JP2003172581A - Grain moisture detector for circulation-type grain drier - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a grain moisture detector for a circulation-type grain drier of simple constitution which surely copes with the failure in circulation of grain. <P>SOLUTION: This grain moisture detector for the circulation-type grain drier is composed of a moisture measuring means 8 for catching the grain in a drying process from a grain circulating passage 7 of the circulation-type grain drier 1, and measuring its water content, and the moisture measuring means 8 comprises a grain discriminating means for discriminating the presence or absence of grain on the basis of a predetermined standard value on the moisture measurement value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a grain water content detecting device for a circulation type grain dryer, and more particularly to a circulation type grain structure having a simple structure capable of surely dealing with a circulation disorder of the grain. The present invention relates to a grain moisture detecting device for a grain dryer.

[0002]

As a grain moisture detecting device for grain dryers,
A technique relating to an automatic moisture measurement control device for grain dryers described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-162293 is known. This automatic moisture measurement control device, at the end of grain drying,
The grain flow is monitored when the dried grain is discharged from the inside of the dryer, and when the grain is not detected, the discharge is judged to be terminated, thereby stopping the dryer.

[0003]

However, the above-described automatic moisture measurement control device for a grain dryer cannot detect the grain in the step of drying the grain, and therefore,
Separately, in order to detect circulatory disturbances that may cause fire due to overheating, such as grain retention in the circulation dryer,
Circulation detection means must be installed.

An object of the present invention is to provide a grain moisture detecting device for a circulation type grain dryer having a simple structure capable of surely dealing with a grain circulation disorder.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 collects the grains in the drying step from the circulation route of the grains of the circulation type grain dryer, and hydrates the grains. In the grain moisture detector of the circulating grain dryer, which comprises a moisture measuring unit for measuring the rate, the moisture measuring unit determines the presence or absence of grains based on a predetermined reference value for the moisture measured value. By providing the means, the grain moisture detecting device of the circulating grain dryer is configured.

In the grain moisture detecting device, the moisture measuring means outputs the measurement result to a display unit or the like, and when the grain discriminating means receives the measurement result of the moisture measuring means, it compares it with a predetermined reference value. The presence / absence of grain is determined by the above. This determination signal can be used in the operation control unit of the circulation type grain dryer or the like for operation control depending on the presence or absence of grains.

In the invention according to claim 2, the water content measuring means measures the water content of a relatively small number of grains at a sampling interval for grain detection, and the grain discriminating means discriminates the presence or absence of grains. Control means for controlling the water content, and the display water content detection control means for controlling the water content measurement for a relatively large number of grains at a sampling interval for measuring the water content, prior to the water content detection control means. By including the above, the grain moisture detecting device of the circulating grain dryer is configured.

By the circulation detection control means of the moisture measuring means,
The water content measuring means measures the water content in a relatively small number of grains at the sampling intervals for grain detection, and the grain determination means discriminates the presence or absence of the grains based on the measured value. Further, the display moisture detection control means gives priority to the circulation detection control means, and the display moisture detection control means performs moisture measurement on a relatively large number of grains at sampling intervals for measuring the water content.

[0009]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION The grain moisture detector of the circulating grain dryer of the present invention has the following effects. The grain moisture detecting device of the circulation type grain drier having the above-mentioned configuration, because the moisture measuring unit is provided with the grain determining unit, the moisture measuring unit outputs the measurement result to the display unit and the like. For the operation control and the like depending on the presence or absence of the grain, the grain determination unit can determine the presence or absence of the grain. Therefore, the grain water content detection device of the circulation type grain dryer of the present invention does not require a special member such as a sensor necessary for detecting the circulation grain, and uses the water content measurement means Circulation abnormality can be detected.
As a result, with a simple configuration, not only the finishing process of the drying process but also a reliable countermeasure process against the circulation failure of the grain can be performed.

