JP2004105877A - Defective detection apparatus and separation apparatus using it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To widen a light quantity alteration and regulation range of a projection member by reducing troublesome works such as replacement of a light emitting member and reduce size of an apparatus by miniaturizing the projection member. <P>SOLUTION: A defective detection apparatus has a light receiving means 5 for receiving light from a presence scheduled part where a group of particles are scheduled to be present, a projection member 8 arranged at a back-part side portion and projecting light toward the light receiving means 5, and a discrimination means for discriminating the presence of a defective when a light quantity value of a light accepting quantity is beyond an appropriate light quantity range with respect to detected light from a normal article. The projection member 8 has a plurality of LED light emitting elements arranged along the direction of the lateral width of the presence scheduled part and a diffuser plate for diffusing the light emitted by the plurality of LED light emitting elements so as to freely alter and adjust the light emitting quantity of the plurality of LED light emitting elements. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a lighting unit that illuminates an expected location of an inspection target with a group of particulates passing in a single layer state and a wide state in a lateral direction as an inspection target, and receives light from the expected location. A light receiving means, a light receiving direction of the light receiving means, a projecting member arranged at a position on the back side of the expected location and projecting light toward the light receiving means, and a light receiving amount of the light receiving means being the granular material The present invention relates to a defective object detection device provided with a discriminating means for judging the presence of a defective object when a detection light amount from a normal object in a group is out of a proper light amount range, and a separation device using the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the defective object detection device, a particle group such as a rice particle group that passes in a single-layer state and a wide state in a lateral direction as an inspection target is illuminated by a lighting unit such as a fluorescent lamp at a place where the particle group is expected to exist. The illumination light is reflected by the granular material group at the expected existence position, the transmitted light transmitted through the granular object group, and the light projected from the projection member provided on the back side of the expected existence position is CCD. Light is received by a light receiving means such as a sensor, and it is determined whether or not the amount of received light is out of an appropriate light amount range for detection light from a normal object in the group of granular materials. Further, in the separation apparatus using such a defective object detection device, the defective object whose presence is detected as being out of the appropriate light amount range by the above-described determination is conveyed to a lower side than the above-mentioned expected existence position. Then, as a separating means, for example, it is configured to be separated into a path different from a normal one by an air blowing operation or the like by an air blowing device.
[0003]
Conventionally, there has been a configuration in which the projection member is provided with a single lamp capable of changing the light emission output so that the amount of light projected from the projection member toward the light receiving means can be changed and adjusted. (See Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-10635 (pages 1 to 3, Fig. 3)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, although no specific configuration is mentioned in the above-mentioned known document, a fluorescent lamp is generally used as the lamp. In other words, a long fluorescent lamp is suitable for illuminating the granular material group that passes in a single state and wide in the horizontal direction as uniformly as possible with one lamp.
When the amount of light projected from the projection member toward the light receiving unit is changed and adjusted using the fluorescent lamp, the range of the dimmable light amount of the fluorescent lamp is small. The adjustment range for changing and adjusting the amount of light projected from the light source to the light receiving means is limited to a narrow range.For example, another kind of granular material group in which reflected light has a significantly different amount of transmitted light is to be inspected. In the case of a product, it could not be handled.
[0006]
In the case of a fluorescent lamp, there is an electrode forming portion having a predetermined width at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the light emitting portion, and light is not projected from this electrode forming portion. In order to illuminate the entire width of the granular material group passing in a wide state, the electrode forming portion exists even if the horizontal width of the granular material group and the longitudinal width of the light emitting portion of the fluorescent lamp are the same. Therefore, the lateral dimension of the projection member is larger than the lateral width of the granular material group, and the cylindrical fluorescent lamp has a relatively large width not only in the longitudinal direction but also in the radial direction. There is a disadvantage that the projection member provided with the fluorescent lamp becomes a large member, and as a result, the entire device becomes large.
[0007]
Further, in the case of a fluorescent lamp, there is a disadvantage in that the light quantity is greatly deteriorated due to aging, and it is necessary to replace the fluorescent lamp with a new one after a short period of use, which is troublesome.
[0008]
The present invention has been made by paying attention to such a point, and its object is to reduce a troublesome labor such as replacement of a light emitting member and to make it possible to widen a light amount change adjustment range of a projection member. Another advantage is that the size of the projection member can be reduced and the apparatus can be made more compact.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The defective object detection device according to claim 1, wherein the particle group that passes in a single-layer state and a wide state in a lateral direction is set as an inspection target, and an illuminating unit that illuminates an expected location of the inspection target, and Light-receiving means for receiving light from the expected location; a light-receiving direction of the light-receiving means; a projection member disposed at a location on the back side of the expected location to project light to the light-receiving means; and Determining means for determining the presence of a defective object when the amount of received light is out of an appropriate light amount range for detection light from a normal object in the particulate group, wherein the projecting member includes A plurality of LED light-emitting elements arranged side by side along the lateral width direction of the planned location, and a light diffused by the plurality of LED light-emitting elements arranged on the light projection side of an area where the plurality of LED light-emitting elements are installed Expand It is constituted by a plate, characterized in that is provided with a change adjustable luminous output adjusting means the light emission amount of the plurality of LED devices.
[0010]
The projection member emits light from the plurality of LED light emitting elements, diffuses the emitted light with a diffusion plate to make the light substantially uniform, and projects the light from the back side toward the light receiving means. Then, by changing and adjusting the light emission amount of the plurality of LED light emitting elements by the light emission output adjusting means, it is possible to change the light amount of the light projected toward the light receiving means.
[0011]
Since the light emitting output of the LED light emitting element can be arbitrarily changed and adjusted from zero to the maximum output by adjusting the current supply amount, it is necessary to change and adjust the light amount of the light projected from the projecting member toward the light receiving means over a wide range. Becomes possible. Moreover, since the LED light emitting element is a small member, even if the LED light emitting element is arranged along the lateral width direction of the expected location, it can be accommodated in substantially the same width as the expected location. The dimension along the direction intersecting the arrangement direction can be reduced to a small dimension. That is, the projection member can be configured as a small member, and the installation space for installing the projection member can be reduced, and the entire apparatus can be reduced in size.
Further, since the LED light emitting element is hardly deteriorated in light amount due to aging, there is little possibility that the light amount will be reduced even if it is used for a long period of time.
[0012]
Therefore, it is possible to reduce the troublesome work such as replacement of the light emitting member, to increase the adjustment range for changing the light amount of the projection member, and to reduce the size of the projection member to make the apparatus compact. Was.
