JP2002112755A - Apparatus for cutting and treating vegetable - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for cutting and treating vegetables, capable of surely cutting only parts to be cut of vegetables. SOLUTION: This apparatus 1 for cutting and treating vegetables has rotary blades 12 for cutting parts to be cut of Welsh onions N. The apparatus is equipped with a reflection type sensor 14 for projecting a light on a cutting plane of a Welsh onion N and detecting the reflected amount of the light projected on the cutting plane of the Welsh onion N. The apparatus is equipped with a motor cylinder 16 for advancing and moving the cutting blades in the direction of a vegetable to be a target of cutting. The apparatus is further equipped with a controlling means for stopping the advancement and movement of the rotary blades 12 with the motor cylinder when the reflected amount of the light detected by the reflection type sensor 14 reaches a prescribed regulated value.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for cutting vegetables such as green onions, carrots, radish, burdock and cabbage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Vegetables cultivated and harvested in a field or the like are harvested and then shipped after cutting the roots and stems according to the type of the vegetables. For example, if it is a long onion, the root part is cut off, and if it is a carrot, the leaf part is cut off. Since the cut portion has no commercial value, it is desirable that the cut portion has an appropriate length as much as possible so that the cut portion is not overcut or damaged and remains on the vegetables.

[0003] In some cases, such cutting work is performed by an operator, but these operations are monotonous labors, and the efficiency of the operation is low when the operator performs the cutting work. Therefore, in recent years, a cutting device for cutting a cut portion of a vegetable has been developed. In a conventional vegetable cutting device of this type, a cut portion such as a root is cut to a predetermined length according to, for example, the type of vegetable.

[0004]

However, since vegetables grown in fields and the like are natural products, the length of cut portions such as roots is also irregular. For this reason, in the conventional cutting apparatus, the cut portion such as the root may be cut too much, or the cut length may be too short to leave the cut portion in the cut vegetables.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vegetable cutting apparatus capable of reliably cutting only a cut portion of a vegetable.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention which has solved the above-mentioned problems has cutting means for cutting vegetables to be cut, and emits light on the cut surface of the vegetables. An optical sensor for detecting the amount of light projected and cut on the cut surface of the vegetable is provided, and the position of the vegetable cut by the cutting means is changed while moving the vegetable in the depth direction of the vegetable. Control means for controlling the cutting means to stop cutting the vegetables when the reflection amount of light detected by the optical sensor reaches a predetermined specified value. It is a vegetable cutting processing device characterized by the above-mentioned.

In the invention according to the first aspect, light is projected from the optical sensor toward the cut surface of the vegetables, and the amount of reflection is detected. For example, if the vegetable is a long onion, the cut portion of the vegetable has a root, and if the carrot is a carrot, it has a leaf.
Therefore, when roots, leaves, and the like still remain in the cut portion, the amount of reflection of the projected light is small. Thereafter, when the roots and leaves of the cut portion are cut by the cutting blade, the cut portion is eventually removed and the stem appears. Here, when the cut surface reaches the stem, the cut surface is substantially flat, and the amount of reflection of the projected light is large.

According to the present invention, the amount of reflection of the light projected on the cut surface of the vegetables is detected and detected by the cutting position changing means while the position for cutting the vegetables is gradually moved in the depth direction of the vegetables. Control is performed so that cutting of vegetables by the cutting means is stopped when the amount of light reflection exceeds a predetermined specified value. Therefore, the cutting means can be stopped when the cutting means cuts off the discarded portion of the vegetables, so that only the discarded portion of the vegetables can be reliably cut and removed.

The term "depth direction of vegetables" in the present invention refers to a longitudinal direction from a cut portion of a vegetable to be cut to a non-cut portion. For example, if the vegetable to be cut is a long onion, it refers to the longitudinal direction from the root to the leaf, and if the vegetable is cabbage, it refers to the axial direction from the root to the apex. In addition, the “cut surface” means, in addition to the cut surface of the vegetables actually cut by the cutting means, before cutting by the cutting means, for example, when the vegetables are long onions,
This is a concept including a root portion and the like that are cut by cutting means later.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that a conveying means for conveying the vegetables in a direction substantially perpendicular to the depth direction of the vegetables is provided. It is.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the vegetables to be cut can be transported, so that there is no need for the operator to set the vegetables at the cutting position, and the vegetables are cut continuously. be able to. Note that the “substantially orthogonal direction” in the present invention is not required to be strictly orthogonal, but includes some errors.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the cutting means comprises:
The cutting blade which is movable in a depth direction of the vegetable is provided, and the cutting position changing means is a forward moving means for moving the cutting means forward in the direction of the vegetable. Item 4. A vegetable cutting device according to item 2.

[0013] The invention according to claim 3 is provided with forward moving means for moving the cutting means forward in the direction of the vegetables to be cut. By moving the cutting means by the forward moving means, a plurality of portions in the depth direction of the vegetable can be cut by one cutting means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the optical sensor is disposed to face the cut surface of the vegetable with the cutting means interposed therebetween, and the cutting means projects the cut surface of the vegetable by the optical sensor. It is configured to repeat the passage and blocking of the light, and a blocking state detecting unit that detects a state in which the light is blocked from reaching the cut surface of the vegetable is provided,
4. A control for ignoring a reflection amount of the light when the cut-off state detecting means detects a state in which the light is blocked by the cutting means.
The vegetable cutting device according to any one of the above.

In the invention according to claim 4, the optical sensor for projecting light on the cut surface of the vegetable is disposed to face the cut surface of the vegetable with the cutting blade moving forward.
In such an arrangement, there is a concern that light is blocked by the cutting blade and does not reach the cut surface of the vegetable. In order to avoid such a situation, in the invention according to claim 4, the cutting blade is configured so that the optical sensor repeats passing and blocking of light that projects the cut surface of the vegetable to be cut. Also,
While light passing / blocking is repeated, a blocking state detecting means for detecting passage / blocking of light is provided. For this reason, the amount of light reflected when the cut-off state detecting means detects the cutoff of light is ignored, and the amount of light reflected when light is passing therethrough is detected, thereby reflecting off the cut surface of the vegetable. Only the amount of reflected light can be detected. Therefore,
It is possible to prevent a decrease in detection accuracy due to detecting light reflected on the cutting blade.

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that a protective cover is provided between the cutting means and the optical sensor to protect the optical sensor from cutting chips scattered when cutting the vegetables. An apparatus for cutting vegetables according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

When the vegetables are cut by the cutting means, the cutting chips are scattered. When the scattering chips reach the optical sensor, the measurement accuracy of the optical sensor is reduced. Therefore, claim 5
, A protective cover for protecting the optical sensor from cutting waste is provided. By providing this protective cover, the optical sensor can be protected from cutting chips generated when cutting vegetables, so that the measurement accuracy of the optical sensor can be kept high. At this time, by blowing an air blow to the optical sensor, flying debris and the like attached to the optical sensor can be eliminated, and the measurement accuracy of the optical sensor can be kept high.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the cutting means is a rotary blade, the protective cover is a rotary plate that rotates with the rotary blade, and the light projected by the optical sensor onto a part of the protective cover. Is formed, and by rotation of the protective cover, when the sensor window reaches a position corresponding to the light sensor, the light of the light sensor irradiates the cut surface of the vegetable. The vegetable cutting device according to claim 5, wherein:

In general, when a rotary blade is used as the cutting means, the cutting ability is increased, but the amount of flying vegetable chips is increased. Here, it is conceivable to provide a protective cover between the rotary blade and the optical sensor.However, considering simply providing the protective cover, the light projected by the optical sensor due to the protective cover obstructing the cut surface of the vegetable. Will not be reached. Therefore, in the invention according to claim 6, a sensor window through which light projected by the optical sensor passes is formed in a part of the protective cover. Then, by projecting the cut surface of the vegetable only when the light projected by the optical sensor passes through the sensor window, the optical sensor is suitably protected from flying debris of the vegetable, except at the very moment when the measurement by the optical sensor is performed. can do.