When the water content measuring means is provided with the circulation detection control means and the display water detection control means having a higher priority than the circulation detection control means, a relatively small number of grains can be used by the grain discrimination means. The presence / absence is determined, and the moisture measurement is performed on a relatively large number of grains in preference to the circulation detection control means.
Therefore, even when using a pulverized water content measuring means that can obtain highly accurate measurement results, it is possible to minimize the amount of crushed grains as the measurement target, and therefore, the water content stop accuracy by highly accurate water content measurement. It is possible to monitor the circulatory disturbance of the grain and to stably control the operation of the dryer by the accurate drying speed without affecting the temperature.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With reference to the drawings, a grain moisture detecting apparatus for a circulating grain drier according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments specifically constructed based on the above technical idea. FIG. 1 shows a vertical side view of a circulation type grain dryer equipped with the grain moisture detecting device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of FIG.

In FIG. 1, a circulation type grain dryer 1 is constructed in a vertically long box shape, and is provided with an upper conveying device 2a for storing a grain portion, a tank portion 2 below, a burner 3a, a suction fan 3b and the like. The heating / drying unit 3 is provided, the quantitative feeding device 4 that adjusts the flow rate of the grain, the grain collection chamber 5 that is provided with the lower transfer device 5a, the lift device 7 that is a bucket conveyor mechanism that returns the grain to the tank unit 2, and the like. , Heat drying while circulating the grain.

The lift device 7 is provided with a grain moisture detector 8 which is a moisture meter for measuring the moisture of the grains circulated in the drying process. The grain moisture detecting unit 8 constitutes a grain moisture detecting device together with a moisture measuring control unit that controls the moisture measuring process and sends the measurement result of the grain moisture to an operation control unit (not shown). To do.

In FIG. 2, the grain moisture measuring unit 8 is arranged in an opening formed in the side wall 7b of the lift device 7. The lift device 7 has a large number of buckets 7a arranged in the up-down direction that circulate and ascend and descend, and receives grains that overflow from the bucket 7a between the transfer side and the return side at the opening of the side wall 7b. An intake port 21 is provided. A spiral feed shaft 22 for transferring the grains one by one below the intake port 21
Two electrode rolls 2 facing each other and rotating in opposite directions in order to crush the transferred grain and measure its electrical resistance.
3, 24, etc. are provided. A drive shaft 25 such as a helical gear for driving the spiral feed shaft 22 and the electrode rolls 23 and 24 is provided. With these, the grain moisture measuring unit 8
Make up.

Next, the moisture measurement control by the moisture measurement controller of the grain moisture detector will be described. The water content measurement control unit of the grain water content detection device is the drive shaft 2 of the grain water content measurement unit 8.
By rotating 5, the grain is fed from the intake port 21 between the two electrode rolls 23, 24 one by one by the feed of the spiral feed shaft 22, and the water content is calculated from the electric resistance value of the crushed grain. Control to output. In addition to the measurement control of the moisture content by the grain moisture measurement unit 8, the moisture measurement control unit includes a grain determination control unit for determining the presence / absence of grains currently being transferred by the lift device 7. .

The grain discriminating control unit reverses the spiral feed shaft 22 for a predetermined period of time so that the intake port 21
Also, the drive shaft 25 is controlled so as to discharge and initialize the grains that have been taken in by the spiral feed shaft 22, and thereafter, moisture measurement is performed on the newly taken grains to compare them with a predetermined reference moisture. , Is processed so as to output a grain detection signal when moisture detection is determined. Specifically, the spiral feed shaft 22 is operated in the order of a stop for 2 seconds, a reverse feed operation for 9 seconds, and a stop for 2 seconds, and the feed operation of the grain and the moisture within a predetermined time until moisture is detected. The operation is controlled to continue the detection.

