JP2015004547A - Non-destructive quality determination device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a non-destructive quality determination device capable of efficiently and accurately performing cavity determination.SOLUTION: A non-destructive quality determination device 1 comprises: surface color specifying means 40; irradiation means 51; detection means 52; and cavity determining means 70 having a prediction section 71 that predicts cavity ratio inside fruit/vegetable 2 based on a detection result by the detection means 52 and calculates predicted cavity ratio Z, a correction section 72 that corrects the predicted cavity ratio Z corresponding to surface color X of the fruit/vegetable 2 specified by the surface color specifying means 40 and calculates corrected cavity ratio Z', and a determining section 73 that determines that there is a cavity inside the fruit/vegetable 2 when the corrected cavity ratio Z' is larger than a predetermined threshold value and determines that there is no cavity inside the fruit/vegetable 2 when the ratio is the threshold value or less.

Description

  The present invention relates to a nondestructive quality judging device for judging the quality of fruits and vegetables nondestructively.

Conventionally, a nondestructive quality determination apparatus that determines the presence or absence of a cavity in a fruit or vegetable is known (for example, Patent Document 1).
The nondestructive quality determination device described in Patent Document 1 irradiates the fruits and vegetables with detection light, detects the detection light transmitted through the fruits and vegetables, predicts the void ratio inside the fruits and vegetables based on the detection results, If the predicted cavity ratio (predicted cavity ratio) is greater than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that there is a cavity inside the fruit and vegetable, and if it is less than the threshold, it is determined that there is no cavity inside the fruit and vegetable. It was.

However, the cavity determination tends to contribute mainly to the color of the cavity (black). As a result, when the surface color of the fruits and vegetables becomes darker than usual, the surface portion of the fruits and vegetables is determined to be a cavity, and as a result, the prediction accuracy of the cavity ratio is lowered, and the accuracy of the cavity determination may be lowered.
In addition, since the optical sensor collectively obtains information on the entire portion through which the detection light is transmitted, it is difficult to determine the cavity only inside the surface of the fruits and vegetables.
Therefore, assuming that the surface color of the fruits and vegetables brought in by the same producer is similar, the worker who determines the cavity determines the surface color of the fruits and vegetables brought in for each producer, and the surface determined for each producer. Corresponding to the color by changing the threshold value of the cavity determination.

However, the worker must visually check the surface color of the fruits and vegetables brought in for each producer, and perform the work of changing the threshold value of the cavity determination for each producer in correspondence with the confirmed surface color, Workability was reduced.
Further, even if the producers are the same, when the surface color variation of the fruits and vegetables to be brought in is large, it is difficult to improve the accuracy of the cavity determination by the method of changing the threshold value of the cavity determination for each producer. there were.

JP 2011-112575 A

  The present invention provides a non-destructive quality determination apparatus that can efficiently perform cavity determination and can perform accurately.

The nondestructive quality judging device according to claim 1 is:
Surface color specifying means for specifying the surface color of fruits and vegetables;
Irradiating means for irradiating the fruits and vegetables with detection light;
Detecting means for detecting the detection light irradiated by the irradiation means and transmitted or reflected by the fruits and vegetables;
A prediction unit that predicts a cavity ratio inside the fruit and vegetables based on a detection result by the detection means and calculates a predicted cavity ratio, and the predicted cavity ratio is set to the surface color of the fruit and vegetables specified by the surface color specifying means. When the correction cavity ratio is larger than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that there is a cavity inside the fruit and vegetables, and if the correction cavity ratio is equal to or less than the threshold value. A determination unit having a determination unit that determines that there is no cavity inside the fruit and vegetables,
It comprises.

In the nondestructive quality judging device according to claim 2,
The correction unit of the cavity determination unit is obtained in advance, the surface color of the fruits and vegetables, the predicted cavity rate of the fruits and vegetables calculated by the prediction unit of the cavity determination unit, the measured value of the cavity rate of the fruits and vegetables, Based on the correlation, the corrected cavity ratio is calculated.