[0020] In the invention according to claim 7, the cutting means includes:
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cutting blades separated in a depth direction of the vegetable, wherein the cutting position changing unit determines a cutting blade to be used among the plurality of cutting blades. 3. Item 4. A vegetable cutting device according to item 2.

[0021] As in the invention according to claim 7, a plurality of cutting blades spaced apart in the depth direction of the vegetables are provided, and the cutting blades are cut in the depth direction of the green onions by cutting the vegetables with these cutting blades as appropriate. This eliminates the need for forward moving means.

The invention according to claim 8 has property detecting means for detecting the property of the vegetable, and reflects the light detected by the optical sensor based on the property of the vegetable detected by the property detecting means. The vegetable cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a prescribed value of the amount is set.

The vegetables to be cut are natural products and have different thicknesses. Now, the amount of reflected light differs depending on the area of the cut surface that reflects the light projected from the optical sensor. Therefore, in claim 8, the properties of the vegetables are detected by the property detection means in order to know the area of the cut surface of the vegetables. By detecting the properties of the vegetables in advance, the amount of light reflection according to the properties of the vegetables can be set. Therefore, only the cut portion of the vegetable can be cut and removed with high accuracy. In addition, the "properties of vegetables" referred to in the present invention are properties that are appropriately determined according to the type of vegetables, such as "thickness" for long onions or burdock, and "thickness" for cabbage or Chinese cabbage. "Size" and the like.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a color sensor for identifying the color of a vegetable is provided in place of the optical sensor, and the control means sets the color identified by the color sensor to a predetermined color. The vegetable cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein control is performed to stop the cutting of the vegetables by the cutting means when the cutting is performed.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a color sensor for identifying the color of vegetables is provided instead of the optical sensor. Therefore, if the cut portion is cut off, a vegetable whose color changes greatly can be suitably used. Specifically, it is suitable for use in carrots and the like.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a distance sensor for detecting a distance from a vegetable is provided in place of the optical sensor, and the control means determines that the distance detected by the distance sensor is a predetermined distance. The vegetable cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein control is performed to stop the cutting of the vegetables by the cutting means when the distance is reached.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, a distance sensor for measuring a distance from a vegetable is provided instead of the optical sensor. Therefore, it can be effectively used for a comparatively large vegetable whose cut portion is long.
Specifically, it is suitable for use in cabbage, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, and the like.

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an entire vegetable cutting apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view thereof. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cutting apparatus 1 according to the present invention includes a base 2 having a rectangular planar shape. Support shafts 3A and 3B are rotatably supported via bearings at the upstream end and the downstream end of the base frame 2 in the transport direction of the long onion N (X direction in FIG. 1). I have. This long onion N
Is the depth direction of the long onion N (arrow Y direction in FIG. 1)
The direction is orthogonal to These support shafts 3A, 3B
The sprockets 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D having the same diameter are fixed to the root end and the leaf end of the sprocket, respectively, and a chain 5A is attached to these sprockets 4A and 4B.
However, a chain 5B is wound around the sprockets 4C and 4D so as to be endless. Further, a motor M is connected via a belt to a sprocket 4E provided at the end of the downstream support shaft 3B.
The support shaft 3B functions as a drive shaft, and the support shaft 3A functions as a driven shaft.

Between the chains 5A and 5B, a plurality of transport members 6 on which vegetables to be processed, for example, long onions N are mounted are attached at substantially constant intervals in the transport direction. These transport members 6 have the same shape, and as shown in FIG. 3, a leaf mounting table 6A on which the leaves of the long onion N are mounted, and a stem mounting table on which the stems are mounted. 6B and a root mounting table 6C on which the root is mounted. The leaf mounting table 6A has a flat plate surface, and the stem mounting table 6B and the root mounting table 6C both have a V-shaped side surface, and the side of the green onion N It is suppressing movement. These chains 5A, 5B and the conveying members 6, 6,...
This constitutes the transport means of the present invention.

A cutting device 7 as cutting means of the present invention for cutting the root portion of the long onion N is formed on the root side of the base frame 2 at a position near the downstream in the transport direction. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the cutting device 7 includes a base 11
And a rotating blade 12 that is a cutting blade that cuts a root portion of the long onion by rotating at a high speed on the base 11. This rotary blade 12 has a shape in which a waveform is symmetrically formed such that the center portion is thicker in a front view and becomes thinner toward the distal end portion, and the blade is formed on an outer portion thereof. Further, behind the rotary blade 12 (upper side in FIG. 1), a motor 13 for rotating the rotary blade 12 is mounted on the base 1.
It is attached to 1.

Further, a reflection type sensor 14, which is an optical sensor of the present invention, is provided below the base 11.
The reflection type sensor 14 has a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit. Of the light L emitted from the light projecting unit, the light reflected by the object is received by the light receiving unit, and the light received by the light receiving unit is reflected. It measures the amount. The amount of reflection of the received light is converted into a voltage and shown. The reflection type sensor 14 is disposed on the opposite side of the long onion N mounted on the transport member 6 with the rotary blade 12 interposed therebetween, and cuts the long onion N mounted on the transport member 6 via the rotary blade 12. Can be projected to A proximity sensor 15 is disposed at a position slightly near the center of the symmetric position of the reflection type sensor 14 with the motor 13 interposed therebetween.

A protective cover 16 is provided between the base 11 and the rotary blade 12. The protective cover 16 has a disc shape, and has base-shaped sensor windows 16A and 16B cut out at two locations on the circumference thereof.
It is rotated by a motor 13 together with the rotary blade 12. The sensor windows 16A and 16B do not have to have a base shape, and may be windows formed by hollowing out the protective cover 16. The sensor windows 16A and 16B formed in the protective cover 16 are formed at symmetrical positions via the center of rotation of the protective cover 16, and the rotary blade 12
Is cutting the green onion N, the reflection type sensor 14 is protected from the cutting waste of the green onion N by the protective cover 16. Also, at the moment when the rotary blade 12 is not cutting the green onion N, the reflection type sensor 14 via the sensor windows 16A and 16B.
Light reaches the cut portion of the long onion N. Thus, the rotation of the rotary blade 12 and the protective cover 16 causes the reflection type sensor 14 to repeatedly pass and block the light projected on the cut surface of the green onion N.

Further, windows 16C and 16D for proximity switches which serve as dogs are formed at positions on the protective cover 16 corresponding to the proximity sensors 15. These proximity switch windows 16C and 16D are used when light from the reflective sensor 14 passes through the sensor windows 16A and 16B. It is arranged so as to correspond to the proximity switch 15. Accordingly, the light from the reflection type sensor 14 is transmitted to the sensor windows 16A, 1
When passing through 6B, the proximity switch 15 faces the proximity switch windows 16C and 16D, and the proximity switch 14 is turned off. Conversely, when the light from the reflection type sensor 14 does not pass through the sensor windows 16A and 16B and hits the protection cover 16, the protection switch 16 faces the proximity switch 15 and the proximity switch 15 is turned on.
It has become. Therefore, the proximity switch 15 is turned off.
, The reflection type sensor 14 makes the green onion N
This means that the amount of reflection of light from the cut portion is measured.