[0013]
In the defective object detection device according to claim 2, in claim 1, the diffusion plate has a large separation distance between each of the LED light-emitting elements in a central portion in a direction in which the plurality of LED light-emitting elements are arranged, At both ends in the arrangement direction, the light emitting device is characterized by being provided in a curved state so that the distance between each LED light emitting element is small.
[0014]
For example, if the distance between the diffusion plate and each LED light emitting element is the same over the entire area in the arrangement direction, even if the amount of light output from each of the plurality of LED light emitting elements is the same, the expected location In the vicinity of the center in the width direction, the light projection amount becomes the largest, and the light projection amount becomes smaller toward both ends in the width direction of the expected location, and the light projection amount is not uniform. Therefore, a diffusion plate for diffusing the light emitted by the plurality of LED light emitting elements has a large separation distance from each LED light emitting element in the center in the arrangement direction, and each LED light emission light is located at both ends in the arrangement direction. By curving so that the separation distance from the element is small, it is possible to suppress the concentration of light in the vicinity of the center of the planned location in the width direction and to achieve a substantially uniform projection amount over the entire width of the planned location. It is possible to project light.
[0015]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the defect detection device according to the first or second aspect, the light-emission output adjusting unit divides the plurality of LED light-emitting elements into a set number of blocks in a direction in which the plurality of LED light-emitting elements are arranged. The light emitting output is configured to be changed and adjusted.
[0016]
That is, the plurality of LED light emitting elements are divided into a set number of blocks in the arrangement direction, and the light emission output is changed and adjusted for each block, so that the LED light emitting element group of each block projects light. It is possible to change the light emission output for each of the plurality of regions divided along the width direction of the region where the existence is expected, that is, even if there is a variation in the amount of light between the regions. By adjusting the light amount separately for each block, it is possible to project with a substantially uniform projection amount over the entire area in the lateral width direction of the location where the existence is expected.
[0017]
In order to project with a uniform projection amount over the entire area in the lateral width direction of the expected location, all the LED light emitting elements are individually adjusted in light amount without being divided into a plurality of blocks as described above. Although it is conceivable, this configuration has a disadvantage that the circuit configuration becomes very complicated and the cost increases.However, by adjusting the amount of light for each block, it is possible to avoid the cost increase due to the significant complexity of the configuration. Therefore, it is possible to perform projection with a uniform projection amount as much as possible.
[0018]
The defective object detection device according to claim 4, wherein the determination unit is configured to sample the light receiving amount of the light receiving unit at a set time interval, and the appropriate light amount range is set. Is set to obtain a frequency distribution for each light amount value obtained by dividing the range from the dark side to the light side into a plurality of stages, for the set number of received light amount data obtained by the sampling. Means, based on the information on the frequency distribution of the discriminating means, adjusts the amount of light emitted from each of the LED light emitting elements so that the most frequent light amount value in the frequency distribution is located at an appropriate position within the appropriate amount of light range. It is characterized in that it is configured to change and adjust.
[0019]
That is, the light receiving amount of the light receiving means is sampled at a set time interval, and a frequency distribution for each light amount value obtained by dividing the range from the dark side to the light side into a plurality of steps is obtained for the set number of received light amount data obtained by the sampling. Can be This frequency distribution is obtained to set the appropriate light amount range. For example, the upper limit and the lower limit of the appropriate light amount range are appropriately set based on the frequency distribution. Then, based on the obtained information on the frequency distribution, the light emission amounts of the respective LED light emitting elements are changed and adjusted so that the light amount having the highest frequency in the frequency distribution is located at an appropriate position within the appropriate light amount range. is there. Incidentally, the most frequent light amount value in the frequency distribution is the light amount value of the light projected from the projection member to the light receiving means. In addition, if the particulate group does not exist at the expected location, the light projected from the projection member is always received by the light receiving means, so the light amount value of the light projected from the projection member is It is always the most frequent light quantity value in the frequency distribution. Therefore, the most frequent light amount value in the obtained frequency distribution is set as the light amount value of the light projected from the projection member at that time, and the light amount is changed and adjusted so that the light amount value is located at an appropriate position within the appropriate light amount range. You do it.
The appropriate position in the appropriate light amount range may be, for example, a central value of the appropriate light amount range, a value slightly higher than the median value, or a value slightly darker than the median value. There are cases.
[0020]
Therefore, the reflected light reflected by the granular body group or the transmitted light transmitted through the granular body group varies, and the range of the light amount in which the light amount is distributed, that is, the distribution area may be variously changed. By adjusting the light quantity value of the light projected from the projection member so as to be at an appropriate position within the appropriate light quantity range in accordance with the distribution state of the detected light quantity of the granular body group to be actually inspected, It has become possible to improve the accuracy when discriminating an object.
[0021]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the defective object detection device according to the fourth aspect, the light emission output adjusting unit determines a light amount of light projected from the projection member toward the light receiving unit as a proper position within the proper light amount range. It is characterized in that the light amount is changed and adjusted to be equal to or substantially equal to the light amount corresponding to the center position in the appropriate light amount range.
[0022]
That is, the light quantity projected from the projection member toward the light receiving means is changed and adjusted so as to be equal to or substantially equal to the light quantity corresponding to the center position in the appropriate light quantity range. The appropriate light amount range is set based on the distribution area in the variation in the light amount of the reflected light and the transmitted light from the granular material group, and the light amount corresponding to the central position in the appropriate light amount range is substantially equal to the distribution area. It corresponds to the center position, which is the average value of the amount of reflected light and transmitted light from the granular material group, so that the amount of light projected from the projection member and the reflection from the normal object in the granular material group The difference between the amount of light and the amount of transmitted light is as small as possible, and the accuracy of discrimination between a normal object and a defective object can be improved.
[0023]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the defective object detection apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein a correction coefficient for increasing or decreasing the amount of light received from the light receiving means is changed and set to correct the sensitivity of the amount of light received in the appropriate light amount range. Means is provided, and when the light emission output adjusting means corrects the sensitivity so as to reduce the amount of received light in response to the sensitivity correction by the sensitivity correcting means, the light emission output adjusting means sets the projection position as an appropriate position within the appropriate light amount range. When the amount of light projected from the member toward the light receiving means is changed and adjusted so that the amount of light is smaller than the central value of the appropriate light amount range, and the sensitivity is corrected so that the amount of received light increases, As an appropriate position within the appropriate light amount range, the light amount of the light projected from the projection member toward the light receiving unit is changed and adjusted so as to be a light amount on the larger side than the central value of the appropriate light amount range. Made is characterized in that is.
