JP2006289167A - Inspection apparatus for agriculture product - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inspection apparatus for agriculture product capable of performing an operation for inspecting whole surfaces of an agriculture product with a small space and facilitating layout of the apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: Each housing body (B) held on each holding stand 9 of a rotation table 8 constituting the inspection apparatus 1 for agriculture product is moved along a conveyance course in the circumferential direction and, at the same time, each agriculture product (A) housed in each housing body (B) is held and lifted by each holding head 13 and is revolved and moved into each region (a) to (f) on the conveyance course. In an inspection area (c) for lateral surface, the whole periphery of the lateral surface of each agriculture product (A) held by each holding head 13 is photographed by a lateral surface photographing camera 36 and, in an inspection area (d) for lower surface, the lower surface of each agriculture product (A) held by each holding head 13 is photographed by a lower surface photographing camera 37. Thereafter, each agriculture product (A) held by each holding head 13 is again housed by each housing body (B) and the housing body (B) in which the agriculture product (A) is housed is discharged from each holding stand 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an agricultural product inspection apparatus used for an operation of inspecting the external state (appearance of scratches, colors, obstacles, etc.) of the entire surface of agricultural products such as apples, pears, peaches, tomatoes, strawberries, citrus fruits.

  Conventionally, as an apparatus for inspecting the appearance of the above-mentioned agricultural products, for example, after the upper surface and side surfaces of the agricultural products placed on the trays conveyed by the first conveyor device are measured by the upper surface measuring device, the first conveyor device conveys them. Agricultural products on the saucer are picked up by a transfer device arranged between the first conveyor device and the second conveyor device, and the transfer device picks up the product during the transfer to the saucer transported by the second conveyor device. There is a measuring device for sorting agricultural products of Patent Document 1 in which the lower surface of agricultural products is measured by a measuring device such as a lower surface disposed between a first conveyor and a second conveyor.

  However, in the above-described measuring device, the measuring device such as the lower surface has to be arranged between the first conveyor and the second conveyor arranged in parallel, which increases layout restrictions. In addition, other than the lower surface of the agricultural product must be inspected on the first conveyor or the second conveyor, and a measuring device for measuring the surface other than the lower surface is arranged on the first or second conveyor. The installation space required for inspection increases.

JP 2001-121089 A

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an agricultural product inspection apparatus that can perform an inspection of the entire agricultural product in a small space and can easily layout the entire apparatus.

  The agricultural product inspection apparatus of the invention described in claim 1 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced predetermined equidistant intervals with respect to the peripheral portion of the rotating body, and holds the storage body in which the agricultural product is stored; Rotating means for rotating the rotating body, a plurality of holding heads that are provided above the rotating body corresponding to the respective holding bases, hold the agricultural products stored in the holding body, and elevating means for moving the holding head up and down The lower surface photographing means for photographing the lower surface of the agricultural product disposed below the conveyance path of the holding table and held by the holding head, and on the basis of the image information photographed by the lower surface photographing means, A determination means for determining the state; and a moving means for moving the holding table to the inside of the rotating body. The produce on the container held by the holding table is held and raised by the holding head, and the container is stored. Take from the body While moving the produced agricultural product, the holding table on which the container is supported in the lower surface inspection area of the lower surface photographing unit is moved to the inside of the rotating body by the moving unit, and the lower surface of the agricultural product held by the holding head Is photographed by the lower surface photographing means.

  The agricultural products can be composed of, for example, fruits (apples, pears, peaches, tomatoes, strawberries, etc.), citrus fruits, and the like. In addition, the rotating body can be configured by a rotating table, a turntable, a support frame, or the like that rotates at a constant speed. Moreover, a container can be comprised with what accommodates agricultural products, such as a bread | pan, a tray, a plate, for example. In addition, the holding head can be configured to hold agricultural products such as suction pads, arms, and chucks. Further, the lower surface photographing means, the side surface photographing means, and the upper surface photographing means can be constituted by an apparatus such as a photographing camera, a digital camera, a video camera, etc. that is optically photographed. The determination means can be configured by a determination device such as a personal computer, a device including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM.

  According to this invention, the container in which the agricultural products are stored is held on each holding table provided on the rotating body on which the rotating means rotates, and is moved in the circumferential direction along the conveyance path of each holding table. After holding each produce on each container held by each holding table by each holding head that moves corresponding to each holding table, each holding head holding each produce is raised by an elevating means, Each agricultural product taken out from the container is moved in the circumferential direction along the conveying path of the holding table while being lifted upward by each holding head. In the lower surface inspection area set on the conveyance path of the holding table, the holding table on which the container is supported is moved to the inside of the rotating body by the moving means, and each agricultural product held by each holding head and the conveyance path of the holding table After retracting the container and the holding table from the lower surface photographing means arranged below, the lower surface of each agricultural product held by each holding head is photographed by the lower surface photographing means, and based on the photographed image information Then, the external state of each agricultural product is individually determined by the determining means.

