by the light receiver at the determination timing. ,
A counter for measuring the number of clock pulses for counting from the time when the egg transport clock pulse is captured, a means for determining whether or not the output signal value of the light receiver has dropped, and an output signal value of the light receiver rising Means for judging whether or not, a register for storing the number of pulses measured by the counter when the output signal value of the light receiver rises as a judgment reference pulse number, and thereafter, the number of egg transport clock pulses is taken in Means for taking in the signal output by the photodetector at the judgment timing obtained by counting the number of judgment reference pulses at that time.

In the case where the light shield is conveyed in a state where light is continuously emitted and the output signal of the light receiver is continuously taken into the arithmetic unit, as the light shield enters the light path from the light emitter to the light receiver. The amount of light received by the light receiver decreases and the signal value output to the arithmetic device decreases, and as the light-shielding body exits from the optical path, the amount of light received by the light receiver increases and the signal value output to the arithmetic device becomes To increase. In the first invention and the third invention, the time when the output signal value of the photodetector becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value and the time when the output signal value becomes equal to or more than a predetermined value are detected, and based on the detected time, a reference point of the judgment timing is detected. The number of counting clock pulses at this reference point is stored as a determination reference pulse number, and thereafter, when the egg transport clock pulse is captured, the determination reference pulse number is counted to obtain a determination timing. The determination timing can be automatically obtained without using a device for detecting the determination timing, and the egg inspection can be easily performed at low cost. When the egg transport clock pulse is no longer captured, it can be determined that the transport of the egg has been completed, and the timing for stopping the light receiver can be determined.

In the second invention and the fourth invention, a light shield provided with a light through hole at the center is used, and when a light path enters the light through hole of the light shield, the light receiving amount of the light receiver is maximized. Since the output signal value becomes the maximum, the reference point of the determination timing can be easily obtained without performing the calculation by detecting this time point.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an egg inspection apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 25 denotes a transportation apparatus for transporting eggs. A plurality of arms 26, 26,... Respectively suspended from a plurality of support members (not shown) are arranged in a row at a predetermined interval. At the lower end of each arm 26, 26,.
27, 27,... Are respectively provided, and each holding portion 27, 2
The eggs E, E,... Are sandwiched by 7,. Each of the support members described above is slidably supported back and forth by a horizontal rail (not shown), and each arm is moved in one direction by a driving device (not shown). , ... and the eggs E sandwiched between the clamping portions 27,27, ...
E,... Are conveyed in the arrow direction. And eggs E, E, ...
Projector 1 and light receiver 2
Is arranged. A light exit hole 1a and a light entrance hole 2a are provided at the center of the opposing surfaces of the light projector 1 and the light receiver 2, respectively. The light emitted from the light exit hole 1a of the light projector 1 irradiates the egg E, and the light transmitted through the egg E is received by the light receiver 2 through the light entrance hole 2a, and as described later, a predetermined wavelength of the received transmitted light. The intensity of the component is detected.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the optical system of the egg test apparatus according to the present invention. The projector 1 has a housing 8, a halogen lamp 6, a reflector 7, and a heat ray (infrared ray).
The light source 5 provided with the heat ray cut filter 9 for cutting the light is built in. The light emitted from the halogen lamp 6 enters the heat ray cut filter 9, and the light whose heat rays are cut by the heat ray cut filter 9 enters the optical fiber 11 connected to the housing 8. The incident light is guided to the emission end of the optical fiber 11, and the light emitted from the emission end irradiates the egg E, and the light transmitted through the egg E is collected by the condenser lens 20 of the light receiver 2.

In the optical path of the light emitted from the condenser lens 20, first and second half mirrors 21 and 22 are arranged at an appropriate distance from each other and at a predetermined angle with respect to the optical path. The light reflected by the first half mirror 21 passes through the first band-pass filter 31 that passes light having a wavelength around 575 nm, which is largely absorbed by the blood clot, for example.
The light enters the photoelectric converter 51.

