JP2003202313A - Apparatus for judging apple having honey - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new apparatus for judging apples having honey that judges whether an apple is sweet and delicious or not according to a criterion where a harvested apple has honey or not, can simply and quickly judge presence or absence of the honey in the apple, and can be directly brought to an apple farm for achieving easy sorting work. <P>SOLUTION: A harvested apple B is thrown from the upper portion of first and second electrode plates 4 and 5 of an apparatus body 1, thus measuring the capacitance of the apple while both the electrode plates 4 and 5 are retaining the apple B, judging whether the apple B has honey based on a measurement value y, judging the inside quality of the apple B without any breakdown by turning on a blue lamp 2 or a red lamp 3 to display a result, and hence simply and accurately classifying the apple by easily bringing to an apple farm. <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 determination device capable of nondestructively determining that an apple is a sweet fruit containing honey, and more specifically, whether an apple harvested in an apple field contains honey. Can be determined quickly and easily,
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a honey-filled apple determination device that can be suitably used for mountain selection work and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art At an apple harvesting site, so-called mountain sorting is performed in which a large number of harvested apples are sorted by grade within an apple field section and shipped. The mountain selection work is
The harvested apples have good and bad shapes and are colored.
It is classified based on various selection criteria such as size and maturity. Among the above selection criteria,
Skills are not necessarily required for elements that can be distinguished from the outside such as good or bad shape, color condition, size, etc.For example, chlorofilm (blue), flavone (yellow), Pigments such as anthocyan (red) are involved, but usually when apples turn red, they are harvested even if they are not fully ripe. In contrast,
The degree of aging of apples, that is, whether or not it is a sweet and delicious apple, and the factors related to the internal quality of apples, i.e., immature, ripe, and overripe, depend on the individual ability of the worker such as experience rules and intuition. Since multiple people are usually involved in the mountain selection work, which is a high and large amount of apples that are harvested and sorted,
There is a possibility that the judgment will vary due to individual differences, experience differences, etc., and if unsatisfactory apples are mixed in the product, it may reduce the credibility of the producer.

In order to solve such a problem, in recent years, for example, JP-A-6-186159 and JP-A-8-1788.
As disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 38-262006 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 8-262006, various devices have been proposed for nondestructively measuring the sugar content of harvested fruits by using optical and acoustic principles. Since these conventional measuring devices have a built-in irradiation device for near infrared light or laser light, a light receiving device, an acoustic volume measuring device, etc., the structure is complicated and expensive, and the apples are used for mountain selection work. It was hard to say that it was suitable for use at the harvest site.

Further, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-205661, for measuring sugar content of fruits with thick skins such as melon and watermelon, the weight and volume of the fruits are measured to determine the density, A non-destructive fruit-picking device is known that is capable of selecting ripe and unripe from the correlation between the measured density and sugar content, but the device is equipped in the middle of a belt conveyor that conveys harvested fruits, and Since the sugar content of the harvested product is determined, it is expensive, large, and stationary, so it is hard to say that it is suitable for being carried to an apple field for mountain sorting work.

On the other hand, among apples, there are varieties such as Fuji and Hokuto that become sweet and delicious when they are fully ripe with natural honey. It is generally said that Fuji apples have a sugar content of 13% or more, but the presence or absence of honey in apples and sugar content are not necessarily correlated. However, it is common sense that honey is often contained in matured apples, so apples with honey can be said to be sweet and delicious with good internal quality.

[0006]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and the objective of the present invention is to determine whether the harvested apple is honey-containing or not and whether it is a sweet and delicious apple. It can be easily and quickly judged whether it is honey containing, which was conventionally judged based on the weight when a skilled worker held it by hand, and it can be carried directly to the apple field. An object of the present invention is to provide a novel honey-filled apple determination device that can be easily used for mountain selection work.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the apparatus for determining an apple containing honey according to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, is a measuring means for measuring the electrostatic capacitance value of the harvested apple. Setting means for initially setting a judgment reference value preset based on the capacitance value and correlation data of whether or not the apple contains honey, the capacitance value measured by the measuring means and the setting means The apparatus main body is provided with a determination means or the like for determining whether or not the apple contains honey by comparing with the determination reference value set in, and the harvested apple is placed at a predetermined distance on the upper surface of the apparatus main body. The capacitance of the apple is measured by holding it with the arranged first and second electrode plates, and the determination result by the determination means based on the capacitance value is displayed on the outer surface of the device body. The gist is that it is formed to display. Further, according to the present invention, as described in claim 2, the first and second electrode plates are erected on the upper surface of the apparatus main body so that the upper end sides of the first and second electrode plates are curved outward so that the upper sides of the electrode plates expand. The apples after harvest, which are thrown in from above the plate, are formed so as to be held by the both electrode plates by their own weight, and both widthwise ends of each electrode plate are curved inward and held by both electrode plates. The apple with a bee containing honey which is suitable for mountain-picking work by forming an apple drop-prevention wall surrounding the two electrode plates on the upper surface of the device body so as to prevent the apple from falling off to the side. A determination device is provided.

