JP2003294664A - Grain moisture measurement apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a moisture measurement apparatus for grain with a relatively large particle diameter such as a soybean, etc., which obtains a fine electrode shape for flatness of a pressed particle, eliminates an error for converting into moisture, and improves accuracy. <P>SOLUTION: The grain moisture measurement apparatus comprises a pair of electrode rollers mutually and reversely rotating and crushing the grain such as the soybean, etc., and converts an electrical determined value generated between the electrode rollers into a moisture value of the grain. At least one of the electrode rollers is constituted so as to have a polygon shape and temporarily stop a rotation of the electrode rollers when the grain is tightly held, pressed and flattened between the electrode rollers and a flat face of the polygon electrode roller approaches the other electrode roller again, a particle length detection means is provided and detects a length of the grain tightly held, and the moisture value is calculated based on a conversion expression in response to a detected result. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a moisture measuring device for grains having a relatively large grain size such as soybean.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for measuring the water content of grains such as soybeans, grains are received between a pair of electrode rolls, but it is difficult to take grains into the electric power because of the large diameter. Therefore, an attempt is made to eliminate this drawback by adjusting the gap between the electrode rolls (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-334486).
For beans such as soybeans and large grains such as barley, it was difficult to measure a truly accurate water content depending on the surface condition.

[0003]

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to obtain an electrode shape with good crushability of particles even if the electrode roll gap is not so wide. Further, the accuracy is improved by eliminating the error of moisture conversion due to the difference in grain length.

[0004]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following technical means. That is, the invention according to claim 1 is composed of a pair of electrode rolls, crushes grains such as soybeans while rotating in reverse to each other, and converts the electrical specific value generated between the electrode rolls into the moisture value of the grain. In the grain moisture measuring device, at least one of the electrode rolls has a polygonal shape.

As a result, the grain introduced between the pair of electrode rolls is in a state of starting to receive and pressurize corresponding to the flat portion of at least one polygonal roll, and then this flat portion is gradually narrowed so that the grain becomes the other. Is pressed against the roll surface and flattened under pressure, and moisture is measured in a state where the flat portion is closest to the other electrode roll.

The invention according to claim 2 is composed of a pair of electrode rolls, and crushes grains such as soybeans while rotating in reverse to each other and determines the moisture content of the grains from the electrical specific value generated between the electrode rolls. In a grain moisture measuring device that converts to a value,
At least one of the electrode rolls is formed into a polygonal shape, and the grain is sandwiched between the electrode rolls so as to be pressed and flattened, and the flat surface portion of the polygonal electrode roll is temporarily approached to the other electrode roll. It is configured to stop the rotation of the electrode roll.

Therefore, the roll rotation stops at the measurement position for a predetermined short time. The invention according to claim 3 is composed of a pair of electrode rolls, and crushes grains such as soybeans while rotating in reverse to each other and converts the electrical specific value generated between the electrode rolls into the moisture value of the grain. In the water content measuring device, at least one of the electrode rolls is formed into a polygonal shape, and the grain is sandwiched between the electrode rolls so as to be pressed and flattened, and the flat surface portion of the polygonal electrode roll is the maximum for the other electrode roll. It is configured to temporarily stop the rotation of the electrode roll when approaching, and further provided with grain length detection means for detecting the grain length of the sandwiched grain, and the moisture value is calculated based on the conversion formula according to this detection result. The configuration.

Accordingly, the sandwiched grain length is detected, and the coefficient set for each grain length is applied to the preset conversion formula to calculate the water content value.

