JP2002079218A - Garbage disposal device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a garbage disposal device which is free from such a necessity that the user judge whether or not a garbage disposal material should be replenished. SOLUTION: The garbage disposal device is equipped with a moisture content detector 6 and a control device 5, the detector 6 being equipped with a tungsten lamp 61 which emits light to a mixture 10 inside a disposal tank 12, a silicon photodiode 62 which emits an output complying with the quantity of received light upon receiving a reflected light from the mixture 10 and a pyroelectric element 63 which emits an output complying with a change in the quantity of received light upon receiving the reflected light from the mixture 10. The control device 5 is equipped with a control circuit 51 which calculates the moisture content of the mixture 10, based on output signals from the diode 62 and the pyroelectric element 63. The moisture content detector 6 is arranged flush with surface height of the mixture 10 when the quantity of the mixture 10 in the disposal tank 12 is appropriate. The control circuit 51 judges whether or not the quantity of the garbade disposal material in the disposal tank 12 is too little, based on the output signal from the diode 62, and indicates the judgement results 'too little' in the display, when such results are positive.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a garbage disposal apparatus for storing a mixture of garbage and a garbage disposal material in a treatment tank, adjusting the water content of the mixture, and decomposing the garbage. Things.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, garbage is put into a processing tank filled with porous wood chips (hole chips) that become garbage disposal materials, and the garbage and the hole chips are stirred. By mixing, by the microorganisms that live in the mixture,
BACKGROUND ART A garbage disposal device that decomposes garbage into water, carbon dioxide, and the like is known. In such a garbage processing apparatus, the processing efficiency can be improved by adjusting the water content of the garbage / chip mixture to a range suitable for the inhabitation of microorganisms. Therefore, the garbage processing apparatus is equipped with a blowing mechanism for feeding air into the processing tank, a heater for heating and drying the garbage / chip mixture in the processing tank, and further, if necessary, 2. Description of the Related Art A water supply device for supplying water to a garbage / chip mixture is provided to adjust a water content.

In order to automatically adjust the water content optimally,
It is necessary to measure the water content of the garbage / chip mixture in the treatment tank. Conventionally, as a method for measuring the water content, a method of detecting the water content by bringing a pair of electrodes into contact with a garbage / chip mixture and measuring the electric resistance between the two electrodes.
(Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-33572) or a method of detecting the water content by contacting a heating resistor with a garbage / chip mixture and measuring the temperature rise of the garbage / chip mixture (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
No. 7458) has been proposed.

[0004]

However, in the water content measuring method using a pair of electrodes, when an electrolyte solution or a substance is interposed between the pair of electrodes, the electric resistance between the electrodes greatly changes. Therefore, there is a problem that a large error occurs in the measured value of the water content. In addition, in the moisture content measuring method using the heating resistor, the heating resistor and the garbage
When the adhesiveness of the chip mixture is poor, there is a problem that the measurement accuracy of the water content is reduced.

Accordingly, the applicant has developed a moisture content measuring device for improving the measurement accuracy by optically measuring the moisture content of a garbage / chip mixture, and has developed a garbage disposal device provided with the device. Patent pending (Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-087235). The moisture content measuring device includes a tungsten lamp that irradiates light to the garbage / chip mixture, a silicon photodiode and a pyroelectric element for detecting light reflected from the garbage / chip mixture, and includes a silicon photodiode. The water content of the garbage / chip mixture is calculated based on the ratio of the amount of reflected light detected using the garbage and the amount of reflected light detected using the pyroelectric element.

The silicon photodiode has a sensitivity in a first wavelength range (less than 1 μm) where water transmittance is large, while the pyroelectric element has a second wavelength range (light transmittance) where water transmittance is small. (1 μm or more). Therefore, according to the difference in the water content of the garbage / chip mixture, a large change occurs in the amount of light detected by the pyroelectric element,
The amount of light detected by the silicon photodiode hardly changes. Therefore, if the ratio between the amount of light detected by the silicon photodiode and the amount of light detected by the pyroelectric element is calculated, the water content of the garbage / chip mixture is calculated from the ratio of the amount of light detected using the known Lambert-Beer equation described later. Rate can be calculated.

According to the above-mentioned water content measuring device, the water content of the garbage / chip mixture can be optically measured from outside the treatment tank, so that there is no problem in the conventional water content measuring method described above. Higher measurement accuracy is obtained.

[0008] By the way, the amount of the garbage disposal material in the treatment tank gradually decreases during repeated use. If the amount of the garbage disposal material is too small, the efficiency of the garbage decomposition treatment decreases, and it is necessary to replenish the new garbage disposal material. However, in the above-mentioned garbage disposal apparatus, the user is required to remove the garbage / chip mixture in the treatment tank (12).
By visually checking (10), it is necessary to judge whether or not new garbage processing material should be replenished, and there is a problem that the operation is troublesome. An object of the present invention is to provide a garbage disposal apparatus that does not require a user to determine whether or not the garbage disposal material should be replenished.