The light passing through the first half mirror 21 and reflected by the second half mirror 22 passes light having a wavelength near 645 nm, whose absorption varies depending on the color of the eggshell.
The light incident on the second photoelectric converter 52 via the band-pass filter 32 and passing through the first half mirror 21 and the second half mirror 22 passes light having a wavelength of about 545 nm, which is largely absorbed by blood. The light enters the third photoelectric converter 53 via the three-bandpass filter 33.

The first half mirror 21 and the second half mirror 22 have the intensity of the light reflected by the first half mirror 21 and the light reflected by the second half mirror 22 after passing through the first half mirror 21. And the intensities of the light passing through the first half mirror 21 and the second half mirror 22 have the same value.

The first to third photoelectric converters 51 to 53 convert the incident light into electric signals corresponding to the intensities thereof, and supply the obtained electric signals to the analog / digital (A / D) converter 3.
The arithmetic unit 4 determines whether the A / A
The data input to the D converter 3 is taken. Then, the value of the first signal given from the first photoelectric converter 51 is divided by the value of the second signal given from the second photoelectric converter 52, and
By dividing the value of the third signal given from the third photoelectric converter 53 by the value of the second signal given from the second photoelectric converter 52, a normalization process for removing the influence of the color of the eggshell is performed. , A first normalized signal and a third normalized signal.

The arithmetic unit 4 includes a CPU 41 and a counter 42 for measuring the number of count clock pulses described later.
, A first register 43, and a second register 44. A first threshold value and a second threshold value for determining the quality of the egg are set in advance in the arithmetic device 4, and the arithmetic device 4 determines whether the value of the first normalized signal is smaller than the first threshold value. It is determined whether or not the value of the 3 normalized signal is smaller than the second threshold. If any of the signal values is smaller than the threshold, it is determined that the egg is abnormal and the signal is output. The egg transport clock pulse and the count clock pulse output by the transport device 25 in synchronization with the transport speed of the egg are input to the arithmetic unit 4 every time the transport device 25 transports the egg.

In this egg testing apparatus, the detection of the timing for determining the presence or absence of an internal abnormality in the egg E is performed as follows. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the simulated egg 10 as a light shielding body used for detecting the determination timing. The simulated egg 10 is made of a black resin and does not transmit light.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the arithmetic unit 4. First, the artificial egg 10 is sandwiched between the foremost and second arms 26 of the transfer device 25, and the transfer device 25
To drive the artificial egg 10, and the arithmetic unit 4
The signal output from the light receiver 2 via the D converter 3 is taken in (step S1). In step S2, it is determined whether an egg transport clock pulse has been input. If the egg transport clock pulse has not been input, step S2 is repeated. When the egg transport clock pulse is input, the counter 42 is reset, and the number of input count clock pulses is counted (step S3).

Next, in step S4, it is determined whether or not the output signal value of the second photoelectric converter 52 of the light receiver 2 is equal to or larger than a threshold value α. When the output signal value of the second photoelectric converter 52 has a threshold value α
If so, the process proceeds to step S5. If the output signal value of the second photoelectric converter 52 is smaller than the threshold value α, the process proceeds to step S10.

When the process has proceeded to step S5, it is determined whether or not the output signal value of the second photoelectric converter 52 is equal to or smaller than the threshold value α. If the output signal value of the second photoelectric converter 52 is larger than the threshold value α, step S5 is repeated. Second photoelectric converter 52
Is less than or equal to the threshold value α, the first pulse number x measured by the counter 42 is stored in the first register 43 (step S6).

Next, in step S7, it is determined whether or not the output signal value of the second photoelectric converter 52 is equal to or larger than a threshold value α. If the output signal value of the second photoelectric converter 52 is smaller than the threshold value α, step S7 is repeated. If the output signal value of the second photoelectric converter 52 is equal to or larger than the threshold α, the second pulse number y measured by the counter 42 is stored in the second register 44 (step S8). Then, the number of pulses x and y stored in steps S6 and S8 are substituted into the following equation (1) to determine the reference pulse number P ₀ (step S9).