According to the structure of claim 1, it is possible to provide a simple device structure that is compact and suitable for carrying, and is easy to carry, provided with only two electrode plates that stand on the upper surface of the device body. Further, according to the configuration of claim 2, when the harvested apples are thrown in from above the first and second electrode plates provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body, the two electrode plates hold the apples. The density of the apple is measured, the honey content of the apple can be determined based on the measured value, and the internal quality of the apple can be determined nondestructively. Further, since the apple's own weight is effectively used and the capacitance value is measured by sandwiching the apple with two electrode plates, the measurement can be performed accurately regardless of the size of the apple. Therefore, it becomes possible to easily bring the apples into the apple field and classify the apples easily and accurately.

The honey-filled apple determination device according to the present invention is intended for use in mountain selection work.
The judgment work can be easily carried in to an arbitrary place such as a sorting field, and it is necessary to correct the judgment reference value depending on various conditions such as weather, temperature, and humidity at the use place. Further, there is a possibility that the judgment reference value may vary depending on the cultivation conditions of the harvest year. Therefore, as described in claim 3, the correction means for changing the determination reference value initially set in the setting means is provided in the apparatus main body, and the operation section for operating the correction means is provided on the outer surface of the apparatus main body for harvesting. It is preferable that the difference between the judgment reference values caused by the varieties of apples, the weather at the measurement site, the temperature, the year of harvest, etc. can be adjusted appropriately.

As an example of a mode of the display in the honey-filled apple determination device according to the present invention, a liquid crystal display device is provided on the outer surface of the main body of the device to display whether or not honey is filled with characters or the like. It is conceivable to provide an informing means such as a buzzer for informing, but in this case, there is a possibility that the configuration becomes complicated and the power consumption increases. Therefore, as set forth in claim 4, the display is composed of a lamp that is turned on based on the determination result of the presence of honey, and a lamp that is turned on based on the determination result that the honey is not present, and the illumination colors of these two lamps are different If so, the determination result can be easily recognized, and the power consumption can be reduced with a simple configuration, so that the device can be provided as a small-sized, lightweight and low-priced device.

Here, as mentioned in the section of the prior art, in order to judge the internal quality of the harvested fruit, the apple weight is measured based on the displacement amount of the strain gauge or the load sensor, and the apple volume is measured according to the apple volume. The apple volume is measured based on the changing capacitance, the density is calculated based on these measured data, and the sugar content of the fruit is measured nondestructively based on the correlation between the density and sugar content. Proposed.

However, in such a method, it takes a long time to perform the measurement so that the determination cannot be performed quickly, and the structure becomes complicated, resulting in an increase in the size and weight of the device and a cost for manufacturing and maintaining the device. Problems such as high cost may occur. Therefore, in the present invention, as an example of a specific embodiment of the apple containing apple determination device, the electrostatic capacity of the apple held by the electrode plates is measured by energizing the electrode plates as described in claim 5. Comparing the capacitance value and the determination reference value with the determination means, if the capacitance value is equal to or greater than the determination reference value, it is determined that there is honey, and if it is less than the determination reference value, there is no honey. Judgment was made and another of the judgment results was displayed on the display.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An example of an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a device A for determining an apple with honey of this example.
2 is a perspective view of an upper surface portion of the determination device A, FIG. 3 is a partial vertical front view showing a carrying state or a storage state, and FIG. 4 is a simplified internal configuration of the device body 1. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a procedure for determining the honey containing process by the determining device A. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a device main body, 2 is a blue lamp as an indicator for displaying an apple with honey, and 3 is a A red lamp as an indicator for indicating that the apple does not contain honey, 4 is a first electrode plate, 5 is a second electrode plate, 6 is a wall for preventing the cap from falling off, 7 is an operating portion, and 8 is portable. And a cover attached at the time of storage, and B represents a harvested apple as a judgment object.