[0009]

A first garbage disposal apparatus according to the present invention comprises a water content detection device for detecting the water content of a mixture in a processing tank, and a water content detection device for detecting a water content based on the detected water content. A water content adjusting device for adjusting, and a notifying device for notifying that the amount of the garbage processing material in the processing tank is too small, wherein the water content detecting device has a first wavelength region in which the transmittance to water is large. And a light-emitting element for irradiating the mixture with light including a second wavelength range having a small transmittance to water, and having sensitivity to the first wavelength range, receiving reflected light from the mixture in the treatment tank,
A first light receiving element that emits an output according to the amount of received light,
A second light receiving element having a sensitivity in the second wavelength range, receiving reflected light from the mixture in the processing tank, and emitting an output in accordance with a magnitude of a received light amount or a change thereof; 2
An arithmetic processing circuit for calculating the water content of the mixture in the processing tank based on the output signal of the light receiving element. And
The light emitting element is mounted on the side wall of the processing tank with the optical axis directed toward the mixture in the processing tank, and the mounting position is a position where an irradiation amount sufficient for detecting the moisture content is obtained, and Is a position as close as possible to the height position of the surface of the mixture when the amount of the mixture is a necessary minimum amount, and the notifying device, based on the output signal of the first light receiving element, It is provided with a judging means for judging whether or not the amount of the garbage processing material is too small, and a notifying means for notifying when the amount of the garbage processing material is judged to be too small.

In the above garbage processing apparatus, of the light emitted from the light emitting element, the component in the first wavelength band is detected by the first light receiving element, and the component in the second wavelength band is detected by the second light receiving element. You. Here, when comparing the case where the water content of the mixture in the processing tank is large and the case where the water content is small, the wavelength range of the light component detected by the first light receiving element (first wavelength range)
Has a high transmittance to water, so that there is almost no difference in the amount of light detected by the first light receiving element, but the transmittance to water in the wavelength range of the light component detected by the second light receiving element (second wavelength range). Is small, a difference occurs in the amount of light detected by the second light receiving element. Therefore, taking the ratio of the amount of light detected by the second light receiving element to the amount of light detected by the first light receiving element, the greater the ratio, the lower the water content of the mixture, and the lower the ratio, the higher the water content of the mixture. Become. Therefore, the water content of the mixture in the processing tank is calculated based on the output signals of the first light receiving element and the second light receiving element.

In a garbage disposal apparatus, a mixture of garbage and garbage disposal material is accommodated in a treatment tank to decompose garbage, but the amount of garbage disposal material increases during repeated use. When the amount gradually decreases, and the amount of the mixture gradually decreases, and the amount of the mixture falls below a certain minimum amount, the efficiency of the garbage decomposition treatment significantly decreases. Therefore, in the garbage processing apparatus, it is determined whether the amount of the mixture in the processing tank is too small. When the amount of the mixture in the processing tank exceeds the certain amount, most of the light emitted from the light emitting element is irradiated on the mixture, and an irradiation amount sufficient for detecting the water content is obtained. . On the other hand, when the amount of the mixture in the processing tank is less than the predetermined amount, of the light emitted from the light emitting element, upper light is emitted into the air above the surface of the mixture, and the amount of the mixture is reduced. The irradiation amount is smaller than in the case where the amount exceeds the certain amount, and the amount of light detected by the first light receiving element is significantly reduced. Here, since the amount of light detected by the first light receiving element hardly changes in accordance with the change in the water content of the mixture as described above, if the amount of light detected by the first light receiving element is significantly reduced, the change is processed. This is caused by a decrease in the amount of the mixture in the tank, and it can be determined that the amount of the garbage disposal material is too small. Therefore,
Based on the output signal of the first light receiving element, it is determined whether the amount of the garbage disposal material in the processing tank is too small.

As a result of the above determination, when it is determined that the amount of the garbage disposal material is too small, a notification to that effect is given. Here, as a notification method, a method of lighting a lamp indicating that the amount of garbage processing material is too small, a method of displaying on the display that the amount of garbage processing material is too small, a method of generating an alarm, and the like Various notification methods can be adopted.
As described above, the notification device determines whether the amount of the garbage disposal material is too small, and if it is determined that the amount of the garbage disposal material is too small, the user is notified of the fact. But by looking at the garbage processing material in the processing tank,
There is no need to determine whether garbage should be replenished.

Specifically, when it is determined that the amount of the garbage disposal material is not too small, the arithmetic processing circuit executes the operation of calculating the water content.

When the amount of the garbage disposal material is too small, the irradiation amount of the mixture is reduced as described above, and the amount of light detected by the first light receiving element is greatly reduced. Therefore, if the water content is calculated based on the amount of light detected by the first light receiving element and the second light receiving element when the amount of the garbage disposal material is too small, the water content is not accurate, When the water content adjustment device is operated based on the calculation result,
The water content of the mixture in the treatment tank will deviate from the range suitable for the inhabitation of microorganisms. Therefore, when it is determined that the amount of the garbage disposal material is not too small, the water content of the mixture is calculated.