  The present invention has an effect that the cavity determination can be performed efficiently and accurately.

The top view of a conveying apparatus. The side view of a conveying apparatus. The block diagram which shows the structure of the control mechanism of a nondestructive quality determination apparatus. The flowchart which shows a control flow. The flowchart which shows a control flow. The graph which shows the relationship between the specific gravity of fruit and vegetables, and the cavity ratio of fruit and vegetables. The graph which shows the relationship between the specific gravity of the fruits and vegetables estimated by the spectrum acquired from the spectrometer, and the specific gravity of the fruits and vegetables measured with the electronic hydrometer. The graph which shows the relationship between a deviation degree and the surface color of fruit and vegetables. The figure which shows the structure which changes an optical system width | variety according to the size of fruit and vegetables 2. FIG. (A) The figure which shows the display mode of the conventional error, (b) The figure which shows the display mode of the error of the nondestructive quality determination apparatus of this embodiment. (A) The front view of a conveying apparatus, (b) The side view of a conveying apparatus.

Below, the nondestructive quality determination apparatus 1 is demonstrated.
The nondestructive quality determination apparatus 1 determines the quality of the fruits and vegetables 2 (the presence or absence of cavities in the fruits and vegetables 2) while conveying the fruits and vegetables 2.
The fruits and vegetables 2 are vegetables (including moss) and fruits that may cause a cavity inside. The fruits and vegetables 2 of this embodiment are assumed to be potatoes.

The nondestructive quality determination device 1 includes a transport device (conveyor) 3 and a measurement device 4.
In addition, the arrow A in FIG.1, FIG.2, FIG.11 (a) and FIG.11 (b) is taken as the conveyance direction of the fruits and vegetables 2 by the conveying apparatus 3. FIG.

  The conveying device 3 conveys the fruits and vegetables 2. As shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2, the conveying apparatus 3 is comprised from the endless belt 13 which consists of a belt etc. which become a conveyance body. On the upper surface of the endless belt 13, a placement portion 10 on which the fruits and vegetables 2 are placed is formed. A plurality of pulleys 11, 11, 11 and drive wheels 9 around which an endless belt 13 is wound are disposed on one side in the transport direction of the transport device 3. The drive wheel 9 is fixed to the drive shaft of the drive motor 12. The transport device 3 is configured to transport the fruits and vegetables 2 by rotating the endless belt 13 by operating the drive motor 12 in a state where the fruits and vegetables 2 are placed on the placement unit 10. Further, an encoder 7 is provided in the vicinity of the drive motor 12 in order to detect the conveyance drive state of the conveyance device 3. The conveyance device 3 is configured to detect the conveyance position of the fruits and vegetables 2 by detecting the rotation of the driving wheel 9 or the endless belt 13 by the encoder 7.

  The measuring device 4 measures and determines the quality of the fruits and vegetables 2. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the measuring device 4 includes a photoelectric sensor 30, a surface color specifying unit 40, an irradiation unit 51, a detection unit 52, a spectrometer 60, and a cavity determination unit 70. And.

  The photoelectric sensor 30 is for detecting the presence or absence of the fruits and vegetables 2 conveyed by the conveying device 3. The photoelectric sensor 30 is disposed in the middle of the conveyance path of the fruits and vegetables 2 conveyed by the conveyance device 3.

  The surface color specifying means 40 is for specifying the surface color of the fruits and vegetables 2 (surface color density). The surface color specifying unit 40 includes an imaging unit 41 and an image processing unit 42.

  The imaging part 41 images the fruits and vegetables 2 conveyed by the conveying apparatus 3 at a predetermined timing. The imaging unit 41 is configured by a CCD camera or the like. The imaging unit 41 is disposed in the middle of the transport path of the fruits and vegetables 2 transported by the transport device 3 and is disposed on the downstream side of the photoelectric sensor 30. Moreover, the imaging part 41 is arrange | positioned above the mounting part 10 and the fruits and vegetables 2 mounted on it.