[0028]

(Equation 1)

When the process proceeds to step S10, the second
It is determined whether or not the output signal value of the photoelectric converter 52 is equal to or larger than the threshold value α. If the output signal value of the second photoelectric converter 52 is smaller than the threshold value α, step S10 is repeated. When the output signal value of the second photoelectric converter 52 is equal to or larger than the threshold value α, the counter 42
Is stored in the second register 44 (step S11).

Next, in step S12, it is determined whether or not the output signal value of the second photoelectric converter 52 is equal to or smaller than a threshold value α. If the output signal value of the second photoelectric converter 52 is larger than the threshold value α, step S12 is repeated. Second photoelectric converter 52
Is less than or equal to the threshold value α, the first pulse number x measured by the counter 42 is stored in the first register 43 (step S13).

In step S14, it is determined whether an egg transport clock pulse has been input. If the egg transport clock pulse has not been input, step S14 is repeated. When an egg transfer clock pulse is input, the number z of pulses counted by the counter 42 between the input of the first egg transfer clock pulse and the input of this egg transfer clock pulse
And reset the counter 42 (step S1).
5). Then, the pulse numbers y, x, and z stored in steps S11, S13, and S15.
Is substituted in the following equation (2) or (3), and the reference pulse number P
₀ is obtained (step S16).

[0032]

(Equation 2)

[0033]

(Equation 3)

After the determination reference pulse number P ₀ is obtained, the capture of the output signal of the light receiver 2 is stopped (step S1).
7). In step S18, it is determined whether an egg transport clock pulse has been input. If the egg transport clock pulse has not been input, step S18 is repeated.
When the egg transport clock pulse is input, the counter 42 is reset, and the number of the input count clock pulses is counted (step S19). And
When the number of reference pulses P ₀ has been counted, the signal output from the light receiver 2 is captured (step S20). Obtaining a first normalized signal and a second normalized signal based on the output signal; determining whether a value of the first normalized signal is smaller than a first threshold; and determining whether a value of a third normalized signal is smaller than a second threshold. It is determined whether or not there is an internal abnormality (step S21).
Thereafter, until the egg transport clock pulse is no longer input,
Steps S18 to S21 are repeated.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart. The horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents voltage. (A) is a diagram showing a signal of an egg carrying clock pulse, (b) is a diagram showing a signal of a counting clock pulse, and (c) is a voltage output from the second photoelectric converter 52 to the arithmetic unit 4. FIG. Artificial egg
Since the light 10 does not transmit light, the signal value (voltage) given to the arithmetic unit 4 from the second photoelectric converter 52 becomes smaller as the pseudo egg 10 enters the light path from the light projector 1 to the light receiver 2, If is completely closed by the simulated egg 10, the voltage will be zero. Then, when the pseudo egg 10 completely deviates from the optical path, the voltage rises to the original saturation level.

As shown in FIG. 6A, there are three possible times when the egg transport clock pulse is input. When the egg transport clock pulse is input at the time point, since the output signal value of the second photoelectric converter 52 at this time point is equal to or more than α, the arithmetic unit 4 performs the processing of steps S5 to S9 and determines the determination timing. Find the reference point. In addition,
In this case, one pseudo egg 10 may be transported. If the egg transport clock pulse is input at and
Since the output signal value of the second photoelectric converter 52 at this time is equal to or smaller than α, the arithmetic unit 4 performs the processing of steps S10 to S16 to obtain the reference point of the determination timing. At this time, when the egg transport clock pulse is input, the reference point is obtained according to the equation (2), and when the egg transport clock pulse is input at the time, the reference point is obtained according to the equation (3).

