JP2002071572A - Apparatus for measuring object to be detected - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for measuring an object to be detected with which a prescribed item of the object to be detected can be measured precisely and surely and whose measurement accuracy can be enhanced. SOLUTION: A long welsh onion A is placed on the mounting base 21 of a conveyance conveyor 2, and the stem part Aa of the onion A is placed on a receiver pad 25 laid on the mounting base 21 so as to be placed in a state that a hole part 24 is blocked up. The pressure pad 31 of a pressure device 30 presses the surface of the stem part Aa of the onion A, and the rear surface of the stem part As is pressed to the receiver pad 25 which is mounted on the peripheral edge of the bole part 24. Detection light B which is projected from the light source 41 of a measuring device 40 is shone at the surface of the stem part Aa of the onion A, and transmitted light which is transmitted through the stem part Aa is received by a transmitted-light measuring device 42. Information on the received light which is detected by the device 42 and judgment information which is stored in advance are compared by a judgment device 44, and the saccharic acid level of the onion A is judged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a measuring device used for measuring predetermined items such as crops such as leeks, cucumbers, eggplants, carrots, burdock, yams, and fruits and vegetables.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method for measuring leek in the above-described example, as shown in FIG. 8, for example, a detection light B emitted from a light source 51 disposed on an upper portion of a transport path is sent to a mounting table 50. The stem Aa of the mounted green onion A is irradiated, and the transmitted light C transmitted through the stem Aa is distributed to the lower part of the transport path via the hole 53 formed in the center mounting surface of the mounting table 50. There is a method in which light is received by a light receiver 52 (for example, an imaging camera) provided and a predetermined item (for example, sugar acidity) of green onion A is measured based on light reception information detected by the light receiver 52.

[0003]

However, if the leek A mounted on the mounting table 50 has a large bend, the mounting table 50 will not work.
A gap is likely to be formed between the hole 53 and the stem Aa of the green onion A, and light leakage may occur. At the time of measurement, outside light other than the transmitted light C passing through the stem Aa enters the hole 53 from the gap, and the light receiver 52 receives the outside light. Is difficult to measure accurately, and accurate measurement information cannot be obtained.

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention mounts an object to be detected in a state where the hole of the mounting portion is covered, and comes into close contact with a receiving member mounted on the periphery of the hole, thereby causing light leakage. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for measuring an object to be measured, which can prevent inconveniences such as light and external light from entering, and can obtain accurate measurement information.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
The detection light emitted from the detection light irradiating means is irradiated to the detection object mounted on the mounting portion, and the transmission light transmitted through the detection object is detected by the transmission light detection means, and the transmission light detection means The light receiving information, the object measurement device for measuring a predetermined item of the object by comparing the comparison information set in advance, the mounting surface of the mounting portion, the outer surface of the object to be detected It is an object measurement device provided with a hole portion through which transmitted light is allowed to pass, and a flexible receiving member mounted on a periphery of the hole portion, substantially facing the outer surface of the object to be detected. Features.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, a concave surface shape is provided for supporting the receiving surface of the receiving member at a mounting position substantially opposing the hole. The object measuring device is characterized in that it is formed as described above.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the object to be detected is pressed against the receiving member above the mounting portion in opposition to the object to be detected. It is an object measuring device provided with a pressing means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the third aspect, the pressing means is provided so as to face one end or both ends of the object with reference to a measurement portion of the object. In addition, it is an object measuring device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the third aspect, a plurality of the placing section and the pressing means are provided in the feed direction, and the placing section and the pressing The object measuring apparatus is provided with a moving means for moving the object substantially synchronously with the feed direction.

[0010]

According to the present invention, the object to be detected is placed in a state where the hole of the mounting portion is covered, and is brought into close contact with the receiving member attached to the periphery of the hole. It is difficult to form a gap in a portion facing the hole, and it is possible to prevent inconveniences such as light leakage and external light from entering. In addition, since only the transmitted light transmitted through the object is measured by the transmitted light measuring means, the operation of measuring a predetermined item can be performed accurately and reliably, and the measurement accuracy can be improved.