The apparatus main body 1 comprises a box-shaped casing 11 of an appropriate size, and a measuring means 12 for measuring the electrostatic capacitance value y of the harvested apple B, the electrostatic capacitance value y and the apple B.
Setting means 13 for initially setting a judgment reference value x preset based on correlation data indicating whether or not is included, correction means 14 for changing the judgment reference value x initialized by the setting means 13, and the measurement A determination unit 15 that determines whether or not the apple B contains honey by comparing the capacitance value y measured by the unit 12 with the determination reference value x set by the setting unit 13; Lighting means 16 for lighting either one of the blue lamp 2 and the red lamp 3 based on the determination result of
It incorporates a control device which is composed of a microcomputer for forming the above, or an electric circuit as appropriate. Although not shown in the casing 11, a battery serving as a power source for supplying electric power to the control device, the blue lamp 2, the red lamp 3, the electrode plates 4, 5, and the like, or a commercial power source instead of the battery It has a built-in converter to enable. On the front side of the casing 11, the blue lamp 2 and the red lamp 3 and an adjusting knob 7 as an operating portion for operating the correcting means 14 are arranged.

The measuring means 12 for measuring the electrostatic capacitance value y of the harvested apples B is the electrostatic force of the apples B held by the two electrode plates 4 and 5 when electricity is applied between the two electrode plates 4 and 5. The capacitance is measured, and the measured value (electrostatic capacitance value y) is determined by the determination means 15
Is configured to be sent to.

The judging means 15 compares the judgment reference value x stored in advance in the setting means 13 with the electrostatic capacitance value y sent from the measuring means 12, and the electrostatic capacitance value y is judged as the judgment reference value x. If it is above, it is determined that honey is contained (fully matured), and if it is less than the determination reference value x, it is determined that there is no honey (immature), and another determination result is sent to the lighting means 16.

The lighting means 16 illuminates the blue lamp 2 when the determination result of the determination means 15 is sent from the determination means 15, and illuminates the red lamp 3 when the determination result of no honey is transmitted. Is configured.

The setting means 13 stores in advance a judgment reference value x for judging whether or not the apple B contains honey. In this example, as shown in Table 1 and Table 2, the electrostatic capacity value y of 70 harvested Fuji apples was measured by the measuring means 12, and each apple was cracked to confirm the presence or absence of nectar,
An internal quality evaluation test of each apple is conducted by measuring the sugar content and confirming the sweetness by eating, and a sweet and delicious ripe apple with honey is ○, honey is contained but it is overripe. Δ, immature apples without honey were evaluated as x, and the correlation between the capacitance value y and the evaluation test was examined.
Furthermore, the weight and volume of each apple were measured to determine the density, and the confirmation of the correlation was investigated. Then, from the capacitance value y and the result based on the evaluation test, if the capacitance value y is 45 pF (picofarad), it is a sweet and delicious ripe apple with honey, and the capacitance value y is 45 pF.
If it is less than immature apples, sweetness is insufficient, and if the capacitance value y exceeds 45 pF, correlation data is obtained, and based on the data, the judgment reference value x is 45.
It was set to pF and stored in the setting means 13 in advance. In the measurement results, there are some capacitance values that deviate from the above correlation, but it was confirmed that the measurement values were measurement errors due to the influence of the floating capacitance in the measurement environment.

[0019]

[Table 1]

[0020]

[Table 2]

By the way, the honey-filled apple judging device A according to the present invention is often carried to an apple field and used outdoors, and the capacitance value y has an error due to weather, temperature, humidity, etc. at the measuring place. There is a possibility that there is a possibility that an error may occur in the criterion value x depending on the variety of apple B, the harvest year, and the like. Therefore, in this example, the judgment reference value x
Is canceled (set to 0) in response to a command from the correction means 14 by the operation of the adjustment knob 7, and an appropriate value can be input again to set.