  Thereafter, each holding table holding each container is moved to the outside of the rotating body by the moving means, each holding head holding each agricultural product is lowered by the lifting means, and each agricultural product whose bottom surface has been inspected is stored. The container is stored again in the body, and the container in which the agricultural products are stored is discharged from each holding table on the rotating body.

  The agricultural product inspection apparatus according to a second aspect of the invention is provided with a rotation means for rotating the holding head in combination with the configuration according to the first aspect, and the holding head is held on the side of the rotating body. A side photographing means for photographing the side of the agricultural product being placed is arranged, the holding head holding the produce is rotated by the rotating means in the side inspection area of the side photographing means set on the conveyance path of the holding table, and the holding is performed. The entire side of the agricultural product held by the head is photographed by the side photographing means.

  According to the present invention, in the side inspection region of the side photographing means provided on the conveyance path of the holding table, each holding head holding each agricultural product is rotated by the rotating means, and the entire side surface of the agricultural product held by each holding head is rotated. The circumference is photographed by the side surface photographing means disposed on the side of the rotating body, and the external state of the entire circumference of the side surface of each agricultural product is individually determined by the determining means based on the image information of the photographed whole circumference of the side surface.

  The agricultural product inspection apparatus of the invention described in claim 3 is combined with the configuration described in claim 1 or 2 above, on the carry-in path or the carry-out path on the side of the delivery area set on the transport path of the holding table. An upper surface photographing means for photographing the upper surface of the agricultural product accommodated in the container, and the upper surface of the agricultural product accommodated in the container in the upper surface inspection region of the upper surface photographing means set on the transport path of the container. Photographing is performed by photographing means.

  According to the present invention, the top surface of the produce on the container held by the holding table is photographed by the top surface photographing means in the carry-in side route or the carry-out side route on the side of the delivery area, and based on the image information of the photographed top surface. Since the external state on the lower surface side of each agricultural product is individually determined by the determining means, the entire agricultural product can be inspected.

  The agricultural product inspection apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the invention is combined with the structure according to any one of the first, second, and third aspects, and the holding base is a container that is supplied on the holding base. A mounting plate to be mounted; a pressing member that is locked to the body portion of the container mounted on the mounting plate; and a storage on the mounting plate that is attached below the mounting plate. An up-and-down swingable locking lever that is locked to the outer side of the body is provided.

  According to the present invention, the holding member is locked to the trunk portion of the container placed on the mounting plate of the holding base, and the locking lever is engaged to the outer portion of the container placed on the mounting plate. The container placed on the holding stand is prevented from jumping out by the centrifugal force applied when the rotating body rotates. On the other hand, the locking lever is swung below the outer side of the container, and the holding member is removed from the trunk of the container to release the lock, and the container is discharged from the mounting plate of the holding table.

  According to this invention, each agricultural product on each container held by each holding table of the rotating body is held by each holding head and lifted upward, and each agricultural product held by each holding head is circled along the transport path. Since the external state of each agricultural product is inspected while moving in the circumferential direction, the entire agricultural product can be inspected in a small space, and a large number of agricultural products can be inspected continuously. Can be inspected.

  In addition, as compared with the conventional example, the installation space for the entire apparatus is narrower and the operator's movement distance is shorter than when the photographing apparatus, the illumination apparatus, and the like are arranged on the straight conveyance path, so that maintenance can be easily performed.

  In addition, since a transfer mechanism for transferring agricultural products from the first conveyor to the second conveyor is not required as in the conventional example, the configuration and structure of the entire apparatus is simplified, and the layout of the apparatus can be easily performed, Can be manufactured at low cost.

  The purpose of this invention is to inspect the external state of each agricultural product while moving the respective agricultural products held by a plurality of holding heads in the circumferential direction along the conveying path for the purpose of performing the work of inspecting the entire agricultural product in a small space. To achieve.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
The drawings show a rotary type agricultural product inspection apparatus used for the inspection of the entire agricultural product. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotary type agricultural product inspection apparatus 1 includes each agricultural product A accommodated therein. The container B ... is carried into the inspection chamber 3 where the external light is blocked by the carry-in conveyor 2A, and the rotary disposed inside the inspection chamber 3 through the infeed screw 5 and the star wheel 6A arranged on the carry-in side. It is supplied on the rotary table 8 of the type inspection device 7. After inspecting the external state (side surface and bottom surface) of the produce A taken out from each container B on the turntable 8 on the conveyance path set along the peripheral edge of the turntable 8, the inspected produce A It accommodates again in each container B ... on the turntable 8, and is carried out by the carry-out conveyor 2B to the outside of the inspection chamber 3 through the star wheel 6B arranged on the carry-out side. In addition, the upper surface of the agricultural product A accommodated in the container B is inspected on the conveyance path of the star wheel 6A disposed on the carry-in side.

