JP3432869B2 - Non-destructive fruit sorting method - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the non-destructive election results how to Fruit watermelon. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
As shown, the weight of the fruit was measured and based on the captured image of the fruit.
And calculate the volume based on the measured weight and the calculated volume.
There is a technology for calculating the actual specific gravity and selecting fruits . [0003] The above prior art is a fruit selection
A weighing machine and camera are installed during the conveyance of watermelon on the conveyor.
Weighing machine or camera assembly or maintenance
Workability, such as melon, cannot be improved.
In an image processing method that measures the volume of a sphere of a substantially perfect circle ,
For watermelons with many deformed spheres such as ellipses, measure the volume
There is a problem that the error cannot be reduced . [0004] However, the present invention provides a switch.
A weighing machine that measures the weight of mosquitoes and the body
Volume measurement means to measure the product, and from the weight and volume of the watermelon
Watermelon provided with calculating means for calculating specific weight and selecting
Conveyor and transport watermelon electrostatically
Non-destructive fruit sorting by passing through a volume measuring space and measuring its volume
In the method, watermelon is produced at almost the same speed as the fruit sorting conveyor
Set up a weighing conveyor and a volume measurement conveyor
In the middle of the conveyor path, the weighing conveyor and the volume
Watermelon for weighing and volume measurement is transported by constant conveyor
On the way, calculate the fruit density of watermelon,
Fruits with a negative coefficient of fruit density and a positive coefficient of mass
Calculate the sugar content of watermelon using the linear equation of density and mass to determine the quality
During the transportation of the watermelon on the fruit sorting conveyor,
Since the quantity conveyor and the volume measurement conveyor are provided separately,
Weighing by attaching / detaching weighing conveyor or volume measurement conveyor
Weighing machine or body
Workability such as assembly of product measuring means or maintenance
It can be easily improved and sugar of small fruits such as oranges
In the near-infrared measurement method for determining the degree of sugar, the sugar content of the skin and the internal sugar
In the case of a watermelon with a large difference in degree, the judgment is made incorrectly
There is a problem, and the volume of an almost perfectly round sphere such as melon
The image processing method used for measurement has an ellipsoid and some irregularities.
Measurement error for watermelon with many deformed spheres
There is a problem that can not be reduced, but with high accuracy
Easy selection of high-precision watermelon based on available fruit density
The watermelon selection mechanism is simpler and easier than before.
Improvement of handling workability and improvement of watermelon quality discrimination accuracy
Can be easily performed, and the size and shape of each
The operating rate of the sorting yard even for the DUTs with greatly different shapes
To reduce shipping costs and improve the quality of shipped products
This can be easily achieved. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a fruit selection control circuit diagram, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the fruit selection device, which is provided with a fruit selection conveyor (3) stretched through a driving wheel (1) and a driven wheel (2). ) Are driven in one direction by an electric motor (4) at a substantially constant speed, and fruit holders (6) for mounting fruit melons (5) are attached to the conveyor (3) at substantially equal intervals. (5) is configured to be continuously conveyed at a constant speed. Further, the conveyor (3) is provided with a receiving conveyor (7) for automatically supplying the melon (5) to the holder (6) on the feed start end side, and receives the melon (5) received by each loading port or each producer. The conveyer (7) is configured to stock and manage the receipt. A load cell type weigher (9) having a weighing conveyor (8) for lifting the melon (5) of the holder (6) onto the fruiting conveyor (3) is provided. It is configured to measure the mass of the melon (5) while moving the melon (5) in synchronization. [0008] Further, a suction disk (10) for forming a main electrode.
A volume measurement gate (11) forming an earth electrode;
The melon (5) of the holder (6) is provided with a volume measuring conveyer (12) for supporting the melon (5) on the suction disc (10) and passing through the inside of the gate (11), and the melon is attached to the suction disc (10) by an air cylinder (13). In a state where (5) is fixed, the melon (5) is moved in synchronization with the fruit sorting conveyor (3), and the power is supplied between the suction plate (10) and the gate (11).
The configuration is such that the volume of the melon (5) is measured based on the capacitance of the space in the gate (11) that changes according to the volume of the melon (5). Further, receiving boxes (14) (1) for taking out the melon (5) from the fruit sorting conveyor (3) by grade.
5) (16), low-sugar and high-sugar fruit take-out cylinders (17) and (18) for transferring the melon (5) of the holder (6) to the boxes (14) to (16), and take-out cylinders outside the judgment ( 19), and the melon (5) of the holder (6) is divided into the low-sugar fruits, the high-sugar fruits, and the non-judgment.