The image processing unit 42 is connected to the imaging unit 41, and can acquire data (imaging data) related to the captured image of the imaging unit 41.
For example, the image processing unit 42 performs a known edge detection process on a captured image (for example, a grayscale image) of the imaging unit 41 to identify a region where the fruits and vegetables 2 in the captured image are reflected. The average value (average pixel value) of the color of the specified area is specified as the surface color of the fruits and vegetables 2.

  The irradiation means 51 irradiates the fruits and vegetables 2 with detection light (infrared rays). The irradiating means 51 has a light emitting part constituted by an LED, a halogen lamp or the like.

  The detection unit 52 detects red infrared rays that are irradiated to the fruits and vegetables 2 by the irradiation unit 51 and transmitted through the fruits and vegetables 2. The detection means 52 has a detection unit constituted by a photodiode, a phototransistor, a CCD, or the like.

The light emitting unit of the irradiation unit 51 and the detection unit of the detection unit 52 are arranged in the middle of the conveyance path of the fruits and vegetables 2 conveyed by the conveyance device 3 and are arranged on the downstream side of the imaging unit 41. The light emitting unit 51 of the irradiation unit 51 and the detection unit 52 of the detection unit 52 are horizontally opposed to each other across the endless belt 13 of the transport device 3, and infrared rays from the light emitting unit are used for the fruits and vegetables 2 by the transport device 3. It is configured to irradiate horizontally in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. Moreover, the light emission part of the irradiation means 51 and the detection part of the detection means 52 are arrange | positioned a little above the mounting part 10, Thereby, the infrared rays from the irradiation means 51 are fruits and vegetables on the mounting part 10. It is configured to be irradiated horizontally at a height that can hit 2.
In the present embodiment, the detection means 52 is configured to detect infrared rays (infrared transmitted light) transmitted through the fruits and vegetables 2, but is configured to detect infrared rays (infrared reflected light) reflected by the fruits and vegetables 2. It is good.

  The irradiation means 51 and the detection means 52 described above are covered with the housing 5. The housing 5 is a substantially box-shaped member, and is disposed in the middle of the transport path of the fruits and vegetables 2 transported by the transport device 3. In the casing 5, an inlet 5a is formed on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the fruits and vegetables 2, and an outlet 5b is formed on the downstream side. Shutters are provided at the entrance 5a and the exit 5b of the housing 5, respectively. When the fruits and vegetables 2 are transported and unloaded into the housing 5, the entrance 5a and the outlet 5b are opened by the shutter, and when the fruits and vegetables 2 in the housing 5 are irradiated with infrared rays from the irradiation means 51, The entrance 5a and the exit 5b are closed by the shutter.

  The housing 5 can reduce disturbance light entering the housing 5. In addition, the housing | casing 5 is good also as a structure provided with shielding members, such as a curtain, in the entrance 5a and the exit 5b. Thereby, the disturbance light which infiltrates into the housing 5 can be further reduced.

  The spectroscope 60 takes out (splits) light of a specific wavelength, converts the light of the specific wavelength into an electric signal, and outputs it as information on the intensity of the light. The spectroscope 60 includes therein a diffraction grating, a prism, and the like that split light of a specific wavelength, and a detector that converts the split light into an electrical signal. The spectroscope 60 separates infrared rays detected by the detecting means 52 and converts them into electric signals. The spectroscope 60 transmits the converted electrical signal to the cavity determination means 70.

  Next, the cavity determination means 70 will be described.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cavity determination unit 70 includes a prediction unit 71, a correction unit 72, a determination unit 73, and a storage unit 74. The cavity determining unit 70 is connected to the image processing unit 42. The cavity determination unit 70 is connected to the detection unit 52 via the spectroscope 60.

The predicting unit 71 predicts the cavity ratio of the fruits and vegetables 2 and calculates the predicted cavity ratio. The corrector 72 corrects the predicted cavity ratio calculated by the predictor 71 and calculates the corrected cavity ratio. The determination unit 73 determines whether or not there is a cavity in the fruit 2.
The storage unit 74 stores various control programs and data, as well as programs and data for determining the presence or absence of a cavity in the fruit 2.