[0015] A second garbage disposal apparatus according to the present invention comprises a stirrer for rotating the mixture in the processing tank by rotating in a forward and reverse direction about a horizontal axis, and detecting a water content of the mixture in the processing tank. The apparatus includes a rate detection device, a moisture content adjustment device that adjusts the moisture content based on the detected moisture content, and a notification device that reports the amount of the garbage disposal material in the treatment tank. The moisture content detection device includes a light-emitting element, a first light-receiving element, a second light-receiving element, and an arithmetic processing circuit. The light-emitting element is mounted on a side wall of the processing tank with an optical axis directed toward the mixture in the processing tank. The mounting position is a position where an irradiation amount sufficient for detecting the water content can be obtained, and as high as possible at a height position on the surface of the mixture when the amount of the mixture in the processing tank is a necessary minimum amount. It is a close position, and the notification device is configured such that the magnitude of the amount of light received by the first light receiving element is equal to or less than a predetermined value based on the output signal of the first light receiving element during the normal rotation operation of the stirrer or after the operation ends. First determining means for determining whether or not there is, and, immediately after the start of the reverse rotation operation of the stirring device, whether the magnitude of the amount of light received by the first light receiving element is equal to or less than a predetermined value based on the output signal of the first light receiving element. Second determining means for determining whether or not the stirring device is in reverse rotation operation, or After the end of the operation, a third determining means for determining whether or not the magnitude of the amount of light received by the first light receiving element is equal to or less than a predetermined value based on the output signal of the first light receiving element; It is provided with a judging means for judging the amount of the garbage disposal material in the treatment tank based on the judgment result of the third judging means, and a notifying means for notifying the judgment result.

In the above-mentioned garbage processing apparatus, the mixture in the processing tank is agitated by rotating the agitating device forward and backward about the horizontal axis, and the surface of the mixture undulates.
The undulation changes as described later by the rotation of the stirring device. During the normal rotation operation of the stirrer or after the operation is completed,
The surface of the mixture in the processing tank is in a first state in which part of the outer peripheral part is higher than the central part. Thereafter, when the reversing operation of the stirring device is started, immediately thereafter, the surface of the mixture in the processing tank changes to the second state in which a part of the outer peripheral part and a central part are aligned at substantially the same height. Further, during or after the subsequent reversal operation, the surface of the mixture in the processing tank changes to a third state in which a part of the outer peripheral part is lower than the central part.

Therefore, the light emitting element is arranged on a part of the outer peripheral portion. When the amount of the mixture in the treatment tank is sufficiently larger than the required minimum amount, the first, second, and third components are used.
In any of the states, most of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is irradiated to the mixture in the treatment tank, and an irradiation amount sufficient for calculating the water content is obtained. When the amount of the mixture in the processing tank is equal to or slightly greater than the certain amount,
In the first state and the second state, most of the light emitted from the light emitting element is irradiated on the mixture in the processing tank, and an irradiation amount sufficient for calculating the moisture content is obtained. Of the light emitted from the elements, the upper light is emitted into the air above the surface of the mixture, so that the amount of irradiation on the mixture is reduced and the amount of light detected by the first light receiving element is significantly reduced. When the amount of the mixture in the processing tank is slightly lower than the predetermined amount, in the first state, most of the light emitted from the light emitting element is irradiated on the mixture in the processing tank to calculate the water content. However, in the second and third states, the amount of irradiation of the mixture is small, and the amount of light detected by the first light receiving element is significantly reduced.
When the amount of the mixture in the processing tank is significantly lower than the predetermined amount, the irradiation amount of the mixture is reduced in any of the first, second, and third states, and light detection by the first light receiving element is performed. The amount is greatly reduced. Therefore, the first,
The amount of the mixture in the processing tank, that is, the amount of the garbage disposal material, is determined depending on whether or not the magnitude of the amount of light received by the first light receiving element in the second and third states is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Then, the determination result is notified.

[0018]

According to the garbage disposal apparatus according to the present invention,
There is no need for the user to determine whether or not to add garbage disposal material.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
Next, a specific description will be given with reference to the drawings.overall structure  The garbage processing apparatus according to the present invention is shown in FIGS.
And a casing (1) having an open top and a casing (1)
A lid (11) pivotally supported at the opening of the
The garbage / chip mixture (10) is stored inside the thing (1).
A treatment tank (12) to be accommodated is provided. The processing tank (12)
Broadband wavelength light including visible light region and near infrared light region
Consists of transparent material, color, and thickness
For example, a 2 mm thick white polycarbonate
Formed using the

A shaft (21) is horizontally installed inside the processing tank (12), and a plurality of stirring rods (2) are projected around the shaft (21) in a radial manner. One end of the shaft (21) is connected to a motor (23) via a power transmission mechanism (22), and by driving the motor (23), the stirring rod (2) is rotated. The garbage / chip mixture (10) can be stirred.

A planar heater (3) is attached to the outer surface of the processing tank (12), so that the garbage / chip mixture (10) in the processing tank (12) can be heated. . Further, an exhaust fan (4) is provided above the processing tank (12). The exhaust fan (4) is connected to an exhaust port (13) through an exhaust path (14). By driving (), it is possible to ventilate the inside of the processing tank (12). Further, a water supply mechanism (not shown) is connected to the treatment tank (12) as necessary, so that water can be supplied into the treatment tank (12).