In addition, one or both ends of the object to be detected are pressed by the pressing means with reference to the measured portion of the object to be corrected, and the mounting portion and the pressing means correct the measured portion of the object to be substantially straight. And holding, the measurement part of the detected object is held at a fixed position, and when moving or measuring, it is possible to prevent the direction and position of the detected object from being displaced. Measurement work can be performed stably.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The drawings show an object measuring device used for measuring a predetermined item of green onion, which is an example of an object. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the object measuring device 10 includes a pre-processing step The pre-processed leek A, which is disposed between the post-processing steps, is transported by the transport conveyor 20 disposed between the preceding and succeeding steps, in a state in which the leek A is oriented in a lateral direction substantially orthogonal to the feeding direction.

A pressing device 3 disposed at a measuring section a on a transport path
0 holds the stem Aa of the green onion A placed on the mounting table 21 in a fixed posture, and the measuring device 40 arranged in the measuring unit a
A predetermined item (eg, sugar acidity) of the green onion A placed on the mounting table 21 is measured, and the determination device 5 connected to the measuring device 40 is measured.
0 determines the item of the green onion A based on the measurement information of the measuring device 40.

Further, as another example of the method of supplying the green onion A to the transport conveyor 2, for example, the onion A is transported by a conveyor,
It may be supplied by mechanical means such as suction or clamping, or by artificial means of supplying manually by an operator.

The above-described conveyor 20 has a mounting table 21 of, for example, a bucket type, a cup type, or the like, which is laid between circling chains 22 stretched on both sides of the conveying path. It is erected at predetermined intervals. The orbiting chain 22 is rotated by the motor 23 with a speed reducer via the sprockets 23a and 23b and the driving chain 23c, and moves the mounting table 21 at a constant speed in the feed direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, a partial mounting surface (for example, a left end portion, a left and right end portion) of the mounting table 21 or the entire mounting surface is formed in a substantially V shape when viewed from the side. At the same time, the mounting surface is formed in a shape that gradually increases from the center mounting surface to the both mounting surfaces. Long leek A is placed on the mounting table 2
The green onion 1 is placed in a lateral posture substantially perpendicular to the feeding direction (for example, the stem portion a of the green onion A is aligned with the left side of the conveying path with respect to the feeding direction). Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the mounting surface of the mounting table 21 may be formed in a substantially U-shape when viewed from the side.

In addition, a hole 24 is formed in the left center mounting surface (valley portion) of the mounting table 21 and the receiving pad 25 so as to penetrate in a vertical direction substantially facing the lower surface of the stalk Aa of the green onion A. , On the hole periphery and the mounting surface around the hole 24,
For example, a receiving pad 25 having flexibility such as urethane rubber or sponge rubber is mounted. And receiving pad 25
Has a shape substantially corresponding to the mounting surface of the mounting table 21,
The stem portion Aa of the green onion A is formed in a concave shape (substantially V-shaped when viewed from the side surface) for supporting the stem portion Aa at a mounting position substantially opposed to the hole portion 24.

In addition, instead of the hole 24 described above, a green onion A
A part of the mounting table 21 opposed to the stem portion Aa may be formed, for example, in a mesh shape (mesh shape), or may be formed of a material having translucency.

In addition, the stem portion Aa and the leaf portion Ab of the green onion A are supported by a substantially V-shaped or substantially U-shaped support portion (not shown) provided at the left and right ends of the mounting table 21, On the entire mounting surface,
For example, a cushion material such as urethane rubber or sponge rubber may be laid.

As shown in FIG. 3, the above-described pressing device 30 has a flexible pressing pad 31 which is substantially opposed to the upper surface of the stem Aa of the green onion A near the hole 24 mounted on the mounting table 21. And is attached to the circling chain 32 stretched on the upper part of the transport path, and is spaced apart from the stem Aa of the green onion A placed on the mounting table 21 with respect to the entire length of the circulating chain 32 at a front-rear interval. In addition, the orbiting chain 32 is rotated in the transport direction substantially or in synchronization with the transport conveyor 2 described above, and pushes the pressing pad 31 onto the leek A mounted on the mounting table 21.
And circulates in the feed direction in opposition to the stem portion Aa.