[0009]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the pressurizing property in the radial direction of the electrode roll is good, and the taking-in space at the start of pressurization in which the electrode rolls face each other and in which grain is fed can be expanded. It is easy to handle large diameter grains. Also, from the start of pressurization to the subsequent flattening of the pressure, the measurement position is reached,
The contact area at this measurement position can be increased and the measurement accuracy can be improved.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2, at least one of the electrode rolls is formed in a polygonal shape, and when the grain is sandwiched between the electrode rolls for crushing, the rotation of the electrode rolls is temporarily stopped. Because of the structure, the measurement accuracy is improved. In the invention according to claim 3, the moisture conversion considering the grain length can be performed, and the measurement accuracy is improved.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a frame of a grain drying device, in which a storage chamber 2, a drying chamber 3, and a grain collection chamber 4 are stacked in this order, and while a grain is circulated by a lifter 5 provided outside, a burner is provided in the drying chamber 3 part. 6 is a known form in which hot air generated by combustion and a suction fan 7 is applied to dry.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a feeding drum which allows a predetermined amount of grain to flow down while rotating in the forward and reverse directions. Reference numeral 9 is a lower transfer device which communicates with the elevator 5, and 10 is an upper transfer device which is connected to the upper side of the elevator 5 and can supply grain to the diffusion plate 11 above the storage chamber 2. The burner 6, grain circulation mechanism, and the like are performed by a computer including a memory that stores a control program necessary for drying control, various data, and the like. That is, the operation panel 12 is provided with a liquid crystal type display unit 13, four push button type switches 14 to 17 are provided along the lower edge of the display unit 13, and an emergency stop switch 18 is provided at a distance. ing. The functions of the switches 14 to 17 are displayed on the display unit 13. In the illustrated example, the switches 14 to 17 are sequentially configured as operation switches for loading, drying, discharging, and ventilation. This is a configuration that can have different functions.

The built-in control unit receives the switch information on the operation panel 12 surface, the detection information from the sensors arranged in each part of the dryer frame 1, etc., and controls the burner combustion amount based on the necessary comparison calculation. The start / stop control of the grain circulation system and the display content control of the display unit 13 are performed. The switches of the operation panel 12 can be used to set various settings such as sticking, drying, discharging, and ventilation, as well as grain type, set water content (finishing water content), amount of sticking, and timer increase / decrease.

FIG. 5 shows a control block diagram. In addition to the setting information from the above switches, the arithmetic control unit 19 of the computer incorporated in the control box having the operation panel 12 has the moisture meter 20 detection information and the elevator 5's information. Grain detection information, hot air temperature detection information, etc. of the grain flow detector 21 provided in the throw-out section are input. On the other hand, as output information, a combustion system 22 signal of the burner 6, for example, a fuel supply signal, a flow rate control signal thereof, or a control signal for a grain circulation system motor 23 such as a vertical transfer spiral, an elevator 5, a feeding valve 8 and the like, a suction fan 7
There are motor control signals, display output to each display unit 24, and the like.

The elevator 5 is a bucket type and has an endless belt 30.
A large number of buckets 31, 31, ...
The grains that come out are scooped up and moved up to the storage chamber 2. Inside the front surface of the side wall 5a of the elevator 5, the front edge of the grain intake part 32 of the one-grain moisture meter 20 is inserted up to near the bucket 31 of the endless belt 30 for a bucket, and is installed inside the side wall 5a. Below the bottom outlet of the take-in section 32, the starting end of the grain feeding spiral 33 can be seen.

Since the front edge of the grain intake portion 32 and the start end portion of the grain feed spiral 33 are located inside the ascending side and the descending side of the bucket endless belt 30, the movement of the belt 30 and the bucket 31 is prevented. There is no hindrance. The casing of the single grain moisture meter 20 includes a frame 34 and a cover 35 that covers the frame 34. Of these, the frame 34 is the elevator 5
The bottom plate 36 for partitioning the space between the elevator 5 and the side surface of the bottom plate 36, and the partition plate 37 standing upright on the bottom plate 36,
The motor 38 attached to the frame 34, the control unit 39, and the mechanism unit 40 are partitioned by the partition plate 37.

A drive shaft 41 of the motor 38 is passed through the partition plate 37 and fixed horizontally, and a helical gear 42 is fixed to the tip of the drive shaft 41. The second helical gear 43a, the third helical gear 43b, the fourth helical gear 44a, and the fifth helical gear 44b are sequentially arranged in the lower order so that the rotation axis of the helical gear 42 is aligned with that of the helical gear 42. It is to engage. Then, the shaft 45 of the fourth helical gear 44a is provided with the first electrode roll 46a,
The second electrode rolls 46b are fixed to the shafts 47 of the helical gears 44b, respectively.