  Next, the operation | movement aspect (step S1-S8) of the nondestructive quality determination apparatus 1 is demonstrated with reference to FIGS.

  In step S <b> 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the fruits and vegetables 2 are transported by the transport device 3 while being placed on the placement unit 10 of the transport device 3. Then, the fruits and vegetables 2 conveyed by the conveying device 3 detects that the fruits and vegetables 2 have been conveyed by blocking (passing) the detection light of the photoelectric sensor 30.

  In step S <b> 2, the fruits and vegetables 2 conveyed by the conveying device 3 are imaged by the imaging unit 41 when they reach a predetermined position (a position below the imaging unit 41) facing the imaging unit 41. Then, the image processing unit 42 acquires imaging data from the imaging unit 41 (see FIG. 3).

  In step S <b> 3, the image processing unit 42 specifies the surface color of the fruits and vegetables 2 based on the imaging data acquired from the imaging unit 41. Information regarding the surface color of the fruits and vegetables 2 specified by the image processing unit 42 is transmitted to the cavity determination means 70.

  In step S <b> 4, when the imaging of the fruits and vegetables 2 by the imaging unit 41 is finished, the fruits and vegetables 2 are transported by the transport device 3 through the inlet 5 a of the housing 5 into the housing 5. The fruits and vegetables 2 are irradiated with infrared rays by the irradiating means 51 when reaching the position between the irradiating means 51 and the detecting means 52.

  In step S <b> 5, the infrared rays irradiated by the irradiation unit 51 and transmitted through the fruits and vegetables 2 are detected by the detection unit 52. When infrared rays are detected by the detection means 52, the spectroscope 60 separates the infrared rays detected by the detection means 52 and converts them into electrical signals. When the infrared light dispersed by the spectroscope 60 is converted into an electric signal, the cavity determining means 70 acquires the electric signal (spectrum) converted by the spectroscope 60. That is, the cavity determination unit 70 acquires the detection result by the detection unit 52 via the spectroscope 60.

In step S <b> 6, the cavity determining means 70 determines the presence / absence of a cavity in the fruits and vegetables 2 based on the electrical signal (spectrum) from the spectroscope 60 and information on the surface color of the fruits and vegetables 2 acquired from the image processing unit 42. To do.
The determination result by the cavity determination means 70 is output by a display device such as a display or a printing device such as a printer.

  In step S <b> 7, the fruits and vegetables 2 that have been determined by the cavity determining means 70 are transported by the transport device 3 to the outside of the housing 5 through the outlet 5 b of the housing 5. On the downstream side in the transport direction of the transport device 3, the fruits and vegetables 2 determined to have a cavity inside by the cavity determination means 70 are excluded by a sorting device or a hand (not shown).

  Next, the determination method of the presence or absence of the cavity of the fruit 2 by the cavity determination means 70 and the procedure (steps S61 to S63) in step S6 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

First, the relationship between the specific gravity of the fruits and vegetables 2 and the void ratio will be described.
In examining the relationship between the specific gravity of the fruits and vegetables 2 and the void ratio, a number of samples were prepared, and the specific gravity of the fruits and vegetables 2 was measured by an underwater substitution method using an electronic hydrometer.
Further, the vicinity of the maximum diameter portion of the fruits and vegetables 2 for which the specific gravity is measured is horizontally cut, and the ratio of the area occupied by the cavity portion to the total area in the horizontal cut surface with respect to the total area of the horizontal cut surface is determined as the cavity of the fruits and vegetables 2 Measured as a rate. As a result, a correlation as shown in FIG. 6 was obtained. That is, it has been found that the cavity ratio of the fruits and vegetables 2 increases as the specific gravity of the fruits and vegetables 2 decreases.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, the relationship between the specific gravity (measured value) of the fruits and vegetables 2 measured by the electronic hydrometer and the specific gravity (predicted value) of the fruits and vegetables 2 predicted by the electric signal (spectrum) acquired from the spectroscope 60. It was also found that there was a certain correlation.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, when step S <b> 5 is completed, in step S <b> 61, the prediction unit 71 of the cavity determination unit 70 predicts the specific gravity of the fruits and vegetables 2 based on the electrical signal (spectrum) acquired from the spectrometer 60. Subsequently, the predicted void ratio of the fruits and vegetables 2 is calculated from the specific gravity.