[0024]
That is, when the sensitivity is corrected so that the amount of light received from the light receiving unit is increased by the change setting of the correction coefficient, the light amount of light projected from the projection member is reduced to a light amount larger than the central value of the appropriate light amount range. It will be adjusted and adjusted so that On the other hand, when the sensitivity is corrected so that the amount of light received from the light receiving means is reduced by the change setting of the correction coefficient, the amount of light projected from the projection member is reduced to the amount of light smaller than the central value of the appropriate amount of light range. It is changed and adjusted to become.
[0025]
That is, when the sensitivity is corrected so that the amount of light received from the light receiving unit is increased, the light amount of light projected from the projection member becomes a light amount on the larger side than the central value of the appropriate light amount range. The light amount difference between the light amount of the defective object that deviates from the appropriate light amount range on the dark side and the light amount of the light projected from the projection member becomes large. At this time, the lower limit of the dark side of the appropriate light amount range is slightly higher than the standard value. By changing the setting to a value, it becomes possible to make it easy to avoid erroneous detection of a defective object that deviates from the appropriate light amount range to the dark side. On the other hand, if the sensitivity is corrected so that the amount of light received from the light receiving unit is reduced, the amount of light projected from the projection member becomes larger than the median of the appropriate light amount range, The light amount difference between the light amount of the defective object that deviates from the appropriate light amount range to the light side and the light amount of the light projected from the projection member becomes large, and at this time, the upper limit of the light amount of the appropriate light amount range is slightly higher than the standard value. By changing the value to a value, it becomes possible to make it easy to avoid erroneous detection of a defective object that deviates from the appropriate light amount range to the bright side.
[0026]
A separation device according to a seventh aspect is a separation device provided with the defective object detection device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the granular material group as an inspection target is moved along a predetermined transfer path. Transfer means for transferring to the expected location and a separation point on the lower side of the route than the location of the expected location so as to pass in a wide state in the horizontal direction in a single layer state, and transported to the separation point It is characterized by comprising a separation means for separating a normal substance and a defective substance in the group of granular materials into different paths.
[0027]
In other words, the group of particulates is transported along the planned transfer path by the transfer means over the planned existing location and the separation location located on the lower side of the route from the position of the planned existing location. At the expected existence location, the defective object determination processing is performed by the above-described defective object detection device, and at the separation point on the lower side of the route, the separation unit is operated based on the determination result of the defective object detection device. That is, the normal object and the defective object in the group of granular materials are separated into different paths.
[0028]
In such a separation device, it is preferable that the separation distance between the expected existence location and the separation location be as short as possible in order to improve the separation accuracy. However, as described above, a plurality of LED light emitting elements are used as the light source. Since the projection member having the above structure can be reduced in size, the installation location of the separation means can be made closer to the expected location, and the separation distance can be made as short as possible. Therefore, the separation distance between the expected location and the separation location can be shortened to improve the separation accuracy.
[0029]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the defect detection device according to the present invention and the embodiment of the separation device using the same will be described as an example of a granular material group, while detecting and detecting a defective particle such as a rice grain group such as brown rice or polished rice as an inspection target. A case where the present invention is applied to a defective object removing device for removing will be described with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the defective object removing apparatus will be described.
[0030]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a wide plate-like shooter 1 is installed at a predetermined angle (for example, 60 degrees) with respect to a horizontal plane, and a storage tank 7 provided on the upper side of the shooter 1. The rice grain group k conveyed and supplied by the feeder 9 is guided downward while the upper surface of the chute 1 is spread in a horizontal direction in a single state (see FIG. 3). Since FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the operation, the arrangement of the device configuration is different from FIGS. 1 and 2 in some places. Here, the shooter 1 is a plane shooter formed on a flat guide surface over the entire width in the width direction. Here, since the purpose is to transfer the particles in a single layer state, even if the particles partially overlap depending on the flow state to form a two-layer state or the like, the concept of the single layer state is included.
[0031]
The storage tank 7 stores a rice grain group k supplied from an external rice mill or the like, and a normal or defective product that is re-sorted after the primary sorting process of the rice grain group k from the outside. The tank 7 is formed in a tapered cylindrical shape toward the lower end, and the supply amount of the rice grains k dropped from the storage tank 7 onto the feeder 9 to the shooter 1 is changed by changing the transport speed of the rice grains k by the vibration of the feeder 9. Adjusted.
[0032]
As shown in FIG. 2, an expected location (hereinafter, referred to as a detection location J) where the presence of the rice grain group k is set is set in the scheduled transport path IK in which the rice grain group k moves and falls from the lower end of the chute 1. Have been. Note that the rice grain group k is configured to be conveyed so as to pass through the detection portion J formed wide along the width direction in a state of being spread in the width direction.
[0033]
A front side linear light source 4B that illuminates the front side (left side in FIG. 2) of the planned transfer path IK and a rear side linear light source 4A that illuminates the rear side (right side in FIG. 2) of the planned transfer path IK are provided. ing. Diffusion transmission plates 18A and 18B are disposed on the path of the illumination light connecting the linear light sources 4A and 4B and the detection point J, respectively, and cover the back side and part of the side of the linear light sources 4A and 4B. In this state, the curved diffuse reflection plates 20A and 20B having matte white paint on the inner surface are arranged. The two linear light sources 4A and 4B constitute an illuminating means 4 for illuminating a detection location J as a location where rice grains are expected to exist.
[0034]
A front-side line sensor 5B that receives reflected light from the front-side linear light source 4B reflected on the front side of the detection location J, and illumination light from the rear-side linear light source 4A detects the detection location J. A rear-side line sensor 5A for receiving the light reflected on the rear side is provided, and the light-receiving means 5 for receiving the light from the detection point J is constituted by the two line sensors 5A and 5B.
Each of the linear light sources 4A and 4B includes a lower light source that illuminates the detection location J from obliquely below so as to illuminate the rice grain group k from a plurality of directions inclined with respect to the light receiving direction of each of the line sensors 5A and 5B. And an upper light source that illuminates the detection location J from obliquely above. The detection location J is thus illuminated from different directions by changing the illumination angle of the illumination light, and even if the rice grain group k is shifted laterally from the normal detection location J, the illumination is preferably performed in a uniform state as much as possible. I can do it.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 6, the two line sensors 5A and 5B include a plurality of light receiving elements 5a as a plurality of light receiving sections for receiving light from the wide detection point J along the width direction of the detection point J. It is configured to be juxtaposed. In other words, a plurality of light receiving elements 5a having a range p smaller than the size of each rice grain of the rice grain group (for example, about one-tenth of the size of the rice grain) as a light receiving target range is set at the wide detection point J. It is provided in a state of being lined up correspondingly.