The number of counting clock pulses at the reference point of the judgment timing obtained as described above is stored as the judgment reference pulse number. Thereafter, when the egg transport clock pulse is input, the number of judgment reference pulses is counted,
Find the judgment timing. FIG. 6D is a diagram showing a pulse signal that defines this determination timing. The arithmetic unit 4 captures the signal output from the light receiver 2 based on the pulse signal, obtains a first normalized signal and a second normalized signal based on the signal, and determines whether the egg E has an internal abnormality.

Embodiment 2 The configurations of the egg test apparatus and the optical system used in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. FIG. 7A shows a front view of the simulated egg 12 used for this timing detection, and FIG. 7B shows a side view of the simulated egg 12. The simulated egg 12 is made of a black resin that does not transmit light, has substantially the same shape as an actual egg, and is provided with a light through hole 12a for transmitting light in the short axis direction of the egg at the center.

The detection of the timing of determining the egg E is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the arithmetic unit 4. First, the artificial egg 12 is sandwiched between the most advanced arms 26 of the transport device 25, the transport device 25 is driven to transport the artificial egg 12, and the arithmetic unit 4 receives the light via the A / D converter 3. 2 fetches the output signal (step S41). In step S42, it is determined whether an egg transport clock pulse has been input. If the egg transport clock pulse has not been input, step S42 is repeated. When the egg transport clock pulse is input, the counter 42 is reset, and the number of input count clock pulses is counted (step S43).

Then, in step S44, it is determined whether or not the output signal value of the second photoelectric converter 52 of the light receiver 2 has dropped. If the output signal value of the second photoelectric converter 52 has not dropped, step S44 is repeated. 2nd photoelectric converter
If the output signal value of 52 drops, then step S45
In, it is determined whether or not the output signal value of the second photoelectric converter 52 has increased. If the output signal value of the second photoelectric converter 52 has not increased, step S45 is repeated. When the output signal value of the second photoelectric converter 52 increases, the number of pulses P ₀ measured by the counter 42 is stored in the first register 43 (step S46). Then, the capture of the output signal of the light receiver 2 is stopped (step S47).

In step S48, it is determined whether an egg transport clock pulse has been input. If the egg transport clock pulse has not been input, step S48 is repeated. When the egg transport clock pulse is input, the counter 42 is reset, and the number of the input count clock pulses is counted (step S49). When the reference pulse number P ₀ has been counted, the signal output by the light receiver 2 is captured (step S50). Obtaining a first normalized signal and a second normalized signal based on the output signal; determining whether a value of the first normalized signal is smaller than a first threshold; and a value of a third normalized signal is smaller than a second threshold. It is determined whether or not each is true (step S51). Thereafter, the processing of steps S48 to S51 is repeated until the egg transport clock pulse is no longer input.

FIG. 6E is a diagram showing the voltage output from the second photoelectric converter 52 to the arithmetic unit 4. Since the simulated egg 12 does not transmit light, the simulated egg 12 is
As the light enters the optical path, the voltage output from the second photoelectric converter 52 to the arithmetic unit 4 decreases, and the optical path becomes
When completely closed at 12, the voltage goes to zero. Then, when an optical path enters the light through hole 12a, the voltage rises to a saturation level where there is nothing blocking the optical path. Further, when the light through hole 12a passes through the optical path, the voltage level decreases to zero, and when the pseudo egg 12 completely deviates from the optical path, the voltage increases to the original saturation level. In this embodiment, the reference point of the determination timing can be easily obtained by detecting the time point at which the voltage falls to zero and then rises again.

As shown in FIG. 6A, there are three possible times when the egg transport clock pulse is input. When the egg transport clock pulse is input at the point of time 1, the arithmetic unit 4 performs the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8, detects the light penetrating light 12a, and obtains the reference point of the determination timing. When the egg transport clock pulse is inputted at the time of and, the light penetrating light 12a is
Is detected, and a reference point for the judgment timing is obtained. In this case, it is necessary to transport two pseudo eggs 12 in succession.