  The carry-in conveyor 2A conveys each container B in which one agricultural product A is accommodated, aligned in a line with respect to the conveyance direction, and is arranged in the downstream left side portion of the spiral groove 5a of the infeed screw 5a. Send them one by one. Further, the stopper mechanism 4 disposed on the upstream side right side infeeds each container B ... when the storage amount of each container B ... stored on the upstream side of the infeed screw 5 described later is insufficient. The supply to the screw 5 is stopped.

  The infeed screw 5 forms a spiral groove 5a for receiving each container B on the carry-in conveyor 2A so that the pitch interval gradually increases from the start end side to the end side, and is received by the spiral groove 5a. Each container B is transported while being spaced apart by a predetermined longitudinal interval in the transport direction by the rotational force of the screw itself, and one for each receiving portion 6a of the star wheel 6A disposed on the downstream right side. Supply one by one.

  The star wheel 6 </ b> A is formed with a plurality of receiving portions 6 a that hold one container B at a predetermined regular interval in the circumferential direction with respect to the peripheral portion, and is received by the spiral groove 5 a of the infeed screw 5. Each of the containers B ... is fed into each of the receiving parts 6a ..., and each of the containers B ... held by each of the receiving parts 6a ... is one for each holding table 9 of the turntable 8 to be described later. It rotates horizontally at such a speed that it can be delivered one by one. That is, in the delivery area a, the container B in which one agricultural product A is accommodated is moved around while being received by the receiving portions 6a, and is transferred one by one to the holding bases 9 of the rotary table 8.

  The star wheel 6B has the same configuration and structure as the star wheel 6A, and the receiving bodies B held by the holding bases 9 on the rotary table 8 are the receiving portions 6b of the star wheel 6B. Rotate horizontally at such a speed that one by one is delivered to each other. That is, in the delivery area f, the container B in which one agricultural product A is accommodated is moved around while being received by each receiving portion 6a, and is delivered one by one to the carry-out conveyor 2B.

  Further, the delivery guide 10 disposed between the star wheel 6A and the star wheel 6B is configured so that the receiving bodies B held by the receiving portions 6a of the star wheel 6A are connected to the receiving side peripheral portion of the star wheel 6A. A circular guide is provided so as to be delivered to each holding table 9 of the rotary table 8 along the opposite loading side guide surface. On the other hand, each container B ... held by each receiving portion 6b ... of the star wheel 6B is delivered to the carrying surface of the carry-out conveyor 2B along the carrying-out guide surface facing the receiving-side peripheral portion of the star wheel 6B. Guide around.

  The carry-out conveyor 2B conveys each container B, in which one agricultural product A, which is fed from each receiving portion 6b of the star wheel 6B, is accommodated in a line in the conveyance direction, for example, a sorting process. Transfer to the next process, such as a boxing process.

  In the upper surface inspection area g set on the conveying path of the star wheel 6A, as shown in FIG. 3, a top surface photographing camera 35 for photographing the upper surface of the produce A accommodated in the container B is arranged above the conveying path. Has been established. When the container B held in each receiving portion 6a is transported to the upper surface inspection area g, the top surface photographing camera 35 photographs the top surface of the produce A stored in the container B, and the image information is As inspection information for determining the top item of the produce A, it is stored in the determination device 39 described later in association with the unique information set for each container B.

  The inspection device 7 has a central portion of a disk-shaped rotary table 8 as viewed from a plane arranged at a height substantially parallel to the star wheels 6A and 6B on the lower end side of the rotary shaft 11 vertically bearing inside the inspection chamber 3. The center portion of the support frame 12 arranged above the rotary table 8 is fixed to the upper end side of the rotary shaft 11, and the rotary shaft 11 is unidirectionally driven by a driving means such as a motor through a gear or a chain. Each holding table 9 that is rotated and arranged at predetermined equal intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the peripheral portion on the upper surface side of the rotary table 8, and the peripheral portion of the support frame 12 corresponding to each holding table 9. The holding heads 13 vertically suspended at predetermined equal intervals in the circumferential direction, the transfer area a, the suction holding area b, and the side surface inspection area c set on the transport path of the holding bases 9. , Lower surface inspection area d, suction release area e, and delivery Revolution moves in synchronism with the region f.

  As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the holding base 9 is slidably attached in a radial direction to the rail 14 laid on the upper surface side peripheral portion of the rotary table 8, and the peripheral portion of the rotary table 8. It is slidably provided at a protruding position that protrudes outward and a retracted position that is inside or substantially equivalent to the peripheral edge.