In parallel with the partition plate 37, an intermediate partition 48 and an electrode roll mounting plate 49, both of which are made of a transparent resin material, are attached to the mounting legs 50, 50, ... Which are integrally molded so as to project from the partition plate 37. The bolts (not shown) are fastened together so that they can be attached and removed freely. The space between the partition plate 37 and the intermediate partition 48 is ensured by the presence of the mounting legs 50, and the space between the intermediate partition 48 and the electrode roll mounting plate 49 is a narrow standing portion integrally formed with the mounting plate 49. Secured by 51. Therefore, one end of each of the shaft 45 and the shaft 47 is the partition plate 37.
Bearings and the other end is supported by the electrode roll mounting plate 49.

Further, a rotary shaft 52 of the grain feeding spiral 33 is inserted into a predetermined position of the bottom plate 36, a helical gear 53 is fixed to the rotary shaft 52, and is orthogonal to the helical gear 42 of the drive shaft 41. Mesh with. FIG. 8 is a rear view of the single-grain moisture meter as viewed from the inside of the elevator 5. The grain intake part 32 projects from the bottom plate 36 into the elevator 5, and the opening edge of the upper opening 55 thereof is inclined obliquely downward to open. The comb-shaped foreign matter removing body 56 is formed by forming a large area and arranging a plurality of bullets in the opening 55 and fixing the root thereof.

The lower portion of the grain intake portion 32 has a V-shaped cross-section with a narrow interval, one side thereof extends right above the grain feed spiral 33, and a bottom discharge port 57 is formed at the lower end of the other side. The tip of the grain feeding spiral 33 is connected to this. Then, a grain feeding plate 58 having a top edge parallel to the grain feeding spiral 33 and having an upper edge rotatably supported on the outside of the grain taking-in portion 32 is hung, and a spring 59 contacts the outer periphery of the grain feeding spiral 33. Energize.

A grain dropping path 60 is provided below the end of the grain feeding spiral 33. A grain fly-in prevention plate (not shown) is installed in the gap formed between the upper entrance of the grain drop path 60 and the grain feed plate 58 to close this gap.
This grain drop path 60 is provided with a pair of electrode rolls 46 a, 46.
b is positioned obliquely and forms a guiding wall toward these approaching portions, and guides the grain into the gap between the electrode rolls 46a and 46b.

One of the electrode rolls 46a has a circular outer periphery, while the other 46b has a polygonal outer periphery (for example, 6
It is molded into a square shape and the outer peripheral surface is knurled.
The grain dropping path 60 is formed by the intermediate partition 48 and the electrode roll mounting plate 49 that approach the left and right of the electrode rolls 46a and 46b, and the distance between them is a crushing portion by the two electrode rolls 46a and 46b. In the vicinity, it is formed narrow so as to prevent the intrusion of crushed grains. That is, the inner wall surfaces of the intermediate partition 48 and the electrode roll mounting plate 49 are formed in a slightly bulged shape so that the space in the vicinity of the crushed portion is narrowed.

Further, the grain feeding spiral 33 has a shallow concave portion 63 corresponding to one grain between two linear protrusions on the outer periphery of a cylindrical body, and the grain feeding spiral 33 has a certain range at the tip thereof. Except for the above, the outside of the two linear projections is cut into a trapezoidal cross section to form a spiral deep groove 64.

Reference numeral 65 denotes an electrode roll 46 which is arranged in an inclined shape.
The discharge guide portion for the crushed grains provided along the lower side of a and 46b guides the crushed grains to the space inside the elevator. The discharge guide portion 65 is formed in the same manner as the rising portion 51 integrally formed with the electrode roll mounting plate 48.

In the control section 39, various control circuits are formed on a circuit board 66, and a weak electric circuit up to several volts is collectively formed on this board 66. On the other hand, the high-power part represented by the motor transformer 67 is located at a position away from the board 66, for example, the motor 38 and the control part 39.
It is configured to be supported by the bottom plate 36 located between and.