As described above, in the present invention,
Based on the difference between the output signal values of the photodetector 2 depending on the presence or absence of 10 or 12, a reference point of the determination timing is detected, and the number of counting clock pulses at this reference point is stored as a determination reference pulse number. Since the number of judgment reference pulses is counted from the time when the egg transport clock pulse is fetched to determine the judgment timing, the judgment timing can be obtained automatically without using a timing detecting device such as an optical sensor. The presence or absence of an internal abnormality of the egg can be easily determined. When the egg transport clock pulse is no longer captured, it can be determined that the transport of the egg has been completed, and the timing for stopping the light receiver can be determined.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the artificial egg 10 or 12 which does not transmit light is used as the light-shielding body has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Is also good. However, the difference in the output signal value of the light receiving unit 2 depending on the presence or absence of the light blocking member is larger in the case where the light is not transmitted at all than the case where the light is transmitted to some extent, and the determination timing can be detected with high accuracy. Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the egg-shaped pseudo egg 10 or 12 is used as the light-shielding body has been described, but the invention is not limited to this, and various shapes may be used as long as the egg has a certain width. The shape can be changed in design, and it may be plate-shaped. However, an oval shape is preferable because the structure is simple and can be easily transported.

[0046]

As described above, according to the first and third aspects of the present invention, the point in time when the output signal value of the photodetector falls below the predetermined value and the point in time when the output signal value exceeds the predetermined value are detected. Based on the detected time, the reference point of the judgment timing is detected, the number of pulses of the counting clock pulse at this reference point is stored as the judgment reference pulse number, and thereafter, when the egg transport clock pulse is captured, the judgment reference pulse number is obtained. Is counted and the determination timing is obtained, so that the determination timing can be automatically obtained without using a device for detecting the determination timing such as an optical sensor, and the egg inspection can be easily performed at low cost. When the egg transport clock pulse is no longer captured, it can be determined that the transport of the egg has been completed, and the timing for stopping the light receiver can be determined.

In the second and fourth aspects of the present invention, a light shield provided with a light through hole in the center is used, and when the light path enters the light through hole of the light shield, the light receiving amount of the light receiver is maximized. Since the output signal value becomes the maximum, the reference point of the determination timing can be easily obtained without performing the calculation by detecting this time point.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an egg inspection apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a configuration of an optical system of the egg test apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a pseudo egg according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing of the arithmetic device according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of the arithmetic device according to the first embodiment.

6A and 6B are timing charts, wherein FIG. 6A shows a signal of an egg transport clock pulse, FIG. 6B shows a signal of a clock pulse for counting, and FIG. 6C shows a second photoelectric converter 52; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a voltage output from
(D) is a diagram illustrating a pulse signal that defines the determination timing, and (e) is a diagram illustrating a voltage output by the light receiver when another simulated egg is transported.

FIG. 7A is a front view showing a mock egg according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a side view thereof.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process of the arithmetic device according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing a conventional egg test apparatus.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an optical system of a conventional egg test apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Floodlight 2 Receiver 4 Computing device 5 Light source 10 Simulated egg 12 Simulated egg 12a Light through hole 25 Conveyor 26 Arm 27 Holding part 42 Counter 43 First register 44 Second register 51 First photoelectric converter 52 Second photoelectric converter 53 3rd photoelectric converter E egg

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Keiichi Nariyama, 2-35 Jinmucho, Yao-shi, Osaka Inside Kubota Electronic Technology Center Co., Ltd. (72) Kazushige Ikeda 2-35, Jinmucho, Yao-shi, Osaka No. F-term in Kubota Electronic Technology Center Co., Ltd. (Reference) 2G051 AA01 AA90 AB06 AC21 BB17 CA01 CA07 CC11 CD07 DA03 DA06 EA06 EA11 EB01 2G059 AA05 BB11 DD12 DD13 EE01 JJ02 JJ11 JJ13 JJ17 KK03 MM01 MM05 PP10