4) It is configured to take out at (15) and (16). Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the measuring device (9) which is a measuring means for measuring the density and mass of the melon (5).
And a capacitance meter (20), a criterion value setting device (21), which is a setting means for initially setting a criterion value for the sugar content, and calculates and determines the sugar content based on the measured density and mass of the melon (5). A controller (22) constituted by a microcomputer, which is a determination unit for performing the determination, is provided. [0011] When performing the fruit selection work of the melon (5), the correlation diagram between the fruit density and the sugar content shown in Fig. 5 is stored and input into the controller (22) as judgment data. The difference between the densities is determined by the reference value
1) Correction by operation and change the set value for classifying the sugar content of the melon (5). The melon (5) of the receiving conveyor (7) is automatically transferred to the fruit holder (6) of the fruit sorting conveyor (3). , The mass of the melon (5) placed on the holder (16) is measured by the measuring instrument (9), and then the melon (5) is supported by the suction disk (10),
The volume of the melon (5) is measured by a change in the capacitance of the space in the volume measurement gate (11). When the mass and volume of the melon (5) are clarified and the fruit density is measured, the estimated sugar content B (Brix%) is determined from the fruit density D (g / ml) and the mass M (g) of the melon (5). ) Is calculated by the calculation formula B = 18.5D-1.61M-1.05, the estimated sugar content shown in FIG. 4 is obtained, and it is determined whether the fruit is immature, ripe, or not determined. Calculated estimated sugar content B
Is determined based on the criterion value of the setting device (21), and the cylinders (17), (18), and (19) are operated and automatically selected, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. The mass of the melon (5) measured by the measuring instrument (9) is input to the controller (22), and the volume of the melon (5) based on the capacitance change between the suction plate (10) and the gate (11) is reduced. The density is calculated from the mass and volume of the melon (5) from the capacitance meter (20) to the controller (22), and the estimated sugar content B shown in FIG. 18.5D-1.61M-1.05, the sugar content determination reference value was input from the determination reference value setting device (21) to the controller (22), and the calculated estimated sugar content of the melon (5) and the determination standard were determined. Determine the sugar content of melon (5) based on the value Allowed by sugar content of melons was nondestructive (5) to determine melon (5) is a high sugar content or low sugar content, the cylinders (17) (18)
(19) is activated to automatically and continuously sort the melon (5), and to take out the melon (5) separately from the low-sugar fruit and the high-sugar fruit and undetermined. The mass is measured to calculate an estimated sugar content, the quality is determined based on the estimated sugar content of the melon (5), and a low-quality low-sugar fruit having a low sugar content and a high-quality high-sugar fruit having a high sugar content are added to the melon (5). ). As is clear from FIG. 4, using the above-mentioned calculation formula B = 18.5D-1.61M-1.05,
When the estimated sugar content B of the melon (5) is determined based on the fruit density D and the mass M, the estimated sugar content B substantially approximated to the actually measured sugar content obtained by collecting the pulp of the melon (5) and measuring the sugar content by a refractometer is obtained. Thus, it was found that the sugar content of melon (5) can be accurately determined by non-destructive measurement by using the estimated sugar content B as fruiting determination data of melon (5). The melon (5) which has passed a predetermined number of days (about 50 days) after flowering is harvested as a sample, and the density of the melon (5), which is the sample fruit, is determined by, for example, measuring the weight in the air and the weight in the water. With melon (5)
The fruit pulp is collected and the sugar content is measured by a sugar meter to obtain the relationship between the density of the melon and the sugar content as fruit selection judgment data as shown in FIG. 5, and the fruit selection judgment data of FIG. 5 is sent to the controller (22). By storing and inputting in advance, the sugar content of the melon (5) is determined based on the determination data of FIG. 5 based on the measured sugar content of the melon (5) and the determination reference value. It is determined whether (5) is a low-sugar fruit or a high-sugar fruit, and each cylinder (1
7) It is also possible to automatically and continuously sort melons (5) by operating (18) and (19). Further, as a volume measuring means for measuring the density of the melon (5), an image processing method,
Alternatively, there is a method using a volume meter using Boyle-Charles' law, and the volume of the melon (5) can be measured using these methods. Then, the volume and density of the fruit (5) are measured, the estimated sugar content is calculated based on the volume and density of the fruit (5), and the quality of the fruit (5) is determined. The quality of the fruit (5) is determined based on the sugar content calculated based on the density and the density. Therefore, the fruit (5) is sorted into those having a high sugar content and those having a low sugar content, and the high-quality fruit (5)
And the low-quality fruit (5) can be selected based on the sugar content, and the quality discrimination accuracy of the fruit (5) can be improved more than before. Further, as is apparent from FIG. 6, similarly to the melon (5), the measuring device (9) and the capacitance meter (2) are used.