Next, operation control of the grain moisture measuring unit by the moisture measuring control unit will be described. A timing chart showing a specific example of the operation control of the grain moisture measuring unit is shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the operation control of the grain moisture measuring unit 8 by the moisture measuring control unit includes two functions of a circulation detection control C1 and a display moisture detection control C2. Circulation detection control C
1 is a process of performing moisture measurement for a relatively small number of a predetermined number of grains at a sampling interval for grain detection, while initializing each time. The display moisture detection control C2 takes priority over the circulation detection control C1 and performs moisture measurement on a relatively large number of predetermined grains suitable for the number of samples for obtaining the moisture ratio at the sampling interval for moisture content measurement. Processing. The moisture meter operation output E in FIG. 3 indicates a state in which the grain is conveyed and crushed between the two electrode rolls 23 and 24, and the moisture content is output.

By the circulation detection control C1, the moisture measurement by initialization is performed for the predetermined number of grains of 1 to 3 grains by operating the grain moisture measuring unit 8 at intervals of 3 minutes, and by the display moisture detection control C2. , Sampling operation is performed at intervals of 14 minutes for a predetermined number of grains of about 100. In the moisture meter operation output E of the grain moisture measuring unit 8 by the circulation detection control C1 and the display moisture detection control C2, the output of the circulation detection control C1 is performed between the outputs of the display moisture detection control C2.

When the predetermined number of grains is not detected within 3 minutes by the circulation detection control C1, the circulation is performed on condition that the predetermined number of grains is not detected within 3 minutes in the next sampling. It is determined that there is a circulatory disorder in which no grain exists in the road, and a circulatory disorder signal is output.

Based on the moisture measuring process in the grain moisture measuring unit 8, in the operation control device of the circulation type grain dryer 1,
When it is recognized that the moisture content of the grain has reached the preset moisture content, the drying operation is controlled to end. When the circulation detection control C1 determines that there is a circulation failure, the burner heating is temporarily stopped and a predetermined circulation failure handling process such as temperature confirmation is performed.

As described above, in addition to outputting the measurement result of the water content measurement control unit to the display unit or the like in the water content measurement process by the grain water content detection device, the grain discrimination control unit also dries the dryer depending on the presence or absence of the grain. It becomes possible to control the operation. Therefore,
The grain moisture detection device of the circulation type grain dryer of the present invention does not require a special device such as a sensor necessary for detecting the circulation grain, and the circulation abnormality of the grain is utilized by utilizing the moisture measurement result. Can be detected. As a result, with a simple configuration, not only the termination control based on the predetermined moisture value of the grain in the drying process but also the reliable countermeasure process against the circulation failure of the grain becomes possible.

Further, the circulation detection control C1 determines the presence or absence of the grains by using a relatively small number of grains, and the display moisture detection control C2 having a higher priority than the circulation detection control C1 causes the circulation. Moisture measurement is performed on a relatively large number of grains in preference to the detection control C1. Therefore, even when using a crushing type moisture measuring means that can obtain a highly accurate moisture measurement result, the amount of crushed grains as a measurement target can be suppressed to the minimum, so that moisture can be stopped by highly accurate moisture content measurement. It is possible to monitor grain circulatory disorders and obtain accurate drying rates without affecting accuracy.

Next, another embodiment for detecting the circulation of the grain will be described with reference to a circulating grain detecting device using an impact sensor. FIG. 4A shows a perspective front view of a main part of a grain dryer provided with a detection device for circulating grains by an impact sensor, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged perspective view of the main part. In the following, the same members as those described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, the impact sensor 31
Is disposed at the sample collection port 32 of the lift device 7 to form a circulating grain detection device. A sample collecting rod 33 is incorporated in the sample collecting port 32, and the impact sensor 31 is arranged so as to be adjacent to the sample collecting rod 33 in a posture perpendicular to the direction in which the buckets 7a ...

In the circulating grain detecting device using the impact sensor having the above-described structure, the buckets 7a ... Are rotated and lifted near the position where the buckets 7a .. By receiving the grain bounced up by the impact sensor 31, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of the grain in the circulation path.