Each of the line sensors 5A and 5B includes a monochrome CCD sensor unit 50 in which the light receiving elements 5a are arranged in a straight line, and an image of the rice grain group k at the detection location J on each of the light receiving elements 5a of the CCD sensor. The optical system 51 forms an image. For example, in FIG. 3, each light receiving information is sequentially extracted from each light receiving element 5a from the right end side to the left end side of the detection point J.
[0036]
A projection member 8 is disposed in the light receiving direction of each of the line sensors 5A and 5B and at a position on the back side of the detection point J and projects light toward each of the line sensors 5A and 5B. The projection member 8 includes a plurality of LED light-emitting elements 80 arranged in a dense state along the width direction of the detection location J, and a light-projecting side of an area where the plurality of LED light-emitting elements 80 are installed. And a diffusion plate 81 for diffusing the light emitted by the plurality of LED light emitting elements 80.
[0037]
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the inside of a casing 83 which is configured to be long along the width direction of the detection portion J, has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, and has an open front side portion. In addition, an LED substrate 82 on which a plurality of LED light emitting elements 80 are installed is provided. As shown in FIG. 4B, the LED board 82 is installed in a state where a plurality of LED light emitting elements 80 are arranged in a dense state along the horizontal width direction. The LED board 82 is attached to a heat radiating plate 84 made of an aluminum plate screwed to a casing 83 via a silicon heat radiating resin. On the other hand, on the front side of the LED substrate 82, a diffusion plate 81 for diffusing the light emitted by the LED light emitting elements 80 is provided between the LED light emitting elements 80 at the center in the direction in which the plurality of LED light emitting elements 80 are arranged. The separation distance is large, and it is provided in a curved state so that the separation distance from each LED light emitting element 80 is small at both ends in the arrangement direction. By curving the diffusion plate 81 in this way, the light intensity at the detection point J is prevented from being biased such that the light intensity at the center in the width direction becomes large and the light intensity at the end portion becomes small. The strength is made as uniform as possible in the width direction.
[0038]
Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of LED light emitting elements 80 are divided into a set number (about several to about 10) of blocks BK in the arrangement direction, and the LED light emitting elements 80 are collectively arranged for each block BK. A light adjusting device 85 is provided as light emitting output adjusting means capable of changing and adjusting the light emitting output of the light emitting device. The light control device 85 is configured to change and adjust the light output of the LED light emitting element 80 for each block BK based on a control command from the control device 10 described later.
[0039]
As shown in FIG. 2, the front-side linear light source 4B, the front-side line sensor 5B, and the rear-side reflection plate 8A are stored in one storage portion 13B, and the rear-side linear light source 4A, the rear-side line sensor 5A, and the front-side The reflection plate 8B is stored in the other storage portion 13A, and both storage portions 13A and 13B are formed as a unitary box having a common side plate. Each storage portion 13A and 13B has a plate-like shape on the side facing the detection location J. The transmission windows 14A and 14B made of transparent glass are provided. That is, the linear light sources 4A and 4B and the line sensors 5A and 5B are accommodated in the accommodating portions 13A and 13B provided with the transmission windows 14A and 14B on the side facing the detection point J, respectively. , 4B illuminate the detection location J through the transmission windows 14A, 14B, and each line sensor 5A, 5B is configured to receive light from the detection location J through the transmission windows 14A, 14B. .
[0040]
At a separation point on the lower side of the planned transfer path IK from the detection point J, air is blown to defective rice grains and foreign matters determined to be defective based on the received light information at the detection point J, and normal rice grains are blown. An air blowing device 6 for separating the group k from the moving direction is provided. The air blowing device 6 divides a plurality of the injection nozzles 6a into a plurality of sections with a predetermined width over the entire width of the planned transfer path IK. It is arranged so that it is juxtaposed in a state corresponding to each formed section, and the ejection nozzle 6a of the section in which a defective exists is operated.
[0041]
In other words, the shooter 1 functions as a transport unit that transports the rice grain group k in a state where the rice grain group k is spread in the horizontal direction in a single layer state and passes through the detection point J that is formed wide along the lateral width direction. k is transferred to the detection point J along the scheduled transfer path IK and to the separation point on the lower side of the path from the position of the detection point J, and the air blowing device 6 is configured to This constitutes a separating means for separating the normal and defective ones of the group of granular materials transferred to the separation location into different paths.
[0042]
Then, of the rice grains k flowing down from the lower end of the shooter 1 along a predetermined path, for recovering the normal rice grains k that have progressed without being blown by the air from the injection nozzle 6a. Receiving portion 2B and a defective product for collecting defective rice such as colored rice and cracked rice, which are laterally separated from a normal flow of rice grains k by blowing air, and foreign matter such as stone and glass fragments. A receiving portion 3B is provided, and a receiving portion 2B for good rice is formed in a tubular shape elongated in the width direction, and a receiving port for defective products is formed so as to surround the receiving portion 2B for good rice. A portion 3B is formed. The rice grains k collected at the good rice receiving portion 2B and the defectives collected at the defective product receiving portion 3B are collected by the tank 7 of the inspection apparatus for re-sorting and the like. Or to another inspection device.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 1, a vertical frame F2, F3, F4 erected on a bottom plate F1 having a leg F0 is connected by horizontal frames F5, F6, F7 to form a machine frame. An operation console 21 for displaying and inputting information is installed on the upper oblique portion of the front vertical frame F4, a vibration generator 9A for the feeder 9 is installed on the horizontal frame F5, and air supply to the air blowing device 6 is performed. Air tank 15 is installed on the bottom plate F1. The box-shaped storage portions 13A and 13B are supported by the vertical frame F4 on the front side and the vertical frame F3 on the rear side, and the chute 1 is supported by the horizontal frame F6 on the upper side and the storage portion 13B on the lower side. . A cover K covering the outer surface of the apparatus is attached to the machine frame.
[0044]
Next, the control configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, a control device 10 using a microcomputer is provided, and the control device 10 receives image signals from both line sensors 5A and 5B and operation information from the console 21 as input. I have. On the other hand, from the control device 10, a drive signal to a lighting circuit 19 for lighting the linear light sources 4A and 4B, a drive signal to a plurality of solenoid valves 11 for turning on and off each air supply to each injection nozzle 6a, A drive signal for the feeder vibration generator 9A and a control command signal to the dimmer 85 are output.