  That is, the prediction unit 71 predicts the specific gravity of the fruits and vegetables 2 using the absorption amount of the specific wavelength component in the infrared rays irradiated from the irradiation unit 51 and the specific gravity map. Specifically, the specific gravity of the fruits and vegetables 2 is predicted by fitting the specific gravity map with an absorption amount of a specific wavelength component in infrared rays obtained according to the electric signal (spectrum) acquired from the spectroscope 60. Here, the specific gravity map is a map obtained by obtaining a relationship between the absorbed amount and the specific gravity of the fruits and vegetables 2 by conducting a test in advance for each type and variety of the fruits and vegetables 2. The specific gravity map is stored in the storage unit 74 of the cavity determination unit 70.

  Next, the prediction unit 71 calculates the predicted cavity ratio by predicting the cavity ratio of the fruit 2 using the specific gravity of the fruit 2 predicted as described above and the cavity ratio map. Specifically, the cavity determination means 70 calculates the predicted cavity ratio of the fruits and vegetables 2 by applying the predicted specific gravity of the fruits and vegetables 2 to the cavity ratio map. Here, the cavity ratio map is a map obtained by obtaining a relationship between the specific gravity of the fruits and vegetables 2 and the cavity ratio by conducting a test in advance for each kind and variety of the fruits and vegetables 2. The cavity ratio map is stored in the storage unit 74 of the cavity determining means 70.

Subsequently, in step S62, the correction unit 72 corrects the predicted cavity ratio calculated by the prediction unit 71 to calculate a corrected cavity ratio.
The correction unit 72 includes the surface color X of the fruits and vegetables 2, the measured value Y of the cavity ratio of the fruits and vegetables 2, the predicted cavity ratio Z of the fruits and vegetables 2 calculated by the prediction unit 71 of the cavity determining unit 70, The corrected cavity ratio Z ′ is calculated based on the correlation (correction map).
FIG. 8 shows the correction map.
The horizontal axis in FIG. 8 indicates the surface color (surface color density) X of the fruit 2.
The vertical axis in FIG. 8 indicates the degree of divergence α between the measured value Y of the cavity ratio of the fruits and vegetables 2 and the predicted cavity ratio Z of the fruits and vegetables 2 (= predicted cavity ratio Z−measured value Y).
Here, the correction map shown in FIG. 8 refers to the surface color (average pixel value) X of the fruits and vegetables 2 by performing a test in advance on the plurality of fruits and vegetables 2 having different surface colors. The relationship between the measured value Y of the void ratio of 2 and the predicted void ratio Z of the fruits and vegetables 2 is obtained and used as a map. That is, the correction map is a map obtained by obtaining the relationship between the surface color X of the fruits and vegetables 2 and the degree of deviation α (= predicted cavity ratio Z−measured value Y). The correction map is stored in the storage unit 74 of the cavity determining unit 70.
As shown in FIG. 8, when the surface color of the fruits and vegetables 2 becomes darker by creating the correction map, the difference between the measured value Y of the cavity ratio of the fruits and vegetables 2 and the predicted cavity ratio Z of the fruits and vegetables 2 (the above divergence) It has been found that the degree α) tends to increase. This is because when the surface color of the fruits and vegetables 2 becomes dark, the predicting unit 71 determines that the surface portion of the fruits and vegetables is a cavity, and as a result, the predicted cavity ratio Z of the fruits and vegetables 2 calculated by the predicting unit 71 is measured by the cavity ratio. The cause is considered to be larger than the value Y.
Therefore, in step S61, the predicted cavity ratio Z calculated by the prediction unit 71 is corrected in accordance with the surface color X of the fruits and vegetables 2 calculated by the image processing unit 42 in step S3, thereby correcting cavity. The rate Z ′ was calculated. At that time, the correction map is used.