Further, in the garbage processing apparatus according to the present invention, the water content of the garbage / chip mixture (10) in the processing tank (12) is optically measured outside the side wall of the processing tank (12). A moisture content detector (6) for measurement is attached.

As shown in FIG. 3, the moisture content detector (6) is a tungsten lamp (6) mounted toward the treatment tank (12).
1), a silicon photodiode (62) and a pyroelectric element (63). As shown in FIG. 4 (a), a tungsten lamp
(61) emits light having a wide band spanning the visible light region and the near infrared light region. As shown in FIG. 4B, the silicon photodiode (62) has a thickness of 0.5 μm or less.
Sensitivity in relatively narrow wavelength range of 1.0 μm, pyroelectric element
(63) has a flat sensitivity characteristic over a wide wavelength range exceeding 1.0 μm.

As described above, since the treatment tank (12) can transmit light of a wide wavelength range including the visible light region and the near-infrared light region, the light emitted from the tungsten lamp (61) can be transmitted. Passes through the treatment tank (12), is irradiated on the garbage / chip mixture (10), the light reflected on the garbage / chip mixture (10) passes through the treatment tank (12), The light enters the silicon photodiode (62) and the pyroelectric element (63).

The control device (5) includes a control circuit (51) composed of a microcomputer, and the lighting of the tungsten lamp (61) is controlled by the control circuit (51).
The output signals of the silicon photodiode (62) and the pyroelectric element (63) pass through amplifiers (52) and (53), respectively,
(51). The control circuit (51) detects the water content of the garbage / chip mixture (10) based on signals from the silicon photodiode (62) and the pyroelectric element (63), and according to the result, the heater ( 3), exhaust fan (4) and motor
The operation of (23) is controlled, whereby the water content of the garbage / chip mixture (10) in the treatment tank (12) is optimally adjusted.

Here, the principle of detecting the water content in the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, FIG.
It shows the spectral distribution characteristics of the tungsten lamp (61),
Light is distributed over the visible light region and the near infrared light region. FIG. 4B shows the spectral distribution characteristic P of the silicon photodiode (62) and the spectral distribution characteristic Q of the pyroelectric element (63). The silicon photodiode (62) has a thickness of 0.5 μm.
The pyroelectric element (63) has sensitivity in a relatively narrow wavelength range of about 1.0 μm, and has a flat sensitivity characteristic in a wide wavelength range exceeding 1.0 μm.

FIG. 4 (c) shows the spectral distribution characteristics P 'of the amount of light detected by the silicon photodiode (62) and the pyroelectric element (63) when the light emitted from the tungsten lamp (61) is directly received. And the spectral distribution characteristic Q 'of the light detection amount. However, for the pyroelectric element (63), the change in the amount of received light (differential)
Since the sensor is a thermal sensor that emits a signal corresponding to the output signal, data corresponding to the absolute value of the amount of received light can be obtained by integrating the waveform of the output signal. The peak value of the waveform is used as an integral value (light detection amount). The magnitude of the light detection amount detected by the silicon photodiode (62) and the pyroelectric element (63) is substantially proportional to the area of the region surrounded by the characteristic curves P 'and Q', respectively.

FIG. 4D shows the distribution of transmittance of light in water in a wavelength range from the visible light region to the near-infrared light region. In the visible light region, the transmittance is approximately 1. While almost no light is absorbed, in the near-infrared light region, the transmittance is reduced, and it can be seen that much light is absorbed.

FIG. 4 (e) shows a case where light emitted from a tungsten lamp (61) passes through a substance containing moisture and enters a silicon photodiode (62) and a pyroelectric element (63). The distribution Pn (n = 0, 40, 80) of the amount of light detected by the photodiode (62) and the distribution Qn (n = 0, 40, 80) of the amount of light detected by the pyroelectric element (63) are shown. Here, n is the water content (%) of the substance. These distributions are represented by spectral distribution characteristics P ′ and Q ′ shown in FIG.
It can be grasped as the product of the water transmittance characteristics shown in FIG. 4D, and the silicon photodiode (62) and the pyroelectric element (6
The magnitude of the light detection amount according to 3) is substantially proportional to the area of the region surrounded by the distribution curves Pn and Qn.

As can be seen from FIG. 4 (e), in the visible light region, the transmittance of water is substantially 1, so that even if the moisture content changes, the amount of light detected by the silicon photodiode (62) hardly increases. No change is seen, but in the near-infrared light region, the degree to which light is absorbed changes according to the change in moisture content,
The amount of light detected by the pyroelectric element (63) changes according to the water content.

The magnitude of the light detection amount by the silicon photodiode is Ps, and the magnitude of the light detection amount by the pyroelectric element is Qs.
Then, the water content W of the object to be measured is expressed by the following equation 1 using the Lambert-Beer equation.