  Further, the holding base 9 is substantially viewed from a plane that is locked to the recess Ba formed on the body peripheral surface of the container B on the mounting plate 9a on which one container B is mounted. A pair of left and right locking levers 9c, 9c fixed to the arc-shaped pressing member 9b and locked to the outer side of the container B mounted on the mounting plate 9a are provided on the lower surface side of the mounting plate 9a. A latch that is pivotally attached to both side portions so as to be swingable up and down, and that latches the latch lever 9c against the outer portion of the container B by a coil spring 9d loaded on the upper surface of the base end side of the latch lever 9c. Rotating bias is applied to the stop position. The cam follower 9e attached to the base end portion of the locking lever 9c is configured so that when the holding base 9 moves while protruding outward from the peripheral edge portion of the turntable 8, the holding base 9 erected from the transfer area f to the transfer area a. It rides on the locking release cam 15 below the conveyance path.

  That is, when the holding base 9 is moved while protruding outward from the peripheral edge of the turntable 8, the cam follower 9e of the locking lever 9c rides on the locking release cam 15, and resists the coil spring 9d, and the locking lever. The locking side end portion of 9c rotates downward, and the rotation is restricted to a release posture in which the locking is released with respect to the outer side portion of the container B. On the other hand, when the cam follower 9e is detached from the lock release cam 15, the rotation restriction of the lock lever 9c is released, and the lock posture is set to be locked to the outer portion of the container B by the restoring force of the coil spring 9d. Return to rotation.

  Further, the upper end of the support shaft 16 that is vertically supported on the rear upper surface from the retracted position on the rotary table 8 and the rear end portion of the holding base 9 are connected by the lever 17 and the rod 18, and the support shaft protrudes from the lower surface of the rotary table 8. 16, a small-diameter gear 19 fixed to the lower end of the rotary table 8 is engaged with a large-diameter gear 20 that is pivotally supported on the lower surface side peripheral portion, and a cam follower 21 attached to the lower surface side peripheral portion of the large-diameter gear 20 is connected to a cam base 23. Is engaged with a cam groove 22 formed along the peripheral portion on the upper surface side. The cam base 23 is fixed to the bottom of the examination chamber 3, and the rotary shaft 11 is rotatably supported at the center thereof.

  Further, the cam followers 21 attached to the lower surface of the rotary table 8 corresponding to the holding bases 9 move along the cam grooves 22 of the cam base 23 by the rotation of the rotary table 8, and the cam grooves 22 are transport paths. Groove portions corresponding to the upper delivery area a, suction holding area b, side surface inspection area c, suction release area e, and delivery area f are formed on the outer path along the peripheral edge of the cam base 23. The groove portion corresponding to the lower surface inspection region d is formed on the inner path so as to be close to the center side of the turntable 8.

  That is, when the holding base 9 is moved from the side surface inspection region c to the bottom surface inspection region d, the cam follower 21 moves along the cam groove 22 from the outer groove portion toward the inner groove portion, and the large-diameter gear 20 is integrated with the cam follower 21. And the large-diameter gear 20 and the small-diameter gear 19 rotate by an angle that causes the holding table 9 to retract backward from the peripheral edge of the rotary table 8, so that the holding table 9 is moved by the crank movement of the lever 17 and the rod 18. When the cam follower 21 is slid inward along the rail 14 toward the center of the rotary table 8 and the cam follower 21 moves along the cam groove 22 in the lower surface inspection area d, the holding base 9 is moved to the periphery of the rotary table 8. It moves while retracted to the retracted position that is inside or substantially equivalent to the part.

  When the holding base 9 is moved from the lower surface inspection area d to the suction release area e, the cam follower 21 moves along the cam groove 22 from the inner groove portion toward the outer groove portion, and the large-diameter gear 20 is integrated with the cam follower 21. And the large-diameter gear 20 and the small-diameter gear 19 reversely rotate by an angle that protrudes the holding table 9 outward from the peripheral edge of the rotary table 8. When the cam follower 21 moves along the cam grooves 22 in the regions a, b, c, e, and f other than the lower surface inspection region d, the holding base 9 is The rotary table 8 moves while protruding outward from the peripheral edge.

  Further, in the transfer area a and the transfer area f, when the holding table 9 is moved while protruding outward from the peripheral edge of the rotary table 8, the cam follower 9e of the locking lever 9c rides on the locking release cam 15, and the coil spring Since the locking side end of the locking lever 9c rotates downward against 9d and is restricted to a release posture in which the locking is released with respect to the outer side of the container B, the delivery region Each holding body B ... held by each receiving portion 6a ... of the star wheel 6A is delivered to each holding table 9 ... moved to a, and on each holding table 9 ... moved to the delivery area f. Each container B is delivered to each receiving portion 6b of the star wheel 6B.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the holding head 13 has a flexible suction pad 24 attached to the lower end portion of the hollow shaft 25 so that the substantially entire length of the hollow shaft 25 can be moved up and down with respect to the hollow spline shaft 26. Inserted and held, the spline shaft 26 is vertically supported so as to be vertically movable with respect to the inner rotating portion of the bearing portion 27 attached to the peripheral portion of the support frame 12, and is also held horizontally and integrally with the inner rotating portion. ing.