Further, behind the base 11, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, a motor cylinder 17 which is a cutting position changing means of the present invention and which is a forward moving means is provided. The tip of the motor cylinder 17 is connected to the base 11, and by driving the motor cylinder 17,
The rotary blade 12 can be advanced through the base 11 in the depth direction of the long onion N (Y direction in FIG. 1). Of course, the base 11 can be moved backward by driving the motor cylinder 17 in reverse.

Further, at the front position of the cutting device 7, there is provided a holding member 8 for holding the root of the long onion N by pressing it against the conveying member 6 when cutting the root of the long onion N. As shown in FIG. 5A, the holding member 8 has a holding pad 21 for holding the green onion N against the transporting member 6, and an inverted Y-shaped support bar is provided on the near side of the holding pad 21. 22 are provided. The support bar 22 includes a spring 23
Urged downwards. Further, the holding member 8
Has a support arm 24 for vertically moving the press pad 21 and the support bar 22. And FIG.
By lowering the press pad 21 and the support bar 22 by the support arm 24 as shown in FIG.
The end of the long onion N can be pressed by the pressing pad 21 and the transport member 6. The support bar 22 is provided with a spring 23.
The green onion N can be supported by the support bar 22. Further, since the support bar 22 has an inverted Y-shape, for example, when the green onion N is bent, the green onion N is transferred to the transport member 6.
It also plays the role of guiding you to the center of the city. In this state, the rotary blade 12 of the cutting device 7 is rotated to cut the root of the green onion N. It is preferable that an elastic member such as a sponge is used as the press pad 21. In addition, it is desirable that the reflection type sensor 14 is set to black so as to make the reaction difficult. Further, it is desirable to provide a nozzle (not shown) for cleaning the surface of the pressing pad 21 facing the reflection type sensor 14 by air blow. Reflection type sensor 14 at presser pad 21 by air blow
By cleaning the surface facing the sensor, the reflection type sensor 1
4 can be performed with higher accuracy. On the other hand,
It is preferable to attach an elastic body such as a sponge to a member such as the chains 5A and 5B and the transport member 6 which may come into contact with the long onion N, since it is possible to prevent the long onion N from being damaged. Also, by attaching an elastic body to the transport member 6, it is possible to securely fix uneven vegetables such as long onion N.

As shown in FIG. 6, an optical sensor 9 serving as a thickness detecting means of the present invention is provided upstream of the cutting device 7 in the conveying means. The optical sensor 9 detects whether or not the long onion N exists at a lower position, and the presence signal at that time is a control means of the present invention, for example, a programmable logic controller (PLC).
Is transmitted to the control device 10 composed of The control device 10 measures the time during which the green onion N was present, and calculates the thickness of the green onion N from the time during which the green onion N was present and the moving speed of the transport member 6. Thus, the thickness of the long onion N is detected. Further, the control unit recognizes ON / OFF of the proximity sensor 15 and controls to detect the amount of light received by the reflection type sensor 14 only when the proximity sensor 15 is OFF.

The control device 10 determines the size of the green onion N by comparing the thickness of the green onion N with the size of the previously sampled green onion, and determines the amount of forward movement of the cutting device 7. Further, the control device 10 is provided with a switch (not shown) for switching and setting the mode of the cutting processing device 1 between the sample mode and the cutting processing mode. In the sample mode, a start button (not shown) for starting or stopping the rotation of the rotary blade 12 and for starting or stopping the forward movement of the cutting device 7 is provided. Then, the cutting processing device 1 is controlled so as to sample the amount of forward movement of the cutting device 7 according to the size of the long onion. In the cutting processing mode, the cutting processing device 1 is controlled to perform the above cutting processing.

The procedure of the vegetable cutting process in the vegetable cutting apparatus having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the vegetable cutting process in the vegetable cutting apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart when sampling green onions. Before actually starting the cutting process of the long onion N, sampling of the amount of reflection of light corresponding to the size of the long onion N is performed (S0). The sampling procedure will be described first with reference to FIG.

First, the cutting device 1 is set to the sample mode by a switch (not shown) in the control device 10 shown in FIG. 1 (S11). Next, the worker selects long onions to be sampled (S12). The long onions to be sampled are the thickest and the thinnest among the harvested long onions N. The thickest sample is an L size sample, and the thinnest sample is an S size sample. Subsequently, the operator places the thickest green onion N on the transporting member 6, transports the green onion N, and detects the thickness of the green onion N. When the thickness of the green onion N is detected, the green onion N is transported by the transport member 6 to the cutting position. Thus, the long onion is set at the cutting position (S13). When the green onion N is conveyed to the cutting position, the operator presses a start button (not shown), presses the green onion N by the pressing member 8 so as not to move, and starts rotating the rotary blade 12. continue,
The forward movement of the cutting device 7 is started to start cutting the root of the long onion N (S14). The cutting status at this time is monitored by a worker. Then, the cutting device 7 moves forward and cuts the root portion of the long onion N. When the worker whose root portion has been cut to an appropriate length position is determined, the worker presses the start button and presses the rotary blade. The rotation of 12 and the forward movement of the cutting device 7 are stopped (S15). The control device 10 stores the amount of reflection of the light received by the reflection type sensor 14 at this time, and performs sampling as the amount of reflection of light of the L-size long onion (S16). The amount of light reflection at this time is set as the maximum specified value RF. Subsequently, by performing the same procedure, the control device 10 stores the amount of reflection of the light received by the reflective sensor 14 when the thinnest green onion is cut to an appropriate length position, and stores the S size. Sampling is performed as the amount of light reflected by the long onion (S17). The amount of light reflection at this time is defined as a minimum specified value RS.

After the sampling of the green onion is performed, the cutting processing of the green onion is started. When an operator (not shown) places the green onion N on the transport member 6 and presses a start switch (not shown), the motor M operates and the transport member 6 starts moving, and the green onion 6 mounted on the transport member 6 is transported and optically moved. Sensor 9
Pass under The optical sensor 9 detects the presence of the passed green onion N (S1). The time required for the green onion N to pass under the optical sensor 9 is determined by the controller 1
0, and the controller 10 calculates the thickness of the green onion N from the transit time of the green onion N and the moving speed of the transport member 6 (S2).

When the thickness of the long onion N is detected, the controller 1
At 0, the target reflection amount R of the light received by the reflection sensor 14 is calculated from the preset maximum specified value RF and minimum specified value RS (S3). Now, as shown in FIG. 9, it is considered that the amount of reflection of the light received by the reflection sensor 14 and the thickness of the green onion N are in a proportional relationship. For example, the size of the S size long onion (minimum specified value RS) is 50,
It is assumed that the amount of light reflection is 10, the thickness of the L-size long onion (maximum specified value RF) is 100, and the amount of light reflection is sampled as 30. At this time, if the thickness of the long onion used for cutting is detected as 80, control is performed so that the cutting device 7 is advanced to a position where the light reflection amount becomes 22.

The transport member 6 loaded with the long onion N is transported to the position of the cutting device 7 after passing under the optical sensor 9 and stops when it reaches the position of the cutting device 7 (S
4). When the long onion N is not mounted on the transport member 6, the transport member passes without stopping.
At this time, the rotary blade 12 in the cutting device 7 is located at the origin position. Then, when the transport member 6 stops, the support bar 22 of the holding member 8 moves down and
As a result, the long onion N is moved to the center position and pressed so as not to move, and the motor 13 starts rotating the rotary blade. Subsequently, the base 11 and the rotary blade 12 supported by the base 11 are advanced by the motor cylinder 17 in the direction of the green onion N together with the protective cover 16 (S5).