[0045]
Utilizing the control device 10, a discriminating means 100 for discriminating the presence or absence of a defective substance in the rice grain group k based on the light reception information of the transmission and reflection line sensors 5A and 5B is configured. The detection light (transmitted light and reflected light) from the rice grain group k, that is, the amount of light received by the transmission and reflection line sensors 5A and 5B indicates the appropriate light amount range (ΔEt for transmitted light, ΔEh for reflected light). When it comes off, it is configured to determine the presence of a defective object. Further, in order to set the appropriate light amount range, the determination means 100 determines the set number of received light amount data obtained by sampling the received light amounts of the transmission and reflection line sensors 5A and 5B at set time intervals. It is configured to obtain a frequency distribution for each received light amount divided into a plurality of stages from the dark side to the light side, and to automatically set an upper limit value and a lower limit value of the appropriate light amount range based on the power distribution. It is configured. In addition, the light receiving unit is configured to execute a process of determining whether the received light amount is outside the appropriate light amount range and a process of obtaining the frequency distribution for each of the light receiving units.
[0046]
Further, using the control device 10, based on the information on the frequency distribution of the determination means 100, the light amount value of the light projected from the projection member 8 having the highest frequency in the frequency distribution is within the appropriate light amount range. Light amount command means for instructing the dimming device 85 with control command information to change and adjust the light amounts of light projected from the projection member 8 to the transmission and reflection line sensors 5A and 5B so as to be located at appropriate positions. 101 is configured. Therefore, the light quantity commanding means 101 and the dimmer 85 constitute light quantity adjusting means KT for changing and adjusting the light quantity of light projected from the projection member 8 to the transmission and reflection line sensors 5A and 5B. .
[0047]
Next, various correction processes of the received light data for setting the appropriate light amount range will be described.
First, an inspection reference material Kj having the same transmittance and reflectance as the normal material in the rice grain group k is located at the detection position J, and as shown in FIG. 8, the transmission and reflection line sensors 5A and 5B. The respective light receiving information received by is obtained as reference light receiving amount information. That is, the reference light receiving amount Si of the transmitted light and the reference light receiving amount Si ′ of the reflected light (i = 0 to [the number of light receiving units−1]) are stored for each light receiving unit 5a of each of the sensors 5A and 5B, and at the same time, Then, average values Sm and Sm 'of the reference light receiving amounts Si and Si' are obtained (this process is referred to as "reference creation"). Here, the inspection reference object Kj is formed of a long white resin plate or the like corresponding to the long detection position J. Note that separate inspection reference objects Kj may be used for transmitted light and reflected light.
[0048]
In addition, a change in the amount of illumination light from the illumination light sources 5A and 5B is detected. Specifically, when the illumination light amount is sufficiently stable, as shown in FIG. 9, the light amount of the projection member 8 is set to the inspection reference value, and the output of each light receiving element 5a of the reflection line sensor 5B is set. The voltage r [i] (i = 0 to [number of light receiving elements−1]) is measured as a reference illumination light value, and an average value rm of all the light receiving portions is obtained (this process is referred to as “illumination light correction”). Data creation ”). On the other hand, at the latest time when the actual inspection is performed, the output voltage r '[i] of each light receiving section 5a of the reflection line sensor 5B is measured, the average value rm' of all the light receiving sections is obtained, and the reference illumination is obtained. The ratio (rm '/ rm) between the average value rm of the light amount value and the average value rm' of the latest illumination light value is defined as the change rate of the illumination light amount. Note that, instead of the reflection reflector 8B, the change rate of the illumination light amount may be obtained from light reception information of the transmission line sensor 5A that receives the reflected light from the transmission reflection plate 8A.
[0049]
Note that, in order to obtain a stable state of the illumination light amount, the measurement of the reference light amount is performed after a sufficient time has elapsed after lighting, for example, during shipping adjustment. Further, during the actual inspection operation, if inspection is performed for a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes), the windows 14A and 14B are cleaned by a cleaning unit (not shown). After the cleaning, the illumination light amount is measured.
[0050]
Then, for each sensor output voltage j of the transmitted light and the reflected light, in order to cancel the deviation of the reference light receiving amounts Si, Si 'of the respective light receiving elements 5a from the average values Sm, Sm' of the reference light receiving amounts, the average of the reference light receiving amounts is calculated. The value Sm, Sm 'is multiplied by the ratio of the reference light receiving amount Si, Si' of each light receiving element 5a, and further divided by the change rate (rm '/ rm) of the illumination light amount in order to cancel the influence of the fluctuation of the illumination light amount. As described above, the corrected output voltages jt and jh (sensor correction outputs) of the transmitted light and reflected light sensors 5A and 5B are obtained by performing the correction processing based on the following equation.
[0051]
(Equation 1)
Sensor correction output jt = j × (Sm / Si) × (rm / rm ′)
Sensor correction output jh = j × (Sm ′ / Si ′) × (rm / rm ′)
[0052]
Next, a sensitivity correction process is performed on the sensor correction outputs jt and jh. Here, the sensitivity value is set to a standard value (100). When the sensitivity value is set to be larger than “100” (for example, 110) during the actual inspection operation, the deviation (jt−j) of the sensor correction outputs jt and jh from the average values Sm and Sm ′ of the reference light receiving amounts. Sm) and (jh-Sm ') are increased and the detected light reception amount is corrected to increase. When the sensitivity value is set to a value smaller than "100" (for example, 90), the deviations (jt-Sm) and (jh) are set. −Sm ′) are obtained, and the sensitivity correction outputs jk and jk ′ of the transmitted light and the reflected light, in which the detected light reception amount is reduced and corrected so as to be smaller, are obtained.
[0053]
(Equation 2)
Sensitivity correction output jk = (sensitivity value / 100) × (jt−Sm) + (Sm)
Sensitivity correction output jk ′ = (sensitivity value / 100) × (jh−Sm ′) + (Sm ′)
[0054]
That is, the control device 10 is used to change and set a correction coefficient (sensitivity value) for increasing or decreasing the amount of light received from the transmission and reflection line sensors 5A and 5B (jt and jh in the above formula). And a sensitivity correcting means 102 for correcting the sensitivity of the amount of received light to the appropriate light amount range. When the sensitivity value is changed to a value greater than “100”, for example, “110”, and the amount of received light is increased, the increased amount of received light is likely to be out of the appropriate light amount range, and the sensitivity of defect determination is increased. On the other hand, if the sensitivity value is changed to a value smaller than "100", for example, "90" to reduce the amount of received light, it is difficult for the reduced amount of received light to fall outside the appropriate light amount range, and the sensitivity of the defect determination is reduced. , The sensitivity of the received light amount in the appropriate light amount range of the transmitted light and the reflected light is corrected. This sensitivity adjustment is manually performed by an operator using the console 21.