The first and second electrode plates 4 and 5 are arranged on the top plate 11a of the casing 11 so as to stand up with a predetermined distance between the electrode plates 4 and 5, and the electrode plates 4 and 5 are also arranged.
Is raised to the top plate 11a so that the upper ends 4a and 5a thereof are curved outward and the upper side of the electrode plates 4 and 5 is expanded.
The apple B inserted from above is sandwiched between the two electrode plates 4 and 5 and held by its own weight. Also, both widthwise ends 4b, 4c, 5 of both electrode plates 4, 5
The b and 5c are curved inward so as to prevent the apple B, which is held by the two electrode plates 4 and 5 as described above, from falling off to the side. Further, the ceiling plate 11a of the casing 11 is provided with a surrounding wall 6 as a substantially ball-shaped apple drop-off preventing wall that surrounds the two electrode plates 4 and 5 so that, in the unlikely event that there is a gap between the two electrode plates 4 and 5. Even if the apple B falls off, it is captured by the surrounding wall 6 so that the apple B does not fall from the casing 11 and is damaged, thereby reducing the commercial value.

The cover 8 is detachably mounted on the upper part of the casing 11 so as to cover the electrode plates 4 and 5 and the surrounding wall 6, and the cover 8 is a hook provided on the left and right side plates of the casing 11. It is provided with hooking portions 23 and 24 with which the terminals 21 and 22 are detachably engaged, and a hand-held portion 25 for carrying. Then, the hooks 21 and 22 and the hook 2
By holding the hand-held portion 25 with the cover 8 fixed to the upper portion of the casing 11 by the engagement of 3, 24, the determination device A
Is easy to carry.

Reference numeral 30 in the figure denotes the measuring means 12 described above.
A meter that displays the density of apple B calculated by
Reference numeral 31 is a switching knob for switching the display range by the meter 31, 32 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the apparatus, and 33 is a pilot lamp which is turned on when the apparatus is operated.

Then, the honey-filled apple determination device A of this example is used.
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, if the harvested apple B is put between the electrode plates 4 and 5 from the upper side of the electrode plates 4 and 5 facing left and right, the two apple plates 4 and 5 will be sandwiched. In this state, the apple B is held, and the capacitance value y measured for each apple using the apple B as a conductor is measured by means 1
2 to the determination means 15, and the determination means 15 compares and determines whether or not the electrostatic capacitance value y is greater than or equal to the determination reference value x,
If the judgment reference value x or more, the lighting means 16 lights the blue lamp 2 to indicate that it is a ripe apple, and if it is less than the judgment reference value x, the lighting means 16 lights the red lamp 3 to display an unripe apple. Is configured to indicate that there is something.

The honey-filled apple determination device A of the present embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration, when the harvested apple B is put between the electrode plates 4 and 5, quickly determines whether or not the honey-filled apple. The result can be displayed on either blue or red lamps 2 and 3 to notify the operator. Further, both electrode plates 4 and 5 have their upper portions opened and both ends thereof can be curved inward so as to reliably hold the apple B to be introduced, and further, since the surrounding wall 6 is provided, the apple to be introduced is inserted. B should be the electrode plate 4,
Even if it deviates from 5, the surrounding wall 6 catches the apple B to prevent it from falling and being damaged, and it is possible to prevent the possibility that the commercial value is lowered as much as possible. In addition, using the weight of the harvested apple B, the apple B
Since it has been sandwiched, it is possible to perform accurate measurement regardless of the size of the apple. Therefore, it can be suitably used for mountain selection work in apple fields.

In this example, as described above, it is configured to judge whether or not the harvested apple B contains honey.
It is also possible to determine whether apple B is immature, fully ripe, or overripe based on the above correlation data.
That is, in the determination means 15 described above, the capacitance value y
Is less than the criterion value x, the criterion value x, or the criterion value x
If it is less than the judgment reference value x, it is judged as an immature apple and the red lamp is turned on to determine whether the judgment reference value x is exceeded.
If it is judged that the apple is ripe, the blue lamp is turned on, and if the judgment reference value x is exceeded, the apple is judged to be overripe and the yellow lamp is turned on. You can do it with high accuracy. With this configuration, it is possible to select overripe apples that are likely to be in a so-called bean paste state due to too much nectar, and such overripe apples are shipped after shortening the storage period in the refrigerator, while the immature apples are shipped. It is possible to appropriately adjust the storage and shipping such as (so-called early-season apple) that is stored for a long time until it is in a fully-ripened state and then shipped.