When the rotary blade 12 advances in the direction of the long onion N,
Eventually, the rotary blade 12 reaches the root of the green onion N, and the motor 13
Long onion N by the rotary blade 12 being rotated by
Start cutting the roots of. The root of the long onion N is cut by the rotary blade 12, and the rotary blade 12 continues to move forward. During this time, the reflection type sensor 14 and the proximity sensor 15 shown in FIG. Here, the protective cover 16 is attached to the cutting blade 12.
The sensor windows 16A and 1A are respectively provided at positions symmetrical with respect to the protective cover 16 via the rotation axis.
6B and proximity sensor windows 16C, 16C are formed. For this reason, the protective cover 16 can rotate with good balance. Thereafter, the rotary blade 12 keeps moving forward, and the cut portion of the long onion N moves from the root to the stem.

On the other hand, at the same time that the root portion of the long onion N is cut by the rotary blade 12, the light of the cut surface of the long onion N is projected by the reflection type sensor 14, and the amount of light reflected from the cut surface of the long onion N is reduced. It is detected (S6). At the same time as detecting the amount of light reflected from the cut surface of the green onion N, the proximity sensor 15
ON / OFF is repeated corresponding to the passage of C and 16C (S6). The reflection amount signal of the light received by the reflection type sensor 14 and the ON / OFF signal of the proximity sensor 15 are transmitted to the control device 10.

At this time, the cut portion of the green onion N is projected by the reflection type sensor 14, and it is determined whether or not the cut portion of the green onion N has shifted from the root to the stem based on the amount of reflection. Here, since the protective cover 16 is formed with the sensor windows 16A and 16B, the rotation of the rotary blade 12 and the protective cover 16 causes the reflection type sensor 14 to pass the light projected on the cut surface of the green onion N.・ The interruption is repeated.

However, there is a case where the light projected by the reflection type sensor 14 is blocked by the rotary blade 12 and does not reach the cut surface of the green onion N and is projected on the protective cover 16. If the reflection sensor 14 picks up the amount of light reflected from the rotary blade 12, it is impossible to accurately detect the amount of light reflected from the cut surface. Therefore, the reflection amount of light is detected by the reflection type sensor 14, and ON / OFF of the proximity sensor 15 is detected. Is detected.

Here, the control device 10 performs control to ignore the amount of light reflection of the reflection sensor 14 when the proximity sensor 15 is ON. By performing such control, the reflection type sensor 14 can detect only the reflected light from the cut surface of the long onion N, so that the detection accuracy can be improved.

Then, the controller 10 compares the amount of reflection of light emitted from the reflection type sensor 14 with a target reflection value R. As a result, it is determined whether or not the light reflection amount has reached the reflection target value R set in step S3 (S7).

Now, when cutting the green onion N, the root is left on the cut surface of the green onion N before the cutting is performed. Then, when the rotary blade 12 advances and cuts the root side of the long onion N, the root portion is cut first, and when the root portion is completely cut, the stem portion is cut, and the cross section of the stem portion is reduced. It appears as a cut surface. When light is projected from the reflective sensor 14 onto the cut surface of the long onion N, if the root still remains on the cut surface of the long onion N, the amount of light reflected by the reflective sensor 14 decreases. . On the other hand, when the root is cut and the stem appears as a cut surface, the cut surface is almost flat, so that the amount of light reflection increases. The present invention focuses on this point, and measures the amount of reflection of the projected light, and determines whether or not the amount of reflection of light has reached the target reflection value R in the control device 10, and determines whether or not the rotating blade 12 Is to control the amount of forward movement of the vehicle.

If it is determined in step S7 that the amount of light reflection has not reached the target reflection value R, it means that the root of the long onion N has not been completely cut yet. Therefore, the rotation and advance of the rotary blade 12 are continued without stopping the driving of the motor 13 and the motor cylinder 17, and the cutting of the root portion of the long onion N is continued.

On the other hand, when the light reflection amount reaches the reflection target value R, the root is completely cut off, and the motor 13 and the motor cylinder 17 are stopped.
Stop the rotary cutting and advancement of the rotary blade 12 (S
8). Here, since the measurement of the amount of reflected light is performed substantially continuously, the root portion of the long onion N is completely cut and removed, and the rotation and advancement of the rotary blade 12 immediately after the stem portion appears. Can be stopped. Therefore, the stem portion of the long onion N is not excessively cut, and only the root portion can be reliably cut.

Thereafter, when the cutting operation of the cutting portion of the green onion N is completed, the cutting device 7 is returned to the origin position (S9), and the pressing member 8 is returned to the original position, and then the conveying member 6 is moved. It is carried out to the downstream side (S10). Then, when the transport member 6 reaches the most downstream portion of the cutting apparatus 1, a worker (not shown) takes out the long onion N from the transport member 6, and removes the long onion N
Is terminated.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 10A and 10B show a cutting apparatus in a cutting processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 10A is a front view and FIG. 10B is a side view. The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the cutting device 40 according to the present embodiment includes a base 41, and a circular rotary blade 42 is supported on the base 41. Behind the rotary blade 42, a motor 43 for rotating the rotary blade 42 is provided. Also, the base 41
A long hole 41A that is long in the up and down direction and penetrates a shaft 43A that connects the rotary blade 42 and the motor 43 is formed in the shaft.

Further, the motor 43 is mounted on a motor base 45 which is moved up and down by a vertical moving cylinder 44 provided on the base 41. Therefore, the motor 43 moves up and down by moving the up and down moving cylinder 44 up and down. As the motor 43 moves up and down, the shaft 43
A moves up and down along the elongated hole 41A, and the rotary blade 42 also moves up and down. As shown in FIG. 10A, a circular protective cover 46 having a larger diameter than the rotary blade 42 is disposed between the base 41 and the rotary blade 42.
The protective cover 46 is attached to the shaft 43A, and moves up and down together with the rotary blade 42 to rotate. Further, the proximity sensor 15 is attached to an upper position of the base 41 and detects the protective cover 46. Then, the proximity sensor 15 turns on when the protection cover 46 rises and turns off when the protection cover 46 falls. Now, since the protective cover 46 moves up and down together with the rotary blade 42, when the proximity sensor 15 is ON, the reflection type sensor 14 detects the amount of light reflected from the cut portion of the long onion N. In addition, also in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, a holding member 22 (FIG. 5) for pressing and fixing the long onion N when cutting the long onion N is provided.