The circulating grain detecting device constructed as described above does not simply limit the mounting position of the impact sensor, but has a unique effect when it is arranged in the above-mentioned positional relationship with respect to the lift device 7. is there. That is, when the impact sensor is attached to the upper portion (for example, the throwing facing portion by the bucket 7a such as 7c in FIG. 1) or the lower adapter of the circulation type grain dryer 1 (for example, 5b in FIG. 4), the circulation is performed. If the flow rate of the grain is large, the pressure applied to the impact sensor by the grain flowing in a bundle is continuous, so that there is a problem that it cannot be sensed as an impact.

Further, the above-mentioned circulating grain detecting device has many advantages as compared with the conventional detecting methods. For example, a conventional example in which a grain thrown from an elevator bucket is sensed by a limit switch (actually developed 61-185987).
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-242242, the amount of grains thrown from the elevator bucket may not match the set amount due to changes in grain moisture, which may cause erroneous detection. Further, the limit switch may not operate normally due to adhesion of dust or the like. Further, as another conventional example, in a method of detecting vibration of a side plate with which a grain collides in a discharge path communicating with an upper discharge port of an elevator (Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 62-41194), a detector is installed in the elevator. Since it is arranged at the upper discharge port, there is a problem in that work at a high place is forced every time an inspection is performed.

With respect to the problems of these conventional detection devices,
The circulating grain detecting device having the above-described configuration is provided with a sample collection port 32
Since it is arranged side by side, it is possible to easily compare the grain at the sampling port and the response of the detection device, so that the inspection of the detection device becomes easy. Also, the bucket 7a
Since the grain that collides with the detection device is detected by flipping up from the position, regardless of the number of grains in the bucket 7a,
It is possible to accurately determine whether or not the grain is circulating. Further, by configuring the impact sensor 31 integrally with the sample sampling rod 33, the configuration of the sample sampling port 32 can be simplified.

The impact sensor 31 of the circulating grain detecting device is arranged at the sample collection port 32 shown in the figure, and also from the lowest point of the elevator of the lifting device 7 such as the connection port with the overhanging hopper. Since it is obvious that the same can be applied on condition that the buckets 7a are in the vicinity of the position where the buckets 7a have turned upward, the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, a method of determining the presence / absence of grain by the impact sensor will be described. The relationship between the output of the impact sensor and the count of grains is shown in FIG. In FIG. 5, a non-count area within a predetermined range is set for the output of the impact sensor. The number of peaks of the output exceeding the non-counting region is counted as the number of collision grains for a certain elapsed time, and this count is set as the detection frequency of collision grains. The detection frequency of the collision grain is compared with a predetermined reference value to determine whether there is a circulation abnormality. If the frequency of collision grain detection is less than or equal to the reference value, the process proceeds to confirmation of abnormal circulation, and the frequency of collision grain detection is repeatedly counted under the same conditions. On condition that the detection frequency of this collision grain is below the reference value again, or
Under the condition that the circulation-type grain dryer 1 is repeated a predetermined number of times, the circulation-type grain dryer 1 is controlled to cope with a circulation abnormality, for example, to control the burner and the circulation system.

By such a method for determining a circulatory disorder, the number of operations and dust etc. associated with counting the output of the microswitch arranged at the upper outlet of the elevator according to the conventional method may cause a decrease in reliability. Therefore, the judgment accuracy can be improved, and the work continuity can be improved.

In the above abnormality determination, the predetermined reference value that should be determined to be a circulation abnormality is relatively small for, for example, buckwheat and paddy, depending on the type of grain and its moisture content.
When the water content is high, the value should be set to a relatively small value. Since the output of the impact sensor fluctuates according to the type of grain and the water content thereof, it is possible to improve the determination accuracy while reflecting these in the reference value and expanding the application to a wide variety of grain types.
Also, when the grain is high moisture or paddy, the amount of paddy grains stored in the same bucket is smaller than when it is low moisture or wheat, so set a larger number of grains to improve detection accuracy. If it is done, it takes a long time to detect it, and as a result, a problem occurs that the determination is delayed. Such a problem can be solved by adjusting the reference value. It should be noted that the case of using the time required for detection for a predetermined number of grains instead of the detection frequency of collision grains and the reference value for determining abnormal circulation can be handled in the same manner.