In step S62, the correction unit 72 calculates the corrected cavity ratio Z ′ according to the following procedure. Incidentally, in step S3, the surface color X of fruits or vegetables 2 calculated by the image processing unit 42 is X _x, in step S61, the prediction void content Z calculated by the prediction unit 71 was Z _x I will do it.
In step S61, the prediction void content Z _x is calculated by the prediction unit 71, in step S62, the correction unit 72, the correction map based on (see FIG. 8), fruits and vegetables 2 calculated in step S3 The degree of divergence α _x corresponding to the surface color X _x is calculated. Then, the correcting unit 72 calculates a value obtained by subtracting the divergence degree α _x from the predicted cavity ratio Z _x calculated in step S61 as the corrected cavity ratio Z ′ (Z ′ = Z _x −α _x ).

  Subsequently, in step S <b> 63, the determination unit 73 determines the presence / absence of a cavity in the fruit 2. The determination unit 73 determines that there is a cavity inside the fruits and vegetables 2 when the corrected cavity ratio Z ′ calculated by the correction unit 72 is larger than a predetermined threshold set in advance for each type and variety of the fruits and vegetables 2. On the other hand, when the corrected cavity ratio Z ′ is equal to or less than the threshold value, the determination unit 73 determines that there is no cavity inside the fruit 2.

As described above, the nondestructive quality determination device 1
Surface color specifying means 40 for specifying the surface color of the fruits and vegetables 2;
An irradiation means 51 for irradiating the fruits and vegetables 2 with detection light (infrared rays);
Detection means 52 for detecting the detection light irradiated by the irradiation means 51 and transmitted or reflected by the fruits and vegetables 2;
The predicting unit 71 that calculates the predicted cavity ratio Z by predicting the cavity ratio in the fruits and vegetables 2 based on the detection result by the detection means 52, the predicted cavity ratio Z is determined by the surface color specifying means 40. When the correction unit 72 that corrects the color according to the color X and calculates the corrected cavity ratio Z ′, and the corrected cavity ratio Z ′ is larger than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that there is a cavity inside the fruit 2. In the case where it is equal to or less than the threshold value, the cavity determining means 70 having a determination unit 73 that determines that there is no cavity inside the fruit and vegetables 2,
It comprises.
Further, the correction unit 72 of the cavity determination unit 70 is obtained in advance by the surface color X of the fruit 2, the predicted cavity rate Z of the fruit 2 calculated by the prediction unit 71 of the cavity determination unit 70, and the cavity of the vegetable 2 Based on the correlation with the measured value Y of the rate (see the correction map, see FIG. 8), the corrected cavity rate Z ′ is calculated.

Thus, even when the degree of divergence α between the predicted cavity ratio Z of the fruits and vegetables 2 and the measured value Y of the cavity ratio increases because the surface color of the fruits and vegetables 2 is darker than usual, the correction unit 72 performs the divergence degree. In consideration of α, the predicted cavity ratio Z is corrected according to the surface color of the fruits and vegetables 2 to calculate the corrected cavity ratio Z ′. And the determination part 73 performs cavity determination using correction | amendment cavity rate Z '. Therefore, the cavity determination unit 70 performs cavity determination in consideration of the surface color density (degree of deviation α) of the fruit 2, so that the cavity determination can be performed with high accuracy.
Further, it is not necessary to visually check the surface color of the fruits and vegetables 2 brought by the producer for each producer and to change the threshold value for the cavity determination, and the cavity determination can be performed efficiently.