The cutting process of the cutting device 40 according to the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described. When the green onion N comes to the position of the cutting device 40, the motor cylinder 17 is driven to move the base 41 forward by, for example, 10 mm. At this time, the rotary blade 42 is located above. Then, base 4
When 1 is advanced by 10 mm, the rotary blade 42 is rotated by the motor 43 and the rotary blade 42 and the protective cover 46 are lowered by the vertical moving cylinder 43. By lowering the rotary blade 42, the root of the green onion N is cut by the rotary blade 42. At this time, since the protective cover 46 having a diameter larger than that of the rotary blade 42 is lowered, the reflective sensor 14 is protected by the protective cover 46 from cutting chips generated when cutting the green onion N. . After the cutting of the green onion N by the rotary blade 42 is completed, the rotary blade 42 is stopped, and the rotary blade 42 and the protective cover 46 are raised by the vertical movement cylinder 44. At this time, the reflection type sensor 1
The light is projected on the cut surface of the long onion N by 4 and the amount of reflection from the cut surface of the long onion N is detected. The detected light reflection amount is
The detection signal of the rotary blade 42 is transmitted from the reflection sensor 14 to the control device 10 (FIG. 1), and the detection signal of the rotary blade 42 is transmitted from the proximity sensor 15. Further, when the long onion N is cut, the reflection type sensor 14 detects the amount of light reflected from the cut surface. At this time, the reflection amount of light is transmitted from the reflection sensor 14 to the control device 10 (FIG. 1), and the detection signal of the rotary blade 42 is transmitted from the proximity sensor 15. In the control device 10, when the proximity sensor 15 is ON, the reflection amount of the light detected by the reflection sensor 14 is calculated based on the thickness of the green onion N in the same manner as in the first embodiment. It is determined whether or not the target value R has been reached. Also,
When the proximity sensor 15 is off, the amount of reflection is ignored.

If the reflection target value R has been reached, the cutting is terminated. If the reflection target value has not been reached, the motor cylinder 17 is driven to move the base 41 to 3 m, for example.
Move forward m. Then, the rotary blade 42 is rotated again, and the rotary blade 42 and the protective cover 46 are lowered by the vertically moving cylinder 44 to further cut the cut portion of the green onion N. Even when this cutting is performed, the reflection type sensor 14 is protected from cutting chips and the like by the protective cover 46.

After the cutting of the cut portion of the green onion N is completed by the rotary blade 42, the rotary blade 42 and the protective cover 46 are raised by the vertical moving cylinder 44, and the reflection type sensor 14 applies light to the cut surface of the green onion N. And the amount of reflection from the long onion N is detected. If the amount of light reflected from the green onion N has reached the target reflection value, the cutting is terminated, and if not, the base 41 is advanced again by, for example, 3 mm, and the same cutting operation is repeated. Thereafter, the cutting of the long onion is repeated in the same procedure, and the cutting operation ends when the amount of light reflected from the long onion N reaches the target reflection value. In addition, the said 10mm,
The moving distance of 3 mm can be set as appropriate.

In the cutting apparatus according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to use a cutting blade having a special shape such as a corrugated shape.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 shows a cutting device in a cutting processing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a)
Is a front view, and (b) is a plan view. The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the cutting device 50 according to the present embodiment includes a base 51,
A hatch-shaped cutting blade 52 is pivotally supported on the base 51 so as to be swingable. Behind the cutting blade 52, the cutting blade 52
Is provided. In the cutting device 50 according to the present embodiment, a proximity sensor is not provided for each of the above embodiments. Instead, the motor 53 is provided with an encoder (not shown), and this encoder serves as a cutoff state detecting means of the present invention. That is, whether the cutting blade 52 is moving up or down can be determined based on the angular position of the motor 53 detected by the encoder. When the cutting blade 52 is raised, light is projected on the cut surface of the long onion N by the reflection sensor 14, and when the cutting blade 52 is lowered, light is projected on the cutting blade 52. become. In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a pressing member 22 (FIG. 5) for pressing and fixing the green onion N when cutting the green onion N is used.
Is provided.

The cutting process of the cutting device 40 according to the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described. When the long onion N comes to the position of the cutting device 40, the motor cylinder 17 is driven to move the base 51 forward by, for example, 10 mm. At this time, the cutting blade 52 is located above. Base 51 is 10
mm, the cutting blade 52 is moved downward by the motor 53 to cut the root of the green onion N. When the cutting blade 52 is swung downward to cut the green onion N, the cutting blade 5
Move 2 upward. At this time, light is projected onto the cut surface of the long onion N by the reflection type sensor 14, and the amount of reflection from the cut surface of the long onion N is detected. The detected light reflection amount is transmitted from the reflection sensor 14 to the control device 10 (FIG. 1), and a detection signal for detecting the swing angle of the cutting blade 52 is transmitted from an encoder (not shown). Further, when the long onion N is cut, the reflection type sensor 14 detects the amount of light reflected from the cut surface. In the control device 10, the amount of reflection of light detected by the reflection sensor 14 when detecting that the cutting blade 52 is located above the swing angle detected by the encoder is equal to the first angle. It is determined whether or not the reflection target value R calculated from the thickness of the long onion N has been reached in the same manner as in the embodiment. When the encoder detects that the cutting blade 52 is located below, the amount of reflection is ignored.

If the reflection target value R has been reached, the cutting is terminated. If the reflection target value has not been reached, the motor cylinder 17 is driven to move the base 51 to, for example, 3 m.
Move forward m. Then, the cutting blade 52 is moved downward again by the motor 53 to further cut the cut portion of the green onion N. When the cutting portion of the long onion N is cut by the cutting blade 52,
By moving the cutting blade 52 upward, light is projected on the cut surface of the long onion N by the reflection sensor 14 and the amount of reflection from the long onion N is detected. If the amount of light reflected from the green onion N has reached the target reflection value, the cutting is terminated, and if not, the base 41 is advanced again by, for example, 3 mm, and the same cutting operation is repeated. After that, repeat the cutting of long onions in the same procedure,
When the amount of light reflected from the green onion N reaches the target reflection value,
The cutting operation ends. The moving distance of 10 mm and 3 mm can be set as appropriate. In order to swing the cutting blade 52, the motor 5 is used in the above-described embodiment.
3, the cutting blade 52 can be oscillated by an appropriate crank mechanism using an air cylinder or the like without providing the motor 53.
Here, when an air cylinder is used, the position of the cutting blade can be detected by a switch attached to the air cylinder. That is, a state where the cutting blade 52 is raised and cutting is not performed is set to a switch ON, and a state where the cutting blade 52 is lowered and cut is set to a switch OFF. And
Only when the switch is turned on and the light of the reflective sensor 14 reaches the cut surface of the green onion N, the amount of light reflected by the reflective sensor 14 may be detected.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 shows a cutting apparatus in a cutting processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a)
Is a front view, and (b) is a side view. The same members as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 12, a cutting device 60 according to the present embodiment includes a base 61, and a vertically moving motor cylinder 62 is attached to the base 41. The vertically moving motor cylinder 62 includes a vertically movable rod 62A.
The cutting blade 63 and the protective cover 64 are fixedly attached to the rod 62A. Therefore, when the rod 62A expands and contracts, the cutting blade 63 and the protective cover 64 are configured to move up and down in synchronization with each other.

The cutting blade 63 is constituted by a knife-shaped blade and cuts the root of the green onion N when descending.
Further, the protective cover 64 holds the cutting blade 6 when it is lowered.
3 and the reflection type sensor 14, and protects the reflection type sensor 14 from cutting chips generated when the cutting blade 63 cuts the root portion of the long onion N. Also, the control device 10 (FIG. 1)
Is electrically connected to the vertical motor cylinder 62, and determines whether the rod 62A is extended or contracted, in other words, the cutting blade 63 and the protective cover 64 are lowered or raised. Has been detected.
In addition, also in the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, a holding member 22 (FIG. 5) for pressing and fixing the long onion N when cutting the long onion N is provided.