Next, an example in which the circulating grain detecting device is applied as a paddy flow detecting device to the grain discharging step of the circulating grain dryer will be described. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the operation control of the circulation type grain dryer when the paddy flow detecting device is applied to the drying step and the discharging step. In FIG. 6, the operation control of the circulating grain dryer by the paddy flow detecting device is controlled by switching the setting of the circulating grain detecting device according to each of the drying process and the discharging process.

Step 1 (denoted as S1. The same applies hereinafter)
In the steps from S6 to S6, preparation for determining the presence or absence of paddy flow is performed. If the start of the quantitative feeding device is started and the detection of the paddy flow sensor is ON by checking the start of the quantitative feeding device and the detection of the paddy flow sensor in S1 and S2, S
Circulating grain dryer 1 after adding 1 to the number of paddy flow grains of 3
The grain type set on the operation panel is referred to in S4, and moisture detection is performed in S5. Based on the grain type in S4 and the moisture content detected in S5, the numbers of paddy flow grains α and β are determined in S6 for each of the drying process and the discharging process. In general, a value larger than the number of paddy flow particles β in the discharging step is adopted as the number of paddy flow particles α for determining the paddy flow in the drying step.

If it is a drying process by checking the circulation state in S7, the process of judging the paddy flow in the circulation state in the drying operation is performed by the procedure from S8 to S11. The following determination process is passed until the passage of a predetermined time after checking the number of grains is checked in S8. When the elapse of a predetermined time is checked, the detection value is checked based on the number ?? of grain in the drying step in S9, and if the detected value is equal to or more than the reference value, the grain flow sensor is set to ON in S10, If the detected value has not reached the reference value, the paddy flow sensor is set to OFF in S11.

By the procedure from S12 to S14, the operation control process of the drying process according to the judgment of the paddy flow is performed. S1
In order to determine the circulatory obstacle in step 2, the circulatory obstacle handling process is performed by stopping the motor and burner in S13 under the condition that a predetermined time has passed after turning off the paddy flow sensor. If not, the normal circulation process is continued in S14.

If the drying step is not found by checking S7, the discharging step is checked by S21.
If it does not correspond to the discharge process, all the following procedures are passed. When it corresponds, the paddy flow determination process of the discharging process is performed by the procedure from S22 to S25. The following determination process is passed until the passage of a predetermined time after checking the number of grains is checked in S22. When the elapse of a predetermined time is checked, the detection value is checked with reference to the number of paddy flow particles β in the discharging step in S23, and if the detected value is equal to or more than the reference value, the paddy flow sensor is set to ON in S24, If the detected value has not reached the reference value, the paddy flow sensor is set to OFF in S25.

By the procedure from S26 to S28, the operation control process of the discharging process according to the judgment of the paddy flow is performed. S2
In order to determine the end of discharge in step 6, the discharge is automatically stopped in step S27 on condition that a predetermined time has elapsed after the paddy flow sensor was turned off. If not, the normal discharge process is continued in S28.

As described above, the circulating-grain detecting device changes the setting of the circulating-grain detecting device in accordance with each of the drying process and the discharging process of the circulating-grain dryer 1, so that the circulating-grain detecting device is switched. It can be commonly applied as a paddy flow detection device for operation control of a dryer. Therefore, with a simple configuration, highly accurate operation control can be ensured for each of the drying process and the discharging process.

Next, a method of calculating the water content in the drying step of the circulating grain dryer will be described. A moisture detector provided in a grain dryer that sends hot air while circulating the stored grains to dry the grains, and a detection value of the moisture detector provided in the circulation route of the grains during the drying operation and Calculate the drying speed at that time from the elapsed drying time, and in the one that controls the combustion amount of the drying burner based on this drying speed, according to the calculated moving average drying speed, the number of times of the next moving average processing, or measurement The water content is calculated by changing the interval or the number of measured particles.