[0055]
Next, an appropriate light amount range setting process by the determination unit 100 will be described. Note that this proper light amount range setting processing is executed at the time of shipment adjustment of the apparatus.
For a set number of received light amount data obtained by sampling at set time intervals for each light receiving element 5a of each of the line sensors 5A and 5B, the light amount value divided into a plurality of stages from the dark side to the bright side is obtained. A frequency distribution (also called a histogram) is obtained, and the appropriate light amount range is set based on the frequency distribution.
[0056]
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, in a state where the illumination light amounts from the illumination light sources 5A and 5B are sufficiently stable, the rice grains k are flown, and the setting is performed for each light receiving element 5a of each of the line sensors 5A and 5B. The received light amount data, that is, the output voltage is sampled at time intervals, and the output voltage is converted into 256 digital values. In this case, the air blowing device 6 is not operated. Thereafter, the supply of the rice grain group k is stopped, and, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, for each light receiving element 5a, a set number of sampled output voltages is divided into a plurality of stages from the dark side to the light side. A frequency distribution hg is obtained for each of the received light amounts. Then, in the frequency distribution hg, an upper light amount value TH1 is set corresponding to a position near the upper end of a continuous area in which frequency values for each light reception amount continuously exist from the dark side to the bright side, and The upper limit value T1 of the appropriate light amount range ΔEt, ΔEh is set at a position away from the light amount value TH1 by the set light amount K1 on the bright side, and the lower light amount value TH2 is set corresponding to a position near the lower end of the continuous area. At the same time, the lower limit value T2 of the appropriate light amount ranges ΔEt and ΔEh is set at a position away from the lower light amount value TH2 by a set light amount K2 toward the dark side. The respective set light amounts K1 and K2 are set in advance as control constants. The upper limit value T1 and the lower limit value T2 of the appropriate front and rear side light amount ranges ΔE1 and ΔE2 to be set and corrected for each light receiving element 5a of each of the line sensors 5A and 5B as described above are described later. This is stored in a memory LUT (front side and rear side LUTs) in the controller 10 as a lookup table for a failure detection process.
FIG. 19A shows the proper light amount range set for each light receiving element 5a in this manner continuously along the direction in which the light receiving elements 5a are arranged.
[0057]
Next, the light intensity command processing by the light intensity instruction means 101 will be described. This light amount command processing is repeatedly executed not only at the time of shipment adjustment but also in a normal operation state. Based on the information on the frequency distribution obtained as described above, for example, the most frequent portion in the frequency distribution such as the peak value pi in FIG. 18 corresponds to the light amount value of the light projected from the projection member 8. Is what you do. Therefore, the dimming device 85 is configured to change and adjust the light amount of the light projected from the projection member 8 toward the light receiving unit so that the most frequent light amount value in the frequency distribution is located at an appropriate position within the appropriate light amount range. To the control information.
[0058]
That is, as shown in FIG. 15, when the adjustment is performed at the time of shipment adjustment, the sensitivity value by the sensitivity correction unit 102 is set to the standard sensitivity value “100”. As an appropriate position in the appropriate light amount range, the light amount BG of light projected from the projection member 8 toward the light receiving unit is equal to or substantially equal to the light amount corresponding to the central position in the appropriate light amount range. It is configured to adjust for changes.
Further, when the sensitivity correction is performed by the sensitivity correction means 102 as in the case of performing the normal operation, the sensitivity value is set to be larger than the standard value “100” and the amount of received light increases and decreases accordingly. After the sensitivity is corrected, as shown in FIG. 20 (b), for example, as shown in FIG. 20 (b), the light quantity of the light projected from the projection member 8 is set to a proper position within the proper light quantity range. When the sensitivity is set to be smaller than the standard value “100” and the sensitivity is corrected so that the amount of received light is reduced, the position is adjusted to an appropriate position within the appropriate light amount range, for example, as shown in FIG. As shown in (2), the light quantity of the light projected from the projection member 8 is changed and adjusted so as to be at a position of the light quantity smaller than the central value of the appropriate light quantity range.
[0059]
At this time, the amount of light projected onto the plurality of light receiving elements 5a is changed for each of the plurality of light receiving elements 5a divided into a plurality of blocks BK in the arrangement direction of the light receiving elements 5a as described above. It is configured to adjust. In addition, in the initial installation state of the apparatus, for example, as shown in FIG. 19A, the light amount of the projection member 8 in the arrangement direction of each light receiving element 5a is small, but the inspection is performed for a long time. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 19B, the light amount may fluctuate significantly at both left and right end portions. For example, when a fluorescent lamp is used as the linear light source, the luminous intensity at both ends in the longitudinal direction decreases, and the correlation between the distribution of the amount of light of the rice grain group k and the amount of light of the projection member 8 is different between the central position and the left and right end portions. May be different. In addition, dust may adhere to the surface of the projection member 8 over a long period of time, and the amount of light may decrease. Therefore, in such a case, the light amount of the projection member 8 is not changed in the central portion in the arrangement direction, and the light amount of the projection member 8 is changed to the bright side only in the blocks BK corresponding to the left and right ends. Thus, it is possible to return to an appropriate state close to the initial state as shown in FIG.
[0060]
Next, a description will be given of an appropriate light amount range correction process for the appropriate light amount range when performing the normal operation. In the appropriate light amount range correction process, when the normal operation state is continuously performed, the appropriate light amount range itself is appropriately corrected as the received light amount data is detected. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, a set number of received light amount data is sampled for each set time, and when the data includes a light amount value brighter than the upper light amount value TH1, the upper light amount value While moving TH1 one step to the bright side, if the set number of received light amount data does not include a light amount value brighter than the upper light amount value TH1, the upper light amount value TH1 is moved one step to the dark side. When the set number of received light amount data includes a light amount value darker than the lower light amount value TH2, the lower light amount value TH2 is moved to the dark side by one step, and If the number of received light amount data does not include a light amount value darker than the lower light amount value TH2, the lower light amount value TH2 is moved one step toward the bright side.
[0061]
The upper limit value T1 and the lower limit value T2 of the appropriate light amount ranges ΔEt and ΔEh on the front and rear sides, which are set for each light receiving element 5a of each of the line sensors 5A and 5B as described above, and corrected thereafter. Are stored in a memory LUT (front side LUT and rear side LUT) in the control device 10 as a lookup table for defect detection processing, as shown in FIG.