  In addition, the pulley 28 fixed to the inner rotating portion of the bearing portion 27 moves along the conveying path of the holding table 9 by the rotation of the support frame 12 and has a contact resistance erected on the side of the conveying path in the side inspection region c. Since the spline shaft 26 is rotated by the pulley 28 pressed against the rotation-imparting member 29 made of a large synthetic rubber and pressed against the rotation-imparting member 29, the holding head 13 holding the produce A rotates along the conveyance path. Move while. The rotation imparting member 29 can be composed of, for example, a synthetic rubber pad or belt.

  The upper end of the hollow shaft 25 is connected to a negative pressure generating device such as a vacuum pump or a suction blower via a negative pressure switching means such as a rotary valve, and a check valve attached to the lower end of the hollow shaft 25. When the suction pad 24 is in close contact with the produce A, the intake passage is opened, and when the suction pad 24 is not in close contact with the produce A, the intake passage is closed.

  The substantially annular holding frame 30 attached to the lower end of the spline shaft 26 is attached so as to surround the suction pad 24 and is always urged downward by a coil spring 31 loaded on the upper end of the holding frame 30. The suction pad 24 moves up and down according to the size of the produce A that is held by suction, and holds the produce A in a stable posture.

  In addition, the support member 32 on which the cam follower 33 is pivotally supported is attached to the upper end portion of the spline shaft 26 so as to be freely rotatable and not movable up and down, and is restricted to rotate so that the cam follower 33 side is always inward. Yes.

  The cam follower 33 that is pivotally supported by the support member 32 is engaged with a loop-shaped rail 34 that is installed above the peripheral edge of the support frame 12 around the rotation shaft 11, and along the rail 34 by the rotation of the support frame 12. Move up and down while moving in the circumferential direction, and move to the delivery area a, suction holding area b, side surface inspection area c, lower surface inspection area d, suction release area e, and delivery area f on the transport path To do.

  That is, when the holding head 13 moves from the transfer area a to the suction holding area b, the cam follower 33 descends along the rail 34, and the suction pad 24 at the lower end of the spline shaft 26 protrudes outside the peripheral edge of the turntable 8. It is brought into close contact with the produce A on the container B placed on the holding base 9. When the holding head 13 moves from the suction holding area b to the side inspection area c, the cam follower 33 rises along the rail 34, and the agricultural product A sucked and held by the suction pad 24 is lifted upward. When the holding head 13 moves from the side surface inspection area c to the lower surface inspection area d, the cam follower 33 moves horizontally along the rail 34 while being regulated at the raised position, and the produce A sucked and held by the suction pad 24 enters the transport path. Along the circumference and horizontally.

  Further, when the holding head 13 moves from the lower surface inspection area d to the suction release area e, the cam follower 33 descends along the rail 34, and the produce A sucked and held by the suction pad 24 is outside the peripheral edge of the turntable 8. It is mounted on the container B on the holding base 9 projecting to the top. When the holding head 13 moves from the suction release area e to the delivery area f, the cam follower 33 rises along the rail 34, and the suction pad 24 from which the produce A has been released is returned to the upper standby position. When the holding head 13 moves from the delivery area f to the delivery area a, the cam follower 33 moves horizontally along the rail 34 while being restricted to the raised position, and the suction pad 24 that has returned to the standby position rises along the conveyance path. It is moved horizontally in the circumferential direction.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the galvano mirror 36A for projecting the image of the side surface of the produce A held by the holding head 13 toward the side photographing camera 36 and the galvano mirror 36A are projected onto the side inspection region c. A side photographing camera 36 for photographing an image of the side surface of the agricultural product A is arranged on the side of the rotary table 8.

  The galvanometer mirror 36A follows the angle at which the image of the side surface of the produce A held by the holding head 13 is reflected toward the side photographing camera 36 by a motor or the like substantially in synchronization with the moving speed of the holding head 13. Rotate.

  In addition, the side photographing camera 36 projects an image of the side surface of the produce A held by the holding head 13 by the galvano mirror 36A while the holding head 13 holding the produce A is rotated by one rotation by the rotation device. Taking a picture (at least 4 times) and taking a picture of the entire circumference of the side surface of the produce A, the container B that moves in synchronism with the produce A as the inspection information for determining the side item of the produce A The information is stored in the determination device 39 in association with the unique information set for each time.

  In the side surface inspection area c, instead of providing the galvano mirror 36A, a plurality of side surface photographing cameras 36 may be arranged to photograph the entire side surface of the agricultural product A held by the holding head 13.