In addition, if the space | interval (optical system width | variety) of the light emission part (light projection part) of the said irradiation means 51 and the detection part (light-receiving part) of the detection means 52 is too wide with respect to the size of fruit and vegetables 2, the irradiation means 51 will be described. Therefore, when the detection light is irradiated and the fruits and vegetables 2 are transmitted, leakage light is generated, and the quality determination accuracy of the fruits and vegetables 2 may be lowered.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the optical system width may be changed in accordance with the size of the fruits and vegetables 2. Specifically, a link mechanism 101 and an actuator 102 are provided for moving the irradiation unit 51 and the detection unit 52 close to and away from each other. Then, the optical system width control means 103 is connected to the imaging unit 41 and the actuator 102. Then, the optical system width control unit 103 acquires the image data from the image capturing unit 41, performs a known edge detection process on the image captured by the image capturing unit 41 (for example, a grayscale image), and includes the captured image in the captured image. A region (contour of the fruits and vegetables 2) in which the fruits and vegetables 2 are shown is specified, and the size of the fruits and vegetables 2 conveyed along the conveyance path is calculated based on the width of the specified region. Then, the optical system width control means 103 operates the actuator 102 in accordance with the calculated size of the fruit 2 to change the distance (optical system width) D between the irradiation means 51 and the detection means 52. The optical system width control means 103 widens the optical system width when the size of the fruit 2 is large, and narrows the optical system width when the size of the fruit 2 is small (see FIG. 9).
With the above configuration, the optical system width control unit 103 can adjust the optical system width D to an optimum width according to the size of the fruits and vegetables 2. Thereby, the said leak light can be suppressed and the determination accuracy of the quality of the fruits and vegetables 2 can be improved.

Moreover, the optical system mirror part, lens part, etc. of the conventional nondestructive quality judging device are surrounded by a cover or the like, and thus dust-proof measures have been taken. However, if only the cover made of sheet metal or the like is used to cover the periphery, dust or the like may enter the apparatus through the gap between the cover mounting portions, and it is difficult to form a sealed structure with the cover. It was.
Therefore, regarding the non-destructive quality determination device 1 of the present embodiment, the cover is attached and surrounded as usual in a part (imaging unit 41, irradiation unit 51, detection unit 52, etc.) that requires special attention to dust prevention, Air from a compressor is injected into the cover so that the air pressure in the cover is higher than the external air pressure. Thereby, it will be in the state which the air from the said compressor has leaked from the clearance gap between the attachment parts of the said cover. As a result, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from entering the apparatus through the gap between the cover mounting portions. It should be noted that since a compressor is often installed in a fruit selection facility or the like, it is possible to use this compressor for the above-mentioned dustproof measures. Further, the pressure of the pressurized air supplied into the cover may be relatively weak.
In addition, it may replace with the said compressor and you may comprise so that the ventilation by a fan etc. may be supplied in the said cover. However, the air blown by the fan or the like needs to be relatively clean as compared to the surrounding environment of the apparatus.

In addition, regarding the conventional nondestructive quality determination device, when an abnormality occurs, the same alarm sound is generated regardless of the location and content of the abnormality. As a result, the operator cannot immediately determine the location and content of the abnormality, and there is a risk of overlooking even a serious abnormality.
Therefore, the nondestructive quality determination apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is configured to change the alarm sound (music) according to the location and content of the abnormality. Thereby, the worker can listen to the music and determine the location of the abnormality (where the abnormality is occurring in the apparatus) and the content of the abnormality.
In addition, you may comprise so that a music and a music tone may be changed according to the importance and urgency of an abnormality. Thereby, when an abnormality occurs, the worker can listen to the music and determine whether or not the abnormality should be dealt with immediately.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10A, in the conventional nondestructive quality determination apparatus, the display (111) displays warning (error) only by character display. As a result, even if the operator can confirm the content of the error by displaying characters, it is difficult to identify the location where the error occurred in the device unless the configuration of the device is known.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10B, the nondestructive quality determination apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured so that the content of the error is shown not only in the character display but also in the illustration. For example, the display unit 112 displays a character display of the content of the error and a diagram showing the device, and blinks a portion corresponding to the location where the error has occurred in the diagram of the device. As a result, even if the operator does not fully understand the configuration of the apparatus, it is possible to confirm in which part of the apparatus the error has occurred from the display content of the display means 112, and visually indicate the position where the error has occurred. It is possible to confirm.