The look-up table will be described in more detail. For each light-receiving element 5a represented by position data i (i = 0 to [number of light-receiving elements -1]), all the light quantity values j (the above If the respective values j are within the appropriate light amount ranges ΔEt and ΔEH while changing within the range of 256 light amount values, “0” is stored as a judgment output in the corresponding address (i, j) of the memory LUT. If it is out of the appropriate light amount range ΔEt, ΔEH, “1” is stored as a judgment output at the corresponding address (i, j) of the memory LUT. When the determination is made, the position data i (i = 0 to [the number of light receiving elements -1]) of the light receiving elements 5a of the line sensors 5A and 5B and the positions thereof are stored in the memory LUT created above. When the light amount value j of each light receiving element 5a at i is input, the judgment output "0" is output for each light receiving element 5a when the object is normal and the judgment output "1" is output when it is defective. Therefore, the determination means 100 performs the determination based on the determination.
[0062]
Hereinafter, the light receiving outputs of the line sensors 5A and 5B for transmitted light and reflected light will be specifically described.
In the case of the transmitted light, as shown in the output waveform of the transmitted light line sensor 5A in FIG. 11, the normal state occurs when the output voltage corresponding to the amount of light received by each light receiving unit 5a is within the appropriate light amount range ΔEt for the rice grain group k. The presence of a good rice grain is determined, and if it is out of the proper setting range ΔEt, it is determined whether the rice grain is defective or a foreign substance is present. In the figure, e0 is an output voltage level for standard transmitted light from normal rice grains. Then, when the light amount is smaller than the appropriate light amount range ΔEt, it is determined whether there is a defective rice grain or a foreign substance (for example, black stone) having a transmittance lower than that of normal rice particles. The presence of the defective defective rice grain k on the light side having a higher transmittance than the normal rice grain k or the presence of the foreign matter is determined. As an example of the defective rice grain k or foreign matter on the light side, a thin colored transparent glass piece becomes a foreign matter having a higher transmittance than the normal rice grain k, and the normal rice grain k is "sticky rice". In this case, the "rice glutinous rice" becomes a defective rice grain k having a higher transmittance than the normal rice grain k.
[0063]
In FIG. 11, the output voltage (light reception amount) of the light receiving element 5a is changed at the position where a part of the rice grain k is partially colored, the position of a black stone or the like (indicated by e1), and the position where a cracked portion is present. (Indicated by e2), if there is a foreign substance or the like located below the appropriate light amount range ΔEt and has a transmittance higher than that of normal rice grains, the appropriate light amount range ΔEt is indicated as position e3. 2 illustrates an example of a state in which the position is higher than the position.
[0064]
On the other hand, in the case of reflected light, as shown in the corrected output waveform of the line sensor 5B for reflected light in FIG. 12, the corrected output voltage corresponding to the amount of light received by each light receiving unit 5a is within the appropriate light amount range ΔEh. When it is within the range, the presence of a normal rice grain is determined, and when it is out of the appropriate light amount range ΔEh, the defect of the rice grain or the presence of the foreign matter is determined. In the figure, e0 ′ is an output voltage level for standard reflected light from normal rice grains. In the figure, at a position where a part of the rice grain k has a colored portion (indicated by e1 ') and a position where a cracked portion exists (indicated by e2'), the rice grain k is deviated downward from the appropriate light amount range ΔEh. Further, when a foreign substance such as a glass piece is present, a state is shown in which the direct light from the foreign substance deviates upward from the appropriate light amount range ΔEh as shown at a position e3 ′. Although not shown, the reflectance of a black stone or the like is very small, and therefore, the waveform greatly deviates downward from the appropriate light amount range ΔEh in the waveform.
[0065]
When the controller 10 determines, based on the defect determination information, that a defective rice grain or the presence of a foreign substance has been determined in the rice grain group k transferred to the detection position J of the line sensors 5A and 5B. As the transfer time from the detection position J to the air injection position by the injection nozzle 6a elapses, defective rice grains or foreign substances flowing down are discharged from each injection nozzle 6a in the section corresponding to the position. To separate it from the path of normal rice grains.
[0066]
Then, as shown in FIG. 16, at the time of shipping adjustment, the power of the apparatus is turned on, a predetermined warm-up operation is performed, and a stable state of the illumination light amount is sufficiently checked. Creation "and the first" illumination light correction data creation ". Next, the sensor output correction and the sensitivity correction (however, a standard sensitivity value) are performed, the appropriate light amount range setting process and the first light amount command process are executed, and the memory LUT is set based on the set appropriate light amount ranges ΔEt and ΔEh. Create Finally, exclusion adjustment of the operation time of each nozzle of the air blowing device 6 is performed.
[0067]
Then, as shown in FIG. 17, during a normal inspection operation, first, the power of the apparatus is turned on to perform a predetermined warm-up operation, and then the latest “illumination light correction data creation” is performed to perform lighting. The data of the change rate of the light quantity is calculated, and the data in the memory is rewritten using the data of the change rate of the illumination light quantity and the appropriate light quantity ranges ΔEt and ΔEh to create a memory LUT. Further, when the sensitivity value is set, the light amount adjustment processing is executed in accordance with the setting of the sensitivity value. Further, the inspection is started by supplying the rice grain group k to the chute 1 using the memory LUT after the correction.
Then, after a predetermined time (30 minutes) for cleaning has elapsed, the supply of the rice grain group k is stopped to stop the inspection, and a cleaning means (not shown) is operated to clean the windows 14A and 14B, and the light amount range The correction process is executed, the light amount command process is executed in accordance with the correction result, and the data in the memory is rewritten by reflecting the processing result to create the memory LUT. Thereafter, using the corrected memory LUT, the rice grain group k is supplied to the shoot 1 again, and the inspection is started.
[0068]
[Another embodiment]
Hereinafter, other embodiments will be listed.
[0069]
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the configuration is such that the curved shape of the diffusion plate 81 is fixed at a predetermined constant curved shape. However, instead of such a configuration, the diffusing plate 81 is configured such that the radius of curvature changes. The configuration may be such that the curved shape of the plate 81 is supported so as to be changeable and adjustable. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the central portion of the diffusion plate 81 is supported by the casing 83 such that the distance between the diffusion plate 81 and the LED light emitting element group can be changed in the approaching / separating direction with the longitudinal ends of the diffusion plate 81 as fulcrums.
[0070]
(2) In the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which a plurality of LED light emitting elements are divided into a set number of blocks BK, and the light emission output is changed and adjusted for each block. Instead, the light emission output may be changed and adjusted for each of the plurality of LED light emitting elements, so that the light amount can be changed and adjusted finely within a small range.