Reference numeral 68 is a harness for connecting the controller including the operation panel 12 to the control circuit 39 of the moisture meter and the motor transformer 67. The harness 69 forms an opening 69 in the bottom plate 36 and the opening in the elevator 5. A tunnel-shaped through cylinder 70 having a rectangular cross section is provided in front of and behind the elevator 5 in conformity with 69.

The cover 35 has an inverted dish shape,
Partition plate 37, intermediate partition 48, electrode roll mounting plate 49
Is attached so as to contact the upper end surface of the motor 38.
And a control mechanism 39 for arranging the motor transformer 67, a transmission mechanism 40a for vertically arranging gears, and a detection mechanism 40b including a pair of electrode rolls 46a, 46b.

The function of the control unit 39 will be described.
A water content measurement signal is output from the control unit 39 at predetermined time intervals. For example, it is every 15 minutes. When the water content measurement signal is output, the motor 38 is activated to rotate and interlock each part, the grain intake starts, and the electric resistance signal for each grain is input as the water content measurement signal. The control unit 39 inputs the electric resistance signals from the measuring electrode rolls 46a and 46b, converts them into voltage signals, and applies them to the following conversion formulas to calculate the water content value. That is, M = a * Er + b + c * (Tr-To), where M is the moisture value, a, b and c are moisture conversion factors, and Er
Is a detection voltage signal, Tr is an electrode temperature, and To is a reference temperature.

Circular electrode roll 46a and polygonal electrode roll 4
6b means that by taking in the measured particles G, first, the flat surface of the electrode roll 46b and the electrode roll 46a receive and sandwich the particles (starting particle pressing), and gradually flatten them at intervals (pressurization flattening). ), Circular electrode roll 46a and electrode roll 46
It is measured with the electric resistance value of the state closest to the flat portion of b (measurement), and the measured particles are discharged by rotation (discharge / standby) (FIG. 10). The motor 38 that performs the above-described series of stroke actions is configured to temporarily stop the electrode rolls 46a and 46b when the particles are pressed and held on the flat surface portion of the polygonal electrode roll 46b. That is, the polygonal electrode roll 46
By providing the rotation sensor 71 to each side so that it is turned on when each side of b reaches the measurement position, each time the electrode reaches the measurement position, the motor 38 outputs so as to stop for a predetermined short time. . The electrode roll 46a
The electric resistance value is always read between the positions b and 46b, but the reason why the measurement position is set as described above is that the electric resistance value becomes maximum at that position and the true moisture content of the grain to be measured is increased. It comes from showing a value.

Reference numeral 72 denotes a grain length detection sensor, which is appropriately fixed and provided with an optical detection means corresponding to the measurement position in order to detect the grain length in the stopped state. FIG. 11 shows an example of soybean having a grain length and a moisture conversion coefficient a, b or c in the moisture conversion formula. The larger the grain length is, the larger the contact area is and the higher the moisture voltage is detected. However, when the grain length is short, the opposite characteristics are exhibited. Therefore, a1 and a in FIG.
The values of 2, a3 and b1, b2, b3 are set and stored in advance so as to correct the calculated values so as to be close to the true values. The tendency is that a1 <a2 <a3, but a1, b1 sets, a2, b2 sets, and a3, b3
It is set in advance so that the water content can be corrected to a predetermined value as a group. Originally, this moisture conversion coefficient is determined according to the type of grain to be measured and the type of beans, but in the above example, the grain length data of the measured grain held is added.

The operation of the above example will be described. When the basic screen is called and the switch 14 is turned on, the soybean G as the grain to be dried, which has been put into the hopper, is stuck in the storage section 2 through the elevator 5. When the installation is completed, stop switch 1
Turn on 6 to temporarily stop each part. Next, in order to shift to the drying operation, the switch 15 is turned on, the screen is switched to the grain type / drying mode setting screen, and the grain type setting switch 14 is pressed in the previous stage to set the type of sowed grain to soybean,
And select the drying mode. In addition, set the desired dry finish moisture value using the moisture setting function switch in the same way on the separately set setting screen.