[0032]

X = −log (Qs / Ps) W = a · X + ba a, b: constants

Note that the constants a and b in the above equation 1 are experimentally obtained. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the values of X and the water content are plotted for a plurality of substances whose water content is known, and the relationship between the two is linearly approximated. You can decide.

The above description of the principle is based on the premise that light passes through the object to be measured (substance containing water) and enters the silicon photodiode and the pyroelectric element. This is also true when the light is reflected by the (substance) and the reflected light enters the silicon photodiode and the pyroelectric element. This is because, in addition to the light reflected on the surface, the light reflected from the object to be measured includes light that enters the inside of the object to be measured and is reflected on the internal particle surface, that is, diffusely reflected light. This is because the diffuse reflected light is affected by the absorption characteristics of the measurement object.

[0035]First embodiment  In the garbage processing apparatus of the present embodiment, a moisture content detector
(6), as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
The amount of the chip mixture (10) is smaller than the required minimum
Mixture table when the amount is slightly larger (hereinafter referred to as an appropriate amount)
It is arranged at a position as close as possible to the height position of the surface. System
The control circuit (51) of the control device (5) is a silicon photodiode
Garbage in the treatment tank (12) based on the signal from the
Determine whether the amount of material is too small and determine the amount of garbage
If it is determined that the number is too low, a warning to that effect is displayed.
Displayed in play (not shown).

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the irradiation state of light from the tungsten lamp (61) when the amount of the garbage / chip mixture (10) in the processing tank (12) is an appropriate amount, and the processing tank ( 12 shows the irradiation state when the amount of the garbage / chip mixture (10) in 12) is too small. When the amount of the garbage / chip mixture (10) in the treatment tank (12) is an appropriate amount, most of the light emitted from the tungsten lamp (61) is emitted as shown by a dashed line in FIG. The garbage / chip mixture (10) in the treatment tank (12) is irradiated.

On the other hand, when the amount of the garbage / chip mixture (10) in the treatment tank (12) is too small, the light emitted from the tungsten lamp (61) is indicated by the dashed line in FIG. Of the above, the upper light is emitted into the air above the surface of the garbage / chip mixture (10), and the irradiation amount is smaller than when the amount of the garbage / chip mixture (10) is an appropriate amount, The amount of light detected by the silicon photodiode (62) is greatly reduced. Where the silicon photodiode (62)
The amount of light detected by the garbage / chip mixture
Even if the water content of (10) changes, it hardly changes, so if the amount of light detected by the silicon photodiode (62) decreases, the change is caused by the decrease in the garbage / chip mixture (10). Yes, it can be determined that the amount of garbage disposal material is too small. Therefore, whether or not the amount of the garbage disposal material in the treatment tank (12) is too small is determined based on whether or not the amount of light detected by the silicon photodiode (62) is equal to or less than a predetermined lower limit.

FIG. 8 shows a procedure for displaying a warning indicating an insufficient treatment material and adjusting the water content in the garbage disposal apparatus. First, in step S1, light is emitted from the tungsten lamp (61) to the garbage / chip mixture (10) at predetermined time intervals during the operation of the garbage disposal apparatus. This allows the reflected light to pass through the silicon photodiode (62) and the pyroelectric element.
(63), the control circuit (51) captures the output signals of the silicon photodiode (62) and the pyroelectric element (63), and detects the magnitude of each light detection amount.

Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the amount of light detected by the silicon photodiode (62) is equal to or smaller than a predetermined lower limit.
In step 3, a warning that the amount of the garbage disposal material is too small is displayed on the display, and the stirring time by the stirring bar is shortened. Here, the reason for shortening the stirring time is that when the amount of the garbage / chip mixture (10) is small, it is determined to be YES in step S2, and in this case, the amount of the garbage / chip mixture (10) is an appropriate amount. Garbage
This is because the drying speed of the chip mixture (10) is high.

On the other hand, if it is determined NO in step S2, the process proceeds to step S4, and the water content of the garbage / chip mixture (10) is calculated using the above equation (1). afterwards,
In step S5, it is determined whether or not the water content is less than 25%, and if yes, in step S6,
A water supply warning is displayed on the display to urge the user to supply water, and the stirring time by the stirring rod is shortened to increase the water content. When it is determined NO in step S5, the process proceeds to step S7, and it is determined whether or not the water content exceeds 50%. If the determination is yes here, in step S8, the fan is rotated to ventilate the inside of the processing tank, extend the stirring time by the stirring rod, and further increase the set temperature of the heater. This lowers the water content.

As a result, the water content of the garbage / chip mixture in the treatment tank is adjusted to the range of 25% to 50%,
As a result, the efficiency of the garbage decomposition process is maintained at a high level, and the generation of an odor due to the decomposition is suppressed.

In the garbage processing apparatus of this embodiment, when the amount of garbage processing material in the processing tank (12) becomes too small, a warning is displayed on the display indicating that the amount of garbage processing material is too small. You. Therefore, there is no need for the user to visually check the garbage / chip mixture (10) in the processing tank (12) to determine whether or not the garbage processing material should be replenished.