0), the mass and density of the watermelon (5) after a predetermined number of days (approximately 40 days) after flowering were measured, and using the calculation formula B = −35.5D + 0.30M + 43.1 as described above,
When the estimated sugar content B (Brix%) of the watermelon (5) was determined based on the fruit density D and the mass M, the estimated sugar content was approximately approximated to the actually measured sugar content obtained by collecting the pulp of the watermelon (5) and measuring the sugar content by a sugar meter. Since the sugar content B was obtained, the estimated sugar content B was used as fruit selection judgment data of the watermelon (5),
The sugar content of the watermelon (5) can be accurately determined by non-destructive measurement. The mass of the watermelon (5) measured by the measuring instrument (9) is input to the controller (22).
0) and the volume of the watermelon (5) based on the capacitance change between the gate (11) is input from the capacitance meter (20) to the controller (22), and the density is calculated from the mass and volume of the watermelon (5). Then, the estimated sugar content B shown in FIG. 6 was calculated from the fruit density D and the mass M using a calculation formula B = −35.5D + 0.30M + 4.
3.1, and the judgment reference value setting unit (2
The sugar content determination reference value is input to the controller (22) from 1), the sugar content of the watermelon (5) is determined based on the calculated estimated sugar content of the watermelon (5) and the determination reference value, and the watermelon (5) is measured nondestructively. Based on the sugar content, it is determined whether the watermelon (5) has a low sugar content or a high sugar content, and each cylinder (17) (1)
8) The watermelon (5) is automatically and continuously selected by activating (19), and the watermelon (5) can be taken out separately from the low-sugar fruit, the high-sugar fruit, and out of the judgment. The density and the mass of the watermelon are measured to calculate an estimated sugar content, the quality is determined based on the estimated sugar content of the watermelon (5), and a low-quality low-sugar fruit having a low sugar content and a high-quality high-sugar fruit having a high sugar content are obtained. Watermelon (5)
Can be selected. As is clear from the above, the watermelon (5)
Weighing machine for measuring the weight (9), the static of the scan squid (5) Den'yo
Volume measuring means (20) for measuring the volume from the amount, and watermelon
The calculating means (2) for calculating the specific weight from the weight and the volume of (5)
2) and fruiting to transport the selected watermelon (5)
Conveyor (3) is provided and watermelon (5) is
Non-destructive sorting method by measuring the volume by passing it through the measuring space
Method, the speed is almost the same as that of the fruit sorting conveyor (3).
Measuring conveyor (8) for transporting mosquito (5) and volume measurement
A conveyor (12) is provided, and a conveyance system for the fruit sorting conveyor (3)
During the measurement, the weighing conveyor (8) and the volume measurement conveyor (1)
2) Watermelon (5) for measuring and volume measurement
To calculate the fruit density of watermelon (5)
With the coefficient of fruit density (D) being negative and mass (M)
Linear expression of fruit density (D) and mass (M) with the coefficient of
To calculate the sugar content (B) of watermelon (5) and determine the quality
You. Then, the watermelon (5) being transported on the fruit sorting conveyor (3)
Inside the weighing conveyor (8) and the volume measurement conveyor (1)
2) provided separately for each, measuring conveyor (8) or volume measurement
Weighing machine (9) or electrostatic depending on attachment / detachment of conveyor (12)
Attach and remove the capacity meter (20) respectively, and
Work such as assembly or maintenance of the capacitance meter (20)
Easy to improve the quality and small fruits such as oranges
The near-infrared measurement method for determining the sugar content of
In the case of watermelon (5) with a large difference in sugar content, the judgment is inappropriate
Problems, such as melons
In image processing methods that measure the volume of a sphere,
Watermelon (5) with many deformed spheres with irregularities
Has a problem that volume measurement error cannot be reduced.
However, based on the fruit density that can be calculated with high accuracy,
Select watermelon (5), compared to the conventional watermelon (5)
Simplification of sorting mechanism, improvement of handling workability and watermelon
Watermelon (5) by improving the quality discrimination accuracy of (5)
DUTs with greatly different sizes and shapes, such as
Even so, the operation rate of the sorting place is increased and the shipping cost is reduced.