As a result, the vertical transfer helix of the elevator 5 and the feeding valve etc. start operating, and the burner 6 is also driven to start hot air drying. Here, the drying speed of the hot air temperature is determined in advance for each selected grain type, and the hot air temperature is determined according to the drying speed, so that the hot air is generated while flowing down the grain flow path of the drying chamber 3. It acts and dries, is returned from the grain collection chamber 4 to the storage chamber 2 through the elevator 5, and is subjected to a tempering action. Such circulation is repeated until a predetermined water content is reached.

During the above drying operation, the water content is measured at predetermined time intervals. That is, the drive command signal is output to the motor 38 of the single grain moisture meter at predetermined time intervals. A part of the grain that is picked up by the bucket 31 in the elevator 5 overflows and flows down, and a part of the grain is received between the grain feeding spiral 33 and the grain feeding plate 58 through the grain taking-in portion 32, and one grain Grain feeding spiral 3 for each
3 Terminal side, that is, it is introduced into the moisture meter main body. From the terminal end of the grain feeding spiral 3, it passes through the grain dropping path 60 while flowing down, and the electrode rolls 46a, 46 of the moisture measuring means 46.
Guided during b. The electrode rolls 46a and 46b are rotated in reverse to each other due to the rotation of the motor 38, and each time the rotation sensor 71 detects, the electrode rolls 46a and 46b should not be stopped for a predetermined short time, and then rotate again. This electrode roll 4
While soaking the soybeans between 6a and 46b while pressing and flattening the soybeans, the electric resistance value is detected and the voltage conversion value is sent to the control unit 39. The state will be described in detail. One of the electrode rolls 46
Since a has a circular outer periphery and the other 46b is formed into a hexagonal shape and rotates in the opposite directions, the flat surface of the electrode roll 46b and the electrode roll 46a receive and pinch (starting pressurization), and the interval is gradually increased. Packed and pressed flat (pressurized flat), the end of the circular electrode roll 46a and the electrode roll 46b
It is measured by the electric resistance value of the state closest to the flat part of (measurement). Furthermore, the measurement particles are discharged by the rotation (discharge / standby) (FIG. 10).

As described above, when the polygonal shape is adopted for one of the electrode rolls, the radial force of the electrode roll is easily applied to the measurement particles and the pressure is easily held between the electrodes. Moreover, it is possible to increase the contact area and improve the accuracy of moisture measurement.
If both electrode rolls are circular, the V-shaped space formed by both electrode rolls is narrow, so there is a drawback in that the electrode roll diameter must be increased in order to deal with large grain. In the embodiment, a grain having a large diameter can be dealt with and the size can be reduced.

In the control unit 39, the converted voltage signal corresponding to the measured electric resistance value is input, and the temperature detection signal of the electrode vicinity temperature sensor 73 and the detection signal from the grain length detection sensor 72 are also input. A predetermined number of grains, for example, 100 grains are averaged and displayed on the screen of the display unit 13 as the average moisture value of the grains. In addition, the average particle size is also calculated to calculate the water content and the variation in particle size, and these are displayed and output together with the average water content.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment in which both the pair of electrode rolls 75a and 75b are formed in a polygonal shape. Suitable for large-diameter grains G such as soybeans, these pair of rolls have the same shape and the number of polygons is set to the same number (octagon in the illustrated example), and they are configured to rotate in reverse at the same number of rotations. These electrode rolls 75a are provided so as to be close to each other in the same phase.
Grains that have fallen between the electrode roll 75b and the electrode roll 75b are first received by the sides corresponding to the v-shape (grain pressure start), and the intervals are gradually narrowed and pressure flattened (pressure flattening). Are measured (measurement) with the state where they come closest to each other as the measurement position, and thereafter released and discharged (discharge / standby). When both of them are in the form of a polygonal electrode roll as described above, the receiving port of the receiving part, which is the pressurizing start position, can be made large, and therefore it is effective for use in soybeans having a large particle size.