A support shaft 33 fixed to the center of the upper surface of the pressing pad 31 is vertically movably inserted into a cylindrical bearing portion 34 fixed to the side of the circling chain 32. Spring 35 loaded on the lower end side shaft peripheral surface
Due to the elasticity or the restoring force, the pressing pad 31 fixed to the lower end portion of the support shaft 33 is urged in a direction pressed against the upper surface of the stem Aa of the green onion A mounted on the mounting table 21.

When the pressing pad 31 is pressed against the upper surface of the stem portion Aa of the green onion A placed on the mounting table 21, the lower surface of the stem portion Aa is positioned with respect to the hole 24 of the mounting table 21 by the reaction force. As a center, it is pressed in close contact with the receiving pad 25 to shield light.

The above-described pressing pad 31 is formed of a flexible member such as urethane rubber or sponge rubber, and can be deformed into a curved shape substantially corresponding to the peripheral surface of the stem Aa of the green onion A. It has elasticity and / or flexibility that can be deformed to be in close contact with the peripheral surface. Further, the pressing surface of the pressing pad 31 may be formed in a curved shape substantially corresponding to the outer surface of the green onion A. In addition, as another example of the pressing means instead of the coil spring 35, for example, the pressing pad 31
It may be pressed by its own weight or a drooping load of a weight member or the like.

As another example of the pressing means in place of the above-mentioned pressing pad 31, for example, an arm, a finger, a pressing plate or the like may be used for pressing and holding.

The above-described measuring device 40 has a light source 41 (for example, a halogen lamp) for projecting the detection light B on the upper left side of the transport path facing the upper surface of the stem Aa of the green onion A mounted on the mounting table 21. The transmission light measuring device 42 (for example, a black-and-white or color CCD camera) is installed in the hole 2 formed in the mounting table 21.
4 is disposed at the lower left side of the conveyance path facing the lower surface. In addition, the transmitted light measuring device 42 is close to the lower surface of the mounting table 21 at a predetermined interval (for example, may be set to an interval of approximately 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm or 0.2 mm or less, 0.5 mm or more). It is housed in a light-shielding room 43 disposed in the vicinity, and blocks light other than the transmitted light C. Further, the entire measuring section a may be surrounded by a light shielding room (not shown).

As another example of the illuminating means in place of the light source 41, for example, an incandescent lamp, a fluorescent lamp, a xenon lamp, a tungsten lamp or the like may be used. For example, sunlight or other light sources may be used, and the invention is not limited to the above-described light source 41 alone.

On the other hand, the transmitted light C received by the transmitted light measuring device 42 is transmitted through, for example, light having a specific wavelength by an interference filter, and other light is shielded. Alternatively, a spectral means such as a dichroic mirror or a prism is used. May be used to split the light into visible light and near-infrared light.

The determination device 44 (for example, a personal computer) to which the above transmitted light measurement device 42 is connected receives the measurement information output from the measurement device 42 and the determination information (for example, the sugar acidity) stored in the determination device 44 in advance. Are compared to individually determine the sugar acidity or other items of the green onion A, and the green onion A is stored or output as information for sorting and processing the green onion A by item. Further, as another example of the optical measuring means instead of the transmitted light measuring device 42, for example, an image sensor, a video camera, or the like may be used.

As a timing setting method for measuring the above-mentioned green onion A, for example, the fact that green onion a is conveyed to the measuring section a is detected and measured by a photoelectric sensor, a limit switch, a proximity switch, or another detection sensor. , Mounting table 2
The address or time lag until 1 reaches the measuring unit a is counted, and information of a recording medium (for example, a bar code, an identification code, an IC, a magnetic stripe, a magnetic card, etc.) attached to the mounting table 21 is read by a reading unit. Alternatively, the timing may be set.

The illustrated embodiment is configured as described above, and a method for measuring the sugar acidity of green onion A by the object measuring apparatus 1 will be described below. First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, pre-treated green onion A in which soil or mud adhering to the stem portion Aa of green onion A is washed away with water, or the epidermis (rough skin) is peeled off is transported. Receiving pads on which the stem portions Aa of the green onions A are laid on the left mounting surface of the mounting table 21 while being aligned one by one with respect to the mounting tables 21 of the conveyor 2 in a lateral orientation substantially orthogonal to the feeding direction. 25 and is placed in a state where the hole 24 is closed.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the pressing device 30 is driven to press the pressing pad 31 against the upper surface of the stem Aa of the green onion A mounted on the mounting table 21. The lower surface of the stem Aa is pressed against the receiving pad 25 attached to the periphery of the hole 24 of the mounting table 21 by a reaction force so that light other than the transmitted light C transmitted through the stem Aa is transmitted to the hole 24. Prevents light from entering.