[0028]

Since the honey-filled apple judging device according to the present invention is constructed as described in claim 1 and claim 5, the whole apple is compact, suitable for carrying, and easy to carry, and the harvested apples are collected. By holding it between the first and second electrode plates, the internal quality of the apple can be judged nondestructively. Therefore, it is possible to easily bring the apples into the apple field and classify the apples easily and accurately, and it is possible to suitably use the apples for sorting the mountain of apples.

Further, in the case of the structure described in claim 2, if the harvested apples are put between the first and second electrode plates from above, the apples are held between the two electrode plates and the above judgment is made. As a result, the determination work can be performed quickly and surely, and the above-mentioned effects can be made more effective.

In the case of the constitution according to claim 3, in addition to the above-mentioned effect, the variety of apples to be harvested, the weather of the measuring place,
Since it is possible to correct errors that occur according to various conditions such as temperature and harvest year, it is possible to easily respond to changes in these conditions and to provide a determination device with a higher commercial value.

In the case of the structure described in claim 4, since the power consumption is small with a simple structure, there is an effect that it can be provided as a small-sized, lightweight and low-price judgment device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially longitudinal front view showing an example of an embodiment of a honey-filled apple determination device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an upper surface portion of the device according to FIG. 1 viewed from above.

FIG. 3 is a partially longitudinal front view showing a mounted state of a cover.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a simplified internal configuration of the apparatus main body.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining the presence of honey.

[Explanation of symbols]

A: Honey determination apple determination device 1: Device body 2, 3: Lamp (display) 4: First electrode plate 5: Second electrode plate 6: Surrounding wall to prevent falling 7: Adjustment knob (operation part) 11: Casing 12: Measuring means 13: Setting means 14: Correction means 15: determination means 16: Lighting means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A measuring means for measuring a capacitance value of a harvested apple, and an initial setting of a judgment reference value preset based on correlation data of the capacitance value and whether or not the apple contains honey. Setting means for setting, a judgment means for judging whether or not the apple contains honey by comparing the capacitance value measured by the measuring means with the judgment reference value set in the setting means, etc. The harvested apples are held by the first and second electrode plates arranged at a predetermined distance on the upper surface of the apparatus main body to measure the capacitance of the apples, and the capacitance value is measured. The honey-filled apple determination device formed so that the determination result based on the determination means based on the display device is displayed on the outer surface of the main body of the device. 2. A measuring means for measuring the electrostatic capacitance value of the harvested apples, and an initialization reference value preset based on the electrostatic capacitance value and correlation data of whether or not the apple contains honey. Setting means for setting, a judgment means for judging whether or not the apple contains honey by comparing the capacitance value measured by the measuring means with the judgment reference value set in the setting means, etc. The harvested apples are held by the first and second electrode plates arranged at a predetermined distance on the upper surface of the apparatus main body to measure the capacitance of the apples, and the capacitance value is measured. A determination result by the determination means based on a honey-filled apple determination device formed to be displayed on a display disposed on the outer surface of the device main body, wherein the first and second electrode plates have their upper end sides outside. Stand up on the top of the device so that it bends and the upper part opens. , The two apples are formed so that the apples after harvest, which are thrown in from above the two electrode plates, are held by the two electrode plates by their own weight, and both widthwise ends of the respective electrode plates are curved inward. It is formed to prevent the apples held by the plate from falling off to the side, and the apple drop prevention wall surrounding the periphery of both electrode plates is provided on the upper surface of the device body. apparatus. 3. A varieties of apples to be harvested, wherein correction means for changing the judgment reference value initially set in the setting means is provided in the apparatus main body, and an operation section for operating the correction means is provided on the outer surface of the apparatus main body. The honey-filled apple determination device for mountain fruit selection according to claim 1 or 2, which is formed so that a difference in the determination reference value caused by various conditions such as weather, temperature, and harvest year at a measurement location can be adjusted appropriately. 4. The display is composed of a lamp that lights up based on a determination result that honey is contained and a lamp that lights up based on a determination result that honey is not contained, and the lighting colors of the two lamps are different from each other. Item 1. A honey-filled apple determination device for selecting fruits according to item 1, 2 or 3. 5. The capacitance of apples held by the two electrode plates is measured by energizing the two electrode plates, and the capacitance value and the determination reference value are compared by the determination means. , If the capacitance value is equal to or more than the determination reference value, it is determined that there is honey, and if it is less than the determination reference value, it is determined that there is no honey, and the determination result is displayed on the display. A honey-filled apple determination device for selecting fruits according to any one of 1 to 4.