  In the lower surface inspection area d, as shown in FIG. 9, a lower surface photographing camera 37 that photographs the lower surface of the produce A held by the holding head 13 is outside the outer peripheral edge of the rotary table 8, It is arranged below the conveyance path of the holding table 9. In the lower surface photographing camera 37, the produce A held by the holding head 13 is transported to the lower surface inspection area d, the holding table 9 on which the container B is supported is moved to the inside of the rotary table 8, and is held by the holding head 13. When the container B and the holding base 9 are retracted from between the agricultural product A and the bottom surface photographing camera 37, the bottom surface of the agricultural product A held by the holding head 13 is photographed from directly below to above, and image information thereof Is stored in the determination device 39 in association with the unique information set for each container B that moves in synchronization with the produce A as inspection information for judging the bottom item of the produce A.

  The determination device 39 individually determines the grade and class of the produce A based on the image information of the entire circumference of the produce A photographed by the top photography camera 35, the side photography camera 36, and the bottom photography camera 37. The determination result is stored in association with the unique information set for each container B. In addition, based on the determination result stored in association with the specific information of the container B, a sorting signal is output to a sorting device (not shown) disposed on the downstream side of the carry-out conveyor 2B.

  The illustrated embodiment is configured as described above, and a method for inspecting the entire surface of the agricultural product A by the agricultural product inspection apparatus 1 will be described below.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, each container B... Containing one agricultural product A is carried in by the carry-in conveyor 2 </ b> A and fed one by one into the spiral groove 5 a of the infeed screw 5. Each container B is supplied one by one to each receiving portion 6a of the star wheel 6A while being separated from the conveying direction by a predetermined interval in the conveying direction by the infeed screw 5.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3, when the container B held by the receiving portion 6a is transported to the upper surface inspection region g set on the transport path of the star wheel 6A, it is stored in the container B. The upper surface of the agricultural product A is photographed by the upper surface photographing camera 35, and the image information is associated with the unique information set for each container B as the upper surface inspection information for determining the upper surface item of the agricultural product A to the determination device 39. Remember.

  Next, in synchronism with the moving speed of the containers B held by the receiving portions 6a of the star wheel 6A, the holding bases 9 of the rotary table 8 are moved to the transfer area a while protruding outward. And a pair of locking levers 9c, 9c attached to the holding base 9 are moved from the transfer area f to the lock release posture by the lock release cam 15 installed in the transfer area a while being restricted in rotation. Each container B held by each receiving portion 6a of 6A is transferred one by one to each holding table 9 of the rotary table 8 moved to the transfer area a.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the holding member 9 b of the holding base 9 is locked to the recess Ba on the circumferential surface of the container B, and the pair of left and right locking levers 9 c and 9 c are detached from the locking release cam 15. Then, the restriction is released and the coil spring 9d is rotated and returned to the locking posture locked to the outer portion of the container B, so that the locking levers 9c and 9c are locked to the outer portion of the container B. Thus, one container B is held on the holding table 9. In addition, the container B placed on the holding table 9 is prevented from jumping out by the centrifugal force applied when the rotary table 8 is rotated.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, each container B in which the agricultural product A is stored is moved along the conveyance path while being held on each holding table 9 of the rotary table 8, and each holding table 9 is moved. The holding heads 13 corresponding to each of the holding heads 13 are moved down along the transport path from the transfer area a to the suction holding area b substantially in synchronization with the moving speed of the holding base 9, and the container on the holding base 9 is lowered. The suction pad 24 is brought into close contact with the agricultural product A accommodated in B, and the agricultural product A is sucked and held by the negative pressure generated on the suction surface of the suction pad 24.

  Next, the holding head 13 is lifted straight up while being moved from the suction holding region b to the side surface inspection region c along the transport path substantially in synchronization with the moving speed of the holding base 9 and sucked and held by the suction pad 24. The agricultural product A is taken out from the container B and moved to the side inspection region c on the transport path while being lifted upward. And the container B from which the produce A has been removed is moved to the side inspection area c on the transport path while being placed on the holding table 9.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the pulley 28 of the holding head 13 holding the produce A is rotated by being moved along the conveyance path while being pressed against the rotation-giving member 29 in the side surface inspection area c. The mirror 36A is rotated in accordance with the angle at which the side image of the produce A held by the holding head 13 is reflected toward the side photographing camera 36, substantially in synchronization with the moving speed of the holding head 13, and the galvano mirror 36A is rotated. An image of the side surface of the agricultural product A to be reflected is photographed a plurality of times by the side photographing camera 36 to photograph the entire circumference of the agricultural product A. In addition, the image information captured by the side surface camera 36 is determined in association with unique information set for each container B that moves in synchronization with the produce A as side inspection information for determining the side item of the produce A. Store in device 39.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, each container B is moved while the produce A held by the holding head 13 is moved from the side surface inspection region c to the bottom surface inspection region d along the conveyance path. .. Are moved radially toward the center of the turntable 8 and, as shown in FIG. 9, the inner side of the outer peripheral edge of the turntable 8 or substantially the same. The container B and the holding base 9 are retracted from below the agricultural product A held by the holding head 13.