Since a drying rate per unit time in the drying process is large in a dryer capable of increasing the drying rate of the grains, such as a grain dryer having a far-infrared radiator built-in, the moisture content of the grains can be measured. In this case, if the moving average number of treatments, or the measurement interval, or the number of measurement grains is the same as in a dryer without a far-infrared radiator, especially when the stake amount is small, between the start of measurement and the end of measurement. There is a difference in the water content, and it is determined that there is water content unevenness, and there is a risk that normal combustion amount control and calculation of the water content cannot be performed. With the above configuration, without erroneously determining that the moisture is uneven,
It is possible to calculate an accurate moisture value and maintain an appropriate amount of combustion.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart relating to the method of controlling the moisture detecting device in this case. In FIG. 7, the moving averaging process execution condition is checked in S31, and the process starting from S32 is applied when the moisture measurement value exceeds a predetermined set value + 1.5%. In S33, the drying speed DR from the start of drying to the present time is calculated. With respect to this drying speed DR, if the drying speed DR exceeds 2.0% by checking in S34 and S36, one measurement value is used without performing the moving average processing in S35. Drying speed DR is 2.
If it is less than 0% and exceeds 1.5%, the moving average is calculated twice in S37. When the drying speed DR is 1.5% or less,
In S38, moving average processing is performed four times.

By the control method of the moisture detecting device, the moisture value of the grain in the drying step of the circulation type grain dryer having a high drying rate can be accurately grasped. Further, instead of the average number of times of treatment, the number of measured grains is changed from 100 grains to 30 grains according to the drying speed, and the measurement interval is changed from 4 minutes to 2.5 minutes. It is possible to process.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view of a circulation type grain dryer equipped with a grain moisture detecting device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing a specific example of operation control of a grain moisture measuring unit.

FIG. 4 is a perspective front view (a) of a main part of a grain dryer provided with a detection device for circulating grains by an impact sensor and an enlarged perspective view (b) thereof.

FIG. 5: Relationship between impact sensor output and grain count

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for controlling the operation of the circulation type grain dryer when the paddy flow detector is applied to the drying process and the discharging process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart relating to a method of controlling the moisture detector.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Circulation type grain dryer 2a Upper transport device 3a burner 5a Lower transfer device 7a bucket 7 Lift device (circulation route) 7b Side wall 8 Grain moisture measuring unit (grain moisture measuring device) 23, 24 electrode roll 31 Impact sensor C1 Circulation detection control C2 display moisture detection control

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Eiji Nishino             No. 1 Yakura, Tobe-cho, Iyo-gun, Ehime Prefecture             Technology Department Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinji Ninomiya             No. 1 Yakura, Tobe-cho, Iyo-gun, Ehime Prefecture             Technology Department Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masayuki Chikamoto             No. 1 Yakura, Tobe-cho, Iyo-gun, Ehime Prefecture             Technology Department Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 3L113 AA07 AB03 AC04 AC67 AC79                       AC82 BA03 CA02 DA07 DA22                 4D043 BB02 BB12 LA06 MA30 MB30

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. Detecting the moisture content of a grain in a circulating grain dryer, which comprises moisture measuring means for collecting the grain in the drying step from the circulation route of the grain in the circulating grain dryer and measuring the water content thereof. In the device, the water content measuring means is equipped with a grain discrimination means for discriminating the presence / absence of a grain based on a predetermined reference value for the water content measurement value. apparatus. 2. The circulation detection in which the water content measuring means measures water content in a relatively small number of grains at a sampling interval for grain detection, and the grain discrimination means discriminates the presence or absence of grains. Control means and, prior to this circulation detection control means, a display moisture detection control means for controlling the moisture measurement for a relatively large number of grains at sampling intervals for moisture content measurement. The grain moisture detecting device of the circulating grain dryer according to claim 1.