In the case where the light amount can be finely changed and adjusted within such a small range, the light diffusing plate can be formed of a flat diffusing plate instead of being curved.
[0071]
(3) In the above embodiment, sensitivity correction means for correcting the sensitivity of the amount of received light to the appropriate light amount range is provided, and the appropriate light amount range of the light amount value of the light projected from the projection member corresponding to the sensitivity setting is provided. Although the configuration for changing and adjusting the position within the range is not limited to such a configuration, the configuration for changing and adjusting the position so as to be always the same or substantially the same as the light amount at a fixed position, for example, the center position of the appropriate light amount range. It may be.
[0072]
(4) In the above-described embodiment, the light amount range correction process and the light amount command process are repeatedly executed each time the predetermined time for cleaning elapses during the normal operation. The present invention is not limited to the configuration, and the configuration may be such that the light quantity range correction processing and the light quantity command processing are executed only when the work is started.
[0073]
(5) In the above embodiment, the upper limit and the lower limit of the appropriate light amount range are automatically set based on the frequency distribution. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the upper limit of the appropriate light amount range is manually operated. A configuration for setting the value and the lower limit may be adopted.
[0074]
(6) In the above embodiment, each of the line sensors 5A and 5B for transmitted light and reflected light is used as the light receiving means, but the light receiving means is constituted by either the line sensor 5A or 5B for transmitted light or reflected light. May be. The line sensor may be an image pickup tube type television camera other than the monochrome type CCD line sensor. Instead of a monochrome type CCD sensor, a color type CCD sensor may be used, and the presence or absence of defective rice or foreign matter may be more accurately determined from the amount of light received for each of the color information R, G, and B.
[0075]
(7) In the above embodiment, the separating means blows air to the defective object to separate the defective object into a different path from the normal object. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the defective object is sucked by air. And may be separated by a mechanical contact action.
[0076]
(8) In the above embodiment, the case where the granular material group as the inspection object is the rice particle group has been exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when inspecting for the presence or absence of a defective or foreign matter in plastic particles or the like. Also applicable to
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall side view of a defective object removing device.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the main part.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part showing an operation state.
FIG. 4 is a view showing a projection member.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control configuration.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a light receiving range of a line sensor.
FIG. 7 is a circuit configuration diagram of a projection member.
FIG. 8 is an output waveform diagram when a reference light reception amount is stored.
FIG. 9 is an output waveform diagram showing a change state of the illumination light amount.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a memory for determining a defect;
FIG. 11 is an output waveform diagram of a transmitted light line sensor.
FIG. 12 is an output waveform diagram of a line sensor for reflected light.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an appropriate light amount range setting process.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an appropriate light amount range correction process.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a light amount command process.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a control operation at the time of shipment adjustment.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a control operation during normal operation.
FIG. 18 is a graph showing a frequency distribution.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an appropriate light amount range of each light receiving element.
FIG. 20 is a graph showing a frequency distribution.
[Explanation of symbols]
4 Lighting means
5 Light receiving means
6 Separation means
8 Projection member
80 LED light emitting device
81 Diffuser
85 Light emission output adjusting means
100 determination means
102 Sensitivity correction means
H transport means

Claims (7)

An illumination unit that illuminates a portion where the inspection object is expected to be present, with the group of granular materials passing in a single layer state and in a wide state in the lateral direction as the inspection object,
Light receiving means for receiving light from the expected location;
A projection member that is arranged in a light receiving direction of the light receiving unit and is located at a position on the back side of the expected existence position and projects light toward the light receiving unit,
A defect detection device provided with a determination unit configured to determine the presence of a defective object when the amount of light received by the light receiving unit is out of an appropriate light amount range for detection light from a normal object in the particulate group;
A plurality of LED light emitting elements, wherein the projecting member is arranged side by side along the lateral width direction of the expected location; and a plurality of LED light emitting elements are arranged on a light projection side of an area where the plurality of LED light emitting elements are arranged. A diffusion plate for diffusing the light emitted by the element,
A defective object detection device provided with a light emission output adjusting means capable of changing and adjusting a light emission amount of the plurality of LED light emitting elements. The distance between the diffusion plate and each LED light emitting element is large at the center in the direction in which the plurality of LED light emitting elements are arranged, and the distance between each LED light emitting element at both ends in the arrangement direction. The defective object detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the defective object detecting device is provided in a state of being curved so as to be small. The light emission output adjusting means,
The defective object detection device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of LED light emitting elements are divided into a set number of blocks in the arrangement direction, and the light emission output is changed and adjusted for each block. The discriminating means is configured to sample the amount of light received by the light receiving means at a set time interval. In order to set the appropriate light amount range, the light receiving amount data of a set number obtained by the sampling is set to be dark. Is configured to obtain a frequency distribution for each light amount value divided into a plurality of stages from the side to the bright side,
The light emitting output adjusting means is configured to determine the most frequent light amount value in the frequency distribution based on the information on the frequency distribution of the determining means so as to be located at an appropriate position within the appropriate light amount range. The defective object detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the defective light amount is changed and adjusted. The light emission output adjusting means,
The appropriate position in the appropriate light amount range is changed and adjusted so that the light amount of the light projected from the projection member toward the light receiving unit is equal to or substantially equal to the light amount corresponding to the central position in the appropriate light amount range. The defective object detecting device according to claim 4, wherein the defective object detecting device is configured as follows. A sensitivity correction unit that changes and sets a correction coefficient for increasing or decreasing the amount of light received from the light receiving unit and corrects the sensitivity of the amount of received light to the appropriate light amount range is provided.
The light emission output adjusting means,
Corresponding to the sensitivity correction by the sensitivity correction means, when the sensitivity is corrected so that the received light amount is reduced, the light projected from the projection member toward the light receiving means as an appropriate position within the appropriate light amount range. Change and adjust the light amount to be smaller than the median value of the appropriate light amount range,
When the sensitivity is corrected so that the received light amount increases, the light amount of the light projected from the projection member toward the light receiving unit is larger than the central value of the appropriate light amount range as a proper position within the proper light amount range. The defective object detection device according to claim 4, wherein the defect detection device is configured to change and adjust the light amount to be the side light amount. It is a separation device provided with the defective object detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The expected location and a separation location on the lower side of the location relative to the location of the expected location so as to pass through the granular object group as the inspection object in a further state and in a laterally wide state along the expected transport path. Transfer means for transferring to
A separating device configured to include a separating unit configured to separate a normal substance and a defective substance in the group of granular materials transferred to the separation location into different paths.

Images