Aim to reduce and improve the quality of shipped products. Further, a watermelon (5) that has passed a predetermined number of days (about 40 days) after flowering is harvested as a sample, and the density of the watermelon (5) as a sample fruit is determined by, for example, measuring the weight in the air and the weight in water. With watermelon (5)
The water content of the watermelon (5) was determined by collecting the flesh of the watermelon (5) and measuring the sugar content with a refractometer, and obtaining the relationship between the density and the sugar content of the watermelon (5) as fruit selection data as shown in FIG. The sugar content of the watermelon (5) is determined based on the determination data of FIG. 7 based on the reference value and the density of the watermelon (5) measured nondestructively to determine whether the watermelon (5) is a low-sugar fruit or a high-sugar fruit. It is also possible to discriminate and sort. As is apparent from the above embodiments, the present invention provides a weighing machine (9) for measuring the weight of a watermelon (5),
Volume measuring means for measuring the volume from the capacitance of the squid (5)
(20) and the specific weight is calculated from the weight and volume of the watermelon (5).
Watermelon provided with calculating means (22) for calculating and selecting
A fruit sorting conveyor (3) for conveying (5) is provided,
Move the watermelon (5) through the capacitance measurement space
In the non-destructive fruit sorting method to measure, the fruit sorting conveyor (3)
Weighing conveyor that transports watermelon (5) at approximately the same speed as
(8) and a volume measurement conveyor (12).
In the middle of the conveyor (3), the weighing conveyor (8)
Measurement and volume measurement are performed by the volume measurement conveyor (12).
During the transportation of the watermelon (5), the fruit of the watermelon (5)
The actual density is calculated, and the coefficient of fruit density (D) is negative.
And the fruit density (D) where the coefficient of mass (M) is positive and
The sugar content (B) of the watermelon (5) is calculated by the linear equation of the mass (M).
Calculates the quality and determines the quality.
During the transportation of squid (5), weighing conveyor (8) and volume measurement
Since the fixed conveyor (12) is provided separately, the weighing conveyor
(8) or by attaching / detaching the volume measurement conveyor (12)
Weighing machine (9) or volume measuring means (20) by detachable
Assembling the weighing machine (9) or volume measuring means (20)
Or to easily improve workability such as maintenance
As well as determining the sugar content of small fruits such as oranges
In the near-infrared measurement method performed, the difference between the sugar content of the skin and the internal sugar content is
In the case of large watermelon (5), the judgment is incorrect
And the volume measurement of a roughly circular sphere such as a melon
Image processing methods that have
For watermelon (5) with many deformed spheres, measure the volume
There is a problem that error cannot be reduced, but high accuracy
Watermelon with high accuracy based on fruit density that can be calculated by (5)
Can be easily selected, compared to the conventional watermelon (5) sorting machine
Simplification of structure, improvement of handling workability and watermelon (5)
It can easily improve the quality determination accuracy of
Individual size and shape are very different like squid (5)
Even if the measured object is
It is possible to easily reduce costs and improve the quality of shipped products .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a fruit selection control circuit. FIG. 2 is a side view of the fruit sorting device. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a correlation diagram between an estimated sugar content of melon and an actually measured sugar content. FIG. 5 is a correlation diagram between fruit density and sugar content of melon. FIG. 6 is a correlation diagram between an estimated sugar content and a measured sugar content of watermelon. FIG. 7 is a correlation diagram of watermelon fruit density and sugar content. [Description of Signs ] (3) Fruit Conveyor (5) Watermelon (8) Weighing Conveyor (9) Weighing Machine (12) Volume Measurement Conveyor (20) Capacitance Meter (Volume Measurement Means) (22) Controller (Calculation Means ) )

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01N 33/02 G01N 9/00

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] [Claim 1] A weighing machine for measuring the weight of watermelon (5)
(9) and measure the volume from the capacitance of watermelon (5)
Volume and weight of watermelon (5) and watermelon (5)
Calculation means (22) for calculating the specific weight from
A fruit sorting conveyor (3) for transporting watermelon (5)
And move watermelon (5) through the capacitance measuring space
In the non-destructive sorting method for volume measurement
A meter that transports the watermelon (5) at approximately the same speed as the bear (3)
A quantity conveyor (8) and a volume measurement conveyor (12)
In the middle of the transportation system of the fruit sorting conveyor (3),
Weighing and measurement by the conveyor (8) and the volume measurement conveyor (12)
While the watermelon (5) for volume measurement is being transported,
Calculate the fruit density of mosquito (5)
The coefficient of (D) is negative and the coefficient of mass (M) is positive
Watermelon is calculated by linear expression of fruit density (D) and mass (M)
(5) A non-destructive fruit sorting method, wherein the quality is determined by calculating the sugar content (B) .