  Thereafter, the lower surface of the agricultural product A held by the holding head 13 is photographed by the lower surface photographing camera 37, and the image information is moved in synchronization with the agricultural product A as the lower surface inspection information for determining the lower surface item of the agricultural product A. The information is stored in the determination device 39 in association with the unique information set for each container B.

  Next, the holding bases 9 on which the containers B are placed are moved in the radial direction toward the outer peripheral portion of the rotary table 8 and at a protruding position that protrudes outward from the peripheral portion of the rotary table 8. After the movement, it is moved to the delivery area f on the conveyance path. Further, as shown in FIG. 7 again, the holding head 13 holding the produce A is moved from the lower surface inspection area d to the suction release area e along the conveyance path substantially in synchronization with the moving speed of the holding table 9. The agricultural product A sucked and held by the suction pad 24 is placed on the container B, and the suction holding by the suction pad 24 is released.

  Next, the holding head 13 is moved up along the conveyance path substantially in synchronization with the moving speed of the holding table 9, and the produce A released by the holding head 13 is released on the holding table 9. It is mounted again on the container B. Each container B in which the agricultural products A are stored is moved to the delivery area f on the transport path while being held on each holding table 9.

  Next, the cam followers 9e of the locking levers 9c attached to the holding bases 9 are pushed up by the locking release cams 15 installed in the transfer area f, and are brought into a locking release posture against the coil spring 9d. The locking levers 9c and 9c are pivoted downward from the outer side of the container B to release the lock, and the presser member 9b is removed from the recess Ba of the container B, so that the rotary table 8 Each container B held by each holding table 9 is transferred one by one to each receiving portion 6b of the star wheel 6B.

  Next, each container B ... sent out from each receiving part 6b ... of the star wheel 6B is transferred to the carry-out conveyor 2B one by one, and each container B ... on which one agricultural product A is placed. It is conveyed to the next process by the carry-out conveyor 2B.

  On the other hand, based on the image information of the entire circumference of the produce A photographed by the top photography camera 35, the side photography camera 36, and the bottom photography camera 37, the grade / class of the produce A is individually determined by the determination device 39, The determination result is stored in association with the unique information set for each container B. In addition, based on the determination result stored in association with the specific information of the container B, a sorting signal is output to a sorting device (not shown) arranged on the downstream side of the carry-out conveyor 2B, and sorting processing is performed by grade and class. To do.

  As described above, the agricultural products A on the containers B held by the holding bases 9 of the rotary table 8 are held by the holding heads 13 and lifted upward, and held by the holding heads 13. While the farm products A ... are revolved in the circumferential direction along the transport path, the entire side surface of each farm product A is photographed by the side-view camera 36 in the side inspection area c on the transport path, In the lower surface inspection area d, the lower surface of each agricultural product A is photographed by the lower surface photographing camera 37, and the upper surface of each agricultural product A is photographed by the upper surface photographing camera 35 in the upper surface inspection area g on the side of the conveyance path. Therefore, the work for inspecting the entire surface of the agricultural product A can be performed in a small space, and a large number of each of the agricultural products A can be inspected continuously, so that a high-capacity entire surface inspection can be performed in a small space.

  Further, since the side surface photographing camera 36 and the bottom surface photographing camera 37 are arranged in the circumferential direction along the conveying path of each holding table 9..., The photographing apparatus, the lighting device, etc. are arranged on the linear conveying path as in the conventional example. As a result, the installation space for the entire apparatus can be reduced, and the movement distance of the operator can be shortened, so that maintenance can be performed easily.

  In addition, since a transfer mechanism for transferring agricultural products from the first conveyor to the second conveyor is not required, the overall configuration and structure of the apparatus is simplified, the apparatus can be easily laid out, and manufactured at low cost. be able to.

  Further, the rotating operation of moving the holding bases 9 of the rotary table 8 and the holding heads 13 of the support frame 12 along the transport path, and the holding bases 9 projecting and retreating to the peripheral edge of the rotary table 8. Since the sliding operation is driven by a single driving means composed of a motor or the like, the entire apparatus can be easily started up.