Alternatively, the stem portion Aa of the green onion A may be simply placed on the receiving pad 25 of the mounting table 21. The stem portion Aa is brought into close contact with the receiving pad 25 by its own weight and pressed by the pressing pad 31. Since it is pressed with a weaker force than it does, quality can be prevented from being impaired.

Next, when the leek A is transported to the measuring section a,
The detection light C emitted from the light source 41 of the measuring device 40 is applied to the upper surface of the stem Aa of the green onion A mounted on the mounting table 21. The transmitted light C transmitted through the stem Aa is received by the transmitted light measuring device 42 through the hole 24 and received light information detected by the transmitted light measuring device 42 is transmitted to the determination device 4.
4 is output.

On the other hand, the judging device 44 includes the transmitted light measuring device 4
The light receiving information output from No. 2 is compared with the judgment information stored in advance to individually determine the sugar acidity of green onion A,
The address information of the mounting table 21 on which the leek A is placed and the determination information of the leek A are stored in association with each other. At the time of sorting, based on the judgment information stored in the judging device 44, the onion A is sorted by item.

As described above, the long leek A is placed on the mounting table 21.
Is placed in a state where the hole 24 is covered and pressed against the receiving pad 25 attached to the periphery of the hole 24 so that the stem Aa peripheral surface of the green onion A and the mounting table 21 It is difficult to form a gap in a portion facing the outer surface of the hole 24, and it is possible to prevent inconveniences such as light leakage and external light from entering. In addition, since only the transmitted light C transmitted through the stem portion Aa of the green onion A is measured (received and detected) by the transmitted light measuring device 40, the operation of measuring the predetermined item (sugar acidity) of the green onion A can be performed accurately and reliably. In addition, measurement accuracy can be improved.

Further, one end or both ends of the stem Aa near the hole 24 is pressed by the pressing pad 31 with reference to the stem Aa of the green onion A corresponding to the measurement portion. Since the measurement part of the stem Aa is corrected and held in a substantially straight state, the measurement part of the green onion A is held at a fixed position, and the direction and position of the green onion A are prevented from being displaced during transport and measurement. The operation of measuring a predetermined item in a predetermined portion can be stably performed.

Further, the green onion A is pressed by the pressing device 30 while being transported by the transport conveyor 20, and the measuring device 40
Since a predetermined item is measured, the operation of measuring a large number of leeks A can be performed continuously, and the processing capacity can be improved.

FIG. 5 shows another example of the pressing device 30 for pressing both ends of the stem portion Aa of the green onion A with a pair of pressing pads 31 with the hole 24 of the mounting table 21 as a reference or center.
The stalk Aa of the green onion A placed on 1 is straightened, and the stalk Aa of the green onion A is conveyed while being pressed and held by the pair of pressing pads 31. The above-mentioned effects can be obtained, and
At the time of measurement, it is possible to prevent the direction and the position of the stem Aa from being displaced, so that the measurement operation can be performed accurately and reliably.
Alternatively, both ends of the stem portion Aa of the green onion A with respect to the hole portion 24 may be pressed by one pressing pad 31 formed in a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from a plane.

FIG. 6 shows another example of the pressing device 30 for pressing the stem portion Aa of the green onion A with the cantilever-type pressing pad 31. A bracket 48 in which the base end of the arm 47 is fixed to the circling chain 32 is shown. The arm 47 is pivotably mounted on the lower end of the free end side of the arm 47 so as to be vertically rotatable substantially orthogonal to the feed direction.
Upper surface of stem Aa of green onion A placed on 1 (near hole 24)
And a pressing pad 31 is attached substantially opposite thereto.