In the garbage processing apparatus of this embodiment, when it is determined that the amount of the garbage processing material is too small, the water content is not calculated. If the water content is calculated when it is determined that the amount of the garbage processing material is too small, the water content is not accurate, so the water content of the mixture in the processing tank is 25% to 50%. The operation of the fan and the heater may be controlled in a direction deviating from the range, and the stirring time may be adjusted. However, in the garbage processing apparatus of this embodiment, there is no such a possibility.

[0044]Second embodiment  The garbage processing apparatus of the present embodiment includes the same as the first embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the water content detector (6)
2) When the amount of garbage / chip mixture (10) in the
Placed as close as possible to the height of the mixture surface
And rotate the stir bar (2) every 30 minutes for 1 minute in the forward and reverse directions.
Garbage / chip mixture (10) in the treatment tank (12)
Is agitated. The control circuit of the control device (5) includes a stirring rod (2).
After the forward rotation has been completed, immediately after the reverse rotation has started, and
Is completed by a silicon photodiode (62)
Garbage in the treatment tank (12) based on the detected light detection amount
Judge the amount of material to be treated and display the judgment result on the display.
Display on a.

FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (c) show how the surface state of the garbage / chip mixture (10) in the treatment tank (12) changes with the rotation of the stirring rod (2). . The arrow in the figure is
The rotation direction of the stirring rod (2) is shown. Immediately before the rotation of the stirring rod (2) is completed, the garbage / chip mixture (10)
As shown in FIG. 3A, the surface of the surface of the surface of the surface is higher than the central part of the surface facing the water content detector (6). Then stir bar
Immediately after the normal rotation of (2) is completed and the reverse rotation is started, the surface of the garbage / chip mixture (10) is at the same height over the entire area as shown in FIG. Change to a state. Further, immediately thereafter, immediately before the reversal of the stirring rod (2) is completed, the surface of the garbage / chip mixture (10) is as shown in FIG.
As described above, the portion facing the moisture content detector (6) changes to a state lower than the central portion.

The garbage / chip mixture (10) in the treatment tank (12)
9 (a) to 9 (c) when the amount of
In any state shown in the above, most of the light emitted from the tungsten lamp is irradiated to the garbage / chip mixture (10) in the treatment tank (12), and the irradiation amount is sufficient for calculating the water content. Is obtained. Garbage and chip mixture (10) in treatment tank (12)
When the amount of the mixture is an appropriate amount, the surface of the mixture (10)
In the state shown in (c), of the light emitted from the tungsten lamp, the upper light is a garbage / chip mixture.
The amount of radiation to the garbage / chip mixture (10) is reduced by being radiated into the air above the surface of (10), and the amount of light detected by the silicon photodiode is significantly reduced. Processing tank
When the amount of the garbage / chip mixture (10) in (12) is slightly small, when the surface of the mixture (10) is in the state shown in FIGS. The amount of irradiation for (10) is reduced, and the amount of light detected by the silicon photodiode is significantly reduced. When the amount of the garbage / chip mixture (10) in the treatment tank (12) is small, even if the surface of the mixture (10) is in any of the states shown in FIGS.・
The amount of irradiation on the chip mixture (10) is reduced, and the amount of light detected by the silicon photodiode is significantly reduced.

Therefore, the magnitude of the light detection amount of the silicon photodiode after the normal rotation operation of the stirring rod, immediately after the reverse rotation operation of the stirring rod, and after the reverse rotation operation of the stirring rod is equal to or smaller than a predetermined lower limit value. Based on whether or not, the amount of the garbage disposal material in the treatment tank (12) is determined.

FIG. 10 shows a table stored in a built-in memory of the control circuit of the garbage processing apparatus. As shown in the table, when the amount of the garbage processing material is large, when the amount of the garbage processing material is appropriate, when the amount of the garbage processing material is slightly small, and when the amount of the garbage processing material is small, A flag indicating whether or not the magnitude of the light detection amount of the silicon photodiode after the normal rotation operation of the stirring bar, immediately after the reverse rotation operation, and after the end of the reverse rotation operation is equal to or smaller than a predetermined lower limit value, respectively, for a small number of cases. “0”, “1”) are stored. Here, the flag “0” indicates that the amount of light detected by the silicon photodiode is larger than a predetermined lower limit, and the flag “1” indicates that the amount of light detected by the silicon photodiode is lower than the predetermined lower limit. It is less than the value.