In the above embodiment, a pair of electrode rolls 4
Although the rotation shaft cores of 6a and 46b are vertically displaced, they may be arranged to rotate at substantially the same height as shown in the schematic views of FIGS. In the case where the electrode roll is rotated, especially in the structure involving forward and reverse rotation, the measured particles are likely to drop due to backlash of the transmission gear and manufacturing variations. However, when the axial position is shifted vertically as shown in FIG. , It becomes possible to solve these problems.

Further, in the figure, the motor 38 is supplied with grain.
With the forward rotation, the pressure start-pressurization flat-position of the measurement, but reverse rotation from this measurement position and further forward rotation again, or this reverse-measurement, or repeat this,
The measurement accuracy is further improved by configuring the grain to be pressed and flattened and then crushed.

FIG. 16 shows a pair of electrode rolls 76a and 76b.
The groove angle α of the receiving part formed by the left and right electrode rolls at the end of measurement due to the connection with the rotation sensor
Is less than 90 degrees and the motor 38 is stopped and output. Conventionally, when left for a long time while being crushed between rolls, it adhered to the measurement surface when it was subjected to measurement again and affected the measurement accuracy, but when the above was performed, the pressure was flattened. In such a state, it is possible to avoid the state where the flat portions of the polygonal electrode roll face each other, that is, the measurement particles are inevitably discharged and stopped, and the above-mentioned influence can be prevented. After the moisture measurement is completed, the electrode rolls 76a and 76b may be reversed to obtain the above angle and stop.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a grain dryer.

FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of a grain dryer.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a control panel of the control box.

FIG. 4 is a control block diagram.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a moisture meter.

FIG. 6 is a front sectional view of a moisture meter.

FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of a moisture meter.

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the moisture meter.

FIG. 9 is a control block diagram of a moisture meter.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation.

FIG. 11 is a table showing the relationship between moisture voltage and grain length L.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation of another example.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing an example of the operation of yet another example.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram (a) and a flowchart (b) showing an example of stopping the electrode roll.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Dryer frame, 2 ... Storage room, 3 ... Drying room, 4 ... Grain collecting room,
5 ... Elevator, 6 ... Burner, 7 ... Suction fan, 8 ... Delivery valve, 9 ... Lower transfer device, 10 ... Upper transfer device, 11 ...
Diffuser, 12 ... Operation panel, 13 ... Display, 20 ... Moisture meter,
46a ... Electrode roll, 46b ... Polygonal electrode roll

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A grain moisture measuring device comprising a pair of electrode rolls, crushing grains such as soybeans while rotating in reverse to each other and converting the electrical specific value generated between the electrode rolls into the moisture value of the grain. A moisture measuring device, wherein at least one of the electrode rolls is formed in a polygonal shape. 2. A grain moisture measuring apparatus comprising a pair of electrode rolls, crushing grains such as soybeans while rotating in reverse to each other and converting the electrical specific value generated between the electrode rolls into the moisture value of the grain. When at least one of the electrode rolls is configured in a polygonal shape, and the grain is sandwiched between the electrode rolls so as to be pressed and flattened, and the flat surface portion of the polygonal electrode roll comes closest to the other electrode roll. A moisture measuring device, characterized in that the rotation of the electrode roll is temporarily stopped. 3. A grain moisture measuring apparatus comprising a pair of electrode rolls, crushing grains such as soybeans while rotating in reverse to each other and converting the electrical specific value generated between the electrode rolls into the moisture value of the grain. When at least one of the electrode rolls is configured in a polygonal shape, and the grain is sandwiched between the electrode rolls so as to be pressed and flattened, and the flat surface portion of the polygonal electrode roll comes closest to the other electrode roll. It is configured to temporarily stop the rotation of the electrode roll, and is further provided with grain length detection means for detecting the grain length of the sandwiched grain, and the moisture value is calculated based on a conversion formula according to the detection result. Moisture measuring device.