  Further, in response to the movement of the produce A held by the holding head 13, the reflection angle of the galvano mirror 36 </ b> A is changed in accordance with the side-view camera 36 so that an image of the side of the produce A is captured by the side-view camera 36. Thus, the entire side surface of the agricultural product A can be photographed by the side photographing camera 36, and the number of installed photographing devices, lighting devices, etc. can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment,
The rotary body of the present invention corresponds to the rotary table 8 of the embodiment,
Similarly,
The rotating means corresponds to driving means such as a motor for rotating the rotating shaft 11 to which the rotary table 8 is fixed,
The lifting means corresponds to the cam follower 33 and the rail 34,
The moving means corresponds to the rail 14, the support shaft 16, the lever 17, the rod 18, the small diameter gear 19, the large diameter gear 20, the cam follower 21, and the cam groove 22.
The top surface photographing means corresponds to the top surface photographing camera 35,
The side photographing means corresponds to the side photographing camera 36,
The bottom surface photographing means corresponds to the bottom surface photographing camera 37,
The rotation means corresponds to the spline shaft 26, the bearing portion 27, the pulley 28, and the rotation applying member 29,
The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

  For example, it is also possible to install an internal inspection device that inspects the internal state of the agricultural product A stored in the container B before or after the agricultural product inspection device 1 is carried in or on the transport path of the star wheel 6A or 6B. is there.

  Further, the side inspection area c is provided in the downstream conveyance path of the lower surface inspection area d, and the lower surface of the agricultural product A held by the holding head 13 is imaged by the lower surface imaging camera 37, and then the side surface of the agricultural product A is captured by the side imaging camera 36. You may shoot with

  Further, the top surface of the agricultural product A accommodated in the container B may be photographed by the top surface photographing camera 35 on the transport path of the star wheel 6A.

The top view which shows the whole structure of an agricultural product inspection apparatus. The side view which shows the structure of an inspection apparatus. The expanded side view which shows the delivery operation | movement of a container. The enlarged plan view which shows the slide operation | movement of a holding stand. The enlarged side view which shows the state which protruded the holding stand to the outer side of the rotary table. The enlarged side view which shows the state which moved the holding stand to the inner side of the rotary table. The enlarged side view which shows the holding state of the agricultural product by a holding head. The enlarged side view which shows the side inspection state of agricultural products. The expanded side view which shows the bottom surface inspection state of agricultural products.

Explanation of symbols

a, f ... delivery area c ... side inspection area d ... bottom surface inspection area g ... top surface inspection area A ... produce B ... container 1 ... produce inspection apparatus 2A ... carry-in conveyor 2B ... carry-out conveyor 3 ... inspection room 4 ... stopper mechanism 5 ... infeed screw 6A, 6B ... star wheel 7 ... inspection device 8 ... rotary table 9 ... holding base 9a ... mounting plate 9b ... pressing member 9c ... locking lever 11 ... rotating shaft 12 ... support frame 13 ... holding head 14 ... Rail 15 ... Unlocking cam 16 ... Support shaft 17 ... Lever 18 ... Rod 19 ... Small diameter gear 20 ... Large diameter gear 21 ... Cam follower 22 ... Cam groove 24 ... Suction pad 26 ... Spline shaft 27 ... Bearing 28 ... Pulley 29 ... Rotation imparting member 33 ... Cam follower 34 ... Rail 35 ... Top view camera 36 ... Side view camera 37 ... Bottom view camera LA 39 ... Judgment device

Claims (4)

A plurality of holding stands that are provided at predetermined equal intervals in the circumferential direction with respect to the peripheral portion of the rotating body, and hold a container that contains agricultural products;
A rotating means for rotating the rotating body;
A plurality of holding heads that are provided above the rotating body corresponding to each of the holding bases, and hold agricultural products stored in the container;
Elevating means for elevating the holding head;
A lower surface photographing means for photographing the lower surface of the produce that is disposed below the conveyance path of the holding table and is held by the holding head;
Determination means for determining the state of the produce based on image information photographed by the bottom surface photographing means;
Moving means for moving the holding table to the inside of the rotating body,
While holding and raising the produce on the container held by the holding table with the holding head, moving the agricultural product taken out from the container,
In the lower surface inspection area of the lower surface photographing means, the holding table on which the container is supported is moved to the inside of the rotating body by the moving means, and the lower surface of the agricultural product held by the holding head is photographed by the lower surface photographing means. Agricultural product inspection equipment. Provided with a rotation means for rotating the holding head, a side photographing means for photographing the side of the agricultural product held by the holding head is arranged on the side of the rotating body,
The holding head holding the produce is rotated by the rotating means in the side inspection area of the side imaging means set on the conveyance path of the holding table, and the entire side of the side of the produce held by the holding head is taken as a side view. 2. The agricultural product inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein photographing is performed by means. Provided on the carry-in side path or the carry-out side path of the delivery area side set on the transport path of the holding table is an upper surface photographing means for photographing the upper surface of the agricultural product stored in the container,
3. The agricultural product inspection according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the agricultural product contained in the container is photographed by the upper surface photographing means in the upper surface inspection area of the upper surface photographing means set on the transport path of the container. apparatus. The holding table is
A mounting plate for mounting the container supplied on the holding table, a pressing member locked to the body of the container mounted on the mounting plate, and 4. An up / down swingable locking lever that is attached to the lower side and that is locked to the outer side of the container on the mounting plate is provided. Agricultural product inspection equipment described in 1.

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