When the amount of the garbage disposal material is large, the flag "0" is stored at any time after the forward rotation operation, immediately after the start of the reverse rotation operation, and after the end of the reverse rotation operation. When the amount of the garbage disposal material is an appropriate amount, a flag “0” is stored after the normal rotation operation and immediately after the start of the reverse rotation operation, and a flag “1” is stored after the completion of the reverse rotation operation. When the amount of the garbage disposal material is slightly small, a flag “0” is stored after the normal rotation operation is completed, and a flag “1” is stored immediately after the reverse rotation operation is started and after the reverse rotation operation is completed. When the amount of the garbage disposal material is small, the flag “1” is stored at any time after the normal rotation operation ends, immediately after the reverse rotation operation starts, and after the reverse rotation operation ends. In the above garbage processing apparatus, the amount of the garbage processing material in the processing tank is “large”, “appropriate”, “slightly small” based on the table.
Alternatively, one of the determinations “low” is made.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show the procedures for determining the amount of garbage processing material and adjusting the water content in the garbage processing apparatus of this embodiment. First, step S11 in FIG.
After the normal rotation operation of the stirring rod (2) is started, it is determined in step S12 whether or not one minute has elapsed, and if no, the determination in step S12 is repeated. When one minute has elapsed since the start of the normal rotation operation of the stirring bar (2), the determination in step S12 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S13, where the normal rotation operation of the stirring bar (2) is stopped. Next, in step S14, the garbage / chip mixture (10) is irradiated with light from the tungsten lamp (61). This allows the reflected light to pass through the silicon photodiode (62) and the pyroelectric element (63).
The control circuit is a silicon photodiode (62)
And the output signal of the pyroelectric element (63) is taken in, and the magnitude of each light detection amount is detected.

Subsequently, in step S15, after the reversing operation of the stirring rod (2) is started, it is determined in step S16 whether or not 5 seconds have elapsed.
At 6, the same judgment is repeated. When 5 seconds have elapsed since the start of the reversal operation of the stirring rod (2), the determination in step S16 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S17, where light is emitted from the tungsten lamp (61) to the garbage / chip mixture (10). Irradiate the silicon photodiode (62) and the pyroelectric element (6
The magnitude of the light detection amount according to 3) is detected.

Subsequently, in step S18, it is determined whether or not one minute has elapsed since the start of the reverse rotation operation of the stirring rod (2). If NO, the same determination is repeated in step S18. If one minute has elapsed since the start of the reversing operation of the stirring bar (2), the determination in step S18 is YES, and the process proceeds to step S19, where the reversing operation of the stirring bar (2) is stopped.

Next, in step S20, the garbage / chip mixture (10) is irradiated with light from the tungsten lamp (61), and the amount of light detected by the silicon photodiode (62) and the pyroelectric element (63) is increased. Is detected, in step S21, referring to the table shown in FIG.
14, the amount of the garbage disposal material in the treatment tank (12) is determined based on the amount of light detected by the silicon photodiode (62) obtained in S17 and S20.

Subsequently, in step S22 of FIG. 12, it is determined whether or not the amount of the garbage disposal material is determined to be small,
If yes, in step S23, a warning that the amount of the garbage disposal material is small is displayed on the display,
Reduce the stirring time with a stir bar.

On the other hand, if it is determined NO in step S22, the process proceeds to step S24, where it is determined whether the amount of the garbage disposal material is determined to be slightly small. If YES, step S25 is performed. At the same time, a warning that the amount of the garbage disposal material is slightly small is displayed on the display, and the stirring time by the stirring rod is shortened. Here, the shortening time is set to a time shorter than the shortening time in step S23.

If the determination in step S24 is NO, the process proceeds to step S26, in which it is determined whether the amount of the garbage disposal material is large. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S27. Then, a warning that the amount of the garbage disposal material is large is displayed on the display, and the stirring time by the stirring rod is extended.

If it is determined that the amount of the garbage disposal material is appropriate, it is determined NO in steps S22, S24, and S26, and the process proceeds to step S28.
Is used to calculate the water content of the garbage / chip mixture (10). Here, the water content is determined, for example, in step S1 in FIG.
4, calculated based on the amount of light detected by the silicon photodiode (62) and the pyroelectric element (63) obtained in any of the steps S17 and S20. Then, step S2
In step S9, it is determined whether or not the water content is less than 25%. If the answer is yes, a water supply warning is displayed on the display in step S30 to prompt the user to supply water and to stir with the stirring rod. Reduce time to increase moisture content.

If it is determined NO in step S29, the process proceeds to step S31, and it is determined whether or not the water content exceeds 50%. If the determination is yes here, in step S32, the fan is rotated to ventilate the inside of the processing tank, extend the stirring time by the stirring rod, and further increase the set temperature of the heater. This lowers the water content. In step S33, the process waits for 30 minutes, and proceeds to step S33 in FIG.
Return to 11.

In the garbage processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the user can determine whether the amount of the garbage processing material in the processing tank (12) is "large",
It is possible to know which one of four levels, “appropriate amount”, “slightly small” and “small”.

The configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims. For example, in the treatment tank (12), only the portion where the moisture content detector (6) faces may be made of a light transmitting member such as polycarbonate. Further, as a light receiving element, a silicon photodiode (62) and a pyroelectric element (6
The combination of 3) is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. If the combination of a light receiving element having sensitivity in a wavelength range where water absorption is weak and a light receiving element having sensitivity in a wavelength range where water absorption is strong is used, a silicon photo Various known light receiving element combinations such as a combination of a diode and a germanium photodiode can be employed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a garbage processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the garbage processing apparatus in a direction orthogonal to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a moisture content detector and a control device.