In addition, with regard to the conventional nondestructive quality judgment device, the transport device etc. continues to be driven even when the sample (the fruits and vegetables to be measured) does not flow for a certain period of time, and the operator stops with the stop button etc. Unless I let it, I kept driving. As a result, unnecessary power is used.
Therefore, regarding the nondestructive quality determination device 1 of the present embodiment, when a sample is not detected for a certain period of time by the sample detection photoelectric sensor 30 or the like on the upstream side of the transport device (conveyor) 3, it is regarded as a break. The conveying device 3 is stopped, and the set light amount of the light emitting unit of the irradiation unit 51 is reduced. Thereby, use of unnecessary electric power can be reduced and the energy saving effect can be enhanced.
In addition, the nondestructive quality determination apparatus 1 of this embodiment is restarted with a warning light and a warning sound for safety, when returning the stopped conveyance apparatus 3 grade | etc.,. In addition, what is stopped when a sample is not detected for a certain period of time is not limited to the transport device 3, and the functions (alignment belt and reversing belt) associated with the selection facility are also stopped. However, for those that adversely affect the accuracy of selection after returning by stopping for a certain period of time, or those that require time for returning, they will not be stopped even if a sample is not detected for a certain period of time.

In addition, in the conventional nondestructive quality judgment device, with respect to the irradiation means (light projecting part) and the detection means (light receiving part), a member serving as a reference for the height from the reference surface (surface on which the fruits and vegetables are conveyed) is provided. If not, the height from the reference plane is not unified, and an error may occur.
Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the non-destructive quality determination apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a photoelectric 131, a photoelectric 131, an irradiation unit (light projecting unit) 51, and The detection means (light receiving unit) 52 is configured to have the same height. This makes it possible to adjust the heights of the light projecting / receiving units 51 and 52 based on the photoelectric 131, and it is not necessary to attach / detach a separate member for adjusting the height of the light projecting / receiving units 51 and 52. Easy adjustment. In addition, an operator creates a part (standard ball or the like) 132 having a height desired to be aligned from the placement unit 10 (reference surface), transports the part 132 by the transport device 3, and the part 132 receives the photoelectric 131. It is possible to measure the heights of the light projecting / receiving units 51 and 52 from the placement unit 10 (reference plane) by checking whether or not they can be blocked. Further, the size of the part 132 is created in accordance with the type of fruits and vegetables conveyed by the conveying device 3, and the height of the photoelectric 131 is adjusted so that the photoelectric 131 is blocked by the part 132, and the height after the height adjustment is adjusted. By changing the height of the light projecting and receiving units 51 and 52 based on the photoelectric 131, the height of the light projecting and receiving units 51 and 52 can be changed to a height suitable for the type of fruits and vegetables.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Nondestructive quality determination apparatus 2 Fruit and vegetables 40 Surface color specific means 51 Irradiation means 52 Detection means 70 Cavity determination means 71 Prediction part 72 Correction part 73 Determination part

Claims (2)

Surface color specifying means for specifying the surface color of fruits and vegetables;
Irradiating means for irradiating the fruits and vegetables with detection light;
Detecting means for detecting the detection light irradiated by the irradiation means and transmitted or reflected by the fruits and vegetables;
A prediction unit that predicts a cavity ratio inside the fruit and vegetables based on a detection result by the detection means and calculates a predicted cavity ratio, and the predicted cavity ratio is set to the surface color of the fruit and vegetables specified by the surface color specifying means. When the correction cavity ratio is larger than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that there is a cavity inside the fruit and vegetables, and if the correction cavity ratio is equal to or less than the threshold value. A determination unit having a determination unit that determines that there is no cavity inside the fruit and vegetables,
Characterized by comprising:
Nondestructive quality judgment device. The correction unit of the cavity determination unit is obtained in advance, the surface color of the fruits and vegetables, the predicted cavity rate of the fruits and vegetables calculated by the prediction unit of the cavity determination unit, the measured value of the cavity rate of the fruits and vegetables, The correction cavity ratio is calculated based on the correlation of
The nondestructive quality judging device according to claim 1.

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