The cutting process of the cutting device 60 according to the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described. When the green onion N comes to the position of the cutting device 60, the motor cylinder 17 is driven to move the base 61 forward by, for example, 10 mm. At this time, the cylinder rod 62A of the vertically moving motor cylinder 62
Is contracted, and the cutting blade 63 and the protective cover 64 are raised. The vertical movement motor cylinder 62 outputs to the control device 10 (FIG. 1) a detection signal for detecting whether the cylinder rod 62A is extended or contracted. Then, when the base 61 is advanced by 10 mm,
The vertical movement motor cylinder 62 allows the cylinder rod 62
By extending A, the cutting blade 63 and the protective cover 64 are lowered, and the root of the green onion N is cut. When the root of the green onion N is cut by the cutting blade 63, the protective cover 6
4, the reflection type sensor 14 is covered and protected so that cutting chips and the like are not scattered. When the root of the green onion N is cut, the cylinder rod 6 of the vertically moving motor cylinder 62 is cut.
2A is contracted, and the cutting blade 63 and the protective cover 64 are raised. When the cutting blade 63 and the protective cover 64 are raised, light is projected onto the cut surface of the long onion N by the reflection type sensor 14 and the amount of reflection of the long onion N from the cut surface is detected. The detected light reflection amount is transmitted to the controller 10 by the reflection type sensor 14.
From the vertical movement motor cylinder 62 to the control device 10 for detecting that the cylinder rod 62A is contracted. The control device 10 determines whether or not the amount of reflection of light detected by the reflection sensor 14 when the cylinder rod 62A is rising has reached the reflection target value R calculated from the thickness of the green onion N. I do. When the cylinder rod 62A is contracted, the amount of reflection is ignored. As a result, the reflection target value R
If the number has reached, the cutting ends. If the reflection target value has not been reached, the motor cylinder 17 is driven to move the base 41 forward, for example, by 3 mm. Then, the cutting blade 63 and the protective cover 64 are lowered by extending the cylinder rod 62A by the vertically moving motor cylinder 62 to further cut the cut portion of the green onion N. Even when the cutting is performed, the reflection type sensor 14 is protected from the cutting debris by the protective cover 64. In this manner, when the cutting portion of the long onion N is cut by the cutting blade 63, the cylinder rod 62A of the vertically moving motor cylinder 62 is cut.
Is contracted, the cutting blade 63 and the protective cover 64 are raised, and light is projected on the cut surface of the green onion N by the reflective sensor 14 to detect the amount of reflection from the green onion N. If the amount of light reflected from the long onion N has reached the target reflection value, the cutting is terminated, and if not, the base 61 is moved forward by, for example, 3 mm again and the same cutting operation is repeated. Thereafter, the cutting of the long onion is repeated in the same procedure, and the cutting operation ends when the amount of light reflected from the long onion N reaches the target reflection value. The moving distance of 10 mm and 3 mm can be set as appropriate.

In the cutting apparatus according to the present embodiment, there is no need to use a motor or the like for rotating the cutting blade. In the present embodiment, a motor cylinder is used to move the cutting blade 63 up and down, but an air cylinder or the like may be used instead of the motor cylinder. here,
When an air cylinder is used, the position of the cutting blade can be detected by a switch attached to the air cylinder. That is, the state where the cutting blade 63 is raised and the cutting is not performed is set to the switch ON, and the state where the cutting blade 63 is lowered and the cutting is performed is set to the switch OFF. Then, only when the switch is turned on and the light of the reflective sensor 14 reaches the cut surface of the long onion N, the amount of light reflected by the reflective sensor 14 may be detected.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 13A is a plan view schematically showing an outline of a main part in a cutting apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13B is a side view showing the cutting apparatus in the cutting apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 13A, the cutting apparatus 70 according to the present embodiment includes first to third cutting apparatus units 71A to 71C, which are separated from each other in the transport direction of the long onions N. It is arranged. Cutting device unit 71 constituting first to third cutting device units 71A to 71C
As shown in FIG. 13 (b), the cutting device 40 used in the second embodiment has a configuration in which the motor cylinder 17 is omitted. Therefore, the rotary blade 42 differs from the second embodiment only in that it does not move relative to the base 41, and a detailed description of its configuration is omitted.

Further, in this embodiment, the second cutting device unit 71B is disposed closer to the transport member 6 than the first cutting device unit 71A,
The third cutting device unit 71 </ b> C is disposed closer to the transport member 6 than the second cutting device unit 71 </ b> B. Therefore, the green onion N transported by the transport member 6
Is cut at a position closer to the leaf side of the long onion N on the downstream side in the transport direction. Further, the first to third cutting device units 71A to 71C are electrically connected to the control device 10 (FIG. 1). The cutting position of the green onion N is changed by appropriately selecting the first to third cutting units 71 </ b> A to 71 </ b> C by the control device 10. Configure the change means.

The cutting process of the cutting device 70 will be described. When the green onion N is transported to the position of the first cutting device unit 71A shown in FIG. 13A, the root of the green onion N is transferred by the first cutting device unit 71A. Disconnect. While the cutting operation of the root portion of the long onion N is performed by the rotary blade 12, the protective cover 16 is interposed between the rotary blade 12 and the reflective sensor 14, so that the reflective sensor 14 is protected from cutting debris. Is done.

At the same time as the cutting of the long onion N, the amount of light reflected from the cut surface is detected by the reflection type sensor 14. At this time, the reflection amount of light is transmitted from the reflection sensor 14 to the control device 10 (FIG. 1), and the detection signal of the rotary blade 12 is transmitted from the proximity sensor 15. Then, the control device 10 determines whether or not the reflection amount of the light detected by the reflection type sensor 14 when the proximity sensor 15 is ON reaches the reflection target value R calculated from the thickness of the green onion N. to decide. When the proximity sensor 15 is off, the amount of reflection is ignored.

When the cutting operation by the first cutting device unit 71A is completed, the conveying member 6 is driven, and the long member N is conveyed by the conveying member 6 to the second cutting device unit 71B. Here, when the reflection amount of the light detected by the reflection type sensor 14 in the first cutting device unit 71A has reached the reflection target value R, the second and third cutting device units 71A.
Since there is no need to perform the cutting operation by B and 71C, the sheet is directly conveyed to the downstream side. When the reflection amount of light detected by the reflection type sensor 14 in the first cutting device unit 71A has not reached the reflection target value, the transport member 6 is stopped at the position of the second cutting device unit 71B, Second
The cutting operation is performed by the cutting device unit 71B. In addition, in the second cutting device unit 71B, at the same time as this cutting operation, the amount of light reflected by the reflective sensor 14 is detected in the same manner as in the first cutting device 71A.

When the cutting operation is performed by the second cutting device unit 71B, after the cutting operation is completed, the transport member 6 is driven, and the long onions N are transported by the transport member 6 to the third cutting device unit 71C. Here, when the reflection amount of the light detected by the reflection type sensor 14 in the second cutting device unit 71B has reached the target reflection value R, there is no need to perform the cutting work by the third cutting device unit 71C. Is transported to the downstream side as it is. If the reflection amount of light detected by the reflection sensor 14 in the second cutting device unit 71B has not reached the reflection target value, the third
The transport member 6 is stopped at the position of the cutting device unit 71C, and the cutting operation is performed by the third cutting device unit 71C. Thus, the cutting operation by the cutting processing device 70 ends.