FIG. 4 is a series of graphs explaining the principle of moisture content detection in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a relationship between a measured value of a water content and a logarithmic value of an output ratio of a pyroelectric element and a silicon photodiode.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the irradiation state of light from a tungsten lamp when the amount of the garbage / chip mixture in the treatment tank is an appropriate amount.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the irradiation state when the amount of the garbage / chip mixture in the treatment tank is too small.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a procedure for displaying a warning indicating an insufficient treatment material and adjusting a water content in the garbage disposal apparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state where the surface state of the garbage / chip mixture in the processing tank is changed by rotation of a stirring rod.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a table stored in a built-in memory of a control circuit according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a first half of a procedure of determining the amount of the garbage disposal material and adjusting the water content in the garbage disposal apparatus of the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the latter half of the procedure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Casing (10) Garbage / chip mixture (11) Lid (12) Treatment tank (2) Stir bar (3) Heater (4) Exhaust fan (5) Control device (6) Moisture content detector (61) Tungsten lamp (62) Silicon photodiode (63) Pyroelectric element

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2G059 AA01 BB08 CC09 DD05 EE02 EE11 FF08 GG10 HH01 JJ02 JJ11 KK02 KK03 MM01 MM05 MM10 PP04 4D004 AA03 AC04 CA15 CA19 CA22 CB04 CB28 CB32 CC08 DA01 DA02 DA04A09 DA03 DA03 DA08 AB20 BA01 DA03

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A garbage processing apparatus for storing a mixture of garbage and a garbage processing material in a processing tank, adjusting the water content of the mixture, and decomposing the garbage, to mix the garbage in the processing tank. A moisture content detection device for detecting the moisture content of the water, a moisture content adjustment device for adjusting the moisture content based on the detected moisture content, and a notification for notifying that the amount of the garbage disposal material in the treatment tank is too small. A light-emitting element that irradiates the mixture with light including a first wavelength region having a large transmittance for water and a second wavelength region having a small transmittance for water, the device comprising: A first light receiving element having a sensitivity in one wavelength range, receiving reflected light from the mixture in the processing tank, and generating an output according to a magnitude of a received light amount; and having a sensitivity in the second wavelength range. In response to the reflected light from the mixture in the processing tank, A light receiving element that emits an output corresponding to the change of the light emitting element, and an arithmetic processing circuit that calculates the water content of the mixture in the processing tank based on the output signals of the first and second light receiving elements. Is mounted on the side wall of the processing tank with the optical axis directed toward the mixture in the processing tank, and the mounting position is a position where an irradiation amount sufficient for detecting the moisture content is obtained, and the position of the mixture in the processing tank is The position is as close as possible to the height position of the mixture surface when the amount is a necessary minimum amount, and the notification device performs processing of garbage in the processing tank based on an output signal of the first light receiving element. It is characterized by comprising a judgment means for judging whether or not the amount of material is too small, and a notifying means for notifying when the amount of the garbage disposal material is judged to be too small. Garbage disposal equipment. 2. The garbage processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic processing circuit executes an operation for calculating a water content when it is determined that the amount of the garbage processing material is not too small. 3. A garbage disposal apparatus which accommodates a mixture of garbage and garbage disposal material in a treatment tank, adjusts the water content of the mixture, and decomposes the garbage to produce a garbage. A stirrer for rotating the mixture in the processing tank by rotating in reverse,
A moisture content detection device that detects the moisture content of the mixture in the treatment tank, a moisture content adjustment device that adjusts the moisture content based on the detected moisture content, and a notification of the amount of garbage disposal material in the treatment tank. A light emitting element for irradiating the mixture with light including a first wavelength region having a large transmittance for water and a second wavelength region having a small transmittance for water, A first light receiving element having a sensitivity in the first wavelength range, receiving reflected light from the mixture in the processing tank, and emitting an output according to a magnitude of a received light amount; and a sensitivity in the second wavelength range. A second light receiving element that receives reflected light from the mixture in the processing tank and emits an output according to the magnitude of the received light amount or a change thereof, based on output signals of the first and second light receiving elements. And an arithmetic processing circuit for calculating the water content of the mixture in the processing tank. The light-emitting element is mounted on a side wall of the processing tank with an optical axis directed toward the mixture in the processing tank, and the mounting position is a position where a sufficient irradiation amount can be obtained for detecting the water content, and At a position as close as possible to the height position of the mixture surface when the amount of the mixture in the required minimum amount, the notification device, during the normal rotation operation of the stirrer, or after the end of the operation, First determining means for determining whether or not the amount of light received by the first light receiving element is equal to or less than a predetermined value based on an output signal of the first light receiving element; Based on an output signal of the light receiving element, a second determining means for determining whether or not the amount of light received by the first light receiving element is equal to or less than a predetermined value; and during the reverse rotation operation of the stirrer or after the end of the operation, Based on the output signal of the first light receiving element, the amount of light received by the first light receiving element A third determining means for determining whether or not the size is equal to or less than a predetermined value; and, based on the determination results of the first, second, and third determining means, the amount of the garbage processing material in the processing tank is determined. A garbage processing apparatus comprising: a determination unit for determining; and a notification unit for notifying the determination result.