On the other hand, the free end side of the arm 47 is vertically moved and guided along a guide rail 49 erected above the transport path,
In the measuring unit a, the pressing pad 31 is pressed against the upper surface of the stem Aa of the green onion A placed on the placing unit 3, and the lower surface of the stem Aa is brought into close contact with the pad 25. Light other than the transmitted light C that is transmitted can be prevented from entering the hole 24, and the same operational effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

The pressing pad 31 is connected to the arm 4
7 or the elastic body such as a spring or rubber to urge the stalk portion Aa of the green onion A in a direction in which the stalk portion Aa is pressed. The portion Aa may be pressed, and it is possible to obtain substantially the same operation and effect as the above-described embodiment. Further, as another example of the vertical moving means instead of the guide rail 49, the vertical movement may be performed by an actuator such as a solenoid, an air cylinder, a cam, or a motor.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment, the object to be detected of the present invention corresponds to the green onion A of the embodiment. 21, the receiving member corresponds to the receiving pad 25, the pressing means corresponds to the pressing device 30 and the pressing pad 31, a belt, a roller, and the like, and the detecting light irradiation means corresponds to the light source 41.
The transmitted light detecting means corresponds to the transmitted light measuring device 42, and the moving means corresponds to driving mechanisms such as the orbiting chains 22, 32 and the motor 23, sprockets 23a, 23b, and the driving chain 23c. However, the present invention is not limited to only the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

As another measuring method by the above-mentioned transmitted light measuring device 42, for example, the stem portion Aa of the green onion A mounted on the mounting portion 21 is illuminated from below with a light source 41 arranged at the lower part of the transport path. The transmitted light C transmitted through the stem portion Aa may be received by a transmitted light measuring device 42 disposed at the upper part of the transport path, and foreign matter such as the skin of the green onion A, juice, and dust adheres to the transmitted light measuring device 42. It is difficult to maintain a predetermined measurement function, and it is possible to achieve substantially the same or higher effects as those of the above-described embodiment.

An unnecessary part removing means for removing an unnecessary part (root part) of, for example, green onion A may be provided before or after the measuring part a.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a state of measuring green onions by an object-to-be-detected measuring apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state of transporting leek by a transport conveyor.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing a state where one side of green onion is pressed by a pressing pad.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a light transmitting state and a light receiving state.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a state where both sides of the green onion are pressed by a pair of pressing pads.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a state in which green onions are pressed by a cantilever-type pressing pad.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing another example in which the mounting surface of the mounting table is formed in a substantially U shape.

FIG. 8 is a side view showing a measurement method of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List A: green onion Aa: stem B: detection light C: transmitted light 10: object to be detected measuring device 20: transport conveyor 21: mounting table 24: hole 25: receiving pad 30: pressing device 31: pressing pad 40: measuring device 41: Light source 42: Transmitted light measuring device 44: Judgment device

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2G051 AA05 BA06 BA20 BB15 CA03 CA04 CB02 DA01 DA06 EA14 EB01 EB02 2G059 AA01 BB11 CC20 DD02 DD12 DD13 EE01 FF06 GG10 HH01 HH02 JJ03 JJ06 JJ07 KK04 MM04 MM05

Claims (5)

[Claims] A detection light emitted from a detection light irradiating means, irradiating the detection object mounted on the mounting portion with a detection light, and a transmitted light transmitted through the detection object is detected by a transmitted light detection means; An object measuring device for measuring a predetermined item of an object by comparing light receiving information of the transmitted light detecting means with predetermined comparison information, wherein the object is placed on the mounting surface of the mounting part. An object measurement in which a hole is provided facing the outer surface of the object and through which transmitted light is allowed to pass, and a flexible receiving member is attached to the periphery of the hole substantially opposite to the outer surface of the object. apparatus. 2. The device for measuring an object to be detected according to claim 1, wherein the receiving surface of the receiving member is formed in a concave shape for supporting the object to be detected at a mounting position substantially opposed to the hole. 3. A device for measuring an object to be detected according to claim 1, further comprising a pressing means provided above said mounting portion, said pressing means opposing said object and pressing said object against a receiving member. 4. An apparatus for measuring an object to be detected according to claim 3, wherein said pressing means is provided so as to face one or both ends of the object to be detected with reference to a measurement portion of the object to be detected. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of mounting portions and pressing means disposed in the feed direction, and moving means for moving the mounting portion and pressing means substantially in synchronization with the feeding direction. An object measurement device according to claim 3.