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An egg which is sequentially conveyed is projected by a light projector (1), and light transmitted through the egg is detected by a light receiver (2).
An egg inspection method for determining the presence or absence of an internal abnormality in an egg based on a value of a signal output from the light receiver (2) at the time when the egg is transported to a predetermined position is determined as the determination timing. The egg transport clock pulse and the counting clock pulse output every time the egg is transported in synchronization with the egg transport speed by transporting the body (10), and the egg transport clock pulse based on the transport of the light-shielding body (10) Counting the number of the counting clock pulses from the time when the signal is captured, and detects when the signal value output by the photodetector (2) is less than a predetermined value and when the signal value is more than a predetermined value. Then, based on the detected time, a reference point of the determination timing is detected, and the number of pulses of the counting clock pulse at the reference point is stored as a determination reference pulse number. Candling method characterized by the time at which when incorporating egg carrier clock pulses obtained by counting the number of criteria pulses with determined timing. 2. An egg which is sequentially conveyed is projected by a light projector (1), and light transmitted through the egg is detected by a light receiver (2).
In the egg test method of determining whether there is an internal abnormality of the egg based on the value of the signal output by the light receiver (2) at the time when the egg is conveyed to the predetermined position as the determination timing, An egg transport clock pulse that is transmitted every time an egg is transported in synchronism with the egg transport speed by transporting a light-shielding body (12) provided with a light through hole through which light projected by the light projector (1) passes. And counting the clock pulse, counting the number of pulses of the counting clock pulse from the time of capturing the egg transport clock pulse based on the transport of the light-shielding body (12), based on the time of detecting the light through hole, A reference point for the determination timing is detected, and the number of pulses of the counting clock pulse at the reference point is stored as a determination reference pulse number. Candling method characterized in that a determination time of the time obtained by counting the number of criteria pulse when forme. 3. An egg which is sequentially conveyed is illuminated by a light projector (1), and light transmitted through the egg is detected by a light receiver (2).
An egg inspection apparatus that determines the presence or absence of an internal abnormality based on the value of the signal output by the light receiver (2) at the time when the egg is transported to the predetermined position is determined as the determination timing. Means (25) for generating a synchronized egg transport clock pulse and a count clock pulse, and a counter (42) for counting the number of count clock pulses from the point in time when the egg transport clock pulse is captured.
When the signal value output from the light receiver (2) becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the number of pulses measured by the counter (42) is set to a first value.
A first register (43) that stores the number of pulses, and a second register that counts the number of pulses measured by the counter (42) when the signal value output by the light receiver (2) becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value.
A second register (44) for storing the number of pulses, a means (S9) for determining a judgment reference pulse number from the first pulse number and the second pulse number, and Means for taking in the signal output by the photodetector (2) at the judgment timing obtained by counting the number of judgment reference pulses, and an egg inspection apparatus comprising: 4. Eggs are sequentially projected on eggs which are conveyed by a light projector (1), and light transmitted through the eggs is detected by a light receiver (2).
An egg inspection apparatus that determines the presence or absence of an internal abnormality based on the value of the signal output by the light receiver (2) at the time when the egg is transported to the predetermined position is determined as the determination timing. Means (25) for generating a synchronized egg transport clock pulse and a count clock pulse, and a counter (42) for counting the number of count clock pulses from the point in time when the egg transport clock pulse is captured.
Means (S44) for determining whether the output signal value of the light receiver (2) has decreased; means (S45) for determining whether the output signal value of the light receiver (2) has increased. And a register (43) for storing the number of pulses measured by the counter (42) at the time when the output signal value of the light receiver (2) rises as a judgment reference pulse number. Means for taking in the signal output by the light receiver (2) at a judgment timing obtained by counting the number of judgment reference pulses when the signal is taken in (S50).