The cutting device 70 according to the present embodiment does not require a forward moving means such as a motor cylinder for moving the rotary blade forward. Also, use a rotating blade with long onion N
Since no time is required for moving in the longitudinal direction, the cutting / transporting operation can be performed continuously. It should be noted that the third cutting device unit 71 </ b> C may be configured such that the reflective sensor 14 and the proximity sensor 15 are not provided. Further, as the third cutting device unit, a cutting device unit provided with a cutting blade that is slightly movable in the longitudinal direction of the long onion N can be used.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 14 is a plan view schematically showing an outline of a main part of a cutting apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

The cutting apparatus 80 according to this embodiment includes first to third cutting blade units 81A to 81C and first to third cutting blade units 81A to 81C.
Third sensors 82A to 82C are provided. The first to third cutting blade units 81A to 81C are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the transport direction of the long onion N. Further, a first sensor 82A is disposed on the upstream side in the transport direction of the long onion N in the first cutting blade unit 81A. Further, a second sensor 82B is provided between the first cutting blade unit 81A and the second cutting blade unit 81B, and the second cutting unit 8 is provided.
1B and a third sensor 82 between the third cutting unit 81C.
C is provided.

First to third cutting blade units 81A to 81C
Each of them is provided with a cutting blade used in the first embodiment and a motor for rotating the cutting blade. In addition, the first to third sensors 82A to 82C
It is composed of the reflection type sensor used in the first embodiment.

The cutting process in the cutting apparatus 80 according to the present embodiment will be described.
At the position 2A, the first sensor 82A detects the green onion N
Is irradiated with light, and the amount of reflection is detected and transmitted to the control device (FIG. 1). It is determined whether or not to cut the cut portion of the long onion N by the first cutting blade unit 81A based on the reflection amount. Here, usually, since the cut portion of the long onion N has not been cut yet and the root remains, the cutting of the long onion N in the first cutting blade unit 81A is performed. Long onion N
Is located at the position of the first cutting blade unit 81A, the conveying member 6 is stopped, and the cutting blade unit 81A cuts the root portion serving as a cutting portion of the green onion N to a predetermined length position. When the cutting operation by the first cutting blade unit 81A is completed,
The transport member 6 is moved to the downstream side in the transport direction of the green onion N and transported to the position of the second sensor 82B. Second sensor 82B
Then, the cut surface of the long onion N is irradiated with light, the amount of reflection is detected, and transmitted to the control device 10 (FIG. 1). Here, since the second sensor 82B is at a position away from the first cutting blade unit 81A, the cutting chips of the green onion N cut by the first cutting blade unit hardly scatter to the second sensor 82B. . In the control device 10, the second sensor 82
It is determined whether or not the reflection amount of the light detected by B has reached the reflection target value R calculated from the thickness of the long onion N.
As a result, when the reflection amount of the light detected by the second sensor 82B has reached the reflection target value R, the cutting by the second and third cutting blade units 81B and 81C is not performed. When it is determined that the amount of reflection of the light detected by the second sensor 82B has not reached the reflection target value R, cutting is performed by the second cutting blade unit 81B. Hereinafter, the detection by the third sensor 83B is performed in the same manner, and the cutting operation by the third cutting blade unit 81C is performed as appropriate.

According to the cutting apparatus 80 of this embodiment, no forward moving means such as a motor cylinder for moving the rotary blade forward is required. Further, since no time is required for moving the rotary blade in the longitudinal direction of the long onion N, the cutting and transporting operation can be performed continuously. Further, since the first to third cutting blade units and the first to third sensors are located at a distance from each other, during the cutting operation performed by the cutting blade unit, the cutting chips are not scattered to the first to third sensors. can do. Normally, the root of the long onion N is not cut upstream of the first cutting blade unit 81A, and the root cutting by the first cutting blade unit 81A is almost always performed. Therefore, the first cutting blade unit 81A may be configured to always cut the long onion N without the first sensor 81A. In this embodiment, the number of sensors can be reduced by one, which is a preferable embodiment from the viewpoint of simplification of the device and the like.

Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 15A is a plan view schematically illustrating a main part of the vegetable cutting processing device according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 15B is a front view of the cutting device in the cutting processing device according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15A, a cutting processing apparatus 90 according to the present embodiment includes first to third cutting device units 91A to 91C, and first and second sensors 92A and 92A.
B is provided. Among them, the first sensor 92A is provided between the first cutting device unit 91A and the second cutting device unit 92A, and the second sensor 92B is provided between the second cutting device unit and the third cutting device unit 91C. Have been.

The first cutting device unit 91A is the same as that shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), it has a cutting blade 94A pivotally attached to the rotating shaft 93A. The cutting blade 94A is attached rotatably about a rotation shaft 93A by a crank mechanism or the like formed using a solenoid, an air cylinder, or the like (not shown). Further, the cutting blade 94A rotates around the rotation shaft 93A when the green onion N approaches, and the distal end portion descends to cut the green onion N.

The second and third cutting device units 91B, 91
Similarly, C has cutting blades 94B and 94C rotatably attached to the rotating shafts 93B and 93C. These cutting blades 94B and 94C are rotatably mounted around rotating shafts 93B and 93C by a solenoid (not shown). Further, the cutting blades 94B and 94C rotate around the rotation shafts 93B and 93C when the green onions N approach, and the leading ends descend to cut the green onions N.

The cutting process in the cutting processing apparatus 90 according to the present embodiment will be described. When the long onion N comes to the position of the first cutting device unit 91A, the cutting blade 94A of the first cutting device unit 91A is lowered, and the length is reduced. With the movement of the green onion N, the root of the green onion N is cut. When the cutting of the green onion N is completed, the green onion N is transported to the position of the first sensor 92A,
The cut surface of the long onion N is irradiated with light by the first sensor 92A, the amount of reflection is detected, and transmitted to the control device 10 (FIG. 1). Since the hatching blade is used as the cutting blade 94A in the first cutting device unit 91A, the cutting waste hardly scatters. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation where cutting chips are scattered on the first sensor 92A. The control device 10 determines whether or not the reflection amount of the light detected by the first sensor 92A has reached the reflection target value R calculated from the thickness of the long onion N. As a result, the reflection amount of the light detected by the first sensor 92A becomes the reflection target value R
Are not cut by the second and third cutting device units 91B and 91C. Therefore, the cutting blades 94B and 94C in the second and third cutting device units 91B and 91C are not lowered. Also, the first
When it is determined that the reflection amount of light detected by the sensor 92A has not reached the reflection target value R, cutting is performed by the second cutting device unit 91B. Hereinafter, the detection by the second sensor 92B is performed in the same manner, and the third
The cutting operation is performed by the cutting blade unit 91C.

In this embodiment, it is not necessary to stop the transport of the long onion N when performing the cutting operation. For this reason, the cutting operation of the long onion N can be performed continuously. In addition, since a hatchet-shaped blade is used as the cutting blade, it is possible to reduce cutting chips generated when cutting the long onion N, and thus it is possible to prevent the cutting chips from scattering on the sensor.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the vegetables to be cut need not be long onions, but may be carrots, radish, burdock, cabbage, or the like.
Here, the cut portions of long onion, carrot, radish, burdock and the like become leaves and roots, and the cut portions of cabbage become roots.

Here, when cutting vegetables having a lot of color changes between the cut portion and the non-cut portion, such as when cutting carrot leaves, instead of the reflection type sensor used in each of the above embodiments,
A color sensor that identifies the color of the vegetables can be used. By using the color sensor, it is possible to grasp an appropriate cutting position of the vegetables in accordance with a change in color. For example, the leaves of the carrots that are to be cut are green, and the non-cut portions are red. Therefore, while the color sensor is detecting green, the cutting operation by the cutting means is continued, and when the color sensor detects red, the cutting operation by the cutting means is terminated.

Similarly, when cutting large vegetables such as cabbage and Chinese cabbage, a distance sensor can be used instead of the reflection type sensor used in each of the above embodiments. For large vegetables such as cabbage and Chinese cabbage, the cutting portion becomes larger, so that an appropriate cutting position can be grasped according to the cutting distance.

Further, it is also possible to adopt a mode in which the worker places vegetables on the cutting section without providing the transport means as in the above embodiment. Further, although the detection of the thickness of the vegetables is performed before the cutting device, it may be performed at a position of the cutting device. For the thickness detection at this time, appropriately known thickness detection means, for example, a plurality of fiber sensors are arranged in a plurality along the thickness direction of the vegetables, among which,
A sensor that detects the thickness of the vegetables based on the number of fiber sensors that detect the vegetables, a sensor that performs image processing, and the like can be used. Further, when detecting the size of the vegetable as a property, the thickness can be detected by performing the same process as the detection of the thickness.

Further, as the optical sensor, a reflection-type sensor in which the light-projecting unit and the light-receiving unit are integrated is used. However, for example, a sensor in which the light-projecting and receiving unit is separated can be used. You can also.

On the other hand, the cutting apparatus according to the present invention can be used not only when the cutting apparatus is used alone, but also when the vegetable to be cut is long onion and it is necessary to perform a peeling process. It can be used in combination with other devices as appropriate, such as a continuous cutting and peeling device.

[0093]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the cutting means can be stopped when the cutting means cuts off the discarded portion of the vegetables. It can be reliably cut and removed. According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is no need for the worker to install the vegetables at the cutting position, and the vegetables can be cut continuously. According to the invention according to claim 3, by moving the cutting means by the forward moving means, a plurality of portions in the depth direction of the vegetable can be cut by one cutting means. According to the invention of claim 4,
The amount of light reflected from the cut surface of the vegetables is detected by ignoring the amount of light reflection when the cutoff state detecting means detects light blocking and detecting the amount of light reflection when light is passing. Only the amount of reflection can be detected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in detection accuracy caused by detecting light reflected on the cutting blade. According to the invention according to claim 5,
Since the optical sensor can be protected from cutting chips generated when cutting vegetables, the measurement accuracy of the optical sensor can be kept high. According to the invention according to claim 6, even when the rotary blade is used as the cutting blade, it is possible to preferably protect the optical sensor from flying debris of vegetables except for a very short moment when the measurement is performed by the optical sensor. it can. According to the invention according to claim 7, a plurality of cutting blades spaced apart in the depth direction of the vegetables are provided, and the cutting blades are appropriately cut by the cutting blades to move the cutting blades in the depth direction of the green onion N. There is no need for transportation. According to the invention according to claim 8,
The amount of light reflection can be set according to the properties of the vegetables. Therefore, only the cut portion of the vegetable can be cut and removed with high accuracy. According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, any vegetable whose color changes greatly when the cut portion is cut off can be suitably used. According to the invention according to claim 10, for a comparatively large vegetable whose cut-off portion is long,
It can be used effectively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing a cutting apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing a cutting apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a transport member.

4A is a side view of the cutting device, and FIG. 4B is a side view of the cutting device.

FIG. 5A is a front view showing a pressing member, and FIG.
It is a front view which shows the positional relationship of a cutting device and a conveyance member.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing an optical sensor.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of vegetable cutting processing in the vegetable cutting processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart when sampling a long green onion;

FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the thickness of a green onion and the amount of reflection of a cut portion of the green onion.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show a cutting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 10A is a front view and FIG. 10B is a side view.

FIG. 11 shows a cutting device in a cutting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein (a) is a front view,
(B) is a plan view.

FIG. 12 shows a cutting apparatus in a cutting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a front view,
(B) is a side view.

FIG. 13A is a plan view schematically showing an outline of a main part in a cutting apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention,
(B) is a side view showing a cutting device in the cutting processing device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a plan view schematically showing an outline of a main part of a cutting apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15A is a plan view schematically showing a main part of the vegetable cutting apparatus according to the embodiment, and FIG. 15B is a front view of the cutting apparatus in the cutting apparatus according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cutting processing apparatus 2 Base stand 3A, 3B Support shaft 4A-4D Sprocket 5A, 5B Chain 6 Conveying member 6A Leaf mounting table 6B Stem mounting table 6C Root mounting table 7 Cutting device (cutting means) 8 Pressing member 9 Optical sensor (Properties detecting means) 10 Control device (control means) 11 Base 12 Rotary blade (cutting blade) 13 Motor 14 Reflection type sensor (optical sensor) 15 Proximity sensor 16 Protective cover 17 Motor cylinder (cutting position changing means, forward moving means) ) M motor L light N long onion

Continuation of the front page F term (reference) 3C024 EE02 4B061 AA02 AB04 AB06 AB07 BA02 BA03 CB05 CB07 CB13 CB16 CB30

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An optical sensor, comprising: cutting means for cutting a vegetable to be cut; projecting light onto the cut surface of the vegetable; and detecting a reflection amount of the light projected on the cut surface of the vegetable. And a cutting position changing means for changing a setting of the vegetable by the cutting means while moving the vegetable in a depth direction of the vegetable, wherein a reflection amount of light detected by the optical sensor is a predetermined specified value. A cutting means for stopping the cutting of the vegetables by the cutting means when the condition is satisfied. 2. The vegetable cutting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transport unit configured to transport the vegetables in a direction substantially perpendicular to a depth direction of the vegetables. 3. The cutting means includes a cutting blade movable in a depth direction of the vegetables, and the cutting position changing means is a forward moving means for moving the cutting means forward in the direction of the vegetables. The vegetable cutting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 4. The light sensor is disposed opposite to the cut surface of the vegetable, with the cutting means interposed therebetween, and the cutting means is configured to pass the light that the light sensor projects onto the cut surface of the vegetable.
A state in which the light is blocked by the cutting means; a state in which the light is blocked from reaching the cut surface of the vegetable; and a state in which the light is blocked by the cutting means. 4. A control for ignoring the amount of reflection of the light when the cut-off state detecting means detects the condition.
The vegetable cutting device according to any one of the above. 5. A protection cover is provided between the cutting means and the light sensor, the protection cover protecting the light sensor from cutting chips flying when cutting the vegetables. Item 5. The vegetable cutting device according to any one of items 4. 6. The cutting means is a rotary blade,
The protective cover is a rotating plate that rotates together with the rotary blade. A sensor window that allows light projected by the optical sensor to pass therethrough is formed in a part of the protective cover, and the sensor window is rotated by rotating the protective cover. The vegetable cutting device according to claim 5, wherein when the light reaches a position corresponding to the light sensor, light from the light sensor irradiates a cut surface of the vegetable. 7. The cutting means includes a plurality of cutting blades spaced apart in a depth direction of the vegetable, and the cutting position changing means determines a cutting blade to be used among the plurality of cutting blades. The vegetable cutting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 8. A property detecting means for detecting a property of the vegetable, wherein a prescribed value of a reflection amount of light detected by the optical sensor is set based on the property of the vegetable detected by the property detecting means. The vegetable cutting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the processing is performed. 9. A color sensor for identifying a color of a vegetable is provided in place of the optical sensor, wherein the control means controls the cutting means when the color identified by the color sensor becomes a predetermined color. The vegetable cutting processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein control for stopping the cutting of the vegetable by (1) is performed. 10. A distance sensor for detecting a distance from a vegetable, in place of the optical sensor, wherein the control means detects when a distance detected by the distance sensor becomes a predetermined distance. The vegetable cutting processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein control is performed to stop the cutting of the vegetables by the cutting means.